Xi congratulates Kim on election as general secretary of Workers' Party of Korea

Xinhua) 08:36, February 24, 2026

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Kim Jong Un on his election as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the Ninth Congress of the party.

In his message, Xi noted that since the Eighth Congress of the WPK, the Central Committee of the WPK headed by Kim has united and led the DPRK people in hard work, continuously achieving new accomplishments in the cause of socialist construction in the country.

Comrade Kim's re-election as general secretary of the WPK once again reflects the high trust and wholehearted support of the party, the government, and the people of the DPRK for the general secretary, Xi said.

He added that it is of great significance that the Ninth Congress of the WPK was successfully held at a crucial stage, when the party's and the country's undertakings enter a phase that builds on the past and ushers in the future.

He expressed hope that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by the general secretary, the party and the people of the DPRK will take this congress as an opportunity to continuously open up new prospects for the socialist cause of the DPRK.

China and the DPRK are friendly socialist neighbors who stand by each other, Xi said, stressing that it is an unswerving policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to preserve, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.

In recent years, Xi noted, he has met with Kim multiple times, jointly guiding the positive development of China-DPRK relations.

Noting that the world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and that the international landscape is marked by transformation and turbulence, Xi said he stands ready to work with Kim to guide relevant departments and local authorities of both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the two sides, continuously write new chapters of China-DPRK friendly cooperation, advance the socialist cause of both countries, enhance the well-being and friendship of the two peoples, and make positive contributions to promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
Trump says top general to lead potential strike on Iran "if ordered"

Xinhua) 13:20, February 24, 2026

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will lead a potential strike on Iran if he is ordered to do so.

Trump said he would rather reach a deal with Iran.

Earlier on Monday, the Washington Post reported that Caine warned at a White House meeting last week that shortfalls in critical munitions and a lack of support from allies could pose a greater danger to U.S. troops in a potential strike on Iran, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

In a statement on Friday, Caine's office said that as the president's top military adviser, the chairman "provides a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make America's security decisions."

A new round of U.S.-Iran talks is now scheduled for Thursday in Geneva and expected to focus on Iran's nuclear program, including uranium enrichment levels and sanctions relief.

However, the previous two rounds of talks made little visible progress.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
 CaseXellence Product Gains Momentum in Public Sector Modernization 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Speridian Technologies today announced its formal selection as an approved vendor under the NASPO ValuePoint program, a significant milestone in the company's commitment to advancing public sector modernization across the United States. The contract, set to begin on September 16, 2026, will extend for a 10-year term, offering participating states direct access to Speridian's industry-leading digital government and IT solutions.

"Being selected as a NASPO ValuePoint vendor is a testament to our dedication to public sector modernization and the trust we've built with our clients," said Steve Middlekauff, chief business officer, Public Sector Solutions, Speridian Technologies. "Now the NASPO participating states have a new choice when they are looking for AI-enabled, intelligent systems that can empower their workforce to help more citizens."

Speridian Technologies earns NASPO ValuePoint offering state and local governments easy ways to modernize processes. Post this

NASPO ValuePoint, the cooperative purchasing arm of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), is renowned for upholding the highest standards in government contracting. Through its Lead State Model, NASPO ValuePoint streamlines procurement for state agencies, providing access to rigorously vetted vendors and best-in-class solutions. For the 2026 contract vehicles, nearly 300 vendors responded across a variety of industries and 58 were chosen.

Speridian's selection follows a proven track record of delivering successful modernization, case management, cloud and digital government solutions to state agencies nationwide. Positive references from participating states highlighted the company's consistent delivery, modernization expertise, and responsiveness, all critical attributes for NASPO ValuePoint's vendor pool.

Speridian's comprehensive solution is anchored by CaseXellence, its flagship low-code case management and digital government platform. Key solution components include a secure SaaS platform, low-code workflow automation tools, modernization accelerators, seamless cloud integration, agile delivery, robust cybersecurity, and on-demand technical staffing.

About CaseXellence

CaseXellence is Speridian Technologies' AI-enabled, low-code case management platform designed to support complex program delivery across government and regulated environments. The platform allows agencies to digitize workflows, automate eligibility and compliance processes, and manage cases end-to-end  from intake through resolution  improving visibility, responsiveness, and service outcomes for constituents. Learn more at www.casexellence.speridian.com.

About NASPO ValuePoint

NASPO ValuePoint is the cooperative purchasing division of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), facilitating cooperative public procurement solicitations using a Lead State Model. NASPO aggregates the demand of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the US territories, their political subdivisions, and other eligible entities, spurring best value, innovation, and competition in the marketplace. NASPO ValuePoint delivers high-value, reliable, and competitively sourced cooperative contracts - offering public entities outstanding prices, favorable terms and conditions, and value-added services. Learn more at www.naspovaluepoint.org.

About Speridian

Speridian Technologies is a global consulting and technology services firm that helps enterprises and public sector organizations modernize operations, enhance customer experience, and accelerate digital transformation through advisory, implementation, and managed services. With deep industry expertise and capabilities spanning AI, automation, cloud, analytics, and enterprise platforms, Speridian delivers outcome-focused solutions that drive measurable business value.

For more information about all of Speridian's services and solutions, please visit www.speridian.com.

Contact:

Catherine Riedel

Chief Public Affairs Officer

312-209-0250

[email protected]

SOURCE Speridian Technologies
Some cats tolerate attention, while others clearly expect it. They go out of their way to find that love and affection, and demand to be treated like a celebrity, even in their own home. When they grow up surrounded by love and cameras, posing just becomes part of the routine, and they live for it.

This video shows Scottish Fold "grandkittens" unfazed as their grandma takes photo after photo of them just going about their most ordinary day. They sit patiently, completely comfortable in the spotlight, like celebrities whove been famous their whole lives. Its sweet, funny, and incredibly charming.

TikTok user @wallylouiearchie_cats shared a video from February 18 of what happens at their home when grandma comes over to visit. She probably says she's there to visit with her human family members, but she never forgets to shower the cats in the home with all that love and more.

This includes Wally, Louie, and Archie, a trio of Scottish Fold cats who look different from each other, but the paparazzi is there to snap the photos, regardless. We meet an orange Scottish Fold named Archie. His fur is cut in a summer style right now, but he gives off similar vibes to a Persian cat. And we also meet Wally, a Scottish Fold who has gray-and-white fur and is as typical of a Scottish Fold cat as you can get.

Related: Scottish Fold Cat Becomes the Sweetest Big Brother to a Fluffy Persian Kitten

They all probably love it when Grandma comes to visit, because they've got their own personal paparazzi right there in their home snapping photos as if they were true celebrities or royals.

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The sibling we don't get to meet in this clip is Louie, a Tuxedo-colored Scottish Fold who loves to cause havoc by eating the fresh flowers on the table. That's probably where he was when Grandma was over snapping photos. Using that time when everyone is distracted to go snag a bit of the rose leaves.

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Scottish Fold Cats Have a Sweet Personality

Wally, Louie, and Archie are full of personality, and they're not fazed by all the attention, which makes sense.

According to Highland Titles, Scottish Fold cats are "very friendly and loving" to their humans, and they love to have any and all attention.

These kitties don't like to be left alone, so it's nice that they have each other, but if they end up alone, they can be a little destructive to get the attention they want. The site explains that these cats typically bond with only a few people and pour all their love onto them.

This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Bobby Edwards

NEED TO KNOW

Robert Edwards, inventor of the Squatty Potty, has been indicted on federal charges alleging he received child sexual abuse material between 2021 and 2025

Investigators say an undercover FBI agent infiltrated an online group chat used to trade illicit material and later tied activity and PayPal transactions to Edwards

Edwards pleaded not guilty in federal court in Utah and remains in custody pending a March 2 detention hearing

The inventor of Squatty Potty has pleaded not guilty after being charged in federal court with receiving child sex abuse material.

Robert Edwards, 50, of Ivins, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah on Feb. 10, the Department of Justice announced on Monday. He was arrested in Washington County, Utah and made his initial court appearance in St. George, Utah on Monday, Feb. 23, where he entered a not guilty plea.

According to court documents, investigators allege that between March 2021 and November 2025, Edwards knowingly received multiple images of child sexual abuse material.

The case began in March 2021 when an undercover agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation infiltrated an online group chat suspected of being used to trade illicit material. Prosecutors allege that Edwards was identified as one of the participants.

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In May 2025, agents reportedly flagged several PayPal transactions tied to Edwards account as potentially related to illegal purchases.

On Nov. 4, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at his residence and seized electronic devices, including a cell phone that allegedly contained explicit images and videos involving minors.

Edwards remains in custody pending a detention hearing on March 2. If convicted, he faces significant penalties under federal law.

Read the original article on People
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Feb. 24 kept the lid on lawsuits against the U.S. Postal Service for delivery problems, ruling against a Texas landlord who said the federal agency deliberately withheld her mail as a form of racial harassment.

The court, in a 5-4 opinion, said the immunity Congress gave the Postal Service from lawsuits seeking monetary damages covers acts alleged to be intentional.

The struggling Postal Service warned that without these protections, it could face a flood of lawsuits over its daily handling of 300 million mail pieces.

But the attorney for the landlord, Lebene Konan, said situations like hers  in which she and tenants did not get their mail delivered for years even after she filed dozens of complaints  are rare. Konan's attorney doubted that allowing her suit to move forward would prompt a deluge of similar lawsuits, certainly not frivolous ones.

Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court did not decide whether all of the landlord's claims are barred by the ruling, just that the Postal Service can't be sued for intentionally not delivering the mail. The court sent the case back to the lower courts for further proceedings.

Still, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in dissent that the majority expanded protections for the Postal Service beyond what Congress intended, covering missed mail "even when that nondelivery was driven by malicious reasons."

Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the court's six conservatives, joined Sotomayor and the two other liberal justices in dissent.

Landlord alleges postal workers refused to deliver her mail

Konan, who rents rooms in houses she owns in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contends that postal workers refused to deliver mail to her or tenants for two years because they did not like the idea of a Black landlord renting to White people.

As a result, she said, some tenants moved out and others missed bills, medicine deliveries and other important mail.

Konan said she submitted more than 50 complaints to the Postal Service and asked the government watchdog that monitors the Postal Service to intervene before seeking compensation in court.

A letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service places a letter into a mailbox while out making deliveries on a residential street on the Treasure Coast on Aug. 5, 2023.

Lower courts were divided

A federal district judge said in 2023 she couldnt sue. Thats because federal law protects the Postal Service from claims "arising out of the loss, miscarriage, or negligent transmission of letters or postal matter."

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But after Konan appealed, the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit said that protection doesn't cover a postal worker's refusal to deliver the mail, which is what Konan wants the chance to prove.

When the high court took up the case  U.S. Postal Service v. Konan  in October, most of the debate centered on the meaning of the words "loss" and "miscarriage" in the postal exception to the Federal Tort Claims Act.

In the majority opinion, Thomas wrote that both "loss" and "miscarriage" can occur as a result of the Postal Service's intentional failure to deliver the mail.

"A 'miscarriage of mail' includes failure of the mail to arrive at its intended destination, regardless of the carrier's intent or where the mail goes instead," he wrote.

The justices also debated whether lawmakers intended to protect the Postal Service from paying damages for intentional wrongdoing, such as a vindictive postal worker tearing up someones Social Security check.

Postal Service fears a 'deluge of suits'

Frederick Liu, the Department of Justice attorney representing the Postal Service, argued that Congress wanted to avoid a "deluge of suits."

The Postal Service delivers more than 300 million pieces of mail per day and receives 300,000 customer complaints per year alleging misconduct, according to the government. If even 1% of those complaints become lawsuits, Liu said, the number of suits filed against the Postal Service would quadruple.

"Things like intent are easy to allege and hard to disprove," he said of the difficulty of fighting those suits.

But Konans lawyer pointed out that the government similarly warned about crippling lawsuits when the Supreme Court, in 2006, considered a case brought by a woman who tripped over mail left on her porch. Even after the court sided with the injured woman, the Postal Service wasnt flooded with lawsuits, Eash Anand said.

"We know Congress did not want to immunize USPS wholesale," she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court keeps lid on lawsuit against USPS for delivery issues
FILE PHOTO: Tesla logo is seen in this illustration taken July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Daniel Wiessner

Feb 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Tesla of discriminating against American citizens in hiring so it can pay less to foreign workers, but said he was skeptical that the software engineer who sued would prevail.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco said in a brief order late Monday that Scott Taub, who filed the proposed class action in September, had offered up "just enough facts" about Tesla's hiring practices for the case to move forward.

Taub says the electric carmaker led by billionaire Elon Musk passed him over for an engineering job, part of its "systematic preference" to hire foreign visa holders in violation of federal civil rights law. He also says layoffs at Tesla have disproportionately targeted U.S. citizens.

Chhabria on Monday said Tesla must face Taub's claims that a recruiter for a staffing company told him that the engineering job he sought was "H1B only," referring to H-1B visas granted to highly educated foreign workers and heavily relied upon by the tech industry.

The judge dismissed claims by a second plaintiff, human resources specialist Sofia Brander, saying it was implausible that Tesla prefers to hire foreign workers for HR positions. He gave Brander two weeks to file an amended complaint fleshing out her claims.

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Tesla and lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tesla has denied the claims in the lawsuit and called them "preposterous" in court filings.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, has imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, an unprecedented move that he says will deter businesses from abusing the program and displacing American workers. The fee is being challenged in at least three lawsuits.

The lawsuit says Tesla is dependent on holders of H-1B visas, including in 2024 when it hired an estimated 1,355 visa holders while laying off more than 6,000 workers domestically, the vast majority believed to be U.S. citizens.

Chhabria on Monday said that beyond the recruiter's comments, Taub has presented scant evidence of discrimination. The statistics from 2024, for instance, merely show that Tesla hired a substantial number of H-1B holders that year, but not that it preferred them over U.S. citizens, the judge said.

"All of this causes the Court to be somewhat skeptical of Taubs allegations," Chhabria wrote.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Aurora Ellis)
"TODAY" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday announced her family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for the recovery of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared more than three weeks ago.

"Someone knows how to find our mom and bring her home," Savannah Guthrie wrote in a caption accompanying a video published on Instagram just before 9 a.m. Tuesday.

More on Nancy Guthries disappearance

In the video, a visibly emotional Savannah Guthrie urged the public to keep her mother in their thoughts.

"Please keep praying without ceasing," she said. "We still believe. We still believe in a miracle. We still believe that she can come home, hope against hope. As my sister says, 'We are blowing on the embers of hope.'"

"We also know that she may be lost," she added. "She may already be gone."

The Guthrie family plans to donate $500,000 to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "We know there are millions of families that have suffered with this kind of uncertainty," Savannah Guthrie said.

Michelle DeLaune, the chief executive of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, confirmed the Guthrie family's donation in a blog post.

"Their donation is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: when a family is in crisis, they deserve someone to stand with them," DeLaune said.

The Guthrie family was prepared to offer a cash reward from the beginning of the investigation, but they were advised that doing so might overwhelm the infrastructure set up to field leads, according to a source close to the family.

The family decided to offer the reward after careful consultation and coordination with law enforcement, the source said.

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The reward does not hinge on an arrest or prosecution, only Guthries recovery, the source said, and the $1 million can be split if there is more than one valid claim.

By Tuesday night, 12 hours after the family reward was made public, more than 750 calls had come in to the FBI's tip line, a senior law enforcement official told NBC News.

A federal official earlier had said that the reward offer was likely to generate tips. We dont need another thousand calls. We need one. Money can erode a lot of allegiances," that official said.

The Pima County Sheriffs Office said early on that investigators believe Guthrie was taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction.

Authorities have not identified a suspect in the case, though the FBI released doorbell camera images and videos of an armed and masked man outside Guthrie's house on the morning she disappeared. (Two law enforcement sources said Monday that one of the images was captured earlier.)

All members of the Guthrie family have been cleared as possible suspects, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously said, adding that to "suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel."

People put up a poster for Nancy Guthrie in Tucson on Saturday. (Rebecca Noble / Reuters) (Rebecca Noble)

"The Guthrie family are victims, plain and simple," Nanos added.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have posted a series of Instagram videos since their mother went missing. In some of the videos, Savannah Guthrie made direct appeals to her mothers possible captor.

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to Guthrie or to an arrest, and an additional $102,500 reward is being offered through Tucson Crime Stoppers, known locally as 88-CRIME.

Supporters of the Guthrie family have left flowers and handmade posters outside her home. In one sign seen by NBC News early Tuesday, an unidentified person directly addressed Guthrie's possible kidnapper.

"Unintentional things happen, and we get that," one part of the sign said. "Life is made up of choices. Please make the right one now."
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Chief of Staff of the Department of Homeland Security Corey Lewandowski speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, in Jasionka, Poland, May 27, 2025. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Top U.S. homeland security aide Corey Lewandowski entered the cockpit of a government jet uninvited during a flight last year, after which he fired a pilot over a misplaced blanket, two people familiar with the matter said.

Lewandowski, a long-time ally of President Donald Trump, was traveling with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when they discovered her blanket was missing, the people said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal government operations.

The new details about the pilot incident suggest Lewandowski may have violated the safety guidelines set out by the U.S. Coast Guard, which operated the plane.

Lewandowski entered the cockpit before the plane had reached 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) and while the seatbelt sign remained on, one of the people said.

Federal Aviation Administration rules, several of which were tightened after 9/11, strictly limit cockpit access and prohibit interfering with aircraft crew duties. An FAA regulation also prohibits airline pilots and staff from engaging in non-essential activities or conversations in the cockpit while operating under 10,000 feet, and civil aircraft operators that violate that rule could face thousands of dollars in fines while pilots could face fines or termination.

The U.S. Coast Guard is not legally bound by the FAA's regulation, known as the "sterile cockpit rule," but has a similar policy, spelled out in a 2021 operations manual: "No person shall engage in any conversation or activity that could distract or interfere with a flight crewmember properly conducting their assigned duties during critical phases of flight."

The manual does not provide a specific penalty for violating the rule, but states that rule violations generally will be handled through internal disciplinary processes.

In response to a Reuters request for comment, Lewandowski said in a text message: "There was never a conversation in the cockpit when the flight was taking off."

Lewandowski said the facts as related by the sources were wrong but he did not respond on whether he entered the cockpit while the plane was climbing and still under 10,000 feet.

Aviation safety experts consider the initial ascent among the riskiest parts of any flight.

Randy Klatt, a flight safety officer with The Foundation for Aviation Safety, said planes are "low and slow" during the initial climb to 10,000 feet, making it important for pilots to focus on flight operations.

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"This is a vulnerable situation for any aircraft," Klatt said. "You don't have the altitude to spare, or trade for airspeed if needed."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, which falls under DHS, declined to comment on the flight in question. They did not respond to a Reuters request to interview the pilots. The FAA did not respond to a request for comment.

Noem, a top official overseeing Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown, has come under intense scrutiny after federal immigration agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month on infighting and tensions at DHS under Noem and Lewandowski, including the firing of the pilot.

PILOT FIRED, THEN REINSTATED

In response to a request for comment about Lewandowski entering the cockpit and about tensions at DHS, the White House referred to remarks in late January by Trump praising Noem and remarks by press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying Trump had the "utmost confidence and trust" in her.

Lewandowski, a "special government employee" who by law is allowed to work up to 130 days annually, is a senior Noem adviser and has traveled on high-profile trips with her. The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House Counsel's Office opened an investigation into Lewandowski's use of the quasi-government role last year.

The DHS spokesperson said that Lewandowski volunteers his time and that the department was not aware of any such investigation. Lewandowski did not comment when asked by Reuters about his employment status.

During the flight last spring, which was on a Gulfstream jet, the pilots in the cockpit asked Lewandowski to return to the cabin until they had reached cruising altitude, one of the people familiar with the incident said.

When the pilot walked back into the cabin later in the flight, the two sources said, Lewandowski asked who should be fired because Noem's blanket had been left behind when they switched planes for technical reasons before take-off.

The pilot, an accomplished flyer with a long record of service, took responsibility for any possible mistake and Lewandowski fired him on the spot, the sources said, confirming the Wall Street Journal report.

However, once Noem and Lewandowski reached their destination, Coast Guard leadership realized the pilot would be needed to fly them back to the Washington region and he was reinstated by the agency, the sources said. DHS and the Coast Guard declined to comment on the pilot's firing and reinstatement. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the reason for the reinstatement.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Erin Banco in New York; Additional reporting by Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Editing by Craig Timberg and Edmund Klamann)
President Trump honored a 100-year-old veteran Tuesday night by awarding E. Royce Williams the Medal of Honor for his actions in a secret mission during the Korean War.

This marks the first time that a president has awarded the medal, the U.S. military's highest honor for valor in combat, during a State of the Union address.

CBS News first reported the plan earlier Tuesday.

"Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He was a legend long before this evening," Mr. Trump said. Williams stood, and first lady Melania Trump placed the medal around his neck.

First lady Melania Trump presents E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor during President Trump's State of the Union address on Feb. 24, 2026. / Credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS /AFP via Getty Images (US Navy / Petty Officer 2nd Class T. Logan)

Williams, a retired Navy captain, was part of the longest aerial engagement in U.S. Navy history when he fought seven Soviet MiG fighter jets, shooting down four, during a half-hour dogfight in 1952.

Soviet involvement was top secret at the time, so the records of the event were classified for decades. At the height of the Korean War, Williams and another American pilot were flying off the coast of the Korean Peninsula when they encountered seven Soviet miG-15 fighter jets. The Soviet aircraft opened fire, he would later recall: "Since they started the fight," he said, "I shot back."

Williams struck one of the MiGs, and his fellow American pilot pursued it. Then, flying alone, he engaged the remaining aircraft, downing three more Soviet planes while maneuvering through what military accounts later described as hundreds of rounds of incoming fire. In recent years, the U.S. military has published detailed descriptions of the encounter, portraying it as one of the most intense aerial engagements of the war.

"In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job," Williams told news outlet Task & Purpose in a 2022 interview. "I was only shooting what I had."

After his aircraft was struck, Williams turned back toward an American aircraft carrier, guiding the damaged plane in for a landing at high speed. He later said he had considered ejecting but concluded that the frigid conditions over the water made such a decision perilous.

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Williams has said that he was instructed to keep the airborne clash a secret  a rare and politically fraught confrontation between American and Soviet forces at a moment when the two Cold War adversaries were intent on avoiding open war. For decades, he spoke of it to no one, not even his wife.

Details of the operations surfaced only years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as archival records and military histories were made public. Three years ago, Williams was awarded the Navy Cross, the highest combat award that can be given to a service member of either the Navy or Marine Corps for valor in combat.

Republican Rep. Darell Issa of California, whose San Diego-area district includes Williams home, pressed for the retired Navy pilot to receive the Medal of Honor. Last year, lawmakers authorized the president to bestow the decoration, waiving the longstanding requirement that it be awarded within five years of the act of valor.

"The heroism and valor he demonstrated for more than 35 harrowing minutes almost 70 years ago in the skies over the North Pacific and the coast of North Korea unquestionably saved the lives of his fellow pilots, shipmates, and crew," Issa wrote in a statement earlier this month.

Mr. Trump called Williams earlier this month.

The timing of the medal presentation is notable as Mr. Trump is set to award the Medal of Honor to a veteran recognized for killing Russian pilots decades ago, on the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago a conflict now shadowed by negotiations in which Kyiv has faced pressure to consider ceding territory seized by Moscow.

Trump presents pilot in Venezuela operation with Medal of Honor

Breaking down New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's response to historic blizzard

Watch: Trump awards Medal of Honor, Legion of Merit and more throughout State of the Union
Candles and flowers are placed near an image of Charlie Kirk, during a vigil at Orem City Center Park, after U.S. right-wing activist and commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 11, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart

By Andrew Hay

Feb 24 (Reuters) - A Utah judge is expected to rule on Tuesday on whether to disqualify prosecutors from the trial of the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk because a daughter of a senior prosecutor witnessed the killing.

This month, District Court Judge Tony Graf held a hearing on the challenge by defense lawyers for Tyler Robinson, who contend that prosecutors from the Utah County Attorney's Office should be disqualified from the case.

Robinson's defense attorneys noted that the 18-year-old daughter of a senior prosecutor witnessed the September 10 murder. They said the prosecutors' decision to seek the death penalty less than a week later showed a "strong emotional reaction" from Chad Grunander, a deputy attorney whose daughter alerted him to the murder in a string of text messages.

Grunander testified that his daughter's presence at the shooting did not play any role in his office's move to seek the death penalty. He said the decision was made after he and other prosecutors decided they had sufficient evidence against Robinson.

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"We felt there's simply no conflict here," Grunander told the Provo, Utah, court during a February 3 hearing.

There has been no discussion in court or filings of who would prosecute the case if the judge rules to disqualify Grunander's team. Defense lawyers have previously requested that the Utah state attorney general's office answer their conflict of interest allegations, not the Utah County Attorney's Office.

Robinson, 22, was studying to be an electrician. He is accused of firing a single round from a rooftop that struck down Kirk as he debated students at Utah Valley University in Orem during a tour of U.S. colleges.

Kirk was credited with mobilizing young voters who helped President Donald Trump win the 2024 election. His assassination on stage in front of hundreds of onlookers was a stunning public display of mounting political violence in the U.S.

Robinson is charged with aggravated murder, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. He will not enter a plea until after a preliminary hearing, tentatively scheduled for mid-May.

(Reporting by Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; editing by Donna Bryson and David Gregorio)
Abiquiu, New Mexico, is one of my favorite small towns in the US. Emily Hart

After visiting all 50 states, I realized it was the small towns that really stuck out in my mind.

I love returning to places like Kennebunkport, Maine, and Bayfield, Wisconsin.

I can't get enough of the scenery in Abiquiu, New Mexico, and Homer, Alaska.

I've been to all 50 states  most several times  and the places that stay with me aren't the big cities.

Rather, they're the small towns I stumbled into on long road trips, the places locals insisted I "had to see," and the destinations I only meant to pass through but ended up daydreaming about long after I left.

After years of crisscrossing the country, I've realized that much of America's real magic lives in its small towns. Here are five I can't stop thinking about

Kennebunkport, Maine, is a charming coastal town.

Emily Hart

Kennebunkport, Maine, is one of those coastal towns I keep returning to, no matter how many new places I visit.

I've been several times, and each trip reminds me why it's such a favorite  wide, sandy beaches, peaceful inlets that are perfect for kayaking, and that unmistakable Maine charm.

And of course, no visit is complete without a classic lobster roll from Mabel's Lobster Claw.

I often find myself returning to Bayfield, Wisconsin.

melissamn/Shutterstock

Bayfield, Wisconsin, is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, where I've spent hours hiking forested trails and wandering quiet, wild islands.

In town, a visit to Copper Crow Distillery, the first Indigenous-owned distillery in US, is a must-visit. And dinner downtown at the stylish and historic St. James Social is the perfect way to end a day exploring this charming lakeside town.

Telluride, Colorado, is my favorite mountain town.

Emily Hart

As a Colorado local, Telluride remains my favorite mountain town. Nestled in a stunning canyon surrounded by towering peaks, it combines dramatic scenery with a laid-back, small-town vibe that's hard to beat.

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The free gondola ride offers stunning views of the town (and the San Juan Mountains) from above, and makes getting around town effortless. Plus, in my opinion, the nearby hiking trails are some of the best in the state, ranging from alpine trails to hidden waterfalls.

The restaurants are top-notch, and the town's remoteness only adds to its charm.

Homer, Alaska, feels peaceful and welcoming.

Bob Pool/Getty Images

Homer, Alaska, is a beautiful four-and-a-half-hour drive from Anchorage. Although it's easy enough to travel to, visiting feels like being worlds away.

I love wandering the harbor and the "Homer Spit," a long, thin stretch of land reaching into Kachemak Bay. Here, I enjoy watching the fishing boats come and go, and hiking the nearby trails.

Staying right on the water makes mornings feel slow and calm, and the town's laid-back charm shows up in every coffee shop and gallery I visit.

From fresh seafood to iconic local spots like the Salty Dawg Saloon  which is famously covered with dollar bills on the ceiling and walls  Homer somehow feels wild and welcoming at the same time.

The landscape in Abiquiu, New Mexico, is unforgettable.

Emily Hart

Abiquiu is a small town with a big personality  where art, history, and adventure converge in unexpected ways.

The landscape in Abiquiu, New Mexico, inspired many of Georgia O'Keeffe's works, and I can definitely see why. For example, hiking or taking a horseback riding tour at Ghost Ranch is unforgettable, with red cliffs and sweeping mesas around every turn.

I love starting my morning with a breakfast burrito from the historic Bode's General Store, and ending the day with dinner at Cafe Abiquiu.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks next to President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 29, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's first option with Tehran is always diplomacy but he is willing to use lethal force if necessary, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday as his top diplomat prepares to brief top congressional leaders on Iran later in the day.

"President Trump's first option is always diplomacy. But as he has shown ... he is willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary," Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House. "The president is always the final decision maker around here."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to brief top congressional leaders known as the Gang of Eight at the White House later on Tuesday, according to the U.S. State Department. Rubio is expected to brief the lawmakers on Iran, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

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The United States has deployed a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic. Trump on February 19 said he was giving Tehran about 10 to 15 days to make a deal.

Trump could address his threatened strikes against Iran over its nuclear program in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey, Jonathan Landay, Erin Banco and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Chizu Nomiyama)
Multilingual services strengthen messaging to citizens connected to foreign countries

TOKYO, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- transcosmos and transcosmos online communications began offering KANAMETOa LINE-powered Government DX toolto Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture in February 2026, supporting the city in enhancing its information delivery capabilities using its LINE official account.

Multilingual services strengthen messaging to citizens connected to foreign countries Multilingual services

 Segmented messaging

On February 19, 2026, Kawasaki City renewed its LINE official account and began sending out information based on user segments. By asking users for their preferences across the following four categories, the city delivers granular, segmented information tailored to each user's needs.

Basic incoming message settings: Information based on requested information categories and wards.

Notice on garbage collection days: Sends notices on garbage collection days based on residential area.

Municipal school lunch menu: Delivers the weekly school menu for the following week.

Disaster prevention and weather information: Sends LINE messages containing information from Email News Kawasaki (disaster prevention and weather information).

 Multilingual services

Kawasaki City is focusing on providing information in multiple languages using KANAMETO's automated message translation feature. The service supports messaging in English, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Spanish, Filipino (Tagalog), Vietnamese, and Portuguese, in addition to Japanese.

Once users set their preferred language on the language setting or basic incoming message setting pages, they can receive messages translated into their selected language. Users may also receive the original Japanese text in addition to translated messages by choosing to receive the original Japanese version.

In addition, by using KANAMETO's feature for switching the Rich Menu together with the auto-translation feature, Kawasaki City can display the Rich Menu in translated languages for users who request to receive information in languages other than Japanese.

For more details about the automated message translation feature, visit here (no translation available): https://kanameto.me/solution/auto-translation.html

 Next steps

Through delivering KANAMETO, transcosmos and transcosmos online communications will continue to promote Regional DX that enhances convenience for citizens while streamlining administrative work at the same time.

 About KANAMETO

KANAMETO is a LINE-powered Government DX tool developed and offered by transcosmos online communications inc., a joint-stock company between transcosmos, LY Corporation, and salesforce.com Co., Ltd. KANAMETO empowers governments to digitize a variety of resident services, including segmented messaging for delivering pre-registered information to residents, automated FAQ chatbot, sending disaster prevention information, citizen reporting for road- and park-related problems, My Number card issuance reservation desk, chat-based child-care consultation, oversized garbage collection reservations and online payment services, and more. Today, more than 300 local governments use KANAMETO as a paid service for sending out public information, providing counseling services via social media, etc. For more information, visit here (no translation available): https://kanameto.me/

transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

(About transcosmos online communications inc.)

transcosmos online communications inc. was founded in May 2016 as a joint-stock company between transcosmos inc. and LINE Corporation (currently LY Corporation). In October 2017, the company received investment from Salesforce Ventures, an investment arm of salesforce.com, Inc. As a GovTech venture business, transcosmos online communications continues to deliver various solutions and services that help governments build better and stronger relationships with their residents, powered by LINE's platform user base and transcosmos's sales and development capabilities. In September 2017, transcosmos online communications released KANAMETO, its proprietary LINE-powered Government DX tool. Visit us here (no translation available): https://transcosmos-online.com/

(About transcosmos inc.)

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have united superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 186 bases across 36 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

SOURCE transcosmos inc.
A woman looks emotional talking about unsafe living conditions in her rental complex.

After years of living with mold, failed heating and hot water systems, rusted walkways and asbestos concerns, tenants at a Washington, D.C. apartment complex have won a massive legal victory. A D.C. Superior Court judge has ordered the owner of Marbury Plaza, a sprawling Southeast D.C. apartment building, to pay $30 million in restitution to tenants plus $11 million in penalties and legal fees (1).

The ruling culminates a years-long legal battle accusing the landlord, Anthony Pilvavas, of leaving thousands of tenants in dangerous conditions while collecting rent as if nothing were wrong.

Must Read

Tenants cheered the ruling as a long-awaited validation: I'm so pleased that, you know, for once, a landlord's going to have to be held accountable for the conditions in which they have tenants living in, Geno Dunnington, a longtime tenant, told ABC7 News (2). For 13 years Ive lived here and gone through all those things. Ive never ever stopped paying my rent. I hope this also sends out a message to other landlords that the District of Columbia protects its tenants.

But its also a cautionary tale: Even with laws on the books, many renters tolerate unsafe conditions because they feel powerless to fight back. The Marbury Plaza tenants only won after years of organizing and legal pressure, a process not everyone can afford. Knowing your rights and how to document violations can help tenants act early, before things spiral into crisis. Heres what you need to know.

A case of neglect, and retaliation

The governments lawsuit claims tenants routinely reported dangerous mold, persistent water leaks and heat outages during the winter. The apartments holding company agreed to a consent order in 2022 requiring repairs, but the D.C. Attorney General says the landlord missed court-ordered deadlines and didnt make promised improvements, eventually resulting in a judgment the A.G.s office said was the largest ever against a D.C. and among the largest in U.S. history.

This is a significant and historic victory for thousands of Marbury Plaza tenants, who were subjected to dangerous and unlawful living conditions for years, Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb said in a statement (3).

Why this ruling matters

The case underscores a fundamental but often overlooked truth: Landlords are legally responsible for providing safe, livable homes. That duty is written into state laws and local housing codes that rely on whats commonly known as the implied warranty of habitability, and every tenant has it whether they know it or not (4).

The standards require landlords to guarantee that heat and hot water function year-round; structural elements (like walls, ceilings and roofs) are intact and leak-free; plumbing, electrical and fire safety systems are maintained; no pest infestations; and mold and moisture problems are addressed promptly.

Violating these requirements goes beyond neglect. In extreme cases like Marbury Plaza, it can cost landlords tens of millions.

Read More: Non-millionaires can now invest in this $1B private real estate fund starting at just $10

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Read More: Warren Buffetts 8 simple and repeatable rules to get rich (and stay rich) in America

What to do if youre living in unsafe conditions

You dont need to wait for your landlord to rack up millions in fines to protect your rights. If youre a tenant living in unsafe or unsanitary housing, heres what you can do:

Document everything: Take photos and videos of mold, leaks, pests or broken appliances. Keep copies of rent receipts, emails and repair requests. Documentation is your greatest asset if legal action is needed.

Make your complaints in writing: Always ask for repairs in writing: email, certified letter or maintenance portal. This creates a paper trail showing you took reasonable steps to notify the landlord.

Call your local housing authority: Cities and counties often have housing code-enforcement departments. A simple inspection can lead to citations, fines or court orders compelling repairs.

Know your local laws: Some states allow tenants to withhold rent (5) or pursue independent repairs if landlords fail to act in a timely way. But the rules vary, so research tenant rights in your state or consult a legal aid group.

Seek legal help: If your landlord refuses to make repairs or retaliates, contact a tenants rights attorney or nonprofit legal group. Many offer free consultations.

The Marbury Plaza case underscores that tenants do have legal protections, and that documentation, inspections and formal complaints can make a meaningful difference. For renters dealing with unresolved safety or maintenance concerns, this decision is a reminder that there are pathways to relief, and that enforcing basic habitability standards isnt just possible  its built into the law.

What To Read Next

Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first  clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

WTOP News (1); ABC 7 News (2); Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (3); Pay HOA (4); Hemlane (5)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
By Raul Cortes, Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Sarah Morland

MEXICO CITY, Feb 23 (Reuters) - A tip about drug lord Nemesio Oseguera's romantic liaisons led Mexican authorities to the cartel leader's hideout in a small town of Jalisco state where he was killed, Mexican authorities said on Monday in the first account of the ambush that spawned violence across much of Mexico.

At least 62 people died in the early Sunday raid on Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," and in ensuing violence - including 25 members of the National Guard military police and 34 suspected gang members - as cartel loyalists set cars ablaze in 85 roadblocks in more than a dozen states, authorities said.

President Claudia Sheinbaum early on Monday said the situation was normalizing and roadblocks were under control.

Still, Mexico beefed up security in Jalisco, the stronghold of Oseguera's infamous Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with the deployment of 2,000 troops, and Mexicans as well as tourists in the state's famed coastal towns fretted over the quick spread of violence to far corners of Mexico.

Oseguera's death is a blow to the CJNG, a highly diversified criminal enterprise, and a victory for Mexico's government after pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to crack down on the cartels. Yet the victory could lead to further violence in a country already grappling with years of killings and disappearances at the hands of organized crime.

"Unfortunately, it's not the first time we're experiencing this, but this time it does seem a bit more worrying because there's no successor to these cartels," said Fabiola Cortes, a schoolteacher in Mexico City. "We hope that, truly, our president does something for us, protects us, because honestly, fear is everywhere on the streets."

Oseguera, Mexico's most-wanted cartel leader, was the mastermind of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, rival to the also infamous Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S. had offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

The U.S. provided intelligence to help pinpoint the exact location of the compound in the town of Tapalpa where Mexican authorities found the cartel boss, but Mexican officials underscored that they spearheaded the operation.

"There was no participation in this operation of U.S. forces. What there was, was an exchange of information," President Sheinbaum said.

MILITARY OPERATION LED TO RETALIATORY SURGE IN VIOLENCE

Oseguera died in a helicopter after being injured in a military operation by Mexican special forces in a wooded area outside the town of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco, according to Mexico's defense ministry.

Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said information from a confidante of one of Oseguera's romantic partners helped officials quickly plan the raid for the following day at the crime boss' compound.

During the raid, Oseguera's gunmen opened fire on security forces and the conflict moved to a cabin complex in a wooded area, where he was injured along with two of his bodyguards. The three were transported by helicopter to Mexico City but did not survive, Trevilla said.

"Unfortunately, they died on the way," Trevilla said, speaking at the president's daily press conference. He choked up while offering condolences to families of officers who died.

Rifles with grenade launchers, rocket launchers and mortar shells were found at the site of the raid, officials added.

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Mexico's Attorney General's Office said it was carrying out proceedings across 14 states, nearly half of the country, and Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said at least 70 people were arrested in seven states.

Throughout Sunday, suspected cartel members set fire to vehicles and businesses, blocking roads and disrupting travel, in protest of Oseguera's killing.

According to the defense ministry, attacks in Jalisco were organized by Oseguera's right-hand man and top financial chief known as "El Tuli," who was also killed in a clash with security forces as they attempted to arrest him.

The cartel operative offered a 20,000 peso ($1,160) reward for the deaths of military personnel, according to Trevilla.

Garcia added that authorities were closely monitoring for a reaction or restructuring within the cartel that could unleash further violence. "There is already a specific surveillance of several leaders of this criminal organization," he said.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT TO TOURISM

The flare-ups caused airlines to cancel flights on Sunday, and on Monday morning shares in Mexican airline Volaris and airport operators GAP and ASUR were down more than 4%. Airline Aeromexico on Monday said it was gradually resuming flights, while Air Canada said it would resume flights to the popular Puerto Vallarta beach resort on Tuesday, and flights to the Jalisco's capital city of Guadalajara on Wednesday.

Ryan Davis was among the foreign tourists in Puerto Vallarta shocked by the violence on Sunday. "It was surreal because we're going to the airport and we're dodging burned-out cars in the middle of the street," he recalled.

State oil firm Pemex said its operations were working normally and fuel supplies were guaranteed nationwide, after unverified video footage showed fighting and intense shooting at a Pemex gas station. Mexican conglomerate Femsa, which operates Mexico's ubiquitous Oxxo convenience stores, reported over 200 incidents at its stores and gas stations.

Kimberley Sperrfechter, emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said the immediate impact would hit tourism, but if the unrest drags on, it could also risk electronics and semiconductor manufacturing in Jalisco.

Besides electronics manufacturing, Jalisco is also an agricultural hub for products such as eggs, berries and avocados, as well as the birthplace and a leading producer of tequila.

"Beyond the macro implications, the killing shows that Mexico's government is doing what it can to appease the Trump administration ahead of this year's USMCA review," she added, referring to the U.S.-Canada-Mexico free trade pact.

However, on Monday morning U.S. President Donald Trump called on Mexico to further boost its efforts targeting drug cartels. "Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!" he wrote in a social media post.

While the U.S. has pushed Mexico for more action on drug trafficking, Mexican authorities have also long called on the U.S. to do more to limit the illegal sales of firearms that bolster the vast, deadly arsenals of cartels that operate inside its territory. According to U.S. government data, some 70% of illegal arms traced in Mexico came from the U.S.

($1 = 17.2571 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Raul Cortes, Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, Sarah Morland, Lizbeth Diaz and Inigo Alexander, Additional reporting by Rodrigo Campos, Diego Delgado, Amy McConaghy and Monica Naime; Editing by Christian Plumb, Mark Porter, Daina Beth Solomon and Michael Perry)
Anna Kepner. Anna Kepner/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother was charged with homicide in connection with her death, according to her family

The stepbrother's father, Thomas Hudson, has filed for sole custody of his 9-year-old daughter, who is living with her mother, Shauntel Hudson, and Anna's father, Chris Kepner

Anna, an 18-year-old from Titusville, Fla., was found dead in her room on the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7, 2025, during a vacation with her family

Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide in connection with her death, her family alleges in court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

In an emergency petition filed in Brevard County, Fla., on Feb. 20, Thomas Hudson petitioned for custody of his nine-year-old daughter, by his ex-wife, Shauntel Hudson. The 9-year-old currently primarily resides with Shauntel and her husband, Chris Kepner, Anna's father.

"There has been a significant and unanticipated change in circumstances that requires the immediate transfer of sole time sharing and parental responsibility," the petition reads.

The document goes on to state that Anna's teenage stepbrother was charged with homicide on Feb. 3 by the U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, citing "social media from the Kepner family." CBS News was the first to report on the petition.

Anna, an 18-year-old from Titusville, Fla., was found dead under a bed in her room on the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7, 2025, during a vacation with her family. She died from asphyxiation from a bar hold, according to court filings submitted in the same case.

"Information has been obtained that will potentially call into question the judgment and parenting" of Shauntel and Chris, the Feb. 20 petition obtained by PEOPLE alleges.

Anna's 16-year-old stepbrother appeared in a federal court in Miami on Feb. 6, a law enforcement source told PEOPLE.

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Shauntel and Chris released a statement after the proceedings, confirming that the stepbrother had been granted release, and the couple voiced their anger about this decision.

"At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely. This reality adds to our grief and outrage," the statement read in part. "It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable."

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.



Anna Kepner. Anna Kepner/Instagram

A law enforcement source told PEOPLE that U.S. Marshals escorted the 16-year-old to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where he and his public defender appeared before a magistrate in a closed-door hearing.

The case is being tried in federal court because Anna died on open water while the cruise ship was returning to Miami following a weeklong Caribbean cruise.

PEOPLE reached out to federal prosecutors and the FBI, which is handling the investigation, for comment. They previously declined to comment.

Read the original article on People
The Brief

An American family is stranded in Mexico after violence erupted in Puerto Vallarta

Authorities confirmed "El Mencho," a Mexican cartel leader, was killed this weekend

Following the death of "El Mencho," the cartel responded to its leader's death with widespread violence

TEXAS - Several Americans are stranded in Mexico after violence erupted following the death of a top cartel leader.

One man says his family was supposed to be on a relaxing family vacation when it quickly turned to a fight to get home safely.

What they're saying

"I had more confidence that I was probably going to die than I was that we were going to live," said TJ Johnson, who is stuck in Mexico.

For American TJ Johnson, this years annual family vacation brought them to Puerto Vallarta.

"I was having coffee on the terrace here behind me and in the hills. But, we started to see some smoke and that was unusual because we hadn't seen anything like that the entire time that we were here, but it was also weird because there were multiple locations where smoke was starting to come up," said Johnson.

This all happened the same day authorities had confirmed "El Mencho," the leader of one of the largest Narco terrorist cartels in the country, had been killed during a military operation. The White House says the U.S. provided intelligence support.

In the hours that followed, the cartel responded to its leader's death with widespread violence. Vehicles were set on fire and blocked highways.

"It was almost like you were on a Universal Studios ride, if that makes any sense, but also feeling like you're probably not, you might not live," said Johnson.

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Johnson and his family packed up and headed to the airport, trying to get out of the situation.

"We turned onto a road that was typically very busy, and it was not, it was very odd, there was no traffic. There was nothing. And then you went down a little further, kind of turning as we're headed to the airport and burning buses and burning taxis. There was also a burning part of the back end of a semi-truck," said Johnson.

They made it to the airport but then more chaos followed.

"Within a matter of 15 to 20 minutes, the alarms went off and all the airport employees started running and telling us to run. And so, we all ran out of the side of the airport onto the tarmac about a mile or half a mile away. And we waited there for about 30 minutes until we were given the go ahead to come back," said Johnson.

Johnson says he and hundreds of others spent the night at the airport waiting for answers. Despite everything, he still loves the area and hopes to return one day.

"We're not going to let that persuade our thoughts about doing this again next year. I would come back to Puerto Vallarta. I would feel very safe here. I love the people, I love the experience. It was so worth it," said Johnson.

Texas Senator John Cornyn and Representative Chip Roy are urging Texans in Mexico to contact the U.S. State Department and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the state department of public safety to increase its security along the southern border with Mexico.

The Source

Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Jenna King
Stefano Bolognini, Wikimedia Commons

BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun)  A North Idaho state legislator is bringing back a request for the nations high court to overturn its 2015 landmark decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Rep. Tony Wisniewski, R-Post Falls, on Monday introduced a joint memorial that would call on the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which found that all states must recognize marriages between same-sex couples. Joint memorials dont create new laws, but serve as a joint request from the Idaho Legislature.

The government did not create families or marriage, but they have to recognize that the family is the fundamental building block of society, Wisniewski said in a committee hearing. The strengths that these two complementary natures of a father and a mother give strength, direction and stability to the family and therefore to society as a whole.

The House State Affairs Committee approved the legislations introduction in a mixed voice vote. This action clears the way for it to return to the committee for a full public hearing later.

The Idaho House of Representatives very early in last years session approved a very similar memorial in a 46-24 vote, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. That memorial did not advance in the Senate.

RELATED | Idaho resolution pushes to restore natural definition of marriage, ban same-sex unions (2025)

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RELATED | Idaho House calls on U.S. Supreme Court to reverse same-sex marriage ruling (2025)

The U.S. Supreme Court in November had an opportunity to revisit the Obergefell decision amid a challenge to it from former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis who refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses, but the high court declined to take up the case.

In 2006, Idaho voters approved an amendment to the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, in 2014, a federal judge ruled that the amendment was unconstitutional, legalizing gay marriage in Idaho a year before it was legalized nationwide.

During Mondays meeting, Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, made a motion to introduce the bill with the elimination of a sentence that said marriage had been defined as between one man and one woman as the basis of the United States Anglo-American legal tradition, for more than 800 years. The committee approved its introduction with this change.

The change came after Rep. Monica Church, D-Boise, expressed concern that support for Anglo-American legal tradition included the idea that marriage was fundamentally about tying a woman to a man because she has no rights as a human-being.

RELATED | Can empathy lead to sin? Some conservative Christians argue it can

Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com.

The post Idaho House committee introduces request to US Supreme Court to overturn gay marriage decision appeared first on East Idaho News.
Jail Bars, TFP File Photo

A 20-year-old man from West Chester, Pennsylvania, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison after traveling halfway across the country to sexually abuse a child.

Zachary J. Vogt was sentenced on Monday, by U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway in a Wisconsin courtroom, marking the end of a case that officials say highlights the persistent dangers of online grooming.

The case dates back to October 2024, when Vogt first made contact with a minor living in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. According to court records, the online messages quickly turned sexual.

While the childs parents eventually discovered the digital trail and explicitly told Vogt to stay away, federal prosecutors say he ignored those warnings. In June 2025, Vogt drove from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, where he met the victim, engaged in sexual abuse, and recorded the acts on his phone.

READ: Teen In Custody After Botched Tarpon Springs Purse Snatching Leaves Woman Injured

Local police in Oshkosh led the investigation that ultimately uncovered the digital evidence and led to Vogts arrest.

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During the sentencing hearing, Judge Conway emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that Vogt had a clear opportunity to stop his behavior after being confronted by the family but chose to escalate his actions instead. The judge pointed to a pressing need to protect the public and send a clear message to others who attempt to entice children through the internet.

This defendant is clearly a sick and dangerous individual, said U.S. Attorney Schimel. He was given the chance to terminate his online sexually explicit activity with the child but ignored that warning and escalated his criminal conduct by crossing multiple states to sexually exploit the child. The only way to keep the community safe from him is to lock him up. The law enforcement community has no higher priority than to protect our kids, and if you harm them, we are coming for you.

Once Vogt completes his 180-month prison term, he will not simply walk free. The court has ordered 15 years of supervised release and mandated that he register as a sex offender under both state and federal law for the rest of his life.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Humble as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative created specifically to pool local and federal resources to track down online predators and rescue victims.

Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.

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Pennsylvania Man Gets 15 Years For Traveling To Wisconsin To Abuse Minor
The Brief

About a dozen northeast Wisconsin friends returned to Milwaukee after unrest in Puerto Vallarta disrupted their two-week vacation.

The group says they saw black smoke and evacuations at the airport before their GlobalX flight returned home.

The friends stayed overnight in Oak Creek and now plan to reschedule their annual trip to the Caribbean.

MILWAUKEE - A group of about a dozen friends from northeast Wisconsin returned home Sunday after unrest and violence in Mexico forced them to cut short a planned two-week vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

What we know

The friends boarded a GlobalX flight from Milwaukee shortly after 7 a.m. Sunday for a trip they had been planning since last summer. By mid-afternoon, they were back in Milwaukee  frustrated but relieved.

"Last summer already, everybody was excited," said Julie Schmidt, who planned the trip to Puerto Vallarta.

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Instead of beginning their annual getaway, the group headed back to northeast Wisconsin after unrest and violence in Mexico led to cancellations and shelter-in-place advisories in Jalisco and surrounding Mexican states.

"We flew in there, and it looked like a war zone," said Brian LaFleur.

Images they shared show dense, black smoke rising along the coastline near the airport.

What they're saying

The group landed around 11 a.m., but Schmidt says they never left the plane.

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"And there was all kinds of black, pluming smoke all over the place," Schmidt said. "When we saw people being evacuated from the airport, were like, Whats going on? And then the captain came on and said we are leaving, going back to Milwaukee because its not safe here, and I went, Oh crap."

"The plane next to us, you could see people running. It was kind of odd, because you could just see legs running," said Brian LaFleur.

About an hour later, they say the plane departed and returned to Milwaukee around 4 p.m.

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"We didnt realize the situation was that serious. We really just thought they were going to divert us to another airport, put us on a bus and get us to our resort," said Jacque LaFleur.

Instead of driving home that day, the group stayed overnight in Oak Creek at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Milwaukee Airport.

They say it wasnt until they returned that they learned more about the violence that ultimately canceled this years vacation.

"Im just glad Im home," said Julie Schmidt.

What's next

The group says they plan to reschedule their annual trip for later this spring, this time focusing on somewhere in the Caribbean. For now, they say Mexico is off the table.

The Source

The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pushed back Monday on conservatives who accused the California governor of racism and bigotry for comments he made while promoting his new book.

Newsom spoke Sunday with Dickens in front of a packed auditorium, reflecting on his academic challenges. "I'm not trying to impress you, I'm just trying to impress upon you I'm like you, I'm not better than you," Newsom said. "I'm a 960 SAT guy and you know, I'm not trying to offend anyone  you know  trying to act all there if you got 940  but literally, a 960 SAT guy. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be."

His remarks went viral, largely amplified by conservatives and Republican elected officials who claimed Newsom's remarks were racist because he was speaking to a Black elected official. Fox News host Sean Hannity shared the clip and said Newsom "Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him 'Like' Black Americans."

Newsom replied: "You didn't give a s*** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s***holes  but you're going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake f****** outrage, Sean."

Newsom was referring to a video shared on President Trump's Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. After bipartisan backlash, the White House deleted the post and said a staffer had "erroneously made the post."

Republican Sen. Tim Scott, one of the first conservatives to speak out against Mr. Trump's social post, said Monday that "Newsom suffers from the 'bigotry of low expectations' and I for one am tired of Democrats (including the likes of Kathy Hochul and Joe Biden) stereotyping Black people." He admonished Newsom for "using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities."

Newsom's communications director said in a statement: "First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they're calling Gavin Newsom a racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is fake MAGA-manufactured outrage."

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Dickens shared his perspective on the conversation in a social post on Monday, writing, "Take it from someone who was actually in the chair asking the questions: context matters more than a headline." He said the two were discussing Newsom's academic struggles, including his SAT performance. "That wasn't an attack on anyone," he said. "It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey."

"We've gotten so used to loud, chest-pounding politics that when someone speaks about shortcomings, people try to twist it into something else," Dickens said. "Let me be clear though. This is Atlanta. We don't need anyone to tell us when to be offended. And history has shown ... when we are, you'll know."

Newsom's office said the governor has made similar remarks about his SAT scores and dyslexia "for years, including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences."

When asked last year by "CBS Sunday Morning" last year whether he's considering a presidential bid, Newsom said: "The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, that still struggles to read scripts, that was always in the back of the classroom  the idea that you even throw that out is in and of itself extraordinary. Who the hell knows? I'm looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment, and that's the question for the American people."

The governor kicked off his book tour over the weekend, with stops in key states where he'll need support if he launches a 2028 presidential campaign. Stops included Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina on Monday. He's expected to visit New Hampshire in March.

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Ohio State University assistant professor Luke M. Perez pleaded not guilty to assault after a viral video showed him tackling Columbus filmmaker Mike Newman earlier in February.

Both Perez and Newman were in Franklin County Municipal Court on Feb. 23 for Perez' arraignment on one count of assault, a first-degree misdemeanor. First-degree misdemeanors in Ohio are punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Following his not guilty plea, Perez was released on the condition he has no contact with the victim.

According to the affidavit, Perez harmed Newman by "slapping Newman's hand, with an open palm strike, causing his phone to fall to the ground. Perez then grabs Newman's right shoulder, and slapped the left side of Newman's face with an open palm, while pushing him to the ground."

More: OSU professor charged with assault after tackling filmmaker in viral video

Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Zach Gwin also granted Newman's request for a temporary protection order against Perez, with Newman saying that he feared Perez would attempt to retaliate against him. Newman said he still has pain in his neck and back from the incident.

"I have never felt so violated in my life," Newman said in court.

Ohio State University professor Luke Perez, left, appeared in court for his arraignment on Feb. 23 after he was charged with assaulting Mike Newman, right, a filmmaker and independent journalist on the OSU campus on Feb. 9.

Gwin granted the protection order but allowed Perez to be on the Ohio State University campus and will not require Perez to leave if Newman is on campus filming.

Steve Palmer, attorney for Perez, told Gwin that Newman had failed to articulate how Perez posed any threat to Newman following the altercation.

"Aside from the sole isolated incident that occurred on campus where Mr. Perez happened to be when this man showed up ... and since this incident, there's been absolutely zero contact whatsoever," Palmer said.

In an interview with media following the arraignment, Palmer said that he looks forward to obtaining the complete discovery, including the full video of the event, during the trial process.

"I want to know what footage is out there," Palmer said.

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Palmer added that Perez intends to continue working at OSU after the conclusion of the case.

In an interview with media, Newman said that the arraignment "was a good first step toward accountability." He said he didn't like that the incident had received national media attention.

"I became a part of the story, and I didn't want to," Newman said.

Perez placed on administrative leave following incident

Perez, an assistant professor affiliated with Ohio State's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, was placed on administrative leave Feb. 10 "pending a full OSUPD investigation and thorough review of the facts," OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said in a statement.

The video of Perez wrestling Newman, a Columbus filmmaker and independent journalist, has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times across social media and TV news outlets. The incident in question took place the evening of Feb. 9 at Smith Lab following one of Perez's classes, Profiles in American Leadership.

The class includes a series of guest lecturers, and Gordon Gee  the two-time former Ohio State president who is currently serving as a consultant for the Chase Center  was speaker for that class session.

Newman and DJ Byrnes, a local political blogger who writes a newsletter called "The Rooster," waited after the class to ask Gee questions. After their interview, Newman, whom Byrnes notes in his newsletter does not work for him but was with him as "two independent creators working in concert," wanted to ask Gee a question.

That's when Perez stepped in front of Newman to block his path. Newman, with a phone in one hand and a video camera in the other, stepped back and did not touch Perez, according to video recorded of the incident.

Dispatch reporter Sheridan Hendrix contributed to this report.

Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: OSU professor Luke Perez pleads not guilty to assault after viral video
Social media is rife with videos and posts about the so-called benefits of drinking hot (or warm) water.

Some people say it helps with digestion, while others say its good for weight loss, but doctors told HuffPost theres more to these claims than the messages included in a quick video on Instagram.

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First, the idea of drinking hot water comes largely from Chinese medicine and Chinese culture. And I think that its really important. Even though, yes, Im a Western medicine doctor, I do appreciate and respect the cultural significance of warm water, and thats where I think a lot of these trends come from, said Dr. Vanessa Buie, a bariatric surgeon at UChicago Medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, as well as Ayurvedic medicine, there is an idea around digestion and warmth and improving your chi that is culturally based, and so I think thats important. (Chi is your bodys energetic force.)

Drinking hot water is also part of drinking tea, which is also an integral part of many cultures, said Dr. Elizabeth Kazarian, a family medicine and obesity medicine physician.

Its very soothing, and that is very important, Kazarian explained. The relaxing, de-stressing and calming effect of drinking warm fluids is good for you.

If its part of your culture or routine, certainly continue the pattern. But for those who are drinking hot water for specific health goals, you may be disappointed. Heres what to know.

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Drinking water at any temperature is hydrating.

Drinking water at the temperature you enjoy is good, and overall, being hydrated is good, Buie said.

This is true for drinking hot water, warm water, room-temp water and cold water. Staying hydrated allows your body to function optimally, benefiting your organs, joints, cells, body temperature and more.

Drinking warm liquids of any sort can help facilitate flow in the GI tract and help you poop.

Any kind of hot fluid or warm fluid ... affects the sphincters throughout the GI tract, said Dr. Isaiah Schuster, the associate director of gastroenterology at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in New York. Throughout the GI tract, from your mouth to your rear, these sphincters are muscles that control flow, he said.

Warm fluids, whether its water or anything  coffee, in particular, in the morning  stimulate the relaxation of these sphincters and ... it can facilitate flow, and so it can help the esophagus empty better, he added. This helps things move through your GI tract.

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Research shows that drinking warm fluids does impact esophageal motility, according to Schuster. Certain patients with esophageal diseases or issues are encouraged to drink warm beverages, he added. How much warm fluids actually help is unknown and unclear, though.

Drinking warm liquids can also stimulate the gastrocolic reflex as part of this process. When you consume warm fluids, it actually stimulates the colon, Schuster explained, and can facilitate people having a bowel movement, improve some constipation.

Buie took it one step further and said drinking liquids of any temperature helps you defecate.

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Whether its coffee, water in the morning, anything in the morning that stretches out your stomach does signal ... gastrocolic reflux and stimulates defecation, Buie said.

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But drinking hot water likely wont specifically help digestion.

According to Buie, there are multiple studies that have looked at how the temperature of water (both hot and cold) aids digestion. And they basically found that cold and warm drinks emptied more slowly than body-temperature drinks, so cold drinks significantly slowed your intestinal gastric emptying, she said  and the same goes for hot drinks.

Ultimately, our digestive system, all of our systems in our body, work best at body temperature, which is 37 degrees Celsius. So any extreme temperatures can transiently disrupt your gastric motility and digestion, Buie explained.

Digestion is hormonally regulated, Buie said. Your stress levels, how youre sleeping are going to impact digestion much more than a mug of warm water, she said.

Drinking hot water can help keep you hydrated, but isn't known to help with digestion or weight loss. Tara Moore via Getty Images

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

It also wont help weight loss goals.

There is currently no data where I can, with a good heart, sit across from a patient in clinic and say, hey, part of your obesity care is going to be drinking hot water, because one it aids digestion, and it helps you lose weight, said Kazarian. I could never say that, because I dont have any evidence to say that.

Drinking water is a way to replace caloric beverages, which can be helpful for weight loss, Buie added. But this applies to drinking cold water, too.

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Drinking hot water is not a cure-all by any means, or a necessary habit to start.

The true measured effects of all of this are, we dont know. It can help some folks ... we dont know what degree of this is placebo or not, said Schuster.

Drinking warm water likely isnt harming you, but it has the same benefits as drinking cold water, Kazarian said.

If its just water, and they talk to their providers, and they run these things by their docs, and if its not causing any harm and its making you feel better, then theres really no problem with doing it, Schuster noted.

Dont expect any major health changes from this habit, though.

Theres no scientific evidence to suggest that hot water, uniquely, detoxifies, improves digestion, boosts metabolism or causes weight loss, Buie said. The scientific evidence isnt there.

But to each their own. If you find that hot water in the morning helps with your grounding rituals, with your mood, with how you start your day and your rituals, your habits. I think all of that is beneficial, Buie added.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
UK leaders (49%) more likely to be AI-skilled, than in France (26%) or Germany (19%) but skills alone are not translating into better business performance





New research identifies leadership capability as a decisive factor in whether AI investment translates into commercial advantage





A third of e mployees in the UK, France and Germany are worried about being replaced by automation and r eport anxiety, mistrust and exclusion as AI reshapes work





Data shows organisations prioritise AI-driven growth over equitable and inclusive adoption





"The findings suggest that while many organisations are investing in AI tools and upskilling initiatives, far fewer leaders have the mindset, skills and behaviours needed to unlock the human commitment required for AI to drive sustained growth ," said Dr Ellie Smith, Director of Research, Europe, Catalyst.





"The data in this report reveal that in many cases, organisations, facing strong headwinds and market pressures to fulfil the promise of their AI investments, have sidelined the talent development and employee wellbeing that encourages innovation in the first place. But, the good news is that many leaders already possess the leadership traits needed to bridge this disconnect and drive powerful and resilient transformation," said Emilia Yu, Co-Executive Director of Coqual's Global Lab.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two-thirds, 63%, of business leaders across the UK, France and Germany are not ready to lead effectively in an AI-enabled world, according to new research from Coqual, a leading global, nonprofit think tank dedicated to better work futures, and Catalyst, the global nonprofit accelerating organizational performance and women's progress.

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The study, based on responses from 2,891 business leaders and employees in the three countries, alongside in-depth qualitative interviews, finds that as AI adoption accelerates across organisations, leadership capability has emerged as the critical constraint on performance.

Leaders in the UK, 49%, are significantly more likely to describe themselves as AI-skilled than their counterparts in France, 23%, or Germany, 17%. However, the research shows that technical capability alone does not drive results. Business performance improves only when leaders are also able to support, involve and motivate their workforce through change. In other words, how leaders lead matters as much as what technology they adopt.

Introducing the 'Convergent Leader'

The research identifies a new leadership profile it terms the 'Convergent Leader'. Convergent Leaders bring together AI skills to make confident, informed decisions about technology, inclusive leadership behaviours that build trust, fairness and psychological safety, and a flexible mindset (see info box) that enables them to lead through uncertainty and change. It is this combination, the research finds, that differentiates organisations seeing strong commercial returns from AI.

More than a third of leaders in the study, 37%, are identified as Convergent Leaders. They are most likely to be based in the UK, 55%, followed by Germany, 25%, and France, 20%.

In practice, Convergent Leaders create environments where people feel safe to speak up, experiment and adapt as AI reshapes work. They prioritise fairness and inclusion, balance human judgement with technology and are more comfortable leading through uncertainty and change. Organisations led by these leaders consistently report stronger business performance than those led by non-convergent leaders.

What is a flexible mindset behind convergent leadership?

The study highlights the flexible mindset as a defining feature of convergent leaders, made up of several distinct but connected qualities:

Cognitive flexibility

The ability to deliver results in the present while actively preparing for what comes next.

The ability to deliver results in the present while actively preparing for what comes next. Relentless curiosity

A willingness to challenge assumptions, experiment with new approaches and continually build new skills and knowledge.

A willingness to challenge assumptions, experiment with new approaches and continually build new skills and knowledge. Grace under fire

Remaining calm, decisive and supportive when facing uncertainty or rapid change.

Remaining calm, decisive and supportive when facing uncertainty or rapid change. Human-centred judgement

Balancing data, technology and analytical thinking with creativity, cultural intelligence, openness and empathy when assessing and developing talent.

Convergent leaders deliver stronger business outcomes

Compared with non-convergent leaders, organisations led by convergent leaders report better results:

A boost in team productivity : 93% vs 34%





: 93% vs 34% An increase in market share or entry into new markets : 41% vs 17%





: 41% vs 17% Increased revenue or profit margin : 53% vs 26%





: 53% vs 26% Greater customer loyalty or satisfaction : 58% vs 22%





: 58% vs 22% Operational efficiencies and reduced costs : 54% vs 30%





: 54% vs 30% Reduced employee turnover or improved retention : 27% vs 18%





: 27% vs 18% Launched innovative new products or services: 45% vs 18%

These findings point to leadership capability as a decisive factor in whether AI investment translates into commercial advantage.

Leaders are not planning for the human impact of AI

Despite rapid adoption of AI, many organisations are failing to plan for or address its human impact.

More than a third of employees, 34%, fear being replaced by automation, with similar levels reported across all three countries. Only about one in three, 35%, say their organisation helps them build AI skills relevant to their role.

Long-term planning also remains weak. Only 28% of leaders, and 29% of employees, say senior leaders in their organisation are planning for the long-term impact of new technologies on employees. For leaders, this falls to 20% in France and 22% in Germany, compared with 38% in the UK.

Most (95%) leaders also cannot quantify the impact of AI because their organisation is not tracking it. Some are struggling to come up with appropriate metrics, whereas others do not see tracking impact as a priority investment. Among those who do track outcomes, innovation is of far greater interest (52% of leaders) than employee engagement (38%) or retention (31%).

Why equity risks remain

While the research did not find significant differences between men and women in current AI access or usage, this should not be read as evidence that gender equity has been achieved. Instead, the findings point to a broader organisational gap: most employers are not yet taking deliberate steps to ensure AI is adopted responsibly and inclusively across their workforce.

Dr Ellie Smith, Director of Research, Europe, Catalyst said: "Right now, organisations are far more focused on using AI to drive growth than on how those tools are governed or adopted equitably. That matters, because when equity is not built into AI adoption from the start, gaps in access, skills and usage do not disappear. They grow over time, across gender and other identity groups."

While 61% of organisations report having a responsible AI policy, only 21% of leaders say their organisation is adopting AI solutions that minimise the negative impact on employees. Fewer than half say their policy addresses equity, 49%, or inclusion, 48%. Nearly four in five employees (78%) also disagree that leaders at their organisation are making efforts to create a more inclusive culture.

Leadership, not technology, will determine AI's success

Dr Ellie Smith, Director of Research, Europe, Catalyst, said: "The findings suggest that while many organisations are investing in AI tools and upskilling initiatives, far fewer leaders have the mindset, skills and behaviours needed to unlock the human commitment required for AI to drive sustained growth.

"With nearly two-thirds of leaders still unprepared for AI, this research shows just how urgent the challenge has become. Convergent leaders stand out not just for what they know, but for how they learn and how they respond to uncertainty. What will differentiate successful leaders is the ability to integrate AI into teams and workflows in a way that prioritises fairness, inclusion and trust, and helps employees see technology as an opportunity rather than a threat."

Emilia Yu, Co-Executive Director of Coqual's Global Lab, said: "We're at an inflection point for AI, and leaders and organisations have important choices to make in order to sustain growth through this transformation. The most successful leaders prioritise not only AI skills, but also responsibility, accountability, and the human traits technology cannot replace. Organisations must reprioritize employee wellbeing and address their anxieties if they want to create the right conditions for innovation. Only by empowering the people who are doing the work will leaders unlock the potential of AI to augment human ingenuity."

Study Methodology: In total, 2,891 business leaders and employees from France (34%), Germany (31%), and the UK (35%) were surveyed. Of the overall sample, 34% were business leaders and 47% were women. The best represented industries were Finance and Professional Services (24%), Manufacturing and Engineering (15%), and Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals (11%). These are largely reflective of the biggest industries of the represented countries.

We collected qualitative insights from a total of 31 individuals not affiliated with the survey: this included executives, function leaders, and team leaders at multinationals headquartered in Europe, and subject-matter experts in AI, talent management, IT, and data science.

Survey participants were asked about their skills, mindsets, and behaviours related to AI. For example, leaders responded to items such as, 'How well do you understand how AI systems operate (e.g., data input, pattern recognition, model training)?' Questions were measured using a combination of Likert rating scales and binary outcomes (e.g., yes/no). Leader and employee items were not always identical, as each was designed to reflect the unique demands and expectations of their respective roles, but in many cases were complementary. Data were collected through an online platform, and analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics.

Qualitative insights were collected in the form of semi-structured interviews. Names of interviewees throughout the report and key findings were changed to protect the anonymity of participants.

About Catalyst

Catalyst is a global nonprofit that has been the recognized expert at the forefront of women's advancement and inclusion since the 1960s. Today, Catalyst accelerates organizational performance and women's progress through research-backed insights, high-impact convenings, proven solutions, and unparalleled support that fuel organizations to make inclusion a business practice at scale.

About Coqual

Coqual is a leading global, nonprofit think tank dedicated to better work futures by helping organizations navigate complexity and lead with clarity. Since 2004, the organization has equipped companies to navigate complexity, challenge broken systems, and build cultures where everyone can thrive by providing the tools to redesign how they work and lead. Coqual's research combines deep data and lived experience surfacing what is often overlooked and translating it into insight leaders can act on. Their work explores the forces reshaping work and asks the questions that lead to better solutions across identity, inclusion, leadership, and the future of work.

SOURCE Coqual
Australian neo cloud Sharon AI and Cisco will look to launch Australias first Cisco Secure AI Factory in partnership with NVIDIA.

This initiative aims to provide Australia with secure, scalable and high-performance sovereign AI capabilities with all data and AI processing kept within the country, according to Cisco.

Sharon AI will offer a variety of solutions tailored to different customer needs and industries. These customers will also have access to a sandbox environment to experiment with proof-of-concepts.

The Cisco Secure AI Factory helps power an AI-enabled economy and supports the development, adoption, and responsible use of AI in alignment with Australias new National AI Plan.

At the foundation of these offers is the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA, powered by Ciscos UCS servers, together with Cisco security and networking portfolio delivering accelerated AI capabilities.

As well as Nexus Hyperfabric as part of the Nexus One unified management plane, 1024 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs and Vast Datas storage systems will support demanding AI workload. NextDC will provide sovereign data centre hosting.
by Gregory

The juntas leader is getting ready to formally step down from his military command to assume the presidency in the new government that will take office in April. The creation of a powerful consultative council could allow him to maintain control over the regime. Meanwhile, his deputy, General Soe Win, is emerging as a key figure in relations with China.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  General Min Aung Hlaing is set to step down as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services to take on the countrys presidency when the new parliament convenes in March.

More than a handover, the move appears to be a reorganisation of power intended to further strengthen the junta's grip on Myanmar, even though it only controls a portion of the territory.

According to military and diplomatic sources cited in a BBC Burmese report, Foreign Minister Than Swe informed his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, that a new commander-in-chief will replace Min Aung Hlaing, who has held the post since 2011.

Senior officials confirmed that the plan for his transition to the presidency is underway.

During the election period, Min Aung Hlaing merely stated that, Once the Parliament is convened, they have their own procedures and methods for selection.

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party dominated the recent elections, which were held in three phases between late December and January, winning 233 of the 264 seats up for grabs in the Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw) and 108 of the 224 seats available in the Upper House (Amyotha Hluttaw).

Since the constitution, drafted by the army in 2008, already allocates a quarter of the seats to the military, the USDP will have absolute control over the next government.

The United Nations and human rights groups have described the vote as a one-sided exercise aimed at consolidating military rule.

While the constitution prevents the president from simultaneously holding the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, General Min Aung Hlaing might have a solution in a new institutional body.

A few days after the elections concluded, state media announced the creation of a five-member Union Consultative Council, with broad powers over both the civil administration and the armed forces (Tatmadaw).

According to Naing Min Khant of the Institute for Strategy and Policy in Myanmar, this would be a sort of super-body above the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, potentially destined to become the country's real supreme authority.

In this scenario, Min Aung Hlaing could give up his military role while maintaining (or even expanding) his influence, especially if, as domestic sources suggest, he himself chooses the new commander-in-chief, thus ensuring continuity and loyalty within the Tatmadaw.

The juntas second-in-command, General Soe Win, could influence the balance of the new institutional structure as well. In recent weeks, his international profile has appeared to be growing, especially in relations with China. He was also the first junta official to visit China after the 2021 coup on behalf of General Min Aung Hlaing.

During this years Lunar New Year celebrations, the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, Ma Jia, declared that relations between China and Myanmar had reached "new heights" in 2025.

General Min Aung Hlaing, who did not attend this year's event, delegated Soe Win to represent him, a choice that some observers interpret as a possible sign for a senior role in the new government.

Speaking on that occasion, he thanked China for its role in the peace process and for its support in the region and internationally, a reference to events in 2024-2025, when Beijing intervened decisively in the conflict in the north of the country.

After the armed resistance groups' gains, China was crucial in shifting the balance of power on the ground, helping the junta regain ground in several areas.

In his address, General Soe Win described Myanmar as a crossroads between Southeast Asia and South Asia, echoing Beijing's view of the country as a strategic corridor to the Indian Ocean.

He cited China's major infrastructure projects: the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Rakhine State, the Myitsone Dam in Kachin State, the nearly 800-kilometre-long oil and gas pipelines connecting Kyaukphyu to Yunnan, and the Muse-Mandalay railway, the first segment of the Kyaukphyu-Kunming corridor.

Parliament is expected to convene in March 2026, with the new government taking office in April, following a timeline like that of previous post-election transitions in 2010, 2015, and 2020.

Soe Win's potential rise to a senior position (as vice president or as a key figure in the new Union Consultative Council) could serve a dual purpose: reassure Beijing and distribute power among the military hierarchy to avoid fractures during Min Aung Hlaing's formal transition to the presidency.

Several commentators have noted that the number three in command, Chief of the General Staff, General Kyaw Swar Lin, long considered Min Aung Hlaing's heir apparent, could also gain a key role.

When the new government does take office in a couple of months, Myanmar could emerge with a civilian president, a commander-in-chief chosen by his predecessor, and a Union Consultative Council with broad powers.

A change in title does not, however, imply a change of direction in the countrys ongoing civil war, which is increasingly turning into a war of attrition.

Vast swathes of territory remain in the hands of opposition forces, who have been fighting the army since the 2021 coup and have announced their intention to intensify operations.

The National Unity Government (NUG) in exile, which considers itself the legitimate representative of the people of Myanmar, has rejected the elections and reiterated its goal of overthrowing the junta.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Four years after the invasion of Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia's veto has divided the European Union over the twentieth package of economic measures against Russia. This is a new chapter in the long history of sanctions that began in the Soviet era and reached its peak in the 1970s and 1980s. The central importance of the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline inaugurated in 1960.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Coinciding with the fourth anniversary of the start of the invasion of Ukraine, the veto of Hungary and Slovakia has blocked - at least for the moment - the 20th package of sanctions that the European Union wanted to impose against Russia.

The measure would have increased restrictions on the transport of oil, gas and coal by any ship from Russian ports to a total ban, also affecting the ports of third countries where Russian products are transferred.

The measure would result in further economic losses for Russian companies, which already suffered a record collapse of 7.5 trillion roubles (almost 80 billion euro) last year, especially in the industrial, metallurgical and commercial sectors.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Budapest vetoed the measure mainly to avoid blocking oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline; but in any case, European pressure will lead to further difficulties for the Moscow government in managing the economy, and international observers are wondering how much this will actually force Russia to change its attitude in the conflict with Ukraine, and how much Russian society will perceive the damage caused by the Kremlin's aggressive policy at the international level.

Comparing the current situation with similar measures in the past, we recall the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment to the rules governing trade between the United States and the Soviet Union, which led to the end of the policy of detente initiated in the 1960s between John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev.

The US decided on these measures even to the detriment of its own economy, in order to punish Moscow's human rights violations. In 1980, Anatoly Cherniayev, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, noted that Carter's sanctions had such a significant impact that we had to stop slaughtering livestock in order to ration meat to 2 kg per person per year... worse than during the war. It was not even possible to issue ration cards, not only for political reasons, but because there was not enough food to distribute.

Chernyaev's recollections were also a commentary on the situation that had arisen the previous year with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which led to the height of the sanctions war. After all, this form of hostile pressure was not new in the previous history of the USSR's relations with Western countries, with problems of economic resistance on both sides.

In the 1930s, in fact, Westerners had participated very actively in Stalin's industrialisation of the Soviet empire, especially the Americans, who delivered large quantities of machinery and industrial equipment and, together with European engineers, were involved in projects to build the industrial giants of the time, such as Gaz and Uralmash, the progenitors of today's Gazprom and Lukoil, and many others. All this came to an end on 30 November 1939, with the Russian invasion of Finland, which led to a long period of heavy sanctions, what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called the moral embargo, which went as far as the exclusion of the USSR from the League of Nations, from which the UN was later born.

Under these conditions, the USSR managed to maintain high foreign trade percentages by relying on friendly countries, but the aviation industry entered a serious crisis due to the lack of American technology.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviets became the main producers of petroleum products, with new fields in the Ural region, which became the main factor in economic growth until Putin's Russia. The Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline was inaugurated in 1960 and was subsequently opposed by the Americans in the following years, in order to avoid creating an overly powerful Soviet bloc throughout Eastern Europe in the context of the Cold War.

It was only with the Ostpolitik that an agreement was reached between Willy Brandt's Germany and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko in 1969, allowing the flow of oil friendship. Hungary remains dependent on these relations, along with other countries such as Slovakia, and Germany has also suffered the repercussions of the sanctions of recent years, which repeat history by trying to wear down Russia, which for its part is convinced that everything will soon resume, resisting the economic difficulties that are now evident after four years of war and 11 years of sanctions.

Photo: FORTEPAN / Urban Tamas
by Giuseppe Caffulli

After years of diplomatic isolation and restrictions on movement, 395,000 Jordanian citizens visited Syria in 2025. Families, young people and independent travellers cross the border for short stays, cultural visits or family reunions. The project to reactivate the historic Hegiaz railway within the year. A recovery that contrasts with the crisis in tourism in Amman, victim of regional crises.

Milan (AsiaNews) - In the streets of the old city of Damascus, among the shops of the souk and the courtyards of historic houses, groups of visitors are finally on the move. They enter the ancient Umayyad Mosque, stop at traditional pastry shops, and haggle for souvenirs in the spice and fabric markets. They speak Arabic and are almost indistinguishable from the local population. The scene, which until a few years ago would have seemed improbable, tells a story: the reopening and consolidation of tourist flows between Jordan and Syria.

Fifteen years after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, following years of diplomatic isolation and severe restrictions on movement, the connection between Amman and Damascus is once again operational. Tourist buses are once again travelling along the road linking the two capitals, organised tours have reappeared in the catalogues of Jordanian agencies, and border authorities have simplified entry procedures.

According to official Syrian data, in 2025, approximately 395,000 Jordanian citizens visited Syria, an increase of 93% over the previous year. This is the largest national group among arrivals recorded in the country. The data not only signals a recovery in tourism in Syria in the strict sense, more than a year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the rise to power of jihadist leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, but also indicates the return of civilian mobility involving families, young people and independent travellers crossing the border for short stays, cultural visits or family reunions.

A key point is the Nasib-Jaber crossing, historically one of the main junctions between the two countries. Before 2011, the year the Syrian civil war broke out, it was an essential trade corridor; however, during the most intense years of the war, it was subject to closures and restrictions. Today, operators report reduced crossing times, in some cases less than ten minutes, and more streamlined administrative procedures than in the past. The stable reactivation of the crossing has made road travel viable again, economically accessible to large sections of the Jordanian population.

In addition to the land route, the air link has also reopened. On 31 January 2025, a Royal Jordanian commercial flight reached Damascus International Airport, marking the official restoration of the direct route between the two capitals after a 14-year hiatus. Currently, four weekly flights connect Amman and Damascus in about 25 minutes, facilitating travel for those who prefer to avoid travelling by land.

In terms of infrastructure, Syria, Jordan and Turkey are also considering reactivating the historic Hegiaz Railway, the line built during the Ottoman era that connected Damascus to Amman and other cities in the region. According to statements by transport officials from the governments involved, the project could become operational by the end of this year. The Hejaz Railway, an engineering feat from the early 20th century, was not only economically important but also of great significance to the Islamic world. Connecting Damascus to Medina, Islam's second holiest city, it made it possible for thousands and thousands of faithful to make the pilgrimage to the Prophet's tomb. Medina is located in Saudi Arabia, and the political conditions for reactivating the railway to its destination are not easy today. But the dream of reconnecting the Levant and the Saudi region of Hegiaz, strengthening the link between the religious heart of Islam and the peripheries of the Muslim world, remains decidedly appealing.

In any case, overall, the resumption of civilian travel to Syria is interpreted by observers as a significant indicator of Damascus's reintegration  albeit gradual  into regional circuits after years of sanctions and political isolation. For Jordan, a neighbouring country with deep historical and family ties, the reactivation of flows with Syria undoubtedly represents an economic opportunity and a strategic choice of cross-border cooperation.

However, when viewed from the Jordanian side, the phenomenon has many paradoxical aspects. While the number of Jordanian citizens travelling to Syria for tourism or private visits is growing, Jordan's tourism sector has undergone a period of contraction in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of international visitors declined significantly, mainly due to the outbreak of war in Gaza, with marked declines from Europe and North America. The repercussions have been particularly felt in sites such as Petra (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Wadi Rum desert, where the decline in international tourism has been significant, leading to the closure of accommodation facilities and job losses. The perception of instability in the Middle East, although not directly affecting Jordanian territory, has had a major impact. It is worth remembering that, due to the Syrian civil war, Jordan still hosts around 450,000 refugees from Damascus on its territory.

In short, on the one hand, hundreds of thousands of Jordanians choose to spend their holidays in Syria, attracted by low prices, geographical proximity, artistic beauty and the rediscovery of a shared cultural heritage. On the other hand, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is struggling to recover the volumes of international tourism it enjoyed before Covid-19 and the recent regional crises.

The reopening of flows between Jordan and Syria is not just news about tourism or new infrastructure. It indicates transformations in the regional balance of power, bilateral relations and the economic strategies of the two Arab countries. In the old quarters of Damascus, among worshippers and visitors, while pita, the traditional Arab bread, is baked or copper is worked to make lamps or trays, people look forward to this new beginning with hope. It remains to be seen whether this opening will translate into broader and more stable cooperation for both countries, capable of generating development.

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VIENNA, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United European Gastroenterology (UEG), representing more than 50,000 digestive health professionals across Europe and beyond, calls on EU institutions to explicitly recognise digestive diseases as a priority within the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 20282034 and to secure dedicated investment through FP10, the EU's next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and EU health funding instruments.

Digestive diseases affect around 332 million Europeans, yet remain under-recognised in EU funding, despite driving major mortality, disability, inequalities and economic loss. Several digestive cancersthe leading causes of cancer deathshare preventable risk factors, underscoring the need for EU investment in prevention and early detection.

According to UEG White Book 2, digestive diseases cost EU economies around 25 billion in inpatient care (0.12% of GDP) and 89 billion in indirect productivity losses. Even modest reductions in premature mortality could generate billions in annual savingsmaking prevention, innovation and research strategic investments in Europe's economic resilience.

"Digestive health is a critical societal and economic priority, and not an isolated medical problem", said Joost PH Drenth, UEG President. "Its scale and ballooning costs warrant explicit prioritisation in the next EU long-term budget. Targeted investment through FP10 and the post-2027 EU4Health program is pivotal to drive prevention, strengthen health system resilience, and translate research into real-world health outcomes."

UEG welcomes plans to establish FP10 as a self-standing programme but regrets the absence of a ring-fenced health fund for digestive diseases and calls on EU policymakers to:

Make digestive diseases an FP10 priority, with dedicated calls on prevention, digestive cancers, liver and immune-mediated diseases, microbiomenutritionmetabolic research and implementation science. Launch a Digestive Health Research & Innovation Flagship (FP10) to coordinate cross-border research and accelerate translation into practice. Build EU digestive health data infrastructure, aligned with the EHDS regulation, including federated registries and real-world evidence platforms. Protect public-interest research and academic clinical trials enabling sustained collaboration. Invest in prevention and inequality reduction, embedding digestive health within EU resilience and competitiveness strategies.

"Decisions in 2026 will shape Europe's health and research landscape for the next decade," said Alexander Hann, Chair of UEG's Public Affairs Group. "Embedding digestive health in FP10 and the MFF 20282034 is a cost-effective investmentimproving patient outcomes while strengthening EU competitiveness."
Hong Kongs Correctional Services Department is boosting Project PATH to monitor former activists after their release from prison. More than half of those arrested in the crackdown against the 2019 protest movement were under the age of 25. Ostensibly voluntary, the project is designed to dispel misleading images of the motherland. But as Agnes Chow explained two years ago after she was forced to visit Shenzhen, such visits are just another way of indoctrinating people.

Milan (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Hong Kong government is increasingly using trips to mainland China to "rehabilitate" young protesters and activists jailed after the 2019 crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.

At a press conference yesterday, Correctional Services Department (CSD) Commissioner Wong Kwok-hing announced the expansion of Project PATH, a rehabilitation programme specifically designed for those convicted in connection with the 2019 protests and unrest, which also includes supervision after release.

According to estimates made public as early as 2022 by the Hong Kong Democracy Council, more than half of the more than 1,000 people arrested under Beijing's crackdown were under the age of 25. Most were sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few months to several years  hence the question of their future once they are out of prison.

Citing a case, Wong said that 14 young ex-prisoners were taken earlier this month to the Greater Bay Area, the area of mainland China closest to Hong Kong.

The goal of such a tour was to enable them (the ex-prisoners) to obtain an understanding of national affairs, witness the latest national developments, enrich their knowledge of Chinese culture and enhance their sense of national identity, thereby further fostering their affection for and sense of belonging to our country, a CSD statement reads.

The three-day, two-night tour began in Foshan, where the young people visited an exhibition hall honouring three Communist Party revolutionaries to learn about modern Chinese history.

This was followed by a visit to a local school where they interacted with mainland teachers and students and to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital. Afterwards, they travelled to Zhuhai to visit an aircraft company and a space centre.

The CSD also released a statement in which Ah Ming, the pseudonym of a former participant in the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, thanks the department for organising the tour, which "allowed him to rediscover his homeland.

Ah Ming added that he previously had misunderstandings about the Chinese Mainland due to being misled,  the CSD statement said. This trip has broadened his horizons significantly, not only allowing him to learn about Chinese history and culture, but also providing an opportunity for him to ride a high-speed train for the first time and visit technology enterprises, so that he could understand in person the rapid development of the country.

A young Catholic woman, Agnes Chow, one of the best-known faces of the protest movement, now in exile in Toronto (Canada), had quite a different take on this type of trip.

After seven months behind bars in Hong Kong, she too had to take one of these "patriotic" trips to Shenzhen to obtain the passport needed to continue her studies in Canada.

In an Instagram post in December 2023, she wrote: That day, in addition to eating, drinking and having fun, I was arranged to visit the 'Reform and Opening-up Exhibition' to learn about the development of China and the Communist Party, as well as the 'brilliant achievements' of successive leaders. Later, I was taken to Tencent headquarters to learn about the 'technological development of our motherland'.

In all fairness, the young activist said, I have never denied China's economic development, but for such a powerful country to send people fighting for democracy to prison, limit their freedom of entry and exit, and require entry into China to visit exhibitions patriotism in exchange for passports, isn't that an example of vulnerability?

Agnes Chow also remembered the officials insistence on collecting evidence of these patriotic trips.

When I visited the exhibition and Tencent headquarters, I was also asked to take a photo with the logo, and the driver from Shenzhen who accompanied me kept taking photos of me, she explained.

If I had remained silent, those photos could have become proof of my 'patriotism': that's how tangible this fear is. And when I returned to Hong Kong, the National Security again asked me to write a letter thanking the police for organizing all this, 'so that I can learn about the great development of our motherland'.

Explaining her choice to remain in Toronto, motivated precisely by the desire to avoid this type of pressure upon her return to Hong Kong, Agnes Chow concluded her story a little over two years ago with this thought that well sums up the wounds that young people carry within them after enduring prison and repression.

Over the past few years I have learned firsthand how precious freedom from fear is. There are still many unknowns in the future, but what I know is that I will no longer have to worry about whether or not I will be arrested and I will finally be able to say and do what I want, she wrote.

As I study and heal in Canada, I also hope to rediscover the interests that I put aside due to my emotional suffering and various pressures in the past, and rebuild my rhythm, she added.

Ultimately, for her, Freedom is not easy to obtain, and amidst the fear of everyday life, I treasure all the people who have not forgotten me, who care about me, and who love me even more. May we reunite in the near future and hug each other.
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24 February 2026 13:22 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

For four years, the war in Ukraine has ground on, steadily burying the early bravado that it would be over in days. That claim, authored in Moscow, now reads like a dispatch from a vanished world. Wars rarely distribute gains neatly, but this one has inflicted on Russia a wound that is proving stubbornly incurable: the erosion of hegemony. Power, once lost in public, is hard to reclaim in private.

Since launching its campaign, Russia has watched its leverage drain away across regions it once treated as assured footholds, from Central Asia and the South Caucasus to the Middle East and parts of Africa. Some losses came through overreach, others through distraction. Perhaps Moscow has not stopped talking. On the contrary, it has grown louder, as declining powers often do. The latest refrain, periodically resurfacing over recent months, is that Russia will, or must, "return" to the South Caucasus.

The idea was aired most bluntly by Alexander Dugin, a philosopher and publicist who, in Western caricature and sometimes in Russian reality, is treated as an ideologue of the Kremlin. In a recent interview, he questioned the very legitimacy of sovereignty across the post-Soviet space, warning that if Moscow does not impose control, the South Caucasus would become a "forward outpost of other poles". Sovereign Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and even states as far afield as Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, were dismissed as historical clutter. Sovereignty, he said, was "over".

This is not the musings of a marginal blogger shouting into the void. Dugins concepts of a "Russian world" and contemporary Eurasianism have seeped, in diluted but recognisable form, into official discourse. When a figure with such reach declares the nation-state obsolete, selectively so, and only beyond Russias borders, it functions less as philosophy than as political signalling.

A cruder note followed. Konstantin Zatulin, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma committee on CIS affairs, reacted hysterically to verdicts delivered by a Baku military court against Armenian defendants. Issuing a provocative statement on behalf of the Lazarev Club council, he accused Azerbaijan of "arbitrariness and betrayal". It was another attempt to play to multiple galleries at once: to placate nationalist sentiment at home while needling Baku abroad.

More polished and the latest language soon appeared. Mikhail Galuzin, Russias deputy foreign minister, told Izvestia that Moscow favours continued international discussions on security in the South Caucasus, but only on a platform that "satisfies all sides". Switzerland, he argued, no longer qualifies because it has sided with Ukraine; Russia would prefer a new, "neutral" venue. The tone was diplomatic, the aim familiar: to regain relevance by redesigning the room in which others now talk without you.

More recently, Mikhail Galuzin met in Moscow with Azerbaijans ambassador, Rahman Mustafayev. According to the Russian foreign ministry, the sides discussed "pressing issues of the bilateral agenda" and reaffirmed commitment to the 2022 Declaration on Allied Interaction. The statement was notably general, the kind typically issued when specific matters are addressed but not intended for public disclosure. Schedules of future political contacts were reviewed; views were exchanged on regional and international questions.

On paper, it sounded routine. In practice, relations between Moscow and Baku have been in what might best be described as a managed frost. No significant positive momentum is visible. Russia has yet to formally acknowledge responsibility for the downing of an Azerbaijani civilian aircraft. Citizens of both countries remain imprisoned in each others jurisdictions. The contrast was difficult to ignore: diplomatic reaffirmations upstairs; prosecutions and pressure downstairs.

There is a whiff of theatre about this. There is a small, yet important nuance here. We have seen and experienced these platforms of Russia. At their zenith, Russias power brokers imagined a grand future for the Commonwealth of Independent States. Unified armed forces, shared air defence, a single currency, Russian border guards patrolling the "external perimeter", all floated seriously in the 1990s. The Khojaly genocide, carried out with the complicity of the 366th regiment, occurred amid those debates, a brutal demonstration of how exposed newly independent states could be without genuine control over their own security. What remains of that vision today are Russian guards on Armenias borders with Iran and Turkiye, and little else.

The CIS was marketed as a "civilised divorce". In practice, it was often treated as a holding pen for a post-imperial space where international law applied selectively. Even as newer integration projects, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation emerged, Moscow continued to test the waters of supranational control, sometimes in domains as banal as language policy.

The results are now plain. Georgia exited the CIS after the war of 2008. Ukraine followed Crimeas annexation. Moldova is edging toward the door. Kazakhstan remains formally committed to pro-Russian blocs but bristles at insinuations about its northern territories. Tajikistan has lodged formal protests over the treatment of its citizens in Russia. Uzbekistan has begun rehabilitating nationalist figures once denounced by Soviet lore.Nevertheless, diversification - political and economic has turned into a trend.

What, then, can Moscow offer? Investment, while under sanctions and fiscal strain? Security, after Ukraine? Threats of a second "special military operation" against Azerbaijan or Central Asia only underline the problem. Meanwhile, alternatives are multiplying. The Organization of Turkic States is growing more assertive. China, the European Union, and the United States are advancing their interests with cautious persistence. Russian influence, once a dam, now leaks.

Azerbaijan watches this with a cool eye. Baku has long treated its relationship with Russia with respect and pragmatism, avoiding gratuitous provocation. Normally, it is rare to see Azerbaijan ever dismantle any relationship. Perhaps a special relationship in that matter has always seemed impossible. Yet respect does not require acquiescence to fantasies of return. Talk of "re-invading" the South Caucasus reads less like a strategy than like a funeral oration for a dead man still insisting he is walking.

Until recently, Azerbaijan did not publicly contemplate leaving the CIS. That calculus shifted after the tragedy involving an Azerbaijan Airlines flight brought down by Russian air defences. Errors happen in complex systems; what defines them is the response. Moscows reflex, misdirection, implausible explanations, shielding of those responsible and the quiet burial of the case spoke volumes. In reply, Ilham Aliyev has twice declined to attend CIS summits.

Russia, in short, is looking for a new platform because the old ones no longer deliver obedience. But platforms cannot substitute for power, nor rhetoric for legitimacy. The South Caucasus has changed. So has the world around it. Pretending otherwise may keep Moscow briefly in the headlines, but it will not restore the authority that once made those headlines unnecessary.
24 February 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

By AzerNEWS Staff

There are wars declared with tanks and parades. And then there are wars conducted in the shadows through cyber-attacks, intimidation, energy sabotage and propaganda. In 2025, Azerbaijan has found itself confronting the latter.

What is unfolding is not an open military confrontation. It is subtler, deniable and deliberately fragmented. Yet taken together, the cyber offensives, the attacks on diplomatic missions, the pressure on diaspora communities, the targeting of energy infrastructure, the pattern is hard to ignore. It bears the hallmarks of a hybrid campaign emanating from Moscow.

The deterioration did not happen in a vacuum. Azerbaijans deepening engagement with the west, particularly the United States, has recalibrated the geopolitical equation. The high-level meeting on 8 August between the presidents of the United States and Azerbaijan, followed by the vice-presidents visit and the signing of a strategic charter, signalled something more than routine diplomacy. It suggested a long-term alignment. In Moscow, such signals rarely go unanswered.

The pressure has literally been multidimensional.

In cyberspace, Azerbaijans media landscape faced a sweeping assault in February 2025. According to the countrys parliamentary commission on foreign interference and hybrid threats, the operation was linked to the Russian state-affiliated hacker group APT29. The attacks reportedly came in the wake of Bakus decision to close the Russian House cultural centre and the local bureau of Sputnik. The message was unmistakable: symbolic sovereignty would carry digital consequences. Over the course of the year, Azerbaijani resources were targeted repeatedly from Russian-linked sources, underscoring that this was not an isolated incident but a sustained campaign.

Beyond the virtual domain, the physical risks have been more alarming. Azerbaijans embassy in Ukraine was struck by rocket fire three times amid the ongoing war. Diplomatic missions are protected under international law; targeting them erodes the very architecture of state relations. While the broader theatre was Ukraines battlefield, the recurrence of strikes on Azerbaijani diplomatic property cannot be dismissed as mere collateral coincidence.

Energy infrastructure, too, has been drawn into the crossfire. In August 2025, a strike hit the gas distribution and compressor station in Orlivka near the Romanian border, a key node of the Trans-Balkan gas corridor. The site was expected to facilitate imports of Azerbaijani gas via SOCAR, the state energy company, into south-eastern Europe. Shortly afterwards, drone attacks targeted a SOCAR-owned oil depot near Odesa. These incidents were not random acts of wartime chaos. They struck at the connective tissue of Azerbaijans expanding energy footprint in Europe, a footprint that competes directly with Russian leverage.

At the same time, Azerbaijani communities in Russia have faced mounting pressure. Incidents in Yekaterinburg and other regions, including reports of unjustified detentions and even killings, have fuelled fears that diaspora populations are being instrumentalised. Hybrid conflict often operates by amplifying vulnerability: economic, informational, communal.

The information space has been no less contested. Russian media narratives about Azerbaijan have hardened conspicuously. Public figures such as Konstantin Zatulin, alongside a constellation of commentators and bloggers, have levelled accusations and thinly veiled threats against Baku. Propaganda, in this context, serves both as domestic conditioning and as external signalling  preparing audiences for a tougher line while attempting to delegitimise Azerbaijans independent course.

Even aviation has not been immune. The controversy surrounding an AZAL aircraft incident earlier this year fed into a climate of distrust and accusation. In hybrid confrontation, ambiguity is a tool. Events are rarely clarified; they are weaponised.

What, then, is the strategic logic? First, energy. Azerbaijans growing role as a supplier to Europe, particularly as the continent seeks alternatives to Russian gas, challenges Moscows long-standing dominance. Projects connected to the Trans-Balkan route and SOCARs activities in Ukraine represent not just commercial ventures but geopolitical statements.

Second, is the alignment, in other words, Bakus increasingly visible partnership with Washington alters the balance in the South Caucasus. For a Kremlin accustomed to viewing the region as its privileged sphere of influence, such recalibration is perceived as encroachment.

Third, is the precedent. If Azerbaijan can pursue a multi-vector policy that strengthens western ties while maintaining sovereignty, it offers a model uncomfortably at odds with Russias integrationist ambitions in the post-Soviet space.

Hybrid warfare thrives on deniability. Each cyber-attack can be dismissed as the work of rogue actors. Each infrastructure strike can be folded into the fog of war in Ukraine. Each propaganda salvo can be waved away as free speech. But strategy reveals itself in accumulation.

For Azerbaijan, the response has so far combined restraint with consolidation of western partnerships. The challenge is to avoid escalation while defending sovereignty  a delicate balance in a region where miscalculation has often proved costly.

For Europe, the lesson is equally stark. Hybrid pressure is no longer confined to the Baltic states or Ukraine. It extends along energy corridors, through digital networks and into diaspora communities. The South Caucasus is not peripheral; it is increasingly central to the continents energy security and geopolitical resilience.

The undeclared front is already open. The question is not whether hybrid confrontation exists, but how far it will be allowed to advance before it is recognised as what it is: a strategic campaign to shape the choices of a sovereign state through coercion without formal war.
24 February 2026 16:43 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

In diplomacy, words matter. So do names. When a British legal body announced an inquiry into the alleged destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh, the terminology alone was enough to trigger protests in Baku. Azerbaijan insists that no such administrative unit exists. Karabakh, it argues, is sovereign Azerbaijani territory, recognised as such by the United Kingdom and the wider international community. To frame an investigation under a name associated with a defunct separatist entity is, in this view, not a technical slip but a political statement.

The controversy centres on an initiative launched by the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association. The body has announced hearings in Westminster examining claims about cultural destruction following Azerbaijans restoration of control over the region. Critics in Baku say the inquirys structure betrays its conclusions in advance.

Their argument rests on three pillars.

First, timing. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has formally ended, and the text of a bilateral peace agreement was finalised and initialled at a summit in Washington last August. Negotiations are delicate but ongoing. Against that backdrop, an external parliamentary-style probe risks being interpreted not as neutral fact-finding but as political intervention. If reconciliation is the stated Western aim, Baku asks, why introduce a process that may harden narratives and embolden revanchist sentiment?

Second, the method. According to Azerbaijani officials and public figures, no state institutions in Baku were formally consulted during the inquirys initial phase. Questions circulated by organisers, they contend, are framed in a manner that presupposes violations rather than neutrally seeking to establish facts. Submissions, at least at one stage, were reportedly accepted by email, raising eyebrows about procedural robustness. Fair process is not merely about what is concluded; it is about how conclusions are reached.

Third, composition. The panel convened in London includes parliamentarians long associated, in Azerbaijani eyes, with strongly pro-Armenian positions. Absent are figures seen as neutral arbiters of a complex post-conflict landscape. At its first hearing, the institute invited a group whose published materials, critics say, present the regions history through a separatist lens and question Azerbaijans sovereignty over Karabakh. To Baku, this looks less like balanced inquiry than curated advocacy.

The irony is that the institute in question presents itself as a guardian of the rule of law and impartial international fact-finding. Its website speaks of objectivity. Yet the perception in Azerbaijan is that law is being instrumentalised, deployed as a lever in geopolitical argument rather than as a dispassionate tool.

None of this erases the genuine sensitivities surrounding cultural heritage in post-conflict zones. Monuments, cemeteries, and places of worship carry emotional weight far beyond their stones. Allegations of destruction deserve scrutiny wherever they arise. But scrutiny gains credibility only when it acknowledges the full historical ledger.

For nearly three decades prior to 2020, vast swathes of Azerbaijani territory were under Armenian control. Baku maintains that hundreds of Azerbaijani cultural and religious sites in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur were destroyed, altered or repurposed during that period. It also recalls the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis and the documentation of war crimes. Why, its critics ask, is this chapter absent from the current legal spotlight?

Britain has cultivated strategic partnerships with both Azerbaijan and Armenia and has publicly supported normalisation, especially with Azerbaijan. An inquiry perceived as one-sided risks complicating that posture. It also feeds a narrative, common in parts of the non-Western world, that human-rights mechanisms can be selectively mobilised.

Behind the procedural quarrel lies a larger question about the evolving architecture of international justice. In an era when conflicts end not with signed capitulations but uneasy recalibrations, external actors must tread carefully. Fact-finding that appears to pre-judge facts may entrench rather than resolve disputes.

Azerbaijans critics will argue that transparency demands uncomfortable questions. Azerbaijans defenders reply that transparency must be even-handed. Between those positions lies a principle that legal institutions ignore at their peril: legitimacy is not asserted; it is earned.

If law is to serve peace, it must avoid becoming another front in the conflict it seeks to illuminate.
24 February 2026 16:26 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The British Embassy in Azerbaijan has stated that the United Kingdom is ready to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan in the water sector.

As reported by AzerNEWS, speaking at a roundtable in Baku titled Water Security in Azerbaijan: Regulation, Risks and Responsible Business Conduct, embassy representative Elvin Raziyev noted that both countries face similar water-related challenges.

Both of our countries are dealing with aging infrastructure, rising demand, flood risks, and the urgent need to modernize water treatment systems. These shared challenges create real opportunities for cooperation. The UK is ready to work with Azerbaijan in the water sector through expertise, innovation, and financing of concrete projects, he said.

Raziyev also emphasized that relations between the UK and Azerbaijan are currently at their strongest point in history. Last year, the two sides agreed to elevate ties to a strategic partnership level, with a particular focus on expanding cooperation in energy, connectivity, infrastructure, and innovation. According to him, the water sector is among the areas with significant potential for deeper collaboration.
24 February 2026 13:01 (UTC+04:00)

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The government of British Columbia has announced plans to institute a "stumpage deferral program that keeps the lights on" for Canada's softwood lumber producers, who continue to maintain massive excess capacity that has been devastating for U.S. softwood lumber companies and workers. British Columbia's latest subsidy program will effectively inject between USD 124 million to USD 242 million of liquidity into the coffers of British Columbian sawmills over the next 11 months. This latest government support follows nearly a decade of repeated findings by the U.S. Department of Commerce that these producers engage in harmful dumping practices backed by Canada's unrelenting subsidy schemes.

"This round of subsidies announced by the Government of British Columbia represents not only Canada's latest attack on President Trump's trade law enforcement policies, but also U.S. lumber companies, U.S. forestry workers, and the stability of the U.S. lumber supply needed to build American homes," stated Steve Swanson, CEO of Swanson Group and Chairman of the U.S. Lumber Coalition.

"The vast majority of the lumber used to build American homes is produced right here at home in the United States. With the right policies, the United States could become fully self-sufficient in supplying the lumber needed to build U.S. homes. Canada's relentless unfair trade practices, driven by its massive excess lumber capacity, is putting U.S. lumber producers and U.S. lumber supply chains at risk," stated Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition.

"Strong enforcement of the U.S. trade laws coupled with additional measures implemented by the Trump Administration remains essential to preventing further harm to U.S. lumber producers and workers, and it is helping to realize the full growth potential of the domestic lumber industry," added van Heyningen.

"Canada is not entitled to the U.S. market, especially when it engages in unfair trade practices and maintains its disruptive levels of excess lumber capacity that it then dumps into the U.S. market," explained van Heyningen, adding that "political attacks on the President's trade policies backed by Canada First organizations in the United States will not help address the true causes of the housing affordability problem, such as the cost of land, regulatory costs, labor costs, and homebuilder profitability rates."

U.S. lumber community voices on how U.S. mills can compete with anyone, but not the Canadian government.

About the U.S. Lumber Coalition

Video: Building American Dreams

The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners, working to address Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community and effectively address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices. The Coalition supports the full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to allow the U.S. industry to invest and grow to its natural size without being impaired by unfairly traded imports. Continued full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws will strengthen domestic supply lines by maximizing long-term domestic production and lumber availability produced by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes. For more information, please visit the Coalition's website at www.uslumbercoalition.org.

CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen

[email protected] | 202-805-9133

SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition
24 February 2026 10:21 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Culture Ministry's Scientific, Methodological and Qualification Center for Culture (MEMIM) is launching a new project called "Dialogue on Art", AzerNEWS reports.

The project's main goal is to organize meetings between renowned cultural figures and students from art schools in the capital and the regions.

These artists can share their knowledge and experience with young talents, enrich the artistic tastes of the younger generation, and stimulate their creative potential.The project includes meetings with artists in the fields of music, theater, film, painting, dance, arts and crafts, and more.

The first meeting will take place on February 28 at the Gara Garayev Central School of Arts with Tarana Muradova, Vice-Rector of the Baku Choreographic Academy (BCA), People's Artist, choreographer, and teacher.

The meeting will be held with the support of the Baku Art Academy, the Baku City Department of Culture, the Azerbaijan State Children's Philharmonic, and the Gara Garayev Central School of Arts.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az,Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
24 February 2026 16:01 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The documentary film "Memory of Generation" (Nsil Yaddas), produced by Kinobiz Film, has been screened at the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Ismayilli for a local audience, AzerNEWS reports.

The film focuses on the 1918 genocide against Azerbaijanis in the Ismayilli region. Its central narrative follows a veteran of the 44-day Patriotic War, who sets out to locate a martyr's grave revealed to him in a dream by his grandfather. Along this journey, he uncovers the history of his family. The documentary also incorporates archival materials and historical maps to enrich the storytelling.

The film is directed and written by Babek Abbaszade, produced by Ramil Alakbarov, with cinematography by Bulud Guliyev, editing by Rza Asgarov, lighting design by Sabit Gadirov, sound design by Mehman Nadirov, and music composed by Nigar Suleyman.

The documentary was selected as the winner in the 2025 Film Support Competition, organized by the Azerbaijan Film Agency, which supports films in the post-production phase.

During the event, director Babek Abbaszade shared insights about the making of the film, highlighting the significance of bringing the little-studied Ismayilli genocide to the big screen and stressing the participation of 2020 war veteran Nureddin Azizli.

Producer Ramil Alakbarov then introduced the creative team to the audience.

In addition to the film's participants and heroes, members of the Ismayilli community attended the screening.

Following the showing, a lively discussion and exchange of ideas took place between the filmmakers and the audience.
24 February 2026 17:56 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Azerbaijan National Library has launched both virtual and traditional book exhibitions in honor of the 145th anniversary of renowned Azerbaijani writer, poet, playwright, translator, and educator Abdulla Shaig, AzerNEWS reports.

The exhibitions feature an extensive collection of the distinguished authors works, including his poems, ghazals, narratives, plays, short stories, novellas, and novels. Visitors can also explore books he translated, compiled, and edited.

In addition, the displays highlight Abdulla Shaig's life and literary contributions, encompassing his prose and translation work, dramaturgy, perspectives on patriotism, ethics, education, and womens emancipation, as well as his pedagogical and literary-critical viewpoints.

The exhibitions also present materials from his house museum, literature in Azerbaijani and foreign languages, musical scores set to his verses, and rare photographs.

The traditional exhibition will remain open for one week. Meanwhile, those interested can explore the virtual exhibition through an online link.
24 February 2026 17:23 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

This year marks the 145th anniversary of Abdulla Shaig, one of the most influential figures in Azerbaijani literature, AzerNEWS reports.

A poet, prose writer, playwright, translator, and educator, Shaig was honored as an Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1941.

Born on February 24, 1881, in Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia), Abdulla Shaig came from a family of scholars. His fascination with poetry and literature emerged at the age of seven while studying at the city school in Tiflis, where he memorized poems in Azerbaijani, Russian, and Persian. His first textbook, "Vtn Dili", included the fables of I.A. Krylov, translated by Hasanaliaga Khan Garadaghi.

After completing his early education, Shaig moved with his family to Khorasan, Iran, where he studied Persian, Arabic, and classical Eastern literature. Spending about eight years in Iran, he returned to Tiflis and shortly thereafter relocated with his family to Baku.

In Baku, Shaig mastered Russian through self-education and passed the exam to become a teacher in Russian-Azerbaijani schools. He combined his pedagogical work with literary pursuits, creating stories and poems that vividly depicted the lives of workers and peasants. His early short story "The Letter Did Not Arrive" tells the tragic tale of a worker from Iran who dies in a Baku oil well.

The writer began publishing in 1906, producing plays, stories, poems, and long-form narratives. In the 1920s, he taught in schools while continuing to write, publishing the play "Lightning" and completing "Deceived Stars", an adaptation of a story by M.F. Akhundov.

Abdulla Shaig is widely recognized as Azerbaijan's first writer for children. His whimsical, lyrical tales "Tyk-Tyk Khanum", "Good Friend", and others as well as plays like "Good Spring" and "The Shepherd", remain beloved by Azerbaijani schoolchildren to this day.

His plays also enjoyed great success on stage. Beginning in 1938, works such as "Khasay" and "El-oglu" captivated audiences at the Theater of the Young Spectator. That same year, a collection of his translations of 97 Krylov fables was published. In 1946, his play "Nushabe" premiered at the Azerbaijan Drama Theater.

A prolific translator, Abdulla Shaig introduced Azerbaijani readers to the works of Nizami Ganjavi, Ferdowsi, Saadi, Rumi, Shakespeare, Swift, Defoe, Krylov, Pushkin, Lermontov, Nekrasov, Chekhov, Gorky, and others. His own works have been translated into Russian, Georgian, Uzbek, and numerous other languages.

Abdulla Shaig passed away on July 24, 1959, in Baku at the age of 78.

His name lives on through the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theater, founded in 1931 and named after him in 1974, and the Abdulla Shaig House Museum, opened in Baku in 1990 in the very apartment where he and his family once lived.
24 February 2026 19:36 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

On March 4, the first-ever National Forum on Cochlear Implantation  2026 will take place in the republic at the Nizami Cinema Center, AzerNEWS reports.

The event, dedicated to the International Cochlear Implantation Day, is organized by the Social Support for People with Cochlear Implants Public Association.

The main objective of the forum is to enhance the quality of life of cochlear implant users across the country, strengthen their social integration, and raise public awareness in this field.

The event will bring together neurosurgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, geneticists, audiologists, speech therapists, and rehabilitation specialists. Experts will provide in-depth information on cochlear implantation, stages of rehabilitation, the importance of early intervention, and the specifics of social adaptation.

Mehriban Huseynova, Chairperson of the public association, emphasized that the forums primary mission is to support implant users and promote their full integration into society. According to her, over the years the organization has helped hundreds of children and young people successfully navigate the path of social adaptation, many of whom now lead active and accomplished lives.

She also highlighted plans to expand international cooperation and introduce advanced global practices in Azerbaijan in the near future. In her words, elevating state support for cochlear implantation to a new level represents a significant social and humanitarian step for thousands of families.

It is worth noting that the phased implementation of Azerbaijans social and medical program on cochlear implantation began in 2015. Since 2020, the inclusion of these surgeries in the countrys compulsory medical insurance system has created new opportunities for both children and adult patients.

Importantly, cochlear implants and speech processors are replaced every five years with state support. This substantially reduces the financial burden on parents and ensures continuity in childrens auditory, speech, and social development.

The National Forum on Cochlear Implantation  2026 is expected to make a meaningful contribution to educational outreach, increase public attention to the issue, and strengthen the principles of an inclusive society in the country.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
24 February 2026 11:03 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

As a result of operational measures carried out by officers of the Astara Customs Department, a particularly large batch of narcotics has been detected and removed from illegal circulation.

AzerNEWS reports, citing the State Customs Committee, that the drugs were uncovered during a thorough customs inspection of a vehicle transiting through Azerbaijan from Iran to Russia.

The truck was officially transporting a cargo declared as lettuce. During the inspection, which involved a canine service dog, customs officers discovered a particularly large quantity of narcotics hidden among the vegetables and disguised to evade customs control.

According to the information, the seized drugs were identified as marijuana, with a total weight of 79 kilograms and 820 grams, including packaging.

The incident is part of Azerbaijans ongoing efforts to combat international drug trafficking routes passing through the region.
24 February 2026 13:44 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Chairman Anar Guliyev met on February 23 with Igor Garafulic, the newly appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan.

As reported by AzerNEWS, citing the Committee, Guliyev briefed the UN official on Azerbaijans national development priorities and the progress achieved in post-conflict reconstruction and rebuilding efforts, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting also highlighted the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Urban Planning and Architecture in Azerbaijan.

In addition, detailed information was shared about preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to be held in Baku in May.
24 February 2026 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan and Iran have held high-level discussions on advancing energy projects and electricity trade between the two countries, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Ministry of Energy.

The meeting brought together Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and a delegation led by Farzaneh Sadegh, Irans Minister of Roads and Urban Development and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran.

Officials highlighted the long-standing friendship and partnership between the two nations, noting that the strong historical ties between Azerbaijan and Iran have paved the way for a new phase of development across multiple sectors. Energy was underscored as a key area of bilateral cooperation, with the 17th session of the State Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation reflecting the importance of energy collaboration.

The discussion focused on joint initiatives, including the development of the Khudafarin, Qiz Qalasi, and Ordubad hydroelectric power stations, as well as the expansion of electricity exports. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation to accelerate the implementation of these ongoing projects.

According to the State Statistical Committee, in 2025 Azerbaijan exported 37.23 million kWh of electricity to Iran, generating revenue of $1.058 million. This represents a 2.2% increase in both volume and value compared with 2024.

Conversely, Iran exported 34.506 million kWh of electricity to Azerbaijan, worth $980,000 in 2025. This marks a 1.3% decrease in volume and a slight 1.3% decrease in value compared with the previous year.

The meeting reflects a shared commitment to enhancing energy cooperation, accelerating hydropower projects, and expanding cross-border electricity trade, strengthening the economic and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Iran.
24 February 2026 15:09 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On February 24, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeyhun Bayramov, received delegations led by Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, and Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement released by Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting discussed the current state and development prospects of the allied relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Georgia, in addition to the security situation in the wider region.

During the meeting, the importance of expanding interparliamentary cooperation was emphasized, particularly through regular contacts between the foreign affairs committees. The parties expressed satisfaction with the 10th trilateral meeting of the foreign relations committees of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia, noting that it had given additional impetus to relations.

The sides also noted that trilateral cooperation formats among the parliaments, as well as among the foreign and defense ministers, contribute to strengthening peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the region. Energy security, transport and communication projects, including the development of the Middle Corridor, and regional economic integration were among the key topics discussed.

In addition, views were exchanged on ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the region in the post-conflict period, the normalization process, and the role of parliamentary diplomacy in this regard. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided detailed information about the AzerbaijanArmenia peace and normalization process, outlining the steps taken by Azerbaijan and the countrys expectations.
24 February 2026 15:21 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Delegations from the parliaments of Turkiye and Georgia are visiting Azerbaijan to participate in the 10th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.

According to the statement, on February 24, the delegations led by Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, and Nikoloz Samkharadze, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, visited the Alley of Honor, where they paid tribute to the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, architect and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, and laid fresh flowers at his grave.

As part of the visit, the delegations also toured Victory Park in Baku and laid wreaths at the Victory Monument. The guests were informed about the park, which was established to preserve the memory of the Azerbaijani peoples historic victory in the Patriotic War and to immortalize the cherished memory of the countrys martyrs.

During the visits, the delegations were accompanied by Samad Seyidov, Chairman of the Committee on International Relations and Interparliamentary Ties of the National Assembly, along with other officials.
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24 February 2026 14:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Slovakia has stopped supplying electricity to Ukraine, Slovak media reported, citing Prime Minister Robert Fico, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the TA3 TV channel, Fico said that from today, Slovakia will not provide electricity to Ukraine even if Kyiv requests assistance to stabilize its energy system.

Slovakia stopped emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine on Monday after Bratislava's ultimatum over the Druzhba oil pipeline expired, escalating a dispute over Russian oil transit halted by what Kyiv says was a Russian drone attack last month.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the decision in a video statement, saying Ukraine will no longer receive assistance to stabilise its energy network.

"From today, if Ukraine asks Slovakia for help stabilising its energy network, it will not receive such help," Fico said.

The Slovak leader issued an ultimatum on Saturday, demanding Kyiv restore oil flows by Monday or face the cut-off of emergency electricity supplies.

Fico said Slovakia's ambassador in Kyiv was prevented from visiting the damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline. "Stopping oil flow is a purely political decision to blackmail Slovakia," he said.

If Ukraine does not restore oil transit, Slovakia is prepared to take further measures including reconsidering its support for Ukraine's EU membership, Fico warned.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, describing Fico's ultimatum as "blackmail" that plays into Russia's hands. "Ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv," the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

The Druzhba pipeline stopped operating on 27 January after what Ukraine said was a Russian drone strike on equipment near Brody in western Ukraine.

Ukraine said at the time its technicians were conducting detailed technical inspections of the damaged equipment while working under constant threat of further Russian strikes. In the meantime, Kyiv has proposed alternative transit routes including the Odesa-Brody pipeline while emergency repairs continue.

Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dispute Ukraine's account, claiming there are no technical obstacles to resuming supplies.

Fico said Slovakia's ambassador was prevented from visiting the damaged section of the pipeline. He has not mentioned the Russian drone attack in any public statements.

Hungary suspended diesel deliveries to Ukraine last week and threatened to block a 90bn EU loan package to Kyiv if Russian oil supplies are not restored.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also said Budapest would block the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia.

Several EU foreign ministers criticised Budapest's decision, including Germany's Johann Wadephul, who said he was "astonished by the Hungarian position".

Slovakia declared a state of oil emergency after the pipeline shutdown to ensure its refinery can meet domestic demand.

Tuesday marks the fourth year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Over the course of the past four years, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets in its daily drone and missile attacks, aiming to demoralise Ukrainians, especially during the harsh winter months.
24 February 2026 14:42 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador to the United States, ex-member of the House of Lords and a senior figure in the Labour Party, was arrested in London on February 23, according to police sources. Authorities confirmed the detention but did not officially disclose the suspects name, AzerNEWS reports.

The 72-year-old is suspected of abuse of power in a case linked to his connections with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. US investigators consider Epstein to have been the organizer of a large human trafficking network, alleging that he recruited girls, including minors, into prostitution.

Mandelson was dismissed from his post as ambassador to Washington in September last year. Subsequent revelations indicated that his ties with Epstein were more extensive than previously acknowledged. His name reportedly appears in multiple documents from the so-called Epstein dossier published by the FBI. According to the investigation, Mandelson allegedly shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as a minister in the government of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Earlier, on February 19, Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, was also detained in connection with the Epstein case, though he was released after 12 hours. The investigation into his role is ongoing.

In February, British authorities established a special coordination group to examine new allegations against high-ranking officials named in the Epstein-related documents.

Epstein was arrested in the United States in the summer of 2019 on charges of trafficking underage girls and coercing them into prostitution. In August of that year, the 66-year-old billionaire was found dead in prison in what authorities ruled a suicide. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for human trafficking and facilitating sexual exploitation.

Investigators note that numerous senior politicians, officials and business figures had contact with Epstein. Leaked documents indicate that both Prince Andrew and Mandelson maintained friendly relations with him.
24 February 2026 22:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

In some UK stores, chocolate products are now being placed in special locked plastic boxes to prevent theft, according to retailers and local police, AzerNEWS reports.

Supermarkets report that chocolate has become a frequent target for shoplifters. The Sainsbury's recently announced it is rolling out protective boxes for its most commonly stolen items. In one London branch, popular Cadbury's Dairy Milk bars, priced at 2.60, are now displayed in locked containers.

According to the British Association of Small Shops, thieves often steal chocolate products to resell them later, highlighting a growing trend of opportunistic retail crime.

In recent months, some police departments have shared video footage of the thefts to raise public awareness. West Midlands Police posted a video showing a man stealing multiple boxes of chocolate from a store in Stourbridge, while Wiltshire Police released footage of a man pulling an entire shelf of chocolates from a shop.

Authorities note that chocolate is not the only target. Other frequently stolen goods include alcoholic beverages, meat products, and coffee, reflecting a wider pattern of retail theft affecting everyday consumer goods.

Retail analysts suggest that while protective packaging may help reduce losses, it also highlights the growing pressures on UK retailers from shoplifting, supply chain costs, and rising prices  and could lead to more creative security measures in the future, such as smart tags, in-store monitoring, or even AI-powered theft detection.
Where do you stand on the Transgender Issue now that the issue has gotten to the overt point of the open celebration of this lifestyle choice, dictated by certain direct and explicit actions.

65% I do not approve of behavior that has within its expressed tenants policies that harm children.30% I do support the Trans Community in all its many facets because diversity is at a premium in today's society.5% What is a "Children's Drag Queen Story Hour?"
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BENNINGTON  A number of pending criminal cases, including a case of gross negligence with a serious injury and a lewd and lascivious incident involving a Shaftsbury individual, are set for upcoming jury draws and trials next month in Bennington.

Chad Coon, 41, of North Bennington, is set for a jury pick on March 10 in a felony case charging him with grossly negligent vehicle operation which resulted in a serious injury in Pownal in August 2024. Coon faces a possible 15 years in jail if he is convicted of the single felony count.

According to an affidavit in the case, Coon was driving a 2002 Acura southbound on Route 7 in Pownal when he allegedly passed a box truck on a rainy afternoon  on a blind corner  at a high rate of speed. Coons Acura allegedly struck a Hyundai that was traveling northbound, causing a collision. A later investigation determined Coons Acura had allegedly crossed completely into the northbound lane prior to the crash.

Seriously injured were the Hyundais driver and his passenger; Coon, who was airlifted to Albany Medical Center after the crash, also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

In a second case, Arthur Mattison, 66, is charged with felony lewd and lascivious conduct over a period of a month last April. Mattison faces a possible 5 years behind bars if convicted. A jury pick is scheduled for March 10.

According to a police affidavit, Mattison met his alleged victim on the dating site Plenty of Fish sometime between 2017 and 2018. Both Mattison and the victim talked on and off before the victim hired Mattison sometime in 2023 to develop property she had acquired. According to the affidavit, after a rough spot in her existing relationship, she and Mattison  who was also in a relationship  allegedly had a one-time sexual relationship. At some point, Mattison allegedly pressured the victim to have sex again, which she refused.

On a different occasion, Mattison allegedly dropped his pants as the two talked at a kitchen table, grabbing her hand and forcing sexual contact. The victim later contacted Mattison to confront him about what had happened, and recorded the conversation in which Mattison allegedly apologized for his actions.

Several other jury picks and trials are also scheduled in March, including:

Timothy Cascione, charged with fentanyl trafficking, cocaine possession, conspiracy, and cocaine trafficking.

Christopher Ferraro, charged with eluding a law enforcement officer, driving without a license, and DUI #1.

Benjamin Pinsonneault, charged with aggravated domestic assault with a prior conviction.

Dylan Graskey, charged with false pretenses/home improvement fraud.

Bethany Haynes-Champagne, charged with grand larceny, accessory aiding in the commission of grand larceny, and custodial interference. Haynes-Champagne is set for a one-day trial on March 24.

Randy Kolbe, charged with operating a vehicle without the owners consent, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. Kolbe is also charged with grand larceny.

Nicole Maccioli, charged with cocaine sale and possession.

Bobby Jones, charged with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, threatening, and neglect.

Zachary Rose, charged with aggravated assault, heroin possession, violation of probation, cocaine possession, narcotics possession, burglary into an occupied dwelling, unlawful trespass, petit larceny, and resisting arrest.

Vincent Wilson, charged with aggravated assault and violations of conditions of release.

All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In a take of March Madness, students at the Jamaica Village School took part in a competition to select the best picture book on March 29, 2024. They spent the month going through 32 picture books and considering such criteria as artwork, stories that moved them, characters, and best sounds in the book.
Phil Holland is a resident of Pownal. This story is part of a series provided by the Bennington Museum and Historical Society. Take a journey with the Bennington Museum to explore some lesser-known facets of Bennington's history. Visit benningtonmuseum.org to learn how you can get involved with this historically-minded group of volunteers.
Advanced manufacturing faces a persistent and growing workforce challenge. Engineers are trained to design systems. Technicians are trained to operate machines. But as manufacturing environments become more complex  integrating automation, robotics, digital controls, and data-driven processes  companies increasingly need professionals who can bridge the space in between.

That missing middle is where the technologist emerges. It is also precisely the gap the Technologist Advanced Manufacturing Program  TechAMP  was designed to fill.

The Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC) in Pittsfield was designated as the first noncollege educational hub in the nation authorized to deliver TechAMP, a yearlong workforce development initiative designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and funded by the Defense Department. That designation positioned the Berkshires as an early proving ground for a new model of advanced manufacturing education  one centered not just on technical proficiency, but on systems thinking, integration and leadership.

Bridging the Manufacturing Middle

TechAMP targets experienced technicians and operators  typically those with three or more years on the shop floor  and prepares them to become technologists: professionals who combine hands-on expertise with a systems-level understanding of manufacturing operations. MIT Principal Research Scientist John Liu, one of the programs architects, has described technologists as the connective tissue of advanced manufacturing  linking design intent, production reality, and continuous improvement.

Historically, that connective role has been underdeveloped. Engineers may understand system design, while technicians master specific equipment, but few are trained to optimize how technologies interact across an entire production environment. TechAMP was intentionally built to address that blind spot.

A regional partnership with national implications

What makes the Berkshire implementation distinctive is the formal coordination among three institutions: MIT, the Berkshire Innovation Center, and Berkshire Community College.

The BIC serves as the physical learning hub and regional coordinator. MIT provides the national curriculum architecture and instructional framework. BCC supplies the academic credentialing pathway that enables working adults to translate industry-aligned learning into recognized college credit.

This is an illustration of a truly coordinated and orchestrated effort, said Dennis Rebelo, chief learning officer at the Berkshire Innovation Center. It sits right at the intersection of higher education, industry and applied innovation  exactly where the future of workforce development needs to live.

Formalizing the pathway: a year-end milestone

That coordination became formalized during the final week of December 2025. Laurie Gordy, vice president of academic affairs at Berkshire Community College, and Rebelo signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a formal credit-recognition pathway between the MIT-designed TechAMP program delivered at the BIC and BCCs Mechatronics degree program.

The agreement was the result of months of academic and strategic work. It was driven by Matthew P. Kenny, dean of science and business at BCC, and carefully mapped by Jose Colmenares, who aligned TechAMPs rigorous curriculum with BCCs Mechatronics coursework.

As a member of the MIT Tech AMP Community College Council, I have seen firsthand the programs deep commitment to addressing the workforce needs of advanced manufacturing centered organizations, Colmenares said. This partnership will enable Berkshire Community College and the Berkshire Innovation Center to leverage MITs innovative curriculum, creating powerful educational synergies that strengthen advanced technical talent and build human capital across our region.

Kenny emphasized the importance of the pathway from a student and community perspective.

We are thrilled to help create a pathway for TechAMP students to join the Berkshire Community College community, he said. This partnership supports our mission of creating clear, supportive pathways that build on students strengths and allow them to expand and achieve their goals.

That work confirmed that TechAMP graduates can earn 28 college credits  nearly one full year of full-time study  without duplicating coursework or leaving the workforce.

The intent was never symbolic, Rebelo added. This was about doing the hard academic work to ensure rigor, relevance, and real value for learners.

Instructional depth and experiential leadership

Instruction within TechAMP at the Berkshire Innovation Center is delivered by seasoned industry leaders who bring real-world systems thinking directly into the lab. Instructors include Rich Peters, former chief scientist at SABIC, and Jared Lebos, co-founder of Noble Carbon.

Rather than traditional lecture-based instruction, TechAMP labs are designed as experiential learning environments  spaces where instructors work alongside participants to translate theory into applied problem-solving and continuous improvement.

The cohort doing the work now

Perhaps the clearest signal of TechAMPs relevance is the group of professionals currently enrolled in the program. This years cohort includes experienced technicians and technical leaders from across the regions manufacturing and industrial base:

Owen Baranoski, NE-XT Technologies

Jordan Callahan, Noble Carbon

Brett Gibeau, Sinicon Plastics / McCann Technical School

Joshua King, General Dynamics Mission Systems

Gayle Kittle, Boyd Biomedical

Forrest Luscier, General Dynamics Mission Systems

Matt McInerney, Interprint

David Munoz, Tourists Cabins

Lars Nielsen, Tourists Cabins

Luis Ortiz, Sinicon Plastics

Brenden Piaggi, Hi-Tech Mold & Tool

Jeff Saalfrank, Instrument Technology

Aron Autenrieth, Unistress

These are professionals already contributing to their organizations and to the regional economy, now investing in deeper systems-level and leadership capability.

From early implementation to national expansion

Whats especially notable is that the work underway in the Berkshires is now informing MITs broader efforts to expand TechAMP nationally. Building on early implementations like the one at the BIC, MIT is actively working to bring the program to new regions across the country, with interest emerging in Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

That expansion reflects not just demand, but confidence  confidence built through early partnerships that demonstrated how TechAMP could succeed outside a traditional college setting, embedded within a regional innovation ecosystem.

As Julie Diop of MIT put it:

After the success of the BIC Academy, it made perfect sense to team up again with the BIC on TechAMP. Were thrilled by the quality of instruction, the enthusiasm of the students, and the collaboration with Berkshire Community College. We couldnt ask for a better partner.

A national model, rooted locally

For Berkshire County manufacturers, the impact is immediate: access to employees trained not just to operate equipment, but to lead process improvement, manage technological change, and drive innovation from within.

For workers, the value proposition is equally clear  career advancement, college credit and nationally recognized training without leaving the region or pausing employment.

As TechAMP continues to scale nationally, the Berkshires are no longer simply adapting to the future of manufacturing. By engaging early, doing the hard coordination work, and investing in people already here, our region is helping to define what that future can look like.
He considers his pizza, with sauce and cheese out to the edge, a cross between New Haven and Neapolitan style. Hes going with a thin crust and a slight burn to at the outer edge on the pies.
A graduate of the Maplewood Institute in Pittsfield, Jessie Hainning Rupert became the honorary daughter of Massachusetts 34th regiment, and took up arms against the klan to defend its flag.
PITTSFIELD  Greylock Federal Credit Union wrote 255 loans for single-family homes in Massachusetts last year, the most of any such financial institution in the state, according to newly released financial industry data.

Greylock originated 78 more home loans than the second-place credit union, according to data from Banker & Tradesman, a Massachusetts-based business magazine with a focus on real estate. Workers Credit Union of Littleton issued the second-most, at 177 loans, but also provided the largest total amount in home lending, at $121,769,548.

Greylock Federal Credit Union loaned $71,344,073 in 2025, the third-most among credit unions. Those loans averaged out to just under $280,000.

In Berkshire County, Greylock provided 23 percent of the loans for property purchases in 2025, said Tara McCluskey, vice president of mortgage originations.

Despite the volume, Greylock officials said its strategy of teaching financial education, supporting the borrower and making calculated lending decisions has let them provide a high volume of loans without taking on much risk.

"Greylock is leading the way on homeownership in this region," said John Bissell, the credit union's president and CEO. "What really sets us apart, and I think why so many people come to us for their mortgage lending, is it's about relationships."

Before a borrower gets a loan at Greylock, they already have a relationship with a local loan officer who begins the process by looking at every angle to lower the cost of the loan, McCluskey said.

"Our loan officers who are out there helping people, getting people in the door, helping them through the process, they work really closely with our underwriting team," she said.

First-time homebuyers are often lost in the process and many don't know about programs aiming to make homeownership more attainable.

The credit union not only informs borrowers of these programs but also has partnerships with organizations like MassHousing, which offers down-payment assistance, and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, a local nonprofit housing developer, McCluskey said.

"We service their mortgages, so they know that they can call us if there's an issue, I think that's a big factor," said McCluskey. "I don't know that every buyer anticipates needing to talk to the lender after they close, but they soon find out that they do."

If a borrower hits a rough financial patch, Greylock has its financial empowerment center at 75 Kellogg St., said Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, the member-owned institution's senior vice president and chief lending officer.

For homebuyers who don't initially qualify, the credit union offers financial education programs to get a potential borrower ready, McCluskey said.

These relationships combine with Greylock's sophisticated approach to risk assessment, Bissell said. "When we were predicting we're going to do about $5 million in this bucket [of lending] or $10 million in this bucket, we could be pretty confident in how that those assets are going to perform."

Still, the credit union wouldn't be comfortable loaning out at the volume they do without the team they have, Bissell said. "It's that hustle, it's that connection, it's that trust, that listening."
After two years of renovations, Hand Crafted opened the doors of its new Dunham Mall location to customers. Catering to local workers looking for a quick morning meal or a midday bite, the restaurant will be serving up a rotating menu of salads, sandwiches and light breakfast fare.
DALTON  With the town facing budget challenges, Town Manager Eric Anderson says new budgeting software that would help ensure accurate information and full transparency is worth pursuing.

If were going to even contemplate that, we need to put very clear information out to the public, so they can see everything and be as transparent as possible, he said.

Last week, the Dalton Select Board, with member Marc Strout absent, unanimously voted to authorize Anderson to pursue a potential contract with the budgeting software company ClearGov.

That contract would also require approval from voters at town meeting in May.

Facing rising costs, voter scrutiny and major decisions on everything from property taxes to public safety facilities, Dalton officials say 2026 will be a pivotal year for the towns finances and future.

Anderson said that it was too late in the current budget season to adopt ClearGov. However, the town could start implementing the software around July 1, the start of the next fiscal year.

The upfront costs are about $5,000 to convert to the new software. Ongoing costs  if the town buys the budgeting module and the budget book module  are around $12,000 a year, according to Anderson.

Its not inconsequential, but when you think about the number of hours it takes to prepare a budget ... if you can save a considerable amount of time all the way through the chain, its worth the adoption, Anderson said.

ClearGov is a financial management platform built specifically for local governments. According to the company website, it's designed to streamline the municipal budgeting process from long-range planning to public reporting.

Anderson said the software, originally developed in Massachusetts, has been adopted by close to 2,000 cities and towns. Anderson also said he knows a number of cities and towns that have used the software for multiple years.

All I can say is that none of the towns that bought into it switched back from it, which is a really good sign for a vendor as far as Im concerned, he said.

Anderson said the town is having difficulty using its current Excel-based system and that ClearGov provides a safer option, as Excel-based systems can lead to mistakes in a spreadsheet.

He also said that he likes the software because it saves time for people entering information into the budget. He said it produces a clear budget book that can be published on the towns website and it would open up more time for him and other department heads to focus on other areas.

Select Board Chair Robert Bishop said that when he watched a presentation of the software, he was totally impressed. Select Board member Dan Esko raised concerns about the cost of the software, but did acknowledge the benefits of time savings for Anderson and department heads.

Select Board member Tony Pagliarulo said that it will be helpful in the future with hiring candidates.

If theres a system in place thats efficient in the town, that would be an attraction for people, and it would be transparent in terms of the public having access, he said.
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NORTH ADAMS  Costs to build an accessory dwelling unit often eclipse $300,000. But state funding options and good planning can greatly reduce that high price tag, according to state and local housing experts.

Accessory dwelling units are in-law suites that can function as separate apartments. The Healey administration sees them as a key tool for adding more housing, after guaranteeing the right to build one last year and creating programs to help homeowners design and fund these projects.

The continued support comes at a critical time, as the high cost of construction has left Berkshire County with a dearth of units permitted or being built compared to the rest of the state.

However, using the Home Modification Loan Program or leveraging the new state funding were some of the strategies that could spur production. These were topics discussed during an ADU financing session held by the North Adams Partnership, a coalition of local leaders hoping to spur economic and housing development.

"[Financing] tends to be the biggest barrier," said Jenny Wright, the organization's executive director. "I haven't yet found an example that all in was less than $350,000 to build. ... It feels insurmountable."

One of the least utilized funding pools for ADUs is the Home Modification Loan Program, which is administered in the county by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, said Brett Roberts, a principal planner for housing for the commission.

The program is a zero percent interest deferred-payment loan that is designed to help homeowners age in place, he said.

The Home Modification Loan Program has a maximum award of $50,000 that must go toward renovations that improve accessibility and allow the homeowner to continue living in their home. Each loan has a 50-year term, but a borrower doesn't have to repay that loan until the home is sold or transferred.

Applicants for the program must be 60 or older or have demonstrated need, cannot make more than a certain amount  $231,000 for a household of one  and cannot have more than $175,000 in assets not including retirement accounts, Roberts said.

This loan program has unique advantages in the Berkshires, Wright said, as older residents can use the loan to create an in-law suite for themselves and allow their family to move into the house.

Homeowners who do not qualify for the Home Modification Loan Program will soon be able to leverage the new Construction Loan Program through MassHousing.

This program will allow people who make less than 135 percent of the area median income  which is about $115,000 for one person in Berkshire County  to borrow up to $250,000 for detached units and $150,000 for attached ones.

Borrowers will be taking on a 20-year amortized loan with matching funding opportunities, the borrower pays back at zero percent interest, said Myla Franklin, a community lending officer for Greylock Federal Credit Union.

The local credit union also offers its own loan packages with the purpose of building ADUs, Franklin said. Although details of the loan depend on the person and property, some unique aspects of the bank's loan include using future rental income from the ADU to qualify for the loan.

"This is not something that we need to wait for a big developer to drop a 100-unit building in downtown," Wright said. "I think that there's something really empowering about making sure that we really understand what all these little tools are."
Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access.

Ruth Bass is an award-winning journalist. Her website is ruthbass.com . The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of The Berkshire Eagle.
Paul and Silas did something odd as they sat in a prison cell  they sang (Acts 16:23-25). Being chained and locked away for following Christ are not cheerful events that naturally lead to singing. Of course, those who are happy should raise their voices in praise (James 5:13). But singing is not reserved solely for positive moments; we can be encouraged at any time by song, like Paul and Silas were on that day.

As the Apostle Paul wrote, Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts (Colossians 3:16).

To sing, even in times of hardship and suffering, is to remind ourselves of the truth that remains steady even when everything around us is shifting. It is an act that serves to encourage us while simultaneously defying the darkness that tells us to despair.

Christians of old turned to song to bolster their faith in times of suffering. Saint Augustine sang hymns by Ambrose, and the oppressed slaves in America created beautiful spirituals to express sorrow and motivate others to hope. As a family of Christ followers, we have a rich history of singing to remind ourselves of truth and to hold onto hope.

The seven hymns listed here can help us to do just that; as we sing the words in worship to our Savior, we are encouraged to lean onto Him when pain tells us to turn away. May the songs help us to do what Lilias Trotter, the missionary who inspired the beloved hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, said: Believe in the darkness what you have seen in the light.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Asia Vision
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Cavan General Hospital has apologised for the shortcomings in care to a baby boy who died 13 days before his first birthday.

Baby Luke Lyons Kelly, who in his short life had to have heart surgery, was brought to Cavan General Hospital on July 1st 2023, as he was acutely unwell.

The familys counsel, Maura McNally, told the court that Lukes family were told a lung X-ray was clear and he was not admitted.

Two days later, counsel said Baby Luke was brought back to the hospital and this time he was admitted and treated with antibiotics and fluids.

He was put on oxygen, but his condition worsened, and on the morning of July 5th, Counsel said, unfortunately, Baby Luke went to sleep and never woke up again.

Counsel told the court that Baby Luke months earlier had his heart surgery which was successful at Crumlins Childrens Hospital, Dublin, but that hospital was not contacted about the baby boys condition until it was too late.

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An apology was read to the court by Counsel for the HSE, Conor Halpin, as Baby Lukes family settled an action over his death.

In the letter of apology signed by the acting general manager of the hospital, Laura Waters, it offered deepest condolences to the Lyons Kelly family following the death of Baby Luke.

It added:  I would like to extend my sincere apologies for the shortcomings in the care that your son received in Cavan General Hospital.

"We acknowledge that the experience was devastating for you and understand that this apology cannot negate the deep effect the loss of your son has had on your lives or in any way make up for this tragic loss.

The letter concluded: I wish to reassure you and your family that the hospital strives at all times to optimise patient care and that we will continue to ensure the best practice is at the forefront of our clinical service to all patients.

Baby Lukes parents, Helena Lyons and Barry Kelly of Shantemon, Co Cavan, had sued the HSE over the death of their baby son at Cavan General Hospital on July 5th, 2023.

It was claimed that an internal review at the hospital after Baby Lukes death found significant systems of care issues, including that Luke needed invasive ventilatory support and probable additional cardiovascular support at an earlier stage in the acute illness,in order to avoid his progression to an acute cardiac arrest scenario.

Ireland Man admits causing over 10k of damage by smashing TVs in bookies Read more

In the proceedings, it was claimed there was an alleged failure to act in a proactive manner in the treatment of Baby Luke.

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It was also it was claimed an alleged failure to contact the cardiac unit at the Dublin hospital at the earliest reasonable opportunity and a failure to have adequate ongoing communication with the Dublin hospital.

It was it was claimed an alleged failure to transfer Baby Luke to the Dublin hospital in an expeditious manner at the earliest reasonable opportunity.

Noting the settlement and the division of the 35,000 metal distress solatium payment, Mr Justice Paul Coffey extended his deepest sympathy to Baby Lukes family in what he said was a most tragic case.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin reaffirmed Ireland's position that Ukraine's future is in the European Union after participating in a meeting on Tuesday morning of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine.

The meeting marked the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of the country.

The video meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron. It was joined from Kyiv by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and several EU leaders meeting there to mark the occasion.

Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, the Taoiseach said:I was pleased to join this meeting of the Coalition of the Willing to offer Irelands continuing support and solidarity to Ukraine after four long years of brutal and illegal war.

The leaders meeting was unanimous in our unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people.

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"They have endured incredible suffering, including in recent weeks as they faced an exceptionally cold winter without heat or electricity. They have demonstrated bravery, resilience and an unbreakable will, despite Russias best efforts to defeat them.

President Zelenskiy briefed the meeting on ongoing US-led talks and on Ukraines current needs, including for air defence and energy."

Ireland Sinn Fein opposing EU loan for Ukraine like supporting surrender  Taoiseach Read more

Martin said the leader expressed their hope that the talks would deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and we reiterated our commitment to underpinning any peace agreement, including through robust security guarantees.

I underlined that it is for the people of Ukraine to determine their own future, and I emphasised also the importance of increasing pressure on Russia, including through tougher sanctions and through cracking down on its shadow fleet, to undermine its ability to wage war and to oblige it to engage in meaningful negotiations.

I reaffirmed Irelands solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our readiness to step up our assistance.

"I also reiterated our position that Ukraines future lies in the European Union, and I look forward to working with Ukraine during Irelands Presidency of the EU to accelerate its membership negotiations."
Plans to release documents about Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador have not been disrupted by the peers arrest on Monday, a British Cabinet minister said.

Bridget Phillipson signalled the Government still plans to release documents about Mandelsons appointment in early March, a move announced in the House of Commons on Monday, just before the peer was arrested at his London home.

Mandelson was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday morning after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former British Labour minister has been accused of passing on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary.

We want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing thats published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation Bridget Phillipson

Asked whether the British Government still planned to go ahead with its plans to publish documents amid the police investigation, British Education Secretary Phillipson told Sky News: My understanding is yes, but we do just need to be mindful of any documents we publish given the nature of the ongoing police investigation.

So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing thats published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation.

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Keir Starmer has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Mandelson to the position despite his links to Epstein, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to resign.

The British Prime Minister had admitted to knowing about Mandelsons ongoing friendship with Epstein, but said the peer lied repeatedly about the extent of the relationship when questioned on it.

Under pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties, the British Prime Minister agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment.

The Government said it will release documents relating to the decision to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador (James Manning/PA)

The Liberal Democrats will use a parliamentary debate on Tuesday to compel ministers to similarly release documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy.

The former British prince served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.

He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

Phillipson would not reveal whether the Government will support the Lib Dem humble address motion, which will be debated in the Commons after midday.

Well review what they are asking for and will set our approach later on in Parliament, she said.

New Zealand has become the second Commonwealth realm to announce it would support the UK Government if it proposes to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.

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It followed a similar step by Australia on Monday.

Police officers at Royal Lodge, the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in Windsor, Berkshire. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The agreement of all 15 Commonwealth realms, including the UK, is required to remove Andrew from the line of succession. He is currently eighth in line to the throne.

Phillipson told Sky the British Government is ruling nothing out and that is definitely an option that we would want to keep under consideration, when asked about whether the step was being mooted.

Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that his party was calling for the release of documents relating to Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy because we need to go right to the moment when he was appointed, and then we can answer the questions about how he conducted that role.

Davey also told the broadcaster he regretted praising Mountbatten-Windsor while serving as a minister in the coalition Government.

Davey added: Ive learned from that, Im pretty angry to be honest that I was put in that position, and I think anyone who has had any comment to make on Prince Andrew as trade envoy over the years will be pretty angry that the trust that was put in him, the privileged position he had, he absolutely betrayed.

The Commons Business and Trade Committee is also set to decide whether to open its own inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsors years as trade envoy when it meets at 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police said.

The former British Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.

In a statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.

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Keir Starmer is due to chair the British Cabinet on Tuesday after his former US ambassadors arrest.

Peter Mandelson outside his home in north west London (James Manning/PA)

The Liberal Democrats will, meanwhile, seek to force the public release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as a trade envoy, as the former British prince also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.

Footage showed Mandelson being led out of his house by a plain clothes police officer on Monday and the Metropolitan Police later said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for interview.

Two of his properties were previously searched by police in connection with the allegations, which surfaced following the US Department of Justices document dump related to Epstein last month.

As part of the so-called Epstein files, emails from 2009 appear to show Mandelson pass on an assessment by Gordon Browns adviser of potential policy measures including an asset sales plan.

He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

Darren Jones said the release of some of the correspondence would be delayed (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The emails appeared to be sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender.

It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service is yet to offer any early investigative advice in relation to the allegations against Mandelson.

The Cabinet Office previously referred material to police in connection with the probe into Mandelson after an initial review of the Epstein files suggested safeguards were compromised.

The arrest came shortly after MPs were told the first tranche of documents related to Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador is expected to be released in early March.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of his titles (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Chief Secretary to the British Prime Minister, Darren Jones, said some of the correspondence between Downing Street and the peer will be delayed because of the Metropolitan Police interest.

The British Prime Minister previously said the files will prove Mandelson lied during the vetting process before taking on the ambassador role.

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Following the release of the Epstein files, Mandelson said he has no recollection of receiving payments totalling 75,000 dollars (about 63,000) from Epstein between 2003 and 2004 as bank details in the documents indicated.

Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelsons husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the financial crisis.

Mandelsons arrest comes days after Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former British prince was released under investigation.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, Mountbatten-Windsor is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Mountbatten-Windsor and prevent him from ever becoming king.

The UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the British kings disgraced brother, the Press Association understands.

The Lib Dems will table a humble address in the Commons  the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files on Mandelsons appointment as ambassador  in a bid to compel the Government to disclose information about Mountbatten-Windsor, who served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The motion will call for the release of papers relating to Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment to the post, including any vetting and any correspondence from Mandelson.
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to two further sexual offences, including rape.

Brand previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

On Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court, the 50-year-old pleaded not guilty to one further count of rape and one of sexual assault, which are both alleged to have taken place in 2009.

Wearing a leopard print shirt with a number of buttons undone and holding a white hat, Brand spoke to confirm his name and his not guilty pleas from the dock.

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. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Today show host Savannah Guthrie said her family is now offering a one million dollar reward for information leading to the recovery of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home more than three weeks ago.

Savannah Guthrie said that her family is still holding out for a miracle and hopes her mother will be found alive, but she also acknowledged that they realise it might be too late.

She may already be gone, Savannah Guthrie said in an Instagram post. She may already have gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, on January 31 and was reported missing the next day.

Authorities believe she was kidnapped, and the FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man who was outside Ms Guthries front door on the night she vanished.

Drops of her blood were found on the front porch, but authorities have not publicly revealed much evidence.

Since the first days of her disappearance, authorities have expressed concern about Nancy Guthries health because she needs vital daily medicine.

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Savannah Guthrie said her family needs to know where her mother is no matter what happened.

Someone out there knows something that can bring her home, she said.

Several hundred people are working the Guthrie investigation, and more than 20,000 tips have been received, the Pima County Sheriffs Office has said.

The FBI and other agencies are assisting.

The porch camera footage released two weeks ago, which showed a man wearing a backpack and gloves outside Nancy Guthries house, gave investigators their first major break. But it also has fuelled intense speculation.

The sheriffs department said on Monday that it is aware of differences in the masked persons clothing depicted in various images that were released, namely with and without a backpack.

There is no date or time stamp associated with these images, the department said.

Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative.

Sheriff Chris Nanos said a week ago that members of Guthries family, including siblings and spouses, are not suspects.

Savannah Guthrie said on Tuesday that her family also will donate 500,000 dollars to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

We are hoping that the attention that has been given to our mom and our family will extend to all the families like ours, she said.
The French governments row with the US ambassador to Paris has deepened, with the foreign minister saying the diplomat must explain himself after ignoring a French summons.

The minister suggested that Ambassador Charles Kushner will not have access to French government officials until he complies.

French authorities summoned Mr Kushner, the father of President Donald Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, for a meeting on Monday evening over comments from the Trump administration that France objected to. French diplomats said Mr Kushner did not show up.

Speaking on Tuesday, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the failure to attend as a surprise that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol and will dent Mr Kushners ability to serve as an ambassador.

We dont accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate Jean-Noel Barrot

It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country, Mr Barrot said.

When these explanations have taken place, then the US ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government.

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The French foreign ministry summoned Mr Kushner over Trump administration tweets about the fatal beating of a far-right activist in France.

Mr Barrot said the comments needed to be discussed with Mr Kushner.

We must have an explanation with him, the minister said. We dont accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.

Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old student described as a fervent nationalist, was beaten by a group of people earlier this month in the city of Lyon, in fighting that erupted between far-left and far-right activists. He later died of brain injuries.

In a post last week on X, the State Departments Counterterrorism Bureau said violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranques death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.

The US Embassy in Paris posted the same statement in French.
Senior European politicians have travelled to the Ukrainian capital in a show of support on the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was defiant despite the devastating death toll, insisting that Russia has not broken Ukrainians nor triumphed in the war.

He said his country has withstood the onslaught by Russias bigger and better equipped army, which over the past year of fighting captured just 0.79% of Ukraines territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank.

Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood, Mr Zelensky said on social media, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not achieved his goals.



A woman place flowers at the memorial to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

He has not broken Ukrainians, he has not won this war, Mr Zelensky said.

However, as the war of attrition enters its fifth year, a US-led diplomatic push to end Europes biggest armed conflict since the Second World War appears no closer to finding compromises that might make a peace deal possible.

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Negotiations are stuck on what happens to the Donbas, eastern Ukraines industrial heartland which Russian forces mostly occupy but have failed to seize completely, and the terms of a post-war security arrangement that Kyiv is demanding to deter any future Russian invasion.

The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides could reach two million by spring, with Russia sustaining the largest number of troop deaths for any major power in any conflict since the Second World War, a report last month from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated.

European leaders see their countries own security at stake in Ukraine amid concerns about Mr Putins wider goals and has demanded its leaders be consulted in the ongoing US-brokered talks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X that for four years, every day and every night has been a nightmare for the Ukrainians  and not just for them, but for us all. Because war is back in Europe.

We will only end it by being strong together, because the fate of Ukraine is our fate, he added.





Ukraines fate is Europes fate. Were here to see how we can step up our efforts. No one should have any doubt: our support will not falter. pic.twitter.com/xBZ1phFSZX  Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) December 8, 2025

Mr Putin believes that time is on the side of his bigger army, Western officials and analysts say  and that Western support will trail off and that Ukraines military resistance will eventually crumble.

But French President Emmanuel Macron described the war was a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic.

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The war has strengthened Nato  the very expansion Russia sought to prevent  galvanised Europeans it hoped to weaken, and laid bare the fragility of an imperialism from another age, Mr Macron said on X.





Four years ago, Europe awoke to the sound of Russian bombs falling on Ukraine.



Four years of a war of aggression chosen by Russia, in blatant defiance of international law, of a peoples sovereignty, and of human life.



Four years of cities struck,  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 24, 2026

The war has brought widespread hardship for Ukrainian civilians. Russias aerial attacks have devastated families and denied civilians power and running water.

It has drawn in countries far beyond Ukraine, giving the conflict a global dimension, and threatened to worsen shortages, hunger and political instability in developing countries.

While Nato countries have come to Ukraines aid, Russia has been helped by North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops and artillery shells, Iran, which has provided drone technology, and China, which the United States and analysts say has provided machine tools and chips.

Among the European officials visiting Kyiv on Tuesday were the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, as well as seven prime ministers and four foreign ministers.
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BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Sarytogan shores up key water permits at flagship Kazakh graphite project Michael Busbridge February 24, 2026  2:37pm Save 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 A A A

Sarytogan Graphite has locked in a key water licence, removing a critical hurdle to the ongoing definitive feasibility study (DFS) in Kazakhstan. The fresh permit has further strengthened the companys already growing list of project approvals for its world-class graphite development. The move follows the 2024 pre-feasibility study that stamped Sarytogan as a low-cost, high-margin graphite play. Split graphite diamond drill core from Sarytogan Graphites project in Kazakhstan. Previous approvals for the project include the grant of the mining licence, an environmental permit, the lease of land for a downstream plant and authorisation for power infrastructure for development. The State Committee for Natural Resources and Ecology of the Ministry of Industry and Construction approved the new licence, allowing water to be drawn from the Sherubainura River alluvial aquifer, 10km from the project, at a rate of 2,040 cubic metres per day for an initial period of 27 years.

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Good quality water nearby is critical to the success of every mining project. Sarytogan Graphite managing director Sean Gregory Sarytogan Graphite managing director Sean Gregory said: Reliable access to the required quantities of good quality water nearby is critical to the success of every mining project. The companys graphite deposit lies in central Kazakhstan, 190 kilometres by highway from the city of Karaganda, the fifth-most populous city in the country, with a population of 497,800. Karaganda is largely an industrial city and coal mining is a major component of its economy. The flagship project hosts a world-class resource of 225 million tonnes grading 29.2 per cent total graphitic carbon for 66 million tonnes of contained graphite. It is one of just 13 projects worldwide to secure EU backing outside the bloc and has been granted strategic project status under the EUs Critical Raw Materials Act.

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Under the Act, strategic projects are identified to safeguard Europes ability to extract, process and recycle critical raw materials, while diversifying supply and boosting security of supply chains. Sarytogans metallurgical testwork in 2022 delivered strong graphite recoveries and confirmed the ability to produce ultra-high-purity concentrates of up to 99.999 per cent carbon  the coveted five nine standard  using thermal purification and spheronisation techniques. The company is now hawking three potential end products, including a microcrystalline graphite for traditional uses, ultra-high purity fines for advanced industrial uses in batteries and spherical purified graphite for use in lithium-ion batteries. More recently, Sarytogan awarded engineering contracts for its definitive feasibility study to global heavyweights Wood and WSP, with completion expected by mid-year and construction slated to start in 2027. Elsewhere, the company is hunting for copper porphyry-style deposits at its Baynazar and Kopa projects across the prospective Central Asian orogenic belt in Kazakhstan. The belt hosts multiple large copper systems and some of the worlds lowest-cost copper mines.

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A shallow drilling blitz late last year at its Ilkin prospect, part of the Baynazar project, uncovered a broad copper bedrock anomaly with grades reaching up to 0.5 per cent copper and 3.3 grams per tonne (g/t) silver, starting close to surface. Inspection of outcrops and trenches has shown the same alteration patterns seen at many of the worlds major porphyry copper and copper-gold deposits. With a critical water licence now in hand, EU strategic backing secured and a DFS racing towards the finish line, Sarytogan Graphite is steadily de-risking what may be shaping up as one of the worlds most compelling graphite developments. As construction timing sharpens and parallel copper upside continues to emerge across its Kazakhstan portfolio, the company looks to be quietly positioning itself at the intersection of critical minerals demand, supply-chain security and scale. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au ----------------------------------------------------
U.S. economist urges Trump to provide relief to families torn by tariffs

Xinhua) 13:24, February 24, 2026

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Renowned U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs on Monday urged President Donald Trump to provide relief to American families who bore the costs of the sweeping tariffs his administration imposed, after the Supreme Court ruled that these tariffs were unlawful.

The tariffs were "illegal, unfair, and detrimental to the American people," and it was not the foreign countries, but the American families, who were paying for the tariffs, Sachs, a professor of economics and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, wrote in an opinion piece published on the U.S.-based news website Common Dreams.

He cited economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and other independent research institutions as saying that the "burden of the tariffs fell overwhelmingly on American importers, businesses, and consumers."

"The administration has the responsibility to design such relief. You took the money illegally; now you should return it," Sachs stressed.

According to him, roughly 140 billion U.S. dollars in tariff revenue was collected at U.S. ports last year. In the meantime, American households on average paid roughly 1,000 dollars or more due to the tariffs.

"For families living paycheck to paycheck, that is not abstract. That is rent stretched to the breaking point. That is groceries rising in price while wages fail to keep up," Sachs said.

On Friday morning, U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote that Trump's tariff policy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was illegal.

Hours later after the ruling, Trump signed an order imposing a 10 percent tariff on imports from all countries. On Saturday, Trump said he would raise the new global tariff to 15 percent.

On Monday, Trump threatened countries around the world to abide by any tariff deals they agreed to despite the Supreme Court ruling. "Any Country that wants to 'play games' with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have 'Ripped Off' the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
HY26 Results

For the half year ended 31 December 2025

EBITDAF $537m

- Up 28% on HY25

- Up $119m on HY25

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortisation and Fair-value movements (EBITDAF) was supported by above average hydro generation and lower operating costs from ongoing productivity initiatives, highlighting disciplined execution and portfolio strength.

NPAT $20M

- Up $87m on HY25

Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) was supported by higher EBITDAF, partly offset by changes in unrealised gains/losses on unhedged electricity derivatives.

DIVIDEND 10cps

- Up 4% on HY25

The interim dividend was 10 cents per share (cps). Full year guidance of 25 cps remains on track. The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) continues to be offered to shareholders.

FULL YEAR EBITDAF GUIDANCE $1.0b

Full year 2026 EBITDAF guidance remains on track due to strong renewable generation volumes, disciplined execution of new generation projects and focus on operating costs. Guidance may change and remains subject to any material events, significant one-off expenses or other unforeseen circumstances including changes to hydrological conditions.

RESULTS OVERVIEW

Mercury has delivered a strong HY26 performance and continued to invest in renewables at scale, with half ($270 million) of the companys HY26 earnings reinvested in new and existing generation assets.

All three of Mercurys major renewable developments, totalling $1 billion investment, are progressing on budget and on time. The new Nga Tamariki Geothermal Station unit came online in January, while stage 2 of Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm and Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm are both due to begin generating in 2026.

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton said, Our disciplined strategic execution is delivering a strong performance today, while enabling us to invest significantly in new renewable generation for New Zealand, helping meet future demand growth and build resilience.

We are on track to deliver on our plan of adding 3.5TWh of new generation by 2030 (the equivalent of powering an additional 430,000 homes) through leveraging our strengths in wind and geothermal and our advantaged project pipeline.

Our contributions are supporting the fastest rate of renewable generation development in history, helping power economic growth over the next two decades.

We are also investing significantly in our existing assets, with Karapiro Hydro Station upgrade complete and plans to invest $590 million in hydro refurbishment over the next decade.

Enabling our customers to shift consumption and lower their costs is another key focus and we continue to provide additional support to our customers in need. We are facing into energy system challenges with confidence, including actively shaping and contributing to solutions for gas and firming, while helping deliver a bright future for New Zealand powered by an increasingly renewable energy supply.

OUTLOOK

Our balance sheet remains strong, with capital headroom and prudent risk settings. This enables us to continue investing in high quality renewable generation assets and provides flexibility to deliver sustainable shareholder returns, value for our customers and New Zealand, Mr Hamilton added.

BETTER TODAY, BUILDING TOMORROW, BRIGHTER TOGETHER

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE  PROGRESS DURING HY26

GENERATION DEVELOPMENT UPLIFT

> Completed constructed of the new fifth unit at Nga Tamariki Geothermal Station and began commissioning in January 2026. The $220m expansion will deliver an additional 390GWh p.a, equivalent to powering around 55,000 homes.

> Advanced construction of our $486m Kaiwera Downs Stage 2 Wind Farm, with first generation expected in FY26, full generation expected by the end of HY27.

> Advanced construction of our $287m Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm, with first and full generation expected in HY27.

> Lodged substantive application for our Puke Kapo Hau Wind Farm development (stage 2 of Mahinerangi Wind Farm).

CAPTURE ENERGY TRANSITION GROWTH

> Commenced 10-year contract with Fonterra to support electrification of its Waitoa site and contract for Edgecumbe begins from July 2026.

> Commenced long-term contracts with Visy and Whakatane Mill.

> Progressed smart hot water control programme, on track to have 50K cylinders (20MW) under management this winter.

> Focused on targeting final investment decision on Whakamaru BESS by mid-FY27.

REBUILD SECTOR CONFIDENCE

> Supported BCG Energy to Grow report, released in late 2025; industry Powering Change relaunch in early 2026.

> Actively shaped and contributed to solutions for gas and firming challenges (including gas market transparency and supporting Huntly Firming Option) and boosting the hedge market to support vibrant competition (including supporting trading of super peak products).

> Supported efforts to streamline and speed up consenting, including inclusion of renewable electricity in draft RMA replacements; and in Fast Track priorities.

CONNECTED AND HIGH-PERFORMING CULTURE

> Embedded new strategic framework in business with measurement in place.

> Improved business performance by lifting Cultural Performance Index score by 5%.

> Revised our executive remuneration construct to ensure it incentivises the level of performance needed to deliver on our strategy and long-term shareholder value.

EARNINGS TRANSFORMATION

> Delivered strong HY26 EBITDAF performance and full year guidance remains on track.

> Reinvested 50% of HY26 earnings in new and existing generation assets.

> Focused on disciplined cost management, on track to deliver operating costs of $370 million in FY26.

ENDS

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Updated BusinessConsumer affairsAviation Qantas to accept dual citizens expired UK passports Chris Zappone February 24, 2026  10:29am Save 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 A A A

Qantas said it will temporarily accept expired British passports from dual Anglo-Australian citizens boarding flights for the UK, when that countrys new visa rules come into effect on Wednesday. The Australian flagship carrier said it would follow advice from the UK government and accept expired passports - from 1989 or later - from dual citizens if they dont have the current British passport required under the rule change for dual citizens to use for entry to Britain and Ireland. Although the UK government has been warning of the change since October 2024, confusion over the rule change has mounted as the February 25 enforcement date nears. Peter Braig Effective on February 25, Australian citizens - who are also British or Irish dual nationals by descent - can no longer travel to the UK without a current British or Irish passport. These dual citizens, many of whom hold the status by virtue of their parents, cannot use an inexpensive Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), either.

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The UK has used ETAs, which cost only 16 ($30.50), since October 2023. However, their use becomes mandatory this week, and for citizens (including dual citizens), ETAs are no longer an option. Related Article Updated

Air travel Technically British: UK visa rule change unleashes confusion for dual citizens We recognise that this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, the UK Home Office told British media late last week. The Home Office further clarified that: At their own discretion, carriers may accept some expired British passport as alternative documentation. These could include expired passports from 1989 or a valid non-visa national third-country passport where biographic details match. It is an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept, according to the UK Home Office.

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Separately, individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK. Australian Tony Ducker has no desire to be a British citizen. UK Border Force will still assess a persons suitability to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required, the UK Home Office said. Although the UK government has been warning of the change since October 2024, confusion over the rule change has mounted as the February 25 enforcement date nears. The change will see thousands of Australians with a family link to the UK forced to accept or reject British citizenship as a condition for entry into Britain. Dual citizens of the UK also have the option of the pricier 589 ($1135) one-time cost of a certificate of entitlement, which vouches for their right to be in the UK and can be used with Australian passports.

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Virgin and Qatar Airways said that passengers flying to the UK or Ireland will find staff checking passengers right of entry into their final destination before travel. Australians who also hold British or Irish citizenship will not be able to apply for an ETA. Getty Images Even as the UK has created a temporary exception, the airlines say the ultimate responsibility to meet the entry requirements of all countries, including obligations that may apply to dual citizens, resides with the passengers. Related Article Opinion

Brexit Brits in Australia are shredding their passports. I think I know why Gary Nunn Contributor Underscoring the ambiguity over the rule change implementation, a spokesperson for Emirates said the carriers standing policy is that it is the individual travellers responsibility to ensure they meet all necessary visa and entry requirements for their destination. The airline operates 146 weekly flights across three London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.

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The airline advises all passengers to verify the most up-to-date requirements directly with the relevant government authorities well in advance of their travel, as these can change at short notice. Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific have all been reached for comment. Typical reservation systems will flag dual citizens, as it is with anyone who does not meet the entry requirements for their final destination. They will be turned away if they dont have the relevant documentation. NSW-based Tony Ducker notes that he was born, lived, and worked his entire life in Australia and was recently advised he is, to his surprise, a British citizen and will require a British passport for travel there. Passengers can be denied boarding. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

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I never requested this citizenship nor was I formally advised of having this citizenship, said Ducker. I do not want UK citizenship, he wrote in an email, stressing he has always travelled on his Australian passport. Related Article Exclusive

Aviation Qantas, union at loggerheads over job security in AI-era Ducker has been told to post his original birth certificate and current passport to the UK. The Home Office has reportedly sent a range of communications to airlines and those impacted who the UK holds valid contact details for.

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Many Australians of British and Irish heritage question how UK authorities would be aware of the parentage of children born outside of the UK or Ireland decades ago, and who, in many cases, had no diplomatic contact with the UK. Ducker said, A ridiculous bureaucratic process. I do not consider myself a UK citizen. Is the UK running short on citizens, so they have to go around the world trying to automatically add citizens? Writing in The Conversation, Nando Sigona, Professor of International Migration at the University of Birmingham, said the new rule for some simply means ensuring that their UK passport is valid. For others  particularly families living abroad who have never needed a British passport for their children  it introduces an unexpected bureaucratic step. Families with easy access to consular services, financial resources and familiarity with UK administrative systems can adapt quickly, wrote Sigona. Those living further from British bureaucratic infrastructure face greater friction. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

CLARIFICATION This story has been updated to say a certificate of entitlement is only available to UK citizens.
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CultureTV & radioDocumentaries This new SBS doco is great. But to one filmmaker, its oddly familiar SBSs series about conman John Friedrich is fascinating, but to Philippe Charluet, it looks a lot like a project he submitted to SBS years ago. Karl Quinn February 24, 2026  10:19am Save 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 A A A

The integrity of SBS commissioning process has been called into question by a veteran filmmaker who claims the documentary Australias Greatest Conman?, the first part of which airs on Tuesday, bears an uncanny resemblance to a project he submitted to the network on three separate occasions in the late 2000s. Philippe Charluet, who has worked in the industry for more than 30 years, on Sunday went public with his assertion that the two-part program about John Friedrich, the former head of the National Safety Council of Australia, which went belly-up in 1989 owing around $300 million, bore striking similarities to a project his company repeatedly submitted to the broadcaster as it sought a pre-sale that would help secure finance to bring the project to fruition. Con artist John Friedrich, circa 1989. Photographer unknown We could assert SBS allegedly used, without our knowledge, and any communication with us whatsoever, the comprehensive material we submitted to them for a pre-sale, Charluet wrote in a post published on his companys website on Sunday afternoon. Charluet presented his outline for John Friedrich: Catch Me If You Can to three different commissioning executives at SBS in 2008 and 2009.

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The first two of those individuals have since left, but the third is now a senior executive at the broadcaster. This masthead is not suggesting SBS has done anything untoward. However, documents we have seen appear to support Charluets outline of events. They include letters acknowledging receipt of his proposal, which in its final stage included a 55-page shooting script as well as extensive footage of interviews and archival material, and pro forma rejection letters stating that unfortunately it is not a commissioning priority for us at this time. The NSCA under John Friedrich accumulated the finest collection of emergency vehicles the country had ever seen. SBS Our proposed documentary was not a quick idea penned on the back of an envelope. It was a meticulously researched script, developed over years, Charluet wrote. We also secured a potential pre-sale from a German network on the condition that we would secure a pre-sale from Australia.

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This masthead has seen documents that appear to show the project had strong interest from European broadcasters and sales agents. The project had also received development funding from Film Victoria. But without core funding from a local broadcaster, it was dead. While Charluets film would have been an independent production co-financed by SBS and international partners, the new two-part documentary was made by SBS in-house documentary unit, established in 2022. In a written response to questions from this masthead, SBS insists its project was conceived that year, when the documentary team was exploring a potential series on Australian conmen that would have included profiles on Peter Foster, Jody Harris and potentially John Friedrich. They settled on Friedrich because he seemed not to be driven by personal financial gain. Development began in earnest in September 2024, and pre-production started in January 2025. SBS insists there is no link whatsoever between the Charluet project and the one it ended up making. Submissions are retained for seven years and then destroyed, it claims. Additionally, any email communications archived from 2008-09 are not accessible to SBS staff beyond SBS technology specialists.

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The executive who received the submission in 2009 and remains with the broadcaster had no recollection of Mr Charluet or the 2009 submission prior to Mr Charluet contacting SBS on 2 February 2026. The broadcaster insists any similarities between the 2025 program and Mr Charluets 2009 submission is indicative of nothing more than the factual nature of documentary filmmaking founded on historical research and archival material. Though it differs in many ways from the film Charluet proposed to make, Australias Greatest Conman? necessarily covers much of the same territory as it tells the tale of Friedrichs rise from obscurity to head the largest and best-equipped search and rescue operation in the country (indeed, one of the best in the world) from a small base in Sale, East Gippsland. It was all funded by a tapestry of fraud, false ledgers and faked invoices. Friedrich was the head of the Victorian division of the National Safety Council of Australia. One striking similarity, in Charluets view, is that the SBS documentary interviews Stelian Moculescu, a Romanian-born German volleyball player who knew Friedrich in his younger years in Bavaria.

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Charluet alleges that a video sample of his teams interview with Moculescu formed part of our last application, adding that only we knew about this person, as his identity was not common knowledge. However, SBS insists this is not the case. The first public mention of Mr Moculescu comes from a 1989 interview by Channel 9 correspondent Robert Penfold in Munich, when Friedrich went on the run, the broadcaster says. The SBS documentary team discovered archival footage of this interview during their research and have featured the interview in Australias Greatest Conman?. Charluet is not claiming the makers of Australias Greatest Conman? have directly or deliberately lifted from his project. But while he accepts that the film SBS has made differs in substantial ways from the one he proposed, he believes the issue raises important questions about the way the broadcaster treats the independent production sector. If a network receives comprehensive documentary submissions, sits on these for a while and then reinvents them magically a few years later, in house (for a fraction of the cost, dare we say), we all, as independent documentary producers, face an alarming future where the commissioning process undermines any fair outcomes, he writes. Ultimately, we must ask does this meet the pub test. We believe it does not. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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The head of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia has vowed to deliver her final report before the anniversary of the Bondi terror attack, but has ruled out hearing evidence about the massacre from eyewitnesses. Former High Court judge Virginia Bell, SC, who was appointed in January as royal commissioner, delivered an opening statement in Sydney on Tuesday and revealed the definition of antisemitism she would apply. Former High Court judge Virginia Bell is required to deliver an interim report by April 30. Artwork: Marija Ercegovac Bell said the commission must do its work without risking any prejudice to criminal proceedings involving alleged gunman Naveed Akram, who was charged with 15 counts of murder and 40 of attempted murder after the mass shooting on December 14. She said that hearing evidence from people who may be witnesses in the criminal proceeding would create that risk and, for that reason, it will not occur.

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The trial of that individual will be the occasion to lead evidence of the attack, Bell said. Terror attack survivor Chavi, 27, threw herself over her baby as the shooting began. The pair escaped the bullets, but saw those around them hit. Speaking after Bells opening, Chavi, who did not want her surname published, said she would like the opportunity to give evidence. Former High Court judge Virginia Bell, SC, who is presiding over the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, and senior counsel assisting the inquiry, Richard Lancaster, SC. Janie Barrett This royal commission is happening because of Bondi. Im confused, she said, though she added she has respect for Bell and the royal commission.

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This is a unique case, and they should allow witnesses to say what happened that day, the fearing for your life, your baby, the gunmen shooting down at you  The world needs to know, and what happened needs to be recorded. Boris Tetleroyd was killed in the attack, and his son Yaakov was injured. His niece, Jenny Roytur, also said she appreciated the criminal justice process, but didnt believe it made sense to exclude eyewitnesses. My family has all levels of victims  and the different levels of pain are very difficult to explain, and its very difficult to live through. For some people, giving evidence is going to allow them to be heard. Roytur, who did not attend the Chanukah by the Sea celebration, will write a submission about the antisemitism she and her children have experienced, including several incidents at school.

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One victim who was shot during the attack, and who asked not to be identified, said he understood the decision to exclude witnesses. Jenny Roytur and Yaakov Tetleroyd. Her uncle and his father Boris Tetleroyd was killed in the attack. Wolter Peeters You have to respect criminal proceedings, he said. It would be a tragedy if any of those proceedings were to be jeopardised in any way, shape or form. There are some family members who might not agree with me. Im fair-minded in that I understand that you cant have concurrent testimony that would ruin a court case. Victims families are due to meet with the commissioner in private later this week.

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Bell said she was required to deliver my final report  not later than the first anniversary of the Bondi massacre. This is a unique case, and they should allow witnesses to say what happened that day, the fearing for your life, your baby, the gunmen shooting down at you ... The world needs to know, and what happened needs to be recorded. Chavi, terror attack survivor Anniversaries are important, Bell said, and marking one year since the attack would be a difficult time. I acknowledge that for some it will never be right to speak of closure, but one small part of coming to terms with the events of that evening will be the work of this commission. I regard the delivery of my report on or before the first anniversary as a matter of critical importance. This imposes a tight time frame, and its going to impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference.

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Bell said she would apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, namely, a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities, the definition continues. Bell said the definition itself was uncontroversial but it was accompanied by 11 examples of conduct which could amount to antisemitism. At least two of the examples are controversial, and have led some critics to argue that the IHRA working definition wrongly labels as antisemitic the expression of political views which do not reflect a hatred of Jews.

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While Im open to receiving submissions on the issue, my current view is that these concerns pay insufficient regard to the terms of the definition itself, and theyre apt to overlook the requirement to take account of the overall context in which conduct occurs before making any determination that the conduct is antisemitic. Bell said it was uncontroversial that criticising Israeli government policy was not, of itself, antisemitic. Bell said she was interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who had experienced antisemitism, whether at school or at university or in the workplace, or elsewhere, and making a submission online did not commit them to giving evidence in public. She was also mindful that while antisemitism may be the oldest religious and ethnic prejudice, other religions and ethnicities are also subject to prejudice in Australia. I expect that social cohesion will be advanced by measures that address discrimination against religious faiths, ethnicities and cultures generally, Bell said.

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Nonetheless, against the background of the massacre of innocent people who appear to have been targeted simply because they were Jewish, I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion. Mourners at a vigil at Bondi Pavilion the day after the attack. Edwina Pickles Senior counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster, SC, described the mass shooting as a truly horrifying event, and said the counsel assisting team acknowledge with great sadness the immense trauma the attack had caused Jewish Australians. Avoiding prejudice to the ongoing criminal process would reduce the scope of the commissions public hearings and the commissions public reports on some issues, Lancaster said. He said the evidence would fall into four broad topics: identifying antisemitic conduct in various forms, including hearing from Jewish Australians about their lived experience, identifying the drivers of antisemitism, examining how law enforcement and security agencies have been tackling antisemitism, and inquiring into the circumstances surrounding the Bondi attack.

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This will include an inquiry into threat assessments and information-sharing by agencies, the steps taken by agencies in response to the planned event at Bondi and to secure it, and steps taken in response to the attack itself, Lancaster said. Related Article Antisemitism royal commission The five key questions for the Bondi royal commission to answer The federal governments special envoy for combating antisemitism, Jillian Segal, was among those attending the first day of hearings, held in the Law Courts building in Sydneys CBD. There was no sign of protesters or large crowds. The commission is required to deliver an interim report by April 30, dealing with matters requiring urgent or immediate action. Former ASIO and Defence department boss Dennis Richardson was present on Tuesday and will serve as special adviser on the security and intelligence review that forms part of the commissions work.

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This was initially a standalone review, but Bell said absorbing Richardsons work into the independent royal commission had raised additional legal issues. This was likely to result in these topics being canvassed in the final report rather than the interim report. Editor's pick Bondi shooting The world knows how they died. Their families share how they lived Bell said it was the first royal commission in nearly 50 years to investigate aspects of the work of the Australian intelligence community. The terms of reference are lengthy and Bell is expected to make recommendations to counteract and prevent manifestations of antisemitism. The commission will also examine the adequacy of existing security arrangements for the Jewish community.

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The hearing on Tuesday opened with a Welcome to Country by Uncle Allan Murray, chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. We know that atrocities have been committed against us, and were still wanting a reckoning, Murray said. Hearing dates for the commission have yet to be set. Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash and opposition home affairs spokesman Jonathon Duniam said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should write to Bell to request that he and his ministers appear as witnesses. It is critical for the royal commission to properly assess the governments actions in the lead up and in response to the massacre, they said. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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NationalNSWCourts Man beaten by police at Town Hall protest slammed by magistrate Amber Schultz February 24, 2026  2:30pm Save 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 A A A

A protester accused of biting a police officers finger as other officers punched him at a rally against Israeli President Isaac Herzogs visit has been criticised by a magistrate for breaching his bail for previous offences and over a decision to wear a Palestinian scarf in the courtroom. Jace Turner, 28, was charged with assaulting an officer, causing actual bodily harm during the February 9 rally, where thousands of protesters clashed with hundreds of police in a bloody and chaotic confrontation. Jace Turner has been accused of biting a police officer at the rally against Israel President Isaac Herzog. Sitthixay Ditthavong Viral footage of the incident showed Turner pinned to the light rail tracks on George Street. One officer holds his arm behind his back while the other punches Turner, appearing to be trying to remove his finger from Turners mouth. The first officer then deals over a dozen blows to Turners ribs, shoulders and upper back as the second removes his finger. The court heard Turner bit the officer with extreme force causing bleeding and bruising.

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Turner arrived in Sydney court on Tuesday wearing a suit and wrapped in a keffiyeh scarf, and walking with a fashion cane, which was removed by security. Magistrate Greg Grogin questioned Turners decision to wear the scarf. Loading A NSW Police officers bloody hand after being allegedly bitten by a protester. This is not a place for protest, this is not a place for political opinions, this is a place of law  not impressed, he said.

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Reading from the police facts, Grogin said the crowd had resisted police direction to leave the area when Turner was pushed back with force by the officer he would later allegedly bite. Related Article Visual story

Israeli-Palestinian conflict How a protest in the heart of Sydney descended into bloody chaos Turner is then alleged to have pushed the officer back with a slapping motion before being arrested and pushed to the ground. The facts allege Turner resisted arrest violently  mov[ing] his hand in a thrashing motion and ignoring police direction, Grogin said. When the officer tried to grab Turners hand, he then allegedly bit the officers thumb with extreme force and refused to let go, the court heard.

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The force of the bite allegedly pierced the skin  His injuries show substantial bruising, Grogin said, adding the officer sought treatment from hospital. The court heard Turner was on bail for three counts of common assault and remaining on a premises after being excluded, for an incident from August last year, as well as a separate charge of domestic violence assault. By attending the protest, he had broken his curfew. Turners lawyer sought a bail review so Turner could attend evening Mardi Gras events. Russel Zaragoza, 19, arrives at Downing Centre court on Tuesday morning. Sitthixay Ditthavong However, Grogin refused the review request. He was governed by two sets of bail  Due to the fact that he was unable to comply with court bail conditions, I am not of the opinion that the curfew should be lifted.

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Turner is to reside in an address in Sydenham and abide by a 6pm curfew. Represented by the Aboriginal Legal Service, Turner registered a plea of not guilty. His case will next be in court on April 7, where he is not required to appear. Related Article Updated

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Like a pack of wild dogs: Protester injured in Town Hall clashes calls for officers to be charged The violent clash between police and protesters left several people injured after being sprayed with capsicum spray, knocked to the ground, and manhandled. One elderly woman broke her back after being knocked over by police, while another said her 16-year-old son was grabbed by his scarf, thrown to the ground and had his face pushed against the concrete before being cuffed like a criminal. Police arrested 27 people at the protest, charging nine, including Turner. Russell Zaragoza, 19, also faced court on Tuesday, charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm.

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The seven other protesters, charged with offences including assault, resisting arrest, behaving in an offensive manner, and throwing a missile at an officer, will face court in the coming weeks. An 18-year-old was also charged with three counts of assaulting a police officer and possessing a knife in a public place after allegedly shining a torch in the face of an officer. The alleged offence took place at a separate rally on February 10 to protest police brutality at the Herzog rally the day prior. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalQueenslandUniversity Brisbane uni expands exam hours to combat AI  and students arent happy Catherine Strohfeldt February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Students at the University of Queensland received a rude shock ahead of their first classes on Monday, with in-semester exam timetables extended to Friday nights and Sundays. A memo sent to students pointed to the need for more in-person exams, which Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Kris Ryan attributed to the increasing use of artificial intelligence. First-year music and law students Ciara and Izzy said discussions among fellow students online had centred on the desire to confine university attendance to weekdays. UQ students Ciara (left) and Izzy (right) agree with concerns raised by their peers about the new exam timetable. Catherine Strohfeldt I guess the growing trend is that its not any more, but people need to work, people need time off, and I agree with all of that, Ciara said.

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They were pretty upset [online] that some of the exams were being held over the weekend. Related Article University Why mature-age university students are on the rise in Queensland The in-semester exams  which are held in addition to end-of-semester testing  precede larger assessment tasks in the middle of the year, and were previously held between Monday and Saturday. Under the new timetable, exams could be scheduled as late as 7.15pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, or as early as 8am on all three days. The memo sent to students said there would be a significant increase in the number of in-semester examinations. In semester one, this would include two complete weekends across March and April, and Saturday, May 2.

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Second-year advanced humanities student Ethan said the change reduced flexibility across those weekends. Last year, I had in-semester exams for all my subjects, and I think a lot of people have professors and teachers who have said theres going to be an increase in exams, Ethan said. Second-year UQ students Ania (left) and Ethan (right). Catherine Strohfeldt The deputy vice-chancellor said the AI response formed part of teaching redesigns for all of the universitys courses. As part of this change, we are moving to more in-person, secure assessments, Ryan said.

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We understand that extending these times may create challenges for some students. He said the University of Queensland was prepared to work with students to offer support and ensure the expanded timetable did not disadvantage them. The institution was also actively exploring longer-term approaches to better accommodate the increasing need for in-person exams. Professor Niusha Shafiabady, head of the Australian Catholic Universitys information technology discipline, said in-person exams were an interim solution to AI. The problem, when the assessment can be tackled with AI so easily, might be that the assessment itself is not authentic, Shafiabady said.

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A reality TV star accused of using social media to groom and harass women before sexually assaulting them has been charged with more than 30 offences on the Sunshine Coast.

Police allege Riccardo Valenza, 31, who starred in the 2023 season of the Binge show FBoy Island Australia, solicited sexual activities for money on social media between July 2023 and November 2025.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Harris alleged Valenza continued to use multiple social media platforms to talk to the 11 women, all of whom were aged between 26 and 35.

Former FBoy Island Australia star Riccardo Valenza. Binge

The [man] used social media platforms to reach out to the victims on multiple occasions. They were not known to him, but he groomed them in a manner to form a relationship, Harris alleged.
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NationalQueenslandLive music Why a forest of steel has cropped up in a South Bank car park Cameron Atfield February 24, 2026  8:43pm Save 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 A A A

Fears over the structural integrity of a South Bank car parks roof have prompted concert organisers to install reinforcements ahead of a planned series of performances on the Cultural Forecourt. More than 100 shoring jacks have been installed in the Queensland Cultural Centre car park. The posts were positioned below the temporary stage to provide extra support for the 5000-capacity event above ground. By placing the jacks in a tight grid, engineers can redistribute the weight of the floor above across the entire lower slab, preventing a localised collapse. Support beams in the car park beneath the On the Banks series of concerts. Cameron Atfield The On the Banks series of concerts will kick off on Wednesday night with a performance by King Stingray.

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Queensland University of Technology school of civil and environmental engineering senior lecturer Dr Hossein Derakhshan said the arrangement of the posts suggested organisers had load-bearing concerns. This may not be a design flaw, but if there is a change of function for the floor [above], such concern can come up, he said. The stage is set for the On the Banks festival at South Banks Cultural Forecourt. Cameron Atfield Derakhshan said floor spaces had to be designed for relevant loads based on official Australian standards, with the loads varying depending on the floors function. A floor designed for relatively light loads cannot be used for functions that are associated with relatively larger loads, he said.

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Related Article Entertainment The best major concerts to see in Brisbane in 2026 Dancing stages can have very high loads compared to light-traffic car parks. Assuming the event is a one-off and was not anticipated during the building design, those braces must have been added to increase floor capacity. An Arts Queensland spokesperson said the supports were precautionary. Detailed festival site planning, including the use of temporary supports and crowd management plans, are key tools used across the Queensland Cultural Centre to enable pop-up events and festivals, the spokesperson said.

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This planning is consistent with best-practice approaches to event delivery across the site. The Arts Queensland spokesperson said alternative car parks had been made available across the cultural centre. The QPAC car park will reopen at capacity from late March, the spokesperson said. Other concerts planned for the On the Banks festival were Marina with Mallrat on Thursday, De La Soul on Sunday, Grace Jones on March 5, The Streets on March 6, Disco Club on March 7, Bernard Fanning on March 15, Peach PRC on March 19, Maoli on March 20, and Sarah Blasko and Marlon Williams on March 22. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life Health, transport, postage a problem for residents of community that feels invisible Adam Carey February 24, 2026  6:30pm Save 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 A A A

When Deni Dee returned home after spending four weeks in the intensive care unit at Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2023, the single mother of two needed a lot of care. Dee, who had recently moved to the community of Mount Atkinson in Melbournes west, had no idea her new address would make getting that care so difficult. Mt Atkinson resident Christina repeatedly makes a 25 to 40-minute drive to Hoppers Crossing to collect her mail. Luis Enrique Ascui The first home-care nurse allocated to Dee was based in Werribee, almost 20 kilometres away. The nurse arrived almost an hour late to their initial appointment, having said over the phone that she was 15 minutes away. She was so apologetic. She said to me, I dont think you should even be under my catchment. I didnt even know this area existed, Dee said.

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It was the beginning of a pattern in which allied health providers and NDIS local area co-ordinators have consistently connected Dee with services in the City of Wyndham, even though she lives in the City of Melton. Mount Atkinson lies 30 kilometres west of central Melbourne, just off the Western Highway in the City of Melton. But the new and growing estate is part of Truganina, a sprawling suburb of more than 40,000 people, most of whom live 20 to 30 minutes drive south in Wyndham. A wedge of rural land separates Mount Atkinson from the more established parts of Truganina. Residents say their inclusion within the suburb causes a string of problems and inconveniences.

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For several years, community members have been lobbying Melton City Council to help them split from Truganina and create a new suburb of their own. In August 2024, councillors unanimously passed a motion calling for the council to investigate the process for creating a new suburb in Mount Atkinson and changing its postcode, and addressing any impact in new and developing suburbs that straddle council boundaries. Resident Christina (who asked for her surname to be kept private) said the change would foster a sense of identity, and recognise that Mount Atkinson orbits Melton and Caroline Springs, where most residents go to shop and take the train, not far-flung Wyndham. Related Article Opinion

City life Melbournes growth suburbs are a disaster, but one place offers hope Adam Carey Senior City Reporter for The Age When I first bought the land I was told it was a community called Mount Atkinson. I dont feel any connection to Truganina at all, Christina says.

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Christina sometimes drives through Truganina, along semi-rural roads to the Hoppers Crossing post office, because her mail is routinely redirected there. Its a 17-kilometre journey that can take anywhere between 25 and 40 minutes depending on traffic, even though her nearest post office is in Caroline Springs, less than 10 kilometres from her home. I always end up at Hoppers Crossing business centre. Honestly its a nightmare, Christina says. Ive called Australia Post and its still an issue. Sometimes they blame the courier. Christina also has medication delivered to her address, which must be stored in a cool environment, giving the drive to Hoppers Crossing greater urgency. At a meeting on Monday night, councillors considered a motion to apply to Geographic Names Victoria to split Mount Atkinson from Truganina.

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Mount Atkinson ward councillor Phillip Zada told the meeting the decision is not about lines on a map. Melton councillor, Phillip Zada, pictured in Mt Atkinsons undeveloped town centre, says the community deserves a distinct identity. Photograph by Chris Hopkins It is about identity. It is about clarity  And it is about whether we are prepared to stand up for a community that feels invisible, he said. The motion was defeated seven votes to three. A council report prepared by officers warned that a suburb split would chew up limited council resources with no guarantee it would make life easier for residents.

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The rationale behind the proposal from some residents has included suggestions that it would improve access to goods and services such as postage, transport and health, create a greater sense of local identity, reduce insurance premiums and increase property valuations, the council report stated. Officers assessment, including engagement with relevant service providers, confirms that a new suburb will not alleviate the key concerns raised by residents, with no resulting change in postcode, no change to postage or access to emergency health providers. Councillor Kathy Majdlik, who moved the original 2024 motion on potentially splitting Mount Atkinson, was among the majority who voted against the proposal, arguing these are teething problems of a new suburb. Even if council goes through this long process  and it is a long and arduous, resource-intensive process  and a new standalone suburb is created, the issues that the communities are currently facing may not be resolved, she said. A spokesperson for Geographic Names Victoria said any new or amended suburb must support clear boundaries for emergency services, mail delivery and the community.

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The City of Melton created 11 new suburbs and changed boundaries for seven others in 2015, in response to population growth. Dee, the Mount Atkinson resident, said the council vote was disappointing. They spoke of the cost to ratepayers, but we are ratepayers, she said. Australia Post said it plans to install new 24/7 parcel lockers in Mount Atkinson. When parcels are not collected at home, it is required to deliver them to a post office within the same postcode. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Emergency services have issued a warning for towns affected by the bushfires of the past two months as the rain continues to fall: burnt land does not absorb water effectively, meaning run-off can occur quickly and without warning.

Weve got some concerns, particularly around the fire grounds with increased fast run-off and flash-flooding risks, said State Control Centre spokesperson Josh Gamble.

The aftermath of the Victorian bushfires in Longwood, Victoria.  Paul Hilton / Earth Tree Images

A flood watch was in place for central and eastern Victoria on Tuesday afternoon, including for river catchments in the Melbourne area such as the Maribyrnong and Werribee.

The drenching in the south came as Australias parched interior braced for wild weather from a storm band lingering over the nations usually dry heart.

Rail services have been affected, roads are cut off and freight deliveries stranded as hundreds of millimetres of rain inundate multiple states.

A slow-moving tropical low is causing havoc across central Australia, with heavy falls and damaging winds reported across the Northern Territory.

Some of the heaviest falls from Monday to early Tuesday were in the Northern Territory, with 79 millimetres at the Granites in the Tanami Desert.

Weve also had some good news from police: there were no injuries from the incident in Bendigo in which a tree fell on a car with a person in it earlier tonight.

AAP with Alexander Darling
February 22, 2026: A month before the American raid in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, a Russian radio commentator talked about how much Russia had done to fortify Venezuela and protect its leaders and military. The commentary also described how the Russian navy would sink any threatening U.S. warships off the coast while Russian supplied air defense systems would detect and shoot down any threatening American aircraft. On the day after the U.S. raid, the same Russian commentator announced that any future Russian efforts to get in the Americans' way would probably be crushed. Russian leader Vladimir Putin apparently agreed with this assessment as he made no critical comments about what had happened in Venezuela.

Putin has other things to worry about as the U.S. and its NATO allies are now tracking and seizing Russian shadow fleet tankers transporting oil in violation of economic sanctions. Russian propagandists are seeking some way to deal with all this unpleasant news. They have lots of experience at this and Russian propagandists are looking at past experiences for answers.

When the Cold War ended in 1991 and the Soviet Union disappeared, many Western intelligence agencies thought they had seen the last of Soviet maskirovka/masking and dezinformatsiya/ disinformation. That was an unrealistic expectation as the Russians have been reviving these deception practices and, as has been noted since the 1990s, several surviving communist governments like China and North Korea never stopped using the maskirovka and dezinformatsiya techniques they had learned from their Soviet patrons.

One rather obvious example of how Russia has revived its classic dezinformatsiya was seen when Russia accused the United States of committing atrocities in Syria by using American warplanes disguised as Russian ones while bombing civilians, hospitals and the like. To carry out this dezinformatsiya the Russians used photos from an American pilot training exercise in which some F-18s, which are somewhat similar in appearance to Russian Su-30s, were given a Russian Air Force paint job and flown by American pilots who knew Russian fighter tactics and techniques. This was part of the dissimilar training in the U.S. Navy revived, from World War II practice, in the late 1960s to better prepare American pilots to deal with North Vietnamese fighter aircraft encountered over North Vietnam. This led to regular Red Flag and Top Gun training programs that evolved as potential enemy air forces did. The Russians claimed these photos showed American aircraft operating over Syria and bombing forbidden by international law targets, in order to blame Russia.

This was classic Soviet era dezinformatsiya and it still works. Most people were not fooled but enough were to make it worth the effort. As Russia itself began using these techniques again most Western intel analysts were somewhat mystified because they had not seen this sort of thing at all if they were young and the older intel experts had not seen it done to this degree since the 1980s, when the Soviet Union was still around and using these techniques heavily right up until the end.

The Soviets pioneered the use of specialized organizations to carry out dezinformatsiya. A similar but even larger one was created for maskirovka. This agency planned and carried out large scale deceptions of photo satellites. In addition to concealing weapons, their performance, and movements, the Soviets also used satellite deception to mislead the West on how their troops would operate in the field. Several times a year the Soviets would hold large scale maneuvers. Each of these exercises would involve many divisions, plus hundreds of aircraft and helicopters. Satellite photos of these maneuvers were thought to reveal tactics the Soviets were going to use in future wars. But the Soviets knew when American satellites were coming over and sometimes arranged displays of tactics which they had no intention of using. Naturally, this made it more difficult for the Western intelligence analysts to figure out exactly what the Soviets were planning. That, of course, was the sort of confusion the Soviets wanted to create with these little deceptions. The current Russian government is reviving a lot of Soviet era organizations and practices because they have discovered maskirovka and dezinformatsiya still work on the West.

After 1991 this inherent fondness for maskirovka and dezinformatsiya was great news for a lot of former KGB Russian CIA/FBI/secret police employees who eventually found new jobs doing what they had done before the Soviet Union imploded, in part because of new technology. The 1990s were when the Internet blossomed into the World Wide Web. At the same time a lot of the deception and information manipulation the KGB long monopolized was now legal for civilian firms as well in Russia and China. Since then many KGB media specialists have gone commercial and trained a new generation of Internet savvy manipulators and often ended up working for the government again, as contractors rather than uniformed employees.

Spreading lies and rumors is a long standing practice in wartime. But in pre-Internet days it was developed into a fine art by the Soviets during the Cold War. This conflict, which raged or simmered from 1948 to 1989 or 1991, take your pick, never saw the main antagonists America and the USSR fighting each other directly, but rather it was a war of proxies. Other nations provided the battlefields while other peoples provided most of the fighters. The Soviets were calling most of the shots during this conflict even if they were not firing them. While both sides used the media and propaganda, the Soviets were enthusiastic users of a particular form of media deception called disinformation. This is the old repeat a lie often enough and it becomes a truth routine, distributed via press releases and planted media stories. On the Internet we call people who do this trolls or worse.

Disinformation is an ancient deception technique, but never has it been used so widely and for such a long time to keep numerous small wars going and generate such levels of hostility towards one's opponent. These fighters were not risking their lives for the Soviet Union but for a myriad of local causes. The Soviet disinformation program was intended to keep everyone in a combative mood and pursue goals that meshed with the Soviet Unions foreign policy.

Some of the disinformation was pretty outrageous, such as the planted story that AIDS was invented by U.S. military researchers or the CIA or whatever. Most of the disinformation was more minor, and locally relevant, in nature. The Soviets had a large bureaucracy, and equally vast budget, to buy the services of local journalists worldwide. The stories supplied would generally cast aspersions on the actions or motives of the U.S. government and Americans in general. While the Soviets were generally inclined to shovel out lies and half-truths pell-mell, they also had specific programs to bring down governments friendly to the West or, more importantly, to prop up the morale of rebels, revolutionaries, and terrorists fighting for a Soviet approved objective. ISIL Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Al Qaeda and other Islamic radical groups have tried to use the same tactics but have not been nearly as deft and successful at it as the Soviets were.

What made the Soviet program unique was its global nature. The Soviets were quick to realize that the media in most countries was not as independent as in the United States. In fact, the U.S. media was something of an exception. In most nations the media are, like the first newspapers in the 18th century, the creatures of one special interest group or another. It was in America that the independent media was invented, and even the U.S. media was not completely free of biases and favoritism towards special interests. In most countries, the bias and special interest control is much stronger. That eventually happened in the United States, about a decade or so after the Cold War ended.

Yet in all countries the local media was, like it or not, the primary source of information for the population. Compared to America, the rest of the world's journalists are not well paid even by local standards. Thus it is common for journalists to accept gifts or outright bribes in return for writing certain stories or slanting their reporting a certain way. The Soviets took advantage of this and their local agents who were often not Russians were liberally supplied with cash in order to buy the media attention they needed. The American CIA engaged in the same practice but the Soviets were much more aggressive, generous and successful in this area. That has changed as traditional print and TV news media were supplanted by Internet based sources but disinformation is still available as a tool.

While many journalists worldwide admire the American model for media independence, the Soviets realized that they didn't have to buy a lot of journalists in order to give their agenda sufficient exposure. Most of the Soviet disinformation was purposely developed as sensational stuff. The Soviets knew what kind of stories played best in the media and this is what they provided. This was the importance of the large disinformation staff back in Moscow. Stories that played on local fears were favored. For example, over the years, the CIA was played up as the cause behind just about everything that people feared, up to and including the weather and earthquakes. In typical Russian fashion, the Soviets would plant dozens of stories in different countries all hitting the same invented idea from a different angle. That way, the press in one country could cite a Soviet story planted in another country to back up their local reporting. The Soviets also made the most of some outrageous story appearing in the Western press whether it was a Soviet plant or not, by planting more outrageous versions and elaborations via the more pliable journalists of other nations. The Soviets realized that the media had become a global system and that there was a great deal of following the leader or stealing from another newspaper, depending on how you look at it going on. The Soviets also knew that correcting an inaccurate story was nearly impossible. Once the lie gets loose, you can never correct the misinformation that then forms in so many peoples minds. Once the Internet came along, these techniques became easier and cheaper to use.

The Big Lie was something that was created in this century as the media grew in importance. The Nazis get a lot of credit for starting it, but it was actually the Bolsheviks the earliest incarnation of the Communists in Russia that first used it so effectively at the end of World War I. Indeed, the term Bolshevik is Russian for majority, a title the Communist minority among the Russian socialists gave themselves as they set out to seize control of Russia during World War I. The Communists kept repeating the term Bolshevik even when it was obvious they were a small minority of the Russian socialist party and eventually more and more people just took it for granted that the Communists were the majority, the Bolsheviks. And soon they were in control of the nation. And at that point they were still a minority, which is why they kept on killing off Russians into the early 1950s who actually or potentially thought differently.

Western countries only slowly became aware of what the Soviets were doing. The Voice of America and the BBC World Service radio broadcasts were intended to counter Soviet disinformation. But these efforts met with limited success. Imaginative lies travel faster and more widely than does the more mundane truth. Politicians in all nations know and take advantage of this fact. Negative campaigning is often little more than a disinformation campaign.

The only positive side of disinformation is that, eventually, most people catch on and no longer believe the lies. But this takes time, often decades. And the turnaround has to take place separately in each media area. That is, while people may begin to see through the local disinformation campaign in one area, people in a neighboring nation could still be under the spell of the clever forgeries. The Soviet Union and its East European satellite nations saw their web of disinformation come apart during the 1980s. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 will long be seen as the moment when the tower of deceit came undone. But in actuality, the process of disintegration took place over several years. And for many years to come there will still be people in those formerly Communist countries who will continue to believe the lies, even if the majority does not. Now, however, the large scale deception organizations are being revived.

The deception technique of disinformation had a palpable effect on dozens of battlefields during the Cold War and after. Thousands of pro-Communist fighters believed, to the death, in the tangle of disinformation the Soviets had created. Without such motivation, many of these wars, rebellions, and uprisings would not have happened. Information is power, even false information. And this translated into firepower for decade after decade. It has happened again and this time the true-believers are Islamic radicals. Russia, China and many Western nations have disinformation operations that exploit the Internet to get their version of reality to as many people as possible. The long term impact of all this is as yet unknown.
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NationalAntisemitism Opinion Why Mark Zuckerberg should be dragged in front of this royal commission Jenna Price Columnist February 24, 2026  6:30pm

February 24, 2026  6:30pm Save 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 A A A

This is so awkward. Im writing a love letter, a note of hope and optimism, to a person I dont know, to a mechanism Im not even sure I trust. But someones got to do it. Yes, its me. On Tuesday, the public hearings for the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began, and I think, I fear, Ill be more or less holding my breath until findings are released. How much responsibility should Mark Zuckerberg bear for all the hate speech published on his platforms? Bloomberg Ive never felt all that confident about royal commissions in general. Lots of talking and not much doing in the aftermath. I think you have to be a particular kind of royal commissioner to make the findings stick. Ruler above all, Kenneth Hayne, royal commissioner into the banking industry, a deliciously grumpy bugger (Ive spoken to a couple of other former royal commissioners, and they agree with my analysis). He was famed for his refusal to shake the hand of the treasurer at the time, Josh Frydenberg, captured in an image but not a man captured by anyone for any other purpose. People tell me Virginia Bell has the same vibe. My fingers are very crossed. The best thing about the Hayne royal commission? A shake-up of the industry, mass departures of CEOs and other culprits, a much greater sense of accountability (although its clear from whats been happening with super that there is far further to go).

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Can we get that kind of accountability when it comes to antisemitism? I have a list of those who ought to be named in any findings  every single politician who has tried to divide Australia on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion. That person who says Muslims are bad. That person who says Asians are bad. That person who says that African Australians are bad. That person who thinks we need to shut down all criticisms of Israel and its appalling behaviour in Gaza. Muslim Australians have as much right to feel safe and supported in this country as do Jewish Australians. The massacre at Bondi, in which 15 people were killed, led to the royal commission into antisemitism. Edwina Pickles But please, let me start with the easiest category of villain first. Dear Royal Commissioner Bell, please call as a witness, for example, Mark Zuckerberg. At least get him to talk about whether his organisation Meta takes responsibility for the spread of Holocaust denial. My god, Id love to get the tech overlords to be finally held accountable for something on their godforsaken hellholes also known as their platforms. These folks businesses harvest billions from investing in hate. Joanne Gray, chair of media and communications at the University of Sydney and an expert in how corporate digital actors exercise power, has just one wish: The centibillionaires should be dragged in front of a royal commission and held accountable. Thats where  and how  the antisemitism, the hate-filled violence we saw in Bondi, the rampant Nazism, the Holocaust denial, spreads. Konrad Kwiet, a University of Sydney emeritus professor and long-time historian at the Sydney Jewish Museum, tells me its futile to argue with Holocaust deniers  but he says measures such as hefty fines have an impact.

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Kwiet says the most important thing we can do is to truly define what hate speech is, what hate crimes look like. There needs to be a clear definition, he says. And beyond that, lets try to make our society more humane  this kind of hateful behaviour flourishes when social cohesion breaks down. And Holocaust education matters to reduce ignorance and stupidity. Related Article Analysis

Antisemitism royal commission Tight deadline, a criminal trial and tech issues: Royal commission off to a rocky start How do we make this society, our society, more humane? Sure, Ive already called for the abolition of the politicians who pimp their divisiveness, who spread hatred wherever they go. Its a shocking sign of how our society has become divided  just look at the results of the latest Scanlon Foundation report into social cohesion, released last year. Negative feelings towards Jews? Up from 9 per cent two years ago to 15 per cent last year. Thirty-five per cent of Australians said they held negative views against Muslims and 18 per cent about Christians. My goodness, people. Why would you feel that way just because of a persons religion? So I wanted to ask Jordana Silverstein for her hopes for this royal commission. Silverstein, a historian at the University of Melbourne and a fellow Jew, has been a target for Nazis and a long-time critic of Israeli military policy. Shes also one of our big thinkers on these complex issues.

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My dream is that antisemitism is seen as one form of racism among the many forms of racism that are pernicious in Australia  and it is dealt with in its proper context. Shes not convinced  considering the limited terms of this particular royal commission. But Silverstein doesnt believe antisemitism should be treated as a special example. It should be dealt with in the same way we deal with other kinds of racism. Its a whole-of-Australia problem and I hope the commission recognises that. There is so much for Virginia Bell and senior counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster, to recognise and grasp, but the toughest will be this. How to get Australians to come to terms with the Gaza problem. As Bell pointed out in her opening statement, criticism of policies pursued by the government of Israel was not, of itself, antisemitic. Its hard to get Zionist Jews in Australia to accept that. Its also true that too many Australians conflate being Jewish with being Zionist. There is one thing we know already, Bell has to have an interim report in two months. As she said this morning, looking at the ways we might strengthen social cohesion in this country, could well be the work of years, not months. Sing it, sister! Good luck, much love and strength, in the 10 months you have left.

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Jenna Price is a regular columnist. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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Updated PoliticsFederalNational security PM evacuated from The Lodge over security threat Paul Sakkal Updated February 24, 2026  9:15pm ,first published 8:45pm Save 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 A A A

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been forced to evacuate from The Lodge, his residence in Canberra, while police searched the premises following a security threat. Loading Albanese was only able to return to the heavily fortified house near parliament after 9pm, three hours after the threat first emerged. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had to evacuate his official residence for more than three hours while police searched the premises. Alex Ellinghausen The nature of the threat has not been made public.

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A federal police spokeswoman said they responded to an alleged security incident at 6pm. A thorough search of a protection establishment has commenced and is still ongoing, she said. There is no current threat to the community or public safety. The Lodge in Canberra, pictured in 2022. The Sydney Morning Herald Government sources said the threat was probably not real. But given the rise in extremism and violent threats towards MPs, police were obliged to take it seriously.

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Other politicians who have allegedly received violent threats include Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Communications Minister Anika Wells and independent MP Allegra Spender. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsWAEnvironmental protection Greens MP refers Alcoa to watchdog over more alleged WA tree clearing breaches Hamish Hastie February 24, 2026  3:40pm Save 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 A A A

Bauxite miner Alcoa is facing further scrutiny of its clearing practices after the WA Greens referred the company to the environmental regulator over two more alleged breaches of an exemption order allowing it to continue mining. Greens MP Jess Beckerling, who trespassed in Alcoas mining area to investigate another suspected clearing breach late last year, referred the clearing to within two metres of a significant jarrah tree and the destruction of a marri tree to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, which confirmed to the ABC it was investigating. The Alcoa protest at WA Parliament on Tuesday. Hamish Hastie In just 10 hours of fieldwork, three suspected breaches have been identified within just three kilometres of each other, Beckerling said. It is clear that Alcoa has a very serious problem with compliance and has no regard for state or federal laws; the company needs to be reined in.

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The department has now been investigating the first breach I submitted for six weeks, while Alcoa keeps clearing. With two more suspected breaches now requiring investigation, this needs to be brought to a conclusion now. The evidence is crystal clear, and the law is there in black and white. There is no way, as far as I can see, that Alcoa is operating within the law and the Environment Minister must immediately stop their mining activities. Beckerlings new allegations come a week after Alcoa was fined $55 million by the Commonwealth for illegal clearing of the northern jarrah forest area from 2019 to 2025. Despite agreeing to pay that sum of money, which will be spent on rehabilitation and environmental protection, Alcoa maintained it believed the land in question was cleared legally. Alcoa is currently subject to an Environmental Protection Authority assessment of its operations and future plans, which will replace the decades-old state agreement it currently operates under.

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As part of that assessment process, the Cook government granted it an exemption to continue operations while the EPA completed its work. This exemption came with conditions, including that the company cannot clear land within 10 metres of significant trees. Beckerling argued the breaches she alleged constituted a breach of that exemption order, and the company should halt work. This masthead approached Alcoa for comment, but the company told the ABC it took the conditions governing its operations very seriously and was committed to operating in accordance with them. WA Premier Roger Cook would not comment on Beckerlings allegations while the investigations were ongoing, but pointed out that the EPA process would bring the US miner into a modern environmental protection regime.

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The Alcoa agreement was one of the very early agreements, and so by bringing them into this regime and modernising their agreement, we can make sure that their operations do meet community expectations for minimising environmental impacts, he said. Related Article Mining WA premier disappointed in Alcoa after forest-clearing fine but backs exemption to keep mining However, Cook said Alcoa, which employed about 6000 people in the state, was an important operation. They pay royalties, they bring prosperity by virtue of their economic activity, so, obviously, any decision to curtail those operations is a very significant one, and one which will impact thousands of Western Australians, he said. Thats why we want them to simply make sure that they do their best to protect the environment as part of their operations.

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Asked whether his government was prepared to curtail Alcoas operations if it continued to flout conditions, Cook said the decision was up to the EPA. Ultimately, the EPA may come to the view that the impact of their work cannot minimise the impact on the environment and if thats their assessment, well take that on board at the time, he said. A snap protest was held outside Parliament House on Tuesday with an alliance of conservation agencies calling for the state to stop Alcoas operations altogether.
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Exclusive TechnologyTelecommunications Optus to cut 200 jobs after horror year David Swan February 24, 2026  5:17pm Save 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 A A A

Australias second-largest telco is cutting 200 jobs across its business as it attempts to reset following a disastrous year that included a Triple Zero outage linked to two deaths and a $100 million fine for predatory sales practices. Optus would not confirm a breakdown of roles to be axed but a source familiar with the matter said the figure was about 200, with potential for some of those to be redeployed within the company after a consultation process that began on Tuesday. Optus is reeling from a bruising 12 months. Getty An Optus spokeswoman said the company-wide changes included new hires, leadership changes and role adjustments. We are bringing in new expertise where needed, supporting transitions and simplifying areas of the business to drive faster, more effective decision-making, the spokeswoman said.

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We recognise some of the changes will have a significant impact on some of our people and we are committed to approaching this decision with empathy and respect, the spokeswoman said. The job cuts will face scrutiny given they come at a time when the company has been repeatedly criticised for under-investment and offshoring, which it has promised to dial back. The union for telecommunications workers, the Communications Workers Union, labelled the cuts an absolute disgrace. At a time when Optus should be rebuilding trust and investing in Australian jobs, theyre cutting hundreds of roles. Its an absolute disgrace. How many more disasters will it take for Optus to listen? assistant secretary James Perkins said. Telecommunications is critical national infrastructure. You dont fix systemic failures by reducing the people responsible for keeping the network safe and reliable. Cost-cutting like this does not make the network more robust or secure.

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Theres 200 Australian families who have just found out that they may not have a way to put food on the table now, during a time when cost of living is at an all-time high. Optus should be ashamed. Despite disaster after disaster, Optus is continuing to hollow out its workforce, and customers are paying the price. Optus is reeling from a bruising 12 months including a catastrophic Triple Zero outage in September which was linked to two deaths that are under coronial investigation. A review into the incident by corporate and public sector veteran Kerry Schott, released in December, found at least 10 separate mistakes by Optus engineers and contractor Nokia, describing the failures as inexcusable. Optus chairman John Arthur said at the time that the board was taking action on individual accountability, which will extend from financial penalties through to termination in appropriate cases. The board accepted all 21 of the reviews recommendations, including moving its operations centre onshore to Australia. Schotts review stopped short of calling for chief executive Stephen Rues sacking, noting the former NBN boss had started at Optus in November 2024 and was leading a five-year transformation program.

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Singtel, the Singapore-based parent company that wholly owns Optus, cut investment in the Australian mobile network by $237 million last year. Telecommunications analyst Paul Budde warned after the September outage that the failures reflected systemic governance breakdowns rather than isolated technical errors. Related Article Updated

Telecommunications Triple Zero system under fire after Optus, Telstra outages Optus offshore call centre staff repeatedly failed to escalate warnings from customers about the Triple Zero outage, which was caused in part by errors in Optus outsourced network management team. The telco has promised to bring that back in house and hire more Australian call centre workers. It comes as the federal government on Tuesday announced a wholesale review of the laws governing the emergency services network. A comprehensive review of Triple Zero legislation and regulations is a key step in rebuilding public confidence in the system and ensuring we have the right framework to reduce the risk of a major outage happening again, Communications Minister Anika Wells told a CommsDay summit in Canberra.

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We must do everything in our power to ensure Triple Zero remains reliable, resilient and fit for purpose  now and into the future. A third Senate inquiry hearing on Thursday will examine the deadly Triple Zero outage, with Optus executives  along with executives from its parent company Singtel  set to be grilled in a hearing led by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Optus agreed to pay $100 million in penalties in November after it was sued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for selling products to vulnerable customers they could not afford or use. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East tensions Iran speculation spikes as Rubio briefs Gang of Eight ahead of Trump speech Michael Koziol February 25, 2026  4:58am Save 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 A A A

Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will brief senior members of Congress about the situation in Iran hours before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address, sparking fresh speculation about an imminent US strike on the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Trump to prioritise diplomacy, pledging Iran would resume negotiations with the US in Geneva and that a deal was within reach. Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff said at the weekend that the only acceptable outcome was for Iran to move to zero enrichment of uranium. Bloomberg Rubio was due to brief the so-called Gang of Eight, which includes Democratic and Republican leaders from both congressional chambers, on Tuesday afternoon (Washington time) before Trump delivers the presidents annual speech to Congress at 9pm (1pm Wednesday AEDT). The briefing is about Iran, a source told Reuters. The development has intensified speculation about Trumps plans for military action against Iran, and comes amid reports that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Razin Caine, privately warned that a campaign against Iran would be difficult and carry significant risks to American lives.

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Trump rejected that portrayal, saying on social media that Caine like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won. All reporting on a potential war with Iran had been written incorrectly, Trump said. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we dont make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hosed down speculative reports. AP White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also disparaged sensationalist reporting over the past 24 hours, and said only Trump knew what he would do regarding Iran. President Trumps first option is always diplomacy. But as he has shown, he is willing to use the lethal force of the US military if necessary, she said.

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Araghchi said Tehran wanted a fair deal as fast as possible, but its fundamental convictions were unchanged: it would not develop a nuclear weapon, but it would not forgo its right to peaceful nuclear technology. That is a key sticking point, with the US demanding Iran halt all uranium enrichment. We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority, Araghchi said on X. Trump will address a joint sitting of Congress to deliver the annual State of the Union speech at 1pm AEDT. AP It would be unprecedented for a US president to announce military action in the State of the Union, which typically highlights the administrations achievements and policy agenda, with a focus on domestic affairs. Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator who has advised numerous presidents, said that alone is reason enough for Trump to do it.

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However, it would detract from his domestic message at a time when he is keen to emphasise lower crime rates and cheaper petrol prices, among other matters, in a prime-time speech ahead of Novembers midterm elections. Meanwhile, Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas said he had personally told the president the Iranian regime had never been weaker and urged that he should not miss this opportunity to arm the protesters and remove the ayatollah. I think theres a very real possibility we will see, potentially in a matter of days, limited strikes, Cruz told CNBC television on Tuesday. What were not going to see is boots on the ground  but I think theres a real possibility of targeted strikes that are designed to support the Iranian people who are protesting. Former CIA director and retired army general David Petraeus said it was unusual for highly sensitive national security discussions, such as those involving Caine, to be leaked to the press  including in the second Trump administration, which is seen as being more disciplined that the first.

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Petraeus told a live event hosted by Foreign Policy magazine that Caine was evidently concerned about the missile math  how many missiles and launchers Iran had left, and how many interceptors the US had left. Related Article Middle East at war Trump considers much bigger attack on Iran as part of two-pronged war if diplomacy fails There were several options on the table, he said, including a demonstration strike to show the cost of not making a deal, a decapitation strike to kill the ayatollah or other members of Irans leadership, or a sustained air campaign. You can do a lot of damage. What Im not sure you can do is bring about regime change, Petraeus said, noting there was no obvious opposition figure in Iran poised to take power. If we do go big, we very much need to [go] after the capabilities they have to retaliate because that has the most catastrophic potential, he said.

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Gang of Eight members are House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican congressman Rick Crawford and Tom Cotton, and Democratic congressmen Jim Himes and Mark Warner. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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Washington: US politics and policy juggernaut Politico will launch in Australia later this year, taking on the established press gallery in Canberra with a product that targets local and global readers alike. The project will be led by former Politico editorial director Ryan Heath, an Australian who has also worked in politics in the United Kingdom and Europe. Politico will launch in Australia after the winter recess. Politicos daily Playbook is considered a must-read in Washington, with its blend of daily news, whos who, insider gossip and upcoming events. It said it would launch Canberra Playbook after the winter parliamentary recess. Politicos expansion to Australia is natural, said the companys chief executive officer Goli Sheikholeslami. We will deliver the same essential US and European coverage that our audiences in the Western hemisphere depend on.

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And we will be even better positioned to help readers around the globe understand important economic and geopolitical developments in the Indo-Pacific, from trade and defence to energy and critical minerals. Heath said Australians needed journalism that explained power dynamics and connected the dots globally, and Politico was ideally poised to deliver it. The outlet frequently sponsors events in Washington. AP We take politicians and policy seriously  its all we do. We will bring that depth and new angles to political journalism in Canberra, just as we have everywhere else we operate, he said. Heath grew up on the NSW Mid North Coast and attended the University of Technology Sydney.

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He worked in Whitehall in the UK and as a speechwriter for the European Commission before co-founding Politico Europe in Brussels. He later became the outlets New York-based editorial director before moving into consulting. The Australian embassy in Washington hosted an event with Politico in November when the outlets senior journalists discussed US politics and power dynamics for an Australian and American audience. Politico launched in 2007 and has since grown to become an outlet with more than 1000 journalists in major cities including Washington, Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin and New York, it said. It launched ahead of the 2008 US presidential election through mostly ex-Washington Post staff. Its global expansion led to its sale to German publisher Axel Springer in 2021 for $US1 billion ($1.42 billion), after it had helped launch Politico Europe six years earlier. Aside from a suite of German publishing assets including mass-market tabloid Bild, Axel Springer also owns Business Insider and Morning Brew. It formed part of a wave of new digital upstart news brands to take on traditional newspapers, like The Post, covering news with a focus on politics. A similar wave hit Australias media industry in the 2010s, though many, such as the HuffPost, have since folded.

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Related Article Media & marketing OpenAIs deal with News Corp could distort information flow to public, experts warn The Guardian and Daily Mails digital launches have survived, however, and both are now regularly in the top 10 most read news providers in the country. There have been few new international news entrants into Australia aside from venture capital backed-Capital Brief in the past five years. Axel Springer has been an early adopter of AI in publishing. It was one of the first major media companies to sign a deal with an AI provider, OpenAI, in 2023. Though its chief executive Mathias Dopfners rapid adoption of it came back to bite last year, when unionised Politico staff took the company to court alleging the AI provision in their contracts had been breached, according to reports. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here.
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In todays digital first world, charitable giving has evolved far beyond cash envelopes and in person events. Donation platforms have transformed how nonprofits raise funds, connect with supporters, and amplify their missions. From improving donor experiences to increasing transparency and efficiency, these platforms offer powerful advantages for charities of all sizes.

Expanding Reach Beyond Geographic Limits

Traditional fundraising methods often limit charities to local donors and physical events. Donation platforms remove these barriers. With just a few clicks, supporters from anywhere in the world can contribute.

For example, global organisations leverage online donation systems to engage international audiences. Smaller community based nonprofits can benefit just as much, reaching new supporters through social media, email campaigns, and online search.

By going digital, charities are no longer constrained by geography, they can build truly global communities around their causes.

Increasing Donor Convenience and Accessibility

Convenience plays a significant role in whether someone completes a donation. Donation platforms simplify the process by offering:

 Mobile friendly giving

 One click or recurring donations

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When donors can give quickly and securely, theyre more likely to follow through and give again. Recurring donation features, in particular, help charities build predictable, sustainable revenue streams.

Enhancing Transparency and Trust

Modern donors want to know how their money is being used. Donation platforms often include tools for:

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Transparency builds credibility. When donors can clearly see the results of their contributions, trust increases and so does long term engagement.

Streamlining Administrative Processes

Managing donations manually can be time consuming and error prone. Digital platforms automate many tasks, including:

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This automation frees up staff time so charities can focus more on their mission and less on paperwork. It also improves accuracy and compliance with financial regulations.

Enabling Data Driven Fundraising

Donation platforms provide valuable insights into donor behaviour. Charities can analyse:

 Average gift size

 Donor retention rates

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Donation platforms are more than just payment tools, they are strategic assets for modern charities. By expanding reach, improving efficiency, increasing transparency, and enabling data driven decision making, these platforms empower nonprofits to grow sustainably and deepen their impact.

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A NIGERIAN national was last week served with a book of evidence at Carlow District Court in connection with a fatal car crash that occurred outside Tullow last year.

Abayomi Okanlawson (32) had been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing death after being involved in a head-on collision in which another motorist died at Rath East, outside Tullow, on 24 October 2025.

At Carlow District Court on Wednesday 18 February, the defendant was served a book of evidence, with the director of public prosecutions ordering that the case proceed to Wicklow Circuit Court.

Mr Okanlawson is currently on a High Court bail and appeared in court with the assistance of a translator.

Solicitor Chris Hogan asked Judge Fiona Brennan to grant legal aid for a second junior counsel, considering the seriousness of the matter, which she agreed to.

A previous court sitting heard that at the time of the collision, Mr Okanlawson was driving a BMW that collided head-on with a Seat Altea travelling in the opposite direction. The driver of the Seat Altea was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other passenger, his wife, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Mr Okanlawson was knocked unconscious by the crash and was admitted to hospital for his injuries.

Judge Brennan ordered Mr Okanlawson to appear before the next sitting of Wicklow Circuit Court and adjourned the matter until then.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
A WOMAN who drove under duress while just above the drink driving limit after being assaulted by her then partner was commended for her bravery when she sought help from gardai.

The incident was relayed at an in-camera sitting of Portlaoise District Court last week when the accused, a 52-year-old health worker, came before it charged with drink-driving at Rathmore, Stradbally on 18 August 2024.

Garda Conor McCarthy said that while he was on duty at a junction directing traffic that Sunday, the last day of Electric Picnic, at about 6.35pm, one of three women ran to him telling him that she had seen a woman being assaulted in a car. He went to the scene and there he saw a man and woman in a white BMW car and noticed its windscreen broken and signs of violence and of injures to the woman.

He said he called for assistance from other gardai and while waiting on their arrival, the man came from the car in a very agitated state and began abusing him. When asked what had happened, the man told him: Its none of your f**king business what happened. So agitated and aggressive was the man that it took three gardai to arrest him.

He said that while speaking with the woman, he detected a smell of alcohol from her and she failed a roadside breath test. She was then arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station, where she provided a sample result of 39mg alcohol to 100ml breath.

On her release, garda McGrath said that she declined to make a statement or to provide details of the alleged assault.

Defending barrister Anne Doyle said that at the time of the incident: My client was in fear for her safety. Garda McGrath said: She failed to divulge what had occurred. She was quite shocked and didnt want to say anything, but (the man named) was extremely volatile, argumentative and violent. I believe he is currently on remand in custody. Garda Sgt Ciaran Mahoney said he responded to a call for support from garda McGrath following a report of an alleged assault.

He said that when he arrived at the scene, he said it was obvious that the man had hit the windscreen of the car a couple of boxes. He had to be handcuffed and restrained. He was violent at the scene and in the garda station. I took photographs of her injures and had a conversation with her to try and tell her to get away from him. I have no doubt that she was assaulted. My observations of her at the time was she was extremely upset. Giving evidence, the woman said that she and her then partner were travelling to the Electric Picnic to see one of the concerts on the last night of the festival.

She said that as they approached a junction, the man, who had been driving at this stage, hit her in her face. She said three girls approached and told her that she needed to get out of the car, while one of them ran for help from the garda.

She said: I was afraid to get out of the car. I eventually got out. He then got out. I ran back to the car, got in and drove up to the garda. I got into the car to escape from him and to get help. I was so upset and still am. Thank God I am away from him now. I didnt explain anything to the guards at the time because I was afraid of him. I was in a relationship with him for two years and know now that I had to get away from him. Prosecuting garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that he had no questions to put to the witness, adding: I want to compliment you. You were very brave in what you did. Judge Andrew Cody said he accepted that the woman drove the vehicle while under duress and dismissed the charge of drink-driving against her.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline on 1800 341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline on 01 554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
High Court Reporters

The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) is seeking a High Court order compelling RTE to provide it with footage gathered by the broadcaster during an investigation into standards of care in nursing homes.

RTE Investigates: Inside Irelands Nursing Homes, which was broadcast last June, focused on the treatment of residents at Beneavin Manor, in Glasnevin, Dublin 11, and The Residence in Portlaoise.

Lawyers for Hiqa told Judge Emily Egan on Tuesday that covert footage broadcast in the programme appeared to show nursing home staff engaging in serious misconduct, in apparent contravention of regulations and standards.

Hiqa is responsible for monitoring and inspecting nursing homes to ensure residents are safe and receive a high quality of care.

To that end, the regulator is asking the High Court to direct RTE to disclose footage gathered during the investigation. Such an order is known as a Norwich Pharmacal order.

Moving the application on behalf of Finbarr Colfer, Hiqas chief inspector of social services, Jonathan Newman BL said the order was necessary to allow the inspector to fulfil his statutory role.

Counsel said his client had an obligation to demonstrate that RTE had become mixed up in alleged wrongdoing.

He submitted that it was clear RTE had become mixed up in the wrongdoing, in the sense that the matters highlighted would not have been recorded or published without RTEs involvement.

The court heard that RTE itself was totally innocent, and not accused of any wrongdoing.

Counsel submitted that the order was necessary, as Hiqa had no other means of obtaining the footage.

He said the order sought was proportionate, as the inspector has a very serious statutory role  one that he could not perform fully and properly with respect to issues in the RTE programme without access to the footage.

Counsel also noted that the application was unusual and had aspects to it that brought it outside the normal thrust of a standard Norwich Pharmacal application.

One reason for this was that the footage was not sought for the purposes of initiating civil legal proceedings, but rather to allow for the carrying out of statutory functions.

Joe Jeffers, BL for RTE, said the broadcaster was neither consenting nor objecting to the order sought by Hiqa.

Counsel said RTE welcomed Hiqas decision to investigate the issues highlighted in the programme.

Having regard to the fact that the footage captured images of third parties, including vulnerable residents and staff members, a court order was necessary to compel disclosure, he said.

He said RTE was anxious to work with Hiqa in the interest of patient safety, but said it had to balance this with competing interests.

The court heard there was an agreement between the parties on a draft order. Counsel said it was a matter for the court if it considers the order sought appropriate, in the terms agreed or at all.

Counsel said that RTE recognised that Hiqas application was a novel one.

He noted that the application went beyond the existing case law related to Norwich Pharmacal orders.

The judge said she would reserve her judgment.
Kenneth Fox

Taoiseach Micheal Martin reaffirmed Ireland's position that Ukraine's future is in the European Union after participating in a meeting on Tuesday morning of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine.

The meeting marked the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of the country.

The video meeting was co-chaired by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of France Emmanuel Macron. It was joined from Kyiv by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and several EU leaders meeting there to mark the occasion.

Speaking after Tuesday's meeting, the Taoiseach said:I was pleased to join this meeting of the Coalition of the Willing to offer Irelands continuing support and solidarity to Ukraine after four long years of brutal and illegal war.

The leaders meeting was unanimous in our unwavering commitment to Ukraine and its people.

"They have endured incredible suffering, including in recent weeks as they faced an exceptionally cold winter without heat or electricity. They have demonstrated bravery, resilience and an unbreakable will, despite Russias best efforts to defeat them.

President Zelenskiy briefed the meeting on ongoing US-led talks and on Ukraines current needs, including for air defence and energy."

Martin said the leader expressed their hope that the talks would deliver a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and we reiterated our commitment to underpinning any peace agreement, including through robust security guarantees.

I underlined that it is for the people of Ukraine to determine their own future, and I emphasised also the importance of increasing pressure on Russia, including through tougher sanctions and through cracking down on its shadow fleet, to undermine its ability to wage war and to oblige it to engage in meaningful negotiations.

I reaffirmed Irelands solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our readiness to step up our assistance.

"I also reiterated our position that Ukraines future lies in the European Union, and I look forward to working with Ukraine during Irelands Presidency of the EU to accelerate its membership negotiations."
By Helen William, Press Association

Police heard that a boy who was later found in a storm drain had been behaving strangely before he left home for the final time, an inquest has been told.

The naked body of Noah Donohoe, 14, was discovered in a storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city.

Detective Sergeant Gardiner was being questioned at the inquest at Belfast coroners court about CCTV footage collected from the Fitzroy Avenue area where Noah lived and about why the boy turned right after leaving his home.

Brenda Campbell KC, counsel for Noahs mother Fiona Donohoe, said he could have turned left from his home to reach the Ormeau Road, where he eventually went.

The inquest is being heard at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

Gardiner, who co-ordinated the CCTV in the investigation, said that was never asked, adding: In terms of CCTV, no. The priorities were elsewhere.

The information we had was that he was behaving strangely in the house.

The court heard his mum had reported him emotional.

Gardiner responded: He lied about where he was going.

He said he was going to Cavehill with his friends and his friends said that was not the case.

Campbell asked if the investigation was proceeding with the view that Noah had lied.

Gardiner said no, but it was unusual.

Fiona Donohoe, the mother of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, arrives at Belfast coroners court (Liam McBurney/PA)

The jury at the inquest, which is now in its fifth week, were told that a later witness would help to look further into this matter.

Campbell said her line of questioning about the CCTV footage is because she is exploring the limitations of what we can understand about Noahs journey based on the limitations of the evidence.

She pointed out Noah being at the same place at two different times, or in various places at the same time which is not physically possible, according to the material gathered about the route he took.

The court heard there was some footage collected in 2020 that was not watched until 2022.

Asked about why there was not more clips from the Holylands area, Gardiner said that inquiries were taking place over different Belfast areas.

He said: The priorities at this stage were the route, the backpack and the phone.

Campbell suggested we never had a full picture of his movements in the Holylands when he left home for the last time, to which Gardiner said no, we never.
THE HSE has confirmed plans for an injury clinic at St Dympnas Hospital in Carlow town to be ready later this year and in operation into 2027. Today, 24 February, it further confirmed that it will spend just under half a million euro on delivering the unit in 2026, as part of the HSE Capital Plan announcement.

The unit will provide alternative access to care for patients with minor injuries, which will reduce pressure on the emergency department at St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny. With the adjacent x-ray outreach facility remaining in place, the clinic will be equipped to treat broken bones, sprains and strains, minor facial injuries, minor scalds and burns, wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations (cuts), small abscesses and boils, splinters and fishhooks, objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose and minor head injuries.

Niamh Lacey, hospital manager at St Lukes, said they expect the unit to initially operate five days a week, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, due to clinical, nursing and administrative staffing arrangements.

On completion of the significant project, we anticipate faster access to diagnostic and radiography services and improved patient outcomes for people in Carlow and surrounding areas, said Ms Lacey.

The original plan was for a seven-day-a-week clinic to open in 2025. Minister of state Jennifer Murnane OConnor called on the government to commit funding for it in September 2023. The project secured funding from the Department of Health in Budget 2024. Minister Murnane OConnor said the first delay arose from the tender process for external enabling works.

I wanted it quicker. I am on to the HSE saying we need to move it on. I will keep the pressure on, said deputy Murnane OConnor. We do really need this as a growing population. It has been a priority; it is going to happen.

Internal works have been agreed with St Lukes, which will operate the clinic, and the contract will go out to tender in the coming weeks. The works will repurpose the approximately 265 square metres of St Annes Ward and former staff training room on the ground floor of the hospital building and return it to clinical use. Office space will be moved to the former Sacred Heart Hostel and the training room to the Dolmen Centre.

The new unit will include a reception and waiting area, two clinical rooms, a clinical multi-bed room, consultants office, support spaces and staff facilities.

Cllr Fergal Browne, who is the vice-chair of HSE Dublin and South East Regional Health Forum, said he was very unhappy to hear about the delay. He said he raised the issue at the most recent meeting of the forum. He described the unit as long overdue and so vital.

As a school principal and a parent, I see the need for it, he said.

St Dympnas Hospital functions as a mental health inpatient facility but ceased taking acute admissions in 2003 and closed as a residential care centre in 2008. The building now contains mental health day services, primary care, environmental health and HSE supplies services.
State Rep. Dan Howell, R- Cleveland, and State Senator Bo Watson, R-Hixson, have introduced legislation "to strengthen consumer protections in health insurance by establishing safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence in coverage decisions, enhancing reimbursement protections and creating a new oversight commission to review insurance complaints."

Rep. Howell said, Simply put, this bill is about putting patients first. Tennesseans deserve transparency in their health insurance claim process. This legislation restores appropriate medical oversight and accountability by ensuring coverage decisions are medically grounded and contractually consistent. An insurance policy is a contract, and this legislation requires insurance companies to honor the policy they sold. Too often insurers are making medical decisions instead of doctors, and the result is insurance companies practicing medicine without a license.

House Bill 2619/Senate Bill 2155 would create the Tennessee Commission of Insurance Review to increase fairness, transparency and accountability in health insurance claim review practices. The commission would hear complaints, conduct investigations and enforce compliance involving health benefit plan determinations and insurer practices. It would also be authorized to adopt rules, issue subpoenas and carry out enforcement actions to ensure insurers comply with state law and policy requirements.

The legislation would also establish oversight of artificial intelligence by requiring that coverage determinations involving AI be reviewed and approved by a qualified healthcare professional before a patients claim may be denied.

Senator Watson said, Health insurance only works when the promises made in a policy are honored in practice. This legislation strengthens transparency, restores appropriate medical review in coverage decisions and creates a clear accountability process for Tennesseans when disputes arise. By establishing independent oversight and ensuring artificial intelligence can never replace a qualified medical professionals judgment, we are protecting patients while reinforcing fairness and confidence in the system.

House Bill 2619/Senate Bill 2155 is expected to be heard in House and Senate Committees over the coming weeks.
The Collegedale Police Department held its annual awards banquet last Thursday evening, recognizing officers whose service over the past year exemplified "professionalism, compassion and a steadfast commitment to public safety."Officials said, "The event was attended by local and state elected officials, reflecting the strong support for public safety efforts in Collegedale and throughout the region."During the ceremony, officers were honored for acts of outstanding service that demonstrated sound judgment, empathy in moments of crisis and exceptional police work, all carried out to protect the safety and well-being of the citizens of Collegedale."Awards were presented by the departments administration team, in partnership with the American Police Hall of Fame.Officer Leland Kelly was named Rookie of the Year, recognized for "quickly adapting to the demands of the profession and demonstrating initiative, integrity and a strong commitment to learning."Officer Thomas Craine received both Field Training Officer of the Year and Officer of the Year honors.As a Field Training Officer, her was recognized for his "leadership, mentorship and dedication to shaping the next generation of officers." His selection as Officer of the Year reflects "sustained excellence in performance, proactive policing and a consistent commitment to community trust".Officer Evan Martin was named DUI Officer of the Year for his "vigilance and proactive enforcement efforts that helped remove impaired drivers from the roadway, contributing to safer streets for all."Sergeant Cory McNeal was recognized as Supervisor of the Year for his "steady leadership, accountability and ability to support and develop his team." Sergeant McNeal also received the Chiefs Award, which recognizes "exceptional service, initiative and a commitment to the departments mission that extends beyond normal duties."Chief Jack Sapp closed the ceremony with a remembrance of Collegedale Municipal Court Judge Kevin Wilson, who passed away earlier this year, honoring his service and lasting impact on the local justice system. Chief Sapp then expressed his gratitude to the officers for their continued dedication to the community and for embracing the departments motto, Service Before Self."The Collegedale Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office and the Chattanooga Police Department for their partnership, which helped make this event possible," officials said. "A special thanks is also extended to the Chattanooga Elks Lodge #91 for graciously hosting the ceremony for the sixth consecutive year."
A consent agenda consists of items in a meeting that are considered non-controversial and can be approved with a single vote with no discussion. There were seven items on the Red Bank consent agenda at the Feb. 17 commission meeting. On the request of several commissioners, three of those items were removed from the consent agenda, then discussed and voted on separately.

One of those items that was considered separately was authorizing the submission of an application for the AARP/Community Grant Program. If received, the city could get up to $15,000 with no match required, and without having to wait to be reimbursed. The city has adopted a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Part of that plan is making park designs and multi-use trails inclusive amenities available for all residents. The city is developing the Godsey Ridge Trail system and wants to make it accessible for all ages and abilities by enhancements and programming for people over the age of 50. If the grant is received, it would be used to install benches and rest areas along the easier segments of the trail, and also would add instructional signs for the stretching zone. The city also wishes to start an active adult hiking club that would encourage more use of the new trail.

Another item that the commission voted to adopt is reinstating sick leave when an employee leaves the city and is rehired. This move was prompted when a police officer left Red Bank but subsequently returned to his old job. Red Bank participates in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Currently, when a person leaves employment with the city, the unused accumulated sick leave is certified for credit toward retirement benefits. After the vote to pass the resolution, if that employee is rehired, the city can request the return of the sick leave balance from TCRS and return it to the employees leave balance.

A resolution to enter into a memorandum of understanding with UTC for an academic class project at White Oak Park also was passed. During the spring 2026 semester UTC will conduct a class project to help the city conceptualize trail planning at the park. This project will be part of the course titled Trail Building and Management and will be done under the supervision of the colleges faculty. The scope of the planning includes conceptual trail planning on trail flagging of trail alignments. The city will have the right to use, modify or implement the suggestions now or in the future.

The remainder of the consent agenda was passed unanimously without discussion. Those items authorized actions to remediate hazardous conditions on property located qt 1083 Dayton Boulevard in the amount up to $15,000. The city will file liens against the ownership of FSCR Holdings and against the real property in order to recover the expenses that the city will incur for enforcement and abatement.

Also approved was the authorization of additional funding in 2026 to provide continuing services and expenditures with CARTA for paratransit transportation in Red Bank. Up to $50,000 that will be taken from the General Fund was authorized for this service.

And money previously set aside from the American Rescue Plan act for facilities improvements will now be used to repair the backup generator at Fire Station No. 1. The cost approved for this work is not to exceed $15,319.

Another vote approved the city to utilize U.S. General Services Administration as a purchasing coop for goods and services.

The commissioners acting as the Red Bank Beer Board approved the application for Jeff Schwenke, representing Clever Alehouse to sell beer at the city -sponsored Food Truck Fridays from April through June. These events will take place at Red Bank City Park at 3817 Redding Road. And David DiStefano was given a special event beer permit for the Rotary Breakfast Club of Chattanooga. This will enable the club to sell beer at the city-sponsored Jubilee in May and at the Christmas Festival in December. Both events will be at Red Bank City Park. The city no longer requires that applicants for special events obtain a permit for every date. A special events permit is now good for one year.

In the city managers report, Martin Granum told the commissioners that the condition of City Judge Johnny Houston remains unchanged and that Bryan Hoss will continue serving in that capacity so the court can operate uninterrupted.

Other announcements include that the first round of tax relief checks for Red Bank residents who qualify, will be going out soon. And that Ben Conner, Red Banks representative on the Hamilton County School Board, will be setting up a community meeting to update those interested about the status of Alpine Crest and Rivermont Elementary schools that are slated to be replaced by a new school.
West Star Aviation, an independent maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in business aviation, on Monday announced a new groundbreaking expansion at its Chattanooga Airport campus.Officials said, "The project is driven by a growing volume of customer maintenance needs and powered by the skilled teams who keep aircraft maintained and returned to service every day. The expansion will increase the Chattanooga site to approximately 400,000 square feet, with completion targeted for February 2027."The development adds capacity and capability across two key areas of the campus.Hangar 26 will be a 40,000 square foot hangar supported by 15,000 square feet of shop and office space, including customer offices, program offices and climate-controlled storage to safeguard customer interiors and property when removed from the aircraft."The expansion also includes an overhead crane, fall protection systems, dedicated fire rated aircraft document storage rooms and an improved customer lounge; enhancements designed to strengthen safety, efficiency and the overall customer experience."The development will also expand the existing Hangar 27 with a new two-story, 30,000 square foot addition."The new footprint will house an expanded Aircraft Service Department, Accessories Shop, Composite Shop and Sheetmetal Shop, bringing critical functions closer together to improve workflow, communication and turnaround."The expansion is expected to create up to 200 additional skilled positions over the next five years, reinforcing West Star Aviations commitment to Tennessees workforce and the regional economy."Today, the Chattanooga location employs more than 500 team members supporting aircraft operators every day, underscoring the companys continued momentum and long-term investment in the region."Chattanooga continues to be a strategic location for West Star and for customers who need dependable access to maintenance support. With convenient reach across the Southeast, the East Coast and the North Central United States, the airports accessibility combined with the regions connectivity and amenities makes it an ideal place to expand and a strong foundation for long term service growth."Chattanooga is one of West Star Aviations full-service locations, giving customers the convenience of having everything completed in one place. From maintenance to major modifications - including avionics upgrades, interior refurbishment and paint - the Chattanooga team can coordinate the full scope of work under one roof to simplify scheduling and reduce downtime."West Star Aviation thanks the Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Board, Tectonic the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, the State of Tennessee and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority and Chattanooga Airport for their partnership and continued support. The company also thanks todays speakers for their participation and leadership, Jack McAfee, vice president of operations with the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, and Weston Wamp, mayor of Hamilton County."This is a very exciting time for West Star Aviation as we continue to grow here at Chattanooga Airport, said Mike Ditmeyer, vice president and general manager, Chattanooga Location. The site expansion strengthens our foundation to support our customers maintenance needs and further develop our teams expertise. The pride, quality and teamwork of this group are at the heart of this facility.
A man who authorities said killed his girlfriend and then dumped her body at a Catoosa County RV park has pleaded guilty to malice murder.

Joseph Mays, 34, of Griffin, Ga., was sentenced by Judge Don Thompson to life in prison.

Mays pled guilty to killing 36-year-old Jamie Wiley, of Michigan. The couple had only been dating a few months.

They were living in Wiley's camper at the RV park.

Prosecutors said on the evening of Jan. 17, 2025, Mays shot Ms. Wiley in the head while the two were inside the camper. Mays then attempted to conceal the crime by dumping Wileys body near the creek alongside the Chief Richard Taylor Nature Trail in Ringgold.

On the morning after the murder, members of a walking group located Ms. Wileys body off the trail. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation began investigating the crime.

Because Mays had removed Ms. Wileys phone and wallet, her identity was unknown for the first 48 hours following the discovery of her body. After determining her identity through her fingerprints, GBI agents were quickly directed to Mays by Wileys relatives.

Agents interviewed Mays, and he confessed to killing Wiley, although he claimed he had acted in self-defense. However, prosecutors said the physical evidence, along with Mays' actions after the murder, were not consistent with a justifiable homicide.

Mays was scheduled for a jury trial in March and appeared in the Catoosa County Superior Court for pretrial motions. At the conclusion of the motions, Mays elected to enter a guilty plea,

After the service of 30 years, Mays may become eligible for parole.

Agent Will Gee with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation led the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Acting District Attorney Deanna Reisman with assistance from Chief Investigator Christy Smith, Victim Advocate Shelby Armstrong, and Legal Assistant Leann Black.

Acting District Attorney Deanna Reisman said, While no sentence can ever restore the life that was taken or erase the pain inflicted, the outcome in this case delivers accountability, protects our community, and sends a message that domestic violence will be prosecuted with the full force of the law. Jamies family supported this guilty plea and life sentence as it showed that Mays finally accepted responsibility for Jamies murder.
Young warriors will take over Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Dr., this Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. for an action-packed evening of friendly competition and high-energy excitement."Get ready to dodge, duck, dip, dive and dart," organizers said. "Grab your single-shot, non-automatic Nerf blaster and join the foam-flinging fun at Nerf Wars."Open to kids ages six to 13, this free event promises fast-paced fun, teamwork and plenty of laughs.Elite darts and protective goggles will be provided.Eye protection must be worn at all times.Spots are limited, so be sure to enlist early. All participants must register in advance at www.collegedale.recdesk.com For more information, visit https://collegedaleparksandrec.com, or call 423-468-1971."Bring your aim. Bring your game face. And get ready for battle," organizers said.
For some unknown reason an unidentified writer left another one of those tan envelopes under our office door with a request that we use modern-day technology to review an article on fiduciary relationships.

Not knowing the source of any attacks on unidentified managers of clients money and property, the initial reaction was to deposit said request in one of the office trash cans.

However, in light of certain revelations locally and nationally, on Ponzi schemes, it was decided to at least look up a suggested article on the topic in Crimsey.com on March 18, 2025, titled, Is Breach Of Fiduciary Duty A Crime? Legal Consequences & Case Studies, by ayoubchaaba12@gmail.com.

My interest was further enhanced when I accidently clicked on the CNBC documentary series, American Greed, on my search for the World Series of Curling, a stimulating display of broom sweeping on ice skates at the recently concluded Winter Olympics in Italy.

(American Greed cases in local, state, and federal jurisdictions will be discussed in future articles)

The readers need to be provided with a short introduction to the duties owed to possible innocent parties under said term:

Fiduciary duty is a legal obligation that binds an individual or entity to act in the best interests of another party. This duty typically arises in relationships involving trust, such as between attorneys and clients, banks, corporate officers and shareholders, trustees and beneficiaries, and financial advisors and their clients, etc. When a fiduciary fails to uphold this duty, it can lead to serious legal consequences. However, whether a breach of fiduciary duty constitutes a crime depends on several factors, including intent, the nature of the breach, and the governing laws.

The aforementioned article explores the legal framework surrounding fiduciary duty, the distinction between civil and criminal liability, notable case examples, and the potential consequences of breaching fiduciary obligations.

Fiduciary duty imposes an ethical and legal obligation on one party (the fiduciary) to act in the best interests of another party (the principle or beneficiary). Fiduciaries must exercise loyalty, care, and full disclosure when managing another partys affairs.

The well written article distinguishes between civil and criminal consequences in cases such as the Enron Scandal (2001), Bernie Madoff (2008), Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers financial institution collapses. A prior reference by (J.D.M.) to the 2008 Great Recession, debacle on February 12, 2026, on Chattanooga.com may contain a slight error. A diligent legal research reveals that out of the hundred/thousand potential civil/criminal conspirators at least ONE individual was criminally prosecuted for the multi trillion-dollar government bailout,!!

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If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com)
A flight crew with the Tennessee Army National Guard, based at Joint Base McGhee-Tyson, on Tuesday morning rescued a hiker suffering from severe cold-weather injuries in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Shortly before 8:30 a.m., Eastern time, the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of an injured hiker needing medical assistance and rapid transport to a nearby hospital. The hiker was at the Double Springs Gap Shelter, in a remote area of the park south of Gatlinburg, near the North Carolina border.

Once TEMA was notified of the possible mission, Tennessee National Guardsmen assigned to Task Force Smokey assembled a flight crew and readied a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for flight. After the mission was approved, the aircraft departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson at approximately 9:30 a.m., flying directly to the rescue site determined by Park Service Rangers. The Rangers were in contact with the hiker through a Garmin inReach that the hiker used to send an emergency SOS to initiate the rescue.

The Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew consisted of two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Luke Hargrave and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Corey Holloway, the crew chief, Sgt. Christopher Burke, and two flight paramedics, Master Sgt. Tracy Banta and Sgt. 1st Class Nolan Ogle.

Fifteen minutes after launching, the aircraft and crew arrived at the Double Springs Gap Shelter and located the hiker. At roughly 9:55 p.m., the aircraft crew chief, Christopher Burke, lowered Nolan Ogle, the fight paramedic, to the ground by hoist to do a quick medical assessment and prepare the hiker for transport. After a few minutes rendering aid, the hiker and Ogle were then hoisted into the Blackhawk helicopter hovering above where first aid was continued. When everyone was safe on board, the aircraft flew the patient to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville.

At approximately 10:25 a.m., the aircraft landed at the medical center where medical personnel rushed the patient into the emergency room. Once the patient was safely in the care of medical professionals, the aircraft returned to Louisville and landed just before 11:00 a.m.
Walk into any grocery store and you will find aisle after aisle of food wrapped in a host of different plastics. Concern about chemicals and plastic in food packaging have been growing in recent years. A recent study reported that over a quarter of the 16,000 chemicals used to make plastic pose risks to human health. Consumers want alternatives without losing the convenience of plastic.

A drop of water sits on top of mycelium coated cellulose nanofibrils used to make plastic-free packaging. Its part of a test to see how well a surface of the nanofibrils resists water in the lab. Photo courtesy of the Howell Biointerface Lab.

Researchers at the University of Maine looked to nature for a solution. They created a new, water- and oil-proof food packaging material made of mycelium from mushrooms and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from wood that easily decomposes once its purpose is finished.

Mycelium is the root-like system of fungi that hides beneath more visible structures like mushrooms. They create networks that can be miles or millimeters across. What makes them special in packaging is their ability to resist water. Materials made of mycelium have become increasingly popular, serving as a wide range of materials from leather to bricks.

Plastics are very good at what they do, but then again so were forever chemicals and lead in paints and gasoline, said Caitlin Howell, UMaine associate professor of bioengineering. It sometimes takes us a while to understand the long-term impacts of the things we invent, but the good thing is that when we do, we can change. The nice thing about fungi is that we already eat them, so we know that they're going to be safe for us long-term."

UMaine researchers have long been invested in CNF materials for their resistance to oils and biodegradable characteristics. CNF is a type of cellulose, a natural polymer derived from plants, which through different processes can be used for an increasingly wide range of applications.

The new material combines CNF with a mycelium coating to capitalize on the advantages from both, water resistance and oil resistance, making a perfect substitute for plastic food packaging.

Nature has solutions, and as humans, we can look at and adapt to those solutions and better fit it in with our ecosystem, we don't have to choose plastic, said Howell.

When researchers give mycelium a material to grow on, in this case CNFs, it naturally tries to grow and fit itself through gaps. Basically, we try to mimic what they need in nature, said Sandro Zier, a chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate in Howells lab who led the research.

The fungus used for the mycelium coating is grown ahead of time and then blended with a mixture of extra nutrients to help it grow. CNFs are added to that mixture. The blending ensures that the hyphae, the little branching filaments that make up the structure of a fungus, start small and grow uniformly. The malt extract broth fuels the fungus growth. The CNFs serve a double purpose, as food for the mycelium and adding their own grease resistant barrier properties.

Once the coating grows and is dried, its about 20-25 microns thick, a quarter of the thickness of a human hair. The same process can be used to either apply this coating on top of a material like paper, or it can be used to create a film out of just CNFs and mycelium which is slightly fuzzy on one side and feels like plastic on the other side.

For this project, researchers selected the fungus Trametes versicolor, or turkey tail mushroom, which grows in decaying trees in the wild. This meant the mycelium could use wood-derived CNFs for its own growth. Similar fungi have been used for things like binding particle boards together. A major focus of the study was to accelerate the coating process.

Traditionally when you grow mycelium materials, you need weeks to get anything that you can use, said Howell. Zier and the research team managed to cut the weeks-long process down to three days. They continue to refine the process to help scale their work.

Improving the scale of production drives down the already low cost of this packaging. By adapting the coating method to common industrial machines could scale the process from square centimeters per hour to square meters per hour. Zier is working with a team of undergraduate researchers to develop a method that utilizes a roll-to-roll system that would increase scale and bring the research closer to commercialization.

The teams success in using fungus to make more sustainable materials is fueling their excitement for this research.

Maybe we don't need the fungus to grow through everything, said Howell. Maybe we can just use it on the top as a layer. I think it opens a whole lot of new avenues for creating sustainable materials.

New sustainable materials are especially important as the need to move away from plastic becomes more prevalent each year with increasing focus on the potential health risks of microplastics and the 19-23 million tons of plastics making their way annually into rivers, lakes and the ocean according to the United Nations.
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A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana may proceed with enforcing a state law requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments, lifting a previous injunction that had blocked implementation of the measure.

In a per curiam decision issued Friday in Roake v. Brumley, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated an earlier order that prevented the law from taking effect.

The court explained that the legal challenge brought by parents depends on factual and contextual issues that have not yet been fully developed, concluding that the prior injunction was premature.

The parents challenge turns on unresolved factual and contextual questions, the opinion stated, adding that halting enforcement of the law at this stage was premature.

There can be no doubt that the Ten Commandments bear immense religious significance, the appeals court wrote. But they also have historical significance as one of the foundations of our legal system.  That dual character forecloses any categorical rule against their display on public property.

Judges further noted that the statute grants discretion to local school boards regarding how the displays are implemented, leaving important details undetermined.

Because the law leaves Ten Commandments displays entirely to the discretion of local school boards, the court said there remain numerous essential questions unanswered.

We do not know, for example, how prominently the displays will appear, what other materials might accompany them, or how  if at all  teachers will reference them during instruction, the opinion continued.

More fundamentally, we do not even know the full content of the displays themselves. Although the statute requires inclusion of the Commandments and a context statement, it expressly permits additional content  such as the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance  to appear alongside them.

Louisiana lawmakers passed House Bill 71 in 2024, mandating that public school classrooms display a copy of the Ten Commandments measuring at least 11 by 14 inches. The legislation, signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry, also allows schools to post other historical documents, including the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.

Soon after the bill became law, several progressive legal organizations filed suit on behalf of a multifaith group of parents with children enrolled in Louisiana public schools, arguing the measure violated the First Amendment.

In June of last year, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit upheld a lower courts injunction blocking the law. Judge Ramirez, writing for the panel, said the statute inflicts significant practical harm on Plaintiffs First Amendment rights.

However, last October the full Fifth Circuit vacated that earlier ruling in a brief per curiam order and agreed to rehear the case en banc.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Recep Tayyip Erdogan

ADF International criticized Turkeys rejection of a European Parliament resolution on the deportation of foreign Christian workers, calling the policy an attack on Christians and urging stronger protections for religious freedom and due process.

The European Parliaments resolution highlighted the cases of at least 300 foreign Christian pastors, missionaries and their relatives who were expelled or barred from re-entering Turkey under administrative designations known as the N 82 and G 87 security codes.

European lawmakers voiced concern that national security mechanisms were being used to curtail fundamental freedoms, including the right to practice ones religion.

Turkeys Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal response one day after the resolution passed earlier this month by a 5022 margin. In its reply, the ministry stated that claims regarding freedom of expression and religion in Turkey contradict the facts and cautioned that such allegations could undermine efforts to strengthen ties between Ankara and the European Union.

According to ADF International, members of the European Parliament argued that those labeled as security risks were given no evidence, trial or meaningful opportunity to appeal their designation.

The issue gained further momentum after the European Court of Human Rights agreed to review 20 cases involving foreign Christians who had been deported or denied re-entry.

ADF International, which is assisting in most of the pending cases, contends that security codes ordinarily applied to terrorism suspects have instead been imposed on peaceful Christian residents who had long complied with Turkish law.

European legislators also expressed concern over limited judicial oversight, lack of transparency and restricted access to case evidence in the expulsions.

The resolution emphasized that many of the affected individuals had lived in Turkey for years before suddenly facing deportation orders or entry bans.

Foreign Christians from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Latin America and other European nations have reportedly been impacted. Many had established families and ministries in Turkey and had no criminal record or unresolved legal proceedings.

The Association of Protestant Churches 2024 Human Rights Violation Report documented 132 individuals who were allegedly assigned entry-ban codes solely because of their Christian faith, bringing the reported total number of affected individuals to 303.

The European Christian Political Party has also urged European Union leaders, including foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, to consistently raise the issue in diplomatic discussions with Turkish authorities. The party warned that failure to act could lead to additional scrutiny of Turkeys long-delayed bid for EU membership.

The European Court of Human Rights is now expected to determine whether the deportations and entry bans violate protections for religious freedom, family life and due process under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Photo credit: Unsplash/ Delia Giandeini

A federal judge has ordered Marylands largest public school district to pay $1.5 million to a group of religious parents after the district eliminated notice and opt-out options for LGBT-themed classroom books.

The ruling stems from a dispute over elementary school materials, some of which introduced themes of gender transitioning and pride parades to children as young as 4.

U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman issued the monetary award along with a permanent injunction on Thursday. The order follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision last June holding that Montgomery County Public Schools may not compel students to participate in lessons featuring LGBT-themed books without providing parental consent options.

Under the newly issued settlement terms and injunction, the Montgomery County Board of Education must provide advance notice when instructional materials include LGBT-related content and allow parents to excuse their children if the material conflicts with their religious convictions.

The case reached the nations highest court after a religiously diverse coalition of parents objected to the districts refusal to permit opt-outs from lessons involving books that depict gender transitions and same-sex relationships.

The controversy began in 2022, when the Montgomery County Board of Education added several LGBT-themed titles to the English language arts curriculum. Among them were Born Ready: The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope and Pride Puppy, a picture book centered on a pride parade that invites children to identify various images within the illustrations.

Although parents were initially allowed to remove their children from those lessons, the district later rescinded that option.

In 2023, Christian and Muslim parents joined together in protests outside the districts Rockville offices before filing suit, arguing that the policy violated their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Judge Boardman, appointed by President Joe Biden, denied the parents request for a preliminary injunction in August 2023, ruling that they had not demonstrated that the use of the storybooks crosses the line from permissible influence to potentially impermissible indoctrination.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed that decision in May 2024 by a 21 vote. Circuit Judge G. Steven Agee authored the majority opinion upholding the lower courts ruling.

However, the Supreme Court reversed course in a 63 decision. Writing for the majority, Justice Samuel Alito emphasized constitutional protections for parental religious instruction.

The practice of educating one's children in one's religious beliefs, like all religious acts and practices, receives a generous measure of protection from our Constitution.

And this is not merely a right to teach religion in the confines of one's own home. Rather, it extends to the choices that parents wish to make for their children outside the home, he added.
Home News Ann Coulter blasts claim that 'welcoming the stranger' applies to immigration: 'Total fake, phony frauds' 'This has nothing to do with Christianity'

Quick Summary AI Summary Ann Coulter criticizes the claim that 'welcoming the stranger' applies to immigration.

Coulter labels proponents of this view as 'total fake, phony frauds.'

She argues that the U.S. must protect its identity as the 'last Christian country.' An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

Conservative political commentator and author Ann Coulter recently dismissed the increasingly common assertion from some Christians that the Bible's commands regarding personal hospitality apply to U.S. immigration policy.

During a Feb. 18 interview with two college students at the Delaware-based Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Coulter also suggested that Christian leaders who promote such an idea are simply doing so because they crave the approval of the liberal cultural elite.

"I think they're total fake, phony frauds," she said of such people. "They want to be praised in The New York Times. This has nothing to do with Christianity."

Coulter, whose 2015 book about illegal immigration, Adios, America, was published the same month President Donald Trump first announced his candidacy, went on to warn that the U.S. is effectively the last Christian country, and that the rest of the world will suffer if it crumbles into a morass of unassimilated cultures and ethnic conflicts.

"They ought to consider that this is the last Christian country on Earth," she said. "And once we're gone, it's over. It's lights out for the globe."

While forgetting his name, Coulter appeared to single out former SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore, whom she described as "loathsome."

"I don't see him taking homeless people into his house," Coulter said of Moore. "This is our house, this is our home, this is our family. You have to protect your home. It doesn't mean you befoul your space."

Coulter warned the U.S. will not "be able to help anyone" if the tensions that have engulfed parts of Minnesota amid the mass importation of Somali immigrants is permitted to sweep the rest of the country.

"Different tribes from Somalia, they're getting in huge fights [in Minnesota]," she said. "Oh, that's fantastic. Let's bring everybody's ethnic conflicts to our country. Great. That's going to be great."

"No, we've got enough problems. We got to save our country, and we are the last Christian country on Earth," she added, clarifying that while someone doesn't have to be a Christian to be an American, the history and political system of the U.S. have been steeped in Protestantism from the beginning.

Coulter's theological position echoed that of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who explained the biblical basis of immigration law, borders and national sovereignty earlier this month. His answer was in response to a reporter's question about Pope Leo XIV citing Matthew 25:35 last fall to opine on U.S. immigration policy.

Johnson, a Southern Baptist, claimed the Bible's moral imperatives for personal conduct do not necessarily apply in the same way to the civil magistrate, who is deputized by God to enforce the law. He also noted that "borders and walls are biblical," and that assimilation was expected from immigrants even under Old Testament law.

Q: Pope Leo cited Matthew 25:35 to critique Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. How would you respond to Pope Leo in scripture?



MIKE JOHNSON: Sovereign borders are biblical and right and just. It's not because we hate the people on the outside. It's because we love the pic.twitter.com/eS4A5dtXRt  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 3, 2026

"You're supposed to take care of the sojourner and the neighbor, treat them as yourself, welcome them in, yes," said Johnson. "But that is an admonition to individuals, not to the civil authorities."

Citing Romans 13, Johnson said civil authorities "are given authority under Scripture to maintain order," and that they are "God's agents of wrath to bring punishment upon the wrongdoer."

"It's a calling to maintain order in society, and we have not had that," he added, offering the chaos that has resulted from the millions of unvetted immigrants pouring across the U.S. border under the Biden administration as an example of what happens when the civil authority fails to fulfill its God-given role.

Johnson's view was also promulgated by the late Charlie Kirk, who likewise noted that the Bible expects assimilation and warned in Deuteronomy 28:43-45 that being overrun and ultimately ruled by foreigners is a sign of divine judgment.
Home News 'Scroll to Soul: Auto industry leader looks to help Gen Z Christians share faith online

Quick Summary AI Summary Barry Meguiar's ministry aids Gen Z Christians in sharing faith online.

New guide titled 'From Scroll to Soul' unveiled at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention.

Guide offers strategies for effective social media outreach and engagement. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

An evangelistic ministry founded by an automotive industry icon is helping young adult Generation Z Christians share their faith more confidently and effectively on social media.

Titled From Scroll to Soul: Gen Zs Guide to Confidently Sharing God's Love Online," a new guide was unveiled at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention last week by Ignite America. The ministry is headed by Barry Meguiar of Meguiar's Inc., one of the world's leading producers of automotive waxes and cleaning supplies.

According to the guide, a copy of which was shared with The Christian Post, faith in Jesus is making a comeback in the United States, especially through young people.

Its not just a wave  its a movement. And its growing. Your generation isnt waiting for permission to speak up about their beliefs, states the introduction.

But theres still one big problem: a lot of people want to share their faith  they just dont know how to do it authentically, confidently, and without feeling weird or preachy. Thats where this toolkit comes in.

Meguiar, the third generation president of the prominent California-based car care products company, told CP that the inspiration for the guide came during recent speaking engagements with mostly Gen Z audiences.

The 83-year-old said he was pleasantly surprised at how engaged the audience was.

I didn't have one person on a phone. They just stared and they listened and they took notes. And afterwards, they stayed for like an hour and a half afterwards," Meguire said.

I never thought the young people would be interested in what an old guy had to say, but I realized that there was a message there that was interesting to them, Meguiar said. So, we decided from then that we need to get serious about this and help these Gen Zers get to the truth.

Basically, that was the inspiration for saying, let's get busy and let's write a whole e-book for them so that they can understand whats this all about and how simple it is to have their lives completely transformed.

The From Scroll to Soul toolkit covers a range of topics related to social media outreach. It helps readers figure out what type of creator they are  ranging from Disrupter" and Encourager" to Teacher and Witness."

Each creator type fits better with a different set of social media platforms. For example, a Disrupter creator would do best posting to the platforms of Instagram and TikTok, while a Teacher creator would do better posting to Facebook, Threads, X and YouTube.

The guide offers a multi-step process for responding to trolling accounts, noting that there will be times when one should Block, Mute, or Report When Needed.

When asked what he hoped Gen Z readers took away from the new guide, Meguiar said he believes Gen Z Christians "are fed with" simply "going through the motions" of faith.

"Were talking about how to connect and how to share stories and how to talk about making a change, he added. You can actually make a difference."

"When I get to Heaven, its not going to matter how many bottles of car wax I sold; it is going to matter when I get to Heaven how many people are in Heaven because of my influence? God gives us influence. The more we use our influence for Him to get people saved, the more influence He gives us."
Home News California bill aims to stiffen penalties for agitators disrupting church services

Quick Summary AI Summary California lawmakers advance legislation to stiffen penalties for disruptions at churches and houses of worship.

Senate Bill 1070 would classify intentional disturbances as either a misdemeanor or felony, increasing fines up to $5,000.

The bill aims to address a rise in disruptions and intimidation during religious services statewide. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

California lawmakers are advancing legislation to bolster protections for churches and other houses of worship amid a rise in reported disruptions and intimidation at religious services across the state and nationwide.

Senate Bill 1070, introduced by state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in collaboration with The American Council, would update the states penal code, which currently classifies intentional disturbances of religious worship as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

The proposed bill would create a "wobbler" offense, giving prosecutors discretion to charge violations as either a misdemeanor or a felony based on severity, coordination or repetition. If passed, SB 1070 would expand California Penal Code Section 302 and impose felony penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 and 16 months in county jail.

Under current state law, disturbing a religious meeting by using profanity, misbehavior or unreasonable noise is a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and/or a year in county jail.

SB 1070 also proposes community service requirements, including 50 to 80 hours as an alternative, and 120 to 160 hours for someone with a prior conviction under the existing state statute.

Supporters of SB 1070, including groups like the California Family Council, argue such incidents demonstrate the need for graduated penalties to deter deliberate interference while preserving free speech rights outside sacred spaces.

Churches are not political rally venues or protest stages. They are sacred spaces where families gather to worship God in peace, California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt said in a media statement. When agitators intentionally invade or obstruct services, they are not exercising free speech. They are trampling on the religious liberty of others. California must send a clear message that worship services will be protected.

The bill  still in the early phases of the legislative process  follows a slate of high-profile church disruptions since January, including at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, a Southern Baptist congregation where protesters stormed a worship service to oppose one of the church's pastors who also serves as a local ICE official.

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and eight others were later charged with conspiracy against religious freedom at a place of worship and injuring, intimidating, and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship.

In addition to the Cities Church riot, there have been several documented incidents in California, including at The Mission Church in Carlsbad, where agitators were captured on video blocking entrances, using high-decibel sirens, shouting hostile slogans, and intimidating attendees.

Pastor JC Cooper, assistant pastor at The Mission Church in Carlsbad, testified before the Religious Liberty Commission meeting earlier this month about repeated disruptions at his congregation's interfaith services, most recently at a planned gathering with Jewish visitors at a pro-Israel church in California.

Cooper described how agitators posed as attendees and repeatedly interrupted the service with what he called hateful language, accusations of genocide, and calls to "free Palestine from the river to the sea." He recounted how one agitator resisted removal, physically slamming into him and others near the stairs.

When we began to guide this particular agitator out of the sanctuary, she forcefully resisted, slammed her body into me and others, and we almost fell down our balcony stairs, Cooper told the commission. While the tension grew inside our sanctuary, a mob was amassing outside of our front entrance doors. They screamed through bullhorns, blaring sirens right outside the church, shouting chants like Mission Church, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide.

Cooper said the agitators returned on Easter Sunday, again disrupting services with chants, graphic signs, and noise that forced children's activities indoors and caused distress among attendees, including first-time visitors who left.

He told the panel that the disruptions left his family and his church shaken. I speak to you not only as a pastor, but also as a husband and as a father to four children, whose wife and children have been subjected to hate and discrimination in our own house of worship, he said.
Home News Christians praise police officer for defending street preacher's rights

Quick Summary AI Summary Police officer praised for defending a Christian street preacher's rights despite Muslims' demands he shut up.

A viral video shows an officer advising a crowd to move away if they don't want to hear the preaching.

Past incidents highlight tensions between street preachers and groups who oppose free speech. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

A female police officer who apparently defended the rights of a Christian street preacher against complaints from a crowd of Muslim men in London has been praised for her actions.

A clip of the exchange in the predominantly Muslim area of Whitechapel, in London, has gone viral on social media, with a single post on X being viewed over half a million times.

One bystander in the tense exchange can be heard accusing the preacher of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

As the group press the officer to take action, the Metropolitan Police Officer can be heard saying: "I understand that you don't want to hear it, but I would recommend that you just move away and don't listen to him."

Another bystander challenges her response by saying, "We live here," to which the officer replies: "But he's not in your home."

The bystander then says, "But this is our community."

Later in the exchange, she tells him, "But you can preach about your religion the same way he can preach about his."

When the bystander accuses the preacher of inciting hatred, the officer tells him: "He's not."

The preacher is not named or identified but is described as a Christian preacher in several posts.

Writing in The Telegraph, Toby Young of the Free Speech Union, said she "deserves a medal."

"What she demonstrated, under considerable pressure, was a good grasp of the law: that a person preaching peacefully in a public place is exercising a right protected by Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998, and that the feelings of offended bystanders, however loudly expressed, are irrelevant. Unfortunately, she is the exception rather than the rule," he wrote.

Some Christian street preachers have experienced arrest for commenting on Islam.

Pastor Dia Moodley was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police last November on suspicion of inciting religious hatred under the Public Order Act 1986 after sharing his Christian views on Islam and trans ideology while preaching in Bristol city center. He is considering legal action.

John Steele was arrested in Rotherham town center last June after he asked a Muslim woman what the Quran said about domestic violence and told her that the Apostle Paul commands Christian husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. The Crown Prosecution Service later decided not to pursue a case against him.

Shaun O'Sullivan was arrested for hate speech in Swindon town center in 2020 after he criticized Muhammad and Buddha. He was later found not guilty at Swindon Magistrates' Court.

In 2019, Pastor Oluwole Ilesanmi won a 2,500 ($2,940) payout for wrongful arrest. He was arrested outside Southgate tube station earlier in the year after a member of the public accused him of making 'Islamophobic' comments. He was later de-arrested, but during his arrest, officers had confiscated his Bible and driven him miles away in their police car before letting him out with no money to pay for public transport to get home, forcing him to ask a passerby for help with the cost of a bus ticket.

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News 'Intentionally dishonest': Pastor Allen Jackson responds to CNNs misguided Christian nationalism doc

Quick Summary AI Summary Pastor Allen Jackson criticizes CNN's documentary on Christian nationalism as 'misguided.'

Jackson argues the program misrepresents people of faith and fails to reflect the return of many Americans to church.

He pushes back on the claim that many Americans were "radicalized" at Charlie Kirk's memorial. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

Pastor Allen Jackson has criticized CNNs documentary on Christian nationalism, calling the program misguided and functionally dishonest, arguing that it misrepresents people of faith.

Jackson, senior pastor of World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, made the remarks during an interview on Fox News over the weekend, where he responded to CNNs documentary titled The Rise of Christian Nationalism.

The documentarys introduction states that it examines the growing influence of Christian nationalism, an ideology rooted in the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and that its laws and institutions should reflect Christian values.

Through immersive reporting and on-the-ground access, the episode explores how a movement once largely confined to the margins of white evangelical culture has gained new visibility and political power.

Jackson, who has served as senior pastor of World Outreach Church since 1989 and whose biblical messages have reached millions through his Allen Jackson Ministries, rejected the documentarys framing and said it presents an inaccurate picture of religious Americans. He called the documentary an intentionally dishonest piece.

"I think it's so misguided and, to be honest, it is just functionally dishonest," he said. "There is no question that our founding documents and our founders intended a Judeo-Christian worldview to shape our nation. We've never been uniquely Christian. It wasn't a requirement. We've never had a state-sponsored faith. But those Judeo-Christian values shaped our founding documents, our legal system, our educational system, our approach to business."

Due to the Christian values that are behind public institutions, the U.S. is dramatically different from nations oriented towards Islam, Buddhism or communism.

The program, he said, fails to reflect that many Americans are coming back to church and rediscovering faith communities in the United States.

The Fox broadcast linked the trend of Americans returning to the Christian faith in part to the influence of conservative activist Charlie Kirk among younger audiences. Kirks campus events and outreach efforts encouraged greater interest in faith and conservative values among students.

Before his assassination last September, Kirk, a conservative Christian activist and founder of Turning Point USA, built a national profile through campus speaking tours and political activism.

In the documentary, Brown cited "experts" to claim that Kirk's murder while speaking at a Utah university campus was a pivotal moment for the [Christian nationalism] movement, and an occasion where the tragedy of his loss unified Christian nationalists and the Trump administration as they honored him."

One alleged expert claimed on the documentary that Kirk's memorial service "radicalized" many American Christians into believing they increasingly face hostility in their own country.

"You have to be seriously avoiding reality when Charlie Kirk was murdered and hunted in public to say that Christians try to fabricate the idea that they are being persecuted," Jackson said in response to the claim. "I think that is hard evidence and I think we should pay attention. ... The Christian response to that assassination was dramatically different from some of the other public protests we have seen in recent months or years. I was grateful for that, but the hatred and intolerance toward Christianity, without question, is growing."

Jackson, whose church hosted Turning Point USA's Make Heaven Crowded tour event last month, said what Kirk promoted wasnt radicalization but orthodox Christianity.

We shouldnt be surprised, he said. They said Jesus was a radical. They said the Apostle Paul was a radical.  So, if standing with Jesus and biblical principles makes us radical, Ill get a T-shirt and stay gladly in that space.

He said Gen Z has a hunger for authenticity and God, and somehow, they are avoiding the propaganda thats come through so much of education and academia.

Public debate over alleged "Christian nationalism" intensified after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when some analysts pointed to religious symbolism and rhetoric among segments of the crowd.
Home News X challenges $140M fine under Europe's free speech censorship law

Quick Summary AI Summary X appeals $140 million fine imposed by the European Commission under the Digital Services Act.

The company contends that the penalty amounts to unlawful censorship of free speech.

The case is the first formal court challenge to a fine under the 2022 Digital Services Act. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

Elon Musks social platform X is challenging a roughly $140 million fine imposed by the European Commission under the European Unions Digital Services Act, arguing the penalty amounts to unlawful censorship that violates its free speech rights.

The case opens a closely watched legal fight over how far Brussels can regulate the content practices of major online platforms.

The company lodged its appeal at the General Court of the European Union, seeking to overturn the 120 million euro (over $141 million) penalty issued in December and arguing the decision violated due process protections, according to legal advocacy group ADF International, which is supporting Xs challenge.

The case marks the first time a fine under the 2022 Digital Services Act, or DSA, has been formally contested in court.

The penalty followed an EU investigation that accused the platform of breaching transparency obligations and misleading users through the design of its paid blue checkmark system, The Hill reported. European officials claimed the verification model made it harder for users to determine account authenticity.

Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU, Henna Virkkunen, the blocs executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said at the time.

Xs Global Government Affairs team pushed back in a public statement, saying the ruling stemmed from an incomplete and superficial investigation, grave procedural errors, a tortured interpretation of the obligations under the DSA, and systematic breaches of rights of defence and basic due process requirements suggesting prosecutorial bias.

The company added that the appeal could set important precedents for enforcement, penalty calculations, and fundamental rights protections under the regulation.

The DSA gives the European Commission sweeping authority to police content moderation practices on very large online platforms, generally defined as those with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU. Companies that fail to comply can face substantial financial penalties or, in extreme cases, suspension within the bloc.

Regulators opened their investigation into X in December 2023 to examine potential breaches involving risk management, content moderation practices, advertising transparency and data access for researchers. The probe also examined whether the platform properly mitigated risks linked to harmful content, including deepfake sexually explicit material and child sexual abuse imagery.

Three related legal actions challenging the European Commissions fine were entered on the Court of Justice of the European Unions docket on Feb. 16, including filings from X Internet Unlimited Company, X Holdings and an action linked to Elon Musk, according to Politico. The Commission had addressed the original penalty to multiple X-affiliated entities.

The dispute unfolds against a backdrop of escalating friction between U.S. officials and European regulators over the DSAs reach. Vice President JD Vance has criticized the laws enforcement as censorship and warned about potential global effects on speech rules.

I can tell you plainly: There can be no security if you are afraid of the voices, the opinions, and the conscience that guide your own people, Vance said at the Munich Security Conference last February. What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.

ADF International has framed the case as a major test of the commissions powers. Jeremy Tedesco, the groups senior counsel and senior vice president of corporate engagement, said the platform is being singled out because of its speech policies.

The EU Commission is targeting X for a simple reason: X is committed to free speech, and the Commission demands censorship, Tedesco said. Americans need to understand what is at stake. The DSA was built for global speech control, and the speech it controls is yours, on the platforms you use every day.

European officials maintain the law is designed to increase accountability for large technology firms and to protect users online. EU regulators continue to examine whether X adequately assessed and mitigated systemic risks on the service, including concerns tied to its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok.

If the General Court annuls or narrows the penalty, the ruling could reshape the Commissions enforcement strategy across the blocs digital rulebook. If the fine stands, it may strengthen Brussels hand as it presses ahead with oversight of major technology platforms operating in Europe.
Home Opinion Azerbaijan's claim of peace with world's first Christian nation Armenia has holes

In a recent interview with France 24, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared that peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan has already been achieved. For Azerbaijan, the conflict is over, he stated, emphasizing economic cooperation and regional connectivity as evidence that stability has arrived. He added that we need peace in the region and that Azerbaijan seeks normal relations with all neighbors.

These statements offer a hopeful vision. But as a faith leader, an advocate for international religious freedom, and CEO of Save Armenia, I believe peace must be measured not by declarations but by reality. True peace is grounded in justice, mutual dignity, and the protection of fundamental rights. It cannot be sustained if core issues remain unresolved or if one sides narrative defines the process.

I support diplomatic engagement and normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan because sustainable peace is both necessary and achievable. Yet I am deeply concerned that the current rhetoric risks creating a false sense of closure while leaving the most important questions unanswered. The international community, and especially the United States, must remain focused on whether the conditions for lasting stability truly exist.

Armenia is the worlds first Christian nation, adopting Christianity as a state religion in the early fourth century. For more than seventeen centuries, Armenian identity has been inseparable from faith. Its churches, monasteries, and sacred traditions are not only national treasures but part of the shared heritage of global Christianity. This civilizational and spiritual reality is largely absent from current diplomatic messaging, yet it is central to understanding both the trauma and the resilience of the Armenian people.

One of the most urgent concerns is the continued detention of Armenian prisoners. Despite diplomatic progress, Azerbaijan continues to hold several former Nagorno-Karabakh officials and other detainees. In February 2026, Azerbaijani authorities sentenced former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan to a lengthy prison term on terrorism-related charges. International observers and Armenian advocates have raised serious concerns about due process and political motivation. These detentions undermine trust and raise profound questions about whether reconciliation or leverage is guiding the process.

Lasting peace cannot coexist with political prisoners. From a religious freedom perspective, this issue extends beyond politics. Many of those detained represent a community that has endured displacement, persecution, and the loss of its historic homeland. Their continued imprisonment signals that power, rather than justice, may be shaping the future.

The humanitarian consequences of the 2023 crisis also remain unresolved. Following Azerbaijans military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled the region, according to the United Nations. This exodus effectively ended centuries-old Armenian Christian communities in the territory. In my work engaging Armenian families and faith leaders, I have heard firsthand the stories of loss, trauma, and uncertainty. These are not abstract geopolitical developments. They are human tragedies that continue to shape the region.

Churches and monasteries are not merely historical landmarks. They are living expressions of faith, identity, and continuity for a people whose spiritual heritage spans centuries. The preservation of these sacred spaces is a clear test of whether peace will genuinely include respect for religious freedom and cultural heritage. Yet this raises an important question. If protecting religious and cultural sites is a global priority, why has UNESCO not taken a more visible and proactive role in ensuring credible monitoring and accountability?



While statements have been made, transparent and sustained mechanisms remain limited. In the absence of official access, organizations such as Caucasus Heritage Watch, affiliated with Cornell University, have used satellite imagery to identify significant alterations and damage to multiple sites, highlighting the urgent need for independent monitoring and international accountability.

During his France 24 interview, President Aliyev framed Azerbaijan as the primary driver of peace and stability. However, genuine reconciliation requires more than unilateral narratives. It requires humility, mutual recognition, and preparation of societies for coexistence rather than triumph. Peace that is perceived as imposed or one-sided will not endure.

Significant structural issues also remain unresolved. Border demarcation, transportation corridors, and long-term security guarantees remain under negotiation. These are not technical matters. They are foundational to trust and stability. Premature declarations of success risk weakening diplomatic leverage and overlooking warning signs that history has shown can lead to renewed conflict.

In my role leading Save Armenia, I am committed to engaging policymakers, faith leaders, and international partners to ensure that any peace process is not only strategic but moral. The United States has played an important role in facilitating dialogue. That leadership must now focus on measurable outcomes.

First, the United States should prioritize the release of detainees and transparent legal processes. Sustained diplomatic engagement, including the use of targeted tools when necessary, can reinforce the importance of justice and accountability.

Second, religious freedom and minority protections must be embedded in any peace framework. This aligns with longstanding U.S. commitments and the work of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the State Departments Office of International Religious Freedom. Durable stability is closely tied to the protection of conscience and belief.

Third, the international community should support independent monitoring of cultural and religious heritage in the region. Cooperation with UNESCO and other institutions can build transparency and confidence.

Fourth, Congress should continue bipartisan engagement through the Congressional Armenian Caucus and international religious freedom coalitions to ensure sustained oversight and strategic focus.

Finally, long-term peace requires sustained investment in civil society and people-to-people engagement that strengthens Armenias historic Christian identity and resilience as the worlds first Christian nation. Agreements between governments are only the beginning. Trust must be rebuilt through renewed confidence, cultural continuity, and the preservation of faith and heritage that have sustained the Armenian people for centuries.

President Aliyevs interview offers insight into how Azerbaijan seeks to frame the current moment. But the world must look beyond rhetoric and remain attentive to the deeper realities shaping the region.

I believe that true peace in the South Caucasus must be rooted in justice, dignity, and the protection of faith and identity. Peace that ignores the suffering and fears of vulnerable communities will not endure. Peace grounded in religious freedom, human dignity, and mutual respect, however, can create the foundation for reconciliation and long-term stability.

The stakes are not only regional. They are moral and global. And justice, if it is to be real, requires vigilance.
Home Opinion Yes, honor the 21 martyrs but what about Egypt's living persecuted Copts?

On February 15, Coptic Christians marked the anniversary of the 21 men beheaded by ISIS on a Libyan beach in 2015. The world remembers the orange jumpsuits. The kneeling figures. The final words, Lord Jesus Christ.

But while we remember the martyrs, Egypts Christians are still living under fire.

Look around Cairo and you see ancient wonders. Look closer and you see a modern tragedy unfolding quietly. Egypts Coptic Christians, around 10 million strong and roughly 10 percent of the country, live under constant pressure that grinds down their daily lives. The mass jihadist attacks that made global headlines in the 2010s have faded. What replaced them is, in many ways, harder to see and just as damaging. Relentless harassment. Mobs that burn homes and drive families out. Blasphemy charges that lock believers away. A government that too often fails to intervene.

The Open Doors World Watch List 2026 ranks Egypt at number 42 with a score of 68 out of 100, placing it among countries where Christians face very high levels of persecution. The real story is in the breakdown. Pressure on private life, family life, and community life sits at 74.5 percent. That means faith touches every corner of daily existence. Violence is lower at 34.4 percent, but do not let that number mislead you. Persecution in Egypt is less about large scale bombings now and more about constant social, legal, and economic pressure. Faith may be protected on paper. In practice, it can cost you your job, your housing, your security, even your freedom.

Early February brought another reminder. A serious fire tore through the crowded Manshiyat Naser district of Cairo, often called Garbage City, a largely Coptic community where families collect and sort the citys trash. Community videos and reports shared by advocacy groups show significant destruction in the tightly packed neighborhood and describe dozens of homes lost and hundreds displaced. As of this writing, no widely reported independent investigation has confirmed an official cause or issued a final public accounting. Residents continue to warn about unsafe infrastructure and chronic vulnerability in the area.

That is how persecution looks now. Not always spectacular. Not always televised. Just steady.

National ID cards list religion. Jobs disappear. Apartments are denied. Women face harassment in public. Converts from Islam risk family rejection or worse. In provinces such as Minya, rumors spark mob violence. Someone dated the wrong person. A church is accused of expanding. A social media post becomes a blasphemy charge. Police arrive late or not at all. Families flee carrying what they can.

Blasphemy laws make the pressure official. On January 3, 2026, Christian researcher and YouTuber Augustin Samaan was sentenced to five years of hard labor for contempt of religion after defending Christianity online. On January 28, 2026, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom again urged that Egypt be placed on the Special Watch List. The commission cited systematic violations of religious freedom and the routine use of pretrial detention as punishment.

And yet.

The 21 still stand.

In 2015, twenty Egyptian Copts and one Ghanaian were ordered to deny Christ. They refused. They were executed while praying the name of Jesus. The Coptic Orthodox Church recognized them as martyrs that same year. The Catholic Church followed in 2023.

On February 22, Coptic Orphans hosted a sold out tribute titled 21 Martyrs: Knelt but Not Broken in partnership with the Museum of the Bible, which provided the venue in Washington, D.C. The evening included a screening of the animated short film The 21, created in a neo- Coptic iconography style that is symbolic and reverent. The film does not show gore. It shows faith. Jonathan Roumie, executive producer of the film and star of The Chosen, reflected on traveling to Egypt with Coptic Orphans, where he met the families of the martyrs. What struck him most, he said, was the forgiveness they expressed toward the captors and the strength of their faith.

The film is quiet. Sacred. Still.

Egypt is not.

The Copts trace their faith to Saint Mark in the first century. They are not outsiders to their own land. They are woven into Egypts history. And they have not broken.

Persecution in Egypt is rarely one dramatic headline now. It is a steady weight designed to make faith exhausting. It is meant to wear people down until silence feels safer than witness.

The 21 were killed for refusing to deny Christ. Their brothers and sisters today are pressured daily to live as though their faith does not matter.

If remembrance does not lead to awareness, and awareness does not lead to resolve, then the lesson of their courage is lost.

The witness of the 21 is not finished. It is still unfolding.
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A lot keeps Tahir Imin up at night. There are the memories of his time imprisoned in Xinjiang, the daughter he was forced to leave behind there, and the ex-wife he divorced in an effort to protect her from retaliation over his activism in the United States. Last he knew, his mother and two brothers were imprisoned in the region, swept up in the Chinese governments crackdown on the Uyghur ethnic group. They have already done everything to my family, Imin, who is forty-five, said of the Chinese government. I dont even know if theyre alive. Imins freedom and survival haunt him. The only thing to do to comfort my guilty conscience is speak for my people, he said.

Last November, Imin debuted the Uyghur Post, one of the worlds only Uyghur-language news sites. The outlet publishes daily stories on topics ranging from Uyghur culture in Kazakhstan to an Australian court case on Uyghur forced labor to Turkish Airlines launching a new flight route to Urumqi, Xinjiangs capital. Its monthly audience measures around thirty thousand readers. In February, the site launched a weekly podcast.

Recently, Imin and I met for lunch at a Uyghur restaurant in northwest Washington, DC. Doppas, traditional Uyghur skullcaps, were scattered around us. Foreign governments have accused the Chinese government of committing genocide against the Turkic, majority-Muslim ethnic group; Uyghur traditions are at risk of disappearing in Xinjiang. In between bites of noodles and lamb and sips of green tea, Imin told me of his hopes to turn the Uyghur Post into a voice for his people. What matters to them is freedom and feeling like theyre being heard.

Imin was born in the Kashgar Prefecture of Xinjiang, a region in northwest China; for some Uyghurs, its known as the Uyghur Region or East Turkistan. He earned degrees in English and Uyghur literature from Xinjiang University and later found work in Poskam, his hometown. In 2005, Chinese authorities arrested and imprisoned him for two years over articles he wrote about the Chinese governments suppression of Uyghur culture. In 2009, Imin started the Uyghur Doppa Cultural Festival, later banned by the government. To earn a living, he cofounded an import-export company specializing in textiles and cosmetics and invested in local businesses.

In 2016, Beijing appointed Chen Quanguo to serve as Xinjiangs party secretary. Imin feared the worst. Chen had previously led a harsh surveillance and forcible assimilation campaign in Tibet, where he had served as the regional leader. Certain that the official would crack down on prominent Uyghurs, Imin fled for Israel. He figured he would be safe there: the Chinese government pays special attention to countries with large Muslim populations, which it deems sensitive for Uyghurs, in some cases blocking travel outright; Israel is not on Chinas list. Imin planned to return home after a few months. But then the Chinese government escalated its crackdown in Xinjiang, ostensibly to combat terrorism. The operation aimed to forcibly assimilate Uyghurs into the dominant Han Chinese ethnic group. Chinese authorities threatened Imin with arrest, and in 2017 he moved to the United States, home to roughly ten thousand Uyghurs, according to the Uyghur American Association. The largest community is concentrated in DC and the surrounding suburbs.

At the time, the Uyghur-language service of Radio Free Asia (RFA) led coverage on the ongoing crackdown in Xinjiang, publishing early reports on Chinas high-tech surveillance state and mass detentions of ethnic minorities. The outlet also documented, between 2017 and 2020, the Chinese governments detention of between one million and three million people, mainly Uyghurs, in so-called reeducation camps and prisons. Forced sterilization and forced labor became common. As of last year, more than half a million Uyghurs remained in detention. (The Chinese government denies any wrongdoing in Xinjiang and says its policies are for counterterrorism purposes.)

In March 2025, the Trump administration waged a campaign to dismantle the US Agency for Global Mediawhich oversees RFA, Voice of America (where I previously worked), and Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertyover allegations of liberal bias. (Although funded by Congress, the outlets have historically been editorially independent.) In May, RFA announced that it would no longer publish news in several languages, including Uyghur. In January, new congressional funding allowed RFAs Uyghur service to resume publishing. But it returned at a much smaller scale, its staff of twenty reporters reduced to just one.

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Over the years, critics accused RFAs Uyghur service of covering only progressive sects of the Uyghur diaspora while ignoring most conservative, nationalist factions. But however imperfect that service was, its closure still meant the severing of the sole main artery of professional and independent Uyghur-language journalism on a global scale, Ishan Ismail, a thirty-one-year-old based in Paris who writes for the Uyghur Post, said. As RFA declined, China ramped up its state propaganda, including material directed at Uyghurs and Tibetans.

Imin decided to form the Uyghur Post in response to the kneecapping of RFAs Uyghur service. If we provide important and necessary information, we can be helpful to our community, he said. Its by Uyghur people and for Uyghur people. Although Imin spent years as an activist, the Uyghur Post aims to remain independent and fact-based in its news coverage. Recently, it has published ambitious stories on controversial Uyghur militants in Syria. We will never be an advocacy organization, he said.

Imin is based in Maryland, but the Uyghur Posts volunteer staff of roughly fifteen reporters and editors live around the world, including in France, Norway, Turkey, and Australiaa reflection of the breadth of the Uyghur diaspora. Most Uyghurs live in Central Asia and Turkey, according to the Uyghur Human Rights Project, but there are sizable communities in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Imin is applying for grants to pay his staff and hire additional employees, he said, and pursuing nonprofit status.

Beyond RFA, few Uyghur-language outlets exist. Those that do, such as Istiqlal Turkce, tend to have religious overtones. Some prioritize commentary over news coverage. This gap could work to the Uyghur Posts advantage. Since theres no real way for Uyghurs to express their national point of view inside China right now, these kinds of diaspora sources become an important part of the cohesion of the nation, said Sean Roberts, a George Washington University professor who studies Uyghurs.

The Uyghur Post stands as a critical center of resistance, Ismail, the Paris-based writer, said. Amine Vahit Sedef, a forty-three-year-old Uyghur Post writer based in Istanbul, who focuses on Uyghur women and Uyghurs in Turkey, told me: I feel a responsibility to speak for my people.

Imin believes Beijing has already taken notice: Since launching Uyghur Post, the cyberattacks have been continuing, he said. Its difficult to prove that Beijing is responsible, but China has long been known for online targeting of Uyghur groups and activists abroad, he told me, and there is little reason to suspect any other party is behind attempts to compromise Uyghur Post; these attacks are consistent with state-sponsored Chinese activity. (Chinas Washington embassy did not respond to a request for comment.)

Imin speaks with urgency about his publications mission to preserve Uyghur tradition. Few Uyghur children in the diaspora have ever set foot in the homeland, where Beijing has effectively criminalized their culture and restricted the use of their mother tongue in schools. Its not just a communication tool, Imin said of his native language. The Uyghur language has so much salt in it. The Uyghur language has so much water in it. You can drink it, you can taste it, you can enjoy it. This language should be appreciated and used in our daily lives, Imin said. Thats how we can survive.
The U.S. International Trade Commission has initiated an investigation into the automotive rules of origin under the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the commission said in a statement last week.

The probe will examine the impact on the U.S. economy, effect on U.S. competitiveness, and relevancy considering recent technology changes, the statement said.

The rules of origin under USMCA boosted the regional value content requirements in order for manufacturers building cars in any of the three countries to qualify for free-trade status. This required North American manufacturers to source more inputs from within the USMCA region, fundamentally altering their supply chains.

The rules require 75% North American content for manufacturers to get duty-free access to the U.S. market, and require 40% of a passenger cars content to be manufactured in the U.S. or Canada, based on a list of core parts including engines, transmissions, body panels and chassis components. The threshold for pickup trucks is 45%.

The ITC plans to hold a public hearing later this year and will issue the report by July 2027.

USMCA is the modern, trilateral free-trade agreement that took effect in 2020, replacing the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

USMCA has shielded Mexico and Canada from the bulk of President Donald Trumps tariffs, as goods that comply with its rules of origin can enter the U.S. duty-free.

The U.S. Trade Representatives Office said last month that possible reforms for USMCA include stronger rules of origin for industrial goods.

Major automakers including General Motors GM.N, Tesla TSLA.O, Toyota 7203.T and Ford F.N have urged the Trump administration to extend USMCA, which they call crucial to American auto production.

Stellantis STLAM.MI said vehicles made outside North America should follow rules on component origin to mirror or effectively match those imposed by the USMCA or the Trump administration should drop tariffs on Mexican and Canadian USMCA-compliant passenger vehicles.

The automaker added that under 15% tariffs with Japan, U.S. vehicles complying with North American content rules will continue to lose market share to Asian imports, to the detriment of American automotive workers.

(Reporting by Shepardson in Washington and Patrick Jones in Toronto; Editing by Daphne Psaledakis and Matthew Lewis)
West Virginias attorney general sued Apple, accusing the iPhone maker of allowing its iCloud service to become what the companys own internal communications called the greatest platform for distributing child porn.

Attorney General JB McCuskey, a Republican, accused Apple of prioritizing user privacy over child safety. His office called the case the first of its kind by a government agency over the distribution of child sexual abuse material on Apples data storage platform.

These images are a permanent record of a childs trauma, and that child is revictimized every time the material is shared or viewed, McCuskey said in the statement. This conduct is despicable, and Apples inaction is inexcusable.

Apple in a statement said it has implemented features that prevent children from uploading or receiving nude images and was innovating every day to combat ever-evolving threats and maintain the safest, most trusted platform for kids.

All of our industry-leading parental controls and features, like Communication Safety  which automatically intervenes on kids devices when nudity is detected in Messages, shared Photos, AirDrop and even live FaceTime calls  are designed with the safety, security, and privacy of our users at their core, Apple said.

The U.S. has seen a growing national reckoning over how smartphones and social media harm children. So far, the wave of litigation and public pressure has mostly targeted companies like Meta, Snap, and Googles YouTube, with Apple largely insulated from scrutiny.

End-to-End Encryption

West Virginias lawsuit focuses on Apples move toward end-to-end encryption, putting digital files outside the reach of both Apple and law enforcement officials. The state alleges Apples use of such technology has allowed child abuse material to proliferate on its platform.

For decades, technology and privacy advocates have sparred over end-to-end encryption. Advocates call this vital to ensuring privacy and preventing widespread digital eavesdropping. Governments insist it hinders criminal investigations.

Apple has considered scanning images but abandoned the approach after concerns about user privacy and safety, including worries that it could be exploited by governments looking for other material for censorship or arrest, Reuters has reported.

McCuskeys office cited a text message Apples then anti-fraud chief sent in 2020 stating that because of Apples priorities, it was the greatest platform for distributing child porn.

The lawsuit in Mason County Circuit Court seeks statutory and punitive damages and requests that a judge force Apple to implement safer product designs including effective measures to detect abusive material.

Alphabets Google, Microsoft and other platform providers check uploaded photos or emailed attachments against a database of identifiers of known child sex abuse material provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other clearinghouses.

Until 2022, Apple took a different approach. It did not scan all files uploaded to its iCloud storage offerings, and the data was not end-to-end encrypted, meaning law enforcement officials could access it with a warrant.

Reuters in 2020 reported that Apple planned end-to-end encryption for iCloud, which would have put data into a form unusable by law enforcement officials. It abandoned the plan after the FBI complained it would harm investigations.

Neuralhash

In August 2021, Apple announced NeuralHash, which it designed to balance the detection of child abuse material with privacy by scanning images on users devices before upload.

Security researchers criticized the system, worrying it could yield false reports of abuse material. This sparked a backlash from privacy advocates who claimed it could be expanded to permit government surveillance.

A month later, Apple delayed introduction of NeuralHash, then canceled it in December 2022, the state said in its lawsuit. That same month, Apple launched an option for end-to-end encryption for iCloud data.

The state said Apple engaged in unfair or deceptive practices prohibited by state law through promotion of NeuralHash, which West Virginia called inferior to other tools and a technology that could be easily evaded. The state contended that Apple broke its promise to combat child sex abuse material when it quietly abandoned the program.

The lawsuit also accuses Apple of creating a public nuisance by designing its products in ways that allow users to collect, store and spread child sexual abuse material. The state argues that Apples design choices have allowed illegal content to persist and evade law enforcement, causing widespread harm to West Virginias public health and childprotection systems.

While Apple did not go through with the effort to scan images being uploaded to iCloud, it did implement a feature called Communication Safety that blurs nudity and other sensitive content being sent to or from a childs device.

Federal law requires U.S.-based technology companies to report abuse material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Apple in 2023 made 267 reports, far fewer than the 1.47 million by Google and 30.6 million by Meta Platforms, the state said.

The states claims mirror allegations in a proposed class action lawsuit filed against Apple in late 2024 in federal court in California by individuals depicted in such images.

Apple has moved to dismiss that lawsuit, saying Section 230 of the Communications Decency Actshields it from liability. The law provides broad protections to internet companies from lawsuits over content generated by users.

(Reporting by Raymond in Boston and Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Christopher Cushing, Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)
The U.S. federal agency that enforces workplace civil rights is suing a regional Coca-Cola bottler for sex discrimination, alleging the company discriminated against male employees by only inviting women to a company-sponsored networking event.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed the lawsuit on behalf of a male employee of Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast who complained about a two-day networking trip for about 250 women in September 2024 at the Mohegan Sun casino resort in Connecticut. The lawsuit alleged that the Bedford, New Hampshire-based company violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by excluding male employees from the event.

The lawsuit, filed last week in New Hampshire district court, challenges the sort of diversity programming the EEOC has aggressively targeted since President Donald Trump overhauled the agency, which was created by Congress under the Civil Rights Act. It comes just two weeks after the EEOC revealed that it is investigating sportswear giant Nike for allegedly discriminating against white employees through its diversity policies.

Excluding men from an employer-sponsored event is a Title VII violation that the EEOC will act to remedy through litigation when necessary, acting EEOC general counsel Catherine L. Eschbach said in a statement Wednesday announcing the lawsuit against Coca-Cola Northeast.

The EEOC said in court documents that it filed the lawsuit after failing to reach a conciliation agreement with Coca-Cola Beverage Northeast, an independent Coca-Cola bottler that serves New England and upstate New York.

But in a statement sent to The Associated Press, Coca-Cola Northeast said it finds it disappointing that the EEOC did not conduct a full investigation and we look forward to having our day in open court when we can tell the full story and expect to be vindicated.

The company declined to comment on the details of the lawsuit.

In a LinkedIn post, Coca-Cola Northeast celebrated what it called its first in-person Womens Forum attended by 250 female associates, describing it as a networking reception and event. Speakers talked about navigating a male-dominated industry, balancing work and personal life, and other topics, according to the post.

The EEOCs lawsuit said the company paid for lodging, meals and other benefits for attendees and paid them their salaries while excusing them from regular work duties. The agency is seeking monetary compensation for a class of men who were excluded, saying they suffered not only financial losses but emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish.

In its news release, the EEOC directed the public to its fact sheet on DEI-related discrimination, a document that takes aim at practices such as training, employee resource groups and fellowship programs. It stops short of declaring any one practice illegal, but warns they could veer into discrimination depending on how they are constructed.

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, a Trump appointee, has long been a staunch critic of many corporate DEI practices. In December, Lucas posted a social media call-out urging white men to come forward if they have experienced discrimination at work.

Civil rights activists and former Democratic commissioners of the EEOC have decried her methods, saying she is imperiling longstanding practices that have been upheld by courts and are intended to prevent discrimination and eliminate structural barriers for women and minorities.

Targeted programs, such as networking events, for particular demographic groups have been among the most vulnerable to lawsuits challenging diversity practices, said David Glasgow, co-founder of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law, which tracks anti-DEI litigation.

We urge organizations to shift from cohorts to content, meaning that instead of limiting participation based on cohort, they could open it up to anyone who is committed to the content of the program, said Glasgow, co-author of the book How Equality Wins, which aims to provide a blueprint on how organizations can navigate the backlash against DEI policies.

Glasgow said most of the lawsuits against targeted programs have been settled after the defending party opens the program to all.

Its a bit odd that the current iteration of the EEOC thinks that going after regional companies for hosting a two-day womens retreat is a good use of limited resources at a time when there is still extensive discrimination against women in the workplace, Glasgow said in an email to AP.

The EEOC did not reply to requests for further comment on the lawsuit.

The Associated Press women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Volvo Cars will recall over 40,000 of its flagship electric EX30 SUVs because their battery packs risk overheating, it told Reuters on Monday, a move that could dent the automakers hard-earned reputation for safety and cost it millions of dollars.

The previously unreported recall involves replacing modules in the high-voltage battery packs of the compact SUV, a crucial model in Volvos push to compete with cheaper Chinese brands. Battery safety is a highly sensitive issue for EV makers and consumers.

A total of 40,323 EX30 Single-Motor Extended Range and Twin-Motor Performance cars with these highvoltage cells are affected, the Swedish automaker that is majority-owned by Chinas Geely said in response to questions from Reuters.

 We are now contacting the owners of all affected cars to advise them of next steps, Volvo said.

Volvo Cars shares were down 4% following the Reuters report about the recall.

In the rush to develop new EVs, some automakers have faced battery defects. In 2020, a fire risk forced General Motors to recall 140,000 Chevy Bolts with batteries supplied by South Koreas LG Electronics, costing $2 billion to fix.

Volvos battery issues come as the carmaker pursues a 1.9 billion dollar savings drive and deeper integration with parent Geely. The batteries were made by a Geely-backed joint venture, Shandong Geely Sunwoda Power Battery Co. Volvo said the supplier has fixed the problem and would supply the new battery cells.

They Have To Get It Right

Volvo said it would replace affected units free of charge, urging owners in the meantime to continue limiting charging to 70% to eliminate the fire risk.

The EX30 especially is very important to Volvo, so they have to get it right, said Sam Fiorani, vice president for global vehicle forecasting at research firm AutoForecast Solutions.

Since December, Volvo has told EX30 owners in more than a dozen countries including the United States, Australia and Brazil to park away from buildings and cap charging at 70%, according to regulatory filings and the company.

Andy Palmer, an industry veteran who oversaw the launch of Nissan Motors Leaf EV in 2010, said Volvo has less room for missteps than rivals as its reputation for safety is central to its identity.

Volvo cant afford a safety issue because that strikes at the heart of their brand, he said.

Potentially Steep Price Tag to Fix Battery Issue

The new replacement battery modules could cost $195 million, excluding logistics and repair costs, according to a Reuters analysis based on what a Chinese battery maker might charge. Volvo said the calculations were speculative in nature, and that the automaker was in talks with the supplier.

Prior to news of the recall, Reuters spoke to two EX30 owners who wanted to return their cars, underscoring the potential impact.

British insurance agent Matthew Owen said he chose the EX30 for its range and Volvos safety reputation, adding the automaker should take responsibility because it is producing a car that is dangerous.

Tony Lu, an EX30 owner in New Zealand, said he faced higher costs because the charging cap had cut the cars range.

I would be absolutely delighted if they bought the car back, Lu said.

(Reporting by Mannes in Stockholm, Shanghai and Beijing newsrooms; Editing by Nick Carey, Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Tomasz Janowski)
Detroit under Donald Trump has rediscovered its love of the big, roaring engine.

By gutting climate regulations, the president has freed U.S. automakers to sell as many gas-burning trucks and SUVs as they can. Muscle cars powered by rumbling V-8s and Hemi engines are back, with beasts like the Dodge Charger and Fords Mustang Dark Horse laying down rubber at this years Detroit Auto Show. Electric vehicles, pushed by years of federal policy, are now purely optional.

The sudden switch promises a new era of fat profits for the companies. Theyve always made their best margins on large vehicles with monster engines. Ford Motor Co.s top executive even hailed the change as a multibillion-dollar opportunity.

Long term, it risks sending American automakers off a cliff. EVs are still backed by government regulations and incentives across much of the world. And theyre finding buyers, particularly the high-tech, low-cost cars now pouring out of China. If US automakers turn their backs on electrics, their sales outside the US will shrivel. Theyre already falling behind on the technology, relying on a 100% US tariff on Chinese EVs to keep surging rivals like BYD Co. at bay.

If they just go back to Hemi Land and not do anything, it would be disastrous in a few years  a horrific disaster, said Mark Wakefield, head of the global automotive practice at consultant AlixPartners. While the American automakers mostly understand the challenge in front of them, they dont have full plans to confront it, he said.

Auto executives pledge theyll use the windfall from Trumps regulatory reprieve to invest in an electrified future. Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford, great-grandson of the companys founder, pointed to a line of affordable electric vehicles the automaker plans for 2027, including a $30,000 pickup. The company also is expanding its offerings of gas-electric hybrid models.

Related: EV Collision Claims Rise in US And Canada as Sales Of New Models Decrease

We certainly are not turning our back on the rest of the world, Ford said in an interview at the Detroit show. We are investing.

But the company used the same show to highlight its new take on the Mustang muscle car  a version called the Dark Horse SC with horsepower exceeding 500 and a price expected to top $90,000. Now is a great time for the V-8 engine, said Ryan Shaughnessy, the Mustangs brand manager. Weve done extensive customer research in multiple cities, looking at a variety of powertrains, and the V-8 is always the No. 1 choice.

It isnt just customers. US automakers have long been run by car guy enthusiasts who live for the bone-shaking rumble of a big engine. For them, quiet and smooth EVs  even the absurdly quick ones  cant satisfy that craving. Theyre convinced many American car buyers share the same enthusiasm for what Shaughnessy described as the sound and roar of the V-8.

Wall Street couldnt be happier with the new direction. After General Motors Co.s earnings blew away expectations in January, more than a dozen analysts boosted their price targets, with Piper Sandlers Alexander Potter writing that GM has too much earnings power to ignore. Fords fortunes are also on the rise, as its predicting operating profits could grow by as much as 47% this year to $10 billion. Fords stock has risen nearly 50% over the last 12 months.

Under the previous environmental rules, automakers effectively had to sell zero-emission vehicles in growing numbers to offset their gas-guzzlers. When they fell short, they had to buy regulatory credits from EV companies such as Tesla Inc. or face penalties. GM spent $3.5 billion on credits from 2022 to the middle of 2025.

Related: EV Collision Claims Rebound as Expiring U.S. Government Tax Incentives Drive Record Sales

Now, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst Ryan Brinkman, GM and Ford each have billion dollar tailwinds from Trump zeroing out those penalties in his One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed last summer.

Were seeing our profitability improve, said Ford Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley. Im really looking forward to this year.

California, which for years set its own air-pollution requirements for cars, even decided to ban sales of new vehicles with internal combustion engines by 2035, with a number of other states moving to follow suit. Congress blocked that ban last year, and the Trump administration has proposed substantially weaker fuel economy standards that would require an average of 34.5 miles per gallon by 2031, down from about 50 mpg under the Biden administrations policy.

Its about what the future production stream and portfolio was going to have to look like, because you were going to have to produce fewer ICE vehicles and more EVs, GM Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson said after a February speech at the Federal Reserve Automotive Insights Symposium. Its not really about this year, the next years earnings, the next two years. Its about the next five.

Outside the EV heartland of California, plug-in cars and trucks have struggled to win over American buyers, hampered by their high cost and inadvertent role in the countrys fierce culture war. Ford took $19.5 billion in charges on its money-losing electric car business in December and announced plans to convert an EV plant under construction in Tennessee to make gas-fueled pickups instead.

GM did an about-face on a factory in Michigan that had been slated to produce EVs, choosing to build the Chevrolet Silverado truck there. The company also canceled a $300 million investment in a plant near Buffalo, New York, that would have made drive units for electric vehicles, opting instead to spend almost $900 million to make more of its sixth-generation V-8 engines. GM has written off $7.6 billion from its EV investments, while Jeep maker Stellantis NV announced more than 22 billion ($26 billion) in charges.

The hangover from all that new horsepower could leave US automakers lagging their Chinese rivals who already build the worlds most advanced  and lowest-priced  electric cars. Indeed, theres much talk in Detroit about the competitive tsunami that will be unleashed on American automakers once Chinese car companies find a way to break through trade barriers now protecting the US market. Farley even calls it an existential threat.

Focus too much on V-8s, and Detroit risks becoming a technology island, making products the rest of the world doesnt want. Wakefield at AlixPartners compared it to Brazil, which in the 1970s bet on ethanol as the fuel of the future only to doom its automakers in the process.

Theyre going to build as many V-8 engines and big trucks as they can get out the factory doors, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of vehicle forecasting for consultant Auto Forecast Solutions. And as the rest of the world develops modern drivetrains, newer batteries and better electric vehicles, GM and Ford in particular are going to find themselves falling even further behind.

Fords Farley last month spoke with administration officials about letting Chinese companies build cars in the US through joint ventures in which American automakers would hold a controlling stake as a way to provide some protection to the domestic businesses, according to people familiar with the discussions. But the idea received a cold reception from the officials, who felt it would face opposition in Washington. GM has told the Trump administration that the company opposes Chinese entry into the market, one of the people said.

Canada recently dropped its own 100% tariffs on Chinese cars and will allow 49,000 of the vehicles into its market each year. Chinese automakers like BYD have loaded their cars with advanced technology while lowering prices by 15% over the last three years. Americas fleet of new car offerings has seen average prices top $50,000, up nearly 30% since 2019.

American auto executives insist they havent abandoned an electric future.

GM, the countrys No. 2 seller of EVs behind Tesla, continues to develop battery-powered vehicles, and CEO Mary Barra said the automaker would begin offering a handful of hybrids soon. Ford and Stellantis have plans to launch extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs, a new kind of plug-in hybrid with an internal combustion engine that recharges the battery as the vehicle drives down the road.

through hybrids, they eventually will end up owning pure-electric vehicles. You do wonder what a customer will think when they realize that in three months the engine has never started, but they still have to go get the oil changed on it, said Doug Field, Fords chief EV, digital and design officer.

For now, though, Detroits automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.

Theyd be crazy not to do whats the most profitable thing to do, Wakefield said. It would also be crazy not to start investing some of that money into what they really need to do to win in the future.

Top photo: A Chevrolet Suburban High Country SUV at the Detroit Auto Show on Jan. 14. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
A U.S. judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit accusing Tesla of discriminating against American citizens in hiring so it can pay less to foreign workers, but said he was skeptical that the software engineer who sued would prevail.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco said in a brief order late Monday that Scott Taub, who filed the proposed class action in September, had offered up just enough facts about Teslas hiring practices for the case to move forward.

Related: EV Collision Claims Rise in US And Canada as Sales Of New Models Decrease

Taub says the electric carmaker led by billionaire Elon Musk passed him over for an engineering job, part of its systematic preference to hire foreign visa holders in violation of federal civil rights law. He also says layoffs at Tesla have disproportionately targeted U.S. citizens.

Chhabria on Monday said Tesla must face Taubs claims that a recruiter for a staffing company told him that the engineering job he sought was H1B only, referring to H-1B visas granted to highly educated foreign workers and heavily relied upon by the tech industry.

The judge dismissed claims by a second plaintiff, human resources specialist Sofia Brander, saying it was implausible that Tesla prefers to hire foreign workers for HR positions. He gave Brander two weeks to file an amended complaint fleshing out her claims.

Related: Report: US Collision Claims for BEVs Shrink for First Time, Hybrid Claims Surge

Tesla and lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Tesla has denied the claims in the lawsuit and called them preposterous in court filings.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, has imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, an unprecedented move that he says will deter businesses from abusing the program and displacing American workers. The fee is being challenged in at least three lawsuits.

The lawsuit says Tesla is dependent on holders of H-1B visas, including in 2024 when it hired an estimated 1,355 visa holders while laying off more than 6,000 workers domestically, the vast majority believed to be U.S. citizens.

Chhabria on Monday said that beyond the recruiters comments, Taub has presented scant evidence of discrimination. The statistics from 2024, for instance, merely show that Tesla hired a substantial number of H-1B holders that year, but not that it preferred them over U.S. citizens, the judge said.

All of this causes the Court to be somewhat skeptical of Taubs allegations, Chhabria wrote.

(Reporting by Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Aurora Ellis)
Two days before New Yorks biggest snowstorm in a decade began, forecasters were still unsure how much snow would fall. One traditional U.S. model had consistently predicted a major hit, while newer artificial intelligence systems werent so certain.

The long-running Global Forecast System, or GFS, signaled the storm would be a whopper for much of the Northeast. Because of lingering skepticism about the GFS past performance  and the fact that it stood alone in predicting massive impacts  many forecasters waited until Friday afternoon before declaring the possibility of more than a foot of snow for parts of New York.

Related: NYC Travel Snarled by Snow as Central Park Gets 15 Inches

The totals reported by the U.S. National Weather Service have been staggering: Central Park saw nearly 20 inches, one of its biggest snowstorms on record. On Long Island, snowfall measured at more than two feet.

Forecasting powerful winter storms is a distinctive challenge, scientists said. Unlike hurricanes, which form at sea and spend days barreling toward land, noreaster storms often build and strike the East Coast within 24 hours. Providing advance warning for this weeks storm meant forecasting where incoming waves of cold air and moisture would land and interact with a streak of low pressure in the jet stream, days in advance.

So far, AI models havent made that task much easier, said Bob Oravec, a senior branch forecaster for the U.S. Weather Prediction Center in Maryland.

Theres no perfect model yet, Oravec said. Thats the problem.

In the U.S., storm warnings and alerts are issued by the National Weather Service and redistributed by commercial forecasters. A local office in Upton, New York, was responsible for safety advisories spanning New York City and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. Forecaster David Stark said staff waited to issue the first alerts until Friday due to lingering uncertainty about the storms path.

We dont like to put out warnings early and give a false sense of alarm if its not needed, Stark said.

Related: Nvidia Unveils AI Models for Faster, Cheaper Weather Forecasts

While the GFS  developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal science agency  was ultimately correct about the storms impacts on New York City, scientists said it overstated the threat in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and was slightly off on the storms duration.

Those mixed results are giving forecasters pause as the GFS now sees the possibility of another significant storm early next week.

At times, the GFS has predicted heavy wintry precipitation in the Northeast beginning early next week. A similar signal has been picked up by a traditional European forecast model, which is generally considered the best of its kind. But as of Tuesday morning, a powerful new European AI model sees a lower threat.

Though the models may continue to shift in the coming days, Columbia Climate School researcher Andrew Kruczkiewicz said hes watching how forecasters prioritize AI predictions before warning the public about incoming storms.

Were so trained to think anything AI is better, said Kruczkiewicz. Even if models are considered better or high quality, decision-making is not necessarily simplified.

Top photo: A worker clears snow near the New York Stock Exchange during a winter storm in New York on Feb. 23. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
China supports all efforts for peace on Ukraine crisis: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 16:20, February 24, 2026

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China's position on the Ukraine crisis has been consistent and clear, and that China supports all efforts for peace.

Noting that recently, a door for dialogue has finally opened in the Ukraine crisis with all parties maintaining talks, the spokesperson said that dialogue and negotiation remains the only viable path to resolving the issue.

It is hoped that all parties will seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement, Mao said at a regular press briefing.

"China is willing to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role in promoting the political resolution of the crisis," the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
Oil prices were stable on Monday with the U.S. and Iran headed for a third round of nuclear talks, easing concerns about a potential conflict, while President Donald Trump created uncertainty for global growth and fuel demand with a new round of tariff hikes.

Brent crude futures slid 27 cents, or 0.38%, to close at $71.49 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled at $66.31 a barrel, down 17 cents, or 0.26%.

Trump said on Saturday he would raise a temporary tariff from 10% to 15% on U.S. imports from all countries, the maximum level allowed under the law, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.

"The tariff news over the weekend has resulted in some risk aversion flows this morning, which can be viewed in the price of gold and U.S. equity futures and this is weighing on the crude oil price," IG Markets analyst Tony Sycamore said.

The tariff decision offset growing concerns of a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which pushed Brent and WTI prices up more than 5% last week.

Iran and the U.S. will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Sunday.

Sycamore said the announcement supported his view that the U.S. and Iran are currently engaged in a diplomatic game of cat and mouse.

"I don't believe that the U.S. wants to attack Iran, given the risks it brings in terms of regional destabilization and, closer to home, voter discontent ahead of the November midterms," Sycamore said.

Iran has indicated it is prepared to make concessions on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of sanctions and recognition of its right to enrich uranium, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch  an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. A relief rally was unfolding across the market, with fears about Anthropic's Claude disrupting software and AI creating economic mayhem taking a back seat for the day. The artificial intelligence startup hosted an enterprise agents event on Tuesday, with investors watching closely to see which industry it might disrupt next. At the event, Anthropic announced new updates to Claude Cowork that integrate its productivity tool into various enterprise apps. This idea of Anthropic partnering with software companies  and not replacing it outright  sparked the rally. While it's a nice sigh of relief for now, we caution that this is far from an all-clear signal. Claude Cowork is different from Claude Code, which is viewed as the main disruptor. Two companies in the portfolio announced dividend boosts . Home Depot raised its quarterly dividend by 1.3% to $2.33 per share, or $9.32 over a full year. The stock's new dividend yield is about 2.4% when factoring in Tuesday's nearly 2% post-earnings bump. The other was Linde, which increased its quarterly dividend by 7% to $1.60 per share, or $6.40 annually. The move puts the dividend yield at about 1.28%. Shares of this industrial gas giant continued their hot streak. Even with the recent market volatility, Linde was riding a ten-session win streak and on pace Tuesday to make 11 straight. Despite our 1 rating on Linde, we're not sure we would chase anything that's been up this many days in a row. Maybe wait for it cool off a bit. However, it's important to realize the reason for this strength. Linde is the quintessential "HALO" stock, or "Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence," which is a newer market theme investors have gravitated toward to reduce the risk of AI disintermediation. Goldman Sachs on Tuesday described HALO as businesses that "pair substantial physical capital (barriers to replication via cost, regulation, time to build or engineering complexity) with long-lived economic relevance." Some examples the analysts provided were grids, pipelines, critical machinery, and long-cycle industrial capacity. In addition to Linde, other classic examples of HALO stocks in the portfolio include Eaton, GE Vernova, and Honeywell. Corning is continuing its magnificent run . Shares of this optical fiber and specialty glass maker hit another new record high on Tuesday, jumping another 4.5%. Impressively, the stock has now rallied about 15% since we took a little off and trimmed this position last Tuesday. Last Thursday, analysts at UBS raised their Corning price target to $160 from $125 on the potential for more upward earnings revisions from major hyperscalers, increasing their capital expenditures forecasts. We're moving up our price target to match UBS at $160, which was roughly 5% higher than the $152-per-share level in Tuesday afternoon trading. The Club's previous Corning PT was $140. Up next, after the closing bell , we get earnings from Axon Enterprise, Cava, Workday, First Solar, and Realty Income. Club name TJX Companies  behind the off-price chains T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods  reports earnings Wednesday morning. Home Depot rival Lowe's also delivers its quarter Wednesday morning. On the economic data side Wednesday, it's weekly mortgage applications and initial jobless claims. After Wednesday's close, portfolio names Nvidia and Salesforce report earnings. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
This is CNBC's Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox. Happy Tuesday. I found yesterday's snowfall to be quite idyllic, granted I didn't actually step foot outside until it had stopped (don't repeat that to my many colleagues who found themselves on shoveling duty). S&P 500 futures are little changed this morning following a losing day. Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:

1. Manic Monday

Traders work at the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, on February 20, 2026. Timothy A. Clary | Afp | Getty Images

2. State of the tariff

UNITED STATES - MARCH 4: President Donald Trump delivers his address to a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, March 4, 2025. Vice President JD Vance, left, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., listen behind. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

The Supreme Court's tariff ruling continued to ripple through Wall Street and Washington, D.C. yesterday, as economists race to figure out what President Donald Trump's new global tariffs mean for the economy. FedEx sued the U.S. government yesterday in a bid to get a "full refund" of the money it paid for the now-reversed tariffs  the first major company to do so in the wake of Friday's decision. Congressional Democrats are trying to force the government to issue refunds to businesses who paid the duties. The Supreme Court's decision and Trump's new tariffs are likely to be a topic of the president's State of the Union address tonight, which comes as voters turn negative on the economy under his leadership.

3. Double dipping

Lisa Su, chair and chief executive officer of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD), during the 2026 CES event in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. At CES, the biggest names in tech will make the case for artificial intelligence for a target audience of investors, corporate clients and, perhaps just as importantly, ordinary shoppers who have yet to be fully sold on the idea of AI-infused gadgets. Photographer: Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Meta this morning announced a multiyear deal with Advanced Micro Devices that will see the social media company deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD's graphic processing units.



As CNBC's Katie Tarasov notes, the chip agreement comes just one week after Meta inked a deal with Nvidia to use its processors. Today's announcement is seen as a major win for AMD, which has lagged Nvidia in the AI chip market. Shares of AMD soared more than 13% in premarket trading.



AMD CEO Lisa Su will join CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" at 9:30 a.m. ET to discuss the deal. Watch live on CNBC+ or CNBC Pro.

Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC's Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning. Subscribe here to get access today.

4. GLP-1 pen

An Eli Lilly & Co. Zepbound injection pen arranged in the Brooklyn borough of New York on March 28, 2024. Shelby Knowles | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Eli Lilly yesterday launched a new version of Zepbound, its popular obesity drug, that contains a month's worth of doses in one pen. As CNBC's Annika Kim Constantino reports, the pen could be a more convenient alternative for patients, who would need fewer devices each month to administer the drug. Prices began at $299 for the lowest-dose offered on the company's LillyDirect platform. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk said yesterday that its experimental weight loss drug failed to match Eli Lilly's tirzepatide in a trial. Novo Nordisk's U.S. shares plunged more than 16% in Monday's session, while Eli Lilly's stock climbed nearly 5%.

5. Mexico

Smoke billows amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, February 22, 2026. @morelifediares via Instagram | Reuters

A Mexican military operation aided by U.S. intelligence over the weekend killed the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Violence has since broken out in several Mexican states, creating challenges for air freight, trucking and ports. Tourism has also been upended: Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line canceled planned stops in Puerto Vallarta, while Airbnb activated its "major disruptive events policy" in Jalisco and other impacted areas. Passenger airlines, which carry around 50% of air freight, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.

The Daily Dividend

Trading volumes in leveraged funds and options have surged since the pandemic, according to data from Direxion first reported by CNBC.
Morgan Stanley believes that immediate concerns about artificial intelligence look premature when it comes to Booking Holdings . The bank upgraded the travel technology company to overweight from equal weight. Analyst Brian Nowak lowered his price target to $5,500 from $6,150, though the new forecast still signals a gain of 42%. Shares of Booking have plunged 23% over the past 12 months and 28% this year alone. But Nowak is less concerned about artificial intelligence threatening Booking than the recent sell-off might imply. BKNG 1Y mountain BKNG 1Y chart "We see BKNG staying a key driver of travel even as agentic tools evolve. BKNG will still own the customer, capture robust traveler data and use those to drive high margin direct business," he wrote. "Agents also need BKNG's leading inventory, giving BKNG leverage." Nowak noted that while generative AI will create new products, these early agentic travel products are developing differently than investors had necessarily expected. For instance, they still seem to divert traffic to online travel agencies, or OTAs, like Booking for purchase, and still share data with such websites in exchange for access to their critical inventory, Nowak wrote. "We see OTAs' ability to remain the merchant of record and still capture consumer browsing and purchase data as being key to their long-term business ... as in effect, we think the stage is setting up for BKNG and the OTAs to remain just as critical to the long-term online travel landscape as they are now," the analyst said. "We think the online travel industry structure is likely to stay closer to paid search than currently appreciated ... as the OTAs will integrate their inventory into agents, bid on advertising to win traffic and transactions ... and subsequently work to convert this traffic to future direct customers." Nowak nodded to Booking's more than 20-year history of leading execution in this type of environment, and expects the company to continue leading the charge going forward.
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during a visit to Sierra Space in Louisville, Colorado on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told Anthropic it has until Friday evening to give the military broad access to its artificial intelligence models, CNBC confirmed on Tuesday.

If Anthropic fails to comply, Hegseth threatened to label the company a "supply chain risk" or invoke the Defense Production Act, according to sources familiar with the discussion, who asked not to be named because the matter was private.

Anthropic's negotiations with the Department of Defense have stalled because it wants assurance that its models will not be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance of Americans. The DoD, meanwhile, wants the company to agree to "all lawful use cases" without limitation.

A "supply chain risk" is a designation that's typically reserved for foreign adversaries, but it would require the DoD's vendors and contractors to certify that they do not use Anthropic's models. The Defense Production Act allows the president to control domestic industries under emergency authority when it's in the interest of national security.

Hegseth set the deadline during a meeting with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Tuesday morning, the people said.

"We continued good-faith conversations about our usage policy to ensure Anthropic can continue to support the government's national security mission in line with what our models can reliably and responsibly do," an Anthropic spokesperson told CNBC in a statement.
The Anthropic logo displayed on the stage during the company's Builder Summit in Bengaluru, India, on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Photographer: Samyukta Lakshmi/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Anthropic on Monday accused three Chinese AI companies of coordinated campaigns to extract information from its model, making it the latest American tech firm to level such claims after OpenAI issued similar complaints.

According to a statement from Anthropic, DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax  the three firms in question  engaged in concerted "distillation attack" campaigns, flooding Claude with large volumes of specially-crafted prompts to train proprietary models.

Through distillation, smaller AI models can mimic the performance of larger, pre-trained models by extracting knowledge from the better-trained model, a technique particularly useful for smaller teams with fewer resources.

Despite Anthropic's service restrictions preventing commercial access to Claude in China, the three firms allegedly engaged commercial proxy services to sidestep Anthropic's restrictions, enabling access to networks running tens of thousands of Claude accounts simultaneously.

"Once access is secured, the labs generate large volumes of carefully crafted prompts designed to extract specific capabilities from the model," Anthropic said in the statement.

Claude's responses to these prompts are farmed en masse either for direct training of the Chinese models or for a process known as reinforcement learning, a data-intensive approach in which AI models learn decision-making through trial and error in the absence of human guidance.

Anthropic estimated that the three Chinese firms collectively generated over 16 million exchanges with Claude from around 24,000 fraudulently created accounts. Of the three firms, Anthropic found that MiniMax drove the most traffic, with over 13 million exchanges.

DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax have yet to respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
Apple CEO Tim Cook (R) speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during an event in the Oval Office of the White House on August 6, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Apple said it's moving production of some of its Mac Mini computers to the U.S. later this year as the company seeks to bolster domestic manufacturing.

The iPhone maker last year unveiled plans to invest $600 billion in the U.S., with CEO Tim Cook appearing at the White House with President Donald Trump in August for the announcement of a $100 billion outlay. The company also has said it will purchase parts and expand its relationship with U.S. suppliers.

"As part of our $600B commitment, Mac mini will be produced in the US for the first time later this year!" Cook wrote in a post on X on Tuesday. "We're accelerating our progress even further  producing more AI servers and opening an all-new Apple Advanced Manufacturing Center for hands-on training."

The Mac Mini is Apple's compact, more affordable desktop computer, which start at about $600, according to the company's website. Later this year, production will begin at a new factory in Houston, where Apple started producing AI servers last year, the company said in a statement.

"We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and we're excited to accelerate that work even further," Cook said in the release.

Apple has been hit hard by tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, paying about $3.3 billion since the president initiated the levies last year. Apple is sourcing half of its iPhones for the U.S. from India and most of its other U.S.-bound products like Macs, AirPods and watches from Vietnam.

The Supreme Court on Friday struck down a large chunk of President Trump's far-reaching tariff agenda, but uncertainty remains after Trump rebuked the decision.

Apple said its 20,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing center in Houston will open its doors later this year. The company said it will provide training in advanced manufacturing techniques to students, supplier employees, and American businesses, teaching them "the same innovative processes that are used to make Apple products."

WATCH: How the Supreme Court's tariff ruling could shift Apple's supply chain
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Tariff costs are becoming unsustainable for automakers, the president of one of the largest public dealership groups said last week. Like many in the auto industry, Sonic Automotive is warning that sooner or later, prices will rise or automakers will start cutting features to stabilize costs. "The tariffs are too high on some of these brands, and they're going to pass pricing on," Sonic Automotive president Jeff Dyke said on the company's fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. "It's already happening." It is unclear whether the auto industry will see any relief after the Supreme Court struck down some of the Trump administration's so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Friday. Some sector-specific tariffs are still in place, which means the auto industry will continue to face billions of dollars in tariff costs, depending on where an imported auto part or vehicle originates. Toyota Motor told CNBC in an email that automakers are not affected by the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which the court struck down Friday. "The Supreme Court's ruling on IEEPA-related tariffs does not affect existing tariffs imposed under Section 232," Toyota wrote. "We are eager to see a renegotiated USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] that strengthens North American competitiveness and delivers greater certainty for the industry."

Prices

A drone view shows new vehicles at the Kansas City Southern de Mexico rail yard in Santa Ana Tlapaltitlan, Mexico, July 29, 2025. Raquel Cunha | Reuters

So far, prices have not risen dramatically since the Trump administration began levying tariffs on imports from North American trading partners Mexico and Canada, and on vehicles and parts imported from other countries, industry experts said. Vehicle prices across the board have only risen about 1% or so, nothing like the price spikes seen a few years ago during and after the pandemic, said Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for Edmunds. "The evidence that we have seen is relatively minimal compared to what we thought in the beginning when tariffs were announced," Caldwell said. Shoppers have reacted though, she said. "We saw a massive spike on our side on Edmunds for new shoppers looking at used [vehicles], because I think the assumption was that all of a sudden now new vehicles are going to become super expensive," she said. "And that has stayed elevated through today." She said she has seen evidence of some higher pricing on certain models  such as higher-end vehicles, which are sold to buyers that might be less price sensitive. She added that she can't be sure those increases are due to tariffs, but that might be one way automakers blunt the effects without raising prices across the board. "It doesn't really look like incentives are necessarily taking a big hit either," she said. "I thought that would be the first one to go." Caldwell added that there has been some price flexibility in the market, and that across a large automakers, there can be a lot of relatively inexpensive vehicles. But Dyke's comments indicated broader price hikes could be on the horizon. "The affordability issue, while maybe not being felt in 2025, we believe as you get into May, June, July, August, you're going to start feeling it as new car prices have nowhere to go but up," he said on the call. "They're not going to sit back and lose billions and billions of dollars," he added. "They can't. It's just not going to happen."

Toyota
Commuters make their way past India Gate amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi, India, on October 29, 2025. Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Images

Countries across the globe are increasingly turning to a decades-old weather modification technique as part of a push to control when and where it rains. Alongside the U.S. and China, which boasts the world's largest weather modification program, France, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia are among a growing list of countries to have experimented with cloud seeding. For many, the embrace of rain-making operations stems from the need to boost water supplies as global demand continues to rise amid the climate crisis. Others have sought to use cloud seeding to disperse fog at airports, tackle air pollution, reduce hail damage or even to manipulate the weather for major events, such as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Cloud seeding aims to improve a cloud's ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny particles, usually silver iodide. The process is limited both in area and duration and, over time, is estimated to increase local precipitation by 5% to 15%. The concept is not without controversy, however. Since first taking place in the 1940s, cloud seeding experiments have raised concern over potential environmental and ecological risks and stoked regional security tensions, with countries accusing each other of stealing rain. Augustus Doricko, CEO of Rainmaker, a California-based cloud seeding company, said there are two dynamics at play that seem to be rekindling people's interest in the technology  both in the U.S. and across the world.

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"One is truly just circumstance, a lot of these countries and regions are suffering from more volatility in climate and precipitation patterns and their water supply, and so it's leading them through necessity to be more creative than they were in the past," Doricko told CNBC by telephone. "Two, and I think this is like the real meat and potatoes of why Rainmaker got started, it's because in the last few years there have been some fundamental breakthroughs in how to do measurements and attribution of cloud seeding effects." Despite an 80-year legacy, Doricko said interest in cloud seeding "really fell off" in the 1970s and 1980s because it had been difficult to accurately measure how much precipitation derived from cloud seeding deployments. Recent technological improvements now make it possible to verify the success of these deployments in real time, Doricko said. The company, which says it intends to arrest the aridification of the American West, has grown rapidly in recent months, from just 19 employees at the beginning of 2025 to 120 today, a trend that appears to underscore the booming interest in cloud seeding.

Yet, despite its name, Doricko said the company's cloud seeding projects are mostly designed to make it snow. "I misnamed the company it turns out, and 'Snowmaker' probably would have been more apt. It doesn't sound as good for what it's worth," Doricko said. He added: "I think that the most important thing for Rainmaker to do this season is just to make unambiguous evidence of manmade snow  and do it so often that it is undeniably a viable and scalable technology." Other U.S.-based cloud seeding companies include Weather Modification Inc. in North Dakota and North American Weather Consultants in Utah, although some U.S. states, such as Florida and Tennessee, have banned weather modification activities.

'A viable water source'

There are two key reasons for why more countries are embracing cloud seeding operations, according to Frank McDonough, a research scientist at the Nevada-based Desert Research Institute (DRI). Firstly, the scientific research and validation efforts that have been conducted on cloud seeding projects around the world over the past several decades "have provided enough data and cost-benefit analysis for stakeholders to use this tool with confidence," McDonough told CNBC by email. "The other concept of why more countries may be embracing cloud seeding technologies is that it's currently one of the only options to enhance increasingly stressed localized water resources or help mitigate regional air pollution by using Earth's natural atmospheric systems as a viable water source," McDonough said.

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Most other technologies rely upon water resources that are directly pulled from a watershed's surface of groundwater, McDonough said, citing ski resorts using stored water to operate their winter snow-making equipment as one example. "Cloud seeding can actually add new water resources to the system. Having extra resources to put into the 'watershed bank' for following year's snowmaking needs is why stakeholders continue to fund these projects," he added. In terms of state-level support, China has reportedly backed its weather modification program with $2 billion between 2014 and 2021, while Saudi Arabia spent $256 million in 2022 to support the first year of its regional cloud seeding program.

Mixed results

Authorities in Iran reportedly sprayed clouds with chemicals over the Urmia lake basin late last year, seeking to boost rainfall to combat the country's worst drought in decades. Such projects are not always successful, however. Together with the Delhi government, a team at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur recently reported mixed results following a cloud seeding trial to tackle air pollution in India's capital city. The IIT said in a statement at the time that its attempt was "not completely successful" due to a lack of moisture in the air, before adding that there had been a measurable reduction in particulate matter following the experiment.

People watch as an airplane flies during an operation of cloud seeding at Adi Soemarmo air force base in Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia, Feb. 24, 2023. Xinhua News Agency | Xinhua News Agency | Getty Images
A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Data center construction is expanding at such a rapid pace across North America that the majority of new build in the sector is now expanding beyond the initial, traditional markets. Texas is about to unseat Virginia as the world's largest data market, according to a new report from JLL, which calls it an "inflection point." About 64% of the 35-gigawatt construction pipeline now extends beyond so-called mature markets, like Virginia, which has long been the largest data center market. Data center vacancies at the end of 2025 remained at a historic low of 1% for the second year in a row. "The data center sector has officially entered hyperdrive," said Andy Cvengros, executive managing director and co-lead of U.S. data center markets at JLL. "Record-low vacancy sustained over two consecutive years provides compelling evidence against bubble concerns, especially when nearly all our massive construction pipeline is already pre-committed by investment-grade tenants." Almost all, 92%, of the capacity currently under construction is pre-committed, which indicates that vacancy is likely to remain quite low at least through 2030, according to JLL. The demand is now being driven by hyperscalers and artificial intelligence, and headwinds to new development are keeping construction less robust than it could be. JLL also noted that the top five hyperscalers have $710 billion in planned capital expenditures in 2026 to build out necessary infrastructure. Lenders appear to be eager to get in on that, with a record $75 billion in total financing last year. Nuveen, a global real estate development firm, is taking a short-term approach to the sector, capitalizing on the current strong demand but following a build-and-sell model to mitigate risk. "There really is quite a bit of demand, and we think that in the next five years there's not an oversupply situation," said Chad Phillips, global head of Nuveen Real Estate, adding that the long term is less predictable. "There's going to be evolution pretty quickly, and so that's why we're looking at sort of shorter-term builds and then sells." There is, of course, considerable risk surrounding infrastructure constraints, specifically power. Grid connection timelines average about four years or even longer. As a result, major tenants need to secure capacity many years in advance. That is driving the expansion into new markets that have more of that power available. "A lot of companies are considering building onsite power generation," said Andrew Batson, global head of data center research at JLL. "It reduces risk. Ultimately, though, the overwhelming majority of operators want grid connectivity long term."
In a 1997 photo, Jeffrey Epstein, left, and Donald Trump pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla.

The Department of Justice has withheld from public disclosure in its Epstein files database memos and notes about FBI interviews, including those of a woman who has alleged President Donald Trump sexually abused her when she was a minor, MS NOW reported Tuesday.

The woman, who was interviewed in July 2019 by the FBI about allegations against convicted sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein, alleged that "Trump forced her to perform oral sex on him 35 years ago, when she was 13 or 14 years old, and subsequently hit her," MS NOW reported, citing a source who has reviewed unredacted documents.

"That allegation appears in a 2025 PowerPoint presentation detailing each of the FBI's Epstein-related investigations and a spreadsheet of unconfirmed tips called into the bureau's National Threat Operations Center reviewed by MS NOW," the outlet reported. "MS NOW has found that of at least four interviews the FBI conducted with the woman related to the Epstein investigations, only one memo  and no handwritten notes  reflecting such an interview is included on the DOJ site."

MS NOW's report came hours after NPR first reported that the DOJ withheld from its public database of Epstein documents files related to allegations that Trump sexually abused a minor.

DOJ "also removed some documents from the public database where accusations against Jeffrey Epstein also mention Trump," NPR reported.

A law signed by Trump in late 2025 requires the DOJ to make public, with few exceptions, all of its investigative files related to Epstein, who killed himself in a New York federal jail in August 2019, weeks after his arrest on federal child sex trafficking charges.

Trump is a former friend of Epstein. The two fell out in the early 2000s. The president has never been criminally charged in connection with a claim by an Epstein survivor.

Trump last week said the Epstein files had "totally exonerated" him.

Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., in a statement on Tuesday said, "For the last few weeks, Oversight Democrats have been investigating the FBI's handling of allegations from 2019 of sexual assault on a minor made against President Donald Trump by a survivor.

"Yesterday, I reviewed unredacted evidence logs at the Department of Justice. Oversight Democrats can confirm that the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews with this survivor who accused President Trump of heinous crimes," said Garcia, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

"Oversight Democrats will open a parallel investigation into this."
An attendee at the Dubai Air Show enters an aircraft on Nov. 13, 2017, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Etihad Airways reported a near 50% jump in net profit to $698 million last year, the carrier said on Tuesday, as increased capacity supported strong demand across markets and lifted its load factor.

"We've been investing a lot in our product, in customer satisfaction. We've been growing a lot, adding capacity, right?...So I would say it's a combination of efforts," CEO Antonoaldo Neves told Reuters.

The Abu Dhabi airline said passenger numbers rose 21% to 22.4 million in 2025, with the fleet expanding to 127 aircraft after 29 new jets were added during the year through deliveries from both Boeing <BA.N> and Airbus, along with the return to service of the A380.

The airline sees signs of continued strength in demand this year, with "more and more premium demand", Neves said.

"Our load factors were 88% last year," he said. "We're getting many, many days of 90% this year. We wouldn't have that if economy was not strong as well."

"I think the great news that we have is that the new markets are performing much better than we thought ... they're maturing much, much more quickly than we actually anticipated," he said, without mentioning specific geographies.

Last year, the Gulf airline launched new routes including Prague, Hanoi and Hong Kong. Asked about further route expansion for this year, Neves said the company plans to further expand in China, Southeast Asia and Europe.

In recent years, airlines have struggled with aircraft deliveries amid increasing demand, as Boeing undergoes multiple crises and Airbus struggles with supply chain constraints.

Neves said Etihad is focused on keeping its retrofit programme on schedule while working with manufacturers to secure timely deliveries.

"So far, I mean, I wouldn't say it's amazing ... but it's improving," Neves said, noting the carrier expects about 20 more aircraft to be delivered this year, primarily from Airbus.
Alphabet 's Google will build its first data center in Minnesota and deploy a significant amount of new renewable energy in the state under an agreement with utility Xcel , the companies announced Tuesday.

The data center will be located on a 480-acre site at Pine Island, a town of about 4,000 people some 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Google had not publicly disclosed its role in the project previously. The facility will be used for artificial intelligence applications as well as Google's broader cloud business.

The proposed data center at Pine Island has faced community opposition but is supported by the city council. It has not begun construction yet. Data centers are facing political blowback in communities across the U.S. more often as people blame them for rising electricity prices in some regions and worry about their environmental impact. Data centers also consume a significant amount of water for cooling.

Google declined to disclose how much electricity the data center will consume. The tech company said it will pay for any electric grid infrastructure needed for the project. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission still must review the agreement between Google and Xcel.

"What Google is doing is ensuring that when we show up, we aren't putting additional costs on other ratepayers," Amanda Peterson Corio, head of data center energy at Google, told CNBC in an interview. "We will pay 100% of our energy and electricity costs, and we will make sure that new additional capacity is put on to the grid to be able to serve our needs."

Additional transmission infrastructure is needed for the Pine Island data center, said Bria Shea, president of Xcel for Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Google will pay for any new transmission associated with the project even if the data center does not materialize for some reason, Corio said.

Google will deploy 1,400 megawatts of wind power, 200 megawatts of solar and 300 megawatts of battery storage to the grid under the agreement with Xcel. The renewable projects will be owned by the utility. They are expected to come online in 2028 and 2029, Shea said.

Google will also pay a premium for the renewable power under a tariff designed to insulate consumers from the infrastructure costs while accelerating the deployment of clean energy in Minnesota, according to the tech company.

The town's residents have formed a group called "Stop the Pine Island Data Center." The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy filed a lawsuit in October challenging the environmental review of the project.

Pine Island's city council approved two preliminary development plans for the data center in December, according to local broadcaster KTTC. It also approved financial incentives that include a $36 million tax abatement in February, according to the outlet.

City Administrator Elizabeth Howard said Pine Island would collect more than $130 million in tax revenue from the project, according to KTTC.

Minnesota has not been a major data center market in the past but the big tech companies are increasingly eyeing the state. There are currently 74 data centers in Minnesota. Virginia, the largest market worldwide, has 570 such facilities, according to the Data Center Map.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the name of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
The logo of pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is displayed in front of its offices in Bagsvaerd, Copenhagen, Denmark, February 4, 2026.

A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Healthy Returns newsletter, which brings the latest health-care news straight to your inbox. Subscribe here to receive future editions.

Novo Nordisk isn't catching a break this year.

Shares of the Danish drugmaker plummeted on Monday after it released data showing that its next-generation obesity drug failed to match the weight loss of Eli Lilly 's Zepbound in a phase three trial.

The results showed that Novo's drug, CagriSema, promoted slightly less weight loss than Zepbound at 84 weeks in the study  a difference that puts the sales potential of the experimental treatment into question. Analysts all raise the same point: Why would patients or doctors choose Novo's drug over a more effective and widely-known choice like Zepbound?

"We struggle to identify a reason why a patient would be prescribed CagriSema" instead of Zepbound if the product comes to market, said BMO analyst Evan Seigerman in a Monday note.

In a separate note on Monday, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott said the results "will make it difficult for the product to gain [market] share" from Lilly. If anything, it confirms Zepbound as a "clear market leader" and positions Lilly to gain even more market share, he added.

Still, Novo isn't giving up on the product.

It's too late anyway: the company already filed for Food and Drug Administration approval of CagriSema, with a decision expected in late 2026. That means that the drug could launch by the end of the year or early 2027.

"To say it's obsolete is quite belittling a fantastic drug, in all honesty," Novo's CEO Mike Doustdar told analysts on Monday, brushing off concerns about CagriSema's commercial potential. He said he believes the drug has better weight loss efficacy than anything on the market.

Novo is "pleased" with the 23% weight loss that CagriSema caused, which shows that it offers "clinically meaningful additive weight loss effects" that are superior to what's been seen with drugs that only target GLP-1, Chief Scientific Officer Martin Holst Lange said in a release on Monday. That includes semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo's existing obesity injection Wegovy. CagriSema combines semaglutide and cagrilintide, another hormone released in the pancreas that affects appetite.

Lilly's Zepound helped people lose around 25% of their weight in the trial, but Doustdar called that an "abnormality" that has not been seen in any other studies.

Novo is also pinning its hopes on other upcoming trials to show CagriSema's full weight loss potential.

That includes the REDEFINE 11 trial, a phase three study that will compare CagriSema to a placebo in 600 adults with obesity. The initial results from that trial are expected in the first half of 2027.

But Novo has much to prove to Wall Street. BMO's Seigerman said he's not convinced that the upcoming trial "is going to change the narrative around CagriSema."

Novo also expects to begin a phase three trial investigating a higher dose of CagriSema in the second half of 2026. On the call with analysts, Doustdar suggested that the greater efficacy seen with a higher dose of Wegovy could translate to CagriSema.

The standard doses of Wegovy cause around 15% to 16% weight loss, while the high dose comes closer to 21%, he said.

Regardless of how CagriSema performs, Novo needs to find a strong competitor to Lilly's drugs. Zepbound's higher efficacy has allowed it to win significant market share, and Lilly is planning to launch a next-generation obesity drug that targets three gut hormones and has promoted more than 28% weight loss in clinical trials.

Novo last year paid $2 billion for the rights to a Chinese drugmaker's experimental medicine, which works in the same way as Lilly's upcoming treatment.

However, with Novo's product still in early-stage development, M&A could offer a faster path forward.

Doustdar told me in January that Novo plans to be an active dealmaker to "see if anyone else out there has something that can complement our own pipeline."

Feel free to send any tips, suggestions, story ideas and data to Annika at a new email: annika.constantino@versantmedia.com.
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Tuesday's key moments. 1. The S & P 500 bounced Tuesday, helped by a rise in embattled enterprise software stocks. Salesforce jumped more than 3.5% in Tuesday's session, putting a small dent in its recent plunge on AI disruption concerns. The Club name reports earnings Wednesday evening. Advanced Micro Devices was a big winner, with shares gaining 7%, on its AI chip deal with portfolio stock Meta Platforms . Club stock Home Depot gained 3% after the retailer delivered a solid quarter. Watch your texts and email inboxes for our upcoming Home Depot earnings analysis, and tune in to our Monthly Meeting on Friday for an update on the entire portfolio. 2. Eli Lilly shares were modestly lower after competitor Novo Nordisk said it is cutting U.S. list prices for GLP-1s Ozempic (diabetes) and Wegovy (obesity) by up to 50%. Eli Lilly is taking a slight hit because the market doesn't like price wars, said Jeff Marks, director of portfolio analysis for the Club. "Lilly has always said they have the superior product, and a superior product commands a superior price. So they could probably price above it," Jeff said. Jim called the minimal hit to Lilly's stock "good news" because it wasn't more. Lilly makes Mounjaro and Zepound, which compete with Ozempic and Wegovy. 3. TJX , which reports earnings before Wednesday's opening bell, is well-positioned as consumers continue to be attracted to the treasure hunt experience of finding quality brands at bargain prices. "This company trades on the amount of merchandise for sale  and, therefore, they can pick and choose," as department stores struggle, Jim said. The retailer behind T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, typically under-promises on guidance and over-delivers on earnings. "You have to own it," Jim said. "It's been a winner." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long META, LLY, TJX See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
Loop Capital sees key headwinds easing as catalysts materialize for Qualcomm . The investment firm upgraded the semiconductor company to a buy rating from hold. Analyst Gary Mobley also hiked his price target to $185 from $140. That implies upside of 32%. Shares of Qualcomm are down 13% over the past 12 months and have tumbled 18% this year alone. QCOM 1Y mountain QCOM 1Y chart "There are many reasons why QCOM's shares have underperformed the chip sector on a YTD, 1-yr-, 3-yr & 5-yr basis. Most obvious, the company is not a data center AI beneficiary, at least not yet. YTD, the share price underperformance has been fueled by a perfect storm of circumstances," the analyst wrote. He added that, however, memory chips will not remain in short supply forever, and believes that the stock market should recover accordingly from this initial stock. When relief comes, Qualcomm shares should benefit, he wrote. Mobley also expects another catalyst to come from Qualcomm's next analyst day, most likely to be held in early June. There, he believes the team will highlight progress in growing its non-smartphone revenue and provide more details on its data center roadmap. "This revenue diversity away from Smartphones should be key for QCOM shares to re-rate higher," Mobley wrote. The analyst also foresees the company announcing another data center customer ahead of this analyst day. Mobley believes that several key headwinds facing Qualcomm should also ease by next year. For instance, the company's sales to Samsung should stabilize, while chip shipments to Apple will fall below 10% of total revenue, meaning that Qualcomm's declining chip sales to the iPhone maker will already be somewhat priced in. At the same time, the analyst believes that investors are likely to gain confidence as Qualcomm's automotive and Internet of Things businesses grow to rival or surpass handset sales by fiscal 2029, marking a key milestone in the company's diversification strategy.
The work will add to demand for Musk's space company , which has contracts with the Department of Defense and NASA and could potentially go public this year.

In alliance with Starlink and an internet service provider in Kenya, Microsoft is working to connect 450 community hubs in the country, Nakagawa wrote.

"Through our collaboration with Starlink, Microsoft is combining low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity with community-based deployment models and local ecosystem partnerships," Microsoft's chief sustainability officer, Melanie Nakagawa, wrote in a blog post .

It's a sign of the software company's willingness to collaborate with Tesla CEO Elon Musk 's family of businesses, as the world's richest person takes Microsoft partner OpenAI to court.

Microsoft on Tuesday announced a collaboration with SpaceX 's Starlink satellite internet service to expand connectivity across the world.

In his case against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Musk is looking to recover as much as $134 billion from the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation, which holds over $100 billion in equity in the for-profit AI lab, according to a January legal filing.

Musk cofounded OpenAI in 2015 along with several others, including LinkedIn founder and Microsoft board member Reid Hoffman.

Musk has been critical of Microsoft on his social network X and said earlier this month that the company "has a responsibility to investigate" Hoffman's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Hoffman said that he deeply regretted that he knew Epstein through a fundraising relationship with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Earlier this month, Musk said SpaceX was merging with his xAI startup that developed the Grok AI model and chatbot that has been gaining traction as a platform of choice for tech applications.

Last year, Microsoft said its Foundry cloud software for building AI-infused applications added support for Grok models.

Microsoft has been working to connect people with technology for many years, including in the U.S.

After setting a goal in 2022 to bring the internet to over 250 million people before the end of 2025, it has extended coverage to more than 299 million people, Nakagawa wrote Tuesday.

WATCH: Why the U.S. and SpaceX need each other
Analysts added to the sour mood around Novo Nordisk , racing to cut price targets on the stock, after the Danish drugmaker published disappointing trial results on what it hoped to be its next big weight loss drug. The drug, CagriSema didn't meet the key goal of matching rival medicine Zepbound, developed by Eli Lilly , and the stock fell over 16% on Monday to a four-year low. Confidence in the stock is at rock bottom, and entering a period without any obvious price triggers, said Jyske Bank analyst Henrik Hallengreen Laustsen after the latest CagriSema trial results, which he referred to as a "gigantic own goal by Novo." It indicates that CagriSema isn't on par with Zepbound, and with a more complicated product design, it weakens the case for CagriSema as a successor to Wegovy, Laustsen added as the bank downgraded shares to Hold from Buy. "CagriSema is not dead, but the product does not live up to the potential that neither we nor the market had hoped for." Novo's Copenhagen-listed stock was down another 3% in trading on Tuesday, bringing losses over the past 12 months to 60%. Price targets come down At least seven analysts lowered their price target on Novo Nordisk following Monday's news. Deutsche Bank's Emmanuel Papadakis cut his recommendation on Novo to Hold, alongside slashing his price target to 275 Danish kroner from 400 kroner. The latest blow to Novo comes less than a month after the company predicted sales and profits would decline between 5% and 13% in 2026 , an outlook far worse than the market had expected, leading to shares taking another dive. Sitting through a year of double-digit sales declines might be tolerable if there were some supportive near-term dynamics, including continued momentum for the Wegovy pill, as well as better medium-term prospects, such as a competitive CagriSema launch addressing market share pressure, said Papadakis. "Unfortunately a miss [Monday] for REDEFINE4 disproves our optimism CagriSema could do much better and blows a sizeable hole in that thesis," he said, referring to the study. Read more Novo Nordisk faces a defining year in the obesity drug market. Its off to a dramatic start Eli Lilly's GLP-1 growth is only getting started as Novo Nordisk braces for a decline in 2026 Novo Nordisk says it will take legal action after Hims & Hers reveals $49 copy of Wegovy pill Novo Nordisk shares tumble after company warns of sales hit this year Much of the price target cuts stems from lower estimates of future CagriSema sales, and the doubt in its commercial potential and positioning versus rival treatments. Barclays analyst James Gordon cut his peak sales estimate for the drug to $2 billion from $12 billion, or by more than 80%, saying Monday's news was a "worst-case scenario." Novo's optimism While the market has lost confidence in CagriSema, Novo says it still sees the drug's potential. "In this space of an open-label trial, we are really, really satisfied with the 23% weight loss, and maybe a little bit surprised by the 25% weight loss that we saw within market drug," Chief Scientific Officer Martin Holst Lange told CNBC's Charlotte Reed. The latest trial results for CagriSema were from a so-called open-label trial, meaning participants knew what treatment they were receiving. Such a design comes with a risk of bias in favor of a well-known product. In the study, participants taking CagriSema achieved a weight loss of 23% after 84 weeks compared to 25.5% with of tirzepatide, also known as Zepbound. "When the study was initiated three, four years ago, it was not possible, for technical reasons, to blind the study. We therefore decided to do the open-label version," said Lange, adding that "that's not optimal." Monday's results showed a similar efficacy of CagriSema as in previous studies. In December 2024, shares also tanked after the results of the first CagriSema results were published. At the time, efficacy was reported of 22.7%, below the 25% Novo had targeted. The news also comes as Novo is already under pressure from lower U.S. prices and continued market share loss to Eli Lilly and its rival medicines. NVO 5Y line Novo Nordisk ADR's are at a four-year low "The firm needs its pipeline to produce differentiated therapies that can help extend its position in the market," noted Morningstar analyst Karen Andersen. Andersen, who had expected CagriSema to achieve non-inferiority to tirzepatide, still assumes CagriSema will reach the market, but the failure of this latest study "is likely to affect physician and patient perception of the drug, adding to launch headwinds." She lowered her price target on the stock to 343 kroner from 372 kroner, as well as her CagriSema sales forecast to $8 billion from $13 billion. Even so, Andersen says the market is undervaluing Novo's long-term competitiveness in the GLP-1 market. "Near-term catalysts look limited, but include oral semaglutide's US launch trajectory and potential midstage pipeline progress or acquisitions," she said. Early Tuesday, Novo said another of its experimental drug candidates, UBT251, delivered up to 19.7% weight loss over 24 weeks , in a mid-stage trial conducted in China. The medicine, which targets three different hormones affecting appetite, is being jointly developed by Novo and Chinese firm United Laboratories . Novo will conduct a global trial with UBT251 with results out next year, it said. The news did little to help the struggling Novo stock.
Oil prices jumped to their highest levels in months on Monday as Iran and Israel escalated attacks in the Middle East, disrupting shipments from the region.

Oil prices retreated from near seven-month highs scaled earlier in the session on Tuesday, as Iran said it was prepared to take any necessary steps to reach a deal with the United States ahead of nuclear talks later this week.

Brent futures fell 72 cents, or 1.01%, to close at $70.77 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 68 cents, or 1.03%, to settle at $65.63.

Earlier in the session, Brent had been on track for its highest close since July 31 and WTI for its highest close since August 1.

Iran, the third-biggest crude producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the U.S. will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Sunday.

The United States wants Iran to give up its nuclear program, but Iran has adamantly refused, and denied it is trying to develop an atomic weapon.

Iran's deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday that Tehran was ready to take any necessary steps to reach a deal with the United States.

Swiss bank UBS on Tuesday said it expected a modest decline in oil prices in coming weeks provided there was no escalation of tensions in the Middle East that could disrupt supply.

U.S. crude prices include a $3-$4 a barrel geopolitical risk premium because of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the director of North Dakota's Mineral Resources Department said on Monday. North Dakota is the third-largest oil-producing state in the country.

The U.S. State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their families from the U.S. embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said on Monday, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran, which, in turn, is close to a deal with China to purchase anti-ship cruise missiles, according to sources.

Meanwhile, the United States began collecting a temporary new 10% global import tariff on Tuesday, but the Trump administration was working to increase it to 15%, a White House official said, sowing confusion over the president's tariff policies after last week's Supreme Court defeat.

On the supply front, trading houses and buyers of Venezuelan oil have chartered the first very large crude carriers to export from the South American country since a Caracas-Washington supply deal began, which is set to speed up shipments from March while boosting deliveries to India, according to sources and data.

U.S. military forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean waters, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, adding that it was the third such interdiction in that region. The vessel was carrying crude from Venezuela that was bound for China, according to shipping reports from Venezuelan state company PDVSA.

The European Commission will submit a legal proposal to permanently ban Russian oil imports on April 15, three days after Hungary's parliamentary election, according to EU officials and a document seen by Reuters.

That price decline came as the market waited for direction from weekly storage reports from the American Petroleum Institute trade group later on Tuesday and the U.S. Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.

Analysts projected energy firms added 1.3 million barrels of crude to storage during the week ended February 20.

That compares with a decrease of 2.3 million barrels in the same week last year and an average increase of 3.1 million barrels over the past five years (2021-2025). 
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This aerial view shows a cargo ship sailing out of the Panama Canal on the Pacific side in Panama City on October 6, 2025. Martin Bernetti | Afp | Getty Images

Panama annulled key port contracts held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison in its official gazette Monday, transferring interim operations of the ports to Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co. The notice formalized a Supreme Court ruling last month that the concessions for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals near the Panama Canal, which Panama Port Co., or PPC, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, had held for more than two decades, were unconstitutional. The Panamanian government on Monday formally assumed control of the port facilities, including cranes, vehicles, computer systems and software under a decree aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations until a new concession is awarded within 18 months.

Under the interim arrangement, APM Terminals, a unit of Maersk, will operate the Balboa port on the Pacific side of the canal, while MSC's port operating subsidiary, Terminal Investment, will run the Cristobal port on the Atlantic side. In a statement to CNBC on Tuesday, Maersk said APM Terminals has begun temporary operations at the Port of Balboa for a period of up to 18 months. "One of the main tasks will be the deployment of a new terminal operating system and the training of the workforce in this new system," the shipping group said. Separately, CK Hutchison said PPC had ceased all operations at the terminals on both sides of the canal on Monday, while describing the executive decree as "unlawful." The Hong Kong conglomerate said it would continue to consult legal advisors regarding the ruling and takeover. The Hong Kong-listed shares of CK Hutchison closed 2.6% lower on Tuesday following the court-ordered takeover, denting the year-to-date gains to around 15%, according to LSEG data.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon CK Hutchison

CNBC reached out to MSC for comment but did not receive a response by publication. The simmering dispute has become a geopolitical flashpoint between Washington and Beijing, with Panama caught in the crossfire. After U.S. President Donald Trump alleged last year that China was "running the Panama Canal," CK Hutchison negotiated a $23 billion deal with a BlackRock-led consortium to sell its non-Chinese port assets. Beijing swiftly intervened, describing the sale as "kowtowing" to American pressure and stalling the transaction.

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Private credit's $3 trillion boom is facing its most serious test yet. A string of bankruptcies, fraud indictments and redemption freezes is exposing vulnerabilities in the fast-growing corner of finance that flourished in the post-2008 era of low rates and loose liquidity. "The 'Golden Era' of private credit just hit a wall. Blue Owl Capital 's decision to permanently halt redemptions for its $1.6B OBDC II fund isn't just a corporate hiccup," said Jian Liu, Founder and Managing Partner at Lionhill Wealth Management. "It's a systemic warning sign for the entire non-bank financial ecosystem," he added. Here's a timeline of the industry's recent stress points: September 2025: Tricolor and First Brands' bankruptcies Concerns over private credit's exposure to highly leveraged borrowers sharpened last September after the twin collapses of First Brands Group, an auto-parts manufacturer backed by Apollo Global Management, and Tricolor Holdings, a U.S.-based auto lender focused on subprime borrowers. Tricolor filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Sept. 10 after its subprime auto lending and used-car operations unraveled amid fraud concerns and tightening credit from warehouse lenders. First Brands, whose subsidiaries manufacture spark plugs, windshield wipers, filters, brake components and other automotive replacement parts, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 28 . Banks, including UBS O'Connor and Jefferies Financial Group, had extended hundreds of millions of dollars to Tricolor and First Brands before both collapsed in the same month, heightening Wall Street concerns about contagion in private credit and leveraged lending markets. October 2025: 'Cockroaches' galore? In October, following the bankruptcies of Tricolor and First Brands, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, pointed to signs that corporate lending practices had grown too lax over the past decade . "When you see one cockroach, there are probably more. Everyone should be forewarned of this one," Dimon said. Although JPMorgan avoided losses on First Brands, it had exposure to Tricolor, resulting in $170 million in charge-offs during the quarter, CFO Jeremy Barnum said. Charge-offs occur when loans are deemed unlikely to be repaid. "It is not our finest moment," Dimon noted of the Tricolor episode. December 2025: Tricolor execs charged U.S. prosecutors charged senior executives of Tricolor with running what they described as a yearslong "systematic fraud" that rattled parts of the banking sector. According to an indictment unsealed in Manhattan , founder and CEO Daniel Chu and COO David Goodgame allegedly carried out fraudulent schemes from at least 2018 through September 2025. Prosecutors said the duo inflated the value of Tricolor's loan collateral, allowing it to raise billions from lenders and investors. January 2026: First Brands founders charged First Brands Group founder Patrick James and his brother Edward were charged in New York with allegedly defrauding lenders of billions of dollars before the auto parts company filed for bankruptcy. During a bankruptcy court hearing in Houston on Jan. 29, a judge approved short-term funding from GM and Ford . First Brands began scaling back parts of its North American operations while seeking buyers for certain assets. February 2026: 'Saas apocalypse' and Blue Owl The move isn't limited to past lending decisions. Investors are increasingly scrutinizing the sectors that private credit has leaned on most heavily in recent years, particularly enterprise software. Shares of firms with sizable exposure to private credit sank sharply in early February amid concerns about their ties to sectors facing disruption from artificial intelligence , particularly software. That included the likes of Ares Management, KKR, Apollo Global, BlackRock, TPG and Blue Owl Capital. Investors fret that AI tools, including Anthropic's Claude Code, could erode future revenue growth and compress margins by enabling companies to develop software in-house. Enterprise software companies have been a favored sector for private credit lenders since 2020, according to PitchBook. Subsequently, in the second half of the month, Blue Owl permanently restricted withdrawals from one of its retail-focused debt funds, saying it would stop offering quarterly redemptions for Blue Owl Capital Corp. II and instead return capital periodically as it winds down the portfolio. Blue Owl Capital Corp. II is structured as a business development company, an investment vehicle marketed to U.S. retail investors that lends to small and mid-sized private companies and is a major part of the private credit market. Last Friday , activist hedge funds Saba Capital Management and Cox Capital Partners launched tender offers to buy a portion of shares in three Blue Owl Capital private credit funds. The move aimed to provide liquidity to retail investors amid rising industry-wide redemption requests and multiple quarters of net outflows. What's next? The recent turmoil is testing some of the foundations that powered private credit's rapid growth, including aggressive underwriting, highly leveraged middle-market borrowers and the promise of stable capital insulated from bank-style runs. Instead, lenders are now grappling with rising defaults, fraud scrutiny and, in some cases, redemption pressure from retail funds. Still, the strain does not point to a collapse of the roughly $3 trillion industry. Capital is still flowing, and large asset managers continue to raise funds . Global private credit fundraising rose in 2025 , although the pace of growth slowed from the previous year. Funds that reached final close by Dec. 16 had raised $224.25 billion worldwide, up 3.2% from the $217.38 billion collected in 2024, according to With Intelligence, part of S & P Global Market Intelligence. That compared with a 9.7% year-over-year increase recorded in 2024. While the era of easy, equity-like returns is fading as the asset class matures and competition intensifies, private credit's growth phase is not over just yet, said PitchBook analyst Kyle Walters. The Blue Owl episode may ultimately serve as a learning moment for the industry, Walters added. "It becomes a learning experience, and managers, including Blue Owl, find better ways to maintain liquidity avenues for these retail products."
Savannah Guthrie, in an emotional Instagram post Tuesday morning, said her family is offering a reward of up to $1 million for "any information" that would lead to the recovery of her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her Arizona home after last being seen entering it the night of Jan. 31.

"Help us bring our beloved mother home," Savannah Guthrie, a co-anchor of NBC's "TODAY" show, said in the video post. "Please be the light in the dark."

"We need her to come home."

Guthrie acknowledged her 84-year-old mother, who is believed to have been abducted from her Tucson home, may not be alive, given the time that has passed, her age and her medical issues.

"We know that millions of you have been praying. So many people have been praying, of every faith and no faith at all, praying for her return, and we feel those prayers," Guthrie said.

"We still believe that she can come home, hope against hope, as my sister says," Guthrie said. "We are blowing on the embers of hope. We also know that she may be lost, she may already be gone."

"She may have already gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven with her mom and her dad and with her beloved brother Pierce and with our daddy," Guthrie said. "If this is what is to be, then we will accept it. But we need to know where she is."
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President Donald Trump is set to deliver his prime-time State of the Union address at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday night as polls indicate voters are souring on his economy, after he made promises to lower prices for working-class voters. Follow CNBC's live blog covering the State of the Union address Trump will speak at a critical moment. The midterm elections, looming less than nine months away, threaten to rip away the near-complete control of Washington he has enjoyed in his second term. And public polling indicates Trump is sinking on what were once his key issues: the economy and immigration. The economy is expected to feature heavily in Trump's address, especially after the Supreme Court last week overturned his authority to issue a wide swath of his tariffs  a key plank of his economic platform. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNBC in a statement that the president's speech will highlight how, in "one year, President Trump has turned our country around from the brink of disaster, and he will rightly declare the State of Our Union is strong, prosperous, and respected." He will "proudly tout his Administration's many record-breaking accomplishments" and will lay out "an ambitious agenda to continue bringing the American Dream back for working people," Leavitt said. The president is also going to address energy prices in his address, according to the vice president. "You're going to hear a lot about the importance of bringing jobs back to our country," Vice President JD Vance said in a Fox News interview on Saturday. "I think he's going to talk about regulatory change, the importance of lowering energy prices for American citizens."

High prices for everyday goods are one of the biggest problems facing Trump in his second term. Democrats are hounding the president and other Republicans on affordability, an issue that resonates with voters. That includes the costs of utilities, healthcare, prescription drugs, food and housing, along with a slew of other costs. In a CNN/SSRS poll released Monday, a whopping 57% of respondents said what they most wanted Trump to speak about in his State of the Union was the economy. Immigration was a distant second, with only 13% of those polled saying they would most like the president to speak on it. Democrats have opened up a 4.8-point lead in the generic congressional ballot leading up to the 2026 midterms, according to RealClearPolitics polling averages. Trump is underwater 13 points in that same average. Meanwhile, 57% of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy in a recent Washington Post/Reuters/Ipsos poll.

President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, March 4, 2025. Mandel Ngan | Via Reuters

"It's the economy predominantly," said David Paleologos, a pollster and the director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, when asked about the top issue Trump needs to address during his speech. "I'm not saying Trump has to have an 'I feel your pain' moment like [former President] Bill Clinton, but he has to kind of liken himself to fellow Americans who have been hurt and knocked down." In recent speeches on the economy, Trump has touted his moves to lower prescription drug prices, including striking deals with manufacturers and the launch of his online drug site, TrumpRx. "It's the biggest price reduction of prescription drugs in history," Trump said during a January speech in Des Moines, Iowa. "Going to have a huge impact on your health care, too." Trump has also recently tried to shift blame for affordability onto Democrats, arguing in Iowa that Democrats "just say affordability, but they never do anything." "I was fixing the country from the horror show that we inherited. Grocery prices, airfares, hotels, car payments and rent prices have all come down. And they've come down very fast," Trump said. The president and Republicans in Congress have also touted tax cuts they pushed through in the party-line law they dubbed the "one big beautiful bill." Democrats, meanwhile, are going to respond to the president's State of the Union in several ways. Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia will deliver the official rebuttal for Democrats after romping to victory in 2025 on an affordability-focused agenda.

Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as the 75th governor of Virginia on Jan. 17, 2026, in Richmond. She is the first woman to serve as Virginia's governor. Marvin Joseph | The Washington Post | Getty Images
President Donald Trump in his Tuesday State of the Union address took credit for economic gains and his roles in international conflicts.

Trump spoke as polls indicate his support is sinking on issues including the economy ahead of the midterm elections that loom less than nine months away. Those elections threaten to change control of Washington by Republicans.

Trump spoke days after the Supreme Court overruled the tariffs that have underpinned much of his economic policy and as he awaits another decision from the high court on how much authority he has over the Federal Reserve. Trump is also weighing military action in Iran and contending with a lingering shutdown of the Homeland Security Department spurred by Democratic concerns about overreach by the department's law enforcement.

Democrats are hammering Trump and the incumbent Republicans on affordability, a tactic that worked well in off-year elections in 2025 after the GOP used it to its advantage in 2024. The president's speech focused heavily on the economy during the first hour.

Tuesday night marked Trump's first official State of the Union of his second term after delivering a joint address to Congress last year, as is customary for a president's first year in office.



Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia delivered the Democratic rebuttal.
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Europe has struggled to unite to meet the challenges of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the last four years. The threat from Russia, and the growing tensions with the U.S. under President Donald Trump, have fueled suggestions that the answer to Europe's divisions, redundancies and duplications in its defense efforts is a single European army. The idea is almost as old as post-Second World War European cooperation, but it's been the subject of intense discussion in 2026. At the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Andrius Kubilius, the European Union's Commissioner for defense and space, told CNBC that the EU should consider establishing a standing military force of 100,000 troops, to be able to "fight as Europe." His words come after Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, told Reuters that the continent should "focus on properly integrating its defense industry," arguing that a "joint effort would be more efficient than 27 separate national armies." But the EU's Kaja Kallas has warned a Europe-wide army would be "extremely dangerous," adding its advocates "haven't really thought this through practically." "If you are already part of NATO then you can't create a separate army," she said.

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Strengthening the European pillar

The idea of a common European army was first mooted in 1951, when France suggested a joint European force to counter the Soviet Union and to ensure that German rearmament did not threaten its neighbors. But the proposal was voted down in the French National Assembly three years later. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, published in February last year, urged European leaders to reopen discussions and argued that higher spending should go hand in hand with reform and integration of European defense forces. "This is a big challenge because European militaries are not designed to work with each other. They are designed to work with the United States," Max Bergmann, director of Europe, Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who wrote the report, told CNBC.

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He said Europe's response to any war would be "very messy." He added that the countries' militaries operate different types of equipment and are "spending a lot of money, but they are not coordinating how they are spending that money. There's a lot of redundancies, duplication, as well as inefficiencies there." In recent years, the European Commission has pledged to boost the competitiveness and innovation of the European defense industry. To address some of the inefficiencies in the current system, leaders have also agreed to step up efforts of joint procurement of ammunition, air and missile defense, as well as legacy systems, with a total budget of 310 million euros [$364.8 million]. Some European leaders have suggested that Europe should focus on strengthening its position within NATO, rather than pursue an independent armed force. Finland's President Alexander Stubb told CNBC at WEF last month that the region's defense capability had to be "used nationally and in NATO, not as an EU army." "We need to strengthen the European pillar of NATO," he said, adding: "We do two things: we boost our defense industry and on the second hand, we increase the capabilities of European states." Some recent surveys have suggested that the mood has shifted since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

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The EU Barometer survey showed that support for a common EU defense and security policy has risen over the past decade. It stood at 76% in 2014 after Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea and was 81% in the spring of 2025, the highest since 2004. When Europeans were asked about support or opposition to the creation of a regional army that included forces from their own country, 61% of respondents in Lithuania backed the idea, according to a YouGov poll in October last year. In Germany, 59% of those surveyed favoured the proposal, whilst in Spain, that number stood at 58%. More than half of those surveyed in Denmark (56%) and in France (55%) also backed the proposal. "Electorally, this is by no means a loser," Bergmann told CNBC. "Some of the recent polling has shown that Europeans are very nervous about their own security. They think that the potential for war is very real... they want, sort of, radical change when it comes to defense." Some security experts are skeptical the idea of a sovereign European army would win over voters, even in uncertain times.

Guntram Wolff, a senior fellow at Bruegel, who specialises in defense economics, as well as European rearmament, said the idea of a sovereign European army was "quite unlikely, unless circumstances change dramatically." He argues that citizens throughout Europe would prefer if their countries delivered on joint defense. "Citizens have by and large understood that it would be more effective and cost less. With the war against Ukraine and the fracturing transatlantic relationship, European citizens have become even more supportive of deeper European defense integration," he told CNBC via email. Greater European defense cooperation is popular across Europe  but there are challenges, warned Liana Fix, senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations. "On the military side, the most important questions to solve are decision-making and European command structures. So far, everyone is still relying on NATO structures," she said.

NATO pledges

At the NATO summit in the Hague last year, member states pledged to boost defense spending to meet a new target of 5% of GDP, after pressure from Trump. Spain was the only member that opted out of the pledge. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the country would cap its military budget at the "sufficient and realistic" level of just over 2% of GDP. In an interview with CNBC at WEF, Spain's economy minister, Carlos Cuerpo, said the country needs to make "best use" of its money "in terms of really reinforcing our army, our defense industry and our sovereignty around defense and security." "Spain will do its utmost to live up to its commitments within NATO capability reinforcement we will be a reliable partner within NATO as we have always been," he added.
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U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured), after an announcement of a trade deal between the U.S. and EU, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain, July 27, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

The U.S. has breached the terms of its trade deal with the European Union and the bloc is ready to retaliate if necessary, a top EU trade lawmaker told CNBC. "We wanted to have really stability and predictability. And unfortunately, the government, the president of the United States, has really made a breach of this deal several times," Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's international trade committee, told CNBC on Tuesday. After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs, he responded with announcements of fresh levies, with a universal 10% levy on all imports. Trump said Saturday that the rate would be raised to 15%, although the timing of that remains unclear, and the levy came into effect at 10% early Tuesday. European officials expressed concern about the latest levy, signaling that it could pose a threat to the trade deal it signed with the U.S. last summer. The European Parliament announced Monday that it has paused work on ratifying the U.S.-EU trade deal while it sought clarity from the White House on whether the deal still stands. That agreement included a baseline 15% tariff on most EU goods entering the U.S. but included exemptions for specific sectors. Others, like steel and aluminum, face a higher 50% levy, as well as their "derivative" products.

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Lange said the EU was ready to adhere to the commitments laid out in the 2025 trade deal but that the U.S. had already shifted its position on the agreement "several times" with tariff changes and hazards, including Trump's threat in January to impose higher levies on European countries supporting Denmark's sovereignty in Greenland. "We are sticking to the deal. A deal is a deal, no doubt about. But on the U.S. side, there was a breaking [of the agreement] some weeks after the deal was concluded, 400 products  so-called derivatives  were lifted from 15 to 50% and this is really harming a lot of small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe." "Then we had this Greenland exercise, and now we have this 15 -plus tariff. So this is a clear breaking on the side of the United States and several times. And this is not certainty," he said. "We need clarity, and this is also my clear request for the United States government  give us a certainty that for the next three years, we have no other irritations with new tariffs from the United States, and then we stick to the deal."

'Bazooka' at the ready?

The U.S. has sent mixed messages over whether trade deals, such as those with the EU and U.K., remain valid under the new tariffs regime. At the weekend, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer appeared to suggest that the president's trade policy had not changed fundamentally, and that the deals still stand. European officials want urgent clarity on the matter, however, and French officials appeared to be pushing for the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument, or ACI, as a retaliatory measure, if necessary.

German Member of European Parliament, S&D group and Chair of the International Trade Committee Bernd Lange gives a press conference on EU-US trade negotiations at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg on July 9, 2025. Jean-christophe Verhaegen | Afp | Getty Images

The ACI is seen as a nuclear option of economic counter-measures as it could see the EU restrict U.S. suppliers' access to the EU market, excluding them from participation in public tenders in the bloc, as well as putting export and import restrictions on goods and services and putting potential limits on foreign direct investment in the region. Several European countries, and particularly exporters like Germany and Italy, are generally opposed to using the trade "bazooka" and it has never been used before. Lange said the EU remained willing to use the ACI if necessary, but said he would not call it a "bazooka." "I would not call it bazooka ... It's a normal legislation for a specific case, if one country is using tariffs, trade policy, investment policy, as a coercive instrument, then we will use it [the ACI]," Lange said. "At the moment, I see the case is not given [to use it], but we have it on the table. If necessary, we will use it," he said.
Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., Feb. 23, 2026.

One basis point is equal to 0.01%, and yields and prices move in opposite directions.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was up 1 basis point at 4.037%. The 30-year Treasury bond yield was less than 1 basis point lower at 4.688%. The 2-year Treasury note added more than 2 basis points to 3.463%.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed on Tuesday as investors parsed the latest twists in President Donald Trump's tariff policy following a Supreme Court setback, while also bracing for his State of the Union address later in the day.

The Supreme Court last Friday struck down a significant share of Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs in a 6-3 decision, ruling that he had improperly relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement them.

A day later, Trump responded by announcing an increase in global tariffs to 15% from 10%, saying the new rate would take effect immediately and warning that further levies were on the way.

The president  who is set to address Congress Tuesday evening for the customary State of the Union speech  then said on Monday that countries seeking to "play games" after the court's decision "will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to." That helped fuel the risk-off tone in markets.

Geopolitics remained central Tuesday, as speculation continued to climb regarding a potential U.S. strike on Iran.

Also on Tuesday, Chicago Federal Reserve President Austan Goolsbee said in remarks before the National Association for Business Economics that interest rate cuts should be on hold until there's more evidence that inflation is moving toward the Fed's 2% target.

"People express that prices are one of their most pressing concerns. Let's pay attention. Before we cut rates more to stimulate the economy, let's be sure inflation is heading back to 2%," he said.
Alphabet -owned Waymo on Tuesday opened its robotaxi service to some public passengers in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, the company announced.

With the multi-city expansion, Waymo is now operating its service in 10 U.S. cities, extending its lead in the North American driverless ride-hailing market. The Google sister company is aiming to lock in loyal riders and win over skeptics, including six in 10 U.S. drivers who said they were fearful of driverless cars, according to a 2025 survey by the American Automobile Association.

The expansion comes as rivals Tesla , Amazon -owned Zoox and startups Waabi and Nuro work to bring their own commercial robotaxi services online to U.S. markets. Robotaxi leaders in Asia including Apollo Go, which is owned by Baidu, and publicly-traded WeRide have been snapping up marketshare overseas.

Waymo said "select riders" in the four cities who have downloaded the company's app will "receive an invitation to take their first local rides." The company plans to invite more passengers on a rolling basis and make the service generally available in these markets by the end of 2026.

Tuesday's expansion "deepens our commitment in the states of Texas and Florida," Waymo said in its blog.

In January, Waymo opened service to riders in Miami, and the company began serving Austin riders last year in partnership with Uber . Additionally, Waymo operates in the Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area markets.

For the markets launched Tuesday, Waymo will use its fifth-generation driver system in its base model Jaguar I-PACE sedans. Earlier this month, the company began offering employees and their guests rides in Waymo's sixth-generation driver system, built on Geely's base model Ojai electric cars, in California.


The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and Israel commenced on February 23 in New Delhi and is scheduled to continue till February 26, 2026. Total merchandise trade between the two countries stood at $3.62 billion in FY2024-2025. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Israel on February 25 and 26.In a boost for India's trade outreach and the India-Israel bilateral relationship, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a proposed FTA were signed in November 2025 in Tel Aviv in presence of India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Israel's Minister of Economy Nir Barkat to establish a structured framework for discussions on identified areas to enhance trade, and economic cooperation.During this round, technical experts from both sides will engage in sessions covering various aspects of FTA such as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedure and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, among others.India's Chief Negotiator, Additional Secretary (Commerce) Ajay Bhadoo, and Israel's Chief Negotiator Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director Trade Policy & Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner at Foreign Trade Administration have indicated that the FTA has a potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries.The proposed agreement will cover market access and liberalisation of trade, will progressively eliminate tariff barriers, and reduce non-tariff barriers by fast-tracking approvals and market access.Discussions will include issues like investment, simplification of customs procedures, technology transfer, defence, space, fintech, agritech, AI, cyber security, R&D, innovation, fintech, and drip irrigation.Stating that the services sector will gain with IT, tourism, and collaboration on BPOs, Minister Goyal had said that an FTA will create a bridge for skilled and qualified professionals from India to work in Israel.The Minister added that 8 to 10 Indian companies have been shortlisted for work on a4.5 lakh crore metro project in Tel Aviv, for which a pre-qualification interest has already been issued.The Minister had described the proposed India-Israel FTA as a powerful force multiplier in the bilateral relationship, marking it as a historic beginning between both the countries with a rich history of resilience and growth amidst challenges.Stating that the friendship started by former Prime Minister AB Vajpayee was given wings by the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first Indian PM to visit Israel in 2017, he had described the FTA negotiations as a "new journey of shared prosperity between trusted partners who complement each other."He had highlighted trade complementarities between both the countries, stating that Israel doesn't want any export opportunities in dairy, Agriculture, and fisheries sectors, which are sensitive for India.
The Government of India has proposed leasing out operations of 26 state-owned airports to private players and divest stakes in five airport-linked entities under its National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) 2.0 in a bid to raise funds and improve efficiency in the civil aviation sector.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to develop the 26 airports through a public-private partnership framework that allows private firms to operate, manage and expand facilities while ownership remains with the government. It plans to do so through the Operation, Management and Development Agreement (OMDA) model.

Under the proposal, the government has set a total monetisation target of 27,500 crore for the civil aviation sector between FY26 and FY30, including 14,950 crore from leasing AAI airports under the OMDA model and 12,550 crore from divesting stakes in one subsidiary and four joint venture airports.

The identified airports will be grouped into three groups and bid out over the five-year period, beginning with an initial set of 11 airports.

At the same time, AAIs stake will be diluted through initial public offerings, follow-on offerings or private placements.

The NMP 2.0 shall broadly follow the concept of asset monetisation as laid out in NMP 1.0, comprising elements such as transfer of assets for a limited period, divestment of portions of listed entities to unlock additional capital, securitisation of cash flows or strategic commercial auctions, according to a PIB statement.

How does the OMDA model work?

The OMDA model is not new. It was first implemented in 2006 with Delhi and Mumbai airports.

Under the OMDA model, private operators pay an upfront fee for each airport and share revenue with AAI through per-passenger charges, creating both immediate and long-term income streams for the government.

Also Read: SpiceJet Delhi-Leh flight returns to make emergency landing due to engine failure
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have formally launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with the signing of a Joint Statement in New Delhi.The Joint Statement on the India-GCC FTA was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, setting the stage for negotiations on a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement. The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the proposed FTA were signed on 5 February 2026, outlining the scope, structure and framework of the talks.The GCC is Indias largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade reaching $178.56 billion in FY 2024-25, comprising exports of $56.87 billion and imports of $121.68 billion. The bloc accounts for 15.42% of Indias global trade. Over the past five years, trade between India and the GCC has expanded at an average annual rate of 15.3%.Indias key exports to the GCC include engineering goods, rice, textiles, machinery, and gems and jewellery. Major imports from the region comprise crude oil, liquefied natural gas, petrochemicals and precious metals such as gold. Collectively, the six GCC countries represent a market of 61.5 million people in 2024 and a combined GDP of $2.3 trillion at current prices, ranking ninth globally. The region is also a significant source of foreign direct investment into India, with cumulative inflows exceeding $31.14 billion as of September 2025.The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. India already has an FTA in force with the UAE and has finalised an agreement with Oman. Saudi Arabia is the largest GCC economy, with a population and land area greater than the other member states combined.Negotiations had seen delays over differences regarding a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). While some GCC members preferred linking the FTA to a BIT, India maintained that the two tracks should proceed independently. The formal launch of FTA negotiations signals renewed momentum in a process first initiated in 2004 and revived in 2022 after a prolonged hiatus.
A Dept. of Conservation staff member holds Kakapa chicks Tiwhiri A1 and Tiwhiri A2 on Anchor Island Pukenui, New Zealand.

A Dept. of Conservation staff member checks the size of a Kakapo egg on Whenua Hou Island, New Zealand.

A Dept. of Conservation staff member holds an egg for candling of a Kakapo egg on Whenua Hou Island, New Zealand.

The world's only flightless parrot species was once thought to be doomed by design. The kakapo is too heavy, too slow and, frankly, too delicious to survive around predators, and takes a shamelessly relaxed approach to reproduction.But the nocturnal and reclusive New Zealand native bird's fate is teetering toward survival after an unlikely conservation effort that has coaxed the population from 50 to more than 200 over three decades.This year, with a bumper crop of the strange parrot's favourite berries prompting a rare enthusiasm for mating, those working to save the birds hope for a record number of chicks in February, which would move the kakapo closer to defying what was not long ago believed to be certain extinction.Kakapo live on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealand's southern coast and chances to see them in the wild are scarce. This breeding season has launched one of the birds to internet fame through a livestreamed video of her underground nest, where her chick was born on Tuesday.The kakapo is a majestic creature that can live for 60 to 80 years. But they're undoubtedly weird to look at.Birds can weigh over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). They have owllike faces, whiskers, and mottled green, yellow and black plumage that mimics dappled light on the forest floor.That's where the flightless parrot lives, which has made its survival complicated."Kakapo also have a really strong scent," said Deidre Vercoe, the operations manager for the Department of Conservation's kakapo program. "They smell really musky and fruity  gorgeous smell."The pungent aroma was bad news for the parrots when humans arrived in New Zealand hundreds of years ago. The introduction of rats, dogs, cats and stoats, as well as hunting by people and destruction of native forest habitats, drove species of the country's flourishing flightless birds  the kakapo among them  to near or complete extinction.By 1974, no kakapo were known to exist. Conservationists kept looking, however, and in the late 1970s, a new population of the birds was discovered.Reversing their fortunes hasn't been simple.One reason the kakapo population has grown slowly is that its breeding is, like everything about the birds, peculiar. Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.A breeding season only happens every two to four years, in response to bumper crops of fruit from the native rimu trees the parrots favour, which last happened in 2022. A huge food source is needed for chicks to surviv,e but it's not known exactly how adult birds become aware of an abundant harvest."They're probably up there in the canopy assessing the fruiting," said Vercoe. "When there's a large crop developing, they somehow tune into that."That's when things get really strange. Male kakapo position themselves in dug-out bowls in the ground and emit sonorous booming sounds followed by noises known as "chings," which sound like the movement of rusty bedsprings.The deep booms, which on clear nights can be heard across the forest, attract female kakapo to the bowls. Females can lay up to four eggs before raising their chicks alone.Since January, admirers of the birds have had a rare glimpse into the process through a livestream showing the underground nest of 23-year-old kakapo Rakiura on the island of Whenua Hou, where she has laid three eggs, two of them fertile. So precarious is the species' survival that the eggs were exchanged for fake replacements while the real ones were incubated indoors.A technician on Tuesday replaced the fake eggs with the first near-hatching egg. The kakapo kept her distance while the switch was made but quickly returned to the nest, seemingly unperturbed. The chick hatched just over an hour later. The second real egg is expected to be added within days.Perhaps the only thing stranger than the kakapo is the lengths to which New Zealanders have gone to save it. Quadrupling the population over the past three decades has required their relocation to three remote, predator-free offshore islands and the micromanaging of the parrots' every romantic entanglement."We do what we can to make sure we don't lose any further genetic diversity," Vercoe said. "We manage that carefully through having the best matches possible on each island."Each bird has a name and is monitored by a small backpack tracker; if a bird vanishes, they're nearly impossible to find. With the kakapo still critically endangered, there's little prospect of conservation efforts ending anytime soon, although those working with the birds are easing their hands-on management each breeding season.The painstaking work to preserve the species might seem odd to outsiders, but the parrot is just one of many spirited and strange avians in a country where birds reign supreme. The only native land mammals are two types of bat, so New Zealand's birds, which evolved eccentrically before human and predator arrival, have become beloved national symbols."We don't have the Eiffel Tower or the pyramids, but we do have kakapo and kiwi," Vercoe said. "It's a real New Zealand duty to save these birds."
Chinese FM spokesperson briefs media on arrangements for German Chancellor Merz's visit to China

Xinhua) 16:35, February 24, 2026

BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday briefed the media on the arrangements for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China, which will take place from Feb. 25 to 26.

Mao noted at a regular news briefing that this visit is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Merz, and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
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One of Britain's most shocking murders is being reinvestigated by the miscarriage of justice watchdog, it can be revealed today.

Lin Russell, 45, and her six-year-old daughter Megan were battered to death with a hammer in a country lane not far from their home in rural Chillenden, Kent in 1996.

Megan's older sister Josie, then nine, miraculously survived the bloodbath in a crime that horrified the nation.

Michael Stone, a drug addict with a previous conviction for a separate hammer attack, was arrested  despite no DNA evidence linking him to the scene.

He was later convicted and jailed for the murder of Lin and Megan and the attempted murder of Josie.

Now that conviction is potentially in doubt as the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) opens a probe into the evidence that convicted Stone.

One of the key prosecution witnesses at his trial was Damien Daley, who claimed that Stone detailed the murders to him in a jail-cell confession.

Such was his significance that the judge, Mr Justice Poole, told jurors at the end of a 2001 retrial that the case 'stands or falls' on whether they believed his evidence.

Lin, Josie and Megan Russell were attacked with a hammer in a country lane not far from their home in Chillenden, Kent, 1996 (pictured, on a family holiday in Wales in 1995)

Michael Stone has always protested his innocence over the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in Chillenden, Kent in 1996 (Pictured, Stone leaving the Court of Appeal in 2005)

Pictured: The scene of the murders in a country lane in Chillenden, Kent

Stone has professed his innocence ever since, implicating Milly Dowler killer Levi Belfield in the attack and accusing Daley of lying.

The CCRC  which has the power to refer convictions back to the Court of Appeal  is looking to visit Daley in HMP Full Sutton, where he is serving life for a 2014 murder.

It forms part of a three-pronged probe into the case on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the murders.

The commission will also test items from the crime scene using modern forensic techniques, and analyse the possibility that Bellfield could have been the real culprit.

I had no idea I was having tea with a monster

I'm Sam Greenhill, Chief Reporter, and nearly 25 years ago I had an encounter with killer Ian Huntley that still sends shivers down my spine. Huntley is one Britains most notorious child murderers. But when I was invited into his home for tea and biscuits days before he was arrested for the Soham Murders, this was the last thing on my mind. I've written about it in The Crime Desk newsletter - sign up to read it for free. Advertisement

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Stone said he would 'never' admit to the killings.

He insisted Bellfield was involved and branded Daley a 'lying lowlife who created a miscarriage of justice'.

The CCRC first rejected a submission by Stone in 2010 but have kept open a subsequent application made in 2017.

The watchdog's previous analysis of drug-addict Daley's reliability had been centred on his bad character and claims from former friends and cellmates that he had admitted he invented the Stone confession.

Now the CCRC is looking deeper into career criminal Daley's medical records to understand if his evidence should have been admissible, the Daily Mail understands.

Daley, from Folkestone, Kent, was jailed for life in 2014 aged 39 for murdering Gus Allman, a 20-year-old from London, during a drug-related dispute.

Leading barrister Mark McDonald, who has represented Stone for 27 years, said looking at Daley was a crucial step.

'He's withdrawn his testimony a number of times by telling other inmates that he lied,' McDonald told the Daily Mail.

'His credibility is now being looked at properly by the CCRC and they are focusing on areas not previously investigated, as well as some that will be re-analysed with the modern eye.

'There is a strong possibility something will be found that will undermine his testimony and help us get referred back to the Court of Appeal.'

In September 1997, Daley was on remand at HMP Canterbury in Kent when he was moved to the segregation unit for trying to bite off another prisoner's nose. Stone was in a neighbouring cell, and Daley claimed he had confessed to him through a heating pipe.

A crucial testimony

Stone says he was there after asking to be isolated to avoid the risk of other inmates claiming he had confessed to the Chillenden murders.

A copy of a newspaper, dated the same day as Stone's alleged confession and found in Daley's cell, contained details of the murders, leading to doubts over the truthfulness of Daley's evidence as information was already in the public domain.

After Daley and two other inmates claimed he had confessed, Stone was convicted of the murders by a majority decision at Maidstone Crown Court in 1998.

But within a day of his conviction, one of those witnesses, Barry Thompson, gave an interview saying he had made it all up. A second prisoner, Mark Jennings, admitted taking money from the media and being offered more in the event of Stone's conviction.

Stone's conviction was quashed and his case was sent for retrial in 2001 and only one prisoner, Daley, testified. Again, Stone was convicted on a majority verdict at Nottingham Crown Court.

An appeal by Stone saying Daley's evidence was 'unreliable' failed in 2005.

Join the debate Should jailhouse confessions from career criminals be enough to put someone behind bars for life?

Lin, 45, and her daughter Megan, six, (pictured together) were murdered in the attack that shocked the nation

A hammer found in a hedgerow bordering a field near the murder scene of Lin and Megan Russell in Chillenden, Kent

Damien Daley alleged that Stone made a full confession to the Chillenden Murders when the pair were in neighbouring cells at Canterbury prison. (Left, Daley after giving evidence at Nottingham Crown Court in 2001 and right, when he was convicted of murder in 2014)

In May 1998, five months before he first testified against Stone, Daley was arrested for criminal damage after a two-day drinking binge on an anniversary of his father's death.

During that episode, he bit the headrest of an ambulance, dialled the telephone number of his deceased mother and smashed a prison phone across his head while 'hearing things', he said in interview.

Three years after being the key witness in the Stone retrial, Daley was jailed for four years for drug-dealing offences. A probation report from 2003, referenced in Stone's failed 2005 appeal, stated Daley had been a drug addict for five years prior to the 2001 retrial.

Daley had inhaled solvents at the age of nine, the report said, and was taking LSD and smoking cannabis aged 13, before graduating to cocaine a year later. At 20 he experimented with heroin and became addicted when in prison in 1996.

Neither jury was aware of his drug-addled history.

'I think all of these things speak to the drugs and to his state of mind, as he was addicted to class-As,' said McDonald. 'There are aspects relating to Daley that have never been looked at and which now will be.

'There has been a sea change when it comes to jail cell confessions, they are not used any more whereas they frequently were years ago.'

Stone and his legal team have persistently claimed Daley had ulterior motives for testifying, including that inventing the claims would get him off the segregation wing and alleging he had grievous bodily harm and arson offences against him dropped in favour of giving evidence.

The CCRC is also being urged to probe Daley's behaviour since his 2014 incarceration.

Michael Stone (pictured) has insisted Levi Bellfield was involved in the murders of Lin and Megan and branded Damien Daley a 'lying lowlife who created a miscarriage of justice'

Lin Russell with her husband Shaun and their two children Megan (left) and Josie at an Italian restaurant in 1996

In 2020 a shoelace stained with the victims' blood re-appeared in police storage after being missing for 14 years

Police at the scene of Lin and Megan Russell's murder in Chillenden, Kent, 1996

The critical forensic questions

Another key element to the CCRC submission is an 18-page dossier by Angela Gallop, one of the country's leading forensics experts, which the Daily Mail has seen.

It details how Gallop suspects a bloody fingerprint found on one of the girls' lunchboxes could hold vital answers  but the item vanished before the trial.

Mr McDonald thinks Kent Police lost the lunch box, adding: 'We don't even know for certain what exhibits they have locked away. The CCRC is yet to ask them but we know some still exist.'

In 2020 a shoelace stained with the victims' blood re-appeared in police storage after being missing for 14 years, and that can now also be re-tested.

In Gallop's report, put together with the help of fellow forensics expert Dr Philip Avenell, she recommends a number of next steps:

Items used by the attacker should be re-analysed: Lin's shoe lace, Josie's tights and torn up pieces of towels used as blindfolds or gags. Heavily blooded sticks found near the scene should also be reinvestigated.

She says previously untested items should be analysed using modern techniques, including examining the heels of Josie's jelly shoes for DNA traces as they could have been handled by the offender.

Sampling should also be taken for the first time from Lin's trouser legs, which may have been grabbed as the killer moved her.

The murderer is also likely to have touched a string bag found in a nearby hedge with the towel strips, and should also be tested.

Fingernail scrapings from Lin's left hand were said to have never been tested and so should undergo an examination, in connection with 'any cellular material that could have come from the offender'.

Blood from the back of the family dog, Lucy, who was also killed and found next to the bodies, should be tested, as should swabs taken from around the dog's teeth, neither of which were previously analysed.

Gallop has a wealth of experience, with her team working on several high-profile cases including the murders of Stephen Lawrence, Rachel Nickell and Damilola Taylor. She says in the report that the use of new 'Y-STR' forensic techniques 'might well be useful' in yielding results, as it they can detect a male DNA profile even in the presence of excess female DNA.

Josie Russell miraculously survived the bloodbath and often wore a hat as she recovered from her head injuries (pictured, Josie in hospital four weeks after the hammer attack in 1996)

Serial killer Bellfield (pictured) confessed to the Chillenden Murders via a statement to his solicitor Paul Bacon in 2022

The Levi Bellfield connection

As well as forensics and Daley, the CCRC is taking another close look at Bellfield, McDonald said.

In July 2023, the CCRC rejected an application from Stone's legal team for referral to the Court of Appeal after Bellfield made a detailed confession to the Chillenden murders.

McDonald threatened the body with a judicial review of its decision and in October of the same year it agreed to carry out a new analysis, including the forensic testing.

Gallop also notes how a balaclava found half a mile from the murder scene needs to be examined. It contained hairs not belonging to the victims but fibres that matched clothes they were wearing.

Stone believes Bellfield  who was known to wear balaclavas  was the killer and McDonald thinks the same. Bellfield is currently serving a whole life sentence for the murder of Milly Dowler, who went missing from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, in 2002.

He has also been convicted of murdering Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange, and of the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy, and will never be considered for parole.

In April 2023 he wrote another confession and his solicitor Theresa Clark said her client wanted relatives of those who were killed to have 'resolution'.

'We still say that Bellfield did this,' said McDonald.

'It's been a long road'

With regard to the crucial forensic testing, McDonald and Stone are growing frustrated at the CCRC's pace.

'We know it's a resource issue and they are trying their best but the length of time is of course a concern,' said the barrister. 'Gallop's report was given to them in the summertime and so it's in the hands of the CCRC and the lab to start testing.

'Michael is calling me every day, he is pulling his hair out. He's screaming "please start the testing".'

Stone said there was 'no way' he was going to admit the murders or engage with parole  he was eligible to apply in 2022  because he thinks it implies guilt.

Speaking of Gallop's report, Stone told the Daily Mail: 'The professor knows what she's talking about and she has come up with new ideas about how to solve the case, highlighting the flaws in the previous scientist's work.

'There was stuff which came completely out of the blue that we did not know about.

'It's not about being free, but about clearing my name, exposing the truth and showing what Kent Police and the judicial system have done against me and the original victims in the case.

'Recently the two remaining victims were asked to do impact statements to a parole hearing which I had refused to take any part in.

'To this date Josie and her father are still being told untruths, being misled and given misinformation about me and facts and details about the case.

'Then there's the lying, conniving, squirming low-life Damian Daley, who cashed in on the case and created a miscarriage of justice by giving a cell confession evidence that definitely never happened.'

For his sister Barbara, a 63-year-old registered mental health nurse from Kent, she fears time is running out.

'I wrote my will to make sure that Mick still gets his monthly cash from me, if I go first,' she said. 'Everyone has died in the 30 years he has been in jail - parents, aunts, uncles.

'I speak to Mick every day and so he still very much a part of my day-to-day. It's been a long road and we're still here. We're running out of life.'

A Kent Police spokesman said: 'Following two trials at which Michael Stone was found guilty by a jury on both occasions, and an appeal to the High Court, he remains convicted of the murders of Lin and Megan Russell and the attempted murder of Josie Russell in 1996.

'Stone made an application to apply for a Judicial Review in respect of his conviction in September 2012. The Honourable Mr Justice Blake ordered that permission for the application should be refused.

'Kent Police has supported the Criminal Cases Review Commission by providing all the relevant information required throughout its ongoing review of Stone's conviction and will continue to do so.'

A CCRC spokesperson said: 'A review into this application is ongoing.

'We are exploring all of the possibilities the application raises to determine whether Mr Stone may have suffered a miscarriage of justice.

'Our test for referring a case is that there is a real possibility that the Court of Appeal would overturn his conviction, a test which was not met in any of the earlier applications. It would be inappropriate for us to discuss the case or make any further comment while the application is being reviewed.'
Hello from the gutters of N.Y.C. which are filled with dog manure, vomit, stale wine, urine and blood, began the letter from the self-styled Son of Sam.

It was the summer of 1977. A serial killer was prowling the streets of New York City after dark, stalking young women and couples sitting in their cars with his .44 caliber Bulldog revolver.

After goading police in a chilling letter left beside the bodies of two victims, he wrote another rambling note, this time to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin.

Sam's a thirsty lad and he won't let me stop killing until he gets his fill of blood, it said.

A few months later, on August 10, the Son of Sam was captured and unmasked as David Berkowitz, a 24-year-old postal worker living in Yonkers.

Yet his correspondence with the media did not end with his arrest. In the years following his conviction, he continued to court the press, most notably investigative journalist Maury Terry, who became consumed by his theory that a broader Satanic cult was behind the shootings.

Today, almost five decades on, the man who once held the Big Apple in a chokehold of fear is living a quiet life behind bars inside Shawangunk Correctional Facility in upstate New York.

But now Berkowitz is writing to the press once again, corresponding with the Daily Mail in a series of jailhouse letters.

Their tone is starkly different from the messages that once spread fear across the five boroughs 50 years ago. They are polite and articulate and, rather than boasting about his murderous exploits, seek to diminish and minimize them.

David Berkowitz being led into the 84th NYPD precinct station in New York following his arrest on August 10, 1977, for the Son of Sam killings

A letter written by serial killer David Berkowitz to New York Daily News columnist Jimmy Breslin in May 1978

In these rare, exclusive messages to this reporter, the 72-year-old has broken his silence about a shooting recently classed by the NYPD as his first known attack, as well as bombshell allegations that he might have murdered a teenage girl six years before the summers of Sam - insisting he is innocent of both.

As a man and as a Christian, I would've confessed, he wrote. But I never brought harm to these two women. So how could I confess to something I didn't do?

That would be doing a disservice because the real perpetrators would continue to escape justice.

In 2024, Berkowitz was identified by the NYPD as the perpetrator of the near-fatal April 1976 shooting of Wendy Savino. Then, late last year, calls began growing for the department to reinvestigate the unsolved 1970 murder of Margaret Iglesias and explore possible ties to Berkowitz.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Berkowitz insisted that he was not responsible for either shooting, and claimed that he would come clean if he were.

I have deep sadness and remorse for my crimes, and I wish I could undo everything. I've been saying this for decades, he wrote.

And if I was the person who shot and injured Mrs. Savino, I would have manned up and admitted to it. Likewise, with precious Margaret Iglesias, that poor girl.

Furiously dismissing the accusations as preposterous and ridiculous, Berkowitz also complained at length that he, the serial killer who confessed to six murders, is the victim of a hate campaign that has inflicted pain, loss, grief, shame, aggravation and heartache on him and has exploited the victims.

It was six years before anyone had heard of the Son of Sam when a sniper using a .22 caliber rifle carried out a string of shootings on 169th Street between Morris and Grant Avenues in the South Bronx.

Over an eight-week period from August to October 1970, six people, including five females, were shot in nighttime attacks. Five survived.

Police on the scene of the shooting of Robert Violante and Stacy Moskowitz in Brooklyn in July 1977

David Berkowitz, above in prison in 2009, has denied responsibility for the shootings of Wendy Savino and Margaret Iglesias

The last victim, 16-year-old Iglesias, died after being shot three times while walking home from a party at around 2am on October 18.

No arrests were ever made and the so-called Bronx Sniper shootings appeared to cease. Iglesiass murder was never solved.

Now, Son of Sam researcher Manny Grossman and retired Yonkers detective Mike Lorenzo have theorized that Iglesias could be an early Son of Sam victim and are calling on the NYPD to reopen the investigation.

They suggested, in comments made to the New York Post in December, that the shootings matched Berkowitzs modus operandi and noted he had worked at the time at his fathers business, Melrose Hardware, just a mile from where the attacks took place.

As with the Son of Sam shootings, the events appeared to be random. Berkowitz was 17. A few months later, in January 1971, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to South Korea.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Berkowitz dismissed the claim as preposterous that Iglesias could be his first slain victim.

The site of the crime is NOT all that close to where my father's hardware store was located, Berkowitz said.

The idea that I was roaming around in a fairly dangerous high crime neighborhood in the wee hours of the morning, and being miles from home, is illogical.

To get home I would have to take the subway line all the way into Manhattan to switch over and catch the train going to the opposite side of the Bronx. I wouldn't get home until 3:30 or 4 o'clock in the morning. And get up for school the next day? Also, wouldn't my dad be concerned that I was out and about at such an hour?

Four of the victims killed in the Son of Sam shootings. Valentina Suriani, Christine Freund, Virginia Voskerichian and Stacy Moskowitz

Wendy Savino was identified as the first known victim of the Son of Sam by the NYPD in 2024

Margaret Iglesias, 16, was shot and killed while walking home from a party at around 2am on October 18, 1970

At the time, Berkowitz and his adoptive father Nathan lived in the Coop City building in the Bronx, roughly a 30-minute drive from the shootings. His adoptive mother died when he was 14.

I had no idea I was having tea with a monster

I'm Sam Greenhill, Chief Reporter, and nearly 25 years ago I had an encounter with killer Ian Huntley that still sends shivers down my spine. Huntley is one Britains most notorious child murderers. But when I was invited into his home for tea and biscuits days before he was arrested for the Soham Murders, this was the last thing on my mind. I've written about it in The Crime Desk newsletter - sign up to read it for free. Advertisement

The serial killer claimed that he had never even heard of the sad and tragic case of Margaret Iglesias before the claims of Grossman and Lorenzo went public and his precious friends made him aware, posting old news articles to him in prison.

Having now researched the case, Berkowitz tore into the theory and accused Grossman of searching for cold cases to connect him to in order to seek fame and notoriety.

Mr. Grossman, who is a stranger to me, began about five years ago or thereabouts, to launch a hate campaign against me. Out of nothing but pure hatred, he began to slander and attack me via his podcasts, he said.

The serial killer bemoaned the researchers long-standing pathological hatred for me, and claiming that he was not out for justice for the victims but rather was using them to cause Berkowitz harm.

As far as I know, I've never met or had any dealings with him. But as of today he is doing everything he can to cause me pain, loss, grief. shame, aggravation and heartache,' he said. 'Oh, and lots of stress, too!

Berkowitz then offered his own theory about the identity of the Bronx Sniper.

In my opinion, and I'm no expert, because all six incidents occurred in a two month period in a two city block area, it was more than likely not an outsider, he told the Daily Mail.

Instead it was someone well familiar with the immediate area. He was comfortable in that setting. He knew the buildings both inside and out... how to use stairwells and roof tops, and fire escapes and rear alley ways - I'm assuming all this. And if he lived in the area, he knew how to get back to his apartment quickly and quietly, or where to go to hide, and even ditch his rifle.

A group of New Yorkers read the news about the capture of the Son of Sam serial killer

He even claimed he was reaching out to contacts in the south Bronx to try to organize what he described as a workable outreach on the case.

Likewise, Berkowitz furiously denied shooting Savino, despite police confirmation.

It was April 9, 1976, when Savino, now 87, was sitting in her parked car behind Ninas Restaurant in the Bronx after having dinner with her local Republican Party leader husband.

A man walked up and shot her five times, laughing as he unloaded his .32-caliber gun. Savino survived but lost an eye, though she was still able to describe her attacker enough for a composite sketch.

Two months later, the Son of Sams shooting rampage began. Over the next 13 months, six were killed and seven others wounded in eight attacks across Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

When Berkowitz was arrested for the slayings, Savino recognized him as her attacker but he was never charged.

Years later, Grossman urged police to reexamine Savinos case, presenting his research connecting the shooting to Berkowitz.

Police visited Berkowitz in prison where he denied responsibility for the attack - but reportedly tripped up in knowledgeable comments about the type of gun used in the crime.

In 2024, the NYPD publicly confirmed that Savino was the first known victim of Berkowitz.

Berkowitz has been behind bars for close to five decades and has been denied parole 12 times. He is eligible again this May

Due to the statute of limitations, he could not be charged with her attempted murder.

As with Iglesiass death, Berkowitz told the Daily Mail that Savinos case was new to him when it was dropped in my lap by Grossman: I had no idea.

Around 10 days after a friend told him about the allegations, he said that four NYPD detectives turned up at the prison.

Berkowitz claimed to have sat down with the officers eager to find out what was going on, and eager to put to rest what they were telling me.

But much to my dismay, they discounted everything I said. All told, the NYPD believed the false narrative that had been given to them before we even met, he wrote.

Because he has not stood trial, Berkowitz complained that he has been unable to defend himself.

And without ever being charged with a crime in the Savino case, and without any solid forensic evidence, and not even being afforded a trial so I could defend myself, they found me guilty, despite my protests to the contrary. No trial. No solid evidence. Nothing! he wrote.

Berkowitz claimed that the officers basically held court in the prison's visiting room with no way for me to provide an alibi.

He also took issue with the ages of the detectives interviewing him, saying that they weren't even born when the crime occurred.

All said,' he added, though, 'I refuse to hold grudges.'

When asked if he had a message for Savino, Berkowitz, who claims to be a born-again Christian, said he wishes her the best and would like to be able to meet her.

David Berkowitz in prison in 2006 (left) and 2024 (right). He says he is a born-again Christian

I wish I could meet Mrs. Savino as well as the family of Margaret Iglesias. I know this would not be possible, and I'm sure they wouldn't want anything to do with me, which is understandable, he wrote.

But if I could meet with them I would want to pray with each of them, and in some way try to bring them comfort. I wish them peace, and I pray the best for them.'

The Daily Mail has contacted the NYPD for comment about the two cases and any other cases being investigated for possible ties to Berkowitz.

If he did shoot Savino and Iglesias, this would not be the first time that Berkowitz has told contradictory stories about his crimes.

Following his arrest, he confessed to the Son of Sam shootings and claimed to have been driven to kill by a 6,000-year-old demon named Sam that spoke to him through his neighbor's dog. He pleaded guilty to six counts of second-degree murder and seven counts of attempted second-degree murder and was handed multiple life sentences.

But soon after, he began to change his story and said that he wasnt the only shooter.

Instead, Berkowitz claimed that he was part of a Satanic cult with his neighbors, the brothers John and Michael Carr, and other unnamed accomplices who together carried out the shootings.

The Carr brothers were real-life 'Sons of Sam' - their father was named Sam Carr - and it was their dog Harvey that Berkowitz claimed had compelled him to kill.

While he admitted being present for all eight shootings, Berkowitz said he did not always pull the trigger.

The shootings stopped after he was taken into custody and the Carr brothers were never charged. John moved to a remote town in North Dakota and was found dead from a gunshot wound six months after Berkowitz's arrest. His death was officially ruled a suicide. Michael died in a single-vehicle crash along New York City's West Side Highway the following year.

Berkowitz later found faith in prison, and sought to rebrand himself as the Son of Hope.

David Berkowitz in a police car following his arrest on August 10, 1977, for the shootings that terrorized NYC

But he has still failed to put the speculation about his crimes to rest.

In a 2017 interview with CBS News, Berkowitz refused to give a straight answer when asked if he had accomplices. 'Let's put it this way, there were demons,' he said.

In other messages to the Daily Mail last year, he continued to toy with the mystery saying that the findings of his 'true friend' Terry, who believed that Berkowitz was only one part of a broader Satanic cult of killers, were close to the truth about the case.

'There were forces at work beyond the obvious And unfortunately, although Mr. Terry saw deeper into the driving forces behind these crimes, he was still unable to identify what and who those forces were, he wrote.

'And although I do not agree with all his findings, he was more spot on than anyone else.

Police have always maintained that Berkowitz acted alone.

When the Daily Mail appealed to his faith to come clean once and for all, he cryptically described the shootings as the work of demons, claiming to have been a passive pawn.

'The Son of Sam shootings was a demonically engineered and satanically driven event,' he wrote. 'It was the work of demons, and I was used.'

Whether or not Berkowitz was the killer who took the life of teenager Margaret Iglesias more than 55 years ago is not yet clear.

But his refusal to accept responsibility for Savinos shooting - even after the NYPD confirmed his guilt - will no doubt be weighed when he is up for parole for the 13th time this May. When he appears before the board, questions about how much he has taken responsibility for his crimes will no doubt be front and center.
After 55 years, it remains America's only unsolved skyjacking.

On Thanksgiving Eve - November 24, 1971 - an enigmatic man in a business suit and dark sunglasses boarded a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

He bought his $20 ticket under the name 'Dan Cooper' but an early news report misidentified him as 'DB Cooper,' which became the name by which the world knows him.

The man sat at the back of the plane and handed a note to a flight attendant after takeoff. It said: 'Miss, I have a bomb and would like you to sit by me.'

He went on to demand $200,000 in cash and four parachutes. When the plane landed at Seattle, he got his money and parachutes, and released the 36 passengers.

The plane took off again and at 10,000 feet, somewhere over southwestern Washington state, he lowered the rear stairs and jumped, vanishing out of the Boeing 727 and into the freezing rain with the money.

In the half century since the audacious crime there have been many potential suspects.

But now, buried in the latest release of faded FBI documents from the time, a new name has emerged - Raymond Sidney Russell.

An artist's sketch shows the skyjacker known as DB Cooper from recollections of the passengers and crew of a Northwest Airlines jet he hijacked between Portland and Seattle on Thanksgiving eve in 1971

Raymond Sidney Russell pictured in 1988, seventeen years after the hijacking in which FBI documents named him as a suspect

They reveal that, in 1972, the year after the skyjacking, the FBI embarked on a wide-ranging nationwide investigation into Russell, which has not previously been made public.

Known as Sid, he was described by one associate to investigators as an 'exact likeness' for a famous composite sketch of Cooper released by authorities at the time.

The Daily Mail has also unearthed a photograph of Russell from 1988, which shows a similarity to the sketch.

FBI offices in Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Boston were involved in the investigation into Russell, who was 48 at the time, and agents interviewed people across the country who had known him.

They pieced together that he had been in the Air Force during the Second World War before going on to be an inspector at a Boeing factory.

Then, he became a commercial pilot for Flying Tiger, a cargo airline based in Seattle. At one point, he was also an air traffic controller in Seattle.

According to informants in the FBI documents he was also a ski instructor, a parachutist, and an adventurer who once mined for uranium.

In the late 1960s Russell struggled with alcoholism and went to Australia, before returning to the United States and selling real estate in Lake Tahoe.

Amid a flurry of FBI investigative documents about him in 1972 one recorded how an associate, when shown the sketch of DB Cooper, 'stated (the) picture is exact likeness of Raymond Sidney Russell.'

An FBI document from 1972 details Raymond Sidney Russell as a suspect in the DB Cooper skyjacking

The Northwest Airlines jetliner hijacked by DB Cooper sits on a runway for refueling at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Nov. 25, 1971

The DB Cooper case remains the only unsolved skyjacking in American history

A summary of an FBI interview with Russell in 1972 in which he denied being involved

In that document an agent added that the associate said Russell 'had 727 aircraft training, and is a former Air Force pilot with parachute training. He believes Russell entirely capable of hijacking.'

The associate also 'stated Russell was in Seattle about the time of hijacking' and had stayed at the home of someone whose name was redacted in the document.

Russell was said to have 'left Seattle suddenly about the time of the hijack,' according to the document.

The unnamed associate also described Russell as 'adventuresome, well educated and extremely cool.'

An FBI agent wrote: 'From details he (the associate) has heard of hijacking is even more convinced Russell could have committed this crime.'

The Assistant United States Attorney in Denver requested that 'every effort' be made to protect the identity of the person who informed on Russell, according to the FBI document.

The photograph of Russell unearthed by the Daily Mail was taken in 1988, 17 years after the skyjacking, and was published in a local newspaper in Maine, where Russell later lived. He died the following year.

In an accompanying article he was interviewed about a piece of equipment he had invented to transport canoes more easily, and also mentioned that he had been part owner of a ski resort.

In the FBI documents from 1972 another witness, who had known Russell for 20 years, was interviewed in California.

He said Russell was a 'former Air Force officer, a college graduate and a top skier, having instructed at Sun Valley, Idaho.'

A redacted source told the FBI that Russell was an 'exact likeness' for DB Cooper

A friend of Russell told the FBI he had a 'fascinating personality' and was a ski instructor

That document went on: 'Russell is a person who becomes very proficient in anything he undertakes. He is at home in the woods and would be happy with a dog and a gun.

'He is a nomad type who would take off at a moment's notice to go anywhere. He has prospected for uranium, and is very knowledgeable about mineralogy. Russell has inventive ideas and a fascinating personality.'

However, the friend also described Russell as 'law-abiding.'

The FBI investigation also established that Russell attended Alcoholics Anonymous in Manhattan Beach, California in 1967, four years before the skyjacking.

Another attendee described him as a 'very sick man who once had (a) convulsion on (the) sidewalk' outside the meeting place, which lasted 10 minutes, and an ambulance took him to hospital.

The attendee described Russell as a 'loner' with 'dark eyes, extreme nervousness due to excessive drinking,' and said that he 'certainly did not appear fit to fly airplanes.'

Russell told the group he was going to Australia and the FBI established that he did go there, but returned.

A Flying Tiger pilot, who also owned a real estate business tin Lake Tahoe, told the FBI he employed Russell briefly there until April 1971.

The pilot 'believes it is possible that Russell might have committed the hijacking as he has the personality to do it.,' an FBI investigator recorded.

A source requested anonymity to give information to the FBI about Russell

Instructions were sent to FBI offices across the country to find out more about Russell

According to the pilot, Russell visited the home of someone, whose name was redacted, in Los Angeles just before or after the hijacking.

The pilot named a potential accomplice, who also worked for an airline, and whose name was redacted in the FBI documents.

However, the pilot also said he could not see Russell pulling a gun or threatening anyone.

In a different FBI report another pilot who knew Russell said he had 'dropped out of sight at the same period that the DB Cooper hijacking took place.'

There had been talk among other pilots in Seattle that Russell 'may have been DB Cooper,' according to the document.

Later, in 1976, an FBI special agent received a phone call from a source identifying Russell, whose name had not been made public.

The special agent recorded that 'comparing the composite (sketch) with Russell, he (the source) said "Thats him."'

The FBI ultimately tracked Russell to Maine and he agreed to be interviewed there at what was described in FBI documents as 'his summer residence.'

Russell waived his rights and denied to the FBI that he was the hijacker.

He told them he had left the west coast in the summer of 1971 with his mother, before the hijacking, and had not been back since.

Russell provided an alibi which was that he had been driving a friend from Maine to New Hampshire on the night of the skyjacking.

Exact details of the trip, and the name of the friend, were redacted.

Intriguingly, Russell offered the special agent interviewing him his own theory about how the hijacking was carried out, which displayed detailed knowledge of the area.

He said there was a fan beacon - an older type of radio beacon that emits a vertical fan-shaped beam - near Woodburn, Washington state.

His theory was that the skyjacker used it as a marker for exiting the plane by parachute.

The two FBI special agents who interviewed him recorded: 'He also worked as an air traffic controller in Seattle, Washington for the Federal Aviation Administration and, in this regard, stated that his thoughts regarding the skyjacking was that there was a fan marker which gave out a light and audio signal, which is 75 megacycles, located near Woodburn, Washington.

'And he speculated that the person who did this skyjacking could have used this fan marker as a point to parachute out of the hijacked aircraft.'

The FBI report continued: 'He added that he has never been in a Boeing 727, and has never had anything to do with that type of aircraft. He denied ever being involved in the skyjacking.'

Several thousand dollars from the $200,000 paid to DB Cooper in 1971 was found in 1980 five miles northwest of Vancouver, Washington

In 1980 FBI agents scoured the sand of a beach of the Columbia River, searching for additional money or clues in the DB Cooper skyjacking case

It was unclear from the documents how far the FBI went down the road of following up the alibi.

One message ordered agents to 'continue efforts to verify subject's claim to have been helping a friend during pertinent period.'

There was no indication Russell was arrested, suggesting he was eliminated from the investigation, and the hunt for DB Cooper continued.

There were also discrepancies between Russell's appearance and descriptions given by passengers on the plane, which counted against the possibility of him being DB Cooper.

FBI agents described Russell as 5ft 8ins tall, whereas DB Cooper was estimated by witnesses to have been at least 5ft 10ins.

The FBI also recorded that Russell had a scar on his left temple, which was not mentioned by witnesses to the hijacking.

More than 50 years later, the real identity of DB Cooper remains a mystery.
A decade before Netflixs Making a Murderer convinced viewers that Steven Avery was a victim of a gross miscarriage of justice, he joined me on our program.

It was early November 2005 and a huge search was underway for Teresa Halbach, a 25-year-old photographer last seen at Avery's auto salvage yard, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, a few days earlier. Halbachs Rav4 had already been found hidden at the back of the 40-acre lot.

Foolishly, Avery agreed to an interview with me.

Immediately, his evasive answers and dodgy demeanor caught my attention. But I didnt have to rely on his suspicious body language. He also caught himself up in damning statements of his own making.

In that very moment, I knew I was talking to Teresa Halbachs killer - and its something I am certain of to this day.

Not long after we spoke, Halbachs charred bones and teeth would be found in a burn pit on the property. Avery and his 16-year-old nephew Brendan Dassey were arrested and convicted of her murder.

It was Halloween 2005 when Halbach drove to Averys salvage yard to take photos for AutoTrader.

She didn't want to go. She had been there for a job before and Avery had creeped her out, reportedly answering the door completely naked except for a towel.

But she needed the job, so she went back and was never seen alive again.

Steven Avery being escorted out of Manitowoc County Court, Wisconsin, following his January 2006 arraignment for the murder of Teresa Halbach

Teresa Halbach vanished after going to Avery's salvage yard on Halloween 2005 to photograph a vehicle for AutoTrader

I first became suspicious of Avery when I found out he had blocked his caller ID when ringing Halbach to arrange for her to come to his yard to photograph a vehicle.

After Halbachs murder, Avery had called her phone again. But that time he didnt block his number and left a message, saying: Hey, where are you? Aren't you supposed to show up today to take those photos? What happened? I'm waiting. Why?

To me, that was a red flag. He had intentionally tried to hide his calls luring her to her death under the guise of a work assignment but then wanted his number to be seen when trying to fabricate his story that he never saw her that day.

When I spoke to Avery - or should I say cross-examined him on national TV - the story slipped and he admitted he had seen Halbach at his yard that day.

Not only that, but the timeline he gave was damning. Avery told me Halbach had been at the salvage lot between 2pm and 2.30pm, placing himself with her at the time she had disappeared off the face of the earth.

Avery also claimed he never saw Halbachs car drive past his office towards the back of the salvage lot. I had reviewed the layout of the property and knew the car must have gone that route to get to where it was found.

When I confronted him with a photo proving this, Avery hesitated. Then he claimed she must have driven around the outskirts of the office, which is why he didn't see her.

He and I both knew that was not possible.

A huge search of Steven Avery's 40-acre salvage lot was launched to find the 25-year-old photographer

Teresa Halbach's Rav4 was found hidden at the back of the salvage yard. Avery's blood and DNA was found inside the vehicle

His demeanor changed, as though he was scrambling to come up with a suitable answer. Anybody can drive back there, he blurted out.

It was a tried and tested deceptive move: state a truth that does not answer the question.

When I asked Avery why he believed he was a suspect in Halbach's disappearance, he repeatedly insisted he was being framed because he had sued Manitowoc County for $36 million for wrongful conviction.

Nancy Grace interviewed Avery on her show before his arrest for murder. That was the moment, she knew he was the killer

Yes, it is true he was wrongfully convicted of a 1985 sex attack, and that he did 18 years in prison for it.

But that does not mean he is innocent of Halbachs murder.

Throughout the interview, I found Avery extremely deceptive.

As a former prosecutor, I know that when a suspect wont answer questions directly and tries to veer off course, there is a reason why. And in this case that reason was that Avery was guilty.

But it wasnt just my interview that convinced me that I was speaking to a man who had just lured a 25-year-old woman to his property and killed her.

There were many other reasons.

First, cell phone evidence shows Avery lured Halbach to his property that day and places him with her at the time she disappeared.

Second, Halbachs bone fragments, tooth and the studs off the back pockets of her Daisy Fuentes blue jeans were found in his fire pit. And Averys neighbors and relatives said they saw him and Dassey stirring the fire pit late into the night on the day Halbach went missing.

Steven Avery's nephew Brendan Dassey confessed, telling investigators he raped Halbach while she was chained to a bed in Averys home, before Avery shot her in the head

Teresa Halbachs bone fragments, tooth and the studs off the back pockets of her Daisy Fuentes blue jeans were found in Avery's fire pit

A bullet with Teresa Halbachs DNA on it was found inside the garage of Steven Avery's home

Third, a bullet with Halbachs DNA on it was found in Avery's garage and a fragment of Halbachs skull, recovered from the fire pit, revealed a beveled edging from a bullet.

Fourth, Halbach's car key, with Avery's blood on it, was found in his bedroom. And his blood and sweat was found inside her car.

Five, Dassey confessed to the horrifying crime, telling investigators how he raped Halbach while she was chained to a bed in Averys home, before Avery shot her in the head.

These are just some of the reasons that make me certain beyond a reasonable doubt that Steven Avery did murder Teresa Halbach - reasons that make me believe he is a perverted, ruthless killer with no empathy for others.

Yet, there are ongoing efforts to free him from prison.

Avery has constantly claimed he is innocent and Dassey recanted his confession. Both have spent almost two decades fighting their convictions.

As it stands now, Avery has exhausted his options in state courts with both the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court denying his appeals.

His legal team now plans to petition the case to federal court, by using something I like to call the SOD defense - Some other dude did it.

Steven Avery on his family's property on November 7, 2005 - days before his arrest for Teresa Halbach's murder

In what I believe is a rudimentary attempt to explain away DNA evidence, Averys team has suggested one of his relatives could be the real killer and that the blood found on the car and key actually belongs to them. His attorneys also previously suggested Halbachs ex-boyfriend could have murdered her out of jealousy.

Its not going to work. There is no newly-discovered evidence. And, a phantom specter of an alternate suspect is not enough to warrant a new trial.

I predict the federal courts will agree, and any appeal will be denied.

As a former prosecutor, I hate to hear of injustice, including Averys original wrongful conviction for a crime he did not commit.

But he did brutally rape and murder Teresa Halbach. He took away her life and heaped endless suffering on her family.

And for that, he must spend the rest of his mortal life where he belongs behind bars.

Nancy Grace is a former prosecutor, victims' rights advocate and host of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
In the months leading up to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I was working at the Ministry of Defence as a senior staff officer. As we saw the Russian build-up, we war-gamed Putin's possible strategies in order to advise our politicians on their options. It was very hard to see how we could stop him, if at all.

In hindsight, the Russian dictator had set his mind on a quick war and a marvellous victory parade in Kyiv, and the only variable was when it would all start.

As the inevitability of military action became clear to us, the options for the West narrowed. But we needed to do whatever we could, short of joining in the war, to help the Ukrainians resist occupation. That way, we would help them inflict a deep cost on Russia for invading a neighbouring country.

After all, if it was that easy to swallow up Ukraine, might the Russians get greedy and roll on through Moldova, to bits of the Balkans and the Baltic states? I certainly thought so.

As it turned out, when the shooting started, Ukraine mattered more to Ukrainians and to Europe than the Russians had predicted. Their spirit of uncompromising defiance spurred something deep in the British people.

I remember the large crowds of quiet but resolute citizens demonstrating solidarity for Kyiv. They demanded action and leadership from their Government, and across the country people hoisted up the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine, opened their homes to refugees and raised money and supplies to send to the new European eastern front. We cared  and were right to.

Putin's strategic design was and remains today the collapse of Nato, division within Europe and ultimately restoring dominion over former Soviet Union states

Ukrainian generals wanted to emerge from the war stronger, closer to Europe and more aligned with Nato, so that this would never happen again

The trajectory of Britain's response was thus set. From the political to the tactical, we were ordered to do what we could to help.

On my first visit to Kyiv shortly after the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian generals were clear that this was their war to fight. Our role was to gather as much international diplomatic, military and economic support for them so they could defend against the invasion, get as much of their country back as possible and make the Russians pay a high price for what they had started.

They wanted to emerge from the war stronger, closer to Europe and more aligned with Nato, so that this would never happen again.

Simply put, they wanted at last to break away from the centuries-old grip of Russian imperial ambition, as so much of central and eastern Europe had done at the end of the Cold War.

The reason British support mattered wasn't just out of principle. It was the realisation that this war was about more than Ukraine.

Putin's strategic design was much greater. It was, and remains today, the collapse of Nato, division within Europe, and ultimately restoring dominion over those states that were once part of the Soviet Union.

We, and the West generally, are absolutely in the crosshairs of this. It's a deal on their terms, or no deal at all.

This is not going away however the war in Ukraine comes to an end. Unless something changes, I believe we are on a collision course with a Russia that is on a war footing, that is replenishing its lost equipment and that is re-arming fast. Neither the terrible price his troops have paid with their own blood on the battlefields nor the extraordinary resolve and fighting power of the Ukrainians to keep going has made Putin think twice about the cost versus the gain. This war still really matters to him, and it's in the balance. Wars always are, until they end.

In response, with all that it means for our collective future, the British Army  alongside the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and the Cyber & Specialist Operations Command  has been ordered to get ready to 'war fight' alongside the rest of Nato.

As the military professional with responsibility for the British Army, I must think about the worst-case scenario.

The extraordinary resolve and fighting power of the Ukrainians to keep going has not made Putin think twice about the cost versus the gain

Ukraine is showing extraordinary resolve and ingenuity  we need to keep helping them do that

My almost singular focus for the Army has been on modernising and boosting the fighting power of our land forces as quickly as possible, so our soldiers can fight and win their battles if called upon. That's what the Strategic Defence Review recommended and we're getting on with it, informed by almost daily insights drawn from the war in Ukraine.

But as my Ukrainian opposite number warned me when I saw him some months ago, it's not just the front lines that matter when you are dealing with this Russia.

Putin will only take us seriously when he sees our factories producing at wartime rates. And that's why I believe so strongly in the need to rebuild our own national arsenal and reconnect society with its Armed Forces.

It's time for the economic regeneration of traditional defence industries, and also a good moment to create new ones for robotic and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and cutting-edge software. These are the new tools of war.

The urgency could not be clearer. Just ask yourself: If you knew now that our soldiers would be involved in large-scale combat operations in 2027, what would you be doing differently  and why are you not doing it?

I have been amazed at how many British businesses, service providers and manufacturers have come to us to ask how they can help. That spirit of generosity and an inclination to serve Britain in whatever way they can, by bringing their skills and expertise to bear, or taking a risk with their cash flow, is inspirational.

I can assure you that it has been matched by bottom-up innovation and creativity from our soldiers, too. This is all giving them the confidence to know their country has their backs if it comes to combat. They will be ready in mind and body, no question, but it needs to be more than that.

Russia started this war by invading Ukraine, and it seems to me only they can decide to stop it.

Ukraine is showing extraordinary resolve and ingenuity, and we need to keep helping them do that.

We can also signal to Putin that, having failed to achieve his mission after four years of what was meant to be a short excursion to steal a country, if he thinks it will be any easier to steal a bit of Nato territory, he is even more stupid than we thought. So don't start a war with us, or any of our partners or allies.

We will never give up what matters to us. Our future will be on our terms, and ours alone.
Smoke over Puerto Vallarta. Tractor-trailers burning across major highways. Gunmen erecting checkpoints as if they were a sovereign authority collecting tolls in fear. Tourists confined to resort hallways. Police units pinned down. Soldiers ambushed in broad daylight. Guadalajara's airport, in Mexico's second largest city, thrown into chaos as armed convoys moved with confidence.

That is what happens when a state strikes the head of a cartel machine.

The fall of Jalisco New Generation Cartel's (CJNG) longtime leader, known by his nom de guerre 'El Mencho,' born Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was never going to pass quietly.

CJNG is not a personality cult orbiting one man. It is a vertically integrated criminal enterprise that operates as a parallel regime. It taxes territory, controls ports, runs industrial-scale fentanyl labs, fields drone units and armored vehicles, and deploys disciplined hit teams with military-grade coordination. It has penetrated municipal governments, state police commands, and segments of the federal structure.

When an organization like that loses its apex figure, it does not retreat. It demonstrates continuity. It burns highways to signal succession is already in motion. It ambushes soldiers to show the chain of command survives the man.

The polite narrative says this is contained fallout. A bold raid. Proof that Mexico can act under pressure from Washington. A decisive blow delivered in a new era of seriousness.

That storyline protects the political class in Mexico City. It avoids the harder question: if retaliation was inevitable, why was it not anticipated and contained?

If Mexico's defense establishment executed the raid with full awareness of CJNG's reach then that demanded preparation.

Smoke over Puerto Vallarta. Tractor-trailers burning across major highways. Gunmen erecting checkpoints (Pictured: Puerto Vallarta on February 22)

The fall of Jalisco New Generation Cartel's (CJNG) longtime leader, known by his nom de guerre 'El Mencho,' born Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, was never going to pass quietly

Vetted rapid-response units staged in likely flashpoints. Coordinated corridor lockdowns across cartel strongholds. Immediate financial seizures to choke liquidity. Follow-on arrests targeting second- and third-tier leadership. Hardened perimeters around airports, ports, refineries, and major commercial arteries.

If those layers were thin, delayed, or symbolic, that is not bad luck. It is the consequence of years of accommodation.

Perhaps even a purposeful Mexican government demonstration of their own fecklessness. A cry for help.

Cartels of this scale do not thrive in a vacuum. They thrive inside political tolerance.

Governors accept geographically contained violence so long as it does not spill into tourist districts or financial centers. Municipal police collect plazas and pass intelligence in exchange for local calm. Judges convert procedural delay into practical impunity. Federal authorities manage criminal power rather than dismantle it because open confrontation carries political cost. Electoral incentives reward short-term quiet over structural reform.

That is how a criminal enterprise matures into a parallel authority.

Now it is asserting itself in daylight.

The consequences do not end at Jalisco's beaches, like Puerto Vallarta. Tourism contracts as travelers rethink risk. Commercial corridors slow as blockades and uncertainty ripple through supply chains. Rival factions probe newly exposed territory, and fragmentation often produces bloodier competition.

Fentanyl production does not pause during that chaos. It recalibrates. American communities absorb the overdoses.

That storyline protects the political class in Mexico City. It avoids the harder question: if retaliation was inevitable, why was it not anticipated and contained? (Pictured: President of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on February 23)

Rick de la Torre is a former Chief of Station, he specializes in national security, energy, trade and geopolitical risk

CJNG and its competitors already maintain operational nodes inside the United States. They manage distribution networks, enforce debts, intimidate witnesses, and launder proceeds through American financial channels. The violence in Mexico and the damage in the United States are not separate phenomena. They are extensions of the same criminal enterprise.

Cartel leadership will now reassess risk. If calibrated intimidation north of the border could slow or complicate sustained pressure, they will study that option. These organizations are rational. They prefer profit to chaos and generally avoid actions that invite overwhelming U.S. retaliation.

But they probe.

Probing has historically meant targeted violence, intimidation of witnesses, or settling internal disputes on American soil. It has meant threats against family members to silence cooperation. It has meant subcontracted crews and intermediaries to create distance between command and act. None of it resembles an invasion. All of it is designed to protect revenue and test resolve.

Deterrence works when the cost of probing is clear and immediate. The United States is not a permissive battlespace. Federal, state, and local law enforcement capacity is deep. Intelligence authorities are expansive. Financial monitoring is sophisticated. Cartel networks operating inside the country understand this and generally calibrate their activities accordingly.

Which brings us back to the central question.

Was this a headline operation or the opening move in a sustained campaign?

That is what happens when a state strikes the head of a cartel machine

Mexico must decide whether it intends to dismantle the machine or merely disrupt it. Leadership decapitation without financial strangulation is temporary relief. A serious effort requires coordinated asset seizures inside Mexico, aggressive prosecution of political facilitators, federal intervention in compromised local police forces, judicial reform that ends impunity by delay, and permanent territorial control rather than rotating deployments that concede ground once headlines fade.

Anything less signals the endurance of the cartel and the fatigue of the state.

The United States can reinforce that effort. Continued indictments. Aggressive Treasury designations. Enforcement actions against facilitators operating inside U.S. jurisdiction. Intelligence sharing that enables follow-on arrests. Relentless extradition demands. Economic leverage that ensures cooperation does not drift once public attention moves elsewhere.

Leverage matters. But sovereignty requires will.

Mexico will either be governed by its constitutional authorities or by armed criminal enterprises that burn infrastructure to set the rules.

If the state cannot impose sustained cost on organizations that challenge it with open warfare, it is not asserting control. It is conceding it.

Rick de la Torre is the founder and CEO of Tower Strategy, a federal lobbying firm in Washington. A retired senior CIA operations officer and former Chief of Station, he specializes in national security, energy, trade and geopolitical risk.
Now we know. The cover-up is formally under way. The decision to hide precisely what the Prime Minister knew, and when he knew it, over the Mandelson scandal has been taken.

All that remains is to find out who took the decision to pull the wool over the eyes of the British people  and why. Though we already have sufficient evidence to come to some swift and concrete conclusions.

It was announced on Tuesday that some of the key documents relating to the initial appointment of Peter Mandelson may not be released to the public until after the next general election. In particular, a pivotal file  a record of an exchange between the former ambassador and Starmers chief of staff in which three specific questions were asked relating to concerns about his relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein  may not be published until any criminal prosecution has concluded. A prosecution could take years.

Downing Street insists information is solely being withheld at the request of the police as not to prejudice the ongoing investigation. But the facts of this already-sordid affair do not support that claim.

Lets go back to the evening of Monday, February 2  days after the latest tranche of Epstein files were released. At around 6pm, journalists became aware the police were officially opening inquiries into Mandelson. No 10 would almost certainly have been informed sooner.

Either way when Keir Starmer stood up at the Despatch Box at PMQs that week he was fully aware that investigation was under way having spoken to the police about it. And, as a former director of public prosecutions, he was in a better position than most to be aware of the rules, regulations and protocols relating to the danger of prejudicing major criminal investigations.

Yet he felt entirely free to tell the House of Commons, and the nation: Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party. He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein, before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near government.

These comments were made in direct response to the revelations in the Epstein files that Mandelson had directly passed Downing Street documents and market-sensitive information to the serial child abuser. Yet at that moment, with Kemi Badenoch piling on the political pressure, Starmer apparently had no qualms about declaring his former ambassador bang to rights.

Peter Mandelson with Keir Starmer when he was Britain's ambassador to the US

A pivotal file in which questions were asked relating to concerns about Peter Mandelson's, right, relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, left, may not be published until after the next general election, writes Dan Hodges

Its a far cry from his position now. Responding to demands that the full cache of files relating to Mandelsons appointment be released, Starmer was attempting to claim his hands are tied and that while he would dearly love to provide full transparency, the wishes of the Metropolitan Police must be respected.

But again, the facts point in a completely opposite direction. First, Starmer did not want full transparency. From the very beginning of this saga, he didnt want a single file to see the light of day. It was only when he was dragged, kicking and screaming, by his own MPs that he finally agreed to their release.

And again, this is where his actions  rather than his honeyed words  damn him. When pressed, Starmer told the Commons in early February that the process of releasing the documents would be overseen by the then-cabinet secretary, Chris Wormold. When doubts were raised, his close friend the MP Nick Thomas-Symonds was dispatched to reassure members that the process will be conducted by the Cabinet Secretary, with unimpeachable integrity.

A week later the unimpeachable Wormold was sacked. Whats more, he was dismissed with such haste that for several farcical hours No 10 officials were unable to say who Britains most senior civil servant actually was.

You need only compare Sir Keir's attitude to the Mandelson investigation with his attitude towards the parallel investigation under way into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, right, writes Dan Hodges

The official line from inside Downing Street was Wormold was dismissed because he was part of a cliquey Boys Club that had allowed a malign culture to fester and spread within No 10. But it then emerged his chosen successor, Antonia Romeo, was herself the subject of a series of major bullying allegations. Allegations that had reportedly been resolved in 2022, when the propriety and ethics team broke into a safe and destroyed the report examining them.

According to one senior Whitehall source I spoke to, the suspicion among officials is Wormold was actually dismissed because he was taking too liberal a view about which files could be released in regards to Mandelson.

Part of the reason there has been such an angry reaction to the sacking of Chris Wormold is that many people believe he was removed because No 10 want to suppress the files release, I was told.

In which case, No 10 is winning. At the start of February the House of Commons was told the release of the Mandelson files would begin immediately. Then MPs were told the process would begin as soon as the House returned after recess. Now the promise is a few may be released some time next month, while others may not be released for years.

And then there is one final, telling indicator of who and what actually lies behind the burgeoning Mandelson cover-up. As we have seen, the lawyerly Prime Minister continues to cite due process and the dangers of prejudicing an ongoing police investigation as his rationale for not releasing the documents.

But to see how flimsy that excuse is, you need only compare his attitude to the Mandelson investigation with his attitude towards the parallel investigation under way into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. From the beginning, Keir Starmer has seemed very keen for the fallen prince to serve as a distraction for his own failings.

When the latest Epstein emails were released, Starmer took the unprecedented  and highly newsworthy  step of calling on Andrew to testify in the United States, where many of Epsteins crimes took place. On Tuesday the Government meekly acquiesced to a Lib Dem motion demanding the release of all files relating to his time as UK trade envoy. This stands in direct contrast to their furious attempts to block the release of the Mandelson papers.

Similarly, the news of Mountbatten-Windsors arrest was succeeded by the announcement that the Prime Minister was preparing legislation to summarily eject him from the line of succession. The formal arrest of Mandelson, conversely, has been greeted with conspicuous  and self-interested  silence from Sir Keir.

The police may well be being over-zealous in their defence of their ongoing investigation into the former Labour peer. But there is no doubt the Prime Minister is cynically exploiting their fastidiousness in a final desperate effort to save his own skin.

As a result of which, the Mandelson scandal is slowly but surely morphing into Keir Starmers Watergate. High crimes and misdemeanours. Pay-offs. Document suppression. Safe-cracking. Peremptory sackings. The belated resignation of senior aides. Spurious allusions to national security and foreign relations.

Indeed, in some way its worse. At the heart of Watergate was a second-rate burglary. The Epstein files have only just begun to scratch the surface of the most cruel and heinous offences imaginable.

And if Sir Keir gets his way, that is all that we will get to see. The grimy outer-layer of one of the greatest scandals in western political history.

Theres an old political saying that its not the offence that gets you, but the cover-up. If theres any justice, the Prime Minister will face a reckoning over both.
It's a medical mystery which has puzzled scientists for decades  why are people who survive cancer much less likely to develop dementia later in life?

A number of studies over the past 20 years or so have found that a cancer diagnosis (of almost any type of cancer) reduces the risk of dementia by around 25 per cent.

Now researchers think they may have discovered the secret to this unusual link between two of the worlds biggest killers. Scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China have identified a key protein  called cystatin C  which is released by cancer cells as a by-product of tumour growth.

The research, published in the journal Cell, shows this protein is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective chain of cells that blocks access to anything potentially harmful.

Once inside the brain, cystatin C appears to trigger a reaction that destroys the clumps of abnormal protein (called amyloid plaques), which are linked to the development of dementia.

The findings come from animal studies and its not certain yet whether the same process happens in humans.

But the research could provide vital clues in the search for new and effective dementia treatments, says Elio Riboli, a professor of cancer epidemiology and prevention at Imperial College London, who has spent years studying this crucial interaction between cancer and dementia.

This is very interesting research and it might explain one of the mechanisms behind why cancer survivors seem to have a lower risk of dementia, says Professor Riboli.

Scientists found that a protein released by cancer cells  called cystatin C  can destroy the clumps of abnormal protein in the brain, which are linked to the development of dementia

It could lead to the development of new drugs [for dementia] that increase this protein and potentially prevent it.

Around 900,000 people in the UK are living with dementia and it kills more than cancer or heart disease  about 75,000 a year  usually from problems arising from a weakened immune system, such as pneumonia or difficulty swallowing.

Current drug treatments include cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. Aricept), which work by boosting the activity of acetylcholine  a chemical in the brain vital for memory and learning.

But while these can ease symptoms and improve quality of life, theyre not a cure. Newer drugs, such as lecanemab and donanemab, slow down the progression of the disease in the early stages when symptoms have started to appear.

But they are not approved on the NHS due to their cost, limited effect and potential side-effects, including brain bleeds.

Finding out why cancer might stop some people getting dementia in the first place could be vital in the search for better medications.

Cancer survivors  especially those who get cancer in childhood  tend to have shorter lifespans (often because of the toxic effects on major organs caused by treatments such as chemotherapy), so some people might not live long enough to develop dementia.

And people who survive cancer may be generally healthier  eating sensibly, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol intake  making them less likely to get dementia.

But most studies take account of these confounding factors, and have still found cancer reduced the dangers.

The latest research began with scientists transplanting human lung, prostate and bowel cancer samples into mice that were genetically bred to be at a high risk of dementia.

None of the mice developed the brain plaques linked to the condition.

Join the debate Should we use cancer-related discoveries to reshape how we treat and prevent dementia in the future?

During testing, mice with dementia-like deposits that were injected with the cystatin C protein showed improvements in memory and learning

The team then spent several years trying to pinpoint which of the thousands of proteins released by cancer cells was having this protective effect. They eventually whittled it down to one: cystatin C.

During subsequent tests, the research team found cystatin C binds to brain plaques  this then activates immune cells in the brain to launch an attack which breaks up the plaques.

Mice with dementia-like deposits that were injected with the cystatin C protein showed improvements in memory and learning. Further studies are now planned.

Cystatin C is not the only cancer-based protein that has shown promise in warding off dementia.

A team of scientists at Bristol University is currently investigating the role of PIN1  a protein released by cancer cells to stimulate further tumour development and growth.

Their research suggests that the more active the PIN1 protein is in driving cancer growth, the more protected the brain is against cognitive failure linked to amyloid plaques. It also has a similar effect on tau, another protein that accumulates in brain cells and thats linked to dementia.

Meanwhile, the same Bristol team is investigating whether another molecule  an enzyme called PI3K  may be a factor in reducing dementia risk.

In cancer, this enzyme is highly active  aiding the proliferation of malignant cells and helping the disease spread.

But in dementia patients who havent had cancer, its activity is dialled right down.

It is believed that cancer stimulates the activity of PI3K and this then protects the brain against dementia later on by preventing deposit formation.

Meanwhile, there is also evidence that people who develop dementia are unlikely to then get cancer.

A 2017 study in Taiwan, published in the journal Neuropsychiatry, looked at 25,000 patients with Alzheimers disease and found they were nearly 20 per cent less likely to develop any form of cancer than those without dementia.

Other studies put the reduction in cancer risk as high as 60 per cent.

The theory is the destruction of brain cells that occurs with dementia means those same enzymes that would promote cancer growth are being heavily suppressed.

Professor Riboli warns it may not be as simple as finding one cancer-secreted protein to stop dementia in its tracks.

Cystatin C cannot be the only one and indeed it may not even be the main one, he says.

But this new study has shown that they [cancer proteins] may have a powerful protective effect against the formation of amyloid plaques.
Jade Martin had hoped a popular weight-loss drug would save her from ill health, but an unexpected side-effect ended up leaving her bedbound with crippling anxiety.

The mother began her weight loss journey in January 2025 after a lifetime of struggling with her weight had left her at risk of gestational diabetes  high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy but usually goes away afterwards.

The then-34-year-old met with her primary care doctor before obtaining the diabetes drug Mounjaro, which is often used to help people lose weight as well as manage their insulin levels.

She saw great progress for weeks, having started at 224lbs and dropping 49lbs over 10 months. But her positive experience took a turn for the worse when she opted to increase her dose in March last year from 2.5mg to 5mg  the standard, recommended dosage schedule.

She was plunged into a state of depression and unrelenting anxiety, often lying awake at night with racing thoughts and chest tightness, the hallmarks of a constant, low-grade panic.

Jade said: 'I had low energy and such increased anxiety to the point when I could feel it in my chest. It would affect my sleep at night because I was so anxious, it felt like a real depression.'

Her doctor reduced her dose back down to 2.5mg and she remained at that level until July. When she moved to the higher dose again, hoping her side-effects were a one-off, the depression and anxiety returned full-force. It was not until she reduced her dose back to 2.5mg again that the symptoms subsided.

'It made me really tearful, it wasn't a good space to be in,' she said. 'It would make me lose focus, it was like you were in a black cloud and you couldn't see beyond that.'

Jade began her weight loss journey in January 2025 and lost 49lbs in 10 months (pictured before, left, and after, right)

After losing the 10 months, her success unraveled in March 2025 when she followed standard protocol and upped her dose from 2.5mg to 5mg

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Jade has maintained steady weight loss on the lower dose, albeit at a slower pace than people on higher doses. But since her ordeal, she has decided never to try increasing her dose again.

She said: 'No amount of weight loss is worth feeling like that, my mental health will always come first. There's no enjoyment in life if you don't want to do anything.'

Like millions of people who currently take Mounjaro or a similar GLP-1 drug such as Zepbound, Ozempic and Wegovy, Jade heard about its benefits on social media and from friends.

She had always had a complicated relationship with food. Attending weight loss support groups, she said, only further eroded how she saw food and what her body truly needed.

An emotional eater, Jade turned to food when she was sad, happy or celebrating. Family gatherings revolved around food and it often served as a source of comfort for her.

Jade was at a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes while pregnant with her second child and she did not want the risk to continue after she gave birth, so her doctor started her on Mounjaro.

She had no immediate side-effects and the severe dip in her mood after increasing her dose was unexpected for Jade, who said she had always been in relatively good mental health.

Jade has documented her weight loss journey with the help of the GLP-1 on TikTok (pictured before, left, and 10 months in, right)

After her doctor increased her Mounjaro dosage, Jade was plunged into a state of unrelenting anxiety and depression, lying awake with racing thoughts and a chest tight with panic

She said: 'It's clearly a dose that just doesn't agree with me. My mood was really flat, I had no interest in doing anything, especially not eating.

'I had no appetite, I knew I wasn't getting the nutrition I needed. I worried about that and that increased the anxiety.'

Mounjaro mimics two hormones naturally produced in the body: GIP and GLP-1, which signal to the brain that you are full, slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach and helps the body release insulin only when blood sugar rises.

The result is feeling fuller longer and eating less while the body processes food more efficiently.

While the lower dose helped her make better, healthier food choices while keeping her appetite lower, the higher dose blunted her appetite almost entirely, so eating felt like a chore.

Jade, from the UK, added: 'My whole journey has been about repairing my relationship with food and on 5mg I just couldn't, I was forcing myself to eat and eating very little.'

Anxiety and depression are not among the listed side-effects on Mounjaro's label, which does include nausea, vomiting and constipation as well as other gastrointestinal issues, some of which can be severe, including bowel obstruction.

Now, back on the lower 2.5mg dose for good, Martin (pictured with her partner) said she feels like herself again; motivated and no longer trapped under a black cloud of depression

Jade acknowledges that her progress has been slower than average. She said: 'A lot of people lose three to four pounds a week and lose weight very quickly. My journey hasn't been like that, I'm losing a pound a week. A lot of people see it as slow, it's not, it's healthy.'

The CDC and other health authorities define a safe, sustainable weight loss rate as one to two pounds per week.

This gradual pace is associated with better long-term success, meaning people who lose weight at this rate are more likely to keep it off compared to those who lose weight very quickly.

Slow and steady weight loss also gives the body time to adjust, which may help prevent loose skin and a loss in muscle mass, which has been documented among GLP-1 users.

Jade said: '[My advice is] don't rush through the doses, I know providers say to move up a dose every four weeks but if it's still working for you there is no need to increase the dose.

'Hunger is a normal feeling, you have to live with that feeling you're going to get hungry. I know a lot of people do it but that's not the goal for me. You need to be comfortable with food and hunger because there is a life after Mounjaro.'
A young woman has shared how symptoms of a rare cancer was dismissed by her GP as thrush.

Laura Liddle, 31, from Bristol first began experiencing the warning signs of vulval cancer in March 2022 while recovering from surgery to treat an abscess in her groin.

She noticed a swelling in her left labia  the fleshy outer part of the vulva  that 'didn't look right'.

As it wasn't painful, Ms Liddle brushed it off as 'just her anatomy'  but in January 2025, she was experiencing such extreme pain in her genitals that she was unable to walk around or sleep.

She said: 'At the beginning of last year I was getting increasingly even more sore, to the point where I couldn't wear underwear, I couldn't walk and I couldn't sleep, I was in agony.'

Ms Liddle added that the sensation was as if she'd 'been stung with stinging nettles' between her legs.

Over the next three months, Ms Liddle made repeated, desperate, visits to her GP who tested her for thrush and STIs, which all came back clear.

She said: 'I've suffered with thrush my whole life and the doctors kept putting it down to that.'

Laura Liddle, 31, from Bristol first began experiencing the warning signs of vulval cancer in March 2022 while recovering from surgery to treat an abscess in her groin

'Everything they tested me for  thrush, STIs, you name it  all results said I had a clean bill of health.

'It was unbearable pain and I couldn't get rid of it. They [doctors] gave me local anaesthetic gel to numb it, but even that wasn't helping.'

After being referred to a hospital gynaecology department in April 2025 a biopsy revealed she had stage three vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).

The condition occurs when abnormal cells develop in the top layer of skin covering the vulva, and while it can turn into vulvar cancer over a period of many years, not everyone who has it will develop the disease.

Vulvar cancer uncommon, with only around 1,500 cases diagnosed in the UK each year.

Eighty per cent of those are in women aged over 60, while VIN tends to be seen in those aged 30 to 50.

The HPV vaccine is among the greatest protection available to the disease, as many forms of vulvar cancer are triggered by HPV - the virus that also triggers cervical cancer, and cancers of the anus and penis.

Another condition linked to vulvar cancer is lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that causes severe itching and discomfort, and white patches to form on the vulva.

Ms Liddle thinks vulval cancer should be checked for at smear tests

The skin might look very smooth, almost shiny, and may even bleed when touched. It can also cause the entrance to the vagina to narrow due to the chronic inflammation triggering the formation of scar tissue.

Aside from the impact on quality of life, one in 20 cases develops into vulval cancer.

When Ms Liddle, who works in hospitality, underwent surgery to have part of her labia removed in July 2025, she received the devastating news that the VIN had developed into vulval cancer.

She then underwent another surgery to remove the lymph nodes in her groin in December 2025 and was declared cancerfree on Christmas Eve.

Doctors told Ms Liddle it will likely affect her sex life, potentially making it more painful and due to loss of sensation it could be harder for her to climax.

Ms Liddle said: '[When they told me I had vulval cancer] I was more concerned about how it would affect my family.

'It's a very rare cancer and it normally shows up in women over 70. I'm only 31, they're saying it's probably down to my immune system and that HPV could be a factor.

'I do think about it and it does get me down. I'm only 31, I shouldn't be having this happen to me.

'I like to work, I like to be busy and the fact I can't do anything is driving me insane.'

Now healing at home after being declared cancerfree, Ms Liddle is adapting to her new normal.

She said: 'Going to the toilet is very painful, it burns, and they've said it will affect my sex life.

'Where they've removed skin it can make it a lot narrower so it can make it a lot more painful when you have sex.

'I could have a loss of sensation and it could be harder for me to climax, but I have no intention of having sex any time soon.'

Miss Liddle has bravely shared her story to encourage women to regularly check themselves and get anything unusual looked at.

She said: 'A lot of young girls don't touch their vaginas, they don't look at their vaginas, it's a taboo thing to do.

'You have to know what it feels like, you have to know what is down there for you to know if something's not right.

'If you don't touch yourself and know what your normal is, how are you going to know what your abnormal is? You could probably save your life.

'I think it [vulvar cancer symptoms] really needs to be talked about and be advertised everywhere.

'I think they should be testing you for that when you go for your smear, just checking it looks ok and if it doesn't, getting a biopsy from the area.

'It's not nice having a needle in your vagina, it really hurts, but it's two minutes of pain for something that's going to save your life.'
When avid snowboarder Shelby Perry headed out onto the mountain on a February morning in 2021, it felt like any other perfect day in the snow.

Fresh powder blanketed the ground as Perry hit the slopes with her friends - something she had loved since childhood.

But within seconds, her life was changed forever.

'I didn't even realize what had happened,' Perry said. 'I hadn't crashed. I was still moving forward, then I felt blood running down my face, and everything went dark.'

Now 35 and living in San Diego, California, the former yoga instructor can still remember the exact moment a routine run turned into a life-altering medical emergency.

Perry, who grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, had spent most of her life on skis or a snowboard.

So when she and two friends set off for one final run on February 28, she had no reason to feel afraid.

They had just left the chairlift and were slowly traversing the mountain when she caught the edge of her board and brushed into nearby trees.

Shelby Perry had to have her eye removed after she endured a gruesome snowboarding accident in February 2021

Perry, who grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, had spent most of her life on skis or a snowboard

What happened next was both sudden and surreal.

The magnetic lenses of her snowboarding goggles flew off on impact, leaving her eye exposed for a split second - just long enough for a thin tree branch to pierce directly into it.

She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered a devastating injury: a puncture wound that stretched all the way to the back orbital bone of her eye.

Surgeons worked to try to save it, inserting more than 30 stitches deep inside the eye. It was the first in what would become a series of complex operations.

But the damage was too severe. Within days, Perry required a second surgery to place stents in both her upper and lower tear ducts, which had also been injured in the accident.

Despite those efforts, her eye continued to leak and deteriorate.

Almost exactly two months after the incident, doctors delivered the news that the eye could not be saved and needed to be removed.

On April 29, 2021, Perry underwent another surgery to remove the damaged eye.

Perry had just left the chairlift and were slowly traversing the mountain rather than speeding downhill when she caught the edge of her board and brushed into nearby trees

The magnetic lenses of her snowboarding goggles flew off on impact, and a thin tree branch pierced directly into her eye

She was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered a devastating injury: a puncture wound that stretched all the way to the back orbital bone of her eye

'At the time, it felt like the decision was made for me,' she said. 'Looking back, that was a blessing. I didn't have to carry the weight of choosing.'

The physical trauma was only part of the battle that followed. Emotionally, her loss was just as profound.

In the months after surgery, Perry faced the slow and often frustrating process of learning to live with vision in only one eye.

Her brain and body needed time to adjust, leaving her exhausted, dizzy and struggling with depth perception. Everyday tasks such as driving required patience and retraining.

'The hardest part was accepting that I was missing a part of myself I was born with,' she said. 'I realized life can change suddenly and severely without warning.'

During recovery, Perry searched online for information, support and practical tools to help her navigate life after eye loss.

But she found very little, from limited emotional resources to uncomfortable, clinical-looking eye patches that did not reflect the reality of modern survivors.

The absence of support left her feeling isolated at a time she needed connection most.

That lead to her sharing her own experience online - first as a way to process trauma, and then to reach others living through similar journeys.

Almost exactly two months after the incident, doctors delivered the news that the eye could not be saved and needed to be removed

Today, Perry lives with a prosthetic eye and continues to speak openly about the realities of healing and rebuilding confidence after sudden loss

What started as a personal story soon grew into a global support network and community of people affected by visual impairment, all searching for reassurance, understanding and belonging. They shared stories of survival, recovery and resilience - it connected people who might otherwise have faced eye loss alone.

Drawing on her own experience of struggling to find comfortable, high-quality eye coverings after surgery, Perry later began developing adhesive eye patches designed specifically for people navigating eye loss and prosthetics.

Years after the accident that changed her life, the project finally launched as EYEHESIVE - marking a turning point not just in her recovery, but in how she chose to move forward.

Today, Perry lives with a prosthetic eye and continues to speak openly about the realities of healing and rebuilding confidence after sudden loss.

Followers on her Instagram account have shared countless messages of support, from stories of their own recovery to observations about her journey.

What once felt like the end of everything has become the beginning of a very different future for Perry.

'That moment could have been the end of my story,' she said. 'Instead, it became the start of a life with deeper purpose.'
A Sydney father has issued an urgent warning to Aussie parents after recalling the moment he caught a stranger filming his 13-year-old son in public.

Justin Lewis, who shares his business and family life online under the handle @mryellowexpress, regularly posts heartfelt reflections about fatherhood.

But it was one recent video, viewed more than 100,000 times in just a few days, that struck a nerve with parents across the country.

'Keep an eye on your kids, mums and dads,' he began in the clip, before recounting the chilling encounter that left him 'shaking with anger'.

Lewis explained he had been walking past a cafe in Sydney's inner city, where his son used to work as a teenager.

'I used to love just going there and just watching him work,' the dad said.

'He makes the dough, makes the pizzas. He's on the till and just problem solving, just winning.'

But on one particular visit, something felt off.

Sydney father, Justin Lewis (pictured), has issued an urgent warning to Aussie parents after recalling the moment he caught a stranger appearing to film his 13-year-old son in public

'I sat down at a booth, and I noticed there was a guy who had his phone out, and I thought, "Is he filming [my son]?"'

Lewis said he watched for about a minute to make sure he wasn't mistaken, admitting he was 'in shock' at what he saw.

'I went up to him and explained the situation,' he recalled of the moment he confronted the stranger.

'The blood drained from his face, I was furious, and the guy could tell.

'So, I won't go into detail, but I made him delete the video in front of me and he left, and we never saw him again.'

While he chose not to elaborate on the confrontation, his message to fellow parents was clear: even as children get older, they still need protecting.

'These days stuff is just weird.'

'I don't know if it was like what it used to be, or it's different now, but keep your eyes on your babies, guys - you don't know what the hell's around the corner,' he warned.

The video was quickly flooded with comments from parents who said they shared his fears, with many blaming iPhones and social media for making the world 'a different place' now compared to what it used to be.

Justin explained he had been walking past a cafe in Sydney's inner city, where his son used to work as a teenager and he noticed a stranger filming him without his permission (stock photo)

'There are so many sickos in this life - I bring it down to the access to the internet and social media,' another commented.

'I'm in my 30s and my dad would bury anyone who would touch his kids,' one warned.

However, for some, Lewis' story hit painfully close to home, with others recounting similar alarming stories of their own.

'My daughter had work experience for school at a restaurant,' one mother revealed.

'She hated going and broke down one night saying she can't go back because her boss was sexually harassing her and she never went back.'

'Be very careful, my son was approached when he was 15, and a few months ago (now 17), by two separate men on different occasions pressuring him into accepting a lift despite him telling them no,' another shared.

Others praised Lewis for speaking up and encouraging parents to trust their instincts.

The confronting story has reignited debate about children's safety in public spaces, particularly in an era where smartphones are ever-present and filming can happen discreetly.

While Lewis stopped short of speculating about the stranger's intentions, his underlying message resonated widely: vigilance matters.

'If you love your children, you know exactly what I'm talking about.'
Ladies Day might be some months away, but Ascot has unveiled something to get excited about in the meantime - the annual Royal Ascot Millinery Collective.

Royal Ascot, which takes place in Windsor Great Park in June, is one of the main fashion events in the high society calendar, and statement hats are always the focal points of racegoers' looks.

This year's collective, which celebrates millinery craftsmanship and innovation, is filled with creative and innovative designs certain to inspire racegoers ahead of the event.

The collection, developed under the creative direction of British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher, was unveiled during an intimate London Fashion Week show on Monday, with guests including Romeo Beckham's girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, and Kelly Osbourne.

Leading milliners, including Stephen Jones OBE, who has designed for Princess Diana and Rihanna, as well as being the head milliner of Christian Dior since 1992, contributed to the show.

The designs of Emily Hurst, the recipient of the 10,000 annual bursary, awarded by Ascot Racecourse in partnership with the CHANEL & The King's Foundation Metiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship, also featured.

The 2026 collection draws inspiration from British photographer Cecil Beaton and the sophisticated glamour of the 1920s and 1930s.

The designs strived to interpret Beaton's legacy, and included sculptural straw work, architectural pillboxes, dramatic picture discs, veils and couture floral headpieces.

Ascot has unveiled the 2026 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective ahead of the racing meet, which will take place in June

The hats were presented alongside block coloured dresses by Daniel Fletcher, tailored to echo the Enclosure dress codes and the enduring traditions of British sartorial excellence.

Standout designs included a lilac top hat styled with dramatic netting, an elegant green fascinator, and an angled brown hat with an extravagant bow.

Daniel Fletcher, Creative Director for Royal Ascot: 'It has been a tremendous privilege to guide the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective into its 11th year and collaborate with some of the world's most exceptional milliners.

'The presentation celebrated extraordinary craftsmanship while highlighting the ongoing evolution of millinery as a dynamic, contemporary art form.

'Each designer brings a singular vision and passion to their work, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.

'Set against the vibrant backdrop of London Fashion Week at Claridge's, the Collective reaffirms Royal Ascot's role at the forefront of raceday style, inspiring and shaping the future of summer fashion.'

Commenting on seeing her designs make the runway, Emily Hurst, milliner and recipient of The King's Foundation Royal Ascot bursary, said: 'To see my hat on the runway at London Fashion Week, amongst some of the nation's top milliners, artists whom I have long admired, was such a surreal experience and one I will never forget.'

She added: 'The show was truly incredible. Inspired by Cecil Beaton's Bright Young Things, each milliners artistry and style shone through. It is a real honour to be a part of something that celebrates the heritage, creativity, and the future of millinery. I really don't think there's anything else quite like it.'

The elegant collection was revealed on Tuesday during an intimate London Fashion Week show at Claridge's

The elegant 2026 collection draws inspiration from British photographer Cecil Beaton and the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s

The collection was developed under the creative direction of British fashion designer Daniel Fletcher

Pictured: Models showcasing the Royal Ascot Millinery Collective's designs at a London Fashion Week show

Celebrities attended the show, including Romeo Beckham's girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, and Kelly Osbourne

Royal Ascot, the jewel in the crown of the UK racing calendar, will run from June 16 - 20.

Charles and Camilla, both fans of racing, are likely to arrive in the famous carriage procession along the course and past the stands that will welcome hundreds of thousands of punters during the four-day meet.

It's a tradition that reached its 200th anniversary last year after it was first held in 1825 during the reign of King George IV.

The festival, meanwhile, was founded by Queen Anne in 1711 after she declared Ascot ideal for 'horses fit for kings'. The event has today become a major social occasion as well as a sporting attraction.
Chris Hemsworth has described ditching Hollywood for Australia as the 'greatest decision' while shedding light on why he made the move in the first place.

The Marvel actor, 42, his wife Elsa Pataky and their three children moved out of Los Angeles, California, in 2015 and purchased a big farm in Byron Bay - a laid-back surf town just south of Australia's Gold Coast.

Now, over a decade into their new life, Hemsworth has lifted the lid on what prompted him to relocate.

Speaking in the latest episode of the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett, he said that the paparazzi and the pressure of Hollywood was partly to blame.

'It was right around the time my boys were born, and it was just, we kind of were set up in LA and not enjoying it, you know?' he said.

'Like nothing was shooting there. We were filming kind of everywhere else. And then you'd come home and paparazzi and all the sort of the trappings of living in that space.'

Hemsworth and Pataky, who wed in 2010, are parents to daughter India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan.

Their sprawling Australian farm has plenty of space for their family, complete with horses, motorbikes and surf.

Chris Hemsworth has opened up about ditching LA for his native Australia

The Marvel actor, 42, and his wife Elsa live in Byron Bay with their daughter India Rose, 13, and 11-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan

'You know, when you come back from work, you wanna go on a holiday?' he continued. 'Like coming home for me is  it feels like a holiday.'

Hemsworth and his wife bought their Byron Bay family home for $7 million in 2014.

In 2022, it was reported they had transformed the sprawling property into a compound that had been valued at between $30 million and $60 million.

The actor carried out extensive renovations on the six-bedroom home, and it now boasts a steam room, gym, media room and games room.

There is also a stunning outdoor living area, play areas for his three kids and a 50-meter rooftop infinity pool, which overlooks the ocean.

The couple also own a Broken Head horse ranch and retreat, purchased in 2019 for $4.25 million, with an estimated value of $10 million.

Sitting on 35 hectares, it was developed to include a state-of-the-art horse stables and dressage, show jumping and horse exercise arena.

There was also the development of a man-made swimming lake, complete with entertaining cabana, islands and even a water slide.

Hemsworth and his family moved Down Under in 2015 and have lived their ever since

Born in 1983, Hemsworth grew up approximately 20 minutes outside Melbourne with his brothers, fellow actors Liam Hemsworth and Luke Hemsworth.

He recalled the endless adventures he had with his brothers and explained what sparked his interest in acting.

Recalling their childhood, he said: 'It was just all bush land and rainforest sort of set up around us.

'And so, we would just [have] adventures outdoors and playing different characters.'
When Courteney Cox was catapulted into the spotlight after landing her role in beloved sitcom Friends, she quickly captured the nation thanks to her stunning and all-natural beauty.

But like many young stars, the actress soon succumbed to the pressures of Hollywood and admitted to going overboard with her cosmetic enhancements over the years.

The TV star, now 61, previously detailed how she would undergo just one procedure at a time - which ultimately resulted in a 'domino effect' of alterations - and left her unable to realize the extent of her changing appearance.

Cox had all her fillers dissolved in 2017 and has since decided to age naturally.

But many might be wondering what the legendary actress would look like had she not undergone the tweakments in the first place.

Now, dramatic, computer-generated images have revealed the answer.

Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the timeless beauty when she was younger and make a variety of predictions about what she should look like at age 61.

The results were quite a shakeup from how she looks now, as they showed the star with wrinkles and crow's feet around her eyes - but still strikingly beautiful.

Courteney Cox previously detailed how she would undergo just one procedure at a time - which ultimately resulted in a 'domino effect' of alterations - and left her unable to realize the extent of her changing appearance (pictured in 2020)

Now, dramatic, computer-generated images have revealed what she could look like if she never had any cosmetic tweaks. Pictured: In 1981 (left) and aged with AI (right)

Back in 2023, Cox opened up about the 'pressure' to stay looking young in the film industry.

She told Woman magazine: 'My biggest beauty regret is fillers.

'There's so much pressure to stay looking young in this industry that once you start, it becomes a bit of a domino effect and you keep on having more.

'To the rest of the world your face is so obviously changing, but to yourself - because you're only having one procedure at a time - you don't notice.

'It was a total waste of time and I wish I hadn't caved into the pressure of having it.'

The previous year, the actress admitted she initially tried to fight looking older with various 'injections' and other treatments but eventually realized she went 'crazy' and is now trying to age gracefully.

She told the Sunday Times Style magazine: 'There was a time when you go, "Oh, I'm changing. I'm looking older." And I tried to chase that [youthfulness] for years.

'And I didn't realize that, oh s**t, I'm actually looking really strange with injections and doing stuff to my face that I would never do now.'

Cox (pictured in 2018), who opened up about the 'pressure' to stay looking young in the film industry, previously decided to dissolve all her remaining filler

Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the timeless beauty when she was younger and make a variety of predictions about what she should look like at age 62. Pictured: In 1989 (left) and aged with AI (right)

The results were quite a shakeup from how she looks like now, as they showed the star with wrinkles and crow's feet around her eyes - but still strikingly beautiful. Pictured: In 1987 (left) and aged with AI (right)

Musing on whether to post a photo on Instagram of those days compared to now, she added: 'I'd say, "The day you realize what your friends were talking about."

'Because people would talk about me, I think. But there was a period where I went, "I've got to stop. That's just crazy."'

While she has given up cosmetic procedures, Courteney loves trying new products because she still puts a lot of 'intense' pressure on herself to look good.

She said: 'The scrutiny is intense, but I don't know if it could be more intense than what I put on myself. I'm a product wh**e. I will try anything.'
Italian fashion house Gucci has left fans completely outraged after the designer disclosed that its latest advertisement was made with the help of artificial intelligence.

The ad, which was posted to the brand's official account on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, showed an older woman wearing a fur coat walking through a restaurant, as young men at various tables stared up at her.

It was meant to be a teaser for its upcoming 'Primavera' collection, the first under new artistic director Demna, which will be shown on February 27 in Milan.

However, at the bottom of the post, the brand disclosed that the advertisement was 'created with AI,' much to the dismay of fashion lovers who flooded in with furious responses.

'If you're going to call yourself a luxury brand and charge that much for your products, people expect artistry,' one user typed.

'Creating an ad with AI is a direct slap in the face to your own industry that is supposed to be about highly-skilled artisans. This is why no one should take these brands seriously and support REAL local artists instead.'

Someone else agreed, 'I thought the whole idea of luxury is doing things the hard way. Sticking to high craftsmanship ideology, handmade with passionate labour. But you couldn't just get a studio, model, extras and take a photo?'

'Pay photographers, models, editors and art directors. AI SLOP is and never will be luxury,' someone else scathed.

Italian fashion house Gucci has left fans completely outraged after the designer disclosed that its latest advertisement was made with the help of artificial intelligence

The ad, which was posted to the brand's official account on X on Monday, showed an older woman wearing a fur coat walking in a restaurant, as young men at various tables stared up at her

Users couldn't believe that the ad was created with AI, and took to the social media platform with some furious responses

Another user chimed in, 'Gucci girl you've got the budget to hire real models. Do better.'

'Throw away everything that is Gucci, it no longer represents luxury,' one user wrote.

A second agreed, 'Disgusting. I'm not buying Gucci ever again. You're ruining fashion!'

'What a disgrace of a brand and its resources,' a follower commented.

The Daily Mail reached out to Gucci for comment.

Currently, the brand is estimated to be worth $11.6 billion.

And although the ad sparked an avalanche of backlash, Gucci is not the only fashion powerhouse to employ AI in recent months.

In July, fans were furious after they spotted an AI-generated ad for clothing company Guess in Vogue's August print issue.

Italian fashion house Gucci has left fans of the designer completely outraged as they disclosed that their latest advertisement was made with the help of artificial intelligence

The brand ran a two-page spread, with the ads appearing about halfway through Vogue's August print issue, showing a woman with bouncy, long blonde hair modeling two different outfits on separate pages.

The images were not part of Vogue editorial, but instead, presumably paid advertisements for the Guess brand that appeared in the famous fashion bible.

In one ad, the model sat at a cafe table with a cup of coffee, wearing a light blue romper covered in mesh floral detailing, as well as a gold watch and necklace from the brand.

The other photo depicted the same AI model in a black-and-white chevron print dress, carrying a matching Guess handbag in front of a 'shop' filled with hats in their window.

In the fine print on the side of the ad, it read that the campaign was produced by 'Seraphinne Vallora on AI.'

Seraphinne Vallora is an agency that designs 'editorial level AI-driven marketing campaigns and cinematic videos.'

Its campaigns featured not only in Vogue but also in Elle and Harper's Bazaar.

On its website, London-based founders Valentina and Andreea stated that they wanted to use AI to brands' advantage.

The advertisement came just one year after OpenAI and Vogue's publishing parent, Conde Nast, announced a partnership together, per BBC.

The deal involved allowing ChatGPT and its search engine, SearchGPT, to display content from Vogue and its other publications like GQ.

The deal was reported to be multi-year.
As a doctor, I occupy two distinct worlds. My background is in obstetrics and gynaecology and I work part-time in the NHS. But I also specialise in advanced aesthetics, specifically cosmetic gynaecology. This means I look after the functional and aesthetic health of the intimate area, covering everything from skin texture and volume to pelvic floor strengthening and rejuvenation.

But recently Ive been seeing a new type of patient. While everyone seems to be talking about Ozempic face  the gaunt, aged look that can accompany rapid weight loss from GLP-1 drugs  fewer are aware of a phenomenon Im seeing. Its a condition you could call Ozempic vagina.

Its unlikely to be something people even consider but the truth is that any medication that makes you lose weight quickly can also have an impact down there, and not in the way you might hope.

That sagging and laxity that you see on the face when a patient starts taking these types of drugs is often reflected in the intimate area. But, unlike the face, its not so easily visible. I am seeing a rising number of women  particularly those who are perimenopausal or menopausal  who are delighted with their weight loss but are suddenly dealing with an intimate area that looks older, feels uncomfortable and functions differently (yes, really).

Here are the primary issues my patients are facing, and how we can treat them

Lax labia

Just as you lose volume in your cheeks, rapid weight loss strips volume from the intimate area. Patients often tell me that their labia look saggy, particularly when they stand up.

From an aesthetic perspective, the area no longer looks youthful and this can have a knock-on effect on their self-esteem and, subsequently, their relationships.

Crucial cushioning

Beyond aesthetics, the loss of fat has serious physical implications. We naturally have a layer of fat across the pubic bone (the mons pubis) and the outer lips (labia majora) and that cushion has a functional role to play.

Dr Sima, who specialises in gynaecology, says the sagging and laxity seen on a face when a patient starts taking weight loss drugs is often reflected in the intimate area too

When patients lose that padding they can find that wearing underwear or tight clothes becomes painful because there is no support for the inner lips. The increased friction can also lead to pigmentation issues but, more worryingly, this anatomical change affects your health. Increased friction can result in higher susceptibility to thrush and bacterial vaginosis, and as the labia lose volume, the urethra becomes less protected, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

If the women are already menopausal or perimenopausal, a time at which the tissues in this area already have a tendency towards atrophy, then weight loss just compounds the problem.

Hormonal horrors

Even if GLP-1 users arent menopausal or perimenopausal they may still find that taking these types of drugs has an impact on their hormone levels. Adipose tissue (body fat) actually plays a role in producing oestrogen, meaning higher body fat usually correlates with higher oestrogen levels.

When a patient takes a drug like Ozempic (Wegovy in the UK) or Mounjaro, they experience a rapid decline in body fat, which can lead to a rapid decline in oestrogen levels. This effectively mimics  or exacerbates  perimenopausal symptoms which can include vaginal dryness, decreased lubrication and a lower libido.

Dehydrated down there

Weight-loss drugs dont only reduce appetite, they can also reduce thirst, often leading to general dehydration. If you are dehydrated systemically, you will experience intimate dryness. This combination of low oestrogen and dehydration can make intercourse painful and diminish sensation.

THE SOLUTION

Before I treat any patient its imperative that I understand what is causing the problem  you cant just treat the symptom without understanding the root cause.

Although the use of GLP-1s has become more commonplace, its still not something that a patient will automatically reveal, so well do a very in-depth consultation before discussing what their major concerns are.

At Dr Sima's clinic, she uses a range of treatments to combat symptoms of 'Ozempic vagina', such as micro-needling to replace lost volume and hyaluronic acid injections to reduce dryness

Sometimes, Ill use a treatment that will improve the quality of the skin and give a lifting effect. You may have heard of the Morpheus 8, which is a radio frequency micro-needling treatment that is used on the face. The Morpheus 8 V is similar but designed for the intimate area. For more significant changes, we might use non-surgical labiaplasty (from 3000) which uses radiofrequency at higher temperatures to tighten the area and improve aesthetic appearance.

Once we have improved the skin quality with treatments like micro-needling, we can look at replacing that lost volume. We can use fillers (around 300-500) to restore the cushion in the outer lips, which provides the necessary support and protection for the inner structures. We might also focus on pelvic floor strengthening to improve overall support.

And to combat dryness and laxity, I often combine treatments. So maybe using hyaluronic acid injections to deeply hydrate the tissues alongside internal radiofrequency treatments to rejuvenate the area, improve blood flow, and help with dryness and sensation.

There is no quick fix. My approach is holistic and customised to each patients specific complaints. It usually takes three to six months to achieve the desired results and most of my patients will come back in for an annual maintenance treatment. Just like losing weight, its not a one-and-done thing.

drsima.co.uk
Life is too short to drink bad wine, but as well as giving you a killer headache, some bottles may also leave you looking completely unsophisticated.

Sommelier Jason Hartman, from The Sommelier Company, told the Daily Mail that while the way a consumer interacts with wine says more about their class than the type of wine itself, there are some varieties he would advise avoiding.

'You can be drinking an expensive glass of wine and/or an expensive bottle of wine, and I still think you're not cool if you don't know why you like that wine,' Hartman said.

'If the only thing that you think is cool about it is the fact that you paid $200 for that bottle, I think that says that you have zero class,' he explained.

The wine expert added that a major sign of an inelegant wine is mass production, using 19 Crimes, which is a Shiraz from Australia, as an example.

'It's a grocery store wine that's really commercial,' he explained. 'It's probably not something that a very serious wine drinker would choose.'

He added it's not a matter of price point, but how it's produced.

'[The nicer wines] are made in a smaller production facility,' he explained. 'They're not over extracted.'

Life is too short to drink bad wine, but as well as giving you a killer headache, some bottles may also leave you looking completely unsophisticated (stock image)

At the end of the day, Hartman professed, if you genuinely enjoy a wine, there is no shame in what it is.

However, if you are worried about keeping up appearances or signaling a certain social status, these are the wines he suggests are best to avoid and the ones that are sure to impress.

The LEAST classy wines to drink

Over-oaked 'butter bomb' Chardonnay

Hartman explained that any time a wine is manipulated to the point where you can only taste one thing, it's a sign it's lacking sophistication.

'The over-oaked, overmalolactic Chardonnay is the classic example of winemaking drowning out the fruit,' the sommelier explained.

He likened it to a 'college kid drowning a dry chicken breast in hot sauce instead of learning how to cook.'

'Powerful is fine, but when oak becomes louder than the fruit and the glass ends up smelling like a tub of movie-theater popcorn, that is un-classy,' he declared.

Hartman explained that any time a wine is manipulated to the point where you can only taste one thing, it's a sign it's lacking sophistication (stock image)

Sugar-heavy, jammy red blends

Hartman said very sweet-tasting reds are often looked at as an unsophisticated choice.

'If it drinks like blueberry syrup with a 15 to 16 percent alcohol warning label, it's more dessert than dinner,' he joked.

He added that these wines are 'impossible' to drink with food, as they overpower anything other than the most pungent flavors.

Hartman said very sweet-tasting reds are often looked at as an unsophisticated choice (stock image)

'When sweetness masks structure, the wine starts to feel more engineered than crafted,' he said. 'You know exactly which wines these are at your grocery store.'

Pinot Grigio

Hartman said that Pinot Grigio became the default 'safe wine' a number of years ago, but he wouldn't recommend buying it.

'It's like that because it's a tasteless grape and is more akin to Welch's grape juice than any sort of interesting wine,' he quipped.

The sommelier continued: 'Certain regions, such as Alto Adige, can make these tolerable, but when wine is chosen out of default rather than intentionally, it loses its charm.'

The MOST classy wines to drink

Chardonnay with texture and freshness

'You can find great examples of this traditionally in Burgundy or Sonoma, and cheaper but great expressions from South Africa or Chile,' Hartman advised.

The expert said a grocery store wine that's 'really commercial' is seen as less classy and something that a very serious wine drinker would not choose (stock image)

Rioja blend

Instead of a big brand red blend wine, Hartman says to opt for a Rioja blend.

The blend is from the Rioja wine region in Spain, and is subject to denominacion de origen calificada, one of Spain's regulatory classification systems.

'This is a full-bodied and bold mouthfeel wine that can be found at a reasonable price,' he explained.

'If spending up, a single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon is much more classy,' he added.

Instead of a big brand red blend wine, Hartman says to opt for a Rioja blend (stock image)

Wine with taste and energy

The sommelier suggested ordering wine with a touch more zest.

'Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand has become really popular in the last five to ten years for this reason.

'The grape currently growing in popularity for its zippy and refreshing qualities is Albarino,' he added.
Sydney is about to lose one of its most popular nightlife spots, with Bar Freda's confirming it will close at the end of February.

Founder David Abram and creative partner Carla Uriarte announced on Instagram that Bar Freda's final night will take place on Saturday 28 February, marking the first time in 15 years that there will not be a Freda's operating in Sydney.

'At the end of this month, Freda's will end its consultancy with Solotel. Bar Freda's final night will be this Saturday 28 February. Our programming of The Abercrombie's Club and Rooftop will cease at the end of April,' Abram wrote.

For many in the city's creative and hospitality scenes, Freda's was a cultural touchpoint that helped define a generation of small-bar-era Sydney.

Abram began the Freda's journey early in his career, at a time when Sydney nightlife was often criticised for lacking diversity and creative expression outside a handful of established venues.

'When I started this journey in my 20s I felt like nightlife, outside of a few special places, didn't reflect my interests or ideas,' he wrote.

The introduction of Small Bars legislation by the City of Sydney opened the door for a new wave of independent venues.

Freda's became one of the most recognisable names of that era - intimate, eclectic and driven by music, art, and community rather than poker machines or formulaic club nights.

Sydney's inner-city nightlife is about to lose one of its most influential creative hubs, with Bar Freda's confirming it will close at the end of February

For many in the city's creative and hospitality scenes, Freda's was a cultural touchpoint that helped define a generation of small-bar-era Sydney

The original Freda's was forced to close during the pandemic, just as the team felt they were 'starting to hit [their] stride'.

'It took 10 years to bring this to fruition. Building culture takes time, care, and commitment,' Abram said.

The 2026 iteration, operating within The Abercrombie in Chippendale, was an ambitious attempt to revive that spirit in a larger format.

'When Carla and I took on this role, we understood the challenges that were in front of us; the enormity of the project and reality of running a late-night business in 2026,' he said.

The statement also speaks to broader pressures facing Sydney hospitality.

Venue operators have grappled with rising rents, staffing shortages, insurance costs, and evolving licensing requirements, all while audiences have changed their habits post-pandemic.

Cost-of-living pressures have also altered how often people go out - and how much they spend when they do.

Against that backdrop, independent nightlife ventures carry significant financial risk.

Freda's was one of the few venues that consistently blurred the lines between bar, club, gallery, and creative space

Yet over the past year, Freda's continued to host headline moments that reminded regulars why it mattered.

Abram cited highlights including a five-hour set from Vladimir Ivkovic, two Astral People 24-hour parties, and a full-venue New Year's Eve takeover.

The closure marks a significant cultural shift.

Freda's was one of the few venues that consistently blurred the lines between bar, club, gallery, and creative space.

It attracted artists, musicians, DJs, and designers - and those who simply wanted a night out that felt different.

The announcement makes clear, however, that the brand itself is not disappearing.

'Whilst this marks the end of this chapter, it does not mark the end of Freda's. Our commitment to culture, community, and human connection through art and music remains. This fire burns bright,' Abram wrote.

The team plans to celebrate 15 years of Freda's later this year and continue with events, workshops, activations, and pop-ups.

Freda's closure raises questions about the sustainability of independent nightlife in a city that has long debated how to balance regulation and cultural vibrancy.

For older millennials and Gen Z patrons who came of age during the small bar boom, the venue represented a more intimate, creatively driven alternative to mainstream clubs.

Its absence will leave a noticeable gap - not just on the map, but in the ecosystem of Sydney's after-dark culture.

For now, loyal patrons have one last weekend to dance under its lights before the doors shut forever - at least in this form.
He founded Raineri's Continental Delicatessen in Five Dock

Sydney's inner west has lost one of its most beloved food figures, with the passing of Pietro Rainieri - the man behind the cult favourite Raineri's Continental Delicatessen in Five Dock.

Tributes have poured in for the 88-year-old, remembered as a hardworking Italian migrant who built a family business from the ground up and helped shape the culinary identity of the local community for more than four decades.

Food content creator and family friend Anna Simon shared the news on Instagram in an emotional post.

'Over 45 years at Five Dock, serving the community with pride, kindness, and hard work,' she wrote.

'Pietro Rainieri was the true definition of the hardworking Italian migrant who came to Australia to build a better life for his family.'

Simon paid tribute to Pietro's sons, Sam and Joseph, and to his wife Rosaria, who stood by his side throughout the journey.

Long before queues wrapped around Great North Road, Pietro was delivering salami, cheese and olive oil to Italian families from the back of his Holden station wagon in the 1960s.

That small operation grew into Raineri's, a modest Italian deli that quietly served locals for decades before becoming one of Sydney's most unexpected food pilgrimages.

Sydney's inner west has lost one of its most beloved food figures, with the passing of Pietro Rainieri - the man behind the cult favourite Raineri's Continental Delicatessen in Five Dock

A tiny, family-run Italian deli in Sydney's inner west has become the city's most unexpected food pilgrimage with customers now lining up for hours just to get their hands on a $15 sandwich

Inside, glass cabinets brim with Italian-sourced cured meats, cheeses and antipasti like cut-to-order salami, San Daniele prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, marinated eggplant, capsicum, olives and sun-dried tomatoes, stacked onto warm, toasted focaccia

Opened in 1981 by Pietro and Rosaria, the shop built its reputation on quality produce, generous portions, and old-school hospitality.

Every sandwich cost the same - $5 in the early days, then $10, and more recently $15 - even as some imported ingredients climbed above $120 a kilo.

'My father always made affordable panini. We want to keep that,' Sam previously said.

In recent years, social media propelled Raineri's into cult status.

Queues now snake down the footpath 'all day every day', according to NSW Liberal Leader Kellie Sloane, who recently posted a Facebook video documenting the frenzy outside the deli.

In the clip, Ms Sloane chose the now-famous mortadella sandwich, describing it as looking 'absolutely incredible' before giving it a glowing five-star rating, further fuelling the already relentless demand.

On any given weekday, lines begin forming around 10.30am and don't ease until mid-afternoon.

People travel from all over Sydney for a taste, with one customer famously telling the Sydney Morning Herald they'd spent $20 in tolls just to get there.

Raineri's isn't a sandwich shop in the modern, curated sense. Interestingly, there's no menu, or pre-set combinations, but instead, customers are guided by the family behind the counter, who've been perfecting panini since 1981. Pictured: Owner Sam Raineri

Raineri's Continental Delicatessen, tucked along Great North Road in Sydney's Five Dock, has quietly served locals for more than four decades

Another passer-by, watching the queue build, summed up the disbelief many still feel: 'So, it's just a sandwich?'

But long-time locals insist the hype never changed the heart of the place.

'It won't feel the same without him there when I go past,' one wrote after news of Pietro's passing.

'So sad. He used to make a mini panini for my son every time we went in,' another shared.

Others described him as a 'Five Dock icon' and a 'legend of the community'.

Italian-Australians, in particular, spoke of pride in what Pietro represented - resilience, generosity and the quiet determination of migrant families who helped shape modern Sydney's food culture.

Raineri's was never just about viral mortadella rolls.

It was, and remains, a traditional Italian deli stocked with cured meats, cheeses, olives, pasta, olive oil and passata. Regulars know there are two queues - one for paninis, another for deli goods.

Customers can choose their own adventure or hand control to the experts, with many opting for what fans affectionately call an 'omakase panini'. One of their standout combinations includes Stracciatella, mortadella and artichoke (left) and costs $15

Glass cabinets brim with Italian-sourced cured meats, cheeses and antipasti like cut-to-order salami, San Daniele prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, marinated eggplant, capsicum, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes, stacked onto warm, toasted focaccia.

A communal table and coffee machine were added in recent years, allowing customers to linger among shelves stacked with imported staples.

Through it all, Pietro and Rosaria were often still there - greeting customers, sharing stories and passing on a legacy to their sons.

For many, that presence was the soul of the place.

With Pietro's passing, an era closes - not just for a shop, but for a generation that built community around food and family.

Raineri's doors will continue to open each morning. The panini will still be layered thick. The queue will likely still form.

But for those who knew him, Five Dock will feel just a little quieter without Pietro Rainieri behind the counter.
Left-leaning horror writer Stephen King was met with a flood of criticism Monday after a bizarre social media rant that claimed Donald Trump 'has never had a child.'

Trump, in fact, has five children - Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron.

Onlookers on X were quick to point that out.

Other claims in King's post - like that the president 'has no life experience' - were ridiculed as well.

The post read in full: 'Trump: Has never had a child. Has been married 3 times[.] Ran several businesses into the ground[.] Never ran a home, couldn't make a bed to save his ass.

'Calls people he works with dumb, losers, etc. Has never done sweat labor[.] Has never served on a local committee. Has no life experience.'

It drew a response from Trump's eldest, Donald Jr.

'Well, this is news to me unless he means birthed a child which would also hold true for every male ever. TDS is real and it's scary,' Trump Jr., 48, wrote.

Stephen King claimed President Donald Trump 'has never had a child,' among other things, in a post to X late Sunday

The post read: 'Trump: Has never had a child. Has been married 3 times[.] Ran several businesses into the ground[.] Never ran a home, couldn't make a bed to save his ass. Calls people he works with dumb, losers, etc. Has never done sweat labor... Has no life experience'

'Trump literally has 5 kids. What is this sh*t?' Libs of TikTok questioned.

Conservative writer Jerry Dunleavy quipped, 'Donald Trump, famously childless.'

Others, like 1776 Project PAC founder Ryan Girdusky and conservative blogger Bonchie, got in on the action as well.

'Is there a 25th Amendment for taking peoples' phones away?' Bonchie asked, about a year removed from King's abrupt return to X in 2025 after leaving in protest of then-new owner Elon Musk in 2023.

Almost immediately, the author called Trump 'a traitorous, Putin-loving dipshit'.

In April, King, 78, took to X to claim Trump was 'ruining the economy with his stupid tariffs.'

Just last month, the author framed United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as 'the American Gestapo.'

The attacks have not been limited to Trump, with King falsely claiming that conservative activist Charlie Kirk 'advocated stoning gays to death' just days after the 31-year-old's death in September.

Join the debate Was King speaking metaphorically when he said Trump has 'never had a child'?

Trump has five children - (from left) Eric (with wife Lara), Donald Jr., Tiffany, Ivanka, and Barron (not pictured) - a fact King's followers were quick to point out

Trump's eldest was one of several to pan the writer for his mistake, which remains up as of writing

'I apologize for saying Charlie Kirk advocated stoning gays,' King tweeted hours later after deleting the tweet and a storm of backlash.

'What he actually demonstrated was how some people cherry-pick Biblical passages,' King clarified. He also admitted he had not 'fact-checked' his post.

The author has since penned a post Monday slamming Trump for his repeated use of the phrase 'fake news'.

The Daily Mail has approached King for comment. The widely panned post about the president's accomplishments, meanwhile, remains up, as of writing.

Trump shares Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka with first wife Ivana, has a second daughter Tiffany with ex-wife Marla Maples and shares his youngest son, Barron, with wife Melania.
Shop workers are suffering 1,600 incidents of violence and abuse a day, damning new figures reveal.

Although the number fell by a fifth last year, retailers say more needs to be done to protect staff who are working in fear.

And the report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found there were 118 incidents of physical violence a day with 36 involving a weapon - more than one an hour.

'The relentlessness may have eased, but the fear has not disappeared,' said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.

The group represents over 200 major retailers including Tesco, Primark and Sainsbury's.

'For too many of our three million retail colleagues, fear has too often quietly become part of the job,' Dickinson added.

Since the pandemic, there have been alarming levels of shoplifting and abuse of retail workers

Violent incidents - which include shouted abuse, threats, racist or homophobic slurs, pushes and shoves - fell to 1,600 from 2,000 incidents per day in 2024.

But more than 100 a day involve physical violence, the survey said.

British retailers have invested more than 5billion in crime prevention and staff protection over the last five years, the survey found.

These methods include security guards, CCTV and body-worn cameras, which are used by major retailers, including Tesco.

And Britain is still continuing to be blighted by a shoplifting epidemic - with 5.5million known incidents of shoplifting last year, according to the BRC's survey.

Although there appears to have been a fall in the number of incidents, from over 20million thefts in 2024, the BRC said that this is because it changed its way of doing its survey.

It now uses the number of known thefts, as opposed to calculating a figure based on a number of missing goods. The BRC admitted the real figure will be much higher.

It said that the alarming levels of theft were mostly down to organised crime gangs. Often criminals are 'stealing to order', the group said, where thieves steal pricey goods that may have been requested in advance by potential buyers or organised crime groups.

Dickinson added: 'And when challenged, offenders do not apologise and hand the items back. Serial thieves know when to run, when to threaten, and when to fight. That is why staff are routinely told not to put their own safety at risk.'

It comes after The Met Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, was lambasted earlier this year by retailers after saying shopkeepers 'don't report anything' and 'need to do better'.

Retailers have long complained about the police's attitude towards incidents of shoplifting, with some saying that theft has been effectively decriminalised.

Dickinson said today that police response towards such crimes is 'improving', although 'the problem is far from solved.'

The BRC also said the industry was hopeful that aspects in the Crime and Policing Bill, which is soon to be passed into law, will help bring crime down.

The bill will remove a 200 threshold for 'low level' theft, which it is hoped will encourage police to take incidents of shoplifting more seriously.

And it will make assaulting a shop worker a standalone offence, which will mean tougher sentences for perpetrators.

Theft remains endemic: It is organised crime - they are stealing to order

By Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium

Spend time in retail and one thing stands out: almost everyone has a story.

The abuse shouted across a checkout when a refund was refused. The threats uttered when someone challenges a theft. The split second a hand goes into a jacket and a colleague freezes, not knowing whether a weapon might appear. For too many of our three million retail colleagues, fear has too often quietly become part of the job.

BRC chief Helen Dickinson

Yet there are signs things are improving. The British Retail Consortium's 2026 Crime Report shows incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers fell by a fifth last year. This matters.

It means fewer people dreading their shift, fewer colleagues injured just for doing their job, fewer families having to console loved ones after threats or attacks.

This progress did not happen by accident. It reflects sustained action by retailers and better prioritisation by police.

Retailers have invested more than 5billion in crime prevention and staff protection over the last five years: security guards, CCTV, body-worn cameras and specialist de-escalation training. Many colleagues now wear cameras because experience has taught them a visible lens can sometimes prevent a situation spiralling out of control.

Retailers are working more closely with police forces and government through initiatives such as Operation Pegasus and the Retail Crime Action Plan. Police response is improving, with more businesses now rating Police support as good or excellent. But progress is not the same as success - the problem is far from solved.

Violence and abuse in retail might be down, but remains nearly four times higher than before the pandemic. There are still 1,600 incidents every single day. 1,600 incidents of shouted abuse, threats, racist or homophobic slurs, pushes and shoves. More than 100 a day involve physical violence. Thirty-six a day involve weapons  that's over 13,000 a year. The relentlessness may have eased, but the fear has not disappeared.

That is why the Crime and Policing Bill matters. Creating a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker sends a clear signal: abuse is not part of the job. It ensures these crimes are properly recorded and taken seriously. Removing the outdated 200 threshold for so-called 'low-level' theft matters too, because it restores a basic principle: all theft has consequences.

Theft remains endemic  and increasingly organised. Last year retailers recorded 5.5million shoplifting incidents, costing nearly 400million in detected losses. The true figure, including what quietly disappears from shelves, undetected, will be far higher.

This is not mainly opportunistic theft - a t-shirt slipped into a handbag, or a steak scanned as carrots. This is organised crime, often stealing to order. And when challenged, offenders do not apologise and hand the items back. Serial thieves know when to run, when to threaten, and when to fight. That is why staff are routinely told not to put their own safety at risk.

Retail crime is not victimless. Money spent on guards, security systems, and replacing stolen goods, is money not spent on lower prices for customers, better stores or higher pay. In the end, honest shoppers pay the price at the till.

Retailers and their customers have been forced to fill gaps once covered by policing. As Torsten Bell, now a Treasury minister, rightly argued last year, properly resourced neighbourhood policing should mean retailers do not have to pay for their own guards just to keep people safe and shelves stocked.

We need to see retailers improving the quality of information shared with the police and we need to see more visible policing, consistent enforcement and the confidence that reporting leads to action. Without all that, trust erodes, offenders grow bolder and frontline workers carry the risk.

Falling violence shows what is possible when retailers, police and government work together with focus and determination. But it also shows how far there is still to go.

For the millions of people who keep our industry running, stock our shelves and serve their communities every day, feeling safe at work should not be an aspiration. It should be a basic expectation.
President Donald Trump teased his State of the Union address Monday by telling a White House audience it would be lengthy.

'It's going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,' the President said.

To get you through the night, the Daily Mail has crafted yet another State of the Union BINGO board.

Trump will, no doubt, tout the economy.

But will he bring up tariffs after Friday's Supreme Court slapdown?

Will he tout that he brought down the cost of eggs?

Or will he blast the Democrats, ahead of the all-important midterm elections, for making affordability their thing, something that he's called a 'hoax.'

Trump will, no doubt, go after his detractors.

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President Donald Trump (center) delivers his joint address to Congress in 2025 flanked by Vice President JD Vance (left) and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (right). The Daily Mail has created a BINGO card for Tuesday night's speech

Though will it be Republican on Republican crime, with the President calling the ex-congresswoman from Georgia, 'Marjorie Traitor Greene.'

His high-profile break from the ex-lawmaker comes after last year's joint address to Congress, where he was seen giving a cheek kiss to her as he entered the House chamber.

Trump often says he 'inherited a mess' from former President Joe Biden.

Will he use that same line Tuesday night, while calling the 83-year-old ex-President an 'autopen?'

Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris are also common punching bags for the President.

He has several favorite terms to go after his rivals - including dubbing them 'losers,' 'incompetent,' or saying an individual is suffering from 'Trump derangement syndrome.'

HAPPIER TIMES: President Donald Trump gave Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene a cheek kiss when he arrived to deliver his joint address to Congress. This year, if Greene comes up during the State of the Union, he could use his nickname for her: Marjorie Traitor Greene

First Lady Melania Trump is captured arriving at President Donald Trump's 2025 joint address to Congress. The President will likely call attention to his wife - and her guests - during Tuesday night's State of the Union address

On the foreign policy front, Trump will likely boast about U.S. forces capturing former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

He could also preview what he has in store for Iran, as U.S. forces build up in the region.

If Trump talks energy, he could bring up 'clean beautiful coal' or go on his trademark rant about windmills.

The President will likely call attention to his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, who is slated to bring several guests to the speech.

And then there's always a chance he'll discuss some of his more colorful projects.

He could bring up the White House ballroom and, with it, his love of marble.

Or he could tout how he's throwing a UFC fight on the White House's South Lawn - in celebration of America250 and to mark his 80th birthday.
It wasn't just the blanket left behind on a plane that got Homeland Security senior adviser Corey Lewandowski so riled up that he fired Kristi Noem's pilot.

It was, according to three DHS insiders, another item Noem left on that flight last spring: her bag.

No one knows for certain what was inside the bag - or at least no one was saying - but it was enough to stir up a hornet's nest with a firing, a rehiring, a promotion and even a medal.

And it seemingly ended with an unlikely story that Secretary of Homeland Security Noem, 54, had left her favorite weighted blanket on her official plane and was angry that no one had transferred it when she had to swap the aircraft.

'This was never about a blanket,' one insider with knowledge of the incident told the Daily Mail. 'The blanket was a cover story for what really happened. The whole thing was really about the bag that was left.'

The kerfuffle surfaced to the public in early February when it was reported that Lewandowski fired the pilot because he failed to transfer the blanket.

The pilot was initially relieved of his duty and ordered to take a commercial flight home, but then rehired because no one else was available to fly them back, according to the reports.

But there is much more to the incident than that, the Daily Mail has learned - and it is the contents of Noem's bag that are now in question.

Corey Lewandowski had a meltdown last spring when his boss, Kristi Noem, left her bag on a flight, three DHS sources told the Daily Mail

Kamryn Jones, 38, the military aide who was on plane with Noem, was awarded with a Legion of Merit medal by the Secretary. It is one of the military's most prestigious decorations

Coast Guard turned DHS senior adviser Keith Thomas is seen at his June 9 Change of Command ceremony. Lewandowski's initial reaction was to fire Thomas, a commanding officer for the Coast Guard in Washington, directing him to take a commercial flight home

Noem's relationship with Lewandowski, her top aide and frequent companion, has come under scrutiny after the Daily Mail caught him leaving her place in DC. Both are still married to other people and both have denied having an affair with each other.

The flashpoint came after they touched down on that spring trip. Once on the ground, the pair had to switch from their Gulfstream private jet to fly back to Washington on a different plane.

Lewandowski had his meltdown shortly after takeoff upon discovering the bag - and maybe the blanket - had failed to make it onto the second plane, according to sources.

Lewandowski's initial reaction was to fire the pilot, Keith Thomas, a commanding officer for the Coast Guard in Washington, directing him to take a commercial flight home.

But then Lewandowski, 52, was told they would be stuck on the tarmac because there was no one to fly them to their next destination.

So Lewandowski quickly rehired Thomas, 46.

Noem boarding a plane in May 2025. The Washington Post initially reported the blanket story in August last year with sparse detail, writing that Noem and her staff had grown irritated when the blanket was not provided to her, and that the incident had 'escalated'

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Thomas (center) declined to comment on the plane incident, stating, 'As a military officer, I do not comment on past or current missions'

Lewandowski discovered that at least two people were aware of the contents of his alleged paramour's bag and that this could be embarrassing, sources told the Daily Mail.

Was it a mere coincidence then, that Thomas - who, weeks earlier, had been fired as a pilot - was promoted to become a DHS senior advisor, and the aide close to Noem on the trip, Kamryn Jones, 38, was also rewarded?

In September, Noem awarded Jones with a Legion of Merit medal, one of the military's most prestigious decorations.

And on September 20, Noem even posted a smiley photo on Instagram showing her presenting the award to Jones.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Thomas declined to comment on the plane incident, stating, 'As a military officer, I do not comment on past or current missions.'

Thomas was commander of the Coast Guard's VIP transportation unit, based in Washington, DC, piloting the service's two Gulfstream C-37Bs (G550s), in charge of the transportation of senior Coast Guard officers and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

He left that position in June. In August, he was given a senior advisory role. Two DHS sources told the Daily Mail that Thomas was given a leadership role for a newly created air division serving DHS headquarters.

One DHS source said Thomas resigned in late January, shortly before Lewandowski's meltdown became widely reported.

Jones referred the Daily Mail to the Coast Guard, which, in turn, referred us to Noem's Department of Homeland Security.

Noem brought Lewandowski (right) along to the department as a 'special government employee.' He accompanies her in Colombia in last March

Thomas, who had been fired as a pilot, was then promoted to become a DHS senior adviser, and the aide close to Noem on the trip, Kamryn Jones, 38, was also rewarded

The Washington Post initially reported the blanket story in August last year with sparse detail, writing that Noem and her staff had grown irritated when the secretary's blanket was not provided to her, and that the incident had 'escalated.'

NBC News took it further last week with a report that Noem had to switch planes after a maintenance issue and that her blanket wasn't moved to the second plane.

The outlet reported that Lewandowski confronted the pilot shortly after takeoff, demanding initially that they turn around to retrieve the personal items. Lewandowski's confrontation with the pilot occurred when he entered the cockpit of the plane, according to Reuters.

But neither outlet mentioned the bag and its contents that was the real source of the concern.

It is not the first time Noem has had an incident involving her bag with embarrassing consequences.

Just a month before the airplane debacle, on April 19, she had her purse stolen at the Capital Burger restaurant in Washington, DC, while dining with her family.

Surprisingly, in these days when most people pay by credit card, the bag contained $3,000 in cash as well as Noem's passport, medications and her DHS access pass, among other personal items.

A man wearing a medical mask was caught on security camera stealing it from under her chair and two suspects were later arrested.

The Daily Mail spotted Lewandowski leaving Noem's apartment complex clutching a duffel bag on April 24 last year

The pair hold some of the highest security clearances in the country, a status that requires strict adherence to federal standards.

A Homeland Security memo, written in March and exclusively obtained by the Daily Mail, warned DHS leadership about granting Lewandowski a top-secret security clearance.

The note revealed that he disclosed on a security clearance form that he sought treatment in 2022 for alcohol and substance abuse disorder.

The memo further stated that Lewandowski voluntarily continues to seek counseling for alcohol use.

The pair moved into the Coast Guard Commandant's quarters last summer after the Daily Mail revealed Lewandowski's frequent clandestine visits to Noem's home in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington.

Neither Noem, Lewandowski, DHS nor the White House responded to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
A Bondi brouhaha between two parents at an elite private school has spiralled out of control, with shocking accusations being hurled and talk of police getting involved.

Earlier this month, mother-of-two Meghan Byrne accused fellow school parent Jeremy Levitt, a prominent Jewish businessman and occasional TV personality, of spreading rumours she had been 'cracking on to him'.

Their WhatsApp exchange - in which a furious Ms Byrne crudely referenced Mr Levitt's religious background, and he in turn accused her of being drunk - was later leaked to reporter Liam Mendes of The Australian.

Both parents' children attend Reddam House, a co-educational private school in Sydney's eastern suburbs - home to many members of the Jewish community - with fees upwards of $49,000 for Year 12 students.

Last week, Byrne was reported to police over the allegedly mocking texts; however, NSW Police detectives did not believe the threshold for criminal action was met.

Nonetheless, Mr Levitt is understood to now be seeking a private AVO from the court.

After the dispute was leaked to the press, Ms Byrne, a Bondi-based artist originally from the Blue Mountains, has gone to ground, deactivating her website and social media accounts - but, in a tearful and frantic phone call with the Mail this week, she still insisted the damning messages were taken out of context.

The heated WhatsApp exchange began when Ms Byrne sent a series of incoherent messages to Mr Levitt on the evening of February 8, accusing him of telling mutual acquaintances that she had been 'cracking on' to him.

Reddam House mum Meghan Byrne (pictured) accused fellow school parent Jeremy Levitt, a business owner and TV commentator, of spreading rumours she had been 'cracking on to him'

Jeremy Levitt (right) is a serial entrepreneur. He's a commentator on property and economic trends across Australia, having appeared on Nine's Today show with Georgie Gardner (left)

'Apparently I was cracking on to you,' she wrote.

'Don't hatch your chickens mate... Couldn't think of anything worse... I had banter.

'But being attracted to you is beyond repulsive.'

Mr Levitt appeared to deny saying anything of the sort about Ms Byrne, responding: 'What are you talking about... That is disgusting.'

He then asked, 'Can I ask if you are drunk right now?' at which point the exchange turned even more venomous.

'Can I ask if you have your special hat on?... The holy one?' Ms Byrne asked, seeming to make reference to Jewish religious attire.

Mr Levitt, who describes himself as 'not particularly' religious, warned Ms Byrne that she 'picked the wrong time' to make such a remark.

Mr Levitt then tried to end the conversation by saying, 'Stop drinking and go to bed,' which only further enraged Ms Byrne.

Ms Byrne denied ever 'cracking on' to Mr Levitt. The company CEO seemed baffled by the suggestion he had ever claimed such a thing and, in turn, accused Ms Byrne of being drunk. (Above and below: a mock-up of the messages that were exchanged on February 8)

The exchange turned venomous after Mr Levitt suggested Ms Byrne had been drinking. She made a crass reference to Jewish religious attire ('Can I ask if you have your special hat on?')

Mr Levitt tried to end the conversation by saying, 'Stop drinking and go to bed'

Ms Byrne called Mr Levitt, who wears glasses, a 'google eyed [sic] geek'

Ms Byrne also called Mr Levitt, who wears glasses, a 'google eyed [sic] geek'.

Through tears, Ms Byrne told the Mail on Monday that the WhatsApp messages had been taken out of context.

She also insisted she was not 'cracking on' to Mr Levitt, who is serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses.

Clearly in an emotional state, Ms Byrne went on to confirm to the Mail that she was separated from her husband, and that she had previously confided in Mr Levitt and his wife, about the breakdown of her 25-year marriage.

'I myself have been going through a divorce, but that does not mean that I was sexually interested in him,' she said.

'It's completely false,' she added.

Ms Byrne continued: 'It is the children that are suffering and mine are really traumatised by this - they are in the cool group [at] school.'

Before the Mail became aware that Ms Byrne was going through a divorce, our reporter attempted to speak with her husband, Stuart Mullins, near the marital home in Bondi Beach.

After taking their son to school on Monday in a gunmetal grey BMW X3, Mr Mullins appeared to take a heated phone call.

In September 2022, Ms Byrne fronted Downing Centre Local Court on a drink-driving charge

Before the Mail learned Ms Byrne was going through a divorce, our reporter attempted to speak with her husband, Stuart Mullins, near the marital home in Bondi. He declined to comment

There was no sign of Ms Byrne at the address and it is possible she is either living elsewhere or maintaining a low profile following the controversy with Mr Levitt.

When the Mail tried to question Mr Mullins about Mr Levitt's suggestion that his wife had been drinking before sending the wild texts, he bristled and stormed off.

Meanwhile, the saga looks to be far from over.

As mentioned earlier, Mr Levitt now intends to apply for a private AVO. He has also escalated matters by making a complaint to Anti-Discrimination NSW.

Ms Byrne is no stranger to AVO proceedings. Police applied for an apprehended violence order to protect Ms Byrne from Mr Mullins in June 2022, but when the matter came before Waverley Local Court in August the following year, it was dismissed and withdrawn. On the same day, Mr Mullins was found not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

In September 2022, she fronted Downing Centre Local Court on a drink-driving charge, for which she was convicted, fined $1,000 and sentenced to a two-year community corrections order that included 200 hours of community service work.

She was further disqualified from driving for eight months and had to have an alcohol interlock device fitted to her vehicle for two years.

Jeremy Levitt could not be reached for comment. Reddam House was also contacted.

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Minister Jim O'Callaghan has been hailed for his strong action on immigration  a topic that has become increasingly controversial over the past few years.

But there may be more to moves to create a fast track asylum appeals process  announced last month with some fanfare  than initially appeared to meet the eye.

The numbers of asylum seekers housed in International Protection Application Centres (IPAC) across the country has become a political hot potato in recent years.

Many local communities object to the lack of consultation and the top down approach of Government in imposing large number of international protection applicants into sparsely populated, rural or socioeconomic disadvantaged areas.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly attend a Garda graduation ceremony on February 6

Attempts to stem the flow of false applications, and speed up the process for people who are legitimately seeking asylum in Ireland have been broadly welcomed  with the long wait and large backlog of applicants considered a huge issue the Government needs to tackle.

Now the Government has confirmed 30,000 asylum seekers currently living in accommodation centres across the country will not be processed under the new system to fasttrack applications.

The revelation has sparked fears that tens of thousands of asylum seekers will remain in limbo while new applications are dealt with.

There are also concerns about a raft of potential legal challenges by asylum seekers who have spent years waiting for their cases to be dealt with.

Last month, Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan launched the new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) system, saying it will make the [asylum] process more efficient.

It forms part of the International Protection Bill 2026, which Mr OCallaghan called the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State.

But the Department of Justice this weekend confirmed the system will only deal with new applicants.

A double decker bus and a car are set alight on the edge of O Connell Bridge in November 2023 as hundreds of people riot on O'Connell Street and surrounding areas of Dublin City

Justice officials were shocked to learn this at meetings this week, with a senior source who attended telling the MoS: We were informed that the TARA will deal with only new applicants seeking appeal first.

We were shocked as we assumed it would move to deal with those awaiting appeal in the system.

Many of the 30,000plus people living in IPAS centres will be accepted for asylum here and will not require to have appeals heard.

But sources said the significant number of asylum seekers that will not be able to avail of the new TARA system indicates the large number of delays will continue.

Minister OCallaghan last month said the reforms under the International Protection Bill 2026 will bring Ireland in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The Bill will put in place a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the longterm and will ensure Irelands policy aligns with other EU countries, he said, in order to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure consistent with how asylum laws operate across the EU.

He said the Bill introduces faster processing of asylum claims with a much more efficient decisionmaking system meaning applicants spend less time in IPAS accommodation, and it will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State.

Faster decisionmaking will also mean successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, while those refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.

However, there is likely to be no immediate reduction in numbers living in the 312 IPAS centres across the country due to expected delays in processing existing applications.

This is likely to spark unease in communities where protests have taken place outside IPAS centres.

Although there have been highprofile protests at proposed and existing IPAS centres in Dublin, including in Coolock and Citywest, there has also been peaceful opposition to the location of centres in rural areas.

In many instances, the sole surviving hotels in smaller towns have been set aside for IPAS centres, removing the only venue for events such as weddings and Holy Communions.

A Department of Justice spokesman told the MoS: The new second instance body TARA is intended to solely deal with new applications received from 12 June when the Pact comes into effect.

The Department said the appeals body, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), under which the current backlog developed, will continue to deal with applications received before that.

They did not respond directly to fears expressed about ongoing delays to existing asylum applications or give a timeline for when these would be processed.

The spokesman added: This parallel processing activity, along with the other investment and reform will show a return over time in the form of decreasing annual costs.

This is because of the improved, faster processing it will enable, thereby reducing the time an applicant remains in the system, and reducing significant accommodation and other costs.

High profile protests took place over a number of days at the City West Hotel IPAC Centre in West Dublin last October

Earlier this month, the Dail heard the State outlay on asylum accommodation has doubled to 1.2billion in two years.

Responding to questions from Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn, Mr OCallaghan confirmed there were 33,241 people in IPAS centres at the end of 2025, a decline of 533 on the 33,774 recorded at the same period the previous year. More than 9,700 of IPAS residents in 2025 were children.

Mr OCallaghan told the Dail: Providing reception conditions to people applying for international protection is part of EU and Irish law.

The spend by the State in accommodating asylum seekers last year increased by 19 per cent to 1.2billion, despite the number of new asylum applications reducing by 29 per cent in 2025.
TV talk show guru Dr Phil is refusing a demand to hand over unedited footage of his controversial podcast interview with the husband of convicted child killer Rebecca Grossman.

Lawyers for the heartbroken parents of the two young brothers Grossman murdered in a hit-and-run have subpoenaed the star's producers, urging them to surrender the full, raw video as possible evidence in the wrongful death lawsuit against the wealthy socialite and her ex-lover, one-time Los Angeles star pitcher Scott Erickson.

In the two-part podcast, Fatal Accident: Inside the Rebecca Grossman Case  which was released last month and then taken off line  renowned plastic surgeon Dr Peter Grossman claimed his 62 year-old wife is innocent of killing brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob Iskander, eight, blaming Erickson instead.

Parents Nancy and Karim Iskander's attorney Andrew Owen served Dr Phil's production company, Peteski Productions, with subpoenas asking for the unedited footage and any documents or communications about the fatal crash that Peter Grossman shared with the TV personality.

'But they refused to produce the material we are asking for and we are now considering our options,' Owen revealed to the Daily Mail.

Unlike Rebecca Grossman, who is serving 15 years to life behind bars for killing the boys on a pedestrian crossing in 2020, Erickson, 57, only received a slap on the wrist with a misdemeanor reckless driving charge that was later dismissed.

But in the wrongful death civil lawsuit, he's also named as a defendant by the Iskanders, who accuse him of racing Grossman, with whom he was having an affair, just before the fatal crash.

In his quest for the unedited Dr Phil podcast content, Owen, argued that it 'should be produced, especially because there could be footage that was edited out for time purposes'.

Dr Phil is facing backlash for refusing to turn over unaired footage of his podcast interview with Rebecca Grossman's husband, Peter, despite a subpoena to his production team

During the podcast, Peter claimed his 62-year-old wife, Rebecca, was innocent of killing 11-year-old Mark and eight-year-old Jacob Iskander, instead blaming her ex-lover, former World Series-winning pitcher Scott Erickson

Mark and Jacob were killed on September 29, 2020, after Grossman slammed her Mercedes into them at high speed as they crossed the street

'Peter Grossman went to great lengths to explain how he and Rebecca Grossman believe the fatal collision occurred and how his wife was blameless,' attorney Owen added.

Erickson was in the World Series-winning Minnesota Twins team of 1991. He went on to play for four other MLB teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers

'During this two-part podcast, Peter Grossman repeatedly claimed his wife's innocence and blamed defendant Scott Erickson for killing the Iskander boys.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Petreski Productions attorney Misa Eiritz to ask why she is fighting the subpoenas and we have not yet received a response.

But in a written objection sent to Owen, she said that the subpoenas are calling for information that is 'not relevant' to the death crash lawsuit and is protected under the First Amendment and under California law.

'They seek information that is personal, financial, proprietary, sensitive or trade secret information,' said Eiritz who added that the subpoena requests are also 'vague, ambiguous, unintelligible, uncertain, overly broad, duplicative, oppressive, unreasonably burdensome and harassing.'

At an ex-parte court hearing Wednesday at Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Huey Cotton ordered Peter Grossman  who is also named in the civil lawsuit as the owner of the white Mercedes his wife was driving at the time of the crash  to turn over to the Iskanders' legal team any documents and communications about the deadly crash that he shared with Dr Phil.

The Grossmans' attorney Po Waghalter objected, saying that the communications were private and if they were aired publicly it could lead to 'salacious fodder in the media' that would 'taint the jury pool' (prejudice future jurors against the Grossmans) in the trial that's scheduled for April.

Her comment produced a wry grin from Judge Cotton who quipped, 'You're concerned about media gossip and Dr Grossman goes on Dr Phil?'

The Grossmans' attorney objected to the release of the podcast footage, arguing the that airing them publicly could create 'salacious fodder in the media' and risk prejudicing the jury pool ahead of the trial set for April

Grossman and his legal team objected to the judge's decision that he should fit for another two- hour deposition as he has already undergone two lasting eight hours

The judge also ordered Dr Grossman to sit for a third deposition of two hours, over protests from Waghalter who complained that he had already sat for two depos that lasted a total of eight hours.

The Iskanders' legal team want to question Peter Grossman about the considerable wealth, unexplained multi-million dollar cash transfers and 'suspicious' property dealings of the Grossmans that could stop or hinder the grieving parents from collecting cash damages if they win their lawsuit.

In particular, they want to know if he was trying to hide a valuable asset by recently transferring title to the couple's spectacular, $13.5million hilltop mansion in Hidden Hills to a mysterious entity called the JB Road Trust, 'which Peter Grossman inexplicably could not identify the members and beneficiaries of', said Owen.

'The home's curious ownership history after the fatal collision is highly suspicious. If Rebecca Grossman is a beneficiary of the JB Road Trust, directly or indirectly, then we more likely than not are dealing with a potentially fraudulent transfer.'

The Grossmans' lawyers countered, saying that many of the requested financial documents have already been provided and that the Iskanders' queries about the JB Road Trust are a 'fishing expedition'.

'The JB Road Trust is not relevant to the accident,' they said, adding that some of the Iskanders' document and information requests in their motion were 'overly broad, vague and ambiguous' or 'unduly burdensome, harassing and oppressive'.

On Thursday last week, a 'mandatory settlement conference' was held at LA Superior Court in Van Nuys where Judge Wendy Wilcox interviewed all the parties privately in her chambers to see if a cash damages settlement could be reached out of court before going on to an expensive trial.

No settlement was reached.

The Iskanders' legal team seeks to question Peter Grossman about the family's vast wealth, unexplained multi-million-dollar cash transfers, and 'suspicious' property dealings that could prevent or limit the parents from collecting damages if they win their lawsuit

The Iskanders want to know if Peter tried to hide a $13.5million Hidden Hills mansion by transferring it to the mysterious JB Road Trust, whose members and beneficiaries their legal team couldnt identify

Rebecca Grossman made a brief appearance via video from the California Institute for Women in Chino, about 35 miles east of Los Angeles

But Rebecca Grossman made a brief appearance via video from her state prison, California Institute for Women in Chino, about 35 miles east of LA.

Wearing a light blue, short-sleeved shirt, with her graying hair tied back, she looked drawn and apprehensive.

Peter Grossman showed up in person, dressed in a black suit under a dark coat to protect him from the driving rain and wind in Van Nuys.

The Iskanders also appeared on video from their new home in Massachusetts.

Noticeably absent was Scott Erickson  despite Judge Cotton 'strongly suggesting' that he be there in person.
The desperate search for a 21-year-old college student was underway after he went missing during a Michigan winter storm.

Northern Michigan University student Trenton Massey was last seen on video on Sunday at 3.25am in the snowy area of East Baraga Ave and the Founder's Landing Boardwalk in Marquette.

The Marquette Police Department said Massey appeared to be 'disoriented and having trouble walking,' wearing an olive-green and black jacket with dark pants.

Officials believe he was likely trying to reach his residence on McMillian Street while temperatures that night dropped to 19C, according to Fox News 11.

Captain of Detectives Christopher Aldrich of the Marquette Police Department told PEOPLE that multiple factors could have led to Massey's disoriented state, possibly consuming alcohol, and also could have affected by the frigid temperatures.

'He appeared to have severe stages of hypothermia, running, falling, running, falling,' said Massey's mother, Sarah Brock, in a post to Facebook.

Officials are urging local residents in the area where the missing student is to check the camera footage around the time of the disappearance.

Additionally, residents are asked to check around their property, including inside vehicles and in buildings such as sheds or barns, for any signs of Massey.

Northern Michigan University student Trenton Massey, 21, was last seen on video on Sunday at 3.25am in the snowy area of East Baraga Ave and the Founder's Landing Boardwalk in Marquette while temperatures that night dropped to 19C

Officials said Massey appeared to be 'disoriented and having trouble walking,' as he is pictured wearing an olive-green and black jacket with dark pants

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Search parties, made up of officials and good Samaritans, spent Monday combing the area, bundled up as they traversed freezing temperatures just below 10C.

Multiple businesses within the city have opened their doors to volunteers as warming shelters.

Searchers used sticks and other tools to poke snow piles, hoping to find Massey.

The dangerous conditions forced Northern Michigan University to close on Monday.

'Our thoughts remain with everyone involved in the search for Trenton Massey,' wrote the Range Bank Community Outreach Coordinator, who set up a headquarters for searchers.

'We're keeping Trenton, his family, and the entire NMU community close in our hearts.'

Sarah Brock, Massey's mother, wrote in a post to Facebook that her son was apparently showing signs of hypothermia

Hundreds of people have helped joined the search for the missing student many carrying sticks and tools to pokes mounds of snow

The Marquette Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding Massey's whereabouts to contact them immediately at 906-228-0400

Massey's family posted online, thanking the community for their help: 'People we don't even know are being so kind and caring.'

'They have had drones, dogs, and many other resources looking for him. I am frantic, helpless, sad, mad, worried sick, all the emotions.'

The Marquette Police Department is asking anyone with information regarding Massey's whereabouts to contact them immediately at 906-228-0400.
A former executive assistant at the UC Davis Fire Department was sentenced to jail after apologizing in court for stealing $40,000 in public funds.

Meagan McFadden, 35, received 180 days in the Yolo County Jail after pleading guilty to felony misappropriation of public money, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Prosecutors say McFadden collected unearned overtime pay at the California university.

Former fire chief Nathan Trauernicht allegedly authorized the payments and faces a separate case to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Before sentencing, the former executive assistant asked for forgiveness, pleading with the judge to allow her to serve her time at home under electronic monitoring.

'I'm writing this letter to you because I would like to sincerely apologize. I take responsibility for my misconduct,' McFadden read from a letter.

'It is truly something that is extremely out of character for me. I do not have a history of any criminal activity, because I've always respected the justice system and obeying the law.'

McFadden noted that jail time would place a significant burden on her family, as her husband is a firefighter and they recently had a baby.

Meagan McFadden, 35, received 180 days in the Yolo County Jail after pleading guilty to felony misappropriation of public money, while she was an executive assistant at the UC Davis Fire Department

McFadden collected unearned overtime pay at the California university, said prosecutors

She added that she wants 'to be a good role model for my baby and accept that actions have consequences.'

While the judge initially denied McFadden her request to serve her sentence from the comfort of her home, he informed her that she would have to apply for an alternative sentence program at the Yolo County Jail, according to the Bee.

The former executive assistant has until April 16 to be accepted into a program or surrender to jail.

She was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution to the university and serve three years of probation, which her attorney, Thomas Johnson, said she could pay in 60 days, according to the outlet.

'Ms. McFadden deeply regrets the conduct, as you could hear in her voice,' Johnson said in court. 'She did in fact take advantage of a situation.'

Her attorney said she was also humiliated as the case unfolded in court, and that McFadden did the right thing by offering to plead guilty early in the court process and pay restitution.

McFadden resigned from her position in January 2024 after more than four years with the department

She pleaded with a judge to serve her time from home while wearing a GPS device which was initially denied. She was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution to the university and serve three years of probation

'I think she has shown you this morning who she really is,' Johnson said in court. 'I don't think she'll ever be seen in a courtroom again.'

McFadden resigned from her position in January 2024 after more than four years with the department.

Additional charges of embezzlement and perjury were dismissed as part of her plea deal, according to court records.

Deputy District Attorney Preston Schaub, who appeared in court on behalf of the prosecutor, said he's not seen many defendants apologize in court, according to the outlet.

'It's not the goal of the criminal justice system to humiliate or embarrass,' Schaub told the judge.

'That being said, shame is a very powerful motivator. And these are public proceedings. It's almost impossible for us to insulate defendants from that kind of embarrassment.'

Trauernicht resigned before he was indicted by a Yolo County grand jury in December 2024 on a felony charge of misappropriating public funds.

His case is scheduled to return to court on March 5.
A group of masked teens were seen rampaging through a Georgia neighborhood, leaving residents terrified.

The mob of teenagers descended on The Battery Atlanta on Saturday night, in scenes similar to the dystopia displayed in Mad Max action movies.

The chaos quickly resulted in a large police response after footage of the mayhem, which included teens brawling with each other, circulated online by locals in the area.

According to police, the incident stemmed from a planned large-scale gathering that was announced on social media.

Videos showed a massive group of teenagers, referred to by police as 'unruly subjects,' screaming, jumping, and recording the scene on their cellphones.

Multiple police cars were seen pulling up with their emergency lights on as they did so.

A couple of the teens were seen being arrested by authorities, according to witnesses who watched the chaos unfold.

'The scariest thing that I saw was the amount of people of [sic] masks coming here. Its just a recipe for disaster,' local Yasmine Washington told WSB-TV.

A swarm of teens gathered at The Battery Atlanta on Saturday night in what police have described as a large-scale meet-up that was planned on social media

Police quickly descended on the area after mayhem broke out and disrupted locals

'You dont know what they look like. You dont know what their intention is coming here. And Im just like, the chaos, it could turn very ugly.'

Brandon Brown, who works at the well-known shopping complex, also expressed concern over the hellish incident.

'I just hope for the future that they have a place for teens to go to more than just malls and places to roam' Brown told Fox 5 Atlanta, adding that the nightlife scene in the area is no place for unsupervised teens.

Following the frightening event, the Cobb County Police Department informed the public that its officers were patrolling the area more as a precaution.

'Officers will have an increased presence in the area and will be actively monitoring activity throughout the evening,' the agency said on Facebook.

'We are working closely with our public safety and community partners to ensure a safe environment for everyone.'

The department said that while public gatherings are legal, 'disruptive behavior, criminal activity, or damage to property will not be tolerated and will be addressed appropriately.'

@isupk_atlanta What do the politician and religious leaders that have a church on every corner remarks about the #TeenTakeover  original sound - ISUPK Atlanta

Police also urged parents to stay in contact with their children and be aware of their 'whereabouts and activities.'

It is unclear exactly how many arrests were made and if anyone was injured.

Details about who organized the large meet-up and what it was all for also remain unclear.

The Daily Mail contacted the Cobb County Police Department for comment.
The Greens back legalising prostitution and freeing up access to sexually explicit pornography, a party policy document seen by the Daily Mail has revealed.

Sex work involving consenting adults 'should be decriminalised', while restrictions and censorship of sexually explicit material 'should be ended'  except for those protecting children, the Green Party's official policy states.

Brothels could also become a feature of Britain's high streets under the Greens' plans, which would make it legal for commercial properties to be turned into such establishments.

Local authorities would license the brothels to both 'protect' workers and clients and to help shield local communities from 'nuisance and abuse', while brothels could operate from residential properties without a licence.

'Wherever possible particular areas should be designated where street prostitutes can work in safety without upsetting local residents and traders,' the policy adds.

Green leader Zack Polanski has publicly backed the policy  saying that decriminalisation of sex work 'puts the power in the workers hands to create their own terms and conditions' when running for party leader last year.

The Green Party's candidate in Thursday's Gorton and Denton by-election  expected to be a tight race between the Greens, Labour and Reform UK  also supports the plans.

During an internal Green Party election last year Hannah Spencer set out her stall on a series of controversial policies  including making clear she believes 'sex work should not be criminalised'.

Green leader Zack Polanski has publicly backed legalising sex work  saying that decriminalisation 'puts the power in the workers hands to create their own terms and conditions' when running for party leader last year

During an internal party election last year Gorton and Denton Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer set out her stall on a series of controversial policies  including making clear she believes 'sex work should not be criminalised'

But Ms Spencer's stance could threaten support for the Green Party in Gorton and Denton, where the Greens' latest campaign video saw their candidate speaking in Urdu to appeal directly to Muslim voters.

Prostitution is considered strictly 'haram' in Islam, meaning it is seen as a sinful practice.

Legalising sex work has been slammed by rival parties.

This came after the Prime Minister visited Gorton and Denton on Monday, where he hit out at the Greens' 'disgusting' drugs policy - which aims to legalise drugs including crack cocaine and heroin.

A Conservative Party spokesman said the Greens are continuing to demonstrate 'why they are not a serious party of government' and that prostitution 'leaves vulnerable women exposed to exploitation'.

A spokesman from Reform, which on Monday dubbed its own proposal to criminalise acts encouraging illegal entry to the UK the 'Polanski law', said voting for the Greens in Gorton and Denton 'is a vote for legalised prostitution, legalised crack cocaine and heroin, and open border chaos'.

The Greens are calling for sex workers to be empowered to unionise, and for government, public services and the judiciary to help end stigmatisation of such work.

Sex workers would also benefit from free regular health checks according to the policy, to 'protect both them and their clients'.

Green Party policy is voted through by members at the party's annual conference.

While Green Party policies were publicly available on the party's website before the start of the 2024 general election campaign, they are now only available to view online by members.

A Green Party spokesperson said: 'Rather than criminalising people for choices they make about their own bodies, we will take the industry out of the hands of criminal gangs and ensure sex workers are properly protected.'
Punch, a six-month-old Japanese macaque monkey with enormous round eyes, long spindly arms and an adorable potbelly, has no idea that outside the four walls of his enclosure hes a global celebrity.

On February 5, Ichikawa City Zoo  20 miles outside Tokyo  posted a picture online of Punch clinging desperately to an orangutan soft toy from Ikea alongside a heartbreaking caption that revealed the infant had been abandoned by his mother.

The image quickly went viral, amassing over 5million views and prompting an outpouring of sympathy.

I pray for him every day, wrote one Instagram user. Please, God, protect him! cried another, alongside the trending hashtag #HangInTherePunch.

The following weekend after the initial post, 8,000 people flocked to Ichikawa Zoo to see the monkey, double the number from the same time the previous year.

Then four days later, events took a turn for the absurd when alleged rapist Andrew Tate offered to buy Punch for a quarter of a million dollars.

One thing is, for sure, it only took one social media post of a lonely monkey for a star to be born.

Certainly, Punchs stratospheric rise from unwanted infant to simian superstar is a story youd expect to come out of Hollywood, not a small Japanese city, home to less than half a million people and where one of the main tourist attractions aside from the zoo is a swimming pool heated by the incineration of household waste. And yet, this small macaque is now as well-known in Jaipur and Jersey as he is in Japan.

A photo of on Punch clinging to an orangutan soft toy, after being abandoned by his mother, went viral on X and has attracted millions of sympathetic fans online

Hundreds of videos are now circulating online of Punch playing alone with his orangutan plushie, guarding it from other primates twice his size and even using it as a pillow while he sleeps.

All the while, further videos show Punch being shunned and bullied by his troop who physically push him away, baring their lethally sharp teeth.

In one horrifying clip, shared widely online, an adult monkey can be seen hurling Punch helplessly around the enclosure like an Olympic hammer.

As Ikea sells out of replica orangutan soft toys, numerous social media accounts offer daily Punch updates and some devoted fans plead with Ichikawa Zoo to accept financial donations, a six-month old monkey has become the most famous animal on the planet.

When Punch was born in captivity on July 26 last year, 24-year-old zookeeper Kosuke Shikano immediately knew that something was wrong.

For after a protracted and difficult labour, Punchs mother ignored her helpless son. The keeper tried to force the two together, but after each attempt Punch was pushed away. He tried to feed and he was tossed aside. He tried to nuzzle and he was spurned.

And Punch wasnt just neglected by his mother, he was abandoned by his troop.

A zookeeper tried to force Punch and his mother together, but after each attempt the young monkey was pushed away, so the keepers had to rear him by hand

Monkeys instinctively hold on to their mothers  both for safety and to assist in vital muscle development. The fur on Punch's stuffed toy makes it easy for him to grab

In the monkey mountain troop, explained keeper Shikano, other mother monkeys sometimes take on childcare, so we observed from a distance on the day of birth. But there were no such signs.

There are theories as to why Punch was ignored by his mother. The traumatic nature of her labour was one explanation, while the blistering temperatures of last summers heatwave were another.

But either way, Punchs keepers had no choice but to take him away from the troop and rear him by hand. That meant swaddling him in blankets for warmth and hand-feeding him from a bottle. But there was a further issue. Monkeys instinctively hold on to their mothers, both for safety but also to assist in vital muscle development. And this is where the idea for a soft toy came in. Punch was given a few toys to choose from  including a giraffe  but the one he immediately gravitated towards was an orange orangutan from Ikea which retails for 17 and is 36 cm tall  twice the size of pint-sized Punch.

The stuffed animals fur made it easy to grab, continued keeper Shikano. And its appearance is also similar to a monkey, which likely provided a sense of security [to Punch].

On January 19, Punch  who was named after the famous Japanese satirical cartoonist Kazuhiko Katos Monkey Punch  was returned to the troops monkey mountain enclosure in a bid to reintegrate him with the group. And it was two weeks later that the zoo shared that heartbreaking image of Punch, isolated from the troop and draped in late afternoon sun, clinging desperately to his substitute mother.

Responses to videos and images of Punch have ranged from the endearing to the comical, with one Gen Z user declaring: Dear God, please take away all of little Punchs pain and give it to every single one of my enemies.

My heart aches for this monkey, posted another. But it aches even more for the day when people forget its story.

Unsurprisingly, Ikea sensed a commercial opportunity and sent the companys regional president and chief sustainability officer, Petra Fare, to visit the zoo to gift the monkey additional soft toys.

The Swedish flat-pack giant has since reported a clear increase in sales of the Djungelskog orangutan toy, particularly in Japan, the US and South Korea, where outlets quickly sold out, prompting some owners of the toy to list them on eBay for as much as $350 (260)  fifteen times the original price.

Thankfully, however, there appears to be a happy ending in sight. Punch is gradually deepening his interactions with the troop of monkeys, Ichikawa City Zoo recently declared.

Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo confirmed that Punch's interactions with his troop have been improving recently, despite the initial bullying. He even shared a hug with an older monkey

Indeed, videos have since emerged of the youngster socialising with his troop, in one case receiving a much-needed groom and even sharing a hug with an older monkey.

But fanfare aside, what is it about Punch that has so captured the worlds hearts?

Laika, a Moscow street dog was sent on a horrific one-way mission to space by the Soviet Union in 1957. Dolly the sheep was the first animal to be successfully cloned in Scotland in 1996.

Homing pigeon Cher Ami saved the lives of over 500 US military personnel during the First World War. With these esteemed animal heroes in mind, you may well ask what has Punch ever done?

Of course, the truth is that Punch is much more than a lonely monkey. He is the vulnerable child inside all of us who wishes for nothing more than to be loved.

And with the good news that he is finally integrating with his troop, for this young primate at least, the monkey is off his back.
Nine grieving families whose daughters never came home from Camp Mystic have now turned their anguish into a sweeping federal lawsuit.

The families accuse Texas officials of licensing a riverside camp in 'Flash Flood Alley' without ensuring it had a legally required evacuation plan before catastrophic July 4 flooding killed 27 campers and counselors.

Filed Monday in US District Court for the Western District of Texas, the lawsuit alleges that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and six of its officials failed to enforce state law requiring youth camps to maintain written emergency evacuation plans posted in cabins.

Instead, the suit claims, Camp Mystic operated with what plaintiffs describe as an 'anti-evacuation plan' - instructing campers to remain in their cabins during flooding - a policy that 'delayed moving girls to safety until it was too late.'

'Young campers and counselors were killed because the camp had no plan,' the lawsuit states.

'The camp is responsible, but so are the state officials who helped create this inexcusable risk to life by directing and executing a policy of non-compliance with Texas law.'

It was during the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, torrential rain overwhelmed the Guadalupe River, sending floodwaters tearing through the historic Christian girls' camp in the Texas Hill Country.

According to the lawsuit, staff managed to evacuate only five of 11 cabins in an area known as 'the flats,' despite what plaintiffs allege was sufficient time to move all campers to safety.

Nine families of Camp Mystic victims have filed a federal lawsuit in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas

An officer prays with a family as they pick up items at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, last July

A person looks at damage to the main building at Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area, last July in Hunt, Texas

Most of the girls who died were sleeping in two riverside cabins built less than 250 feet from the river.

In total, 27 Camp Mystic campers and counselors were killed including camp owner and executive director Richard 'Dick' Eastland, 70, who died while attempting to evacuate one of the cabins.

More than 100 people across Central Texas died in the historic flooding. One Camp Mystic camper, eight-year-old Cecilia 'Cile' Steward, remains missing.

The lawsuit alleges that the nine represented victims include seven young campers and two teenage counselors.

'They died because the camp had no plan to evacuate the riverside cabins where the girls slept,' the complaint states.

'Instead, the camp's stated policy was for campers not to evacuate during a flood.'

At the center of the lawsuit is the role of DSHS, the agency responsible for licensing and inspecting youth camps in Texas for more than two decades.

The complaint alleges that while DSHS inspectors annually reviewed camps, they 'systematically ignored required safety rules' and failed to verify that emergency plans actually included evacuation procedures, as required by state law.

Items lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, last July

Members of a search and rescue team embrace as they visit a memorial wall for flood victims

Twenty-seven campers and counselors died in the July 4, 2025 flooding at Camp Mystic

The all-girls camp was in a low-lying area, which is why it was hit so hard by the wall of water Pictured, Destroyed bedding and the girls' belongings at Camp Mystic

The belongings of campers sit outside one of Camp Mystic's cabins near the Guadalupe River after a deadly flash flood swept through the area

The suit names six officials involved in the youth camp program, including Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Deputy Commissioner Timothy H. Stevenson, Jeffrey Adam Buuck, Annabelle Dillard, Lindsey Eudey, and inspector Maricela Torres Zamarripa.

A year before the flood, Zamarripa reported that Camp Mystic had a written disaster plan, according to the complaint.

She inspected the property again two days before the flood and filed a report two days after the disaster, again stating the camp had the required plan and citing no violations, the suit says.

But the plaintiffs argue that what existed was not a lawful evacuation plan at all.

'DSHS officials quietly decided not to enforce this requirement,' the lawsuit states. 'For at least a decade, they licensed a camp on the banks of a river, in the heart of 'Flash Flood Alley,' with no evacuation plan.

In fact, officials knew the camp had an anti-evacuation plan  a 'stay put' policy.'

The lawsuit seeks general and compensatory damages and 'all other relief that is equitable,' alleging that officials deprived the victims of their 'constitutional rights to life and bodily integrity.'

The new lawsuit expands focus beyond the camp itself but to the regulators who approved its licenses year after year.

On the Fourth of July, water rose 26 feet on the Guadalupe River, washing away homes and vehicles and some of Camp Mystic's buildings

Most of the girls who died were sleeping in cabins located near the Guadalupe River.

A Camp Mystic sign is seen near the entrance to the establishment along the banks of the river

Officials ride a boat as they arrive to assist with a recovery effort at Camp Mystic last July

Parents and family of children who died at Camp Mystic join Texas Governor Greg Abbott, second from right, as he signs camp safety bills, last September

Plaintiffs' attorney Paul Yetter said in a statement: 'DSHS licensed a camp without it having a required evacuation plan. We filed this lawsuit to expose another failure that led to these tragic deaths - and to keep other children who attend Texas camps safe in the future.'

A DSHS spokesperson said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.

The filing comes amid growing political scrutiny.

On Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent a letter urging DSHS not to renew Camp Mystic's license for the 2026 summer season.

'Please do not renew a 2026 license for Camp Mystic until all legislative investigations are complete and any necessary corrective actions are taken,' Patrick wrote.

'Twenty-eight lives were taken, and until these deaths are investigated and any necessary corrective actions are taken to ensure this never happens again, a camp license should not be issued to Camp Mystic.'

Camp Mystic's current youth camp license expires March 31, according to state records.

Patrick also said it would be 'naive to allow Camp Mystic to return to normal operations before all of the facts are known.'

On Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick sent a letter urging DSHS not to renew Camp Mystic's license for the 2026 summer season

The new lawsuit claims the camps policy instructed campers not to evacuate during a flood

Members of a search and rescue team look for people near Camp Mystic last July. The camp announced plans to reopen at its Cypress Lake location for the 2026 season

More than 100 people across Central Texas died during the historic July 4 flooding. Pictured, a woman searches the area, following flash flooding last July

In response, Camp Mystic said in a statement that its Cypress Lake location, about 500 yards from the destroyed riverside site, is 'in compliance with all aspects of the state's new camp safety laws.'

'There is, consequently, no regulatory basis to deny Camp Mystic Cypress Lake its license,' the camp said.

'Camp Mystic Cypress Lake is a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no significant damage from the historic flood on July 4.'

Other families have already filed separate lawsuits against the camp and its longtime owners.

CiCi and Will Steward, whose 8-year-old daughter Cile remains missing and presumed dead, said earlier this month:

'Cile was taken from us 7 months ago and while we recognize this lawsuit will not bring her back, we feel compelled to ensure the truth of Camp Mystic's failures are exposed.'
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor enjoyed a private naked massage in a bedroom at Buckingham Palace - all paid for using a cheque from the Palace, the Daily Mail can reveal.

The shamed former prince snuck professional masseuse Monique Giannelloni into the late Queen's official residence after she was recommended to him by Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ms Giannelloni claims she was waved through into the Palace without any security checks before being taken up to Andrew's room where Andrew emerged from the bathroom completely naked before lying down on the massage chair.

South African Ms Giannelloni provided the Daily Mail with an invoice showing Buckingham Palace settled the 75 bill directly from a Coutts account.

The rub down took place in June 2000 - a few months before the then Duke of York became UK Trade Envoy in 2001, a role that he held until 2011 when he was forced to stand down over his friendship with the paedophile billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Ms Giannelloni said: 'I got to the room and Andrew was stood there in a robe,' she said. 'After saying "Hello", he disappeared to the bathroom and came back in the nude.

'I averted my eyes and I was quite embarrassed.'

Ms Giannelloni said other than the initial embarrassment, she had no issues during the massage and that the then Duke was 'very nice and very gentlemanly'.

Monique Giannelloni, a professional masseuse from South Africa, was snuck in to Buckingham Palace with no security checks to perform a massage on the then Duke of York

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured in the Jeffrey Epstein files on all fours over a mystery woman, was 'very nice and very gentlemanly', according to masseuse Ms Giannelloni

Ms Giannelloni was paid 75 for massaging the Duke of York, who 'draped himself across my massage table' and 'sent a fresh wave of nervous energy coursing through me'

She added: 'I was so nervous I was in Buckingham Palace I was going through the motions and doing what I knew and if there was anything untoward I don't really remember noticing that except for the fact he took the towel off very fast.

'I can't actually say anything bad about Prince Andrew in my experience on that day. I only massaged him once.'

The masseuse says she was first introduced to Andrew through Maxwell, who had somehow got hold of her contact details.

She said: 'I first had a call from Ghislaine Maxwell's secretary in New York. At that stage I had a lot of high profile clients and it was all by word of mouth so I have no idea how she initially got my number.

'She had wanted a late night massage but I had told her I don't do that so I went in the morning the next day.

'When I went there, Jeffrey Epstein was also in the room the whole time and they were talking about purchasing some island for around 20million, which I thought was very strange and it was awkward that Epstein was just standing there.'

During one of the two appointments Ms Giannelloni had with Maxwell, the socialite told the masseuse: 'I am going to introduce you to someone more famous than God.'

Shortly after, Ms Giannelloni received a call from the Duke of York's staff asking her to come to the Palace for the appointment.

'When I got a call from the Duke of York's officers I immediately thought of Ghislaine because of what she had said.

'I didn't know who Ghislaine or Epstein were. I obviously knew Prince Andrew but at the time I had no idea about their associations or what they were involved in.

'She said to me once: "Don't you know who I am darling? You should read the tabloids I am a celebrity."'

The appointment with Andrew was quickly set up and Ms Giannelloni drove into Buckingham Palace, parked up her car and before being taken to the then prince's room by a valet.

There were no personal security guards in the room or outside, according to Ms Giannelloni.

The cheque was signed off by the former duke's then-personal assistant Charlotte Manley and was paid out of the Royal Family's Coutts account.

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Ms Giannelloni was one of the most sought after massage therapists in the UK, working for high profile clients when she was introduced to Andrew by Ghislaine Maxwell

When the shamed then Duke of York emerged from the bathroom completely naked, Ms Giannelloni said: 'I averted my eyes and I was quite embarrassed'

Her 75 bill for the rub down was settled by on July 20, 2000 - and she was provided with an official Buckingham Palace invoice (pictured) after being paid by cheque

The Royal Family receives a number of streams of income. This includes taxpayer funding from the Sovereign Grant, profits from the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as personal private investments.

It comes as two whistleblowing former civil servants have claimed bills for Andrew's massages and luxury travel during his overseas sojourns as the nation's trade envoy were quietly dumped on taxpayers.

Whitehall officials were said to have been left horrified over Andrew's excessive spending on flights, hotel rooms and charges including spa treatments during his decade in the prestigious position.

The revelations flatly contradict statements previously made by Buckingham Palace which insisted, as Andrew's tenure came to an end in 2011, that he paid for 'all personal expenses' during trade trips.

One ex-civil servant said he was so appalled the public was footing the tab for Andrew's pampering that he had tried to block a payment for 'massage services' but was overruled by senior staff.

'I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,' he said about a claim that followed a visit by Andrew to the Middle East.

He said the department had missed an opportunity to check the royal's behaviour while trade representative by allowing such expenses to go through without question.

'I can't say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong,' says the retired civil servant.

Another source, a former senior Whitehall official who oversaw finances in that area, confirmed he too had also seen similar expenses for Andrew's trips.

He told the BBC he had been shocked by the scale of Andrew's lavish spending as envoy, including excessive flights and unreasonable numbers of hotel rooms and charges for his entourage.

'I couldn't believe it it was like it wasn't real money, they weren't spending any of their own money,' said the senior official.

It is not the first time allegations have been made about the former royal having massages whilst working in his position as envoy.

During an official trip to Indonesia in 2011, the then-prince enjoyed a 1,200-per-night stay at the Shangri-La Hotel and was given rose-petal massages by one of the staff members in Jakarta.

Whistleblowing retired civil servants have claimed that jet-setting Andrew claimed for massages paid for by the taxpayer while he was UK trade envoy between 2001 -2011. One such massage took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia - and was performed by a woman called Ria (pictured)

The former prince given rose-petal massages by Ria at the 1,200-a-night hotel. Ria said at the time 'He was very friendly to me. I called him Sir at first because my English is not good and I find it difficult to say Your Royal Highness. He told me, "Just call me Andrew. I am Andrew here"'

The massage therapist Ria, who had four appointments with the then-duke, told The Mail on Sunday at the time: 'He was very friendly to me. I called him Sir at first because my English is not good and I find it difficult to say Your Royal Highness.

'He told me, "Just call me Andrew. I am Andrew here".'

The former prince - whose love of luxury travel and private jets earned him the nickname 'Air Miles Andy' - is being investigated for misconduct in public office over allegations he exploited his role to leak confidential information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and other wealthy contacts.

His dramatic downfall, capped by his sensational arrest last week, will see the disgraced royal retreat to his new home on the Sandringham Estate with nothing more than a chef and a lone valet.

Andrew is accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.

He was dramatically arrested on Thursday at Sandringham before being questioned for hours at a local police station.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing over his friendship with Epstein.
A heartbroken British army soldier who was distraught after splitting up with his girlfriend drove into a tree at up to 80mph while telling her on the phone: 'You won't hear from me again.'

Joshua Parsons, 26, a signaller, died after suffering catastrophic injuries in the late night smash as he spoke to his partner Georgia Clements.

Ms Clements told him she would come and find him to calm him down, but then heard a loud thud and realised he had crashed his car.

An inquest into Mr Parsons' death heard the pair had an 'on-off relationship' and their communication had been 'chaotic and inconsistent' before his death on June 9, 2024.

A keen rugby player, Joshua was a member of 220 Signal Squadron based in Colerne, Wiltshire, and was due to be deployed to Poland two months before his death.

However, the inquest at South London Coroner's Court in Croydon heard that this hadn't happened due to an incident on leave at his home in West Wickham, south London, that February.

His mother Sally Parsons, who attended the inquest with his siblings Jodie and Jack, said she and husband Lee had been in bed on February 24 when Joshua and Miss Clements returned having 'both had a lot to drink'.

They argued and Miss Clements ran upstairs in a panic saying Joshua had tried to stab himself and he was restrained by his father and brother.

Joshua Parsons, 26, a signaller with 220 Signal Squadron based in Colerne, Wiltshire, died in the late night smash into a tree as he spoke to his on-off girlfriend Georgia Clements

Miss Clements, from south London, gave a witness statement at her ex-boyfriend's inquest. She said she had been on a night out when Joshua had phoned her in a distressed state

Ministry of Defence GP Dr Laura Vincent saw him on February 26. He told her he had experienced thoughts that he'd be better off dead and wanted to be taken off duties.

He added that the February 24 incident was 'spur of the moment', he had been under the influence of four beers and, crucially, that he had no relationship issues.

'I was very concerned about him, but from what I could see there was no risk of a further immediate suicide attempt,' Dr Vincent told the hearing

'I rely on my instinct a lot as I know patients do not always open up fully about what they are experiencing. He was actively seeking support.'

The Army responded robustly to the soldier's mental health problems and downgraded him as unavailable for deployment, the inquest was told.

Dr Vincent immediately reached out to his chain of command and a Vulnerability Risk Management meeting was held that afternoon.

The Army-run Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) was contacted and an appointment made for the next day.

He was put on a Care Action Plan to give him extra support before starting an anxiety management course to address his mental health triggers.

However, he specifically asked for his family not to be told what was happening, which meant they were unaware of how unwell he had been.

In the following months he was reviewed weekly and showed signs of vast improvement.

However Lt Col Nicholas Galvin said there was a 'tension around ambivalence to being in the Army' from the signaller.

His total discharge had been discussed on grounds of him being temperamentally unsuitable for the role.

Major Steven McNeillie, his sub unit commander, said that in April his unit deployed to Poland but he stayed back at base.

'Josh didn't want other people to know that he'd had these suicidal thoughts,' he said.

'He couldn't carry a weapon and he didn't want other people to see him without a weapon as they would immediately make the leap.'

A keen rugby player, Joshua (pictured with his sister Jodie Ashbolt) had kept the true extent of his relationship issues from his family

The night he died, Joshua had called into a local pub to see his family - and then said he was going to a friend's house. Instead he phoned his former girlfriend Miss Clements while driving

In the weeks before his death, his mother said he had come home every weekend and hadn't really wanted to leave his room.

The night he died, Joshua had called into a local pub to see his family and then said he was going to a friend's house.

He came home late that evening and his mother told him she had messaged Miss Clements - who she said had ended the relationship the week before - and asked her not to contact him as he was due to go on a parachute course in the US and she wanted him to be in a good frame of mind.

She heard Joshua leave the house and thought he'd gone for a walk, but in fact he had decided to drive.

Miss Clements was on a night out in a noisy bar but received a voicemail from Joshua which said: 'I have nothing left. I'm sorry.'

She called him back and it was clear he was driving.

'During our final call he was asking "Are we ever going to get back together?"' she said.

'I said I couldn't do this. He said "You won't hear from me again". I told him to pull over and that's when I heard the crash.'

Met Police crash expert PC Peter Devoy investigated the scene in South Eden Park Road, Beckenham.

There were no faults with the road or car and there had been a 'continued deviation' towards a tree.

The speedometer was stuck at 80mph and when removed went down to 60mph indicating the possible crash speed.

'All of the evidence was consistent with it appearing to be a deliberate act,' he said.

Members of the public and two off duty police officers came across the scene at around 12.40am.

Joshua was unconscious and trapped.

After being cut out in four minutes by London Fire Brigade, the air ambulance crew arrived but attempts to revive him were abandoned as he'd been in cardiac arrest for 20 minutes.

Consultant histo-pathologist Dr Anna Rycroft gave the cause of death as multiple severe injuries.

The blood alcohol level was 132mg per 100ml of blood, almost twice the legal drink drive limit.

Assistant coroner Paul Renteurs recorded a narrative conclusion, saying it was 'incredibly sad' that someone drawn to a life of service had died so young.

He said: 'Miss Clements describes Josh as "extremely erratic" at this time and he left her a voicemail that said he had "nothing left".

'It seems clear she was on the phone to Josh when his car collided with a tree.

'In all likelihood Josh lost consciousness immediately after the impact. Mercifully I think it is overwhelmingly likely he did not experience any pain.

Joshua's blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was 132mg per 100ml of blood, almost twice the legal drink drive limit. He would have felt no pain after impact, the coroner said

'Josh drove his car into a tree, intending in that moment to end his life. It was an impetuous act.'

The soldier's family has since raised money for various mental health charities in his honour.

His sister Jodie Ashbolt said after his death: 'Please remember that you can't always tell when someone is struggling.

'Just please always check in on those around you and spread the awareness. There needs to be more on mental health and young suicide.'
A US airstrike on Monday continued the Trump administration's campaign against narcoterrorists, killing three in a drug boat strike in the Caribbean.

US Southern Command announced that Joint Task Force Southern Spear 'conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations.'

The military received confirmation from intelligence that the boat was using 'known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean.'

Three men were killed, while no one with the United States military was harmed.

The strike was part of the Trump administration's monthslong campaign against alleged traffickers.

Monday's attack brought the death toll to at least 151 people since the Trump administration launched its war against suspected drug trafficking boats in early September.

It came just a week after the military deployed airstrikes on three boats suspected of drug trafficking in Latin American waters, killing 11 people.

Three more aerial attacks have already been carried out by the Trump administration in the region this month.

A US airstrike continued the Trump administration's campaign against narcoterrorists , killing three in a drug boat strike in the Caribbean on Monday

Monday's attack brought the death toll to at least 151 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls narcoterrorists in small vessels in early September

The first strike on February 5 killed two alleged narco-terrorists. A second on February 9 also killed two but left one survivor.

US forces moved 'immediately' to initiate rescue efforts for the lone survivor, according to the military on X.

A subsequent strike on February 13 also killed three people. In each case, officials said the targeted boats were 'transiting along known narco-trafficking routes' and were 'engaged in narco-trafficking operations.'

President Donald Trump has said the US is in 'armed conflict' with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States.

But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing narcoterrorists.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the US over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes also drew intense criticism following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike.

The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the killings were murder, if not a war crime.

US Southern Command announced that Joint Task Force Southern Spear 'conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations'

The frequency of the strikes had waned since the US seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3 in an overnight raid.

An organization in St. Vincent and the Grenadines is urging fishermen to take certain precautions after decrying a recent US strike in the eastern Caribbean that killed three people aboard a suspected drug boat.

Winsbert Harry, president of the National Fisherfolk Organization, told St. Vincents state television station SVG-TV late Tuesday that he was concerned about the safety of fishermen in the Caribbean.

The campaign in the Caribbean has been named Operation Southern Spear by the Trump administration.

Hegseth previously said the mission 'defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secures our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.'

He added: 'The Western Hemisphere is America's neighborhood - and we will protect it.'
It seemed like the flat-share of my dreams. Just 30 minutes from work, only 850 a month (bills included) and in chi-chi Hampstead, north London, with its bars and restaurants and the glorious heath a stones throw away.

I snapped the letting agents hand off and moved in last summer.

It was an HMO (a house in multiple occupation for those of you lucky enough not to know), with flats on each of the three floors.

Mine was in the basement and consisted of two bedrooms sharing a single kitchen, and one self-contained studio, then occupied by two nurses I rarely saw. Yes, there were silverfish in the bathroom and the boiler kept going out, but it was blissfully quiet. While friends complained about nightmare commutes and nervous walks home in other parts of London, I really thought Id fallen on my feet.

Then, three months later, Lila moved in. Feisty, Scottish, bubbly, twenty-something Lila. The first I knew of her arrival was when the letting agent called me up at work to ask for the wifi password.

My new flatmate was already in the house, she said, and wanted to get online. She was a content creator, the agent told me with a laugh, adding that she hoped the new arrangement would all go well. Later, I wondered whether that chuckle and those words were trying to tell me something.

Not that the letting agent took much interest in the reality of what we did for a living. Lila had been told I was a primary school teacher, not a 22-year-old junior reporter.

Lila told me she was in phone sales and was self-employed. I didnt ask who had provided the letting agency with job references in that case.

When Eleanor Mann first moved in to her new flat in Hampstead, she thought it was the place of her dreams, until 'content creator' Lila moved in three months later

When I first caught sight of her in our shared kitchen, I thought how beautiful she was, in a manufactured kind of way. Her long, red hair was perfectly blow-dried. She had long, pink nails, glowing skin, fake eyelashes and pouty, filler-enhanced lips. Her voice was low with a pretty, lilting accent.

But she was also quite intense, and, once she found out about my job, was slightly shifty in my presence, too. She didnt seem to want to chat for long or even meet my eye when we passed in the corridor.

Any fun ideas of cooking dinner together were snuffed out within hours of us meeting. No matter. I wasnt there to make a best friend. Besides, she seemed to be out most nights.

When we were in at the same time, it was hard to ignore the noises that came from her bedroom. It was right next to mine and the walls were paper-thin. But, new to the capital after growing up in Essex, I told myself this was all part of living independently in London. I just needed to adjust.

What was unsettling, however, was the sudden appearance, in the space of a single week, of strange men in the flat.

Initially, I had assumed the dark-haired man in his early 20s was her boyfriend. He would eat noodles or cake in the kitchen and not even attempt to clean up after himself.

But then there was a fair-haired man of about 35, whom I bumped into when he was letting himself into our flat, seemingly knowing the code to our passcode-locked front door. He had pushed past me without a word, going straight to Lilas room. Cue those bedroom noises.

Was she cheating on the dark-haired guy with the blond, or did she have an open relationship? Internally, I cringed at being an unsuspecting witness, but I also knew her love life was none of my business. As the weeks went by, however, I began to sense there was something genuinely off about her. I couldnt find her online at all, so perhaps her phone sales were done under a pseudonym. Or was she selling something else on platforms I didnt want to access?

It was only when I switched to night shifts a week after Lilas arrival that the pieces fell into place. During the day, as I tried to catch up on sleep, it became increasingly clear her online sales work was live and involved rather more of a performance than Id been led to believe.

'Bedroom noises' and 'loud phone sex' coming from Lila's room would disturb Eleanor  even in the middle of the day. (Picture posed by model)

Even in the middle of the day, Id be woken by Lila having loud phone sex with posh-sounding middle-aged men, whom shed put on speaker. In fact, after that first week she didnt seem to care what I heard or saw. Sometimes shed even be in the kitchen, entertaining callers as she clanged about making food. It was relentless. Caller after caller, man after man. The low, indistinguishable tones of different clients at the end of the phone became the background soundtrack to what was meant to be my home.

Once I heard her bossing a man about sternly. Say my name twice, she ordered. Lila, Lila! a man at the other end of the phone groaned.

The flat became a madhouse. Over the course of that second week, I overheard enough of her conversations to work out she worked at a strip club in west London in the evenings, picking up clients there to make money on the side. Some she only spoke to on the phone, while for others, those calls were the precursor to a meeting.

It turned out that the dark-haired man was a regular fixture in her life  whether a boyfriend or her pimp I dont know, but he didnt seem to mind about the other men she saw.

His complete disrespect for our flat was frightening. A constant smell of cannabis began to waft into my room from the little patch of patio outside. Lila began to use my bathroom  she had an en-suite in her own room  and leave the kitchen sink full of dirty water.

One night, shortly after I had started back on day shifts, I was woken at 3.38am by the sound of sex being negotiated and ordered in the frankest, crudest terms on the other side of my bedroom wall.

Lying as still as I could, I listened to every vulgar, offensive word of the phone conversation Lila was having with an otherwise well-spoken man.

He told her his girlfriend was a slut because she had gone out with her friends in Knightsbridge and hadnt replied to his messages all night. Therefore, as a form of revenge, he was going to have sex with a prostitute.

Youre a legend, said the posh guy on the phone. Its not the same without you, Lila. Honestly, shes being a west London slut and, Ive got to be honest, I hate the idea of her with other guys, but I cant be a jealous p***k. What do I do?

My honest advice is youre drunk and make the decision in the morning, Lila lazily advised. She moved to the kitchen. I heard the microwave ping.

Shes going to shag anyone who wants to spend a lot of money on her... When am I going to see you Lila? Should I come round? Should I bring condoms?

Yeah, bring condoms, she replied lightly. And dont stress about your girlfriend. You go out with a lot of girls, too.

The client at the end of the phone proceeded to flip-flop between calling her a liar, a whore and finally a legend again, before telling her he loved her so much and hanging up the phone.

I lay still in shock. I finally knew for certain: Lila was selling sex from our flat. The man who had let himself in and made his way to her bedroom, the men I heard through the speakers of her phone and laptop, were not her friends and certainly werent her dates. They were punters  and the prostitute was Lila.

It wasnt technically illegal, but it was surely putting me and my other flatmates in a horrible position, one that didnt feel particularly safe.

On top of that, it broke six different terms of our tenancy agreement, which clearly stated, among other things, that we couldnt use any of the rooms for business purposes, and were not to disturb or be a nuisance to the other flatmates.

The things I had overheard made me feel grubby, vulnerable and, most of all, scared. Surely the landlord had a moral duty, if not a legal one, to protect the tenants?

And I felt scared for Lila, too  no matter how feisty she appeared, no matter how often my more liberal friends told me that sex work is work, surely no one wants to earn a living this way?

Little did I know, as I struggled to fall asleep night after night, bedroom door firmly locked, that the letting agency would end up siding with her, not me.

Although Eleanor had no problem with challenging difficult housemates in the past, she says there was no point arguing with Lila as she obviously didn't care. (Picture posed by models)

I dont think Im a prude or especially sheltered. I grew up in Essex and studied history at university with the goal of becoming a journalist.

Having previously lived in Brentford, west London, in another difficult flatshare  with an overbearing French landlady  I thought I had a pretty thick skin for challenging housemates.

But this was different. This felt as though the seedier world I had only come across from the safe perspective of work was invading the place where I slept and wanted to call home. And there was no point in telling Lila I could hear every word of her performance and could she please stop  because, clearly, she already knew I could hear everything and just didnt care.

That 3.38am call, however, was the last straw. I got up for work three hours later and decided to message my letting agent detailing the situation  from the sex work to the drugs and the strange men.

Id like to make an anonymous complaint, I wrote. This situation with the new tenant who has moved into the room opposite me is very bad. She is not a content creator, she is a sex worker . . . I feel very uncomfortable and unsafe.

The agents reply? Call the police if you feel scared, she WhatsApp-ed me, before turning our chat settings to disappearing messages  trying to ensure Id have no evidence of sending the initial complaint.

Then she claimed she was unable to confront Lila because it would be discrimination. Thankfully, I screen-shotted everything. I was begging the agent to help me, but she simply didnt want to know.

In desperation, I sent a message to my parents. As I sobbed tears of frustration and exhaustion on FaceTime, they offered to book me an Airbnb if I wanted to leave there and then. Instead, determined not to let the letting agent off the hook, I messaged the agency again urging them to do something.

It took them three weeks to respond but, again, there was no sympathy and certainly no action. Indeed, the person who should leave, they implied, was me  though they made it quite clear I would still have to pay that months rent and forfeit my deposit, since Id be breaking my six-month contract one month early. By then I was already gone. I couldnt live feeling forever scared in the flat, putting off going home after work, feeling my stomach drop as I entered the code to the front door in case she was on the phone. Lying there sleepless in case a strange man was paying for sex just feet away from me on the other side of my bedroom wall.

I found a place in Ealing, west London, twice as far from work, for a significantly higher rent, but took it and got out.

Now, I wonder if the relative cheapness of the flat in Hampstead had anything to do with the use of that other bedroom.

I was lucky enough to have parents who rushed to my help. They knew it was a dangerous situation to stay in, and they helped me with the new deposit (the Hampstead agent did indeed refuse to pay it back).

But for the many other young adults trapped in London in nightmarish living situations, there may be no simple way out. For young women like Lila, there may be no other way to pay the rent.

London is gripped by a housing crisis, where tenants are shoved like livestock into poorly-maintained rooms and charged through the nose by greedy landlords. The average rental for a single room in London is 985 a month, while more than a third of all HMOs are in the capital.

Those few weeks of hell summed up everything that was wrong with renting in London. All that matters to landlords of HMOs is money: you have no rights to peace or security, and if it goes wrong youll need generous parents who can bail you out.

I loved living in Hampstead, but not in a flat like that. For all its trendy cafes and pretty ponds, the seedy side of life felt far too close for comfort.
Aussies have been warned to brace for severe weather today, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and potential flash flooding expected to lash vast swathes of the country.

Severe weather warnings were issued for parts of NSW and Victoria early on Tuesday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting heavy to locally intense rainfall in NSW's northwest, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and isolated thunderstorms.

While the BoM couldn't determine the exact location of the heaviest falls and the future movement of the low pressure system, locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Wanaaring and Menindee.

24 hour rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.

Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.

Communities in northern and central parts of Victoria, including Melbourne, are also forecast to be hit by rainfall on Tuesday morning, with embedded thunderstorms developing into the afternoon.

The BoM has warned six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70 mm are possible, with conditions expected to ease during Wednesday morning.

Residents in NSW's northwest have been warned they could experience dangerous flash flooding on Tuesday

A severe weather warning is in place for heavy rainfall across central Victoria, with thunderstorms expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon

Meteorologist Sarah Scully said the weather system is being drive by a low bringing tropical moisture from central Australia.

She warned the wet weather could continue until the end of the week.

'As we head into Wednesday, heavy rainfall with storms continues through eastern parts of Victoria and potentially south-eastern parts of NSW as well,' she said.

'Also just noticing that low pressure system lingering through central parts. In fact, it's not meant to move until potentially Friday later this week, with heavy rainfall possible each day this week.'

Ms Scully said much of mainland Australia could experience flooding.

'With all of this heavy rainfall, flood watches have been issued, extending all the way from the tropical north down into South Australia, but as well through north-western parts of NSW,' she said.

'And there are already a number of flood warnings across Queensland due to recent rainfall, as well as the major flood warning for the Flinders and the Cape rivers.

'So that's really indicating the grounds are already really wet and catchments swollen, and will respond very quickly to any further rainfall.'

Meteorologist Sarah Scully warned the wet weather could continue until the end of the week

Local authorities are advising people to avoid driving, riding or walking through flood water, keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
Melania Trump thought it would 'be best' if her State of the Union guests showcased how her initiatives were helping Americans in the real world.

A source close to the First Lady revealed to the Daily Mail that sitting alongside her while President Donald Trump addresses Congress will be ten-year-old Everest Nevraumont and 24-year-old Sierra Burns.

State of the Union guests are invited each year to symbolize the administration's priorities.

The President is expected to make the economy the centerpiece of his anticipated speech while highlighting the stories of everyday Americans.

Nevraumont was chosen because she's an 'AI education advocate and history champ.'

'This is connecting back to Melania Trump's efforts in education and technology for American children,' the source explained.

Since the first Trump administration, the First Lady has worked to keep children safe from emerging technological threats.

That was one of the three tenets of her 'Be Best' initiative, launched in 2018 during Trump's first term, aimed at combating cyberbullying.

During the President's second term, Melania has also started addressing artificial intelligence, preaching caution when it comes to youngsters and the emerging tech.

A source close to the East Wing has revealed who Melania Trump is bringing to Tuesday night's State of the Union address

The First Lady has invited ten-year-old Everest Nevraumont to sit with her because Nevraumont is an 'AI education advocate and history champ.' The youngster used AI study guides to help her place higher than any other female student at the National History Bee

24-year-old Sierra Burns is another of Melania's guests

'This is connecting back to Melania Trump's efforts in education and technology for American children,' the source explained

During a speech in the East Room in September, the First Lady told tech titans that 'as leaders and parents, we must manage AI's growth responsibly.'

But she has also wanted children to learn about AI and harness it to produce something creative, launching her Presidential AI Challenge in August.

Nevraumont attends the Alpha school in Austin, Texas, a private school that crafts individualized learning plans for each student that use artificial intelligence.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited the school in September and met Nevraumont there, who explained that she went from a fourth-grade to ninth grade reading level in just one school year.

The source described the fifth grader as 'really super smart' and 'ridiculously incredible when it comes to history.'

Nevraumont has even given a TedX talk on how to be a better learner of historical facts. In it, she talked about using AI to study for the History Bee, with her father plugging in previous questions used to see what might be asked in a future competition.

'Almost as important as figuring out how to learn is figuring out what to learn. In a different context, this is what Donald Rumsfeld called his "unknown unknowns,"' Nevraumont said, prompting laughs from the adult audience for the Bush era reference.

She said the AI-generated questions were not perfect, 'but pretty helpful also,' as Nevraumont had the best finish for a girl of her age in the National History Bee.

Melania smiles as she addresses a crowd of tech leaders in the East Room in September. During her speech, she preached caution when it came to AI, telling attendees 'as leaders and parents, we must manage AI's growth responsibly'

Education Secretary Linda McMahon poses with Everest Nevraumont during her visit to Nevraumont's Austin-based private school Alpha in September. The school uses AI in its instruction, which is catered to each student

In November, President Trump signed a Fostering the Future executive order to assist foster children and young adults. Melania's second guest is 24-year-old Sierra Burns, who has benefited from the initiative, which the First Lady spearheaded

Burns is a former foster child who is among the recipients of the First Lady's efforts to secure housing for those previously in foster care.

The Foster Youth to Independence initiative is a program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, offering up to 36 months of rental assistance to help young people avoid homelessness.

The First Lady lobbied to have $25 million included in the fiscal year 2026 budget for the program.

The move was part of Melania's larger Fostering the Future initiative, which falls under her trademark 'Be Best' brand, and was first launched in 2021, when the President was out of office.

Melania Trump spoke as her 2025 inaugural ball gown was shown on display on stage at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History last week

Since returning to the White House, the President signed a Fostering the Future executive order alongside the First Lady in November.

Part of that initiative was also a scholarship program, which has found homes at major universities, including Vanderbilt, the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama, the University of Texas, the University of Florida, the University of Miami and others.

But the First Lady's guest will reflect the housing portion of her work.

While Burns doesn't have a robust online presence like Nevraumont, the source teased that she was also 'super impressive.'

The President will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday at 9pm ET.
It's a little before 5am and the impact of the first Russian ballistic missile of the night resounds along the Dnieper River below my hotel window. Cruise missiles and Shahed drones will arrive before breakfast is served.

In the room next door, a soldier on leave and his girlfriend are engaged in unabashedly noisy lovemaking  as if there will be no tomorrow, as well there might not. Death is always in the shadows here, if not waiting up the road, particularly if you're in uniform.

Today is the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Foreign VIPs will arrive in special trains from Poland, pledge their support and admiration, and leave again before the day is out and the missiles begin to fall once more. Ukraine then fights on, alone.

One mustn't be cynical. No one thought there would be a first anniversary to mark with Ukraine still largely free, let alone a quartet.

Putin's 'special military operation' to install a client junta was supposed to be over in days. Now the frontlines are largely frozen, like the Kyiv pavements and the mighty Dnieper. Ukraine is even advancing in places. But that is only after more than one million casualties on both sides and many more Ukrainians made refugees.

Cities, towns, villages have been flattened, children orphaned, wives widowed, families frozen in their homes.

Ukraine is resilient, admirable, defiant, but exhausted. The country's main highway  the E40  which carries us and most war supplies to the eastern front, now resembles a post-apocalyptic M1, with potholes the size of mortar craters.

And me, personally? I'm also war weary. I have bad dreams when I go back home. I feel a desperate need to do more. And that we are on the brink of a greater disaster for which Britain is wholly unprepared.

Richard Pendlebury, pictured on the eastern frontline near Pokrovsk in Ukraine, says the country is resilient and admirable but exhausted. 'I'm war weary,' he writes

Snow was falling when we first arrived in Kyiv in early 2022. The air-raid sirens were wailing, the streets barricaded and largely deserted. Only at the main railway station, and particularly those platforms upon which trains to the west were leaving, was anyone to be seen.

This, surely, was a dystopian fantasy: a huge European city under siege by the second most powerful military in the world.

We watched the critical battle for Hostomel airport from the 23rd floor of a tower block on the very edge of Kyiv, as the sole remaining resident, a violinist named Andrii, played us polkas while the windows shook.

We watched too as refugees from this fighting crossed a bomb-collapsed bridge over the Irpin river, during a brief ceasefire. An old man was being carried in a wheelbarrow.

One night the windows of my own room shook as the Retroville shopping centre  several miles away  was destroyed by a missile strike. By day you could hear the constant grumble of artillery from that famous cobbled hill, the Andriivskyi Descent. But Kyiv held, somehow.

On another occasion, in the summer of 2023, we reached frontline trenches near Lyman. Leaving the position in broad daylight, we came under heavy mortar fire. Russian drones were overhead, spotting the fall of the bombs so that the gunners could adjust their aim. This was our first experience of the weapon  the drone  which would change warfare, becoming the preeminent battlefield threat that it is today.

Military technology advanced at a startling rate. I won't forget a journey along a narrow country road to the Donbas town of New York. We didn't know that Russian assault units were only fields away, waiting to attack. A Russian reconnaissance drone passed over the roof of the military vehicle in which we were travelling.

Richard felt the windows in his room shake as Kyiv's Retroville shopping centre  several miles away from where he was staying  was destroyed by a missile strike, pictured

Over these four years, towns which we knew and frequented have fallen to the Russian advance. And soldiers we have spent time with are now among the fallen. The latest is Private First Class Vitalli Pasko, from the Khartia Corps. One night, last summer, he drove me to a drone position very close to the Russian lines. On a later similar mission, his luck ran out.

Britons have also made sacrifices here. On a street in Lviv last week we were approached by Eddy Scott, a sailor from Dorset who left Britain for Ukraine in October 2022. He noticed the British number plate on our 4x4. We noticed that Eddy has an artificial leg.

In 2025, while conducting a humanitarian evacuation in the embattled city of Pokrovsk, a Russian drone hit his vehicle. He lost his left arm and leg in the explosion. Now he works for the local Superhumans rehabilitation centre which got him back on his feet.

Over four years, other Britons have given even more than Eddy, in the cause of Ukraine.

We pick out some of the Union Jacks among the ever-expanding forest of snow-encrusted flags in Independence Square, here in Kyiv. Each one represents a particular war casualty.

Here is the flag commemorating Colby Dolman, a former carpenter from Cleethorpes who died aged 20 last year, on the Zaporizhia front. Nearby, we find the flag of James Wilton from Yorkshire, who was even younger  18  when he was killed in action near Terny.

The last month of this winter has been particularly brutal. Temperatures in Kyiv have plunged to -20C while the Russians have caused enormous damage to the energy grid. It is a form of psychological warfare.

Many Britons have sacrificed their lives fighting in Ukraine  including 20-year-old Colby Dolman, a former carpenter from Cleethorpes, who died on the Zaporizhia front last year

We climb down a precipitous snowbank and walk across hundreds of metres of frozen river to talk to ice fishermen without really knowing if the route will bear our weight. The men are retired shipyard workers. Their baited lines are dropped into holes drilled through the  thankfully  half-metre thick ice.

'We're just here for the company,' one of them says. 'Of course, we hope that the war will end this year, but the [Russian] conditions that we have to give up parts of Donbas we still hold are ridiculous.'

A man has been watching our progress from the shore. He was worried, he says, that we were a 'press gang' from the Ukrainian military's recruitment office; that we intended to pluck the pensioners from their fishing holes and put them into the Donbas frontline.

Such things happen  Ukraine remains desperately short of fighting manpower.

The man himself has only recently returned from service, discharged as medically unfit.

'We suffered terrible casualties,' he says. 'And we couldn't always retrieve them as we retreated. On one occasion we were ordered to cut off a foot and hand from a relative of the brigade commander. This was to prove he was dead (rather than 'missing') and so his family could get compensation.'

He pauses, then volunteers: 'I see such things nightly, in my dreams.'

If you think his anecdote is too far-fetched, think again. A soldier friend of mine decapitated a dead comrade whose body was trapped in wreckage, under fire. He did this, he says, so his friend's mother could understand that her son was 'really dead' and give him  part of him  a Christian burial.

That logic is a different kind of war damage.

The future is unclear. Tortuous peace negotiations, pushed along by a US President the Ukrainians no longer trust  could yield some kind of ceasefire. But most here, however war-weary, see it as simply a hiatus before Russia pushes again. Their hope is that the Russian war economy will gradually collapse.

This is the fifth winter of full-scale war. The Second World War only had six. Will that unwanted statistic yet be matched?

Ukraine held, is holding, will hold on still.
Disturbing photos have exposed the 'abhorrent' living conditions migrant workers were forced to endure while being severely underpaid.

A NSW business has been fined after running an industrial scale labour hire firm and sending out 475 migrants to regional areas.

The migrants, some of whom were here illegally, were systematically underpaid and forced to live in overcrowded housing, in conditions likened to modern slavery.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers executed 12 search warrants at properties linked to the business, uncovering evidence of 50 breaches.

The employer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was fined $540,000.

ABF acting superintendent Mark Paixao described the scenes his officers found when they attended one of the houses where the workers were living.

'ABF officers found these migrant workers living in conditions that can only be described as abhorrent,' he told Nine News.

'In one case, we found up to 25 individuals living in a small three-bedroom home.'

It was found that 25 migrant workers were forced to live in a tiny house

Mr Paixao said the employer was controlling 'every aspect of these workers' lives'.

'It was clear that these workers were being exploited for the profit of an individual,' he said.

'We do not want to see this in our country.'

The employer ran an industrial-sized labour hire firm for the agriculture sector.

Footage of the living conditions showed workers lying on several mattresses scattered on the floor of a filthy room.

The kitchen was squalid, with leftover food on the table in a room with a huge hole in the wall.

Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill described the scale and severity of the unlawful labour-hire syndicate as 'disgusting'.

'This is everyone's business. It drags down wages and conditions. It hurts your average everyday Aussie worker,' he said.

The kitchen area was very dirty, with some questioning why the workers couldn't clean up after themselves as others defended them

'Migrant workers contribute enormously to our communities and economy. They deserve respect, fair treatment and safe working conditions, not abuse.'

Matt Kunkel, from the Migrant Workers Centre, said he wasn't surprised by the case.

He claimed a large number of migrant workers in Australia were being taken advantage of.

'More than half of migrant workers in Australia will experience workplace abuse, and roughly 40 per cent of them report to us that they're being underpaid,' he said.

Some social media users felt the record fine wasn't enough.

'That's a tiny fine for taking advantage of 475 people. Crazy work,' one said.

'The fine was just over $1,000 per employee. Pathetic,' another said.

'Half a million-dollar fine is a joke,' a third added.

'If 500 workers are underpaid $1,000 each, that fine is easily paid off. It should be at least double what they stole and then some jail time.'

Daily Mail contacted the Migrant Workers Centre for further comment.
A Millennial woman has lashed out at boomers for constantly making unnecessary remarks about her tattoos while she jogs.

Maddi Darcey loves running on the streets of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney, but what she hates is the abuse she cops over her body art.

The 32-year-old tattoo artist, who runs four times a week, says strangers often look her 'up and down' while she's exercising.

She told Daily Mail that people can't help but make snide comments about her tattoos, and they're mainly older Aussies who dish it out.

'I've been copping it since I moved up here from Sydney last January. It will happen a few times a week,' she said.

'I'll get comments like "oh you're disgusting" and "look what you've done to yourself".

'More common than not it's the elder men on push bikes going past me.'

Ms Darcey said it's not only a problem with older people, but with Newcastle itself.

Maddi Darcey told Daily Mail she cops weekly abuse from strangers about her tattoos

Ms Darcey wants to highlight the abuse her and others with tattoos get every day

'I never copped it in Sydney. Up here I seem to cop a lot of negative remarks,' she said.

'There's nothing provocative about my tattoos. You could see them at the beach - there's nothing offensive.'

Ms Darcey said a woman calling her 'disgusting' was the final straw.

'I turned around and confronted her and asked her to repeat herself,' she said.

'She denied it and said, "Oh no, you heard me wrong".'

The woman who yelled the abuse was wearing a Newcastle Cycleways Movement (NCM) vest.

NCM president Neville Jones distanced his organisation from the person, saying she didn't represent NCM or its values.

Mr Jones even reached out to Ms Darcey to offer her his support.

Ms Darcey loves running but hates the abuse she gets while out and about

Ms Darcey says she even warns her customers about getting tattoos on their hands and face

And it's not just while running that Ms Darcey is abused.

She said one day while out shopping at her local Aldi an older man called her a 'f***ing bi***' and a 'disgusting human' who looked 'gross'.

'It felt like a tipping point, and it's always older people,' she said.

'Generally, I take it pretty well. Being heavily tattooed, you get used to looks and comments over time.

'But last week, two comments happened within about five minutes of each other. I tried to speak to one of the women, who scoffed at me, and I just started crying.'

Ms Darcey said friends who also have tattoos cop the same abuse from total strangers.

She said a friend of hers told her a man walked past her at the beach and said, 'Did you know you'd look way better if you didn't have all those tattoos?'

'It's awful,' Ms Darcey said.

'I've had enough, and calling it out matters. If we just ignore it, they think it's acceptable.

'It seems wild to me that people think it's OK to hurl these remarks at people. I don't want them to think there are no repercussions for acting like that.'
Shoppers have taken aim at Coles and Woolworths amid claims of price gouging, as grocery staples like bread and fresh fruit become a luxury for many households.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking significant penalties for alleged breaches of Woolworths' 'prices dropped' and Coles' 'Down Down' promotions across a 15-month period from late 2021 to early 2023.

In response to the alleged price-gouging, shoppers have placed tongue-in-cheek replicas of the supermarkets' promotional flyers on the shelves.

'Thanks for funding our CEO's bonus - enjoy your noodles,' reads one of the stickers placed above packs of instant noodles.

Another said: 'Over $1billion in profit - thanks to record-high prices'.

'We cash in, you check out,' a third said.

After images of the flyers were shared on Reddit, Aussies shared their struggles to afford basic items like bread or pasta in the comments.

'I am eating the absolute cheapest things I can find. Cereal, beans, pasta. Even fruit feels like a luxury now. Bread and butter, an extravagant treat,' one person said.

In response to the alleged price-gouging, shoppers have placed tongue-in-cheek replicas of the supermarkets' promotional flyers (pictured) on supermarket shelves

'Can anyone remember the days when we used a trolley and filled it with food? Nowadays, I buy what I can carry and fill one bag, tops.'

Another wrote: 'I look at my trolley and there's only about five or six items and it still costs me $80 for everything each week!'

A third said they typically spend $300 a week for two people, which covers their needs for the weekdays, but they have to return for ingredients at the weekend.

'I'm now earning more money than I ever have, yet for the first time I have to quite religiously stick to a budget to have the same lifestyle I did five to 10 years ago on considerably less money,' they wrote.

'I have a one-year-old who has just discovered she likes berries,' a fourth wrote.

'Pray for me.'

GetUp! chief executive Paul Ferris told Daily Mail thousands of shoppers had been sending in photos of their own protests at their local Coles or Woolworths.

'Supermarket giants are making eye-watering profits while Aussies struggle to afford the basics,' he said.

Pictured, one of the protest stickers at a Woolworths store

'These corporations have been caught red-handed with sneaky tricks like "shrinkflation" and fake "discounts" that actually hike costs.

'The strong response to the campaign from our members shows the incredible and growing frustration.'

Daily Mail has contacted Coles and Woolworths for comment.

A 12-month inquiry by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which concluded last year, found Coles and Woolworths had increased their margins in recent years.

Average profits had risen to as high as 43 per cent for potatoes, 38 per cent for cucumbers and 35 per cent for bananas, with suppliers left in a weak bargaining position.

Pictured is one of the protest stickers at a Coles supermarket

The report released in March found there is far less competition in Australia than overseas, making the supermarket sector 'oligopolistic'.

'Coles and Woolworths have limited incentive to compete vigorously with each other on price,' it said.

'We have not observed Coles and Woolworths seeking to substantially discount prices below each other in aggregate.'

But the ACCC didn't declare that Coles and Woolworths had a duopoly, and stopped short of calling grocery prices 'excessive'. It also didn't lay the blame for a cost-of-living crisis on the supermarket giants.

Coles is currently fighting claims that it misled customers by artificially increasing prices before reducing them and claiming shoppers were then getting a discount.

The supermarket has defended its 'down down' discount campaign, saying grocery shoppers understood they represented 'fair dinkum' price reductions.

The case continues before Justice Michael O'Bryan.
Special needs spending will keep soaring over the next decade despite reforms to bring it under control, Bridget Phillipson has admitted.

The revelation came in the Education Secretary's long-awaited schools white paper, which also contained a number of 'class warfare' measures.

These included 'tightening the rules' for schools that use banding in admissions, to 'produce representative intakes'  following criticism that the system is elitist.

In addition, funding will be diverted away from private special needs schools, which the Government says often charge too much.

The wide-ranging proposals are aimed at making mainstream schools more 'inclusive' and curbing spending on special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

Speaking in Peterborough, Mrs Phillipson said the plans will take children with Send 'from sidelined and excluded to seen, heard and included'.

It comes after soaring cases of ADHD and autism almost bankrupted councils  with some experts saying these conditions have been 'over-diagnosed'.

Since 2014, the number of children receiving Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which give them a legal right to specialist care, has doubled.

Special needs spending will keep soaring over the next decade despite reforms to bring it under control, Bridget Phillipson (pictured) has admitted

Under the new plans, only the most severely affected pupils  such as those with blindness  will be entitled to an EHCP  while everyone else will get support supplied at school level, backed by an extra 4 billion in funding.

However, now the Department for Education (DfE) has admitted costs will keep rising over the next four years and will only come back to today's levels in 2035, due to the reforms being delivered in phases.

Under the plans, schools will legally be obliged to provide an 'inclusion plan', which sets out what they are doing to help pupils with Send, with Ofsted policing this.

White paper key points From 2030, only those with the most severe needs will get an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which gives legal entitlement to top-level support.

All others will get school-based help, via an 'individual support plan' (ISP). This is available in two tiers: 'targeted', meaning in-school measures, and 'targeted plus', which could mean drafting in outside specialists.

Children in Year 3 or above currently will keep their EHCP until at least age 16. Those in Year 2 or below will be reassessed when they reach secondary school.

Pupils who are currently in special schools will not have their places taken away from them.

5.3 per cent of pupils currently have an EHCP, and this is set to rise until 2029/30 to an estimated high of 7.7 per cent. After this, it is predicted to start falling year on year to 4.7 per cent in 2034/35. Advertisement

Schools will be told to produce a 'universal offer' which means classrooms and teaching must be designed with Send in mind, and every teacher will get Send training.

Anyone who needs more support will get an individual plan, and there will be a further tier of support for those who need specialists from outside the school  for example, for speech and language therapy.

It is expected Mrs Phillipson will face a backbench revolt over the plans, with some Labour MPs opposed to spending being reined in.

The plans also appeared to continue Labour's 'class warfare' agenda, as schools will in future face 'tightened rules' around admissions banding.

Schools are able to use banding to admit certain proportions of pupils from each ability group, but critics have said this can be manipulated to admit more privileged children.

Under the new rules, banding will be reformed to ensure it 'produces representative intakes', the paper said.

In addition, funding will be diverted away from private special schools, with a 'change in the law' to cap how much they can charge.

The government claims that independent special schools charge an average of 63,000 per child per year, compared to 26,000 for a state special school.

Around a third of independent special schools are backed by private equity firms, it says.

Mrs Phillipson said: 'We're going to act to reduce the big expansion that we've seen in independent specialist provision that is private equity backed, where we're seeing huge profits being made at the expense of vulnerable children, and we cannot continue to sustain that.'

It is understood she wants more children educated in specialist units in mainstream schools instead.

The move comes following Labour's VAT on fees for all private schools, which came into force last year.

The proposals received a mixed reaction.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said she welcomed 'stronger mainstream inclusion' but added: 'Parents and teachers will still have little clarity about what these reforms will mean for their children.'

She added: 'Ministers have repeatedly failed to guarantee that children holding EHCPs won't have them removed leaving parents anxious. Parents who have fought for years to secure support for their children deserve a cast-iron assurance that it will not be withdrawn.'

Zachary Marsh, research fellow at think tank Policy Exchange, said: 'These proposals are a welcome move away from the current cripplingly expensive, inflexible model of Send provision, which our research forecasts will cost over 18 billion a year by 2028 without reform.

'They rightly focus on ensuring support is available in an early and flexible manner to support children with SEND to thrive alongside their peers, an approach Policy Exchange has consistently advocated.'

Meanwhile, Julie Robinson, chief executive at the Independent Schools Council, said: 'Tens of thousands of young people with Send depend on independent special schools to meet their needs and provide the best possible education and care. From small charity-run schools at the heart of their communities, to large specialist providers working with young people with complex disabilities and medical conditions, the expertise required in so many cases of individualised care inevitably carries a cost.

'Despite strong rhetoric about independent special schools in the media, the Government's proposals lack essential detail. It is imperative that the Government provides clarity about these changes for families who rely on specialist care and support for their children.'
Australians have been warned that Iranian covert agents have infiltrated the country and are attempting to sow discontent on behalf of the hostile regime.

Kambiz 'Kam' Razmara, a lawyer and vice president of the apolitical and non-religious Australian Iranian Society of Victoria, sounded the alarm on Tuesday.

He told the Daily Mail the issues stem from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

'The IRGC employs proxy networks and indirect methods to conduct operations beyond Irans borders,' Mr Razmara said.

'These include repression, intimidation, and influence campaigns targeting diaspora communities, including Australian-Iranians.'

Australia categorised the IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism in November following the expulsion of Iran's ambassador over allegations he directed attacks against Jewish targets in Sydney and Melbourne.

These included the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, 2024, and an arson attack on Lewis' Continental Kitchen in Sydney two months before that.

It marked a historic moment as the first time in Australia's since World War II that Canberra had expelled an ambassador.

'These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression orchestrated by a foreign nation on Australian soil,' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in August.

The actions have been carried out by people working on behalf of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Mr Razmara said Australia's criminal code targets intentional assistance to groups like the IRGC, but there is a lack of public information to inform citizens.

'The absence of public enforcement or prosecution data and practical guidance leaves Australians  including Australian-Iranians  uncertain about how to identify an IRGC agent,' he said.

He added this was particularly the case where regimealigned actors use coordinated 'trolling, physical and online intimidation and bullying to disrupt social cohesion and unity'.

Sirius Geopolitics founder Alana Ford added: 'Intimidation tactics, surveillance and counterintelligence operations, and influence campaigns are all real threats for quite a few different diasporas in Australia.'

Security expert and Atlantic Council senior fellow Elisabeth Braw said Russia and Iran both specialise in this method.

'It is a well-known tactic. It's part of grey zone aggression, which is aggression against other countries using non-military means,' she told the Daily Mail.

'What you can do with Western countries is essentially foment discord by spreading lies.

'That's something that Russia has done a lot online and, apparently, Iran may be doing the same in Australia.'

The IRGC was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism after the expulsion of Iran's ambassador over allegations he directed attacks against Jewish targets, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on December 6, 2024 (pictured)

Ms Braw said European nations have seen Iranian actors amplify disinformation and misinformation on social media to get people 'worked up' against authorities.

The Australian Iranian Society of Victoria has urged the Albanese government to be more transparent within the parameters of intelligence services.

'We urge the Commonwealth to publish deidentified enforcement data and illustrative case studies,' Mr Razmara said.

He added that communities need plain English guidance on indicators of agencies and targeted funding for digital-safety education and safe reporting pathways.

Ms Braw echoed this, emphasising the importance of information literacy in defending against foreign interference.

'Most people don't have information literacy. They just use the internet without any training, which is crazy,' she said.

'Most countries don't provide information literacy training so governments should run information literacy campaigns.

'It doesn't even have to be a course you have to attend, but [maybe] public awareness campaigns.

'Foreign countries will keep [stirring up] discord online as long as people are gullible and don't check where information comes from.'

The Daily Mail contacted the Iranian embassy in Canberra.

A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said Australia was a 'target of sophisticated and persistent foreign interference activities from a range of countries'.

'While the threat applies to the Australian community generally, members of Australias diaspora communities are often at greater risk of interference from foreign powers seeking to exert a measure of authority and control over them,' he said.

'Australias law enforcement agencies will assess, investigate, disrupt and, where possible, prosecute acts of foreign interference.'

The federal government has developed an online Foreign Interference Community Support Hub, which explains what foreign interference is and provides advice on cyber security and detecting misinformation.
A plan for people who help Islamic State-linked families to be thrown in jail is unconstitutional, the prime minister says, as aid agencies warn it could set a dangerous precedent.

The federal opposition plans to introduce legislation to parliament in March that would punish anyone who helps the so-called 'ISIS brides' return to Australia with up to 10 years' jail.

A group of 34 Australian women and children has been trying to return home from a Syrian refugee camp.

They travelled to the Middle East with men who wanted to fight for Islamic State before the terror organisation was defeated in 2019.

They have been issued with Australian passports but were unable to travel to the Syrian capital Damascus for a flight home.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was scathing of the coalition's proposal, describing it as 'nonsense that was not thought through in order to get a headline'.

'They themselves couldn't explain how that was constitutional,' he told ABC radio on Tuesday.

He reiterated the government would not be repatriating the group and temporary exclusion laws were already operating.

Save the Children's Mat Tinkler said the opposition's proposal is a slippery slope

34 Australian women and children are trying to return home from the Al Roj camp in Syria

One of the women has been barred from returning after being handed a temporary exclusion order under Australian counterterrorism laws.

'The full force of the law has been implemented to the extent that we can,' Albanese said.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor said he would make it illegal to help the repatriation of people who had travelled to declared terrorist hotspots or committed a terrorist offence.

'We need to shut the door to people who are going to bring hate and violence to our shores from another part of the world,' he said on Monday.

Greens home affairs spokesperson David Shoebridge slammed the coalition for proposing non-government organisations like Save the Children Australia be criminalised for helping Australians return home.

'The idea that any serious Australian political party would make it a crime for Australians to try and help Australian children and bring them back to safety is a remarkable low, even in the current climate on the immigration debate,' the senator told ABC radio.

Save the Children Australia chief executive Mat Tinkle said the proposed laws sounded like a 'reckless' thought bubble that would set a dangerous precedent.

'I think it's pretty reckless, to be honest,' he told ABC TV on Monday.

Mr Tinkler said he did not know whether his organisation would be caught up in the coalition's policy and has offered to brief the party on Save the Children's work in Syria.

Albanese doubled down on his remarks that he is sympathetic with the children stuck in Syria, but that it was a choice made by their parents to go there.

The prime minister's assertion on Monday that the coalition allowed more than 40 people into Australia, including fighters, was rejected by former leader Scott Morrison who said only orphaned minors were granted entry under his government.
More than 100 employees at an Australian start-up have become overnight millionaires after a US telehealth giant swooped in with a $1.6billion deal.

Eucalyptus offers Juniper and Pilot, which prescribe GLP-1s similar to Ozempic and Mounjaro, as well as a fertility program and erectile dysfunction medication.

With an annual revenue run-rate above $637million, it has been acquired by US telehealth firm Hims & Hers, the company announced on Thursday.

The company offers an employee share option plan, meaning more than 100 staff members were privy to a life-changing payday.

It is understood workers at the Sydney office on Clarence Street had a 'raucous' celebration after learning of the billion-dollar deal.

The value of their shares, excluding Eucalyptus' co-founders, is estimated at about $300million in total, the Australian Financial Review reported.

As a result, the average Eucalyptus employee is expected to receive $420,000.

Former Eucalyptus chief commercial officer Joe Harris is understood to have pocketed more than $1million from the deal.

Some staff at Australian-start-up Eucalyptus are due to become millionaires after the company was acquired by US telehealth giant Hims & Hers for $1.6billion on Thursday

Chief executive Tim Doyle (pictured) is due to receive $163million in the deal

'It's the peace of mind of knowing I've shifted the trajectory of my family's life forever and have taken care of my future,' the 29-year-old told the AFR on Monday.

'Now I can focus on building my company without having to think about the opportunity cost.'

Eucalyptus founder Tim Doyle, who will receive $163million in the deal, described the acquisition as a full circle moment.

The 35-year-old said his company drew inspiration for its telehealth model from Hims & Hers in the United States.

'By joining Hims & Hers, we will help more people globally believe in the future of healthcare,' the chief executive wrote on LinkedIn.

He said Eucalyptus aimed to be 'simple, high-quality, personal, and designed to help prevent disease, instead of merely treating it'.

'We've spent seven years helping customers around the world find the care that fits them,' the 35-year-old added.

'And we believe today's news will be part of accelerating the movement towards affordable healthcare for everyone that feels like a luxury.'

Join the debate Should everyday workers become millionaires when their company is sold, or does this fuel inequality?

Thanks to an employee share option plan, the value of staff shares is estimated at about $300 million in total following the deal

Mr Doyle will enter a new role as senior vice president of international business.

Eucalyptus, which has offices in Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, is understood to serve more than 775,000 customers.

Along with the large payday for employees, the company has prided itself on being a 'friendly' workplace, but has come under fire for setting staff 'unreasonable' targets.

Anonymous staff from its Philippines office told the AFR in January there had been multiple resignations, with staff reporting feeling exhausted by high targets.

They claimed Eucalyptus raised the number of customer queries each assistant should process to more than 65 a day to meet surging demand.

'Failing to meet these metrics could lead to escalation from management, particularly local management in the Philippines, and in some cases this created fear of termination,' a former employee alleged.

Another added: 'I love the work and the purpose of my role, but in my team alone about 10 people resigned within a single month due to exhaustion, health concerns and a lack of balance.'

A spokesperson for Eucalyptus told the Daily Mail the targets were set to match the needs of customers.

'All performance targets are set with a key focus on patient care, not volume,' they said.

'New targets were set last year with increased requirements around quality of care, measured by patient satisfaction and our quality assurance auditing process.'
A senior executive at the National Australia Bank (NAB) has denied she used AI to write what some have labelled the 'worst LinkedIn post of all time'.

NAB retail bank boss Ana Marinkovic took to LinkedIn after former US vice president Kamala Harris spoke at a corporate event she attended last week.

'Today I had the rare opportunity to listen  not merely hear  (Harris) speak at the Women Unlimited Leadership Summit. In a world saturated with noise, this distinction feels increasingly precious,' the post began.

'From the moment (Harris) stepped up, there was no pretense  just a seasoned mind wrestling with our era's defining fault lines.

'She didn't shout or sensationalize; she articulated. Which, in many ways, is her enduring legacy: a reminder that clarity still matters.'

AFR columnist Mark Di Stefano slammed the post as one of the 'worst posts ever committed to LinkedIn', questioning whether it was written by AI.

The post featured plenty of em-dashes and jumbled cliches which an AI detection tool flagged as a product of a chatbot.

The post also featured Americanised spellings while the overuse of '', nine of them in total, is often a trademark of ChatGPT's AI.

Former US vice president Kamala Harris with NAB retail bank boss Ana Marinkovic

Ms Marinkovic (pictured) has denied using AI to post about Ms Harris

Some were left wondering if this post was written by an AI chatbot

Ms Marinkovic arrived in Australia as a 13-year-old refugee from war-torn Serbia

Join the debate Do YOU think the NAB boss wrote the LinkedIn post herself?

The banking boss hit back at 'fake news and misinformation' after questions were raised about her social media post.

'It's an important distinction in an era of fake news and misinformation that often targets those that can least defend themselves,' she wrote on LinkedIn.

Many on LinkedIn however weren't convinced the post was AI-generated.

'Simply brilliant and a powerful reflection. Indeed, a compelling reminder for all leaders,' one person told Ms Marinkovic.

'Thank you for sharing your reflections Ana Marinkovic. What an amazing experience,' another said.

Ms Marinkovic, a refugee from Serbia, denied her post was made using AI.

A NAB spokesperson told the Australian Financial Review that Marinkovic wrote the entire post without the use of AI.

When contacted by Daily Mail, a NAB spokesperson said the bank would not be making any further comments.

Ms Marinkovic worked at the ANZ bank for 14 years before moving to NAB in 2019 as an executive general manager.
Donald Trumps State of the Union address is the Super Bowl of the year for political prediction market traders, with millions of dollars at stake.

Over $4 million is being thrown around ahead of what the President is anticipated say during his anticipated congressional address on the regulated exchange and prediction market site Kalshi.

Forecasts indicate that there is a 93 percent likelihood Trump will say 250 and his eight-letter favorite: Trillion. Trump's speech is expected to focus on affordability and the economy, according to multiple reports.

Both terms reference the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and the economic growth Trump frequently touts.

Traders are less confident that Trump will give a nod to crypto, with Bitcoin and Ethereum ranking among the least likely terms he is expected to mention.

The odds on Kalshi also offer a snapshot of the issues dominating the political news cycle.

For example, traders assign an 88 percent chance that Trump will mention ICE, compared to just a 23 percent chance he will talk about the Department of Government Efficiency, suggesting immigration enforcement is far more top of mind than government spending.

Other Kalshi markets tied to Trumps upcoming speech also saw a spike in activity.

With more than $3.3 million wagered, traders now put the odds of Barron Trump attending at 58 percent, a sharp 19-point jump in the past 24 hours.

Trumps Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem have a 97 percent certainty of attending, according to traders.

There is also money to be made by correctly predicting how long Trumps speech will last.

Over $4 million is being thrown around Kalshi for what the President will say during his anticipated Congressional address

Traders are hedging their bets to focus on what the president will say and how long his speech will last

Trump's address to lawmakers will almost certainly become the largest mention market in the platforms history once all the bets are tallied

Bettors see one hour or longer as the safest play, while the odds of the speech stretching to nearly two hours are less certain, sitting at just 38 percent.

The duration market of the speech has less volume with only approximately $100,000 in total bets.

Kalshi routinely launches weekly markets whenever Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech or hold a press conference.

However, Tuesdays address to lawmakers will almost certainly become the largest mention market in the platforms history once all the bets are in.

Mention markets revolving around the President are one of the fastest-growing categories on the prediction site.

In January of 2025, mention markets reached $128k in volume. In January of 2026, they surged to $155 million in total bets.

Other notable markets surging in anticipation for Trumps speech also include countries the President will mention on Tuesday.

Kalshi routinely launches weekly markets whenever Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech or hold a press conference

China and Venezuela top the list at 96 percent certainty, followed closely by Iran, as the looming threat of military strikes makes it almost certain that Trump will address the issue.

Jeffrey Epsteins island and Little Saint James sit at the bottom of Kalshis list. Traders wisely predict Trump will avoid these terms because he has largely avoided mentioning the disgraced financier in recent remarks.
The man who was riding in the car with Ruben Ray Martinez when he was shot and killed by a federal agent last March and planned to challenge ICE's account of the incident has died in a car crash.

Joshua Orta was a passenger when Martinez, 23, was fatally shot in South Padre Island, Texas, on March 15, 2025, according to newly-released documents viewed by the Daily Mail and first reported by Newsweek.

DHS claimed Martinez failed to comply with multiple requests to stop and exit the vehicle and accelerated toward officers, striking an HSI agent before another one fatally shot him.

Orta was set to challenge law enforcement's version of the case. He died, however, in an unrelated car crash on a San Antonio highway this past Saturday.

While driving at 1am Saturday at a high speed, he lost control and struck a pole, with the vehicle catching on fire and killing him before his stepsister and two other passengers could pull him out, police said.

He had given a witness statement but was yet to sign it before he could cooperate with an investigation, attorneys for the Martinez family said.

Orta contradicted law enforcement, saying he and Martinez drove to South Padre Island for Martinez's 23rd birthday.

The man riding in the car with Ruben Ray Martinez (pictured) when he was shot and killed by a federal agent last March and planned to challenge ICE's account of the incident has died in a car crash

DHS claimed Martinez failed to comply with multiple requests to stop and exit the vehicle and accelerated toward officers, striking an HSI agent before another one fatally shot him

On Martinez's birthday, they arrived at the scene of a car crash and Martinez became worried because he had an open alcohol container in the vehicle, Orta alleged.

He then claimed that shortly after, an officer told them to turn around but there was no obvious place to move because traffic was so far backed up. Orta added that Martinez did not strike an agent.

'As we inched forward in traffic to get turned around, another officer, a state trooper, walked up to our car,' he said, adding that he then 'slapped the hood' of the vehicle.

Another officer 'seemed to be trying to get in front of the car' before one yelled at them to stop and took out their firearms, Orta claimed.

That's when, he alleged, Martinez was shot multiple times in the chest without 'any warning, commands or opportunity to comply.'

'I heard Ruben say, "I'm sorry," and then he slumped backward,' Orta said.

Then, he claimed officers put Martinez on the ground, face down and put him in handcuffs.

Join the debate How should we hold law enforcement accountable when key eyewitnesses can no longer testify?

Joshua Orta (not pictured) was a passenger who was set to challenge law enforcement's version of the case, claiming that Martinez complied with law enforcement

Rachel Reyes, pictured right, said that her son, Ruben Ray Martinez, pictured left, was a hardworking young man and disagreed with DHS's characterization of his death

'Ruben was unarmed, nonviolent, not fleeing and not resisting at the time he was shot. His killing was unjustified and excessive,' Orta concluded.

Alex Stamm, who represents Martinez's mother Rachel Reyes, called Orta's death a tragedy for both men.

'First and foremost, Joshua's death is an awful tragedy for his family and friends, and the Reyes family is grieving with them,' Stamm said.

'In terms of Ruben's death, the world has also now lost a critical eyewitness.'

He added that he and the family 'believe Joshua's account' and cited the recent shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in suggesting DHS may not be telling the truth.

'It is critical that the public be shown every piece of evidence in the government's possession, and that any witness come forward,' he added.

DHS on Monday continued to back the original account: 'We stand by our original statement.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to attorneys for the Martinez family for comment.

Martinez's death was reported on at the time as an 'officer-involved shooting.' It has now come to light that Martinez was the sole victim, and the officer was a federal agent

Martinez's death follows the killings of two Minnesota residents, which launched a wave of protests across the country demanding that ICE agents scale back operations, with some even calling for the agency to be abolished

Martinez was transported to a hospital in Brownsville and later pronounced dead following the shooting. The incident report redacted his name but identified him as a US citizen.

Local media covered the incident at the time as an 'officer-involved shooting.' Newsweek identified Martinez through the local coverage.

South Padre Island City Manager Randy Smith previously told local news outlets that officers were not the ones who fired their weapons.

DHS confirmed the shooting in a statement, adding the Ford driver 'intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigations special agent.'

'Upon witnessing this, another agent fired defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public,' the statement added.

DHS added that the agent who was allegedly run over sustained a knee injury and was taken to the hospital.

DHS said the Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division was investigating the incident. The Daily Mail has reached out to the department for an update.

The department told Newsweek that the investigation is still active and that no other information is currently available.

Martinez's death comes almost a year before two Minnesota residents, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by ICE

The newly released documents suggest that ICE has killed more US citizens than originally believed. The agency has been under tense criticism with protests erupting across the country. Anti-ICE protesters in Austin, Texas are pictured above on January 30

Martinez's mother, Rachel Reyes, confirmed to the New York Times that her son was the victim of the ICE-involved shooting.

She disputed DHS's account of events and characterized her son as a hardworking young man with no history of trouble with the law.

'He was a good kid. He doesn't have a criminal history. He never got in trouble. He was never violent,' Reyes said in a phone interview with the publication.

Martinez's family maintained that he was complying with instructions from law enforcement officials before he was shot.

Reyes told The New York Times that Orta's account of the events matches what investigators had initially told her.

'I was very surprised when I saw what the government document said about my son,' she said.

'That's not what they told me. I was shocked and insulted.'

Reyes added that she didn't 'appreciate' DHS's characterization of her son and said the incident report made the events 'sound different' than what her family was initially told.

Martinez's death was reported on by local news at the time as an 'officer-involved shooting.' Newly released documents have revealed that the incident involved federal agents at a traffic stop

'What they're saying is different from what they told the family, so that's adding insult to injury,' she said.

Stamm has previously said that eyewitness accounts of the shooting were inconsistent with ICE's internal report.

The attorney demanded a 'full and fair investigation' and asked why federal officers were present at the scene of a traffic collision.

Martinez's family said in a statement to the Times: 'Since Ruben's death a year ago, all we have wanted is justice for him, and we have struggled with the silence surrounding his killing.

'Now, the country is in crisis and, terribly, heartbreakingly, other families are enduring what we have.'

Federal officials have not publicly released any information on video evidence of the shooting.

US Representative Joaquin Castro, who represents Martinez's home city of San Antonio, has called for an investigation into the fatal shooting.

Castro called the killing an 'organized cover-up' in a virtual news conference on Friday, as reported by Texas Public Radio.

The newly-revealed incident report underscores months of heightened tensions between local officials and federal agents as DHS and ICE carry out immigration enforcement raids across the country.

Minnesota mom-of-three, Renee Good, 37, was killed by an ICE agent named Jonathan Ross on January 7 in an eerily similar incident.

She was in her vehicle while federal agents conducted immigration enforcement operations.

As she drove away in her SUV, the agent opened fire, and she died from a gunshot injury to the head.

DHS defended officers in the incident and even branded Good a 'domestic terrorist,' however, video footage of the shooting cast doubt on the Trump administration's characterization of events.

Geoffrey Alpert, a police use-of-force expert, told the Associated Press that both instances were unusual because federal officers are trained not to stand in front of a moving vehicle.

'You don't stand in front of the car, you don't put yourself in harm's way,' he explained.

ICU nurse Alex Pretti, also 37, was killed on January 24 after a tense exchange with federal officers on the street.

Witnesses and video footage show Pretti attempting to protect others from the agents before the violent encounter occurred.

Similarly, DHS has defended the agents in the shooting, arguing that they were acting in self-defense because Pretti was carrying a gun.

Martinez's mother accused the federal agents in her son's case of not giving him a chance, adding that their use of force was 'excessive.'

'They could have done anything else besides that. It's like they shoot first and ask questions later,' she added.

Martinez's death means at least six individuals have been killed by ICE since Trump assumed office last year, according to AP.
The cost of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's private massages on his overseas trips as Britain's trade envoy were picked up by the taxpayer, retired civil servants have claimed.

Whitehall officials were said to have been left horrified over Andrew's excessive spending on flights, hotel rooms and charges including spa treatments during his decade in the prestigious position representing the UK.

The revelations raise questions over statements previously made by Buckingham Palace which insisted, as Andrew's tenure came to an end in 2011, that he paid for 'all personal expenses' during trade trips.

One ex-civil servant said he was so appalled that the public was footing the tab for Andrew's pampering, he had tried to block a payment for 'massage services'  but was overruled.

The former prince is being investigated for misconduct in public office over allegations he exploited his role to leak confidential information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and other wealthy contacts.

His dramatic downfall, capped by his arrest last week, will see the disgraced royal retreat to his new home on the Sandringham estate with nothing more than a chef and a lone valet.

His love of luxury foreign travel as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011  jetting around on private jets and checking into sprawling hotel suites  earned him the nickname Air Miles Andy.

He was stripped of his globe-trotting duties in July 2011 after months of public fury over his conduct and his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein.

The cost of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's private massages on his overseas trips as Britain's trade envoy were picked up by the taxpayer. Pictured in 2007 with al-Ahmadi city governor Sheikh Ibrahim al-Duaij al-Sabah

A massage bed with rumpled towels is seen in the 'Kuala Lumpur Suite', a 'presidential' suite in the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta shortly after Andrew checked out in 2011

Andrew was said to have booked the hour-long treatment at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel with a young masseuse called Ria (pictured), who said she also massaged him three times in one day during a visit in 2008

The axe came shortly after The Mail on Sunday revealed he had enjoyed massages and stayed in a 1,200-a-night suite during an official trade trip to Indonesia that April.

Andrew was said to have booked the hour-long treatment at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel with a young masseuse called Ria, who said she also massaged him three times in one day during a visit in 2008.

The former duke was reported to have received the treatments in his luxurious presidential suite which boasted a butler service and a built-in sauna.

At the time, Buckingham Palace came to the former prince's defence, issuing a statement claiming he covered the expenses himself.

'All personal expenses for the Duke of York during overseas visits are paid for personally by His Royal Highness,' a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

However, a retired civil servant, who worked in the UK's trade department in the early 2000s, told the BBC of a claim for 'massage services' for the royal on a separate trip.

He said he was so disgusted, he tried to reject the payment which had been submitted after Andrew had travelled to the Middle East on an official trip.

'I thought it was wrong... I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway.'

He said the department had missed the opportunity to check the royal's behaviour by allowing such expenses to go through without question. 'I can't say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong,' he added.

Another source, a former senior Whitehall official who oversaw finances in that area, said he had seen similar expenses for Andrew's trips. He told the BBC he had been shocked by the scale of Andrew's

lavish spending as envoy, including excessive flights and unreasonable numbers of hotel rooms and charges for his entourage.

'I couldn't believe it... it was like it wasn't real money, they weren't spending any of their own money,' he said.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor pictured in the Epstein files, kneeling over a woman lying on the floor

Masseuse Monique Giannelloni claims Prince Andrew booked her to massage him at Buckingham Palace

Ms Giannelloni was paid 75 for massaging the Duke of York, who 'draped himself across my massage table' and 'sent a fresh wave of nervous energy coursing through me'

Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell posing for a photo. Virginia Giuffre's lawyer said there was substantial evidence that Andrew had sex with Ms Giuffre in London in 2001 when she was 17

He added that there was little control over or proper record-keeping of spending. He claimed payments related to Andrew's trips were automatically given a 'rubber stamp' of approval, rather than being subjected to any scrutiny.

The former Whitehall official said this was down to the deference being shown to Andrew by top civil servants and their reluctance to challenge him.

Andrew's penchant for regular massages is no secret, with the Epstein files revealing that he had 'daily massages' while visiting the disgraced financier in Florida.

His chief accuser Virginia Giuffre claimed she was asked to give Andrew a massage by Ghislaine Maxwell before having sex with him as a 17-year-old on three occasions in 2001. Andrew has vehemently denied the allegations.

The Daily Mail can also reveal that Buckingham Palace paid for a masseuse to visit Andrew at the royal residence.

Monique Giannelloni was waved through security in June 2000, after being recommended by Epstein's jailed enabler Maxwell.

Ms Giannelloni said she was in her 30s when she was taken up to Andrew's room, where he emerged from the bathroom naked while Epstein was also in the room.

An invoice obtained by the Mail shows that Ms Giannelloni was later paid 75 by the palace.

'When I went there, Jeffrey Epstein was also in the room the whole time and they were talking about purchasing some island for around 20million, which I thought was very strange,' she recalled.

Downing Street declined to comment on the latest allegations. The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'That is something for the police to look at, not for me to comment on or give a running commentary on a live police investigation.

'But on the general point of whether the Government stands ready to assist the police in their inquiries, the answer is  and has consistently been  yes.'
Britain is on an inevitable collision course with Russia whether the war in Ukraine is won or lost, the head of the British Army warns today.

On the fourth anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, General Sir Roly Walker said Russia was building bigger and more lethal armed forces to prepare for a wider war.

Writing exclusively for this newspaper, the Chief of the General Staff said he could see no evidence of the Kremlin scaling back its ambitions.

But in a call to arms, Sir Roly said he believed that, when the time comes, Britain would emerge victorious and the future 'will be on our terms, and our terms alone'.

As an indication of the Kremlin's commitment to battle  despite suffering more than 1.25 million casualties so far  Russia continues to send tens of thousands to their slaughter on the frontline.

Last night, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns echoed Sir Roly's concerns, likening the present situation to '1937 or 1938'.

And Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, claimed that Russia has 'already started World War Three'.

Sir Roly writes: 'We, and the West generally, are in the crosshairs of Russia. It's us on their terms or no deal. This is not going away, however the war in Ukraine ends.

British soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment clear buildings on an exercise in Estonia

British special forces practice their rapid deployment techniques with a Chinook helicopter

'Unless something changes, I think we are on a collision course with a Russia that is on a war footing, that is replenishing its lost equipment and rearming itself to be a bigger and more lethal set of armed forces.'

Sir Roly added that, according to the Ukrainians, Russia will only take Britain seriously when it sees our armaments factories producing at wartime rates.

For that reason, he called for the rebuilding of the UK's national arsenal  something the Daily Mail has championed with its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign.

The decorated former SAS officer also vowed to take on and defeat Russia should it attempt to invade Nato territory.

He said: 'Russia started this war by invading Ukraine. It seems to me only they can decide to stop it. We need to continue helping Ukraine. We can also signal to Putin that if he thinks it will be any easier to steal Nato territory then he is even more stupid than we thought. We will never give up what matters to us.'

Today Sir Keir Starmer will announce additional support for Ukraine as he convenes a meeting of allies that make up the Coalition of the Willing.

Meanwhile, in Kyiv, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will condemn the 'despicable' reconditioning of civilians in Russian-held areas.

As part of the Kremlin's Russification tactics they are being forced to adopt Russian passports and to speak Russian. They are also cut off from their families in Ukraine.

Armed Forces minister Al Carns said Russia was suffering 'unimaginable' operational costs, including at least 1.25 million casualties, the destruction of 10,000 armoured vehicles and 4,000 tanks.

Marking the anniversary, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marine with five tours of Afghanistan under his belt, said: 'I never thought I would see North Korean troops fighting on the border of Europe in my lifetime  which should serve as a warning signal to us all.'

Last night Western officials predicted 2026 could prove a highly significant year for the conflict as, for the first time, Russia is now losing more troops than it can recruit.

The flipping of the so-called manpower calculus is significant due to Russia's reliance on its infantry. Its tactical template involves sending large numbers of foot soldiers across no man's land towards Ukrainian defensive positions. Russia only commits tanks and armoured vehicles to those advances in the second and third waves.

And on a single stretch of the front line, Russia lost 16,000 troops in a fortnight.

Western officials also believe that due to the scale of Russia's commitment to conflict, and factors such as the militarisation of its economy, it could prove difficult for Russia to stop fighting.

Speaking to the BBC, the Ukrainian president claimed that Putin has effectively already started World War Three, adding: 'Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves.'
Nick Reiner's siblings are no longer paying for his criminal defense as he faces murder charges for allegedly killing his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

The 32-year-old pleaded not guilty Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court to stabbing his parents to death inside their $13.5 million Brentwood home on December 14.

Hours after the killings, he was arrested and has been held without bail.

But as the case moves forward, with prosecutors confirming it is eligible for the death penalty, his legal representation now rests with a court-appointed public defender.

TMZ reported that sources connected to Romy and Jake Reiner said there is no plan to hire another private criminal defense attorney.

The outlet previously reported that prominent defense attorney Alan Jackson had been retained shortly after the murders but later withdrew from the case due to an undisclosed disagreement.

A public defender was appointed last month. At the time, it appeared to be a temporary measure. However, on Monday, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene appeared in court and entered a not guilty plea on Nick's behalf.

One source told TMZ, 'Nick's defense is Nick's defense. They're not involved.'

Nick Reiners siblings are no longer paying for his criminal defense. Rob and Michele Reiner with eldest son, Jake, and daughter Romy at the Primetime Emmy Awards in January 2024

The 32-year-old looked gaunt as he sat hunched over in court on Monday in Los Angeles , California, wearing brown prison garb

Public defense attorney, Kimberly Green, is seen in court speaking about her client Nick Reiner as he pleads not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents

The outlet reported that Jake and Romy have no plans to bring in private counsel and will no longer pay for his defense.

It remains unclear whether the siblings will weigh in on whether prosecutors should pursue capital punishment.

The 32-year-old looked gaunt and hollow-eyed as he sat hunched over in court in Los Angeles, California on Monday, wearing brown prison garb.

Nick was heard faintly whispering 'Yes' in court when asked if he understood the proceedings during his appearance, which marked the first time he's been seen in custody.

His head was shaved as he looked into the crowded courtroom, as if searching for someone he knows.

At one point, an unidentified elderly woman waved at him, and Nick mouthed 'hi' to her and the older man sitting next to her.

This was Nick's third court appearance after he was arrested following his parents' gruesome murders. It was the first time LA County Superior Court Judge Theresa McGonigle allowed him to be photographed in custody.

The death penalty is still on the table for Nick, LA County DA Nathan Hochman said.

Join the debate Should families be expected to support relatives accused of horrific crimes, no matter what they've done?

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found stabbed to death just hours before Nick was arrested and held without bail

The death penalty is still on the table for Nick, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said

Pictured: The home where the Hollywood couple were found murdered

Shortly after the three-minute hearing, Hochman addressed reporters outside the Downtown LA courtroom.

'The case is on track. We have provided the bulk of discovery to defense counsel and we are now waiting for the coroner's report. That will be provided to the District Attorney's Office and we will ensure that it will be provided to defense counsel.

'This case is a death penalty eligible case. Along those lines we take the process in which we determine whether or not the death penalty should be sought extremely seriously. That goes through a very rigorous process.

'We will be looking at all mitigating and aggravating circumstances, and we have invited defense counsel to present to us both in writing and in a pleading, any arguments they would like to make in consideration going forward or not going forward with the death penalty. So that is an ongoing process.'

He is due to appear in court again on April 29.

Nick has long dealt with mental health issues, as it was previously claimed that he had been placed in a mental health conservatorship five years before allegedly murdering his parents.

He also switched his schizophrenia medication about a month before his parents were found dead by his sister, Romy.

Nick's latest court appearance comes just days after comedian Conan O'Brien broke his silence on his parents' deaths.

Nick's public defender, Kimberly Green, is seen arriving at Los Angeles criminal court ahead of his hearing on Monday

Just hours before Rob and Michele were found, the filmmaker was seen clashing with Nick at O'Brien's holiday party.

'It's just so awful,' O'Brien, 62, said in an interview with The New Yorker on Friday.

'I knew Rob and Michele, and then increasingly got closer and closer to them,' he said, adding that he and his wife, Liza Powel O'Brien, 'were seeing them a lot.'

'They were just such lovely people. And to have that experience of saying goodnight to somebody and having them leave and then find out the next day that they're gone. I think I was in shock for quite a while afterward. I mean, there's no other word for it.

'And I think about how Rob felt about things that are happening in the country, how involved he was, how much he put himself out there  and to have that voice go quiet in an instant is still hard for me to comprehend,' O'Brien added.

It was reported that all three Reiners attended O'Brien's December 13 holiday party, where the filmmaker and his son were involved in a 'very loud argument.'

It was also recently revealed that Nick has been acting 'almost childlike' in jail and that he is 'not competent to stand trial right now.'

TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin told Fox & Friends last week: 'He is almost childlike in jail, we're told.

'He can't process the consequences of what he's done. He knows what he did.

A courtroom sketch shows a stoic Nick Reiner in brown jail garb during a January 7 court appearance

'He just can't understand where he is right now, and I know that sounds crazy, but he is out of his head right now,' Levin added.

Levin said that the killings were 'incredibly brutal'. 'We know people in the medical examiner's office who are traumatized just by the pictures,' he said.

The TMZ producer added that the killings had 'all the markings of a meth murder' and that Nick had been using the hard drug at the time.

Prior to his hearing, a legal expert predicted that Nick's lawyer might build a public defense based on insanity.

'One reason to roll out a mental defense now is that, by waiting, it can undermine the credibility of an argument later, causing people to ask, 'If he's so bad off mentally, why didn't you raise the issue earlier?'' lawyer Royal Oakes told the New York Post.

Oakes said Nick's legal team might introduce the potential mental health strategy later on now that he has entered a plea of not guilty.
Peter Mandelson was being quizzed late into the night after being arrested at his London home over allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.

The disgraced former minister was led away by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Special Investigations Team  the unit dubbed the Yard's 'Celeb Squad'  on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The 72-year-old architect of New Labour was picked up at around 4.30pm at his 7.6million Regent's Park home, 17 days after officers searched his properties in London and Wiltshire.

Last night there were questions over why police waited more than a fortnight after those raids to make the arrest.

An ashen-faced Mandelson was seen walking behind Met Detective Inspector Barry Williams, who had a body-worn camera clipped to his jacket lapel.

He and the peer climbed into the rear of an unmarked Ford Focus while a female officer took the front seat. The vehicle was then driven away to a central London police station.

Upon arrival, he would have been processed in custody  with a DNA saliva swab, fingerprints and a custody photograph taken  before being placed in a holding room pending the arrival of his solicitor.

His arrest comes days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was held on suspicion of the same offence.

The disgraced former minister Peter Mandelson was led away by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Special Investigations Team yesterday afternoon

An ashen-faced Mandelson was seen walking behind Met Detective Inspector Barry Williams (left), who had a body-worn camera clipped to his jacket lapel

Andrew is pictured leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk shortly after 7pm on February 19

When Mountbatten-Windsor was questioned by Thames Valley Police, he was interviewed for 11 hours.

If Scotland Yard subjects Lord Mandelson to similar questioning, officers may have to afford him a rest period, meaning he could be kept overnight.

A former Met officer said detectives generally avoid interviewing suspects after midnight but may press on if it allows them to complete questioning in one continuous session before a decision is taken on bail or release under investigation.

Lord Mandelson will be allowed regular breaks and, like all suspects, has the right to offer a 'no comment interview'.

Detectives are expected to question him about emails published in the latest tranche of Epstein files, as well as documents seized during searches of his two homes earlier this month.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed: 'Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was arrested at an address in Camden and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

'This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.'

The Special Investigations Team, part of Scotland Yard's central specialist crime division, handles highly sensitive inquiries involving high-profile figures and politically exposed persons.

Its remit includes allegations of offences committed by those in public office, matters connected to the Parliamentary Estate, as well as electoral fraud and malpractice.

Former Met detective chief inspector David McKelvey told the Mirror that the timing of the arrest was unusual, as arrests in ongoing investigations are typically made early in the day because officers have 24 hours to question a suspect after detention.

He said: 'By the time he gets checked in it will be 7 or 8pm and unless they are doing a very quick turnaround, he is going to have to have eight hours sleep which reduces the amount of time you have.'

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, then the Duke of York, pictured with Lord Mandelson, then the EU's trade commissioner, in Brussels in June 2007

In this photo, Lord Mandelson stands in white underwear talking to a woman in a bathing robe

To make an arrest, officers must have reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed and satisfy the so-called 'necessity test', demonstrating that detention is essential for specific investigative reasons.

Police have not commented on the precise trigger for yesterday's move and there is no suggestion it relates to any wrongdoing during the investigation itself.

The dramatic development will heap pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who approved Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the United States in December 2024 despite longstanding controversy over his relationship with Epstein.

The Government had yesterday pledged to release documents relating to the controversial appointment. MPs were told that the first bundle would be published 'very shortly in early March'. But Mandelson's arrest at 4.15pm has now cast doubt over that timeline.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said officials were trawling through a vast quantity of material but intended to release the first tranche imminently.

He admitted it was 'clearly a process that will take some time' given the scale of the request and said documents were being reviewed to ensure publication would not damage 'national security or international relations'.

He added that Scotland Yard had advised against releasing some exchanges between Downing Street and the New Labour grandee for fear of prejudicing any potential prosecution.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Mandelson's arrest is the defining moment of Keir Starmer's premiership.

'It wasn't long ago the PM looked me in the eye at PMQs and said he had 'full confidence' in Mandelson.

'Time to release the Mandelson files in full. We must know who knew what and when. No more delays.'

Lord Mandelson is pictured and mentioned many times throughout the released Epstein files

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood claimed that 'the Government's progress moves with the urgency of a tired sloth on a Bank Holiday Monday'.

He added: 'It is time the Government stopped treating Parliament like an inconvenient interruption to their schedule, stopped giving every impression that they have priorities working out whose back to cover, and started providing some actual answers so that we can start to get to the bottom of this murky matter.'

Labour backbencher Andy McDonald referred to the peer as 'the lord of the files', saying: 'There are many people in this place and across the country who would not have touched Peter Mandelson with a bargepole and they're trying to get their head round why on earth this Government wasn't of the same view.'

Downing Street yesterday denied reports that corners were cut in Mandelson's security vetting ahead of his Washington posting.

Although his clearance to access top-secret documents was reportedly fast-tracked within weeks rather than months, No 10 insisted full checks were completed.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'No part of the vetting process was skipped or removed. It is normal procedure for vetting sponsors to prioritise cases based on deployment deadlines.'

Police raids on Mandelson's homes followed the release of three million pages of documents by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein.

Emails contained within the files are said to suggest that Mandelson, while business secretary and de-facto deputy prime minister to Gordon Brown, and Mountbatten-Windsor, as UK trade envoy, passed potentially sensitive information from official briefings to Epstein.

Documents released in the US indicate Mandelson may have disclosed details of potential policy measures  including an asset sales plan, a tax on bankers' bonuses and a bailout package for the euro  the day before public announcement in 2010. Gordon Brown has accused him of 'betrayal'.

Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Following revelations in the Epstein emails, the former minister without portfolio said he had 'no recollection' of receiving payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein between 2003 and 2004.

Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009.

The peer has insisted he broke no laws and did not act for personal gain, though he has repeatedly expressed regret over his friendship with Epstein, which continued after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.

Given the complexity of the inquiry, it is considered likely that once questioning concludes Lord Mandelson will either be released under investigation or granted police bail while detectives continue to examine the vast cache of material.
The heartbroken girlfriend of the Asos founder who mysteriously plunged to his death in Thailand has said she 'can't believe he would kill himself'.

Quentin Griffiths, 58, who was born in London and co-founded the online retail giant, is said to have fallen from the 17th floor of his condominium in Pattaya, a seaside city south of Bangkok, on February 9.

Emergency services found the millionaire's body on the ground below his balcony and his death is being treated as a suicide by police.

Mr Griffiths was on his own, with his room locked from the inside, and there was no evidence of a break-in at the time of his death, police said.

A post-mortem examination did not reveal any evidence of foul play.

The tragedy came amid an alleged ongoing dispute with his Thai ex-wife, who accused him of fraudulently selling land and shares worth 500,000 belonging to a company they operated together.

But Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43, said she played no role in his death, which occurred just days before their next scheduled court appearance.

Now his 26-year-old girlfriend Jom Thipanongsri has described her disbelief at his death.

ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths, 58, mysteriously plunged from the 17th floor of his condominium in Pattaya (pictured in 2008)

Lover Jom Thipanongsri, 26 has said she 'can't believe' her boyfriend 'would kill himself'

Griffiths' ex-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43, said she played no role in Quentin Griffiths' death

The beautician told The Sun: 'I just can't believe he would do something like that.

'No one close to him ever thought he would take his own life, because no one saw any warning signs at all.

'And personally I never saw him taking antidepressants or any other medication.'

She said she is heartbroken, in complete shock and has cried every day since his death.

The couple, who had a 32-year age gap, started dating after Griffiths' second marriage broke down.

Last January, the Brit was reportedly arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and questioned by detectives after Kringsinthanakun alleged he had forged documents to sell land and shares in the business without her knowledge.

Griffiths denied the allegations and was released after questioning.

The investigation was continuing at the time of his death, according to reports.

Kringsinthanakun said she and her ex-husband had not been in contact for four years and eight months after she discovered he had been unfaithful.

She said she found out about his death from his lawyer, and in a state of shock, checked local Pattaya news but found nothing.

Ms Kringsinthanakun's social media shows her with her ex-husband in various locations around the world

Speaking about the death, a source close to the family said: 'It's a real mystery. The phrase 'suspicious circumstances' has been used but we just don't know yet.'

Griffiths helped launch Asos in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan, and remained there until 2005.

The company grew into a 3billion global retailer, with the Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama among those to have worn its own-label designs.

A former advertising executive, he stepped down as marketing director after four years.

He later made 15million from share sales in 2010 and received a further stock windfall in 2013.

He later sued his accountants at BDO, saying he had been given the wrong advice on how to avoid tax on the sale.

The bungled advice, he claimed, ended up costing him more than 4m in tax on the sales of more than 10m of shares in Asos and Achica, an online retailer he also co-founded.

The father-of-three then moved to Thailand around 2007.

Emergency services are said to have found the millionaire's body on the ground below his balcony. (Pictured: the building where Mr Griffiths lived)

After divorcing his first wife, he married a Thai woman and had a son and daughter. The couple separated several years ago.

In a statement, Asos said: 'We're saddened to hear about the passing of Quentin, one of our original co-founders.

'He played an important role in Asos's earliest days, and we're forever grateful for his contribution. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'

A FCDO Spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We are supporting the family of a British national who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.'

- For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org
The majority of ISIS brides and their children stranded in Syria could be resettled in Victoria, sources have claimed.

However, the Allan government has yet to reveal any information on the issue.

NSW Premier Chris Minns revealed on Monday that about a third of the 11 ISIS brides and their 23 children were planning to return to NSW.

Premier Jacinta Allan has yet to disclose how many brides and children were expected to be resettled in Victoria.

Allan was also asked when her government was briefed by the federal government about the potential return of the brides and what kind of assistance they will be provided.

'The assessment of applications for travel documents for Australian citizens seeking to return from any foreign conflict zone is made on an individual basis and is managed by the Commonwealth', an Allan Government spokesperson said.

Other Australian ISIS brides fighting to come home include Nesrine Zahab and her aunt Aminah Zahab and cousin Sumaya Zahab, along with Kawsar Abbas and her daughters Zeinab and Zahra Ahmed, Janai Safar, Hodan Abby, Kawsar Kanj and Hyam Raad.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Wednesday that one of the women is the subject of a temporary exclusion order on national security grounds, which could ban her from entering Australia for two years.

The majority of ISIS brides and their children stranded in Syria could be resettled in Victoria, sources have claimed

Premier Jacinta Allan has yet to disclose how many brides and children were expected to be resettled in Victoria

A Syrian camp where the brides lived

The identity of that woman remains unclear.

Another bride, Kirsty Rosse-Emile, told her Melbourne housemate: 'I don't want to go back to school, I want to go and make bombs, before flying to Syria to swear allegiance to Islamic State.'

Rosse-Emile's former housemate Sara (not real name) is sounding the alarm about her imminent return to Australia.

Sara is now alarmed the Albanese government will let Rosse-Emile and the other ISIS brides back into the country due to the risk of another terror attack like the Bondi Beach massacre, where 15 Jewish people were killed by Islamic extremists on December 14.

'When she said she wanted to make bombs, I was shocked and I didn't know what to say,' Sara said.

'You don't expect someone to say that.'

Sara lived with Rosse-Emile and her Moroccan Islamic State fighter husband Nabil Kadmiry in south-east Melbourne in late 2010, before they relocated to Syria in 2014.

Previous reports said the pair married when Rosse-Emile was 19, but Sara said Rosse-Emile was just 14 when she tied the knot with Kadmiry, who was in his 30s.

Kirsty Rosse-Emile joined ISIS

In her message to the Albanese government last year, Rosse-Emile said: 'Hello, I'm here. Can you just come and get me, finally, and my children and all the other Australians here?

'We're ready to start our lives afresh.'

She had previously claimed she was tricked into going to Syria, but her father said last year that his daughter was lying.

'When she said, "Oh, I was tricked" and all that, it's not true,' he told The Nightly.

The ISIS brides on the way to Australia are believed to have been joined by several Australian men in Syria, including prominent Sydney GP Dr Jamal Rifi, who is helping coordinate their return home.

The families had attempted to leave the Al Roj camp on Monday but were forced to turn around amid concerns they didn't have the correct paperwork.

Reports now suggest a delegate has been sent by the government to accompany them from the camp to Australia, despite the Prime Minister emphatically denying the government was providing the group with support.

On Thursday, Opposition attorney-general spokeswoman Michaelia Cash alleged the Albanese Government had deceived Australians, bluntly telling Sky News the PM was 'bulls***ing' the country.

Premier Chris Minns confirmed some ISIS brides will resettle in NSW

In a statement, she said: 'Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is being disingenuous and deceiving the Australian people by refusing to immediately impose Temporary Exclusion Orders on all the ISIS brides presently trying to return to Australia.

'Despite his repeated claims that he is "constantly receiving advice" from security agencies, the law is crystal clear: Minister Burke can make this decision himself, right now.

'Many Australians would be concerned that having the life partner of an ISIS-terrorist in their suburb would help foster support for a terrorist act, like the Bondi attack. Minister Burke should explain why he disagrees.'

Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs opposition spokesman Evan Mulholland said the state and federal governments need to ensure the safety of our multicultural communities who suffered at the hands of ISIS'.

'We have welcomed Assyrian, Chaldean, Yazidi, Alawite, Shia Muslim and Druze communities into Australia and it is our first duty to protect them and make them feel safe,' he said.

'Victorians want nothing to do with ISIS, or anyone who would willingly join their cause.'

It's understood, meetings between the Federal and NSW governments have been underway since late last year.

The meetings regard how their returning brides and children would be supported, what medical care they needed and how the children would settle into the education system.

Minns on Monday confirmed the meetings had been ongoing.

'Its been on an official-to-officials level, and it has to do with what happens if, or when, they return to NSW,' he said.
New Zealand's Prime Minister has said he will back any plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.

It comes as British ministers are understood to be considering legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession once a police investigation has concluded.

Christopher Luxon's announcement that he would support removing the shamed former prince came after Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to do the same.

A spokesperson for Mr Luxon, New Zealand's premier, said: 'If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.

'The UK Government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes.'

The former Duke of York was dramatically arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday, with police raiding his properties in Sandringham, Norfolk and Windsor, Berkshire.

Andrew is accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was working as the UK's trade envoy.

He was released under investigation after 11 hours of questioning, with searches of his former Royal Lodge home in Windsor continuing today.

Andrew photographed leaving Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk following his arrest on Thursday

Police arrive to search Royal Lodge on Monday morning after Andrew was released under investigation

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said he will back any plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession

Andrew is currently eighth in line to the throne, behind Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, and Prince Harry and his two children, Archie and Lilibet.

In a letter to his UK counterpart, Australian PM Anthony Albanese wrote: 'In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.

'I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation. These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.'

Asked about the letter, Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'The Government has received the letter.

'We are considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and we are not ruling anything out.

'But given the ongoing police investigation it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.'

He added that Australia was the first of the other 14 Commonwealth realms to have indicated it would support removing Andrew from the line of succession.

After Andrew's arrest, King Charles said: 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

'What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

'As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.'

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to support the King's unprecedented statement following the arrest of William's uncle Andrew at Sandringham on Thursday.

It comes as a retired civil servant today claimed Andrew charged taxpayers for massages while working as the UK's trade envoy.

The former member of staff, who worked in the UK's trade department in the early 2000s, said the disgraced royal successfully expensed the treatment as well as excessive travel costs during his time in the role between 2001 and 2011.

The civil servant alleged he was so annoyed by Andrew's request that he'd refused to pay for the massage, but was 'overruled' by senior staff.

'I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,' he told the BBC.

The Department for Business and Trade declined to comment on the claim. Andrew has always denied any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.

But a former senior Whitehall official, who oversaw finances, said he saw similar expenses for Andrew's trips, adding he had 'absolutely no doubt' about the massage claims.

Andrew (centre) in Bahrain in 2014 in his role as a trade envoy, flanked by Prince Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (left) and Crown Prince and Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (right)

Kemi Badenoch has said the Department for Business and Trade should open its files on Andrew if they relate to 'allegations of misconduct in public office'.

The Conservative leader, a former business secretary, was asked if she would support the department opening its files on Andrew, who served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

She told the Press Association: 'I'm quite sure that the police will be asking for those files in due course. If they haven't already, there should be full transparency. As trade secretary, I know that the trade envoy rule is quite a low level role.

'Prince Andrew would have been given that because it could open doors, but if there is anything in these allegations of misconduct in public office, then all the files should be released and investigated.'

Mrs Badenoch was also asked if she supported calls from her Tory colleague Tom Tugendhat for a special parliamentary committee aimed at investigating Andrew and Lord Peter Mandelson's links to Epstein.

She said it was important to allow the police investigation into Andrew to 'run its course', and added: 'It is extraordinary that right now the King has allowed the law to run its course while the Prime Minister is not releasing any files.

'He sacked the cabinet secretary who was overseeing the release of the files. Parliament has a duty to make sure that the Government is held to account.

'We should not allow what's happening with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to distract from the fact that the Prime Minister himself has a lot of questions to answer.'
The mysterious masked figure who was seen trying to obscure Nancy Guthrie's Nest doorbell camera on the night of her abduction is said to have visited the house before.

Federal investigators released eerie footage of the unidentified suspect standing at Guthrie's front door in the upscale Catalina Foothills neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona in the early morning hours on February 1.

Police have yet to arrest any suspects or produce any concrete leads into the disappearance of the 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie.

But an image that the FBI released of the suspect at her front door without a backpack had been captured on her Nest doorbell camera before her abduction, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News.

The images of him carrying a backpack and with a gun holster were then taken on a different day, CNN reports, though authorities said 'any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative.'

It is now believed that the suspect approached the door the first time noticed the camera and was scared off, only to return later, when he was seen tampering with the device and putting branches in front of the lens.

If it is the same person, 'it could indicate that the person was there surveilling the place before the abduction happened,' Jason Peck, a former FBI agent, told ABC.

'The fact that there was preparation and planning, which makes it more of a sophisticated type of criminal activity than someone just showing up.'

The timeline gap may help explain why investigators have asked neighbors to check their home security systems for suspicious people and vehicles going back to January 1, a full month before the abduction.

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home in the early morning hours of February 1

A masked suspect spotted outside Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona apparently visited the house prior to her abduction

The unidentified suspect was later seen trying to obscure the Nest doorbell camera

The major development comes just days after a couple said they found a bloody black latex glove, like the one the masked suspect wore in the doorbell camera footage.

The couple said they made the discovery on February 11 while driving down North Campbell Avenue and pointing a flashlight out the window. Another glove was found less than 10 feet away.

The couple told KVOA-TV they then called the FBI hotline and were on hold for 45 minutes before getting through to someone.

The operator took down their contact information and their location but could not guarantee that an agent would be able to get there that night, they said.

Knowing the possible significance of these gloves, they then called the Pima County Sheriff's Department, which has led the investigation into Guthrie's disappearance.

Police told the couple to leave the gloves in place and that someone would respond to the scene.

The couple was worried about rain in the forecast, so they called 911 for a faster response. Multiple detectives arrived and questioned them until 2am.

They are now wondering if the gloves they found are the same ones that the FBI had tested, which officials said did not match anyone in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

The glove the couple found is seen through the camera of a phone

This glove, the couple said, was found less than a mile from Nancy's home (pictured)

Police have not confirmed this, but the gloves they said they discovered were collected two miles away from Nancy's home. The couple said the gloves they found were less than a mile away from the home.

Authorities will now continue DNA testing on the gloves over the next few weeks, believing it may belong to the suspect, who has been described as a 59 to 510 male.

He was seen with a distinct gun holster and an Ozark Trail backpack from Walmart.

But as the investigation drags on, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has been accused of 'locking down' the investigation from federal authorities.

Several sources told the Daily Mail that the sheriff is now insisting that only he and two of his highest-ranking inner circle will make decisions regarding the case of the missing 84-year-old.

Several PCSD sources also confirmed to the Daily Mail that just three decision makers are leading the department's investigation: Sheriff Nanos, Chief Jesus Lopez and Captain Juan Carlos Navarro.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has restricted key decisions in the Nancy Guthrie case to himself and two top deputies, sidelining veteran detectives and the FBI

Chief Jesus Lopez (right) and Captain Juan Carlos Navarro, part of Sheriff Nanos inner circle, are among just three decision-makers running the departments investigation, PCSD sources confirmed to the Daily Mail

'He will only let himself or two of his handpicked staffers make decisions on the case,' one law enforcement source told the Daily Mail.

'Everybody else is being told what to do, no one else has a say so or an opinion. It's just three men making the decisions.

Sgt. David Stivers is officially in charge of the case, but sources say any information he receives is passed straight up the chain

'It's incredibly unusual to do that, when you have so many people working together and the FBI are involved.

'All the other detectives are out there busting their butts and doing all they can, but those three people are making the ultimate decisions after everyone reports back to them.

'It's limited to the thought processes of three men. They're keeping everything from the FBI  they just aren't sharing.

'Nanos is pompous and wants the spotlight, rather than focusing on Nancy and letting the FBI do their job.'

Law enforcement sources also added that Sgt David Stivers is officially in charge of the case, but any information given to him is passed straight up the chain.

Another source added: 'So no actual detectives are steering this, just command staff. This is highly unusual. Normally an experienced detective would steer it and provide updates through the chain of command.

'To be fair, it's typical to keep key details under tight wraps as we saw in the Idaho case. What is unusual is command driving the investigation. It's the tail wagging the dog.'

Yet volunteers who were keen to join the search have been told they are not welcome.

'We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals,' the sheriff said in a statement on social media.

'PCSD has volunteer opportunities if they wish to get involved with the department.'

The statement also urged volunteers to keep private property laws in mind and ask permission before searching a resident's property.

A Tucson couple said they found a bloody glove near Nancy Guthrie's home in the Catalina Foothills. (Pictured: Nancy with her daughter Savannah Guthrie on the set of the 'Today' show)

Nancy was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off by a family member at her home.

Police believe she was taken against her will during the early hours of February 1. After she failed to show up at a friend's home that day, her family reported her missing.

On Friday, the sheriff's department said they are 'not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may be involved'.

Investigators are hoping Nancy's pacemaker will eventually lead them to her.

The device, which regulates one's heartbeat, was disconnected from an app on her phone at 2:28am. This was shortly after the suspect was seen on her doorbell camera.

Nanos previously said that the pacemaker still has six or seven years of battery life based on information he was provided by the manufacturer.

The company that made the pacemaker has been working with police to help detect any possible signals the device could be emitting.
A western Sydney councillor has sparked controversy over a bold proposal to rename his local council wards in recognition of the area's Indigenous history.

Independent Cumberland councillor and recent federal election candidate Ahmed Ouf has lodged a motion calling for council officers to investigate the possibility of renaming its five wards with Indigenous names.

Backed by Greens councillor Sujan Selventhiran, the motion will be a hot topic at Wednesday night's council meeting.

The wards are currently named Granville, Greystanes, Regents Park, South Granville and Wentworthville following the NSW government-forced merger of the former Holroyd and Auburn councils in 2016.

Of the 252,000 residents who call Cumberland Council home, just 0.6 per cent are Indigenous, according to the 2021 Census.

The proposed new ward names are yet to be determined.

It comes just weeks after Cr Ouf sparked outrage by comparing Australia Day to 'Holocaust remembrance', claiming those who celebrate the national public holiday on January 26 might 'start another genocide'.

He took to social media to address concerns about his latest proposal, stressing that the renaming will not affect the daily lives of residents.

Independent Cumberland councillor Ahmed Ouf wants to rename the council's five wards

The aim is to honour the area's Indigenous history. Pictured is an Invasion Day protest

'My proposal is to not change Auburn to another name, or Granville to another name,' he began.

'It's simply to change internally within the council the names of our wards into Indigenous names.

'This is done to further acknowledge the 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's history and contribution to Australia.

'This change will not affect your daily life, so don't worry, your Google Maps directions aren't going to change.

'You don't need to worry about updating your address everywhere. Auburn is still Auburn.'

He added that his motion was about respect, history and acknowledgement.

Cr Ouf's proposal sparked a divided reaction and hundreds of comments online, with many arguing the money would be better spent on fixing potholes and footpaths.

'It won't impact day-to-day lives? So then why do it? Would you change or add signs at the cost of the ratepayers?' one person fumed.

The proposed new ward names for Cumberland Council are yet to be determined

Cumberland councillor Steve Christou will oppose the 'moronic' motion at the meeting

Another person wrote: 'This helps no one. This furthers the divide.... on purpose me thinks. Why spend money time and division on something with no tangible outcomes for ratepayers?

'Fix the potholes, fix the footpaths, get spending under control. Why don't we start renaming mosques and churches and temples with Aboriginal names? They exist on Indigenous land.

A third wrote: 'I'm all for respect, but who gave you the right to rename things towards a culture. Maybe focus on Australian people who have made a difference in the Cumberland region, maybe someone there could help you with a history lesson for the region who represented 'all' of Cumberland.'

But others welcomed the idea.

'I think it's great that we acknowledge the original place names. Mind you, some people will find it very difficult to accept,' one woman commented.

Another added: 'Seems reasonable to me, my council has Ward 1, Ward 2... Aboriginal names would be much better.'

Cumberland Council has already adopted several Indigenous names for suburbs, parks, and landmarks in recognition of its Aboriginal heritage.

Councillor Ouf stressed that the ward renaming would not impact the daily lives of residents

Nor is it the first council to consider Indigenous names.

Inner West and Canterbury-Bankstown councils have had dual ward names to honour their local Indigenous language and heritage for at least five years.

'Hasn't caused a plague yet,' one man commented online.

Sydney's Bayside Council and several others in South Australia are working towards dual names for their parks and public places.

Daily Mail has contacted Cr Ouf for further comment.

Libertarian councillor and one-time mayor Steve Christou vowed to oppose the 'diabolical' and 'moronic' motion.

'Residents deserve better and if the Labor majority go along with this, it will add to their shame of voting to increase council rates by 7.1 per cent and voting to decrease council meetings from two a month to one a month,' he posted online.

'Local residents deserve councillors who will fight for them and provide infrastructure upgrades and cost-of-living relief, not wasting council time with woke idealistic fantasies that offer no real assistance to the community whatsoever.'

Cr Christou vowed to hold councillors accountable if the majority pass the motion.
Anthony Albanese has tried to draw a line under the ISIS brides debate in a way that will satisfy almost nobody.

In a radio interview this morning, the Prime Minister restated the government's political message: it will not assist the 'wives of foreign fighters' and their children to leave the Kurdish run camps in northern Syria.

But he also made something else clear as well. He won't do any more, legislatively or operationally, to stop them coming here, if they can find a way to do so on their own.

Albo says the 'full force of the law' has already been applied 'to the extent that we can' to stop them, and that anything stronger risks being 'knocked over in the High Court'.

Risks? Isn't that a risk worth taking to try and keep them out? Refusing to try because of a legal risk isn't toughness, it's legal fatalism dressed up as responsibility.

Refuse to help, concede returning is still possible, then blame the Constitution. That's Albo wiping his hands of responsibility. It's pathetic.

Saying we won't help is not the same as saying they won't come here. The first is posturing, the second is what most of the Australian public actually wants.

The fallback line Albo is using here is that anyone who returns will face the full force of the law.

Anthony Albanese has tried to draw a line under the ISIS brides debate in a way that will satisfy almost nobody, writes Peter van Onselen

It sounds muscular, but in practice it is an admission that prevention has been abandoned. It's not good enough.

Prosecutions rely on admissible evidence from a war zone many years after the fact, often without witnesses or clean chains of custody.

What little the state knows sits inside intelligence holdings that can't be aired in open court anyway. Even where charges are possible they don't answer the core question, why did this become Australia's problem?

Control orders and monitoring tools can be useful if they do get here, but they are no substitute for keeping them out in the first place. Temporary exclusion orders, designed to slow any return, are limited and contestable if used as a de facto permanent ban via rolling renewals.

If the current kit is inadequate, that is a reason to strengthen it, because the women involved don't deserve our sympathy.

They made their choices, leaving a safe and wealthy democracy to live inside a terrorist state built on ideological violence. Wanting out now because the project collapsed isn't contrition and it's certainly not evidence that they are reformed.

What Albo can't do is posture as tough while refusing to even attempt to draw up tougher laws. The real failure here isn't that the legal terrain is difficult, it's that the PM is using that difficulty as a pretext for not even trying.

He is governing as though the High Court has already struck down laws that have not even been drafted.

One of the so-called ISIS brides who is seeking to return to Australia from Syria

Of course any serious attempt to restrict their return will be challenged. Of course the High Court will scrutinise legislation drafted to stop them.

That's not a reason to surrender, it's the reason Parliament exists. Legislatures are meant to draw lines that courts then test. To reflect the will of the people.

If governments only legislated where there is no constitutional risk, they would legislate on almost nothing that matters.

So try, Albo. Get your best legal minds on the case. Delicately draft new laws in a way that just might tip-toe within the Constitutional limits.

Put them to Parliament, defend them publicly, and if they are challenged, fight for them in the courts, potentially redrafting the laws to succeed next time.

Losing in court after a genuine attempt is one thing. Refusing to attempt anything in the first place just because it might be hard is something else entirely.

It's certainly not showing leadership on this important issue.

And guess what, even if the High Court uses the constitution to strike down any laws designed to prevent these terrorist sympathisers from getting here, the constitution can always be changed via a referendum.

While that's unlikely, in the wake of what happened in Bondi - murder under the banner of ISIS - I'm willing to bet a majority of Australians in a majority of states would back any constitutional change that makes it possible for the state to cut ISIS sympathisers adrift. Whether they are citizens of this country or not.
A paedophile teacher who abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame will not face trial on charges he harassed his former student on social media after a judge ruled he was unfit due to mental impairment.

Nicolaas Ockert Bester, a former teacher at Hobart private schools, was convicted of sexually abusing Ms Tame when she was his student in 2011.

He was also convicted over child exploitation material in 2016.

The 73-year-old was accused of three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence in 2022, when he allegedly made public posts on social media about and directed at Ms Tame, the 2021 Australian of the Year.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges in March 2023.

But the former teacher will not face trial after Hobart magistrate Andrew McKee found Bester unfit due to mental impairment.

Bester's deteriorating health, delays to health assessments and the slow-moving court system delayed the matter for over three years.

His lawyers and prosecutors agreed in a previous court hearing there was insufficient evidence to show he was fit to stand trial and that his health was unlikely to improve.

A paedophile teacher who abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame (pictured in 2021) will not face trial on charges he harassed his former student on social media

Nicolaas Ockert Bester, a former teacher at Hobart private schools, was convicted of sexually abusing Ms Tame when she was his student in 2011

But the former teacher (pictured) will not face trial after Hobart magistrate Andrew McKee found Bester unfit due to mental impairment

Defence lawyer Todd Kovacic told the court his client had vascular dementia.

In that hearing, health expert and La Trobe University professor Simon Crowe said Bester faced mounting health issues, including having experienced at least three strokes, several falls, a brain clot and other issues in recent months.

Bester served one year and nine months in prison for grooming and abusing Ms Tame, then 15, while a teacher at St Michael's Collegiate school.

Prior to his 2022 charges, the Australian of the Year called out his alleged harassment of her on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Bester's case has been adjourned to April 8 for a directions hearing.
Newly-released documents suggest pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein may have also been involved in drug trafficking.

The trove of files released by the Department of Justice show that the US Drug Enforcement Agency once opened an investigation into Epstein and 14 other unidentified individuals' money transfers, which authorities believed could be linked to trafficking illegal narcotics.

'DEA reporting indicates the above individuals are involved in illegitimate wire transfers, which are tied to illicit drug and/or prostitution activities occurring in the US Virgin Islands and New York City,' the heavily-redacted memo from 2015 says.

It shows that authorities in New York opened the investigation into nearly $50 million in suspicious wire transfers Epstein and 14 other targets made starting on December 17, 2010 - two years after he reached a non-prosecution agreement with the federal government and nine years before he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges.

Sources involved in that case told CBS News prosecutors were unaware of this earlier DEA investigation.

It remains unclear what prompted the DEA to launch the five-year long probe and what may have come of the investigation, as the 2015 document notes that the matter is 'judicial pending' and was active at the time it was written.

Much of the details about the investigation are redacted in the file.

But the nearly 70-page memo, which is marked as 'sensitive but unclassified,' appears to have stemmed from a request made by the DEA to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Fusion Center in Virginia seeking information from other agencies about Epstein and the other targets as part of an active case.

Jeffrey Epstein was once the subject of a Drug Enforcement Agency investigation, newly-released documents show

The DEA wrote that he and 14 other unidentified individuals 'are involved in illegitimate wire transfers, which are tied to illicit drug and/or prostitution activities occurring in the US Virgin Islands and New York City.' DEA agents are pictured

The heavily-redacted memo shows that authorities in New York opened the investigation into nearly $50 million in suspicious wire transfers Epstein and 14 other targets made starting on December 17, 2010

The task force was created by former President Ronald Reagan to combat a surge in cocaine trafficking and the Fusion Center was opened in 2009 to more easily allow for intelligence sharing between federal law enforcement agencies.

For the DEA to open the case there means there would have to be a drug connection, a law enforcement source told CBS News, adding that the request to the Fusion Center indicated it was part of a 'significant' investigation rather than a routine information inquiry.

The fact that it was listed as 'judicial pending' also may indicate investigators were awaiting court approval for search warrants or other legal action, another law enforcement source said, while a third suggested it meant someone associated with the case had been arrested.

The alleged co-conspirators in the case were all redacted, except for a Polish model who received approximately $2 million in transfers.

She has since claimed to have been one of Epstein's victims.

Still, Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, who has been pursuing the Epstein investigation as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee said following the financier's expenses is the key to learning more about his crimes.

'It appears Epstein was involved in criminal activity that went way beyond pedophilia and sex trafficking, which makes it even more outrageous that Pam Bondi is sitting on several million unreleased files,' he said.

The DEA memo even lays out how Epstein was the subject of three different Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations.

Join the debate Has public confidence in institutions been damaged by this case?

The document also details how Epstein was the subject of three Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency investigations

The first was opened in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2006 and was closed in 2008, followed by another investigation opened in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2009 that was listed as 'pending' as of January 27, 2010.

ICE even investigated Epstein in Paris in June 2013 in what it called Operation Angel, which was closed months later.

The nature of these investigations also remain unclear, though the documents make note that Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida in 2008 on charges of solicitation of prostitution and procurement of minors to engage in prostitution.

He was then convicted of procuring a person under age 18 for prostitution in Florida, the memo notes.

It further lists how Epstein was investigated by Customs and Border Patrol on multiple occasions, as well as the US Attorney General's Office in St. Thomas in 2014, Harvard University campus police in 2013 and the Virgin Islands Police Department in 2013.

The memo also lists businesses associated with Epstein that had come under scrutiny in the past, including SLK Designs LLC and Hyperion Air.

Hyperion Air had been used by the financier as a holding company for his plane, while SLK Designs was run by two women who were included in his non-prosecution agreement and were named as potential co-conspirators.

Records obtained by CBS News show both companies were formed and controlled by Epstein's lawyer Darren Indyke, who has insisted he was not involved in any wrongdoing.

His attorney Daniel Weiner previously told CBS News that his client 'did not socialize with Mr Epstein and... rejected as categorically false any suggestion that they knowingly facilitated or assisted Mr Epstein in his sexual abuse or trafficking of women or that they were aware of Mr Epstein's actions while they provided legal and accounting services to Mr Epstein.'

He added that no judge or court ever found Epstein's attorneys committed any wrongdoing.

Epstein corresponded with associates about the contents of his storage units multiple times

New documents make mention of computers, hard drives and photos stores and transferred between units

The document comes as a bombshell report detailed how Epstein hid hard drives and photos from authorities in multiple storage lockers across the country.

The pedophile rented at least six units, the majority of which were in Florida, paying thousands between 2003 and 2019, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.

The outlet obtained files and credit card statements detailing Epstein's various secret hiding places for computers, CDs, pictures and files.

His lockers could point to answers after authorities long suspected that Epstein received insider information about raids of his properties.

Former Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter told NBC that during a 2005 search, the sex offender's place 'had been cleaned up.'

Epstein allegedly recruited detectives to move documents, photographs and computers to one of his multiple storage lockers.

Uncovered credit card statements suggested that he paid a private detective agency $38,500 from January to May 2010 alone.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the DEA and Weiner for comment.
A suburban doctor trying to organise the return of Australian ISIS brides has blamed the Albanese government for the failure of his mission.

Dr Jamal Rifi, who is a GP in western Sydney, has been on the ground in the Middle East attempting to assist 34 women and children to exit the Roj refugee camp in Syria's north-east.

In his first statement since the firestorm over plans to return the ISIS brides to Australia, he said he has no regrets about trying to free the families.

'I'd do it 1,000 times,' he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

He said he attempted to do 'everything by the book', including liaising with the International Committee for the Red Cross.

'The only obstacle was we didn't have anything from the Australian government,' he said.

'We're making some inroads, but the biggest obstacle is the prime minister's statements.

'The Syrian side is asking if he doesn't want them, we don't have anything from them, why should we help them?'

Western Sydney GP Dr Jamal Rifi (pictured) has been trying to help 34 women and children return to Australia from the Roj refugee camp in Syria

Dr Rifi said the Albanese government has been the only obstacle in his efforts

Pictured, one of the ISIS brides - Nesrine Zahab - who is fighting to return to Australia

A key concern for the women and children is that they would be stranded in another country due to a lack of support from the Albanese government.

'They were concerned the stopover country might not let them in because of all the negative statements that were happening in Australia,' Dr Rifi said.

'They didn't want them to get stuck forever.'

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruled out that his government was helping the ISIS brides.

'We have a very firm view that we won't be providing assistance or repatriation,' he told ABC News Breakfast.

'We want to make it clear, as we have to the people involved, if there are any breaches of the law then they will face the full force of the Australian law.

'My mother would have said, "If you make your bed, you lie in it."

'These are people who went overseas and went there to provide support for people who basically want a caliphate.'

Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured centre with Dr Rifi - right) ruled out that his government was helping the ISIS brides

The 34 women and children had previously attempted to leave the Al Roj camp but were forced to turn around amid concerns they didn't have the correct paperwork

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed last week that the women and children have Australian passports, raising speculation some could return within days.

But Albanese then doubled down on his comments on Tuesday, stating there would still be no support from his government.

'Our position hasn't changed, which is [that] we're not assisting them or providing repatriation of them,' he told Nova Perth.

'If they were to be able to make their own way to Australia, then we would implement the full force of the law as well if there have been any breaches of Australian law.

'Which is why I'm sure they will take that into account regarding decisions that they've made.

'But they, of course, made the decision to go overseas to essentially provide support for people who are fighting against Australia's interests and, therefore, I don't think they're worthy of support coming back.'

Dr Rifi revealed on Tuesday that he had taken an extra, 35th passport with him to the Middle East for a young, male prisoner called Yusuf Zahab.

When Mr Zahab was 12 years old, he was allegedly brought to Syria by his parents but, now aged 23, he is believed to have been jailed in a Syrian men's prison.

Dr Rifi said children shouldn't suffer from the sins of fathers or mothers and Australian children shouldn't live in such an environment

'We went for 35, including a minor who was taken from his mother and put in adult prison  Yusuf,' Dr Rifi said.

'We couldn't find him. We searched for him and then later on it came to us that he was in Iraq.'

There has been no official confirmation that Mr Zahab is currently in Iraq.

Dr Rifi said he was disappointed he was unable to help Mr Zahab or the families in the Roj refugee camp.

'I don't regret, but I regret we had to take them out and put them back in [the camp],' he said.

'I regret not being able to free Yusuf to return to his mother.

'The children shouldn't suffer from the sins of fathers or mothers and Australian children shouldn't live in such an environment for any length of time. And they've been there seven years.'

The doctor also confirmed that, aside from issuing passports, there had been no support from the Albanese government.

Reports have previously suggested a delegate has been sent by the government to accompany the women and children from the camp to Australia

'If we had a piece of paper from the government, they would have been home by now,' he said.

'But there has been no support, no paper, no phone calls. Nothing. They said they got there on their own, had to get themselves home.'

The families had previously attempted to leave the Al Roj camp but were forced to turn back amid concerns they didn't have the correct paperwork.

Reports have previously suggested a delegate has been sent by the government to accompany them from the camp to Australia, despite the Prime Minister emphatically denying the government was providing the group with support.

The Australian ISIS brides seeking to come home include Nesrine Zahab and her aunt Aminah Zahab and cousin Sumaya Zahab, along with Kawsar Abbas and her daughters Zeinab and Zahra Ahmed, Janai Safar, Hodan Abby, Kawsar Kanj and Hyam Raad.
A woman found dead inside a home has been identified, as police reveal her body may have been left for up to two weeks before its discovery.

Police were called to Beryl Court at Bellbird Park near Ipswich, west of Brisbane, last Thursday morning following reports of a disturbance in the street.

A man was arrested at the scene.

Further inquiries led police to the grim discovery of a woman's body inside a nearby home two hours later.

She has since been identified as Springfield woman Katherine Sanowski, 42.

Police announced on Tuesday that a homicide investigation had been launched after receiving autopsy results regarding her injuries.

'We've conducted a post-mortem, which has identified some suspicious elements in regards to this death, and as such, we're treating it as a homicide investigation,' Detective Inspector Michael Manago said.

'Our investigations suggest that the deceased had been in that dwelling for about two weeks, backdating to early February.'

Katherine Sanowski, 42, was found dead inside a Bellbird Park home last Thursday

Police believe that her body was inside the home (pictured) for up to two weeks

A 34-year-old Bellbird Park man taken into custody at the time remains in hospital undergoing a medical assessment.

He is yet to speak with detectives. No charges have been laid.

Ms Sanowski had not been reported missing in the days leading up to her body being found and did not live at the Bellbird Park address.

Det Insp Manago confirmed the man in custody and Ms Sanowski were known to each other and does not believe at this stage anyone else was involved in her death.

'The dynamics of their relationship remain a key topic of our investigation today,' he added.

'There's no previous reports of domestic violence between the parties involved.

'Their previous history is subject to continued investigations.

'We don't believe there's anyone else involved, however we're keeping an open mind.

Police have launched a homicide investigation into Ms Sanowski's death

Police revealed on Tuesday that Ms Sanowski did not live at the Bellbird Park home (pictured) where her body was found

'I want to stress to everyone that there are no concerns for public safety, in regards to what's transpired at that location, and also want to appeal to anyone that was in the vicinity of Beryl Court at Bellbird during the early period of February, 2026.'

Anyone who witnessed anything in Beryl Court or may have relevant CCTV is urged to come forward.

Neighbours in the quiet street said they were shocked to learn what had happened.

'Nothing really goes on here. Everyone's really good with each other,' one man told the Courier Mail.

'It's not really a place where everyone's yelling and screaming at each other.'

According to her social media, Ms Sanowski graduated from Griffith University in June 2024 and suggested at the time that she was making a fresh start.

Two months later, she appealed for advice on a Springfield community Facebook page.

'Anyone know of any community groups, support groups in the area and/or events happening tonight/over the weekend? Going through tough times and looking to make some friends,' she wrote.
Anna Kepner's stepbrother, 16, has been charged by federal authorities in connection with her death on board a Carnival cruise ship.

The boy had been considered the main suspect in the November 7 slaying of the Florida cheerleader. Anna was found stuffed under a bed in her cabin on the Carnival Horizon as it was returning to Florida from Mexico.

Law enforcement sources have said the 18-year-old died from asphyxiation caused by a bar hold, suggesting an arm was pressed around her neck.

The boy's father, Thomas Hudson, has sought custody of the teenager from his mother, Shauntel, 36, and Anna's father, Christopher. In court documents, the father revealed the teenager has been charged with Anna's murder.

'According to social media from the Kepner family, on February 3, 2026, the petitioner/father's son, TH, was charged by the United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida for the [redacted] and homicide of Anna Kepner,' an emergency filing said on Friday, according to WESH.

It goes on to claim that, 'immediately after the cruise, the respondent/mother and Chris Kepner expelled [the minor] from their household and neither has seen [the minor] since then.

'Social media from the Kepner family has indicated that they want the "nails in the coffin" of [the minor] and that both the Kepner family and the respondent "want him buried,"' the emergency filing alleged.

An ongoing case against the stepbrother is now under seal and is being overseen by Miami federal judge Beth Bloom, CBS News reported.

Anna Kepner, 18, of Titusville, Florida, was found dead on board the Carnival Horizon on November 7 as it was returning to the Sunshine State from Mexico

Her 16-year-old stepbrother is now facing felony charges for her murder

Federal charges against minors are typically sealed due to the vast protections for youngsters under federal law, former Palm Beach prosecutor Dave Aronberg told the outlet.

But the indictment could be unsealed if the minor is later charged as an adult.

The filings come just weeks after the Daily Mail saw the teenager arriving at Miamis James Lawrence King Federal Justice Centre flanked by his dad.

The boy, who was wearing a cap, sneakers, black pants and a camouflage hoodie, stared ahead and said nothing as the pair headed inside for a closed-door hearing with a federal judge.

He was then fitted with an electronic ankle tag and released into the care of an unidentified relative.

The teenager had already been removed from the Kepners' blended household in Titusville and placed with a relative while the FBI investigation played out.

The Daily Mail was the first outlet to report that Anna's body was found stuffed under a bed in the cabin she was sharing with her stepbrother and 14-year-old half-brother.

She had been wrapped in a blanket and covered with life preservers, according to our sources.

The teenage suspect arriving at federal court in Florida earlier this month

Exclusive Daily Mail images show him arriving at Miamis James Lawrence King Federal Justice Centre flanked by his father, Thomas Hudson, who is now seeking custody of the boy

Anna had gone to bed early the night before, telling her family during dinner that she was feeling unwell.

While her half-brother wandered around the ship taking photos, she was left alone with her stepbrother, who takes medication for ADHD and insomnia.

When the younger boy returned, he did not see Anna but assumed she was staying up late with her mother or father, or grandparents, Jeffrey and Barbara Kepner.

He climbed into his bunk and went to sleep - unaware, sources say, that his sister's body was concealed just feet away.

It was not until the next day, when the boys headed to breakfast, that the family realized Anna was missing.

A medical emergency was announced over the ship's public address system, prompting Christopher to rush to her Deck 8 cabin, where a cleaning crew had just discovered the body.

Anna and her blended family. Her father, Christopher, split from his ex-wife in 2023, but soon found love with Shauntel, who divorced her ex-husband, Thomas, last year and moved to Titusville with her two youngest children

FBI investigators then swarmed the ship, interviewed the family and scoured CCTV cameras when the Horizon returned to Miami on November 8.

At the time, Anna's stepbrother insisted he could not remember what took place in the cabin, well-placed sources told the Daily Mail.

In the aftermath, Hudson sought emergency custody of his and Shauntel's young daughter, claiming she took the kids on the ill-fated cruise without his permission - and even let the older children drink alcohol, an accusation she denied.

A Brevard County judge ruled that the girl was not in any danger and could remain with Shauntel and Christopher so long as the stepbrother was living elsewhere.

Christopher has since expressed his frustration that the teenage suspect was allowed to walk freely following the court hearing earlier this month.

The Daily Mail previously reported that Anna had returned to the cruise ship cabin she was sharing with her younger brother and stepbrother after dinner on November 6, and never left the room again

At this time, it is deeply painful and disturbing to our family that the person responsible is able to walk freely, he said in a joint statement with Shauntel.

This reality adds to our grief and outrage. It is devastating to know that while we live every day with the loss of our child, the individual responsible has not yet been fully held accountable.

This only strengthens our resolve to continue seeking justice for our daughter.

Christopher and Shauntel said they had been asked by the FBI to remain silent throughout the investigation.

The loss of our daughter is a pain that will never fully heal, the pair added.

She was taken from us in a violent and senseless way, and our family has been permanently changed.'
The grief-stricken parents of Gus Lamont have broken their silence to ask the public for help finding their little boy.

Joshua Lamont and Jessica Murray shared a heartbreaking statement through South Australian Police on Tuesday, five months after the four-year-old vanished.

The parents also shared a new photo of curly-haired Gus in a car and a video of the toddler riding a bike.

Gus disappeared from his grandparents' 60,000ha Oak Park Station in South Australia's Mid North on September 27 last year.

Despite the SA Police launching its search operation in the state's history, no trace of him has been found.

'We are united in our grief, and we are united in our search for answers about what happened to our little boy, Gus, who means everything to us,' his parents said.

'Our lives have been shattered, and every moment without him is unbearable. We know someone out there may have information.

'If someone knows what happened, we are pleading with that person - or anyone who may have seen or heard anything - to please come forward. Even the smallest detail could give us the answers we so desperately need.'

Gus' parents shared a new photo of the missing four-year-old in a car (pictured) and a video of the toddler riding a bike at his grandparents' rural property

Gus is seen barefoot and in a wide-brimmed hat in a new video of him riding a bike

The new photos were released as part of a public appeal for information about Gus on Tuesday

The parents also shared their gratitude to the hundreds of workers and volunteers searching for their little boy.

'We also want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the search for Gus,' they said.

'The tireless efforts of police, emergency services, ADF personnel, volunteers, and specialists have meant more to us than we can ever say.

'To the friends, family and supporters who have shown such compassion, concern, and assistance during this heartbreaking time: thank you.

'Your kindness has helped carry us through the darkest days of our lives. All we want is to bring Gus home and understand what happened to our beautiful boy.'

The statement marks the first time the parents have spoken publicly about Gus' disappearance.

Detectives previously stressed they have completely ruled out the pair as possible suspects and confirmed they were cooperating with the investigation.

Daily Mail previously revealed the couple had separated before Gus vanished, with Ms Murray and her newborn son, Ronnie, living with her parents, Shannon and Josie Murray, on the remote station.

Jessica Murray (left) and Joshua Lamont (right) have made their first public statement about their missing son, Gus Lamont

A NSW Police cadaver dog, brought in from interstate, scoured Bullyaninnie (above) earlier this month as part of a renewed search for Gus

Mr Lamont had moved into a ramshackle farmhouse which he was renovating in Belalie North, near Jamestown, 130km west of the Murrays' station.

A family friend told Daily Mail their relationship broke down shortly after Ronnie's birth, but before Gus disappeared.

'I haven't seen Josh since it (Gus' disappearance) happened, and I don't know where he is now,' they said.

'But they weren't together when it happened.'

The news comes just days after a renewed search scoured the outback property for clues on Gus' whereabouts.

A cadaver dog, a police helicopter, and Taskforce Horizon detectives converged on Bullyaninnie Station near Oodla Wirra on February 16.

The effort focused on an outhouse, an area of freshly poured concrete and a ditch filled with abandoned cars.

Gus' grandparents, Shannon and Josie, oversee that station as well as their own neighbouring Oak Park Station near Yunta, where the four-year-old vanished.

Gus Lamont, four, who vanished on September 27, is now believed to be dead

Task force detectives inspected one of the buildings (above) on Bullyaninnie Station, near Oodla Wirra

Shannon Murray (above) is believed to oversee Bullyaninnie Station alongside her partner, Josie

Police scoured Bullyaninnie in the latest renewed searches for evidence relating to Gus' disappearance after it became clear the Murrays had access to the estate.

With their property empire - which might one day have become Gus' - now known to be much larger than just Oak Park Station, the search area widened considerably.

The new police search did not yield any evidence relating to the missing child, but police have vowed to maintain a presence in the area in pursuit of finding Gus' fate.

They have also zeroed in on the Pualco Conservation Park, which borders Murray family land.

Detectives launched the hunt on Bullyaninnie on the day they charged Josie Murray with firearms offences, February 16, which are said to be unrelated to Gus' disappearance.

Police allege she possessed a prohibited firearm sound suppressor, also known as a silencer, and will face Peterborough Magistrates Court on May 6.

The charges came after police declared Gus' disappearance a major crime on February 5, after finding no evidence that the youngster had simply wandered off into the outback before dinner.

Gus was reportedly last seen by Shannon, playing in a sandpile at Oak Park around 5pm on AFL Grand Final day, but when she went to call him inside, he was gone.

Josie Murray (above) was arrested on an unrelated weapons offence on February 16

Josie Murray (pictured) and her wife Shannon have now retained lawyers

Police seized a vehicle, a motorbike and electronic goods from Oak Park Station in January.

Up to two members of Gus' family have now stopped cooperating with police.

Investigators believe Gus is dead, possibly accidentally, and detectives have a suspect who may have been involved in his death.

However detectives stressed they have completely ruled out Gus' parents, Jessica Murray and Joshua Lamont, as possible suspects.

Police said they had found 'inconsistencies' in statement details and the timeline provided by family members.

Josie and Shannon have since retained separate lawyers, which is not unusual in these circumstances.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens earlier vowed to continue to investigate the death and said police would launch renewed searches in the area.

'Adjoining properties including the national park will in all likelihood be a part of our investigations as we move forward,' he said.

SA Police chief Grant Stevens vowed to use every resource to find the little boy

The Murrays own the sprawling Oak Park sheep station, 45km south of Yunta

'We'll use every resource available to us if it will contribute to solving the disappearance of Gus Lamont.

'I think it's reasonably foreseeable that we will be visiting Oak Park quite frequently over the coming months as we continue our investigation, as well as visiting surrounding locations in the vicinity of the residence.'
A British yoga teacher has been detained in Dubai two years after she was caught with 8,000 of illegal cash on a UK motorway.

Antonia Bettridge, from St Helens, Merseyside, was convicted for being in possession of criminal property in 2023 after police discovered the large sum of money in her glove box.

She had been pulled over just off the M62 in Warrington after officers spotted her bad driving.

Police grew suspicious of the then 21-year-old after she claimed to have no money, only for them to find the 8,000 inside her vehicle.

Bettridge, a personal trainer and masseuse, had been travelling home from a service station around 170 miles away from where she lived after 'doing a favour' for a friend.

Police found she had driven to Gordano Services on the M5, near Bristol, before quickly turning around to go home.

She admitted possessing criminal property and avoided jail in September 2023 - having been handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 30 days, and 75 hours of unpaid work. She was also told to pay 1,200 in court fees.

Bettridge then moved to Dubai, remaining a personal trainer in the Middle East, according to her social media.

Antonia Bettridge (pictured) has been detained in Dubai two years after she was found with 8,000 of criminal cash in the glove box of her car

Bettridge has been working as a personal trainer in Dubai, as well as an events planner, it is understood

She has now been detained in the country, the Liverpool Echo reported, with the Foreign Office confirming a British woman held in Dubai is being supported by officials.

An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a British woman detained in the UAE and are in contact with the local authorities.'

Bettridge, who also claims to be an events planner in the UAE, made the move to Dubai shortly after her conviction in the UK, it is understood.

To obtain a work visa in the country with a criminal record, a certificate of good conduct must be provided by the individual's home country, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development CIPD states.

It is not confirmed why Bettridge has been detained. The Daily Mail has contacted the FCDO for further comment.
Passersby were spotted shouting and heckling outside the home of Peter Mandelson on Tuesday hours after his arrest.

Flanked by suit-clad police officers, the disgraced former minister was led out of his 7.6million property in Camden and taken into custody shortly before 5pm on Monday.

Mandelson, 72, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office - just four days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was sensationally taken into custody on suspicion of the same offence.

Officers have been investigating allegations the politician leaked sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. Mandelson is understood to deny any wrongdoing.

He spent approximately nine hours being quizzed at Wandsworth Police Station before being granted police bail and returning home, appearing silent and downcast, soon after 2am.

Runners and cyclists were later heard shouting and heckling as they passed the property early on Tuesday morning.

The dramatic development will heap pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who approved Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the United States in December 2024 despite longstanding controversy over his relationship with Epstein.

The Government have pledged to release documents relating to the controversial appointment. MPs were told that the first bundle would be published 'very shortly in early March'. But Mandelson's arrest at 4.15pm has now cast doubt over that timeline.

Lord Peter Mandelson returned to his Camden, north London, home shortly before 2am on Tuesday morning

Just hours later cyclists and early-morning walkers were heard shouting and heckling outside the property

The disgraced former minister was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday afternoon

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said officials were trawling through a vast quantity of material but intended to release the first tranche imminently.

He admitted it was 'clearly a process that will take some time' given the scale of the request and said documents were being reviewed to ensure publication would not damage 'national security or international relations'.

He added that Scotland Yard had advised against releasing some exchanges between Downing Street and the New Labour grandee for fear of prejudicing any potential prosecution.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Mandelson's arrest is the defining moment of Keir Starmer's premiership.

'It wasn't long ago the PM looked me in the eye at PMQs and said he had 'full confidence' in Mandelson.

'Time to release the Mandelson files in full. We must know who knew what and when. No more delays.'

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood claimed that 'the Government's progress moves with the urgency of a tired sloth on a Bank Holiday Monday'.

He added: 'It is time the Government stopped treating Parliament like an inconvenient interruption to their schedule, stopped giving every impression that they have priorities working out whose back to cover, and started providing some actual answers so that we can start to get to the bottom of this murky matter.'

Labour backbencher Andy McDonald referred to the peer as 'the lord of the files', saying: 'There are many people in this place and across the country who would not have touched Peter Mandelson with a bargepole and they're trying to get their head round why on earth this Government wasn't of the same view.'

Downing Street denied reports that corners were cut in Mandelson's security vetting ahead of his Washington posting.

Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after being quizzed late into the night over allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary

Although his clearance to access top-secret documents was reportedly fast-tracked within weeks rather than months, No 10 insisted full checks were completed.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'No part of the vetting process was skipped or removed. It is normal procedure for vetting sponsors to prioritise cases based on deployment deadlines.'

Police raids on Mandelson's homes followed the release of three million pages of documents by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein.

Emails contained within the files are said to suggest that Mandelson, while business secretary and de-facto deputy prime minister to Gordon Brown, and Mountbatten-Windsor, as UK trade envoy, passed potentially sensitive information from official briefings to Epstein.

Documents released in the US indicate Mandelson may have disclosed details of potential policy measures  including an asset sales plan, a tax on bankers' bonuses and a bailout package for the euro  the day before public announcement in 2010. Gordon Brown has accused him of 'betrayal'.

Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Following revelations in the Epstein emails, the former minister without portfolio said he had 'no recollection' of receiving payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein between 2003 and 2004.

Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, then the Duke of York, pictured with Lord Mandelson, then the EU's trade commissioner, in Brussels in June 2007

Mandelson stands in white underwear talking to a woman in a bathing robe in a photo though to be snapped in Epstein's Paris home

The peer has insisted he broke no laws and did not act for personal gain, though he has repeatedly expressed regret over his friendship with Epstein, which continued after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting sex from a minor.

Last night a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: 'A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

'He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

'This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

'We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.'
New footage shows a fresh angle of the moment a packed Swiss nightclub burst into flames after a waitress lifted sparklers towards a low ceiling.

The video lays bare just how quickly the blaze took hold, and hints at why dozens of revellers did not immediately realise the danger above their heads.

Partygoers can be seen dancing and cheering as a waitress wearing a helmet is carried on a man's shoulders through the club, holding champagne topped with lit sparklers.

As she raises the sparklers, the ceiling appears to catch almost instantly, flames licking across the surface.

But instead of stopping, the waitress continues through the venue as part of the celebration, and the crowd turns to follow her, their backs to the fire as it spreads overhead.

The inferno killed 41 people and injured 115 others at Le Constellation in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on January 1.

Witnesses described seeing people burning and suffocating to death as they raced to escape the 'horror movie'.

Panicked partygoers rush towards the exit as smoke fills the basement venue, while others continue filming as flames spread overhead.

Dramatic new footage reveals the moment a packed Swiss nightclub burst into flames after a waitress hoisted champagne bottles topped with sparklers beneath a low ceiling

The video lays bare just how quickly the blaze took hold, and hints at why dozens of revellers did not immediately realise the danger above their heads

Partygoers can be seen dancing and cheering as a waitress wearing a helmet is carried on a man's shoulders through the club, holding champagne topped with lit sparklers

Crowds of people can be seen piling out of the door as they run for their lives while others scream to find their friends amid the chaos.

Swiss prosecutors have launched an investigation into the club's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti.

Earlier this month, furious parents publicly attacked the Morettis, blaming them for their children's deaths.

As Jacques and Jessica arrived at the prosecutor's office in Sion for their fourth day of questioning, dozens of grieving relatives swarmed around the building's entrance, wearing clothing bearing images of their deceased loved ones.

The pair, who have pinned the blame on a waitress who also died in the fire, are under judicial supervision following the inferno.

As they made their way into the building to testify last Thursday, several relatives rushed towards the pair, who were flanked by just a police officer and their lawyer.

'It was a real mob. The Morettis... had hardly any protection when the relatives' anger erupted.

'Everyone rushed at the innkeepers, who were pushed against the building's wall and couldn't get away,' a reporter at the scene told 20 Minuten.

The inferno killed 41 people and injured 115 others at Le Constellation in the ski resort of Crans-Montana on January 1

Angry relatives hurled insults as the pair cowered behind their lawyer, with one sobbing parent heard yelling: 'You killed my son, you killed 40 people, you will pay for this'.

Ms Moretti, 40, appeared close to tears as she waded through the mob, while the brother of a 17-year-old victim named Trystan allegedly attempted to kick her after repeatedly asking her to look him in the eye.

Trystan's mother, Vinciane Stucky, who was also present, told local media: 'We will neither forgive nor forget.'

'I'm here for Trystan,' said his father, Christian Podoux. 'I want Jessica Moretti to know how hard she has hit fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters.

'She distanced herself, left the Constellation. Others, the young people, helped so much, and she just left. That's not right.'

The teenage victim's younger siblings, Tobyas, 14, and Yaelle, 15, were also present alongside their parents as they joined the raging crowd upon the Morettis' arrival.

'We want Jessica Moretti to apologise,' they told local reporters. 'I'm Trystan's little brother, and I came here to show Jessica Moretti that she has destroyed families, to look us in the eye.'

Tobyas added: 'What happened isn't normal. We want justice. Moretti is undoubtedly guilty, as are the municipality of Crans-Montana and the canton of Valais.'

After repeatedly being called 'murderers' by the furious group, Mr Moretti faced the crowd and said: 'If we have to pay, we will pay. We are not the Mafia; we are workers. We will take responsibility, we will get to the bottom of this, we promise you, we are here to achieve justice.'

The hearing in Sion touched on staff training at the nightclub. According to Ansa news agency, Ms Moretti admitted that her staff had not been trained for fire emergencies.

'There were never any evacuation drills because nobody asked us to,' Moretti reportedly said.

She also spoke about the families impacted by the fire: 'We knew that the families wanted to meet with us today. We understand your anger, your hatred.

'I reaffirm that we are available for any questions and will be there for you,' Ms Moretti said through tears.

Regarding her role during the night of the fire, Moretti said: 'My priority was to raise the alarm, evacuate people, and call the fire department as quickly as possible. I'm the daughter of a firefighter myself, and that's my reflex.'

The French couple have firmly blamed their young staff for causing the inferno and blocking an escape exit, with leaked interview records pointing to them saying: 'It's not us, it's the others'.

Prosecutors were told the sparklers display was 'Cyane's show', according to interview records.

'I didn't forbid her from doing that,' he told prosecutors, adding: 'I didn't make her pay attention to safety instructions. We didn't see the danger. Cyane liked doing that  it was a show, she liked to be part of the show.'

She previously claimed: 'Cyane liked to deliver these bottles  she did it of her own accord.

'If I had thought there was the slightest risk, I would have forbidden it. In ten years of running the business, I never thought there could be any danger.'

The French couple is under criminal investigation, facing charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.

They face up to 20 years in prison if charged and found guilty of manslaughter.
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria took their children to Poland over the weekend to learn about their Jewish heritage.

The family went to the village of Kolo, on the outskirts of Warsaw, where Lady Starmer's grandparents once lived.

Her father, Bernard, was born in Britain in 1929, after they fled to the UK in a bid to escape rising anti-Semitism in mainland Europe.

None of Lady Starmer's relatives who remained in Poland survived the Holocaust that was to come in the Second World War.

Sir Keir, who is not Jewish himself, travelled in support of his wife with their daughter, 16, and son, 18.

His wife has visited the village before, and has worked with the Holocaust Educational Trust in the UK, even hosting an event for the trust in Downing Street.

But it was the Prime Minister's first trip, which was part of a long family weekend, Jewish News reports.

It is not the first time that the couple have visited sites associated with the Holocaust.

Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria took their children to Poland over the weekend to learn about their Jewish heritage (Pictured: The couple on a previous visit to Auschwitz in January 2025)

The Prime Minister has previously spoken about the importance of his children recognising their Jewish heritage (Pictured: Sir Keir and Victoria Starmer lay a wreath at Auschwitz in January 2025)

Last January, they travelled to Auschwitz in what was the PM's first trip to the death camp.

'Nothing could prepare me for the sheer horror of what I have seen in this place. It is utterly harrowing,' he said at the time.

He added that the trip made clear that the Holocaust 'took a collective endeavour by thousands of ordinary people who each played their part in constructing this whole industry of death'.

Speaking of the impact on Lady Starmer, he added that 'it was no less harrowing than the first time she stepped through that gate and witnessed the depravity of what happened here'.

Before being elected, Sir Keir spoke about how the family observe Shabbat dinners on Fridays.

He said in honour of the tradition he avoids doing work-related tasks after 6pm on Fridays, where possible.

He told Virgin Radio: 'Weve had a strategy in place and well try to keep to it, which is to carve out really protected time for the kids, so on a Friday  Ive been doing this for years  I will not do a work-related thing after 6 oclock, pretty well come what may.'

Sir Keir also previously told how he wanted his children, who he and his wife have kept out of the spotlight since he became the Prime Minister, to 'recognise the faith' of their grandfather's family.

He said that 'carving out that tradition, that bit of faith on Friday is incredibly important'.

In the aftermath of the terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester in October, Lady Starmer joined the PM on a trip to the venue to pay their respects and meet with the congregation after two people were killed.
ISIS bride Shamima Begum is plotting an attempt to return to the UK using people smugglers, texts from inside her camp reportedly reveal.

Begum, who was stripped of her British citizenship after leaving London to join the terror group in 2015, is currently being held at al-Roj - a filthy, violent camp in north-east Syria.

The 26-year-old, who was 15 when she travelled from Bethnal Green, east London, into IS territory, has made multiple legal bids to return to the UK but they have all failed.

It has now been claimed that there is a plot brewing to sneak her back into Britain via people smugglers.

The audacious plan comes after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) questioned the UK's decision to strip Begum's citizenship and called for the Government to consider whether she was a victim of trafficking.

Filmmaker Andrew Drury, who has interviewed Begum six times in al-Roj, has revealed he has been contacted from inside the camp by an American former jihadi who wants to escape with Begum.

Mr Drury, 60, has received several messages from Begum's camp best friend Hoda Muthana - an American woman who also lost her citizenship after joining ISIS.

Hoda - appearing to act as a fixer for Begum - begged Mr Drury for thousands of US dollars using the code word 'gummies' and British pounds using the term 'mints'.

They appear to be plotting to cross the border into nearby Turkey to 'get to our embassies' and that they believe the UK will be forced to take Begum back 'once Turkey deports her'.

ISIS bride Shamima Begum (pictured in 2019) is plotting an attempt to return to the UK using people smugglers, texts from inside her camp reveal

Begum is still living at the al-Roj camp in northern Syria (pictured in 2021)

In messages seen by The Express, Hoda writes: 'Bring five thousand gummy bears with u, the American brand, is better. S (Shamima) also likes mints, about the same amount, but better u come and give it so half the bag isn't taken.'

When Mr Drury told Hoda, 'The UK won't let her back', the ISIS bride replied: 'They eventually will once Turkey deports her which is what they do.'

The two former jihadi brides also admit to planning interviews, with Hoda adding: 'SB (Shamima Begum) already promised certain networks to be the first to interview her outside the camp, and in the UK when she finally gets repatriated.'

However, when pressed on who the networks might be, Hoda claimed Begum has not agreed with anyone yet and 'she has people in mind who she thinks will do a fair story.'

In other messages, Hoda tells Mr Drury: 'Imagine it as an investment.'

She adds: 'We finally get out of here begin our process. We're not asking to hide or run away. We just want to get to our embassies. And you'll be the first to know and see her.'

Mr Drury did not send any money to the camp and informed his local MP and MI5. But he claims he has not received a response from the security services.

Speaking to The Express, the filmmaker said: 'I'm not going to give a terrorist, or somebody I consider as a terrorist, money.

'I understand her wanting to get out of the camp in desperation, but she and Hoda seem to be trying to manipulate people financially to help them, who knows who they are paying money to.

'What's worrying as well is they appear to be saying they are negotiating media interviews for when and if they manage to get to Turkey and they claim they will be repatriated if they reach their embassies.

'But imagine if the people smugglers help Shamima so she ends up crossing the Channel in a small boat and reaching Britain that way. There's plenty of asylum seekers who have taken that route from Syria and Iraq through Turkey.'

It is claimed that Begum is already receiving money from 'unknown sources' and is plotting to escape from the camp amid tension in the area.

The camp s controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who also oversee several other camps housing more than 9,000 ISIS fighters and around 40,000 women and children.

The SDF has now lost almost all of its territory to forces loyal to Syria's president Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The Londoner was 15 when she and two friends travelled from Bethnal Green to Syria to join Islamic State.

Shamima Begum (pictured in February 2023) was stripped of her British citizenship after leaving London to join ISIS

Begum, who married an ISIS fighter and had three children who all died, was found in a Syrian refugee camp in 2019 and her citizenship was immediately revoked by then-home secretary Sajid Javid on national security grounds, kickstarting her lengthy legal challenge.

But in late December, the ECHR formally asked the Home Office whether it broke human rights and anti-trafficking laws  after Begum was stripped of her UK citizenship.

The latest intervention sparked a major backlash, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood vowing to defend the Government's decision at the time.

Begum lost an appeal in February 2023 against the decision to revoke her citizenship after the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) ruled this was lawful.

She then lost a Court of Appeal bid in February 2024, before she was most recently denied the chance to challenge it at the Supreme Court in August 2024.

However, Begum's lawyers warned at the time that they could still take her case to the ECHR - which they later did.

The Home Office has now been told by the European court to answer four questions about her citizenship.

One asks: 'Has there been a violation of the applicant's rights under Article 4 of the Convention by virtue of the decision to deprive her of her citizenship?'

Another says: 'For the purposes of the Article 4 complaints made in the application, was the applicant at all material times within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention?'

Article 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights relates to the 'obligation to respect human rights', while Article 4 relates to 'freedom from slavery and forced labour'.

A further question asks: 'Did the Secretary of State for the Home Department's decision to deprive the applicant of her citizenship engage her rights under Article 4 of the Convention?'

A FCDO spokesperson said: 'Protecting our national security is the first priority for the UK Government.

'That is why we are continuing to work with the Syrian and Iraqi Governments, as well as other partners, to protect our shared security interests in the region, and ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh.
Keir Starmer is facing fresh peril today as he struggles to quell Labour anger in the wake of Lord Mandelson's arrest.

The PM is facing calls for 'maximum accountability' after the New Labour architect was led away from his London home by police. Questions have been asked about the unusual timing of the arrest, at 4.15pm.

The peer was released on bail after being quizzed into the early hours over allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary.

But the escalation is threatening to undermine Sir Keir's efforts to stabilise his premiership, after nearly being ousted in a coup a fortnight ago.

MPs have been incensed by his decision to make Lord Mandelson US ambassador despite knowing of his long-standing ties to Epstein. Just 167 days ago the PM voiced 'full confidence' in the peer, shortly before sacking him.

Shortly before the arrest Sir Keir made his first visit to Gorton & Denton, where Labour is desperately trying to hold on in a crucial by-election on Thursday.

Earlier, Sir Keir had used an email to his MPs to promise to 'listen' to them more and change the 'culture' in Downing Street. He has already signalled a lurch to the Left as he struggles to survive.

Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after being quizzed late into the night over allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary

Mandelson arrives home in the early hours of Tuesday

The disgraced former minister Peter Mandelson was led away by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Special Investigations Team yesterday afternoon

Keir Starmer held the weekly Cabinet meeting this morning, including a debut for his new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo (left)

Labour backbencher Bell Ribeiro-Addy said last night that there had been 'issues of poor judgment' and it was damaging politics across the spectrum.

'What we need to get to a point of now is trying to get to a point of maximum accountability,' she told Channel 4 News.

'There should be a wide-ranging investigation into all these things.

'The major issue has been the damage of trust between us and the British public, and they need to feel that something's being done about it.'

Sir Keir gathered his Cabinet in Downing Street this morning - which also saw the debut of newly-installed Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo.

Lord Mandelson was led away by detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Special Investigations Team  the unit dubbed the Yard's 'Celeb Squad'  on suspicion of misconduct in public office yesterday afternoon.

Nine hours later at around 1.15am the 72-year-old was pictured as he was driven out of Wandsworth Police Station.

He left the station in a black car accompanied by three other people but shortly after arrived home in a London black cab. He remained silent and downcast as he walked into his house.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

'He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

'This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

'We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.'

The Government had yesterday pledged to release documents relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassadoe.

MPs were told that the first bundle would be published 'very shortly in early March'. But Mandelson's arrest has now cast doubt over that timeline.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said Scotland Yard had advised against releasing some exchanges between Downing Street and the Labour grandee for fear of prejudicing any potential prosecution.

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Mandelson stands in white underwear talking to a woman in a bathing robe in a photo though to be snapped in Epstein's Paris home

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Mandelson's arrest is the defining moment of Keir Starmer's premiership.

'It wasn't long ago the PM looked me in the eye at PMQs and said he had 'full confidence' in Mandelson.

'Time to release the Mandelson files in full. We must know who knew what and when. No more delays.'

In his email to MPs, Sir Keir committed to hosting more 'policy roundtables' in No10 and said advice would be 'taken seriously and acted upon'.

'I recognise this is not simply about process, it is about culture,' he added, according to the i newspaper.
Jonte Richardson has announced he will step down as a Bafta judge over its handling of a Tourette's campaigner shouting out a racial slur during Sunday's ceremony.

The award-winning writer, director and producer decided to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel after the incident at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

During the Bafta Film Awards, John Davidson was heard shouting the N-word as Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented the award for special visual effects.

Mr Davidson, 54, chose to leave the auditorium early and later apologised, while the BBC also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the delayed broadcast.

Separately today, a source told Deadline that Warner Bros bosses raised immediate concerns to Bafta about the slur - requesting its removal from the BBC's broadcast.

Mr Richardson wrote on LinkedIn yesterday: 'After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.

'The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.

'This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible Black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 'Just Act Normal'.

'However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.

Bafta judge Jonte Richardson is an award-winning director, writer, producer, and editor

'I hope Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.'

Mr Richardson is a former touring musician who has worked in both the UK and US film and TV industries, with the likes of Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah.

His resignation came before Mr Davidson released a statement of his own, saying he was 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning'.

The campaigner confirmed he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was 'aware of the distress my tics were causing'.

Mr Davidson said: 'I wanted to thank Bafta and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

'I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.

'I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.'

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony's presenter Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.

Referencing this, Mr Davidson said: 'In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and Bafta, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo present the Special Visual Effects Award on stage during the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, when the slur was shouted out

'I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette syndrome.'

'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.

'I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.'

Meanwhile a 'well-placed' source told Deadline today that Warner Bros executives raised immediate concerns to Bafta about the use of the N-word.

The studio was allegedly told its concerns would be passed to the BBC and producer Penny Lane TV during recording of the ceremony, broadcast on a two-hour delay.

Bafta insiders confirmed conversations with Warner Bros took place, but Bafta did not comment on whether the concerns were relayed to the BBC and Penny Lane.

Deadline also reported that Penny Lane's producers in the gallery did not hear the N-word being said  but Warner Bros is said to be unclear about what happened in the intervening period before airing.

In a statement released last night, Bafta apologised for the incident, and said it takes 'full responsibility' for putting its guests in a 'difficult situation'.

A spokesperson from Bafta said: 'At the Bafta Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

'One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.

John Davidson at the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday

'Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

'We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

'Early in the ceremony, a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

'During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

'We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.'

Speaking at the Warner Bros afterparty, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan 'did what we had to do' while presenting but he wished 'someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards'.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.

It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

The film, I Swear, tells the story of the Scottish campaigner's life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12.

It stars Robert Aramayo who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga appears in the film as Mr Davidson's lawyer, and posted on TikTok yesterday to comment on the incident.

In his video, he said: 'This is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says. In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film.

'We've made this film to educate people about Tourette's syndrome - how can you say that he can't be there at the awards? This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely he has to be there, and it's great that he was there.'

He shared an additional video where he said 'someone who has Tourette's should not apologise for having it', and he referenced when Mr Davidson met Queen Elizabeth II, and said: 'If the Queen understood that, I don't know why people don't understand.'

The BBC apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast, and a spokesperson for the corporation said: 'Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

'This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

'We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.'

Charity Tourettes Action said it 'deeply understands' the harm of the racial slur, but called for understanding of the condition.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

'We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.

'People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.

'These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John - like many others with Tourette's - lives with every single day.'

It went on to say that it had found the 'backlash' to the incident 'deeply saddening' and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early.

Tourette Scotland, which has worked with Mr Davidson, added that there was 'no meaning' behind his outburst and that the Tourette's community is 'kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics'.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor called a police officer guarding Buckingham Palace a 'lardy c**t' when he refused entry to a 'random party girl' who turned up unannounced to visit his private chambers.

The ex-Duke of York also branded the royal protection bodyguard a 'fat-a**e' and appeared to threaten him if he did not let her up to his bedroom.

Andrew is known to have smuggled women into the Palace using the codename 'Mrs Windsor' - and has been accused of turning his late mother the Queen's London home 'into a brothel'.

It came as the Daily Mail revealed that Andrew enjoyed a naked massage at Buckingham Palace - all paid for using a cheque from a Palace aide.

On another occasion another mystery woman had turned up unannounced for a late night visit to the divorced royal's 'private chambers'.

Former royal bodyguard Paul Page, who served from 1998 to 2004, said officers heard the then prince tear into one of his colleagues, who had denied the woman entry. She had asked them to call Andrew.

Mr Page said: 'We could hear the conversation. He [Andrew] said: "Put one of the officers on." One of my colleagues took the phone. He shouted at the top of his voice, "You listen to me, you fat, lardy-a**ed c**t. If you dont let my guest in, Im going to come down there."'

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured in the Jeffrey Epstein files on all fours over a mystery woman, tore into police who refused a random woman entry to Buckingham Palace one night, calling him a 'fat, lardy-a**ed c**t'

Mr Page, who has described Andrew as a 'bully' whose bedroom should have had a 'revolving door' for all the women who visited, said the team were in shock at the threats and felt they had to give in despite the lack of security clearance.

The young woman was apparently 'bright red with embarrassment' when she finally walked up to his chambers for a night with the then prince.

Page, who was jailed in 2009 for his part in a 3million property scam, said Andrew was the most unpopular member of the Royal Family with police stationed at the Palace, whose nickname for him was 'The c**t' because he was so rude.

Royal biographer and former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown shared the anecdote today to remind people why they should have no sympathy for Andrew following his arrest.

She wrote on her FRESH HELL Substack: If there is anyone deluded enough to feel sympathy for Andrew, I submit the anecdote Paul Page, Andrews onetime royal protection officer, told in a 2022 documentary. When a random party girl not listed on the official log showed up at the palace to visit Andrew and was asked to wait for security clearance, the portly prince apparently blasted one on the phone for not letting her through'.

Ms Brown, who was a friend of Princess Diana, said the image of a haggard Andrew leaving a police station last Thursday night on bail was a 'thrilling karmic win for the people versus Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor'.

The Epstein Files revealed that Andrew has been on the radar of US law enforcement for up to 15 years.

And there are new claims that one of the women who visited him at Buckingham Palace was trafficked by his paedophile friend Epstein.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has also submitted new evidence to at least four UK police forces in relation to 'trafficked girls and women' as he pushes for Andrew to face a wide investigation.

Mr Johnstone told the Daily Mail: 'Andrew's arrest is not unexpected. His financial ties to Epstein are his legal weak spot.

'Investigators will be using this as the basis to scrutinise his relationship with Epstein even further, and in doing so build a case that Andrew participated in some way in Epstein's sex trafficking operation.

'His home can now be searched, and formal questions can now be put to him at interview'.

Richard Scorer, the head of abuse law at firm Slater and Gordon, said: 'If prosecutors build a case which convinces a jury that Andrew misused his position to have sex with young women, in my opinion he could be pursued on that basis.'

Police are being urged to launch a sex trafficking probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid claims a woman was flown in on Jeffrey Epstein's 'Lolita Express' and smuggled into Buckingham Palace using the codename 'Mrs Windsor'.

The paedophile's Boeing 727100 private jet, which he used to host orgies and traffic girls, landed around 90 times in the UK - including after his conviction for child sex offences in 2008, the Epstein Files reveal.

Stansted, Britain's fourth busiest airport, was allegedly used as a hub to transfer victims from one Epstein plane to another.

It has been claimed that least one Epstein victim was flown into Britain on board and then taken to Andrew at Buckingham Palace.

The disgraced former Duke of York allegedly told aides: 'Mrs Windsor will arrive shortly, please let her in and show her up'.

Sources have claimed that other women would be whisked in to see him at his late mother and father's London home using the same coded requests and with no security clearance.

Police guarding him claim they were not allowed to ask who the women were - and feared raising it would lead to them losing their jobs.

Former royal protection officer Paul Page, who served between 1998 and 2004, has claimed that they were not allowed to know the names of the women who visited Andrew

Andrew has been linked to four women in the Epstein Files, along with Virginia Giuffre.

The Mail on Sunday revealed how Epstein took a young Romanian model to a private dinner at Buckingham Palace with his friend Andrew. Epstein said the royal thought she was 'beautiful', adding: 'No man looks at your clothes, they see through them.'

Andrew also invited Jeffrey Epstein and an 'enchanting' Russian model named Vera to dinner at Buckingham Palace during a trip to London.

Epstein also offered to introduce him to a 26-year-old Russian woman known as 'Irina' in August 2010.

The Sun reported there may be a fourth woman, brought in using the code Mrs Windsor.

Virginia Giuffre's allegations that she was forced to have sex with Andrew are also revealed in FBI documents released in the latest tranche of documents, although her name is redacted.

The Daily Mail today revealed how the shamed former prince snuck professional masseuse Monique Giannelloni into the late Queen's official residence after she was recommended to him by Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ms Giannelloni claims she was waved through into the Palace without any security checks before being taken up to Andrew's room where Andrew emerged from the bathroom completely naked before lying down on the massage chair.

South African Ms Giannelloni provided the Mail with an invoice showing Buckingham Palace settled the 75 bill directly from a Coutts account.

The rub down took place in June 2000 - a few months before the then Duke of York became UK Trade Envoy in 2001, a role that he held until 2011 when he was forced to stand down over his friendship with the paedophile billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Ms Giannelloni said: 'I got to the room and Andrew was stood there in a robe,' she said. 'After saying 'Hello', he disappeared to the bathroom and came back in the nude.

'I averted my eyes and I was quite embarrassed.'

Ms Giannelloni said other than the initial embarrassment, she had no issues during the massage and that the then Duke was 'very nice and very gentlemanly'.

Monique Giannelloni, a professional masseuse from South Africa, was snuck in to Buckingham Palace with no security checks to perform a massage on the then Duke of York

Ms Giannelloni was paid 75 for massaging the Duke of York, who 'draped himself across my massage table' and 'sent a fresh wave of nervous energy coursing through me'

She added: 'I was so nervous I was in Buckingham Palace I was going through the motions and doing what I knew and if there was anything untoward I don't really remember noticing that except for the fact he took the towel off very fast.

'I can't actually say anything bad about Prince Andrew in my experience on that day. I only massaged him once.'

The masseuse says she was first introduced to Andrew through Maxwell, who had somehow got hold of the masseurs' contact details.

She said: 'I first had a call from Ghislaine Maxwell's secretary in New York. At that stage I had a lot of high profile clients and it was all by word of mouth so I have no idea how she initially got my number.

'She had wanted a late night massage but I had told her I don't do that so I went in the morning the next day.

'When I went there, Jeffrey Epstein was also in the room the whole time and they were talking about purchasing some island for around 20million, which I thought was very strange and it was awkward that Epstein was just standing there.'

During one of the two appointments Ms Giannelloni had with Maxwell, the socialite told the masseur: 'I am going to introduce you to someone more famous than God.'

Shortly after, Ms Giannelloni received a call from the Duke of York's staff asking her to come to the Palace for the appointment.

'When I got a call from the Duke of York's officers I immediately thought of Ghislaine because of what she had said.

'I didn't know who Ghislaine or Epstein were. I obviously knew Prince Andrew but at the time I had no idea about their associations or what they were involved in.

'She said to me once: 'Don't you know who I am darling? You should read the tabloids I am a celebrity.''

The appointment with Andrew was quickly set up and Ms Giannelloni drove into Buckingham Palace, parked up her car and before being taken to the then Prince's room by a valet.

There were no personal security guards in the room or outside, according to Ms Giannelloni.

The cheque was signed off by the former Duke's then-personal assistant Charlotte Manley and was paid out of the Royal Family's Coutts account.

The Royal Family receives a number of streams of income. This includes taxpayer funding from the Sovereign grant, profits from the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as personal private investments.

It comes as two whistleblowing former civil servants have claimed bills for Andrew's massages and luxury travel during his overseas sojourns as the nation's trade envoy were quietly dumped on taxpayers.

Whitehall officials were said to have been left horrified over Andrew's excessive spending on flights, hotel rooms and charges including spa treatments during his decade in the prestigious position.

The revelations flatly contradict statements previously made by Buckingham Palace which insisted, as Andrew's tenure came to an end in 2011, that he paid for 'all personal expenses' during trade trips.

One ex-civil servant said he was so appalled the public was footing the tab for Andrew's pampering that he had tried to block a payment for 'massage services' but was overruled by senior staff.

'I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,' he said about a claim that followed a visit by Andrew to the Middle East.

He said the department had missed an opportunity to check the royal's behaviour while trade representative by allowing such expenses to go through without question.

'I can't say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong,' says the retired civil servant.

Another source, a former senior Whitehall official who oversaw finances in that area, confirmed he too had also seen similar expenses for Andrew's trips.

He told the BBC he had been shocked by the scale of Andrew's lavish spending as envoy, including excessive flights and unreasonable numbers of hotel rooms and charges for his entourage.

'I couldn't believe it it was like it wasn't real money, they weren't spending any of their own money,' said the senior official.

It is not the first time allegations have been made about the former royal having massages whilst working in his position as envoy.

During an official trip to Indonesia in 2011 the then-Prince enjoyed a 1,200-per-night stay at the Shangri-La Hotel and was given rose-petal massages by one of the staff members in Jakarta.

The massage therapist Ria, who had four appointments with the then-Duke, told The Mail on Sunday at the time: 'He was very friendly to me. I called him Sir at first because my English is not good and I find it difficult to say Your Royal Highness.

'He told me, 'Just call me Andrew. I am Andrew here'.'

The former prince - whose love of luxury travel and private jets earned him the nickname 'Air Miles Andy' - is being investigated for misconduct in public office over allegations he exploited his role to leak confidential information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and other wealthy contacts.

His dramatic downfall, capped by his sensational arrest last week, will see the disgraced royal retreat to his new home on the Sandringham Estate with nothing more than a chef and a lone valet.

Andrew is accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.

He was dramatically arrested on Thursday at Sandringham before being questioned for hours at a local police station.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing over his friendship with Epstein.
Russia is losing more troops than it can recruit, with Putin's forces suffering nearly 40,000 casualties every month, western officials say.

Despite the devastatingly high casualty count, Russia is only recruiting up to 35,000 troops every month, officials added.

Over the last four years, Putin's forces have seen 1.25million of its soldiers killed or injured on the front lines - more than the total sustained by the US during the whole of WW2.

Russia has lost an estimated 157,841 soldiers, while Ukraine is believed to have lost 81,721.

Russia's recruiting strategy of offering bonuses of up to 40,000 to soldiers from impoverished regions of the nation appear to be failing, with analysts questioning how long Putin's war machine can keep turning.

Al Carns, the UK's Armed Forces minister, told the Telegraph: 'People are realising that it's a one-way ticket.'

Ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Putin was looking to launch a third world war, telling the BBC: 'I believe he has already started it.'

Diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled, and the Russian despot's spy agency complicated matters by accusing Britain and France of secretly plotting to give Ukraine nuclear weapons.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a MRLS BM-21 'Grad' towards Russian positions at an undisclosed location near Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region on January 24 2026

Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions on the front line in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on February 18, 2026

A Ukrainian serviceman from an anti-drone mobile fire team prepares to intercept Russian drones at an undisclosed location in the Chernihiv region, northern Ukraine, on February 14 2026

The SVR alleged London and Paris were were engaged in a clandestine operation to arm Kyiv with more muscle against Moscow by supplying it with a 'wonder weapon.'

'Britain and France realise that the developments in Ukraine leave no chance of achieving their much-desired victory over Russia at the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,' said a statement today from the spy agency.

'However, the British and French elites are not prepared to accept defeat. It is believed that Ukraine needs to be equipped with "wunderwaffe".

'Kyiv would be able to claim more favourable terms for ending the hostilities if it possessed a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called "dirty bomb".

The Russian intelligence service claimed that Berlin 'wisely declined to participate in this dangerous adventure'.

The SVR alleged: 'London and Paris are actively working to resolve the issue of providing Kyiv with such weapons and their delivery systems.

'This involves the covert transfer of European components, equipment, and technology to Ukraine in this area. The French TN75 small-size warhead from the M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missile is being considered as an option.'

The allegation for which the SVR gave no evidence is likely Moscow's latest bid to thwart a peace process overseen by Donald Trump.

Rescue workers work at the site after a Russian mass missile and drone attack on February 22, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine

Firefighters work at the site of a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Poltava region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released February 20, 2026

Firefighters work at the site of a residential area hit by Russian drone strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine February 21, 2026

'The British and French recognise that their plans constitute a gross violation of international law, primarily the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carry the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system.

'Therefore, the Westerners' primary efforts are focused on making Kyiv's acquisition of nuclear weapons appear to be the result of Ukrainian development.

'Such extremely dangerous plans by London and Paris demonstrate their loss of a sense of reality. They are futilely hoping to avoid responsibility.

'Moreover, all that is hidden will inevitably be revealed.

'There are many sensible people in the military, political, and diplomatic circles of Great Britain and France who understand the danger their leaders' reckless actions pose to the entire world.'
People-to-people exchanges flourish between mainland, HK, Macao during Spring Festival holidays

16:48, February 24, 2026 By Chu Daye ( Global Times

A growing number of Chinese mainland visitors spent the Spring Festival holidays in Hong Kong and Macao this year, data showed. This was coupled with increased travel activities in the mainland by residents of the two special administrative regions (SARs). A Chinese analyst said that the trend reflected the closer integration between the two SARs and the mainland as well as cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Visits from the mainland to Hong Kong climbed 13 percent year-on-year to 1.02 million from February 16 to 21, according to Hong Kong news outlet tkww.hk on Monday.

With a nine-day holiday at their disposal, many visitors from the mainland immersed themselves in the festive vibes of the city, visiting shopping malls, colleges and the city's tourist attractions, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Paul Chan, financial secretary of the Hong Kong SAR government, had estimated that a total of 1.43 million visits would be registered during the holidays, with an increase of 6 percent in terms of average daily visitor volume.

For Macao, a marked increase in the two-way flow of people also took place.

From February 15 to 19, which marked the first five days of the Spring Festival holidays for mainland residents, the number of entries and exits from the Hengqin port reached 477,000 for passengers and 49,000 for vehicles, according to CCTV News. The number of passengers increased by 30.3 percent year-on-year, while that of vehicles surged by 47.7 percent.

For Hong Kong, the rise in the number of mainland travelers has underlined the recovery of the city since 2019, and is a harbinger of deeper interaction with the mainland, Song Ding, a research fellow at the China Development Institute, told the Global Times on Monday, noting that in the past year Hong Kong continued to see its status as an international financial, shipping and trade center strengthening.

The steady rise in the number of mainland tourists to Hong Kong was a result of multiple factors, reflecting that efforts by the city to promote itself to mainland residents have paid off, according to the analyst.

Song noted that there is immense potential for increasingly convenient people-to-people exchanges in the GBA, boosted by stability, increased willingness by mainland residents to visit the two SARs, and constant development in hard and soft infrastructure.

Tourist visits to Hong Kong stood at 49.9 million in 2025, up 12 percent year-on-year, buoyed by international travel, Xinhua reported in January, citing data from the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
Russian soldiers have revealed the brutality of their commanders, describing executions of their own men, 'meat storm' missions and horrific torture methods as punishment for fleeing the front line.

Speaking in a BBC documentary called The Zero Line: Inside Russia's War, several soldiers recounted how they saw fellow troops killed on the spot for refusing orders.

One ex-soldier named Dima said he saw the bodies of 20 men lying in a pit after being shot, also known as being 'zeroed' in military slang for executing ones own troops.

Others described men being starved, electrocuted, urinated on and then sent into 'meat storm' battle missions unarmed.

These testimonies come as today marks the four year anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.

Over the last four years, Putin's forces have seen 1.25million of its soldiers killed or injured on the front lines

And now Western officials say that Russia is losing more troops than it can recruit, with Putin's forces suffering nearly 40,000 casualties every month while only recruiting up to 35,000 troops.

One former soldier, Ilya, who previously worked as a teacher for children with special needs, was called up to service in May 2024.

Soldiers described being sent into 'meat storm' battle missions, which are so deadly they are likened to suicide missions

Footage showing two soldiers being shot after attempting to flee

After his arrival in Ukraine alongside 78 others, most men were directly sent to the frontline, while he ended up at a command post.

During his time there, he said he witnessed four people executed by a commander after they fled the front line.

He said: 'The saddest thing is that I knew them. I remember one of them screaming 'Don't shoot, I'll do anything!' but he [the commander] zeroed them anyway.'

'Your fate depended on your commander. The commander is on the radio: 'Zero this one, zero that one'.'

34-year-old Dima worked as a paramedic where he was part of a brigade which evacuated wounded soldiers from the front line.

He described witnessing his commander - Alexei Ksenofontov - executing fellow troops, calling him a 'butcher.'

Of the 20 men in the pit, Dima said they were ex-convicts who had arrived at the base the previous night.

'Twenty lads were brought to us. They just took their bank cards and killed them,' he said.

'It's not a problem to write off someone. You just make up a report.'

The men in the documentary spoke in detail about the 'meat storm' missions men were forced to partake in, which are so deadly they are likened to suicide missions.

Two Russian soldiers are seen naked in a pit as punishment for refusing orders

Men who refuse to participate or who flee face horrific torture and abuse from their commanders

Speaking in the film, former soldier Denis, 27, said: 'I saw them [commanders] send wave after wave, throwing men like meat at the Ukrainians, so they run out of ammo and drones and another wave can reach their objective.'

He explained that commanders would start out by sending three men, and when that didn't work they would send up to 50 people.

He said: 'We had 200 dead in three days. On our regiment's first meat storm they broke us, our regiment was destroyed in just three days.'

Men who refuse to participate or who flee face horrific torture and abuse from their commanders, which is then filmed and put on social media.

Ilya showed one Telegram video of emaciated men crouching in a dark pit after being starved and beaten for refusing orders.

A man in the video is heard saying: 'Are you hungry? Let's feed the animals,' and 'Do you want a cookie' as one soldier begs and pleads before some scraps of food are thrown into the pit.

One Telegram video showed emaciated men crouching in a dark pit after being starved and beaten for refusing orders

One soldier begs and pleads before some scraps of food are thrown into the pit

Ilya said he was personally tortured, recounting how he was tied to a tree, urinated on and beaten, before a gun was put to his head.

'The commander told everyone 'We've got a new toilet'. I was tied up for half a day,' he said.

The former soldier said he attempted to take his own life after the ordeal ended.

Denis said humiliation and torture has 'become the norm' in the Russian Army.

'It's illegal but no one is punished for it. On the contrary, guys are even encouraged to do it,' he said.

The 27-year-old showed a photo taken after he was abused by commanders for refusing to search for a missing drone.

Two of his front teeth were knocked out. He said: 'It's terrible, I just had to carry on.'

He was eventually promoted, but after refusing to send his men on meat storms he was arrested by military police and tortured.

Dima said he was tortured for 72 days with electric shocks, which made him defecate himself.

Denis had two front teeth knocked out after being abused by commanders

Humiliation and torture has 'become the norm' in the Russian Army

Speaking about nightmares he has experienced ever since, Dima said: 'I have dreams. I see [a] forest full of dead bodies, just smashed people with faces, dirty white mouths full of blood. The smell it doesn't smell, it tastes.'

'I'm a criminal, and nobody cares - my crime is just I don't want to kill.'

These testimonies come as more and more disturbing footage is being spread online, showing Russian superiors torturing their soldiers.

In a video last month, one fighter was seen taped upside down to a tree in the biting cold near the frontline.

Another - also tethered to a tree - was forced to eat snow by his superior officer.

The frightened and shaking men wore only underwear after being stripped of their winter uniforms.

Their commander is heard barking: '[They] wanted to **** off from their positions, not follow orders.'

Forcing snow into the mouth of the refusenik, the raging officer says: 'Eat, you ****ing *****.'

In other videos that have surfaced men are beaten with rifle butts for retreating, denied food and endlessly threatened with execution.

In one case, a deserter is forced to dig his own grave before being 'reprieved' and sent back to the line in a cruel form of psychological torture.

In another, a unit commander shoots over the heads of his own men to drive them out of a trench and into oncoming enemy fire.

In units around Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, soldiers who refused to advance have been chained to poles and radiators, or thrown into open pits in the ground and left for days without food in the snow.

Some were kept under the observation of drones - a menacing presence hovering above, just waiting for the soldier to try to flee, at which point he would likely be killed.

This comes as Western officials say that Russia is losing more troops than it can recruit, with the forces suffering nearly 40,000 casualties every month.

Despite the devastatingly high casualty count, Russia is only recruiting up to 35,000 troops every month, officials added.

During the last four years, Putin's forces have seen 1.25million of its soldiers killed or injured on the front lines - more than the total sustained by the US during the whole of WW2.

Russia has lost an estimated 157,841 soldiers, while Ukraine is believed to have lost 81,721.

Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions on the front line in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on February 18, 2026

Rescue workers work at the site after a Russian mass missile and drone attack on February 22, 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine

Russia's recruiting strategy of offering bonuses of up to 40,000 to soldiers from impoverished regions of the nation appear to be failing, with analysts questioning how long Putin's war machine can keep turning.

Al Carns, the UK's Armed Forces minister, told the Telegraph: 'People are realising that it's a one-way ticket.'

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the war have stalled, with Russia's spy agency complicating matters by accusing Britain and France of secretly plotting to give Ukraine nuclear weapons.

The SVR alleged London and Paris were were engaged in a clandestine operation to arm Kyiv with more muscle against Moscow by supplying it with a 'wonder weapon.'

'Britain and France realise that the developments in Ukraine leave no chance of achieving their much-desired victory over Russia at the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,' said a statement today from the spy agency.

'However, the British and French elites are not prepared to accept defeat. It is believed that Ukraine needs to be equipped with "wunderwaffe".

'Kyiv would be able to claim more favourable terms for ending the hostilities if it possessed a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called "dirty bomb".

A Ukrainian serviceman from an anti-drone mobile fire team prepares to intercept Russian drones at an undisclosed location in the Chernihiv region, northern Ukraine, on February 14 2026

The SVR alleged: 'London and Paris are actively working to resolve the issue of providing Kyiv with such weapons and their delivery systems.

'This involves the covert transfer of European components, equipment, and technology to Ukraine in this area. The French TN75 small-size warhead from the M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missile is being considered as an option.'

The allegation for which the SVR gave no evidence is likely Moscow's latest bid to thwart a peace process overseen by Donald Trump.

This comes as today marks the four year anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine.

In a new video, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky taunted Putin and his misjudged belief he would grab Kyiv in 72 hours with almost no resistance.

'Today marks exactly four years since Putin promised to seize Kyiv in three days,' he said, goading the Kremlin leader.

'And this speaks volumes about our resistance, about how Ukraine has been fighting all this time.

In the new video, Zelensky taunted Putin and said 'he did not break the Ukrainians'

The bunker where Ukrainian leaders gathered to stay safe from Russian attacks

He added: 'Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and looking at today, we have every right to say: we defended our independence, we did not lose our statehood, Putin did not achieve his goals.

'He did not break the Ukrainians, he did not win this war.

In the video, Zelensky also showed an underground bunker where he has hidden from Russian missiles.

As the fourth anniversary dawned, Moscow was hit overnight by a mysterious 'suicide bombing' at Savelyevsky railway station in which senior police lieutenant Denis Bratuschenko, 34, was killed.

Ukraine meanwhile faced attacks on police in Dnipro and Mykolaiv.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa arrived in Kyiv early today.

'We are in Kyiv for the tenth time since the beginning of the war,' said von der Leyen.

'To confirm that Europe is steadfastly supporting Ukraine financially, militarily, and throughout this harsh winter.'
A Turkish barber shop has been ordered to tear down its 'garish' shopfront over claims it is 'harming the character' of a medieval market town.

Karwan Ibrahimi, 27, runs Turkish Barber 2 in Morpeth, Northumberland.

A neon orange sign has already been up on the shopfront for more than five years, but Mr Ibrahimi applied for advertisement consent in December.

However, town planners said the sign's 'unsympathetic design' with 'overly bold colours' failed to 'respect the established character' of the site, which is surrounded by Grade II listed buildings.

They said the neon frontage was 'visually intrusive and out of keeping' with its historic surroundings in what is considered one of the North East's prettiest towns.

The application also attracted 31 objections from local residents, who branded it 'garish' and an 'eyesore'.

One resident suggested the sign belonged in 'Las Vegas or Blackpool'.

Turkish barbers has been refused permission for its 'garish' neon sign, which has been up for more than five years

Howard Bradwick, 59, said: 'I'm all for supporting small businesses, but the sign makes it stand out like a sore thumb and would be more at home in Blackpool or Vegas.

'We've noticed a few of these barbers popping up more in Morpeth in recent years and we don't want to become one of those high streets full of Turkish barbers, charity shops and takeaways.'

Another resident Andy Rayner complained: 'The current sign is a complete eyesore and not in keeping with the aesthetic of the town.'

Karen Charlton added: 'The design is not sympathetic to the local character and does not contribute to the built environment.

'Its neon lighting is garish, distracting and visually harms the ambience of the town centre.'

Tom Smith said in his objection: 'The proposed sign is entirely out of keeping for the location. The lettering is too large and the colour too gaudy.'

Michael Blackburn added: 'The huge 3D block lettering and bright colouring are insensitive to this historic setting.

'It is, in my view, awful and completely out of character with the rest of the traditional shopfronts and modest hand-painted signage of the surrounding shops

'If allowed this development could set a dangerous precedent, resulting in more similar applications, which would completely change the street scene.'

Council planners said the sign fails to 'respect the established character' of the site, alongside listed buildings in the medieval town

Mr Ibrahimi said he now faces having to tear down the sign and fears for the future of his business following the decision.

He added: 'I have had no letters from the council to tell say it has been refused, so I do not know what to do next.

'They have not communicated anything with me. They haven't said what colour or what size is allowed.

'If I go to the sign shop, what am I telling them? They haven't told me anything and I am worried.

'We need to attract customers to our shop. Times are already difficult with business rates and bills.

'If the council told me what needed doing, I would do my best to accommodate their requests, because Morpeth is beautiful and we want to stay here.

'Times are really hard, yet all we've had is problems with the council over our business. We are just trying to earn a living.

'It had been up for more than five years as well, so why only a problem now?'

Turkish Barber 2 had also stressed the importance of signage for promoting the business in a statement issued earlier this year.

They said: 'As a small local barber shop, clear and visible signage helps customers easily identify our premises - particularly those who are new to the area or passing through the town.

'The sign supports footfall, promotes our services and ensures we can compete fairly with other businesses on the high street.

'It's a key part of how we attract customers and maintain the viability of the business.'

The Northumberland County Council planning report, recommending refusal, stated: 'The signage is considered unacceptable due to its design, scale and visual impact on the surrounding area.

'The sign, due to its unsympathetic design, use of overly bold colours, its overall size and proportions, and the additional visual impact arising from its illumination, collectively result in a visually intrusive form within the street scene and fails to respect the established character of the site and its surroundings.

'The signage appears overly dominant within the streetscape and does not relate sensitively to the established form, proportions, or materials of surrounding area and listed buildings.

'The concerns raised in the objections are noted and are considered to cause an unacceptable level of harm to the site and surrounding area.'

A Morpeth Town Council spokesperson added: 'Whilst the town council welcome and are supportive of new businesses, we will continue to protect the historic nature of the town and the aesthetic within which in turn contributes towards a thriving high street.'

The final decision on the sign will rest with councillors at Northumberland County Council.
The Green Party is being accused of 'virtue-signalling nonsense' for wanting Britain to potentially pay billions of pounds in compensation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Zack Polanski's party, which has enjoyed a surge in support under his leadership, has a long-standing policy of supporting reparations for historical slavery.

In October 2020, the Greens' annual conference saw party members vote to back a pro-reparations motion.

And the party's manifesto ahead of the 2024 general election pledged its support for establishing a parliamentary commission on 'reparatory justice'.

Meanwhile, senior Green figures have piled pressure on King Charles to make a formal apology for trans-Atlantic slavery.

They have also spoken out in support of the Church of England's controversial decision to set up a 100million fund to compensate for its historical links to slavery.

Most recently, in the wake of the Gaza crisis, Green activists used the party's conference in Bournemouth last year to suggest reparations should be made to Palestinians.

Legal experts have suggested the Labour Government's decision to formally recognise a Palestinian state could lead to demands for the UK to pay more than 2trillion in reparations due to Britain's historic role in the Middle East.

Zack Polanski's party, which has enjoyed a surge in support under his leadership, has a long-standing policy of supporting reparations for historical slavery

There has been fresh scrutiny of Green policies following Mr Polanski's election as leader in September last year.

The self-described 'eco-populist' has overseen a spike in his party's poll ratings and membership numbers in recent months, with the party now posing a stern Left-wing challenge to Labour.

The Greens have also emerged as the bookies' favourite to win this week's parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton ahead of Labour and Reform UK.

Ahead of Thursday's by-election contest, the Daily Mail has shown how the Greens back legalising prostitution and freeing up access to sexually explicit pornography.

It has also emerged how Green activists have said Zionism should be treated as a form of racism in a motion put forward for discussion at the party's upcoming spring conference.

Other proposed conference motions include the UK leaving NATO and allowing transgender people to take part in women's sport.

Previous estimates from campaigners and academics for slavery compensation owed by Britain to various countries have ranged from 205billion to nearly 19trillion.

The Greens' 2024 manifesto stated the party wanted to 'establish a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry for Truth and Reparatory Justice to address reparations needed to redress global inequalities caused by the trans-Atlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans'.

It came after the motion passed at the party's conference in 2020 supported the UK adopting 'a holistic process of atonement and reparations' over slavery.

In January this year, Green MP Carla Denyer said a formal apology from King Charles for trans-Atlantic slavery was 'long overdue'.

'The descendants of enslaved people deserve nothing less,' she added, after research highlighted the British crown's historic role in the slave trade.

Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused the Greens of 'virtue-signalling nonsense'.

He told the Daily Mail: 'While hard-working families are being hammered by rising bills and Rachel Reeves's record tax burden, these lot want to write a blank cheque funded by taxpayers for events that took place centuries ago.

'Britain doesn't need lectures in guilt from politicians obsessed with rewriting history.

'Our country helped shape parliamentary democracy, uphold the rule of law, and led the global movement to abolish slavery - achievements that changed the world for the better.

'People want lower taxes, secure jobs and economic growth, not looney tunes, sixth form politics.

'The Green Party should focus on today's challenges instead of chasing headlines with nonsensical demands.'

A Reform spokesman said: 'Once again the Green Party would have us sacrifice ourselves at the altar of virtue signalling.

'Instead of sorting out the problems that hard-working Brits face today, they'd rather spend all their time worrying about matters that happened hundreds of years ago.

'Only a vote for Reform on Thursday is a vote to put the interests of the people of Gorton and Denton first.'
An Oxford University student is due to go on trial accused of allegedly making anti-Semitic chants at a pro-Palestine demonstration.

Samuel Williams, 21, is accused of stirring up racial hatred at a Palestine Coalition demonstration in Whitehall, central London, on Saturday, October 11.

He was charged last year and appeared before Southwark Crown Court today.

He spoke to confirm his name and plead not guilty.

He was given conditional bail and told a trial date was set for January 17 2028.

Williams was previously told he was not allowed to take part in Palestine-related protests inside the M25 or in Oxford as part of his bail.

Williams was identified by the Daily Mail after the incident was caught on camera and shared on social media.

'Zio' is an offensive reference to Zionists, and some have interpreted the words as calling for death to Jews.

Pictures from Williams's Instagram page show him sporting a red and white keffiyeh scarf

Speaking through a microphone at the march, the man on camera apparently told the crowd: 'A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by and  I don't want to yap for too long  but a chant that we've been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in.

'It goes "Gaza, Gaza make us proud, put the Zios in the ground".'

Williams was arrested at a property in Oxfordshire on suspicion of inciting racial hatred following an investigation launched by Scotland Yard detectives.

The philosophy, politics and economics student at Balliol College was also suspended by Oxford University.

Before winning a place at Oxford, Williams was a 'swot' at the 'outstanding'-rated Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells where former classmates remember him coming 'top in almost everything'.

The school is close to the 350,000 semi-detached family home where neighbours said the family was well respected.

One said: 'His parents are nice people. They're well liked. His mother was a councillor and took an active part in the community. I haven't seen them for a while, but the video is quite shocking.'

Williams is a regular pro-Palestine protester. Pictures from his Instagram account show him regularly posing in a keffiyeh scarf - an accessory associated with the pro-Palestine movement.

Williams also features on a language-tutors site in which he described himself as 'native German' with 'a passion for German culture both old and modern'.

Speaking at the time, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said there had been an 'unacceptable increase in anti-Semitism' at universities and added that many Jewish students did not feel safe on campus.

She called on universities to strengthen protections for Jewish students and said the Government was funding training to help staff and students 'tackle this poison of antisemitism'.
This is the terrifying moment customers were left fearing for their lives after a machete-wielding thug ran amok in a local shop.

CCTV footage captured 'dangerous' Dale Dean, 27, chasing his victim around the convenience store, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, before slashing him with the eight-inch blade.

As a mother and her two children cowered in terror, police raced to the scene of the 'extremely frightening' incident, just before 8pm on April 5 last year.

Officers discovered a man with serious injuries to his head and shoulder, who was taken to hospital for treatment.

Manchester Crown Court heard the unnamed victim has ongoing pain and suffers problems sleeping following the knife attack.

On Friday Dean, of Manchester, was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a blade and affray.

The court also imposed an additional 20month extended licence period upon his release due to the seriousness of the offence and the danger he poses to the public.

Detective Constable Jordan Brown, of the Bolton Criminal Investigation Department at Greater Manchester Police, said Dean's sentence reflected the gravity of his crime.

Dale Dean, 27, chased his victim around the convenience store, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, before slashing him with the eight-inch blade

A mother and two children who were in the shop at the time cowered in terror as the violence unfolded

Police said Dean's actions were 'deliberate and dangerous' and he showed 'blatant disregard' for the safety of others

Dean, 27, of Manchester, was jailed for six years at Manchester Crown Court

'This was a shocking and violent incident that left the victim with serious injuries and caused fear within the community,' the officer said.

'Dean's actions were deliberate, dangerous, and showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others.

'Dean used or threatened unlawful violence, causing significant fear to those nearby, and was found to be carrying a machete without lawful reason.'

We welcome the sentence, which reflects the gravity of the offences. Our officers will continue to take decisive action against those who carry weapons and commit violent offences on our streets.'

The footage, obtained by the Manchester Evening News, shows Dean, dressed in shorts and a big black coat, casually standing by the till, waiting in line behind a mother and her two children, apparently about to buy a pack of baby wipes.

However, soon after he pays two men enter the shop and Dean runs across the aisle, charging at them with the huge blade which had been hidden inside his coat.

The men can be seen trying to block Dean by throwing a shelving unit into his path.

He then slashes with the machete towards them, before leaning over the counter repeatedly raining down blows with the knife, while at the same time pushing shelves of goods onto the floor.

Dean, who has a distinctive tattoo on his left calf, then climbs on top of the counter and again lashes down with the blade before making off.
A criminal defence solicitor who sexually abused clients for almost 30 years has been branded an 'evil monster' by his victims.

Alan Harris, 72, targeted the young and vulnerable when they were in police holding cells - knowing they would not be believed.

Victims, some of whom were as young as 14 at the time, were left in tears in court on Tuesday as they told how he had had caused them lifelong 'emotional and psychological trauma'.

They said Harris, who they said they should have been able to trust - deserved 'nothing less than hell' for his depraved acts, which were carried out at a time when they were most vulnerable.

One told him he was 'scared and desperate and needed your help and you preyed on me'.

Harris was convicted of five counts of indecent assault and five sexual assaults against seven victims dating from 1988 to 2015.

The majority of the offences, against six men and one woman, happened during legal consultations at Plymouth Magistrates' Court and the Devon city's Charles Cross police station, with a separate incident in a car near the police station.

Harris was found to have touched the victims necks, shoulders, thighs and crotch and some victims saw him 'ejaculate'.

At his sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Hants, on Tuesday, clients who were molested by now-retired Harris looked him in the eye as they read out their victim impact statements.

Retired solicitor Alan Harris, 72, at Winchester Crown Court,where victims told him he had caused them 'emotional and psychological trauma'

Harris, who had an 'extremely good standing in the community', retired as a solicitor in 2016.

He denied that any of the touching had been sexual but was found guilty by a jury in December following a six-week trial.

He showed little emotion in the dock as the victims gave their statements.

One told the court he wanted Harris to 'understand the lasting impact he has had on my life'.

'Wrong choices brought me into contact with the police. I was young and vulnerable and I saw you as a professional individual,' he said.

'I told you my huge fear of returning to prison where I had been raped and beaten.

'You should have been professional but you did these depraved, sickening sexual acts. I will never understand or accept your sickening behaviour.

He added: 'What is worse is that most of the actions took place in the police station - where I should have been safe. It was a perverse gratification.'

His female victim said: 'Nothing less than hell is what you deserve. The emotional and psychological trauma will be with me forever.'

Another victim addressed Harris directly. He said: 'This has impacted me for 25 years.

'I have spent time in and out of prison and missed time with my son, my daughter, my mum and my dad. I have suffered tremendously.

'He abused me when I was at my most vulnerable. I was scared and desperate and needed your help and you preyed on me.

'You are a monster.

'There is no peace for me and there never will be. No sentence will ever be enough for the victims. We are living a life sentence.'

Harris will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, told the trial that Harris's job as a defence solicitor 'brought him into contact daily with people, hundreds of them over the years, who were charged with or suspected of criminal offences'.

Ms Whyte added: 'It was his job to represent them, it was his job to ensure whatever they had done, they were treated fairly in the criminal justice system.

'It was his job to get the best possible outcome for them, instead he used his professional access to his clients as the opportunity to sexually abuse them, often in plain sight, safe in the knowledge that due to their particular circumstances, they were often impotent to do anything about it or report him at the time.
First it was meat, cheese and coffee.

Now bars of chocolate are being locked away in plastic boxes as retailers and police warn thieves are stealing bars to order.

Tesco, Co-Op, and Sainsbury's are all now using the transparent boxes which customers have to ask staff to open.

The Heart of England Co-Op group, which runs 38 stores in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, said chocolate theft cost it 250,000 last year.

It was the group's most stolen product in 2024 and topped only by alcohol in 2025, it said.

Chocolate bars are now being kept in anti-theft boxes as shops warn it's being stolen to order

Chief executive Steve Browne chocolate theft was a 'massive issue'.

He told the BBC: 'In a particular shop, one individual could cost us thousands of pounds in a week,' he said. 'They were coming in... then literally swiping the whole shelf.'

He said a shelf of chocolate could be worth 500 and the group had spent 3m on security and other measures to prevent thefts.

Sainsbury's said it had begun using 'boxes on products which are regularly targeted', with 2.60 bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk locked up in one London branch, according to the BBC.

The Association of Convenience Stores said chocolate was being 'sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders.

It comes as the price of chocolate continues to rise. The Office for National Statistics said the price of chocolate has risen by over 17% in the year to October 2025 with a 180g bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk now costing around 2.75, and the same size bar of Galaxy costing roughly 3.00.

There have been a number of incidents of chocolate theft in recent months across the country.

In January serial theif David Munday was jailed after he stole a display stand of chocolate - worth 75 - from a shop on Christmas day.

Mundy, 36, pleaded guilty to 31 different offences including stealing the chocolate from Morrisons in Penhill, Swindon.

He was caught on CCTV dragging the display stand out of the store. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison

Last year, West Midlands Police shared CCTV of a prolific thief smashing his way into a shop and walking off with a stash of chocolate bars.

Over eight days, Timothy Little, aged 44, stole items from the same store eight times. He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.

While in Cambridge last year a man was arrested with a coat full of Cadbury's Creme eggs.

Cambridgeshire Police told the BBC: 'Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee.

'Retail theft has a real and lasting impact  not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation.'

The British Retail Consortium's annual crime report found there were 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft last year, and 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers - the second highest on record.

Sunita Aggarwal,who runs two convenience stores in Leicester and Sheffield, said she had reduced the amount of chocolate on display in her Sheffield store because of increasing theft.

'People are just coming in, and nicking boxes and boxes of chocolate,' she said.

'We know illicit trade is definitely on the up. As retailers, we know it goes on in front of us.'

She said she has installed more than 30 CCTV cameras and uses AI technology to detect thieves, with pictures of known shoplifters at the till.

Her team now only half-fill the shelves to limit losses and have stopped promoting chocolate on easy access end-of-aisle positions.

Fiona Avenal Malone who runs a shop in Tenby, Wales said she was losing 200-300 a week on chocolate thefts.

'We noticed that we've put out a whole line of chocolate bars, and then all of a sudden there's only one left,' she said.

'Then you go and check the CCTV, and then you see it happening, on the screen, which is really frustrating.'

Paul Cheema, owner of Malcom's convenience stores in Coventry, said: 'Chocolate is the new buzzword for organised crime.

'It was razors, cheese, coffee. Today, these people that are taking stock from convenience stores, from supermarkets, it's taken to order. So chocolate is primetime now.'

The Association of Convenience Stores said shopkeepers needed more help from police and stronger sentences for criminals.

Chief executive James Lowman said: 'Confectionery, like other products commonly stolen from local shops, is being re-sold through illicit markets that help fund wider criminal activity.

'Alongside better police support and effective sentences for repeat offenders, we need action to shut down the networks re-selling stolen goods.'
As any man will testify, a blow to the nether regions is never a pleasant experience. But to compare that brief, if eye-watering, jolt of pain to the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth might seem a bit of a stretch.

Indeed, a tribunal has now ruled that telling colleagues that men being kicked in the privates is more painful than giving birth amounts to sex harassment.

In what an employment judge described as an 'ill-judged attempt at humour', the panel heard how a male worker made the comment in a group chat message, and tagged a pregnant colleague.

In the message he suggested that while women often choose to have another baby after giving birth, men never want to be kicked in the groin, so that must be less painful.

Other male colleagues sent 'thumbs up' responses in support of the message, the tribunal in Birmingham was told.

Amy Hope, who worked in an 'overwhelmingly male workplace', was only two weeks away from her due date.

She was left feeling 'upset', 'hurt', and 'belittled' by her colleague's comments - despite being intended as a 'humorous remark'.

Another colleague also made a 'gratuitous' remark about Ms Hope's breasts, saying 'never mind the bump, the boob fairy hasn't been either'.

A judge at Birmingham Employment Tribunal (pictured) ruled Mr Lippett's comment was sex harassment even though it was intended as a 'humorous remark

The judge found that Ms Hope felt 'insulted, disgusted and objectified' by the comment about the size of her breasts.

She is now in line for compensation after winning a sex harassment case.

The hearing held in Birmingham was told that Ms Hope started working at OLA Electric UK, an electric vehicle manufacturer, in 2022 as a Lead Human Factors Designer.

The Indian start up had established a design studio in Coventry that year.

Ms Hope told two of her bosses that she was pregnant in December 2022, but asked them not to pass this information on because she was 'anxious' about her pregnancy.

She then announced to the company that she was pregnant in February 2023, but was not subject to a risk assessment, nor was she given a satisfactory maternity policy.

After announcing her pregnancy, she spoke to Edmund Willis, the company's chief program designer, about her concern over the size of her baby bump.

She said that she was not showing much, and he replied saying 'Never mind the bump, the boob fairy hasn't been either'.

Ms Hope sent WhatsApp messages to her friends after the incident, saying that she would take 'great satisfaction' in applying to new jobs when the time was right.

She added: 'Welcome to working with 40 blokes.'

In July 2023, the company's studio engineering lead David Lippett sent a message on the company's WhatsApp group.

He said: 'Women say that giving birth is way more painful than a bloke getting kicked in the b******s.

'Here is proof that they are wrong. A year or so after giving birth a woman will often say, 'It'd be nice to have another baby.'

'You never hear a bloke say, 'I wouldn't mind another kick in the b******s.' Case closed. Saw this and thought of you Amy.'

A number of other employees gave the message a thumbs-up.

Ms Hope replied, saying: 'Although, suggesting childbirth isn't as bad may well be interpreted as indeed asking for a kick in the b******s...'

Employment Judge David Maxwell ruled Mr Lippett's comment was sex harassment even though it was intended as a 'humorous remark'.

He said: 'I accept the evidence of Mr Lippett, to the effect that he and Ms Hope had a good relationship which included exchanging humorous remarks.

'He was not expressing a view that she would want to have another baby after her first, he was merely trying to be funny, in which endeavour he failed.

'Whilst she gave a robust response, she was not amused. Mr Lippett was cross-examined on this remark, and his answers did not demonstrate much insight into how this might have been received.

'Ms Hope's anxiety about pregnancy, the growth of her unborn child, and giving birth is corroborated by several messages sent to her employer.

'She was only two weeks away from her due date, and this was much on her mind.

'Her male colleagues and senior managers laughing about childbirth did not seem very funny to her.

'I accept that she was upset and hurt by this comment, which also made her feel belittled, and this was compounded by others in the group giving it a thumbs up.

'Her message in response was again part of her effort to maintain good working relationships.

'Mr Lippett's message was crude and made light of the Ms Hope's circumstances and the risks she faced.

'This ill-judged attempt at humour also came after several other unwelcome comments, which although they did not amount to harassment, are relevant to the context.'

The judge also said Mr Willis's comment that the 'boob fairy' had not visited implied that 'larger breasts would have been bestowed had that occurred'. He said it was a remark about the size of Ms Hope's breasts and 'entirely gratuitous'.

Ms Hope's other claims were unsuccessful.

She was made redundant after the company stopped the project she was a part of in the UK.
Keir Starmer is facing a major challenge to his proposed UK-wide smoking ban - from the European Union.

Seven member states have formally warned that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through Parliament is incompatible with the Brexit agreement made with Brussels because it applies in Northern Ireland.

Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia have argued that the ban will breach the Windsor Framework agreed by Rishi Sunak to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

The countries, some of whom are the largest tobacco producers in the EU, argue that it would also create 'an unjustified barrier to the free movement of goods', the Times reported.

The Government believes the ban is compatible with the framework, designed to create a 'smoke-free generation' by banning tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009.

It is refusing to remove Northern Ireland from the scope of the legislation. But it means it could face a legal challenge from the EU over a domestic UK law.

It is not the first warning to the government over the legislation.

Last October Northern Ireland's former legal chief warned it cannot be implemented in Northern Ireland without breaching the framework.

Seven member states have formally warned that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through Parliament is incompatible with the Brexit agreement made with Brussels because it applies in Northern Ireland.

Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia have argued that the ban will breach the Windsor Framework agreed by Rishi Sunak to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Legal advice produced by John Larkin KC for the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, seen by the Mail, says it risks breaching a 2014 EU directive prohibiting member states - and rule-taking Northern Ireland - from making tobacco illegal.

The Windsor Framework governs post-Brexit trading arrangements and means Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules to ensure no hardening of the land border with Ireland.

As well as the rolling ban on smoking, the bill would also bring in restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, as well as reviewing the packaging of e-cigarettes.

The legislation has passed votes in the House of Commons and is currently going through the House of Lords.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and other ministers have repeatedly told MPs the ban will apply to Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health said: 'The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will apply in Northern Ireland, ensuring that people in Northern Ireland will benefit from the action the government is taking to tackle the leading cause of preventable death in the UK.

'We have provided a comprehensive response to the European Commission on the detailed opinions received, setting out the reasons why our smoke-free generation policy is fully compatible with our international treaty obligations in Northern Ireland.'
The Nottingham massacre that left three dead and others seriously injured was the result of 'entirely predictable structural, systemic and individual failure', an inquiry heard.

Mentally ill Valdo Calocane was free to fatally stab university students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar, and caretaker Ian Coates, after a series of blunders by officials.

Their families also gave moving testimony about their 'limitless' grief.

Paranoid schizophrenic had been sectioned four times in the three years before he struck on June 13 2023, but he was repeatedly released back into the community despite concerns about his deteriorating behaviour.

He had a history of violence and reportedly assaulted two colleagues at the factory where they worked just weeks before he struck.

Yet Leicestershire Police called to the scene did not realise Calocane already had an outstanding warrant for his arrest by Nottinghamshire Police for allegedly assaulting an emergency worker - something the inexperienced officer called to the scene admitted was an 'operational mistake'.

The inquiry also heard police evidence went missing, with information not properly shared, while Mr Coates' family first discovered he was killed through social media.

Calocane repeatedly misled medical professionals in Nottingham, refusing to take a certain type of medication because of his supposed fear of needles - despite getting Covid jabs.

He was discharged from his specialised mental health team to his GP around nine months before he struck, after failing to engage with them.

Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber - known as Barney - and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were killed in Nottingham in a series of supposedly random knife attacks by one man

And it was revealed the mental health team previously flagged concerns about sectioning Calocane, who is originally from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, in case it was seen as racist.

Calocane, now 34, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and is currently serving an indefinite hospital order.

The bereaved family members of those he killed today told inquiry chairman, senior retired judge Deborah Taylor, the months-long probe must deliver change after so many false starts.

In an opening statement, Tim Moloney KC on behalf of the group, said: 'Whilst this inquiry must necessarily and unavoidably consider the circumstances in which Barney, Grace and Ian were killed, the events of 13 June were not merely ones of great personal loss and tragedy.

'They represented the culmination of decades of unconscionable but entirely predictable structural, systemic and individual failure.'

He asked the inquiry chair: 'Were there tragic and predictable flaws in the healthcare and criminal justice responses to (Calocane's) deteriorating presentation from at least May 2020?'

He said the victims' families 'live with the raw horror of that day, today and every day'.

'This inquiry is only happening because the families we represent refused to just move along,' he said.

Valdo Calocane, now 34, has been jailed for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished reponsibility

'They refused to accept that there is nothing to see here and the issue of the role of poorly managed, untreated mental health homicides is now back in focus for the umpteenth time because of their refusal to move along.

'It would be tragic if this inquiry was another missed opportunity.'

Three others were left with serious injuries when Calocane stole Mr Coates' van as he lay dying, and drove into members of the public.

One of them, Wayne Birkett, told the inquiry that while he was lucky to be alive, he 'wished his life had been taken rather than those of Grace, Barney and Ian'.

Calocane's mother, Celeste, and brother, Elias, said the 'tragedy was preventable'.

They said they had 'a number of concerns about the conduct of the health services police and the University of Nottingham and the systems that were in place, outline those concerns in a moment', and accused police of failing to link complaints about Calocane, or refer them to the NHS.

They said the triggers for Calocane falling ill in 2020 were 'stress' from his engineering degree course work, sleep deprivation, and the isolating impact of lockdown.

'It was very important that his illness was properly treated and managed,' they said, but claimed 'a number of risk factors' and signs of him having a relapse were not properly acted upon by medical professionals.

Grace O'Malley-Kumar was a university student in Nottingham

Barnaby Webber - known as Barney - was walking with his friend, fellow 19-year-old Ms O'Malley-Kumar when they were attacked

Ian Coates, a caretaker, was ambushed and killed in another attack

Calocane's family said he should have been on slow-release anti-psychotic injections, 'whether or not Valdo liked it'.

In moving videos played to the hearing, Mr Webber's mother Emma described how the impact of her oldest son's killing was 'limitless - it is infinite in its grief, in its sadness, in its pointlessness, in its cruelty'.

Fighting back tears as she spoke about the talented cricket player, who wanted to be a pilot, she said: 'There have been many, many occasions where I haven't wanted to be here any more, that's how bad it is.

'I want people to remember Barney for being a really genuine, authentic, good person who was taken, but he made an impact on the time he was here and on the people he was with.'

Sinead O'Malley-Kumar described her daughter Grace, who represented England in hockey, as her 'best friend'.

She said: 'Her future that we anticipated with her, her graduating from medical school, or maybe marrying and having children, has been stolen from us.

'That's very difficult to come to terms with, and I don't think we ever will come to terms with it.

'People say time heals. But it doesn't heal when you've lost a child.

'In fact, I would say it gets worse, because you feel the separation between yourself and your child growing as the years go by.'

Darren Coates, one of Ian's sons, described his fishing- and football-loving father as 'a massive kid'.

He said: 'My biggest regret is not valuing the time I had with my dad, not wrapping him up and telling him I love him.'

Survivor Ms Miller, who now walks with a stick and is no longer able to work, said: 'Since the attack, I don't like leaving the house.

'My social life's gone out the window. We just sit in the house watching TV.'

The inquiry is expected to last for four months, with a final report due back in May next year.
A Catholic bishop in California was allegedly a regular visitor to a notorious Mexican brothel, a report has claimed.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 69, has been accused of repeatedly traveling across the border from San Diego into Tijuana to visit the Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club.

Shaleta was the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego at the time of his alleged visits.

He made more than a dozen late-night trips to the brothel in a single month, according to the report posted by The Pillar.

Shaleta's salacious excursions reportedly slowed down to a 'couple times a week' after he was questioned about them.

The report - ordered by the Vatican - said the bishop was spotted parking his car in a lot 'specifically reserved for people going to Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club.'

From there, he boarded a shuttle 'exclusive to visitors' of the brothel.

The club has been described by human rights advocates as a brothel where women and girls have allegedly been trafficked and forced to work.

A private investigation has alleged that Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, 69, of San Diego, California, was a regular visitor to a Mexican brothel called the Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club

The Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club in Tijuana promotes 'hundreds of exotic women'

The Tijuana brothel's website advertised 'hundreds of exotic women waiting every night' for patrons, with photographs of scantily clad girls and neon-lit beds.

The club also posted about its free shuttle, which picked up customers near the US-Mexico border.

Shaleta is also under fire over his alleged relationship with an unidentified woman who served as his parish secretary when he was a pastor in Michigan.

The bishop shares a joint bank account with the woman, per the investigation. It allegedly held more than $40,000 in 2025 and received regular deposits from him.

When Shaleta became eparch for Chaldean Catholics in Canada in 2015, the woman allegedly made 'frequent trips' to Toronto and stayed 'either at a nearby hotel or at his house.'

Once Shaleta was appointed to lead the eparchy in San Diego in 2017, the woman 'immediately' moved there.

The report claimed Shaleta had 'unfettered access' to her home and that he spent 'a great deal of time' with her children.

'He has been observed and documented taking the children to his home, to a park, buying them food, playing with them at their home, allowing the children free reign in his car, and tossing them into the air,' the investigation claimed.

It alleged that Shaleta's behavior was 'much like what a parent would do.'

Shaleta claimed that he had never 'abused any of the Church money' amid the investigation, which he said was conducted without his knowledge

San Diego bishop Shaleta allegedly made more than a dozen late-night trips to the brothel (pictured) in a single month. Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club is located in Tijuana, Mexico

In addition to the other allegations, the investigation claimed that Shaleta embezzled church-related funds.

The report about the bishop's actions was submitted to the Dicastery for Eastern Catholic Churches for review.

Investigators alleged he took at least $427,345 from parish accounts, issuing so-called reimbursement checks that he signed himself.

The total amount of money allegedly embezzled by Shaleta could reach $1 million.

According to the report, the parish leases its social hall to an outside management firm for roughly $34,000 per month.

Rent normally paid by check by an outside company. However, records from November 2024 reportedly showed the payment coming from a separate parish bank account earmarked to provide financial assistance to the poor.

When Shaleta was asked about this, he allegedly said he had told the company to give him the full amount so he could distribute it directly to families in need.

Shaleta's alleged financial mishandling is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff's Fraud Unit

The San Diego County Sheriff's Fraud Unit is actively investigating Shaleta for financial mishandling, according to NBC7.

The bishop allegedly sent a resignation letter to the Vatican last month, though he was seen at his church last week.

Shaleta denied the allegations on Sunday during the closing moments of the church service.

'I have never in my priestly life or episcopal life abused any of the Church money,' he said, per The Pillar.

The bishop added: 'On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the Church properly.'

While maintaining his innocence, Shaleta claimed that the Vatican 'did an investigation about me without even notifying me.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, the San Diego County Sheriff's office and email addresses associated with Shaleta for comment.
An IT specialist hired to work at a border patrol station in Florida showed up on his first day only to be detained and shipped off to the infamous 'Alligator Alcatraz'.

Project manager and systems engineer Angel Camacho, 43, was contracted for a job at the Dania Beach Border Patrol station last month.

His employer sent over his driver's license and he was 'approved' for entry before he arrived.

But things took a drastic turn almost as soon as he set foot in the station when he was told by a Customs and Border Patrol official that they were 'waiting for him'.

'They say, "I have to detain you." I said, "What are you? Joking?"' Camacho recalled in an interview with NBC 6 South Florida.

'I have a work permit, Social Security number, drivers license, pay my taxes every year,' he added.

Camacho, who has a master's in telecommunications, said he was thrown in a Border Patrol holding area overnight and then taken to the South Florida Detention Center known as Alligator Alcatraz for 30 days.

The father immigrated to the US from Venezuela on a tourist visa in 2016 but has applied for permanent residency as he is married to a US citizen.

Angel Camacho, 43, was shipped off to the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center after he was detained while working on a job for Customs and Border Patrol

The South Florida Detention Center, also known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' was opened last summer in the Florida Everglades. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is pictured above speaking to the media in front of the detention center's entrance last August

Camacho said he was thrown in a holding cell overnight and was forced to stay at 'Alligator Alcatraz' for 30 days. He was later released on bond and given an ankle monitor, pictured above

'Thats the worst nightmare Ive ever been in,' he confessed. 'Thats not a place for nobody, especially if you never commit any crime.'

Camacho said he was eventually granted a bond hearing, posted the $5,000 bail and was released with an ankle monitor.

He maintained that he was not a threat to America and said he believed he was detained by CBP officials because it was 'easy'.

A spokesperson for CBP said they 'would be in touch soon' when asked for comment by NBC 6 South Florida on Camacho's detainment.

The Daily Mail has reached out to CBP for additional information and an update on Camacho's case.

The detention center, colloquially known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' opened in July, 2025.

President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons were in attendance for the grand opening.

Trump said at the time that the detention center was expected to hold 3,000 migrants. The president promised the most 'menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet,' would be sent to Alligator Alcatraz.

The detention center, colloquially known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' opened in July, 2025

Camacho immigrated to the US from Venezuela on a visa in 2016. He's married to an American citizen and has US-born children

The detention center is located in the middle of Florida's Everglades. Republicans who supported the measure argued that the swamplands surrounding the detention site would deter detainees from escaping.

'We're surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is, really, deportation,' Trump said during his inaugural tour of the facility.

Democrats have frequently criticized the conditions at 'Alligator Alcatraz'. Two former detainees testified last month that they were subject to horrid conditions at the facility.

They testified that they were punished for seeking legal advice and were forced to use soap to write down attorneys' phone numbers because they were not allowed to have pens and paper.

The two detainees testified virtually after they were deported to their home countries of Haiti and Colombia. They used initials to protect their identities.

Mark Saunders, an official overseeing attorney communications at Alligator Alcatraz, testified during the hearing that attorneys were meeting with detainees, and the center was mandating that legal representation could not be turned away.
Burglars stole 500,000 worth of designer goods during a series of 'smash and grab' raids on luxury London retailers, a court heard.

Ryan Brough, 32, Max Tyson, 25, Oliver Ndayizeye, 35, Sonny Stringer, 30, and Harry Johnson, 24, have been charged with conspiracy to burgle over a three-month period between November 2025 and January 2026.

The five thieves allegedly drove a black SUV from Islington, north London, into the centre of the city before ramming it into the windows of high-end designer outlets.

Tthey have been accused of stealing 30,000 worth of handbags from Yves Saint Laurent on Bond Street on January 23 in a brazen raid captured on camera by onlookers.

Brough and Tyson, both of Islington, were arrested later that same day and charged. Ndayizeye, Stringer and Johnson were subsequently charged with involvement.

The defendants appeared at Inner London Crown Court this week via video link from prisons such as Wandsworth, Thameside and Chelmsford.

Brough, Tyson, Ndayizeye, Stringer and Johnson are charged with conspiracy to burgle Yves Saint Laurent on November 11.

Four of the alleged thieves, excluding Ndayizeye, face a second charge relating to burglaries at Bottega Veneta, END Clothing and Loro Piana.

Prosecutor Gitana Megvine earlier said the offences relate to a series of 'high value smash and grab commercial burglaries.'

Burglars stole 500,000 worth of designer goods during a series of 'smash and grab' raids on luxury London retailers such as Yves Saint Laurent on Bond Street (pictured), a court heard

She added that in total five raids were carried out with a stolen car working in tandem with moped and high powered E-bikes.

'Each of the cases of offending involves a vehicle which was stolen deliberately reversing through the windows of the premises,' she said.

'The total value of the property stolen is now in excess of 500,000.'

Tyson, Brough, Stringer and Johnson allegedly targeted Bottega Veneta on Old Bond Street on November 17 using a vehicle to reverse into the storefront and make off with designer goods worth more than 40,000.

The four men are also accused of carrying out a similar raid at END Clothing in Broadwick Street on December 1.

Tyson, Brough, Stringer and Johnson are also charged with another burglary at Loro Piana, a luxury Italian fashion brand a short walk from Harrods, on December 16.

Burglars used a white Mitsubishi SUV to reverse into the windows of the store in Sloane Street and make off with goods worth just under 400,000.

Judge Ian Darling remanded the five defendants in custody ahead of their trial on September 7.

They will face a further case management hearing on March 20 and a possible plea and trial preparation hearing on March 31.
A grandfather has been killed after a carjacker dragged him for half a mile behind his vehicle before the assailant was hit by traffic while trying to flee.

Donald Russell, 67, died from his catastrophic injuries after he was subjected to a brutal robbery by suspect Jesse Moats, 38.

Moats snatched the grandfather's vehicle at a bus stop in Toledo, Ohio, according to the Toledo Police Department.

Russell still had his seat belt on and was dragged by his car during the theft on February 19.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and he was rushed to the hospital.

Moats fled the scene but lost control of Russell's vehicle and crashed on a nearby highway, police said.

He then attempted to cross traffic on foot and was fatally struck by a passing semi-truck.

Russell succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the horrific accident on Tuesday, according to his daughter and police.

Donald Russell, 67, pictured above with a family member, died in the hospital on Tuesday after he was brutally injured in a carjacking incident on February 19

Jesse Moats, 38, pictured above in an obituary photo, was identified by the Toledo Police Department as the suspect in the alleged carjacking. He died later that day after fleeing the scene on a highway

Russell's granddaughter told local news outlet, WTVG, that he was initially in a coma after the carjacking incident

Russell was giving his granddaughter Anniyah Fell and her boyfriend a ride to Toledo Bus Station when he was attacked.

Fell said she was waving her boyfriend off when she suddenly noticed her grandfather was gone.

'After saying our goodbyes, I walked back to the car, only to find it missing. My grandfathers shoes, glasses, and phone were scattered on the ground,' Fell wrote on a GoFundMe.

She added that witnesses told her they saw her grandfather beaten and dragged for a half mile while still restrained by his seatbelt.

'He was torn from his clothes and left in the road, while the attacker crashed the car and fled,' she continued.

Fell told local Fox affiliate, WTVG, while he was still alive, that her grandfather suffered kidney failure and was in a coma after the accident.

'He tells me Im his world, and it breaks my heart to see him like this,' she told the outlet.

Russell's daughter, Kelly, shared on Facebook that he died in the hospital on Tuesday night, adding that the fundraising proceeds will now go to saving her father's house and funeral expenses.

Russell's family said they are raising money for funeral expenses and to save his house. His granddaughter said she was 'his world.' Russell is pictured above in a social media photo shared in June, 2024

Russell's granddaughter said she was saying goodbye to her boyfriend at the Toledo Bus Station, pictured above, when the carjacking occurred. Russell was waiting in his car near the station

An obituary for Moats said he was a father of three. His mother, Charleen Moats, told the Daily Mail that her son was a 'loving, kindhearted, giving person'.

She said she spoke to her son at 10.30am and he was on his way back from Colorado, adding that he 'sounded fine.'

Charleen said she had 'no idea what made him do what he did' and 'this was not my son'.

His mother added that her family had been receiving 'angry threats.' She said she was sorry to hear that the Russell family had lost their grandfather.

The investigation into the carjacking and murder is still ongoing. Lieutenant Daniel Gerken has asked anyone with information to call Crimestoppers.

The Daily Mail has also reached out to the Russell family for comment.
A California mom who murdered her three daughters because they 'loved their grandmother more than her' has been found suitable for parole.

Megan Hogg, 53, brutally killed her daughters, Antoinette, seven, Angelique, three, and Alexandra, two, in their Daly City home in March 1998, by taping their mouths and feet and smothering them to death.

At her trial, prosecutors said Hogg senselessly murdered her daughters 'out of anger' at them, because she believed they preferred their grandmother who was taking care of them more than her.

Hogg pleaded no contest to three counts of first degree murder, and was sentenced in September 1999 to 25 years to life in prison.

She was previously found suitable for parole five years early in 2018, sparking anger from her family who pleaded with then-California Governor Jerry Brown to deny her release.

Following a review at the Central California Women's Facility last week - where Hogg was supported by seven family members and opposed by two - the board found she was suitable for release again.

The final decision over Hogg's freedom will be sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom's office for review, with opponents arguing she deserves to remain behind bars for the heinous crimes.

The San Mateo County District Attorney's office says it 'continues to strongly oppose Megan Hoggs release on parole.'

Megan Hogg, 53, brutally killed her daughters, Antoinette, seven, Angelique, three, and Alexandra, two, in their Daly City home in March 1998, by taping their mouths and feet and smothering them to death. Hogg pleaded no contest to three counts of first degree murder

At a hearing last week, a California parole board found Hogg suitable for parole

When Hogg murdered her three girls, prosecutors floated the possibility of the death penalty due to the abhorrent nature of her crime, and her defense said they advised her to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

The girls' bodies were found in Hogg's bed, and her defense attorney George Walker said at the time that she was mentally ill and may not have understood the gravity of what had happened, per a SFGate report from 1998.

Walker said Hogg had been depressed for years and suffered a head injury in a car accident months before the murders, and claimed she also tried to take her own life when killing her daughters.

But prosecutors said Hogg wrote a two-page letter detailing how she was going to kill her daughters, including chilling notes about sealing her daughters' mouths and noses with tape before holding them down as they suffocated.

She wrote in the letters: 'I, Megan Hogg, have ended the lives of my daughters, Antoinette, Angelique and Alexandra in my bed by suffocation.'

She said she had taken 'high amounts of Vicodin, codeine, Tylenol with codeine, Motrin and Trazodone' to end her own life, and said she had 'never before considered ending the girl's lives.'

'Myself, however, it's something I have thought of frequently. This is to notify anyone necessary that this was a sole action and included help and knowledge of no other,' she wrote.

Hogg murdered her three daughters because they 'loved their grandmother more than her' while she suffered from depression, prosecutors said

The decision over whether to release Hogg back into the community will be sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom. His predecessor Jerry Brown previously refused to release her in 2018

Prosecutors said Hogg killed her daughters because they loved their grandmother Karen Hogg more than her, and court documents showed that the day before the murders the two had argued about the children.

Hogg told police she was upset because her mother had threatened to kick her out and gain custody of the children.

But at her trial, Karen supported her daughter, and sued a local hospital claiming that doctors had overmedicated Hogg and left her without support.

'Her life was shattered,' her father Greg said at the time. 'She felt she had no hope. On March 23, 1998, she did not expect to live.'

At Hogg's parole hearing last week, ten family members appeared in front of the board, including seven who supported her release, the DA's office said.

Three family members on the children's father's side also appeared, two of whom pleaded with the board to keep her locked up, reports KRON4. The one remaining family member deferred to the parole board panel's discretion.

After hearing from the family members, the board ultimately found Hogg suitable for parole - offering her second chance at release eight years after she last saw the possibility reversed by then-Gov Brown.

When she was last up for parole in 2018, the aunt of the girls Hogg murdered, Damali Ross, told Brown that her release would be 'like ripping the band-aid of a wound that never healed.'

Hogg, seen in a recent mugshot, was accused of dealing drugs in prison and prosecutors say she has shown no remorse for the murders of her daughters

Ross said she had been sure Hogg would spend the rest of her life in prison and was stunned to see the parole board find her suitable for release, saying the family 'cant understand how that happened, and were upset.'

Her family claimed at the time they believed Hogg was still committing crimes behind bars, including dealing drugs.

They said they feared she could be allowed back into the Bay Area community where they could see her again, or that she remains young enough to start a new family.

'I'm fearful for her to come (and be released), and say she starts a family... I don't think she learned from it,' said family member Karla Douglas.

The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office said as it opposed her release at her 2018 hearing that Hogg showed no remorse for killing her three girls, and said it deemed her to be a 'moderate risk' of re-offending.
A schoolboy who died when he was hit by a train while desperately trying to save a friend who was threatening to kill himself was today hailed as 'a hero'.

Joshua Myers and Jordan Everett, both 16, died instantly when they were struck by an inter-city service near Poynton station in Cheshire on July 3 last year.

Today inquests into the teenagers' deaths heard that Joshua had repeatedly told friends he wanted to kill himself, but that they believed he wouldnt fulfil the threat.

However at around 10pm that evening, the teenager  who was on bail over a sexual assault allegation, and was described as bladdered and slurring his words after drinking vodka  scaled a fence and went onto the London to Manchester railway line.

His friend Jordan  said to have been in a good mood earlier in the evening  followed and screamed at Joshua to move, witnesses told police, rugby tackling his friend in an effort to get him to safety.

At that point the lights of a Manchester-bound express train appeared around the corner.

The driver of the Avanti West Coast service told police the teenagers both looked desperate to get out of the way, but tragically it was too late for him to stop.

Today a coroner recorded a conclusion of misadventure in relation to Joshua, saying that despite repeatedly threatening to kill himself, there was no evidence he intended to take his own life that evening.

Joshua Myers, 16, (pictured) was hit by a train near Poynton station in Cheshire on July 3 last year after scaling a fence and saying he wanted to kill himself, an inquest was told

Following his death, Joshuas parents paid tribute to their 'bright and kind' son

Flowers and tributes to the two young boys who where found dead near Poynton Station

Joshua went on the tracks in an 'impulsive' act fuelled by the alcohol he had consumed and 'stresses' in his life, Jacqueline Devonish said, including being a victim of bullying, as well as his arrest.

She recorded that Jordan's death was an accident, saying he was 'thinking solely about saving his friend'.

Saying his 'act of selflessness' was to be 'commended', the coroner added: 'He was a hero.'

In statements read to the hearing, Jordan's mother Nicola said CCTV showed her son desperately jumping down in an effort to get Josh to safety.

Jordan lost his life trying to save Josh,' she said.

'His bravery should be known.

Mrs Everett added that her son - who wanted to become a commercial airline pilot - cared deeply about his family and friends.

Jordan's father Paul added: 'He was a fun, caring, loving person who was always thinking of others and would always go out of his way to help people.'

The inquests - held separately at Cheshire Coroners Court - heard Joshua began struggling socially after starting high school.

Giving evidence, his parents said they became concerned about the friends he was associating with, and sought medical help, but felt he was failed by professionals.

In the run-up to his death he had been arrested after a teenage girl accused him of sexual assault, and he was on bail at the time.

Joshuas mother Jenny wept and had to be comforted by his father, Warren, as details of the double tragedy were spelt out.

A friend who managed to get off the tracks in time said Joshua scaled a fence and went onto the railway line, shouting: I want to kill myself.

But Jordan screamed at him and tried to rugby tackle him clear just as the lights of the train appeared out of the darkness.

Ive seen it hit them both, the friend - who cannot be identified due to their age - told police, saying he ran away screaming.

He didnt know the train was going to come, he added.

Jordan Everett (pictured) suffered fatal injuries along with friend Joshua Myers, both 16,near Poynton station in July 2025

Jordan's family paid tribute to their 'cherished son, grandson and brother', describing him as a 'caring and thoughtful young man'

They did everything together, theyve died together as well.

Another friend said Joshua often talked about killing himself when he was drunk.

One recalled that he would say he hated his life and wanted to end it but was too scared to go through with it.

The teenager said Joshuas friends often had to pull him from train tracks, roads and bridges, adding: I never thought hed do it.

She spoke to Joshua by phone earlier on the day of his death when they discussed going out and getting smashed, although she ended up staying home.

Describing CCTV of the double tragedy, Insp Clare Miles, of Cheshire Police, said: 'Jordan is trying to push Josh out of the way of the train, but it's too late, the train is there and it strikes both of them.'

The driver of the train which struck the boys was too traumatised to attend the inquest, coroner Ms Devonish said, so she read his statement.

Bryan Holt  who was en route from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly  said his Avanti West Coast service was travelling at around 111mph as it approached Poynton.

Suddenly he saw two teenagers on the tracks who appeared to be trying to get away in opposite directions.

A BTP spokesman said: 'Officers were called at around 10.10pm to reports of a casualty on the tracks near Poynton railway station'

They both looked desperate to get out of the way of the train, he said.

He immediately activated the emergency brake but the train struck them a split second later.

It all happened incredibly fast, he added.

Another train driver whose service had just passed southwards through Poynton recalled seeing three teenagers, one of whom seemed angry.

His face was contorted and he was frowning, he added.

Joshuas mother described him as social, energetic and thrived in company in a statement which had to be read by the coroner after she became tearful.

But after starting at Poynton High School he fell out with his friends, moved to a different friendship group and completely changed.

Pictured: British Transport Police at Poynton station in Cheshire after two teenagers were found dead

He became miserable and began regularly going missing and drinking alcohol with his friends, moving on to taking drugs.

His parents moved him to Wilmslow High School where he did well in his GCSEs, but he continued seeing the same group of friends, who regularly talked about suicide.

Giving evidence, Mrs Myers said: It was what they all said  I want to kill myself.

It was thrown about like it didnt mean anything.

Social services became involved and his parents also took him to child adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) appointments.

But there was another massive change when Josh was arrested after a teenage girl made allegations against him.

Mrs Myers said she was driving Josh home when she flagged a passing police car as he was so distressed, only for one of the officers to throw him against a fence.

He was treated like an animal, she said.

Floral tributes left to both boys following the double tragedy

One tribute reads: 'Two young boys and friends gone too soon will be sorely missed by all'

Josh refused to return to school as he was being hounded on social media.

The family had to have a protective letter box fitted to their Handforth home after threats were made against Josh, and he spent time staying in a hotel.

His mother said the family complained to Cheshire Police about his arrest but were told body-worn footage didnt show any violence.

While he was on bail in May 2025, she took him to see his GP where Josh admitted having used ketamine, cannabis, ecstasy and MDMA as well as drinking heavily.

Dr Megan Davey said it was clear he was struggling and sometimes felt suicidal when substances were involved.

She referred him back to CAMHS where he was placed on a waiting list.

Mrs Myers accepted her son could be impulsive, and he had previously been found behaving erratically beside train tracks.

She and her husband tried to persuade Josh to stay at home, but his friends would hound him to come out with them, she said.

We couldnt lock him up, she said, describing him as like two different people depending on whether he was with his family or friends.

In her statement, Mrs Myers said Josh was failed by every professional and service that he came into contact with.

She added Josh was a vulnerable child and that they repeatedly sought help.

Saying Josh had never spoken of wanting to take his own life, she added: Josh did not want to die.

We know he would have been terrified. His death wasnt something he wanted or planned.

Reviewing his medical appointments, clinical psychologist Dr Lesley Doyle said doctors had assessed Joshua as impulsive and were aware he had been self-harming.

But his suicidal thoughts were deemed fleeting, and doctors concluded he did not have a diagnosable mental health condition, with his case passed to agencies including social services.

Jordan also had regular treatment for mental health issues, drank alcohol and took drugs, the inquest heard.

Like Joshua, he had suicidal thoughts and engaged in 'risky behaviour'.

But the coroner said it was clear from the evidence that his only intention on the day of his death was to save his friend.

Recording her misadventure conclusion in relation to Joshua, senior coroner Ms Devonish said it was clear he had begun drinking heavily 'to drown out everything that was going on in his life'.

And she told his parents she believed he had received the appropriate help from the NHS and social services, adding that 'despite all the interventions, they couldn't find a way of supporting him'.

Extending her condolences, she added: 'It's a very sad case.'

After his death, Joshuas parents paid tribute to their 'bright and kind' son.

They said: 'He had no idea how loved he was. Our hearts have been broken, and the world seems incomplete without him.

'He will stay in our hearts forever. He was the best big brother ever, who loved his big family.

'He was also very thoughtful, kind, bright and intelligent.

His warm sense of humour always shone through all of his activities.

He really enjoyed playing computer games, running, including park runs, and playing badminton.

'Many of his favourite days were when he was relaxing and playing whilst on holiday with his family - bodyboarding, swimming and looking after his younger siblings.

'Josh's close friends also meant a lot to him and he really enjoyed spending time with them.

'Our family would like to thank everyone for all of the wonderfully kind thoughts and messages which we have received.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Keir Starmer is breathing a sigh of relief today after Donald Trump's new 'global' tariff took effect at 10 per cent instead of the 15 per cent he threatened.

Businesses had raised alarm over the US president's escalation after the Supreme Court struck down his flagship policy.

Mr Trump responded to the setback by announcing he would introduce a new blanket 10 per cent levy instead of the 'reciprocal' rates for individual countries - which were found to be outside his powers.

But he then announced on his Truth Social site that the level would be pushed up to 15 per cent.

That would have been higher than the previous charges faced by Britain, with Downing Street refusing to rule out retaliation. The EU also paused the process of ratifying a major trade deal with the US, accusing Mr Trump of flouting the terms.

Ministers have also now been reassured that the deal the PM negotiated on steel and cars still stands.

One senior government source told the Daily Mail the UK is now 'essentially back where we were last week'.

Keir Starmer is breathing a sigh of relief today after Donald Trump's new 'global' tariff took effect at 10 per cent instead of the 15 per cent he threatened

When the new tariff took effect at 5am UK time, it was at 10 per cent and will last for 150 days, until July 24. After that US law appears to require Congressional approval, although Mr Trump has suggested that is not the case.

It will apply on top of America's most favoured nation duties.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said that while firms will be relieved, there are fears the higher 15 per cent rate could still be imposed at any time.

William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said: 'It shows how difficult it is for businesses to plan ahead.

'It is far from clear what will happen next and whether a higher tariff rate is still on the way.

'Despite the immediate reprieve, there is fresh uncertainty for UK firms exporting goods to the US.

'This makes it very difficult for firms to understand the prices and margins they will be able to secure for their goods, currently under production, for export in several months' time. Inevitably this will have an impact on their sales and hit the economy.'

Mr Bain added: 'The risk of further tariff pain to come is still real and the Government must do everything it can to prepare for the worst.'

Downing Street said yesterday that 'nothing is off the table' in the UK's response to the tariff threats, leaving open the possibility that Britain could impose reciprocal trade levies on American goods and services.

But No10 but insisted it was focused on 'constructive engagement' with the Trump administration as a trade war would harm businesses.

Stock markets worldwide saw heightened volatility yesterday and the US dollar weakened , sending investors flocking once more to safe haven assets such as gold.

The FTSE 100 held relatively steady, after a bullish run in recent weeks.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said investors were 'on edge as AI fear and tariff uncertainty hang thick in the air'.
A plane filled with ICE detainees was stuck on the tarmac for 13 hours over the weekend during a historic winter blizzard in New Hampshire.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) air operations charter flight departed from Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, just after 8.15pm CST on Sunday.

But by the time it landed to refuel at Portsmouth International Airport just after 1am EST, conditions had become so treacherous that it could not take off again.

Gusts of up to 50 miles per hour during the winter storm also meant that the aircraft could not be towed, a source told ABC affiliate WMUR.

The Department of Homeland Security refused to state how many detainees were aboard the 290-seat jet, but a spokesman confirmed they were given access to catered meals, drinking water, restroom facilities, and prescription medications.

The department said that ICE personnel were conducting 'regular welfare checks' as passengers awaited departure.

However, the decision to take off amid the storm has been criticized by New Hampshire representatives as well as activists who branded it 'inhumane'.

Tiffany Eddy, a spokesperson for Pease Development Authority and PSM, told the Daily Mail that they were not told the flight was inbound until just 15 minutes before arrival.

A flight carrying detainees was grounded for hours at Portsmouth International Airport on Sunday. Pictured above is an exterior view of the airport

The flight departed from Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas just after 8.15pm on Sunday and landed early Monday morning in New Hampshire

New Hampshire was under a blizzard warning until 10pm on Monday. The state was hit with heavy snowfall and strong gusts of wind from Sunday night into the day on Monday. Pictured above is a Derry resident shoveling after the storm on Monday

The plane, a Boeing 767-300, was chartered by Omni Air, a private flight company. Port City Air operates the airport and is responsible for weather-related issues.

'Portsmouth International Airport (PSM) was not advised that this flight was inbound, despite our proactive outreach prior to the storm to account for all airlines planning to use the airport,' Eddy said in a statement.

'Had we been informed in advance of their intent to land at PSM during the blizzard, we would have strongly advised against it and encouraged them to divert to another airport not being impacted by this severe winter storm.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Omni Air and Port City Air for comment.

Port City Air told the Boston Globe that decisions about incoming and outgoing flights are made by DHS.

'It is our legal obligation to safely service any flights into or out of the airport,' the company said in a statement, adding that operations continued during the storm.

A staffer at Omni told a reporter with New Hampshire Public Radio that it is a charter airline and 'do not give out classified information' when asked for comment over the phone.

Eddy added that despite the 'unexpected arrival' airport staff coordinated with DHS to provide space within the terminal to accommodate all passengers.

A representative for DHS said that detainees had access to meals, water, a bathroom, and medications during the delay. A photo of the plane in front of a CBP parking spot is pictured above

DHS and PSM said that because the flight was grounded due to weather, the crew reached their maximum allowable duty time and entered 'mandatory crew rest'.

DHS said airport crew made an 'alternative terminal available to provide a safe, secure, and climate-controlled environment for detainees and staff'.

New Hampshire state representatives hit out at the decision to fly during the storm.

Democratic Representative Seth Miller told the Boston Globe that he believes it was 'a bit misguided' to land the flight during the blizzard, knowing Portsmouth was in the storm's path.

He explained that the airport cannot pick and choose which flights to land, so the decision fell on Omni Air and DHS.

New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte told the Globe that her office was aware of the situation and was monitoring it.

The Daily Mail reached out to the governor's office for additional comment.

State Representative Alice Wade shared a video on Instagram outside the airport. She said an airport employee informed her the detainees were safe and warm, but ICE had 'effectively locked the airport down'.

Flights across the country were canceled or delayed due to the winter storm. A New Hampshire resident is pictured above during nearly white-out conditions in Derry on Monday

No ICE NH, a state initiative rallying against the agency's operations, shared the story on social media, calling DHS's decision to ground the flight for hours 'inhumane'.

A representative for the organization, Joe Jordan, told NHPR that the incident was an example of ICE's 'operational cruelty'.

'To force a flight into a blizzard shows a complete disregard for the safety of the flight crew and airport ground staff,' Jordan said.

'This is not simply a logistical error, it is a feature of ICE's inhumane mission.'

Flight-tracking data revealed that the plane took off from PSM at 8am on Tuesday and landed at Sofia Airport in Bulgaria just after 11pm EET.

The Daily Mail has reached out to DHS for more information about the flight's path.

The historic winter storm left New Hampshire with up to 14 inches of snowfall and wind gusts of up to 50 mph. A blizzard warning was in effect in the state until 10 p.m. on Monday.

States in the Northeast and Tri-State area were also hit by heavy snowfall, with much of the East Coast under a blizzard warning from Sunday night into Monday morning.
A tourist plunged 130ft to his death at a Brazilian waterfall after losing his footing while trying to take a photo, as a companion desperately tried to grab him.

The tragedy unfolded at Parque Sao Jorge in Ponta Grossa, in Brazil's Parana state, on February 21.

The victim was identified as Caio Libero Batistela, 35, an accountant from Curitiba.

Batistela had been standing at the top of the Rio Sao Jorge waterfall when he moved closer to the edge to take a picture and lost his balance, falling around 130 feet (40 metres), according to the Parana Fire Department.

A person with him attempted to grab his clothing but could not stop the fall and nearly went over the edge as well, firefighter aspirant Gustavo Sabatoski told local media.

Four firefighters were dispatched to the scene and a helicopter from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) was sent to assist.

Officials said the waterfall is difficult to access and the recovery operation required specialised techniques due to the steep and hazardous terrain.

The victim was identified as 35-year-old Caio Libero Batistela, an accountant from the city of Curitiba

The tragedy happened at Parque Sao Jorge in the city of Ponta Grossa, in the Campos Gerais region of Parana state, Brazil, on February 21

The body came to rest in an area considered high risk, and the site was sealed off until forensic teams completed their work.

Despite the rapid response, Caio was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body was taken to the Forensic Medical Institute in Ponta Grossa before being released to his family.

He was laid to rest at the Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Chapel in his hometown, where he was buried on 23rd February at the parish cemetery.

Batistela's death is the latest in a string of tourist fatalities at scenic beauty spots

Earlier this year, a tourist fell to his death at a well-known waterfall in Thailand while reportedly taking photos with his girlfriend.

Alexis Vergos, 22 and from France, was visiting Na Muang Waterfall 2 on the island of Koh Samui when he slipped on wet rocks on January 5.

His girlfriend, named as Ms Roman, also fell but caught a branch, saving her life. She contacted the emergency services and descended to the bottom of the waterfall.

Rescue volunteers used equipment to scale the waterfall, partaking in a search that lasted around three hours.

They found Alexis' body stuck between boulders.

The previous year, a British woman died after plunging 60 feet from a scenic beauty spot in Majorca.

The 39-year-old was rushed to hospital in May 2025 after falling from a lookout point in the Palma neighbourhood of El Jonquet, which overlooks the sea.

Police and paramedics who responded to an emergency call stabilised her and she was transported to hospital, where she was admitted into an intensive care unit.

The unnamed Briton died the same night at Palma's Son Espases Hospital, according to reports.
A postcardperfect alpine village in Washington is reeling after a year of unusual and overlapping crises that have battered its tourismdriven economy.

Leavenworth, a Bavarianstyle town located two hours northeast of Seattle, normally draws crowds with its Germaninspired architecture, beer halls and busy calendar of seasonal festivals.

But over the past year, it has endured three freak incidents uncharacteristic of the gingerbreadlike holiday getaway: a monthslong manhunt for a suspected murderer and two natural disasters that displaced families and shut down highways.

In June, the town was rocked by a manhunt for Travis Decker, a father and former military service member suspected of murdering his three daughters, ages five, eight, and nine.

The girls' bodies were discovered on June 2 near Decker's abandoned truck in a remote area outside the town, but Decker himself was nowhere to be found.

The search effort brought tension to the tightknit community and forced the closure of popular hiking trails and outdoor recreation areas at the height of the summer season, cutting into one of Leavenworth's busiest periods.

His human remains were discovered on September 18 in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth. The US Marshals Service declared Decker dead in a court filing on September 24, citing DNA results from clothing found near the skeletal remains.

That same month, after the murderer's remains were found, Washington's wildfire season ravaged areas surrounding Leavenworth, forcing highway closures during the first weekend of the town's famed Oktoberfest - a critical economic driver that draws thousands of visitors each year.

Leavenworth is a a Bavarianstyle town two hours northeast of Seattle

Travis Decker, 21, was at the center of a nationwide manhunt after investigators said he murdered his three daughters during a court- ordered custody visit on May 30

Businesses reported significantly reduced foot traffic during what is typically one of their most lucrative weekends.

Locals had hoped December, traditionally the month that determines whether many shops end the year in profit, would help balance out earlier losses.

Instead, an atmospheric river, or a long, narrow band of moisture in the sky capable of unleashing extreme rainfall and damaging winds, brought widespread flooding across Washington, damaged Highway 2, and over 100mph winds knocked out power in Leavenworth for days.

Thousands were forced to evacuate their homes, many of which sustained significant damage from floodwaters.

The Interstate 5 corridor sustained serious damage, and one man drowned after he drove into a flooded roadway.

Confusion about road conditions and misinformation about access to the town further discouraged visitors.

Although the highway and Tumwater Canyon have since fully reopened, business owners said the damage was already done.

Some shop owners now fear they may not survive another disrupted season.

Part of what makes Leavenworth's economy so vulnerable is its reliance on repeat visitors who return each year for longstanding traditions.

Coco Hopkins, a resident and walkingtour operator, told the Seattle Times that families typically book hotel rooms months ahead, dine at the same restaurants and buy holiday gifts from their preferred local stores.

The picturesque town has faced a downturn in tourism as a result of a local manhunt and untimely natural disasters

Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5 (left to right) were discovered on June 2 near Decker's abandoned truck in a remote area outside the town, but Decker himself was nowhere to be found

Washington's wildfire season ravaged areas surrounding Leavenworth, forcing highway closures during the first weekend of the town's famed Oktoberfest

Coco Hopkins and her partner Tom Potter are business partners who own Bavarian Walking Tours, which guide tourists around Leavenworth

Wildfires and atmospheric rivers led to widespread damage and closures during the height of Leavenworth's tourism season

Glory Mackenna, a longtime local resident and new business owner, said the town will feel the effects if families turn elsewhere for their annual holiday trips.

'Even though we were back and ready, if your family decided they had to pivot and go to Fort Lauderdale for Christmas and they don't come back from that new plan, we won't get that customer ever again,' she said. 'They derail their tradition to something new.'

Leavenworth, a town with a population of nearly 3,000 year-long residents, has attracted around 2 million visitors annually, drawn by its strict Bavarian architectural theme, seasonal celebrations, alpine scenery and proximity to ski areas and wineries.

Its transformation into a themed village began in the 1960s, when local leaders sought to reinvent what had become a struggling former timber and railroad town.

Today, everything from shopfronts to major chain stores like Starbucks adheres to the Bavarian motif.

Despite the year's disruptions, the town remains open and is currently hosting its Village of Lights display, featuring more than half a million lights through February 28, 2026.

Annual events such as Maifest, a festival that celebrates the town's German heritage, and Oktoberfest are slated to continue as normal later this year.
A former Florida mayor could be stripped of his citizenship after immigration officials claimed he arrived in the US illegally before tying the knot in a sham marriage.

Philippe Bien-Aime, 60, from Haiti, has been accused of using a doctored passport to enter the country and lying about his marital status in order to gain naturalization.

A new lawsuit claims the former North Miami mayor illegally tried to gain citizenship in 2001 by wedding a US citizen while still married to his Haitian wife.

'Bien-Aime was not eligible to receive a visa as the spouse of a US citizen because his marriage to the US citizen... was bigamous and invalid,' an immigration officer said in an affidavit filed in Miami federal court on February 18.

Born Jean Philippe Janvier, the former politician allegedly arrived in the US on July 25, 1995, with his photograph on someone else's passport, authorities claimed in the suit viewed by the Tampa Bay Times.

According to NBC 6, the complaint stated that the alleged fraud had been uncovered following fingerprint comparisons.

In 2001, a judge ruled that Bien-Aime, who served as mayor from 2019 until 2022, should be deported to Haiti.

He appealed the removal order before eventually withdrawing his appeal, claiming that he had in fact returned to Haiti, according to a release from the US Department of Justice.

Philippe Bien-Aime, 60, (pictured center with colleagues) has been accused of lying about his marital status in order to gain citizenship after he was ordered to return to Haiti in 2001

The former North Miami mayor, born Jean Philippe Janvier, allegedly arrived in the US on July 25, 1995, with his photo on someone else's passport, authorities claimed

According to testimony during his denaturalization, Bien-Aime claimed he 'has not practiced polygamy and has not given any false testimony to obtain immigration benefits'. He is pictured above in an image from his Facebook profile which does not clarify who the woman is

'In reality, Bien-Aime remained in the United States and, using the new name and date of birth, married a US citizen to obtain permanent resident status,' a press release stated.

According to the release, he was already married to a Haitian citizen, making the marriage 'fraudulent and invalid.'

Court documents seen by the Times allege that, under the name Jean Philippe Janvier, the former mayor married Sarahjane Ternier. Then, as Philippe Bien-Aime, he married Beatrice Gelin.

He used the same false name in the mayoral race in 2019 after serving on the city council for six years, according to NBC6.

The outlet reported that both women were wed to Bien-Aime on June 20, 1993, in Port-au-Prince.

However, the marriage to Ternier and the divorce certificates for both marriages were found to be fraudulent, according to an immigration summary viewed by the outlet.

Court records further found that Bien-Aime claimed in his green card and naturalization applications that he had divorced Gelin and married Mari Rose Chauvet, a US citizen, in May 2001.

According to testimony during his denaturalization, Bien-Aime claimed he 'has not practiced polygamy and has not given any false testimony to obtain immigration benefits.'

The complaint accused Bien-Aime of illegally obtaining naturalization by evading a final removal order, which prohibited his consideration for naturalization and US citizenship, providing false information under oath, including testimony regarding his children and former addresses.

'The complaint also claims that Bien-Aime's naturalization should be revoked because he concealed and misrepresented facts that were material to his qualifications for US citizenship,' the release stated.

According to the outlet, Bien-Aime's case is part of the Trump Administration's efforts to uncover immigrants who obtained citizenship in the US through fraudulent means.

'Bien-Aime was not eligible to receive a visa as the spouse of a US citizen because his marriage to the US citizen... was bigamous and invalid,' an immigration officer said in an affidavit

The complaint accused Bien-Aime of illegally obtaining naturalization by evading a final removal order, which prohibited his consideration for naturalization, providing false information under oath, including testimony regarding his children and former addresses

In a statement to the Miami Herald, Bien-Aime's lawyer Peterson St Philippe said: 'We believe it is appropriate to address the allegations through the judicial process rather than through public commentary.'

'We trust any reporting will reflect that the matter remains unsolved and that no findings have been made,' he added.

North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme told the outlet that he was 'shocked' by the allegations, and that the administration had not been aware of any other alleged identity linked to Bien-Aime.

'This administration will not permit fraudsters and tricksters who cheat their way to the gift of US citizenship,' Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division stated in the release.

'The passage of time does not diminish blatant immigration fraud.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bien-Aime's attorney for comment.
A gentle Uber Eats driver has been killed in Illinois by a trio of 'oxygen-wasting' criminals who left him lying in the street.

Daniel Figueroa, 28, was violently killed at about 2am on Monday morning as he delivered food to a Chicago hospital.

A trio of unnamed suspects attempted to steal his van parked nearby, and the encounter quickly turned deadly when Figueroa returned, according to WGN 9.

Chicago Police told the Daily Mail that one 'person of interest' has been taken into custody. No charges have been filed.

It's unclear how Figueroa died, but he was found with injuries to his 'head and body', according to local media.

Police said that Figueroa was delivering food to a doctor at Loretto Hospital. The doctor ventured out to collect the meal only to find Figueroa lying on the street.

Surveillance footage showed that Figueroa had already made the delivery, and was walking back to his van when three people attempted to steal the vehicle.

As Figueroa opened the door, the thieves 'dragged' him for around half a block before fleeing. Figueroa, who was a stepfather, was later pronounced dead in hospital.

Daniel Figueroa, 28, was violently killed in the early hours on Monday morning as he had made a food delivery to a local hospital

His father, Carlos Figueroa, shared his devastation at the news and said: 'He was my youngest son, and now I have to bury him because someone decided to take his life'

CWB Chicago described the incident as 'a gut-wrenching story about the Uber Eats driver killed this morning by cowardly, oxygen-wasting criminals on the West Side.'

The delivery driver's heartbroken father, Carlos Figueroa opened up to WGN about the trauma of losing his son to a mindless act of violence.

'He was my youngest son, and now I have to bury him because someone decided to take his life,' he said.

'He was on his way home. This was going to be his last stop... I hope my son didn't suffer. He didn't deserve this. Not one bit. He was a good kid.'

Figueroa had been working for Uber Eats to earn some extra money on top of his day job as an Amazon delivery driver.

He was the main provider for his home with his girlfriend, Sandra Guerrero, and her son, according to Guerrero.

'His passing has left not only an emotional void, but also a sudden financial burden that I never expected to face,' Guerrero wrote on a GoFundMe page.

Guerrero was supposed to be celebrating her son's birthday, but is now overwhelmed by grief.

'I shouldn't have to picture my boyfriend like that,' she tearfully told ABC 7. '(He was) somebody who I wanted to marry.'

Guerrero was last seen Figueroa on Sunday night, but he never made it home after working tirelessly to provide for his family.

Police told the outlet that Figueroa was delivering food to a doctor at the hospital, who ventured out to the young man's nearby location only to find him lying on the street

Figueroa was the main provider for his home with his girlfriend, Sandra Guerrero, and her son

'I didn't get no talks or no call from him until his mom reached out to me at seven in the morning saying he had passed away,' she continued.

Guerrero said that her boyfriend was set to celebrate her son's birthday with them, with a 'whole day planned out'.

'I just can't believe it right now,' she added, describing Figueroa as a family man who treated her son as his own.

'I'm confused. I'm lost. I'm sad. I don't know what to do,' Guerrero added.

Figueroa's father told WGN that his son was 'just trying to do something for himself out there.'

'I'm hollow inside. I don't know what to do. I have to deal with this now for the rest of my life,' he added.

'My hearts broken. As a parent, I dont wish this upon anybody, and I dont know what to do from here.'

Loretto Hospital said in a statement to the outlet: 'On behalf of Loretto Hospital, our prayers and condolences go out to the individuals family and loved ones.

'Our focus remains on supporting the safety, health, and well-being of the community we serve during this difficult time.'

'My hearts broken. As a parent, I dont wish this upon anybody, and I dont know what to do from here,' Figueroa's father Carlos said

Uber said in a statement to WGN: 'Were incredibly saddened by this tragic loss, and our thoughts are with their family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginably difficult time.

'Weve reached out to police and will assist them however we can.'

Police are investigating Figueroa's death as a homicide.

Sources told the WGN that two women and one man were seen on security footage getting into Figueroa's van in the moments before he died.

A woman was in custody for questioning as of Monday afternoon, sources told the outlet, but none of the suspects have been publicly identified.

'This way, there can be some kind of justice for my son, and he didnt die in vain,' Figueroa's dad said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Chicago Police for more information.
A Nazi massacre of 200 Greek prisoners during WW2 left blood flowing through the street, with many of those who survived the firing squad then buried alive.

The horrific executions took place in the Athens suburb of Kaisariani on May 1, 1944, in retaliation for the killing of Nazi general Franz Krech and three of his staff by Communist guerrilla fighters four days earlier.

The Kaisariani massacre is among the most infamous seen during the three-year Axis occupation of Greece between 1941 and 1944.

Though it is a well-documented atrocity, new details of the slaughter have emerged along with previously unseen photographs of victims facing their Nazi executioners.

Harrowing testimony was provided by those who bore witness to the massacre to Antonis Flountzis, a former doctor who published an unearthed book on Greek resistance to Nazi occupation.

He reported that so many were killed that blood flowed through the streets as their bodies were driven away, and that those who witnessed this were shot at as they threw flowers on the streaks of blood left by Nazi vans.

On April 27 1994, partisans from the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) ambushed and killed German general Franz Krech, along with three of his officers, in Laconia.

In retaliation, Nazi occupation authorities rounded up 200 communists to be executed.

The men were brought to a firing range in the Athens suburb of Kaisariani. Giorgos Sideris, a reserve member of ELAS, told the author that he watched the massacre in horror from a neighbouring hill.

He said he saw men being slaughtered in batches of up to 20: 'At first, they were not lined up in a row. They were herded like lambs into the area and slaughtered with machine guns.'

A Nazi massacre of 200 Greek prisoners during WW2 left blood flowing through the street

The pictures appear to show the last seconds before 200 Greek Communists were executed on May 1, 1944

These pictures are thought to have been taken by Guenther Heysing, a journalist attached to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels's unit

But quickly, the Nazis changed tack. Sideris said: 'This only happened in the first two batches. The German Captain... ordered this method of execution to stop. From then on they were lined up in rows of 15.'

As the men were killed, their Nazi occupiers forced prisoners to load their dead comrades' bodies into cars, before being lined up and shot themselves - a sickening process that was repeated ten times until just after 10am, when not a single prisoner was left.

Sideris added that the Nazis were also shouting and shooting at women who were throwing flowers onto the blood that flowed from the cars that took the resistance fighters' bodies away.

In four vans carrying 50 bodies each, the Nazis were said to have driven the dead men to a nearby cemetery.

There, undertakers were asked to dig 200 graves for those who were killed in the massacre.

But, according to one worker, many of those who were shot were still alive as they were lowered into their graves.

They said: 'At one point I heard slight groans. But the Germans, with their weapons and their wild voices, were pushing us, beating us and forcing us to work in a hurry to finish the burial quickly.

'We buried them dressed in individual graves, without knowing their names.'

Ioanna Tsatsou, a Greek writer who would later become the First Lady of the nation, wrote that the local archdiocese was told to send a truck to collect the clothes of those who were executed.

Although the executions were well known, there had been no known photographic documentation of the event until recently

Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1944, a period marked by several atrocities against villagers and its Jewish community

These items were used to try and identify those who had perished in the massacre, with relatives frantically searching the warehouse the clothes were stashed in to find clues that may help them determine the fate of their loved ones.

Tsatsou wrote that one mother recognised her son's jacket and began to weep. She then found some items that belonged to her younger son, before fainting.

Many of the men managed to write their final words on pieces of paper and cloth.

One man carved into his wooden leg: 'Notify my widowed mother... that I am dying for our Greece.'

Last week, images showing groups of men lining up against wall as they were shepherded to a shooting range by their Nazi occupiers, who brutally killed them seconds later, were released by archivists.

The previously unseen pictures showing the massacre were listed for auction on eBay by a collector of Third Reich memorabilia.

They are said to have originally come from the personal album of German lieutenant Hermann Heuer, Greek media has reported.

Guenther Heysing, a journalist attached to Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels's unit, is 'highly likely' to have taken the pictures.

One image shows men being marched into the shooting range, after discarding their overcoats outside.

Some of the pictures show groups of the men marching through a field, and standing against a wall at the shooting range.

The Greek Ministry of Culture said it is 'highly likely that these are authentic photographs'.

Greece was occupied by Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1944, a period marked by several atrocities against villagers and its Jewish community, who were decimated.

More than 40,000 people are believed to have starved to death in Athens alone.

The Communist-led Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) was among the most active resistance organisations in occupied Europe.

Many Communists had also been persecuted during anti-Communist raids by the police of Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas.
A conwoman pretended she had a critically ill husband to prey on her kind-hearted neighbours to fuel her cocaine habit.

Toni Balmer would knock on her neighbours' doors to tell them she urgently needed money to help her husband, who she said was in critical condition, because she was 'desperate' for drug money.

The 38-year-old conned the good Samaritans in Sandown, Isle of Wight, out of hundreds of pounds and even walked one of her victims to a cashpoint to make sure she received the money.

Balmer admitted four counts of fraud by false representation, committed between November 7 and 10 last year, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

She has now been sentenced to a 12-month community order and must pay a combined 380 compensation to her victims.

Prosecutor Serena Edwards previously told the court that Balmer told her con story to a man living a few doors from her home on November 7, securing 160 from him in two separate payments of 80.

Three days later, she targeted three more residents.

One woman gave her 40 after being told the fabricated story, but refused a second request.

Toni Balmer, 38, would knock on her neighbours' doors to tell them she urgently needed the money to help her husband, who she said was in critical condition, because she was 'desperate' for drug money

Balmer visited another couple three times, receiving two lots of 70, then 40 - a total of 180 - before they also rejected a further plea for cash.

When the truth emerged and Balmer was arrested, she admitted to police she had lied about having a sick husband.

She said she felt ashamed and intended to repay the money.

Magistrates were also told jobless Balmer had previously received a conditional caution for taking her partner's wallet, and withdrawing money using his bank card without permission.

Nick Muir, defending, said his client had relapsed into drug misuse and had been 'desperate for money' to buy cocaine.

'She intended to pay it back once her Universal Credit came through,' he said.

Magistrates previously ordered a report covering all sentencing options, including custody, but Balmer has not been jailed.

As part of her sentence, she must take part in 10 rehabilitation days.
A glamorous bipolar influencer has been arrested in Colorado after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in a drunken frenzy.

Mia Zaffarano, 27, who often shared her mental health struggles on social media, was detained in Denver on Monday after the alleged attack on her boyfriend Joey Bocian.

Bocian told the Daily Mail the incident unfolded after they were drinking tequila with a friend in their apartment. The 24-year-old claimed Zaffarano 'snapped' after he mocked her for sharing a story about 'doing nitrous from a condom.'

'I told her that was disgusting, and something just snapped,' he alleged.

Bocian said Zaffarano flew into a rage and began punching and kicking him. He fled into a bathroom, but she grabbed a steak knife and used the blade to open the door latch before stabbing him twice in the back, he said.

He said the social media influencer, who also works as a professional phlebotomist in Denver, ran away from the scene when she saw him calling 911, saying she panicked because she is on probation for a DUI and a separate assault.

'She ran and hopped over our back fence,' Bocian explained. 'But they caught her pretty quickly.'

Court records obtained by the Daily Mail show Zaffarano has been booked on charges of first degree assault with a deadly weapon, and is being held without bond.

Mia Zaffarano, 27, a Denver phlebotomist and bipolar social media influencer, has been arrested in Colorado after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in a frenzied drunken attack

Zaffarano's boyfriend Joey Bocian said he was stabbed with a steak knife after he told a story about doing nitrous out of a condom, which he said was 'disgusting'

Just hours before the alleged attack, Zaffarano shared a series of posed-up pictures pouting for the camera, which she captioned: 'Romanticizing my instability'

Just hours before the alleged attack, Zaffarano shared a series of posed-up pictures pouting for the camera, which she captioned: 'Romanticizing my instability.'

Zaffarano previously shared motivational posts via Instagram describing her battle with being bipolar, including one pointed post just weeks before the alleged attack.

In a post to her 4,500 followers on January 22, Zaffarano said her bipolar disorder has 'taught me that progress doesnt always look the way were told it should.'

She wrote that she had gone from 'medication to medication', and said she often asked herself: 'Is this me, or is this an episode?'

Bocian told the Daily Mail that his girlfriend's social media posts appeared to him to be a way to 'get things off her chest', and said he was aware of her past struggles.

'She definitely had her issues,' he said, adding that he saw her influencing as a 'way to help people.'

Court documents first shared by X account DoBetterDenver showed Zaffarano's past run-ins with the law included a simple assault charge in April 2024.

The month before, records show she was hit with charges of DUI, driving without a license and leaving the scene of an accident.

Bocian said Zaffarano was on probation for the DUI charge and for a separate assault last year, which he said led her to flee the scene when he called 911 following the alleged stabbing on Monday.

Zaffarano, 27, who often shared her struggle with mental illness and bipolar disorder to social media, has been booked on charges of first degree assault with a deadly weapon

In a social media post to her 4,500 Instagram followers on January 22, Zaffarano said that she went from 'medication to medication' for her bipolar disorder

Bocian said he was briefly hospitalized following the alleged stabbing on Monday, but said the wounds were 'not that deep.'

He said police told him around an hour after the alleged stabbing that they had Zaffarano in custody, and he insisted on pressing charges.

Describing the incident as 'just crazy', Bocian alleged that it was not the first time Zaffarano had turned on him.

He said they had been dating for around six months and moved in together soon after, but said just a month ago she punched and kicked him during another drinking session.

Bocian said he briefly moved back in with his parents, but gave his girlfriend 'one more chance', and explained: 'I thought we had figured it out.'

Court documents show Zaffarano was initially held without bail and remains in custody, and is next due in court Tuesday.

The Daily Mail has contacted Zaffarano and the Denver Police Department for comment.
Donald Trump's ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been banned from meeting government officials after he failed to show up to explain comments about a killed far-right activist.

Emmanuel Macron's government on Monday demanded that Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka, attend a meeting with the foreign minister to address criticisms by the State Department of the rise of 'violent radical leftism' in France.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris reposted comments by the Trump administration in Washington about slain far-right activist Quentin Deranque.

Deranque, 23, died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters in Lyon earlier this month.

The State Department's bureau of counter-terrorism posted: 'Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.'

Barrot denounced on Sunday any attempts to exploit the killing 'for political ends' and summoned Kushner for a meeting the following day. But a diplomatic source told outlets the ambassador cited 'personal commitments' and sent a senior embassy official instead.

The move is the most hostile action from Paris against the Trump administration over what it views as repeated attempts by Washington to interfere with French domestic affairs.

French diplomats have previously summoned Kushner to answer for his criticism of France's handling of antisemitism, but he skipped that meeting in August.

Charles Kushner's son, Jared, is married to the President's eldest daughter Ivanka

Charles Kushner (center) has been banned from meeting French officials after he failed to show up to explain comments about a killed far-right activist

The move is the most hostile action from Paris against the Trump administration over what it views as repeated attempts by Washington to interfere with French domestic affairs

'In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honor of representing one's country, the minister (Barrot) has requested that he [Kushner] no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government,' the foreign ministry said.

Kushner would, however, be permitted to continue his diplomatic duties and have 'exchanges' with officials, it added in a statement.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.

Deranque's death has put France on edge, igniting tensions between the left and right ahead of a 2027 presidential vote.

More than 3,000 people marched in Lyon on Saturday in tribute to Deranque, with authorities deploying heavy security for fear of further clashes.

On Friday, Sarah Rogers, the State Department under secretary for public diplomacy, said Deranque's killing showed 'why we treat political violence - terrorism - so harshly.'

'Once you decide to kill people for their opinions instead of [persuading] them, you've opted out of civilization,' she wrote on X.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also weighed in, triggering a war of words with French President Emmanuel Macron, who urged her to stop 'commenting on what happens in other countries'.

Kushner with his wife, Seryl Beth, at his sentencing in 2005. Kushner was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after having pleaded guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations

Kushner, who took up his post in Paris last year, was previously summoned to the foreign ministry at the end of August, after the French government took exception to his criticism that Macron was not tackling antisemitism.

Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations.

Prosecutors alleged that after Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation.

Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man's wife, prosecutors said.

Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts, including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison - he most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, had sought.

Christie blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump's transition team in 2016, and has called Charles Kushner's offenses 'one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was US attorney.'

Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles, and their children married in 2009.
Angry locals in Hawaii have sued a government planning department after officials approved a development they claim could damage the future of their island paradise.

Host Hotels & Resorts, which owns the RitzCarlton Oahu in Turtle Bay, plans to build a 375room hotel on roughly 50 acres of land between Kawela Bay and Kuilima Point.

The planned development would feature a gym, spa, retail shops and restaurants.

However, three climate groups have sued the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting over its decision to approve the project.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the Conservation Council for Hawai'i and K Pa'a Kuilima filed the lawsuit on February 3 in the environmental court of the First Circuit in Hawaii.

They challenged the planning department's decision that the hotel did not require a new environmental review, saying that conditions on the island had changed since the last survey in 2013.

The lawsuit claimed that endangered animals had established themselves on the island and that the hotel would have 'significant environmental impacts' on their habitats.

The organizations described Turtle Bay as a place 'imbued with cultural significance' and an 'ecological hotspot.'

Host Hotels & Resorts, the owner of the Ritz-Carlton Oahu in Turtle Bay, which is pictured above, are planning to build a 375-room hotel in a Honolulu beauty spot

Maxx Phillips (pictured), the Hawaii and Pacific Islands director for the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, said the development was 'really sad'

The lawsuit claimed the project area had changed significantly since 2013, noting that seven species of Hawaiian yellowfaced bees  including at least two found on the site  had been listed as endangered.

It also highlighted that Laysan albatross birds have established a growing nesting colony at Kahuku Point after decades of attempts.

Sightings of Hawaiian monk seals in the area have steadily increased, per the complaint.

The department's approval of the project 'threatens destruction of native wildlife and their habitat,' per the suit.

One of the frustrated locals suing the department described the planned hotel as 'terrible.'

'It's really sad, and especially for our endangered Native Hawaiian bees, which two of those species have been found on site, where the development is slated,' Maxx Phillips, the Hawaii and Pacific Islands director for the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, told SFGATE.

The environmental groups have asked for a ruling that the 2013 environmental impact statement is no longer valid. They want a new assessment to be completed before a hotel is built.

Locals also sought an injunction to halt immediate development until said 'legally adequate' environmental review was conducted.

The area around the proposed hotel has changed significantly over time and now includes seven species of Hawaiian yellow-faced bees, per the suit

The lawsuit also said that sightings of Hawaiian monk seals in the area had steadily increased since the last environmental review was conducted

The privatization of public beaches is forbidden by Hawaii law, but Phillips said that new hotels along the beach  such as this one  could cause a similar impression.

'A lot of times, these developments can create kind of the illusion of private beaches only for the rich visitors,' she said. 'That effectively keeps the public out.'

Phillips added that allowing the construction to move forward could lead to other hotels being built in the region.

'We feel like our arguments are very strong,' she said.

One of the suit's plaintiffs said that legal action was necessary to make sure the project did not carry on.

'I think there's a general sense of the community that enough is enough and we need to protect what we love, and we love this place,' Jessica dos Santos told Hawaii News Now.

Dos Santos' nonprofit Kupaa Kuilima is a coplaintiff in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit called Turtle Bay a location 'imbued with cultural significance' and an 'ecological hotspot' that was being put at risk by the new hotel

Hawaii state senator Brenton Awa also pushed back on the proposed project, saying it would only benefit a 'small pool of individuals.'

He said: 'On the North Shore, on the East Side, wherever it may be in Hawaii, this is just one of those things that we as people look at and think, "Here we go again".'

Host Hotels & Resorts said it was aware of the lawsuit. The company is named for relief purposes, but it is not accused of any wrongdoing.

'While we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, Host believes it has acted in compliance with all applicable laws, permits, and established agreements governing the property,' Host Hotels & Resorts told SFGATE.

The hotel chain claimed that the proposed Hawaii development 'has been significantly reduced through conservation easements, settlement agreements, and adopted community plans from previous approved plans for this area.'

The statement continued: 'Our focus remains on environmental stewardship, public shoreline access, and continued community engagement while we work through the legal process.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Host Hotels & Resorts, Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting and the conservation groups' attorneys  Isaac Moriwake, Mahesh Cleveland and Dru Hara  for comment.
A new video shows the moment a Christian preacher was pushed by a masked man and had his equipment attacked in Whitechapel before a police officer stepped in to defend his freedom of speech.

The evangelist is seen in the footage being surrounded as he tries to speak through a microphone on Whitechapel Road in east London on February 16, a day before Ramadan began.

Part of his equipment is kicked by a man wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a puffer coat, before another manically shouts in his face, 'where you come from?'

As the preacher replies 'London', the second man continues to scream and make gestures with his hands, before a third person wearing a mask approaches the Christian from behind and pushes him with force.

A female police officer was forced to step in and defend the preacher's freedom of speech after the group of males surrounded her to complain the evangelist was 'in a Muslim area'.

Speaking after the incident, a local Muslim in the area today told TalkTV that people who say 'bad things' about those who follow Islam should be punished.

'Muslim people live around this area,' he said, adding: 'If [people] are saying bad things [about Muslims], the police knows how it goes. They will take it seriously. Maybe he is arrested, maybe they will give him a chance to not say that thing.'

Footage shows the moment a Christian preacher's equipment is kicked in Whitechapel

Another man (centre) starts shouting in the Christian preacher's face and gestures with his hands

A masked man then comes up behind the preacher and pushes him with force

In separate footage, as the Christian preacher tries to speak, a Muslim man wearing sunglasses and a tracksuit repeatedly bellows 'we don't want to worship a Jewish man'.

He then quips, 'we don't believe in a Jew' amid the chaotic encounter which was captured by YouTuber Auditing Britain.

'Why do you come here and want us to worship a Jewish man? I don't understand. Listen, we don't want to worship a Jewish man,' the man says to the preacher.

'You come here and want to tell us to worship a Jewish man. Yeah, go and worship your Jewish man.

'You believe in a mystical dying God. A man God. We don't believe in a Jew.'

The Christian argues he has come to the area to 'preach true salvation'. He continues to speak through a microphone, where he quotes extracts from the Koran and questions Islam.

In response, the Muslim man repeatedly shouts: 'Your god is a Jew. We have some slaves of Jews here.'

After the incident, Nigel Farage added to the growing voices in support of the female officer who was widely praised for how she handled the row.

The man wearing sunglasses and a black, blue and white tracksuit top repeatedly bellows a derogatory remark

The Christian preacher (pictured) argued he came to the area to 'preach true salvation'. He continues to speak through a microphone, where he quotes extracts from the Koran and questions Islam

Speaking after the incident, one local Muslim in the area told TalkTv today that people who say 'bad things' about those who follow Islam should be punished

Speaking on Jeremy Kyle's Breakfast Show on Talk, the Reform UK leader said: 'She deserves to be honoured. I watched that video. She was calm, she was logical. Goodness me, what a credit she was to the Metropolitan Police.

'What a credit she was to herself, and what a credit she was to plain common sense and what we like to think of as a free country. She did absolutely brilliantly. I wish more were like her.'

The confrontation saw the officer being surrounded by males and telling them: 'In this country, we have freedom of speech.'

She continued: 'I understand that you guys don't want to hear it, so I would just recommend that you walk away and don't listen to him. He's not in your home.'

The Daily Mail has contacted the Met Police for comment today.
Two British cousins have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the neck during a Valentine's Day row in Venice.

The pair, aged 19 and 20, allegedly followed a young woman between bars near the Rialto Bridge after the older cousin contacted her on Instagram, before an argument later escalated into violence.

When a 22-year-old Venetian man stepped in between the cousins and the woman, the older cousin allegedly pulled out a 10cm switchblade and passed it to his relative.

In seconds, the younger suspect is said to have grabbed the knife and stabbed the local man in the neck as he turned to walk away following the exchange.

He was rushed into emergency surgery with a damaged artery.

According to local media reports, the confrontation began with a tense exchange in English.

Witnesses said one of the British men declared: 'She's my girlfriend, I love her. The problem is, unfortunately, she doesn't love me.'

The Venetian is said to have replied: 'You are in Italy, my home.'

Those present said the British man then whispered something to his cousin before a blade was snapped open and the Venetian was stabbed in the neck.

Two British cousins have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the neck during a Valentine's Day row in Venice

The pair, aged 19 and 20, allegedly trailed a young woman between bars near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal after one of them became infatuated with her on Instagram. Pictured: Police divers are continuing to search the Grand Canal for the knife

When a 21-year-old Venetian man stepped in between the cousins and the woman, the older cousin allegedly pulled out a 10cm switchblade and passed it to his relative

Local outlets described scenes of panic, with screams and people fleeing as emergency services were called to the bar area near Campo Bella Vienna in the early hours of February 14.

The attack, dubbed by Italian media as the 'attempted murder of San Valentino', is said to have been witnessed by several members of the victim's group, including the young woman at the centre of the dispute.

She told investigators she had been in contact via Instagram with one of the suspects, who introduced himself as 'Adam', and that they had been messaging for some time before arranging to meet.

He had told her he was staying in the Venice area with his cousin for about a month, having arrived on January 30 with a return ticket to London dated February 28, according to reports.

Local media said prosecutors believe the switchblade was passed between the cousins moments before the stabbing - an exchange allegedly seen by those present and captured on security cameras.

After the attack, the two suspects fled, reports said. Local reports said the wounded Venetian pulled the blade from his neck before collapsing.

Then, amid the confusion of the rescue efforts, one of the two Englishmen returned to retrieve the weapon, abandoned on the floor of the bar.

Prosecutors believe he returned to retrieve the weapon in an apparent attempt to cover his tracks, unaware he was being filmed on surveillance cameras, local media reported.

Local media said the two cousins were tracked down by officers from Venice's Flying Squad, supported by police from San Marco, at an apartment in the historic centre.

The pair were arrested and brought before prosecutors. British officials were notified of their detention.

After a court hearing to confirm the arrests, they were remanded in pre-trial custody.

Police divers are continuing to search the Grand Canal for the knife.

Reports said the two had travelled to Venice for a holiday, arriving at the end of January and were due to return to England in the coming days on a pre-booked flight.
Warner Bros raised immediate concerns about the racial slur shouted at the Bafta Film Awards and requested its removal from the BBC broadcast, it was claimed today.

Tourette's campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting as black Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects.

Mr Davidson said he is 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning', while the BBC apologised for not editing it out.

But questions are mounting over the handling of the incident at the Royal Festival Hall and why the slur remained in Sunday's broadcast, which aired with a two-hour delay.

Now, it is understood people from Warner Bros, the film studio behind Sinners, spoke directly with Bafta staff following the incident during the ceremony in London and requested it be removed from the broadcast, which aired on the BBC later that night.

Warner Bros representatives are also believed to have been reassured this request would be passed on and Bafta was in touch with the studio throughout the evening.

Also today Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central, accused the BBC of 'an obvious bias' and a 'failure of duty of care', insisting the slur 'should never have been aired'.

The politician described its broadcast as 'painful and unforgivable' and has written to outgoing director-general Tim Davie asking for an explanation on why it was left in.

John Davidson (Ieft) and Kirk Jones at the Bafta Film Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Mr Jones directed I Swear, which tells the story of Mr Davidson's life with Tourette's

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo present the Special Visual Effects Award on stage during the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, when the slur was shouted out

Warner Bros, the BBC, production company Penny Lane and Bafta have all been contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, film-maker Jonte Richardson has said he is stepping down as a Bafta judge over the academy's handling of the incident.

In a statement on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson said: 'After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.

'The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.

'I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community.

'This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 Just Act Normal.

'However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.

'I hope Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.'

Mr Richardson is a former touring musician who has worked in both the UK and US film and TV industries, with the likes of Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah.

John Davidson at the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday

His resignation came before Mr Davidson released a statement of his own, saying he was 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning'.

The campaigner confirmed he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was 'aware of the distress my tics were causing'.

Mr Davidson said: 'I wanted to thank Bafta and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

'I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.

'I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.'

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony's presenter Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.

Referencing this, Mr Davidson said: 'In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and Bafta, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

'I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette syndrome.'

Bafta judge Jonte Richardson is stepping down over the academy's handling of the incident

'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.

'I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.'

Also today, the Telegraph's senior culture writer Liam Kelly has revealed I Swear director Kirk Jones said he had 'lengthy meetings' with Bafta before the ceremony.

Recalling their chat on February 13, Mr Kelly wrote today: 'When we spoke in a Bristol cafe nine days beforehand, Jones told me that there had been 'lengthy meetings with Bafta' about making sure that Davidson would feel comfortable on Sunday night.

'If I Swear had won the outstanding British film award (which ended up going to Hamnet), Jones would have collected the statuette with Davidson. I asked what would happen if he experienced a tic on stage, in front of millions.'

The journalist said Mr Jones replied: 'I did ask that question. I said, 'What if he sees Leonardo DiCaprio and he shouts 'You c**t!' or something?' I think it's an hour delay. But it could be an interesting night.'

In a statement released last night, Bafta apologised for the incident, and said it takes 'full responsibility' for putting its guests in a 'difficult situation'.

A spokesperson from Bafta said: 'At the Bafta Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

'One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.

'Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

'We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

'Early in the ceremony, a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

I Swear stars Robert Aramayo, who won best actor on Sunday for his performance in the film

'During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

'We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.'

Speaking at the Warner Bros afterparty, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan 'did what we had to do' while presenting but he wished 'someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards'.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.

It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

The film, I Swear, tells the story of the Scottish campaigner's life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12.

It stars Robert Aramayo who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga appears in the film as Mr Davidson's lawyer, and posted on TikTok yesterday to comment on the incident.

In his video, he said: 'This is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says. In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film.

'We've made this film to educate people about Tourette's syndrome - how can you say that he can't be there at the awards? This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely he has to be there, and it's great that he was there.'

He shared an additional video where he said 'someone who has Tourette's should not apologise for having it', and he referenced when Mr Davidson met Queen Elizabeth II, and said: 'If the Queen understood that, I don't know why people don't understand.'

The BBC apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast, and a spokesperson for the corporation said: 'Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

'This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

'We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.'

A senior BBC executive has also apologised to staff in a note.

The corporation's chief content officer Kate Phillips said: 'I wanted to write to you following Sunday's Bafta Film Awards.

'I'm so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast. We understand how distressing this was. Award attendees were pre-warned about the possibility of involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette Syndrome at the start of the show, and Alan Cumming addressed it during the broadcast. Of course, this doesn't lessen the impact and upset.

'The edit team removed another racial slur from the broadcast. This one was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast.

'We take full responsibility for what happened. When I was made aware it was audible on iPlayer, I asked for it to be taken down. As I'm sure you're aware we put out a statement yesterday morning apologising that the remark was not edited out prior to broadcast.

The film I Swear stars Robert Aramayo as John Davidson. The actor was named EE Rising Star

'I wrote to our Embrace network colleagues yesterday and am grateful for their thoughtful responses to me. Please know that you can reach out to me, or to any member of our ExCo team, if you'd like to talk further about this. Again, I am so very sorry for the distress caused.'

Charity Tourettes Action said it 'deeply understands' the harm of the racial slur, but called for understanding of the condition.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

'We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.

'People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.

'These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John - like many others with Tourette's - lives with every single day.'

It went on to say that it had found the 'backlash' to the incident 'deeply saddening' and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early.

Tourette Scotland, which has worked with Mr Davidson, added that there was 'no meaning' behind his outburst and that the Tourette's community is 'kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics'.
Donald Trump's highly anticipated State of the Union address is facing a sinister sabotage plot from top Democrats.

Dozens of lawmakers are set to boycott the speech at the Capitol with counter events, including parading Jeffrey Epstein victims on the National Mall.

Others are threatening to stage walk-outs during Trump's speech as he prepares to reset his agenda at 9pm Tuesday and stare down the barrel of disastrous poll numbers ahead of the midterms in November.

Two counter-programming events are planned in Washington, DC. The 'State of the Swamp' will take place at 7pm at the National Press Club, with lawmakers and media stars scheduled to speak, and activists encouraged to wear swampy frog costumes.

Progressive attendees include the fiery mayors of Minneapolis and Chicago, Jacob Frey and Brandon Johnson, who have frequently clashed with Trump over his deadly immigration crackdown.

A second event, the 'People's State of the Union,' will start at 8pm on the National Mall, including Trump nemesis Adam 'Shifty' Schiff of California.

Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, who has spearheaded the pressure campaign to release the Epstein files, will bring one of the pedophile's victims, Haley Robson, as his guest.

Dozens of lawmakers are set to stage walk-outs during Donald Trump's speech as he prepares to reset his agenda at 9pm Tuesday

Several House Democrats have invited survivors of Jeffrey Epstein to the State of the Union address tonight, including Representative Ro Khanna, who is bringing Haley Robson

Democratic Congressman Al Green of Texas interrupts President Trump's address to a joint session of the United States Congress at the US Capitol on March 4 last year

Khanna said: 'Haley's courageous fight is proof that this isn't about politics, it's about exposing America's two-tiered system of justice and bringing accountability to the Epstein class involved in the horrific abuse of young girls.

'She and her fellow survivors' bravery was the catalyst for changing a rotten system and finally standing up for humanity and American values.'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will host an Epstein survivor and fellow New Yorker, Dani Bensky, as his guest.

'Dani has turned unimaginable pain into unrelenting advocacy. Survivors deserve justice. Trump must end the cover-up and release the full Epstein files - NOW,' Schumer wrote in an X post.

While no official walkout of Trump's speech is planned from the chamber, Representative Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, told Axios, 'The only question for me is which of his disgusting lines prompts me to get up and leave, because at some point I will.'

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries presented his caucus with two options for Tuesday night. Attend Trump's speech 'silently' or participate in alternative programming.

'The two options that are in front of us, in our house, is either attend with silent defiance, or to not attend, and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion, which will include participation in a variety of different alternate programming,' Jeffries said during a press conference last Wednesday.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, told CNN's Kaitlan Collins that she would be attending Trump's speech because it was 'important to do.'

'I will be there as he tries to put a spin on this economy, a happy face on an economy where he promised for an entire year when he was running for president, he would lower costs on day one, and here we sit on day 400, the cost of groceries is up, the cost of utilities is up, the cost to build a home is up, and the cost of healthcare is through the roof,' Warren argued to Collins.

Democrats are also planning at least three rebuttals to Trump's Tuesday address.

Two counter-programming events are planned in Washington, DC, during Trump's address

Dani Bensky, a survivor of Epstein, will be the guest of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Senator Alex Padilla was pushed out of the room as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a news conference in Los Angeles last June. He will give the Spanish-language response to Trump's State of the Union

Virginia's Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger will give the official State of the Union response for her party

Virginia's Democratic governor, Abigail Spanberger, will deliver the official rebuttal address, and Congresswoman Summer Lee will give the progressives' response.

The Democrats' Spanish-language response to Trump's speech will be delivered by California Senator Alex Padilla, who was removed from a press conference by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Los Angeles last summer.

The spectacle occurred after he reportedly did not identify himself as a member of Congress during the event and lunged towards the front of the room where Noem was speaking.

Padilla was forcefully removed and handcuffed by officers as he tried to question Noem about immigration raids.

Click here to sign up for free special live coverage of the State of the Union.
Hell, according to Jean-Paul Sartre, is other people.

And he wasnt even in Dublins Gaiety Theatre for a production of The Crucible last Thursday when the audience set up such a cacophony of hacks, coughs, whoops and hawks that it actually sounded rehearsed and orchestrated.

He wasnt in my local cinema the previous week, seated beside two young women who munched loudly on a giant box of nachos and proceeded to chat - not whisper, chat - about the action on-screen, as if they were at home on a couch, until I finally asked them to pipe down.

And he definitely wasnt in that fancy English restaurant with retired newsreader Jan Leeming last month, when she and an elderly companion had their lunch ruined by a toddlers screams while the parents ignored the lengthy tantrum and sneered at her complaints.

He never travelled on a tram beside a stranger blasting their music to the entire carriage without headphones, or where elderly passengers were left standing while teenagers lounged across a couple of seats each.

And Im fairly sure Sartre never drove or cycled through central Dublin, where angry drivers hoot, flash and catcall at anyone who delays them for so much as half a second at a traffic light.

If hed had any one of those experiences, all now such commonplace examples of casual social incontinence we scarcely register them anymore, I guarantee hed have come up with a much stronger word than Hell.

The pandemic gets the blame for a lot of rude, selfish and boorish public behaviour, as if a stretch of lockdown was all it took to provoke a Lord Of The Flies-type collapse of civility, consideration and essential human decency.

Folks, that was five years ago, were going to have to come up with a better excuse than the ordeal of being confined at home with your loved ones watching Netflix.

Because whatever the cause, it appears to me that a corrosive and at times bellicose narcissism now informs so many public interactions where courtesy, consideration and mutual respect were once the norm.

Jean-Paul Sartre never had to travel on a tram or bus beside a stranger blasting their music to the entire carriage without headphones

Parents are too terrified of triggering their kids to teach them basic good manners, and discipline or firmness are almost considered forms of child abuse; now that every manifestation of childhood brattishness has a neurodiverse label, you darent look crooked at a disruptive child in a shop, on a bus or in a restaurant for fear of being filmed and shamed on TikTok.

And this sense of boundless licence, of bad behaviour as an expression of identity and individuality rather than plain old-fashioned ignorance, isnt just confined to children.

Perhaps its down to the decline of organised religion, which functioned to remind us of our obligations to other people, but society in general now seems riddled with a toxic and casual egotism that prioritises the whims of self above all else - forget #metoo, welcome to the age of #mefirst.

The majority of the audience in the old-fashioned, rather cramped setting of The Gaiety Theatre, for a performance of the Arthur Miller classic last week, were hardly in the first flush of youth.

These were people who were brought up to have manners, to show courtesy, to be considerate to others - well, were those qualities ever skin-deep?

The coughing began the moment the curtain rose and continued at no more than ten-second intervals for almost three hours - persistent, widespread and utterly self-indulgent.

It was while trying to enjoy The Crucible at the Gaiety that I witnessed an astounding lack of consideration for the actors, struggling to be heard over the extravaganza of expectoration

People hacked, coughed, hawked, and cleared their throats as luxuriantly as if they were alone in their own bathrooms.

Much of it sounded elective - they could have held it in, or at least kept it down, but they simply couldnt be bothered.

A woman seated behind me coughed loudly, open-mouthed and without the slightest attempt to silence or stifle, approximately every three minutes.

Nobody in the place seemed to possess a tissue, and the Covid-era habit of coughing and sneezing into your elbow has long been forgotten.

Apart from the infernal annoyance of other peoples phlegm being copiously expelled in minor detonations, the small matter of infectivity in a confined space in wintertime was another concern.

And then there was the astounding lack of consideration for the actors, struggling to be heard over the extravaganza of expectoration.

How soul-destroying to have rehearsed, honed and perfected your modulated and nuanced delivery, only to have to shout to be heard over the bronchial bedlam from the floor?

If we cannot rely on people to behave with courtesy in shared public spaces, then the management of theatres and cinemas are going to have to get tough if they want repeat business.

Selling noisy food like nachos is hugely disrespectful to those patrons who are capable of sitting for 90 minutes without needing to stuff their faces.

And for all the cost-of-living whinges we hear, it beats me how people can afford cinema and theatre treats anyway - a bag of jellies and a small bottle of water, in the Gaiety last week cost 9.70, or three times what wed have paid in Dunnes.

Though I reckon they should put a noise levy on Werthers Originals, given that it took another nearby theatre-goer about three minutes to open a single one. And dont even get me started on the mobile phones

Still, though its widely ignored, at least theatres and cinemas ask patrons to switch off phones.

Now they really need to start urging people to be courteous coughers and sneezers too: do it quietly, if you absolutely have to, always use a tissue, and if you really cant stop, then get the hell out and leave everyone else to watch the show in peace.

Its not going to counteract the rampage of ignorance, but a gentle reminder that other people are entitled to enjoy their night out, without the sound track of your snots, bugs and spittle, would certainly be a start.

AND THE AWARD FOR BEST SPEECH GOES TO...

Jessie Buckley poses with her BAFTA for Best Actress for the film Hamnet in the Winners Room at the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at London's Royal Festival Hall on 22 February, 2026

Jessie Buckleys acceptance speeches, whenever she receives her latest award, are almost as entertaining as her performances.

She told Paul Mescal, during one such ceremony, that shed drink him like a glass of water; she told the Hamnet extras, when accepting her Golden Globe, that she would like to rave with them for the rest of her life.

Then, accepting her Bafta on Sunday, she said her fellow nominees were doing it for the naughty girls. Well, quite.

Since her name is already engraved on her Oscar  the last time there was such certainty about the acting gong, say observers, was Ben Kingsleys for Gandhi in 1983  a nation expects a humdinger of a speech that night.

And no less impressive than her speechifying, on these occasions, is her ability to appear convincingly surprised by each widely predicted accolade.

Jessie deserves another award for those performances alone.

ANDREW PLUMBS NEW DEPTHS

From the damburst of revelations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor since his arrest last week, its beginning to sound as if his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein was one of his redeeming features.

Sheila Bailey, a Louth woman who knew him through charity work for 12 years, said: The nicest thing I can say about him is that he was an arrogant buffoon.

Just as well she didnt tell us what she really thought...

And of all the pictures that have emerged in the Epstein files, I reckon one of most shocking is that shot of him rolling a ball shaped like a womans breast, complete with realistic nipple, to a toddler.

What should be a harmless image of a child being engaged in playful antics can now only be seen as deeply sinister.

THE TIMES THEY ARE A-SHAMIN'

Maria Steen, her Hermes bag and her husband Neil outside the Dail after she failed to get the 20 nominations required to run for president last September

On radio last week, former Aras hopeful Maria Steen revealed her famous Hermes bag, inset, cost far less than the widely quoted estimate of 40,000 and was a gift from her husband many years ago.

But that didnt stop one self-important newspaper citing the incorrect figure as fact, in a supposedly hilarious quiz question at the weekend.

The side-splitting jibe also suggested that the bag was full to the brim with Communion wafers and that her explanation for its origin was an ecumenical matter.

Laugh? I nearly did. Misogyny, misinformation and anti-Catholic mockery in one fell swoop? Even for the paper of record, that was a good days work.

Misogyny, misinformation and anti-Catholic mockery in one fell swoop? Even for the paper of record, that was a good days work.

Misogyny, misinformation and anti-Catholic mockery in one fell swoop? Even for the paper of record, that was a good days work.
Karoline Leavitt said that Donald Trump still believes Iran presents a clear threat to the United States as the President prepares strikes.

'Iran chants "death to America." You tell me if that's a threat,' Leavitt told reporters Tuesday outside the White House.

Trump's negotiators Steve Witkoff and soninlaw Jared Kushner are slated to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday in Geneva.

But talks to avert all-out war with the Islamic regime are rapidly deteriorating. Trump has ramped up his threats in an effort to bend Iran into agreeing a deal to end its nuclear program, but so far Tehran has refused 'zero enrichment'.

The President trashed reports Monday that he is planning 'fake limited strikes' against Iran amid reports the US is running low on missile stockpiles.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine reportedly warned Trump that US troops would be 'sitting ducks' as arms had been depleted in bolstering Ukraine and Israel.

Trump dismissed the 'fake news' and said 'Razin' Caine and he were in agreement that the US should avoid war with Iran but that it would be 'easily won' if necessary.

Caine warned the President that the mission is now fraught with significant risk to American lives, sources claimed.

Karoline Leavitt said that Donald Trump still believes Iran presents a clear threat to the United States as the President prepares strikes

Trump gestures as he waits for the arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on September 29, 2025

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses to the public on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution according to Iranian state television in Tehran, Iran on February 9

Conversations from inside the White House reveal that Caine went headtohead with Trump and his top aides just days ago.

His warning was clear: America's munitions are in low supply, thanks to the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. With the U.S. defense shield spread thin, Caine cautioned that an Iran offensive is a gamble the military might not be equipped to win.

Caine isn't just a decorated commander  he's Trump's righthand man in the Situation Room. As the President's most trusted military advisor, his word carries immense weight in the Oval Office.

Trump's secret weapon in the Iran crisis is a 'small brain trust' of elite strategists, a US official told Axios. This select group is currently drafting a tactical playbook that will allow the President to strike at a time of his choosing  ensuring he holds all the cards while keeping American forces out of the line of fire.

Two sources explain that while Caine gave the Venezuela operation the green light, he is taking a much more hesitant approach to Iran, with one source even describing Caine as a 'reluctant warrior.'

They said that despite his hesitancy, Caine would ultimately agree to whatever the president wanted. He has reportedly been the only military leader to brief Trump in recent weeks on this matter.

'General Caine is a talented and highlyvalued member of President Trump's national security team. The President listens to a host of opinions on any given issue and decides based on what is best for US national security,' White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a written statement.

Trump's negotiators Steve Witkoff and soninlaw Jared Kushner are planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday in Geneva.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly paralyzed by indecision. Sources say the nation's top diplomat is sitting on the fence when it comes to Iran, spending a large portion of his time tackling Venezuela and Cuba.

One option Trump is said to be considering is the assassination of the son of Iran's supreme leader as brave protesters have marched again in Tehran, chanting 'death to Ayatollah' over the weekend.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 55yearold son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is his father's most likely successor due to close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)  a powerful branch of the armed forces designated a terrorist group by the US .

While Trump's reported assassination threat looms from above , students at the Sharif University of Technology are back on the streets and were chanting 'death to Khamenei' and 'shameless, shameless' last Saturday, antigovernment media site Iran International said.

Protests began against the Ayatollah's regime over economic grievances in December 2025 but were violently suppressed, with some estimates saying 30,000 demonstrators were killed by progovernment security forces.

More conservative estimates from the USbased Human Rights Activists News Agency say at least 6,876 people have been killed, alongside 50,000 arrests.

The US Navy 'armada' has been gathering on Iranian shores in the Persian Gulf as Trump supported the protesters, saying 'help is on its way' on January 22, with more than a third of American personnel now actively deployed in the region.

The White House has been considering launching 'limited' military strikes since last Friday to force them to the negotiating table and curb their nuclear programme.

If these negotiations should fail, the assassination of Mojtaba and his father is one option being considered by the president, aiming at wholesale regime change.
A Texas commissioner attracted a crowd of liberal locals after proposing the red county dedicate part of their highway as the 'Charlie Kirk Corridor.'

More than 100 people piled into a Bastrop County courthouse on Monday to share their thoughts on the controversial resolution.

If passed, the county would designate part of Farm to Market Road 969 as a memorial to the late conservative podcast host Charlie Kirk.

The Illinois native was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September.

The road in question sits 30 minutes east of downtown Austin in a county that has voted overwhelmingly red in the last four gubernatorial elections, per KXAN.

Commissioner David Glass proposed the designation, reported the Austin American-Statesman.

'Kirk's activism emphasized civic participation, free speech, and political engagement among youth, building a national network of student activists and influencing political discourse on college campuses and beyond,' he said.

As the county gathered to vote, dozens of people held up 'NO' signs firmly indicating their disapproval of Glass's divisive resolution.

Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at a Turning point USA event

Farm to Market Road 969 is located 30 minutes from Downtown Austin

The commission gave each side a turn to share the reason for their vote for or against the resolution. Ramos pictured with Angela Nixon

The session lasted 30 minutes, allowing each side to take turns defending their vote.

One speaker, Ruth Todd, called Kirk 'one of the most polarizing figures in politics.'

'[The name change] sends a message to a significant portion of our community that their comfort in their home county does not matter,' she told the commission.

Another dissenter argued that Kirk, who was not from Texas, had no ties to Bastrop County.

Dock Jackson told the commission that a freedom colony was established by freed slaves near FM 969 in 1865.

'With this history and the fact that Charlie Kirk, to my knowledge, has no relatives or connection to Bastrop County, I do not feel the court should pass a resolution endorsing this street name change,' he said.

The vote was held at the Bastrop County Courthouse

More than 100 people showed up to express their opinions on David Glass's controversial resolution

David Glass proposed the memorial designation, noting that Kirk's 'activism' had inspired young people

Some did express support for Glass's resolution. Mark White called Kirk 'an American patriot and Christian.'

'His message was grounded in American exceptionalism and a positive spirit of action,' he said.

'The abhorrent response to his brutal murder is proof enough why we need to honor someone who put the First Amendment first,' added Judah Ross.

But even Glass admitted that he 'absolutely' didn't agree with 'everything Charlie Kirk said.'

'Not all of us are going to agree, but we can agree to disagree,' he said.

Not only did dozens of people show up to express their disapproval, but Glass's inbox was also flooded before the meeting even began.

The Bastrop County Commission decided to table the proposition and Glass doesn't plan to bring it up again

Those who did not support the resolution held signs with the word 'No' written on them. Justice Ramos (right) voted against the resolution

'Two-thirds of them were from very considerate constituents asking me to postpone the vote and/or to reconsider the resolution,' he told the American-Statesman.

'I felt that I would honor their request. I replied to every email myself. The other 1/3 were very hateful with threats, etc. The confusion also was that it was never to rename the road but rather memorial designation.'

A memorial designation does not officially change the name of a road; only the House and Senate can make that distinction.

After the fallout, Glass tabled the resolution and doesn't plan on bringing it up again.

'I'm going to take a breath and have some conversations with my constituents,' he said.

The Daily Mail contacted Glass for comment.
Workmen have been spotted installing a security fence at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's new Norfolk home.

Renovations are being carried out at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate with the former Duke of York expected to move into the property around April.

For the time being Andrew is staying at nearby Wood Farm where he was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He is accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.

The former prince has not been seen since he returned to Sandringham nearly a week ago.

However his security team were spotted driving around the nearby village of Wolferton this morning.

Yesterday, a retired civil servant claimed Andrew charged taxpayers for massages while working as the UK's trade envoy.

The former member of staff, who worked in the UK's trade department in the early 2000s, said the disgraced royal successfully expensed the treatment as well as excessive travel costs during his time in the role between 2001 and 2011.

Workmen have been spotted today at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's new Norfolk home at Marsh Farm where the former Duke of York is expected to move into around April

Andrew leaving Aylsham Police Station last Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

The civil servant alleged he was so annoyed by Andrew's request that he'd refused to pay for the massage, but was 'overruled' by senior staff.

'I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,' he told the BBC.

The Department for Business and Trade declined to comment on the claim. Andrew has always denied any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.

But a former senior Whitehall official, who oversaw finances, said he saw similar expenses for Andrew's trips, adding he had 'absolutely no doubt' about the massage claims.

Since his arrest, fresh allegations against Andrew include:

The picture of him on all fours over a woman is from his 2010 'goodbye' trip to Epstein's New York apartment

His right-hand man David Stern joked about having sex on Epstein's island after the billionaire was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution

Epstein tried to broker a deal with an American investment firm that would have netted Andrew a 1million advance

Meanwhile, Australia's Prime Minister has told Sir Keir Starmer he would back plans to remove Andrew from the line of royal succession. The ex-Duke of York is currently eighth in line to the throne, behind Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, and Prince Harry , and his two children, Archie and Lilibet.

Workmen were spotted at Andrew's soon-to-be home on the Sandringham Estate erecting a security fence

In a letter to his UK counterpart, Australian PM Anthony Albanese wrote: 'In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.

'I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation. These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.'

Asked about the letter, Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'The Government has received the letter.

'We are considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and we are not ruling anything out.

'But given the ongoing police investigation it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.'

He added that Australia was the only one of the other 14 Commonwealth realms so far to have indicated it would support removing Andrew from the line of succession.

After Andrew's arrest, King Charles said: 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

'What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

'As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all'.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to support the King's unprecedented statement following the arrest of William's uncle Andrew at Sandringham last Thursday.
Police probing the rape and murder of a girl are still waiting for the pathologist's cause of death report six months after her death, an inquest has heard.

Casey-Louise Horrocks, 13, suffered four cardiac arrests in August last year after travelling from Greater Manchester to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, to meet a 16-year-old boy.

The schoolgirl, who was in the care of the council at the time of her death, was later found 'unresponsive' in the boy's room on August 11 and died in hospital the next day.

The boy was arrested on suspicion of the rape and murder of Casey-Louise and the rape of another 16-year-old girl in his hometown. He has since been released on bail.

Six months on, the cause of Casey-Louise's death is still unknown despite a post-mortem.

Police have still not received the forensic pathologist's report to determine this, the inquest heard this morning. A toxicology report has been completed.

Assistant West Yorkshire coroner Peter Merchant opened the inquest into Casey-Louise's death but suspended proceedings for six months, at the request of West Yorkshire Police.

Casey-Louise Harrocks was being looked after in local authority care at the time of her death on August 12 last year after she suffered four heart attacks and was raped

Casey-Louise with an unnamed friend in a picture posted onto the GoFundMe fundraising site

Casey-Louise was born on 10 March, 2012, in Oldham, Bradford Coroner's Court heard previously.

She died in Calderdale Royal Hospital, in Halifax, Coroner's officer Victoria Normington told the hearing this morning.

'The brief circumstances of her sad death are that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service were called to a house in Huddersfield regarding an unresponsive teenager,' said Mrs Normington.

'CRT [cardiac resynchronisation therapy] was commenced and Casey was admitted to the Calderdale Royal Hospital where she was initially unresponsive and unconscious.

'She was taken for scans and CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] was commenced as she then suffered four cardiac arrests.

'She was sadly pronounced dead, life extinct at 2.18am on 12 August.'

Casey-Louise was formally identified through photographic evidence given to detectives.

Pathologist Dr Kirsten Hope has performed a post-mortem to establish the cause of death but police have still not received her report six months after the young girl's death.

A detective sergeant requested assistant coroner Mr Fleming to suspend the inquest proceedings for another six months, until 24 August.
A lawyer for one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims has called on British prosecutors to determine if Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be accused of alleged sex trafficking.

Perry Wander, a Beverly Hills lawyer who represents a woman who was introduced to paedophile Epstein by Andrew at Windsor Castle, told The Mail on Sunday he believes the former prince could be charged with the crime under British law.

Mr Wander, who has spent two decades representing victims of sexual abuse, claims his client alleges that when she told Andrew about being 'treated inappropriately' by Epstein he replied he 'wasn't surprised' because someone else had made a similar accusation against the billionaire.

Mr Wander said: 'In my professional legal opinion, based upon the facts presented, if a prosecutor in the United Kingdom were to apply the governing statutory framework under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, a reasonable basis would exist to conclude that criminal liability for sex trafficking could be established.'

Mr Wander's client, who received a payout from the Epstein estate last year, claims Andrew - who she briefly dated after meeting him at an event - encouraged her to spend time with Epstein and travel on the billionaire's private jet, nicknamed the 'Lolita Express'.

The woman visited Epstein's Palm Beach mansion and his private Caribbean island and was sexually assaulted by him on multiple occasions.

Under Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Human Trafficking), a person commits an offense if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to that person being exploited.

A lawyer for one of Jeffrey Epstein's victims has called on British prosecutors to determine if Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured in 2022) could be accused of alleged sex trafficking

The statute states that 'travel' includes recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person and applies regardless of whether the victim consents to the travel.

Mr Wander added: 'My client was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell by then Prince Andrew and Andrew actively encouraged and facilitated my client's travel aboard Epstein's private aircraft.

'If a prosecutor applied these facts to Section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the encouragement and facilitation of travel - combined with knowledge or reasonable foresight of sexual exploitation - could satisfy the statutory elements of human trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation.'

Andrew has repeatedly and strenuously denied claims by the late Virginia Giuffre that she was sex trafficked to Andrew by Epstein.

Mr Wander's client is the first time a woman has alleged Andrew introduced a victim to Epstein.

The MoS understands the woman did not explicitly tell Andrew she had been raped by Epstein, but did confide in the prince that the financier had mistreated her.

Mr Wander said: 'One memory that stayed with her was a conversation in early 2000 in which she confided in Andrew about her time with Epstein and disclosed that he had behaved inappropriately towards her.

'In response, Andrew admitted that he wasn't surprised because he'd heard that someone else had made a similar allegation. She remembers thinking: "If he knew that, why would he encourage me to spend time with Epstein?"'

The arrest of Andrew this week prompted reaction from Epstein's victims and their lawyers.

Lawyer Jack Scarola, who represented 20 Epstein victims, told the MoS he believes Andrew will escape justice in the US.

Mr Scarola said: 'There has unquestionably been a deliberate cover-up. I believe that it may have started through incompetence, but there is no question in my mind that the cover-up has continued as a consequence of the conscious effort to avoid holding US government officials responsible.

'Epstein's cohorts, his enablers, and his benefactors have not been held accountable to the extent that they need to be held accountable.'

Lawyer Gloria Allred told the MoS: 'The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is for a crime against the state and the state has acted quickly to make this arrest. However, there has still not been any action on the part of the police on allegations that Andrew has committed crimes against women.

A Beverly Hills lawyer represents a woman who says she was introduced to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein by Andrew at Windsor Castle

'Apparently, allegations concerning state trade secrets and allegations of financial crimes are given priority and quick action while allegations of rape, child sexual abuse and sex trafficking take many years to investigate and do not result in arrests and accountability for victims who are women and girls.'

Suhas Subramanyan, 49, the leading Democrat on the Congressional committee investigating the scandal, offered to fly to the UK to depose Andrew.

He said: 'We can go to the UK and meet him there. He can stipulate the terms of the conversation. We would just ask that he does so under oath, because he has lied before about his relationship with Epstein and some of the victims.'

Congress has repeatedly asked Andrew to go to the US to give testimony.

'Andrew has an opportunity to clear his name, and clear his family's name, and clear the record with us,' said Subramanyan.

'His team knows, but I think that they have been hiding from us because they have been hoping that this will go away.

'It has not gone away. It will never go away until he is forthcoming about his actions. Certainly if he did nothing wrong he should be forthcoming and help our investigation. Epstein's victims deserve justice.'

Victim Teresa Helm, 46, told the MoS: 'I became good friends with Virginia Giuffre, and though I never met Andrew, from what Virginia told me he absolutely knew what he was doing.

'I hope there's a very intense investigation.

'Andrew may be able to mend his ways and apologise, but right now I don't think he has one ounce of acceptance or accountability for what he has done.'

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has always vehemently denied the charges against him and any wrongdoing. He was approached for comment.
Britain's new ambassador to the US hosted a welcome bash last night - at the same time as his predecessor Lord Peter Mandelson was being held in custody.

Sir Christian Turner is said to have served guests fish and chips and 'Turner Tonic' cocktails on his official debut as the UK's top diplomat in Washington DC.

But the timing of Monday night's reception - held at the ambassador's residence at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue - proved awkward as it came as Lord Mandelson was still being quizzed by police in London.

The former Labour peer, who was sacked as Britain's ambassador to the US in September last year, was held for around nine hours on Monday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

At around 1.15am on Tuesday, the 72-year-old was pictured as he was driven out of Wandsworth Police Station after being released on bail.

He has been accused of passing sensitive information onto paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary in Gordon Brown's government.

Sir Christian was appointed by the Prime Minister in December to fill the vacancy left by Lord Mandelson's dramatic exit from Washington DC.

He formally took up the role at the beginning of this month and he was recently pictured presenting his credentials to US President Donald Trump.

Sir Christian Turner, Britain's new ambassador to the US, formally took up the role at the beginning of this month and was recently pictured presenting his credentials to Donald Trump

Lord Mandelson was held for around nine hours on Monday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office

According to The Times, Sir Christian told guests on Monday night how Mr Trump 'gave me this rather lovely hat', before he took out a red MAGA hat which read: 'America is back!'.

'But he slightly confused me, because I also have this hat,' the ambassador continued, taking out a 'Make Wales Great Again' hat.

Sir Christian is reported to have gone on to describe the US-UK relationship as an 'indispensable partnership', adding: 'We must not disregard everything that has sustained us for 80 years. Instead, we must build on it.

'We must find new ways to uphold our values, and the rule of law, and we must make this a moment of radical renewal.'

In his address, the ambassador was also revealed to have gently rebuked Trump allies over their comments about free speech in Britain and crime rates in London.

'Someone once defined a diplomat as 'someone who tells you how to go to hell in such a way as you want to ask for directions',' he is said to have told guests.

'I will try and live up to that, but in the family-friendly version of the expression, I'm also here to 'get stuff done'. I will try and do that. I won't shy from debate.

'I will tell you why London is the safest city in the G7 - fact - why we're not curtailing free speech - fact - and I want to hear how you see it too.'

In a statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

'He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

'This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

'We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.'

Footage showed Lord Mandelson being led out of his house by a plain clothes police officer on Monday.

Two of the peer's properties were previously searched by police in connection with the allegations, which surfaced following the US Department of Justice's document dump related to Epstein last month.

As part of the so-called 'Epstein files', emails from 2009 appear to show Lord Mandelson pass on an assessment by Mr Brown's adviser of potential policy measures including an 'asset sales plan'.

He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers' bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

The emails appeared to be sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender.

It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service is yet to offer any early investigative advice in relation to the allegations against Lord Mandelson.

The Cabinet Office previously referred material to police in connection with the probe into Lord Mandelson after an initial review of the Epstein files suggested 'safeguards were compromised'.

Lord Mandelson has denied the Epstein files show he broke any laws or acted for personal gain. He has repeatedly said he regrets his friendship with Epstein.
A fraudster who was part of a scheme to target Tube passengers with scam text messages laundered 600,000 through gift cards, a court heard.

A gang of four was sentenced on Tuesday for the plot, where 'SMS blasters' hidden inside suitcases were wheeled around the Underground network and sent out phishing texts.

Travellers who walked past the devices received fake messages about a failed parcel delivery and a link inviting them to enter their details to sort the problem.

The aim of the texts was really to 'plunder' the victims' bank accounts, Inner London Crown Court was told.

The court heard it was difficult to quantify how much money the fraudsters had gained specifically from the texting scheme, but that 'top boss' Zhijia Fan, 48, had personally benefited more than 100,000.

His co-defendants Daoyan Shang, 20, Wan Hafiz, 41, and Gatis Lauks, 25, were thought to have received smaller sums, but Lauks had laundered around 600,000 by purchasing gift cards with stolen bank details, prosecutor Alex Davidson said.

Lauks was paid five per cent commission for the gift cards he loaded and believed he personally made about 30,000 from the texting scheme, the hearing was told.

After giving a 'no comment' interview to police in May 2025, Lauks returned five days later and confessed to his role in the racket.

Zhijia Fan, 48, was known as the 'top boss' of the text messaging scam, and was court with a 'SMS blaster' on the Underground

Wan Hafiz, 41 (left) and Daoyan Shang, 20 (right) have both been jailed for their parts in the racket

The 25-year-old revealed he had been recruited in June or July of 2024 to purchase gift cards using stolen bank account details under Fan, who became 'his handler', Mr Davidson said.

Lauks had explained a 'lady in China' was able to provide him with 'real-time remote technical support', and said he would use an app on his phone loaded with stolen bank details to make in-store purchases.

The defendant said he could purchase 100 gift cards in a day and, on one occasion, had bought 8,000 worth of gift cards from a UK store, the court heard.

The group used the gift cards to purchase items including clothes, Pokemon cards, Louis Vuitton goods and video games, Mr Davidson said.

Fan, of Winchester Street in Acton, had asked Lauks to also wheel around an SMS blaster in a suitcase, but issues with the device's battery meant this did not happen, the court heard.

Lauks was also dispatched to France to assess the 'feasibility' of conducting the same scam on the Paris Metro.

This idea was dismissed, however, as the system was assessed as not having 'the same vulnerabilities as could be exploited by the crime group in England', Mr Davidson said.

Police said an investigation was launched on March 11, 2025, when an off-duty British Transport Police (BTP) detective spotted a man with a suspicious suitcase, that bore a number of holes and emitted a green flash, sitting at a platform at King's Cross Underground station.

The group was busted after an off-duty British Transport Police officer noticed two of them wheeling around suspicious-looking luggage

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Officers searching Fan, Shang and Hafiz's London addresses seized 10,832 gift cards loaded with more than 80,000 in profits generated from fraud, BTP said.

Shang and Fan had previously been on trial at Inner London Crown Court, and both changed their pleas to guilty on a charge of conspiracy to defraud between January and March 2025.

On Tuesday, both defendants were jailed, with Fan sentenced to four years and eight months and Shang, of Caxton Road, Shepherd's Bush, to two years and 10 months.

At the same hearing, Hafiz, of Queensway in Paddington, was jailed for 14 months for conspiracy to defraud and 10 weeks for possession of articles for use in fraud, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Recorder Alex Stein told Hafiz he would also be subject to deportation proceedings as he is not a British national.

Lauks, of Ealing, west London, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years.

Sentencing the four men, the judge said the scheme was an 'extremely sophisticated fraud' in which all of the defendants had been 'knowing participants'.

He said 'tens of thousands' of 'smishing' messages had been sent and although not all of these been responded to, 'each one represents either an attempted offence or a completed offence'.

The term 'smishing', a combination of 'SMS' and 'phishing', sees fraudsters convince victims to reveal personal information by making them think they are from a reputable company.

Another suspect, Jinhua Zhang, 58, is on the run, having fled when he was released on bail, the court heard.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Tim Weekes of the BTP said: 'These organised scammers concealed SMS blasters in suitcases in a bid to plunder the bank accounts of unsuspecting commuters.

'Their plot to defraud passengers was foiled by one of our vigilant detectives, who was off duty when he spotted the device at a London Tube station.

'An extensive investigation followed, drawing on specialists from across BTP and we built a case so robust the gang had no choice but to plead guilty.

'These convictions were achieved thanks to the close work our detectives undertook with mobile network operators, including BT, Virgin Media, O2, and Vodafone-Three, Sky, as well as the National Cyber Security Centre and Ofcom.'

Jonathan Kelleher from the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'This was a sophisticated fraud led by Zhijia Fan to get London Underground passengers to disclose personal details which the gang would then use to access and most certainly empty their bank accounts.

'While Fan maintained a physical distance, Daoyan Shang would accompany the SMS blasters, a portable and an illegal device used to impersonate a legitimate cellular tower and forcing nearby mobile phones to connect, onto the Underground and provide technical support in case they malfunctioned.

'Hafiz was shown by Shang how to deploy the devices.

'This case shows the effective and collaborative work of the British Transport Police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

'The CPS will now seek to recover their proceeds of crime to ensure these offenders do not benefit from their criminal conduct.

'If you feel you have been a victim of a fraudulent attack, please report this to the police and we will always look to prosecute cases whenever there is the evidence to do so.'
A top BBC executive has said that a racial slur was edited out of the Bafta Film Awards before it was broadcast - after apologising because another one shouted by a Tourette's campaigner made it to air.

Chief content officer Kate Phillips said the corporation 'understands how distressing' it was that the N-word remained in the coverage when it aired two hours later despite catching another racial slur before it aired.

Tourette's campaigner John Davidson could be heard shouting as black Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for special visual effects.

Mr Davidson said he is 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning', while the BBC apologised for not editing it out.

But questions are mounting over the handling of the incident at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday and why the slur remained in the broadcast and later on iPlayer.

Warner Bros, the film studio behind Sinners, is also said to have raised immediate concerns about the incident and requested it be removed from the BBC broadcast.

Ms Phillips said in a note to BBC staff: 'I wanted to write to you following Sunday's Bafta Film Awards. I'm so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast.

'We understand how distressing this was. Award attendees were pre-warned about the possibility of involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette Syndrome at the start of the show, and Alan Cumming addressed it during the broadcast. Of course, this doesn't lessen the impact and upset.

'The edit team removed another racial slur from the broadcast. This one was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast.

BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips attends the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2024

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo present the Special Visual Effects Award on stage during the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, when the slur was shouted out

'We take full responsibility for what happened. When I was made aware it was audible on iPlayer, I asked for it to be taken down. As I'm sure you're aware we put out a statement yesterday morning apologising that the remark was not edited out prior to broadcast.

'I wrote to our Embrace network colleagues yesterday and am grateful for their thoughtful responses to me. Please know that you can reach out to me, or to any member of our ExCo team, if you'd like to talk further about this. Again, I am so very sorry for the distress caused.'

Ms Phillips has worked for the BBC for 13 years and was appointed into her current role last July having held previous jobs as BBC One controller and 'director of unscripted'.

Film studio Warner Bros is believed to have raised immediate concerns about the slur and requested it be removed from the BBC broadcast.

Warner Bros is understood to have spoken directly with Bafta staff following the incident.

Warner Bros representatives are also believed to have been reassured this request would be passed on and Bafta was in touch with the studio throughout the evening.

But questions remain as to why the slur was allowed to remain in the edit that was uploaded to BBC iPlayer after the broadcast ended.

The version with Davidson's outburst was allowed to remain online for more than 12 hours and was only taken down at 11.30am on Monday.

Citing BBC sources, BBC News reported that the producers responsible for editing the show ahead of broadcast 'simply did not hear the slur' shouted when Jordan and Lindo were on stage - but had caught the other occurrence in time.

Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central, accused the BBC of 'an obvious bias' and a 'failure of duty of care', insisting the slur 'should never have been aired'.

The politician described its broadcast as 'painful and unforgivable' and has written to outgoing director-general Tim Davie asking for an explanation on why it was left in.

Warner Bros, the BBC, production company Penny Lane and Bafta have all been contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, film-maker Jonte Richardson has said he is stepping down as a Bafta judge over the academy's handling of the incident.

John Davidson (Ieft) and Kirk Jones at the Bafta Film Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Mr Jones directed I Swear, which tells the story of Mr Davidson's life with Tourette's

In a statement on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson said: 'After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.

'The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.

'I cannot and will not contribute my time, energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its black guests, members and the black creative community.

'This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 Just Act Normal.

'However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.

'I hope Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.'

Mr Richardson is a former touring musician who has worked in both the UK and US film and TV industries, with the likes of Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah.

His resignation came before Mr Davidson released a statement of his own, saying he was 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning'.

Bafta judge Jonte Richardson is stepping down over the academy's handling of the incident

The campaigner confirmed he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was 'aware of the distress my tics were causing'.

Mr Davidson said: 'I wanted to thank Bafta and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

'I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.

'I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.'

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony's presenter Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.

Referencing this, Mr Davidson said: 'In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and Bafta, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

'I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette syndrome.'

'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.

John Davidson at the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday

'I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.'

Also today, the Telegraph's senior culture writer Liam Kelly has revealed I Swear director Kirk Jones said he had 'lengthy meetings' with Bafta before the ceremony.

Recalling their chat on February 13, Mr Kelly wrote today: 'When we spoke in a Bristol cafe nine days beforehand, Jones told me that there had been 'lengthy meetings with Bafta' about making sure that Davidson would feel comfortable on Sunday night.

'If I Swear had won the outstanding British film award (which ended up going to Hamnet), Jones would have collected the statuette with Davidson. I asked what would happen if he experienced a tic on stage, in front of millions.'

The journalist said Mr Jones replied: 'I did ask that question. I said, 'What if he sees Leonardo DiCaprio and he shouts 'You c**t!' or something?' I think it's an hour delay. But it could be an interesting night.'

In a statement released last night, Bafta apologised for the incident, and said it takes 'full responsibility' for putting its guests in a 'difficult situation'.

A spokesperson from Bafta said: 'At the Bafta Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

'One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.

'Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

I Swear stars Robert Aramayo, who won best actor on Sunday for his performance in the film

'We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

'Early in the ceremony, a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

'During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

'We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.'

Speaking at the Warner Bros afterparty, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan 'did what we had to do' while presenting but he wished 'someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards'.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.

It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

The film, I Swear, tells the story of the Scottish campaigner's life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12.

It stars Robert Aramayo who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga appears in the film as Mr Davidson's lawyer, and posted on TikTok yesterday to comment on the incident.

In his video, he said: 'This is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says. In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film.

'We've made this film to educate people about Tourette's syndrome - how can you say that he can't be there at the awards? This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely he has to be there, and it's great that he was there.'

He shared an additional video where he said 'someone who has Tourette's should not apologise for having it', and he referenced when Mr Davidson met Queen Elizabeth II, and said: 'If the Queen understood that, I don't know why people don't understand.'

The BBC apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast, and a spokesperson for the corporation said: 'Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

'This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

'We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.'

Charity Tourettes Action said it 'deeply understands' the harm of the racial slur, but called for understanding of the condition.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

'We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.

'People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.

'These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John - like many others with Tourette's - lives with every single day.'

It went on to say that it had found the 'backlash' to the incident 'deeply saddening' and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early.

Tourette Scotland, which has worked with Mr Davidson, added that there was 'no meaning' behind his outburst and that the Tourette's community is 'kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics'.
Two brothers 'systematically groomed' a vulnerable 12-year-old girl for sex, a court has been told.

Kamar and Kamran Ilyas had sex with the girl in the mid-2000s when Kamar, now 39, was between 17 and 21, and Kamran, now 38, was aged about 18 to 20, prosecutors told Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

The brothers allegedly had sex with the child after she drank alcohol and smoked cannabis. They deny the charges.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, told a jury the pair 'systematically groomed a vulnerable young girl in Sheffield'.

He explained to the court on Monday how the girl, who is now in her 30s, performed a sex act on Kamar Ilyas, who had the nickname Nasser, in bushes in Meersbrook Park, in the city, when she was 12.

Mr Abrahams said the girl also performed another sex act on Kamar Ilyas in the area of Heeley City Farm, and he had sex with her in a car while parked in a lane near the Ivory Hotel.

The prosecutor told the court how the girl had sex with Kamran Ilyas - who she knew by the nickname Kammy K - in the bedroom of a flat where she had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis.

He said this was after Kamran Ilyas had taken off her trousers in the living room and started to 'show off her body'.

Two brothers 'systematically groomed' a vulnerable 12-year-old girl for sex, Sheffield Crown Court has been told

According to the prosecutor, the girl said she was 13 years old at the time.

Mr Abrahams said Kamran Ilyas also had sex with the girl on a bench in Millennium Park in Sheffield, again when she said she was 13.

He said: 'She distinctly recalls Kammy K asking her if she was going to grow some boobs.'

The prosecutor told the jurors they will hear from women who were friends with the girl at the time, who will explain how she appeared to be in a sexual relationship with someone called Kammy.

He said one friend kept a diary 'and in those entries, it is clear that during that time [the girl] was engaged in sexual activity with unidentified males'.

After the prosecutor opened the case, Puneet Grewal, defending Kamar Ilyas, told the jury her client 'denies ever knowing or having met [the girl]'.

She said he also denies that he used the nickname Nasser or that 'any sexual intercourse or activity ever took place' with the complainant.

Stephen Spence, defending Kamran Ilyas, said his client 'denies any sexual contact with [the girl] and, therefore, disputes any reported identification'.

Judge Peter Hampton told the jurors that consent was not an issue in this case.

Kamar Ilyas, from Sheffield, denies two charges of raping a child under the age of 13 and also denies two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child.

Kamran Ilyas, also from Sheffield, denies two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 15, when under the age of 18; and two alternative counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl age 13 to 15, when aged 18 or over.

The jury was told the alternatives charged in relation to Kamran Ilyas relate to whether they decide the defendant was 18 or younger at the time of the alleged incidents.
French police have released new images from Jeffrey Epstein's Paris flat showing a masseuse table, 'massage devices' and photographs of naked women as decorations.

Le Parisien published the photographs of the 18-room flat on Avenue Foch, along with a series of images taken during a 2019 investigation into rapes allegedly committed there by Jean-Luc Brunel, a former modelling agent.

Brunel, who was an associate of Epstein, took his own life in prison in 2022 while awaiting trial in France for the rape of a child.

The late agent was central to investigations in France into alleged sexual exploitation by Epstein.

The flat pictured is the same one where former diplomat Peter Mandelson was photographed standing in his underpants.

Epstein's flat, purchased by him in 2001, was decorated in colours such as red, orange and pink.

Images show photos of naked women hanging on the wall, including one that shows the paedophile laying next to two topless women.

Other photographs show a dimly lit room with a masseuse table and a drawer with a pair of 'massage devices.'

One so-called 'Chinese room' in the flat had dragon wallpaper and portraits of Chinese emperors, and his study room was lined in red leather.

One photograph from Epstein's Paris flat shows a dimly lit room with a masseuse table

Images show photos of naked women hanging on the wall, including one that shows the paedophile laying next to two topless women

The flat pictured is the same one where former diplomat Peter Mandelson was photographed standing in his underpants

The reception room, called the 'rotunda' had a bearskin rug on the floor and overlooked the Arc de Triomphe.

Epstein seemed to enjoy animal ornaments, decorating the the apartment with ram and antelope horns as well as faux tiger skin.

Several stuffed animals were also featured in the apartment, including a vulture and an elephant calf.

Those who had spent time in the home, including a butler and a decorator, previously spoke about the number of photographs of young women decorated on the walls of the home 'like family photos'.

Epstein's flat was decorated in colours such as red, orange and pink

One image showed Epstein laying next to two topless women

One workman previously said he had been 'struck by the numerous photos of young girls in the apartment'.

He added in an interview with Radio France: 'They were arranged in frames, a bit like family photos.

'The girls seemed very young. Minors? Hard to say. Not much older than 18 in any case Seeing the photos, we didn't think of paedophilia, but it was borderline, close to it.'

The butler also said Epstein would visit the massage room 'three or four times a day'.

'You could call these paid relationships,' he said, adding, 'not all the massages involved sexual relations'.

A photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Jean-Luc Brunel, a former modelling agent

One workman said he had been 'struck by the numerous photos of young girls in the apartment'

One of the photos released shows a drawer with a pair of 'massage devices'

Three years after the paedophile's death, the flat was sold for over 7million to Bulgarian tycoon Georgi Tuchev.

Investigators in France are now looking through the files on Epstein to construct a picture of alleged crimes at the property.

At least three women have said that they were abused by Epstein or his associates on French soil, but investigators think there are many more.

The photos have been released in the hopes that more women come forward.

Child protection group Innocence en Danger said it obtained around ten accounts of alleged sex crimes linked to the late paedophile in France.

French prosecutors have now opened two new investigations, one into alleged financial crimes and another into human trafficking.

Chief Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said: 'We are hoping all this data will help us get a well-informed, very broad, panoramic view [of the case].'

The release of these images come as newly-released documents suggest Epstein may have also been involved in drug trafficking.

The release of these images come as newly-released documents suggest Epstein may have also been involved in drug trafficking

The trove of files released by the Department of Justice show that the US Drug Enforcement Agency once opened an investigation into Epstein and 14 other unidentified individuals' money transfers, which authorities believed could be linked to trafficking illegal narcotics.

'DEA reporting indicates the above individuals are involved in illegitimate wire transfers, which are tied to illicit drug and/or [adult work] activities occurring in the US Virgin Islands and New York City,' the heavily redacted memo from 2015 says.

It shows that authorities in New York opened the investigation into nearly $50 million in suspicious wire transfers Epstein and 14 other targets made starting on December 17, 2010 - two years after he reached a non-prosecution agreement with the federal government and nine years before he was arrested on federal trafficking charges.

Sources involved in that case told CBS News prosecutors were unaware of this earlier DEA investigation.

It remains unclear what prompted the DEA to launch the five-year long probe and what may have come of the investigation, as the 2015 document notes that the matter is 'judicial pending' and was active at the time it was written.

Much of the details about the investigation are redacted in the file.

But the nearly 70-page memo, which is marked as 'sensitive but unclassified,' appears to have stemmed from a request made by the DEA to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Fusion Center in Virginia seeking information from other agencies about Epstein and the other targets as part of an active case.
This is the moment a gang launched a petrol bomb revenge attack, forcing a mother and daughter to escape through a bedroom window - leaving both with severe burns.

The footage has been shared as 10 men have now been convicted in connection with the arson attack on a home in Stoke-on-Trent following an 11-week trial.

Further CCTV captured the men earlier fighting in the street - with one armed with a machete and the other with a wheelie bin.

A 31-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were forced to jump from an upstairs window as their home was torched in the Bentilee district of Stoke-on-Trent on December 16 2021.

Emergency services were called after a group of men poured petrol inside the property and set it alight.

The mother, who was also hit on the head as well as being set on fire, suffered 65 per cent burns and was left in a coma for two months.

She survived, despite not being expected to, but was left with life changing injuries which require ongoing medical treatment.

Her teenage daughter suffered 15 per cent burns to her right arm and right leg.

This is the moment a gang launched a petrol bomb revenge attack in Stoke-on-Trent, forcing a mother and daughter to escape through a bedroom window - both suffering severe burns

Those now convicted over the attack are (top row, left to right) Riyadh Iqbal, Tayyeb Majeed, Bilal Ahmed, Kashif Ahmed and Lukman Khan and (bottom row, left to right) Haris Mahmood, Naveed Hussain, Shakil Uddin, Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah and Ali Abbas

Ten men have now been convicted at Nottingham Crown Court in connection with the attack.

Shakil Uddin, 23, from Oldham, Greater Manchester, was found guilty of attempted murder and arson with intent.

Lukman Khan, 24, and 23-year-old Riyadh Iqbal, both from Normacot in Stoke-on-Trent, were found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent.

Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah, 25, of HMP Hindley in Wigan, and 23-year-old Tayyeb Majeed, of Longton in Stoke-on-Trent, were convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Previously, Ali Abbas, 22, and 21-year-old Haris Mahmood, both from Normacot, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life, while Abbas also admitted violent disorder.

Naveed Hussain, 32, of Longton, admitted violent disorder and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place in December last year.

Kashif Ahmed, 25, of Stoke-on-Trent, 26-year-old Bilal Ahmed, of Normacot, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard how at about 4pm on December 16 2021, Naveed Hussain, Bilal Ahmed, Kashif Ahmed and Ali Abbas had a fight in Kildare Street, Longton.

A gang are seen outside the home in the Bentilee district of Stoke-on-Trent as the arson attack was launched on the night of December 16 2021

Kashif Ahmed suffered a stab wound to his shoulder and went to hospital for treatment.

Subsequent CCTV footage caught Riyadh Iqbal on camera talking to a shopkeeper in a phone shop, saying: 'One of the boys got stabbed up, man.'

He adds: 'The guy come from behind stabbed him in his back.

'It was Kashif, some geezer came up from behind and stabbed him in his back, he didn't even realise.

'When he was fighting he was on the phone to us by accident and we didn't know where he was.

'The geezer don't know we've planned a rumble outside his yard now, innit.'

Uddin is then seen on CCTV buying petrol from a garage ahead of the arson attack.

At 10.55pm the same day, a number of men went to the house on Beverley Drive, demanding to speak to Naveed Hussain.

Ali Abbas (4), Bilal Ahmed (3) and Naveed Hussain (1) are seen fighting in earlier scenes that day, in footage released by Staffordshire Police

Shakil Uddin is seen on CCTV buying petrol from a garage ahead of the arson attack

The men smashed the downstairs windows and poured petrol in the hallway near to the front door and outside near the living room window.

To escape, the woman and the girl inside smashed the upstairs bedroom window and jumped out.

The mother suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a lacerated liver in the fall and had to learn to walk again.

Staffordshire Police said the case had required extensive work to piece together CCTV, digital evidence and specialist material to bring each defendant to justice.

Detective Constable Howard Davies, of the force's major investigations department, said: 'This was a very detailed and thorough investigation.

'We left no stone unturned to examine the circumstances of this case.

'This was a horrific ordeal for a mother to be set on fire in her own home in front of her daughter by a number of men seeking revenge.

'Our investigation reflects the sustained commitment of officers and partners to securing justice for the victims and ensuring those involved are held fully accountable.'

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michelle Hickmott, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'Following a thorough investigation working alongside our police colleagues, we are extremely pleased with the outcome of this case.

'Our investigation teams use their extensive skills and knowledge to identify when a fire has been started deliberately and then assist the investigation further to bring arsonists to justice.

'We are continually proud of the way our fire investigation colleagues work in collaboration with police to achieve these results.'

The men have all been remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced at a date, time and court yet to be fixed.
Vladimir Putin warned today that Moscow's adversaries understood how any attack on Russia using 'a nuclear element' could end.

The dictator made the chilling threat on the fourth anniversary of his forces invading Ukraine as he spoke to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), Russia's main security agency.

Earlier, the Russian despot's spy agency accused Britain and France of secretly plotting to give Ukraine nuclear weapons.

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) alleged London and Paris were engaged in a clandestine operation to arm Kyiv with more muscle against Moscow by supplying it with a 'wonder weapon'.

'Britain and France realise that the developments in Ukraine leave no chance of achieving their much-desired victory over Russia at the hands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,' said a statement today from the spy agency.

'However, the British and French elites are not prepared to accept defeat. It is believed that Ukraine needs to be equipped with "wunderwaffe".

'Kyiv would be able to claim more favourable terms for ending the hostilities if it possessed a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called "dirty bomb".'

The Kremlin's accusations were made as Western sources claimed Russia is losing troops faster than it can replace them - with 40,000 casualties a month compared to 35,000 recruitments.

Vladimir Putin (pictured) said on Tuesday that Moscow's adversaries probably understood how any attack on Russia or Russian forces using 'a nuclear element' could end

A Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile being launched from Plesetsk in northwestern Russia in April, 2022

Over the last four years, Putin's forces have seen 1.25 million of its soldiers killed or injured on the front lines - more than the total sustained by the US during the whole of WW2.

Russia has lost an estimated 157,841 soldiers, while Ukraine is believed to have lost 81,721.

Russian frustrations are a possible motivation for their intelligence service's unfounded accusations about supplying Kyiv with nuclear weapons.

The SVR alleged today: 'London and Paris are actively working to resolve the issue of providing Kyiv with such weapons and their delivery systems.

'This involves the covert transfer of European components, equipment, and technology to Ukraine in this area. The French TN75 small-size warhead from the M51.1 submarine-launched ballistic missile is being considered as an option.'

The allegation for which the SVR gave no evidence is likely Moscow's latest bid to thwart a peace process overseen by Donald Trump.

'The British and French recognise that their plans constitute a gross violation of international law, primarily the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and carry the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system.

'Therefore, the Westerners' primary efforts are focused on making Kyiv's acquisition of nuclear weapons appear to be the result of Ukrainian development.

'Such extremely dangerous plans by London and Paris demonstrate their loss of a sense of reality. They are futilely hoping to avoid responsibility.

'Moreover, all that is hidden will inevitably be revealed.

'There are many sensible people in the military, political, and diplomatic circles of Great Britain and France who understand the danger their leaders' reckless actions pose to the entire world.'

Meanwhile, leaders of the G7 global powers, including US President Donald Trump, reaffirmed their 'unwavering support for Ukraine'.

It marks the first joint declaration by G7 leaders on Ukraine since Trump's return to the White House a year ago, noted France, which holds the G7 presidency this year.

'We express our continued support for President Trump's efforts to achieve these objectives by initiating a peace process and bringing the parties to direct discussions. Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners,' the leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan said.

They also noted their support for the so-called Coalition of the Willing which has offered security guarantees to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire, adding 'that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peace agreement'.

Moscow had hoped to take Kyiv in days when it launched its invasion on February 24, 2022.

Instead, four years later, hundreds of thousands have been killed, millions forced to flee and much of eastern Ukraine has been destroyed.

In the midst of another winter of combat, the G7 said it has provided financial support along with 'critical equipment' in recent weeks such as generators and turbines to aid the country's energy supplies.

Since January, 'more than half a billion euros of new pledges were made to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to purchase equipment to repair and protect the Ukrainian energy system', the statement said.

The United States has been pushing to end the conflict, mediating talks between the two sides this year in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, but they remain at odds over the issue of territory.
A fugitive British paedophile is set to be deported to the UK after being arrested while living as a diving instructor in the Philippines.

Andrew Charles Beaumont, 47, was detained by intelligence officers on February 16 at a scuba centre on the island of Romblon.

At the time of his arrest, Beaumont was allegedly providing diving lessons at Tablas Pro Scuba, which he appears to run with his wife, Bhebe Visca.

He was jailed for four and a half years in 2009 after admitting to having sex with a 15-year-old student he taught at a high school in Melbourne, Australia.

Beaumont pleaded guilty to nine offences, including sexual penetration of a child under 16 under his authority and possession of child pornography, Australian media reported at the time.

The charges related to sexual liaisons between the teacher and the student that occurred at her parents' home, in his car and on the school grounds - including in a cleaning cupboard.

Immigration officials said Beaumont is a registered sex offender in Britain and is subject to a lifelong Sexual Offence Notification Order issued in 2012.

A fugitive British paedophile is set to be deported to the UK after being arrested while living as a diving instructor in the Philippines

Andrew Charles Beaumont, 47, was detained by intelligence officers on February 16 at a scuba centre on the island of Romblon.

Immigration officials said Beaumont is a registered sex offender in Britain and subject to a lifelong Sexual Offence Notification Order issued in 2012. Beaumont and his wife have a daughter, according to reports

According to authorities, Beaumont last entered the Philippines in September 2022 on a temporary visa that expired in November 2023, leaving him classed as an 'overstaying alien'.

Joel Anthony Viado, of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, said in a statement: It is absolutely unacceptable for foreign sex offenders to come to our country.

'We express our outrage against anyone - especially foreigners - who seek to victimize minors and violate their innocence.

'The Bureau of Immigration will relentlessly pursue and deport individuals who pose a threat to our children.

'We stand firm in our commitment to safeguard children.

'Through our #ShieldKids campaign and close coordination with international and local law enforcement agencies, we will ensure that predators find no refuge in the Philippines.'

At the time of his arrest, Beaumont was allegedly providing diving lessons at Tablas Pro Scuba on the island of Romblon which he appears to run with his wife, Bhebe Visca.

According to authorities, Beaumont last entered the Philippines in September 2022 on a temporary visa that expired in November 2023, leaving him classed as an 'overstaying alien'

A Facebook post by his wife shows them enjoying a Valentine's Day meal two days before his arrest.

The pair share a daughter, according to reports.

Officials said Beaumont will remain in custody while deportation proceedings are underway.

The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
A drug-addled migrant driver who wiped out a family while speeding at almost 100mph has been quietly freed and deported - having served barely three years of a ten-and-a-half year jail sentence.

Aurelijus Cielevicius, 43, was yesterday flown back to his native Lithuania under Labour's controversial early prison release scheme, despite killing Paul Carter, 41, his wife Lisa, 49, and her daughter Jade Mace, 25.

The Daily Mail can reveal the triple killer's removal came just 12 days after his looming release was raised at Prime Minister's Questions - where Sir Keir Starmer pledged to 'look into' the case.

Cielevicius was jailed following the devastating crash on the A47 in Norfolk in January 2023.

He was already on police bail and subject to a curfew when he ploughed along the wrong side of the road in his BMW X5 under a toxic cocktail of crystal meth, cannabis and the party drug M-Cat.

He careered into the family's Vauxhall Mokka car at 96mph - yet escaped with just two broken ribs because he was so blitzed on drugs his muscles softened and absorbed the impact.

The family's surviving daughter, Summer Mace, 26, told of her fury at learning the killer was now walking free in capital Vilnius, having served a total prison term of just three years and one month.

Ms Mace, a teacher from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, accused Labour of handing Cielevicius a 'get-out-of-jail-free card'.

Aurelijus Cielevicius, 43, was yesterday flown back to his native Lithuania under Labour's controversial early prison release scheme, despite killing Paul Carter (left), 41, his wife Lisa (right), 49, and her daughter Jade Mace (second left), 25. Pictured: The family, with surviving daughter Summer Mace, 26, second right

The Daily Mail can reveal the removal of the triple killer (pictured) came just 12 days after his looming release was raised at Prime Minister's Questions

The family's surviving daughter, Summer (left, with her family), told of her fury at learning the killer was now walking free in capital Vilnius, having served a total prison term of just three years and one month

She said: 'We are extremely hurt and feel so much anger.

'I am now fighting with the feeling I have failed my family in not being able to get them justice.

'Any small amount of faith I had in our justice system is gone and I despise living in a place that can think that three years and one month is an appropriate sentence served for killing three people.

'We will never understand the decision that has been made.

'That man is a killer with no regard for others.

'He is a criminal, yet is walking free and has the ability to go anywhere in the world other than the UK, a small section of the world.'

Cielevicius was found to have been 15 times over the legal limit for methamphetamine and three times over the limit for cannabis.

Norwich Crown Court heard how he had sped through red traffic lights in the moments before the crash.

He admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Ms Mace, who lost her mother, sister and stepdad, said news of the sudden deportation came 'out of the blue' while she was attempting to arrange a meeting with the government in a last-ditch attempt to halt the killer's release.

At Prime Minister's Questions on February 11, North West Norfolk MP James Wild described the looming deportation as 'the final insult', warning that 'three years for three lives' would 'undermine public confidence in our justice system'.

Sir Keir replied that he would examine the circumstances 'as quickly as possible'.

But on Friday - just four days before Cielevicius was deported - prisons minister Lord Timpson wrote to Mr Wild regarding the 'potential early release'.

In the letter, seen by the Daily Mail, he wrote that 'it would not be appropriate for me...to seek to influence the operational decision-making process.'

Ms Mace accused Labour of 'hollow words' and said she was 'fighting a lost cause against people with power who do not look at things in a human capacity'.

She added: 'I do not believe that it was ever going to be looked over as Keir Starmer had stated at Prime Minister's Questions.

Ms Mace (right, with her family, on Paul and Lisa's wedding day), a teacher from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, accused Labour of handing Cielevicius a 'get-out-of-jail-free card'

She said: 'We are extremely hurt and feel so much anger. I am now fighting with the feeling I have failed my family in not being able to get them justice'. Pictured: Jade, left, with Paul, centre, and Lisa, right, on the couple's wedding day

Cielevicius was jailed following the devastating crash on the A47 in Norfolk in January 2023 which stole her family's lives. Pictured: Paul and Lisa on their wedding day

Ms Mace said news of the sudden deportation came 'out of the blue' while she was attempting to arrange a meeting with the government in a last-ditch attempt to halt the killer's release. Pictured: Her sister, Jade

'I believe the wheels would have already been in motion.

'In everything we have been through, trying to fight justice for my beautiful family, we have always been let down and insulted.

'And here we are again, having this happen.'

Labour introduced its early release scheme in September 2024 in a bid to tackle severe overcrowding in English prisons.

Under the changes, inmates can be freed after serving 40 per cent of their sentence rather than the standard 50 per cent, More than 40,000 prisoners were released early in the first 12 months.

Foreign national offenders, however, can be removed up to two years before the earliest release date, if they have served 30 per cent of their sentence.

Ms Mace, aged just 23 when she had to organise the funerals of her immediate family, said she was 'devastated' by Cielevicius' early release.

Calling for Labour to review its eligibility criteria for the scheme, she said: 'These people in their high positions are playing with real people's lives.

'Each case should be looked at in fine detail before a decision is made on its severity.

'I will always stand by the fact that the man who killed my family not only took their lives but destroyed them.

'I will never forget the fact that he was already a criminal and should not have been out of the house. I will never forget the fact that he was on an extreme amount of drugs.

'I will never forget any detail of what he has done and most importantly, I will never be able to accept that he has taken my mum, stepdad and sister away from me and all those around them.

'He ruined my life and he has gotten away with it so freely with a get-out-of-jail-free card.'

In his letter to Ms Mace's MP, Lord Timpson defended the use of deportation orders, saying they 'mitigate prison capacity pressures' and 'avoid the British taxpayer continuing to pay to hold foreign nationals who have come to this country and committed offences'.

The Home Office was approached for comment.
An Algerian thief has admitted to stealing a handbag which contained a Faberge egg and watch worth 2million.

Enzo Conticello, also known as Hakim Boudjenoune and thought to be from Algeria, swiped Rosie Dawson's handbag in Soho on November 7, 2024.

Ms Dawson's purse contained 'credit cards, a laptop, the Faberge egg and a Faberge watch, to the value of over 2.1million' belonging to the Irish Craft Whiskey Company where she is the Director of Premium Brands.

The 29-year-old then used her credit card to buy himself a drink, cigarettes and other goods in a Co-Op and Nisa Local.

Judge Martin Griffith said it must have been 'rather a surprise' when he found the Faberge products inside the handbag.

Both the Faberge egg and watch remain missing and the Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information relating to their whereabouts to come forward.

The thief was arrested by Met detectives in Belfast on January 26 of this year.

He appeared at Southwark Crown Court today wearing a grey prison tracksuit and admitted theft and three counts of fraud by false representation.

Enzo Conticello (pictured), also known as Hakim Boudjenoune and thought to be from Algeria originally, swiped Rosie Dawson's handbag on November 7, 2024

Ms Dawson (pictured) the Director of Premium Brands at the Irish Craft Whiskey Company, had 'credit cards, a laptop, the Faberge egg and a Faberge watch, to the value of over 2.1million' inside her stolen purse

A file image of a Faberge egg similar to the one Conticello stole from Ms Dawson. Both the Faberge egg and watch remain missing and the Metropolitan Police have urged anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward

Conticello did not enter a plea to a charge of concealing criminal property, namely the egg and watch.

There will be a further hearing on March 6.

Judge Martin Griffith told Conticello: 'It must have been rather a surprise to you when you saw that egg, what you did with it I don't know at the moment.'

The court did not hear exactly how much the Faberge egg and watch are worth, but was told the items have a minimum value of $2.8million (2.1million).

The judge said he wants to be 'certain' of the jewellery's value, adding: 'Unfortunately, you can't ask Mr Faberge, can you?'

Conticello appeared in the dock wearing a grey prison tracksuit.

He remains remanded in custody.

Charles Faberge was a Russian goldsmith and jeweller, best known for creating Faberge eggs made in the style of genuine Easter eggs using precious metals and gemstones. He was one of the sons of Gustav Faberge, the founder of the House of Faberge.

The Irish Craft Whiskey Company has a partnership with Faberge and together produced a bottle of 'Emerald Isle' whiskey which sold for $2.8million at auction making it the world's most expensive bottle of whiskey ever sold.
Gavin Newsom has been rocked by allegations that he is faking a serious learning disability, triggering a public blowup involving one of his top staffers.

The California governor launched a tour for his new book this weekend as he prepares to court Democratic voters ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

Newsom is facing accusations of racism from conservative media figures after telling an audience of black voters at a book event he was just 'like' them because he struggles with reading.

He said he has struggled with dyslexia since 1972, when he was just five years old.

When a female reporter inquired with Newsom's communications director, Izzy Gardon, about the governor's medical history, it led to an profanity-laced meltdown.

'Hey Susan  thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, f**k off,' Newsom's spokesperson wrote to Real Clear Politics reporter Susan Crabtree on Monday.

Previously, the reporter respectfully asked Newsom's top staff for evidence to disprove conservative critics who claim Newsom is faking the dyslexia diagnosis.

Gardon doubled-down on the comments after his expletive reply became public, writing on X: 'I was very generous to the MAGA blogger and told her to respectfully fuck off in her request to inspect the Governors childhood medical records. Thats not a meltdown. Thats good customer service!'

Newsom is facing accusations of racism after telling an audience of black voters he was 'like you' while claiming struggles with reading

He said he has struggled with the reading disorder since 1972, when he was just five years old

Newsom's top spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, blew up on a female reporter after she inquired for proof of the governor's dyslexia diagnosis

The Daily Mail reached out to Gavin Newsom's press office for comment.

Newsom had a similar meltdown the same day when called out by Fox News host Sean Hannity for invoking his disability to appeal to black voters.

Hannity reacted to Newsom's comments on X by writing, 'Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him "Like" Black Americans. Let That Sink In.'

Newsom fired back at Hannity by accusing the Fox host of defending Donald Trump after the president shared a video depicting Barack Obama as an ape.

'You didnt give a sh** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations shitholes  but youre going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?' Newsom wrote.

'Spare me your fake f**king outrage, Sean.'

Newsom attended an event in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday to promote his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, as speculation grows that he may run for president in 2028.

The California governor was asked about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia, to which he responded: 'I'm not trying to impress you. I'm just trying to impress upon you. I'm like you. I'm no better than you.'

Newsom is widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as the party searches for direction following defeat in 2024

'You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy... you've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read - a speech.'

Other conservative media personalities, such as Megyn Kelly, warned that his claims of a disability would 'haunt him forever.'

Newsom is widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as the party searches for direction following defeat in 2024.

Prediction markets and early Democratic voter polling show Newsom leading the field, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

His latest memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, released on Tuesday. The governor's book traces his early political rise as mayor of San Francisco.
A man who just became a father to triplets was taken from his home, killed and dumped on the side of the road in a horrifying case of mistaken identity, according to police.

Avtar Singh, 57, was reported missing on February 17 around 8.50pm after his wife found their three six-month-old children alone and unharmed in their home in Tracy, about 35 minutes outside of Modesto.

On Friday afternoon, deputies with the Napa County Sheriff's Office located a body near Lake Berryessa, approximately two hours from Tracy.

The body was later identified as Singh, a devoted member of the Sikh community.

Little is known about why Singh was kidnapped and killed, but according to San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow, the beloved father and husband was not the captor's intended target.

'From our investigation so far, it appears that the person that was taken is unrelated to the person that they were actually trying to find there and take,' Withrow told KCRA3.

According to the sheriff, surveillance footage captured Singh being forced into a white SUV by three abductors around 2.30pm near the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash temple, where he lived with his wife and children.

He attempted to put up a fight, but was overpowered by the unknown suspects and taken away, the video showed.

Avtar Singh, 57, was found dead on the side of the road near Lake Berryessa in California on Friday after he was abducted from his home on February 17 in Tracy

Singh had just welcomed beautiful triplets into the world with his wife (pictured)

Withrow stressed that Singh's abduction 'was not a random act.' He added: 'They were targeted after another individual for a specific reason and we're hoping that reason comes to light.'

The motive behind the attack and who the suspects were really after remains unclear.

His official cause of death has not yet been determined, Investigator Supervisor J. Hovda with the San Joaquin Office of the Medical Examiner told the Daily Mail.

Singh's death is being investigated as a homicide, according to Withrow.

Singh has been remembered as a dedicated volunteer and worker at the Sikh temple, who would do nearly everything for his community.

'He was very sincere and hard working,' Deep Singh, the spokesperson and secretary for Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash temple, told the outlet.

'For 23 years, his main role was the head cook at our gurudwara, at the temple, but he was not only a cook, he was a multi-tasking person.'

He said the temple recently celebrated the births of Singh's children, who were prematurely born and had to be in the hospital for an extended time.

Surveillance footage captured Singh being forced into a white SUV by three abductors around 2.30pm near the Gurdwara Gur Nanak Parkash temple, where he lived with his wife and children

After being reported missing earlier in the week, a body was found and later identified as the beloved father

'When they got here, it was a big gathering. It was a big celebration. He was happy, mom was happy, and the community was happy,' Deep said. 'We're not gonna be able to repair her loss.'

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help his widow and their three children.

'He was known for his humility, quiet dedication, and loving nature that made everyone feel like family.

'His seva, sincerity, and unwavering faith touched countless lives, and his absence leaves a profound void in our community,' the page read.

Singh has been remembered as a dedicated volunteer and worked at the Sikh temple, who would do nearly everything for his community

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $406,000 had been raised for the grieving family. The funds are set to go toward Singh's funeral and to help financially support his family.

The Daily Mail contacted the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office for comment.
An investigation into the alleged manslaughter of a mother-of-five who died after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift has been dropped following the death of the main suspect.

Gloucestershire Police confirmed it has closed its criminal investigation into the death of 33-year-old Alice Webb after the man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter died while on police bail.

The suspect was named as 34-year-old Jordan James Parke, who had been dubbed the 'British Lip King'.

He had not been charged in connection with Ms Webb's death and was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Police in recent days announced Parke died on Wednesday. Following his death, the force said no charges could be brought and the criminal probe has ended.

However, Ms Webb's devastated family say they will continue their 'fight for justice' as inquests into both deaths are set to take place.

Ms Webb's long-term partner Dane Knight also called for the release of the information from the police investigation, adding he 'wants people to know how she died'.

Mr Knight told the Daily Mail his family was not told about Parke's death before the news broke, leaving their children to find out through social media.

Dane Knight (left) has been left devastated by the death of his partner Alice Webb (right) after she died from a Brazilian Bum Lift procedure in the UK

Alice Webb (pictured), 34, died on Monday just hours after having the surgery, which is believed to have been performed in the West Country

He said he is 'peeved off and angry' that the family were not told through 'proper channels and routes', leaving an impact on the family.

Mr Knight experienced mixed emotions after Parke's death was confirmed, he said: 'When I first read the message that Parke had died, I was happy. Then minutes later, I felt he had taken the easy route out in some aspects.

'There has been some justice here. What he did wasn't an accident and I blame him fully.

'How ironic it is that he became the second person in the UK to die from the very same thing he caused the first person to die from.'

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said: 'We have been informed the man who was on police bail died recently, and therefore the criminal investigation will close as no charges can be brought.

'Alice's family has been updated and we hope the inquest will enable Alice's family to have the answers they deserve.'

Ms Webb became unwell on September 24, 2024, after undergoing what is believed to have been a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift (BBL). She died hours later at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

A second person  a woman  was also arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to Ms Webb's death. She was later released and faced no further action, police confirmed.

Ms Webb's long-term partner Dane Knight (middle) also called for the release of the information from the police investigation, adding he 'wants people to know how she died'. Pictured with Ms Webb and their children

Fat is first harvested from the hips, lower back, abdomen, thighs and other areas via liposuction . Special equipment is used to prepare it for transfer before it is injected directly into the glutes at specific points, giving the buttocks a bigger, curvier appearance

Parke had also been arrested in October after being held on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the 33-year-old's death. He was never charged.

Separately, the Metropolitan Police said two people had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following Parke's death.

The force added that he may have undergone a cosmetic procedure before his 'unexplained' death in London.

BBL treatment is designed to make the buttocks appear bigger, more rounded or lifted. It can be carried out surgically or via non-surgical methods.

Non-surgical BBLs  like the one Ms Webb is believed to have undergone  involve injecting dermal filler into the buttocks.

Non-surgical procedures like BBLs and breast augmentations are currently unregulated because no incisions or general anaesthetic are required.

Because of this, there have been reports of them being carried out in unsanitary conditions, including in sheds and public toilets, by people without any relevant medical experience.

Describing the surgery as a game of 'Russian roulette,' Mr Knight said he did not even know that she was having the procedure until he received a call from a concerned loved one telling him to come to the hospital.

He warned that more death's like Ms Webb's will occur if regulations are not enforced, adding: 'There is going to be another death. It couldn't have happened to a better person as far as I am concerned.

'There are still so many people out there still doing this. I am glad it was him rather than an innocent person and that this can be used to get information out and minimise the risk.'

Mr Knight added: 'The Government needs to stop dragging their heels and get something done. If it is ignored again, death will be on the hands of the person deciding on banning these type of procedures.'

Police said inquiries will now continue on behalf of the coroner, with inquests into both deaths due to be held in due course.
Bridget Phillipson has sparked anger by suggesting that boys should be allowed to wear dresses to school.

The Education Secretary said pupils should be allowed to 'experiment' with their gender identity and teachers should not be 'coming down too hard' on them.

However she added that primary schools needed to 'tread with a lot of care', after she was asked if five-year-olds should be allowed to identify as the opposite sex.

She was put on the spot after her department published long-awaited trans guidance for schools which waters down rules proposed by the Tories that would have banned primary schools from changing pupils' pronouns.

Asked on LBC radio on Tuesday if she was comfortable with the idea a five-year-old deciding that 'he is a she', Ms Phillipson replied: 'We've been clear that in primary schools, we need to tread with a lot of care.'

Challenged again, she said: 'Well, this was usually where it involves a parent's decision to support their child in that way.'

And pressed on if everyone knows at five 'whether they want to be a man or a woman', she replied that this point had been addressed by Baroness Cass in her landmark review of gender identity services for young people.

'That in allowing children just to consider who they are, to behave in ways that might not be aligned with their sex, their gender.

Bridget Phillipson appeared on LBC radio's Call the Cabinet show on Tuesday morning

'So if a boy wants to wear dresses, we should just if we allow that to work. Children will experiment at different points. They will consider who they are.

'Just taking a watchful approach, not coming down too hard on that, actually reduces what we see in terms of children moving towards a more medicalised model.'

She added: 'I think it would be exceptionally rare for primary schools to be operating that. But I've also been clear that in anything in that space, unless there are very strong safeguarding reasons where a child is at risk of harm, parents should be involved in those important decisions.'

On Tuesday night Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho said: 'The Conservatives have been clear, we do not think it is right to allow primary school pupils to socially transition.

'This is not as simple as letting boys wear skirts; it's about people in positions of authority lying to young children, telling them they can change sex at an age when they are too young to grasp the realities and concepts involved.

'Whatever people want to do as an adult, is not a decision for when they're a child. We have to protect childhood.'

And Reform UK's equalities spokesman Suella Braverman said: 'A Reform UK government would ban social and gender transitioning absolutely in all schools.

'That Labour are facilitating and entertaining this dangerous ideology is sickening for parents who just want schools to be a place of learning rather than indoctrination.'
Donald Trump has invited Charlie Kirk's widow Erika as a special guest to his State of the Union address, with the President set to put faith center stage.

She will be present in the audience at the Capitol for the 9pm Tuesday speech, which will address Kirk's assassination and the wave of political violence that has rocked America.

Trump will highlight the 'tremendous revival of faith, Christianity, and belief in God in our country' since Kirk's death, a White House official told the Daily Wire.

The President will declare that America is 'one nation under God' and urge lawmakers to 'firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens.'

Kirk was shot dead during a speech to students at Utah Valley University on September 10 by alleged killer Tyler Robinson, 22, who prosecutors say was motivated by hatred for the Turning Point USA founder's conservative political views.

Kirk's assassination reverberated around the world and a memorial service held in Arizona was attended by Trump and members of his cabinet.

Trump is all too familiar with the threat of political violence after surviving two assassination attempts during the presidential campaign.

The President's Mar-a-Lago estate came under assault in the early hours of Sunday when a gunman armed with a gas can was shot dead by Secret Service agents.

Donald Trump stands with Erika Kirk at the conclusion of a memorial for her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, in Glendale, Arizona, September 21

Trump was in Washington DC when Austin Tucker Martin, 21, was shot dead by Secret Service agents. He had become obsessed with Trump's role in the alleged 'cover-up' of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Democratic lawmakers are set to parade Epstein's alleged victims on the National Mall as Trump makes his landmark speech at 9pm.

Trump is hoping to reset his agenda in the face of disastrous poll numbers, with backlash mounting over the Epstein files, the flatlining economy and the botched immigration crackdown.

The President's speech is set to sell the economy, arguing that the country is strong, prosperous and respected as it enters its 250th year.

The official theme centers on America's semiquincentennial and a drumbeat of American exceptionalism.

Trump is expected to address tax cuts and lower prescription drug prices, with polling showing families remain deeply anxious over the cost of living.

His top advisers are urging him to focus on affordability, a theme the President has previously shunned.

Inflation is cooling, but government data released last week showed economic growth ground to a halt at the end of 2025.

US President Donald Trump gives remarks before a Joint Session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC, on March 4th 2025

Trump will unveil new domestic policies to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A 'rate payer protection' pledge will guarantee energy prices for consumers as power-hungry new AI data centers push prices higher.

But as the President prepares to win back public support, he faces a concerted Democratic effort to derail the night.

Two counter-programming events are planned in Washington DC: the 'State of the Swamp' at 7pm at the National Press Club, where lawmakers and media figures are scheduled to speak and activists have been encouraged to wear swampy frog costumes.

Progressive attendees include the fiery mayors of Minneapolis and Chicago, Jacob Frey and Brandon Johnson, who have frequently clashed with Trump over his deadly immigration crackdown.

A second event, the 'People's State of the Union,' will start at 8pm on the National Mall, including Trump nemesis Adam 'Shifty' Schiff of California.

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who has spearheaded the campaign to release the Epstein files, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will bring victims of the pedophile as their guests.

No official walkout from the chamber is planned, though Representative Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, said: 'The only question for me is which of his disgusting lines prompts me to get up and leave, because at some point I will.'

Click here to sign up for free special live coverage of the State of the Union.
Professor Stephen Hawking is seen grinning from ear to ear, sandwiched between two bikini-clad women in a photo released in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

The Cambridge theoretical physicist and the two women are shown holding what appear to be fruity cocktails as they bask in the sunshine.

It is unclear when or where the image was taken. No other contact was given.

Hawking was among 21 internationally renowned scientists who attended a conference hosted by Epstein on his island and nearby St Thomas in 2006.

He was also previously accused of having 'participated in an underage orgy' on the island by late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, according to emails sent by the financier.

Epstein furiously denied the allegation and appears to have instructed his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to offer money to Giuffre's friends if they could help disprove the claims against Hawking, according to court documents made public two years ago.

Hawking, who died in March 2018 aged 76 after living for more than 50 years with motor neuron disease (ALS), was hosted by Epstein in March 2006, five months before the financier was charged for the first time with soliciting prostitution.

He is referenced at least 250 times in the Epstein Files, a search of the trove of documents released by the Department of Justice (DoJ) revealed. There is no suggestion that Hawking's appearance in the documents implies any wrongdoing.

Professor Stephen Hawking was seen grinning from ear to ear as he sat sandwiched between two bikini-clad women in a photo released in the Jeffrey Epstein files

Hawking was among the global A-listers who were alleged to have passed through Epstein's 74-acre Little St James Island in the US Virgin Islands

Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City on August 10, 2019

Pictures that emerged in 2015 showed the celebrated physicist in his wheelchair attending a barbecue.

He was later given a submarine tour of the seabed around Epstein's island.

The pedophile had modified the vessel especially for Hawking, who had never been underwater before.

The conference was held at the five-star, $1,600-per-night Ritz-Carlton hotel on the island of St Thomas, close to Little Saint James.

A post on the blog of the 'Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation' included details about the conference, called 'The Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero'.

It stated that guests 'could meet, discuss, relax on the beach, and take a trip to the nearby private island retreat of the science philanthropist Jeffrey Epstein, who funded the event'.

Guests appeared to have split their time between St Thomas and Little Saint James, where Epstein personally hosted them.

Epstein was said to surround himself with prominent scientists and called himself a 'science philanthropist'.

Hawking during the 2006 Energy of Empty Space That Isn't Zero conference, hosted by Epstein in the US Virgin Islands

During the 2006 trip, Hawking was given a submarine tour of the seabed around Epstein's island. The pedophile modified the submarine especially for Hawking

Epstein appears to have instructed his associate Ghislaine Maxwell to offer money to Virginia Giuffre's friends if they could help disprove the 'underage orgy' claims against Hawking

He made large donations to scientific causes and, at one stage, was allegedly giving as much as $20million a year to fund scientists.

Many of the scientists and researchers distanced themselves after his arrest.

The New York Times reported that Epstein was fixated on 'transhumanism' - a belief that the human species can be deliberately advanced through technological breakthroughs such as genetic engineering and artificial intelligence.

It was reported that Epstein would sometimes steer conversations to be about how to improve the human race genetically.

He reportedly told people that he wanted to impregnate as many women as he could to distribute his genes.

FBI officials also received another unsubstantiated tip-off alleging that Epstein visited an 'all male gay club' with Hawking in 2011, according to files released by the DoJ.

The tipster described the venue as a 'bath house' and told officials in 2019 that 'he was watching the news lately and saw prominent men [who] were at the club in 2011'.

'He said at the time he had no idea who they were. Stated there is lots of behavior that goes on there,' the report outlined.

Your browser does not support iframes.

FBI officials also received another unsubstantiated tip-off alleging that Epstein visited an 'all male gay club' with the Hawking in 2011

'He said Epstein and Steven Hawking [sic] were there, as well as some Russian liaisons. He has recognized them from the news.'

The report described how the caller 'was near tears' when he said 'it wasn't just girls that were affected by Epstein'.

The DoJ has released more than 3.5 million documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Officials have identified more than 6 million documents related to the pedophile, but will not be releasing the complete trove.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Hawking's estate for comment.
A mother left her two special-needs children in a trash-covered, feces-smeared house for days on end, according to police.

Krystal Farmer was arrested and charged with a series of felonies after a neighbor called 911 for a welfare check at her home in Flint, Michigan.

Officers said they found a house of horrors when they arrived on February 18, including evidence the children had been forced to eat raw, rotting meat to survive.

The floors in every room were barely visible as they were coated with months' worth of garbage, body camera footage showed.

The bathroom had a sink that was overflowing, sending water gushing out onto the floor.

'Feces were smeared along the walls at a childs height  a heartbreaking sign of little hands left without guidance, without help. There were no clean clothes folded on the bed. No food in the kitchen ready for small stomachs,' the Flint Township Police Department wrote in a statement.

One of the children was spotted around a corner in the hallway, while the other was in a bedroom hiding.

As two officers tended to the children, the officer with the body camera walked into the living room to announce the situation to a colleague.

Krystal Farmer, the mother of the two children, was charged with six counts of felony child abandonment and child abuse

Officers with Flint Township Police Department searched this home on February 18 after a neighbor called 911 for a welfare check

'We got two kids, one completely naked and the other ones covered in [redacted]. Would you mind getting a couple of safety blankets so we can get them wrapped up in the cars?' the officer with the body camera said.

Both children could be heard crying as police waded through mountains of trash while they thoroughly searched the house.

'One child was found trying to eat raw, spoiled meat not out of defiance, but because hunger cannot wait, and it does not understand neglect,' police said.

'The other was curled up on the bedroom floor trying to make themselves small in the absence of care.'

Detectives came to the conclusion that the kids had been left for days.

Police said that Farmer was evasive when they caught up with her.

'Officers refused to accept half-answers and detectives dismantled the mother's lies and followed the evidence until the truth came to light,' police said.

'While her children endured filth, hunger, and fear, she prioritized herself over their safety, abandoning them to survive on their own,' they added.

Pictured: A young child, who is censored, is standing in a filthy bathroom as the sink continues to run

Pictured: This bedroom is where the other child was found, hiding under debris. The white bureau and the right-hand wall was smeared with feces

On February 20, Farmer was charged with two counts of felony child abandonment, two counts of felony child abuse in the second degree, two counts of felony child abuse in the presence of another child and one felony count of lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation.

Police urged people to report if something in the neighborhood does not look right.

'This story is also about hope. A neighbor spoke up,' police said. 'If you ever question whether making that call matters, remember this: because one neighbor acted, two children were rescued from conditions no human being should endure.

'See something. Say something. That single call made all the difference.'
The brains behind the Green Party's plans to legalise all narcotics has claimed drugs barons are running scared of Zack Polanski because he could 'put them out of business'.

The Greens are proposing to legalise drugs including crack cocaine and heroin for recreational use because they 'enhance human relationships'.

They also back the sale of cocaine drinks on Britain's high streets and of Class A drugs including ecstasy and psychedelics at nightclubs and music festivals.

With the Gorton and Denton by-election approaching, Labour has attacked the Greens' drugs policy, saying Zack Polanski's 'blueprint for a drug-ridden Britain' would 'turn children's playgrounds into crack dens'.

But Green Party councillor Alex Armitage, a lead author of the policy, said on Tuesday that legalisation and regulation of drugs 'protects young people'.

Speaking to camera from a children's playground, Mr Armitage said the decision to make drugs illegal just over 50 years ago was 'a massive experiment that's gone badly wrong' and that prohibition handed control of drugs regulation to 'organised criminals'.

In legalising all drugs, the councillor claimed Green leader Zack Polanski would strike fear in the hearts of drugs barons  who would be left looking for work.

Labour has attacked the Greens' drugs policy, saying Zack Polanski's 'blueprint for a drug-ridden Britain' would 'turn children's playgrounds into crack dens'

The Greens are proposing to legalise drugs including crack cocaine and heroin for recreational use because they 'enhance human relationships'

He said: 'Think about the people these drugs barons are most afraid of.

'They're not afraid of the police.

'They're not afraid of the Labour Party.

'They're afraid of the people that could put them out of business - and that's Zack Polanski.'

Mr Armitage, a consultant paediatrician and Green Party councillor in Shetland, compared the legalisation of drugs to that of guns  which are legal in the UK with a firearms certificate.

'Guns are legal in the UK, but you don't have a firearms aisle in the supermarketbecause we have a very strong regulatory framework to keep people safe'.

He said 'the same principle' applies to the Greens' drugs policy.

A Reform spokesman said: 'It's clear that the Greens have no respect for the safety of our families, our communities or even our country.

'Their extreme policy of legalising all drugs like crack cocaine and heroin would be an absolute disaster for communities like those in Gorton and Denton.'

Mr Armitage is heading to Gorton and Denton for Thursday's by-election, in which the Green Party hope to return a fifth MP to Parliament.

Condemning Labour's claims on the policy last week as 'desperate lies', Mr Polanski said the Green Party has a 'specific manifesto commitment to 'preventing children accessing drugs'.

He added: 'If Labour cared about people as much as they did smearing political opponents, they would back Greens' call for a national commission on drugs to see how we can reduce the harm drugs cause.'

A Green Party spokesperson said: 'This Lab government has failed to break the hold of the drugs gangs who freely sell drugs to children right now.

'We want to take the control out of drug dealers' hands and make it more difficult for children to get their hands on them.

'This policy is about regulation and a public health approach.'
An emotional brawl has erupted in a Cincinnati courtroom after a man who killed a teenage boy was handed a light sentence following a plea deal.

Latrelle Rogers, 20, was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty over the death of Edwin 'Myzell' Arrington, 17, on New Year's Day in 2024.

Rogers was handed a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter after Arrington was shot dead in the University Heights neighborhood at around 2am.

As Rogers was sentenced on Tuesday, a family member told him, 'Love you,' Fox 19 caught on video.

But Arrington's family angrily called out, 'F*** you.'

Chaos erupted in the courtroom as Rogers was escorted out and the fight spilled into the hallway.

WLWT reporter Karin Johnson reported that witnesses described the scene as 'insane' in a post on X.

Christopher McDowell, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge, told the outlet that the fight was 'so loud it disturbed proceedings in my courtroom.'

Latrelle Rogers (pictured), 20, was sentenced to around 12 to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the murder of Edwin 'Myzell' Arrington, 17, on New Year's Day in 2024

Seventeen-year-old Edwin 'Myzell' Arrington (pictured) was found with multiple gunshot wounds at around 6am after his mother called emergency services

'I saw multiple people being arrested and not complying with deputies' orders,' he added.

McDowell said he was forced to cancel the rest of the cases he had scheduled for that morning. The courthouse was temporarily shut down due to the brawl, the outlet reported.

Kyla Woods, Hamilton County Sheriff's public information officer, confirmed to Fox that multiple people had been cited for the disturbance.

It remains unclear if anyone was arrested or cited back to court.

Arrington's mother has posted repeatedly online grieving her son's devastating death.

'Myzell was a young gentleman who cared for his family and his loved ones,' a tribute said of Arrington.

'When he lost his life to gun violence their family will never be the same without him and his beautiful smile that lights the room up when he walks in.

'That's why we are gonna get justice for our baby and we not going to quit until we get justice.'

Rogers (pictured) was handed a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal after he shot and killed Arrington in University Heights at around 2am

Arrington was found with multiple gunshot wounds at around 6am after his mother called emergency services, Fox 19 reported.

A neighbor told the outlet at the time that they had heard a woman screaming, 'Oh my god, Oh my god. Why was he here? Why was he here?'

Rogers, who was 19 at the time, was arrested on May 22 later that year for Arrington's murder.

A criminal complaint obtained by the outlet said Rogers had used a semi-automatic pistol during the incident.

But eight days later, former Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers suggested that Rogers had been indicted on two counts of murder and two counts of felonious assault.

In Ohio, murder holds a minimum sentence of 15 years to life and felony assault holds a sentence of two to eight years.

Rogers is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center, according to jail records.
Keir Starmer's threat to block the US from using British bases to launch bombing raids against Iran is undermining the Special Relationship with the US, Priti Patel will warn.

The shadow foreign secretary will use a speech in Washington on Wednesday to urge Donald Trump to stand firm in his opposition to Labour's Chagos Islands giveaway.

She will warn that the deal  which is stalled following the US President's latest intervention  is placing strain on a security relationship with Washington that has kept the West safe for decades.

And she will accuse the Prime Minister of further aggravating Mr Trump by threatening to veto the use of British bases, including the Diego Garcia base in the Chagos Islands for a possible attack on Iran.

Diplomatic sources told the Mail last week that Sir Keir has warned the US President against launching bombing raids from Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford because of concerns it could break international law.

Officials believe the move has triggered Mr Trump's latest attack on Sir Keir's plan to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and then lease back Diego Garcia at a cost of up to 35 billion over the next century.

In a speech at the Hudson Institute think tank, Dame Priti will say: 'Labour's Chagos surrender and their approach to the use of the Diego Garcia base threatens the future of our Special Relationship by undermining that century of cooperation, goodwill, trust and friendship.

'We simply cannot afford to put our defence and security at risk with this surrender of sovereignty. Because once we do that, there is no turning back.

Priti Patel will use a speech in Washington to step up criticism of Labour's Chagos giveaway

Keir Starmer is threatening to block US bombers launching raids from Diego Garcia

'And once Labour weakens UK control over Chagos and Diego Garcia, they weaken our Special Relationship.'

Ministers have warned that legal action by Mauritius in in the international court could eventually undermine the operation of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia.

But Dame Priti will dismiss the legal threats as 'international lawfare, orchestrated by politically motivated Left-wing lawyers, judges and 'activists'.

In an angry post on social media last week, Mr Trump warned that Sir Keir was making a 'big mistake' by 'losing control of this important island'.

The US is amassing a huge armada off the coast of Iran as he piles pressure on the Islamic regime.

In his message last week, Mr Trump said that if Iran refuses to strike a deal it 'may be necessary' to use planes from Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford, home to the US Air Forces heavy bomber fleet in Europe.

He suggested bombing raids may be needed to head off 'potential attack' on Western countries, including the UK, 'by a highly unstable and dangerous regime.'

Mr Trump warned that the proposed lease deal with Mauritius was 'tenuous at best', adding: 'Do not give away Diego Garcia'.

Dame Priti will say that without President Trump's intervention and opposition at home the Chagos Islands would already 'be in the hands of the government of Mauritius'.

Downing Street is now scrambling to get President Trump back on board. A spokesman this week acknowledged that the deal could not go ahead if it is opposed by the US.

The spokesman said: 'The deal is not only for our national security but also that of our closest ally, the US.

'We have been clear we won't proceed without their support.'
When the late Alex Salmond announced his leadership of the newly founded Alba Party five years ago, he promised Scottish Nationalists it would help create a pro-independence supermajority at Holyrood.

Those who wished to break up the UK should, said the former First Minister, vote SNP in constituencies and Alba on regional lists in order to maximise the chances of a second referendum.

Today, said Mr Salmond on March 26, 2021, Alba are hoisting a flag in the wind, planting our Saltire on a hill. In the next few weeks we shall see how many will rally to our standard.

At the Scottish parliament elections six weeks later Alba won just 1.7 per cent of the vote.

Of rallying to Albas standard there was little.

A year later, in council elections across Scotland, support for the party had fallen to 0.7 per cent.

At the 2024 UK general election, Alba managed just 0.5 per cent of the vote with all candidates losing their deposits.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond announced the formation of Alba in 2021

Current Alba leader and former SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said the party cannot afford to stand candidates in May's elections

But Mr Salmond, always a defiant campaigner, remained publicly upbeat, announcing his decision to stand for election in the Banff and Buchan Coast constituency in the next Holyrood election.

His death from a heart attack in October 2024 put an end to that plan.

Now, with that Scottish parliament election less than three months away, Alba is in crisis.

Kenny MacAskill, the former SNP justice secretary who succeeded Mr Salmond as the partys leader, says the party cannot afford to stand candidates in this Mays elections.

Alleging that these financial difficulties are the result of Alba being defrauded, Mr MacAskill said the party was in a very precarious position. Mr MacAskill told BBC Radio Scotland: You can have a great deal of wishful thinking but you also have to have a practical reality.

Unfortunately as a result, we believe, of a fraud perpetrated upon us, the Alba Party finds itself in a very precarious position.

Mr MacAskill revealed that the party, which has been at the centre of a police investigation over allegations of financial irregularities since last May, was unable to meet its current financial obligations or fund an election campaign.

Amid this chaos, a modern day gang-of-four has emerged, offering to take over the party in order that it can contest the elections on May 7.

This quartet comprises party officials Christina Hendry and Suzanne Blackley, the former MSP and convicted perjurer Tommy Sheridan, and the ex-Nationalist MP Angus MacNeil, who first made headlines when it emerged that, while his wife was pregnant in 2005, he had taken two teenage girls to a hotel bedroom for what he described as some foolishness.

It remains shocking to me that Mr MacNeil was supported by the SNP through a scandal which, had it taken place last week, would have seen him cast out of any serious political party.

Anyway, we need not worry about the return to elected politics of Angus MacNeil. He is, thank goodness, yesterdays also-ran.

The fact is that Alba cannot be saved, not by Kenny MacAskill and certainly not by Mr MacNeil or Mr Sheridan.

Alba was never a serious democratic prospect. Rather, it was a vanity project for Alex Salmond, who left the SNP in 2018 following allegations of sexual misconduct which led to a 2020 court case at which he was cleared of all charges.

Furious that his former protegee, Nicola Sturgeon, had refused to take his side, Mr Salmond saw Alba as a vehicle for his political rehabilitation.

Those who quit the SNP to join him in his new party allowed themselves to believe that somehow he would be able to recreate past successes. If Mr Salmond had already delivered one independence referendum then why couldnt he do it again?

But, by the time he became Alba chief, Mr Salmond had already destroyed his own credibility.

Alba was formed in the wake of the fall-out between Mr Salmond and his former protege Nicola Sturgeon, who succeeded him as First Miniser

Reform leader Nigel Farage shares similarities with Mr Salmond, Euan McColm writes

Not only was there that trial during which his own lawyer conceded that Mr Salmond could have been a better man, there were the four years during which he took money from the Russian propaganda channel RT for his Alex Salmond show.

An easy way  if one was inclined towards mischief  to upset a supporter of Mr Salmonds while he was First Minister was to point out the similarities between him and Nigel Farage.

The devoted Scottish Nationalist would bristle with indignation at the very suggestion Mr Salmond had anything in common with the leading Brexiteer.

Alex Salmonds nationalism was open and inclusive while Nigel Farages was inward looking and divisive.

Of course, the political tactics deployed by both men are remarkably similar.

As leader of UKIP, the Brexit Party and now Reform UK, Mr Farage has been consistent in promising simple solutions to complex problems.

Throughout his career, Mr Salmond did the same.

And, like Mr Farage, he encouraged his supporters to believe that their lives would be better without the influence of others (in Mr Farages case, the European Union, in Mr Salmonds, the United Kingdom).

But perhaps the greatest similarity between the two men is in their lone-wolf leadership style.

Nigel Farage has no room in his party for equals. Instead, he leads with a dictatorial style. It is his way or the highway.

This was how Mr Salmond approached his role.

Sure, there was plenty of warm rhetoric about the team he had assembled but no member of the SNP under his leadership was in any doubt that what Mr Salmond wanted, Mr Salmond got.

As Alba leader, Alex Salmond was detached from the realities of those who supported him.

Party members were there not to win independence but to keep him in the public eye, to indulge his fantasy that he remained a power- player in our politics.

Kenny MacAskills announcement at the weekend that his party is in crisis wasnt surprising to anyone who has been paying attention to its recent fortunes.

The truth is that Alba died with Alex Salmond.

All that remains, now, is for its dwindling band of members to accept that.
SNP ministers face potential legal action after blocking one of the most unpopular planning applications in Scottish history.

The Scottish Government yesterday rejected theme park operator Flamingo Lands 43million plan for a holiday park at Loch Lomond, citing flood risks and the unique nature of the National Park site.

The developers of the Lomond Banks scheme, who have a six-week window to bring a legal challenge, said they were extremely disappointed and would consider our options.

More than 150,000 objections were lodged during a long-running fight over the controversial plan.

In 2024, the board of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park unanimously rejected the proposed waterpark, hotel, lodges and restaurants.

A Scottish Government planning reporter then granted permission on appeal last year, only for SNP ministers to call in the proposal for further consideration after a backlash.

Publishing their decision to overrule their planning reporter, ministers said the finely balanced decision had weighed potential economic benefits against environmental issues.

In the end, they concluded the Lomond Banks scheme did not comply with the local development plan.

Artist's Impression of a controversial 40m Flamingo Land development at Loch Lomond

A view of Loch Lomond beach and Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer from observation deck of Sea Life Aquarium at Balloch

Local MSP Jackie Baillie said the Scottish Government had 'taken the right decision' over the plans

They highlighted substantial concerns relating to flood risk, the extent and location of woodland loss and gain, and the unique nature of the site, including its sensitive and prominent location within the National Park.

Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer, the most outspoken critic of the project at Holyrood, said: Todays decision would not have happened without the 155,000 people objecting to these daft plans. This is their victory.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton seat includes the proposed site, said: It has long been clear that the proposal was flawed and it was rejected by the overwhelming majority of my local community.

The Scottish Government has finally taken the right decision, which goes to show that there is nothing like an election to concentrate minds. Heather Reid, convener of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: We very much welcome this decision, which largely vindicates and aligns with key conclusions reached by both our planning officers recommendation and our board in its unanimous refusal of this application.

There remains a six-week period during which the applicant or a third party may seek a legal challenge to the decision.

Jim Paterson, Development Director for Lomond Banks, said: We are extremely disappointed by the Scottish ministers decision to dismiss our appeal for Lomond Banks.

Todays outcome is dismissive of the reporters recommendation and flies in the face of what this area was earmarked to accomplish, which is bad news for Scottish business and tourism as a whole, not to mention the local people who will now miss out on jobs.

We will now carefully review the decision in full and consider our options.
Defiant Congressman Tony Gonzales said he will not step down despite a mounting scandal surrounding his alleged affair with an aide who killed herself.

On Capitol Hill Tuesday, the Texas Republican would not deny or confirm the affair as reporters grilled him about sexually explicit texts he allegedly sent former aide Regina Aviles.

'I will not resign. I work every day for the people of Texas. And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts that come out. What youve seen is not all the facts,' the married father-of-six told reporters.

However, Gonzales's refusal to step down comes as a growing number of GOP members of Congress are calling on him to step aside.

Representatives Chip Roy (TX), Lauren Boebert (Colorado) and Nancy Mace (SC) are just some who have publicly called for Gonzales to resign.

Mace has gone so far as to introduce a resolution calling on the House Ethics Committee to publicly release all investigations into members of Congress accused of sexual harassment or of a sexual relationship with a member of their staff, which is against House rules.

Gonzales has been under investigation by the Office of Congressional Conduct into whether he violated House Rule 23, which bans members of Congress from sleeping with their staffers.

The Daily Mail was the first to expose the alleged affair in October, just weeks after Aviles's death.

Tony Gonzales and Regina Aviles with Elon Musk in Texas in September 2023. Their alleged affair began the year before, it is claimed

Your browser does not support iframes.

At the time, he did not deny the affair, but in November, Gonzales said it wasn't true.

This week, the Daily Mail obtained a sexually explicit exchange between Gonzales and Aviles in 2024 in which the congressman pressured her for sexy photos and asked about her favorite sex positions.

The scandal has thrown Gonzaless re-election bid into turmoil just as voters in Texas have begun casting primary ballots.

In a text sent at 12.15am, Gonzales wrote: 'Send me a sexy pic.'

Aviles, then-director of his regional district office in Uvalde, replied that she'd had a rough week and 'you don't really want a hot picture of me.'

The texts became increasingly pushy. 'Yes I do,' Gonzales replied, adding, 'Hurry.'

'No, I just don't like taking pictures of myself,' Aviles responded a few minutes later.

'I'm just such a visual person,' Gonzales persisted.

The congressman went on to ask Aviles about her favorite sex positions, including a crass one-word message: 'A**l?'

Gonzales is currently running for re-election and is campaigning as a family man, complete with photos of his wife and children, despite the alleged affair.

Aviles, a married mother of one, died after she set herself on fire in her backyard after dousing herself with gasoline in September last year.

It is unclear whether Gonzales is planning to attend tonight's State of the Union address, which could be his last, as he faces a tough re-election primary race.

'For the good of the country, good of the party and move forward, he should just step out of the race,' Congressman Roy told The Hill about Gonzales.

Other GOP leaders stopped short of calling for the embattled Texan to step down, while expressing outrage over the texts.

'If it's true, it's extremely disgusting, let me just start with that,' House GOP chairman Lisa McClain told the Daily Mail.

'I do believe in law and order, I do believe in the rule of law, so let it play out, but my God, I hope it's not true.'

Last week, the Daily Mail also obtained another text where Aviles confirmed her relationship with her boss to a friend and colleague.

'I had [an] affair with our boss.' The Daily Mail has confirmed the phone number belongs to the late Aviles.

US Representative Tony Gonzales, a father of six who presented himself as a family man, had two trysts in a cabin with a married aide before her suicide, a friend alleged

Gonzales's alleged mistress Regina Aviles with her husband Adrian. She killed herself after the affair was discovered by her spouse, who moved out of the couple's home with their eight-year-old son

Aviles referenced her alleged affair with her then-boss Gonzales in a text message to a friend who shared the conversation with the Daily Mail. In a gray text bubble, Aviles was allegedly comforting a friend over problems at work. She allegedly typed, 'I had [an] affair with our boss and I'm fine. You will be fine.'

Aviles reportedly came clean to her friend, admitting she was having an affair with their boss in a tearful conversation.

'It appears that I f***ed up,' the co-worker claims Aviles told him.

'She was hysterically crying, and that's when she told me, "I've been screwing Tony,"' he recounted of their May 2024 conversation.

The married mother of one had been Gonzales's regional district director in Uvalde since 2021.

After Aviles told her friend about the affair, she shared text messages between herself and her boss, her friend claimed.

'It was more like, "You're so gorgeous,"' he described of the 'lovey dovey' messages his friend read him off her phone.

'They were very sexual, too. "I can't wait to get back so I can blank your brains out."'

Aviles's confidante claims his friend and the congressman also shared sexually explicit photos, including dick pics, that Aviles talked about but never showed him.

After the alleged cabin encounters, Aviles is said to have been paranoid about whether it had cameras.

She relaxed after being told it did not, her friend said, but grew increasingly worried about her spouse, Adrian, learning about the relationship.

'She was like, "Adrian's going to find out. It's not good,"' the source said.

Aviles's husband discovered the alleged affair in July last year and sent a group text to multiple Gonzales staffers to tell them he knew, Aviles's friend claimed.

After Adrian found out about her infidelity and moved out of the family home with their son, she fell into a deep depression, her friend said.

Gonzales also spurned her affections after the romance became known, it is alleged.

'I remember she would try to text [Gonzales] all the time. He'd never respond. I'd tell her, "Don't text him, you don't need to do that," but she was still obsessed with him. He did a number on her,' he said.

Aviles tried to take her own life a month before her death, her friend said.

'I don't know how far she attempted to go, but I know Adrian called [911] for a reason. He thought she was really going to hurt herself, and I saw how bad she had gotten. I knew she had attempted suicide and was going to do something stupid,' he disclosed.

Aviles was found engulfed in flames at her Uvalde home on September 13. Investigators determined she was home alone at the time

Aviles started working for Gonzales in November 2021. He was elected to Congress that year

Aviles's death was ruled a suicide, with an autopsy revealing she was drunk at the time of her death.

Her friend claims he's speaking out now because he wants voters to have all the information about the lawmaker ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

'Tony, after what he did, does not deserve to be a public servant. He doesn't,' the former staffer said.

'The right thing is always the truth, no matter how ugly it is, and I think that his office has hurt a lot of people. It took her life.'

Gonzales faces a tough primary challenge against YouTuber and gun enthusiast Brandon Herrera for the March 3 election.

Early voting for the Republican primary in Texas began on February 17.

For help and support contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988
One crime was reported every minute last year amid a surge in rape, violence and shoplifting, new figures reveal.

There were nearly 500,000 crimes in 2025  an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year  in a blow for SNP claims that Scotland continues to be a safe place to live.

The number of reported rapes and attempted rapes rose by 12 per cent while non-sexual crimes of violence rose by 5 per cent to more than 74,000  or more than 200 a day.

Domestic abuse crimes logged by Police Scotland increased by a quarter compared to the previous year, to more than 3,000.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: Scotland is paying the price for 19 years of SNP failure on crime and justice  and these figures are a national humiliation.

Violent crime up; rape up; domestic abuse up; shoplifting exploding by 137 per cent. Child sex offences soaring.

Retailers have taken to installing 'sliding door' security guards on confectionery stands to halt thefts

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said Scotland was 'paying the price for 19 years of SNP failure on crime and justice'

Justice Secretary Angela Constance insisted Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, 'but will consider what more can be done'

This is not a blip  it is a pattern of decay on the SNPs watch. Their reckless presumption against short prison sentences has sent a clear message to repeat offenders: there are no real consequences to committing crime in Scotland.

The total number of crimes rose by 5 per cent from 475,478 to 499,685 between 2024 and 2025, meaning there are now 57 per hour or roughly one per minute, according to Scottish Government recorded crime figures.

The Mail revealed last month that Police Scotland had written off more than 22,000 crimes including thefts and vandalism.

Crimes involving indecent photos of children increased by 20 per cent, from 797 to 959.Shoplifting increased by 15 per cent to 50,300 crimes.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: Thieving from stores isnt a victimless crime.

Its a key factor behind rising levels of abuse and threats towards shop workers and we know from member feedback that thieves are becoming bolder and more aggressive.

Other crimes of dishonesty such as housebreaking and fraud rose by 2 per cent.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: Whilst Scotland continues to be a safe place to live, with recorded crime falling by half since 1991, I am, of course, concerned by those areas that have seen increases and will consider what more can be done.

Police Scotland was approached for comment.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Zohran Mamdani have sparked backlash after urging undocumented migrants to sign up for free childcare in a Spanish advertisement.

The New York mayor was joined by his socialist congressional ally in a video warning migrant parents that this is the last week to sign their kids up for free childcare in NYC

'My Spanish is not very good,' Mamdani says before introducing AOC. 'But the fight for universal childcare? That is very good. So I brought a friend to help me share why signing up for free 3-K and Pre-K this week matters.'

Ocasio-Cortez then steps into the frame, continuing in Spanish as she outlines the February 27 deadline for parents to enroll their children.

'Any New York City parent, regardless of your occupation, income or immigration status is eligible to sign their child up.'

'We've made the application process easy, no matter who you are,' Cortez adds before explaining the online process for registering children, noting it is open to more than 200 languages.

'Because no family should be shut out from our programs just because of the language they speak...we can make our city more affordable for everybody.'

The video with AOC high-fiving Mamdani and shouting, 'Muy bien!'

The advertisement triggered the wrath of conservative influencers on X who accused the progressive pair of prioritizing migrants over American citizens

The New York mayor was joined by his socialist ally AOC in a video urging migrant parents to sign up their kids for free childcare

Mamdani's Spanish advertisement for undocumented families comes amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in major US cities

The advertisement triggered the wrath of conservative influencers on X who accused the progressive pair of prioritizing migrants over American citizens.

'Hey AOC imagine you put this much effort into ideas to help working Americans earn more money,' one X user wrote in response to the video.

Another right-wing influencer reacted by telling his followers, 'Nothing is FREE."'

Other critics mocked AOC, claiming her Spanish was not much better than Mamdanis.

Not all the reaction migrant childcare video was negative. One uses named Rachel Bedard wrote, 'UGH my heart is FULL because its so CUTE when the government loves the people and works for the people!'

Mamdani's Spanish advertisement for undocumented families comes amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in major US cities.

New York City is one of the largest urban centers in the country refusing to cooperate with the administration on the mass detentions of migrants.

He successfully ran for New York mayor last year on a platform focused on making healthcare and the cost of living more affordable for working families, regardless of immigration status.
Scotlands most senior law officer tipped off John Swinney about the case against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell nearly a year ago, bombshell documents reveal.

Detailed allegations against Nicola Sturgeons estranged husband only became public knowledge earlier this month when the court indictment - a list of charges - came to light.

But it later emerged that Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC had sent an email to the First Minister outlining the charges in January, sparking a row over possible bias.

Ms Bain has now published documents revealing that she had also given details of the case to Mr Swinney, who is also the SNP leader, 10 months earlier in March 2025, as Mr Murrell made a private court appearance.

The Scottish Tories said the new disclosures - published by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) - showed sleekit Swinney was getting secret information about the highly sensitive case against Mr Murrell.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: Its shocking to now discover that the Lord Advocate tipped off John Swinney about details of the highly sensitive criminal case against Nicola Sturgeons husband almost a year ago.

While she gave Mr Swinney this dubious private briefing, the Crown Office was refusing to provide the same details to the public and the media who were kept in the dark.

Nicola Sturgeon with her estranged husband Peter Murrell, seen here in 2016

It emerged on Wednesday that First Minister John Swinney learned details about the allegations Mr Murrell faces last year

Sleekit Swinney should explain why he failed to come clean about getting this information almost a year ago.

The Tories are now demanding Ms Bain - who as the senior legal adviser to ministers is also part of the Scottish Cabinet - must return to Holyrood to answer questions from MSPs.

Mr Murrell, 61, stands accused of embezzling almost 460,000 from the SNP between August 2010 and January 2023.

He had been expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on February 20 but this was moved to May 25 at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The latest developments comes after the Lord Advocates unprecedented grilling at Holyrood last week.

The revelations are likely to prompt fresh questions about what the Lord Advocate told MSPs, as well as renewed claims that it was inappropriate for the First Minister to be given privileged information on the highly politically sensitive case.

Ms Bain was accused of giving a useful warning to Mr Swinney which could be used by the SNP for political purposes ahead of Mays Holyrood election, but she denied this was the case.

Last week, after it emerged information about the 460,000 charge was briefed to the First Minister in a memo on January 19 this year, Ms Bain told Holyrood: The whole purpose of the intimation to the First Minister was because of the significant development of information entering the public domain at that point.

But the newly released memo confirms Mr Swinney was given the information on the 460,000 ten months earlier.

The Lord Advocates memo from March 20, 2025, states: Crown Counsel have decided that Peter Murrell should appear on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with embezzling over 460,000 from the SNP.

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain has come under pressure over her role in the Crown Office and the Scottish Cabinet

Mr Murrell pictured giving evidence to a committee examining the handling of harassment allegations against Alex Salmond in 2020

A petition appearance is the first formal step taken in court proceedings in relation to a serious crime.

A petition appearance is a private hearing before the sheriff to which the public are not admitted.

Ms Bain denied misleading parliament over the Murrell row but said: I have identified that there needs to be a more robust approach in identifying and sharing material with Government by prosecutors and have instructed Crown Office to formalise their processes into a policy which will be published on their website.

I have been criticised for saying the terms of the indictment can become public at any time after service.

I did not mislead parliament.

She said: After service of an indictment, its terms can be made public at any time including by an accused person.

Labour said the bombshell documents raise far more questions than they answer for John Swinney and his Government.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie claimed the SNP Government is drowning in sleaze and cover-ups.

She said: John Swinney received crucial information almost a year ago, while journalists and the public were kept in the dark.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross spoke out in Holyrood to demand a new statement from the Lord Advocate.

He said: For almost a year the only person not involved in this criminal trial to have information about the scale of alleged embezzlement was Scotlands First Minister and the leader of the SNP.

Why did the Lord Advocate feel the need to provide that information to the SNP leader in March of last year, and then again in January this year?

We need to hear from the Lord Advocate in this chamber to answer these questions.

He told parliamentary business minister Graeme Dey that if he does not agree to a statement, he would stand up here every day until the Government concede.

Mr Dey said he had no intention of scheduling a statement by the Lord Advocate on Tuesday.

Yesterday Ms Bain sent the Murrell tip off memo to Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, together with other previous memos sent by the Lord Advocates office to the First Minister on a wide range of topics including the Lockerbie bombing investigation.

One, written by her predecessor Frank [now Lord] Mulholland, related to the naked rambler Stephen Gough, who had been arrested on numerous occasions over his unwillingness to wear clothes in public.

It was sent to Alex Salmond in 2012 and copied to the then Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill - telling them it was hoped that future strategies to deal with him can be devised.

Commenting on the Murrell memo, Crown agent John Logue, chief executive of the COPFS and Scotlands most senior professional prosecutor, said: The Lord Advocate has updated parliament in line with the commitment she gave last week.

Throughout, she and all prosecutors involved have acted in accordance with their legal duties.

It is now important that the legal processes are allowed to run their course, so that the issues can be determined fairly and properly in court.

A COPFS spokesman said: Scotlands prosecutors act independently and in the public interest in all cases.
Alex Salmond embarked on a revenge mission after being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct, Nicola Sturgeon told an ethics probe while she was first minister, newly released document show.

Ms Sturgeon informed watchdog James Hamilton she was profoundly shocked when Mr Salmond told her about the claims against him in a meeting in her Glasgow home.

It was an account of something that was deeply inappropriate and it shocked me deeply at the time. I will remember that sense of shock for a long time, she said.

With hindsight, I wish I had never had any discussion with him about it because it has caused me nothing but pain and grief.

Ms Sturgeons comments were made as she was quizzed by Mr Hamilton in February 2021, as he investigated whether she misled parliament about the April 2018 meeting.

Excerpts were published in Mr Hamiltons later report, which cleared Ms Sturgeon of breaching the Scottish ministerial code, but the full version was yesterday released in a 4,700-page data dump of the so-called Salmond files.

Alex Salmond delivers a statement outside the Court of Session in 2019 as he pursued a judicial review of the Scottish Government's handling of allegations made against him

Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton ordered the Scottish Government to release documents or face the threat of contempt of court

The Scottish Government, which had been ordered by Scotlands transparency tsar to release the material by 15 January, had been threatened with a contempt of court action if it kept delaying disclosure.

Ministers said they needed more time to redact anything that could help identify complainers in Mr Salmonds separate 2020 criminal trial, who have anonymity.

Mr Salmond, who died aged 69 in 2024, was accused by two female servants of misconduct in 2018, leading to a botched in-house Scottish Government investigation.

He had its findings set aside after a court action exposed it as unfair, unlawful and tainted by apparent bias, and led to taxpayers handing him 512,000 in legal costs.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs she first learned of the allegations when Mr Salmond told her himself at her home.

But she later admitted it was four days earlier in her Holyrood office, when Mr Salmonds former chief of staff told her, a bombshell she claimed she forgot as she was so busy.

A politically divided Holyrood committee concluded she misled parliament - a resignation offence - but Mr Hamiltons verdict allowed her to cling on.

In her interview with the watchdog, Ms Sturgeon said Mr Salmond seemed pretty shaken in late 2017 when Sky News looked into alleged misconduct by him at Edinburgh airport.

She claimed Mr Salmond said that if a story ran you get one and the flood gates open before he hastily insisted there was nothing going on.

However, she said it left her feeling a hornets nest had been stirred.

Mr Salmond and former protege Nicola Sturgeon at the SNP conference in 2014

Opposition parties have criticised John Swinney's government for taking so long to release the material - and for heavy redactions

Later, after he told her he was being investigated by her Government over alleged misconduct, Ms Sturgeon said he appeared very agitated and upset, while she felt angry but also sympathy for him.

She said Mr Salmond was somebody that likes to take control of situations and feared he might go public and proclaim his innocence.

Resisting Mr Salmonds claim that she misled parliament, she added: Mr Salmond is, and its a matter of great personal grief to me, hes on a bit of a revenge mission right now.

She then asked Mr Hamilton when his probe would finish, and thanked him when he said before the 2021 Holyrood election.

Opposition parties criticised John Swinneys government for taking so long to release the material and for its heavy redactions.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: The SNP should not have had to be dragged kicking and screaming into finally agreeing to release these documents.

This whole episode has smacked of Nationalist secrecy from the start.

They have been at pains to try and protect the reputation of Nicola Sturgeon throughout this and have shamefully and repeatedly ignored deadlines from the information commissioner to publish these files.

Scottish Labour deputy Dame Jackie Baillie added: John Swinney and the SNP have fought this every step of the way, spending eyewatering amounts of taxpayer money in court trying to bury these documents.

This debacle is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up at the heart of this SNP government.

John Swinney is the architect of the SNPs secret Scotland and he will always put his party before our country.

A Government spokesman said: Extensive work has taken place to review these documents and ensure that as much information as possible can be placed in the public domain.

The courts have made it clear that those who complained in relation to allegations of sexual assault must have their identities protected.

The Scottish Government is not permitted to release information which would breach those court orders.
Searches into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Royal Lodge have been completed, police have confirmed.

The probe took place after the former prince was sensationally arrested on Thursday on his 66th birthday and taken to Aylsham police station, where he was questioned for 11 hours.

He is accused of sharing sensitive information with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK's special representative for international trade and investment.

Police carried out searches of Wood Farm and of his seven-bedroom mansion Royal Lodge as part of the investigation.

In a statement on Thursday evening, Thames Valley Police said 'searches in Berkshire in connection to its investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office have now ended.'

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright added: 'Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire.

'This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

'We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing.

Andrew is pictured leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk shortly after 7pm on Thursday

The former Duke of York, who appeared to be trying to dodge photographers outside the police station, was in police custody for 11 hours after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Unmarked police cars were seen arriving at Andrew's former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, on Sunday

'It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.'

The former Duke of York's arrest came after Thames Valley Police said it was 'assessing' reports that Andrew shared confidential trade reports and investment opportunities to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and 2011 when he was the UK's special trade envoy in Asia.

Andrew, who is eighth in line to the throne, was questioned for 11 hours straight following his arrest and was pictured slumped in a Range Rover on his way out of Aylsham Police Investigation Centre.

He was taken from Wood Farm on the royal Sandringham estate in Norfolk where he was placed after he was evicted from his Windsor residence Royal Lodge by King Charles earlier this month.

Andrew's brother King Charles was not given any prior warning of the arrest, although the Daily Mail revealed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's team was informed by a senior officer early on Thursday.

The monarch said in an unprecedented statement that 'the law must take its course' after expressing his 'deepest concern' after his younger brother was held on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Charles said: 'I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

'What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

'Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

'As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.'

Detectives have been probing Andrew's conduct as a trade envoy for the UK, after emails in the Epstein Files suggested he may have shared confidential information with his paedophile friend, including reports of his official visits and potential investment opportunities.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (centre) in Bahrain in 2014 in his role as a trade envoy, flanked by Prince Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa (left) and Crown Prince and Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (right)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured in the Jeffrey Epstein files on all fours over a mystery woman

Peter Mandelson (left) and Andrew at the EU Commission's headquarters in Brussels EU in 2007

Andrew meets Nguyen Dy Nien, then Vietnam's Foreign Minister, in Hanoi at the start of a three-day visit to the country in June 2006

After serving for 22 years in the Royal Navy, he became the UK's special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.

He stepped down in 2011 amid the furore over his friendship with Epstein.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.

The UK Government is expected to consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King's disgraced brother.

Following Andrew's arrest, ex-US ambassador Peter Mandelson was also detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office yesterday before being released on bail.
Police rushed to arrest Peter Mandelson fearing he was imminently planning to flee to the British Virgin Islands, it emerged on Tuesday.

Scotland Yard received new intelligence that the disgraced former minister presented a 'flight risk' and a decision was taken at a senior level to arrest him as soon as possible to prevent him leaving the country and taking up permanent residence abroad to avoid prosecution.

But an extraordinary row broke out on Tuesday as a furious Lord Mandelson hit out at detectives, telling friends they had been taken in by 'complete fiction' as he insisted that he never planned to leave the country and intended to cooperate fully with police.

Now the former Labour grandee's lawyers have demanded Scotland Yard produce evidence of the 'baseless suggestion' that their client was planning to go into hiding abroad to avoid potential prosecution for misconduct in public office over alleged leaks to Jeffrey Epstein.

But sources close to the investigation said the officers concerned considered the intelligence was from a reputable source and there were 'strong operational reasons' for carrying out the arrest as soon as possible.

Detectives believed there was such a serious risk that Lord Mandelson could flee that they decided to impose bail conditions placing restrictions on his movements, including a ban on travelling out of the country.

On Tuesday it was reported on the News Agents podcast that police acted after the Lords Speaker informed them he had heard Lord Mandelson was planning to travel to the British Virgin Islands.

The Met has refused to reveal the source of the information.

Peter Mandelson being released from Wandsworth prison early on Tuesday morning

Lord Mandelson was held for around nine hours on Monday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Lord Forsyth said he did not receive information relating to Lord Mandelson's movements, saying: 'Any suggestion at all that the Lord Speaker received information about Lord Mandelson's movements or communicated any such information to the Metropolitan Police Service, is entirely false and without foundation.'

Some weeks ago, detectives agreed with Lord Mandelson's lawyers that he could attend an interview under caution next month on a voluntary basis at a central London police station over allegations that he passed secret government information to the paedophile when he was business secretary.

But over the weekend the force received intelligence to suggest that the former minister, known as the so-called Prince of Darkness, was imminently planning to go abroad.

On Monday morning, detectives became so alarmed by claims that Lord Mandelson was preparing to leave the country, three officers rushed to arrest him at his 7.6million Regent's Park home.

The ashen-faced peer was later pictured being led away by officers at 4.30pm, visibly stunned by the sudden knock at the door.

The unusual timing of the arrest had raised questions as criminal suspects are often arrested in early morning raids.

Earlier, Scotland Yard refused to comment on the timing yesterday, with a spokesman saying only that there were 'strong operational reasons'.

But hours later, Lord Mandelson's lawyers Mishcon de Reya issued a statement denouncing police for being fooled by a 'baseless suggestion'.

Fuming, Lord Mandelson told friends shortly after his release following nine hours of questioning that he had been the victim of a 'complete fiction.'

He said: 'Despite a previous agreement between police and legal team over a voluntary interview in early March, police arrested me because they claimed... that I was about to flee to the British Virgin Islands and take up permanent residence abroad, leaving Reinaldo, my family, home and Jock behind me.

'I need hardly say complete fiction. The police were told only today that they had to improvise an arrest. The question is, who or what is behind this?'

In this photo, Lord Mandelson stands in white underwear talking to a woman in a bathing robe

Peter Mandelson (L) with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in 2007 at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels

A spokesman for the law firm said: 'Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.

'The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.

'There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the Metropolitan Police Service for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest. Peter Mandelson's overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.'

Lord Mandelson has previously denied any wrongdoing and said he did not act for financial gain.

He is accused of sending market-sensitive information to the paedophile financier while he was business secretary in Gordon Brown's government during the financial crisis.

Documents released by the US Department of Justice suggest information was leaked about potential policy measures, including an 'asset sales plan', a tax on bankers' bonuses and a bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

The emails appeared to be sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender.

On Tuesday, there was speculation that the unusual public statement from Lord Mandelson's lawyers may turn into a wider complaint about the unfairness of his police treatment, which could result in arguments that Lord Mandelson cannot receive a fair trial in the event of any prosecution.

Last week, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police for the same offence of misconduct in public office over claims he similarly passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy.

But the former Duke of York was released under investigation by the force, rather than ask him to submit to any bail conditions.

Police bail can only be imposed for three months before officers have to apply for permission for an extension.

In contrast, there is no similar time limit for a suspect 'released under investigation'.

On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police declined to comment on the row.

But the force showed no signs of backing down on the need for bail conditions, merely repeating their initial statement that, 'a 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.'

Lord Mandelson has been bailed until a date in May.
A body has been found floating at a popular beach on Sydney's northern beaches.

Emergency services were called to a wharf near Sandy Beach, opposite Palm Beach, about 4.45am on Monday after a person was seen in the water.

The body of an 88-year-old man was brought to shore by officers from the NSW Police Marine Area Command.

Paramedics assessed the man, who was not breathing, just after 5am.

He was declared deceased at the scene.

Initial investigations suggest the man fell overboard from a boat moored in the bay.

NSW Police on Wednesday told Daily Mail the man was yet to be identified and that his death did not appear to be suspicious.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Emergency services were called to a wharf near Sandy Beach, opposite Palm Beach, about 4.45am on Monday after reports of a person spotted in the water
A family visit to the alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram was called off at the last minute after officers allegedly found a knife and handwritten notes during a security check of a car.

Radio 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham said Corrective Services NSW scrapped the visit to Goulburn Supermax prison last weekend over security concerns.

'It's our understanding a number of items were located during a security check of a car,' Fordham told listeners.

Those items included notes found inside the vehicle, plus a small fruit knife.

'We have been told, and we've had it confirmed that the items did not meet any extremist threshold,' Fordham said.

'(We) can confirm right now that the planned visit was cancelled as a result.'

The 24-year-old was moved from Long Bay jail hospital to what is officially known as the High Risk Management Correctional Centre on January 5.

It is understood that since he was transferred, Akram has not seen his mother or any other family member. His only visitor since the Bondi atrocity on December 14 has been Muslim chaplain Ahmed Kilani, who spoke to him for 10 to 15 minutes.

A visit to the alleged Bondi Beach gunman Naveed Akram (pictured) was called off after officers allegedly uncovered a knife and handwritten notes during a security check

Supermax, on the NSW Southern Tablelands 200km south-west of Sydney, sits within the Goulburn Correctional Complex and currently houses about 100 inmates

Pictured is the family home of the alleged gunmen Naveed and Sajid Akram in Sydney's west

The Daily Mail previously revealed their conversation was recorded on a body-worn camera operated by a Corrective Services officer who monitored the exchange.

As well as being allowed to speak with a chaplain, Akram was granted his request for a copy of the Koran.

That recording was made at the direction of the prison hospital's security manager and will be provided to NSW Police and other intelligence agencies.

Akram's 50-year-old father Sajid Akram was shot dead by police after he and his son allegedly opened fire on Jews celebrating the first night of Hanukkah.

The mass shooting - the worst in Australia since 35 people were killed in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre - is being treated as a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State.

Akram is facing 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder.

He is also charged with discharging a firearm in public, causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol and placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm.

Supermax, on the NSW Southern Tablelands 200km south-west of Sydney, sits within the Goulburn Correctional Complex and currently houses about 100 inmates.

Akram is being kept in Area 1, the original part of Supermax which opened in September 2001 and for the past 25 years has been home to the state's most dangerous felons

Akram already has the highest AA security classification and may be considered for an additional Extreme High Risk Restricted or National Security Interest designation.

He is being kept in Area 1, the original part of Supermax which opened in September 2001 and for the past 25 years has been home to the state's most dangerous felons.

Visitors to Supermax undergo extreme vetting, including a full criminal background check before being allowed inside its gates.

Prisoners in Supermax do not have access to the electronic tablets inmates in other jails can use to contact loved ones from their cells.

When permitted to make a call, Akram will be escorted to a telephone inside a cage and the call will be monitored, except for legal consultations.

He is yet to enter a plea and his case is due for a brief mention on April 8.
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It has long been clear: the November 13, 2022, murders of four University of Idaho students were especially violent.

But now, seven months after Bryan Kohberger began his life in prison for the crimes, newly released autopsy findings lay bare the full horror of his attack for the first time.

In a killing rampage that investigators say lasted just 15 minutes, criminology PhD student Kohberger stabbed best friends Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, also 21, as well as 20-year-old couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin more than 150 times in total.

And, according to forensic psychologist Dr Gary Brucato, the wounds reveal far more than the sheer scale of the violence inflicted by Kohberger's Ka-Bar hunting knife.

Indeed, Brucato believes that the differences in the number and nature of wounds suffered by each victim finally offer insight into who Kohberger's likely intended target was - and the sexual fantasy he wanted to fulfil that awful night in Moscow, Idaho.

'This was a targeted psychosexual fantasy probably aimed at one individual in the house,' said Brucato, who co-led the creation of the Columbia University Mass Murder Database, one of the largest research projects examining psychological profiles of mass killers.

'But his intel failed him. So, when he got in there, he wound up committing a mass murder because he was not able to control everything as he expected.

'He overestimated himself and underestimated women.'

Bryan Kohberger at his sentencing hearing on July 23, 2025, at Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho

Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen (left) and Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle (right) were murdered by Bryan Kohberger on November 13, 2022

Investigators have previously said they do not believe Kohberger, now 31, intended to kill all four students that night. Instead, they think either Mogen or Goncalves may have been his initial target based in part on the fact that, after breaking into the off-campus student house, Kohberger went straight to the bedroom on the third floor where the two friends were sharing a bed.

After reviewing the autopsy findings, Brucato thinks that Mogen, who sustained fewer stab wounds than the other two women, was Kohberger's target.

Brucato suggests that the other victims then disturbed what he characterized as a sexually motivated fantasy, triggering a more frenzied escalation in Kohberger's attack.

'You punish the ones who see you - the people who interrupt your fantasy,' Brucato explained.

Kohberger entered 1122 King Road through the rear sliding door into the kitchen on the second floor and proceeded upstairs to where Goncalves and Mogen were sleeping together in Mogen's bed after a night out.

Autopsy reports show that they both died from multiple sharp force injuries - but Goncalves also suffered asphyxial injuries and blunt force injuries to the head.

She was stabbed at least 38 times, including 24 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, 11 to the chest and three to the upper extremities. She also suffered punctures to the skull, injuries to her teeth and tongue, perforations of the subclavian artery and vein, and internal bleeding into the chest cavities.

Forensic psychologist Dr Gary Brucato believes that the newly released autopsy findings reveal what Kohberger's plot was that night at 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho

Mogen sustained 28 stab wounds, including 13 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, and 10 incised wounds to the upper extremities, and five stab wounds to the chest.

She suffered injuries to the lung and liver, perforations of the subclavian vein and artery, and blood vessels of the chest wall, an incision of the nasal septum and a perforated tongue.

Brucato acknowledged that some might interpret the higher number of wounds on Goncalves as evidence that she was the target.

'There is a school of thought that would say the person with more wounds might be the object of passion and therefore the target,' he said. 'So some people would think Kaylee was the target.

'But my belief is he went in and made a beeline for Maddie [Mogen], who was his target, and found Kaylee unexpectedly there.'

Brucato argues that the comparatively lower number of wounds on Mogen indicates that Kohberger attacked her first and in a more considered manner - and that Goncalves was assaulted more 'ferociously' after disrupting the plan.

'That's why you see so much rage towards Kaylee. I think Maddie was the primary target and Kaylee was not supposed to be there,' he said.

As well as the stab wounds, Goncalves suffered injuries believed to have been caused by something other than Kohberger's Ka-Bar knife.

Blunt force injuries, including scalp laceration, bleeding around the brain, nasal fracture, scrapes on the nose and cheeks, bruising around the eyes, and patterned bruises across the lower face were all noted in the autopsy.

Police reports have previously revealed that Goncalves's face was 'unrecognizable' following the attack, with Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson saying investigators could not rule out the possibility that a second weapon was used on the 21-year-old.

Brucato posits that some blunt-force injuries could have been caused by the butt of the knife during a struggle.

Kohberger's decision to inflict such wounds to the women's faces may also have had symbolic significance.

'It can mean that the beauty of the person is what is infuriating to him. That he has profound insecurities about his looks and thinks that beautiful women are rejecting him. So he decimates the physical appearance in that way,' said Brucato, who also noted a more practical explanation.

'It can be almost reptilian,' Brucato said. 'Animals go for the neck or the head because of the rapidity to eliminate them. This could be someone who just wanted control and wanted to rapidly eliminate them.'

While Mogen and Goncalves were attacked while they slept, Kernodle was awake on the floor below, using TikTok and having just received a DoorDash food order minutes before the intruder entered.

She may have headed upstairs after hearing commotion and unfortunately interrupted Kohberger's attack, causing him to drop the leather Ka-Bar knife sheath later found on Mogen's bed - the item would become a critical piece of evidence after DNA on its clasp led police to the killer.

Kernodle was then stabbed 67 times, according to her autopsy, as Kohberger sought to 'eliminate the witness' and 'take control of an increasingly chaotic situation,' Brucato said.

The fewer wounds on Madison Mogen indicate that she was Bryan Kohberger's intended target, a psychologist believes

Her wounds included 25 incised wounds to the upper extremities, 23 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, seven stab wounds to the chest and four to the abdomen, three incised and puncture wounds to the back, and five incised wounds to the lower extremities.

She also suffered punctures to the skull, perforations of the jugular vein, heart, lung and pulmonary blood vessels, hemorrhage into the chest cavities, wounds extending into the bones of the right hand, and scrapes and bruises to the face, torso and extremities.

Blood on the soles of Kernodle's feet indicate that she was stepping in her own blood as she desperately tried to fend off her attacker.

To Brucato, the horrifying number and distribution of her wounds suggests Kohberger's escalating fury.

'She made a mockery of his fantasy,' he explained. 'He went in there thinking he was going to destroy and dominate a woman and a woman saw him and fought with him. So he was furious with her.

'When a person becomes disorganized because the situation is out of their control, you see a frenzied thrashing out at a person who is fighting. This is a person who went in in the middle of the night, masked, having thought out all the science but, true to his personality, I think he didn't understand people.

'He went in there to target one person and was furious that his fantasy was not going as it was supposed to go.'

Indeed, seeing a male, Chapin, sleeping in Kernodle's bed would have shattered his fantasy further. 'He had his initial target and then everybody else was not supposed to be there in his fantasy,' Brucato said.

Kernodle likely interrupted Kohberger's attack, causing him to drop this brown leather Ka-Bar knife sheath on Mogen's bed as he chased her

The item would become a critical piece of evidence after DNA on its clasp led police to the killer

Despite Chapin likely being the last victim, he had the fewest stab wounds, sustaining 17 in all: six incised wounds to the upper extremities; six stab and incised wounds to the lower extremities; four stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck; and one stab wound to the upper chest; along with perforations of the jugular vein, subclavian vein and subclavian artery.

Brucato explained that this shows Kohberger's fury was aimed at women, whereas the man needed to be 'eliminated' in a more practical sense.

He said that there may be some explanation for the escalation of wounds found on the three women.

'Looking at the order in which we think the victims died - Maddie, Kaylee, Xana and Ethan - for the women, the numbers of injuries are increasing because it's getting more and more frenzied as he's moving away from the initial murder. He is losing control more and more so is attacking more intensely,' he said.

Investigators believe that Kohberger was surveilling the off-campus home in the lead-up to the murders to gain a sense of the neighborhood and the students' living patterns. He may have even entered 1122 King Road prior to that night.

Cell phone data, revealed in court documents, placed him in the vicinity at least 23 times, mostly at night, between July 2022 and the murders on November 13, 2022.

Surviving roommates and friends told police about a string of unsettling incidents in the weeks before the murders, including Goncalves seeing a man watching her from the trees around the home when she took her dog Murphy outside.

Brucato believes that Kohberger meticulously planned his attack but the then-27-year-old was socially awkward and underestimated the victims - not understanding how people might respond in a life-or-death situation.

Inside the off-campus college house that was home to Mogen, Kernodle, Goncalves, and two survivors, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen

Investigators on the crime scene at the house hours after Kohberger broke in and killed four

'He was probably obsessively watching his victim from afar and thought he knew everything about the movement of this foreign body - almost scientifically - but could never touch it. He could never have a conversation with her,' Brucato said.

'There's something odd about how he relates to human beings. He understands them in a mechanical, detached way, thinking of people almost like insects in a jar.'

Breaking in while the victims slept, Brucato said, all plays into his sexual fantasy.

'That's the whole symbolism of going in masked and while they were sleeping, and that's why you have to punish the ones who do see you. You punish the person who interrupted the fantasy - who saw you and you were nothing to them.'

It is a theory supported by Kohberger's internet searches, which focused on attacking and raping sleeping girls.

Digital forensics experts at Cellebrite, who analyzed Kohberger's devices, previously told the Daily Mail that he had searched for pornographic content, including non-consensual sex acts. They found search terms such as 'sleeping', 'passed out', 'voyeur', 'forced', 'raped' and 'drugged'.

He also had a clear obsession with serial killers and home invasions, the review of his devices revealed.

Newly unsealed court documents have also raised questions about whether some of the victims' bodies were repositioned after death and whether the attacker attempted to clean up before fleeing.

These details remain contested but Brucato said that posing a body or taking a trophy can be done 'for arousal or so that you can remember it a certain way.'

All the evidence points to Kohberger having a 'sexually arousing' motivation to his crimes, Brucato concluded, adding that someone who kills to fulfil this type of fantasy will go on to murder again if not caught.

'When the motive is fantasy, you have to keep doing it to get the fantasy perfect. He was motivated like a serial killer,' Brucato said.

'I doubt that he had ever killed before but, let's just say, if he had not been captured, I have no doubt that after a period of time he would have had more victims - and I think he would have gotten better.'
Harrowing bodycam footage showing the moment alleged killer Kouri Richins was told her husband was dead was aired for the first time on day one of her murder trial.

The 35-year-old Mormon mom is accused of poisoning husband Eric, 39, with a lethal dose of fentanyl slipped into a Moscow mule cocktail.

Shot by Summit County Deputy Vincent Nguyen, the video starts with the cop arriving at the palatial Richins home to find paramedics doing compressions on Eric with his sobbing wife in the background.

Richins is seen wearing a pair of checked pajamas and telling cops that her husband was cold and heavy and lying on his back.

She is also seen asking to call her mother Lisa Darden and is heard on the phone with Erics father Eugene who was the first witness to take the stand at the trial.

The moment Richins is told Eric was dead was also seen in the footage, with the mom-of-three handed the news by a female paramedic and responding: Oh my god, oh my god, what do you mean? He was fine.

The video brought the first day of the high-profile murder trial to a dramatic conclusion and followed opening statements that also saw the 911 call placed by Richins played to the jury.

Kouri Richins is pictured Monday as she stood trial for the 2022 murder of her husband Eric

She is accused of poisoning her husband (pictured together) with a lethal dose of fentanyl slipped into a Moscow mule cocktail

Dressed in a white blouse and black blazer and with her hair scraped back in a bun, she looked down at the table as the call was played while her attorney Kathryn Nester described it as the moment a wife became a widow.

A few months before her arrest in May 2023, Richins self-published a childrens book Are You with Me? about a father with angel wings watching over his son after dying.

Along with Deputy Nguyen and Eugene, the jury also heard from Erics sister Katie  who controls the trust set up by her brother  and her husband Clint Benson.

A screaming Katie is also seen in the bodycam, asking to see Eric and demanding to know where her three nephews are. All three boys now live with her.

Both Katie and Benson were extensively quizzed about their involvement in Erics financial affairs, and about their decision to help him hire a divorce lawyer after Richins racked up a huge debt in 2020  although he ultimately decided not to divorce her.

They were also asked about their decision to hire a PI to investigate Erics death  a man called Todd Gabler who was repeatedly allowed access to the marital home following Richins arrest and who fed information to the official police investigation.

The defense contends Erics family went to extreme lengths to ensure Richins took the hit for Erics death, which they say, is because as devout Mormons, they could not bear the thought that he could have willingly taken drugs or alcohol.

Richins is seen wearing a pair of checked pajamas and telling cops that her husband was cold and heavy and lying on his back

A few months before her arrest in May 2023, Richins self-published a childrens book Are You with Me? about a father with angel wings watching over his son after dying

Richins and Eric were building an enormous $2 million mansion on 10 acres of land at the time of his death

In her opening statement, Nester also said there was absolutely no evidence that any fentanyl had been in the cocktail drunk by Eric because the glasses, which remained in the sink for 48 hours after his death, were never taken or tested by cops.

Instead, both glasses were eventually placed in the dishwasher by the family nanny and any evidence inside them washed down the drain.
Savannah Guthrie wanted to offer a huge $1 million reward on the first day of the search for her missing mom Nancy, but was stopped by the sheriff leading her case, sources said.

The Today Show star issued the reward on Tuesday as she shared a heartbreaking plea to her mother's abductors, 24 days after the 84-year-old vanished from her Tucson, Arizona home.

However, sources told Fox News reporter Michael Ruiz that Savannah and her family had wanted to post the reward at the beginning of the investigation, but were 'advised by law enforcement to hold off.'

The Guthries were told by law enforcement that offering the reward so early 'might overwhelm the infrastructure set up to field leads, tens of thousands of which have been coming in organically', Ruiz reported on X.

He added that the family are now offering the seven figure sum 'in coordination with investigators' - with the search for Nancy, so far leading to no suspects or persons of interest.

The claim that law enforcement stopped Savannah from offering a reward early comes amid mounting scrutiny on Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, who has faced allegations that he bungled the investigation.

This has included claims that Nanos failed to deploy a crucial search-and-rescue aircraft in the initial hours of the search, released the crime scene early, and issued contradictory messages to the public.

With the search at risk of going cold with no arrests made, the investigation hit a major snag last week as DNA found on a glove near the home - briefly regarded as the best piece of evidence - failed to offer any leads.

Savannah Guthrie wanted to offer a huge $1 million reward on the first day of the search for her missing mom Nancy, but was stopped by the sheriff leading her case, sources said

On Tuesday, Savannah eventually offered a $1 million reward for her kidnapped mother, after the weeks-long search has yielded no answers

In her tearful video appeal on Tuesday, Savannah conceded for the first time that her mother may be dead, but said her family are still holding out hope.

'We need to know where she is, we need her to come home,' the Today host said in a video posted to her Instagram account.

She said the family still believes that Nancy could come home, as her sister Annie describes their ongoing hunt as 'blowing on the embers of hope'.

'We also know that she may be lost, she may already be gone. She may have already gone home to the lord that she loves,' Guthrie said through her tears.

The journalist added that if Nancy, 84, has died, they will 'accept it,' but the family still needs closure.

'But we need to know where she is. We need her to come home. For that reason, we are offering a family reward of up to $1 million for any information that leads us to her recovery,' Guthrie said.

She pleaded directly with Nancy's kidnapper and anyone with information about her whereabouts, saying: 'If you've been waiting and you haven't been sure, let this be your sign to please come forward.

'Tell what you know and help us bring our beloved mom home so that we can either celebrate a glorious, miraculous homecoming or celebrate the beautiful, brave, noble and courageous life that she has lived. Please be the light in the dark.'

On Tuesday, the Today host has conceded for the first time that Nancy Guthrie may be dead

Claims that Savannah was stopped from offering a reward early in the investigation comes amid mounting scrutiny on Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos's handling of the case

Nancy was last seen at her home just outside Tucson on January 31 and was reported missing February 1. Police believe she was kidnapped, abducted or otherwise taken against her will

Savannah acknowledged in her video that there are millions of other families in the same position, and revealed that her family has also donated $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

She applauded the organization's work and for 'helping families who are coping with loss and actively looking for those who are lost'.

'We are hoping that the attention that has been given to our mom and our family will extend to all the families like ours, who are in need, and need prayers and need support,' Guthrie said.

Her tearful announcement of a $1 million reward is seen by critics of Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos within his own department as a sign of her exasperation with the handling of the case, which they believe should now be led by the FBI.

One senior serving officer told the Daily Mail: 'The case is getting cold and the public interest is waning because Nanos refuses to hold press conferences like a normal agency leader. This will hopefully spark more attention.

'I hope the familys next move will be to publicly demand Nanos hand the case over to the Feds.

Investigators said a glove found two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home failed to match DNA from her property - days after it raised hopes as it had appeared to match one worn by a masked suspect seen on Nancy's doorbell camera on the night of her disappearance

Investigators also said a masked suspect spotted outside Nancy's home in Tucson, Arizona, apparently visited the house prior to her abduction

It comes as investigators revealed that chilling pieces of footage of an unidentified suspect standing at Guthrie's door may have been recorded at different dates - indicating that the suspect had visited Nancy's home before her February 1 abduction.

Sources told ABC the agency believes that the suspect may have stalked the home beforehand, as cops released an image showing the individual at her door without the backpack and gun seen in other footage.

The images are not timestamped, though, and authorities said 'any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative'.

It is now believed that the suspect approached the door the first time, noticed the camera, and was scared off, only to return later, when he was seen tampering with the device and putting branches in front of the lens.

If it is the same person, 'it could indicate that the person was there surveilling the place before the abduction happened,' Jason Peck, a former FBI agent, told ABC.

'The fact that there was preparation and planning, which makes it more of a sophisticated type of criminal activity than someone just showing up.'
For a brief moment at Sunday nights Baftas we saw the return of the Prince William we knew and loved, handsome in a velvet tuxedo beside a resplendent Kate.

Yet our future King just had to ruin the moment. He couldnt resist the urge to make it all about him. When he was asked if he had watched the award-winning British movie Hamnet, about the death of Shakespeares young son, he said no  it would be too traumatic for him.

I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment, he explained.

Which meant, predictably, that all the next days headlines were about Williams pain, shamefully and self-indulgently overshadowing the staggering success of the movie at the awards, including that of its leading lady Jessie Buckley who won the Bafta for best actress.

The next day, it was briefed by palace sources  and not denied since  that William fears for his fathers health as the King continues to fight cancer.

It seems to me that Wills was playing the sick dad card to cover his clumsy, selfish behaviour on the red carpet.

For a brief moment at Monday nights Baftas, we saw the return of the Prince William we knew and loved, handsome in a velvet tuxedo beside a resplendent Kate

I have no doubt William is deeply concerned about his fathers health. But some might feel he has a funny way of showing it. While Charles carried out 533 royal engagements, including gruelling visits to Canada, Italy and Poland despite still undergoing cancer treatment, his eldest son managed a paltry 202.

Where was William, 43, when the King, 77, needed him most to share the load of royal duties?

The answer is that, for the last part of the year, he was huddled away at his new forever home, Forest Lodge, buried deep in Windsor Great Park in 150 acres of private fenced-off land and surrounded by 24/7 security guards.

Following the arrest of Andrew, formerly known as Prince, over allegations of misconduct in public office in relation to his connections to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, many have speculated that this could be the end of the monarchy.

I am not one of those doomsayers. But I believe that for the monarchy to have a future, especially among Generation Z, who increasingly dont see the point of a Royal Family, William needs to up his game, start appearing in public more and cut the whingeing.

Im sorry, William, but your future subjects are not losing sleep worrying about your precious mental health.

While Charles carried out 533 royal engagements, including gruelling royal visits to Canada (pictured), Italy and Poland, despite undergoing cancer treatment, his eldest son managed a paltry 202

Unlike my generation, the young in this country do not supinely accept that the royals are above reproach. Gen Zs mantra is accountability.

How does our reluctant future King square to them the fact that he has a private income of around 23million a year from the Duchy of Cornwall, which is worth 1billion and covers 130,000 acres across 23 counties? He automatically took ownership of the estate when Queen Elizabeth died  no death duties or inheritance taxes like the rest of us  and, unlike his father, he refuses to declare what taxes he actually pays.

When the day comes that William takes the throne, he will inherit the Duchy Of Lancaster, which generated a 27.4million profit last year. Meanwhile, the Sovereign Grant, which provides the royals with annual funding from the British Government  paid by taxpayers  stands at 132million.

While King Charles has proved himself to be a kind, compassionate, thoughtful and tirelessly hard-working royal, the same cannot be said of his eldest son.

I have a feeling the nearly 1million young people not working and on benefits, not able to get a job or on the housing ladder and dogged by university debts, will fail to be convinced that workshy Wills provides good value for money.

So, your Royal Highness, let me tell you what you can do to impress this lost generation.

First, show youre serious about cutting back the excess and slash some of the 500 royal employees. Strip the hangers-on Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice of their undeserved titles. Ensure the succession continues only with your children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, which will then be passed on to Georges children. And no one else.

Take away Harry and Meghans royal titles, including those of their children Archie and Lilibet  the Sussexes have not for years been working royals and just shamelessly profit off, and tarnish, the royal name.

And come clean like the rest of us and declare the amount of tax you pay on your millions.

Insiders say William is frustrated because the Andrew problem is likely still to be on his plate when he becomes King  and that he and Kate have been itching to say something, but are restrained by the police investigation.

That hasnt stopped many others  including King Charles  from making their feelings clear. The probe into Andrew may take months if not years to conclude. Its time to take action now.

Its a shame that William was too emotionally traumatised to watch Hamnet. If he had, this particular line may have resonated with him: What is given may be taken away, at any time.
A new Channel 5 documentary asks the question: Should they be given titles?

Prince William may 'rewrite the fabric of the monarchy' to give Kate's parents a greater role, royal experts have claimed.

A new Channel 5 documentary explores the influence that Carole and Michael wield within the 'inner sanctum' of the royal family and asks the question: should the Middletons be given titles?

Airing on Saturday, the show explores the idea that Carole and Michael Middleton could counteract the 'reputational chaos' inflicted by Andrew.

The Daily Mail's Sarah Vine said: In the 21st century, royalty is about how you behave. Its not a given. And if the royal family is anything in this day and age, its to set an example. Its to uphold certain standards and Andrew broke those rules and so hes no longer there.

But it means that a door is open to other people becoming royal through their behaviour.

And royal commentators believe William could give his in-laws the royal seal of approval while counting on their 'stability, decency, British values, and sense of humour' to navigate the crisis surrounding his uncle's friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

To make Carole and Michael working royals, William would have to 'completely rewrite the entire fabric of the monarchy', said Newsweek's chief royal correspondent, Jack Royston.

'But the guy does say he wants change. Anything is possible,' he added.

One of the most telling clues about the Middletons' importance in Kate and William's family life came from their daughter's emotional video message about her cancer journey.

Prince William may 'rewrite the fabric of the monarchy' to give Kate's parents a greater role, royals experts have claimed

A new Channel 5 documentary explores the influence that Carole and Michael wield within the 'inner sanctum' of the royal family and asks the question: should the Middletons be given titles?

Kate, who is in remission from an undisclosed form of cancer, announced she had completed chemotherapy treatment in a three-minute-long clip that was unprecedented for the royal family.

It was emotional and vulnerable, as footage showed William and Kate spending quality time in Norfolk with their three children - and Carole and Michael.

The trio could be seen cuddling their grandparents and playing card games around the dinner table, but no other members of the royal family appear in the clip.

It just goes to show the influence that that family has on William, and how much he loves and respects them, that he doesnt want them to be out of the loop in his family unit, said Jo Elvin, the host of Daily Mails Palace Confidential, in the new documentary.

The Prince of Wales is said to have 'adopted' his wife Kate's family soon after he started dating her in the early 2000s - and Carole is now an indispensable part of the Wales' close-knit family unit.

The Middletons have also always made it clear that Kate's marriage to William meant 'they were gaining a son', according to royal biographer Katie Nicholl.

Since his marriage to Kate in April 2011, their bond has only been strengthened further as the Middletons have become instrumental in giving their three grandchildren as normal an upbringing as possible.

Last year, The Times reported that Kate and Williams oldest child, and future heir to the throne, George loves helping out with errands at home.

One Windsor resident told the newspaper how they bumped into the young prince with Carole Middleton at a fabric shop 'where he was happily eating orange segments' while his 'granny' picked out samples.

They just seem to have this aura of kindness, and I think that the Middletons are very much that safety net,' Ms Vine told Channel 5.

The documentary revisits Princess Dianas visit to Thorpe Park with William and Harry in 1993. Archival footage of the familys day out showed the trio queuing for their turn for a popular ride after Diana insisted they wait like everybody else.

Like his mother, who tragically died four years later, William wants his children to have a 'happy, healthy, stable home'.

In an interview with Eugene Levy, William said: 'For me, the most important thing in my life is family, and everything is about the future.

And if you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time, and a fall.'

William has reiterated that his family remains his priority as royal experts suggested the children's upbringing is closer to Kate's childhood at home in Berkshire than his own in Buckingham Palace.

You feel that hes determined to give those kids as normal a background as he can possibly give them because he did not have one, said American-British playwright Bonnie Greer.

And I think thats the Middleton effect.

It has also helped Kate navigate her life as Britain's future Queen, with Ms Nicholl suggesting her 'sensible, loving family' grounded her as she learnt the royal ropes.

Photos of the late Queen taking the Middletons for a spin in her Range Rover during their time at Balmoral in 2016 cemented their status as 'quasi royals' with a special place among the upper echelons of The Firm.

They were also invited to stay at Balmoral Castle rather than one of the other houses on the estate, as a source told the Daily Mail's editor-at-large, Richard Kay, that 'this was William's idea'.

The Prince of Wales is said to have 'adopted' his wife Kate's family soon after he started dating her in the early 2000s - and Carole is now an indispensable part of the Wales' close-knit family unit

'He very much wanted his grandmother to make them especially welcome, a source told the Daily Mail's editor-at-large, Richard Kay. They were at the top of a very long guest list.'

Royal experts interviewed by Channel 5 also said Carole and Michael's discretion during Kate and William's brief break-up did not go unnoticed by senior palace aides and family members.

Moreover, their discretion in the run-up to William and Kate's royal wedding made them 'more popular than ever' within the halls of Buckingham Palace.

Most crucially, they have avoided scandal and controversy despite being thrust into the spotlight as Ms Vine told Channel 5: 'They really haven't messed up at all.'

But could they become working royals themselves?

Experts suggested William's desire for a changed monarchy means 'anything is possible' - especially in the aftermath of ex-Duke of York Andrew's disgrace.

Andrew was stripped of his royal titles last year and is currently being investigated for misconduct in public office over allegations he exploited his role as UK trade envoy to leak confidential information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

His dramatic downfall, capped by his sensational arrest last week, will see the disgraced royal retreat to his new home on the Sandringham Estate with nothing more than a chef and a lone valet.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing over his friendship with Epstein.

The Middletons: Should They Be Working Royals? airs on Channel 5 this Saturday at 9.15pm
A 36-acre village with 21 buildings and 14,000 square feet was listed for the fifth time as owners struggle to rid themselves of the one-of-a-kind property.

Owner and real estate agent Anna Boucher has been trying to pass off the antique $6 million 'Tut Hill' in Pittston, Maine, for years.

The landscape has a restored 1825 church, seven residences, several barns, stables and multi-bay garages.

'It's a white elephant type of property in the middle of central Maine,' she told the Bangor Daily News.

'There aren't a lot of buyers for a property like this. We've gotten a lot of interest, but nothing has really come together.'

She first listed the property, 12 miles outside of Augusta, five years ago while Maine was experiencing a post-pandemic real estate boom.

Despite the thriving market, it seemed Maine buyers weren't interested in a multi-building compound.

Those who were couldn't stomach the price tag.

Owner and listing agent Anna Boucher said most buyers don't have a use for so much land

The compound included a restored church built in 1825

Tut Hill consists of seven residential buildings and 21 buildings overall

The property takes up 36 acres in Pittston, Maine

The main house on the property was a Greek-revival style home bought in the 1960s

According to Boston.com, the sprawling compound boasted a total of 20 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms across 'multiple homes and apartments.'

Boucher and her husband, Nathan Tuttle, took over the village from her late father-in-law, Ken Tuttle, who was an antiques dealer in central Maine.

They lived in the main house, which has one bedroom, three bathrooms, an office, a rec room and a garage attached.

Tuttle bought the Greek-revival style home in the 1960s. The 3,800-square-foot house sat next to a hundred-year-old church.

So, Tuttle bought the church and used it as the storefront for his antiques dealership.

He slowly but surely began buying up worn-down Federal-style houses in central Maine and relocating them to the property throughout the 1980s.

'Ken didn't set out specifically to do this venture. It sort of just fell into his lap,' Boucher told Realtor.com.

'His first gig was actually hanging wallpaper and painting, and then he saw these antique buildings and just gravitated toward them.'

There are multiple garages and stable structures perfect for horses or even car collecting

Most of the buildings were restored Federal-era structures

Boucher has had trouble selling the property, noting that many people have little use for so many buildings

The family upped the price from $5.5 million to $6 million after spending a large sum on renovations and repairs

Tuttle died in 2002, leaving his antique village to the family.

Boucher and Nathan had been renting out the residential units on the property, but are ready to give up the landlord lifestyle.

In 2021, they listed the village for $5.5 million.

The next year, it was removed and re-listed for the same price twice.

Tut Hill hit the market once again for $5.5 million in April 2025. The owners finally upped the price to $6 million last October.

Boucher said the jump compensated for renovations and upkeep for the buildings, roads and landscapes over the last five to eight years.

Not only does the next owner need deep pockets, but she hopes they have 'some imagination to make the property into what it needs to be.'

The compound was created by Boucher's father-in-law Ken Tuttle, who had an affinity for old homes in need of refurbishment

Boucher and her husband rented out the seven residences for several years

The property also has sprawling pasture, which Boucher said were ideal for horses

'My husband has basically been using the majority of the property for his personal use, but there's a lot of potential for somebody to make an income from all that additional space,' she said.

The sprawling landscape included vast lawns and appealing foliage, making it ideal for diverse uses.

'The property would make a great wedding venue, event center, gathering place, or even a setup for a bed and breakfast,' Boucher said.

'The buyer will definitely be someone who has a vision,' she added.

The Daily Mail contacted Boucher for comment.
Spooky season is long gone, but the housing market is still seeing scary amounts of ghosting.

Indeed, buyers are locking in on homes only to vanish after the property is already under contract.

This trend is being fueled by an unprecedented surge in available inventory - driven by cautious buyers, stubborn sellers holding firm on pricing, and a wave of overdevelopment that has outpaced demand.

The overall cancelation rate of 7.1 percent at the end of December is not dissimilar from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com data scientist Sabrina Speianu.

However, one Southern city has been hit especially hard by the terrifying trend.

Over one in every 10 deals are being backed out of in Atlanta, Georgia - the highest rate of any major metro.

Bruce Ailion, a real estate professional and attorney with Re/Max Town & Country, told Realtor.com that the sharp rise in housing inventory across the Atlanta area has played a role in buyers walking away from deals.

He said the standard purchase agreement includes a due diligence and inspection period, which gives buyers time to change their minds.

Spooky season is long gone, but the housing market is still seeing scary amounts of ghosting (pictured: a home in Atlanta)

Over one in every 10 deals are being backed out of in Atlanta, Georgia - the highest rate of any major metro (pictured: Atlanta suburbs)

Your browser does not support iframes.

'That allows for termination for any reason or no reason. When a buyer sees a better opportunity in the due diligence period they can move on,' says Ailion.

'With buyers having more options and many sellers reducing their price, a higher number of buyers are terminating an agreement when they find a more attractive purchase during their due diligence.'

Jake Krimmel, Realtor.com's senior economist, noted that, 'as inventory grows and the pace of sales slows that means the buyers in those markets have more homes to choose from and fewer other buyers to compete with.'

'Given those more favorable market conditions, it's no surprise that some buyers are pulling out of deals in those metros in particular,' he continued.

As of January, Atlantas median sale price was $375,650, down 1.1 percent from a year earlier, according to Redfin's data.

At the same time, home sales fell 9.5 percent compared to last January, and properties lingered on the market eight days longer than a year ago, bringing the median time to sell to 78 days - a clear sign that demand is cooling.

Atlantas median days on market now trails only some of the most vulnerable housing markets in the country, including former pandemic boomtowns such as Austin, Fort Lauderdale, and Dallas.

Those cities saw rapid price growth during the pandemic followed by notable slowdowns. Atlantas rising inventory and longer selling times suggest it could be on a similar downward trajectory if buyer demand continues to soften.

Atlantas median days on market now trails only some of the most vulnerable housing markets in the country

As of January, Atlantas median sale price was $375,650, down 1.1 percent from a year earlier

Jake Krimmel, Realtor.com's senior economist

Just slightly behind Atlanta in the rankings for most ghostings is Las Vegas, Nevada, with 10.1 percent of home sales being canceled.

Las Vegas's housing market is seeing problems across the board. The city is under fresh pressure as new figures show home prices slipping, fewer deals getting done and more properties sitting unsold.

The typical price for a house in January was $470,000 - down 3.1 percent from a year earlier, according to new data from Las Vegas Realtors.

Condos and townhomes also saw declines, with a median sale price of $283,750, down 3.2 percent from a year ago and far below the October 2024 peak of $315,000.

Fewer homes are being bought. Just 1,825 homes, condos and townhomes changed hands in January, an 8.4 percent drop compared with the same month last year.

At the same time, unsold homes are piling up.

Nearly 6,200 houses on the market had not had a single offer in January - up 19 percent from a year ago - while the number of condos and townhomes still looking for buyers jumped 25 percent to 2,377.

Las Vegas's housing market is seeing problems across the board

The city is under fresh pressure as new figures show home prices slipping, fewer deals getting done and more properties sitting unsold (pictured: a desert community in Las Vegas)

Next up is San Antonio, followed by Riverside, California, and Phoenix, Arizona - all with cancelation rates above 9 percent.

This trend matters for the whole US because these hot metros often act as early warning indicators.

When buyers in major markets begin walking away from contracts en masse, it reflects broader market dynamics: rising supply, slowing demand, and increased leverage for buyers.

If such conditions continue or spread, they could ripple outward, slowing sales, pressuring prices, and creating a more cautious market nationwide.

In short, the ghosting trend in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and other hard-hit cities isnt just a local headache - its a red flag for homeowners, sellers, and the housing market across the country.
Tucked away in Oxford Universitys historic library are the oldest surviving New Testament fragments, papyrus texts nearly 2,000 years old that are among Christianitys most treasured writings.

For Dr Jeremiah Johnston, who has studied the Magdalen Papyrus P64 extensively, being one of the few people allowed to hold the pieces of historic scripture was 'the single most awe-inspiring experience this side of heaven.'

The fragments themselves are tiny, fragile scraps, browned with age, yet they preserve moments from the Gospel of Matthew, including four sayings of Jesus, key portions of the Last Supper and Judas arranging his betrayal.

During a visit to the Old Library of Magdalene College, Johnston was granted the rare opportunity to hold the three fragments encased in a simple frame, an experience he described to the Daily Mail as life-changing.

'It was literally taken out of what looks like a shoebox, not even on display, and I had as much time as I wanted with one of the most priceless Christian artifacts on earth,' he said, recalling the almost ethereal nature of the encounter.

'I'm holding that fragment, and to know that it's 2,000 years old, and to know that it's true, and that the scales of truth tip in the favor of Christianity, was transformational for me.'

The fragments preserve 24 lines of text from Matthew chapter 26, specifically covering verses 23 and 31, and date back at least to the first century AD, offering an extraordinary window into the earliest written record of Jesus' words.

Alongside other early New Testament scraps, the P64 also represents the oldest known examples of a codex, a book with individual pages rather than a traditional scroll, underscoring the profound shift in how early Christians recorded and preserved their sacred texts.

Dr Jeremiah Johnston was granted the rare opportunity to hold the three fragments encased in a simple frame, an experience he described to the Daily Mail as life-changing

Dr Johnston was able to hold the three fragments, which were housed in a frame, while visiting the Old Library of Magdalene College in Oxford

The fragments land squarely in today's debates over how faithfully the Gospels were transmitted, offering physical evidence that early Christians had been preserving these texts for far longer than critics often claim.

And its frayed edges and faded ink reveal that the story of Jesus was being written down earlier than skeptics sometimes admit.

'It's a reminder to me that Jesus died for my sins so that I could be forgiven. And so I'm holding that fragment,' said Johnston, who is set to release his new book 'The Jesus Discoveries.'

'It takes my breath away,' he added, describing the huge significance the specific excerpts hold as part of what Christians call the words of institution, in this case being the lead-up to the Last Supper and Jesus' crucifixion.

These fragments were given to Magdalen by Charles Bousfield Huleatt in 1901.

These tiny scraps, fragile and browned with age, preserve moments from Matthew 26, including four sayings of Jesus and key portions of the Last Supper and Judas arranging his betrayal

Huleatt, a Magdalen alumnus-turned-missionary, was working in Luxor, Egypt, when he obtained the papers. How he acquired them remains unknown, as does their ultimate origin.

Johnston explained that the P64 fragments were dated entirely through paleography, meaning scholars compared the handwriting style of the scribe to thousands of other dated secular documents found in Egypt that have survived from the same era.

He explained that because everything was handwritten before the invention of the printing press, these handwriting comparisons, along with the fact that the fragment is written on papyrus, rather than later parchment, and is formatted as a codex with writing on both sides, allow experts to date it to the late second century AD.

This would mean that they may have been penned 'a full century' after Jesus' crucifixion, which many scholars believe occurred in 33 AD.

Matthew 26 marks the point where Jesus moves from teaching and ministry into the final hours leading to the crucifixion, making it one of the most consequential chapters in the Gospels

However, some experts, such as German archaeologist Carsten Peter Thiede, argue that the same evidence points to an even earlier first-century origin date for the texts, around 70 AD.

Matthew 26 marks the point where Jesus moves from teaching and ministry into the final hours leading to the crucifixion, making it one of the most consequential chapters in the Gospels.

On the back of Fragment 1, which is from Matthew 26:7-8, the words read: 'Poured it on his head as he was at the table. When they saw this, the disciples said indignantly.'

The next piece features Matthew 26:10: 'Jesus noticed this and said, "Why are you upsetting the woman? What she has done for me."'

This passage is part of the story of the woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume at Bethany, shortly before the Passover.

And the final excerpt, from Matthew 26:15, reads: 'Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you prepared to give me?"'

The front side of the first fragment, with text from Matthew 26:31, reads: 'Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away from me tonight, for the scripture says."'

The fragments are held in the Old Library of Magdalene College in Oxford

That quote is simply Jesus predicting that all his disciples would soon abandon him, as they later did.

The second includes details from Matthew 26:32: '"I shall go ahead of you to Galilee." At this, Peter said to him.'

The final piece features Matthew 26:22-3 and reads: 'They were greatly distressed and started asking him in turn, "Not me, Lord, surely?" He answered, "Someone who has dipped his hand into the dish with me."'

Speaking about the translations, Dr Johnston told the Daily Mail: 'We have four sayings of Jesus within those fragments. Jesus's name is mentioned twice, Peter and Judas Iscariot's names are mentioned, and these are the earliest copies in the world where their names are found.'

During his doctoral residency at Oxford, Dr Johnston gained unprecedented access to rare biblical manuscripts through the Bodleian Library, receiving an elite 'A' reader card granting full access to special collections.
A newly-discovered fossil has many people convinced that researchers have uncovered a real-life dragon for the first time.

The skull, which is as large as an adult person, discovered in Africa's Sahara Desert, has a long reptile-like jaw, full of pointy teeth the size of a human hand, and an enlarged snout eerily similar to the crocodile.

The skull featured a giant curved horn above the eyes and spikes that protruded from the back of the head, making the animal look like the flying creatures in ancient legends worldwide.

Discovered by a team from the University of Chicago, the newly found species has been named Spinosaurus mirabilis, meaning 'astonishing spined lizard.'

This massive predator lived roughly 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period, when scientists believe the Sahara was a lush, forested area containing rivers and inland waterways hundreds of miles from the ancient oceans.

Spinosaurus mirabilis, also known as the 'hell heron,' is estimated to have been around 40 feet long and weighed between 10,000 and 14,000 pounds. The fossils suggest it could stand in water up to seven feet deep as it fished for food.

Researchers believe the dragon-like creature was actually from a dinosaur family known as Spinosaurids, which all shared these crocodile-like features, a large hump or sail-like structure along their spines, and the ability to walk on two massive back legs with two shorter limbs in the front.

This particular species of Spinosaurus had a 20-inch-tall bone sweeping up from between its eyes, which the team compared to a curved sword known as a scimitar.

University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno (Pictured) stands with the skull of the Spinosaurus mirabilis, discovered in the Sahara Desert

Fossils discovered at the dig site in present-day Niger reveal a prehistoric creature that had razor-sharp teeth the size of a human hand

However, the reconstruction of the beast's huge skull, with a long jaw full of interlocking teeth and the curved, sword-shaped bony crest, has revealed a creature that looks identical to mythical depictions of a ferocious fire-breathing dragon.

'Thats definitely a dragon head,' one person declared online. 'Just say it's a dragon already,' another commenter added.

Scientists and museums have continued to claim that dragons, the winged dinosaur-like creatures seen in shows such as Game of Thrones, never existed, and stories about them were likely referencing sightings of large reptiles.

In fact, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis even claims on their website: 'There's simply no evidence in nature or the fossil record to suggest it ever happened.'

Officially, University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno and his team believe the creature is a member of the spinosaurid family.

These were large, meat-eating dinosaurs that likely lived between 95 and 130 million years ago, and were best known for including the famous Spinosaurus, known by dinosaur fans for its signature crocodile-shape head and giant sail on its back.

However, researchers, publishing their work in the journal Science, estimated there were ten to 17 different species of this prehistoric predator, with the newest fossil marking the latest one to be unearthed.

'This find was so sudden and amazing, it was really emotional for our team,' said Sereno in a statement. 'I'll forever cherish the moment in camp when we crowded around a laptop to look at the new species for the first time.'

The Spinosaurus mirabilis skull fossil seen from the front with its jaw open to show the massive teeth inside

An artist's depiction of the Spinosaurus mirabilis recently discovered in the Sahara Desert

The suspected dinosaur stood out from typical big predators like the Tyrannosaurus Rex or Allosaurus because of its ability to adapt, especially when it came to catching fish and living near water.

The odd find is believed to be the tallest head crest known among all meat-eating dinosaurs, also called theropods.

'The unicorn of spinosaurids,' one commenter said about the unique horn on the fossil's head.

'I definitely think the ancients encountered at least a couple of things like this because this is definitely a dragon,' another person claimed on social media.

The shocking find in a region far from the sea could rewrite what history has suggested about spinosaurids needing to live near coastlines and oceans.

Researchers from the University of Chicago found the new species in the desert of present-day Niger in an area that hadn't been excavated in over 70 years

Join the debate Should ancient dragon legends be taken more seriously given these new dinosaur discoveries?

The specific fossil site where Spinosaurus mirabilis was found had gone completely untouched by scientists for over 70 years before the recent expeditions visited the area in 2019 and 2022.

In the 1950s, French geologists exploring this part of present-day Niger found a single saber-shaped tooth, similar to those of big meat-eaters like the Carcharodontosaurus, a creature similar in appearance to the T. rex.

Although the discovery of the fossil was noted, there were no records of anyone ever returning to the extremely remote region, full of sand seas and far from any roads or settlements.

Sereno decided to track down that long-lost fossil site with the help of a local Tuareg guide on a motorbike who claimed to know places where big fossil bones were visible in the sand.
NASA has given a hilarious response to President Donald Trump following his demand for UFO files  and it dashes hopes of an extraterrestrial breakthrough.

Earlier this month, the hunt for life beyond Earth took an unexpected twist when Barack Obama claimed aliens are real.

The former president later went on to clarify he was not talking about extraterrestrial forms visiting Earth, and that he believes life must instead exist somewhere in the 'vast cosmos'.

But his comments prompted Trump to lash out at his predecessor for allegedly sharing 'classified information'.

The President said he has directed his Secretary of War to release all government files related to aliens, extraterrestrial life and UFOs.

Now, NASA has finally responded to his demands  but it crushes any hope that a collection of spooky documents are about to be released.

'We continue to embrace President Trump's open science commitment as an agency,' NASA Press Secretary Bethany Stevens wrote on X.

But she added: 'As [NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman] has said, there are certainly things he's come across in the job that he can't explain but they relate more to unnecessarily costly programs than they do to extraterrestrial life!'

NASA has finally responded to his demands  but it crushes any hope that a collection of spooky documents are about to be released

Donald Trump said that he's directed Pete Hegseth to release government files related to aliens, extraterrestrial life and UFOs

The theatricals began earlier this month when Barack Obama was interviewed by American YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen.

When he was directly asked 'Are aliens real?', he replied: 'They're real, but I haven't seen them.'

He also addressed longstanding speculation surrounding Area 51, the secretive US military facility in Nevada that has long been at the centre of extraterrestrial conspiracy theories.

'They're not being kept in Area 51,' Mr Obama said. 'There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.'

Shortly after the interview aired, President Trump said his predecessor was 'not supposed' to be sharing 'classified information'.

'I don't know if they're real or not,' he told Fox News reporter Peter Doocy aboard Air Force One. 'I can tell you he gave classified information. He made a big mistake.'

Hours later, he announced: 'Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War... to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs).'

He added they aim to release 'any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters.'

Obama said any alien coverup would have required information being hidden from the president himself. Pictured, a still from a previously released unclassified U.S. government video appearing to show unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)

Obama dismissed claims that extraterrestrials are being hidden at Area 51, pictured above, saying there is 'no underground facility'

The worlds with the best chance of having alien life TRAPPIST1e K218b Kepler62e and Kepler62f Enceladus Titan Advertisement

NASA's online statement also adds: 'We have fostered open science since our inception so that the public can build upon our innovations.

'We continue to make all NASA data publicly available, and welcome public participation using our data.'

However, their response was met with scepticism from some X users.

One wrote: 'I hate to tell you thisbut the stuff that's probably been hidden for the last 100 years would have been hidden from you guys too.'

Another pointed out that 'Not all NASA data is publicly available'.

The release of a statement follows comments made by one of NASA's longestserving and most decorated scientists at a conference held earlier this month.

Dr Gentry Lee, a veteran space engineer who has worked at NASA since 1968, said anyone who believes aliens have ever visited Earth has been seriously 'misled'.

Referring to persistent rumours and theories that alien beings or spacecraft have visited the Earth, Dr Lee said: 'There exists nothing today that says any alien or any alien machine has ever landed on the planet Earth. If you believe otherwise, you are being misled.'

Former president Barack Obama said aliens are 'real' but that he never personally saw any evidence of them

He said that, in every case of a supposed UFO sighting or alien encounter, there is likely a simpler explanation for those phenomena.

Dr Lee also said that space scientists must be prepared to find alien life that is very different from the life found on Earth.

He said that all life on our planet  'you, me, an elephant, slime mould, bacteria'  relies on DNA to reproduce.

He added: 'Extraterrestrial biologists would come to the Earth and would go back and report: 'Not a terribly interesting planet. All life is the same. All of it reproduces in the same way using the same major [DNA] molecule.'

His comments were made at the American Association for the Advancement for Science (AAAS) conference in Phoenix.
Scientists have revealed the tragic truth about Punch the monkey  the viral macaque who has stolen the hearts of millions across social media.

The seven-month-old Japanese macaque was born at Ichikawa Zoo last year, where he was rejected by his mother.

Zookeepers gave him a stuffed orangutan toy, who he quickly formed a bond with  with viral footage showing him clinging to the plushie.

Fans were briefly relieved when footage emerged of another macaque grooming and comforting Punch.

However, just days later, Punch was rejected a second time  and this time it was in an even more aggressive fashion.

So, why are animals picking on Punch?

According to Professor Jo Setchell, a primatologist at Durham University, maternal abandonment is 'very unusual' in macaques  and may have set Punch up for failure.

'A baby monkey would usually have the protection and support of his mother, and learn the correct responses from her, but Punch doesn't have that support so he might not have learned the right way to behave,' Professor Setchell told the Daily Mail.

Scientists have revealed the tragic truth about Punch the monkey  the viral macaque who has stolen the hearts of millions across social media

Fans were briefly relieved when footage emerged of another macaque grooming and comforting Punch. However, just days later, Punch was rejected a second time  and this time it was in an even more aggressive fashion

Maternal abandonment is unusual in macaques, but tends to happen when the mother is young and inexperienced.

'I have read that Punch was his mother's first baby, in which case she might not have had a great deal of experience,' Professor Setchell explained.

'I have seen inexperienced primate mothers hold their baby upside down, for example, and appear to be very stressed when the baby wriggles.

'It's a big change to go from being pregnant to having a baby clinging to your tummy all the time, for the first time!'

Conditions were also particularly hot when Punch was born, which might have contributed to his abandonment.

'If the mother is in poor condition herself, she might prioritise her own survival and her future offspring over caring for a baby that is unlikely to survive the current conditions,' Professor Setchell added.

While little is known about Punch's mother's upbringing, this may also have played a role, according to Dr Emily Bethell, Associate Professor in Primate Cognition and Welfare at Liverpool John Moores University.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: 'Abandonment is more likely to happen if the mother herself had abnormal rearing  for example, if she was separated from her own mother too young, or experienced other forms of early life stress, possibly associated with captivity.'

Zookeepers gave him a stuffed orangutan toy, who he quickly formed a bond with  with viral footage showing him clinging to the plushie

Other macaques may have initially tried to jump in to help Punch, having noticed him running around without his mother

Why are animals picking on Punch? Punch's mother may have abandoned him due to her young age and lack of experience. Conditions were also particularly hot when Punch was born, which might have also contributed to his abandonment. Without the protection of his mother, Punch might not have learned the right way to behave, causing other macaques to shun him. Advertisement

That goes some way to explain Punch's mother's abandonment  but what about the other animals?

According to Professor Setchell, it all comes down to the dominance hierarchy.

'Punch is a Japanese macaque, and they have strong dominance hierarchies,' she explained.

'The other macaques are asserting their dominance rank.'

Dr Bethell added that the other macaques may have initially tried to jump in to help Punch, having noticed him running around without his mother.

'Macaques are highly social primates and interest in youngsters is common, including handling and carrying the infants of others,' she said.

'An abandoned youngster would be of interest to other macaques who might want to handle him, and there may be conflict over who gets hold of him.

'This can result in youngsters being handled quite roughly.'

Maternal abandonment is very unusual in macaques, but tends to happen when the mother is young and inexperienced

While Punch has taken the internet by storm, Professor Setchell highlights that monkeys 'are not pets'.

She added: 'Social media attention to cute baby monkeys can increase demand for monkeys as pets and fuel the illegal trade in baby monkeys, causing severe animal suffering.

'Punch is an adorable baby, but this story shows how much a monkey needs his mum.

'He will quickly grow up into an adult monkey who needs to be with other members of his own species.'
California's Skid Row has been hiding a dirty secret as countless dogs are starved, drugged and denied medical care while officials reportedly turn a blind eye.

Animal advocates say the situation has worsened in recent years, with pregnant dogs giving birth on the streets, others tied up in the sun, crammed into tiny cages, beaten and even subjected to drugs.

Joey Tuccio, an animal rescuer with the nonprofit Starts With One Today, told the Daily Mail: 'There are hundreds of dogs on Skid Row.

'This has been happening for 10 years. We get no support from Los Angeles leaders, and the last time dozens of animal rescuers spoke at City Hall, nearly all council members walked out.'

According to advocates with Starts With One Today, dogs are often bred illegally and traded for money, sexual favors or drugs.

'We recently reported an unhinged animal abuser on Skid Row who thinks she's in the Illuminati,' Tuccio said.

'She has over 10 animals crammed into cages on the sidewalk, and neighbors say she never lets them out. Officials just gave her more cages, even though she has broken numerous laws.'

Tuccio has shared dozens of heartbreaking videos and photos on his social media page, showing dogs overdosing, covered in burns and their bodies wrapped in electrical wire.

Pictured is a dog named Iced, which animal activists claimed was burned intentionally by his owner

Pictured is a dog found on Skid Row with its ribs protruding from its body. Animal activists said the dog has a cut on its neck, which is pouring out maggots

Skid Row, a roughly 50-block area east of downtown Los Angeles, is one of the nations largest and most densely populated communities of unhoused individuals.

Home to an estimated 9,000 to 15,000 residents, the area serves as a hub for homeless services but is marked by extreme poverty, sprawling tent encampments, and high rates of addiction and mental health challenges.

However, in the last decade, it has become somewhat of a black market for dogs.

Many of the dogs sold on Skid Row end up in the hands of other homeless residents, who pay between $100 and $500 to breed them, according to Tuccio.

Once the dogs are no longer useful for breeding, they are often abandoned or sold again, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and abuse, he added.

One video on Tuccio's X page shows a small dog that accidentally ate Fentanyl and overdosed. Its owner was seen administering Narcan to save his life.

He has also shared images showing a crate full of puppies draped with a blanket, a female bulldog that has been bred at least three times and a man trying to sell newborn puppies out of a van for $75

'The animal overpopulation continues to explode, and the number of animal abuse cases we work on increases almost monthly,' Tuccio told the Daily Mail.

Pictured is Lila. SHe was found wondering the streets with her eye gouged out

Animal activist and rescuer Joey Tuccio has shared dozens of heartbreaking videos and photos on his social media page, showing dogs overdosing, covered in burns and their bodies wrapped in electrical wire

Many of the dogs sold on Skid Row end up in the hands of other homeless residents, who pay between $100 and $500 to breed them, according to animal activists

'They need to enforce laws. The homeless people on Skid Row need to abide by the same laws everybody else has to.'

Mayor Karen Bass's office recently announced a crackdown on animal cruelty in Skid Row.

Launched on November 6, the initiative aims to expand resources for protecting animal welfare while providing essential support to pet owners in need.

'I launched this new initiative to keep pets with their owners whenever possible while holding those who commit crimes of animal cruelty and neglect accountable,' said Bass in a statement.

'This collaborative approach will use specially trained LAPD officers, working with Animal Services staff to support animal welfare by bringing dedicated personnel, strategic investigation practices, a uniform approach to accountability and immediate relief whenever possible.'

However, Tuccio said the effort has not lived up to its promise.

'Karen Bass lied on the news saying the animals "are not neglected on Skid Row," meanwhile, we are saving dogs that have rotting limbs, with their eyes glued shut, broken legs and dumped on the streets covered in infected wounds,' he said.

Daily Mail has contacted Bass's office for comment.

Although Tuccio says the city has abandoned the dogs, he and other advocates continue working tirelessly to save their lives.

On Tuesday, he shared on his X page that 11 dogs had been recently rescued.

'[These] animals were confiscated from horror conditions, and the abuser is under arrest. This sadly would not have happened without videos going viral,' he posted.

In December, former Last Comic Standing star Rebecca Corry took Los Angeles to court over concerns about alleged animal cruelty.

The 54-year-old comedian, who was a finalist on season four of Last Comic Standing, filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, as well as Mayor Bass, the Los Angeles Police Department, LA Animal Services and its manager Annette Ramirez, via her non-profit Stand Up for Pits on Monday.

According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, the organization is suing over the alleged mistreatment of dogs housed in shelters throughout the city, as well as dogs located on Skid Row, a stretch of Downtown Los Angeles with a large population of homeless people.

In a December statement to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Mayor Bass said that she has 'taken action to investigate allegations of animal cruelty in Skid Row, with the LAPD recently recovering dogs from an illegal puppy mill in the area.'




US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has finally addressed the president's announcement to release all government files related to UFOs and aliens.

Speaking at an event for the Department of Wars 'Arsenal of Freedom' tour on Monday, Hegseth, 45, said he intends to find out if aliens really exist, and the American people will learn the truth at the same time.

Although he admitted he never envisioned being the person put in charge of potentially revealing alien life to the world, Hegseth declared that the Department of War would fully comply with the president's orders.

'I did not have that on my bingo card at all,' Hegseth said.

'We've got our people working on it right now. I don't want to oversell how much time it will take, right? We're digging in. We're going to be in full compliance with that executive order, eager to provide that for the president.'

Hegseth didn't have an estimate of how long it would take for the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to release every piece of information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), which have been widely reported throughout the US since the 1940s.

Asked if he believes aliens exist, Hegseth replied: 'We'll see. I get to do the review and find out along with all of you.'

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who was put in charge of the House Oversight Committee's task force on declassifying secret records on UAPs, revealed that all of the incoming documents will be housed on the US National Archives' website.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (Pictured) said the Pentagon plans to be in 'full compliance' with President Trump's order to release all UFO-related files

Trump's February 19 order to disclose any and all information on alien life came hours after he scolded former President Obama for saying in an interview that aliens were real

Until now, the Pentagon has maintained for decades that no physical evidence of extraterrestrial life has ever been found by the US, and videos capturing suspected UFOs have never been confirmed to be of a non-human origin.

Hegseth's comments came after a whirlwind week of stunning UFO-related claims made by Trump and former President Barack Obama.

On February 14, a podcast interview between Obama and Brian Tyler Cohen sent shockwaves through the US after the 44th president declared aliens were real, but they weren't being kept at Area 51.

Obama tried to walk back the comments a day later, posting on social media that he gave a short and direct answer to Cohen's rapid-fire questions 'to stick with the spirit of the speed round.'

'Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good theres life out there,' he wrote on February 15.

However, President Trump seized on the comments, declaring that Obama had actually committed a serious violation by speaking on the matter, calling the topic 'classified information.'

'I don't know if they're real or not,' Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on February 19 when asked about alien life and his predecessor's comments.

'I can tell you he gave classified information. He made a big mistake,' the president added.

President Trump (Pictured) allegedly has a speech written which discusses the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrial life, a claim later confirmed by his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump

The US government has claimed there is no physical proof extraterrestrial spacecraft or alien life exist and have visited Earth, despite countless videos capturing UFOs

Just hours later, Trump became the first president in history to issue a broad executive directive ordering government agencies to make any information on unidentified spacecraft and non-human life public information.

The president has also reportedly granted a key US congressman access to the most famous military base - Area 51.

In a recent interview, Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri claimed his request to visit the top-secret Nevada facility and other locations allegedly connected to UFOs was approved by the White House.

Burlison is a member of the congressional oversight committee involved in the ongoing investigation into UAPs, more commonly known as UFOs.

Although the US government has continued to deny that crashed UFOs and alien bodies have been recovered, Congress has heard from multiple whistleblowers claiming secret programs have covered up the truth for 80 years.

Seeking physical evidence of these encounters, Burlison told the ALN Podcast that the Trump Administration has ordered Hegseth and the Department of War (formerly the Department of Defense) to 'make it happen.'

'The extent to which they've been involved is literally just saying to the Department of Defense that "we're backing his request. Do what you can to make it happen,"' Burlison explained during the January 30 interview.

Trump has previously said he didn't believe UFOs or aliens exist, but revealed that military pilots have personally told him about their mid-air encounters with unexplainable craft which defied the laws of gravity.

When asked if he would declassify the files about aliens on the Lex Fridman Podcast in September 2024, then-candidate Trump said: 'Sure, Ill do that. I would do that. Id love to do that. I have to do that.'

The president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, has claimed he already has a written speech prepared, which discusses the topic of UFOs and alien life visiting Earth.

White House insiders and UFO researchers have claimed this speech is scheduled to be given this year, possibly coinciding with the Roswell UFO incident's 79th anniversary on July 8 or at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Ancient figurines carved from animal bones hint at a lost chapter of human history 40,000 years ago.

Archaeologists analyzing more than 3,000 etchings on 260 prehistoric relics have uncovered one of the earliest known symbolic systems, far older than the first Sumerian cuneiform of 3400 to 3300 BC in Mesopotamia.

Many of the artifacts were discovered in caves in the Swabian Jura, including a small mammoth figurine from Vogelherd Cave in Lone Valley, southwestern Germany.

The relics include flutes, animal carvings, and human-animal hybrid figurines, all marked with 22 recurring symbols, ranging from V-shaped notches to lines, crosses and dots.

'The artifacts date back tens of thousands of years before the first writing systems,' said study co-author Ewa Dutkiewicz, an archaeologist at Berlin's Museum of Prehistory and Early History, according to Popular Science.

The carvings appeared to be a structured symbolic system rather than random decoration, suggesting early forms of communication or information storage that may have recorded calendars, rituals, tallies or cultural identity.

Professor Christian Bentz of Saarland University added: 'There are plenty of theories, but until now there has been very little empirical work on the basic, measurable characteristics of the signs.'

The team emphasized that the goal was not to decipher the signs' concrete meanings, which remain unknown.

Archaeologists analyzed hundreds of relics found in a cave, identifying the world's oldest form of writing. Pictured is an ivory bone with markings left 38,000 years ago

The study focused on 260 objects, including ivory figurines, bone tools, flutes, and pendants, dating from roughly 43,000 to 34,000 years ago.

Researchers found that certain objects, particularly figurines, carried higher 'information density,' meaning more symbols were deliberately engraved per surface area.

Tools, flutes and ornaments also bear symbols, but to a lesser extent, suggesting a hierarchy in how symbols were applied depending on the object's purpose.

Other artifacts from the Swabian Jura showed similar markings. Notable examples include the 'Adorant,' a mammoth ivory plate from Geienklosterle Cave in the Ach Valley, depicting a hybrid lion-human creature and the Lion Man from Hohlenstein-Stadel Cave in the Lone Valley, a mythical human-lion figure with evenly spaced notches along its arm.

These and other pieces reveal a deliberate symbolic system repeated across multiple objects. '

The signs on the archaeological objects are frequently repeatedcross, cross, cross, line, line, line. This type of repetition is not a feature found in spoken language,' Bentz told Popular Science.

The findings suggested that humans arriving in Europe during the Upper Paleolithic were already capable of complex symbolic thought.

The systematic use of signs indicates that these early hunter-gatherers had a way to store and transmit information beyond the spoken word, essentially an early form of external memory.

The mammoth figurine from Vogelherd Cave, approximately 40,000 years old, bears multiple sequences of crosses and dots on its surface

This so-called numero-ideographic tablet features number signs on the left-hand side and more diverse ideographs on the right-hand side

'Our findings also show that Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers developed a system of symbols that has an information density statistically comparable to the earliest proto-cuneiform tablets from ancient Mesopotamia, which came 40,000 years later,' Bentz said.

Researchers compared the statistical properties of the carvings with early cuneiform, noting similarities in structure, repetition, and information density.

'Sign sequences in proto-cuneiform script are also repetitive, and the individual signs are repeated at a similar rate. In terms of complexity, the sign sequences are comparable,' Bentz explained.

'We hypothesized that early proto-cuneiform would be more similar to modern writing, but the older Palaeolithic sequences were surprisingly alike.

'Little changed between the Old Stone Age and the first proto-cuneiform scripts. Then, about 5,000 years ago, a new system emerged to represent spoken language, with completely different statistical characteristics.'

The relics include flutes, animal carvings, and human-animal hybrid figurines, all marked with 22 recurring symbols, ranging from V-shaped notches to lines, crosses and dots

While not writing in the strict sense, the carvings showed a level of conventionality and intentionality comparable to the earliest attempts at recording information in human history.

The exact meaning remains unknown, but researchers suggested some markings may reflect seasonal patterns or animal migration cycles, hybrid figures and recurring patterns may have held religious or cultural significance and regularly spaced notches may have functioned as counting systems or record-keeping tools.

Certain symbols consistently appearing on humans or feline figures versus tools and other animals indicate early social conventions.

Until now, it was widely believed that the first writing system emerged in Mesopotamia with Sumerian cuneiform around 5,400 years ago.

The new findings push complex symbolic communication back at least 35,000 years, challenging long-held assumptions about the timeline of cognitive and cultural evolution in modern humans.

The study also highlighted the importance of empirical analysis. By applying statistical models and classification algorithms, researchers were able to quantify the carvings' structure, consistency, and information content, providing a framework for studying prehistoric symbols more broadly.

While the carvings do not constitute writing as we understand it today, they provide invaluable insight into the cognitive and cultural sophistication of early Homo sapiens.

'There are many sign sequences to be found on artifacts. We've only just scratched the surface,' Dutkiewicz said.

As researchers continue to analyze and catalog these objects, they hope to uncover patterns that could further illuminate the symbolic lives of prehistoric communities.
A mom accused of murdering her daughter calmly told 911 dispatchers that her child had accidentally fallen into a swimming pool and was 'not moving'.

Chilling new audio captured Dr Neha Gupta, 36, explaining how she had woken up in their rental vacation home in El Porta, Florida, to find her daughter Aria Talathi, four, at the bottom of the swimming pool on June 27, 2025.

Prosecutors allege that Gupta staged the scene as an accidental drowning, and that evidence suggests she smothered her daughter to death before placing her in the water.

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The Oklahoma pediatrician said she believed her daughter accidentally fell into the pool, telling the dispatcher: 'I tried to get her out.'

'We were sleeping and I heard some noise. She was in the pool, I tried to save her but I don't know how to swim. She went down in the pool.'

Asked if she or anybody else was able to get her daughter out of the pool, Gupta replied it was 'just me' at the home, and said: 'I tried my best to get her out.'

She then told 911 that her daughter was not conscious, saying: 'No, she's at the bottom of the pool... She's not moving.'

Bizarre call: Dr Neha Gupta calmly told dispatchers her daughter Aria Talathi had drowned

Sinister plot? Prosecutors allege she staged the drowning after smothering her daughter

As Gupta told 911 again she couldn't save her daughter because she couldn't swim, the dispatcher pleaded with her that she 'has to try' to bring her out of the water.

'Is there like a stick, like a pool stick, like if you're cleaning out the pool?' the dispatcher asked.

'You need to try to get her out of the water.'

Gupta is facing first-degree murder charges, which were briefly downgraded to manslaughter in August before prosecutors opted to escalate the charges again to murder.

Chilling call: Gupta told 911 dispatchers she couldn't rescue Aria because she 'couldn't swim'

Family feud: Gupta was in the midst of a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband

She and her daughter were visiting Florida from their home in Oklahoma when the tragedy unfolded.

Following the death of her daughter at the rental home, Gupta returned to her home for two weeks before she was arrested and extradited on July 2.

Prosecutors allege that she killed her daughter as she was in the midst of a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband.

Gupta has denied killing her daughter, and her attorney Michael Mirer told NBC6 last year that she insists her daughter's death was a tragic accident, arguing investigators 'rushed to judgment' in arresting her.

'Our position from day one has been that Dr Gupta did not intentionally harm her child, that her child tragically got out of the locked door and fell into the pool, accidentally.'

Staunch denial: Gupta has denied killing her daughter and has pleaded not guilty

Loving mom: Gupta was captured on camera lovingly holding Aria days before her death

Prosecutors had previously alleged that Gupta had waited 10 minutes before calling 911 when she found her daughter in the pool.

Gupta's attorney argued that she was using the time to try and save her daughter from the pool, with the newly revealed 911 audio showing she had told dispatchers she tried to wade into the water, but couldn't swim.

When questioned about the tragedy, Gupta claimed her daughter was up late and fell into the pool after having a late dinner.

A medical examiner later found that Aria had no food in her stomach, and her lungs were dry - indicating that she did not drown, prosecutors said.

Mirer argued that medical examiners could not establish an official cause of death, and said prosecutors alleging that Gupta smothered her daughter was premature before an official ruling.

Avoiding arrest? Gupta hid in a laundry room when police raided her home in Oklahoma

It comes as surveillance footage showed Gupta carrying her daughter inside as they arrived at the home, appearing to lovingly hug her and showing no signs of the horror that would unfold days later.

Video from the home security system then showed a huge law enforcement presence descended on the home after Gupta's 911 call, including several cop cars and a firetruck.

Aria was then stretchered out of the home and raced to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

When she was arrested at her Oklahoma home weeks later, Gupta was seen in bodycam footage hiding in a laundry room when police raided her property.

Gupta remains behind bars in Florida ahead of the trial, which has not been scheduled.
The Night Agent fans have been left lost for words after realizing that Gabriel Basso was a teen star in a popular kids' show.

Actor Gabriel, 31, has recently returned to our screens as FBI Agent Peter Sutherland in the acclaimed Netflix hit.

The Night Agent, based on Matthew Quirk's novel of the same name, premiered back in 2023, followed by a second season in 2025 and a third dropping earlier this year.

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Shock: The Night Agent's fans have been left lost for words after realizing that Gabriel Basso was a teen star in kids' show

Star: Actor Gabriel, 31, has recently returned to our screens as FBI Agent Peter Sutherland in the popular Netflix hit

It follows the life of an FBI agent called Peter who mans a phone in the basement of The White House and has to look after a young woman called Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan).

Over the years Gabriel has appeared in a number of films and television shows - but many don't know that he starred in a Nickelodeon hit.

Back in 2009 he landed the role of 'fake Freddie' on iCarly as part of the 14th episode of season 2, called iLook Alike.

iCarly was a teen sitcom, created by Dan Schneider, which aired on the popular US channel between 2007 and 2012.

It stars the likes of Miranda Cosgrove, Jennette McCurdy, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor, and Noah Munck.

Talking about the role on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Gabriel confessed: 'I don't remember much, to be honest.

'I forgot that this happened, until recently, and everyone was reminding me of it.'

Throwback: Over the years Gabriel has appeared in a number of films and television shows - but many don't know that he starred in a Nickelodeon hit iCarly as fake Freddie

He added of his idea of the storyline: 'So I had my own idea of what should have happened, where there's like a battle for who gets to be Freddie and the fakes try to remove the real ones.

'But they didn't like that, it's Nickelodeon.'

Many have taken to social media to share their shock over his role.

'PETER SUTHERLAND (GABRIEL BASSO) WAS FREDDYS LOOK ALIKE IN ICARLY??'

Career: After his stint on iCarly, Gabriel went on to star in various other shows, including Eastwick, The Middle, The Big C, Perception and The Red Road

'Gabriel Basso was on iCarly?'

'I just found out that Gabriel Basso, the actor from The Night Agent, did the doppelganger of Freddie in iCarly, that's why he seemed familiar to me, I'M P**SING MYSELF.'

'Dawg I been watching Night Agent and the main character Peter (Gabriel Basso) has been looking so familiar to me and I couldnt remember why. Dawg he was the fake Freddie on the iCarly episode when Carly, Sam and Freddie found their lookalikes.'

After his stint on iCarly, Gabriel went on to star in various other telly programmes, including Eastwick, The Middle, The Big C, Perception and The Red Road.

He's also appeared on a number of films too.

Some include Meet Bill, Super 8, The Hive, Barely Lethal, The Whole Truth, Hillbilly Elegy, Trigger Warning and The Strangers.

When The Night Agent returned last year, after a nearly two-year wait, fans didn't hesitate to start showering praise.

The first season kicked off with that phone actually ringing - but an unexpected caller is on the other end, a civilian in danger named Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan).

The show was an immediate hit with Netflix viewers, logging a whopping 168.71 million viewing hours in its first week, and securing a season two renewal.

While the show's return was delayed by the writers strike, the new 10-episode season was a huge success.

The first season followed Peter as he tried to unravel the conspiracy behind why Rose's aunt and uncle - two Night Action agents - were murdered.

After navigating some treacherous territory in season one, Peter was promoted to a full Night Action agent at the end of season one, and entered a romantic relationship with Rose.

While fans were curious if Peter and Rose would be back together in season two, many were certainly rooting for it.

The Night Agent is available to stream on Netflix.
Ibiza has long been a favourite for British holidaymakers - drawing people in with its vibrant culture, sandy beaches and hot weather.

But it appears tourists may be turning to a different destination - laid-back Menorca.

The popular Spanish spot has managed to draw in more bookings for this summer than Ibiza, according to data from TUI.

The number of passengers jetting off to Menorca are increasing year-on-year, and Brits seem to be turning to the island because of the promise of sunshine without bustling crowds.

One TUI travel agent, Claire Moye, has booked over 1,000 holidays to Menorca.

The deputy store manager at TUI Penarth describes how the destination can even cost less than Ibiza and offer the same 'gorgeous beaches'.

She said: 'I've booked over 1000 holidays to Menorca and it's only getting increasingly popular as customers are asking for somewhere a bit quieter and more traditional.

'Menorca has the same gorgeous beaches and weather as Ibiza and Mallorca, but without the busy nightlife and crowds.'

Passengers jetting off to Menorca are increasing year-on-year and Brits seem to be turning to the location because of the promise of sunshine without bustling crowds

One TUI travel agent, Claire Moye (pictured), has booked over 1,000 holidays to Menorca

After 26 year sin the travel industry, Claire has plenty of intel to share and explained: ''In peak summer, Menorca can work out cheaper than some of the more established hotspots.

'A casual meal out for a family of four typically costs less in Menorca, with families often spending around 60-90 compared with 90-120 in busier hotspots.

'And a pint of beer can be a few euros less too.'

The sunny island boasts daily temperatures of around 30 degrees in the summer and has miles of clear turquoise waters to enjoy.

Claire also highlighted how the size of the destination makes it easier for families to travel across.

'It's a smaller island, so it's really easy to get around and airport transfers are short, which is a big plus for families with young children,' the travel agent explained.

'The beaches are unspoilt and the atmosphere is laid-back.'

She recommended places like Son Bou, which is 'the longest beach on the island with soft golden sand and calm, shallow water'.

Join the debate Would YOU swap Ibiza for Menorca?

The sunny island boasts daily temperatures of around 30 degrees in the summer and has miles of clear turquoise waters to enjoy

The deputy store manager at TUI Penarth describes how destination can even cost less than Ibiza and offer the same 'gorgeous beaches'

Aside from families, couples are also being drawn to Menorca's traditional harbour towns and coastal walks.

Claire recommends heading to one of her favourite spots, Binibequer Vell, a whitewashed fishing village often compared to Santorini.

She said: 'It looks like a mini Santorini but without the crowds. It's one of those places people fall in love with straight away.'

She also recommends exploring the capital, Mahon, which has one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
Sandwiches, soup, stodgy pasta and salted pretzels... plane food isn't exactly known for being nutritionally dense.

However, a new study reveals half of UK travellers are prioritising wellbeing over convenience - and have clear ideas about what they want on airline menus.

According to the nationwide poll of 2,000 adults, 47 per cent of health-conscious Britons are looking to ditch indulgent, carb-heavy meals in favour of lighter, more functional food at 30,000 feet.

From menus focused on hydration to snacks that support the immune system, a rising number of UK travellers are extending their focus on healthier habits beyond the gym and kitchen.

More than half (56 per cent) are set on fresh, minimally processed ingredients, while 50 per cent are calling on airlines to introduce low-sugar and low-carb options to better reflect modern eating habits.

The data further shows 41 per cent of passengers have swapped alcohol for juices and vitamin-infused beverages when flying.

Other in-flight requests from Brits include; more hydrating food and drink options (53 per cent), low-calorie and portion-controlled meals (46 per cent), and meals packed with protein (45 per cent).

It appears younger travellers are leading the shift, with popular requests including gut-friendly kombucha, balanced grain bowls and protein snacks.

A rising number of UK travellers are ditching stodgy, carb-heavy plane meals in favour of lighter options with fresh ingredients and low sugar

Research also reveals nearly one in five (19 per cent) are prepared to pay more for meals and drinks specifically designed to boost their immune system or digestive health.

And while nearly half of UK travellers (46 per cent) believe airline food has improved in recent years, 41 per cent say wellness options continue to fall behind.

Robin Padgett, CEO of Catering & Retail at dnata, which helped conduct the survey, said: 'In-flight dining is evolving just as fast as the passengers it serves.

'Passengers are paying more attention to how meals make them feel during a journey, and wellness is becoming part of what a good travel experience looks like.

'Our research backs what were hearing across the industry. Passengers are embracing lighter, fresher, more functional meals, and airlines are increasingly thinking about how in-flight food fits into the wider travel experience.

It comes as several travel experts have revealed some of the best food they've eaten on a flight.

Depending on how you count the meals, Thrifty Traveler editor Kyle Potter 'vividly' remembers being served between five and 13 courses on a first-class flight to Tokyo with Japan Airlines.

He told The Washington Post how he tucked into everything from soup, beef, seafood, egg custard with caviar and dumplings.

Younger travellers are leading the shift, and popular requests include kombucha, balanced grain bowls (pictured) and protein-rich snacks

The travel expert was also served uni, which are the edible parts of a sea urchin.

He described how it was 'nearly on par with some of the best uni I've ever had in Tokyo'.

Meanwhile, Madison Blancaflor, from The Points Guy, found herself still talking about a particularly delicious chicken soup ten months after her flight.

She flew from London to New York City with Virgin Atlantic and was served a winter vegetable soup in her 'Upper Class' cabin seat.
Tucked away 1,073 feet underground lies the Wieliczka Salt Mine  a salty kingdom located near the Polish city of Krakow.

The impressive site has more than 700 years of history and is spread across nine levels. It was once the largest source of salt in the country.

Salt extraction from the mine came to a halt in 1996. Although evaporated salt is still produced and collected, it now operates as a huge tourist attraction.

There are 150 miles of subterranean tunnels across the mine, and visitors can explore the site through two different avenues  the tourist or miners' route.

It's such an expansive mine that the areas open to guests only account for two per cent of the entire site.

The tourist route allows visitors to 'discover the secrets hidden deep underground' and witness first-hand beautiful chambers, saline lakes and St Kinga's Chapel.

During the tour, there are more than 800 steps to climb and explorers are introduced to old mining tools and machines previously used in the mine.

The adventure ends at the third level, sitting 450 feet low.

Tucked away 1,073 feet underground lies the Wieliczka Salt Mine  a salty kingdom located nearby the Polish city of Krakow

The impressive site has more than 700 years of history and is spread across nine levels. It was once the largest source of salt in the country

There are 150 miles of subterranean tunnels across the mine, and visitors can explore the site through two different avenues  the tourist or miners' route

Alternatively, the miners' route takes guests on a 'unique adventure' where they can fully immerse themselves in the life of a salt miner and try out various tasks and challenges. It spans a depth of 187 feet and 330 feet.

The mine earned a spot on the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 and is described as a 'priceless monument of world material culture' on its website.

Deep inside, there is a salt labyrinth with corridors stretching 245km long.

The salt hallways are so complex that visitors are only allowed to venture around them with an experienced guide.

Aside from exploring the ins and outs of the mine's history, the site has expanded to other attractions too.

There are two chambers that can be hired for private functions, CNN Travel reports, as well as a spa that specialises in respiratory treatments.

It still operates as a working mine, though not in the same way as it did originally.

Today, there are 380 miners who focus on maintaining the walls and protect the site from any water damage.

It's such an expansive mine that the areas open to guests only account for two per cent of the entire site

The mine earned a spot on the First UNESCO World Heritage List back in 1978 and is described as a 'priceless monument of world material culture' on its website

Aside from salt walls and tunnels, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is also home to rare crystal caves.

They hide huge halite crystallisations 10 metres underground and were only discovered in the 1860s.

Halite crystals are the purest rock salt in the world. Few exist in the world that are as large and sparkling as the ones found at Wieliczka.

Tunnels, salt crystals and a rich history  this magical labyrinth has so much to offer.
To help families save up to 1,400 on holidays, a leading travel retailer is calling for schools to stagger regional inset weeks to reduce the pressure of peak-season price hikes.

On the Beach argues the move could help save families of four hundreds of pounds per holiday and avoid fines for unauthorised absences.

To escape peak-season markups, a growing number of parents are removing their children from school to take advantage of lower off-peak prices, with one third admitting to taking their children out of education during the 2024/25 school year.

It appears the trend isn't slowing down anytime soon - staggeringly, one in two parents are planning a holiday that takes their kids out of school in the current 2025/26 academic year.

However, the financial risks of term-time travel are significant. Nearly half a million families across the UK were fined by the Department for Education last year for unauthorised absences.

Currently, parents in England and Wales face Fixed Penalty Notices of 80 for their child's non-attendance, which increases to 160 if not paid after 21 days.

According to On the Beach researchers, headteachers in England and Wales hold the power to make family trips more affordable.

They suggest that by grouping the five mandatory training days into a single, regionally staggered 'inset week,' schools could unlock significantly lower travel costs for parents, all while cutting term-time absences and boosting attendance.

Parents demand school headteachers to group inset days into one week as part of a new campaign from holiday company On the Beach to tackle peak summer holiday prices

A rising number of parents are removing their children from school to take advantage of lower off-peak prices, with one in two parents planning to their kids out of education this year

Now, the holiday provider is calling on millions of parents across the nation to write to their child's school to ask for an inset week - with ready-to-send letters, emails and WhatsApp messages being rolled out.

In the open letter, headteachers are urged to reconsider how they schedule teacher training days.

The goal is to essentially provide a loophole for families to book cheaper holidays, with families of four reporting savings of up to 1,400 per trip thanks to lower demand pushing down hotel and flight prices.

Just 1 per cent of schools currently operate inset weeks, among them Python Hill Academy, which is supporting On the Beach's campaign.

Mr Andy Stirland, principal at Python Hill Academy in Nottinghamshire, said: 'We have been running an inset week, which is tagged onto the spring bank holiday in May, for the last seven years. Parents should not be faced with fines or enforcement for wanting to spend family time together.

'Inset week has allowed families at our school the option of cheaper holidays while maintaining our attendance figures.

'Our school attendance figures have been above the national average every year and I believe without inset week this would be a very different story.'

It appears the nationwide push is already gaining momentum: nearly three-quarters of parents said they would join On the Beach in calling on headteachers to introduce an inset week.

Nearly three-quarters of UK-based parents have said they are interested in joining On the Beach in asking headteachers for an inset week

Pictured: Mr Andy Stirland, headteacher of Python Hill Academy, who is supporting On the Beach's campaign

Katelyn Greenway, a parent who was fined said: 'I emailed my child's headteacher this morning to ask for an inset week.

'It would make such a difference to us, we could afford a holiday without breaking the rules or feeling guilty about taking time off school.'

To access On the Beach's inset week site, and send a letter, WhatsApp or email to your child's school to ask for an inset week, parents can click here for more information.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: 'Families shouldn't have to choose between following the rules and being able to afford time away together.

'The real frustration we hear is that parents can see cheaper off-peak holidays, but there's no straightforward way to access them without their children missing school, and that's exactly where inset weeks can help.

'Approximately 25,000 headteachers hold the key to getting more families on holiday for less, boosting attendance figures and solving a problem that the Department for Education has run out of answers to. Inset weeks are the answer.'
Millions of pounds are lost each year to holiday booking scams, and a new trick is targeting travellers who are flying to their destination.

Fraudsters have been posing as airline workers and calling British holidaymakers to demand payment for a 'seat guarantee' on the plane.

Reports from travellers have been received by Phonely's 'Who Called Me', a consumer-protection platform, highlighting the issue.

The scam involves holidaymakers being called up by someone pretending to represent a major UK airline.

The caller then typically claims there is a problem with the passenger's seat selection, often blaming a 'system glitch' and offers to secure preferred seats over the phone.

But they will only 'allocate' the seats if the traveller pays a fee.

Consumer experts from Phonely have warned that the seats are not real and have emphasised airlines do not usually call passengers to take payment for a seat reservation.

Several holidaymakers have shared their experiences of the scam with the platform anonymously.

The scam involves holidaymakers being called up by someone pretending to represent a major UK airline

One person described the 'close call' they had with a trickster and explained: 'Did a Google search to manage my booking and do seat selection and received a call to say there was a computer glitch and my seat selection could be done over the phone.

'I had got into the BA website and said it was ok as I could do it online.'

Thankfully, the traveller realised it was a scam before any money was taken and they added: 'The person wouldn't end the call and said the seat wouldn't be guaranteed unless I paid.

'I knew that wasn't true as my membership guaranteed the seat. I ended the call. Close call.'

In another instance, a passenger was contacted by a fraudster just minutes after speaking to the airline themselves.

'No sooner had I put my phone down than another man called saying he could help me with my preferred seats. 95 each,' they recalled.

'He sounded so convincing as he knew information I had just been discussing with customer care. I almost gave him my info a close call indeed.'

A whopping 11million was lost to holiday booking scams in 2024, according to the Report Fraud show.

The caller then typically claims there is a problem with the passenger's with seat selection, often blaming a 'system glitch' and offers to secure preferred seats over the phone

Phonely director Bryn Thompson explained how the scam is targeting travellers in a new way and issued a warning.

He said: 'While airline impersonation isn't new, targeting passengers specifically with fake seat reservation calls is something we have only just started receiving reports about.

'Airlines do not typically call customers out of the blue to take payment for seat reservations. This is usually done through their official website or app.

'If you receive an unexpected call asking for payment, that should immediately raise alarm bells.'
London Heathrow Airport has huge plans for improving its transport systems - from a third runway to creating two mega carparks.

The aviation hub, which is the largest in the UK, proposed a 2.6 billion budget to deliver multiple parking spaces and improvements across the airport.

It intends to combine 20 existing car parks into two multi-storey spaces that can hold up to 36,000 vehicles.

Heathrow told The Times the new car parks would take up a whopping 1.3 billion of the budget.

This would equate to a cost of around 36,000 per space.

Leaked documents seen by the publication reveal they would be called the northern and southern parkway.

They reportedly also stated that the cost of the two car parks would be the full 2.6 billion - which would be 72,000 per space.

But the airport denied this and told the Daily Mail 'This is another misrepresentation of the facts.

The major hub, which is the largest airport in the UK, proposed a 2.6 billion budget to deliver multiple parking spaces and improvements across the airport.

'We want to make it easier and more convenient for passengers and colleagues travelling to and from the airport and Heathrow expansion presents a unique opportunity to transform this.

'Our proposal includes an estimated construction cost of 1.3 billion that would combine 20 current car parks into two dedicated parkways either side of the airport.

'Wider investments also include an overhaul of how passengers travel around the airport campus and a new parking, drop-off and bus facilities at Terminal 5.

'Expansion and our wider plans to fully modernise Heathrow will create a hub fit for the future, giving passengers more choice, lower air fares and state of the art facilities.'

Plenty of upgrades are in the works for the huge airport, and the third runway was recently fast-tracked in the Government's 29 billion makeover - meaning it could be unveiled sooner than expected.

Flights could take off from a new runway by 2035.

It will open up at least 30 new daily routes and serve up to 150 million passengers, Heathrow said.

This could include dozens of routes to new destinations - including new direct flights to Peru, Indonesia, Argentina and the Philippines.

A major overhaul of Terminal 4 also falls under whopping investments coming this year.

T4 will receive a major revamp, with construction planned to start soon in phases to ensure operations continue as normal.

It intends to combine 20 existing car parks into two multistorey spaces that can hold up to 36,000 vehicles

It will include a brand new multi-storey car park as well as an upgraded check-in area, and the work is expected to be finished in 2031.

Terminal 2 is also set to receive a new dedicated baggage system next year.

Some 31,000 bags per day will be handled by the new system, helping to improve efficiency and service for passengers.

A new assistance area will also be built in the terminal, giving passengers direct access to security, and all assistance areas across Heathrow will be upgraded.

The investment will also cover the installation of cameras across the airport's stands that will use AI to speed up the turnaround processes between flights.
Airports and airlines have urged the EU to urgently review the rollout of its new biometric border system, warning it could trigger long queues over the Easter holidays.

Industry bodies, including the International Air Transport Association, ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe said the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) since October is already causing 'significant delays'.

In a joint letter to the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs, they warned that queues could stretch to four hours or more this summer if the system is fully implemented.

The automated IT system - which requires fingerprints and photos from non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area - was first launched in October 2025, but airports and ports initially had until April 2026 to fully implement the technology.

However, earlier this month, the EU made the decision to give 29 participating countries a more flexible timeline for the system's introduction until early September.

But aviation bodies say problems persist, even though only 35 per cent of non-EU travellers are currently required to register their fingerprints and photos.

Warning of queues of 'four hours or more' in July and August, they highlighted three key issues leading to delays: ongoing technology issues, 'chronic understaffing' and 'very limited uptake' of the Frontex pre-registration app by Schengen states.

They have since called on the European Commission to allow countries to suspend the system until the end of October, citing a 'disconnect' between Brussels view that EES is working well and travellers experiences of delays.

Industry bodies have already warned queues could stretch to four hours or more this summer if the Entry/Exit System (EES) system is fully implemented

According to Travel Weekly, reports suggested the completion date for the rollout had been postponed.

However, a Commission spokesperson confirmed there would be no further extensions, although member states can suspend the system for 90 days - with a possible 60-day extension - to cover the summer peak.

All 29 Schengen countries must have the system fully operational by the week of Easter Monday.

ACI Europe said airport processing times rose by 70 per cent in December when just 10 per cent of non-EU travellers were subject to biometric checks, pointing to regular system outages and staffing shortages.

Lisbon Airport temporarily suspended the system over Christmas, while in France e-gates are still unable to process UK passports.

The UK Foreign Office has advised travellers to expect a few extra minutes per passenger and to be prepared for longer waits at the border, adding that the system is being introduced in phases, with full operation expected from 10 April 2026.

Further warnings of travel chaos during the Easter holidays come after the entry/exit system caused gates to crash in major tourist hotspot late in 2025 and earlier this year.

The passport gates crashed at Gran Canaria Airport, delaying flights on December 30, 2025 and January 10, 2026.

A Daily Mail writer who was travelling to the airport at the time, explained: 'The European entry/exit system caused all the passport gates to crash on my way into Gran Canaria AND the way out.

'It delayed my flight back (Saturday, January 10) as obviously none of the Brits could get on the plane. They had to wheel out security guards to come and stamp us all, because the system completely shut down so many times.'

They said the machines all suddenly went red - causing many disgruntled passengers to start swearing.

They added: 'There are queues anyway because its quite tricky for a lot of people to master the finger printing. But when it all went red a second time, they just had to send us to security and abandon the finger printing.'
When many of us return from a holiday, we often find our suitcase - which previously zipped shut smoothly - requires a little more effort to close.

Buying souvenirs abroad is an essential vacation activity for plenty of Brits, and goods such as fridge magnets, clothes, hats, keyrings and other paraphernalia can take up a fair amount of space in one's luggage.

But one souvenir won't take up any space at all: the travel tattoo.

For years, 'tattourism', the notion of getting a tattoo to mark a destination, holiday or experience, has been on the rise.

What began as a simple way of commemorating a certain vacation has become a veritable industry.

Indeed, in New York one hotel even has its own in-hotel tattoo parlour, Unscripted Ink.

Whether it's map outlines, local flowers, sayings in foreign languages or simple designs with hidden meanings, the choices for a travel tattoo are limitless.

So, why are so many tourists keen to memorialise their travels in ink?

More people are seeking tattoos as a reminder of a holiday or travel experience

Liv Novotny, owner of Unscripted Ink, told Travel + Leisure: 'Its such a personal way to commemorate their time.'

Some argue getting a permanent marker of an important trip can be a special reminder of the time.

Others believe it retains a connection one might have to a destination they've visited.

A lasting sense of connection is, of course, a key motivator - and feels more permanent and stronger than something like a snow globe.

Or, in some cases, it's just a piece of art - a popular reason for getting any tattoo in the first place.

Travellers on social media have shared many a tale of their travel tattoo.

Pinterest user Travel Life shared a clip of all the tiny tattoos they got during various travels, from an evil eye in Brazil to a random stick and poke in Costa Rica.

Similarly, digital artist and illustrator Drew Graves shares footage of his various tattoos and designs on Instagram, including inspiration for travel tattoos - such as a globe, tiny plane, writing or landscape design.

Flower designs reminiscent of a certain place - such as an English rose - are popular

Tattoo artist Fabiano Nogarolli explains the motivation behind one such tattoo design on a client: 'He didnt want just a tattoo. He wanted a journey on his skin.

'After our consultation, I ditched the typical travel tattoo idea, no airplanes, no cliche compass. Instead, I designed a full custom piece that tells his story.

'A traveller walking into the unknown, guided by a rose compass.

'In front of him? His own travel photos, strung across the path, with maps behind each one, marking the places hes been.

'This is what happens when tattoo design goes beyond ink and becomes a story etched in skin.'
A travel expert has warned that a common holiday habit could see you landed with a fine - before your trip has even started.

Many British holidaymakers arrive in Italian cities such as Rome and Portofino with their luggage in tow, ready to sightsee straight from the airport or train station.

But what most don't realise is that doing so could be illegal.

Italy has introduced tourist behaviour laws, with specific luggage rules prevalent.

In Rome, dragging a wheeled suitcase down the Spanish Steps is banned under the city's urban decorum laws, with fines starting at 250 (218) and rising to 400 (350) or more if damage is caused.

In Portofino, a municipal regulation explicitly bans tourists who linger in congested areas with suitcases, with fines reaching up to 500 (437).

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, travel expert and CEO at luggage storage company Stasher, says the laws are catching Brits abroad off guard.

Jacob explained: 'These rules point people to doing what feels completely normal when arriving in a new city: bags in hand and heading straight to iconic landmarks.

You might be tempted to head out for stroll straight from the airport - but check it's allowed

'The problem is that marble staircases that have stood for centuries can't handle millions of suitcase wheels grinding across them each year.

'Even the vibration from bouncing luggage down steps causes microscopic damage that accumulates over time.'

Police in Rome actively patrol hotspots throughout the day and respond quickly.

Jacob adds: 'Never treat your arrival day as a sightseeing day if you still have your bags with you.

'Head straight to your accommodation or use a luggage storage service first because being slapped with a fine by local police before your holiday has even started is not the kind of experience anyone wants.'

There are plenty of other rules that could see you hit with a hefty fine, too.

In the Acropolis, Greece, no high heels are allowed.

Jacob explains: 'Greece has banned sharp-heeled footwear at ancient sites, including the Acropolis and the Epidaurus Theatre. The fine for ignoring it can reach up to 900 (786).

Other strange travel rules include a ban on high heels at the Acropolis in Greece

'On surfaces that are thousands of years old, a single step causes micro-fractures. This is one of the most expensive unknown fines in European tourism.'

Driving in flip-flops is not allowed in Spain, with Jacob warning: 'Spain's traffic authority has confirmed that officers can fine drivers up to 200 (175) if they judge that footwear is affecting a driver's ability to control the vehicle safely. Guardia Civil officers have on-the-spot discretion.'

Bikinis are prohibited on streets in Spain and Italy.

Jacob says: 'Barcelona has had a swimwear ban in place since 2011, with fines up to 300 (262) for wearing bikinis or swimming trunks away from the beach.

'In Majorca and the Balearic Islands the fine rises to 600 (524), and Sorrento in Italy carries fines of up to 500 (437). The rules apply to men as well as women. No wandering into a restaurant shirtless, either.'

And in Venice, you're not allowed to feed the pigeons.

Jacob says: 'Feeding pigeons anywhere in Venice has been illegal since 2008, with fines up to 500 (437). Pigeon droppings and pecking cause serious damage to Venice's fragile marble facades, and the clean-up bill runs into hundreds of euros per resident every year. It's taken very seriously.'
The co-creator of beloved sitcom Red Dwarf admitted he has had talks about a reboot - starring a brand new cast.

Having launched in 1988, the show has aired on both the BBC and later Dave from 2009 to 2020.

The premise follows Dave Lister (Craig Charles), a lowly technician on a spacecraft, who is the last living human after being in suspended animation for three years.

Other key characters include Lister's hologram frenemy Rimmer (Chris Barrie) and Cat (Danny John-Jules), who evolved from Lister's pregnant feline.

Speaking to Radio Times, co-creator Rob Grant hinted the iconic characters could be returning to screens.

He addressed whether Titan - a prequel book set for release in July - could be adapted for the screen.

Beloved sitcom Red Dwarf debuted in 1988 - and has had runs on both the BBC and Dave throughout its history

The premise follows Dave Lister (Craig Charles), who wakes from suspended animation after three million years to discover he is the last surviving human

Lister's companions include Cat (Danny John-Jules), who evolved from his pregnant feline, as well as Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister's holographic nemesis

Rob said: 'Yes! We [he and co-writer Andrew Marshall] originally wrote it as a treatment for a TV spin-off and took it around, but its horribly expensive, and we couldnt really raise enough interest.

He added: We might down the line weve been talking to streamers about it but, when you read it, [youll realise] its a whole world youd have to create. It wouldnt be cheap.'

Addressing whether the original cast could return, Rob said: 'The guys are getting old.

'Wed really need to recast. Thats what I thought the Titan spin-off might achieve.

'Wed get a new Rimmer and Lister  but the existing cast could appear in quite decent roles, if they wanted to.

I know  and Im with them  that the fans adore the cast. I adore them too. And just to a lot of people, it just wouldnt feel right, anybody else playing anything like those parts.

But what else can you do? Except AI?!'

Back in November 2025, Red Dwarf actor Chris Barrie delighted fans at meet and greet in Scarborough as he was spotted five years after his last TV appearance.

Red Dwarf star Chris Barrie delighted fans at meet and greet in Scarborough in November 2025 as he was spotted five years after his last TV appearance

The actor, 65, was forced to cancel a sting of public appearances due to a mystery 'medical situation' over the summer, but rescheduled the event following his recovery.

Writing in the Red Dwarf fan club on Monday, one fan shared a series of photos from the signing as he smiled for photos with Chris.

He wrote: 'I had the pleasure of meeting this legend today Chris Barrie at the Scarborough Spa. What a guy.'

It came after Chris pulled out of multiple public appearances that July due to a mystery 'medical situation'.

He was expected to reunite with his castmates at London Comic Con, but dropped out at the last minute, citing worrying health issues.

In a statement posted on his website, Chris told fans: 'Hello everyone. I'm going to be brief, but over the last week I have been dealing with a medical situation which I am only just beginning to get my head around.

He added that all planned appearances 'over the summer and into the autumn' have now been scrapped, leaving followers concerned for his well-being.

'Updates on all this will be issued as and when,' he added at the time.
Dirty Business (Channel 4)

Rating:

For corporate villains and utility company shysters with something to hide, there's only one thing more bothersome than a retired gent on a mission. And that's two retired gents.

David Thewlis and Jason Watkins play a pair of crusading friends in an Oxfordshire village, in Dirty Business, based on a true story. What begins as a moan in the pub becomes a national campaign to expose how raw sewage is being pumped into Britain's rivers and coastal waters on a massive scale.

It helps that the duo have exactly the skills necessary to uncover this travesty. Ashley Smith (Thewlis) is an ex-detective who investigated police corruption, the real-life version of Line Of Duty's AC-12.

He's dogged, unflappable and sceptical about everything he's told, especially by smiling executives with long job titles.

Professor Peter Hammond is a former Oxford academic with a genius for spotting patterns in reams of numbers, which proves useful when requests for information are answered with a murky deluge of data. There's gallons of jargon, too, which writer and director Joseph Bullman helpfully glosses for us with captions.

'Untreated effluent discharges', for instance, is industry code for human waste simply being dumped into waterways. 'Operator self-monitoring' means letting firms get away with it.

At first, water company PR people claim these incidents are unfortunate but rare occurrences, caused by heavy rainfall. But as the crusaders proceed, cautiously and politely, they realise that's not even slightly true.

'These aren't accidents, it's a policy,' the professor says.

Pictured (L-R): Peter (Jason Watkins) and Ash (David Thewlis)

It's impossible to watch this drama without feeling sick with anger at it all

'This is starting to look like organised crime,' his friend retorts.

Programme-makers usually leave the right-of-reply statements till the end, but in Dirty Business, the denials and justifications pop up regularly on the screen  a measure of how determined the water companies are to minimise the damage.

Even the preview copy I received came with yelps of indignation from Thames Water, about how they 'work proactively and constructively with community groups', blah blah, and trumpeting 'the biggest upgrade of our network for 150 years'.

Since this show depicts their pumping stations as decaying Victorian relics, that's not saying much.

This three-part story has overtones of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, the ITV drama that made millions fully aware of the Horizon scandal. Like that series, this one celebrates the decency and determination of average Englishmen with their blood up.

But a bitterly sad story is also laced through it. In flashbacks, we meet a family on holiday in Devon, where the eight-year-old daughter contracts an E. coli virus from sewage gushing onto the beach.

Her lingering death, and the disbelieving grief of her parents, are far more upsetting than even the most graphic footage of polluted rivers. It's impossible to watch this drama without feeling sick with anger at it all.
Maya Jama suffered an awkward blunder live on air just moments before she announced the winners of Love Island: All Stars on Monday night.

The host, 31, accidentally mistook Ciaran Davies, 23, for Curtis Pritchard, 30, when she addressed the public that it was just between Samie Elishi, 26, and Ciaran and Millie Court and Zac Woodworth.

In the clip, Maya said: 'Samie and Curtis, Millie and Zac - make some noise.'

Shocked, Samie and Ciaran fell about laughing, before Maya interrupted: 'Samie and Ciaran. I'm sorry. The fridge was on my brain'.

Curtis, who exited the villa a few weeks ago after failing to spark up a romance with Millie Court, was back to watch the final and this may have been why Maya got confused.

Viewers took to X to comment on the slip-up, claiming it was because Ciaran was 'unmemorable'.

Maya Jama suffered an awkward blunder live on air just moments before she announced the winners of Love Island: All Stars on Monday night

The host, 31 accidentally mistook Ciaran Davies, 23, for Curtis Pritchard, 30, when she addressed the public about how she would reveal the winners after the break

They wrote: 'Maya calling him Curtis is just proof they've been unmemorable this whole season';

'Curtis just cha-chad his way into the final thanks Maya';

'The boring couple have won Samie & Curtis maya even forgot his name';

'Not Maya calling Ciaran 'Curtis' live on air that's the real plot twist we needed';

'Maya mistaking Ciaran for Curtis just tells you everything about that couple'.

After the slip-up, Samie and Ciaran were crowned champions after a tense public vote, beating out Millie Court and Zac Woodworth who finished in second place

Breaking down in tears, Samie emotionally thanked viewers for voting for them, with the thrilled couple sharing a kiss in celebration.

Curtis, who exited the villa a few weeks ago, was back to watch the final and this may have been why Maya got confused

Viewers took to X to comment on the slip-up, claiming it was because Ciaran was 'unmemorable'

Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies have been crowned the winners of Love Island: All Stars 2026, scooping 50,000 in prize money

Samie and Ciaran coupled up soon after she entered the villa as a bombshell, and despite many late arrivals and twists, the pair's romance was the strongest of the series.

Speaking to host Maya Jama ahead of their win, Ciaran confessed he knew Samie was 'a bit of him' mere minutes after she entered the villa.

Samie agreed, admitting that while there were other male bombshells who entered the villa, none of them turned her head.

She added: 'No offence to anyone who came in but they didn't even touch the sides compared to Ciaran.'

It wasn't a smooth ride for the pair, as Ciaran was briefly coupled up with Lucinda after she entered the villa, leading to tensions between the two girls, which culiminated in a huge row after the Snog, Marry, Pie show challenge.

Ciaran said: 'Looking back at it, me and Samie have spoken about this and to see her that upset, I didnt realise at the time how upset I made her, until two weeks after, which was really hard to hear, especially from Sophie and Josh as they said the same thing.'

Before being announced as runners-up, Millie revealed that Zac was hoping to spend a 'month or two' with her in the UK, and she had plans to reunite with him in the US.
Love Island viewers have insisted Belle Hassan 'still isn't taking accountability' as she defended herself against bullying claims and blamed the show edit during the live finale on Monday night.

The dumped islander was given a frosty reception during the final, which saw Sammie Elishi and Ciaran Davies crowned the winners.

Host Maya Jama asked Belle about her behaviour on the show and viewer backlash to her appearance.

Belle attempted to defend herself over claims of her'bullying' behaviour in the villa, but continued to refuse to accept any responsibility.

When asked how she felt she handled herself, Belle said: 'I think for me, watching a few things back that I have seen since, I feel like a lot hasn't been shown.

'The good time and the other things that kind of show the reason for the upset and the anger with things.

'And you know, I think we had an amazing time. And it's a shame that when we are all friends and everything is great, a lot of that wasn't shown.'

Love Island viewers have insisted Belle Hassan 'still isn't taking accountability' as she defended herself against bullying claims and blamed the show edit

The dumped islander was given a frosty reception during the final, which saw Sammie Elishi and Ciaran Davies crowned the winners

But this was not received well by some viewers as they called Belle's response 'lazy' and said that her behaviour regardless, was a 'reflection of her character'.

One penned: 'Lol.not zeze being sooooo right on 24/7 switch up line from belle.. lazy blaming the edit strikes again'

'also,belle, i get that we only see an hour a day but if you are completely insufferable, microaggressive, volatile, and abrasive for an entire hour everyday for a whole monththat's a reflection of your character, not the edit'

'Belle took NO accountability again'

'Belle said that a lot hasn't been shown but she hasn't mentioned that she apologised so we've seen enough to form a negative opinion on her'

Belle has been at the centre of controversy over her behaviour towards Lucinda over the past weeks.

Tensions started to fray when Lucinda stole Sean Stone from Belle - who gave her a dressing down.

Belle attempted to defend herself over her own 'bullying' behaviour in the villa, but continued to refuse to accept any responsibility

When asked how she felt she handled herself, Belle said: 'I think for me, watching a few things back that I have seen since, I feel like a lot hasn't been shown

But this was not received well by viewers as they called the response lazy and that her behaviour regardless, was a 'reflection of her character'

In similar actions to Lucinda, the tables then turned as Belle made a play for Scott, despite him being coupled up with Leanne Amaning.

Belle tried to claim the situation was not as bad as what she went through with Sean but viewers heavily disagreed.

The winners of Love Island: All Stars 2026 have been revealed after a fraught series packed with rows, scandals and drama.

Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies were crowned champions after a tense public vote, beating out Millie Court and Zac Woodworth who finished in second place

Breaking down in tears, Samie emotionally thanked viewers for voting for them, with the thrilled couple sharing a kiss in celebration.

Samie and Ciaran coupled up soon after she entered the villa as a bombshell, and despite many late arrivals and twists, the pair's romance was the strongest of the series.

Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies have been crowned the winners of Love Island: All Stars 2026, scooping 50,000 in prize money

Speaking to host Maya ahead of their win, Ciaran confessed he knew Samie was 'a bit of him' mere minutes after she entered the villa.

Samie agreed, admitting that while there were other male bombshells who entered the villa, none of them turned her head.

She added: 'No offence to anyone who came in but they didn't even touch the sides compared to Ciaran.'

It wasn't a smooth ride for the pair, as Ciaran was briefly coupled up with Lucinda after she entered the villa, leading to tensions between the two girls, which culiminated in a huge row after the Snog, Marry, Pie show challenge.

Ciaran said: 'Looking back at it, me and Samie have spoken about this and to see her that upset, I didnt realise at the time how upset I made her, until two weeks after, which was really hard to hear, especially from Sophie and Josh as they said the same thing.'

Before being announced as runners-up, Millie revealed that Zac was hoping to spend a 'month or two' with her in the UK, and she had plans to reunite with him in the US.

Earlier in the show, Scott van-der-Sluis and Leanne Amaning made it to third place, despite previously being tipped as bookies favourites to win.

Lucinda Strafford and Sean Stone finished in fourth place, after a huge storm around the legitimacy of their romance.
Maya Jama is reportedly not going anywhere after insiders revealed she has 'signed up for another season of Love Island'.

The popular ITV host, 31, took over the Love Island presenter gig from Laura Whitmore in 2023 and it looks like she's here to stay.

Just hours after she wrapped up another sizzling season of Love Island All Stars - which saw Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davis crowned winners - reports emerged that Maya will be back for another summer series.

'Love Island wouldn't be the same without Maya so bosses are thrilled to confirm she'll be in Majorca this summer,' a source told The Sun.

'She remains one of the most-loved things about the show.'

Daily Mail has contacted both Maya and ITV's representatives for a comment.

Maya Jama is reportedly not going anywhere after insiders revealed she has 'signed up for another season of Love Island'

Just hours after she wrapped up another sizzling season of Love Island All Stars - which saw Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davis crowned winners - reports emerged that Maya will be back

It comes just hours after the stunning presenter suffered an awkward blunder live on air just moments before she announced the winners of Love Island: All Stars on Monday night.

The host accidentally mistook Ciaran Davies, 23, for Curtis Pritchard, 30, when she addressed the public that it was just between Samie Elishi, 26, and Ciaran and Millie Court and Zac Woodworth.

In the clip, Maya said: 'Samie and Curtis, Millie and Zac - make some noise.'

Shocked, Samie and Ciaran fell about laughing, before Maya interrupted: 'Samie and Ciaran. I'm sorry. The fridge was on my brain'.

Curtis, who exited the villa a few weeks ago after failing to spark up a romance with Millie Court, was back to watch the final and this may have been why Maya got confused.

Samie and Ciaran coupled up soon after she entered the villa as a bombshell, and despite many late arrivals and twists, the pair's romance was the strongest of the series.

Speaking to host Maya Jama ahead of their win, Ciaran confessed he knew Samie was 'a bit of him' mere minutes after she entered the villa.

'Love Island wouldn't be the same without Maya so bosses are thrilled to confirm she'll be in Majorca this summer,' a source revealed (seen on this week's final with Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies, Millie Court and Zac Woodworth)

Samie agreed, admitting that while there were other male bombshells who entered the villa, none of them turned her head.

She added: 'No offence to anyone who came in but they didn't even touch the sides compared to Ciaran.'

It wasn't a smooth ride for the pair, as Ciaran was briefly coupled up with Lucinda after she entered the villa, leading to tensions between the two girls, which culiminated in a huge row after the Snog, Marry, Pie show challenge.

Ciaran said: 'Looking back at it, me and Samie have spoken about this and to see her that upset, I didnt realise at the time how upset I made her, until two weeks after, which was really hard to hear, especially from Sophie and Josh as they said the same thing.'

Before being announced as runners-up, Millie revealed that Zac was hoping to spend a 'month or two' with her in the UK, and she had plans to reunite with him in the US.
Channel 4 viewers have praised a drama for being the 'new Mr Bates Vs The Post Office', gripping them with 'harrowing and tragic' scenes.

Dirty Business, which made its debut on Monday night, is based on the true story of former detective Ash Smith and his neighbour, university professor Peter Hammond.

The pair investigated water companies across England after encountering sewage polluted water - noticing fish dying and water turning brown in the river of their town.

What followed was a ten-year deep dive into the behaviour of private water companies, uncovering illegal pollution and widespread corporate failure.

What begins as a moan in the pub between the duo soon becomes a national campaign to expose how raw sewage is being pumped into Britain's rivers and coastal waters on a massive scale.

The synopsis reads: 'Dirty Business follows the story of two unlikely detectives, who notice fish in the river running through their idyllic Oxfordshire hamlet are dying.

Channel 4 viewers have praised a new drama for being the 'new Mr Bates vs The Post Office', gripping them with 'harrowing and tragic' scenes

Dirty Business, which made its debut on Monday night, is based on the true story of former detective Ash Smith and his neighbour, university professor Peter Hammond (pictured: Jason Watkins as Peter)

'They contact their water company to find out why, and the companys strange and evasive reply sparks an investigation that remains ongoing to this day.'

The first episode of the three-parter followed the real-life story of the Preen family, whose eight-year-old daughter Heather died after contracting E.Coli 0157 after playing on a beach that had been contaminated by raw sewage.

It saw Harry Potter's David Thewlis as former police officer Ash, alongside The Crown star Jason Watkins as his neighbour, Peter, starting their investigation.

Viewers watching at home were left in shock by the scenes, which saw the dramatised water companies shrugging off Heather's death as unrelated to sewage contamination.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their views, fans were quick to draw comparisons to ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which hit screens in 2024.

The BAFTA and NTA winning drama drew focus on the Post Office Horizon scandal, which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully prosecuted for theft, fraud, and false accounting following bugs in a faulty IT system.

Following the programme's release, nationwide outrage at the story lead to faster compensation and the overturning of convictions for the scandal's victims.

One Dirty Business viewer penned: 'Of all the things to privatise, #DirtyBusiness is perfectly exposing why Water should never, ever have been! Shocking.'

Viewers watching at home were left in shock by the scenes, which saw the dramatised water companies shrugging off Heather's death as unrelated to sewage contamination

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, to share their views, fans were quick to draw comparisons to ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which hit screens in 2024

Another chimed in: 'Post Office2.0 this,' as a third wrote: 'The death of Heather Preen alone should have been enough for real change to begin. But 27 years later it's got much much worse. The system has failed on this. #DirtyBusiness.'

'If you missed the first episode of #DirtyBusiness on Ch4 tonight, I encourage you to catch up. And when you do, have a look at the levels of sewage pouring into your nearest river RIGHT NOW,' one viewer encouraged.

While another added: 'I hope #DirtyBusiness will induce the same public outrage as the post office scandal did.'

'#DirtyBusiness on C4 is up there with Mr Bates v The Post Office,' a sixth said.

'Congratulations #C4 on a wonderful required viewing #DirtyBusiness . Harrowing and tragic,' someone else concluded.

It comes after victim Heather Preen's mum opened up on the harrowing moment 'a bomb exploded on her family' when her daughter passed away after exposure from sewage on a UK beach.

Julie Maughan exclusively told the Daily Mail how Heather, who was just eight years old, was taken off life support after contracting a form of E.Coli.

Heather contracted the pathogen E. coli O157 while playing on the beach in Dawlish with big sister Suzanne, who was ten.

It saw Harry Potter's David Thewlis as former police officer Ash, alongside The Crown star Jason Watkins as his neighbour, Peter, starting their investigation

Fans were quick to take to X to react to the drama

While commonly associated with food poisoning, the bacterium can also be present in contaminated water.

Julie had selected the resort carefully, ensuring the beach had a 'Blue Flag' which means the water is safe and clean to swim in.

However, the family had noticed 'yucky' water, which had toilet paper dotted through it, flowing from a pipe. It had made a puddle which Heather fell in.

Over the next few days, Heather became increasingly ill, first with explosive diarrhoea, then bleeding from the rectum - she was later rushed to hospital, where the family were told it was too late.

E. Coli O157 is not always fatal but in rare cases it can lead to a kidney failure called haemolytic uraemic syndrome.

'I do want people to know what it does,' Julie said. 'It "liquifies" the organs. I will never forget them showing us a brain scan and where you'd normally expect to see squiggles, there was nothing, just pure white.'

Julie recalled confronting environmental health officials, once a food source had been ruled out, begging them to close the beach.

She admitted she was consistently told this was not an option, as South West Water moved quickly to rule out sewage as the cause - a position the company has maintained.

Her family were instead repeatedly told Heather could have contracted E. coli from dog poo, to which Julie added: 'I would have noticed if she'd stepped in dog poo.'

The drama follows the storyline of Heather's family

Locals investigated water companies across England after encountering sewage polluted water - noticing fish dying and water turning brown in the river of their town

While no link was proved between Heather's death and the raw sewage that was confirmed on that beach in Dawlish, at her inquest it was revealed that there had been 14 complaints about the sewage there, and that the E. coli outbreak had also resulted in five other cases, including one where three children were hospitalised.

Last year, it was revealed that new sewage leak dirties Britain's streams, lakes and coasts nearly every minute, according to new analysis.

Environment Agency statistics show there were more than 450,000 spills in 2024  equating to a record 3.6million hours in total.

Spills occurred across the entire country. One sewage works in the Devon village of Salcombe Regis leaked filth into a nearby stream non-stop every single day.

It comes after almost 4,000 residents and businesses owners last week began legal action over the alleged degradation of the Wye, Lugg and Usk rivers.

In the biggest lawsuit of its kind, the group are seeking 'substantial damages' and a clean-up of the rivers because of 'extensive pollution', including sewage.

Despite sewage spills nationwide being worse than ever, water firms have paid out more than 112million in bonuses and incentives over the past decade - despite the ongoing issues over sewage and pollution.

In Salcombe Regis, the spills were caused by 'infiltration'  when non-sewage water makes its way into the sewage system through leaky pipes and drains. This causes the entire system, including foul water, to overflow.

In 2023, the same sewage treatment works leaked for a disgusting 272 days, for the same reason.

No improvement works were performed at the treatment plant last year despite being scheduled the year before.

South West Water blamed 'illegal connections' into the sewer network, for the high levels of spills.

A spokesperson told the Mail: 'We are working hard to remove several illegal connections within the Salcombe Regis catchment which are contributing high levels of additional flows into the sewer network and causing high spill numbers.

'To reduce spills and protect the environment in the short-term, we have added additional treatment capacity at Salcombe Regis works.

'Since this work was completed on 12 August there has been one storm overflow spill.'

Dirty Business continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 and is available to stream in full at channel4.com
BBC viewers are 'so obsessed' with an 'amazing' new family drama that they have 'binged every episode in a day' after dropping on iPlayer this month.

The Walsh Sisters, which is based the Marian Keyes novel of the same name, premiered on Irish television service RTE One in September last year.

The comedy drama follows the lives of siblings Anna (Louisa Harland), Rachel (Caroline Menton), Maggie (Stefanie Preissner), Claire (Danielle Galligan) and Helen (Mairead Tyers) who live in Dublin.

'They dont always get along, but they always have each others backs,' iPlayer's synopsis reads.

'Five Irish sisters navigate heartbreak, grudges and glorious chaos  inspired by Marian Keyess bestsellers.'

Louisa, Caroline, Stefanie, Danielle and Mairead are joined by Carrie Crowley, Jay Duffy, Samuel Anderson, Aidan Quinn, Debi Mazar and Gina Moxley on the show.

BBC viewers are 'so obsessed' with an 'amazing' new family drama that they have 'binged every episode in a day' after dropping on iPlayer this month

The Walsh Sisters, which is based the Marian Keyes novel of the same name, premiered on Irish television service RTE One in September last year

The comedy drama follows the lives of siblings Anna (Louisa Harland), Rachel (Caroline Menton), Maggie (Stefanie Preissner), Claire (Danielle Galligan) and Helen (Mairead Tyers) who live in Dublin

Although the series landed in Ireland last year, it has only just become available to watch on the Beeb's streaming service on February 21.

And those who have watched it have already shared their rave reviews online.

'Loved loved loved loved loved Episode 1 #TheWalshSisters.'

'The whole series is on the iPlayer! I'm on episode 4 and obsessed!!'

'They're all up on the iPlayer, so you've got plenty of time to catch up! I binged the whole series over the weekend and [love] it!'

'I'm on episode 4, and am obsessed!!'

'Watched whole series today, love it.'

'Ive watched 2 episodes and its really good not sure about Mammy Walsh though. Everyone else looked just like I pictured them. '

Join the debate Are YOU a fan of The Walsh Sisters?

Many have rushed online to share how much they love the show - with one saying that they are 'obsessed'

The Daily Mail's Christopher Stevens rated the series four out of five stars.

It sounds like there could be good news for fans and the idea of a second series.

Author of the book Marian has admitted that she wants to see another on our screens.

She said: 'Theres a part in Rachels Holiday, if the second series gets made Daddy Walsh joins a local am-dram group, which is doing Oklahoma, and he method acts his way to his rehearsals and all, and he talks in an Oklahoma accent and wears a cowboy hat.

'I would give anything for that to be made, I would find that so, so funny.'

Stefanie, who plays Maggie in the show and wrote the series, confessed: 'Im hoping by the end of episode six, theres still more, its not stuff that we cant make.'

All episodes of The Walsh Sisters are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
New Year on the Frontlines: A visually impaired massage therapists wish to travel across China

16:53, February 24, 2026 By Li Xinping and Shi Yu from Peoples Daily ( Global Times

Sun Wufei (left), a visually impaired massage therapist from Ningde, South China's Fujian Province, stands with Ye Yaojun, a duty passenger service clerk at Fuding Railway Station. Photo: Cheng Jun

Editor's Note:

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the opening year of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). A new year begins with new resolve and new momentum. The call to "fight for our dreams and our happiness, and turn our great vision into beautiful realities" continues to inspire actions across China.

In the column "New Year on the Frontlines," reporters from the People's Daily traveled to the grassroots to witness the vitality of a vast nation, see its mountains and rivers in motion and its fields in abundance, and listen to the stories of people finding fulfillment in both life and work.

Through these stories, the column seeks to present a vivid portrait of Chinese modernization.

Ningde, South China's Fujian Province, is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces the sea on one. Where mountains and ocean meet, local people have long nurtured a bold and adventurous spirit.

Sun Wufei is a local visually impaired massage therapist. Seizing the business opportunities brought by the railway, he returned to his hometown to start his own venture. Beginning with just three massage beds in his small house, he has since opened four branch stores, providing jobs for more than 30 people with visual impairments.

"People with disabilities can also live wonderful lives." With a pair of slippers, a white cane and a mobile phone, Sun has traveled by train to 29 provinces across China.

From a small business owner to a traveler, Sun is full of passion for life. "Although I can't see the world, I want the world to see me," he said.

'The more high-speed rail lines there are, the better my business will be'

From a few beds to four branch stores, the first Sun thanks is the Wenfu Railway.

In the past, Ningde was very poor. Those living in the mountains stayed in thatched houses and survived on sweet potatoes and rice. Those along the coast relied on a single broken fishing net shared by three generations to make a living.

Why was that? High mountains and long distances.

Although Ningde is a coastal city, it is more like a mountainous area: it borders Fuzhou to the south, but the journey takes half a day by car; it connects to Zhejiang Province in the north, yet is blocked by mountain ranges. After graduating from a school for the visually impaired with a major in traditional Chinese medicine health care, Sun had no choice but to leave his hometown to seek work elsewhere.

In March 2001, Xi Jinping, then governor of Fujian Province, represented Fujian to sign a letter of intent in Beijing with the former Ministry of Railways and Zhejiang Province to jointly build the Wenfu Railway.

In January 2002, the Wenfu Railway was included in China's 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-2005).

In December 2004, construction of the Fujian section of the Wenfu Railway began.

In 2009, the Wenfu Railway officially opened. "When the trains start running, people start moving, and that naturally brings business," Sun said. He made the firm decision to return home and start his own business.

Back in Fuding, Ningde, Sun set aside 20 square meters of space in his home, placed three massage beds inside, and opened his first small studio. "People with disabilities can obtain their certificates through a fast-track channel, and startups are exempt from personal income tax," he said.

With his skills earning a strong reputation and more returning customers, Sun opened chain stores in Fuding and downtown Ningde in 2013 and 2018 respectively.

Starting with the Wenfu Railway, the Fuzhou-Xiamen section of the Hangzhou-Shenzhen Railway, the Hefei-Fuzhou high-speed railway, and the Quzhou-Ningde Railway, have since come into operation, placing Ningde on key national rail corridors.

With rail connectivity boosting the flow of people and capital, Ningde has attracted a large number of enterprises and has grown into the world's largest production base for lithium batteries and stainless steel.

"When the economy improves and incomes rise, people pay more attention to health, and I get more customers," Sun said with a smile. Not long ago, he opened another new store in Fuding.

"People with disabilities absolutely have aspirations and the ability to make greater contributions to society. I believe in myself," Sun said. He hopes to lead more visually impaired friends in finding their path and gaining a firm footing. By inviting experienced experts for guidance and traveling to multiple places to train staff, Sun has already trained more than 20 apprentices.

"The more high-speed rail lines there are, the better my business will be," he said, expressing hope that the Wenfu high-speed railway will be completed and put into operation as soon as possible so his career can reach new heights.

'This is a warm world, and I can just go whenever I want'

At 7:30 am on Wanting Road in Fuding, Sun steps out of his home. "I need to go check my store in downtown Ningde."

Tap, tap  his white cane lightly touches the ground as he heads to the bus stop. "The sound of the wind, footsteps, and the aroma from small eateries along the street are my navigation map," he said.

After finding the bus stop sign, Sun takes out his phone, opens a public transportation app using voice prompts, and enters his destination  Fuding Railway Station.

In the era of smartphones, Sun has mastered touch typing. Following audio guidance, he boards the bus. "People with disabilities and the elderly ride for free - no card needed, just facial recognition."

On the way, he calls Ye Yaojun: "Brother Jun, I'll arrive in 10 minutes. I'm heading to Ningde to check the stores."

Ye is a duty passenger service clerk at Fuding Railway Station.

Ten years ago, on a winter day of torrential rain, Ye met Sun on the platform. "The heavy rain blurred Wufei's hearing, and he stood there helplessly," Ye recalled.

Ye stepped forward to offer assistance and made a promise: "Whenever you come here, just call me, and I'll come get you."

A promise kept for a decade.

As the bus pulls in, Sun heard Ye calling out, "Wufei, over here!" With his hand on Ye's shoulder, Sun followed him smoothly.

When the train arrived, Ye handed Sun over to Ren Hualian, the conductor of Train D6329, who helped Sun board and took his seat. Ren later sent Ye a photo with a message: "Don't worry."

The 55-minute journey passed quickly. "I like taking trains," Sun said. "No matter how different we are, we all arrive at the same station at the same time."

At Ningde Station, another duty passenger service clerk was already waiting.

Such seamless service was made possible by a Wenfu Railway volunteer service group initiated by Ye, which included more than 20 station attendants along the line. Whenever a passenger with mobility difficulties travels, members shared train numbers, carriage details, and special needs in advance.

So far, more than 30 visually impaired passengers have benefited from the group's assistance. "Passengers can book special assistance through the 12306 railway system, or contact us directly if time is tight - we'll make sure the service is in place," Ye said.

Traveling by train more than 50 times a year, Sun reflected, "This is a warm world. I can just go whenever I want."

'We can walk out of our homes with confidence and live happily'

Scrolling through Sun's social media, one video stands out.

Blue skies, white clouds, the sea, and cheerful crowds appear on screen. Sun says happily, "Friends, I'm back at the seaside again - listen to the wind and the waves."

In his spare time, Sun loves traveling in slippers and tasting local food.

"Wearing slippers makes my feet more sensitive, so I can better 'feel' the road ahead," he said.

Once, for an authentic bowl of Lanzhou beef noodles, he took a more than 30-hour train ride to Lanzhou in Gansu. For crispy sweet-and-sour pork and iron-pot goose stew, he transferred trains multiple times to reach Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

In 2025, he even attended a music festival in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang Province. "Tens of thousands of people jumping together  it felt great to be part of the crowd."

With more than 300 saved tickets and boarding passes and footprints in 29 provinces, Sun marveled at how dense the high-speed rail network has become and how convenient travel is now. "More importantly, wherever I go, there's warm service."

He said he has lost count of how many times train staff have proactively shown care, or how many times volunteers at scenic spots have stepped forward to help as soon as they noticed him.

At the Dalian Aquarium in Liaoning, Sun realized that most marine creatures were behind glass tanks, separating him from them.

Staff members then took him to the sea turtle area and let him touch a large turtle. The visit was shortened from the whole aquarium to just the turtle zone, but Sun felt deeply touched.

"Where is the road?" Sun often asks with a smile. Speaking of future wishes, he said he hopes to row a boat on West Lake in Hangzhou on Children's Day, and visit the Potala Palace once the Sichuan-Tibet Railway opens.

"The road is under my feet. I want to travel across the country," Sun said. "I want to tell my friends with disabilities that policies are getting better, the world outside is becoming more beautiful, and we can walk out of our homes with confidence and live happily."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
Married At First Sight saw a same sex couple walk down the aisle during Tuesday night's episode.

Chris Robinson, 38, tied the knot with Sam Stanton, 34, with the men delivering near-identical vows to one another.

As they espoused their love for the great outdoors, monogamy and the simple joys in life like sharing a morning coffee, the pair were stunned at how similar theirs were.

'Are you reading my vows?' a stunned Sam asked Chris at one stage, as family and friends also marvelled at how compatible the men were.

Fans tuning in at home were also delighted, with many stating that Adelaide fitness model Sam and Sydney personal trainer Chris are their new favourite couple.

'Those two beautiful men might save my hope in love after a pretty ordinary and bruising MAFS in 2026,' wrote one person on X.

Married At First Sight saw a same sex couple walk down the aisle during Tuesday night's episode. Chris Robinson, 38, (right) tied the knot with Sam Stanton, 34, (left) with the men delivering near-identical vows to one another

As they espoused their love for the great outdoors, monogamy and the simple joys in life like sharing a morning coffee, the pair were stunned at how similar theirs were

'Are you reading my vows?' a stunned Sam asked Chris at one stage, as family and friends also marvelled at how compatible the men were

'Me manifesting for the boys to work,' said another, while one more added: 'I am loving Sam and Chris - I hope they survive the experiment.'

Someone else said: 'I've never cared before if a couple worked out but I really hope Sam and Chris do.'

One fan begged: 'Pleeeeeeaasseee let Chris & Sam work out. We've all suffered enough. We deserve this.'

'Cryingggg they are so cute,' posted one viewer, with another saying: 'I'm not gonna be okay if they don't work.'

Another fan wrote: 'Omg are Chris and Sam going to be my new fave couple?!'

Someone else commented: 'I love how Sam and Chris have virtually the same vows,' with one more writing, 'BEST. VOWS. EVER.'

There was a hiccup in Chris and Sam's romance, however, after Chris asked Sam if he wanted kids.

Chris has two children on the way via surrogates, but was disheartened when Sam admitted he was not ready for a family.

Fans tuning in at home were also delighted, with many stating that Adelaide fitness model Sam and Sydney personal trainer Chris are their new favourite couple

However, he decided to bide his time before he told Sam about the babies, allowing their romance to deepen before sharing the news.

This isn't the first time MAFS has featured a same-sex couple  but none have lasted the distance.

In 2016, Craig Roach and Andy John split within weeks.

In 2020, Amanda Micallef and Tash Herz made history as the first lesbian pairing, but their relationship quickly turned sour.

Michael and Stephen, who joined the experiment later, lasted only two commitment ceremonies before parting ways.

Expert Mel Schilling has previously admitted the franchise 'got it horribly wrong' in its early attempts.

'It was really important to find people who genuinely wanted to find love. We didn't want to simply match people based on sexual orientation,' she told Metro.
A woman who was conned out of thousands of pounds by a romance scammer has opened up about the warning signs she turned a blind eye to on ITV's This Morning.

Victim Caroline, who remained anonymous during the show with her back facing the camera, revealed how 'Mark Swift' took money from her to fund fake treatment for his daughter, who he claimed was unwell.

Caroline was left struggling with her finances after falling victim to his scams, and even had to sell her home after handing over her cash.

The duo had met on a dating app on 2011, following mother and grandmother Caroline's divorce - with 'Mark' introducing himself as a successful chef.

Within weeks of their whirlwind romance, Caroline and 'Mark' were engaged, with Caroline sending money for their nuptials abroad.

Her romance dreams soon turned into a nightmare when it was discovered that 'Mark' was a prolific scammer, Ray McDonald, who has 58 convictions.

A woman who was conned out of thousands of pounds by a romance scammer has opened up on the warning signs as she took to ITV's This Morning

Her romance dreams soon turned into a nightmare when it was discovered that 'Mark' was a prolific scammer, Ray McDonald, who has 58 convictions

McDonald racked up the convictions for fraud and theft over a two-decade long period, telling lies to women he met and taking their money for holidays and weddings that did not take place.

The crimes included posing as a police officer, posing as a paramedic, posing as an army officer and fraud by false representation, according to the BBC.

Opening up on first meeting Ray, as Mark, Caroline explained she ignored a red flag - when he asked for money to pay for petrol when they met for coffee.

She told Angela Scanlon and Ben Shephard on This Morning: 'I came across him on a dating site that I was on, looking for love, we chatted for a couple of days and then arranged to meet.

'We met at the petrol station [for coffee] and he said between putting fuel in and going to pay he had lost his wallet, and came up with a story that he'd been on the phone to his sister to get his sister to make the payment over the phone.

'He never got the money off me, I can't remember how he paid for his fuel...'

Ray, posing as Mark Swift, then went on to tell Caroline his daughter was 'seriously ill' and started to ask for money to pay for treatment.

The conman told Caroline that he was caring for his daughter in hospital and had to cancel work to care for her, leaving him out of pocket.

Opening up on first meeting Ray, as Mark, Caroline explained she ignored a red flag - when he asked for money to pay for petrol when they met for coffee

Victim Caroline, who remained anonymous during the show with her back facing the camera, revealed how 'Mark Swift' took money from her

She explained: 'It was probably two or three weeks in to chatting he used the excuse that he couldn't meet me and said that his daughter was seriously ill and that they had to take her to the hospital.

'He didn't [explain what was wrong with her] at that time, he just said that she was seriously ill and needed some treatment...'

For Caroline, it was a no-brainer to offer to help, as she continued: 'I wouldn't say it was small amounts [of money], maybe 50 the first time to pay it into what he said was his financial advisors bank account.

'Nothing entered my head to think that I wasn't helping this man who had a sick child.'

Within weeks of the pair seeing each other, Ray brought up marriage with Caroline, who admitted it didn't raise suspicion after seeing whirlwind romances work out for the best with friends she knew.

'It was very quick, a bit of a whirlwind, but I do know people that have formed a relationship very quickly and taken down the marriage route and that it worked,' she continued.

'I was thinking at least I could be there for his child whatever happened.'

Ray convinced Caroline to begin paying money into an account to have a wedding in Cyprus while on holiday together - telling her the money was being sent to a hotel 'to have a wedding reception there'.

Caroline opened up on the ordeal to Ben Shephard and Angela Scanlon

Caroline had already bought her bridesmaid's dresses and made wedding favours when everything came crashing down, as Ray

'My phone beeped and it was a text message saying "this is Mark's mum", it was out of the blue, just asking me, begging me not to take her son to Cyprus because the daughter was seriously ill,' Caroline said.

'I was shocked and disappointed, we were packed to go to Cyprus, I'd never been - but I thought, "I understand, the daughter comes first".'

It wasn't until Caroline's family started doing some digging into the wedding arrangement that the truth was finally revealed.

Caroline added: 'My mum and step dad came to my house and said they had been in touch with the hotel that the supposed wedding reception was booked and nobody knew anything of it at all.

'I was thinking there was a mix up, a miscommunication somewhere.

'[Two days later] I went to the police station because I wasn't able to pin "Mark" down to a meeting, within half an hour CID phoned me and said they knew who he was,' Caroline went on.

'I don't think I really knew what to think, to think that I'd been silly enough to be paying money into somebody's account for all these reasons... that he'd lied to me about his daughter.

'I hadn't been paying my mortgage, I had children to look after so my priority was feeding my children so eventually I had to sell my home and walk away in real financial hardship.'

This Morning showed footage of conman Ray being approached by the BBC, after it was revealed he was back on dating apps following his release from prison.

Journalist Philippa Goymer posed as 'Kaye' on a dating app to meet up with the conman, who this time was posing as 'Rob'.

The footage showed Philippa confronting Ray, asking him why he was on the apps, to which he insisted he was 'just looking to meet someone nice'.

The journalist could be seen explaining how people had lost money, and even their homes, due to his scams, to which McDonald added: 'I have apologised'.

Reacting to the clip, which was also featured on BBC Sounds podcast Love Bombed  WifeHunter, Caroline concluded: 'It was a shock seeing him on the dating site, that his face was back on there, more lies, saying who he wasn't, it was like being hit by a train.

'It's been difficult, I can't say it hasn't - I've got a fantastic family who keep me going, and if I find love again, then I find it, but I'm just a lot more guarded.'

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
The Capture's tense series three trailer sees star Holliday Grainger pushed to the breaking point - as the BBC finally confirms when the show will return.

Holliday, 37, reprises her lead role as Rachel Carey, who last series broadcast a live deepfake of a government minister to the nation.

This, in turn, exposed the UK intelligence services clandestine video manipulation programme known as Correction.

Speaking in the trailer, Carey says: 'The question we asked ourselves a year ago has become even more urgent.

'How do we sort fact from fiction? How can we believe what we see?'

The trailer also shows Carey reunite with familiar faces, including Isaac Turner (Paapa Essiedu), CIA agent Frank Napier (Ron Perlman) and BBC News presenter Khadija Khan (Indira Varma).

Holliday Granger reprises her role as Rachel Carey in series three of BBC thriller The Capture - with the release date now confirmed

Joining Holliday in the third series is actor Paapa Essiedu, who is reprising his role as Isaac Turner from series two

The new series picks up 12 months after Carey exposed the UK government's unlawful use of deepfake programme Correction

Meanwhile, the final moments show a visibly emotional Carey asking an unseen figure: 'Is it true? Is it real?'

The BBC synopsis reads: 'Its been 12 months since Rachel Carey broadcast a live deepfake of a government minister to the nation, exposing the UK intelligence services clandestine video manipulation programme known as Correction.

'Amidst an inquiry into the unlawful use of Correction, Carey has become Acting Commander of Counter Terrorism Command, determined to regain the publics trust in surveillance technology through the new Operation Veritas camera system.

'And then it happens: a brutal and exceptionally well-coordinated act of terror aimed right at the heart of the British establishment that leaves behind just one witness.

'The more Carey investigates, the deeper she is drawn into an unfolding geopolitical crisis that infects the British political establishment, the security services, and the media.

'The conspiracy reaches deep into the State, but just who is pulling the strings?'

Viewers will likewise be reacquainted with Indira Varma as BBC News presenter Khadija Khan, Ben Miles as Danny Hart, Lia Williams as Gemma Garland and Ginny Holder as DI Nadia Latif.

Series three also marks several new cast additions, including Hugh Quarshie, Andrew Buchan, Joe Dempsie, Linus Roache, Amanda Drew, Jonathan Aris and Killian Scott.

The thrilling trailer shows a distressed Carey in a tense situation and asking: 'Is it true? Is it real?'

Episode one of The Capture series three will launch on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Sunday March 8

Indira Varma is among the returning faces in series three, reprising her role as BBC News presenter Khadija Khan

Episode one of The Capture series three will launch on BBC iPlayer at 6am on Sunday March 8.

In addition, it will land on BBC One at 9pm that evening, with new episodes then released weekly on BBC iPlayer and BBC One each Sunday.

The new series was confirmed last year after a second season dropped with six hour-long episodes following Carey taking down a deepfake plot.

Series two honed in on the dark world of deepfakes and international espionage, developing a string of frighteningly prescient plots.

In the opening season, a soldier fell victim to manipulated tech-based evidence amid the disappearance of his barrister, while the following series focused on a government minister caught up in a deep fake campaign.

Fans of the show will be delighted to hear of its return after the opening seasons gripped viewers, with many penning positive reviews online.

One said on Rotten Tomatoes: 'Provocative and tense would be two words that spring to mind immediately. The central premise is engaging and pushes the boundaries of our imagination while not falling prey to the outlandishness that currently holds Hollywood ransom.'

Another impressed viewer added: 'For me this was a slightly slow start/slow burn but once I was hooked l could not stop watching. Interesting if a little scary Big Brother plotline. Some great British actors too.'

A third fan posted: 'One of the best series I've ever watched. Thought the first season was good but the 2nd takes it to the next level. Need more series like this. The ending was sublime, left me utterly speechless.'

The Capture series one and two are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Love Island All Stars winners Molly Smith and Tom Clare are set to take over Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo's wedding podcast in the form of NearlyWeds With Molly & Tom.

A promotional video shows the couple acting out a wedding day, with Molly, 30, wearing a stunning wedding dress while suited Tom, 26, waits at the top of the aisle before the 'Vicar' emerges in the form of Jamie, who introduces the new host.

The format is the same as the Made In Chelsea star's long-running podcast of the same name, after the Made In Chelsea pair created the franchise with NearlyWeds, NewlyWeds and NearlyParents.

Following Tom and Molly's engagement in September last year after 18 months of dating, the podcast, made by Jamie's production JamPot, will chronicle their wedding plans.

Molly said: 'As if we weren't excited enough already about the wedding, we now get to share all of our excitement (and the chaos of planning) with the listeners!'

Molly looked incredible in the stunning white dress, which gave viewers a glimpse of what she could opt for on the big day.

Love Island All Stars winners Molly Smith and Tom Clare are set to take over Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo 's wedding podcast in the form of NearlyWeds With Molly & Tom

A promotional video shows the couple acting out a wedding day, with Molly clad in a stunning wedding dress while suited Tom waits at the top of the aisle

The format is the same as the Made In Chelsea star's long-running podcast of the same name, after the Made In Chelsea pair created the franchise with NearlyWeds, NewlyWeds and NearlyParents

Jamie and Sophie welcomed their son Ziggy in December and are stepping back from the franchise to make room for the Islanders.

Speaking about the career move, Molly and Tom said: 'As if we weren't excited enough already about the wedding, we now get to share all of our excitement (and the chaos of planning) with the listeners!...

'We can't wait to take you on this journey with us; from how we picked the venue, to what's been planned already and what's left to do. There's going to be nothing out of bounds except revealing the dress of course!...

'Jamie and Sophie have been such inspirations to us! Their wedding looked absolutely stunning, and we have loved listening back to their NewlyWeds podcast for lots of inspo for ours.Thank you JamPot for giving us this opportunity - we can't wait!'

CEO of JamPot Productions Craig Strachan added: 'With NearlyWeds with Molly & Tom, were giving fans the next chapter theyve been waiting for...

'Expanding the NearlyWeds universe at this moment feels incredibly exciting, especially as we build on the brilliant foundation Jamie and Sophie have created across the franchise. Were thrilled to welcome Molly and Tom into the family.'

Meanwhile Jamie and Sophie are preparing for their next project, after it was revealed last year that the couple are bringing their journey to becoming parents to screens in a docuseries exploring everything from Sophie's pregnancy to balancing their busy professional lives.

Speaking about their upcoming series last year, Jamie and Sophie said: 'For nearly a decade, we've brought audiences along the highs and lows of our personal and professional lives through TV, radio, social media and our podcasts.

Jamie and Sophie welcomed their son Ziggy in December and are stepping back from the franchise to make room for the Islanders

Molly looked incredible in the stunning white dress, which gave viewers a glimpse of what she could opt for on the big day

'We can't wait to take you on this journey with us; from how we picked the venue, to what's been planned already and what's left to do', they said

Molly said: 'As if we weren't excited enough already about the wedding, we now get to share all of our excitement (and the chaos of planning) with the listeners!'

Following their engagement in September last year after 18 months of dating, the podcast, made by Jamie's production JamPot, will chronicle their wedding plans

Tom and Molly won the All Stars series in 2024 and have been one of the only couples to stand the test of time from the spin-off series

'It's such an honour to now partner with the incredible teams at Disney+ and Dorothy St Pictures to bring our next chapter to viewers across the globe.

'Navigating our lives with a baby on the way has opened up a whole new stage of our relationship  we can't wait to give you a front row seat!'

The series was commissioned by Sean Doyle, Executive Director and is produced by Dorothy St Pictures in association with Jampot Productions.

Tom and Molly won the All Stars series in 2024 and have been one of the only couples to stand the test of time from the spin-off series.

Molly was a bombshell arrival, to the shock of her ex-boyfriend Callum, who she met filming the winter addition of the show in 2020.

Viewers became invested in the possibility of Molly and Callum rekindling their three-year relationship, but the fitness model pursued her romantic connection with Tom instead.

Callum and Eve split weeks after the show finished amid reporters he cheated with another woman, which Callum insisted was untrue because the couple had already separated.

Tom, 26, waits at the top of the aisle before the 'Vicar' emerges in the form of Jamie, who introduces the new host

Molly and Tom skipped down the aisle after 'tying the knot' as red confetti fell from above

Molly was a bombshell arrival, to the shock of her ex-boyfriend Callum, who she met filming the winter addition of the show in 2020

They announced their engagement in September

Sophie and Jamie are set to document their 'no holds barred whirlwind journey' to parenthood in an upcoming Disney+ series

Since winning All Stars, Molly has secured several lucrative deals including with clothing retailer boohoo, US fitness supplement Alani Nu, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon and global makeup giants L'Oreal Paris and Maybelline.

Speaking to the Daily Mail last year, Molly said: 'You know sometimes when you think, 'Is this too good to be true?' I don't like jinxing things but right now I can't fault our relationship.

'Moving in together is the next step, we are practically living together as is... we just haven't made it official yet.

NearlyWeds with Molly & Tom is out 3rd March on YouTube and all podcast platforms.
Controversy and confusion surrounds the name of former Married At First Sight star Susie Bradley and ex-NRL player Todd Carney's newborn baby.

Susie, 32, and Todd, 39, welcomed their second son on Sunday, telling followers they had named him King Daryl Carney.

However, several fans quickly took to the comments section to question how they were allowed to name their son King, given that royal titles and ranks cannot be registered as a name under the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

'I don't want to ruin this beautiful moment, but is King his first name? When you file to register him at birth if you put his name as King they won't allow it,' one person wrote.

'Congratulations, he is beautiful - I don't actually think children are allowed to be called King though,' a second added.

'Be sure to check that Birth Deaths and Marriages will allow you to legally name him King though! It is on the restricted baby name list,' a third suggested.

Controversy and confusion surrounds the name of former Married At First Sight star Susie Bradley and ex-NRL player Todd Carney's newborn baby

In Australia, parents typically have 60 days to register their baby's name with the state government, and while King may not be allowed as a legal first name, it could still be used as a nickname.

Todd and Susie, who underwent IVF treatment to conceive, shared the happy news they had welcomed King in an Instagram post on Monday.

Alongside a series of images of the newborn, the former reality star revealed the little boy's unusual name.

'Our second son, King Daryl Carney, born February 22, 2026 at 4.50pm on the Gold Coast,' she wrote in her caption.

'King. A name which denotes strength, confidence and leadership. May you always stand tall in who you are, lead with love, and know how deeply you are cherished.'

She continued: 'You, along with your sister and brother, are our entire world, little King. There won't be a single day when we aren't endlessly thankful to have been blessed with you all.'

Susie added: 'The most magical moments - the ones you wish you could hold onto and relive forever - yesterday was one of those days.

'The moment we held you, the rest of the world simply melted away.'

Susie, 32, and Todd, 39, welcomed their second son on Sunday, telling followers they had named him King Daryl Carney

However, several fans quickly took to the comments section to question how they were allowed to name their son King, given that royal titles and ranks cannot be registered as a name under the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

The couple, who already have an older son, Lion, together, announced that they were expecting their second child in September last year.

Susie shared a clip to her social media with highlights of her fertility journey.

'With a little bit of perseverance and a whole lotta love, we finally got you,' Susie said in the caption.

The video showed intimate details from Susie's IVF experience, including the MAFS star giving herself injections and undergoing treatment in a Queensland IVF clinic.

Also included in the Instagram post was the dramatic moment Susie and her husband learnt of the happy news.

The couple can be seen sitting in the front seat of their car, and reading the positive result of her pregnancy test.

They tied the knot in a gorgeous outdoor wedding at their home on the Gold Coast in January last year, following quite a few romantic ups and downs.

The pair announced they were engaged for a second time in May 2024.

They reconciled in May 2023 after calling off their first engagement in 2022.

Susie, who appeared on season two of MAFS, shared the happy news by posting a video of the romantic moment on Instagram .

The couple began dating back in 2019, with Todd stepping into the role of stepfather to Susie's daughter, Baby.
Eric Dane and James David Van Der Beek starred on two of the biggest and most loved shows of the nineties and noughties, racking in cash from their adored roles.

However, their tragic deaths have revealed a growing trend in Hollywood; despite both actors' work in these smash-hit and serious money-making programmes, they did not get to enjoy the wealth you would assume they would be afforded as a result.

James, who was adored for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek, died at the age of 48 with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

He left behind wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4.

The family are now fundraising to help cover the cost of medical expenses and keep their family home as mounting bills threaten their financial future.

It has been laid bare the financial situation James and his family faced before his death - and how some of Hollywood's most famous are penniless as a result of 'bad contracts'.

James, who was adored for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek, died at the age of 48 with stage 3 colorectal cancer

Eric Dane, who shot to fame in Grey's Anatomy, died at the age 53 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

While cast members on Dawson's Creek reportedly received a starting salary from $35,000 per episode, contracts signed at the time meant some stars would not benefit from the show's long-lasting success.

'There was no residual money,' James told Today in 2012. 'I was 20. It was a bad contract. I saw almost nothing from that.'

It's been reported that James and his co-stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams started out making $35,000 per episode of Dawson's Creek, and as the show's success grew they banked as much as $175,000 per episode in the final season.

Whilst their salaries have never been confirmed, James's co-star Joshua did once boast at the age of 19 how he 'would make more money doing four episodes of Dawson's Creek than most of my friends' parents made in a year'.

But a lack of residuals would have severely dented the cast's prospects of a long-term income from the show. In contrast it's been widely reported that the main cast members of another nineties show, Friends, make $20million a year from residuals and reruns.

Eric Dane, who shot to fame in Grey's Anatomy, died at the age 53 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Beloved for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan aka 'McSteamy,' his death last Thursday came less than a year ago that he had been diagnosed with the illness, which is known colloquially in America as Lou Gehrig's disease.

The rare, incurable degenerative condition impairs the nervous system over time and causes the muscles to increasingly suffer from paralysis.

Join the debate Are you surprised TV stars aren't more financially secure?

Los Angeles is still home to many of A-list stars, despite a recent exodus by some ahead of a proposed wealth tax

He is survived by his two teenage daughters, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, and his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.

Following Eric's death, a GoFundMe has also been launched in his name, as his family attempt to cover the costs of his medical expenses whilst paying the bills.

In the fundraiser's page, a bio reads: 'As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric's friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.

'Any contribution, no matter the size, will help provide stability during this incredibly difficult time and in the future for Eric's wonderful daughters.'

It was revealed shortly after his passing how his pal Johnny Depp allowed him to live rent-free in one of his mansions. A generous gesture, though an example of just how grave his financial situation was.

Any monies both men had amassed over the course of their careers was likely depleted during their medical treatments and care for their respective diseases.

Unlike the NHS in the UK, America's healthcare system is not tax-payer funded and therefore requires a large health insurance plan for citizens to be protected from the eye-watering costs a simple A&E trip would be.

Last year it was revealed how a third of US adults (about 91 million people) could not access quality healthcare if they needed it, based on the latest West Health-Gallup Healthcare Affordability Index.

With many actors being classed as self-employed, they most likely do not have private health insurance a typical employee might have through their employers benefit system.

James left behind wife Kimberly and their six children: Olivia, 15, Joshua, 13, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, and Jeremiah, 4

Dane's ALS announcement came shortly after the star and his estranged wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart , 54, decided to call off their divorce after seven years apart; pictured in June 2017 with their daughters Bille and Georgia

Los Angeles is still home to many of A-list stars, despite a recent exodus by some ahead of a proposed wealth tax.

In 2023, a 'mansion tax' was introduced, a policy that levies a four percent tax on all $5 million to 10 million property sales in the state. It means even a hard-up actor trying to flog their glamorous home would still have to work out just to raise cash.

One year into the scheme, figures showed luxury house sales drop by 68 percent, while raising only 22 percent of its stated goal.

Some 366 single-family homes were sold in the 12 months before April 1, 2023, versus 166 sold in the year since, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The state of California has lost over 500,000 residents between 2020 and 2022. It's the fourth largest decrease in the country in that time, behind New York, Illinois and Louisiana.

Many residents opted for cities like Las Vegas and Seattle - but a lot of Californians ditched the city lifestyle completely and bought acres of land in states like Texas, Wyoming and Colorado.

With such an uphill battle for even millionaires now to sustain their lifestyle whilst working, Johnny Depp's incredibly kind gesture of allowing Eric live rent-free in his house when he couldn't work is an example of true friendship.
The evening was just beginning, the atmosphere was warming up, the guests had all been seated without any major hiccups  and everyone was looking forward to a night celebrating the stars of British film and the wider industry.

That was until theatre great Delroy Lindo and American film star Michael B Jordan stepped on stage to announce the first Bafta of the night in the special visual effects category.

Just as Jordan started to speak, a horrifying moment unfolded, one that not only threatened to ruin the event but has since caused ructions on both sides of the Atlantic  and seen the liberal Left twist itself in knots over what or whom to be offended by.

Out of nowhere, a member of the audience yelled the N-word into the auditorium, visibly stunning both Lindo, 74, and Jordan, 39, before the pair quickly composed themselves.

It later emerged the slur had been shouted by Tourettes sufferer John Davidson, 54  a campaigner for those living with the disability. Davidson was in attendance because the film I Swear, up for five prizes on Sunday evening, is inspired by his experience living with the condition.

Sadly, however, the appalled and often unsympathetic reaction to his outburst suggests that understanding of Tourettes may have some way to go.

In the film, Davidson is portrayed by breakout Hull-born star Robert Aramayo  who won the Bafta for best actor in a surprise victory over Hollywood giants Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

It wasnt even Davidsons first unfortunate heckle of the night: He could also be heard shouting, Shut the f*** up! during the introductory speech from Bafta chairman, Sara Putt. (Contrary to reports in the US media, Bafta attendees had been warned that Davidson might say something inappropriate due to his condition).

Michael B Jordan (left) and Delroy Lindo (right) were on stage when Tourette's sufferer John Davidson was heard yelling the N-word, but the BBC failed to edit out the racial slur

Controversially, the BBC failed to edit out the racial slur when it broadcast the ceremony on BBC1 two hours later, and also included the word in the footage uploaded to its streaming platform iPlayer. This meant that millions of viewers tuning in to the BBC could still hear the word until at least midday yesterday when, under mounting pressure, the broadcaster edited out the offensive comment from its iPlayer recording. (Needless to say, the uncensored clip had already gone viral online.)

Bafta may have hoped sending event host Alan Cumming on stage in the second half to apologise if [the outburst] has caused offence would be sufficient to quell the upset. Fat chance. It was too little, too late to dampen the growing outrage.

Lindo and Jordan, who both star in Sinners (which received 13 nominations), did not comment on stage. Lindo later told Vanity Fair magazine that he and Jordan did what we had to do while presenting but added that he wished someone from Bafta had spoken to us afterwards.

Davidson left the auditorium 20 minutes after his involuntary remarks, with Bafta stressing he had not been asked to leave.

The scandal has made huge waves in America, where  given the countrys history of slavery and segregation  the word is arguably even more incendiary than it is here. Several black American actors commented on the debate yesterday, with few showing much understanding of Davidsons plight.

Django Unchained star Jamie Foxx, 58, branded the outburst unacceptable, scoffing: Out of all the words you couldve said, Tourettes makes you say that. Nah, he meant that s***.

Wendell Pierce, who starred in the critically acclaimed series The Wire alongside Jordan, added: Its infuriating that the first reaction wasnt complete and full-throated apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesnt matter the reasoning [sic] for the racist slur.

However, disability activists rallied behind Davidson  who developed the condition when he was 12  arguing his tics are involuntary and, crucially, that the nature of Tourettes is often such that sufferers say the most offensive thing possible at any moment.

After all, when Davidsons car was being searched by police on his entry to Buckingham Palace in 2019, he yelled: A bomb! Ive got a f***ing bomb! When meeting the late Elizabeth II herself, he screamed: F*** the Queen! Former Premier League striker Stan Collymore, who was born to a Barbadian father and an English mother, hit out at our pig-ignorant American cousins, sharing a documentary about a boy with Tourettes to his X page.

The slur wasnt even Davidsons first unfortunate heckle of the night. He could also be heard shouting, Shut the f*** up! during the Bafta chairman's introductory speech

Collymore, 55, urged those ignoring a severe disability and its consequences [to] take 28 minutes to watch it. Then accept your [sic] f***ing ignorant musings are so wrong its frightening.

Amid the drama, Left-wing campaigners appeared unable to work out whose side they should take  that of Davidson, a working-class white man who suffers from a lifelong disability, or that of the black actors, some of them millionaires, offended by his outburst.

Activist Ash Sarkar, a self-styled communist, said: What happened last night at the Baftas is a genuine example of competing rights  on the one hand, including someone with a disability who has every right to attend, and on the other, protecting people from being assailed by racial slurs. I honestly dont know how anyones meant to square that.

One user pointedly responded that finding a single word psychologically damaging, regardless of obvious context, is infantile.

Broadcaster Narinder Kaur wrote: We can all understand he [Davidson] has a condition, but this is subjecting Jordan and Lindo to racial trauma, which everyone needs to understand is UNACCEPTABLE on every level.

She directed most of her ire towards the BBC  while fury at the corporation escalated further when it emerged that it had cut out footage of British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr crying Free Palestine! while making his acceptance speech for outstanding British debut for his film My Fathers Shadow.

Vice-chairman of Tourettes Action, Ed Palmer, said the BBC should have considered censoring the slur, adding: Its important to show compassion and understand that [a tic] is involuntary... causing offence is often very distressing to people who have the condition.

His sentiments were echoed by Aramayo, 33, also awarded Baftas rising star award, who stressed: The way we perceive Tourettes is a joint responsibility. Its not shouting obscenities. Its not being abusive.

Last night Davidson broke cover, saying: I am, and always have been, deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning... I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourettes community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding.

A BBC spokesman yesterday told the Daily Mail: We apologise that [the tic] was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.

Whether thats enough to staunch the fury the incident has sparked is another matter entirely.
Jennifer Garner looked sensational as she posed up a storm for a new photoshoot with Flaunt magazine.

The actress, 53, wowed in a number of stylish looks, including a sizzling leather Givenchy dress by Sarah Burton.

Garner kept the spotlight on the daring neckline, skipping accessories and opting for understated glam during the shoot, captured by Tyler Patrick Kenny.

Meanwhile, the cover showed Garner in a Saint Laurent ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello, as she teamed a brown leather jacket with a white shirt knotted at the front, a matching brown skirt and bold statement earrings.

The star also made a rare comment about her ex-husband Ben Affleck and their family being plunged into media scrutiny when he reunited with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez in 2021. Affleck went on to marry Lopez in 2022 but she filed for divorce two years later.

Addressing her decision to move away from her famously private stance regarding her ex-husband in a recent interview, Garner said that she hopes to help other women by sharing her perspective.

Jennifer Garner, 53, looked sensational as she posed up a storm for a new photoshoot with Flaunt magazine

'Time has passed, and other women are going through really hard seasons in their lives, and I think it's helpful to know that time will go on and you will get to the other side,' she said.

'That's really all it's about. I was in the middle of something for a really long time, and it didn't make sense.'

'There was no way to talk about it, and it's certainly not my place to talk about him or his experience or anything he's gone through, or my children or their experience,' she added.

'But I can say that I feel lighter and happier and more myself [than I have] in a really long time, and I think that's important to know because I really felt like, "Oh my gosh, has this family shake up  has it changed me forever?"'

'When you're many years into something, you think, "I don't know how it's gonna pass."'

As for whether she considered moving out of Los Angeles or changing her job to escape the public spotlight, the star said, 'Yeah, of course. But fame follows you, is one thing... Now I think I could do it and I would be fine, but now I have a different relationship with it, and I really love my job.'

'I chase those moments where it all comes together and I feel connected to what I'm doing and open and surprised. And look, it doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, it really makes it worth it.'

Garner and Affleck were wed from 2005 until 2018 and have three children together: Violet, 20, Finn, 17, and Samuel, 12.

Join the debate Should celebrities share personal struggles to help others or keep their private lives out of the spotlight?

The actress wowed in a number of stylish looks, including a sizzling leather Givenchy dress by Sarah Burton

Garner kept the spotlight on the daring neckline, skipping accessories and opting for understated glam during the shoot, captured by Tyler Patrick Kenny

Meanwhile, the cover showed Garner in a Saint Laurent ensemble by Anthony Vaccarello, as she teamed a brown leather jacket with a a white shirt knotted at the front

The look was paired with a matching brown skirt and bold statement earrings

The star also made a rare comment about her ex-husband Ben Affleck and their family being plunged into media scrutiny when he reunited with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez in 2021. Affleck went on to marry Lopez in 2022 but she filed for divorce two years later

Addressing her decision to move away from her famously private stance regarding her ex-husband in a recent interview, the star said that she hopes to help other women by sharing her perspective

'Time has passed, and other women are going through really hard seasons in their lives, and I think it's helpful to know that time will go on and you will get to the other side,' she said

'That's really all it's about. I was in the middle of something for a really long time, and it didn't make sense. There was no way to talk about it, and it's certainly not my place to talk about him or his experience or anything he's gone through, or my children or their experience,' she said

'But I can say that I feel lighter and happier and more myself [than I have] in a really long time,' she added

'I think that's important to know because I really felt like, "Oh my gosh, has this family shake up has it changed me forever?"'

'When you're many years into something, you think, "I don't know how it's gonna pass,"' she concluded

Elsewhere in the candid sit-down, Garner clarified that a ring she was wearing was not an engagement ring, despite her steady seven-year romance with businessman John Miller.

Away from her glittering Hollywood career, the mother-of-three has dedicated over a decade to philanthropy, having worked with Save the Children since 2008. She also expanded her business empire in 2017 as the co-founder of Once Upon a Farm, a farm-fresh children's food company.

The Alias star noted that the produce is accessible via food benefit programs WIC and SNAP.

'Fame for me now is so much more about  I really, really, really care about what I can do for kids in the world and in America, rural America. And if I am not out there with something new to promote and new to talk [about], then I'm less helpful in that way.'

Another image from the photoshoot saw the star lounging in a chair, wearing a black leather Loewe jacket as she showed off her toned legs.

Garner also stunned in a chic Emporio Armani jacket and pants.

The actress went on to model a white Bottega Veneta dress and open-toe grey heels.

Another chic look from the shoot included a grey Loro Piana blazer and brown pants.

Garner and Affleck were wed from 2005 until 2018 and have three children together: Violet, 20, Finn, 17, and Samuel, 12; The former pair pictured in 2013

Last month, the star discussed her 'painful' divorce from Affleck in an interview with Marie Claire UK's Wellness Issue.

'The actual breaking up of a family is what was hard. Losing a true partnership and friendship is what was hard,' said the Alias actress.

'It's important for women to know, when they think, "Oh, I'll never see that, I'll never have that feeling, I'll never be friends with this person again" [that] time is the opportunity to heal.'

And she made it clear she has always put her children first even though she has a big Hollywood career.

'It never felt like a sacrifice. It was really hard to go to work and it definitely shaped the jobs I chose, in a big way,' she said.
Prue Leith has confessed she's added some spice to her sex life with the help of testosterone gel as she opened up about her marriage to husband John Playfair.

The Bake Off star, 86, sat down for a very candid chat with Saga Magazine and explained how she introduced the gel in addition to to oestrogen patches and progesterone pills.

Its great for libido. You feel better and younger,' she told the publication.

Prue explained how she swears by the gel as well as HRT, insisting the medication and supplements help keep her in great health.

'I asked a doctor, "Whats normal [concerning sex in older couples]?" She said there are no studies, because its just imagined people my age dont,' she told the magazine.

'I dont think Id be active in every sense without hormone replacement therapy. When people ask, How do you look so young? How are you still working? Well, thats the secret.'

Prue Leith has confessed she's added some spice to her sex life with the help of testosterone gel as she opened up about her marriage to husband John Playfair

The Bake Off star, 86, sat down for a very candid chat with Saga Magazine and explained how she introduced the gel in addition to to oestrogen patches and progesterone pills

She's such a fan of HRT that she refuses to come off it, insisting I always say, Why? HRT has an increased risk of breast cancer, but its tiny and if I came off it now, Id go through menopause symptoms at 86, which would be horrendous.'

'HRT must save the NHS money. It prevents acute depression, heart disease, strokes, but theres a puritan thing where they think its wicked to make yourself younger than you are.

Prue and fashion designer John, 78, married in 2016 during a ceremony in Scotland, after first crossing paths in 2011.

Last year Prue and John shared the details of the start of their relationship in a sweet moment during their joint appearance on Loose Women.

The chef, who was married to her first husband nearly 30 years before his death in 2002, reveals she bolted from their first meeting at a dinner party.

Prue told how she was invited to a dinner party at a friend's house, but when she got there were two men and two women there, leaving her feeling like a gooseberry.

The TV personality said she made her excuses to leave her friend's dinner as quickly as she could and didn't anticipate what would happen next.

Prue revealed that the following day, John turned up on her doorstep as he admitted he instantly 'knew she was the one'.

Last week, the TV host took to the runway for the Vin+Omi show during London Fashion Week (pictured)

Prue announced she was stepping back from Bake Off in January and it has since been confirmed Nigella Lawson will take her place, and will join co-judge Paul Hollywood when the new series begins filming in April.

The TV chef, who replaced former show judge Mary Berry in 2017, explained her departure in an interview with The Spectator. She said: 'I have been dithering for years about when to stop judging The Great British Bake Off.

'When I joined nine years ago, I thought, since I was in my mid-seventies, that I'd be lucky to manage two years.

'At that age, my mother was deaf as a post and away with the fairies, believing her son was her father and that her cat was the one she'd had 40 years before.

'But my marbles stayed more or less in place and there seemed no good reason to give up a job I loved.

'Finally, though, the desire to work less and play more got to me. Bake Off and its offshoots such as The Great American Baking Show and even the Christmas specials are all filmed in the summer, which has meant I could never have a summer holiday.'

Prue explained that a recent getaway to Madagascar was what finally convinced her that it was time to move on.

'I suddenly realised that if I don't give up Bake Off, I'll never again have a holiday in the south of France, in Italy, in Spain, or even in Cornwall or Scotland,' she said.
Melissa Gilbert has been blasted as 'embarrassing' and 'delusional' as she sang and danced to an inspirational song about 'staying strong' - amid her husband Timothy Busfield's child sex abuse charges.

The 68-year-old former West Wing actor was indicted by a grand jury on February 6 and accused of touching two twin boys on the set of The Cleaning Lady while filming in Albuquerque between November 2022 and spring 2024. He has vehemently denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual contact with a child.

Gilbert has stood by her husband's side throughout the scandal and recently returned to work on her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, after stepping away 'to focus on my family'.

The account features videos of Gilbert's homemaking content, and on Monday uploaded a video of Gilbert singing and dancing to the Des'ree song You Gotta Be, an uplifting track featuring the lyrics 'You gotta be bad/You gotta be bold/You gotta be wiser/You gotta be hard/You gotta be tough/You gotta be stronger.'

While the video was intended to inspire, it quickly backfired amongst those who found the tone rather odd amid the controversy surrounding her husband.

'I hope you sing that to yourself because you are delusional,' one person posted.

Melissa Gilbert was slammed as 'delusional' as followers reacted to her singing and dancing to a cheery song amid her husband Timothy Busfield's legal woes

She shared video of herself singing to the Des'ree song You Gotta Be

'Stop embarrassing yourself,' one commenter wrote. Similarly, another posted: 'How embarassing [sic].'

One annoyed Instagram user wrote: 'The nerve...'

One surmised, 'She's Lost It', while another posted, 'God knows the truth.'

Overall, the overwhelming messages were in support of the video, with several urging her to hang in there.

'Hang in there. Hugs and prayers sent your way,' one wrote.

'Go girl! Be strong!' another said.

Gilbert's husband Busfield has been accused of inappropriately touching twin boys  identified only as VL and SL in court documents  on the set of The Cleaning Lady, which he directed.

A warrant was issued for his arrest last month, and he turned himself in.

But the video backfired amongst a few who found the dance rather cringe

Several Instagram users didn't take to the video too kindly

Gilbert has remained by her husband's side, weeping with joy when he was released from custody after he turned himself in - pictured 2023

Busfield has since been released from custody, with his devoted wife Gilbert weeping with joy when a judge allowed him to walk free.

He was indicted on four counts of sexual contact with a child by a grand jury and has since pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

The following day, February 11, Busfield waived his arraignment and court appearances for all pretrial proceedings.

His request was granted by Judge Joseph Montano on February 18.

One of the alleged victims told a forensic child interviewer that Busfield touched his 'private areas' on set when he was seven years old, according to a criminal complaint.

The boy alleged the abuse happened five or six times between sets.

He claimed Busfield assaulted him again when he was eight years old, claiming it happened three or four times.

The boy's twin brother told authorities he was also touched by Busfield, but he did not specify where and didn't say anything because he didn't want to get in trouble, the complaint said.

Gilbert has stood firmly beside her husband, whom she wed in April 2013, since he turned himself into police on January 13; pictured 2020

Gilbert wept and whispered, 'Thank you, God' when the judge ruled that her husband should be released from jail on his own recognizance last month

The actor and director was seen glancing at his devoted wife at the start of the January 20 hearing

Busfield has denied the allegations, and his attorneys have argued the accusations are part of a revenge plot manufactured by the boys' parents after the children lost their roles in the TV series.

Before turning himself in, he called the allegations lies in a video shared by TMZ.

'I'm going to confront these lies. They're horrible. They're all lies, and I did not do anything to those little boys, and I'm going to fight it,' he insisted.

But Assistant District Attorney Savannah Brandenburg-Koch called evidence of abuse against the Hollywood veteran 'strong and specific' during a January 20 court hearing.

Brandenburg-Koch also said witnesses expressed fear about potential retaliation and professional harm.

'The boys' allegations are supported by medical findings and by their therapist,' the ADA said. 'Their accounts were specific and not exaggerated.'

Busfield is known for appearances in The West Wing, Field of Dreams and Thirtysomething.
Delroy Lindo has found himself thrust into the spotlight after being at the centre of a shocking BAFTAs racial slur row over the weekend.

During the ceremony, the actor, 73, along with his Sinners co-star Michael B. Jordan was left shaken when the N-word was shouted out by John Davidson, who has been diagnosed with Tourettes syndrome, while they were presenting an award.

While Delroy and Michael carried on with the presentation, he later shared in an after party interview his disappointment that 'no one from BAFTA spoke to him' in the wake of the incident.

Delroy, who was born in Lewisham, has previously spoken about the impact of racism in Britain, stating it is as 'violent' as it can be in the United States.

While he has worked in the film industry for more than four decades, much of his career has formed of smaller parts in big films, including Get Shorty, The Cider House Rules, Gone in 60 Seconds, and Ransom.

Highlights in his career include his collaborations with Spike Lee, most prominently the biopic Malcolm X, where he appears opposite Denzel Washington.

Delroy Lindo has found himself thrust into the spotlight after being at the centre of a shocking BAFTAs racial slur row over the weekend

During the ceremony, the actor, 73, was left shaken when the N-word was shouted out by John Davidson, who has been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome

The actor has also found himself as a surprise nominee for Best Supporting Actor at next month's Oscars, beating out hopeful Paul Mescal.

Despite his British roots, Delroy moved to the United States when he was a teenager, after his mother, a nurse, emigrated to Canada then to San Francisco, where he studied acting.

While Delroy has said he still regularly visits the UK, he has few good memories of his British upbringing.

At the time of his childhood, the UK was gripped by rising support for far-right groups including the National Front and racist language from figures such as Enoch Powell, who delivered the infamous 1968 Rivers of Blood speech.

Delroy has previously described his relationship with the UK as 'complicated,' as despite being the child of two Jamaican parents who emigrated as part of the Windrush generation, he knew little of Black British history until he left the country.

He told The Guardian in 2020: 'British racism is every bit as virulent and violent as American racism.

'I'm curious to unpack those stories. I have an intense interest in the Windrush period, because my mom was part of that.'

'Everything I have achieved in my life has come as a result of leaving England. I could never in a trillion years have had this career in England. Never.'

Delroy, who was born in Lewisham, has previously shared he has a 'complicated' relationship with his home country after relocating to the US when he was a teenager

After making his Broadway debut in 1982, much of Delroy's four-decade career has been formed of smaller parts in big films

While Delroy did find mainstream film success, it was his work with Spike Lee that led him to be branded the director's 'secret weapon' (pictured in Lee's Clockers)

Delroy previously shared his outrage at the Windrush scandal, branding it 'disgusting and enraging.'

Referring to the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993, he added: 'When I heard it had happened in Eltham  where I lived as a child  it did not surprise me, given incidents that happened to me there.'

Delroy launched his career on the stage with his Broadway debut alongside Danny Glover in apartheid-era drama Master Harold  and the Boys.

He only landed the role as James Earl Jones, for whom he was understudying, had to go to Hollywood to finish voice work for Star Wars.

While Delroy did find mainstream film success, it was his work with Spike Lee that led him to be branded the director's 'secret weapon.'

He was tipped for an Oscar nod in 2020 for his work on Lee's Da 5 Bloods, where he starred as an African American Vietnam veteran who returns to the country to lay old ghosts to rest, but missed out.

It's for Sinners that he's landed his first ever Oscar nomination, meaning he will join the cast and director Ryan Coogler, at next month's ceremony.

Delroy also earned critical praise for his performance as a criminal mentor in Malcolm X, and also starred in Lee's Crooklyn, and Clockers.

On the small screen, he appeared in the CBS series The Good Fight, and opposite Kerry Washington in the 2023 show Unprisoned.

He married his wife Nashormeh Lindo in 1990, and they share son Damiri, 25.

Following Sunday's BAFTAs, Delroy spoke about the deeply uncomfortable moment the N-word was shouted while he and Michael B. Jordan were presenting on stage.

Lindo addressed the incident while speaking to Vanity Fair at one of the BAFTA after-parties, explaining that he and his Sinners co-star 'did what we had to do' in the moment as they presented the award for Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The slur was shouted from the audience by John Davidson, who attended the ceremony as the subject of the nominated biopic I Swear, on Sunday evening, with microphones picking up the racist term.

Davidson has been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, a neurological condition that causes involuntary vocal and physical tics.

As reported by Variety, Davidson had multiple audible outbursts throughout the ceremony.

The publication noted: 'A number of outbursts from Davidson could be heard throughout the BAFTA ceremony, including 'shut the f**k up' being shouted during an introductory speech from BAFTA chair Sara Putt and 'f**k you' when the directors of 'Boong,' which won the BAFTA for best children's and family film, accepted their award.'

Sources told Variety that floor managers warned guests seated near Davidson about his condition, though they did not specify what types of vocal outbursts might occur.

According to multiple sources, neither nominees nor attendees were contacted by BAFTA or the BBC ahead of the show with any such warnings.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, BAFTA acknowledged the 'very offensive language' heard during Sunday night's ceremony, saying it 'carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many' and apologising 'unreservedly to all those impacted.'

The organisation confirmed the outburst came from guest Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, a condition that causes 'involuntary verbal tics' which are 'in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional.'

BAFTA said it had taken steps to warn attendees that Davidson was in the room and that they 'may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony,' but admitted that 'a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard' while Jordan and Lindo were on stage.

He was tipped for an Oscar nod in 2020 for his work on Lee's Da 5 Bloods, where he starred as an African American Vietnam veteran, but missed out

On the small screen, he appeared in the CBS series The Good Fight, and opposite Kerry Washington in the 2023 show Unprisoned (pictured)

Delroy also earned critical praise for his performance as a criminal mentor in Malcolm X

John Davidson, who yelled the N-word at Delroy and Michael B. Jordan during the BAFTAs, has said he is 'deeply mortified' by his outburst

'Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism,' the statement read.

On Monday, John himself apologised for the outburst, saying in a statement: 'I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

'I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.

'I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.'

'In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

'I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome.

'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourettes community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.

'I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.'
Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan was sentenced to 16 months in custody on Monday in connection with a 2024 DUI arrest.

Bryan, 44, received his sentence at a rearraignment following a pact he reached in the case with the prosecution, TMZ reported Monday, citing court docs.

Bryan, who played Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom from 19911999, entered a guilty plea to DUI, with an admission he had a BAC of 0.15 percent, almost twice the legal limit (.08).

The latter part came with an enhancement due to the severity of the offense, according to the outlet. Compounding problems for the former sitcom star is a pair of past DUI convictions, which made his dealings in this case considerably more difficult.

The presiding judge declined to give Bryan probation and sentenced him to one year and four months in the county jail, the outlet reported. Bryan was credited with 57 days served.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bryan's production company for further comment on the story.

Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan was sentenced to 16 months in custody on Monday in connection with a 2024 DUI arrest. Bryan was seen in 2016 in LA

Bryan received his sentence at a rearraignment following a pact he reached in the case with the prosecution, TMZ reported Monday, citing court docs

After he's done completing his sentence for the DUI, Bryan will have to deal with warrants from out of the county linked to the offense.

Bryan last year pointed to a difficult transition from childhood fame to adulthood responsibility in explaining his most recent arrest in connection with domestic violence.

Bryan was taken into custody by police in Riverside County, California, in the early morning hours of February 17, 2024, in connection with driving under the influence with three or more priors.

Authorities said that a misdemeanor contempt of court charge was also linked to the arrest.

'Deputies assigned to the La Quinta Sheriff's Station conducted a traffic stop in the area of Washington Street and Calle Tampico in La Quinta on a vehicle suspected of being involved in a recent traffic collision,' Riverside County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez said in a statement at the time.

Brito-Gonzalez said that 'when deputies contacted the driver, they observed indications of impairment, leading to the driver's arrest for driving under the influence with priors.'

Bryan in November told TMZ that 'fame as a child actor left scars' in his life and psyche, leading to a number of legal issues he's dealt with as an adult more than two decades later.

Bryan said that 'being thrust into the spotlight at nine years old brought pressures I wasn't equipped to handle  but that's no justification for my choices as an adult.'

Home Improvement starred (L-R) Zachery Ty Bryan, Tim Allen, Taran Noah Smith, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Patricia Richardson

Bryan played Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement from 19911999

Bryan appeared on 203 episodes of Home Improvement

Bryan said he is embarking on 'a journey toward personal growth' in an effort to avoid these types of situations moving forward.

Bryan made clear he understood that 'domestic violence in any form is unacceptable,' telling the outlet that he 'deeply' regrets wrongdoings spurred by immaturity stemming from his unconventional childhood.

'The truth is, I've struggled with the lasting effects of early fame, addiction, and poor decision-making, which have hurt people I care about and led to repeated legal issues, including DUIs and past domestic incidents,' Bryan told the outlet.

Bryan said that 'this latest situation, involving a restraining order and serious accusations, has been a painful wake-up call.'

He told the outlet that he was especially hurt by how his legal issues have led to people judging him as a parent.

'Being labeled a "bad dad" cuts deep,' Bryan said, 'because my children are my world, and I know I've fallen short.'

Bryan, who played Clay in 2006's Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift, said he is looking to correct course with therapy and by enrolling in drug rehabilitation and anger management programs.

Bryan appeared with Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith on 203 episodes of Home Improvement.

'I don't know what's going on with him,' Allen told The Hollywood Reporter in 2022 of Bryan. 'Zach is a great kid who has grown into a complex man.

'All you can do is step aside and let somebody go through their process. At a certain point, he deviated from the guy I know to somebody who is reacting to situations that I had nothing to do with and can't control.'
They're best known for their glamorous looks on the runway.

But Kate Moss and her lookalike daughter Lila swapped the catwalk for a seat in the front row as they enjoyed a night out together at London Fashion Week's Burberry show on Monday.

Between them, the pair have walked for most of fashion's biggest names, including Fendi, Miu Miu and Yves Saint Laurent.

But for the Burberry show, the duo took on the role of spectator as they joined a string of big names on the front row.

Dressed in a slip dress and black trench, Kate, 52, looked every inch the supermodel as she posed up a storm for the cameras.

Lila, 23, looked chic in a yellow coat and snakeskin print heels which showed off her bronzed legs.

Kate Moss and her lookalike daughter Lila swapped the catwalk for a seat in the front row as they enjoyed a night out together at London Fashion Week's Burberry show on Monday

Between them, the pair have walked for many of fashion's biggest names, including Fendi, Miu Miu and Yves Saint Laurent

London Fashion Week runs from the 18th February to 23rd February, making Burberry one of the last shows on the calendar.

The schedule saw the return of Temperley London after a seven-year hiatus and Joseph after nine years.

Other major shows included Simone Rocha, Erdem, Harris Reed, and Paul Costelloe.

Kate, meanwhile, has been just as busy as last week she was in Los Angeles for the premiere of the short drama film, Sandiwara.

She also recently returned from her girls getaway with her lookalike offspring Lila, 23 in Tulum, Mexico, where they were spotted soaking up the sun last week.

The model appears to be ageing backwards after ditching her years of hard partying hard.

Nowadays, Kate has regular juice fasts, and favours the week-long juice-only programme at wellness LifeCo resort in Turkey  she's visited every year for the past decade.

But for the Burberry show, the duo took on the role of spectator as they joined a string of big names on the front row

Kate and Lila posed for sweet snaps together as they enjoyed the mother-daughter outing

The pair were joined by stars including Olivia Dean and Daisy Edgar-Jones (seen left) and Stellan Skarsgard and his wife Megan

Dressed in a slip dress and black trench, Kate, 52, looked every inch the supermodel as she posed up a storm for the cameras

Lila looked chic in a yellow coat and snakeskin print heels which showed off her bronzed legs

Kate is the proud owner of wellness business Cosmoss which sells a range of own-brand teas, skincare products and a book of 150 'positive messages'.

She has a 4,000 Cadillac Pilates reformer machine at home, and a personal trainer, Hortense Suleyman.

A magazine source said: 'The brand is late on the bandwagon  candles, serums and perfume are all quite middle-aged. But she's been having lots of meetings with people and Cosmoss is stocked in Harrods. I know she has great hopes for it.'

Over the years, Kate has given an insight into how she stays looking so good, revealing her tips and tricks for maintaining her youthful look.

She told Net-A-Porter: 'I stay hydrated on the flight and try to eat only light foods. I find adapting to the new time zone as soon as I arrive is helpful, so I try to stay up until my usual bedtime.
An Australian body language expert has weighed in on Married At First Sight's explosive commitment ceremony.

After what was one of the most dramatic dinner parties in MAFS history, Sunday's ceremony was full of apologies and recriminations.

In the wake of the dramatic episode, combined communications specialist Scott Taylor took to Instagram to give his verdict on who was being truthful to themselves, the experts and cast.

The moment that everyone was waiting for was to see how controversial brides Gia Fleur and Brook Crompton would react to being in the same room with Stella Mickunaite and Alissa Fay, after their merciless attacks on the pair during the dinner party.

While Scott acknowledged that both Gia and Brook apologised for their actions, he said that their 'sorries' were mere lip service.

'Let me say upfront, Gia's and Brook's apology may've had Alissa's and Stella's name in it, but it was more about trying to manage public image,' he said.

An Australian body language expert has weighed in on Married At First Sight's explosive commitment ceremony. (Pictured: Brook Crompton)

'The apology was towards the TV  it was for the Australian public,' he continued.

Turning his attention to Gia, Scott said that she displayed some 'tells' that indicated that she wasn't sincere in her apology.

'When Gia got on the lounge, as she apologised, she starts touching her face,' he said.

'We do that with the face touching when we're under stress.'

The expert also hinted that Gia's groom Scott McCristal was also put off by Gia's behaviour.

'Scott put his arm around her then withdrew  that's part of obviously the discomfort they've got,' he said.

He was equally scathing of Brook's behaviour, adding that her main goal in returning to the ceremony was to create drama.

'When Brook said she didn't have a plan for the dinner party, she also leaked some other nonverbals that were not congruent with that. She knew what she was doing. That was planned and that was structured,' he said.

After what was one of the most dramatic dinner parties in MAFS history, Sunday's ceremony was full of apologies and recriminations. (Pictured: Danny Hewitt and Bec Zacharia)

In the wake of the dramatic episode, combined communications specialist Scott Taylor (pictured) took to Instagram to give his verdict on who was being truthful

While Scott acknowledged that both Gia (pictured with groom Scott McCristal) and Brook apologised for their actions, he said that their 'sorries' were mere lip service.

'When Brook said: "I came in with 100 per cent effort", one side of her shoulder shrugged, a hard swallow and some other tells. She knows she didn't come in with 100 per cent effort.

Scott also slammed Brook's apology as 'weak'.

'What you're seeing is someone trying to manage their image,' he said.

'Brook's apology to Alissa and Stella was weak and staged. It was finished with a completely fake smile, no eye activations as well.'

Scott added that Brook was not interested in taking ownership for her actions, constantly 'circling back' to Chris' behaviour instead of taking accountability for her own.

'She was back to try and be controversial. That's all she wanted and that's all she got.'

He also had some words for Bec Zacharia, who played her own part in the savage takedown of Alissa and Stella.

He claimed that her initial apology was insincere, with the bride later changing tack when on the experts' couch.

'I notice that with Bec's apology at the start of the night, you notice when people say "I need to", or "I want to apologise", they're distancing themselves from the words initially.

'Let me say upfront, Gia's and Brook's apology may've had Alissa's and Stella's name in it, but it was more about trying to manage public image,' he said

Scott also zeroed in on Bec and groom Danny Hewitt

'I don't believe he said those exact same words that she's saying, but I do believe that he has said something similar,' he said

'Rather than "I apologise," they say "I need to," or "Want to," but then she followed it up with a proper one.'

Scott also zeroed in on Bec and groom Danny Hewitt, after he was accused by Gia and Brook of flirting with Gia.

He claimed that while he believed Danny did not say the words he was accused of, he added that some words were exchanged between the pair.

'I don't believe he said those exact same words that she's saying, but I do believe that he has said something similar,' he said.

'In the prior episodes, when he's pressed, he's showing lots of discomfort  some potential deceptive indicators when he was questioned.

'But when he said the words: "That wasn't said," [he was] completely congruent, so I'd say it's likely he's said something or responded back to a line.'

Scott continued: 'On the lounge... you saw that he sat with hands covering across his private area  we call that genital protection  and had his chin ducked for these things as well which we do when we've got discomfort, when we've got some nervousness or stress.'

When it came to Stella and Alissa's reactions on the night, Scott said both brides conducted themselves with aplomb, although he did question Alissa's connection with groom David Momoh.

'Alissa articulated her points really well,' he said. 'There were times where the emotions leaked and the micro expressions of sadness aligned with that as well.

'Elements of their affection don't seem natural. When she leaned in and put her head on his chest... why did it look uncomfortable? It's because it's uncomfortable.'

Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine
Married At First Sight intruder bride Stephanie Marshall has claimed she made a whopping $680,000 last year from selling property.

The Queensland-based real estate agent disclosed the eye-watering sum in a newly emerged interview with jobs app GetAhead.

Stephanie, 32, who has been matched with controversial 'anti-woke' groom Tyson in the experiment, said that she works only on commission.

The bride, who works for a Brisbane real estate agency, said she gets 2-3 per cent on a sale.

According to Realestate.com, the no-nonsense agent has been involved in putting at least 24 properties under the hammer in the last 12 months, worth approximately $24 million.

During her interview, which was shared on Instagram, Stephanie revealed that she started her life in real estate as a receptionist at age 17.

Married At First Sight intruder bride Stephanie Marshall has claimed she made a whopping 680K last year from selling property. Pictured with groom Tyson

The Queensland-based real estate agent disclosed the eye-watering sum in a newly emerged interview with jobs app GetAhead (pictured)

Working her way up in the sector, she held roles as property manager, executive assistant, sales admin and advertising.

Fans online gave the driven careerist mixed reviews for her comments, with some applauding her success, while others appeared sceptical of her claims.

'A lot of money for a professional door opener,' sneered one keyboard warrior, while another critic added: 'Yeah it's hard pretending to know anything about anything.'

A third said simply: 'BS.'

Still, others on the thread threw their support behind Stephanie: 'Works 7 days a week, probably 14 hours a day. Most people work 9-5, so compensated for time worked.'

Another gushed: '680k well done! That's more than a medical specialist earns.'

It comes after Stephanie revealed what she really thinks of her new husband Tyson Gordon after the pair clashed over her career ambitions and 'masculine energy.'

Speaking to Daily Mail after her bombshell debut, she didn't hold back after watching her wedding day clash with husband Tyson over gender roles, 'woke culture' and his brutal 'frigid' jab.

The bride, who works for Harcourts Property Centre in Wellington Point, north of Brisbane , said she gets 2-3 per cent on a sale. Pictured: Stephanie, 32, said in the chat that she works only on commission

'I didn't know what Tyson was saying to cameras,' she said. 'That all came as a little bit of a surprise, him calling me frigid.'

She admitted that she was left stunned watching back Tyson's private comments, including the moment he branded her 'frigid' after their photoshoot.

Steph, who appeared unfazed by Tyson labelling her 'too masculine' on screen, insisted she clocked his traditional 'protector-provider' expectations almost immediately.

'He made it very clear pretty quickly that he very much wanted to be the man, the protector, the provider,' she said.

'I've been single for a very long time I'm very independent. I really don't need a man to protect me and provide for me.'

Stephanie said she joined the experiment because she knew she needed a dramatic life shake-up to find love after years of being single.

'Life is very comfortable for me but I always knew there was kind of a missing piece to the puzzle.'

Married At First Sight continues Tuesday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.
Addison Rae's father Monty Lopez has granted his consent to undergo a paternity test to determine if he's the father of her younger brother Lucas.

A judge in Louisiana affirmed an agreement in which Lopez takes a paternity test in the next few days, TMZ reported Monday after reviewing legal docs.

The test will be paid for by the 25-year-old TikTok personality's mother Sheri Easterling, 46, pending the results.

Easterling last year filed a court petition to get sole custody of Lucas, 12, from Lopez, 50, who she also shares son Enzo, 18, with.

Easterling, who previously dated rapper Yung Gravy, 29, suggested in legal docs that Lopez's visits with Lucas be supervised.

Daily Mail has reached out to Easterling and Lopez via Instagram for further comment on this story.

Addison Rae's father Monty Lopez has granted his consent to undergo a paternity test to determine if he's the father of her younger brother Lucas. The TikTok star, 25, pictured in LA earlier this month

Easterling and Lopez initially wed in 2004 but got divorced in 2017, according to the outlet. They rekindled the romance in 2018 and exchanged vows for the second time, but split again in 2022.

In a petition, Easterling said that Lopez had been verbally abusive with her, calling her names like a 'stupid f***ing b****' and 'worthless trash' during the time they were married.

Easterling also claimed in legal docs that Lopez had slapped Rae in 2008, when she was a minor.

Lopez has had extended issues with alcoholism and multiple DUI arrests, Easterling told the court.

Easterling cited Lopez's arrest last year in connection with felony obscenity as indicative of his lack of judgment.

In the July 27, 2025 incident in Louisiana, authorities said that Lopez was arrested in connection with an incident that took place on August 31, 2024.

Officials said in that exchange, Lopez exposed 'his genitals, pubic hair, in a public place or place open to public view, or in any prison or jail, with the intent of arousing sexual desire or which appealed to the prurient interest or was patently offensive.'

Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the incident, and is slated to appear in court March 19.

Monty Lopez, 50, seen stepping out in LA in January of 2022

Easterling and Lopez initially wed in 2002 but got divorced. They rekindled the romance in 2018 and exchange vows for the second time, but split again in 2022

Lopez exchanged vows with medical professional Kaitlyn Nicole Robins (pictured) at the Little Chapel of Hearts in Las Vegas this past October 25, following a whirlwind two-week romance

Lopez, who works in real estate, exchanged vows with medical professional Kaitlyn Nicole Robins at the Little Chapel of Hearts in Las Vegas this past October 25, following a whirlwind two-week romance.

Lopez told TMZ that he is a believer in the idea of love at first sight, and feels such occurred when he and his new bride crossed paths in a bar in his native Louisiana.

'I didn't tell anyone,' said Lopez, who is also father to daughter Macye Neumeyer from a previous romance. 'I just followed my heart and I've never been happier. I love this woman!'

Rae's career continues on an upward trajectory, as she performed her single Fame Is A Gun at the Grammys earlier this month.

The Lafayette, Louisiana native had been up for a Best New Artist Grammy, but Olivia Dean claimed the prize.
Hilary Duff paid tribute to her TV dad Robert Carradine following his death at 71.

Carradine, who played her father Sam McGuire on the beloved series Lizzie McGuire, died by suicide on Monday.

Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Duff, 38, posted a pair of snaps from the set alongside the poignant caption: 'This one hurts.'

'It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents,' she added.

'I'll be forever grateful for that. I'm deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.'

Jake Thomas, who played Duff's brother Matt, also released a statement via Instagram following the news.

Hilary Duff, 38, paid tribute to her TV dad Robert Carradine following his death at 71. Carradine's family announced that he died by suicide on Monday

Taking to Instagram to share her grief, Duff posted a pair of snaps from the set alongside the poignant caption: 'This one hurts'

'My heart hurts today. I was fortunate to know Bobby for most of my life. And he was one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.'

'He was a talented actor, musician, and director. But more than anything, he was family. I have many fond memories being with him and his family throughout my life. Good moments, challenging moments, and lots of laughs between.'

He continued, 'I looked up to him growing up. And later in life, I came to realize he thought I was pretty neat, too. So I guess I was doing something right in his eyes. My heart is with Marika and Ian. Rest easy, Bobby. Love you.  "Jaker."'

Meanwhile Lalaine, who played Duff's best friend Miranda Sanchez, wrote, 'It's really not fair. I'm f****d up atm.. I am thankful tho. Thankful I had time with you, thankful for our last conversation, and your constant fatherly like support. I love you Bobby.'

Carradine's older brother, actor Keith Carradine, 76, released a statement revealing that the family chose to release the cause of his brother's death to help end the stigma attached to mental illness.

'We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,' he told Deadline.

'It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul.'

'He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. That's who my baby brother was,' he said.

Carradine's daughter, Ever Carradine, posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory.

'My dad died today,' said Ever, whom Carradine welcomed with Susan Snyder. 'He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love.

Carradine played her father Sam McGuire on the beloved series Lizzie McGuire; They are seen in a 2001 still with Jake Thomas and Hallie Todd

Jake Thomas, who played Duff's brother Matt, also released a statement via Instagram following the news

Thomas, Carradine and Todd pictured in the 2003 Lizzie McGuire film

Robert's daughter Ever Carradine posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory

'My dad died today,' Ever wrote, adding, 'He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love'

Meanwhile Carradine's older brother, actor Keith Carradine, 76, released a statement revealing that the family chose to release the cause of his brother's death to help end the stigma attached to mental illness; The brothers pictured this past October in Los Angeles

Online, a number of fans were remembering Carradine warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire

'I have a thousand stories and Im being flooded with memories - so if you see me, please ask me about my dad, Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am.'

Ever ended the emotional statement in saying, 'Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.'

Carradine's family revealed the news of his death in a somber statement to Deadline. They noted that the actor had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades, but he ultimately took his own life.

'It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,' his family announced.

The statement continued, 'In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him.'

Carradine's family said they were 'bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.

'We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.

'At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion,' the statement concluded.

Carradine was born March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles into the Carradine show business family.

His parents were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and his brothers were Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine; and actors Keith and the late David Carradine, who died in June of 2009 at 72.

Carradine's family announced the news of his death in a statement to Deadline. They noted the actor had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades; Pictured in 2023

David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4, 2009, with investigators saying he died in an instance of asphyxiation.

Medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, who conducted a private autopsy on David, said that 'he didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death.'

Carradine began working as a child actor, with his first appearance in motion pictures coming in 1972 in The Cowboys with John Wayne.

He also appeared in 1973's Main Street from feted filmmaker Martin Scorsese; and in the famed 1978 movie Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

One of his most prominent roles came as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which also starred Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong and Timothy Busfield.

He reprised the role for sequels such as 1987's Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and two TV films: 1992's Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation and 1994's Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love.

Carradine famously played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of the TV Series from 20012004, and in the 2003 motion picture based on the popular franchise with Duff in the titular role.

Carradine appeared alongside brothers David and Keith in 1980's The Long Riders, which also featured members of famed Hollywood acting families such as the Quaids, Guests and Keach family.

Carradine's mental health woes appeared to surface in Colorado March of 2015 when his estranged wife, Edith Carradine said that he purposely tried to drive directly into a semi-truck.

Edith said in legal docs that Carradine had 'confessed to [her] and our two children that he deliberately drove into the truck to kill us both.'

Edith said Carradine had been deeply depressed in the wake of his brother David's death.

Anthony Edwards and Robert Carradine pictured in the 1984 hit Revenge Of The Nerds

She requested the court award her possession of 17 guns Carradine owned, out of concerns he would harm himself.

Carradine told the court in a May 2017 response that his estranged wife had cut off his bipolar medication, leading to his fragile state of mind at the time of the incident.

Online, a number of fans were remembering Carradine warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire.

'Losing Robert Carradine at 71 is a tough one,' said one X user. 'A generation of kids grew up watching him as Sam McGuire and he brought a warmth to that role that made the whole show feel like home. Rest easy.'

One fan said, 'Sad news. Loved him in Revenge of the Nerds. RIP Robert.'

Carradine is survived by children Ever, Marika and Ian, in addition to grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
Sentimental Value star Renate Reinsve had to stop her sister from randomly touching Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globes.

The Norwegian actress, 38, revealed she got 'so drunk' at the Golden Globes as she recalled her hilarious red carpet outing last month when she brought her sister as her plus one to the ceremony.

The pair made the most of their night as they rubbed shoulders with Hollywood's elite - as well as enjoying the booze on offer as the pair got 'so drunk'.

And Renate's sister, whose name is unknown, lives 'deep in the Norwegian countryside' and couldn't believe her luck when she had a run in with the Titanic actor.

'Leonardo DiCaprio stepped on the train of my sister's dress, he smiled at her and apologised,' Renate - who plays actress Nora Borg in the multi-award winning Norwegian film - told The Times.

'She lives deep in the Norwegian countryside, she'd never been to anything like this in her life, and she had this really deep impulse to touch him. I had to stand between them and say, "Please, don't do it, be cool. Step away!"'

Sentimental Value star Renate Reinsve had to stop her sister from randomly touching Leonardo DiCaprio at the Golden Globes (Seen at the BAFTAs on Sunday)

Renate's sister, whose name is unknown, lives 'deep in the Norwegian countryside' and couldn't believe her luck when she had a run in with the Titanic actor (Leo seen at the Golden Globes last month)

Asked if it put a dampener on the evening, Renate insisted: 'Oh no, the two of us had so much fun that night, we got so drunk!'

Fast forward to Sunday for the BAFTAs, it was Renate's turn to apologise after she stepped on a fellow star's gown.

Renate walked past former CBBC star Mia McKenna-Bruce, 28, who was being interviewed by media outlets, when she accidentally stood on her dress on the BAFTA red carpet.

She unintentionally stood on the train of Mia's embellished black dress but quickly apologised.

Turning around, Mia said: 'No, youre fine, its fine. It takes up a lot of space.'

'You look great,' Renate said as she smiled and made her way through the crowd.

Renate was nominated for the Leading Actress award for her role in Sentimental Value but lost out to Jessie Buckley for Hamnet.

In her speech, Jessie said: 'This is really such an incredible honour. As a little girl I never thought in a million years I would be allowed to make a film but here I am.

The Norwegian actress, 38, revealed she got 'so drunk' at the Golden Globes as she recalled her hilarious red carpet outing last month when she brought her sister as her plus one to the ceremony (Seen last month)

'Leonardo DiCaprio stepped on the train of my sister's dress, he smiled at her and apologised,' Renate - who plays actress Nora Borg in the multi-award winning Norwegian film - said

'When I arrived into my agent Lindy King in London, and I had nuclear bad fake tan on, white hoop earrings, a polka dot red skirt and dress, and I had the audacity to say to her that I dreamed to someday be something like Judi Dench.

'I don't know how on God's green earth she even dreamed that was possible. Thank you Lindy for always encouraging me to be disobedient and curious and human.

'This really does belong to the women who have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.'

At the BAFTAs, One Battle After Another received a record 14 nominations, and came out on top as it won Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Cinematography and Editing.

As it was awarded Best Film, producer Sarah Murphy said: 'We wish more than anything that our producing partner Adam Somner could be here to accept this on behalf of us on his home turf.'

Director and producer Paul Thomas Anderson said: 'Thank you for rewarding our film in the way that you have, its just a tremendous honour.

'I'm well aware of the other films that share this. Anybody that says movies aren't any good any more they can piss off because this is just a great f*****g year.'

Fast forward to Sunday for the BAFTAs, it was Renate's turn to apologise after she stepped on a fellow star's gown

She unintentionally stood on the train of Mia's embellished black dress but quickly apologised

He added that he planned to go and find a 'bar somewhere to go celebrate.'

The film tells the story of an ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is forced back into his old lifestyle when he and his daughter are pursued by a crooked military officer (Sean Penn).

After One Battle Or Aother's six wins, Sinners, Frankenstein and I Swear followed with three each whilst Hamnet won two gongs.

The biggest loser of the evening was the highly acclaimed ping pong drama Marty Supreme, which went into the evening as one of the favourites, with 11 nominations. It came away completely empty-handed.

Despite being tipped as a favourite for the honour for his role in Marty Supreme, Timothee lost out on the prize to I Swear star Robert Aramayo.
The director of I Swear was today revealed to have had 'lengthy meetings' with Bafta ahead of Tourette's sufferer John Davidson attending the awards ceremony.

Kirk Jones was behind the celebrated movie which tells the story of the Scottish campaigner's life with the condition, which he developed when he was 12.

During the Bafta Film Awards, Mr Davidson was heard shouting the N-word as actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan presented the award for special visual effects.

Mr Davidson, 54, chose to leave the auditorium early and later apologised, while the BBC also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of Sunday's delayed broadcast.

Now, the Telegraph's senior culture writer Liam Kelly has revealed Mr Jones said he had conversations with Bafta before the ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall.

Recalling their chat on February 13, Mr Kelly wrote today: 'When we spoke in a Bristol cafe nine days beforehand, Jones told me that there had been 'lengthy meetings with Bafta' about making sure that Davidson would feel comfortable on Sunday night.

'If I Swear had won the outstanding British film award (which ended up going to Hamnet), Jones would have collected the statuette with Davidson. I asked what would happen if he experienced a tic on stage, in front of millions.'

The journalist said Mr Jones replied: 'I did ask that question. I said, 'What if he sees Leonardo DiCaprio and he shouts 'You c**t!' or something?' I think it's an hour delay. But it could be an interesting night.'

John Davidson (Ieft) and Kirk Jones at the Bafta Film Awards at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday. Mr Jones directed I Swear, which tells the story of Mr Davidson's life with Tourette's

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo present the Special Visual Effects Award on stage during the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, when the slur was shouted out

Separately today, a source told Deadline that Warner Bros bosses raised immediate concerns to Bafta about the slur - requesting its removal from the BBC's broadcast.

It comes as award-winning writer, director and producer Jonte Richardson said he will step down from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel over the academy's handling of the incident.

Mr Richardson wrote on LinkedIn yesterday: 'After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel.

'The organisation's handling of the unfortunate Tourette's N-Word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community.

'This is particularly unfortunate given that this year's cohort boasts some incredible Black talent, especially one of my favourite shows of 2025 'Just Act Normal'.

'However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.

'I hope Bafta leadership comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.'

John Davidson at the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday

I Swear director Kirk Jones attends the Bafta Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday

Mr Richardson is a former touring musician who has worked in both the UK and US film and TV industries, with the likes of Beyonce, Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah.

His resignation came before Mr Davidson released a statement of his own, saying he was 'deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning'.

The campaigner confirmed he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was 'aware of the distress my tics were causing'.

Mr Davidson said: 'I wanted to thank Bafta and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast.

'I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs.

'I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.'

During the broadcast, the awards ceremony's presenter Alan Cumming apologised for the language viewers may have heard.

Referencing this, Mr Davidson said: 'In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and Bafta, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

'I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette syndrome.'

'I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so.

'I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing.'

Meanwhile a 'well-placed' source told Deadline today that Warner Bros executives raised immediate concerns to Bafta about the use of the N-word.

Bafta judge Jonte Richardson is stepping down over the academy's handling of the incident

The studio was allegedly told its concerns would be passed to the BBC and producer Penny Lane TV during recording of the ceremony, broadcast on a two-hour delay.

Bafta insiders confirmed conversations with Warner Bros took place, but Bafta did not comment on whether the concerns were relayed to the BBC and Penny Lane.

Deadline also reported that Penny Lane's producers in the gallery did not hear the N-word being said  but Warner Bros is said to be unclear about what happened in the intervening period before airing.

In a statement released last night, Bafta apologised for the incident, and said it takes 'full responsibility' for putting its guests in a 'difficult situation'.

A spokesperson from Bafta said: 'At the Bafta Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

'One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition. Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over.

'Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.

'We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began, and throughout, that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

'Early in the ceremony, a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

I Swear stars Robert Aramayo, who won best actor on Sunday for his performance in the film

'During the ceremony, John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

'We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.'

Speaking at the Warner Bros afterparty, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan 'did what we had to do' while presenting but he wished 'someone from Bafta spoke to us afterwards'.

According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements which, in rare instances, can result in offensive language being used, that cannot be controlled.

It says there is no cure but treatment can help to manage the tics.

Mr Davidson was made an MBE in 2019 for his efforts to increase understanding of Tourette syndrome and help families deal with the condition.

The film, I Swear, stars Robert Aramayo who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. He was also named EE Rising Star.

Scottish actor Thierry Mabonga appears in the movie as Mr Davidson's lawyer, and posted on TikTok yesterday to comment on the incident.

In his video, he said: 'This is the condition, the disease of Tourette's syndrome. John cannot control what he says. In fact, that's the whole point of why we're making this film.

'We've made this film to educate people about Tourette's syndrome - how can you say that he can't be there at the awards? This is a film about his life. This is a film about him. Absolutely he has to be there, and it's great that he was there.'

He shared an additional video where he said 'someone who has Tourette's should not apologise for having it', and he referenced when Mr Davidson met Queen Elizabeth II, and said: 'If the Queen understood that, I don't know why people don't understand.'

The film I Swear stars Robert Aramayo as John Davidson. The actor was named EE Rising Star

The BBC apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast, and a spokesperson for the corporation said: 'Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards.

'This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional.

'We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.'

Charity Tourettes Action said it 'deeply understands' the harm of the racial slur, but called for understanding of the condition.

A spokesperson for the charity said: 'We also want to address the negative comments that have surfaced following John's involuntary vocal tics during the ceremony.

'We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but, at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome, tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.

'People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards.

'These symptoms are neurological, not intentional, and they are something John - like many others with Tourette's - lives with every single day.'

It went on to say that it had found the 'backlash' to the incident 'deeply saddening' and added that Mr Davidson had made a decision to leave the ceremony early.

Tourette Scotland, which has worked with Mr Davidson, added that there was 'no meaning' behind his outburst and that the Tourette's community is 'kind and very empathetic, and would never like to upset anyone with their tics'.
Heartbroken Lisa Armstrong has shared a gallery of sweet pictures in memory of her and ex husband Ant McPartlin's late dog Hurley on Instagram on Tuesday.

Ant, 50, and Lisa, 49, had previously shared the beloved pet and entered a bitter custody battle over him following their split in 2018.

Sources revealed that Ant is 'very upset' by Hurley's passing after he and ex Lisa agreed joint custody of him.

Now Lisa has shared a series of throwback snaps of chocolate Labrador Hurley as a puppy, showing off his joyful life on dog walks and at her home.

The makeup artist was inundated by condolence messages by her celebrity pals including Anthea Turner, Holly Willoughby's sister Kelly, Gemma Atkinson and Sophie Ellis Bextor.

Her celebrity friends penned: 'Heartbroken for you .. sending you all the love; so sorry @lisaarmstrongmakeup sending all the love; Sending lots of love xxx so sorry to hear;

Lisa Armstrong has shared a gallery of sweet pictures in memory of her and ex husband Ant McPartlin's late dog Hurley on Instagram on Tuesday

Lisa has shared a series of throwback snaps of Hurley as a puppy, showing off his joyful life on dog walks and at her home

'Sending love Lisa I know how heartbreaking it feels to lose our fur babies; Darling sending so much love; Sending so much love, fly high Hurley xxxxx;

'Sending you all my love darling; Heart breaking Sending you love; Heartbroken for you my lovely. Sending so much love love; Sending so much love'.

It's thought that Ant rushed to join ex Lisa at the vet hours after attending the BGT press conference in London.

The pair then made the heartbreaking decision to have Hurley put to sleep, after learning their 12-year-old dog was too ill to recover.

Ant previously credited Hurley with helping him to overcome his battle with drink and drug addiction.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the Strictly make up artist posted the poem Rainbow Bridge in tribute to Hurley.

The poem said: 'A part of our family, you were never just a pet, I still remember those puppy eyes the first moment that we met.

'You bounced around so freely and scurried around our feet, the excitement that youd show us, when we fetched you out a treat.

Ant, 50, and Lisa, 49, had previously shared the beloved pet and entered a bitter custody battle over him following their split in 2018

It's thought that Ant rushed to join ex Lisa at the vet hours after attending the BGT press conference in London

The makeup artist was inundated by condolence messages by her celebrity pals including Anthea Turner, Holly Willoughby's sister Kelly, Gemma Atkinson and Sophie Ellis Bextor

'You left paw prints on our hearts from the moment we brought you home, so many wonderful adventures, all the places where we roamed.

'Always happy to see us, a wagging tail at the door, well miss all of your tricks and the way you gave your paw.

'You understood every word we said, loved us unconditionally, always at your happiest out exploring running free.

'The rainbow bridge came to call you, our time came to an end, you were never just a dog but always our best friend.

'The love we shared for you, something we will always cherish and remember, our dog, our friend, our chosen family member.'

She also shared a snap of him by the fireplace with the caption: 'Forever our boy.'

The Sun On Sunday reported that Ant and Lisa were both able to see Hurley beforehand, and the presenter was with the dog as he peacefully passed away.

It's thought that the pair were being comforted by relatives, with Lisa posting a snap on Instagram that showed a girl releasing hearts into the sky.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Ant McPartlin and Lisa Armstrong for comment.

Ant previously spoke about his bond with Hurley during an interview with The Sun On Sunday in 2019, following his stint in rehab.

He said: 'There's a loyalty and a love and a companionship with Hurley that you can't describe. He never tells me off and is always pleased to see me.

Last week, the Strictly make up artist posted the poem Rainbow Bridge in tribute to Hurley

'I came out of a shop the other day and there was a woman on the floor cuddling Hurley.

'She said to me, "It's the dog from the papers!" Hurley's a celebrity.'

The Saturday Night Takeaway star split from Lisa in 2018 after 11 years of marriage and went on to marry his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie, in 2021.

Ant is said to have refused to surrender full custody of Hurley to his ex during their divorce battle, reportedly telling lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants  except the dog.'

The arrangement led to the TV presenter's chauffeur ferrying the dog between the two of them so they did not have to see each other.

The pair adopted the dog in 2013 after struggling to have children together during their 13-year marriage.

Lisa had regularly shared snaps of Hurley on Instagram, calling the beloved dog her 'baby boy'.

Her last post with Hurley showed him lying on her bed to mark International Dog Day in August last year.

Ant became a father for the first time in May 2024, when he welcomed his first child, son Wilder, with wife Anne-Marie. The couple also have two Maltipoos, Milo and Bumble.

It comes after it was reported last week that Lisa has split from her actor boyfriend Grant Kilburn.

The Strictly make-up artist and Grant are said to have parted ways last month, just weeks after friends claimed she was 'happier than ever' in her new relationship.

Of their split, a source told The Mirror: 'It's very sad but it wasn't to be.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Lisa's representatives for comment.

Ant is said to have refused to surrender full custody of Hurley to his ex during their divorce battle, reportedly telling lawyers: 'She can have anything she wants  except the dog'

Just weeks ago, insiders said Lisa had found a renewed sense of happiness and energy following her marriage breakdown to Ant in 2018.

A source told the publication at the time: 'She's been so used to being in relationships where she played second fiddle.

'This time, she's number one. She's taking it slow, she doesn't want to get hurt again  but she's being treated like a princess and her new man cannot do enough for her.

'His life revolves around hers and he adores her - and he tells her so all the time. She's doing so well with her career, she's come into her own right and he's encouraged that.'

It was revealed by the Daily Mail back in December that Grant and Lisa quickly hit it off after being introduced by Stacey and Kevin Clifton following one of their performances.

In 2023, she split from her boyfriend James Green, a Sky electrician, 42, and he moved out of her home.

In the same year, a fire ripped through the 5million home she bought in Chiswick after her divorce.
Liza Minnelli has said she felt like a 'prisoner' during her 'traumatising and insane' marriage to David Gest.

The daughter of Judy Garland, 79, married the late producer, who was found dead in a hotel in 2016 aged 62 after suffering a stroke, in 2002.

Liza and David separated just one year after they tied the knot, finally divorcing in 2007 after years of acrimonious civil lawsuits filed against each other.

Now Liza has lifted the lid on what really went on behind the scenes during their 'insane' marriage in her upcoming memoir, claiming David controlled every aspect of her life and financially 'robbed' her.

Liza said she was more his 'prisoner' than his wife as she spoke about his terrifying temper and said the 16 months they were together 'felt like 16 years'.

'I was disgusted, I felt betrayed, humiliated, ripped off and wounded,' she said.

Liza Minnelli has said she felt like a 'prisoner' during her 'traumatising and insane' marriage to David Gest (Seen last year)

The daughter of Judy Garland, 80, married the late producer, who was found dead in a hotel in 2016 aged 62 after suffering a stroke, in 2002 (Seen together in 2003)

In one particular instance, Liza said she was left 'traumatised' as she recalled being snapped by a paid photographer having lunch with friends after David had made her promise to tell him her whereabouts at all times.

Arriving home from her lunch, Liza said David was furious she had broken one of his 'most important rules' and screamed at her.

'I was legally his wife, in truth, I was his prisoner,' she said in an excerpt seen by The Times. 'Clearly, this insane marriage had to end, and soon.'

Elsewhere Liza revealed David had organised a lavish star-studded birthday party for her - and charged the mammoth bill to her own credit card.

To make matters worse, Liza claimed David quickly returned most of the gifts given to her at the bash and had pocketed the money for himself.

In the memoir, Liza revealed she had been out of work for a year and was in a financially dire situation when she met David.

Liza claimed David flashed his celebrity contacts and inflated his successes, telling her if she married him he would save her from destitution.

David, a music producer and reality show contestant, died at the age of 62 at his suite in the Four Seasons hotel in London 2016 - just three months after he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother.

Liza and David separated just one year after they tied the knot, finally divorcing in 2007 after years of acrimonious civil lawsuits filed against each other (Seen together in 2002)

Now Liza has lifted the lid on what really went on behind the scenes during their 'insane' marriage in her upcoming memoir, claiming David controlled every aspect of her life (Seen together in 2002)

While David was alive there was no love lost between him and Liza.

He and Liza were married in 2002 at a star-studded event with Michael Jackson as best man and Elizabeth Taylor as maid of honour.

But the relationship was stormy and the next year David sued Liza for $10million (6.9 million) for allegedly beating him during drunken rages.

He claimed to friends that he was left with amnesia after she hit him over the head with a stiletto heel during one fight.

He also sensationally complained in the suit that 'she was an alcoholic, overweight, unable to be effectively merchandised.'

Liza responded to his lawsuit by suing David for $2million (1.4 million) and alleging that he had stolen money from her.

In her column for the New York Post the year David died, journalist Cindy Adams wrote that Liza's 'marriage to David Gest lasted no longer than a colonoscopy. He really was just a gest'.

Liza said she was more his 'prisoner' than his wife as she spoke about his terrifying temper and said the 16 months they were together 'felt like 16 years'

She wrote: 'Obits always say the person was wonderful. This guy was unwonderful.

'While he was breathing she wouldn't even speak to him. Now that he's not breathing she wouldn't even speak about him. My friend Liza told me: 'He's an a******'.

However a spokesman for Liza said at the time that she had not spoken to Cindy recently.

He said: 'Liza Minnelli has not addressed Mr Gest's passing and any suggestion that she has done so following his death is misleading.'
Honey Ross' new boyfriend Gav Murphy has paid tribute to her on her 29th birthday on Tuesday as he shared a series of sexy snaps to Instagram.

The daughter of TV presenter Jonathan Ross struck up a romance with the video producer, 40, last year.

Now Gav has shared a number of loved-up photos of the couple from the last few months as they visited Disney World and dressed up for Halloween together.

He also captured Honey flashing her red lace lingerie under a leopard print dress and looking amazing in a plunging burgundy top as she enjoyed a glass of wine in a pub.

Honey also showed off her famous curves in a pair of trendy red and white gingham cropped trousers and a white top as she leaned on a wooden fence.

The couple looked happy as the influencer planted a kiss on Gav's cheek in another photo as he gushed she is 'perfect'.

He penned: 'Penblwydd Hapus to the silliest billy in the business. You are perfect'.

Honey Ross' new boyfriend Gav Murphy has paid tribute to her on her 29th birthday on Tuesday as he shared a series of sexy snaps to Instagram

The daughter of TV presenter Jonathan Ross struck up a romance with the video producer, 40, last year and made their first public appearance in August

The pair celebrated their first Valentine's Day earlier this month as they enjoyed a romantic date night together.

The couple made their first red carpet appearance together in August, as they attended the UK Gala screening of film, Caught Stealing.

Since then, Honey has shared a number of loved-up snaps of them together to her social media, while Gav is often found publicly gushing over his girlfriend in the comments.

Several of her recent glamorous snaps see him sweetly penning: 'Such a beauty', 'WOW.' and 'Perfect girl '.

While on Valentine's Day, the pair headed out for a romantic meal, with Gav sharing a snap of his stunning partner with the caption: 'Oh come on now' with a heart-eyed emoji.

And he publicly showed his adoration for her during a trip to Disneyland in Florida last year, by proudly sporting a T-shirt emblazoned with her name 'HONEY ROSS'.

While he appears to have received the seal of approval from Honey's parents, Jonathan and Jane, who could be seen posing with the couple in a snap at Disneyland, wearing matching Mickey Mouse-themed accessories.

Gav is known for his video production company and YouTube channel, RKG, which he hosts with pals Daniel Krupa and Rory Powers and sees them playing video games.

Join the debate What's YOUR take on Honey's birthday pics?

Now Gav has shared a number of loved-up photos of the couple from the last few months as they visited Disney World and dressed up for Halloween together

The couple looked happy as he gushed she is 'perfect', he penned: 'Penblwydd Hapus to the silliest billy in the business. You are perfect'.

Honey looked amazing in a plunging burgundy top as she enjoyed a glass of wine in a pub

He also captured Honey flashing her red lace lingerie under a leopard print dress

Interestingly, Jonathan is known for being an avid gamer, and established his own studio, Hotsauce Interactive, which has created mobile games like Catcha Catcha Aliens.

Passionate about the industry and a keen collector, he previously collaborated with Microsoft Studios and has contributed voice work to games like Fable and Halo.

Gav has even mentioned his girlfriend's famous father on his gaming channel, most recently in a Q&A video in December.

He recalled an embarrassing moment where Jonathan had Googled him to find his birthdate only to discover his unflattering nickname.

Referencing his romance with Honey, he said: 'This year, I got a new girlfriend and it is quite interesting, her parents being the most online parents I've ever had to deal with.

'I remember she got a text from her dad going because I think we were going away and he had to look up the date of my birth. He searched for Gav Murphy RKG online and the first thing came up as "The Grotmeister".

'And then he started texting me as the Grot going like, "Do put Grotmeister on the airport thing?" I saw the text come through and I was just like, argh that just changes lots of things now, doesn't it?'

However, Gav added: 'Luckily he's quite grotty so it's fine.'

Holly looked stylish during their Disney World getaway in a black dress and matching Minnie Mouse sequin ears

Gav shared a picture of Honey watching a nighttime light display

The couple tucked into a Jaws themed takeaway

Honey showed off her curves in a burgundy minidress and matching tights

For the final snap, Honey held up a takeaway bag outside in Cardiff

Gav is known for his video production company and YouTube channel, RKG, which he hosts with pals Daniel Krupa and Rory Powers and sees them playing video games

Jonathan hit the headlines in 2024, after he compared himself and wife Jane to a 'pair of dirty hamsters in straw' as he admitted he showers less than once a week.

The comedian shared his detest of grooming while speaking on the Parenting Hell podcast, saying: 'Do you think I give enough of a s**t about anything to bother spending any extra time on grooming whatsoever?

'I resent the fact that I have to shower. I sometimes go at least a week without showering - at least. So does Jane sometimes. We're like a couple of hamsters in their own straw in that bed.'

Revealing when the last time he showered was, Jonathan said: 'It was yesterday. Why bother doing it two days in a row, what's wrong with you? I didn't do any exercise.'

He even confessed he once went two weeks without washing in the Florida heat because he thought he'd been in a swimming pool - but then discovered he still smelled badly.

He added: 'When we were on holiday - we have a place over in Florida - because it's sunny and I'm jumping in and out the swimming pool, I probably didn't shower properly for two weeks.

'And I had a smell under my right armpit, and I thought "That's bad, I better get rid of that". So I had a shower, it didn't go. Had another one, it didn't go.

'I'm not making this up. I had to shave the hair off my armpit to get rid of it. It was so ingrained. I just did the one. Why would you do two? The other one was still fresh. I favour one, so the right arm was doing all the work.'

However, he did say sometimes if he decides to have a bath he will shower just before, so that he's not sat in filthy water and dead skin.

He said: 'The other extreme though is I sometimes shower before having a bath. That's the Japanese way.'

Explaining why, he added 'because you're lying in what's coming off your body so why would you bathe first and lie in the debris?'

Gav has even mentioned his girlfriend's famous father on his gaming channel, most recently in a Q&A video in December where he recalled an embarrassing moment where Jonathan (seen with Honey) had Googled him to find his birthdate only to discover his unflattering nickname

Jonathan hit the headlines in 2024, after he compared himself and wife Jane to a 'pair of dirty hamsters in straw' as he admitted he showers less than once a week (pictured with Jane)

Prior to finding love with Honey, Gav was in a relationship with artist Clara Sinclair, with whom he adopted his beloved pet chihuahua, Coco.

While Honey previously dated Zane Saz for several years, with the musician who appearing alongside her and dad Jonathan on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Prior to her romances with Gav and Zane, she previously wrote an article for The Times Style mag detailing the difficulties she's faced in her dating life as a plus size woman, claiming she has often been 'oversexualised' or 'desexualised' by men.

The body image activist revealed that men frequently slid into her DMs to try to chat her up, but would never publicly admit to being attracted to her because she's 'fat'.

She explained that many men who message and follow her online would never talk to her in front of their friends because of her size, even if they were complimentary in private messages - branding their desire for larger bodies 'their dirty secret'.

Honey wrote about the unspoken pressure to lose weight that she felt for a long time, but she now believes her curves are her secret power to sort the good men from the bad - adding she is now 'punching higher than she used to' when looking for a partner.

'Whether it's swiping right or sliding into my Instagram DMs, I get a lot of sexual attention,' she wrote in the 2020 piece.

'Strangers and mutuals alike are privately trying to get my attention. But note the word "privately": most of these men who message and follow me would never publicly like or comment on my pictures.

'Their desire for fat bodies is their dirty secret, hidden in inboxes across the world.'

The activist and producer explained that has often been oversexualised by men 'to the point of fetish' and faced 'violently sexual opening lines', including 'you're edible' and 'I'm skinning you'.

While Honey previously dated Zane Saz for several years, with the musician who appearing alongside her and dad Jonathan on Celebrity Gogglebox (Zane, Honey Jane and Jonathan seen in 2021)

Prior to her romances with Gav and Zane, she previously wrote an article for The Times Style mag detailing the difficulties she's faced in her dating life as a plus size woman, claiming she has often been 'oversexualised' or 'desexualised' by men

The body image activist revealed that men frequently slid into her DMs to try to chat her up, but would never publicly admit to being attracted to her because she's 'fat'

She concluded by revealing she has given herself permission to no longer settle for 'dehumanising crumbs' (seen with Gav)

She also wrote that fellow larger women have gone through similar experiences, and that plus-size women dating have to juggle the opinion they have of themselves as well as their partner's and society's opinion.

Honey shared that during dates she was often 'reduced to her frame' when men spoke about her, with various companions proclaiming they prefer to date larger women and don't find thin women attractive.

While she said her dating profile used to read 'fatter in person' as a self-deprecating joke, and realised recently that other people had been doing the same as a kind of 'warning' to fellow app users.

Honey added that, being friends with predominantly thin women, she used to struggle with seeing the nice responses they would get online compared to what people said about her.

While she said her thin pals were 'horrified' when they found out the sheer volume of unpleasant messages Honey receives.

She concluded by revealing she has given herself permission to no longer settle for 'dehumanising crumbs'.
Grace Tame appeared to leave her recent controversies at home as she attended a ritzy party on Tuesday night.

The activist headed out to the Mardi Gala Ball ahead of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, where she was joined by a well-known friend.

The 31-year-old cuddled up to non-binary actress and 'queer advocate' Kath Ebbs, who recently made headlines for her romance with American reality star JoJo Siwa.

Grace commanded attention in a trendy ensemble that included a silver crop top that flaunted her toned midriff.

She added a black blazer and matching trousers for a little edge, finishing the look with strappy heels.

Grace chose a peachy makeup palette with an orange-red lipstick and lots of highlighter, while slicking her blonde hair back into a bun.

Grace Tame (left) appeared to leave her recent controversies at home as she attended a ritzy party on Tuesday night

The activist headed out to the Mardi Gala Ball ahead of the 2026 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, where she was joined by a well-known friend

Kath, 28, chose a fitted black gown with cut-outs at the bust that showed off some cleavage and sheer panels.

They added to the look with zebra-print heels and opted for a soft makeup palette with a pink satin lipstick.

Kath, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, underwent a high-profile split from pop star JoJo Siwa after the Celebrity Big Brother UK saga last year.

In April 2025, the content creator became the unlikely centre of a global media storm after JoJo formed a romance with housemate Chris Hughes.

Ebbs is now dating AFLW player Tilly Lucas-Rodd.

For Grace, it's been a tumultuous period after thousands of Aussies signed a petition for the 2021 Australian of the Year winner to be stripped of the honour after she chanted 'globalise the intifada'.

Tame used the controversial phrase 'intifada' and anti-Israel rhetoric during a speech at a rally in Sydney last week, protesting a visit from Israeli president Isaac Herzog.

Grace has faced heavy criticism after the rally erupted into clashes between protesters and police.

The 31-year-old cuddled up to non-binary actress and 'queer advocate' Kath Ebbs (right), who recently made headlines for her romance with American reality star JoJo Siwa

Grace commanded attention in a trendy ensemble that included a silver crop top that flaunted her toned midriff

Kath, 28, chose a fitted black gown with cut-outs at the bust that showed off some cleavage and sheer panels

A petition launched by Rebel News has garnered more than 28,000 signatures calling for her to be stripped of her Australian of the Year title.

The petition is also calling for authorities to charge Tame with '[alleged] criminal incitement to violence under existing Australian law'.

The petition took umbrage at Tame leading the rally by chanting 'from Gadigal Aboriginal name for Sydney to Gaza, globalise the intifada'.

'The term intifada is historically associated with violent uprisings and armed conflict,' the petition states.

'Its use in Australia, particularly when amplified by a former national honouree, has caused profound distress within the Jewish community and concern across the broader public.

'This occurred in a climate already charged with fear and trauma, including in the wake of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack.'

The petition stated it was 'about responsibility' and 'not silencing debate'.

Tens of thousands of Aussies backed the petition, with many taking to social media to vent their frustrations.
Monica Bellucci exuded elegance in a stylish navy suit as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The Italian actress and model, 61, looked sensational in the smart fitted jacket and coordinated wide legged trousers as she arrived at her hotel in Italy.

Monica layered a black blouse beneath the two-piece and elevated her frame in a pair of towering platform boots.

The Spectre star toted her belongings in a large 1,665 burgundy Tod's handbag and accessorised with a pair of black sunglasses.

Styling her brunette tresses loose, Monica showcased her flawless looks as she flashed a smile and waved to waiting fans.

Later that evening, Monica slipped into a black midi dress with a V-neckline as she headed out and about in the city.

Monica Bellucci exuded elegance in a stylish navy suit as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week on Tuesday

The Italian actress and model, 61, looked sensational in the smart fitted jacket and coordinated wide legged trousers as she arrived at her hotel in Italy

She elevated her frame in a pair of knee high suede boots and layered a leather blazer over her stylish dress.

The actresses wore the same sunglasses and toted the same large burgundy handbag as earlier in the day as she climbed into a waiting car.

The outing comes days after Monica showed off her ageless looks as she hit the red carpet at the 2026 BAFTA Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actress looked incredible in a black figure hugging off the shoulder gown which showed off her amazing figure.

Monica accessorised with a dazzling necklace and toted her belongings in a small black clutch.

Last year, Monica and Hollywood director Tim Burton announced they had separated in a joint statement.

They simply said: 'It is with much respect and deep care for each other that Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton have decided to part ways.'

Monica and Tim, 67, have been dating since October 2023, and he directed her in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - their first project together.

Monica layered a black blouse beneath the two-piece and elevated her frame in a pair of towering platform boots

The Spectre star toted her belongings in a large 1,665 burgundy Tod's handbag and accessorised with a pair of black sunglasses

Later that evening, Monica slipped into a black midi dress with a V-neckline as she headed out and about in the city

She elevated her frame in a pair of knee high suede boots and layered a leather blazer over her stylish dress

The actresses wore the same sunglasses and toted the same large burgundy handbag as earlier in the day as she climbed into a waiting car

The model flashed a smile as she stepped out in Milan

The couple were last pictured together on June 14, with Tim lovingly kissing Monica on the cheek on stage at the 71st Taormina Film Festival.

Tim and Monica first met in 2006 but are said to have started dating after seeing one another at the Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon in October 2022.

Monica confirmed their relationship in June of the following year as she told Elle France: 'What I can say... I'm glad I met the man, first of all.'

She continued: 'It's one of those encounters that rarely happens in life... I know the man, I love him, and now I'm going to meet the director, another adventure begins.

'I love Tim. And I have great respect for Tim Burton.'

The actress wasnt in the original film, Beetlejuice, made 35 years ago, but Tim has a habit of casting his lovers in his films and she played Delores, the ex-wife of Michael Keatons Beetlejuice in this film.

Monica's last relationship was with Nicolas Lefebvre, whom she split from in 2019. She was previously married to Vincent Cassel from 1997-2013.

The former model met Vincent in 1996 on the set of Gilles Mimounis film lAppartement.

They have two daughters, Deva, who was born in 2004, and Leonie, who entered the world in 2010.

The outing comes days after Monica showed off her ageless looks as she hit the red carpet at the 2026 BAFTA Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday

They were together for three years before marrying in a quiet ceremony in Monaco, on the French Riviera.

Tim was famously in a relationship with The Crown and Harry Potter actress Helena Bonham Carter, 56, but they split in 2014.

The pair were never married, but were together for 13 years and share two children; son Billy, 20, and daughter Nell, 16.

Helena and Tim got together in 2001 after he cast her as an ape in Planet Of The Apes.

They famously lived in inter-connecting houses during their relationship, with each property decorated to their own his 'n' hers tastes and personal styles.

Helena kept both houses after their split, though she admitted it makes her feel like an 'alien person' as she sleeps in one and their kids stay in another.
Taron Egerton effectively ruled himself out of becoming the next James Bond on Sunday, while leaving many fans shaken and stirred with his unexpected new look.

The British actor, best known for his starring role as an ambitious young spy in The Kingsman film franchise, was understood to be one of several serious contenders for the coveted role.

But Egerton, 36, played down his chances of replacing former 007 Daniel Craig as Bond number seven while appearing at the 2026 Tropfest in Sydney on Sunday evening.

'I don't think I'm right for James Bond,' he told Rolling Stone Australia from the red carpet. 'I've never felt that that was me.

'I think there's great candidates for it, and I think it's obviously a huge cinematic institution, I don't want to be dismissive about it as a thing.

'I just feel that my path is less kind of grand and idealised.'

Taron Egerton effectively ruled himself out of becoming the next James Bond on Sunday, while leaving many fans shaken and stirred with his unexpected new look

Egerton played down his chances of replacing former 007 Daniel Craig as Bond number seven while appearing at the 2026 Tropfest in Sydney

The actor's humility was subsequently praised by fans after the exchange was posted on social media, but others were more preoccupied with Egerton's new buzz cut.

Taking to X, some erroneously suggested his latest look  understood to be for his next role in forthcoming comedy Everybody Wants to F*ck Me  confirmed that he is going bald.

Commenting on the British actor's comments while walking the red carpet appearance in Australia, one viewer wrote: 'I swear he had hair.'

A second joked: 'A Connery toupee wouldn't help.'

While a third added: 'Fair, also his balding would be an issue.'

Others offered a rather more charitable response, with one posting: 'Taron downplaying himself while the rest of us know he'd absolutely kill it. Humble king behavior.'

A second added: 'Honestly, Taron choosing his own path shows a lot of self awareness, not every actor is meant for 007.'

While a third, referencing the actor's dramatically cropped hair, wrote: 'In case anyone is wondering: He shaved for his next film.'

'I think there's great candidates for it, and I think it's obviously a huge cinematic institution,' he said. 'I just feel that my path is less kind of grand and idealised'

The actor's humility was subsequently praised by fans after the exchange was posted on social media, but others were more preoccupied with Egerton's lack of hair

The actor's humility was subsequently praised by fans after the exchange was posted on social media, but others were more preoccupied with Egerton's lack of hair

The British actor was understood to be one of several serious contenders for the coveted role, which remains vacant following Daniel Craig's departure in 2021

Egerton had previously dismissed his chances of playing Bond last year, by insisting he is too 'messy' to play the suave secret agent.

'I don't think I'm a good choice for it, I think I'm too messy for that,' he told Collider. 'I really love James Bond and particularly Daniel Craig's tenure, but I think I wouldn't be good at it.

'I think there's so many cool, younger actors who would be great for it. I think it would be wasted on me, probably.'

While the identity of Bond is yet to be announced, it has been confirmed that Dune director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to direct the untitled movie.

The French-Canadian filmmaker will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.

Amazon previously announced Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the film's producers, after the studio parted ways with longtime 007 caretakers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

The streaming giant completed a massive $8.5billion acquisition of MGM Studios, which included the James Bond franchise.

They obtained full creative control of the 007 franchise with a deal they struck with Barbara and Michael, the kids of original James Bond producer, Albert R. Broccoli.

Amazon reached an agreement with Barbara and Michael in March 2025, and while financial terms were not disclosed, it was rumoured to be upwards of $1billion.

Barbara and Michael had been overseeing the franchise since 1995, when their father ceded control of his Eon Productions company to them.
An insistent Lisa Rinna is putting to bed rumors her husband Harry Hamlin is gay - decades after a film he starred in sparked speculation about his sexuality.

Hamlin, now 74, was a rising star with leading man good looks when he signed on to portray Bart McGuire in the 1982 movie, Making Love, a film about a man who begins an affair with a married doctor (Michael Ontkean). Former Charlie's Angel Kate Jackson played his wife.

The film is considered trailblazing however led to questions about Hamlin's sexuality.

Now Rinna, 62, is striking down the rumors 'once and for all' in her new memoir, You Better Believe Im Gonna Talk About It.

'Lets just clear this up one last time, once and for all: Harrys heterosexual,' wrote Rinna - who has been married to Hamlin since 1997 and has two daughters with. 'He is not a gay man in any way, shape or form, not that theres anything wrong with that.'

She was unaware of the rumor until joining the cast of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: 'I just figured b***hes will say anything to get my hackles up, so it never concerned me,' she said. 'My reaction was always more, "why you mad, boo?"'

Lisa Rinna has put to bed rumors her husband Harry Hamlin is gay - decades after the movie Making Love sparked speculation about his sexuality

The speculation began after Hamlin starred in the gay romance film Making Love

Rinna wrote that 'every husbands sexuality was questioned at some point on that show.'

'When youre a good-looking man in Hollywood with a good sense of style, that adds up to "is he gay?"' she continued.

Hamlin's sexuality faced scrutiny following the release of Making Love, Rinna said.

'Mainstream films about gay men are still rare today, but back then it was unheard of,' she said.

But the movie was apparently detrimental to Hamlin's acting career.

Rinna claimed Hamlin was 'blacklisted for several years afterward' in Hollywood before finally booking a role with a major studio decades later.

However, Rinna is proud of her husband for appearing in the film - one which she previously described as 'groundbreaking.'

When announcing he had booked his first major role in years (the 2023 film 80 For Brady, in which he played Jane Fonda's love interest) - Rinna praised her husband on Instagram.

The movie Making Love saw Hamlin play a man who begins an affair with a married doctor (Michael Ontkean)

The film was considered trailblazing but sparked scrutiny about Hamlin's sexuality

The actress and her husband have been married since 1997 and have two daughters together

Rinna praised her husband's 'tenacity' after he booked his first major studio role decades after Making Love; pictured 2005

'I'd like to share a little story about my husband. 40 years ago he starred in a Movie for @20thcenturystudios called Making Love. It was the first gay love story controversial and groundbreaking. 40 years later Harry just got his first Studio movie.'

'He hasn't worked for a MAJOR film studio in 40 years. Talk about Tenacity and standing your ground and risk-taking and being a f- - - ing Stud!!! I'm so blessed and honored to be able to call myself his wife. Congrats Harry Hamlin!!!!!!!'

The movie opened to mixed reviews, but is considered trailblazing.
Adam Peaty has unveiled his new addition to his tattoo collection as he shared a series of throwback snaps from his honeymoon with wife Holly Ramsay on Tuesday.

The Olympic swimmer tied the knot with Gordon Ramsay's daughter in a lavish ceremony in December, but the wedding was overshadowed by a bitter family fallout that resulted in Adam's own mother Caroline being barred from the service.

Following the row, Adam's father-in-law Gordon revealed that he now refers to him as his 'dad', after the Olympian cut ties with most of his family.

And in a post on Instagram, Adam showed off the 'small' tattoo he'd had done while he and Holly were enjoying their honeymoon.

The newlyweds originally jetted to Mauritius after their wedding before stops in Singapore and Australia.

One of Adam's snaps showed him having a small heart tattoed on his left hand, while others showed him enjoying a swimming session at a pool in Australia's Gold Coast.

Adam Peaty has unveiled his new addition to his tattoo collection as he shared a series of throwback snaps from his honeymoon with wife Holly Ramsay on Tuesday

The Olympic swimmer tied the knot with Gordon Ramsay's daughter in December, but the wedding was overshadowed by a bitter family fallout

Last week, Gordon revealed his new son-in-law Adam Peaty refers to him as 'dad' amid an ongoing estrangement from his own parents.

Rumours of a fallout between Peaty, his new wife and the gold medallist's family emerged in November, with Caroline accusing the Ramsays of pulling her son 'away from her.'

Gordon was also accused of using his wedding speech as father-of-the-bride to criticise both Caroline and Peaty's father, Mark, who also missed the ceremony.

But now the celebrity chef has told how he feels like he's gained a son rather than losing a daughter.

He told Gaby Roslin's Reasons To Be Joyful podcast: 'He calls me dad. He messaged me and said ''Hey dad, what have you got? Hey dad, are you around later?'''

'And it's just like, "Oh my God". Incredible. And what a lovely couple. They are a dream for Tana and I.'

Asked how much he cried at the wedding, Ramsay joked: 'Don't, have you seen the size of the flower bill?

'Sixty-three metre walk down the aisle and I don't know why Holly thought that every pew needed to be decorated with the most gorgeous carnations.

Following the row, Adam's father-in-law Gordon revealed that he now refers to him as his 'dad', after the Olympian cut ties with most of his family

In a post on Instagram, Adam showed off the 'small' tattoo he'd had done while he and Holly were enjoying their honeymoon

The newlyweds originally jetted to Mauritius after their wedding before stops in Singapore and Australia

Adam showed off his shirtless physique in the snaps as he and new wife Holly soaked up the sunshine together

The Olympic champion enjoyed a dip in the swimming pool during a trip to the Gold Coast

'All the flowers did go to a hospice and the local hospital literally the day after.

'And then there's this moment, the car journey, and she's holding my hand, she's squeezing it, and said "Dad, it's time". And I... "Oh no".

He added: 'You know when you get excited and then you're just sort of nervous and you say "No".

'And then I walked into the bloody church and there's Adam absolutely bawling like he's just got out of the swimming pool.

'And even I'm feeling emotional now because it is an incredible day and we had such an amazing morning together. And I sort of got a new son as well, as opposed to saying goodbye to Holly. An amazing day.

'And yeah, Bath Abbey, just beautiful, really beautiful. The whole thing just went incredibly well.

'The speech I had to hold it together. I was first up and so I wanted to set the tone in a way that this means so much for Tana and I.'

'Adam is one of the most gorgeous disciplined young men you'll ever hope to meet, and just so focused.'

While Peaty's parents were absent from his wedding on December 27, the swimmer's sister Beth was among the maids of honour alongside his wife on the big day.

Promoting new Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay, his new father-in-law finally broke his silence on the feud and said it was all 'self-inflicted' from the Peaty side.

He told the Daily Mail: 'I was told we were accused of saying inappropriate things [at the reception].

'Nothing at all was said that was inappropriate, I promise you. I was very warm, very witty. I talked about when they first met.'

He joked: 'I was nervous, hearing the words no father would ever want to hear, "Your daughter's gone on a date with the world's best breast- stroker."

'We knew something big was going on when she came home and all we could smell was chlorine.'
Ashley James left the ITV studios on Tuesday after making an appearance on This Morning.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 38, is a regular guest on the show and was on to discuss her meeting with Gisele Pelicot.

Gisele, 73, bravely waved her right to anonymity ahead of her husband's trial for secretly drugging and raping her for nearly a decade, and inviting strangers into their home to abuse her and is releasing a book, A Hymn To Life: Shame Has To Change Sides.

Dominique Pelicot, who Gisele had been married to for 50 years, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.

The harrowing meeting with Gisele came after Ashley broke down in tears discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest and the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse last week.

Earlier this month, Ashley bravely revealed for the first time that she was raped by a male friend when she was a 21-year-old student at Nottingham University.

Ashley James left the ITV studios on Tuesday after making an appearance on This Morning

The former Made In Chelsea star, 38, is a regular guest on the show and was on to discuss her meeting with Gisele Pelicot

On Friday, Ashley was among a panel of guests discussing the disgrace royal's arrest.

Thames Valley Police held the eighth in line to the British throne on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released from custody later in the day.

Detectives have been probing his conduct as a trade envoy for the UK after emails in the Epstein Files suggested he shared confidential information with Epstein including reports of his official visits and potential investment opportunities.

After watching a short clip of Virginia Giuffre's family, Ashley said dabbing tears from her eyes: 'I felt very emotional watching this actually. There's a reason I feel so upset about it.

'So many of us have watched the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein try to get justice and I felt a huge sense of relief yesterday watching Andrew be arrested.

'Of course, his arrest is about state matters and not about the alleged sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre, who of course is no longer here.

'I think the fact that it took so long and she is no longer here for justice to be served.

'And as Virginia's brother said yesterday, this feels like the thread that is slowly starting to be unravelled.

Gisele, 73, bravely waved her right to anonymity ahead of her husband's trial for secretly drugging and raping her for nearly a decade

The harrowing meeting with Gisele came after Ashley broke down in tears discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest and the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse last week

On Friday, Ashley was among a panel of guests discussing the disgrace royal's arrest

Andrew is pictured leaving Aylsham police station in Norfolk shortly after 7pm on Thursday

The television personality, who looked smart in a lime green co-ord, then headed on to an event hosted by hair brand, Rehab

'Hopefully we will see accountability. It feels so personal for lots of women and girls watching this, because the atrocities linked to Jeffrey Epstein and not only was part of that, but also knew about it.'

Ashley posted a photo of her crying to her story later on Friday.

She captioned: 'Accurate footage of me on @thismorning today.

'My third time crying on live TV but sometimes I think tears show we f***ing care and we should all be in tears.'

Earlier this month, Ashley recounted how she was raped after a night out at a club with pals, and she'd been unconscious.

Ashley said the assault had been 'one of the very worst moments of my life', as she described 'the shame and silence' she lived with afterwards and voiced her hope it would 'change the conversation' around rape and victim blaming.

Ashley explained she didn't report what happened because her attacker had been a friend rather than 'a stranger in a dark alley', which made it harder for her to accept he was a rapist, and as a result she turned the blame inwards.

In a chapter entitled Silly Girl from her new book Bimbo - to reference to the way in which victims are dismissed and blame - she wrote: 'It's something I've never spoken about and yet I've thought about it every day since, increasingly so since having children.

'It was one of the very worst moments of my life. It was hugely traumatic. I'm not telling the story to shock but as a mirror to show how common these experiences are  and also how broken the support system is.'

The former Made In Chelsea star went on: 'I didn't come forward. Not because I thought the police wouldn't believe me, or that the courts would fail me, but because the man wasn't a stranger in a dark alley. He was a friend.

'And because of that, the only person I blamed was myself. For years. Even after it happened, I was more worried about him not liking me than I was about my own trauma. I was worried he'd tell other people and everyone would think I was a s**g.

'So I didn't tell anyone, and I even tried to stay friends with him. Even now I find it hard to think about him as a rapist. Even though that's what he was, because I wasn't asking for it. In fact, I was unconscious.

'I'd worry about ruining his life. Yes, I was drunk. Yes, I was wearing going-out clothes, having come from a club. But I was with friends  people I trusted.'

'We don't teach girls that, one day, if they get the chance, their male friends might try to rape them' Ashely continued. 'It doesn't matter what you are wearing [or] if you had zero drinks or 1,000 drinks.'
Actor Robert Carradine went 'MIA' on his final film project just days before his death aged 71, it has been claimed.

Carradine, who was part of the Carradine acting dynasty that includes his brother Keith and late half-brother David, died on Monday, his family revealed in a somber statement to Deadline.

They noted that Carradine had lived with and fought with bipolar disorder for two decades, but he ultimately took his own life.

At the time of his passing, Carradine was working on film The Driver, also known as Driving Into Darkness.

His director Connie Lamothe has now told TMZ that Carradine went 'radio silent' in January, leaving producers concerned for his welfare.

Lamothe claimed one of Carradine's friends 'who is also in the cast knew of his struggles with mental health. So, they decided to give him some space... and hoped he would return.'

Carradine was to play a mob boss in the film with Lamothe saying he wanted 'to show he could do more than comedy and westerns.'

Actor Robert Carradine went 'MIA' on his final film project just days before his death aged 71, it has been claimed; pictured in 2023 in LA

Carradine, who was part of the Carradine acting dynasty that includes his brother Keith and late half-brother David, died on Monday - he is pictured with Lizzie McGuire co-star Hilary Duff

She said Carradine was 'delightful and always cheerful' when they spoke.

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Carradine for comment about Lamothe's statement.

'It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away,' his family announced on Monday.

The statement continued, 'In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon of light to everyone around him.'

Carradine's family said they were 'bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder.

'We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness.

'At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion,' the statement concluded.

Robert pictured with brother Keith this past October in LA at a SAG-AFTRA event

Daily Mail previously reached out to representatives for Carradine's brother, Keith, and his niece, actress Martha Plimpton.

Robert's daughter Ever Carradine posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory.

'My dad died today,' said Ever, who Robert welcomed with Susan Snyder. 'He was all heart, and in a world so full of conflict and division, I think we can all take a page out of his book today, open our hearts and feel and share the love.

'I have a thousand stories and Im being flooded with memories - so if you see me, please ask me about my dad, Bobby Carradine, who made me who I am.'

Ever ended the emotional statement in saying, 'Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.'

Keith told Deadline in a statement on Monday that the family wanted people to understand that Robert had been valiant and courageous in his struggle with bipolar disorder over the past two decades.

'We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,' Keith said. 'It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul.

'He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.'

He concluded, 'We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. Thats who my baby brother was.'

Carradine pictured at a Hollywood Walk of Fame held on January 9, 2020

Robert pictured at an event commemorating Gilligan's Island 55th anniversary in LA in 2019

Carradine's Lizzie McGuire costar Hilary Duff said on Instagram Monday, 'This one hurts. Its really hard to face this reality about an old friend.

'There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. Ill be forever grateful for that. Im deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering.'

Duff wrapped up in saying, 'My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.'

Robert was born March 24, 1954 in Los Angeles into the Carradine show business family.

His parents were actors John Carradine and Sonia Sorel, and his brothers were Disney Imagineer Christopher Carradine; and actors Keith Carradine and the late David Carradine, who died in June of 2009 at 72.

David was found dead in a Bangkok hotel room on June 4, 2009, with investigators saying he died in an instance of asphyxiation.

Medical examiner Dr. Michael Baden, who conducted a private autopsy on David, said that 'he didn't die of natural causes, and he didn't die of suicidal causes from the nature of the ligatures around the body, so that leaves some kind of accidental death.'

Robert began working as a child actor, with his first appearance in motion pictures coming in 1972 in The Cowboys with John Wayne.

Robert's daughter Ever Carradine posted an emotional statement to Instagram in which she shared memories on their relationship, urging his fans to replicate his kindness in his memory

Ever ended the emotional statement in saying, 'Rest easy, dad. I love you the most'

Ever shared a shot of she and Robert hitting the picket line during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike

Robert also appeared in 1973's Main Street from feted filmmaker Martin Scorsese; and in the famed 1978 movie Coming Home with Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

One of his most prominent roles came as Lewis Skolnick in the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, which also starred Anthony Edwards, Curtis Armstrong and Timothy Busfield.

He reprised the roles for sequels such as 1987's Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise and two TV films: 1992's Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation and 1994's Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love.

Carradine famously played the role of Sam McGuire on 65 episodes of the TV Series from 20012004, and in the 2003 motion picture based on the popular franchise with Duff in the titular role.

Robert appeared alongside brothers David and Keith in 1980's The Long Riders, which also featured members of famed Hollywood acting families such as the Quaids, Guests and Keach family.

Robert Carradine's tragic mental health woes appeared to surface in Colorado March of 2015 when his estranged wife, Edith Carradine said that he purposely tried to drive directly into a semi-truck.

Edith said in legal docs in their split that Robert had 'confessed to [her] and our two children that he deliberately drove into the truck to kill us both.'

Edith said Robert had been deeply depressed in the wake of his brother David's death.

Anthony Edwards and Robert Carradine pictured in the 1984 hit Revenge Of The Nerds

Carradine was pictured with his Revenge of the Nerds costars Curtis Armstrong and Julia Montgomery last fall

Jake Thomas, Robert Carradine and Hallie Todd pictured in the 2003 Lizzie McGuire film

She requested the court award her possession of 17 guns Robert owned, out of concerns he would harm himself.

Robert told the court in a May 2017 response that his estranged wife had cut off his bipolar medication, leading to his fragile state of mind at the time of the incident.

Online, a number of fans were remembering Robert warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire.

'Losing Robert Carradine at 71 is a tough one,' said one X user. 'A generation of kids grew up watching him as Sam McGuire and he brought a warmth to that role that made the whole show feel like home. Rest easy.'

One fan said, 'Sad news. Loved him in Revenge of the Nerds. RIP Robert.'

Online, a number of fans were remembering Robert warmly, frequently mentioning his work in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire.

Said one user: 'Robert Carradine was a good actor. 'Revenge of the Nerds' came out when I was a baby, but I saw it in the early 90s.

'I also saw him in The Tommyknockers & Escape From L.A. I hope he's at peace now.'

Another added, 'RIP Robert. Youll always be Lewis to me and I still love Revenge of the Nerds to this day. 2026 man.'

Robert is survived by children Ever, Marika and Ian, in addition to grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
Maya Jama looked incredible in a black bikini as she gave a behind-the-scenes insight into Love Island: All Stars on Tuesday.

The host, 31, who completed filming for the series final this week, shared a carousel of photos from her time in South Africa.

Posing in one snap, Maya wore a black, plunging dress with cut-out sections, while others showed her having fun during her time off.

She captioned the update: 'Thats a wrap. Live final completed.

'Nearly 2 months in the most beautiful country hosting one of our wildest series was everything and more.

'Congratulations to our winners and a well done to all of the islanders for being a part of an amazing series I love you all.'

Maya Jama looked incredible in a black bikini as she gave a behind-the-scenes insight into Love Island: All Stars on Tuesday

The host, 31, who completed filming for the series final this week, shared a carousel of photos from her time in South Africa

Elsewhere, the Love Island: All Stars voting results have been revealed after Monday night's epic final.

Ciaran Davies and Samie Elishi were crowned winners of the third season of the spin-off show on Monday evening (23 February 2026).

The pair were up against Millie Court and Zac Woodworth, Leanne Amaning and Scott van-der-Sluis, Lucinda Strafford and Sean Stone and Whitney and Yamen Sanders.

Now Love Island have shared how much Ciaran and Samie won by on their Instagram page.

Loved-up pair Ciaran and Samie got 35.22 per cent of the vote, followed by Millie and Zac who got 23.38 per cent.

Leanne and Scott received 19.41 per cent, while Lucinda and Sean got 12.77 per cent of it, and lastly, Whitney and Yamen ended up with 9.23 per cent.

The show follows as previous stars return to the South African villa for a second chance at finding love.

Winner Ciaran shot to fame on the ITV2 show back in 2024 and placed second alongside ex girlfriend Nicole Samuel.

Posing in one snap, Maya wore a black, plunging dress with cut-out sections, while others showed her having fun during her time off

The presenter was seen taking in the scenery during a bike ride

She captioned the update: 'Thats a wrap. Live final completed. Nearly 2 months in the most beautiful country hosting one of our wildest series was everything and more'

Maya added: 'Congratulations to our winners and a well done to all of the islanders for being a part of an amazing series I love you all'

Ciaran Davies and Samie Elishi were crowned winners of the third season of the spin-off show on Monday evening (23 February 2026)

Meanwhile Samie took part in the ninth series back in 2023 and later returned to the All Stars villa last year - but failed to find a connection.

When asked why they think the public voted for them, Ciaran said: 'We stayed in our own lane, we didnt go and cause huge problems in the Villa.'

Samie added: 'Maybe were relatable, real people? I like to think so. Very true to ourselves.'

'Yeah, the way we were with each other, thats maybe why we got the votes for the win,' Ciaran continued.

'Thank you to anyone who voted so much for voting, it was a surreal moment. Supporting us on that mad, mad journey. Me and Samie will just keep doing what were doing when we are back home.'

Breaking down in tears, Samie emotionally thanked viewers for voting for them, with the thrilled couple sharing a kiss in celebration.

Samie and Ciaran coupled up soon after she entered the villa as a bombshell, and despite many late arrivals and twists, the pair's romance was the strongest of the series.
Padma Lakshmi took to Instagram this week to share photos and videos from daughter Krishna's 16th birthday.

The 55-year-old former Top Chef host posed in several selfies with her mini-me.

'Had an epic birthday week with the Teen,' she began in the caption of the carousel post.

Then she listed, 'Blowout dance party for her friends, a mom/daughter girls trip in sunny Miami for a few days, and then a birthday/belated Christmas ramen fest with cousins, aunties, and uncles at home in sweats!'

Lakshmi joked, 'For her 17th year I think Im just gonna leave her alone! (Her suggestion, not mine. UGH!)'

Krishna's birthday was February 20, and her mom gushed in an earlier post, 'SIXTEEN YEARS OLD! Can you believe it? Officially not #littlehands anymore. Happy birthday my sweet girl.'

Padma Lakshmi took to Instagram this week to share photos and videos from daughter Krishna's 16th birthday

The 55-year-old former Top Chef host posed in several selfies with her mini me, whom she shares with venture capitalist Adam Dell, 56

'Had an epic birthday week with the Teen,' she began in the caption of the carousel post

Lakshmi shares Krishna with 56-year-old venture capitalist Adam Dell, whom she'd only dated casually before becoming pregnant.

The trio appeared in a rare photo together on social media as they celebrated their daughter's middle school graduation in 2024.

At the time, the kitchen extraordinaire gushed on Instagram, 'I cant believe my baby girl is off to high school after the Summer.

'I want to thank all of the teachers, educators, counselors, security and staff at the United Nations International School for taking care of Krishna all these years. Im so proud of Krishna and all she has achieved in her young, happy life.'

Last September the mom of one revealed the surprising piece of fashion advice her daughter gives her.

The television personality and Krishna were Vogue India's September cover stars, and opened up to the publication about how they influence each other's style.

While playing Tell the Truth in a social media video, the ladies admitted they 'silently judge' each other's outfits 'all the time.'

'We go by the five-second rule. If the other person can't change [their outfit] in five seconds and [the comment] is negative, don't say it. But before we leave the house, we're pretty brutal with each other,' Krishna confessed.

She listed, 'Blowout dance party for her friends, a mom/daughter girls trip in sunny Miami for a few days'

Lakshmi shared a video clip of her daughter's birthday cake

Lakshmi said her daughter enjoyed 'a birthday/belated Christmas ramen fest with cousins, aunties, and uncles at home in sweats!'

Krishna's birthday was February 20, and her mom gushed in an earlier post, 'SIXTEEN YEARS OLD! Can you believe it?'

The proud mother reminisced with an adorable throwback picture

Lakshmi added about her mini-me, 'And she's always telling me to dress more provocatively.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Krishna said her mom reminds her of the fictional character Georgia from the Netflix comedy series Ginny & Georgia.

The high school sophomore explained, 'I think she's a survivor and I think my mom's had... from when you were born, the cards have not been in your favor.

'And I think you've made something of yourself... You're a survivor and you do what you need to to get where you need to be, and I admire that about you.'
Maury Povich has weighed in on adult star Bonnie Blue's paternity drama after the English sex worker claimed to have become pregnant following a group sex stunt.

Blue, 26, announced this week that she was pregnant after having unprotected sex with around 400 men in what she has called a 'breeding mission'.

With so many men involved, it's no surprise that the identity of the father of Blue's unborn child appears to be unknown.

As a result, fans online have started reaching out to talk show host Maury Povich on social media in the hopes that he can run one of his infamous paternity tests on the star, whose real name Tia Billinger.

However, Povich seems uninterested in getting involved, with the 87-year-old posting on X, 'Stop tagging me' in response to the request.

Blue later responded to Povich's post, writing, 'Can Maury find out who the dad is? Yes or no.'

Maury Povich has weighed in on Bonnie Blue's paternity drama after the adult star claimed to have become pregnant following a group sex stunt

Earlier this week, Blue shared a lengthy YouTube video detailing her alleged pregnancy following her latest group-sex session.

The English rose complained about suffering from migraines, nausea and cravings, before deciding to take a pregnancy test.

Examining the ClearBlue testing stick, Blue said, 'Yeah, definitely pregnant. Like fully pregnant.'

She then filmed herself receiving an ultrasound from a masked doctor, who hid his face behind a blue ski mask.

'I am actually pregnant,' she insisted. 'So Bonnie Blue's breeding mission, turns out it was actually a success!'

Despite her claims, some fans have speculated that Blue's pregnancy may be another outrageous publicity stunt.

Early last year, OnlyFans sensation Lily Phillips falsely claimed that she was pregnant after Blue fueled speculation around her own potential pregnancy on social media.

A publicist for Phillips later confirmed that she had posed with a fake bump as part of a 'role play' stunt for her adult career.

Povich, 87, told his followers on social media to 'stop tagging' him in posts related to Blue

Blue, 26, announced this week that she was pregnant after having unprotected sex with around 400 men in what she dubbed a 'breeding mission'

Fans have already accused Blue of faking her pregnancy, with one commenting, 'The fact that the doctor is wearing a ski mask tells me all I need to know. This is all a big BS publicity stunt.'

Another wrote, 'Two weeks after conception nothing would be visible on an ultrasound at all.'

A third commented, 'If she's really pregnant I only feel sorry for the poor child. What must this Kid feel when it finds out how it was conceived? Shame on you, Bonnie!'

Blue is currently one of the most successful adult stars in the world.

She first shot to fame after sleeping with hoares of barely-legal high school graduates in Australia as part of a stunt to promote her OnlyFans.

However, her true claim to fame when she claimed to have had sex with 1,057 men in 12 hours, breaking the world sex record.

The 26-year-old posted a YouTube video detailing her alleged pregnancy, which included footage of her receiving an ultrasound

The English rose skyrocketed to fame when she claimed to have had sex with 1,057 men in 12 hours, breaking the world sex record

Her career journey was detailed in the documentary 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story, which aired on Channel 4 in the UK.

Blue was previously married to her childhood sweetheart Ollie Davidson, but their marriage ended after her adult career exploded.

'It had nothing to do with the job, we just grew apart,' she told Allie Langdon on Australia's A Current Affair.

'And I think most people in marriages stay with their partner just because they've been with them a long time.'

When asked whether she felt sad about leaving her marriage, Blue was surprisingly frank.

'No, I got with him when I was 14. I've grown a lot as a person,' she said.

'I've changed a lot and I really know what I enjoy in life now and what makes me happy  and that isn't the same person that brought me happiness when I was 14.'
Kendall Jenner cut a casual figure as she headed to her hotel in Milan on Tuesday after jetting into the city for the capital's fashion week.

The model, 30, who will hit the catwalk over the next few days, looked effortlessly stylish in a grey midi skirt and black jumper.

Kendall opted for comfort on her feet with some ballet flats and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses.

The fashionista looked ready to get some rest ahead of her busy calendar.

Milan Fashion Week Womens Fall/Winter 2026-2027 runs from Tuesday to next Monday. This season features over 54 runway shows.

Kendall has been a permanent fixture on the runway in Milan over the past few years.

Kendall Jenner cut a casual figure as she headed to her hotel in Milan on Tuesday after jetting into the city for the capital's fashion week

The model, 30, who will hit the catwalk over the next few days, looked effortlessly stylish in a grey midi skirt and black jumper

She has walked for major houses including Prada, Fendi and Versace as well as closing the Dolce and Gabbana show.

The model's arrival in Milan comes after she recently revealed she has a secret list of 'beautiful, normal' baby names for when she eventually becomes a mother.

She hopes to become a mum in the future and she has already picked out a number of options that won't start with a 'K' like her and her siblings' monikers.

While appearing on the In Your Dreams With Owen Thiele podcast, she was asked if the options she's picked are 'insane' or 'nepo baby names.

She answered: '[I'm] so over that ... I think that it's kind of ridiculous. The whole name situation.

'I definitely have my list. It's not crazy. I actually love my baby list  baby name list.'

'[I love] like a good, normal name. Like a beautiful normal name,' she noted.

When asked if the names start with the letter 'K' like her sisters Kim, Khloe, Kourtney and Kylie, she replied: 'No, babe. Absolutely not.'

Kendall opted for comfort on her feet with some ballet flats and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses

Kendall has been a permanent fixture on the runway in Milan over the past few years (pictured on the Versace runway in 2023)

She also insisted some unusual names can be good, adding: 'Joaquin Phoenix is an incredible name. It's a unique name, but it's not, like, "Doorbell."

'There's so many good names. Brad Pitt is an incredible name.'

Kendall has previously admitted she longs to become a mother one day and she had previously hoped to start a family by the time she was in her late 20s, but she enjoyed her 'freedom' too much to settle down.

She told Vogue magazine: 'When I was young I used to say that by 27 I'd love to have kids. Now I'm past that and I feel like I'm still so young. I'm enjoying my kidless freedom.'

In a previous episode of her family's reality show The Kardashians, the 818 Tequila founder was asked if she will ever become a mother and she shared that she wants at least two children.

She said: 'Of course. Three max. I'm cool with two, though. I just want my kid to for sure have a sibling, I know that.

'I just think about my life and the freedom that I have right now, the ease I have in picking up and going somewhere.'
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor called a police officer guarding Buckingham Palace a 'lardy [expletive]' when he refused entry to a 'random party girl' who turned up unannounced to visit his private chambers.

The ex-Duke of York also branded the royal protection bodyguard a 'fat-[expletive] and appeared to threaten him if he did not let her up to his bedroom.

Andrew is known to have smuggled women into the Palace using the codename 'Mrs Windsor' - and has been accused of turning his late mother the Queen's London home 'into a brothel'.

It came as the Daily Mail revealed that Andrew enjoyed a [unclothed] massage at Buckingham Palace - all paid for using a cheque from a Palace aide.

On another occasion another mystery woman had turned up unannounced for a late night visit to the divorced royal's 'private chambers'.

Former royal bodyguard Paul Page, who served from 1998 to 2004, said officers heard the then prince tear into one of his colleagues, who had denied the woman entry. She had asked them to call Andrew.

A night at the gates

Mr Page said: 'We could hear the conversation. He [Andrew] said: "Put one of the officers on." One of my colleagues took the phone.

He shouted at the top of his voice, "You listen to me, you fat, lardy-[expletive]. If you dont let my guest in, Im going to come down there."'

Mr Page, who has described Andrew as a 'bully' whose bedroom should have had a 'revolving door' for all the women who visited, said the team were in shock at the threats and felt they had to give in despite the lack of security clearance.

The young woman was apparently 'bright red with embarrassment' when she finally walked up to his chambers for a night with the then prince.

Page, who was jailed in 2009 for his part in a 3million property scam, said Andrew was the most unpopular member of the Royal Family with police stationed at the Palace, whose nickname for him was 'The [expletive]' because he was so rude.

Royal biographer and former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown shared the anecdote today to remind people why they should have no sympathy for Andrew following his arrest.

Four police forces

She wrote on her FRESH HELL Substack: If there is anyone deluded enough to feel sympathy for Andrew, I submit the anecdote Paul Page, Andrews onetime royal protection officer, told in a 2022 documentary. When a random party girl not listed on the official log showed up at the palace to visit Andrew and was asked to wait for security clearance, the portly prince apparently blasted one on the phone for not letting her through'.

Ms Brown, who was a friend of Princess Diana, said the image of a haggard Andrew leaving a police station last Thursday night on bail was a 'thrilling karmic win for the people versus Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor'.

The Epstein Files revealed that Andrew has been on the radar of US law enforcement for up to 15 years.

And there are new claims that one of the women who visited him at Buckingham Palace was trafficked by his financier friend Epstein.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has also submitted new evidence to at least four UK police forces in relation to 'trafficked girls and women' as he pushes for Andrew to face a wide investigation.

90 flights to the UK

Mr Johnstone told the Daily Mail: 'Andrew's arrest is not unexpected. His financial ties to Epstein are his legal weak spot.'

'Investigators will be using this as the basis to scrutinise his relationship with Epstein even further, and in doing so build a case that Andrew participated in some way in Epstein's trafficking operation.'

'His home can now be searched, and formal questions can now be put to him at interview'.

Richard Scorer, the head of abuse law at firm Slater and Gordon, said: 'If prosecutors build a case which convinces a jury that Andrew misused his position to have intercourse with young women, in my opinion he could be pursued on that basis.'

Police are being urged to launch a trafficking probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor amid claims a woman was flown in on Jeffrey Epstein's 'Lolita Express' and smuggled into Buckingham Palace using the codename 'Mrs Windsor'.

The financiera Boeing 727100 private jet, which he used to host orgies and traffic girls, landed around 90 times in the UK - including after his conviction for child offences in 2008, the Epstein Files reveal.

Stansted to the palace

Stansted, Britain's fourth busiest airport, was allegedly used as a hub to transfer victims from one Epstein plane to another.

It has been claimed that least one Epstein victim was flown into Britain on board and then taken to Andrew at Buckingham Palace.

The disgraced former Duke of York allegedly told aides: 'Mrs Windsor will arrive shortly, please let her in and show her up'.

Sources have claimed that other women would be whisked in to see him at his late mother and father's London home using the same coded requests and with no security clearance.

Police guarding him claim they were not allowed to ask who the women were - and feared raising it would lead to them losing their jobs.

Andrew has been linked to four women in the Epstein Files, along with Virginia Giuffre.

The Mail on Sunday revealed how Epstein took a young Romanian model to a private dinner at Buckingham Palace with his friend Andrew. Epstein said the royal thought she was 'beautiful', adding: 'No man looks at your clothes, they see through them.'

The Russian model

Andrew also invited Jeffrey Epstein and an 'enchanting' Russian model named Vera to dinner at Buckingham Palace during a trip to London.

Epstein also offered to introduce him to a 26-year-old Russian woman known as 'Irina' in August 2010.

The Sun reported there may be a fourth woman, brought in using the code Mrs Windsor.

Virginia Giuffre's allegations that she was forced to have intercourse with Andrew are also revealed in FBI documents released in the latest tranche of documents, although her name is redacted.

The Daily Mail today revealed how the shamed former prince snuck professional masseuse Monique Giannelloni into the late Queen's official residence after she was recommended to him by Ghislaine Maxwell.

Ms Giannelloni claims she was waved through into the Palace without any security checks before being taken up to Andrew's room where Andrew emerged from the bathroom completely unclothed before lying down on the massage chair.

South African Ms Giannelloni provided the Mail with an invoice showing Buckingham Palace settled the 75 bill directly from a Coutts account.

The rub down took place in June 2000 - a few months before the then Duke of York became UK Trade Envoy in 2001, a role that he held until 2011 when he was forced to stand down over his friendship with the billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein.

'He took the towel off fast'

Speaking exclusively to the Mail, Ms Giannelloni said: 'I got to the room and Andrew was stood there in a robe,' she said. 'After saying 'Hello', he disappeared to the bathroom and came back in the unclothed'.

'I averted my eyes and I was quite embarrassed.'

Ms Giannelloni said other than the initial embarrassment, she had no issues during the massage and that the then Duke was 'very nice and very gentlemanly'.

She added: 'I was so nervous I was in Buckingham Palace I was going through the motions and doing what I knew and if there was anything untoward I don't really remember noticing that except for the fact he took the towel off very fast.'

'I can't actually say anything bad about Prince Andrew in my experience on that day. I only massaged him once.'

The masseuse says she was first introduced to Andrew through Maxwell, who had somehow got hold of the masseurs' contact details.

She said: 'I first had a call from Ghislaine Maxwell's secretary in New York. At that stage I had a lot of high profile clients and it was all by word of mouth so I have no idea how she initially got my number.'

'She had wanted a late night massage but I had told her I don't do that so I went in the morning the next day.'

'When I went there, Jeffrey Epstein was also in the room the whole time and they were talking about purchasing some island for around 20million, which I thought was very strange and it was awkward that Epstein was just standing there.'

Gatehouse security failures

During one of the two appointments Ms Giannelloni had with Maxwell, the socialite told the masseur: 'I am going to introduce you to someone more famous than God.'

Shortly after, Ms Giannelloni received a call from the Duke of York's staff asking her to come to the Palace for the appointment.

'When I got a call from the Duke of York's officers I immediately thought of Ghislaine because of what she had said.'

'I didn't know who Ghislaine or Epstein were. I obviously knew Prince Andrew but at the time I had no idea about their associations or what they were involved in.'

'She said to me once: 'Don't you know who I am darling? You should read the tabloids I am a celebrity.''

The appointment with Andrew was quickly set up and Ms Giannelloni drove into Buckingham Palace, parked up her car and before being taken to the then Prince's room by a valet.

There were no personal security guards in the room or outside, according to Ms Giannelloni.

The cheque was signed off by the former Duke's then-personal assistant Charlotte Manley and was paid out of the Royal Family's Coutts account.

Contradicting the palace

The Royal Family receives a number of streams of income. This includes taxpayer funding from the Sovereign grant, profits from the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall, as well as personal private investments.

It comes as two whistleblowing former civil servants have claimed bills for Andrew's massages and luxury travel during his overseas sojourns as the nation's trade envoy were quietly dumped on taxpayers.

Whitehall officials were said to have been left horrified over Andrew's excessive spending on flights, hotel rooms and charges including spa treatments during his decade in the prestigious position.

The revelations flatly contradict statements previously made by Buckingham Palace which insisted, as Andrew's tenure came to an end in 2011, that he paid for 'all personal expenses' during trade trips.

One ex-civil servant said he was so appalled the public was footing the tab for Andrew's pampering that he had tried to block a payment for 'massage services' but was overruled by senior staff.

'I thought it was wrong I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,' he said about a claim that followed a visit by Andrew to the Middle East.

He said the department had missed an opportunity to check the royal's behaviour while trade representative by allowing such expenses to go through without question.

'I can't say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong,' says the retired civil servant.

Another source, a former senior Whitehall official who oversaw finances in that area, confirmed he too had also seen similar expenses for Andrew's trips.

Beyond the envoy

He told the BBC he had been shocked by the scale of Andrew's lavish spending as envoy, including excessive flights and unreasonable numbers of hotel rooms and charges for his entourage.

'I couldn't believe it it was like it wasn't real money, they weren't spending any of their own money,' said the senior official.

It is not the first time allegations have been made about the former royal having massages whilst working in his position as envoy.

During an official trip to Indonesia in 2011 the then-Prince enjoyed a 1,200-per-night stay at the Shangri-La Hotel and was given rose-petal massages by one of the staff members in Jakarta.

The massage therapist Ria, who had four appointments with the then-Duke, told The Mail on Sunday at the time: 'He was very friendly to me. I called him Sir at first because my English is not good and I find it difficult to say Your Royal Highness.'

'He told me, 'Just call me Andrew. I am Andrew here'.'

Air miles Andy

The former prince - whose love of luxury travel and private jets earned him the nickname 'Air Miles Andy' - is being investigated for misconduct in public office over allegations he exploited his role to leak confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein and other wealthy contacts.

His dramatic downfall, capped by his sensational arrest last week, will see the disgraced royal retreat to his new home on the Sandringham Estate with nothing more than a chef and a lone valet.

Andrew is accused of sharing sensitive information with financier Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.

He was dramatically arrested on Thursday at Sandringham before being questioned for hours at a local police station.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing over his friendship with Epstein.

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It has long been clear: the November 13, 2022, murders of four University of Idaho students were especially violent.

But now, seven months after Bryan Kohberger began his life in prison for the crimes, newly released autopsy findings lay bare the full horror of his attack for the first time.

In a killing rampage that investigators say lasted just 15 minutes, criminology PhD student Kohberger stabbed best friends Madison Mogen, 21, and Kaylee Goncalves, also 21, as well as 20-year-old couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin more than 150 times in total.

And, according to forensic psychologist Dr Gary Brucato, the wounds reveal far more than the sheer scale of the violence inflicted by Kohberger's Ka-Bar hunting knife.

Expert Suggests a Single Intended Target in Idaho Killings

Indeed, Brucato believes that the differences in the number and nature of wounds suffered by each victim finally offer insight into who Kohberger's likely intended target was - and the sexual fantasy he wanted to fulfil that awful night in Moscow, Idaho.

'This was a targeted psychosexual fantasy probably aimed at one individual in the house,' said Brucato, who co-led the creation of the Columbia University Mass Murder Database, one of the largest research projects examining psychological profiles of mass killers.

'But his intel failed him. So, when he got in there, he wound up committing a mass murder because he was not able to control everything as he expected.

'He overestimated himself and underestimated women.'

Investigators have previously said they do not believe Kohberger, now 31, intended to kill all four students that night. Instead, they think either Mogen or Goncalves may have been his initial target based in part on the fact that, after breaking into the off-campus student house, Kohberger went straight to the bedroom on the third floor where the two friends were sharing a bed.

After reviewing the autopsy findings, Brucato thinks that Mogen, who sustained fewer stab wounds than the other two women, was Kohberger's target.

Autopsy Details Reveal Brutality of the Attack

Brucato suggests that the other victims then disturbed what he characterized as a sexually motivated fantasy, triggering a more frenzied escalation in Kohberger's attack.

'You punish the ones who see you - the people who interrupt your fantasy,' Brucato explained.

Kohberger entered 1122 King Road through the rear sliding door into the kitchen on the second floor and proceeded upstairs to where Goncalves and Mogen were sleeping together in Mogen's bed after a night out.

Autopsy reports show that they both died from multiple sharp force injuries - but Goncalves also suffered asphyxial injuries and blunt force injuries to the head.

She was stabbed at least 38 times, including 24 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, 11 to the chest and three to the upper extremities. She also suffered punctures to the skull, injuries to her teeth and tongue, perforations of the subclavian artery and vein, and internal bleeding into the chest cavities.

Mogen sustained 28 stab wounds, including 13 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, and 10 incised wounds to the upper extremities, and five stab wounds to the chest.

Debate Over Wound Patterns and Intended Target

She suffered injuries to the lung and liver, perforations of the subclavian vein and artery, and blood vessels of the chest wall, an incision of the nasal septum and a perforated tongue.

Brucato acknowledged that some might interpret the higher number of wounds on Goncalves as evidence that she was the target.

'There is a school of thought that would say the person with more wounds might be the object of passion and therefore the target,' he said. 'So some people would think Kaylee was the target.

'But my belief is he went in and made a beeline for Maddie [Mogen], who was his target, and found Kaylee unexpectedly there.'

Brucato argues that the comparatively lower number of wounds on Mogen indicates that Kohberger attacked her first and in a more considered manner - and that Goncalves was assaulted more 'ferociously' after disrupting the plan.

'That's why you see so much rage towards Kaylee. I think Maddie was the primary target and Kaylee was not supposed to be there,' he said.

As well as the stab wounds, Goncalves suffered injuries believed to have been caused by something other than Kohberger's Ka-Bar knife.

Questions Raised Over Possible Second Weapon

Blunt force injuries, including scalp laceration, bleeding around the brain, nasal fracture, scrapes on the nose and cheeks, bruising around the eyes, and patterned bruises across the lower face were all noted in the autopsy.

Police reports have previously revealed that Goncalves's face was 'unrecognizable' following the attack, with Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson saying investigators could not rule out the possibility that a second weapon was used on the 21-year-old.

Brucato posits that some blunt-force injuries could have been caused by the bottom of the knife during a struggle.

Kohberger's decision to inflict such wounds to the women's faces may also have had symbolic significance.

'It can mean that the beauty of the person is what is infuriating to him. That he has profound insecurities about his looks and thinks that beautiful women are rejecting him. So he decimates the physical appearance in that way,' said Brucato, who also noted a more practical explanation.

'It can be almost reptilian,' Brucato said. 'Animals go for the neck or the head because of the rapidity to eliminate them. This could be someone who just wanted control and wanted to rapidly eliminate them.'

While Mogen and Goncalves were attacked while they slept, Kernodle was awake on the floor below, using TikTok and having just received a DoorDash food order minutes before the intruder entered.

Signs of Desperate Struggle Found at the Scene

She may have headed upstairs after hearing commotion and unfortunately interrupted Kohberger's attack, causing him to drop the leather Ka-Bar knife sheath later found on Mogen's bed - the item would become a critical piece of evidence after DNA on its clasp led police to the killer.

Kernodle was then stabbed 67 times, according to her autopsy, as Kohberger sought to 'eliminate the witness' and 'take control of an increasingly chaotic situation,' Brucato said.

Her wounds included 25 incised wounds to the upper extremities, 23 stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck, seven stab wounds to the chest and four to the abdomen, three incised and puncture wounds to the back, and five incised wounds to the lower extremities.

She also suffered punctures to the skull, perforations of the jugular vein, heart, lung and pulmonary blood vessels, hemorrhage into the chest cavities, wounds extending into the bones of the right hand, and scrapes and bruises to the face, torso and extremities.

Blood on the soles of Kernodle's feet indicate that she was stepping in her own blood as she desperately tried to fend off her attacker.

To Brucato, the horrifying number and distribution of her wounds suggests Kohberger's escalating fury.

'She made a mockery of his fantasy,' he explained. 'He went in there thinking he was going to destroy and dominate a woman and a woman saw him and fought with him. So he was furious with her.

'When a person becomes disorganized because the situation is out of their control, you see a frenzied thrashing out at a person who is fighting. This is a person who went in in the middle of the night, masked, having thought out all the science but, true to his personality, I think he didn't understand people.

'He went in there to target one person and was furious that his fantasy was not going as it was supposed to go.'

Fewer Wounds on Chapin Suggest Practical Elimination

Indeed, seeing a male, Chapin, sleeping in Kernodle's bed would have shattered his fantasy further. 'He had his initial target and then everybody else was not supposed to be there in his fantasy,' Brucato said.

Despite Chapin likely being the last victim, he had the fewest stab wounds, sustaining 17 in all: six incised wounds to the upper extremities; six stab and incised wounds to the lower extremities; four stab and incised wounds to the scalp, face and neck; and one stab wound to the upper chest; along with perforations of the jugular vein, subclavian vein and subclavian artery.

Brucato explained that this shows Kohberger's fury was aimed at women, whereas the man needed to be 'eliminated' in a more practical sense.

He said that there may be some explanation for the escalation of wounds found on the three women.

'Looking at the order in which we think the victims died - Maddie, Kaylee, Xana and Ethan - for the women, the numbers of injuries are increasing because it's getting more and more frenzied as he's moving away from the initial murder. He is losing control more and more so is attacking more intensely,' he said.

Investigators believe that Kohberger was surveilling the off-campus home in the lead-up to the murders to gain a sense of the neighborhood and the students' living patterns. He may have even entered 1122 King Road prior to that night.

Cell Phone Data Reveals Repeated Late-Night Surveillance

Cell phone data, revealed in court documents, placed him in the vicinity at least 23 times, mostly at night, between July 2022 and the murders on November 13, 2022.

Surviving roommates and friends told police about a string of unsettling incidents in the weeks before the murders, including Goncalves seeing a man watching her from the trees around the home when she took her dog Murphy outside.

Brucato believes that Kohberger meticulously planned his attack but the then-27-year-old was socially awkward and underestimated the victims - not understanding how people might respond in a life-or-death situation.

'He was probably obsessively watching his victim from afar and thought he knew everything about the movement of this foreign body - almost scientifically - but could never touch it. He could never have a conversation with her,' Brucato said.

'There's something odd about how he relates to human beings. He understands them in a mechanical, detached way, thinking of people almost like insects in a jar.'

Breaking in while the victims slept, Brucato said, all plays into his sexual fantasy.

'That's the whole symbolism of going in masked and while they were sleeping, and that's why you have to punish the ones who do see you. You punish the person who interrupted the fantasy - who saw you and you were nothing to them.'

It is a theory supported by Kohberger's internet searches, which focused on attacking and sexually assaulting sleeping girls.

Expert Suggests Possible Trophy-Taking or Body Posing

Digital forensics experts at Cellebrite, who analyzed Kohberger's devices, previously told the Daily Mail that he had searched for adult content, including non-consensual sexual acts. They found search terms such as 'sleeping', 'passed out', 'voyeur', 'forced', '[sexually assaulted]' and 'drugged'.

He also had a clear obsession with serial killers and home invasions, the review of his devices revealed.

Newly unsealed court documents have also raised questions about whether some of the victims' bodies were repositioned after death and whether the attacker attempted to clean up before fleeing.

These details remain contested but Brucato said that posing a body or taking a trophy can be done 'for arousal or so that you can remember it a certain way.'

All the evidence points to Kohberger having a 'sexually arousing' motivation to his crimes, Brucato concluded, adding that someone who kills to fulfil this type of fantasy will go on to murder again if not caught.

'When the motive is fantasy, you have to keep doing it to get the fantasy perfect. He was motivated like a serial killer,' Brucato said.

'I doubt that he had ever killed before but, let's just say, if he had not been captured, I have no doubt that after a period of time he would have had more victims - and I think he would have gotten better.'
Passersby were spotted shouting and heckling outside the home of Peter Mandelson on Tuesday hours after his arrest.

Flanked by suit-clad police officers, the disgraced former minister was led out of his 7.6million property in Camden and taken into custody shortly before 5pm on Monday.

Mandelson, 72, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office - just four days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was sensationally taken into custody on suspicion of the same offence.

Officers have been investigating allegations the politician leaked sensitive information to [child predator]financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary. Mandelson is understood to deny any wrongdoing.

He spent approximately nine hours being quizzed at Wandsworth Police Station before being granted police bail and returning home, appearing silent and downcast, soon after 2am.

Runners and cyclists were later heard shouting and heckling as they passed the property early on Tuesday morning.

Arrest Piles Pressure on Starmer

The dramatic development will heap pressure on Sir Keir Starmer, who approved Lord Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the United States in December 2024 despite longstanding controversy over his relationship with Epstein.

The Government have pledged to release documents relating to the controversial appointment. MPs were told that the first bundle would be published 'very shortly in early March'. But Mandelson's arrest at 4.15pm has now cast doubt over that timeline.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said officials were trawling through a vast quantity of material but intended to release the first tranche imminently.

He admitted it was 'clearly a process that will take some time' given the scale of the request and said documents were being reviewed to ensure publication would not damage 'national security or international relations'.

He added that Scotland Yard had advised against releasing some exchanges between Downing Street and the New Labour grandee for fear of prejudicing any potential prosecution.

Badenoch Demands Release of Mandelson Files

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'Mandelson's arrest is the defining moment of Keir Starmer's premiership.

'It wasn't long ago the PM looked me in the eye at PMQs and said he had 'full confidence' in Mandelson.

'Time to release the Mandelson files in full. We must know who knew what and when. No more delays.'

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Mike Wood claimed that 'the Government's progress moves with the urgency of a tired sloth on a Bank Holiday Monday'.

He added: 'It is time the Government stopped treating Parliament like an inconvenient interruption to their schedule, stopped giving every impression that they have priorities working out whose back to cover, and started providing some actual answers so that we can start to get to the bottom of this murky matter.'

Labour backbencher Andy McDonald referred to the peer as 'the lord of the files', saying: 'There are many people in this place and across the country who would not have touched Peter Mandelson with a bargepole and they're trying to get their head round why on earth this Government wasn't of the same view.'

Downing Street Denies Corners Were Cut in Mandelson Vetting

Downing Street denied reports that corners were cut in Mandelson's security vetting ahead of his Washington posting.

Although his clearance to access top-secret documents was reportedly fast-tracked within weeks rather than months, No 10 insisted full checks were completed.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'No part of the vetting process was skipped or removed. It is normal procedure for vetting sponsors to prioritise cases based on deployment deadlines.'

Police raids on Mandelson's homes followed the release of three million pages of documents by the US Department of Justice relating to Epstein.

Emails contained within the files are said to suggest that Mandelson, while business secretary and de-facto deputy prime minister to Gordon Brown, and Mountbatten-Windsor, as UK trade envoy, passed potentially sensitive information from official briefings to Epstein.

Documents released in the US indicate Mandelson may have disclosed details of potential policy measures  including an asset sales plan, a tax on bankers' bonuses and a bailout package for the euro  the day before public announcement in 2010. Gordon Brown has accused him of 'betrayal'.

Mandelson Denies Wrongdoing

Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing. Following revelations in the Epstein emails, the former minister without portfolio said he had 'no recollection' of receiving payments totalling $75,000 from Epstein between 2003 and 2004.

Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelson's husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009.

The peer has insisted he broke no laws and did not act for personal gain, though he has repeatedly expressed regret over his friendship with Epstein, which continued after the financier's 2008 conviction for soliciting [sexual acts] from a minor.

Last night a spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: 'A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

'He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

'This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

'We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.'
Fried rice fans are being warned to check their freezers after more than 3.3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice were recalled over fears the meals may contain tiny shards of glass.

The recall affects 20-ounce plastic bags of Trader Joe's frozen chicken fried rice sold at stores nationwide.

The items were made by food manufacturer Ajinomoto Foods North America, which also sold other similar prodcuts under its own brand to stores in Canada.

The Ajinomoto version comes in a carton of six bags labeled 'Yakitori Chicken with Japanese-Style Fried Rice.'

The products were produced between September 8 and November 17 last year, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which broke the news on Friday.

The issue came to light after the FSIS received four separate complaints about glass being discovered in the food.

There have been no confirmed reports of injuries tied to consumption of the dodgy dishes.

But authorities warn the items may still be lurking in freezers at retailers and in homes, and they're urging consumers to either chuck them in the bin or return them to the store for a refund.

More than 3.3 million pounds of frozen chicken fried rice are being yanked from freezers

The recall includes 20-ounce plastic bags of Trader Joe's frozen chicken fried rice - the kind featuring stir-fried rice, veggies, seasoned dark chicken, and eggs

So if you've got a bag of frozen fried rice hiding in the back of your freezer, now might be the time to check.

This isn't the first recall over fears of glass contamination.

An urgent recall was sent out in April for bread sold throughout the US that contained shards of glass.

The FDA issued the recall after being alerted by Upper Crust Bakery that glass fragments had been found on the top of their bread and rolls. The products were shipped to stores in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Hundreds of thousands of Ford drivers are being warned to check their mailboxes.

The car giant is recalling 412,774 Explorer SUVs across the US after discovering a suspension problem that could affect steering.

Federal safety officials say a rear suspension part - known as a toe link - can crack and break. If that happens, drivers could struggle to steer properly, raising the risk of a crash.

The recall covers 2017 to 2019 Ford Explorer models. Owners will receive notification letters in the coming weeks.

Ford dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the part free of charge.

The company estimates that about one percent of the recalled SUVs actually have the defect. Ford told the Daily Mail it is not aware of any injuries linked to the issue.

The Explorer recall comes as Ford announces another separate recall affecting 40,655 vehicles over battery problems and brake pedal defects that could also increase crash risk.

Owners can check for recalls via the Ford app or the company's recall page. Fords reference number for the Explorer recall is 26S08.

Ford recalls over 400,000 Explorer SUVs

Ford has faced mounting criticism over quality control in recent years. In 2025 alone, the company issued 152 recalls - more than any other automaker in a single year.

Previous issues include everything from engine part issues to seatbelt problems to door jams that trapped customers inside of their vehicles.

Ford says the high recall number is due to a 'tougher approach' towards improving vehicle quality.

Auto expert and World Car of The Year judge Lauren Fix told Daily Mail these safety problems can be 'concerning,' but recalls alone should not be a 'dealbreaker' when driving or choosing a car.

'What matters is how the company handles it and whether the specific model has a pattern of ongoing issues,' Fix said. 'Ford offers strong trucks and SUVs, broad dealer support, and competitive performance and electrified options.'

'Like many automakers navigating new technology and supply chain pressures, it has faced quality challenges in certain models,' she added.

Ford previously told the Daily Mail that around half of its recalls are resolved without requiring a trip to the dealership.

The company has made an effort to improve technical operations on its factory line by adding AI and parts screenings, to catch parts problems before they even reach customers.

Client at a Ford dealership tests Explorer interior

Explorers are one of Ford's most popular vehicle models, known for their spacious interior and family appeal.

But comfort doesn't always come cheap. A new Explorer Active 100A has a starting cost of $38,465, while an Explorer ST can cost customers $54,905 or more.

The Explorer is typically among the best selling SUVs in the US along with the Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, and Tesla Model Y.

Most of Ford's vehicles - more than 75 percent - are assembled in the US. That includes the Ford Explorer, manufactured in Chicago, Illinois.
Spirit Airlines is planning to cut back routes and shrink its fleet as it works through its second bankruptcy in less than a year.

The budget carrier told a US bankruptcy court today that it plans to reduce its routes and aircraft to lower costs and keep operating.

The company said that by late spring or early summer, it hopes to exit the Chapter 11 protection it entered into in August last year.

The good news for travelers is that Spirit is still flying and selling tickets.

But passengers should expect fewer routes and less frequent service in some cities, along with possible schedule changes as planes are removed from the fleet.

The airline is also expected to continue focusing on ultra-low base fares while charging extra for add-ons.

As part of the plan, Spirit will get rid of more aircraft, including some of its newer Airbus jets, and rely more heavily on older planes. The final size of its fleet will depend on ongoing talks with aircraft lessors and lenders.

The company says these fleet cuts alone will reduce annual aircraft costs by about $550 million - roughly 65 percent lower than before its first bankruptcy filing in 2024. It is also targeting another $300 million in other cost reductions.

Spirit is moving to cut routes and shrink its fleet during bankruptcy proceedings

Spirit has already furloughed pilots and flight attendants and trimmed its network. Some crew members were briefly called back ahead of the busy spring break season, but the long-term plan is for a smaller operation overall.

The airline has faced multiple setbacks over the past two years.

A major engine recall from Pratt & Whitney grounded a number of planes. A proposed merger with JetBlue Airways was blocked by a federal judge in early 2024.

At the same time, costs for labor and operations surged after COVID, and more travelers began choosing airlines that offer more perks - even if the base fare is higher.

Spirit has also held talks with Frontier Airlines and investment firm Castlelake during its restructuring, though no deal has been announced.

Spirit says emerging from bankruptcy will put it in a 'position of strength.'

It has also signaled that future merger talks could return once it stabilizes.

Based in Florida and known for its bright yellow planes, Spirit first filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2024 after years of losses, failed merger talks and heavy debt.

Dave Davis, chief executive of Spirit Airlines, is leading the budget carrier through its latest bankruptcy restructuring as it works to shrink its fleet and cut costs

Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection last month for the second time in a year

It was the first major US airline to seek Chapter 11 since 2011. The airline emerged from the first bankruptcy in March 2025 after creditors approved its restructuring plan and wiped out all existing shares, hitting ordinary investors.

But fresh financial problems forced Spirit to file again just a few months later in August 2025 - marking its second in under a year.

Shortly after, the carrier said it was axing flights to and from 12 cities, including Albuquerque, Birmingham, Boise, Chattanooga, Columbia, Portland, Salt Lake City, Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento and San Jose.

Then, in November, it went further by slashing a quarter of its flights as it scrambled to cut costs and keep flying.
Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AKBTY  Get Free Report)s share price rose 1.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $4.24 and last traded at $4.14. Approximately 84,808 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,006% from the average daily volume of 7,668 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.0850.

Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi Trading Up 1.3%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $3.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $3.22.

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Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi (OTCMKTS:AKBTY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.17. Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi had a net margin of 7.56% and a return on equity of 21.46%. The business had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.52 billion.

Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi Company Profile

Akbank Turk Anonim Sirketi is a leading Turkish banking institution headquartered in Istanbul, offering a comprehensive range of financial products and services to corporate, commercial and retail clientele. Established in 1948, the bank has built a reputation for stability and innovation in Turkeys banking sector, serving as a key intermediary for both domestic and international customers.

The banks principal business activities encompass corporate and commercial lending, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financing, consumer and retail banking, private banking, and wealth management services.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAR  Get Free Report) and Lomiko Metals (OTCMKTS:LMRMF  Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, valuation and institutional ownership.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

49.2% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by institutional investors. 19.8% of Lithium Americas (Argentina) shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Lomiko Metalss gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A N/A -$15.23 million ($0.50) -14.34 Lomiko Metals N/A N/A -$2.69 million ($0.06) -1.58

Lithium Americas (Argentina) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Lomiko Metals, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Lomiko Metals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Lithium Americas (Argentina) N/A -2.15% -1.67% Lomiko Metals N/A -11.45% -10.78%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and Lomiko Metals, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Lithium Americas (Argentina) 1 2 4 2 2.78 Lomiko Metals 0 0 0 0 0.00

Lithium Americas (Argentina) presently has a consensus target price of $7.44, suggesting a potential upside of 3.79%. Given Lithium Americas (Argentina)s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Lithium Americas (Argentina) is more favorable than Lomiko Metals.

Summary

Lithium Americas (Argentina) beats Lomiko Metals on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Lithium Americas (Argentina)

(Get Free Report)

Lithium Argentina AG, a resource and materials company, focuses on advancing lithium projects in Argentina. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province; and the Pastos Grandes project located in Salta Province of Argentina. The company was formerly known as Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. and changed its name to Lithium Argentina AG in January 2025. Lithium Argentina AG was incorporated in 2007 is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.

About Lomiko Metals

(Get Free Report)

Lomiko Metals Inc. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of resource properties in Canada. It explores for graphite and lithium deposits. The company's flagship project is its 100% owned La Loutre graphite property located in Laurentian region of Quebec. The company was formerly known as Lomiko Resources Inc. and changed its name to Lomiko Metals Inc. in October 2008. Lomiko Metals Inc. was incorporated in 1987 and is based in Surrey, Canada.

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AUB Group (ASX:AUB) reported a strong first half of FY2026, pointing to organic profit growth, expanding margins, and an upgraded full-year profit outlook as the company continued to invest in acquisitions and technology initiatives, including a broad rollout of artificial intelligence tools across the group.

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First-half earnings and guidance upgrade

CEO and Managing Director Mike Emmett said the first-half result reinforces the durability of the model AUB has built, highlighting three themes: resilience, capital discipline, and positioning for the future. Underlying net profit after tax (UNPAT) rose 13.9% to AUD 90.4 million, with underlying margin expanding to 33.9%. Earnings per share increased in line with UNPAT to AUD 0.7754.

Revenue increasedfor the half and EBIT margins expanded, which management attributed to operating leverage and cost discipline across the portfolio rather than a favorable market backdrop. Emmett said AUB has delivered first-half EPS growth of 17.8% per annum compounded over the past four years, spanning multiple premium-rate and interest-rate environments.

Following the first-half performance and acquisitionsmost notably PrestigeAUB upgraded its FY2026 UNPAT guidance to AUD 220 million to AUD 230 million, representing growth of 9.9% to 14.9% over FY2025. The board declared an interim dividend of AUD 0.27 per share, up 8% on the prior corresponding period, which the company said reflected confidence in earnings and balance sheet strength.

Divisional performance: strength across most units, New Zealand decline

Emmett said the portfolio effect was evident across the half: International, BizCover, Australian Broking, and Agencies delivered good revenue, margin, and profit before tax growth, while New Zealand profits declined.

Australian Broking: Average income per client increased 7.8% , which management said was notable given premium rate increases have moderated to low single digits over the past year. Broking margins expanded to 37.7% despite lower interest income, which Emmett attributed partly to improved operating efficiency. He described the division as structurally strong and highly cash generative, with continued opportunities for equity stake increases in partners and selective consolidation.

Average income per client increased , which management said was notable given premium rate increases have moderated to low single digits over the past year. Broking margins expanded to despite lower interest income, which Emmett attributed partly to improved operating efficiency. He described the division as structurally strong and highly cash generative, with continued opportunities for equity stake increases in partners and selective consolidation. BizCover: Revenue grew 13.3% and EBIT increased 22.1% , with meaningful margin expansion. Management highlighted the Blaze technology rollout as improving onboarding efficiency and product integration and helping BizCover launch new capacity and products faster.

Revenue grew and EBIT increased , with meaningful margin expansion. Management highlighted the Blaze technology rollout as improving onboarding efficiency and product integration and helping BizCover launch new capacity and products faster. Agencies: Revenue increased 10.8% and margins expanded to 42.4% . Specialty lines performed strongly and Pacific Indemnity was said to have integrated well, while the Strata business remained challenging and weighed on results. Profit commissions rebounded strongly after a weaker prior corresponding period.

Revenue increased and margins expanded to . Specialty lines performed strongly and Pacific Indemnity was said to have integrated well, while the Strata business remained challenging and weighed on results. Profit commissions rebounded strongly after a weaker prior corresponding period. New Zealand: Profits fell 10.9% on a constant-currency basis. Emmett cited broader economic and operating challenges in New Zealand and the cost of a market share push that didnt deliver anticipated results, with impacts most evident in ICIB BrokerWeb and NZbrokers. The company said remediation initiatives are underway, alongside strategy reshaping, tighter cost control, and accelerated portfolio optimization, while acknowledging near-term performance is muted.

Profits fell on a constant-currency basis. Emmett cited broader economic and operating challenges in New Zealand and the cost of a market share push that didnt deliver anticipated results, with impacts most evident in ICIB BrokerWeb and NZbrokers. The company said remediation initiatives are underway, alongside strategy reshaping, tighter cost control, and accelerated portfolio optimization, while acknowledging near-term performance is muted. International: The company reported strong profit growth, driven by wholesale cost initiatives, retail startups gaining traction, and recent acquisitions contributing, despite foreign exchange headwinds. Emmett reiterated internationalparticularly UK retailas an important growth area over the next few years.

Prestige acquisition: accelerating UK retail strategy

Emmett described the Prestige acquisition as strategically significant, saying it meaningfully advances AUBs UK retail strategy in a large and fragmented market. He said AUB has been deliberately assembling a UK platform with retail broking, appointed representative networks, MGA capabilities, and wholesale expertise, rather than attempting to replicate the Australian model quickly.

According to management, Prestige brings a national retail presence, regional brands, insurer relationships, and experienced leadership, and is culturally aligned with AUB. Emmett emphasized that scale in retail broking improves leverage with insurers, operating efficiency, and competitive positioning, and enhances resilience through diversification. He also highlighted the role of owning or investing in MGA capability to improve margin mix and strategic flexibility, particularly when insurer appetite tightens.

On synergies, management said expected benefits were primarily cost-relatedsuch as middle and back-office scale, technology rationalization, procurement efficiencies, and removal of duplicated corporate costswhile taking a deliberately conservative approach by excluding revenue synergies.

Later in the call, Emmett said the company received FCA clearance for the investment late last week and expects the acquisition to settle on or before 1 May.

Capital position, leverage, and risk exposures

New CFO Nick (formally appointed ahead of the presentation) detailed the groups funding position and sensitivities. He said the leverage ratio rose from 1.97x to 2.49x at the end of calendar year 2025 following a AUD 239 million increase in total debt, used to fund acquisitions including an additional 30% interest in Pacific Indemnity and a further 6% interest in AUB 360, as well as the final earn-out payment related to Pacific Indemnity.

In January, AUB completed an AUD 400 million institutional equity raise and secured an additional AUD 200 million debt facility. These funds are intended to be applied primarily to the AUD 432 million Prestige acquisition, with surplus directed to repay existing debt. On a pro forma basis, after transaction and hedging costs, available cash and undrawn funding increases to AUD 300 million and leverage reduces to 2.41x.

Nick also noted AUD 500 million of existing syndicated facilities mature in January 2027, and the company intends to begin refinancing discussions in March. He said interest-earning assets are broadly aligned with look-through debt and are predominantly floating rate, but flagged mismatches in currency composition: 24% of interest-earning assets are denominated in US dollars while AUB has no US dollar-denominated debt, and Australian dollar debt exceeds Australian dollar interest-earning assets by about AUD 360 million at December 2025.

On FX exposure, Nick said the most material sensitivity relates to unhedged US dollar brokerage income from international operations, while GBP exposure is largely neutral after the US dollar to GBP hedging program. He said approximately $36 million of US dollar brokerage income remains unhedged in the second half of FY2026. A 1% move in the average realized AUD/USD exchange rate versus the outlook assumption would imply about a plus or minus 0.3% movement in the midpoint of second-half UNPAT guidance.

AI rollout: productivity tools and a pending BizCover ChatGPT app

Emmett said AUB has implemented or is in the process of implementing more than 35 AI solutions across BizCover, retail, agencies, and wholesale, aimed at improving service speed and quality. He positioned AI as a growth enabler and operational accelerator, intended to augmentnot replacebroker expertise by reducing administrative tasks and improving technical precision, including policy comparisons and identification of wording gaps.

One highlighted initiative was a BizCover ChatGPT app, which management said has been lodged for review and approval and is awaiting OpenAI approval for release. Emmett said the app would allow micro-SME clients to explore commercial insurance options through natural language interaction, compare quotes, and bind policies via a link to BizCover. He added that similar functionality will also be delivered through an AI voice agent planned for launch in coming months to extend call center capacity and operating hours, and that capabilities will be released to brokers as part of the rollout of a new Australian broking platform.

In Q&A, Emmett said the app does not provide advice, emphasizing regulatory accountability remains with the license holder and that the tool is intended to provide fact-based comparisons. He also said early AI initiatives were not at the scale yet to attribute directly to margin performance, but could help the company reach margin targets faster by enabling parallel automation where technology capacity had previously constrained deployment.

About AUB Group (ASX:AUB)

The Company is focused on insurance broking, underwriting agency and risk management businesses.

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Avantor, Inc. (NYSE:AVTR  Get Free Report) Director Gregory Lucier bought 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $9.16 per share, with a total value of $458,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 50,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $458,000. This trade represents a  increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink.

Avantor Stock Down 1.6%

Avantor stock traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $8.89. 11,904,095 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 14,384,350. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a current ratio of 1.78. The company has a market cap of $6.06 billion, a PE ratio of -11.40, a P/E/G ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $11.19 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.10. Avantor, Inc. has a 12 month low of $8.83 and a 12 month high of $18.02.

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Avantor (NYSE:AVTR  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.21 by $0.01. Avantor had a negative net margin of 8.09% and a positive return on equity of 10.45%. The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.27 EPS. Avantors revenue was down 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. Avantor has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.770-0.830 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Avantor, Inc. will post 1.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Avantor

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AVTR. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Avantor by 119.1% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,187 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,189 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of Avantor by 46.2% in the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 2,769 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 875 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC acquired a new stake in Avantor in the 2nd quarter valued at about $32,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Avantor during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Avantor by 60.9% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 2,810 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,064 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.08% of the companys stock.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America lowered Avantor from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $13.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Avantor from $16.00 to $14.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 13th. Citigroup dropped their price target on shares of Avantor from $13.00 to $11.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Evercore set a $10.00 price target on Avantor in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a neutral rating and issued a $12.00 price target (down previously from $14.00) on shares of Avantor in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Avantor has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $11.83.

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About Avantor

(Get Free Report)

Avantor, Inc (NYSE:AVTR) is a global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. The company delivers essential solutions that support research, development, production and safety applications. Its product portfolio spans from high-purity chemicals and reagents to biologics and cell culture media, as well as lab equipment, consumables and custom manufacturing services.

Avantors offerings are organized across two primary segments.

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Wall Street Zen cut shares of Banco Santander Brasil (NYSE:BSBR  Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report published on Monday.

Separately, Weiss Ratings raised Banco Santander Brasil from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Banco Santander Brasil Stock Down 4.6%

Banco Santander Brasil Announces Dividend

Shares of BSBR stock opened at $6.73 on Monday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $6.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $5.90. Banco Santander Brasil has a 1-year low of $4.26 and a 1-year high of $7.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.13, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

The business also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.1001 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 22nd.

Institutional Trading of Banco Santander Brasil

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BSBR. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in Banco Santander Brasil during the 1st quarter worth $46,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 553.9% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,997 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 5,927 shares during the period. Savant Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander Brasil during the second quarter worth about $123,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Banco Santander Brasil during the second quarter worth about $70,000. Finally, Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil in the 2nd quarter worth about $94,000. Institutional investors own 14.53% of the companys stock.

About Banco Santander Brasil

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Banco Santander Brasil SA is the Brazilian unit of Spain-based Grupo Santander and one of the countrys major commercial banks. Headquartered in Sao Paulo, the bank serves a broad client base across Brazil through an integrated network of branches, ATMs and digital channels. Its shares are represented abroad via American Depositary Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BSBR.

The bank offers a full range of financial products and services for retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate clients.

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Calix (ASX:CXL) executives highlighted strong first-half FY2026 revenue growth, tighter cost control, and a series of commercialization milestones across its core business lines during the companys half-year results briefing. Management also reiterated its focus on social inclusion and sustainability, positioning decarbonization technology development alongside a growing magnesia products business.

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First-half financial performance: revenue growth and lower cash burn

CFO Darren described the first half as delivering strong revenue growth, focused business delivery, and significant commercial milestones. The company reported AUD 15.8 million of revenue in its magnesia business, up 48% from the prior corresponding period, and noted that sustainable processing contributed revenue for the first time. Darren said total products and services revenue was AUD 16.3 million, up 21% year over year.

Gross margin improved to 40% in the first half of FY2026 from 37% a year earlier. The company recorded AUD 6.7 million of gross profit, up 37%, with magnesia gross profit up 52% year over year.

Calix also emphasized reduced cash use and operating expenses. Net cash used in operating activities fell 65% to AUD 6.2 million (from close to AUD 18 million in the prior period). Operating expenditure declined 30% to AUD 15.6 million. Darren said savings were achieved across sales and marketing, research and development, and administrative expenses.

On capital spending, management characterized Calix as capital-light, stating that aside from consolidating its share of spending for the Mid-Stream project, the company spent about AUD 600,000 on CapEx in the half. Darren noted that while accounts recognized AUD 7.1 million of CapEx, AUD 6.5 million of that was Calixs share of spending at the Mid-Stream joint venture, and Calix did not actually tip any additional capital into the Mid-Stream Project in the first half of FY2026.

Darren also addressed a one-off non-cash impairment charge tied to the companys decision to sell its share of the Mid-Stream UJV to Pilbara Minerals (PLS). He said the impairment effectively reversed non-cash gains of just under AUD 30 million recorded over the last two and a half years, following the announcement that Calix would receive AUD 11.4 million in cash under the sale.

Magnesia: strong growth and a new U.S. contract ramping up

Management repeatedly pointed to the magnesia business as a key near-term growth driver, describing performance as incredibly strong. Darren said Calix secured a new contract worth up to AUD 10 million of additional annual revenue with a major U.S. agriculture customer, with a three-year term and a two-year extension option. He emphasized that the contract had zero impact on first-half FY2026 results, with deliveries only beginning in recent weeks.

In Q&A, management said the contract is expected to ramp over a couple of months and reach a full run-rate in the second quarter of the calendar year, but it would not contribute the full AUD 10 million in the second half of the fiscal year. Calix said it continues to pursue additional U.S. water-related and similar opportunities, noting long sales cycles for multi-year contracts but low customer churn once accounts are won.

In Australia and New Zealand, the company cited renewed and expanded contracts with the City of Gold Coast and Unitywater. Management also said it is completing a new manufacturing facility on the Sunshine Coast to service Unitywater, describing the related CapEx as relatively minimal.

Sustainable processing: iron and steel, alumina, and lithium milestones

CEO Phil and the team outlined progress across sustainable processing markets where Calixs kiln/furnace platform technology is being developed for industrial decarbonization.

Iron and steel (ZESTY): Calix reiterated ARENA support of AUD 44.9 million for the ZESTY opportunity, subject to match funding and milestones. Phil said a major milestone was Rio Tinto joining as a strategic partner, committing over AUD 35 million in cash and in-kind. Calix said it is seeking additional financing at the subsidiary level and targeting a final investment decision (FID) this year, while declining to provide a definitive timing. Management also said ZESTY could be flexible on reductants, including natural gas reforming as an interim option if green hydrogen supply is delayed.

Calix reiterated ARENA support of AUD 44.9 million for the ZESTY opportunity, subject to match funding and milestones. Phil said a major milestone was Rio Tinto joining as a strategic partner, committing over AUD 35 million in cash and in-kind. Calix said it is seeking additional financing at the subsidiary level and targeting a final investment decision (FID) this year, while declining to provide a definitive timing. Management also said ZESTY could be flexible on reductants, including natural gas reforming as an interim option if green hydrogen supply is delayed. Alumina (ZEAL): Calix announced a partnership with Norsk Hydro, described as operating the largest alumina refinery outside China. Phil said Calix expects over $1 million in paid materials testing and development work and that the work has commenced using materials from Hydros Alunorte refinery in Brazil.

Calix announced a partnership with Norsk Hydro, described as operating the largest alumina refinery outside China. Phil said Calix expects over $1 million in paid materials testing and development work and that the work has commenced using materials from Hydros Alunorte refinery in Brazil. Lithium and the Mid-Stream Project: Calix discussed the restructuring with Pilbara Minerals, which includes the planned sale of Calixs share of the Mid-Stream UJV in return for AUD 11.4 million cash (subject to final documentation). Phil said the company viewed the deal as strengthening its balance sheet and accelerating the path to commissioning and demonstrating its first electric calciner at scale. He said Calix retains upside via 20% of any royalties applied to third-party use, while Pilbara Minerals receives a royalty-free license for its own development. Phil also stated construction of the Mid-Stream project was complete and on budget, with commissioning decisions in Pilbara Minerals hands, and Calix will be paid market rates for engineering and testing work.

Leilac and carbon dioxide removal: progress and delays

Calix reported progress in its Leilac (Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement) portfolio alongside acknowledged delays in certain projects.

Phil said Calix completed a pre-FEED study for Project ZETA, a lime calciner project in South Australia supported by grant funding, and the company would like to progress it toward FID with project-level equity or financing. He also highlighted a new paid study with Frontierdescribed as a group of large U.S. corporations including Google, Stripe, Shopifywith a contract value of over $500,000. Phil said the work relates to using Calix technology to decarbonize lime and other carbonates for ocean alkalinity as a carbon dioxide removal pathway, with potential follow-on phases if initial work is successful.

On Leilac-2, management said the project continues to face permitting and financing issues and is now delayed with no clear line of sight to resolution. Phil described a complex, multi-level German permitting process requiring detailed redesign and resubmission cycles, and said the company is exploring an option to move Leilac-2 to another site with fewer permitting challenges.

Phil also said the company had not yet heard back from the U.S. Department of Energy regarding Leilac Full Scale and alumina-related matters that were previously under review, and that Calix is looking to convert parts of its pipeline elsewhere given U.S. delays. Management said the pipeline remains over 85 projects, while noting it is not actively seeking to add more projects.

Cash outlook and capital strategy

Looking ahead, Darren said Calix expected to be cash flow neutral in calendar year 2026, driven by continued revenue and gross profit growth, reduced operating costs, and lower CapEx requirements. He also flagged anticipated one-off receipts during calendar 2026, including government grants (including ARENA payments), a second cash payment from Rio Tinto subject to milestones, and R&D tax incentives from the U.K. government.

After the Mid-Stream UJV sale proceeds, management said the additional AUD 11.4 million would further strengthen liquidity. Executives also reiterated their approach of raising capital for major demonstration projects at the subsidiary levelrather than at the Calix head company levelwhile maintaining a capital-light model focused on licensing and royalties for scaling deployment.

About Calix (ASX:CXL)

Calix Limited, an environmental technology company, provides industrial solutions to address global sustainability challenges in Australia, Europe, the United States, and South East Asia. Its solutions include ACTI-Mag for biogas and wastewater; AQUA-Cal+, a water conditioner for shrimp farming and lake remediation; BOOSTER-Mag, an agricultural solution for increased yield, fertilizer usage, insect/pest management, and fungal control; and low emissions intensity lime and cement (LEILAC) for cement and lime companies to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions.

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China Mengniu Dairy (OTCMKTS:CIADY  Get Free Report)s stock price fell 12.4% during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $20.77 and last traded at $20.77. 577 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average session volume of 8,844 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.70.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Zacks Research upgraded shares of China Mengniu Dairy from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold.

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China Mengniu Dairy Trading Down 2.6%

China Mengniu Dairy Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The companys 50-day moving average is $20.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $19.66.

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China Mengniu Dairy Company Limited is one of the largest dairy product manufacturers in China, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The company focuses on the production, processing and sale of a wide range of dairy products, leveraging modern dairy farming practices and vertically integrated operations to maintain quality and food safety standards.

Its product portfolio includes fresh liquid milk, UHT milk, yogurt, ice cream, milk powder and cheese, marketed under well-known brands such as Mengniu, Ambrosial and Yashili (in select segments).

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DPM Metals Inc. (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $41.00 and last traded at $41.00, with a volume of 25443 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.22.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on DPMLF shares. National Bank Financial reissued an outperform rating on shares of DPM Metals in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Zacks Research raised DPM Metals from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reiterated a neutral rating on shares of DPM Metals in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating on shares of DPM Metals in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, DPM Metals currently has an average rating of Buy.

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DPM Metals Stock Up 4.4%

The firms 50 day moving average price is $34.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.09 billion and a PE ratio of 21.22.

DPM Metals (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.77 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $352.43 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $308.77 million. DPM Metals had a return on equity of 26.95% and a net margin of 38.85%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that DPM Metals Inc. will post 1.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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Dundee Precious Metals Inc (OTCMKTS:DPMLF) is a Canadabased precious metals producer with a focus on gold and copper mining. The companys primary operations are located in southeastern Europe, where it owns and operates the Chelopech mine, a highgrade goldcoppersilver underground mine in Bulgaria. In addition to goldcopper production at Chelopech, Dundee Precious Metals is advancing the Krumovgrad gold project, also in Bulgaria, which is expected to further diversify its output and extend the companys production profile.

At Chelopech, Dundee Precious Metals employs a conventional flotation process to recover gold, copper and silver from sulphide ores.

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Home BancShares, Inc. (NYSE:HOMB  Get Free Report) has received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seven analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $32.60.

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Home BancShares in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Home BancShares from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, January 31st. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $35.00 price target (up from $34.00) on shares of Home BancShares in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $31.00 price target on Home BancShares in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Home BancShares from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, January 19th.

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Home BancShares Stock Performance

Shares of HOMB stock opened at $28.25 on Friday. Home BancShares has a 12-month low of $24.22 and a 12-month high of $30.83. The company has a market capitalization of $5.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.72 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The businesss 50 day moving average is $28.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $28.45.

Home BancShares (NYSE:HOMB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.60. The company had revenue of $282.09 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $272.48 million. Home BancShares had a net margin of 32.18% and a return on equity of 11.16%. The firms revenue was up 9.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.50 EPS. Analysts expect that Home BancShares will post 2.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Home BancShares Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 11th will be given a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 11th. Home BancSharess dividend payout ratio is 34.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Home BancShares

In related news, Director Donna Townsell sold 5,563 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, January 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.38, for a total transaction of $157,877.94. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 218,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,199,894.80. The trade was a 2.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in Home BancShares by 3.6% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 440,497 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,453,000 after purchasing an additional 15,259 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Home BancShares by 82.7% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 276,814 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,826,000 after buying an additional 125,301 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Home BancShares by 19.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 11,804 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $336,000 after buying an additional 1,930 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Home BancShares by 20.2% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 16,815 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $479,000 after buying an additional 2,826 shares during the period. Finally, R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Home BancShares during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $251,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.31% of the companys stock.

About Home BancShares

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Home BancShares, Inc is a bank holding company based in Conway, Arkansas, operating through its primary subsidiary, Home Bank, National Association. Founded in March 1999, the company provides a comprehensive suite of banking services to individuals, small and middle-market businesses, and public entities. These services encompass deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, mortgage origination and servicing, treasury management, and wealth management solutions.

The companys core products include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and money market accounts, as well as a variety of loan offerings such as commercial real estate financing, equipment loans, agricultural lending, and residential mortgages.

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Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE:GWRE  Get Free Report) CEO Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.50, for a total value of $150,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 229,543 shares in the company, valued at approximately $28,807,646.50. This trade represents a 0.52% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Michael George Rosenbaum also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, February 17th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.00, for a total value of $152,400.00.

On Monday, February 2nd, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $140.01, for a total transaction of $168,012.00.

On Monday, January 26th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.32, for a total transaction of $192,384.00.

On Tuesday, January 20th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.26, for a total transaction of $187,512.00.

On Tuesday, January 13th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,200 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.87, for a total transaction of $217,044.00.

On Monday, December 29th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,400 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.95, for a total transaction of $286,930.00.

On Monday, December 22nd, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,400 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.72, for a total transaction of $281,008.00.

On Tuesday, December 16th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 6,015 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.08, for a total value of $1,155,361.20.

On Monday, December 15th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,400 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.34, for a total value of $286,076.00.

On Monday, December 8th, Michael George Rosenbaum sold 1,400 shares of Guidewire Software stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.87, for a total value of $295,218.00.

Guidewire Software Stock Performance

GWRE traded down $5.66 during trading on Monday, hitting $122.00. The stock had a trading volume of 1,538,935 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,638,741. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 3.48 and a quick ratio of 3.48. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $165.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $205.38. Guidewire Software, Inc. has a one year low of $120.37 and a one year high of $272.60. The firm has a market cap of $10.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 116.19, a P/E/G ratio of 8.23 and a beta of 1.06.

Guidewire Software ( NYSE:GWRE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The technology company reported $0.66 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.66. The firm had revenue of $332.64 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $316.62 million. Guidewire Software had a return on equity of 10.15% and a net margin of 7.23%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 26.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.43 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Guidewire Software, Inc. will post 0.52 EPS for the current year.

Guidewire Software announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, January 8th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 3.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in GWRE. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Guidewire Software during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Guidewire Software in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Guidewire Software during the third quarter worth $29,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Guidewire Software in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on GWRE. BTIG Research dropped their price target on shares of Guidewire Software from $225.00 to $175.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Guidewire Software from $250.00 to $210.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Citizens Jmp reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $281.00 price objective on shares of Guidewire Software in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Guidewire Software from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Eleven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $259.77.

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About Guidewire Software

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Guidewire Software, Inc develops software products and cloud services for property and casualty (P&C) insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the companys offerings are designed to help insurers manage the core functions of their businesspolicy administration, billing and claimswhile supporting digital engagement, analytics and operational modernization.

Guidewires core product portfolio is commonly known as the InsuranceSuite, which includes PolicyCenter for policy administration, BillingCenter for billing and receivables, and ClaimCenter for claims management.

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American Airlines Group, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Air Lease are the five Airline stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Airline stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary business is passenger and/or cargo air transportation, including major carriers, regional airlines, and low-cost carriers. For investors they tend to be cyclical and sensitive to factors such as fuel prices, economic growth, travel demand, labor costs and regulation, so performance often depends on load factors, capacity management and balance-sheet leverage. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Airline stocks within the last several days.

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American Airlines Group (AAL)

American Airlines Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. The company provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., as well as through partner gateways in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, and Tokyo.

Delta Air Lines (DAL)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo.

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United Airlines (UAL)

United Airlines Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides air transportation services in North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company transports people and cargo through its mainline and regional fleets. It also offers catering, ground handling, flight academy, and maintenance services for third parties.

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Southwest Airlines (LUV)

Southwest Airlines Co. operates as a passenger airline company that provides scheduled air transportation services in the United States and near-international markets. As of December 31, 2023, the company operated a total fleet of 817 Boeing 737 aircraft; and served 121 destinations in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as ten near-international countries, including Mexico, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos.

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Air Lease (AL)

Air Lease Corporation, an aircraft leasing company, engages in the purchase and leasing of commercial jet aircraft to airlines worldwide. It sells aircraft from its fleet to third parties, including other leasing companies, financial services companies, airlines, and other investors. The company provides fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios.

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LG Display (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued on Sunday.

LPL has been the subject of several other research reports. Zacks Research downgraded LG Display from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of LG Display in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, LG Display currently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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LG Display Price Performance

LPL stock opened at $4.87 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $4.19 and a 200-day moving average of $4.50. The company has a market cap of $4.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.65, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.73, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. LG Display has a 12-month low of $2.43 and a 12-month high of $5.67.

LG Display (NYSE:LPL  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The electronics maker reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.17 by ($0.41). The firm had revenue of $5.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5 billion. LG Display had a net margin of 0.98% and a return on equity of 3.26%. As a group, equities analysts expect that LG Display will post 0.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new stake in shares of LG Display during the third quarter worth about $7,862,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its position in LG Display by 114.6% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,948,975 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $10,174,000 after acquiring an additional 1,040,826 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in LG Display by 92.1% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 776,354 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $3,268,000 after acquiring an additional 372,199 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LLC raised its holdings in LG Display by 125.0% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 633,970 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $2,667,000 after acquiring an additional 352,248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of LG Display by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,510,470 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $5,166,000 after purchasing an additional 161,409 shares during the period.

LG Display Company Profile

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LG Display Co, Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is a global manufacturer of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. The company designs and produces display solutions for a wide range of applications, including televisions, desktop monitors, notebook computers, tablets, smartphones, signage and automotive screens. Its product offerings span large-screen television modules, ultra-high definition monitors, flexible and transparent OLED displays, and specialized industrial panels.

LG Display operates a network of production facilities and research centers across Asia, including major manufacturing sites in Paju and Gumi, South Korea, as well as Wuhan, China.

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AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO  Free Report)  Investment analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for AGCO in a research note issued on Thursday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $1.50 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.33. The consensus estimate for AGCOs current full-year earnings is $4.20 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AGCOs Q4 2026 earnings at $2.21 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.57 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.42 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $9.59 EPS.

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A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on AGCO. Citigroup increased their price target on AGCO from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of AGCO from $93.00 to $105.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $128.00 price target on shares of AGCO in a report on Friday, February 6th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of AGCO from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of AGCO from $123.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $122.73.

AGCO Trading Down 1.9%

NYSE AGCO opened at $135.14 on Monday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $116.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $111.21. AGCO has a one year low of $73.79 and a one year high of $143.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

AGCO (NYSE:AGCO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.32. AGCO had a return on equity of 9.39% and a net margin of 7.21%.The firm had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.67 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.97 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 1.1% compared to the same quarter last year. AGCO has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.500-6.000 EPS.

Institutional Trading of AGCO

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AGCO by 1,721.4% in the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 255 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. purchased a new stake in AGCO in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in AGCO by 951.9% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 284 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. boosted its holdings in AGCO by 3,725.0% during the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 306 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new stake in shares of AGCO in the 3rd quarter worth $33,000. 78.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at AGCO

In related news, SVP Kelvin Eugene Bennett sold 2,300 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.04, for a total value of $315,192.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 16,844 shares in the company, valued at $2,308,301.76. This represents a 12.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AGCO Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. AGCOs payout ratio is presently 11.90%.

About AGCO

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AGCO Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision farming solutions. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, the company markets a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, including Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Challenger, Valtra and GSI, serving farmers and producers in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Through an extensive dealer network, AGCO provides equipment tailored to a broad range of crop and livestock operations.

The companys product offerings span tractors, combine harvesters, hay and forage tools, application equipment, seeding and tillage implements, as well as grain storage and protein solutions.

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Granite Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Sweetgreen, Inc. (NYSE:SG  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 316,994 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,530,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in SG. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in shares of Sweetgreen by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 15,981 shares of the companys stock worth $238,000 after acquiring an additional 877 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Sweetgreen by 98.2% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,129 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 1,055 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey boosted its holdings in shares of Sweetgreen by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 23,212 shares of the companys stock valued at $345,000 after purchasing an additional 1,209 shares in the last quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. increased its stake in shares of Sweetgreen by 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. now owns 39,912 shares of the companys stock valued at $594,000 after purchasing an additional 1,870 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors llc acquired a new position in shares of Sweetgreen during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. 95.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Barclays raised their price objective on Sweetgreen from $5.00 to $7.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Oppenheimer set a $10.00 price objective on Sweetgreen in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (e+) rating on shares of Sweetgreen in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and set a $8.00 price target on shares of Sweetgreen in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Sweetgreen from $6.00 to $8.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.76.

Sweetgreen Price Performance

NYSE SG opened at $5.40 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $639.55 million, a P/E ratio of -5.57 and a beta of 1.92. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.62 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.32. Sweetgreen, Inc. has a one year low of $4.99 and a one year high of $27.15.

About Sweetgreen

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Sweetgreen, Inc is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in salads, grain bowls and warm bowls that emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Since its founding in 2007 by Jonathan Neman, Nicolas Jammet and Nathaniel Ru, Sweetgreen has focused on sustainable agriculture, working with regional farmers across the United States to provide seasonal produce and promote environmentally responsible sourcing practices. The companys menu features a variety of plant-forward options, including custom-build salads, chef-curated bowls and limited-time offerings that reflect changing harvests.

Sweetgreen operates a technology-driven service model that combines in-store experiences with digital ordering through its mobile app and website.

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Masco (NYSE: MAS) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms:

2/12/2026  Masco had its market perform rating reaffirmed by analysts at BMO Capital Markets. They now have a $77.00 price target on the stock.

2/12/2026  Masco had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $71.00 to $84.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

2/11/2026  Masco had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Oppenheimer Holdings, Inc.. They now have a $88.00 price target on the stock.

2/11/2026  Masco was given a new $78.00 price target on by analysts at Evercore Inc.

2/11/2026  Masco was downgraded by analysts at Zelman & Associates to a hold rating.

2/11/2026  Masco was given a new $82.00 price target on by analysts at Robert W. Baird.

2/11/2026  Masco had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $78.00 to $85.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

2/11/2026  Masco had its price target raised by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $67.00 to $74.00. They now have a sector perform rating on the stock.

2/5/2026  Masco was upgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating.

1/22/2026  Masco had its hold (c+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

1/14/2026  Masco had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $75.00 to $78.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

1/9/2026  Masco had its sector perform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada. They now have a $67.00 price target on the stock.

1/8/2026  Masco had its price target lowered by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $72.00 to $71.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

Masco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This is a boost from Mascos previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Mascos payout ratio is 33.25%.

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Masco Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded home improvement and building products. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, the company has evolved from a small doorbell manufacturer into a diversified enterprise serving both residential and commercial markets. Over its history, Masco has grown through a combination of organic innovation and strategic acquisitions, building a portfolio of well-recognized brands.

The companys product offerings are organized into two primary segments.

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Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR  Get Free Report)s share price shot up 3.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $7.20 and last traded at $7.1950. 39,177,086 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 2% from the average session volume of 40,135,230 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.96.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Archer Aviation in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their target price on shares of Archer Aviation from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $10.00 price target on shares of Archer Aviation in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Archer Aviation in a research report on Monday, December 1st. They set a neutral rating and a $11.00 price target on the stock. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Archer Aviation from $10.00 to $8.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $12.17.

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View Our Latest Report on Archer Aviation

Archer Aviation Stock Up 3.4%

Insider Transactions at Archer Aviation

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $7.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $8.92. The company has a quick ratio of 18.19, a current ratio of 18.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.69 billion, a P/E ratio of -5.71 and a beta of 3.12.

In other Archer Aviation news, CTO Thomas Paul Muniz sold 125,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.00, for a total transaction of $1,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief technology officer owned 1,272,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,177,032. The trade was a 8.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 7.65% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Archer Aviation

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. AlphaQuest LLC increased its holdings in shares of Archer Aviation by 1,181.6% during the second quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 2,576 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 2,375 shares in the last quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new position in Archer Aviation in the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust raised its position in Archer Aviation by 45.9% in the third quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 3,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 986 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Archer Aviation by 105.3% during the second quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,318 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,702 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Archer Aviation during the third quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.34% of the companys stock.

About Archer Aviation

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Archer Aviation, Inc (NYSE: ACHR) is a California-based aerospace company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to serve as sustainable urban air mobility solutions. Founded in 2018 by Adam Goldstein and Brett Adcock, Archer focuses on the design, development and certification of zero-emissions air taxis aimed at reducing traffic congestion in densely populated metropolitan areas. The companys flagship prototypes, Maker and Midnight, have been engineered to deliver quiet, efficient short-haul flights with ranges of up to 100 miles per charge.

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Archer operates a manufacturing facility in nearby Santa Cruz County and maintains research partnerships with automotive and energy companies, including a collaboration with Stellantis to integrate advanced battery systems.

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Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS) reported adjusted first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of CAD 2.7 billion, or CAD 2.05 per share, as management pointed to strong revenue growth, margin expansion, and expense discipline that offset higher impaired provisions for credit losses (PCLs) in a challenging operating environment.

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On the banks earnings call, President and CEO Scott Thomson said adjusted EPS rose 16% year-over-year, while return on equity improved to 13%, up 120 basis points. The banks CET1 ratio was 13.3%, even after repurchasing 4.9 million shares in the quarter under its current normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Thomson said the banks capital deployment priorities remain investing in organic growth first, followed by share buybacks.

Management highlights: ROE path, technology and AI investment

Thomson said Scotiabanks ROE is tracking ahead of its Investor Day expectations, increasing confidence in reaching aHe described key levers as improved business mix in Canadian Banking, risk-adjusted margin expansion in Canadian and International Banking, rollout of global transaction banking capabilities, and fee income growth and productivity enhancements.

He also emphasized ongoing technology investment, including increased focus on AI. Thomson cited Ask AI, an internal tool used for employee policy and product guidance, which processed over 450,000 queries in Q1 across multiple channels. He also referenced a Tangerine AML AI pilot that showed a 37% reduction in existing alert volumes, with the bank now designing an internal solution to improve precision and reduce false positives.

Financial performance: revenue up 11%, productivity ratio improves

Chief Financial Officer Rajagopal Viswanathan said results were discussed on an adjusted basis excluding the loss on the sale of Colombia and Central America operations and the usual amortization of acquisition-related intangibles. On that basis, the bank posted:

Revenue up 11% year-over-year

Net interest income up 13% , with net interest margin up 27 basis points driven by higher business line margins and lower funding costs

, with net interest margin up driven by higher business line margins and lower funding costs Non-interest income up 10% on higher wealth and trading-related revenues and positive FX translation

on higher wealth and trading-related revenues and positive FX translation Expenses up 7% , reflecting seasonally higher personal costs, volume-driven compensation, and advertising/development to support growth

, reflecting seasonally higher personal costs, volume-driven compensation, and advertising/development to support growth Positive operating leverage of 4.2% and a productivity ratio of 52%, an improvement of 200 basis points

Viswanathan said the banks technology-related spend was approximately CAD 1.3 billion in the quarter, up CAD 38 million year-over-year. The effective tax rate increased to 25.7% from 23.8%, which he attributed primarily to lower income in lower-tax jurisdictions and higher withholding taxes paid during the quarter.

On capital, management cited approximately 15 basis points of capital generated from the Davivienda transaction. Viswanathan also noted capital usage tied to model and methodology updates and share repurchases, and said the bank remains committed to maintaining strong capital ratios.

Segment results: Canadian Banking, Wealth, GBM and International Banking

Canadian Banking delivered adjusted earnings of CAD 960 million, up 5% year-over-year, with return on equity of 18.1%. Viswanathan said net interest income rose 3% on loan growth and margin expansion, and fee and commission income increased 8% on higher mutual fund fees, FX fees, and credit card revenues. Deposits declined 2% year-over-year, as growth in day-to-day and savings deposits was more than offset by lower term deposits. Thomson highlighted 5% year-over-year demand deposit growth, doubled retail mutual fund net sales versus the prior year, and CAD 2.4 billion in retail referrals to wealth, up 19%.

Global Wealth Management posted earnings of CAD 488 million, up 18%, with ROE of 17.9%. Viswanathan said spot assets under management rose 10% year-over-year to CAD 436 billion, and assets under administration increased 8% to over CAD 800 billion. Thomson said net sales were CAD 1.8 billion, the sixth consecutive quarter of positive net flows, and pointed to 18% year-over-year earnings growth in international wealth, including 45% growth in Mexico driven by mutual fund and brokerage fee revenue.

Global Banking and Markets (GBM) generated earnings of CAD 545 million, up 5%, with ROE of 14.3%. Revenue increased 11%, supported by stronger capital markets revenues, higher trading-related revenues, and higher underwriting and advisory fees. Management discussed significant margin expansion, which executives attributed to disciplined pricing and lower deposit costs relative to asset yield declines. GBM head Travis Machen said the bank has been managing asset betas and deposit betas and focusing on total client relationships rather than loan-only relationships.

International Banking delivered earnings of CAD 717 million, up 8% year-over-year on a constant-dollar basis and excluding divested operations, with ROE of 16%. Net interest margin was 454 basis points, up 27 basis points year-over-year on lower funding costs as central bank rates declined. Deposits rose 4% year-over-year, while loans fell 1%, reflecting lower non-retail balances offset by retail loan growth. International Banking head Francisco Aristeguieta said the quarter showed resiliency, with expense performance consistently better than expected, and said the segment is pivoting toward growth while remaining mindful of uncertainty in emerging markets.

Credit quality: impaired PCLs elevated; guidance reiterated

Chief Risk Officer Shannon McGinnis said impaired loan loss provisions remained elevated amid heightened macroeconomic uncertainty. All-bank PCLs were approximately CAD 1.2 billion, with performing PCLs of three basis points and impaired PCLs of 58 basis points (including divestiture impacts). Excluding divestitures, PCLs were approximately CAD 1.1 billion or 60 basis points, and impaired PCLs were 56 basis points, up six basis points quarter-over-quarter.

McGinnis said about half of the quarterly increase in impaired PCLs was driven by three GBM accounts, with the balance driven by Canadian retail. She also said allowances for credit losses increased by over CAD 200 million quarter-over-quarter to approximately CAD 7.2 billion, and the ACL ratio rose to 94 basis points.

Management reiterated prior guidance that impaired PCLs are expected to remain elevated in the first half of the year and then improve in the latter half, while cautioning that the pace of improvement depends on macro conditions. Executives also discussed portfolio trends:

In Canadian retail, mortgage 90+ day delinquency rose, which McGinnis attributed to COVID-era mortgages concentrated in Ontario and the GTA, though she said the uninsured portfolio has low average loan-to-value of about 55% and the bank does not expect material losses.

and the bank does not expect material losses. In unsecured lending, she said stress is visible among younger, single-product cohorts, but 30+ day delinquency in credit cards and unsecured lines of credit showed sequential improvement.

in credit cards and unsecured lines of credit showed sequential improvement. In GBM, she said impaired provisions remained lumpy, but the portfolio is concentrated in investment-grade exposures and the three files were not related to private credit.

In response to questions on Mexico, executives said the bank is not actively participating in resort financing and characterized its exposure as limited to working capital facilities tied to merchant acquiring services for large hotel operators.

Looking ahead, Thomson said the banks first-quarter performance increased managements confidence in delivering the full-year outlook provided last quarter, while executives continued to frame macroeconomic conditions as the key variable influencing credit outcomes and the pace of ROE expansion.

About Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS)

Bank of Nova Scotia, commonly known as Scotiabank, is a Canadian multinational banking and financial services company founded in 1832 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It is one of Canadas largest banks and provides a broad range of financial services to retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. The bank combines a domestic Canadian franchise with an extensive international presence to serve customers across multiple markets.

Scotiabanks core activities include personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, capital markets, and global transaction banking.

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Generation Investment Management LLP lowered its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 28.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,984,672 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after selling 774,635 shares during the period. Becton, Dickinson and Company makes up approximately 2.5% of Generation Investment Management LLPs portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest holding. Generation Investment Management LLPs holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company were worth $371,471,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 32,455,790 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $6,074,750,000 after buying an additional 147,041 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 7.5% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 9,150,584 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,712,715,000 after purchasing an additional 636,138 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 59.2% in the 2nd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 8,786,190 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,513,421,000 after purchasing an additional 3,268,478 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,723,702 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,153,157,000 after purchasing an additional 244,199 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $653,377,000. 86.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on BDX shares. Barclays began coverage on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. They issued an overweight rating and a $202.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $170.00 target price (down from $205.00) on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $190.00 to $175.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $233.00 to $232.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $195.46.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Bertram L. Scott sold 953 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.61, for a total value of $174,027.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 36,763 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,713,291.43. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael David Garrison sold 1,610 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $207.46, for a total value of $334,010.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 12,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,509,228.70. This represents a 11.75% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 3,416 shares of company stock worth $675,557. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Trading Down 0.7%

BDX opened at $184.16 on Tuesday. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 12-month low of $127.59 and a 12-month high of $186.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.44 billion, a PE ratio of 30.04, a P/E/G ratio of 13.44 and a beta of 0.25. The firms fifty day moving average price is $197.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $192.46.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.81 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.15 billion. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a net margin of 8.01% and a return on equity of 15.76%. The companys revenue was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.43 EPS. Becton, Dickinson and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 12.350-12.650 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 14.43 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.05 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 68.52%.

Becton, Dickinson and Company declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Tuesday, January 27th that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the medical instruments supplier to purchase up to 0% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells a broad range of medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. BDs products are used by healthcare institutions, clinical laboratories, life science researchers and the pharmaceutical industry to enable safe, effective delivery of care, specimen collection and diagnostic testing. The companys operations span multiple business areas focused on medical devices, life sciences research tools and interventional technologies.

BDs product portfolio includes single-use medical devices such as syringes, needles, needlesafety and injection systems, infusion therapy and medication management solutions, as well as vascular access, urology and oncology devices acquired through its interventional business.

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British Smaller Companies VCT (LON:BSV  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as GBX 70 and last traded at GBX 70, with a volume of 24937 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 74.50.

British Smaller Companies VCT Stock Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of GBX 74.77 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 75.25. The company has a market capitalization of 261.39 million, a P/E ratio of 19.18 and a beta of 0.02.

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British Smaller Companies VCT (LON:BSV  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The company reported GBX 0.42 EPS for the quarter. British Smaller Companies VCT had a net margin of 66.78% and a return on equity of 3.73%.

British Smaller Companies VCT Company Profile

British Smaller Companies VCT plc is a venture capital trust specializing in investments in early stage, mid and late venture, later stage, recapitalizations, growing capital-consuming businesses, acquisition funding and business development in mature, VCT qualifying and non-qualifying unquoted and quoted companies listed on alternative investment market and ISDX. It is an evergreen fund. It seeks to invest in firms that have business services, manufacturing, industrial, healthcare, software, Information Technology, telecommunications, retail and brands.

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Canadian Natural Resources, Celsius, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Canadian National Railway, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, TC Energy, and Bank Of Montreal are the seven Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of ownership in companies incorporated or operating primarily in Canada, typically listed and traded on Canadian exchanges such as the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) or the TSX Venture Exchange. For investors they provide exposure to the Canadian economyoften with heavy weightings in resources and financialsand carry considerations like Canadian-dollar currency risk, domestic regulatory and tax rules, and prevailing dividend practices. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days.

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Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO).

Celsius (CELH)

Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CELH

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CP

Canadian National Railway (CNI)

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM)

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CM

TC Energy (TRP)

TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses.

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Bank Of Montreal (BMO)

Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through Canadian P&C, U.S P&C, BMO Wealth Management, and BMO Capital Markets segments. The companys personal banking products and services include deposits, mortgages, home lending, consumer credit, small business lending, credit cards, cash management, financial and investment advice, and other banking services; and commercial banking products and services comprise various of financing options and treasury and payment solutions, as well as risk management products.

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Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT  Get Free Report) and United Development Funding IV (OTCMKTS:UDFI  Get Free Report) are both real estate companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and United Development Funding IVs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Medical Properties Trust -28.50% -5.83% -1.85% United Development Funding IV N/A N/A N/A

Insider & Institutional Ownership

71.8% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.5% of United Development Funding IV shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Medical Properties Trust 1 0 1 0 2.00 United Development Funding IV 0 0 0 0 0.00

This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Medical Properties Trust and United Development Funding IV, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus target price of $8.00, suggesting a potential upside of 37.46%. Given Medical Properties Trusts stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Medical Properties Trust is more favorable than United Development Funding IV.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and United Development Funding IVs revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Medical Properties Trust $933.52 million 3.75 -$277.05 million ($0.46) -12.65 United Development Funding IV N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

United Development Funding IV has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Medical Properties Trust.

Summary

Medical Properties Trust beats United Development Funding IV on 6 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Medical Properties Trust

(Get Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed to capitalize on the changing trends in healthcare delivery by acquiring and developing net-leased healthcare facilities. MPTs financing model allows hospitals and other healthcare facilities to unlock the value of their underlying real estate in order to fund facility improvements, technology upgrades, staff additions and new construction. Facilities include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and other medical and surgical facilities.

About United Development Funding IV

(Get Free Report)

United Development Funding IV invests in secured loans for the acquisition and development of land into single-family home lots, and the construction of model and new single-family homes. It also makes equity investments in residential real estate. The company has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust. As a result, it would not be subject to corporate income tax on that portion of its net income that is distributed to shareholders. United Development Funding IV was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Grapevine, Texas.

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Cronos Group (TSE:CRON  Get Free Report) has been given a C$4.50 price objective by analysts at TD Securities in a report issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. TD Securities price target indicates a potential upside of 19.68% from the companys current price.

Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group set a C$4.25 target price on Cronos Group and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$4.38.

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Cronos Group Trading Up 3.9%

About Cronos Group

TSE:CRON traded up C$0.14 on Tuesday, hitting C$3.76. 67,932 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 162,264. The companys 50-day moving average price is C$3.68 and its 200 day moving average price is C$3.60. Cronos Group has a 52 week low of C$2.27 and a 52 week high of C$4.66. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 24.01 and a current ratio of 24.24.

(Get Free Report)

Cronos Group, headquartered in Toronto, Canada cultivates and sells medicinal and recreational cannabis through its medicinal brand, Peace Naturals, and its two recreational brands, Cove and Spinach. Although it primarily operates in Canada, Cronos exports medical cannabis to Poland and Germany. In addition, it has entered joint ventures in Israel, Colombia, and Australia to drive further international cultivation and distribution growth. In the U.S. the company directly sells hemp-derived CBD and has an option to acquire 10.5% of U.S.

Further Reading

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Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $39.78 and last traded at $39.3550, with a volume of 38967 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.72.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of Deutsche Telekom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Deutsche Telekom currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Deutsche Telekom Price Performance

About Deutsche Telekom

The business has a fifty day moving average of $33.85 and a 200-day moving average of $33.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $193.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.43.

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Telekom AG is a leading European telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The firm provides a broad range of telecommunications and information technology services for consumer, business and wholesale customers. Its core activities include fixed-line and mobile voice services, broadband internet access, television services and a suite of enterprise IT and network solutions.

Deutsche Telekom offers consumer products under well-known retail brands in its home market and across Europe, and operates extensive mobile networks including 4G and 5G infrastructure.

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Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, February 23rd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.295 per share by the auto parts company on Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th.

Douglas Dynamics has raised its dividend by an average of 0.0%per year over the last three years. Douglas Dynamics has a dividend payout ratio of 51.1% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect Douglas Dynamics to earn $1.64 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.18 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 72.0%.

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Douglas Dynamics Stock Performance

Shares of PLOW traded up $2.65 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $45.29. 108,405 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 195,513. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 2.01. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $37.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.26. Douglas Dynamics has a 12 month low of $21.30 and a 12 month high of $45.69.

More Douglas Dynamics News

Douglas Dynamics ( NYSE:PLOW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The auto parts company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.06. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.18% and a net margin of 6.82%.The firm had revenue of $184.54 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $169.95 million. Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.850 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Douglas Dynamics will post 1.3 earnings per share for the current year.

Here are the key news stories impacting Douglas Dynamics this week:

About Douglas Dynamics

(Get Free Report)

Douglas Dynamics, Inc is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of snow and ice removal equipment for commercial, municipal and residential markets. The companys product portfolio encompasses a wide range of truck-mounted plows, spreaders, salt brine systems and related accessories engineered to perform in challenging winter conditions. Its offerings cater to professional snow contractors, government agencies and retail customers seeking reliable solutions for snow and ice management.

Douglas Dynamics markets its products under several well-known brands, including Fisher Engineering, Western Products, Hiniker Company and Buyers Products.

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Element Fleet Management (OTCMKTS:ELEEF  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.33 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by ($0.01), Zacks reports.

Element Fleet Management Trading Up 0.8%

ELEEF traded up $0.21 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $25.22. The company had a trading volume of 84,117 shares, compared to its average volume of 42,134. Element Fleet Management has a 52 week low of $18.59 and a 52 week high of $27.57. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $25.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.08.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ELEEF. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating on shares of Element Fleet Management in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Element Fleet Management to a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Element Fleet Management in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have issued a Buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

About Element Fleet Management

(Get Free Report)

Element Fleet Management (OTCMKTS:ELEEF) is a leading global fleet management company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It provides comprehensive fleet leasing and management solutions for corporate and public sector clients, aiming to optimize vehicle acquisition, utilization and disposal strategies. The company focuses on delivering customizable programs that enhance operational efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles across diverse industries.

Elements service portfolio encompasses full-service leasing and financing, maintenance management, policy administration, telematics and data analytics, fuel management and end-of-lease remarketing.

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ENGIE  Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:ENGIY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $31.93 and last traded at $31.57, with a volume of 10294 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $31.25.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ENGIY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Berenberg Bank raised shares of ENGIE to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of ENGIE in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research raised shares of ENGIE from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of ENGIE in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of ENGIE from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ENGIE

ENGIE Price Performance

About ENGIE

The business has a fifty day moving average of $28.44 and a 200 day moving average of $24.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09.

(Get Free Report)

ENGIE is a Paris-headquartered multinational energy company engaged across the value chain of electricity and natural gas, along with associated infrastructure and services. The company develops, builds and operates power generation assets (including gas-fired plants and an expanding portfolio of renewable generation such as wind, solar and hydro), trades and markets energy commodities, and supplies energy to industrial, commercial and residential customers. ENGIE also provides energy infrastructure and networks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and a range of energy services including energy efficiency, facility management and distributed energy systems.

The group traces its modern corporate roots to the 2008 combination of Gaz de France and Suez, and subsequently adopted the ENGIE name in 2015 as part of a strategic repositioning.

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First American Trust FSB acquired a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (NYSEARCA:GCAL  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 51,224 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,598,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in GCAL. Richards Merrill & Peterson Inc. bought a new position in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF during the third quarter worth approximately $76,000. Magnus Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $228,000. Weaver Consulting Group bought a new position in Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $435,000. Planned Solutions Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF by 41.3% during the third quarter. Planned Solutions Inc. now owns 11,206 shares of the companys stock worth $568,000 after buying an additional 3,273 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF by 234.4% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 21,986 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,093,000 after acquiring an additional 15,412 shares during the period.

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Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF Stock Up 0.1%

NYSEARCA:GCAL opened at $51.59 on Tuesday. Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF has a 52 week low of $47.72 and a 52 week high of $51.59. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $51.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $50.79.

Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF Cuts Dividend

Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF Profile

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 6th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 2nd were given a $0.1546 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd.

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Dynamic California Municipal Income ETF (GCAL) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in broad credit fixed income. The fund seeks a high level of current income by investing in municipal securities exempt from federal and California state income tax. The actively managed fund mainly holds investment grade bonds with a two- to eight-year duration GCAL was launched on Jul 23, 2024 and is issued by Goldman Sachs.

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First American Trust FSB lessened its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 43.9% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 24,883 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 19,465 shares during the period. First American Trust FSBs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $5,882,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 40.4% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,312 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $546,000 after buying an additional 665 shares during the period. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. increased its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 0.5% during the second quarter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. now owns 20,606 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $4,741,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC increased its position in Union Pacific by 22.1% during the 2nd quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 1,787 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $411,000 after buying an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Union Pacific by 2.0% in the second quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,470 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $2,179,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Interchange Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in Union Pacific by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,168 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $269,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. 80.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $245.00 price objective on Union Pacific in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Union Pacific from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating and set a $285.00 price objective (up from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Union Pacific from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $260.14.

Union Pacific Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE UNP opened at $263.82 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $156.55 billion, a PE ratio of 22.04, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.98. Union Pacific Corporation has a 12 month low of $204.66 and a 12 month high of $267.81. The companys 50-day moving average price is $239.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $230.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.

Union Pacific (NYSE:UNP  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $6.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. Union Pacifics quarterly revenue was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.91 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Union Pacific Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $1.38 per share. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Union Pacifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.12%.

About Union Pacific

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacifics core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western twothirds of the United States.

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First Financial Bankshares Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (NYSE:MLM  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 3,414 shares of the construction companys stock, valued at approximately $2,152,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of MLM. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Martin Marietta Materials by 31.9% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,340,677 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,284,938,000 after buying an additional 565,856 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $233,811,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 9.6% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,204,425 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,389,428,000 after acquiring an additional 192,637 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 1.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,442,945 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $4,691,139,000 after acquiring an additional 93,595 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Martin Marietta Materials by 2.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,825,325 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,550,990,000 after acquiring an additional 56,353 shares during the period. 95.04% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group upped their target price on Martin Marietta Materials from $705.00 to $723.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Martin Marietta Materials in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Truist Financial set a $710.00 target price on Martin Marietta Materials in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on Martin Marietta Materials from $605.00 to $575.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Martin Marietta Materials from $670.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Martin Marietta Materials has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $690.69.

Martin Marietta Materials Stock Performance

Martin Marietta Materials stock opened at $684.16 on Tuesday. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $441.95 and a fifty-two week high of $710.97. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $652.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $629.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 3.57 and a quick ratio of 2.36. The company has a market cap of $41.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.62 and a beta of 1.16.

Martin Marietta Materials (NYSE:MLM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The construction company reported $4.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.81 by ($0.19). Martin Marietta Materials had a net margin of 17.38% and a return on equity of 10.86%. The firm had revenue of $1.53 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.79 EPS. The firms revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will post 19.53 EPS for the current year.

Martin Marietta Materials Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a $0.83 dividend. This represents a $3.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Martin Marietta Materialss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.66%.

About Martin Marietta Materials

(Free Report)

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc (NYSE: MLM) is a leading producer of aggregates and heavy building materials serving the construction and infrastructure markets. The company operates quarries, sand and gravel pits, and other extraction sites to supply crushed stone, sand and gravel, and a range of valueadded products for use in roads, bridges, commercial and residential construction, and other civil engineering projects.

In addition to its core aggregates business, Martin Marietta manufactures and sells asphalt, readymixed concrete and related materials and services.

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First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK  Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $303.09 and traded as high as $309.00. First National Bank Alaska shares last traded at $309.00, with a volume of 353 shares trading hands.

First National Bank Alaska Stock Up 0.7%

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $303.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $285.21.

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First National Bank Alaska (OTCMKTS:FBAK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The financial services provider reported $6.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $58.36 million during the quarter. First National Bank Alaska had a return on equity of 14.98% and a net margin of 29.19%.

First National Bank Alaska Announces Dividend

About First National Bank Alaska

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd were paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 561.0%. First National Bank Alaskas payout ratio is currently 65.36%.

(Get Free Report)

First National Bank Alaska is a communityoriented financial institution headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. Established in 1922, the bank has grown to serve individuals, businesses and institutions across Alaska through a network of branch offices and digital channels. As an OTCtraded company, it offers broad commercial and consumer banking services tailored to the unique economic and geographic needs of the state.

The banks consumer banking operations include checking and savings accounts, personal loans, mortgages and online banking solutions.

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Fortis Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) by 78.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,850 shares of the companys stock after selling 42,870 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Management LLCs holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $658,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NVO. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 2,101.5% in the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 2,383,176 shares of the companys stock valued at $132,242,000 after purchasing an additional 2,274,925 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 101.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,475,300 shares of the companys stock worth $170,845,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,467 shares in the last quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 54.8% in the 3rd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 2,642,498 shares of the companys stock valued at $146,644,000 after buying an additional 935,468 shares during the period. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP increased its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 11.7% in the 2nd quarter. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP now owns 6,192,636 shares of the companys stock valued at $427,416,000 after buying an additional 649,390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 42.6% during the 2nd quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,476,673 shares of the companys stock worth $101,920,000 after buying an additional 441,034 shares during the period. 11.54% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Down 16.3%

Shares of NYSE:NVO opened at $39.68 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $53.56 and its 200 day moving average is $53.23. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12-month low of $39.34 and a 12-month high of $93.80. The stock has a market cap of $177.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.43 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.

Novo Nordisk A/S Dividend Announcement

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $12.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.97 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 68.91% and a net margin of 33.03%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Investors of record on Monday, March 30th will be given a dividend of $1.2751 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 541.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 30th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 23.63%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have commented on NVO. Nordea Equity Research cut Novo Nordisk A/S to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Novo Nordisk A/S has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $56.07.

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Novo Nordisk A/S News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week:

About Novo Nordisk A/S

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.

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Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. (NYSE:GAB  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 1,127,764 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 54% from the previous sessions volume of 732,554 shares.The stock last traded at $6.2150 and had previously closed at $6.17.

Gabelli Equity Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $6.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.10.

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Gabelli Equity Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 9.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th.

Insider Activity at Gabelli Equity Trust

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, insider Mario J. Gabelli acquired 500,000 shares of Gabelli Equity Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 26th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $10.00 per share, for a total transaction of $5,000,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider owned 500,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,000,000. This represents a  increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of GAB. Focus Partners Wealth acquired a new position in Gabelli Equity Trust during the 1st quarter worth $121,000. Moloney Securities Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Gabelli Equity Trust in the second quarter worth about $92,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Gabelli Equity Trust by 761.9% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 457,149 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,661,000 after purchasing an additional 404,110 shares during the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC boosted its stake in Gabelli Equity Trust by 11.7% during the 2nd quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 31,486 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $183,000 after purchasing an additional 3,300 shares during the period. Finally, Midwest Trust Co acquired a new stake in Gabelli Equity Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $307,000. 7.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Gabelli Equity Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Gabelli Equity Trust, Inc (NYSE: GAB) is a closed-end management investment company focused on generating long-term capital appreciation through an actively managed portfolio of primarily U.S.-listed equity securities. Incorporated in Delaware, the Trust pursues a value-oriented approach, leveraging intensive fundamental research to identify small- and mid-cap companies with growth potential and favorable valuation metrics.

Since its initial public offering in 1977, the Trust has invested across a range of sectors, including consumer staples, financial services, industrials and technology, aiming to construct a high-conviction portfolio of companies expected to outperform over time.

Further Reading

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Global Medical REIT (NYSE:GMRE  Get Free Report) is expected to be announcing its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Wednesday, February 25th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.02 per share and revenue of $37.4420 million for the quarter. Investors can check the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET.

Global Medical REIT Stock Performance

NYSE GMRE opened at $35.96 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $482.22 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -143.84 and a beta of 1.18. The businesss 50 day moving average is $35.17 and its two-hundred day moving average is $34.33. Global Medical REIT has a 12-month low of $29.05 and a 12-month high of $45.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65.

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Global Medical REIT Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 9th. Investors of record on Friday, December 19th were issued a dividend of $0.75 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 19th. This represents a $3.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.3%. Global Medical REITs payout ratio is currently -1,200.00%.

Institutional Trading of Global Medical REIT

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Global Medical REIT during the second quarter worth approximately $241,000. Abel Hall LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Global Medical REIT during the 4th quarter worth $237,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Global Medical REIT during the 4th quarter worth $230,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its position in shares of Global Medical REIT by 23,920.0% in the 1st quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 24,020 shares of the companys stock worth $210,000 after buying an additional 23,920 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Global Medical REIT by 39.5% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 26,617 shares of the companys stock valued at $184,000 after acquiring an additional 7,536 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 57.52% of the companys stock.

GMRE has been the subject of several recent research reports. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Global Medical REIT from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Wall Street Zen lowered Global Medical REIT from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Global Medical REIT from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $42.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Global Medical REIT

About Global Medical REIT

(Get Free Report)

Global Medical REIT (NYSE: GMRE) is a real estate investment trust focused on owning and managing healthcare-related properties across the United States. The company acquires, develops and leases a diversified portfolio of medical office buildings, outpatient facilities, long-term care centers and other specialized healthcare real estate. By concentrating on essential healthcare assets, Global Medical REIT seeks to generate stable, long-term rental income under triple-net and modified gross lease structures.

Since its incorporation in 2016 and initial public offering in 2017, the company has pursued an acquisitive growth strategy targeting markets with strong demographic trends and limited supply of modern medical facilities.

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Greenland Capital Management LP boosted its stake in Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) by 257.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 93,470 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 67,356 shares during the period. Pinnacle West Capital comprises about 0.9% of Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 25th largest holding. Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings in Pinnacle West Capital were worth $8,381,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of PNW. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 2nd quarter valued at $114,384,000. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,781,290 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,322,482,000 after acquiring an additional 316,629 shares during the last quarter. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 21.3% in the 3rd quarter. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. now owns 1,804,114 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $161,757,000 after purchasing an additional 316,193 shares in the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina raised its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 129.4% in the second quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 384,629 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,413,000 after purchasing an additional 216,984 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 7.3% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,983,626 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $267,512,000 after purchasing an additional 203,136 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.51% of the companys stock.

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Pinnacle West Capital Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of NYSE PNW opened at $99.66 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $92.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $90.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.67. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation has a 52-week low of $85.32 and a 52-week high of $100.55. The company has a market capitalization of $11.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.89 and a beta of 0.54.

Pinnacle West Capital Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd will be issued a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.7%. Pinnacle West Capitals payout ratio is presently 74.74%.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research raised Pinnacle West Capital from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $92.00 to $91.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. KeyCorp downgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Friday, December 12th. Morgan Stanley set a $96.00 price objective on shares of Pinnacle West Capital in a research note on Friday. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $94.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $97.33.

Get Our Latest Research Report on PNW

About Pinnacle West Capital

(Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation is a publicly traded utility holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Through its principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Pinnacle West generates, transmits and distributes electricity to more than one million residential, commercial and industrial customers across central and southern Arizona. The companys regulated operations focus on delivering safe, reliable power while meeting evolving environmental standards.

The companys diversified generation portfolio includes natural gasfired plants, the nuclear-powered Palo Verde Generating Stationthe largest nuclear facility in the United States by net outputplus growing investments in solar and battery storage projects.

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Greenland Capital Management LP bought a new position in Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE:ADC  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund bought 140,764 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $10,000,000. Agree Realty comprises approximately 1.0% of Greenland Capital Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Agree Realty by 12.1% during the third quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 27,087 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,924,000 after purchasing an additional 2,932 shares during the last quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its stake in Agree Realty by 37.9% during the third quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. now owns 7,190 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $511,000 after purchasing an additional 1,977 shares during the last quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Agree Realty during the third quarter worth $238,000. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Agree Realty in the 3rd quarter worth about $3,174,000. Finally, Presima Securities ULC lifted its position in shares of Agree Realty by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 37,976 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,698,000 after buying an additional 1,324 shares during the last quarter. 97.83% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Agree Realty Stock Performance

ADC opened at $79.26 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The businesss 50 day moving average is $73.37 and its 200-day moving average is $73.05. The stock has a market cap of $9.51 billion, a PE ratio of 44.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.54. Agree Realty Corporation has a twelve month low of $68.98 and a twelve month high of $79.65.

Agree Realty Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a dividend of $0.262 per share. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. Agree Realtys payout ratio is 177.40%.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on ADC. Evercore lowered their price objective on shares of Agree Realty from $85.00 to $83.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Agree Realty from $79.00 to $81.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Agree Realty from $83.50 to $84.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Agree Realty in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Agree Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $80.50.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ADC

Insider Transactions at Agree Realty

In related news, CFO Peter Coughenour acquired 500 shares of Agree Realty stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $69.80 per share, with a total value of $34,900.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief financial officer directly owned 18,544 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,294,371.20. This trade represents a 2.77% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Richard Agree bought 24,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $70.67 per share, with a total value of $1,696,080.00. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 159,855 shares in the company, valued at $11,296,952.85. This represents a 17.67% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders acquired 39,500 shares of company stock valued at $2,813,680. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Agree Realty Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1971, the company converted to a REIT structure in 2013 and focuses on acquiring, developing and managing a diversified portfolio of retail properties under long-term, triple-net (NNN) leases. Its tenant roster spans national and regional retailers in sectors such as grocery, home improvement, convenience and specialty retail.

Agree Realtys primary business activities include sourcing and underwriting new property acquisitions, originating build-to-suit projects and executing value-add redevelopment programs.

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Shares of Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V. (OTCMKTS:GBOOF  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.62 and traded as high as $11.65. Grupo Financiero Banorte shares last traded at $11.6250, with a volume of 13,703 shares.

Grupo Financiero Banorte Stock Down 3.8%

The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.62 and a 200-day simple moving average of $9.96.

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Grupo Financiero Banorte Company Profile

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Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, commonly known as Banorte, is one of Mexicos largest diversified financial groups. Founded in 1899 as Banco Mercantil de Monterrey, the company has expanded through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions to build a broad national presence. Headquartered in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Banorte operates under a universal banking model, integrating traditional banking services with a range of complementary financial offerings.

Banortes core activities encompass retail and commercial banking, where it provides deposit accounts, consumer and mortgage lending, and financing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 4,330 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $688,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MS. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 2nd quarter worth $2,234,883,000. Schroder Investment Management Group boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 23.4% in the 2nd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 9,357,200 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,318,055,000 after purchasing an additional 1,776,544 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 319.7% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 2,092,341 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $294,727,000 after purchasing an additional 1,593,774 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in shares of Morgan Stanley by 18.1% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 9,623,305 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,355,537,000 after purchasing an additional 1,476,372 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 1.1% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 119,123,487 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,779,734,000 after purchasing an additional 1,354,142 shares during the last quarter. 84.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Eric F. Grossman sold 21,555 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.00, for a total value of $3,966,120.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 171,005 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,464,920. This trade represents a 11.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Andrew M. Saperstein sold 30,330 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.62, for a total transaction of $5,569,194.60. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 280,481 shares in the company, valued at $51,501,921.22. This trade represents a 9.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 129,191 shares of company stock valued at $23,736,506 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.19% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded Morgan Stanley from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. BNP Paribas Exane lifted their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $170.00 to $195.00 in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of Morgan Stanley from $202.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a moderate buy rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Evercore lowered shares of Morgan Stanley from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $207.00 price target on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Friday, January 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Morgan Stanley has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $185.93.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MS

Morgan Stanley Stock Performance

MS opened at $166.91 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $265.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.20. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $180.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $166.61. Morgan Stanley has a 1 year low of $94.33 and a 1 year high of $192.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.40. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 16.78% and a net margin of 14.09%.The business had revenue of $17.90 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.69 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.22 earnings per share. Morgan Stanleys quarterly revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 30th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 39.18%.

More Morgan Stanley News

Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week:

Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanleys research team is promoting a bullish view on an AI-driven reindustrialization  expecting heavy datacenter capex and continued tech-led market opportunities, which supports the firms franchise value in research and institutional client businesses. Article Title

Morgan Stanleys research team is promoting a bullish view on an AI-driven reindustrialization  expecting heavy datacenter capex and continued tech-led market opportunities, which supports the firms franchise value in research and institutional client businesses. Positive Sentiment: Thirdparty coverage notes analysts remain constructive on top financials, with Morgan Stanley included among favored names  a signal that some investors still view MS as wellpositioned for fees and capital markets activity. Article Title

Thirdparty coverage notes analysts remain constructive on top financials, with Morgan Stanley included among favored names  a signal that some investors still view MS as wellpositioned for fees and capital markets activity. Neutral Sentiment: Morgan Stanley analysts continue active coverage across sectors (examples today include fresh targets and reratings on companies such as Travel + Leisure and Coty)  this underscores the firms steady research flow but has no direct immediate effect on MSs own earnings. Article Title

Morgan Stanley analysts continue active coverage across sectors (examples today include fresh targets and reratings on companies such as Travel + Leisure and Coty)  this underscores the firms steady research flow but has no direct immediate effect on MSs own earnings. Neutral Sentiment: Other Morgan Stanley research notes (e.g., expectations for Nvidias results and sector calls) keep the firm visible in headlines  supportive for longterm fee generation but not a shortterm catalyst. Article Title

Other Morgan Stanley research notes (e.g., expectations for Nvidias results and sector calls) keep the firm visible in headlines  supportive for longterm fee generation but not a shortterm catalyst. Negative Sentiment: Investor concerns about Morgan Stanleys recruiting and compensation costs resurfaced after coverage highlighted rising advisorrecruiting expenses and large outstanding employee loans (reported at ~$4.8B), which could pressure margins and capital use. Article Title

Investor concerns about Morgan Stanleys recruiting and compensation costs resurfaced after coverage highlighted rising advisorrecruiting expenses and large outstanding employee loans (reported at ~$4.8B), which could pressure margins and capital use. Negative Sentiment: Market pieces identify a fresh, direct sellside risk: lenders (including MS) are being repriced on worries that AI agents could undermine borrower credit profiles or create new underwriting risks  a thematic concern cited as a reason for todays pullback. Article Title

Morgan Stanley Company Profile

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1935 by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley, the company provides a broad range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to corporations, governments, institutions and individual investors. Leadership has been guided by a senior executive team and board of directors; James P. Gorman has served as the companys chief executive and chairman in recent years.

The firms primary business activities are organized around three principal businesses: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.

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Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE:CRBG  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 25,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $827,000.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Corebridge Financial by 19.3% during the 3rd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 22,329,199 shares of the companys stock valued at $715,651,000 after purchasing an additional 3,605,498 shares in the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Corebridge Financial by 155.7% during the 3rd quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 53,165 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,704,000 after buying an additional 32,377 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Corebridge Financial by 7.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,831,915 shares of the companys stock worth $859,963,000 after buying an additional 1,805,819 shares in the last quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its position in shares of Corebridge Financial by 1.2% during the third quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 77,016 shares of the companys stock worth $2,468,000 after buying an additional 898 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Shell Asset Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Corebridge Financial by 174.0% in the third quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 24,224 shares of the companys stock worth $776,000 after buying an additional 15,382 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.25% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CRBG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Evercore reduced their price objective on shares of Corebridge Financial from $38.00 to $37.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Corebridge Financial from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Mizuho started coverage on Corebridge Financial in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued an outperform rating and a $38.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Corebridge Financial from $40.00 to $39.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $33.00 target price (down previously from $39.00) on shares of Corebridge Financial in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $37.60.

Corebridge Financial Stock Down 8.3%

Shares of Corebridge Financial stock opened at $27.21 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.34, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.04. Corebridge Financial, Inc. has a twelve month low of $23.69 and a twelve month high of $36.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $30.53 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.44.

Corebridge Financial (NYSE:CRBG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $1.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.11 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $6.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.02 billion. Corebridge Financial had a positive return on equity of 18.92% and a negative net margin of 1.73%.During the same period last year, the company earned $1.06 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Corebridge Financial, Inc. will post 5.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Corebridge Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be issued a $0.25 dividend. This is a boost from Corebridge Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.7%. Corebridge Financials dividend payout ratio is -181.13%.

About Corebridge Financial

(Free Report)

Corebridge Financial (NYSE: CRBG) is a publicly traded provider of retirement, life insurance and asset management solutions. Formed from the separation of American International Groups life and retirement operations, Corebridge focuses on helping individuals, employers and institutions manage retirement income, protect against longevity and mortality risks, and invest long-term savings. The company operates under a unified brand that brings together insurance products and investment capabilities to deliver integrated financial solutions.

Corebridges product suite includes retirement income and annuity products, individual and group life insurance, asset management and investment advisory services, and employer-sponsored retirement plan offerings.

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Rio Tinto Group (ASX:RIO  Get Free Report) insider Benjamin (Ben) Wyatt acquired 100 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The stock was bought at an average price of A$160.62 per share, with a total value of A$16,062.00.

Rio Tinto Group Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.88, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.70. The company has a market cap of $106.20 billion, a PE ratio of 11.51, a P/E/G ratio of -0.24 and a beta of 0.59.

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Rio Tinto Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a Final dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th will be issued a $3.602 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 221.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 4th. Rio Tinto Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 68.63%.

About Rio Tinto Group

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. The Iron Ore segment engages in the iron ore mining, and salt and gypsum production in Western Australia. The Aluminum segment is involved in bauxite mining; alumina refining; and aluminium smelting. The Copper segment engages in mining and refining of copper, gold, silver, molybdenum, and other by-products and exploration activities.

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Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) insider Abigail Marshall Diaz-Pedrosa purchased 610 shares of Tyler Technologies stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $325.08 per share, for a total transaction of $198,298.80. Following the acquisition, the insider directly owned 1,123 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $365,064.84. This represents a 118.91% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website.

Tyler Technologies Trading Up 2.1%

Shares of NYSE TYL traded up $6.79 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $324.22. The company had a trading volume of 737,774 shares, compared to its average volume of 730,711. Tyler Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $283.71 and a twelve month high of $626.56. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $406.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $473.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.94 billion, a PE ratio of 45.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.91.

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Tyler Technologies (NYSE:TYL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The technology company reported $2.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.71 by ($0.07). Tyler Technologies had a net margin of 13.53% and a return on equity of 10.42%. The firm had revenue of $575.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $591.09 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.43 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 6.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Tyler Technologies, Inc. will post 8.52 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tyler Technologies

Analyst Ratings Changes

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. General American Investors Co. Inc. increased its position in shares of Tyler Technologies by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. General American Investors Co. Inc. now owns 44,381 shares of the technology companys stock worth $23,218,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. grew its stake in Tyler Technologies by 150.0% in the third quarter. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. now owns 5,000 shares of the technology companys stock worth $2,615,000 after purchasing an additional 3,000 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Tyler Technologies by 11.4% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,410,640 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $738,010,000 after buying an additional 144,612 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Tyler Technologies by 4.9% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 172,932 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $90,471,000 after buying an additional 8,126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in Tyler Technologies during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,749,000. 93.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on TYL shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Tyler Technologies from $420.00 to $335.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. BTIG Research reduced their target price on shares of Tyler Technologies from $560.00 to $470.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 9th. Evercore reaffirmed a positive rating on shares of Tyler Technologies in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, DA Davidson reiterated a buy rating and issued a $460.00 price target on shares of Tyler Technologies in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $467.54.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Tyler Technologies

Tyler Technologies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Tyler Technologies, Inc is a provider of software and technology services for the public sector, delivering integrated systems that help government and public agencies manage operations, finances and citizen services. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, the company focuses on developing and implementing solutions for local and state governments, school districts, courts and public safety organizations. Its offerings are aimed at modernizing administrative workflows, improving transparency and enabling digital interactions between governments and the communities they serve.

Tylers product portfolio spans enterprise resource planning and financial management, tax and billing systems, court case and records management, public safety solutions (including computer-aided dispatch and records management), land and property management, permitting and licensing, and enterprise asset management.

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Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:IITSF  Get Free Report)s share price crossed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $7.00 and traded as low as $6.90. Intesa Sanpaolo shares last traded at $6.93, with a volume of 183,103 shares.

Intesa Sanpaolo Trading Down 0.4%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $6.66.

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About Intesa Sanpaolo

(Get Free Report)

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. is an Italian banking group that provides a wide range of financial products and services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. Its main activities include traditional retail banking, corporate lending, wealth management, asset management and insurance solutions. The group operates through a network of branches, digital channels and specialized subsidiaries to serve the banking, investment and insurance needs of individuals and businesses.

The origins of Intesa Sanpaolo date back to the early 19th century through predecessor institutions such as Banca Commerciale Italiana and Istituto Bancario San Paolo di Torino.

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iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:HEFA  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $44.84 and last traded at $44.62, with a volume of 437031 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.81.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $7.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74 and a beta of 0.67. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $42.83 and its 200-day moving average price is $41.08.

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Institutional Trading of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 14.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 6,618,320 shares of the companys stock worth $251,244,000 after acquiring an additional 848,415 shares during the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $15,037,000. CX Institutional increased its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 511.5% in the third quarter. CX Institutional now owns 233,308 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,241,000 after purchasing an additional 195,154 shares in the last quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP raised its position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 4.5% in the 3rd quarter. Partners Capital Investment Group LLP now owns 3,334,727 shares of the companys stock worth $132,089,000 after purchasing an additional 143,990 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 304.0% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 79,142 shares of the companys stock worth $3,273,000 after buying an additional 59,550 shares in the last quarter.

About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted, USD-hedged index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries outside the US and Canada. HEFA was launched on Jan 31, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

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First Heartland Consultants Inc. decreased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV  Free Report) by 19.9% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 36,450 shares of the companys stock after selling 9,040 shares during the quarter. First Heartland Consultants Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF were worth $2,472,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in EFV. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the third quarter worth about $32,000. Centennial Bank AR acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp raised its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 257.8% in the third quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 551 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 397 shares during the period. Finally, Collier Financial acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $39,000.

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iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of BATS:EFV opened at $79.06 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $32.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a 12-month low of $51.87 and a 12-month high of $79.68. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $74.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.49.

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Value Index. The Index is a subset of the MSCI EAFE Index and constituents of the Index include securities from Europe, Australasia (Australia and Asia), and the Far East. The Fund invests in sectors, such as financials, energy, healthcare, telecommunication services, industrials, utilities, consumer discretionary, materials, information technology and consumer staples.

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Stonebrook Private Inc. decreased its position in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (BATS:QUAL  Free Report) by 19.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 108,037 shares of the companys stock after selling 26,274 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF accounts for 4.5% of Stonebrook Private Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest holding. Stonebrook Private Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $21,013,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the third quarter worth $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. First Horizon Corp bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Phillips Financial Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $40,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of BATS:QUAL opened at $202.26 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $58.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.59 and a beta of 1.05. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12 month low of $148.34 and a 12 month high of $205.48. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $201.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $196.36.

About iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector. QUAL was launched on Jul 18, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ grew its holdings in Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR  Free Report) by 8.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 132,345 shares of the industrial products companys stock after buying an additional 10,855 shares during the quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $10,934,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Nordea Investment Management AB grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 12.3% in the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,018,638 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $165,811,000 after purchasing an additional 220,815 shares during the period. National Pension Service grew its position in Ingersoll Rand by 2.7% in the third quarter. National Pension Service now owns 617,981 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $51,058,000 after acquiring an additional 16,084 shares during the period. United Super Pty Ltd in its capacity as Trustee for the Construction & Building Unions Superannuation Fund acquired a new position in Ingersoll Rand during the second quarter worth $8,375,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 0.6% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 6,913,924 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $575,100,000 after acquiring an additional 38,999 shares during the period. Finally, BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S boosted its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 79.0% in the 3rd quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 28,411 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,347,000 after purchasing an additional 12,539 shares in the last quarter. 95.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

IR has been the subject of several analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a report on Monday, December 29th. Robert W. Baird set a $115.00 target price on Ingersoll Rand in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Citigroup raised their price target on Ingersoll Rand from $94.00 to $98.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $92.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $101.86.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ingersoll Rand

In other Ingersoll Rand news, Director John Humphrey sold 4,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $95.90, for a total value of $412,370.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 23,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,299,969.70. This represents a 15.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Kathleen M. Keene sold 12,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.46, for a total value of $1,193,520.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 3,528 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $350,894.88. This trade represents a 77.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 468,204 shares of company stock valued at $43,986,517 over the last quarter. 0.68% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Ingersoll Rand Price Performance

Shares of IR stock opened at $93.87 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $36.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.74, a PEG ratio of 5.92 and a beta of 1.32. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 12 month low of $65.61 and a 12 month high of $100.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $87.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $82.17.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The industrial products company reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $2.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.04 billion. Ingersoll Rand had a net margin of 7.60% and a return on equity of 12.62%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.84 EPS. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.450-3.570 EPS. Research analysts expect that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 EPS for the current year.

Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 4th will be given a $0.02 dividend. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 4th. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.52%.

Ingersoll Rand Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ingersoll Rand is a diversified industrial company that designs, manufactures and services a wide range of equipment and technologies for commercial, industrial and OEM customers. Its product portfolio includes air compressors and compressed air systems, pneumatic and cordless power tools, material handling and lifting equipment, fluid transfer and pumping solutions, and associated aftermarket parts and service offerings. The companys products support applications across manufacturing, construction, transportation, oil and gas, mining and general industrial markets.

Ingersoll Rand sells through a combination of direct sales, distributor networks and service channels, delivering both capital equipment and recurring aftermarket revenue from parts, maintenance and service contracts.

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Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI  Free Report) in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 16,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $852,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BTI. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of British American Tobacco during the 3rd quarter worth about $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC bought a new position in British American Tobacco in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the 3rd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its position in British American Tobacco by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 782 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, City Holding Co. bought a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. 16.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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British American Tobacco Stock Performance

NYSE BTI opened at $62.15 on Tuesday. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a twelve month low of $37.96 and a twelve month high of $63.03. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $58.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $56.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.57 and a current ratio of 0.87.

British American Tobacco Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be given a dividend of $0.8349 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.4%.

BTI has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of British American Tobacco from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets initiated coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $51.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco Profile

(Free Report)

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a multinational tobacco manufacturer and nicotine products company headquartered in London. Founded in 1902 as a joint venture to commercialize tobacco products outside the United States, the company has grown into one of the worlds largest tobacco firms with a long history in manufacturing and global distribution of combustible tobacco products.

BATs core business remains the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under a portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Kent and Rothmans.

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Major Drilling Group International (TSE:MDI  Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by investment analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$17.00 to C$20.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 13.90% from the stocks current price.

Separately, TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Major Drilling Group International from C$13.00 to C$16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of C$18.00.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on MDI

Major Drilling Group International Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Major Drilling Group International

Shares of MDI traded up C$0.42 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting C$17.56. 285,595 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 279,297. Major Drilling Group International has a one year low of C$6.51 and a one year high of C$17.60. The firm has a market cap of C$1.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 92.42, a PEG ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 3.59 and a quick ratio of 1.92. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$14.73 and a 200-day moving average of C$12.59.

In related news, insider Benjamin Luke Graham sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$16.32, for a total value of C$163,200.00. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock.

About Major Drilling Group International

(Get Free Report)

Major Drilling Group International Inc is engaged in the business of contract drilling, and it provides services to companies that are involved in mining and mineral exploration. It offers surface and underground coring, directional, reverse circulation, sonic, geotechnical, environmental, water-well, coal-bed methane, shallow gas, and underground percussive/long-hole drilling services, as well as various drilling-related mine services. Its geographical segments are Canada  the United States; South and Central America; and Asia and Africa, of which most of its revenue comes from Canada  the United States.

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Nkcfo LLC cut its stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW  Free Report) by 72.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 500 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 1,300 shares during the quarter. Nkcfo LLCs holdings in Curtiss-Wright were worth $271,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of CW. Verus Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Curtiss-Wright during the third quarter valued at approximately $201,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Curtiss-Wright by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,067 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $579,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT boosted its position in Curtiss-Wright by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT now owns 4,490 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,438,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the period. Personal CFO Solutions LLC boosted its position in Curtiss-Wright by 15.7% during the 3rd quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 886 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $481,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Finally, Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management bought a new stake in Curtiss-Wright in the 3rd quarter worth $797,000. 82.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Curtiss-Wright news, CFO K Christopher Farkas sold 2,665 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $626.33, for a total transaction of $1,669,169.45. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 7,358 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,608,536.14. This trade represents a 26.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP John C. Watts sold 652 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $625.57, for a total value of $407,871.64. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,890 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,433,467.30. This represents a 14.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 17,269 shares of company stock worth $10,797,098 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CW has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $760.00 price target on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a report on Friday, February 13th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Curtiss-Wright from $661.00 to $718.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Truist Financial set a $603.00 target price on Curtiss-Wright in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating and set a $748.00 target price on shares of Curtiss-Wright in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $663.17.

Get Our Latest Research Report on CW

Curtiss-Wright Stock Down 1.1%

CW stock opened at $699.68 on Tuesday. Curtiss-Wright Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $266.88 and a fifty-two week high of $715.00. The company has a market capitalization of $25.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.93. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $624.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $565.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Curtiss-Wright (NYSE:CW  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The aerospace company reported $3.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.66 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $946.98 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $890.14 million. Curtiss-Wright had a return on equity of 19.28% and a net margin of 13.84%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 14.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.27 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Curtiss-Wright Corporation will post 12.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Curtiss-Wright Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, April 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 26th will be given a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 26th. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Curtiss-Wrights dividend payout ratio is currently 7.46%.

Curtiss-Wright Profile

(Free Report)

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) is a diversified, global engineering company that designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products and integrated systems for the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Its offerings span a range of electromechanical, motion control and flow control technologies, including flight control and actuation systems, sensors and avionics components, pumps and valves, power conversion and heat exchangers, and platform integration solutions for marine and ground systems.

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Nuvation Bio (NYSE:NUVB  Get Free Report) is expected to be announcing its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Monday, March 2nd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of ($0.11) per share and revenue of $36.8220 million for the quarter. Investors are encouraged to explore the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning overview page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET.

Nuvation Bio Trading Up 0.5%

NUVB opened at $5.47 on Tuesday. Nuvation Bio has a one year low of $1.54 and a one year high of $9.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 8.48 and a quick ratio of 8.39. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $6.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $5.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -8.54 and a beta of 1.52.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Nuvation Bio

In other news, insider Dongfang Liu sold 150,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.82, for a total value of $1,173,000.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 18,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $140,760. This represents a 89.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 29.93% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuvation Bio

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rangeley Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Nuvation Bio in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Nuvation Bio by 51.9% in the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 7,597 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 2,597 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new stake in shares of Nuvation Bio in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of Nuvation Bio in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth bought a new position in Nuvation Bio during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors own 61.67% of the companys stock.

A number of brokerages recently commented on NUVB. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on Nuvation Bio from $9.00 to $12.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wedbush restated an outperform rating and issued a $11.00 price objective on shares of Nuvation Bio in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Truist Financial set a $13.00 target price on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Citizens Jmp set a $10.00 price target on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research report on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Nuvation Bio in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Nuvation Bio presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $11.67.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NUVB

About Nuvation Bio

(Get Free Report)

Nuvation Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing small-molecule therapies for patients with cancer. The company employs an integrated research and development platform that spans target identification, preclinical evaluation, process chemistry, and early-stage clinical trials. By centralizing these capabilities, Nuvation Bio aims to accelerate the translation of promising drug candidates from laboratory research to first-in-human studies.

The companys pipeline comprises multiple oncology programs, with small-molecule kinase inhibitors and targeted agents in Phase 1 development for both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.

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St. Jamess Place (OTCMKTS:STJPF  Get Free Report) is projected to post its results before the market opens on Wednesday, February 25th. Analysts expect St. Jamess Place to post earnings of $0.4769 per share for the quarter.

St. Jamess Place Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS STJPF opened at $21.03 on Tuesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $18.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $17.96. St. Jamess Place has a 1 year low of $11.00 and a 1 year high of $21.03.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of St. Jamess Place in a report on Friday, January 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of St. Jamess Place in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of St. Jamess Place in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of St. Jamess Place to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

St. Jamess Place Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

St. Jamess Place (OTCMKTS:STJPF) is a UKbased wealth management firm that provides financial advice, investment management and related services to individual and corporate clients. The companys offerings include retirement planning, tax-efficient investment solutions, estate and inheritance planning, philanthropic advice and insurance products. By partnering with a network of trained financial advisers, St. Jamess Place delivers tailored financial plans designed to help clients meet their long-term objectives.

Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Cirencester, England, St.

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Shares of Standard Chartered PLC (OTCMKTS:SCBFF  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 16,689 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 191% from the previous sessions volume of 5,742 shares.The stock last traded at $23.15 and had previously closed at $24.0588.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SCBFF shares. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Standard Chartered in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Zacks Research downgraded Standard Chartered from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Standard Chartered from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Standard Chartered in a report on Friday, January 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on SCBFF

Standard Chartered Stock Performance

About Standard Chartered

The companys 50 day moving average price is $24.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $21.53. The stock has a market cap of $55.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.94 and a beta of 0.52.

(Get Free Report)

Standard Chartered plc is a British multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in London. The firm traces its modern form to the 1969 merger of the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China (founded in 1853) and Standard Bank of British South Africa (founded in 1862), creating an international bank with deep historical roots in trade finance and cross-border banking. Standard Chartered maintains a global footprint and a long-standing focus on facilitating trade and capital flows between developed and emerging markets.

Standard Chartered provides a broad range of banking and financial services for corporate, institutional and individual clients.

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Miller Investment Management LP lessened its position in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE:SWK  Free Report) by 40.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,555 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 7,290 shares during the period. Miller Investment Management LPs holdings in Stanley Black & Decker were worth $785,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SWK. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Stanley Black & Decker by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,663,999 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,264,486,000 after acquiring an additional 91,016 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Stanley Black & Decker by 2.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,423,438 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $638,438,000 after purchasing an additional 215,960 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Stanley Black & Decker by 1.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,965,007 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $268,110,000 after purchasing an additional 65,327 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Stanley Black & Decker by 0.5% in the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,199,427 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $237,813,000 after purchasing an additional 17,084 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in Stanley Black & Decker by 38.8% during the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,723,331 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $184,506,000 after buying an additional 761,191 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.77% of the companys stock.

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Stanley Black & Decker Stock Performance

Shares of SWK opened at $87.25 on Tuesday. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. has a 52-week low of $53.91 and a 52-week high of $93.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm has a market cap of $13.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.92, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.21. The businesss 50 day moving average is $81.75 and its two-hundred day moving average is $75.43.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Stanley Black & Decker ( NYSE:SWK Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The industrial products company reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.27 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $3.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.78 billion. Stanley Black & Decker had a return on equity of 7.90% and a net margin of 2.66%.Stanley Black & Deckers quarterly revenue was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.49 earnings per share. Stanley Black & Decker has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-5.700 EPS. Analysts forecast that Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. will post 5.16 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Several analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup lifted their price target on Stanley Black & Decker from $90.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Stanley Black & Decker in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Argus raised shares of Stanley Black & Decker to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $84.00 price target on shares of Stanley Black & Decker in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $100.00 target price on shares of Stanley Black & Decker in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Stanley Black & Decker currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $86.89.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SWK

Stanley Black & Decker Company Profile

(Free Report)

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc (NYSE:SWK) is a leading global manufacturer of industrial tools, engineered fastening systems, and security products. The companys portfolio includes power tools, hand tools, accessories, and storage solutions marketed under well-known brands such as DEWALT, Stanley, Craftsman and Black & Decker. In addition to its core tools and hardware offerings, the company provides customized assembly and installation systems for the automotive, electronics and aerospace industries.

Operations are organized across three principal business segments.

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Suzano S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $11.38 and last traded at $11.3750, with a volume of 355014 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.00.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Suzano from a strong sell rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Suzano in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on Suzano in a report on Thursday, February 5th. They issued a buy rating and a $13.40 price target for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $13.40.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on SUZ

Suzano Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 2.59, a current ratio of 3.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $9.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $9.46. The company has a market cap of $14.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.72.

Suzano (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.11. Suzano had a return on equity of 30.84% and a net margin of 26.11%.The firm had revenue of $2.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.30 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Suzano S.A. Sponsored ADR will post 1.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suzano Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 11th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.2036 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. Suzanos dividend payout ratio is 9.52%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Suzano by 11,502.7% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 4,293 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 4,256 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its position in Suzano by 71.7% in the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 9,341 shares of the companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 3,901 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in Suzano by 16.2% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 10,017 shares of the companys stock valued at $93,000 after acquiring an additional 1,400 shares in the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Suzano in the third quarter worth about $94,000. Finally, Vident Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Suzano in the 2nd quarter worth $97,000. 2.55% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Suzano Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suzano SA is a Brazil-based pulp and paper company recognized as one of the worlds leading producers of eucalyptus pulp. The company develops and supplies a wide range of fiber-based products that serve global demand in printing and writing papers, tissue paper, packaging, and specialty paper markets. With an extensive network of industrial units and logistics operations, Suzano manages every stage of production from forest plantations to final delivery, emphasizing integrated operations and quality control.

At the core of Suzanos business is its sustainable forestry model, which covers more than one million hectares of managed eucalyptus plantations across Brazil.

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Shares of Valeo S.A. (OTCMKTS:VLEEY  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $7.33, but opened at $7.7355. Valeo shares last traded at $7.7355, with a volume of 372 shares traded.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently commented on VLEEY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Valeo in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Valeo in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a hold rating on shares of Valeo in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded Valeo from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valeo currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Valeo Trading Up 5.4%

Valeo Company Profile

The companys 50-day moving average is $7.14 and its 200-day moving average is $6.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23.

(Get Free Report)

Valeo is a global automotive supplier headquartered in the Paris region, with its American depositary shares trading OTC under the symbol VLEEY. Founded in France in the early 20th century, the company has grown to serve original equipment manufacturers, automakers and the aftermarket with a comprehensive portfolio of mobility solutions. Valeos mission centers on providing innovative systems and components that enhance vehicle performance, safety and environmental sustainability.

The company operates across four main business segments.

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Wrapmanager Inc. lowered its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 35.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 12,311 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,659 shares during the quarter. Wrapmanager Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,032,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of WFC. Hilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the second quarter worth $3,656,000. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 3rd quarter worth $147,165,000. Guerra Advisors Inc grew its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 43.2% during the 3rd quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc now owns 38,439 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,222,000 after buying an additional 11,594 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC increased its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 1,121.0% during the 3rd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 24,079 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,018,000 after buying an additional 22,107 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in Wells Fargo & Company by 52.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 138,862 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,639,000 after acquiring an additional 47,946 shares in the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently commented on WFC. Evercore decreased their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $110.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $104.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wolfe Research restated an outperform rating and issued a $109.00 target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Argus boosted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $97.03.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Wells Fargo & Company news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 25,000 shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.72, for a total value of $2,193,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 79,876 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,006,722.72. The trade was a 23.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

NYSE WFC opened at $85.06 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $91.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $86.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $267.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.57, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.09. Wells Fargo & Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.42 and a fifty-two week high of $97.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.90.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $11.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $21.63 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.90% and a net margin of 17.27%.The companys revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 6th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.71%.

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Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Wrapmanager Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 22.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,337 shares of the companys stock after selling 666 shares during the period. Wrapmanager Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,783,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Palumbo Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Palumbo Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,035 shares of the companys stock worth $790,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Apriem Advisors raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 12.9% during the third quarter. Apriem Advisors now owns 1,940 shares of the companys stock worth $1,480,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the last quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 23.0% during the third quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 21,439 shares of the companys stock worth $16,358,000 after purchasing an additional 4,005 shares during the period. Lake Street Private Wealth LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Lake Street Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,559 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,004,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baldwin Investment Management LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter. Baldwin Investment Management LLC now owns 11,079 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,453,000 after buying an additional 1,505 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week:

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. UBS Group restated a buy rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $976.00 to $1,300.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Zacks Research lowered Eli Lilly and Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Truist Financial set a $1,281.00 target price on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Freedom Capital raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,228.54.

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 4.7%

Shares of LLY stock opened at $1,057.38 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $997.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.54. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $623.78 and a fifty-two week high of $1,133.95. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,054.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $920.78.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $7.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.48 by $0.06. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 31.66% and a return on equity of 102.94%. The firm had revenue of $19.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $5.32 EPS. The firms revenue was up 42.6% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2026 guidance at 33.500-35.000 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. This is a positive change from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is 30.15%.

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1876 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and therapies for patients worldwide. Eli Lilly maintains operations and commercial presence across North America, Europe, Asia and other regions, serving both developed and emerging markets. The company has been led in recent years by President and Chief Executive Officer David A.

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Yadda yadda yadda! Russia has once again, for the third time this week, threatened to nuke Britain out of existence. Its the usual rhetoric from old Vlad, but, er, does he have a point? Look at it this way: Britain is a tiny island, and nuclear detonations are pretty big depending on the megatons used for each missile. The 50-megaton Tsar Bomba could flatten the entire city of London, with effects stretching far beyond the M25 orbital motorway. More than 4.6 million people would die, and roughly 3 million more would be injured, with total devastation covering a radius of over 3040 miles.

So wheres the safest place in Britain to live if the Russians decide to go nuclear?

If you look at the map of nuclear detonations below, we have marked a spot with a big X denoting where the safest place to live is in the UK during a nuclear assault on Britain. As you can see, its kind of bang in the middle of the sea. There is, of course, no guarantee you would survive for long even then because soon after the mass detonations, there would be shedloads of radioactive dust pushed up into the atmosphere which would fall back to earth. The ensuing nuclear winter, where the sun would be blocked out, would probably last for a minimum of ten years, as the ash and soot (black carbon) would go into the stratosphere, which would spread globally, and, because the stratosphere has no rain to wash it out, the smoke would linger for decades.

Additionally, Britain has no contingency to shelter civilians, unlike Scandinavian and Nordic countries, which have mass nuclear shelters for much of the population. The British government during a nuclear war would not care what happens to civilians, not even two shits. The UK government also has no missile shield or capabilities to intercept missiles before they hit their targets.

Basically, if you are in Britain and the sirens go off giving you 15 minutes to shelter, it does not matter where you go. You might have just enough time to bend over and kiss your arse goodbye before that great white light appears.

 JUST IN: Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, issued a bombshell warning that Russia would use non-strategic nuclear weapons against Ukraine and potentially the UK and France if Western nuclear tech is transferred to Kyiv, citing SVR claims via TASS. pic.twitter.com/23kHOBISvJ  WORLD NEWS (@_MAGA_NEWS_) February 24, 2026
The Master of Clinical Psychiatry and Global Mental Health , a two-year, part-time program launching this fall, will enable care providers the opportunity to enhance their clinical psychiatry skills without ever having to leave the communities they serve.

A new online, course-based graduate program from Dalhousie offers licensed health-care professionals around the world a flexible option for expanding the skills they need to provide better care for patients with mental-health concerns.

Take your next step and learn more about all of Dalhousie Professional Masters Programs .

Dr. Eboreime says the program will empower health-care providers already embedded in communities  such as family doctors, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurses  to deliver high-quality mental health care. The program centres on graduatelevel training in transcultural evidencebased diagnosis, treatment planning, and psychopharmacology. And because it is delivered fully online with no thesis requirement, it offers flexibility for learners whatever their circumstances.

Globally, one billion people are affected by mental health conditions, yet there's a profound shortage of trained mental-health professionals, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, says Dr. Ejemai Eboreime, the programs director.

Whether youre a licensed health-care professional from rural Nova Scotia, the Caribbean, or Africa, this program can help you make a difference in your communitys mental health, says Dr. Vincent Agyapong, head of the Department of Psychiatry for Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Healths Central Zone. We can start closing some of these treatment gaps so access to mental health care doesnt remain out of reach for these communities in Nova Scotia, elsewhere in Canada, or globally.

Centering clinical excellence, cultures, and communities



Developing the program was a collaborative journey. It began as a diploma concept in 2022 and evolved into a masters program based on feedback from extensive consultations with stakeholders such as family physicians in West Africa and nurse practitioners in Nova Scotia.

What emerged was a clear and urgent need: practicing clinicians need upskilled psychiatric training that doesn't require them to leave their communities or abandon their patients, says Dr. Eboreime.

This program can help you make a difference in your communitys mental health.

The program integrates clinical excellence with cross-cultural and person-centered approaches, preparing health workers to lead in diverse mental-health settings around the world.

The program centers people by placing patients, learners, and communities at the heart of the curriculum, says Dr. Margaret (Leigh) Meldrum, the programs associate director. Weve intentionally created a space where clinical excellence, reflection, and global perspective coexist.

There will be weekly sessions offered in real time (synchronous) as well as a self-study component at learners own pace and time (asynchronous).

A culturally-responsive curriculum



One of the complexities of developing a program applicable to global learners is meeting the needs of different health-care contexts. Not all countries use the same tools to diagnose mental health conditions, for example.

As it prepares graduates to deliver evidence-based care in vastly different health-care contexts, a diverse faculty team has been working to create a culturally-responsive curriculum that integrates both DSM-5 (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) and ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision) frameworks, honours Indigenous and non-Western healing traditions, and includes decolonized approaches to mental health education by allowing space for diverse healing traditions to inform evidence-based practice.

Mental health challenges dont exist in isolation  theyre shaped by culture, history, systems, and access to care, says Dr. Meldrum. This program was designed to help clinicians think beyond diagnostic checklists and develop the skills needed to deliver thoughtful, ethical, and culturally-responsive care in diverse settings, both locally and globally.

Mental health challenges dont exist in isolation  theyre shaped by culture, history, systems, and access to care.

The Department of Psychiatry has committed to fund a limited number of scholarships, ensuring communities most affected by mental health workforce shortages can access this training, says Dr. Eboreime.

The ripple effect



Empowering health-care providers in their communities and investing in their education benefits individual patients and entire health systems.

This program creates a ripple effect, says Dr. Eboreime. When a family physician in northern Nigeria or rural Nova Scotia completes this program, they return to their practice with enhanced skills in psychiatric assessment, culturally-adapted treatment planning, and evidence-based psychopharmacology. That means better care for their patients, reduced unnecessary referrals to overburdened specialist services, and improved capacity to manage complex mental health presentations.

Graduates also return as leaders on their teams, in quality improvement initiatives, and in integrating research evidence into practice, adds Dr. Eboreime.

Globally, we're building a network of practitioners who can lead mental health initiatives in their communities while contributing to the global knowledge base through culturally-grounded research and innovation.

The Master of Clinical Psychiatry and Global Mental Health is accepting applications for its first cohort in September 2026.

Learn more about the program and apply today.

The Master of Clinical Psychiatry and Global Mental Health is designed for eligible healthcare professionals who already hold an active license to practice clinically in their jurisdiction and does not qualify graduates for professional licensing.
Anxiety disorders affect as many as 20 per cent of people globally, yet for decades scientists have struggled to understand the biology that underpins them.

Now, the largest genetic study of anxiety ever conducted, coled by Dalhousie researchers, is providing the clearest picture yet of why some people are more vulnerable than others.

This new global research suggests anxiety disorders  one of the worlds most common mental-health conditions  are deeply rooted in genetics.

For a long time, anxiety was seen as less biological than conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. But this work clearly shows that anxiety has a substantial genetic component  comparable to depression  and that it is absolutely a real, biologically rooted illness. says Dr. Sandra Meier, associate professor in Dalhousies Department of Psychiatry and one of the studys coauthors.

This work clearly shows that anxiety has a substantial genetic component  comparable to depression.

Drawing from 36 independent cohorts across the world that make up the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC), the study marks a milestone in psychiatric genomics and sets a new benchmark for the field.

Recently published in Nature Genetics, the study analyzed data from more than 120,000 people diagnosed with anxiety and over 730,000 without the condition. The PGC identified 58 loci, or genetic variants, linked to anxiety, many of which have never been reported before.

Multiple factors at play



One of the most important insights from the study is that anxiety is not driven by a single gene, but rather by many small genetic influences across the genome. This pattern mirrors what researchers see in other complex mental-health conditions, including depression.

The team also identified strong genetic overlap between anxiety and traits such as neuroticism, PTSD, depression, and suicide attempts. The findings help explain why these conditions so often appear together.

Some discoveries were surprising. For example, while clinicians often believe anxiety typically precedes depression, the genetic data showed the relationship goes both ways. In addition, the study unexpectedly found that PTSD appeared to predict anxiety, not the other way around. Dr. Meier notes that further research, especially in children and younger populations, is needed to understand these patterns.

Shown left: Dr. Sandra Meier.

Among the most encouraging findings was the discovery that several of the identified genes relate to GABAergic signaling, one of the brains key systems for regulating activity and the target of some existing antianxiety medications.

It was reassuring to see that the biology emerging from the data aligns with what we observe in clinical practice, says Dr. Meier. These genes enrich in brain regions involved in stress processing, which fits with everything we know about how anxiety works in the brain.

While the results of the study do not support using genetic testing to diagnose anxiety, they point to biological pathways that could guide the development of more targeted therapies.

The evolution of anxiety



Dr. Meier notes that anxiety may once have offered survival advantages by helping humans avoid threats. While these mechanisms may have been adaptive in ancient environments, they can create vulnerabilities in modern life.

Some people have inherited biological traits that made sense centuries ago, she explains. But today, that same biology can make a person more likely to develop an anxiety disorder. Understanding this helps destigmatize anxiety. Its not a weakness. Its part of our evolutionary history.

Anxiety can be deeply debilitating, yet Dr. Meier says it is still sometimes dismissed or misunderstood, even amongst rising awareness of mental health and mental- health care.

Anxiety disorders are incredibly common, especially in children, and they can be a pathway to other mental illnesses later in life, she says. For patients, it can be validating to know this isnt about being too shy or too sensitive. There are real biological factors that make someone more vulnerable.

At the same time, she notes that genetic risk is not destiny, especially for parents who worry about passing anxiety on to their children.

Genetics may increase vulnerability, but parents with anxiety are often the best equipped to help a child navigate it.

Genetics may increase vulnerability, but parents with anxiety are often the best equipped to help a child navigate it, she explains. They know the early signs, they know what coping strategies work, and they can model how to face fears rather than avoid them.

The missing pieces: population gaps in available data



Despite the unprecedented scale of the study, most of its samples came from individuals of European ancestry. At the same time, the study showed remarkable consistency across different European samples, strengthening confidence in the biological pathways uncovered. Ensuring that future findings benefit all populations will require much broader genetic diversity in research.

Also, most of the datasets used in this global analysis were collected from adults, leaving another important gap: the biology of anxiety in young people. Dalhousie researchers are already working to close that gap through the GAYA study, a major Canadian project investigating the genetic risk factors for anxiety in children and adolescents.

We know from twin studies that the genetic architecture of anxiety changes from childhood to adulthood, Meier explains. To fully understand the biology, we need childhood data  and thanks to families here in Canada and Nova Scotia, were building that missing piece.

This study proves that largescale genomic research approaches work and that expanding them into youth populations is the crucial next frontier.

A global effort rooted in local contributions



The study was conducted through the PGC and supported by a combination of international and sitespecific funding, including contributions from the GAYA study. It also involved extensive analytical work led by Dr. Meiers research collaborator, Dr. Manuel Mattheison, alongside genetic epidemiologist Dr. John Hettema, known for his influential twin studies in anxiety.

Dr. Meier emphasizes that progress in this field depends not only on large-scale global collaborations, but on the willingness of individualsincluding families in Atlantic Canadato participate in research.

People here are genuinely helping fill some of the biggest gaps in our understanding of anxiety, she says. Their involvement is essential to uncovering the biological stories we still dont know.
AXQ Capital LP acquired a new stake in Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 5,590 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $843,000.

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A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in VRT. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Vertiv by 2.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,833,036 shares of the companys stock worth $5,858,352,000 after acquiring an additional 826,281 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its stake in shares of Vertiv by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 8,269,839 shares of the companys stock worth $1,061,930,000 after purchasing an additional 442,937 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vertiv by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,686,778 shares of the companys stock valued at $856,082,000 after purchasing an additional 219,970 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Vertiv by 20.9% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,931,488 shares of the companys stock valued at $761,662,000 after purchasing an additional 1,024,634 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Vertiv during the second quarter worth about $538,132,000. Institutional investors own 89.92% of the companys stock.

Vertiv Stock Up 0.5%

NYSE VRT opened at $244.86 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $186.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $168.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $93.68 billion, a PE ratio of 71.81, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 2.08. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a fifty-two week low of $53.60 and a fifty-two week high of $255.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.55 and a quick ratio of 1.22.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Vertiv ( NYSE:VRT Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 11th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $2.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. Vertiv had a return on equity of 49.55% and a net margin of 13.03%.Vertivs revenue was up 22.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.99 earnings per share. Vertiv has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.950-1.010 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.970-6.070 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 3.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barclays raised their price objective on Vertiv from $200.00 to $281.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Oppenheimer restated an outperform rating and issued a $270.00 price target on shares of Vertiv in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings raised Vertiv from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Roth Mkm reiterated a buy rating and issued a $275.00 price objective on shares of Vertiv in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Vertiv in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $230.28.

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Vertiv Profile

(Free Report)

Vertiv is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions for data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company designs, manufactures and services equipment and software that support power availability, thermal management and IT infrastructure management for a broad set of end markets, including hyperscale and enterprise data centers, colocation providers, telecom operators and industrial customers.

The companys product portfolio includes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), battery and DC power systems, precision cooling and thermal management equipment, racks and enclosures, and integrated modular infrastructure.

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AXQ Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. (NYSE:PB  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 12,379 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $821,000.

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Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mather Group LLC. bought a new stake in Prosperity Bancshares in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Prosperity Bancshares during the 3rd quarter valued at $42,000. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in Prosperity Bancshares in the 2nd quarter worth $48,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in Prosperity Bancshares by 34.9% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 719 shares of the banks stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its position in Prosperity Bancshares by 18,633.3% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 1,124 shares of the banks stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 1,118 shares during the period. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Harrison Stafford II sold 800 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.76, for a total transaction of $56,608.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 107,937 shares in the company, valued at $7,637,622.12. This represents a 0.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Ned S. Holmes sold 600 shares of Prosperity Bancshares stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.28, for a total transaction of $41,568.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 43,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,979,040. This trade represents a 1.38% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 15,050 shares of company stock valued at $1,073,264 over the last three months. Insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on PB shares. Stephens lifted their price target on Prosperity Bancshares from $77.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Piper Sandler lowered shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the company from $77.00 to $74.00 in a report on Thursday, January 29th. TD Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Prosperity Bancshares from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Prosperity Bancshares in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Prosperity Bancshares presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $78.77.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Prosperity Bancshares

Prosperity Bancshares Trading Down 4.2%

Shares of PB opened at $70.42 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $6.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 0.67. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $71.82 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $68.74. Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. has a 12 month low of $61.06 and a 12 month high of $77.92.

Prosperity Bancshares (NYSE:PB  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The bank reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.45 by $0.01. Prosperity Bancshares had a return on equity of 7.11% and a net margin of 31.22%.The firm had revenue of $317.73 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $319.30 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.37 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. will post 5.83 EPS for the current year.

Prosperity Bancshares Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. Prosperity Bancsharess payout ratio is currently 41.88%.

Prosperity Bancshares Profile

(Free Report)

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc is a holding company for Prosperity Bank, offering a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Through its network of branches and digital platforms, the company provides deposit products, business and real estate lending, treasury management, mortgage origination and servicing, as well as wealth management and trust services.

Originally chartered in 1911 as First National Bank in McKinney, Texas, the organization rebranded to Prosperity Bank in 2009 following a series of strategic acquisitions aimed at deepening its regional presence.

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AXQ Capital LP lifted its stake in FirstEnergy Corporation (NYSE:FE  Free Report) by 138.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,568 shares of the utilities providers stock after buying an additional 10,769 shares during the quarter. AXQ Capital LPs holdings in FirstEnergy were worth $851,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

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Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new stake in FirstEnergy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $256,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new position in shares of FirstEnergy in the first quarter worth approximately $289,000. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of FirstEnergy by 7.0% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 11,213 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $453,000 after purchasing an additional 732 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its position in shares of FirstEnergy by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 43,334 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,752,000 after purchasing an additional 12,531 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth lifted its stake in shares of FirstEnergy by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 21,178 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $856,000 after buying an additional 1,340 shares in the last quarter. 89.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

FirstEnergy Stock Performance

NYSE:FE opened at $50.41 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.13 billion, a PE ratio of 28.64, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.64. The stocks fifty day moving average is $46.51 and its 200 day moving average is $45.64. FirstEnergy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $37.58 and a fifty-two week high of $50.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.57.

FirstEnergy Increases Dividend

FirstEnergy ( NYSE:FE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The utilities provider reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $3.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.20 billion. FirstEnergy had a net margin of 6.76% and a return on equity of 10.50%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.67 earnings per share. FirstEnergy has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.620-2.820 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that FirstEnergy Corporation will post 2.66 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 1st. Investors of record on Thursday, May 7th will be given a $0.465 dividend. This is an increase from FirstEnergys previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 7th. This represents a $1.86 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.7%. FirstEnergys dividend payout ratio is currently 101.14%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on FirstEnergy from $54.00 to $53.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings cut FirstEnergy from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Thursday. Barclays dropped their price target on FirstEnergy from $51.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating on shares of FirstEnergy in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Mizuho set a $51.00 target price on shares of FirstEnergy in a report on Thursday. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $49.31.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FirstEnergy

About FirstEnergy

(Free Report)

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is a U.S.-based electric utility holding company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The companys primary business is the delivery of electricity through its regulated transmission and distribution utilities, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers across parts of the Midwest and MidAtlantic. FirstEnergys service territory includes states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia, and it operates primarily within the PJM regional transmission organization.

FirstEnergys core activities center on owning and operating electric distribution networks and transmission systems, maintaining and upgrading grid infrastructure, managing storm response and restoration, and offering customer programs that include energy efficiency and reliability services.

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AXQ Capital LP decreased its holdings in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF  Free Report) by 52.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 66,766 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 73,788 shares during the period. AXQ Capital LPs holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs were worth $815,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CLF. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cleveland-Cliffs by 43.5% during the second quarter. Hunter Associates Investment Management LLC now owns 70,898 shares of the mining companys stock worth $538,000 after purchasing an additional 21,498 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 66.5% during the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 794,437 shares of the mining companys stock worth $6,038,000 after purchasing an additional 317,352 shares in the last quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. lifted its position in Cleveland-Cliffs by 27.2% in the second quarter. First Dallas Securities Inc. now owns 312,040 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,372,000 after purchasing an additional 66,800 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in Cleveland-Cliffs by 1,525.1% in the 3rd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 420,927 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $5,135,000 after purchasing an additional 395,026 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Monaco Asset Management SAM increased its position in Cleveland-Cliffs by 79.2% during the 2nd quarter. Monaco Asset Management SAM now owns 430,000 shares of the mining companys stock worth $3,268,000 after purchasing an additional 190,000 shares during the period. 67.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Cleveland-Cliffs

In other news, COO Clifford T. Smith sold 200,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.46, for a total transaction of $2,092,000.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 560,529 shares in the company, valued at $5,863,133.34. This trade represents a 26.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Lourenco Goncalves sold 3,000,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $12.42, for a total value of $37,260,000.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 1.76% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on CLF. KeyCorp downgraded Cleveland-Cliffs from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Cleveland-Cliffs from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price target for the company from $12.80 to $17.00 in a report on Friday, January 9th. UBS Group set a $15.00 price objective on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Cleveland-Cliffs in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Cleveland-Cliffs presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.89.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Cleveland-Cliffs

Cleveland-Cliffs Trading Up 1.3%

Cleveland-Cliffs stock opened at $10.79 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $6.15 billion, a PE ratio of -3.69 and a beta of 1.93. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $13.10 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.30. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has a 52 week low of $5.63 and a 52 week high of $16.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.95, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15.

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 9th. The mining company reported ($0.43) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.62) by $0.19. The business had revenue of $4.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.60 billion. Cleveland-Cliffs had a negative net margin of 7.91% and a negative return on equity of 18.94%. The companys quarterly revenue was down .3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted ($0.68) earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. will post -0.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cleveland-Cliffs Profile

(Free Report)

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc is a leading North American producer of iron ore pellets and flat-rolled steel products. Tracing its roots to 1847, the company has evolved from an iron-ore mining concern in the Great Lakes region into a fully integrated steelmaker. Today, Cleveland-Cliffs operates iron ore mining complexes in Michigan and Minnesota as well as steelmaking and finishing facilities across the United States.

The companys integrated platform begins with direct control of key raw materials, including iron ore and scrap, and extends through every stage of steel production.

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Dana Investment Advisors Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 302,378 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 22,744 shares during the quarter. Dana Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Bank of America were worth $15,600,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Bank of America in the 2nd quarter valued at $5,091,641,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 124.8% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 17,619,837 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $833,771,000 after buying an additional 9,782,208 shares during the last quarter. ABN AMRO Bank N.V. bought a new position in shares of Bank of America in the 2nd quarter valued at about $202,439,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp increased its position in shares of Bank of America by 881.5% in the second quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 4,210,388 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $199,236,000 after acquiring an additional 3,781,417 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management increased its position in shares of Bank of America by 96.5% in the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 6,882,719 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $325,690,000 after acquiring an additional 3,379,335 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.71% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Bank of America

Here are the key news stories impacting Bank of America this week:

Positive Sentiment: Bank of America is committing roughly $25 billion of its balance sheet to private-credit deals, a move that can boost fee income and lending yields as the bank leverages its scale to provide direct financing. This is a clear strategic push into higher-return, fee-generating activity. Read More.

Bank of America is committing roughly $25 billion of its balance sheet to private-credit deals, a move that can boost fee income and lending yields as the bank leverages its scale to provide direct financing. This is a clear strategic push into higher-return, fee-generating activity. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Merrill (Bank of Americas wealth arm) launched the Direct Markets Group, a specialized trading desk for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices ($50M+). That targets a lucrative client segment and could raise trading/commission revenues and client retention over time. Read More.

Merrill (Bank of Americas wealth arm) launched the Direct Markets Group, a specialized trading desk for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices ($50M+). That targets a lucrative client segment and could raise trading/commission revenues and client retention over time. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America research continues to be active in the market (examples include published stock picks and analyst actions), which raises the firms profile but has limited direct impact on BACs own fundamentals. These notes can influence market perception but are not company earnings or capital events. Read More.

Bank of America Price Performance

NYSE:BAC opened at $51.04 on Tuesday. Bank of America Corporation has a 52 week low of $33.06 and a 52 week high of $57.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $54.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.36. The firm has a market cap of $372.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.29.

Bank of America (NYSE:BAC  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.96 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $4.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.73 billion. Bank of America had a return on equity of 11.07% and a net margin of 16.23%.The companys revenue was up 12.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Bank of America Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 29.24%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BAC shares. Argus upped their price objective on Bank of America from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Bank of America from $68.00 to $64.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Bank of America from $66.00 to $64.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $60.30.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of America

About Bank of America

(Free Report)

Bank of America Corporation is a multinational financial services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It provides a broad array of banking, investment, asset management and related financial and risk management products and services to individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses, large corporations, governments and institutional investors. The firm operates through consumer banking, global wealth and investment management, global banking and markets businesses, offering capabilities across lending, deposits, payments, advisory and capital markets.

Its consumer-facing offerings include checking and savings accounts, mortgages, home equity lending, auto loans, credit cards and small business banking, supported by a nationwide branch network and digital channels.

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PICTURED ABOVE . . . Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ruairi McHugh, pictured with, from left, Danielle McNally, Business Development Manager, DCSDC, Caroline Kilbane, Hello Marketing, Eve Blair, MC for the event, Jacqueline Whoriskey, Event Manager, DCSDC, Helena Hasson and Aisling McCallion, Event Co-Ordinators, DCSDC. The session, part of the Go Succeed NI initiative, was designed for local retailers, hospitality businesses, service providers, and creative brands looking to leverage the city's busy festival calendar.

Local businesses from across Derry and Strabane turned out this week for a special engagement session designed to help them maximise the opportunities presented by the City and Districts packed festival calendar.

Derry and Strabane is widely recognised as a district of festivals, and the event highlighted the real potential for local enterprises to connect with new audiences, increase visibility and boost footfall by getting involved with the citys major celebrations. They include the internationally renowned City of Derry Jazz & Big Band Festival, the Foyle Maritime Festival and the world famous Derry Halloween Festival, which this year marks its much anticipated 40th anniversary.

The session provided businesses with a comprehensive overview of programming to date, alongside practical insight into the trading, partnership and promotional opportunities available throughout the year.

Representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Councils Events Team outlined how festivals take shape across the city and district, offering valuable insight into planning timelines and engagement opportunities. Councils Business Support Team also shared practical guidance on how businesses can get involved through collaborations, themed promotions and wider support initiatives.

A key highlight of the event was an engaging session delivered by Caroline Kilbane, Marketing and Brand Activation Expert. Caroline explored how businesses can move beyond simply being open during festivals to actively activating their brand in ways that are authentic, creative and aligned with festival audiences - without overstretching time or budget.

Her practical advice equipped retailers, hospitality providers, service businesses and creative brands with clear steps to convert festival footfall into meaningful customer engagement.

Speaking after the event Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, said: Our festivals are at the heart of what makes Derry and Strabane such a vibrant and welcoming place. They attract tens of thousands of visitors each year, and its vital that our local businesses are supported to maximise the economic opportunities they create.

READ NEXT: Chicken Tikka Challenge proves a recipe for success for Derry charity

"The strong turnout at this session demonstrates the appetite within our business community to collaborate, innovate and fully embrace the potential of our festival programme.

Kevin OConnor, Head of Business at Derry City and Strabane District Council, added: We want businesses to see festivals not just as busy weekends, but as strategic opportunities to grow their customer base, strengthen their brand and build long-term relationships. Through practical guidance, partnership opportunities and initiatives like this session, we are committed to ensuring that local enterprises are equipped to benefit fully from our events calendar.

The event reinforces Councils commitment to ensuring that the economic and promotional benefits of its award-winning festival programme are felt across the local business community.

This workshop was delivered as part of Go Succeed NI, a significant investment in local entrepreneurs and businesses funded by the UK Government.

Businesses interested in learning more about upcoming festival engagement opportunities are encouraged to contact the Councils Events or Business Support teams for further information.
A man 'most if not every police officer in Derry would be aware of' has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Harry Boyle (35) of Claremont House in Derry was allegedly spotted by police on February 20 to be driving with an unknown male.

Boyle, who an officer said is well known to police, was said to have tried to conceal his face with his hand and refused to stop when police indicated for him to do so.

He was then said to have driven off at speed, pushing past police and causing other cars to have to move to avoid a collision before driving through a red light.

Boyle was arrested on February 21 after a further report to police of him in the same vehicle.

The court heard that Boyle had been convicted in January of driving while disqualified and had 'an extensive record' with 28 priors for breaching his bail.

The police officer continued that Boyle 'was a clear risk to the public' if he continued to drive.

Boyle denied all offences and defence barrister Sean Doherty said that he denied being in the car at all, calling it a case of 'mistaken identification'.

Police then told the court that Boyle was seen the following day as a passenger in the same car.

Bail was refused and he will appear again on March 19.
The recent Assembly debate on mental health data laid bare a "fundamental failure at the heart of Northern Ireland's mental health system" according to a prominent mental health charity.

The Participation and Practice of Rights (PPR) organisation's 'New Script for Mental Health' group said the debate on February 16, highlighted "there is still no reliable, publicly validated data to show whether services are meeting need, how long people are waiting, or whether outcomes are improving".

Sara Boyce, New Script for Mental Health organiser said: "Despite more than five years of a Mental Health Strategy, Audit Office warnings and Public Accounts Committee scrutiny, Health Minister Mr Mike Nesbitt MLA confirmed that key mental health figures remain management information rather than official statistics."

She added: "This means they are not yet considered robust enough for formal publication.

"The Minister blamed the Department of Healths new Encompass system for the delays. This digital care record system has been built by Epic, a US private company at the cost of 360m to date. In a shocking admission, the Minister stated: 'Encompass is like a system built to go to the moon but currently being used for a short trip to Spain.'

"However, New Script for Mental Health campaigners is clear that is not a technical problem, rather it is an accountability failure that long predates the rollout of Encompass. Despite repeated warnings since 2021 from the Office for Statistics Regulation, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committee, serious weaknesses in mental health data collection and publication remain unresolved."

Ger McParland, New Script activist added: "People cannot hold services to account if the numbers are not published.

"Families cannot understand delays. MLAs cannot scrutinise spending. Strategy without measurable public reporting is simply rhetoric and a fundamental failure in accountability. We were told that Encompass is the solution. Yet it is now in a two-year stabilisation period. That takes us close to 2027  six years into the Strategy  before meaningful reporting may be in place.

"The debate on the Sinn Fein motion confirmed that mental health is bottom of the pile when it comes to routinely published data, with the following significant gaps being identified: no validated, routinely published regional mental health waiting-time data; no published Mental Health Outcomes Framework for the 10-year Mental Health Strategy; no public dashboard like that available in NHS England; no time-bound milestones for accountability within the two-year stabilisation phase; and no confirmed publication date for comparable Trust-level data

"The Minister stated that data must be 'robust' before publication. Campaigners argue that transparency and validation must happen in parallel  not sequentially  particularly given repeated warnings from oversight bodies since 2021," said Ger McParland.

"The Mental Health Strategy 20212031 promised improved data collection to inform better services and outcomes. We are now halfway through that strategy. Yet the public still cannot see: how many people are waiting, and for how long; whether spending aligns with need; whether outcomes are improving; and whether inequalities by deprivation or region are narrowing," he added.

"Without this information, there is no way to judge performance, value for money, or progress against strategy commitments."

Mary Gould, New Script activist highlighted the human cost of this ongoing failure: "This is not about spreadsheets or systems  it is about saving lives.

When the Minister admits mental health data will not be published for at least another two years, he is admitting that we will continue to make life-and-death decisions in the dark.

Data is not a technical add-on to reform; it is how we know whether people are getting help in time, whether suicide prevention is working, and whether services are reaching those most at risk. Transparency is not optional  it is the foundation of saving lives.

New Script campaigners are demanding immediate action to restore credibility and public trust:

Immediate publication timetable for validated waiting-time statistics; release of the full Mental Health Outcomes Framework; quarterly public performance reporting; clear baselines and time-bound targets; RAG-rated indicators for headline commitments; and public reporting broken down by region and deprivation.
There is growing suspicion within grassroots unionism in Northern Ireland around reform of the Stormont Assembly, according to a former first minister.

Baroness Arlene Foster sounded the warning while giving evidence to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee as part of its ongoing review into institutional reform.

There have been calls from some quarters for reform of the Assembly following recent political collapses between 2017-2020 and 2022-2024.

The Stormont Assembly and Executive were set up following the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, while some changes were delivered to how the mechanisms work following the St Andrews Agreement.

Reform of the petition of concern is among the most popular calls.

It is a safeguard mechanism which requires the backing of at least 30 MLAs to force a cross-community vote rather than a simple majority on an issue, but some parties have been accused of abusing it.

Lady Foster told MLAs there must be clear cross-community support for any reform.

The former DUP leader, who described herself as now an unaligned unionist, cautioned that there is a growing suspicion from grassroots unionism around reform.

She said there is a view that the language of reform is being deployed not to improve governance, but to tilt the constitutional balance or indeed marginalise one tradition following election results.

Whether or not that perception is fair, it exists, and in Northern Ireland perception has real political consequences, she told MLAs.

So reform cant be something that is done to one section of the community, it must be something that is agreed in a broad consensus.

If mechanisms such as cross-community safeguards are only to operate in a way that benefits one community then we must question the entire basis of people giving their support to the arrangements that have been in place since 1998, and amended by the St Andrews Agreement in 2006.

Former deputy first minister Mark Durkan also gave evidence to the committee on Tuesday morning.

Mr Durkan, who had been involved in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement negotiations, said he hoped some of the mechanisms would be biodegradable, and might fall away as the environment changed.

He said he wants to see reform, describing the current structures as having seen everyones mandate frustrated with various collapses of the institutions over the years.

The structures that we negotiated in 1998 were such that people werent supposed to be able to vet or veto anybody else being able to take a position according to their mandate, Mr Durkan said.

But particularly courtesy of the St Andrews Agreement, we have ended up in a situation where people have been able to veto everybody elses mandate, so structures that were designed to stop any one partys mandate being discriminated against have ended up in a situation where we have had everybodys mandate actually frustrated, and the Assembly itself grounded.

Turning to the posts of first minister and deputy first minister, Mr Durkan suggested a change of titles to reflect that it is a joint office.

Essentially that language was there because one of the parties that was in the negotiation of the agreement would only agree to the joint office if there was a differential in the titles, but the fact is the office was fully designed to be absolutely consubstantial, he said.

It is meant to be a joint office, I do think the titles should be equalised, perhaps more importantly I would commend the idea of reverting to that joint office being subject to election by the Assembly itself.

It was very deliberate in the agreement that that joint office was to be subject to open nominations, any two MLAs could be nominated, it did not specify that it had to be a unionist, and a nationalist, any two could be nominated.

Mr Durkan added: The biggest strength there would be to restore the primacy that was intended for the Assembly.

That sense of the primacy of the Assembly is something that has decayed over the years.
A boost from the Treasury is a de facto bailout that masks deeper fiscal strain in Stormonts budgetary situation, a fiscal watchdog has said.

The NI Fiscal Council has published its assessment of Finance Minister John ODowds multi-year budget, and warns the Executive needs to address the underlying causes of overspending.

NI departments are on course to overspend their budgets again this year by almost 460 million, but the UK Treasury has agreed to provide a loan of 400 million from its reserve, to be repaid over three years.

The Fiscal Council has said this support reduces, but does not remove, the cliff-edge reduction in real funding for public services in 2026-27.

Its analysis claims: The Treasury loan acts as a de facto bailout. By offering substantial assistance without any significant conditionality, the Treasury risks signalling that similar interventions are likely to be available in future years.

This could dull the Executives incentive to take difficult fiscal decisions on revenue, the size of the public sector workforce and the sustainability of pay parity with Great Britain.

Health and education will enter 2026-27 with opening budget allocations that are lower than the amounts they expect to spend this year despite these departments being responsible for this years overspend.

It has further analysed that public sector pay remains the dominant structural pressure, as NIs comparatively large public sector workforce means that when the UK Government increases spending to deliver a particular percentage pay deal in England, the block grant does not rise sufficiently to finance the same deal in NI.

The body predicts rising pay settlements, overspend recovery and restricted flexibility due to earmarked funding heighten the likelihood of renewed overspending in the next budget period.

The draft budget has not been accepted by Mr ODowds colleagues in the Executive, with DUP leader Gavin Robinson having said there is no point agreeing to a budget which doesnt work, just because it lasts for three years.

The Fiscal Council has acknowledged the budget is therefore unlikely to unfold as presented, but it warns it is not clear there is an alternative configuration of the available resources that would command widespread support.

The body concludes there is a significant risk that no budget will be agreed before the new financial year.

Sir Robert Chote, chairman of the council, said the Treasury loan has softened what would otherwise have been a much steeper fall in real spending power next year.

He added: But repeated exceptional support risks making such interventions appear routine rather than exceptional and may reduce the incentive to address the underlying causes of overspending.
The Derry Dance Collective is preparing to take center stage at The MAC, Belfast, as they join the prestigious annual youth dance platform, Unanimous, for the first time this April.

Presented by DU Dance (NI) in association with The MAC, the showcase will take place on Thursday, April 2 2026. Unanimous is a non-competitive arena that brings together some of the best youth dance groups to Belfast in a non-competitive arena to share their creative work in a professional theatre.

Cara Wilson-Hegarty, Teacher/Choreographer and Studio Owner of Derry Dance Collective said: Being part of Unanimous 2026 is a hugely exciting opportunity for Derry Dance Collective.

"For our senior dancers, its a chance to perform on a respected youth dance platform, connect with other young artists, and represent Derry in a wider dance community. We are especially excited to share the stage, learn from others, and be part of such an inspiring event.

Over the past fourteen years, the Unanimous platform has continued to expand and help young people from the ages of 12-24 years to develop skills, share their experience and form new connections. The diversity of the line-up for Unanimous reaffirms DU Dance (NI)s commitment to fostering dance talent from across the island of Ireland and providing a supportive professional environment for dancers of all backgrounds.

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As with previous Unanimous showcase events, audiences can expect powerful and energy packed performances from enthusiastic young contemporary dance talent. One audience member at Unanimous 2025 described it as Brilliant, really diverse showcase and really passionate dancers.

Alongside groups from DU Dance NIs Youth Engagement Programmes Sutemos Youth Dance and Belfast Boys, Unanimous will see the following groups perform in a non-competitive arena Claire Novaes Dance (Moira), and Derry Dance Collective, Dublin Youth Dance Company, FYI Dance Club (Wicklow), High Points Youth Ballet (Belfast), Laois Youth Dance Ensemble and Ohr Dance Company (Laois).

This is an event for families, community groups and individuals of all ages with an interest in the performing arts.

Tickets for Unanimous are available to purchase from The MAC: 028 9023 5053 / themaclive.com.

Tickets are priced at 10 for adults / 6 for under 16s and concessions. Contact tickets@themaclive.com for information about group rates.

DU Dance (NI)s principal funding is provided by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.

Caoileann Curry-Thompson, Arts Development Officer: Drama & Dance, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, DU Dance (NI)s Unanimous has firmly set itself as an annual highlight in the arts calendar, bringing together diverse groups from across the island of Ireland, and beyond, to connect and share in the powerful artform of dance. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support DU Dance (NI) and Unanimous and would encourage anyone with an interest in dance to go along and enjoy!
In celebration of International Womens Day, Front & Centre proudly announces their Playwriting Festival at the Playhouse, Derry. Over three dynamic days, they will shine a spotlight on the achievements and ongoing challenges of female and non-binary playwrights in Northern Ireland / North of Ireland, while inviting audiences and industry leaders to reimagine the future of theatre together, encouraging creativity, critical reflection, and community-building.

The festival will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, productions, staged readings and scratch performances, with a focus on Derry artists. The panels, talks and workshops are free to attend, and there is a small charge for all of the performances.

Amidst a climate of dwindling arts funding and the absence of a cohesive arts policy, Front & Centre addresses the unique obstacles faced by women and non-binary writers, especially those from working-class backgrounds. The festival acknowledges the remarkable talent emerging from the region, highlighting the contributions of acclaimed playwrights such as Stacey Gregg and Lisa McGee. Yet it is also a rallying cry: the lack of main stage productions for these vital voices cannot be ignored and must be addressed with urgency.

In 2021, actor, writer and researcher, Maggie Cronin published The Headcount1report, highlighting gender inequality in Northern Irelands theatre sector. The research analysed gender representation across the top-funded theatres in Northern Ireland, over the five year period from 2014 - 2019 and much like Gender Counts2 published in 2016, uncovered an inverse relationship between public funding and gender equality in the production of work.

That is to say, the theatres receiving most public funding produced the fewest plays by women. Notably, the research indicated that the overall percentage of plays written by women was just under 37%, but some theatre companies produced less than 15%.

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The programme launches on Friday, March 6 at 1:00pm with a welcome address and a session dedicated to Mapping the Landscape. Karis Kelly, a Bangor based playwright will join Gemma Walker-Farren and Soso Ni Cheallaigh, two established Derry based theatre makers, to interrogate how female playwrights in the North East can better support those in the North West, through innovative network building and collaboration.

A keynote speech given by Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick will celebrate the fearless and rebellious women of Derry, noting, womens political activism in Northern Ireland has frequently required them to engage with a hostile state in a struggle for their civil rights. Historically in Derry, this has been a sectarian struggle focusing on access to housing and employment; and post-conflict, womens civil rights in relation to reproduction, health, and security continue to be precarious. Despite this, Derry women are renowned for their strength and resilience.

Over the course of the weekend, attendees can look forward to workshops led by established writers and industry figures, opportunities for emerging playwrights to showcase their talent, and open forums encouraging candid dialogue and the sharing of practical strategies. One such workshop, delivered by Theatre and Dance Northern Irelands director, Niamh Flanagan, aims to equip playwrights and theatre makers with the tools to advocate for themselves politically, harnessing skills to influence policy and investment.

The festival culminates on Sunday 8th March with a staged reading of an extract of Hello Charlie, Derry actress and playwright Caoimhe Farrens courageous and fiercely original portrait of addiction, which was a finalist for The Victoria Wood Playwriting Prize for Comedy and shortlisted for the Womens Prize. This will be followed by a post-show discussion with special guest, creator and writer of Derry Girls, Lisa McGee.

Whether you are an emerging or established writer, a passionate artist, an academic, or a dedicated theatregoer, your voice will find a place at Front & Centre. The festival is committed to inclusivity and innovation, creating a supportive space for voices that have traditionally been underrepresented on the main stage.

I am so delighted that we are able to bring this festival to Derry. Shifting the dial on the gender imbalance in theatre in Northern Ireland requires all women in the industry across the North to work together says organiser, Karis Kelly. Northern Irish women deserve to see authentic representations of themselves on stage, written by women. My hope is that by staging these festivals, we can build a movement and a momentum towards parity.
Regional multilateral development finance institution the African Development Bank Group and the United Nations Development Programme have announced a transformative" continental drive to accelerate responsible artificial intelligence adoption and inclusive digital economic growth across Africa.

The AI 10 Billion Initiative, as it is known, is a co-designed partnership between the Bank Group, UNDP and private partners that seeks to mobilise up to US$10 billion by 2035.

These resources will be deployed to unlock up to 40 million new jobs across the continent by 2035 via targeted investments that build AI foundations and catalyse broad-based adoption  from entrepreneurship and regional data infrastructure to policy frameworks and skills development.

The announcement was made during the recent Nairobi AI Forum 2026, held from 9-10 February in Kenya, which brought together governments, private sector leaders, development partners and tech innovators to chart pathways for AI adoption with impact.

The AI 10 Billion Initiative is guided by a June 2025 report from the Bank Group which outlines a three-phase roadmap towards AI readiness. It is anchored on the activation of five interlinked enablers: data, compute, skills, trust and capital.

Theres no doubt, as the Bank Group puts it, that AI has the potential to deliver transformational gains for Africas economies. Indeed, it claims that, if developed and deployed inclusively, AI could generate up to US$1 trillion in additional GDP by 2035. This may sound optimistic, but the Bank Group calls it a realistic opportunity grounded in Africas demographic advantage, growing digital capacity, and sectoral reform.

Nicholas Williams, the Bank Groups ICT Operations Division Manager, says: As a leading multilateral development institution, the Bank is leveraging its comparative advantage to ensure Africa is not left behind in the AI era. The AI 10 Billion Initiative paves the way for expanded partnerships and sustained investment that will accelerate AI entrepreneurship, strengthen data and infrastructure ecosystems, and support inclusive growth across the continent.

To advance the initiative, the Bank says it will embark on a roadshow over the next 10 months to engage governments, private sector players, and development partners to forge new partnerships.
Bluetooth trackers, the small, battery-powered devices, help you find lost/misplaced everyday items such as keys, wallets, bags or passports. If the item is nearby, you open an app and trigger a loud sound to guide you to it. If it is farther away, the tracker relies on a wider crowdsourced network of smartphones to report its last known location. While Apples AirTag may be the most popular Bluetooth tracker out there, this list covers item finders that work with Apples Find My network and Googles Find My Device. Your choice of tracker is closely tied to the smartphone you use. But even if you are an Android and iPhone owner or your household has devices from both platforms, youll find a tracker that suits you here.

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When choosing a Bluetooth tracker, the basics still matter. Check the Bluetooth version, as newer BLE standards improve connection stability and energy efficiency. Real-world range is usually around 10 to 30 metres indoors, and more in open spaces. Confirm which network it supports: Apple Find My, Google Find My Device, or an independent system such as Life360 for Tile. Look at the battery type; most use a replaceable CR2032 coin cell, while some premium models are rechargeable. An IP rating, such as IP67 or IP68, indicates resistance to dust and water. A louder alert makes it easier to locate items buried inside luggage. Finally, review whether key features, such as left behind alerts or location history, require a paid subscription.

Together, these factors determine whether a tracker is simply a basic anti-lost tool or a more advanced, long-term companion for your digital ecosystem.

Some modern trackers can work with both Apple and Google networks, but not at the same time. During setup, you must select one ecosystem. Switching later usually requires a full factory reset to reassign the device. For buyers who may change phones in the future, that flexibility can extend the trackers usable life.

Zebronics One Tag

Price: Rs 649 | Works with: iOS

The Zebronics One Tag is an entry-level Bluetooth tracker designed exclusively for Apple users. It supports the Apple Find My network and uses Bluetooth 5.3 for low-energy connectivity and stable pairing.

It uses a replaceable CR2032 battery with an expected life of up to one year. The sound output ranges between 60 and 80 dB, suitable for quiet indoor retrieval. The device is compact, about 31 mm in diameter and roughly 8 mm thick, weighing around 6 grams. No formal IP rating is specified, so you should be careful while exposing it to water.

Like other Find My certified products, anti stalking alerts are managed through Apples cross-platform detection system. There is no separate subscription model.

Amazon Basics Aero Tag

Price: Rs 699 | Works with: iOS

The Amazon Basics Aero Tag is an entry-level Bluetooth tracker designed exclusively for Apple users. It supports the Apple Find My network and uses Bluetooth 5.3 for low-energy connectivity and stable pairing.

It runs on a replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery rated for about one year of use, depending on alert frequency. The alert speaker produces around 80 dB, which is adequate for indoor use but less effective in noisy environments. The body is lightweight, roughly 11 grams, with dimensions close to 37 x 8 x 37 mm. There is no official IP rating.

Anti stalking protection is handled at the network level through Apples built-in unwanted tracking alerts in iOS. There is no subscription fee, and features such as separation alerts and Lost Mode are included within the Find My ecosystem.

JioTag Air

Price: Rs 749 | Works with: iOS

The JioTag Air from Reliance Jio offers flexible ecosystem support. At setup, users can link it either to Apple Find My or to the JioThings app on Android. It cannot operate on both networks simultaneously, and switching requires a factory reset.

It uses Bluetooth 5.3 and provides a working range of up to 15 meters on Android, and for better results, the company advises using it on iOS.

A replaceable CR2032 battery powers the device for up to 12 months, and Jio includes an extra battery in the box. The most notable hardware feature is its loud buzzer, rated between 90 and 120 dB, making it easier to locate inside luggage.

The tracker weighs about 9 grams and measures roughly 38 x 38 x 7 mm. It is marketed as splash-resistant but does not carry a clearly defined IP rating. Anti stalking alerts depend on the network chosen, Apples DULT standard or Jios app-level notifications. There is no mandatory subscription for core tracking features.

Noise Tag 1

Price: Rs 999 | Works with: iOS and Android

The Noise Tag 1 is positioned primarily for Android users and supports the Google Find My Device network. It can also integrate with iOS through app-based support, though its core strength lies within Android.

It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and offers a tracking range of around 30 metres outdoors and approximately 10 metres indoors. The device emits a 90 dB alert, loud enough for most home or office scenarios. Power comes from a replaceable CR2032 battery rated for roughly one year.

The tracker carries an IPX4 rating, meaning it can handle light splashes but not immersion. Anti stalking protections are handled by Googles unwanted tracker alerts built into Android. There is no compulsory subscription for essential functions.

UGreen FineTrack Smart Finder

Price: Rs 1,697 | Works with: iOS

The UGreen FineTrack Smart Finder is certified for Apple Find My and uses Bluetooth Low Energy. It is compatible with iOS only.

Battery life is a key strength. It runs on a replaceable CR2032 cell rated for up to two years, longer than many entry-level options. Alert volume is around 80 dB. The tracker measures approximately 36 x 36 x 7 mm in dimensions.

There is no official high-grade IP rating. Anti stalking is handled through Apples network safeguards. No subscription is required.

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Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2

Price: Rs 2,799 | Works with: Galaxy smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 operates within the SmartThings Find ecosystem and is optimised for Samsung Galaxy smartphones. It supports Bluetooth 5.3 (LE) and includes Ultra Wideband in compatible variants for precision directional finding.

The range can reach up to 120 metres in open conditions. The device is powered by a replaceable CR2032 battery, rated for around 500 days in normal mode and longer in power saving mode. It carries an IP67 rating, meaning it can survive immersion in up to 1m of water for 30 minutes.

The SmartTag 2 weighs 13.75 grams, measures 28.8 x 52.44 x 8.0 mm and includes a physical button that can trigger smart home routines via SmartThings. Anti stalking alerts are integrated into Samsung and Android systems. There is no subscription for core features.

Tile by Life360 Pro

Price: Rs 3,299 | Works with: iOS and Android

The Tile operates independently of Apple and Google networks and connects through the Life360 platform. It works with both Android and iOS through the Tile app.

Bluetooth range is one of its strengths, reaching up to 105 metres, in ideal line-of-sight conditions. The alert can reach roughly 110 dB, among the loudest in this group. It uses a replaceable CR2032 battery rated for three years.

The Tile Pro measures around 52 x 34 x 7.5 mm and weighs about 12 grams. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Anti stalking requires manual scans in the app, and the controversial Anti-Theft Mode can suppress detection alerts. Tile Premium, a paid subscription, adds Smart Alerts for left behind notifications and extended location history.

Apple AirTag

Price: Rs 3,790 | Works with: iOS

The Apple AirTag remains the benchmark for iPhone users. It runs exclusively on Apple Find My and uses Bluetooth alongside Apples second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding on supported iPhones.

It packs a replaceable CR2032 battery that lasts roughly one year. The AirTag weighs about 11 grams and measures 31.9 mm in diameter with an 8 mm thickness. It is IP67 rated.

It includes built in anti stalking features such as automatic alerts for unknown trackers and an audible chirp if separated from its owner. There is no subscription fee for any tracking features.

Pebblebee Clip 5 and Card 5

Clip 5 price: Rs 8,999 | Card 5 price: Rs 10,613 | Works with: iOS and Android

The Pebblebee Clip and Card models represent the premium, cross-platform category. They can be paired with either Apple Find My or Google Find My Device, but only one at a time, and require a reset to switch.

They use Bluetooth Low Energy and work within a radius of up to 150 metres in open space. Unlike most competitors, they feature rechargeable lithium batteries. The Clip charges via USB C and offers up to 12 months per charge. The Card supports Qi wireless charging and can last up to 18 months per charge.

Both models carry IP66 ratings for dust and water jet resistance. The Clip includes LED lights alongside an audible alert for visual finding in low light. Anti stalking support aligns with Apple and Googles shared unwanted tracker detection standards. Core tracking is free, while optional subscriptions add emergency sharing features.

For mixed device households or users who may switch platforms in future, this universal approach provides longer-term flexibility, albeit at a significantly higher price point in India.

As you move up, you gain better build quality, stronger IP ratings, louder alerts, longer battery life, and in some cases, Ultra Wideband precision. At the very top, products such as Pebblebees Clip and Card justify their premium with rechargeable batteries, LED-assisted finding and true cross-platform hardware flexibility. In the end, the best Bluetooth tracker depends less on brand and more on ecosystem fit and usage priorities.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar listicles and stories.

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With smartphones becoming common in both cities and villages, the Bihar government has flagged rising screen time among children as a matter of urgent concern. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday told the Assembly that the state is working towards a policy to regulate minors exposure to social media and online gaming. The move comes amid growing anxiety over falling attention spans, sleep problems and behavioural changes linked to excessive device use. To shape its response, the government has sought a detailed study from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru and will consult stakeholders after receiving the findings.

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Choudhary, who also holds the home portfolio, said monitoring screen time is a multi-department issue involving education, health, information technology and women and child development. He said the government will convene a meeting of all stakeholders once the expert report is submitted and then prepare a policy framework.

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The issue was raised during Question Hour by JD(U) MLA Samridh Verma, who described excessive screen use as an invisible epidemic. Citing the Economic Survey 202526, he said that digital addiction has been recognised as a nationwide health concern. He further warned that the long hours spent on mobile phones and online platforms are affecting childrens focus, classroom performance and overall behaviour.

Verma pointed to Bihars expanding internet reach, especially in rural areas, and said that digital literacy has not kept pace. He noted that while children are being introduced to new technologies, families often lack awareness about safe and balanced usage, especially the elderly people in the family.

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The MLA suggested that digital hygiene should be introduced as a compulsory subject in government schools. He further added that these lessons could guide students on mindful device use and help them identify signs of addiction.

To solve the issue, Verma proposed setting up specialised counselling centres in every district hospital to support affected children and their families. He further recommended using the Jeevika Didi network to spread awareness among rural mothers about managing screen time at home.

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State Information Technology Minister Shreyasi Singh said her department has also requested the NIMHANS report and assured the House that the government will move ahead with a policy after reviewing it.
Panasonic has signed a comprehensive partnership agreement with Chinas Skyworth Group that will see the latter take over television sales operations in North America and Europe starting April 2026. The move, announced at Panasonics 2026 TV launch event, is aimed at improving profitability in a struggling TV business by cutting fixed costs and sharing development and production resources. Panasonic will continue to sell TVs in Japan, while Skyworth will lead sales, marketing, logistics and manufacturing in Europe and the US.

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Panasonic Skyworth partnership details

As per the agreement:

Skyworth will manage sales, marketing and logistics for Panasonic-branded TVs in Europe and North America.

Skyworth will manufacture the TVs for those regions.

Panasonic will continue to provide audiovisual expertise and quality assurance.

Both companies will jointly develop top-end OLED models.

Panasonic will continue after-sales support for all TVs sold up to March 2026 and for models launched from April onwards.

Panasonic confirmed that TVs will continue to carry the Panasonic brand and incorporate its proprietary picture tuning and processing technologies. The transition will happen region by region.

The company is targeting a double-digit market share in Europe under the new structure. In other Asian markets, Panasonic said it will explore locally optimised strategies, including potential deeper collaboration with Skyworth.

Akira Toyoshima, CEO, Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co., Ltd., said, The new business model change will leverage the power of Panasonics core technical excellence in AV processing, quality and service standards with the global scale economy of Shenzhen Skyworth Display Technology Companys manufacturing volume and speed to provide a winning formula for the customer value proposition.

Peter Zhang, CEO of Shenzhen Chuangwei-RGB Electronics, Skyworths holding company, said the partnership will bring world-class product innovation supported by extensive R&D investment, alongside a rapidly expanding international footprint and established distribution network.

Skyworth is the worlds third-largest OLED TV manufacturer due to its home market business.

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Additional context and why this deal matters

Panasonics TV business has faced mounting pressure from Chinese brands in recent years. Because of this, the company had previously outsourced production of entry-level and mid-range models to partners, including Chinas TCL Group. The new agreement with Skyyworth looks like an extension of that approach.

The Panasonic Skyworth partnership follows a similar strategic shift by Sony, which announced in January that it would outsource its TV manufacturing to a joint venture led by TCL. Other Japanese brands such as Sharp and Toshiba have already transferred control of their TV operations to foreign companies, underscoring a broader structural change in the global TV industry.

For Panasonic, the deal reduces exposure to intense price competition in Europe and the US, while allowing it to focus on high-end, higher-margin models in Japan and other lucrative markets. It announced the Z85C or Z86C OLED TV this year, and prevailing flagship models such as the Z95B and Z90B will carry over for now. Panasonic has indicated that more announcements are expected later this year, suggesting that its premium OLED strategy remains intact despite the operational shift.

For buyers in Europe and North America, Panasonic TVs will remain available under the same brand, but production and distribution will increasingly be handled by Skyworth. The success of the partnership will depend on whether Panasonic can maintain its established picture quality reputation while leveraging Skyworths scale to remain price competitive in these markets. Lets see.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: Panasonic Shinobi Pro PX950 Mini LED TV review: Bright 4K HDR performance at a premium price
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Former Colaiste Chu Chulainn Louth student Rahma Elmbaridi now studying at Trinity College Dublin has this week received a Three Ireland Connect to STEM Scholarship for Women, as part of an initiative to support the next generation of women leaders in science and technology. The awards were presented at an evening ceremony on Monday, February 23rd, 2026.

The awardees, who are first and second-year students at Trinity, are the latest of more than 20 Trinity students to be awarded Three Ireland Connect to STEM Scholarships for Women since the programme began in 2022/23.

Administered by the Faculty of STEM and Trinity Access Programmes, each scholarship is worth 20,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree programme (or 15,000 over three years). The scholarship scheme is designed to attract, encourage and support women to study STEM subjects at Trinity.

The successful students receive additional mentoring supports from Three Ireland and from STEM. In October 2025, the scholarship application process was open to both first year and second-year student applicants who are registered on selected STEM courses. Recipients were chosen based on a written application.

The scholarships are open to female students who are resident in Ireland and have accepted a place in one of the following Trinity undergraduate programmes: School of Computer Science & Statistics, School of Engineering, School of Mathematics, School of Physics and the School of Chemistry (Chemical Science only).

Dr Linda Doyle, Provost, Trinity College Dublin, said: We need many more women studying, shaping, and leading in STEM, and it is vital that we create pathways that empower them to do so.

The Three Ireland Connect to STEM programme is proving to be transformative in this mission. I want to congratulate this years awardees, and I also want to thank Three Ireland for working with us to support these remarkable women."

Prof. Sylvia Draper, Dean of STEM at Trinity, said: I want to acknowledge the personal stories and the achievements of all the applicants. The students who have won these scholarships are truly deserving of our admiration and our support. I have no doubt that they will go on to do extraordinary things and to make their mark in the college, in science, in society, and the world of work. The enthusiasm, commitment, and engagement of everyone involved in this programme has been inspiring.

These scholarships would not have been possible but for the generosity and vision of Three Ireland. It has been wonderful to work with them so closely. Their support has helped us to offer STEM programmes that are open to all, and to ensure that we have Three Ireland Connect to STEM scholars, with the skills to address global challenges and to advance diversity throughout their careers.

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Elaine Carey, Chief Executive Officer, Three Ireland, said:  Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Three Ireland and as a major employer in this sector, we are deeply committed to building a more diverse and representative STEM community. We know we need more women in STEM, and that is why our partnership with Trinity matters so much. Through the Connect to STEM Scholarships we are helping to remove barriers, build confidence, and create meaningful pathways into opportunity.

"It was a real privilege to meet this years scholarship recipients and hear their stories. The calibre of talent, determination and ambition on display was truly impressive. These young women have incredibly bright futures ahead of them, and we are proud to play a small part in supporting their journey.
Labour TD Ged Nash has warned that Louth is "in the firing line" of delayed installation of flood defences.

The Louth TD told the Dail that rainfall events that were once one-in-a-century, are now becoming much more frequent.

He warned that there is "huge strain on already stressed infrastructure, road networks and flood defences".

"The severity of the storms and the impacts we are experiencing are going to become ever more complicated and we need to do more to adapt, mitigate and manage," he said.

Deputy Nash said that dozens of "critical" flood defence projects have been "in the system for almost a decade".

"Out of 54 large projects where some work has begun since they were prioritised for development back in 2018, the majority - 31 - are only at preliminary design stage."

"The target completion times for many of the projects run well into the 2030s but those who are suffering annual, and now more frequent, deluges simply cannot wait any longer," he said.

The Labour TD told the Dail that people in Louth are "in the firing line" of what he called "tardiness".

While Deputy Nash praised the work of Louth County Council, he said he wasn't sure the local authority's application of 1.2 million for emergency funding would cover the necessary repairs.

"The problem is not confined to Dundalk and north Louth; severe damage has been caused in the south of the county as well. When we speak to local authority engineers, as we do almost daily, we hear reports of roads being flooded and a growth in the number of potholes over the last period of time," he said.

Louth County Council confirmed that recent weather has caused 3,000 new potholes across the county.

Deputy Nash said local authorities have been unable to repair the potholes due to them being filled with water, and said icy conditions have "exacerbated the problem".

He said that recent weather events had turned the Main Street in Blackrock into a canal, and warned that Wellington Quay in Drogheda and the River Boyne are "very vulnerable" to similar flooding events.

"Homes and businesses in Blackrock, with which the Minister of State [Kevin "Boxer" Moran] will be familiar having visited recently, have been particularly badly hit, and areas on the Cooley Peninsula are continually finding themselves quite literally in the eye of the storm."

"The main street in Blackrock, facing onto the beach, effectively became a kind of canal in recent times, something that I have certainly not experienced in a long time. We know that when rain persists and we have these flooding events, places like Wellington Quay in Drogheda, beside the River Boyne, are very vulnerable indeed," he said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Last week, we had a story on the 70th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, how a star Manchester United side was decimated, losing seven players in the crash, and Duncan Edwards succumbing to the injuries he had sustained a number of weeks later.

It would have been understandable had United withdrawn from all competitions after that, but the decision was taken to keep going. There was a European Cup semi-final to be played, as well as domestic league and Cup competitions.

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Prior to taking the ill-fated trip to Belgrade to play Red Star, United had beaten Shamrock Rovers in the opening round. Rovers, the first League of Ireland team play in Europe, lost the first leg 6-0 before a 45,000 Dalymount Park crowd, but put up a much better performance at Old Trafford, losing by only the odd goal in five.

Maxie McCann and Tommy Hamilton were their scorers.

United beat Red Star 2-1 at home, and by drawing 3-3 in Prague, qualified to meet Milan in the semi-final. However, by the time that match came around, the English League champions from the previous year had a much-changed side on view.

After Munich, theyd be given special permission to sign new players on the spot, and among those to come in were Blackpools Ernie Taylor and Stan Crowther, the latter, signed from Aston Villa just a half-hour before Uniteds first outing on the domestic scene.

Taylor scored in the first meeting with Milan in a 2-1 win, but United were no match for the home side in the second leg, losing 4-0.

Milan went on to be beaten in the final by Real Madrid, who had won each of the Cups first two runnings before going on to complete a five-timer.

While Matt Busby lay critically ill in hospital, his assistant, Jimmy Murphy, took charge. Murphys first game, a Cup tie, featured debutants Taylor and Crowther.

There was another first-timer included, but by then the 21-year-old Shay Brennan was part of the United set-up.

There was a crowd of 60,000 at Old Trafford for the fifth round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday, and on a night of high emotion, Brennan brought much-needed cheer, scoring twice in a 3-0 win.

Munich survivors, Harry Gregg and Bill Foulkes, were also involved.

United progressed to the final, playing Bolton Wanderers. Gregg was again in goals, Foulkes at centre-half, and up front were two other crash survivors, Bobby Charlton and Dennis Violett. Shay Brennan wasnt included.

United lost 2-0, Boltons goals coming from Nat Lofthouse, the second after hed shoulder-charged Gregg. This was a reminder of the previous years final, in which United played Aston Villa.

Villa won 2-1, both goals coming from Newry-born Peter McParland, who had won an FAI Cup medal with Dundalk four years previously.

McParland did more than shoulder-charge Ray Wood  he broke the United goalies jaw in a tackle, leaving him unconscious. Also on the Villa side was Stan Crowther.

Defeat for United for the second year running was more than compensated for with the presence of Matt Busby in the Wembley dug-out, the legendary manager having made a miraculous recovery.
Redeemer Boys National School Dundalk is to be the first school from Dundalk participating in the First Lego League initiative. First Lego League is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) initiative inviting children and young people to design, build and code Lego robots and to complete a series of missions.

The school was given the First Lego League kits through the Town Scientist programme last year. Town Scientist is the programme run by Dundalk native Dr Niamh Shaw which seeks to open the worlds of space and science to families and those who may not typically engage with the topics. The schools participation is also thanks to support from Dundalk Credit Union and Engineers Ireland.

On Wednesday 17 February, the pupils held a showcase of their work to date and a celebration of their achievement in reaching the regional final which will take place in Dublin on 26 February. The theme for this year is Unearthed, which focuses on archaeology, and the pupils have also developed a research project along this theme.

Wednesdays event was attended by Dr Niamh Shaw, Naomi ODonoghue from Dundalk Credit Union, and Maryellen Kelledy from DkIT and Chairperson of Engineers Ireland North East Region. The pupils showcased their Lego robot which they designed, built and coded with the support of their teachers Niall McArdle and Majella Corrigan. The pupils have named their team Flaming Pythons and also designed their own t-shirts.

Speaking yesterday, Dr Niamh Shaw, said: I am blown away by the creativity and skill displayed by the students in developing their robot and research project. As a former pupil of the Redeemer Girls National School I am so proud to have the school involved.

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"I have been involved in the First LEGO League initiative for a number of years, having previously hosted the All-Ireland National Finals, and the programme is a great opportunity for pupils of all ages to develop their teamwork, design and coding skills through Lego, and most importantly, have fun while doing so.

Town Scientist is delighted to have supported the teachers and school by bringing this initiative to them. The boys of Redeemer National School are to be commended for being the first pupils from Dundalk to participate and to make the regional final - it is a huge achievement, and they have done us all very proud.

Naomi ODonoghue from Dundalk Credit Union said: Dundalk Credit Union are proud Town Scientist partners and projects like the First LEGO League are what make Dr Niamh Shaw's contribution locally so special. Seeing the boy's determination and imagination creating and perfecting their Lego robot, 'Big Joe', was brilliant.

"It is an amazing way for young people to discover STEM in a way that is fun and develops their ability to solve problems, all while working as a team and growing their communication skills. We are incredibly proud to support Niamh and the Redeemer Boys School and wish them the very best of luck.
A son and daughter of a well-known Irish publican have both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare.

Bill Chawke and Alison Chawke, son and daughter of Charlie Chawke in Limerick, were arraigned before Judge Simon McAleese on Monday in Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

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Mr Chawke, aged 31, of Merrion Street Upper, Dublin 2, said guilty after the court registrar put one count of assault causing harm at the Dunraven Arms Hotel on November 9, 2023 to him.

Similarly, Alison Chawke, aged 41, of The Beeches, Holywell, Goatstown, Dublin 14, said guilty when one count of assault causing harm at the Dunraven Arms Hotel on November 9, 2023 was put to her.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Brendan Gill, said the pleas were acceptable to the State on a full facts basis.

Ms Buckley said there will be CCTV footage and victim impact statements on behalf of two male injured parties.

Mr Chawke was represented by Henry Kelly BL while Mark Nicholas SC acted for Ms Chawke during the brief procedural matter this Monday morning in Limerick Courthouse.

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When the case was before Newcastle West Court in October 2024, Inspector Barry Manton outlined the then alleged facts of the case to Judge Carol Anne Coolican so she could decide if the matter would stay in the district court or be sent forward to the circuit court.

Insp Manton alleged that at around 12.30am on November 9, 2023, Ms and Mr Chawke were sitting at a bar at a hotel in Adare, along with the two alleged victims, and other hotel guests.

The court heard the two accused were involved in a verbal altercation with bar staff as well as the two alleged victims. Insp Manton alleged the two accused began a violent altercation.

A number of other customers at the bar tried to break it up, however, the altercation continued and ended in a hallway, Insp Manton alleged.

It was all captured on CCTV, said the garda inspector.

Insp Manton told Judge Coolican: It will be alleged that Bill Chawke, during this violent altercation, gouged the eyes of injured party number one and hit the head of injured party number one, pushing it down on the bar in a forceful manner.

It was further alleged that Mr Chawke threw a number of punches against both injured parties.

Regarding Ms Chawke, Insp Manton alleged she gouged the eyes of injured party number one, picked up a glass and threw it at persons involved, including those that were trying to break it up.

Ms Chawke then made her way to a hallway and delivered a number of kicks to the head of injured party number two, and she bent down and bit him on the cheek, alleged Insp Manton.

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Judge Coolican refused jurisdiction on that date in October 2024 and sent the matter forward to the circuit court.

The brother and sister both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in the Dunraven Arms Hotel at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Chawke and Ms Chawke were remanded on continuing bail by Judge McAleese

A sentencing hearing is to take place on Friday, March 6.
Monday marked one month since 16-year-old Grace Lynch was tragically killed after she was hit by a scrambler as she was crossing the road in Finglas, county Dublin.

Her heartbroken parents Siobhan and Martin, appeared on Ireland AM this week to speak about their grief on losing their beloved daughter and their ongoing campaign, Grace's Law, to tighten restrictions and regulations around scramblers.

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"Grace was the third girl, she was the baby," said Siobhan, "Grace was just so funny. She would do little quirky things, I found out recently she was bringing her friends back to the house to wash and blow-dry their hair, and cut their hair."

"She was 16, her life was just starting," said presenter Muireann O'Connell as she asks Martin does Grace's death feel real for him.

"It doesn't feel real, but each day it's sinking in further that she's not coming home," Martin answers, "and we go to the graveyard, we visit, we put down flowers, and that's it from now on."

"In the immediate aftermath of what happened to Grace we saw ye immediately, it was visceral," said Muireann, "Siobhan I remember it so well, you were out, you started campaigning straight away about these scrambler bikes. Was it something that you and your community had talked about already?"

"I worked as Health Care Assistant and I used to walk around as most of my clients would have been based in Finglas and up where Harry (Grace's boyfriend) lives," replied Siobhan.

"You would be on the footpaths walking and they'd be just flying passed you and you'd see kids dodging out of the way, elderly people almost stumbling and falling and frightened to go out of their house, and I would always so 'they are going to kill themselves or somebody else' I've been saying it for years, and so has a lot of the community.

Presenter Tommy Bowe asked them both if they talk about what happened on Can you tell us what happened, the day that you heard

Martin described how he was in work that day, underground in the Mater Hospital, when he got a notification from his ring doorbell camera. Because he was underground he said he couldn't hear everything that was being said, but that he could see there were Gardai at his door and they mentioned an accident, "I knew very little," he said.

"I rang Siobhan, and she was indecipherable on the phone, I couldn't make out what she was saying, I just heard Grace was in an accident so I immediately dropped everything, I just left," Martin said.

"Horrible day," Siobhan recalls emotionally, "20 to 4 I got a knock on the door, it was the guards, and I knew Grace's phone was never out of her hands, it had pink flowers on the back of it, and he handed it to me and asked if I knew who owned it and I said my daughter, he said she's been in an accident and I asked was she OK and he didn't answer me.

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"He said you need to get to Connolly hospital and I said please tell me my child is OK. There were two guards there and he said you just need to go. I had my son and I panicked, I was like a headless chicken, I was just running around I didn't know what to do."

Siobhan said she ran to a neighbours house to tell her that Grace had been in an accident and the Gardai wouldn't give her anymore information and asked her if she could watch her son while she went to went to the hospital.

She then said another car pulled up with two more Gardai who then rushed her to the hospital, "I was on my own, there was nobody with me".

Siobhan remembers being in the back of the car and seeing a a row of police, "I knew, I just knew...and they told me to stay in the car that they needed to check. She was then told to go to the family room, and "everybody knows the family room is not good".

Sat in the room with a nurse on either side of her, both holding her hand and they said "I'm so sorry, but your daughter has passed".

Siobhan said she had received a text a few days later from someone who said they had heard her "howl" from the room, "I was screaming that my baby had gone...I had to ring everyone and tell them and I was on my own for a while".

Her husband Martin and their other daughter arrived shortly after when Siobhan was told that Grace's heart had been beating steadily for "the last five minutes" and Siobhan thought "thank god, she heard me".

The doctors told them they could go in and see their daughter, but Siobhan said that image will "haunt her for the rest of my life".

"Grace had tubes everywhere and the blood was rolling from her ears, from her nose, and her mouth. The whole side of her head was black, and I went to touch her arm and I was told not to touch her arm because it was badly broken, but I could hold her hand. She was covered in a sheet and her hand was black and blue and her legs were completely mangled."

They were told they had to leave and that Grace was being brought down for a CT scan but they were reassured that her heart was beating. They told Siobhan that they can fix broken bones but that they needed to see the internal injuries on her brain.

"She came back from the CT and were told we could go back in again. I went back in and I told her to fight. We were told we had to leave again and at that stage, I think we all had hope. The doctor came back in again and said 'I am so sorry but you have to say goodbye."

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Wiping tears from her eyes, Siobhan said their whole family was in the room at this stage.

"I used to sing this song to her You are my Sunshine when she was a baby, and I started to sing it to her. I just remember walking in to that room so angry and wanting to scream and I couldn't.

"Leaving that hospital, knowing that I'm leaving my baby there in the morgue, and I couldn't be with her, it was the hardest thing.

"I couldn't sleep that night, I actually went up to the road that night and stood in the middle of the road waiting for a car to hit me, cuz I wanted to be with her. It was so hard, it broke my heart."

Visibly upset, Muireann then got up and sat beside Siobhan, and placed her hand on her knee.

Siobhan said the day after, her good friend rang her and said she wanted to do a walk for Grace, the one she never got to do, which Siobhan thought was a lovely idea, but said she didn't know if she would be able to take part. Her friend said she had completely understood Siobhan but rang her later in the day to tell her that hundreds of people had turned up from the community to support her and her family.

At this point, Siobhan said that she had to go to "support my baby". Siobhan said she wasn't expecting to talk that night but was so overwhelmed by the support and by everyone that had shown up.

Martin then said that they had met the Minister for Transport and the Minister for road safety and is hopeful that legislation will be drafted in the coming weeks to ban the use of scramblers in public spaces.

Muireann said that it was unfortunate for the two that they had to become campaigners at such a devastating time in their lives but asked Martin if there was anything he would like to say to the parents who allow their young kids to ride scramblers.

"If you love your children, why would you let them on a machine that's going to propel them 100km/h down a road with little or no safety equipment? There's no safety in them. In a car you have some chance, with them, there's no chance.

"If nothing is done, it's going to happen again and again and again. I work in A&E, and e-bikes, scooters, quads, scramblers...the figures are there. I think 80% of all head injures going in to A&E is to do with them vehicles. It's not just made up, it's real."

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Following on from another devastating weekend where seven people were killed on Irish roads, including a 16-yea-old girl from Navan , Mia Lily Keogh O'Keeffe, who was killed following a hit and run while she was walking her beloved dog Bowie, who was also sadly killed, Siobhan had a message for road users.

"In particularly with red lights, the speed people go at, whether you're on an e-scooter, an e-bike, a car, a motorbike, they way they disobey a red light is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous, and that's something that needs to change, and hopefully again we will get a meeting with the minister for road safety, and this is something that I want to bring up to him, and Dublin City Council, about the roads."
Cork ornithologist and wildlife sound-recordist Sean Ronayne was among those honoured at the University College Cork (UCC) Alumni Achievement Awards.

Mr Ronayne, best known for recording the vocalisations of all of Irelands approximately 200 bird species, graduated from UCC in 2009 with a bachelor in zoology and later returned to complete masters degrees in marine biology and ecological assessment.

This work informed the multi-award-winning documentary Birdsong, and his debut book, Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, won the Dubray Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards.

Mr Ronayne said: Immersing myself in the sounds of nature is the most beautiful thing I could ever do. To be recognised with an Alumni Achievement Award for turning my passion in to my lifes work makes it even more special. Im grateful for the role my time at UCC played in that journey.

Seven other alumni were also honoured with an Alumni Achievement Award, including Dr Saranna Fanning, assistant professor in neurology at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Womens Hospital; renowned Irish rally driver Billy Coleman; and Ruth Cotter, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) Incs senior vice-president and chief administrative officer.

Others include organist and carillonneur Chevalier Adrian Gebruers; Sharon Cunningham, CEO and co-founder of Shorla Oncology; consultant in geriatric and stroke medicine Professor Ronan Collins; and Sarah OKeeffe, group vice-president and senior vice-president of product research and development at Eli Lilly and Company.

President of UCC John OHalloran said: I am delighted to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our awardees. Each awardee brings immense pride to the university, embodying our values and demonstrating our global impact.

Since 1998, the university has honoured 133 graduates at the annual Alumni Achievement Awards.
East Cork parent group Bridging the Gap has called for a post-primary special school to be built in the area, as data shows there are considerably more children with autism in primary schools than there are places in the local secondary school.

The group last week were hosted by Social Democrat TD Liam Quaide in the Dail, where they presented a report to Oireachtas members based on data they compiled from parent surveys and by contacting the 15 schools in the locality, seven of which provided data.

They sought data from the Department of Education on the other eight schools, but were told the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) does not hold this information.

As a result, they used the NCSE estimate that 5% of the mainstream school population are autistic/neurodivergent for the remaining schools.

Feeder schools

They found that, across the feeder primary schools, there were approximately 2,214 enrolled pupils, and 264 had autism.

A total of 109 of these pupils were in special classes with 113 in mainstream classes, while a further 42 were awaiting assessment.

This equates to 11.9% of the total school population, considerably above the 5% rate used by NCSE, meaning autism prevalence in the catchment is significantly higher than national estimates.

Across the Youghal catchment area, there are 18 autism classes at primary level which feed into four autism classes in Pobalscoil na Trionoide, the sole mainstream secondary school serving the area.

According to its published admission statement for the 2026/27 school year, the school has 192 places available in mainstream first year, but only one available place in its autism class provision for that intake year.

The group also noted that 35% of the 103 families surveyed already travel outside their locality for schooling, with some undertaking return journeys of up to 120km.

Negative impacts

Parents described significant negative impacts such as child exhaustion from long journeys; high anxiety and dysregulation due to travel; reduced capacity for homework and after-school activities; and siblings routines disrupted.

Their report also calculates the cost to the State of transport, escort provision, and potential home tuition grants, if a school place cannot be secured, and found the annual per-child cost for an out-of-area placement can be 50,00070,000 per child per year.

The data demonstrates that maintaining the status quo is not cost-neutral they said, describing the current system as a high-cost, low-efficiency model.

Investment in a post-primary special school in Youghal would represent better value for public expenditure over time, they said.
Four years after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a Cork charity is on the ground, bearing witness to attacks on civilians in homes, schools, and hospitals.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched the latest stage of its war on Ukraine, a conflict it began by occupying Crimea.

The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies has estimated Russian military casualties at 1.2m, including 325,000 killed.

It put Ukrainian troop casualties at up to 600,000, including up to 140,000 killed.

According to the UN, 3.7m people are still internally displaced across Ukraine as of January, while a further 5.3m people have found refuge across Europe.

Irish charity The Greater Chernobyl Cause was founded in 2002 by Cork woman Fiona Corcoran, and has been working in Ukraine since then, focusing initially on helping people living with the aftermath of the worst nuclear accident in history.

The Cork charitys efforts have resulted in the building and refurbishment of orphanages and hospices, the donation of vital domestic appliances and medical equipment, and the provision of shelter for vulnerable street children.

After-effects

The after-effects of the nuclear disaster are still being felt to this day, Ms Corcoran said yesterday, and the war has brought even more suffering to Ukraine.

Just last night [Sunday] and into the early hours of this morning, terror gripped all areas of Ukraine as relentless strikes tore through homes, schools, and hospitals alike, she said.

I bore witness once again, listening to the horror of explosions ripping through the darkness, a terrifying reminder that this nightmare is far from over.

Ms Corcoran said she had visited a childrens home in Pryluky, Chernihiv, which shelters 45 vulnerable children, some of whom are at the end of life, many with Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, and other disabilities.

These children, many of them abandoned, are cared for by heroic staff, and one critical project we are committed to support is the installation of an elevator to bring children safely to sanctuary during air raids.

Today, these children must be carried down dark stairwells by carers to the basement bomb shelter. A fire alarm system and many other essentials are desperately needed, Ms Corcoran told The Echo.

We urgently ask people to join us in delivering essential care, shelter, and hope to those profoundly affected by this devastating war.

Your generosity is critical  it can save lives and help rebuild shattered futures. Stand with us.

Visit https://www.greaterchernobylcause.ie/ for more information, including how to donate.
Cork people are invited to submit nominations for the 23rd Lord Mayors Civic, Community, and Voluntary Awards.

The annual event recognises outstanding voluntary commitment, dedication, and community building among people and organisations in Cork city.

Each year, an award is presented to six category winners, and one overall winner, in recognition of the services they provide within their communities.

The six categories are: Arts, culture and heritage community development; lifelong learning; social inclusion, advocacy, and integration; social enterprise innovation; climate action and sustainable development; recreation, sport, health, and wellbeing.

A further six nominees will also receive a Lord Mayors Civic award, in recognition of their efforts to improve their community, as well as an additional winner of the annual Lord Mayors Culture Award.

Heart of Cork city

Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy said the more than 500 organisations active in the community and voluntary sector form the very heart of Cork city.

For more than two decades, these awards have offered a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of individuals and organisations whose voluntary efforts enrich our communities, said Mr Dennehy.

I now encourage the people of Cork to nominate the community and voluntary groups who deserve recognition for the vital work they do.

I look forward to celebrating these remarkable contributions at our awards ceremony in June.

Editor of the Irish Examiner and The Echo, John OMahony, said the company is: Once again, very proud to be part of the Lord Mayors Community and Voluntary Awards, as we have been since their inception.

Its so important that we celebrate and share the stories of those who give so much of themselves, so often selflessly and tirelessly, to their communities and city, yet ask so little in return. With these awards, we have an opportunity to give something back.

The closing date for nominations is set for April 3, with the winners announced at a civic ceremony in Cork City Hall on June 10.

For more information, or to make a nomination, follow the link at https://www.corkcity.ie.
A 48-year-old man who pleaded guilty to carrying three knives into the Bridewell garda station saying that he was going to stab someone on St. Patricks Street in Cork was released from custody as the judge directed preparation of psychiatric and probation reports ahead of sentencing.

The accused man had no previous convictions of any kind before this unusual incident occurred. Finbarr OConnell of 11 Sunview, Fair Hill, Cork, was released from custody on condition that he would live at his mothers home at Hollymount, Blarney Road, attend psychiatric services and take all prescribed medication.

Judge Valerie Corcoran said in respect of the probation report that there should be particular emphasis on re-offending. The judge also directed that he abstain from all intoxicants and illegal substances.

Judge Corcoran said she had grave concerns about evidence that the defendant was arrested in possession of two knives but released with a doctors note to attend voluntarily at the psychiatric unit of a hospital.

The judge expressed particular concerns as the same man presented himself at the Bridewell garda station less than 24 hours later in possession of three knives and threatening to use them.

Sergeant John Dineen said there was an extremely high threshold for doctors to direct the involuntary admission of a person for psychiatric attention. Judge Corcoran said: There is no criticism of An Garda Siochana whatsoever but this is very concerning.

Garda Wayne McGrath previously testified when the matter first came before court: Gardai have serious concerns that the accused poses a threat to the personal safety of members of the community. He has stated that he wants to stab and harm people. And he has been found to be in possession of knives.

It is alleged that at approximately 4.35am on December 15, 2025, the accused entered the public office of the Bridewell Garda Station in possession of a knife which he was concealing up his right sleeve.

Multiple directions were given to the accused to place any weapons he had on his person onto the ground. He failed to do so. Urgent assistance was sought from the Armed Support Unit to attend the public office of the Garda station.

The accused repeatedly stated that he wanted to kill someone and he was intending on stabbing someone on St Patricks Street.

At that original hearing Mr Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant had no intention of harming anyone and that the only person who might have been harmed was himself. The solicitor described the defendant as a quiet and vulnerable person.

His case was adjourned until March 3 at Cork District Court.
Bail was refused on Tuesday in in the case against a 31-year-old man who was allegedly sitting in a car outside his address in Cork with over 600,000 worth of cannabis.

Derek Kavanagh, of 69 Arderrin Way, the Glen, Cork, appeared by video link from prison at Cork District Court where he made his bail application through solicitor Frank Buttimer.

Mr Buttimer said the accused had not applied for bail when he first went into custody following his arrest last month as he was keen to address his addiction issues in custody.

On Tuesday, he did apply for bail.

Derek Kavanagh said that he attended Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and other rehabilitation services in prison and wanted to continue with this treatment in the community.

Sergeant John Dineen said gardai were not satisfied that the accused had become clear of addictions after 27 days in custody.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty said that by the defendants own admission following his arrest, he had a 28,000 drugs debt. On the day he was caught with the drugs, the stash of over 30 kilos of cannabis with a street value of 610,000 had been dropped to him by unnamed parties who told him he was to store the drugs.

Det Garda Fogarty said: Gardai strongly believe that if granted bail he will continue his involvement with drugs to pay off his drugs debt.

Judge Valerie Corcoran refused bail and remanded him in custody for directions from the DPP.

Derek Kavanagh is charged in relation to the alleged seizure of 610,000 worth of cannabis in a search in Cork that followed the search of property connected to another man.

He was charged by Det Garda Rory Fogarty with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Arderrin Way, the Glen, Cork, on January 22.

Det Garda Fogarty of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution and told the court that Mr Kavanagh made no reply to either charge after caution.

He was remanded in custody until March 16.
The message was loud and clear - Dont Knock Me Down.

Yesterday morning, the school communities of Glasheen Boys and Glasheen Girls National Schools lined the footpaths of Glasheen Road urging drivers to show extra caution in the vicinity of their schools.

The Dont Knock Me Down campaign is calling on Cork City Council to urgently implement enhanced safety measures at the pedestrian crossing on Glasheen Road, warning that it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured or killed.

Children held home-made posters and placards bearing blunt messages: Red is for Stop! Not Dead! Look AroundDont Knock Us Down. Slow Down, Dont Mow Us Down. There were even a few humorous ones - Careful Now and Down With This Sort of Thing. It was heartening, if deeply sobering, to see the school community unite in calling for the safety of every child.

My own children attend these schools. They are at an age where they could walk independently, but after years of witnessing dangerous driving on Glasheen Road, we simply cannot countenance letting them make that journey alone.

On any given morning, you can stand on Glasheen Road between the junctions with Clashduv Road and Hartlands Avenue and observe drivers speeding over the 50km/h limit, using mobile phones, breaking red lights, and double parking at dangerous junctions. This reckless behaviour happens in the immediate vicinity of two primary schools that serve hundreds of families each day. It is sheer luck that no child has been seriously injured.

For several years, both schools have repeatedly raised concerns about driver behaviour and the unsafe environment at the pedestrian crossing. The footpaths are narrow. The road is steep. There is little room for error if someone breaks the rules of the road.

Despite regular reports of near misses involving motorists breaking red lights (even when the green pedestrian signal is displayed and the school warden is present), meaningful safety improvements have yet to be delivered.

It is a terrifying experience to have to stand in front of an accelerating car and scream Stop to alert the driver that they are about to knock down your child. Unfortunately, it is a position too many parents and care-givers in Glasheen have experienced. Afterwards, parents are emotional and relieved that their worst nightmare was averted.

Glasheen resident and parent Siobhan Slattery said she has experienced multiple near misses at the crossing in recent years, including one incident where a car travelling at speed went straight through a red light as she and her sons stepped onto the road. She was forced to raise her hand and shout for the driver to stop before the vehicle came to an abrupt halt.

On another occasion, while crossing on a green pedestrian light with her young sons in a double buggy, a car again drove through the lights, narrowly avoiding her and her children.

Siobhan said: These incidents are both upsetting and deeply concerning. As a permanent resident of Glasheen Road, I have noticed a clear increase in speed, traffic and phone usage in recent years. It feels far more dangerous than it used to.

All of the children attending Glasheen Boys and Girls Schools should be able to cross the road safely. We are doing our part as parents, but Cork City Council must now take responsibility for making this crossing safe before something far more serious happens.

Cork City Council has recently painted a yellow box at the end of School Avenue and re-lined double yellow lines in the area as well as installing speed ramps on School Avenue, but these measures fall far short of what is required to make the pedestrian crossing on Glasheen Road safe.

The school community is calling for enhanced traffic calming measures including the implementation of a 30km/hr zone, installation of speed ramps on approaches to the crossing, pencil bollards to prevent unsafe parking and alert drivers they are in a school zone, and highly visible signage alerting drivers to the presence of two schools.

At the protest, Lorraine Houlihan, Principal of Glasheen Girls National School, said: We have been reporting incidents to Cork City Council and the Gardai involving dangerous driver behaviour and near misses for well over a year. Everyone agrees that something must be done, but there has been no action. The current situation is deeply concerning for our school community.

Tim ONeill, Principal of Glasheen Boys National School, added: We are worried someone will be killed. That is the stark reality. We have a duty of care to our pupils and their families, and are asking the council to take preventative action before a tragedy occurs.

A parent at the protest, Noreen Ring, said: It feels like it is only a matter of time before a child is killed or seriously injured at this pedestrian crossing. Something must be done urgently. We cant change driver behaviour, so we must change the environment to make it safer.

At a time when Cork City Council is encouraging families to embrace active travel, it seems contradictory that a relatively modest investment cannot be made to ensure children can access their schools safely.

The Governments Safer Routes to School scheme is already oversubscribed, with a waiting list stretching years into the future. The Glasheen community cannot afford to wait for a tragedy before action is taken. If we are serious about promoting walking to school, then safe access must be treated as an immediate priority, not a distant aspiration.

The schools stress that the campaign is not about confrontation, but about protecting children and ensuring safe passage to and from school.

We simply want our children to be able to cross the road safely, Principal Houlihan said. No parent should feel fear bringing their children to and from school.
Fiona Ferguson

A motorist who dragged an arresting garda for six metres has been given a five-year suspended sentence.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Dylan Walsh (33) was suffering from mental health issues and intoxication during a moment of madness and was extremely remorseful.

Walsh, of Valeview Drive, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to endangerment, damaging a garda vehicle, and driving without insurance at Castleknock, on May 20th, 2024.

He has 12 previous convictions, mainly for road traffic convictions.

Sentencing Walsh on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said that the offence was aggravated by the fact that it is a charge against a garda.

She noted that the victim sustained multiple injuries and required surgery. She also acknowledged that a victim impact statement before the court stated that the garda no longer has the confidence to work on the front line.

Judge Codd set a headline sentence of six and half years. She also ordered that Walsh be disqualified from driving for 10 years.

The judge took mitigating features into account including the fact that Walsh had issues with his mental health at the time, that he has not come to adverse attention since and that he has made efforts to deal with his mental health difficulties.

His behaviour on the night is not the behaviour of someone in the whole of their mind, Judge Codd said.

She added that a report from the Probation Service indicated that Walsh was at a medium risk of re-offending due to his low record of conviction and also his family support.

The Probation Service are willing to continue to supervise him, Judge Codd said, adding that Walsh requires regular support for his mental health.

Had he a previous history of violence I would have taken a different view. That may be of cold comfort to the garda and I wish him well in his recovery, Judge Codd said.

She noted that Walsh has demonstrated a good insight into his offending and has taken responsibility for it before she imposed a five-year term of imprisonment suspended in full on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for three years and remains compliant in terms of his mental regime.

Garda Paul McMahon told Oisin Clarke, prosecuting, that following an escalation of an argument at his former partners home, Walsh pulled a TV from the wall and at this stage she called gardai.

She told gardai that she had seen Walsh remove a sword from behind his bedside locker.

Gardai attended at the scene and observed a male in parked BMW. The car took off at speed but was blocked in by gardai at the entrance to the apartment complex. A number of gardai approached the stopped car but it reversed and they had to take evasive action

The car was unable to proceed further and gardai approached it again. A garda opened the front passenger door and spotted the sword. He attempted to retrieve the weapon and effect an arrest but in order to do that had to partially enter the vehicle.

He identified himself as a garda and was in full uniform. The car drove off and dragged the garda for approximately six metres before he was ejected.

The garda suffered injuries to his arm, neck, head and elbow. He was out of work for five months.

Walsh managed to get the car past gardai who had to take evasive action and the car was later recovered following a press appeal.

Walsh was arrested four days later and made admission in interview. He claimed that he had planned to kill himself and if he had been arrested, he would not have been able to carry out that plan.

The court heard his partner of the time had to leave her home and change her job as the distance from her new home was too far.

The injured garda described significant financial loss, as well as physical and psychological effects. He said he had feared for his own life and the incident had massively impacted his confidence.

He has changed his career path away from frontline policing. He has been left with ongoing health effects and his family have also been affected.

Simon Matthews, defending, said the accused man had suffered with mental health issues for many years. He said the medication he had been taking at the time had a bad effect on him and he had also taken alcohol with the medication that he was not used to.

He submitted his driving had been a moment of madness and he was very remorseful. He had written a letter of apology to the garda and is extremely remorseful.

He said Walshs former partner did not suffer injury and there have been no further incidents in relation to her. He said she had given a statement in great detail outlining Walsh issues and how she had attempted to look after him.

He handed in letters from family members and a psychologist report. He said Walsh was now doing as well as he ever had, that he thinks about the incident and is sorry for it every days since.
Michael Bolton

The shooter in a "meticulously planned" murder of a much-loved and vulnerable victim has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy charge.

Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday said it is accepted that Joseph Richards (35) was the man who shot and killed 45-year-old Robert Sheridan at the victim's front door in Poppintree Crescent, Ballymun, on October 5th, 2018.

Richards, of Lanesborough Square in Finglas, was initially accused of murder, but his trial was delayed due to the ill-health of a key witness.

The Director of Public Prosecutions agreed not to pursue the murder charge after the defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder.

Under the legislation in place in 2018, the maximum sentence available to the court is 10 years in prison. In 2023, the Oireachtas amended the legislation to introduce the possibility of life imprisonment for the same charge.

Mr Justice McDermott said this was the "most serious type" of offence of its kind and warranted a headline sentence at the then maximum of ten years. He said there was a "high degree of culpability" for all those involved in the "meticulously planned" execution.

Gardai had previously warned Mr Sheridan of a threat to his life, and in the lead-up to the murder, his car was set alight, and shots were fired at his home.

Mr Justice McDermott said Richards and others involved went to "considerable lengths" to convince a friend of the victim, someone he would not suspect, to betray him by luring him to his front door.

He said Richards could not have been more involved in the conspiracy and was the man who carried out the actual shooting. The pre-planning was further evidenced by the successful disposal of the gun, which was never found, and the use of a getaway car.

Mitigating factors included that Richards pleaded guilty, has attempted to address his drug addiction issues in prison and has apologised, indicating "some understanding of the devastation he has caused".

Mr Justice McDermott said the victim's family remains shattered by the loss of a much-loved man who had vulnerabilities of his own following a motorcycle crash that left him with head injuries and difficulties living independently.

The judge imposed a sentence of seven-and-a-half years, with the final six months suspended for two years on condition that Richards continue to work with the probation services. The judge further noted that Richards, who has 99 previous convictions, has been in prison since 2021 and is currently serving a sentence of six years and five months.

Mr Justice McDermott directed that the sentence on the conspiracy charge should commence after Richards has completed the term he is currently serving, meaning that he will undergo an effective sentence of more than 12 years.

Threat

At a previous hearing, Detective Sergeant Patrick OToole told prosecuting senior counsel, Garrett McCormack, that gardai received a call shortly after 11 pm on October 5th, reporting a man had been shot.

Mr Sheridan sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim had recently received a Garda Information Message (GIM) warning that his life was under threat shortly before he was killed.

In a statement to gardai, the deceased's partner, Maria Barrett, said on the date in question, Mr Sheridan responded to a knock at the patio door.

She said Mr Sheridan armed himself with a knife before answering the door because he feared for his safety.

Moments later, she heard sounds like firecrackers and found him lying on the ground with blood coming from his head.

A post-mortem examination carried out by Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan found that Mr Sheridan suffered two fatal gunshot wounds to the face - one above the right eyebrow and one to the right eye.

He also sustained a through-and-through gunshot wound to his forearm, along with graze injuries, indicating further shots were fired.

Shell casings from a 0.37 calibre revolver were recovered at the scene.

There was no breakthrough in the investigation until April 2021, when a witness came forward and said she knew the defendant through a group involved in taking and selling drugs in the Ballymun area.

She described how Richards broke down and admitted shooting Mr Sheridan.

He told her he had enlisted help from another individual and outlined a plan to use someone known to the victim to get the deceased to answer the door.

She told gardai that Richards had been crack crazy and desperate for drugs when asked to carry out the killing, and he did it effectively for payment.

Richards entered a plea of guilty on the conspiracy to murder charge in January this year, and the plea was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions on a full facts basis.

Det Gda OToole Richards' previous convictions include endangerment, dangerous driving, criminal damage, possession of drugs, unlawful taking of an MPV, robbery and possession of knives.

Restrained

In a victim impact statement, the deceaseds daughter, Lauren King Sheridan, said she had to be physically restrained when she arrived at the scene and saw her father with gunshot wounds to his head.

Ms King Sheridan said the next morning, she woke to pictures of her father being wheeled out in a body bag and this plays in her head over and over.

The now 26-year-old said the image of her father with a hole in his face is permanently imprinted on my mind.

She told the court that her father had completed studies in addiction counselling and planned to work in that field. He had previously suffered a brain injury in a traffic accident, which she said made him a vulnerable target.

Ms King Sheridan said her father wasnt a dangerous man and wasnt involved in criminal activities.

Mr Sheridans son, Dylan King Sheridan, said that since his fathers death, he continues to experience persistent psychological distress.

He said he questions how long his father may have suffered, whether he was in fear or pain, these thoughts are uncontrollable and extremely distressing.
Sarah Slater

Garda forensic teams investigating the murders of two women in separate incidents in the 1990s have deployed specialist drones and on-site imaging analysis in efforts to locate evidence.

The excavation site on the Kildare/Wicklow border is part of ongoing searches for Kilkenny and Kildare women, Jo Jo Dullard and Deirdre Jacob.

The excavation at a quarry at Castleruddery Upper is now in its ninth day, with forensic gardai expanding both technological and evidential activity at the scene.

Gardai are using a drone over the excavation zone, along with gathering detailed aerial photography and mapping specific areas.

Gathered data from both drone use and photography is being analysed, which is helping forensic teams to refine search parameters and particular areas of interest.

Ms Dullard, 21, disappeared from Moone, Co Kildare at 11.37 pm, while hitch-hiking on November 9th, 1995.

She had missed the last direct bus back to Kilkenny and had been hitching lifts from Naas, Co Kildare, where she managed to get a bus to.

The young woman was using a public phone in Moone when she told a friend, Mary Cullinane, that a car had stopped and she was going to get a lift. That was the last known sighting of her.

Ms Dullard was the youngest of five siblings.

Her father, John, died before she was born, and her mother, Nora, died in 1983 from cancer. Since her disappearance, her sister, Mary Phelan died in 2018, not knowing what happened to her.

Ms Jacob, 18, was last seen outside her home in Newbridge on July 28th, 1998. She was a teaching student in the UK who had returned to see her parents during a short trip back to Ireland.

On the day she was last seen, Jacob had walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit.

At 2.14 pm, she was observed on CCTV walking on Main Street, Newbridge, and shortly after was observed in the AIB bank.

At 2.26 pm, Jacob was observed again on CCTV queuing in the Newbridge Post Office and at 2.32pm was seen on CCTV speaking with a friend outside the Post Office on Main Street.

The last-known recording of Jacob on CCTV was at 2.35 pm, walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street. She was last seen shortly after 3 pm on that day.

Extensive amounts of soil have been removed at the dig site after credible information was received by gardai that a number of cars were buried there, which may bear clues to the disappearance of either of the women.

In October 2020, gardai upgraded the investigation into her disappearance and that of Kildare woman Deirdre Jacob to a murder probe.

A three-week-long large-scale search almost five years ago of Usk Little in the Kildare/Wicklow - a woodland area was investigated by gardai after fresh information came to light.

For a second time in November and December 2024 a major garda excavation of land near Grangecon in Co Wicklow was searched for three-and-a-half weeks in an effort to locate her body or any evidence to show she may have been there.

Speaking for the first time since the latest dig began, Ms Dullards family, led by her sister Kathleen Bergin, said that their thoughts and prayers are with the teams carrying out the search.

It is reassuring to hear the Garda Commissioner say in a recent media report that there is no rush on this search and they have got everything they need to do the work there.

In a statement on the Jo Jo Dullard Missing social media page, the Dullard family added that they would like to express our heartfelt thanks for all your wonderful support. Thank you for your kind words, prayers and keeping a candle lighting for JoJo and Deirdre.

The family once again appealed to those people who have information, no matter how small, to please, please come forward to contact gardai.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

The data and privacy regulator has defended how it holds big tech to account, arguing that it has levied billions of euros in fines against multinational companies.

The head of the Data Protection Commission told politicians that there was no fear or favour in how they apply the law.

Coimisiun na Mean, also said it was not inherently illegal for companies to provide people with access to an AI tool to create child sexual abuse images, even though the creation of such images was an offence.

Paul Murphy, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, speaking to the media at Leinster House in Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers/PA.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) and Coimisiun na Mean were before the committee on Tuesday in relation to deepfake images and the recent controversy by artificial intelligence (AI) tool Grok.

The social media site X, which was known as Twitter before it was bought by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has come under criticism over Grok, which has been accused of generating sexualised images, including of children.

The controversy highlighted a possible loophole in relation to regulations in Ireland around non-consensual images.

Senior Government figures have insisted that there is sufficient legislation to investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse material and non-consensual sexualised images of adults that have been generated through AI tools online.

However, a senior garda said that intimate abuse imagery of adults needs to be shared to constitute an offence and a complainant is required to prompt an investigation.

The controversy also raised questions over whether childrens access to social media should be restricted by government.

I can certainly say that my predecessor and current commissioners were very, very focused on regulating everyone, be it public or private sector, there's no fear of favour, a guarantee of that, and we will apply the law as we apply the law Paul Murphy TD

The European Commission is, with the assistance of Coimisiun na Mean, conducting an investigation into Xs compliance with its obligations after the Grok controversy.

The DPC announced last week that it was investigating X over non-consensual, intimate or sexualised images being allegedly created through generative AI involving the personal data of EU citizens, including children.

Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, chairman of the DPC Des Hogan said the transformative potential of AI will only be realised if its substantive risks and potential harms are addressed.

Asked by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy if the DPC was too close to big tech, he said: I think weve over four billion levied fines at the moment.

I can certainly say that my predecessor and current commissioners were very, very focused on regulating everyone, be it public or private sector, theres no fear of favour, a guarantee of that, and we will apply the law as we apply the law.

We work very closely with our peer regulators, we listen to their views, we listen to civil society organisations.

The AI app Grok on the App Store on an iPhone. Photo: Yui Mok/PA.

He said that one of the challenges they face is the legal challenge to the decisions they make against big tech.

He said all fines levied against large platforms were being challenged, bar two, and in the public sector, all fines had been accepted, bar one in relation to the 550,000 fine for the Department of Social Protection over the Public Services Card, which is due before the High Court next month.

We are not only being litigated under statutory appeal, which is provided for the Data Protection Act, were concurrently being judicially reviewed in each of those decisions, and that is a difficulty.

He added: I would say that were up against very well-resourced legal teams, if I could put it like that.

By and large, we feel that theyre defendable, they were taken over a number of years.

We get criticised for taking inquiry decisions over a number of years. We do that because were very careful, and we give fair procedural rights to the parties.

I think there's certainly risks around the way people interact with generative AI that could potentially be addressed by broadening the categories of high risk systems to include a wider range of chatbots and generative AI tool Jeremy Godfrey, Coimisiun na Mean

Executive chairman of Coimisiun na Mean Jeremy Godfrey said the creation of child sex abuse material is illegal under Irish law and social media platforms must remove it when reported.

He said that because the non-consensual sharing of intimate images is a criminal offence in Ireland under Cocos Law, there was consequential obligations on platforms to remove that material.

But he said it was not inherently unlawful to deploy an AI system capable of creating child sex abuse material and said that action to prohibit this could be useful.

Its unlawful in the Irish law to produce the imagery, but its the deployment of the tool that would be prohibited under the AI Act.

So at the moment, its not a criminal offence under Irish law to deploy an AI system that can be used in that way, but using it in that way is a criminal offence.

Its not on the users of AI, not on the people who are putting prompts in, the AI Act puts obligations on the developers and deployers of AI models and AI systems.

So it would be another tool so that people werent provided with the ability to break the law in such an easy way.

Asked if there are other areas of high risk in relation to AI, he cited generative AI being used as companions and therapists.

There are some horror stories of having very severe and damaging effects on peoples mental health as a result of it.

So I think theres certainly risks around the way people interact with generative AI that could potentially be addressed by broadening the categories of high-risk systems to include a wider range of chatbots and generative AI tools.

He added: We dont have a very specific proposal about how that might be done.

Its something which is in the European Commissions remit to change, so some review to look at how the list of high-risk systems might be added to reflect some of the risks created by generative AI, we think would be a good idea.
Tom Tuite

A judge has ordered a landlord to address urgent safety issues at a protected building in Dublin previously taken over by dozens of squatters.

Property owner and retired solicitor Mel Kilraine was prosecuted by the local authority over failings to comply with an enforcement notice to bring 9 Belvedere Place, Dublin 1, which is divided into 10 flats, up to the required standards.

The case was before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Tuesday for the 20th time.

He applied the Probation of Offenders Act, but ordered Kilraine to pay 5,950 in prosecution costs and set a nine-month deadline for completing the building work in line with best practice.

Last year and in 2024, the property was in the headlines due to separate proceedings in the Circuit Court to remove 27 squatters in the building who had prevented workers from entering to carry out vitally needed modifications.

Earlier, Judge Halpin had also gone to the property to assess the situation, which he said had been very helpful.

Solicitor Michael Quinlan for Dublin City Council (DCC) told the court that the landlord had to carry out a list of refurbishments to the protected structure.

DCC demanded structural engineer assessments of the entire building, particularly addressing cracking brickwork, the leaking roof and other relevant conservation repairs to ensure the building was secure and stable, in line with best practice.

It was adjourned for some time to prepare an expert report, but Kilraine wanted time for a second report which delayed the case.

Mr Quinlan said the notice had been partially complied with but substantially not, and that the quality of the work done remained a concern for the council.

Joe Jackson BL, for Kilraine, told Judge Halpin that his client's difficulties with the building were well known.

The barrister asked the judge to review the contents of a medical report on Kilraine's recovery from serious medical health issues and his ongoing treatment.

That has limited his ability to do things for himself and attend to his own affairs.

Admittedly, Mr Jackson said, the situation regarding the report was not satisfactory from the council's point of view.

Jackson said an engineering firm had been "over-demanding" about the work to be done, and Kilraine had lined up another firm to do the same work to the same standard, and it was set to start straight away.

The barrister said the landlord was not ignoring the matter, and that it would be for the council to review the work. If they were not satisfied with compliance, he imagined they would be back in court again.

Jackson said that he has yet to be provided with a time frame for completing the improvements.

Judge Halpin said the new firm must carry out the work to at least the minimum standard sought by DCC.

"We are now at a juncture in this case where there is a clear meeting of minds where the work is going to be carried out," he said, but added that it was not conceivable that the work would be finished within six months.

Judge Halpin noted the defendant had no prior offences and "has come around to the council's way of thinking".

He spared him a conviction, but on top of the costs order, he directed the landlord to complete the work within nine months, which Mr Jackson said was very agreeable.

He added that his client was worried about the property, which remained vulnerable to "another incursion".
High Court reporters

The Supreme Court will hear the case of a Romanian grandmother over whether she was entitled to a carer's allowance here despite not being recognised as an "habitual" resident by the State when she applied for the payment for looking after her grandsons.

The Supreme Court determined that the matter was of public importance and was in the interests of justice that the court hear her "leapfrog" appeal directly from the High Court.

The woman took her case against respondents the Minister for Social Protection, the Social Welfare Appeals Office, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General.

She and her husband came to Ireland in September 2021 and lived with her daughter and son-in-law so she could care for her two young grandsons, who have serious special needs.

The woman provided 35-hour care for her grandsons each week from when she arrived and in January 2022 and applied for the allowance, which was rejected, even though it was accepted that the children meet the threshold for requiring care under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act.

The State argues that the grandmother was not a habitual resident in the State at the time of her application but she was also refused on grounds that she had not demonstrated she had sufficient resources not to be an "unreasonable" burden on the State.

EU directives state that citizens of the EU have the right to move and live freely in member states for longer than three months if they are workers, or self-employed, have sufficient resources not to be a burden on the host state and have comprehensive sickness insurance cover in that country.

Appeal

The woman appealed the refusal of her allowance but was unsuccessful in an Appeals Officer decision in February 2023. She then sought a review which upheld the rejection in April 2024.

In May 2024 ,the woman and her husband returned to Romania but in the following October she was granted leave by the High Court to bring a judicial review. This, too, was ultimately unsuccessful after a ruling by Mr Justice Anthony Barr.

It was acknowledged by the judge that the woman had been provided with board, lodging and expenses but noted this was not sufficient to constitute her as being "engaged in an economic or commercial activity" necessary for her to be deemed a "worker" under EU citizen directives adopted here.

Mr Justice Barr also held that the appeals officer was entitled to come to the conclusion that, in view of her resources, she was likely to become an "unreasonable" burden on the State.

'Hardly just'

However, the woman's Supreme Court application relies on Mr Justice Barr's comments that it was "hardly just" to refuse an EU citizen the payment where she cares for her grandchildren for 35 hours a week in return for board and lodging, "in circumstances where an Irish citizen who does the same would be entitled to the allowance".

The respondents had opposed leave and contended that no matter of general public importance arose from the specifics of the facts and that it did not involve any complex questions of EU law.

In granting leave to hear the case, the Supreme Court determined that it was satisfied that general public importance did arise in the appeal over the interpretation of what defines a "worker" under EU law, which could arise in a number of other cases.
The US Department of Defense has reportedly reached a deal to use Elon Musk's Grok in its classified systems, according to Axios. That follows news that the Pentagon is currently in a dispute with another AI company, Anthropic, over limits on its technology for things like mass surveillance.

Last year, the White ordered Grok, along with ChatGPT, Gemini and Anthropic's Claude to be approved for government use. Up until now, though, only Anthropic's model has been allowed for the military's most sensitive tasks in intelligence, weapons development and battlefield operations. Claude was reportedly used in the Venezuelan raid in which the US military exfiltrated the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife.

However, the Pentagon demanded that Anthropic make Claude available for "all lawful purposes" including mass surveillance and the development of fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic reportedly refused to offer its tech for those things, even with a "safety stack" built into that model.

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xAI, by contrast, agreed to a standard that would allow the DoD to employ its AI for any purpose it deems "lawful." However, the xAI model is not considered by officials to be as cutting-edge or reliable as Anthropic's Claude, and they admit that replacing Claude with Grok would be a challenge. The Pentagon is reportedly also negotiating deals with OpenAI and Gemini, both of which it considers to be on par with Anthropic.

xAI had announced a version of Grok for US government agencies in July 2025. Shortly before that, though, the chatbot started spouting fascist propaganda and antisemitic rhetoric while dubbing itself "MechaHitler." All of that followed a public spat between Musk and Trump over the president's spending bill, after which GSA approval of Grok seemed to stall. Earlier this week, Anthropic accused three Chinese AI labs of abusing Claude's AI with "distillation attacks" to improve their own models.
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, is reportedly under criminal investigation by Russian authorities for abetting terrorist activities. According to the Financial Times, state-run publications are accusing Durov of enabling attacks on Russia and Telegram of becoming an intelligence tool for Ukraine and the west. Telegram was one of the apps that Russia blocked in the country just a few days ago, along with WhatsApp, in what seemed to be an effort to push local users towards the unencrypted state-owned app, Max.

When Telegram was banned, pro-Russian voices criticized the countrys decision, because it was apparently harming frontline operations. Russias own soldiers are using the app to communicate and coordinate their moves. Authorities near the Ukrainian border, for instance, send out warning for incoming drone and missile attacks through the messaging app. Even Vladimir Putins spokesperson uses Telegram to speak to the media.

Now, the Times says Russia is accusing Telegram of being the main instrument for NATO countries secret services and the Kyiv regime. Rossiiskaya Gazeta, a Russian state-run publication, added that Telegram was intercepting location data, selling secret information and intimidating soldiers and their families. Digital platforms like Telegram, the publication said, are becoming strategic weapons. Rossiiskaya Gazeta said its information came from Russias Federal Security Service, the countrys primary domestic security agency.

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Durov has yet to issue a statement, but after Russia blocked access to Telegram, he said the country was restricting access to the application to force its citizens onto a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship. The Telegram founder was born in Russia and co-founded the countrys largest social network, VK. He left his country after Kremlin pressured him to sell his stake in the social network.
Starting later this year, Apple will start manufacturing Mac minis meant for sale in the US within the country. The company took The Wall Street Journal on a tour of its Houston facility, where Foxconn is also building servers for Apple Intelligence, and was shown an empty warehouse. Apple says it will turn the space into a 220,000 square feet plant where it will produce the compact desktop computers. The decision to produce Mac minis for local sales within the US is part of the companys efforts to make good on its pledge last year that it will spend $500 billion in the US over the next four years.

If youll recall, Apple announced it was going to ramp up its investments and hiring in the US after Tim Cook met with President Trump. The president said at the the time that the company was growing its US investments because it wanted to avoid tariffs. Prior to that pledge, during the Biden administration in 2021, Apple vowed to invest $430 billion domestically over the following five years.

As the Journal notes, Apple previously made Mac Pros in a facility in Texas, but production in the plant has dwindled in recent years. Sabih Khan, Apples COO, told the Journal that the company feels more confident in projecting the Mac minis long term demand. At the same time, the model makes up a tiny portion of Apples sales, making it one of the companys best options if it wants bring more production into the US. It will be incredibly difficult, after all, to move the production of a more in-demand product, say the iPhone, stateside. The companies making and assembling iPhones in China already have factories fitted for and people with skills honed for the production of Apples best-selling device.

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Khan said the Houston facility will be able to meet local demand as production ramps up, insinuating that it might start small. Apple will also continue manufacturing Mac minis in Asia for everyone else in the world.
Samsungs 2025 was filled with new foldables, an ultra-thin new form factor and the launch of Google's XR platform. After making some announcements at CES 2026, the company has announced its first Galaxy Unpacked of the year will take place on February 25, where it is expected to introduce the Galaxy S26 lineup. Official invites have been shared, but actual information on what devices are arriving then is still not completely confirmed. But as usual, we know a lot about whats expected at Unpacked.

Engadget will be covering Galaxy Unpacked live from San Francisco tomorrow, and we'll most likely have hands-on coverage of Samsung's new smartphones soon after they're announced. While we wait for the full details, here's everything we expect Samsung will introduce at the first Galaxy Unpacked event of 2026.

When is Unpacked 2026 taking place?

According to the official invite that Samsung shared on February 10, Unpacked will happen on February 25, 2026 in San Francisco. The keynote will start at 10AM PT (1PM ET) and be livestreamed on Samsung.com, as well as the companys newsroom and YouTube channel. The announcement on February 10 also said this launch will mark a new phase in the era of AI as intelligence becomes truly personal and adaptive. Its not a lot to go on, since weve heard a version of this from various companies over the last few years, but at least we wont be shocked when we hear more about AI in just about two weeks.

Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on photo (Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Samsung's restrained approach to updating its phones will likely continue with the Galaxy S26. Based on leaked images of the new lineup, the company is not expected to radically reinvent the look of the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ or Galaxy S26 Ultra, and instead will stick with a similar design to what it used on the Galaxy S25. The phones will have a flat front screen and frame, with rounded corners and cameras housed in a vertical pill-shaped plateau on the back. Unlike Apple's move from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro, the biggest difference here will likely be internal components like the screens, chips and camera sensors Samsung uses.

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Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip is expected to be in all Samsung Galaxy S26 phones, though Korean news site Yonhap News reports Samsung's relatively new Exynos 2600 chip could be used in some phones in the lineup depending on the region, a strategy Samsung has deployed in the past. Either way the new phones should be more performant than the previous generation, and in the case of the models with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, particularly good at on-device AI processing.

One notable difference between the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S25 could be the phone's screen. The new phone will reportedly feature a 6.3-inch FHD+ display according to specs shared by leaker Ice Universe, which makes it ever so slightly larger than the 6.2-inch display used on the Galaxy S25. The S26 will also allegedly come with 12GB of RAM, either 256GB or 512GB of storage and a slightly larger 4,300mAh battery. Samsung isn't changing the cameras on the entry-level phone, though: leaks suggest it'll feature the same 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel 3x telephoto and 12-megapixel selfie camera as the previous generation. Changes appear to be even more minor on the Galaxy S26+. Other than the new Snapdragon chip, the phone will reportedly feature the same 6.7-inch FHD+ screen, 4,900mAh battery, 12GB of RAM and the same camera array used on the base Galaxy S26.

The difference between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra is reportedly a bit clearer. According to Android Headlines, the new phone's cameras will be slightly more raised, and stand out thanks to a new metallic finish. Samsung may also switch back to using an aluminum frame on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, after using titanium frames on both the Galaxy S24 and S25 Ultras. Most importantly, to make the phone actually support Qi2 rather than only technically work with the standard when a case is attached, rumors suggest Samsung will remove the S Pen digitizer layer in the phone and adopt a new method for accepting stylus input. It's not clear what that new method will actually be, but it could let the Galaxy S26 Ultra more easily work with Qi2 accessories without losing its stylus.

Android Headlines also recently shared what appear to be full image renders of the S26 series, and they generally line up with what has already been rumored, leaked and reported so far. If these pictures are accurate, they give us a clearer look at the camera bump and two color variants of the S26 Ultra.

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Fans of magnets may continue to be disappointed by Samsung if the latest rumors are accurate. Despite the launch of the Qi 2 wireless charging standard adding support for convenient magnetic alignment years ago, Samsung has yet to bring that feature to its phones. Though the S-series have the higher speed charging rates that the spec enables, Nieuwemobiel.nl is reporting that, due to images it received of cases with magnetic rings, the S26 series likely wont have built-in magnets. Samsung has made these cases to add the magnetic capability to its S-series in the past, and the existence of the images of these accessories lends weight to the idea that the company will continue this approach.

Galaxy Buds 4

Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in case. (Engadget)

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Samsung released the Galaxy Buds 3 and 3 Pro in 2024, with a major redesign that brought them much more in line with Apple's AirPods. The Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro Samsung is rumored to be announcing soon won't necessarily change that, though they will feature a more compact case and less angular stems, according to leaked images from the Samsung Tips app.

Support for head gestures to accept and decline calls, a feature Apple includes on the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, is also rumored to work on both versions of the new Galaxy Buds. SamMobile reports the Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro may also ship with a new Ultra Wideband chip that will make them easier to find with Google's Find Hub network.

Galaxy Z Trifold

Yes, the TriFold has a crease, two in fact. But they still don't ruin the experience. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

Samsung announced the Galaxy Z TriFold in late 2025 without firm details of when the new smartphone-that-folds-into-a-tablet would be available in North America. That info came on January 27, when the company announced the TriFold would be available in the US on January 30, for a whopping $2,900. Considering weve already seen the device in person at CES 2026 and people are most likely to have had a chance to look at, if not buy the foldable for themselves by the time Unpacked rolls around, we dont expect Samsung to spend too much time dwelling on it, if at all.

Galaxy S26 Edge

At just 5.8mm thick, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is one of the thinnest smartphones ever made. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget)

When the Galaxy S25 Edge was announced in 2025, it seemed possible that Samsung could replace its "Plus" smartphone with a unique form factor, just like Apple has opted to do with the iPhone Air. There have been conflicting reports on the matter, but it seems like Samsung will not be doing that with the Galaxy S26 Edge.

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Instead, the smartphone will reportedly remain another option, much like foldables are for customers not swayed by Samsung's traditional smartphones. The Galaxy S26 Edge is rumored to feature a slightly different design than last year's model, according to Android Headlines, with a large rectangular camera plateau that's reminiscent of Google's Pixel phones, and the raised oval Apple used on the iPhone Air. Beyond that, the phone is also expected to be ever so slightly thinner at 5.5mm than the 5.8mm Galaxy S25 Edge.

Bixby and other AI features

Samsung already acts as a first place Google can show off new AI features for Android, but the company is reportedly exploring other AI partnerships, too. In June 2025, Bloomberg reported that Samsung was nearing a deal with Perplexity to integrate its AI-powered search engine across OneUI and its homegrown mobile browser. Perplexity already has a deal with Motorola on its Razr phones, so the only thing that would make a deal with Samsung unusual is the close relationship the company already has with Google.

The company also accidentally announced a new version of its Bixby AI assistant, which will likely also be integrated with Perplexity and could serve as an alternative to Google Gemini. Both a new Bixby and a deeper integration with Perplexity seem like natural new software features to show off at Galaxy Unpacked.

On February 17, Samsung teased some mobile AI photography features ahead of Unpacked. These expand the S-series existing image-editing tools by bringing the ability to turn a photo from day to night in seconds, restore missing parts of objects in images, capture detailed photos in low light, and seamlessly merge multiple photos into a single, cohesive result. A lot of these things are already possible in other photo-editing apps or even in the Google Photos app, but well have to wait to see them in action on the S26 phones for more details on whether theyre different or more effective.

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The company continued to drip feed more teasers in the week leading up to Unpacked 2026, announcing just a few days later that its updated its Bixby assistant to be more conversational. Then, over the weekend, it shared that the S26 series will offer third-party AI agents within Galaxy AI, including Perplexitys offering. It will allow for the devices to respond to the wake phrase Hey Plex, which is sure to be popular and not at all confusing to those who already use a similarly named media server and streaming app.

Until we find out more at Unpacked 2026, its tricky to determine if and how effective these updates will be, so well just have to be patient until we get the phones in our hands.

Update, January 27 2026, 11:55AM ET: This story has been updated to reflect the latest news around the Galaxy Z TriFolds price and availability in the US.

Update, January 30 2026, 12:45PM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks on the possible dates for Unpacked 2026.

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Update, February 02 2026, 11:30AM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks with full image renders of the S26 trio of devices.

Update, February 03 2026, 11:00AM ET: This story has been updated to include the latest leaks about the possible lack of magnetic support on the S26 series.

Update, February 10 2026, 7:15PM ET: This story has been updated to include the official date of Galaxy Unpacked as Samsung announced it today. The intro was also edited to reflect that detail.

Update, February 17 2026, 4:55PM ET: This story has been updated to add Samsungs teaser about its upcoming mobile AI photography tools. The intro was also edited for timeliness.

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Update, February 24 2026, 10:45AM ET: This story has been updated to add Samsungs recent updates about Bixby and Galaxy AIs integration with Perplexity. The intro was also edited for timeliness.

Samsung has unveiled its latest flagship phone series  the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26  along with new Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro earbuds today at its Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco. Read everything announced at Samsung Unpacked to catch up on all the key Galaxy news, and scroll through our real-time commentary on the Samsung Unpacked 2026 liveblog to see how the event unfolded in real-time (or watch a replay of the video).
A common theme in online age verification laws is the tension between user privacy and preventing children from accessing harmful or inappropriate content. Now the UK is sending a not-so-subtle message to Reddit on the subject, to the tune of 14.5m ($19.6 million). The nation's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) accused the company of using childrens data and potentially exposing them to inappropriate content.

Children under 13 had their personal information collected and used in ways they could not understand, consent to or control, UK Information Commissioner John Edwards wrote in a statement. That left them potentially exposed to content they should not have seen. This is unacceptable and has resulted in todays fine.

In July 2025, Reddit began requiring age verification to access adult content in the UK, in compliance with the Online Safety Act. However, that's only used to block under-18 users from sexually explicit, violent or other mature posts. The platform also prohibits users under 13 from accessing it altogether  and enforcement of that policy is lax. It merely requires users to declare, when signing up, that they're over 13. The ICO (accurately) described the method as "easy to bypass."

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In its defense, Reddit told the BBC that it "didn't require users to share information about their identities, regardless of age, because we are deeply committed to their privacy and safety." The company said it would appeal the decision. "The ICO's insistence that we collect more private information on every UK user is counterintuitive and at odds with our strong belief in our users' online privacy and safety," the spokesperson added.

"It's concerning that a company the size of Reddit failed in its legal duty to protect the personal information of UK children," Edwards said. "Companies operating online services likely to be accessed by children have a responsibility to protect those children by ensuring theyre not exposed to risks through the way their data is used. To do this, they need to be confident they know the age of their users and have appropriate, effective age assurance measures in place.

Reddit failed to meet these expectations, he added. They must do better, and we are continuing to consider the age assurance controls now implemented by the platform. The ICO also accused Reddit of failing to conduct a data protection impact assessment by January 2025.

The Guardian notes that the 14.5m fine is the third-largest handed down by the ICO. It trails only a 20m fine for British Airways involving a data breach disclosure and an 18.4m penalty for Marriott Hotels for exposing over 300 million customer records in a hack.
Hailey Bieber has stepped forward with a significant donation to help support the family of late actor Eric Dane following his death at 53.

The model, 29, contributed $20,000 to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Dane's friends to aid his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, 54, and their two teenage daughters, Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13.

Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on "Grey's Anatomy," passed away after a courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

His family shared in a statement, "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

According to US Magazine, the statement added, "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always."

The GoFundMe campaign was created shortly after Dane's passing to help support the family, who faced financial challenges due to Dane's illness limiting his ability to work.

Mike McGuiness, a close friend of Dane, explained on Instagram, "COVID and ALS did a number on his work life and he, sadly, couldn't leave his family with the resources he had hoped." He added, "Dane's death broke me... This is as hopeless an affliction one could get."

Hailey Bieber makes a whopping $20K donation to Eric Dane's GoFundMe for daughters after his death at 53 https://t.co/hcQmlB6juS  Daily Mail (@DailyMail) February 23, 2026

Eric Dane Fundraiser Surpasses $290K

Hailey Bieber's contribution stands out as one of the largest individual donations to the fundraiser, which also received support from other notable figures.

Brad Falchuk gave $10,000, while Guy Oseary and Dana Walden each donated $5,000, Daily Mail reported.

Producer Randall Emmett also contributed $10,000, and "Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson made the largest donation to date, giving $27,000.

The fundraiser's original goal of $250,000 has since been doubled to $500,000, with donations currently surpassing $290,000.

Rebecca Gayheart expressed her gratitude for the support via Instagram, writing, "I am so blown away by the outpouring of love and support from our community. There aren't words to express our gratitude. You are truly holding us up during this difficult time."

Before his passing, Dane recorded a heartfelt message for his daughters in the Netflix documentary "Famous Last Words: Eric Dane," sharing lessons from his battle with ALS and emphasizing the importance of living in the present, choosing friends wisely, and fighting with dignity.

"Billie and Georgia, you are my heart. You are my everything. Good night. I love you. Those are my last words," he said in the film.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, Savannah Guthrie's husband, Mike Feldman, made a personal visit to the set of "Today" to express appreciation for the support surrounding their family, according to people familiar with the moment.

The visit, which took place about two weeks ago, came during an especially difficult period for the family.

According to BBC, Nancy went missing from her home on Feb. 1, and authorities have remained involved in the case. Video captured a suspect breaking into her home the night she disappeared, according to reports.

Feldman has been traveling between New York and Arizona to be with his wife and their family as the situation unfolds.

'There Were a Lot of Tears' During Emotional Meeting

Those present described the gathering as emotional.

"There were a lot of tears," one insider told Page Six.

Another source said Feldman attended on behalf of his wife simply to thank colleagues. He reportedly met with a large group and personally acknowledged many of the staff members.

"It was a large group and he went around and thanked everyone, and got a bunch of hugs," the insider said. The source added, "This is an extension of their family, and never more so than now. They're more than coworkers. The tears were real, and [the colleagues] are struggling too."

According to a source close to Guthrie, the support from NBC has extended beyond typical workplace concern.

Read more: Nancy Guthrie Investigators Says More Than One Suspect May Be Involved in Kidnapping Case

"From the top of the company to the bottom  it's gone beyond just a workplace," the source told Page Six.

The same source said colleagues offered practical help during the crisis, asking, "'Can we send clothes, arrange for food? Can we take the kids? [Can we] create a distraction at a moment that helps them manage through this as a family?' The love is real."

Guthrie herself has remained out of the public eye and off "Today." Her former co-anchor Hoda Kotb has filled in during her absence. Those close to the situation say a return to work is not currently a priority.

One source said Guthrie is "not in a position to respond to anyone right now because it's too overwhelming, but she's seeing the messages, and hears the prayers."

Guthrie last addressed the public in a video posted Feb. 15, urging those responsible for her mother's disappearance to "do the right thing... it's never too late."

Another source said the family is drawing strength from faith. "In the meantime, the family's never prayed as much," the source said. "She's the chief faith officer in the family, and [the faith is] strong as ever."
A Louisiana judge has ordered a court-backed DNA test in the ongoing family dispute involving TikTok star Addison Rae and her father, Monty Lopez.

According to court filings cited by TMZ, Lopez has agreed to submit to testing to determine whether he is the biological father of his youngest son, Lucas, who was born in 2013.

The judge signed off on the agreement, instructing Lopez to complete the DNA test within days of the order.

Addison's mother, Sheri Easterling, will pay for the test upfront until the results are finalized. The outcome could play a key role in a larger custody case now unfolding in Louisiana court.

Sheri filed a petition late last year seeking sole custody and child support for Lucas. She and Lopez share three children together: Addison, Enzo, and Lucas. In her filing, Sheri also formally requested the DNA test, which Lopez later agreed to complete.

Along with custody, Sheri asked the court to require supervised visits between Lopez and Lucas. In her petition, she described past problems in their marriage.

The couple first married in 2002, divorced years later, reunited, and remarried in 2018 before separating again in 2022.

Drama unfolds for Addison Rae's family! Her dad, Monty Lopez, will take a DNA test to determine paternity of her younger brother. Custody battle with ex-wife Sheri Easterling includes abuse allegations. pic.twitter.com/qw1qG8JpH6  Bentek (@sizhepinizsiniz) February 23, 2026

Sheri Easterling Alleges Abuse and Arrest History

Court documents include serious allegations. Sheri claimed Lopez had been verbally abusive during their relationship, saying he called her "worthless trash" and a "stupid f**ing btch."

She also alleged that he slapped Addison in 2008 when she was a child. Sheri further stated that Lopez has struggled with alcohol and had multiple arrests for driving under the influence.

She pointed to his 2025 arrest for felony obscenity as another reason she believes sole custody is necessary.

Lopez was arrested on July 27, 2025, in Louisiana over an incident authorities say occurred on August 31, 2024, per Daily Mail.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office accused him of "exposing his genitals, pubic hair, in a public place or place open to public view ... with the intent of arousing sexual desire or which appealed to the prurient interest or was patently offensive," according to official records.

Originally published on Music Times
Panamanian authorities have taken control of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate's concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China.

CK Hutchison objected Tuesday to the takeover, which it called "unlawful" and said raises "serious risks to the operations, health and safety" at terminals."

In January, the country's supreme court declared as "unconstitutional" the contract which had allowed Hutchison's subsidiary Panama Ports Company (PPC) to manage the ports of Balboa on the Pacific and Cristobal on the Atlantic since 1997.

"The Panama Maritime Authority has taken possession of its ports and guarantees the continuity of operations," an official said Monday after the Panamanian Supreme Court annulled Hutchison's contracts to operate the ports.

The court ruling was the latest legal move to ripple through the interoceanic waterway, which handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.

The Central American country has been swept up in broader tensions between Washington and Beijing, with US President Donald Trump claiming, without providing evidence, last year that China effectively runs the canal.

Panama has always denied Chinese control over the 80-kilometer (50-mile) waterway, which is used mainly by the United States and China.

Hutchison had asked the Panamanian government to enter into negotiations to allow it to continue operating the two terminals -- to no avail.

Publication of the court ruling in the official gazette Monday effectively ended the legal process.

"This does not imply the expropriation of those assets, but rather their use to guarantee the operation of the ports until their real value is determined for the corresponding actions," said Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

Ports director Max Florez said an 18-month transition period now begins, with the ports being operated by two other companies before contracts are awarded under a new international tender.

PPC denounced the move as an "illegal takeover without transparency or coordination" and said Panama's actions were "confiscatory."

In its statement Tuesday, CK Hutchison said: "None of the actions by the Panama State were advised to or co-ordinated with PPC."

It will continue to consult with legal advisors regarding the ruling and "all available recourse including... legal proceedings against the Republic of Panama and its agents and third parties colluding with them", CK Hutchison added.

Hong Kong's government lodged a "stern protest" on Tuesday, saying in a statement that the "heavy-handed action" had "seriously infringed upon the lawful rights and interests of Hong Kong enterprises."

- 'No layoffs' -

China's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office had previously warned that Panama would pay a "heavy price, both politically and economically" for stripping Hutchison of its tender.

Panama said APM Terminals, a subsidiary of the Danish Maersk group, will operate the port of Balboa, and Terminal Investment Limited, owned by the logistics giant MSC, will operate the port of Cristobal.

Labor Minister Jackeline Munoz assured there would be "no layoffs" at the two terminals, which employ around 1,200 people.

Following the court's January ruling, the Panama Maritime Authority had said a division of Maersk Group would temporarily take over operation of the facilities.

Last week, Hutchison warned of possible legal action against Maersk and others over the annulment of its contract.

The Hong Kong company has said it will challenge Panama's decision before the International Chamber of Commerce.

US Ambassador to Panama Kevin Cabrera defended Panamanian authorities, saying they have the right "to have their judicial system make its own decisions" and that the Supreme Court ruling was "very good" for the people of Panama.

The Panama Canal was built by the United States, which operated it for a century before ceding control to Panama in 1999.

On his first day back in the White House last year, Trump threatened to seize the canal.

He cooled his threats after Panamanian authorities decided that the concession ran counter to Panama's interests.

jjr/nn/msp/dhw/fox
Montana Public Service Commission (via PSC Twitter account).

The Montana Public Service Commission doesnt appear to have paid a specialty law firm it hired at $700 an hour, and one commissioner is concerned the $25,000 invoice is languishing.

In November, the Public Service Commission voted to hire outside counsel for as much as $25,000 to intervene in a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission case.

The case involves the way a NorthWestern Energy subsidiary is handling shares it acquired last month from Puget Sound Energy.

On behalf of the PSC, the Michael Best & Friedrich LLP law firm submitted a filing in early December arguing FERC should investigate NorthWestern for attempting to evade the law in its handling of its new shares at Colstrip.

Based in Washington, D.C., the law firm describes itself as having Fortune 500 clients, and its attorney the PSC hired as being its top legal expert on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

A Jan. 15 statement from the Best firm obtained by the Daily Montanan said the PSC had paid zero dollars for the Dec. 15 invoice of $25,000.

Tuesday, Commissioner Brad Molnar said the bill had not been paid.

The PSC spokesperson has not answered questions about it, and PSC President Jeff Welborn did not respond to voicemails Tuesday.

Molnar said he recommended an attorney at the firm based on his experience with the lawyers work in federal regulatory issues.

He also said the billing rate of $700 an hour was the lowest bid after one lawyer pulled out due to the cases complexity.

The Best law firm could not be reached for comment Monday or Tuesday, and the Public Service Commission did not answer the Daily Montanans questions about payments to the Best firm or other firms.

Molnar said he is concerned about the delay and also whether the Public Service Commission is overextended when it comes to contracted services.

He said he anticipates the PSC may need more legal support at the federal level in the future, and stalling payment will harm the agencys ability to hire expertise later.

Later in December, FERC said the NorthWestern Energy subsidiarys application to sell power from its newly acquired Puget Sound Energy shares was deficient and called for more details about the deal, and the case is pending.

Molnar said that notice from FERC is evidence the PSC won, but he said even if it had lost, the agency still needs to pay its bills.

He said commissioners were asked to contribute their travel budgets to help cover contracted expenses, and some did so, but they also were told the PSC owed more money to certain entities than it could pay.

The PSC has paid out at least $54,382.66 in the current fiscal year in contracted services related to an investigation into professional misconduct by Molnar, who has repeatedly denied unethical behavior.

In response to questions about contracted services last week from the Daily Montanan, PSC spokesperson Jamey Petersen directed the news outlet to file public information requests. The Daily Montanan considers those emails to be written requests for public information.

The PSC did not address its budget for contracted services or amounts it has been invoiced by other firms or paid out. The PSC has a roughly $6.2 million budget, and most of it, an estimated $4.7 million, goes to personnel of 41.5 positions, according to state budget records.

In a letter to Gov. Greg Gianforte in early December, Commissioner Randy Pinocci said the agency was out of money to oppose utility filings, citing a statement from Commissioner Jennifer Fielder.

In response to questions, Fielder requested to see the letter, which the Daily Montanan provided, but she had not responded to a question about the invoice from the Best firm by press time or commented on the statement in Pinoccis letter.

Last summer, the Public Service Commission entered into a contract for as much as $10,000 with CMS, Communications and Management Services, for the investigation of unprofessional conduct by Molnar.

Molnar has said he has not seen results of the investigation, and his lawyer, Matthew Monforton, said Tuesday hes unclear on the status of the inquiry as well.

Its disheartening that the PSC appears to have spent all its discretionary funds harassing Brad Molnar and not leaving any to defend the interests of Montana ratepayers, especially in matters pending before federal regulatory agencies, Monforton said.

In July and August, the PSC paid CMS $12,750 in three separate payments for consulting and professional services, according to the states transparency website.

Drew Geiger, with CMS, said Tuesday he believes the company has been paid in full.

The PSC also retained a legal firm, Christensen & Prezeau, at a rate of $250 an hour in connection with the investigation, and it has paid that firm $24,054.75 as of last month, according to the same site.

A law firm in Missoula, Boone Karlberg, was paid $17,577.91 in January 2026, according to the state accounting site.

Boone Karlberg represented Fielder in a dispute about whether Gianforte had the authority to act on a complaint Fielder filed with the governor against Molnar.

In October 2025, Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Mike Menahan found Gianforte did have the authority to investigate it, and Molnar had a responsibility to cooperate.

The case the PSC had intervened in with FERC remains pending, but in December, the Public Service Commission withdrew, saying it made errors in its filing but planned to investigate at the state level.

The Best firm is not listed as having been paid by the PSC in the 2026 fiscal year.
SALEM, Ohio  The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trumps global tariffs in a 6-3 ruling on Feb. 20, and national agricultural groups responded with cautious relief, stating the tariffs hurt farmers who were already struggling.

With supply costs already at or near record highs, we strongly encourage the president to avoid using any other available authorities to impose tariffs on agricultural inputs that would further increase costs, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a statement.

Americas farmers and ranchers need stability to ensure families across America can put food on their tables.

By a 6-3 vote, justices ruled that the tariffs exceeded powers given to the president by Congress under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which provides him the authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies created by foreign threats.

This includes a 10% reciprocal tariff on almost all countries. Last year, Trump stated that drug trafficking and trade deficits posed a threat to national security and the economy of the United States.

But many small businesses and several states argued that these tariffs hurt American businesses, leading them to file lawsuits in the lower courts. The Supreme Court decision sided with these businesses, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing in the majority opinion that no President has invoked the statute to impose any tariffslet alone tariffs of this magnitude and scope. The power to tax, instead, lies with Congress.

Trump reacted swiftly after the ruling, announcing a new global tariff of 10%, possible through Section 122, a law never used before that allows him to impose tariffs for 150 days without congressional approval. On Feb. 21, he said hed raise this tariff to 15%.

Any Country that wants to play games with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have Ripped Off the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to, Trump posted Feb. 23 on Truth Social.

While Republicans remain split in supporting the tariffs, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, called the ruling outrageous, saying in a statement on X that these tariffs protected jobs, revived manufacturing and forced cheaters like China to pay up. Now globalists win, factories investments may reverse and American workers lose again.

Meanwhile, farm groups urged Trump to back down on the tariffs, including the American Soybean Association President and Ohio farmer Scott Metzger, who said, U.S. soybean growers are reliant upon imports for critical farming tools like fertilizer, seeds, pesticides and agriculture equipment.

Metzger noted that soybean farmers, in particular, have been closely following the Supreme Court case as they have seen input costs rise over the past year due to tariffs.

The National Association of Wheat Growers stated that wheat growers have also struggled, suffering through a third straight year from stubbornly high supply costs and low prices for crops.

As the administration considers how to move forward, NAWG urges careful attention to avoid any adverse impacts on agriculture, said NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer.
Ministers have unveiled a streamlined Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), cutting the scheme from 102 actions to 71 and introducing a 100,000 annual payment cap, in what is being presented as a reset of farm policy.

Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds confirmed the overhaul in her speech to the NFU Conference today (24 February), alongside a wider 345 million funding package aimed at boosting productivity and accelerating innovation.

The reworked SFI will open in June for small farms and those without a live Environmental Land Management (ELM) revenue agreement, with a second application window for all farmers in September.

Around 97% of farms already claim below the new 100,000 cap, according to Defra, which argues the limit will spread funding more fairly and prevent larger agreements from absorbing disproportionate sums.

The government describes the revised offer as simpler, fairer, more stable, and shaped by farmers, following months of engagement with industry groups after concerns were raised over complexity and access.

Addressing delegates at the conference, Ms Reynolds said she was determined to give British farming the foundation it needs to grow.

We want farm businesses that are productive, profitable, and resilient, she said.

The SFI changes sit within a broader package that includes 70m for the Farming Innovation Programme to convert research into practical tools, and 50m for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund to support investment in productivity, animal health and slurry management.

Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds confirmed the overhaul in her speech today

Ministers say the measures contribute towards a commitment to invest at least 200 million in agricultural innovation by 2030. However, questions remain over the longer-term size and stability of the overall farming budget.

A further 225m will be made available through a new round of ELM capital grants opening in July 2026, supporting projects such as hedgerow planting, slurry storage infrastructure, natural flood management and water-quality improvements.

The Secretary of State also confirmed plans to consult on making Animal Health and Welfare Reviews  vet visits  mandatory for cattle, sheep and pig farmers in England, alongside a new poultry biosecurity grant scheme to help tackle avian influenza.

Industry bodies broadly welcomed the SFI reset, though with differing emphases.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said it was encouraging to hear the Defra Secretary reaffirm her commitment to working in partnership with farmers and growers.

He added that the reformed scheme appears to strike the right balance between simplifying the process and maintaining flexibility, while warning that the resilience of our food system cant be taken for granted.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) supported the retention of 71 actions but cautioned that the 100,000 cap has risks, suggesting it could limit the ambitions of businesses delivering significant environmental outcomes.

The Tenant Farmers Association welcomed the tighter controls, arguing the revised structure should prevent non-active landowners from capturing an outsized share of funding.

Chief executive George Dunn said the 71 options should provide a broad scope of opportunity for individuals to participate and added: What has been proposed by Defra will provide sufficient headroom for hard-working, active farmers to take part in the scheme.

However, he stressed the importance of clarity around the total available budget, particularly ahead of the September window when demand is expected to be highest.

The Nature Friendly Farming Network described the announcement as extremely welcome news for many English farmers, but argued that funding still falls short of what is required for a full transition to nature-friendly agriculture.

With applications reopening in stages and the cap reshaping how payments are distributed, the success of the reformed SFI will hinge not only on its design, but on whether ministers can deliver the longer-term certainty the sector has repeatedly demanded.
Proposed changes to long-standing lamb castration and tail docking rules have sparked a strong backlash from Welsh sheep leaders, who warn the reforms could fundamentally alter routine flock management across the country.

NFU Cymrus Livestock Board has signalled firm opposition to plans set out in a UK-wide consultation examining the legislation governing the two practices.

The review, being undertaken by the Welsh government alongside Defra, the Scottish government and the Northern Ireland Executive, is seeking views on whether pain relief should become mandatory when using rubber rings for castration and tail docking.

Under the proposals, farmers would be required to administer anaesthetic before applying rubber rings, followed by an analgesic.

NFU Cymru argues the changes could create practical and welfare challenges on farm, particularly during the busy lambing period when large numbers of young lambs are handled in a short timeframe.

Castration and tail docking are widely used across sheep systems to aid flock management and reduce health risks such as flystrike. Current rules allow rubber rings to be used on lambs up to seven days old without anaesthetic.

The union insists that framework should remain in place.

These proposals will be of concern for sheep producers across Wales, said NFU Cymru Livestock Board chair Rob Lewis.

He acknowledged that government may view the reforms as an animal welfare improvement, but added: We are very clear that the proposals being put forward that would require the administration of anaesthetic and analgesic to very young lambs will cause more harm and good.

Mr Lewis said the procedures are integral to maintaining standards across a range of flock systems.

Tail docking and castration of young lambs are vital to ensure effective management and high health and welfare standards are maintained on a wide range of flock systems in Wales and across the UK, he said.

It is vital that we maintain the ability to continue to use rubber rings and clamps on farm for young lambs.

The consultation forms part of wider scrutiny of routine livestock procedures across the UK, amid ongoing debate over how best to balance animal welfare improvements with practical delivery on farm.

NFU Cymru is urging members to respond before the consultation closes on 9 March.

The union will host a virtual webinar on 2 March at 12:30pm to outline the proposals and help shape its formal response.

I strongly encourage members to join our webinar to hear more about the proposals, feed in their views to help inform the NFU Cymru response to the consultation and find out how best to respond, Mr Lewis said.

With sheep farming forming a cornerstone of Welsh agriculture, the outcome of the review could have far-reaching consequences for producers across Wales and the wider UK.
With its centenary now just six years away, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs has elected a new leadership team to steer the organisation through a pivotal period of reform and renewal.

Jessica Rose, 31, from Nottinghamshire, has been chosen as chair of NFYFC Council, representing more than 23,000 members across England and Wales.

Her election was confirmed at a council meeting in Warwickshire on 22 February, where Alex McMenemy from County Durham retained her position as vice chair and Luke Brignall from East Riding of Yorkshire was elected to the second vice chair role.

All three will join the NFYFC Board of Management and help deliver a newly launched five-year strategy. The board has outlined ambitions to secure financial stability, strengthen the federations public reputation, deepen understanding of its membership and build long-term resilience.

The strategy comes at a time when many membership organisations are navigating rising costs and changing expectations among young people, particularly in rural areas.

Ms Rose, who lives on her familys farm in Newark and works as a customer services manager and fashion buyer, has been a member of Tuxford YFC since the age of 17.

She previously served as county chair for Nottinghamshire Federation and spent the past two years as NFYFC vice chair of Council.

Its a huge honour to be elected to represent more than 560 Young Farmers Clubs across England and Wales and more than 23,000 members, she said.

Incoming chair Jessica Rose said it was a huge honour to represent young farmers

With NFYFC approaching its 100-year anniversary, she said the organisation had an opportunity to reflect on its impact while preparing for the future.

I want to use my experience to help futureproof the longevity of YFC, ensuring more generations benefit and enjoy all it has to offer, she said.

Although raised in a farming family, Ms Rose did not pursue a career in agriculture. She said she hoped her background would encourage wider participation.

I am hoping my story will inspire others not directly involved in farming to join YFC, she said.

Four candidates contested the two vice chair positions.

Mr Brignall, 24, from Beacon YFC in East Yorkshire, was elected for the first time. He works full time in agriculture on a local country estate and also serves on Sledmere Parish Council.

This isnt about a title for me, its about showing impact and raising the bar, he said.

Young farmers has played a huge role in shaping me, its where I have built confidence, learnt to lead, organise events, dealt with challenges and taken responsibility.

Ms McMenemy, 29, from Durham City YFC, secured a second year in office. An agricultural regulator with the Environment Agency and former county chair of County Durham Federation, she said she was truly honoured to continue in the role.

YFC has given me so much over the years, and I want to continue giving back at a national level, helping to support and strengthen the organisation for current and future members, she said.

More than 80 members attended the Warwickshire meeting, where motions affecting the running of the federation were debated and new steering group leaders were elected.

NFYFC Council is made up of elected members, associate members and co-options from across England and Wales, and plays a central role in representing member views and shaping national activity.

As the organisation moves towards its centenary, the new officer team will be tasked with translating strategic ambition into delivery  balancing tradition with the expectations of a new generation of rural young people.
Why should a shoe made with handwoven textile be boring? asks Anita Soundar, designer and founder  Disobedience, which  as you can glean from the name  is an off-kilter shoe brand subverting the rules of shoe-making. Its USP is the heel of each of its designs, made in oddly intriguing shapes with reclaimed teak and sheesham wood, and even stainless steel.A tableau of boots, ballerina flats, loafers, and pumps  made using plant-based leather and handwoven jute, kala cotton, and eri silk  make up its SKUs, asserting that shoes made with handwoven textiles  in the case of Disobedience at least  are both interesting and wearable.A second-generation industrial entrepreneur, Anita studied chemical engineering, but was always drawn to footwear designing, often looking to shoes as a means of self-expression. Seeing how European accessories are the gold standard for quality, she decided to study handbag- and shoe- designing in Italy and the Netherlands. I was very sure that I wanted to come back and make shoes locally for the Indian audience, she shares.Anita immersed herself in learning to weave on a loom and developed an interest in woodworking and carpentry. She combines all these in her one-of-a-kind shoe designs that are individualistic and sustainable  though the latter is not something that the designer wants to talk about much. This is called greenhushing  the polar opposite of greenwashing  where sustainable practices are under-advertised and the focus is placed solely on good quality products. I would want people to buy shoes because they like our design, and discover the material story and its environmental and social impact by exploration, says Anita.Working with handwoven textiles and natural materials comes with its fair share of challenges, but that does not deter Anita. She believes thats where her role as a designer becomes crucial  to curate and choose the materials that have a low carbon footprint to the environment. At Disobedience, Anita is also working on a post-consumer project where a separate line of shoes is made using recycled yarns. As a part of extended producer responsibility, she has provisions in place to dismantle and repurpose her shoes  bought back from the consumer when they are through wearing them. Until then, shes just invested in making great, wearable designs.
Even as his film Dhurandhar continues to make headlines, Ranveer Singh has found himself caught in a controversy. The actor is facing a criminal complaint for allegedly hurting religious sentiments after he imitated the daiva from Kantara Chapter 1. What he reportedly saw as a lighthearted tribute has now escalated into a legal issue.

Ranveer has approached the Karnataka High Court, asking for the case against him to be dismissed. His legal team argued that there was no intention to offend anyone. According to them, the actor was simply appreciating Rishab Shettys impactful performance and the films unique storytelling style, and his gesture has been misunderstood.

In their plea before the court, his lawyers stated that an act of admiration has been wrongly interpreted as a criminal offence. They also informed the court that Ranveer has already received two police notices, which they said have caused him significant stress. The defence requested an urgent hearing to settle the matter quickly and ease the pressure on the actor.

However, the bench declined to grant immediate relief. Justice M Nagaprasanna, hearing the matter in Bengaluru, made it clear that being a celebrity does not entitle anyone to special consideration. The court refused to fast track the case, and Ranveer will now have to wait for the matter to be taken up as per the scheduled proceedings.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs exchange over Ranveers Madame Tussauds statues wins hearts
Actor Tara Sutaria has marked a significant personal milestone by purchasing a new home in Mumbai, taking to social media to share glimpses of the interior and celebrate the moment with her fans. The announcement comes against a backdrop of continuing speculation about her relationship with actor Veer Pahariya, with rumours of a breakup circulating in recent weeks.

On February 23, Tara shared a series of photos on her Instagram account showing different corners of her new space along with a heartfelt message. In her caption, she wrote about new beginnings, expressing hope, love and laughter in her first home and embracing 2026 with optimism. In several images, she is seen dressed in a soft off-white saree and traditional jewellery, performing what appeared to be a housewarming ritual in a serene corner of the house.

The interior of the home reflects a minimalist and inviting aesthetic, with neutral tones, teakwood furniture and thoughtfully chosen decor. One shot showcased a grand piano set against wooden flooring, hinting at Taras personal interests, while another highlighted a cozy living area and tasteful design elements that make the space feel warm and lived-in rather than overly staged.







Fans and celebrities alike responded enthusiastically to the post, congratulating Tara on her achievement. In the comments, many praised her for the milestone, sharing messages of support and admiration. Some noted that the purchase symbolises a fresh chapter, especially amid the ongoing relationship speculation.

Rumours about Tara and Veer Pahariyas relationship have been in the news since late 2025, when they were last seen together publicly at various events. The couple had confirmed their relationship in mid-2025, but talk of a split intensified after Tara skipped Veers recent birthday celebrations and did not post a public wish for him on social media. Neither Tara nor Veer has officially addressed the breakup whispers.

For now, Tara appears focused on her personal growth and creating a space of her own  a move that fans have celebrated as a sign of independence and positive momentum in her life.

























Also Read: Veer Drops Cryptic Post, Edits Caption After Fans Ask Him to Get Back With Tara Sutaria




Ghostface is sharpening his knife once again, and this time, it will be more brutal than before. The final trailer of Scream 7 signals a return to deeply personal horror, pulling the franchise back to its emotional epicentre.

Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) has built a new life after surviving the multiple killing sprees. However, her attempt at a quiet life is violently interrupted when a new Ghostface emerges in her town. Her darkest fears are realised as her daughter Tatum (Isabel May) becomes the next target. Determined to protect her family, Sidney must face the horrors of her past to put an end to the bloodshed once and for all.

The trailer underscores the threat with a chilling warning from the masked killer: I am going to make everyone you love suffer, including your pretty daughter.

Besides Campbell, the film also stars Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Courteney Cox, who will be reprising their roles from the previous films. Isabel May, Anna Camp, Michelle Randolph, Jimmy Tatro, and McKenna Grace, among others, will also star in Scream 7.

Watch the trailer here:





The Scream franchise reinvented the slasher genre by pairing brutal whodunit killings with self-awareness. The first film was released in 1996. The first four films in the franchise were directed by Wes Craven. The films featured several actors and characters, but Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox are the only cast members to feature in all films to date.

The first four films, as well as the seventh, centre on Sidney Prescott as she is hunted by a series of killers hiding behind the Ghostface mask. Throughout her ordeal, she is supported by allies including Dewey Riley, Gale Weathers, Randy Meeks and Kirby Reed, alongside a shifting circle of friends and partners.

The fifth and sixth instalments shift focus to Samantha Carpenter and her sister Tara, who are targeted because of their ties to the original murders. Joined by Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin and several returning survivors, they face a new generation of Ghostface killers.

Paramount Pictures India is set to release Scream 7 in cinemas on February 27, 2026.

Also Read: Jenna Ortega quits Scream 7 due to Wednesdays Season 2 filming schedule
Dreams often begin in the most unexpected places, in a childhood story, while idling away in a classroom, or in worlds far beyond home. For Shenba, it was no different. In the midst of her everyday routine in a small town in Tamil Nadu, she held on to a simple, wholehearted dream: one day, she would travel to South Korea. Join Shenba as she travels from Tamil Nadu to South Korea on an unforgettable, life-changing journey in Made in Korea.



Written and directed by Ra.Karthik, Made in Korea follows Shenbagam, or Shenba, whose childhood fascination with Korean culture inspires her to experience it for herself. When she unexpectedly finds herself in Seoul, reality proves far more challenging than she imagined, setting her on a heartfelt path of resilience, self-discovery, and new connection.



The makers released the teaser of the film today. It stars Priyanka Mohan and South Korean actors Park Hye-jin and No Ho-jin in pivotal roles.

Watch it here:

Sharing his inspiration behind the film, Ra.Karthik said, "I am quite fascinated with the deep cultural connections and historical similarities between Korean and Tamil heritage. This curiosity inspired me to tell a story that felt personal and full of hope. Made In Korea is a slice-of-life film crafted with warmth, celebrating this unique cultural bond, and Im thankful to Netflix for championing stories that transcend languages and bring global cultures closer together."





Speaking about the role, Priyanka Mohan shared, Shenbas dream of Korea comes from a place of wonder and curiosity. I felt deeply connected to Shenbas story from the first narration, and being part of this Netflix film makes the journey even more special.

Also Read: Made In Korea to R Madhavans Legacy, Tamil and Telugu Shows and Films to Look Forward to on OTT
After years of are they or arent they, Tollywoods onscreen pair Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are officially tying the knot on February 26. Meanwhile, fans are loving an old clip of Vijays parents that has resurfaced. In the video, his mom, Madhavi Deverakonda, mentioned she just wants a daughter-in-law who loves her son unconditionally and understands the hectic film life. His dad (Govardhan Rao) was even more chill, saying they don't care about caste or religion; and only that Vijay marries for love.On the occasion, Madhavi also commented that her son was a good boy in real life. When the host quipped that many girls had been queuing up to marry Vijay, Madhavi simply laughed. At that time, nobody, including probably the Vijay-Rashmika duo, knew that they would get married someday. Their love story started on the sets of Geetha Govindam back in 2018, where their chemistry was so electric it practically jumped off the screen. While they always maintained they were just best friends, the clues were everywhere. From secret vacations in the Maldives to spotted dinner dates and wearing each others hoodies, the duo kept us guessing for years.The couple had a super private engagement ceremony about five months ago, surrounded only by their inner circle. Their Udaipur wedding is expected to be a beautiful blend of tradition and style. Confirming the wedding and embracing the #ViRosh tag, the couple recently said, Our Dearest loves, before we made any plans, before we chose anything for ourselves you were already there. With so much love, you gave us a name. You called us VIROSH. So today  with full hearts, we name our coming together in your honour. We would like to name it  The Wedding of VIROSH. Thank you for holding us with so much love. You are a part of us  always. Biggest hugs and full love.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) - Visit T2 Metals (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) at Booth #2941 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 1 to Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

About T2 Metals

T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. The Company continues to target under-explored areas, including the Sherridon, Lida, Cora and Copper Eagle mineral projects where post-mineralization cover masks areas of high geological prospectivity in the vicinity of major mines. T2 Metals is committed to engage with rights holders and stakeholders with the highest level of respect, ensuring that our exploration activities contribute positively to the communities in which we operate.

About PDAC

The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 26,000 attendees in person in 2024, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events.

The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the world's mineral industry.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information:

Source: Newsfile Partner Event
The dynamics of the acromegaly market are anticipated to change due to extensive R&D, the entry of novel therapies such as Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others, and increasing awareness among care providers and caregivers.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently published Acromegaly Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, acromegaly emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2022 to 2036, segmented into leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Acromegaly Market Summary

The total acromegaly treatment market size is expected to grow positively by 2036 in the leading markets.

The United States accounts for the largest market size of acromegaly, in comparison to EU4 (Germany, Italy, France, and Spain), the UK, and Japan.

The total diagnosed prevalent cases of acromegaly in the US were ~ 27K in 2025. These numbers are expected to increase by 2036.

in 2025. These numbers are expected to increase by 2036. Leading acromegaly companies, such as Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Camurus AB, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Debiopharm International SA, Marea Therapeutics, and others, are developing new acromegaly treatment drugs that can be available in the acromegaly market in the coming years.

and others, are developing new acromegaly treatment drugs that can be available in the acromegaly market in the coming years. The promising acromegaly therapies in clinical trials include Paltusotine, CAM2029, ALXN2420, Debio 4126, MAR002, and others.

Discover what will the market share of acromegaly therapies @ https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/acromegaly-market?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=spr

Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Acromegaly Market

Rising Acromegaly Prevalence: Acromegaly occurs in approximately 50-70 people per million per year. This increase in prevalence leads to increased R&D activities and more patients opting for treatment in the future.

Acromegaly occurs in approximately 50-70 people per million per year. This increase in prevalence leads to increased R&D activities and more patients opting for treatment in the future. Advancing Diagnostic Tools for Early Acromegaly Detection: One of the major opportunities is exploring the advancement of diagnostic tools or methods for the early detection of acromegaly in the affected patient pool.

One of the major opportunities is exploring the advancement of diagnostic tools or methods for the early detection of acromegaly in the affected patient pool. Opportunities in the Acromegaly Treatment Landscape: There is potential in the acromegaly treatment landscape for drugs with improved clinical profiles and for the development of biomarker-based therapy (precision medicine) tailored to patients' specific characteristics to improve overall patient outcomes.

There is potential in the acromegaly treatment landscape for drugs with improved clinical profiles and for the development of biomarker-based therapy (precision medicine) tailored to patients' specific characteristics to improve overall patient outcomes. Launch of Emerging Acromegaly Therapies: The dynamics of the acromegaly market are expected to change in the coming years due to the launch of emerging therapies such as Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others.

Aparna Thakur, Assistant Project Manager, Forecasting and Analytics at DelveInsight, commented that the shift toward oral medications is driving the acromegaly market, with paltusotine further advancing this trend. Additionally, CAM2029's once-monthly, ready-to-use injection pen offers patients convenient self-administration, reducing their treatment burden.

Acromegaly Market Analysis

Treatment options for acromegaly include surgical removal of the pituitary tumor, radiation therapy, and medications to control growth hormone production.

Early diagnosis and treatment can improve or reverse some symptoms, although long-standing physical changes may persist.

Several approved therapies for acromegaly, including MYCAPSSA (Chiesi Farmaceutici), PALSONIFY (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals/Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho), OCZYESA (Camurus AB, approved in the EU), and SIGNIFOR LAR (Recordati), are currently available.

(Chiesi Farmaceutici), (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals/Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho), (Camurus AB, approved in the EU), and (Recordati), are currently available. Pharmaceutical developers are actively developing innovative modalities to address unmet needs in the treatment of acromegaly.

Investigational therapies include Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (Alexion Pharmaceuticals), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), and others.

Acromegaly Competitive Landscape

Some of the products under development for the treatment of acromegaly include Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others.

Debiopharm International SA's Debio 4126 is a next-generation, long-acting octreotide formulation intended for intramuscular injection once every three months. Early clinical findings, supported by strong pharmacokinetic modeling, indicate prolonged octreotide release, stable suppression of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), and a safety profile similar to that of existing somatostatin analogs (SSAs), providing a solid foundation for advancing to Phase III development.

AstraZeneca's ALXN2420 is an emerging small-peptide antagonist of the Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR), being developed as an adjunct therapy to SSAs to achieve deeper IGF-1 suppression and normalization. The molecule binds to human GHR and blocks growth hormone-mediated activation in vitro. In animal studies, administration of ALXN2420 led to marked reductions in IGF-1 and was associated with decreased growth in juvenile rats. Notably, when combined with an SSA, ALXN2420 produced an additive reduction in IGF-1. The therapy is currently in Phase II testing for acromegaly.

Marea Therapeutics' MAR002 is a highly potent, selective, long-acting allosteric monoclonal antibody that antagonizes the Growth Hormone Receptor and is being developed for acromegaly treatment. Its in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles are consistent with those of an extended-half-life human antibody, supporting infrequent subcutaneous dosing in clinical use. These properties highlight its potential to deliver effective and convenient treatment for patients with acromegaly.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the acromegaly market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the acromegaly market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about the best acromegaly drugs by market share @ Acromegaly Drugs Market

Recent Developments in the Acromegaly Market

In January 2026, Camurus announced that the US FDA had accepted for review the company's resubmission of the New Drug Application (NDA) for OCLAIZ for the treatment of patients with acromegaly. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 10 June 2026.

announced that the US FDA had accepted for review the company's resubmission of the New Drug Application (NDA) for OCLAIZ for the treatment of patients with acromegaly. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 10 June 2026. In January 2026, Marea Therapeutics announced positive topline results from its first-in-human Phase I study of MAR002, a first-in-class allosteric monoclonal antibody targeting the growth hormone receptor (GHR) for the treatment of acromegaly.

announced positive topline results from its first-in-human Phase I study of MAR002, a first-in-class allosteric monoclonal antibody targeting the growth hormone receptor (GHR) for the treatment of acromegaly. In December 2025, Debiopharm announced that the first patient had been randomized in the Phase III (OXTEND-03) clinical trial for adults with acromegaly who are currently maintained onsomatostatin analogs.

announced that the first patient had been randomized in the Phase III (OXTEND-03) clinical trial for adults with acromegaly who are currently maintained onsomatostatin analogs. In August 2025, Marea Therapeutics announced that the first participant had been enrolled in its Phase I study evaluating MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly.

What is Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder that occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone, usually due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This excess hormone causes tissues, bones, and organs to grow larger than normal over time. People with acromegaly often develop enlarged hands and feet, changes in facial features such as a protruding jaw or enlarged nose, and symptoms like joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease and diabetes, but early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent long-term problems.

Acromegaly Epidemiology Segmentation

The acromegaly epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current acromegaly patient pool and forecasted trends for the leading markets. In the US, acromegaly diagnosed prevalent cases, based on origin, accounted for 95% pituitary tumors and 5% non-pituitary tumors.

The acromegaly treatment market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2022-2036 in the leading markets, segmented into:

Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly

Acromegaly Market Forecast Report Metrics Details Study Period 2022-2036 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Acromegaly Epidemiology Segmentation Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, and Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly Key Acromegaly Companies Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Camurus AB, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Debiopharm International SA, Marea Therapeutics, Amryt Pharma, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Recordati, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho, and others Key Acromegaly Therapies Paltusotine, CAM2029, ALXN2420, Debio 4126, MAR002, MYCAPSSA, SIGNIFOR LAR, PALSONIFY, and others

Scope of the Acromegaly Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Acromegaly current marketed and emerging therapies

Acromegaly current marketed and emerging therapies Acromegaly Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Acromegaly Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Acromegaly Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Acromegaly Market Access and Reimbursement

Download the report to understand what are novel biomarkers in acromegaly @ Acromegaly Market Forecast

Table of Contents

1 Acromegaly Market Key Insights 2 Acromegaly Market Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary 4 Key Events 5 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 6 Acromegaly Market Overview at a Glance 6.1 Clinical Landscape Analysis (By Phase, RoA, and Molecule Type) 6.2 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies of Acromegaly in 2025 in the 7MM 6.3 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies of Acromegaly in 2036 in the 7MM 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Causes 7.3 Diagnosis 8 Treatment and Management 9 Epidemiology and Patient Population 9.1 Key Findings 9.2 Assumption and Rationale of Acromegaly: The 7MM Analysis 9.3 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the 7MM 9.4 The United States 9.4.1 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.2 Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.3 Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.4 Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.5 Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.5 EU4 and the UK 9.6 Japan 10 Acromegaly Patient Journey 11 Marketed Acromegaly Therapies 11.1 Key Cross Competition 11.2 Paltusotine (PALSONIFY): Crinetics Pharmaceuticals and Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho 11.2.1 Product Description 11.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.2.3 Other Developmental Activities 11.2.4 Summary of Pivotal Trials 11.2.5 Analyst's View 11.3 CAM2029 (OCZYESA): Camurus AB List to be continued 12 Emerging Acromegaly Therapies 12.1 Key Cross Competition 12.2 MAR002: Marea Therapeutics 12.2.1 Product Description 12.2.2 Other Developmental Activities 12.2.3 Clinical Development 12.2.3.1 Clinical Trials Information 12.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 12.2.5 Analyst's Views 12.3 Debio 4126: Debiopharm International SA List to be continued in the report. 13 Acromegaly Market: 7MM Analysis 13.1 Key Findings 13.2 Acromegaly Market Outlook 13.3 Conjoint Analysis 13.4 Key Market Forecast Assumptions 13.5 Total Market Size of Acromegaly in the 7MM 13.6 Market Size of Acromegaly by Therapies in 7MM 13.7 The United States Acromegaly Market Size 13.7.1 Total Market Size of Acromegaly in the United States 13.7.2 Market Size of Acromegaly by Therapies in the United States 13.8 EU4 and the UK Acromegaly Market Size 13.9 Japan Acromegaly Market Size 14 Acromegaly Market Unmet Needs 15 Acromegaly Market SWOT Analysis 16 Key Opinion Leaders' Views on Acromegaly 17 Acromegaly Market Access and Reimbursement 17.1 The United States 17.2 In EU4 and the UK 17.3 Japan 17.4 Summary and Comparison of Market Access and Pricing Policy Developments in 2025 17.5 Market Access and Reimbursement of Acromegaly 18 Acronyms and Abbreviations 19 Bibliography 20 Acromegaly Market Report Methodology

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Die Stimmung an den Markten hat sich grundlegend gedreht. Wahrend Tech- und KI-Werte zunehmend mit Volatilitat und Bewertungsrisiken kampfen, erleben klassische Versorger ein unerwartetes Comeback. Laut IEA und EIA steigt der globale Strombedarf strukturell weiter, nicht nur wegen E-Mobilitat und Warmepumpen, sondern vor allem durch energiehungrige KI-Rechenzentren. Energie wird damit zur zentralen Infrastruktur des digitalen Zeitalters.



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Nach Jahren im Schatten der Tech-Rallye steigt nun das Interesse an Unternehmen, die Stabilitat mit langfristigen Wachstumsthemen wie Netzausbau, Dekarbonisierung und erneuerbaren Energien verbinden.



Im aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir drei Versorger vor, die defensive Starke mit attraktivem Potenzial kombinieren.



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Brisbane, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an advertising services agreement (the "Agreement") dated February 19, 2026 with AJO Capital Inc. ("AJO"), whereby AJO will provide marketing and investor awareness services to raise public awareness of GMG, including without limitation, original news articles, podcast and interview content creation, newspaper, television, radio and industry network distribution, as well as social media support (the "Services"). GMG has agreed to a monthly payment of US$26,500 for the provision by AJO of the Services. The Agreement commenced on February 19, 2026 and has an initial term of four (4) months unless earlier terminated. The Agreement may be renewed upon mutual written agreement at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the initial term, subject to any modifications to compensation and payment terms as the parties may agree.

AJO is a private company based in New York, United States dedicated to providing financial information and media and communication services. The Company will not issue any securities of the Company to AJO as compensation. To the Company's knowledge, AJO and its directors and officers are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right to acquire such an interest.

About GMG:

GMG is an Australian based clean-technology company which develops, makes and sells energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene manufactured via in house production process. GMG uses its own proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its natural elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications.

The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has initially focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving coating) which is now being marketed into other applications including electronic heat sinks, industrial process plants and data centres. Another product GMG has developed is the graphene lubricant additive focused on saving liquid fuels initially for diesel engines.

In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG has also developed a graphene additive slurry that is aimed to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

GMG's 4 critical business objectives are:

Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products Develop Next-Generation Battery Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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", "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" 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, services to be provided by AJO, term and termination of the Agreement and compensation payable to AJO pursuant to the Agreement.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions regarding the services to be provided by AJO, covenants by AJO under the Agreement, length of the term of the Agreement, termination of the Agreement and compensation payable to AJO pursuant to the Agreement, that the Company will not issue any future securities to AJO as compensation under the Agreement, that AJO acts at arm's length to the Company and none of AJO, its directors nor officers have any direct or indirect interest in the Company and its securities nor do they have any right to acquire such interests. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation, failure by AJO to render services in accordance with the Agreement, breach of the Agreement by either parties, early termination of the Agreement and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated November 4, 2025 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285033

Source: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd.
Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) - LBank Exchange is pleased to announce the listing of KPFREE (KF). Trading for the KF/USDT pair will be open at 10:00 UTC on February 25, 2026.

KPFREE (KF) listing banner

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8831/284790_d5be0aa2644799cb_001full.jpg

Users will be able to access the trading pair at: https://www.lbank.com/trade/kf_usdt

About KPFREE (KF)

KPFREE is a Real World Asset focused financial token designed to connect traditional asset structures with decentralized finance infrastructure.

Built within the global DeFi ecosystem KPFREE leverages smart contract technology to enable users to access financial services without intermediaries while maintaining direct control over their assets. The project aims to improve transparency efficiency and accessibility in asset management through blockchain based financial architecture.

KPFREE positions itself at the intersection of RWA tokenization and decentralized governance. By integrating real asset exposure with DeFi mechanisms the project seeks to build a next generation financial infrastructure that reduces reliance on traditional financial intermediaries and expands global participation in digital asset based finance.

Tokenomics

Token Name: KF

Token Type: Utility

Total Supply: 10,000,000,000 KF

Blockchain: Ethereum

Token Utility

Fee Payments

KF is used for transaction fees within the ecosystem including lending trading staking and platform services.

Staking Rewards

Token holders may stake KF to participate in network stability and liquidity mechanisms.

Governance Participation

KF holders participate in DAO based governance including voting on platform policies fee structures and feature upgrades.

Collateral Utility

KF may be used as collateral within DeFi lending services and asset backed financial structures developed by the platform.

Allocation Breakdown:

Category Percentage Public Sale 40% Team & Developers 15% Partnerships & Ecosystem 15% Marketing & Community 10% Reserve 10% Others 10%

Roadmap

H1 2025

Official project launch

Smart contract deployment and token issuance

Whitepaper and website publication

Initial partnerships and community growth

Exchange listing preparation

H2 2025

Major exchange listing discussions

Beta launch of collateral lending services

Multichain bridge integration

DAO governance test launch

DeFi staking feature introduction

H1 2026

Full DAO governance activation

Global RWA platform integration

Real asset trading marketplace prototype launch

Expanded global marketing initiatives

Tokenized asset products targeting institutional participants

H2 2026 and Beyond

Complete RWA financial ecosystem expansion

Technology alliances with global asset management platforms

Regulation compliant legal framework implementation

Sustainable token economy operation

Launch of KPFREE based physical investment fund products

Learn More About KPFREE (KF)

Website: https://kf-coin.com/

X: https://x.com/KF_kpfree

Telegram: https://t.me/kf_kpfree

About LBank

Founded in 2015, LBank is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 20 million registered users in 160 countries and regions. With a daily trading volume exceeding $10.5 billion and 10 years of operational history with zero security incidents, LBank is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, user-friendly trading experience. Through innovative trading solutions, the platform has enabled users to achieve average returns of over 130% on newly listed assets.

LBank has listed over 300 mainstream coins and more than 50 high-potential gems. Ranked No. 1 in 100x Gems, Highest Gains, and Meme Share, LBank leads the market with the fastest altcoin listings, unmatched liquidity, and industry-first trading guarantees, making it the go-to platform for crypto investors worldwide.

Follow LBank for Updates

Website: https://www.lbank.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LBank_Exchange

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lbank

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284790

Source: LBank


EQS Newswire / 24/02/2026 / 10:45 UTC+8

Becoming a Key Future Growth Engine with Integrated Supply Chain Strengths (24 February 2026, Hong Kong) Huiyuan Cowins Technology Group Limited ("Huiyuan Cowins Technology", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; stock code: 1116.HK) is pleased to announce that the Group's stainless steel piped direct drinking water business in China is entering a phase of rapid development. This is benefitted from the upgrade of national drinking water standards and the implementation of livelihood improvement policies, together with surging demand for healthy drinking water. By leveraging its technologies across the full supply chain, multi-scenario flagship projects, and large-scale market coverage, the Group has successfully built differentiated competitive barriers in the industry. This business has become the core engine of the Group's future growth and will continue to expand its growth potential in line with industry development. Dual Drivers of Policy and Demand Propel Industry into High Growth The piped direct drinking water industry in China is entering a period of dual dividends from policy and market, laying a solid foundation for the Group's business development. At the national level, the GB5749-2022 " Standards for Drinking Water Quality" was officially implemented in 2023. The standard significantly raises the threshold for water safety and provides regulatory and standard support for the high-quality development of the industry. At the local level, many cities including Nanjing, Jinan, Shenzhen, and Chongqing have included direct drinking water projects as key livelihood construction initiatives. These cities have issued special technical specifications to promote systematic implementation in various scenarios such as communities, schools, and hospitals. On the market side, public health awareness has deepened and attention to drinking water safety continues to rise. Piped direct drinking water effectively addresses industry pain points such as secondary contamination and filter replacements for purifiers installed at the point of use. It also offers advantages in cost and environmental impact. The solution is becoming the preferred drinking option in many public settings, and market acceptance and penetration are steadily increasing. Industry research shows that the penetration rate of piped direct drinking water in China's total water consumption grew at a rate of 10.7% from 2017 to 2022. The industry scale reached RMB8.87 billion in 2022. With the implementation of citywide direct drinking water models in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and other cities, industry demand is entering an accelerated development phase. Research institutions forecast that the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of the piped direct drinking water industry will reach 13.1% from 2023 to 2028. The market size is expected to climb to RMB18.56 billion by 2028. This strong industry momentum opens up broad market space for the Group's stainless steel piped direct drinking water business.[1] Integrated Supply Chain Advantages Build Industry Barriers The Group has developed core competitive advantages through independent control of its integrated supply chain and its intelligent system integration in the stainless steel piped direct drinking water business. These advantages create key barriers that distinguish the Group from other industry players. The Group possesses independent production capacity that covers all processes of stainless steel pipe manufacturing. This capacity enables self-production of food-grade stainless steel pipes. The approach ensures pipeline material safety from the source, completely eliminates secondary pollution during water transmission, significantly reduces supply chain costs, and enhances product bargaining power. In addition, the Group provides a full set of integrated pipeline direct drinking water solutions. These solutions cover water purification process design, equipment installation, pipeline laying, and water quality monitoring. They are supported by intelligent technologies and system integration to achieve refined operation and management of direct drinking water systems. For the project of piped direct drinking water in Guangdong Radio and Television, the Group's daily water supply capacity meets the drinking water demand of more than 4,000 people. Multi-stage advanced purification processes filter out heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. When combined with fully enclosed food-grade stainless steel circulation pipelines and 24-hour online water quality monitoring equipment, the system achieves real-time monitoring and stable compliance of effluent quality. Multi-Scenario Flagship Projects Implemented Covering Over 100,000 Households Relying on its core technological advantages, the Group has built flagship projects across multiple scenarios. These include government and enterprise units, high-end commercial properties, local communities, and educational institutions. The Group has achieved large-scale implementation from first-tier cities to core cities. The business covers key Greater Bay Area cities such as Guangzhou and Jiangmen. This positions the Group as a benchmark enterprise in China's stainless steel direct drinking water industry. The cumulative service footprint now covers more than 100,000 households and thousands of teachers and students. With the further popularization of healthy drinking habits, the continuous implementation of national and local direct drinking water policies, and the gradual demonstration effect of the Group's flagship projects, the market potential of the Group's stainless steel direct drinking water business will continue to be unlocked. Currently, several flagship projects are under accelerated construction. Business implementation is progressing steadily, and market share is rising gradually. Mr. Tai Yiu Kuen, Kevin, the Chief Executive Officer of Huiyuan Cowins Technology Group Limited stated, "In the future, the Group will continue to increase R&D investment in intelligent direct drinking water systems and in the upgrading of water purification technologies. We will deepen our full industry chain capabilities in stainless steel pipes and system integration. We will continuously enhance market competitiveness and brand influence. We expect the stainless steel piped direct drinking water business to become the core engine of growth in the coming years. It will bring sustainable and stable investment returns to our shareholders and drive a rapid enhancement in the Group's overall value." - END - About Huiyuan Cowins Technology Group Limited Huiyuan Cowins Technology Group Limited (stock code: 1116.HK) has been deeply engaged in the steel pipe and steel sector for over 30 years and is a benchmark brand in China's stainless steel water pipe industry, with full-chain capabilities in "independent R&D - production manufacturing." Its main businesses cover stainless steel water pipes and fittings, carbon steel plate shearing, pipeline direct drinking water solutions, and extend to the phase change energy storage technology field. Since 2023, the Group has accelerated its expansion into the energy storage business, focusing on the R&D and production of phase-change energy storage materials (PCM), providing customized cold storage and heat storage solutions for customers in various industries. The company was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 2004. For more details, please visit its official company website: https://www.hctechgp.com . [1] LeadLeo: 2023 China Piped Drinking Water Industry Overview https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H3_AP202404181630528207_1.pdf 24/02/2026 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



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CHENNAI, India, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most reputable destination management companies in India, Cholan Tours, has announced a pioneering industry initiative, the introduction of professionally trained women chauffeurs to operate multi-day and long-distance tours across India, a first-of-its-kind concept in the Indian tourism sector.

For decades, long-route tour driving has remained a predominantly male profession. By opening this space to women and creating structured career opportunities within it, Cholan Tours is challenging traditional norms and reshaping the way travel services are delivered. The new program will see women chauffeurs operating extended hours while delivering the same high standards of professionalism, reliability, and hospitality for which the company is known.

This initiative is designed to benefit both travellers and communities. For travellers, especially solo women, families, and women-only groups, the presence of trained women chauffeurs offers greater comfort, confidence, and peace of mind. For women entering the workforce, it creates access to stable employment, financial independence, and a meaningful career path in tourism.

To ensure excellence, each chauffeur undergoes comprehensive training that includes advanced driving skills, route and destination knowledge, safety protocols, and hospitality etiquette. The company has also established structured support systems, including safe accommodation arrangements during tours, to prioritise the well-being of its drivers throughout their assignments.

According to Mr. Pandian Kumaravel, Managing Director and Founder of Cholan Tours, "This is not just a new service. It is a step towards social change. For 23 years, we have focused on delivering memorable journeys. Now we want to create meaningful opportunities. By introducing women chauffeurs for long-distance tours, we are empowering women, enhancing traveller confidence, and redefining inclusive tourism in India."

To implement this project in Tamil Nadu, Cholan Tours has recently signed an MOU with the Government of Tamil Nadu to facilitate appointing 100 women drivers for tour operations in the state. By combining service excellence with gender inclusion, the company aims to demonstrate how tourism can positively impact communities while elevating traveller experiences.

Media contact(s):

enquiry@cholantours.com

+91-4314226100

About Cholan Tours:

Headquartered in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Cholan Tours is one of India's leading Destination Management Companies with over 23 years of experience in customised tours, cultural journeys, group travel, and end-to-end travel management services worldwide. Known for reliability and service excellence, the company continues to lead with initiatives that enhance travel experiences while creating meaningful social impact.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cholan-tours-breaks-industry-barriers-with-indias-first-women-chauffeur-driven-tours-302694535.html
Cubans from across the United States gathered today in Washington, D.C., outside the Delegation of the European Union, to denounce the EU's complicity in financing Cuba's communist state. Protesters held signs reading, "EU, don't fund the dictatorship," "Democracies should not fund dictatorships," and "This march would get me killed in Cuba."

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223106922/en/

Cubans from across the United States gathered yesterday in Washington, D.C., outside the Delegation of the European Union, to denounce the EU's role in financing Cuba's communist state. The demonstration featured leading Cuban opposition groups including the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Cuban Freedom March along with former Cuban political prisoners, Veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud, Miss Universe Cuba 2025 Lina Luaces, and television personality Lili Estefan. Photo: Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.

The demonstration featured leading Cuban opposition groups including the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Cuban Freedom March along with former Cuban political prisoners, Veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud, Miss Universe Cuba 2025 Lina Luaces, and television personality Lili Estefan.

Speakers at the rally criticized the Castro regime's human rights record, highlighting the Cuban state's sending of mercenaries to support Russia's war effort in Ukraine. This follows an unprecedented move in late January by the European Parliament to approve an amendment calling for the revision and suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) that since 2017 governs the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Cuban regime. The approved amendment calls on the European Commission to 'use all available instruments, without excluding any', to ensure compliance with democratic and human rights standards on the island.

"The reality is that millions of euros supposedly going to 'sustainability programs' actually go into the hands of those closest to the regime who use it for further repression and their own projects and benefit," said Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, spokesperson for the Cuban Democratic Directorate and a member of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.

The demonstration comes amid escalating tensions on the island. Reports this week alleged that approximately 10 political prisoners died in custody after protesting the death of a 19-year-old inmate who was found hanging in his cell following weeks of complaints about food shortages and lack of medical care. These claims have intensified criticism of the Cuban state's repressive apparatus, prison conditions and treatment of dissidents.

In Washington, the administration of Donald Trump has maintained pressure on Havana through strengthened sanctions and restrictions on oil shipments to the island. Protest organizers contrasted that approach with policies in parts of Europe, particularly Spain.

In July 2025, Spain approved a debt restructuring mechanism aimed at forgiving part of Cuba's debt in order to reinvest in electricity infrastructure and food security projects. The initiative forms part of a broader agreement linked to negotiations with the Paris Club.

Under the so-called "Debt Conversion Program," Spain planned to forgive and redirect approximately 375 million toward sustainable development projects. However, new developments have complicated the picture. On February 21, 2026, Spanish-language media outlet Infobae revealed that more than 150 Spanish companies, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises, formally requested extraordinary financial support from the Spanish government for roughly 255 million in unpaid debts owed by the Cuban state. Several of these firms have reportedly entered bankruptcy proceedings due to prolonged non-payment.

The protest underscores the belief that the corruption and violent nature attributed to Cuba's communist government make it a highly volatile and risky partner for the European Union.

"Continued financial engagement and debt-relief directed toward the regime ultimately strengthen state institutions accused of repression, rather than benefiting the Cuban people," continued Gutierrez-Boronat. "The message of protestors was clear financing initiatives directed through the current system risks perpetuating political repression and deepening the suffering of ordinary citizens."

About the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance

The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance is a parliament in exile, comprised of a host of non-governmental organizations working together to bring freedom to the oppressed people of Cuba.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223106922/en/

Contacts:

For more information:

Silvia Gutierrez-Boronat

Directorio Democratico

silvia@directorio.org

786-287-0775
BearingPoint's new SBOM Management and CRA Compliance Services strengthen software supply chain security.

BearingPoint announces the launch of two new service offerings designed to address the growing complexity of software supply chains and the upcoming regulatory requirements under the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA): SBOM Management Services and CRA Compliance Services.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224192962/en/

BearingPoint announces the launch of two new service offerings designed to address the growing complexity of software supply chains and the upcoming regulatory requirements under the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA): SBOM Management Services and CRA Compliance Services.

Modern software products often contain thousands of components, many of which are open source or sourced from third-party suppliers. As supply chain attacks become more frequent and regulations tighten, organizations need complete visibility into their software composition to manage risk effectively and meet compliance obligations. The EU Cyber Resilience Act, which comes into full effect in December 2027, mandates that manufacturers demonstrate exactly what is inside their products and how vulnerabilities are managed throughout the product lifecycle.

An integrated approach to software transparency and compliance

BearingPoint's SBOM Management Services deliver the foundational visibility that organizations require. The service covers the entire Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) lifecycle: strategy and readiness assessment, generation and integration into development workflows, quality assurance against industry standards such as CycloneDX and SPDX, vulnerability and license risk analytics, governance and policy implementation, supplier management, and audit-ready reporting.

Building on this foundation, BearingPoint's CRA Compliance Services ensure that software transparency translates into regulatory conformity. The service includes comprehensive OSS inventory and risk assessment, vulnerability management processes aligned with CRA reporting obligations, cybersecurity policy development, compliance documentation, and targeted training for engineering and compliance teams.

While the two services address distinct challenges, they are closely connected. SBOM management provides the structured, automated visibility that CRA compliance requires. Together, they enable organizations to understand their software composition, manage risks proactively, and demonstrate conformity to regulators and customers alike.

What sets BearingPoint apart

BearingPoint brings a distinctive combination of capabilities to these services. The firm offers an operational, end-to-end model that covers SBOM generation, quality assurance, policy enforcement, mitigation workflows, and audit support. The approach is vendor-agnostic and tool-neutral, adapting to each client's existing infrastructure rather than requiring specific technology choices.

With deep experience in open source license governance and compliance, BearingPoint is uniquely positioned to unify license, security, and compliance risk into a single SBOM-driven model. Both services are aligned with current and emerging regulations, including the CRA, NIS2, and U.S. Executive Order 14028.

Organizations can engage flexibly: starting with a pilot program, scaling to a full operating model, or fully outsourcing ongoing SBOM management to BearingPoint.

Industry perspectives

"The world around us is becoming increasingly digital, and every device we use today is built on software. Open source is everywhere and a key driver of innovation. At the same time, the risk of cyberattacks and incompliance is growing, and the need for real cyber resilience is becoming critical. With regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act, this responsibility will soon be mandatory rather than optional. This is exactly where our new outcome-based service comes in: we combine best-of-breed software with deep expert capabilities and take end-to-end responsibility for ensuring software compliance and security for our clients. Not as a one-off effort, but as a measurable, sustainable outcome," says Frank Duscheck, Partner at BearingPoint.

"Once SBOMs become fully enforceable by the CRA, SBOM management is no longer a 'nice to have'. In the light of the CRA's lifecycle security and accountability requirements, SBOM management becomes the foundation for security by design, not just a compliance checkbox. Companies that invest early turn regulatory pressure into a competitive advantage. Our new CRA Compliance and SBOM Management services are a powerful instrument for companies of any size to make their CRA compliance journey smooth, efficient, and sustainable," adds Claus-Peter Wiedemann, Director Software Services, at BearingPoint.

BearingPoint's SBOM Management Services and CRA Compliance Services are available now. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit:

SBOM Management Services: https://bearingpoint.services/foss/en/our-services/sbom-management-services/

CRA Compliance Services: https://bearingpoint.services/foss/en/our-services/cyber-resilience-act-cra-compliance-services/

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach. We help businesses transform by combining deep industry expertise with strong capabilities in strategy, operations, and technology. Dedicated SAP and Microsoft transformation units, a strong focus on AI, and outcome-based products enable us to provide tailored, innovative solutions that create measurable and sustainable value.

In addition to our core consulting operations, we run two joint ventures. Arcwide, our joint venture with IFS, specializes in business transformation enabled by IFS technology. BearingPoint North America, our joint venture with ABeam Consulting, focuses on consulting excellence and business transformation built on SAP.

BearingPoint works with many of the world's leading companies and public-sector organizations. Together with its strategic alliance partner ABeam Consulting, the firm brings together more than 15,000 professionals and serves clients in over 70 countries, delivering seamless business transformation, strengthening performance, and driving sustainable impact.

BearingPoint is recognized among TIME World's Best Companies and Forbes World's Best Employers. The firm is also a certified B Corporation, committed to responsible business and creating long-term value for organizations, people, and society.

For more information, please visit:

Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224192962/en/

Contacts:

Press contact

Alexander Bock

Global Senior Manager Communications

Telephone: +49 89 540338029

Email: alexander.bock@bearingpoint.com
BioMed Realty, the largest private operator of real estate for the life science and technology industries, today announced the completion of the lease-up of the newest laboratory building at Babraham Research Campus, following new leases with TRIMTECH Therapeutics and Tagomics Ltd. The fully occupied building represents another milestone in the joint venture between BioMed Realty and Babraham Research Campus Ltd (BRC Ltd), which develops and manages the Campus on behalf of its shareholders, BBSRC-UKRI and the Babraham Institute.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224365894/en/

Together, the two leases bring the building to full occupancy and reinforce its role as a focal point for early-stage and scaling life science companies seeking immediate access to high-quality, fully fitted laboratory infrastructure within one of Europe's most established research ecosystems.

TRIMTECH Therapeutics, a UK-based biotechnology company developing novel small molecule therapies that target and degrade protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases, has leased fully fitted laboratory and office space, enabling the company to expand its team, and combine research and management activities to one site. The space will support TRIMTECH's work to open up much needed small molecule approaches for indications that affect very large populations, such as Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's.

Tagomics Ltd., a pioneering biomarker discovery and diagnostics company, has also signed a lease to support the continued development of its innovative multiomic platform. The platform underpins Tagomics' work in early disease detection and precision diagnostics, including programmes supported by Innovate UK's Biomedical Catalyst funding to advance novel diagnostic approaches for colorectal cancer in collaboration with NHS partners.

"Completing the lease-up of this building reflects both the high quality and performance capabilities of the asset in this established campus and the success of our long-standing joint venture with Babraham Research Campus Ltd," said Orestis Tzortzoglou, Vice President and Head of the UK Market at BioMed Realty. "Our shared focus is on delivering turnkey, mission-critical laboratory environments that allow innovative companies to move quickly from discovery to data, while remaining embedded in a collaborative research community."

Designed to support companies transitioning from incubation through early scale-up, the building offers flexible, multi-tenant laboratory and office suites backed by robust building systems and dedicated on-site operational support. This approach reduces barriers to entry for emerging life science companies while providing a clear pathway for growth within the Campus.

Babraham Research Campus is internationally recognised for its unique co-location of commercial bioscience companies alongside the world-leading discovery research of the Babraham Institute. Home to a vibrant community of start-ups, scale-ups, and established organisations employing more than 2,000 people, alongside approximately 300 academic researchers, the Campus provides an environment where shared knowledge, specialist facilities, and proximity to talent accelerate scientific translation.

"Our dynamic and highly connected Campus ecosystem is designed to support bioscience ventures at every stage of their journey," said Dr. Louise Jopling, Chief Scientific and Innovation Officer of Babraham Research Campus. "The full occupancy of this building demonstrates how the right combination of flexible facilities, collaborative culture, and long-term partnerships-such as our joint venture with BioMed Realty-creates an environment where innovative companies can start, scale, and stay. We welcome TRIMTECH Therapeutics and Tagomics to Babraham Research Campus, and are delighted that they have chosen us as their home."

Situated within the UK's Golden Triangle, Babraham Research Campus combines high-quality laboratory infrastructure with landscaped open space, walkable amenities including a cafe, gym, lecture theatre and conference facilities, and sport and social club, and strong transport connectivity. Ongoing Campus development continues to enhance this ecosystem, ensuring companies have access to the right physical space, shared resources, and scientific community as their needs evolve.

The completion of this lease-up further underscores BioMed Realty's and Babraham Research Campus Ltd's shared commitment to strengthening the UK's life sciences sector by delivering flexible, immediately operational laboratory environments within a world-class research setting.

About BioMed Realty

BioMed Realty is the largest private operator of real estate for the life science and technology industries. The company owns and operates 17 million square feet of purpose-built laboratory and office space across the world's top innovation hubs, including Boston/Cambridge, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Boulder, and Cambridge, UK. With an additional 1.5 million square feet of Class A properties under development, BioMed delivers flexible, reliable, and sustainable environments designed to accelerate discovery and keep world-changing work moving. Backed by more than 20 years of experience, BioMed Realty provides the confidence and partnership that fuel life-enhancing and world-changing innovation. To learn more, visit www.biomedrealty.com.

About Babraham Research Campus

Babraham Research Campus is distinct in its co-location of 60 bioscience companies with the Babraham Institute, a world-renowned research organisation which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). The aim of the Campus is to support UK bioscience through academic research, but also with facilities and capabilities for early-stage and growing commercial organisations. The Campus provides laboratory and office space, networking and collaboration opportunities, together with access to outstanding scientific facilities in an ideal geographical location at the core of the Cambridge cluster. To learn more, https://www.babraham.com.

About TRIMTECH Therapeutics

TRIMTECH Therapeutics is creating novel, highly selective, small molecule targeted protein degraders, to combat neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. Founded on decades of pioneering academic research into the protein TRIM21, a novel E3-ligase, the Company has demonstrated its 'TRIMTAC' degraders can recapitulate degradation seen with other modalities (vectors and antibodies) whilst leaving the functional monomeric form of the target protein intact and able to support healthy cellular function. TRIMTECH's approach opens up much needed small molecule approaches for indications that affect very large populations, such as Alzheimer's disease.

TRIMTECH is led by a highly experienced team with vast expertise in targeted protein degradation (TPD). In March 2025, the Company announced $31 million (25 million) seed funding round, led by CIC and DDF, with M Ventures and Pfizer Ventures joining. Additional investors also include Eli Lilly and Company, MP Healthcare Venture Management (MPH), Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, and Start Codon.

Find TRIMTECH on LinkedIn and Bluesky. To learn more, visit https://trimtechtherapeutics.com/.

About Tagomics

Tagomics is a Cambridge-based leader in multiomic diagnostic development. The company's proprietary platform enables unparalleled access to clinically relevant biomarkers from a single blood sample. Combined with advanced bioinformatic and machine-learning analyses, the platform delivers unique biological understanding, supports high-throughput disease profiling, and enables earlier, more precise diagnosis.

Tagomics was founded in 2021 by its co-founders Dr Jack Kennefick (CEO) and Associate Professor Robert Neely (CSO) as a spin-out from the University of Birmingham (UK). The company is a graduate of the Innovate UK ICURe Programme, the Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship Programme, and the Cambridge-based venture-building programme Start Codon, and is backed by a leading investor syndicate including IQ Capital, Calculus Capital, Illumina Ventures, Agilent Ventures, and Mercia.

To learn more, visit https://tagomics.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224365894/en/

Contacts:

BioMed Realty Media Contact

Ivan Alber, Director of Corporate Communications, BioMed Realty

619-840-2181

ivan.alber@biomedrealty.com
LONDON, Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While European programs continue to set the benchmark globally, the latest rankings in the 2026 edition of Henley & Partners' Residence and Citizenship Programs report reveal a marked recalibration in the investment migration landscape. Europe's appeal is increasingly being challenged by dynamic competitors across the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean - signaling a shift in how globally mobile capital and talent are repositioning for the future.

Malta retains 1st place in the 2026 Global Citizenship Program Index for the 11th consecutive year, and Greece once again tops the 2026 Global Residence Program Index. The rankings are published as part of the most established comparative benchmark of investment migration options, independently assessed by a panel of leading internationally recognized immigration and citizenship experts as well as academics, economists, and country risk experts.

New Entrants and Rapid Climbers Reshape the Rankings

The UAE records the year's most striking rise, moving from 5th to joint 2nd place on the Global Residence Program Index and entering the Top 3 for the first time. Strong upward momentum is also evident across Asia-Pacific and Central America, with Costa Rica, New Zealand, Panama, and Singapore all climbing the rankings, alongside steady gains by Malaysia, Mauritius, and Thailand.

Three countries make notable first appearances on the Global Residence Program Index: Uruguay enters in 5th place, Saudi Arabia debuts in 9th, and the Maldives in 11th - underscoring the widening geographic spread of competitive residence offerings.

A similar pattern of recalibration is evident on the Global Citizenship Program Index, where several established Caribbean and MENA programs improve their positions and two new entrants - Samoa and Sao Tome and Principe - join the rankings for the first time.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman at Henley & Partners, says the findings mark an important inflection point for policymakers. "Together, the 2026 results reflect a structural evolution: Europe remains highly attractive, but its relative dominance is declining. Forward-thinking countries such as Singapore and the UAE are engaging strategically with globally mobile investors. At a time when foreign direct investment, entrepreneurial talent, and fiscal resilience are critical, policy certainty and openness are decisive competitive advantages."

Governments Compete for Capital and Talent

Millionaire migration projections for 2026 point to an unprecedented wave of affluent families relocating across borders, with the leading destinations for net inflows all operating formal residence and/or citizenship frameworks designed to attract international investors and entrepreneurs. Reflecting this accelerating competition, Henley & Partners onboarded clients from 95 countries over the past 12 months - clear evidence that structured domicile portfolio management is becoming mainstream among globally mobile families.

Against this backdrop, the two indexes published today benchmark 40 leading programs - selected from over 100 worldwide - across key criteria including reputation, quality of life, compliance, investment requirements, tax efficiency, processing standards, and mobility outcomes. Together, they provide a comparative measure of how effectively countries position themselves to attract and retain globally mobile investors and talent.

Dr. Juerg Steffen, Chief Executive Officer at Henley & Partners, says residence and citizenship programs have evolved into core instruments of economic government strategy rather than simple revenue channels. "Governments are deploying these frameworks to secure long-term advantage - attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and internationally mobile families who contribute to innovation and growth. At the same time, for globally exposed households, mobility planning has become a core element of risk management and opportunity creation. Jurisdictions that offer clarity, stability, and attractive pathways to residence and citizenship are positioning themselves to win."

Wealth on the Move

Interactive digital comparisons of the 40 different residence and citizenship programs are also available, enabling global investors and wealthy families to select what matters most to them when weighing up their options.

Dominic Volek, Group Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, says the data confirms a fundamental global shift. "Wealth is relocating at an unprecedented pace. Where it ultimately concentrates will depend on how credibly countries design immigration frameworks for investors, entrepreneurs and wealthy families. Countries that combine economic dynamism, legal certainty, political stability, strong infrastructure, and clear pathways for applicants are emerging as the primary net inflow destinations. Where credible mobility options exist, capital and talent follow."

He adds that this reflects a deeper reassessment of risk and permanence. "Residence and citizenship rights are increasingly assembled rather than inherited - structured portfolios of access rights built to create resilience across generations. Families that approach mobility as a deliberate long-term strategy, rather than a contingency plan, will be best positioned to absorb shocks, capture opportunity, and preserve optionality in a world where both capital and talent are highly fluid."

Read the Full Press Release

Sarah Nicklin

Group Head of PR

sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com

+27 72 464 8965
Set to Achieve 1st Certified AI Data Center with Liquid Cooling in Middle East

Uptime Institute, the Global Digital Infrastructure Authority, today announced that Khazna Data Centers, a global leader in hyperscale digital infrastructure, has achieved the Uptime Institute Tier III Certification of Design Documents (TCDD) award for its newest 100 MW AI-optimized data center, QAJ01 -set to be the first certified AI data center with liquid cooling in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Representing the largest facility in Khazna's portfolio, this state-of-the-art development features 20 data halls, each delivering 5 MW of IT capacity, purpose-built to meet the demands of next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. The certification underscores Khazna's commitment to designing world-class, resilient, and efficient data center infrastructure in alignment with the industry's most rigorous global standards.

Located in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, the new facility has been designed with advanced liquid-cooling systems to support the high rack densities and thermal loads required by large-scale AI training and inference applications, while optimizing energy efficiency and maintaining operational resilience.

"Achieving Tier III Certification for our Ajman facility reflects Khazna's deep commitment to engineering excellence and operational resilience as we scale to meet the AI era. QAJ1 sets a new regional benchmark, combining high-density readiness, advanced liquid cooling, and globally certified design to support the next generation of compute. It is a strategic milestone in our mission to deliver future-ready infrastructure," said Abdulmajeed Harmoodi, Chief Technology Officer, Khazna Data Centers.

"This Tier Certification marks an important advancement for the regional digital infrastructure ecosystem," said Mustapha Louni, CBO, Uptime Institute. "Khazna's AI-optimized facility integrates liquid cooling and high-density configurations while maintaining Tier III level resilience. It demonstrates how data centers can evolve to meet the accelerating compute needs of AI without compromising reliability or efficiency."

Key highlights of the project:

Set to become the first Uptime Institute Tier Certified AI data center with liquid cooling in the region: Purpose-built for high-density AI compute environments. This further illustrates the company's understanding of Tier III criticality of resilient infrastructure to support the demanding and dynamic workload for AI.

100 MW total IT load: Engineered to support hyperscale and AI workloads at scale.

20 data halls, each with 5 MW capacity: Modular, scalable architecture enabling phased deployment and flexible operations.

Largest Khazna facility to date: Establishing a new flagship for the company's growing portfolio of world-class data centers.

Uptime Institute Tier Certified Design Documents (TCDD): Confirms the facility's design meets globally recognized standards for performance, redundancy, and resilience.

Uptime Institute's Tier Certification of Design Documents (TCDD) is the first step in the Institute's globally recognized Tier Certification process, validating that a facility's design plans meet the requirements of its Tier Standard for Topology. The award provides assurance that once constructed, the facility can achieve the desired performance and resilience outcomes. The Khazna UAE portfolio currently consists of 30 data centers, 22 of which have achieved the Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility Awards.

About Uptime Institute

Uptime Institute is the Global Digital Infrastructure Authority. With over 4,000 awards issued in over 122 countries around the globe, and over 1,100 currently active projects in 80+ countries, Uptime has helped tens of thousands of companies optimize critical IT assets while managing costs, resources, and efficiency. For over 30 years, the company has established industry-leading benchmarks for data center performance, resilience, sustainability, and efficiency, which provide customers assurance that their digital infrastructure can perform across a wide array of operating conditions at a level consistent with their individual business needs. Uptime's Tier Standard is the IT infrastructure industry's most trusted and adopted global standard for the design, construction, and operation of data centers. Offerings include the organization's Tier Standard and Certifications, Management Operations reviews and assessments including SCIRA-FSI financial sector risk assessment, Sustainability Assessment, and a broad range of additional risk management, performance, availability, and related offerings. Uptime Education training programs have been successfully completed by over 100,000 data center professionals, such as the much-valued ATD (Accredited Tier Designer) and AOS (Accredited Operations Specialist). The Uptime Education curriculum has been expanded by the 2023 acquisition of CNet Training Ltd.

Uptime Institute is headquartered in New York, NY, with offices in London, Sao Paulo, Dubai, Riyadh, and Singapore, and full-time Uptime professionals based in over thirty-four countries around the world. For more information, visit uptimeinstitute.com.

About Khazna Data Centers

As one of the fastest growing hyperscale data center platforms globally, Khazna Data Centers enables the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economies by delivering advanced infrastructure with unparalleled energy efficiency. Khazna is at the forefront of data center technology, pioneering solutions that combine innovation, resiliency, and sustainability. Khazna empowers governments, businesses, and societies to thrive in the digital age with data centers that are designed to handle the high-density computing requirements essential for the next-generation, AI-powered applications powering the future economy.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224185771/en/

Contacts:

Brenda South

bsouth@uptimeinstitute.com

206-706-4647
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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - J2 Metals Inc. (TSXV: JTWO) (FSE: OO1) ("J2" or the "Company") is pleased to report results from a due diligence site visit and geochemical sampling of waste dumps conducted at its Sierra Plata Project (the "Project" or "Sierra Plata") in Mexico on December 10, 2025.

Due Diligence Site Visit

On December 22, 2025, J2 announced it had acquired the option to acquire 100% of the Sierra Plata Silver-Gold-Antimony Project in Taxco, Mexico, a large-scale project hosting five past-producing silver-gold mines and numerous workings across 2,200 hectares (announcement here). On December 10, 2025, Thomas Lamb (CEO), Graham Giles (VP-Exploration), and Simon Clarke (Director) conducted a site visit as part of the Company's technical and commercial due diligence process. See Figure 1 for an overview of the Sierra Plata project area.

The visit included meeting members of Impact Silver Corp.'s ("Impact") local team and visiting two of Sierra Plata's historical mines, El Sabino and San Miguel. Assay results for grab samples taken from their waste dumps are reported at Table 1 below.

Thomas Lamb, CEO, commented: "As part of our due diligence into our transaction with Impact Silver (announced here) we conducted a site visit. The grades found in the waste piles at the El Sabino and San Miguel mines are highly encouraging, for example sample K074324 ran 3,100 g/t Ag and 12.8 g/t Au. This is 60.49 g/t Au equivalent. Please refer to Table 1 below for our due diligence rock grab results. For obvious reasons, we will be advancing exploration in and around these past-producing mines as soon as possible. Immediate next steps include extensive follow-up mapping, geochemistry, and magnetic geophysics. In fact, a second sampling program has already been completed with results pending, and we are currently in discussions with geophysics contractors."

Figure 1: Sierra Plata Project showing project boundary, past-producing mines, regional veins, interpreted faults, alteration (spectral anomalies), and principal lithologies.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11550/285056_1093e3baf485c8b5_001full.jpg

Geochemical Results

Grab samples from quartz vein material of the historic El Sabino and San Miguel mine waste dumps returned high-grade silver and gold values, confirming the strong precious-metal endowment of the Sierra Plata system.

Sample ID Location Easting Northing Au (ppm) Ag (ppm) Au Eq (ppm) K074318 El Sabino 421842 2056396 0.905 878 14.41 K074319 El Sabino 421842 2056396 0.381 512 8.26 K074320 El Sabino 421842 2056396 0.525 633 10.26 K074321 El Sabino 421842 2056396 0.246 394 6.31 K074324 San Miguel 421914 2058296 12.8 3100 60.49 K074325 San Miguel 421914 2058296 4.32 1120 21.55

Graham Giles, VP-Exploration, commented: "Samples at both locations consisted of fine grain Argentite hosted within Quartz Veins. Original widths of these veins are not known, but they speak to the high-grade nature of the system and we are looking forward to drilling these structures as soon as possible."

Second Sampling Program Completed

In addition, a second sampling program at Sierra Plata has just completed which targeted the eastern unmapped portion of the property. A total of 28 samples were collected and have been sent for rush analysis at ALS Labs Zacatecas. Results will be reported as soon as they are received.

The sampling targeted the possible southern extensions of mapped north-south trending veins encountered on the neighboring Pantera project area. Samples taken included quartz veins with varied textures (crustiform, banded, coke, blade) from thick and crystalline white quartz, translucent and drusy gray quartz, amethyst quartz and chalcedonic quartz. Alteration noted included areas of argillic illite-smectite, illite-kaolinite, and jarosite-hematite iron oxides. Veins were hosted within crystal tufts and on the margin of dikes which tend to mirror the first order structures in the region.

The widespread argillic alteration observed at surface, together with historical silver and gold mining within Sierra Plata, is consistent with a robust epithermal vein system and supports the potential for bonanza-grade mineralization at depth.

About the Sierra Plata Project

The Sierra Plata Project is a 2,200 hectare silver-gold-antimony exploration project situated within Zacualpan, one of the most important historically productive epithermal mining districts in Mexico. J2 has optioned 100% of Sierra Plata from Impact (announced here). Sierra Plata includes five past-producing high-grade mines localized along regionally extensive, structurally controlled vein corridors. Mineralization is hosted in quartz-dominant vein systems containing fine-grained argentite with associated gold and antimony, reflecting a low to intermediate epithermal system with strong vertical metal zoning. Alteration assemblages, vein textures, and metal associations observed at surface are consistent with shallow-level exposure of the epithermal system, with historic mining largely confined to near-surface levels. The combination of limited depth penetration by historic workings, preserved structural permeability, and elevated silver-gold grades at surface suggests the system remains open at depth, where epithermal boiling zones and associated bonanza-grade precious-metal mineralization are commonly developed. The Company anticipates identifying many high-priority targets for drill evaluation.

About J2 Metals Inc.

J2 Metals Inc. (TSXV: JTWO) (FSE: OO1) is advancing gold and silver exploration projects with historical production or significant drill results in established mining jurisdictions in Mexico, Quebec, and Alaska. The Company's Sierra Plata silver-gold-antimony project in Zacualpan, Mexico hosts multiple past-producing silver-gold mines, confirming its high-grade mineral endowment. At the Miniac Project in Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt, historical and Phase I drilling have confirmed strong discovery potential, with reported grades of up to 4.8 g/t gold and 6.9% zinc. Recent high-resolution geophysical surveys have identified 19 high-priority targets along a largely untested 7-kilometre conductive horizon, which will be evaluated in a planned Phase II drill program. The Napoleon Project in the Fortymile district of Alaska is located within a prolific placer gold camp that has produced up to one million ounces of gold, with known hard-rock mineralization limited to the Napoleon area. Rock-chip samples grading up to 596 g/t gold, together with historical drilling by Teck and Kennecott reporting intercepts such as 8.9 g/t gold over 3m and 0.9 g/t gold over 79m, indicate a robust mineralizing system with district-scale discovery potential.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Graham Giles, P.Geo., a Technical Advisor to J2, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Sampling Disclaimer

The reported samples are selective grab samples collected from historic mine waste dumps and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. Grab samples are selective by nature and are not intended to represent average grades.

Quality Control/Quality Assurance Program

Samples were taken by Graham Giles, P.Geo, in person and placed in zip tied secured ore bags at site. Samples were dropped off in person at ALS Labs in North Vancouver, BC, for analysis.

Samples were prepped using ALS's PREP-31Y procedure which involves crushing to 70% passing 2mm, using a rotary splitter to obtain a 250g sample, and pulverizing it to 85% passing 75 microns.

Analysis of the crushed material was achieved by ALS using the Au-ICP21, Ag-OG62, and ME-ICP61a analyses.

Pulp samples were then analyzed for 27 elements by HF-HNO3-HCIO4 acid digestion, HCL leach and ICP-AES (Method code ME-ICP61a). All samples were analyzed for gold by fire assay with an AES finish, method code Au-ICP21 (30g sample size). Samples returning gold values over 10ppm were subjected to ore grade check assays using fire assay and a gravimetric finish (method code Au-GRA21 and a 30g sample size). Samples containing overlimit silver values were reanalyzed by the Ag-OG62 method code which involves a four-acid digest followed by ICP-AES.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's exploration plans, potential drill targets, anticipated exploration results, and the timing and success of future exploration programs. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, geological risk, exploration risk, fluctuations in commodity prices, operational risks, regulatory approvals, and general market and economic conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285056

Source: J2 Metals Inc.
New research finds that 90% of US consumers of electronic devices have either traded-in before or are open to the idea of trading-in in the future.

But the full potential of this demand is unfulfilled as almost a third of electronics consumers were not offered a trade-in option at the point of their last purchase.

This represents significant unrealized trade-in value, even in categories like smartphones traditionally seen as a well-established trade-in market given that 58% of devices were neither traded-in nor recycled, leaving value on the table for manufacturers, retailers and carriers.

Alchemy, the world's fastest-growing circular tech company, today releases the first instalment of a major new research campaign which explores the consumer electronics trade-in landscape across the US. Conducted in partnership with CCS Insights, the opening findings reveal a clear disconnect between consumer demand for trade-in programs and their availability at the point of purchase.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224647876/en/

Consumer tech buyer

Consumers in the US are holding approximately $83.74 billion in unrealized trade-in value from unused devices value that brands, retailers and carriers could unlock through more accessible, stronger programs.

Every year, around one billion smartphones globally reach the end of their first useful life without being traded in*. The reason is two-fold: firstly, although the number of OEMs, retailers and carriers offering smartphone trade-in programs is constantly expanding, only 61% US of consumers surveyed were offered trade-in in their most recent smartphone purchase. Secondly, only 44% of consumers actually traded-in their smartphone.

Alchemy's research, a survey of more than 2,000 US consumers, uncovered multiple compelling reasons why OEMs, retailers and carriers should invest in developing programs and unlock the revenue growth potential presented by trade-in:

Early upgrade: 71% of US consumers say a compelling trade-in offer would prompt them to replace their smartphone earlier, shortening upgrade cycles by six months on average.

71% of US consumers say a compelling trade-in offer would prompt them to replace their smartphone earlier, shortening upgrade cycles by six months on average. Premium upgrade: 68% would upgrade to a more premium smartphone model if offered a trade-in value greater than $270+, encouraging upgrades to higher end models.

68% would upgrade to a more premium smartphone model if offered a trade-in value greater than $270+, encouraging upgrades to higher end models. Increased basket: Trade-in also acts as an upsell trigger 62% say affordability through trade-in would prompt them to add more accessories or extended warranties to their basket.

Trade-in also acts as an upsell trigger 62% say affordability through trade-in would prompt them to add more accessories or extended warranties to their basket. Increased loyalty: 84% of respondents are more likely to remain loyal and purchase their next smartphone from the same retailer or brand given a competitive trade-in value, showing a strong correlation between trade-in programs and customer loyalty.

The research also delved into the main consumer barriers that prevent trade-in from reaching its full potential. Despite strong interest in trade-in programs, fair valuation is cited as the primary obstacle by US consumers, with 27% expressing this as a concern, while 25% worry about data security when trading in devices. Finally, awareness gaps persist 22% of consumers remain unaware that older models still have trade-in value for example leaving significant value on the table for brands, retailers and end users.

Non-smartphone sectors also remain behind the curve, equating to billions in potential revenue and a missed opportunity to make premium technology more affordable and accessible across the wider consumer electronics industry. Household appliance industries achieved the lowest trade-in uptake, with just 20% of consumers participating in trade-in programs for kitchen appliances and 14% for floorcare products. Despite this, 52% of consumers in these segments expressed an intention to trade-in in the future, showing the significant opportunity presented by trade-in, even in categories not traditionally associated with strong trade-in programs.

Stephen Wise, Director Global Marketing at Alchemy: "We've known for a while that consumers want trade-in options, but this research shows just how much money brands are leaving on the table by not offering them. When nearly a third of US shoppers aren't even being asked if they want to trade-in at the point of purchase, that's a massive missed opportunity not just for revenue and loyalty, which keeps customers coming back, but for the planet too as millions of usable devices end up scrapped instead of recirculated."

"The numbers are clear: people will stick with brands that make trade-in easy and rewarding. And when they do trade-in, they're more likely to upgrade to better devices, add accessories, and replace their tech more regularly. It's a win for everyone brands get loyal customers and greater customer lifetime value, consumers get access to better tech at more affordable prices, and devices stay in use longer instead of sitting in drawers or ending up in landfill."

Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, added: "This research reinforces the momentum we're seeing across global consumer tech buying behavior. Trade-in has moved from niche to mainstream, but the next step is consistency. For manufacturers and retailers, clear offers and transparent processes will be essential to convert intent into action and meet the huge consumer appetite identified in this study." Trade-in has moved from niche to mainstream, but the next step is consistency. For manufacturers and retailers, clear offers and transparent processes will be essential to convert intent into action and meet the huge consumer appetite identified in this study."

From OEM, retailer and carrier perspectives, brand leaders see trade-in as far more than an ESG initiative it's becoming a proven growth and loyalty engine. As one household appliance manufacturer explained, "trade-in is an acquisition tool for us, it's how we bring new customers into our ecosystem." Others emphasized retention benefits, noting that "those who trade-in with us remain more loyal and are likely to come back and buy again in future."

The opening findings of Alchemy's research indicate a market ready for scale: consumers motivated by value and simplicity, and brands recognizing that trade-in delivers measurable commercial and environmental returns.

For the full insight report, please visit https://www.wearealchemy.com/research-and-insights or contact Alchemy to learn more: https://www.wearealchemy.com/contact.

Notes to Editors

Alchemy commissioned CCS Insight to conduct independent research which was carried out in Q4 2025.The research combines insights from in-depth industry interviews with leading OEMs, retailers and carriers, a quantitative survey of more than 3,000 US and UK consumers (2,000 and 1,000 respectively), and focus group discussions exploring motivations and barriers around trade-in.

Trade-in gap methodology:

The total untapped value figure for the US is derived from a nationally representative consumer survey conducted by Censuswide (2,000 respondents) and official US household statistics.

Censuswide surveyed 2,000 US adults and found an average of 2.43 unused devices per household, with an average perceived value of $255.68 per device among those with unused tech in their household. Multiplying the total average household value ($621.30) by the number of US households (approximately 134.8 million) gives a total of approximately $83.74 billion in unrealized trade-in value. This figure represents the collective perceived value of unused devices among households that have unused tech.

*(CCS Insight Pulse: Second Hand Mobile Devices, 2025).

About Alchemy

Alchemy is a global leader in the circular technology sector, providing end-to-end circular solutions that drive sustainability, innovation, and transparency through each stage of the tech lifecycle. Recently winning Deloitte Impact Award in association with Meta and ranking on its Technology Fast 50 Ireland list, Alchemy is trusted by over 3,000 partners in 60 markets and has successfully recovered, processed, and remarketed over 12 million devices.

With a commitment to reducing environmental impact, Alchemy operates through four specialist divisions: Circularity, Trading, Callisto, and Loop. Alchemy Circularity provides tailored lifecycle, reverse logistics and recommerce solutions for OEMs, retailers, and carriers, supported by a proprietary tech infrastructure and global facilities network.

Alchemy also connects businesses and consumers through its platforms. Callisto is a one-click global trading marketplace for wholesale refurbished tech, enabling seamless and secure transactions for buyers and sellers. Loop Mobile, its consumer-facing brand, empowers customers to save money and reduce CO2 emissions with rigorously tested devices backed by top-tier warranties.

Visit www.wearealchemy.com for more information.

About FDM CCS Insight

CCS Insight is a global analyst company providing valuable insights and analysis to navigate the complex technology landscape. It offers comprehensive services tailored to meet the individual needs of its clients, helping them make sense of the connected world and optimize their strategies. CCS Insight was recently acquired by FDM, a leading player in telecom pricing and market share insights which is backed by private equity firm Inflexion. Learn more at: https://www.ccsinsight.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224647876/en/

Contacts:

alchemy@thisisdefinition.com
Additional funding will enhance Brainomix's industry-leading customer support and fast-track product advancements across its Brainomix 360 Stroke and e-Lung AI imaging platforms.

The extension round was led by existing investors, Parkwalk and Hostplus via the IP Group Hostplus Innovation Fund, and includes participation from a new U.S.-based investor, Modi Ventures.

OXFORD, England, and CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brainomix, a global leader and pioneer of AI-powered imaging tools in stroke and lung fibrosis, today announced a 4.8 million (c. $6.5 million) extension to its Series C financing, in addition to the 14 million secured in March 2025, bringing the total in the round to 18.8 million (c. $25.4 million). With existing operations in the U.S. and an extensive portfolio of FDA-cleared AI imaging solutions, the additional capital will enable Brainomix to further expand in the U.S. market as the company advances deployment of its AI imaging platforms, Brainomix 360 Stroke and e-Lung, across multiple hospitals.

The extension round was led by existing investors, Parkwalk Advisors and Hostplus via the IP Group Hostplus Innovation Fund, and includes participation from a new U.S.-based investor, Modi Ventures.

"This investment reflects strong confidence in our technology, our team, and the impact Brainomix 360 Stroke and e-Lung can have on patient care," said Dr Michalis Papadakis, CEO and co-founder of Brainomix. "Stroke care depends on speed, while lung fibrosis care requires early identification and consistent clinical decision-making over time, underscoring the need for hospital technologies that support clinicians at the point of care. With this investment extension, we are well-positioned to enhance customer support across the US and Europe, accelerating the seamless integration of our technology into existing clinical workflows and expanding access to life-saving treatments."

Sahir Ali, founder and general partner of Modi Ventures, added, "Brainomix has built an exceptionally strong platform backed by rigorous clinical validation and real-world evidence showing that Brainomix 360 Stroke can significantly increase endovascular thrombectomy treatment rates and reduce delays in patient triage and transfer, particularly in primary stroke centers. With e-Lung, Brainomix is developing a truly novel technology to accelerate the diagnosis of fibrosing lung disease, enabling earlier treatment options that can improve patient outcomes. We are pleased to join as a new investor and look forward to supporting the company as it expands in the U.S. and accelerates adoption of technologies that meaningfully improve patient outcomes."

Parkwalk is the UK's largest growth EIS fund manager. Hostplus is a leading Australian industry superannuation (pension) fund with over AUD$140 billion in funds under management. Modi Ventures is an early-stage US-based venture capital firm investing in health tech, tech bio, and artificial intelligence.

About Brainomix

Brainomix is a global pioneer in AI medical imaging, enabling precision medicine for better treatment decisions in stroke and lung fibrosis. Its flagship product, Brainomix 360 Stroke, is the world's first fully automated AI-imaging platform, designed for acute stroke assessment at all points of the patient pathway, facilitating more confident treatment and transfer decisions for patients in all hospitals, regardless of local resources or expertise. Brainomix 360 e-Lung technology applies AI-driven CT biomarkers to identify, monitor, and predict disease progression in pulmonary fibrosis. Founded as a spinout from the?University of?Oxford, Brainomix has offices in the UK,?Ireland?and the?USA, and operations in more than 20 countries.

To learn more about Brainomix and its technology visit www.brainomix.com, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contacts

Jeff Wyrtzen, Chief Marketing Officer

jwyrtzen@brainomix.com

T +44 (0)1865 582730

US Media Enquiries

Jason Braco, Ph.D.

LifeSci Communications

jbraco@lifescicomms.com

UK & Europe Media Enquiries

Sue Charles

Charles Consultants

sue@charles-consultants.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918294/Brainomix_CEO.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918295/Brainomix_360_Stroke.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1989193/5818779/Brainomix_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brainomix-extends-series-c-financing-to-25-4m-18-8m-to-support-us-expansion-302695050.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Stockholm Precision Tools will participate at Booth 441 at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre from Sunday, March 1 to Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

During PDAC 2026, the company will present its approach to interoperability in mineral exploration drilling data management. The presentation will outline how, through a newly implemented application programming interface within its SPT SmartCloud environment, measured borehole survey data can be transferred securely and traceably to the cloud. From there, controlled data exchange mechanisms allow this information to be made available to the preferred platforms used by drilling contractors, geologists, and exploration professionals managing these projects.

This approach supports data integrity and chain of custody requirements, helping ensure that survey data remains reliable, unaltered, and representative of actual drilling conditions. By enabling structured and traceable data exchange between operational and planning environments, the company contributes to informed and timely decision making based on verifiable information.

About Stockholm Precision Tools

Stockholm Precision Tools (SPT) is an international company focused on directional survey and drilling data solutions for the mining industry. The company supports exploration and mining teams in strengthening data reliability, traceability, and integration across operational and planning environments. Through its participation in international industry forums such as PDAC, SPT contributes to technical dialogue on interoperability, structured data management, and digital collaboration in mineral exploration.

About PDAC

The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies, and organizations connected to mineral exploration. The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada, and brings together thousands of exhibitors, investors, and industry professionals from around the world.

We look forward to seeing you there.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284651

Source: Newsfile Partner Event


LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The UK government has announced a landmark sanctions package against Russia, aimed at cutting off critical oil revenues and further degrading the Kremlin's ability to wage its war on Ukraine.



The package was announced on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



With nearly 300 new sanctions, UK cracks down on critical Russian energy revenues, including oil exports and key suppliers of military equipment fueling war efforts.



Tuesday's action targets one of the world's largest oil pipeline companies, PJSC Transneft, responsible for transporting more than 80 percent of Russian oil exports, further hampering the Kremlin's desperate efforts to find buyers for its sanctioned oil.



Russian Oil revenues are now at their lowest since 2020 as the West continue to ratchet up pressure on the Putin regime's failing war machine.



International sanctions have deprived Russia so far of more than $450 billion - the equivalent of two more years of funding for the war, according to UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Since this time last year, Russia's economy has stagnated, and their revenue streams have been in free fall, with oil revenues at their lowest since 2020. Scrambling to make up for lost revenues, the Kremlin has been forced to hike taxes, including VAT and corporate tax.



The new punitive measures also hit Russia's dark web of illicit oil traders, sanctioning 175 companies in the '2Rivers' oil network, one of the largest shadow fleet operators globally and a major trader of Russian crude oil. The latest swathe of sanctions also includes 48 oil tankers transporting Russian oil.



The sanctions also clamp down on 49 entities and individuals, including international suppliers that are providing the vital goods, components and technology in Russian drones and other weapons terrorizing Ukrainian civilians.



The sanctions also target three civil nuclear energy companies and two individuals involved in trying to secure contracts for new Russian nuclear installations overseas; Russia's beleaguered Liquefied Natural Gas industry, including ships, traders and the Portovaya and Vysotsk terminals that export Russian LNG; and 9 Russian banks which process cross-border payments vital to Russia's attempts to access international markets.



Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, visiting Kyiv Tuesday, has announced a new package of military, humanitarian and reconstruction support for Ukraine.



'Today I'm in Kyiv announcing 30 million in funding to strengthen Ukrainian energy resilience and support recovery, taking the total UK support to 21.8 billion since the start of the war.'



She added, 'Russia is now four years into what Putin believed would be a three-day invasion. As the Kremlin continues its barbaric assault against innocent civilians that have suffered their most brutal winter in a decade, the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people endures. The UK has today taken decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russia's aggression, in our largest raft of measures since the early months of the invasion.



She pledged that the UK will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and defend European security.



Copyright(c) 2026 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

 2026 AFX News
Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - FogTrail today announced the launch of its AEO platform designed to help startups become discoverable and cited inside AI search engines, marking a new approach to visibility in an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly replacing traditional.

The Melbourne-based company said its platform is designed to help startups actively build their presence across AI systems. The launch comes as Gartner's prediction that traditional search engine volume would decline 25% by 2026 due to AI chatbots appears to be playing out, with AI search engines now holding an estimated 12-15% of global search market share and growing. Individuals and businesses are increasingly relying on AI-generated answers instead of traditional search engine results to evaluate software tools, services, and technology providers.

FogTrail's platform introduces a structured execution pipeline that analyzes how AI engines currently reference a product, identifies gaps in visibility, generates supporting content, distributes it across relevant online sources, and verifies whether those efforts lead to improved citations. The system operates on a continuous cycle, allowing companies to measure and strengthen their AI presence over time.

According to FogTrail, the platform was developed in response to a lack of execution-focused solutions available to startups. While monitoring tools can track whether a product is mentioned in AI responses, they typically do not provide mechanisms to improve visibility. At the same time, traditional agency services focused on Answer Engine Optimization often remain financially inaccessible to early-stage companies.

"Startups are increasingly aware that AI search engines influence how customers discover products, but most lack the infrastructure to participate effectively," said Ming Xu, spokesperson for FogTrail. "We built FogTrail to provide startups with an AEO platform that not only identifies visibility gaps but actively works to close them, enabling AI engines to recognize and cite their products."

FogTrail said its platform evaluates visibility across five major AI engines, analyzing how each system interprets and retrieves information related to a company's product category, competitors, and use cases. Based on this analysis, the platform generates and distributes content designed to improve contextual relevance and strengthen the signals AI systems rely on when generating recommendations.

The company noted that visibility within AI search engines is influenced by the breadth and consistency of information available across the internet. Companies with extensive documentation, third-party mentions, and long-standing web presence are more likely to be cited. Startups, by contrast, often have limited content footprints, making it more difficult for AI engines to retrieve and reference them in generated answers.

FogTrail's platform is designed to address this imbalance by helping startups systematically expand their online content footprint. The company said its verification system re-analyzes AI engine responses after each execution cycle, allowing startups to track whether their citation frequency and discoverability are improving.

The launch reflects growing interest in what industry observers have begun to describe as Answer Engine Optimization, a field focused on improving how companies are represented within AI-generated answers rather than traditional search rankings.

FogTrail stated that its platform is available to startups globally and can be deployed without requiring in-house AI or search optimization expertise. The company plans to continue expanding its analysis coverage and execution capabilities as AI search platforms evolve.

With AI-generated responses increasingly shaping purchasing and software evaluation decisions, FogTrail's leadership believes execution infrastructure will play an important role in helping startups compete on equal footing with more established companies.

About FogTrail

FogTrail is an AEO platform that helps startups become discoverable inside AI search engines. The platform analyzes AI visibility, identifies gaps, generates optimized content, distributes content across the sources AI engines rely on when generating answers, and continuously verifies citation improvements across major AI engines. FogTrail was built to help startups establish and grow their presence in AI-driven discovery environments.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284875

Source: Economical Network


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Judges at the International Criminal Court have opened a confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send him to trial on alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during his government's deadly 'war on drugs'.



The confirmation hearing marks a key step that will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.



The purpose of the four-day hearing, taking place in The Hague, is to determine whether there are 'substantial grounds to believe' that Duterte committed the crimes charged by the ICC Prosecutor.



'The Chamber shall not take any decision with regard to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Duterte during this hearing,' said Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the Presiding Judge.



The 80-year-old former leader is suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder allegedly committed between 2011 November and 2019 March, which includes his terms as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City, and President of the Philippines.



According to the prosecution, the case comprises three counts of crimes against humanity: murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral period allegedly carried out by the so-called 'Davao Death Squad'; murders of so-called 'high-value targets' during his presidential period; and murders and attempted murders in barangay (the lowest administrative division) clearance operations during his presidency.



'Mr. Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan to neutralize alleged criminals in the Philippines...through violent crimes, including murder,' the courtroom officer said, reading out the prosecution's charges.



ICC issued an arrest warrant for Duterte on 2025 March 7 and he surrendered to the Court after being arrested by Philippine authorities five days later. He remains at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen in the Netherlands.



ICC suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.



'The burden of proof is upon the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, which must produce sufficient evidence to prove the charges against Duterte at the required standard of proof,' said Judge Motoc.



At the hearing, the legal representatives of the 539 victims will lay out their cases before the judges.



Within 60 days after the hearing concludes, the judges will issue a decision on whether to proceed.



Duterte won seven terms and served for more than 22 years as mayor of Davao, one of the largest cities in the country.



During his rule, the once crime-ridden city became peaceful and investor-friendly.



Duterte's political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial killing of drug users and criminals. His career has sparked numerous protests and attracted controversy, particularly over human rights issues and his controversial comments. Duterte has repeatedly stated that he personally killed criminal suspects during his term as mayor of Davao. Extrajudicial killings that were allegedly committed by the Davao Death Squad between 1998 and 2016 while Duterte served as mayor have also been scrutinized by human-rights groups and the Office of the Ombudsman. The victims were mainly alleged drug users, alleged petty criminals, and street children.



The International Criminal Court opened a preliminary investigation into Duterte's drug war in 2018, prompting him to withdraw the Philippines from the UN-backed body in response.



Copyright(c) 2026 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

 2026 AFX News
Phase 2/3 study did not meet primary or key secondary endpoints; ulviprubart showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile compared to placebo

Clinically meaningful slowing of disease progression observed in patients with mild to moderate disease; establishes basis for advancing ulviprubart in this segment of the population

Study results to be presented at the 6th Global Conference on Myositis

Abcuro, Inc., today announced topline results from the Phase 2/3 MUSCLE clinical study of ulviprubart (ABC008), an investigational monoclonal antibody in development for the treatment of patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare, debilitating and relentlessly progressive chronic autoimmune disease that currently has no approved treatment options. The MUSCLE study did not meet its primary endpoint, assessed by the IBM Functional Rating Scale (IBMFRS) total score at Week 76 compared to placebo, or key secondary endpoints. While the results did not achieve statistical significance, a pre-specified subgroup analysis in patients with mild to moderate disease at baseline showed trends in improvement in the IBMFRS total score and key secondary endpoints, suggesting the potential of ulviprubart's disease modifying activity in such patients. Importantly, ulviprubart showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile compared to placebo, and no safety signals were identified at the doses studied.

Abcuro plans to present the study results from the MUSCLE trial at the upcoming 6th Global Conference on Myositis (GCOM) meeting, being held March 23-26, 2026, in Lisbon, Portugal.

"While we are disappointed that the MUSCLE trial did not reach statistical significance in the overall study population, we are encouraged by the clear and meaningful magnitude of improvements observed in patients with mild to moderate disease, as well as its favorable safety and tolerability profile overall," said H. Jeffrey Wilkins, Chief Medical Officer of Abcuro. "Ulviprubart was designed to target cytotoxic T-cells expressing KLRG1, a pathology we believe is a potential driver of muscle destruction in IBM. This is the first study to investigate this mechanism of action in IBM, and we believe further study of ulviprubart in patients with less severe disease is an important next step towards being able to provide an effective treatment option for patients with IBM. We plan to discuss our approach with the FDA in the near future."

"Abcuro remains committed to the IBM community, and we are extremely grateful to the clinical study participants, investigators, and study site teams that supported this important clinical study," said Alex Martin, Chief Executive Officer of Abcuro. "With insights derived from this study, we hope to continue developing ulviprubart for patients with IBM."

MUSCLE (NCT05721573) was a global Phase 2/3 clinical trial evaluating ulviprubart in 272 patients with IBM, randomized across two drug levels and placebo cohorts with the primary endpoint of IBMFRS at week 76. Key secondary endpoints included Manual Muscle Test 12 (MMT-12) and dynamometry measurements for hand grip and quadricep strength. Nearly all patients who completed the MUSCLE study are currently being dosed in an ongoing open-label extension study.

About Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)

IBM is a rare, debilitating and relentlessly progressive chronic autoimmune muscle disease with no approved pharmacologic treatments and a significant unmet need. It is mediated by highly differentiated T cells that are chronically or aberrantly overstimulated and can have detrimental long-term effects including destruction of healthy muscle tissue. People living with IBM progressively lose muscle function, including loss of grip, dexterity and mobility. Based on published epidemiology literature, the ICD-10 code for IBM and an estimate for those misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, we believe there are approximately 40,000 patients with IBM in the United States, and we estimate the prevalence of IBM to be approximately 35,000 patients across major European countries and Japan.

About Abcuro

Abcuro's lead program, ulviprubart, is a potential first-in-class, monoclonal antibody that targets pathogenic T cells that express killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) on their cell surface, referred to as KLRG1+ T cells. Ulviprubart is designed to selectively target and deplete well-differentiated cytotoxic KLRG1+ T cells where KLRG1 is expressed, while sparing other immune cells, which may offer improvements in safety and tolerability as compared to other T cell depleting approaches. For more information, visit us on LinkedIn and at abcuro.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224660866/en/

Contacts:

Media

Matthew DeYoung

Media Relations

Argot Partners

abcuro@argotpartners.com



Investor Relations

IR@abcuro.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp. (TSXV: PGE) (OTCQB: PGEZF) (FSE: J0G) (the "Company", or "Stillwater") is pleased to announce the Company will be attending the Red Cloud Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase, being held February 26-27, 2026 at The Omni King Edward Hotel in Toronto.

Stillwater's President and CEO Michael Rowley will be presenting on February 26th at 2:40pm Eastern Standard Time in the Sovereign Room, providing an update on the Company's strategy, recent developments, and next-phase catalysts at its flagship Stillwater West Ni-PGE-Cu-Co + Au critical minerals project in Montana, USA.

For more information and/or to register for the conference, please visit: redcloudfs.com/prepdac2026/.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Upcoming Events

Michael Rowley, President and CEO of Stillwater, is scheduled to attend the following events. Additional events will be announced as confirmed.

Red Cloud Pre-PDAC - Toronto, Canada, February 26-27, 2026. For information, click here. Metals Investor Forum - Toronto, Canada, February 27-28, 2026. For information, click here. PDAC 2026 - Toronto, Canada, March 1-4, 2026. For information, click here. SMI Conference - Zurich, Switzerland, March 18-19, 2026. For information, click here. SAFE Summit 2026 - Washington, D.C., USA, April 27-28, 2026. For information, click here. Top Shelf Partners - Washington, D.C., USA, May 17-19, 2026. For information, click here. Top Shelf Partners - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, May 20-22, 2026. For information, click here.

About Stillwater Critical Minerals Corp.

Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV: PGE) (OTCQB: PGEZF) (FSE: J0G) is a mineral exploration and development 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 ten 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 Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's 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 Minerals

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Offering, the anticipated closing date of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, approval of the TSXV and the filing of the Amended Offering Document. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Stillwater Critical Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Stillwater Critical Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285029

Source: Red Cloud Financial Services
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQX: DRYGF) (FSE: X7W) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has qualified to be upgraded to the OTCQX from the OTCQB. Dryden Gold's shares begin trading today on OTCQX with the same symbol "DRYGF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) is the operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market from the OTCQB Market marks an important milestone for Dryden Gold enabling the Company to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

Trey Wasser, Dryden Gold's CEO commented, "We are pleased to upgrade to OTCQX and provide improved trading optionality for US shareholders as our 2026 marketing efforts focus on the US markets."

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange: ("DRY"), on the OTCQB marketplace: ("DRYGF") and on the FSE: ("X7W "). The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the offering; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284945

Source: Dryden Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - DRC Gold Corp. (CSE: DRC) (FSE: 5AT0) (DRC Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce that on February 22, 2026 it entered into a binding term sheet (Binding Term Sheet) with Amani Consulting SARL (Amani Consulting), Giro Goldfields SARL (Giro Goldfields) and Mabanga Mining SARL (Mabanga) that supersedes and replaces the non-binding term sheet among the parties, which the Company announced on December 8, 2025, whereby DRC Gold has been granted an option to acquire up to a 65% indirect interest in the Giro gold project (Giro Gold Project) and up to a 65% interest in the Nizi gold project (Nizi Gold Project).

Klaus Eckhof, CEO of DRC Gold, stated: "We are very pleased that we now have been granted an option to acquire majority interests in both the Giro Gold Project and the Nizi Gold Project. Our team has a wealth of experience exploring mineral concessions in the DRC and we look forward to developing the potential of these two exciting projects."

Giro Gold Project:

The Giro Gold Project comprises two exploitation permits, Permis d'Exploitation (PE) 5046 and PE 5049, that cover a surface area of about 497km and lie within the Kilo Moto Greenstone Belt in the Haute-Uele Province in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), about 35km west of the Kibali Mine, a mine which produces more than 600,000 oz gold per annum1. Note that the information disclosed from the Kibali Mine is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the Giro Gold Project.

The Giro Gold Project consists of two main deposits, the Kebigada and the Douze Match deposits, which demonstrate a similar style of mineralisation and structural setting as at the Kibali Deposit. Please refer to the Company's December 8, 2025 news release for a description and maps of the Giro Gold Project.

Nizi Gold Project:

The Nizi Gold Project consists of exploitation licence PE 5110, which covers 113km2 and is located in the Ituri District of the Kilo-Moto Goldfields, some 26.5km NNE of the regional centre of Bunia and 6.5km north of the nearest village of Nizi.

The Nizi Gold Project includes the King Leopold Gold Mine, which is an abandoned underground gold operation with a focus on up to 7 known major quartz gold veins within a mafic to intermediate volcanic setting on the faulted contact of a dioritic intrusive. The mine was developed underground over a strike of some 600m and to a depth of approximately 160m to 180m and operated intermittently for approximately 12 years between 1913 and 1931. Reports indicate that only two of the known major quartz gold veins have been previously mined. In addition, several other gold prospects have been identified at the project, including the Baluma Gold Oxide Prospect.

Intermittent and limited exploration of the licence area has been conducted since 1931 by SOKIMO and international mining company, Ashanti Goldfields Limited, in the form of an aerial geophysics program of the joint venture licence area. SOKIMO, however, secured return of the area under licence PE5110. DRC Gold considers the project to be prospective for significant high-grade and low-grade gold mineralization.

Figure 1: Location of the Nizi Gold Project.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5922/285059_27804053c4401ae1_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Geology map at Nizi showing extent of known quartz veins and general geology.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5922/285059_27804053c4401ae1_002full.jpg

Binding Term Sheet:

Pursuant to the Binding Term Sheet, DRC Gold has been granted an option to acquire (a) from Amani Consulting, a 55% registered and beneficial interest in Giro Goldfields (Initial Giro Interest) and (b) from Mabanga, a 55% interest in the Nizi Gold Project (Initial Nizi Interest) by (i) issuing a total of 25 million common shares in the capital of DRC Gold (Shares) to Amani and/or Mabanga or their nominee(s) upon signing of a formal option agreement (Option Agreement); and (ii) issuing 325 million Shares to Amani and/or Mabanga or their nominee(s) upon approval of the transaction by DRC Gold's shareholders. The Company has been advised that Societe miniere de Kilo Moto (SOKIMO) holds a 35% interest in Giro Goldfields and a 35% interest in the Nizi Gold Project.

Amani Consulting, Giro Goldfields and Mabanga are all arm's length to DRC Gold. The parties have agreed to negotiate in good faith a formal Option Agreement to more fully document the arrangements, which are the subject of the Binding Term Sheet. The Option Agreement, once fully signed, will supersede and replace the Binding Term Sheet. Any Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option Agreement, as well as any private placement shares that may be issued prior to the exercise in full or termination of the Option Agreement, may not be voted in favour of this transaction. Upon the full exercise of the said option via the issuance of the total 350 million Shares, this transaction will constitute a change of control as defined in CSE Policy 1.3(2) as well as a Fundamental Change subject to CSE Policy 8, and at that time a trading halt will be initiated. The trading halt will remain in effect until after the closing of the transaction. The Shares to be issued pursuant to this transaction will be subject to an escrow agreement as required by the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE).

Mabanga previously agreed to lend an aggregate of USD $8 million to SOKIMO (the SOKIMO Loan) of which USD $5.5 million has already been advanced. At the time that the option is fully exercised, DRC Gold agrees to assume Mabanga's obligations under the SOKIMO Loan to advance any additional funds to SOKIMO pursuant to the terms of the SOKIMO Loan provided that Mabanga assigns, to DRC Gold, all of Mabanga's rights pursuant to the agreement for the SOKIMO Loan.

After DRC Gold has raised a minimum of USD $40 million, DRC Gold agrees to pay USD $5.5 million to Mabanga in settlement of the monies that Mabanga previously advanced to SOKIMO provided that Mabanga has assigned, to DRC Gold, all of Mabanga's rights pursuant to the agreement for the SOKIMO Loan.

Upon the signing of a formal Option Agreement and the issuance of the initial 25,000,000 Shares to Amani and/or Mabanga, Amani and/or Mabanga will have the right to cause one or two candidates to be elected or appointed to the DRC Gold board of directors (DRC Gold Board).

If and when (a) DRC Gold's shareholders approve the transaction and (b) DRC Gold issues the balance of 325,000,000 Shares to Amani and/or Mabanga or their nominee(s) then Amani and Mabanga will (c) transfer the Initial Giro Interest and the Initial Nizi Interest to DRC Gold or an affiliated entity of DRC Gold (the Closing) and (d) have the right to cause one (or more) candidates to be elected or appointed to the DRC Gold Board so that the Amani and/or Mabanga candidates will then constitute a maximum of three of DRC Gold's five directors.

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Amani will grant DRC Gold an additional option, exercisable for a one-year period after the Closing, to acquire, from Amani, the remaining 10% interest that Amani holds in Giro Goldfields by either (a) paying US$30 million to Amani within 12 months of the Closing, or (b) paying US$50 million to Amani within 24 months of the Closing.

Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Mabanga will grant an additional option, exercisable for a one-year period after the Closing, to acquire, from Mabanga, an additional 10% registered and beneficial in the Nizi Project by (a) paying US$30 million to Mabanga and (b) issuing 50 million common shares in the capital of DRC Gold to Mabanga.

Closing will be subject to certain conditions precedent including satisfactory due diligence by DRC Gold, Amani Consulting and Mabanga, the parties entering into the Option Agreement, and receipt of all necessary approvals including board approval, and any shareholder and regulatory approval required to be obtained by DRC Gold. Each party may terminate this Term Sheet by notice in writing delivered at any time up to the signing of the Option Agreement or if DRC Gold does not receive, in a timely manner, any approval that the CSE may require. Any such termination will not result in any further obligations by any party.

Okote Gold Project

DRC Gold also announces that the Okote Gold Project in Ethiopia is being put on hold for the foreseeable future given the uncertain military situation.

QP Statement

Mr. Dylan le Roux (BSc Hons in Earth Science) is an independent consultant of DRC Gold Corp. and a qualified geologist. Mr. le Roux is a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Geological Science) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP Reg. No. 155814). Mr. le Roux is a qualified person (QP) under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About DRC Gold Corp.

DRC Gold is a junior exploration company. DRC Gold's management and directors possess over 50 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although DRC Gold Corp. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, DRC Gold Corp. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

1 Barrick holds a 45% indirect interest in the Kibali gold mine and Barrick's attributable production for 2024 totalled 309,000 oz. gold; see: https://www.barrick.com/English/operations/kibali/default.aspx.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285059

Source: DRC Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: GPGCF) (FSE: 0B3) ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") announces that a second diamond drill rig has arrived on site at its flagship Wild Dog Project ("Wild Dog" or the "Project"), located on the island of New Britain, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea ("PNG"), and has commenced drilling on the Kasie Ridge epithermal gold-copper target.

Kasie Ridge represents the largest preserved advanced argillic alteration system identified to date on the Wild Dog Project. The prospect forms part of the broader Nengmutka hydrothermal system and lies northeast of the central Wild Dog corridor. It is interpreted as a structurally controlled lithocap developed above, or adjacent to, a potential high-sulphidation epithermal or porphyry system at depth. The scale, intensity and mineralogical maturity of the alteration footprint are consistent with the upper levels of robust magmatic-hydrothermal systems recognized in major high-sulphidation and porphyry districts globally.

This marks the first drilling ever undertaken at Kasie Ridge.

Key Kasie Ridge Target Highlights:

Extensive advanced argillic alteration footprint extending approximately 1.5-2.0 km in strike and several hundred metres in width

Alteration assemblage includes pyrophyllite, dickite, kaolinite, alunite, diaspore and zunyite, consistent with high-temperature, acidic hydrothermal conditions

Coincident magnetic anomaly interpreted as hydrothermal modification of a shallow magnetic source

MobileMT and resistivity inversions define conductive clay-rich zones with localized deeper resistive features interpreted as potential silica-rich or structurally focused zones

Structural interpretation highlights multiple NNW-NW trending lineaments converging beneath the ridge

First drill program to test the system beneath the alteration cap underway with Rig 2

"Kasie Ridge is a very technically compelling target on the Wild Dog project. The scale of advanced argillic alteration, the presence of high-temperature minerals such as zunyite and diaspore, and the convergence of structural corridors into a coincident magnetic feature all point toward a robust hydrothermal centre. Lithocap systems are inherently high-risk, but they are also where many major high-sulphidation and porphyry discoveries originate. This drill program is about applying disciplined mineral systems thinking to test whether we are positioned above something significant," stated Callum Spink, VP Exploration. "Drilling with Rig #1 is also progressing well with a second hole underway at the Kavasuki target. Having two rigs turning full time will allow us to increase the pace of our exploration in 2026, as planned."

Kasie Ridge Target Overview

Kasie Ridge is located on the northern end of the 15-km Wild Dog Structural Corridor (Figure 1) and approximately 4.5 km north of the Sinivit Target where drilling has delineated multiple high-grade shoots (Northern Sulphide shoot and the Southern Oxide shoot).

Figure 1: Wild Dog Structural Corridor pipeline of epithermal targets developed from historical and recent work on the Project and the location of Kasie Ridge target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/285021_gpac%20figure%201.jpg

Photos: Newly arrived Rig 2 set up on the Kasie Ridge target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/285021_gpac%20photos.jpg

Kasie Ridge is defined by an extensive advanced argillic alteration footprint extending approximately 1.5-2.0 km along strike and several hundred metres in width. The alteration assemblage includes alunite, pyrophyllite, dickite, kaolinite, diaspore and importantly zunyite (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Alteration mineral assemblage map at Kasie Ridge highlighting advanced argillic zones including alunite, pyrophyllite, diaspore and zunyite.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/285021_d7e212e034e5d85d_006full.jpg

The presence of zunyite and diaspore is particularly significant, as these minerals are commonly associated with higher-temperature, highly acidic hydrothermal conditions proximal to a heat source.

Lithocap systems of this scale are commonly developed above porphyry-epithermal systems and may be barren at surface while overlying potentially mineralized feeder structures at depth.

Modern datasets significantly enhance the geological interpretation at Kasie Ridge relative to historical reconnaissance work. These include:

High-resolution LiDAR structural interpretation;

Magnetic inversion modelling;

MobileMT conductivity modelling, and

3D resistivity cross sections.

Magnetic data define a coincident magnetic feature beneath the ridge interpreted to potentially reflect hydrothermal modification of a shallow magnetic source. Resistivity inversions identify conductive clay-rich domains with localized deeper resistive features interpreted as potential silica-rich or structurally focused zones.

Structural interpretation highlights multiple NNW-NW trending lineaments converging beneath Kasie Ridge (Figure 3). This structural junction geometry is consistent with focused hydrothermal fluid pathways recognized in mineralized systems globally.

Figure 3: Section view looking East-North-East of drillhole KAS-01 overlain on the resistivity model at Kasie Ridge.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/285021_d7e212e034e5d85d_007full.jpg

The Company's working interpretation considers Kasie Ridge to represent the preserved upper levels of a high-sulphidation epithermal system or lithocap developed above a potential porphyry source. In such systems:

Advanced argillic alteration forms at shallow levels from acidic magmatic fluids;

Vertical clay mineral zonation reflects temperature gradients toward feeder zones;

Higher-temperature minerals (pyrophyllite, diaspore, zunyite) are commonly proximal to upflow conduits, and

Mineralization may occur beneath or laterally offset from the alteration cap.

Importantly, alteration systems of this scale require sustained hydrothermal fluid flow and structural permeability, characteristics commonly associated with mineralized magmatic centres.

Lithocap systems and targets are inherently high-risk, as advanced argillic alteration may develop without associated economic mineralisation at depth; however, their scale and mineralogical zonation provide strong vectors toward potential concealed mineral systems.

Comparable geological settings include districts such as Lepanto (Philippines), Wafi-Golpu (Papua New Guinea), and Onto (Indonesia), where lithocap alteration masks deeper porphyry or high-sulphidation mineralization (comparisons are provided for geological context only and do not imply the presence of similar mineralization at Kasie Ridge).

The first drill hole, KAS-01, has been collared within the highest-temperature portion of the advanced argillic assemblage. The hole is designed to test the interpreted intersection of two conductive lineaments, evaluate the margin of a moderately conductive "upflow" zone defined by resistivity inversion modelling, and assess vertical alteration zonation and sulphide development at depth.

Results from KAS-01 will guide follow-up drilling and determine whether the prospect advances to more systematic testing.

Kasie Ridge represents a technically compelling, first-principles mineral systems test within the broader Wild Dog corridor.

On behalf of Great Pacific Gold:

Greg McCunn

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Callum Spink, the Company's Vice President, Exploration, who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, MAIG, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Spink is responsible for the technical content of this news release. Mr. Spink is not independent of the Company.

About Great Pacific Gold

Great Pacific Gold's vision is to become the leading gold-copper development company in Papua New Guinea ("PNG"). The Company has a portfolio of exploration-stage projects in PNG, as follows:

Wild Dog Project: the Company's flagship project is located in the East New Britain Province of PNG. The project consists of a large-scale epithermal target, the Wild Dog structural corridor, stretching 15 km in strike length and potentially over 1,000 metres deep based on a recent MobileMT geophysics survey. The survey also highlighted the Magiabe porphyry target, adjacent to the epithermal target and potentially 1,000 metres in diameter and over 2,000 metres deep. Drilling of the epithermal structure on the Sinivit target has yielded high-grade results, including WDG-08 which intercepted 8.4 metres at 50 g/t AuEq from 154 metres. The current drilling program will extend into 2026 with second drill rig expecting to be operational in early February 2026.

Kesar Project: located in the Eastern Highlands Province of PNG and contiguous with the mine tenements of K92 Mining Inc. ("K92"), the Kesar Project is a greenfield exploration project with several high-priority targets in close proximity to the property boundary with K92. Multiple epithermal veins at Kesar are on strike and have the same orientation as key K92 deposits, such as Kora. Exploration work to date by the Company at the Kesar Project has shown that these veins have high grades of gold present in outcrop and very elevated gold in soil grades, coincident with aeromagnetic highs. The Company conducted a diamond drill program on key target areas at the Kesar Project from November 2024 to May 2025 and have developed a follow-up Phase 2 program for 2026.

Arau Project: also located in the Eastern Highlands Province of PNG, the Arau Project is south of and contiguous to the mine tenements of K92. Arau contains the highly prospective Mt. Victor exploration target with potential for a high sulphidation epithermal gold-base metal deposit. A Phase 1 Reverse Circulation drilling program was completed at Mt. Victor in August 2024, with encouraging results. The Arau Project includes the Elandora licence, which also contains various epithermal and copper-gold porphyry targets.

The Company also holds the Tinga Valley Project in PNG.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, most of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Mineralization at the properties held by K92 Mining Inc. and at the Wafi-Golpu deposit is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Wild Dog Project.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285021

Source: Great Pacific Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Bravada Gold Corporation (TSXV: BVA) (FSE: BRTN) ("Bravada" or the "Company") reports that board of directors of the Company has recommended and authorized a consolidation of the Company's outstanding common shares on the basis of eight (8) pre-consolidation common shares for one (1) post-consolidation common share (the "Consolidation"). There are currently 229,262,645 common shares issued and outstanding and, upon completion of the Consolidation, there will be approximately 28,657,771 common shares issued and outstanding.

On March 2, 2026, the Company's shares will commence trading on a consolidated basis on the TSX Venture Exchange with new CUSIP 10567D303 and ISIN CA10567D3031. The Company's name will not be changed in connection with this Consolidation.

The Company's management believes that the Consolidation will result in greater investor interest, improved trading liquidity and will facilitate future financing of the Company. The Company will send shareholders a letter of transmittal when the Consolidation has taken effect instructing shareholders to surrender the certificates evidencing their pre-Consolidation common shares for replacement certificates representing post-Consolidation common shares. The Consolidation is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Status of the Wind Mountain PFS Study

President Joe Kizis provides an update on the PFS program for the Wind Mountain project in northwestern Nevada, "Subsequent to our Resource Update in September 2025, we have arranged for several independent contractors to conduct updated studies necessary for the PFS, and ultimately for renewed mine permitting. Underway or expected to begin over the coming months includes mine planning and design, metallurgy, archaeology, biology/wildlife, hydrology, and detailed resource evaluation to convert the small amount of In-pit Inferred Resource to Indicated Resource, which could be converted to Probable Reserve by a successful PFS. Being a past-producing open-pit/heap-leach mining operation, and having been successfully reclaimed, there is a large amount of historic data to be drawn upon to reduce costs compared to a virgin deposit."

About Bravada

Bravada is a long-established exploration and development company with a portfolio of high-quality properties in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Utilizing a modified joint-venture business model, Bravada has successfully identified and advanced properties with the potential to host high-margin deposits while successfully attracting partners to fund later stages of project development. Bravada's value is underpinned by a substantial gold and silver resource with a positive PEA study conducted in 2022 on a Phase I portion of the Wind Mountain deposit, and additional Phases are being evaluated for the project as part of an ongoing Pre-Feasibility Assessment. In addition, the Company has significant upside potential from possible new discoveries at its other exploration properties.

Since 2005, the Company has signed 33 earn-in joint-venture agreements for its properties with 20 publicly traded companies, as well as a similar number of property-acquisition agreements with private individuals. Bravada currently has eight projects in its portfolio, consisting of 782 claims for approximately 6,329 ha in two of Nevada's most prolific gold trends. Most of the projects host encouraging drill intercepts of gold and already have drill targets developed.

Several videos are available on the Company's website that describe Bravada's major properties, answering investors commonly asked questions. Simply click on this link:

https://bravadagold.com/projects/project-videos/.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Joseph A. Kizis, Jr., Director, President, Bravada Gold Corporation

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 statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include plans to complete the Consolidation and the anticipated effective date thereof as well as completion of the PFS. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; that all conditions precedent to the completion of Consolidation will be satisfied in a timely manner; and the ability of third-party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285017

Source: Bravada Gold Corporation
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) ("ESGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged AXINO Capital GmbH ("AXINO Capital") to provide marketing services in Europe.

AXINO Capital will support ESGold's European market outreach by assisting in the distribution of Company news and updates, increasing investor awareness among retail and institutional audiences, and strengthening ESGold's visibility within the German-speaking financial communities. AXINO Capital is a privately owned, full-service marketing firm headquartered in Esslingen (near Stuttgart), Germany, and is recognized for its resource-sector investor network and media reach, including its axinocapital YouTube channel.

The engagement is for an initial term of twelve (12) months, commencing March 1, 2026, and is subject to applicable exchange policies and regulatory requirements. AXINO Capital is an arm's length party and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, has no direct or indirect interest in ESGold or its securities, nor any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

ESGold is advancing its fully permitted Montauban Gold-Silver Project in Quebec toward production in 2026 while continuing to build market awareness around the Company's dual-track strategy of near-term cash flow and longer-term district-scale exploration upside.

ABOUT AXINO Capital GmbH

AXINO Capital is a privately owned full-service marketing firm based in Esslingen, Germany. Since 2000, it has specialized in representing resource-sector companies seeking to build investor exposure and develop a shareholder following in European financial markets, with a particular focus on German-speaking investor communities.

About ESGold Corp.

ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) is a fully permitted, pre-production mining company advancing a scalable clean mining model across North and South America. The Company's flagship Montauban Gold-Silver Project in Quebec is under construction with production anticipated in 2026. With a dual-track strategy of cash flow today and discovery tomorrow, ESGold is building a platform for clean, sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.

For more information, please contact ESGold Corp. at +1-888-370-1059 or visit esgold.com for additional resources, including a French version of this press release, past news releases, a 3D model of the Montauban processing plant, media interviews, and opinion-editorial pieces.

Stay connected by following us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and joining our Telegram channel.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding metallurgical recoveries, project economics, construction timelines, and exploration potential. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions believed to be current but involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Historical data referenced herein is not current, has not been independently verified by ESGold, and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. ESGold disclaims any obligation to update or revise forward-looking information except as required by law.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: the ANT-based 3D geological model, its results and interpretation of the same, the newly staked land of the Company and the possibility for mineralization therein, conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company's operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept 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/284964

Source: ESGold Corp.
Proceeds from the financing will advance the Phase 2 clinical development of Alveus' lead program ALV - 100 designed to deliver potent, durable weight loss and long - term maintenance with improved tolerability

The financing will also support Investigational New Drug (IND) filings for several early proprietary development candidates, including its highly selective Amylin peptide agonist (ALV-200)

With the global obesity market projected to reach approximately $150 billion by 20301 and an estimated 4 billion people affected by 20352, this investment reflects Jeito's commitment to addressing one of the world's most pressing health challenges through innovative treatments that offer meaningful benefits to patients

Paris, February 24, 2026 - Jeito Capital ("Jeito"), a leading global independent private equity fund dedicated to biopharma, announced today that it was the cornerstone investor in the second closing of the oversubscribed Series A financing of Alveus Therapeutics ("Alveus"),

a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for obesity and metabolic diseases. This closing brings the total amount raised in the Series A round to $1973 million.



Jeito made a significant commitment in the second closing of Series A and was joined by Novo Holdings and other healthcare-focused funds, alongside the original Series A syndicate led by New Rhein Healthcare Investors, Andera Partners, and Omega Funds, with participation from Sanofi, Kurma Partners, Avego BioScience Capital, and other life sciences investors.

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Philadelphia, with R&D operations in Copenhagen, Alveus is building a differentiated pipeline of next-generation obesity and metabolic disease therapies designed to deliver sustainable weight loss with superior tolerability and reduced treatment burden, addressing the critical challenge of weight adherence, a key limitation of current treatments. The company is led by an experienced management team with deep expertise in obesity: Raj Kannan, MBA, CEO of Alveus Therapeutics, has led multiple successful licensing transactions and strategic acquisitions at prior biotech companies, including Chiasma and Aerie Pharmaceuticals. Alveus' CSO and CBO, Jacob Jeppesen, PhD, and Brian Bloomquist, PhD, have more than 30 years of combined leadership and R&D experience in leading obesity and metabolic drug companies such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

This financing strengthens Alveus' ability to advance multiple development programs in parallel. The company's lead program, ALV-100 is a bifunctional GIPR antagonist / GLP-1R agonist fusion protein that combines GLP-1 agonism and GIRP antagonism. This approach achieves potent metabolic rewiring, durable weight loss and long-term maintenance with improved tolerability, targeting key limitations of current chronic therapies.

Proceeds will support the Phase 2 clinical trials of ALV-100 while also advancing its amylin-based portfolio towards clinical development. Amylin is a hormone that controls satiety and provide additional metabolic benefits. These programs include ALV-200, Alveus' highly selective amylin receptor 3 (AMYR3) peptide agonist, and its oral amylin-based pipeline, leading to additional IND filings and first-in-human phase 1 studies within the next 18 months.

In conjunction with the closing of the Series A extension, Ksenija Pavletic, General Partner and CCO of Jeito Capital, will join the Alveus Board of Directors.

Ksenija Pavletic, General Partner & Chief Commercial Officer of Jeito Capital, added:

"At Jeito, we firmly believe that value creation is always driven by meaningful patient benefit. We have been seeking the right opportunity within the increasingly complex field of obesity, and we are convinced that, given the diversified pipeline, Alveus represents a truly high-potential company. We are delighted to support Alveus' team in the development of solutions eagerly awaited by millions of patients worldwide, which will provide meaningful benefits."

Dr Rafaele Tordjman, MD, PhD, Founder and CEO of Jeito Capital, said:

"Obesity, one of the defining health challenges of our time, demands innovative treatments that offer real hope to patients. With over three decades of experience and a proven track record with leading innovators in the field, Alveus' talented leadership team is advancing next-generation therapies, continuously improving their efficacy and tolerability to transform patients' daily lives. We are excited to partner with such a talented team and to help unlock the full potential of Alveus."

Raj Kannan, Chief Executive Officer of Alveus said: "The backing of specialist healthcare investors with deep domain expertise reflects strong momentum for Alveus, driven by our differentiated portfolio, the strength of our team, and the scale of the opportunity in obesity and metabolic disease. Over the next 18 to 24 months, we expect to reach key value inflection points, including a well-characterized Phase 3-ready asset and multiple pipeline assets entering early 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.

About Alveus Therapeutics

Alveus Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation therapies for obesity and metabolic diseases, designed for sustained efficacy, improved tolerability, and reduced treatment burden. Alveus acquired global development and commercialization rights outside of greater China to ALV-100 from Gmax Biopharm International Limited in 2024. Alveus is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, with research and development operations based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

For more information, visit www.alveustx.com.

Contacts:

Jeito Capital

Rafaele Tordjman, Founder & CEO

Jessica Fadel, EA

Tel: +33 6 33 44 25 47



Stephanie Elbaz

Tel: +33 6 46 05 08 07

media@jeito.life ICR Healthcare

Mary-Jane Elliott / Emily Johnson

Jeito@icrhealthcare.com

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700



Sean Leous

sean.leous@icrhealthcare.com

Tel: +1 (646) 866 4012



1https://www.pwc.com/us/en/services/consulting/business-model-reinvention/glp-1-trends-and-impact-on-business-models.html

2https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673625003551

3For the 1st closing of its Series A financing in January 2026, Alveus raised $160 million: https://alveustx.com/news/alveus-therapeutics-launches-with-160-million-series-a-financing-to-advance-next-generation-therapies-for-obesity-and-metabolic-diseases/
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI) (FSE: 6Q5) (OTCQB: FNICF) ('Fathom", or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the winter trail, and mobilization of drilling and ancillary equipment to the Gochager Lake project. Drilling of the 3,000-to-4,000-meter program is expected to begin during the first week of March 2026.

Ian Fraser, Fathom CEO and VP Exploration stated, "Our field crews have worked very hard getting the winter trail in place in spite of abnormally warm weather and challenges created by recent wildfires in the area. With overland access and lake trails now in place, it is go time! We plan to be drilling by the first week of March. The initial drillholes will test the very robust 'Camp' multi-element soil/rock geochemical anomaly, located 1.5km along strike of the historic deposit. The expanded "footprint" and potential scale at the project is supported by the mapped Gochager-like geology/mineralization now recognized 3.5km along strike east-northeast of the deposit. Drillholes will also test the strike extension of the historic deposit to the immediate east-northeast, in an area of favourable geology and geochemistry that extends >500 meters towards Scurry Lake. This is a very exciting time for our Company and shareholders. We have methodically developed these high priority drill targets, and we very much look forward to the results."

The Company is fully funded to complete the proposed drill program. If the full drill program is not completed by spring break-up in mid-April, we intend to complete the full 3,000-to-4,000-meter drill program in late-May/early- June 2026.

Comments on Figures 1 and 2:

Figure 1 emphasises the >8km trend defined by Ni in-soil geochemical anomaly(s). The Ni in-soil anomalous trend is also supported with anomalous to very anomalous Cu, Co in-soil, along with anomalous to very anomalous Mg and Cr. Mg and Cr are key pathfinder elements and indicators of subsurface mafic-ultramafic rock; the Gochager Lake deposit "Container Rock". The east-northeast trend coincides with mineralized variable-texture gabbro mapped in outcrop up to 3.5km along trend of the deposit. Mineralized variable-texture gabbro at the deposit hosts the steeply oriented, high-grade chutes and lenses of Ni-Cu-Co semi-massive to massive sulphide mineralization intersected by Fathom drilling.

Figure 2 illustrates initial drill target priority areas: Area A - The Camp anomaly is defined by the >900m long multi-element soil geochemical anomaly and associated with mapped outcrops of variable-texture gabbro and mafic to ultramafic rock. Elevated Cu, coincident with elevated Ni in rock samples, strongly indicates control by magmatic sulphide processes. A mapped and sampled outcrop occurring between Scurry and Rainbow Lakes that mimics the deposit stratigraphy and, specifically, mineralized variable-texture gabbro, has a Ni-tenor of 4.51% Ni* (Fathom Press Release January 28, 2026). Furthermore, rock grab samples collected in this area returned anomalous Pt values (40-60ppb), and Pd values (20-30ppb). Area B - Gochager East Extension Anomalies cover the >500m distance along strike east-northeast of the Gochager Lake deposit to the shore of Scurry Lake. Within this area, the soil anomalies exhibit a stronger response than the Gochager deposit. EM anomalies, defined by surface geophysical surveys remain untested, and off-hole BHEM anomalies from drillhole GL23011 remain untested. Mapped geology confirms the extension of mineralized variable-texture gabbro, and Ni-tenors up to 5% Ni* in outcrop have been recorded. Coincident with elevated Ni in outcrop, elevated Cu is prominent which strongly suggests a magmatic sulphide control. Area C - The North Gochager Lake Anomaly defines the highest Ni in-soil geochemical anomaly observed to date (1650 ppm Ni, 116.5ppm Cu, 373ppm Co). Rock samples collected (grab, and pXRF chip samples) at this anomaly returned elevated Ni, Cu, Cu but in a non-mafic to ultramafic rock type. Drilling here is designed to better understand the geology and to ascertain a possible subsurface, mineralized mafic-ultramafic body as the source of the multi-element soil geochemical anomaly. Area D - The Wolf Lake Anomaly is a standalone multi-element (Ni, Cu, Co, Mg, Cr) soil anomaly measuring 1500m x 400m (note: the anomaly not fully defined due to the gap in data caused by the 2025 wildfire). Drilling in this area is designed to gain an understanding of the underlying geology. An initial understanding of the Wolf Lake Anomaly will impact follow-up summer field activities and surface geophysics in the area. It is unlikely that this target will be tested during the winter drilling campaign due to logistical and time constraints.



*Ni-tenor is the quantity of nickel contained within the sulphide component of the rock. At the Gochager Lake deposit, various styles of sulphide mineralization in gabbroic and ultramafic rock demonstrate Ni-tenors ranging from 2% to 5%. Ni-tenor is the percentage of nickel in sulphide only and is reported as the weight percent nickel in 100% sulphide. Fathom only reports Ni-tenor calculations in drill core and rock assay samples where assays report >=1% sulphur. Calculations on samples below 1% sulphur tend to be inaccurate with respect to contained nickel in the sulphide component.

Figure 1 - Gochager Lake Deposit Hosted in >8km Multi-Element Soil Geochemistry Trend

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7843/285052_a74673f88416797c_002full.jpg

Figure 2 - Drill Target Areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7843/285052_a74673f88416797c_003full.jpg

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Disclosure Statement

As part of its ongoing exploration activities, Fathom is utilizing a portable Vanta XRF Analyzer ("pXRF") to provide real-time lithogeochemical, multi-element data on surface rock chip samples and rock grab samples collected in the field. The Vanta XRF Analyzer is a hand-held device, held in position for a total 120 seconds - beam 1 (30 seconds), beam 2 (60 seconds) and beam 3 (30 seconds) to allow for an effective reading of elements occurring at that specific point, and at that specific surface of a rock sample. All elements detected at that specific point; nickel, copper, cobalt plus key pathfinder elements, chrome and magnesium, are recorded. The reader is cautioned that pXRF data should be treated only as an indication of elements, as the accuracy of the beam position on a particular element is variable.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Ian Fraser, P.Geo., CEO, VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the "qualified person" as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to secure the supply of North American Critical Minerals and to support the global green energy transition. The Company now has a portfolio of three high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan:

1) The Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that hosts the historic Rottenstone Mine1. Fathom exploration to date at the Albert Lake project confirms:

The high-grade Ni-Cu-Co+3E 1 Rottenstone deposit mineralization extends to the south a minimum 40m and remains open.

Rottenstone deposit mineralization extends to the south a minimum 40m and remains open. The Rottenstone deposit is potentially offset and continues within the footwall of a prominent fault defined by drilling.

A new Rottenstone-like discovery (similar host rock, and similar mineralization) by drilling 500-550m W-NW of the historic mine; the 300+m Bay Island Trend, remains open along strike.

Similar Rottenstone-like host rock and mineralization intersected by drilling approximately 1.5km S-SW of the historic mine (the Nic5-Tremblay-Olson area).

2) The 33,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that hosts the historic Gochager Lake deposit2. Fathom exploration to date at the Gochager Lake project confirms:

Vertical extension of Ni-Cu-Co mineralization a minimum of 150m below the historic Gochager Lake deposit interpreted boundary, and very good potential for expansion of mineralization in all directions.

Multiple high-grade vertically oriented Ni-Cu-Co sulphide breccia mineralization zones and chutes occur within the historic deposit, and the zones, chutes remain open for further expansion and delineation in all directions.

Surface mapping and rock geochemistry has confirmed the Gochager Lake deposit host/container rock extends 3.5+ km along strike east-northeast of the deposit.

Soil geochemistry has defined a favourable geochemical footprint, inclusive of the historic deposit, that now extends 8.6+ km.

3) The 10,000+ hectare Friesen Lake Project located 40km southwest of the historic Rottenstone Mine and 30km northwest of the historic Gochager Lake deposit.

The Friesen Lake property hosts the Olsen Cu-Ni-Pt Showing also referred to as the Friesen Lake Cu-Ni-Pt showing and is described as an ultramafic dyke that historic trenching and drilling demonstrates Cu-Ni-Pt-Pd and Au mineralization within the ultramafic dyke (Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID) #0928a). To date Fathom has not performed any exploration at the Friesen Lake Project.

1 - The Rottenstone Mine; a small open-pit mining / milling operation was in production 1965-1969. Mining in 1965 produced 5,500 short tons with a reported average production grade of 3.23% Ni, 1.83% Cu, 0.14 oz/ton Pt, 0.10 oz/ton Pd, 0.03 oz/ton Au (9.26 g/t*3E, 3E = Pd-Pt+Au) and 0.20 oz/ton Ag. Initial milling of mine concentrate; September 5 - November 7, 1965, produced 1,070 dry short tons of concentrate that averaged 10.83% Ni, 5.74% Cu, 0.33 oz/ton Pt, 0.53 oz/ton Pd, 0.10 oz/ ton Au (32.91 g/t* 3E) and 1.25 oz/ton Ag. Richards, B.R. and Robinson, B.G.W. (1966), Mining and milling a small ore deposit . Rottenstone Mining Limited: The Canadian Mining and Metallurgical Bulleting for December 1966. The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI) #0958 reports final mine production in 1969 of 28,724 tons with an average grade of 3.28% Ni, 1.83% Cu and 9.63 g/t 3E and that approximately 9,000 tons of concentrate were sold to the International Nickel Company of Canada Limited. * A factor of 34.286 g/tonne was used to convert 1 oz/ton to g/tonne (g/t).

2 - The Gochager Lake property is host to the historic Gochager Lake Ni-Cu deposit. There is no source or available Technical Reports to verify the historic resource estimate for the Gochager Lake deposit; hence, Fathom will treat the historic estimate as an Exploration Target. Available records in the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMDI) and Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database (SMAD) suggest an Exploration Target of 4-5 million tons grading 0.3% Ni - 0.4% Ni and 0.08% Cu - 0.09% Cu. The potential quantity and grade are conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. At present, Fathom has drilled 16 drillholes (5,549m) into the historic Gochager Lake deposit and has confirmed Ni-Cu grades comparable to and higher than the historical grades reported, thus confirming that a deposit of Ni-Cu+Co metal accumulation does exist at the historic Gochager Lake deposit / property. The disclosed potential quantity and grade has been determined by historic records notably; the Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index and Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database. (SMDI #0880) reports delineation drilling outlined a deposit at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit; Steel, J.S. (1990), (SMAD 73P15-0091): Report on a Diamond Drilling Program on the Gallagher (Gochager) Lake Property of McNickel Inc., reported that Scurry-Rainbow Oil Ltd. constructed vertical sections and a longitudinal section from drill data collected 1966-1968, and an orebody with reasonably well-defined limits was interpreted. As stated above, the historic estimate is not well documented and there are no available Technical Reports to support the historic resource estimate(s).

For further information, please contact:

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "seek", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding completion of the Offering, price of the FT Units, Charity FT Units and HD Units, dates for closing of the Offering, amount of proceeds under the Offering, approval of the Offering by regulatory authorities, payment of commissions and finder warrants to finders and the Company incurring Qualifying Expenditures. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285052

Source: Fathom Nickel Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Gold Runner Exploration Inc. (CSE: GRUN) (FSE: CE70) ("Gold Runner" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Canadian Securities Exchange has approved Gold Runner's Option Agreement, dated January 21, 2026 as amended January 26, 2026, with the B-ALL Syndicate Ltd. ("B-All" or the "Optionor") to acquire a 100% interest in the Golden Girl Property ("Golden Girl Property", "Golden Girl" or "Property), from the B-ALL Syndicate, the same team that generated and staked Goliath Resources (TSXV: GOT) Surebet Discovery and contributed to advancing that discovery to where it is today. The B-ALL Syndicate also generated and staked the Big One discovery that was subsequently optioned to Juggernaut Exploration (TSXV: JUGR) and is situated adjacent to Galore Creek. Golden Girl is located approximately mid-way between Goliath's Surebet Discovery and Juggernaut's Big One discovery.

As described in the Company's news release dated January 23, 2026, the Golden Girl property covers an area of 8,471 hectares (ha) in the Iskut River region of Northwestern British Columbia, just 17 kilometers from the Snip Mine and 14 kilometers from the Bronson Airstrip. Exploration conducted by B-ALL on the Golden Girl property identified a large new gold-silver system measuring 12 km by 7 km. The system features a gold-rich core surrounded by a silver-rich halo. Highlights from the 2024 exploration program include grab samples assaying up to 11.28 g/t Au, 3,262 g/t Ag, 5.37% Cu, 20% Pb, and 14.15% Zn, and channel cuts assaying up to 3.74 g/t Au, 2105.45 g/t Ag, 0.88% Cu, 5.48% Pb, and 7.42% Zn.

The nearby, past-producing Snip Gold Mine, historically produced approximately 1 million ounces of gold, 390,000 ounces of silver, and 249,276 kilograms of copper (at an average 127.5 grams per ton gold over 8 years). Eskay Creek, which lies approximately 60 km east of Golden Girl, produced approximately 3.3 million ounces of gold and 160,000 ounces of silver between 1994 and 2008 (with an estimated 3.3 million ounces of gold, 88 million ounces of silver in reserves). It should be noted that Eskay Creek Mine has recently been permitted to re-commence mining operations - see Skeena Resources Ltd. news releases dated January 28, 2026, and February 3, 2026. The reader is reminded that the information provided herein from neighbouring projects and properties is not necessarily indicative of resources and should not be relied upon for the determination of mineralization or potential results of the Company's properties.





Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7042/284925_c57b3fc9b4d3a962_002full.jpg

High-grade mineralization at Golden Girl occurs in structurally controlled shear zones within sulphide-rich veins, stockwork, and breccias, similar to the nearby Snip Gold Mine. Hydrothermal fluids took advantage of pre-existing structures to deposit gold-silver-rich mineralization as well as sulphides such as chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite associated with quartz-carbonate-rich veins. Pervasive alteration associated with fluid infiltration is often observed surrounding the zones of strong gold-silver mineralization assaying up to 11.28 g/t Au, 3,262 g/t Ag, 5.37% Cu, 20% Pb, and 14.15% Zn and channel cuts assaying up to 3.74 g/t Au, 2105.45 g/t Ag, 0.88% Cu, 5.48% Pb and 7.42% Zn.

More than 95% of the Golden Girl property remains unexplored. Rapid glacial retreat and snowpack abatement over the last 35 years have revealed vast areas of new outcrop that have never seen historical surface exploration. Gold Runner has begun planning and scheduling of prospecting, sampling, and mapping, as well as detailed geophysical surveys over the property during the current exploration season in preparation for the inaugural drill program.

Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company has paid the initial option fee of $250,000. And the Company has also issued to the members of the B-ALL Syndicate, an aggregate of 1,830,000 common shares at a price of $1.13 per common share plus 1,830,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable within 5 years from the date of issuance at an exercise price of $1.14 per common share. The securities issued hereunder are subject to the requisite four-month and one-day hold period from the date of issuance. The parties to the Option Agreement are arm's length.

Chris Wensley, CEO of Gold Runner, states, "We are now fully funded to undertake and complete the 2026 exploration program on Golden Girl. Preparations are already underway to begin expanding on the excellent work done by the B-ALL Syndicate team, who generated Golden Girl. We are on schedule to commence this vital and much-anticipated field work by July 2026 and define our maiden drill program for the following season. This is a tremendously exciting time for the Company and our team. We look forward to executing and delivering on our plan and bringing notable results to our shareholders."

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Chris Wensley"

Chris Wensley, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Qualified Person

This News Release has been approved by Alan Morris, M.Sc., CPG #10550. Alan J. Morris is an independent, Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed the scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release.

About Gold Runner Exploration Inc.

Gold Runner Exploration is an exploration company focused on the exploration and development of its portfolio of gold and silver properties located in prolific mining districts of Canada and the United States of America. In British Columbia, Gold Runner holds the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Golden Girl Property, located in the prolific Golden Triangle of Northwestern British Columbia. In North Central Nevada, the Company holds the Rock Creek gold project, the Falcon Mine project and the Dry Creek project, located in the Tuscarora Mountains in close proximity to the world-renowned Carlin Trend. Gold Runner also holds a 10% carried interest in the Cimarron project located in the San Antonio Mountains of Nye County, Nevada, within the Walker Lane Trend.

About B-ALL Syndicate Ltd.

The B-ALL Syndicate is a highly specialized geologic team of project generators with a proven track record of success. The Syndicate is focused in unexplored areas of glacial and snowpack retreat providing new opportunity for material discovery in renowned geologic terrain. Projects generated by the same team include Goliath Resources' Surebet discovery on the Golddigger Property, Juggernaut Exploration's Big One discovery as well as multiple additional material discoveries. More information is available at https://www.ball-syndicate.com/.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including but not limited to those that address the Property and future and/or possible work thereon, mineral resource and reserve potential, exploration activities and corporate initiatives. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the statements. There are certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. These include the results of the Company's due diligence investigations, market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, and those additionally described in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities authorities.

Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company, investors are encouraged to review the Company's public filings at www.sedarplus.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT 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/284925

Source: Gold Runner Exploration Inc.


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - European Union leaders will hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Tuesday, the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



The European Commission announced that President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, will participate in the official memorial ceremony to be held in the Ukrainian capital, commemorating the four years of war. They will also visit an energy infrastructure site damaged by Russian missile strikes. Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will then hold a meeting with Zelenskyy.



The leaders will also attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, taking place in Kyiv. The meeting reaffirms the commitment of the 35 participating countries to support Ukraine in achieving a lasting and robust peace, ensuring the security of both Ukraine and Europe.



European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, will also travel to Kyiv.



As winter tightens its grip on the country, Russia is trying to freeze Ukraine into submission, systematically targeting energy infrastructure, leaving millions in the dark and cold.



Civilians in the Occupied Territories?in the east of Ukraine are forced to adopt Russian passports, Ukrainian language is prohibited, people are isolated from Ukrainian media and are arrested on arbitrary charged for any demonstration of pro-Ukrainian sentiment.



'More than ever, Europe stands by Ukraine, and this visit will also highlight our extensive support to our brave partner and neighbor,' the European Commission said in a press release.



Since Russia's invasion in 2022, Europe has provided 194.9 billion EUR worth of support to Ukraine, including 70 billion EUR for the military.



Ukraine has received from the EU almost 3 billion EUR for energy security purposes. Ahead of this winter, the Commission mobilized more than 900 million EUR for emergency gas purchases in Ukraine, and the electricity export capacity from the EU to Ukraine is currently at a maximum level. The EU has also offered more than 157,000 tons of aid so far, including 1,000 generators in the past month.



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Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

 2026 AFX News
Addition of PLZ8 strengthens NetAcuity's Alternate Area Database with high-resolution geographic segmentation beyond traditional postal codes.

Digital Element, the global leader in IP geolocation and intelligence, today announced the expansion of its Alternate Area Database (AADB) with the addition of Germany's PLZ8 boundaries. This enhancement further strengthens the company's commitment to providing high-precision, privacy-first geographic insights that align with local, culturally relevant regional boundaries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223882761/en/

Germany postal code map with PLZ8 overlay: The image illustrates traditional five-digit postal code boundaries alongside the more granular PLZ8 subdivisions, highlighting the enhanced geographic precision now available within Digital Element's Alternate Area Database.

The PLZ8 subdivisions introduce an additional layer of geographical segmentation built from Germany's five-digit postcodes, offering significantly more granular resolution compared to traditional postal code datasets. With thousands of PLZ8 boundaries across Germany, businesses can now benefit from a more detailed and actionable view of regional behaviors, trends, and audience distributions.

The expansion builds on Digital Element's earlier additions of France's IRIS dataset and Australia's SA1 dataset-both providing privacy-compliant, highly detailed geographic segmentation. It also marks a continuation of the company's tradition of geographic precision, dating back to its role as the first IP geolocation provider to deliver ZIP+4-level boundaries in the United States, a level of granularity it uniquely maintains today. Together, PLZ8, IRIS, and SA1 strengthen AADB's growing portfolio of alternative geographic structures designed to improve targeting accuracy, analytics, and cybersecurity intelligence.

"Our mission is to help global organizations better understand and engage their audiences in ways that reflect local realities, not just postal boundaries," said Vinod Kashyap, Chief Product Officer at Digital Envoy. "The addition of PLZ8 expands our coverage across Europe and provides businesses with deeper, more meaningful insights into regional dynamics. Combined with our recently introduced IRIS dataset in France, PLZ8 demonstrates our commitment to delivering richer, more actionable datasets that evolve in step with our client's priorities."

The Alternate Area Database (AADB) enhances traditional IP geolocation practices by grouping IP addresses according to region-specific statistical or cultural boundaries-rather than relying solely on legacy postal systems. This approach supports a wide range of use cases, including:

More relevant and effective advertising and marketing campaigns.

Stronger, more contextual cybersecurity risk assessments.

Improved fraud detection by identifying high-risk geographic patterns.

Better regional insights for retail, media, and digital experience optimization.

PLZ8 is now available as a feature upgrade to Digital Element's NetAcuity platform. To learn more, visit www.digitalelement.com

About Digital Element

Digital Element is the global IP geolocation and intelligence leader. In business for more than two decades, the company has unrivalled expertise in leveraging IP address insights to deliver new value to companies in a privacy-sensitive, transparent manner. Digital Element provides clients with innovative solutions to optimize engagement across industries and applications, creating unique value at every consumer touchpoint. Many of the world's largest websites, brands, security companies, ad networks, social media platforms, and mobile publishers trust Digital Element's technology for advertising optimization, content localization, enhanced analytics, digital rights management, and the prevention of online fraud.

Visit www.digitalelement.com for more information on how to bring the power of location to the online world.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Digital Element is a division of Digital Envoy, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223882761/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts

Linda Cureton digitalenvoy@teamgingermay.com
Self-service hub empowers developers, customers and partners to build integrated solutions with Armis Centrix

Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, today announced the launch of the Armis Developer Portal. The centralized knowledge hub enables organizations to seamlessly integrate Armis' comprehensive asset intelligence into their existing technology stacks. Developers, customers and partners can fuel their applications using the Armis API, transforming static asset inventories into real-time, actionable insights that drive innovation and automation.

"True security is only possible through a unified, open ecosystem where data is not just collected but operationalized," said Nadir Izrael, CTO and Co-Founder at Armis. "The Armis Developer Portal provides more than just documentation; we are giving the developer and security community direct access to the world's most robust asset intelligence. This empowers them to move beyond simple monitoring to an intelligent, proactive security posture."

The portal delivers a structured, high-performance environment for building secure and scalable integrations with Armis Centrix, the Armis Cyber Exposure Management Platform. Armis Centrix is powered by the Armis AI-driven Asset Intelligence Engine, which monitors over 6.5 billion assets worldwide across IT, OT, IoT, IoMT and more. By utilizing this continuous asset intelligence through APIs, developers, customers and partners can enrich their solutions with unparalleled context and streamline security workflows.

"Armis provides valuable data to our customers, and the quality of that data helps to enrich the data in our product," said Dana Yanch, Director of Product Management at Elisity. "By leveraging the new Armis Developer Portal, we are able to deepen our technical integration. We're also looking ahead to see what other APIs we can use to add even more value to our platform. The portal offers the streamlined documentation and resources we need to accelerate our roadmap and deliver enhanced security insights to joint customers at scale."

With clear API references, step-by-step guides and a dedicated space for peer discussions and expert support, the Armis Developer Portal allows organizations to enhance their technology stacks. It is built around API v3, the latest and most robust iteration of the Armis interface. Developers are already leveraging the portal to architect sophisticated workflows, bridging the gap between fragmented visibility and real-time intelligence.

"Our focus is to remove the connectivity barriers that slow down innovation," added Izrael. "The portal enables developers, customers and partners to create powerful solutions with speed and precision. We remain committed to equipping organizations with the tools they need to stay ahead of an ever-evolving threat landscape."

The Armis Developer Portal is now available. Learn more in our blog here.

About Armis

Armis, the cyber exposure management security company, protects the entire attack surface and manages the organization's cyber risk exposure in real time. In a rapidly evolving, perimeter-less world Armis ensures that organizations continuously see, protect and manage all critical assets from the ground to the cloud. Armis secures Fortune 100, 200 and 500 companies as well as national governments, state and local entities to help keep critical infrastructure, economies and society stay safe and secure 24/7. Armis is a privately held company headquartered in California.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224120352/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts:

Rebecca Cradick

Vice President, Global Communications

Armis

pr@armis.com
NorthX Biologics and Demeetra today announced a strategic collaboration combining a best-in-class high-titer GS (-/-) CHO cell line with full freedom to operate and no additional IP-related costs, together with advanced cell line development technologies and high-quality process development, MCB banking, and GMP manufacturing services. The collaboration is designed to help biotech companies reach IND-enabling and clinical milestones faster, with fewer technical setbacks and without the need to rebuild cell lines or re-qualify processes when transitioning to a manufacturing partner.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224427714/en/

Supporting stable, high-titer cell line development and seamless GMP advancement.

The partnership combines Demeetra's CleanCut CHO platforms and stable CLD services with NorthX Biologics' proven GMP production capabilities, process scale-up expertise including fill and finish, and regulatory quality. Together, the companies offer an integrated model that minimizes tech-transfer delays, reduces the risk of costly cell line rebuilds, and accelerates the path to IND-enabling and clinical material.

A Partnership Designed to Reduce Risk and Gain Time

The joint offering addresses some of the most common challenges faced by biotech companies: long development cycles, technical bottlenecks, and costly delays that impact valuation and fundraising timelines. By streamlining CLD and GMP manufacturing, customers gain a clear, uninterrupted path from early development to high-quality material suitable for clinical studies. For early-stage biotech companies operating against tight funding timelines, even a three-month delay can materially impact valuation and financing outcomes.

"Partnering with Demeetra strengthens our ability to support biotech companies all the way, with a rapid, reliable, and continuous path to GMP material," said Janet Hoogstraate, CEO of NorthX Biologics. "Biotech companies no longer need to choose between best-in-class cell line development and proven GMP execution. Our collaboration with Demeetra provides an optimal solution for development of biologics."

"We are excited to collaborate with NorthX Biologics," said Jack Crawford, CEO of Demeetra. "Demeetra's platforms are designed to produce cell lines that go straight into manufacturing without rebuilds or licensing conversations downstream. Partnering with NorthX Biologics closes the loop. Together we've built a high-performance, end-to-end path that protects both the program timeline and the full economic value of the client's asset."

Key Customer Benefits

Royalty-free cell line development molecule retains full economic value through fundraising, partnering or acquisition

A single, coordinated team direct transition from CLD to GMP manufacturing with no re-qualification

Reduced technical and regulatory risk

Shorter timelines to IND/Phase I

The Demeetra and NorthX Biologics collaboration reflects a shared commitment to reducing fragmentation in early biologics development. By integrating genome engineering, cell line development, upstream processing, and GMP execution within a coordinated framework, the companies aim to simplify decision-making for biotech leaders and reduce the cumulative risk associated with multi-vendor handoffs.

About NorthX Biologics

NorthX Biologics is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and Sweden's national innovation hub for advanced biologics, enabling next-generation therapies beyond traditional manufacturing. With over 30 years of GMP experience, NorthX Biologics offers end-to-end services including process development, recombinant proteins, vaccines, viral vectors, cell therapies, and aseptic fill finish. With its headquarters in Matfors, Sweden, and a facility in Stockholm, NorthX Biologics serves customers worldwide.

About Demeetra

Demeetra is a genome engineering company providing integrated platforms for gene editing, transposon-based integration, and cell line development. Demeetra's technologies deliver high performance with clear intellectual property lineage, enabling confident adoption across research, development, and biomanufacturing workflows.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224427714/en/

Contacts:

Janet Hoogstraate

Chief Executive Officer

Email: janet.hoogstraate@nxbio.com

Website: www.nxbio.com
Realizing the intelligence dividend: How rigorous governance turns AI complexity into global industry value

BostonGene, developer of the leading AI foundation model for tumor and immune biology, today announced that Andrew Feinberg, President and CEO of BostonGene and Chairman and CEO of Netcracker Technology, will deliver a main stage keynote address at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026 on Tuesday, March 3. As the premier gathering for the global technology ecosystem, MWC Barcelona attracts over 100,000 industry leaders to explore topics such as AI, digital ecosystems, and cross-industry innovation Feinberg's invitation for the main stage underscores the critical role that cross-industry AI governance now plays on the global technology map.

Titled "The Intelligence Dividend: Governing AI at Scale," the keynote will examine how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping high-impact industries, from precision oncology and drug development to global telecommunications infrastructure. Drawing on his unique dual-perspective leading AI deployment across complex biological systems and massive-scale networks, Feinberg will discuss why scaling intelligence requires a rigorous framework of governance, transparency, and human oversight.

"The convergence of AI and life sciences is establishing the standards that the global tech ecosystem must now adopt," said Surbhi Gupta, Industry Principal at Frost Sullivan. "Applying AI in oncology demands a level of rigor and accountability that is rare in other sectors. BostonGene CEO Andrew Feinberg brings a unique cross-sector perspective on AI and can discuss how responsibly scaling AI drives positive impact across life sciences and telecom. This discipline will increasingly define AI leadership on a global scale."

BostonGene's AI platform integrates multimodal biological data to transform pharmaceutical research, optimize clinical trial design, and advance precision oncology. By collaborating with global biopharma partners and leading cancer centers, the company is setting the pace for how AI can improve therapeutic success and mitigate development risk.

Feinberg's keynote will provide a roadmap for how lessons learned from oncology and drug development offer a framework for deploying AI safely and effectively across all sectors.

About BostonGene Corporation

BostonGene is redefining cancer patient care and drug development through the integration of omnimodal data and artificial intelligence. Built and validated through an extensive real-world clinical testing network, BostonGene's Foundation Model of cancer and the immune system integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and immune data with clinical outcomes to generate biologically grounded, actionable insights. These insights enable biopharma partners to design and de-risk trials, identify novel targets, and optimize therapeutic response prediction across all stages of development while simultaneously improving patient care through clinically integrated innovation. For more information, visit www.BostonGene.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224601389/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

BostonGene

Erin Keleher

+1-617-283-2285

Erin.Keleher@BostonGene.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - American Tungsten Corp. (CSE: TUNG) (OTCQB: TUNGF) (FSE: RK90) ("American Tungsten" or the "Company") is pleased to report additional tungsten-silver assay results from its on-going underground drilling program at the IMA Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. Drilling to date has expanded the extent of the No. 5 - No.7 vein system over 300 feet up-dip of the D-level and over 350 feet along strike.

Drill Result Highlights:

14.2 ft grading 0.67% WO3 and 1.15 oz/t Ag in hole AT25-06; and

17 ft grading 1.28% WO3 and 3.53 oz/t Ag in hole AT25-07

"These results continue to demonstrate that the IMA Mine hosts a robust and laterally extensive tungsten-silver system," said Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten Corp. "The consistency of mineralization we are defining strengthens our confidence in the project's scale and supports our path toward a modern resource and the potential restart of mining operations. With each hole, the opportunity at IMA becomes clearer."

Drillholes AT26-06 and AT26-07 were drilled to expand limits of mineralization up-dip from drillhole AT25-01, as reported February 10, 2026. Both drillholes intersected the No. 5 and No. 7 veins, which have now been delineated over 300 feet up-dip from the D-level. Drillhole AT26-07 intersected the No 7 vein from 273-298 ft, but assay results for this interval of hole have not yet been received.

Drillhole AT26-05 was drilled south-southwest oblique to the vein strike direction and intersected multiple broad zones of sheeted quartz veining containing hubnerite-tetrahedrite mineralization including 20.6 ft grading 0.25% WO3 and 11 ft grading 0.23% WO3. These intercepts establish continuity of mineralization over 350 south of intercepts in AT25-01. Additional drilling from locations 400 ft to the north is designed to further test the vein system up-dip and along strike.

New drillhole results are reported in Table 1 below, and assays for additional completed drillholes are pending.

Table 1: Summary Drillhole Assay Results From IMA Tungsten Project

Hole ID Azimuth Dip Hole Length From (ft) To (ft) Length (ft) WO3 % MoS2% Ag oz/t Cu % Pb % Zn % AT26-05 150 35 389 63 63.5 0.5 5.11 0.00 0.08 0.01 0.05 0.02 and 178.4 199 20.6 0.25 0.09 0.86 0.06 0.14 0.02 including 185 195 10 0.36 0.10 1.33 0.05 0.20 0.03 and 214 219 5 0.59 0.08 1.33 0.06 0.15 0.02 and 238.5 241 2.5 0.31 0.14 1.15 0.08 0.13 0.03 and 251 262 11 0.23 0.04 0.78 0.02 0.09 0.01 including 251 255 4 0.50 0.03 1.58 0.03 0.13 0.02 AT26-06 253 70 254 85 99.8 14.8 0.31 0.07 2.27 0.04 0.16 0.01 including 97.2 99.8 2.6 0.83 0.15 1.70 0.03 0.21 0.02 and 134 148.4 14.4 0.26 0.01 2.72 0.02 0.01 0.02 including 144 148.4 4.4 0.38 0.00 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01 and 182.8 197 14.2 0.67 0.13 1.15 0.09 0.13 0.05 including 185.1 193 7.9 0.75 0.11 0.93 0.01 0.10 0.01 and 205.1 210 4.9 0.21 0.04 0.99 0.03 0.08 0.01 and 221.6 226 4.4 0.25 0.10 0.46 0.01 0.08 0.01 AT26-07 65 60 476.5 15 25 10 1.10 0.01 0.69 0.05 0.09 0.04 and 115 118.8 3.8 0.47 0.02 2.28 0.18 0.19 0.20 and 155 172 17 1.28 0.06 3.53 0.27 0.34 0.09 and 267 272 5 0.24 0.04 0.69 0.22 0.09 0.08 assays pending 272 476.5



1) Intercepts not true width; true width of vein intercepts are estimated to be 90% of composite length for AT26-06 , 50% of composite length for AT26-05 and 60% of composite length for AT26-07

2) WO3 and MoS2 % values are calculated from ppm analyses based on stoichiometry factors of 1.2611 and 1.668, silver is reported in troy ounces per ton

3) Composites are generated using a 0.1% WO3 cut-off grade or 0.5oz/t Ag grade and may include internal waste below cut-off grade.



American Tungsten has completed 11 drillholes on the D level and three drillholes on the Zero level totaling approximately 5000 feet. Drilling on the zero level is being conducted in a series of upward inclined fan holes from new drill stations in the footwall of the No.5 and No.7 vein systems. Mineralization in the principal veins consists of variable assemblages of hubnerite, scheelite, tetrahedrite, galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, plus fluorite and rhodochrosite. Additional mineralization is associated with minor veins and stockworks within intervening metasedimentary host rocks.

Figure 1: Vertical Section Looking North showing significant intercepts and vein system interpretation, 100 ft view corridor.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11701/285068_0065bcaf5473cb6d_001full.jpg

Figure 2: Plan map of the D-level showing completed and planned drillholes. Drillhole AT25-04 omitted for clarity.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11701/285068_0065bcaf5473cb6d_002full.jpg

Phase 1 Drill Program

Drilling operations are ongoing from the second D level drill station and excavation of the drift to the third drill station is underway. Currently, at least six additional holes totaling approximately 2800 feet are planned from on the D level and more holes may be added to the program based on results. Drilling and mine rehabilitation operations are also being conducted on the Zero level. Drilling on the zero level will include up to 20 holes totaling approximately 10,000 feet from three locations.

About the IMA Mine

The IMA Mine is a past producing underground tungsten mine situated on 22 patented claims located in East Central Idaho. Between 1945 and 1957, the property produced approximately 199,449 MTUs of WO3 and was subsequently explored for molybdenum and tungsten by various operators between 1960-2010. American Tungsten Corp is currently conducting an exploration drill program and assessing potential for re-start of underground tungsten mining operations at the IMA Mine.

Sampling Methodology

Drillholes were completed using a Hagby 1000 drill rig with NQ sized rods. Drill core was transferred to American Tungsten geologists under chain of custody and stored in a secure facility. Drill core was logged for lithology, alteration, mineralization, and structure prior to sampling. Sample number tags were affixed to core boxes and core marked for sawing. Core was sawn in half, with one half submitted for analysis and the remaining half retained for reference. Samples were collected at approximate 5 foot intervals in wall rock and shorter intervals within vein mineralization, with sample lengths adjusted to geological boundaries where appropriate. Samples were submitted for assay to ALS Global in Twin Falls, Idaho.

QA/QC and Sample Analysis

American Tungsten Corp's Quality Assurance and Quality Control QA/QC program applies industry standard best practices to ensure data quality and integrity for the IMA Mine project, including maintaining chain of custody, secure sample transport and storage, adherence to data collection protocols and inclusion of certified reference, blank and duplicate quality assurance samples in laboratory submissions.

Samples were submitted to ALS Global laboratory in Twin Falls, Idaho, for preparation. Samples were crushed to 70% passing 2 mm screen, rotary splitting 250g and pulverized to 85% passing a 75 m screen. Samples were analyzed by ALS Minerals in the Vancouver, BC, Canada. Samples were analyzed by four acid digest with ICP-MS finish. Samples exceeding 200 ppm W were analyzed by XRF with lithium borate fusion preparation. Samples exceeding 50ppm Ag were analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish.

Qualified Person

Technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101"). Austin Zinsser, P.G., SME-RM, Vice President, Exploration for the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release.

About American Tungsten Corp.

American Tungsten Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high-potential tungsten and magnetite assets in North America. The Company is advancing the IMA Mine Project in Idaho to commercial production, addressing critical metal scarcity in North America. The Company's IMA Mine Project is a historic and high-quality underground tungsten past-producing property on private-patented land well above the water table with significant infrastructure. The Company holds an exclusive option to acquire full ownership (subject to a 2% royalty) and has expanded its land position with 113 additional federal claims covering nearly 2,000 acres.

For further updates, visit www.americantungstencorp.com or investor relations, Joanna Longo at ir@americantungstencorp.com.

Social media links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/americantungstencorp/

X: https://x.com/amtungsten

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americantungstencorp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americantungstencorp/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@americantungstencorp

CSE: TUNG

OTCQB: TUNGF

FSE: RK90

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to anticipated results of future drilling, recommencement of mining or production, pending analyses, future work plans and all the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Statements concerning historical mineral resources, production, and exploration results on the property have been obtained through both public and private sources, and are believed to be substantially factual and relevant in that they demonstrate the tenor of exploration targets on the property. Historical resource estimates pre-date the implementation of NI 43-101 and do not use categories stipulated by CIM. Prior operators assigned confidence categories which differ from those stipulated by CIM, as they may not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimates should not be relied upon until they have been verified. Neither American Tungsten Corp., or its Qualified Person, has done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or to verify historical information regarding past production, sampling or drilling. American Tungsten Corp. is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Exploration Targets discussed are conceptual in nature; it is uncertain whether a mineral resource will be delineated based on potential exploration.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285068

Source: American Tungsten Corp.
Total passenger traffic up 8.8% YoY in January

International passenger traffic up 14.8% YoY in January; up 21.8% YoY in Argentina

Corporacion America Airports S.A. (NYSE: CAAP), ("CAAP" or the "Company"), one of the world's leading private airport operators, reported today an 8.8% year-on-year (YoY) increase in passenger traffic in January 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224410396/en/

Monthly Passenger Traffic Performance (In million PAX)

Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements Highlights (2026 vs. 2025) Statistics Jan'26 Jan'25 % Var. Domestic Passengers (thousands) 3,667 3,573 2.6% International Passengers (thousands) 3,120 2,717 14.8% Transit Passengers (thousands) 821 705 16.6% Total Passengers (thousands) 7,609 6,995 8.8% Cargo Volume (thousand tons) 30.1 32.1 -6.2% Total Aircraft Movements (thousands) 73.7 70.6 4.3%

Passenger Traffic Overview

Total passenger traffic increased by 8.8% in January compared to the same month in 2025. Domestic passenger traffic rose by 2.6% YoY, largely driven by Brazil and, to a lesser extent, Ecuador. Meanwhile, international traffic grew by 14.8%, with all operating countries contributing positively on a YoY basis, including double-digit growth in Argentina as well as strong contributions from Armenia, Italy, and Brazil. Notably, Argentina accounted for over 50% of the total YoY traffic growth in January.

In Argentina, total passenger traffic increased 7.9% YoY in January, reaching an all-time monthly record. The result was driven by solid performance in both the international and domestic segments, with more moderate growth in domestic traffic due to a strong comparison base in January 2025. Domestic traffic remained largely flat year-over-year, with Bariloche, Cordoba, Iguazu and Mendoza ranking among the top summer destinations. International traffic also remained strong, rising 21.8% year-over-year, supported by temporary summer routes such as Ezeiza-Florianopolis operated by LATAM and Mendoza-Rio de Janeiro operated by GOL. Aerolineas Argentinas launched additional seasonal routes, including Tucuman-Florianopolis, Salta-Florianopolis, Buenos Aires (AEP)-Cabo Frio, and Cordoba-Aruba, among others, while Copa and JetSMART also increased frequencies on their Cordoba-Panama and Buenos Aires-Asuncion routes, respectively.

In Italy, passenger traffic increased 4.0% YoY, driven by growth in international traffic, partially offset by a decline in domestic traffic. International passenger traffic, which accounted for nearly 80% of total traffic, rose 7.2% YoY, reflecting solid performance at both Florence and Pisa airports. Domestic passenger traffic declined 6.0% YoY, primarily due to lower volumes at Florence and Pisa, as adverse weather conditions during the month led to flight cancellations and diversions.

In Brazil, total passenger traffic increased by a strong 15.6% YoY, reflecting improved traffic trends despite ongoing challenges in the aviation environment. Domestic traffic, which accounted for almost 60% of total traffic, rose 13.3% YoY, while transit passengers increased 18.7% YoY. International traffic, although representing a small share of total traffic (5%), grew 13.9% YoY.

In Uruguay, total passenger traffic, predominantly international, increased 1.0% YoY, supported by additional flight frequencies to accommodate strong summer-season demand. Among other developments, GOL launched a new Montevideo-Fortaleza route and resumed its Sao Paulo-Punta del Este and Buenos Aires-Punta del Este services for the summer season. Aerolineas Argentinas also increased frequencies on its Buenos Aires-Punta del Este route and introduced a new Cordoba-Punta del Este service.

In Ecuador, where security concerns persist, passenger traffic increased by 4.9% YoY. International traffic increased by 4.6% YoY, while domestic traffic increased by 6.8% YoY. High airfares continued to weigh on travel demand.

In Armenia, passenger traffic increased by 10.1% YoY This result was supported by the introduction of new airlines and routes, as well as increased flight frequencies. In October, Wizz Air launched a new base at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, deploying two aircraft and adding ten new direct routes to Europe.

Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements

Cargo volume decreased by 6.2% YoY, with negative YoY contributions from all countries of operations, except for Armenia. Performance by country was as follows: Armenia (+11.9%), Ecuador (-4.7%), Brazil (-5.0%), Argentina (-7.1%), Uruguay (-17.4%), and Italy (-23.1%). Argentina, Brazil, and Armenia accounted for 80% of total cargo volume in January.

Aircraft movements increased by 4.3% YoY, with positive contributions from all countries of operation, except for Ecuador: Brazil (+8.8%), Uruguay (+5.8%), Argentina (+5.1%), Italy (+5.0%), Armenia (+3.3%), and Ecuador (-7.8%). Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador accounted for more than 80% of total aircraft movements in January.

Summary Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements (2026 vs. 2025) Jan'26 Jan'25 % Var. Passenger Traffic (thousands) Argentina 4,553 4,218 7.9% Italy 504 485 4.0% Brazil 1,483 1,283 15.6% Uruguay 245 243 1.0% Ecuador 392 373 4.9% Armenia 432 393 10.1% TOTAL 7,609 6,995 8.8%

Cargo Volume (tons) Argentina 16,406 17,658 -7.1% Italy 825 1,073 -23.1% Brazil 4,212 4,434 -5.0% Uruguay 2,438 2,950 -17.4% Ecuador 2,678 2,811 -4.7% Armenia 3,500 3,128 11.9% TOTAL 30,058 32,054 -6.2% Aircraft Movements Argentina 43,193 41,116 5.1% Italy 4,750 4,524 5.0% Brazil 12,043 11,072 8.8% Uruguay 4,127 3,899 5.8% Ecuador 6,316 6,853 -7.8% Armenia 3,252 3,148 3.3% TOTAL 73,681 70,612 4.3%

About Corporacion America Airports

Corporacion America Airports acquires, develops and operates airport concessions. Currently, the Company operates 52 airports in 6 countries across Latin America and Europe (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia and Italy). In 2025, Corporacion America Airports served 86.7 million passengers, 9.8% above the 79.0 million passengers served in 2024. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker "CAAP". For more information, visit http://investors.corporacionamericaairports.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224410396/en/

Contacts:

Investor Relations Contact

Patricio Inaki Esnaola

Email: patricio.esnaola@caairports.com

Phone: +5411 4899-6716
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) (the "Company" or "ALUULA") is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced "best efforts" brokered private placement of 4,273,475 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$3.30 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$14,102,467.50 (the "Offering"), which includes the exercise in full of the Agent's option to offer for sale additional Units. The Offering was conducted on a "best efforts" basis by Canaccord Genuity Corp. as sole agent and bookrunner (the "Agent").

Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$4.29 per share at any time on or before that date which is 24 months after the closing date of the Offering. The Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants if the Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), or any other Canadian stock exchange on which they are then listed, at a volume weighted average price of C$8.25 or more per Common Share for thirty (30) consecutive trading days, subject to the terms of the Warrants. The Warrants are non-transferable.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Agent a cash commission of C$730,798.61 and issued 221,454 warrants to the Agent (the "Agent Warrants"), representing a cash commission of 7.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering (reduced to 2.5% of the gross proceeds for Units sold to purchasers on the president's list) and Agent Warrants in an amount equal to 7.0% of the number of Units sold (reduced to 2.5% for Units sold to purchasers on the president's list). Each Agent Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share of the Company at the Offering Price for a period of 30 months from the closing date of the Offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for expansion of manufacturing capacity, building a new facility and for general administrative and working capital, including the repayment of principal and interest owing to 0876991 B.C. Ltd pursuant to the Company's C$1,000,000 promissory note (previously disclosed on January 12, 2026).

The Units were offered (i) by way of the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the "Order", and together with the exemptions under Part 5A of NI 45-106, the "LIFE Exemption"), in all of the provinces and territories of Canada, (ii) in the United States pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iii) in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States provided that no prospectus filing or comparable obligation, ongoing reporting requirement or requisite regulatory or governmental approval was required in such other jurisdictions. Pursuant to NI 45-106 and the Order, the Units issued to Canadian residents under the Offering will not be subject to resale restrictions. The Company is relying on the LIFE Exemption and is qualified to distribute securities in reliance on the exemptions included therein. Securities issued to the Agent in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering. The Offering remains subject to final acceptance of the TSXV.

Concurrently with the closing of the Offering, four directors of the Company exercised warrants and stock options of the Company at exercise prices ranging from C$0.61 to C$2.00 per Common Share, for aggregate proceeds of C$500,000.00 and resulting in the issuance of 278,484 Common Shares. In addition, 10 directors and officers of the Company entered into voluntary 180 day lock-up agreements restricting them from selling during this period.

Pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Company advises that one subscriber who purchased 18,200 Units under the Offering is considered to be a related party of the Company and 0876991 B.C. Ltd. is a related party of the Company, such that the repayment of the promissory note to 0876991 B.C. Ltd. and the insider's participation in the Offering constitute related party transactions for the purposes of MI 61-101. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation requirements contained in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and from the minority shareholder approval requirements contained in section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the related party transactions does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

The securities offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. 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.

About ALUULA Composites Inc.

ALUULA is an ultra-light, high performance and recycle-ready composite materials brand that enhances the performance of outdoor gear as well as commercial and industrial equipment. Proudly owned and manufactured on the Canadian west coast, ALUULA's innovation is driven by a deep understanding that equipment does not need to sacrifice performance for sustainability. ALUULA's materials are known for their unique construction capabilities and their ability to make products lighter, stronger, and more sustainable.

www.aluula.com | (TSXV: AUUA)

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to the use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company's ability to obtain the final approval of the TSXV. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates", "anticipated", "expected", "intends", "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different, including receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the timing thereof. Although management of the Company have 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. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Not for Distribution to US Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285035

Source: ALUULA Composites Inc.
The model, available for testing in Oura Labs, enhances Oura Advisor with clinician-curated knowledge tailored to support women

OURA, maker of the world's leading smart ring, today announced its first-ever proprietary large language model designed for women's health. Rolling out for testing in Oura Labs, the new model within the Oura Advisor experience draws from a broad foundation of established medical standards, research, and knowledge sources reviewed by OURA's in-house team of board-certified clinicians and women's health experts, and integrates biometric signals and long-term trends to deliver personalized, evidence-based guidance.

Clinically informed and rigorously vetted, the model supports questions spanning the full reproductive health spectrum, from early menstrual cycles through menopause. Customized to reflect women's unique physiology and lived health experiences, it marks a significant evolution in OURA's approach to AI-shifting from applying general-purpose AI tools toward more personalized, empathetic, and clinically informed conversations designed for specific health use cases.

"This custom model is a fundamental shift in how we responsibly deploy AI in health to meet the needs of our members," said Ricky Bloomfield, MD, chief medical officer at OURA. "Women's health is too complex-and too often overlooked-to rely on one-size-fits-all systems. By designing a model specifically for women and grounding it in trusted clinical science and real-world biometric data, we're setting the standard for how responsible intelligence should be built and expanded across more areas of health, pairing rigorous science with the lived, longitudinal data that makes OURA uniquely powerful."

Establishing a New Standard for Health AI

Across the broader landscape of health information, AI has already become a first stop for many: a 2025 survey found that nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults go online to look up health symptoms or conditions, and almost two-thirds of them report seeing AI-generated responses in their results. As people-and women in particular-increasingly turn to AI for guidance on everything from cycle changes to perimenopause symptoms, the need for models that are clinically grounded, context-aware, and designed specifically for their health experiences has never been more important.

The new women's health model represents OURA's first custom large language model, building on Oura Advisor's existing combination of generative AI, health-sensing algorithms, and OURA's extensive biometric tracking to deliver more accurate, reliable, and accessible health guidance for women. This foundation allows Oura Advisor to interpret questions through the lens of women's physiology, cycles, and life stages, adding critical context where general-purpose AI models can fall short.

When members ask Advisor a women's health question, it prompts the new model to reference its curated body of women's health research and knowledge sources, while also analyzing relevant biometric signals and longitudinal trends across sleep, activity, cycle and pregnancy data, stress, and more. It is intentionally tuned to be non-dismissive, reassuring, and emotionally supportive, helping women feel seen and equipped to have more informed and confident conversations with their providers.

"Women's health questions are often deeply personal and high-stakes, and they deserve answers that can be trusted," said Chris Curry, MD, clinical director of women's health at OURA and board-certified OB/GYN. "With this model, we're providing the kind of preparation and insight that I wish every one of my patients had before coming to their appointment. For example, if someone asks, 'Why has my cycle suddenly become irregular, and is that something to worry about?' Oura Advisor can walk them through what's typical, what their data may be showing, and what would be most helpful to surface in conversations with their provider. It translates complex science into clear, compassionate, always-available guidance-helping women connect what they're feeling with what they're seeing in their data, and allowing them to walk into discussions about their health more informed, confident, and in control of their decisions."

Member-Led, Privacy-First Testing

OURA's new custom women's health model is built on the belief that advancements in AI should not come at the expense of privacy, a principle reflected in its privacy-first foundation. It is hosted entirely on OURA-controlled infrastructure, and conversations are never shared or sold.

This owned-and-operated model is a significant first step in OURA's vision for private AI, as outlined last year. OURA's clinical and technical staff developed the women's health model, leveraging the knowledge-graph technology of webAI. OURA, In partnership with webAI, is working on the leading edge of AI innovation to enable a privacy-first architecture that optimizes for performance and user experience.

Participation in Oura Labs is entirely optional, and members can choose not to join or to opt out at any time. Oura Labs serves as a space for testing and learning, where new innovations are evaluated in partnership with members and continuously improved through real-world engagement and feedback before being refined, removed, or integrated into the core app experience.

Women who opt in to test the new model in Oura Labs play an active role in shaping its development. By contributing feedback, members help transform individual experiences into collective intelligence-unlocking deeper insights across cycles, fertility, pregnancy, hormonal health, and more, and accelerating progress in how women's health is understood and supported.

About OURA

OURA delivers personalized health data, insights, and daily guidance with Oura Ring, the leading smart ring that helps you live healthier, longer. Guided by a mission to shift healthcare from sick care to prevention, OURA supports millions of members worldwide across sleep, activity, stress, readiness, women's health, and heart health. Scientifically validated against medical gold standards, the lightweight Oura Ring tracks 50+ health metrics continuously, empowering both individuals and thousands of research teams, healthcare providers, and organizations. With 1,000 ecosystem partners across wellness and medicine, OURA is advancing the future of preventative health.

Founded in Finland in 2013, OURA has E.U. headquarters in Oulu and U.S. headquarters in San Francisco. OURA was last valued at approximately $11B-making it the world's most valuable standalone wearable company. Learn more at ouraring.com or connect with OURA on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Oura Ring is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, monitor, or prevent medical conditions or illnesses.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224023927/en/

Contacts:

press@ouraring.com
EQS-News: CORESTATE CAPITAL HOLDING S.A. / Bekanntmachung der Einberufung zur Hauptversammlung

CORESTATE CAPITAL HOLDING S.A.: Bekanntmachung der Einberufung zur Hauptversammlung am 25.03.2026 in Luxemburg mit dem Ziel der europaweiten Verbreitung gema 121 AktG



24.02.2026 / 15:05 CET/CEST

Bekanntmachung gema 121 AktG, ubermittelt durch EQS News

- ein Service der EQS Group .

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.



CORESTATE CAPITAL HOLDING S.A. 9, Grand-Rue, L-1661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Registered with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register

under registration number B 199780

Luxembourg, 24 February 2026 CONVENING NOTICE TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS

The chief executive officer (the CEO) and sole director of Corestate Capital Holding S.A. (the Company) hereby convenes all shareholders to the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the Meeting), which shall be held on 25 March 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CET at Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg, Quartier Europeen Nord, 6, rue Fort Niedergrunewald, L-2226 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

with the agenda set out below. I. Quorum and majority requirements

Pursuant to the Company's articles of association (the Articles) and applicable law, resolutions at the Meeting are adopted by a simple majority of the votes validly cast, regardless of the portion of capital represented. II. Agenda 01 APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR (CABINET DE REVISION AGREE) FOR THE FINANCIAL YEARS 2022 TO 2026

The CEO and the supervisory board of the Company (the Supervisory Board) propose that the Meeting approves the appointment of KPMG Audit S.a r.l., with registered office at 39, John F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (KPMG), as independent auditor (cabinet de revision agree) for the stand-alone annual accounts and consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial years 2022 to 2026 (inclusive). 02 PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF THE STAND-ALONE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022, OF THE APPROVED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022, THE AUDITOR REPORT RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022 AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022

The Supervisory Board has not made any comments on the stand-alone annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements for the financial year 2022 as drawn up by the CEO (the 2022 Financial Statements), or on the report prepared by the CEO (the 2022 Management Report) and the report of the independent auditor relating to the 2022 Financial Statements (the 2022 Auditor Report). The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves the 2022 Financial Statements in accordance with article 461-7 of the Luxembourg act on commercial companies dated 10 August 1915, as amended (the Companies Act). 03 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LOSS OF THE COMPANY MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022

The CEO proposes that the Meeting acknowledges that the Company made a loss with respect to the financial year 2022 in an aggregate amount of EUR 867,089,349.07 (the 2022 Loss). The CEO notes that as a result of the 2022 Loss, the net assets of the Company continue to stand below one quarter of the Company's share capital. The CEO notes that the Company's shareholders had, at the occasion of an extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 14 July 2023, approved the continuation of the activities of the Company despite the losses of the Company, in accordance with article 480-2 of the Companies Act. The CEO proposes that the Meeting resolves to (i) set off the 2022 Loss against the profits and reserves carried forward from the previous financial year and (ii) carry forward the balance of losses in an aggregate amount of EUR 768,412,207.82 to the next financial year. 04 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Mr Udo Giegerich for the performance of his mandate as member of the management board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Udo Giegerich for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 05 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Mrs Izabela Danner for the performance of her mandate as member of the management board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mrs Izabela Danner for the performance of her duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 06 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Mr Ralf Struckmeyer for the performance of his mandate as member of the management board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Ralf Struckmeyer for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 07 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Mr Stavros Efremidis for the performance of his mandate as member of the Management board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Stavros Efremidis for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 08 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Mr Stavros Efremidis for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Stavros Efremidis for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 09 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Dr. Friedrich Oelrich for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Friedrich Oelrich for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 10 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Dr. Bertrand Malmendier for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Bertrand Malmendier for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 11 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Dr. Roland Manfred Folz for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Roland Manfred Folz for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 12 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Dr. Nedim Cen for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Nedim Cen for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 13 DISCHARGE (quitus) to Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg for the performance of his mandate as member of the Supervisory Board for the financial year 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2022. 14 ADVISORY NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves, on a non-binding basis, the remuneration report for the financial year 2022 (the 2022 Remuneration Report) in accordance with the requirements of article 7ter of the Luxembourg law dated 24 May 2011 relating to the exercise of certain rights of shareholders at general meetings of listed companies, as amended (the 2011 Law). 15 ADVISORY NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE UPDATED REMUNERATION POLICY

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves, on a non-binding basis, the updated remuneration policy (the Remuneration Policy) in accordance with the requirements of article 7bis of the 2011 Law. 16 APPROVAL OF THE PARTICIPATION OF DR. SVEN-MARIAN BERNEBURG IN THE LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves that Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg may participate in the long-term incentive plan of the Company as set out in the Remuneration Policy and receive a number of 1,661,595 ordinary shares in the Company under such long-term incentive plan. 17 PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF THE STAND-ALONE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023, OF THE APPROVED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023, THE AUDITOR REPORT RELATING TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023 AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The Supervisory Board has not made any comments on the stand-alone annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements for the financial year 2023 as drawn up by the CEO (the 2023 Financial Statements and, together with the 2022 Financial Statements, the Financial Statements), or on the report prepared by the CEO (the 2023 Management Report and, together with the 2022 Management Report, the Management Reports) and the report of the independent auditor relating to the 2023 Financial Statements (the 2023 Auditor Report and, together with the 2022 Auditor Report, the Auditor Reports). The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves the 2023 Financial Statements in accordance with article 461-7 of the Companies Act. 18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROFIT OF THE COMPANY MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO proposes that the Meeting acknowledges that the Company made a profit with respect to the financial year 2023 in an aggregate amount of EUR 287,971,692.26 (the 2023 Profit). The CEO notes that despite the 2023 Profit, the net assets of the Company continue to stand below one quarter of the Company's share capital. The CEO notes that the Company's shareholders had, at the occasion of an extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 14 July 2023, approved the continuation of the activities of the Company despite the losses of the Company, in accordance with article 480-2 of the Companies Act. The CEO proposes that the Meeting resolves to (i) set off the 2023 Profit against the losses carried forward from the previous financial year and (ii) carry forward the balance of losses in an aggregate amount of EUR 480,440,515.56 to the next financial year. 19 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO MR UDO GIEGERICH FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Udo Giegerich for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 20 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO MRS IZABELA DANNER FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HER MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mrs Izabela Danner for the performance of her duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 21 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO MR STEPHAN GOTSCHEL FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Mr Stephan Gotschel for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 22 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO DR. NEDIM CEN FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Nedim Cen for the performance of his duties as member of the Management Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 23 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO DR. NEDIM CEN FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Nedim Cen for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 24 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO DR. BERTRAND MALMENDIER FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Bertrand Malmendier for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 25 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO DR. SVEN-MARIAN BERNEBURG FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 26 DISCHARGE (QUITUS) TO DR. CARLOS MACK FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS MANDATE AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting grants discharge (quitus) to Dr. Carlos Mack for the performance of his duties as member of the Supervisory Board for, and in connection with, the financial year 2023. 27 CONFIRMATION AND APPOINTMENT OF MR ANDREAS PAUL UELHOFF AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting (i) confirms the appointment by co-optation of Mr Andreas Paul Uelhoff as member of the Supervisory Board, with effect as of 1 January 2025 and (ii) appoints Mr Andreas Paul Uelhoff as member of the Supervisory Board, for a term of office ending after the annual general meeting of the Company approving the annual accounts of the Company of the financial year ending on 31 December 2027. Further information about the proposed candidate is available on the Company's website at www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting" and will be available for inspection during the Meeting. 28 CONFIRMATION AND APPOINTMENT OF MR WOLFGANG BAUER AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting (i) confirms the appointment by co-optation of Mr Wolfgang Bauer as member of the Supervisory Board, with effect as of 1 January 2025 and (ii) appoints Mr Wolfgang Bauer as member of the Supervisory Board for a term of office ending after the annual general meeting of the Company approving the annual accounts of the Company of the financial year ending on 31 December 2027. Further information about the proposed candidate is available on the Company's website at www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting" and will be available for inspection during the Meeting. 29 APPOINTMENT OF DR. SVEN-MARIAN BERNEBURG AS MEMBER OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting appoints Dr. Sven-Marian Berneburg as member of the Supervisory Board for a term of office ending after the annual general meeting of the Company approving the annual accounts of the Company of the financial year ending on 31 December 2029. 30 ADVISORY NON-BINDING VOTE ON THE REMUNERATION REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2023

The CEO and the Supervisory Board propose that the Meeting approves, on a non-binding basis, the remuneration report for the financial year 2023 (the 2023 Remuneration Report and, together with the 2022 Remuneration Report, the Remuneration Reports) in accordance with the requirements of article 7ter of the 2011 Law. III. Total number of shares

On the date of the convening of the Meeting, the Company's subscribed share capital equals EUR 30,000, represented by 166,159,451 shares without nominal value, all of which are fully paid up. Each share carries one vote, it being noted that the 16,390,892 shares currently held by Corestate Capital Advisors GmbH are considered as treasury shares and the voting rights attached to such shares are therefore suspended. The total number of voting rights is therefore 149,768,559. IV. Available information and documentation

The following information is available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting" and at the Company's registered office in Luxembourg, as of the day of the publication of this convening notice: (i) full text of any document to be made available by the Company at the Meeting, including draft resolutions in relation to the above agenda items to be adopted at the Meeting and related documents (i.e. inter alia the Financial Statements, the Management Reports, the Supervisory Board reports, the Auditor Reports and the Remuneration Reports); (ii) this convening notice; (iii) the total number of shares and attached voting rights issued by the Company as of the date of publication of this convening notice; (iv) the proxy form as further mentioned below; and (v) the correspondence voting form as further mentioned below. V. Attendance

Each shareholder shall, on or before the Record Date (as defined below) indicate to the Company their intention to participate at the Meeting. The participation at the Meeting and the exercise of voting rights attached to the shares held by a shareholder is determined in relation to the number of shares held by each shareholder at 11:59 p.m. (CET) on the 14th day prior to the Meeting (11 March 2026) (the Record Date). Shareholders must produce an attestation from their depository bank stating the number of shares held by the shareholder on the Record Date in order to be permitted to exercise their rights at the Meeting. Attestations must be received by the Company (by fax or e-mail) on 19 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CET) at the latest, followed by the original by regular mail, to: Corestate Capital Holding S.A.

c/o GFEI HV GmbH

Ostergrube 11

30559 Hannover

Germany

Fax: +49 511 47402319

E-Mail: HV@gfei.de Attestation forms are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting". VI. Representation

Shareholders may appoint a proxy holder in writing, who does not need to be a shareholder of the Company, to attend the Meeting on their behalf. In order for the proxy form to take effect, the Company must be provided with an attestation by the depository bank relating to the shareholder and proving their status as shareholder at the beginning of the Meeting at the latest. The duly completed and signed proxy form (by fax or e-mail) must be received by the Company on 19 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CET) at the latest, followed by the original by regular mail to the address mentioned under item V. (Attendance) above. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with proxy forms received after such date will not be possible. Proxy forms are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting". VII. Vote by correspondence

Shareholders may also vote by correspondence. Please note that such form must be fully completed, signed and sent back to the Company in two originals. Voting forms which do not specify how a vote shall be counted or if the vote is retained, are void (nul). Voting forms must in any event include an attestation from the depository bank stating the number of shares held by the shareholder on the Record Date (see V. Attendance) as attachment. The duly completed and signed voting forms (by fax or e-mail) must be received by the Company on 19 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CET) at the latest, followed by the original by regular mail to the address mentioned under item V. (Attendance) above. Exercise of voting rights of shares in connection with voting forms received after such date will not be possible. Voting forms are available on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting". VIII. Additional important information for shareholders

Shareholders are hereby informed that the exercise of voting rights is exclusively reserved to such persons that were shareholders on the Record Date (or their duly appointed proxyholders). Transfer of shares after the Record Date is possible subject to usual transfer limitations, as applicable. However, any transferee having become owner of shares after the Record Date has no right to vote at the Meeting. One or more shareholder(s) representing at least 5% of the Company's share capital may request the addition of items to the agenda of the Meeting or table draft resolutions for items included or to be included on the agenda of the Meeting by sending such requests (by fax, post or e-mail) at the latest on 3 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (CET) to the contact information mentioned under item V. (Attendance) above. Such request will only be accepted by the Company provided it includes (i) the wording of the agenda point, (ii) the wording of a proposed resolution pertaining to such agenda point or a justification, and (iii) an e-mail address and a postal address to which the Company may correspond and confirm receipt of the request. If you have questions regarding the Meeting feel free to call our meeting hotline +49 511 47402310 or send us an e-mail at hv@gfei.de (meeting hotline available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CET except on bank holidays in Luxembourg or Germany). IX. Data Protection Notice

Since the European Data Protection Act came into effect, data protection laws and regulations apply throughout Europe from 25 May 2018 onwards. The protection of your data and the legally compliant processing of your data have a high priority for us. In our data protection notice for shareholders, we have summarized all information regarding the processing of personal data of our shareholders in a clear and structured way. The data protection notice for shareholders can be retrieved and is available for viewing and downloading on the Company's website under www.corestate-capital.com in the segment "Investor Relations" > "Corporate Governance & General Meeting" > "General Meeting". The direct link is:

https://corestate-capital.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260219_Data-Protection-AGM-2026.pdf X. Language

Please note that the Meeting will be held in German language.

Luxembourg, 24 February 2026

Corestate Capital Holding S.A., Societe Anonyme The CEO



24.02.2026 CET/CEST Die EQS Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen.

Originalinhalt anzeigen: EQS News
SAN FRANCISCO - February 24, 2026 - Bitwise Asset Management, Inc., the global crypto asset manager with over $15 billion in client assets, today announced the acquisition of Chorus One, an institutional staking provider with over $2.2 billion in staked assets.

Chorus One will become a part of Bitwise Onchain Solutions ("BOS"), the staking division of Bitwise, which supports several billion dollars in staked crypto assets. BOS primarily serves institutional investors, family offices, and financial platforms that value the combination of Bitwise's fiduciary approach, track record of reliability, and native technical expertise. The acquisition accelerates BOS's capabilities, including:

Expanded staking capabilities on over 30 proof-of-stake networks, including Solana, Hyperliquid, Monad, Avalanche, Sui, NEAR, Aptos, Tezos, TON, and others

Addition of 60 experienced technology professionals

Research coverage for clients on protocol and governance developments

"For our clients who hold spot crypto assets, staking represents a potential growth area," said Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley. "I'm thrilled about this acquisition and grateful to the Chorus One team for the trust placed in us. We believe Chorus One has strong capabilities in technology and research, with an eight-year track record. We look forward to integrating their capabilities with Bitwise Onchain Solutions."

Since its inception in 2018, Chorus One's team of infrastructure experts and researchers has built relationships with a global client base, including family offices, high-net-worth individuals, funds, traditional financial institutions, exchanges, custodians, and decentralized protocols.

"The Chorus One team shares our commitment to technical rigor, open-source contribution, and deep research," said Bitwise Chief Technology Officer Hong Kim. "With the foundation of Bitwise Onchain Solutions already in place, the integration of Chorus One is expected to enhance our capabilities to serve clients and our commitment to industry-leading infrastructure and research."

"Chorus One was built on the idea that investors deserve secure, professional access to the entire Proof-of-Stake landscape," said Chorus One CEO and Co-founder Brian Crain. "We started with a belief that Proof-of-Stake would become the foundation of the digital economy. As we've grown to support over 50 networks, our core focus has always been on reliability, security, and performance. Joining Bitwise is a natural evolution; they share our focus on meeting the sophisticated needs of investors. We look forward to continuing our work in the onchain economy as part of this established firm."

The core Chorus One team will join Bitwise, while Co-founder Brian Crain will join in an advisory role. With this acquisition, Bitwise now has nearly 200 employees worldwide, expanding its presence in the digital asset space.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) served as exclusive financial advisor to Chorus One for this acquisition.

About Bitwise

Bitwise is a crypto specialist asset manager with over $15 billion in client assets. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has been managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies - spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

Media contacts:

JEA Associates

John McLeod

00 44 7886 920436

john@jeaassociates.com

Important information

This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, opinions are those of Bitwise and do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy any financial products or cryptocurrencies. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH ("BEU"), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that certain products may not be available in all jurisdictions or may be offered exclusively to professional or qualified investors, as defined under applicable laws and regulations, including MiFID II (EU), the Financial Services and Markets Act (UK), and the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA). Investors should consult their legal or financial advisors for guidance before making any financial decision. References to ISK relate to account wrapper availability only and do not constitute tax advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. For more details, please visit our website or contact us directly via europe@bitwiseinvestments.com.

Opinions are those of Bitwise at the date of publication. They can change and there is no guarantee they will be met.

Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products ("ETPs"), potential investors should consider the following:

Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.
ROSWELL, GA / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / PBS Aerospace, the leading manufacturer of precision-made turbojet engines purpose-built for the modern battlefield, today announced it has signed a significant subcontract agreement with Zone 5 Technologies, Inc. The agreement is valued at several tens of millions of dollars.

The multi-year subcontract supports PBS Aerospace's U.S. manufacturing operations for precision-made turbojet engines serving defense applications.

"This agreement represents a significant commitment to expanding our U.S. defense manufacturing capabilities," said Erin Durham, CEO of PBS Aerospace. "Our Georgia facility is operational and scaling production to meet the demands of customers who require reliable, high-performance propulsion systems."

PBS Aerospace manufactures the PBS TJ40 turbojet engines with a thrust of approximately 100 lbs and the PBS TJ80 with a maximum thrust of 200 lbs, designed for rapid deployment and integration into missile and unmanned systems, where size, weight and performance represent key mission-critical requirements.

"PBS Group's investment in U.S. manufacturing infrastructure reflects our commitment to supporting national security priorities through proximity to customers, agile production capabilities and adherence to U.S. defense standards," said Petr Kadner, CEO of PBS GROUP.

The agreement follows the September 2025 opening of PBS Aerospace's U.S. headquarters in Roswell, Georgia, backed by a $20 million investment by PBS GROUP owner William Didden to scale U.S. production of precision-made turbojet engines.

"This agreement demonstrates that PBS Aerospace has the operational maturity and capacity to serve as a long-term industrial contributor to U.S. defense priorities," said PBS GROUP Owner William Didden.

About PBS Aerospace

PBS Aerospace Inc. is a subsidiary of PBS GROUP, an engineering holding company and has been an established brand for over 200 years. PBS Aerospace Inc. has had a presence in the U.S. market for more than 10 years and focuses on providing highly reliable turbojet engines for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers. For more information, visit https://www.pbsaerospace.com .

About PBS GROUP

PBS GROUP, a manufacturer of aviation technology, is synonymous with innovation in the field of high-precision engineering. It is a renowned manufacturer of jet engines. With its main production facility in Velka Bites and growing production capacities in the USA, the company has become a major global player in the field of defense and civil technologies. PBS GROUP has long been involved in the development of modern aviation technologies that support the defense projects of NATO and its allies, as well as in civil aviation.

PBS Aerospace Media Contact:

PBS@Escalatepr.com

https://www.pbsaerospace.com

SOURCE: PBS Aerospace

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/aerospace-and-defense/pbs-aerospace-announces-subcontract-agreement-with-zone-5-technologies-1140451
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Visit Chile at Booth #1349 at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC) Convention at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) from Sunday, March 1 to Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

About Chile

As it has traditionally done since 2001, the leading stakeholders of Chile's mining sector will gather from March 1 to 4 in Toronto to strengthen ties and explore new opportunities for investment and collaboration.The Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, will lead the national delegation attending a new edition of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 convention-a strategic platform for discussions on mineral exploration, investment attraction, project development, and mining innovation. The event brings together more than 27,000 participants from 125 countries and is held annually beginning on the first Sunday of March at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Canada.Chile's PDAC 2026 agenda will begin on Saturday, February 28, with an informal gathering of the entire delegation to review the program of activities in Toronto and foster collaboration. On Sunday, March 1, formal activities at the Chile Pavilion will commence. The pavilion, a 56 m space located at Booth No. 1349, will serve as a central meeting point.On Monday, March 2, starting at 8:30 a.m., the Chile Seminar will take place, focusing on investment opportunities and sustainable mining. Later that same day, at 6:30 p.m., the traditional "Wines and Mines" cocktail reception will be held-an important networking opportunity for international guests and Chilean representatives to connect in a more relaxed and informal setting.The final milestone on Chile's agenda will take place on Tuesday, March 3, with a business matchmaking session organized by InvestChile.The public-private delegation traveling to Canada includes representatives from the Ministry of Mining; the National Mining Society (SONAMI); the Center for Copper and Mining Studies (CESCO); the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, InvestChile; and the Export Promotion Bureau, ProChile.Visitors to the Chile Pavilion will have access to key resources such as the Exploration Catalogue, prepared by the Ministry of Mining and InvestChile. Now in its seventh edition, the catalogue features a total of 47 initiatives. Also highlighted is the Export-Oriented Mining Suppliers Portfolio, an initiative stemming from the Mining Suppliers Development Roundtable. Developed by Alta Ley Corporation in collaboration with the Ministry of Mining and ProChile, the portfolio includes summary profiles of 69 Chilean science- and technology-based companies that are well established in the domestic market and are either already exporting or have export potential and an interest in expanding internationally.Chile invites all PDAC 2026 participants to visit the Chile Pavilion at Booth No. 1349 to learn more about the country's dynamic mining ecosystem, explore investment opportunities, and connect with key public and private sector leaders shaping the future of sustainable mining.

About PDAC

The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention is the leading convention for people, governments, companies and organizations connected to mineral exploration. In addition to meeting more than 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 26,000 attendees in person in 2024, participants could also attend programming, courses and networking events.

The annual convention is held in Toronto, Canada. It has grown in size, stature and influence since it began in 1932 and today is the event of choice for the world's mineral industry.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://www.pdac.ca/convention.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information:

Source: Newsfile Partner Event
PALM COAST, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / Palm Coast will soon welcome Kensington at Old Kings Senior Living, an affordable, villa-style apartment community created for seniors seeking comfort, independence, and value. Now pre-leasing for a Spring 2026 opening, Kensington at Old Kings combines a neighborhood setting with the convenience and flexibility of rental living.

This thoughtfully planned community features villa-style residences that create a true neighborhood atmosphere, offering seniors a more personal, residential experience than traditional apartment living. Kensington at Old Kings is committed to affordability, providing high-quality senior housing that makes it easier to enjoy life without the stress of homeownership costs or ongoing maintenance.

Offering one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom-with-den floor plans with pricing starting as low as $1,134, $1,284, and $1,524, the community creates an exciting opportunity for residents to enjoy spacious, villa-style living while maintaining true affordability. Select villas will include attached garages and/or expanded paver patios, providing added convenience and outdoor living space that enhance the villa-style experience. At the center of the community is a welcoming resident clubhouse and lounge, designed for connection and enjoyment. Residents will have space to gather, relax, and socialize, highlighted by a classic 1965 Mustang pool table that adds a fun, nostalgic amenity to the community.

Professionally managed by ConcordRENTS-a national leader in high-quality, customer-focused affordable housing across Florida-Kensington at Old Kings Senior Living is now officially pre-leasing. With interest growing rapidly among seniors eager for an attainable, villa-style living in Palm Coast, prospective residents are encouraged to act quickly to secure their brand-new apartment home. You can explore your options by visiting KensingtonatOldKingsSeniorLiving.com or by contacting our leasing team at 386-359-3989. To discover additional housing opportunities across Florida and learn more about the long-term commitment to excellence at ConcordRENTS, please visit www.ConcordRENTS.com.

SOURCE: ConcordRENTS

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/kensington-at-old-kings-senior-living-brings-affordable-villa-style-apartment-living-to-1140103
Rise in awareness about mental health is one of the major factors that foster the growth of the market. It helps foster scalable systems to manage records, appointments, and treatment plans for specialized software solutions. Advancements in technologies help improve mental health conditions.

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The global mental health software market is experiencing sustained expansion; valued at $4.8 billion in 2023, the market is projected to grow to $14.6 billion by 2033, reflecting a steady CAGR of 11.7% between 2024 and 2033. This growth reflects a fundamental shift in how mental health services are delivered, managed, and prioritized worldwide.

Why the Market Is Experiencing Growth?

AI tools help assess and treat mental health conditions as well. These tools help clinicians analyze behavioral patterns, support diagnostic decisions, and personalize treatment recommendations.

Mental health software platforms play an important role in enabling secure video visits, digital documentation, and remote patient monitoring. Many governments are investing in digital health infrastructure and expanding reimbursement policies for mental health services. Public funding and regulatory support help create favorable conditions for digital mental health tools to scale.

Request Sample of the Report on Global Mental Health Software Market 2033 -

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5822

How Are AI, Automation, or Advanced Analytics Enhancing Efficiency and Outcomes?

AI, automation, and advanced analytics drive efficiency and better outcomes in the mental health software. These technologies help reduce administrative burden, improve accuracy, and support targeted and effective decision-making. Administrative tasks are adopting automation to save time. Automated reminders for appointments and therapy exercises help improve attendance and participation. Artificial intelligence helps enhance assessment accuracy and can process data from user-reported inputs. It helps identify patterns that may not be obvious to clinicians. This capability speeds up the evaluation process and supports early detection of emerging issues such as risk of relapse or crisis situations.

Predictive analytics help analyze user data and predict early signs. This helps with early intervention and reduces the risk of worsening symptoms. It helps improve clinical outcomes by suggesting personalized content or therapy paths based on user progress and behavior. Machine learning models also help organisations allocate resources efficiently.

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Market Segmentation

The mental health software industry is segmented into software type, solution, end user and region. By software type, the market is segmented into clinical functionality, administrative functionality, telehealth solutions, e-prescribing, and others. By solution, it is bifurcated into integrated software, and standalone software. As per end user, it is segmented into community clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

How Are Companies Addressing Supply Chain and Cost Challenges?

One key strategy is the use of cloud-based infrastructure. By leveraging cloud service providers, companies reduce the need for physical servers and in-house IT management. Cloud systems offer scalability, flexibility, and lower upfront investment costs. This approach allows vendors to adjust capacity based on demand while controlling operational expenses.

Another solution is automation of internal processes. Companies are using AI-driven tools to automate customer support, billing management, scheduling, and onboarding processes. Automation reduces staffing costs and improves efficiency. For example, AI chatbots can handle basic inquiries, reducing the need for large support teams. Organizations are also focusing on subscription-based revenue models. Instead of one-time software sales, many mental health platforms operate on monthly or annual subscription plans. This ensures predictable cash flow and improves financial stability.

Partnerships are another way to manage costs. Mental health software companies collaborate with hospitals, insurance providers, employers, and educational institutions. These partnerships expand user bases without high marketing expenses. Corporate wellness contracts, for example, allow vendors to serve large employee populations efficiently.

For Purchase Related Queries/Inquiry - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5822

Competitive Landscape

Key companies operating in the mental health software market include:

Oracle Corporation

Valant Medical Solutions Inc

CloudMD Software & Services Inc.

Welligent Inc.

BestNotes

Netsmart Technologies Inc.

New Directions Behavioral Health

Accumedic Computer Systems

Planet DDS Inc.

Qualifacts Systems, LLC

What Are the Major Risks and Challenges Faced by the Players in the Market?

One of the biggest challenges is data privacy and cybersecurity risk. Mental health data is highly sensitive. Any data breach can seriously damage patient trust and lead to legal consequences for providers and software companies. Strict regulations such as HIPAA in the United States and GDPR in Europe require companies to maintain strong data protection systems. Compliance increases operational complexity and cost.

Another major challenge is regulatory uncertainty, especially regarding artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools. Many mental health platforms use AI for assessments, chatbots, and predictive analytics. However, regulations for AI in healthcare are still evolving. Companies must ensure clinical validation, transparency, and ethical use of algorithms. Delays in regulatory approvals can slow product launches.

Clinical credibility and evidence validation also remain key concerns. Some mental health apps enter the market without strong scientific backing. Healthcare professionals may hesitate to recommend solutions that lack peer-reviewed studies or proven outcomes. Without evidence-based validation, adoption among hospitals and clinics can remain limited.

What Is the Long-Term Outlook for the Market?

The long-term outlook for the mental health software market remains highly positive. Rise in awareness of mental health conditions, surge in digital adoption, and expansion of telehealth infrastructure are expected to support sustained growth over the next decade. Factors such as workplace stress, social pressures, and aging populations increase mental health impacts which surge the need for accessible support systems.

Telehealth is likely to remain a permanent component of healthcare delivery. Patients expect flexible and remote options for therapy and counseling. Integration with wearable devices and real-time monitoring systems will also enhance preventive care. Early detection models can reduce hospitalization rates and improve long-term patient outcomes. Preventive digital care may become a cost-saving strategy for insurers and governments.

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Summary

Continuous telehealth normalization and integration of AI-driven analytics are the major factors that drive the growth of the mental health software market. Further, surge in efficiency, accessibility, and patient outcomes also fuel the growth of the market.

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the mental health software market analysis from 2024 to 2033 to identify the prevailing Mental Health Software Market Opportunity. The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities. Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

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The growing prevalence of infectious diseases, increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the rising demand for rapid diagnostic solutions are the key drivers of growth in the global clinical microbiology market. The increasing need for accurate and timely pathogen detection, along with advancements in molecular diagnostics and automated systems, are also contributing to the market's expansion.

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report titled, "Clinical Microbiology Market by Product (Laboratory Instruments, Automated Culture Systems, and Reagents), by Disease (Respiratory Diseases, Bloodstream Infections, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Urinary Tract Infections, Periodontal Diseases, and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033." According to the report, the clinical microbiology market was valued at $4.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $9.7 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2033.

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Prime Determinants of Growth

Key factors driving the growth of the clinical microbiology market include the increasing incidence of infectious diseases such as respiratory and bloodstream infections, as well as the rising demand for more efficient and cost-effective diagnostic tools. The market is also benefiting from the integration of advanced technologies such as molecular diagnostics, automated culture systems, and multiplex testing. However, high diagnostic costs and regulatory hurdles in certain regions may hinder market growth. Conversely, the growing use of AI and automated systems in laboratories presents significant opportunities for future market expansion.

Report Coverage & Details

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $4.8 billion Market Size in 2033 $9.7 billion CAGR 7.5 % No. of Pages in Report 280 Segments Covered Product, Disease, Region Drivers  Increasing prevalence of infectious diseases  Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR)  Growing demand for rapid and accurate diagnostic solutions Opportunity  Advancements in molecular diagnostics, AI integration, and automation in clinical labs Restraint  High diagnostic costs and regulatory challenges in certain regions

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In clinical microbiology, the role of advanced diagnostic technologies is crucial for detecting and managing infectious diseases, ensuring timely treatment, and preventing the spread of pathogens. Diagnostic tools, including laboratory instruments, automated culture systems, and reagents, are designed to identify microorganisms in patient samples, enabling healthcare providers to quickly determine the cause of infections and choose the appropriate treatment. Innovations in molecular diagnostics, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized pathogen detection, making it faster, more accurate, and more efficient. These advancements help to identify not only common pathogens but also rare or emerging infectious agents that traditional methods might miss.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in microbiological testing has significantly enhanced diagnostic capabilities. AI-driven systems can analyze vast amounts of data to identify microbial patterns and predict infection trends, assisting clinicians in decision-making. Additionally, automated systems streamline laboratory workflows, reducing the time to diagnosis and increasing laboratory efficiency, which is particularly important in high-throughput environments.

Segment Highlights

Laboratory Instruments Lead the Product Segment

By product, laboratory instruments held the largest market share in 2023. This segment includes microbial identification systems, molecular diagnostic platforms, and mass spectrometry equipment, which are integral in accurately diagnosing infectious diseases. Advances in laboratory automation and the development of portable diagnostic instruments are driving the demand for laboratory instruments, enabling faster diagnostics in clinical settings.

Infectious Disease Diagnostics Continue to Drive Market Growth

By disease, respiratory diseases held the largest share in 2023. This is due to the high prevalence of respiratory infections such as influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, along with the growing threat of emerging viral infections like COVID-19. Bloodstream infections, which are often life-threatening, also contribute significantly to market growth, with increasing demand for rapid blood culture systems and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Gastrointestinal diseases, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and periodontal diseases are also critical contributors to the market, as diagnostic tools for these conditions continue to improve.

North America Maintains Regional Dominance

By region, North America dominated the clinical microbiology market in 2023, driven by the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong healthcare spending, and continuous innovation in diagnostic technologies. Europe follows closely with established infection control and diagnostic networks, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance.

Asia-Pacific is expected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period, due to increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure, a growing elderly population, and rising awareness of infectious diseases. LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, and Africa) is also expected to see gradual market growth, supported by improvements in healthcare access, disease management, and public health efforts.

Key Players

BioMerieux SA

BD

Hologic

F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Danaher Corporation

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Hardy Diagnostics, Inc.

Bruker Corporation

Abbott Laboratories

Factors Driving Growth in the Clinical Microbiology Market

The clinical microbiology market is growing due to the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and increasing demand for rapid, accurate diagnostics. Advancements in molecular diagnostics, automation, and AI-driven technologies are enhancing pathogen detection and improving patient outcomes. The need for more efficient and cost-effective diagnostic solutions, especially for complex infections like bloodstream infections and respiratory diseases, is driving market demand. Additionally, expanding healthcare infrastructure, rising awareness of infectious disease management, and supportive government policies are further fueling growth in both developed and emerging markets.

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Recent Developments

In May 2023, HiMedia Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. and Advanced Instruments LLC unveiled their cutting-edge Anoxomat III Anaerobic Culture System, revolutionizing microbiology research. This innovative collaboration marks a significant leap forward in cultivating anaerobic environments, empowering scientists with advanced tools for precise and efficient microbiological investigations.

In March 2023, bioMerieux SA and Interscience launched the 3P STATION, an automated solution designed for the pharmaceutical sector. Tailored to meet industry needs, this system guarantees precise environmental monitoring, enhancing reliability and efficiency. It represents a dedicated advancement in ensuring optimal reading performance for pharmaceutical stakeholders.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the clinical microbiology market. These players have adopted different strategies such as expansion, product launch, and others 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 showcase the competitive scenario.

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TOKYO and NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MSIG USA and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI Japan), collectively referred to in this release as MSIG, today announced their participation in a new insurance-backed credit facility with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, designed to expand access to finance in emerging markets.

Under the facility, MSIG supports IFC's efforts to increase lending to banks and financial institutions in emerging markets, enabling greater access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises and other growth-oriented sectors.

This credit insurance policy forms part of IFC's Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), a platform designed to mobilize private-sector capacity in support of development finance. By transferring a portion of credit risk to the insurance market, the structure enhances IFC's capital efficiency and enables additional lending in markets where access to long-term financing remains constrained.

"At MSIG USA, our Political Risk and Trade Credit expertise is grounded in MS&AD's broader mission to contribute to a more vibrant society," said Daniel Riordan, Head of Political Risk and Trade Credit at MSIG USA. "With A+ Class XV financial strength and experience working seamlessly across regions, we are proud to enable financial resilience and economic development in emerging markets with partners like IFC."

"We are honored to participate in this program through a collaboration with MSIG USA and excited to contribute to the sustainable development of the global environment and society," said Junichiro Mizukami, Managing Executive Officer at MSI Japan.

This $6 billion credit insurance policy is one of the largest credit insurance programs arranged by a multilateral development institution to date and represents IFC's latest execution under the MCPP framework. It will support up to $10 billion in new IFC lending to commercial banks and other institutions. It also marks MSIG's first participation in an IFC MCPP Credit insurance facility, building on MSIG's long-standing global engagement in structured risk transfer solutions. MSIG's global underwriting platform and experience supporting complex, cross-border credit exposures enable close alignment with IFC's due diligence and risk management frameworks.

"This credit insurance facility shows how private insurers can unlock larger investments and enable more lending to small and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets," said Kevin Njiraini, Director of Syndicated Loans and Mobilization at IFC. "We thank MSIG for their partnership in delivering this facility, which mobilizes insurers' underwriting capacity to drive growth and create jobs."

Through this partnership, MSIG supports IFC's mission to promote private-sector development, job creation, and economic resilience across emerging and developing economies.

About MSIG USA

MSIG USA is the marketing term used to refer to MSIG Holdings (U.S.A.), Inc. ("MSIGH"), its insurance subsidiaries, and their managers. MSIGH's insurers are Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company of America, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance USA Inc., and MSIG Specialty Insurance USA Inc. The insurers are managed by Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc. and MSIG Insurance Services, Inc. MSIGH is a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., one of the world's top P&C carriers with a 350-year heritage, A+, Class 15 ratings, and a global reach that spans 40+ countries and regions. MSIG USA brings the financial strength, underwriting expertise, exceptional claims management, global footprint, and innovation necessary to offer commercial insurance solutions that address unique risks businesses face in today's market. Its nationwide network of over 600 professionals enables it to provide responsive and personalized service for its clients. The US-based insurance subsidiaries are admitted in all P&C lines in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued. To learn more, visit www.msigusa.com.

About MSI Japan

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI Japan) operates under the auspices of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. Established on October 21, 1918, MSI Japan has a rich history that extends back over 350 years through the legacies of the Mitsui and Sumitomo groups. It is dedicated to providing comprehensive insurance and financial services worldwide, currently operating in 41 countries and regions. MSI Japan 's services span various domains, including domestic non-life insurance, international business, financial services, and digital risk-related services, thereby ensuring that we address the complex risks that businesses face in today's evolving landscape. Financially, MSI Japan asserts a robust standing, with a financial strength rating of A+ from Standard & Poor's and an A1 rating from Moody's. This stability allows us to meet the diverse insurance needs of our clients effectively. To learn more, visitwww.ms-ins.com

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Orestone Mining Corp. (TSXV: ORS) (FSE: O2R2) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada annual convention, PDAC 2026.

Orestone invites attendees to visit booth 2215, in the Investors Exchange on March 3rd and 4th 2026 to discuss current and planned exploration of the Francisca Gold-Silver Porphyry Project, in Salta, Argentina and the Captain Gold-Copper Porphyry Project, in BC, Canada.

PDAC: The World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention will take place from March 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) in Toronto, Canada. The convention brings together an ever-growing audience of more than 27,000 attendees from over 125 countries for its educational programming, networking events and business opportunities.

Orestone Mining Corp. is a Canadian based company with an internationally experienced management team. The Board of Directors and management team have experience in all aspects of the mining business having been involved in numerous corporate and project level successes. Orestone's property portfolio includes exposure to gold, silver and copper on projects located in Canada and Argentina. Our near-term objective on the Francisca project, located in Salta, Argentina is to define an oxide gold deposit mineable by open pit methods. The Company's 100 percent owned Captain gold-copper project, located in BC hosts a large gold dominate porphyry system that is permitted and drill ready. The projects are road accessible and suitable for exploration year-round.

To learn more about the company and to stay up to date on corporate developments go to our website at www.orestone.ca and sign up for our investor email updates or email us at info@orestone.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release has been prepared by management and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

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Source: Orestone Mining Corp.
Over 200 participants fully enrolled across 22 sites in the US

Trial designed to inform optimal dose and titration schedule of VRB-101 for future clinical development

Topline results expected by the end of 2026

Verdiva Bio Limited ("Verdiva Bio" or "the Company") a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for obesity and cardiometabolic disorders, today announced the completion of enrollment for its Phase 2b EVOLVE-2 clinical study of VRB-101, a once-weekly oral, cAMP-biased, GLP-1 peptide analog candidate for body weight reduction in people with overweight or obesity. The Company currently expects to report topline data from the study by the end of 2026.

EVOLVE-2 is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial with the goal of evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of VRB-101 for body weight reduction. The study enrolled over 200 participants with obesity (BMI of =30 kg/m2) or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity (BMI of =27 kg/m2 and <30 kg/m2) across 22 sites in the United States. It is comprised of five active arms and one placebo arm, with participants being dosed once-weekly orally for 20 weeks. The primary endpoint is mean percentage body weight change from baseline (Study Identifier: NCT07281937).

The trial is designed to provide guidance for the optimal starting and maintenance doses, and titration schedule of VRB-101 in future clinical trials. Assuming positive EVOLVE-2 results, Verdiva Bio currently expects to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials for VRB-101 during 2027.

"Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease with important health-related complications requiring long-term therapy," stated Dr. Mohamed Eid, CMO at Verdiva Bio. "Previous studies indicate a promising clinical profile for VRB-101, supported by PK modelling which suggest VRB-101's ability to achieve drug levels similar to or higher than a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 peptide currently approved in the US and other major markets. VRB-101 appears to have the potential to become a first-in-class once-weekly oral GLP-1 analog for people living with obesity or overweight and weight-related complications."

About VRB-101

VRB-101 is an oral formulation of ecnoglutide a cAMP-biased, oral GLP-1 peptide analog formulated with Verdiva Bio's clinically validated, proprietary oral delivery technology. PK modelling completed during a Phase 1 trial in Australia suggest that oral VRB-101 may achieve drug levels comparable to, or exceeding, those of the once-weekly injectable GLP-1 peptide analog semaglutide currently approved in the US and other major markets. The Company presented the Phase 1 PK data at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 85th Scientific Sessions (LINK). VRB-101 is also being investigated in combination with Verdiva Bio's potential once-weekly oral amylin analog, VRB-103.

About Verdiva Bio

Verdiva Bio is committed to developing next-generation therapies to help people living with obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and related complications achieve better outcomes via patient-friendly therapeutic options. Verdiva Bio's most advanced investigational candidate is VRB-101, an oral GLP-1 peptide analog in clinical development that has exhibited best-in-class efficacy potential in a Phase 1 study in Australia, which also supports the potential for once-weekly dosing. The Company is also developing a portfolio of amylin molecules, including oral and subcutaneous agonists, and other undisclosed programs that offer the potential for enhanced efficacy, improved tolerability, and healthier weight loss. The Verdiva Bio team is harnessing the emerging science in gut-brain biology and leveraging their history of successful drug development to advance novel therapeutic options aiming to transform the lives of millions living with obesity worldwide.

For more information, please visit www.verdivabio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224056167/en/

Contacts:

Verdiva Bio

Charlotte Davison, Chief of Staff

info@verdivabio.com



FTI Consulting (Media)

Ben Atwell, Robert Stanislaro

ftiverdivacomms@fticonsulting.com
NEW DELHI, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest market research study published by MarkNtel Advisors, the Global Green Data Center Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 28.31% during 2026-2032. The Market size was valued at USD 49.28 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 52.76 billion in 2026 to USD 235.4 billion by 2032. North America leads the global market with more than 35% share, supported by strong hyperscale cloud presence, aggressive carbon neutrality targets, and early adoption of energy-efficient data infrastructure technologies.

Global Green Data Center Market Overview & Highlights

The Global Green Data Center Market was valued at USD 52.76 billion in 2026, driven by rising ESG commitments, corporate decarbonization strategies, and increasing demand for energy-efficient digital infrastructure.

Strong government support, sustainability regulations, and renewable energy integration are propelling the industry toward USD 235.4 billion by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 28.31% during 2026-2032.

Cloud service providers account for over 25% of the total market share, fueled by the rapid expansion of cloud computing, AI workloads, and hyperscale data processing needs.

Large enterprises hold more than 60% of the market share due to extensive data volumes, structured ESG accountability, and investments in sustainable IT modernization.

North America dominates the global market with over 35% share, supported by advanced digital ecosystems, strong hyperscale presence, and sustainability-driven regulatory frameworks.

Leading players shaping the competitive landscape include Hitachi Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., HP Inc., IBM Corporation, Dell Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Eaton Corporation, Vertiv Corporation, Green Revolution Cooling Inc., HCL Technology Inc., Iron Mountain Inc., Arc Data Centers, Adobe Systems, Inspur, Delta Power Solutions, and others.

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Fundamental Drivers Supporting Green Data Center Market Development

Leading Drivers

Surging Demand for Cloud & AI Infrastructure: The exponential growth of cloud computing, AI workloads, big data analytics, and hyperscale deployments is driving the need for energy-efficient, scalable, and high-performance green data centers.

The exponential growth of cloud computing, AI workloads, big data analytics, and hyperscale deployments is driving the need for energy-efficient, scalable, and high-performance green data centers. Enterprise Net-Zero & ESG Commitments: Corporations are accelerating investments in renewable-powered facilities, advanced cooling systems, and low-carbon IT infrastructure to align with sustainability targets and regulatory compliance requirements.

Emerging Trends and Opportunities

Adoption of Advanced Cooling Technologies: Liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and AI-driven thermal management systems are gaining traction to reduce power usage effectiveness (PUE) and enhance operational efficiency.

Liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and AI-driven thermal management systems are gaining traction to reduce power usage effectiveness (PUE) and enhance operational efficiency. Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: Data center operators are increasingly incorporating solar, wind, and energy storage systems to minimize carbon footprints and stabilize long-term energy costs.

Data center operators are increasingly incorporating solar, wind, and energy storage systems to minimize carbon footprints and stabilize long-term energy costs. Expansion of Edge & Modular Green Data Centers: Rising demand for low-latency services and decentralized computing is creating opportunities for compact, energy-efficient edge facilities.

Key Challenges

High Capital Expenditure Requirements: The deployment of sustainable infrastructure, renewable integration, and energy-efficient hardware involves significant upfront investments.

The deployment of sustainable infrastructure, renewable integration, and energy-efficient hardware involves significant upfront investments. Legacy Infrastructure Modernization Complexity: Retrofitting conventional data centers to meet green standards presents technical, operational, and financial hurdles.

AI Transforming the Future of Sustainable Green Data Centers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the green data center landscape by enabling intelligent energy management and high-density computing optimization. As AI workloads such as generative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics expand, data centers are experiencing unprecedented power and cooling demands. AI-driven systems are increasingly deployed to monitor real-time energy consumption, predict thermal fluctuations, optimize cooling performance, and dynamically allocate workloads to reduce energy waste while maintaining operational reliability.

Advanced liquid and immersion cooling technologies, supported by AI-based automation, are significantly lowering power usage effectiveness (PUE) and overall carbon emissions. AI also strengthens renewable energy integration by forecasting energy demand and synchronizing workloads with grid availability, enhancing sustainability outcomes.

June 2025: At GTC Paris 2025, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA introduced a co-developed AI-ready infrastructure platform integrating OCP racks, EcoStruxure Pods, and advanced liquid cooling to support Europe's AI factory expansion under the "AI Continent Action Plan."

At GTC Paris 2025, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA introduced a co-developed AI-ready infrastructure platform integrating OCP racks, EcoStruxure Pods, and advanced liquid cooling to support Europe's AI factory expansion under the "AI Continent Action Plan." December 2024: Canada proposed a $15 billion investment to expand AI-driven green data centers, prioritizing clean energy solutions to meet growing AI energy demands.

AI is thus positioning green data centers as intelligent, resilient, and environmentally responsible digital infrastructure hubs.

Strategic Investments and Policy Initiatives Accelerating the Global Green Data Center Market

The Global Green Data Center Market is witnessing strong momentum driven by capital investments, cross-border collaborations, and government-backed sustainability initiatives. Across major regions, hyperscale operators, infrastructure funds, and public authorities are committing substantial resources to renewable-powered and AI-ready data center ecosystems. The following developments highlight the prominent expansion of sustainable digital infrastructure worldwide.

Middle East & Africa

2025 - Morocco: The government announced plans to develop a 500 MW green data center in Dakhla, reinforcing the country's ambition to position itself as a renewable-powered digital infrastructure hub in Africa.

The government announced plans to develop a 500 MW green data center in Dakhla, reinforcing the country's ambition to position itself as a renewable-powered digital infrastructure hub in Africa. 2025 - Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan and China agreed to jointly build an advanced green data center, strengthening regional cooperation in sustainable technology deployment and energy-efficient computing infrastructure.

Asia-Pacific

2025 - India: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Green Data Centre at Central Electronics Limited (CEL), Ghaziabad, marking a significant step toward sustainable public-sector digital infrastructure.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Green Data Centre at Central Electronics Limited (CEL), Ghaziabad, marking a significant step toward sustainable public-sector digital infrastructure. 2025 - Singapore: The government launched its second Data Center Call for Application, allocating at least 200 MW of capacity with a strong emphasis on green energy adoption and AI-focused infrastructure development.

The government launched its second Data Center Call for Application, allocating at least 200 MW of capacity with a strong emphasis on green energy adoption and AI-focused infrastructure development. 2025 - Japan: Parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop an offshore floating green data center powered entirely by renewable energy, showcasing innovation in marine-based sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Europe

2025 - Switzerland: InfraVia announced the sale of Switzerland's Green Datacenter to IFM, reflecting sustained investor confidence in energy-efficient digital infrastructure assets.

InfraVia announced the sale of Switzerland's Green Datacenter to IFM, reflecting sustained investor confidence in energy-efficient digital infrastructure assets. 2025 - Nordic Region: Areim raised USD 977 million to accelerate green data center expansion across renewable-rich Nordic markets.

Industry Analysis by Enterprise Size, End-User & Region

By Enterprise Size, large enterprises captured more than 60% of the Global Green Data Center Market, maintaining a dominant position due to their extensive digital transformation initiatives, hyperscale IT deployments, and formalized ESG reporting frameworks. Multinational corporations operate vast data ecosystems that require centralized, energy-efficient, and carbon-optimized infrastructure. Their ability to allocate substantial capital toward renewable-powered facilities, advanced cooling systems, and AI-enabled energy management platforms further reinforces segment leadership.

By End User, cloud service providers accounted for over 25% of the total market share. The rapid proliferation of cloud computing, AI model training, and data-intensive enterprise applications has significantly increased demand for scalable, high-density, and energy-efficient data centers. Cloud operators are prioritizing green infrastructure to reduce operational costs, enhance power usage effectiveness (PUE), and meet sustainability commitments while supporting exponential workload growth.

By Region, North America led the global market with more than 35% share in 2026, supported by strong hyperscale investments, advanced renewable energy integration, and a mature regulatory ecosystem promoting sustainability. The region continues to witness strategic collaborations that strengthen its leadership.

For instance, in June 2025, Oklo and Vertiv partnered to co-develop advanced power and thermal management solutions for U.S. hyperscale and colocation data centers. By combining Oklo's advanced nuclear energy capabilities with Vertiv's cooling and power systems, the collaboration aims to deliver resilient, energy-efficient, and integrated sustainable data center designs, further reinforcing North America's position as a hub for next-generation green infrastructure innovation.

View Full Report (All Data, In One Place): https://www.marknteladvisors.com/research-library/green-data-centers-market.html (Explore in-depth analyses, technological trends, and investment patterns.)

Major Companies in the Global Green Data Center Market

Prominent companies driving innovation and market expansion include:

Hitachi Ltd.

Cisco Systems Inc.

HP Inc.

IBM Corporation

Dell Inc.

Fujitsu Ltd.

Eaton Corporation

Vertiv Corporation

Green Revolution Cooling Inc.

HCL Technology Inc.

Iron Mountain Inc.

Arc Data Centers

Adobe Systems

Inspur

Delta Power Solutions

Others

Global Green Data Center Market Scope:

By Component: Solutions, Services

Solutions, Services By Enterprise Size: Large Enterprises, Medium Enterprises, SMEs

Large Enterprises, Medium Enterprises, SMEs By End User: Cloud Service Providers, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Telecom, Government, Banking and Financial Services, others.

Cloud Service Providers, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Telecom, Government, Banking and Financial Services, others. By Type : Enterprise Data Center, Colocation Data Center, Edge Data Center, Hyperscale Data Center

: Enterprise Data Center, Colocation Data Center, Edge Data Center, Hyperscale Data Center By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America

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India Data Center GPU Market Research Report : The India Data Center GPU Market size is valued at around USD 0.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 5.29 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 63.14% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market Research Report : The Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market size was valued at around USD 4.73 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 11.54 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 13.59% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

India Data Center Infrastructure Market Research Report : The India Data Center Infrastructure Market size was valued at approximately USD 28.52 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 60.25 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 11.3% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

About MarkNtel Advisors

MarkNtel Advisors is a globally recognized industry research firm delivering comprehensive market intelligence across emerging and established markets. Our syndicated reports provide in-depth insights into market dynamics, technology trends, regulatory developments, and competitive landscapes shaping global industries. Leveraging robust research methodologies and validated data sources, we empower enterprises, investors, and policymakers to make informed strategic decisions and capture long-term growth opportunities.

Contact Us:

MarkNtel Advisors

Office No.109, H-159, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh - 201301, India

Contact No: +91 87199 99009

Email: sales@marknteladvisors.com

Website: marknteladvisors.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/green-data-center-market-to-register-28-31-cagr-through-2032--amid-rising-sustainability-mandates--markntel-advisors-302694787.html
New research shows Commercial Analytics Emerging as Primary Source of Truth Among $1B+ Advertisers

MIAMI, Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Analytic Partners, the leader in Commercial Analytics, today released Five Forces Shaping Marketing Budget Decisions in 2026. Grounded in a verified sample of 455 senior decision-makers at enterprise-level ($1B+) advertisers, the report sets the standard for enterprise-wide decisioning by revealing how top brands are moving beyond "more data" toward faster, context-rich commercial growth.

This preview report offers an exclusive look at key trends ahead of the full 2026 State of Commercial Decisioning Survey, launching later this year. The early findings provide credible, decision-ready evidence that enables marketing leaders to influence high-impact commercial outcomes across the enterprise.

"For more than 25 years, we've partnered with the world's leading advertisers and have seen a consistent pattern: brands that embed analytics into how decisions actually get made see five times more growth, act with greater confidence, and adapt more effectively to change," said Nancy Smith, President and CEO of Analytic Partners. "These early findings from our 2026 State of Commercial Decisioning Survey reinforce what experience has long shown us - when leaders have a clear, context-rich source of truth, they can stop defending their budgets and start evolving their strategies to drive enterprise-wide value and long-term growth."

These findings independently validate what Analytic Partners has observed for decades through ROI Genome, the company's proprietary intelligence layer built on insights from 1,000+ brands across 50+ countries and 100s of billions in spend. Unlock Growth with Analytic Partners ROI Genome Insights, launched earlier this year, is a comprehensive guide for modern marketers building and evolving successful measurement programs.

5 Forces Shaping Marketing Budget Decisions in 2026Key Highlights:

Marketing Mix Modeling / Commercial Analytics emerge as the "source of truth": Econometric frameworks are now the foundation for high-stakes budget allocation, pricing, and promotion decisions.

Econometric frameworks are now the foundation for high-stakes budget allocation, pricing, and promotion decisions. Data remains a key limiter: Despite advances, data fragmentation and privacy constraints hinder marketing investment agility. The solution isn't just more data - it's smarter, context-rich decisioning.

Despite advances, data fragmentation and privacy constraints hinder marketing investment agility. The solution isn't just more data - it's smarter, context-rich decisioning. External factors are critical: Leading advertisers cite the need for analytics that reflect real-world market conditions, not just internal metrics. Context is king in 2026.





"In an increasingly noisy measurement landscape, senior decision-makers continue to return to a trusted anchor: econometric approaches like Commercial Analytics are a 'source of truth' for major budget decisions," said Jason McNellis, Vice President, Commercial Analytics Ambassador at Analytic Partners. "This is not a casual pulse check. It's a rigorous view into how senior leaders make high-stakes budget decisions, based on 455 executives and a verified sample designed to protect privacy while ensuring respondent authenticity."

The full 2026 State of Commercial Decisioning Survey, launching later this year, will deliver a comprehensive, data-driven view into how leading organizations are modernizing their decision frameworks and maximizing marketing ROI in a rapidly changing environment.

Complimentary Report Access: 5 Forces Shaping Marketing Budget Decisions in 2026

Be among the first to receive the full 2026 State of Commercial Decisioning Survey! Register here for early access and exclusive insights.

About Analytic Partners

Analytic Partners provides marketing measurement and Commercial Analytics to Fortune 500 brands worldwide. We provide adaptive solutions that deepen business understanding and enable right-time planning and optimization - for marketing and beyond. We turn data into expertise so our customers can create powerful connections with their customers and achieve commercial success. For more information, visit analyticpartners.com.

For press inquiries and further information, please contact: Jonathan Sanchez, Vice President of Marketing, Analytic Partners jonathan.sanchez@analyticpartners.com.
Built to meet unprecedented demand, the planned campus will be one of the largest in the country

Altarea, France's leading low carbon urban transformation group, and Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, announce the signing of a partnership to develop an AI and cloud data center campus expected to be one of the largest in France.

The campus will be developed on land owned by Altarea close to Bordeaux, France. Altarea has already secured a 400MW power connection with the French utility, enabling rapid time to market to meet accelerating AI and cloud customer demand.

The campus marks Vantage's first expansion into the French market and continued growth throughout EMEA, where it currently serves customers across nine markets. It also reflects Altarea's growing pipeline in the fast-moving data center market.

Altarea and Vantage will bring together their combined expertise in real estate, development and digital infrastructure to support leading hyperscale, cloud and AI companies both from Europe and internationally.

Quotes from Altarea:

"This initiative is an important milestone for Altarea's data center strategy. As presented during Choose France, we are committed to support the growing need of digital infrastructure in France," said Alain Taravella, Executive Founder and CEO of Altarea.

"We are pleased to partner with Vantage Data Centers, a global leader in digital infrastructure with more than 40 hyperscale campuses and 9GW of power capacity, with the view to significantly accelerate the completion of this project," commented Baptiste Borezee, Managing Director at Altarea.

"Altarea's mission has always been to meet France's essential needs. As the digital transition becomes critical to national competitiveness, our local expertise enables us to deliver a full range of data centers with exemplary environmental performance," confirms Ludovic Castillo, CEO of Altarea Data Center.

Quote from Vantage Data Centers:

"Entering France alongside Altarea positions us to deliver capacity at unrivaled speed and scale and demonstrates our dedication to develop next-generation, sustainable digital infrastructure in markets critical to our customers. By combining our global expertise with Altarea's local insight, we are well positioned to meet the evolving requirements of these hyperscale and AI customers," said David Howson, President of Vantage Data Centers, EMEA. "We look forward to bolstering France's digital infrastructure capabilities that will support the country's European and international edge.

About Altarea

Altarea is the French leader in low-carbon urban transformation, with the most comprehensive real estate and infrastructure offering to serve the city and its users. In each of its activities, the Group has all the expertise and recognised brands needed to design, develop, market and manage tailor-made products. Altarea is listed in compartment A of Euronext Paris. For more information, please visit: www.altarea.com.

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers is a global leader in digital infrastructure serving the world's most influential AI and cloud providers. With operations spanning North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage delivers capacity at unrivaled speed and scale, driven by a relentless commitment to operational excellence and customer success. Vantage is empowering transformative companies to shape the future.

For more information, visit https://www.vantage-dc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224479112/en/

Contacts:

Press contact: Denise Rodrigues-Vielliard, drodrigues@altarea.com +33 6 37 36 24 14

Press contacts:

Mark Freeman, mfreeman@vantage-dc.com, +1-202-680-4243

Robin Bectel, REQ for Vantage Data Centers, vdc@req.co, +1-202-936-6335
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) ("QIMC" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant initial results from the first 300 metres of its planned 650-metre diamond drill hole DDH-26-01 at its West Advocate Eatonville Project, Nova Scotia. Drilling remains ongoing.

The Company has intersected a previously unmapped hydrogen-bearing tectonic fault corridor measuring approximately 40 metres in apparent width between 142 metres and 191 metres depth.

These results provide strong subsurface data supporting the presence of a structurally controlled natural hydrogen system and materially confirming QIMC's structural natural hydrogen model.

What This Means for Investors

QIMC's results represent direct subsurface indication via drill bit of a pressurized structural conduit consistent with an active natural hydrogen migration system at West Advocate. With four additional drill holes planned and in situ quantitative measurements to follow, the Company has a defined, systematic, data-driven, and well-capitalized pathway for the next phases of its Nova Scotia natural hydrogen program.

John Karagiannidis, President of QIMC, notes:

"Reporting on the first 300 metres of a planned 650-metre hole, we have intersected a 40-metre-wide hydrogen-bearing fault corridor with readings in the ambient air around the borehole collar approximately 2,000 times atmospheric background levels. These results strongly support our structural hydrogen model and indicate we are operating within an active structurally controlled gas migration system.

The geochemical, geological, and geophysical similarities between the Eatonville Road and Bennett Hill areas suggest a broader structurally controlled hydrogen corridor across the Advocate region. Drilling remains ongoing as we continue evaluating the system at depth."

TECHNICAL CONTEXT: MEASUREMENT METHODOLOGY

The winter exploration program at West Advocate has two important components.

The first, currently underway, uses conventional diamond drilling to document local geology and validate our exploration model, which was developed to explain the strong hydrogen, radon, and thoron anomalies observed in the soils of the area.

The drilling program is being executed by Maritime Diamond Drilling Ltd., an experienced Nova Scotia drilling contractor. Core logging and geological documentation are being conducted by Tower Resources Inc. of Nova Scotia, providing independent technical support for lithological, structural, and alteration characterization

Four hydrogen detectors were deployed to measure hydrogen concentrations at the edge of the wellhead and inside the drill compartment. These measurements are direct indicators of hydrogen emerging from the drill head, though the concentrations recorded are highly diluted by ambient atmospheric air, meaning the true subsurface concentrations may be significantly higher than what was measured.

The second component includes in situ sampling using pressurized water samplers rated to pressures equivalent to 1,200 metres of burial depth. These data will allow us to quantitatively establish the relationships between hydrogen concentrations and the structural features identified during drilling, providing a much more rigorous and precise characterization of the system.

Major Subsurface Results

Within the first 300 metres of drilling, QIMC encountered:

A ~40-metre-wide hydrogen-bearing fault corridor

Elevated hydrogen (H2) readings in the vicinity of the borehole collar exceeding 1,000 ppm (instrument detection range up to 1,000 ppm; readings reached the upper calibrated measurement range of the monitoring equipment) during intersection of the fault zone

Very low oxygen (O2) and no methane (CH4) detected

Strong pressurized formation water inflow into the borehole and visible gas bubbling

Hydrogen detected within the structural interval associated with the fault corridor

For context, normal atmospheric hydrogen concentrations average approximately 0.5 ppm (500 parts per billion). The readings recorded near the borehole collar following pressurized formation water inflow are therefore approximately 2,000 times greater than typical atmospheric background levels. Because these readings were taken in ambient air significantly diluted by the atmosphere, they are considered a conservative indicator of subsurface hydrogen concentrations.

Formation water inflow and gas bubbling subsided only after drilling an additional six metres past 191 metres, indicating intersection of an active, pressurized structural conduit rather than a stagnant or isolated gas pocket.

Drilling also intersected faulted black graphite between 206 metres and 212.3 metres. Graphitic shear zones are commonly associated with deep crustal deformation, which may promote the rise of hydrogen from deep sources.

Geological Significance: Structural Model Validation

Results from DDH-26-01 provide direct subsurface support for QIMC's natural hydrogen exploration model.

Key observations include:

Wide tectonic deformation corridors acting as hydrogen migration pathways

An open and structurally controlled system

Hydrogen structurally associated with deformation corridors rather than indicative of a conventional hydrocarbon system

A structural corridor interpreted to extend across the property toward the Bennett Hill target area

The interpreted multi-kilometre structural continuity toward Bennett Hill supports the emergence of a broader district-scale structural hydrogen corridor, though additional drilling will be required to evaluate continuity and scale.

Importantly, this structural corridor was not previously mapped at this level of detail in publicly available geological surveys, highlighting QIMC's data-driven H2 exploration model.

Discovery Highlights (First 300m of 650m Hole 1)

Newly identified ~40 m wide hydrogen-bearing fault zone

Hydrogen readings exceeding 1,000 ppm near the borehole collar

Pressurized formation water inflow with visible gas bubbling

Hydrogen detected in specific structural intervals

Very low oxygen (O2) and no methane (CH4) detected

Cataclasites and intensely deformed sedimentary rocks observed

Graphite-rich shear zone (206 m - 212.3 m)

Structure interpreted as part of a multi-kilometre structural corridor

Prof. Marc Richer-LaFleche of INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique, one of Canada's leading scientific research universities with internationally recognized expertise in Earth sciences and geochemistry) commented:

"The DDH-26-01 borehole was primarily designed to document the geology of a sector of the Cobequid Highlands (West Advocate) characterized by strong hydrogen, radon, and thoron anomalies measured in soils. In this area, the underlying basement geology is largely masked by Quaternary till cover, which complicated interpretation of data acquired during the summer and fall 2025 programs.

Prior to drilling, the conceptual model suggested the presence of hypothetical fault structures acting as migration pathways for H2 toward the subsurface. These structures were interpreted to occur within a transition zone marking the shift from a southern sedimentary domain to older northern basement rocks - a transition also supported by gravity and magnetic data.

Core observations from DDH-26-01 provide direct structural evidence consistent with this model. The drilling identified fault zones and deformation corridors not previously mapped or identified in geological surveys. The discovery of deformation corridors reaching up to approximately 40 metres in apparent thickness indicates that secondary structures associated with the Cobequid Fault Zone are more extensive and structurally complex than previously interpreted.

Based on the integration of geochemical, geophysical, and drilling data, these deformation corridors are interpreted to represent the principal structural controls influencing the elevated hydrogen concentrations measured in soils. These fault zones are associated with cataclasites, intensely deformed sedimentary rocks, and locally developed graphite-rich zones."

Ongoing Drill Program

Hole 1 (DDH-26-01): Drilling continues to planned 650m depth; borehole geophysics and multi-parameter logging underway to characterize lithology, structural features, fracture distribution, and hydrogeological conditions.

Hole 2 (DDH-26-02): Drilled from the same site as Hole 1 with an orientation of N297 and a 55 plunge to the northwest, designed to drill in the direction of identified magnetic and gravity highs.

Hole 3 (DDH-26-03): Eatonville Road area along the Reid Line, planned to 700m depth.

Holes 4 (DDH-26-04) & 5 (DDH-26-05): Bennett Hill targets, testing the broader regional structural hydrogen corridor interpreted from geochemical and geophysical similarities with the Eatonville area.

The Natural Hydrogen Opportunity

Natural hydrogen (H2), sometimes called "white hydrogen" or "gold hydrogen," is attracting growing attention from governments, energy majors, AI data centers, and investors as a potential source of off-grid, naturally occurring clean hydrogen. Unlike manufactured green or blue hydrogen, natural hydrogen exists in the subsurface and may be extractable at a fraction of the production cost. QIMC is a publicly listed company with an advanced, active, scientifically rigorous drill program specifically targeting structurally hosted natural hydrogen systems in North America.

About Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC)

Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) is a mining exploration and development company dedicated to unlocking the potential of North America's abundant natural resources. With properties in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Minnesota (USA), QIMC specializes in the exploration of white (natural) hydrogen and high-grade silica assets.

QIMC is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovation, with the objective of supporting clean energy solutions for the AI-driven and carbon-neutral economy.

Regulatory Disclaimer

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release and has neither approved nor disapproved its contents. Technical Note: Hydrogen readings reported are based on real-time field measurements from the first 300 metres of Hole 1 using calibrated monitoring equipment at the borehole collar with an upper measurement range of approximately 1,000 ppm. True structural width and regional continuity remain subject to further drilling and structural interpretation. Drilling remains ongoing to the planned 650 metre depth.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this press release and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or by statements that events or conditions "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur.

Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is reasonable as of the date of this press release, such information is subject to change and no assurance can be given that future results will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285090

Source: Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.
EQS-News: B2i Digital, Inc. / Key word(s): Financial

B2i Digital Highlights Hybrid Australia Investor Day as a Featured Conference



24.02.2026 / 18:44 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Hybrid Event at OTC Markets Headquarters Showcases Nine Presenting Companies Across Morning and Afternoon Sessions

Direct Access to Management Teams Through Live Presentations, Real-Time Q&A and 1x1 Meetings

NEW YORK, NY - February 24, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - B2i Digital, Inc. is highlighting the Australia Investor Day Virtual Investor Conference taking place Thursday, February 26, 2026. The Australia Investor Day is a B2i Digital Featured Conference, hosted by Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC), an OTC Markets Group Inc. property. The hybrid event will combine in-person presentations at OTC Markets headquarters, 300 Vesey Street in Lower Manhattan, with a simultaneous live broadcast to VIC's global online investor audience. The event is sponsored by Viriathus and OTC Markets.

The Australia Investor Day Virtual Investor Conference connects presenting companies with a global audience of individual and institutional investors through live, interactive online presentations. Participating companies deliver scheduled presentations followed by real-time Q&A, and investors can request one-on-one meetings with management teams through the VIC platform. Presentations are archived for on-demand viewing for 90 days following the event.

The program features nine presenting organizations and companies across resources, energy, advanced manufacturing, and medical technology, along with a featured panel discussion focused on cross-border investor engagement.

"I'm lucky enough to be a short cab ride from the Upper East Side to downtown, so I can catch these presentations in person," said David Shapiro, Chief Executive Officer of B2i Digital. "But if you're smart enough not to be paying Manhattan rent, you can join virtually too. Either way, VIC is built for real access: hear the story, ask questions live, and follow up one-on-one with management."

As Official Marketing Partner, B2i Digital supports issuer outreach around VIC events by publishing digital profiles of presenting companies ahead of each conference. These profiles are intended to help investors review company backgrounds prior to attending live sessions and scheduling meetings through the platform.

More details about the Australia Investor Day Virtual Investor Conference are available here:

https://b2idigital.com/australia-investor-day-hybrid-conference

Conference schedule for Thursday, February 26, 2026 (All times EST):

Morning Sessions:

10:05 AM - Geoscience Australia (Welcome Remarks and Keynote)

10:25 AM - American Rare Earths Limited

10:55 AM - New Frontier Minerals Limited

11:35 AM - D3 Energy Limited

12:05 PM - EMVision Medical Devices Ltd.

1:00 PM ET - Panel: From Access to Impact: Australian Issuers and the Next Phase of U.S. Investor Engagement

Afternoon Sessions:

1:45 PM - Amaero Ltd

2:15 PM - Resolution Minerals Ltd

3:00 PM - American Uranium Ltd.

3:30 PM - Fleet Space Technologies

Registration is open at:

Morning Sessions:

https://www.virtualinvestorconferences.com/wcc/eh/4814904/lp/5238196/australia-investor-day-morning-sessions?utm_source=b2i&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=0226AustraliaDayVIC

Afternoon Sessions:

https://www.virtualinvestorconferences.com/wcc/eh/4814904/lp/5238234/australia-investor-day-afternoon-sessions?utm_source=b2i&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=0226AustraliaDayVIC

About B2i Digital, Inc.

B2i Digital, Inc. partners with investor conferences, public companies, and capital-markets advisors through its Featured Conference, Featured Company, and Featured Expert programs. Acting as The Capital Markets Matchmaker?, B2i Digital connects investors and companies through digital marketing, investor conferences, and direct meetings, supported by a proprietary network of more than 1.5 million market participants. Its mantra, From Marketing to Meetings?, reflects this integrated approach. Founded in 2021 by former Maxim Group investment banker and Chief Marketing Officer, David Shapiro, B2i Digital is headquartered in New York City.

B2i Digital Contact Information:

David Shapiro

Chief Executive Officer

B2i Digital, Inc.

https://b2idigital.com

212.579.4844 Office

david@b2idigital.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshapironyc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/b2i-digital

https://x.com/b2idigital

https://www.facebook.com/b2idigital

https://www.instagram.com/b2i_digital

https://www.youtube.com/@b2idigital

https://stocktwits.com/B2iDigital

https://www.reddit.com/user/b2idigital/

https://www.pinterest.com/b2idigital/

https://www.tiktok.com/@b2idigital

https://bsky.app/profile/b2idigital.bsky.social

B2i Digital Featured Conferences:

https://b2idigital.com/conferences

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is a proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive online forum for publicly traded companies to present directly to investors. Each event features live company presentations, Q&A sessions, one-on-one meetings, and on-demand replays that support ongoing engagement. The platform delivers investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. Virtual Investor Conferences is an OTC Markets Group Inc. property.

Virtual Investor Conferences Contact Information:

Virtual Investor Conferences

OTC Markets Group Inc.

https://www.virtualinvestorconferences.com

conferences@otcmarkets.com

https://x.com/RIConferences

https://www.youtube.com/@OTCMarketsGroup

Disclosure & Disclaimer

B2i Digital, Inc. is the Official Marketing Partner of the Virtual Investor Conferences. Content related to any specific company was provided by that company, approved by that company, or obtained from publicly available sources. B2i Digital, Inc. has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of such information. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. B2i Digital, Inc. is not a broker-dealer or investment adviser. Virtual Investor Conferences is an OTC Markets Group Inc. property.

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust Plc - Tender Offer Update

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 24

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND , THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, ANY MEMBER STATE OF THE EEA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CONTRAVENTION OF ANY REGISTRATION OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT OF SUCH JURISDICTION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN ANY JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TENDER OFFER (AS DEFINED HEREIN) IN OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION IN OR FROM WHICH, OR TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO OR FROM WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR OTHERWISE.

24 February 2026

BLACKROCK FRONTIERS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Tender Offer Update

Further to the announcement made by BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc (the " Company") on 23 February 2026, the Company announces that Winterflood has sold 250,000 Ordinary Shares to Incoming Investors based on the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share on 23 February 2026, being 200.08 pence per Ordinary Share.

The assets of the Tender Pool (other than cash) will now be realised and a further announcement will follow in due course.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the circular published by the Company on 10 December 2025.

LEI: 5493003K5E043LHLO706

ISIN: GB00B3SXM832

Enquiries: BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited Sarah Beynsberger Lucy Dina 020 7743 3000 Winterflood Securities Limited Neil Morgan

Sophia Bechev 020 3100 0292

Disclaimer

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made based upon the Company's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and the Company's actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity may differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the day they are made and the Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements unless required by law.

The distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. It is the responsibility of all Overseas Shareholders to satisfy themselves as to the observance of any legal requirements in their jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any relevant requirements in relation to the ability of such holders to participate in the Tender Offer.

The Tender Offer is not available to Shareholders with registered or mailing addresses in a Restricted Territory, or who are citizens or nationals of, or resident in, a Restricted Territory.

Certain Overseas Shareholders are being excluded from the Tender Offer in order to avoid breaching applicable local laws relating to the implementation of the Tender Offer. It is the responsibility of all Overseas Shareholders to satisfy themselves as to the observance of any legal requirements in their jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any relevant requirements in relation to the ability of such holders to participate in the Tender Offer.

Winterflood Securities Limited (" Winterflood"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Proposals and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of Winterflood or for providing advice in relation to the Tender Offer or any matter referred to in the Circular or herein. Nothing herein shall serve to exclude or limit any responsibilities which Winterflood may have under the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder.

Any decision to participate in the Tender Offer should only be made on the basis of an independent review by an Eligible Shareholder of the Company's publicly available information. Neither Winterflood nor any of its affiliates accept any liability arising from the use of, or make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of, this announcement or the Company's publicly available information.

Notice for U.S. Shareholders

The Tender Offer relates to securities in a non-U.S. company registered in England and Wales and listed on the London Stock Exchange and is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable to companies listed in the United Kingdom, which differ from those of the United States in certain material respects. A circular has been prepared in accordance with UK style and practice for the purpose of complying with the laws of England and Wales and the rules of the FCA and of the London Stock Exchange, and U.S. Shareholders should read the entire circular. The Tender Offer is not subject to the disclosure and other procedural requirements of Regulation 14D under the U.S. Exchange Act. The Tender Offer will be made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the U.S. Exchange Act, subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1 thereunder and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of the rules of the FCA and the London Stock Exchange. Accordingly, the Tender Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and law. The Company is not listed on a U.S. securities exchange, is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the SEC thereunder.

It may be difficult for U.S. Shareholders to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the Tender Offer under U.S. federal securities laws since the Company is located outside the United States and its officers and directors reside outside the United States. It may not be possible to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. securities laws. It also may not be possible to compel a non-U.S. company or its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

To the extent permitted by applicable law and in accordance with normal UK practice, the Company, Winterflood or any of their affiliates, may make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Ordinary Shares outside the United States during the period in which the Tender Offer remains open for acceptance, including purchases of Ordinary Shares effected by Winterflood acting as market maker in the Ordinary Shares.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Element One Hydrogen & Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: EONE) ("Element One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce attendance at major resource conferences.

As thousands of geoscientists, investors, and energy executives prepare to gather in Toronto for the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) the world's premier resource convention, Element One Hydrogen Ltd. is positioning itself for a defining moment. Management of the Company will be attending both PDAC and the Centurion One Capital Growth Convention on March 5, 2026. Both events are integral to Element One's strategic initiative aimed at showcasing its natural hydrogen and critical mineral exploration technology and asset portfolio while advancing awareness of this inexpensive emerging clean-energy opportunity.

For a company in the early-stage exploration and development phase, PDAC represents far more than a conference appearance. It is a high-impact platform to move beyond news releases and technical disclosures, enabling management to engage directly with prospective investors, strategic partners, and industry stakeholders who can help accelerate exploration programs, validate the geological model, and unlock the broader potential of its natural hydrogen assets.

"Participating in an event like PDAC is not optional for an emerging natural hydrogen explorer - it's essential," stated Tim Johnson, C.O.O. of Element One. "In a rapidly evolving energy and critical mineral landscape, companies must differentiate themselves and clearly articulate why their geology, acreage position, and technical strategy matter. With investors evaluating countless opportunities each day, management has a limited window to communicate a credible pathway to discovery and scale. A well-defined natural hydrogen model, supported by strong operational fundamentals, can make all the difference."

Tim Johnson and Brad Kitchen, CEO of Element One, will be available to meet with investors to discuss the Company's key initiatives and near-term catalysts, including:

First-Mover Advantage in Natural (Geologic) Hydrogen

Focused on naturally occurring hydrogen generated by geological processes within the Earth's crust.

Positioned in a rapidly emerging sector alongside early movers such as MAX Power Mining Corp and Quebec Innovative Minerals Corporation.

Tight Capital Structure with Significant Insider Alignment

36 million shares issued and outstanding.

Management and key strategic investors hold approximately 80% of common shares.

Experienced Leadership & Technical Depth

Recently strengthened management team, including Tim Johnson and Dr. Allegra Hosford Scheirer, Dr. Greeshma Gadikota and Aaron Mattson

Earn in option on NY based stimulated hydrogen company Stone to H2 owned by Dr Gadikota

Proven capital markets track record, including prior value creation with ESAU and Osisko Mining Inc. (Windfall Lake feasibility; company sold for $1.6 billion).

Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Hydrogen Potential

Natural hydrogen offers the potential for significantly lower carbon intensity than conventional "grey" hydrogen and lower costs than many "green" hydrogen methods.

Illustrative energy comparison (1 kg hydrogen ~ energy of 1 gallon of gasoline): Gasoline: ~US$3.65/gallon Green Hydrogen: ~US$7.30/kg Natural Hydrogen: ~US$0.51-$0.75/kg (projected)



Diversified Asset & Development Strategy

Multiple hydrogen projects complemented by select critical-mineral claims, providing strategic optionality.

Active across natural hydrogen pathways: Hard rock extraction from ultramafic rock. Accumulation-style hydrogen systems including ultramafic, radiogenic and mature hydrocarbon sources.



Recent Strategic Acquisitions in British Columbia

Acquisition of the HY and Shulaps projects - ultramafic rock properties prospective for hydrogen generation via serpentinization, with access to infrastructure.

Science-Driven, Capital-Efficient Model

Data-driven targeting and staged field validation designed to reduce upfront capital risk while preserving upside.

Ongoing development of hard rock extraction technology.

Positioned to benefit from growing demand for low-carbon hydrogen as governments and industry pursue emissions reductions across heavy industry, transportation, and power generation.

Natural Hydrogen Industry Update

Reminder that strategic advisor, Aaron Mattson will be publishing a Natural Hydrogen Industry Update on Thursday mornings. We strongly encourage you to read his weekly report and additional commentary on how the news impacts Element One directly. Thursday's report will provide insight on the Natural Hydrogen initiatives in the State of Michigan, including the support from Governor Whitmer backing the industry. Please check the Company's social media posts or sign up on our website www.E1-H2.com for our newsletter.

About Element One Hydrogen & Critical Minerals Corp.

Element One Hydrogen & Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: EONE) is a Canadian company focused on the exploration, development, and commercialization of geologic hydrogen and critical mineral resources, as well as breakthrough hydrogen-generation technologies. The company's projects include the Foggy Mountain critical minerals project as well as projects in Alaska and British Columbia that are prospective for hydrogen production through stimulation in the subsurface as well as critical and battery metals.

Stay connected with us as we get busy with social media:

X (formerly Twitter) at www.x.com/Element_One_H2

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/element-one-h2

YouTube at www.youtube.com/@ElementOne Hydrogen

For further information visit our website at www.e1-h2.com or to connect directly, please reach out to Tim Johnson at tjohnson@e1-h2.com or 250.668.3161.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept 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/285095

Source: Element One Hydrogen and Critical Minerals
Fort Lauderdale, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (Cboe Canada: ZEFI) (FSE: Y6B) (OTCQB: ZEFIF) (the "Company", "Zefiro", or "ZEFI") announced today that its annual and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the holders (the "Shareholders") of common shares ("Shares") of the Company, previously scheduled for March 4, 2026, has been postponed to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on March 20, 2026 at Suite 5300, 66 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5K 1E6.

Further to the Company's news release dated February 12, 2026, the Meeting has been postponed to provide some separation between the hearing (the "Hearing") scheduled to be held before the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC") on March 3 and 4, 2026 and the Meeting date. The Hearing was scheduled by the BCSC in response to an application brought by Talal Debs, the former Chief Executive Officer of Zefiro, who was terminated from his executive position and is currently under investigation by the Company for potential misconduct, X Machina Sustainable Technologies Inc. and X Machina Capital Strategies Fund I LP (collectively, the "Dissidents"). As detailed in the Company's prior news release, the Company believes that the allegations set forth in the Dissidents' application are entirely without merit and an attempt to gain an unfair advantage through a misuse of the Canadian securities regulatory process.

In furtherance of these tactics, the Dissidents have attempted to delay the Hearing and push the Meeting to the end of March, which would deprive Shareholders of having their say on the future of the Company on a timely basis. The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Zefiro believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders to hold the Meeting as soon as practicable. The Board believes that the postponement of the Meeting to March 20, 2026 strikes an appropriate balance by providing Shareholders with the benefit of knowing the outcome of the Hearing before voting at the Meeting, while still holding the Meeting on a timely basis to permit Shareholders to determine who they believe is best positioned to lead the Company and allow management of the Company to move forward with running Zefiro's business free of the distractions from the Dissidents' proxy contest.

Moving forward with the Meeting as soon as practicable is also necessary to preserve multiple time-sensitive strategic transactions, restore access to capital, and stabilize operations. For example, we are actively working on two possible transactions that we are anticipating would close in the next six months. Both of these transactions depend on post-meeting stability to ensure governance certainty, financing commitments, and board approvals. Institutional investors and lenders have made clear that they will not engage while this proxy dispute continues. As a result, liquidity is being eroded, financing is stalled, and ordinary business initiatives have been delayed. These are real and ongoing impacts, not theoretical risks.

Notwithstanding the postponement of the Meeting, the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, being January 28, 2026, shall remain unchanged. The deadline for submitting proxies has been extended to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on March 18, 2026 (or, if the Meeting is adjourned or further postponed, 48 hours (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted) prior to the time of holding the adjourned or further postponed Meeting).

The Board recommends that Shareholders use only the GOLD proxy or GOLD voting information form (VIF) included with Zefiro's management information circular (the "Circular") mailed to Shareholders to vote FOR the election of each of management's nominee directors, namely: Correne Loeffler, Catherine Flax, Jonson Sun, Daryl Heald and Hudheifa Moawalla, and in accordance with the Board's voting recommendations on the other matters to be considered at the Meeting as disclosed in the Circular.

Shareholders should discard any proxy materials or voting forms provided by the Dissidents and use only the GOLD Proxy or GOLD VIF provided by management of Zefiro. The Board urges shareholders to vote in advance of the proxy deadline to ensure their votes are counted.

Any Gold proxy or Gold VIF previously submitted for the Meeting remains valid and no further action is required of Shareholders who have already voted their Shares.

Except as expressly noted herein, all information and other matters disclosed in the Circular remain unchanged and unaffected by the postponement of the Meeting. No additional meeting materials will be mailed to Shareholders by the Company. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Circular in its entirety and vote their Shares as soon as possible ahead of the proxy voting deadline.

If you are a non-registered shareholder and have received your Meeting Materials from your bank, broker or other financial intermediary, please follow the instructions from your bank, broker or other financial intermediary for instructions on how to vote your Shares.

Have Questions or Need Help Voting?

If you have any questions or require any assistance with your vote, please contact our strategic advisor, Advisense Partners, at 1.866.332.6772 (toll-free in North America), or via email at engage@advisensepartners.com.

About Zefiro Methane Corp

Zefiro is an Environmental Services Company, specializing in methane abatement. Zefiro strives to be a key commercial force towards Active Sustainability. Leveraging decades of operational expertise, Zefiro is building a new toolkit to clean up air, land, and water sources directly impacted by methane leaks. The Company has built a fully integrated ground operation driven by an innovative monetization solution for the emerging methane abatement marketplace. As an originator of high-quality U.S.-based methane offsets, Zefiro aims to generate long-term economic, environmental, and social returns.

Michael Downs, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company is responsible for this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seeks", "believes", "plans", "expects", "intends", "estimates", "anticipates" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information including statements regarding the Hearing and the Meeting, including the timing and outcome thereof. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285101

Source: Zefiro Methane Corp.
Growth at Milton Campus Reflects Unprecedented Need and Deepening Insurance Partnerships Across New England

MILTON, NH / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / The Ridge RTC, Altior Healthcare's flagship residential mental health program for teens and emerging adults, today announced an expansion of its Milton, New Hampshire campus - adding 7 new beds to meet a surge in families seeking high-quality, intensive residential care.

The expansion is a direct response to sustained, high demand for The Ridge RTC's clinically intensive programming, which offers a minimum of three individual therapy sessions per week, daily group therapy, comprehensive psychiatric care, and robust family involvement. Programs typically run 30 to 90 days and are designed to treat the root causes of teen and emerging adult mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, and co-occurring conditions.

"The need for quality residential mental health care for young people has never been greater, and we're hearing it from families, referring providers, and insurance partners across New England and beyond," said Kenneth Kosza, CEO of Altior Healthcare. "Expanding our New Hampshire campus means more teens and emerging adults get access to the level of care they deserve - without the waitlist, and without families having to choose between the right program and what they can afford."

The growth is further supported by The Ridge RTC's expanding network of in-network insurance partnerships, which now includes Aetna, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Carelon, Magellan, Beacon, and Multiplan. These relationships have been instrumental in removing financial barriers for families navigating mental health crises - and in ensuring that teens and emerging adults in need can access care quickly and with confidence.

Situated on 350 acres in southeastern New Hampshire, The Ridge RTC's Milton campus blends evidence-based clinical treatment with experiential therapies, outdoor programming, and individualized psychiatric care. The expanded capacity will allow the program to serve more teens ages 12-17, while continuing to support its growing Emerging Adult Program for individuals ages 18-20.

"We've been deliberate about growing only when we can preserve the quality and individualized attention that defines The Ridge," said Dustin Wagner, Chief Clinical Officer of The Ridge RTC. "These 7 beds represent a thoughtful expansion - one that lets us say yes to more families without compromising what makes our program effective."

The Ridge RTC operates residential campuses in Milton, New Hampshire, and mid-coast Maine. It is part of the Altior Healthcare network, which also operates Paradigm Treatment - a nationally recognized teen and emerging adult mental health program with locations in Malibu, CA; San Rafael, CA; Austin, TX; and Coeur d'Alene, ID.

About The Ridge RTC The Ridge RTC is a national leader in teen and emerging adult mental health care, providing intensive, evidence-based residential treatment for ages 12-20 across campuses in New Hampshire and Maine. The program offers individualized clinical care, psychiatric services, experiential therapies, and deep family involvement in a structured, nurturing setting. The Ridge RTC is in-network with most major commercial insurance providers. For admissions inquiries, visit TheRidgeRTC.com or call 844-577-0877.

About Altior Healthcare Altior Healthcare operates leading behavioral health programs nationwide, including The Ridge RTC and Paradigm Treatment. With campuses across New Hampshire, Maine, California, Texas, and Idaho, Altior provides compassionate, evidence-based teen and emerging adult mental health care. Its mission: to deliver relief, hope, and healing to every individual and family it serves. Learn more at AltiorHealthcare.com.

Media Contact: Randy Clunan, Chief Marketing Officer rclunan@altiorhealthcare.com | (310) 555-1234

SOURCE: The Ridge RTC

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/the-ridge-rtc-expands-new-hampshire-campus-with-7-additional-beds-to-1140521
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Purebread Brands Inc. (TSXV: BRED) ("Purebread" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news releases on March 13, 2025, October 2, 2025 and December 12, 2025, it has completed the third and final tranche of its previously announced shares for debt transaction (the "Debt Settlement") and issued to a creditor of the Company an aggregate of 522,894 units (the "Units") at an average price of approximately $0.75 per Unit, in full and final settlement of accrued and outstanding indebtedness in the aggregate amount of $392,048. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $2.50 per share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue. Immediately prior to the Debt Settlement, the Company had 28,332,585 Common Shares outstanding and following closing of the second tranche of the Debt Settlement, there are 28,855,479 Common Shares outstanding.

All securities issued in connection with the Debt Settlement are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside Canada.

Related Party Transaction and Insider Participation

The issuance of Common Shares to Zamano Holdings Ltd. ("Zamano"), an "insider" of the Company, is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of Common Shares, as it relates to Zamano, is exempt from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101.

Immediately prior to closing of the Debt Settlement, Zamano held 2,663,618 Common Shares and securities convertible to acquire 612,553 Common Shares, reflecting an undiluted ownership interest of 9.40% and a partially diluted ownership interest of 11.32%. Zamano was issued 522,894 Units pursuant to the Debt Settlement and Zamano is now a related party on the basis of holding 3,186,512 Common Shares and securities convertible to acquire 874,000 Common Shares, reflecting an undiluted ownership interest of 11.04% and 13.66% of the issued and outstanding Comon Shares on a partially diluted basis.

Corporate Update

The Company also announces it has appointed Sheryl Dhillon as Corporate Secretary following the resignation of Bernadette D'Silva as Corporate Secretary. Ms. Dhillon is a highly experienced corporate secretary with over twenty years of experience. She has extensive knowledge of corporate governance, as well as strong management skills and excellent corporate communications. Ms. Dhillon acts as Corporate Secretary for several TSXV and CSE listed companies.

Additionally, the Company would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Bernadette D'Silva for her contributions as Corporate Secretary.

About Purebread Brands Inc.:

Purebread Brands Inc. is a leader in fast-casual cafe / bakeries in British Columbia, driving retail expansion in vibrant communities across Canada and beyond. Purebread is committed to crafting exceptional food experiences and making a positive impact on the communities it serves.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285122

Source: Purebread Brands Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (the "Company" or "Aftermath") has entered into various marketing agreements, as described below, with arm's length parties who will undertake Investor Relations Activities, as such term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities, on behalf of the Company. The marketing agreements are subject to the approval of the TSXV.

O & M Partners LLC

The Company announces that it has entered into an agreement with O&M Partners, LLC ("O&M") pursuant to which O&M has agreed to provide investor relations and communications services to the Company, including a conducting a broadcasting campaign. The Company will pay O&M an aggregate amount of US$6,000 as consideration for the services for an initial term of 1 month.

O&M is based in New York, and its principal, David Mandy, will be responsible for all services provided to the Company. Neither O&M nor Mr. Mandy currently hold any direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company, nor do they have any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

Torrey Hills Capital

The Company has entered into an agreement with Torrey Hills Capital, Inc. ("TH") pursuant to which TH has agreed to provide investor relations and communications services to the Company, including building and maintaining an investor audience for the Company via the distribution of news releases and Company updates. TH will also work to increase awareness of the Company through access to its established relationships with investment professionals including investment advisors, money managers, analysts and market makers. TH will also coordinate conference calls and schedule road show meetings for the Company. The Company will pay TH an aggregate fee of US$28,000 as consideration for its services, payable in equal monthly installments of US$7,000 for an initial term of 4 months beginning February 1, 2026. TH is an arm's length party with respect to the Company and does not currently have any direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

TH is a marketing firm specializing in emerging growth companies based in San Francisco. Cliff Mastricola will be responsible for all services provided by TH to the Company.

Kitco Media

The Company entered into an agreement with Kitco Metals Inc. ("Kitco"), dated February 19, 2026, pursuant to which Kitco has agreed to manage an advertising campaign for the Company, including conducting four video interviews with the Company's management and expanding the Company's market presence. The Company will pay Kitco an aggregate amount of US$18,900 as consideration for the services rendered over a 6 month term. Kitco is an arm's length party with respect to the Company and does not currently have any direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company, or any right or intent to acquire such an interest.

Kitco is a financial media company specializing in precious metals, commodities, and global economic news with offices in Montreal and Hong Kong.

Stock Option Grant

The Company has agreed to grant a total of 7,450,000 incentive options to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company. These options are exercisable into common shares of the Company at an exercise price of C$1.10 per share for a period of (five) years from the date of grant.

The Company has also agreed to grant Feneck Consulting Group, LLC ("Feneck") 150,000 incentive options pursuant to the investor relations and communications services agreement among the Company and Feneck dated June 1, 2025. These options are exercisable into common shares of the Company at an exercise price of C$1.10 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. Under the Company's agreement with Feneck, Feneck may be entitled to receive stock options from time to time pursuant at the sole discretion of the Company. For more information on the Company's engagement of Feneck, please see the Company's news release dated June 26, 2025.

The above stock options are granted under the Company's stock option plan and are subject to regulatory approval.

About Aftermath Silver Ltd.

Aftermath Silver Ltd. is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on silver and critical metals which aims to deliver shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition and development of quality silver and critical metal projects in stable jurisdictions. Aftermath has developed a pipeline of projects at various stages of advancement. The Company's projects have been selected based on growth and development potential.

Berenguela Silver-Copper-Manganese project. The Company has acquired the rights to a 100% interest in Berenguela through a binding agreement with SSR Mining and EMX Royalties. The project is located in the Department of Puno, in southern central Peru. A current NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate was published on December 4, 2025. A NI 43-101 Technical Report on the property was filed on January 16, 2026 and is available on SEDAR+.

Challacollo Silver-Gold project. The Company completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Challacollo silver-gold project from Mandalay Resources; see Company news release dated August 11, 2022. A NI 43-101 mineral resource was released on December 15, 2020 (available on SEDAR+ and the Company's web page).

Cachinal Silver-Gold project. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Cachinal Ag-Au project, located 2.5 hours south of Antofagasta.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285135

Source: Aftermath Silver Ltd.
PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Spencer Wainright III, an 81-year-old disabled American Veteran, has launched his children's book series, The Jon, Kallie & Boo Saga. The series, which includes the titles A Dog Called Boo and the newly released Hurricane Stranger, is now available for global audiences across major platforms such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Google Books, and IngramSpark.

Wainright, who has a background in public service with over a decade spent volunteering with Putnam Fire Rescue REHAB 111, has drawn from his deep sense of duty to create a series that highlights everyday heroes. The saga follows Jon and Kallie, a senior couple dedicated to helping those in need, and their extraordinary dog, Boo (also known as Delilah), who serves as their moral compass. The series aims to teach children that true heroism is not about physical strength but about how well you listen to and care for others.

"Reaching 81, I realized the most important legacy I can leave isn't just a story, but a message of faith and service," said Wainright. "Being a hero isn't about how big you are; it's about answering the call to help and showing kindness in the smallest of ways."

The saga begins with A Dog Called Boo, which introduces a small black pup with a divine gift-he can understand human speech and sense the unspoken needs of people. In Hurricane Stranger, the series takes a deeply personal turn as Wainright recounts his own experience during the devastating Category Five Hurricane Irma. The book describes a miraculous encounter with a stranger on a rain-soaked highway, an event that played a significant role in saving Wainright's family and deepened his commitment to serving others.

The stories are not only about heroism but also about resilience and the power of community. Wainright hopes to encourage young readers to embrace the values of empathy, listening, and service, qualities that can help build stronger, more compassionate communities.

Watch a video featuring Wainright's story and mission here.

Global Distribution & Recognition

The Jon, Kallie & Boo Saga has already made a significant impact worldwide. Available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats, the series is now accessible to readers globally. The books have been prominently featured on a billboard in Times Square, New York City, marking a notable milestone for the series. In addition to the Times Square recognition, Wainright will soon appear on the Spotlight Podcast, where he will discuss the themes of the series and the impact it has had on readers. An international launch event for the series is also scheduled in London this March.

The recognition of the Jon, Kallie & Boo Saga highlights Wainright's ongoing efforts to share his message of faith and resilience. With his books now available worldwide, Wainright is positioned to continue sharing his story and inspiring children and families across the globe.

Honoring First Responders & Everyday Heroes

Wainright's books are also a tribute to first responders, law enforcement, and other community members who sacrifice their personal time and safety to protect others. His focus on "helpers" highlights the often-overlooked heroes of everyday life and emphasizes the importance of service over personal gain. Through his writing, Wainright seeks to honor these individuals and encourage young readers to look for heroes in their own lives, whether they be teachers, parents, or community leaders.

"I've always believed that heroes are the people who show up in the hardest times without asking for anything in return," Wainright said. "These books are meant to honor them and motivate children to be the kind of person who helps others, just as Jon, Kallie, and Boo do in the stories."

About Spencer Wainright III

Spencer Wainright III is a disabled American Veteran and former volunteer firefighter. His career in public service was followed by a transition into writing, where he has found a new way to honor the values that have shaped his life: service, resilience, and faith. Through The Jon, Kallie & Boo Saga, Wainright shares his passion for inspiring others, particularly children, to understand the power of kindness and the importance of looking out for one another.

For more information about The Jon, Kallie & Boo Saga, or to request review copies or interviews, visit spencerwainright.com.

Media Contact

Country: United States

Media Contact: Robert Garcia

Company: American Book Publisherz

Email: robert.garcia@americanbookpublisherz.com

Phone number: +1 747 240 4103

Website: www.americanbookpublisherz.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/american-book-publisherz-81-year-old-american-veteran-spencer-wainright-iii-releases-jon-kallie--boo-saga-to-inspire-children-globally-302696214.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. (CSE: ICS) (OTCQB: IGCRF) (FSE: Y4G), doing business as Integrated Quantum Technologies ("Integrated Quantum" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") of 1,500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") at a price of C$1.00 per Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,500,000. The Shares sold pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period pursuant to securities laws in Canada.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for general working capital and software development.

The closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the submission of all required forms to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE").

The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there by any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Integrated Quantum

Integrated Quantum is building quantum-ready infrastructure to help secure and scale artificial intelligence. The Company's AIQu platform underpins its product strategy for privacy-preserving and resilient AI systems and VEIL is its first product, designed to protect sensitive AI data and workflows in enterprise environments. The Company's proprietary technologies address the threats of emerging post-quantum security risks, increasing compute demands, and the complexity of deploying AI at scale. To learn more information, visit: www.integratedquantum.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

Alan Guibord, Director & Chief Executive Officer

Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. dba Integrated Quantum Technologies

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward looking information or statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements relating to the terms and completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the receipt of regulatory and stock exchange approval in respect of the Offering, the technical, financial, and business prospects of the Company, its assets and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward looking information or statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information or statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information or statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, the ability to achieve its goals, expected costs and timelines to achieve the Company's goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, and that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward looking information or statements reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties included in in documents filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking information or statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms described herein, including obtaining the requisite regulatory and stock exchange approvals, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, failure to compete effectively with competitors, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to comply with applicable laws, including environmental laws, risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties. The Company does not undertake to update forward looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law.

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.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285169

Source: Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive results from its Annual General Meeting held on February 24, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The meeting had a turnout of shareholders representing 51.38% of its issued shares eligible to vote at the meeting. Shareholders expressed strong support for the Board appointments and the resolutions presented.

The number of directors is fixed at six. On a show of hands, Shareholders elected management's six nominees as directors. Details of the proxy voting are as follows:

DIRECTOR NUMBER

OF SHARES PERCENTAGE

OF VOTES CAST FOR FOR WITHHELD Diana Walters 46,567,800 99.64% 0.36% Frank Hallam 46,533,711 99.57% 0.43% Timothy Marlow 46,248,374 98.96% 1.04% John Copelyn 37,387,059 80.00% 20.00% Stuart Harshaw 46,245,845 98.95% 1.05% Mpho Makwana 46,536,817 99.57% 0.43%

Shareholders also approved the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year, with a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. The resolution was approved by 99.40% of votes cast.

In addition, Shareholders approved the Amended Share Compensation Plan, with 78.82% of votes cast in favour, and the Amended and Restated Deferred Share Unit Plan, with 98.11% of votes cast in favour, extending both plans until February 24, 2029.

For more information on these matters, please refer to Platinum Group's information circular, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or at www.platinumgroupmetals.net.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being operated in joint venture with Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd., Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd., and HJ Platinum Metals Company Ltd. on behalf of Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and Hanwa Co. Ltd.

On behalf of the Board of

Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam

President and CEO

Disclosure

The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The Company directs readers to the risk factors described in the Company's annual information form, Form 40-F annual report and other filings with the Canadian securities regulators and the Securities Exchange Commission, which may be viewed at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285171

Source: Platinum Group Metals Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Aquitaine Metals Corp. ("Aquitaine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to decrees published in the Journal Officiel de la Republique Francaise ("JORF") on February 20, 2026, its wholly owned French subsidiary, Compagnie des Mines Arediennes ("CMA"), has been granted five-year extensions, and area expansions of exclusive exploration permits (Permis Exclusifs de Recherches de Mines; "PERMs") at the Limousin project in France ("Limousin Project"). The extensions were granted pursuant to orders dated February 16, 2026, issued by the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty.

Permit Extensions and Expansions

The Limousin Project is made up of the Douillac, Pierrepinet and Fayat exploration permits. The Douillac permit has been granted a five-year extension and area expansion and now covers approximately 298 km across portions of the Dordogne and Haute-Vienne departments in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The Pierrepinet permit has also been granted a five-year extension. Pierrepinet is located in the Haute-Vienne department and covers approximately 3 km in an area of focused 20th century mining activity by the French company COGEMA. The Fayat exploration permit remains in good standing and is currently under review by the French government for a similar five-year extension. See Figure 1 .

The Company has committed to minimum exploration expenditures of 3.0 million (US$3.5 million) at Douillac and 2.0 million (US$2.4 million) at Pierrepinet over the renewed five-year term. To date, Aquitaine and CMA have met and exceeded the expenditure and work commitments associated with the Limousin exploration permits.

Chris Taylor, CEO of Aquitaine commented, "It is a privilege to participate, alongside the residents of Limousin and our French partners at CMA, in studying and reviving the mineral potential of this region which has such a rich mining history. Having spoken with many of COGEMA's former miners, geologists and engineers about their experiences and ideas, we look forward to studying and unlocking the precious and critical metal endowment of this area, while employing the best industry standards regarding environmental protections and respect of local land uses. After working alongside the French team for the past two years and listening to their goals and concerns, we are proud to potentially contribute to national independence in meeting urgent mineral needs and will continue to collaborate with local stakeholders in a transparent and responsible manner."

Figure 1: Limousin Project exploration permits





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11279/285092_679415c3043a7b5e_003full.jpg

Aquitaine at PDAC 2026

Aquitaine management are attending the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Convention taking place March 1-4, 2026 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada. The Company is participating in three featured sessions at PDAC including:

France at PDAC 2026 - Mining Expertise, Innovation & Partnerships

Sunday, March 1 | 2:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. | Room: 205B

Hosted by the French Embassy in Canada and Business France, this session will focus on innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, France-Canada collaboration, critical minerals, and French mining expertise.

Aquitaine CEO Chris Taylor will participate as a panelist, providing a private-sector perspective on advancing exploration projects in France and contributing to cross-border collaboration between French and Canadian mining stakeholders.

The event forms part of the official French delegation programming at PDAC 2026, and Aquitaine is participating as a delegate within the "French Corner," organized by Business France.

Unlocking Europe's Mineral Raw Materials Potential - New Data, New Projects, New Opportunities

Sunday, March 1 | 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Room: 203B

Hosted by EuroGeoSurveys and the European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources, this session will highlight European mineral raw materials projects and strategic opportunities.

Thomas Poirtrenaud, Vice President of Exploration, will deliver the country showcase presentation for France outlining exploration progress and geological potential within Aquitaine's permit areas.

France: A Mining Renaissance - Policy, Science & Project Delivery

Tuesday, March 3 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Room: 202D

Hosted by the Government of France, the French Geological Survey and Aquitaine, this session will examine regulatory modernization, scientific expertise, and industry participation in France's evolving mining framework.

Aquitaine CEO Chris Taylor will discuss the advancement of the Limousin project within France's regulatory environment.

For more information and to register for the events, visit the PDAC website: https://pdac.ca/convention-2026/attending-2026/schedule-at-a-glance-2026.

Aquitaine management will be available at the Investors Exchange in the Discovery Group booth (#2630) during the following dates and times:

Sunday, March 1 - 10:00am to 11:30am

Monday, March 2 - 2:30pm to 4:00pm

Tuesday, March 3 - 2:00pm to 3:30pm

Wednesday, March 4 - 9:00am to 10:30am

About Aquitaine Metals Corp.

Aquitaine Metals Corp. is a Vancouver-based gold and strategic metals exploration company focused on reviving world-class mining projects in France. Through its wholly owned French subsidiary, Compagnie des Mines Arediennes (CMA), the Company is advancing the Limousin project in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where a Phase 1 diamond drill program is underway to confirm historical datasets and test extensions of high-grade ore zones.

Aquitaine and CMA are committed to sustainable exploration that demonstrates responsible stewardship of the land, operational excellence and accountability.

Project information, work records, permitting timelines and environmental monitoring progress are available at CMA's website: minesarediennes.fr .

Aquitaine is a proud member of Discovery Group: discoverygroup.ca.

Investor Inquiries

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings and the future or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect ", "is expected ", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, other factors may cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285092

Source: Aquitaine Metals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Trojan Gold Inc. (CSE: TGII) (the "Company" or "Trojan") is pleased to announce a private placement financing consisting of the sale of up to 3,000,000 flow-through units (the "FT Units") in the capital of the Company at a price of CDN$0.10 per FT Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to CDN$300,000 (the "Offering").

Each FT Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") that will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "FT Warrant"). Each FT Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share for a price of CDN$0.15 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing.

The FT Warrants are subject to acceleration of the 24 month expiry date in the event that the Common Shares have a closing price on the Canadian Securities Exchange of $0.20 or greater for a period of five consecutive trading days at any time after the closing of the Offering and upon the Company giving 30 days' notice of acceleration.

The proceeds from the FT Units sold pursuant to the Offering will be used by the Company to conduct exploration at the Paulpic/Adair-Wascanna Properties and the Watershed Property.

About Trojan Gold Inc.

Trojan is an active Ontario-based prospect generator junior exploration company, led by a team of professionals having exploration, engineering, project financing and permitting experience. Trojan has accumulated land positions in the Hemlo Gold Camp and Shebandowan Greenstone Belt which in management's view represent mineral exploration potential. For further information on the Company, please visit www.trojangold.com. Trojan is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol (CSE: TGII) and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol KC1.

Further Information

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 these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the terms and timing of the private placement described in this press release and the anticipated uses of the proceeds raised from such private placement.

Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that: the Company will receive all necessary approvals required in order to complete the issuance of the securities pursuant to the private placement described in in this press release; that there will be sufficient interest from potential investors in order to complete the private placement on the terms as described herein or at all; and that the Company will have the necessary resources to be able to use the funds raised in the private placement for exploration expenses as anticipated.

However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the potential that the Company will not be able to proceed with the issuance of securities on the terms described in this press release or at all; the risk that the Company will not have the ability to conduct exploration activities on its current mineral properties as anticipated; and other risks (including but not limited to risks faced by issuers in the mining industry generally) as described in the Company's public disclosure record at www.sedarplus.ca.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285128

Source: Trojan Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Talent Infinity Resource Developments Inc. (CSE: TICO) (the "Company" or "TICO") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered listed issuer financing exemption private placement (the "LIFE Offering").

Pursuant to the LIFE Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 14,489,274 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,448,927.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant is exercisable to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.15 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance, provided that the Warrants are not exercisable for a period of 60 days following closing.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the LIFE Offering for general corporate and working capital purposes, as further described in the Amended Offering Document Under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption of the Company dated February 17, 2026.

The Units were offered in Canada, other than Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions, as modified by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935. The securities issued to Canadian resident subscribers are not subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

No finder's fees or finder warrants were paid in connection with the LIFE Offering.

Insiders of the Company participated in the LIFE Offering and acquired an aggregate of 1,200,000 Units. Participation by insiders constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, as the fair market value of the participation by insiders did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Any securities issued to insiders are subject to a hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange").

The LIFE Offering remains subject to final acceptance from the Exchange.

Earn-In Option Agreement Update

The Company would also like to clarify that in the news release of the Company dated February 3, 2026 and entitled "TALENT INFINITY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS INC. ANNOUNCES LIFE OFFERING, EARN-IN AGREEMENT AND NEW DIRECTOR", (the "Original News Release") the Company incorrectly referenced the effective date of the Option Agreement (as defined in the Original News Release) as being June 4, 2025. The effective date of the Option Agreement is February 3, 2026, the same date as the Option Agreement itself. A corrected Option Agreement will be filed on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile in due course.

About TICO

Talent Infinity Resource Developments Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of critical mineral properties. The Company is based in Vancouver, B.C. and holds an option over the Wildcat Property located in British Columbia.

Disclaimers

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities described herein 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, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from the LIFE Offering, receipt of final acceptance from the Exchange and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by applicable law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

/THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285158

Source: Talent Infinity Resource Developments Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2026) - Waraba Gold Limited (CSE: WBGD) (FSE: ZE00) (OTC Pink: WARAF) (the "Company" or "Waraba") is pleased to announce the voting results from its annual general and special meeting of the shareholders of the Company ("Shareholders") held today, Monday, February 23, 2026 (the "Meeting"). Shareholders voted in favour of each resolution put forth at the Meeting.

Annual Geneal and Special Meeting Results

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined below shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Company's management information circular dated January 16, 2026 (the "Circular") and press releases dated November 17, 2025, January 9, 2025, January 16, 2026 and February 12, 2026.

At the Meeting, there were 22 Shareholders represented in person or by proxy holding 7,226,902 Common Shares, representing 38.62% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as at the record date for the Meeting. Each nominee listed in the Circular was reelected as a director of the Company, the results of which were as follows:

Nominee Votes For: Votes Withheld: Number % Number % Carl Esprey 6,891,068 95.35 335,834 4.65 Chris O'Connor 6,891,068 95.35 335,834 4.65 Binyomin Posen 6,891,068 95.35 335,834 4.65 Jose Teixeira 6,891,068 95.35 335,834 4.65 Mamadou Coulibaly 7,226,902 100.00 - N/A

In addition, at the Meeting, (i) Shareholders fixed the number of directors at five; (ii) Shareholders reappointed McGovern Hurley LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's auditor for the ensuing year and authorized the audit committee of the Board to fix their renumeration; (iii) disinterested Shareholders ratified the adoption of the Omnibus Plan and the Prior Grant of 666,666 RSUs made on November 13, 2025; (iv) disinterested Shareholders approved the proposed issuance of an aggregate of 22,072,762 Common Shares underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants issued in the Private Placement; (v) disinterested Shareholders approved the participation of the Participating Insiders in the Transactions as required pursuant to MI 61-101; and (vi) Shareholders approved the adoption of new articles for the Company, each as more particularly set forth in the Circular. The results of such votes were as follows:

Resolution Votes For: Votes Withheld: Votes Against: Number % Number % Number % Fixing the Directors at Five 7,226,902 100.00 - N/A - N/A Reappointment of Auditor 7,226,902 100.00 - N/A - N/A Approval of the Proposed Omnibus Plan and Prior Grant of RSUs1 5,898,658 94.46 - N/A 345,834 5.54 Approval of the Issuance of Securities Pursuant to the Private Placement2 2,020,657 99.51 - N/A 10,000 0.49 Director Participation in the Private Placement3 6,517,826 99.85 - N/A 10,000 0.15 Approval of Adoption of New Articles for the Company 7,216,902 99.86 - N/A 10,000 0.14

Notes:

Approved by a majority of minority Shareholders. 982,410 Common Shares held by interested parties were ineligible to vote. Approved by a majority of minority Shareholders. 5,196,245 Common Shares held by interested parties were ineligible to vote. Approved by a majority of minority Shareholders. 699,076 Common Shares held by interested parties were ineligible to vote.

About Waraba

The Company is a resource exploration company that is acquiring and exploring mineral properties. The Company is a reporting issuer in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The Common Shares trade on the CSE under the trading symbol "WBGD" and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ZE00".

For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285181

Source: Waraba Gold Limited
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / KMT-Hansa Corp. (the "Corporation") announces that it has changed its auditors from Buckley Dodds CPA, (the "Former Auditors") to Lixin & Ethos CPAs LLP, (the "Successor Auditors").

Effective January 1, 2026, the Former Auditors merged with Davidson & Company LLP. Consequently, the Corporation transitioned its auditor from Davidson & Company LLP to the Successor Auditors as of February 19, 2026 (the "Effective Date"). The board of directors appointed the Successor Auditors to serve as the Corporation's auditor from February 19, 2026, until the next Annual General Meeting.

There were no reservations in the Former Auditor's reports in connection with the most recently completed fiscal year (June 30, 2025) or for any period subsequent to the most recently completed period for which an audit report was issued preceding the date of the Former Auditor's resignation. There are no "reportable events" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations) between the Corporation and the Former Auditor.

In accordance with National Instrument 51-102, the notice of change of auditor, together with the required letters from the Former Auditors and the Successor Auditors, have been reviewed by the audit committee and the board of directors and has been filed on SEDAR+.

For further information please contact:

Donald Wu

Chief Executive Officer

Email: info@kmt-hansa.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes certain information and forward-looking statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Corporation disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

SOURCE: KMT-Hansa Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/kmt-hansa-announces-change-of-auditor-1140745
Move comes as tech giant ramps up $600 billion US investment plan amid tariff pressures and supply chain diversification

Apple plans to shift part of its Mac Mini desktop computer production from Asia to the United States, expanding domestic manufacturing as geopolitical tensions and tariff pressures reshape global supply chains, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The iPhone maker will begin assembling some Mac Mini units later this year at a facility operated by Foxconn in north Houston, Sabih Khan, Apples chief operating officer, told The Wall Street Journal. The site currently assembles Apples artificial intelligence servers and will convert roughly 220,000 square feet of warehouse space into manufacturing lines dedicated to the compact desktop computer.

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The move marks Apples latest step under a $600 billion, four-year US investment commitment unveiled last August  a pledge that came amid mounting pressure from the administration of Donald Trump to increase domestic production. Companies that expanded American investment have, in return, secured tariff exemptions on certain products.

A niche product with strategic relevance

The Mac Mini is a relatively small contributor to Apples overall business. According to estimates by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, the device accounted for less than 5 per cent of global Mac sales last year and under 1 per cent of Apples total revenue.

Yet its strategic importance has grown. Long favoured by app developers building software for Apples ecosystem, the Mac Mini has recently found new relevance among users running AI agent software from desktops  an area of accelerating demand as artificial intelligence workloads proliferate.

According to the report, production of the Mac Mini would continue in Asia even after the US line begins operations. The Houston facility is expected to cater primarily to domestic demand as output ramps up.

Apple has not indicated whether the shift will result in scaled-down production at its Asian plants, which remain the backbone of its global supply chain. The company continues to manufacture most of its flagship products  including iPhones and iPads  in China, while diversifying incremental production to countries such as India, Vietnam and Thailand.

This is not Apples first attempt at assembling Macs in Texas. In 2013, the company opened a facility in Austin to produce the high-end Mac Pro. That operation, however, struggled with supply chain complexities and uneven demand, and production has since declined significantly.

Khan signalled greater confidence this time, arguing that the Mac Mini offers more predictable long-term demand than the premium-priced Mac Pro.

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The Houston expansion will also house a new advanced manufacturing training centre, slated to open later this year, the report said. The centre aims to train students, supplier employees and other workers in Apples manufacturing processes  a move that aligns with the companys broader push to build domestic technical capabilities.

Policy tailwinds and tariff realities

Apples renewed US manufacturing push comes against a shifting policy backdrop. In May last year, President Trump threatened a 25 per cent tariff on Apple products manufactured overseas, marking a sharp departure from earlier exemptions granted to electronics such as smartphones and computers.

While the administration has used tariffs as leverage to bring production closer to home, industry observers note that Apples global supply chain remains deeply rooted in Asia. Any meaningful reshoring will likely be gradual and targeted, focusing on select products rather than wholesale relocation.
Chinese AI startup may have accessed banned Blackwell processors, raising fresh questions over export control enforcement and the intensifying USChina AI race

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek trained its latest artificial intelligence model using Nvidias most advanced chip, Blackwell, despite strict American export controls barring shipments of the processor to China, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a senior Trump administration official.

The Hangzhou-based companys upcoming model, expected as soon as next week, was trained on Nvidias Blackwell chips, which are currently prohibited from being exported to China under rules overseen by the US Commerce Department, the report said.

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If confirmed, the development would represent a potential violation of US export controls and is likely to deepen divisions within Washington over how aggressively to restrict Chinas access to cutting-edge AI hardware.

Chips likely clustered in Inner Mongolia

According to the report, the US government believes the Blackwell chips are concentrated at DeepSeeks data centre in Inner Mongolia. The report did not disclose how US authorities obtained the intelligence or how DeepSeek secured the chips, but stressed that US policy remains clear: Were not shipping Blackwells to China.

The report also said that DeepSeek could attempt to strip away technical markers that would reveal the use of American-origin chips in training its model.

In a statement to Reuters, the Chinese embassy in Washington criticised what it described as the overstretching of national security concepts and the politicisation of trade and technology issues, reiterating Beijings opposition to expansive export controls.

Policy rift widens in Washington

The development comes at a sensitive time in US policymaking circles, where officials remain split over how tightly to restrict AI chip flows to China.

David Sacks and Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang have argued that allowing some advanced chip sales to China could temper the rise of domestic rivals such as Huawei by keeping Chinese firms reliant on American technology.

But China hawks counter that even commercially supplied chips can be diverted for military use, accelerating Beijings AI capabilities and eroding US technological dominance.

This shows why exporting any AI chips to China is so dangerous, Chris McGuire, a former National Security Council official under president Joe Biden, told Reuters. Given Chinas leading AI companies are brazenly violating US export controls, we obviously cannot expect that they will comply with US conditions that would prohibit them from using chips to support the Chinese military.

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Saif Khan, who also served at the National Security Council under Biden, told Reuters Chinese firms reliance on allegedly smuggled Blackwells underscores the shortfall in domestically produced AI chips and argued that approving sales of Nvidias H200 chips would offer Beijing a lifeline.

Trumps shifting stance on AI exports

US export controls currently bar shipments of Blackwell processors to China. In August, President Donald Trump signalled openness to Nvidia selling a scaled-down Blackwell variant to Chinese customers, but later reversed course, indicating that the most advanced AI chips should be reserved for US companies.

In December, however, the administration allowed Chinese firms to purchase Nvidias second-most advanced chips, known as the H200. That decision drew criticism from China hawks, and shipments remain stalled amid guardrails built into the approvals.

The senior official declined to comment on whether the latest revelations about DeepSeek would affect the administrations deliberations over future H200 sales.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands during the welcome ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. File image/AFP

In a sweeping setback to President Donald Trumps trade strategy, the US Supreme Court has struck down his emergency tariffs, upending a regime that had redrawn global supply chains and unsettled world markets over the past year.

In a ruling on Friday, the court held that President Donald Trump had acted beyond his authority in invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to slap sweeping tariffs, compelling the administration to roll back duties that had weighed heavily on exporters such as India and China.

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In a reversal, economies that were among the hardest hit by the tariff offensive now stand to gain the most from its rollback.

Asia gets breathing room

Economists at Morgan Stanley estimate that the weighted average tariff rate on Asian exports to the US will decline to 17 per cent from 20 per cent. Duties on Chinese goods are projected to fall sharply to 24 per cent from 32 per cent.

For India, which had faced elevated tariffs across several product categories, the ruling offers immediate respite for sectors ranging from engineering goods and auto components to textiles and pharmaceuticals.

Bloomberg Economics calculates that Trumps proposed fallback  a flat 15 per cent global levy  would result in an effective average tariff rate of roughly 12 per cent, the lowest since the administration unveiled its so-called Liberation Day tariffs in April.

The peak level of uncertainty on tariffs and trade tensions has passed, Morgan Stanley economists said in a note, though they warned that the relief could prove short-lived if Washington pivots to sector-specific or country-targeted duties.

Winners, losers and a reset field

The ruling has scrambled the competitive calculus among Americas trading partners.

China, which also saw a separate 10 per cent fentanyl-linked tariff invalidated, now faces significantly lighter duties. Canada and Mexico  similarly subject to fentanyl-related levies  stand to benefit as well, particularly if exemptions under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remain intact.

But not every economy emerges stronger.

The UK and Australia, which had negotiated preferential 10 per cent rates under the earlier reciprocal framework, now confront a uniform 15 per cent baseline  effectively losing their negotiated advantage. Japan, which had previously operated at what was then a competitive 15 per cent tariff level, has also seen that edge erased.

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In effect, the court has levelled the playing field  but at a higher common floor for some of Americas allies.

Limited macro impact  for now

Despite the legal shock, economists suggest the immediate macroeconomic effects may be contained.

Goldman Sachs estimates that the combined impact of the Supreme Court decision and the administrations newly announced Section 122 tariff would trim the cumulative increase in the effective tariff rate since the start of 2025 from just over 10 percentage points to around 9 percentage points.

Imports from countries benefiting from tariff reductions are likely to pick up in the coming months. However, analysts say that boost may be offset by inventory drawdowns, rerouting of trade flows and marginal sourcing adjustments elsewhere.

Even as the administration prepares to stop collecting the now-illegal IEEPA-based duties at midnight, Trump has warned that countries attempting to play games with existing trade agreements could face harsher penalties under alternative legal authorities.

In a series of posts on Truth Social, the president said nations that walk away from negotiated deals  or seek to exploit the Supreme Courts decision  would be met with much higher tariffs.

He said that while the court invalidated his use of emergency powers, it affirmed his authority to deploy tariffs under other statutes in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty. Trump also floated the possibility of imposing new license fees on trading partners, though he offered no details.

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With inputs from agencies.
Paramount, Netflix and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. File Image/Reuters

In an escalation of one of Hollywoods biggest takeover battles, Paramount Skydance has submitted a higher offer for Warner Bros Discovery, seeking to derail the HBO Max owners agreed deal with Netflix, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The revised proposal improves on Paramounts earlier $108.4 billion all-cash offer, or $30 per share, for the entire company, the report said. Details of the sweetened bid were not immediately clear, but the report said the changes were aimed at addressing Warner Bros concerns over financing certainty.

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High-stakes streaming showdown

The bidding war underscores the strategic value of Warner Bros crown jewels  including the Harry Potter and Game of Thrones franchises  in an increasingly streaming-led media landscape.

Netflix had agreed to acquire Warner Bros studios and streaming assets for $27.75 per share in cash, valuing the deal at $82.7 billion. Under the terms of that agreement, Netflix is allowed to match any superior proposal.

A report by Variety late Monday said that Warner Bros board was likely to review the revised Paramount offer while continuing to recommend the Netflix deal to shareholders.

Investors are scheduled to vote on Netflixs proposal on March 20, in what could prove to be a decisive moment in the future ownership of one of Hollywoods most storied studios.

Pressure mounts on Warner board

The contest has intensified after activist investor Ancora Capital built a roughly $200 million stake in Warner Bros and urged the company to re-engage with Paramount. Ancora has warned it would vote against the Netflix deal and seek to hold directors accountable at the companys annual meeting if discussions with Paramount are not reopened.

Earlier this month, Warner Bros rejected a revised February 10 offer from Paramount that included covering a $2.8 billion termination fee payable to Netflix and offering a 25-cent quarterly ticking fee from next year to compensate shareholders for delays in closing. The board had given Paramount until February 23 to submit what it described as a superior proposal.

Analysts at MoffettNathanson have said a bid in the region of $34 per share could end the standoff and avoid prolonged debate over the value of Warner Bros planned cable spinoff.

Spinoff dispute at the heart of valuation

A key sticking point in the negotiations is Warner Bros plan to spin off its cable television assets  including CNN and HGTV  into a new entity, Discovery Global. The company estimates the spinoff could add between $1.33 and $6.86 per share in value.

Netflix has argued its offer provides shareholders with upside from the Discovery Global separation, saying the transaction would give the spun-off business greater strategic and financial flexibility.

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Paramount, however, has dismissed the proposed cable spinoff as effectively worthless, contending that the long-term decline in linear television undermines its valuation.

Regulatory hurdles loom

Even if shareholders approve Netflixs offer, the deal would face intense scrutiny from US and European competition authorities.

Regulators will examine whether combining Netflixs global streaming footprint with Warner Bros century-old studio assets would reduce competition or limit consumer choice. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has already raised concerns about potential harm to consumers and creative professionals.

Paramount has said it has secured foreign-investment clearance in Germany and is in discussions with antitrust regulators in the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. It has repeatedly argued that its proposal offers a clearer path to regulatory approval than Netflixs.

Still, a Paramount-Warner combination would create a studio larger than market leader The Walt Disney Company, and merge two major television operators  a prospect that some Democratic senators have warned could concentrate too much control over American viewing habits.

With inputs from agencies.
Indian equities opened sharply lower on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex dropping 476 points to 82,818.25 and the Nifty 50 falling 118.8 points to 25,594.20 in early trade. Profit booking in IT and telecom counters dragged the benchmarks lower

Sensex falls 476 points to 82,818; Nifty dips 119 to 25,594 on IT, telecom weakness. Representational image/Pixabay

Indian equities opened sharply lower on Tuesday, with the BSE Sensex dropping 476 points to 82,818.25 and the Nifty 50 falling 118.8 points to 25,594.20 in early trade. Profit booking in IT and telecom counters dragged the benchmarks lower.

IT, telecom lead the decline

Technology and telecom stocks bore the brunt of the selling. Infosys fell over 3 per cent to 1,287.10, HCL Technologies dropped 2.7 per cent, and TCS slipped 2.6 per cent. Bharti Airtel declined 2 per cent, while Wipro lost 2.1 per cent.

Other major losers included Bajaj Finance, Trent, and Bharat Electronics, each giving up between 1 per cent and 1.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, select PSU and metal stocks provided some support. Tata Steel rose 0.4 per cent, NTPC gained 0.45 per cent, and ONGC and Powergrid were up 0.40.5 per cent.

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Actor Robert Carradine, best known for Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has died at 71 after a long battle with bipolar disorder. Heres a look at his life, career, and legacy.

Veteran Hollywood actor Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds, The Long Riders, and Disneys Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71. His family confirmed that the actor passed away following a prolonged struggle with bipolar disorder, leaving behind a legacy that spanned over five decades in film and television.

Family Confirms Cause of Death, Pays Emotional Tribute

In a statement shared with the media, Carradines family said he had fought a courageous battle against bipolar disorder for nearly two decades. Remembering him as a source of warmth and light, they expressed hope that his journey would help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage more open conversations about emotional wellbeing. The family also requested privacy as they grieve the loss of their beloved father, grandfather, uncle and brother.

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The statement read, It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder. We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion."

A Career Spanning Cult Classics and Mainstream Fame

Born into the legendary Carradine acting family, Robert carved his own path in Hollywood, earning widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lewis Skolnick in the cult comedy franchise Revenge of the Nerds. He also delivered memorable performances in The Long Riders and later won over younger audiences as Sam McGuire, the father of Hilary Duffs character, in Disneys hit series Lizzie McGuire.

Over the years, Carradine built a versatile career across genres, seamlessly moving between comedy, drama, and action. His natural screen presence and relatable performances made him a familiar face across multiple generations of viewers.

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Tributes Pour In from Fans and Industry

Following the news of his death, tributes flooded social media, with fans recalling his warmth, humour, and enduring screen charm. Many also praised the familys openness in addressing mental health, highlighting the importance of compassion and awareness around bipolar disorder.

A Legacy That Lives On

Robert Carradine leaves behind an enduring body of work that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. As tributes continue to pour in, he is being remembered not only for his memorable performances but also for his courage in confronting mental illness, helping spark vital conversations around mental health awareness.

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All of Us Are Dead Season 2: Check expected Netflix release date, plot details, returning cast, storyline updates, and where to watch the Korean zombie thriller series online.

After more than three years of anticipation, Netflixs global hit Korean zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead is finally inching closer to its long-awaited second season. The high-stakes survival drama, which became one of Netflixs most-watched non-English series after its 2022 debut, is officially returning with Season 2, promising a darker, more intense continuation of the story.

Heres everything we know so far about All of Us Are Dead Season 2, including its expected release timeline, storyline, cast, and streaming details.

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Netflix renewed All of Us Are Dead for Season 2 in June 2022. However, multiple production delays, including scheduling conflicts and South Koreas mandatory military service for key cast members, have significantly pushed back filming.

As per current updates, Season 2 is expected to premiere sometime in 2026 end. The filming of the second season was wrapped up on February 19. While Netflix has not confirmed an exact release date yet, filming reportedly began in 2024, making a mid-to-late 2026 release window the most realistic expectation. However, Netflix did not mention it in its 2026 slate, and there is a possibility that the release might be pushed to the beginning of 2027.

Season 2 Plot: What to Expect

Season 1 ended with a tense cliffhanger, leaving several questions unanswered. The second season is expected to expand the world beyond Hyosan High School and explore:

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-The aftermath of the zombie outbreak

-The survival of half-zombies (hambies)

-Government containment efforts

-A larger-scale apocalypse scenario

Director Lee JQ has previously hinted that Season 2 will focus more on survival in a destroyed world, moving beyond the school setting. Fans can also expect higher emotional stakes, brutal action sequences, and deeper character arcs. Season 2 will once again be directed by Lee JQ (Daily Dose of Sunshine) and Kim Nam-su, with returning writer Chun Sung-il (King the Land) penning the script.

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All of Us Are Dead Season 2: Confirmed and Expected Cast

Several key actors from Season 1 are expected to return, including:

-Park Ji-hu as Nam On-jo

-Yoon Chan-young as Lee Cheong-san

-Cho Yi-hyun as Choi Nam-ra

-Lomon (Park Solomon) as Lee Su-hyeok

New cast members are also expected to join, though Netflix has not yet officially announced additional names.

Where to Watch All of Us Are Dead Season 2

All of Us Are Dead Season 2 will stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide, similar to the first season.

Why Fans Are Still Hooked

The first season blended high-octane zombie horror with emotional storytelling, tackling themes of friendship, sacrifice, fear, and adolescence under extreme circumstances. Its gripping narrative and intense performances helped it become a viral sensation across Asia, Europe, and the US.

With a darker tone, larger scale, and higher stakes, Season 2 is poised to surpass its predecessor in both spectacle and storytelling.

While the wait has been long, All of Us Are Dead Season 2 promises to deliver a more expansive, emotionally charged, and brutal survival saga. With a 2026 release window now likely, fans can finally begin the countdown.

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Stay tuned for more updates as Netflix reveals fresh teasers, trailers, and official announcements.
It has been four years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. The destruction on the ground is immense, with several Ukrainian cities like Bakhmut, Toretsk and Vovchansk reduced to rubble amid fighting. Ukraine has lost nearly 15,000 civilians since the war began in 2022. What has changed for Russia?

A woman looks at houses heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in Kyiv region. File image/Reuters

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.

As the conflict reaches its four-year mark, AFP looks at the state of the conflict and some of the consequences for both countries:

Destruction

The war has resulted in widespread destruction in Ukraine.

Entire cities in Ukraines east and south, among them Bakhmut, Toretsk and Vovchansk, have been reduced to rubble by fighting.

The World Health Organisation has verified more than 2,800 attacks on healthcare facilities since 2022, while Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have cut heating and power to millions.

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A firefighter works at a compound of a private enterprise which was damaged during overnight Russian drone strikes amid Russias attack on Ukraine in Odesa region, Ukraine. File image/Reuters

Around a fifth of Ukraine is contaminated by mines or unexploded ordnance, according to the UNs Mine Action Service.

The total cost of reconstruction in Ukraine is estimated at around $588 billion over the next decade, the World Bank reported Monday.

Death

The United Nations has verified over 15,000 civilian deaths in Ukraine since 2022, although it says the actual number is likely considerably higher as it has no access to areas under Russian occupation, like the port city of Mariupol where thousands are reported to have died in a Russian siege.

Ukrainian retaliatory attacks on Russian border regions have also killed hundreds.

Around 20,000 children have been forcibly displaced or kidnapped from Russian-occupied Ukrainian land, according to estimates by Kyiv.

Forced to flee when Russia invaded, around 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees live outside the country and another 3.7 million are displaced internally, the UN Refugee Agency says.

New recruits of the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attend their first military training near a frontline amid Russias attack on Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine. File image/AP

Neither side releases reliable data on military casualties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month 55,000 of his soldiers had been killed  a toll widely believed to be an underestimate.

Russia has not given an official update on losses since September 2022.

The BBC and Mediazona, an independent Russian site, have verified the deaths of at least 177,000 Russian soldiers through public obituaries and announcements by family and local officials  a toll also believed to be below the real number.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank estimates as many as 325,000 Russian soldiers may have been killed since 2022, while putting the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed at 100,000-140,000.

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Frontline & diplomacy

Moscow occupied around 19.5 percent of Ukraine as of mid-February, according to data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Around seven percent  the Crimean peninsula and part of the eastern Donbas region  was already occupied before the invasion.

Moscows advances were the biggest since 2022 last year, although they have slowed considerably since the opening months of its campaign, according to ISW data.

The Kremlin is pushing for full control of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region and a ban on Western military support for Kyiv.

Ukraine says giving in would leave it vulnerable to future attack, is constitutionally impossible, and unacceptable to much of Ukrainian society.

Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, several rounds of talks  in Istanbul, Abu Dhabi and Geneva  have failed to secure a deal.

Economy

The war has decimated Ukraines economy and put Russias under massive strain.

After growing strongly on the back of massive military spending  up to nine percent of GDP  Russias economy has slowed, posting just a one percent expansion last year.

Oil and gas revenues  which provide roughly a quarter of state budget income  fell to a fiveyear low last year, as a wave of Western sanctions and Ukrainian attacks on oil facilities crimped exports.

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Ukraines economy shrank by almost a third in the year after Russias invasion. It has clawed a little of that back, but its government now depends on the International Monetary Fund and other foreign lenders to cover day-to-day spending.

Politics and society

The war has had a deep impact on politics and society in both countries.

Ukraine has suspended elections due to martial law and lately been rocked by a corruption scandal in the war-battered energy sector.

In Russia, authorities have orchestrated a domestic crackdown on dissent unprecedented since the Soviet era.

Russian prosecutors have opened more than 10,000 cases against people accused of criticising its armed forces, Russian news site Mediazona reported in 2024.

Returning veterans in Russia, many of them former convicts recruited to fight, have been blamed for an increase in violent crime.

Allies

Ukraine is heavily dependent on Western weapons, intelligence and finance.

Europe has delivered 201 billion euros in aid since 2022, according to figures from Germanys Kiel Institute.

The United States has supplied $115 billion in total, but Trump has partially suspended arms deliveries and is pushing Europe to pick up the tab.

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North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to fight with the Russian army and is widely reported to have sent millions of artillery shells to Moscow.

Iran has supplied drone technology to Moscow, and China has become its vital economic partner, accused in the West of helping the Kremlin avoid sanctions.
Four years into the Russia-Ukraine war, renewed US-led talks in Geneva and Abu Dhabi face major roadblocks over territory, security guarantees and political demands. With civilian casualties rising, military aid declining, and sanctions biting, 2026 is being seen as a potentially pivotal year for the conflict

Flags fly over graves, including those of Russian soldiers killed during the conflict against Ukraine, on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the start of Russias military campaign, at Lemeshovo cemetery in the Moscow region, Russia, February 23, 2026. File Image/Reuters

Four years after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered forces into Ukraine, Europe remains engulfed in its most destructive conflict since World War II.

The war formally crossed into its fifth year on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with no comprehensive ceasefire in place and no final political settlement in sight.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded, millions have been displaced, and both militaries have suffered casualties on a scale not seen in any European war for decades.

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Despite renewed diplomatic engagement involving Washington, Moscow and Kyiv, the central disputes  control of territory seized by Russia, Ukraines future security arrangements, and Moscows political demands on Kyiv  continue to block any durable peace framework.

The past year has also brought new strains to Ukraines war effort. Western military aid has declined overall, even as European countries attempt to fill gaps left by policy shifts in the United States.

At the same time, Russian forces have continued to strike Ukraines energy grid and civilian infrastructure, deepening humanitarian suffering and complicating Kyivs negotiating position.

As of now, a final settlement remains elusive.

Why a Russia-Ukraine peace deal remains distant

The United States has spent the past year attempting to bring Russian and Ukrainian representatives into direct dialogue as part of a renewed push for a negotiated end to the conflict.

The administration of Donald Trump has hosted or facilitated multiple rounds of contact with delegations from both capitals. These efforts have included meetings in Abu Dhabi and follow-up talks in Geneva on February 17-18 earlier this month.

American officials involved in the process say Moscow has indicated a willingness to explore an agreement. Russian representatives have conveyed to US negotiators, including presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, that the Kremlin is open to a deal.

However, these diplomatic gestures have unfolded alongside continued Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, leaving large numbers of civilians without reliable electricity, water and heating during winter months.

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Critics of the talks, including Ukraines supporters in the United States and former American officials, argue that Russia is using negotiations to gain time while consolidating limited territorial advances in eastern Ukraine.

The Geneva meeting concluded after only two hours.

For Kyiv, the overriding objective is to bring active combat to a halt. The unresolved issue is what Ukraine may be forced to concede in return for a cessation of hostilities.

Ukrainian officials maintain that any territorial outcome should be determined by the position of forces when the fighting stops, rather than by preconditions imposed by Moscow.

Russia, by contrast, has insisted that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the Donbas region before the Kremlin will agree to full-scale peace negotiations. Given domestic political realities in Ukraine and the heavy sacrifices made over four years of fighting, such a demand remains unacceptable to Kyiv.

Russian officials nonetheless believe time is on their side, calculating that continued military pressure will eventually allow Moscow to secure control over Donbas without compromise.

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This impasse has created what analysts describe as a risk of endless ceasefire discussions that do little to reduce the violence. Moscow may periodically agree to brief pauses in fighting as a show of goodwill, even as Russian forces continue to strike Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas.

Under this scenario, Ukraine would face ongoing destruction of power plants, water systems and transport networks while negotiations stall.

Russia itself confronts a parallel dilemma. If the Kremlin succeeds in pushing Kyiv into substantive talks resembling capitulation  similar to negotiations held in Istanbul during the early weeks of the war  Moscow would still need to decide which of its far-reaching demands it is genuinely prepared to compromise on.

Beyond territorial claims, Russias stated objectives extend into Ukraines internal political orientation. The Kremlin seeks to reshape Ukraine into a state firmly aligned with Russian interests rather than one perceived as hostile.

This includes political conditions aimed at curbing Ukrainian nationalism, legitimising pro-Russian political forces, securing formal recognition for the Russian language, and restoring the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church within Ukrainian society.

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Moscow is also demanding sweeping security concessions: sharp reductions in the size of Ukraines armed forces, the termination of Kyivs military cooperation with Nato countries, and prohibitions on the deployment of long-range weapons or Western military infrastructure on Ukrainian territory.

Even if Kyiv were forced to accept such conditions under international pressure, analysts warn that any agreement would likely prove fragile. Ukraines political elites and broader society would struggle to implement provisions that amount to coerced loyalty to Moscow.

Past experience with agreements aimed at resolving conflict in eastern Ukraine before 2022 suggests that imposed settlements can unravel, leading to renewed escalation.

For the US, a formally signed agreement could allow Washington to claim a diplomatic breakthrough, but a deal lacking domestic legitimacy in Ukraine would be prone to collapse, potentially damaging US credibility as a mediator.

Pressure is also growing within Europe to re-engage diplomatically with Moscow, with the prospect of more frequent high-level contacts and softened rhetoric.

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Yet the Kremlin is likely to condition any genuine rapprochement on European willingness to debate the continents security architecture and to scale back military assistance to Kyiv.

European capitals are neither prepared for direct military confrontation with Russia nor willing to negotiate away Ukraines security.

What Zelenskyy has said about Kyivs position

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly acknowledged the immense fatigue felt across Ukrainian society after nearly four years of continuous warfare.

Speaking in an interview marking the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion, he described the conflict as an existential struggle for Ukraines survival and rejected any settlement that would amount to surrendering the countrys sovereignty or future.

They have to stay with a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. Its all about himself. Its all about one person. And the country, all his country is in prison," Zelenskyy told CNN, appealing for sustained international backing, particularly from Washington.

If they really want to stop Putin, Americas so strong," he added. When asked whether enough pressure was being placed on Moscow, he responded with a No."

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Zelenskyy said agreeing to Russias demands would amount to forfeiting Ukraines future.

We cant just give him everything he wants. Because he wants to occupy us. If we give him all he wants, we will lose everything, all of us, people will have to run away or be Russian," he said.

While he indicated that Kyiv could consider freezing active combat along existing front lines as a temporary measure, he firmly rejected any proposal requiring Ukrainian forces to abandon territory they currently hold in eastern Donetsk.

Russia wants (us) just to withdraw our army. We cant be such, sorry, foolish guys. We are not children. We went through this war, during all these years, and so we just, we cant give them the country on (a) plate," he said.

The Ukrainian leader also highlighted the civilian consequences of territorial concessions. For people who live there, its very important what security they will have, 200,000 people live there. What do I have to say (to them), Okay, bye-bye. We go away. You are Russian from this moment?'"

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Addressing criticism over postponed elections, Zelenskyy pointed to martial law restrictions that prohibit voting during wartime. What do they want? Another president?" he said, adding that Trump had not personally indicated whether he wanted a change in Ukraines leadership.

In a separate message posted on X, Zelenskyy argued that Russias invasion has already widened into a broader global confrontation. There are different views on World War III. I believe Putin has already started it," he wrote, describing Ukraine as an outpost" preventing the war from spreading further.

The Ukrainian leadership continues to frame any concessions on sovereignty or political independence as unacceptable, even as the country faces declining military aid and sustained infrastructure damage.

How the Russia-Ukraine War has fared so far

According to a recent assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the combined number of soldiers killed, wounded or missing on both sides may be as high as 1.8 million.

The report estimates that Russia suffered around 1.2 million military casualties between February 2022 and December 2025, including up to 325,000 fatalities  described as the highest number of troop deaths endured by any major power in a single conflict since World War II.

Moscow has not published updated battlefield casualty figures since January 2023, when it acknowledged that more than 80 soldiers were killed in a Ukrainian strike, bringing the total number of confirmed Russian military deaths to just over 6,000 at that time.

The same CSIS assessment estimates that Ukraine has suffered between 500,000 and 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths. Zelenskyy stated earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed, while noting that many remain unaccounted for.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine releases comprehensive, timely data on military losses, and independent verification of casualty figures remains impossible.

Civilian casualties have continued to rise. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission has recorded 14,999 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale invasion, while warning that the true number is likely higher.

More than 40,600 civilians have been injured over the same period, according to the UNs December report. At least 763 children have been killed.

The past year was particularly devastating for non-combatants. In 2025 alone, 2,514 civilians were killed and 12,142 wounded  representing a 31 per cent increase in civilian casualties compared with 2024.

Territorial control has shifted only marginally despite enormous losses. Russia currently occupies about 19.4 per cent of Ukraines territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Over the past year, Russian forces expanded their footprint by just 0.79 per cent of Ukrainian land, illustrating the grinding nature of the conflict and the limited gains achieved at immense cost.

Prior to February 2022, Russia controlled nearly seven per cent of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The war has also triggered one of the largest displacement crises in Europe since World War II. Approximately 5.9 million Ukrainians have fled the country, with 5.3 million finding refuge elsewhere in Europe, according to a recent UN report.

A further 3.7 million people have been displaced within Ukraines borders. Before the invasion, Ukraines population exceeded 40 million.

The World Health Organisation has documented 2,881 Russian attacks that disrupted the provision of medical care in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. The agency reported that such incidents rose by nearly 20 per cent in 2025 compared with the previous year.

A separate WHO report earlier this month recorded at least 2,347 strikes on health facilities, in addition to attacks damaging ambulances, medical storage sites and supply chains.

The military and economic balance of the war has also shifted subtly over the past year. According to Germanys Kiel Institute, foreign military assistance to Ukraine declined by 13 per cent in 2025 compared with the annual average from 2022 to 2024.

The reduction followed a policy change in Washington, where the Trump administration halted the transfer of US-funded weapons to Ukraine after re-taking office just over a year ago.

European governments have attempted to compensate for the shortfall. Military aid from European countries rose by 67 per cent last year relative to the 2022-2024 period, according to the same institute.

However, overall foreign humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine fell by five per cent compared with the previous three-year average.

At the same time, Russia is increasingly feeling the cumulative effects of Western sanctions. Analysts note growing economic strain inside Russia, even as the Kremlin continues to allocate resources for weapons production and military operations.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is confronting severe pressure on its energy infrastructure, which has been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes.

These conditions have fuelled expectations that 2026 could mark a turning point.

With inputs from agencies
The UK government is planning to remove former Prince Andrew from the formal line of succession to the royal family. This comes after his arrest and links to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Presently, Andrew is eighth in line to the throne

There's a possibility that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be removed from the line of succession after Britain's government said it would consider introducing legal changes. File image/AP

Britains royal family is in the throes of controversy as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was earlier arrested, and later released, on suspicion of misconduct in public office last Thursday (February 19).

Now, the UK government is considering his removal from the list of royals in line to the throne. The government is clear that we are not ruling out action in respect of the line of succession at this stage, and we will consider whether any further steps are required in due course," Darren Jones, Prime Minister Keir Starmers chief secretary, told lawmakers on Monday. Any such measure will only take place once the police investigation is finished, he added.

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Even Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government will write to fellow Commonwealth of Nations members to support a proposal to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. Albaneses announcement came after its neighbouring nation, New Zealand, declared that it would also support the UK government if it proposes the removal of Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of the throne.

Even after being stripped of his status as a prince in October over his close links to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the former Prince Andrew remains eighth in line to become monarch. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Stripping a royal of their place in the line of succession is a complex process that involves more than a dozen countries that also recognise the British monarch as head of state.

Legal changes must be passed by Parliament

In the current royal succession order, Prince William, the son of King Charles III, is heir to the throne, followed by his children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Prince Harry comes next, with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet behind him.

Mountbatten-Windsor  who was second in line to the throne at his birth  currently follows them in eighth position. His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are in ninth and 12th places respectively.

Britains former Prince Andrew during the coronation ceremony of Britains King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London. File image/AP

Removing him from the line of succession would require an act of parliament, which needs lawmakers approval.

One party, the Liberal Democrats, has been vocal about supporting such a move.

I think it would be intolerable for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to succeed to the crown, party leader Ed Davey said last week. Its not as remote as some people think."

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Permissions beyond Britain

Any change to the line of succession would also require backing from about a dozen Commonwealth countries where Charles is head of state.

Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday he would back any UK government plan to exclude Mountbatten-Windsor.

These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously, he wrote in a letter to Starmer. I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.

Starmers government is not believed to have received similar letters from 13 other countries that also have Charles as head of state, including Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Tuvalu.

Robert Hazell, a politics professor who founded the Constitution Unit at University College London, said in some countries it requires a formal constitutional amendment, while in others it can be done by legislation. He expressed doubt that the UK or the other governments would want to spend time removing Mountbatten-Windsor from the succession line, given he is only eighth in line.

The last time this happened was for the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which made the law of royal succession gender neutral, he said. It took two years of protracted negotiations for all the different countries to amend their own laws or constitutions.

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Possible impact on Andrews daughters

One question is whether excluding Mountbatten-Windsor would affect his daughters, who are not working royals, and their children.

Not necessarily  it depends on how the legislation is framed, Hazell said.

The last time a royal was removed from the line of succession was after King Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. At the time, the law was changed to strike him and any descendants from the list.

Britains Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie leave after attending the Royal Familys Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalenes church, as the royals take residence at the Sandringham estate in eastern England, Britain. File image/Reuters

For his part, King Charles has not publicly indicated whether he would support or oppose removing his brother from the line of succession. The monarch stressed that the law must take its course in the investigation, adding: My family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.

Reports in the British media, however, suggest the palace is not against a legal change to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. Citing an unnamed palace source, The Times of London reported on Saturday that the royal family said it would never get in the way of what Parliament decides.

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With inputs from AP
It sounds like the script of a Hollywood movie. The operation that resulted in the capture and subsequent death of Mexicos most-wanted cartel leader, Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes, began with the tracking of his girlfriend to his cabin in picturesque Tapalpa

A printing worker holds a freshly printed copy of the newspaper PM bearing the headline "US mapped El Mencho and Mexico delivered the final blow, Caught between two fires," following the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as 'El Mencho,' in a military operation on Sunday, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters

How do you nab a drug cartel leader? Do you follow the money or the trail of narcotics? In the case of Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, it was neither. Instead, his capture and eventual death came after Mexican authorities followed his girlfriend, who led authorities to a cabin where the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a man long considered one of the countrys most ruthless criminal figures, was hiding.

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A day after El Menchos death, which caused widespread violence in Mexico, officials have revealed how a tryst with his girlfriend led to the cartel leaders location. Moreover, a newly formed US-military-led task force played a role in the Mexican military raid on Sunday that killed the 59-year-old cartel leader.

Heres how the capture of Mexicos most powerful cartel leader and one of the United States most wanted fugitives unfolded.

Tracking El Mencho

After pursuing El Mencho for years  he carried a bounty of $15 million  the Mexican authorities caught a break on February 20 when they received a tip they had been eagerly waiting for.

A close associate of El Mencho, who was known to the Mexican military, delivered one of the kingpin Oseguera Cervantes girlfriends to a property in Tapalpa, Jalisco, which lies about two hours south of Guadalajara. It is this popular tourist site that turned out to be the hideout of one of Mexicos most wanted men.

The following day, the lover left Osegueras cabin complex on the outskirts of Tapalpa, but the drug lord remained at the hideout with his security detail.

Mexican authorities swoop into action

Once the woman left after spending the night with El Mencho, Mexicos special forces finalised their plans, having confirmed he was staying in the area with a security detail.

They put together a plan and launched a raid within the next 24 hours. According to Mexican Defence Secretary General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, units from the Mexican army and the National Guard established a ground cordon, while six helicopters and additional special forces stood by in states bordering Jalisco.

They established a perimeter around El Menchos cabin and began to move in.

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Soldiers at the site where federal forces carried out an operation to capture cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, El Mencho, who died in a helicopter after being injured during a Mexican specialforces raid in a wooded area outside the town of Tapalpa, Mexico. Reuters

Fire in the streets

As the Mexican authorities approached El Menchos cabin, a firefight broke out as the cartels members opened fire. General Trevilla told reporters later that El Menchos men had a large amount of weaponry, and the battle was violent.

Honestly, it was a pretty violent attack, Trevilla said, adding that the cartel members used assault weapons and two rocket launchers. He added that while some of the Mexican troops stayed to engage the group at the cabin, a team of Special Forces personnel split off in pursuit of Oseguera, who had fled into the forested area surrounding the cabin.

However, the Mexican special forces were able to track down Oseguera and another group of his associates to a nearby wooded area. They found him hiding in the brush, the general said.

Trevilla noted that after more shooting, the Mexican troops captured El Mencho and two of his bodyguards. All three had been seriously wounded, and it was determined that they would need to be evacuated if they were to survive.

It was decided to move Oseguera to a hospital in the nearby city of Guadalajara by helicopter. However, Oseguera and his two guards died while being transported, said General Trevilla. Their bodies were eventually sent to Mexico City instead.

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A tourist takes a photo of the burnt wreckage of buses after a series of blockades and attacks by organised crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, El Mencho, was killed in the state of Jalisco, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Reuters

Retaliatory violence sweeps Mexico

As news of El Menchos death broke, CJNG fighters launched coordinated attacks across multiple regions, blocking roads, setting vehicles ablaze, attacking businesses, and opening fire on security forces.

According to a USA Today report, the kingpins right-hand man, Hugo H, known as El Tuli, began ordering up the chaos that paralysed the beach city and tourist mecca of Puerto Vallarta on February 22. Moreover, he offered 20,000 pesos, or about $1,000, for every soldier killed.

The cartels members began destroying everything in their sight  from vehicles to gas stations and even government buildings. Thick plumes of black smoke obscured the sky over Puerto Vallarta. Terrified locals and American tourists locked themselves indoors as violence exploded.

Later, authorities confirmed that even El Tuli was killed in a clash with security forces as they attempted to arrest him.

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters at the press conference that 30 cartel members were killed in these attacks, as well as one bystander. At least 70 people were arrested in seven states. No foreigners were reported to have been harmed, the government said in a statement.

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Members of the National Guard stand guard outside the Specialised Prosecutors Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) a day after Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, was killed in Jalisco state, in Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters

Americas helping hand

It has also been revealed that America had provided intelligence support to Mexico to help in the capture of Oseguera. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the US provided intelligence support to the Mexican government to assist in the operation that eliminated the cartel leader.

Mexicos defence ministry, confirming the same, added that American authorities provided complementary information that assisted with the execution of the operation. A Mexican official further told Reuters that the operation was designed and executed by the Mexican government and that no US military personnel were physically involved.

A former US official told the news agency that Washington had provided the Mexican government with a target package with information on Oseguera compiled by US law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Reuters also reported that the Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, a new task force involving multiple US government agencies, was involved in the raid. The task force was launched in January in order to identify, disrupt, and dismantle cartel operations posing a threat to the United States along the US-Mexico border, according to its website. It aimed to map out drug cartel networks along the US-Mexico border, said American officials told Reuters.

Mexicos Sheinbaum urges calm

In the wake of the violence, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, on Sunday, urged citizens to stay calm. A day later, she made a plea for peace and tried to reassure her people.

The most important thing right now is to guarantee peace and security for the entire population of all of Mexico. And that is what is being done, she said. People can be assured that peace, security, and normalcy are being maintained in the country.

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However, the atmosphere remains tense in parts of the country. Schools and businesses remain closed in some of the areas hit hardest, and many residents have stayed home.

With inputs from agencies
A bronze statue of Edwin Lutyens stood tall in the central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan for years. However, the British architects bust has been replaced with that of Indias first and only Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. The move, according to President Droupadi Murmu, is a step towards shedding Indias colonial mindset

President Droupadi Murmu unveils the Rajagopalachari bust at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. This replaces the bronze statue of British architect, Edwin Lutyens. Image Courtesy:

Indias decolonisation drive continues. On Monday (February 23), President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the bust of the first and only Indian Governor-General Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan. What made this interesting, however, was that Rajagopalacharis figurine replaced that of British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

At the ceremony, President Murmu noted, This initiative is part of a series of steps being taken towards shedding the vestiges of colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of Indias culture.

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But whats the big deal? Why has this move garnered so much attention? Heres a deep dive into the situation.

Hello Rajagopalachari, bye-bye Lutyens

On Monday, President Murmu unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This black-coloured bust will now replace the bronze statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens.

The unveiling took place during the Rajaji Utsav event at Rashtrapati Bhavan, attended by Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan and several ministers from PM Modis Cabinet.

Earlier, during his monthly radio address, Mann ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that after independence, statues of British administrators remained in Rashtrapati Bhavan, while those of Indias great leaders were not honoured. Today, the country is leaving behind the symbols of slavery and has begun to value symbols related to Indian culture.

President Murmu at the unveiling of the bust of C Rajagopalachari along with other ministers from the Modi Cabinet. Image Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhavn/X

And at the event on Monday, in a message read by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, PM Modi stated that it was fitting to have Rajagopalacharis bust close to Gandhi. It is fitting that Rajajis bust is being installed right opposite the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Further, the fact that Rajajis bust will be positioned where Edwin Lutyens bust used to stand is a crucial detail, making it an important act of mental decolonisation.

Today, Rashtrapati Bhavan stands not as a seat of power, but as a visible embodiment of democratic self-confidence rooted in Indian civilisation. Initiatives such as the Rajaji Utsav and the unveiling of a bust of Shri C Rajagopalachari Ji reinforce this direction. They honour leaders who shared the nation and remind us that freedom is sustained by celebrating their memory.

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Other leaders also praised the move of installing a bust to honour Rajaji. Vice-President Radhakrishnan called the installation another milestone in Indias effort to move away from colonial influence, describing it as part of a wider transformation across governance, law, and culture.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also praised the Modi government in a X post. Im truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic, and he yielded his seat to the new President, he wrote on social media.

Edwin Lutyens designs in Delhi

But what was a British architects statue doing at Rashtrapati Bhavan? A prominent British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, was picked to design large parts of Delhi in 1912, after the capital was shifted from Kolkata.

This includes Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate, North Block, South Block, and even Hyderabad House  the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, designed in a distinct butterfly plan with a central dome. The vast ceremonial pathway, now known as Kartavya Path, was also designed by him.

Earlier, a bust of Edwin Lutyens, Delhis British architect, was placed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Image Courtesy: @gemsofbabus_/X

According to a Hindustan Times report, Lutyens viewed his work on New Delhi as an enduring monument designed for imperial grandeur. He once said that while the Viceroy thought only of the next three years, I am thinking of the next 300 years. He aimed for a style that was neither purely European nor just Indian or Mughal, but rather a hybrid that combined Western traditions with subtle local elements.

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As years passed, Lutyens not only became synonymous with the 26-square kilometre of land in Indias capital, but also for a particular type of people: English-speaking, foreign-educated, and reportedly sealed off from ordinary Indian life.

In fact, PM Modi has used the term Lutyens Delhi in quite a harsh manner in the past. In 2019, speaking to the Indian Express, Modi said that it is 45 years of toil and not the Khan Market gang or Lutyens Delhi that has created his image, and it cannot be dismantled.

In 2025, when speaking about the continuation of colonial-era laws, Modi once again noted, I am surprised that the Lutyens Jamaat and the Khan Market Gang have been silent on this for so many years. The people who are the thekedaar of PIL, those who visit court every now and then, why werent they worried about liberty back then?

Lutyens family reacts

But not everyone is happy with the installation of Rajagopalacharis bust at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Matt Ridley, a great-grandson of Edwin Lutyens, was saddened by the removal of the bronze figurine.

In a post on X, Ridley wrote, Sad to read that the bust of Lutyens (my great grandfather) is to be removed from the presidential palace he designed in Delhi. Here I am with it last year. I wondered at the time why his name had been removed from the plinth.

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Sad to read that the bust of Lutyens (my great grandfather) is to be removed from the presidential palace he designed in Delhi. Here I am with it last year. I wondered at the time why his name had been removed from the plinth. pic.twitter.com/EITcGKUAMa  Matt Ridley (@mattwridley) February 23, 2026

Modis decolonisation drive

The removal of Lutyens figurine from Rashtrapati Bhavan is yet another example of Modis efforts to shed Indias colonial past.

In September 2022, Modi renamed Rajpath, designed by Lutyens, to Kartavya Path, meaning path of duty. He also introduced a new ensign for the Indian Navy in place of the St Georges Cross, a move he said removed the remaining traces of slavery and a colonial past.

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The following year, PM Modi inaugurated a grand new Parliament, replacing the colonial-era building, also designed by Lutyens along with his British colleague, Herbert Baker.

A signboard bearing Kartavya Path following the renaming of Rajpath. File image/PTI

And thats not all. Earlier this month, the Prime Ministers Office was relocated from the colonial-era South Block to a newly built complex named  Seva Teerth, meaning a sacred place of service.

Moreover, railway staff has been banned from wearing the traditional uniform of a prince suit  a black jacket with a Chinese collar that was introduced by the British in the 19th century and modelled on Western railway uniforms.

With inputs from agencies
Released US Justice Department files reveal years of emails, texts, travel meetings and financial links between India-American wellness guru Deepak Chopra and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The records show personal exchanges, business discussions, and invitations involving Epsteins girls, raising fresh questions about the true extent of their association

Deepak Chopra gestures as he speaks during the opening day of SXSW London at Shoreditch Town Hall in London, UK, June 2, 2025. File Image/Reuters

The release of a massive cache of documents by the United States Department of Justice on January 30, has put under the lens all the networks connected to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

Among the prominent names appearing in the material is Deepak Chopra, the India-born American author, entrepreneur and public figure associated with alternative medicine, wellness and spirituality.

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Following the public release, Chopra addressed his appearance in the records and moved to separate himself from Epsteins criminal history and actions.

On February 4, Chopra posted on X, I want to be clear: I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity.

In the same post, he acknowledged that his tone in some of the messages reflected poor judgment, writing, Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time.

However, an examination of the records indicates that Chopras engagement with Epstein was neither minimal nor sporadic, reported CNN.

The documents reveal sustained communication between the two men over a multi-year period, in addition to in-person interactions at multiple properties owned or used by Epstein in the United States and Europe.

The total disclosure runs into more than three million pages and contains correspondence, financial records, meeting logs and multimedia material linked to Epsteins interactions over several years.

What do Epstein files reveal about Deepak Chopra?

Years of communication & meetings across countries

Chopra and Epstein exchanged hundreds of emails and text messages between 2016 and 2019. This period includes the months leading up to Epsteins arrest in July 2019 on federal charges related to sex trafficking and the sexual abuse of underage girls.

The correspondence suggests that their interactions were not limited to occasional professional discussions. Instead, the two men communicated with notable frequency, sometimes arranging meetings and maintaining contact during international travel.

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Records show that Chopra visited Epstein at various locations, including Epsteins townhouse in New York City, his residence in South Florida, and an apartment in Paris.

The exchanges also include logistical planning for meetings, invitations to dine together, and efforts by Epstein to bring Chopra into social or professional gatherings involving other individuals in his circle.

Within their messages, Chopra often expressed familiarity and warmth toward Epstein, at times signing off with Love or XO.

In one exchange, Chopra wrote, Im deeply grateful for our friendship. Their conversations ranged across subjects such as meditation, health, wellness and spirituality, alongside personal topics and commentary about mutual acquaintances.

Epstein appeared keen to maintain and deepen this connection. He regularly asked Chopra about his travel schedule and whereabouts, and repeatedly extended invitations for dinners or meetings. On several occasions, Epstein also sought to position Chopra as part of broader interactions with business figures and acquaintances.

In one instance in 2016, Epstein asked Chopra whether the actor Leonardo DiCaprio might be interested in having dinner with filmmaker Woody Allen, who was described in the correspondence as a close friend of Epstein.

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The records do not clarify whether such a meeting ever took place.

Epstein also spoke about Chopra to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, describing him in a message as hes very amusing and a good guy filled with troves of stories. if you see him, you might enjoy a conversation. he is the guru to hollywood.

The files also show that Epstein requested his longtime girlfriend, Karyna Shuliak, to arrange for sweatshirts to be made for Chopra featuring the initials DC and an American flag, reflecting a degree of familiarity that went beyond casual acquaintance.

Girls and sexually suggestive language

A notable portion of the correspondence centres on repeated references to girls. In at least two instances in 2017, Chopra invited Epstein to attend trips or events and encouraged him to bring women along.

While inviting Epstein to travel to Israel, Chopra wrote, If you want use a fake name. Bring your girls. He later followed up with, Your girls would love it as would you.

The same year, while inviting Epstein to join a workshop in Switzerland, Chopra again suggested that he attend with your girls.

The documents do not confirm whether Epstein accepted any of these invitations, and they do not establish the ages of the individuals being discussed. Nonetheless, the repeated references form a consistent theme across several exchanges.

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The correspondence also contains sexually suggestive remarks and philosophical statements linking spirituality with sexualised language. In one exchange in 2017, Chopra wrote, Universe is human construct.  Cute girls are aware when they make noises.

He later added, God is a construct Cute girls are real. When Epstein replied, so when the girl says oh my god. . ? Chopra responded, Yes Thats divine tran=cendence.

In another exchange the same year, Epstein asked Chopra, find me a cute israeli blonde. . matter over mind. Chopra replied that he could do so and added, They are militant aggressive and v sexy.

The messages also include commentary about women whom Chopra interacted with in different contexts. In a text conversation in which a womans name was redacted in the records, Epstein wrote, I liked watching you zero in on your prey . Made me smile.

Chopra replied, I not a predator Just a lover.

In 2016, Chopra sent Epstein a link to a video he had made with actress Kat Foster and described her as innocent and smart at the same time. Epstein responded, secondary to cute.

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There are also indications that Chopra was aware of sensitivities around the subject of women in certain contexts. In one exchange involving arrangements for a possible meeting between Epstein and Chopras son-in-law, Chopra wrote, (cant talk about girls ).

The documents do not clarify whether that meeting ever occurred.

Business ideas & financial connections

Chopra, along with Poonacha Machaiah, co-founder of the wellness app Jiyo, sought Epsteins input and assistance for the venture. Emails indicate that in July 2017, Chopra and Machaiah planned for Epstein to travel to San Diego so they could walk [Epstein] through Jiyo Value proposition.

Following this, Epstein offered to forward the Jiyo pitch to what he described as the three chairman of the largest insurers. Machaiah later wrote that he would appreciate introductions to potential partners in the insurance segment.

Financial links are also documented. In 2017, the Chopra Foundation received a $50,000 donation from Gratitude America, one of Epsteins foundations.

According to the records, the funds were intended to support scientific research. The files do not provide further detail on the specific projects linked to this funding.

Also, in what appears to be the beginning of their written exchanges in 2016, Epstein proposed developing a game and discussed the concept of an aura app.

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In one message, Epstein wrote, On another note the aura app would be gigantic. Every woman needs a goodness meter. Chopra replied, Im at your service for any adventure sir If we do do an aura app it should be backed up with the emerging theory of biofield science.  The monopoly game could be fun.

The DOJs files also include multiple videos featuring Chopra discussing meditation, spirituality and wellness. None of the videos reviewed by CNN featured Epstein, and they do not appear to have been created specifically for him.

Expressions of support as pressure mounted on Epstein

As Epstein faced scrutiny in early 2019 ahead of his arrest in July that year, the exchanges suggest that Chopra expressed sympathy and support. In February 2019, Chopra texted Epstein to say that he was sending love from India. Epstein responded, Can you send it in female form J.

The following month, Epstein referred to the negative coverage he was receiving, mentioning another round of very bad press.

In subsequent messages, Epstein described the toxicity of my press. Chopra replied, Sorry I am not concerned about that. Earlier, Chopra had advised Epstein to Stay silent Meditate.

These exchanges took place during a period when Epsteins legal troubles were becoming more prominent and public attention on his activities was increasing.

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Political discussions and references to public figures

Following the 2016 US presidential election, Chopra told Epstein that his family was devastated by Donald Trumps victory. Epstein sought to reassure him, replying, no no its going to be fine.

In 2017, Chopra authored an article in SF Gate in which he described Trump as a President who combines irrational whims, vindictiveness, and amorality. Chopra shared this article with Epstein during their exchanges.

Chopra also mentioned to Epstein that Ivanka Trump had attended one of his meditation sessions in 2016. He explained that he realised her presence because I noticed a pretty girl in the room, and that someone subsequently informed him of her identity.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
US President Donald Trump is set to deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term today (February 24) at 9 pm (ET). Also, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has said it will stop collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) from today, after the Supreme Court ruling

Donald Trump is contemplating an attack against Iran. It's unclear when or where the US will strike the Islamic Republic. File image/Reuters

All eyes are on United States President Donald Trumps first State of the Union address since assuming the second term in office. In this address, Trump is expected to outline how the country is doing and what Congress should focus on next.

In other news, deemed Illegal by the US Supreme Court, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to stop collecting Trumps tariffs at 12:01 am EST, which is 10:31 am IST today (February 24).

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Read this and more of the big news from across the world today.

Trumps 2026 State of the Union address

Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term today. His speech is scheduled to begin at 9 pm (ET), which is 7:30 am (IST) on Wednesday.

According to Congress website, the State of the Union address is when the president reviews the nations condition and sets out priorities for lawmakers. The address is mandated by the US Constitution, which requires the president to keep Congress informed about the state of the nation and recommend legislative actions. The address typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.

US Customs to stop collecting tariffs

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has said it will stop collecting duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) starting today.

The Scotus decision provides immediate relief for Indian exporters but also introduces a new phase of trade uncertainty. Illustration/Reuters

The duties had been deemed illegal by the Supreme Court last week. The court, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruled in a 6:3 judgment that it did not allow Trump to impose tariffs.

In response, Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff on all countries under a different legal provision and then raised it to 15 per cent.

German Chancellor begins China visit

The German government has announced that Chancellor Friedrich Merz will make an official visit to China from today (February 24) through February 26.

Merz will take part in a meeting of the German-Chinese Economic Advisory Committee and hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with discussions expected to focus on bilateral ties, economic cooperation, and security-related issues.

May the Year of the Horse bring strength and give new impetus to German-Chinese relations, he wrote on X. Merz also stressed that he will be going with a large business delegation.

4 years of the Russia-Ukraine war

The Russia-Ukraine war grinds on and marks its fourth anniversary today (February 24).

Efforts to end the conflict regained momentum after Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2025, having pledged to end the fighting within a day.

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A man places a photograph of Vladimir Pozdnyakov, a junior sergeant of the Russian armed forces who was killed in the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, at his grave in the village of Orzhitsy in the Leningrad region, Russia, February 18, 2026. Reuters

Since then, along with Trumps meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as European leaders, several rounds of negotiations have been held in Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Miami, and Geneva.

According to media reports, the US has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement.

With inputs from agencies
PM Narendra Modi starts a landmark Israel visit today (February 25) as ties with the Jewish nation hit a historic high. From defence deals and tech partnerships to growing trade and diplomatic alignment, the relationship has deepened sharply under Modi, even as India balances its position on Palestine

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Prime Minister Narendra Modi raise their arms upon Netanyahus arrival at Air Force Station in Palam, New Delhi, India, January 14, 2018. File Image/Reuters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a pivotal two-day state visit to Israel beginning Wednesday, February 25, 2026  nearly a decade after his first historic trip in 2017, which itself marked the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the Jewish state.

Immediately upon arrival in Tel Aviv, Modi will hold a private meeting with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu before proceeding to Jerusalem for official programmes.

These engagements include addressing the Knesset (Israeli Parliament)  a first for any Indian leader  visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, participating in a technology exhibition, and holding high-level talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

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Speaking to All India Radio, Indias Ambassador to Israel JP Singh has described the visit as historic, remarking that India and Israel are on the same page on the issue of terrorism, and that the partnership has weathered crises in the past.

Singh noted that Modis first trip in 2017 laid the foundation for deeper relations, and now time has come to build on that strategic partnership and take it to a new phase.

Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu has publicly framed India as part of an axis of nations committed to stability.

How were India-Israel relations before Modi?

Indias early foreign policy towards West Asia was shaped by its own colonial past and affinity with anti-colonial movements.

During British colonial rule, India identified strongly with the Palestinian struggle and opposed the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which promised the creation of a Jewish homeland in British-administered Palestine.

After gaining independence in 1947, India voted against the UN Partition Plan that envisioned separate Jewish and Arab states and also voted against Israels admission to the United Nations in 1949.

Despite recognising Israel in 1950, New Delhi refused to establish full diplomatic relations for more than four decades, and Indian passports were at one point marked not valid for travel to Israel.

While India maintained legal recognition of the Jewish state, political sensitivities and support for Palestine kept ties from becoming fully open until 1992.

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Nevertheless, covert channels of cooperation began to open in the late 1950s and 1960s. Israel sent diplomatic envoys to New Delhi, and despite public reticence, military support in the form of weapons and munitions flowed to India during conflicts with China and Pakistan.

The end of the Cold War and Indias economic opening in the early 1990s prompted a strategic recalibration. India and Israel officially upgraded their relationship to full diplomatic status in January 1992.

Embassies were established in Tel Aviv and New Delhi, marking a shift from ideological hesitation to realpolitik considerations in foreign policy.

During the late 20th century and early 2000s, Indias cooperation with Israel grew steadily but cautiously. Defence trade expanded, and political ties warmed incrementally (two Israeli PMs [1968 & 2003] and two presidents [1996 & 2016] visited India, before Netanyahu in 2018).

Official visits were rare, and the relationship was largely transactional  focused on defence procurement and technical exchanges  without the full strategic partnership later brokered under Modi.

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How did the Modi era transform India-Israel relations?

When Modi visited Israel in July 2017, it marked a watershed moment in bilateral ties. For the first time, an Indian prime minister travelled to Israel  breaking a decades-old pattern of diplomatic caution  and elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership.

Leaders from both countries agreed that cooperation would expand across technology, defence, innovation, water management, agriculture, cybersecurity and space research.

In describing the relationship as special, Modi emphasised the depth of cooperation and noted the historical context of shared democratic values and strategic interests.

Following the 2017 visit, Netanyahu reciprocated with an official visit to New Delhi in January 2018.

These visits helped institutionalise high-level political dialogue and led to the signing of multiple agreements covering cybersecurity, homeland security, oil and gas cooperation, civil aviation, and other sectors.

The partnership expanded beyond defence hardware into joint research and development, joint technology funds, and innovation initiatives. The launch of the India-Israel Research & Development and Technology Innovation Fund is one example of those efforts.

Defence ties, however, have arguably been the most tangible pillar of India-Israel relations. According to military trade data, Israel has become one of the largest defence equipment providers to India  often ranking within the top three suppliers and, in some periods, leading in terms of volume from 2012 to 2024.

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India procured a range of systems such as the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system, Phalcon AWACS radar platforms, SPYDER quick reaction air defence systems, Heron UAVs, Harop and Harpy loitering munitions, and Spike anti-tank guided missiles.

Recent analyses estimate over $20 billion in defence trade and technology collaboration between 2020 and 2024, with ongoing efforts to expand into laser defence and ballistic missile technologies.

Ahead of Wednesdays visit, New Delhi is reported to be planning acquisitions of Israels advanced drones, long-range missiles, and laser-based defence systems to bolster air and missile defence architectures. An MoU on defence cooperation is expected to be signed during the visit.

Bilateral trade has grown from approximately $200 million in 1992 to more than $3.75 billion by FY 2024-25, making India one of Israels largest partners in Asia and one of its top global trading partners on a merchandise basis.

Trade spans diamonds, precious stones, petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, transport equipment, and technological goods.

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Indias exports to Israel include pearls, precious stones, automotive fuel and machinery, while imports from Israel cover technology-heavy equipment and specialised chemical products.

In September 2025, India and Israel signed a Bilateral Investment Agreement aimed at safeguarding investments and boosting confidence for cross-border capital flows.

In late 2025, both countries officially initiated negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by signing Terms of Reference (ToR), which Indias commerce minister hailed as historic for future commercial integration.

These developments signal a deepening economic foundation beyond defence and security  increasingly incorporating innovation, digital technology, manufacturing, and services.

How has India balanced its support for Palestine with close ties to Israel?

While Indias strategic embrace of Israel has grown, New Delhi continues to affirm its support for a two-state solution and Palestinian sovereignty  a position repeatedly reiterated at multilateral platforms.

India has formally supported Palestinian statehood since 1988 and has consistently called for negotiated peace between Israel and Palestine.

Just three weeks after Netanyahu visited in January 2018, Modi became the first Indian PM to visit the West Bank city of Ramallah and meeting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, stating at the time that he hoped to see an independent Palestinian state living in an environment of peace.

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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during an news conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank February 10, 2018. File Image/Reuters

Nonetheless, Indias voting patterns at the United Nations reveal nuanced shifts. In several instances related to the Gaza conflict and broader humanitarian concerns, India has abstained from resolutions that directly target Israeli actions, including those calling for ceasefires or arms embargoes.

India did, however, join a large group of countries in condemning Israels proposed measures to alter the status of the occupied West Bank.

The joint statement rejected all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

It added, Such measures violate international law, undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, run counter to the Comprehensive Plan, and jeopardize the prospect of reaching a peace agreement ending the conflict.

The diplomatic balancing act  deepening strategic ties with Israel while maintaining official support for Palestinian rights  highlights Indias broader foreign policy of strategic autonomy.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies

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Amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, thousands of Iranians reportedly received a text message on their phones on Monday (February 23) that read, The US President is a man of action. Wait and see. Who sent it?

An Iranian newspaper with a cover photo of an Iranian missile, in Tehran, Iran, February 19, 2026. Reuters

The United States and Iran are at loggerheads once again. US President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on the regime in Tehran to reach an agreement on its nuclear programme, while also reportedly building up military presence in West Asia amid speculation of a strike.

As the standoff escalates, Iranians received SMS alerts on Monday (February 23) warning of possible US action. For many, the message felt like an ominous sign of what could lie ahead.

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The wait and see message

Thousands across Iran reportedly received a startling text message on their phones that read, The US President is a man of action. Wait and see. Fear intensified, with panic sweeping across Iran like an ominous warning of a looming crisis. According to Iranian state media, the message was delivered in Persian (locally known as Farsi). It was sent from an unidentified number.

The Jerusalem Post reported, citing other media reports, that the text also included To the oppressed people of Iran as a hook. The alert surfaced as Trump weighs military action in Iran in the coming days or months, according to reports.

Is an attack on Iran imminent?

Speculation of an imminent US military operation against Iran reached a fever pitch this week, and now this SMS warning alert only adds fuel to the fire.

Reports indicate a visible buildup of US military forces in West Asia, with aircraft and naval assets being positioned in preparation for a potential strike.

Eyewitnesses and flight-tracking observers at Greeces Chania International Airport, which shares a runway with the Souda Bay Naval Base, have reported the arrival of several F-22 Raptor stealth fighters.

The Pentagon, however, has described the deployment as a routine move aimed at bolstering regional stability.

Meanwhile, Trump has also issued a series of public deadlines for Tehran to agree to what he calls a fair deal on its nuclear enrichment programme and regional activities.

The US President on Friday (February 20) asserted that he is weighing a limited strike. When asked about it, Trump responded, The most I can say  I am considering it.

Both nations have held two rounds of nuclear deal talks this month, with the next scheduled for Geneva on Thursday (February 26). Were going to make a deal or get a deal one way or the other, the President asserted last week, issuing a stark warning of 10-15 days for Iran to reach a deal, a media outlet reported.

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Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is involved in nuclear negotiations with Iran, said on Saturday (February 21) that Tehran could be about a week away from producing industrial-grade bomb making material.

Witkoff also claimed that Iran has enriched uranium to 60 per cent, arguing that such levels go beyond what is required for civilian nuclear purposes.

How has Iran reacted to the US threat?

Despite the aggressive rhetoric from Washington, Iran has indicated an openness to engage in dialogue.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview that there is still a good chance for diplomacy to resolve the nuclear dispute, while stressing that Iran would not bow to military pressure and remains firm against coercion.

At the same time, Tehran has also issued a strong warning to Washington, saying any attack would be met ferociously.

Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes, though Western nations remain suspicious that it could be aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

The escalating tensions have already prompted precautionary measures across the region. According to local media reports in Lebanon, the US embassy evacuated dozens of personnel in anticipation of potential developments.

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Does Trump have the legal authority to strike Iran?

David Janovsky, a policy analyst at The Constitution Project at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), spoke to Time about the legality of potential strikes against Iran.

According to him, President Trump cannot order military action against Iran under any circumstances.

Theres no indication that theres any sort of circumstance that would give the President the unilateral authority to order military action. Its true that presidents have some inherent authority to deploy the military as commander in chief, but thats really limited to true emergency circumstances where there is an attack underway that needs to be repelled, or maybe an extremely clear imminent attack.

When asked what steps the White House would need to take to ensure the military action is legally justified.

Janovsky told Time, The administration would need to go to Congress. This is a contemplated attack against a sovereign state, and that, in simplest terms, is an act of war.

The Constitution gives the US Congress, not the president, the exclusive power to declare war. This would require a vote and congressional approval, he explained.

Despite warnings from experts, Trump has only intensified his rhetoric against Tehran, raising growing concerns over whether a conflict could be imminent.

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Amid mounting uncertainty, several countries have also issued advisories, with India, along with Sweden, Serbia, Poland, and Australia, urging their citizens to leave Iran over concerns of a broader conflict.

With inputs from agencies
PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit. Defence is expected to be the main focus of the Indian leaders first trip to the West Asian country since 2017. He will also address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a caption above reading in Hebrew "Netanyahu, in another league", in Tel Aviv, July 28, 2019. File Photo/AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed in Israel for a two-day visit, his second trip to the West Asian country since 2017. This comes as India and Israels ties have evolved in recent years.

The PM was accorded a red-carpet welcome at Tel Avivs Ben Gurion Airport; Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife, Sara, received Modi at the airport.

Modi will be in Israel as tensions roil West Asia, with a threat of the United States striking Iran looming large. Defence, trade and tech are expected to be the main features of the Indian leaders visit.

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We take a look.

Modis Israel visit

PM Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to Israel from February 25-26. He will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu.

I will be undertaking a State Visit to Israel today and tomorrow. Our nations share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership. Ties have significantly strengthened in the last few years. I will be holding talks with PM Netanyahu, in which we will discuss ways to strengthen  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 25, 2026

The two leaders will review the significant progress made in India - Israel Strategic Partnership, and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement.

Regional and global issues of mutual interest are also expected to come up during the discussions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) arrives with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 15, 2018. File Photo/AFP

PM Modi will meet his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after his arrival, and later in the day, he will address the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) at 8 pm. In October 2015, the then-President Pranab Mukherjee had addressed the Israeli Parliament.

PM Modi will also visit a technology and innovation exhibit later this evening, before joining Netanyahu for a private dinner.

On Thursday, PM Modi will pay a visit to Yad Vashem, Israels official memorial, established in 1953, to commemorate the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. He is also expected to call upon Israeli President Isaac Herzog and interact with the Indian community. PM Modi and Netanyahu will meet for delegation-level talks.

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Whats the agenda?

Defence is expected to be the centrepiece of PM Modis visit to Israel.

The West Asian country is one of Indias biggest arms suppliers. New Delhi has been Israels largest defence buyer for years, accounting for 34 per cent of total sales between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

During the Indian leaders trip, the two countries could hold deliberations on joint development projects in areas such as anti-ballistic missile defence systems, directed-energy laser weapons, long-range stand-off missiles and next-generation drones, as per Forbes India.

It reported that Israel has given a nod to $8.6 billion in arms deals with India in 2026.

There are reports that India and Israel could sign a defence framework during PM Modis visit. This would result in the opening of previously restricted areas of cooperation to India, including advanced air defence systems.

Israel could offer its cutting-edge laser-based air defence platform, known as Iron Beam, to India, reported the Israeli portal CTech by Calcalist.

This is a significant transformation, an official told Israeli media. The framework increases flexibility for our defence establishments and allows both sides to rely on each other in times of need.

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There are also unverified reports that Israel has offered to supply its Golden Horizon air-launched ballistic missile to India.

India has intensified efforts to expand domestic defence manufacturing. Israels expertise in military technology will be an advantage for New Delhi as it promotes Make-in-India to bolster its defence sector.

As per Forbes India, the two sides could also sign agreements in various sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture, water management, security and trade.

Total merchandise trade stood at $3.62 billion in the financial year (FY) 2024-2025. PM Modis visit comes at a time when India and Israel have launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

India and Israel could establish a joint cybersecurity centre of excellence, further boosting cooperation in the defence and technology sectors.

This visit represents a leap forward not only in defence but also across food security, agriculture, water, finance, and infrastructure, Israels ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, was quoted as saying by local media.

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Ahead of Modis visit, the Israeli government approved a $40 million plan to enhance cooperation with India in different sectors. It has decided to set up 10 new centres of excellence in India, increase academic exchange, and create joint programs in renewable energy, telemedicine, and infrastructure, reported CTech.

Modi and Netanyahu are likely to discuss the India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor, of which Israel is also a part.

Before the Indian leaders visit, the Israeli PM announced plans to build a network of allied nations  titled the Hexagon of Alliances  in or around West Asia to counter radical adversaries. This proposed grouping will bring together Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and several Arab countries, as well as India.

However, New Delhi will proceed with caution while considering Israels proposal to join the Hexagon of Alliances, whose main target seems to be Iran and its backed regional proxies, known as the Axis of Resistance.

India shares a friendly relationship with Iran and would be wary of being a part of any such alliance.

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Why Modis Israel visit is important

PM Modis visit assumes significance as only a few leaders from the Global South have travelled to Israel since the October 7, 2023, attack on the West Asian country by Hamas militants, analysts said, as per Al Jazeera.

The MEA said the trip will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.

The timing of Modis travel to Israel has also grabbed attention. He will be in the West Asian country just days after India, along with more than 100 other nations, condemned Israels expansion in the occupied West Bank.

India had strongly criticised the October 7 attack that led to Israels devastating war against Hamas in Gaza. New Delhi continues to support a two-state solution for Palestine.

With inputs from agencies
Former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following new revelations about his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was later released. The episode has brought focus to Mandelsons various scandals during his political career that cost him government jobs

Peter Mandelson was arrested over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. File Photo/Reuters

Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador to the United States, has been released on bail after being arrested on Monday (February 23) on suspicion of misconduct in public office stemming from his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The documents released by the US Department of Justice last month have revealed his deep ties to the American paedophile, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

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Earlier this month, Mandelson, 72, resigned from the Labour Party following the latest document dump related to the disgraced financier, saying he does not want to cause further embarrassment. The so-called Prince of Darkness was fired as the UKs ambassador to the US last September as the depth of his association with his best pal Espetin became clear.

Mandelsons arrest has brought his other controversies in public life into focus.

Lets take a closer look.

Mandelson released on bail

Peter Mandelson was arrested by the London police on Monday in a misconduct probe, following new revelations about his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Londons Metropolitan Police said in a statement about the investigation into the former UK envoy.

was filmed leaving his London home in a car, accompanied by plainclothes officers, on Monday afternoon.

In a separate statement later, the police said the man had been released on bail, pending further investigation, reported Reuters.

The former government ministers arrest came days after ex-British Prince Andrew ended up briefly in police custody over his ties to Epstein.

Both Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are suspected of sharing sensitive UK government information with the disgraced American financier.

Peter Mandelson leaving his home in Wiltshire, England, February 20, 2026. PA via AP

Police searched Mandelsons homes in London and west England earlier this month.

He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview, the police said in their statement.

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This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

The US Department of Justice released more than three million (30 lakh) documents, including photos and emails, connected to Epstein in late January.

The emails between Mandelson and Epstein shed new light on their relationship, revealing how close the duo were.

Messages indicate Mandelson passed on sensitive government information to Epstein in 2009, when he was a minister in former UK Prime Minister Gordon Browns government. This includes an internal government report discussing ways the UK could raise money after the 2008 global financial crisis, including by selling off government assets. Mandelson also purportedly told Epstein he would lobby other government members to reduce a tax on bankers bonuses, reported Associated Press (AP).

Mandelson has previously said he very deeply regretted his association with Epstein.

A birthday book for Epsteins 50th birthday in 2003, released by US lawmakers in September 2025, showed Mandelson describing the disgraced financier as an intelligent, sharp-witted man who parachuted into his life.

In the birthday book, Mandelson said: Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call mysterious parachuted into my life But wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal! Happy Birthday Jeffrey, we love you!!

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Mandelson, just like Andrew, remained in contact with Epstein even after the American financiers first conviction in 2008 for soliciting prostitution and procuring a minor.

A photograph that featured in the birthday book showed Mandelson lounging in a white bathrobe with Epstein.

An official spokesman for Mandelson said at the time the then British envoy has long been clear that he very much regrets ever having been introduced to Epstein.

Mandelsons Hinduja brothers controversy

Mandelson has been fired thrice in his decades-long political career. His second resignation came after scrutiny over his links to the Hinduja brothers.

Mandelson was appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland in the Tony Blair government in 1999. But he resigned in 2001 amid allegations that he had lobbied for the Hinduja family, the UKs richest family.

He had reached out to the UK Home Office in 1998 on behalf of Indian-born businessman Srichand Hinduja, who was seeking British citizenship.

This was at a time when the Hinduja brothers were facing allegations over the Bofors arms scandal, a corruption case over howitzers. They were eventually cleared of all charges.

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Mandelson is alleged to have helped Srichand Hinduja obtain British citizenship in return for a 1m donation to the Millennium Dome project in North Greenwich, south-east London.

Both Mandelson and the Hindujas denied any impropriety. But the episode cost the government minister his job as he resigned in 2001 for the second time.

Mandelsons other scandals

The former British ambassadors association with several super-wealthy men has come to bite him in his over three-decade-long political career.

Mandelsons first resignation was in 1998 as he exited from the role of trade and industry secretary in the Blair government. His exit was related to an undeclared 373,000 loan he took from his rich colleague, Geoffrey Robinson, to buy a house in Notting Hill, London.

The episode came to light in December 1998, leading to a huge row over transparency and conflicts of interest. This led to Mandelsons first departure from Blairs Cabinet.

Robinson, a successful businessman, also had to step down from the post of paymaster general.

At the time, Mandelson said: I should have been open about it  and in so doing I would have protected myself from the appearance of a conflict of interest. I didnt and I have paid a very big price for it.

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Controversies continued to chase Mandelson even later. In 2006, he was photographed on Italian businessman Diego Della Valles yacht, moored off the coast of Capri. At the time, Mandelson was serving as EU trade commissioner, a role in which he imposed tariffs on Chinese shoes. Those moves seemed to benefit Della Valles own business, Tods.

Mandelson was spotted on another yacht in 2008 in Corfu, along with the then shadow chancellor exchequer, George Osborne. The yacht, Queen K, belonged to Russian aluminium oligarch Oleg Deripaska.

Mandelson was later accused of favouring Deripaska on EU aluminium tariffs during his stint as EU trade commissioner. He has denied doing the Russian any favours.

With inputs from agencies
The East Coast of the United States, comprising New York, Massachusetts and beyond, is witnessing one of the worst storms in decades. With more than two feet of snow already dumped, the region has been brought to a standstill

The Northeastern United States is currently in the grip of a deadly snowstorm that has forced millions of people to stay indoors. The storm has buried cities under sheets of snow.

According to meteorologists this is the strongest storm in a decade, in the region. This has brought large parts of the US to a standstill with roads blocked, flights cancelled, and no electricity in some places.

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Children sled on Cedar Hill in Central Park in New York during a snow storm. AFP

So far, six states, including New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island, have declared a state of emergency as blizzard weather pummels the United States.

More from Explainers Zohran Mamdani clashes with NYPD after officers hurt in snowball fight amid Northeast blizzard

Lets take a look at the situation.

How has the snow storm affected the US?

The snowstorm has lodged more than 30 inches of snow across parts of the Northeast, with a record 19.7 inches in New York Citys Central Park on Monday. In Lower Manhattan, snow shovellers appeared to outnumber commuting office workers, and pedestrians walked freely in streets normally blocked by morning traffic.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency in New York City, bringing traffic to a halt across streets, highways, and bridges from 9 pm on Sunday (7:30 am IST) to noon on Monday (10:30 pm IST), with only essential and emergency vehicles allowed.

Alongside broader measures, the mayor deployed 22 warming buses across the five boroughs and mobilised outreach teams to work around the clock to guide homeless New Yorkers to shelter. A Code Blue has been declared in the city, which is activated only when temperatures drop below freezing levels.

A person clears snow from the sidewalk during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. AFP

In New Jersey, Governor Mikie Sherrill said on Sunday that the late-February storm could be the worst the state has experienced since the Blizzard of 1996, when blizzard warnings were issued across all 21 counties.

The massive snowstorm has caused travel disruption within and across the city as well as the country. According to FlightAware, more than 5,700 flights across the US network were cancelled on Monday, with roughly 3,800 others running behind schedule. Roughly a dozen airports were still shut late Monday, among them Atlantic City International and Marthas Vineyard, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

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Subway service was largely back on track Monday evening after earlier delays, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, except in Staten Island, where trains were still not running. Lines that operate outdoors could continue to see disruptions.

Snow plowing trucks clear the streets of snow during winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. AFP

At the height of the storm on Monday afternoon, over 600,000 East Coast customers were without power, data from PowerOutage.us showed. By night, that number had fallen to about 449,600.

What is a bomb cyclone?

Many weather experts note that the situation is the result of a bomb cyclone that has the Northeastern US in its grip.

A bomb cyclone is a rapidly strengthening storm that forms between the tropics and the polar regions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It usually develops when cold and warm air masses collide, something that often happens over ocean waters.

The main test for a bomb cyclone is a rapid pressure drop, though measuring it can be complex. According to the National Weather Service, which tracks pressure in millibars, a fall of 24 millibars or more within 24 hours meets the criteria, said Stephen Baron of Gray, Maine.

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A person uses a shovel to dig his car which was stuck in the middle of the road during a snow storm hitting the Buffalo area in Buffalo, New York, US. Reuters

Such rapidly strengthening storms are capable of producing heavy rain, blizzard conditions, and intense winds that can create dangerous conditions such as downed trees and power outages. Bomb cyclones can happen in any season, but mainly occur during fall and winter when frigid air from the Arctic can creep south and clash with warmer air masses.

Is climate change the reason?

Many scientists and climate experts have time and again warned against the ill effects of the warming of the planet. It has been stated that a warming planet may produce fewer winter storms, but the ones that do occur will be more intense.

A person walks in the falling snow in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. AFP

Climate change is increasingly being associated with disruptions to the polar vortex, a ring of cold air that usually stays over the Arctic. When it weakens, it can push Arctic air and severe storms into heavily populated areas.

The storm hit just as the region was recovering from another massive snowstorm from a few weeks earlier, which led to more than 100 blizzard-related deaths. According to the National Weather Service, another storm is likely to bring more snow to the Northeast later this week.

With inputs from agencies
A new US tariff regime has kicked in, starting today (February 24), after the US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trumps previous emergency levies. Many note that the shift in US trade policy could be beneficial to India; it could provide New Delhi with sufficient wriggle room to renegotiate with Washington on the interim trade agreement

India is likely to reassess its US trade deal and may seek more favourable terms in talks. Under the earlier agreement, the US had agreed to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent. File image/Reuters

Tariff turmoil is back after the US supreme court decided to strike down Donald Trumps emergency levies. Starting today (Tuesday), fresh tariffs on imported goods have come into effect, with the White House noting that the new levies, at 15 per cent, are justified as a means to deal with the large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits.

Despite the US courts order, Trump has doubled down on imposing tariffs on trading partners, and even warned countries against playing games by using the ruling to play hardball on trade commitments.

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For many, this warning could have been aimed at India after New Delhi deferred a three-day meeting scheduled to begin on Monday (February 23) to discuss their interim trade deal that both sides agreed upon earlier this month.

Trump tariffs struck down by US supreme court

Last Friday (February 20), the US top court struck down President Donald Trumps use of emergency powers to impose tariff rates of his choosing. For many, this was a stinging defeat for the American leader with major implications for the global economy.

In its 6-3 decision, the US supreme court upheld a lower courts decision that Trumps use of this 1977 law exceeded his authority. The justices ruled that the law at issue  the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA  did not grant Trump the power he claimed to impose tariffs.

The US Supreme Court building, where justices struck down President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs in Washington. File image/Reuters

The courts decision provoked a furious reaction from Trump, who denounced the justices who ruled against him. Im ashamed of certain members of the court  absolutely ashamed  for not having the courage to do whats right for our country, said the US president.

He further added that other alternatives were available to him to pursue tariffs and announced a 10 per cent global tariff  which he then increased to 15 per cent  which has now come into effect. However, the new levies only last for 150 days unless extended by Congress and is widely seen as a bridge towards a more durable trade policy.

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Trumps warning against countries playing games

An irate Trump also issued a warning on Monday to countries against backing away from recently negotiated trade deals following the US supreme courts decision.

In a series of posts on social media, the American president said that if they (the countries) did, he would hit them with much higher duties under different trade laws.

Any country that wants to play games with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ripped off the USA for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to. Buyer Beware! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He added that despite the courts decision to invalidate his tariffs under the IEEPA, its decision affirmed his ability to use tariffs under other legal authorities in a much more powerful and obnoxious way, with legal certainty, than the tariffs as initially used.

While Trump didnt name any country in his rant, many believe that it could have been targeted at India and the European Union.

Thats because the European Union signalled it would put a key trade agreement with Washington on hold. Lawmakers in the European Parliament said on Monday that they would freeze plans to approve a major trade deal with the US until there is greater clarity on how the court ruling affects tariff arrangements.

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Also, India has delayed plans to send a trade delegation to Washington this week, aimed at firming up the interim trade deal. The delegation had been set to leave on Sunday for talks to finalise an interim trade deal, after both countries agreed on a framework for Washington to cut punitive tariffs of 25 per cent on some Indian exports linked to New Delhis Russian oil purchases. US tariffs on Indian goods were set to be cut to 18 per cent, with New Delhi agreeing to buy US items worth $500 billion over five years, ranging from energy supplies to aircraft and parts, precious metals, and technology products.

A source was quoted as telling Reuters, The decision to defer the visit was taken after discussions between officials of the two countries. No new date for the visit has been decided.

India set to gain

Following the US Supreme Courts decision, US tariffs on India now stand at 10 per cent. Thats even below the agreed upon 18 per cent decided between the two nations in the interim trade deal. And this is why many believe that India is now at an advantage against the US, as it has lost its leveraging power. Emkay Global Financial Services in an economic note, said the ruling was a positive development for India, adding that the US had lost immediate tariff leverage as a means to agree to favourable trade deals globally.

According to a Bloomberg report, the US supreme courts decision to strike down Trumps emergency tariffs gives India more scope in negotiations over a trade deal. The news outlet added that while India isnt considering backing away from the framework agreement, it will be able to seek safeguards to protect itself from similar legal or executive reversals in the future.

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Shipping containers with flags of the USA and India. The US supreme courts decision to strike down Trumps emergency tariffs gives India more scope in negotiations over a trade deal. Representational image/PTI

Others also point to the fact that Indias deal with the US is still under negotiation and the two countries have only reached a framework for an Interim Agreement. They pointed out clause 8 of the Framework for an Interim Agreement, which states, In the event of any changes to the agreed upon tariffs of either country, the United States and India agree that the other country may modify its commitments.

This clause will give India some room to wiggle to recalibrate the final details of the trade deal with the US. As the I_ndian Express_ reported, India can potentially invoke that specific clause to say that Americas commitment now stands modified. It also gives New Delhi the chance to revisit the other commitments before a final trade deal is signed.

Meanwhile, Indias Commerce Ministry said it was studying the implications of the ruling and Trumps subsequent moves. We have noted the US Supreme Court judgment on tariffs. President Trump has also addressed a press conference in that regard. Some steps have been announced by the US administration. We are studying all these developments for their implications, it said.

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While the future remains uncertain, it appears that India is at an advantage. Its left to be seen how New Delhi leverages it into concrete gains.

With inputs from agencies
Neal Katyal, a prominent Indian-American lawyer, is set to argue against Donald Trump's authority to impose tariffs in the US supreme court. File photo/Reuters

In a legal showdown that felt more like a chess match with the fate of the global economy at stake, Indian-American attorney Neal Katyal has achieved what few can claim. He humbled a sitting US President in the nations highest court. The Supreme Courts 6-3 ruling striking down President Trumps sweeping tariffs was a total victory for Katyal, who represented small businesseslike an Illinois toymakeragainst the weight of the White House.

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But as the dust settles, the conversation has moved from the cold marble of the courtroom to the warmer, more personal reflections of the man himself.

Ruling by the rules

In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Katyal said that in a democracy, no one man holds the blank check to tax the people. Speaking after the verdict, he emphasised that the case wasnt about the politics of tariffs, but about the process of law. Presidents are powerful, he remarked, but our Constitution is more powerful still.

The victory was especially sweet because it wasnt just a narrow win; two of Trumps own appointees voted against the administration. For Katyal, it was a reaffirmation that even in a polarized world, the rule of law can still hold a steady line.

The heart of the matter: His Punjabi roots

The most poignant part however, wasnt about legal statutes or executive orders. It was the moment the best litigator in the world paused to talk about his heritage.

Katyal was born in Chicago to Indian immigrantshis mother a doctor and his father an engineerwho arrived from Punjab just a year before his birth. When asked how his Punjabi roots influenced this high-stakes battle, Katyal spoke of a legacy of grit and fearlessness. He often credits the immigrant experiencespecifically the Punjabi spirit of hard work and resilienceas the engine behind his career.

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He views his legal career as a way of honouring the sacrifices his parents made when they left Punjab to build a life in America. For him, colouring within the lines isnt just a legal requirementits a value system rooted in the integrity and discipline.
A Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance carrying a critically injured burn patient crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district after losing radar contact. The aircraft had requested a weather-related route deviation before going down

The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 operated by Redbird Airways, was transporting a 41-year-old burn victim, Sanjay Kumar, to Delhi for advanced treatment. (ANI)

A Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance carrying a critically injured patient and medical team crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday night, killing all seven people onboard.

The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 operated by Redbird Airways, was transporting a 41-year-old burn victim, Sanjay Kumar, to Delhi for advanced treatment. He had suffered severe burn injuries and was being shifted from Ranchis Devkamal Hospital when the crash occurred.

Also onboard were a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots, all of whom lost their lives in the accident.

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#WATCH | An air ambulance, with seven people (including 2 crew members) on board, crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand.



It was a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (air ambulance) pic.twitter.com/D5xSjYVCkZ  ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2026

The aircraft took off from Ranchis Birsa Munda Airport at 7:11 pm and initially established communication with Kolkata air traffic control. Soon after, the crew requested a deviation due to bad weather conditions along the route.

However, within minutes, the plane lost radar contact at around 7:34 pm, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. It failed to reconnect with either Varanasi or Lucknow air traffic control afterward, raising immediate alarm.

Debris was later discovered deep inside the Kasiyatu forest near Simaria in Jharkhands Chatra district, confirming the crash.

Officials say poor weather may have played a role, but a definitive cause will only emerge after a full investigation. Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar said inclement weather was a possible factor, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

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Fresh concerns over aviation safety

The crash has once again put the spotlight on Indias non-scheduled aviation sector, particularly charter operators and air ambulance services. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun gathering evidence, including radar data and operational records, to determine what went wrong.

Redbird Airways, founded in 2018, operates charter flights and medical evacuation services across India, equipped with onboard medical teams and life-saving equipment.
Three assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on a car carrying a lawyer linked to Bishnois legal team and four other passengers, injuring one of them who is now in stable condition

Shots were fired at a car carrying a lawyer associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnois legal team near Delhis Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on Tuesday night, causing panic in the area.

According to a News18 report, preliminary reports indicated that the firing damaged the rear glass of the vehicle.

The incident took place shortly after 10:00 pm near the Marghat Wale Hanuman Temple, added the report.

#WATCH | Delhi: A firing incident on a car was reported in the Kashmiri Gate area. Five people were in the vehicle during the incident, of which 1 person was injured. According to the police, one of the people in the vehicle is a lawyer, claiming to be part of Lawrence Bishnoi's pic.twitter.com/1gl1RErtht  ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

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Five people were in the car at the time, including the lawyer linked to Bishnois legal team.

According to the occupants, three assailants on a motorcycle opened indiscriminate fire at the vehicle.

One passenger sustained a bullet injury to the shoulder and was taken for medical treatment. Officials confirmed that the injured person is now out of danger.

The Delhi Police have initiated legal proceedings and deployed a forensic team to examine the scene. Investigations are underway from all possible angles.

Gangster under watch

Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has emerged as one of Indias most closely monitored and controversial criminal figures, with his name repeatedly surfacing in cases involving alleged threats, extortion attempts, and violent attacks targeting high-profile individuals both in India and abroad.

Despite being behind bars for nearly a decade, investigators allege Bishnoi continues to run an extensive criminal network through associates across multiple Indian states and foreign countries.

He is currently lodged in a high-security ward at Sabarmati Central Jail, where he was shifted in August 2023, and has been incarcerated since 2015 under strict restrictions on movement. Authorities have barred his transfer to other state police forces under Section 268 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

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Law enforcement agencies allege Bishnoi heads a well-organised crime syndicate and have linked him to several high-profile cases, including the recent killing of Baba Siddique in Mumbai. Internationally, his network has been connected to targeted violence against pro-Khalistan figures in Canada.

With inputs from agencies
YINCHUAN, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- At the foot of the Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a corridor within the Xixia Imperial Tombs Museum has been transformed into a bustling street scene from a millennium ago during the Spring Festival holiday.

Actors clad in traditional costumes of the Song (960-1279) and Xixia (1038-1227) dynasties greeted tourists, while images of "Flying Apsaras" -- celestial figures from ancient murals -- danced amidst lighting and mist.

The immersive performance, titled "Xixia Musical Gathering," is the centerpiece of the museum's New Year celebrations.

By turning a 300-meter passage into a moving stage, the event recreates vivid scenes of multi-ethnic coexistence and cultural fusion in China around 1,000 years ago, offering visitors a unique "walk-and-watch" experience.

"It felt like a true time-travel experience," said Wang Fei, a tourist from north China's Shanxi Province who visited with his family.

Wang noted that his children were thrilled to interact with performers portraying historical characters and try traditional games like "pitch-pot" and archery.

"With technology and cultural activities empowering the museum, history has become vivid and accessible. It allows the younger generation to truly understand fine traditional culture while having fun," Wang said, adding that the experience made the Spring Festival more meaningful.

Chen Xiaoxu, head of marketing at Xixia Imperial Tombs Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd., said the performance features over 50 professional actors, with costumes and market settings recreated from museum artifacts and historical documents.

"We aim to change the stereotype that the Xixia Imperial Tombs are merely 'earthen mounds' and instead, we use immersive experiences to convey the value of the World Heritage site," Chen said, noting a significant increase in visitor numbers due to the performance.

The tourist enthusiasm in Ningxia mirrors a nationwide trend as museum tourism has emerged as a new way for many to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Across the country, museums are moving beyond static exhibitions, adopting interactive and immersive activities to attract holiday crowds.

In central China's Henan Province, the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty capital ruins museum launched an immersive theater production, inviting audiences to participate in Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) sacrificial rituals.

In north China, the Inner Mongolia Museum introduced a role-playing trade experience, allowing tourists to simulate ancient commerce between the grasslands and the Central Plains.

Technological innovation has further enriched these cultural offerings. The Qinghai Provincial Museum introduced virtual reality experiences allowing visitors to "touch" history, while the National Maritime Museum of China offered digital deep-sea explorations.

To accommodate the surge in visitors, cultural institutions have expanded services. More than 40 museums in Henan and 79 in east China's Jiangsu Province extended their opening hours during the holiday.

"Museums are no longer 'aloof' venues but are becoming popular public spaces for social and cultural engagement," said Zhang Wanjing, a researcher at the Ningxia Academy of Social Sciences.

Zhang attributed the trend to the rising living standards and the growing public interest in traditional culture.

"When cultural relics meet the festive air of the New Year, the immersive experience becomes an essential part of the Spring Festival holiday," Zhang said.
As The Cheesecake Factory opens its doors in India, a look at the brands journey from a small American cheesecake shop to a worldwide favourite.

The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, the global bakery division of The Cheesecake Factory, has opened its first India outlet in Bengaluru. Credits/X

Pop culture fans may remember Penny waiting tables at The Big Bang Theorys Cheesecake Factory. Now, that familiar American brand has made its way to India.

The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, a global bakery arm of the iconic brand has opened its first outlet in Bengaluru. The launch is through a partnership with city-based The Gourmet Cafe, marking the brands entry into Indias fast growing premium dessert and Cafe market.

This debut signals a shift in how international food brands are entering India, choosing focused bakery formats and local operating partners rather than large standalone restaurants.

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Expansion plans and investments

The Gourmet Cafe plans to open 55 outlets across India over the next four to five years with a total investment of 60 million dollars. The business expects to generate between 200 and 250 crore rupees in revenue within five years as the brand scales nationally.

Along with major metro cities, the roadmap includes emerging markets such as Chandigarh, Kochi and Coimbatore. The plan is to establish six to ten premium outlets in leading metro markets while gradually expanding into high-potential tier two cities.

Why India, why now?

Indias bakery and dessert market has been growing steadily, driven by rising disposable incomes, cafe culture, and a preference for global brands.

According to a report by IMARC Group, the Indian bakery market was valued at 15.05 billion dollars in 2025 and is projected to reach 32.05 billion dollars by 2034.

The Cheesecake Factory Bakerys India entry follows a local partner model. The Gourmet Cafe will lead store rollout, localisation and market development while maintaining the brands global standards.

Masthan Adam, Founder and CEO of The Gourmet Cafe, said We see strong demand in India for globally recognized dessert brands and premium cafe experiences. Bringing The Cheesecake Factory Bakery to India is a significant step in our journey to introduce world-class dessert offerings to Indian consumers through The Gourmet Cafe platform.

What is on the menu?

All cheesecakes are manufactured in the United States and shipped frozen to ensure consistency and authenticity. For the Indian market, the brand has introduced its first-ever eggless cheesecake, approved specifically for local consumers.

The initial offering includes around 14 flavours, with plans to expand to 20 to 25 variants in the coming months. This balance of global products with local preferences is central to the brands India strategy.

An American icon with oversized appeal

The Cheesecake Factory is often seen as a symbol of suburban America, known for mall locations, generous portions, signature brown bread and indulgent flavours.

Its restaurants are also recognised for dramatic interiors that combine multiple design influences into a bold, almost theatrical space.

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Even in its bakery format, the brand carries this reputation for abundance and indulgence, something that has resonated strongly with international audiences over the years.

From a home kitchen to a global brand

The Cheesecake Factorys story begins in Detroit, Michigan in the 1940s. Evelyn Overton found a recipe in the local newspaper that would inspire her Original Cheesecake.

Everyone loved her recipe so much that she decided to open a small Cheesecake shop, but she eventually gave up her dream of owning her own business in order to raise her two small children, David and Renee.

She moved her baking equipment to a kitchen in her basement and continued to supply cakes to several of the best restaurants in town while raising her family.

In 1972, with their children grown, Evelyn and her husband Oscar decided to pack up all of their belongings and move to Los Angeles to make one last attempt at owning their own business.

With the last of their savings, they opened The Cheesecake Factory Bakery and began selling Evelyns cheesecakes to restaurants throughout Los Angeles.

Through hard work and determination their business grew to a modest size and Evelyn was soon baking more than 20 varieties of cheesecakes and other desserts.

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With great foresight and intuition, their son David decided to open a restaurant to showcase his mothers selection of cheesecakes. Somehow he just knew that guests would enjoy a restaurant with an extensive dessert menu.

It was 1978 and he opened the first The Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills, California.

The restaurant was an immediate success and today there are nearly 200 The Cheesecake Factory restaurants around the world that share the Overtons commitment to quality and spirit of innovation and hard work.

As the Cheesecake Factory Bakery begins its India journey, it brings with it not just a menu of desserts, but a decades-old story of family, persistence, and scale, now adapted for a new generation of Indian consumers.
With the Russia-Ukraine war entering year five, literature offers insight into its roots, its battlefield realities, and its reshaping of global politics.

A child carries a flag in colours of the Ukrainian national flag, during a solidarity protest ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in Madrid, Spain. File photo/REUTERS

Nearly four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the war is now entering its fifth year and continues to reshape global politics.

Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed or injured, according to Ukrainian and international estimates. At the same time, millions have been displaced, making it Europes largest refugee crisis since World War II. Entire cities such as Mariupol and Bakhmut have been devastated, and the conflict has strained NATO unity, triggered sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow, and disrupted global grain and energy supplies.

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What began as a rapid military offensive evolved into a grinding war of attrition, fought not only with artillery and drones but also through economic pressure and information warfare. Its roots, however, stretch back decades to the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATOs eastward expansion, Ukraines shifting political identity, and Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014.

But wars are not understood through battlefield maps alone.

Over the past five years, journalists, historians, diplomats and survivors have attempted to document not only the military strategies and diplomatic failures that led here, but also the texture of daily life under bombardment: the fear, exile, propaganda and resilience that statistics cannot fully capture. From reportage written on the front lines to historical analyses tracing the roots of Moscow and Kyivs fraught relationship, a growing body of literature seeks to explain both how this war began and what it means for the world.

As the conflict enters its fifth year, here are books that illuminate its politics and its human cost.
In the era of backward integration with natural resources, the focus has shifted to securing supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements, as they are key ingredients for modern technology, the global energy transition, national defence, and taking the lead in the space era

In the post-Crusades era after the 15th century, Europeans discovered new trade routes across the oceans and seas, bypassing Islamic countries, and colonised South and Southeast Asia to secure the import of spices and condiments they required to preserve the flesh of the cattle killed in summer for human survival in biting winters. In the 17th-18th centuries, they colonised Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc. to command transcontinental trade of coal, cotton, and slaves to fuel their industrial revolution back home.

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In the 19th and 20th centuries, petroleum, gold, the British pound sterling and the US dollar fuelled their industries and armament factories. The scramble for colonies, their resources, and markets was a key reason for the two World Wars.

As the 21st century unfolded, data also became new gold for a decade or two. Now, in the era of backward integration with natural resources, the focus has shifted to securing supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements (CMs-REEs); they are the key ingredients for modern technology, global energy transition, and national defence, and to taking the lead in the space era.

The Moons Wealth

To get control of its minerals, the US is planning to rush to the Moon and set up a nuclear fission reactor there by 2030. Nasa and the US Department of Energy are collaborating on this project to provide reliable, continuous power for long-term Artemis missions, habitats, and potential industrial activities.

Russia and China are also collaborating on an ambitious plan to install a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035 to support their own joint International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) and provide continuous energy for long-term lunar habitation, as solar power is unreliable during the long lunar night.

In February 2026, Elon Musk shifted SpaceXs near-term strategy, prioritising the establishment of a self-growing city on the Moon over immediate missions to Mars. His Moon First mission is closely aligned with Washingtons objectives beyond Earth.

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Why are these earthly competitors racing to the Moon? Because Earths only satellite has no claimants for its natural resources so far, and the early bird will get the worm.

Reprioritising its space forays by 2050, Nasa and its partners are currently developing the Moon as the primary staging ground and launchpad for future human missions to Mars. Through the Artemis programme, the Moon is acting as a testbed for technology, logistics, and long-term human presence in deep space, making the path to Mars more sustainable and feasible.

That is, the Moon will now be the launchpad of spaceships for Mars around the 2050s. To reach the Moon, however, America must first secure minerals from Earth!

Our planets only natural satellite contains vast, untapped deposits of CMs-REES essential for advanced technology. They include titanium, iron, aluminium, and thorium, besides high concentrations of REEs found in some rocks. The lunar surface is also rich in helium-3, a potential fuel for clean nuclear fusion.

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CMs-REEs

Critical minerals are a broad, policy-defined category of raw materials (including lithium, cobalt, and copper) required for economic, defence, and technology security. The REEs are a specific subset of 17 chemical elements (like neodymium and dysprosium) crucial for high-strength magnets, electronics, and defence systems.

All the REEs are critical minerals, but not all critical minerals are REEs. Critical minerals like lithium are used for batteries, while REEs are heavily utilised for permanent magnets in wind turbines and EV motors, from smartphones to missiles. While named as rare, the REEs are not scarce in Earths crust, but they are seldom found in concentrated, economically extractable deposits. High-purity silica is essential for creating silicon wafers used in microchips, photovoltaics for solar panels, and fibre optics, which are the backbone of high-tech and space technologies.

In this decade, the CMs-REEs have suddenly caused a paradigm shift in geodynamics. The US led this shift by renewing its quest for the CMs-REEs and overturning its geopolitical and geoeconomic policies in resource-rich regions like Greenland, Venezuela, and Pakistanall low-hanging fruits'!

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US President Donald Trumps hunger for Greenland is also because it is an excellent location for placing satellites into polar and sun-synchronous orbits; its high-latitude geography makes it a prime location as global launch capacity tightens.

Unlike many of his predecessors, he is an overt power worshipper. By hook or by crook, his Washington decided to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark, Venezuela, and Baluchistan. Over the years, China had, through its long-term policy of backward integration, subtly gained dominance in this critical sector by debt-trapping several poor countries through the transcontinental $2 trillion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Pax Silica: Forge

Until 2024, few countries evinced much interest in tapping their own CMs-REEs; they were satisfied importing affordable and finished Chinese products. However, Trumps weaponisation of trade and tariffs became a turning point; it pushed China to leverage its hold on the CM-REEs as a bargaining chip.

Since the 2000s, China has invested around $57 billion in the critical mineral sector in emerging and developing economies. Now was time to reap dividends. It controls most of the worlds extracted REEs, including metals required to manufacture anything from smartphones to fighter jets. China reportedly controls 80 per cent of these minerals and processes 90 per cent of the worlds supply.

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In a tit-for-tat, therefore, when the US clamped stiff tariffs in April 2025, China also imposed export controls on seven heavy REEs.

Beijing leads production in nearly 30 minerals designated as critical by the US Geological Survey. This concentration heightened concerns in Washington and other world capitals about supply-chain vulnerability, price manipulation, and the potential use of resource dominance for political leverage.

Last year, China ordered its companies to get government approval before exporting their minerals. These curbs dealt a major blow to the US, whose industries are heavily dependent on these imports. Although Beijing soon eased stricter measures, the world woke up to its utter vulnerability. The US is a distant second in mining, at 12 per cent of these minerals.

The Chinese curbs forced Trump to spend much of 2025 meeting with leaders from Ukraine, Australia, Japan, and countries across Central and Southeast Asia to negotiate trade deals to secure access to CMs-REES. New alliances and coalitionseven among frenemiesbegan to take shape. Trump, ever the businessman, even wooed Pakistans army chief, Asim Munir!

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With this long-term reprioritisation, the US-led geopolitical and economic coalition launched Pax Silica in December 2025 to secure global supply chains for semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and critical minerals to reduce dependence on single-source suppliers (China) by creating a trusted network of allies. The coalition includes the US, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the UAE, and Australia.

Washington hosted a Critical Minerals Ministerial on February 4, 2026, marking a watershed moment in how major economies will now have to view minerals for their own technological self-reliance. Ministers and officials from 55 countries from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas attended this key event.

Trump, the self-proclaimed dealmaker, sought to reshape global markets for CMs-REEs to reduce overdependence on China. He launched a strategic US minerals stockpile, called Project Vault, a $12 billion reserve, backed by $10 billion from the US Export-Import Bank and $2 billion in private funds, to stabilise prices and support manufacturers. The stockpile will include lithium and copper.

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This ministerial moved the CMs-REEs decisively from the fringes of economic policy to its strategic core and sought to strengthen and diversify their nations stocks of critical minerals. Washington forged bilateral critical minerals agreements with 11 countries, building on 10 similar pacts inked over the past five months. Negotiations were also completed with an additional 17 nations.

With Pax Silica, the US unveiled new initiatives to mobilise allies into a preferential trade bloc for critical minerals, including coordinated price floors, as Washington works to counter Beijings dominance in the market.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also announced the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (Forge) to foster collaboration and to build a network of partners across the world. It will complement Pax Silica, which centres on safeguarding AI-related supply chains. Forge is designed as a broader platform to coordinate critical mineral policy, pricing and project development.

Critical minerals and rare earths are essential for our most advanced technologies and will only become more important as AI, robotics, batteries, and autonomous devices transform our economies, the US said.

In this kaleidoscopic geodynamics, legal fig leaves, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have all become almost irrelevant. Its a free-for-allthose who can, will win.

Predictably, China reacted swiftly. Beijing opposes any country undermining the international economic and trade order through rules imposed by small groups, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Maintaining an open, inclusive, and universally beneficial international trade environment is in the common interest of all countries.

Indias Take

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the development as he underlined the challenges of excessive concentration of critical minerals and the importance of de-risking supply chains through structured international cooperation. He also conveyed Indias support to the Forge initiative and highlighted the countrys efforts towards greater resilience through initiatives including the National Critical Minerals Mission, rare earth corridors and responsible commerce.

The Trump administrations move came days after India announced plans to boost its REEs scheme. In her Union Budget 2026-27 presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would support mineral-rich states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha to develop dedicated rare earth corridors. She also announced the Indian Semiconductor Mission 2.0, aimed at expanding the countrys semiconductor mission and competing with Chinas semiconductor industry to break its monopoly. India is also in discussions with Brazil, Canada, France and the Netherlands on these issues.

Balochistan

Like sparsely populated Greenland, Balochistan is also on the US radar. It comprises nearly 44 per cent of Pakistan, but its population is only about 15 million, out of the countrys 255 million. Several of its areas, including the capital, Quetta, are mineral-rich. That was why Beijing gradually showcased the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the BRIs flagship project; it connects Chinas Xinjiang with Gwadar Port, also in Balochistan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir famously showcased Balochistans CMs-REE samples to Trump on September 25, 2025, promoting a likely $500 million investment deal with a US firm. In a return gesture, Trump praised Munir as his favourite Field Marshal!

And then America moved quickly.

On February 6, 2026, the US State Department announced an investment of $1.3 billion through the EXIM Bank in Baluchistans Reko Diq mines, making it a cornerstone of the Project Vault strategy to secure critical mineral supplies, particularly copper and gold. It will reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths" and is the only investment made outside of the US, as it has some of the worlds largest gold and copper reserves, the media reported.

Impoverished, Pakistan has made its minerals the centrepiece of its renewed outreach to the United States, which is eyeing its copper, lithium, cobalt, gold and antimony, worth an estimated $8 trillion. Global copper demand alone is projected to rise from about 30 million tonnes (mt) today to 50 mt by 2050.

According to a CNN investigation, militants operating in Baluchistan and the rest of Pakistan are now routinely armed with US-made weapons left behind after the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. CNN reporters were shown more than 100 seized firearms in Pakistans border regions, all stamped Property of US Govt. Manufactured in Columbia, South Carolina.

Thanks to Sharif and Munir, therefore, America may liberate Balochistan from both China and Pakistan!

(The author is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
PM Narendra Modis upcoming visit to Israel is strategically significant, as it comes at a time of heightened volatility in West Asia, with the serious threat of a US/Israel conflict with Iran looming. Indias longstanding ties with Israel and other regional powers could play a crucial role in reducing tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to begin his two-day visit to Israel on February 25, nine years after his first trip to the Jewish state. India and Israel enjoy a unique relationship steeped in historic people-to-people connections with ancient roots. India gave refuge to a large number of Jews for hundreds of years, among various other persecuted communities. The ancient Jewish communities in India, including the Bene Israelis, Cochini Jews, Baghdadi Jews and Bnei Menashe. survived and thrived in India and contributed to Indias growth story and cultural treasure. Even though large numbers went back to Israel and the remaining have been invited by the Jewish state, they remain a living bridge between the two countries.

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I met many in Israel who fondly remembered their time in India and were quite nostalgic, and some even hankered to return. This was so aptly articulated by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri when, during the commemoration ceremony for the Holocaust, he reaffirmed, India has always stood in eternal solidarity with the Jewish people. Not only through history, but even during the darkest hours of World War II, when doors closed around the world, India opened its heart." No wonder a large number of young Israeli army officers find solace in Indias mountains and beaches during their vacations.

Israel has greatly appreciated the friendly support of India  the largest democracy in the world. It also acknowledges India, not only as the most tolerant nation but also as the most resilient power. Likewise, India has valued consistent and overt Israeli military, technological and material support during times of crisis and wars. Even in the 1971 war with Pakistan, Israel provided weapons to India much against the wishes of the US, which was backing the brutal Pak regime and its Cold War ally. Tel Aviv even offered to attack and decimate the Pakistani nuclear facility at Kahuta, provided India arranged the refuelling facility for Israeli planes. Then Indian leadership chose not to go forward, and today Pakistan has become a virtual security provider in West Asia with its so-called Islamic Bomb and Islamic Alliance'.

Once again, during the recent heinous Pahalgam terror attacks and Indias fitting response through Op-Sindoor, Israel was one of the few countries that stood with India through thick and thin, apart from Russia. This India appreciates. Hence, when the October 7 (2023) terror attack by Hamas took place, PM Narendra Modi was possibly the first leader to condemn it and expressed solidarity with the people of Israel. Counter-terrorism has become a bulwark of bilateral cooperation.

As such, like his several other international-personal relationships, PM Modi has enjoyed a prolonged friendship with PM Benjamin Netanyahu since his time as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Gujarat also boasts of several collaborative projects, especially in agriculture and water technologies. Over three dozen projects in hydroponics and water-resistant technologies are working to strengthen cooperation, for which even special funding mechanisms have been devised.

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India and Israel are innovative countries and are aligning technological synergies across the whole spectrum of security, from defence to cyber to AI. No wonder Israel is the third-largest supplier of defence equipment to India, and various new deals are in the offing which might make it the first this year. Trust and reliability drive it. India is Israels second-largest trading partner in Asia. During the visit of the Prime Minister of India to Israel in July 2017, an MoU was signed between the Department of Science and Technology, India, and the National Authority for Technological Innovation, Israel, for establishing the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F) with both sides contributing $20 million each.

The I4F programme has been renewed for a further period of five years (202327) by making the fund available for joint projects across various fields under four separate tracks (feasibility studies, R&D projects, pilot projects, and strategic projects). I4F has funded thirty R&D projects, including joint projects on low-cost, high-efficiency solar water pumping solutions, drone detection and neutralisation systems, and an AI-based project for the early detection of tuberculosis.

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PM Modi also was the first Indian PM to visit Israel while celebrating the establishment of 25 years of full diplomatic relations in 2017. He is slated to visit Tel Aviv once again, and so the visit of Netanyahu to India is on the cards, which will further identify and build on areas of strategic collaboration. Apart from dozens of bilateral institutional mechanisms across the whole strategic spectrum, India and Israel have established bilateral consultation mechanisms in all sectors of collaboration, including water, agriculture, counter-terrorism, and defence.

Recently PM Netanyahu, frustrated with the Trumpian and US approaches in the region, especially in the context of Gaza, lamented that he will move his focus and reliance from the US towards India, especially in R&D and mutually beneficial defence manufacturing in accordance with Make in India for the world. As such, on more than one occasion he mentioned that when India acquires a veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Israel may not have a need for dependence on the US. That may or may not be the case eventually, but it speaks volumes of the faith in this partnership. I for I works in tandem with Innovation, Intelligence Sharing and International Relations.

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But this is not to say that both sides are on the same side on all issues. One of the key points of difference is the issue of Palestine and expanding settlements, where India differs and disagrees with the Israeli approach. India opposes the settlements in the West Bank, which are violative of the international law and UN resolutions and impinge adversely on any solution to the Palestinian issue. Indias vote at the UN General Assembly in this regard has been consistent. New Delhi has always supported a two-state solution with both countries living side by side in security and sovereignty.

I recall that when, in 1992, we were working on establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel, we informed the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. He was, in fact, welcoming of it and mentioned that I am happy that our Indian brothers are doing it and can surely put some sense into Israeli heads. At the recently held (January 3031) India-Arab League Foreign Ministers meeting in Delhi, PM Modi reiterated that India continues to support the people of Palestine and welcomes ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan. The Delhi Declaration clearly reiterated support for the two-state solution.

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The prevailing Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) syndrome between Tehran and Tel Aviv has the potential to destabilise the whole region, the escalation of which will have dangerous repercussions for New Delhi. Indias matrix of energy security, economic engagement, millions of expats, and ease of navigation will all be threatened. Hence, security and stability in this volatile region are paramount imperatives for the Indian foreign policy establishment. India has offered its good offices to defuse the situation through dialogue and diplomacy. Hopefully, PM Modis upcoming visit will dilute the high tensions currently prevailing, as the serious threat of a US/Israel war with Iran is imminent.

Secondly, India has adopted a de-hyphenated foreign policy in West Asia. It enjoys a close and strategic relationship with Iran as well as the Arab world and Israel  each of which is important and stands on its own. But it also welcomes and makes efforts through regional and subregional arrangements like the Abraham Accords, I2U2 and IMEC, where dialogue, diplomacy and peace are the underlying features for viable cooperation.

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As the technological frontiers are scaled by both countries, the collaborative matrix will continue to be enriched for mutual benefit, while differences will be resolved in a mature way.

(Anil Trigunayat is a former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and Distinguished Fellow and Head of the West Asia Experts Group at the prestigious Vivekananda International Foundation. He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the oldest Indian think tank, the United Services Institute of India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
My first ever crush has just turned 90! When I was all of four, I had declared, with all the solemnity of a pre-schooler, that I would marry Aranyadev when I grew up. If youre wondering who that is, its the masked crusader who has just turned nonagenarian  Lee Falks Phantom.

My earliest introduction to this strange character was in Bengali. In those translated strips, Phantom became Aranyadev or Betal, his wolf/dog was called Bagha, not Devil, and his white stallion was called Toofan, not Hero. This was the early 1970s when access to imported books was restricted to Soviet publications and the occasional Tintin title. For the child in me, Phantoms world  exotic, dangerous and fantastical  was like an alternative history and geography lesson. His shenanigans took me to magical realms where, ever so often, actual historical characters popped up, offering a fiction-fantasy blend perfect for a young mind.

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This month, this masked crusader turns 90. Which means the first Phantom stories made their debut in the pre-war mid-1930s. Of course, the stories that I binge-read in the 1970s were  to the displeasure of teachers and parents who disapproved of comic books in general  very different from those first outings of the Ghost Who Walks. For one, the premise had shifted continents and, for another, the Phantom universe had undergone some post-war tweaking too. Phantom himself continued to do what he always did  fight pirates, gun-runners, drug cartels, bloodthirsty bandits and evil regime changers.

It seems Lee Falk originally intended the Phantom-verse to be situated somewhere in the subcontinent and its surrounding regions. He was looking for an exotic, colourful and dangerous locale and India of the Thuggees and Maharajas fitted the bill. Inspired by The Jungle Book and the colourful Thuggee stories that were the staple of British civil servants from William Sleeman onwards, he pictured his arch villain with broad Indian strokes. The Singh Brotherhood, a global pirate organisation, is to Phantom what Moriarty is to Sherlock Holmes. The rivalry between the two evolves over nearly 500 years and each successive Phantom has his own Singh Brotherhood captain to tackle. The Singh Brotherhood names are mangled Indian  Rama, Ashar, Kabai etc  and reflect the way the West looked at India in the 1940s and 1950s.

From Tintins holidays in the palace of the Maharajah of Gaipajama in The Blue Lotus to Nancy Drews brush with Kenyan Indian Shastri Tagore in The Spider Sapphire Mystery, the Indian connection was always part exotica, part danger  something that the Western detective, crime crusader or journalist has trouble both understanding and controlling. Of course, the Singh Brotherhoods racial antecedents are confused, to say the least. Take Kabai Singh  though he is broad-spectrum Asian, in film versions he is more Fu Manchu than anything definitively Indian, but the age-appropriate racist undertone of an exotic villain still stands.

If the villain is exotic, can the love interest be far behind? A casual look at Phantoms various love interests brings up the Indian angle in a few of them. For a man who wears underwear over a body suit and an empty-socket eye mask, the Phantom manages to snag a long line of beautiful and feisty women, many of them of historical lineage.

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Theres a fair bit of history embedded in the Phantom mythology, with the origin story going back to 1536 when the first Phantom is shipwrecked as a boy. His father is connected to Christopher Columbus and Phantom himself grows up to marry Marabella Columbus, the explorers granddaughter. More exciting historically is the third Phantom, who first travels to Elizabethan England, takes part in a Shakespearean play and then manages to sweep the bards niece Rosamunda off her feet. They marry but presumably his wife dies because we see this 16th-century character then travel to India and find himself a royal bride.

In The Third Phantoms Bride, he meets Princess Pura, the daughter of a Maharajah, who proceeds to, predictably enough, fall in love with him. The story ends with them getting married and living happily ever after. Not all romantic overtures end happily, though. When Kabai Singhs close associate Sala falls in love with Phantom, he spurns her, triggering bloody vengeance on her part.

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Phantoms involvement with all things Indian undergoes a definite change in the half-century that separates his first appearance from The Third Phantoms Bride, which came in the mid-1980s. In fact, early Phantom strips show him in action in Calcutta (Kolkata), Madras (Chennai) and Bombay (Mumbai), helping track down pirates, bandits or kidnappers. One of the earliest adventures set entirely in India was The Maharajahs Daughter, in which the 21st (current) Phantom rescues Lakshmi/Lakani, the princess of Nimpore, from the clutches of the evil Rajah of Simbal (which sounds suspiciously like Chambal). Shortly afterwards, we find the Phantom dressed like Lawrence of Arabia fighting the Thuggees in a story called The Thuggees, which appeared in 1949-50.

While the Thuggee reference pops up several times  thanks to the colonial obsession with that cult, as mentioned earlier  Phantom does travel to India to fight the Singh Brotherhood as well as other bloodthirsty villains. In two Team Fantomen stories from Scandinavia  The Coffin from Bombay and The Curse of the Rakshasa  the 17th Phantom swoops in to tackle some exotic Indian attacks. Written in the mid-1980s through to the mid-1990s, these stories continue to project India as a colourful, exotic puzzle that forms the backdrop for a Western crime-fighters daredevilry. In that sense, they are similar in sensibility to Octopussy (1983), which shows 007 swanning around palaces and markets in India in search of a villain.

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The Indian references aside, most of the Phantom stories talk of fictional places and people, often with a definitive African arc. The Phantom himself literally lives in a man-cave called the Bangalla Skull Cave (the Bengali version turned it into Denkali to avoid confusion) with his wife Diana Palmer, children Kit and Heloise, and his ward Rex. He is protected by the fiercely protective Bandar tribe (shades of The Jungle Books Bandar-log, perhaps?), often gambolling in the Golden Sands of Keela Wee, listening to the Whispering Mountains or relaxing at the Isle of Eden where even lions eat grass.

Not bad for a 90-year-old with no super weapons, no superpowers (beyond the skull ring biff) and not even a cape. No wonder the four-year-old me wanted to marry him  can you blame me?

(Nandini Sengupta is a freelance writer and author of several books. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)

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Court filings in the US social media addiction trial reveal nearly one in five teens aged 13 to 15 reported seeing unwanted nude content on Instagram. Internal Meta documents also highlighted a focus on attracting young users, intensifying scrutiny over platform safety practices.

Amid the ongoing landmark US social media addiction trial in the US it was found that nearly one in five users aged 13 to 15 told Meta that they viewed only nude and sexual content on Instagram which they were not comfortable with, according to a court filing.

The document was made public on Friday and was reviewed by news agency Reuters which included portions of a March 2025 deposition of Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

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Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Instagram-owner Meta Platforms, also struggled in court a week ago to defend his firm from claims it targeted young users as he was confronted with internal documents on its practices.

Focus on young teens

In another document dated January 20, 2021 was made public as part of the lawsuit, a Meta researcher said that the company focuses on teen and young users as they get influenced in younger age as compared to their parents.

If were looking to acquire (and retain) new users we need to recognize a teens influence within the household to help do so, the researcher said in the memo.

YouTube also faced allegations regarding the screen time which caused stress to the children where the platforms VP clarified that the platform is designed to give people the most value and we do not want addiction for anyone.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is facing allegations from global leaders that the companys products harm young users. In the US, thousands of lawsuits in federal and state court accuse the company of designing addictive products and fueling a mental-health crisis for minors.

Remove sexual content from the platform

The statistics on explicit images came after the Grok incident and a 2021 survey of Instagram users about their experiences on the platform, said Meta spokesperson Andy Stone, and not a review of posts themselves.

The report claimed that about 8 per cent of users in the 13 to 15 age group had seen someone harm themselves or threaten to do so on Instagram, according to Mosseris deposition.

The company in late 2025 said that it will remove content containing nudity and explicit content for teen users including those generated using AI.

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Were proud of the progress weve made, and were always working to do better, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said.
Indias biggest-ever AI summit drew global attention, but the absence of some of the worlds most influential tech players, including Apple, Perplexity, and Elon Musks xAI, was impossible to miss.

Last week, India was all about AI. The AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi was meant to mark Indias coming of age as a global hub for artificial intelligence, a moment to showcase its ambitions, talent, and digital infrastructure.

Over these packed days, the event drew more than 20 heads of state, 500 global AI leaders, and delegations from over 100 countries, including top executives from Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, Anthropic, and NVIDIA.

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And yet, what caught many by surprise wasnt who was on stage, but who wasnt.

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, the man at the centre of the AI hardware revolution, skipped the event, sending senior executives instead.

Bill Gates, despite Microsofts major investment commitments in Indias digital infrastructure, also didnt attend. Their absence raised eyebrows, but perhaps more striking were the missing presences of Apple, Perplexity AI, and Elon Musks xAI, each representing a unique voice in todays AI landscape.

Perplexitys curious absence

If there was one India-origin name many expected to see at the summit, it was Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI. The IIT Madras alumnus has become one of the most recognised Indian-origin figures in global AI. His platform, which merges search and conversational AI, has been praised for its speed and factual accuracy.

Yet Srinivas was nowhere to be seen at Bharat Mandapam. For an event that leaned heavily on high-profile personalities, with Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei sharing the stage, Perplexitys no-show felt like a missed opportunity.

The company did not issue any official statement explaining the absence. Firstpost also reached out for a comment, but did not receive any response.

Apples deliberate distance

Another most notable absentee was Apple. With Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic all sending top executives, the lack of Apple representation stood out.

But we have a take. In the recent report, CEO Tim Cook made it clear that unlike the rest of the world, Apple is not chasing the AI model game. It is more interested in putting AI to work in the real life. For instance, Apple has plans to launch AI-powered devices.

Its upcoming software suite, Apple Intelligence, layers AI features such as text rewriting, image generation, and ChatGPT integration directly into the iPhone and Mac ecosystem.

We think, this approach explains why the company doesnt feel the need to attend high-profile AI conferences. Its absence wasnt an oversight, it was intentional, perhaps even symbolic.

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xAI and the Musk-shaped gap

And then there was Elon Musk, or rather, his absence. Musks participation could have electrified the summit. As the founder of xAI, Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, his views on AI risks, autonomy, and real-world deployment carry enormous influence.

Indias theme of People, Planet, and Progress would have been the perfect stage for Musks perspective on balancing AI innovation with ethical responsibility. Yet, once again, he was a no-show.

But, truth to be told, he has his plate full. Musk is currently juggling Teslas autonomy push, SpaceXs next Starship flight, Neuralinks human trials, and xAIs rapid scaling of its chatbot Grok.

Add to that his ownership of X (formerly Twitter), and its clear his calendar isnt forgiving. Past India visits have been postponed under similar heavy obligations.

Still, his absence was a missed opportunity for dialogue. Musks insights on AI access for emerging markets, EV integration with smart grids, and AIs impact on jobs would have added depth to Indias global AI narrative. Given Indias rising talent pool and its ambitions in autonomous systems and semiconductors, Musks engagement could have sparked valuable collaborations.
The US believes DeepSeek will remove the technical indicators that might reveal its use of American AI chips, the official said, adding that the Blackwells are likely clustered at its data center in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of China.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeeks latest AI model, set to be released as soon as next week, was trained on Nvidias most advanced AI chip, the Blackwell, a senior Trump administration official said on Monday, in what could represent a violation of US export controls.

The US believes DeepSeek will remove the technical indicators that might reveal its use of American AI chips, the official said, adding that the Blackwells are likely clustered at its data center in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of China.

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The person declined to say how the US government received the information or how DeepSeek obtained the chips, but emphasized that US policy is :were not shipping Blackwells to China.

Nvidia declined to comment, while the Commerce Department and DeepSeek did not respond to requests for comment.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said Beijing opposes drawing ideological lines, overstretching the concept of national security, expansive use of export controls and politicizing economic, trade, and technological issues."

US government confirmation of DeepSeek obtaining the chips, first reported by Reuters, could further divide Washington policymakers as they struggle to determine where to draw the line on Chinese access to the crown jewels of American AI semiconductor chips.

White House AI Czar David Sacks and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argue that shipping advanced AI chips to China discourages Chinese competitors like Huawei from redoubling efforts to catch up with Nvidias and AMDs technology.

But China hawks fear chips could easily be diverted from commercial uses to help supercharge Chinas military and threaten US dominance in AI.

This shows why exporting any AI chips to China is so dangerous, said Chris McGuire, who served as a White House National Security Council official under former President Joe Biden.

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Given Chinas leading AI companies are brazenly violating US export controls, we obviously cannot expect that they will comply with US conditions that would prohibit them from using chips to support the Chinese military, he added.

US export controls, overseen by the Commerce Department, currently bar Blackwell shipments to China.

In August, US President Donald Trump opened the door to Nvidia selling a scaled-down version of the Blackwell in China. But he later reversed course, suggesting the firms most advanced chips should be reserved for US companies and kept out of China.

Trumps decision in December to allow Chinese firms to buy Nvidias second most advanced chips, known as the H200, drew sharp criticism from China hawks, but shipments of the chips remain stalled over guardrails built into the approvals.

Chinese AI companies reliance on smuggled Blackwells underscores their massive shortfall of domestically produced AI chips and why approvals of H200 chips would represent a lifeline, said Saif Khan, who served as director of technology and national security at the White Houses National Security Council under former President Joe Biden.

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The official declined to comment on how the latest news would impact the Trump administrations decision on whether to allow DeepSeek to buy H200s.

The model they helped train likely relied on the distillation of models made by leading-edge US AI companies, including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI, echoing allegations made by OpenAI and Anthropic, the official added.

The technique known as distillation involves having an older, more established and powerful AI model evaluate the quality of the answers coming out of a newer model, effectively transferring the older models learnings.

Hangzhou-based DeepSeek shook markets early last year with a set of AI models that rivaled some of the best offerings from the US, fueling concerns in Washington that China could catch up in the AI race despite restrictions.

The Information previously reported that DeepSeek had smuggled chips into China to train its next model. Reuters is reporting for the first time on the US governments confirmation of the chips use for that purpose in DeepSeeks Inner Mongolia-based facility.

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Speaking at IIT Delhi, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urged students to trust their own instincts rather than rely blindly on traditional career advice. He warned that AI will reshape jobs rapidly, stressing resilience, risk-taking and strong personal agency in a fast-changing world.

Addressing at IIT Delhi, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned the students that blindly following career advice from parents could be a mistake in the near future. Emphasising on the role of AI in the coming era, he also said that some job profiles will vanish due to the evolving AI technology.

Altman advised young minds that one has to decide within themselves what they want to do and not rely mostly on other advice from their elders.

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I think listening to old people is the biggest mistake young people make. You will have to quickly develop your own intuitions and trust them. The traditional career advice is probably not going to work as well, Altman said while responding to a question about the biggest mistake young people make.

Wise advice from Sam Altman for young people



Especially in a society like India that fosters the exact opposite culture !



True not just for AI but all walks of life :) pic.twitter.com/ERk4FnGaJN  Praveen Chakravarty (@pravchak) February 24, 2026

Young people always figure out best

After delivering the remark at the Dogra Hall, he later clarified that parents are the guiding light for life values, but not necessarily for career choices in fast-changing times. Hence, he warned students relying on the older generation to predict the future of work.

For a predictor of what the world is going to be like going forward, I dont think you should trust me for having a good intuition of the rate of change, he said. He further added, Young people always figure this out the best."

AI will automate economy 

Altman also warned students that AI will not only automate scientific progress but also the whole economy.

While answering a question on what India would look like in 2047 when the country completes 100 years of independence, Altman said that the first thing will be that the coming generation will have superintelligence at their fingertips, which would mean that his one-year-old would never know a world where he was smarter than a computer ever.

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Agency is a learnable skill

During his entire speech, the OpenAI Chief stressed at the importance of belief within oneself which individuals can make for themselves which he called out agency.

Agency is also a learnable skill, he said. The world kind of beats it out of you. So you have to resist and continue to believe that you can sort of figure anything out and make anything happen."

He called out the evolving time, outlining the growing use of technology which the older generation is not much aware of adding that quality has become more valuable than ever.

The returns on agency clearly have never been higher. A single person with drive and an idea and willpower can make incredible things happen, Altman added.

Evolution of OpenAI

Altman also described his early days of OpenAI, and how its development took place which was seen as unrealistic. If you are right on the idea, no matter how unpopular it is - in fact, its often better to be unpopular because you have no one else you are competing with and you stick with unwavering conviction over a long time, you can accomplish amazing things, he said.

Urged students to take risk

Altman encouraged the students to take risks and engage in new and different ideas which most people do not indulge much in.

Most people, especially in India, are especially averse to risk, he said. My willingness to fail allows me to succeed."

During a rapid-fire round when asked to name one skill every IIT student should build this year, his answer was brief and emphatic - Resilience."

On the debate about AI taking over most of the jobs, Altman said it was unrealistic to be either fully optimistic or fully fearful.

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Anyone who says theyre only excited or only fearful about AI is not being very thoughtful, he said. History suggests new roles will emerge faster than expected. Many of you will eventually do jobs that dont exist today, even really as a concept, he told the students.

Altman emphasised original thinking and pursuing ideas others havent explored. He believes stepping beyond familiar patterns is what separates individuals from the crowd and creates real impact.
OpenAI has partnered with top global consultanciesBCG, McKinsey, Accenture, and Capgeminito accelerate adoption of its Frontier AI agent platform, reshaping enterprise workflows and pressuring traditional SaaS providers

OpenAI has formed partnerships with some of the worlds largest consulting firms as it seeks to strengthen its position in the enterprise AI market. The collaborations, announced this week, will see Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Co., Accenture, and Capgemini support the sale and implementation of OpenAIs newly launched Frontier AI agent platform, helping organisations redesign workflows, integrate AI tools, and manage large-scale transformation.

Frontier, introduced earlier this month, enables businesses and organisations to build, deploy, supervise, and govern AI agents. The launch forms part of OpenAIs broader effort to maintain momentum in the enterprise AI sector against rival Anthropic, which has made significant gains over the past year with its Claude Code and Claude Cowork products.

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Pressure mounts on established SaaS providers

The new alliances could present challenges for established software-as-a-service providers, including Salesforce, Workday, Microsoft, and ServiceNow. These companies rely heavily on major consulting firms to market and deploy their products across corporations and governments.

Many SaaS providers have been developing their own AI agent platforms. However, in recent weeks, investors have driven down their share prices amid concerns that customers may opt for OpenAIs or Anthropics agent products instead. There are also fears that organisations could turn to AI coding tools such as OpenAIs Codex and Anthropics Claude Code to build proprietary systems, potentially reducing reliance on traditional SaaS offerings.

Structure of the Frontier Alliances

Under the arrangements, described by OpenAI as Frontier Alliances, each consultancy will establish dedicated practice groups and assemble teams certified in OpenAIs technology. OpenAIs own forward deployed engineers will work alongside consultancy teams during client engagements.

Boston Consulting Group and McKinsey are positioned primarily as strategy and operating model partners, advising leadership teams on where and how to deploy AI agents at scale. Accenture and Capgemini will focus on end-to-end systems integration, including data architecture, cloud infrastructure, and connecting Frontier to the software systems enterprises already use.

A unified platform for enterprise systems

OpenAI characterises Frontier as a semantic layer for the enterprisea unified platform that enables AI agents to navigate business software, carry out workflows, and make decisions across an organisations technology stack, including CRM systems, HR platforms, and internal ticketing tools. Early enterprise adopters include Intuit, State Farm, Thermo Fisher, and Uber.

Bob Sternfels, McKinseys global managing partner, said in a statement accompanying the Frontier Alliances announcement that CEOs must rewire their businesses, reimagining domains and evolving how their people work to capture value from agentic AI. BCG CEO Christoph Schweizer echoed that sentiment, noting that AI transformation must be linked to strategy, built into redesigned processes, and adopted at scale.

Julie Sweet, Accentures CEO, said in a statement that her firm was excited to deepen our work with OpenAI and to help clients turn AI into real outcomes.

Business transformation requires more than great models, she said. It requires end-to-end execution across technology, data, security, and change management.

Investor concerns and industry tensions

For investors in enterprise software companies, the announcement is likely to heighten unease following an already challenging period. The Frontier Alliances initiative underscores the possibility that customers could favour OpenAIs agent orchestration platform over conventional SaaS products.

The move may also strain relationships between SaaS providers and consulting firms. Accenture, Capgemini, McKinsey, and Boston Consulting Group maintain close ties with the very software companies that Frontier could potentially displace. For Salesforce, Microsoft, and ServiceNow, the prospect of BCG and McKinsey promoting an alternative platform to senior executives is unlikely to be welcomed.

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The World Bank Group estimates Ukraine will need $588 billion over the next decade to rebuild homes, energy systems, and infrastructure destroyed during Russias invasion

People walk at a ruined city market following a Russia's attack in Odesa, Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine war is Europes biggest conflict since World War II. AP

Four years into Russias full-scale invasion, the cost of rebuilding Ukraine has surged to an estimated $588 billion over the next decade, speaking volumes about the immense toll the war has taken on the countrys infrastructure, economy, and people.

The updated assessment was released jointly by the World Bank Group, the European Commission, the United Nations, and Ukraines government.

The figure is nearly three times Ukraines projected nominal GDP for 2025. The new estimate reflects nearly four years of destruction between February 2022 and December 2025.

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Damage continues to mount

Direct damage across Ukraine has now exceeded $195 billion, up sharply from earlier estimates. Homes, transport systems, and energy infrastructure have been among the hardest hit, with millions of people affected. Around 14 percent of all housing has been damaged or destroyed, impacting more than three million households.

Ukraines energy sector has faced especially severe blows, with attacks intensifying over the past year. Damage to power generation, transmission lines, and heating systems has increased significantly, worsening risks to electricity and heating supplies. Transport networks, including railways and ports, have also suffered major destruction, further complicating economic recovery.

Massive rebuilding effort ahead

The largest reconstruction needs are concentrated in transport, energy, and housing, each requiring tens of billions of dollars in investment. Other key sectors include commerce, agriculture, and industrial infrastructure, all of which are vital for restoring economic stability and growth.

Despite the devastation, Ukraine has already begun rebuilding critical systems. More than $20 billion worth of urgent repairs and early recovery work has been completed since the invasion began. These efforts have focused on restoring housing, energy services, education facilities, and essential infrastructure.

Recovery tied to reforms and global support

Officials and international partners say Ukraines recovery will depend not just on funding, but also on reforms and private investment. Strengthening the business environment, improving governance, and aligning with European standards will be crucial to attracting long-term support.
The withdrawal comes as Syrias government has expanded its control to the countrys northeast, previously controlled by US-allied Kurdish forces, and formally joined the coalition against IS

Boys along a road wave to an approaching US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armoured fighting vehicle moving in a convoy transporting Islamic State group detainees being transferred to Iraq from Syria. (AFP)

The US forces that led the coalition against the Islamic State group will complete their withdrawal from Syria within a month, three sources told AFP on Monday, as troops began leaving a major base.

The withdrawal comes as Syrias government has expanded its control to the countrys northeast, previously controlled by US-allied Kurdish forces, and formally joined the coalition against IS.

It also comes as Syrian state media reported that four Syrian security personnel were killed in an IS attack in the northern city of Raqa, which was recently taken back into central government control from Kurdish forces.

American forces have already withdrawn from two other bases in the past two weeks, Al-Tanf in the southeast and Shadadi in the northeast.

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Within a month, they will have withdrawn from Syria and there will no longer be any military presence in the bases, a Syrian government official said, with a Kurdish source confirming the timeline.

The officials who spoke to AFP for this story all requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

On Monday, the United States began withdrawing from a major base in a northeastern region still under the control of Kurdish forces, which agreed last month to integrate their institutions with Damascus.

An AFP team saw a convoy of dozens of trucks loaded with armoured vehicles and prefabricated structures on a road linking the Qasrak base in Hasakeh province to the border with Iraq.

With Kurdish forces at the forefront, IS was territorially defeated in 2019 but retains sleeper cells. On Saturday the group urged its jihadists to fight the Syrian authorities.

On Monday, Syrias official SANA news agency quoted a security source as saying that four members of the internal security forces were killed in an attack attributed to IS.

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Syrias interior ministry said the terrorist attack had targeted a checkpoint and that an assailant was also killed.

End their presence

The United States has about 1,000 troops still deployed in Syria.

It had intervened in the country in 2014 to fight IS, which had taken over swathes of Syria and Iraq in a lightning offensive.

A diplomat from a country allied with both the United States and Syria said the withdrawal should be completed within 20 days.

The US may still carry out air strikes in Syria from other bases in the region, he said.

The Kurdish source said the international coalition forces will end their presence, which has lasted for about 12 years, in northern and eastern Syria within a period of three to five weeks.

Over the coming days, successive military convoys will transport logistical supplies, military equipment, radar systems, and missiles from the two remaining bases, he added, referring to Qasrak and Kharab al-Jir, also in Hasakeh province.

The withdrawal comes as the US, which long backed the Kurds, has deemed their mission against IS to be largely over, with Syria joining the international anti-IS coalition.

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After the Syrian authorities deployment in the northeast last month, the US military said it transferred thousands of IS suspects, including many Syrians but also Westerners, to Iraq after they were held in Kurdish-run prisons for years.

Syrian authorities had transferred remaining families in Al-Hol, the largest camp housing relatives of suspected IS fighters, to another site in the north.

Thousands of family members of foreign jihadists had previously fled the camp and they remain unaccounted for.

Human Rights Watch expressed concern over the wellbeing of 8,500 people after the camps of al-Hol, which Damascus shut down on Sunday, and Roj, still under Kurdish control, close.

After control of al-Hol was transferred to Syrian authorities on January 20, most residents reportedly left in a largely unplanned and chaotic manner, the international watchdog said.

The camps have long held thousands of women and children, most of whom have never been charged with a crime and were detained for years in life-threatening conditions because their countries failed to repatriate them.

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Clashes were reported on multiple campuses, including Tehrans University of Science and Technology, where videos circulating on social media appeared to show scuffles between students and members of the Basij militia, a state-backed paramilitary force

This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on Monday, and verified by AFPTV teams in Paris, shows students gathering for an anti-government rally at the all-female Alzahra university in Tehran. AFP

Iranian authorities on Tuesday deployed plainclothes police and armed security personnel across several Iranian universities to quell a fourth consecutive day of student protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to a Guardian report, clashes were reported on multiple campuses, including Tehrans University of Science and Technology, where videos circulating on social media appeared to show scuffles between students and members of the Basij militia, a state-backed paramilitary force.

Images also showed pickup trucks mounted with machine guns stationed outside the University of Tehran. Demonstrations were reported in the northeastern city of Mashhad as well, added the report.

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Elsewhere, students found themselves barred from entry if they had been identified as being involved in previous protests and university administrators also announced the closure of in-person classes.

Nearly 80% of Irans universities are currently operating online, a move critics say is aimed at preventing large gatherings and curbing dissent following a harsh crackdown on protests earlier this year.

Videos from Tehrans University of Art captured students chanting slogans including We fight, we die, we take back Iran and Political prisoners must be freed, along with direct criticism of the countrys leadership, reported The Guardian.

The unrest marks one of the most significant waves of student-led demonstrations in recent months, underscoring continued tensions between the government and segments of Irans youth population.

Protests cast shadow over nuclear talks

The protests cast a tense shadow over a third round of talks on Irans nuclear programme scheduled for Thursday in Geneva between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Irans attorney general, Mohammad Mohebi Azad, called for action against demonstrators.

The responsible agencies must quickly identify the related elements and take decisive and legal action against them, The Guardian quoted Azad as saying.

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Whenever the system has been on the path of negotiations, certain currents, under the guidance of the enemy, have tried to inflame the domestic atmosphere, he added.

The Oman-mediated talks come as President Donald Trump completes a major buildup of US naval and air power in the region, heightening pressure on Tehran.

The negotiations hinge on whether Washington will allow Iran limited uranium enrichment inside the country, such as for medical purposes. If that compromise is rejected, Trump risks entering a conflict without clear objectives.

Trump has maintained that a war with Iran is winnable and has pushed back against reports that the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Caine, warned an attack would be inadvisable due to limited regional support and munitions.

In a social media post, Trump said that if Iran failed to reach a deal it would be a very bad day for that country and unfortunately for its people  a remark widely noted inside Iran.

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Ali Hashem, associate research fellow at the Center for Islamic and West Asian Studies at Royal Holloway College, said Khamenei had shifted from tactical restraint to rhetoric framed as confrontation through the lens of Karbala, invoking the Shia narrative of Imam Husseins martyrdom.

For foreign audiences, such references may have symbolic meaning, The Guardian quoted Hashem as saying.

However, for the Shiite political consciousness, Karbala is a moral and political code; a celebration of resistance to an existential threat, rather than compromise. The idea of dying standing and not living in disgrace challenges the US logic of proportionate response and coercive diplomacy, he added.

Meanwhile, Washington-based human rights group HRANA published what it called detailed identities of more than 7,000 people allegedly killed in the January protests. In its report, titled Red Winter, it listed 7,070 victims with personal details and locations of death.

Irans presidents office has released a list of 2,986 identified victims and said the total death toll stands at 3,117, attributing a discrepancy of 131 to the anonymity of some individuals and the discrepancy in the registration of the national IDs of some of the victims with the civil registration system.

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With inputs from agencies
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was briefly evacuated from The Lodge in Canberra following a bomb threat, police said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a signing ceremony at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 17, 2024. (Photo: Lukas Coch/Pool via Reuters)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was temporarily evacuated from his official residence, The Lodge in Canberra, on Tuesday following a bomb threat, authorities said.

He was moved at around 6 pm local time while security agencies conducted an investigation, relocated to a secure location for several hours, and returned at about 9 pm after inspections were completed.

Police search and response

The Australian Federal Police said a comprehensive search of the protected premises found nothing suspicious and confirmed there was no ongoing threat to public safety. The Prime Ministers office expressed confidence in the police response and thanked security personnel.

A spokesperson said officers had been alerted to a reported security incident at a protected establishment. While details were not disclosed, local media reported the alert involved a threat of an explosive device. Authorities said further information would be shared if necessary.

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The AFP, which protects federal parliamentarians and key Commonwealth sites including Parliament House, has reported a rise in threats and harassment targeting Australian political figures.

The incident follows heightened concerns over the safety of elected representatives. Albanese and several federal lawmakers have faced increased threats in recent months, leading to a more visible security presence at public events.

Earlier in the day, Albanese recorded an interview at The Lodge with Australian television journalist Karl Stefanovic, before routine engagements were disrupted by the security scare.

In October last year, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced specialised national security investigation teams to address rising threats against politicians and public office holders. She later told a Senate committee that federal politicians, officials and members of Australias Jewish community had been targeted by violent offenders, with more than 20 people charged since late last year.

Royal succession consultation

Separately, Albanese said his government would communicate with Commonwealth nations regarding Australias position on changes to the British royal line of succession, which would require coordination with realms that recognise King Charles III as head of state.
Yunus exchanged greetings with co-workers and was presented with flowers upon his arrival. Resuming his duties, he met with managing directors and advisers from Grameen organisations and the Yunus Centre to review paused initiatives and map out future plans

After concluding his tenure as chief adviser to Bangladeshs interim government, Muhammad Yunus has returned to his non-profit work at the Yunus Centre. The Nobel laureate served in the role for nearly 18 months following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration in August 2024.

The 85-year-old was greeted warmly by colleagues when he arrived at the Yunus Centre office in Mirpur on Sunday morning.

A warm welcome to Professor Muhammad Yunus as he returned to his former duties on Sunday, following an 18-month hiatus during which he led Bangladeshs Interim Government," read a Facebook post from the organisation.

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Yunus exchanged greetings with co-workers and was presented with flowers upon his arrival. Resuming his duties, he met with managing directors and advisers from Grameen organisations and the Yunus Centre to review paused initiatives and map out future plans. He is also expected to return to his home in Gulshan, Dhaka, by the end of the month.

Yunus stepped down from his position as chief adviser on February 16, shortly after the formation of a newly elected government under the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)s victory.

He had taken charge of the interim administration on August 8, 2024, after a mass student-led uprising toppled the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Reflecting on the transition, Yunus said in a broadcast, Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that have begun not be halted."

Recounting the uprising that ended Sheikh Hasinas government, he added, That was the day of great liberation. What a day of joy it was. Bangladeshis across the world shed tears of happiness. The youth of our country freed it from the grip of a demon."

Following the national elections on February 12, Yunus formally handed over power, congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman.

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Prime Minister Mark Carney will arrive in India on February 26 in the first leg of his three-nation visit to the Indo-Pacific, the Canadian Prime Ministers Office has said.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in South Africa on November 23, 2025. (Photo: X/PMO India)

Prime Minister Mark Carney will arrive in India on February 26 in the first leg of his three-nation visit to the Indo-Pacific, the Canadian Prime Ministers Office announced on Monday.

The visit has come at a time when Carney is working towards mending the India-Canada relationship that his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, plunged to its lowest point, and reaching a trade deal with India. After India, he will visit Australia and Japan.

The PMO said that Carney will work to unlock new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses across trade, energy, technology, and defence.

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The PMO added, Through these visits to three of Canadas strongest Indo-Pacific partners, the Prime Minister will deepen regional ties that are critical to our security and prosperity.

ALSO READ  Ahead of Carneys India visit, Canada to revoke 26/11 accused Tahawwur Ranas citizenship: Report

Since Carney assumed office last year, India and Canada have resumed high-level engagements, restoring ambassadors to each others capital, and resumed dialogue on security and trade. Last year, the two sides agreed to launch negotiations for a trade deal.

Carney eyes trade amid Trumps tariff war

The PMO said that Carney will first visit Mumbai and then Delhi where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Carneys talks with Modi will focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship in areas like trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence, the PMO said.

Carney will also meet business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between India and Canada, the PMO said.

As US President Donald Trump has waged a tariff war that has hit Canada particularly hard, Carney has turned to Europe and Indo-Pacific to diversify Canadas trade and reduce dependence on the United States. Such an expansion of relationships is also an attempt to strengthen Canadas position politically as Trump has waged a coercive campaign against Canada, declaring he would annex the country and make it the 51st American state.

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Under the trade deal that Carney is eying, Canada wants to more than double the bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.

Moreover, India, Canada, and Australia last year entered into a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership for a deeper strategic collaboration on critical and emerging technologies and diversifying supply chains.

In Australia, Carney will visit Sydney and Canberra and hold talks with PM Anthony Albanese. His engagements there will focus on deepening cooperation on defence and maritime security, critical minerals, trade, and advanced technologies, including AI. He will also address to both the houses of the parliament.

Carney will also meet business leaders and investors to attract new capital into Canada and support two-way trade and investment with Australia, the PMO said.

In Japan, Carney will meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo to strengthen mutual investment and partnerships in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, and food security, the PMO said.

Carney and Takaichi will also discuss strengthening joint efforts on security and defence, including to support a free and open Indo-Pacific, the PMO said.

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Canada is preparing an assistance plan for Cuba as the island confronts fuel shortages triggered by tightened US restrictions on oil supplies

A man sits next to trash on a street in downtown Havana, Cuba, February 16, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez

Canada is drawing up a plan to assist Cuba as the island struggles with fuel shortages linked to efforts by the United States to restrict oil shipments. The situation has led to rising food and transport costs, alongside prolonged blackouts, after Donald Trumps administration moved to block all oil bound for Cuba, including supplies from ally Venezuela.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Monday that Ottawa is preparing a response.

We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any further details of an announcement, she said, without outlining what form the assistance may take.

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Canada noted last week that it was monitoring the situation closely and was concerned about the increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis if Cubas energy needs remain unmet. The United Nations has issued similar warnings.

Garbage began accumulating across the Cuban capital, Havana, amid fuel shortages that disrupt rubbish collection, in what residents describe as one of the clearest signs of mounting economic strain in Cuba. State-run outlet Cubadebate reported that only 44 of the capitals 106 rubbish trucks remain operational due to a lack of fuel, significantly slowing waste removal.

Fuel shortages deepen political tensions

The US pressure campaign comes as Washington seeks to further isolate the Communist-run island. Emboldened by the US militarys seizure of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid in January, Trump has spoken repeatedly about taking action against Cuba and increasing pressure on its leadership.

He has claimed that Cuba will be failing pretty soon, adding that Venezuela, once Havanas main supplier, has recently provided neither oil nor financial support.

Strained US-Canada ties add to the backdrop

Tensions between Washington and Ottawa under Trump have been evident on several fronts, including trade tariffs, rhetoric surrounding Greenland, Canadas efforts to rebuild relations with Beijing, and comments by Prime Minister Mark Carney that middle powers should act together to avoid being victimised by US hegemony.
Canada has summoned OpenAI officials after the company failed to alert police about suspicious ChatGPT activity linked to a teenager who later carried out one of the countrys deadliest shootings

Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old killed eight people, including family members and victims at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10. (AFP)

Canada has summoned senior leadership from OpenAI to Ottawa after it emerged that the company did not alert police about suspicious ChatGPT activity linked to a teenager who later carried out a mass shooting.

The account was connected to Jesse Van Rootselaar, an 18-year-old who killed eight people, including family members and victims at a school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, on February 10. The attacker later died by suicide at the scene, according to police.

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OpenAI said it had identified the account in June 2025 through internal monitoring systems designed to detect potentially violent misuse of its tools. The account was banned that same month, but authorities were not informed at the time.

That decision has now sparked outrage among Canadian officials.

Minister calls decision very disturbing

Canadas Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said he had formally called OpenAI officials to explain their actions and safety procedures.

That decision was very disturbing, Solomon told reporters.

I have summoned the senior safety team from OpenAI in the United States to come here to Ottawa, he said.

They will come here tomorrow (Tuesday), and we will have a sit-down meeting to get an explanation of their safety protocols.

Solomon said he acted immediately after learning through media reports that OpenAI had not contacted law enforcement sooner. He also warned that Canada could consider regulatory action, saying all options are on the table.

OpenAI defends its reporting threshold

OpenAI said it maintains strict criteria before alerting authorities and did not believe the users activity indicated an imminent or credible threat at the time.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy, the company said.

We proactively reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with information on the individual and their use of ChatGPT, and well continue to support their investigation.

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The killings shocked Canada, where mass shootings are rare due to strict gun laws. The victims included five children and a teacher, making it one of the countrys worst mass violence incidents in recent history.
China has banned exports of certain dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities, escalating tensions with Japan over security and defence concerns.

China has banned exports of dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities it says supply Japans military, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday, in the latest escalation of tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

The move comes despite Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi securing a strong electoral mandate earlier this month after drawing criticism from Beijing over remarks on Taiwan.

Restrictions target key industrial units

According to Chinas commerce ministry, the measures apply to units of major Japanese conglomerates, including shipbuilding and aero-engine divisions of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The restrictions effectively cut the listed entities off from seven rare earth elements and related materials under Chinas dual-use export control regime, along with other critical minerals. Among the restricted materials are dysprosium, yttrium and samarium, which are essential components in automobiles, aircraft, weapons systems and consumer electronics.

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Supply impact and export controls

It remains unclear how quickly shortages may emerge. Japanese companies are known to maintain rare earth stockpiles, and as of December  the latest period for which data is available  China continued to ship large volumes to Japan.

China maintains an export control list covering around 1,100 dual-use items and technologies. Manufacturers must obtain licences before exporting such items regardless of the destination.

Tokyo protests move

Japans Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato described the measures as completely unacceptable and said Tokyo had demanded their withdrawal.

Beijing said the restrictions were intended to curb Japans remilitarisation and nuclear ambitions, adding that foreign organisations and individuals were also barred from transferring Chinese-origin dual-use items to the listed entities. However, companies may still apply for export approvals under special circumstances.

China said firms operating in good faith need not be concerned and that normal economic and trade exchanges between the two countries would not be affected.

Strategic backdrop

Ryo Sahashi, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said the measures could be seen as a response to closer JapanUS security ties and Tokyos expanding defence posture.

Takaichi has pledged to revise Japans key security documents, accelerate reforms to military export rules and strengthen defence industry capabilities. She has also advanced a military build-up launched in 2023 that aims to raise defence spending to 2 percent of GDP by the end of March, significantly increasing Japans defence outlays despite its pacifist constitution.
The protests on Monday extended to several campuses, including the all-women Al Zahra University in Tehran, where demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and burned and tore an Iranian flag, though the unrest did not spill into the streets

Iranian students gathered for fresh pro- and anti-government rallies on February 22, 2026, commemorating those killed in recent protests, as fears loomed of renewed conflict with the United States over the country's nuclear programme. AFP

Its another month in Iran, where it is witnessing massive protests, this time by university students amid tensions between Iran and the US. The demonstrations come just weeks after people took to the streets to protest against Irans dwindling economy, resulting in the deaths of hundreds at the hands of security officials.

The protests on Monday extended to several campuses, including the all-women Al Zahra University in Tehran, where demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and burned and tore an Iranian flag, though the unrest did not spill into the streets.

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The protests have added to the crisis Iran is facing from both within and from the outside as it tries to keep US forces at bay. Washington has increased its military presence and intensified pressure in West Asia amid negotiations with Tehran, with the next round set to take place in Geneva this week. US President Donald Trump has warned that really bad things will happen if no agreement is reached.

Why are students protesting?

University students are protesting against the general state of affairs in Iran. A Telegram channel for Iranian students, called Anjmotahed, has said that an attack by a state-backed militia at Sharif University in Tehran left several students injured.

In an effort to mock Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, some students climbed trees on campus and hung toy mice from the branches, a symbolic jab suggesting he was hiding underground like a mouse. According to reports, demonstrators chanted death to the dictator, for every one killed, a thousand will follow, and the blood that has been spilled will never be washed away.

Student representatives who met Irans vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, over the weekend told him it was offensive to attribute the January protest killings to terrorists. The response to the peoples protests had been given in bullets, they said.

Iran-US talks

Iranian officials held out hope for progress towards a deal to forestall fresh conflict when talks with US negotiators resume on Thursday, despite a huge build-up of American military might in the Middle East.

Speaking to CBS News on Sunday, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said details of a possible deal were being drawn up ahead of the renewed talks on Tehrans nuclear programme, after Washingtons envoy Steve Witkoff had publicly wondered why Tehran had not yet capitulated.

Badr Albusaidi, foreign minister of regional mediator Oman, said talks would resume on Thursday in Geneva with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal.

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With inputs from agencies
Cartel retaliation after the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes left 25 National Guard personnel dead, exposing the deadly power of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel across Mexico in coordinated attacks

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire in Cointzio, Michoacan state, Mexico, Sunday, after the death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho." AP

Mexico is reeling from a weekend of unprecedented violence after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as El Mencho. Federal authorities confirmed on Monday that at least 25 National Guard personnel were killed in a series of coordinated retaliatory attacks across the state of Jalisco.

The violence erupted shortly after a high-stakes military operation in the mountain town of Tapalpa on Sunday. According to the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), special forces tracked the kingpin to a wooded hideout by monitoring a romantic partner. During the ensuing firefight, Oseguera Cervantes was fatally wounded; he died while being airlifted to Mexico City.

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A wave of cartel retaliation

The death of the 59-year-old drug lord triggered an immediate red code across western Mexico. Cartel gunmen launched six separate ambushes against security forces and established more than 250 roadblocks across 20 states, using torched buses and tractor-trailers to paralyse major highways.

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What is important now is to guarantee the peace and security of the entire population, said President Claudia Sheinbaum during a press briefing, attempting to calm a nation on edge.

#VantageOnFirstpost: Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, one of Mexicos most powerful drug lords and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, has been killed in a military operation after reportedly being wounded in a clash with security forces. @palkisu tells you more. pic.twitter.com/GJnX2rozny  Firstpost (@firstpost) February 23, 2026

Despite the governments call for calm, the scale of the backlash was staggering. Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch reported that, in addition to the 25 National Guard members, the unrest claimed the lives of a prison guard and a state prosecutors agent. Approximately 30 suspected cartel members were also killed in the clashes.

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In response to the crisis, Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo announced the deployment of an additional 2,500 soldiers to Jalisco, bringing the total federal presence in the region to 10,000 troops.

The operation has significant geopolitical implications, occurring amid intense pressure from the US government to curb fentanyl trafficking. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the US provided intelligence support for the mission, though President Sheinbaum emphasized that no American boots were on the ground.

Also read | Narcos Mexico: Inside the notorious drug cartels that peddle coke, meth and more

US Ambassador Ron Johnson praised the sacrifice of the Mexican forces, stating, Under the leadership of President Trump and President Sheinbaum, bilateral cooperation has reached unprecedented levels.

For now, schools remain closed in several states, and thousands of residents continue to shelter in place.
FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking a full refund of duties it paid, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the prior emergency-based tariffs unlawful

US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 20, 2026.

US delivery and freight company FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to recover money it paid in tariffs that have since been declared unlawful. The case was lodged on Monday at the US Court of International Trade following last weeks Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that President Donald Trump had exceeded his authority by invoking emergency economic powers to impose sweeping global tariffs. The judgement marked a significant political setback, dismantling a central element of his economic agenda and potentially exposing the government to further legal challenges.

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The courts decision did not clarify how refunds of previously collected duties would be managed, although one justice acknowledged that resolving the issue could be a mess.

Company seeks full refund of duties

In its lawsuit against Customs and Border Protection, FedEx is asking for a full refund of the duties it paid on imported goods. The filing appears to be the first by a major corporation since the Supreme Court delivered its ruling on Friday.

Before the decision, several lawsuits challenging the tariffs had already been submitted.

Billions collected and new tariffs introduced

The tariffs generated more than $130 billion from importers, which was collected by the government.

Following the courts decision against the country-specific measures, Trump relied on separate legislation to sign an order introducing broad 10 per cent duties on imports, set to take effect on Tuesday. He later pledged to increase the new tariffs to 15 per cent.
Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjrn Jagland was hospitalised following an alleged suicide attempt amid corruption charges tied to his links with late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Council of Europe secretary general Thorbjorn Jagland speaks during a meeting with the EU president at the Kremlin in Moscow on December 6, 2016. (Photo by Sergei KARPUKHIN / POOL / AFP)

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Thorbjrn Jagland, who also chaired the Norwegian Nobel Committee and served as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, was reportedly hospitalised following an alleged suicide attempt amid corruption charges linked to his connections with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The development came days after Jagland was formally charged with aggravated corruption, which carries a potential 10-year prison term.

He has denied wrongdoing, describing his ties to Epstein as unwise or poor judgement and pledging full cooperation with the investigation.

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Reports of attempted suicide

Media and social media sources claim that the Norwegian Editors Association reportedly agreed with Jaglands lawyer to withhold coverage of the incident, which occurred last week. Nevertheless, some outlets, including the OSINT platform Faytuks Network, published the story, citing Jaglands serious condition.

Jagland served as Norways prime minister from 1996 to 1997, foreign minister, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (20092015), and Secretary General of the Council of Europe (20092019). His connections to Epstein emerged from US Justice Department files, showing that Jagland and his family visited Epstein properties in Paris, New York, and Palm Beach, and possibly planned a trip to Epsteins private island, Little St James.

Epstein reportedly sought Jaglands help in arranging meetings with high-profile figures, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, and promoting financial schemes. Communications described Jagland as a Nobel big shot, highlighting a mutually beneficial relationship: Jagland provided influence in diplomatic and human rights circles, while Epstein offered luxury perks, gifts, travel, and possibly loans.

Norwegian corruption probe

Norwegian authorities charged Jagland with gross corruption over alleged benefits from Epstein, which he denies. The investigation, led by Norways economic crime unit kokrim, included raids on Jaglands Oslo residence and other properties. The probe examines whether Jagland misused his official roles to receive improper benefits. The Council of Europe waived his diplomatic immunity to allow the investigation to proceed.

The inquiry focuses on the period 20112018, overlapping with his tenure as Nobel Committee chair and Council of Europe Secretary General. kokrim Director Pal K. Lnseth said there were reasonable grounds to examine alleged gifts, travel, loans, or holidays connected to Jaglands official roles.

No evidence links Jagland to Epsteins criminal sexual activities; the investigation concentrates solely on alleged improper benefits or influence peddling. The probe remains ongoing.
As the Russia-Ukraine war completes four years with simmering hopes of peace, heres a look at the four ways the war shifted the global dynamics irreversibly.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin at the Elysee Palace. The pair did not shake hands or acknowledge each other at a press conference after the meeting. File Image / Reuters

On February 24, 2022, Russia rocked the international order after it started to invade the eastern flank of Ukraine. The world was rattled, with Ukraine attempting to resist to the best of its capabilities. It has been 4 years since then. The war between the two nations is still ongoing. Countless people have been killed on both sides of the border, and the international order has been in a state of disarray since then.

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When historians look back at the biggest conflict in the modern era, they will not only witness the frequent redrawing of borders and the brutal killings, but they will also see how the conflict permanently altered the nature of modern warfare and the decades-old alliances.

Zelenskyy (left) and Putin in an AI-generated photo.

It will showcase how a small country like Ukraine can hold its ground against a mighty country like Russia, and how Europe must reassess its defence capability. As the Russia-Ukraine war completes four years with simmering hopes of peace, heres a look at the four ways the war shifted the global dynamics irreversibly.

4 ways 4 years of the Russia-Ukraine war changes the international order

1 Drones: The new trump card

With the advancement of technology, the rules of warfare and the ammunition used in it have advanced to a great extent. From tankers to fighter jets, humankind has come a long way in using its assets to either defend or fight against each other.

With the Russia-Ukraine war, for the first time in warfare history, unmanned aerial vehicles have become a dominant force on a conventional battlefield. Both Ukraine and Russia have deployed drones in immense volume, leaving each other in complete shock.

There has been the use of reconnaissance tools, kamikaze weapons, supply interceptors and now, with Russias fibre-optic tethered variants, the rules of war would never be the same again. With the growth of Artificial Intelligence and its deployment in the conflict, it is safe to say that there is no going back.

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(File) The Ukrainian air defence fires at Russian drones above Kyiv during overnight during mass drone and missile strikes on Ukraine on September 20, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP

The Russia-Ukraine war teaches us the lesson that future armies will be built around drone swarms, counter-drone systems and dispersal tactics rather than the massed formations that defined 20th-century warfare.

2 Exposing the limited powers of international organisations

The Russia-Ukraine war exposed the reality of several international organisations. While the United Nations is often known for condemning nations engaged in conflict or calling for some actions against them, it faltered when a permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) attempted to invade a sovereign nation.

Every time a resolution demanding a ceasefire was brought to the UN, Russia used its veto to block it. The statement was so apparent that the international body had to shift its focus to another conflict, i.e. the Israel-Hamas war. However, even in that situation, the body failed to bring any instrumental change.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on September 24, 2025.- AFP

It was assumed that in the era of globalisation, economic interdependence would prevent great-power conflict. However, the Russia-Ukraine war accelerated the fracturing of the world into competing blocs. BRICS nations, like Brazil, China and India, refused to leave Moscow isolated and divided into the global south, and the West became more apparent.

3 Revival of the arms race & nuclear threats

The war also compelled other nations, especially the European countries, to ramp up their defence spending. Countries bordering Ukraine, like Poland and Moldova, took lessons from both the Georgia conflict and the Crimea annexation and started to ramp up their defence.

Before the war, several members of the Nato were lacking when it came to their contribution to the alliance. However, with the war at stake and pressure from the Trump administration, several nations pledged to increase their defence spending to the alliance.

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According to a reportage by the Associated Press, Ukraine and Russia have burned through ammunition, missiles and artillery shells at a rate reminiscent of the First World War (1914-18)  hundreds of thousands of rounds a month. The West, which was unprepared before, had to scramble to supply Ukraine, exposing just how hollow that assumption was.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested informally capping the number of warheads for another year, US President Donald Trump is yet to respond. File image/Reuters

While all this was happening, Russian President Vladimir Putin repeatedly boasted about his countrys nuclear arsenal. It was seen as a bid to deter Western intervention. However, the threats from both sides demonstrated that nuclear weapons can be used as a shield behind which a nuclear power wages conventional aggression with relative impunity.

Russias example was also seen as an incentive for other nations to acquire such weapons to keep the threat at bay.

4 Europe learned the lesson to be more reliant

For the longest time after World War 2, European security was a comfortable abstraction. The continent lived in the comfort of American guarantees, and the countries started to shrink their defence budgets. Russias invasion of Ukraine shattered this complacency.

Europe soon realised that American guarantees are not enough. This can be reflected by the fact that Germany abandoned its decades-long pacifist consensus and committed to rearmament almost overnight. Meanwhile, Finland and Sweden, which had remained neutral for generations, joined Nato in rapid succession.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, with Britains Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pose on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, following a meeting of the leaders inside. AP File

Defence spending across Europe surged dramatically. The bloc itself, which French President Emmanuel Macron had declared brain dead just three years before the invasion, suddenly had the clearest sense of mission it had possessed since 1991. Overall, whatever the outcome of the war will be, Europe is now aware that, at the end of the day, the continent is on its own.
During the Ninth Congress of the Workers Party, Kim Jong Un has pledged to revitalise North Koreas economy, describing the next five years as a full-scale progress phase focused on revolutionising technology and culture.

The ruling Workers Party in North Korea has convened for its Ninth Congress, a significant political event that serves as the blueprint for the nations strategic direction over the coming half decade. During the fifth day of this assembly, Kim Jong Un articulated a vision centred on domestic stability and industrial refinement.

While the nuclear armed state frequently commands global attention for its weapons testing, this particular gathering has focused heavily on internal restructuring and the consolidation of power within the Kim dynasty. The proceedings have not only set ambitious economic targets but also witnessed a notable elevation in the status of the leaders sister, signaling a potential shift in how the country manages its external affairs.

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Economic objectives for the next five years

In a major address on Monday, Kim Jong Un emphasised the necessity of enhancing the qualitative aspects of the national economy. The leader described the upcoming period as a full-scale progress phase and stressed that the country must undergo a significant transformation across several sectors.

This includes a comprehensive overhaul of industrial, agricultural, and military sectors to ensure the nation remains resilient against external pressures. To achieve these goals, Kim called for revolutionising thought, technology and culture so new projects will be well-managed over time.

The rhetoric used during the congress suggested a crackdown on internal inefficiencies and bureaucratic failures. Kim was firm in his stance against administrative negligence, issuing a stern alert to party members regarding their conduct.

He warned that dereliction of duty, irresponsibility and other ingrained maladies of seeking only immediate gains will be rooted out. This focus on domestic discipline indicates that the leadership is prioritising long term stability over short term fixes, particularly as the nation continues to navigate complex international sanctions and economic isolation.

Political promotions and the role of Kim Yo Jong

A central development of the Ninth Congress was the official promotion of the leaders sister, Kim Yo Jong. Previously serving as a vice director, she has now been appointed as a party department director. Furthermore, she was reinstated as an alternate member of the Politburo of the Central Committee, reclaiming a position she had lost in 2021.

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This move is seen by observers as a consolidation of her influence, particularly given her history of delivering aggressive rhetoric toward international adversaries. Her new standing suggests she will remain a pivotal figure in shaping the countrys interactions with the outside world.

While the congress has focused on the promotion of established figures, there has been no mention of Kims young daughter, Ju Ae, participating in the current proceedings. Despite her absence from this specific event, her frequent appearances at military functions have led to widespread theories that she is being prepared for a future leadership role. This would continue the hereditary line that began with the founding of the nation in 1948.

Foreign policy and international alignments

Interestingly, the congress has remained relatively quiet regarding direct provocations toward South Korea or the United States. Instead, the leadership appears to be reinforcing its bonds with traditional partners. Following his reelection as general secretary, Kim received a congratulatory message from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

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This follows a high profile visit to Beijing last year, where Kim stood alongside the leaders of China and Russia during a significant military display. These alliances remain crucial for North Korea as it continues to resist diplomatic overtures from Washington and Seoul.

As the congress draws to a conclusion, many expect a large scale military parade to showcase the countrys latest technological advancements. Satellite imagery has already indicated preparations for such an event, which often serves as a platform for the state to unveil new conventional or nuclear assets. This display would serve as a final confirmation of the military strength built up over the previous five years.
India was among the 51 member states that abstained on the Ukraine-sponsored resolution. Other countries that abstained included Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States

India on Tuesday abstained from voting in the United Nations General Assembly on a draft resolution calling for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

According to a PTI report, the resolution, titled Support for lasting peace in Ukraine, was tabled on the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

It was adopted by the 193-member Assembly with 107 countries voting in favour, 12 against and 51 abstaining, added the report.

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India was among the 51 member states that abstained on the Ukraine-sponsored resolution. Other countries that abstained included Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

The resolution renewed its call for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

It also urged the complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained individuals, and the return of internees and civilians who have been forcibly transferred or deported, including children, describing such steps as key confidence-building measures.

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraines sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters.

Additionally, the resolution expressed grave concern over continued and intensified Russian attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure and critical energy facilities, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation.

With inputs from agencies
At least four people were killed after an Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in central Iran, triggering a fire and prompting an investigation into the cause.

At least four people were killed after an Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in central Iran on Tuesday, according to state media reports.

The aircraft went down in Dorcheh in Isfahan on February 24, killing the pilot, co-pilot and two market workers. The crash occurred in a busy market area in Khomeinishahr, triggering a fire that was later extinguished by emergency services.

State television footage showed debris scattered across the marketplace and smoke rising from the site. Authorities have not yet released detailed findings on the cause of the crash, though investigations are expected to follow.

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Quoting Irans official IRNA news agency, AFP reported that the helicopter belonged to the Iranian armys Air Force and that a technical malfunction was believed to have caused the accident.

According to the Associated Press, the aircraft had been on a training mission when it crashed in Dorcheh, about 330 kilometres south of Tehran.

The incident marks the second aviation accident reported in Iran within less than a week. A US-built F-4 fighter jet belonging to Irans regular air force recently crashed during a training flight near Hamedan, killing one pilot.

Experts have long pointed to Irans aviation safety challenges, noting repeated crashes, many involving aircraft acquired before the 1979 Islamic Revolution and operating without original spare parts for maintenance.
Iran is close to finalising a deal with China to buy advanced anti-ship missiles as the United States deploys naval forces near its coast amid rising tensions.

Iran is close to finalising an agreement with China to purchase advanced anti-ship cruise missiles, Reuters reported, citing six sources familiar with the negotiations. The talks come as the United States deploys significant naval forces near Irans coast amid rising tensions.

The proposed deal centres on Chinese-made CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, which have a reported range of about 290 km and are designed to evade shipborne defences by flying low and at high speed. Two weapons experts cited by Reuters said the system would significantly enhance Irans ability to target naval assets in the region.

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Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and now a senior Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, said supersonic anti-ship capability would be a major shift and that such missiles are difficult to intercept.

According to Reuters, negotiations between Iran and China began at least two years ago but accelerated sharply after the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June. As talks reached advanced stages last summer, senior Iranian officials, including deputy defence minister Massoud Oraei, travelled to China, two security officials said. Oraeis visit had not been previously reported.

Reuters said it could not determine the number of missiles involved, the financial terms of the agreement, or whether China would proceed given heightened regional tensions.

An Iranian foreign ministry official told Reuters that Iran maintains military and security agreements with its allies and that the present period is an appropriate time to utilise them.

Chinas delegation to the United Nations referred queries to Beijings foreign ministry, which did not respond to requests for comment. The White House also did not directly address the reported negotiations, but a US official said US President Donald Trump has made clear that Washington would either reach a deal or take tougher measures, referring to the current standoff with Iran.

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The potential transfer would mark one of the most advanced weapons systems supplied by China to Iran and comes against the backdrop of sanctions first imposed under a United Nations arms embargo in 2006, suspended in 2015 as part of the nuclear deal, and reimposed last September.

China, Iran and Russia hold annual joint naval exercises. Last year, the US Department of the Treasury sanctioned several Chinese entities for allegedly supplying chemical precursors to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for use in its ballistic missile programme. China rejected the allegations, saying it strictly enforces export controls on dual-use products.

Reuters said the reported missile deal would deepen military ties between Beijing and Tehran and complicate US efforts to curb Irans missile and nuclear programmes as American forces gather in the region.
University students are protesting against the general state of affairs in Iran. A Telegram channel for Iranian students, called Anjmotahed, has said that an attack by a state-backed militia at Sharif University in Tehran left several students injured

Iranian students gathered for fresh pro- and anti-government rallies on February 22, 2026, commemorating those killed in recent protests, as fears loomed of renewed conflict with the United States over the country's nuclear programme. AFP

The Iranian government has said that while students in the country have the right to protest, they must understand the red lines. The comments came after protests in Iran entered their third day.

Sacred things and the flag are two examples of these red lines that we must protect and not cross or deviate from, even at the height of anger, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Tuesday.

She added that Irans students have wounds in their hearts and have seen scenes that may upset and anger them; this anger is understandable.

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The protests have added to the crisis Iran is facing from both within and from the outside as it tries to keep US forces at bay. Washington has increased its military presence and intensified pressure in West Asia amid negotiations with Tehran, with the next round set to take place in Geneva this week. US President Donald Trump has warned that really bad things will happen if no agreement is reached.

Why are students protesting?

University students are protesting against the general state of affairs in Iran. A Telegram channel for Iranian students, called Anjmotahed, has said that an attack by a state-backed militia at Sharif University in Tehran left several students injured.

In an effort to mock Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, some students climbed trees on campus and hung toy mice from the branches, a symbolic jab suggesting he was hiding underground like a mouse. According to reports, demonstrators chanted death to the dictator, for every one killed, a thousand will follow, and the blood that has been spilled will never be washed away.

Student representatives who met Irans vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, over the weekend told him it was offensive to attribute the January protest killings to terrorists. The response to the peoples protests had been given in bullets, they said.

Iran-US talks

Iranian officials held out hope for progress towards a deal to forestall fresh conflict when talks with US negotiators resume on Thursday, despite a huge build-up of American military might in the Middle East.

Speaking to CBS News on Sunday, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said details of a possible deal were being drawn up ahead of the renewed talks on Tehrans nuclear programme, after Washingtons envoy Steve Witkoff had publicly wondered why Tehran had not yet capitulated.

Badr Albusaidi, foreign minister of regional mediator Oman, said talks would resume on Thursday in Geneva with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalising the deal.

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With inputs from agencies
NATO secretary general Mark Rutte has called for a significant increase in military, financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, warning that Kyiv cannot hold the line against Russia without stronger Western support.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky answers AFP journalists' questions during an interview in Kyiv on February 20, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP

Ukraines Western allies must ramp up military, financial and humanitarian aid if Kyiv is to prevail against Russia, NATO chief Mark Rutte warned Tuesday on the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion.

This support is essential. Ukraine needs more, because a promise of help does not end the war, the alliance secretary general told a ceremony at NATO headquarters. Ukraine needs ammunition today and every day until the bloodshed stops.

Standing alongside Ukraines ambassador to the alliance, Alyona Getmanchuk, Rutte said Western support was imperative to enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russian terror from the sky and to hold the front lines.

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Getmanchuk told diplomats and military officers from NATOs 32 member states every additional airdefence system, every delivery of ammunition, every interceptor missile not only saves lives  it strengthens Ukraines position at the negotiating table.

As the so-called Coalition of the Willing supporting Kyiv prepared to meet Tuesday to mark four years since the invasion, Rutte reiterated the conditions for a lasting peace.

When the fighting eventually stops, the peace has to halt with strong Ukrainian forces ready to deter and defend, and effective security guarantees from Ukraines partners  Europe, Canada and the United States, Rutte said.

There cannot be true peace in Europe without real peace in Ukraine, he said. This has been a bleak winter for Ukraine, but there is hope and help at hand.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff.)
As allies rallied around Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned he is very sceptical about a peace deal in the short term as there is no willingness on Vladimir Putins side to end the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wave as they meet at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France, September 3, 2025. (Photo: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)

As allies rallied around Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion, French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday warned he is very sceptical about a peace deal in the short term as there is no willingness in Russia to end the war.

At a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing that he co-chairs, Macron said there is no willingness on the Russian side to have peace.

In line with his hawkish approach on European security and foreign policy, Macron called for more support for Ukraine and pressured the European Unions (EU) leaders to make sure the 90 billion loan to Ukraine is approved soon  Hungarys far-right leader, Viktor Orban, has blocked the loan in the EU.

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Macron urged partners to ramp up pressures on Russia sanctions on Russia, including on its shadow fleet to kill its business model.

Eight years after invading and occupying Ukraines Crimea province, Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Even as Russian leader Vladimir Putin dubbed it a special military operation, the war aimed to overthrow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys government, instal a regime favourable to Russia, and reshape the Ukrainian national identity in line with his vision.

Four years later, Russia occupies around 20 per cent of Ukraine and the conflict has become a grinding war of attrition and estimates suggest that casualties are on track to mount to 2 million this year  twice as many Russians killed and injured than Ukrainians.

Macron calls for all-round pressure on Russia

Macron echoed Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who chairs the Coalition of the Willing, and called for an all-round defeat of Russia.

I completely agree with you, Keir and Volodymyr. We have to make very clear now about first the recent successes on the ground, but at the same time the fact that militarily, economically, and strategically the Russians are being defeated at this very moment, said Macron.

As for the ongoing peace talks, Macron said it was good to have continuing dialogue but called on the leaders to be lucid about Russias willingness to agree to a peace agreement.

On security guarantees, Macron said these are being finalised and they need to be agreed on in concrete terms.

France and the United Kingdom have taken a lead in mustering a multinational force to enforce any peace deal agreed between Russia and Ukraine. While the specifics are not yet clear, any such force is likely to include ground troops and fighter planes with an American backstop.

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At least seven people, including six police personnel, were killed after gunmen attacked a police van in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Kohat district.

Pakistan Army soldiers and other security officials examine a site following a militant attack in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan, on January 31, 2026. (Photo: Arshad Butt/AP)

At least seven people, including six police personnel, were killed and several others injured in an attack on a police van in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Kohat district on Tuesday, Pakistani media reported citing officials.

Reports say the attackers opened fire on a police mobile on Shakardara Road, killing three officers on the spot, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Asad Mehmood.

Authorities said the toll rose to seven after three injured policemen and one civilian later succumbed to their injuries. Three police personnel and another civilian remain under treatment. The assailants set the police vehicle ablaze before fleeing the scene.

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Pakistans interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, attributed to Fitna al-Khawarij militants, and paid tribute to the fallen officers. He expressed condolences to the families and assured government support.

The attack comes amid a surge in militant violence in regions bordering Afghanistan. On Monday, three paramilitary personnel were killed when an ambulance carrying injured officers came under attack in the Badrakhail area of Karak, said the Pakistan army.

Rise in recent attacks

A week earlier, at least 14 people were killed and 25 injured in two bomb blasts and a shooting incident in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The latest violence follows a deadly bombing at a mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and injured 169. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State.

Over the past year, armed groups have intensified attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has repeatedly targeted security forces, and in Balochistan, where the Baloch Liberation Army has staged multiple attacks, including its recent Operation Herof.

Cross-border tensions with Taliban

The developments come amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with reports of airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force targeting alleged militant positions in border regions in which many civilians lost their lives.
A court in Pakistan restored the frozen bank accounts of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, in a case linked to the alleged promotion of gambling apps on social media, says report..

A judicial magistrate on Monday restored the frozen bank accounts of YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as Ducky Bhai, in a case related to the alleged promotion of gambling apps on social media, according to a report by Dawn.

Rehman appeared before the court along with his wife, Aroob Jatoi, and legal counsel.

According to the report, Magistrate Naeem Wattoo ordered the restoration of the previously frozen bank accounts and granted the YouTuber limited permission to upload videos on his channel. However, he was directed not to discuss the sub judice matter online.

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NCCIA objections to 27 videos

The magistrate noted that the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency had raised objections to 27 videos uploaded on Rehmans channel, adding that the content should not be deleted at this stage.

A technical witness from the agency recorded testimony before the court, but the prosecutor was absent. The hearing was adjourned until March 11.

Case background and arrest

The NCCIA registered a case against several YouTubers and TikTokers for allegedly promoting gambling applications on social media. Rehman was arrested in August last year and later granted bail by the Lahore High Court on November 24, 2025.

Following his release, the YouTuber alleged that NCCIA officials subjected him to physical torture and humiliation during custody.

Who is Ducky Bhai

Saadur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, is a Pakistani YouTube personality and one of the countrys most-followed digital creators, with millions of subscribers. He began posting content in 2017 and gained prominence through vlogs and commentary videos.

In August 2025, NCCIA authorities arrested him at Lahore airport as part of an investigation into the alleged promotion of unlicensed online gambling and betting applications on social media. His remand was extended multiple times, and initial bail pleas were denied before he was released on bail in late November 2025.
British political heavyweight Peter Mandelson was arrested in a misconduct probe linked to Jeffrey Epstein, questioned by police, and released on bail pending further investigation

Former British Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson enters a vehicle outside a reported residence, after police launched a misconduct in public office investigation following the release of US Justice Department files linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in London, Britain, on February 14, 2026. Reuters File

Peter Mandelson has been released on bail just hours after being arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest was a significant escalation in an investigation tied to his past links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Police confirmed that the 72-year-old was detained on Monday and questioned before being released pending further inquiries. He was later seen returning to his London home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

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Mandelson was taken into custody at his residence in Camden, north London, as part of an investigation launched earlier this month. Authorities are examining allegations that, while serving as a senior government minister, he may have shared confidential and market-sensitive information with Epstein.

The arrest came after police executed search warrants at properties in Camden and Wiltshire. Officers from the Mets specialist crime division are leading the probe, with consultations ongoing with the Crown Prosecution Service to determine the next legal steps.

The controversy gained momentum after the US Department of Justice released documents, including emails between Mandelson and Epstein. One 2009 message reportedly showed Mandelson sharing internal policy assessments from advisers to then prime minister Gordon Brown. Other exchanges appeared to reference sensitive economic decisions, including tax plans and bailout measures, before they were publicly announced.

Mandelson denies wrongdoing

Mandelson has not publicly addressed the latest developments, but sources cited by the BBC, say he maintains he did nothing illegal and was not driven by financial motives. His arrest has added further strain to his already controversial fall from diplomatic service.

He had been appointed British ambassador to the United States in February 2025 but was dismissed just months later after Downing Street cited new details about the extent of his relationship with Epstein.

Political fallout intensifies

The case has triggered sharp political reactions across the UK. is preparing to release official documents related to Mandelsons appointment, though some records may be withheld due to the ongoing investigation.

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Meanwhile, opposition leader Kemi Badenoch called the arrest a defining moment for Starmers leadership, arguing it raises serious questions about judgment and accountability at the highest levels.
Survey finds 61% of Americans  including 30% of Republicans  view President Donald Trump as increasingly erratic, as broader concerns grow over aging US political leadership

US President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs, in Washington, DC, US, on February 20, 2026. Reuters File

Six in ten Americans believe President Donald Trump has become erratic with age, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on the eve of his annual State of the Union address to Congress.

The six-day survey, which concluded Monday, found that 61% of respondents described the 79-year-old president as increasingly erratic. That view was shared by 89% of Democrats, 64% of independents and 30% of Republicans.

The findings come after a month in which Trump publicly rebuked lawmakers and judges, drawing heightened scrutiny of his rhetoric and leadership style.

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According to Reuters, responding to the poll, White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed the results as fake and desperate narratives, saying Trumps sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility distinguish him from his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.

Despite concerns about his temperament, Trumps overall approval rating has remained relatively stable.

The poll found that 40% of Americans approve of his performance as president, up two percentage points from earlier this month. After beginning his term at 47%, his approval rating has fluctuated only slightly since April.

Aging US leadership

Most Americans think the countrys political leadership is generally too old.

Some 79% of poll respondents agreed with a statement that elected officials in Washington, DC, are too old to represent most Americans. The average age in the US Senate is about 64, and in the US House of Representatives, its 58.

Democratic respondents were slightly more likely to call for younger politicians, with 58% of them saying top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, 75, was too old to work in government.

Trump returned to office in January 2025 at age 78, becoming the oldest president on inauguration day in history. Since then, he has unveiled new policies and proposals at a dizzying pace, ordering sweeping tariffs on imports from dozens of countries and deploying masked federal agents across the country to crack down on unauthorized immigration.

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He has often struck an angry tone in his public remarks, including last week when he said he was absolutely ashamed that the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of his tariffs as illegal. Trump went on to reinstate a series of new tariffs, arguing he could do so under a different legal authority. In November, he assailed Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the U.S. military to refuse any illegal orders, calling them traitors who could face execution.

Age weighed predecessor Biden

Trump won the 2024 presidential election in part because Biden - his Democratic predecessor in the White House - was widely seen to have lost mental acuity as he aged in office. Biden ended his tenure at age 82 - older than any president in U.S. history. Trump is on track to beat that record and will be 80 in June.

Only 45% of respondents in the February poll said they would describe Trump as mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges, down from 54% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September 2023.

Republicans continue to see the president as sharp, with 81% of them describing the president that way in the latest poll, little changed from the 2023 survey. Among Democrats, the share seeing the president able to deal with challenges fell to 19% from 29%. Among people who dont identify with either political party, 36% saw Trump holding onto his mental acuity, down from 53% in 2023.

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The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted online, surveyed 4,638 U.S. adults nationwide and had a margin of error of two percentage points.
Slovakia has asked the EU to investigate whether Ukraine misrepresented damage to a key Russian oil pipeline, escalating tensions as energy supplies remain disrupted and political trust erodes

Ukrainian claims that a critical pipeline supplying oil to Slovakia and Hungary was blown up in a Russian airstrike (AP)

Tensions are rising between Slovakia and Ukraine, with Bratislava now asking the European Union (EU) to step in and determine whether Kyiv has been fully truthful about disruptions to Russian oil supplies flowing through its territory.

At the heart of the dispute is a key pipeline that carries crude oil from Russia to several European countries, including Slovakia. The pipeline remains a critical energy lifeline for landlocked Central European nations that still depend heavily on Russian oil despite the broader push across Europe to reduce reliance on Moscows energy exports.

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Slovakia questions Kyivs version

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has openly questioned Ukraines explanation for the disruption. Kyiv had cited technical and security-related reasons tied to its ongoing war with Russia, suggesting that the interruption was not politically motivated but rather a consequence of infrastructure risks and wartime conditions.

However, Ficos government is not entirely convinced. Slovak officials have expressed concern that the halt may have been avoidable or possibly influenced by political considerations. They argue that if Ukraine intentionally restricted or misrepresented the situation, it would have serious consequences not only for Slovakias energy security but also for trust within the EU.

As a result, Slovakia has formally requested that the European Commission investigate the matter and verify Ukraines claims.

Energy and politics collide

The disagreement highlights the fragile balance between supporting Ukraine during the war and protecting the energy needs of EU member states. Slovakia remains one of the countries most exposed to disruptions in Russian oil transit because it has fewer alternative supply routes compared to Western European nations.

Officials in Bratislava have warned that prolonged interruptions could impact refineries, increase fuel costs, and create broader economic strain.

Meanwhile, authorities in Kyiv maintain that any pipeline disruption is a result of legitimate wartime challenges, not deliberate action. Ukraine has repeatedly emphasised that maintaining its own national security and protecting critical infrastructure must remain its priority.

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A test for EU unity

The episode is emerging as another stress point within the EU, which has largely presented a united front in backing Ukraine against Russia. Slovakias call for an investigation reflects growing unease among some member states that remain deeply dependent on Russian energy.

Ultimately, the EUs response could shape not just the outcome of this specific dispute, but also broader questions about energy reliability, political trust, and unity within the bloc as the war continues.
Last week, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said Yoon sent troops to the National Assembly building in an effort to silence political opponents who had frustrated his attempts to govern

South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol attends a sentencing trial on his insurrection charges at the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul. AFP

South Koreas former president Yoon Suk Yeol has filed an appeal against an insurrection conviction stemming from his 2024 martial law declaration, his lawyers said Tuesday.

The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty last week of leading an insurrection designed to paralyse the National Assembly, and sentenced him to life in prison.Yoon initially branded the verdict difficult to accept but did not immediately indicate whether he would appeal.

His legal team said Tuesday they would challenge the verdict.

We believe we have a responsibility to clearly place on record the problems with this ruling  not only in the courts records, but also before the judgement of history in the future, Yoons lawyers said in a statement.

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They said they took issue with the prosecutions excessive indictment and would take action against the contradictory judgement rendered based on that premise, and the political context surrounding it.

Last week, presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon said Yoon sent troops to the National Assembly building in an effort to silence political opponents who had frustrated his attempts to govern.

The court finds that the intention was to paralyse the assembly for a considerable period, Ji said.

Yoon was a deeply unpopular president at the time of the martial law crisis.

His party was vastly outmuscled in parliament, which had voted to block budget measures and impeach key figures in his administration.

With support from senior military figures, Yoon dispatched troops to seize control of the assembly building and arrest critics.

The judge said that Yoon became fixated on his belief that the opposition could effectively neutralise the president.

Protests and panic

Yoon appeared on late-night television on December 3, 2024, to deliver a shock address to the nation.

Pointing to vague threats of North Korean influence and dangerous anti-state forces, he declared the suspension of civilian government and the start of military rule.

Martial law was lifted around six hours later, after lawmakers raced to the assembly building and voted it down.

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The crisis triggered protests, sent the stock market into panic and caught key military allies such as the United States off-guard.

Yoon was ousted in April last year, and voters elected President Lee Jae Myung in a snap election in June.

Yoon apologised last week for the hardship caused by his martial law decree, but insisted it was a measure taken solely for the sake of the nation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed directly to Donald Trump for continued support from the United States as the Russia-Ukraine war marks its fourth anniversary, stressing the importance of Western backing

As the Russia-Ukraine war marked its fourth anniversary, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an appeal to US President Donald Trump, urging him to stay on our side and not abandon Ukraines struggle against Russia.

Speaking on the eve of the February 24 anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion that began in 2022, Zelenskyy told CNN that the United States is far too big and too important to walk away from backing a democratic nation resisting aggression from Moscow.

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They have to stay with  a democratic country which is fighting against one person, Zelenskyy said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Because this person is war. Putin is war. Its all about him. Its all about one person. And the country, all his country is in the prison.

When asked whether he believes Trump is putting enough pressure on Putin, Zelenskyy responded simply: No.

War fatigue and negotiating points

In a wide-ranging interview, Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukrainians are tired after four years of relentless conflict, but insisted that conceding to Putins demands was not an option. He rejected the notion of handing over territory or yielding to Moscows pressures.

We cant just give him everything he wants. Because he wants to occupy us. If we will give him all he wants, we will lose everything  all of us, the Ukrainian leader said, underlining that security guarantees from allies remain a key sticking point in negotiations.

Also read | Four years of Ukraine war: A fractured West and Indias strategic opening

Zelenskyy also discussed the importance of clear security commitments from Western partners, particularly in the event of renewed aggression, and articulated that Ukrainians need more than vague promises.

When the war began, many experts and global leaders believed Ukraine could be overrun quickly.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly claimed, Itll be over in a few weeks. American security officials told Newsweek they expected Kyiv to fall within days, with Ukraines resistance neutralised soon after.

Four years later, Russia controls roughly 10 percent of Ukraines territory. Its closest positions are now more than 300 km (185 miles) from Kyiv.

Along the way, Moscow has also lost some of the territory it had initially captured.

But despite international efforts and repeated calls for peace, the conflict shows no sign of ending. Across Europe and the United States, rallies and solidarity events have marked the fourth anniversary, with demonstrators urging governments to sustain military, political and humanitarian support for Kyiv.
In an email revealed in the Epstein Files, Ghislaine Maxwell, partner and associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, said the Taj Mahal dwarfed the Egyptian pyramids. She called the Taj her favourite of the worlds Seven Wonders along with the Great Wall of China.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are seen in this image released by the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, United States, as part of a new trove of documents from its investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Photo: Reuters)

In an email revealed in the Epstein Files, Ghislaine Maxwell, partner and associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, said the Taj Mahal dwarfed the Egyptian pyramids. She called the Taj her favourite of the worlds Seven Wonders along with the Great Wall of China.

In the undated email to a person whose name has been redacted, Maxwell described her visit to Inda as sublime chaos.

Maxwell said, India can be described as sublime chaos. Loud, swarming, by turns wafts of incense followed by earth mixed with human and animal in equal measure snake charmers and dentists side by side on the curb. Honking horns followed by an African silence.

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Maxwell went on to describe the Taj as the most favourite building I have ever seen. She said the Taj dwarfs the Pyramids or Egypt.

But Maxwell concluded the email on a sour note, saying she contracted Ebola or Sars or some equally hideous thing on the trip and lost five pounds in sickness.

Ghislaine Maxwell emailed (redacted) from New York after a trip to India.



She called it sublime chaos with incense, snake charmers, and dentists side by side.



Raved that the Taj Mahal is her favorite building in the world.



Then complained she came back sick as hell, down https://t.co/0IDcAqQpmv pic.twitter.com/9ELhiLyncx  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 24, 2026

While the email did not mention when Maxwell visited India, a podcast, Chasing Ghislaine: The Untold Story of the Woman in Epsteins Shadow, featured investigative journalist Vicky Ward reporting that she joined former US President Bill Clinton on a vacation to India in 2003 and visited the Taj.

Ward claimed that Maxwell and Clinton undertook the trip on a private aeroplane owned by billionaire Ron Burkle as part of the Clinton Foundations work.

Newsweek has reported that a 2003 statement on the Clinton Foundations website mentions a recent visit to India by Clinton as part of a trip around the world during which I focused on the importance of global cooperation in the fight against Aids. The statement does not mention Maxwell.

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Donald Trump denied reports that the US military chief warned against striking Iran, insisting America would win any war easily, while accusing media of spreading false and misleading claims

US President Donald Trump has denied reports that Americas top military officer warned about the risks of launching strikes on Iran, insisting instead that the United States would win easily in any conflict.

US media reports suggested that General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had raised concerns about the dangers of military action against Tehran, including the possibility of a prolonged and costly entanglement.

But Trump dismissed those claims outright.

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It was 100 percent incorrect that Caine was against us going to war with Iran, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won, Trump said.

He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack.

US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) posts on Truth Social, "Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of pic.twitter.com/0rBL0jMdaw  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026

Also read | Regime change or nuclear disarmament? What Trump wants in Iran

Inside the Pentagon jitters and backchannel diplomacy

Despite Trumps denial, multiple reports suggested military officials had privately flagged risks. According to The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, Pentagon leaders warned of potential US and allied casualties, shortages of critical munitions, and the strain on American air defenses.

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Axios also reported that Caine cautioned about the United States becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict.

At the same time, Trumps negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner reportedly urged him to delay military action and allow diplomatic talks to continue, as per the Guardian.

Trump, however, accused media outlets of deliberately misrepresenting the situation.

I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we dont make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, he said.

Military muscle on display

The tensions come as Washington maintains a heavy military presence in the Middle East, including aircraft carriers, warships, and combat aircraft.

Trump, who previously ordered strikes on Irans nuclear facilities and withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, has repeatedly warned of further action if ongoing negotiations fail.

Still, diplomacy remains on the table, with the next round of US-Iran talks expected on Thursday.

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Even as the US Supreme Court has ruled President Donald Trumps tariffs as illegal, it could be years before importers get refunds after complex litigation  if they get refunds at all. Estimates say the administration has collected up to $175 billion in illegal tariffs.

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US. (Photo: Reuters)

Despite the Supreme Court ruling President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs illegal, it could be years before importers receive refunds after complex litigation  if they receive refunds at all. Estimates say the administration has collected up to $175 billion in illegal tariffs.

As the Supreme Court did not address refunds in its judgment, the little-known US Court of International Trade (CIT) will decide on importers refund claims and rulings could take years.

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As if complex litigation were not problematic enough, there are fears that the administration could pursue retribution against companies that seek refunds. In violation of longstanding norms, Trump has openly sought to undermine businesses he dislikes through lawsuits and public rhetoric.

There are signs that Trump and his allies are counting on protracted litigation. If rulings come after the end of his term, hundreds of billions in refunds would become a problem for his successor to resolve  it would no longer be his headache. Trump has said well end up being in court for the next five years regarding refunds.

How tariff refunds could take years

There are unlikely to be any automatic refunds. Any repayments will likely come only after litigation in the New York-based Court of International Trade (CIT).

More than 1,000 businesses had already filed for tariff refunds before the Supreme Courts ruling, and that number is likely to grow, Alex Jacquez, Chief of Policy and Advocacy at Groundwork Collective, told CBS News.

Under the law, importers usually have up to 314 days after customs clearance to seek tariff refunds. It is a complicated process.

Upon importing goods, companies pay an estimated tariff, and it takes up to 314 days for authorities to determine the final tariff amount. If there is a difference between the estimated tariff paid and the final amount assessed, it is either refunded or collected.

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After the tariff is finalised, importers have up to 180 days to appeal the amount and request a refund.

It will take at least several months, and in the longer case, possibly several years, for the tariff refund scheme to be made clear, Yuji Takana, a specialist in US tariff systems at Hotta Liesenberg Saito, told Nikkei Asia.

Even though the litigation is complex and risky, the alternative of doing nothing and waiting is very risky, according to Takana.

For companies wanting refunds, filing an appeal is essential as even if constitutional arguments are likely to be dismissed, companies need to at the very least make their positions clear, Takana said.
The UK government announced sweeping measures targeting dozens of companies and individuals across Russias military, energy and financial sectors, as Western allies intensify efforts to squeeze Putins war economy

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on February 14, 2026 in Munich, southern Germany. AFP File

Britain on Tuesday unveiled its largest package of sanctions against Russia since the early phase of the Ukraine war, marking four years since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to a Politico report, the UK government announced sweeping measures targeting dozens of companies and individuals across Russias military, energy and financial sectors, as Western allies intensify efforts to squeeze President Vladimir Putins war economy.

Those sanctioned include firms linked to Russias nuclear and gas industries, as well as banks involved in processing cross-border payments that help Moscow circumvent existing UK restrictions, added the report.

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London has also expanded its crackdown on Russias so-called shadow fleet  oil tankers used to evade sanctions.

The new measures cover 48 vessels and 175 entities associated with what officials described as the 2Rivers illicit oil network.

The UK Foreign Office said the action sends a clear message that Russian oil transported outside sanctions compliance is off the market.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is in Kyiv to mark the invasion anniversary, said the measures are designed to disrupt the financial flows and supply chains underpinning Russias war effort.

The UK has today taken decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russias aggression, in our largest raft of measures since the early months of the invasion, Politico quoted Cooper as saying.

With inputs from agencies
Zelenskyy highlighted Washingtons role in ending the war and said that the US is far too big and too important to walk away from the conflict. He hopes that US President Donald Trump will back Kyiv during his State of the Union address on Tuesday

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky answers AFP journalists' questions during an interview in Kyiv on February 20, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.- AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged that the country, its people and its armed forces are exhausted after four years of war with Russia. The president, however, maintained that surrendering to Russian President Vladimir Putins demands is not an option.

We cant just give him everything he wants. Because he wants to occupy us. If we will give him all he wants, we will lose everything  all of us, people will have to run away or be Russian," Zelenskyy told CNN as he gave an emotional interview on the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

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Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest war in Europe since World War II.

The war has killed tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of military personnel on both sides. Millions of refugees have fled Ukraine, where vast areas have been devastated by fighting.

Need US by our side'

Zelenskyy highlighted Washingtons role in ending the war and said that the US is far too big and too important to walk away from the conflict. He hopes that US President Donald Trump will back Kyiv during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

They have to stay with  a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. Its all about himself. Its all about one person. And the country, all his country is in the prison," Zelenskyy said.

If they really want to stop Putin, Americas so strong," he added, saying that he currently does not believe that Potus is putting enough pressure on Putin.

Good things in the security guarantees but

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said security guarantees remain a major obstacle, particularly the question of how Ukraines allies would respond if Russia were to launch another invasion in the future.

We have good things in these security guarantees, its true, he said of the promises currently on the table. But I want (a) very specific answer: what (our) partners will be ready to do if Putin will come again. This is what Ukrainians want to hear, he said.

There is also a dispute over the order of steps toward peace, Volodymyr Zelensky said. Donald Trump wants Zelensky to simultaneously sign a peace accord with Russia and an agreement with the United States and European countries granting Ukraine security guarantees, ideally during a major ceremony to mark the wars end.

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Four years after the start of hostilities, the Kremlin reports that the conflict in Ukraine has transformed into a much larger confrontation with the West. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov maintains that while Moscow is open to a diplomatic end, the current situation has been escalated by the direct intervention of European and American interests.

The Kremlin has declared that the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine have evolved into a far more expansive struggle involving Western nations. Four years after the initial deployment of Russian forces across the border, Moscow suggests that the scope of the battle has shifted from a localised mission to a broader geopolitical clash. Despite this escalation, Russian officials maintain that they are still willing to pursue their objectives through dialogue, provided the conditions are met by their counterparts.

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Escalation into a global standoff

According to the Kremlin, the involvement of international powers has fundamentally altered the nature of the campaign. Dmitry Peskov, the primary spokesperson for the Russian government, argued that the participation of European states and the USA has forced a change in the classification of the fighting. He noted that the original special military operation has been transformed by external interference.

Following the direct intervention in this conflict by Western European countries and the United States, the special military operation de facto turned into a much larger confrontation between Russia and Western countries, which had and continue to harbour the goal of destroying our country, said Peskov. This perspective highlights a belief in Moscow that the West seeks the total collapse of the Russian state rather than just a territorial resolution.

The search for a diplomatic exit

While the rhetoric regarding Western involvement remains sharp, the Kremlin insists it has not closed the door on negotiations. The Russian administration claims its goals remain unchanged but suggests that the method of achieving them could still involve high level discussions. Peskov reiterated that the framework for peace is already established from their side, though the implementation remains stalled.

We are continuing our efforts to achieve peace, our position is very clear and consistent. Now everything depends on the actions of the Kyiv regime, Peskov stated when questioned on the feasibility of a settled peace.

Uncertainty surrounding future talks

Despite the expressed hope for a political solution, there is currently no set timetable for when representatives might meet again. The logistics and timing for any potential discussions with Ukraine remain unconfirmed.

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Moscow admits that while the desire for a resolution exists, the practical steps to reach the negotiating table are not yet finalised. Referring to the potential for future meetings, Peskov remarked, We truly hope that this work will continue. For now, the conflict remains in a state of flux as both sides navigate the heavy involvement of global powers.
US military forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, describing the operation as the third such interdiction

US military forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, describing the operation as the third such interdiction.

In a post on X, the US Department of Defence said American personnel boarded the crude oil tanker Bertha overnight. The Pentagon alleged that the vessel was attempting to evade sanctions related to Iran.

Three boats ran and now all three have been captured.



Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Bertha without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. The vessel was operating in defiance of President Trumps pic.twitter.com/YoHlb9v54p  Department of War  (@DeptofWar) February 24, 2026

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The Bertha, registered under the Cook Islands flag, is connected to Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited and has been under US sanctions since January 2020, the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control said.

According to MarineTraffic data, the tankers last reported location on AIS tracking was February 24 in the Indian Ocean near the Maldives.

Overnight, US forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the Bertha without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility. The vessel was operating in defiance of President Trumps established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to evade, the Pentagon wrote.

From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we tracked it and stopped it.

Three boats ran and now all three have been captured, the Pentagon added, but gave no other details.

Earlier this month, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that American forces had boarded the Suezmax tanker Aquila II.

In January, the US also seized the Venezuelan-linked crude oil tanker Marinera.

Separately, President Donald Trump has directed the Defense Department to be renamed the Department of War, a change that would require approval from Congress.

With inputs from agencies
Democrats in the US Senate have introduced a bill seeking refunds, with interest, of tariff revenues struck down by the US Supreme Court.

The US Senate now needs to vote on the final version of the bill, known as a continuing resolution and spending package. Reuters

A group of 22 Democrats in the US Senate on Monday introduced a bill requiring the administration of US President Donald Trump to refund, within 180 days and with interest, all tariff revenue struck down by the US Supreme Court.

The proposal directs Customs and Border Protection, which collects tariffs at US ports of entry, to prioritise small businesses while issuing refunds.

The Supreme Court on Friday invalidated Trumps broad tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act but did not order refunds, instead sending the matter back to a lower trade court. The Democrats bill would require refunds of all IEEPA-based tariffs deemed unlawful, plus interest, even if the duties had already been finalised by CBP.

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Co-sponsors include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and senators Ron Wyden, Edward Markey and Jeanne Shaheen. Wyden said the measure aims to return money to small businesses and manufacturers affected by the tariffs.

A spokesperson for Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to comment on whether the bill would be considered, noting that it must first undergo committee review.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Republican-controlled House would not engage on the question of returning tariff revenue and that the White House should be given time to address the issue.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN the administration would follow the lower courts determination on refunds, which could take weeks or months.

Tariff halt

CBP is set to stop collecting the IEEPA tariffs at 12:01 a.m. EST on Tuesday. Reuters reported that more than $175 billion in collections could be subject to refunds, citing estimates from the Penn-Wharton Budget Model, which said the tariffs had been generating over $500 million per day in gross revenue.
Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has signalled the possibility of another 26/11-style strike using the sea route, issuing a chilling threat to India and openly invoking the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks

Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has signalled the possibility of another 26/11-style strike using the sea route, issuing a chilling threat to India and openly invoking the horrors of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions following Indias counter-terror operations and reflects a familiar pattern of escalation whenever Pakistan-backed terror networks face sustained pressure.

According to a News18 report, a newly surfaced video features LeT deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri boasting about Pakistans alleged military superiority while delivering direct threats against India.

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Indian intelligence agencies interpret the footage as both propaganda and a troubling indication that Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits may once again attempt to exploit the maritime route infamously used during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, added the report.

In a video accessed by News18, Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri claims that Pakistan had dominated the air in 2025 and will dominate the sea in 2026, asserting that no space will remain for the enemy on land, air, or sea.

He attributes this purported dominance to Allahs will, portraying it as inevitable and divinely ordained.

The remarks amount to a veiled warning of a potential maritime terror attempt, deliberately echoing the tactics of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks  carried out by LeT via the Arabian Sea, reported News18, citing senior intelligence officials.

Fallout of Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor

Kasuri is accused of masterminding the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted a strong response from India.

In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps linked to LeT and allied groups in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In the video, Kasuri appears unsettled by Indian strikes on Muridke and Bahawalpur, locations long identified as key LeT strongholds. He characterises Indias counter-terror operations as aggression and attempts to rally supporters by casting Pakistan as a victim rather than an enabler of terrorism.

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Open threats and communal rhetoric

Kasuri issues direct warnings aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accuses India of engaging in water terrorism, and threatens that pressure in Kashmir would be met with unrest elsewhere, including in Balochistan.

In a particularly provocative statement, he says, They will not attack Madina, but would instead target Indian religious sites  an apparent reference to temples such as those in Ayodhya. Security agencies interpret this as an attempt to inflame communal tensions and signal possible attacks on symbolic civilian targets.

He also speaks openly about coordination with the Pakistan Army, reinforcing Indias long-standing allegations of state patronage and ISI support for LeT operations.

Intelligence assessment and security response

Intelligence sources told News18 that the video reflects mounting pressure on Pakistan-based terror networks following sustained Indian action. While much of the messaging appears aimed at boosting cadre morale, the explicit references to sea routes and 26/11-style attacks have prompted heightened vigilance along Indias western coastline.

Security experts caution that Pakistan and its terror proxies continue to recycle familiar tactics, using threats and rhetoric to project relevance.

For India, the video underscores that despite repeated crackdowns and international scrutiny, groups such as LeT remain intent on pursuing their agenda, even as their claims of dominance contrast with the impact of ongoing counter-terror operations.

With inputs from agencies
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy marked the anniversary by rallying citizens and appealing to international allies, saying, Putin hasnt achieved his goals and that they have defended their independence.

In Kyiv, Zelenskyy says Russia must end the war as he outlines Ukraines clear stance on trilateral peace talks. (AP/File)

Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used the anniversary to rally Ukrainians at home and appeal to international allies, warning that the wars outcome remains uncertain without continued Western support.

Today marks exactly four years since Vladimir Putin began his three-day push to take Kyiv, Zelenskyy said, highlighting Ukraines steadfast resistance. Behind those words stand millions of our peopleimmense courage, incredibly hard work, endurance. We have preserved our independence and statehood despite the scale of the assault.

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He said that Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war.

Beginning of the end but caution urged

In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelenskyy described the conflict as the beginning of the end of Europes largest war since the Second World War. He cautioned, however, against mistaking negotiations for lasting peace, warning that without firm Western security guarantees, Moscow could use any ceasefire to rebuild its military for another offensive.

Zelenskyy also urged European leaders to accelerate Ukraines European Union accession process, suggesting a clear target date, ideally as early as 2027.

No trust in Russian promises

Rejecting ideas circulating among some Western officials that Russia would end the war if Ukraine surrendered the eastern Donbas region, Zelenskyy said: Honestly, I do not believe that this is all that Russia demands. Our withdrawal from Donbas would not end the war. Russia is Russiayou cannot trust them.

Direct appeal to the US

Speaking directly to US President Donald Trump in a CNN interview, Zelenskyy urged Washington not to abandon Ukraine. I want the US president to stay on our side, he said, emphasising that America is far too big and too important to step away.

They have to stay with a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. Its all about himself. And his country is in the prison of one person, Zelenskyy added.

4 years anniversary of invasion

Russias invasion, which began on February 24, 2022, with missile strikes and ground assaults, initially saw rapid advances collapse within weeks, forcing Moscow to concentrate on eastern and southern regions. The war has since become prolonged and costly, marked by shifting front lines and frequent drone and missile attacks.

Ahead of the fourth anniversary, Zelenskyy reiterated his plea to Trump from Kyiv: dont walk away. With the conflict entering its fifth year, he stressed that the United States remains crucial to Ukraines fight and expressed hope that Trump would reaffirm support during his upcoming State of the Union address.
Thu Thursday

67 /41

Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 60s and lows in the low 40s.
Courtesy Jefferson County Sheriffs Office

Law enforcement officials from numerous agencies were in Jefferson County Aug. 19, 2025, looking for a person who allegedly stabbed a park ranger. Two days later the Jefferson County sheriff said it was all a hoax and arrested the man.
Contracts

Contracts for Feb. 23, 2026

AIR FORCE

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., San Diego, California, was awarded a ceiling $98,871,411 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for F-16 commodities sustainment. This contract provides for sustaining engineering services to maintain operational capability of fielded avionics intermediate shop automatic test equipment commodities sustainment components. Work will be performed at San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2037. This contract involves foreign military sales to Jordan, Taiwan, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, Iraq, Bahrain, Portugal, Thailand, Poland, Greece, Oman, Romania, Singapore, Turkiye, Korea, Chile, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, and Pakistan. This contract was a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center Supply Chain Management Division, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8251-26-D-B002). (Awarded on Feb. 20, 2026.)

Integrated Solutions for Systems, Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $32,901,795 modification (P00021) to a previously awarded contract (FA2488-24-C-B001) for Common Modular Software Defined Radio in support of the Government Reference Architecture. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $71,811,686 from $38,909,891. Work will be performed at Niceville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2028. Fiscal 2026 research and development funds in the amount of $1,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cyle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded on Feb. 20, 2026)

NAVY

BKM Prime AE SB JV LLC,* Baltimore, Maryland, was awarded a $50,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection architect-engineering services. Work will be performed at Navy and Marine Corps installations in Virginia (40%), Washington, D.C. (20%), and Maryland (40%), and is expected to be completed by February 2031. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and one option period, is $50,000,000. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated at time of award for a minimum guarantee, of which $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via SAM.gov website, with 20 offers received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-26-D-0002).

Summer Consultants Inc.,* McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $50,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection architect-engineering services. Work will be performed at Navy and Marine Corps installations in Virginia (40%), Washington, D.C. (20%), and Maryland (40%), and is expected to be completed by February 2031. The maximum dollar value, including the base period and one option period, is $50,000,000. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated at time of award for minimum guarantee, of which $5,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via SAM.gov website, with 20 offers received. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N40080-26-D-0003).

EVAC North America Inc., Cherry Valley, Illinois, is being awarded $19,874,003 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 295 sewage pumping units in support of guided missile destroyer and amphibious transport dock ship classes. The contract does not contain an option provision. Work will be performed in Cherry Valley, Illinois (62%); and Greenville, South Carolina (38%). All work is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2026 working capital funds (Navy) in the contract's full amount of $19,874,003 will be obligated at time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1) and one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00104-26-C-JA05).

GSE Dynamics LLC, Hauppauge, New York, is awarded a $12,778,131 hybrid, cost-plus-fixed-fee services and firm-fixed-price supplies, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for submarine fiberglass fabrication and repair. Work will be performed in Hauppauge, New York, and is expected to be completed by February 2031. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $500 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management (SAM) website, with one offer received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N64498-26-D-1004).

ARMY

Bates Engineers/Contractors Inc.,* Bainbridge, Georgia (W91278-26-DA043); C & C Contractors LLC,* Notasulga, Alabama (W91278-26-DA044); Dominguez & Persons LLC,* Pensacola, Florida (W91278-26-DA045); Southeast Cherokee Construction Inc., Montgomery, Alabama (W91278-26-DA046); and Speegle Construction Inc., Niceville, Florida (W91278-26-DA047), will compete for each order of the $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for two-phase design-build construction services supporting Department of Homeland Security projects in the Mobile District area of responsibility. This total cumulative face value is $49,000,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 23, 2031. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District is the contracting activity.

Airborne Systems North America, Santa Ana, California, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for T-11 parachute production. The amount of this action is $23,994,267. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2027. Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground, Natick Division is the contracting activity (W911QY-19-D-0045).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Burlington Apparel Fabrics, Charlotte, North Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $36,678,265 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for sky blue cloth. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 22, 2031. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0030).

CORRECTION: The contract announced on Feb. 11, 2026, for Metro Medical Equipment and Supply Inc.,** Saint Ann, Missouri (SPE2DH-26-D-0004), for $21,000,000 was announced with an incorrect award date. The correct award date is Feb. 18, 2026.

*Small Business

**Women-owned small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4412484/

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ROK Government Representative's Attendance at Inaugural Meeting of Board of Peace (Feb 19)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2026-02-20

On February 19, former Ambassador Kim Yonghyon attended the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace held in the United States as the representative of the Korean government.

 Former Ambassador Kim Yonghyon, who recently served as the Ambassador to Egypt, has expertise in Middle Eastern affairs and international conflict resolution. He was appointed as a Special Envoy of the Foreign Minister for this mission.

 The Board of Peace is an international organization established by U.S. President Trump with the objective of resolving international conflicts.

The inaugural meeting marked the official launch of the Board of Peace's mandate, and participants discussed plans for reconstruction and peacebuilding in the Gaza Strip during the meeting.

The Korean government has consistently supported U.S. President Trump's initiative in promoting peace in Gaza, including by attending this inaugural meeting, and will continue to participate in the international community's efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.

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Red Sea: Council extends the mandate of Operation ASPIDES to safeguard freedom of navigation

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

23 February 2026 10:48

The Council today decided to extend the European Union's maritime security operation to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) until 28 February 2027, following the strategic review of the operation.

As part of the extension, the Council agreed on a financial reference amount of nearly 15 million to cover the common costs of the operation for the period from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027. A further strategic review of the operation will be conducted in 2026/27.

The operation contributes to safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters in response to ongoing threats against merchant and commercial vessels. Operation ASPIDES provides defensive maritime security, protects vessels and supports stability along key maritime routes in accordance with international law.

The decision reflects the EU's continued commitment to maritime security, regional stability and the protection of global trade flows.

Background

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES was established by the EU in February 2024 as a defensive operation in response to the Red Sea crisis, following repeated Houthi attacks on international shipping since October 2023. The operation was launched with a mandate to protect vessels and safeguard freedom of navigation and is active along the main sea lines of communication around the Baab al-Mandab Strait and monitors the maritime situation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Gulf.

The extension follows a strategic review of ASPIDES and a broader assessment of EU maritime operations in the region. The operation complements other EU efforts to promote security and stability along key sea lines of communication.

ASPIDES is headquartered in Larissa, Greece, and headed by Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis.

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Foreign Affairs Council: Press conference by High Representative Kaja Kallas

European External Action Service (EEAS)

23.02.2026

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good afternoon.

We just concluded the Foreign Affairs Council.

First, we had a discussion on foreign influence, manipulation and interference. Today's wars are not only fought with tanks and drones. They are also fought with lies and algorithms. FIMI is a weapon aimed at the heart of our democracies. Russia will spend billions on influence campaigns only this year. China's foreign information operations are growing more sophisticated and insidious. We cannot afford to lose the information battle.

Winning a fight requires a shield and a sword. We are already building the democracy shield, now we must also sharpen our proverbial sword. That means moving from rapid alerts and assessments towards pushing back harder against adversaries online. And today, Ministers reconfirmed the need for clearer communication of our values and what Europe stands for: reinforcing sanctions on FIMI networks and strengthening cooperation with law enforcement.

Now, on Ukraine. Tomorrow, we will mark a brutal and senseless anniversary. Four years on, Ukraine is paying a heavy price for Russia's fatal miscalculation, but also Moscow has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. Its military is bogged down. Its economy is in rapid decline, and Ukrainians are resisting and holding firm. Unfortunately, we did not reach an agreement on the 20th sanctions package. This is a setback and a message we did not want to send today, but the work continues.

Everybody understands that diplomacy is preferable to war, yet after a year of talks, we still do not even have ceasefire. It is not Ukraine that is the obstacle to peace, Russia is. We must flip the script: from pressure on Ukraine to surrender territory to what Russia must do to meet the basic conditions for a just and lasted peace.

Europe has a clear and legitimate interest in how Russia's war ends. For European interests not to become collateral damage, we must be clear about what we expect from Russia: respect for borders, end the end of sabotage, the paying of war damages, and the return of Ukrainian kidnapped children are not just far-fetched asks, they should be a baseline. So, before we talk to Moscow, we ought to be clear what we want to talk with them about. Russia's maximalist demands cannot be met with minimalist response.

At the same time, we continue to strengthen Ukraine. We will use better the European Investment Bank to fund defence industrial cooperation. As Russia is targeting energy infrastructure, we doubled contributions to the Ukrainian energy fund in the last year to 1.85 billion euros.

We are tightening the net around Russia's shadow fleet, including with the compendium on best practices. Today, we sanctioned more people for massive human rights abuses in Russia. I have also decided to limit the maximum size of the Russian Mission in the European Union to 40 people. We will not tolerate abuse of diplomatic power. And together with the Commission, we are working to keep potential hundreds of 1000s of former Russian soldiers out of the Schengen area. We do not want war criminals and saboteurs to roam our streets.

Then, on the Middle East, the real progress in Gaza hinges upon disarming Hamas and subsequent withdrawal of the Israeli forces. We discussed this with High Representative Nickolay Mladenov today, and also we had the administrator of the UN Development Programme, Alexander De Croo, to brief us about the situation in Gaza. The European Union supports Gaza's future. We have redeployed our EUBAM Rafah border crossing mission, but there are still too few crossings. We are the top donor to Palestinians, and we work on expanding the training of the Palestinian police.

Ministers also addressed the serious situation in the West Bank. Israel's expansion of powers there breaches international law and hits at the heart of any future Palestinian state.

The United States and Iran are inching dangerously towards war. The window of diplomacy is very narrow and, of course, we have many concerns with Iran: its nuclear programme, its ballistic missiles and support for terrorists that are also a threat to Europe. But any military intervention risks hard-to-control consequences. The EU has imposed sweeping sanctions on Iran. The designation of the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation sent a clear message that there cannot be any impunity.

In northern Syria, the sudden change of power dynamics has upended the security at the camps holding ISIS fighters. This brings new risks, such as potential movement of terrorists towards Europe. Today, Ministers discussed how the EU can contribute towards more rehabilitation and reintegration programmes. We will also explore more support to Syrian women and children leaving the camps in cooperation with Damascus. As a co-chair, the EU will propose to use the Global Coalition to coordinate these efforts.

Ministers also discussed a range of other issues, including the situation in the Great Lakes, Western Balkans and Venezuela, but I will leave it here and take your questions.

Thank you.





Q&A

Q. My question is about the 20th package of sanctions, which was supposed to be adopted today, but was blocked by Hungary. How do you see the solution of this situation? Because Hungary insists for Ukraine to restart the transit of Russian oil to Europe. And will the EU just wait when this transit of Russian oil to Europe will be restarted? Or maybe there are some other means to push on Hungary to make them not demand this. Thank you.

We have seen this scenario already before. We have also seen that we have been able to achieve solutions together. We are doing the outreach on different levels to Hungarian and Slovakian colleagues to move on with this package. Of course, it is not easy. It is never easy, but the work continues. I really regret that we did not achieve an agreement today, considering that tomorrow is the sad anniversary of the start of this war, and we really need to send strong signals to Ukraine, that we keep on helping Ukraine, but also putting more pressure on Russia so that this war would stop.

Q. I want to pick up on this Hungarian veto. Well, double veto, because it also affects the 90 billion loan that EU leaders had agreed to provide to Ukraine in December. We all remember what happened back then. There was enhanced cooperation to exempt Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic from this loan. And despite this, Hungary has now blocked the loan at the very last stages. How do you qualify the attitude of Hungary, because several ministers have accused Hungary of electioneering, of doing this to score extra points ahead of the elections on the 12th of April. Do you share this view, and what else can you do right now to ensure that this life-saving assistance reaches Ukraine? Thank you.

We know that there are elections coming in Hungary, but it is very hard for me to see, considering and knowing the history of Hungary, that the people of Hungary would actually support not helping the people of Ukraine that are in need. I find it very hard to believe that it would bring you any bonus points in the elections. But of course, I do not know the Hungarian political climate. It is really regrettable that the decision that all countries reached in the European Council, all the leaders, that there is now stepping back from this decision. I know that President Costa and President von der Leyen are both in Kyiv tomorrow, and will definitely also raise this with Prime Minister Orban, because it is not really in accordance with sincere cooperation clause that we have in the treaties.

Q. The key bone of contention here seems to be the Druzhba pipeline, its exact state and how quickly it can be repaired, and whether all efforts are being made to do that. High Representative, in your capacity as Vice President of the Commission, head of the EEAS, or with your Council hat on, do you have any information about the state of that pipeline, how quickly it can be repaired? And who is at fault here, if anyone?

Who is at fault is Russia, because they bombed the pipeline. And actually, not only the pipeline, but I think 80% of Ukrainian energy infrastructure. And I cannot really blame Ukrainians for repairing the energy infrastructure that their people need in minus 25 [degrees] to have warmth and electricity, that they are prioritising the people who are suffering from this over this pipeline that just takes cheap oil to other countries, that they are prioritising their own people. But who is to blame? Of course, if Russia had not started this war, we would not have these problems either. That is also very clear, and that is why we also need to go forward with sanctions to actually punish or pressure, Russia, for doing this and pressure them to stop doing this.

Q. High Representative, can you please first confirm whether there is such a document sent by you to all Member States, which includes, from the European perspective, all the concessions that Russia needs to make for a stable peace in in Ukraine? We learned that there is a special European request to ban Russian military presence and deployment in post-Soviet countries, including the Republic of Moldova. What is the likely, I mean, is this a break deal for Europe in negotiating the peace in Ukraine, and what is the likelihood for the withdrawal of the Russian troops to actually happen, taking into account Russia's lack of ability to keep its promises? Thank you.

Yes. Starting from where you finished, I counted at least 30 international agreements where they have agreed to different obligations that they are not following and I do not remember exactly when it was, a long time ago, when they agreed to withdraw the troops from the occupied territories in Moldova. But we also have the same in Georgia, in other parts. So yes, I have shared with the EU Member States the paper on the concessions that we should see from the Russian side. Of course, we need to discuss but if the first point would be that Russia would honour the obligations that they have already taken in the international agreements, then that would also refer to the territories that they have occupied and should withdraw their troops from.

Q. I have two questions, if I may. So one on this 90 billion package. I mean, the situation in Ukraine is quite dire. It is supposed to run out of money in April. Was there a discussion among ministers about a potential plan B, if Hungary refuses to drop its veto on this 90 billion package? That is the first question. And the second question, so obviously Marco Rubio gave that speech in Munich, and then he went to Bratislava, then he went to Budapest. He held his relationship with Orban and Fico. So, do you regard Hungary and Slovakia's behaviour as linked to that? Is that just correlation, or is there causation there? And one final question, actually, if I may. You have said that the Middle East does not need a new war. Are you in contact with Marco Rubio or counterparts in the US, are you attempting to dissuade them from attacking Iran? Because the build up there looks like some kind of military action might be imminent. Thank you very much.

Yes, well, we had a plan A that was using the Russian frozen assets. So, if that is now plan B, then maybe we should work on that. But, it was agreed to have this 90-billion-plan, it was agreed in the European Council and we just work on Member States also respecting that agreement that was made at the leaders' level. But if that does not work, we can always go back to using frozen assets that we could do that faster. But it is true that we need to move fast on this, because Ukraine needs this help from our side.

I do not know if there is a connection with Marco Rubio's visit to Hungary and Slovakia, so I am not speculating on that.

On Iran, of course the talks are ongoing, and we are emphasising that there has to be this diplomatic approach. We are also in contact with the regional actors, but when it comes to America, then finally, it is the President that decides.

Q. The Spanish Minister is asking to lift the sanctions against the interim president in Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez. How was this proposal received in the room? Is there a consensus among Member States? Do you see that [this] could happen anytime soon? We also hear that some Member States are asking for this relief to be tied to a benchmark or some condition. What is your personal assessment on that? Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, we had this discussion. We are seeing from the Venezuelan interim authorities some steps also regarding Europe. For example, the release of the European political prisoners that were there. So, as we are discussing and will discuss in the future also what is our new approach to Venezuela, I see these two tracks. I will propose that we will lift the sanctions on Delcy Rodriguez as the current interim President in office. Whether we have consensus then, we will see. We do not know that yet, before we have not had the proposal on the table. Then, the other track; we should have a broader discussion on what is our new approach to Venezuelan authorities. And there I can see that we could have benchmarks, what we want to see on the Venezuelan side, so that we also make steps on our side.

Q. A couple of questions on Palestine, and one on Iran. On Palestine, after the meeting of the discussion with Mr. Mladenov, do you have now a practical sense how the European Union is going to participate in the early recovery in Gaza? On the West Bank, you said yourself earlier that what is going on in the West Bank is a violation of international law. The situation is ongoing since at least 2023. What is the idea that, or the sense that European Union seems unable, not willing, uncapable of getting a practical and decisive step towards Israel, to be convinced to, because what they are doing there is undermining the two-state solution. And on Iran, you spoke about that the war could lead to consequences which will be hard to control. What do you have in mind? Are you thinking about regional instability, regional war? Do you have in mind migration flows from Afghanistan, Iran to the region and to Europe?

Thank you. So, we had Nikolay Mladenov, but we also had the administrator of the UN Development Programme, who was just in Gaza. He was giving us the overview of having been there, what does it really look like. Both of them were stressing that the needs for early recovery are also enormous because the destruction there, and the suffering of people is very, very big. So, what we can offer to the table, or what we can bring to the table is, of course, humanitarian aid that is needed. But for that, it also needs to get through the crossing points. And really the things that they need, Mladenov was very clear about what is needed for the Palestinians: not tents, but actually housing in a better version, because tents do not really help the people. And also, materials for education for the children, and there was a long list. So, humanitarian aid is definitely something where European countries can come in. The other part is the EUPOL COPPS mission that we have, that has experience in training the Palestinian police and could do this. We are ready to do this together with Jordan and Egypt, but we also need the approval from the Israeli side. And it was good to hear from Mladenov, who is really right now trying to improve the situation, that he sees the same way that actually they also need us there contributing.

When it comes to the West Bank, then the problem is the same that we have with Ukraine. 26 countries want sanctions on the violent settlers, it has been on the table for quite some time, and one does not want. So, this is clearly the problem that we have in our decision-making processes, because it is not the majority view. And when one is blocking, then we do not do what the majority wants, but actually we are doing what this one country wants.

When it comes to Iran, the question is the risk of retaliation and that is why I also stressed before the worries that we have regarding Iran's ballistic missile programme. Because, if you think about the nuclear programme, there has been some kind of monitoring on what is going on, but when it comes to the ballistic missile programme, that is very dangerous for the countries around Iran. But also, considering how far they reach, it is also a threat to Europe. When it comes to other issues that we have with Iran, then the worry is that this will not be a conflict or war that is going to be on a smaller scale. That is also the message that we get from the regional actors there.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-285221

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Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas upon arrival

European External Action Service (EEAS)

23.02.2026

Brussels

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good morning everybody,

We have a full day ahead.

First, we have a discussion on the foreign information manipulation and false information. What we can do actually about this. We have tools developed that we have helped our friends, other countries with, but it is clear that it is also becoming an issue in Europe. It is clear that we have these networks that are really working against us. And it is also cognitive warfare. It is a battle of narratives for the hearts and minds. So, we are discussing, what more can we do in this regard.

And then, of course, we have a discussion on Ukraine.

Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of this horrible war. Of course, there is going to be discussion on the 20th sanctions package. But as you all know, I think there is not going to be progress regarding this today, but we will definitely make this push. Then, also the discussion about what should we talk to the Russians about. It is clear that the pressure so far has been on Ukraine when it comes to the peace talks, but it is clear that it has to be on the Russian side, because they are the aggressor in this war.

And if we want this war to stop. If we want this not to go any further, then we also need to see concessions from the Russian side. That is also very clear. And then, of course, we will discuss also the 90 billion loan, how it should be pushed forward. But let us see how that works out.

Then we have the Middle East. We have Nickolay Mladenov coming to talk to us. We want to be part of the peace process in Gaza and also contribute with what we have. We have the EUBAM Rafah border crossing mission, and we have EUPOL COPPS. In order to disarm Hamas, it has to be the Palestinian police, and there EUPOL COPPS could be very handy. We have had agreements also with Jordan and Egypt on how we can best do this, but we also need the approval from the Israeli side. And then, we will also discuss Syria, the developments in northeast Syria, and what concerns are there.

And then, after that, we will also touch briefly on points like Venezuela and issues that other Member States want to raise.

Thank you.

Q&A

High Representative, do you want to be the negotiator with Russia from the EU? Do you want to have this position? Do you want [inaudible] negotiator from the EU with Russia?

I think more important than who talks to Russia is what we want to talk them about. And that is why these concessions that we need to see, whoever talks to Russia, whether bilaterally or as representative of Europe as such, needs to also ask these questions on what Russia is willing to concede. Because if you ask a lot, you get little. If you ask little, you get nothing, and if you ask nothing, you will pay on top - that is very clear. So, let us focus on what kind of concessions we want to see from the Russian side, not who is bringing those concessions to the table.

What size of the Russian army is ideal for peace negotiations?

It is not up to me to say, but the point is that if there are limitations on the Ukrainian army, there should also be limitations on the Russian army, because they are actually the problem here. But it is, of course up to the discussions.

After the ceasefire in Syria, right now, what message do you have for President al-Sharaa and the Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi?

We have the ceasefire and of course it is very fragile, so we need those forces to work together to bring about the inclusive government and really the reconciliation of the country, and we are willing to help in this regard as much as we can. Also, regarding institution building, today we are going to also discuss whether time is right to have high-level political dialogue with Syria to address all these concerns.

On what Mr. Witkoff said, you seem pessimistic, but he seems optimistic, saying that he expected breakthroughs in the coming weeks and possible summits between Putin and Zelensky and maybe Trump. How do you see this optimistic going on? Do you have the same [inaudible]?

Looking at the signs, I do not share this optimism, because the negotiators on the Russian side are not really serious, and they are not willing to talk about anything political. So, of course, we have seen a lot of pressure on Ukraine to concede and give up what they are not willing to give up, but it does not bring long-term peace. So, I am not that optimistic that we will see any results in the coming weeks and months.

inaudible [situation in Iran]

Yes, the situation in Iran, of course, is very, very intense. We do not need another war in this region. We already have a lot. So, we have stressed the diplomatic way out of this, and we are also willing to contribute. It is not only the nuclear issue, but it is also the ballistic missile programme and the other worries we have with Iran. It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.

On the 20th sanctions package, you said that today it will not pass on. So, what kind of signal does it give four years after the start of the war?

We are of course, doing our utmost to have this sanctions package, to push this through. And I have talked to the Member States who are also going to raise this and convince the countries who are blocking. And we are also looking at ways how we can do it. But as we have heard some very strong statements from Hungary, that is why I do not really see that they are going to change this unfortunately today, this position that they have.

What compromises are on the table to bring it over the line with Hungary?

Well, we have heard from the media there, problems that they have that are totally not related to the 20th sanctions package. We should not tie together things that are not connected to each other at all. But let us listen to them explaining what are the reasons why they are blocking, and then see whether there are possibilities to overcome.

Speaking about negotiations with Russia, about your proposal or idea. Can you confirm that your idea is also to request to speak about the withdrawal of Russia's troops from occupied territories, for example, for us, from Georgia and can you estimate the situation in Georgia? You know that the situation gets worse and worse.

Yes, it is true that Russia has occupied a lot of territories, and their forces are in different parts when it comes to Georgia, when it comes to Moldova. So yes, it would be clear to have long-term peace that they would withdraw from all the occupied territories where they are. Of course, some say these demands are not realistic, but let us be honest, the demands from the Russian side are not realistic at all. I mean, they are demanding territories that they have not conquered, even militarily by diplomatic means. So, this is in order to a bit balance the negotiation situation and really bring the focus on the problem, which is Russia continuing to attack its neighbours. Thank you very much.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-285103

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Hamas leadership council chief sends message to Iran's FM on Gaza ceasefire

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Mohammad Darwish, head of the leadership council of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, has sent a letter to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, providing a detailed report on the latest status of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

In his letter sent on Sunday, Darwish congratulated Araghchi on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and wished prosperity for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He referred to Hamas's full commitment to the Gaza ceasefire agreement with the Israeli regime and outlined clear and flagrant violations of the truce by the occupying entity.

These included daily attacks on Palestinian areas, the continued killing of Palestinians  especially women and children  detention of Palestinians, severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, obstruction of operations at the Rafah crossing and movement of Palestinian citizens, and prevention of the reconstruction of vital infrastructure.

In the final part of his letter, Darwish stressed the need for serious efforts by mediators and the international community to compel the occupying regime to fulfill its commitments, including "the immediate cessation of killing, massacre and violation of the rights of the Palestinian people," adherence to provisions on humanitarian aid, lifting restrictions at the Rafah crossing, allowing fuel and equipment for reconstruction, observing humanitarian rules, and halting torture and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners.

4354**9417

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Gov't blasts Japan over event claiming sovereignty over Dokdo

KOREA.net

Feb 23, 2026

By Kang Gahui

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 22 condemned the hosting of a "Takeshima Day" event by Japan's Shimane Prefecture in which a high-ranking official from the Japanese central government attended, urging an immediate abolition of the ceremony.

Taekshima is the Japanese word for Dokdo.

In a spokesperson's statement, the ministry said, "We strongly protest Japan's repeated unjust claims of sovereignty over Dokdo," adding, "We again sternly urge the immediate abolition of the event."

"Dokdo is clearly our integral territory historically, geographically and under international law," it added. "The Japanese government must stop its unfair and groundless claims to Dokdo at once and face history with a humble attitude."

The same day, the ministry summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to the ministry compound to lodge a protest.

Enacting a related ordinance in 2005, Shimane since 2006 has hosted the event every Feb. 22 to lay claim to Dokdo. A vice-ministerial level official from Japan's central government has attended the event since 2013, with this year's representative being Naoki Furukawa, parliamentary vice minister for the Cabinet Office.

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NATO Allies demonstrate undersea dominance in Exercise Dynamic Manta 26

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Feb 23 2026

Mediterranean Sea -- Allied forces will deploy across the Mediterranean Sea from 23 February to 6 March, for NATO's annual Exercise Dynamic Manta 26. This exercise is a key maritime activity designed to strengthen collective defence, reinforce Allied assurance, and deepen operational cooperation among participating nations.

The exercise will bring together submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, surface ships, from 10 Allied nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkiye, United Kingdom, and the United States. These nations participation demonstrates NATO's ability to operate seamlessly across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.

Dynamic Manta is NATO's premier anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, designed to enhance interoperability and operational effectiveness across the full spectrum of maritime operations.

This year's exercise will integrate the use of an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), showcasing NATO's commitment to innovation and the integration of emerging technologies in support of maritime security.

Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) will play a central role in Exercise Dynamic Manta, providing maritime command and control and enabling close integration and coordination of multinational surface forces, submarines, and air assets. The exercise highlights NATO's persistent maritime presence in the Mediterranean Sea and reinforces the Alliance's role in assuring Allies while contributing to deterrence across the maritime domain.

Italian Navy Rear Admiral Cristian Nardone, Commander SNMG2, highlighted the importance of the exercise.

"Exercise Dynamic Manta is a powerful demonstration of NATO's unity and resolve," he said. "By operating together in a demanding maritime environment we strengthen trust, sharpen our warfighting skills, and reaffirm our collective commitment to the defence of the Alliance."

Dynamic Manta improves the ability of Allied forces to operate together, helping ensure the safety of maritime routes, the free movement of ships, and a rapid, effective response to any threat to Allied territory or interests.

US Navy Rear Admiral Bret Grabbe, Commander, Submarines NATO, emphasized the value of multinational cooperation in the sub-surface domain.

"Dynamic Manta provides an unmatched opportunity for Allied submarines, surface forces, and air assets to train together as one team. This exercise enhances our collective anti-submarine warfare capabilities and ensures NATO remains ready to defend Allied waters today and in the future."

Through Dynamic Manta, NATO shows its ability to adjust to new challenges, work effectively together, and operate across sea, air, and subsurface environments, maintaining a strong and reliable maritime presence in support of Allied security.

As SNMG2 operates in a changing security environment, the group remains prepared to respond to crises, carry out operations, and support NATO's wider objectives.

SNMG2 is one of four standing NATO maritime groups providing continuous maritime presence and readiness in peacetime, crisis and conflict. Exercises like this contribute to Allied assurance measures, enhance interoperability and demonstrate NATO's ability to operate across the Mediterranean Region.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

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NORAD and U.S. Northern Command to conduct Arctic Edge 2026

U.S. Northern Command

Press Release | Feb. 23, 2026

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) will conduct ARCTIC EDGE 2026 (AE26), a joint and combined multi-domain Field Training Exercise (FTX) in various locations throughout Alaska and Greenland from Feb. 23 - March 13, 2026. All training activities in Greenland are conducted in full coordination with the Kingdom of Denmark. Municipalities closest to the designated military exercise operating areas include Anchorage, Kodiak, Fairbanks, and Kotzebue in Alaska, and Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk in Greenland.

This exercise will include NORAD and USNORTHCOM forces from Air Forces Northern, Army North, Naval Forces Northern, Marine Forces Northern, Special Operations Command North, Alaskan NORAD Region, Canadian NORAD Region, Alaska Command, and the Continental U.S. NORAD Region. AE26 also includes participation from Denmark, Canada, Alaska National Guard, and interagency partners including the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, FAA, Alaska DHS, Alaska State and local law enforcement, and Alaska Native communities.

AE26 is designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance interoperability among multinational, interagency, and Joint Force partners in the Arctic. Key exercise objectives include integrating all-domain command-and-control relationships to support Homeland Defense missions in the Arctic region. This will include:

Cruise Missile Defense

Coordination with State and Interagency partners on the protection of non-Department of War Critical Infrastructure (e.g., power grids, oil refineries) within the Alaska Theater of Operations.

Counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities and synchronizing base defense responsibilities

Conducting joint and service-level experimentation and technology demonstration in the Arctic

In Greenland, arctic survival and mobility training

AE26 is an annual exercise designed to demonstrate engaged forces that are postured and ready to secure North America in an increasingly complex Arctic security environment.

Video and imagery of Arctic Edge 2026 will be posted at DVIDS - Arctic Edge 2026.

-30-

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NTF-ELCAC exec joins clamor for justice for civilians killed by NPA

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

February 23, 2026, 4:49 pm

MANILA -- A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday joined the clamor calling for justice for the civilians killed in Negros Island due to alleged "spy-tagging" by New People's Army (NPA) remnants.

NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. made the call after reports coming from the Armed Forces of the Philippines' 3rd Infantry Division (ID) indicated that 28 persons have so far been killed since March last year, or an average of two civilians killed or murdered every month.

"This pattern of killings is deeply alarming and morally indefensible. When two civilians are being murdered every month on one island alone, we are no longer speaking of isolated incidents, we are confronting a sustained campaign of terror," he added.

Latest data from the 3rd ID showed that the most recent victim was an elderly woman shot outside her home in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental after being accused by the NPA of being linked to a previous encounter between government troops and communist rebels.

Torres stressed that branding civilians as informants or "spies" without due process effectively paints a target on their backs.

"This is the deadly consequence of so-called 'spy-tagging.' Once labeled by the communist terrorist group as a traitor or government asset, a civilian becomes a marked individual  condemned without trial, without evidence, without humanity," Torres said.

He recalled the earlier killing of elderly civilian Leonor Anguit, after being publicly accused by communist elements of being a spy. Her death, the NTF-ELCAC official said, reflected a pattern of executions carried out against defenseless individuals.

"The killing of Lola Leonor Anguit shocked the conscience of the nation. An elderly woman  publicly vilified, then brutally silenced. That is not armed struggle. That is terrorism inflicted on one's own people," Torres said.

Torres also warned that the steady average of two fatalities per month signals a disturbing normalization of violence in communities already burdened by poverty and insecurity.

"Two civilians every month is not a statistic  it is a family shattered, a community traumatized, and a future stolen. Violence has no place in communities that are striving for peace and development," he said.

He echoed the 3rd ID's call urging the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the killings.

"We respectfully urge the CHR to look squarely into these crimes. Human rights must apply equally to all. The rights of farmers, elderly women, laborers, and ordinary community members in Negros deserve the same vigilance and protection as any other Filipino," he said.

Torres underscored that the country must reject any narrative that justifies violence against civilians under the guise of ideology.

"Justice must never be selective. Silence in the face of these killings only emboldens further bloodshed. We stand with the families of the victims and demand accountability. The blood of civilians must never be trivialized as collateral to ideology," Torres said. (PNA)

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AFP assumes ASEAN observer team leadership

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno

February 23, 2026, 12:57 pm

MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Observer Team (AOT) from its Malaysian counterparts and pledged to continue promoting transparency, confidence-building, and peaceful cooperation in spite of the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border situation.

"In line with this responsibility, Gen. (Romeo) Brawner (Jr.) led an AFP delegation to Thailand and Cambodia from Feb. 9 to 14, 2026, to engage his counterparts and reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to its mandate as chair of the AOT," it added in a Facebook post late Sunday night.

This visit, the AFP said, seeks to strengthen defense cooperation and support ASEAN's role in managing territorial and border concerns through impartial observation and constructive engagement.

In Thailand, Brawner paid a courtesy call on General Ukris Boontanondha, his counterpart in the Royal Thai Armed Forces, on Feb. 9.

Likewise, the AFP chief visited the Thailand border area on Feb. 10 to observe developments on the ground.

In Cambodia, Brawner met with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense General Tea Seiha, and General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, on Feb. 12.

He also visited border areas in Cambodia on Feb. 13 to enhance situational awareness and reinforce the Philippines' commitment to fulfilling its ASEAN responsibilities.

"As chair of the ASEAN Observer Team, the AFP's role is strictly limited to observing, verifying, and reporting developments on the ground, in accordance with ASEAN protocols and the principle of non-interference," the AFP said.

It added Brawner's visit was the first by an ASEAN chief of defense to both sides of the border in connection with the AOT's mission.

It underscored the importance placed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on supporting peaceful and cooperative regional mechanisms that contribute to stability in the region.

"Aside from leading the AOT, the AFP will deploy additional teams under the overall leadership of a designated two-star general. An AFP brigadier general will head the AOT-Thailand, while an AFP commodore will lead the AOT-Cambodia," the AFP said. (PNA)

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19 countries, OIC, Arab League condemn Israeli push toward West Bank annexation

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 9:47 PM

A group of nearly 20 countries has slammed Israel for tightening its grip on the West Bank, which amounts to a "de facto annexation, warning that these actions are designed to dismantle Palestinian statehood and permanently alter the region's political landscape.

Israel has approved a series of initiatives this month backed by far-right ministers, including launching a process to register land in the West Bank as "state property" and allowing Israelis to purchase land there directly.

The moves "are part of a clear trajectory that aims to change the reality on the ground and to advance unacceptable de facto annexation", the 18 mostly European or Muslim-majority countries said, in a joint statement on Monday.

"Such actions are a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state solution."

The statement was signed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, European powers France and Spain, as well as Indonesia, Brazil and Turkey, among others.

It was also endorsed by the secretaries general League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as well as the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas resistance movement hailed the statement, describing it as a "step in the right direction in confronting the occupation's expansionist schemes, which constitute a flagrant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions."

Hamas called upon those governments and all the other countries "to translate the statement's outcomes into concrete, practical steps by imposing deterrent sanctions and pressuring the fascist occupation government to halt its policies aimed at imposing a reality of annexation, settlement expansion, and forced displacement."

It also demanded collective efforts "to stop the comprehensive and systematic aggression against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip."

In addition to around three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 settlers live in West Bank settlements and outposts.

The cabinet of Benjamin Netanyahu has fast-tracked settlement expansion, approving a record 52 settlements in 2025.

Last week, UN missions from 85 member states also condemned Israel's expanding control in the West Bank, warning it could amount to de facto annexation.

In a joint statement, they said unilateral measures violated international law and urged the regime to reverse them immediately.

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Spanish FM urges firmer EU stance on Gaza crisis, West Bank settlement expansion

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:41 PM

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has called for a stronger European response regarding the persistent humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Albares said on Monday that intentional murders persist in Gaza, while humanitarian assistance is stalled at the borders.

He said the European Union's lack of response to Israeli violations in the West Bank and efforts to displace Palestinians is incomprehensible.

Albares said the European Union has the essential resources to apply pressure on the Israeli regime. The Spanish minister called for the effective utilization of those resources to tackle the worsening humanitarian crisis and continued settlement expansion.

Since the onset of its genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip in October 2023, the Israeli military and illegal settlers have escalated assaults in the West Bank, including East al-Quds.

Palestinians view the escalation, which includes killings, abductions, displacement, and settlement expansion, as a move toward the official annexation of the occupied territory.

Since October 2023, the Israeli military and illegal settlers have killed at least 1,117 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, injured about 11,500, and abducted around 22,000.

A ceasefire has been in effect in Gaza since October 10, 2025, ending Israel's onslaught that has claimed the lives of over 72,000 people, primarily women and children, while wounding more than 171,000 others since October 2023.

Even with the truce, Israeli forces have carried out numerous violations through shelling and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of 615 Palestinians and injuring 1,651 more, as reported by Gaza's Health Ministry.

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Hezbollah says won't hesitate to take proper action against aggression

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 3:42 PM

The Hezbollah secretary general says the Lebanese resistance movement has stood firmly against all threats and aggression, stressing that his fighters will not hesitate to take proper action when necessary.

"I know this is a difficult phase, but together we have overcome the challenges of perseverance. We have been patiently addressing the difficulties of this stage over the next fifteen months. When the time comes for any action, we will not hesitate," Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Monday on the occasion of the first anniversary of the mass funeral procession of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the former leaders of Hezbollah.

"Our path is clear: The land is ours, and our right to defend and resist is legitimate. We will remain steadfast and prepare ourselves for both scenarios: either victory or martyrdom. There is no room for defeat, no matter the sacrifices. Victory comes only from Almighty God."

The Hezbollah chief hailed the "magnificent" funeral procession of the late Hezbollah chiefs, saying the million-strong attendance marked a landmark in the history of Lebanon and the region.

"The people's tribute to the late secretaries-general of Hezbollah was unmatched, and the whole world witnessed the deep roots of the Resistance in the lives of Lebanese nationals. It gave a distinct impression of absolute determination and was a concrete manifestation of the slogan, 'We remain faithful to the covenant,'" Sheikh Qassem stated.

The Hezbollah chief said the funeral was a pledge of allegiance and a renewal of the covenant to continue the Resistance. He characterized the event as a restoration of the initiative in rebuilding Hezbollah's capabilities, and an affirmation of its popular unity.

He said the funeral was postponed until security conditions allowed for a proper ceremony to be held.

'Nurtured by Britain, backed by US'

Sheikh Qassem said Israel was an arrogant and colonialist regime initially nurtured by Britain, and now fully supported by the United States and its Western allies.

"It is managed by America and serves its interests first and foremost. America wanted it as a tool in West Asia to subdue regional countries and peoples. It sought to annihilate the Palestinian cause and legitimize the existence of Israel on the entire occupied Palestinian territories."

Sheikh Qassem said recognition of al-Quds as the capital of Israel, acknowledgement of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, abandonment of the so-called two-state solution, US-backed war of extermination on Gaza, and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank, along with the oppression of the Palestinian nation, are all indicative of Washington's decision to control West Asia by force.

"Likewise, the war of aggression against Lebanon was waged through Israeli strikes in a bid to materialize US dominance."

The Hezbollah leader said US President Donald Trump's "Peace Through Strength" policy means colonialism and imposition of his will through military power.

"The 'Greater Israel' project intersects with US hegemony, which uses Israel as a tool as long as it serves the function of domination; and intervenes directly when Israel is unable to do so, as in the case of Iran."

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Lebanese Parliament Speaker Berri rejects any postponement of elections

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 11:14 AM

In spite of ongoing Western pressure on Lebanon to delay the May parliamentary elections to focus on disarming Hezbollah and allowing the incumbent government additional time to implement structural reforms, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says the vote will be held on time.

He said in remarks published on Monday that he had conveyed his stance to the ambassadors of the Quintet Committee, formed in 2023 and comprised of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, who wish to postpone the elections.

"I do not support the postponement or the extension of parliament's term," he added.

"I was the first to announce my nomination," Berri noted, explaining that he did so to block claims that he wanted to delay the elections and extend the term of parliament.

"This is a message to whom it may concern inside Lebanon and beyond: I am committed to seeing the elections through to the end," the top legislator pointed out, saying he had advised several members of his Amal movement to submit their candidacies.

Moreover, the speaker said the postponement "was not justified."

The elections will be held on time, and according to the current electoral law, he vowed.

"Those who want to postpone them should assume responsibility for their position and not blame it on others," Berri highlighted.

The major disagreement in parliament is over how Lebanese citizens abroad may vote from their country of residence for all 128 seats in the Legislature.

The current law allocates six specific seats for expats, but many parties - led by the Christian-based political party Lebanese Forces - are pushing to allow expats to vote for all the seats as they did in 2022.

Some lawmakers have already expressed skepticism about meeting the May deadline, citing the need for electoral reforms or security concerns.

Some officials have said that a "technical" delay is possible to allow expats to vote in Lebanon during their summer vacation.

Berri, on the other hand, insists that elections will be held on time, refusing any delay, even a technical one.

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In letter to Araghchi, Hamas outlines repeated Israeli violations of Gaza ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:26 AM

Hamas has provided a detailed report to Iran outlining repeated Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, urging mediators and the international community to compel Israel to fulfill its commitments under the deal.

In a letter addressed to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Muhammad Darwish, head of the Hamas leadership council, provided a complete report on the latest status of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Darwish stressed Hamas's full commitment to the ceasefire deal and outlined clear and repeated violations by Israel.

These, he said, include daily attacks on Palestinian areas, the continued killing of civiliansparticularly women and childrendetention of Palestinians, severe restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, obstruction of operations at the Rafah crossing, limitations on the movement of Palestinian civilians, and prevention of the reconstruction of vital infrastructure.

The Hamas official underscored the need for serious efforts by mediators and the international community to compel Israel to fulfill its obligations under the agreement.

He called for an immediate halt to the killing of Palestinians and violations of their rights, adherence to provisions related to humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza residents, lifting restrictions at the Rafah crossing and facilitating travel, allowing the entry of fuel, equipment, and machinery necessary for reconstruction, compliance with humanitarian norms, and an end to the torture and mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners.

In January, the White House published the names of the Gaza Strip's so-called "Board of Peace" members and the head of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), marking the launch of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza.

Trump has described it as an initiative aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza following the ceasefire that took effect as part of his plan in October 2025.

Trump chairs the board, which includes key members such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former UK prime minister Tony Blair.

Many goals outlined in Trump's 20-point plan have not fully materialized on the ground.

Phase one was intended to halt fighting immediately, facilitate the exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian abductees, establish boundaries for Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza, enable unrestricted humanitarian aid entry, and reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

The Israeli military has killed more than 600 Palestinians and injured over 1,600 others since the conclusion of the ceasefire, averaging nearly five deaths per day, according to Palestinian officials.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli genocidal war has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured nearly 172,000 more.

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Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349
Romania Cancels ID Cards For 100,000 Moldovans Amid Fictitious Address Scam

By Silvia Rotaru, Cristina Popusoi and Ionut Benea February 23, 2026

Two Moldovan lawyers met, became friends, got married -- and discovered they were both using the same fictitious address on their Romanian identity cards.

The story of Alina and Vadim Ignatiuc illustrates how a large portion of Moldova's 3-million population have acquired papers in neighboring Romania, a member of the European Union.

Now, Romania has decided to cancel these papers for 160,000 people, including 100,000 Moldovans.

Neighbors With Benefits

Romania and Moldova are tied by deep historical, cultural, and linguistic links.

Moldova was part of Romania prior to World War II, incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1945, and then became independent in 1991.

Since Romania became an EU member in 2007, there has been a surge of Moldovans taking advantage of Romanian laws giving them an easy path to citizenship.

Some 900,000 Moldovans have, quite legally, acquired Romanian passports. But having a Romanian ID card brings additional benefits such as access to Romanian banking services, a driving license, or receiving child-rearing allowances.

But for an ID card, you need an address in Romania -- and these were often, quite legally, provided by intermediaries.

22,000 People In A Shared Home

Some of the addresses used were uninhabited wrecks. Others were actual homes but could never have accommodated all of the people claiming to live there.

Dozens of addresses had more than 5,000 people registered, said Aurel-Catalin Giulescu, head of Romania's General Directorate of Population Registration (GDPR). One building, dubbed a "fictitious homes factory," registered more than 10,000 Moldovans.

There was even a case where 22,000 people were registered at the same address. Romanian law did not put any limits.

"There was the owner's agreement, and the owner gave his consent in front of the civil servant for each person taken into the space," Spiridon Mocanu, a Moldovan lawyer who has provided intermediary services, told RFE/RL.

Alina Ignatiuc used a different intermediary but was, like many others, not really living at the residential address being used for her ID papers.

"It was known that there were several of us at the same address and that it was not illegal," she told RFE/RL.

Alina and her husband live in Paris. It was there that they got a nasty surprise in March 2025 while visiting the Romanian Consulate to request Romanian ID documents for their child -- only to learn that their own Romanian papers had been canceled.

They had fallen victim to a change in Romanian law, introduced in 2023, putting a limit of 10 unrelated people who can be registered at a single address. The legislative amendment came amid fears that, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine the previous year, Romania would be vulnerable to infiltration by spies and saboteurs.

But Romanian authorities only began enforcing the new rules in earnest last year following a scandal in which a gang was alleged to be registering thousands of people not only from Moldova, but also Russia. The court case is ongoing.

How Many Russians?

As local media homed in on the story, the authorities in Bucharest refused to disclose how many Russian citizens had obtained Romanian citizenship over the past decade. Responding to a request from RFE/RL, the National Citizenship Authority would only say that 100,000 people "from the former Soviet space" -- excluding Moldova -- had gained Romanian passports between 2010 and 2025.

A problem associated with the rules change is that people have found themselves in bureaucratic delays. Maria Chitoroaga, 38, works in sales and purchased a home in Bucharest after getting citizenship in 2020. In December last year, she sought a new ID card based on her new address.

"I have my own home, bought a year ago, and I said I would get my ID card with a new address," she told RFE/RL. She said the authorities were still checking where she lives. "How hard can it be to verify a person in a digitalized country?"

The authorities say nobody has had their Romanian citizenship or passport canceled as a result of losing their identity card. Driving licenses are also not affected.

Some 20 percent of people who had their cards canceled between 2023 and 2025 have subsequently been able to renew them, according to the GDPR.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-cancels-id-cards- moldovans-fictitious-addresses/33683445.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Several States, Arab League, OIC Strongly Condemn A Series of Recent Israeli Decisions that Introduce Sweeping Extensions to Unlawful Israeli Control over the West Bank

Saudi Press Agency

Monday 06/09/1447

Riyadh, February 23, 2026, SPA -- We, the foreign ministers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the French Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Republic of Indonesia, Ireland, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of Norway, the State of Palestine, the Portuguese Republic, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Slovenia, the Kingdom of Spain, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Turkiye, and the Secretary Generals of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, condemn in the strongest terms a series of recent Israeli decisions that introduce sweeping extensions to unlawful Israeli control over the West Bank. Changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli 'state land', accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration.

We are clear that Israel's illegal settlements, and decisions designed to further them, are a flagrant violation of international law, including previous United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. These latest decisions are part of a clear trajectory that aims to change the reality on the ground and to advance unacceptable de facto annexation. They also undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region, including the 20 Point Plan for Gaza, and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration. We call on the Government of Israel to reverse them immediately, to respect its international obligations, and to refrain from actions that would result in permanent changes to the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian Territory.

These decisions follow the unprecedented acceleration of Israel's settlement policy, with the approval of the E1 project and the publication of its tender. Such actions are a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and the implementation of the two-State Solution. In that context, we reiterate our rejection of all measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem. We oppose any form of annexation.

In view of the alarming escalation in the West Bank, we also call on Israel to put an end to settler violence against Palestinians, including by holding those responsible accountable.

We reaffirm our commitment to taking concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territoryand policies and threats of forcible displacement and annexation.

In the Holy Month of Ramadan, we also stress the importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, recognizing the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship in this regard. We condemn repeated violations of the status quo in Jerusalem, which constitute a threat to regional stability.

The ministers call for the immediate release by Israel of the withheld tax revenues due to the Palestinian Authority. Those revenues must be transferred to the Palestinian Authority, according to the Paris Protocol, and they are vital for the provision of basic services for the Palestinian population in Gaza and in the West Bank.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the Two-State Solution, in line with the Arab Peace Initiative and relevant UN resolutions, based on the 4 June 1967 lines. As reflected in the New York Declaration, the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is imperative for regional peace, stability, and integration. Only by realizing an independent, sovereign and democratic Palestinian State can coexistence among the region's peoples and states be achieved.

-- SPA

22:25 Local Time 19:25 GMT

0090

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Greenland's Prime Minister on Trump Sending Hospital Ship to Island: 'No, Thanks'

Sputnik News

20260223

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen dismissed US President Donald Trump's idea of sending a hospital ship to the island, calling on the United States to engage in dialogue instead of posting "random comments" on social media.

Earlier, Trump announced that he was sending a floating hospital to Greenland to care for local residents, specifying that the vessel was "already on its way." On Sunday, the DR broadcaster reported that the Danish government was unaware of any plans to send a floating hospital from the US to the island, and Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen noted that there was no need for outside assistance.

"We say 'no, thank you.' We took note of President Trump's idea to send an American floating hospital to Greenland," Nielsen wrote on Facebook. *

The politician recalled that Greenland had free public healthcare, pointing out that this is not the case in the United States, where treatment is paid for.

"We are always open to dialogue and cooperation, including with the United States, but instead of posting more or less random comments on social media, just talk to us," Nielsen urged.

For her part, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that she was glad to live in a country where everyone had free and equal access to healthcare, with the same approach being used in Greenland.

On January 25, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz claimed that if a Greenlander were diagnosed with cancer today, it would be "darn near a death sentence." On January 27, Danish member of the European Parliament Henrik Dahl accused Waltz of lying, adding that he likely wasn't even ashamed of it.

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump has repeatedly stated that the island should become part of the United States. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have warned American authorities against seizing the island, stating that they expect respect for the Kingdom's territorial integrity.

*banned in Russia as extremist

 Sputnik

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Quad Supports First Open RAN Deployment in the Pacific, Advancing Trusted U.S. Digital Technologies in Palau

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

February 23, 2026

The Palau National Communications Corporation recently announced its selection of trusted suppliers to deploy Open Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies nationwide, and three U.S. companies were selected. This network represents the first Open RAN deployment in the Pacific - a major step forward for trusted telecommunications infrastructure in the region. This critical technology will enhance secure 4G and 5G connectivity, improve digital supply chain resilience, and create new business opportunities for American companies.

The Quad partnered with Palau on this landmark initiative. The United States, together with Quad partners Australia, India, and Japan, has pledged approximately USD $20 million to support secure, trusted, and resilient telecommunications infrastructure in Palau. The partnership will continue to advance digital and economic prosperity in the Pacific.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Dutch Foreign Minister Berendsen

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 23, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on the first day of his tenure. Secretary Rubio congratulated Foreign Minister Berendsen on his appointment, and the two leaders reaffirmed the close and continuing cooperation between the United States and the Netherlands. They discussed NATO, efforts to bring a negotiated end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Trump Administration's three-phase plan for Venezuela.

As the United States proudly celebrates 250 years of independence, we also mark 250 years of enduring friendship with the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Our nations are united by a shared dedication to freedom, democracy, and individual libertyprinciples that have shaped our historic bond. We extend our best wishes to Prime Minister Jetten and his cabinet for success in their new roles and express our hope for continued partnership with the people of the Netherlands.

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ICC judges assess case against Duterte over Philippines 'war on drugs' killings

By Vibhu Mishra

23 February 2026 - Judges at the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday opened a confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send him to trial on alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the country's so-called "war on drugs".

The confirmation hearing marks a pivotal step that will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.

The purpose of the four-day hearing, taking place in The Hague, is to determine whether there are "substantial grounds to believe" that Mr. Duterte committed the crimes charged by the ICC Prosecutor.

"The Chamber shall not take any decision with regard to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Duterte during this hearing," said Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the Presiding Judge.

The 80-year-old former leader also previously served as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City - one of the largest in the country.

He is suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder allegedly committed between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.

The charges and arrest

According to the prosecution, the case comprises three counts of crimes against humanity: murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral period allegedly carried out by the so-called "Davao Death Squad"; murders of so-called "high-value targets" during his presidential period; and murders and attempted murders in barangay (the lowest administrative division) clearance operations during his presidency.

"Mr. Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan to neutralise alleged criminals in the Philippines...through violent crimes, including murder," the courtroom officer said, reading out the prosecution's charges.

An arrest warrant was issued under seal on 7 March 2025 and reclassified four days later. On 12 March, Mr. Duterte was surrendered to the Court after being arrested by Philippine authorities. He remains at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen in the Netherlands.

Burden of proof

ICC suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

"The burden of proof is upon the OTP (Office of the ICC Prosecutor), which must produce sufficient evidence to prove the charges against Mr. Duterte at the required standard of proof," said Judge Motoc.

Victim participation

At the hearing, prosecutors - represented by Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang and senior trial lawyers - must support each charge with sufficient evidence. Mr. Duterte's defence team - led by Nicholas Kaufman - will also present arguments.

The legal representatives of the 539 victims will lay out their cases before the judges.

What happens next

Within 60 calendar days after the hearing concludes, the judges will issue a written decision on whether to proceed.

They may confirm some or all of the charges and commit the case to trial before a Trial Chamber; decline to confirm the charges and halt proceedings; or adjourn the hearing and request additional evidence or amendments.

The International Criminal Court

The ICC is a permanent international tribunal based in The Hague that prosecutes individuals accused of the gravest crimes under international law, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

It was established by the Rome Statute, a treaty adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002, which sets out the Court's jurisdiction, powers and procedures and binds the States that have ratified it.



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World News in Brief: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan, migrant deaths off Crete, call for justice in Brazil trial

23 February 2026 - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has received credible reports of civilian casualties following airstrikes carried out by Pakistan inside Afghanistan late on 21 February and into the early hours of the next day.

Preliminary information indicates at least 13 civilians were killed and seven injured in Nangarhar province, including women and children.

Further strikes

Additional strikes in Paktika province damaged buildings, including a madrassa - or school - and a residential property, though no casualties were reported there.

"UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life and injury."

The UN mission, which monitors civilian protection across Afghanistan, also reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Migrant boat capsizes off Crete, dozens feared dead or missing

At least 30 migrants are feared dead or missing after a boat capsized in severe weather off Greece on Saturday, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The vessel had departed from Tobruk on 19 February and overturned about 20 nautical miles south of Kali Limenes, on Crete.

Twenty people were rescued, including four minors. Authorities recovered the bodies of four victims.

More than 600 dead in 2026

The UN migration agency reports at least 606 migrants have died or gone missing along the Mediterranean Sea route so far this year  the deadliest start since records began in 2014.

The agency is urging stronger search and rescue operations, closer regional cooperation and expanded safe migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.

Brazil: UN rights experts call for justice and accountability ahead of murder trial

UN independent human rights experts on Monday called for justice for victims of "pervasive systemic racism, structural discrimination and violence" across Brazil, as the trial of the alleged architects of the 2018 murders of a Rio de Janeiro politician and her driver is set to begin before the Supreme Court.

"As we reach this long-awaited stage of the judicial process, it is vital that fairness and transparency are upheld and that full justice prevails" in the case against those accused of murdering councillor Mariella Franco and Anderson Gomes, the experts underscored.

"The trial represents not only the final chapter in the fight for justice for Franco and Gomes, but also an important milestone in addressing structural impunity for racism, intersectional discrimination and violence against human rights defenders, women, people of African descent and LGBTIQ+ persons in Brazil."

The brutal 2018 murders shocked Brazil and the international community. The road to justice has been long and arduous for families of the victims, the Human Rights Council-appointed experts noted.

Eight-year ordeal

"The fact that it has taken eight years to reach this final stage of the judicial process is in itself shocking," they said.

In 2024 the experts - who receive no salary for their work and are not UN staff - welcomed the convictions of some perpetrators of the murders, stressing that the convictions did not mark the end of the fight for justice for Franco and Gomes.

"To ensure full justice, accountability and non-repetition of violence, those involved in the planning and cover-up of the murders must be held accountable," they said.





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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Despite challenges, aid reaches more than 2 million people across Gaza

OCHA says that the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to deliver critical support to the more than two million people across the Gaza Strip, despite bureaucratic impediments.

The UN's partners leading on emergency shelter assistance report that, since 18 February, they have reached more than 7,700 families with tents, tarpaulins, sealing-off kits, mattresses, kitchen utensils, clothes and vouchers.

Partners reiterate the urgent need to transition to longer-term housing solutions to protect displaced families from the elements and restore privacy and dignity, as emergency shelter materials provide only temporary protection.

Education partners continue to enhance learning spaces. In the past two weeks alone, they have expanded or improved 160 temporary learning sites, reaching approximately 100,000 children.

The entry into Gaza of most learning materials remains restricted, delaying efforts for all children to continue their education. Students with disabilities face even greater barriers, as assistive devices are largely being prevented from getting in.

Humanitarian operations, which require coordination with Israeli authorities, continue in Gaza. Between 20-22 February, the UN coordinated 20 operations to pick up food, fuel, hygiene kits, medical supplies and other items from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings, carry out medical evacuations through Rafah, and support people returning home.

Sudan

Fatal drone strikes kill civilians and stop flow of critical aid in Sudan

OCHA is alarmed by continuing reports of attacks preventing supplies from reaching people in desperate need in the Kordofan region.

In recent days, authorities reported a strike on a convoy transporting food to Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, with three civilians reportedly killed in the attack.

Needs in Kadugli and Dilling have reached catastrophic levels. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification recently classified Kadugli as in being in famine, warning of similar conditions in Dilling. Rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained access to both locations, and across the broader Kordofan region is critical.

In a press release last week, Medecins Sans Frontieres says it treated nearly 170 patients for injuries relating to drone attacks over the first two weeks of February. Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted over the weekend that five attacks on health care in Sudan have already been reported this year, killing 69 people and injuring 49.

OCHA reiterates its calls for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, as well as for the parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

South Sudan

UN humanitarian chief spotlights need for protection of civilians

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, continues his visit in South Sudan. Today, he met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior and several Government ministers. In the meetings, Mr. Fletcher advocated for peace, humanitarian access and the protection of civilians and aid workers.

On 20 February, Fletcher travelled to Malakal in Upper Nile State, where he met representatives of the 45,000 people living in protracted displacement at a former protection of civilians site, which is now under Government responsibility. At the Bulukat Transit Centre, he spoke to South Sudanese families forced to return due to the war in neighbouring Sudan. People told him they want peace and security - and urgent support to rebuild their lives with dignity.

On Saturday, Fletcher travelled to opposition-held Akobo town in Jonglei State, which now hosts some 42,000 internally displaced people who have fled the fighting in Nyirol, Uror, Nasir and Ulang counties. He visited Akobo County Hospital, where doctors are working around the clock to treat people injured by the fighting. He met an 18-month-old child and a 70-year-old grandmother with gunshot wounds, and stressed in a social media post that civilians should never be a target. He also made a stopover in Bor and met humanitarian staff who have been relocated from Ulang county in Upper Nile due to the deteriorating security situation.

In Juba yesterday, he engaged with the diplomatic corps and with NGO representatives and religious leaders, who called for peace and accountability, and urged the Government to do more.

UN OCHA footage from the visit available on https://media.un.org/unifeed/en/asset/d353/d3537879

Ukraine

Continued attacks across Ukraine leave thosands freezing

Over the past three days, continued attacks across Ukraine have caused civilian casualties and further damaged homes and energy infrastructure.

Between 20 February and this morning, authorities report that nearly 20 civilians were killed and 90 injured, including 10 children.

Homes, schools, a church and critical infrastructure were damaged, along with energy infrastructure, leaving thousands more people without electricity and heating.

Health and education facilities have not been spared. Since February 2022, the WHO has verified more than 2,880 attacks on health care in Ukraine, while over 1,700 education facilities have been damaged or destroyed, according to UNICEF.

Humanitarian organizations mobilized emergency shelter, hot meals, psychosocial support and cash assistance.

Meanwhile, evacuations continue with nearly 860 people, including more than 280 children, having recently been moved from front-line communities in the Donetsk region.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Ukraine with urgent support.

Posted on 23 February 2026

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Collaborative Combat Aircraft program progresses through deliberate weapons integration testing

Published Feb. 23, 2026

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- The Air Force has entered the next phase of developmental testing for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, initiating disciplined weapons integration and captive carry evaluations using inert test munitions to validate airworthiness, safety and systems performance.

This milestone represents a deliberate step forward in integrating CCA into the Air Force's future force design. Captive carry testing with inert weapons evaluates the aircraft's ability to safely carry external stores, validates structural integrity and aerodynamic performance, and confirms compatibility between the aircraft and its weapons systems prior to any live employment considerations.

"We are following the same detailed approach used in every other aircraft developmental test program to validate structural performance, flight characteristics and safe separation," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. "This ensures the CCA can safely integrate inert weapons before future employment."

The CCA program is designed to deliver affordable, risk-tolerant aircraft that operate as part of a human-machine team, extending the reach, survivability and effectiveness of crewed platforms in contested environments.

CCA program officials emphasized that this phase remains developmental and focused on safe systems integration  not operational employment. The use of inert test weapons allows engineers and test pilots to evaluate performance characteristics and separation safety in a controlled environment without live ordnance.

"CCA is a critical part of a larger, integrated system-of-systems that will give our warfighters the overwhelming advantage," Wilsbach said. "This program is about delivering a network of effects that will sense, strike and shield our forces in contested environments. We are empowering our teams to take smart risks and deliver this capability faster, ensuring we can deter, and if necessary, defeat any adversary."

Throughout development and testing, a human retains authority over weapons release decisions. CCA is designed to operate within established command structures and legal frameworks that govern all Air Force weapons systems.

By advancing weapons integration testing in a deliberate and transparent manner, the Air Force continues to modernize its force to deter aggression, defend the nation and uphold its commitment to responsible innovation.

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DAF increases B-21 Raider production capacity to deliver combat capability faster

Published Feb. 23, 2026

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

AURORA, Colo. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman Corp. have reached an agreement to expand production capacity for the B-21 Raider, accelerating delivery of the Air Force's next-generation stealth bomber fleet.

The agreement applies $4.5 billion in funding already authorized and appropriated under the fiscal year 2025 reconciliation legislation, commonly referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." This agreement accelerates the approved acquisition profile by increasing annual production capacity by 25%, compressing delivery timelines while preserving cost and performance discipline.

"This is what disciplined acquisition delivers," said Gen. Dale R. White, director, Critical Major Weapon Systems and direct reporting portfolio manager to the Deputy Secretary of War. "This decision reflects our confidence in the program's performance and the stability of the industrial base. By increasing production capacity now, we are responsibly accelerating delivery of a critical, combat-effective capability to the warfighter."

The B-21 program delivered aircraft on schedule in 2025 and remains on track for aircraft on the ramp at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in 2027. The accelerated production agreement builds on that demonstrated performance, translating program stability into faster fielding of combat capability.

"The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability and to credible deterrence," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "Accelerating production capacity now ensures we deliver operational capability to combatant commanders faster  strengthening our ability to outpace, deter, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats. This is disciplined execution at the speed the security environment demands."

Currently executing flight test, the long-range, penetrating strike aircraft is designed to operate in the most contested environments and hold any target at risk. The B-21 integrates advanced stealth, resilient networking, and a modern, data-driven command and control architecture  ensuring the Joint Force retains a decisive advantage in an increasingly complex battlespace.

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DAF exploring lease opportunities for data centers in Alaska

Published Feb. 23, 2026

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force is gauging general interest in offering land for lease for large-scale commercial-use data center construction at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base or Clear Space Force Station, all in Alaska.

The potential data centers would also include associated utility infrastructure and energy generation such as battery and fuel storage, distribution infrastructure, fiber communications and water-efficient cooling technologies.

The Request for Information, issued on Feb. 17, will help the DAF gather information from potential vendors before initiating a formal procurement process. Authorities will use the information to explore market capabilities, understand industry trends and make informed decisions about land use.

The DAF is taking this step in support of President Trump's critical national defense and domestic objectives of Removing Barriers To American AI Innovation (Executive Order (EO) 14179), Declaring a National Energy Emergency (EO 14156), and Unleashing American Energy (EO 14154).

Interested parties have until March 13 to submit a response and should email afcec.EUL@us.af.mil indicating their intention to submit a response.

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Shaheed: The Iranian Shia Theology of Martyrdom

The Arabic word shaheed -- more commonly transliterated shahid or shaheed in Persian usage -- carries a semantic density that the English word "martyr" only partially captures. Its root, from the trilateral Arabic stem sh-h-d, means "to witness" or "to bear witness." In classical Quranic usage, the word appears overwhelmingly in this primary sense: a witness in a legal or moral context, one who testifies to truth. Only gradually, through the accretion of hadith commentary and legal interpretation over the first centuries of Islamic scholarship, did the term acquire its secondary and in the Iranian Shia context ultimately dominant meaning: one who dies in the path of God, al-Shahada fi sabil Allah. Understanding the witness-meaning embedded in the word is not a linguistic footnote; it is essential to grasping why the concept carries the weight it does in Shia political and spiritual life. The shaheed is not merely someone who has been killed. He or she is someone whose death constitutes testimony -- an act of witnessing, through the sacrifice of life, to a truth that could not be adequately expressed in words alone.

In Sunni tradition, martyrdom carries great honor and the promise of paradise, but it has never acquired the architecturally central role that it holds in Twelver Shia Islam. The difference is not incidental. It flows directly from the catastrophe that defined Shia identity as a distinct religious community: the killing of Hussain ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala in what is reckoned in the Islamic calendar as Muharram 10, year 61 -- the tenth of October 680 in the Gregorian reckoning. In a fundamental sense, Shia Islam is the religious tradition constituted by that event. Everything else -- the theology, the law, the ritual calendar, the political thought, the poetry -- is commentary on, response to, or elaboration of the meaning of Karbala and the witness Hussain bore there.

Karbala and the Founding Paradigm

The bare historical facts of Karbala are not in scholarly dispute. Hussain, having refused to pledge allegiance to the Umayyad Caliph Yazid I -- whom he regarded as corrupt, impious, and politically illegitimate -- traveled from Medina toward Kufa in Iraq, where supporters had promised him a following. That support evaporated before he arrived. Isolated with a small party of family members and loyal companions on the plain of Karbala, Hussain was surrounded by a substantially larger Umayyad army. Offered the choice of submission or death, he chose death. He, his male relatives, and his companions were killed on the day of Ashura; the women and children of his party were taken captive to Damascus. Among the dead was his infant son Ali Asghar, struck by an arrow while Hussain held the child in his arms and appealed for water.

What Shia theology has made of these events over fourteen centuries is the subject of an enormous literature. The scholar Michael Fischer, writing in the context of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, introduced the concept of the Karbala Paradigm to describe the way in which this single historical event functions as a template, a lens, and a set of moral norms applicable to every subsequent historical situation. The paradigm does not merely supply a story of heroic death; it supplies a complete framework for interpreting political oppression, personal sacrifice, the relationship between the individual and the community, and the nature of legitimate authority. Hussain did not die accidentally or passively. He chose his death with full knowledge of its inevitability, in order to unmask the illegitimacy of Yazid's rule and to preserve the moral integrity of the Muslim community even at the cost of his life. His death was, in the fullest sense of the word, a witness: a testimony to the world that truth has a price, and that some truths are worth the price.

The Iranian thinker Ali Shariati, whose lectures in the years before the 1979 revolution proved enormously influential in politicizing Shia symbolism for a new generation, argued that Hussain's martyrdom was not a passive acceptance of victimhood but an active, conscious choice to transform death into a revolutionary act. In Shariati's reading, Hussain understood that he could not win militarily but that his death, witnessed and remembered, would be more powerful than any military victory. The martyr, in this framework, speaks to future generations through the act of dying; his testimony outlasts the specific political moment of his sacrifice and becomes available as moral capital to every generation that confronts a similar choice between submission and resistance. Shariati's lectures, published in collections widely circulated in Iran and across the Shia diaspora, gave the revolution a theological vocabulary that Khomeini's more strictly jurisprudential formulations alone might not have provided.

The Legal and Spiritual Dimensions

In the formal jurisprudence of Twelver Shia Islam, the shaheed has a specific legal standing that sets him apart from other categories of the dead. The martyr killed in battle -- the shaheed in the strictest jurisprudential sense -- does not require the ritual washing of the body, the ghusl, that Islamic law otherwise mandates before burial. He is buried in the clothes in which he died, the blood of his wounds constituting a kind of sacred seal. The rationale is that the martyr has already been purified by his sacrifice; the ritual preparation required for ordinary death would be redundant or even inappropriate. This legal distinction is not merely a technicality. It expresses a theological claim: the shaheed occupies a different ontological status from the ordinary dead. He is, in the Quranic formulation that is repeatedly cited in this context, not dead but living, sustained in the presence of God.

The broader spiritual understanding encompasses categories beyond those killed in battle. Islamic jurisprudence has developed extensive lists of conditions -- dying while seeking knowledge, dying in defense of one's family, dying of plague, dying in childbirth -- that qualify a person for the designation of martyr in a general sense, even if not the strict legal category. In Iranian Shia practice, this expansion has been politically significant. During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980 to 1988, the Islamic Republic's government and religious establishment designated vast numbers of soldiers killed in combat as shuhada (the Arabic plural of shaheed), with all the theological and social weight that status carries. The families of the shuhada received special designations, pensions, and social honor; the names of the fallen were inscribed on the walls of mosques, schools, and public buildings throughout Iran; and their graves, often marked with photographs and the green banners associated with martyrdom, became sites of annual pilgrimage by families and communities. The landscape of Iran was, in a quite literal physical sense, reorganized around the geography of martyrdom.

Ashura, Ta'zieh, and the Ritual Reenactment of Suffering

The ritual dimension of Shia martyrdom theology centers on the annual commemoration of Karbala during the first ten days of Muharram, culminating on the Day of Ashura -- the anniversary of Hussain's death. In Iran, Ashura is one of the most important days in the civic and religious calendar; commercial activity largely ceases, and public processions involving thousands or millions of participants fill the streets of cities and villages. Participants beat their chests, chant elegies for Hussain, and in some communities engage in more extreme physical expressions of grief, though the mainstream religious establishment has in the post-revolutionary period discouraged self-flagellation in favor of the more restrained chest-beating known as sineeh-zani and the communal lamentation known as rowzeh-khani.

The theatrical tradition of ta'zieh -- passion plays reenacting the events of Karbala -- has deep roots in Iranian culture and was a significant vehicle for shaping popular religious sensibility over centuries. In the classical ta'zieh performances, the martyrs are dressed in white and gold (colors associated with purity and paradise), while the forces of Yazid wear red. The plays do not attempt to build dramatic suspense about an outcome the audience knows as well as they know their own names; the power lies instead in the intensity of the identification they induce between the audience and the suffering of Hussain and his companions. Scholars of Shia ritual have described the weeping that attends these performances not as mere emotional release but as a form of participation in the original event -- a way of being present, across the centuries, as a witness to the witness Hussain bore.

The forty-day period following Ashura ends on the day known as Arbaeen, marking the anniversary of the arrival of Hussain's family as captives in Karbala after their march from Damascus. In recent decades, the Arbaeen pilgrimage walk to Karbala from the holy city of Najaf in Iraq has grown into what is claimed to be among the largest peaceful human gatherings on earth, with millions of participants -- predominantly Iranian but also from Iraq, Lebanon, and the broader Shia world -- walking on foot over several days. The pilgrimage is not merely commemorative in a passive sense. Participants report it as an experience of radical identification with the march of Hussain's family, a bodily reenactment of suffering and witness that cannot be achieved through spectacle alone. Iranian state television covers the event extensively, and the Islamic Republic regards the pilgrimage as a major expression of the vitality of the Shia world and the centrality of Iran within it.

From Quietism to Revolutionary Mobilization

The political uses of martyrdom theology in Iran underwent a fundamental transformation in the twentieth century. For most of Shia history, the dominant approach to the meaning of Hussain's death was quietist: Karbala was a tragedy that could be mourned and commemorated but not emulated, because no living authority possessed the legitimacy of the Imam to authorize a similar stand against worldly power. The grief expressed in Ashura rituals was real, but it was grief in the face of injustice, not a call to reproduce the act of martyrdom. The proper response to Hussain's death, on this understanding, was not to seek one's own martyrdom but to preserve the community of the faithful until the return of the Hidden Imam, who alone could authorize righteous political action.

Khomeini's revolution overturned this quietism by arguing that the waiting period itself was a form of complicity with injustice -- that the proper lesson of Karbala was not grief but action. He reframed the Shah in terms of Yazid, the tyrant whose illegitimacy Hussain had exposed through his sacrifice, and cast the revolutionary struggle as a continuation of Hussain's witness. In doing so, he made martyrdom not merely admirable but politically available -- a mode of action that ordinary Iranians could aspire to and that the revolution required. The Iran-Iraq War provided a catastrophic testing ground for this mobilization. The Islamic Republic sent hundreds of thousands of young men -- many of them volunteers, some of them very young -- to the front with keys around their necks, reportedly symbolizing their readiness to enter paradise. The theological framing of the war as a defense of the revolution and therefore of the Islamic order made death in combat not merely honorable but spiritually transformative.

The sociologist Reza Afshari and other analysts have noted the tension within this mobilization between the genuine popular religiosity that motivated many of the young men who volunteered for the front and the institutional uses to which the state put that religiosity. The Islamic Republic's government produced a vast quantity of martyrdom literature -- posters, films, songs, literary collections -- that simultaneously expressed real grief and served as instruments of state mobilization. The distinction between authentic religious feeling and state instrumentalization of religious symbolism is real but not always clean: the sincerity of individual martyrs does not depend on the political calculations of the state that honored them, and the state's calculations did not eliminate the genuine theological content of the sacrifice.

Martyrdom as Witnessing in the Contemporary Moment

The concept of the shaheed remains actively operative in Iranian political and religious discourse in the post-revolutionary period, including in the context of the confrontation with the United States. When the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a United States drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in January 2020, the Iranian state responded by designating him a shaheed and organizing the largest public funeral processions seen in Iran since the death of Khomeini himself. The death of Soleimani was framed not as a military setback -- though it was that -- but as a martyrdom in the Karbala tradition: a witness borne at cost to the truth of the resistance. His image was added to the iconographic landscape of Iranian public space alongside those of Hussain, Khomeini, and the war martyrs of the 1980s.

The verses that circulated in state-aligned Iranian media around the February 2026 Geneva negotiations -- "We are leaves; we will fall at the foot of this tree" -- draw on the same well of imagery. The leaf that falls does not choose to fall; it is in the nature of leaves to fall. But the tree endures. The individual martyrdom is not meaningful in isolation; it is meaningful as part of the life of the larger organism, the community of the faithful and the cause they serve. This is precisely the witness theology implicit in the word shaheed: not the cult of individual death for its own sake, but the subordination of the individual life to a testimony that transcends it. Whether one regards this as inspiring or alarming -- and Western analysts have tended toward the latter -- it represents a coherent and internally consistent set of commitments that has proved capable of motivating extraordinary sacrifices for nearly half a century of Islamic Republic rule, and for fourteen centuries before that.

Notes The semantic history of shahid from "witness" to "martyr" is treated in Cambridge University Press materials on martyrdom in Islam. The Quran uses the root sh-h-d in the witness sense overwhelmingly, with the specifically martyrological meaning developing primarily through hadith and jurisprudence. See also the al-Islam.org primary sources. Michael Fischer's "Karbala Paradigm" formulation appears in his foundational ethnographic study: Fischer, Michael M. J., Iran: From Religious Dispute to Revolution (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1980). The paradigm "provided a psychology of stoic determination to fight for social justice even against overwhelming odds." Ali Shariati's lectures on martyrdom are available in English translation through al-Islam.org. His formulation that the martyr transforms death into revolutionary act proved enormously influential in the pre-revolutionary generation. The legal status of the shaheed, including exemption from ritual washing, is discussed in the wikishia.net entry on martyrdom and in standard Twelver jurisprudential sources. The scale of the Arbaeen pilgrimage and its significance in Iranian state religious life is covered by Middle East Eye and other regional news sources. The making of martyrdom in modern Twelver Shiism -- the shift from quietism to political activism -- is analyzed in depth in Hashemi's academic study reviewed in Middle East Monitor.

Selected Sources Shariati, Ali. "Martyrdom: Arise and Bear Witness." Al-Islam.org. https://al-islam.org/martyrdom-arise-and-bear-witness-ali-shariati/martyrdom

"Martyrdom." Wikishia -- Encyclopedia of Shia Islam. https://en.wikishia.net/view/Martyrdom

"Karbala in Shi'i Ritual." Oxford Bibliographies: Islamic Studies. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195390155/

"The Making of Martyrdom in Modern Twelver Shi'ism." Middle East Monitor, August 2, 2022. https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220802-the-making-of-martyrdom-in-modern-twelver-shiism/

"What is Arbaeen and How Do Shia Muslims Mark It?" Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/arbaeen-shia-muslims-what-how-marked

Dehlvi, Ghulam Rasool. "Understanding the Islamic Concept of Martyrdom (Shahadat)." New Age Islam. https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/

Fischer, Michael M. J. Iran: From Religious Dispute to Revolution. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1980. (Cited in Oxford Bibliographies treatment of the Karbala Paradigm.)

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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 February 2026 - Day 1461

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

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that The Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 100 combat clashes.

According to the information, the Russian opponent made 70 air strikes, dropped 181 controlled air bombs. In addition, used 5774 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,336 shells on settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy launched one air strike, dropping one KAB, carrying out 68 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian units, including six from the reactive systems of salvage fire.

In the South Slobozhans komu direction, the Russian opponent twice attacked towards Grafsky and Kutkivka. One battle is going on.

Two attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Kupyansky direction, in the area of Pi any.

In the Lyman direction Ukrainian soldiers stopped five attacks, in the area of drobisevogo and in the direction of novosergiiivka, shiikivka, lyman.

In the Slavic direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian attempts to advance in the areas of Platonivka, Zakitnogo.

In the Kramators komu direction, at the moment Russian offensive actions have not been recorded.

In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian occupiers today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 14 times near the settlements of Kleban-Bik, Scherbinivka, Ivanopilya, Sofiyivka, Berestok and towards Konstyantinivka, Novopavlivka.

TheRussian enemy committed 19 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements Rodinske, Pokrovsk, Udacne, Shahove and towards the settlement of Shevchenko.

According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction, Ukrainian soldiers killed 44 Russian invaders and wounded 22; destroyed a tank, 76 unmanned aircraft, an artillery system, a ground robotic complex, two car transport units, nine special equipment units, two BPLA control points and a PMM warehouse. An artillery system, two radio-electronic combat stations, ten units of vehicle equipment, three control points of AMPLA and nine Russian personnel shelters were affected.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped ten Russian attacks in the area of the settlement of Ternovo and towards Vyshnevoye. The airstrikes were hit by the areas of the settlements of Gavrilivka, Velikomikhailivka, Prosyana, Levadne, Pokrovsk.

14 attacks of occupiers took place in the Gulyaipil direction - in the areas of Gulyaipol and towards Varvarivka, Zaliznychny. The two clashes are still ongoing. Russian airstrikes were hit by the settlements of Vozdvizhivka, Mirne, Gulyaipilske, Novoselivka, Charm, Valley, Lugivs ke, Lyubytske, Katerynivka.

In the Orihiv direction of Russian enemies offensive actions was not recorded. Air strikes controlled by air bombs were affected by the settlements of nuts and veselyanka.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Defense Forces repelled one Russian attack.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade were hit near Proletarskoye, Miropolye, Khoten, Iskriskovshchina, and Novodmitrovka (Sumy region).

In Kharkov region, units of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade have been hit near Krasny Yar, Grafskoye, and Maryino (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 225 troops, 11 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, a Verba MLRS combat vehicle, and four materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, an airmobile brigade of the AFU and two national guard brigades close to Borovaya, Novoosinovo, Nechvolodovka, Monachinovka (Kharkov region), Krasny Liman, and Aleksandrovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 195 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles including one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, and four artillery guns. One electronic warfare station and three ammunition depots were neutralised.

The Yug Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, and a motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Malinovka, Reznikova, Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk, Konstantinovka, and Nikiforovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost over 140 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and five field artillery pieces including four Western-made guns. In addition, two electronic warfare stations and three materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Three mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, an infantry brigade, two airmobile brigades, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, a territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades have been hit close to Kutuzovka, Belitskoye, Dobropolye, Sergeyevka, Novoaleksandrovka, Kucherov Yar of the Donetsk People's Republic, Mezhevaya, and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 390 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, and one artillery gun.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on formations of a mechanised brigade, two air assault brigades, an assault brigade, and three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Vozdvizhevka, Lyubitskoye, Lesnoye, Novonikolayevka (Zaporozhye region), Pokrovskoye, Prosyanaya, Novoleksandrovka, and Novoskelevatoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The enemy lost up to 355 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, and four field artillery guns.

The Dnepr Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade and a mountain assault brigade of the AFU near Kirovo and Kamyshevakha (Zaporozhye region).

More than 50 troops, 15 motor vehicles, three electronic warfare stations, one Israeli-made counter-fire radar, and an ammunition depot were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on transport, power, and fuel facilities used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as well as temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and foreign mercenaries in 148 areas.

Air defence systems shot down seven guided aerial bombs, 21 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, a Neptune long-range missile, and 541 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 116,804 unmanned aerial vehicles, 650 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,835 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,671 MLRS combat vehicles, 33,445 field artillery guns and mortars, and 55,079 support military vehicles.

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Mexican drug lord killed in US-assisted raid, Chinese Embassy issues security advisory; eradicating drug cartels needs to address root issues, says expert

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Feb 23, 2026 07:01 PM

Chinese Embassy in Mexico reminded Chinese citizens in the country to stay alert to local security situation on Monday, following violent clashes erupting across Mexico after death of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," described by media outlets as the powerful and long-pursued head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the world's most-wanted traffickers.

What made this operation special is that a new US-military-led task force specializing in intelligence collection on drug cartels played a role in the Mexican military raid on Sunday, according to a Reuters report.

Mexican authorities killed the drug lord during an operation designed to capture him in the western state of Jalisco. Mexico's Ministry of National Defense confirmed the operation in a statement on Sunday, stating it left seven cartel members dead. The military also arrested two more cartel members and seized armored vehicles and weapons, including rocket launchers, media reports said.

The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel, which involves multiple US government agencies, was formally launched last month with the goal of mapping out networks of drug cartel members on both sides of the US-Mexico border, per Reuters.

This operation represents a concrete implementation under the US-Mexico bilateral security cooperation framework, Pan Deng, director of the Latin America and Caribbean Region Law Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Monday.

With the fentanyl crisis spiraling in the US, Washington has consistently treated Mexican cartels as a national security threat, and in the short term, this operation will push the Mexican government, with US backing, to launch targeted crackdowns against the drug group remnants and reinforce security in high-risk areas to contain retaliatory violence, said Pan.

Pan told the Global Times that the US participation enhanced the operation's immediate effectiveness. However, he noted that Washington's involvement in Mexico's internal security operations inevitably touches upon the sovereign autonomy of Latin American nations. It lays bare the persistent asymmetry in hemispheric security cooperationa dynamic fundamentally at odds with the region's long-term need for equal consultation and independent governance.

The operation set off a wave of violence, with torched cars and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, according to Reuters.

The Chinese embassy notice released on early Monday, read that on February 22, relatively serious public security incidents occurred in several Mexican states, including Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Guanajuato, Colima, Baja California, and Tamaulipas. Relevant state governments have issued red alerts or advisories, urging residents to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid going out. They have also announced the suspension of public transportation services and some public activities.

Mexico's Federal Ministry of Communications and Transportation has issued a warning advising the public to avoid traveling on federal highways in the affected states, and to drive with extreme caution if travel is absolutely necessary, the embassy said in the notice.

The Chinese Embassy and consulates in Mexico are closely monitoring the public security situation in the affected areas and remind Chinese citizens and institutions in Mexico to remain highly vigilant, pay close attention to notices and announcements issued by local government authorities, and strictly comply with them. In the event of an emergency, Chinese citizens are reminded to promptly call the local police and contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in Mexico as appropriate, the notice said.

As a result of the violence in Mexico, several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada, cancelled flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, leaving some tourists temporarily stranded, a CNN report said.

During the military operation, Jalisco local governor urged residents to remain in their homes and said that public transportation services in Jalisco would be suspended "until the situation is under control."

The US State Department also warned US citizens in several Mexican states, including in the tourist destination Puerto Vallarta, to shelter in place, Forbes said in a report.

Killing a cartel leader may trigger internal power regroup, but not collapse, Pan added, noting that the deeper drivers including poverty, corruption, weak institutions, and America's huge drug demand remain untouched. Addressing it at its source requires focusing on fundamental problems such as uneven development and social welfare guarantees.

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Death Toll From Riots After El Mencho Arrest in Mexico Reaches 26 - Reports

Sputnik News

20260223

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - At least 26 people died in Mexico during the operation targeting Jalisco New Generation cartel leader El Mencho and the ensuing riots, La Jornada newspaper reported.

A pregnant woman and 17 security officers fell victim to the wave of armed violence, the newspaper reported.

So far, 27 people have been arrested in connection with the events following the unrest, according to the report.

On February 22, the Mexican Defense Ministry announced an operation to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, who died from injuries sustained while being transported to Mexico City. This was followed by car fires, roadblocks, and attacks on security forces in dozens of cities and municipalities.

The United States has provided intelligence to the Mexican Defense Ministry for the operation targeting Jalisco New Generation cartel leader known as El Mencho, White House press secretary Karoline Levitt said on Monday.

On Sunday, the Mexican Defense Ministry announced an operation to capture El Mencho, who died from injuries sustained while being transported to Mexico City. This was followed by car fires, roadblocks, and attacks on security forces in dozens of cities and municipalities.

"The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated," Leavitt wrote on X.

She added that El Mencho had been a key target for both the US and Mexican governments and was a major supplier of fentanyl to the United States.

Last year, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington was designating a host of drug cartels as global terrorist organizations. Among them, Tren de Aragua, Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel del Noreste, Carteles Unidos, MS-13 and the Jalisco New Generation.

 Sputnik

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National Terrorism Threat Level unchanged but described as POSSIBLE under updated language

New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Posted February 24, 2026

New Zealand's National Terrorism Threat Level (terrorism threat level) remains unchanged following an annual review by the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG), an inter-agency group hosted and led by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS).

Using newly updated language, the terrorism threat level is assessed as POSSIBLE which is equivalent to the previous level of LOW. The change in language, previously signalled by the NZSIS, reflects efforts to explain the terrorism threat level in a more meaningful and accessible way for the public.

The terrorism threat level is formally reviewed annually, but can change at any time based on events and the current intelligence picture for New Zealand. It considers the domestic terrorism context and relevant international threat factors, drawing on both classified intelligence and publicly available information.

"For some time NZSIS has talked publicly about the deteriorating global threat environment, and we have seen that deterioration continue," says Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton.

"We are not yet at a point where the impact of this on New Zealand requires a change in our domestic terrorism threat level, but we are dealing with increasing complexities which makes it harder to detect terrorism threats.

"Although the terrorism threat level remains unchanged, we should not be complacent. A small number of individuals in New Zealand continue to express intent to undertake an act of violent extremism. Some almost certainly have access to the basic capabilities needed to carry out an attack.

"The threat level of POSSIBLE is exactly what it says under our new language - a terrorist attack in New Zealand is assessed as possible. This is something we should all be concerned about.

"When we talk about increasing complexity, we mean a growing crossover of ideological and non-ideological violence, and a greater 'shopping around' between different ideologies by individuals. Individuals fixated on violence with mixed, unstable or unclear ideological perspectives remain a particular concern. It is also getting harder to determine whether violent extremist individuals are ideologically driven, or just fixated on violence in itself.

"It is also important to note that, as we've previously said, there is no one ideology which dominates in the New Zealand threat environment. We see in our investigations White Identity-Motivated Violent Extremism, Faith-Motivated Violent Extremism and individuals motivated by radical political ideologies or online conspiracy theories.

"International events, including attacks offshore, continue to feature in online extremist narratives. This enables people to connect without knowing the real identities and motivations of others they are dealing with. However, generally speaking we are not seeing this progressing from online rhetoric to violence targeted within New Zealand. We do remain concerned about how young people are being exposed to violent extremism in the online environment.

"The most likely form of attack in New Zealand remains someone acting alone, who has radicalised online, uses basic weapons such as a knife or vehicle and takes steps to avoid detection.

"As I've said many times NZSIS is not all seeing and all knowing, and nor should we be in our democracy. We work closely with domestic and international partners, but national security is not exclusively owned by us. The public has a vital role to play. I encourage everyone to check out the range of resources we have available, including our guide to recognising the signs of violent extremism [PDF, 2.4 MB].

"If you have information of concern you want to tell us about then get in touch - and call Police on 111 if there is an urgent threat to public safety." said Mr Hampton.

New threat level definition language

The Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG) has adopted new language to define the national terrorism threat level. This change was signalled by NZSIS in 2024.

The new definitions aim to explain the terrorism threat level in a more meaningful and accessible way for the public. NZSIS was also aware that some communities did not feel the old definitions were a true reflection of the threats they faced.

The new definitions retain the five levels as previously used, but with new language for each level.

While the current threat level remains unchanged, the previous level of LOW is now POSSIBLE under the new language.

Here are the new and previous threat definitions for direct comparison.

New CTAG definitions

Likelihood assessment Threat level Terrorist attack is assessed as almost certain EXPECTED Terrorist attack is assessed as highly likely HIGHLY LIKELY Terrorist attack is assessed as likely LIKELY Terrorist attack is assessed as possible POSSIBLE Terrorist attack is assessed as unlikely UNLIKELY

Previous CTAG definitions (pre-2026)

Likelihood assessment Threat level Terrorist attack is expected EXTREME Terrorist attack is assessed as highly likely HIGH Terrorist attack is assessed as feasible and could well occur MEDIUM Terrorist attack is assessed as a realistic possibility LOW Terrorist attack is assessed as unlikely VERY LOW

End

Background

The National Terrorism Threat Level has been unchanged since November 2022. The current level is POSSIBLE - previously described as LOW under old language. The National Terrorism Threat Level is continually assessed by the Combined Threat Assessment Group (CTAG) and can change at any time in response to global and domestic events and intelligence reporting. It is also subject to an annual review. The National Terrorism Threat Level informs relevant government agencies about the likelihood of a terrorist attack in New Zealand to ensure that they are appropriately placed to mitigate any risks. However, it has become increasingly used by NZSIS as part of ongoing engagement with communities and sectors to raise awareness of national security risks. Assessment of the National Terrorism Threat Level is carried out in consultation with agencies including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, New Zealand Police, Department of Corrections, New Zealand Defence Force, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

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China launches more than 120 remote-sensing satellites in 2025, ranks second globally

Global Times

By Chen Qingrui Published: Feb 23, 2026 09:09 PM

China launched more than 120 remote-sensing satellites in 2025, bringing the number of civilian remote-sensing satellites in orbit to more than 640, continuing to rank second globally, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday. The satellites have enabled all-weather, round-the-clock Earth observation.

The nation's commercial remote-sensing satellite sector has sustained rapid growth. Significant progress has been made in technological breakthroughs, constellation networking and application expansion, the report said. These achievements have been underpinned by the accelerated clustering and concerted efforts across China's commercial satellite industry chain.

At China's first commercial space launch site, the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in South China's Hainan Province, construction continued through the Spring Festival holidays as crews pressed ahead toward an ambitious target of achieving 60 launches per year.

The main structure of the second-phase project at the launch site has been completed and the project will next enter the equipment installation and commissioning stage, China Media Group (CMG) reported on Monday. By the end of this year, the No.3 and No.4 dual launch pads are expected to become operational. Together with the two pads from the first phase, the four pads will have an annual launch capacity of 60 missions.

At the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site located in Wenchang, another satellite launch base in Hainan, commercial aerospace development goes beyond launch facilities. The city has attracted more than 700 aerospace enterprises. One company is building a rocket propulsion system test base, with work continuing during the Spring Festival holidays to accelerate progress. The facility, which functions as a "physical examination center" for rockets, is expected to be operational by June this year, according to CMG.

With launch sites such as the one in Wenchang emerging as core hubs, companies are no longer operating in isolation, said Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences. Through high-level spatial clustering, research and development, testing and launch activities are now seamlessly integrated, significantly reducing coordination costs and improving overall efficiency, he told the Global Times on Monday.

As commercial aerospace continues to thrive, space tourism is becoming increasingly integrated into the sector's development.

Since 2025, Wenchang has received more than 1 million visitors who traveled to watch rocket launches. During each launch window, nearby homestays are fully booked.

Commercial aerospace was included in the government work report for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025, and the proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period explicitly call for working faster to boost China's strength in aerospace. A steady stream of supportive policies has continued to inject momentum into the sector's development.

Wang said that the sector's growth model is shifting from being driven mainly by national missions to being led by market demand. The involvement of commercial players has accelerated iteration in key areas such as rocket propulsion testing, while a mass-production mindset is reshaping aerospace manufacturing.

He added that China's commercial satellite industry is entering a phase of frequent constellation deployment and rapid application expansion. As commercial launch capacity is fully released, large-scale satellite networking will become routine, and the use of low-Earth orbit resources will accelerate. Satellite data will evolve from a niche resource into essential infrastructure, integrated with autonomous driving, the low-altitude economy and mass communications, he said.

In 2025, China conducted 50 commercial space launches, accounting for 54 percent of the country's total space missions for the year, data from the China National Space Administration showed. A total of 311 commercial satellites were placed into orbit, representing 84 percent of all satellites launched by China in 2025, the administration said.

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U.S. Space Forces Southern collaborates with space industry in radar site visit

United States Space Force

Published Feb. 23, 2026

By Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves

Air Forces Southern Public Affairs

PEARCE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Forces Southern Guardians met with commercial space industry representatives during a radar facility visit Feb. 17. The engagement focused on potential integration opportunities for increased space domain awareness through advancing radar technology and global expansion into the Western Hemisphere.

The visit marked the first time SPACEFOR-SOUTH conducted an official engagement at the commercial radar site in Pearce. Guardians received demonstrations of the radar's capabilities and discussed how private-sector technologies could support Space Force missions to enhance space superiority.

"Radar data provided by commercial companies adds significant value to the U.S. Space Force," said Capt. Justin Lee, Space Systems Command liaison to Space Forces Southern and U.S. Southern Command. "Private industry can provide access to data from strategically valuable locations around the world."

Lee noted that SPACEFOR-SOUTH continues to assess how commercial space capabilities may complement military systems. A better understanding of the commercial market allows the component command to advocate for expanding access to space-related capabilities and information sharing among partner nations in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Commercial partnerships contribute to space operations and command and control efforts. This includes, tracking satellite positions, identifying systems, understanding their functions, and assessing potential risks to U.S. assets in orbit. It also supports critical systems such as GPS and navigation services used by consumers worldwide.



U.S. Space Forces Southern Guardians meet with commercial space industry representatives in Pearce, Arizona, Feb. 17, 2026. The visit marked the first time a Space Force Component conducted an official engagement at the radar site to discuss how commercially available data may support space domain awareness efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

U.S. Space Forces Southern Guardians meet with commercial space industry representatives in Pearce, Ariz., Feb. 17, 2026. The visit marked the first time a Space Force Component conducted an official engagement at the radar site to discuss how commercially available data may support space domain awareness efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Abbey Rieves)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Lee emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue with partner nations on space-related matters. Recent efforts include SPACEFOR-SOUTH's work towards delivering optical telescopes to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. The systems are intended to support partner-nation capacity and improve regional awareness for a secure Western Hemisphere.

"Expanding space-related capacity through engagement with the commercial sector is mutually beneficial," Lee said. "Partner nations gain access to data they may not otherwise have, while the United States benefits from information collected from locations not currently accessible."

As the first Space Force Component to visit the commercial radar site, the engagement provided Guardians an opportunity to exchange perspectives with industry representatives and gain a deeper understanding of how commercial technologies may inform future operations.

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Submarine swims toward sovereign capability

By Captain Annie Richardson

23 February 2026

Australia reached another milestone towards operating its own conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, with the arrival of HMS Anson at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia on February 22.

The Astute-class submarine will undergo a planned maintenance period over the coming weeks, during the first United Kingdom submarine maintenance undertaken in Australia.

It also marks the first United Kingdom submarine visit since the AUKUS Optimal Pathway was announced nearly three years ago.

Royal Australian Navy Director-General of Australian Submarine Agency Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead emphasised the progress made to deliver the Optimal Pathway.

"This maintenance activity over a number of weeks will constitute a UK, a US and Australian workforce and an industry chain from all three countries. And that is what AUKUS is all about," Vice Admiral Mead said.

The activity involves embarkation of two Royal Australian Navy personnel to consolidate their nuclear training, participate in operations and gain at-sea experience in Anson.

The Australian industry is playing an increasing role in preparing for Submarine Rotational Force - West (SRF-West), with around 15 local companies supporting the submarine maintenance period and building capability.

Additionally, ASC Pty Ltd workers, about half of whom recently completed training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, will contribute wharf services throughout the visit, to test and certify systems, processes and personnel ahead of SRF-West's commencement in 2027.

United States Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Admiral William Houston said the activity was the next step in preparing for SRF-West.

"This endeavour is critical to all of our security. This is part of the pathway to lead on to the sovereign capability of Australia," Admiral Houston said.

Sir Stephen Lovegrove, the United Kingdom Prime Minister's Special Representative for AUKUS, noted that the United Kingdom brings more than 60 years of continuous and safe nuclear submarine operation to AUKUS.

"It's the integration of technology and people in supply chains that sets AUKUS apart, and it'll lead to greater resilience, flexibility and scale for all three nations, as well as billions of pounds and dollars' worth of investment in our communities," he said.

This submarine maintenance will also further build Australian familiarity with UK-designed boats.

"The visit of Anson is just another milestone to demonstrate the progress that Australia is making to be ready in 2027 to support rotating nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom," Vice Admiral Mead said.

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Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue: Joint Statement

Press release

On 23 February 2026, the UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP hosted the Minister for Defence Industry of Australia, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, for the Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue (AUKDID).

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 23 February 2026

On 23 February 2026, the UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP hosted the Minister for Defence Industry of Australia, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, for the Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue (AUKDID). This meeting marked the revival of the Dialogue following the 2025 Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), recognising its importance as a dedicated forum to advance defence industry cooperation, strengthen collective industrial capability, and support delivery of AUKUS.

Ministers reaffirmed the deep and longstanding partnership between Australia and the United Kingdom, built on shared values, common strategic interests, and a mutual commitment to strengthening national resilience. Ministers also reaffirmed their enduring commitment to the generational AUKUS partnership, which is supporting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, enhancing our collective deterrence against shared threats.

Ministers reflected that the increasingly challenging global security environment demanded closer industrial cooperation to ensure both nations can develop, produce, and sustain the advanced capabilities required to preserve peace and prevent conflict.

Advancing Capability and Technology Cooperation

Ministers welcomed progress since AUKMIN 2025 on the deepening cooperation on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology in both nations which included exploring the potential of using Australian AESA radar technologies for the UK. They agreed to undertake a series of targeted risk reduction activities in the near future to inform future decisions.

Ministers noted Australia's invitation for the UK to observe MQ28A testing at Woomera in 2026 and agreed to explore future demonstrations in the United Kingdom. This builds on a recent successful test firing of an Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. Ministers agreed to strengthen and advance cooperation on directed-energy weapons and software enabled planning systems for improved joint operational planning.

Strengthening Industrial Resilience and Supply Chains

Ministers reaffirmed the importance of resilient, secure and integrated defence industrial bases.

Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation on building resilient energetics supply chains and supplying munitions and energetics to the UK. Ministers discussed cooperation on critical minerals essential to advanced defence technologies, including improved information-sharing to strengthen supply chain resilience, deepen joint research efforts, and ensure access to strategically important materials.

Noting the importance of their respective steel industries for the delivery of SSN-AUKUS, the Ministers agreed to explore options that maximise opportunities to strengthen our collective steel industrial base

Ministers also agreed that Australia and the United Kingdom will work together to improve frictionless defence trade between both nations, including accelerating efforts to address barriers to collaboration such as mobility, security clearances, and cyber security standards - including for AUKUS.

Ministers noted the importance of close coordination across government, acknowledging that progress in these areas will require action from agencies beyond Defence, and committed to championing this work across their respective systems to drive practical, near-term improvements for industry and capability delivery.

Supporting AUKUS Pillar I - Submarine Industrial Integration

The Ministers welcomed the arrival of HMS Anson in Perth, Western Australia. The deployment is a major step forward in the delivery of the Optimal Pathway and will support future UK submarine rotations under Submarine Rotational Force-West. It will help develop Australia's sovereign industrial capability and skills base as Australia works towards operating, maintaining and stewarding conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

Ministers welcomed the expansion of Australian industrial personnel embedded at the BAE Systems Submarines Shipyard in Barrow. These placements grow the skills and experience required to build Australia's SSN-AUKUS submarines at Osborne, South Australia, and expand on existing placements of Australians into the UK MOD and industrial partners, as well as the training of around 1,000 Australian personnel by the Royal Navy for the programme.

Ministers noted progress in manufacturing reactors for both Australian and UK SSN-AUKUS submarines, underpinned by the significant measures that the UK has taken to transform its submarine building industry and Australia's investment in Raynesway submarine infrastructure and SSN-AUKUS design activities.

Ministers committed to strengthen integration of Australian and UK submarine industrial bases, to build the workforce, supply chains and capability needed to deliver SSN-AUKUS, a state-of-the-art platform designed to leverage the best technology from all three AUKUS partners.

They welcomed upcoming targeted trade missionsincluding an ASA-led mission aligned with the Underwater Defence Technology Tradeshow in Londonand joint supply-chain activities to be held through March in Adelaide and Perth.

AUKUS Pillar II

Ministers recognised the importance of advanced capabilities development under AUKUS Pillar II and discussed opportunities to further accelerate delivery of such projects, with particular focus on near-term warfighting objectives.

Supporting Ukraine's Defence

Ministers reaffirmed the shared commitment of Australia and the United Kingdom to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's aggression. Australia confirmed its support to explore UK weapons testing at Australian ranges, noting the importance of validating long-range systems that may assist Ukraine on the battlefield. Ministers agreed this cooperation demonstrates the enduring contribution both nations are making to Ukraine's sovereignty, security and resilience.

Conclusion

Ministers welcomed the strong momentum in Australia-UK defence industry cooperation and agreed that the AUKDID will remain an important forum for driving progress on shared industrial, capability and innovation objectives. They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely together to strengthen sovereign industrial capacity, promote interoperability, and deliver the advanced capabilities required to safeguard the security and prosperity of both nations. Ministers further directed their departments and encouraged relevant agencies beyond Defence to prioritise practical measures that enable deeper industry collaboration, including reforms that support mobility, streamlined approvals, and harmonised standards. They looked forward to advancing these issues over the coming months.

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Albanese Government announces acquisition of long-lead items for AUKUS nuclear propulsion systems

The Hon Richard Marles MP

Deputy Prime Minister

Minister for Defence

24 February 2026

The Albanese Government has announced a $310 million payment for the acquisition of long-lead items from the United Kingdom to support Australia's future sovereign conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Today's announcement will directly support the manufacture of critical components for nuclear-powered submarines which will be built at Osborne in South Australia, including the nuclear propulsion systems of Australia's first two SSN-AUKUS.

Under the AUKUS program, the United Kingdom will deliver complete, welded nuclear propulsion systems for Australian-built SSN-AUKUS boats, with work already underway at the Rolls-Royce Submarine facility in Derby. Early progress on reactor manufacturing is essential to maintaining program momentum, sustaining specialist skills, and align industrial schedules across the AUKUS partnership.

This investment is in addition to Australia's contribution of GBP 2.4 billion over 10 years to expand the production capacity of Rolls-Royce Submarines.

This announcement follows Minister Conroy's engagement at the Australia-United Kingdom Defence Industry Dialogue (AUKDID) which was held in London today. AUKDID - which was held for the first time since 2018 - provided an important opportunity to build on areas of shared interest between Australia and the United Kingdom, including submarine industrial base cooperation.

Industrial cooperation between Australia and the United Kingdom is key to AUKUS and a shared commitment to delivering a safe, secure and enduring submarine capability. Rolls-Royce Submarines is a cornerstone of the UK's nuclear submarine enterprise and a key partner in the delivery of SSN-AUKUS.

By securing long-lead items now, Australia is ensuring schedule certainty, and strengthening supply-chain resilience. It also reflects Australia's commitment to the highest standards of nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation, consistent with international obligations and best practice.

The visit follows the Australian Government's recently announced investment of AUD $3.9 billion as a down payment to deliver the new Submarine Construction Yard in Osborne. This critical investment ensures sovereign capability for conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines enabling the start of construction of the SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines by the end of the decade as planned.

At its peak, at least 4,000 Australian workers will be employed to design and build the infrastructure for the submarine construction yard. Around 5,500 direct jobs are expected to be created to build the nuclear-powered submarines in South Australia, when the program reaches its peak.

This week in Western Australia, HMS Anson, a United Kingdom Astute-class submarine, is at HMAS Stirling for maintenance, marking the first time a UK nuclear-powered submarine has undergone a maintenance period in Australia.

Together, these key AUKUS milestones demonstrate how Australia and our partners continue to grow the already-strong momentum on this historic program.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

"Australia continues to work with the United Kingdom and United States to develop the capabilities, skills and knowledge that will underpin our ability to build, operate and maintain nuclear-powered submarines.

"Early investment in components such as the nuclear propulsion systems will be critical to the delivery of AUKUS.

"By working with our AUKUS partners, the Albanese Government continues to support defence industry and workforce cooperation, which will in turn support jobs in Australia for generations to come.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

"Starting work early on critical submarine components is essential to keeping this program on track. The next-generation SSN-AUKUS submarines will be an extraordinary capability, designed and built by trusted partners and powered by a company with decades of nuclear-propulsion experience.

"Australia's investment is helping to lay the foundations for a sovereign capability that will keep Australians safe for decades to come. This is a concrete example of allied industrial capacity delivering real benefits for Australia.

"It is also creating and supporting skilled jobs, training and educating workers, creating opportunities for Australian industry and strengthening AUKUS supply chains, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and security.

"Together with our record investment at Osborne in South Australia, this demonstrates Australia is serious about building a safe, secure and enduring submarine capability that contributes to regional stability and delivers tangible benefits for Australian workers and businesses."

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Hong Kong's court dismisses appeals by 12 defendants in national security trial; ruling solidifies cornerstone of the rule of law: experts

Global Times

By Xu Keyue and Chen Qingqing Published: Feb 23, 2026 02:15 PM

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s Court of Appeal on Monday morning dismissed the appeals by 12 defendants prosecuted in the high-profile case of conspiracy to subvert state power who sought to overturn their convictions or have their sentences reduced, multiple Hong Kong media outlets reported.

Concurrently, the appellate court on Monday also upheld the acquittal of one of 47 defendants prosecuted in the high-profile case of conspiracy to subvert state power, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. The Department of Justice's (DoJ) appeal regarding the acquittal of Barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung has been dismissed, thereby upholding his not-guilty verdict, Ming Pao reported.

Chinese experts reached by the Global Times on Monday commented that this outcome not only severely punishes acts that endanger national security but also firmly protects the legal rights of defendants, embodying the true spirit of the rule of law and judicial independence. This meticulous, rigorous, and fair judicial practice solidifies the cornerstone of the rule of law under "one country, two systems," demonstrating to the world that while upholding national security, Hong Kong's proud "golden brand" of the rule of law shines even brighter, experts said.

SCMP reported that former lawmakers Helena Wong Pik-wan, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung sought to overturn their convictions, as did ex-district councillors Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying, Kalvin Ho Kai-ming and Tat Cheng Tat-hung, and Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, Owen Chow Ka-shing, Winnie Yu Wai-ming and Gordon Ng Ching-hang. All but Gwyneth Ho also sought more lenient sentences if the convictions were upheld.

Also, Prince Wong Ji-yuet, who pleaded guilty, appealed against her 53-month sentence.

According to Mingpao.com, Lee Tsz-shun, another defendant who was acquitted in the same case, was also present.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, in January 2021, Hong Kong police arrested more than 50 people suspected of organizing or participating in the so-called "primary election" in 2020. They allegedly breached "conspiracy to subvert the state power" under the national security law in Hong Kong. Among them, 47 were prosecuted by the Department of Justice of the HKSAR government. They included Benny Tai, and former lawmakers such as Wu Chi-wai, Lam Cheuk-ting and Alvin Yeung. They were charged with one count of conspiracy to subvert the state power.

The case was first heard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts from March 1 to 4, 2021, before being transferred to the High Court for further proceedings. During the trial, 31 individuals pleaded guilty, while 16 refused to plead guilty, Xinhua reported.

After continued hearings, on May 30, 2024, the court delivered its verdict on the 16 individuals who refused to plead guilty. Fourteen were found guilty and two were acquitted.

The High Court of HKSAR in November 2024 delivered sentences to the 45 individuals convicted of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" to imprisonment ranging from 50 months to 10 years, Xinhua reported.

"Today's ruling is a vivid and powerful manifestation of the rule of law in Hong Kong. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals by the 12 defendants in accordance with the law, which underscores the authority of the national security law for Hong Kong and the seriousness of the rule of law," Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday.

"At the same time, the court also dismissed the DOJ's appeal concerning Lau Wai-chung, upholding the principle that 'the benefit of the doubt goes to the defendant.' This outcome fully demonstrates that Hong Kong's judicial authorities adjudicate independently based entirely on facts and the law. They not only severely punish acts that endanger national security but also firmly protect the legal rights of defendants, embodying the true spirit of the rule of law and judicial independence," Willy Fu said.

Tian Feilong, a vice-dean of the Law School of Minzu University of China in Beijing and director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that this ruling aligns with the original intent of the national security law for Hong Kong, consolidates the institutional security of "one country, two systems," and further enriches and clarifies the criteria for precedents within Hong Kong's national security law system. It also contributes to a better understanding and confidence among Hong Kong society and the international community regarding the spirit of the rule of law, judicial independence, and legal standardization under the national security law for Hong Kong.

"This meticulous, rigorous, and fair judicial practice demonstrated to the world that while upholding national security, Hong Kong's judicial procedures remain open, transparent, and standardized, making Hong Kong's proud 'golden brand' of the rule of law shine even brighter," Willy Fu said.

Willy Fu added that a predictable, safe, and fair business environment can effectively stabilize market confidence, attract investors from around the world, and allow Hong Kong to focus its energies on "striving for economic development and improving people's livelihoods," better integrating into the country's overall development landscape.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Remarks from February 15 to 23, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: February 23, 2026 22:00

Bloomberg: It's reported that the U.S. Ambassador to NATO said that a call from China could end the Ukraine crisis and that "this war is being completely enabled by China." What's China's response?

Lin Jian: China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is China a party to it. We stand on the side of peace and dialogue and promote the political settlement of the crisis. China's objective and just stance is widely recognized by the international community. The so-called "enabling the war" is nothing but a groundless accusation.

Reuters: President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed at a White House meeting that the U.S. would work to reduce Iran's oil exports to China, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials briefed on the issue. What's China's comment? How does China view its energy trade with Iran?

Lin Jian: Countries' normal cooperation under the framework of international law is legitimate and lawful, and should be respected and protected.

AFP: The European Commission has opened an investigation into Shein over its sales of dolls that are harmful to youngsters. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this?

Lin Jian: I'm not aware of the specifics that you mentioned. Let me say more broadly that the Chinese government asks Chinese companies overseas to abide by local laws and regulations, and actively fulfill their corporate responsibilities. China also hopes that relevant party will provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment to companies worldwide and avoid sapping their confidence in investing in Europe.

AFP: It's reported that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the U.S. would have a new envoy to promote the protection of Tibetans living in China. What is the Foreign Ministry's response to this?

Lin Jian: The Chinese government's stance on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. Xizang affairs are China's internal affairs and brook no external interference. To have a so-called "new envoy to promote the protection of Tibetans living in China" constitutes an interference in China's internal affairs. China never recognizes it. The U.S. should honor its commitments made to China on Xizang-related issues and stop using these issues to interfere in China's internal affairs.

Kyodo News: Sanae Takaichi, president of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, was elected as the country's 105th prime minister. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment? What's China's expectation on the prospects of China-Japan relations? (Similar questions from Nikkei, TBS, and NHK)

Lin Jian: Relevant elections are Japan's internal affairs. We once again urge the Japanese side to do soul-searching, correct its wrongdoings, abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and its own commitments, and take concrete actions to demonstrate the necessary sincerity to uphold the political foundation of China-Japan relations.

Yonhap News Agency: It's reported that recently the number of Chinese fishing boats illegally operating in waters of the ROK has increased and the Korea Coast Guard plans to raise the fine to five times the current level. What's China's stance?

Lin Jian: China noted that. The Chinese government always asks Chinese fishermen to operate in accordance with laws and regulations. Meanwhile, China firmly protects their lawful rights and interests. China and the ROK have established mechanism of dialogue and communication on fisheries issues. China stands ready to step up communication and cooperation with the ROK to jointly safeguard the order of fisheries at sea.

TASS: On February 19, during the first meeting of the Board of Peace, U.S. President Donald Trump stated he expects that Russia and China will participate in the process of stabilizing the situation in the Gaza Strip in accordance with Washington's plan. In China's view, what role can the Board of Peace play? Is that true that China and Russia need to maintain close coordination on Gaza?

Lin Jian: The Chinese side has previously answered questions concerning the Board of Peace and has nothing to add.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, China has stated its position on multiple occasions. Relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principle of the "Palestinians governing Palestine" should be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza, and any arrangements for the future of Gaza need to respect the will of the Palestinian people and dovetail with the two-State solution. China will, as always, play its role as a responsible major country, and continue to work with the international community to make relentless effort for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question at an early date.

Fuji TV: In her policy speech, Sanae Takaichi said it is the consistent policy of her cabinet to fully advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship; China is an important neighboring country, and since there are various outstanding issues and challenges between the two countries, the Japanese side will continue to communicate with China and take calm and appropriate responses. What is China's comment?

Lin Jian: China has stated its just position more than once. True communication is built on the basis of respecting each other and honoring the agreements made. If the Japanese side truly wants to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China, it needs to retract Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, abide by the four political documents between China and Japan and its own commitments, and take concrete actions to demonstrate necessary sincerity for upholding the political foundation of China-Japan relations.

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US accusations of China conducting nuclear tests entirely groundless, an excuse to justify own potential resumption of testing: Chinese envoy

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Feb 24, 2026 09:02 AM

China firmly supports the purpose and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the US accusations that China is conducting nuclear explosive tests are entirely groundless and are merely an excuse fabricated to justify its own potential resumption of nuclear testing, Shen Jian, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, said at a high-level meeting on disarmament in Geneva on Monday local time, according to the China Central Television (CCTV).

China urges the US to reaffirm the commitment of the five nuclear-weapon states to a moratorium on nuclear testing and to uphold the global consensus on banning nuclear tests, Shen said at the meeting.

In the face of a complex and severe international security landscape, China upholds a philosophy of arms control that is just, cooperative, balanced, and effective. China is committed to enhancing international security cooperation and improving global security governance, Shen told the meeting, according to the CCTV report.

Nuclear arms control is an important safeguard for maintaining global strategic stability. The international community should adhere to a fair and reasonable, rational and pragmatic approach to nuclear disarmament, persist in resolving nuclear non-proliferation issues through political and diplomatic means, observe the rule of international law, and revitalize multilateral arms control and disarmament mechanisms, the Chinese envoy said.

The US claimed the lapsing of New START, known as New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, earlier this month presented the possibility of striking a "better agreement" that included China, the Guardian said.

China has made clear its position on multiple occasions. We hope the US will resume dialogue with Russia on strategic stability to discuss the arrangements beyond the treaty's expiration, which is what the world would hope to see, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press conference on February 11.

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China's Xi Congratulates North Korea's Kim on Re-Election as Workers' Party Leader

Sputnik News

20260223

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent North Korean leader Kim Jong-un congratulations on Monday on his re-election as general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Earlier on the day, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Kim's re-election to the post.

"Comrade Kim Jong-un's re-election as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea reflects the high trust and firm support for Comrade General Secretary from the party, the government and the people of North Korea," Xi said.

The Chinese president called the successful IX Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, held at this pivotal moment for the party and country, a matter of great significance.

Xi expressed hope that under Kim's leadership of the party's Central Committee, North Korea's party and people would seize this congress as a chance to forge new advances in their socialist cause.

"China and North Korea are friendly neighboring socialist states that aid and support each other. Maintaining, consolidating, and advancing relations between China and North Korea has always been the steadfast policy of China's party and government," he said.

In today's complex and volatile international environment, Xi expressed readiness to work with Kim to implement key bilateral agreements and contribute to peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and around the world.

 Sputnik

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First Enlarged Plenary Meeting of Ninth Central Committee of WPK Held

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- The first enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee on February 23.

Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, presided over the plenary meeting.

Attending the plenary meeting were members and alternate members of the WPK Central Committee who were elected at the Ninth Party Congress.

Present there as observers were officials of departments of the WPK Central Committee, senior officials of ministries, national agencies, provinces, cities, counties and major industrial establishments and relevant commanding officers of the Korean People's Army.

Saying today we are to start the first work to fulfill the responsible mission of the ninth-term Party central leadership elected by the general will of all the delegates and Party members at the historic Party congress, the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un warmly congratulated the members and alternate members of the Party Central Committee newly elected under the great trust and expectation of the Party and people.

The Presidium of the Political Bureau and the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un were elected at the first enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth WPK Central Committee.

Secretaries of the Party Central Committee were elected and the Secretariat was formed.

The Central Military Commission and the Central Inspection Commission of the WPK were elected.

The plenary meeting discussed the work for the inner-Party structure essentially needed in implementing the Party's political guidance and unanimously approved a relevant decision.

Department directors of the Party Central Committee and chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the Party were appointed.

Commanding officers for the key posts of the KPA were appointed.

The meeting decided to discuss the 2026 work plan for implementing the decisions of the Ninth Party Congress, make a joint study of draft decisions reflecting this year's plan at the sectional study and consultative meetings for drawing up a new five-year plan to be carried out in the period of the Party congress, and bring together opinions to submit them for deliberation at the newly-elected Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee.

It also decided to discuss the agenda item on the revision of the collection of slogans set forth by the Party Central Committee and the WPK Rules guide and distribute the relevant drafts to the whole Party after the study of them by the members of the Party Central Committee and the deliberation by the Political Bureau.

The enlarged plenary meeting decided to examine and adopt a proposal for reshuffling the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet and refer it to the new-term Supreme People's Assembly.

General Secretary Kim Jong Un said that we are now facing the new five years which will be a part of the glorious Party history and whether or not the ninth-term Party Central Committee fulfills the heavy mission entrusted by the supreme leadership entirely depends on the high sense of responsibility and activity of the members of the Party central leadership. And he added that the members of the Party central leadership should do their utmost to fulfill their heavy and sacred duty with a high sense of the Party spirit, the revolutionary spirit and the spirit of serving the people so as to live up to the deep trust and expectations of the Party members and other people.

The subjective and objective conditions and environment of the Korean revolution will not be smooth even in the period of implementing the new long-term plan but we should take the strategic initiative firmly and remain proactive in making redoubled efforts on full alert in order to bring about marked growth in the might of the Party and the state and provide the people with greater wellbeing, he stressed. -0-

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France blocks US ambassador from ministerial meetings after summons no-show

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 10:12 PM

France has revoked Ambassador Charles Kushner's privilege of direct access to government members as a direct retaliation for Kushner's decision to skip a mandatory meeting with the Foreign Ministry to address US comments regarding the death of a 23-year-old French activist.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris on Sunday reposted comments by the Trump administration in Washington about Quentin Deranque.

Deranque, 23, died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters on the sidelines of a February 12 protest against a politician from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party in Lyon.

Barrot on Sunday denounced any attempts to exploit the killing "for political ends" and summoned Kushner for a meeting at 7:00 pm local time on Monday.

But a diplomatic source told AFP that the ambassador, whose son, Jared, is married to President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, sent a senior official from the embassy in his place, citing personal commitments.

"In light of this apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission and the honour of representing one's country, the minister (Barrot) has requested that he (Kushner) no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government," the foreign ministry said.

Kushner would, however, be permitted to continue his diplomatic duties and have "exchanges" with officials, it added in a statement.

The US administration had denounced far-left political violence and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has also weighed in, triggering a war of words with French President Emmanuel Macron, who urged her to stop "commenting on what happens in other countries".

Kushner, who took up his post in Paris last year, had already been summoned to the foreign ministry at the end of August, after the French government took exception to his criticism that Macron was not tackling antisemitism.

The US charge d'affaires, the ambassador's de facto deputy, attended that meeting

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Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels: standing with Ukraine, plus a commitment to sustainable peace in the Middle East

Germany Federal Foreign Office

23.02.2026 - Article

Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to Brussels today for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. Top items on the agenda are the 20th sanctions package, support for Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

Russia's war of aggression, four years on: Europe stands firmly by Ukraine's side

Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, daily life for people in Ukraine has been marked by destruction, unspeakable suffering and air strikes on an almost daily basis. From the outset, the European Union has presented a united front in standing with Ukraine.

Against the background of ongoing Russian attacks, EU Foreign Ministers will today send a clear message of support for Ukraine, and for staying the course: European assistance for Ukraine will continue for as long as it takes - whether this aid be political, economic, humanitarian or military. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will participate in the beginning of the meeting via a video link and will report on the current situation.

Providing enhanced support to Ukraine

In addition to sanctions targeting Russia, talks will also centre on support for Ukraine. Germany is advocating for swift implementation, with as little red tape as possible, of the agreed credit line in the amount of 90 billion euro for strengthening Ukraine's defensive capabilities - the aim being to quickly get funds to where they are needed most.

Bilateral support from EU member states is crucial for Ukraine, as well, especially in the military sector and with a view to securing the country's energy supply. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Germany has provided more than 1.2 billion euro for stabilising the Ukrainian energy sector. For the current winter, Germany is making available an additional support package in the amount of nearly 400 million euro. In this way, we are very much helping to keep operational the country's electricity and heating systems, even though they are subjected to targeted Russian attacks.

Joint agreement on the 20th sanctions package: further ramping up pressure on Russia

A key item on the Council's agenda is the adoption of the 20th EU sanctions package. Our aim is to further limit Russia's ability to fund its war of aggression, as Russia is still obtaining significant revenue via its energy sector, especially with oil exports.

Germany is strongly advocating for a comprehensive ban on maritime services for the transport of Russian oil with all EU member states. What is more, additional individual sanctions are being imposed to increase pressure on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet", which is used by Moscow to circumvent existing sanctions and continue generating income. Furthermore, Germany is committed to implementing additional measures against entities in the energy and financial sectors, as well as against those who support Russia's war economy.

The 20th sanctions package will for the first time use a new instrument to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. This clearly shows that the European Union is firmly opposing attempts by Moscow to circumvent sanctions and is taking action against states enabling their circumvention. Germany is also working with other partners to consistently counter structures that are used for this purpose.

The Middle East: the EU's responsibility with respect to stability and humanitarian assistance

Also on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council is the situation in the Middle East. The focus is on the situation in Gaza and the role of the European Union in the context of the 20-point plan for security and stability in the Gaza Strip. At their meeting, Foreign Ministers will have an exchange with Nickolay Mladenov on the next steps. Mladenov is High Representative for Gaza on the Board of Peace that was recently established by the United States President.

As the EU, we support implementation of the 20-point plan and are seeking to work together with all suitable transitional structures - first and foremost with the National Committee on the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) that is composed of Palestinian representatives. Meanwhile, it remains clear that humanitarian principles and obligations under international law must be respected at all times. The chief aim is to improve the humanitarian situation and to find a way of opening up a political prospect for the people in Gaza.

Keeping an eye on the West Bank and Iran

Germany is extremely concerned about the recent legal changes in Israel that seriously jeopardise the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution and that have implications for Areas A and B in the West Bank, which are under autonomous Palestinian administrative control. At the Foreign Affairs Council, Germany is advocating for a unified European position on this issue.

Another topic on the agenda is Iran, as the US and Iran are engaged in talks in Geneva with a view to finding a diplomatic solution. Prior to the Council meeting, political agreement was reached in January to add the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the EU's list of terrorist organisations - as a response to the IRGC's bloody role in putting down the peaceful protests in Iran. At the same time, Germany is campaigning for keeping up pressure through other means, as well - for example, by adding additional listings to the EU global human rights sanctions regime and by taking action against entities that provide financial support to the IRGC. However, close coordination with other member states remains key in this regard.

Syria: enabling enhanced European engagement

Considering the fragile situation in Syria, Germany is using the Foreign Affairs Council to convince its EU partners that an increase in support is needed, especially for north-eastern Syria. Furthermore, Germany is advocating for European measures that will facilitate trade and investment and can thus promote economic stabilisation.

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Gharibabadi: Israel's nuclear arsenal main obstacle to nuclear-weapon-free Middle East

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

London, IRNA -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has emphasized the necessity of complete disarmament and the non-discriminatory implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), adding that Israel's nuclear arsenal is the primary obstacle to establishing a Middle East free of nuclear weapons.

Speaking at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, Gharibabadi highlighted the principled positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stressing the need for the international community to return to effective multilateralism, achieve genuine disarmament, and ensure unconditional respect for international law.

Addressing the complex and concerning international security situation, he pointed out that the ongoing armed conflicts, persistent occupation, and crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the West Asia region, along with the erosion of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, pose serious challenges to global peace and security.

The deputy foreign minister emphasized that nuclear weapons pose the greatest threat to humanity and civilization, noting that the ongoing reliance of some countries on these weapons within their security doctrines stands in stark contrast to their international obligations and undermines the ethical and legal foundations of the non-proliferation regime.

He called for an immediate, irreversible, and verifiable commitment from all possessors of such weapons to the complete destruction of their nuclear arsenals.

Gharibabadi described the NPT as the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime, affirming that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always adhered to its obligations under the treaty.

He stressed that Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy is an inherent and non-negotiable right guaranteed under international law, which cannot be suspended, revoked, or made a precondition for negotiations.

Firmly rejecting any allegations of military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program, the deputy foreign minister said that the Islamic Republic neither possesses nuclear weapons, nor has it sought to acquire them, nor does it have any such intention. Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful and is guided by the country's legal obligations and its ideological and ethical principles, which reject weapons of mass destruction, he added.

Gharibabadi also reiterated the longstanding initiative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to establish a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, emphasizing that achieving this goal requires universal adherence to the NPT and the placement of all nuclear facilities in the region under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

He pointed out that the Israeli regime's possession of weapons of mass destruction and its repeated nuclear threats pose a significant obstacle to realizing this objective.

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Iraq supports Iran-US talks, warns of dangers of war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has expressed support for the indirect talks between Iran and the United States, while warning about the dangers of a potential war in the region.

Hussein met with Tom Barrack, the US Special Envoy to Syria, in Baghdad on Monday to discuss bilateral relations and joint coordination, particularly in counter-terrorism cooperation.

During the meeting, they addressed the tensions between Tehran and Washington, as well as the ongoing indirect negotiations between the two sides. The Iraqi foreign minister expressed concerns about the potential dangers of a war and its consequences for the entire region.

Hussein also reaffirmed Iraq's support for a peaceful resolution and strongly supported the upcoming negotiations, set to be held in Geneva on Thursday, between Iranian and American representatives, mediated by Oman.

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Why and how an Iran-US nuclear agreement may be possible?

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- A few days before the third round of negotiations, all signs indicate that the path ahead is difficult but passable. If Tehran and Washington can draft a principled framework for agreement that respects red lines, guarantees the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program, and provides meaningful assurances regarding the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iran, achieving a rapid and reliable agreement is not only possible but could also prevent escalating tensions and help stabilize the region.

Nearly eight months after leaving a negotiating table whose foundations were targeted by Tel Aviv, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have returned to indirect talks once again mediated by the Sultanate of Oman. A notable change in this potential chain of negotiations is the presence of Jared Kushner alongside Steve Witkoff, the US president's special envoy, as well as Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as participants in the negotiating room.

The Iranian delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and including political, legal, international, and economic diplomacy deputies, has held two rounds of talks with the US delegation on February 6 and 17 in Muscat and Geneva. According to official accounts, the Muscat round focused on assessing each side's seriousness in resorting to diplomacy to resolve differences, while the Geneva round produced a very general agreement on negotiating principles for continuing the process. The third round is scheduled for February 6 in Geneva. Meanwhile, the extensive US military posture around Iran casts a heavy shadow over the talks. Whether viewed as part of a "peace through strength" strategy to pressure Iran or as a sign of a possible imminent attack, the urgency is clear, and a "quick agreement" could help manage existing tensions.

Key questions remain: How feasible is a rapid, win-win nuclear agreement? What role does the IAEA Director General play? How sincere is Donald Trump in pursuing diplomacy, and how would a new agreement differ from the JCPOA, whose technical nature had been endorsed by six countries and the IAEA?

Why did Rafael Grossi enter the negotiating room?

In addition to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who politically hosts the indirect talks, Rafael Grossi was present in Geneva. Although Tehran has at times viewed his technical statements as crisis-inducing and beyond his defined mandate, his role in any Iran-US nuclear agreement is undeniable.

It appears that Washington has, at least for now, accepted limiting the scope of negotiations to nuclear issues to facilitate Trump's desired rapid agreement. In that context, Grossi's presence is justified. If Tehran reaches sound technical understandings with the IAEA, that progress could support political negotiations. At the same time, Grossireportedly interested in the UN Secretary-General positionmay also have personal motivation to help secure an agreement.

Geneva; defining 'technical pillars of the agreement'

Since leaving Geneva, Grossi has repeatedly characterized the talks as serious and concrete. He emphasized that for the first time, the IAEA was directly present in Iran-US discussions, calling this a sign of determination. According to him, the talks moved beyond generalities into "concrete and operational" issues: what must be verified and how; the fate of facilities targeted in attacks (Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan); the status of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles; and how future activities would be subject to strict oversight.

Grossi acknowledged that while the elements of an agreement are generally clear, disagreements remain over the scope and level of limitations. From his remarks, Geneva appears to have been the venue for defining the technical pillars, while political matters such as sanctions relief proceed on a parallel track.

How can Grossi help?

The negotiating framework under development includes three components: nuclear issues, sanctions relief, and shared (primarily economic) interests. Grossi's presence aims to accelerate agreement on nuclear details. Despite past accusations of politicization, he now emphasizes the agency's technical role in bridging gaps and outlines responsibilities focused on ensuring:

A sufficiently reliable agreement.

A precise verification mechanism.

Inspectors' return to attacked sites.

Full clarification regarding existing nuclear materials.

He stresses that a key pillar is restoring IAEA access to damaged facilities, including underground sites storing materials, to verify their status.

Meaning of Iran-US differences over enrichment

Enrichment remains the central dispute, both in earlier talks and today. Grossi confirms a "clear gap": the US calls for no enrichment and expresses concern over Iran's large stockpiles, while Iran insists on continuing enrichment on its soil.

Grossi describes negotiations as moving along a "narrow line" balancing what the US might accept with what is legally legitimate and non-proliferation compliant. The issue is not whether enrichment exists, but how to guarantee it remains peaceful and non-proliferative.

The status of nuclear materials after US and Israeli attacks

The fate of Iran's nuclear materials is another major obstacle. Grossi states that most accumulated materials up to June 2025, despite bombings, largely remain in place, though some may be less accessible, and have not been destroyed. He also emphasizes that no signs of an active, systematic weapons program have been observed, neither before nor after the attacks. While intentions could theoretically change, he sees no current indication of militarization.

Grossi describes the atmosphere as follows:

A real dialogue is forming for the first time.

The possibility of agreement exists.

The general framework is clear.

Differences are real but manageable.

A strong agreement could prevent broader war by persuading those considering military options that diplomacy can achieve the same result.

Repeating mantra of 'Iran must not have nuclear weapons'

Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted, before and after the 12-day Israeli war against Iran, that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, presenting this as the justification for attacking nuclear facilities. He has also threatened consequences if no agreement is reached. Steve Witkoff recently expressed surprise that Iran had not "capitulated" under military pressure.

When Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, he claimed it failed to block Iran's path to a bomb. Yet technically and legally, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action sought to assure the other side through:

Limiting enrichment levels and capacity, extending breakout time to about one year.

Reducing enriched uranium stockpiles to around 300 kg.

Redesigning the Arak reactor to block plutonium pathways.

Accepting unprecedented monitoring, including the Additional Protocol and extensive inspections.

These measures, through technical limits and legal deterrence, aimed to guarantee peaceful intent. The formula was transparency and assurance in exchange for sanctions relief. After US withdrawal and the failure of remaining parties to deliver economic benefits, Iran reversed commitments within a year. Nonetheless, this general formulaadjusted for changes in Iran's program over the past decadecould guide a new rapid agreement.

Did JCPOA withdrawal or attacks achieve Trump's goal?

The unanswered question since 2018 and again in 2025 is whether these actions blocked Iran's path to nuclear weapons. A positive answer is difficult. Many experts argue that US withdrawal weakened technical limits and oversight, leading to higher enrichment levels and reduced transparency. From a confidence-building perspective, abandoning structured monitoring increased uncertainty about the program's scope.

Military attacks, even if damaging infrastructure, rarely eliminate knowledge or materials and may disrupt inspector access. Such actions might cause temporary delay but also increase ambiguity.

In summary, if Trump sought sustainable, verifiable assurance that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons, maximum pressure and military action may have delayed progress but also deepened mistrust and uncertainty.

Repeating an Iran-US agreement not impossible

On the eve of the third round, with Washington officially preferring diplomacy, reaching a JCPOA-like agreement is difficult but not impossible. Foreign Minister Araghchi has emphasized that both technical and political commitments are involved and that diplomacynot military optionsis the path to ensuring peaceful use. He stated: "We are working on technical issues to ensure this program is solely for peaceful purposes. This is what we did in 2015, and I believe we can do it again, even better."

He has even expressed hope for a better agreement than the 2015 deal, suggesting fewer detailed provisions but agreement on core principles to ensure permanent peaceful intent and broader sanctions relief.

Given the significant gap between Iran and the US on nuclear issues, flexibility and recognition that no agreement is perfect are essential. Iran's red lines include continued enrichment on its soil and retaining enriched materials in the country. Tehran says formulas exist to reconcile these principles with US demands for assurance. Some US media report that the Trump team may accept limited enrichment, potentially narrowing differences.

With days left before the third round, the path is difficult yet navigable. If Tehran and Washington can draft a principled framework respecting red lines and guaranteeing peaceful nuclear activity, a rapid and reliable agreement is achievableand could prevent escalation and stabilize the region.

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Iran to expand ties with independent, revolutionary African states: Defense Minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh has said Tehran is pursuing a principled policy to expand relations with independent and revolutionary countries in West Africa, with particular emphasis on Burkina Faso.

According to the Defense Ministry on Monday, the Iranian minister made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs of Burkina Faso General Celestin Simpore.

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh expressed appreciation for the stance of the Burkina Faso government in condemning the Israeli regime's hostile action against the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for the message of sympathy and condolence sent to him by his Burkinabe counterpart.

Highlighting the importance of Africa, especially independent African states, in Iran's foreign and defense policy, the minister stressed the need to strengthen ties with countries pursuing sovereign and anti-colonial paths in the region.

He described the recent developments in the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, as popular movements against colonial policies, and praised the growing convergence among the three countries, particularly their formation of the Sahel Alliance in response to pressure from Western states.

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh also referred to continued Western plots aimed at undermining Burkina Faso's sovereignty and independence, reiterating Iran's support for independent nations.

For his part, General Simpore expressed solidarity with the Iranian nation and paid tribute to the martyrs of the 12-day war, praising the resilience of the Iranian people.

Burkina Faso commends the resistance of the Iranian people, who defended their identity and independence and preserved them against all forms of imperial domination, he said, adding that lasting global peace is achievable if relations of domination among countries are dismantled and space is given to justice and peace.

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Iran's Dena destroyer joins MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise in India

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Dena destroyer has participated in MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise in India which was held with the participation of 72 countries and hosted by the Indian Navy.

The event, hosted by the Indian Navy, began with the participation of 72 countries in the port of Visakhapatnam.

This 10-day exercise, involving more than 60 warships and three foreign aircraft, is considered as one of the most significant naval events in the India and Oceania region.

This exercise, which commenced on Sunday in two phases (harbor and sea) at Visakhapatnam port, is hosting numerous countries including Iran, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, the United States, and a number of Southeast Asian and African nations.

In this edition of the exercise, the Indian Navy has deployed its notable capabilities, including aircraft carriers and Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.

During the sea phase, exercises such as aircraft carrier operations, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, naval gunnery, search and rescue operations, and multinational tactical maneuvers will be conducted.

In the harbor phase, specialized meetings, an international maritime seminar, and training programs for young officers are planned.

MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability, increasing maritime domain awareness, and strengthening collective response capabilities in the high seas, based on international law.

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No negotiation based on pre-judgment will bear results: Iran Foreign Ministry

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Feb 23, 2026

Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, commenting on the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, has stressed that any negotiation initiated on the basis of imposed pre-judgment will not yield results.

Baqaei made the remarks on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran while responding to statements by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. In an interview with Fox News two days earlier, Witkoff said that President Donald Trump is curious as to why Iran does not "capitulate" over its nuclear program despite a massive American military build-up near its borders.

"This is not the first time we have encountered contradictory claims. We leave the judgment to the discerning people of Iran and the country's political elites to decide about Iran's negotiating approach and, in turn, the negotiating approach of the United States. No negotiation that begins with an imposed burden and pre-judgment will naturally reach a result," the spokesperson said.

He noted that Iran's positions on nuclear issues and sanctions relief are clear-cut, adding that the country is fully aware of the US stance.

"Any negotiation process requires joint action, and there is hope for results if there is goodwill and seriousness on both sides," Baqaei said, adding that Iran is currently formulating its approach and hopes to hold a new round of talks with the US in the coming days.

According to the spokesperson, Iran is serious about pursuing a diplomatic path because it is confident in the validity of its positions  logically, legally, and in terms of its international commitments. He added that the country will remain steadfast on this path as long as it sees the prospect of tangible results.

Inspection of Iran's damaged nuclear sites

In response to a question about recent remarks by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who stated that no nuclear agreement would be reached if Iran does not allow inspections of its sites damaged during the 12-day Israeli war in June last year, the spokesperson said that granting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the damaged nuclear sites is not a precondition for negotiations and has not been raised by the United States.

He stressed that Iran's cooperation with the IAEA is a separate matter and that all inspection commitments related to the country's peaceful nuclear facilities for 2025 have been fulfilled.

Baqaei also said that inspections of the damaged facilities are a different issue, as no established protocol exists for such cases, particularly given that, for the first time, peaceful nuclear facilities of a country have been targeted in a foreign military attack.

Until a specific mechanism is defined, Iran is unable to allow such visits, he said, adding that cooperation with the IAEA continues within the framework of Iran's safeguards obligations, parliamentary legislation, and under the supervision of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

EU armed forces designated as terrorists

Commenting on Iran's designation of the naval and air forces of European Union countries, Baqaei said the move was taken based on a decision by the Supreme National Security Council and in accordance with a law passed by the Iranian Parliament.

Under the designation, EU armed forces operating in areas surrounding the Persian Gulf are considered terrorist entities, the spokesperson said, adding that the decision will entail corresponding consequences.

He noted that the measure was adopted in response to the European Union's decision to place the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on its terror list, despite the fact that the IRGC is an official branch of Iran's Armed Forces.

Voluntary implementation of Additional Protocol

In response to a question about Iran's conditions for implementing the Additional Protocol, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Iran had previously implemented the protocol voluntarily during the period when the 2015 nuclear dealofficially named the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)was in effect, and therefore Iran has prior experience in this regard.

"Naturally, such a decision and such voluntary implementation would be undertaken in return for concessions granted in areas including the lifting of economic sanctions," he said.

He added that the issue has precedent and serves as a mechanism to provide greater assurance about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.

SNSC in charge of decisions on nuclear talks

The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is responsible for making and communicating decisions on nuclear negotiations, the spokesperson said while commenting on domestic and foreign media reports alleging double standards in the management of the talks by the SNSC and the Foreign Ministry.

He explained that all relevant bodies involved in nuclear and economic matters, including those related to sanctions relief, present their viewpoints during the decision-making process. Final decisions are then adopted by the SNSC, and the Foreign Ministry proceeds with its actions in accordance with those decisions, he said.

Iran doesn't favor prolonged nuclear talks

The diplomat said that Iran is ready to hold continuous talks over several days or weeks, but conducting negotiations in intervals of ten days or two weeks is not Iran's preferred approach, "and we have no benefit in prolonging the negotiation process."

"Our goal is to achieve results, because the people of Iran are under pressure and facing difficulties caused by the unjust sanctions imposed on the country. Therefore, reason, logic, and ethics dictate that action should be taken to lift these sanctions as quickly as possible," he added.

Iran not affected by threats

Baqaei stated that the Iranian Armed Forces remain vigilant and monitor developments alongside the diplomatic negotiations. He emphasized that Iran will adopt an appropriate stance whenever it perceives the other side is using negotiations as a tool for deception.

The spokesperson also warned that any attack on Iran will be regarded as an act of aggression and will have consequences.

Israel's survival tied to regional tensions

Responding to a question about Israel's attempts to undermine negotiations between Iran and the US, Baqaei said that the Israeli regime plays a destructive role in any negotiation process, to the extent that some Western analysts have described it as the "big ruiner."

He explained that this is because Israel perceives its survival as dependent on the continuation of insecurity and conflicts in the West Asia region. The spokesperson also warned the United States to remain vigilant regarding Israel's actions in order to prevent endless wars that could arise from the regime's illegitimate demands.

Israel's expansionism

According to the Iranian diplomat, the Israeli regime openly advocates for expansionism and the annexation of certain Arab countries, regardless of whether they are Shia or Sunni.

"Such positions increasingly lead Islamic and Arab countries in the region to conclude that the immediate and ongoing threat to regional peace and security comes from the Zionist Israeli regime. On this basis, the need for cooperation and unity among regional countries to counter these destabilizing policies is felt more urgently than ever, before it becomes too late," he said.

Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions

Commenting on renewed border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Baqaei said that Iran is concerned about the situation, as both countries are Iran's neighbors and tensions between them could have consequences beyond their borders.

Tehran advises both Islamabad and Kabul to exercise restraint and resolve their disagreements through dialogue and diplomacy, the spokesperson noted, adding that Iran has already announced its readiness to use its good offices to prevent any escalation.

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Pezeshkian: Iran after balanced diplomacy, mutual gains in its relations with Africa

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:58 PM

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is actively pursuing the expansion of comprehensive cooperation with African countries, in line with its policy of "balanced diplomacy" and the pursuit of "shared interests."

In a meeting with Burkina Faso's Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs Brigadier General Celestin Simpore in Tehran on Monday, Pezeshkian said Iran is keen to utilize its broad capacities to improve relations with African countries as a strategic priority in its foreign policy.

The Iranian president hailed Burkina Faso's principled and positive stance on Iran in international circles and underscored the importance of exchanging high-level political, defensive, and economic delegations between the two countries.

"The continuation of official visits and the expansion of specialized consultations can pave the way for deeper mutual trust, strengthening friendly bonds, and increasing the level of interactions in various economic, scientific, industrial, and defense fields."

Pezeshkian expressed confidence that the development of relations with Burkina Faso will also lead to the elevation of cooperation with other countries in Africa.

He commended the independence-seeking spirit and anti-hegemony approach of Burkina Faso's government and people, saying the African country will prevail in the fight against terrorism by relying on national will and internal cohesion.

Simpore, for his part, hailed Iran's resistance in the face of sanctions over the past four decades.

He said Iran's progress in defense and advanced technologies symbolizes national power, strategic self-reliance, and wise management.

Hegemonic powers seek to keep nations dependent and prevent them from realizing true sovereignty, he said. The Burkinabe minister said those behind instability and insecurity in Africa are also behind forcing the Iranian nation into submission.

He said Burkina Faso has been facing terrorism and instability for over a decade. The Burkinabe people, he added, are determined to continue the path of independence, social progress, and economic development.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh also met with the Burkinabe defense minister. The Iranian official underscored the Islamic Republic's policy of broadening relations with West African countries.

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Iran to US: Sanctions and war failed; try diplomacy and respect

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 3:39 PM

A top Iranian diplomat says the time is ripe for the United States to abandon its "fruitless" sanctions and failed policy of war against Iran, urging genuine respect for diplomacy as the only viable path forward.

"Iran's enemies may start a war, but they will not be able to determine the end," Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said in an address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.

"You have tried sanctions and war in relation to Iran and got nowhere. Now it is time to experience diplomacy and respect," he said.

He said Iranians do not seek aggression against other countries but will firmly stand against any military or political conspiracy against the Islamic Republic and will defend their homeland.

Gharibabadi said the consequences of war will not be limited only to the parties to the conflict, "but will engulf the region."

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran since early January, following his public support for foreign-linked riots.

Trump has since ordered a significant military buildup in regional waters near Iran and warned of strikes if Tehran does not accept a deal on US terms.

Iranian officials have reiterated their readiness for a fair agreement on the country's nuclear program but warned that even a limited attack would trigger a decisive response.

Elsewhere in his address, Gharibabadi said the so-called advocates of human rights supported the United States and the Israeli regime during the 12-day war against Iran in June 2025, which killed more than 1,060 Iranians and injured some 6,000 others.

"They did not even allow the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council to condemn the aggression."

Gharibabadi said Iran's enemies, who suffered a severe defeat in the June war, attempted to set the stage for another military offensive by inciting unrest in the country and turning peaceful economic protests into deadly riots.

The Iranian official condemned the terrorists for committing Daesh-style crimes that resulted in the martyrdom of 2,427 civilians.

Gharibabadi said those who place the least value on human dignity are exploiting human rights as a tool to serve their own interests.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister said the main instigators of the January unrest, notably the United States and Israel, must be held accountable for crimes against humanity.

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Iran seeks to strengthen strategic ties with West African countries: Defense minister

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 10:56 AM

Iran's defense minister has underscored the Islamic Republic's policy of broadening relations with West African countries during talks with his Burkinabe counterpart.

Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh made the remarks during a meeting with Major General Celestin Simpore in Tehran on Monday.

Nasirzadeh referred to the importance and standing of the African continent in Iran's foreign and defense policy, stressing that Tehran has adopted a principled policy of expanding relations with the "independent and revolutionary countries" in West Africa, particularly Burkina Faso.

The Iranian defense minister described the Sahel-region revolutions in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali as popular movements against colonial policies. He pointed to the growing convergence among the three states and their commendable action of forming the Sahel Alliance in the face of pressure from Western states.

Nasirzadeh further referred to continued plots by Western countries aimed at undermining the sovereignty and independence of Burkina Faso, emphasizing Iran's support for independent nations.

He also expressed appreciation for the government of Burkina Faso's position in condemning the "criminal action taken by the Zionist regime against the Islamic Republic," referring to Ouagadougou's denunciation of Tel Aviv's imposed war on the country last June.

Burkina Faso praises Iran's resistance

For his part, Simpore expressed sympathy with the Iranian people and respect for those killed in the 12-day war.

"We honor the resistance of the Iranian people, who defended their identity and independence and preserved it against all forms of imperialist domination," he noted.

The official added, "We believe the world can live in complete peace if relations of domination among countries are broken and more space is given to justice and peace."

Last month, Iran participated in the BRICS Plus group of nations' joint naval drills, known as "Will for Peace 2026," which kicked off along the South African coastline. The exercise, part of a broader strategic cooperation among BRICS countries and their partners, included Iran alongside Russia, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, and the UAE.

Last August, Chief Commander of Iran's Army Major General Amir Hatami and South African National Defense Force Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya met in the Iranian capital and praised the countries' alignment against "global arrogance" and colonialism.

Speaking at the time, Hatami said both countries supported oppressed nations and should continue their shared mission until a world order based on justice and human dignity was restored, while Maphwanya underlined that his visit carried a political message and expressed respect for the Iranian people, urging deeper defense ties.

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Iran says any agreement with US must fully safeguard national rights, interests

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 9:54 AM

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson says the Islamic Republic's diplomatic apparatus is duty-bound to safeguard the rights and interests of the Iranian nation and will only accept an agreement that fully secures those priorities.

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei stressed that any potential agreement must be balanced and based on mutual respect, ruling out arrangements that fail to address Iran's core demands.

"Our duty as the diplomatic apparatus of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to ensure the rights and interests of the Iranian nation. As a rule, we can only accept an understanding or agreement that contains the characteristics of ensuring Iran's rights and national interests; both on the nuclear issue and on the issue of lifting sanctions," he said.

In response to a question regarding comments by US regional envoy Steve Witkoff, who had implied that Iran should accept a US-proposed agreement, Baghaei said this is not "the first time we have encountered contradictory claims."

Witkoff told Fox News on Saturday that Trump was "curious" about Iran's position after he had warned of a limited military strike if a deal was not reached.

The Iranian diplomat noted that "any negotiation that begins with imposed burdens and preconceived judgments will naturally not reach a conclusion."

"The word 'surrender' has no place in Iranian culture and literature, and we have never accepted such a keyword," he said, stressing that the Iranian nation has consistently demonstrated that it does not yield to pressure.

He emphasized that over the past 47 years, the Iranian people's demand has been for dignity, independence, and respect for the country's territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The remarks come as Iran and the US held a second round of indirect nuclear negotiations at the Omani consulate general in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 17.

As in the previous round in the Omani capital of Muscat, the agenda of the talks focused primarily on the nuclear issue and the lifting of illegal US sanctions.

The US maintains that Iran must cease its nuclear program, whereas Tehran asserts that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and says it is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy.

Washington began its war rhetoric against Iran after recent economic protests in the country, which were hijacked by foreign spy agencies and turned violent.

Since then, the US president has kept threatening military action against Iran, deploying two carrier groups and dozens of fighter jets, bombers, and refueling aircraft to regional waters near Iran.

Responding to a question about whether Tehran would leave the negotiating table in the event of a limited US attack on Iran, Baghaei said: "In my view, these two issues are fundamentally unrelated. There are no limits on what constitutes an 'aggressive act'; any attack, regardless of its scale, constitutes aggression and will naturally carry its consequences."

Responding to a question about Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi's recent remarks that no agreement could be reached if Iran does not permit the agency to inspect damaged sites, Baghaei said, "I can confirm that all commitments regarding inspections of our peaceful nuclear facilities through 2025 have been fulfilled, and we have cooperated fully with the agency."

On a separate matter, Baghaei addressed Iran's stance toward armed forces from European Union member states operating in the Persian Gulf region.

"Our action was taken in response to that unlawful move. Beyond its political and legal implications, henceforth the presence of law enforcement forces from EU member states in the Gulf region will be viewed differently, as they will be considered terrorist forces, carrying its own consequences and implications," he noted.

The European Union added the IRGC to its terrorist list in response to Iran's measures against foreign-backed rioters who violently wreaked havoc across the country on the invitation of a monarchist and the public incitement of US and Israeli leaders in late December and early January.

In a statement on Saturday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said the "reciprocal" move comes following the EU member states' "unlawful and unjustified" decision to label a part of the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces.

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IRGC's Shahid Mahdavi warship completes first long-duration mission, returns home

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 9:04 AM

A domestically-developed oceangoing warship operated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has entered Iran's territorial waters after completing a long-term voyage to participate in joint naval drills with BRICS nations.

The Shahid Mahdavi, which is a multipurpose vessel designed for long-range operations, returned home following more than 57 days of voyage and was welcomed by IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri.

Addressing a ceremony to welcome the warship, Tangsiri said the Iranian Armed Forces are ready to sail the oceans with steadfast resolve and in line with the directives of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Shahid Mahdavi took part in the BRICS naval exercises off the coast of South Africa, marking an important step in expanding Iran's presence beyond the region.

It succeeded in conducting a long-term maritime mission that covered nearly half of the globe and was the eighth warship dispatched to the oceans by the IRGC Navy.

It traveled approximately 10,700 nautical miles -- nearly 18,000 kilometers -- as a part of Iran's 103rd flotilla, comprising of the Army's Shahid Naqdi destroyer and the Makran forward base ship.

This mission marked the IRGC Navy's first naval presence in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as its first experience navigating the Atlantic Ocean.

The Shahid Mahdavi warship is capable of carrying a large number of reconnaissance and strike drones and is equipped with cruise missile launch systems with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers. It serves as a floating naval base to support the offensive fleet of the IRGC Navy.

In May 2024, the Shahid Mahdavi crossed the line of zero degrees latitude, the Equator, and sailed into the Southern Hemisphere.

The 2,100-tonne vessel, which is 240 meters in length and 27 meters in width, joined the IRGC's naval fleet in March 2023.

The oceangoing warship is equipped with a three-dimensional phased array radar, sea-to-sea and sea-to-air missiles, and sophisticated telecommunication systems for electronic warfare.

The Shahid Mahdavi is capable of carrying various types of attack helicopters, combat drones, and fast attack craft.

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'Defeat is certain for them': Iran's army chief derides enemy's claim of invincibility

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 7:59 AM

The Iranian Army's chief commander has derided the enemies' claim of invincibility, saying they did not expect the country to display such steadfastness in the face of their significant regional military buildup.

"The enemies claim they are invincible, but this is a false claim," Major General Amir Hatami said during a graduation ceremony at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s University of Command and Staff in Tehran on Monday.

"The enemy did not expect to face such steadfastness, despite deploying aircraft carriers and other weapons," he added.

The remarks came as the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers as well as numerous warplanes and missile systems in the region, including around the Islamic Republic.

Hatami said the US's most recent warlike posturing was aimed at trying to gradually weaken Iran and exhaust its people, saying, "The enemy believes we are in a position of weakness and that it holds the upper hand."

"But it is mistaken. The great Iran cannot be swallowed," he asserted. "Today, millions of soldiers in Iran stand ready to sacrifice their lives for the homeland."

The escalatory efforts come despite the relatively fresh firsthand experience of decisive Iranian reprisal during the Israeli-American war against the Islamic Republic last June.

In the face of the aggression, the IRGC targeted sensitive and strategic targets across the occupied territories with hundreds of missiles, including ballistic and hypersonic variants. The Corps also struck the al-Udeid Airbase, Washington's most important such outpost in West Asia, with volleys of ballistic missiles.

The commander cited the sore experiences of the United States' leading seemingly unending wars against Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, only to "ultimately withdraw in disgrace."

"Therefore, the enemy's defeat is certain," he asserted.

Reiterating the Islamic Republic's resolve to withstand the pressure and retaliate against any fresh military adventurism on the part of Washington and its allies, Hatami stressed that the country would not let its enemies compromise its territorial integrity.

"It (the enemy) should know and be aware that the Iranian nation will stand firm with full determination and will not allow this malicious plan to be carried out. In the Army, we will defend Iran's independence and territorial integrity until our last breath."

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Pezeshkian says 'encouraging' signal received in US talks but Iran ready for any scenario

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:10 AM

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed an "encouraging" signal in indirect talks with the United States about Tehran's peaceful nuclear program while expressing the country's readiness for "any potential scenario."

"Recent negotiations [with the US] involved the exchange of practical proposals and yielded encouraging signals," Pezeshkian said in a post on his X account on Sunday.

He reiterated Iran's commitment to peace and stability in the region but he emphasized that Iran continues to closely monitor US actions.

Iran has "made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario," he noted.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that a new round of negotiations with the US is set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.

In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said there is still "a good chance" for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute based on a win-win outcome for all sides, emphasizing, "A solution is at our reach."

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi later confirmed the Thursday talks in Geneva. Oman previously hosted the Iran-US indirect nuclear talks and facilitated the latest round in Geneva last week.

The agenda of the previous talks in Muscat and Geneva focused primarily on the nuclear issue and the lifting of illegal US sanctions.

Following the second phase of talks on February 17, the Iranian foreign minister said the two sides agreed on a set of guiding principles to clear the path for future talks.

The US maintains that Iran must cease its nuclear program, whereas Tehran asserts that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and says it is entitled to peaceful nuclear energy.

Washington began its war rhetoric against Iran after recent economic protests in the country, which were hijacked by foreign spy agencies and turned violent.

Since then, the US president has kept threatening military action against Iran, deploying two carrier groups and dozens of fighter jets, bombers, and refueling aircraft to regional waters near Iran.





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Exiled Kurdish Groups Form New Alliance As They Seek To Capitalize On Iran's Frailty

By Kian Sharifi and Hooman Askary February 23, 2026

Exiled Iranian opposition Kurdish groups have announced a new coalition with the aim of overthrowing the Islamic republic, in a move that marks a significant shift in the region's political landscape, experts say.

The creation of the alliance on February 22 comes as Iran's clerical establishment is at its weakest point in decades. The authorities are bracing for US military action, weeks after surviving the biggest protests against their rule in years.

Experts say the five Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups, which are based in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region and have been waging a low-level insurgency against Tehran for years, are looking to exploit the Islamic republic's current frailty.

"[The Kurdish groups] are preparing for different possibilities," political analyst Wladimir van Wilgenburg, who specializes in Kurdish affairs, told RFE/RL. The expectation of the groups, he said, is that "there will be a US attack."

Kurds make up around 10 percent of Iran's population of some 90 million and primarily live in the country's west along the border with Iraq. Iran has long been accused of suppressing and discriminating against the country's ethnic minorities, including Kurds.

Reinforcing Kurdish Unity

The new coalition includes the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), the Organization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle (Khabat), and the Komala of the Toilers of Kurdistan.

Many of these groups were previously armed, with some demanding autonomy within Iran and others fighting for secession from the Islamic republic.

The main goals of the alliance -- the "Coalition of Political Forces in Iran Kurdistan" -- are to overthrow the Islamic republic of Iran and achieve self-determination for the Kurds, according to a joint statement.

The coalition voiced strong support for anti-government protests in Iran and stressed the need for "coordinated, joint political and on-the-ground efforts" between Kurdish parties and civil society and opposition groups across Iran.

Mostafa Hejri, leader of the PDKI, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that it took around eight months of negotiations for the five groups to come together and "set aside" their differences.

He said one of the main reasons for forming the alliance was to the "have a joint plan for administering Iranian Kurdistan during the transitional period" should the Islamic republic fall.

Iranian Kurdistan comprises the Kurdish-majority provinces of Kurdistan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and parts of West Azerbaijan.

Once a new central government is formed, Hejri said, "the governing bodies of Kurdistan will be elected through a free vote by the people and take over the administration of the region."

Ideological Divisions

Despite the creation of the new political alliance, the coalition faces significant challenges due to ideological divisions among its members and differing regional alliances, van Wilgenburg said.

That includes sensitivities tied to PJAK's links to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which could trigger pushback from Ankara and complicate the alliance's cohesion.

The coalition also does not include several Kurdish political heavyweights, including the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan led by Abdullah Mohtadi, which chose not to join the alliance.

In a post sharedon X, Mohtadi criticized the alliance for "lacking a clear roadmap" and "executive mechanisms" and described its provisions as overly general and open to interpretation.

Despite his criticisms, Mohtadi said his party would not oppose the coalition and remained open to future cooperation.

Hejri said the alliance would welcome Mohtadi's party and intends to "enter into dialogue with other Iranian political organizations and opposition groups, and to try -- if possible -- to create a comprehensive, unified program."

Iraqi Kurdistan Stepping Back

The announcement of the new alliance attracted a sharp response from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq.

Seeking to avoid cross-border tension with Iran, the KRG Interior Ministry issued a stern warning, stating the Kurdistan region "will not allow" its territory to be used against "neighboring countries."

Over the years, Iran has conducted military strikes against exiled Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan. In 2023, Iran and Iraq signed a security deal that resulted in Baghdad moving the opposition Kurdish groups away from the border with Iran.

Van Wilgenburg said Iraqi Kurdish officials "want to show that they're not in any way a part of this initiative by the Kurdish parties."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-exiled-kurdish-alliance- tehran/33685461.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iranian Students Reignite Anti-Government Protests For Third Day

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda February 23, 2026

Iranian students held anti-government protests at several universities for the third consecutive day, according to videos published online and verified by RFE/RL.

The new protests are the first since the authorities killed thousands of people in an unprecedented crackdown on nationwide demonstrations against Iran's clerical rulers last month.

The renewed unrest comes as Iran braces for possible US military action. US President Donald Trump has warned Tehran against further violence against demonstrators and threatened to strike the Islamic republic over its refusal to abandon its nuclear program.

Scores of students staged protests on February 23 in at least four universities in the capital, Tehran, including Al-Zahra University, Tehran University, Sharif University of Technology, and Amirkabir University of Technology.

Videos on social media showed female students at Al-Zahra University chanting, "This is the year of blood. Sayed Ali will be toppled," in reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Meanwhile, videos showed students at Tehran University chanting, "Women, life, freedom," a reference to the 2022 nationwide protests that were triggered by the death in custody of a young woman who was accused of violating Iran's hijab law.

The new demonstrations have coincided with the start of the new university semester and the hundreds of ceremonies that have been held across the country in the past week commemorating victims killed during the state crackdown on mass protests in January.

At least 7,000 people were killed during the protests that erupted in late December 2025, according to human rights groups, although the real death toll is believed to be significantly higher.

Most of the killings reportedly occurred between January 8 and 10, the peak of the crackdown.

The protests were among the largest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The renewed protests in Tehran come as the United States continues to threaten to strike Iran over its disputed nuclear program despite several rounds of indirect negotiations.

Trump has dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups with dozens of fighter jets and bombers to the region, and other military planes and supporting forces have been spotted flying into airbases in the Middle East.

In the biggest reported show of opposition in the capital since the deadly crackdown last month, Iranian students chanting anti-government slogans faced off with security forces outside Sharif University of Technology on February 21. Similar rallies were reported at other universities.

On February 22, students confronted soldiers from the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force that has played a prominent role in quashing past political protests, outside the Amir Kabir University of Technology.

The students could be heard chanting anti-government slogans according to social media videos. Others could be seen waving the Iranian national flag.

Universities in Tehran have often been the scene of student protests that have taken place since the 1979 revolution and resulted in brutal crackdowns by the security forces.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-students-protest- trump-tehran/33685527.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Witkoff Says Trump 'Curious' Why Iran Hasn't 'Capitulated'

By RFE/RL February 23, 2026

Washington's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has said US President Donald Trump has questioned why Tehran has not "capitulated" in the face of a massive buildup of the US military near Iran.

In a Fox News interview recorded on February 19 and broadcast on February 22, Witkoff said Trump was "curious" about Iran's position after he had issued warnings of a military attack should the country's leaders fail to agree to a new nuclear deal.

"I don't want to use the word 'frustrated,' because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but he's curious as to why they haven't...I don't want to use the word 'capitulated,' but why they haven't capitulated," Witkoff said.

"Why, under this pressure, with the amount of sea power and naval power over there, why haven't they come to us and said, 'We profess we don't want a weapon, so here's what we're prepared to do'? And yet it's sort of hard to get them to that place."

Trump dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups, with dozens of fighter jets and bombers to the region, and other military planes and supporting forces have been spotted flying into air bases in the Middle East.

The US administration has been pressuring Iran to agree to curtail its nuclear program, which Tehran insists is intended for peaceful, civilian purposes, such as electricity generation. Washington, along with Israel and others in the West, has accused Tehran of intending to build atomic weapons.

Iran in 2015 agreed to a landmark nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers aimed at preventing it from developing a nuclear weapon in return for an easing of economic sanctions.

However, it started rolling back its commitments after Trump, during his first term, withdrew the United States from the deal in 2018 and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

A new round of US-Iran talks is expected to take place on February 26, following talks in Geneva last week.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, whose country has hosted previous rounds of talks, said on February 22 that talks would resume "with a positive push to go the extra mile toward finalizing the deal" over Iran's nuclear program.

Tehran has said it was in the process of drafting a proposal for an agreement that would avert military action.

"I believe that when we meet, probably [February 26] in Geneva again, we can work on those elements and prepare a good text and come to a fast deal," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CBS-TV on February 22.

At home, the Iranian government in recent months has seen a growing opposition. At least 7,000 people were killed during nationwide protests that erupted in late December 2025, according to human rights groups, although the real death toll is believed to be significantly higher.

Further demonstrations broke out at universities in recent days, with reports of new protests also emerging on February 23.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33685306.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iran to Consider Even 'Limited Strike' by US as Act of Aggression - Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20260223

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Iran will consider even a "limited strike" by the United States as an act of aggression, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday.

"An act of aggression will remain an act of aggression," Baghaei told a briefing, answering a question about a possible "limited strike" by the United States.

Iran is drafting a text on a possible deal with the United States, Esmail Baghaei said, dismissing the claims about the possibility of concluding an interim agreement.

"We are currently at the stage of formulating our positions," Baghaei told a briefing.

He dismissed various reports about the Iran-US negotiations as speculation, saying claims of a temporary agreement with Washington "lack any factual basis."

He added that Iran is currently formulating its approach and hopes to hold a new round of talks with the US in the coming days.

"Any negotiation process requires joint action, and there is hope for results if there is goodwill and seriousness on both sides," Baghaei said.

The second round of Iran-US negotiations regarding Tehran's nuclear program took place on February 17 in Geneva with the Omani mediation.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that a "massive armada" was heading toward Iran and expressed hope that Iran would agree to negotiate a "fair and equitable" deal that would entail the complete abolition of nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized on February 8 that the Islamic Republic insisted on its right to enrich uranium, even if it led to war.

The next round of US-Iran talks will be held in Geneva on February 26, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, whose country is acting as a mediator in the talks, said on Sunday.

 Sputnik

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War risks mount in Middle East ahead of scheduled U.S.-Iran Geneva talks

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:09, February 24, 2026

CAIRO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- While the United States and Iran are scheduled to resume talks on Thursday, there is little indication of de-escalation in their military standoff.

With the United States ramping up its regional military presence, pulling out diplomatic personnel, and issuing mounting threats of potential strikes, regional experts warned that the risk of war in the Middle East is on the sharp rise.

TEHRAN OPEN TO TALKS, READY FOR WAR

Iranian officials have signaled both openness to negotiation and readiness for confrontation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned Monday that any U.S. attack, regardless of its scope and scale, will be considered an act of aggression and met with consequences.

Baghaei stressed that Iran's armed forces remain "vigilantly ready round the clock" even as diplomatic efforts continue.

He indicated Tehran is prepared for sustained talks over consecutive days or weeks, but pushed back against prolonged intervals, saying, "We have no benefit in prolonging the negotiation process."

The comments follow two rounds of indirect talks this month in Muscat and Geneva. A third is expected Thursday in Geneva, with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi possibly meeting U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described recent negotiations as having "yielded encouraging signals," while cautioning that Iran has "made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario."

In a move to demonstrate its strategic leverage, Iran conducted live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz last week, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Analysts have warned that any Iranian effort to obstruct the critical waterway could send global oil prices soaring and roil world financial markets.

WASHINGTON'S MILITARY BUILDUP, DIPLOMATS EVACUATION

As negotiations progress, Washington appears to be increasingly preparing for a potential conflict with Iran.

In one of his bluntest remarks yet, Trump said on Friday that he's considering a limited military strike on Iran.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, is set to arrive off Israel's coast and dock in Haifa on Monday.

As part of the reinforcements, U.S. aerial refueling tankers and heavy transport aircraft have also arrived at Israeli airports, bolstering the naval presence already provided by the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and its accompanying guided-missile destroyers in the region.

A significant increase in U.S. fighter jets and transport aircraft was also reported at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, a key U.S. military hub in the region, with similar buildups observed at other regional bases.

In Lebanon, the U.S. embassy evacuated dozens of staff members through Beirut's airport on Monday, described by Lebanese media as a preventive step in anticipation of regional escalation.

U.S. officials have stressed that diplomacy is still the preferred route, but have reiterated that "all options are on the table" if diplomacy fails to resolve disputes over Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told parliament the country faces "very challenging days" and issued a direct warning to Tehran, stating that if Iran attacks Israel, it would face a response "with a force they cannot even imagine."

MIDDLE EAST HOLDING ITS BREATH

The escalating tensions between the United States and Iran are leading more analysts to believe that a regional conflict is just around the corner.

"The military preparations and reinforcements the United States is carrying out in the region suggest that the possibility of war and U.S. strikes against Iran is highly likely," said Omani political analyst Khalfan al-Touqi.

If conflict erupts, al-Touqi cautioned, it will not resemble the limited 12-day war in June last year. "The strikes will not be limited, as some expect, but will be far more dangerous, with dire consequences not just for Iran, but for the entire region."

Diplomacy between the two sides has so far failed to yield clear progress on disputes over Iran's nuclear program or broader regional issues, with U.S. allies in the region watching with growing unease, noticed Steven A. Cook, a senior fellow for Middle East and Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

"For countries in the region, the prospect of U.S. strikes has stirred concerns over reprisals on their territory and a new round of regional upheaval," Cook added.

Echoing these concerns, Dana Stroul, research director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, pointed to the scale of U.S. preparations as a sign of seriousness.

"The U.S. military is ready for a sustained, highly kinetic campaign," Stroul said, noting that "two U.S. aircraft carriers, along with their accompanying vessels and air wings, were stationed in the Middle East last summer during the 12-day war," a posture that has since been reinforced.

The sense of urgency was amplified Sunday by a New York Times report indicating that Trump is considering launching a "targeted strike" on Iran to pressure Tehran to accept his nuclear demands. If Iran continues to hold out, the report added, that strike could be followed by a "larger attack" later this year.

Some regional experts argued that while the United States is prepared for war, the likelihood of conflict ultimately hinges on whether Iran is willing to make concessions.

Yet not all experts believed war is inevitable. Some argued that while Washington is posturing for conflict, its ultimate goal may be to extract concessions at the negotiating table.

"The most probable scenario is not a full-scale war, but rather a series of threats and possibly limited retaliation, with the United States hoping that Iran ... will opt for concessions in negotiations," said Adnan Hashem, a Yemeni political researcher specializing in Gulf affairs and Iranian politics.

Thair Abu Ras, director of Palestinian Programs at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, questioned whether Washington is truly prepared to pull the trigger. Despite the significant military footprint, Ras argued, Washington "is not politically prepared and lacks sufficient legal grounds, and most of its regional allies do not appear to be keen on a war of this nature."

Still, he acknowledged that the massive buildup leaves Washington with limited options. "In light of this scenario, everything remains possible. But after this level of military buildup, Trump finds himself facing two main options: either launching a strike or extracting an agreement that is presented to the American public as an achievement."

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Trump's top general warns of Iran aggression risks: reports

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 24 February 2026 3:22 AM

US media report that General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has warned President Donald Trump against the myriad dangers associated with acts of aggression against Iran, including the high probability of a costly, long-term entanglement.

The Washington Post reported on Monday that Caine expressed concern at the White House and Pentagon regarding munition shortages and a lack of allied support, which could leave US personnel vulnerable.

Similarly, The Wall Street Journal noted that Pentagon officials are wary of US and allied casualties, as well as the depletion of American air defenses should they attempt to strike Iranian territory.

The Axios news outlet further claimed that Caine warned of the United States "becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict."

But Trump on Monday rejected the reports, claiming on his Truth Social network that it was "100 percent incorrect" that Caine was "against us going to war with Iran."

The US president accused media outlets of writing "incorrectly, and purposefully so."

He once again issued threats against Iran and "its people", claiming a "very bad day" would occur for them if an agreement is not reached during ongoing nuclear talks on a replacement for the 2015 nuclear deal, which was derailed by Trump's unilateral decision to tear it up during his first term.

While the two countries held a second round of talks earlier this month in Switzerland, a third round is scheduled for Thursday, according to US officials.

The reports come as domestic and international pressure mounts against further escalation in West Asia.

Even within Trump's inner circle, figures such as negotiator Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have reportedly urged the president to abandon threats in favor of diplomacy, according to Axios.

Washington has continued its policy of "maximum pressure" by deploying a massive military force to the region, which includes two aircraft carriers, over a dozen warships, and a large contingent of warplanes.

Trump's recent rhetoric suggesting a pursuit of regime change in Iran marks a stark reversal of his campaign promises to end "dumb regime change wars" in West Asia.

Iran has warned the US against any strikes, even "limited" ones, vowing a decisive response that would put US regional bases and Israel under immediate fire.

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry reiterated that any American military action, regardless of scale, would be viewed as an act of war and unwarranted aggression.

"And any state would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right of self-defense, ferociously. So that's what we would do," ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said during a briefing in Tehran.

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Nouri al-Maliki vows not to withdraw bid for Iraq's premiership despite US threats

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 2:32 PM

Nouri al-Maliki, the former Iraqi prime minister nominated by the largest parliamentary bloc to return to office, says he will not withdraw his candidacy for the premiership despite US threats.

He made the remarks in an interview with AFP on Monday in response to a threat by US President Donald Trump to end all Washington's support for Iraq if Maliki took the post of prime minister.

"I have absolutely no intention of withdrawing out of respect for my country, its sovereignty, and its will. No one has the right to say whom we can or cannot vote for," he said.

"I will not withdraw until the end."

He said countries have the right to set conditions in their dealings with Iraq.

In January, Iraq's Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia parties that holds a parliamentary majority, nominated Maliki to the prime minister post, citing his political and administrative experience.

Trump said Iraq would make a "very bad choice" with Maliki, threatening diplomatic and economic consequences for the country.

Maliki, who heads the Islamic Dawa Party, categorically rejected "blatant US interference in Iraq's internal affairs."

Additionally, in his interview, Maliki defended Iraq's relations with Iran.

Those relations, he said, "rest on the principle that Iraq's sovereignty is respected" and "shared interests define this relationship."

He further vowed to prevent attacks on diplomatic missions in Iraq if he becomes the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Maliki said an understanding is "quite possible" with resistance factions.

"There is a good basis for understanding with the factions," but this cannot happen "through force, war, or confrontations," he added.

He also said the US demands from Iraq "are our demands. We want weapons in the hands of the state. We want a centralized military force."

In an X post on February 22, he said Iraq is open to "sound international partnerships," including with the United States and Europe.

"Our hand is extended for regional and international cooperation and integration for the benefit of the people of the region and the world," he said.

Maliki served as Iraq's prime minister from 2006 to 2014 and as vice president between 2014 and 2015 and again from 2016 to 2018.

He maintains close relations with various factions, including those linked to the anti-terror Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Knesset

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Events and Speeches

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 23.02.2026

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"Mr. Speaker,

Members of the Knesset,

Once a month we meet here. I listen attentively to your remarks, which are becoming increasingly polemical and very, very aggressive. At times, they deteriorate into a language that should not be common here. But I must tell you, I am not exactly deterred by these encounters. I don't even dislike them; sometimes, I can even enjoy them.

I recently returned from my seventh meeting with the President of the United States since his election. In the last two and a half years, we have pushed back a threat against every single citizen of Israel - Jews and non-Jews, Haredim and secular, and everyone in between. A threat against the 10 million citizens of Israel, who faced the danger of annihilation by the Iranian enemy and its proxies.

And I say today, regarding the subject of this debate, the safeguarding of the lives of millions of Israeli citizens: Israel has never been stronger. The alliance with the US has never been tighter. This includes the relationship between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel, between myself and Donald Trump. There have never been relations like these between the IDF and the US military, between our security agencies and their security services; there has never been anything like it.

The entire world knows Israel's strength. Leaders come to us: The Chancellor of Germany, leaders of world powers, the Prime Minister of India, a superpower of one and a half billion people, President Trump previously, and other leaders who have been here and spoken here.

So, I could come now, and I've prepared for this; I have points here; I could answer you in kind, but much more forcefully. I could confront you with the truth that you are trying to disguise. I could, but this is not the time for polemics. I am putting that aside. We are in complex and challenging days.

Members of the Knesset, no one knows what the day will bring. We are keeping a watchful eye; we are prepared for any scenario. I have conveyed and clarified to the Ayatollahs' regime that if they make what might be the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot even imagine.

This is not the time for bickering. In these days, on the eve of the Purim holiday, in those days, as at this season. We must close ranks as a nation and stand shoulder to shoulder.

I am confident in our strength. I trust our commanders. I trust our male and female fighters. I trust our people, and I trust you, the citizens of Israel. We have already proven that when we stand together, we achieve greatness. On the eve of Purim, we will stand together, and with G-d's help, we will ensure the eternity of Israel."

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Israel 'serious obstacle' to nuke-free West Asia: Iranian diplomat

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:31 PM

The Iranian deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs says Israel's weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) are a "serious obstacle" to the establishment of a West Asia free of nuclear arms.

Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament in the Swiss city of Geneva on Monday, Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran's long-standing initiative to create a zone free of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in West Asia requires universal adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the placement of all nuclear facilities in the region under the comprehensive Safeguards Agreements.

Israel is estimated to possess 200 to 400 nuclear warheads in its arsenal, making it the sole possessor of non-conventional arms in West Asia.

The occupying regime has refused to either allow inspections of its nuclear sites or sign the NPT.

Unlike Israel, Iran is a signatory to the NPT and has long been cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Also in his remarks, Gharibabadi called the NPT the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime.

"Iran has always been committed to its obligations under the NPT."

"The Islamic Republic does not have nuclear weapons, has never sought to acquire them, and has no intention of doing so. Iran's nuclear program is entirely peaceful and is guided by the country's legal obligations and its ideological and moral principles, which reject WMDs," the Iranian official said.

Gharibabadi placed a premium on Iran's inherent and non-negotiable right to peaceful nuclear energy, saying it cannot be suspended or revoked as a precondition for negotiations.

He was referring to indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States amid escalating tensions caused by the US military threats against Iran and the build-up of American forces in the region. The two sides held two rounds of Oman-mediated talks on February 6 and 17, with a third round expected on February 26.

Gharibabadi said any sustainable dialogue must be based on mutual respect, equal treatment, and non-selective implementation of international rules.

"While choosing the path of diplomacy, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and nation, and if necessary, will exercise its inherent right of self-defense in accordance with the UN Charter."

He said lasting peace is based on dialogue, the rule of law, and true multilateralism, and that it cannot be achieved through pressure and threats.

The continuation of armed conflicts, Israel's occupation and crimes in West Asia, and the weakening of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter pose serious challenges to global peace and security, the Iranian official warned.

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Keynote Address The Pacific - at the center of resilient connectivity

Ministry of Defense of Japan

February 23, 2026

1. Opening

Your Royal Highness, Your Excellencies, Distinguished delegates from the Pacific Island Countries.

Our friends from Southeast Asia who are joining us today as observers.

And all of our valued partners.

My name is Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister of Defense of Japan.

It is with the deepest sense of honor and heartfelt respect that I welcome each and every one of you to Japan.

Between us lies the vast Pacific Ocean.

Yet this Pacific has never been a wall that divides us.

For us, it has always beenand remainsa shared embrace, a blue corridor that binds us together and carries our common destiny forward.

I resonate deeply with the vision you have articulated in the words "the Blue Pacific Continent." Indeed, this region is no longer merely a collection of islands. Today, it has become one continentspread across the ocean itselfamong the most dynamic and vibrant in the world.

I was born and raised in Yokosuka, the gateway that connects Japan with the Pacific Island Countries. And it is from that personal history that I wish to share with you today a message that is, at its core, simple and clear.

To safeguard the Pacific as the "Ocean of peace".

To that end, with youthe custodians of the Blue Pacific Continentat the very center, let us strengthen the bonds among all those gathered in this hall, and together build a region that is autonomous, resilient, and enduring.

Today, I would like to address three points. First, the three challenges that we face. Second, how we will overcome those challenges. And third, the three pillars of action through which we will do so.

2. Three Challenges We Face

Let me begin with the first point, the three challenges we face.

Distinguished delegates, at this very moment, three turbulent waves are crashing upon this beautiful Blue Pacific Continent.

First, there is the stark reality of lands being lost to the seas.

Rising sea levels, cyclones, floods, and droughts driven by climate changethese are not merely environmental challenges. They strip people of their homelands, unsettle daily life, and threaten the very survival of nations.

As you yourselves have repeatedly and powerfully conveyed to the world, this is nothing less than the greatest threat to security.

Second, we face a challenge to the maritime order.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; smuggling and trafficking; and transnational crimes involving drugs and weapons. These acts do more than plunder marine resources or erode national sovereignty. They steadily corrode our societies and economies and shake the very foundations of the rule of law.

Distinguished delegates, without the rule of law at sea, there can be neither peace nor prosperity.

Third, we confront the weaponization of everything.

Economies, technologies, resources, information, and cyberspacemisused for political coercion and flooded with disinformation. These have already become real and present threats, exploiting the vulnerabilities of our societies and economies.

The boundary between peacetime and contingency, between military and non-military, between truth and fake news- these are no longer clearly visible.

And these three turbulent waves are not isolated.

They are interlinked, reinforcing and amplifying one another. Moreover, they are challenges that no country can withstand alone.

That is precisely why our preparedness cannot consist of isolated efforts. Our responses, too, must be interconnectedmutually reinforcing, and firmly bound together.

3. How We Will Overcome Those Challenges

Let me move onto the second point, how we will overcome those challenges.

There is only one thing that we must protect.

It is a free and open "ocean of peace," grounded in the rule of law.

How do we protect it? This is the second point I wish to address today.

My proposal is clear.

It is not about someone creating a single, massive framework and pressing you into it.

Rather, it is about the noble resolve held by youthe custodians of the Blue Pacific Continentthe resolve that the future of your own countries and of this region must be chosen by yourselves.

It is about taking that resolve and, through our own efforts, connecting points into lines, weaving lines into networks, and layering those networks again and again, until they become strong and enduring.

And it is about extending such networks within the region, and even beyond it  so that when some countries face crisis, or are struck by disaster, the region as a whole can absorb the shock and push back together.

That is how we generate true resilience.

I have called this approach a "multilayered network of interconnectivity."

Distinguished delegates, this is not a theory confined to paper.

For example, the Operation Christmas Drop, which has now been carried out continuously for more than eleven years.

This year as well, the air forces of Japan, the United States, Canada, and the Republic of Korea, working in close coordination with the authorities of Micronesia and Palau, delivered large quantities of humanitarian assistance.

Or consider the major volcanic eruption in Tonga four years ago.

When a Japanese transport vessel carried emergency relief supplies to Tonga, it was an Australian ship that provided the fuel it needed. And it was Australia that refueled the transport aircraft as well.

In response to crises in the region, countries that share the same spirit connect their respective efforts, generate synergy, and transform those efforts into strength for the region as a whole.

This is the power of interconnectivity.

The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent that you have put forward clearly articulates the principle of addressing challenges effectively through coordinated responses.

Our ideals and our approaches resonate deeply with one another.

4. Three pillars of action

Now, let me turn to my third point today.

It is about three pillars to strengthen interconnectivity across the region:

"connecting people," "connecting crisis response," and "connecting resilience."

First, the connection between people and people.

The starting point of trust is a face-to-face relationship.

Distinguished delegates, this JPIDD itself is an important forum for that very purpose.

At this moment, at Japan's National Defense Academy, four young students from Fiji and Tonga are studying side by side with Japanese students  learning together, training together, and growing together. They are with us here today as well. Please give them a huge round of applause.

Thank you.

Furthermore, this year Japan will launch a new initiative: the Next-Generation Leadership Security Program. It is a new effort designed to enable practitioners to build face-to-face relationships of trust with one another.

They will, I am confident, become the leaders who will connect Japan with your region in the years ahead.

Next, the connection in crisis response.

Climate change and natural disasters, infectious diseases, IUU fishing, and transnational crime  all of these cross borders with ease. That is precisely why our responses must be connected across borders.

Japan is providing strong support to enhance maritime domain awareness across the region and to strengthen maritime law enforcement capabilities. Last year, our Maritime Self-Defense Force visited twelve countries in the region and conducted joint training, including boarding and inspection exercises, with eleven countries.

Going forward as well, together with you, we will continue to build a region that is resilient in the face of crises and disasters.

Third, the connection of resilience.

Cyberattacks, the malicious use of AI, and disinformation  these are new and invisible threats. They have already become real and present dangers, threatening our economies and fracturing our societies.

Strengthening cybersecurity, ensuring the sound and responsible use of AI, and addressing disinformation  on these challenges as well, we will work together with you.

Together, we will safeguard democracy and protect the information space.

Today, JPIDD has taken a historic step forward.

I invite distinguished delegates to take a look around. Alongside the leaders of the Pacific Island Countries, for the first time, our friends from Southeast Asia are also with us today.

This clearly points to the new direction that JPIDD must pursue in the years ahead.

Japan, together with the U.S. and like-minded countries; the Pacific Island Countries; and Southeast Asia. We, each based on our own free choices, will deepen our interconnectivity.

And together, as a whole, we will strengthen our resilience and autonomy, so that we can stand firm against any crisis or danger that threatens peace and prosperity.

Together with all of you, I wish to move toward such a futurewith greater resolve, greater substance, and greater speed.

That is my last point.

5. Closing

Now, the network of interconnectivity is expanding even further.

In 2007, then-Prime Minister Abe delivered a speech in India entitled "The Confluence of the Two Seas." It set forth a vision in which the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean would be bound together as seas of freedom and prosperity.

Just last month in Honolulu, and a week ago in Munich, I stated that the security of the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic is inseparable.

What were once the two seas have now expanded into three seasthe Pacific, the Indian, and the Atlantic. And at the very center of them all lies one sea: our Pacific.

The Pacific may, at times, be rough.

But if we can build a strong and multi-layered network, reaching beyond regions, then no matter how fierce the waves may become, the Pacific can  and will  remain the ocean of peace.

The oceans must be free and open. We are sustained by a shared resolve.

Distinguished delegates, it was the ancestors of the Pacific people that in the long-distant past brought about the "confluence of the two seas" through trade.

And in this era of three seas, we are the protagonists.

That is why JPIDD exists. Let us speak candidly, and let us act together.

Tomorrow marks four years since Russia's aggression against Ukraine began. I sincerely hope that this JPIDD will serve as a platform where we stand united in our unwavering commitment to peace - and where we reaffirm that attempts to change the status quo by force must never be tolerated.

Thank you very much.

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Japan-Fiji Defense Minister's Meeting

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release)

February 23, 2026

Japan Ministry of Defense

On February 23, 2026, Defense Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro held a meeting with Hon. Pio TIKODUADUA, Minister of Defence and Veterans' Affairs of Fiji, visiting Japan for the "3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue." The summary of the meeting is as follows:

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Koizumi stated that Japan and Tonga are valuable friends connected by the Pacific Ocean, and are partners that share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Minister Koizumi also paid his respect to Fiji's important role in securing peace and stability in the region. Both Ministers welcomed the advancement of cooperation in the defense field between Japan and Fiji, and confirmed the progress made in cooperation regarding maritime security and HA/DR including capacity building assistance. Minister Koizumi stated that he would like to proactively continue engaging in these areas. Furthermore, Minister Koizumi welcomed the first-ever cadets from Fiji to the National Defense Academy and also proposed a new initiative: "Next-Generation Leadership Security Program." The program is a new initiative to further facilitate human exchanges and is designed to invite young/middle-class staffers within the defense authorities of the Pacific Islands who will bear the responsibility of policy making in the future to Japan. To this proposal, Minister Tikoduadua responded that this is a wonderful proposal and that Fiji would like to happily accept the offer. In addition, the two Minister concurred to make a Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges to further strengthen collaboration in the security field between the two countries.

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Japan- Tonga Defense Minister's Meeting

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release)

February 23, 2026

Japan Ministry of Defense

On February 23, 2026, Defense Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro held a meeting with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Tupoutoa ULUKALALA (Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for His Majesty's Armed Forces) of Kingdom of Tonga, visiting Japan for the "3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue." The summary of the meeting is as follows:

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Koizumi stated that Japan and Tonga are valuable friends connected by the Pacific Ocean, and are partners that share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Minister Koizumi also paid his respect to Tonga's important role in securing peace and stability in the region. Both Ministers welcomed the advancement of cooperation in the defense field between Japan and Tonga, and confirmed the progress made in cooperation regarding maritime security and HA/DR including capacity building assistance. Minister Koizumi stated that he would like to proactively continue engaging in these areas. Furthermore, Minister Koizumi welcomed the first-ever cadets from Tonga to the National Defense Academy and also proposed a new initiative: "Next-Generation Leadership Security Program." The program is a new initiative to further facilitate human exchanges and is designed to invite young/middle-class staffers within the defense authorities of the Pacific Islands who will bear the responsibility of policy making in the future to Japan. To this proposal, the Crown Prince Tupoutoa ULUKALALA responded that this is a wonderful proposal and that Tonga would like to happily accept the offer. In addition, the two Minister concurred to make a Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges to further strengthen collaboration in the security field between the two countries.

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Japan-PNG Defense Minister's Meeting

Ministry of Defense of Japan

(Press Release)

February 23, 2026

Japan Ministry of Defense

On February 23, 2026, Defense Minister KOIZUMI Shinjiro held a meeting with Hon. Dr. Billy M. Joseph, Minister of Defense of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, visiting Japan for the "3rd Japan-Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue." The summary of the meeting is as follows:

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Koizumi stated that Japan and Tonga are valuable friends connected by the Pacific Ocean, and are partners that share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Minister Koizumi especially emphasized and welcomed that, through the JSDF's involvement in teaching PNG's military band, a bond is being nurtured through music. As a symbol of such bond, the JGSDF military band that performed together with the PNG military band on the occasion of the Military Tattoo that celebrated the 50th anniversary of PNG's independence made a performance to welcome Minister Joseph to Japan. Both Ministers welcomed the advancement of cooperation in the defense field between Japan and PNG, and exchanged opinions on cooperation regarding maritime security and HA/DR. The two Ministers affirmed to further enhance cooperation in these areas. Furthermore, Minister Koizumi proposed a new initiative: "Next-Generation Leadership Security Program." The program is a new initiative to further facilitate human exchanges and is designed to invite young/middle-class staffers within the defense authorities of the Pacific Islands who will bear the responsibility of policy making in the future to Japan. To this proposal, Minister Joseph responded that this is a wonderful proposal and that Fiji would like to happily accept the offer. In addition, the two Minister concurred to make a Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges to further strengthen collaboration in the security field between the two countries.

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Japan-UK Vice Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

February 23, 2026

On February 23, commencing at 9:15 p.m. (12.15 p.m. on February 23, local time) for 2 hours, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a Vice Ministers' meeting including a working lunch with Sir Oliver Robbins KCMG CB, Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

Building on the visit of The Rt Hon Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Japan, the first by a British Prime Minister in three years, which was highly fruitful and clearly demonstrated the high quality of Japan-UK relations, the two sides confirmed to strengthen bilateral relations in a wide range of areas such as security and defense, economic security and economy. The two sides also confirmed that both countries will work together to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law. The two sides concurred to work together with allies and like-minded countries to further strengthen the critical minerals supply chains. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues such as regional issues, including the Indo-Pacific, the situation in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, in addition to bilateral relations. The two sides confirmed that Japan and the UK will further strengthen their ties through bilateral, G7 and international cooperation.

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On 23 February 2026, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Dera Ismail Khan District, on reported presence of khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - February 23, 2026

No PR-56/2026-ISPR

On 23 February 2026, Security Forces conducted an intelligence based operation in Dera Ismail Khan District, on reported presence of khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Khwarij.

During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, four Khwarij were sent to hell.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from Indian sponsored killed Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharji found in the area, as the relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm-e-Istehkam" (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

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Human rights violations in Russia: EU lists additional eight individuals

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

23 February 2026 13:24

Today, the Council imposed restrictive measures on eight individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

The new listings target members of the judiciary - 2 judges, one prosecutor and one investigator - involved in politically motivated trials - responsible for sentencing Russian activists Dmitry Skurikhin and Oleg Belousov on politically motivated charges. Furthermore, the measures agreed today target the heads of penal colonies and a pre-detention centre, where political prisoners Aleksei Gorinov, Pavel Kushnir, Mikhail Kriger and journalist Maria Ponomarenko, speaking out against Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and criticising Putin's regime, were held and kept in solitary confinement and inhuman and degrading conditions.

The individuals designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are also subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU remains unwavering in its condemnation of human rights violations and repressions in Russia, and is deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, especially in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Background

The Council established a new framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses, repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia in March 2024, as the EU's response to the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia. The new framework has been established following the death of Alexei Navalny.

The regime allows the EU to target also those who provide support for or are involved in the misconduct set out above. Furthermore, it entails trade restrictions on exporting to Russia equipment, which might be used for internal repression and the monitoring or interception of telecommunication.

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Hungary, Slovakia Block New EU Sanctions On Russia

By Rikard Jozwiak February 23, 2026

The European Union has failed to agree on more sanctions on Russia, that were planned to be in place by the fourth anniversary of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The bloc's foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on February 23, failed to clinch a deal following opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.

"I really regret that we didn't achieve agreement today, considering that tomorrow is the sad anniversary of the start of the war, because we need to send a strong signal to Ukraine that we keep on supporting Ukraine -- and also put strong pressure on Russia," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

She also said that work on the sanctions package, the EU's 20th since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, would continue.

The Hungarian and Slovak vetoes are not related to any of the proposed restrictive measures but are linked to a halt in Russian oil deliveries from the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline that goes to the two Central European states via Ukraine.

What Was Blocked?

The sanctions would include a maritime services ban related to Russian petroleum products that would prohibit EU-based companies from providing services to any vessel transporting these products from Russian ports.

There were also measures against Moscow's so-called shadow fleet used for circumventing sanctions and against third countries helping Moscow do so.

In addition to there being no agreement on the sanctions package, there was also no breakthrough in overcoming an additional Hungarian veto in approving a 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027 that was tentatively agreed by the bloc's leaders in December.

A readout from the ministerial meeting that RFE/RL received said there was "broad frustration among the 25 other EU member states." Several ministers openly questioned Hungary's motive, it added, suggesting the entire move was about April's parliamentary election in the country rather than oil.

Several recent polls indicate that the ruling Fidesz party is poised to lose the vote.

Druzhba 'Blackmail'

The halt in oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline occurred on January 27, when Kyiv said a Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in western Ukraine. Both Slovakia and Hungary have, however, accused Ukraine of not wanting to repair the damage.

The two landlocked countries still depend on Russian oil and have secured exemptions from EU sanctions that otherwise ban imports from the country.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto tweeted that "there is no technical or operational reason preventing the restart of oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline. It's therefore obvious that Ukraine's decision is purely political, an attempt to pressure Hungary in coordination with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition. We will not give in to blackmail."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also threatened over the weekend to cut off emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine unless Druzhba became operational on February 23.

Slovakia has contributed to nearly a fifth of Ukraine's electricity imports in January as Russia has pounded the war-torn's country's energy infrastructure throughout a bitter winter.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded in a tweet, saying, "Statements from Budapest and Bratislava are provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region."

Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a European Commission spokeswoman, said during a media briefing in Brussels that "Russia destroyed the Druzhba pipeline. Our priority is the energy security of our member states. Ukraine has committed to repairing the pipeline and the decision on the timeline is for them to make."

She also confirmed that an oil coordination group bringing together energy experts from the bloc would meet on February 25 "to take stock of the situation."

Alternative Routes For Oil

Ahead of the Brussels talks, news emerged overnight that a Ukrainian drone hit an oil pumping station near the village of Kaleikino in Tatarstan, Russia, which is a major hub for the Druzhba system where oil from Siberia, Tatarstan, and Bashkortostan is mixed.

But Hungary and Slovakia have alternatives to Druzhba.

Hungarian energy giant MOL announced last week it would release about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil from its strategic reserves to make up for any shortfalls in supply. The Hungarian Hydrocarbon Stockpiling Association noted that, in any case, Hungary had as of the end of January enough crude oil and petroleum product reserves to cover 96 days.

To secure more oil, Budapest recently requested that Croatia supply it via the Adria pipeline with JANAF, the Croatian pipeline operator.

Ihor Chalenko, head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies think tank in Kyiv, told Current Time that the issue was political rather than technical.

"What is happening now is merely an attempt to use the circumstances to effectively block direct aid to Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros ($105 billion) and to block increased pressure on the Russian aggressor. This has nothing to do with the economic situation in Hungary and Slovakia," he said.

Hungary Blocks 90-Billion-Euro Loan

The foreign ministers' meeting was also rocked by a letter from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to European Council President Antonio Costa dated February 23.

In the letter, seen by RFE/RL, Orban outlines why he is now blocking an emergency loan to Ukraine even though Hungary, alongside Slovakia and the Czech Republic, got an exemption from contributing to it at an EU summit in December.

"Recent developments have forced me to reconsider my position. Since mid-February Ukraine refuses to restore the transfer of crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary due to political considerations and in violation of its international obligations. This is an unprovoked act of hostility that undermines the energy security of Hungary," the letter reads.

Despite the opt-out, unanimity among all EU member states is needed to amend a regulation that would allow Brussels to use the bloc's common budget to lend the 90 billion euro to Kyiv.

The European Parliament has already voted in favor of the loan and the assumption until recently in the bloc was that member states would give the necessary green light imminently to make sure that the money goes to Kyiv before it faces a budgetary shortfall in April.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-slovakia-block-eu- sanctions-russia/33685525.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia - Australia lowers price cap on Russian crude oil

Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

24 February 2026

Category: International relations

On 24 February 2026 the Foreign Minister announced Australia had lowered the Oil Price Cap (OPC) applicable to maritime services provided in relation to Russian-origin crude oil from USD47.60 to USD44.10 per barrel.

Current sanctions

Australia implements a total ban on the importation of Russian-origin products (including oil, gas, refined petroleum products and coal) as defined in Chapter 27 of the Combined Australian Customs Tarriff Nomenclature and Statistical Classification. These goods are designated as import sanctioned goods in Schedule 1 of the Autonomous Sanctions (Import Sanctioned Goods - Russia) Designation 2022.

Under Australian sanctions laws:

the importation, purchase or transport of import sanctioned goods, and

the provision of financial assistance or financial services that assist with, or are provided in relation to the above are prohibited without a sanctions permit.

Financial services subject to this prohibition include:

investment services services providing financial advice brokering services insurance and reinsurance financial derivatives.

Implementation of the OPC

The OPC means Australian individuals and companies can only provide transport and financial services in relation to Russian-origin oil and refined petroleum products when those products are purchased by third countries below the relevant price caps. As at 24 February 2026, the applicable price caps are:

USD44.1 per barrel for crude oil

USD100 per barrel for high value refined petroleum products

USD45 per barrel for low value refined petroleum products.

The OPC is implemented domestically via permits. The general permits that previously authorised OPC related activities have now expired. If you are an Australian or Australian body corporate seeking to provide these services, please contact the Australian Sanctions Office (through our online portal, Pax) to apply for a permit or to request further information.

Further details of sanctions that Australia imposes against Russia are available on the Russia sanctions page.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

February 23, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary Rubio spoke today with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. They discussed economic cooperation and continued close coordination on regional security and stability.

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Israel conducted 41 incursions into Syria in February amid HTS 'suspicious silence': Report

Iran Press TV

Monday, 23 February 2026 6:45 AM

A Britain-based war monitor says Israeli occupation forces executed 41 incursions into several areas inside Syria since the beginning of February, while the ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime maintained a "suspicious silence."

"In a continued violation of Syrian territory and a clear breach of national sovereignty, Israeli forces have escalated their military movements in southern Syria, carrying out a series of ground incursions and aerial overflights in the Quneitra and Dara'a countryside since the beginning of February," the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday.

The monitor added that the incursions have taken place "without any response, amid a suspicious silence from the Syrian regime regarding these violations."

As they entered Syria, Israeli forces abducted civilians, destroyed agricultural lands, and set up temporary military checkpoints deep inside Syrian territory, the observatory pointed out.

The monitoring group said the unlawful invasions have adversely affected the lives of local inhabitants, especially shepherds, farmers, and villagers residing close to the 1974 ceasefire line established between Israeli and Syrian troops after the October War (Yom Kippur War).

Following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government in early December 2024, the Israeli military has been conducting airstrikes targeting military installations, facilities, and arsenals previously operated by the Syrian army.

Israel has faced widespread criticism for ending the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria and taking advantage of the chaos in the war-torn nation to seize territory. The UN, along with several Arab nations, condemned Israel's actions as breaches of international law and violations of Syria's sovereignty.

Despite the HTS's pledges of cooperation with Tel Aviv, Israel has remained unwilling to withdraw from Syria. The two sides have been engaged in on-and-off talks to reach a "security agreement" for months, but no deal or concrete progress has been announced.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered his forces to push deeper into Syrian territory beyond the 1967-occupied Golan Heights and seize several strategic locations.

Over the past year, Israel has launched more than 600 air, drone, or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging nearly two attacks a day, according to a tally by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).

The bulk of the Israeli attacks have been concentrated in the southern Syrian governorates of Quneitra, Dara'a, and Damascus, which account for nearly 80 percent of all recorded Israeli attacks.

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Taiwan's Martial Law-era archives fully declassified

ROC Central News Agency

02/23/2026 04:42 PM

Taipei, Feb. 23 (CNA) Taiwan's top intelligence agency said Monday that it has completely declassified tens of thousands of political archives it possessed from the Martial Law period and transferred them to the National Archives.

In a news release, the National Security Bureau (NSB) said it took them 16 months to review, digitize, and transfer all the hard copies and digital files it possessed to the National Archives Administration (NAA) under the National Development Council.

The political archives declassified and transferred to the NAA cover a wide range of subjects, including "public security and counterintelligence systems during the Martial Law period," "records on surveillance and public security work conducted by intelligence agencies," and "activities of overseas independence groups," among others, according to the NSB.

The NSB, however, said that despite the thorough review, it could not determine whether some classified files were lost or destroyed, given that archives from decades ago were compiled into folders and stored by individual officers in charge and there were no itemized records for each document within each folder.

The NSB said opening these previously concealed political archives is important for seeking the truth, setting historical records straight, and promoting social reconciliation, as President Lai Ching-te () has previously pledged to do.

Since November 2024, the agency has conducted the latest declassification process by taking an inventory of archives in its possession dated before 1992, including those from the Martial Law era, which lasted from 1949 until 1987.

During the rule of the then-Kuomintang (KMT) government, tens of thousands of people were persecuted, smeared, imprisoned, or even put to death to quell dissent.

According to the NSB, the work was divided into two phases. First, it conducted a comprehensive inventory of archives in its possession dated before 1992. Altogether, 23,757 folders, equivalent to 566,415 items, were reviewed and submitted to the NAA.

The NAA determined in June 2025 that, among them, a total of 1,369 folders comprising 51,133 items were political archives.

In the second phase, the NSB conducted a manual review of these 51,133 political archive items folder by folder, item by item, and page by page. The process included declassification and digitization.

All political archives dated before 1992 have now been declassified and made fully public and accessible in accordance with the law, without any redactions, it added.

The physical archives were packaged into 94 archival boxes and, along with their digital image files, transferred to the NAA in batches, with the last batch completed early Monday, it added.

The latest declassification and transfer came after the NSB had previously conducted eight rounds of comprehensive inventory and transfer of the archives in its possession from 2000 to October 2024.

In total, 140,758 items contained in 4,685 folders across 1,871 files have been declassified and transferred to the NAA, according to the NSB.

(By Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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Taiwan arms sales reported in limbo spark speculation of possibility of delay, triggering concerns from island media about being abandoned by the US

Global Times

By Liang Rui and Liu Xuanzun Published: Feb 23, 2026 11:59 PM

US media recently reported that as the US government weighs stabilizing relations with China, a major arms sale to Taiwan island has fallen into limbo. The reports have reignited speculation in the Taiwan island over possibility of "US abandoning Taiwan island," putting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, who have long claimed that relations between the US and the island are "rock solid", in an awkward position.

A US arms sale to Taiwan island is clashing with US President Donald Trump's desire to strike a trade deal with China, a report of The Hill claimed on Sunday.

Lyle Goldstein, director of the Asia Program at Defense Priorities, claimed in an interview with The Hill that the package will likely be delayed and announced after the president's reported trip to China, adding he expects the sale to include fewer advanced weapons, such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) light multiple rocket launchers, and M109 Paladin artillery system, and feature more F-16 fighter jets.

On February 18, The Wall Street Journal revealed that a major US arms-sales package for the island of Taiwan is in limbo.

When asked if the US planned to send more weapons to Taiwan island, Trump claimed that they'll make a determination pretty soon on February 16, reported The Hill.

The reports of US media have sparked doubts from Taiwan island local media with regard to US' commitment to the island as the 1982 Six Assurances bar the US from consulting Beijing on Taiwan arms sales.

Even Taiwan island's media outlet Formosa, which was founded by figures from DPP, published a commentary on Monday noted that though seemingly no more than a few remarks, this has been enough to unsettle Taiwan island.

According to a Sunday report by United Daily News, Huang, Kwei-Bo, a professor in the department of diplomacy at National Chengchi University, said that in terms of weight within the US' overall national strategic layout, Taiwan island still has its importance, but its replaceability is growing. By contrast, the Chinese mainland occupies an absolutely higher position, and it also possesses both the capacity and the willingness to resist or counter the US, forcing Washington to view it differently.

Separately, Wang Kun-Yih, president of the Taiwan International Strategic Study Society, wrote in an article published Saturday on CTI News that in recent years the mainland's rise in defense and economic strength - especially against the backdrop of a long-standing and severe imbalance in cross-Straits military capabilities - has made the cost for the United States to protect Taiwan increasingly high. During the Chinese New Year period, he noted, the DPP authorities' most frequent messaging was still urging Taiwan society not to further speculate notions such as "US abandoning Taiwan island", with any skepticism toward Washington potentially being labeled as "fellow traveler of the CPC."

The article went on to ask: after the DPP has tied Taiwan's overall security and economic interests entirely to the US, yet now faces news that even arms sales to Taiwan might be subject to discussion, "shouldn't the DPP government be questioning whether the US is in fact the real 'fellow traveler of the CPC'?"

The United Daily News published a commentary on Friday, claiming this suggests that Washington's stance on Taiwan island is wavering and that its commitments to the island may change.

The Hill report claimed that while Trump isn't abandoning US support for Taiwan island, it shows "the extra level of priority that he gives to stabilizing bilateral relations with China, especially when it comes to trade."

The Taiwan question remains a central and unavoidable issue in China-US relations, whether on trade or other political matters, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday. As the current US administration prioritizes China-US trade relations in the current period, arms sales to the island of Taiwan could be used as a bargaining chip. But in any case, arms sales cannot alter Chinese mainland's military advantage, nor can they change the fact that Taiwan island is part of China.

Previously in December 2025, responding to a question about the announcement of the US's large-scale arms sales to Taiwan island, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the US's massive arms sales to China's Taiwan region grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, undermine China's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, disrupt peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and send a seriously wrong message to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and others. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has immediately lodged serious protests with the US side.

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Four years on: justice, accountability and peace for Ukraine

Council of Europe

Statement by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Secretary General

Strasbourg

23 February 2026

Tomorrow, 24 February, marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Strikes on homes, schools, hospitals, and energy infrastructure continue unabated, leaving people without electricity and heat in the harshest winter of the war.

As the war enters its fifth year, 2026 must be the year peace returns to Ukraine. But peace cannot be a pause in violence. It must be just, lasting, and secured by binding guarantees and full accountability for aggression. A sustainable peace will be built by Ukraine, with Europe, and grounded in law.

Accountability is not an abstract principle. It is the foundation of Ukraine's recovery  and of a durable peace.

As I highlighted last week in Kyiv, "we can help ensure that the crimes do not disappear. That what was done to Ukraine is not erased. That peace, when it comes, is not built on impunity."

Our Register of Damage has already recorded more than 110,000 claims  only a fraction of the destruction inflicted on the Ukrainian people. Today, the Register is opening a new category of claims: Ukrainian refugees who were forced to move abroad will now be able to submit compensation claims for damages suffered.

Last December, we opened for signature the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission. Thirty-five states and the European Union signed on day one, an unprecedented show of unity. This sends a clear message: without compensation and redress, there can be no genuine recovery.

At the same time, a Council of Europe advance team is working towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression. As I conveyed to President Zelensky in Kyiv, the next step now requires the highest-level political commitment from states. Accountability must move from principle to concrete reality.

The Council of Europe is not standing by. We are delivering the most ambitious Action Plan in our history  a strategic instrument that accompanies Ukraine on its reform path toward European Union membership and anchors recovery firmly in democratic standards, the rule of law and human rights. This Action Plan is not technical assistance; it is a cornerstone of Ukraine's reconstruction and of Europe's long-term security architecture.

Every entity of the Council of Europe is mobilised.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe keeps accountability, justice and democratic resilience high on national parliamentary agendas. The Ukrainian delegation's advocacy has secured nearly 30 resolutions and recommendations in support of Ukraine, and PACE cooperation activities assist the Verkhovna Rada in strengthening the institutional framework essential for a resilient democracy, even in times of crisis.

Local and regional leaders have been on the front lines since the first day of aggression. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has mobilised mayors and regional leaders across Europe, supporting democratic governance, recovery planning and trust-building at the local level  where reconstruction begins  while continuing to assist Ukrainian authorities with decentralisation reform and preparations for the transition from military to civilian administration.

The Commissioner for Human Rights has worked on the ground to assess the human rights impact of the war and to ensure that human rights remain central to peace and recovery efforts, including through a Memorandum on human rights elements for peace in Ukraine, and supports the essential work of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

The European Court of Human Rights remains the only international court adjudicating violations of human rights arising from this war. In a landmark judgment last July, it held Russia accountable for widespread violations in Ukraine since 2014. The Court also made clear that Russia is responsible for the unlawful transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children and must cooperate in their safe return. We will use every legal mechanism available to ensure that these children are brought home.

Four years of war have tested Ukraine's resilience, but they have not broken it. Ukrainian soldiers and veterans have made immense sacrifices. Recovery must therefore include reintegration, independent justice, anti-corruption safeguards, inclusive policies and community-based support so that every Ukrainian can participate in rebuilding the country. We are contributing to the promotion of equal rights for women and girls, including in times of conflict. Through our cooperation programmes, we are embedding these principles into Ukraine's institutions and its future.

Peace will not be secured by declarations alone. It will be secured by law, institutions and sustained political commitment. The Council of Europe is shaping the legal and institutional foundations on which Ukraine's peace and recovery will stand, from accountability mechanisms to democratic reform, from human rights protection to anti-corruption standards.

Ukraine's future is European. Ukraine is a longstanding member of the Council of Europe, and its reconstruction, justice and democratic resilience are a shared European responsibility. We will remain fully engaged, not only until the war ends, but until justice is delivered and a just and lasting peace is firmly secured.

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Register of Damage for Ukraine opens claims to Ukrainian refugees abroad

Council of Europe

Possibility for 6.8 million displaced Ukrainians to seek compensation

Council of Europe

The Hague

23 February 2026

The Register of Damage for Ukraine, part of an international compensation mechanism within the framework of the Council of Europe, has today opened a new category of claims for those seeking compensation for damage caused by the Russian Federation's aggression.

Category A1.2, concerning "Involuntary displacement outside of Ukraine", enables people who were forced to leave their home and move abroad as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion, and those who have been unable to return to Ukraine for the same reason, to submit claims for damages.

Ukrainians displaced by war: 6.8 million

Nearly four years after the start of the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, more than 6.8 million people remain displaced outside Ukraine, according to the United Nations.

For many, displacement has meant prolonged separation from home, disruption of family life and significant psychological hardship. The opening of Category A1.2 allows people who have been affected to submit claims for non-material harm suffered as a direct consequence of their involuntary displacement.

People displaced abroad - along with all others who have suffered damage as a result of the war - may also submit claims under the other categories that are currently open in the Register. These cover a wide range of harm, including damage or destruction of property, loss of housing, personal injury, loss of life, missing family members, conflict-related sexual violence, and other serious violations and losses resulting from Russia's aggression.

Those who have been granted temporary protection or asylum by another state as a result of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion will be considered to have been involuntarily displaced outside Ukraine for the purposes of Category A1.2. This category of claims is now open to Ukrainian nationals and will be extended to people of other nationalities following the completion of the necessary technical arrangements.

Register of Damage expanding claims categories

Category A1.2 is the fifteenth category of claims opened by the Register of Damage. Today's launch, on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, marks a further step in the coordinated international effort to document damage and develop a comprehensive compensation mechanism as a means of reparation.

Established under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the Register of Damage for Ukraine exemplifies the ongoing commitment of the international community to ensuring accountability and supporting victims of the war, as well as the Council of Europe's central role in this global effort.

In December 2025, 35 states and the European Union signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, a key element of this compensation framework. Under international law, a state responsible for an "internationally wrongful act" is obliged to make full reparation for the injury caused. The Register constitutes the first operational component of this broader international compensation mechanism.

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Updated Ukraine Recovery and Reconstruction Needs Assessment Released

European External Action Service (EEAS)

23.02.2026

Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE

Findings highlight the expanding footprint of destruction and the increasing complexity in restoring systems essential for economic recovery and social well-being.

Four years into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an updated joint Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) released today by the Government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations currently estimates that as of 31 December 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is almost $588 billion (over 500 billion) over the next decade, which is nearly 3 times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for 2025.

With the support of development partners, the Government of Ukraine is taking significant steps to meet recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2026, including public investment projects and essential recovery support programs such as funding for destroyed housing, demining, and multisector economic support programs, totaling more than $15 billion. In addition, per the available information collected under the RDNA assessment, at least $20 billion in needs have already been met since February 2022 through urgent repairs and early recovery activities in housing, energy, education, transport, and other essential sectors.

"Four years into Russia's full-scale invasion, the total cost of Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery is now estimated at nearly $588 billion over the next decade, nearly three times the country's projected nominal GDP for 2025," noted Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko. "Amid unprecedented Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and homes across Ukraine this winter, our people show resilience, our entrepreneurs keep working. We still manage to recover fast and develop further. I thank the World Bank, EU, and UN teams for supporting our efforts to stand against the challenges. The assistance helps us urgently repair our critical infrastructure to keep the country running as well as continue systematic recovery activities focusing on energy projects and housing for our people."

The latest update presents an overview of nearly four years of impact, covering 46 months between February 2022 and December 2025. It finds that direct damage in Ukraine has now reached over $195 billion (166 billion), up from $176 billion (150 billion) in the RDNA4 of February 2025, with housing, transport, and energy sectors being most affected. Damage, losses, and needs remain concentrated in frontline oblasts and major metropolitan areas.

In the energy sector, which has been subject to increased attacks as Ukraine endures a winter of record intensity, there has been an approximately 21 percent increase in damaged or destroyed assets since the RDNA4, including power generation, transmission, distribution infrastructure, and district heating. In the transport sector, needs have increased by around 24 percent since RDNA4 and are the result of intensified attacks on rail and ports during 2025. As of December 31, 2025, 14 percent of housing has been damaged or destroyed, impacting over three million households.

"Despite the widespread damage that continues to mount against Ukraine's people, economy and infrastructure, the entire country continues to press on with remarkable strength and resolve," saidAnna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. "The World Bank Group stands firmly committed to supporting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction and helping to advance the people of Ukraine with jobs, opportunities and hope in a resilient, modern, and competitive economy."

Ukraine's private sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of unprecedented disruption and will play a critical role in recovery and reconstruction. The RDNA5 underscores that unlocking the full potential of private investmentboth domestic and internationalwill depend on sustained reforms to improve the business environment, strengthen competition, expand access to finance, address labor constraints, and align production with EU green and digital standards.

Promoting sustainable and inclusive development and job creation, and integrated approaches to resilient recovery at the local levelsuch as through the Government's pilot Comprehensive Restoration programwill also be essential. The RDNA5 findings complement the reform and investment agenda of the Ukraine Facility, grounded in the EU accession process, for the next two years.

"Russia's war of aggression has brought destruction unseen in generations," said EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. "This assessment shows the scale of the challenge and the opportunity before us. Our response is clear: we will rebuild Ukraine as a strong, modern EU country. Through bold reforms and the Ukraine Investment Framework as our tools to mobilize investments at scale, we will transform devastation into prosperity and advance Ukraine's path to the EU."

Of the total long-term needs, reconstruction and recovery needs are the highest in the transport sector (over $96 billion (82 billion)). This is followed by the energy sector (nearly $91 billion (77 billion)), the housing sector (almost $90 billion (77 billion)), commerce and industry sector (over $63 billion (54 billion)), and agriculture sector (over $55 billion (47 billion)). The cost of explosives hazard management and debris clearance is almost $28 billion (24 billion), despite some progress in surveying and demining that helped to contain losses in this sector.

"People are central to recovery," said Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. "Ukraine's most critical asset is its people. Refugee return, veteran reintegration, and women's labor force participation will shape economic recovery as much as capital flows and rebuilding infrastructure. Recovery must be human-centered and community-based."

The RDNA5 acknowledges the Government of Ukraine's efforts to build a forward looking, inclusive, and resilient economic model anchored in postwar recovery planning and long-term growth and underscores the pivotal role played by EU accession and reforms under the Ukraine Plan, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group supported programs. The Government's emerging postwar economic strategythe Ukraine Economy of the Future (UEF)focuses on macrofiscal stability, governance and rule of law reforms, private sector dynamism, infrastructure rebuilding, and investments in human capital and social sustainability. These efforts will help to strengthen confidence among citizens, investors, and partners and position Ukraine for accelerated EU convergence and long-term prosperity.

Editorial note: All EUR estimates use the Dec 31, 2025, USD/EUR exchange rate.

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Joint Statement - Conference on Disarmament High Level Segment

European External Action Service (EEAS)

23.02.2026

Geneva

Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

Joint Statement at the High Level Segment

Conference on Disarmament, Geneva, 23 February, 2026

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of:

Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,Canada,Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Principality of Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand,North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country, Norway.

The high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament is taking place when the world marks four years since the beginning of Russia's unjustified and illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.

This year also marks twelve years since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the military operation in Donbas.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, in clear violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter, drastically changed the paradigms of global peace and security. We emphasize that Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is a threat not only to Ukraine, but to international peace and security, the rules-based international order, and the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture, which, in the process, undermines confidence in disarmament institutions.

We condemn in the strongest possible way Russia's actions, its nuclear rhetoric in its war of aggression against Ukraine, which is irresponsible, provocative, dangerous and escalatory, andwhich further demonstrate how Russia's repeated actions undermine international commitments, peace and security. Russia continues to blatantly violate the UN Charter, and to contravene the principles of the "Helsinki Decalogue" and the security commitments it undertook in the Budapest Memorandum.

We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters, as well as for Ukraine's inherent right to self-defence against the illegal Russian war of aggression.

We reiterate our demand to Russia to stop its war of aggression against Ukraine and to ensure the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces and military equipment from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

A complete and unconditional ceasefire could be the first step towards restoring the minimum level of mutual trust necessary to start genuine,credible peace talks.

We urge Russia to engage in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace. For peace to be just and lasting, borders must not be changed by force and any future agreement must respect Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and guarantee Ukraine's long-term security and ability to defend itself.

Mr. President,

We strongly condemn Russia's indiscriminate attacks, killing civilians and destroying civilian objects, including critical energy infrastructure as well as use of heavy weapons and explosive devices in populated areas of Ukraine causing indiscriminate harm to civilians.

In 2026, Russia has significantly strengthened its campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians. Due to constant barbaric rocket and artillery shelling and the destruction of residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure, hundreds of civilians in Ukraine lose their lives, get injured, and are left without electricity and water.

This escalation, occurring in parallel with international efforts aimed at a just and lasting peace, reveals the real goals and intentions of Russia. The aggressor state shows no interest in achieving peace and ending its aggression.

Mr. President,

The situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) continues to cause serious concern.

Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and its subsequent seizure and militarisation of the ZNPP, combined with its repeated, deliberate and targeted large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, continue to substantially increase risks to nuclear safety and security. As a consequence, the ZNPP has experienced multiple times a complete Loss of Off-Site Power (LOOP), relying solely on emergency diesel generators, and many times has had to rely on a single off-site power line. Even today. Furthermore, Russia's attacks on electrical substations have endangered the safe operation of all Nuclear Power Plants in Ukraine and has forced a reduction in output in the past months. Substations and power lines are essential elements to nuclear safety. Striking them constitute a flagrant disregard of the IAEA Director General's "seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during armed conflict", as well as the "five concrete principles for protecting the ZNPP".

We support the continuation of the IAEA's monitoring missions to all Ukrainian nuclear sites and to substations identified by the Agency as critical for the safety of nuclear power plants. We express our appreciation for the Agency's commitment and for the professionalism and courage of its staff in continuing these missions despite the risks.

We reiterate our demand that Russia urgently cease all military activities affecting nuclear facilities and related critical infrastructure, withdraw its military and other forces, equipment and other unauthorized personnel from the ZNPP, and return the plant to the full control of the competent Ukrainian authorities.

Thank you

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Brussels: we will continue working towards the adoption of the EU's 20th sanctions package

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

23.02.2026 | 16:19

Today, 23 February, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna participated in a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, where Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East were discussed. According to the foreign minister, Hungary's and Slovakia's actions in blocking the 20th sanctions package are irresponsible, and work will continue to ensure swift progress in supporting Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia.

"The atmosphere at today's meeting of EU foreign ministers was tense, because while 25 countries are ready to move forward with increasing pressure on Russia, two countries are preventing this. By doing so, Hungary and Slovakia are hindering progress towards a just and lasting peace, because only by increasing pressure can Russia be compelled to end its war of aggression," Tsahkna said, adding that this not only undermines Ukraine's ability to resist, but also poses a threat to Europe's long-term security.

"Adopting a strong EU 20th sanctions package would significantly reduce the revenues flowing into Russia's state budget, meaning that Russia would have fewer resources to continue its war against Ukraine," Tsahkna said. "If the 20th sanctions package were to include a full ban on maritime services for vessels transporting Russian oil, this would remove approximately one million barrels of Russian oil per day from the global market  that is, 20-25% of current deliveries. The measures in the package would also restrict Russia's ability to circumvent the oil price cap and to acquire tankers for its shadow fleet."

"Estonia, together with other European Union member states, will continue efforts to ensure that the sanctions package is adopted in the near future and that it becomes possible to move forward with disbursing the EU's 90 billion loan to Ukraine, agreed by the Union's leaders at the end of last year but now being blocked by Hungary," the foreign minister affirmed. "The overwhelming majority of EU member states stand firmly behind Ukraine and are working to increase support and strengthen pressure on Russia."

At the meeting, Tsahkna also raised the need to move forward with imposing an entry ban to the Schengen area for Russian fighters.

"There is growing recognition that Russian fighters pose a threat to Europe's security and that this must be addressed," Tsahkna said. "Ukraine has also expressed support for Estonia's initiative and has called on countries to join it."

The situation in the Middle East was discussed today with High Representative for Gaza Nikolay Mladenov. Foreign Minister Tsahkna stressed the need to continue implementing the Gaza peace plan and preparing EU missions. Addressing the situation in Iran, Tsahkna noted that Estonia recognises the efforts to curb the Iranian regime's nuclear programme, which poses a threat to both regional and global security.

"Our attention must remain focused both on the Iranian authorities' human rights violations against their own population and on Iran's support for Russia's war of aggression," Tsahkna stressed.

Ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting, an informal discussion was held on hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).

"The central aim of countering FIMI is to shape an environment that prevents information manipulation. Societal resilience is key here, and its main foundations are open and transparent government communication, a free media and education," Tsahkna said.

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Finland grants EUR 20 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

23.2.2026 Press releases

At the start of the year, the humanitarian assistance decisions of Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs prioritise support for Ukraine, major refugee crises in Africa and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East. The humanitarian assistance Finland now grants totals EUR 72 million, and EUR 20 million of this assistance will go to Ukraine. Humanitarian needs are record high at the same time as global funding is declining.

Finland has granted humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the first day of Russia's war of aggression and will continue to do so in the years to come. The cold winter and the war make the humanitarian situation critical in Ukraine. Russia's strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have deprived millions of people of heating, electricity or running water. At the same time, the situation is dire for civilians in frontline areas and large cities.

Finland grants a total of EUR 20 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine under the budget item 'Support for Ukraine'. The assistance will be channelled through UN humanitarian agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They are responsible for helping Ukrainians to survive the winter and the disruptions in heating by supplying people heaters, fuel, clothes and cash and by helping them repair housing and water, power and heatings systems damaged by Russia's strikes. Finland grants EUR 6 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), EUR 6 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), EUR 5 million to the ICRC and EUR 3 million to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) which grants funding based on local needs.

"Russia's strikes are making it significantly more difficult for people living in the midst of the war to survive the Ukrainian winter. It is now essential to help supply energy and heating in face of the acute needs for humanitarian support. By stepping up our assistance we are meeting people's basic needs. Finland stands by Ukraine," says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

Humanitarian needs are record high at the global level. Finland's humanitarian assistance decisions at the start of the year prioritise support for Ukraine, major refugee crises in Africa and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East.

Finland supports UNHCR's regional operation in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region with EUR 3 million, helps alleviate the famine and improve food security in Sudan by channelling EUR 2 million through WFP and contributes EUR 2 million to the ICRC's regional operation in the Sahel region. In the Middle East, Finland is alleviating the humanitarian distress of Palestinians by channelling EUR 5 million through OCHA's pooled fund and EUR 2 million through the ICRC. Finland is also easing the humanitarian situation in Myanmar and helping Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by channelling support through UNHCR and OCHA's pooled fund. The hunger crisis in Haiti is alleviated through WFP.

Finland also supports disability inclusion by channelling altogether EUR 6 million through the UN agencies WFP, UNHCR, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Global Disability Fund (GDF). This helps humanitarian assistance reach people with disabilities who are often the most vulnerable members of society.

Finland will also grant EUR 4 million to WFP's school meals activities. School meals are an important source of nutrition and the only meal many children receive a day during humanitarian crises.

In addition to humanitarian assistance, Finland grants core funding to multilateral humanitarian organisations, ensuring them flexibility to respond when humanitarian needs emerge. The rest of the budgeted humanitarian funding will be granted later in the year. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs also helps the humanitarian efforts of Finnish civil society organisations through programme-based support in 2026-2029.

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Albares defends new package of sanctions against Russia in Brussels on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS RELEASE 024

Spain also calls on the EU to adopt pressure measures to stop Israel's new annexations in the West Bank

In view of the steps taken by Venezuela, the Government asks the EU to lift sanctions against Delcy Rodriguez

23 FEB 26

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, defended on Monday, at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels, the need to approve the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia and for the 90 billion loan agreed in December to be made effective so that the resources reach Ukraine as soon as possible.

Albares called on European partners for unity and solidarity because, he said, 'in addition to helping Ukraine win this war, above all we must help it win peace, so that Ukraine can be a democratic country in the European family and ensure that this aggression is the last aggression it suffers'.

The Russian aggression against Ukraine is now entering its fifth year, in a very harsh winter, with constant Russian bombing of cities and the destruction of 75% of Ukraine's energy capacity, further exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population. In this context, and in view of Putin's delaying tactics, as he continues to reject peace proposals, Spain advocates greater pressure on Russia and continued support for Ukraine to defend itself in this unjust war.

Solidarity with Ukraine



'Our position,' the minister reiterated, 'is one of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, who are suffering day and night from Russia's criminal attacks, as we have seen this weekend.' The minister insisted that Spain will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people and President Zelensky's Government for as long as necessary.

'We have done so very recently with the delivery of a package of generators that will provide light and electricity to 14,000 people in Ukraine and alleviate these indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population  which are war crimes  and also with the delivery of military equipment for Ukraine's air defence.' In 2025, Spain was the eighth largest contributor of military aid and the fourth largest contributor of training.

The Gaza Board of Peace



During the Council meeting, ministers also discussed the situation in Gaza, where a peace agreement is not being upheld and a ceasefire is being systematically violated. 'We continue to see deaths in Gaza on a very frequent basis, and humanitarian aid is trickling in when it should be pouring in,' said Albares.

That is why Spain has asked the European Union to speak out clearly and 'take action on the matter, both on the slow progress of a peace agreement that is not bearing fruit and on the slow but inexorable annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank  with unacceptable measures such as the registration of Palestinian land in Israeli property registers  and Israel's attempt to economically suffocate the Palestinian Authority by withholding taxes.'

Spain maintains a Civil Guard contingent within the European Union mission in Rafah to allow pedestrians to cross. We are, in fact, the leading bilateral donor to the Palestinian budget, with 50 million, and, as the minister explained, we hope that 'those who also want peace will do the same and finally take the necessary measures to allow a massive influx of humanitarian aid and for the Palestinian Authority to gradually take charge of Gaza'.

The ministers also met with the High Representative of the Board of Peace, in which Spain does not participate, among other reasons because the Palestinian National Authority is not even invited, so it is not considered useful for advancing the two-State solution. 'We consider it a serious mistake that the European Commission was present at the last meeting on 19 February. This is not the position of the European Union, which is that of a two-State solution, and therefore it should not have attended,' Albares said.

Steps in Venezuela

At Spain's request, the Council added a point on Venezuela to the discussions. The general amnesty voted unanimously is a measure that our country had been requesting for a long time. 'The European Union cannot remain outside the dialogue that the United States, but also Spain, are promoting.' For this reason, the minister has requested that the process of lifting individual sanctions against Delcy Rodriguez, the current president of Venezuela, be initiated, a decision for which, he says, he has found good agreement among the partners.

Albares has called for a clear signal to be sent that this is the right path to take. The minister has also encouraged the Venezuelan Government to continue taking further steps and to see the amnesty through to its ultimate consequences, to create the conditions for the return of exiles and to continue moving towards the inclusive, peaceful and democratic solution that Spain has been promoting as the only solution for the sister nation of Venezuela.

Publication of the Gibraltar Agreement

In his remarks to the media upon arrival at the Council, the minister also reported that the European Commission will publish the legal text of the agreement on Gibraltar this week.

All the points of this agreement are known. Following the political agreement, the minister personally informed both the representatives of the Campo de Gibraltar  all its mayors, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Provincial Council  and the socio-economic actors. He also reported on the Agreement in a monographic plenary session in Congress in October, with transparency and ongoing communication on the matter.





NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION

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Switzerland Open to Host Next Trilateral Talks on Ukraine Settlement - Foreign Ministry

Sputnik News

20260223

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Switzerland remains at the disposal of United States, Russia and Ukraine if they decide to continue talks, Swiss Foreign Ministry Communications chief Nicolas Bidault told Sputnik on Monday.

"Following recent negotiations in Geneva, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the authorities of the United States, Russia and Ukraine. Switzerland, and Geneva in particular, remain at the disposal of the three parties, if they jointly decide to continue negotiations here," Bidault said.

On February 17-18, representatives of Moscow, Kiev and Washington held talks in Geneva on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. The Russian delegation at the talks was headed by Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Following the results of the second day of negotiations, Medinsky said that the discussions were difficult, but businesslike and also announced a new meeting in the near future.

 Sputnik

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Hungary Blocks 20th Package of Anti-Russia Sanctions, $106B Loan to Ukraine - Szijjarto

Sputnik News

20260223

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungary blocked the 20th package of anti-Russia sanctions, as well as the 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine, due to Kiev's shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday.

"At today's meeting, I made it clear that we do not support the 20th package of sanctions and do not give permission for this. And I made it clear that we would not agree to Ukraine receiving a military loan of 90 billion euros. Because the Ukrainians cannot blackmail us, they cannot jeopardize the security of Hungary's energy supply by conspiring with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition," Szijjarto told reporters, following a meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers.

Hungary considers Ukraine's suspension of Russian oil transit through Druzhba as encroachment on its sovereignty, Szijjarto concluded.

The termination of Russian oil supplies via Druzhba pipeline was the result of collusion between Kiev and Brussels, Szijjarto said.

"It turned out to be a shocking fact that Ukraine is really colluding with Brussels, really colluding with the European Commission headed by von der Leyen in terms of blocking the supply of [Russian] oil [via Druzhba pipeline]. It was finally revealed and proven today," Szijjarto told reporters, following a meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers.

On February 18, Szijjarto said that Hungary stopped supplying diesel fuel to Ukraine. He said this was a response to Kiev's blackmail, as Ukraine is not resuming the transit of Russian oil to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons, trying to cause an energy crisis in the country and influence the April elections.

The EU countries are preparing for a protracted conflict in Ukraine and want to send their troops there as soon as possible, the minister added.

Ukraine demands 155 billion euros ($183 billion) from the EU only for the maintenance of the army in 2026, a loan of 90 billion euros is not enough for it, Peter Szijjarto said.

"Colleagues have made it clear that the 90 billion euros previously agreed upon and now blocked by Hungary are not enough to meet Ukraine's financial needs, and in the near future it is necessary to make a decision on sending even more resources, even more money to Ukraine. This was also confirmed by the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, who said that this year they need 155 billion euros only for the maintenance of the army," Szijjarto told Hungarian journalists, following a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the EU countries.

 Sputnik

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Yevhen Perebyinis held a meeting with Italian parliamentarians

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

23 February 2026 12:44

On 23 February, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis held a meeting with a delegation of Italian parliamentarians led by Senator Carlo Calenda.

The parties discussed further support for Ukraine from Italy, particularly in the context of countering Russia's aggression, strengthening sanctions policy, enhancing Ukraine's defence capabilities, and bolstering the country's energy resilience. The Deputy Minister expressed gratitude to the Italian side for its consistent and comprehensive assistance, including the provision of equipment for the energy sector and support for relevant budgetary programs.

Particular attention was paid to Ukraine's European integration. Yevhen Perebyinis emphasized the importance of further advancing Ukraine's path towards membership in the European Union and noted Italy's role in shaping a common European position in support for Ukraine.

The interlocutors also discussed the need to intensify efforts to counter Russian disinformation and propaganda, which deliberately undermine democratic institutions and pose an additional threat to the stability of the European region.

The Ukrainian side expressed appreciation for the personal engagement of the Italian parliamentarians and their active support for Ukraine at both the bilateral and European levels.

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President Held a Conversation with the New Prime Minister of the Netherlands

President of Ukraine

23 February 2026 - 21:42

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first phone call with the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Rob Jetten.

The Head of State congratulated Rob Jetten on taking office and wished him success and decisive steps.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Netherlands and the Dutch people for their strong support for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The leaders discussed Ukraine's most urgent needs: missiles for air defense systems and energy equipment. The President thanked him for the fact that Ukraine, as always, can count on the support of the Netherlands and assistance in protecting lives.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Rob Jetten also discussed negotiations to achieve a dignified peace and the importance of security guarantees.

"I value the principled support for our positions and the readiness to help in every possible way," the Head of State noted.

The leaders agreed to meet soon and to work on projects that can strengthen both countries. The President thanked the Prime Minister for his attention to Ukraine since the very first day of his tenure.

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President Discussed European Integration and Energy Support for Ukraine with the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland

President of Ukraine

23 February 2026 - 21:12

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Marshal of the Sejm of Poland Wodzimierz Czarzasty.

"It is very nice that you came on the eve of the anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale invasion. You came to support Ukraine and Ukrainians," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The President emphasized that the visit of the Marshal of the Sejm demonstrates the close relations between Ukraine and Poland and the parliaments of both countries.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Wodzimierz Czarzasty discussed Ukraine's integration into the European Union. The Marshal of the Sejm of Poland stressed that he supports Ukraine's independence and our state's accession to the European Union.

"We cannot imagine a free Poland without a free Ukraine. We came to say that we will do everything to ensure Ukraine joins the European Union as soon as possible," he said.

The Head of State informed about the progress of negotiations to achieve a dignified peace, in particular about the meetings of the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia in Geneva.

Particular attention was paid to defense support for Ukraine. The President noted that the implementation of joint projects within the SAFE instrument meets the security interests of both countries and also thanked Poland for its contribution to the PURL initiative. In addition, the sides discussed the launch of joint defense production.

The Head of State and the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland also spoke about energy security and preparations for the international Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in June in Gdansk.

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Ukraine Is in a Strong Position Because Our Warriors Withstand All Assaults - President Honored Defenders Ahead of the Fourth Anniversary of the Full-Scale Russian War

President of Ukraine

23 February 2026 - 20:58

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Orders of the Golden Star to Heroes of Ukraine and handed the awards to the families of fallen Heroes, presented Ukrainian warriors with the Cross of Military Merit and other high state awards, and also presented units of the Defense Forces with combat flags, honorary distinction ribbons "For Courage and Bravery," and honorary name ribbons.

"Ukraine honors its heroes and lives, unquestionably, thanks to its heroes. Thanks to your relatives, loved ones, our warriors, thanks to our people who did not surrender, were not afraid, and who fight for our state. Fight in the way necessary so that the Russians do not succeed," the Head of State noted.

The President emphasized: unlike the Russians, we do not consider war, abuse of people, killings, violence, emptiness, and ruin to be something normal. That is why Ukraine cannot surrender, and no one in the world can reconcile with such a Russia if they value life instead. But the Russians can be forced to end the war they themselves started and are prolonging.

"Ukraine is now in its positions, in strong positions. We have withstood many strikes. Ukraine restores and protects life, withstands all assaults, because first and foremost you, the warriors, withstand all assaults. You are our protection," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President is convinced that Ukraine will definitely endure, defend its independence, and the right to live.

"We guarantee security for Ukraine and will never betray our people, all Ukrainian heroes of different times who fought for Ukraine and, unfortunately, gave their lives so that Ukraine would exist," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

Those present honored with a moment of silence all the heroes of our state who died for Ukraine.

The President handed the Orders of the Golden Star to the families of the fallen Heroes of Ukraine. The highest title was awarded posthumously to:

Junior Sergeant Roman Havriliuk. During an attack on enemy positions, he enabled his brothers-in-arms to begin the encirclement by drawing attention to himself and consciously risking his life. Later, he destroyed a reinforcement group with machine-gun fire, forcing the surrounded occupiers to surrender. On August 9, 2023, near Krasnohorivka, his group was ambushed. Roman Havriliuk sustained gunshot wounds, provided aid to himself, but was killed as a result of a subsequent massive Russian artillery shelling.

Senior Police Lieutenant Kyrylo Zibrov (the National Police united assault brigade "Liut"). As a UAV pilot, he monitored the situation, conducted reconnaissance, and adjusted fire in the Donetsk region. In August 2024, he detected a concentration of 25 occupiers and their armored vehicles and struck them with a munition-equipped drone. Kyrylo Zibrov was killed during Russian shelling while covering a brother-in-arms with his body.

Captain Ivan Kotsur. He defended the city of Voznesensk in the Mykolaiv region and prevented occupiers from reaching the Martynivka airfield. In 2023, as deputy company commander of the Marine Corps, he carried out combat missions in the Avdiivka and Berdiansk sectors. During the liberation of the village of Storozhove, his group destroyed about 70 occupiers. On June 13, 2023, the armored vehicle of the group led by Ivan Kotsur was hit by a tank. He sustained a severe wound and was killed while covering the withdrawal of his brothers-in-arms.

Colonel Vasyl Simushyn (State Border Guard Service of Ukraine). He took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and the Joint Forces Operation. In July 2023, he repelled enemy assaults in the Kharkiv region, during which he sustained several wounds but refused evacuation. The border guards held their positions, destroyed equipment and occupiers, but the enemy forces prevailed. To evacuate the wounded and move his brothers-in-arms to a safer place, the wounded Vasyl Simushyn detonated a grenade near the enemy and continued firing a grenade launcher until the end.

Soldier Dmytro Chornyi. In the summer of 2025, he was expanding the system of engineering fortifications on the forward edge of defense near the village of Shakhove, Pokrovsk district. He neutralized more than 200 explosive devices, cleared territories, and created passages in minefields. On September 2, he was ambushed by an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group. In an unequal battle, he eliminated part of the occupiers and, at the cost of his life, enabled an adjacent group to take up defense.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally awarded the Heroes of Ukraine the Order of the Golden Star. The awards were received by:

Soldier Vladyslav Bilousov. From March to December 2025, he continuously remained at combat positions near the village of Shevchenko, Pokrovsk district. He held the positions alone and, after waiting for reinforcement with personnel and ammunition, continued repelling numerous attacks by the occupier, inflicting significant losses on them.

Soldier Oleksandr Maretskyi. Since the summer of 2025, he has been carrying out combat missions in the Zaporizhzhia region. In September, while on duty, he detected the movement of occupiers, destroyed some of them, and prevented the loss of a forward position. He covered 2 km under fire to reach a position attacked by the enemy with which contact had been lost. He sustained a head wound but managed to reach the nearest trench and report the situation. Only the next morning was he evacuated.

Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Khyzhniak. He set up positions near Klishchiivka and took part in battles. His platoon destroyed at least 17 Wagner fighters. In the summer of 2024, he planned combat actions in the Svatove district of the Luhansk region, where the defenders recaptured four positions and destroyed at least 17 occupiers. In 2025, Oleksandr Khyzhniak and his group engaged Russians near Novovodian, destroying at least 16 enemies.

The Head of State also presented the Cross of Military Merit to the warriors. The award was received by:

Hero of Ukraine, Captain Ivan Kozin. The first Ukrainian defender to receive the Cross of Military Merit for the third time. Commander of a mechanized battalion. In September 2025, near Orestopil in the Dnipro region, he organized a flanking maneuver and an attack on enemy positions. The warriors destroyed more than 40 occupiers and secured the village. For 84 days in semi-encirclement, the units under his command held settlements near the village of Vorone, destroyed more than 200 occupiers, two tanks, and three IFVs. In November, they repelled an attempt by Russians to retake positions near Novoselivka, eliminating more than 70 occupiers.

Captain Andrii Barkovskyi (State Border Guard Service of Ukraine). In January-February 2024 in the Kharkiv region, he was part of a group for detecting and eliminating enemy sabotage groups; later he carried out combat missions in the Sumy region and took part in the Kursk operation. In April last year, thanks to aerial reconnaissance, Ukrainian defenders detected occupiers. The group led by Andrii Barkovskyi destroyed three Russians and captured two. During interrogation, it was possible to determine the operational situation and the enemy's plans.

Senior Lieutenant Valentyn Bryka. Since December 2024, he has been carrying out combat missions in the Pokrovsk sector. Last year, his artillery platoon destroyed an enemy mortar crew, ensured accurate fire against superior enemy forces, and stopped an offensive by invaders on motorcycles.

Senior Lieutenant Vadym Loza. In the summer of 2025, his unit destroyed a squad of enemy infantry. Then it eliminated eight more occupiers, thwarting a breakthrough attempt. In September, the battalion drove the enemy from positions and advanced 800 m into the defense depth. During one of the Russian attacks, Vadym Loza hit a machine-gun position, forcing the occupiers to stop the assault.

Junior Sergeant Vasyl Mulko (National Guard of Ukraine, "Khartiia"). He repeatedly went to forward positions to rotate personnel, deliver ammunition, and evacuate the wounded. In April last year, after his armored vehicle hit a mine, he dragged wounded brothers-in-arms to the nearest shelter, provided aid, and waited for the arrival of another evacuation group. This saved the lives of three warriors.

Senior Sergeant Ivan Palamarchuk (National Guard of Ukraine, "Azov"). In April 2025, he repelled assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Donetsk region, including personally destroying three occupiers during one of the attacks. On April 24 last year, under intense enemy fire, he carried a wounded officer on his back, provided aid, and called for evacuation, thereby saving the warrior's life.

Soldiers Vladyslav Savchuk and Ihor Trotsko. Since August 2025, they have been carrying out combat missions as part of a motorized infantry battalion. In September last year, near a firing position, they destroyed an occupier and captured enemy communications equipment. They passed the obtained intelligence data to the command. As a result, four enemy attacks in the Donetsk region were thwarted and the elimination of 15 occupiers was confirmed.

Sergeant Oleh Skoryk. Since the end of 2024, he has been carrying out combat missions near Kotlyne, Pokrovsk district. In June last year, together with his brothers-in-arms, he was attacked with an unknown poisonous gas - the defenders used gas masks and remained in position. He repeatedly provided aid to wounded brothers-in-arms. In total, for more than 150 days in semi-encirclement, he carried out tasks on the line of combat contact.

The defenders also received from the Head of State the Orders of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, III class; the Orders "For Courage," I-III classes; and the Orders of Danylo Halytskyi.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented combat flags to the commanders of the 144th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 412th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade "Nemesis," and the 1121st Training Anti-Aircraft Missile Artillery Regiment.

The distinction "For Courage and Bravery" was received by the commanders of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 47th Separate Artillery Brigade, the 11th Separate Army Aviation Brigade "Kherson," and the 4th Pavlohrad Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine.

The President also presented honorary name ribbons to the leadership of units: the 127th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade was assigned the honorary name "Kharkivska," the 27th Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine - "named after Prince Sviatoslav Yaroslavych," and the 36th Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine - "Podilskyi."

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Myriad fragments, one tragedy: How four years of war changed Ukraine

23 February 2026 - Although fighting had been raging in the east of Ukraine since Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014, most in the country did not believe all-out war would occur. With the full-scale invasion now reaching the four-year mark, many Ukrainians cannot believe it has gone on for so long, with no end in sight.

Russia full-scale invasion of Ukraine of 24 February 2022 was in violation of the UN Charter and international law. Since then, more than 15,000 civilians have been killed and overall damage is assessed so far at more than $195 billion.

'A stain on our collective consciousness': Guterres

"This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said just ahead of the sombre anniversary.

He warned that "the longer the war continues, the deadlier it becomes," noting that "civilians bear the brunt of this conflict." Last year, 2,514 people were killed - the largest number so far. He described this as "simply unacceptable."

The conflict has brought endless hardship to the population. Older generations still remember the brutal fighting along the eastern front during the Second World War more than 80 years ago, but the current carnage has now lasted longer than what the Soviets referred to as the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The current tragedy in Ukraine is not a monolith. Upon closer inspection, it crumbles into myriad fragments, each reflecting individual grief.

Some have lost loved ones in the war. Others had their homes bombed, and many who fled the country are unable to return due to the ongoing military operations.

A mother's dream

The frontline regional capital of Kherson has changed hands twice during the conflict. Sirens sound almost daily throughout the city, warning of shelling. Schools and kindergartens are closed, so parents are taking their children to underground shelters where they can safely learn, play, or even just stay warm amid plunging winter temperatures.

Victoria and her daughter, Myroslava, 5, attend one of these centres every day. The young mother tried to leave Kherson twice for nearby Mykolaiv but returned because "it's still easier at home, despite all the difficulties."

Victoria works part-time online and receives social benefits; her husband also works. Humanitarian organizations provide the family with essential supplies. "It's very helpful, and I'm grateful for the support," she said.

But she is very angry with politicians: "Nobody wants to end the war, they are not interested in it," she said.

Victoria's greatest dream is for a peaceful future for her daughter - one where "if anything explodes, it won't be bombs, but fireworks."

No escape from winter

As the central heating in Kherson barely works, Victoria's family uses a space heater against the freezing temperatures. "But it's barely warm," she said.

The piercing cold is a widespread problem. This winter has been particularly harsh for Ukraine.

Temperatures are dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius, and Russian attacks on energy infrastructure are leaving hundreds of thousands of people without heat and electricity. In frontline areas, people report chronic shortages of generators and repair materials.

"Children can't leave their apartments," Kenan Madi, head of field operations for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in the country, told UN News. "But even inside their apartments, the temperature drops to two or three degrees, and there's no heating. This poses serious risks to their health."

Cold numbers, 'hot' statistics

Against the backdrop of a harsh winter, the statistics regarding conflict are equally alarming.

As of this month, there have been 55,550 confirmed civilian casualties, including 15,378 fatalities, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR). The actual figures are likely to be significantly higher as access to many frontline and occupied areas has been repeatedly denied.

The plight of children remains a huge concern. According to UNICEF, more than 3,200 children have been killed or injured since February 2022, with the number of child casualties increasing by 10 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year.

This marks the third consecutive year that the UN has recorded an increase in the number of child victims of the Russian full-scale invasion.

Furthermore, some 3.7 million Ukrainians are internally displaced. More than 4.4 million people who fled their homes since the war erupted have returned, including over one million who arrived from abroad. However, not everyone who crossed the border was able to return home - 372,000 people remain internally displaced.

Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the war, the UN rights chief reiterated that attacks on civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law.

"I call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease these attacks," Volker Turk said following large-scale strikes last week on energy infrastructure across several locations.

'What kind of life is this?'

Extended power outages pose a mortal threat to Ukraine's most vulnerable citizens, including older persons, people with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses.

The psychosocial consequences of an energy crisis are no less severe: darkness, isolation, and constant uncertainty exhaust even the most resilient.

"Is this life? It can't be called life when there's shooting every day," said 80-year-old Elena, who regularly visits the UN humanitarian hub in Kherson to receive aid.

"A year ago, I buried my son and his wife. The house is destroyed, everything is broken. What kind of life is this?"

Elena said that without humanitarian aid, many here wouldn't have survived: "The pension is small. What are we supposed to live on? My son is gone, the others have left...They even give us lunches. They give us bread, they give us medicine. God bless them for helping!"

Hopes for peace

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, travels extensively throughout the country. Given everything that is happening, the population's fatigue is noticeably growing - and this, he said, is understandable.

He has met people who admit that they're tired but will not give up. "Let's honour this strength," he said,

Mr. Schmale insisted that the most important thing is that this year actually brings peace and an end to the suffering of the people of Ukraine.

"We want to see that the fifth year (of war) will bring a ceasefire, and lasting peace with dignity," he said.

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Statement by the Secretary-General - on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine

United Nations Secretary-General

23 February 2026

New York, UN

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Tuesday, 24 February marks four years since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness, and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security.

The longer the war continues, the deadlier it becomes. Civilians bear the brunt of this conflict, with 2025 witnessing the largest number of civilians killed in Ukraine. This is simply unacceptable. I reiterate my call for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. For peace to be just, it must be in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The United Nations remains ready to contribute to all efforts towards this end.



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Australia's steadfast support for Ukraine four years on

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Joint media release with:

Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister

Richard Marles MP, Minister For Defence

24 February 2026

Today marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in blatant violation of international law, including the United Nations Charter.

Four years of unprovoked Russian aggression against a sovereign, democratic neighbour.

Australia is steadfast in our commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

We commend the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Australia has committed over $1.7 billion in total assistance, including $1.5 billion in military support to help Ukraine defend itself.

Russia continues to weaponise winter by intensifying its attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure and civilian populations. Australia has provided $40 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, including $10 million announced in January 2026, to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating.

Since the outset of the invasion, Australia has made clear that Russia, and those enabling its illegal war of aggression, will face consequences.

The Australian Government has today imposed additional targeted sanctions on 180 individuals, entities and shadow fleet vessels with links to Russia, our single largest sanctions package since February 2022.

These new sanctions target Russia's finance and banking, defence, aeronautical, oil and gas, transportation, and science and technology sectors. They are designed to squeeze Russian revenues and further constrain its ability to continue its illegal and brutal invasion.

The banking and finance sectors facilitate the purchase of technology and equipment necessary for Russia to sustain its invasion, while the oil and gas and transport sectors generate revenue for the Russian government. Russia's aeronautical and defence sectors are critical to the development of Russian military capability.

Shadow fleet vessel sanctions are designed to starve Russia's war economy of revenue.

For the first time, Australia is also targeting cryptocurrency entities that enable cross-border payments to facilitate sanctions circumvention which sustains Russia's military operations.

Australia has now imposed more than 1800 sanctions in response to Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Australia has also lowered the Russian Oil Price Cap from USD47.60 a barrel to USD44.10, alongside action taken by our international partners to further drive down the market value of Russian crude oil.

Details of these additional measures are available on the sanctions guidance webpage.

We will continue to take action to place further pressures on Russia's oil revenue, and we expect businesses to prevent their supply chains from inadvertently funding Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Australia coordinates closely with Ukraine and international partners through the Coalition of the Willing. The Deputy Prime Minister will participate in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing this evening.

Once again, Australia calls on Russia to immediately end its war and uphold its international legal obligations, including in relation to the protection of civilians and treatment of prisoners of war.

Today and everyday, Australia will continue to push for a just and lasting peace that upholds Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports security and stability in Europe, and ensures Russia does not renew its aggression.

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New Zealand announces more support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

24 February 2026

Rt Hon Winston Peters

Foreign Affairs

New Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance for Ukraine and implement additional sanctions targeting Russia's war machine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.

"Russia's illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region," Mr Peters says.

"Russia's relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure this winter has hit Ukraine's people hard, and this assistance demonstrates New Zealand's continued solidarity.

"These contributions will help address urgent needs as a result of Russia's brutal winter attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure."

New Zealand will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to international aid partners supporting Ukrainian civilians badly affected by the war.

This brings New Zealand's total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to $45 million over the past four years.

A further $3 million will go to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, which supports energy resilience and reconstruction.

New Zealand is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia.

New measures include lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctioning 100 shadow fleet vessels.

"These are calculated steps to curtail crucial oil revenues fuelling Putin's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine," Mr Peters says.

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, alongside alternative payment providers, malicious cyber actors, and those supporting Russia's militaryindustrial complex.

More information about sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support to Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

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UK steps up support for Ukraine four years on from Putin's full-scale invasion

Press release

UK boosting support for Ukraine four years after Putin's full-scale invasion with new military and humanitarian support.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street, Ministry of Defence, The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 24 February 2026

New package of military, humanitarian and reconstruction support announced as UK steps up support for Ukraine.

Prime Minister will lead Coalition of the Willing call today as the Foreign Secretary attends official commemoration in Kyiv and Defence Secretary joins Ukrainians in London.

The UK's security starts in Ukraine, and the continued support will make Britain and Europe stronger and more secure.

The UK is boosting support for Ukraine four years after Putin's full-scale invasion with new military and humanitarian support. As the brutal war - which Putin thought he would win in a week - enters its fifth year, the UK Government is clear that Ukraine's defence is Britain's security.

Today, the Government is announcing additional support for Ukraine as the Prime Minister today convenes a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing with French President Emmanuel Macron, following their landmark declaration in January with President Zelenskyy of the UK's intent to deploy British troops to Ukraine once peace is secured. As part of this Multinational Force for Ukraine, a 70 person HQ is up and running and preparations for UK forces are backed by 200 million funding from this government.

In Kyiv, the Foreign Secretary is expected to call out despicable 'Russification' tactics being deployed against innocent civilians in the Temporarily Occupied Territories in the east of Ukraine where they are forced to adopt Russian passports, Ukrainian language is prohibited, people are isolated from Ukrainian media and are arrested on arbitrary charges for any demonstration of pro-Ukrainian sentiment.

Defence Secretary John Healey will visit the Ukrainian Cathedral in London to meet those who the UK has opened up its doors to following the invasion. With Bishop Nowakowski and the Ukrainian Ambassador, he will light a candle in memory of all those who have lost their lives in the conflict.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

On this grim anniversary, our message to the Ukrainian people is simple: Britain is with you, stronger than ever. That is why we are announcing new support today and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. For all the noise in world affairs today, this war remains the most critical issue of our age. It asks the question of whether Ukrainian and European freedom will endure. Our answer, together, is unequivocal. Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war. Ukraine's courage continues to hold the line for our shared values, in the face of Putin's aggression. We will stand by their side, until a just and lasting peace - and beyond. Slava Ukraini.

The package of support announced today includes:

20 million of new funding for emergency energy support to protect and repair the energy grid and provide additional generation capacity - fixing the damage caused by Russia's brutal attacks over this winter and future proofing Ukraine's energy systems for next Winter. This brings the UK's total support for Ukrainian energy since the start of the war to over 490 million.

5.7 million to provide humanitarian assistance to frontline communities, those who need evacuation or have been impacted by airstrikes or internal displacement. The UN and its partners are targeting 4.1 million people in Ukraine, prioritizing those experiencing the most severe conditions. The UK was the largest donor to the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund in 2025

Medical mentoring - Highly skilled teams of British military surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists are mentoring Ukrainian clinicians in Ukraine. They shadow Ukrainian teams treating complex battlefield surgery, drawing on UK expertise in trauma surgery and wartime injury to help Ukrainian service personnel return to military duties or rebuild their lives as civilians.

Helicopter training - Ukrainian pilots are now training at a UK air base to become helicopter flying instructors, the first time Britain has offered rotary-wing instructor training to Ukraine. Graduates will train the next generation of Ukrainian military aviators, helping Ukraine to defend and deter.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

Today I am shining a light on Russia's disgraceful attempts to erase the Ukrainian identity, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. From pumping the education system full of disinformation, deporting and indoctrinating children, to illegally detaining innocent civilians for acts as simple as displaying Ukrainian colours, Russia has proven its ruthless disregard for international law and human rights. Four years on, Russia can and must end this war. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The Foreign Secretary will also announce 30 million of UK funding to support Ukrainian societal resilience, and drive justice and accountability efforts for victims and survivors of alleged Russian war crimes.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Four years after Putin launched his war to wipe Ukraine as a sovereign nation off the map, the UK is more determined than ever to stand strong with Ukraine. Together with allies, we're stepping up military aid to Ukraine, and we will step up pressure on Putin. This was a war Putin thought he would win in a week but he underestimates the will of the Ukrainian people. With our support, they continue to fight with huge courage and defiance. Today we also mark the suffering of Ukrainians on the frontline, the families mourning loved ones and the millions displaced from home yearning for the opportunity to return with peace. I pay tribute to the people of Ukraine. I am proud of our UK unity and leadership on Ukraine. I am determined that we make 2026 the year this brutal war ends.

The support announced today follows significant assistance announced by the Defence Secretary earlier this month, including a half a billion pounds of air defence support and 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), produced in Belfast, to defend Ukraine from Russia's ongoing drone assaults.

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Secretary-General's remarks to the Human Rights Council [as delivered]

United Nations Secretary-General

23 February 2026

Geneva, Switzerland

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Distinguished President of the Human Rights Council,

High Commissioner,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Human rights are under a full-scale attack around the world.

The rule of law is being outmuscled by the rule of force.

And this assault is not coming from the shadows. Or by surprise. It is happening in plain sight - and often led by those who hold the greatest power.

Around the world, human rights are being pushed back deliberately, strategically, and sometimes proudly.

The consequences are devastating - as witnessed in the Council.

And as written in the lives of people who suffer twice: first from violence, oppression, or exclusion - and then again from the world's indifference.

When human rights fall, everything else tumbles.

Peace. Development. Social cohesion. Trust. Solidarity.

This is precisely why the tools of the Human Rights Council - such as the Special Rapporteurs, Special Procedures, investigative mechanisms, and the Universal Periodic Review -are essential.

And it is precisely why - as we mark the Council's 20th anniversary - we also recognize it is more important than ever to translate geopolitical engagement into a path towards strengthening human rights everywhere.

Excellencies,

Tomorrow, I should address the Security Council on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where more than 15,000 civilians have been killed.

It is more than past time to end the bloodshed.

I began this month speaking to the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People about blatant violations of human rights, human dignity, and international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The current trajectory is stark, clear and purposeful: the two-State solution is being stripped away in broad daylight.

The international community cannot allow this to happen.

And a few days ago, I was at the African Union Summit where Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Sahel and other crises were front and centre.

Excellencies,

We are living in a world where mass suffering is excused away ... where humans are used as bargaining chips ... where international law is treated as a mere inconvenience.

Conflicts are multiplying and impunity has become a contagion.

That is not due to a lack of knowledge, tools or institutions.

It is the result of political choices.

This crisis of respect for human rights does not stand alone.

It mirrors and magnifies every other global fracture.

Humanitarian needs are exploding while funding collapses.

Inequalities are widening at staggering speed.

Countries are drowning in debt and despair.

Climate chaos is accelerating.

And technology - especially artificial intelligence - is increasingly being used in ways that suppress rights, deepen inequality, and expose marginalized people to new forms of discrimination both online and offline.

Across every front, those who are already vulnerable are being pushed further to the margins.

And human rights defenders are among the first to be silenced when they try to warn us.

In this coordinated offensive, human rights are the first casualty.

We see it in a tightening grip on civic space.

Journalists and activists jailed. NGOs shut down.

Women's rights rolled back.

Children's rights ignored.

Persons with disabilities excluded.

Democracies eroding.

The right of peaceful assembly crushed - and I condemn once again the recent violent repression of protests in Iran.

Migrants harassed, arrested and expelled with total disregard for their human rights and their humanity.

Refugees scapegoated.

LGBTIQ+ communities vilified.

Minorities and indigenous peoples targeted.

Religious communities attacked.

Online spaces poisoned by disinformation and hate - resulting in real-world harm.

Excellencies,

Human rights are not a slogan for good times. They are a duty at all times.

And so we must stand up for them - and even when it is difficult, inconvenient, or costly.

Especially then.

That requires action on three urgent fronts.

First, we must defend our shared foundations - without compromise.

The UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the instruments of international human rights law are not a menu.

Leaders cannot pick the parts they like and ignore the rest.

And human rights themselves are also not divisible.

Economic rights, social rights, cultural rights, civil rights and political rights - these are inherent, universal, inalienable, and interdependent.

Excellences,

Deuxiemement, nous devons renforcer nos propres institutions.

Nous ne pouvons pas faire comme si les dysfonctionnements de la gouvernance mondiale actuelle n'avaient aucun rapport avec la deterioration mondiale des droits humains.

Notre volonte de reformer et de renforcer le Conseil de securite et l'architecture financiere mondiale n'est pas une simple affaire d'intendance institutionnelle.

Il s'agit d'une condition essentielle pour assurer la protection des droits humains et des libertes fondamentales.

Quand le Conseil de securite est paralyse, quand les vetos servent de paravent politique, quand les rivalites geopolitiques l'emportent sur la protection des civils, le resultat est le meme :

L'impunite s'etend. Les souffrances se multiplient. Et les droits humains sont pietines.

Nous avons besoin d'un Conseil de securite qui reflete le monde d'aujourd'hui - pas celui de 1945.

Il en va de meme pour l'architecture financiere internationale, afin de garantir aux pays en developpement une participation reelle et une voix qui compte.

Quand les pays les plus petits et les plus vulnerables sont pris au piege de la dette et prives d'investissements suffisants, leurs populations sont privees de leurs droits humains - y compris l'education, les soins de sante, la securite et la dignite.

Notre Initiative ONU80 renforce egalement le lien entre droits humains, paix, developpement durable et protection en contexte humanitaire - afin que ces domaines agissent de maniere plus coherente et se renforcent mutuellement.

Elle propose egalement de creer un Groupe des droits humains a l'echelle du systeme des Nations Unies, afin d'ancrer plus profondement les droits humains dans l'ensemble des politiques et des activites de l'Organisation.

Et je remercie le Haut-Commissaire d'avoir mene cet effort, qui s'appuie sur l'Appel a l'action en faveur des droits humains.

Excellencies,

Third, we must unlock the power of human rights.

After all, human rights are not only what we defend - they are what lifts the world to a better place.

When rights are upheld, people live more freely.

Economies grow more fairly.

Communities trust more deeply.

And peace and stability take hold because dignity takes root.

Human rights are not an obstacle to progress - they are essential to progress.

We have seen it time and again, all over the world.

Where rights advance, conflict loses ground.

Where justice strengthens, violent extremism weakens.

Where equality expands, possibility explodes.

Where freedom prevails, societies flourish.

And so we must change course and let human dignity set the direction.

By renewing our commitment to - and respect for - the rule of law at every level.

By supporting the pivotal work of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

By delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals.

By accelerating climate action.

By upholding what makes us human.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

In my first address to this Council as Secretary-General, I spoke of a deep personal commitment to human rights.

Growing up under the Salazar dictatorship taught me that the denial of human rights corrodes every aspect of society.

Working for the United Nations has shown me how respect for human rights brings out the best in humanity.

And now, in my tenth year at the helm of the UN, the power of human rights has never been more clear.

Human rights are not West or East, North or South.

They are not a luxury - they are not negotiable.

They are the foundation of a more peaceful and secure world.

And States are bound by their obligations under the Charter and international law.

We still have much work ahead together.

But since this is my final address to the Opening of your session, I leave you with this appeal:

Do not let the erosion of human rights become the accepted price of political expediency or geopolitical competition.

Do not let power write a new rulebook in which the vulnerable have no rights and the powerful have no limits.

Let this Human Rights Council be the voice and shield for all those in need.

Let this be the place that helps end the broad and brutal assault on human rights.

Because a world that protects human rights protects itself.

And I thank you.

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'Factories operating at scale': Mahama targets energy reform for industrial growth

Mohammed Ali Business News Feb - 24 - 2026 , 11:49

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce off-peak electricity tariffs for industry as part of efforts to cut production costs and strengthen the competitiveness of Ghanas manufacturing sector.

The proposed measure forms a key component of the governments renewed industrialisation drive and seeks to address longstanding concerns by businesses over high power costs.

Speaking at the Presidential Dialogue with the Private Sector on February 23, 2026, Mr Mahama said reforms to energy pricing would be central to positioning Ghana as a production hub in West Africa.

He noted that industrial electricity tariffs in Ghana remain uncompetitive compared with those of neighbouring countries and warned that sustained industrial expansion cannot occur under conditions of high and unreliable power supply.

Mr Mahama explained that the proposed off-peak tariff regime would enable manufacturers to benefit from reduced electricity rates during periods of lower demand, particularly at night, thereby encouraging round-the-clock operations.

The policy is expected to complement the governments 24-hour economy agenda, which aims to boost productivity by enabling factories to operate multiple shifts.

In addition to tariff reforms, the President said the government would restructure energy-sector debt, expand power generation, particularly from renewable sources, and strengthen transmission infrastructure to ensure a stable electricity supply.

He described comprehensive energy reform as indispensable to Ghanas industrial transformation.

The dialogue brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and business executives to review the state of the economy and identify practical measures to stimulate private-sector growth.

Beyond energy, Mr Mahama cited limited access to affordable financing, land constraints and unfair trade practices as major obstacles to industrial expansion.

He indicated that the government would collaborate with the Bank of Ghana and other financial institutions to develop tailored financing windows for manufacturers and expand credit support schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises.

On trade, he warned that smuggling, under-declaration and the influx of counterfeit goods were undermining local industries and would be treated as economic crimes, with tougher enforcement measures to follow.

Mr Mahama also reiterated plans to strengthen domestic production in sectors such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and steel, describing them as strategic pillars for job creation and value addition.

Urging a stronger partnership between the state and industry, he called on businesses to scale up production, generate employment and invest in skills development, while the government works to ensure policy stability and an improved business environment.

The Ghana we seek will not be built by speeches, he said. It will be built by factories operating at scale.
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APC Youth Wing West Africa supports NANS Ghana with GH50,000 for Camp Week

GraphicOnline Feb - 24 - 2026 , 12:02 2 minutes read

The West Africa arm of the All Progressives Congress Youth Wing has donated GH50,000 to the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ghana Chapter, to support its upcoming Camp Week programme.

The donation was presented by Gideon Olatunde Igbasan, Director General of the APC Youth Wing West Africa and West Africa Coordinator of Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, during a meeting at the Secretariat in Accra.

According to organisers, the contribution followed a courtesy visit by the leadership of NANS Ghana, during which they outlined their plans and objectives for the student-centred initiative. After deliberations, Mr Igbasan approved the financial support, reiterating the Wings commitment to youth development and structured student engagement across the subregion.

Addressing the delegation, Mr Igbasan said the Secretariat would continue to serve as a base for Nigerian students in West Africa and pledged sustained institutional cooperation.

He urged student leaders to focus on academic excellence, unity, discipline and responsible leadership, while ensuring transparency and measurable impact in the execution of their programmes.

Mr Igbasan said the support was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which he noted prioritises youth empowerment, education, enterprise and nation-building within Nigeria and among Nigerians in the diaspora.

Responding on behalf of the students, Mr Gbemileke Kolawole Tabiti, President of NANS Ghana Chapter, expressed appreciation for what he described as timely support.

He assured that the funds would be prudently utilised to ensure a successful Camp Week.

The development highlights ongoing collaboration between youth-oriented political structures and organised student bodies aimed at strengthening Nigerian student representation and leadership capacity within the West African subregion.
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Cement firms warn of price hikes as clinker ships stall at port

GraphicOnline Feb - 24 - 2026 , 06:46 3 minutes read

The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has convened talks with cement manufacturers and port authorities to address mounting congestion at the harbour that has left clinker shipments stranded and exposed producers to heavy financial losses.

The emergency meeting, held on February 23, 2026, in collaboration with the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, focused on persistent operational bottlenecks that have delayed the discharge of clinker, a critical raw material in cement production, for as long as two to three weeks.

Industry players say vessels carrying clinker are currently waiting between 13 and 20 days to berth, attracting substantial demurrage charges. They warned that if the situation persists, the additional costs could ultimately be transferred to consumers through higher cement prices.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers Ghana, Bishop Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, described the situation as dire, saying the industry is leaking financially under the weight of escalating demurrage costs.

Manufacturers acknowledged that dredging works are ongoing at the port but appealed for interim relief measures. These include temporary access to additional berths and permission to handle non-dust producing raw materials such as gypsum and slag at alternative berths to ease congestion.

Responding to the concerns, the Transport Minister assured stakeholders that dredging works are being accelerated to expand berth capacity and accommodate larger vessels. He explained that existing berths are unsuitable for bigger ships, resulting in extended turnaround times and vessel queues. Upon completion of the works, expected by the end of June, the port will be able to receive vessels of more than 20,000 tonnes, compared with the current 8,000-tonne limit, significantly reducing traffic and delays.

He added that sections of the dredging operation, particularly around Berth 14, are expected to be completed within one to two weeks, offering partial relief ahead of full completion.

In her remarks, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare stressed that government intervention is not solely about preventing price increases but about addressing systemic inefficiencies affecting industry operations.

If we want good prices, we must also perform our part of the bargain to ensure that production costs remain efficient, she stated.

She underscored that even a single day of operational delay can translate into millions of dollars in losses for businesses, reiterating her Ministrys readiness to act swiftly when industry challenges arise. She expressed confidence that tangible improvements would be visible within a fortnight and pledged sustained collaboration between the Ministries, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and industry stakeholders.

President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Pharm. Kofi Nsiah-Poku, commended the Ministers for their prompt engagement and cooperative approach. He said the anticipated interim measures, together with the completion of dredging by June, should restore operational efficiency and reduce production costs, potentially allowing manufacturers to pass savings on to consumers.

The meeting concluded with renewed assurances from all parties to safeguard the competitiveness and stability of Ghanas cement industry, amid optimism that the current port congestion will ease before mid-year.
We focus too much on roads  Prof. Sam pushes for integrated transport overhaul

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40 Ghanaian languages face extinction

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Feb - 24 - 2026 , 12:34 4 minutes read

The Executive Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA), Ziblim Alhassan Betintiche, has revealed that at least 40 Ghanaian languages are on the verge of extinction, warning that urgent and deliberate measures are required to preserve the countrys linguistic heritage.

He stressed that language was not merely a tool for communication but the foundation of identity, culture and collective memory.

Language is the vessel of our memory and the architecture of our worldview. When a language disappears, an entire system of knowledge, oral history, proverbs and indigenous wisdom vanishes with it, he pointed out.

Mr Betintiche made the revelation at the authoritys maiden commemoration of the International Mother Language Day in Accra, held on the national theme: Languages Preserved on Page.

He said 70 African languages, including the Boro language in Ghana, had become extinct.

Additionally, Dompo, once spoken by a hunter-gatherer group in Bono East, is now confirmed extinct, with speakers having shifted largely to Akan.

Several other Ghanaian languages are critically endangered, including Nawuri in Northern Ghana, Tuwuli (or Bowiri) in the Oti Region, Chala (Tshala) in eastern Ghana, and certain dialects of Anufo (Chakosi) in the north.

Those languages, he said, were under pressure from dominant tongues, with younger generations increasingly abandoning them.

Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance under UNESCO held on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

The event, held in Accra last Friday, brought together key stakeholders from the education, culture and heritage sectors, including representatives of UNESCO, the creative arts space, students and academia, language institutions, and professional library bodies.

The event featured a panel discussion on archiving and transmitting Ghanaian languages to future generations.

It also spotlighted Professor Lade Wosornus collection of translated poems.

The literary conversation underscored translation as a preservation tool, reinforcing the role of libraries and scholars in safeguarding indigenous expression through print and documentation.

Living archives

Mr Betintiche described libraries as living archives of culture that must move beyond being silent book repositories to active custodians of indigenous narratives.

He said the authority would expand the availability of Ghanaian language materials across regional and municipal libraries, intensify translation initiatives, and collaborate with traditional councils and creative arts stakeholders to promote community-based reading and storytelling festivals.

The Executive Director of GhLA said the authority would also partner the Bureau of Ghana Languages and the Ghana Institute of Languages to document vulnerable languages and stimulate public dialogue in indigenous tongues.

When we preserve languages on pages, we secure identity against erosion and ensure that modernisation does not become homogenisation, he said, calling for policy advocacy, publishing initiatives and academic research to prevent further linguistic decline.

Government role

The Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, reaffirmed the governments commitment to mother tongue-based teaching at the foundational level.

He addressed a recent controversy on the use of local languages in education, explaining that from Kindergarten to Primary Three, Ghanaian languages would be used predominantly as the language of teaching and learning, with English and French introduced as subjects.

Dr Apaak said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service and the Bureau of Ghana Languages, was translating core materials in mathematics and science into selected Ghanaian languages to improve learning outcomes and reduce early-grade learning poverty.

Dr Apaak urged legislators, academics and community leaders to invest in developing and standardising their native languages, describing such efforts as a lasting national legacy.

He also called on young people seeking political careers to learn multiple Ghanaian languages to broaden their appeal, build trust and connect effectively.

Global crisis, past mistakes

The UNESCO Representative to Ghana, Edmond Moukala NGouemo, said globally, a language disappeared every two weeks, making preservation efforts imperative.

He emphasised that books  whether in print or digital form  remained humanitys most resilient fortress against cultural amnesia.

Mr NGouemo advocated translating global classics into Ghanaian languages and vice versa to promote intellectual exchange while urging the digitisation of local languages to ensure relevance in the 21st century.

The acting Executive Secretary of the Creative Arts Agency, Gideon Aryeequaye, reflected on colonial-era restrictions that discouraged the use of vernacular in schools, describing the practice as an erosion of identity.

He said punitive measures once imposed on pupils for speaking indigenous languages had created generational stigma, and called for a cultural reset that restored pride in mother tongues through literature, performance and creative expression.
Minister explains why Parliamentary process not needed to restore Accra International Airport name

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Kotoka International Airport reverts to Accra International Airport

Daily Graphic Feb - 24 - 2026 , 12:57 2 minutes read

The government has reverted the name of the Kotoka International Airport to its original designation, Accra International Airport.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Transport in Accra yesterday said the decision followed considerations that the airports former name better aligned with its historical and global recognition.

The facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before its redesignation. The government has considered it appropriate to restore the airport to its former and internationally recognised name, it said.

Operations unaffected

The Transport Ministry assured the public, stakeholders and international partners that the change would not affect airport operations, safety standards or international travel arrangements.

It explained that within the records of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the airport code had remained ACC, indicating that the renaming would not alter existing aviation identifiers used globally.

The implementation process, the statement emphasised, would involve the systematic update of official documentation, statutory instruments where necessary, airport signage, digital platforms, aviation publications and related communication materials.

The Transport Ministry, therefore, called on the general public, stakeholders and international partners to support and cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

It further expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their continued cooperation as the changes take effect.

Background

The name Kotoka International Airport has long been a source of national debate because it honours Lt General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a senior military officer involved in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghanas first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Incidentally, today, February 24, 2026, marks exactly 60 years of the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah.

The airport, originally opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport, was renamed in Kotokas honour in 1969  three years after Lt Gen. Kotoka was killed during an attempted counter-coup at the site now forming the airport forecourt.

Critics of the name have argued that commemorating a coup figure on the countrys principal gateway sends the wrong message about Ghanas democratic values and glosses over uncomfortable chapters of its political history.

Supporters of the reversion contend that returning to Accra International Airport would correct a historical anomaly and reflect national identity more neutrally, while preserving Kotokas legacy in other ways.
Let Ramadan ignite spiritual growth, discipline, reflection - Dr Suleimana to Muslims

Daily Graphic Feb - 24 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

A Lecturer at the Department of Religions, University of Ghana,Legon, Dr Hajia Fatima Suleimana, has urged Muslims to approach Ramadan not merely as a period of abstinence from food and drink but as a sacred season of spiritual renewal, discipline and accountability.

Delivering a lecture on the theme Ramadan as a Month of Renewal of Faith and Accountability, in Accra last Saturday, Dr Suleimana described Ramadan as the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and a time devoted to fasting, prayer, reflection and community engagement.

Worship

She explained that fasting (sawm) was prescribed as an act of worship (ibadah), stressing that conscious actions performed for the pleasure of Allah become acts of devotion that cultivate piety.

Quoting Islamic scholar, Al-Ghazali, Dr Suleimana outlined three levels of fasting  ordinary, special and extra-special.

Ordinary fasting, she said, involves abstaining from food, drink and sexual relations from dawn to sunset.

Special fasting goes beyond physical restraint to include guarding the eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet from sin, while extra-special fasting demands purification of the heart from unworthy thoughts and total focus on Allah.

The moral value of fasting lies in whole-body discipline and sincerity of intention (niyyah), she said, adding that the fast must inspire nearness to God and character transformation.

Preoccupations

Dr Suleimana warned against practices that diminish the spiritual value of fasting, including preoccupation with food, excessive social media use, backbiting and scandal-mongering.

She noted that both the backbiter and the listener share in the sin, and reminded muslims of the prophetic teaching that fasting is a shield and that a fasting person should avoid foul speech and respond to provocation by saying, I am fasting.

She further cautioned that iftar meals must be financed from lawful earnings, since the source of ones income affects the sincerity and reward of the fast.

On inner discipline, the lecturer said Ramadan cultivates mindfulness, gratitude and resilience through hunger and thirst, training believers to control negative emotions and harmful speech while practising patience, humility and kindness.

Accountability in Ramadan is both personal and collective, she stressed, explaining that consciousness of Allahs presence and belief in the Day of Judgment should inspire self-examination and moral conduct.

Strengthening bonds

Touching on community life, Dr Suleimana said congregational prayers and shared iftar meals strengthen social bonds and emotional resilience.

Charity and service, including food distribution, she added, reinforce empathy and social responsibility, with youth and men increasingly organising public food-sharing initiatives.

However, she observed that women often shoulder the burden of cooking and serving during Ramadan, highlighting the need to reflect on persistent gender roles in domestic spaces.

Ramadan, she concluded, remains a sacred opportunity for Muslims to renew their faith, purify their intentions and recommit to righteous living.
Ministers visit injured tomato merchants at 37 Military Hospital - Assure them of support

Beatrice Laryea Feb - 24 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and the Minister of Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, have visited the tomato traders who were injured in the terrorist attack in Burkina Faso, and are on admission at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra.

The Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Sampson Ahi, representatives of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Tomato Sellers Association accompanied the ministers to interact with the eight victims recuperating from the attack.

During the interaction, the survivors said their conditions had significantly improved since receiving treatment at the hospital.

The minister condemned the attack on the traders in Burkina Faso, describing it as deeply unfortunate because the peaceful traders who were going about their business should not have been subjected to violence.

Commendation

Mrs Ofosu-Adjare commended the medical team at the 37 Military Hospital for the swift intervention.

Emphasising the strong link between trade and transport, she assured of continued collaboration with transport unions and trader groups to safeguard livelihoods.

The Trade Minister expressed the hope that government efforts to ensure year-round tomato production would help prevent such tragedies in the future.

It is heartbreaking that people conducting their daily business would end up hospitalised with such injuries. We are grateful for the quality of care available at the 37 Military Hospital. Only God knows what would have happened if the government had not acted swiftly to bring them here. For that, we are thankful, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said.

She also expressed the commitment that the government would support the victims until they returned to their businesses.

Quality patient care

The Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the 37 Military Hospital, Brigadier General Richard Naab, who received the guests, expressed appreciation for their presence.

He gave the assurance that his team remained fully committed to delivering the highest standard of care to patients.

Brig Gen. Naab also stated that the department was working diligently to ensure that patients received comprehensive treatment and left the hospital in improved health.

Background

On Saturday, February 14, this year, the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that a truck carrying Ghanaian tomato traders was caught in a terrorist attack in Titao, Burkina Faso.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, described the information received from Burkina Faso as disturbing.

He indicated that the attackers targeted a military camp in Titao, where installations were damaged during the assault, according to local reports.

Seven of the Ghanaian tomato traders were killed while the Ghana Armed Forces successfully evacuated those who sustained injuries.

Titao, in northern Burkina Faso, has faced repeated armed attacks in recent years and has been under siege by Islamist militants since 2019.
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Korle Bu: Hospital suspends 2 doctors and 2 nurses over failure to treat dying engineer

Kweku Zurek Feb - 24 - 2026 , 06:58 2 minutes read

The management of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital has announced the interdiction of two medical doctors and two nurses following their alleged refusal to provide emergency care to a 29-year-old engineer who later died at the facility.

The decision, outlined in a statement released on Monday, February 23, 2026, comes in the wake of mounting public concern over the circumstances that led to the death of Charles Amissah, an employee of Promasidor Ghana Limited.

Amissah succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a hit-and-run accident on 6th February, after what witnesses describe as a harrowing odyssey through Accra's emergency care system.

"In line with established administrative procedures, a committee has been constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the unfortunate death of the victim," the statement from hospital management read.

The tragedy began at the Circle Overpass, where Amissah was struck by a vehicle. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel arrived swiftly, stabilising him and preparing him for urgent transfer. However, what should have been a rapid journey to definitive care turned into a desperate search for a facility willing to admit him.

According to sources close to the ambulance team, Amissah was turned away by three major hospitalsthe Police Hospital, Ridge Hospital, and finally Korle Bu Teaching Hospitaleach citing a lack of available beds. Upon arrival at Korle Bu, the country's premier tertiary referral centre, ambulance staff pleaded with the on-duty personnel to accept the patient, warning that further attempts to transfer him to another facility could prove fatal.

Despite these desperate entreaties, hospital staff allegedly refused to admit him. It was while he remained in the ambulance bay or within the precincts of the hospitalunattended by the facility's staffthat Amissah went into cardiac arrest. Although CPR was administered, it proved unsuccessful. He was later certified dead, and his body was conveyed to the mortuary. The EMS team returned to base in the early hours of 7th February, their mission ended in tragedy.

In response to the public outcry, Korle Bu's management stated that the interdicted staff are suspected of failing in their duty to provide emergency medical care. "Pending the outcome of the committee's work, the Board and Management call on all persons connected to the matter to cooperate fully with the committee to ensure a fair and transparent inquiry," the statement continued.

The hospital has reaffirmed its commitment to "transparency, accountability and the delivery of quality healthcare services," promising that further information will be communicated upon the completion of the investigation.
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Minister explains why Parliamentary process not needed to restore Accra International Airport name

Kweku Zurek Feb - 24 - 2026 , 14:31 4 minutes read

The government has confirmed that the renaming of Accra International Airport to Kotoka International Airport was not backed by legislation, clearing the way for its reversion through executive action.

Addressing journalists, the Minister for Transport, Joseph Nikwe Bukari, said the original change of name was effected by decree rather than by an Act of Parliament.

He explained that the decree was primarily intended to establish a trust for the families of soldiers who were killed during the events surrounding the 1966 coup.

He said: It was a decree that was brought to set a trust to cater for the families of Kotoka and other soldiers who were killed at that time. And it happened that he was killed at the forecourt of the airport. And so if you look at the decree, it was its intention was to set a trust to take care of the families of the soldiers who were killed. And so if you look within it, they decided to honour him by introducing or renaming the airport after him. But the purpose of the decree was to establish a trust. Now there was no any legislation in Parliament to operationalise it. And so there is nothing in it for Parliament to amend or to legislate. It was an executive order that was given to recognise somebody who was killed at the forecourt of the airport. And the rightful thing is for us to come to an executive announcement again that the name is reverted to its original name.

His comments follow a formal announcement by the Ministry of Transport that the facility has been restored to its original designation, Accra International Airport. In a statement, the ministry said the decision was taken after considering that the former name better reflected the airports historical identity and international recognition.

The facility was originally known as Accra International Airport before its redesignation. The government has considered it appropriate to restore the airport to its former and internationally recognised name, the statement said.

Mr Bukari also rejected suggestions that the reversion would impose a heavy financial burden on the state, insisting that most international aviation identifiers would remain unchanged.

The good news for us is that all these organisations that control aviation, since the name change of Accra to Kotoka have not changed the country code. ICAO still maintains the country code GGAA, and IATA still maintains the country code ACC. So, there's nothing to change at the international level; the only thing to change is the signage and the billboards that we have. But Kotoka as a company, they already have the vendors who produce their letterheads on daily basis for them. So it's not a new contract. It's just a matter of Kotoka is now out. The same vendors who were doing their letterheads, their stamps are the same companies to continue to now change, just a removal of Kotoka and it will be Accra. So what will be the cost there? We are already renovating the airport. We are already doing construction of the airport to make it function properly. And some of those things would have been destroyed and rebranded. It's just a matter of the Kotoka out and the Accra in. So what will be the cost, even though there will be some cost to it, but it is not that cost that somebody will care about. It is going to be a minimum (cost) because of the renovation, the cost involved will be very, very, very, very small, as compared to other airports that you have to deal with international, regional and national issues.

The ministry assured the public and international partners that operations would not be disrupted. It noted that within the records of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the airport code has remained ACC, meaning existing aviation identifiers used globally would not be affected.

The implementation process, according to the ministry, will involve updating official documentation, statutory instruments where necessary, signage, digital platforms and aviation publications to reflect the restored name.

The debate over the airports name has long divided opinion. The facility was originally opened in 1958 as Accra International Airport before being renamed in 1969 in honour of Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, a leading figure in the 1966 coup that overthrew Ghanas first President, Kwame Nkrumah.

The reversion coincides with the 60th anniversary of the overthrow of Kwame Nkrumah on February 24, 1966.

Critics of the Kotoka designation have argued that naming the countrys main gateway after a coup figure conflicted with Ghanas democratic ideals. Supporters of the latest move maintain that restoring Accra International Airport corrects a historical anomaly while allowing the legacy of Lt Gen Kotoka to be preserved in other forms.
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National Teacher Licensure Examination not cancelled  NTC

Severious Kale-Dery Feb - 24 - 2026 , 07:04 4 minutes read

The National Teacher Licensure Examination has been integrated into the final examination of trainees, and will no longer be held as a separate examination, the National Teaching Council (NTC) has said.

It added that the examination had been modified and enhanced, citing, for instance, that it now included a practical aspect that constituted 30 per cent of the final trainees examination.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra yesterday to refute concerns that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had reneged on its promise to abolish the licensure examination, the Board Chairman of the NTC, Emmanuel Kwame Alorvi, repeated provisions in the partys manifesto that it would be part of the final examination of the trainees.

NDC position on licensure exam

Mr Alorvi said the NDCs manifesto ahead of the 2024 elections indicated an intention to abolish the licensure exam in its prevailing form at the time, referencing a portion of the document that stated that:

The NDC shall abolish the teacher licensure examination and integrate the licensure process into the final year examination of teacher trainees.

This clause in the NDC manifesto means that the party would abolish the process whereby the trainees had to wait to complete college and wait at home for one year before sitting for their examination.

The old form of the licensure examination also involved a six-hour pencil-and-paper examination in literacy, numeracy and essential professional skills. There was no practical assessment despite the fact that teaching involves pedagogical knowledge, as well as content knowledge.

The old examination had no teaching practice part. They (fresh teachers) all wrote the examination without any practical aspect, Mr Alorvi further explained.

He said in fulfilment of the NDC pledge, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, set up a seven-member committee to come up with modalities for implementing the government's professional licensing policy.

Committee recommendation

The committee's report, presented to the Minister of Education on May 28, 2025, recommended a three-tier approach to implementing the government's licensure policy.

The first tier, he said, covered those resitting the exam and trainees who had completed college and were waiting to sit the exam in its old form, he explained.

Mr Alorvi added that even though the old system was phased out in August 2025, by the time the committee was set up, there was a batch of teachers who completed college in 2025 and wanted to write the licensure examination under the previous regime, which meant they had to wait for one year.

Those who sat the previous year and were not successful were also given a chance. So, the first tier was concerned about those categories of students, he explained.

Reformed licensure exam

The NTC Board Chairman gave an assurance that teacher trainees currently in college would write the reformed licensure as part of their final semester examination, and would not need to complete and wait for a whole year to write the licensure exam.

Mr Alovi further clarified that the practical component currently included in the new licensure structure was missing in the old regime.

Teaching practice has been added, constituting 30 per cent of the total mark. Previously, it was only the literacy, numeracy, and professional skills that took 100 per cent of the licensure exam.

But the reform recognises that teaching involves both practical and content. So, 30 per cent of the teaching practice they did at college formed 30 per cent of their assessment in 2025. That's the new reform, Mr Alovi added.

Screening

Touching on the third tier, Mr Alorvi said a screening process needed to be put in place for prospective students to ensure that the right and qualified trainees entered the colleges.

He expressed concern over the failure rate of trainees in the licensure examination, and wondered whether the fresh teachers were not preparing well, were not serious about their studies when they entered the colleges of education or whether those that entered the colleges of education are not of the best quality.

That is the recommendation that the NTC should engage all stakeholders, including the teacher unions, so that, if possible, we can screen the candidates going to the colleges of education.

If they don't pass the screening process, they don't enter because if they enter, that means they spend money on training allowance, Mr Alovi said.
2026 World Cup: Visa overstay in US is an offence - Ghanaian fans cautioned

Previous article: 2026 World Cup: Visa overstay in US is an offence - Ghanaian fans cautioned

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OSP investigates GH25.8m palm oil diversion linked to transit abuse involving Customs, National Security operatives, clearing agents

Mohammed Ali Feb - 24 - 2026 , 09:17 2 minutes read

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has opened an investigation into the suspected diversion of 50 twenty-foot containers of palm oil, valued at GH25.8 million, into the local market without the payment of duties and taxes.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Office said the consignment had been declared as goods in transit to Burkina Faso but was diverted and sold in Ghana. It estimated a loss of about GH10.5 million in tax revenue.

Preliminary findings point to the involvement of some Customs officers, National Security operatives and clearing agents in what the Office described as a coordinated corrupt scheme.

The probe follows an intelligence-led operation carried out in November 2025.

The Office has not named any suspects. It said work is ongoing to establish individual roles and determine possible criminal liability.

The Office remains committed to protecting the public purse and upholding integrity as the process continues, the statement said.

The palm oil case forms part of a wider problem involving abuse of Ghanas transit trade regime, which allows goods bound for landlocked countries to pass through without paying import duties.

In recent weeks, security agencies and the Ghana Revenue Authority have intercepted several consignments, including cooking oil and tomato paste, which were declared as transit cargo but allegedly diverted into the local market. Some articulated trucks were found operating without the required customs escorts, raising concerns about collusion between importers and state officials.

Audits of seized consignments have also revealed discrepancies in declared values, weights and tariff classifications, with potential tax liabilities running into tens of millions of cedis.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance imposed restrictions on the transit of cooking oil across land. The directive requires such products to enter and exit Ghana through designated seaports to allow closer monitoring and reduce diversion.
Inconsistent use of condoms among youth poses threat to HIV fight

Augustina Tawiah Health Feb - 24 - 2026 , 09:57 4 minutes read

The National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NACP) has stated that inconsistent use of condoms among young people poses a threat to Ghana achieving the global goal to eliminate HIV and AIDS by 2030.

It explained that data had shown that condom use among young people tends to be higher during first sexual encounters but declines in steady or trusted relationships.

It said many adolescents also associate condom use with casual sex, but not with long-term partners, and this is where risk increases.

The Programme Manager of the NACP, Dr Emmanuel Akwoulo Agyigewe Teviu, who disclosed this in an interview, said only about 11 per cent of young people between ages 15 to 19 years, who engage in premarital sex, use condoms.

Quoting the figure from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, he said that the alarmingly low rate of consistent condom use has remained relatively stable over the past decades.

Usage for us means that you should use it consistently and properly, not just once. Some of the youth, what they do is that they use it maybe with one partner, but with another partner, they don't use it.

Usually, you will find it being used maybe when they meet for the first time but then you see that subsequently, as the relationship continues, some form of trust is built and the inconsistency of use is there, he explained.

He was speaking in relation to the recently celebrated International Condom Day that was observed on February 13 and Valentines Day, which was observed on February 14.

International Condom Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Observed a day before Valentines Day, the day reminds people to practice safety when being intimate with their partners.

Valentines Day, on the other hand, is associated with an occasion when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts.

Consistency

Dr Teviu said awareness of condoms as a preventive tool was high among young people, adding that the country had made progress in knowledge and availability; however, behavioural consistency remained an area requiring sustained effort.

Dr Teviu mentioned the barriers contributing to inconsistent use of condoms among young people to include embarrassment or perceived stigma when purchasing condoms; perceived reduction in pleasure in condom use; partner refusal, the belief that trust eliminates risk and social stigma around young people accessing sexual health services.

Throwing light on the barriers, he said, among adolescents, especially, confidence and negotiation skills were still developing; as a result, many know what to do but struggle to insist on protection.

On the dangers the inconsistent use of condoms poses, Dr Teviu said condoms protect people from STIs, including HIV and unwanted pregnancies, explaining that their inconsistent use affects preventive measures, thereby exposing them to the virus if the other partner has it.

He said the NACP was working on bridging the gaps through leveraging social media campaigns to reach the youth with messages on the consistent use of condoms; partnering some social media influencers to send messages across and developing video messaging content that would give people the opportunity to listen to and also create some interactive platforms where young people could ask questions and get answers on those platforms.

Dr Teviu refuted the assertion that access to condoms was a challenge in the country, explaining that all over the country, including villages at various outlets, one could access condoms.

He added that together with the Family Health Division, the Ghana Health Service also provided condoms to health facilities throughout the country to be accessible to people.

Sometimes we may have some supply chain challenges in terms of the time of arrival and distribution of these condoms to the facilities, but it's not a major problem that we are too worried about, he explained.

He encouraged young people who did not have the wherewithal to purchase condoms to visit youth-friendly health facilities spread across the country, where they would receive targeted services for adolescents.
Feature: Yiwu "boss ladies" chart ambitious, innovative courses in Year of the Horse

Xinhua) 09:51, February 24, 2026

Xu Lihong arranges flashlights at her store in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Che)

HANGZHOU, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- On her desk in Yiwu, the eastern Chinese city dubbed "the world's supermarket," Xu Lihong, 48, keeps banknotes from nearly 100 countries and regions neatly pressed beneath a pane of glass.

Each one tells a story of a deal struck, a market entered, or a relationship forged during her journey as a successful entrepreneur. As the Year of the Horse begins and with it Xu's own zodiac year, the collection feels less like a set of souvenirs and more like a balance sheet of ambition.

In Chinese culture, the horse symbolizes stamina, speed and forward motion. For Xu, a veteran exporter of LED lighting products, who has spent nearly two decades navigating Yiwu's relentless trading floors, the meaning is hard to miss.

"It feels like the right moment to run faster," she said, outlining plans to push into new markets across Europe and Brazil.

The habit of collecting foreign banknotes began almost by accident. Overseas buyers browsing Xu's display would often ask why their country was missing, then press a banknote into her hand. Over time, these gestures accumulated into a quiet archive of Yiwu's reach, reflecting a city whose small commodities circulate far beyond its modest geography.

Xu belongs to a distinctive cohort in Yiwu. Like her, many female entrepreneurs in the small commodity hub have transformed family workshops into export-driven global operations.

Locally, they are known as "boss ladies," a term that signals both commercial success and visibility on the internet.

Like many family-run businesses in Yiwu, Xu's family follows a typical division of labor. Xu manages the storefronts and negotiates directly with foreign buyers, while her husband oversees the nearby factory.

Already successful in selling both online and offline, Xu designs about 200 new products each year, constantly refreshing her catalogue to keep pace with shifting tastes.

Her ambitions are underpinned by Yiwu's formidable trading infrastructure. The Yiwu International Trade Market, which houses nearly 80,000 booths offering over 2.1 million types of commodities, maintains trade ties with 233 countries and regions worldwide. According to Yiwu Customs, Yiwu saw its foreign trade value reach a record high of 836.5 billion yuan (about 120.24 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025.

A similar emphasis on innovation drives Judy Chen, who is 36 and shares the zodiac year of the horse with Xu. Guided by her mother, Chen, the manager of Zhejiang Yinyuan Optical Instruments Co., Ltd., embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the age of 24. Twelve years on, she has established her own brand and company, which now serves a client base of over 1,000.

"I plan to expand our R&D team to break through technical barriers," said Chen, noting that R&D already accounts for over 30 percent of the company's total investment, a figure she expects to rise further.

She aims to reduce costs and introduce a diversified range of affordable, AI-enhanced products. "I want to make telescopes that boast both technical sophistication and mass appeal, with options like cartoon or IP-themed designs," she added.

Luo Xinyi, 24, and also born in the Year of the Horse, represents a new generation of Yiwu merchants, defined by fresh perspectives and a keen eye for emerging opportunities.

Luo has launched Basa Jewelry at the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center. While her mother, Yao Yefei, has spent more than two decades in the pearl business, Luo is experimenting with new paths, ranging from talk shows to micro-short dramas organized by the market itself.

"These formats help us connect with customers in ways that feel natural to my generation," Luo said. For her, innovation extends beyond product design to branding, influencer collaboration and original IP creation. Commerce, in this view, is as much about storytelling as it is about transactions.

By blending creative branding with digital outreach, Luo aims not only to sustain her business but to shape its identity in a rapidly evolving marketplace, reflecting broader shifts in how the younger generation in Yiwu approaches commerce.

"The Year of the Horse carries many positive symbols in the lunar calendar, and it also happens to be our zodiac year. We hope our business will thrive and prosper in this spirited year," said Yao, who is also 48 years old and shares the zodiac year with her daughter. "I hope she will forge her own path with a down-to-earth but pioneering spirit."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
iQOO today unveiled the iQOO 15R as the first 'R' model in its number lineup in India. The iQOO 15R is aimed at young professionals looking for a smartphone that's compact but also packs a powerful chipset and a big battery under the hood.

iQOO is delivering on that by offering the iQOO 15R with a 6.59" AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, and a 7,600 mAh battery.

The display, protected by Schott Xensation Alpha glass, has a 144Hz refresh rate, a 2,750x1,260-pixel resolution, and a peak brightness of 5,000 nits. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. The 15R boots Android 16-based OriginOS 6 out of the box, and iQOO has promised up to four years of OS upgrades and six years of security updates for the smartphone.

The iQOO 15R's 7,600 mAh battery supports 100W wired charging, and it's advertised to charge from 1% to 50% in 33 minutes and to 100% in 63 minutes with the bundled 100W power adapter. The smartphone also supports bypass charging and reverse wired charging.

The iQOO 15R features three cameras - a 50MP primary (Sony LYT-700V), an 8MP ultrawide, and a 32MP selfie.

Other features of the iQOO 15R include the Q2 Supercomputing Chip, a 6.5K IceCore VC Cooling System, support for 144 FPS gaming in BGMI through frame interpolation technology, a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, and NFC. The smartphone also comes with stereo speakers, an IR blaster, and IP68 and IP69 ratings.

The iQOO 15R is offered in Dark Knight and Triumph Silver colors. The Dark Knight model is 7.90mm thick, weighs 202 g, and features a fiber glass back. The Triumph Silver model, on the other hand, is 8.10mm thick, weighs 206 g, and features a glass back.



iQOO 15R's color options

The iQOO 15R comes in three memory configurations - 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB, and 12GB/512GB, priced at INR44,999 ($495/420), INR47,999 ($530/450), and INR52,999 ($580/495), respectively. Customers purchasing the phone with an HDFC Bank or Axis Bank credit or debit card will receive a discount of INR4,000 ($45/40).

The iQOO 15R will go on sale in India starting March 3 through iQOO's official website, Amazon.in, vivo exclusive stores, Reliance Digital, and other offline retailers.

The iQOO 15R is also up for pre-order through the same sales channels in India, and those who pre-order will receive a pair of vivo/iQOO TWS earphones worth INR1,899 ($20/18) for free. Sales for pre-ordering customers will begin on March 2 at 10 AM IST.
Xiaomi has brought out a petite new battery with MagSafe charging  the Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W measures only 6mm thick and weighs 98g.

As you can tell by the overly descriptive name, this is a 5,000mAh power bank that can output up to 15W wirelessly using Qi2. It also has a USB-C port on the bottom  that is normally used to charge the battery itself, but it can also be used to charge a phone faster as the wired connection goes up to 22.5W.

The battery is tiny but mighty enough to charge two devices at the same time  one wirelessly and one over the USB-C port (tap the power button to activate this mode).

There are some asterisks involved. A Xiaomi 17 can be charged wirelessly at the full 15W. However, the 17 doesnt have magnets of its own, so you will need a magnetic case. Well, the wireless charging will work without the magnets too, but that is less convenient than having the battery magnetically attached to the phone. An iPhone will only be able to get 7.5W out of the battery.

The battery measures 98.5  71.5  6mm. Thats a hair under the width of a Xiaomi 17 (71.8mm) and exactly the width of an iPhone 17. The battery also supports the likes of the Galaxy S25 (70.5mm but youll need a case, anyway) and Pixel 10 (72.0mm).

The Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank (MDY-20-EB) has an aluminum alloy shell that comes in three colors. The side that attaches to the phone is made out of fiberglass.

The actual battery inside is a Silicon-Carbon cell with 16% silicon content and is rated for 18.58Wh (typical capacity is 18.95Wh). There is also a 4,369mm graphite sheet for cooling. The battery has multiple protection mechanisms that guard against over- and under-voltage, overcharge and over-discharge, overcurrent, overheating, electrostatic shock and more.

The Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power Bank 5000 15W is already available in some markets: its AUD 69.50 in Australia, SGD 69.90 in Singapore and JPY 5,980 in Japan. However, we havent found it westward of that.

Source

Xiaomi 17 5G

Apple iPhone 17

Samsung Galaxy S25
Guam Visitors Bureau General Manager Regine Biscoe Lee on Tuesday told senators that her team did a comprehensive review of travel by GVB general managers, going back eight fiscal years and three administrations.

In fiscal year 2025, this office reflects one of the lowest total trip counts in that period and the lowest average per diem, she said. We will gladly provide that report to the committee.

This is the second time in months that senators pressed Biscoe Lee, who also served as senator, about GVB travel.

GVBs fiscal 2025 travel costs were at $535,280, lower than the costs in fiscal 2023 to 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted travel so costs were down in fiscal 2020, 2021 and 2022. Pre-COVID travel costs reached over $800,000 per fiscal year.

Prior to Biscoe Lee taking the job as GVB general manager, the position was held by former governor Carl Gutierrez, who resigned before the board could potentially vote to fire him in November 2024.

One of Gutierrezs closest allies at the Legislature, Sen. Jesse Lujan, who now heads the tourism committee, said some GVB board members have said they were learning about major activities after they were announced to the public.

The senator said board members and the general public felt that requiring board authorization for travel would help rebuild trust. It would ensure dollars were well spent, not block important travel, he said.

Lujan bill

Lujan recently introduced Bill 279-38, which would mandate board approval for GVB travel expenses, after Lujan and other senators just a few years back removed board approval for off-island travel during Gutierrezs time at GVB.

The senator pointed to travel documentation for GVB that showed $26,641.74 was spent on registration and booth materials for an IMEX America trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The senator asked GVB Board Chair George Chiu if they had approved the expense.

I am not aware of such an expenditure, said Chiu, adding that it was his understanding that those sorts of expenditures did not need board approval.

Chiu said that had he been presented with the $30,000 expense, he probably would have approved it.

But he did agree that the board needed more oversight, noting that they only approved budget line-items for marketing in destinations, which could be as big as $5 million tranches without specifics.

Chiu said he believed that the GVB board should be a management board, not just an advisory board.

Roundtable

Hours before Tuesday afternoons oversight hearing at the Legislature, GVB held a roundtable meeting where Biscoe Lee told the media that the new legislative measure would hinder GVBs flexibility to address partners concerns.

Biscoe Lee said the law required board approval specifically for purchase orders and letters of authorization, and we do that every single board meeting.

Additionally, the GVB general managers overseas travel is necessary for networking and promotion, as well as immediate communication with industry partners.

Our concern is the board only meets once a month...We want to be able to have the flexibility to address concerns immediately. We need to respond and have these conversations with our partners, Biscoe Lee said.

She cited the IMEX America trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 2025 and other events where GVB can interact with tens of thousands of people, including potential visitors, travel agents, and military.

At these shows, GVB also promotes signature events on Guam, things to do, places to visit and eat, and other aspects, so they can choose Guam as rest-and-relaxation destination, Biscoe Lee added.

Biscoe Lee also defended the IMEX trade show travel, saying the bureau spent about $30,000 in booth fees and registration. The bureau said IMEX brings together more than 6,000 qualified buyers and over 16,000 industry professionals from over 70 countries in one place.

Spending $30,000 to get somebody to spend $250,000 on Guam, that ripples throughout our economy, because it turns into room rates, car rentals, reservations at restaurants, spending at local businesses, and visiting CHamoru Village and the Tumon Night Market, Biscoe Lee said.

She said annual GVB outings to the Las Vegas show have helped get Guam a spot on an ultra-luxury multi-destination package from TCS World Travel, where guests paid $250,000 a head.

Guam has been included in ultra luxury destination tourscapped at 52 people on luxury private jet. They ask a lot of questions about the history of Guam...so we have subject matter experts. [After] their experience, they turn around and tell their wealthy friends about Guam, Biscoe Lee said.

Biscoe Lee said travel shows are a tremendous return on small investment and a huge deal for Guam, especially interacting with a large number of military and other types of groups who buy out 30 hotel rooms and stay for a month.

She added that GVB has attended the IMEX America show for 10 years and counting. Doing the math, she said, those hotel room rates and then the 11 % hotel tax on those room rates yield a return that far exceeds what we extend.

If Guam is not in the room, Biscoe Lee added, then it doesnt get on these itineraries for ultra-luxury travel or yield any returns.

Though hosted in Vegas, the IMEX trade show included 70 countries and 6,000 international buyers, including Japan, Korea and Asia.

I think maybe the misconception, or the misunderstanding here is that it was held in North America or held in Las Vegas, and people think that were out there gamblingor the government moneyI have no idea, Biscoe Lee said.
Democrat Sen. Joe San Agustin and former senator Dwayne San Nicolas on Tuesday became the first gubernatorial team to file their candidacy for the 2026 primary elections.

They filed their candidacy at the Guam Election Commission at 8:30 a.m. without much fanfare, and no advance media announcement.

Nevertheless, they were with family, friends, and supporters both in person and online.

Together, we enter this race not for personal ambition, but to answer the call for accountable, honest, and visionary leadership that our people deserve, San Agustin said in a statement from the campaign team after the filing. At the very heart of our campaign is the guiding principle of accountability. We pledge to earn your trust every day by being open, transparent, and responsible in every decision we make.

San Agustin is currently serving his fifth term in the Guam Legislature, while San Nicolas is a businessman and served as senator in the 37th Guam Legislature.

Our vision for Guam is one where economic growth is a reality for every resident, San Nicolas said. We believe the people of Guam deserve a government that works as hard as they do. We will break down barriers, cut red tape, and ensure that every interaction with the government is fair, efficient, and helpful.

In a media release, the San Agustin-San Nicolas campaign team said their platform focuses on strengthening the livelihoods of all residents by prioritizing financial stability, public safety, and expanded opportunities.

Key initiatives include:

Support for families: Building a solid foundation for those struggling with housing, food, utilities, and childcare.

Public safety: Partnering with island mayors and vice mayors to reduce crime recidivism and combat drug abuse.

Government efficiency: Modernizing agency services to ensure reliable, timely delivery and increased transparency.

Education and health care: Investing in teachers and modern classrooms while expanding access to quality health care and technology.

Economic growth: Pursuing policies that create high-paying jobs, support local entrepreneurs, and reduce the cost of living.

Other filings

Meanwhile, the gubernatorial tandem of Republican Vice Speaker Tony Ada and EJ Calvo announced in a media release that they will be filing their candidacy at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

The Ada-Calvo team will battle it out with the tandem of Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and his running mate Mary Okada in the Republican primaries.

In the Democrat primaries, the San Agustin-San Nicolas team will face off with the tandem of Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio and his running mate Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes.

Who filed so far?

The 2026 candidacy filing is off to a slow start since the opening on Feb. 23. The filers so far are:
Vice Speaker Tony Ada and Sen. Jesse Lujan on Tuesday grilled Guam Visitors Bureau officials about what they deem a slow rollout of the airline incentives program to help save tourism, now that GVB has already received $7.5 million of the $10 million that lawmakers appropriated months ago.

GVB officials said while they have so far actually spent $62,000 for the Philippine market, they have already committed a total of $9 million to the Korean and Japanese markets.

When you guys came before us in October, during the budget session, you told us it was critical that this $10 million be used for airline incentive programs, Ada, who is running for governor, told GVB officials. Here we are in February, going into March, and you still have a balance of $7.4 million.

It was the continuation of the Legislatures joint oversight hearing on Guams tourism and airport operations.

GVB director of global marketing Nadine Leon Guerrero said that while the bureau has not actually been invoiced for some flights yet, it was already committing funds to different markets.

Leon Guerrero said $5 million was committed to the Korea market, and another $4 million for the Japan market.

We need to work as quickly as we can, Ada said, because Im not sure how much more the businesses in Tumon are going to be able to survive.

More than $62K

GVB General Manager Regine Biscoe Lee told senators that out of $10 million senators provided for airline incentives this fiscal year, some $7.5 million was received as of Tuesday.

Rudd Gudmalin, GVB financial controller, told Ada that the only expense incurred against the $7.5 million was $62,000 for the Philippine market.

Gudmalin said Philippine Airlines has received an incentive.

But when Ada asked about how big the incentive for Philippine Airlines was, Biscoe Lee replied, Its a little bit sensitive.

She said GVB had communicated with Lujans tourism oversight committee about the matter.

We want to make sure that we have the upper hand when were negotiating these deals, and so we dont necessarily want to disclose, Biscoe Lee said. We did provide some incentive money for the Philippine market, some for Korea, some for Japan, but we dont want to disclose the amount that weve given until were completed with our...work.

Biscoe Lee said the total amount paid out to Philippine Airlines wont be available until accounting is finished.

It will vary, as GVB wont pay for days when flights dont happen, she said.

I had a very interesting conversation with the president, CEO of Philippine Airlines, Ada replied.

Ada, however, did not give further details about the conversation.

Why hasnt tourism returned to 2019 levels?

Biscoe Lee gave senators a direct response to two questions:

Why hasnt tourism returned to the successes of 2019?

Who is responsible until it does?

She said the industry continues to be faced with a limit on how many airplanes arrive each year.

In 2019, Guam welcomed 1.6 million visitors. That year, we had roughly 38,000 to 40,000 international seats arriving each week, Biscoe Lee said.

But in 2026, there are only 22,000 to 25,000 seats per week.

She compared it to a number of buses filled with tourists. In 2026, there were 40 buses pulling up to Guam every week, while in 2026, there were only 24.

If you remove 16 buses, you cannot carry the same number of passengers. That is not interpretation. Its arithmetic, she told senators.

Post-pandemic, the International Air Transport Association described a structural reduction in fleet capacity, Biscoe Lee said.

Wide-body aircraft, the backbone of Pacific travel, were retired, and commercial airplane manufacturer Boeing publicly acknowledged delays in delivering new planes.

In the meantime, planes were being assigned to the highest-yield routes, and even destinations like Hawaii have struggled to restore flights to Japan.

Aircraft are finite assets. They cannot be created by marketing campaigns, she said.

The ceiling on tourism numbers was defined by seats and discussion needed to start there. Incoming flights to Guam average about 87% capacity, she said.

Chiu: We want the peak

GVB Board Chairman George Chiu weighed in at one point about GVBs target for tourism.

We want to get back to where we were at the peak, Chiu said, pointing to the 1.6 million visitors in 2019.

At the time, Guam had 750,000 airline seats coming into Guam just from Tokyo, he said.

Even though were showing double-digit growth right now from our Japan arrivals, we wont, he said. With our current number of flights that we have from Japan, we wont reach 750,000 tourists a year.

The situation was the same with Korea, he said, adding that airline incentives continue to be needed.

Chiu said he was concerned about how arrivals will go during the second quarter of this year, and whether growth will continue.

October-January arrivals

Some 297,800 visitors touched down on Guam from the start of fiscal 2026 in October to the end of January, according to data shared by GVB director of tourism research Christian Valencia.

GVB continues to hope for a return to 1 million visitors before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

What youre seeing here reflects tourism demand only, not returning residents or local travel activity, Valencia told senators.

Arrival numbers for the first four months of fiscal 2026 are about 22.97% higher than the same period in fiscal 2025.

But GVB has publicly stated that fiscal 2025 had a rocky start due largely to various issues in the Korean travel market, including a major airline merger, Jeju Air crash, and martial law declaration in South Korea.

Visitor numbers were actually 3.3% lower in fiscal 2025 than fiscal 2024.

Compared to the same period in fiscal 2024, the first four months of fiscal 2026 are only 9.7% higher, based on past GVB data.

January saw 68,828 visitors, according to figures that GVB shared on Tuesday.

Thats a 4.6% increase over last January, but actually a 16.7% drop compared to the 82,670 visitors in January of 2024, GVB data shows.

According to Valencia, heres how visitors from Japan and South Korea differ, on average:

South Korea: average age 39.98, average party size 4.19, average stay 4.19 nights, average on-island spent $1,930.43

Japan: average age 38.4, average party size 4.39, average stay 3.31 nights, average on-island spend $1,142.97

Were always focused, our eye is on the prize for a million visitors by the end of fiscal year, Biscoe Lee told senators. 2026, lots of things happening, and were retooling and adjusting as we go. But that still remains our kind of North Star.

She said GVB is looking to increase tourism jobs by the end of the fiscal year, so more locals are participating in the industry, and feel the impact on profits.
Guams beauty has never been in question. From our limestone cliffs to our southern rivers, from our fiestas to our family gatherings, the essence of who we are is powerful and unforgettable.

Yet, too often, the everyday spaces where we live, work, and do business fail to reflect that same pride.

If we are serious about enhancing the experience of both our residents and visitors, we must look beyond marketing campaigns and visitor arrival statistics.

We must look at our curbsides, our walls, our bridges, and the corridors that connect our villages. Curbside appeal is not cosmeticit is cultural. It communicates who we are.

Across the island, businesses operate within our villages. They benefit from the roads, utilities, customers, and workforce that those communities provide. In return, we should ask a simple question: What can we, in the private sector, do to elevate the spaces we occupy?

There are already strong examples of leadership. GTA Teleguam has embraced an island-wide commitment to beautification, adopting public highway walls and transforming them into murals in partnership with local organizations. These projects do more than cover concretethey tell stories, celebrate culture, and create photo-worthy landmarks that instill pride in residents and leave lasting impressions on visitors.

Another collaboration is taking shape in the south. I Kutturata Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to promoting our islands culture, and Valley of the Latte LLC, are working alongside Mayor Vicente Taitague of Talofofo and Mayor Anthony Chargualaf of Inalahan to bring a creative vision to life on the Talofofo Bridge. With the participation of a school organization whose students will earn community service credits, this project will quite literally and symbolically bridge two historic villages through art.

This is what collaboration looks like. The government provides coordination and regulatory guidance. Schools provide youthful energy and service. Artists provide vision. The private sector provides resources and momentum.

But one mural, or even several, is not enough.

Guam needs a broader, strategic village beautification initiativeone that invites businesses in every community to adopt the spaces around them. Imagine if every major commercial corridor had landscaped medians maintained by nearby businesses.

Imagine if blank walls became canvases telling the story of each villages heritage. Imagine if lighting, signage, and facade improvements were coordinated so that Tumon, Dededo, Hagatna, Talofofo, Inalahan, and every other village reflected intentional care.

This is not about shifting responsibility away from the government. It is about recognizing that private enterprise has both influence and agility. Businesses can move quickly. They can partner creatively. They can sponsor projects that make an immediate visual impact.

More importantly, they can set a tone.

When a business invests in its surroundings, it signals permanence and pride. It tells residents, We are part of this community. It tells visitors, This place matters.

For an island whose economy depends on tourism, curbside appeal is not superficialit is strategic. First impressions influence spending, repeat visits, and word-of-mouth recommendations.

But beyond economics, beautification strengthens quality of life. Our children grow up seeing care instead of neglect. Our elders see respect for the place. Our villages feel connected with its community pride in full display.

The private sector has long been a driver of innovation on Guam. Now, we have an opportunity to lead in stewardship.

Let us build a structured, island-wide framework that encourages village-by-village partnerships among mayors, schools, nonprofits, artists, and businesses. Let us measure progress not just in revenue, but in restored walls, planted trees, painted bridges, and revitalized corridors.

Guams natural beauty is a gift. Enhancing the spaces we control is our responsibility.
There are places on this island that have shaped us. Ypao Beach Park is one of them. Its where our kids learned to swim, where our elders sat under the same tree year after year, where families gathered for birthdays, reunions, and to watch fireworks displays.

Its also where I learned to swim in 1960, the old Guam uncle style. I was 6 years old, playing with Duk-Duk. The next thing I knew, my uncle had me by the waistband. Suddenly, I was airborne. He tossed me in, smiled, and said, Swim or drown! I swam. Not gracefully, but I swam.

Tears, snot, flailing armsthe whole package. I hated him for a while after that, and as fate would have it, he became my confirmation godfather.

And thats why I am compelled to address the deteriorating condition of our parks. It wasnt always like this. There was a time when Guam had far fewer resources than it does today, yet we still found a way to keep our parks clean, well-cared for, and welcoming.

When the grass is overgrown, when trash bins overflow, when coconut trees are left untrimmed until they become hazards, this is not wear and tear. This is not limited resources. This is neglect. This is mismanagement.

This is what happens when leaders talk endlessly about pride in our island but cant even maintain one of its most visible, most beloved public spaces. Families see it. Visitors see it. And the government absolutely sees it.

And lets be fair in the way our island understands inafamaolek: the employees who care for the park are doing exactly what theyre tasked to do. Theyre out there in the heat, doing honest work, following the schedules theyre given, and taking pride in what they can control.

If theyre only sent out once a week, thats not their choice. They can only carry out the plan theyre handed. I get itnot every employee has the same level of dedication. Thats true in any workplace. But we cant paint everyone with the same brush. There are plenty of hardworking employees out there doing their best with what theyre given.

Ypao Beach Park is not the only park crying for maintenance. Across the island, other public spaces echo the same plea, each one a reminder that this is a systemwide issue, not an isolated case. And the one response that magically covers every gap, including why they cant attend to every park, is, We dont have enough funding.

But somehow theres always talk of a surplus.

And lets thank the families, students, church groups, civic organizations, and yes, even military volunteers who show up quietly with gloves and trash bags. Their service is admirable.

But lets stop sugarcoating it. When volunteers and civic groups become the de facto maintenance crew for our public parks, the system has already collapsed. Weve all seen it: the public calls for volunteers to clean up another park, as if the community is supposed to fill the gaps left by the system.

Our parks need a non-negotiable, no excuses checklist:

Daily: empty trash bins, clear shoreline debris, sweep pavilions, maintain restrooms, and address safety hazards.

Weekly: mow grass, trim vegetation, clean BBQ pits, and refresh high traffic areas.

Monthly: trim trees to de-frond or de-fruit, maintain drainage, repair benches and signage, reinforce erosion-prone areas, and remove overgrown vegetation on curbsthe kind of basic upkeep that shows whether anyone is truly paying attention.

We have talked about this issue for yearsop eds, letters to the editor, public forums, community meetings, radio talk shows, social media. The people have spoken repeatedly.

How many times do we have to flat-out repeat the same message before someone in authority decides that the condition of our parks is worth more than excuses, press releases, and photo ops?

If years of public outcry, community cleanups, civic organizations stepping in, military volunteers filling the gaps, and families begging for basic upkeep still havent moved the needle, the next step becomes painfully clear.

Let the hand that holds the pencil do the talking. Accountability begins where the curtain closes.




Haiti - Security : Kidnapping foiled, 8 dead including 2 police officers





On February 23, 2026, the Haitian National Police (PNH) thwarted an attempted kidnapping early in the morning in the Delmas 48 area. The kidnappers, traveling in two SUVs, were preparing to block their victim's path with their vehicles to kidnap him. Police intervention forced them to abandon their plan and flee. Two of them were fatally wounded in Delmas 31, while the others continued their escape before being surrounded by law enforcement in Delmas 17, where the PNH had deployed several specialized units. The confrontation with law enforcement led to the neutralization of the four other criminals, including Dumorin Job and Kenny, alias "Kalash" who were fatally wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Operation Summary : 6 kidnappers neutralized (2 in Delmas 31, 4 in Delmas 17); 3 vehicles confiscated (a Nissan Patrol, a Toyota RAV4, and a Canter); 8 firearms seized, including 4 assault rifles, 4 pistols, and ammunition. Furthermore, the Haitian National Police (PNH) also recovered the Toyota Prado belonging to the victim, which the kidnappers had targeted for the kidnapping. However, the PNH mourns the loss of two of its officers, a member of the SWAT Team and an officer from the Intervention Brigade (BI), who died in the line of duty. Three other officers were injured and are currently receiving appropriate medical care. The PNH reaffirms its commitment to the fight against kidnapping, a scourge that paralyzes the socio-economic activities of the capital. Determined to restore order, she continues its operations throughout the country to guarantee the safety of all citizens. HL/ HaitiLibre


















(HedgeCo.Net) Bill Ackman built Pershing Squares reputation on a simple idea: concentrate capital in a small number of businesses where the upside is asymmetric, the downside is manageable, and the path to value creation is clear. For most of the last decade, that playbook expressed itself through consumer franchises, high-quality compounders, and occasional activist pressure campaigns. But in early 2026, Pershing Squares latest portfolio reshuffle crystallized something bigger than a trade.

Pershing Square disclosed a roughly $2 billion position in Meta Platforms, representing about 10% of the firms capital, and confirmed it exited its long-running stake in Hilton Worldwideone of Pershings most successful, emblematic investments.

Its tempting to read the move as a headline-grabbing rotation from old economy travel to new economy AI. The more accurate interpretation is sharper: Ackman is moving from the certainty of a mature compounder at a full valuation to the perceived mispricing of an AI-enabled cash machineat a moment when the market is still arguing about whether the AI spending cycle is value creation or value destruction.

The Trade in One Sentence: Sell Fully-Priced Durability, Buy Discounted Optionality

Pershing Squares explanation is straightforward. On Meta, the firm argues the stock price underappreciates the long-term upside potential from AI and reflects a valuation discount for what it describes as one of the worlds great businesses.

On Hilton, Pershing framed the exit as an equally rational decision: Hilton had been a highly successful investment, but at current valuation levels, prospective returns were unlikely to meet Pershings high return threshold.

That pairing matters. This isnt a risk-on gamble layered on top of an unchanged portfolio. Its a deliberate upgrade of the portfolios growth convexitywhile Pershing insists it is not sacrificing business quality to do it.

Why Meta Now: Pershing Is Buying the AI Operating Leverage Argument

Pershings Meta thesis rests on a few pillars, and theyre revealing because they mirror how many mega-managers are starting to underwrite AI exposure across public and private markets:

Meta as a scaled digital advertising utility

Pershing highlights Metas dominant position in digital advertising and its massive global user base, framing the business as structurally advantaged even before incremental AI gains. AI as a force multiplier on engagement and monetization

The core of Pershings argument is that Metas model is one of the clearest beneficiaries of AI integration, pointing to AI-driven recommendation systems that increase engagement and to improved ad relevance using first-party data. The markets discomfort with AI capex is the opportunity

This is the crux. Pershing notes Meta was trading around ~22x next-twelve-months P/E amid concerns about the magnitude of AI spending plans, arguing that excluding Reality Labs losses, the core advertising business is valued more cheaply (Pershing presents it as materially lower than the headline multiple).

Translated: Ackman is effectively saying, Investors are punishing Meta for spending like an AI infrastructure company, but the cash engine remains an ad monopoly-like platformand AI makes that engine stronger.

That viewpoint aligns with how a growing segment of institutional capital is underwriting AI in 2026: not as a speculative product bet, but as a productivity layer applied to an already-scaled distribution and monetization machine.

Why a 10% Position: This Is Pershings Signature High-Conviction Allocation

A 10% allocation is not an exploratory toe-dip. Reuters reported Pershing Squares CIO Ryan Israel described the Meta stake as roughly 10% of capital (~$2 billion) and emphasized the firms belief that the market is underpricing Metas AI upside.

Pershing also indicates the position dates back to late November 2025 in its investor materials and related coverage, suggesting the fund was building conviction as the markets AI capex anxiety narrative intensified.

This matters because Pershings brand has always been concentration. When Pershing makes a position this large, it is implicitly telling allocators: we think the AI spend = margin risk narrative is over-discounted, and were willing to be early (or at least unpopular) on that debate.

The Hidden Bet Inside the Meta Bet: AI Doesnt Just Add CostsIt Rewrites the Ad ROI Curve

The sophisticated version of Pershings Meta thesis isnt AI is cool. Its that AI changes the unit economics of performance advertising in a way that compounds.

If Meta can use AI to improve:

content recommendations (more time spent),

ad targeting (higher conversion),

creative generation tools (more advertisers, easier onboarding),

and campaign automation (better ROI for small and mid-sized advertisers),

then Metas advertising platform becomes more measurable, more automated, and more indispensableespecially for long-tail advertisers who previously lacked the resources to run sophisticated campaigns. Pershing explicitly calls out campaign automation and AI tools facilitating a more scalable self-serve model for advertisers.

In plain English: AI widens the moat by turning Meta into a smarter, more automated growth engine for businesses. The winners are the platforms with the most data, the best distribution, and the most compute to train and deploy models. Meta checks all three boxesif you believe execution follows spending.

The Risk Case: Ackman Is Also Buying Through a Fog of Uncertainty

The Meta trade is compelling, but it is not risklessand Pershings own materials implicitly acknowledge the markets core fear: that AI investments could become an overbuilding cycle.

Pershing argues overbuilding risk is mitigated by the core businesss ability to grow into and absorb excess capacity, and it emphasizes Metas strong balance sheet and financial flexibility.

But investors should still map the risk landscape:

Capex and operating expense trajectory: If AI infrastructure spending expands faster than monetization benefits materialize, near-term margins can compress.

If AI infrastructure spending expands faster than monetization benefits materialize, near-term margins can compress. Competitive dynamics: AI-driven recommendation and ad tooling is not exclusive to Meta; competitors will fight for similar advantages.

AI-driven recommendation and ad tooling is not exclusive to Meta; competitors will fight for similar advantages. Regulatory pressure: Privacy, platform power, and data usage remain ongoing risks for any scaled ad platform.

Privacy, platform power, and data usage remain ongoing risks for any scaled ad platform. Reality Labs drag: Pershing notes Reality Labs is loss-making and represents a sizable chunk of profit headwindsomething the market could continue to penalize even if core advertising remains strong.

Ackmans wager is that these risks are known, priced, and ultimately outweighed by AI-driven earnings power.

Why Exit Hilton: A Masterclass in Dont Get Greedy at Peak Multiple

If Meta represents a bet on misunderstood upside, Hilton represents the opposite: a known winner that became fully understood and fully priced.

Pershings Hilton slide is unusually direct: it calls Hilton a highly successful investment, citing:

EPS up 2.5x (150%) over Pershings ownership period,

over Pershings ownership period, fee revenue growth,

strong cost control supporting major EBITDA growth,

and best-in-class capital return, including substantial share retirements.

But the key sentence is the reason for the sale: Pershing exited because prospective returns were unlikely to meet its threshold given current valuation levels.

The presentation also points to a valuation re-rating, with the multiple expanding from roughly ~20x at Pershings initial investment to around ~32x in recent months (as shown in Pershings materials).

This is what disciplined alternatives investing looks like in public markets: you dont marry the compounder when the market has already recognized the quality, pulled forward the returns, and left you with a narrower path to alpha.

The Deeper Read: Ackman Is Treating AI as a Regime Shift, Not a Theme

What makes this move alternative investments relevant isnt just the ticker swap. Its what it says about how elite managers are navigating 2026s macro and market structure:

Quality is no longer enough.

Hilton is quality. But if its priced for perfection, it may not clear a hedge funds return hurdle.

Hilton is quality. But if its priced for perfection, it may not clear a hedge funds return hurdle. The market is repricing durationagain.

AI is reintroducing a form of growth duration that allocators are willing to underwritebut only when its attached to real cash flow (Meta) rather than pure story.

AI is reintroducing a form of growth duration that allocators are willing to underwritebut only when its attached to real cash flow (Meta) rather than pure story. Operational leverage is the new moat.

In private markets, managers talk about AI transformation and automation as value creation levers. Ackman is making a public-markets version of that bet: AI will increase Metas engagement and ad performance, which expands earnings power over time.

In that sense, Pershing is doing what many mega-managers are doing across alternatives: concentrating on platforms that can turn AI into measurable margin and cash flow, not just excitement.

What This Signals to Allocators: Concentration, Clarity, and a Willingness to Be Early

For institutional allocators, Ackmans move offers three signals:

Pershings concentration remains intact.

A 10% Meta position means the fund is not diversifying into AIits making AI central to performance. Pershing is comfortable exiting beloved winners.

Selling Hilton is not a statement that travel is bad. Its a statement that the return profile has changed. Pershing is positioning for a world where AI alters competitive advantage.

Thats an allocator-friendly narrative because it fits the broader 2026 thesis across private equity, venture, infrastructure, and credit: AI is not just a sector; it is a capital cycle.

Bottom Line: This Is Ackmans AI-First EvolutionWith a Value Investors Discipline

Bill Ackmans Pershing Square didnt just buy Meta. It bought a view of the market:

that AI capex fear is creating a valuation gap in select mega-cap platforms,

that Metas data + distribution + AI tooling can widen its monetization moat,

and that fully-priced compounders like Hilton, even when excellently run, may no longer meet the funds hurdle rate.

The move is quintessential Pershing: large, deliberate, thesis-driven, and unapologetically concentrateda public-markets expression of the same logic that is driving alternative capital across private markets in 2026.
So it is now final: Panasonic is handing over the sales and marketing of its TV business to Skyworth Display Technology. The partnership will be expanded regionally, and Europe is an important part of it, according to the press release. The strategic merger is intended to ensure growth again for Panasonic-branded TVs in Europe.

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In the recent past, Panasonic had difficulties selling its own products. Similar to Sony, the Japanese manufacturer had focused on the high-end segment, thereby losing a broader customer base. Skyworth apparently wants to reverse this.

Japanese Engineering

The Japanese engineers are to continue to ensure the high quality of the OLED TVs. Skyworth aims to use its global sales network, marketing, and logistics in the European market to advance the Panasonic brand again. This sounds very similar to the deal that Sony recently concluded with TCL. The companies have not yet announced how exactly the "strategic partnership" between Panasonic and Skyworth is legally structured.

The Chinese TV specialist Skyworth already reached out towards Europe many years ago and took over the traditional German brand Metz in 1995. Since then, the company has been presenting not only its own brands but also smart TVs under the Metz Classic and Metz Blue labels at trade fairs like the IFA.

New Panasonic TVs Announced

Almost simultaneously with the announcement of the takeover, Panasonic released various press releases about its 2026 lineup. In them, the company announces the continuation of its previous top OLED models Z95B and Z90B with Fire TV, as well as the new Z85C series with a new OLED panel and Google TV. Panasonic also wants to compete in LCD TVs with QD-Mini-LEDs in the backlight this year. The smart TVs from the W97C and W95C series have 1000 dimming zones, a peak brightness of 1500 cd/m2, and they are intended to cover the DCI-P3 color space completely.

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In addition, the manufacturer hopes to offer more affordable devices with conventional LED backlighting and in screen sizes between 32 inches and 86 inches diagonal again this year. In addition to Google TV and Fire TV, Panasonic uses Roku and TiVo as operating systems, the latter possibly not in Germany.

Panasonic will ensure customer service for all devices sold by March 2026 and available from April 2026. This is good news for all Panasonic customers for now.

(uk)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.




We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here
Ukraine is on the front foot, he said. This has been a complete strategic failure for the Russian president.

Speaking at a press conference in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, Stubb said Ukraine stands in a stronger position than a year ago.

President Alexander Stubb said Russias invasion of Ukraine has become a complete strategic failure for President Vladimir Putin as European leaders gathered in Kyiv to mark four years since the full-scale assault began.

Stubb argued that Moscows initial objective to seize Ukraine within days collapsed as the war entered its fifth year. He noted that Russian forces have advanced about 60 kilometres in four years, contrasting that with the pace of offensives during the Second World War.

We must let go of the narrative that Ukraine will not win this war. It will, he said.

Stubb called for continued military and financial support for Kyiv, increased economic and political pressure on Moscow and a shift in how the war is framed internationally. He said Europe must take a stronger and more concrete role in peace negotiations, which have involved the United States, Russia and Ukraine.

At some point Europe must assume a stronger role in these discussions, Stubb said, adding that he remains in contact with US officials.

He outlined three possible scenarios: the war continues through this year, a negotiated settlement emerges, or one side weakens. At the moment Russia appears to be weakening, he said.

Stubb also ruled out any Finnish recognition of territory seized by Russia.

I can guarantee that Finland will never recognise areas that Russia has occupied. That recognition will never come from Finland, he said. He added that Finland would support any settlement accepted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The anniversary visit brought European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa to Kyiv, alongside Nordic and Baltic leaders. They attended a memorial for fallen soldiers and met Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy thanked European partners for sustained backing.

Our people trust Europe. We know that we are not alone, he said at a joint briefing.

He said discussions focused on air defence, energy support and the use of a 90 billion euro EU loan package intended to support Ukraines budget and defence needs in 2026 and 2027. Von der Leyen said the European Union would deliver the loan one way or another despite opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, which have blocked the measure under unanimity rules.

Hungary has also delayed a new sanctions package targeting Russian energy revenues. Stubb described the situation with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as frustrating but expressed confidence that a solution would be found.

The Kremlin marked the anniversary with a statement that Russia would continue the war until its objectives are achieved. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the goals of what Moscow calls its special military operation remain unmet.

President Vladimir Putin, in a televised address, accused Ukraine and Western intelligence services of attacks on Russian infrastructure and warned that Moscows adversaries understood the consequences of any strike involving nuclear weapons.

Data compiled by the Institute for the Study of War and reported by AFP show that Russia captured more than 4,500 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory during the fourth year of the war, more than in the previous two years combined. Russia now occupies about one fifth of Ukraines territory, including areas seized before February 2022.

A report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated that Russian forces have suffered nearly 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 killed, since the invasion began. Ukrainian casualties were estimated at between 500,000 and 600,000, including up to 140,000 fatalities.

Zelenskyy said earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed over four years of fighting.

A joint assessment by the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Commission and the Ukrainian government put reconstruction costs at 588 billion dollars over the next decade, with direct damage reaching 195 billion dollars.

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have left large areas without stable power during winter. Naftogaz, Ukraines state energy company, reported fresh drone strikes on gas facilities in the Kharkiv region on Tuesday, marking the 26th attack on its infrastructure this year.

Diplomatic efforts continue without a breakthrough. A second round of trilateral talks involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia in Geneva last week ended without agreement. French President Emmanuel Macron said he is sceptical about the prospect of short-term peace, stating that Russia has shown no willingness to end the war.

Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal attend a commemorative ceremony at Independence Square in Kyiv, as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Photo: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service Handout / AFP / Lehtikuva

The fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion began with a prayer service at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on 24 February 2026. Guests attended the ceremony together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Matti Porre / TPK / Lehtikuva

President of the Republic Alexander Stubb at a memorial ceremony in Maidan Square, Kyiv, on 24 February 2026. Photo: Niilo Simojoki / Lehtikuva



HT
Bat Cave fire chief to be special guest at State of the Union

Bat Cave Fire Chief Steve Freeman speaks to U.S. Sen. Ted Budd as Henderson County Manager John Mitchell looks on in March 2025.

Steve Freeman, the Bat Cave fire chief whose harrowing story of surviving a landslide during Hurricane Helene has been seen by thousands, will be seated in the audience at the State of the Union address Tuesday night as special guest of U.S. Sen. Ted Budd.

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I just got to D.C. about an hour ago, Freeman said in an interview with the Hendersonville Lightning Monday afternoon. Ted Budds office contacted me a couple of days ago and invited me to the State of Union as his special guest.

When he delivers his address to Congress, Cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and others on Tuesday night, President Trump will recognize so-called Angel Family families, survivors of people allegedly murdered by undocumented immigrants, multiple news organizations reported Monday. Its not clear whether Trump may publicly salute Freeman.

I have no idea on any of that, Freeman said. They havent told me anything except Im his special guest.

After he got the invitation just a couple of days ago, they ran security checks on me and all that stuff, the chief said. Theres only a seat for him, although he did travel to Washington with his wife, Joyce.

Hes going to give us a private tour of the Capitol on Wednesday, Freeman said of Sen. Budd.

The leader of the last all-volunteer department in Henderson County, Freeman has told the story countless times of his near-death experience when a landslide rolled his truck down the slope and trapped his head between a post and a tractor. After he made his way out, he went on to l ead rescue efforts in the days after Helene and has been deeply involved in recovery efforts in the Hickory Nut Gorge ever since.

God in Action, a video on the chief's experience made by Samaritans Purse, the Christian relief organization led by Franklin Graham, has been seen by thousands on YouTube.

I fully believe Im not going until its my time, Freeman says in the interview. God protected me through all of it.

He said hes lost count of how many times hes shared the story of how his faith has given him and much of his fire and rescue team the strength and spirit to continue in recovery efforts, which are still under way a year and a half after the storm. Amish volunteer relief workers still come every week, each team of 30 or so staying a week at the time. Its tradition now to feed the volunteers on Tuesday night at the Bat Cave firehouse.

They come down to fire department and have supper and after we eat the meal, they have me get up and share my testimony, he said.

On Tuesday, hell embark on the trip to the U.S. Capitol, suited up to represent Bat Cave, the community where his family has lived for generations.

Ive got to wear my Class A, he said.
Almost 60 people were killed and about 20 injured in multiple Mexican states following the military operation that resulted in the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," according to official figures presented by Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch and Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo.

Harfuch said authorities recorded 27 attacks against security forces in Jalisco after the operation. He reported that 25 National Guard members, one prison guard and one state prosecutor's office official were killed in those incidents, along with one civilian. Thirty suspected members of organized crime were also killed during related confrontations, he said.

Trevilla detailed casualties from the operation itself, saying three soldiers were killed in direct clashes in a wooded area of Jalisco and three more died from injuries while being airlifted to a hospital. He said troops also killed eight suspected gunmen, detained two people and seized weapons including seven long guns and two rocket launchers of Russian origin.

Speaking at a presidential press conference, Trevilla became emotional while referring to fallen personnel. "To offer condolences to the families of our comrades... recognition to our military personnel who carried out a successful operation," he said. "It can be seen from many perspectives, but it is definitive that they fulfilled their mission."

El secretario de la Defensa Nacional, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, dio el pesame a las familias de los militares que perdieron la vida en la operacion que llevo a la detencion y muerte de Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho". Reconocio tambien la labor de las Fuerzas Armadas en lo pic.twitter.com/u7Fcz6yDkp  NMas (@nmas) February 23, 2026

Authorities said the operation targeted Oseguera in Tapalpa, about 130 kilometers south of Guadalajara, after intelligence identified a heavily armed cell protecting him. He died while being transported by air to Mexico City following his capture.

After news of his death spread, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel launched attacks across areas where the group operates. Officials reported burning vehicles, highway blockades and arson attacks on businesses. In some cities, residents were told to remain indoors. More than 250 road blockades were reported, though authorities later said most had been cleared.

Jalisco's governor declared a "code red," suspending public transportation and mass events. Flights were temporarily canceled in Puerto Vallarta, and about 300 travelers were escorted from the airport for safety.

President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday urged the public to stay "calm and informed," adding that "in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally." She praised the armed forces for the operation and said the priority now is to "guarantee peace and security throughout Mexico."

Originally published on Latin Times
Marriott Grosvenor Square - Image Credit Marriott International

Evolution Investment Fund has acquired two central London luxury hotel developments from O&H Grafton Developments, with a total capital commitment of approximately 1.1 billion, including development costs.

The acquisition includes a long leasehold interest in the 237-key, 198,000 sq ft London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, located on the north side of Grosvenor Square, and a luxury hotel development site with planning consent at 8-10 Grafton Street and 22-24 Barlow Place. The Mayfair scheme will comprise 94 hotel rooms and six luxury residences in a 12-storey, 157,000 sq ft building designed by Foster & Partners.

Evolution, launched in 2025 by the United Arab Emirates-based Shanshal family and based in the British Virgin Islands, intends to create and operate both assets. The company described the 1.1 billion investment as a significant vote of confidence in Londons long-term growth prospects.

Former UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has been appointed as director of the acquisition entities. Zahawi said, Im delighted to have joined the two UK boards at this exciting stage of Evolutions history. I look forward to using my experience to support the Shanshal family and team to deliver world class luxury hospitality assets in Mayfair and in the UK.

A spokesperson for the Shanshal family said the acquisitions represent their long-term conviction in the enduring quality, resilience, and global appeal of London. We plan to invest significantly in these locations, driven by a firm belief in their exceptional long-term appeal, the spokesperson said.

Spartan Management Services advised Evolution on the transaction.
Rendering of Holiday Inn Express Generation 5 EXPRESS Cafe & Bar - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Chentoor Hotels Pvt Ltd to develop Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai, a 150-key hotel scheduled to open in early 2029 near Madurai International Airport.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Chentoor Hotels Pvt Ltd for the development of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai. The 150-key hotel, including 30 suites, is scheduled to open in early 2029 near Madurai International Airport.

Madurai received over 27 million visitors in 2024, driven by its role as a major pilgrimage destination and the presence of the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The city serves as the nearest airport gateway to regional attractions such as Rameswaram and Kanyakumari. Madurai is also experiencing commercial and infrastructural growth, with emerging IT/ITES hubs and large-scale industrial projects increasing business travel to the city.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madurai will join IHGs portfolio in South India. The Holiday Inn Express brand has over 3,200 hotels globally and features the Generation 5 design, which focuses on smart, flexible spaces and consistent comfort.

IHG currently operates 51 hotels across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort, and Holiday Inn Express. The company has a pipeline of 89 hotels planned to open in the next three to five years.
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North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's sister has been elevated in the ranks at a rare ruling party congress, further cementing the family's grip on power.

Kim Yo Jong, who was previously a vice department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party of Korea, was promoted to the director of one of the departments, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Ms Kim is expected to be assigned to lead the propaganda department with a focus on overseeing inter-Korean relations or external strategies, according to reports. The 38-year-old has been the most influential woman in the party and one of her brothers closest lieutenants.

She has often issued strong statements to criticise South Korea and the US on behalf of the North Korean government.

open image in gallery North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reporting on the review of the work of the eighth-term Party Central Committee during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang ( KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image )

Her elevation comes as thousands of party elites assembled in Pyongyang for the once-in-five years rubber-stamp party congress. The ruling partys congress is a tool for North Korea to issue propaganda messages to the world and to decide on the next political, economic, and military priorities.

Ms Kim was promoted a day after her brother vowed to strengthen and advance North Koreas economy over the next five years, state media reported.

Calling the next five years a full-scale progress phase in a speech on Monday, the North Korean leader urged a revolution in thought, technology and culture to ensure new projects are effectively managed over time.

Mr Kim, 42, was re-elected as general secretary in a ceremonial but significant step to consolidate his power and set long-term policies and goals for the country. He has held the top post at the party throughout his rule since 2011 and has now ruled longer than many global leaders.

North Koreas war deterrence with the nuclear forces as its pivot has been radically improved under Mr Kim, KCNA said. It also credited Mr Kim for creating a military capable of handling "any threat of aggression" and "any form of war," and hailed his leadership for "reliably guaranteeing" the country's future and "boosting the pride and self-esteem" of North Koreans.

Following the announcement, rows of officials in dark suits erupted in applause in the red-walled assembly hall adorned with gold insignia.

open image in gallery People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) and his daughter presumed to be named Ju Ae (R) attending a military parade held in Pyongyang ( AFP/Getty )

It comes as Mr Kim, under his leadership, has undertaken an aggressive expansion of North Koreas nuclear prowess and has built closer ties with Russia by taking part in its war against Ukraine, further deepening the standoffs with the US and South Korea.

Analysts say Mr Kim will use it to unveil new military goals, including strengthening conventional forces and integrating them with nuclear capabilities. He is also expected to double down on a push for economic self-reliance through mass mobilisation, building on tentative post-pandemic gains driven by revived trade with China and reported arms exports to Russia.

In a sign that the Kim dynastys grip on the Hermit Kingdom is set to endure, the leaders daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is believed to have entered an early phase of grooming to take over her father, according to an assessment this month by the National Intelligence Service. North Korea has been ruled by the Kim family since its founding in the 1940s.

In recent months, Kim Ju Ae has repeatedly appeared alongside her father at high-profile events, including missile test launches and key military ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Chinese president Xi Jinping sent a message congratulating Mr Kim on his re-election as general secretary of the ruling party, KCNA confirmed.
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India wrapped up its flagship AI summit in Delhi this weekend with dozens of countries pledging to democratise artificial intelligence, an issue Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the front and centre of his pitch to top leaders and tech CEOs.

The agreement caps a week in which India sought not only to showcase its domestic capability in AI and tech but also to position itself as a third option in the global AI race, which has been framed as a contest between Silicon Valley and Beijing.

But experts say its hard to quantify just how close the highly anticipated summit has brought India to its actual ambitions.

The New Delhi Declaration, endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, commits signatories to what it calls the democratic diffusion of AI: expanding access, building skills and promoting cooperation rather than concentrating power.

Experts say the declaration highlights AI diplomacy's new focus on access and inclusion, beyond just safety concerns from rapidly advancing AI capabilities.

The summit placed inclusion at the centre of the AI agenda, says Heather Dawe, head of responsible AI at UST, an AI and technology transformation solutions company.

Government officials and tech leaders have delivered a unified message  AI must reflect shared values. That mirrors the (last year's) Paris Declarations clear focus on inclusivity and human rights, she added.

That emphasis shows how far the conversation has shifted since the first UK-hosted summit, which centred heavily on safety and catastrophic risk. Delhis edition was explicitly branded around impact, with the slogan AI for all repeated across sessions and speeches.

open image in gallery India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a speech at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi ( AFP/Getty )

Modi described AI as a global common good that must be democratised and made a medium for inclusion and empowerment, especially in the Global South.

United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres backed the call, warning that the future of AI cannot be decided by a handful of countries or left to the whims of a few billionaires and insisting that AI must belong to everyone.

Technology executives signalled they were open to stronger governance.

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman called for the creation of an international body, modelled on the International Atomic Energy Agency, for international coordination of AI, as he warned rapidly advancing systems could soon be powerful enough to help create new pathogens.

Indias technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the summit a grand success and proof of confidence in Indias role in the new AI age, citing 20 world leaders, delegates from over 100 countries and more than 250,000 attendees.

The leaders of the two dominant powers in the AI race, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, were not present at the summit, though they were represented by officials and companies who signed the declaration. The gathering became an opportunity for a push for a third front and reduce dependence on both.

We dont want to be dependent on a totally US or totally Chinese model, French president Emmanuel Macron, who was on a busy two-city trip to India, told the summit. We really believe that we need a broader one, and we want to be part of the solutions, and we want to have players being part of the solutions, he added.

open image in gallery Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, India ( Indian Prime Minister's Office )

Analysts say the summit showed how much US and EU ties have strained after Trumps repeated threats over Greenland, pushing several countries away.

Sean O hEigeartaigh, director at AI: Futures and Responsibility Programme at University of Cambridge wrote in a LinkedIn post that many people in the US genuinely dont seem to get how much Greenland changed things for EU and other relevant countries.

He added that the most important conversations at the summit were around coordination between middle powers.

It suddenly seems just about possible that a coalition might assert itself that might provide an (in my view welcome) third pole in the AI race, though many big challenges on that path.

open image in gallery Visitors stand next to an advertising billboard at AI summit in Delhi, India ( AP )

For India, becoming an alternative also means greater control over AI systems that its huge population uses in the time of geopolitical uncertainties and trade tensions with the US.

Across panels and product launches, the word sovereignty appeared repeatedly. Several foundational models trained from scratch on Indian data were unveiled, aimed at bringing AI to Indians in their languages.

Rishi Bal, chief executive of BharatGen, the government-backed consortium behind one such multilingual model, defines sovereignty as control and access.

It means the ability to be guaranteed that you will always have access to that product, service in this case. AI the ability to know what has gone inside of that AI so that when you deploy it, it actually works in exactly the way that you want and sovereignty is the ability to service that AI to do the things that you want and have the keys to that AI, he told The Independent at the summit.

For Bal, sovereignty is also cultural. The frontier models today speak like West Coast America, he says. I think every nation is going to want an AI that speaks like them, that reflects their culture, their value and their perspective.

Now we see AI in the future consisting of a wide variety of artificial intelligence, and theyll come in a wide variety of sizes and functionality.

open image in gallery Visitors use their mobile phones to take pictures of a Jio humanoid robot named Elixis at Bharat Mandapam, one of the venues for AI Impact Summit ( Reuters )

Lack of advanced manufacturing in India is also a concern.

The country does not currently manufacture advanced AI chips domestically and remains dependent on global semiconductor supply chains. It is not positioned to match the frontier spending of Silicon Valley or Beijing. Instead, the strategy being articulated is one of localisation and deployment at scale.

However, the summit did secure billions in investment. Reliance Industries and the Adani Group each outlined plans of roughly $100bn over the coming decade. OpenAI, Anthropic and Google also announced plans to expand their India operations.

Karan Girotra, a professor of operations, technology and innovation at Cornell Tech, says these figures, while providing a much-needed boost for Indias AI sector, are dwarfed by the money American companies are putting in annually.

These numbers sound big, but remember, the big four US companies are talking 800 billion in the next year, he says. So this is 100bn in the next 10 years. So lets calibrate that.

For Girotra, Indias advantage lies in market scale and talent rather than headline spending. India is a big market, probably the third biggest market for most technology companies, he says. One important thing that AI does is it brings the cost of knowledge work down, which means a lot of things like medicine, teaching can be made accessible to many more people.

That focus on deployment was echoed by Indian billionaire Nandan Nilekani, who co-founded Indian technology giant Infosys and played a key role in creating Indias digital public infrastructure.

India will be where you'll see most of the deployment of AI in a tangible way where farmers are able to make more money, where children learn better, where healthcare is better, he says. The world needs this to be shown and the AI companies need this to be shown because they have to show real stuff where this is working at scale for people.

The massive attendance at the summit, which also caused some chaos and traffic jams, reflected this ambition. Large numbers of students brought in on school buses, women entrepreneurs and developers attending in significant numbers, and packed sessions stretched beyond scheduled hours.

Technology commentator Nikhil Pahwa says the longer-term impact of the summit is not just what comes out in the declaration and speeches, but the fact that people are talking about it.

If every government department in both state and centre starts thinking about how to integrate AI into their workflows, that will mean that there is rapid adoption of AI, he says.
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Seven people on board a medical evacuation plane died in a crash in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand late on Monday, the aviation regulator said.

The aircraft was flying from the state capital Ranchi to national capital Delhi when it went down in a densely forested area, local authorities confirmed.

All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi, deputy commissioner of Chatra district, Keerthishree G, said.

The aircraft went missing around 7.30pm. It crashed at Bariatu panchayat area in Simaria, she said. It was a Beechcraft C90 aircraft operated by the Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd. She said that the site of the crash is located deep inside a forest.

The aircraft had departed Ranchi Airport at 7.11pm local time and lost radar contact with air traffic control shortly after, requesting a deviation due to adverse weather. Police confirmed that all seven bodies had been recovered.

According to Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, the air ambulance had been arranged for a patient in critical condition.

The patient, Sanjay Kumar (41), a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, was brought to the hospital with 65 per cent burn injuries on February 16. He was being treated in the hospital, he said.

He added that the family members decided to take him to Delhi for better treatment.

They arranged an air ambulance on Monday. The patient left the hospital for Delhi around 4.30 pm, he said.

Vijay Kumar, a relative, explained the urgency: We tried to take him (the patient) by road, but the doctor said we couldnt. He told us the patient might collapse on the way.

The doctor said that if we could arrange an air ambulance, then we could take him. So we decided to take him by air ambulance.

Meanwhile, residents in the Simaria area reported that the crash occurred amid severe weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.

Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar said that the aircraft lost communication with air traffic control roughly 20 minutes after takeoff.

Inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash, but the actual cause will be ascertained only after a probe, he told the media.

Search and rescue teams from the district administration reached the site, and a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)  a division of the federal Ministry of Civil Aviation which investigates aircraft accidents  is being dispatched to determine the cause of the crash.

Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expressed sorrow on social media: I pray for the deceased individuals, including the crew members aboard the plane from Marang Buru (the supreme tribal deity), and for strength to their families during this difficult time.

Redbird Airways, established in 2018 and operating six aircraft, had received permission for non-scheduled flights in 2019. The crashed aircraft was among the companys fleet, according to government records.
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A legislator from Indias ruling party died almost three years after he was severely injured in a mob assault at the outset of ethnic violence in the northeastern state of Manipur. He was 61.

Pu Vungzagin Valte, a legislator from the Thanlon constituency, passed away at 2.19pm on Saturday at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram in Haryana, where he had been receiving intensive medical care.

He had been airlifted from the state capital Imphal on 8 February after his condition deteriorated. He had complained of breathlessness and chest pain, according to his family. Doctors placed him in intensive care and stabilised him before the transfer, saying his condition had slightly improved prior to the flight.

The Manipur government has declared a three-day period of state mourning that began on Sunday. His mortal remains reached Churachandpur in the early hours of Monday after entering Manipur via the Tuivai River border with neighbouring Mizoram.

open image in gallery Local residents construct a temporary barrier using bamboo and poles to block a breach along the riverbank after heavy monsoon rains in Wangoi, Imphal West in India's northeastern state of Manipur ( AFP via Getty Images )

Large numbers of mourners lined the route as the cortege travelled through Sinzawl village and on towards Thanlon subdivision headquarters along the NEC road.

Valte, who belonged to the Zomi tribal community and hailed from Pherzawl district, was a three-time MLA representing Thanlon in Churachandpur district, a predominantly Kuki-Zo area. First elected in 2012 as a Congress candidate, he later joined the Hindu-right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), winning the seat again in 2017 and 2022.

Floral tributes and prayers were offered at a community hall in Sinzawl, and the body was received by members of the Zomi Council and the Zomi Youth Association, along with community leaders and supporters. His remains are to be kept at his residence in Dorcas Veng to allow the public to pay homage. The funeral service is expected to take place on Tuesday.

During his 201722 term he held multiple ministerial portfolios, including general administration and transport, and also served as an adviser to then-chief minister N Biren Singh.

He was attacked on 4 May 2023 in Imphals Nagamapal area, a day after violence erupted between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the largely Christian Kuki-Zo communities. The unrest, which began on 3 May 2023, has since left at least 260 people dead and displaced tens of thousands, many of whom remain in government relief camps. The two communities are now largely separated by securitised buffer zones.

Manipur, which borders Myanmar and lies about 1,700km from the national capital of Delhi, was under direct federal rule for a year since February 2025 after Mr Singh resigned amid criticism that he had failed to halt the bloodshed.

The presidents rule was lifted earlier this month, and Yumnam Khemchand Singh was appointed as the chief minister of the state.

open image in gallery Security personnel stand guard along a street during a curfew in Imphal on 9 June 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

On the day of the assault, Valte had been returning from a high-level meeting chaired by Mr Singh at the chief ministers office, his son Joseph Valte told The Independent at the time. A mob stopped his vehicle, pulled him out and beat him, leaving him with multiple fractures and severe head injuries that required ventilator support.

They left him tied up to a rod. Nobody knows who brought him to the hospital, he said at the time.

His Kuki-Zo driver was killed in the attack, while their Meitei security officer was spared, according to previous reporting. No arrests have been made in connection with the assault.

open image in gallery An ambulance rides past security personnel along a street, during a curfew in Imphal on 9 June 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Following the attack, he was airlifted to Delhi in June 2023 and spent several months in intensive care. A CT scan showed severe nerve damage, leaving him paralysed on his left side. He remained wheelchair-bound and had difficulty speaking.

After nearly two years of treatment in the capital, he returned to Churachandpur in April 2025 accompanied by his wife, but continued to suffer serious health complications. His condition worsened again this month, prompting his transfer to Gurugram.

Valte had publicly supported calls for a separate administration for Kuki-Zo people in the wake of the violence.

Months before his death, he wrote a letter to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi repeating his demand.

The Zomi-Kuki-Hmar community has been driven out of the state capital (Imphal) and from the valley, leading to complete physical and social divide, he wrote in a letter dated 13 September 2025.

open image in gallery Paramilitary forces stand guard during a curfew in Imphal on 8 June 2025, a day after violence was triggered following the arrest of members of radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol ( AFP via Getty Images )

In light of this, I humbly request that a separate administration, preferably a union territory with a legislature under the Indian Constitution, be granted to the indigenous tribal community, he said, according to the letter seen by The Independent. This would ensure justice, administrative convenience and a lasting solution.

Kuki-Zo civil society organisations have linked his assault to broader demands for administrative separation.

Prime minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences. In a post on X, he said: Pu Vungzagin Valte will be remembered for his outstanding service to the people of Manipur. He worked diligently towards bringing a positive difference in society. His interventions in the assembly were always insightful. Pained by his passing. Condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
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At least 13 civilians were killed and seven others injured in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, the United Nations said amid an escalation in the armed conflict between the two neighbours.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) said it has credible reports that overnight Pakistani attacks targeted civilian areas in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province in the countrys eastern region, killing and injuring 20 civilians.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are once again facing a major military confrontation with fears of disruption of a fragile ceasefire along their 2,600km-border.

Over the weekend, Afghanistans education ministry said five boys and three girls were killed in the Pakistani airstrikes on Behsud in Nangarhar province. One more student of madrasa was also injured in Barmal in Paktika province, the ministry said.

It also added that dozens of other civilians were killed or wounded and educational centres destroyed.

While the Talibans top officials have accused Pakistan of sowing instability in the region, Pakistans information ministry said the airstrikes were in retaliation to recent suicide attacks on Islamabad during Ramadan. The Pakistani government has accused militants operating from Afghanistans territory of carrying out the attack.

An Afghan man holds a mortar shell after an overnight Pakistani air strike hit a residential area at the Girdi Kas village in Bihsud district ( AFP via Getty Images )

Pakistan's information ministry in a post on X said the "intelligence-based" operation struck seven camps of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and that it had "conclusive evidence" the militant assaults on Pakistan were directed by "Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.

The air raids in the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces killed at least 80 militants in intelligence-based air strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border targeting seven camps, the Pakistan authorities have claimed.

In response, Zabiullah Mujahid, the Talibans chief spokesperson vowed retaliation, claiming that the attack from Pakistans military has killed innocent women and children. The Taliban will hit back at Pakistans military targets and not civilians, Mr Mujahid said.

Mr Mujahid said a specific circle within Pakistan was acting at the direction of the superpowers and looking to create instability in the region, reported Tolo news.

Pakistan claimed it targeted the TTP centres but it is evident that women and children were martyred. Were the deceased children members of the TTP? he asked.

Pakistans government has a mission not only to destabilise Afghanistan, but the entire region, the Taliban spokesperson said.

The Taliban-run government in Kabul has repeatedly denied the presence of militants to use Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan.

On Tuesday, the Talibans acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi took the military escalation issue to the UN as he spoke with the UN under-secretary general for political affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, calling Pakistans accusations baseless.

He expressed deep concern and noted that in the past four years, only civilians have been targeted in such repeated attacks by Pakistan. Also, no militants have ever been killed in these attacks, which the Pakistani side claims to have targeted, the Talibans foreign affairs ministry said, sharing the details of the telephonic exchange between the two.

Mr Muttaqi has assured the UN official that there are no armed groups in Afghanistan and invited all diplomatic corps to visit the site targeted by Pakistan in the latest attack.

The Afghan foreign ministry has also summoned Pakistan's ambassador.

The strikes come just days after Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated exchange in signs of improving ties between the two countries.

Afghanistan's defence ministry condemned the strikes and called them a violation of sovereignty and international law, saying an "appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time.
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One of the UKs most influential industry organisations has warned the government to take action and prepare for the worst to protect British firms doing business in the US after yet more flip-flopping around Trump tariffs.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says it is far from clear whether the US president will hit the UK and other countries with a higher tariff rate in the future.

Overnight, a new tariff arrangement came into effect at a 10 per cent rate, rather than the expected 15 per cent level that the US president had threatened.

It came after the Supreme Court blocked his wider-reaching tariffs last week, meaning this executive order is implemented for 150 days, up until 24 July, unless Congress renews it.

The group has now penned a six-point plan for Keir Starmers party and says other strategic options are also on the table  warning that not taking any action will be harmful to firms longer-term confidence and ability to plan.

While a new 10 per cent tariff rate, instead of the threatened 15 per cent, will provide some relief, it shows how difficult it is for businesses to plan ahead, said William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC. It is far from clear what will happen next, and whether a higher tariff rate is still on the way. Despite the immediate reprieve, there is fresh uncertainty for UK firms exporting goods to the US.

Overnight, a new tariff arrangement came into effect at a 10 per cent rate, after the Supreme Court blocked Donald Trumps earlier tariffs ( Getty )

This makes it very difficult for firms to understand the prices and margins they will be able to secure for their goods, currently under production, for export in several months time. Inevitably this will have an impact on their sales and hit the economy.

The government said on Monday that nothing is off the table when it comes to a response to the tariff threats, but it has been clear previously that dialogue rather than a trade war is the preferred route.

Stock markets fell on Tuesday morning, partly in response to tariff uncertainty.

The German DAX, the Euro Stoxx 50, Frances CAC 40 and Spains Ibex 35 were all in the red in early hours of trading, though none by more than 0.6 per cent. Meanwhile, the FTSE 100 was down less than 0.2 per cent by 10am. Investors are still weighing up the impact of AI on individual stocks around the world, as well as several commodities including gold and oil being in the headlines due to global events. Now, tariff uncertainty may be offering another downward pressure on companies share prices.

In more practical terms, the BCC want the government to help British businesses guard against such rapidly changing environments.

The BCC has provided government with a six-point plan to guard against the worst economic outcomes from the new tariffs and potential further hikes, said Mr Bain.

This includes continued negotiation with the US government, engagement with the US Congress, an uplift in UK Export Finance capacity and reviewing the UKs Global Tariffs.

The risk of further tariff pain to come is still real and the government must do everything it can to prepare for the worst.

The BCC estimate that thousands of businesses may be worse off, with up to 3bn in extra costs for exporting goods to the US needing to be absorbed if Trump lifts the new tariff by the added five per cent.

Tariff fees are ultimately paid for by US businesses importing goods, with those costs usually needing to be either passed on to US customers or absorbed by the selling firm which reduces their profit margins.

Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted the effective global tariff rate is now 10.2 per cent, but this is likely to increase in the coming months if the President gets his way with the further uplift.

It remains uncertain whether the money already taken for tariffs over the past few months will have to be repaid and, if so, who that money would go to.
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It's been 90 years since a British royal was removed from the line of succession. That might happen again now that Britain's government says it will consider introducing legal changes to formally remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the list of royals in line to the throne.

Despite being stripped of his status as prince in October over his close links with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the former Prince Andrew, King Charles III's younger brother, remains eighth in line to become monarch.

Experts say the process of removing him from the line of succession could be lengthy because it requires the involvement of about a dozen countries that also call the British monarch their head of state.

Nonetheless, momentum for change appears to be building after police last week arrested Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Following the release of millions of pages of files last month related to Epstein by the U.S. Justice Department, the former prince was accused of sharing confidential trade information with the disgraced financier when he served as U.K. trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.

Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was released without charge on Thursday after spending about 11 hours in custody, but he remains under investigation.

The government is clear that we are not ruling out action in respect of the line of succession at this stage, and we will consider whether any further steps are required in due course," Darren Jones, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's chief secretary, told lawmakers on Monday.

Any such measure will only take place once the police investigation is finished, he added.

An act of Parliament is required

Under the current line of royal succession, Charles' son Prince William is heir to the throne and his three children  Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis  are next. Prince Harry is fifth, while his two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are sixth and seventh in line.

Mountbatten-Windsor  who was second in line to the throne at his birth  currently follows them in eighth position. His daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are at ninth and 12th places respectively.

Removing him from the line of succession would require an act of Parliament, which needs lawmakers' approval.

One party, the Liberal Democrats, has been vocal about supporting such a move.

"I think it would be intolerable for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to succeed to the crown," party leader Ed Davey said last week. Its not as remote as some people think."

Beyond Britain

Any change to the line of succession would also require backing from about a dozen Commonwealth countries where Charles is head of state.

Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday he would back any U.K. government plan to exclude Mountbatten-Windsor.

These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously, he wrote in a letter to Starmer. I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.

Starmers government is not believed to have received similar letters from 13 other countries that also have Charles as head of state, including Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica, the Bahamas and Tuvalu.

Robert Hazell, a politics professor who founded the Constitution Unit at University College London, said in some countries it requires a formal constitutional amendment, while in others it can be done by legislation. He expressed doubt that the U.K. or the other governments would want to spend time removing Mountbatten-Windsor from the succession line given he is only eighth in line.

The last time this happened was for the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which made the law of royal succession gender neutral, he said. It took two years of protracted negotiations for all the different countries to amend their own laws or constitutions.

The status of Andrews daughters

One question is whether excluding Mountbatten-Windsor would affect his daughters, who are not working royals, and their children.

Not necessarily  it depends how the legislation is framed, Hazell said.

The last time a royal was removed from the line of succession was after King Edward VIII abdicated in December 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. At the time, the law was changed to strike him and any descendants from the list.

For his part, Charles has not publicly indicated whether he would support or oppose removing his brother from the line of succession. The monarch stressed that the law must take its course in the investigation, adding: My family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.

Reports in the British media, however, suggest the palace is not against a legal change to remove Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. Citing an unnamed palace source, the Times of London reported on Saturday that the royal family said it would never get in the way of what Parliament decides.
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Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the infamous leader of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel, known as El Mencho, was captured and subsequently died on Sunday after he was tracked through surveillance of a romantic partner, Mexican authorities said Monday.

General Ricardo Trevilla, Mexico's Defense Secretary, revealed that the special forces operation, supported by U.S. intelligence, located Oseguera Cervantes hidden in the undergrowth in his home state of Jalisco.

Following intense shootouts that left eight gunmen dead, the cartel boss and two bodyguards were wounded. They were taken into custody but died en route to Mexico City, Gen Trevilla stated.

The operation and subsequent violence claimed at least 73 lives in total, including security personnel, suspected cartel members, and others.

The operation and subsequent violence claimed at least 73 lives in total. ( AP Photo/Marco Ugarte )

Here's how the capture of the countrys most powerful cartel leader and one of the United States most wanted fugitives unfolded, according to Mexican authorities:

Following a romantic partner

Both Mexico and the United States had spent years tracking El Mencho, who faced numerous outstanding arrest warrants for organized crime and drug trafficking in both countries.

This time, however, the intelligence efforts proved successful. Trevilla noted that military investigators identified and began following a trusted associate of one of Oseguera Cervantes' romantic partners. This individual escorted the woman to Tapalpa, Jalisco, on Friday for a meeting with the drug lord. The military official explained that the exact location was confirmed by very important additional information provided by U.S. intelligence.

A land and air blockade

Once the woman left after spending the night with El Mencho, special forces finalized their plans, having confirmed he was staying in the area with a security detail.

Units from the Mexican army and the National Guard established a ground cordon, while six helicopters and additional special forces stood by in states bordering Jalisco.

The Mexican Air Force provided further support with reconnaissance and aircraft, Trevilla said. In the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, after his presence was confirmed, the operation began. Throughout the mission, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was kept informed of every development while on a tour in northern Mexico.

A violent response

Gen. Trevilla described the criminals response as extremely violent.

During the confrontation, he said El Mencho attempted to flee with two bodyguards while a heavily armed group remained behind to stall the military advance. The death toll at the scene reached eight, which Trevilla noted was four more than initially reported on Sunday.

Among the seized weaponry were two rocket launchers, including one identical to the model used by the CJNG in 2015 to down a military helicopter. That 2015 attack served as a grim milestone, proving the cartel was prepared to meet the Mexican authorities with lethal, full-scale force.

Hiding in the undergrowth

Oseguera Cervantes attempted to take cover in a wooded area dotted with cabins on the outskirts of Tapalpa. Although the criminals were heavily armed with rocket launchers, Trevilla noted that they did not manage to deploy them. Special forces eventually located him hiding in the undergrowth, triggering another intense confrontation that left El Mencho and two of his bodyguards wounded.

During the chaos, a military helicopter was forced into an emergency landing after being struck by gunfire, and two individuals were apprehended at the scene. Three soldiers were injured in the engagement.

Dead en route

Once the scene was secured, the cartel leader and his bodyguards were loaded onto a helicopter for emergency transport to a nearby hospital. However, Trevilla confirmed they died en route, noting they were already in critical condition.

Following their deaths, the flight plan was redirected. Instead of landing in the Jalisco state capital, the bodies were flown to Mexico City to preempt any violent retaliation from the criminal organization.

$1,000 for every soldier killed

About 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Tapalpa, a logistics and financial operator known only as El Tuli reportedly offered gunmen a bounty of 20,000 pesos  over $1,000  for every soldier killed, said Trevilla.

The defense minister also said El Tuli  allegedly Osegueras right-hand man  was the mastermind of a series of roadblocks, arson attacks and hits on government installations across Jalisco state.

Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said that the most severe violence occurred in Jalisco, where 25 National Guard members, a prison official, a prosecutors office employee and a presumed civilian woman were killed, along with 30 suspected criminals.

In neighboring Michoacan, four more gunmen died while 15 security personnel were wounded.

A paratrooper rifle brigade tracked down El Tuli and killed him in a shootout, seizing long and short firearms alongside nearly $1.4 million in mixed U.S. and Mexican currency. Still, retaliation from the cartel continued in several Mexican states.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has reportedly been banned from horseriding following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Royal aides warned the former prince it would be a bad look for him to be seen enjoying himself on horseback while under police investigation, according to The Sun.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police last Thursday on his 66th birthday, and questioned for 11 hours before he was released to return to his new home in Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate. He is accused of sharing confidential information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while acting as the UKs trade envoy.

A source told The Sun: Since his arrest last week he has been ordered not to go horseriding. Its considered a bad look. They dont think he should be seen grinning and smiling on his horse like he was in Windsor.

But it was one of the few things he actually enjoyed doing so what on earth is he going to do with his time?

open image in gallery The former prince has reportedly been warned to avoid horseriding ( Reuters )

The reported restrictions would come as a blow to the former prince, who is known for his love of horseriding and was spotted on a horse not long after he was stripped of his titles last year.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the matter.

The UK government is set to release files detailing his appointment as trade envoy as MPs unanimously supported a motion from the Liberal Democrats asking for the public release of papers, including any vetting and any correspondence from Peter Mandelson, from the role he held between 2001 and 2011.

Lord Mandelson was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday, following similar allegations of having passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary.

open image in gallery The former prince was trade envoy from 2001 to 2011 ( AP )

MPs from all sides lined up to admonish the former prince in the Commons on Tuesday, with Conservative minister Alex Burghart saying it was possible to identify the hand of Epstein in Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment to the role back in 2001.

And Sir Keir Starmers trade minister, Sir Chris Bryant, called Mr Mountbatten-Windsor a rude, arrogant and entitled man who was on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle.

Monica Harding, MP for Esher and Walton, told the Commons the former prince stayed in his post for 10 years despite having a reputation that preceded him while concerns were met with a shrug.

open image in gallery The government will release files detailing the former princes appointment as trade envoy ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

Before entering politics, Ms Harding worked as the director of communications at the British Council, with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor having visited as a trade envoy.

Before his arrival, senior staff in both the embassy and the British Council were rolling their eyes  his reputation preceded him, the MP said.

I was told it was a containment exercise, that overseas missions feared putting him out there in case he said something inappropriate, that he was arrogant and that he wasnt on top of the detail of his brief.

Rather than looking forward to his visit as an opportunity to play up Britain, instead, it was thought that he would do damage.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in his links with Epstein but has not commented on the latest developments.

open image in gallery Police have concluded their search of the former princes former residence ( Reuters )

Police announced on Tuesday night officers had concluded searching his former residence, the Royal Lodge in Berkshire, after an almost week-long raid in relation to the allegations.

Thames Valley Polices assistant chief constable Oliver Wright said: Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing.

It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.
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Lorraine Thorpe, Britain's youngest female double murderer, will not be released from prison.

She was just 15 years old when she killed her father, Desmond Thorpe, and Rosalyn Hunt in separate incidents in 2009.

Thorpe was convicted of taking part with 41-year-old Paul Clarke in the murders, and was told she would spend at least 14 years behind bars.

Ms Hunt, 41, was beaten to death in Ipswich over several days, with Thorpe responsible for kicking, punching, and stamping on her head.

Mr Thorpe, 43, a vulnerable alcoholic, was smothered amid fears he would tell police about the first murder.

The Parole Board said Thorpe, now 31, should not be released but can be moved to an open prison.

open image in gallery Lorraine Thorpe was told she would spend at least 14 years behind bars when she was convicted at Ipswich Crown Court (pictured) in 2010 ( Alamy/PA )

She became Britains youngest convicted female double murderer after the pairs trial at Ipswich Crown Court in 2010.

Mary Bell, detained at the age of 11 in 1968 for the manslaughter of two boys aged three and four, remains the youngest female killer.

Sentencing judge Mr Justice Saunders said Thorpe could be manipulative and was not acting entirely under Clarkes control, adding: She found violence funny and entertaining.

Clarke died in prison in 2014.

In a decision released on Tuesday, the Parole Board said Thorpe, who has spent all of her adult life in prison, needs to be tested in less restrictive prison conditions before she can be considered for release.

After considering the circumstances of her offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel agreed that Ms Thorpe should not be released, the board said.

The panel noted Thorpes general maturation and the fact that she had not evidenced violence or aggression for many years, adding that her risk of violence towards others had reduced by her own actions in custody.

She will be eligible for another parole review in the future.
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Peter Mandelsons lawyers have claimed that the former cabinet minister was arrested after what they said was a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country.

The former Labour grandee was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday morning after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which followed claims that he had leaked sensitive government information to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

His law firm Mishcon de Reya said it had asked the Metropolitan Police for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest.

It also said there had been an agreement with police that the UKs former ambassador to Washington would be interviewed on a voluntary basis next month, but that had been hastily overturned amid a suggestion that he was planning to move abroad permanently.

open image in gallery Peter Mandelson leaves Wandsworth Police Station following his arrest by Met Police on Monday afternoon ( Sky News )

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the firm said: Peter Mandelson was arrested yesterday despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis. The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad.

There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPs for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest. Peter Mandelsons overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.

Earlier, the former BBC journalist Emily Maitlis said on her podcast The News Agents that she had seen a message she said had been sent by Lord Mandelson to a journalist colleague at 4am on Tuesday, hours after he was released from police custody.

Ms Maitlis said that the message talked about the previous agreement between the police and Lord Mandelsons legal team for him to attend a voluntary interview in early March. In it, she said, he wrote that police arrested me because they claimed the Lord Speaker received information that I was about to flee to the British Virgin Islands, and described this as complete fiction.

open image in gallery Mandelson was led away from his home by police on Monday afternoon ( BBC )

The lord speaker, Michael Forsyth, said the accusation was entirely false.

A spokesperson for Lord Forsyth said: Any suggestion at all that the lord speaker received information about Lord Mandelsons movements, or communicated any such information to the Metropolitan Police Service, is entirely false and without foundation.

Lord Mandelson has been accused of passing the information on to Epstein during his time as business secretary in Gordon Browns government.

Emails from 2009 contained in the Esptein files appeared to show that Lord Mandelson had passed on an assessment by one of Mr Browns advisers of potential policy measures including an asset sales plan.

The emails, released by the US Department of State, also appeared to have been sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender.

The arrest on Monday followed search warrants at two addresses in Wiltshire and Camden.

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment beyond their statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday, which read: A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

The force said later he has been bailed to the end of May.
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Police are hunting two burglars who have absconded from HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk.

James Dooley, 23, and Andrew Cash, 32, were reported missing to Suffolk Police in the early hours of this morning.

Cash was serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence for burglary offences. Dooley was sentenced to six years and three months for burglary offences and intent to pervert the course of justice.

open image in gallery Andrew Cash, 32, is serving more than six years ( Suffolk Constabulary )

Police described Dooley as white, 6ft 1in tall with brown hair. Cash fit the same description with a medium build, the force said.

Dooley has links to the Wood Green area of north London, the Waltham Cross area of Hertfordshire and the Slough area of Berkshire.

Cash has links to the areas of Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds and Southampton.

open image in gallery James Dooley, 23, also absconded ( Suffolk Constabulary )

Police asked that anyone who believes they have seen Cash or Dooley, or has any information regarding their whereabouts, contact the South Response Investigation Team, quoting 37/10872/26 for the former and 37/10874/26 for the latter.

HMP Hollesley Bay, also known as Hollesley Bay Colony, is a Category D mens prison  an open prison for men who are coming to the end of their sentence or have been assessed as posing minimal risk to the public.

With a capacity of 485 prisoners, offenders spend most of their day away from their accommodation, studying or working.
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A fraudster who was part of a scheme targeting London Underground passengers in a text message scam laundered 600,000 through gift cards, a court has heard.

Four defendants were sentenced on Tuesday over the plot where text messages were sent out using homemade SMS blasters hidden inside suitcases that were wheeled around the Underground network.

Travellers who walked past the devices received fake messages about a failed parcel delivery and a link inviting them to input their details to sort the problem, but the aim was really to plunder their bank accounts, Inner London Crown Court was told.

The court heard that although it was difficult to quantify how much money the fraudsters had gained specifically from the texting scheme, top boss Zhijia Fan, 48, had personally benefited more than 100,000.

Prosecutor Alex Davidson said Fans co-defendants Daoyan Shang, 20; Wan Hafiz, 41; and Gatis Lauks, 25, were thought to have received less than this amount, but Lauks had laundered around 600,000 through the purchasing of gift cards using stolen bank details.

Lauks was paid 5% commission for the gift cards he loaded and believed he personally made about 30,000 from the scheme, the hearing was told.

The court heard that after giving a no comment interview to police in May 2025, Lauks returned five days later and confessed to his role in the fraud.

The 25-year-old revealed he had been recruited in June or July 2024 to purchase gift cards using stolen bank account details and Fan became his handler, Mr Davidson said.

Lauks explained a lady in China was able to provide him with real-time remote technical support and he would use an app on his phone loaded with stolen bank details to make in-store purchases, the prosecutor added.

The defendant said he could purchase 100 gift cards per day and, on one occasion, had bought 8,000 worth of gift cards from a UK store, the court heard.

The group used the gift cards to purchase items including clothes, Pokemon cards, Louis Vuitton goods and video games, Mr Davidson said.

Fan, of Winchester Street in Acton, had asked Lauks to wheel around an SMS blaster in a suitcase but this did not go ahead because of issues with the devices battery, the court heard.

Lauks was also sent to France to assess the feasibility of conducting the scam on the Paris Metro, but this idea was rejected as the country did not have the same vulnerabilities as could be exploited by the crime group in England, the prosecutor added.

Police said an investigation was launched on March 11 2025 when an off-duty British Transport Police (BTP) detective spotted a man with a suitcase containing holes and emitting a green flash sitting at a platform at Kings Cross Underground station.

Officers searching Fan, Shang and Hafizs London addresses seized 10,832 gift cards loaded with more than 80,000 in profits generated from fraud, BTP said.

Shang and Fan had previously been on trial at Inner London Crown Court and both changed their pleas to guilty on a charge of conspiracy to defraud between January and March 2025.

On Tuesday, both defendants were jailed, with Fan sentenced to four years and eight months and Shang, of Caxton Road, Shepherds Bush, to two years and 10 months.

At the same hearing, Hafiz, of Queensway in Paddington, was jailed for 14 months for conspiracy to defraud and 10 weeks for possession of articles for use in fraud, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Recorder Alex Stein told Hafiz he would also be subject to deportation proceedings as he is not a British national.

Lauks, of Ealing, west London, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud by false representation and was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years.

Sentencing the four men, the judge said the scheme was an extremely sophisticated fraud in which all of the defendants had been knowing participants.

He said tens of thousands of smishing messages had been sent and although not all of these been responded to, each one represents either an attempted offence or a completed offence.

Another suspect, Jinhua Zhang, 58, is on the run, having fled when he was released on bail, the court heard.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Tim Weekes of the BTP said: These organised scammers concealed SMS blasters in suitcases in a bid to plunder the bank accounts of unsuspecting commuters.

Their plot to defraud passengers was foiled by one of our vigilant detectives, who was off duty when he spotted the device at a London Tube station.

An extensive investigation followed, drawing on specialists from across BTP and we built a case so robust the gang had no choice but to plead guilty.

These convictions were achieved thanks to the close work our detectives undertook with mobile network operators, including BT, Virgin Media, O2, and Vodafone-Three, Sky, as well as the National Cyber Security Centre and Ofcom.
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A former Mail on Sunday editor has told the High Court that claims he knew a private investigator was providing information to his newspaper are nonsense.

Peter Wright, who worked as editor-in-chief of the paper between 1998 and 2012, was the latest witness to give evidence in the trial of claims brought against the publisher of the title, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).

ANL has strongly denied wrongdoing and is defending the allegations of unlawful information-gathering made by a group of household names, including the Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

During cross-examination on Monday, David Sherborne, for the group, put to Mr Wright the claim that he knew private investigator Gavin Burrows was providing information to the Mail on Sunday via his colleague at the time Paul Henderson, who worked in various roles at the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail between 1989 and 2005. Mr Wright replied: No, thats nonsense.

In response to other allegations that were put to him, Mr Wright told the barrister: Some of this stuff is just incredible. No, youre wrong.

open image in gallery Peter Wright worked as editor-in-chief of The Mail on Sunday between 1998 and 2011 ( AFP/Getty Images )

Among his lines of questioning, Mr Sherbourne asked Mr Wright about the news meetings held at the time of the alleged unlawful information-gathering. The lawyer pushed to know more details on how much the former Mail on Sunday editor knew about the stories that were being pitched and commissioned.

At one point, Mr Wright stated: If your question is, Did I know all the details of every phone call they made? The answer is no.

However, he did tell the hearing: The question I often asked in our news conferences is: How did this come to our attention? He added that he would ask journalists about their sources if a story was contentious, and he would sometimes challenge a story if he believed it had inaccuracies.

When Mr Sherbourne put it to him that he tried to play a hands-on editor, Mr Wright replied: Correct.

open image in gallery The Duke of Sussex leaving the Royal Courts of Justice last month ( PA Wire )

Mr Sherbourne also pressed Mr Wright on his claim that he knew nothing about the use of private investigators in the UK until the end of 2003.

The lawyer put to the journalist that the Mail on Sunday was allegedly spending hundreds of thousands on private investigators between 1998 and the end of 2003. Mr Wright replied: Well, thats your figure  but no, I wasnt aware.

Mr Wright also argued that he had not seen the shared contacts list for the newsdesk until he began preparing for this trial. I had no idea they had a contact list, he told the court. I mean, its conceivable they had one, but I never saw it, I never used it, I never discussed it.

The trial before Mr Justice Nicklin is expected to conclude in March, and a judgment in writing is due at a later date.
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Staff at an immigration detention centre failed to raise concerns about the health of a vulnerable epileptic man before he died, an inquest has heard.

French national Theophile Kaliviotis died on 27 October 2024 in custody at Brook House immigration removal centre in West Sussex.

Horsham Coroners Court heard on Tuesday that Kaliviotis had a seizure and missed taking his epilepsy medication on four occasions before he died. The 26-year-old also had access to the drug spice before his death, the court heard.

Kirsten Heaven, solicitor for the family, told coroner Joseph Turner at a pre-inquest hearing that Kaliviotis was vulnerable and mentally unwell and arguably he is made more vulnerable and unwell because of his detention.

She said that staff at Brook House, which Serco runs for the Home Office, had clearly not complied with Rule 35 of the governments detention centre guidance, which requires healthcare staff to escalate concerns to management if an individuals health is being badly affected by their detention.

Ms Heaven added that it was arguable that the adults at risk policy hasnt been complied with at any point. The policy balances the governments need to detain people for removal with their vulnerabilities, such as physical or mental disability.

She argued that he wasnt able to access the same medical care in detention that he could have had in the community, adding: He is vulnerable, unwell, potentially has capacity issues, and there are illegal drugs floating around. Healthcare company Practice Plus Group provide healthcare services at Brook House.

Demonstrators at Brook House Immigration Removal Centre at Gatwick protest against plans to send migrants to Rwanda. ( PA )

Mr Turner said that the inquest would have to consider what happened to him while in detention... including the medical care that he was or was not given.

Mr Turner said that Kaliviotis had a seizure and he died but said what caused him to have the seizure was so far unknown.

Benjamin Seifert, representing the government, said that the fact of Mr Kaliviotiss detention couldnt reasonably be argued to have contributed to his death.

The full inquest into Kaliviotiss death is set to take place in October 2026.

Brook House, which is near Gatwick, is used as a detention centre for people whose asylum claims have been rejected, those whose claims are still being considered, and foreign nationals who have served a sentence in a UK prison.

The removal centre, which has the same levels of security as a category B prison, has space for around 500 detainees.

While most detainees are held at the site for just a few weeks, some can be there for over two years.
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Drivers on the M25 faced delays as a section of the motorway was closed in both directions after a lorry crash brought down power lines.

The motorway was closed in Essex between junction 28 for Brentwood and junction 27 for the M11 for hours on Tuesday. National Highways said the crash on Tuesday afternoon involved two lorries, one of which came to rest on the nearside embankment.

This incident resulted in extensive barrier damage and also brought down a power line, it added. Drivers were told to expect delays of more than an hour.

Emergency services including Essex Police attended the scene, while National Highways traffic officers also assisted with traffic management.

The clockwise carriageway was closed so that UK Power Networks can safely assess the damage at scene.

Lanes began to reopen again at around 4pm.

During the incident, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: Our crews are currently on scene following a road traffic collision involving a lorry. During the collision, power cables were brought down.

Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles while we deal with the incident.

Essex Police are also asking motorists to avoid the area and use alternative routes - the road may be closed for some time.

We thank all motorists for their patience while we work with our colleagues Essex Police and National Highways as we continue to work to make the scene safe.
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The British government sanctioned Maritime Mutual, a New Zealand-based marine insurer, following a Reuters special report into its role facilitating tens of billions of dollars in Iranian and Russian oil trade.

Sir Keir Starmers government stated Maritime Mutual "is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by carrying on business in a sector of strategic significance to the Government of Russia, namely the Russian energy sector."

The October Reuters investigation revealed the insurer had provided coverage for several vessels within the "shadow fleet."

This network comprises hundreds of oil tankers transporting sanctioned cargoes from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, often concealing trade with fake locations, documents, and names.

Reuters found the company had, at one stage, insured nearly one in six of the shadow fleet tankers sanctioned by Western governments, including the US, EU, and Britain.

The sanctions, targeting Maritime Mutual Insurance Association in Auckland, New Zealand, include an asset freeze and director disqualification. Its Gibraltar affiliate, Maritime Mutual Association Limited, was sanctioned.

open image in gallery Reuters reported in October that Maritime Mutual had insured several vessels in what's known as the shadow fleet  hundreds of oil tankers owned by different firms that transport sanctioned cargoes from countries such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela, concealing their trade with fake locations, documents and names ( REUTERS )

The UK Treasury issued a licence, which expires on 9 April, allowing for the winding down of insurance policies written by Maritime Mutual entities and their subsidiaries before the sanctions announcement.

Requests for comment emailed to the company's management and general enquiries teams had not been answered by the time of publication. A person who answered the phone in Maritime Mutual's Christchurch office declined to comment.

The company has previously denied engaging in conduct that breached any applicable international sanctions. It told Reuters last year it maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" on sanction breaches and operates under rigorous compliance standards designed to ensure full adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.

open image in gallery The sanctions imposed on Maritime Mutual Insurance Association, the company's main business based in Auckland, New Zealand, include an asset freeze and director disqualification ( PA )

The sanctions on Tuesday against Maritime Mutual are part of a package of nearly 300 measures that Britain said was its largest set of penalties since the war began.

It was announced on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The UK has today taken decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russia's aggression," foreign minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.
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New Zealand has indicated its readiness to support the UK Government should it move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession. The development follows his arrest last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The arrest stems from accusations that Andrew, while serving as the UKs trade envoy, shared sensitive information with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

A spokesperson for New Zealands Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, confirmed the countrys position, stating: "If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it." The spokesperson added that the UK Government has indicated any such proposals would only emerge after the conclusion of the ongoing police investigation.

This backing from New Zealand echoes a similar stance taken by Australia. Its Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, previously wrote to Sir Keir Starmer, expressing his governments support for "any proposal" to remove Andrew from the line of succession. In his letter, Mr Albanese highlighted that Andrew was facing "grave allegations," which Australians "take seriously."

Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on radio on Tuesday, Mr Albanese said Sir Keir thanked me for our position and said the Australian government would be writing today to the other realm countries as well, informing them of our position.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer, left, with Christopher Luxon in Downing Street last year (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the Kings disgraced brother, the Press Association understands.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Liberal Democrats will seek to force the public release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as a trade envoy.

The Lib Dems will table a humble address in the Commons  the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files on Lord Mandelsons appointment as ambassador  in a bid to compel the Government to disclose information about Andrew, who served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The motion will call for the release of papers relating to Andrews appointment to the post, including any vetting and any correspondence from Lord Mandelson.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: The public is rightly demanding to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a high-level trade role.

The Liberal Democrats are moving a binding motion to force the Government to come clean.

We need to see the vetting files, the due diligence reports, and the correspondence to understand how this appointment came to be, and whether glaring warning signs were missed.

Theres also a much broader principle at stake here. No one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of Parliament.

It is time to end the age of impunity, scrap rules that stifle scrutiny or debate, and ensure that everyone in public office  no matter how powerful  can be held properly to account.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to the convicted sex offender, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
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The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother to King Charles III, on suspicion of misconduct in office has come as a shock to many. Numerous articles in diverse media have described the arrest of a member of the royal family as unprecedented.

It has been argued that the last royal arrest was that of King Charles I (reigned from 1625 to 1649) by parliamentary forces in 1646. This episode famously ended with Charless execution in 1649. But although royal arrests had dwindled by the 17th century, Charles Is was not the last.

In the kingdom of England and later the UK, a total of 58 arrested royals (34 males and 24 females) from the Norman conquest in 1066 up to the early 18th century can be identified. Of these, 19 were released, one escaped, 12 died in custody, 21 were executed, three vanished and two were murdered.

Mountbatten-Windsor is not the first sibling of the monarch to have been arrested. Perhaps the most well-known case is that of George, Duke of Clarence, younger brother of King Edward IV (reigned from 1461 to 1483), who imprisoned him for treason. The king stripped him of his titles, removed him from the succession and executed him in the Tower of London in 1478. According to legend, he was drowned in a barrel of malmsey wine.

The last sibling of a monarch to have been arrested, however, was the future Queen Elizabeth I, imprisoned by her sister, Mary I (reigned from 1553 to 1558), in 1554. Accused of conspiring against Mary, Elizabeth spent a couple of months in the Tower before being moved to house arrest on May 19, the anniversary of the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn. Elizabeth was eventually pardoned in 1555, after King Philip, Marys husband, interceded on her behalf.

The Princes in the Tower by John Everett Millais ( Wikimedia )

Adult royals suspected of conspiracy and treason were not the only ones to have been put in custody. Innocent royal children were also imprisoned, ostensibly to be guarded and protected, but in reality as a means to control the succession. The famous Princes in the Tower were kept there by their usurping uncle, Richard III (reigned from 1483 to 1485) after he took the throne in 1483, but vanished shortly thereafter. Richard is widely considered to have murdered them, but alternative theories have emerged.

Another pair of royal children put in custody by their uncle were Eleanor and Arthur of Brittany. Their uncle, King John (reigned from 1199 to 1216), had been the youngest son and the existence of the siblings from Brittany, children of his elder deceased brother, endangered the future of his position. They were both imprisoned in the early 1200s. Arthur vanished after 1203 and it is assumed he was murdered. Eleanor languished in prison for the rest of her life, dying in custody in Bristol Castle in 1241.

About the author Gonzalo Velasco Berenguer is a Lecturer in History at the University of Bristol. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Most arrested royals were accused of treason and conspiracy, but these charges were often compounded with accusations of heresy and witchcraft. Henry V (reigned from 1413 to 1422) had his stepmother, Joan of Navarre, arrested on suspicion of sorcery.

His son and successor, Henry VI (reigned from 1422 to 1471), had his aunt by marriage, Eleanor Cobham, confined in 1441 under charges of necromancy. Although both women were arrested under the rule of law of their time, their imprisonments might have masked ulterior motives; financial ones, in Joans case and political ones in Eleanors.

The most prolific reign for royal arrests was, unsurprisingly, that of Henry VIII (reigned from 1509 to 1547), who placed 12 close relatives in custody, including three wives, a niece and a first cousin.

The last royal imprisonment was that of Sophia Dorothea of Celle in 1694. The wife of George of Hannover, who later became king as George I in 1714, she was accused of adultery. Despite being the mother of the Prince of Wales, Sophia remained locked up after her former husband became king, dying in custody in 1726.

So Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is only the latest in a line of royal arrests, a practice that was fairly constant until the late 17th century.
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Following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for possible misconduct in public office, both the palace and the government will be hoping that his case might be brought to a swift conclusion. There are three main reasons why this is unlikely.

1. The vagueness of the offence

The offence Mountbatten-Windsor is being investigated for  misconduct in public office  is famously vague. This complicates the task for the prosecution, who will have to devote more time and effort to understanding the elements of the offence, and then ensuring that they can prove each element.

Misconduct in public office is not set out in an act of parliament, it is an offence under the common law. The public office (accountability) bill (also known as the Hillsborough law) currently going through parliament is meant to give it a statutory definition. But that will be too late for any prosecution of Mountbatten-Windsor, which will have to be for the common law offence, developed in a series of court judgements going back centuries.

In medieval times, the offence was intended to catch those in trusted public office who did something to betray that trust. It later fell into disuse, but was recently revived to catch corrupt police officers whose misconduct (such as selling information to journalists) did not fit easily into well-established offences.

open image in gallery Police officers at Royal Lodge, the former home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ( PA )

The court of appeal in 2004 reframed the judge-made law for modern times, summarising four elements of the offence. It must be committed by:

A public officer, acting as such, who

wilfully misconducts himself

to such a degree as to abuse the publics trust in the office holder

without reasonable excuse or justification.

Readers must judge for themselves whether this makes the offence any less vague. In careful understatement, the Crown Prosecution Service guidelines state that the offence should be strictly confined, and it can raise complex and sometimes sensitive issues.

2. Multiple police forces involved

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police, but they are not the only force looking into revelations from the millions of documents in the Epstein files. Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing in relation to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Metropolitan Police, Essex Police (for flights in and out of Stansted) and Surrey Police are also assessing claims. Some of those investigations are for possible trafficking into or outside the UK for sexual exploitation, which if proved would be offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The National Police Chiefs Council has announced a national group to support the investigating forces.

open image in gallery Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured here with ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 ( PA )

Police enquiries will inevitably take some time. In addition to the scale of the Epstein files, when looking for evidence of misconduct in public office, the police will want to search through UK government files.

Mountbatten-Windsor was trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Much of the evidence is likely to be retrieved from his emails and the files of agencies like UK Trade and Investment, and government departments like the Department of Trade (now Business and Trade), the Foreign Office, Cabinet Office and Number 10. Government record-keeping is not what it was, and records from that long ago will take time to find and produce.

3. Difficulties facing the CPS and the courts

If the police have gathered sufficient evidence, they will submit all the evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS in turn will need time to consider whether there is a sufficient case to prosecute, for a common law offence whose definition is still vague and complex.

The CPS code states that they will only prosecute an alleged crime if there is a realistic prospect of conviction. This means that a jury, properly directed in accordance with the law, will be more likely than not to convict the defendant of the charge.

About the author Robert Hazell is a Professor of British Politics and Government & Founder of the Constitution Unit at UCL. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The main legal difficulties may lie in proving that when acting as trade envoy, Mountbatten-Windsor was the holder of a public office, and that his conduct was such as to abuse the publics trust. In trying to clarify the latter test, the court of appeal said that abuse of trust must amount to an affront to the standing of the public office held. The threshold is a high one requiring conduct so far below acceptable standards as to amount to an abuse of the publics trust in the office holder.

The CPS will also need to liaise closely with the team investigating Peter Mandelson, who is also under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office, related to evidence that he passed confidential government information to Epstein. If the police pass a file on Mandelson to the CPS, there will be similarities in the evidential and legal difficulties in proving misconduct in each case.

It could be a very long time before any trial takes place. One of the biggest obstacles to a swift conclusion is the state of the courts. The recent review by retired senior judge Brian Leveson found a backlog of almost 80,000 cases awaiting trial in the Crown Court last September, and forecast the backlog would reach 100,000 cases by November 2027.

Some defendants are already being told their cases will not be heard until 2030. To avoid any further suggestions that Mountbatten-Windsor is above the law, his case may have to wait in the queue, just like everyone elses.
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The UK government has imposed sanctions on two pro-government television channels in Georgia, accusing them of spreading deliberately misleading information about Russia's war in Ukraine.

The sanctions against Imedi and Postv form part of a new British package targeting 297 entities, introduced to mark the fourth anniversary of Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmers government accused the channels of promoting false narratives about the war, including those that destabilise Ukraine or threaten its territorial integrity.

It stated Imedi in particular had spread falsehoods casting Ukraine's government as "illegitimate" or a "puppet" of the West.

Imedi described the sanctions as "worthless" and said it would continue to serve the Georgian people. Postv founder Shalva Ramishvili condemned the decision in a Facebook post and suggested London had acted "because we're not saying that Ukraine is beating Russia."

The sanctions include a freeze on assets and properties owned by the broadcasters in Britain and bar their owners from running other UK-based companies.

Sir Keir Starmers government accused the channels of promoting false narratives about the war, including those that destabilise Ukraine or threaten its territorial integrity ( Associated Press )

Once among the more democratic and pro-Western of the successor states to emerge from the Soviet Union, Georgia has turned increasingly authoritarian since the war in Ukraine began and has deepened economic ties with Russia.

Tbilisi has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine but has not imposed sanctions on Russia, to whom it lost a short war in 2008.

Imedi, until recently, was owned by Irakli Rukhadze, a Georgian-born U.S. citizen based in Britain.

Rukhadze sold his shares in Imedi this month to a company called Prime Media Global, with the channel's current management receiving half of the shares, according to a notice on the website of Hunnewell Partners, a private equity firm of which Rukhadze is a founding partner.

The sanctions come as the UK government also imposed its most extensive package of sanctions to date and targeted nearly 300 entites.

The government announced on Tuesday that Transneft, one of the world's largest pipeline firms responsible for transporting over 80 per cent of Russia's crude exports, was specifically targeted to further diminish Moscow's energy revenues.

"The UK has today taken decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russia's aggression," foreign minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.

This latest round of penalties brings the total number of individuals, companies, and ships sanctioned under Britain's Russia regime to more than 3,000. Tuesday's package also included 48 oil tankers, identified as part of ongoing efforts to curb Russia's so-called "shadow fleet."
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The UK government has imposed its most extensive package of sanctions to date, targeting nearly 300 entities, including the oil pipeline operator Transneft, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The government announced on Tuesday that Transneft, one of the world's largest pipeline firms responsible for transporting over 80 per cent of Russia's crude exports, was specifically targeted to further diminish Moscow's energy revenues.

"The UK has today taken decisive action to disrupt the critical financing, military equipment and revenue streams that sustain Russia's aggression," foreign minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.

This latest round of penalties brings the total number of individuals, companies, and ships sanctioned under Britain's Russia regime to more than 3,000. Tuesday's package also included 48 oil tankers, identified as part of ongoing efforts to curb Russia's so-called "shadow fleet."

London asserts that its sanctions are intensifying pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, claiming that his war effort is faltering and government revenues are in free fall.

Analysis by the nonprofit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air indicated that Russia earned 193 billion euros ($227 billion) from oil, gas, coal, and refined product exports in the 12 months to February 24, 2026, marking a 27 per cent drop from the comparable period before the invasion.

open image in gallery Foreign minister Yvette Coopers new measures bring the number of people, companies and ships sanctioned under Britain's Russia measures to more than 3,000 ( Getty )

Russia's gas exports have collapsed since 2022, but sanctions have not reduced its oil export volumes; instead, they have pushed Moscow to sell crude at lower prices.

Russia has also redirected crude to China, India and Turkey, often using the shadow fleet of ageing, uninsured tankers.

Western governments have targeted those tankers, but "deterring, disrupting and degrading" them remained a priority, Britain said.

In its Tuesday sanctions package, Britain targeted what it described as Russia's dark-web oil networks, sanctioning 175 companies in the Dubai-based 2Rivers group, saying it was one of the world's largest shadow-fleet operators and a major trader of Russian crude.

2Rivers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

open image in gallery The UK government has sanctioned one of the worlds largest oil pipeline companies, PJSC Transneft, responsible for transporting over 80 per cent of Russian oil exports ( REUTERS )

US President Donald Trump has pushed India to shift away from Russian crude as a condition of a trade deal, while the European Union is debating a broader ban on business supporting Russia's seaborne crude trade.

On Monday, the European Union failed to agree to its 20th sanctions package against Russia after Hungary maintained its veto on Russia and a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine amid a dispute over oil supplies.
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Britains court backlog will get worse before it gets better, a minister has admitted, as the government seeks to ease the dire state of the criminal justice system.

David Lammy has pledged to fix the UKs broken judicial system in an overhaul which will include digital modernisation, lifting a cap on court sitting days and the scrapping of jury trial cases that would have a jail sentence of three years or less.

The government hopes the reforms, which are expected to be implemented by 2028, will curb a spiralling backlog within the UKs justice system.

Justice minister Sarah Sackman KC said the government would need to do nothing short of throwing the kitchen sink at the system in order to cut the backlog, but admitted things will get worse before they get better.

"Things get worse before they get better, but they do begin to get better by the end of this parliament under this plan, she said.

open image in gallery The current court case backlog is 80,000 cases, with modelling predicting this will hit 100,000 next year ( PA )

By my reckoning, this will hit 100,000 cases before we begin to see a reduction in the backlog but Im very candid about that.

The current case backlog stands at 80,000, with modelling predicting this will hit 100,000 next year and 200,000 by 2035 if no reforms are implemented.

Ms Sackman KC said: Those are big numbers and each and every one of those cases there is a victim, there is a defendant, there are lives put on hold and the situation is absolutely dire.

Ministers have said that while there is no silver bullet, they are hoping three pillars  reform, investment, and modernisation  can tackle the backlog.

If all elements are implemented, modelling predicts the backlog will be at 83,000 by end of parliament, before falling below 50,000 by 2035.

Ms Sackman KC said: We are putting victims at the centre of everything we dobut I have got to level with victims. The scale of the crisis that we inherited, and which is growing, is not going to change overnight but we are pulling every lever.

By the end of this parliament theyll start to see (it) heading in the right direction, so they can have confidence that the government is doing everything it can. But it will take the best part of a decade for their trials to improve and I fully appreciate that is not good enough for victims who are in the system in the here and now.

open image in gallery David Lammy has pledged to fix the UKs broken judicial system in an overhaul which will include digital modernisation, lifting a cap on court sitting days and the scrapping of jury trial cases that would have a jail sentence of three years or less. ( PA )

Part of the reforms will see the limit on the number of crown court sitting days being lifted after the government and judiciary agreed a 2.7b settlement for courts and tribunals for 2026/27, up from 2.5b last year.

A further 287m will also be invested into fixing the crumbling court estate.

Victims commissioner Claire Waxman suggested that removing jury trials could help in getting convictions in rape cases.

Victims often find, in front of the jury, that there's a lot of myths and stereotypes deeply entrenched in society, and that plays out in bias and stereotypes that can impact their case as well.

She said she is comfortable with ending ancient rights.

We can't stay in the past. The criminal justice system is very different from 1215, so we have to keep up to speed with that. We can't leave victims waiting for justice for five, six or seven years in the criminal justice system.

The justice secretary also gave a speech at the Microsoft AI Tour in London on Tuesday where he backed digital modernisation across the courts system, including greater use of AI.

Mr Lammy resisted calls from Labour MPs over demands that the restriction of jury trials should have a sunset clause arguing fundamental change is needed.

Addressing the issue, Lord Brian Leveson, the retired judge whose report has led to the reforms, said: Changing the threshold where you get a jury trial changes the culture and the dynamic of advice to clients who are always going to plead guilty at some stage.

He added: The deputy prime minister mentioned that cases are taking twice as long, and you've got to ask whether shoplifting should allow trial by jury. When I was a young Barrister in the 1970s, that's now when he was just born, I would frequently do two trials in a day. No trial takes less than a couple of days.

As part of sweeping reforms, Mr Lammy previously unveiled plans to scrap juries in so-called either-way cases that would have a likely jail sentence of three years or less.

They include offences such as burglary, threats to kill, affray and theft. Serious offences, including murder, robbery, grievous bodily harm and rape, will still go before a jury.

David Ford, chairman of the Magistrates Association, was disappointed that Mr Lammy failed to address reforms in the magistrates courts which will be taking on more cases.

Admitting to frustration he welcomed extra money but added: It also needs to be about recruitment of magistrates, retaining magistrates, and getting legal advisors. We lose so many.

He warned that the number of magistrates alone needs to increase by 50 per cent from around 14,000 to 21,000 in the next few years.
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Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The Metropolitan Police said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for interview on Monday.

The former Labour minister has been accused of passing sensitive information onto paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.

Here is what we know about the pairs relationship.

2002

Lord Mandelson writes a memo encouraging the then-prime minister Tony Blair to meet Epstein, according to The Times.

2003

Lord Mandelsons message to Epstein, in which he describes him as his best pal, is included in a birthday book compiled by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

open image in gallery Part of Mandelsons birthday message to Epstein ( House Committee on Oversight and Reform )

2006

As police in Florida suggest Epstein should be charged with four counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, Lord Mandelson says I am following you closely and here whenever you need, after Epstein tells him he is attempting to set up another prosecutor meeting, according to Bloomberg.

Epstein is later arrested and Bloomberg reports that Lord Mandelson asks the paedophile for updates on the same day, saying keep me posted.

2007

Epsteins lawyers engage in discussion with Miami attorney Alexander Acosta about a plea bargain that would allow him to avoid prosecution.

open image in gallery Peter Mandelson (left) speaks with Jeffrey Epstein in a picture from the latest trove of documents released ( House Oversight Committee )

2008

Epstein pleads guilty to soliciting prostitution and soliciting a minor and is sentenced to 18 months in a minimum-security prison.

The US attorneys office agrees not to prosecute Epstein for more serious federal crimes in a secret arrangement.

Lord Mandelson writes emails showing support for Epstein while he is facing charges for soliciting a minor, including one that says Your friends stay with you and love you.

The emails, reported by The Sun, also show the former Labour minister tells Epstein to fight for early release shortly before his prison sentence.

open image in gallery A young Epstein poses with a woman whose face has been blocked out to protect her privacy ( House Oversight Committee )

2009

Lord Mandelson stays at Epsteins Manhattan apartment while the paedophile is serving his 18-month sentence, an internal report by the JP Morgan bank suggests.

Epstein is released from prison after serving 13 months.

2019

Epstein is arrested on sex trafficking charges after lawyers in New York conclude they are not bound by the secret non-prosecution agreement.

The paedophile financier is found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York a month later.

Lord Mandelsons affiliation with Epstein is thrown into the spotlight after a picture of him with the paedophile financier on St Barts is published.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer appointed Lord Mandelson to the job of ambassador to the UK in February ( PA )

2025

Lord Mandelson tells a Financial Times reporter to f*** off after being asked about his relationship with Epstein.

The House Oversight Committee in the US releases a number of documents from the Epstein estate, including the birthday book with Lord Mandelsons message in it.

Lord Mandelson describes his birthday message to Epstein as very embarrassing during an interview with The Suns Harry Cole Saves the West programme.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer asks Lord Mandelson to stand down.

2026

Lord Mandelson features in the more than three million documents released by the US Department of Justice related to paedophile financier Epstein.

Met Police launch a criminal investigation into Lord Mandelson into allegations he passed on sensitive information onto Epstein during his time as business secretary.

Lord Mandelson is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
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A Cabinet minister has denounced Peter Mandelson for lying to the prime minister in the wake of his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Bridget Phillipson defended Sir Keir Starmers decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, saying the PM sacked him as soon as it became clear the full extent of what had been going on.

She also signalled the government still plans to release documents about Lord Mandelsons appointment in early March, a move announced in the House of Commons on Monday just before the peer was arrested at his London home.

The former Labour minister has been accused of passing on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary.

Sir Keir has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the position despite his links to Epstein, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to resign.

open image in gallery Lord Peter Mandelson outside his home in north west London. The government still plans to release documents about the peers appointment as US ambassador despite his arrest on Monday, a minister said ( PA )

The prime minister admitted knowing about Lord Mandelsons ongoing friendship with Epstein, but said the peer lied repeatedly about the extent of the relationship when questioned.

Asked if the saga demonstrates that Sir Keir is a weak prime minister, Ms Phillipson told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There are limits to what we can discuss given the ongoing nature of the police investigation.

The prime minister sacked Peter Mandelson as soon as it became clear the full extent of what had been going on.

He misled the prime minister, he misled people as part of that vetting process and he lied about the extent of engagement he continued to have with Jeffrey Epstein.

She added: I think its also worth saying that the only people responsible for what took place, the appalling abuse that young women experienced are those responsible for perpetrating those acts.

Under pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties, the prime minister last month agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment.

Asked whether the government still planned to go ahead with its plans to publish documents amid the police investigation, the education secretary told Sky News: My understanding is yes, but we do just need to be mindful of any documents we publish given the nature of the ongoing police investigation.

So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing thats published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation.

open image in gallery Bridget Phillipson has denounced Lord Mandelson for lying ( PA )

The Liberal Democrats will use a parliamentary debate on Tuesday to compel ministers to similarly release documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy.

The former prince served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.

He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

Ms Phillipson would not reveal whether the government will support the Lib Dem humble address motion, which will be debated in the Commons after midday.

Well review what they are asking for and will set our approach later on in Parliament, she said.
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Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation by Metropolitan Police after allegations he passed on market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary.

It is the latest development in the growing crisis engulfing the former US ambassador, who has resigned from the Labour Party and has left the House of Lords after further details of his friendship with the convicted felon emerged in the so-called Epstein files.

Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure after he admitted that he knew about Lord Mandelsons ongoing friendship with the convicted sex offender when he appointed him, but said that the peer lied repeatedly about the extent of the relationship.

Downing Street then tried to control the release of potentially explosive documents, which provide insight into how the decision was made.

But in the face of a mutiny from Labour MPs  led by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner  the government had to back down and cede control to Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee to decide what could be released into the public domain.

The prime ministers acceptance followed the launch of a criminal probe into allegations Lord Mandelson passed information to Epstein while serving in Gordon Browns Labour administration as it dealt with the fallout from the 2008 financial crash.

open image in gallery Lord Peter Mandelson will return to a life of luxury in the UK, having lived in a farmhouse before taking residence in Washington ( PA )

Sir Keir faced a backlash from his own back benches, including his former deputy Ms Rayner, over an attempt to have some papers prejudicial to UK national security or international relations withheld.

Labour MP Andy McDonald said he thought it was reasonable to expect an answer pretty damn quick on how Lord Mandelson passed vetting.

It beggars belief that we could ever get a security vetting process that would sign off affirmatively on somebody in these circumstances, he said.

He said it was an appalling failure of judgment that Sir Keir appointed Lord Mandelson given what was already in the public domain about him.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer meets Lord Mandelson at the then-ambassadors residence last year ( POOL/AFP via Getty )

In a statement confirming the arrest, the Met said: Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

Lord Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party earlier this month, saying he wanted to avoid causing it further embarrassment, after losing his post as UK ambassador to the United States last year because of his links to Epstein.

open image in gallery Then-business secretary Lord Mandelson with then-prime minister Gordon Brown in 2010 ( PA Archive )

Sir Keir Starmer rallied around his man in Washington for days at the time, praising the job the UKs ambassador had done penetrating Donald Trumps inner circles. But the prime minister was forced to change course last year, dismissing Lord Mandelson with immediate effect.

These developments mark what is almost certainly the end of a career that had previously been defined by remarkable comebacks. His mastery of political intrigue had earned him the nickname Prince of Darkness.

Last year, before heading to the US, Lord Mandelson was living in a luxurious farmhouse in the Pewsey Vale in Wiltshire. During the pandemic, he wrote about the cosy country life he was enjoying on the farm.

He is the part-owner of Global Counsel, a powerful lobbying firm he co-founded, but they have swiftly reassured clients that they are in advanced stages of divesting his remaining stake as it attempts to cut ties with the peer.

open image in gallery Mandelsons relationship with Epstein has destroyed his political career ( House Oversight Committee )

As well as the influential business position, Lord Mandelson has the more ceremonial High Steward of Hull title, though the council will try to strip him of it in the coming weeks.

But while he returns to a lavish life in Britain, it wont be a touch on the grandeur of life in the early-1900s residence built for Britains ambassador in Washington, one of the most luxurious properties in the US capital.

It has previously welcomed royalty from Prince Charles and Princess Diana to pop royalty like The Beatles, while guests who have been hosted in the embassy since Lord Mandelson moved in include much of President Trumps inner circle and the great and good of American business.

No Labour leader will bring the tarnished grandee back into the fold after the extent of his relations with Epstein were revealed. And he has said himself at one point that further very embarrassing information will come to light in the future.

His career has been one of many comebacks, but this latest criminal investigation and subsequent arrest seems a fall too far for Lord Mandelson to recover from.
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Peter Mandelson has been arrested after allegations he leaked Downing Street emails to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epsteinwhile he was serving in Gordon Browns cabinet as business secretary.

The Labour peer, who was sacked as British ambassador to the US and stepped down from the House of Lords, was arrested on Monday afternoon on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to the Metropolitan Police.

It comes after, earlier in February, Lord Mandelson announced he was resigning from his membership of the Labour Party, stating that he does not want to cause "further embarrassment", after latest revelations about his ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein surfaced.

The so-called Epstein files appeared to show that the financier paid for an osteopathy course for Lord Mandelsons husband, Reinaldo Avila Da Silva, in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the financial crisis.

Sir Keir Starmer has faced growing scrutiny over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as US ambassador including a backlash from his own back benches, with his former deputy Angela Rayner among those pushing for parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee to decide what documents could be released into the public domain.

open image in gallery Lord Mandelson resigned from his membership of the Labour Party as he does not wish to cause further embarrassment over his links to Jeffrey Epstein ( PA Wire )

But how did Lord Mandelson rise from political fixer to the prime ministers point man in the US? And what do we know about his relationship with Epstein?

Peter Mandelsons career

The former Labour grandee was born into Labour politics.

Lord Mandelson is the grandson of former Labour home and foreign secretary Herbert Morrison. Aged just 12, he was invited to Downing Street by his neighbours, then prime minister Harold Wilson and his wife Mary.

The young Peter is said to have been dazzled at the time by the opportunity to sit in the prime ministers chair. But Lord Mandelsons work as a political fixer for the party has seen him go on to spend five decades at the heart of Labour politics.

open image in gallery Lord Mandelson earned the nickname the Prince of Darkness ( PA )

His first taste of Labour politics was his 1979 election to Lambeth Borough Council, famously where Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff Morgan McSweeney also cut his teeth working for now environment secretary Steve Reed.

However, the hard left council was led by a man dubbed Red Ted, and so the young Peter Mandelson stood down just three years later, disillusioned with Labour politics.

After a stint in TV, he was appointed by former Labour leader Neil Kinnock as the partys director of communications, where his status as a political heavyweight began to take shape.

Despite defeat in the 1987 general election, before Margaret Thatchers third term in Downing Street, Labour picked up tens of seats and its media operation won praise.

open image in gallery His return to government was surrounded by controversy ( PA )

He was selected as Labours candidate for the safe seat of Hartlepool in 1990, winning the seat at the 1992 general election, the last before the rise of Sir Tony Blair and New Labour.

The party was on course to take power from a tired Tory Party led by Sir John Major before the unexpected death of then Labour leader John Smith.

Lord Mandelson then found himself at the heart of a feud which would dominate British politics, Blair v Brown, after he backed Sir Tony for the leadership.

As a reward for his support, he was made director of Labours landslide 1997 general election campaign and was then handed a role in government.

He was later handed responsibility for trade and industry.

open image in gallery Peter Mandelson, right, with John Prescott, centre, and Neil Kinnock at Londons Festival Hall after Labours election victory in 1997 ( PA Archive )

After briefly returning to the cabinet, Lord Mandelson had his eyes on Europe and took a job in 2004 as Britains European commissioner for trade - a role which may cause friction with EU-hating Mr Trumps administration.

But it was four years later Lord Mandelsons status as a Labour grandee would finally be sealed. In a controversial move, Mr Brown sought to shore up his government by bringing the former spin doctor back to UK politics by handing him a peerage and a role as business secretary.

Lord Mandelson became the first political appointee to the US ambassador role for almost 50 years.

He has faced scrutiny over his roles with lobbying firm Global Counsel, his links with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his views on China, Europe and globalism in a time of the rise of America First.

In September 2025, Sir Keir Starmer sacked Lord Mandelson as the US ambassador following growing pressure over his ties to Epstein.

Peter Mandelsons relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Earlier this month, further links came to light in the tranche of newly released documents from the so-called Epstein files.

Emails appeared to show that the convicted sex offender had sent 10,000 to his husband Reinaldo Avila da Silva to fund an osteopathy course and other related expenses in September 2009.

The latest revelations followed a shock report by JPMorgan Chase last year that revealed the particularly close relationship between Lord Mandelson and Epstein.

The dossier showed the senior political figures ties to the late paedophile  who was close enough to the former Labour cabinet minister to call him Petie.

The report also suggested that Lord Mandelson stayed at Epsteins New York home in June 2009  when he was still Mr Browns business secretary and the financier was serving 18 months in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Pictures of the pair together have repeatedly resurfaced, with photos being circulated on social media when it emerged he would be appointed US ambassador.

open image in gallery Lord Mandelsons apparent birthday letter to Epstein ( House Committee on Oversight and Reform )

Lord Mandelsons apparent contribution to the birthday book, released by a Congressional committee, took the form of a poem to the financier.

Once upon a time, an intelligent, sharp-witted man they call mysterious parachuted into my life, it opened.

The pictures included alongside the note included a shot of Lord Mandelson on a balcony in a pair of swimming trunks shot from behind, with his hands on his hips.

open image in gallery Lord Mandelson said his relationship with Epstein is a media obsession ( House Committee on Oversight and Reform )

Lord Mandelsons note appeared to reference interesting friends he had been left to entertain by Epstein.

But wherever he is in the world, he remains my best pal, it concluded. Lord Mandelson appeared to add: Happy birthday, Jeffrey, we love you!!

There is no suggestion Lord Mandelson, who was friends with Epsteins former lover Ghislaine Maxwell, had any knowledge of the paedophiles wrongdoing.

Lord Mandelsons spokesman had said he very much regrets the connection with Epstein while allies have said the pair met on no more than five or six occasions. In January, Lord Mandelson apologised to the victims of Epstein for remaining friends with the paedophile financier after his conviction.

I was wrong to believe him following his conviction and to continue my association with him afterwards. I apologise unequivocally for doing so to the women and girls who suffered, he said in a statement.
Keir Starmers surprise appearance on the Gorton and Denton by-election campaign trail has provoked some very fanciful speculation that Labour might actually hold one of its safest seats.

Prime ministers very rarely visit constituencies where theres a by-election, even in good times, and these are certainly not easy days for the Labour leader. Indeed, one of his most formidable rivals  Andy Burnham, the popular mayor of Greater Manchester  had high hopes of becoming Labours candidate and resuming his career in Westminster. It was not to be, however, and Starmers goals in Gorton may be more modest.

Could Labour win?

Anything is possible, and it is a three-way fight between Labour, who won in 2024 (on 51 per cent of the vote) and have represented the constituency for decades; Reform, who came a decent second last time (on 14 per cent); and the Greens, who managed an equally respectable 13 per cent. It is possible to imagine circumstances in which a degree of confusion in tactical voting might conceivably lead to Labour holding the seat. That would certainly end talk about Starmer being ousted, and give some hope for the Scottish, Welsh and local elections in May.

Realistically, the best Labour can hope for is to snatch second place from Reform, and that might be why the party leader was in the area rallying his troops  though he didnt venture out to meet any actual voters. Third place with 20 per cent of the vote wouldnt be a shock; second with 30 per cent might be a relief.

Why isnt Reform way ahead?

Reform is clearly in the lead nationally, but any individual constituency can be different. Nigel Farages party did overturn a massive Labour majority to take Runcorn and Helsby last May, if only by six votes, but it doesnt mean it can repeat the performance here. One reason is demographics, with a large Muslim community less likely to enjoy Farages brand of nationalist populism (even if they have recently become disillusioned with Labour over the war in Gaza).

In Gorton and Denton, Greens have emerged as the other main opposition to Reform, and are benefiting from tactical support from Labour voters, and possibly even a few Liberal Democrats. Arguably, Reform candidate Matt Goodwin  a former academic from St Albans turned right-wing television personality  hasnt got the local appeal of the Greens Hannah Spencer, who is a plumber by trade.

So its the Greens?

It does look that way. The only recent poll with any merit (we can dismiss the parties own canvassing results) shows them on 33 per cent, with Reform not far behind on 29 per cent and Labour on 26 per cent. Bookies also make Spencer odds-on to be the next MP, with Reform at roughly 2/1 and Labour at 6/1.

If successful, she will arrive in the Commons as the partys fifth member, and the only one from a Northern constituency or a major city. But Gorton and Denton is a very uneven constituency, and particularly difficult to poll. So there could be a bit more of a chance of an upset than usual.

What about the Conservatives and the Lib Dems?

In past times, one or the other of these parties would be the natural challenger in a place such as this, and it is a measure of the extent to which party politics has fractured that they are both now irrelevant, their potential vote shares squeezed by Reform and the Greens respectively. The Lib Dems will probably lose their deposit, while the Tories could hang on to the measly 8 per cent they scored at the general election.

Turnout?

This will be crucial. Reform will be hoping to persuade voters who generally do not vote at all that this time it will be worth their while; this has been a key factor in previous wins for Farage, notably in the Brexit referendum.

What does this by-election tell us about politics?

First, Labour remains deeply unpopular. Second, electoral politics in Britain is becoming a kaleidoscopic array of different contests rather than just a national fight between Labour and the Conservatives. Throw in the vagaries of the first-past-the-post system and tactical voting, and the next general election will be the hardest to predict for many decades. Gorton and Denton is just the latest episode in a radical variegation of the electoral landscape.
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Jeffrey Epstein may have played a role in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becoming a UK trade envoy, a shadow minister has suggested, as the government agreed to release the bombshell documents related to his appointment.

On an unprecedented day in parliament that saw MPs from all sides line up to admonish the former prince, Conservative minister Alex Burghart said it was possible to identify the hand of Epstein in Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment to the role back in 2001.

MPs unanimously supported a motion calling for the release of files relating to the appointment, waving it through without a vote after the government backed the Liberal Democrat-led calls to publish the papers, including any vetting and any correspondence from Peter Mandelson.

However, MPs were told that ministers are unable to publish material that police need for their inquiries until officers are satisfied.

The Lib Dems used a humble address, the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to the US, to pressure the government.

It came as party leader Sir Ed Davey described the latest revelations about the former prince and Lord Mandelson as the first truly global scandal that reaches right to the top of the British establishment.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor faces accusations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011. He was taken into custody last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

This came only days before Lord Mandelson was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following similar allegations of having passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary.

The former Labour minister was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday.

open image in gallery Mandelson, then an EU commissioner, is pictured with Andrew, then trade envoy, in 2007 ( AP )

Opening the debate, Sir Ed said: Can there be many people more symbolic of the rot that eats away at the British establishment than the former Duke of York and special trade envoy, and the former business secretary, first secretary of state and ambassador to the United States?

Their association with Epstein and their actions on his behalf, while trusted with the privilege of public office, are a stain on our country. We must begin to clean away that stain with the disinfectant of transparency.

Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant described Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.

Responding at the despatch box to the Lib Dem motion, Sir Chris said: Let me be clear from the outset, we support this motion today.

Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others, the abuse that was enabled, aided and abetted by a very extensive group of arrogant, entitled, and often very wealthy individuals, in this country and elsewhere.

Its not just the people who participated in the abuse. Its the many, many more who turned a blind eye out of greed, familiarity or deference.

Sir Chris later added: As the police have rightly said, it is absolutely crucial that the integrity of their investigation is protected, and now these proceedings are underway, it would be wrong of me to say anything that might prejudice them, nor will the government be able to put into the public domain anything that is required by the police for them to conduct their inquiries, unless and until the police are satisfied.

The minister, who described the former prince as a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle, also said he wants to manage peoples expectations about how quickly the papers relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor can be released, due to the age and quantity of the material, and the live police investigation.

He said: Its worth bearing in mind that the documents that might be envisaged in this are mostly 25 years old. Some of them are a bit earlier. They may be substantial in number, and many of them will be in hard copy.

open image in gallery Chris Bryant has hit out at the rot that eats away at the British establishment ( PA Archive )

Meanwhile, Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart suggested that Epstein may have influenced Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as a trade envoy in 2001.

He told MPs: If one looks back to 2001, it is possible to identify the hand of Epstein in Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment. It is reported that Peter Mandelson first met Epstein in the summer of 2001.

Mountbatten-Windsor had first met Epstein, I believe, in 1999. And shortly after Mandelsons first meeting in October 2001, [Mountbatten-Windsor] is appointed as trade envoy.

Dr Burghart said his party welcomed the motion, but criticised the government for not disclosing the information without the need for a humble address.

What would have been better is if the government had been proactive on this, and had not had to be brought to the House by opposition parties in order to release this information, he said.

It comes as the business and trade committee weighs up launching a parliamentary probe into the role of UK trade envoys, following Mr Mountbatten-Windsors arrest.

It is understood that any inquiry would look at potential governance issues within the wider system, and lessons to be learnt, avoiding specific commentary on Mr Mountbatten-Windsor until there is no risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an act of parliament would be required to remove him from the line of succession.

The government has not ruled out introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the Kings disgraced brother.
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Reform MP Danny Kruger has announced that the party wants to reset Britains sexual culture as he attacked the levels of divorce in the UK.

Mr Kruger, who made a name opposing the assisted dying bill and is preparing the party for government, should it win the next general election, claimed that the UK is suffering from having a totally unregulated sexual economy.

The former Tory MP, who defected last year, claimed that changes to divorce laws brought in by the Conservatives, such as no-fault divorces, basically means that your vows dont matter, and suggested he would support reversing the change.

He told House magazine that he expected Reform to have a limited but important role in resetting sexual culture and undoing the sexual revolution of the 1960s. He also suggested the party would support incentives for women to have more children as the UKs birth rate declines.

His comments come just 24 hours after the partys leader Nigel Farage claimed at a press conference in Dover that he wanted to leave ethical issues to the individual conscience of MPs.

Mr Kruger is well known for his strong Christian views, and his suggestions chime with announcements this week that Reform would defend Britains Christian heritage.

He confirmed that Reform is pronatalist in that it wants people to have more children and intends to have a government led by Mr Farage that would support them in doing that.

Lamenting the level of divorce in the UK, he said: Marriage traditionally was the means by which sexual relations between men and women were regulated, and I think we are suffering from having a totally unregulated sexual economy.

Im not interested in your love life, or anything about your personal life  that is your business. But I am interested in the framework in which you make your decisions, and Id like the framework to be more pro-social. If you want  most people do want  to settle down with one person to have children, we should make that easier.

Danny Kruger was the first sitting Tory MP to defect to Reform ( PA )

He claimed that changes to divorce laws in recent years, such as no-fault divorces, which mean spouses no longer have to cite adultery, separation or unreasonable behaviour to justify a divorce, basically means that your vows dont matter. But he admitted, I dont know whether wed be able to reverse it. I dont think that would be party policy, to change that.

The Reform MP is a close ally of theologian James Orr, who has been put in charge of drawing up Reforms policies. The two met US vice-president JD Vance last year, who shares their views.

Mr Kruger is known to be interested in right-wing Hungarian premier Viktor Orbans model of encouraging women to have more children, including generous tax breaks and subsidised mortgages for those with three or more children.

He told House magazine: Yes, we have a pronatalist ambition. We want people to have more children, and we think the government should get behind that wish.

But he denied that Reform is a divisive party.

The total opposite is the case. The only chance of unity for our country is Reform. If we dont win, or if we win and then make a mess of it, I do fear for our country, he said.

The Reform slogan is family, community, country. Were talking about the associations that give us meaning and identity and security and a sense of belonging. I think thats where the country is now going  away from a doctrine of total liberal individualism.
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Keir Starmer has made the highly unusual move for a serving prime minister of campaigning in a by-election as desperation mounts over the contest in Gorton and Denton.

With his premiership on the line in Thursdays vote, Sir Keir joined Gorton and Denton candidate Angeliki Stogia in the Greater Manchester constituency.

It is almost unheard of for prime ministers to be seen at by-elections unless they arrive in the aftermath if their candidate wins.

But Labour has been trailing in third place to the Greens and Reform according to pollsters and bookmakers.

open image in gallery Starmer turned up at the Gorton and Denton by-election in a surprise move ( Getty )

However, Labour sources have told The Independent that the PM's surprise visit is because the team "is confident", adding that responses on the doorstep "have not been nearly as bad as expected.

It came as Labour criticised Nigel Farage for excusing his Reform candidate Matthew Goodwin for not quickly distancing himself from Tommy Robinson after the far right activist endorsed him.

Mr Farage told The Independent at a press conference in Dover that responding to Robinson would "only give the story oxygen n"

A Labour spokesperson said: "It shouldn't be difficult for Reform to distance themselves from the support of a far-right thug like Tommy Robinson. Yet Nigel Farage hasn't got the backbone to do it."

Sir Keir used his trip to hit out at the Green Party's disgusting drugs policy and toxic Reform UK on a campaign visit ahead of the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Labour faces a battle to save the previously rock-solid Greater Manchester constituency in the face of a double electoral threat from both Nigel Farages Reform UK and Zack Polanskis Greens.

In 2024 Labour won the seat with a majority of 13,413 and more than half the vote, but the partys plummeting popularity since Sir Keir entered No 10 means it could be vulnerable.

open image in gallery Starmer with activists and by-election candidate Angeliki Stogia (centre) ( Getty )

Sir Keir warned would-be Green supporters they could split the anti-Reform vote and allow the partys candidate, GB News presenter Matt Goodwin, to enter Parliament.

Sir Keir said: In this by-election a vote for the Green Party is, in effect, a vote for Reform.

And we saw in the by-election in Runcorn last year, where Labour lost by just a handful of votes, we got a Reform Member of Parliament. We mustnt let that happen again.

Sir Keir also took aim at Mr Polanskis support for the legalisation of drugs.

When it comes to the Green Party, look at their drugs policy: they say we should legalise heroin and crack cocaine, he said.

Imagine what would happen in every park and every playground in this constituency if that happened.

I have to say, as a father of a boy whos 17-and-a-half, the idea that the Green Party would make the argument that just, in a few months time, it should be perfectly lawful to sell him heroin and crack cocaine I find that disgusting.

Hannah Spencer, the Green Partys Gorton and Denton by-election candidate, has previously said she thought decriminalising is a conversation that we need to have.

Mr Polanski has said he wants to legalise, regulate and control drugs, arguing for a public health approach by public health professionals.

Sir Keir appeared alongside Labours deputy leader Lucy Powell, who he previously sacked from his cabinet, and the partys by-election candidate Ms Stogia at a campaign event.

His decision to visit the seat, where potential leadership rival Andy Burnham was blocked from standing, comes after he did not hit the campaign trail in last years Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where Reforms Sarah Pochin won by six votes.
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Vladimir Putin is standing in the way of a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said, as he promised to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The prime minister hit out at the Russian president on the fourth anniversary of the war, which was triggered by Russias invasion of Ukraine and has claimed the lives of 15,000 civilians, including 739 children.

Earlier, in a defiant message to his people, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin had not broken the Ukrainian people.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Putin (PA) ( PA Wire )

The Ukrainian leader used a televised address on Tuesday to say that Putin has not achieved his goals, and that his country has preserved its independence and will do everything to achieve peace and to ensure justice.

The UK defence secretary John Healey also hit out at Putin, saying the war had been "four years of failure for him.

The prime minister used an address to his cabinet on Tuesday morning to praise the "incredible resilience" of Ukraine and warned the conflict was not a remote one happening a long way away from the United Kingdom.

"It's about our values of freedom, democracy and the right of a country to decide for itself what it does, which is democracy and sovereignty," he said.

The impact of the war was being felt in households across the UK because of the spike in energy prices since the invasion, he added.

"They are still 40 per cent higher than they were before," he said. So, every family is feeling it. And how and when this conflict ends is going to affect everybody in the United Kingdom for a very long time, which is why it is so important we make sure that it's a just and lasting peace."

But, he insisted, "it is Putin who is standing in the way" of that outcome.

open image in gallery Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska during a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine ( Getty )

Asked for his reflections on the fourth anniversary of the war, Mr Healey said: "This is a war he thought he would win in a week; he has lost more than a million men during that time, and Russia has been fighting in Ukraine for longer than the Soviet Union was fighting Germany during the Second World War.

"Today, four years on, Ukrainians are fighting with just the same courage, just the same defiance, and our job, our duty, as allies of Ukraine is to stand by them, support them in their fight for today, but also work to secure the peace for tomorrow. That is my mission.

Asked if he agreed with Ukraine's Mr Zelensky's claim that the "beginning of the end" of the war is afoot, Mr Healey said: "I want to make 2026, like President Zelensky does, the year that this war ends, that we can bring peace. The UK is ready to play a part in securing that peace for the long term."

To mark the anniversary, the government has also put together a 5m package to support justice and accountability work in Ukraine, The Independent understands.

Russias bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the countrys energy grid.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have said that the next round of talks aimed at ending the war could come as early as the end of this week.
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Ukrainians fleeing Russias invasion will be given three times as long to renew their visas for the UK as part of an attempt to give them more certainty about their stay in Britain.

Those wishing to extend their stays will now be able to apply up to 90 days before their current permission expires  treble the current 28 days, The Independent understands.

It comes after concerns were raised by Ukrainian communities that the shorter window created undue stress and uncertainty about their legal status in the UK.

The announcement was made as Yvette Cooper travels to Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, part of an attempt to show the governments commitment to safe and legal routes while it tries to clamp down on illegal crossings.

Yvette Cooper will travel to Kyiv on Tuesday ( PA Wire )

To mark the anniversary, the government has also put together a 5m package to support justice and accountability work in Ukraine, The Independent understands.

The Ukraine Permission Scheme, which has seen more than 300,000 Ukrainians housed in the UK since 2022, was extended by a further two years in September.

Ukraine permission visas to the UK generally last for three years, but holders can apply for the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme to extend their stay by an additional 18 months.

Speaking about the latest changes to the scheme, immigration minister Mike Tapp told The Independent: The UK stands with Ukraine and we are proud to have offered sanctuary to more than 300,000 Ukrainians since Russias barbaric invasion.

We have listened to the concerns of the Ukrainian community and acted to offer greater peace of mind. This country will remain your safe haven for as long as the war continues.

Britain will always offer sanctuary to those in genuine need.

The new funding, which comes in addition to 11.5m of existing support to Ukraines own war crimes investigations, will ensure that atrocities committed following Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine are fully investigated and those responsible are held to account.

The cash will help provide training for Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors and the documentation, investigation and prosecution of war crimes.

The Foreign Office hopes this will promote international standards within the Ukrainian legal process and rights-based support for survivors and witnesses, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

On her visit to Ukraine, the foreign secretary is expected to call out Russification tactics being used by Moscow in occupied Ukrainian territories.

People in the territories are being forced to adopt Russian passports, are prohibited from speaking the Ukrainian language and are arrested on arbitrary charges for expressing pro-Ukraine sentiments, according to the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer is set to convene a coalition of the willing meeting alongside French president Emmanuel Macron to discuss recent peace talks and further support for Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict.

Russias bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the countrys energy grid.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have said that the next round of talks aimed at ending the war could come as early as the end of this week.
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Ivory Coast faces an accumulation of 200,000 metric tons of unsold cocoa by end-March, when its main crop concludes, unless the government cuts state-regulated farmer prices to unlock sales, industry experts and global trading executives warn.

The West African nation, alongside neighbouring Ghana, which together supply some 50 per cent of the world's cocoa, is grappling with a growing crisis of unsold main crop stocks piled up inland and at ports for months.

This accumulation stems from the government setting main crop farmer prices last October significantly above current world rates, making purchases unprofitable for traders.

These stocks are weighing on world prices, which have plunged 50 per cent this year to a near three-year low.

Many international traders ceased buying Ivorian main crop beans months ago, though local sources reported last week's sale of 200,000 tons of the upcoming April-September mid-crop to international traders.

The mid-crop is typically processed locally, cheaper, and considered lower quality.

open image in gallery The unsold cocoa has accumulated because the country set farmer prices for the main crop last October some way above current world prices, meaning traders face steep losses on purchases ( Reuters )

In a bid to get cash to farmers who had not been paid for their main crop beans, Ivory Coast in late January pledged to buy 100,000 tons of unsold cocoa at a cost of about $500 million.

But the volume of main crop it will need to buy is likely to be much larger, according to global cocoa trade executives and experts.

Ivorian traders - who buy cocoa from farmers and sell it to international traders - have defaulted on at least 100,000 tons of cocoa purchases from the main crop, two executives at global agricultural commodity trading houses said.

They asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to media.

Farmers will harvest another 100,000 tons of main crop beans by the end of March that have not yet been sold to global traders and will not be sold if Ivory Coast doesn't drop its prices, the two executives said.

open image in gallery Many international traders stopped buying Ivorian beans for the main crop a few months ago, although local trade and government sources said the country did manage last week to sell 200,000 tons of its upcoming April to September mid-crop to international traders ( Reuters )

Abidjan-based cocoa regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), responsible for overseeing the cocoa sector and setting farmer prices, told Reuters the market estimate for unsold stocks is "erroneous", without giving further details.

Ivory Coast's agriculture minister said on Monday the country will make an announcement on farmer prices for the upcoming mid-crop by end-February, more than a month earlier than usual.

Ghana last week slashed its farmer price by almost a third after cocoa farmers said they had not been paid since November. Sources told Reuters last week that Ivory Coast is considering cutting prices to a level that aligns with Ghana.
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Heavy rainfall has tragically killed at least 25 people in Brazil's southeastern state of Minas Gerais, with 43 individuals still unaccounted for, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

The state fire department reported 18 fatalities in Juiz de Fora and seven in Uba, some 110 km (68 miles) distant.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva offered his condolences on X, stating: "Our focus is to ensure humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, support for displaced people, and aid for reconstruction."

The downpours have caused extensive flooding and landslides, displacing approximately 440 people in Juiz de Fora, where municipal schools have also suspended classes.

The state fire department reported 18 fatalities in Juiz de Fora and seven in Uba, some 110 km (68 miles) distant. ( AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo )

Specialized teams have mobilized to respond to incidents and search for missing people, it added. The state fire department said 141 officials - including 113 in Juiz de Fora and 28 in Uba - were deployed.

The department reported that 40 people were missing in Juiz de Fora, with another three people missing in Uba.

"It's a precarious situation; many people are missing. But by helping each other, we'll eventually find everyone," Gabriel Vitor, a 24-year-old state firefighter deployed to Juiz de Fora, said.

Public calamity

Brazil's government has recognized a state of calamity in Juiz de Fora, speeding up relief and humanitarian aid, it said in a statement.

Much of Brazil enters the peak of its rainy season during summer, from December to March, bringing frequent intense downpours, thunderstorms, flooding and mudslides.

"It was terrible; words can't describe how sad it is. Just ask God to find those who survived and to perform a miracle," said Jaqueline Teixeira, a 45-year-old Juiz de Fora resident.

The Juiz de Fora city hall said this has been the rainiest February in the city's history, with rainfall already more than double the amount expected for the month.

Mayor Margarida Salomao said in a statement on social media that the situation was "critical."

Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology on Tuesday issued heavyrain alerts for parts of 14 states, including the entire area of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.
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A TikTok influencer, known for her stint on one of Gordon Ramsays shows, revealed that she has been threatened with a lawsuit over the name of her cookie company.

Chloe Sexton, the owner of Tennessee-based company Chloes Giant Cookies, says that on November 20, she received an expedited letter informing her that she was at risk of being sued by Chloes Cookies LLC.

Just three days earlier, she told followers that she was slated to appear on Gordon Ramsays Next Level Baker.

Sexton, whose business allows her to support her little sister following the death of their mother from brain cancer, said that she was being sued in a post on Facebook.

In the video, posted four days ago, Sexton said she had considered simply giving in and changing her companys name at one point.

open image in gallery Chloe Sexton, the owner of Chloe's Giant Cookies, says that she might be sued over the name of her business ( Facebook )

However, Sexton says she decided to stand her ground because she wanted to set an example to her younger sibling.

I am also responsible for the example that is set for my little sister, and the example that I want to set is that what you work your whole life for, what you have built, is worth fighting for, especially if it is your actual name, she said.

I cant say with full honesty that I know exactly what I will do because my little sister, my family, comes first, but my mother would be ashamed if I didnt at least fight.

Now, she and her lawyers claim that they have verified the existence of at least 25 other businesses using the words Chloe and cookies in their names, just as she does.

The cookie entrepreneur has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds ahead of a potential legal battle.

In the campaigns description, she thanks her fans, known as Cookie Monsters, for supporting her through the hardest chapter of her life.

You watched me lose my mom, Jenny Wren, to brain cancer, she wrote. You watched me step up to help raise my little sister, who is now 11 years old.

In the middle of grief, responsibility, and uncertainty, I kept baking. I kept building. I kept believing because you believed in me.

open image in gallery Chloe's Giant Cookies is a bakery based in Tennessee, which got its start on TikTok ( Chloe's Giant Cookies )

Sexton says the funds raised will go towards legal consultations, filings and preparations ahead of the potential lawsuit.

This is not just about a name, she added in the campaign description. It is about protecting years of sacrifice.

It is about protecting my familys stability, she continued. It is about protecting a dream that so many of you helped make real.

Influencer and author Jen Hamilton leapt to Sextons defense on social media, posting a fiery video on Instagram.

Whatever Chloe decides is best, just know, I will back her a thousand percent, she said in the video.

Sexton launched her business on TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic, after being fired from her previous job for revealing she was pregnant.

When her brand exploded in popularity, she was signed to Gordon Ramsays Next Level Baker, which premiered in December 2025.

Chloe was a finalist on the show, losing out in the last episode to home baker Stefanie Embree.

The Independent has contacted Chloes Cookies LLC and Chloes Giant Cookies for comment.
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The Coast Guard has opened an investigation after a hand-drawn swastika was found at a recruit training center in New Jersey, according to reports.

A Coast Guard instructor found the swastika Thursday evening on the wall of a mens bathroom at the training center in Cape May, The Washington Post reported Monday, citing two people familiar with the matter and correspondence reviewed by the publication. ABC News also reported about the swastika being found at the training center.

While a Coast Guard spokesperson told The Independent a hate symbol was drawn on a bathroom wall at the New Jersey training center, it would not confirm whether it was a swastika.

Following discovery of a hate symbol drawn on a bathroom wall in a building at Training Center Cape May, the Coast Guard immediately referred the matter to the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) for investigation  consistent with longstanding Coast Guard policy, the spokesperson said.

open image in gallery The Coast Guard has opened an investigation after a 'hand-drawn' swastika was found at a recruit training center in New Jersey, according to reports ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images )

Following the incident, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday spoke to nearly 900 recruits and staff members at the training center to address the incident directly, reinforce the Coast Guards strong standards and policies, and reaffirm the Services dedication to accountability through our core values, according to the spokesperson.

The Washington Post reported in November that the Coast Guard would no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols, but rather just as potentially divisive.

Lunday had denied the reporting, telling The Independent at the time, The claims that the U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses or other extremist imagery as prohibited symbols are categorically false.

Any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished, Lunday said.

open image in gallery Admiral Kevin Lunday condemned extremist ideology, saying it has no place in the Coast Guard ( Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images )

The public display of swastikas was banned in Germany and other European countries after Adolf Hitler used it as the symbol of the Nazi Party, which, along with their collaborators, was responsible for the killing of about six million Jewish people and many others in the 20th Century, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The display of the swastika symbol is not outright banned in the U.S. because of free speech protections, the Holocaust museum said on its website.

In a statement shared with The Washington Post and ABC News, Lunday condemned extremist ideology, saying it has no place in the Coast Guard.

"Anyone who adheres to or advances hate or extremist ideology  get out. Leave. You don't belong in the United States Coast Guard and we reject you, Lunday said.

"We will not allow anyone to put a stain of hate on our United States Coast Guard," the commandant said. "We will not be defined by the cowardly acts, but instead be defined by our unwavering response and our resolve to defeat them."
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For years as an environmental lawyer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. crusaded against a controversial herbicide ingredient known as glyphosate, even winning a landmark case against chemical giant Monsanto by arguing that its Roundup weedkiller contributed to his client's cancer.

But now that he's the nation's top health official, Kennedy is falling in line with President Donald Trump after he issued an executive order that's aimed at boosting glyphosates production. The order would also grant limited legal immunity to manufacturers if theyre following federal directives.

Kennedy on Sunday evening posted a lengthy statement on social media that calls pesticides toxic by design but frames Trumps move as necessary for agricultural stability and national security.

President Trump did not build our current system  he inherited it, Kennedy wrote. I support President Trumps Executive Order to bring agricultural chemical production back to the United States and end our near-total reliance on adversarial nations.

It was a gesture of loyalty to the president who has enabled Kennedy's overhaul of vaccine policy at the federal government's highest levels, but it also opens a dangerous fault line in their political coalition ahead of the midterm elections in November.

As Kennedys Make America Healthy Again supporters become more impatient with a Republican-led administration thats largely resisted their calls to regulate pesticides, theyre speaking up about what they view as a betrayal of their support.

Its been a year. Not a single thing has been done by the EPA to reduce our childrens and families exposure to pesticides, Moms Across America founder Zen Honeycutt, a prominent MAHA activist, replied to Kennedys post. We love you Bobby but this administration needs to keep their word.

Critics of the executive order said it is part of a pattern that favors pesticide manufacturers, who defend their products as rigorously reviewed by regulators to ensure they don't threaten human health if used properly.

For example, a proposal from House Republicans would make it harder to sue pesticide companies for failing to warn about the dangers of their products. The Justice Department in December also backed Monsanto owner Bayer in a Supreme Court case that could limit its future liability for Roundup.

That is America Last, Anti-MAHA, and unforgivable, prominent activist Kelly Ryerson wrote on social media.

Kennedy pledges change while some environmentalists say they're still waiting

Trump's executive order is intended to protect domestic production of elemental phosphorus, which is used in military devices as well as to make glyphosate-based herbicides. It also seeks to protect the production of glyphosate-based herbicides themselves, which the administration says are critical to agricultural supply chains.

Kennedy has repeatedly said that he believes glyphosate causes cancer, including as recently as January.

While several studies have supported Kennedy's contention, the Environmental Protection Agency has said the chemical is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed. Bayer said in an emailed statement that it stands behind the safety of our glyphosate-based products which have been tested extensively, approved by regulators and used around the globe for more than 50 years.

In his social media post, Kennedy said he is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the EPA to expedite a future in which the food supply is not reliant on harmful chemicals. Along those lines, the Trump administration in December launched a $700 million regenerative pilot program aimed at helping farmers adopt practices that boost soil health, water quality and productivity.

Yet some longtime environmental advocates say they havent yet seen compelling evidence of any particularly transformative change.

If there is a big plan, a big MAHA-style plan to move in the direction of detoxifying agriculture from these chemicals, where is it? said Ken Cook, head of the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, which has fought for raising environmental standards since the 1990s. What Im seeing here is a very aggressive effort to try and hang onto MAHA principles even as, at every turn, you betray them.

Cook said many veteran public health advocates never believed Kennedy would be the force for change that MAHA activists hoped. He said the language of Kennedy's post matched lines of argument he has seen for years from pesticide makers.

Hes jumped onto their message square and is dancing on it, he said of Kennedy.

The EPA has teased a forthcoming MAHA agenda that it says will address issues like, forever chemicals, plastic pollution, food quality, Superfund cleanups and lead pipes. On Friday, for example, federal officials said they would enforce a tough, 10-year deadline for lead pipe removal to make drinking water safer. EPA press secretary Brigit Hirsch said in a statement the agenda is in the final stages and will also reaffirm the agencys commitment to science and transparency when it comes to pesticides.

MAHA's support hangs in the balance

Kennedys MAHA coalition, a passionate and politically diverse group that includes anti-vaccine activists, environmental defenders and healthy food advocates, is seen as a politically important group for Republicans to win to keep their narrow majorities in Congress.

But the movement doesnt always agree with Republican policies, which in this case has put Kennedy in a tough spot, according to Matt Motta, a professor at Boston University School of Public Health.

He does need to try to please his base of supporters who care a lot about this issue and presumably think that it can cause cancer  while also pleasing the president if he wants to be able to keep this job, Motta said.

As Democrats watch the growing rupture between MAHA supporters and the Trump administration, some see an opportunity.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who is up for reelection this fall, called the executive order a slap in the face to the thousands of Americans who have gotten cancer from glyphosate. He argued on social media the administration's message is that chemical company profits are more important than your health.

Democratic strategist Anjan Mukherjee said he expects more left-leaning midterm candidates to emphasize to MAHA supporters how this administration has failed them.

What this administration has shown to them over and over again is that theyre only interested in enriching themselves and putting more money into the pockets of the wealthy, Mukherjee said.

Still, those efforts may not pan out in recruiting MAHA supporters who have seen Kennedy champion many of their other goals, including overhauling childhood vaccine recommendations and reforming the FDA's approach to artificial food dyes.

Handing Democrats a majority in Congress could invite oversight and budgetary limitations that would slow that momentum, said David Mansdoerfer, a Department of Health and Human Services official during Trumps first term who now advises several MAHA groups.

MAHA has a choice this election season," he said. Support the Trump administration and continue to have a voice in Washington or stay at home and watch their federal agenda come to a halt.

___

Associated Press writer Michael Phillis contributed to this report.
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The U.S. military has confirmed the killing of three individuals on Monday during a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean Sea. This operation is part of the Trump administrations months-long campaign against suspected traffickers.

Mondays attack brought the death toll to at least 151 people since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls "narcoterrorists" in small vessels in early September.

As with most of the militarys statements on the more than 40 known strikes, U.S. Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes. The military did not provide evidence that the vessel was ferrying drugs, but posted a video on X that showed a small boat with outboard engines being destroyed.

"Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations," Southern Command stated in a post on X. "Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action."

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes as well as their effectiveness. ( AP Photo/Alex Brandon )

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in armed conflict with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing narcoterrorists.

Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind many fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. over land from Mexico, where it is produced with chemicals imported from China and India.

The boat strikes also drew intense criticism following the revelation that the military killed survivors of the very first boat attack with a follow-up strike. The Trump administration and many Republican lawmakers said it was legal and necessary, while Democratic lawmakers and legal experts said the killings were murder, if not a war crime.
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A British tourist left stranded in a Mexican village as violence swept across the country has described a frightening journey past blocked roads and burnt out cars in a bid to find his way to safety.

Andy Martin, 33, from London was staying in a cabin in El Estuche, just outside of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco when Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho was killed in a security operation to arrest him.

The death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel sparked a wave of retaliatory violence across the nation, with roads in 20 Mexican states blocked by burning cars, sending plumes of smoke into the air.

Residents in Guadalajara, Mexicos second-largest city and Jaliscos capital, were forced to shelter indoors, while schools in several states cancelled classes on Monday.

Mr Martin had been staying with his friend from Guadalajara and had been taking a break in the cabin for the weekend, which was around two hours drive away. They had enjoyed a relaxing evening with a barbecue, but then on Sunday morning all they could hear was army helicopters.

Unable to travel safely, he decided to stay an extra night.

open image in gallery Andy Martin, 33, (left) from London was staying in a cabin in El Estuche, just outside of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco with his friend Miguel Rivas del Toro (right) ( Andy Martin )

open image in gallery Mr Martin navigated blocked roads and burnt out cars to find his way back to Guadalajara ( Andy Martin )

It was super quiet in the whole area around Tapalpa, and we just spent the day in this beautiful cabin, there wasn't really much else you could do, he told the Independent. When it got dark, it suddenly got a bit scary because we were in the middle of nowhere. Apart from the helicopters it was strangely calm.

The wave of violent attacks were launched by the CJNG on Sunday. The operation to capture El Mencho and the violence which followed killed more than 70 people, the BBC reported.

Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, was one town to be anichit by the blockades. During the unrest 23 prisoners escaped after armed men rammed one of the prison gates with a car.

After staying an extra night in the cabin, Mr Martin journeyed into nearby Los Espinos to find out where it would be safe to travel to. Roads were closed and shops were already running low on food with no eggs or cheese.

We didnt know what roads were blocked or set on fire, he explained and described a controlled panic and anxiety among other people staying in the cabins who had all been caught off guard by the unrest.

open image in gallery The roads became jammed with traffic as they tried to leave the area and passers by warned of closed roads ahead, fallen trees, burnt out buses. ( Andy Martin )

He grouped together with others staying in the area and left Los Espinos at 1.30pm for Guadalajara as a mini convoy leaving his belongings behind and only carrying a bag containing his passport and a phone charger.

I said to my friend what is the worst case scenario, they take the car and we have to find another way. So we just packed a little rucksack each with a passport and a phone charger. If the worst happens we just need to get out of the car and you grab that, Mr Martin said.

I didnt hear a single car pass the cabin but then from midday everybody was leaving, he added.

The roads became jammed with traffic and passers by warned them of closed roads ahead, fallen trees, burnt out buses.

Coming into Guadalajara there were still bits of the road on fire. There was the army in lots of places still just clearing up, he recalled.

He added that his friend felt so much better when they headed out of Los Espinos and got to that first blockade that had been cleared and saw the army.
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U.S. military forces have boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, tracking it from the Caribbean Sea in a bid to target illicit oil connected to Venezuela, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday.

A maritime tracking organization indicated this vessel was the sole remaining tanker to pursue after more than a dozen others fled the Venezuelan coast following the capture of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.

U.S. Southern Command confirmed via a post on X that its forces boarded the Bertha overnight, executing a "right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding" operation.

This marks the tenth oil tanker interdiction by the Trump administration since the practice began in early December, and notably, the third vessel seized in the Indian Ocean rather than the Caribbean or North Atlantic.

Trump's Republican administration has been seizing tankers as part of its broader efforts to take control of Venezuela's oil. ( AP Photo/Alex Brandon )

The vessel was operating in defiance of President Trumps established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to evade, Southern Command's post said. From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we tracked it and stopped it.

A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss an ongoing operation noted that like the previous two boardings conducted in the Indian Ocean, the Bertha was not formally seized but rather placed under U.S. control. The official said that the Bertha's fate will be determined by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

Video posted by the Pentagon shows U.S. Navy military helicopters taking off from an identified ship and flying toward the tanker.

Venezuela had faced U.S. sanctions on its oil for several years, relying on a shadow fleet of falsely flagged tankers to smuggle crude into global supply chains. President Donald Trump ordered a quarantine of sanctioned tankers in December to pressure Maduro before he was apprehended in January during an American military operation.

The Bertha is a vessel that was flagged to the Cook Islands when it was placed under U.S. sanctions related to Iran, according to the website of the Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control. However, the vessel was more recently listed under a false flag of the Caribbean island of Curacao and managed by a company in China, according to Equasis, a shipping information system.

Following Maduro's capture, at least 16 tankers fled the Venezuelan coast, according to Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, who said his organization used satellite imagery and surface-level photos to document the ships' movements.

The Bertha was the only tanker left to pursue from the original 16, TankerTrackers.com said in a Feb. 15 post on X. Madani said in a message to The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Bertha was laden with 1.9 million barrels of crude oil.

Over the past few years, the ship has received Iranian crude from other vessels via hoses for deliveries to China, Madani said.

Trump's Republican administration has been seizing tankers as part of its broader efforts to take control of Venezuela's oil. The Pentagons post did not state whether the Bertha was formally seized and placed under U.S. control. The Pentagon said in an email that it didn't have more to add beyond Southern Command's post on X.

Maduro was brought to the U.S. to face charges of working with drug cartels to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S. and has pleaded not guilty.
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Health guru Peter Attia, who was brought to CBS News under the new leadership of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, has resigned after correspondence between him and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released, according to reports.

Attia, a doctor known for his social media content on longevity, told CBS News he would resign effective immediately, The Hollywood Reporter and NBC News reported Monday.

Days after Attia was announced as a new CBS News contributor last month, crude emails between he and Epstein, who died by suicide in jail in 2019 while facing federal sex trafficking charges, were released by the Department of Justice. The emails were part of millions of documents the DOJ was compelled to release by the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

CBS News staff were told of Attias decision to step down as a contributor by the news divisions booking department Monday, according to reports.

open image in gallery Health guru Peter Attia, who was brought to CBS News under the new leadership of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, has resigned after correspondence between him and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released, according to reports ( David Dee Delgado/Getty Images for The New York Ti )

Attias "contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun, the doctors spokesman told NBC News. He stepped back to ensure his involvement didnt become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS. He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time."

The Independent has reached out to CBS News and Attia for comment.

Attia had kept in contact with Epstein years after the disgraced financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor in Florida in 2008.

open image in gallery Attia apologized for the correspondence and said he was ashamed of his behavior, but made clear he was not involved in any criminal activity ( New York State Division of Criminal Justice )

In one email from February 2016, Attia told Epstein, P**** is, indeed, low carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though.

Following the emails' release, Attia apologized and said he was ashamed of his behavior, but made clear he was not involved in any criminal activity.

I apologize and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me. I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it, Attia said in a message shared on X earlier this month.

open image in gallery Attia was announced as one of 19 new CBS News contributors by Weiss during a company meeting on January 27, the outlet reported at the time ( Noam Galai/Getty Images for The Free Press )

Attia was announced as one of 19 new CBS News contributors by Weiss during a company meeting on January 27, the outlet reported at the time.

Weiss has faced scrutiny since becoming editor-in-chief, particularly over her decision to pull a 60 Minutes segment about Venezuelan migrants sent from the U.S. to CECOT, an El Salvadoran prison accused of having inhumane conditions. The segment aired nearly one month later.
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A Texas official has urged the Department of State Health Services to pause Camp Mystics license renewal until a full investigation into last years deadly flash flood that claimed the lives of 25 campers is carried out.

In a letter to DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the private, non-denominational Christian girls camp should have voluntarily suspended its 2026 summer operations. However, the camp appears to be accepting applications for the upcoming season and may seek Shufords approval to renew its license, which is set to expire March 6.

Until these deaths are investigated and any necessary corrective actions are taken to ensure this never happens again, a camp license should not be issued to Camp Mystic, Patrick wrote. It would be naive to allow Camp Mystic to return to normal operations before all of the facts are known.

Patricks letter states that 25 girls aged 8 to 10, two teenage counselors and the camps director, Dick Eastland, died in the July flood, which was triggered by a slow-moving thunderstorm over Texas Flash Flood Alley. The devastating flooding claimed more than 100 lives in the region.

He also criticized the camps website for failing to acknowledge the deaths or the ongoing search for one camper, while still listing Eastland as in charge.

open image in gallery Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the girls camp should have paused 2026 operations, but is accepting applications and may seek license renewal when its current license expires March 6 ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Patricks letter states that Camp Mystic's website does not address the July 2025 flash floods that killed over two dozen people, nearly all of whom were children ( AFP via Getty Images )

Patrick said the Texas Legislature will hold a joint spring hearing on the floods, with the General Investigating Committees in Texas House and Senate meeting to determine if corrective actions are needed. He asked DSHS to delay Camp Mystics license renewal until the investigation and any necessary safety fixes are complete.

"As Lieutenant Governor, public safety is a top priority, and I cannot stay silent on this issue," Patrick said. "DSHS shares the obligation to protect families and campers."

Camp Mystic, however, maintains that its Cypress Lake location, separate from the floodaffected Guadalupe site, meets current state safety standards and should not be denied a license.

There is, consequently, no regulatory basis to deny Camp Mystic Cypress Lake its license Its a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no significant damage from the historic flood on July 4, camp officials told The Independent in a statement.

The Guadalupe location isnt reopening this summer, but it is located less than two miles from the Cypress Lake location, officials said.

Attorneys Christina Yarnell and Bradley Beckworth, who represent Will and CiCi Steward in their lawsuit against the camps owners after their 8-year-old daughter died in the flooding, say both camp locations are essentially the same.

The only difference is that one is completely ruined by the water damage. And one was on a little bit higher ground, Yarnell said, according to KXAN.

Camp Mystic officials also told The Independent that they reiterate their October 2025 invitation to Patrick and other Texas leaders to visit the campsite, but Patrick has not responded.

We would like to invite you and the members of the Committees to visit Camp Mystic at your convenience, camp officials said last year. Our family will always be available as a resource we believe having each member of the Committee physically tour the Camp location is the best and only way to learn what exactly happened.

open image in gallery The Texas Legislature will hold a joint spring hearing to assess whether flood-related corrective actions at Camp Mystic are needed to continue operations ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the DSHS and the Campaign for Camp Safety

Patricks appeal comes on the same day that the families of nine victims filed a federal lawsuit against DSHS, alleging the agency wrongfully issued a license to the camp shortly before the disaster, even though it lacked a required evacuation plan. The suit names six DSHS officials, including Shuford, as defendants.

Mikal Watts, a lawyer for Camp Mystic, told the New York Times that the suit against the agency was without merit and timed to apply pressure before licenses are set to be handed out.

In November, families of six children and two counselors killed in the flood sued the camps owners and others for alleged negligence, claiming staff prioritized saving equipment rather than the girls.
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More than a dozen states sued the Trump administration Tuesday over its rollback of vaccine recommendations for children, calling the move an illegal threat to public health.

The states argue that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put children's lives at risk when it announced last month that it would stop recommending all children get immunized against the flu, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, some forms of meningitis and RSV. Under the new guidance, which was met with criticism from medical experts, protections against those diseases are recommended only for certain groups deemed high risk or when doctors recommend them in whats called shared decision-making.

The new vaccine recommendations ignore long-standing medical guidance and will make states have to spend more to protect against outbreaks, the states, including Arizona and California, said.

The health and safety of children across the country is not a political issue, said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, at a news conference. It is not a culture war talking point.

The CDC and Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

The lawsuit escalates an ongoing battle between Democratic-led states and Republican President Donald Trump's administration over the federal government's changes to public health policy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Trump administration has laid off thousands of workers at federal public health agencies, cut funding for scientific research and altered government guidance on fluoride and other topics.

Kennedy last year ousted every member of a vaccine advisory committee and replaced them with his own picks, which Tuesday's complaint alleges was unlawful.

The lawsuit comes months after the Democratic governors of California, Washington state and Oregon launched an alliance to establish their own vaccine recommendations. The governors said the Trump administration was risking people's health by politicizing the CDC.

States, not the federal government, have the authority to require vaccinations for schoolchildren, though the CDC's requirements typically influence state regulations.
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Chicagoans have trolled the Trump administrations aggressive antiimmigration crackdown by voting to name one of the citys snowplows Abolish ICE.

The dig at the Immigration and Customs and Enforcement agency, overseen by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, came about in the citys annual You Name a Snowplow contest, now in its fourth year.

In September, Chicago was hit by Operation Midway Blitz in the fall as ICE agents carried out more than 4,000 arrests, which led to mass protests and clashes between the Trump administration and Chicagos Democratic leaders.

Abolish ICE made up about 70 percent of the entries in the contest among over 13,300 submissions, according to the outlet Block Club Chicago.

Chicagoans submitted other anti-ICE sentiments that didnt make it into the final top six, including ICE Breaker, ICE Be Gone and No More Mr. ICE Guy, according to the outlet, which obtained the submissions through a public records request.

open image in gallery Chicagoans have trolled the Trump administrations aggressive antiimmigration crackdown by voting to name one of the citys snowplows Abolish ICE ( Walter S. Mitchell III, City of Chicago )

The five other winners included Stephen Coldbert and Pope Frio XIV, a nod to the Chicago-born pontiff, Pope Leo.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson thanked Chicagoans for their unmatched creativity, sense of humor and civic pride in a statement.

Johnson backed the name in December 2025, when this years contest was first publicized.

We have to take a stronger look at how this administration has used ICE and how it has caused tremendous harm, Johnson said. Thats why that particular name of this truck being named Abolish ICE has my full and complete endorsement.

open image in gallery Former Border Patrol commander at large Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the anti-immigration operation in Chicago last year, mocked Mayor Brandon Johnson over the snowplow contest ( Getty Images )

The comment was seized upon at the time by Border Patrol commander at large Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the anti-immigration operation in Chicago last year.

Oh oh, i've got a nomination for the mayor, Bovino hit back in a swipe on X. Name the plow Reality Check and paint it green while your [sic] at it. Johnson obsesses over Border Patrol it seems!!

Bovino was removed from his commander at large role in January and sent back to California following outrage over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in confrontations with ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

Residents continue to protest over ICE in downtown Chicago near detention facilities and throughout the citys suburbs.
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One of President Donald Trumps top generals has warned the commander-in-chief not to launch air strikes against Iran, according to reports.

The president has repeatedly threatened military action against Ayatollah Khamenei's regime over concerns about the countrys nuclear enrichment capabilities.

However, General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has reportedly said that the massive amount of resources needed to go to war with Iran could leave the U.S. Military greatly depleted.

Sources told Axios that Caine, who was a proponent of the United States capture of the now deposed Venezuelan Dictator Nicholas Maduro, believes that the stakes are too high when it comes to the Middle East nation.

One source described him as a reluctant warrior, stating that Caine was not advocating for strikes on Iran but would support any decisions that Trump makes.

open image in gallery General Dan Caine has reportedly warned Donald Trump to not launch air strikes against the Iranian regime ( AP )

Trump, though, told followers on Truth Social that Caine believes a war with Iran could be easily won.

General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won, he wrote.

In his post, the president also described an article by The Washington Post as 100% incorrect.

The newspaper had reported that Caine expressed concerns about the United States munitions stockpile being depleted by the countrys support for Israel and Ukraines defense.

Caine also expressed concern in separate meetings about the scale of a potential war with Iran, with the general warning that the campaign could be made more difficult by a lack of allied support, The Post reported.

Caine is the only military leader advising Trump on the attack, according to Axios, although a Joint Staff spokesperson refused to give the publication any details about the exact details of the pairs discussions.

In his role as military advisor to the President, Secretary of War, and National Security Council, the Chairman provides a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make America's security decisions, Joint Staff spokesperson Joe Holstead told Axios. The Chairman provides these options confidentially.

open image in gallery Trump has warned Ayatollah Khamenei to abandon any potential plans to enrich nuclear material ( Office of Iran's Supreme Leader )

Officials told The Wall Street Journal that the president has yet to make up his mind on sending U.S. troops to topple Khamenei's regime. However, those same officials said that Caines advice is highly likely to influence his decision-making.

Amid rising tensions with Iran, the U.S. has established the largest amount of airpower in the Middle East since the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. An aircraft-carrier strike group has arrived in the region, with a second carrier stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.

A former defense official told The Washington Post that knocking out Irans missile program would require strikes against hundreds of targets across the country.

Many launch sites are mobile and use transportation networks to move around Iran, which is three times the size of Iraq.

Unseating Ayatollah Khamenei would expand the range of targets to thousands of sites, locking the United States into a campaign that could possibly last for months, according to the official.

Trump and Irans government have been mired in a bitter deadlock over nuclear deal talks, with Steve Witkoff telling reporters that the United States hoped to ensure that the Middle Eastern country abandons any potential plan to enrich nuclear material.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News that his country was not prepared to make such a deal.

open image in gallery Tensions in Iran have continued to build, with protests erupting at several universities ( WANA )

Now, both countries are barrelling towards last-ditch efforts to come to an agreement ahead of a meeting between the nations in Geneva on Thursday.

Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, will represent the U.S. in the discussions.

Irans government is also in a precarious position, following waves of protests across the country in December and January.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says that at least 7,000 people were killed in the subsequent crackdown against the protests.

A fresh wave of anti-government protests broke out on Saturday, with students holding demonstrations at a slew of Iranian universities.

The BBC has verified that at least eight universities in Tehran hosted protests over the weekend, with further demonstrations taking place in Mashhad and Isfahan.

Some students were seen burning the flag of the Islamic Republic, while others brandished the nations former flag, which was used before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Chants of Death to the Ayatollah were also heard.
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Left-leaning circles on X and other social media sites were ablaze with I-told-you-sos on Sunday evening and Monday morning after Axios reported that an audit of the Democratic Partys 2024 defeat conducted by the DNC blamed Joe Bidens unpopular stance on Gaza for demobilizing Democratic voters.

But the lack of the actual report itself  and the potential for a trickling-out of damaging revelations over the course of weeks, or months  has some members of the party reigniting calls for the entire autopsy to be released even after DNC Chair Ken Martin declared that it would be shelved.

The publication of Axioss report on Sunday was lauded by progressives across social media. The D.C. insider outlet reported that the DNC and a group it consulted with on the partys 2024 loss, the IMEU Policy Project, attributed significant loss of support for the Democrats among younger voters and progressives due to the Biden administrations staunch support for Israel.

Prominent progressive voices on social media celebrated the news, which validated months of arguments over Kamala Harriss defeat. Many in the party, especially those affiliated with the Uncommitted movement, still point to the open disdain with which many felt pro-Palestinian voices were treated in the days and weeks leading up to the summer 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as evidence that party leadership maintained a blind spot on the issue during a crucial election year. Harris herself, in her memoir 107 Days, wrote that former President Joe Bidens appearance of having issued a blank check to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hurt her campaign. She also wrote that she pleaded with him to show more empathy for Palestinians, to little avail.

DNC Chair Ken Martin reversed course last year when he said in December that the Democrats would not release the autopsy examining the causes of Harriss defeat. At the time, the decision was unpopular, but it has largely been overshadowed in early 2026 by recent wins for the party, including in purple and red states, where the party is now rallying to make a comeback in 2026. Generic ballot polling shows the party with a clear advantage heading into the midterms, and a Senate map has turned favorable for the party over the course of the past year.

open image in gallery DNC Chair Ken Martin said in December that his party would not release its 2024 'autopsy' ( Getty Images )

Axioss report, however, reawakened calls for Democrats to release the report and have an honest conversation about the partys stance on Israel, Gaza, dark money and authenticity.

When you talk to Democratic operatives in DC, privately, every single one admits Gaza is the reason Harris lost. It is universally believed, and nobody will talk about it publicly. Its why the DNC didn't publish its post-mortem, tweeted Isi Baehr-Breen, a former deputy communications director for Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Pod Save America co-host Tommy Vietor added: The DNC should just release this report and get it all out there. The fact that its still secret makes every leak like this worse.

It would be a conversation that would come at an inconvenient time for Democrats. There may not be a convenient time, however.

Talk about the 2028 presidential primary will almost certainly ramp up in November following this years midterm elections. Already, key figures within the party are aligning themselves as contenders in the primary, including the partys eventual 2024 standard-bearer, Kamala Harris. The former vice president, speaking with a teenage influencer in an interview this month, pointedly put her focus on the midterm elections (in which she is not running) and refused to speculate about the future, a sign shes positioning herself for a shot at leadership.

open image in gallery Kamala Harris has hinted in multiple interviews that she is eyeing public office in the future ( Getty Images )

Others like California Gov. Gavin Newsom are taking more and more high-profile roles as voices in the Democratic Party and broader left as 2028 approaches, with a similar careful hesitance to announce intentions before the midterms.

The party is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The best time to discuss Harriss defeat would have been in the immediate aftermath, as Democrats werent preoccupied with a looming electoral challenge. Having missed that window, the now DNC risks being distracted from efforts to take back the House and Senate or blunting their partys momentum by opening up an intensive debate about Israel in the middle of 2026.

open image in gallery California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been his partys loudest voice against Trump following the Democrats 2024 defeat ( Getty )

Its impossible to say, two years out, what will be the defining issues around which the next Democratic presidential primary is fought. In two of the past three cycles, the partys unwillingness to resolve deep divides between the partys own base and its elected leaders has led to embarrassing defeats for the partys biggest stars.

The alternative could be having the conversation over the backdrop of the 2028 primary, however, which carries another risk: Sparking a vitriolic primary that leaves one or more leading Democrats damaged heading into the remainder of the election season. The trauma of the 2016 primary, which created scars that still havent healed in the party, is still raw for many Democrats and is thought to be a key reason why party figures rallied quickly behind Harris after Bidens withdrawal in 2024.

For those Democrats eyeing 2028, this year could be a time for them to outline their own stances on campaign issues  like accepting money from AIPAC, a major pro-Israel lobby  that will define them and the partys boundaries going forward. The alternative is almost certainly hashing out this debate in front of the cameras on the debate stage, when theres much more on the line.
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FedEx has sued seeking a full refund of the emergency Trump administration tariffs it has paid, after last weeks Supreme Court decision striking the measures down.

The suit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade Monday, requests a refund plus interest for the tariffs FedEx paid under the presidents sweeping International Emergency Economic Powers Act levies.

The complaint does not list how much FedEx has paid in tariffs, but said the presidents executive orders establishing the IEEPA levies on most U.S. trading partners had caused injury to the firm.

FedEx has paid Trump-related tariffs both through its brokerage business for U.S. importers and directly on behalf of U.S. consumers getting packages.

The suit, which targets U.S. Customs and Border Protection, marks the first major legal action against the administration following Fridays 6-to-3 ruling, which left the refund question to lower courts.

open image in gallery FedEx filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, seeking a full refund of tariff dues it paid under emergency Trump measures after the recent Supreme Court decision striking down the levies ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

FedEx has taken necessary action to protect the companys rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds, the company said in a statement Monday to The New York Times.

The Independent has contacted the White House and CBP for comment.

During a 2025 earnings call, FedEx said it estimated a $1 billion impact on its profits as a result of Trump trade policies.

In December, prior to the Supreme Court ruling, wholesale retailer Costco filed a similar suit in the trade court seeking a tariff refund.

The high court decision may now open the legal floodgates.

There are more than 1,500 pending tariff refund lawsuits, many of them filed after the Supreme Court heard arguments in the tariff case in November, according to a Bloomberg analysis, and more than 300,000 importers have paid an estimated $175 billion in levies as part of the Trump policy.

The Trump administration has offered mixed messages about refunds.

open image in gallery Prior to the Supreme Court decision, there were already more than 1,500 lawsuits seeking tariff refunds ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In previous legal filings in trade court, the administration has suggested refunds would be available to those who successfully challenged the tariffs.

After the Supreme Court ruling came down, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN it was up to the lower court to issue opinions on refunds.

President Trump, meanwhile, has suggested a more adversarial approach could be coming.

I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years, he said in a Friday press conference.

Senate Democrats unveiled a bill on Monday demanding Customs and Border Protection issue refunds within the next 180 days.

Trumps illegal tax scheme has already done lasting damage to American families, small businesses and manufacturers who have been hammered by wave after wave of new Trump tariffs, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon told the Associated Press.

Following the Supreme Court decision, the president claimed other legal authorities allowed him to impose a new 15 percent tariff on a variety of nations.
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A group of deportees was left on an airport tarmac for 13 hours when their ICE flight was stranded in New Hampshire by a blizzard, according to a report.

Officials for Portsmouth International Airport, which is often used for refueling before deportation flights. say they received just 15 minutes warning that the flight was inbound early on Monday morning.

It had originated in Harlingen, Texas, around 8:15 pm local time on Sunday, and landed at 1:09 am; flight records indicated the plane was a Boeing 767-300, The Boston Globe reported, with a maximum capacity of 290 seats.

The flight, operated by Omni Air International, was unable to continue due to blizzard conditions at the airport, and detainees were left stranded on the aircraft for around 13 hours until they were finally allowed to deboard into the terminal around 2pm.

open image in gallery Omni Air International is among airlines that have been assisting DHS with deportations ( Getty )

Due to the time on the ground, the flight crew exceeded their maximum allowable duty time, triggering a mandatory rest period that further delayed the schedule, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told the newspaper.

Detainees are being provided catered meals, continuous access to drinking water, and appropriate restroom facilities for the duration of the delay, the spokesperson said.

All required prescription medications are being supplied at no cost, and medical personnel are available to provide proper medical care. ICE personnel are conducting regular welfare checks to ensure everyones well-being, comfort, and dignity while awaiting departure.

The flight was finally scheduled to depart around midnight, after around 23 hours on the ground.

The airport, which is legally unable to refuse service to federal aircraft and cannot pick and choose who lands there, took a dim view of an aircraft heading to New Hampshire despite well-publicized warnings about blizzard conditions.

open image in gallery Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was deep under snow on Monday when the ICE flight arrived unexpectedly ( Caleb Jones/AP )

Spokesperson Tiffany Eddy confirmed to The Boston Globe that the airport only learned the flight was incoming 15 minutes before its arrival.

Had we been informed in advance of their intent to land at [the airport] during the blizzard, we would have strongly advised against it and encouraged them to divert to another airport not being impacted by this severe winter storm, she said.

The debacle has led to finger-pointing over who was responsible for making such a call.

Seth Miller, a Democratic state representative who writes about aviation, told The Boston Globe it was a bit misguided to go ahead and land in such conditions when the weather in New England was well known before it departed Texas.

Those decisions, Miller said, fell to Omni Air and DHS: The buck has to stop there.

A local reporter was denied access on Monday evening to the terminal where the detainees were being held; Portsmouth police dispatched officers to the airport that afternoon amid concerns of a protest, which did not appear to eventuate.

DHS did not immediately respond to a query about the flights destination and the number of detainees aboard, but according to Human Rights Firsts ICE Flight Monitor, at least five other deportation flights have refueled in Portsmouth en route to Asia.
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As the Food and Drug Administration quietly removed the web page that warned parents about fake autism cures, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has nominated people who have promoted some of these same cures.

Its part of the Health and Human Services secretarys larger efforts to reorient policy toward discovering the origins of a supposed autism epidemic and fighting a condition that he insists destroys families. His wave of attacks come to fulfill campaign promises he has long made, even if they lack the backing of the wider scientific community.

And its changing the way America looks at the condition. Kennedys appointments to an obscure advisory committee could completely reorient the priorities of the federal government when it comes to autism and focus more on faulty cures or looking more into the debunked link between vaccines and autism.

The concern is, every day, many thousands of new children and adults are being diagnosed with autism, and this is brand new, Helen Tager-Flusberg, a former member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee member, told The Independent. They're going to go to the FDA to look for treatments, and they're going to see anything goes. And they'll go on the internet, and these are the treatments that will come into that feed all these alternative kinds of treatments that are so dangerous.

As late as December, the FDA had a webpage warning against products and treatments that claim to cure autism spectrum disorder, warning that some of them may carry significant health risks.

Some of the treatments included Chelation Therapies, which claim to cleanse the body of toxic chemicals, even though chelating agents are not approved by the FDA for autism; Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, wherein a patient breathes pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber.

Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, so be suspicious of any therapy claimed as a quick fix, the website said.

But in January, the website disappeared.

open image in gallery Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nominated many promoters of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and contributors to his presidential campaign ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has reached out to the FDA about why the page is no longer accessible.

Last month, Kennedy announced his appointees for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to help him fight autism. And some of the people had previously promoted the same cures that the FDA had previously warned against.

In one way or another, every single appointee subscribes to some alternative views of what autism is And they it's just so unrepresentative of the mainstream autism community, Tager-Flusberg, a professor of psychological brain services at Boston University, told The Independent.

Among the new members are Sylvia Fogel, a doctor and assistant in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, who opposed mandates on vaccines though she has praised the effects of immunization.

Others include Daniel Rossignol, a doctor who in 2011 faced a lawsuit from an Illinois father named James Coman who alleged that Rossignol and another physician subjected his son to chelation therapy, among a host of other fraudulent treatments, ABC News reported at the time. Comans lawyer told The Independent last week that Coman decided to not go forward with the lawsuit.

Kennedy also appointed Elizabeth Mumper, a physician who co-authored a study on the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy with Rossignol. Mumper has also written for the Childrens Health Defense, Kennedys nonprofit, about how after she administered a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, a child patient of hers developed autism.

Given the IACCs role is to make recommendations to the government about autism research and policy, the fact that there's been this like anti vaccine, kind of takeover of the IACC is really concerning, and leads me to worry, as some of RFK Jr.s other actions have, that HHS is going to try to open up studies into the idea of a link between vaccines and autism, Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autistic Self-Advocacy Netowork, told The Independent.

Another member, Lisa Ackerman, is a longtime ally of Kennedys and he spoke at the Green Our Vaccines rally in 2008 led by her organization Talk About Curing Autism, now known as The Autism Community in Action.

open image in gallery RFK speaks at a 2008 gathering. He has long questioned to effectiveness of vaccines ( (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) )

Honey Rinicella, a mom of two autistic sons who has also held leadership roles in the community, also said vaccines totally took one of her sons out when she spoke at a MAHA Institute event, which is shorthand for Kennedys Make America Healthy Again slogan.

Kennedy also nominated Toby Rogers, who co-authored a study claiming the coming autism tsunami could cost roughly $5.54 trillion a year by 2060, which was later retracted. He has also contributed articles to the Childrens Health Defense.

Congress first passed the legislation for the autism community in 2006, then called the Combating Autism Act. It has since been reauthorized in 2011, 2014, 2019 and 2024. The 2014 reauthorization changed its name to the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act.

President Donald Trump reauthorized the legislation in his first tenure in the White House. The legislation also required the commitee to coordinate across various government branches to provide advice on autism policy not just across the HHS and the National Institutes of Health, but also agencies including the Department of Education, Department of Defense and the Department of Justice.

The legislation also requires that the committee have at least three autistic self-advocates, which it does. But Samantha Crane, an autistic self-advocate and former committee member, told The Independent that the committee is now doing the bare minimum.

So there's sort of an implication that if they could have not appointed any autistic people to the IACC, they would have done that, Crane told The Independent.

It's sort of especially concerning that anyone who could potentially voice a concern about the science behind what people are saying has been sort of purged, Crane said.

Many of the people on the committee who have promoted these types of bogus treatments for autism also contributed to Kennedys failed 2024 run for president. Kennedy initially ran to challenge Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination before staging an independent run. He later dropped out and endorsed Trump.

Trump nominated Kennedy to be secretary of Health and Human Services. Like Kennedy, Trump has long speculated about the debunked link between autism and vaccines.

In an statement to The Indendent, HHS defended the appointments to the commitee.

The 21 new members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) bring decades of experience in autism research and clinical care., Emily Hillard said in a statement. They are committed to advancing innovation in autism research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to align federal policy with current gold-standard science.

The department also said that autism spectrum disorder surged nearly 400 percent, though the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions own report said that the increase in diagnoses likely came from better detections.

Gross said there could wide-ranging effects of having people who promote disinformation around autism in an official government capacity.

But when people who purvey these fake yours and quack treatments, and sometimes very dangerous quack treatments, they really prey on parents panic and anxiety, she said.

Flusberg said that this might cause additional stress on physicians and pediatricians.

I don't think our pediatricians and our other clinicians have the bandwidth to cope with, you know, all this misinformation, she said. We have turned the clock back more than 70 years at this point.
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A non-binary national park ranger fired for unfurling a transgender pride flag from a cliff face in Yosemite National Park has sued the federal government for violating their free speech rights.

Shannon "S.J." Joslin, 36, was among a group of climbers who scaled the California reserve's iconic El Capitan granite formation to hang the 55' by 35' pink and blue standard last May in protest against the Trump administration's anti-trans policies.

Three months later, Joslin was fired for "fail[ing] to demonstrate acceptable conduct", and was allegedly told that they were under a criminal investigation as well.

But in a lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, lawyers for Joslin  who was off duty the day of the climb  accused the National Park Service (NPS) and other federal bodies of "illegal and unconstitutional" retaliation for their First-Amendment-protected speech.

"For decades, climbers at Yosemite National Park have expressed messages  political and non-political  from the iconic rock formation El Capitan," Joslin's complaint reads.

The May 2025 protest at Yosemite National Park consisted of three off duty park rangers and four friends, all either LGBT+ or LGBT+ allies ( Mark Ralson/AFP via Getty Images/Heather Diehl/Getty Images )

"For this transgression, Dr. Joslin was summarily fired and then, in a significant escalation, criminally investigated.

"This vindictive campaign violated Dr. Joslins First Amendment and Privacy Act rights and continues to chill their expressive conduct and speech."

As well as NPS, Joslin's lawsuit names the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California, plus Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and NPS acting director Jessica Bowron. The Independent has asked all those agencies for comment.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said: We take the protection of the park's resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences...

No matter the cause, demonstrating without a permit outside of designated First Amendment areas detracts from the visitor experience and the protection of the park.

Joslin, a park ranger and bat biologist with a Ph.D. in genetics and a lifelong passion for climbing, was open about their motives for the stunt, saying they were "really hurting" over Trump's assault on trans rights.

While California has robust protections against discrimination, Yosemite National Park is federal land  and the Trump administration had ordered all federal agencies to immediately enforce a trans bathroom ban on their property.

In February, NPS had also scrubbed the word "transgender" from the website of the Stonewall National Monument, despite the key role played by transgender people in the original Stonewall riot.

Joslin said they wanted to send a message that trans and non-binary people were safe at Yosemite. The flag flew for less than three hours before Joslin and their six fellow climbers took it down again.

Other flags that have been flown from El Cap include Father's Day greetings, protests against climate change, protests against the Israel-Palestine conflict, and an inverted American flag.

Yet according to Joslin's lawsuit, no federal employees have ever been punished for taking part in these demonstrations in the past.

The lawsuit contends that Joslin and their colleagues consulted in advance with colleagues who had attended an official NPS First Amendment training program, who assured them that they were safe as long as they were not on duty.

On May 21, the day after the protest, Yosemite authorities announced a new ban on flying large flags from most areas of the park. Though dated May 20, it was only electronically signed on May 21, according to the lawsuit.

"On information and belief, and based on the timing of the announcement, the parks stated justification was pretext for censoring disfavored speech like Dr. Joslins flag demonstration," the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit asks for a court order reinstating Joslin in their old job and banning NPS from pursuing Joslin criminally, plus damages of at least $1,000 and payment of their legal costs.

This story was updated at 6:25 p.m. Pacific Time on Mon. Feb. 23, 2026 to include a comment from the Interior Department.
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At least more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers are planning to skip President Donald Trump's upcoming State of the Union address and hold a counter-rally on the National Mall in protest.

The event is being hosted by progressive media company MediasTouch and left-wing advocacy group MoveOn Civic Action.

The People's State of the Union will provide counter-programming to a night full of lies and misplaced priorities for the American people" at the formal State of the Union, according to the hosts.

The event, which begins at 8 p.m. EST February 24, will include appearances by at least a dozen Congressional Democrats. Liberal media personalities Joy Reid and Katie Phang will host the event.

Senators Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Murphy, as well as Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Veronica Escobar, and Pramila Jayapal are among the lawmakers attending.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump during his 2020 State of the Union address. Approximately a dozen Democratic lawmakers are planning to boycott Trumps 2026 State of the Union address and instead hold a counter-rally on the National Mall ( Getty Images )

Donald Trump has made a mockery of the State of the Union speech, Murphy said in a press conference announcing the event. Democrats have no obligation to reward him with an audience as he lies and attacks people who disagree with him.

Murphy went on to say that "showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that has defined [Trump's] second term."

Senator Chris Van Hollen, who is also planning to attend, said the nation cannot respond to Trumps second term as though its business as usual.

"Trump is marching America towards fascism, and I refuse to normalize his shredding of our Constitution & democracy. This cannot be business as usual, Van Hollen wrote in a post on X.

A second event, happening an hour earlier, will be called the State of the Swamp and will feature appearances and remarks from Senator Ron Wyden, Representatives Eric Swalwell and Jason Crow, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, celebrities including Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Arnold, and media personalities Mehdi Hasan, Don Lemon, and Jim Acosta, among numerous others.

That event will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and will be livestreamed on Defiance.org, Youtube, SubStack, and likely on social media as well. The livestream is free but there are optional paid tiers for those who want to give money. In-person tickets for the event are reportedly sold out.

Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries has encouraged members to either attend the address in silent defiance or a counter event but not bail entirely.

Were not going to Donald Trumps house, he said last week. Hes coming to our house. Its my view that you dont let anyone, ever, run you off of your block.

The White House shrugged at the planned Democratic snubs.

Its not a surprise that they refuse to celebrate and honor the Americans who have benefited from the commonsense policies Republicans have governed with, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in a statement to Politico.

open image in gallery Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor-Greene protests President Joe Biden during the 2024 State of the Union address. ( Getty Images )

State of the Union protests are not uncommon.

During last year's address, some Democrats waved little paddles with short protest messages on them. The paddles included phrases like Save Medicaid, Musk Steals and False."

At former President Joe Biden's final State of the Union address, then-Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor showed up to the event wearing a red MAGA hat and a shirt that said "Say Her Name," referencing 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who was in the country illegally.

In 2020, 10 Democrats refused to attend Trump's State of the Union address, and three others walked out.

Trump will give his address even amid a partial government shutdown.
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Over two thirds of Americans, including a significant chunk of Republicans, think that Donald Trump has become erratic in his old age, a new poll has found.

Overall, 61 percent of respondents to the survey, conducted by Reuters/ Ipsos said that the 79-year-old president had become erratic with age. This included 30 percent of Republicans who were questioned.

Some 89 percent of Democrats agreed with the sentiment, as did 64 percent of independent voters, compared with 30 percent of Republicans.

The poll was conducted in the days leading up to Trumps State of the Union address Tuesday, which has followed months of angry outbursts and rebukes of various lawmakers, judges and journalists on both sides of the political aisle.

Trump began his second term in office at age 78, becoming the oldest president on inauguration day in history  narrowly beating his predecessor Joe Biden.

open image in gallery Over two thirds of Americans, including a significant chunk of Republicans, think that Donald Trump has become erratic in his old age, a new poll has found ( Getty )

Since then, he has unveiled new policies, proposals and executive orders at an unrelenting pace, with sweeping tariffs imposed on imports from dozens of countries, while masked federal agents have been deployed to carry out heavy-handed crackdowns on immigration across the country.

Many of his announcements and press briefings have often descended into off-topic, rally-style speeches about his achievements.

Trump also frequently uses his social media platform Truth Social to lash out at various individuals, one of the most recent examples being an attack on Supreme Court Justices, after the nations highest court ruled his global tariff policies were illegal.

Theyre against anything that makes America strong, healthy and great again. They are also frankly a disgrace to our nation, those justices, he said following the decision. Theyre very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.

open image in gallery The poll was conducted in the days leading up to Trumps State of the Union address Tuesday, which has followed months of angry outbursts and rebukes of various lawmakers, judges and journalists on both sides of the political aisle ( AP )

Back in November, the president described Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, who urged members of the U.S. military to refuse any illegal orders as traitors, and suggested they could face execution.

White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the Reuters/ Ipsos poll results were examples of "fake and desperate narratives" and that "Trumps sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility" set him apart from Biden.

The Reuters/ Ipso poll found that Americans generally agree that their leaders are too old. Some 79 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that "elected officials in Washington, D.C., are too old to represent most Americans." The average age in the U.S. Senate is about 64, and in the U.S. House of Representatives, it's 58.

Democratic respondents were slightly more likely to call for younger politicians, with 58 percent of them saying top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, 75, was too old to work in government.

open image in gallery Former president Joe Bidens mental faculty played a large role in the Republican campaign against him, arguing that he was not mentally equipped to hold the office of Commander-in-Chief. Biden stepped down from his re-election campaign at the age of 82 - older than any president in U.S. history ( REUTERS )

Biden, who was 82 by the time he stepped down from his re-election campaign in 2024, was often blasted by Republicans over his age, who argued that he was not mentally equipped to hold the office of Commander-in-Chief. When he dropped out of the race, Biden was older than any president in U.S. history.

Trump is currently on track to beat that record and will be 80 in June.

Despite the White Houses insistence, only 45 percent of respondents in the February poll said they would describe Trump as "mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges," down from 54 percent in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September 2023.

However, 81 percent of Republicans described the president that way, with little changed from the 2023 survey.
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Donald Trump is considering a possible executive order that would require banks to make sure customers are U.S. citizens to create or keep their accounts, according to a new report.

The proposed action, reported byThe Wall Street Journal, would see banks collect information on individuals citizenship through requests for a new category of documents in order to open the accounts.

The Independent has contacted the White House for confirmation or further information about reports of the executive order, which has reportedly raised eyebrows among some banks in recent days.

Any reporting about potential policymaking that has not been officially announced by the White House is baseless speculation, a White House spokesperson told The Journal.

Imposing such customer verification steps on banks would be a new angle on the Trump administrations heavy-handed crackdown on immigration enforcement, aimed at rooting out people who are currently living in the U.S. illegally.

open image in gallery Donald Trump is considering a possible executive order that would require banks to make sure customers are U.S. citizens to create or keep their accounts, according to a new report ( AP )

To open a bank account in the U.S., individuals must provide documentation including passports and social security numbers to guard against financial crime. However banks are currently not required to collect information on citizenship status or share it with the government.

As such, there is currently no restriction on non-citizens over opening U.S. bank accounts.

The administration is also weighing up having the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which covers national anti-money-laundering and counterterrorism financing laws, collect information on citizens, The Journal reports. Those laws require banks to flag large cash transactions or transactions that appear suspicious to FinCEN.

The administration recently used those laws to target a welfare fraud scheme in Minnesota involving dozens of Minnesotans of Somali descent, the Journal reports. That incident led to the moving of hundreds of national guard soldiers to Minneapolis  and ultimately resulted in the death of two protesters in January.

open image in gallery Imposing such customer verification steps on banks would be a new angle on the Trump administrations heavy-handed crackdown on immigration enforcement, aimed at rooting out people who are currently living in the U.S. illegally ( AFP/Getty )

That same month, FinCEN issued an order to make banks and money transmitters in two Minnesota counties log information about overseas transactions for more than $3,000. The threshold is currently $10,000, which is already considered too low by some banks
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The Pentagon reportedly has not received any orders to send a hospital ship to Greenland, despite President Donald Trump claiming at the weekend that a vessel was on the way.

The military hasnt received orders to deploy any Navy vessels, The Wall Street Journal reported, and both Navy hospital ships are reportedly docked at a shipyard in Alabama.

The Independent has contacted the Navy, Pentagon, and White House for comment.

On Saturday, President Trump claimed a mission was heading for the self-governing Danish territory, posting an image of the Navys USNS Mercy hospital ship.

Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Its on the way!!!

open image in gallery The Pentagon reportedly has not received orders to send a medical ship to Greenland, even though President Trump claimed over the weekend one was bound for the Danish island territory ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social )

The same day as the presidents post, the Danish military conducted an emergency medical evacuation of a crew member on a U.S. submarine near Greenland, flying them via helicopter to a hospital in the islands capital, Nuuk, for treatment.

Leaders in Greenland and Denmark dismissed the suggestion a hospital ship was needed.

That will be a no thanks from us, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook Sunday.

President Trumps idea to send a U.S. hospital ship here to Greenland has been duly noted, he added. But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens.

Happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote in a separate statement. Where its not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment. You have the same approach in Greenland.

open image in gallery Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has said the territory does not need a U.S. hospital ship because healthcare is already free on the island ( AFP/Getty )

Landry, who also serves as the special U.S. envoy to Greenland, reacted angrily to the condemnation from the officials.

Shame on Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen! he wrote on X on Sunday.

After speaking to many Greenlanders about the day to day problems they face, one issue stood outhealthcare, he added. Many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted.

The confusion over the hospital ship mission comes amid larger tensions between the U.S. and its neighbor to the north, given President Trumps repeated overtures suggesting he wants to take over or perhaps invade Greenland despite opposition from local officials and European partners.

In January, Trump swore off using military force on Greenland and rowed back a threat to tariff U.S. allies who opposed the push.

He has said the U.S. and NATO allies reached a framework of a future deal about the Arctic island territory.
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US President Donald Trump has declared he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, attributing the honour to his involvement in eight international conflicts since assuming office last January.

Yet, many of these disputes persist without resolution, and hostilities have reignited in several of the regions he engaged with.

Notably, renewed conflict has been observed in the Democratic Republic of Congo and along the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Here we look at the eight conflicts the US President has intervened in.

Armenia and Azerbaijan

Donald Trump brought together the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on 8 August 2025, where they signed a joint declaration pledging to seek peaceful relations.

The two nations have been embroiled in conflict since the late 1980s.

Explaining his involvement, Trump later said in a radio interview: "I got to know them through trade. I was dealing with them a little bit, and I said, 'Why you guys fighting?'

Then I said, 'I'm not going to do a trade deal if you guys are going to fight. It's crazy.'"

While a ceasefire was agreed in 2023, and a draft peace agreement text was settled in March, the deal has yet to be formally signed.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump (C) sits in between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan (L) and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum (WEF) ( Getty )

The subsequent White House-brokered declaration falls short of a formal peace treaty that would place legally binding obligations on both sides. Issues remain, including whether an agreement requires Armenia to revise its constitution.

The leaders struck economic agreements with Washington that granted the US development rights to a strategic transit corridor through southern Armenia.

The Trump administration said this would allow for more energy exports. In documents released at the time, the corridor was named after Trump. US Vice President JD Vance visited both countries in February, signing a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and a nuclear deal with Armenia.

Cambodia and Thailand

Tensions remain between Thailand and Cambodia despite the fragile ceasefire earlier brokered in part by Trump.

The US president had helped bring Thailand to the table for talks after long-simmering tensions with Cambodia spilled over in July into a five-day military conflict, the deadliest fighting between the two in more than a decade.

open image in gallery Tensions remain between Thailand and Cambodia despite the fragile ceasefire earlier brokered in part by Trump. ( AKP )

Trump had reached out to then-acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai two days after fighting erupted along a stretch of the border. Trump withheld trade deals with both countries until the conflict ended.

The US president oversaw the signing of a ceasefire deal between the two countries in Malaysia in October, which broke down within a matter of weeks before a new ceasefire was reached on 27 December.

Israel, Iran and the Palestinian Territories

Trump chaired the first meeting of his Board of Peace initiative on Thursday, as part of a bid to direct a deal aimed at ending conflict in - and redeveloping - Gaza.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed in October to the first phase of a Trump-brokered hostage and ceasefire deal. Hostilities have continued.

But the agreement nonetheless marked a major step forward for efforts to end a two-year war in Gaza in which more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed.

Under the deal, Hamas handed over hostages seized in the deadly attacks that started the assault. Both, however, have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.

Both sides remain far apart on major issues, including Hamas' disarmament, the governance of post-war Gaza and the composition and mandate of an international security force in the enclave.

open image in gallery Trump chaired the first meeting of his Board of Peace initiative on Thursday, as part of a bid to direct a deal aimed at ending conflict in - and redeveloping - Gaza ( AFP/Getty )

The US president has also been working to expand the Abraham Accords, an initiative from his first term aimed at normalising diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations.

The Republican initially pursued talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Israel launched an aerial war on Iran on 13 June and pressed Trump to join in. He did on 22 June, bombing Iranian nuclear sites.

He then pressed Israel and Iran to join a ceasefire that Qatar mediated.

Trump said at the time that Iran's key nuclear sites were obliterated and disputed reports that the program had merely been set back. But in recent weeks, Trump has threatened Iran over both that nuclear program and the government's human rights practices. He has ordered a huge buildup of forces in the Middle East and preparations for a potential multi-week air attack on the country.

Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 staged a lightning offensive this year and now holds more territory than ever in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its recent advances have stirred fears of further regional spillover of fighting.

Under pressure from Trump, Rwanda and Congo signed a US-brokered peace agreement on 27 June. It hasn't been implemented.

Trump brought the leaders of Congo and Rwanda to a Washington event on 4 December at a peace institute that his administration unofficially renamed in honor of the US president. There, they signed more documents affirming their commitment to Trump's peace plan.

open image in gallery The Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 staged a lightning offensive this year and now holds more territory than ever in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo ( AFP via Getty Images )

But the fighting has continued. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has said that Rwanda is violating its commitments, as has US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rwanda has long denied backing M23, but UN experts and Congolese leaders disagree. Qatar has brokered separate talks between Congo and M23.

Meanwhile, the leader of a Congolese rebel coalition that includes the M23 group has said a deal on critical minerals signed in December between Congo and Washington was unconstitutional, raising doubts about its implementation.

The insurgency is the latest episode in a decades-old conflict with roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Trump has warned of "very severe penalties, financial and otherwise" if the agreement is violated. The US is seeking access to Congo's vast array of critical minerals as it competes with China for control of natural resources.

India and Pakistan

US officials worried conflict could spiral out of control when nuclear-armed India and Pakistan clashed in May following an attack in India that Delhi blamed on Islamabad.

Consulting with Trump, Rubio and Vance pushed Indian and Pakistani officials to de-escalate the situation.

A ceasefire was announced on 10 May after four days of fighting. But it addressed a few of the issues that have divided India and Pakistan, which have fought three major wars since their independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.

open image in gallery US officials worried conflict could spiral out of control when nuclear-armed India and Pakistan clashed in May following an attack in India that Delhi blamed on Islamabad. ( Associated Press )

Days after the ceasefire, Trump said he used the threat of cutting trade with the countries to secure the deal. India disputed that US pressure led to the truce and that trade was a factor.

Egypt and Ethiopia

Egypt and Ethiopia have a long dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo regards as a national security issue and fears will threaten its Nile River water supplies.

"We're working on that one problem, but it's going to get solved," Trump said in July.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later included Egypt and Ethiopia in a list of conflicts that "the president has now ended."

It is unclear what Trump is doing on the issue, though he has said he wants to bring the parties together for talks. In public comments, Trump has largely echoed Cairo's concerns.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed opened the dam in September despite objections from both Sudan and Egypt. Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has vowed to protect his own country's interests.

Serbia and Kosovo

Kosovo and Serbia maintain tense relations five years after agreements Trump brokered with both during his first term to improve their economic ties.

Without providing evidence, Trump said in June he "stopped" war between the countries during his first term and that "I will fix it, again," in his second.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after NATO bombed Serb forces to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians from the region during a 1998-1999 counter-insurgency war.

open image in gallery Kosovo and Serbia maintain tense relations five years after agreements Trump brokered with both during his first term to improve their economic ties ( AP )

But Serbia still regards Kosovo as an integral part of its territory. The countries have signed no peace deal.

Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, has sought to extend government control over the north, where about 50,000 ethnic Serbs live, many of whom refuse to recognise Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, said in July that over "the last few weeks," Trump had prevented further escalation in the region. She did not elaborate, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied that any escalation had been looming.

Russia and Ukraine

Trump, who said during the 2024 presidential campaign that he could solve the war in Ukraine in one day, has so far been unable to end the nearly four-year-old conflict that analysts say has left more than 1 million people dead or wounded.

"I thought this was going to be one of the easier ones," Trump said on August 18. "It's actually one of the most difficult."

Trump's views on how to best bring peace have swung from calling for a ceasefire to saying a deal could still be worked out while fierce fighting continued. He imposed sanctions on Russia's two biggest oil companies in October.

open image in gallery Trump, who said during the 2024 presidential campaign that he could solve the war in Ukraine in one day, has so far been unable to end the nearly four-year-old conflict ( AP )

More recently, Trump has attempted to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into accepting a deal to end the war that European leaders worry would favor Moscow and destabilise the continent. Talks in recent days have produced few signs of progress.

South Korea and North Korea

Trump has said he wants to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and make another push towards peace.

"We'll come back, and we'll, at some point in the not-too-distant future, meet with North Korea," Trump told reporters in October on a trip to South Korea.

Trump and Kim held three summits during Trump's 2017-2021 first term. They also exchanged several letters that Trump called "beautiful" before the unprecedented diplomatic effort broke down over US demands that Kim give up his nuclear weapons.

North Korea has surged ahead with more and bigger ballistic missiles, expanded its nuclear weapons facilities, and gained new support from its neighbors in the years since. In his second term, Trump has acknowledged that North Korea is a "nuclear power."

Kim said in September that there was no reason to avoid talks with Washington if it dropped its demands that his country give up nuclear weapons. Trump agreed to support Seoul's pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine for its own defense.
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The commander of the USS Truxtun has been fired from the guided-missile destroyer after it slammed into an oiler during refueling earlier this month.

Cmdr. James Koffi was removed from his post due to a loss of confidence in [his] ability to command, the US Navy said in a Sunday statement from Southern Command/4th Fleet, published by USNI News, in the wake of the embarrassing incident.

The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met.

The USS Truxtun (DDG-103) collided with USNS Supply (T-AOE-6) when it unexpectedly turned to starboard during a fuel transfer in the Caribbean Sea on February 11.

open image in gallery Cmdr. James Koffi is a career surface warfare officer and native of Memphis who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 ( US Navy )

In footage shot from Supply, a loud crunch can be heard as the two ships collide, followed by shouting: Weve been hit, weve been hit!

Two sailors suffered minor injuries in the collision, and both ships were forced to return to port in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the Navy confirmed at the time.

Koffi, a career surface warfare officer and native of Memphis who graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007, had taken command of Truxtun on January 9, 2025.

It is the privilege of my life to humbly take the helm as Truxtuns 13th commanding officer and I will continue to build upon the great legacy laid before me, Koffi said at the handover ceremony, which was covered at the time by military news outlet DVIDS.

Being ready to fight and win isnt just a goal, its a way of life for Truxtun sailors. Your dedication and perseverance set the standard of excellence, and it is a privilege to lead such an exceptional team.

open image in gallery The USS Truxtun is currently deployed in the Caribbean as part of President Trumps crackdown on drug-trafficking in the region ( Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty )

The Truxtun departed Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on February 3, deployed into the Caribbean as part of the Trump administrations build-up of naval forces in the region targeting Venezuela and drug-trafficking.

Our presence at sea will not merely be a deployment, but a decisive application of Peace Through Strength, Koffi said then.

Last year, the Truxtun was deployed in Europe and the Middle East in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation and took part in the BRIGHT STAR 25 exercise in Egypt, an experience Koffi said had sharpened our technical and tactical mastery.

It then returned to the U.S. for several months of training and maintenance, preparing the ship for a multitude of operations.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has yet to publicly comment on the embarrassing collision, which comes amid a sweeping overhaul of the militarys top brass under his leadership.

In the last year, firings have included the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a general, and the Navys top officer.

open image in gallery Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has railed against those he believes are too dumb or too fat to serve in the armed forces. ( Kevin Wolf/AP )

As part of a rant against DEI practices in the military, Hegseth said his reasoning for those firings was that its nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or even benefited from that culture.

He has also railed against those he believes are too dumb or too fat to serve in the military.

Other Navy removals have included the commanding officers of the USS Wyoming and USS Santa Barbara; the chief of naval operations; the commanding officer of Navy Information Operations Command Colorado; the commanding officer of Navy Reserve Center Manchester, New Hampshire; and the executive officer for the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.

Koffi has been temporarily reassigned to Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Atlantic, the Navy said in its February 22 statement announcing his relieve of command.

The Truxtun, it said, remained in Puerto Rico as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland.
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A powerful government-backed inquiry in Australia, which can compel people to give evidence, has started its investigation into antisemitism following the Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people.

In her opening remarks on Tuesday at the first public hearing of the royal commission into antisemitism, commissioner Virginia Bell said she saw the inquiry as the "starting point to strengthening our bonds of social cohesion".

The commission will investigate the extent and underlying causes of antisemitism and the events and planning of the attack on 14 December 2025. The hearing was live-streamed on Tuesday.

The commission on the opening day did not hear public evidence but instead set out the scope of the inquiry and how the proceedings would unfold.

The commission needs to investigate the security arrangements for that event and to report on whether our intelligence and law enforcement agencies performed to maximum effectiveness, Ms Bell, who is a former High Court Justice, said.

"I'm interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who've experienced antisemitism, whether at school or at university or in the workplace or elsewhere," she added.

open image in gallery Senior Counsel Assisting Richard Lancaster SC and Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC arrive for the opening hearing on the first day of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney ( REUTERS )

The royal commission was established in response to the deadly mass shooting at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach which left 15 people dead and many injured. It was one of the deadliest mass killings in Australias history.

Police allege the perpetrators were inspired by terror group Isis, and the attack intensified concerns about antisemitism, security failures, and how Australia deals with rising hate-motivated violence.

The commission is expected to submit an interim report by 30 April, and the final report by 14 December 2026, on the anniversary of the attack.

As it is an ongoing criminal proceeding against one suspect, the royal commission will hold back some evidence, especially intelligence material, and manage it differently to avoid prejudice to trials. It could also mean that some hearings are conducted behind closed doors.

One might expect that a royal commission set up to inquire into an attack would lead evidence of it and of the heroism of those who sought to confront the shooters and of those who ran towards the gunfire to offer medical assistance to the wounded, the former high court justice said.

An individual has been charged with a terrorism offence and with 15 counts of murder and 40 counts of attempted murder arising out of the attack.

The trial of that individual will be the occasion to lead evidence of the attack. This commission must do its work without risking any prejudice to that criminal proceeding.

The attack was carried out by father-son duo Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram. The father was shot dead by police at the scene of the shootings and the son was critically injured and now facing trial after transferred from the hospital to prison.

Ms Bell said she plans to meet with victims' families in private to explain some of the limitations of her inquiry.

open image in gallery Belongings of members of the Jewish community are seen at the scene of a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney ( AFP/Getty )

Richard Lancaster, the top lawyer assisting Ms Bell with the inquiry, said his team had sent dozens of requests to government and other agencies to produce documentary evidence, but the level of responses are "not presently where we would like it to be".

He said December's attack left "serious psychological scars", leaving "immense trauma" for victims, those at the scene and members of the community.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese had initially resisted calls to set up a royal commission, saying the process would take years, which attracted criticism from Jewish groups and victims' families.

In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, Mr Albanese ordered a review by a former spy chief into the actions of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, saying this  along with a New South Wales royal commission  was the appropriate response and warning that a federal inquiry could amplify antisemitic hate speech.

However, amid sustained pressure from prominent Jewish leaders, affected families and the opposition, he reversed course.

The federal review will now be absorbed into the royal commission, and the NSW inquiry has been scrapped.

The Bondi attack came after a wave of antisemitic incidents across the country, including the firebombing of a synagogue in Melbourne.

Earlier this month, a visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog promoted widespread protests which turned violent as police and protesters clashed. The Israeli leader arrived on invitation of Mr Albanese. Police was accused of using excessive force with dozens of arrests made.
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The kakapo, the worlds only flightless parrot, was once deemed a biological paradox  too heavy, too slow, and too appealing to predators to survive. Yet, this unique New Zealand native is now defying its grim prognosis, teetering towards survival after an unlikely conservation effort.

Over three decades, dedicated work has seen the nocturnal and reclusive birds population soar from a mere 50 to over 200, marking a significant victory for biodiversity. This year offers particular promise, with an abundance of the strange parrots favourite berries sparking an unusual enthusiasm for mating.

Conservationists are now anticipating a record number of chicks in February, a development that could cement the kakapos escape from what was once thought to be inevitable extinction. Living exclusively on three tiny, remote islands off New Zealands southern coast, sightings of these rare birds in the wild are exceptionally uncommon. However, one kakapo has recently captured global attention, achieving internet fame through a livestream of her underground nest, where a chick was expected to hatch this week.

Smelly parrots the size of small cats

The kakapo is a majestic creature that can live for 60 to 80 years. But theyre undoubtedly weird to look at.

Birds can weigh over 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). They have owllike faces, whiskers, and mottled green, yellow and black plumage that mimics dappled light on the forest floor.

Thats where the flightless parrot lives, which has made its survival complicated.

open image in gallery A Kakapo, Kohengi, sits with her three eggs. ( Dept. of Conservation, New Zealand )

Kakapo also have a really strong scent, said Deidre Vercoe, the operations manager for the Department of Conservations kakapo program. They smell really musky and fruity  gorgeous smell.

The pungent aroma was bad news for the parrots when humans arrived in New Zealand hundreds of years ago. The introduction of rats, dogs, cats and stoats, as well as hunting by people and destruction of native forest habitats, drove species of the countrys flourishing flightless birds  the kakapo among them  to near or complete extinction.

By 1974, no kakapo were known to exist. Conservationists kept looking, however, and in the late 1970s, a new population of the birds was discovered.

Reversing their fortunes hasnt been simple.

Birds wait years or decades to breed

One reason the kakapo population has grown slowly is that its breeding is, like everything about the birds, peculiar. Years or even decades can pass between successful clutches of eggs.

A breeding season only happens every two to four years, in response to bumper crops of fruit from the native rimu trees the parrots favour, which last happened in 2022. A huge food source is needed for chicks to survive but its not known exactly how adult birds become aware of an abundant harvest.

open image in gallery A Dept. of Conservation staff member checks the size of a Kakapo egg. ( Dept. of Conservation, New Zealand )

Theyre probably up there in the canopy assessing the fruiting, said Vercoe. When theres a large crop developing, they somehow tune into that.

Thats when things get really strange. Male kakapo position themselves in dug-out bowls in the ground and emit sonorous booming sounds followed by noises known as chings, which sound like the movement of rusty bedsprings.

The deep booms, which on clear nights can be heard across the forest, attract female kakapo to the bowls. Females can lay up to four eggs before raising their chicks alone.

open image in gallery A kakapo in the wild.

Since January, admirers of the birds have had a rare glimpse into the process through a livestream showing the underground nest of 23-year-old kakapo Rakiura on the island of Whenua Hou, where she has laid three eggs, two of them fertile. So precarious is the species survival that the eggs have been exchanged for fake replacements while the real ones are incubated indoors. They will be returned to the nest just before they hatch.

Native birds are beloved in New Zealand

Perhaps the only thing stranger than the kakapo is the lengths to which New Zealanders have gone to save it. Quadrupling the population over the past three decades has required their relocation to three remote, predator-free offshore islands and the micromanaging of the parrots every romantic entanglement.

We do what we can to make sure we dont lose any further genetic diversity, Vercoe said. We manage that carefully through having the best matches possible on each island.

Each bird has a name and is monitored by a small backpack tracker; if a bird vanishes, theyre nearly impossible to find. With the kakapo still critically endangered, theres little prospect of conservation efforts ending anytime soon, although those working with the birds are easing their hands-on management each breeding season.

open image in gallery A Dept. of Conservation staff member holds an egg for candling of a Kakapo egg. ( Dept. of Conservation, New Zealand )

The painstaking work to preserve the species might seem odd to outsiders, but the parrot is just one of many spirited and strange avians in a country where birds reign supreme. The only native land mammals are two types of bat, so New Zealands birds, which evolved eccentrically before human and predator arrival, have become beloved national symbols.

We dont have the Eiffel Tower or the pyramids, but we do have kakapo and kiwi, Vercoe said. Its a real New Zealand duty to save these birds.
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An Austrian climber and prosecutors are both launching appeals of his suspended prison sentence and fine for manslaughter over his girlfriend's death on the country's highest mountain.

Thomas Plamberger, 37, and his girlfriend, named during court proceedings as Kerstin G, 33, were running far behind schedule as they approached the summit of the Grossglockner mountain on a freezing, windy night in January of last year.

The summit of Grossglockner, which rises 3,798 metres in the Hohe Tauern range, is considered one of the most demanding winter ascents in the Alps.

When she was unable to go on out of exhaustion, Plamberger left her to fetch help in a shelter on the mountain, but also failed to make clear to the mountain police that they needed help, and did not respond to calls back and instant messages from the police.

By the time rescuers arrived hours later, she had died of hypothermia.

Kerstin G (left) died on the mountain in Austria last month ( Facebook )

A court in the western city of Innsbruck ruled last week that Plamberger should have realised long before they got stuck that his girlfriend would be incapable of completing the climb, adding that as the far more experienced mountaineer, he had a duty of care.

The court found him guilty of causing Kerstin G's death by gross negligence and handed him a suspended five-month prison sentence and a fine of 9,400 euros.

A lawyer for Thomas P has informed the court that he will appeal the conviction and sentence, while the prosecutors' office has given notice that it will appeal the sentence, the Innsbruck court said in a statement on Monday.

Both sides must formally lodge their appeals in writing within four weeks of receiving the written ruling, which has not yet been sent to them, the court said.
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In 2026, the Catholic or Western Easter will be celebrated on April 5. The Orthodox Easter, however, falls a week later on April 12.

This is because Catholics primarily use the Gregorian calendar, while most Orthodox churches still use the Julian calendar for Easter calculations.

Some years, the dates coincide - like in 2025 when the churches celebrated Jesus resurrection on the same day, April 20.

The rare alignment of the churches sparked hopes for a permanently unified date, even drawing support, at the time, from the late Pope Francis.

However, the churches have been divided on the way to determine the date of Easter for more than 400 years.

And beneath the surface of hopes for a shared celebration lay lingering tensions and mistrust between the two major Christian communions.

Calendars and calculations differ

The movable date for Easter follows a seemingly straightforward rule: the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But the two churches started using different calendars after Pope Gregory XIIIs adaptation in 1582, when the Western church adopted the Gregorian calendar while the Eastern Orthodox Church kept the older Julian one.

Moreover, each church uses its own ecclesiastical calculations for lunar cycles and the equinox, which dont neatly match scientific projections.

The result is that Easter dates can be as much as five weeks apart. They can coincide in back-to-back years, or a decade can pass without it happening.

Pope Francis wish

In early 2025, Pope Francis referred to the years Easter celebration while invoking the 1,700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, when Christian leaders gathered to settle foundational disputes about the faith.

"Once again, I renew my appeal: Let this coincidence serve as a sign  a call to all Christians to take a decisive step toward unity around a common date for Easter, Francis said while leading prayers at the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome.

open image in gallery Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew ( AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File )

Francis invitation wasnt new.

Returning from a trip to Turkey in 2014, he told reporters on the plane that a unified date would be logical.

It is a bit ridiculous, he said, then staged a pretend conversation: Tell me, your Christ, when is he resurrected? Next week? Mine was resurrected last week.

He found an ally in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a fellow octogenarian and spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians.

Before his death Francis said the two speak to one another like brothers and Bartholomew called Francis our elder brother.

He also described the Easter initiative as a real step toward repairing old conflicts.

Only winners, no losers?

The idea of a common Easter has been discussed since the 1960s, with interest often peaking when celebrations coincide. The key obstacle has always been the implication that one side would need to concede.

Protestants, who follow the same calendar as Catholics, have also been in on the discussions.

The Geneva-based World Council of Churches  a fellowship of Orthodox and Protestant bodies  has proposed a compromise. It suggests using modern astronomy, basing the calculation on Jerusalem time and following the same basic rule set centuries ago.

It has never been more important than now, because we live in a polarised world and people all over the world yearn for more unity, Lutheran Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, a senior WCC official, said from his home outside Berlin. All other questions  on calendar, on time, on the moon and the stars and everything  its not primary; its secondary."

Strings attached

While the late popes wishes may carry powerful influence through the Vaticans highly centralised authority, Bartholomews role is largely symbolic over the self-governed national and local churches.

And discussions between Russia, the Orthodox worlds most populous country, and churches of other Orthodox-majority countries remain stalled due to the war and church divisions in Ukraine.

Further complicating prospects for consensus is a history characterised by centuries of mistrust, largely driven by wariness in the East about the Vaticans supremacy.

open image in gallery The Epitaph Procession at the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite in Athens on Good Friday ( AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis )

Last year, at a Holy Week service in Athens, Father Anastasios welcomed parishioners into the Church of Saint Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, a restored stone chapel near the Acropolis.

He said he supports forging bonds with Christianity's other branches  but with caution.

We can try to build bridges, but we cannot distort our faith or the traditions of our ancestors, or the dogmas Christ himself handed down," he said.

"There are deeply rooted differences. From my view and that of many people here, the unity sought in the past by the Roman Catholic Church often wasnt sincere; it came with strings attached, was more about dominance than genuine reconciliation.

Great harmony

As dialogue between the churches slowly unfolds, common Easter celebrations are already a practical reality in a few places. The Orthodox Church in Finland switched dates in the 1920s to align celebrations with the Lutheran majority. And Catholics in Greece  while making no official change to their calendar  have celebrated with the rest of the country since 1970.

Joseph Roussos, a member of a Catholic community on the Greek island of Syros, took his first trip to the Vatican last month.

At age 67, he remembers when Easters in Greece were separate: when schools and shopkeepers on the island closed for different holidays, and the church bells tolled mournfully during two distinct Holy Weeks.

It wasnt a good situation. But when we did celebrate Easter together, there was great harmony, he said.

We live very well (today), and its truly beautiful. I hope it stays that way.
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The U.S. ambassador to France sought Tuesday to smooth over a diplomatic spat with Paris, calling up the French foreign minister who had said earlier in the day that the U.S. diplomat would lose access to French government officials after he skipped a meeting.

French authorities had summoned Ambassador Charles Kushner  the father of U.S. President Donald Trump s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner  over comments from the Trump administration that France objected to. But Kushner did not show up for the Monday night evening, the foreign ministry said.

The U.S. Embassy did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tuesday morning that the no-show would dent the ambassador's ability to serve in France, Kushner telephoned the minister and they agreed to meet in coming days, Barrot's office said.

The affair was sparked by Trump administration tweets relating to the beating death in France of a far-right activist, Quentin Deranque. The 23-year-old student, described as a fervent nationalist, was beaten by a group of people earlier this month in the city of Lyon, in fighting that erupted between far-left and far-right activists. He later died of brain injuries.

In a post last week on X, the State Departments Counterterrorism Bureau said violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranques death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.

The U.S. Embassy in Paris posted the same statement, in French.

The Paris government bristled at what it regarded as interference in French affairs and summoned Kushner. The ambassador's subsequent call to Barrot on Tuesday after his no-show appeared to then help turn the page.

Barrot reiterated to the ambassador that France cannot accept foreign interference, the minister's office said. Kushner took note, expressed his willingness not to interfere in our public debate, and recalled the friendship that binds France and the United States," it said. They agreed to meet in coming days, it said.

Before the call, Barrot had described the no-show as a surprise that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol.

It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country, Barrot said, speaking to public broadcaster France Info.

He said that Kushner "is bringing difficulties on himself. Because for an ambassador to be able to do his job he needs access to members of the government. Thats the basics.

There is nothing more usual than summoning an ambassador when explanations need to be made," he said. When these explanations have taken place, then the U.S. ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government.

We dont accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate," he said.

The U.S. Embassy did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment on Monday before the summons and follow-up questions on Tuesday also got no reply.

Barrot had earlier made clear that the dust-up should not hurt broader U.S.-France relations.

Not showing up is his personal responsibility," he said. "It does not affect the relationship between France and the United States in any way.

Last August, Paris also summoned Kushner over a letter he wrote to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging that France did not do enough to combat antisemitism. The foreign ministry called his allegations unacceptable.

At the time, Kushner also did not respond to the summons but sent his No. 2 instead.
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Donald Trumps ambassador to Paris has been blocked from access to the government, the French foreign minister said, amid a growing row over American interference in the death of a far-right political activist.

Charles Kushner, the top US diplomat in France and father of Trump adviser Jared Kushner, was blocked after he failed to attend a summons on Monday to discuss the comments, minister Joel-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday.

Mr Barrot said the decision not to attend came as a surprise that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol and that would dent Mr Kushners ability to serve as an ambassador.

"When these explanations have taken place, then the U.S. ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government," he told the France Info radio station.

The foreign ministry summoned Kushner over Trump administration tweets over the death of maths student Quentin Deranque earlier this month.

The 23-year-old was beaten by a group of people in Lyon during clashes between far-left and far-right activists, and later died from brain injuries.

open image in gallery Charles Kushner is the most senior US diplomat in France ( AP )

The US State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau said last week: Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety."

The embassy in Paris posted the same statement, in French, before thousands of people joined nationwide rallies over the weekend. Police fear the marches could turn violent, with clashes between opposing extremist political groups.

Mr Barrot said France still needs to discuss the comments with Kushner. He said: "We don't accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.

Over the weekend, he warned that France would reject any use of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends.

open image in gallery The Trump administration warned "violent radical leftism was on the rise" ( X / State Department CT Bureau )

We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement, he added.

An unnamed diplomatic source told Reuters on Monday that Mr Barrot had personally advised that Mr Kushner should be banned from access to the government until the comments are clarified.

"Faced with this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of an ambassador who has the honour of representing his country, the minister requested that he no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government," the source said.

It was the second time Kushner did not show after being summoned. In August 2025, he was wasked to explain himself at the French Foreign Affairs ministry after publicly raised concern over a rise in anti-Semitic acts in France and criticising the French authorities for not doing enough against it.

open image in gallery People hold a banner reading 'Goodbye mate' during a march for Quentin Deranque in Lyon on Saturday ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The death of Mr Deranque on 14 February has shocked the country and inspired nationwide protests calling for justice over the weekend.

Seven people have so far been handed preliminary charges over his death. Six were charged with intentional homicide, aggravated violence and criminal conspiracy, while the seventh was charged with complicity in intentional homicide, aggravated violence and criminal conspiracy.

Former centre-right Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called Deranque's killing "France's Charlie Kirk moment," referring to last year's shooting of the US conservative activist.

open image in gallery Quentin Deranque, 23, died following clashes earlier this month ( AFP/Getty )

"This is a moment aimed at delegitimising a segment of the political spectrum and portraying the triumphant far right as a victim," he said.

President Emmanuel Macron called on everyone to remain calm ahead of Saturday's tributes.

He said: This is a moment of remembrance and respect for this young compatriot who was killed, for his family and loved ones. That must come first. And then it is a moment of firmness and responsibility.
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Laurence des Cars, the director of Paris's renowned Louvre museum, has tendered her resignation, which French President Emmanuel Macron accepted on Tuesday.

The move comes as the institution grapples with the aftermath of a high-profile jewel heist and disruptive industrial action.

President Macron's office stated he accepted her resignation, "praising an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to successfully carry out major projects involving security, and modernisation."

Ms des Cars resignation comes after a year of scandals at the world-famous museum that has drawn the critical eye of the authorities, government and media.

The museum has been significantly affected by an October robbery, where four burglars stole jewels valued at $102 million, which remain unrecovered.

The thieves took less than eight minutes to force their way into the museum and leave, using a freight lift to reach the building's window.

open image in gallery President Macron's office stated he accepted her resignation, praising an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to successfully carry out major projects involving security, and modernisation. ( Associated Press )

Footage from museum cameras showed that the two who broke into the ornate Apollo Gallery used grinders to cut into jewellery display cases.

Employees at the Louvre also went on strike in December, with the heist highlighting long-standing concerns that crowding and thin staffing were undermining security and working conditions at a museum that welcomes millions of visitors each year.

The world famous musuem also suffered water leaks that damaged priceless books and paintings, but spared Leonardo Da Vinci's iconic Mona Lisa. The incident occurred in room 707, home to works by 19th-century French artist Charles Meynier and 16th-century Italian Bernardino Luini.

Earlier in February, Paris prosecutors said that nine people were being detained in connection to a decade-long suspected ticket scheme. The nine have been formally charged and brought before investigating judges.

open image in gallery Laurence des Cars had been under fire in the wake of a stunning and embarrassing heist of the French Crown jewels ( AP )

Among the suspects are two Chinese tour guides accused of bringing groups of tourists into the museum by fraudulently reusing the same tickets multiple times for different visitors, allegedly with the help of Louvre employees.

The Louvre had filed a complaint back in December 2024, prosecutors said. Investigators estimate losses of more than 10 million euros ($11.8 million) over a decade, with the alleged criminal network suspected of bringing in up to 20 guided groups a day.
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An unidentified attacker detonated an explosive device next to a police patrol vehicle in central Moscow early on Tuesday, killing himself and one officer, while injuring two others, officials have confirmed.

The incident occurred just after midnight near the Savyolovsky Train Station in the Russian capitals downtown area, according to Moscows Interior Ministry branch. The assailant reportedly approached a traffic police car before detonating the device, resulting in the immediate death of an officer and hospitalisation for two colleagues.

Russias Investigative Committee has launched an inquiry into the attack. No details regarding the assailants identity, potential motives, or further specifics have been released.

The explosion took place on the fourth anniversary of President Vladimir Putins decision to deploy troops into Ukraine.

Western officials believe Vladimir Putin is no longer able to recruit Russian troops quickly enough to replace those dying on the battlefield in Ukraine.

However, armed forces minister Al Carns insisted that the depletion of Russia's number of fighting men did not mean the UK could relax its commitment to raise defence spending.

The Government has announced Britain will provide new military, energy and humanitarian support to Ukraine, as Sir Keir Starmer is set to convene a coalition of the willing meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.

Between 30,000 and 35,000 Russian soldiers are recruited each month, according to western officials.

But the number of those killed over the past three months is believed to have been higher than those who joined up.

open image in gallery In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at a ceremony to award servicemen with Gold Star medals of 'Hero of Russia' on Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow on February 23, 2026. (Photo by Mikhail METZEL / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP/Getty )

This means that for the first time in the four years of war, for a sustained period, Moscow's battlefield numbers are falling. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 2022.

Mr Carns described this as a "casualty uptick which is disproportionate in scale".

Western officials believe this will have a significant impact on the Kremlin's ability to "generate offensive power" for a spring or summer offensive, meaning that any Russian forward march would be sluggish.

It also raises the prospect of "coercive" mobilisation within Russia, such as conscription, rather than relying on the promise of large financial rewards to recruit soldiers.

Drone attacks continue to be the driving force behind the casualty rate on the battlefield, and officials believe that ground-based drones - so-called unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) - will become ever more present over the coming year.

However, Mr Carns said individual soldiers remain "essential" for capturing and holding ground once drone attacks are over.

Britain has promised to spend 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, which it made in line with a pledge by Nato members last year.

As the full-scale war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the Government has announced a new package of support aimed at bolstering Kyiv's war effort.

This includes a 20 million package to help repair and protect the nation's power grid - often a target of Russian strikes - as well as 5.7 million assistance for Ukrainians whose towns and villages are on the front line of the war.

Ukrainian military medics are also being mentored by British surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists in battlefield surgery.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will spend Tuesday in Kyiv, where she will call out "Russification" tactics being used by Moscow in occupied Ukrainian territories.

People in the territories are being forced to adopt Russian passports, are prohibited from speaking the Ukrainian language and are arrested on arbitrary charges for expressing pro-Ukraine sentiments, according to the Foreign Office.

Russia's bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the country's energy grid.

Ukrainian officials have meanwhile said that the next round of talks aimed at ending the war could come as early as the end of this week.
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Volodymyr Zelensky declared on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine that World War Three had already begun.

His statement reflected the increasingly global nature of Russias war, which has seen troops from countries across the world brought in to either bolster Vladimir Putins aggression or support Ukraines resistance.

Since February 2022, around 55,000 Ukrainians have been killed in bitter fighting on the frontlines, according to Ukrainian estimates. Russia has suffered an estimated 1.2 million casualties, including at least 325,000 deaths, according to recent analysis.

Some 20,000 men from overseas are now estimated to have joined Russias invasion. Many have been falsely sold the promise of lucrative employment away from the frontlines. Ukraine has offered professional soldiers fixed contracts paying rates higher than what they could earn at home.

Moscow has used foreign troops to alleviate the strain on its forces and, crucially, delay another round of politically contentious mobilisation  a move likely to spark public anger.

Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the conflict, The Independent looks at some of the countries dragged into Russias war in Ukraine.

North Korea

North Korea assumed a major role in the conflict in support of Russia in late 2024, helping to set back a bold Ukrainian counteroffensive into Russian-held territory.

The first reports of North Koreans training in Russia came in the weeks after emboldened Ukrainian forces launched a summer offensive into Russias Kursk region. Pyongyang would commit some 17,000 troops to Russia in total, according to recent British estimates.

open image in gallery A North Korean Soldier fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to a video shared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine ( Office of the President of Ukraine )

Most of the soldiers came from North Koreas elite Storm Corps, which are trained for infiltration and sabotage operations. They remained in Kursk to help Russia recover control of its own region before mostly withdrawing.

The UK Ministry of Defence assessed in June that Pyongyang had likely sustained more than 6,000 casualties fighting Ukraine  a little over a third of its forces.

Emil Kastehelmi, military analyst and cofounder of the Finland-based open-source intelligence collective Black Bird Group, told The Independent that after fighting in Kursk, theyve taken a less active role against Ukrainians.

He said that while multiple brigades were used in Kursk, no such force has since been transferred to Donetsk, the region of eastern Ukraine sought by Putin.

North Korea has been fighting its own propaganda war at home, glorifying the troops sent to Kursk with a new memorial complex and a housing district set aside for the families of slain soldiers. Analysis say such treatment is aimed at curbing public discontent.

Kenya

Harrowing footage showing the abuse of African soldiers by Russian troops sparked outrage late last year.

Francis Ndungu Ndarua, 35, from Kenya, was filmed in viral footage with a land mine strapped to his chest as a Russian speaker hurled racial slurs at him and said he would be used as a can opener to assault Ukrainian positions.

open image in gallery Relatives of Kenyans believed to be fighting for Russia in Ukraine ( Reuters )

Anne Ndarua, his mother, told CNN that Francis had gone to Russia to become an electrical engineer. She was surprised to learn he was being forced into military training, and says he was sent to the front after just three weeks.

Families have petitioned for the Kenyan government to act in recent weeks as soldiers began to return home, recounting how they were lured in by lucrative job offers only to be sent to Ukraine.

A Kenyan intelligence report found this month that around 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in Ukraine so far. Nearly 90 were on the frontlines this month, while one has died and several have come home injured or traumatised, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in its report. The government has recently tried to ban the conscription of Kenyan soldiers.

They sometimes may not fully understand what is the battlefield they are entering, Mr Kastehelmi said, adding: Russians probably can pay better and they may have also more effective recruiting networks.

Colombia

Both Russia and Ukraine have recruited soldiers from Latin America to fill in their ranks.

Colombian veterans are considered among the most valuable foreign fighters, arriving hardened from a decades-long civil war, and familiar with Western equipment.

open image in gallery In December, a Russian-backed court in Donetsk sentenced Colombian national Oscar Mauricio Blanco Lopez to 19 years in jail for fighting for Ukraine ( Russian Prosecutor General's office )

Mario Uruena-Sanchez, a security expert at Rosario University in Bogota, told The Economist that casualty rates remain high as Colombians arrive to meet a very different conflict from the one at home.

In Colombia, you can patrol for six months and there isnt as much risk involved, a Colombian Army veteran now fighting in Ukraine told El Tiempo. Here, with every entry (into combat) you know you might not come back or you might come back wounded.

Figures vary, and recruitment is often informal, but it is estimated that between 3,000 and 7,000 Colombians have fought in Ukraine, on both sides, since 2022.

In 2024, Colombian fighters were offered between $3,000 (2,219) to $4,000 (2,967) per month to join existing Ukrainian units on six-month contracts, according to CEPA.

India

More than 200 Indians have been recruited into the Russian armed forces since the invasion, Indias foreign ministry reported in December, amid rising concern about citizens being lured into the military.

At least 26 people were said to have been killed and seven were still missing at the time of the report.

open image in gallery Caesar, a 50-year-old Russian who joined the Freedom of Russia Legion to fight for Ukraine, stands in front of a destroyed monastery in Dolyna, Ukraine, in December 2022 ( AFP/Getty )

Dozens of families gathered in New Delhi in November to call on authorities to bring their relatives home, as they too heard that they had been duped into travelling to Russia for paid work only to be forced into military roles.

Among Indias casualties are Ajay Godara, 22, and Rakesh Kumar Maurya, 30, who had travelled to Russia separately on student visas, before taking up non-combat roles as cleaners and helpers, according to their families. Their bodies were returned to their families last year.

British defence minister John Healey said this month that Russias military is increasingly reliant on foreign fighters as losses mount faster than Moscow can replenish its frontlines.

These troops are often recruited under false pretences and press-ganged under pressure without necessarily realising that theyre destined for the Russian meat machine on the front line of Ukraine, he said.
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Russian troops have described the harrowing moments they saw their fellow soldiers executed for refusing to obey orders.

The men report being tortured for declining to take part in assaults they describe as verging on suicide missions in Ukraine in a new BBC documentary, The Zero Line: Inside Russias War.

As the war enters its fifth year, the UK Ministry of Defence estimates that 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured.

Dima, a 34-year-old father and former dishwasher repairman, said he witnessed his comrades executed on the order of a highly decorated commander and saw the bodies of 20 others lying in a pit after being zeroed. The term is Russian slang for executing one of your own.

I see it  just two metres, three metres. Just murders, just click, clack, bang. Its not a drama, its not a movie, its real life, he said.

He said the men were all ex-convicts and had their bank cards taken off them before they were killed. Dima, who worked as a paramedic because he did not want to kill anyone, said he had spoken to several of the men.

open image in gallery Mobilised Russian soldier Ilya left his hometown of Perm with 78 other men  he believes he is the sole survivor from his group ( BBC )

Dima calls his commander, Alexei Ksenofontov, a butcher. Ksenofontov was awarded the Gold Star, the highest state medal, and made a Hero of Russia in 2024, but has been denounced by the families of men who died in his unit.

They have called on Russian president Vladimir Putin to look into allegations of brutality under his command. He shows a social media video of family members crying that their loved ones had been slaughtered and sent to their death armed with only machine guns and shovels.

The actions are carried out against men who refuse to obey orders, including being sent to the frontline as part of a meat storm. The tactic is part of Russias meat grinder strategy, sending waves of men to wear down Ukrainian forces.

open image in gallery Russian soldier Denis blew up his foot in an attempt to escape the front lines ( BBC )

I saw them [commanders] send wave after wave, throwing men like meat at the Ukrainians, so they run out of ammo and drones and another wave can reach their objective, said Denis, another former soldier.

Dima witnessed a meat storm, saying: You send three guys, then another three. It didnt work out, send 10. It didnt work out with 10, send 50. Eventually, you will break through. Thats the logic of the military.

We had 200 dead in three days. On our regiments first meat storm, they broke us; our regiment was destroyed in just three days.

open image in gallery Mobilised Russian soldier Dima witnessed men being executed by direct orders of senior commanders ( BBC )

Ilya, 35, who worked in a command post, said his job was to identify and count the dead soldiers. He provided the BBC with a detailed list of 79 others he was mobilised with, of which he is the only surviving member.

He personally witnessed four people being shot at point-blank range by a commander after they fled the front line and refused to return.

The saddest thing is that I knew them. I remember one of them screaming Dont shoot, Ill do anything! but he [the commander] zeroed them anyway, he said.

He describes being tortured and urinated on while others were starved and forced into missions unarmed. Before the war, he taught children with special needs and autism in Kungur, in the Ural mountains.

open image in gallery It has been four years since Russias invasion of Ukraine ( BBC )

Dima, who was eventually promoted to officer, also says he was tortured for 72 days, including with electric shocks, for refusing to send his men on a meat storm.

Just torture only, every day with a stone face. No emotions, its crazy, he described.

The Russian government says its armed forces operate with utmost restraint, as far as possible under the conditions of a high-intensity conflict, treating their personnel with maximum care.

Information regarding alleged violations and crimes is duly investigated, it added.

We are unable to independently verify the accuracy or authenticity of the information you have provided.
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Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has now been raging for four years  and despite repeated attempts at peace talks brokered by the US, there appears to be no end in sight.

As the war marks the grim anniversary milestone on Tuesday, the bloody war of attrition continues, having claimed the lives of more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians.

In the last year, Moscow has ramped up its use of drones by 200 per cent, regularly launching hundreds of strikes from unmanned aircraft.

Vladimir Putins forces have also increasingly targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, leaving millions without power or heat as they face their coldest winter in years, with temperatures as low as -26C.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

On the political stage, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been forced to fight a battle on two fronts  trying to keep a volatile US president onside while also pushing back against Moscows uncompromising territorial demands during fruitless peace talks.

Funding the war has also become a growing problem for Mr Zelensky, with the US cutting its aid by 99 per cent since Mr Trump returned to office in 2025.

The Independent looks at the cost of Putins war four years on.

Ukraines civilian death toll mounts

The past year has seen Russian forces increasingly target civilians, with more killed and injured than in any year other than 2022.

In 2025, there were 14,656 civilian casualties  including injuries and deaths  marking a 31 per cent increase on the year before.

Since the war began, 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 739 children, according to the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Russian military casualties last month hit the 1.2 million benchmark, a death toll not suffered by any major power since the Second World War, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

open image in gallery Russian forces ramped up their attacks on Ukrainian civilians in 2025 ( Reuters )

Putin ramps up drone and missile attacks

Moscow dramatically increased its drone production in 2025, allowing it to launch hundreds each night at targets across Ukraine to frightening effect.

The rapid expansion of drone warfare and increasingly autonomous systems has made it easier to carry out attacks with devastating consequences for civilians, Uliana Poltavets, Ukraine programme coordinator for rights group Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), told The Independent.

More than half of the 58,495 air and drone strikes carried out by Russian and Ukrainian forces since 2022 have been carried out in the past year, data from monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) shows.

Attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure also hit new heights in 2025. There were 662 attacks on healthcare facilities, the PHR says, a 48 per cent increase on 2024.

Elisabeth Haslund, spokesperson for the UNs refugee agency (UNHCR), told The Independent that such attacks will make any attempt to rebuild in Ukraine significantly more difficult.

Recovery will not happen overnight. Even with a ceasefire in place and a stop to the attacks and hostilities, humanitarian needs will persist for some time.

Among the most devastating of Russias infrastructure attacks were those targeting Ukraines energy facilities.

Russia launched assaults on Ukraines energy infrastructure 1,077 times between February 2024 and February 2025, a 224 per cent increase on the previous year.

The past eight months make up the top eight in terms of Russian energy attacks, as Ukrainians suffered through the bitter winter.

Emil Kastehelmi, military analyst at the Black Bird Group, told The Independent that Moscow has several possible aims.

Try to lower the fighting morale of the Ukrainian civilians, try to hinder the functionality of the Ukrainian society as a whole, or weaken the military production capabilities as much as possible, he said.

[Russia is] forcing Ukraine to [take] difficult decisions regarding prioritisation. Should they defend energy infrastructure, airfields, military bases, industrial areas, or what?

Costly battles on the front line

Russian gains on Ukraines eastern front have remained marginal.

Since 2022, Putins forces have only expanded the territory they controls in Ukraine by around four per cent, bringing their control to around 20 per cent of the country.

But it has come at a heavy cost in infantry, with the CSIS warning that combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties could reach 2 million by this spring  the majority of which are Russian.

Mr Zelensky says that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have now been killed since the full-scale invasion began, up from 46,000 last year.

Russian casualties are believed to be far higher: the BBC has identified the names of 186,102 dead Russian soldiers, but military experts say this may only represent 45 to 65 per cent of the total.

On the ravaged eastern front line, the fiercest fighting has been around Pokrovsk, the strategic city in Donetsk, which was once a transport hub connecting the Ukrainian front line.

Although Russian forces seized much of the city in November, battles are ongoing in the areas around it.

The Independent has spent time with Ukrainian soldiers on the front line with advances, at best, incremental as the war grinds on.

The Institute for the Study of War, which tracks frontline movements, echoed this by describing Russian advances as continuing at a footpace in eastern Ukraine and concluding they do not portend the collapse of the Ukrainian lines.

Ukrainian troops carried out successful counterattacks in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia in February, Mr Kastehelmi said  but the counteroffensives have remained local, and Ukrainian gains have not altered the situation significantly.

Ukraine has continued to control the Black Sea.

A new world order under Trump

While the war of attrition raged on the front line, the political landscape changed dramatically in 2025.

The US, once Ukraines most generous ally, left Kyiv in the lurch when it withdrew almost all of its financial, humanitarian and military support, as the Trump administration looked to pressure the two countries into agreeing on a peace deal.

After the Biden administration allocated a record 46.39bn (40.4bn) in 2024, support dropped by 99 per cent to 480m (420m) in 2025.

Europe was forced to dramatically step up its support for Ukraine, boosting its support from 43.54bn (38bn) in 2024 to 72.8bn (63.6bn) in 2025, a 67 per cent increase.

Another 90bn (78.6bn) support loan was agreed by European Union countries in December, a vital cash injection providing a lifeline for Ukraines flailing wartime economy.

But with peace talks not appearing to produce significant progress towards a peace deal, it remains to be seen how long Europes financial support will last.
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Russia has launched a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, on charges of "facilitation of terrorist activities". The state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported the development, citing Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).

Mr Durov was not immediately available for comment. The move comes as Telegram has recently refuted a series of Russian allegations, which claim the platform is a haven for criminal activity and compromised by Western and Ukrainian intelligence services.

"The actions of the head of Telegram, P. Durov, are being investigated as part of a criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 (assistance to terrorist activities) of the Criminal Code of Russia," Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported in an article it said was "based on materials from the FSB of Russia".

Telegram, which says it has more than 1 billion active users globally, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Russia's state communications regulator has introduced restrictions on Telegram, which is hugely popular in Russia for public and private communications, over what it says is a failure by the company to delete extremist content.

Moscow is trying to get Russians to switch to the state-backed app known as MAX, which launched almost a year ago.

Russia's curbs on the messaging app could affect battlefield communications as well as prevent soldiers from keeping in touch with their families, critics charged last week in an angry backlash against the latest restrictions.

Some users have complained that the app has been noticeably slower recently.

open image in gallery People look at their smartphones at a bus stop in St. Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. ( AP )

In short video appeals, three men purporting to be members of a Russian anti-drone unit said Telegram was vital to their work and urged the watchdog not to interfere with it.

Sergei Mironov, leader of a pro-Kremlin parliamentary party, posted a link to the appeals and said soldiers' lives could be at stake.

"The guys are shedding blood there, they need normal communication, and besides Telegram, they often have nothing," he wrote. "Don't deprive them of what helps them fight the enemy and keep themselves alive."

Speaking separately to reporters, Mironov berated those responsible for impairing the app's performance as "idiots".

Russian military commentators have frequently described it as an important communications tool for frontline soldiers, though the Kremlin said it was sceptical about this.

"I don't think it's possible to imagine frontline communications being provided via Telegram or some other messaging service," its spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters.

He referred further questions to the Ministry of Defence, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the western Belgorod region which has frequently been struck by Ukrainian drones, said he was worried the latest moves could make it harder to deliver important safety announcements to residents.

"I'm concerned that the slowdown could impact the delivery of operational information to you if the situation worsens," he said, urging people to register with the state's rival MAX messaging system.

Critics say the authorities have clamped down on foreign-based platforms, also including Meta's WhatsApp and Apple's FaceTime, as a way of forcing people to adopt MAX, which they fear will be used by the authorities as a surveillance tool. State media have dismissed such concerns.

Telegram's Russian-born founder Pavel Durov said the app would remain committed to protecting free speech and user privacy "no matter the pressure".

Kremlin spokesman Peskov said the communications watchdog was simply doing its job.

"We can only express regret here; there's nothing good about this, but the law must be followed," he said.
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Ukrainian tank platoon commander Valentyn Bohdanov remembers a time earlier in Russia's war when heavy armour fought pitched battles like boxers trading punches in the ring.

Four years into the conflict, he says such showdowns are all but impossible. Small but deadly "first-person-view" (FPV) drones now dominate the skies above Ukraine's battlefields, making it extremely risky for armoured vehicles to move, according to Bohdanov, a senior sergeant in Ukraine's 127th Separate Heavy Mechanised Kharkiv Brigade.

"They won't enter an open field: they'll be peppered by FPV drones and stronger ones," said the 36-year-old, who goes by the military call sign "Bodia".

These days, his T-72 tank, which was captured from the Russians, remains hidden beneath webbing near the snowy frontline in the northeast region of Kharkiv  reduced, effectively, to a static piece of artillery.

Bohdanov, who has served since the February 2022 invasion, has seen traditional military tactics upended as technology has forced both sides to make new battlefield calculations.

Thousands of precision drones, often costing only several hundred dollars apiece, roam the skies daily across an expanding "kill zone" along the 1,200-km front.

They are joined by a growing range of more powerful drones capable of flying farther and carrying heavier payloads.

open image in gallery Bohdanov, who has served since early in Moscow's February 2022 invasion, has seen traditional military tactics upended as technology has forced both sides to make new battlefield calculations ( REUTERS )

The ever-present threat from the sky makes virtually any movement - from troop rotations and evacuations to tank assaults - increasingly deadly.

Drone-inflicted casualties have jumped from less than 10 per cent of the total in 2022 to up to 80 per cent last year, as much of the war has morphed into an "air battle of mutual denial", according to a report by the French Institute of International Relations published this month.

It described the shift as part of "a new logic of warfare defined by speed of innovation, rapid adaptation, and seamless technological integration" that would include other technologies including artificial intelligence.

In the air all the time

Mobile drone-hunting teams, like the one Reuters recently visited near the besieged eastern city of Kostiantynivka, are now commonplace.

Patrolling roads shrouded in anti-drone netting and littered with the charred remains of vehicles, members are on constant alert for drones ranging from FPVs to larger, long-range Shaheds.

They are tasked with defending supply routes critical for troops in a section of the front line where Russia is advancing.

open image in gallery Ukrainian tank platoon commander Valentyn Bohdanov, 36, inspects his tank near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region ( REUTERS )

Drone-hunter "Marine" of the 93rd Mechanised Brigade, who introduced himself by his call sign, recalled once seeing 54 drones attack a single target within one hour.

"Three would circle, another would attack while the others join," he said. "They're in the air like that all the time, not letting anyone get away."

Many soldiers who have been directly under fire describe being overwhelmed by the speed and agility of FPVs. Footage of their strikes now saturate social media on both sides.

Speaking in a military hospital in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, Andriy Meskov said he had been returning from an assignment when he and two comrades were attacked by drones that whizzed after them as they sought cover.

"We ran into a building, not really expecting that it would follow us," said Meskov, 42, himself a drone pilot in the 151st Separate Reconnaissance-Strike Battalion.

"The speed of a human being doesn't compare to the speed of an FPV drone, so I didn't even have time to pick up my rifle to shoot at it."

New battlefield lessons

Meskov's knee was shattered when a drone ricocheted off his helmet and exploded near his leg.

He was eventually evacuated for medical treatment on an unmanned ground vehicle. Such ground drones are increasingly employed for tasks ranging from logistics to evacuations, to minimise casualties.

open image in gallery Wounded drone pilot Andriy Meskov said he had been returning from an assignment when he and two comrades were attacked by drones that whizzed after them as they sought cover ( REUTERS )

They carried out more than 7,000 missions in January, Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said last week. Ukraine plans to boost their production and procurement this year, he said.

Longer evacuation times are another potentially fatal consequence of the expanding "kill zone". Col. Viacheslav Kurinnyi, 45, chief doctor at the Kharkiv hospital where Meskov was being treated, said the drone threat to vehicles had pushed the average time for medical evacuation beyond three days.

That flies in the face of the so-called "golden hour" of battlefield medicine, he added, referring to the 60-minute window when intervention is critical to saving a fighter's life.

Ukraine's Western allies needed to learn the lessons: "Any countries that are preparing for war at home need to realise that there will be no 'golden hour,'" Kurinnyi said. "Maybe a 'golden day' if they're lucky."

Once his hospital received a wounded soldier who had been wearing a tourniquet for more than two months.

Waiting for next breakthrough

Standing next to his snow-covered tank, commander Bohdanov said he believes such weapons are being rendered irrelevant and should be scaled back in favour of more long-range artillery.

His crew is open to re-training to become more effective, he added.

open image in gallery Drone-inflicted casualties have jumped from less than 10 per cent of the total in 2022 to up to 80 per cent last year, as much of the war has morphed into an air battle of mutual denial, according to a report by the French Institute of International Relations published this month ( Reuters )

While tanks are still used in urban battles or in poor weather conditions, armour-led attacks have largely been replaced by small infantry assaults, said military analyst Rob Lee at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

But it is too soon to write off tanks. The pace of change means tactics could soon shift again, Lee said.

"Right now, the current role is diminished, and I think we're waiting for the next technological breakthrough that will enable manoeuvring again," he said.
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On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that it was only a matter of time before his country recovered all of its lost territory.

But for months, opposing forces have been locked in a stalemate along a 1,200km (745-mile) front line as developments in tactics and technology have slowed progress to a crawl.

Diplomatic efforts are at a similar impasse, with neither side appearing to have the momentum on the battlefield to force the other into making concessions.

Ahead of an expected fourth round of direct talks this week, Russia still clings to its maximalist demands for territory, while Ukraine says it cannot and will not give its eastern provinces to the aggressor.

As the conflict enters its fifth year, Ukraine can celebrate a string of fresh symbolic victories in the south. But experts say the challenge now will be to consolidate its progress and find a way to break the wider deadlock.

Ukraine recovered control of 400 sq km of territory, including eight settlements, in February, the head of the military announced on Monday. Those figures improve upon the 300 sq km of land that Zelensky claimed Kyivs forces had recovered only last week  and will more than cancel out the 389 sq km Russia was assessed to have gained in January.

Experts say the problem for Ukraine is that most of the gains are in the southeast, away from the victories of strategic value to be had in the east. Emil Kastehelmi, a military analyst and cofounder of Finland-based open source intelligence collective Black Bird Group, told The Independent that it would be difficult for either Russia or Ukraine to break the deadlock where it matters.

How have the front lines changed?

The front line today is not like a coherent line, where theres like a clear control, with two trench lines with a little bit of no mans land in between, Mr Kastehelmi explained. Drones have made it so that front lines are blurry and troops may be intermingled in a certain area of presence.

Todays drone-dominated battlefield has demechanised the front lines, Mr Kastehelmi said, making huge advances difficult. The threat from the sky has made tanks unviable, leading Russia to fall back on trying to overwhelm Ukraine with infantry-heavy tactics in a gruelling war of attrition.

open image in gallery The cost of war: Ruslan Knysh, 20, a war veteran, sits in a wheelchair with a photograph of himself taken before he lost his limbs in a drone attack last year, in Kyiv, on Sunday ( AP )

Even with plans to increase the size of the army to 1.5 million people, this has come at a huge cost for Russia.

Drone-inflicted casualties have jumped from less than 10 per cent of the total in 2022 to up to 80 per cent last year. Russia is expected to have suffered 80,000 losses in 2025, according to the BBC, in order to gain just 0.8 per cent of Ukraines territory (just over 4,800 sq km).

Analysts do not expect this to change for now. Mobile drone-hunting teams have become commonplace, and much of the war has morphed into an air battle of mutual denial, according to a report by the French Institute of International Relations published this month. But slow advances are still heavily dependent on infantry.

Tank platoon commander Valentyn Bohdanov, a senior sergeant in Ukraines 127th Separate Heavy Mechanised Kharkiv Brigade, said that scaled up drone warfare has made tanks effectively redundant. They wont enter an open field: theyll be peppered by FPV drones and stronger ones, he said.

His T-72 tank, which was seized from the Russians, remains hidden beneath webbing near the snowy front line in the northeast region of Kharkiv  reduced, effectively, to a static piece of artillery. He told Reuters he believes such weapons are being rendered irrelevant and should be scaled back in favour of more long-range artillery.

Can either side break the deadlock?

Russia will probably, in 2026, continue to make slow progress month by month, assessed Mr Kastehelmi. Likely their approach is that they are trying to beat Ukraine in an attritional war, which means bleeding out the Ukrainian army.

While Ukraine is suffering from manpower issues and a problem with desertion, he did not predict any radical change on the front lines this year. Last year, the Russians were able to advance roughly 400 to 500 sq km per month. That isnt much ... It says that the Russians havent really figured out a way to counter the current problems in the battlefield.

Dr Jack Watling, senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said Ukraine would have to apply the lessons of the south to the wider front in order to make progress this year.

For the past year, Russias gains have been enabled by the growing lethality of Russian fires and dwindling Ukrainian troop strength allowing Russia to persistently infiltrate and thereby undermine Ukrainian defensive positions, he said.

Over the course of 2025, however, some of Ukraines better units worked out how to conduct offensive operations under modern conditions. This has enabled successful counterattacks in Kupiansk and in the south. The question for Kyiv is whether the tactics of these units can be taught more widely across the front.

open image in gallery Some of Ukraines better units have mastered modern offensive operations over the past year, enabling them to strike back successfully ( AFP/Getty )

Fixing Ukraines training process is the key to addressing the challenge of force generation and thereby bolstering the strength of units at the front such that Russia cannot continue its infiltration tactics when vegetation returns in the spring.

What happens next?

While current tactics have limited major frontline breakthroughs for now, the pace of change means tactics could soon shift again, according to military analyst Rob Lee at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, assessing it was still too soon to write off tanks for good.

Right now, the current role is diminished, and I think were waiting for the next technological breakthrough that will enable manoeuvring again, he told Reuters.

Russias ability to keep up pressure on Ukraine depends on its war economy, which has slowed massively since the jolt at the start of the war.

open image in gallery Tanks litter the front lines in Ukraine, as their current role in warfare is diminished by drones and other tech ( AP )

Its economy grew by just 1 per cent in 2025, and the budget deficit is growing. The defence sector accounts for 8 per cent of GDP, which does little to improve the lives of the public. Russia is increasingly reliant on foreign troops, aware that another mobilisation risks antagonising a war-weary population into open rebellion.

Sanctions against Russia help Ukraine, but there are obstacles to a unified European front; ahead of the fourth anniversary of the war this week, the EU failed to impose its 20th round of sanctions. Senior officials are expected to raise the matter with Hungarys Viktor Orban, who still opposes the measures.

The Russian economy can keep up the war, but as reserves dwindle and debt grows, it also becomes more vulnerable to shocks, Dr Watling assessed. The question is whether Europe is prepared to apply the pressure.
Rescue operations continue in Kharkiv as Kyiv says Moscow used new weapon in deadly attack

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Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian experts are heading to the Middle East to provide expertise on combatting Iranian drone attacks.

Kyiv is hoping to leverage its experience with drone warfare in exchange for new supplies of US air defence missiles, amid concerns that the Middle East conflict could stretch global supplies.

Asked how Kyiv intended to help the United States and its Gulf allies counter drone attacks, Zelensky said it was too early to say anything else at this stage, adding that experts would arrive on site in the coming week and assess the situation and help.

Ukraine has highlighted its expertise in drone warfare since the outbreak of the joint US and Israel attack on Iran, and has expressed interest in supplying interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shahed UAVs in exchange for Patriot air defence systems.

Ukraine was already facing a shortage of costly PAC-3 interceptor missiles supplied by the United States, and officials fear a prolonged conflict with Iran could further disrupt supplies.
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Children in Ukraine have spent a combined six months of their lives under an air raid alert, a new analysis has found as the war passed the four-year mark on Tuesday.

The later months of 2025 saw an increase in the duration of alarms across Ukraine, as Russia intensified its air attacks and ramped up its use of drones to target Ukrainian civilians.

Children in Ukraine have now endured an average of around 4,000 hours of air raid alarms, equalling more than five and a half months of constant alerts since Vladimir Putins forces began their full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to Save the Childrens analysis of official alert data on sirens.

It is constant emotional strain. Adults feel it, but children feel it more deeply. The nervous system is exhausted, said Veronika, the mother of an eight-year-old, Anastasiia. When children hear an explosion, they worry, they get nervous.

open image in gallery Ukrainian children have spent much of their early years under air raid sirens ( Save the Children )

Charities and parents in Ukraine are concerned about the psychological pressure Russias air warfare is putting on children.

This has only increasingly become the case, as Moscow ramped up its use of drones to target civilians by more than 200 per cent in 2025, according to figures from the conflict monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED). This meant that no region in Ukraine was safe from air alerts and Russian strikes.

Children in the Kyiv region and in other frontline areas have been hit the hardest since February 2022, facing 7,000 hours of air raid alerts, equalling around 9.5 months.

For many Ukrainians, air raid alerts sound multiple times a day, forcing families to take cover in basements, subway stations, or other bomb shelters. Often they are without easy access to water, electricity, and heating.

War fatigue in Ukraine has also seen families avoid safer, deeper shelters, occasionally opting for hallways or bathrooms away from the outside of the building.

open image in gallery Children in Kyiv have spent around 9.5 months under air raid sirens ( Save the Children )

Sirens can last from just a few minutes to several hours, and sometimes longer. Save the Children says they prevent children from being able to go to school, and also affect sleep schedules, with around 50 per cent happening in the late evening or at night.

Despite playing no part in the war, children are paying the heaviest price, including damage to their psychological wellbeing, Sonia Khush, country director for Save the Children Ukraine, said.

Four years of full-scale war in Ukraine have shattered childrens lives and ripped away their childhoods as theyve been forced from their homes and schools, lost loved ones and lived in fear as air raid alerts, drones and explosions consume the world around them.

For some children, the only world they have known is one filled with air raid alerts that disrupt their sleep, interrupt their learning, stop their play, and signal constant, life-threatening danger day after day, she added.
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I could hear the take-off detonation being filmed live and broadcast around the world in my earpiece, along with my TV colleagues report of the Russian attack. It was the morning that Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Standing in the pre-dawn freeze on a terrace overlooking Kharkivs Freedom Square four years ago, it was less than a minute before I was reporting on those rockets when they exploded on impact.

The skyline bulged orange, then came the concussive thump, then the cracks of the rockets exploding. Theyd been fired from Russia into Ukraines second-biggest city.

open image in gallery A survivor of an airstrike on an apartment complex outside Kharkiv in February 2022 ( Getty )

The BM-30 Smerch were among the worst. They scattered cluster bombs, spattering the city with deadly golden balls. BM-212 Grads, the old-fashioned Stalins Organ multiple rocket launchers, were terrifying too.

They screeched from the sky in swarms, landing like spears on residential areas, killing and burning ahead of the advancing Russian infantry.

Over the next couple of days, Russian troops stormed north from Crimea towards Kherson, and soon beyond. They blasted out of Donetsk and turned up on the streets of Kharkiv.

I could hear the sounds of firefights, machine guns screaming like chainsaws, and the crash of rocket-propelled grenades. The assumption was that the Russians would capture this city  and the capital  in a few days. That assumption got a lot of Russians killed.

We heard of a reconnaissance group that had wandered closer to Freedom Square and been ambushed by local police with RPGs and rifles. A Russian soldier fell from his vehicle on fire. A group of babushkas (grannies), almost certainly Russian-speakers, rushed up to the burning man. They beat him to death with broomsticks.

That was a metaphor for Ukraines defence of itself.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev on the first day of Putins invasion ( AFP/Getty )

Having first been invaded by Putin in 2014, Crimea was captured. Back then, Ukraines allies reneged on security guarantees that had been afforded to the young democracy, and many, like the UK and the US, banned Kyiv from buying lethal weapons.

British and US intelligence knew that the Kremlins ambitions involved the conquest of all of Ukraine in 2022. They warned Volodymyr Zelensky that the Russians were coming. He didnt seem to listen, and his armed forces were very relaxed on the border just north of Kharkiv.

I dont see many preparations to defend against an invasion, I said to a colonel I met two days before the Russians launched into Ukraine. Youre not supposed to, he replied. But there were no signs of defences being raised at all. Because there were none.

Ukraine was sent reeling. But its population recovered its countrys balance. Some military units scrambled to put up fights that Western advisers thought incredible  such as the punishing defence of Hostomel airbase against mass airborne attacks by paratroopers and Spetznatz forces, just northwest of Kyiv.

Elsewhere, young veterans from the earlier years of combat reformed themselves into small teams in pickup trucks, organised their own families inside occupied territory to spy on the invaders, and took on Russias massed columns of armour and infantry.

Around the world, footage emerged of the ambushes on these columns, and gave small signs that the tiny amount of military aid provided by Britain and the US was having a staggering effect. American Javelin and British NLAW anti-tank missiles slammed into armoured columns and crippled their advance.

Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kyiv were saved by swashbuckling units in Second World War SAS-style raids, which had far more strategic significance than any operations carried out by Britains nascent special forces in their early years.

In the south, villagers organised their own counterattacks, harnessing the horrors of Moscows mass starvation of the Ukrainian people in the early 1930s into an over my dead body rage that held them together.

By the summer of 2022, the national forces had regrouped, launched a counteroffensive, and recovered vast tracts of land in lightning operations.

open image in gallery A map shows the key cities in the war in Ukraine ( Getty/iStock )

Since then, Ukraine has settled into a near stalemate of grinding horror  followed by the nerve-jangling new dimension of drone conflict, in which both sides have been reinventing the modern form of war.

Throughout all of this, Ukraine has been defending Europes eastern flank against Russia on the ground. In the political realm, though, Ukrainians have been dying in large numbers in a war to stop the idea that might is right dead in its tank tracks.

No one here had any idea that Donald Trump would so enthusiastically support the Darwinian doctrine of the Kremlin. But he has. He likes to back a winner. He appears to have chosen one. Without question, Trumps administration has caused more deaths in Ukraine by ending US military aid for the country and setting back its ability to defend itself than if he had continued to support Kyiv.

Meanwhile, the rest of the West has been slow to comprehend the strategic danger Putins land grab poses  and the political horror that the Putin-Trump doctrine is capable of leading the world towards.

First, Ukraines allies were slow to agree to send any kind of weapons, but when the anti-tank missiles finally arrived, they were put to immediate use.

open image in gallery The aftermath of a drone strike near the city of Chornomorsk on Monday ( Reuters )

Men like Grumpty, a former software engineer, taught himself how to drive a Russian T-82 tank by watching YouTube videos. Along with Achilles, who was killed in the summer of 2022, and a small band of men, Grumpty destroyed 14 Russian armoured personnel carriers and tanks in one night.

The Russians were found by the wife of one of the team. Achilles spotted the targets and called in coordinates to Grumpty, who fired over and over again on the invaders. This kind of act captured the public imagination. But it did not deliver Ukraine the weapons it needed to win  barely enough to survive.

While Russia pounded Kyivs forces with hundreds of artillery pieces, it took months for small donations of ancient guns to come from the democratic West. Long-range rockets were restricted in how they could be used.

In Bakhmut, Ukrainians and foreign volunteers fought waves of Russian prisoners and conscripts forced into meat attacks. One American volunteer, Kevin, described with disgust how, for a week, he reckoned he killed 20 to 40 a day.

But Russia hit Ukrainians with bombs from aircraft and long-range missiles fired from Russian soil that were out of bounds to Ukrainians using any foreign equipment. Forced to adapt or die, Ukraine is now the world leader in drone warfare, and controls the Black Sea without having a navy made up of old-fashioned ships and sailors.

open image in gallery Servicemen from the 24th brigade operate an FPV drone flying towards Russian troops in the Donetsk region ( AFP/Getty )

With losses at around 1.2 million, Putins war has been a disaster for Moscow. And Nato is now bigger, as Finland and Sweden have joined the alliance.

Europe has covered the loss of Americas military support, with 250bn (219bn) pledged compared with the US total spend of $115bn (85bn). Much of this money goes on air defences.

Putin has switched his strategy to hitting civilians, blasting Ukraines energy systems, and trying to break the will of its people. Outside Ukraine, he has managed to shape much of the debate over diplomacy, creating a narrative that Ukraine cannot win, should sue for peace, and should give up at least 20 per cent of its territory.

open image in gallery With losses at around 1.2 million, Putins war has been a disaster for Moscow ( AP )

Travelling from Nikopol to Kharkiv through the fortress belt now demanded by Russia in return for thinking about a ceasefire, it is clear to me that most Ukrainians now want peace. But not one of them said that Ukraines security is worth the trade for peace.

Zelensky and his European allies insist that Ukraine needs security guarantees to ensure that Russia never attacks again and never attempts to fulfil Putins vision of recolonising the country. They claim that the only way to do that is to get the US to be Ukraines protector.

But theres no chance that the US could be relied on to keep watch over Ukraine, let alone send troops to fight if it were re-invaded. That has to be the job of Ukraines European neighbours and wider allies in the West. Ukraine has shown what it can do with very little. Imagine what it could do with a little more help from its friends.
Three days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the disaster relief organisation, the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), arrived. Three weeks later, I followed. As the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine is marked, Ive come back, having been there a total of nine times.

Ive worked with them since 2019 and I now sit on the executive board, but I also like to be on the ground. As a charity, we focus on rapid disaster response and crisis relief, working in three phases: immediate response, distributing food, water, hygiene kits, and medical supplies after disasters; short-term relief, getting essential goods, temporary shelter support, and logistical help to those in need; and long-term recovery, rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and supporting community resilience.

Four years after the Russian invasion, GEM remains deeply embedded across Ukraine. Their Farm to Frontline programme moves food directly from local farms to the hardest hit communities, cutting delays and ensuring supplies reach people quickly and efficiently. In January, Russia carried out hundreds of long-distance aerial attacks, specifically targeting the countrys energy infrastructure. As a result, Ukraine lost more than half of its energy-producing capacity, and emergency power cuts have affected 80 per cent of the country. This happened amid a winter in which temperatures have fallen below -15C.

open image in gallery Aid distribution by GEM in Ukraine ( Global Empowerment Mission )

GEM runs a critical window programme that helps Ukrainians repair and secure damaged homes by replacing windows shattered by nearby missile strikes, helping families remain in their homes. One thing is clear whenever I go there. Ukrainians want to stay in their homes.

Possibly most critically, GEM teams distribute family necessity kits filled with food, water, hygiene products, and basic supplies along nearly 600 miles of the front line. Our trucks travel into hard-to-reach areas where residents might otherwise go months without support. During my latest trip, I met a grandmother living in a small house still vulnerable to daily missile threats. She started to cry when I hugged her  GEM, she told us, is her lifeline.

Six months ago, when I last stood in Kyiv, there was still a thin thread of hope humming beneath the surface of daily life. This time, that hum had quietened.

After Russian strikes critically damaged two thermal power plants and hit key substations, residents can now depend on electricity for only a few unpredictable hours each day. As my friend Olga told me, You do not know when the electricity is coming. If the power returns in the middle of the night, you get up to do the washing. In sub-zero darkness, she sleeps in three coats, and mothers lie awake, counting each breath, terrified they cannot keep their babies warm until morning.

open image in gallery India Hicks and her son, Conrad, who volunteered in Ukraine ( Global Empowerment Mission )

Across the city, heated stations have also become places of refuge, offering warmth, tea, and the chance to charge battery packs or even take meetings. In a capital learning to function in cold and darkness, they have become small but vital sanctuaries.

While there, I sat with grandmothers and university students, young mothers and ageing fathers. I played with children who have lost parents and talked to families fractured by occupation, exile, or death. Young graduates described feeling suspended. They are educated, ambitious, thoughtful, and yet their lives feel paused. How do you plan a wedding or imagine children when the horizon itself feels unstable?

One man described living under Russian occupation for 142 days after helping neighbours escape. When Conrad, my son who had returned with me to volunteer, asked what it was like, he said he looked into a Russian soldiers eyes and saw a pigdog looking back. His friend, who also tried to assist others, was captured and tortured, with bleach poured over his hands and metal picks forced beneath his fingernails. He showed us photographs. A grandmother told us she was alone now. Everyone was dead, she said. There are no dramatic flourishes to these conversations. Just facts delivered in exhausted voices.

open image in gallery GEM workers in Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine ( Global Empowerment Mission )

Olga and I went to the opera. It might sound like a bizarre thing to do in the middle of a war, but Olga says people like to go out if they can. They refuse to sit depressed at home. The Opera House was only half lit, conserving precious electricity. The cast was noticeably older than usual because so many younger men are fighting on the front lines. Still, the audience dressed carefully. Lipstick applied. Coats brushed. Heels clicking softly against stone.

To Olga and her friends, it has become hugely important to keep up appearances even under these circumstances. She also told me how tired she is after years of war. I carry my crying children underground as missiles drop, she said. They do not understand the danger, only that they want their own beds back.

After the performance, getting home took far longer than expected. GPS signals were blocked as the military prepared for anticipated attacks that night. Even navigation becomes uncertain. And yet Kyiv endures.

From Kyiv, we drove to Zaporizhzhia, past newly carved trenches slicing through the frozen earth, rows of concrete anti-tank teeth waiting for armour that may come.

The Russians have pushed forward so far since I was last there that the brand new underground bunker school we had visited and built so hopefully, so children could return to safe in-person lessons beneath the threat of missiles, now stands abandoned. Brand new. Fluorescent lights are still humming. Desks lined up. And no children. A school built for safety, emptied by the very danger it was meant to defy. I remember being shocked when we visited, that boys and girls were being taught how to handle and shoot guns, childhood compressed into survival training.

open image in gallery Hicks at an IDP centre for displaced families in Ukraine, where the GEM hands out gifts to children ( Global Empowerment Mission )

I have headed deep into the east several times, right to where we can hear missiles overhead and feel tremors under our feet. We are fully bulletproofed, which feels very unjust as we spend time with people who are completely unarmed and unprotected. We drive enormous distances, following the 18-wheeler trucks carrying food, generators, clothing, blankets, battery packs, and torches. Sometimes it is too dangerous to bring the freight trucks close to the red zones, so the aid is offloaded into sprinter vans that can get in more discreetly.

Even in the ghost towns, there are people. Mainly the elderly, those who could not or would not leave. In the cities, there are hundreds. In the countryside, handfuls. Everyone is desperate, but everyone is grateful. Some nights there is silence. Most nights, there are sirens. Ukrainians in these remote places burn the pallets and boxes the aid was delivered in just to stay warm. Their spirit is still strong. We will never be Russian.

We met again with our friend, the general, who described the accelerating role of drones. Some are small first-person-view devices adapted from commercial models and used for reconnaissance or precision strikes. Others are loitering munitions that hover and wait for a target before diving. There are drones nicknamed waiters that land and sit silently on the ground to conserve battery life, activating only when a vehicle approaches. It is a battlefield of trenches and microchips, mud and algorithms.

open image in gallery Hicks hugs a grandmother living near the front line ( Global Empowerment Mission )

At an IDP centre for internally displaced families, we brought gifts for children forced from their homes. They lined up politely beside a stark display of shell casings, rocket fragments, and disabled artillery parts gathered nearby. For them, these are almost ordinary objects. The reality of war lay out like a museum of survival.

Each passing year deepens the humanitarian crisis. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress have become daily companions. Needs are growing faster than aid can reach them, just as the worlds attention shifts elsewhere. The first few weeks after a disaster are when relief organisations hit the ground with energy and determination. Over the following months, these organisations tend to pull back. Funding runs out, energy fades, new disasters happen. In my opinion, the heroic humanitarian organisations are those that stay long after the press has left and the worlds attention has shifted. In the countries that the Global Empowerment Mission serves, we stay for the long haul.

What I carry home is not only the devastation, but the endurance. The mother navigating blackout schedules. The opera sung in half light. The volunteer loading trucks before dawn. The child waiting patiently beside the remnants of rockets.

God is everywhere in Ukraine. The people believe and the people pray. Churches and faith stand tall in this rubble of war, gold domes glint, and the answer to the question What can we bring you, what do you need? is always, We need God to bring us peace.

Across Ukraine in the darkness, resilience persists.
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Two people have been arrested after an urban explorer was fatally electrocuted while locked inside a wind turbine.

Yibran Javier Rodriguez had apparently climbed into the turbine to take photos for social media.

Moments after entering, the 22-year-old urbexer, short for an urban explorer, suffered a fatal electric shock. His friends called emergency services, claiming he had become stuck and that the door was jammed.

But investigations later revealed the trios attempts to open the door had failed. Officers deduced Yibran had actually entered through an air vent about 3m (10ft) above the ground.

The vents grilles had been unscrewed and then refastened, locking him inside.

The tragedy occurred at a wind farm in Quintanilla Sobresierra, in Spains Burgos province, on 13 June 2025.

open image in gallery Officers deduced Yibran had actually entered through an air vent about 3m (10ft) above the ground ( Guardia Civil )

On Tuesday (17 February), the two friends, aged 25 and 31, were arrested in the Madrid region on suspicion of manslaughter.

Yibran, the youngest of three siblings, was cremated on 16 June in his hometown of Vigo, where he lived with his parents.

Trained in graphic arts, he loved urban photography and graffiti, worked in a pizzeria, and delivered newspapers on Saturdays  often bringing food to people sleeping rough, too.

His mother, Maria, told local media: I always knew he was a good person, but those two days at the funeral home were amazing  so many people came to tell us how Yibran had helped them.

Yibran began practicing urbex at 15. He hoped to leave a photographic legacy and was planning a book of high-altitude shots here in Vigo, said Maria, who often scolded him for his risky exploits.

At 18, he had reassured her: I want to do what makes me happy. Id rather take risks and die young than grow old without ever truly living. But Ill be fine  and I want you to be fine too.

Asked about the friends now in custody, Maria added: Its not fair on these boys  theyre not to blame for his death. They also face a criminal damage charge.
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A military helicopter crashed into a fruit market in the central Isfahan province of Iran, killing four people, according to reports.

The pilot and the co-pilot were killed, along with two merchants in the market, reported state media.

Emergency services rushed to the spot to put out the fire after the helicopter came down in Dorcheh, Iranian state television reported. The footage aired on local media showed debris and smoke rising from the market.

The town of Dorcheh is located some 330km south of Iran's capital, Tehran, in the country's Isfahan province. Isfahan is home to a major Iranian air base, as well as a nuclear site struck by the US during the Iran-Israel war in June.

A map of Dorcheh:

According to the local media, the army helicopter had been on a training flight.

The crash comes a week after a US built F-4 fighter belonging to Irans Air Force crashed in the western province of Hamadan, killing one pilot during a training flight.

The repeated incidents, many involving aircraft bought before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have raised concerns about Irans air safety record. This as comes as Western sanctions have dried up the supply of parts for aircraft in Iran, which relies on a fleet of ageing helicopters and airplanes for both its government and commercial airlines.

Earlier last year, president Ebrahim Raisi was also killed in a helicopter crash allegedly caused by bad weather conditions, Iran's initial probe found. Raisi, 63, died alongside Irans foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and two senior local officials on 19 May.

FILE - In this photo provided by Moj News Agency, rescue team members work at the scene of a crash of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Varzaghan in northwestern Iran, Monday, May 20, 2024. (Azin Haghighi, Moj News Agency via AP, File)

The president and the other men were flying in a US-made Bell 212 helicopter, when the aircraft lost the ability to handle the weight it was carrying due to harsh weather conditions, Fars news agency reported, citing a security source.

The helicopter involved in the crash was nearly 30 years old and came directly from a Bell manufacturing plant in Montreal, Canada, to the Iranian air force, according to data from the firm Cirium. It counts 12 Bell 212 aircraft registered in Iran that are still in service.

Bell Textron Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, at the time also shrugged any responsibility for the maintenance of the aircraft, saying it "does not conduct any business in Iran or support their helicopter fleet, and we do not have knowledge about the active state of the helicopter involved in this accident.

While former Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tried to blame sanctions for the crash, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller pushed back saying America is not going to apologise for our sanctions regime at all,

Ultimately, its the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a ... helicopter in what was described as poor weather conditions, not any other actor, he added.
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Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase antiship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations.

Sources say that while the deal for the Chinesemade CM302 missiles is near completion, no delivery date has been agreed. The deployment of supersonic missiles, which are designed to evade shipborne defences by flying low and fast, would significantly enhance Irans strike capabilities and pose a threat to U.S. naval forces in the region, two weapons experts said.

Negotiations with China to buy the missile weapons systems, which began at least two years ago, accelerated sharply after the 12day war between Israel and Iran in June, according to the six people with knowledge of the talks, including three officials who were briefed by the Iranian government as well as three security officials.

As talks entered their final stages last summer, senior Iranian military and government officials travelled to China, including Massoud Oraei, Irans deputy defence minister, according to two of the security officials. Oraeis visit has not been previously reported.

Its a complete game changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area, said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and now senior Iran researcher at Israels Institute for National Security Studies think tank. These missiles are very difficult to intercept.

Reuters said it could not determine how many missiles were involved in the potential deal, how much Iran had agreed to pay, or whether China would go through with the agreement, given heightened tensions in the region.

open image in gallery Aboat firing a missile during a military exercise by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and navy in the Gulf ( Sepha News/AFP via Getty )

Iran has military and security agreements with its allies, and now is an appropriate time to make use of these agreements, an Iranian foreign ministry official said.

In a comment sent after publication, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of the talks about a potential missile sale that Reuters had reported. China's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

The White House did not directly address the negotiations between Iran and China over the missile system when asked by Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear that either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time, a White House official said, referring to the current standoff with Iran.

The missiles would be among the most advanced military hardware to be transferred to Iran by China and defy a United Nations weapons embargo that was first imposed in 2006. The sanctions were suspended in 2015 as part of a nuclear deal with the U.S. and allies, and then reimposed last September.

US forces gathering near Iran

The potential sale would underscore deepening military ties between China and Iran at a moment of heightened regional tension, complicating U.S. efforts to contain Irans missile programme and curb its nuclear activities. It would also signal Chinas growing willingness to assert itself in a region long dominated by U.S. military might.

China, Iran and Russia hold annual joint naval exercises, and last year the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned several Chinese entities for supplying chemical precursors to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for use in its ballistic missile program. China rejected those allegations, saying it was unaware of the cases cited in the sanctions and that it strictly enforces export controls on dual-use products.

While hosting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for a military parade in Beijing in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping told the Iranian leader that "China supports Iran in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

open image in gallery Chinese President Xi Jinping told the Iranian leader that China supports Iran in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity ( Getty )

China joined Russia and Iran in a joint letter on October 18 to say they believed the decision to reimpose sanctions was flawed.

Iran has become a battlefield between the U.S. on one side and Russia and China on the other, said one of the officials who was briefed by Irans government on the missile negotiations.

The deal comes as the U.S. assembles an armada within striking distance of Iran, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group. The USS Gerald R. Ford and its escorts are also heading to the region. The two ships together can carry more than 5,000 personnel and 150 aircraft.

China does not want to see a pro-Western regime in Iran, said Citrinowicz, the Israeli specialist on Iran. That would be a threat to their interests. They are hoping that this regime will stay.

Trump said on February 19 he was giving Iran 10 days to reach an agreement over its nuclear programme or face military action. The U.S. is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if Trump orders an attack, Reuters reported on February 13.

A depleted arsenal

The CM-302 purchase would be a significant improvement in an Iranian arsenal depleted by last years war, said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Chinas state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) markets the CM-302 as the worlds best anti-ship missile, capable of sinking an aircraft carrier or destroyer. The weapons system can be mounted on ships, aircraft or mobile ground vehicles. It can also take out targets on land.

CASIC did not respond to a request for comment.

Iran is also in discussions to acquire Chinese surfacetoair missile systems, so-called MANPADS, antiballistic weapons, and anti-satellite weapons, the six people said.

China was a major arms supplier to Iran in the 1980s, but largescale weapons transfers dwindled by the late 1990s under international pressure. In recent years, U.S. officials have accused Chinese companies of providing missile-related materials to Iran but have not publicly accused it of supplying complete missile systems.
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President Donald Trumps decision to attack Iran will largely be guided by the advice of his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to reports.

Last week, Mr Trump said he was seriously considering air strikes against Iran ahead of last-ditch nuclear deal talks in Geneva on Thursday.

The US has been building up its military presence in the region with two of its biggest warships, the USS Gerald R Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln, moving closer to the Iranian coast. They will be supported by fighter jets and naval forces.

On Monday, a US official told The Guardian that Mr Witkoff is part of a group advising the president on how to proceed with Iran after they file their new nuclear proposal later this week.

The President has received multiple briefings on military options, including one on Wednesday in the White House Situation Room, according to the source.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps decision is to be informed by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ( Getty )

Other advisers include vice president JD Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio, CIA director John Ratcliffe, defence secretary Pete Hegseth, General Dan Caine who is also chair of the joint chiefs of staff, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.

According to the newspaper, Mr Vance is more uncertain about the success of strikes on Iran due to Gen Caines concerns about a low stockpile of anti-missile systems.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Gen Caine is a highly respected professional whose job requires providing unbiased information to the Commander in Chief, which he does perfectly. She added that he had not been offering his personal views in discussions.

open image in gallery USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier  the largest warship in the world  arrives at Souda Bay on the island of Crete ( Reuters )

Several options are being discussed, as some advisers have raised doubt over whether strikes will be effective. Other options include allowing Iran to maintain a limited nuclear enrichment for medical research or treatment, and for civilian energy.

Mr Witkoff has said Americas aim is to ensure zero enrichment, but Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi later told CBS that the country was not prepared to relinquish enrichment.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Mr Witkoff said Mr Trump was confused as to why Iran had not capitulated amid the US military buildup in the region.

I don't want to use the word 'frustrated'... because he [Trump] understands he's got plenty of alternatives, but he's curious as to why they haven't... I don't want to use the word 'capitulated', but why they haven't capitulated, he said.

Both sides have signalled their preparedness for war if talks fail, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responding to the positioning of aircraft carriers by threatening to sink them.
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Visits to the home of Elvis Presley and the chance to sip fresh Kentucky bourbon are among the highlights of Vikings new Mississippi river cruise itineraries .

Viking has added two new cruise itineraries to its existing four routes on Americas Great River.

The new routes expand Vikings options for guests along the 3,341 mile stretch of the Mississippi.

Sailing on the 386-guest Viking Mississippi, new sailings include a 15-day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary between New Orleans and Louisville.

Port stops include visits to the birthplace of the blues including Memphis and Greenville, the chance to step into American Civil War history in Vicksburg, and the opportunity to explore the Urban Bourbon Trail in Kentucky. Prices start from 10,190 per person and include flights, transfers, food, wifi, tips and one excursion in almost every port.

There is also a shorter eight-day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer option between Memphis and Louisville where guests can discover the legacies of icons such as B. B. King during a stop in Memphis and there is even a chance to visit the home of Elvis Presley in Graceland. Cruise fares start from 5,095 per person and include flights, transfers, food, wifi, tips and one excursion in almost every port.

Alternative options include an eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer along the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi and an eight-day Heartland of America route following the footsteps of Mark Twain from St. Louis to St. Paul along the Upper Mississippi. Prices start from around 5,000 per person.

Torstein Hagen, chairman and chief executive of Viking, said: Wherever they are in the world, our guests are interested in the history, culture and culinary traditions of the destinations they visit.

The towns and cities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers are fantastic destinations that many have yet to discover.
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The North American airports that deliver the best customer experiences have been named and here is where you can find them.

The Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards is run by Airports Council International World, the global trade body for airports, with the results determined by a benchmarking program that measures passenger satisfaction in real time at airports.

For the latest awards, nearly 707,000 passengers were surveyed worldwide.

In the prestigious best airports at departures category - the North American winners for airports serving over 40 million passengers a year - were Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

open image in gallery Over 700,000 passengers were surveyed for the awards for best customer experience at airports. Pictured is one of the winners: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport ( Getty Images )

In the 25 to 40 million sub-category, New York Citys LaGuardia Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport claimed gold.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Tampa International Airport were honored in the 15 to 25-million-passengers-per-year category.

Coming up tops in the easiest airport journey category were Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina, Indianapolis International Airport and Portland International Jetport in Maine.

Greenville-Spartanburg International was also recognized in the most enjoyable airport category, along with Orlando International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport.

The Customer Experience Awards, sponsored by aviation technology company SITA, also has a most dedicated staff category, with Greenville-Spartanburg named once again, alongside Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids, Michigan) and Portland International Jetport.

open image in gallery Orlando International Airport was honored in two categories  'best airports at departures' and 'most enjoyable airport' ( Getty Images )

The honorees in the cleanest airport category were almost mirrored. Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg came top, along with Salt Lake City International Airport.

Greenville-Spartanburg was also named in the ACI World Director General's Roll of Excellence, along with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

This award "honors airports that demonstrate sustained leadership in customer experience over time."

Global winners included Punta Cana International Airport (Dominican Republic), Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Rome Fiumicino Airport in the "best at departures" category, and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Monterrey International Airport (Mexico) in the "most enjoyable airport" category.

The results, noted ACI, come amid continued traffic growth, with global passenger volumes expected to increase from 9.8 billion in 2025 to 10.2 billion in 2026, placing increasing pressure on airports to deliver efficient, welcoming, and high-quality experiences at scale.

Airports Council International World Director General Justin Erbacci said: These awards reflect the collective efforts of airport teams and stakeholders worldwide. As we celebrate the ASQ program's 20th Anniversary, we recognize two decades of trusted insights and recognition that have helped airports create better and more memorable journeys. Congratulations to all the ACI ASQ Customer Experience Award winners for their unwavering dedication to passenger experience."

"Air travel is evolving at pace, with passengers expecting more seamless and rewarding experiences than ever before," said Pedro Alves, Senior Vice President of Borders, SITA. "These awards recognize the exceptional work happening across airports every day."
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A SpiceJet flight had to return to Delhi shortly after take-off following a technical issue that prompted the airport in the Indian capital to declare a full emergency on Tuesday.

A Boeing 737 aircraft operated by SpiceJet was flying from Delhi to Leh city in the northern federal territory of Ladakh with around 150 passengers on board when it developed a technical issue, the aviation company said.

The plane took off from Delhi at 6.08am and made an emergency return at 6.49am. All passengers were evacuated safely.

A full emergency was declared at the airport as a precautionary measure, and the aircraft landed without further complications.

The aircraft returned due to an engine failure, news agency ANI reported, adding that initial inputs suggested the primary cause was linked to a problem with the aircrafts second engine.

However, SpiceJets official statement described it only as a technical issue, adding that flight SG121 turned back as a precaution and landed safely.

A SpiceJet flight operating from Delhi to Leh on February 24 returned to Delhi after experiencing a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers were disembarked normally, a statement said.

There was no fire warning in the cockpit.

The Independent has reached out to SpiceJet for comment.

It comes as Indias aviation regulator investigates the deadliest plane crash in decades, which killed 260 people in June last year. The London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, killing all but one passenger on board.

Late on Monday, an air ambulance with seven people on board crashed in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand. All seven people onboard, including a patient who was being airlifted for Delhi, died in the crash that happened amid severe weather conditions, including strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.
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A grand oasis of calm in one of the worlds busiest cities, this hotel offers a kind of corporate splendour: clean decor and understated comfort in the heart of the financial district

Location

Nestled among the glittering churn of the Hudson River and the moneyed, businesslike glamour of the Financial District, the Conrad New York Downtown is a relaxing, calm haven amid busy lower Manhattan. New York's Downtown  and especially the bit of it that is home to the Conrad  is not necessarily the thrilling, busy neighbourhood that its name might suggest. It is quiet, especially on an evening or weekend, and though there is an array of bars and shops nearby, it's not quite as well-served as other parts of the city. It remains primarily a business district, with the kind of facilities that you would expect from one, but it is also 10 minutes or so from many of the most famous parts of the city.

Read more: The best New York hotels

The vibe

The hotel experience is established as soon as you turn off the busy streets, up the hotels large stairs and into its huge atrium. Extending above you is a 13-storey lobby that includes a relaxing mural, with enough light to make you feel as if you are both inside and outside at the same time.

open image in gallery This hotel in New York greets you with a 13-storey lobby ( Conrad )

This kind of design  slightly corporate but nonetheless calming, perhaps you could call it smart casual  extends everywhere, from the reception to the restaurants to the rooms. The Conrad New York Downtown doesnt have the kind of cosiness or specific style that some of its more established and more homely competitors might have, but youre left with a kind of clean purposefulness: whether your aim is to relax or be productive, youll achieve it.

Service

Service here is unremarkable in the best possible way. Staff are constantly vigilant about helping you in from the street (and up the substantial staircase to get into the atrium), but are only there when you need them, and never more than that. In keeping with the hotels businesslike vibe, check-in and concierge are efficient and productive  as helpful as you need but never too much.

Bed and bath

All of the Conrad New York Downtowns 463 rooms are suites. And what suites they are: generous, clean, with enough division between the rooms that you truly feel like the space is your own. They are set up to be a home from home, with a full living space with a vast sofa, television and workspace. There is no bath but capacious walk-in shower.

The same vibe that greets you on arriving to the hotel is waiting inside those suites. Decoration is focused on corporate calm: soft woods, light decoration, enough art to be interesting and no more.

open image in gallery Rooms are generously sized  especially for New York ( Conrad )

Despite the bustling location, the rooms are whisper quiet; the riverside views mean that you can watch the ferries as they move up and down the river, but you wont hear them at all. Each of the rooms open out onto that atrium, which means that even in the halls you have space and quiet.

Read more: Best hotels near Times Square, the heart of New York City

Food and drink

open image in gallery Leonessa has views across the river and Jersey City ( Conrad )

The hotel has its own wine bar and restaurant, Atrio, which offers everything from breakfast to dinner. The menu is extensive, and so are the offerings: for breakfast, for instance, you can have everything from the huge Full American Breakfast to cereals and an elevated avocado toast.

There is also Leonessa, an Italian-inspired rooftop aperitivo bar with stunning views across the river and of Jersey City beyond. You can get a wide array of cocktails, from spritzes to a special Dolce Espresso with vodka and amaretto. It is currently closed for the winter.

Facilities

open image in gallery A pool across from the hotel is available to guests for a small fee ( Conrad )

As you might expect from a hotel and a city where most people tend to be interested in going out rather than staying in, the facilities are relatively limited. Theres a fitness centre but for anything properly involved youll have to head out and across the road where you can use a pool for a small fee. Most of the other facilities are focused on the hotels function as a business hotel, and it is incredibly well set up for that: a host of meeting rooms and a business centre for important calls, for instance.

Read more: The best LGBT+ friendly hotels in New York City

Accessibility

The hotel has a number of accessible rooms with mobility features with entry or passage doors that provide 32 inches of clear width. Areas including meeting rooms, registration desk, concierge desk and are all accessible. Assistive listening devices for meetings are available upon request. There are visual alarms for hearing impaired in public areas and hallways.

Pet policy

Two pets under 75lbs are allowed to stay in rooms, as long as they are attended, subject to a $200 fee per stay.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 4pm, check-out is 11am.

Family friendly?

Despite the relatively staid and businesslike vibe of the hotel, the Conrad New York Downtown is child-friendly and family packages are available.

At a glance

Best thing: A soothing, smooth experience in a city that can be anything but.

Perfect for: Business travellers and those generally wanting a more professional version of luxury.

Not right for: Those wanting the quirkier and busier version of New York.

Instagram from: The huge beds in the river-facing rooms, where you can eat breakfast in bed with the Hudson River and Jersey City skyline beyond.

Address: 102 North End Avenue New York, New York, 10282, USA

Phone: +1 212-945-0100

Website: hilton.com

Read more: The best spa hotels in New York City for tranquil pools and treatments with a view
This is the moment a garbage man made a shocking discovery whilst he was emptying a trash can in Ohio.

Footage shared by Huber Heights Police on Monday (23 February) shows a waste worker wheeling a bin towards his truck. When he lifts the lid, he jumps back in shock before a man emerges from inside and flees the scene.

The force said that they had been conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle when the driver fled on foot. The officer briefly lost sight of the suspect and immediately set up a perimeter in the area.

Dashcam footage shows the worker pointing at the suspect to alert officers, who were able to apprehend the individual. No injuries were reported.
When war in Ukraine broke out in 2022, Olena Kutsa was five months pregnant.

As Russian troops rolled and explosions echoed across the country, the Head of Emergency Response for the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, who was five-months pregnant, left her home - not knowing If she would ever return.

Olena moved into her office alongside 25 volunteers. The building became both coordination hub and temporary home as sirens wailed outside. Sleeping bags were laid out on floors. Phones rang constantly. Supplies came and went in a blur of urgency.

Four years on, Olena reflects on four long years with a mixture of resolve and quiet disbelief. Her child is now old enough to ask questions about the sirens.
Its been four years of war. Four years of a Russian onslaught to extinguish Ukrainian independence, which Vladimir Putin thought would be over in days. For just over a year of this, I worked as a special adviser to a foreign secretary, with Ukraine as my main brief. And I dont think its quite understood just how far the war has changed the course not just of Ukrainian history, but of Russian history.

One of the last things I did in government was to join a visit to the White House, where top British officials sought to get across just how much the Ukrainian army had changed for the better in 18 months. This is exactly what I had a chance to explain to US vice-president JD Vance  whose views on Ukraine, more nuanced than is assumed, are central to US policy.

A year and a half ago, the armed forces of Ukraine were a crowd-sourced and volunteer-led mess, making up with courage what they lacked in kit. Not so today. The Ukrainian army is now one of the most deadly, hi-tech fighting forces on earth. A well-trained Ukrainian can now wipe out an entire platoon. Its frontline drones are cutting-edge. Its not just Britain that is training Ukraine at this point  Ukraine is training us how to fight a drone war.

open image in gallery Ben Judah at the back of the table, on the US-UK side ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service )

This didnt happen by itself. When all is said and done, so much comes back to Volodymyr Zelensky. Most of the politicians I met in the job were nothing special. Distracted, often visibly, by social media. Passing shadows to be forgotten not only by history, but by the end of the decade. Zelensky was different.

When I was in meetings with him, I saw a man utterly consumed with every aspect of the front, the diplomacy, and the war economy his people depended on. Relentless in what he needed, demanding and pushing for more, he showed a level of concentration and determination for his cause that Ive rarely seen. Which is why I think hes one of the few men Ive ever met that I consider a real hero  perhaps the last in Europe.

Zelenskys historic role  so crucial at the start of the war in saving Ukraine when the Americans were urging him to evacuate; so central now as he dances around Donald Trump  has won Ukraine this chance to harden.

What began as a war of movement is now a war of attrition across surreal, net-covered front lines, where drones have changed everything. It is both the First World War with trenches, and something cyberpunk. Sustaining this, Ukraine has a manpower problem. But now, on quite a shocking scale, so does Russia.

Thats the point that people miss. Ukraine isnt up against the USSR, which in the 1980s had the worlds third-biggest population. Its up against an ageing Russia, with just over twice the UK population. Thats hardly limitless. After 1.2 million Russian casualties  can you imagine Britain losing 600,000 people  you can see this on the battlefield.

Along key parts of the front lines, roughly a third of the Russian prisoners of war are now found to be recruits from Africa and Bangladesh. Ukraine has recently tipped the scales, where Moscow is losing more men per month than it can recruit, and this is forcing the Kremlin into a desperate search for cannon fodder among the worlds poorest and most desperate people. This is the army  not Zhukovs Red Army  that is so bogged down.

open image in gallery Ben Judah with Zelensky in Kyiv ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service )

Like so many Western officials, from the leaders right down to our military trainers, I was constantly in touch with Ukrainians while in government. Ukraine is not in Nato, but even if it never gets there formally, our support means it has become incredibly, deeply tied to the European family.

When the war ends  and it will end at some point  I believe Ukraines integration into the European Union will proceed at pace. The irony is, I doubt you would ever have such an accelerated and intense integration had it not been for the war. Putin was the man who pushed Ukraine decisively towards the West.

This same war has pushed Russia decisively east. Its not just the high-level tie-up between Western finance and Russian roubles that has gone from Mayfair to Saint-Tropez. Its that China has become the Kremlins main patron. And the price has not just been steep economically, with extensive oil and gas deals on painful Chinese terms.

Russia has also paid a political price, which is the increasing influence of China in its domestic politics, with Chinas president Xi Jinping known to favour certain ministers. How long before the Chinese are directly picking them? Its a painful irony for Russia that a war launched to revive an empire has actually accelerated its becoming an imperial subordinate. And the geopolitics of that are something we are going to be living with for the rest of our lives.

Ben Judah was special adviser to David Lammy as both foreign secretary and deputy prime minister (2024-2026)
Irish businesses selling products such as cars, jewellery, boats and art will soon face strict new limits on how much cash they can accept from a single customer, under sweeping EU anti-money laundering reforms due to take effect from 2027.
Irish financial advisor and investment manager Elkstone has named Joe Bergin as its new CEO as Alan Merriman takes up new role with the firm.

Elkstone was co-founded in 2011 by Merriman along with Ciaran McIntyre and Ruairi ONeill Alan Merriman, a former is one of Irelands best known financiers including for his role as a backer of early stage Irish start-ups likes drone-delivery service Manna and home diagnostics venture LetsGetChecked.
New trade group to support data centre development

The Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance will be headed by former Construction Industry Federation director Tom Parlon

From left: Joe Conway, Tom Parlon, Colm Phelan and David Quinn at the launch of the Irish Data Centre Supplier Alliance in Grange Castle Business Park, Dublin. Photo: Robbie Reynolds

Rory McGinn Mon 23 Feb 2026 at 06:30

A new trade association has been formed to represent Irish companies operating in the data centre supply chain, with former Construction Industry Federation director and junior minister Tom Parlon appointed as its first chair.
Irish non-bank lender specialises in property sector

Onate, the Irish non-bank lender that specialises in short-term property finance, is targeting 100m of lending activity in a new term loan product over the next two years.

The company is aiming the new product, which has already launched, at the sub-5m market to meet what it says is growing demand for flexible, competitively priced, longer-term property finance.
State begins to move its servers into government data centre

Final cost of the project, which was built on a campus in Backweston, Co Kildare, is expected to exceed 80m

The government data centre is replacing several smaller facilities. Stock image

John Burns Mon 23 Feb 2026 at 06:30

State agencies have begun moving their servers into the Governments new data centre in Backweston, Co Kildare, which will begin operations later this year.
From Samsung and Xiaomi to Apple  the five best superphones on the market right now, and the finest folding phones too
US airlines fear EU-wide impact of likely ruling on Dublin Airport passenger cap

Lobby group warns planners would have carte blanche to restrict airport capacity

The Government has drafted legislation to remove the cap at Dublin Airport. Photo: John Mulligan

John Mulligan Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

The Government must enact legislation to remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport by the end of April or risk seeing a decision by the EUs top court that would give planning authorities across the trading bloc carte blanche to reduce airport capacity, according to powerful US lobby group Airlines for America (A4A).
Ask Allison: My dad and his sister fell out and she wanted her cancer kept secret from him. Now shes dead, do I tell him?
We got lost in Moscow and I thought Id never see my husband again: the Irish housewives who took on the USSR
Ninety-minute show reminds us what a tight live entity this outfit is

Alex Kapranos is in the mood to praise this Dublin crowd. He seems thrilled that they are fully into the show because, he notes, youre not holding a stupid phone in your hand.

The wiry Franz Ferdinand frontman speaks too soon, however. As soon as they begin the memorable opening bars of their next song  their breakthrough hit, Take Me Out  the phones emerge en masse.

For the most part, though, the screens are absent as the Glaswegian quintet  whove had a few line-up changes over the years  race through a career-spanning set packed with super-catchy songs.

Their self-titled debut album is raided for six tracks while their most recent offering, last years The Human Fear, contributes five. Its the second date of a tour that will take them all over Europe and the UK, and they seem to be enjoying themselves hugely.

Dino Bardot and Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand at the National Stadium. Photo: Redferns

There has long been a theatrical strain to the bands live performances and thats apparent from the off, when The Dark of the Matinee whips up the audience.

Kapranos  always a compelling stage presence  rolls back the years with a rollicking Do You Want To while Evil Eye offers a reminder of what a tight live entity this outfit is.

Drummer Audrey Tait (who joined the band five years ago) and original bassist Bob Hardy are a formidable pairing, delivering beats that fluctuate from frenetic to metronomic.

Another non-original member, Julian Corrie, is nominally the bands keyboard player, but he also introduces all manner of sound effects  programmed theremin here, saxophone stylings there. Its a welcome addition.

Its all eyes on Kapranos. The eternally youthful frontman is not the sort who stands motionless at the microphone, coolly detached. There are star jumps, synchronised manoeuvres and occasional excursions into the audience.

Alex Kapranos at the Stadium. Photo: Getty

And, at the end of one of the best-realised songs, Outsiders, each member joins Tait at the drum kit to provide a spot of communal percussion.

Franz Ferdinand may have been lumped in with those other post-punk revivalists who came of age in the early 2000s, but they have always had a yen for reinvention, even if the results can be hit or miss. Hooked is a case in point: it isnt just a nod to electronica  its a full on EDM anthem and one thats playful and exhilarating.

The beaming smiles on stage suggest theyre enjoying the experience as much as the punters are.

Its all over in under 90 minutes, but not before an elongated rendition of This Fire, with Kapranos wading through the crowd, his mates building and lowering the tension, before he rejoins them for a resounding crescendo.

Notably, the stage backdrop is every bit as spartan as the venue itself, which only serves to highlight the music. Sometimes, less really is more.
Why red tape is here to stay

We all hate it  but blame the cheats, not the policy-makers

'In 2025, the Department paid out over 2.14 billion to farmers and fishers. Taxpayers have an absolute right to know that this staggering sum is being spent properly'. Stock image: Getty

Ciaran Moran Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

If there is a farmer in Ireland who doesn't hate paperwork, I have yet to meet them.
Inside the Bord Bia protest: why the IFA 5 refuse to go home

Patrick McCormick is lying on the floor of Bord Bias Dublin headquarters  and says hell remain there until a new chair is put in place.

The IFA 5 inside Bord Bia. Photo: Gareth Chaney.

Catherina Cunnane Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

Beef and poultry farmer Patrick McCormick from Co Monaghan has spent nights worrying about and preparing for Bord Bia audits.
Diary of War: Ukrainian DJ collects dozens of peoples invasion-day stories for theatre piece premiering in Dublin

Daria Kolomiec, a Ukrainian activist and DJ, has collected 41 diary entries from people around Ukraine speaking about the first day of the Russian invasion

Daria Kolomiec, the creator of Diary of War. Photo: Ksenia Vitsinska

Azmia Riaz Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 15:53

I realised how much I loved this city, said Iryna Tsybukh, a combat medic from Ukraine, about the day she first heard explosions in Kyiv.
Some patients are having to travel from another county to access a GP and one person claimed to be charged 100 a visit, according to a survey conducted by the Social Democrats.
Every single one of them has lost someone  life in Ukraine four years after the invasion

Tom McEnaney (58) founded Effective Aid Ukraine, which began its work in May 1998 (it was initially called the International Orphanage Development Programme). Originally from Cavan, he now lives in Dublin

Tom McEnaney is the founder of Effective Aid Ukraine

As told to Tanya Sweeney Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

I was on an overnight train in January, between Kyiv and Lviv, and our train got stopped. It turned out that Russia was bombing Lviv with, among others, an Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile.
Id never heard of pancreatic cancer until Mammy was diagnosed with it. Its a very cruel disease

Olivia Maher, who lost her mum to the disease last year, advises people to go to the doctor as soon as they notice anything unusual

'She had always been so full of life and suddenly she seemed to start slipping away'. Photo: Frank McGrath

Arlene Harris Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

Each year around 600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland  and while the figures are relatively low, so too are the survival rates, with only around 10pc of patients surviving beyond five years of diagnosis.
Lorraine Courtney: We should not have to sacrifice essentials like SNA supports for nice-to-haves like free meals and schoolbooks

The Governments lack of transparency on SNA allocation is at the root of backlash

For many children, SNAs are lifelines. Photo: Getty

Lorraine Courtney Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

How could the Government possibly have thought it could remove SNAs from any school at the very moment it is handing out free hot lunches and free schoolbooks to every primary child in the country?
Sam Kiley: As war enters its fifth year, Ukraine has proven it can survive  but this is what it needs to win

Ukraine was poorly prepared for full-scale invasion in 2022, but the country has regrouped and fought back admirably, despite initial suggestions Russia would conquer it

Ukrainians crowd under a destroyed bridge as they try to flee by crossing the Irpin River on the outskirts of Kyiv on March 5, 2022. Photo: AP

Sam Kiley UK Independent Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

I could hear the take-off detonation being filmed live and broadcast around the world in my earpiece along with my TV colleagues on the ground report of the Russian attack on the morning Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the invasion of his country, Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskys message was stark: Putin has started World War III.

One might wish to think this was hyperbole from someone who first came to prominence as winner of Dancing with the Stars and then played the role of a hapless president in a TV comedy.

But Europe knows Mr Zelensky deserves to be taken seriously. The resolute courage and resilience his nation has displayed in resisting Russias invasion has won the respect of world leaders.

If the conflict has revealed the heroics of one nation, it has also exposed the cruelty of the Russian leader, who is now a wanted war criminal.

The special military operation he launched this day four years ago has resulted in the greatest loss of life on the continent since the end of World War II. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies has estimated that Russia has suffered 1.2 million casualties. This includes up to 325,000 troop deaths between February 2022 and December 2025. It said Ukraine has had 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths. There is no sign whatsoever that the appalling loss of life is anywhere close to ending.

Moscow continues to invest in strikes more than in diplomacy, Mr Zelensky said.

With the shadow of war across the continent, Europes leaders understand Ukraines fight for the right to an independent future is also theirs.

Europe knows it must step up and become more forceful and autonomous

Speaking in St Petersburg last year, Putin said: Where the foot of a Russian soldier steps, thats ours.

As Mr Zelensky said: Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves.

Talks between Moscow and Kyiv under the tutelage of US president Donald Trump are going nowhere. Ukraine has complained of being compelled by Washington to hand over cities to Putin that would take years to seize militarily. Mr Zelensky makes the case it is not about territory but people. Were he to bow to Mr Trumps demands, his people would rebel. They have made too many sacrifices to willingly betray their own.

The US no longer supplies arms to Ukraine. Europe instead buys weapons from the US and supplies them to Kyiv. But the bloc has struggled to act in concert. The latest impediment is the blocking of a 90bn EU loan by Hungary, as well as its refusal to back sanctions on Moscow.

Europe knows it must step up and become more forceful and autonomous. Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, recently issued what was effectively a European declaration of independence. The union must seek independence, in every dimension that affects our security and prosperity, she said. She ended by calling for a Europe devoted to peace and freedom.

This, in short, she said was what Ukraine is fighting for today and what, she insisted, will always remain Europes purpose.

On this day, once again, it is worth saluting Ukraine and reaffirming that all who believe in the freedom of countries and the sanctity of borders stand by the struggle of the Ukrainian people.
It is almost one year since Kerry farmer Mike Gaine was reported missing.

Two months after the 56-year-old disappeared from his farm, his remains were discovered in a slurry tank six kilometres from Kenmare.

Despite a dedicated police investigation, the case had gone cold in recent months.

Until today, with the arrest of Michael Kelley, who was previously arrested in connection with the investigation last May.

On this Extra episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent special correspondent Catherine Fegan to hear the latest developments.
A senior official with Cork County Council has confirmed that they are actively looking at Fermoy as a place for additional affordable housing.

Senior Executive Officer with the local authority, Aidan Creagh said Cork County Council is actively working in the background with developers and also trying to acquire land in Fermoy for affordable housing.

The information was provided at a recent Northern Committee meeting after Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle requested a report from Cork County Council on what affordable housing projects are in progress in the Northern Region.

Cllr Doyle also sought an update on affordable housing for Charleville and a timeline for completion. Charleville is at peak employment. We are home to the Kerry Group. We have a thriving engineering works in both our industrial parks. We have a retail unit on our main street, and our schools are packed to the capacity. The need for affordable housing in Charleville is unreal.

The minute a house comes up for sale at present in Charleville town it is gone within a couple of weeks, stated Cllr Doyle. We have had four or four social housing units put up in Charleville which has met the demand of the social housing needs, but there has long since been a need for affordable housing and private housing in Charleville. I am now glad that the funding application has been sent to the Department.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan stressed the importance of ongoing work in North Cork regarding the provision of social housing. The demand for housing is off the charts at the moment.

Aontu councillor Peter ODonoghue wondered about the possibility of affordable housing schemes in the Fermoy/Mitchelstown area in the future because they are very badly needed.

Senior Executive Officer at Cork County Council, Aidan Creagh said: We are all aware of the challenges in the private sector for people trying to get affordable housing. In relation to Fermoy, we are actively working in the background with developers and trying to acquire land.

Nothing that can go into the public domain at this time because it is early in the negotiation period. We are actively looking at Fermoy as a place for additional affordable housing. We have done a successful scheme in Rathealy Close and we are looking at an opportunity to do a further scheme in Fermoy in due course, he added.

Keith Jones, Director of Services, Housing told the councillors that there have been three affordable housing schemes completed to date in the Northern Region, namely Clonmore Phase 1 in Mallow, Clonmore Phase 3 in Mallow and Rathealy Close, Fermoy.

Mr Jones also confirmed that there is a current affordable scheme in Pulleen, Kanturk that is open for applications through the online portal. There are 20 houses (4x2 bed and 16x3 bed) in this scheme. There is an upcoming affordable scheme in Oakfield, Charleville for 25 houses in phase 1. The funding application was sent off to the Department of Housing on January 9, 2026. The proposed delivery timeline from the developer is early 2027.

There is an affordable scheme, on Council owned land, being progressed for St Josephs Road, Mallow. A Section 177AE application was submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala, following which, planning consent has now been received. An updated AHF application is to be made to the DHLGH to reflect this position, he added.

In reply, Cllr Doyle welcomed the positive response. It is great to see that we have 76 houses completed in the affordable housing list. That there are 20 now in construction in Kanturk, that Charleville has now been included and there are 25 houses in phase one.
A Cork man, charged with the murder of a postman in Doneraile, has been sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Alex Deady (20), with an address at Glenview, Convent Road, Doneraile, was charged, along with two juveniles, for the murder of 46-year-old Barry Daly, whose body was discovered outside his home in the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The collective outrage and pressure from SNAs, parents, teachers and school communities who refused to stay silent has resulted in no cuts to SNA teachers in the next school year claimed a Cork Senator.

After a meeting of the coalition party leaders, it was decided late on Monday, February 24, that almost 200 schools who had been told in recent weeks they will lose SNAs will not now face cuts in September.

Those who has already been allocated extra SNAs will still receive them.

However, a review of the allocation for the 2027/2028 school year will get underway.

Sinn Fein Senator for Cork North-West, Nicole Ryan, welcomed the last-minute reprieve on planned cuts to Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations, but warned that it has exposed the fundamental flaws in how this government views the role of SNAs in the education system. The pause on SNA allocation reviews was necessary and is a direct result of the immense pressure applied by parents, schools, SNAs and advocacy groups across the country. However, this 11th-hour reprieve does not address the core issue, it simply delays it.

Ms Ryan said the reversal was down to the collective outrage and power of SNAs, teachers, school communities and parents who stood up and made their voices heard. We are now seeing government ministers come out and act as though they are not the cause of this issue in the first place, effectively patting themselves on the back for reversing a decision that should never have happened.

There also needs to be immediate clarity for SNAs themselves, said Senator Ryan. If posts are not being cut, does this still mean that SNAs will be redeployed elsewhere? Families and staff deserve certainty, not confusion about whether the support in their classroom today will still be there in September.

What happens next year? Are the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) going to come back in and redo these reviews again? Where are these additional SNAs that the Government keeps promising going to come from? Will schools that desperately need additional SNA support finally get it, she added.

Senator Ryan highlighted the scale of concern among families and educators, pointing to the overwhelming attendance at Sinn Feins recent public online meeting on SNA cuts. The public online meeting was attended by over 1,100 people from across the country. We heard heartbreaking personal stories from SNAs, parents and school staff. In some cases, schools with over 200 pupils have just two SNAs to support children with additional needs. That is simply not sustainable.

The Cork politician also raised concerns about the working conditions of SNAs who feel underpaid and undervalued. SNAs feel deeply concerned about their job stability and security. We heard directly how precarious the role has become for many. There is an urgent need for the relevant circular governing the SNA role to be comprehensively reviewed and redone so that the responsibilities of SNAs are properly resourced, clearly outlined and supported.

SNAs are not an optional extra. They are essential to ensuring that children with additional needs can access education safely, meaningfully and with dignity, she added.

Senator Ryan said the government cannot continue to treat SNA support as something that can be reviewed away behind closed doors. I will continue to stand with SNAs, parents and school communities across Cork North West to ensure that children are not left behind and that the SNA role is properly recognised, resourced and protected.

Labour Party TD for Cork North Central Eoghan Kenny said serious questions remain for Government following its decision to roll back proposed cuts to Special Needs Assistant supports and allocate 19 million for additional SNAs. We need to look at why this happened in the first place. Government created this policy. They directed the NCSE to implement it. The changes were rolled out and school communities were left scrambling. Only after a huge national outcry from parents, SNAs and schools did government reverse course. That is not leadership. That is panic.

The reality is that the issue has not been resolved, stated the Cork TD. They have simply kicked the can down the road. Government are buying time and hoping this issue will be forgotten about by the academic year 2027 to 2028. Schools still need clarity. SNAs still need certainty. Families still need reassurance that supports will match the real needs of children in classrooms.

There is clearly no confidence in the NCSE after this debacle. We cannot have a special education system lurching from crisis to crisis depending on the political weather. Government must now come forward with a clear, long term plan to rebuild trust, guarantee SNA supports and properly reform special education so that this never happens again, he added.
Why are we ashamed to fly our own national flag in this country? queried Cllr Peter ODonoghue in relation to the tricolour not being flown on a daily basis over landmark buildings in Cork towns.

The issue was raised at a recent Fermoy Municipal District meeting by Aontu Councillor Peter ODonoghue under Any Other Business as he requested an update to a motion he submitted last year. Last September I put forward a motion requesting the erection of a flagpole at Pearse Square, Fermoy and New Square, Mitchelstown with the purpose of flying the national flag every Council working day and for special events. We have heard nothing back and I would like an update in relation to that question.

Senior Executive Officer at Cork County Council, Aidan Creagh said Corporate Services will issue a written reply to Cllr ODonoghue in the coming days. Cork County Council does have a flags policy in relation to the raising of the national flag on Council buildings where we have flags raised on occasions such as St Patricks Day and civic events. There is no policy in relation to raising flags every day, every working day on any Council buildings.

Cllr ODonoghue said the issue has initiated a deeper conversation. This is not about Council buildings. This has opened up a deeper conversation. There is something going on psychologically with our national flag in this country. We are afraid to fly it. We took it away only for special occasions. You go to any other country such as France and Canada and they are flying their national flag proudly. In Ireland we dont do it. Why are we ashamed to fly our own national flag in this country?

Our national flag is a symbol of everything that this country stands for. What our ancestors fought for. It stands for our culture, history and heritage and yet we dont fly it. Why is that the case? Are we not proud to be Irish? I am proud to be Irish, and I am proud of my national flag, he added.

The tricolour was first hoisted aloft in public by Young Irelander Thomas Francis Meagher in 1848.

Cllr ODonoghue reaffirmed his pride in the Irish national flag. There was a flag of another country flying out there for several months prior to me becoming a councillor in this area. Did that flag have to go through all this red tape and regulations? The Irish flag should be the only national flag flying in this country. Any other national flag should be underneath our national flag.

In response, Mr Creagh outlined that a response will be provided from Corporate Services in due course. If the response isnt what Cllr ODonoghue is looking for, he is more than welcome to raise it at a Full Council meeting. It is not a local matter here.
The people of Balbriggan have been invited to have their say on the new 11m public swimming pool to be built by Fingal County Council at Castlelands. Photo: Fingal County Council

The people of Balbriggan and its surrounding areas have been invited to have their say on the new 11m public swimming pool to be built by Fingal County Council.

The council has announced the commencement of the formal planning process for the long-awaited facility, with a planning application now lodged for the 25-metre, six-lane pool in Castlelands.

Detailed plans for the development, along with associated facilities, have gone on public display and are open for observations until March 23 via Fingal County Councils online consultation portal.

Dr David Begg, chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, which oversees the rejuvenation programme, warmly welcomed the progression of the project.

He said the new swimming pool would have a profound and positive social impact on the town.

As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland, he said.

There is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area and this initiative will assist in doing just that.

This project is a symbol of the progress being made in Balbriggan  informed and shaped by the community  and which will provide a well-designed public facility for people to not only enjoy, but feel proud of, he added.

Plans can also be viewed in person at Balbriggan Library and at the councils offices in Swords during opening hours until March 6.

Fingal County Council anticipates that the statutory planning consent process for the new swimming pool will be concluded by the end of March.

Subject to approval, the tendering process is expected to take place between April and June, with construction scheduled to begin in the final quarter of this year. The build is projected to take approximately 60 weeks to complete.

A provision of 11m has been allocated to the project over the three-year period of the councils 20252027 Capital Programme.

The new indoor facility will incorporate a changing village, reception area and viewing gallery, and will be located south of the areas Link Road, directly opposite the site of a proposed new school.

Preliminary plans for the development have been prepared by an integrated design team led by UK-based company ReCreation.

The provision of a public swimming pool was identified as a key priority in a 2019 Balbriggan.ie survey, which sought to shape a list of development priorities to transform the rapidly growing coastal town.

Those findings subsequently helped inform Fingal County Councils wider 5457m Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.

A further 2024 study, which engaged directly with local teenagers, also highlighted strong demand for a public swimming pool in the area.
Staff at Centra in Drumcondra Faraz Shah, Josh Thornton, Kathe Valencia and Emma Monaghan from the National Lottery. Pic: Fran Veale/Julien Behal

A Dublin man who won 500,000 in last Fridays EuroMillions Plus draw said his winning ticket felt like the heaviest bit of paper he had ever carried.

The Dublin 9 player bought the lucky ticket at Centra on Lower Drumcondra Road and collected his prize at National Lottery headquarters this week.

The ticket might look small, but it felt like the heaviest bit of paper that I have ever had on me  I mean that in the best possible way, he said.

I havent let it out of my sight since I realised just how much it was worth. On Sunday, I had another ticket to check so I scanned them both at the same time. It never crossed my mind that I could have won the top prize, so I wasnt thinking of it at all.

The winner has already begun making plans for the unexpected windfall, with travel high on his wish list.

I have always wanted to live abroad in another city for an extended amount of time, at least two or three months. Top of my list would be Lisbon or Rome so this could be the perfect time to start thinking about that, he said.

The first thing Ill do though is a few home renovations.

The win marks the second huge EuroMillions prize on the same Drumcondra street in the space of just a week.

Earlier this month, another Dublin 9 player scooped 1,005,000 in the special EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffle after buying their ticket at a Spar store on Drumcondra Road Upper, just over a mile from the Centra shop.

In between the two Drumcondra wins, a Dublin 24 player also landed 500,000 in the EuroMillions Plus draw on February 17 after purchasing their ticket at Dunnes Stores in The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght.

Centra Drumcondra store manager Josh Thornton said staff were delighted to hear the shop had sold the winning ticket.

Were a busy store here in the heart of Drumcondra with a real mix of both local and passing trade. Its great to get a call like this from the National Lottery as we love to hear that one of our customers has won big, he said.

Meanwhile, tonights EuroMillions jackpot is heading towards an estimated 140 million, with tickets available until 7.30pm.
Kerrys postal service has come under fire as a councillor reports Christmas cards still being delivered in some parts of the county.

Councillor Charlie Farrelly said An Post was treating people with complete and utter contempt and called for the government funded service to be improved.

The ailing Post Office network has received 10m per annum from the government since 2023, with another 75m set to be spent over the next five years.

The network was down to just 841 shops nationally towards the end of last year, with around a 32pc drop in the number of transactions at post offices since 2019.

Dingle-based Councillor Breandan Fitzgerald warned at a recent Kerry County Council meeting there were significant mail delivery issues, with people still receiving long-delayed Christmas mail.

With the moving of the sorting office from Dingle to Tralee, he argued there was not enough staff to cover shifts when employees were off sick.

He claimed that some west Kerry residents were going weeks without a delivery.

If An Post isnt delivering, I dont know what theyre for, he said.

Councillor Charlie Farrelly said the issue was more widespread, with residents in Castleisland also being affected.

He cited the example of two post boxes that had been out of order, one for a few weeks and one since October last year.

When the box which had been unused for two weeks was repaired, Cllr Farrelly said it was only then that the mail inside was posted.

Its a disgrace, he said, what Cllr Fitzgerald is saying is absolutely true but its also true for the whole countyAn Post really is treating people with complete and utter contempt.

He added that An Post employed a third-party contractor to fix broken mailboxes.

Councillor Dierdre Ferris also slammed An Post, drawing from her experience in Oncology Clinics, where patients were missing appointments because their appointment notification letter hadnt arrived in time.

They get a grant from the state which is public funded and they should be held accountable for the failure to adequately carry out the service that theyre getting money to do, she argued.

The additional 75m funding for the network announced in the budget was welcomed by the Irish Postmasters Union who said it would secure access to vital government, financial and postal services.

We are a huge economic driver for local communities, generating a lot of economic activity, and we were under serious threat, with costs going up, said Sean Martin, the union president.

We could not increase our prices, so this is a lifeline for us, and we are grateful to the ministers for pushing it through.

Mr Martin said that between 40 and 60 post offices had been closing per annum up to 2022, but that about three-quarters of postmasters had felt they would be able to continue in business if Government support was extended.

They are facing higher costs, including the increase in the minimum wage, sick pay and auto enrolment, he said. It is the bigger post offices that have been struggling  and the network only survives because of them.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme
MTU Kerry Student Union President Cian McGrath is warning of dire consequences for students sourcing accommodation after the Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill comes into affect on March 1.

While students living in purpose-built accommodation in Tralee will not be impacted, there is less certainty for students relying on the open market.

Changes around rent increases, security of tenure, and how a tenancy can be ended will be enacted under the new rules. Security of tenure refers to a tenants right to remain in rented accommodation for a specified period of up to six-years.

The worry for students  with a tenancy lasting nine months  is that contracts may not be renewed come the autumn. A landlord will also have a right to increase rent ahead of a new term.

Cian fears this will encourage some landlords to reassess the use of their property and decide not to take students in for shorter durations.

Around a third of MTU students are able to secure designated accommodation in Tralee. Between 3,000 and 4,000 students are enrolled at the university meaning fewer than 1,500 have access to purpose-built digs.

Cian insists safeguarding student digs in the open market was not factored into the new tenancy rules, and that work is needed to ease the transition ahead of next years term.

We need to start looking at fixing this by September, Cian said.

When students cant get student accommodation places, they may have to move into the private sector. From there, they are moving out for three months of the summer to pay for the rent but when they return they could be hit with increases in rent or having to find a new place to stay.

Cian said vulnerable students will now be left exposed and require that urgent protections be put in place.

A student will be back to square one again in June or July when they have to look for new accommodation. I cant imagine landlords are going to want to rent out to students under these rules. Hopefully, I will be wrong, but it is a guessing game at the moment as to whether landlords are still going to take students, Cian said.

Weve been working with the national student bodies to see what we can do as student representatives. What we will continue to do for the moment is to continue to look for more digs opportunities and asking people to open up a room in their house, he added.

We have been very successful with that. Last year we were able to increase our digs by a significant amount. Thats all we can keep doing. In the long-term, its not really sustainable under these new rules. The main priority for us is to have more purpose-built accommodation, which is some way down the line.
The churches within The Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois are not to be used for the Reposing of Remains. stock image
A young Dromahair woman has been elected as President of the Dublin City University Students Union for the 2026/2027 academic year following a landslide vote at the North Dublin campus.

Katherine McBride, who is studying Economics, Politics and Law, topped the poll, with 1,551 first preference votes, to be elected on the first count, becoming the first female president of the student representative body since 2019.
Swiftcastle have been refused permission for an extension of the Racket Hall Hotel IPAS centre in Roscrea. Photo: Gerry Mooney

A centre in Tipperary accommodating international protection applicants (IPAs) has had its appeal for a major extension refused.

Swiftcastle Ltd run the Racket Hall IPAS centre in Roscrea, and had applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to add an extra 60 bedrooms to the accommodation centre, along with a single-storey kitchen extension.

Last September, the local authority decided to refuse permission for the development on the grounds that it would be in clear contravention of the Tipperary county development plan, and that the area isnt zoned for residential living.

Following the councils refusal, Swiftcastle appealed the decision to An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP), saying that there is a shortage of accommodation nationwide for IPAs.

"The application was made as an attempt to provide additional and much needed direct provision accommodation, the developers noted in their appeal.

However, An Coimisiun Pleanala inspectors did not share the developers view, and upheld Tipperary County Councils original decision.

In their decision letter, the ACP inspector said that the lack of pedestrian or public transport infrastructure from the site into Roscrea town, as well as the fact that residential accommodation in the area is limited by the county development plan were grounds to uphold the councils decision.

"Having regard  to the location of the appeal site, which is situated outside of the settlement boundary of Roscrea, in an area where residential development is limited, the distance to Roscrea town centre, and the lack of pedestrian infrastructure and public transport connections, it is considered that the proposed plan would be contrary to the settlement strategy, the decision notification read.

Swiftcastle have been refused permission for an extension of the Racket Hall Hotel IPAS centre in Roscrea. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Today's News in 90 seconds - Tuesday, February 24

The development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the ACP inspector added.

The IPAS centre, in its current form, is understood to house up to 160 asylum seekers of various nationalities.

Racket Hall Hotel was the focus of major protests in January last year.

Locals were furious that the area was losing its only hotel  with Racket Hall having functioned as a vital local social facility for weddings, meetings and family celebrations over the decades.

Gardai had to deploy at the complex as the first refugees were moved into the centre amid angry confrontations with protesters.

One man was arrested during roadside scuffles in January 2024 as the first 17 men, women and children were escorted into the hotel. The man was later released without charge.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Students from Moate Community School and St Josephs Secondary School are set to take on designers from across the world in the Junk Kouture World Finals

Four Westmeath students from two schools are preparing to showcase their unique and sustainably made designs on the world stage of the Junk Kouture Finals.

The two Westmath schools are part of 10 Irish finalists among over 60 competitors heading to the Helix, Dublin on Tuesday, February 24.

Three students from Moate Community School are bringing a unique take on a think piece to the Junk Kouture stage, Hannah Higgins, Muireann Lowry and Erin Roche along with their art teacher Pamela Keogh and Principal Tom Lowry set off this Monday morning in excited anticipation for what is to come.

When asked where the idea behind Blueprint came from, student Hannah Higgins of the deisgner trio told the Irish Independent: We named the dress Blueprint because the dress represents change, so it's like the blueprint for change in the future.

Moate Community School Principal Tom Lowry expressed pride and excitement for the students saying they all hugely looking forward to meeting other student designers from around the world and commended the students on their big achievement in reaching the finals.

Speaking on what inspired the theme for their Junk Kouture entry, the students art teacher Pamela Keogh said: In the school what we do is we try and get in waste materials first of all and we happen to get those one use lab coats so that was the starting point for the whole thing and basically asking, what can you do with this? So in any case, in any dress that any student makes, it's always waste material and asking what can we do with it?

How can we repurpose it? What can we make it into? What can we do to change it? That's where it would start and then the girls were looking at different designers and looking at manipulation of material and then we decided that maybe instead of leaving it the colour that we are, which is an off-white colour, what can we do to change it?

She added: We use a lot of line-up prints that other students throughout the years would have used and we just keep them as references so the girls use them and try different colours, printing with different colours and that's one of the starting points for the dress and the skirt, which has layering of materials and the movement in the material is when you have so many layers.

'Blueprint' design from Moate Community School by students Hannah Higgins (left), Erin Roche (model), Muireann Lowry (centre-right) and Teacher Pamela Keeogh (right) selected forJunk Kouture World Finals.

This years Junk Kouture World Finals are not Moate Community Colleges first rodeo as Principal Lowry explained: We won the World Design of the Year in 2023 with our design but every year, Junk Kouture has become a phenomenon in the school.

"It's become a part of our programme, particularly for students in transition years and sometimes the students will come to our school so they can get involved in Junk Kouture, it's one of the main reasons that they would select our school to attend, it just gives them such an experience.

When asked what they were all looking forward to over the next couple of days of the competition, Principal Lowry said: We're going up to Dublin, staying there until Wednesday, we get to mix and chat and communicate with all the different designs, both from within Ireland and outside Ireland and all across the globe.

"It really is such a special occasion and we've attended the World Final for a few years now, it's just such a great occasion because the appeal to students is so broad, so many students are interested and can contribute to this programme.

'Blueprint' design modelled by student Erin Roche from Moate Community School selected forJunk Kouture World Finals.

Emilija Milasiute will be representing St Josephs Secondary School at the Junk Kouture World Finals with her creation La La Lu Veil' a dreamy, re-purposed dress and veiled headpiece which transformed plastic milk cartons into delicate, clover-inspired floral cut-outs.

At a glance the ensemble appears soft and light partly due to the semi-transparent milk cartons which have been layered to form the piece and the sculptural wide-brimmed hat creates a luminous design intended to catch the light at different points and symbolises resilience, unity and the potential of sustainable fashion.

Emilija told the Irish Independent: I adopted the way in which the older generations used to live, where they had very few special items and treated them with care and altered them to their liking.

They were left with a very special piece that could be passed on to the future generations, when it was all about quality over quantity and when you listen to the stories, you understand the thought that went into creating each piece, and the input that went into doing the hard labour where clothes were just more than a piece of fabric, they were stories and made you feel in a certain way, they held memory.

Emilija Milasiute models her 'La La Lu Veil' creation for the World Finals of Junk Kouture.

Emilija explained that her piece invites conversations around how we value pieces of clothing and that when a piece is costly, it is treasured more and respected in order to make it last whereas in the modern era of fast fashion, people no longer live this way.

She said: People still understand the cost of labour for bringing back the fast fashion, just because things are so available these days and it's great that technology is improving, that we have all these new machines but we just need to be more mindful of how we live and so I took this plastic that I use as my special limited resource and I made most out of the shirt that I had and I poured all my love into it.

"It was challenging but with lots of patience, care and support from my family and friends, I made it to the World Final and this dress is not just a dress, it'll always be something more because it's about people coming together with the same ideas and about mindful living aroundd the choices that we make every day."

Emilija Milasiute wearing her 'La La Lu Veil' creation with teach Katie Deegan.

Emilija explained that her concept is also rooted heavily in nostalgia and acts as a way to bring together cross-cultural meaning including her creeations name, she said: It was very intentional, while I was working on my project, I stumbled across a lullaby that was called La La Lu Veil and it felt very nostalgic, I thought that that was exactly what my dress is about, it just so happened that at the time, I was working on the veil piece.

The veil part has so many different meanings historically and culturally, they've been used for centuries, they signal like social status and it can be used as protection from people, for religious reasons, to show celebration, it can also make someone feel mysterious, special, and also be a place of comfort, so I use that as a bridge to the older generation from our generation just like how Junk Kouture bridges people from different nations together to celebrate sustainability.
Selin Kim in an outfit inspired by Danu, the Celtic Goddess of Nature.

Enniscorthys own Selin Kim is hard in preparation for her role in representing the country next month on an international stage.

Selin Kim, who has lived in Enniscorthy since 2022 and is originally from Cambodia, was crowned Irelands representative in March 2025 where she was praised for her intelligence, poise, and dedication to both the community and the environment.

Miss Planet International is an annual international beauty pageant founded in 2019 by Halley Amin in Cambodia. It distinguishes itself from traditional pageants by focusing heavily on environmental advocacy and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The competition aims to create role models who inspire social change, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen "love for all inhabitants" on Earth.

As an ESL teacher for the Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) and a student of Politics and International Relations, Selins platform is rooted in her professional background as an educator.

This includes advocating for equal access to education, particularly for women, as she believes that educated women are the key to thriving communities and changing futures.

Leveraging her heritage and her role as President of the Cambodian Community in Ireland (CCI), she uses her leadership position to promote cultural unity and sustainability.

Additionally, as PRO for the Sustainable Enniscorthy group, she also promotes sustainable fashion and conscious living by participating in various charitable runway events to highlight ethical style.

She most recently donned a dress made by Irish designer Claire Garvey inspired by the Celtic Goddess of Nature Danu. The outfit was made solely from sustainable fabrics, with the necklace being constructed from a table mat and the headpiece out of a strawberry planter.

The competition also includes some traditional aspects to pageants which include private interviews, swimsuits, evening gowns, and onstage questions.

To celebrate her participation and the deepening ties between Ireland and Cambodia, a special event was held featuring Her Excellency Tout Panha, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia to Ireland. Ambassador Panha has previously expressed her support for Ms Kim, recognising her dual role as a representative of the Cambodian community and a proud advocate for Ireland.

As the competition takes place in Koh Pich Theater in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 15, all participants are required to travel and stay in the country for the two week duration of the competition.

During their stay, her official activities will include participating in tree-planting initiatives, delivering speeches focused on education and environment, teaching English, and showcasing a sustainable Irish national costume while promoting Irish culture on an international platform.

To help fund some of the costs, a GoFundMe has been set up with a goal of 1,500 to go towards the endeavour.

Selin said that as well as hoping to receive support from the public, she hopes to bring home the gold for Ireland.

"I am truly honoured to represent Ireland, a country that has welcomed me so warmly, while in my home country of Cambodia. This platform allows me to advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically global education and environmental sustainability, which are causes close to my heart,

"I am fundraising to support my two-week journey to represent Ireland at Miss Planet International in Cambodia. With your support would mean a lot, and I hope to bring pride and positive news back to Ireland, she said.

Those interested in donating can do so here.
Parenting

Understanding the hidden school day of the neurodivergent child

A phone call comes in from a distraught parent. Our teen is having meltdowns. We feel theyre under a lot of stress; we dont know what to do. Weve spoken with the school, and they dont see anything unusual. Yes, their grades have dropped but 
The man also has ties to Co Meath

A Wexford man previously jailed for a heinous rape has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after failing to comply with his sex offender notification obligations

John Connors (43), with an address at Burnaby Park, Greystones, County Wicklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for sentencing last week.

He was charged with four counts of failing to comply with ongoing notification requirements, including a failure to notify gardai of required changes to personal details between January 5 and February 5, 2026.

Mr Connors, who is originally from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, had been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely in 2008, after being found guilty of the rape of a woman in 2006 in County Waterford, while her two-year-old daughter was in the house.

He had entered a plea of not guilty, but was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

Mr Connors and his co-accused called to the victims door, asking if she wanted to buy a camcorder, before she was pushed into her home and punched by his co-accused.

The victim was pushed onto a bed and had a piece of rope tied around her neck. Mr Connors and his co-accused took turns raping her.

The court heard in 2008 that the mother refused to make any noise because she knew her child was in the living room.

The duo threatened the victim not to tell anybody what had happened before leaving her home.

Mr Justice George Bermingham said in 2008 that the case was really quite shocking, adding that the defendants showed no remorse.

He noted that the violent attack took place in the victims home, where she should have felt safest.

He further directed that the men undergo 10 years of post-release supervision.

For his part, Mr Connors received a 14-year sentence, but he was released in 2019 after serving 11 years.

Upon his release, he returned to Wexford, where up to 100 protesters gathered outside a property linked to him.

They chanted slogans demanding he leave the area. Gardai arrived and dispersed the crowd, with Mr Connors being removed from the area in a garda van.

At a previous sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court this month, counsel for the accused, Connor Rubalcava, argued that under Section 12(2) of the Sex Offenders Act 2001, a person cannot be prosecuted more than once for the same failure to comply with notification requirements.

At the latest sitting, Garda Inspector Ronan Quinn of Bray Garda Station told the court that the indictment would be amended to a single charge, combining the four counts into one covering the entire month of February.

John Connors (43), with an address at Burnaby Park, Greystones, County Wicklow

Today's News in 90 seconds - Tuesday, February 24

Penalties for failing to notify include up to 12 months imprisonment or a 4,000 fine.

Counsel for the defence provided background on his client since his release from prison. The court heard that Mr Connors is homeless and spends time in Greystones and Ashbourne, Co Meath.

With the lifestyle he lives, he is either between Greystones or Ashbourne, said Mr Rubalcava.

Mr Connors notifies gardai whenever he comes across one, the court was told.

Mr Rubalcava alleged that his client instructed him that whenever he goes to sign on, gardai mistreat him.

The court heard that when Mr Connors was convicted, he lost his family and has not seen his children since his imprisonment.

Mr Rubalcava asked that if a sentence were imposed, it be a strict suspended sentence, given his circumstances, including that he does not take drugs or alcohol.

The only issue he has is that he is of no fixed abode, said Mr Rubalcava.

The court was also told that Mr Connors has no friends or routine, but would like to return to Greystones for one last chance.

Inspector Quinn reminded Bray District Court that Mr Connors has previous convictions for failing to notify gardai of his whereabouts and has 72 other previous convictions.

Judge David Kennedy remarked on the heinous nature of Mr Connors previous sexual offending, before sentencing him to 11 months imprisonment.

Mr Rubalcava requested that the recognisance be fixed. Judge Kennedy set it at 1,000, with half needed in cash.

A recognisance is a formal undertaking to the court, usually required when lodging an appeal.

It means the appellant agrees to proceed with the appeal and appear before the court when required, with the 1,000 liable to be forfeited if they fail to comply.

Mr Connors has a right to appeal, added Mr Rubalcava.

The accused is in receipt of 250 per week in social welfare and it was heard that family members will assist him in raising the funds.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Elaine Byrne at her flood damaged home in Riverfield in Aughrim, Co Wicklow. Photo: PA

The Riverfield estate in Aughrim is in a state of crisis following catastrophic flooding caused by Storm Chandra in late January.

At least 13 families in the estate are currently picking up the pieces after their homes were severely damaged by high winds and heavy rain.

With multiple families being told their homes are now unliveable due to humidity and extensive utility damage, one could question how did the local authority get planning permission for the development, and why has it not been better protected?

Construction of the Riverfield estate dates back nearly 25 years, and it wasnt without controversy. Residents and observers mounted several challenges against the works, many of which reached the attention of An Bord Pleanala.

The Riverfield site was formally envisaged for high-density residential development as part of the Aughrim Interim Zoning Plan 2002.

The document was the first to specifically zone the area for housing, moving it from agricultural or natural use to residential, which paved the way for the planning applications that followed during the mid-2000s.

This zoning occurred just as the Celtic Tiger economic boom was accelerating the growing demand for housing in commuter-belt towns like Aughrim.

Following the 2002 zoning, developers applied for permission to build the estate. This was during a period before modern flood risk guidelines were in place, meaning the high-risk nature of the floodplain did not legally prevent development at the time. These flood risk guidelines were only established in 2009.

The Riverfield estate was part of a major launch of more than 200 houses across Wicklow in May 2007. Residents began receiving keys in April 2008 after significant delays, including a prolonged wait for ESB connections.

Records indicate that development in the Riverfield area during this period was primarily driven by Lauragh Property Investments Ltd.

The transition of the site from a natural floodplain to a residential estate followed a sequence of applications handled by Wicklow County Council (WCC).

The Aughrim Interim Zoning Plan 2002 designated the land for residential use, creating the legal pathway for developers to apply for high-density housing.

Major applications were processed during the development phase between 2004 and 2005. Due to the controversial nature of building on a floodplain, many applications in the Aughrim area were appealed.

Reports from this era often highlight that, while the original proposals frequently saw houses setback from the river, revised plans often moved them closer to established building lines, supported by site-specific flood risk assessments that were less stringent than today's standards.

Because the site was a known floodplain, the developers (primarily Lauragh Property Investments) had to submit specialised reports to justify building there.

The core environmental mitigation was to "lift" the houses onto elevated platforms. The aim was to keep floor levels above 1-in-100-year flood levels. However, critics argued this was not "fully engineered" in early submissions and failed to account for how displacing this water would affect other parts of the village.

Reports from Irish Water and some council engineers repeatedly flagged that the Aughrim Wastewater Treatment Plant was "severely deficient" and "hydraulically overloaded". It was noted that additional discharge from the estate would result in untreated wastewater entering the Aughrim River, an important habitat for salmon and freshwater pearl mussels.

As of early 2026, Uisce Eireann confirmed the project has moved to the final design stage, with a planning application expected within the next year. Despite this progress, actual construction is not expected to begin until approximately 2029.

Some developer-led reports claimed the site was of "low ecological interest" due to its proximity to the town centre, a claim often disputed by residents who valued the riverbanks natural biodiversity.

Residents argued that raising the houses on platforms created an "obtrusive" visual impact that was never properly addressed in the planning phase.

Objections frequently focused on the "unacceptable risk" to public health due to potential flooding and the inadequate sewerage system.

A common theme in appeals highlighted how the development was "premature. Residents argued that no new houses should be built until the village's infrastructure was upgraded to handle the expected population growth.

Ultimately planning for the development was approved during a period of rapid development despite its location on a river floodplain.

Nearly 20 years since the estate opened, Storm Chandra hit causing the Aughrim River to burst its banks and flood Riverfield, with reaction becoming highly emotional and political.

Residents in Aughrim described the recent flooding episodes as "devastating," with many currently still counting the cost after approximately 50 homes were damaged because of the storm.

A central issue for many residents is that insurance companies refuse to provide home cover for the estate. They are calling for the government to enact legislation, such as that proposed by Wicklow TD John Brady, to mandate flood cover for affected properties.

While emergency response payments are available, those living in the area argue these grants are insufficient for the scale of their loss and that they should not have to take out loans to fix homes that were affected by the rainfall.

The community-led GoFundMe campaign titled Flooded houses in Aughrim continues to receive donations since it was launched.

The fundraiser was started by Chloe Cassin to assist families in the estate whose homes were severely damaged, including that of her sister Leanne OToole.

Funds are intended to cover the cost of essential items, such as replacing destroyed flooring, furniture, and appliances, as well as providing small gifts to help local children feel safe again.

The campaign originally set a goal of 4,500 to provide immediate relief to roughly 13 impacted families who are currently unable to secure flood insurance.

Three weeks on from the peak of the stormy weather, just under 1,000 has been raised to help the cause.

While WCC has introduced significantly stricter rules to prevent new estates from being built in flood-prone areas, they cannot undo the damage caused at the existing Riverfield estate.

To ensure this level of damage does not happen again, WCC is shifting from a policy of allowing development to one of active catchment management.

In early January 2026, prior to the arrival of Storm Chandra, WCC launched a new initiative in the Aughrim River catchment called Spongeworks.

This EU-funded project uses nature-based solutions to enhance the soil's capacity to "soak up" rainfall like a sponge in the uplands before it reaches urban centres like Riverfield.

Under the 20222028 Town Plan, the council has officially designated large areas adjacent to Riverfield as Flood Zone A and B. This means any future development on these lands is strictly limited to "water-compatible" uses (like parks), preventing the cumulative "soakage loss" that happens when more concrete is added to a floodplain.

The recent flooding has highlighted the need for a formal Aughrim Flood Relief Scheme. While a major scheme like the one in Arklow is not yet built for Aughrim, WCC is now required to review and update its flood risk assessments every cycle to account for recent extreme weather events.

There is a growing political sentiment from the opposition that government ministers should hold local authorities accountableand potentially provide fundingfor the fallout of what is now seen as inappropriate planning decisions.

Social Democrats environment spokesperson and Wicklow TD Jennifer Whitmore believes not enough is being done to tackle the problem.

Reports this week that 300 flood-prone sites were proposed for rezoning by councillors, while the government put climate action on the backburner, is an accurate representation of the dire state of affairs we find ourselves in; weve just come out of a period that saw towns in the east and south-east of the country absolutely devastated by flooding.

We know that climate change will only make events like these more frequent and more damaging, yet were forced to address the farce of building on flood plains while the Climate Action Plan is nowhere to be seen.

We must stop making nonsensical planning decisions for houses and developments in flood plain areas, its the State that pays the costs of the devastation caused by floods to these properties  the Minister must call in the councils in question to speak about zoning flood plain areas for housing and make it clear that this must not continue, she added.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A west Wicklow councillor has called on his council colleagues to boycott St Patricks Day parades taking place in the US this year.

His opposition to US travel comes, he says, in solidarity with Irish citizens who have been deported by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, arguing that official participation validates an administration that has acted against Irish nationals.

This is not the first time that Cllr ONeill has raised concerns surrounding the current US administration, with the Blessington native also seeking a total boycott of US St Patrick's Day events last year.

Then, he cited the US administration's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict as a primary reason, aligning with a broader movement in Ireland to "stand on the side of humanity" and protest what he described as injustices in Gaza.

Cllr ONeill also frequently describes foreign travel by councillors as a "complete waste of public money", pointing to the US parade in Omaha in Nebraska he attended with his own money as grand marshal in 2019, and events in O'Neill City in the same state on two other occasions.

In 2023, he challenged the use of Local Property Tax funds to pay for trips abroad, arguing that the public sees no tangible benefit at a local level.

Proposing a motion at the January meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr ONeill said he thought a boycott of US events would be an an ideal way of telling Trump and his bully boys and the world that we don't approve of him.

"We can make a stance in a small but important way, he said. I think that is far more important, to lay down a marker on this than spending the day going around the streets of Washington or New York with chains hanging out of us and spending people's money.

Speaking again during the latest monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr ONeill said the county must take a stand on the issue.

"The amount of Irish people that are being deported and the amount of Irish people who are being detained there over the last 12 months is huge through the Trump administration. I thought it would be an idea if we just ignored this trip, the annual trip to America.

In response to a query from Cllr ONeill, chief executive Emer OGorman indicated that two councillors will be travelling abroad this year.

In relation to St Patrick's Day or any other visits to the US by elected members of this council, it's generally by way of invitation. So, there's a twinning arrangement between Bray Municipal District and Dublin, California - and an invitation is issued by the members of the Dublin, California Council to Bray Municipal District.

In relation to New York, an invitation comes from the Wicklow Association, who look after the participation in the St Patrick's Day parade.

She added: My only comment would be that in a time of great difficulty for the diaspora living abroad it is important that we support our Irish American colleagues and people of the Wicklow Association and those in Dublin, California that have such strong links to Ireland.

These sentiments were echoed by Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan.

I accept there are challenges in the US, but I feel it's more important than ever this year we show our support to our diaspora. I have been invited by the Wicklow Association, and we need to keep our channels of communication open with them, show our support with them, and I feel very strongly about that. That is why I have accepted.

While Cllr O'Neill frequently brings motions against these trips forward, they are often outvoted by the council majority, who maintain that international "twinning" relationshipssuch as the one between Bray and Dublin, Californiarequire in-person representation.

As Leas Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Caroline Winstanley will make that trip this year. The US city which has a population of 72,932 has been twinned with Bray since the mid-1980s.

The connection began after Dublin, California, was denied a pairing with Dublin, Ireland, by Sister Cities International, which preferred to match "little, tiny cities" with smaller partners like Bray.

While informal ties began as early as 1985, the official relationship was solidified in the late 1990s to create a globally connected community.

This partnership was reaffirmed in March 2023. The reaffirmation involved business meetings at Bray Town Hall to explore future collaborations in tourism, enterprise, culture, and education.

Recorded instances of official county council delegations to the New York parade began as early as 2010. Similar delegations were noted in 2012, 2023, and most recently in 2025.

These visits are typically used to promote Wicklow as a destination for US investment and tourism through meetings with the IDA and Tourism Ireland.

While the council chair's attendance is more recent, a Wicklow banner commissioned by the Co. Wicklowmens Association has been held high in the New York parade since the early 1960s.

Though not heading stateside, Simon Harris is the only Wicklow representative in Leinster House scheduled to travel abroad for St Patricks Day as part of the Irish Government's international outreach programme. The Tanaiste and Finance Minister is travelling to Paris, France and London, United Kingdom.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
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Police search two properties as part of misconduct in public office probePolice confirm man (72) released on bail pending further investigation Mandelson pictured leaving police station at 1.15am

Peter Mandelson arrested over misconduct allegations

Archie Mitchell and Holly Evans UK Independent Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

Peter Mandelson was yesterday arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation by British police into allegations he passed on market-sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UKs business secretary.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Ted Hennessey Reuters Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 22:33

British police said on Tuesday that searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home in southeast England had concluded after the former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Hungary uses veto to block EU funds for Kyiv on eve of anniversary

The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas set it was a setback

Russia's president Vladimir Putin takes part in a wreath laying ceremony marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/Reuters

Lili Bayer, Krisztina Than and Andrew Gray in Brussels Reuters Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

Hungary maintained its veto yesterday on new EU sanctions on Russia and a huge loan for Ukraine amid a dispute over oil supplies, in a blow to Europes pro-Ukrainian consensus on the eve of the wars fourth anniversary.
Iran is planning attacks on US targets in Europe, say officials

It is feared that Irans Yemeni proxy, the Houthis, could be enlisted to attack Western shipping in the Red Sea

General view of a protest and memorial for victims of violence in Iran, held in Chicago, USA on February 21, 2026. Photo: Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty

Melanie Swan Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 24 Feb 2026 at 06:30

Iran is planning terror attacks on US targets in Europe and the Middle East, according to Western and American security officials.
Your job here is not to fight one another, it is to fight this climate crisis, UN climate chief tells Cop30 in Brazil
Eugene Cernan on the last human voyage to the moon in 1972. Photo: Getty

Nasa has delayed returning humans to the Moon after its Artemis II mission was beset with further problems.

The US space agency had originally planned to blast off this month, but the launch was cancelled when a hydrogen leak was discovered in one of the rockets umbilicals, which connect the launch pad to the vehicle.
US Tariff Twists: Where Does India Stand and How Will Exporters Get Impacted?

Following the February 20, 2026 US Supreme Court ruling that struck down several earlier tariff measures, trade policy uncertainty has persisted as new duties emerge. The US administration has imposed preliminary countervailing duties on solar cell imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, assigning Indian exporters a uniform preliminary subsidy rate of 125.87 percent.

Indian exporters face higher costs and increased market uncertainty, suggesting that they require closer monitoring of evolving US trade measures and tariff risks.

Four days after the US Supreme Court invalidated several reciprocal tariffs introduced by President Donald J. Trump, the White House administration imposed a 125.87 percent import duty on solar exports from India. Announced on February 24, 2026, the measure aims to provide relief to US companies and industries that the administration says have been affected by unfair trade practices.

The decision also targets other trading partners, including Indonesia and Laos, with Indonesian solar exporters facing duties of up to 143.30 percent.

US CVD investigation on solar cell imports

On February 24, 2026, the US Department of Commerce issued preliminary affirmative findings in its countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (CSPV) cells and modules from India, Indonesia, and Laos. The investigation determined that exporters benefited from actionable government subsidies, resulting in provisional trade remedies on affected imports into the US.

This development is significant for Indian solar manufacturers and exporters supplying the US renewable energy market. The new import duties introduce immediate compliance, pricing, and market-access implications.

Preliminary CVD rates for Indian solar exporters

As part of the investigation, the US Commerce Department selected two Indian manufacturers as mandatory respondents:

Mundra Solar Energy Limited Mundra Solar PV Limited

Under the preliminary determination, both companies received a preliminary subsidy rate of 125.87 percent. As per the US trade remedy methodology, this rate also becomes the all others rate, extending coverage to all Indian exporters of the subject products.

Exporter category Preliminary subsidy rate Mundra Solar Energy Limited 125.87% Mundra Solar PV Limited 125.87% All other Indian exporters 125.87%

Following publication of the determination, US Customs authorities have began requiring cash deposits equal to the preliminary CVD rate, effectively increasing the landed cost of Indian solar cells and modules in the US market.

Surge in US imports from India: Trade context

US imports of Indian-origin solar cells regained momentum in 2024, under then US President Joe Biden. The export volume reflect Indias expanding manufacturing capacity and participation in global clean energy supply chains.

India 2022 2023 2024 Volume (watts) 232,420,657 2,048,966,887 2,297,306,441 Value (US$) 83,865,782 760,758,424 792,648,250

Source: International Trade Administration

Investigation timeline and parallel proceedings

The CVD investigation is running concurrently with antidumping (AD) investigations and an injury analysis conducted by the US International Trade Commission (ITC). The US government is expected to issue its final determination by July 6, 2026, unless extended.

Permanent duties will be imposed only if:

US Commerce Department confirms subsidization in its final ruling, and The ITC determines that US industry suffered material injury.

AD/CVD process explained: FAQs for Indian exporters

1. What happens after a preliminary determination?

The US Commerce Department conducts verification audits to validate financial, subsidy, and sales data submitted by exporters and the exporting countrys government before issuing final findings.

2. What is the immediate impact?

Importers must pay provisional cash deposits equal to preliminary duty rates, affecting pricing and purchase decisions in the US market.

3. How long do provisional duties apply?

Typically, up to four months, starting February 24, 2026, while investigations proceed toward final determinations on July 6, 2026.

4. Can Indian exporters still influence outcomes?

Yes. Companies may submit additional information, comment on findings, and participate in hearings, all of which may affect final duty rates.

5. Will final rates change?

Yes. Final AD/CVD margins may increase, decrease, or be eliminated depending on verification results and stakeholder submissions.

6. Who determines injury?

The US Commerce Department calculates subsidy margins, while the US International Trade Commission independently assesses injury to domestic industry.

7. When do duties become permanent?

Only after affirmative final determinations by both agencies; until then, collected duties remain adjustable deposits.

US tariff policy reset following the Supreme Court ruling

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that several key tariffs were unlawful, holding that the administration had exceeded its statutory authority by relying on emergency powers to impose duties on multiple trading partners.

Despite the Court ruling, Trumps latest tariff threats has cautioned Asian countries, including India, on the global trade rejig.

Shortly after the Court decision, the White House announced a new plan to impose a 10 percent import levy on all goods entering the US under a separate legal provision. Within hours, the proposed rate was increased to 15 percent, before subsequently being revised back to 10 percent.

The 15 percent figure represents the maximum tariff level permitted under the rarely invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Importantly, this mechanism is temporary: tariffs imposed under Section 122 may remain in force for only about 150 days, after which congressional approval is required for any extension.

Effective February 24, 2026, a 10 percent global tariff has come into force. As a result, most major trading partners, including India, currently face a lower and more uniform tariff burden compared with the higher country-specific duties that existed prior to the Courts ruling.

In April 2025, Trump had introduced broad tariffs on imports from most countries, arguing that such measures would strengthen domestic manufacturing, generate employment, and reduce the US trade deficit.

What does the US Supreme Court verdict say on Trump tariff?

In the Learning Resources, Inc. vs. Trump court case, the Supreme Court delivered a major verdict on the limits of presidential trade authority, striking down a series of broad import tariffs imposed by the present US administration through executive orders. In a 6-3 justice ruling, the Court held that the tariffs exceeded the powers delegated to the President by Congress under a 1977 emergency statute.

Background: Use of emergency powers to impose tariffs

The dispute centered on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows the President to regulate economic transactions during a declared national emergency involving foreign threats to US national security, foreign policy, or the economy.

Relying on this law, the administration introduced multiple tariffs, including:

Trafficking tariffs targeting imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, justified as a response to concerns over fentanyl trafficking.

Reciprocal tariffs imposing a baseline 10 percent duty on imports from most countries, with higher rates applied to certain trading partners. These measures were justified on the basis that large US trade deficits constituted an economic and national security threat.

Businesses and several US states challenged the tariffs in court, arguing that IEEPA did not authorize the imposition of customs duties.

US Supreme Courts ruling on February 20, 2026

The Supreme Court agreed with the challengers, concluding that IEEPA permits regulation of commerce during emergencies but does not explicitly authorize tariffs. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts stated that the statutes language could not reasonably be interpreted as granting the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs of any scale or duration.

There are nine members on the US Supreme Court bench.

Those who ruled against the Trump tariffs: Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson Those who were against the verdict: Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito.

The Court emphasized that no previous president had interpreted IEEPA as conferring tariff-imposing powers and found that such a broad reading would improperly expand executive authority.

Application of the major questions doctrine

Part of the judgment relied on the constitutional major questions doctrine, under which courts require clear congressional authorization before the executive branch can exercise powers with vast economic or political consequences. The Court held that imposing sweeping global tariffs represents a decision of major economic significance that Congress must expressly authorize.

Outstanding issues and economic implications

The Court did not decide whether importers who paid the tariffs, estimated at more than US$200 billion in 2025, must receive refunds. In his dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh warned that the ruling could require the federal government to reimburse billions of dollars and may create uncertainty for trade agreements negotiated while the tariffs were in effect.

India evaluates trade strategy amid shifting US tariff policy

Recent developments in US trade policy under Trump have introduced fresh uncertainty into global commerce, with India emerging as a key stakeholder closely reassessing its negotiating position. Following the US Supreme Court decision striking down the administrations earlier reciprocal tariffs, the US government quickly introduced a revised tariff framework, initially a 10 percent universal tariff, and within a day, raising it to 15 percent using a different and relatively untested legal mechanism under Section 122 of US trade law. It was finally revised back to 10 percent which has now come into effect.

Implications for India-US trade negotiations

For India, the ruling has directly affected ongoing trade discussions with Washington. Amid uncertainty over the future tariff regime, the Indian government has postponed a planned visit by its negotiating delegation to the US. Earlier in February 2026, India and the US announced the conclusion of an interim trade agreement, which was intended to finalize the legal language later in the month.

Both sides considered it prudent to delay high-level engagement until the legal and economic implications of the court ruling and subsequent tariff actions become clearer. The delegation, led by chief negotiator Darpan Jain, had been scheduled to hold discussions ahead of a proposed visit by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to India for the formal signing of the agreement.

Within policy circles in New Delhi, there is also a view that the Courts decision could create greater negotiating flexibility, potentially allowing India to seek improved market access terms or tariff concessions.

Tariff adjustment and Indias export outlook

India has faced relatively higher tariff exposure under the earlier US tariff frameworks. The move toward a flat 10 percent global tariff effectively reduces tariff levels for some countries, including India, by double-digit percentage points compared to earlier proposed rates, although overall duties remain elevated.

While this moderation may ease immediate pressure on Indian exporters, uncertainty persists regarding long-term tariff stability and the durability of negotiated trade arrangements.

Implications for India: Which US tariff actions have ended and which remain in force?

The recent White House Executive Order clarifies that the US has partially rolled back certain emergency tariff measures but has not dismantled the broader tariff framework affecting trading partners such as India. For Indian exporters and policymakers, understanding precisely what has changed and what has not is essential.

Tariff measures that have ended

The Trump administration has terminated additional ad valorem import duties imposed under emergency powers exercised through the IEEPA. The tariff components removed include those imposed under executive orders addressing:

Border- and drug-related security concerns The synthetic opioid supply chain (including measures indirectly affecting Asian supply chains) Tariffs connected to Venezuelan oil trade Broad reciprocal tariffs aimed at reducing US trade deficits Country-specific emergency actions involving Brazil, Russia, Cuba, and Iran

For India, the most relevant change is the termination of IEEPA-based reciprocal tariff surcharges, which had contributed to elevated duties on imports from multiple trading partners. US agencies have been directed to stop collecting these additional emergency tariffs and amend the US tariff schedule accordingly.

Tariff and trade measures still affecting Indian exports

Despite the rollback, the February 20 executive order makes clear that most US trade restrictions remain unchanged, meaning Indian exporters should not interpret the decision as a full tariff withdrawal.

The following continue to apply:

The national emergency declarations underlying earlier trade actions remain active. Tariffs imposed under Section 232 (national security measures) remain in force. Tariffs imposed under Section 301 trade enforcement provisions continue unaffected. The suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment remains operational. A separate temporary import surcharge announced alongside the order continues to apply.

In practical terms, while one legal basis for tariffs has been removed, the overall US tariff environment remains restrictive.

Trumps response to the SC ruling on tariffs

Following the decision of the US Supreme Court invalidating his emergency tariff measures, Trump has taken an assertive stance, signaling his intention to continue pursuing an aggressive trade policy through alternative legal mechanisms rather than scaling back tariff actions. For India-focused businesses and investors, the developments indicate a shift from legally contested emergency tariffs toward alternative statutory mechanisms that preserve tariff leverage while remaining within congressional authorization.

Recalibration of country-specific US tariff arrangements

The White House clarified that previously negotiated tariff concessions with partner economies, including India, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, would no longer guarantee preferential rates. Instead, these regions are now subject to the global 10 percent tariff framework unless new arrangements are negotiated.

Earlier negotiated tariff structures had placed Indian exports under an 18 percent tariff band, reflecting US concerns over market access and trade asymmetry. With the new proclamation, Indian exporters face uncertainty as negotiated concessions may effectively be overridden by temporary global tariffs.

Notably, the tariff order does not identify specific countries, reinforcing a universal baseline approach.

Certain goods categories, including pharmaceuticals, select electronics, fertilizers, and critical minerals, remain exempt, though exemption definitions are broadly drafted and operational clarity remains limited.

Canada and Mexico retain exemptions for goods compliant with the USMCA framework, underlining the regional trade integration.

Escalatory signaling and negotiation leverage

Trump has publicly warned that countries seeking to renegotiate trade terms following the Courts decision could face higher tariffs, indicating that tariffs will continue to function as negotiation instruments rather than purely revenue measures. Meanwhile, US lawmakers are signaling resistance to extending tariffs beyond the statutory 150-day window without legislative approval, introducing an additional layer of policy uncertainty.

Evolving US tariff regime and implications for businesses in India

The US has withdrawn IEEPA emergency tariffs, but India still faces the broader US tariff regime, meaning exporters should expect continuity rather than a major easing of trade barriers in the near term.

For Indian exporters and multinational investors, the evolving US tariff regime presents several structural considerations:

1. Increased policy volatility: The rapid transition from emergency tariffs to Section 122 measures demonstrates that US trade restrictions may persist regardless of judicial outcomes. Businesses should treat tariff exposure as a recurring rather than temporary risk.

2. Margin compression in key export sectors: Indian industries with strong US exposure, engineering goods, auto components, textiles, specialty chemicals, and electronics, may experience pricing pressure as tariff costs reduce competitiveness relative to near-shoring destinations.

3. Supply chain reconfiguration incentives: Companies may increasingly explore:

Partial manufacturing relocation, US-based assembly operations, or Partnerships within North American supply chains to mitigate tariff exposure.

4. Negotiation-driven trade environment: The administrations approach signals a shift toward bilateral bargaining rather than rules-based multilateral trade stability. Indian firms should anticipate tariff policy becoming closely tied to geopolitical and market-access negotiations.

Investor outlook: From trade policy to industrial strategy

For investors, the key takeaway is that US tariffs are evolving into a structural industrial policy tool rather than a temporary trade remedy. The continuation of tariffs under alternative legal authorities suggests:

Persistent protectionist risk in US market entry strategies

Higher compliance and scenario-planning requirements

Greater importance of geopolitical risk assessment in cross-border investment decisions

Indian companies with diversified export markets, localized US operations, or exposure to exempt sectors may demonstrate stronger resilience under the emerging trade framework.

Assess Your US Trade Exposure  Get a Business Intelligence Report Evaluate how the US tariff rollback impacts your margins, pricing strategy, and US-bound supply chains. Make an enquiry: india@dezshira.com

(This article was originally published on February 24, 2026. It was updated on February 26, 2026.)
Greece's Vertical Gas Corridor saw a near-total booking of its primary northbound route to Ukraine on Monday, signaling a surge in demand for alternative energy infrastructure as global officials gather in Washington for a critical gas

In a highly anticipated auction, energy traders snapped up 98% of the available capacity25 out of 25.5 gigawatt-hours per dayon Route 1, which runs from Greece's Revithoussa LNG terminal to Ukraine's vast underground storage facilities.

The winning bidder, Atlantic SEE LNG Tradea joint venture between AKTOR Group and DEPA Commercialsecured the capacity to fulfill a landmark late-January agreement.

The deal will see the consortium ship U.S. liquefied natural gas, supplied by BP, directly to Ukraine's state-owned Naftogaz.

While Route 1 experienced its highest uptake since auctions began last May, secondary routes utilizing the Alexandroupolis and Komotini terminals received no bids during Monday's session.

The successful booking provides a major operational boost for the Vertical Corridor project just hours before Tuesday's Transatlantic Gas Security Summit.

The Washington event, hosted by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, gathers ministers from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Mr. Wright and Mr. Burgum are expected to lead pivotal discussions alongside EU representatives on securing infrastructure funding ahead of the European Union's looming 2027 ban on Russian gas imports.

For Athens, the robust auction results cement its ambition to serve as Europe's new energy spine, positioning Greece as an indispensable distribution hub for diversified, reliable energy supplies.

By Lalella Chrysanthopoulou



   iefimerida.gr
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis called for intensified sanctions against Russia and a renewed push toward Palestinian statehood, as the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council convened to address escalating global crises.

Marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine,

Mr. Gerapetritis addressed the councilwhich was joined by Ukraines foreign minister via video linkby demanding stronger European action.

"The EU and Greece reaffirm their support for Ukraine through sanctions with a real impact," Mr. Gerapetritis said. "Attacks on civilians and energy infrastructure violate international law and remain unacceptable."

Turning to the Middle East, the minister advocated for a "phase two" of the regional peace plan. He emphasized Greece's steadfast backing for financial aid and reconstruction efforts led by the Palestinian Authority, arguing that unity between the West Bank and Gaza is essential to barring illegal settlements. Ultimately, Mr. Gerapetritis pushed for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside a secure Israel.

Addressing the rising tensions with Iran, he urged European allies to "exhaust all diplomacy to avert an escalation that could rock the region and the world."

The high-stakes talks cap a tense week for Greek diplomacy, coinciding with Athens' advancement of regional liquefied natural gas routes and strategic energy summits in Washington.

During the Brussels meeting, Mr. Gerapetritis also updated his European counterparts on Greece's ongoing drive to accelerate Western Balkans accession, stressing the need for EU consistency amid stalled institutional reforms in Albania and North Macedonia.

   iefimerida.gr
In a period of intense geopolitical realignments in Greeces wider neighborhood, relations between Athens and New Delhi are acquiring particular strategic importance, among other things, in the field of defense.

Greece and India strengthen their strategic cooperation in defence -  
The trilateral cooperation between the United States, South Korea and Greece in the crucial sector of shipbuilding is on track for implementation, aiming at strengthening the defense industry, upgrading infrastructure

US plan to build warships and energy ships in Greece -  
Social media commentator, Emmanuel Obruste, popularly known as Geh Geh, has said that the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi can never win President Bola Tinubu even with free and fair election.

In a recent video that has sparked online conversations, Geh Geh based his argument on weak political coordination by Peter Obi

According to him, while Obi is often praised as a visionary figure, questions remain about his strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general election.

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The social media commentator added that the absence of a clearly defined political structure could pose a major obstacle to mounting a successful challenge.

Geh Geh explained that many Nigerians are uncertain about Obis current party alignment and the strength of his grassroots base, arguing that clarity on these issues would be crucial in the build-up to 2027.

Peter Obi can never beat Tinubu and Ill give four reasons. Number one, he does not have structure. Peter Obi does not have structure. He na leader wey get vision but he no get path on how to reach that vision. Many people up till now never know the political party where Peter dey, he said.
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama has struck out a suit filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

On January 16, the ICPC filed a three-count charge bordering on forgery allegations, against Ozekhome.

The office of the attorney-general of the federation had taken over the case on January 26.

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Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the AGF, had on the last adjourned date, said the case will be prosecuted with the highest standard of efficiency, effectiveness, diligence and compliance with due process of law.

However, at the resumed court session on Tuesday, which was scheduled for arraignment of Ozekhome, Oyedepo moved an application to withdraw the case.

He said the office of the AGF would need time to review and consolidate the issues which cuts across different investigating agencies.

Oyedepo added that this would help strengthen the case.

Consequently, Peter Kekemeke, presiding judge, struck out the case.

Ozekhome was accused of knowingly presenting forged documents, including a Nigerian international passport, to support his claim of ownership of a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, during proceedings before the London First-Tier Tribunal.

The alleged offences were committed sometime in August 2021 in the Maitama area of the nations capital, within the jurisdiction of the court.

Named in the property dispute are Ozekhome and Jeremiah Useni, a retired lieutenant-general who is now deceased.

It was filed at the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration, UK, under case number REF/2023/0155, with Tali Shani as the applicant and Ozekhome as the respondent.

The property had been claimed by one Ms Tali Shani on one hand and Ozekhome on the other.

Ozekhome said he received the house as a gift from Mr Tali Shani in 2021, while lawyers for Ms Shani insisted she was the rightful owner.

A witness known as Mr Tali Shani had testified in favour of Ozekhome, claiming that he had Powers of Attorney over the property and had transferred the property to the respondent (Ozekhome).

Mr Tali Shani asserted ownership of the property from 1993 and claimed he later appointed Useni as his property manager, describing Useni as an elder friend and business partner.

On the other hand, several documents, including an obituary announcement, NIN card, ECOWAS passport, phone number, etc were tendered by witnesses of Ms Tali Shani to claim ownership of the property.

However, the tribunal found all the documents tendered for Ms Tali Shani to be fake.

The tribunal subsequently dismissed all claims, ruling that neither Mr nor Ms Tali Shani existed.

The court ruled that the real owner, via a false name, was Useni.
Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, has sued the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Enforcement Commission (ICPC) over alleged unlawful invasion of his Abuja residence.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, el-Rufai, through his team of lawyers led by Oluwole Iyamu, is praying the court to nullify the search warrant issued by a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 4, authorising the search and seizure at his residence.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since Wednesday, February 18, in connection with investigations.

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On Thursday, Muyiwa Adekeye, the media aide to el-Rufai, said agents of the anti-corruption agency unlawfully conducted a search at the former governors Abuja residence.

In the fundamental rights suit filed before the federal high court in Abuja, el-Rufai joined the chief magistrate who issued the order, the inspector-general of police (IGP), and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) as respondents in the suit.

He is seeking, among other reliefs, a declaration that the search and seizure carried out by operatives of the ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy as guaranteed under sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the constitution.

El-Rufai is also asking the court to hold that any evidence obtained from the search is inadmissible in any proceeding against him, on the grounds that it was procured in breach of constitutional safeguards.

He is further seeking an order restraining the respondents from relying on or tendering any material seized during the search in the course of any investigation or prosecution.

The former Kaduna governor is praying the court to direct the ICPC and the IGP to return all items taken from his residence, alongside a detailed inventory.

He is demanding N1 billion as general, exemplary and aggravated damages for what he described as trespass, unlawful seizure and the psychological trauma and reputational harm allegedly occasioned by the search.

According to the breakdown in the suit, N300 million is claimed as compensatory damages for psychological trauma and emotional distress; N400 million as exemplary damages to deter what he termed misconduct by law enforcement agencies; and N300 million as aggravated damages for what he described as malicious, high-handed and oppressive actions.

He is also seeking N100 million as cost of filing the suit, including legal fees.

In his grounds of argument, Iyamu contended that the search warrant was fundamentally defective.

He argued that it lacked specificity in describing the items to be seized, contained material typographical errors, and was overbroad in its directives.

The search warrant was null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, over-breadth, and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search, the lawyer said.

Iyamu cited sections 143 to 148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, arguing that the provisions require that applications for search warrants be supported by written information on oath setting out reasonable grounds for suspicion.

He said the warrant vaguely referred to the thing aforesaid without any particular description, adding that it was not in the prescribed form and contained errors in the address, date and district designation.

Iyamu also argued that the warrant was indiscriminately addressed to all officers, which he described as overbroad and unaccountable.

An affidavit deposed to by Mohammed Shaba, described as a principal secretary to the former governor, noted that operatives of the ICPC and the police stormed the residence at about 2 pm on February 19.

Shaba claimed that the warrant did not specify the properties or items being searched for and that the officers failed to submit themselves for search before carrying out the operation.

He alleged that personal items, including documents and electronic devices, were seized during the search.

According to him, none of the items taken has been returned, and the respondents continue to rely on the unlawful evidence.

He said the application was brought in good faith to enforce el-Rufais constitutional rights.
The federal government has filed fresh criminal charges against Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), over alleged use of a forged Nigerian passport in a disputed property case in the United Kingdom (UK).

The federal government filed a 12-count charge against Ozekhome at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The second defendant in the case is Ponfa Useni, the son of the late Jeremiah Useni, former FCT minister.

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Earlier, the FCT high court struck out charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Ozekhome on the same issue after the attorney-general of the federation withdrew the charges.
Nigerias Super Eagles will open camp for the four-nation invitational tournament in Jordan on March, 24, Gistmania reports.

The three-time African champions will face Iran and hosts Jordan at the competition.

Eric Chelles side will take on Irans Team Melli in their opening fixture at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium on Friday, 27 March.

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They will face Jordan at the same venue four days later.

The tournament is expected to provide the Super Eagles with valuable competitive action ahead of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles were last in action against Egypt in the bronze medal match of the AFCON 2025 finals.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were reportedly attacked by armed men in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday during activities marking the formal defection of Olumide Akpata into the party.

The alarm was raised by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, who disclosed in a statement that Obi and ADC leaders came under gunfire shortly after leaving the ADC Secretariat in Benin.

According to him, armed individuals allegedly trailed the group to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun, where they shit at the gate and damaged several vehicles.

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Tanko described the incident as a survived assasination attempt, stating that Obi and the ADC leadership were under siege and attack during the event. He warned that the development poses a serious threat to Nigerias democracy.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that gunshots caused panic at the scene, forcing party members and supporters to take cover.

The incident occurred amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising fresh concerns about security and political vi%lence in the country.
The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of the Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkwo in the commercial city of Nnewi, for one week following traders failure to comply with the state governments directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.

The order for the closure was handed down on Monday, during an on-site visit to the market, by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba.

Uba was in company with the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi(Rtd) and the Chairman, Nnewi Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo.

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According to him, the order was handed down on behalf of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, adding that the market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.

He said that despite repeated warnings and assurances of enhanced security and appeals to reclaim public spaces, many traders at the busy market once again chose to keep their stalls locked.

He, therefore, advised traders and customers to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

He said, The Anambra State Government hereby informs the general public that the New Auto Spare Parts Asocciation Market, Nkwo Nnewi, is closed for business.

The market, whose date of closure is effective from midnight today, Monday, February 23, 2026, will reopen next Monday, March 2, 2026.

The closure of the market followed low compliance with the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludos order to end Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State.

Traders and customers are advised to avoid the market until next Monday to avoid issues with law enforcement agents.

The market may face further closure if compliance is not substantial by next Monday, when the market reopens.
FMINO @FMINONigeria PRESS STATEMENT

RE: ALLEGATIONS OF RANSOM PAYMENT IN THE RESCUE OF NIGER SCHOOL CHILDREN: A REBUTTAL

The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to a publication circulating in the media, attributed to international wire services, alleging that the Nigerian Government paid a huge ransom, including the release of militant commanders, to secure the freedom of the schoolchildren abducted from St. Marys boarding school in Niger State.

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The Federal Government states that these allegations are completely false and baseless, and constitute a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigerias security forces and the sacrifices they make daily.

While we respect the freedom of the press, we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources seeking to undermine the credibility of a sovereign government acting within its laws. For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.

The allegations rely entirely on anonymous intelligence sources and individuals familiar with the talks, in contrast to the clear and on-the-record denials issued by constituted authorities. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the leadership of the National Assembly have all publicly refuted claims of ransom payment.

The report itself reveals contradictions that expose its speculative character, presenting sharply conflicting accounts regarding the alleged ransom. Such inconsistency underscores a lack of direct knowledge and undermines the credibility of the claims. The assertion that ransom was delivered by helicopter to insurgents, with cross-border confirmation of receipt, is fiction. The DSS has formally dismissed this claim as fake and laughable.

Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise. The successful rescue of the pupils, without casualty, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision. The Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to security and urges the media to verify facts before publishing speculative reports that risk emboldening criminals or undermining troop morale.

Mohammed Idris, fnipr

Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

https://x.com/i/status/2026315491241869815
The Nigerian government paid Boko Haram militants a huge ransom of millions of dollars to free up to 230 children and staff the jihadists abducted from a Catholic school in November, intelligence sources told AFP.

Two Boko Haram commanders were also freed as part of the deal, which goes against the countrys own law banning payments to kidnappers.

The money was flown on a helicopter to Boko Harams Gwoza stronghold in northeastern Borno state on the border with Cameroon and delivered to Ali Ngulde, a militant commander in the area, three sources told AFP.

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Due to the lack of communications cover in the remote area, Ngulde had to cross into Cameroon to confirm delivery of the ransom before the first group of 100 children were released.

The decision to pay the jihadists, who sparked worldwide protests after they kidnapped 276 mostly Christian girls in Chibok in 2014, is also likely to irritate the US and President Donald Trump, who has cast himself as a defender of the countrys Christians.

Nigerian government officials deny any ransom was paid to the armed gang that snatched close to 300 schoolchildren and staff from St. Marys boarding school in Papiri in central Niger state on November 21.

At least 50 later managed to escape their captors.

Boko Haram has not been previously linked to the kidnapping, but sources told AFP one of its most feared commanders was behind the mass abduction.

The notorious jihadist known as Sadiku is also suspected of leading a spectacular 2022 gun and bomb attack on a train between the capital Abuja and Kaduna, which also netted hefty payments in ransoms for scores of well-off passengers that included bankers and government officials.

The St. Marys pupils and staff were freed after two weeks of negotiations led by Nuhu Ribadu, Nigerias National Security Adviser (NSA), with the government insisting no ransom was paid.

However, four intelligence sources familiar with the talks told AFP the government paid a huge ransom to get the pupils back.

One source put the total ransom at 40 million naira per head  around $7 million in total.

Another put the figure lower at two billion naira overall.

The NSA did not reply to multiple AFP requests for comment, although Nigerias State Security Service flatly denied paying any money, saying: Government agents dont pay ransoms, but a spokesperson said that if a family wants to free their relatives, no one can stop them paying.

Boko Haram, which has waged a bloody insurgency since 2009, is strongest in northeast Nigeria. But a cell in central Niger state also operates under Sadikus leadership.

His gang kept the children in a camp in Borgu local government area, 370 kilometres from the state capital Minna, intelligence sources said.

Vincent Foucher, a specialist on Nigerian conflicts with Frances National Centre for Scientific Research, told AFP that he believes Sadiku was responsible after speaking with a source affiliated with the jihadists as well as a Nigerian government source.

It makes total sense, given Sadikus history, Foucher said.

The attack on St Marys came as Nigeria was under diplomatic pressure with Trump alleging persecution of Christians in Africas most populous nation.

Washington said it killed multiple Islamic State militants in a series of strikes in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day.

But analysts and the authorities reject Trumps framing of Nigerias complex, overlapping security crises, with Muslims accounting for the vast majority of kidnap victims.

The country has long been plagued by mass abductions, with criminals and jihadist groups sometimes working together to extort millions from hostages families, and authorities seemingly powerless to stop them.

Laws criminalising payments have not stopped the kidnapping epidemic, with 828 abductions in the past year alone  many involving multiple victims  according to the US-based monitor Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED).

That was more than Mexico and Colombia combined. The kidnappings often involve multiple victims, said senior ACLED Africa analyst Ladd Serwat. Only neighbouring Cameroon and scam-centre-plagued Myanmar saw more.

The St. Marys mass abduction came amid reports that Sadikus faction has relocated from its stronghold in Shiroro, and needs funds amid the move, Foucher said.

Their task has always been to get money for Boko Harams leadership in the northeast, he added.

As a part of the deal for the St. Marys children, sources said Boko Haram also demanded that the Nigerian military allow residents of Audu Fari village in the Borgu area to return home after they were driven out by troops.

Audu Fari served as a supply route for Sadiku and his fighters as well as a transit point for their families travelling to his camps from Boko Harams northeastern strongholds.

In 2022 Nigeria passed a law criminalising ransom payments, with jail sentences of up to 15 years, but individual Nigerians continue to pay to free relations while authorities look the other way.

The crisis has consolidated into a structured, profit-seeking industry that raised some $1.66 million between July 2024 and June 2025, according to a recent report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy.

Armed groups and criminals have turned to kidnapping as a way to make quick cash in a country where millions live in poverty amid stifling inequality.

In a kidnapping in Kaduna, where scores of Christian worshippers were taken last month, the local governor ruled out paying a ransom. The victims were later freed, but no details of the negotiations were made public.

Authorities have also paid ransoms to rescue other victims of mass abductions and high-profile hostages, security sources said.

In December 2020 authorities in Katsina state paid 30 million naira (the equivalent of $78,000 at the time) for the release of 340 schoolchildren seized from a boarding school in Kankara town.

Bandit chief Awwalun Daudawa, who masterminded the attack, confirmed the payment in a leaked recording of a phone conversation with a go-between.

National Security Advisor Ribadus office insisted he has several times secured the release of victims from bandits with no money changing hands.

Another state security spokesperson dismissed as fake news the idea that the ransom for the St. Marys pupils was dropped by a chopper.

Lets be rational about this. This is a fallacy. Its laughable. Its almost unimaginable, they said.

But an analyst in the kidnap-hit northwestern state of Zamfara  who asked not to be named  said there is no way bandits can keep releasing people they kidnapped to the government without getting payment in return.

The government is denying what we all know  that it pays ransom when schoolchildren and high-profile victims are involved, he said.

In some cases, security personnel act as go-betweens in delivering ransoms to kidnappers, families of victims told AFP.

Abubakar Abdulkarim, who lives in Minna, told AFP he sought the help of security personnel to get $4,000 to the bandits who kidnapped his elder brother while he was working on his farm in Kontagora.

Families of victims who do not have the money often resort to crowdfunding.

One recent online appeal displayed the picture of a traditional chief in his regalia from southwestern Nigeria who was kidnapped on New Years Eve. It sought donations to raise the $11,400 demanded by his kidnappers.
The tech industry always values innovation, but Microsofts latest adoption of new technology may come at an unusually high cost. The companys aggressive moves to embed its AI assistant, Copilot, into Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 have polarized users and drawn regulatory scrutiny. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking at whether Microsofts tactics in the AI arms race, and its cloud and software bundling practices, cross legal boundaries into monopolistic behavior. The core issue is the tight integration of AI features into its flagship products, often without full or enthusiastic user consent.

Microsoft has been touting Copilot as the next revolution in productivity, seamlessly augmenting workflows across Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). However, this future-forward strategy comes with a less discussed side effect: forcing AI on users who may not want it or on those who are wary of its utility, privacy implications, and resource consumption.

Across technical forums and customer surveys, a chorus of user complaints has emerged. Customers report that Copilot is not merely an optional feature but a deeply integrated part of the operating system and Office suite, making it difficult or even impossible for everyday users to disable or ignore. This sense of coercion is compounded by reports that Microsoft has been counting AI-enabled licensesas opposed to actual usagein its quarterly sales tallies, further incentivizing the company to push Copilot upon its massive customer base.
Jay Timmons, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, was in Philadelphia Friday when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a case on President Donald Trump's tariffs. Read more

As the U.S. Supreme Court was announcing its 6-3 decision that President Donald Trump exceeded his powers by imposing emergency tariffs, the nations top manufacturing lobbyist was in Philadelphia rallying support for a pro-factory agenda.

Jay Timmons, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, says the factory revival Trump and his recent predecessors have championed has been aided by Trumps business tax cuts and pro-fossil fuel agenda. But, he said, mass worker deportations or rapidly-changing import taxes are not helping.

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Timmons appealed to leaders of Philadelphias port, shipbuilders, regional Chamber of Commerce, and other industry group leaders to embrace his groups pro-factory agenda at Carpenters Hall. He made a similar appeal at Clevelands Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier in the week, and heads to the Carolinas next week.

After the Supreme Court ruled against Trump, Timmons said in a statement that industry shares Trumps goal of strengthening U.S. manufacturing, and wants to work with Congress and Trump on more durable ways to do that. While Trump had boosted tariffs on U.S. neighbors and longtime allies, Timmons said, NAMs position is that if tariffs are utilized as a tool, they should be targeted to countries engaged in specific unfair trading practices, especially countries where government controls production, which would include China and Russia.

He agreed to take questions from The Inquirer.

The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

U.S. Sen. Joe Grundy, the Bristol mill owner who founded the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, led the pro-tariff movement long before President Trump. Has your group always backed high tariffs?

No, ours was founded as a free-trade organization. Thomas Dolan, our first president, was a woolen manufacturer from Philadelphia. We wanted to open markets and sell our stuff in other countries.

The president is obviously a fan of tariffs; that is a tool he has chosen to use.

Can American manufacturing become a larger sector of the economy again, as President Trump promised?

Were on the launch pad, we are ready to go. Were seeing success in terms of lowering the costs of doing business, in our tax code, in regulatory modernization, in energy development.

This year we are focused on other issues we would like to see addressed, hopefully in a bipartisan way. We want to see legal reform of the permitting process, so we are not constantly in court trying to reach a final decision on whether an industrial project can move forward.

Do you want the federal government to override state and local building limits on industry?

State and local need to have a say, but the process needs to be streamlined.

I served in Gov. George Allens administration in Virginia. His focus was on working together to attract jobs, communicating in a simultaneous manner. We attracted record investment and job creation [without damaging] air and water quality.

We need to [fix] the regulatory morass in Washington. Right now, several agencies have a say on a project. An agency reviews it, that takes months. Then another agency, and another.

Wont you need more federal workers to do reviews all at once?

Whatever it takes. We arent saying we want a compromise on health and safety. Were saying do it in an expeditious manner.

Virginia is one of the big states for data centers. Are there too many?

I dont share this [concern], but there are folks concerned about the rising costs of electricity and putting that blame on AI data centers.

Demand will increase. Youll have issues of local concern. But we have to supply more power, which means states have to step up and work with the utilities to improve transmission, the power grid; and the federal government should have a role.

What recent U.S. energy developments are you applauding?

Pennsylvania has led the way, with natural gas clearly helping the U.S., in terms of energy dominance and exports. Oil, also. Even nuclear is getting a kick start.

Southern Co. led the way with that, restarting a [uranium power] plant in Georgia. That is hard, it takes a long time. Also the small reactors, we dont have a clue yet [if those will be deployed in large numbers] but it could be helpful.

What are your priorities to make manufacturing grow more rapidly?

First, to help us expedite investing in the U.S., which tax [cuts] have done.

Second is hiring and workforce development. We have 433,000 open jobs in the sector. Our goal is obviously to train more potential manufacturing workers. Apprenticeship programs  we have our own  need to expand dramatically.

And third, we want to see a reliable and consistent immigration policy that focuses on the needs of our country. Weve endorsed the Dignity Act.

The Dignity Act, from Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R., Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D., Texas), would let immigrant workers, who pay a fine and taxes, buy work permits; and mandate employers E-Verify job applicants. Is that like the Reagan reforms?

Reagan, directionally, was correct on immigration.

We are a nation of immigrants. We are a melting pot and that is what has made us successful.

Things are different today with public opinion. You have to focus on very narrow objectives that are directly related to the economic life of this country, because thats what the president and Congress want to do.

Whats your goal for trade and tariffs?

To see certainty and predictability. The administration has been very focused on finding access to markets overseas, which is also one of NAMs founding principles.

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for renewal. [Negotiators] are dealing with transshipments from China through Canada and Mexico, which obviously was not our intent for the agreement. Getting another agreement is going to be really important for manufacturers who have used provisions to move manufacturing from China into the U.S.

When do you expect signs of increased factory investment and hiring in this second Trump term?

Rewind to 2017, we got tax cuts, regulatory modernization, and [faster] energy production. You saw three or four years later the highest employment growth in 21 years, the highest wage growth in 15 years. If you get the policies right it gives you an advantage. Thats our goal.

We have the rocket, but it needs fuel, and a clear sky. We need [to resolve] immigration, workforce development, and trade certainty.
Robert Berman, co-owner of Rasta Imposta/Imposta Costumes, in Runnemede, N.J., spoke with The Inquirer last year about how tariffs had disrupted the business. Read more

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to President Donald Trumps tariff plan last week. But if youre a small-business owner whos been affected by tariffs, dont get too excited.

This fight is far from over. And so is the uncertainty. Even when courts push back, presidents retain enormous tariff authority  and small businesses should assume continued volatility.

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The president had imposed tariffs on a number of countries under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which authorizes him to declare a national emergency and regulate or block commercial and financial transactions with foreign nations deemed an unusual, extraordinary threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, or the economy.

The Supreme Court upheld previous lower court rulings that said he exceeded his authority to do so. But President Trump has vowed to continue the fight. Hes far from finished.

For starters, hes able to raise tariffs under the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Act. This law allows the U.S. to impose tariffs (up to 50%) on imports from countries that discriminate against U.S. goods through unfair duties, taxes, or regulations. It requires an investigation and a time-limit but it pretty much leaves the entire decision up to the president.

The problem for President Trump is that imposing tariffs under Smoot-Hawley requires Congressional approval which is far from guaranteed, even though his party holds slim majorities in both the House and Senate, given the pushback hes received from other Republicans on his past tariff actions.

The president can also take advantage of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This legislation gives balance-of-payments authority to the executive office and allows him to impose a 15% tariff on countries as he chooses. He used this authority last week to raise the global tariff the U.S. charges to other countries from 10% to the maximum 15%. Unfortunately for him, theres a 150-day limit to this tariff, unless Congress approves an extension which is, as mentioned previously, far from assured.

Finally, the president can invoke Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, along with Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Both allow the president to impose tariffs on selected sectors and industries. These laws were behind the tariff increases enacted by the Biden Administration in 2024 on steel, aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, critical minerals, and solar cells. To play this card, investigations are required along with public comment, but once those rules are satisfied the executive office has a lot of flexibility.

All of these are strategies that the president could use. And  as hes proven  hell fight anyone in court who challenges him, a process that could easily extend beyond his current administration.

Its why Secretary Treasury Scott Bessent told CNBC in December that the Trump administration would be able to replicate tariffs even if it loses at the Supreme Court. As recently as Friday, Bessent said, The overall tariffs, at the end of the day, will be unchanged.

So what do to? The smartest small businesses arent waiting for Washington. Theyre restructuring supply chains now. You can do the same.

Investigate bonded warehouses and free trade zones where you can bring your goods tariff-free and defer their impact until you ship product out of the warehouse, hopefully at a future time when rates are lower or theres more clarity.

Use organizations like the World Trade Center Association and tools like the Make Onshoring Great Again portal to find alternate suppliers and products, both domestic and foreign.

Selectively pass down price increases based on individual customer profitability analysis, rather than broadly.

Lean into technology in an effort to increase the productivity of your workers in order to better control or even reduce overheads.

Try to do more assembly and manufacturing here in the U.S. All of these moves are what my smartest clients are doing in order to mitigate the uncertainty.

Can you expect a refund? Dont hold your breath. Refunds need to come from the importer/exporter of record, which is generally the company that handled the transaction at the port. Most of these companies I know are not structured to apply for refunds on such a scale, even if there was a process in place (which there isnt).

The Supreme Court has remanded this back down to the lower courts to decide if refunds will be issued and without knowing for certain, many believe that the refunds will not be issued retroactively, Lori Mullins of Rogers & Brown, a customs brokerage firm in Charleston, told CNBC on Friday. For importers hoping for refunds the answer is yes, we have a ruling but we do not have a ruling on if any refunds will be granted. That will be handled by a lower court at a future date/time.

The Trump administration is wiping their hands clean of orchestrating a tariff refund, saying, effectively that its not up to them, its up to the lower court. In his dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted the ruling lacked any refund guidance, and he stated that the refund process may be a mess.

Lawsuits already filed by larger corporations will take years to sort out. Smaller companies  lacking resources  will have a much bigger hill to climb, if that hill even exists. If youre expecting a retroactive refund, youre planning on a hope strategy  not a business strategy.

Whether you agree with the presidents tariff strategy or not is beside the point. What matters is this: Tariff policy has become a tool of both trade and politics.

That means volatility is now structural, not temporary. Which means the impact of tariffs on your small business isnt going to change anytime soon.

Uncertainty? That much is certain.
The Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School in Roxborough is one of 20 schools that Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has proposed closing. Read more

Could a 1973 legal agreement help save Lankenau High?

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education hopes so.

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The Philadelphia School District has proposed closing Lankenau, the citys environmental science magnet school, and giving it to the city to help further Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers affordable-housing goals, or for job creation.

 READ MORE: Changes to Phillys special-admission process exacerbated low enrollment at some magnets. Now, the district is trying to close them.

But the Schuylkill Center, Lankenaus neighbor, believes its prohibited from doing so, and just notified Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.

The Schuylkill Center holds a right to repurchase the property in the event that it is transferred or conveyed or used for any purpose other than school purposes, pursuant to a restriction in the October 4, 1973 deed by which [the Schuylkill Center] conveyed the property to the Lankenau School, a lawyer for the environmental center wrote in a letter sent to the district Monday.

If the district is considering a sale of the property or using the property for any purposes other than continued use as a school, this letter serves as written notice of [the Schuylkill Centers] right to repurchase, lawyer Sean T. ONeill wrote to Watlington, The school district must provide [the Schuylkill Center] with reasonable advance notice of any potential conveyance or change in use and allow [the Schuylkill Center] the opportunity to exercise its right to repurchase.

The center, which touts itself as one of the first urban environmental education centers in the country, was founded in 1965. It has trails and a visitors center and runs educational programs and a wildlife clinic.

District officials had no immediate comment.

Lankenaus history

Lankenau sits amid 400 wooded acres adjacent to the Schuylkill Center. The 17-acre parcel Lankenau High now sits on was originally the site of the private Lankenau School for Girls; after that school closed, the Philadelphia School District purchased the land.

What is now Lankenau High was first a program of Saul High and then Germantown High, but in 2005, it became a standalone school as part of then-CEO Paul Vallas small schools initiative.

 READ MORE: Phillys building plan would close this high-performing magnet. Lankenau is fighting back.

Since then, Lankenau has soared as a diverse, hands-on magnet with a 100% graduation rate in a location like no other.

News that Lankenau landed on the districts closure list infuriated students, parents, community members, and elected officials, who have mounted a robust campaign to fight plans to shut the school and relocate it as an honors program inside Roxborough High.

Theyre particularly alarmed that Lankenaus small size, used to justify its closing, came as enrollment shrank after the school system ordered changes to its special-admissions policy.

The Schuylkill Centers first priority is for Lankenau to remain as it is, said Erin Mooney, executive director of the 60-year-old organization, which now partners closely with Lankenau.

We are in opposition to Lankenaus closing, said Mooney, but should something change with Lankenau, we want to ensure that the site continues to be used to teach people about nature.

Mooney, who has been public in the Schuylkill Centers support for the school, discovered the language giving the Schuylkill Center right of first refusal if the property ever ceases being a school in the 1973 agreement.

Watlington is scheduled to present his sweeping facilities plan  which as of January included 20 closures, six co-locations and 159 modernizations  at a school board meeting Thursday.

But the superintendent has said what he presents to the board may include some tweaks to his initial recommendations.

Mooney hopes the information the Schuylkills lawyers sent Monday helps Lankenau come off the closing list.

We want Lankenau to stay, she said, and I wanted the school board to have this information as part of its decision-making.

Watlingtons recommendations are just that; the school board has ultimate say. It has not given a date for the final vote on school closings, but said no vote will happen Thursday.
Philadelphia School District officials said they considered poverty rates and prior school closings in a neighborhood when weighing which schools to close.

Each school had a score based on its surrounding neighborhood, and only one of 20 proposed closures is in a very high risk neighborhood: John Welsh Elementary.

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Welsh, on the northern edge of the Norris Square neighborhood, has 185 K-8 students and operates at under a quarter of the buildings capacity. Enrollment has declined over the past several years and the school now holds an average of 20 students per grade, including only 9 second graders. About two-thirds of the students are Latino, and the other third are Black.

While its small and its building is not in good shape, it was not necessarily obvious that the district would target Welsh for closure  because so-called neighborhood vulnerability was a factor in officials decision-making.

But Welsh parents and students argue the school shouldnt be closed because its students were performing well, despite the lack of investment from the district, as well as the condition of the building and its surrounding neighborhood.

Kareemia Boyd, the parent of a Welsh eighth grader, credited the school with helping her son turn around his grades after he came from a charter school. She transitioned her son to Welsh in fifth grade, when his grades were suffering and he experienced bullying. Now poised to graduate this year, she said he gets As and Bs.

I didnt expect he would actually grow in so many ways, she said at a recent community meeting about the closure plan.

The districts draft plan calls for the Welsh building to be upgraded and converted into a new year-round high school which would open for the 2029-30 school year.

Current Welsh students would transition to John F. Hartranft School or William McKinley School. Hartranft and McKinley would receive new ADA investments and other renovations, Algebra I instruction, and pre-K programming, officials said.

Several students asked district officials at the community meeting why they would be transitioned to Hartranft and McKinley, when those schools have performed worse academically than Welsh. About 14% of students at Hartranft and 10% of students at McKinley scored at least a proficient level on state English language arts exams last year, compared to 20% of Welsh students.

District representatives said they did not consider academic performance when deciding whether to close schools. Instead they focused on getting proper resources to students and schools, they said, which will be more feasible once schools are consolidated.

Boyd said her sons teachers at Welsh pushed him to improve, and wouldnt let him settle for less than what he was capable of. She appreciated how much they cared about him, and said they had a big impact.

I want somebody to care about my kid as much as I do, she said.

She said she believes the declining enrollment has to do with the schools neighborhood. Boyd said people are concerned about crime and drugs, and dont feel safe sending their kids to the school, particularly when school security is limited.

But for those who have stayed, Sary Rodriguez, a parent of current Welsh fifth and eighth graders, said its a community where everyone looks out for others.

We all know each other. We all support each other. So its hurting a lot of people, she said about the districts plan.

Rodriguez also has a 19-year-old daughter who graduated from Welsh and works at the school. But Rodriguez said shes considering moving her children to charter schools if the school closes, in part because of her concerns for the academics at McKinley and Hartranft. No matter where they go, transitions are difficult for all involved, she said, including parents.

Its not only the students that have to meet new people and new friends and new teachers, their parents have to start all over [with] a new relationship with teachers and students, the neighborhood  I dont know nothing about those schools, she said.

Rodriguez implored the district officials at the community meeting to genuinely consider pleas to keep the school open.

I really have the feeling it doesnt matter what we say or what we do. Its just going to be a decision that theyre gonna make, she said.

Rodriguez said shes upset that the district hasnt invested in Welsh, but plans to put resources into a new school at the same location.

It bothers me that theyre going to spend the money to fix it for a high school and they cant fix it for our kids, she said.

Ava Huertas, a sixth grader at Welsh, planned to graduate from the school just like her grandmother, mother, and sister did. Shes been enrolled there since she was in kindergarten, and now would have to move to a new school for eighth grade before transitioning again for high school.

She asked several questions to district officials about why they were planning to close her school, reading off notecards and avoiding eye contact. As she wrapped up her final question, she thanked the officials for listening, but had to be honest about her feelings.

I hope that the plan doesnt go through, Im not gonna lie, she said.
Leanne Deacon, left, and Andrew Fox, second from left, look on as Stella, Liliana and Charlie Phoenix play in the snow on Monday. Read more

School districts around the region made varying calls for how theyre handling classes Tuesday as the region continues to dig out from the massive snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of snow in many places  with some closed altogether, others fully open, and others open, but delayed.

The Philadelphia School District opted for another day of virtual instruction.

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Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has said the nations eighth-largest school system favors in-person instruction, but places student and staff safety as its highest priority.

In Upper Darby, Delaware County, Superintendent Dan McGarry made the call to bring students in on time.

The district transportation team and facilities team have been working hard all day to clear snow from our facilities for in-person instruction, McGarry wrote in a message to families and staff. We have been in communication with the township as well, and I want to thank them for their hard work getting roads clear for school tomorrow.

Districts including Council Rock and Pennridge, both in Bucks County, called two hour delays.

In Montgomery County, Cheltenham and Lower Merion schools both announced a two-hour delay.

Buses are expected to arrive at bus stops two hours after their normal pickup times; however, please be patient as snow and ice on some streets may cause additional delays, Lower Merion spokesperson Amy Buckman said in a message to families Monday evening.

Cherry Hill and Moorestown, in Camden County, will also hold classes with a two-hour delay.

Renewed debate over virtual instruction in New Jersey

And while some Pennsylvania districts pivot to virtual instruction when significant snow falls, thats not possible in New Jersey, where state law prevents it.

A handful of New Jersey districts opted for total closures. Lenape Regional, Evesham, and Medford schools, all in Burlington County, cancelled classes altogether.

Winslow schools in Camden County will remain closed Tuesday for a second consecutive day, said interim Superintendent Mark Pease. The district was shut down for three days during the last storm.

Pease said the district would use two days from its spring in April to make up the missed days. The break will be cut to three days, he said.

If we get another storm, we will be extending the school year, Pease said. Lets hope this is it for the winter.

The snow storm renewed calls among some New Jersey educators to the state to allow virtual and hybrid instruction to avoid closing schools due to inclement weather.

In a social media post, Camden Education Association President Pam Clark said she was asking Gov. Mikie Shirrell to revisit the virtual option for traditional public schools. She used the hashtag not fair.

New Jersey allowed virtual and hybrid instruction when the pandemic shut down schools.

However, state law now strictly limits remote learning, according to the state Department of Education. Districts must meet a state requirement of 180 days.

School districts may seek approval for virtual learning for school closures lasting more than three consecutive days because of a declared state of emergency or a declared public health emergency.

There has been pushback against virtual learning because of concerns about learning loss suffered during the pandemic. There also are concerns that some schools dont have enough Chromebooks or devices for students to log on.

Timothy Purnell, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, said districts should have the flexibility to pivot when circumstances warrant such as a snow day.

Districts have invested in technology and training to successfully implement virtual instruction, he said.

Limiting virtual instruction days exclusively to public health emergencies is yesterdays logic, Purnell said in a statement.
Steve James as Maj. Samuel Quentin and Margaret Avery as Bell Coleman in Sam Firstenberg's "Riverbend." The film was restored in Norristown, thanks to the efforts of Philadelphia filmmaker and archivist Michael Dennis. Read more

In the 1990s, before Michael Dennis was a filmmaker, screening host, or archivist, he worked at the Video Library, the fabled video store in Mount Airy. He remembers the 1989 film Riverbend being on the shelves, but he had never watched it.

Dennis, who founded the Philadelphia-based production company Reelblack in 1999, finally got around to watching the film in 2019. Charles Woods, Dennis mentor and podcast cohost, had asked him to transfer a VHS copy of the film to digital. He wanted to post the film on Reelblack TVs YouTube channel.

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Riverbend, directed by Sam Firstenberg, is set in 1966 and tells the story of a group of Black Vietnam veterans who lead an uprising against a racist sheriff in a small Southern town. Its an action-adventure film, in the tradition of the Rambo and Missing in Action series, firmly rooted in the B-movie style of the late 1980s  complete with a synthesizer-heavy musical score  but with much more of a social message than was typical of that time.

The film had only a perfunctory theatrical release and was released on VHS in 1990. In its brief run, the film opened only in New York, Texas, and Florida. But now, it has gotten an unlikely revival in Philadelphia, a city where it was never shown.

The film itself is very revolutionary in some respects, Dennis said. I mean, its a genre picture, of course, but the theme is very revolutionary  and I was interested to talk to Sam about how the movie actually got made because its so different from most American films, nearly all American films.

A few months after he posted the film on YouTube, Dennis received an email from Firstenberg, a B-movie stalwart whose credits also include American Ninja, American Samurai, and Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo.

I thought it was going to be a cease-and-desist letter, but instead he said, No, youre doing this movie a great service because its an orphan film and it was financed independently, and its basically lost, said Dennis, who teaches a course on race and ethnicity in American Cinema in Temples Film and Media Arts Department.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Dennis saw a 35 mm print of Riverbend being sold on eBay by a seller in South Africa. He put in a winning bid for the print thatd take months to reach him.

Dennis considers himself an archivist, although he hadnt previously mounted a full-scale restoration of a film before. But in keeping with Reelblacks long-stated mission of encouraging the appreciation of Black film, especially rarer ones, he sought to restore Riverbend.

The eBay print, he said, had every scratch known to mankind on it. It was also missing seven minutes of material. Replacing the missing scenes with materials from the VHS, calling it a sort of grindhouse cut, Dennis gave the film its first public screening in decades at the Denton Black Film Festival in Texas in 2024. There, he met Valerie Vance, the widow of the films screenwriter and producer, Sam Vance.

We were trying to find out where [Riverbends] negative was, Dennis said, And we had no luck because all the labs had closed and have become different companies.

He got in touch with Dennis Doros, who runs the Missing Movies Instagram account and Milestone Films, a company known for rescuing lost films. Within days, the film assets were located at the film lab FotoKem, with Amazon/MGM paying the bills to host it.

Missing Movies, Vance, and Realblack worked out a deal to acquire the films negative and other assets.

The film then traveled to Norristown, where it was restored at Reel Revival, a company that provides scanning services. Austin Squitieri, its proprietor, started by scanning and digitizing the Riverbend negative. What followed was a painstaking process of digital repair, which included dirt removal, some Photoshopping, and final assembly of the edited footage.

Squitieri had not seen the film before working on the restoration, although he had heard of it.

Its a fun title, he said. It tackles something serious, and you can tell it was made passionately, as some of the more niche films tend to be.

After premiering at the American Cinematheque Aero Theater in Los Angeles last October, the restored version of Riverbend is now headed to Philadelphia. The film will screen at Film Society East on Thursday and will be released on Blu-ray on June 27, through a new label called Reelblack Renaissance.

Theres so many great Black independent films that are in danger of being lost or forgotten, Dennis said. Reelblack Renaissances mission is to restore them, reclaim them, and represent them in the Blu-ray and streaming market.

Firstenberg, 76, will be on hand for the Philadelphia premiere.

He tours the country supporting his body of work. And, this is like rescuing a lost child for him, Dennis said.

Riverbend will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday at Film Society East, 125 S. Second St. Information: filmadelphia.org/movies/riverbend/
You wont find chef Joey Baldino flexing tweezers with microgreens or dotting plates with fluid gels at the Bomb Bomb Bar and Grill.

Thats because Baldino, who also owns the popular Palizzi Social Club near 12th and Reed and Collingswoods Zeppoli, occupies a unique place in Philadelphias pantheon of chefs as the preservationist-in-chief for the classic-but-fading flavors of Italian South Philly.

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Baldino has managed one of the trickiest tasks possible  to retain the essential character of a down-to-earth neighborhood bar while also making it his own, giving more depth to the seafood and drinks, and infusing it with sustainable new appeal for newcomers and longstanding regulars alike.

At the Bomb Bomb, where the tiny back dining room is draped with red-checked tablecloths, a plastic marlin hangs on the wall, and Louis Prima tunes fill the air (along with Nina Simone, the Ramones, and vintage Herb Alpert brass), this humble son of East Passyunk is at his best in summoning his ancestors with, among other things, one of the best mussels red Ive ever had. A shot of Calabrian chile paste and white wine give his fra diavolo sauce an irresistibly zesty ba-da-boom. His reinterpration of a venerable standby like lobster francese is even more proof of his golden old-soul touch: He infuses the meat with the zing of Goodfellas-style thin-shaved garlic before crisping it inside a delicate egg-wash crust, then floating it atop a lemony puddle of butter sauce laced with the briny crunch of caper leaves beneath the bright orange lid of its shell.

Its time to bib up now! says longtime Bomb Bomb server Linda DeCero, sidling up behind us to tie on the disposable plastic bibs for our seafood feast to come, a plump and meaty steamed Dungeness crab for two scented with juniper, orange, and bay beside a votive-warmed basin of drawn butter.

As one of several options for the prix fixe menu here, its a different kind of crustacean indulgence than the homey spaghetti with crab gravy the Bomb Bomb was originally known for. That was when it was owned by the Barbato family, which not only gave this storied corner taproom its name (a nod to a pair of 1936 firebombings allegedly committed by a jealous competitor), but also kept it rolling with baked ribs and Thats Amore kitsch for 73 years until it was sold to Baldino in early 2025.

Baldino, who took nine months to open his lightly renovated version of the bar, has managed the transition with aplomb. Just ask the two cheerful sisters at the table beside us, who came from South Jersey to toast their late fathers birthday with a celebratory dinner and sundae at his longtime favorite tavern: Hed love what theyve done to the place! one told me as we waited outside in the rain for our rides after the meal.

Baldino, 47, is uniquely suited for the task, having grown up eating steamed crabs out of a wooden bowl at his grandfather Al Mazzas very similar bar at 12th and Reed  part of a generation of Italian bars like Strollis and South Philly Bar & Grill that have almost all now disappeared. Hes kept the Bomb Bombs classic format of the neighborhood corner tappie intact, with room for 16 walk-ins in the small barroom up front, where you can nibble on sublimely juicy roast pork sandwiches and sip Vespers spiked with peperoncini brine while the Flyers skate across TVs behind the bar.

Meanwhile, the intimate 26-seat rear dining room, accessed through the onetime Ladies Entrance, is a boisterous reservation-only hideaway for three seatings nightly of a prix fixe seafood menu meant to evoke the Christmas Eve dinners of Baldinos youth.

At $62 a person  with a choice of five sharing dishes for two people or six items for four people plus a pasta and a side  the price is fair considering the quality and quantity of the cooking. There are plenty of options for add-ons, specials, and drinks to turn dinner here into a splurge.

The antipasto for $18 is one add-on you probably shouldnt miss for its bounty of house-pickled veggies, salumi, and cheese. And if the bagna cauda special is on offer, thats another worthy vegetable-centric starter culled from Baldinos daily shopping rounds through the Italian Market  grilled eggplants and zucchini, blanched cabbage rolls, and imported chicory shoots. They are perfect for dipping in a warm crock of buttery anchovy-garlic cream while your table sips through its first round of cocktail classics with Italian twists.

Theres a Bloody Mary sparked with Calabrian chilies and shredded provolone, a frozen Roman Coke spiked with amaro, a prickly pear riff on a margarita, and a crispy house pilsner made for the Bomb Bomb by Human Robot. I lean more into the affordable Italian wines when it comes to the heart of the prix fixe menu; a fizzy dry Lambrusco, the peachy almond notes of a Grechetto, and some light-hearted reds (a juicy Nebbiolo for $14) wont overwhelm the seafood.

As for the food itself, you almost cant lose  unless you have an aversion to an occasional excessive use of breadcrumbs on standbys like the shrimp oreganata or bacony clams casino. I preferred the cockles in brothier clams white form, steamed in Carlo Rossi Chablis (the official jug wine of South Philly) over a bowl of toast to finish last, having soaked in all that garlicky juice. The Bomb Bombs shrimp cocktail is also exceptionally flavorful from a gentle poach in a white wine court bouillon perfumed with orange and thyme.

The fried calamari (also available on the limited tavern menu, like the shrimp cocktail) are the epitome of a bar classic done right, tenderized in cream before theyre crisped in seasoned semolina and tossed in a spicy confetti of red and green cherry peppers. But if you want to taste a deep cut from the Baldino familys Seven Fishes repertoire, Moms stuffed calamari  the toothpick-sealed squid tubes stuffed with ground tentacles and Parmesan breadcrumbs that become incredibly tender after a two-hour simmer in tomato sauce  will absolutely take you there.

The stuffed squid is something of an homage to the Barbatos, who made a different version of the recipe. Similarly, Baldinos baked St. Louis-cut spare ribs, exclusive to the bar menu, are a slightly cheffier, orange-scented riff on a popular mainstay during the familys tenure. I appreciated both menu items for the continuity they offered between the two owners.

Two other luxurious seafood dishes shouldnt be ignored. The baked crab cakes created by chef Max Hachey (last at Friday Saturday Sunday) were a celebration of sweet meat bound up with onion cream, roasted garlic aioli, and crushed crackers  easily one of my new favorites in the city. And the lobster-and-shells genre has also been taken to a clever new level here, inspired by the flavors of a stromboli: Al dente pasta cradles butter-poached lobster in a blush sauce enriched with melted mozz and zingy ground pepperoni.

As a testament to Baldinos confident grasp of the South Philly Italian canon, he feels no need to resort to any red-gravy meatball cliches on the pasta side of the menu. His carbonara is the stuff of creamy noodle dreams, its egg-and-bacon glaze still frothy even though its blended with three kinds of cheese, including an alpine twinge of toma. The black ink spaghetti is a dark-horse noodle champ  quite literally, because its simple, garlicky shine of aglio-e-olio sauce is turned jet black with sepia ink. And Baldinos Italian tuna pasta might be the most overlooked gem of them all, a comforting yet elegant deconstruction of tuna noodle casserole.

There are always other off-menu treats lingering in back to keep the dinner intriguing, like grilled langostini glistening with bottarga butter in a fragrant nod to the Sicilian flavors of Zeppoli. The frequent special of garlicky T-bone steak basted with olive oil-soaked rosemary branches is so good, I wonder if theres a retro Italian chophouse lingering in Baldinos future, too.

Keeping the Bomb Bombs distinctive red-neon sign glowing bright over the corner of Warnock and Wolf Streets, now beckoning to an enthusiastic new generation, is more than enough of an achievement. So order yourself a vanilla ice cream sundae drizzled with house chocolate sauce, brown-butter caramel, and a fried banana  a sweet tribute to a long gone shake shop that Baldino also loved  and lift a toast to the ancestors. Italian South Phillys culinary preservationist-in-chief has scored once again.

Bomb Bomb Bar

1026 Wolf St., no phone (the restaurant monitors contact through the Resy app and Instagram); bombbombbar.com

Dinner seatings in rear dining room by reservation only Thursday through Monday, at 5, 7, and 9 p.m. Bar is open to walk-ins only Thursday through Monday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Lunch served Saturday and Sunday, noon-3 p.m.

Not wheelchair accessible. There are two steps at the front entrance and bathrooms are not accessible.

Gluten-free pasta is available and much of the menu can be modified to be gluten-free, including the antipasto, lobster francese, streamed seafood, and ribs.

Menu highlights: clams casino; crab cake, lobster francese; shrimp oreganata; mussels fra diavolo; fried calamari; lobster and shells; Dungeness crab; spaghetti alla carbonara; herbed tomatoes; porterhouse special. Bar menu: porchetta sandwich; shrimp agrodolce; vanilla sundae.

Drinks: The full bar showcases simple but booze-forward cocktails with a zesty Italian twist, like the Vesper spiked with peperoncini brine and a Bloody Mary sparked with Calabrian chilies, frozen drinks such as the bubbly limoncello Scroppino.
Vince Tacconelli didnt set out to open another Tacconellis  or even a bar  in South Jersey. He saw a gap, and it wasnt pizza.

If youre in the Maple Shade area on a Thursday night at 8 oclock, theres nowhere to get a proper cocktail, said Tacconelli, 33, a fifth-generation member of the pizzeria family. We always end up going into Philly.

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The repeated frustration has led Tacconelli to a new business venture. Im trying to build the cocktail bar I want to go to, he said.

Bar Tacconelli  an Italian-leaning cocktail lounge and bottle shop with late-night hours  opened in late February about four minutes from the Maple Shade pizzeria he owns with his father, Vince. The concept is aimed at locals who might otherwise cross the bridge.

The opportunity, he said, came together pretty organically. Christine Zubris, a friend who owned Route 38s Versi Vino, a strip-mall wine bar between the Cherry Hill and Moorestown Malls, told him that she was stepping away after five years.

I kind of jokingly said to my father, Lets take it  lets get our first liquor license, he said. At first, we laughed. But I kept putting it out there. And sure enough, it fell onto my lap.

Tacconelli partnered with Greg Listino, whom he met through restaurant-equipment supplier Rosito Bisani, and Listinos wife, Stacey Lyons, who operates Attico cocktail bar in Center City. The three of them had joked for years about opening a bar, Tacconelli said. Next thing you know, theyre on board.

They took over the 60-seat space this spring. Lyons designed it with a soft industrial look: an exposed black ceiling with visible ductwork warmed by sculptural pendant lights casting an amber glow. Along one wall, a run of plush, channel-tufted banquettes in muted green sits beneath heavy drapery, while sliding barn-style wood doors lead to a semiprivate room.

The 12-seat bar has been expanded from the Versa Vino days and now includes a drink rail with room for eight.

Lyons leads the extensive bar program. Italian wines join eight beers (including a pilsner created by Haddonfields Kings Road) and a cocktail list organized into four sections: Essenziale and Frizzante cover classics and easy, bubbly spritzes, while Dal Giardino introduces more culinary, Italian-inspired creations and Rustico leans into spirit-forward, amaro-driven cocktails. Theres also an eight-bottle wine dispenser next to the racks of wines for sale.

Tacconelli runs the compact kitchen. There is no pizza, aside from wedges of Sicilian tomato pie  a deliberate choice given the proximity to the pizzeria. I dont want to take away from that, he said. It actually helps us. Instead of rushing people out, we can say, Head over to the bar  well call ahead, get you a drink.

Tacconellis Maple Shade location opened in 2003 on Lenola Road, across from Moorestown Mall, and moved in 2014 to its current home on Main Street. Father and son  the fourth and fifth generations  opened a Haddon Township location in 2023. Those South Jersey restaurants are owned separately from the landmark Tacconellis, which began baking pizzas in 1948 in Philadelphias Port Richmond section.

At Bar Tacconelli, the food skews small and shareable: baked oysters, chicken cutlet with lemon-parmesan arugula, meatballs, shrimp cannelloni, grilled prawns in salmoriglio, and capocollo bombette  the Pugliese fried meat roll stuffed with caciocavallo and pancetta. Most dishes land in the $14-to-$18 range; lamb chops, four for $24, are an outlier.

The pricing is intentional. I dont want this to be an occasion place, he said.

Its open from Wednesday through Sunday, with late-night service  potentially until 1:30 or 2 a.m.  aimed at another local shortfall.

When I get out of work at 9:30, I have nowhere to eat, Tacconelli said. I want a place you can come, hang out, have a Negroni, get something real to eat.

Live music, DJs, happy hour, and late-night menus are planned. Tacconelli also saw the liquor license as strategic  keeping it out of a chains hands  but the broader goal is to give South Jersey diners a reason to stay put.

There are a lot of young professionals around here who dont want to go into Philly every time, he said. I want to be a destination for them.

Bar Tacconelli, 461 Route 38, Maple Shade. Hours: 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Cathleen "Cat" Brown, an ob-gyn in Philadelphia, is an expert on women's health. She serves as the medical director of Winona, a national menopause telehealth company, and cohosts "The Menopause Hour" podcast. Read more

For years, Cathleen Cat Brown, a Philadelphia obstetrician and gynecologist, would listen to patients complaining of hot flashes, brain fog, and painful sex and prescribe estrogen as a safe option for easing their menopausal symptoms.

But when the women read the drug label and pharmacy package insert, theyd recoil at a black box warning, Brown said. The bold, black-bordered alert warned women that estrogen may put them at higher risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and dementia.

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It was making liars out of doctors, Brown said. It frankly scared the crap out of patients, and it really caused distrust between the patients and the providers.

A black box warning is the highest safety alert that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires drug manufacturers to include on medications in which clinical data shows the drug can cause death or serious health risks.

But the warning label placed on all estrogen-based treatments since 2003 was based on an outdated and flawed government-funded study, known as the Womens Health Initiative.

Newer scientific research shows that the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, far outweigh the risks for most women, experts say, particularly those who are younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause.

More recent evidence also suggests that estrogen can reduce the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers, bone fractures, and cognitive decline, extending womens lives by about 10 years.

In November, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary announced that the agency was taking steps to remove the black box warning on hormone treatments for women.

We are going to stop the fear machine steering women away from this life-changing, even life-saving treatment, Makary said at a news conference.

Brown, an ob-gyn at Jefferson Abington Hospital, said the FDAs reversal will lead to more medical schools teaching doctors how to treat menopause and provide women with more access to hormone therapies.

Its causing kind of a tidal wave in the medical community, Brown said. It was a relief to see the FDA catching up with the science.

The Inquirer spoke with Brown, who also serves as the medical director for a national menopause telehealth provider called Winona, about the FDAs shift on HRT and what that means for aging women. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

What prompted the FDA warning on estrogen treatments?

The black box warning was one of the aftereffects of the whole Womens Health Initiative study released in 2002. They basically published the results before they really had a chance to have it peer-reviewed and really analyze the data, and it went all over the news, and suddenly there was this widespread panic. Doctors across America got scared. Patients got scared, and everyone was taken off their HRT.

Why was the 2002 study misleading?

In that study, they were giving HRT to much older women, like in their late 60s, who werent great candidates to start it. They were also using different forms of HRT than were using now, so a lot of more synthetic hormones. The most popular one back then was Premarin, which came from a pregnant mares urine, so horse estrogens.

We were also giving these women higher doses of hormones, and it was causing more medical problems.

What has changed since?

Now we really lean toward giving you bioidentical hormones, like the same compounds that your ovaries were making on their own. Its much safer. Our body processes it better, and were able to use lower doses to have the same effectiveness than those old synthetic hormones that they had to do at higher doses before. We also learned from that study that theres a magic window  the safest time to initiate hormone replacement therapy is within 10 years of a woman going through menopause.

It was a relief to see the FDA catching up with the science. Cathleen Cat Brown, OB-GYN

What led to the FDAs reversal?

So the FDA held an expert panel last July. They invited all these experts on hormone therapy to speak and basically give their justification for why that black box warning needs to be removed. Its really been a disservice to women, because all the women who were taken off HRT ended up with bad osteoporosis, weak bones, and more medical problems from the loss of estrogen from their bodies.

They also talked about the fact that we should not have this black box warning on estrogen products, especially estrogen vaginal cream, which is so safe that it really could be over the counter. For women in nursing homes, a little bit of vaginal estrogen could have prevented recurrent urinary tract infections. So many women die of urinary sepsis and bacteremia that has come from a UTI. Topical vaginal products also significantly improve sex life for women.

What is HRT?

Were actually starting to call it hormone therapy, because were not trying to replace your levels back to what you were making on your own in your 20s or 30s. Its about giving you enough dosage of hormone to give you the health benefits and mitigate bothersome symptoms and help women with that menopausal transition.

When we are aging, within our 40s and into our 50s, we lose estrogen at a dramatic rate. We also have testosterone in our bodies as women and that drops, too. That fluctuation of hormones causes this whole litany of symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, joint pain, dry skin, brittle hair, hair loss, so many things.

Estrogen is a powerhouse hormone that keeps all the tissues in our body healthy.

Why is this a win for womens health?

More women are demanding better and not wanting to go gently into old age and suffer anymore. This is also pushing more medical education institutions to start infusing menopause into the curriculum. Womens health has never been in the forefront.

Its always been something we do secretly and quietly, which I think is kind of a parallel to the gender disparities in the world, like once were done childbearing and were no longer in our fertile peak, its like were less important to the world, and nobody wants to focus on it. This is causing a trend where more women are going to get educated and more doctors are going to start learning.
File photo of the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in New Jersey on Jan. 8, 2015. Read more

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an incident in which a swastika was reportedly drawn on a bathroom wall at the Coast Guards training center in Cape May.

Following discovery of a hate symbol drawn on a bathroom wall in a building at Training Center Cape May, the Coast Guard immediately referred the matter to the Coast Guard Investigative Service for investigation  consistent with longstanding Coast Guard policy. This hate symbol was immediately removed, a spokesperson for the service branch said in an email Monday.

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The Washington Post first reported on Monday that the hate symbol  which the Coast Guard did not specify was a hand-drawn swastika that was discovered Thursday evening in the mens bathroom.

Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard commandant, was informed about the incident on Saturday, the Post reported.

The Commandant immediately traveled to Training Center Cape May and held a mandatory All Hands with the nearly 900 recruits and staff to address the incident directly, reinforce the Coast Guards strong standards and policies, and reaffirm the Services dedication to accountability through our core values, the Coast Guard spokesperson said.

In a statement, Lunday declared: Anyone who adheres to or advances hate or extremist ideology  get out. Leave. You dont belong in the United States Coast Guard and we reject you.

Lunday added: We will not allow anyone to put a stain of hate on our United States Coast Guard. We will not be defined by the cowardly acts, but instead be defined by our unwavering response and our resolve to defeat them.

The spokesperson said that the Coast Guard is committed to maintaining a workplace that is safe, professional, and respectful for every member of our workforce. Any behavior that undermines these standards will be addressed swiftly and seriously.

Late last year, the Post reported that the Coast Guard had planned to downgrade swastikas and nooses in its workplace harassment manual as being potentially divisive rather than hate symbols.

In December, Lunday announced that the revisions were completely removed from the policy manual and that swastikas and nooses would still be considered overt hate symbols, the Post reported.
Protesters and media gather outside of the Quakertown Borough Police Department in Bucks County on Saturday. Read more

Five teenagers arrested during a protest in Quakertown last week face charges of aggravated assault and related crimes after a judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the case against them to proceed, according to sources.

The teenagers had been held since Friday, when they were taken into custody after a scuffle with Quakertown police officers  including the departments chief, Scott McElree.

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Officials have released few details about the arrests, but two people with knowledge of the case who asked not to be identified to discuss an ongoing investigation confirmed the charges. The police department and the district attorneys office have declined to disclose the teens names, ages, or charges they face.

After the more than three-hour hearing in Doylestown, which was closed to the public, prosecutors left the courtroom without answering questions. The teenagers parents, speaking through intermediaries, also declined to comment Tuesday.

But Ettore Angelo, a lawyer representing one of the teenagers, said his 15-year-old client had been released to her parents and placed on house arrest. He said she faces an aggravated assault charge  a felony offense that, if sustained in juvenile court, can carry a penalty of up to five years in a detention facility.

The teenagers who were arrested had been taking part in a protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement that began at Quakertown Community High School and moved off campus to Front Street. Witnesses have said that a confrontation erupted there, in front of Sundays Deli and Restaurant.

McElree, the police chief, who was dressed in plain clothes, grabbed a teenage boy and placed a teenage girl in a chokehold, they said, prompting other students to intervene and a larger scuffle to break out.

Angelo said the central allegation against his client is that she struck McElree during the melee, an accusation she denies. He contended that students reacted in confusion and fear when a man rushed into the crowd.

He said McElree put himself smack in the middle and created a melee when he charged up to the teenagers while out of uniform and without announcing who he was. I think he owes the community and these teenagers an apology, the lawyer said.

He added that, in his view, some of the teenagers had acted instinctively to protect one another.

Speaking by phone Tuesday afternoon, a 17-year-old girl who participated in the protest but was not among those arrested described what she said had been a peaceful demonstration even as counterprotesters drove past in vehicles, honking and shouting.

The teen, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said teenagers were gathered on the sidewalk and speaking with a uniformed officer when a man pushed through the crowd and barged onto the sidewalk.

The man  whom she later learned was McElree  grabbed a teenage boy by the back of the neck, she said. All the kids thought he was a counter protester, she said. So everyone started to protect their friends.

The girl said she saw McElree throw one student to the ground and place another in a chokehold. At least three students were injured, she said  one with a broken nose and another who required stitches to his chin. McElree, too, was injured, she said, and left the scene bleeding from his head.

She recorded portions of the confrontation and shared the videos with The Inquirer.

It was really scary, because it was a group of kids versus this really angry man, the teen said, adding that it took what felt like several minutes for uniformed officers to step in. It was the kids doing what the police should have.

The girl said she did not realize that the man at the center of the fight was the police chief until she returned home and showed the footage to her father, who recognized McElree.

Manuel Gamiz, a spokesman for the district attorneys office, said Monday that the investigation remains ongoing and that no additional information was available.

Police initially said an adult had also been arrested during the confrontation. But the district attorneys office later said no adults had been charged in the melee.

Outside the courthouse and along the hallway leading to the courtroom of Denise M. Bowman, more than two dozen community members gathered in quiet support Tuesday. Some held handmade signs: We support Quakertown students and Keep families together.

Among them was Lolly Hopwood, 47, of Doylestown, who held a poster reading, We stand with you. She said she and others wanted to counter what she described as harsh online criticism directed at the families.

Theres a lot of negativity online right now that the parents are seeing, Ms. Hopwood said. We wanted to show them the community is really here for them.

On Monday night, the episode had spilled into borough politics. At a Quakertown council meeting, several residents called for the teenagers release and demanded the resignation of McElree, who also serves as the borough manager. After the public session, the council met privately with its attorney. As of Tuesday morning, it was unclear whether any action would be taken against the chief.

Members of the borough council and the boroughs attorney, Peter Nelson, did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

A GoFundMe campaign created to help cover the teenagers legal expenses had raised more than $41,000 by Tuesday afternoon. The funds will be divided evenly among the five families, said Heidi Roux, director of immigrant justice at the Welcome Project PA, which organized the drive.
Attorney General Pam Bondi defiantly cites record gains in the stock market to counter questions about the Trump administration at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 11. Read more

The Dow right now is over 50,000.

Those were the words Attorney General Pam Bondi used during a recent congressional hearing to justify and/or deflect from any wrongdoing by the Trump administration.

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The implication is clear. The United States economy is doing well, so nothing else matters. However, although an elevated Dow helps those with retirement accounts, what does it mean for the 40% of Americans who do not have a 401(k) or any other retirement savings account? How does that translate into affordability for basic items like food, clothing, shelter, and, perhaps most importantly, healthcare?

The latter is a huge problem, especially with the Medicaid and Medicare cuts in July, and the expiration of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies last month. The combination is expected to affect 15 million Americans by 2034. Consider also that 3.14 million Pennsylvanians, which translates to 24.1% of everyone in the commonwealth, were covered by Medicaid in 2024.

Frankly, the cost of healthcare tops the list of the publics economic anxieties. As people with deep backgrounds in health policy, this also concerns us greatly.

The facts are that health insurance has become increasingly unaffordable for most Americans, and that has a downstream effect. When health insurance premiums are prohibitive, people are more likely to go without insurance or opt for a plan that offers a lower premium but a much higher deductible. Those people are more likely to skip important preventive care, placing them at increased risk for adverse health consequences. This also applies to those whose Medicaid benefits were cut.

President Donald Trump has promised to decrease the price of prescription drugs through the Trump Rx program, but in actuality, the differences will be much smaller than promised.

To his credit, his administration has tried to address the price of drugs by reining in pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen whose practices serve to increase the cost of drugs. However, the success in that area pales in comparison with the overall detrimental effects of this administration on healthcare.

The fact is that health insurance has become increasingly unaffordable for most Americans.

The most recent problem is the expiration of the federal subsidies under the ACA. Consider the case of Pennsylvania residents Tom and Carol Shaw, who saw their health insurance premiums jump from $1,090 a month to $3,505 a month, largely due to the loss of the ACA subsidies. Thats a 221% increase!

To put that in perspective, the average monthly mortgage payment in York County, where they live, is about $1,300, according to the U.S. Census. The Shaws can afford the increase, but what about those who cant? The result is that about 85,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped their health insurance in 2026. That amounts to one in five enrollees terminating coverage, which is truly a stunning statistic.

On top of the financial effects, the dismantling of our vaccine infrastructure poses a significant risk to the health of the nation. The science of vaccines has not changed, but the politics have, such that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been able to spew misinformation and take numerous actions designed to destroy trust in science and physicians without any accountability, no matter how much he mangles the facts and the science. As a result, in 2025, we saw 1,277 measles cases  the highest number since 1992.

Meanwhile, Kennedy continues to insult physicians by stating that the only reason physicians recommend vaccines is to make money. It is difficult enough to take proper care of patients in the limited time allotted without having to dispel the numerous lies coming from this administration.

It is not clear exactly what President Trump will say in his upcoming State of the Union address. We suspect he will address the affordability of healthcare. If he does, we are quite confident he will dismiss it as a nonissue, given his comments in December that the affordability crisis is a hoax.

We are convinced he will cite the Dow while ignoring the fact that 59% of Americans disapprove of his handling of their cost of living. We fully expect a speech that will be tone deaf to the financial plight of many Americans, including his own supporters.

There must be accountability for this administration. The midterm elections are approaching, and healthcare, yours and that of your neighbors, will be guided by your vote.

If we do not address this issue appropriately, we will pay the price, as will our children and loved ones. In fact, we already have.

Mark Lopatin is a physician and the author of Rheum for Improvement, a member of Ask Nurses and Doctors, and a coeditor for Doctors for America, a nonprofit that focuses on putting patients over politics. Jeffrey Lerner holds a doctorate in health policy and is the Pennsylvania coordinator of Ask Nurses and Doctors, a bipartisan organization whose mission is to help elect government officials who prioritize U.S. healthcare problems.
Construction workers watch as demolition continues on the East Wing of the White House in October. Read more

As GOP leaders leaped to defend President Donald Trumps decision to tear down the East Wing of the White House last year, one Republican lawmaker privately warned a senior White House aide that he had substantial concerns and demanded answers about how the decision was made.

Administration officials had pledged the project would not interfere with existing structures, and the public had no warning about the demolition.

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The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nations history, Rep. Michael R. Turner (R., Ohio), co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, wrote in an Oct. 24 letter obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request and shared with the Washington Post.

Turners correspondence to Will Scharf, Trumps staff secretary and chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, the review committee with the power to approve or reject the ballroom project, raised questions about oversight, transparency, and process, including whether the White House had taken steps to preserve artifacts.

The communication, obtained by the government watchdog group Public Citizen, adds to the public understanding of sweeping concerns voiced by members of Congress, preservationists and others over transparency and other issues with Trumps project. A federal judge is weighing a legal challenge to the construction.

Scharf responded more than seven weeks later, telling Turner that Trump administration officials did not consult with or get the approval of the commission before tearing down the East Wing. But, he added, they were not required to since the commissions review process covers only vertical construction  not demolition or site preparation. Scharf has made the same argument several times since, a position critics have blasted as absurd because those three steps are so closely linked  and because part of the commissions duty in reviewing projects is to consider the preservation of buildings that already exist.

Turner declined, through a spokeswoman, to discuss the letter or his concerns, and none of the other 17 Republicans on the Historic Preservation Caucus responded to interview requests.

The letter from Turner revealed what people were really thinking, said Jon Golinger, democracy advocate at Public Citizen. I bet theres a lot more high-ranking Republicans who feel the same.

Trump has cast the 90,000-square-foot, privately funded addition as a needed upgrade to the White House that taxpayers will not have to support. Administration officials have publicly identified about two dozen companies and about a dozen individual donors they say have already contributed hundreds of millions toward the $400 million project, including major corporations such as Amazon, Google, and Palantir that collectively have billions of dollars in contracts before the administration. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the Washington Post.)

Americans oppose Trumps demolition of the White Houses East Wing by a more than 2-to-1 ratio, according to an Economist/YouGov poll conducted this month.

Given that, Golinger said, hes not surprised by Republicans relative silence on the project in a midterm election year.

I certainly havent seen a lot of campaign ads saying, Elect me for this reason, Golinger said. No Republicans have had to  put their name behind this project and say, This is what I stand for.

Many liberal lawmakers and political groups, meanwhile, have invoked the ballroom in appeals to voters ahead of the midterms. Congressional Democrats have pressed the Trump administration and its allies to divulge more details, asking whether donors stand to gain for their contributions.

BLOCK Trumps White House Ballroom, said one fundraising email sent by Defend Democracy Now PAC last month. Top Democrats are fighting TOOTH AND NAIL to stop this wasteful project in its tracks.

On Oct. 30, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D., N.M.), Turners fellow co-chair on the Historic Preservation Caucus, was among the 60 House Democrats who sent Trump a public letter asking for some of the same information Turner had requested privately less than a week before.

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon is expected to rule soon on whether the project can proceed after criticizing the Trump administration for making an end run around congressional oversight by soliciting private donations for the project rather than seeking taxpayer money.

At a court hearing last month, Leon expressed skepticism of Justice Department lawyers argument that Congress had authorized the White House to make changes to its grounds by setting aside several million dollars in funding and allowing the Interior Department to solicit gifts for national parks.

Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, said the congressional authorization was narrow and limited to matters such as White House maintenance, not carte blanche to undertake one of the biggest changes in the White Houses history. Justice Department lawyers have argued that any pause on the project could pose a national security risk and said they will immediately appeal if Leon grants a stay on construction.

If he rules that Congress must explicitly authorize the ballroom building, Trump could press congressional Republicans to deliver, which would commit Turner to a public up-or-down vote.

There will be nowhere to run, Golinger said, and nowhere to hide.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican candidate for governor, visits the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg on Jan. 14, 2026. Read more

Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial candidate and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity is to be among the guests filling the U.S. Houses gallery Tuesday night when President Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term.

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Her presence at the primetime speech underlines her alignment with Trump on the national stage as she pursues her challenge against popular Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro, widely seen as a potential contender for the White House in 2028.

A campaign spokesperson said Garrity will attend the address in her official capacity as state treasurer rather than as a candidate, but the Republican lawmaker bringing her to the event specifically cited her campaign for governor when he announced her as his guest.

I am pleased to announce that the next governor of Pennsylvania Stacy Garrity will be my guest at the coming State of the Union, U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson, who represents the 15th District, said earlier this month at a gathering of Pennsylvania Republicans in Harrisburg.

Steven Chizmar, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, said that Garrity was in Washington for the National Association of State Treasurers through Tuesday and that her attendance at the speech will come as part of this previously scheduled trip.

This opportunity will allow her to gain valuable insights into national issues that could impact Pennsylvanians and the services provided by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, Chizmar said. Attending the State of the Union is an honor rooted in more than two centuries of American tradition and Stacy Garrity is proud to be able to attend the presidents address.

Garritys trip to Washington comes just days after Shapiro was among the Democratic governors to meet with Trump at the White House for the National Governors Associations annual conference  though he skipped the black-tie dinner after Trumps attacks on colleagues.

Garrity is a longtime Trump supporter who has voiced support for Pennsylvanians to cooperate with ICE agents and previously claimed that Trump won the 2020 election.

Trump endorsed Garrity at the end of January, saying, Stacy is a true America First patriot who has been with me from the beginning.

Garrity was reelected as treasurer during the 2024 red wave in Pennsylvania when all state row offices were won by Republicans, as Trump carried Pennsylvania with more votes than any statewide Republican candidate in history .

But now a little over a year into his second term, Trumps approval rating is sinking. According to a new Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll, 60% of Americans said they disapprove of how Trump is handling the presidency. This is a potential liability for Garrity and other Pennsylvania Republicans on the ballot this year.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party seized on Garritys planned appearance at the State of the Union. Party chair Eugene DePasquale said during a news briefing Monday that Garrity will be cheerleading Trumps damaging policies and specifically tied Garrity to rising healthcare costs.

Democrats boycott or bring guests to send a message

Healthcare costs will likely be a key point of Democratic messaging against Trump on Tuesday night, following a national spike in insurance premiums when enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act expired at the start of the year.

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, who represents the 4th District, which is primarily Montgomery County, is to bring Lisa Boone Bogacki, a physical therapist and affordable healthcare advocate from Berks County.

Bogackis husband, Gary, died from a sudden cardiac event in 2009 and Bogackis family came to rely on the Affordable Care Act and Social Security survivor benefits.

Prior to the ACA, I paid over $20,000 annually for insurance coverage, and this was where the majority of the kids survivors benefits was spent, Bogacki said in a news release from Deans office. The ACA finally made insurance premiums affordable for us. This year, my premiums have drastically increased, following the new cuts made to the program.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, who represents the 17h District in Western Pennsylania, also focused on health care messaging with his announced guest, Jonathan Akanowicz, an independent pharmacist from Hampton Township.

Akanowicz has been working to lower prescription drug costs and save community pharmacies by campaigning against pharmacy benefit managers.

Addressing another contentious issue, Trumps immigration agenda, U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware plans to bring Maria Mesias-Tatnall, director of outreach and immigration assistance at the Delaware Department of Justice.

Some Democrats are choosing to express their disapproval in other ways.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, of the 12th District in Pittsburgh and surrounding area, plans to attend the progressive-led Peoples State of the Union in Washington instead of Trumps speech, her office said.

She is to deliver the Working Families Partys response to Trump, according to the progressive organization.

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of the 5th District mostly in Delaware County, is also scheduled to attend the Peoples State of the Union event, organized by progressive groups MeidasTouch and MoveOn, her office confirmed.

After he boycotted Trumps joint address to Congress last year, U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans of the 3rd District in Philadelphia will not attend Trumps address Tuesday night. In his place, Evans  who is retiring  has designated Carolyn Hill, a Philadelphia grandmother who is impacted by Trumps cuts to SNAP, an honorary guest.

Republican lawmakers from the region

U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania will be hosting hosted Jason Zugai, vice president of United Steelworkers Local 2227, as his guest after Japanese company Nippon Steel finalized a buyout of U.S. Steel in June. McCormick played a key role in persuading Trump to back the deal after his initial public opposition.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of the 7th District, which is north of Philadelphia will to bring Sarah Arndt, the lead teacher at PathStone Carbon County Head Start, where she has worked for the past 13 years. Funding for her program was in jeopardy last fall amid the lengthy government shutdown and state budget impasse.

And Sheryl Klein, a senior at Council Rock High School South in Bucks County, will to be the guest of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of the 1st District. Klein founded and leads the high schools Womens Empowerment Club.

That is the kind of civic engagement we should be encouraging across this country at every level: unifying, positive, and rooted in service to something greater than ourselves, Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick and Mackenzie represent key swing districts, which both parties are targeting in the fall.
With a crowded field of Democrats who largely agree on policy issues, its been difficult to differentiate the candidates in this years race for Philadelphias open congressional seat.

But at a forum Monday night, the top candidates for the 3rd Congressional District, which is being vacated by retiring Democrat Dwight Evans, began to make clear where the battle lines are  by taking shots at one another.

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At the end of the event, the moderator, 21st Ward Leader Lou Agre, allowed the candidates to ask one another questions. Their choices offered hints as to which of their rivals the candidates view as most threatening.

Dr. Ala Stanford, who appears to be the strongest candidate among the non-elected officials in the race, questioned the accomplishments of State Sen. Sharif Street, who is seen by many as a frontrunner after being endorsed by the Democratic City Committee and building trades unions.

Street, in turn, fired a question about hate crime legislation at State Rep. Chris Rabb, a progressive who could counter Streets hold on the Democratic establishment if he consolidates support from left-leaning organizations.

Lastly, State Rep. Morgan Cephas came after Stanford, prompting a tense exchange about the physicians government contracts.

 READ MORE: Heres who is funding Phillys crowded race for Congress

The 3rd District covers about half of Philadelphia and is, by some measures, the bluest seat in Congress. The Democratic primary is May 19.

The forum was initially scheduled to be held in-person at the Polish Legion of American Veterans Adam Kowalski post in Roxborough, but it was moved to Zoom due to the blizzard on Sunday and Monday.

Here are the issues the candidates debated Monday night.

Stanford questions Streets accomplishments

Stanford, a pediatric surgeon, has been widely celebrated for founding the Black Doctors Consortium to help reach underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She began the candidate-on-candidate questioning on Monday by asking Street for instances in which his work has helped constituents in tangible ways, setting up a juxtaposition with her record.

In a time when the people are asking for new leadership, theyre asking for innovation, theyre asking for not the same politics as usual ... can you tell the people a time when the seas were rough and you stepped up and delivered for them that they felt it? Stanford asked, adding: Can you share what you can do during the chaos that people can feel  and where was it during COVID?

Street began by saying that, as the top Democrat on the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee in Harrisburg, he boosted Stanfords work during the pandemic by pressuring insurance companies to reimburse her fledgling organization, which provided testing and vaccinations for thousands of Philadelphians in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Independence Blue Cross was not moving forward with the reimbursement rates for the Black COVID Doctors Consortium, Street said. I spoke with you, and I helped, and I reached out to them to make sure that [the Medicaid plan] Keystone First would begin to pay the reimbursement in an immediate way.

He also said his office distributed food to constituents and helped process rent rebates during the pandemic.

In the run-up to the 2020 election, Street, as chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party at the time, repeatedly fought in court against President Donald Trumps campaign over election administration issues. In her question, Stanford asked Street to focus on what he delivered for his constituents  not that you sued Donald Trump 20 times and won every time, because how do the people feel that?

But Street said those legal victories resulted in tangible results, as well.

Donald Trump wanted to challenge peoples ability to vote in some of the most vulnerable communities, he said. I went to court, I stopped him, and I made sure that they had the right to vote, and that was why we were able to pass the vote to remove him from office.

Street and Rabb clash over hate-crime legislation

When it was his turn to pose a question, Street pressed Rabb on why the progressive was opposed to hate-crime legislation, an issue the two had sparred over at a forum last week.

You and I have worked to fight for regular folks, for disadvantaged people, for a long time. I was shocked that you ... want to prevent hate-crimes legislation, Street, a centrist Democrat, said to Rabb. Ive heard from so many trans women of color, who are most likely to be victims of hate crimes, and they dont understand.

Rabb responded by saying that Streets line of attack was shameful and unnecessary.

I know you want to win. I just thought you would do it with honor, Rabb said. I am an active member of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus. I am the father of a queer son. I represent an active queer community. ... To use this as a political punching bag is just  man, its beneath you.

At the end of the forum, Street clarified that he has no doubts about Rabbs commitment to the LGBTQ community.

I had a policy dispute about hate crimes, Street said. I did not mean to question your commitment to the trans community or to your kid.

The dust-up got in the way of a meaningful debate over hate-crime laws, which increase sentences for people convicted of crimes that prosecutors prove were motivated by prejudice against particular groups.

Such laws are common across the country, but they have long faced criticism from the libertarian right, which fears that such regulations could be used to target citizens for political views. The laws have also faced pushback from some on the progressive left, who contend that they contribute to mass incarceration.

Politicians tout hate-crime laws as proof they care about the marginalized, Rabb wrote in an op-ed for PennLive last fall . In reality, the main outcome is more policing, more prosecution, and more incarceration.

Street said last week that people who oppose hate-crime laws on the far left ... dont want to address the antisemitism on the left or the right.

Rabb has been the 3rd District candidate most critical of Israels war in Gaza. Street has also been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus handling of the war, but holds a more centrist view on the conflict in the Middle East.

The Pennsylvania House in 2023 approved a bill to expand the states law that criminalizes ethnic intimidation to include sexual orientation and disability status. Rabb voted for the bill, which ultimately died in the Senate amid GOP opposition, but said he had considerable reservations.

We should collectively focus on structural violence and hatred that has been cultivated by the very institutions that have been asked to address this legislation, Rabb said at the time.

Cephas presses Stanford about her government contracts

Cephas, who represents a West Philadelphia district and chairs the Philadelphia delegation to the state House, questioned how much money Stanfords nonprofit organization has made from government contracting since the onset of the pandemic.

You oftentimes quote that you, as a private citizen, came in and saved Philadelphia from COVID, and, you know, there are a number of people on this [Zoom] call that stepped up during COVID, Cephas said, noting that she worked with Stanford to set up clinics in her district during the pandemic.

We all did it in our own individual capacity, and we didnt receive government contracts for it. ... How much in government contracts did you receive during the COVID-19 period?

Stanford noted that she initially launched the Black Doctors Consortium with her own financial resources to serve neighborhoods that were not being reached by existing healthcare and government institutions. She said her first $1 million city grant for testing came months after she began her work.

In 2020 and 2021, Stanfords groups received $2.5 million in grants and contracts from the city, state, and federal governments, according to Stanford campaign manager Janee Taft-Mack. That money covered costs including supplies, staff, mobile medical units, personal protective equipment, and facility rentals, Taft-Mack said.

Since then, Stanford has continued partnering with government agencies to address healthcare inequality. She has opened the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity in Swampoodle and secured a $5.38 million contract for the Black Doctors Consortium to work at Riverview Wellness Village, the city-owned drug recovery home.

The total amount Stanford and her organizations have received for work since 2021 was not immediately clear.

Cheesesteaks, of course

Dr. David Oxman, an intensive care physician at Jefferson University Hospital who lives in South Philadelphia, closed the open question session by asking his fellow candidates what cheese they order on their cheesesteaks.

Phillys most famous culinary offering has proven politically hazardous over the years, such as when John Kerry catastrophically asked for Swiss cheese while visiting Pats King of Steaks during the 2004 presidential election.

This years congressional hopefuls were better prepared than the Massachusetts senator.

Agre, the moderator whose ward includes much of Roxborough, interjected to insist that Dalessandros served up the best steak sandwiches in the city.

Cephas said she orders Cooper Sharp at Angelos Pizzeria. Stanfords go-to is American from Dalessandros. Street, a vegetarian, said he gets non-meat cheesesteaks from Hip City Veg and enjoys the cheese they use. (Mozzarella, per Hip Citys website.)

And Rabb shouted out the cheesesteak egg rolls from Black Dragon, a West Philadelphia establishment offering a unique fusion of Black American cuisine presented with the familiar aesthetics of classic Chinese American takeout, according to its website.

Still tense from the previous questions and perhaps a bit peckish, the candidates declined Agres offer to deliver closing remarks.

Staff writers Max Marin and Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article.
A rendering of the 380-foot-tower proposed near Pennsport by a New York capital management firm. Read more

A 36-story apartment tower planned for 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. in South Philadelphia has secured a $150 million senior construction loan, New York-based developer Brevet Capital announced Tuesday.

The financing from Mexico City-based Banco Inbursa is an important step for the 620-unit tower project, which is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2027.

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Construction on the project Brevet Capital calls Wharton Piers is anticipated to last two years, finishing in the first quarter of 2029.

At a meeting of the Pennsport Civic Association in October, Brevet Capital representatives said that the company hoped to develop two further residential towers on the site, which sits between the Delaware River and the neighborhood. Future high-rises may be taller than the 380-foot tower financed by Banco Inbursa.

Wharton Piers represents the first phase of a larger master plan that has the potential to support significant additional development over time, said Mei-Li da Silva Vint, head of Brevets real assets group, in a statement.

Brevet declined to comment on what proportion of the projects total cost would be covered by the loan.

This development site has a long history of ambitious but ultimately unrealized proposals, which makes the construction loan a noteworthy sign of Brevets intent.

In 2023, New York-based Silverstein planned a two-tower project. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Maryland-based developer Jeffery Kozeros K4 Associates presented a 2,000-unit project spanning 10 towers. The K4 plan, in particular, was met with skepticism by neighborhood groups and urban planners.

Were happy to see a meaningful development of this property in a way that seems to respect the collective vision for the waterfront, Patrick Fitzmaurice, president of the Pennsport Civic Association, said of the Brevet Capital project.

In exchange for building taller and denser than the lands zoning allows, Brevet will pay into the citys housing trust fund  which supports affordable development  and will repair and maintain the Delaware River Trail down to Reed Street.

Conditions along the bike and pedestrian trail have deteriorated below Washington Avenue, with cracked pavement and unkempt weeds. People have also been camping along the path, and moving between the patchwork of properties owned by different entities to avoid sweeps by the city.

Our focus is on executing this initial phase to a high standard while creating a vibrant, publicly accessible waterfront, da Silva Vints statement reads.

Most of the current tower proposals apartments will be on the smaller side, with half of them one-bedroom units and a further 35% being studios.

For parking, 187 spaces will be located on the third through fifth floors, with space for a further 100 vehicles on a neighboring surface lot.

When the project was presented to the Pennsport Civic Association in October, neighbors called for more parking. But the developers representatives noted that many new apartment towers dont have full garages.

The project will also include 15,000 square feet of amenity space on the fifth floor, including a pool, and a mix of commercial and office space on the ground floor.

A neighboring one-story building will be built with the project, featuring an additional 20,650 square feet of retail space. Brevet representatives told the civic association that the smaller building would serve as a place holder for a future tower.

Closing this financing is an important milestone for the development of Wharton Piers and reflects continued momentum behind a project that we believe will be transformational for Philadelphias waterfront, said Douglas Monticciolo, CEO and founder of Brevet Capital, in a statement.

Brevet Capital has built real estate projects in major markets of Florida, Texas, and California. Wharton Piers would be its first development in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia is one of the most popular major cities among renters searching for apartments ahead of this years peak rental season.

The city ranks in the top 10 most popular out of the 150 largest U.S. cities, according to an analysis of millions of apartment searches by the nationwide apartment search platform RentCafe.

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To rank cities at the start of the year, the platform measured page views for apartment listings, saved searches, listings that were marked as favorites, and the availability of units.

Rental activity is typically more dormant in the winter months before it heats up with the weather and peaks in the summer. Looking out your window today, you can see a major reason why, said Doug Ressler, manager of business intelligence at Yardi Matrix, a sister division of RentCafe.

 READ MORE: More New Yorkers want apartments in the Philly area

Philadelphia came in at No. 8 in RentCafes ranking of in-demand rental markets in early 2026. The city often ranks high for popularity among renters because of its size, access to job hubs, and affordability compared to New York and other major East Coast cities.

RentCafe found that a majority of the interest in Philadelphia apartments comes from people already living in the city.

But out-of-town renters also want to move here. The majority of these apartment hunters searched from New York, followed by Boston and Washington. Renters in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Houston also were interested in Philadelphia rentals.

Philadelphia fell three spots from last year in RentCafes ranking, because the number of saved apartment searches dropped, Ressler said. Thats partly because an apartment construction boom in the city has created many available units. So apartment hunters can more easily find homes and dont need to save as many searches.

Beyond Philadelphia

Midwestern and Southern cities dominated RentCafes rankings, with 11 of the 30 most in-demand cities located in the Midwest. Cincinnati took the No. 1 spot, followed by Atlanta and Minneapolis.

Washington and Baltimore rounded out the top-five list.

In top-ranked Cincinnati, RentCafe said renter interest was driven by people wanting to move from expensive areas along the coast to a midsized city that still offers a strong job market and positions in healthcare, manufacturing, and finance. Cincinnati also has become more appealing because of recent revitalization of downtown neighborhoods and the riverfront along the Ohio River.

Renter interest in El Paso, Texas, has grown the most out of the 150 large cities that RentCafe analyzed. The city climbed 115 spots to rank No. 28 this year.
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Postal Code
The owner of the Massachusetts assisted living facility Gabriel House where 10 people were killed and 30 injured in a fire last July has been denied access to insurance proceeds that he told a court are needed to repair the facility and pay employees and taxes.

Judge Joseph Ditkoff of the Massachusetts Appeals Court rejected a bid by Dennis Etzkorn, a member of the real estate trust and owner of the assisted living services firm Gabriel Care that operated the facility, to access the funds due under a $6 million property policy issued by Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. The New Bedford assisted living business has no liability insurance.

Etzkorn, along with other parties, faces multiple wrongful death and other lawsuits stemming from the fatal fire. The hold on insurance proceeds was requested by a man whose mother died in the fire.

The appeals court upheld the insurance attachment and also approved an attachment on the real estate itself that blocks the owners from selling or transferring the property.

Massachusetts law says an attachment can be imposed where there is a reasonable likelihood that the plaintiffs will recover a judgment equal to or greater than the attachment over and above any liability insurance available to satisfy the judgment.

The Appeals Court judge agreed with the Superior Court that the plaintiff is likely to recover more than the insurance proceeds at issue, and that there is no applicable liability insurance at all and the defendants raised no challenge to either finding.

The owners received about $550,000 in insurance payments since the fire and before the attachment that they said they used to pay taxes, mortgage and salaries. They argued that not having the remaining insurance funds from the $6 million policy would mean the business would likely fail and the building deteriorate and lose value.

One unusual turn in the case has been the discovery that Gabriel House has no liability insurance for the business. Massachusetts, like most states, does not require assisted living facilities to have liability coverage.

Another defendant in the victims lawsuits, Fire Systems Inc. (FSI), has denied any liability and countered that the owners breached their contract with FSI by not having liability insurance.
U.S. airlines canceled over 2,000 flights on Tuesday, far fewer than a day earlier, as a powerful winter storm that disrupted airports across the Northeast was expected to ease by evening, with strong winds expected to continue into the early hours.

Over 2,000 flights canceled, 600 delayed as of 06:00 a.m. ET, Tuesday, according to data from FlightAware.

Nearly 6,000 flights were canceled on Monday, along with about 4,000 delays.

The National Weather Service said the storm was expected to move away from the country on Tuesday, though strong winds could continue through the morning hours.

Among major carriers, JetBlue Airways had the highest number of cancellations, with nearly 41% of its scheduled flights scrapped for Tuesday, FlightAware data showed.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

FACTBOX-More than 380,000 Customers Without Power

REUTERS  A winter storm across parts of the U.S. Northeast has left more than 380,000 homes and businesses without power, as officials across the region warned of heavy snow, strong winds and dangerous travel conditions.

The hardest-hit utilities included Eversource Energy in Massachusetts, where 229,847 of its 3.3 million customers were without power, followed by National Grid, with more than 23,000 of its customers affected. The utility serves about 3.1 million customers across the U.S.

Heavy snow, wind gusts over 70 mph, and near zero visibility continue to create hazardous conditions across Massachusetts  Until the weather improves, our crews are limited in what they can safely accomplish, National Grid said in a post on X on Monday.

The total number of power outages in Massachusetts stands at 253,279.

The storm has made travel along the East Coast difficult. Airlines canceled thousands of flights, and officials urged people to stay off the roads.

Here are the major outages by state:

State Outages Massachusetts 253,279 New Jersey 37,146 Delaware 27,839 California 20,582 Rhode Island 20,490 Michigan 4,432 Maryland 3,615 Virginia 2,882 Total Out 380,059

(Reporting by Anjana Anil and Noel John in Bengaluru. Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Mark Potter)

Topics Aviation Windstorm
The European Union failed to approve a fresh round of sanctions against Russia as Hungary and Slovakia halted the measures, laying bare divisions within the bloc as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year.

Efforts by EU foreign ministers to get the 20th package of sanctions over the line at a meeting in Brussels on Monday were blocked by the two member states, who accuse Ukraine of disrupting oil deliveries from Russia. The dispute is also upending a 90 billion ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine.

This is a setback and a message we didnt want to send today, the blocs top foreign policy official, Kaja Kallas, told reporters after the meeting. Noting that we have seen this scenario already before, she said negotiations to advance the packages were continuing.

It was a blow to EU ambitions to unite over assistance to Ukraine four years after the Kremlins full-scale invasion. Slovakia went further in its opposition to new sanctions on Moscow, saying the measures could undermine US-led peace efforts.

Russias relentless attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure hit the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia in late January. The two EU members accuse Ukraine of dragging its feet with repairs, while Kyiv says it needs more time to complete the work. Budapest and Bratislava havent called out Moscow for causing the damage.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said his government will stop providing emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine  and is weighing further steps, including a review of Kyivs ambitions to join the EU.

As of today, if the Ukrainian side turns to Slovakia for assistance in stabilizing its energy grid, such assistance will not be provided, Fico said in emailed statement.

Hungarys announcement over the weekend that it planned to set up a roadblock for the Ukrainian financing package agreed to in December already drew a round of rebukes from EU members.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he was astonished at Hungarys stance, while Lithuanias top diplomat said Budapests role in holding up EU measures in support of Ukraine raised questions about its membership in the bloc.

In the long term, we should address whether we really need 27 members, Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told reporters in Brussels ahead of the meeting, adding that Hungary must end its manipulations and that the announcement was very bad news.

In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa dated Feb. 23, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called the stalled shipments an unprovoked act of hostility that undermines the energy security of Hungary. Orban, who has a track record of standing down threats against EU policy, said hed block the loan until oil starts flowing again, according to the letter seen by Bloomberg News.

Costa responded, urging Orban him to stick by the agreement reached by EU leaders on the loan  and saying he would discuss the Druzhba pipeline with Zelenskiy.

Orbans foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, drove home the position in Brussels as he vowed he would block the measures.

Were going to stand firm on this, Szijjarto said ahead of the meeting. No one can mess with Hungary, no one can threaten our energy security.

The Hungarian premier has made his opposition to Ukrainian aid the centerpiece of his campaign ahead of the April 12 parliamentary election. His ruling Fidesz party is trailing a pro-EU opposition alliance, raising the prospect that Orban could be unseated after 16 years in power.

Kallas noted the political angle ahead of the election. I find it very hard that it would bring you any bonus points in the election, but I dont know the Hungarian political climate, she said.

The Hungarian leader has cultivated close ties with US President Donald Trump, who last week gave his complete and total endorsement for Orban in the election. Landlocked Hungary was granted a waiver from US sanctions on Russian oil imports because of Orbans relationship with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Budapest last week.

While Budapest doesnt have to underwrite the EU loan for Kyiv after receiving an exemption in December, it still has leverage over the process as the loan requires unanimous agreement to amend the blocs budget.

Polish Foreign Minister Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said he expected more solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine.

Hungarians used to understand what its like  Budapest was invaded, actually twice, Sikorski said. The ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility toward the victim of aggression and now is trying to exploit that in the general election. Its quite shocking.

Photograph: Kaja Kallas arrives for the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, on Feb. 23, 2026; photo credit: John Thys/AFP/Getty

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe Russia
AbbVie on Monday said it would invest $380 million to build two new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities at its Illinois campus, expanding its domestic production capacity for its neuroscience and obesity medicines.

The investment is part of AbbVies broader effort to scale up domestic manufacturing, as drugmakers are scrambling to shore up their U.S. manufacturing capacity and domestic inventory amid the Trump administrations hefty tariffs on pharmaceutical imports into the country.

The U.S. government imposed a 100% tariff on branded drugs in October, but said it would only apply to producers who had not already broken ground on U.S. manufacturing plants.

AbbVie said the construction at the new facility in North Chicago, Illinois would begin in spring 2026, with both new facilities expected to be fully operational in 2029.

The new facilities will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies and artificial intelligence to support production of future pipeline medicines, the company said.

API production  the process of making a drugs active chemical components  is one of the most complex steps in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the drugmaker said.

AbbVie said it plans to hire 300 people in North Chicago, including engineers, scientists, manufacturing operators and lab technicians.

In January, it committed $100 billion over the next decade to U.S.-based research and development, including an earlier $195 million expansion at the same North Chicago site to boost API production for immunology, oncology and neuroscience drugs.

AbbVie already has 11 manufacturing sites in the U.S. and is also in discussions with multiple U.S. states about potential projects and expects to announce further investments in 2026.

(Reporting by Mahatole in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)

Topics Illinois Manufacturing
The South Dakota Legislature is considering a bill that would establish a statutory 75% minimum damage threshold for declaring a vehicle a total loss, which insurers say could negatively impact drivers through increased premiums and reduced road safety.

Senate Bill 227 passed the Senate and is being considered in the House Transportation Committee this week.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association opposes the bill, arguing that total loss claims decisions should be guided with the goal of safe, quality repairs to address individual circumstances. APCIA says SB 227 replaces that flexibility with a hard rule that could undermine safety and could drive-up costs.

According to the group, rigid repair thresholds often increase disputes over valuation and repair estimates and slow claims processing. Mandated repairs could also increase the expenses associated with paying claims, and drive up insurance costs for South Dakota drivers, according to APCIA.

Topics Trends Auto
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a bid by ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy to scuttle a lawsuit brought by officials in Boulder, Colorado that seeks to hold the oil companies liable for helping fuel climate change in a case that could affect dozens of similar lawsuits around the country.

The justices on Monday took up an appeal by the companies of a lower courts ruling that let the litigation move forward. The suit alleging state law violations by the companies seeks unspecified monetary damages for costs incurred by Boulder associated with mitigating the impact of climate change.

President Donald Trumps administration backed the appeal by the oil companies.

The Boulder litigation is the latest chapter in efforts by numerous U.S. jurisdictions seeking damages from companies that extract, produce, distribute or sell fossil fuels. These plaintiffs are seeking compensation for harms they attribute to the role these companies played in causing climate change.

The burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing more of the suns heat to be trapped, which leads to a rise in the average global temperature over time.

As our filings make clear, climate policy shouldnt be set through fragmented statecourt actions, and we look forward to making that case before the court, an Exxon spokesperson said on Monday.

The Boulder government officials in their 2018 lawsuit accused the U.S.-based Exxon and Canada-based Suncor of misleading the public about the role that their products played in exacerbating climate change while profiting from unchecked fossil fuel sales. The companies deny wrongdoing.

The plaintiffs have said the oil companies should cover past and future costs incurred by the city and county governments for steps taken to mitigate the effects of climate change, citing infrastructure repairs, environmental damage, emergency management and harms to public health.

Local communities are living with the mounting costs of climate change, Aaron Brockett, the mayor of the city of Boulder, said on Monday after the court announced its decision to take up the case. The Supreme Court should affirm Colorados right to hold these companies accountable for the harm they have caused in Colorado.

The companies urged lower courts to dismiss the case, arguing among other things that Boulders lawsuit would illegally interfere with the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.

The Colorado Supreme Court in May 2025 denied their request, prompting the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oil companies for years have been trying to avoid the burgeoning volume of climate-related litigation, but so far have achieved little success.

Nearly 60 state and local governments have brought lawsuits like these seeking billions of dollars in damages, with more continuing to be filed, the companies told the Supreme Court in a filing.

The Trump administration has acted in various ways to bolster the companies positions. Last year, it launched two preemptive cases seeking to stop Hawaii and Michigan from filing climate-related lawsuits against oil majors that the administration said would imperil domestic energy production.

The Supreme Court previously turned away a similar bid by Sunoco and other oil companies to throw out a climate-related lawsuit by Honolulu after Hawaiis top court allowed it to proceed.

That lawsuit seeks to hold the companies liable for their alleged role in contributing to extreme weather affecting the region, as well as a significant rise in the average sea level along the Honolulu Pacific coastline, a development linked to flooding, erosion and beach loss.

Photo: In this file photo, the logo for ExxonMobil appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Topics Lawsuits USA Energy Oil Gas
The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) announced that its captive insurance program had another record year in 2025 with a net gain of 10 licensed captive insurers.

Oklahoma has now surpassed its previous high of 73 captive insurers, which was set in 2017.

Since Steve Kinion was appointed Captive Insurance Director in October 2022, the program has grown by 64%. In 2025, OID received 14 captive insurer applications, all of which were approved. Four captives dissolved during the year, resulting in the net gain of 10.

OID will hold a Captive Connection event on March 4 in Oklahoma City. More information can be found on OIDs website.

Topics Carriers Oklahoma
In all-risk policies, an excluded cause of damage must be the sole cause of damage for the exclusion to apply, a federal appeals court decided last week in an opinion that clarifies North Carolina law but could make some claims more costly for insurers.

The district courts conclusion comports with North Carolina precedent, which has set out different causation standards for all-risk insurance policies than what applies to other types of insurance coverage, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in Wake Chapel Church vs. Church Mutual Insurance.

The precedent is a 1973 decision by the North Carolina Supreme Court, which laid down a general rule that, for all-risk policies, coverage will extend when damage results from more than one causeeven though one of the causes is specifically excluded, the appellate judges explained.

Church Mutual May Face Larger Class Action in Labor Depreciation Question Church Mutual Insurance may soon have more than the limits of a policy exclusion to deal with, after a federal appeals court raised the possibility of a 10-state class-action lawsuit over depreciation of labor in claims payouts. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday struck down a lower courts decision to limit the proposed class action to Church Mutual-insured churches in just five states. Its now up to the federal district court in Tennessee to more thoroughly examine state court rulings to determine if dozens more churches can be included in the litigation. A party has the initial burden to provide a court with authorities for its position, the 4th Circuit judges wrote. But once it does that, a court has the affirmative duty to resolve the issues before iteven the tough ones. Class actions claiming inappropriate depreciation of labor in actual cash value payouts have been filed against a number of property insurers in recent years, alleging that many states do not allow depreciation of labor and other non-material costs. Thousands of homeowners in Alabama alleged that a State Farm Insurance unit shorted them on payments by depreciating labor. That case was settled in 2022. In 2023, plaintiffs similarly charged that Trumbull Insurance underpaid by as much as $5 million on claims. The case is similar to one decided by the Arizona Supreme Court in 2022 in Walker v. Auto Owners. That court held that under the Walkers homeowners policy the insurer could not depreciate the cost of labor in determining the ACV because of the ambiguity in the policy language over labor depreciation and the reasonable expectations of the insured. But until now, church insurers have not faced many class actions regarding labor depreciation questions. In the Tennessee case, Generation Changers Church, in Nashville, was damaged by a tornado in 2020. Church Mutual paid the claim but church leaders took issue with the fact that the payment was $26,750 less than expecteddue to the insurers depreciation of labor in determining actual cash value. The policy was silent on whether the ACV calculation subtracts depreciation for non-material costslike laboras it does for material costs, the court noted. The plaintiffs filed a proposed class-action lawsuit in federal court, arguing that churches in other states faced similar shortfalls that were not allowed by statute. Church Mutual argued that some states, such as Texas, do allow depreciation of non-material costs. The 4th Circuit judges said the lower-court judge had failed to fully analyze state and federal court rulings in five states before slashing the scope of the proposed class-action. The opinion can be seen here

The 4th Circuits Feb. 19 decision hinged on the cause of scratches and scrapes on Wake Chapels metal roof in Raleigh. The church filed a claim in 2018, arguing that the damage was the result of a heavy snowstorm. An engineer reported that ice and snow sliding on roof was one cause of the damage.

Wisconsin-based Church Mutual, one of the worlds largest insurers of churches, denied the claim, contending that the scratches came from workers and a crimping machine when the roof was installed almost two decades earlier. The installers had also failed to apply a protective coating on the roof, the insurer said. The churchs policy excluded payment for damages caused by decay, deterioration, latent defect or a quality of the property that causes it to damage itself.

The chapel filed suit, alleging breach of contract and bad faith. After a four-day trial, a jury found in favor of Wake Chapel, noting that the snowstorm caused the damage. The jury awarded $1.1 million for actual cash value on the roof. Church Mutual asked for a directed verdict overruling the jury. The district court judge declined, and the insurer appealed to the 4th Circuit.

Church Mutual argued on appeal that the lower court had applied the wrong causation standard. Under North Carolina law and a 1957 high court ruling, an excluded cause may be considered only the predominant cause of the damage, not the sole cause, in order to be excluded. Put another way, a covered cause must be the main cause of damage to permit recovery. The chapels engineer had not established that, the insurer argued. Also, the harm from the roof installation came well before the policy period.

If property is already damaged, and a separate cause later makes the damage worse, that does not transform existing and uncovered damage into a covered loss, wrote Church Mutuals attorneys, Steven Bader and Jennifer Welch, in a reply brief in the appeal.

But the appellate panel pointed out that the precedent opinion cited by Church Mutuals lawyers did not examine an all-risk policy. In a 1973 case, known as Avis vs. Hartford Fire Insurance, the state court established a different standard for all-risk policies. Later, the state Supreme Court clarified further and explained that, in the Avis ruling, court held that the insurer must provide coverage where one cause of an accident is covered by an all-risk insurance policy and the other is not.

Avis and later cases compel the conclusion that all-risk insurance policies provide coverage where a cause that is not subject to an exclusion at least partially contributed to the damage, the 4th Circuit panel concluded.

Because the parties do not dispute that Church Mutual issued Wake Chapel an all-risk policy, the district court correctly employed a causation standard in line with the Avis opinion, the panel noted.

Attorneys involved in the case could not be reached Monday.

Related: 11th Circuit Upholds $1.75M Verdict Against Church Mutual on Georgia Roof Claim

Topics North Carolina
As national Democrats search for a unifying theme ahead of the falls midterm elections, a California proposal to levy a hefty tax on billionaires is turning some of the partys leading figures into adversaries just when Democrats can least afford division from within.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders traveled to Los Angeles last week to campaign for the tax proposal, which has Silicon Valley in an uproar, with tech titans threatening to leave the state. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is among its outspoken opponents, warning that it could leave government finances in crisis and put the state at a competitive disadvantage nationally.

At an evening rally near downtown, Sanders told cheering supporters that the nation has reached a crisis point in which massive income and wealth inequality has concentrated power over business, technology, government and the media within the billionaire class, while millions of working-class Americans struggle to pay household bills.

He said enactment of the proposed tax would show we are still living in a democratic society where the people have some power.

Enough is enough, Sanders said to a pulse of applause. The billionaire class cannot have it all. This nation belongs to all of us.

The senator, a democratic socialist, is popular in California  he won the 2020 Democratic presidential primary in the state in a runaway. Hes been railing for decades against what he characterizes as wealthy elites and the growing gap between rich and poor.

Healthcare Union Pushing Proposed Tax

A large health care union is attempting to place a proposal before voters in November that would impose a one-time 5% tax on the assets of billionaires  including stocks, art, businesses, collectibles and intellectual property  to backfill federal funding cuts to health services for lower-income people that were signed by President Donald Trump last year.

Debate on the proposal is unfolding at a time when voters in both parties express unease with economic conditions and what the future will bring in a politically divided nation. Distrust of government  and its ability to get things done  is widespread.

The proposal has created a rift between Newsom and prominent members of his partys progressive wing, including Sanders, who has said the tax should be a template for other states.

The issues that are really going to be motivating Democrats this year, affordability and the cost of health care and cuts to schools, none of these would be fixed by this proposal. If fact, they would be made worse, said Brian Brokaw, a longtime Newsom adviser who is leading a political committee opposing the tax.

Split Among Democrats Comes as Midterm Elections Loom

Midterm elections typically punish the party in control of the White House, and Democrats are hoping to gain enough U.S. House seats to overturn the chambers slim Republican majority. In California, rejiggered House districts approved by voters last year are expected to help the party pick up as many as five additional seats, which would leave Republicans in control of just a handful of districts.

It is always better for a party to have the political debate focused on issues where you are united and the other party is divided, said Eric Schickler, a professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. Having an issue like this where Newsom and Sanders  among others  are on different sides is not ideal.

With the idea of taxing billionaires popular among many voters this can be a good way for Democratic candidates to rally that side and break through from the pack, Schickler added in an email.

Its already trickled into the race for governor and contests down the ballot. Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, both candidates for governor, have warned the tax would erase jobs. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democratic candidate for governor, has said inequality starts at the federal level, where the tax code is riddled with loopholes.

Sanders did not mention Newsom in his nearly 30-minute speech but name-checked a handful of billionaires, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google co-founder Sergey Brin, as examples of a wealthy elite that in many respects no longer sees itself as part of American society.

Sanders Urges Support for Billionaires Tax

Citing protests against federal immigration raids in Minnesota, he urged the crowd to support the tax, saying Californians can show that when we stand together, we can take on the oligarchs and the billionaires.

Coinciding with the Sanders visit and an upcoming state Democratic convention this weekend, opponents are sending out targeted emails and social media ads intended to sway party insiders.

Its not clear if the proposal will make the ballot  supporters must gather more than 870,000 petition signatures to place it before voters.

The nascent contest already has drawn out a tangle of competing interests, with millions of dollars flowing into political committees.

Newsom has long opposed state-level wealth taxes, believing such levies would be disadvantageous for the worlds fourth-largest economy. At a time when California is strapped for cash and he is considering a 2028 presidential run, he is trying to block the proposal before it reaches the ballot.

Analysts say an exodus of billionaires could mean a loss of hundreds of millions of tax dollars for the nations most populous state. But supporters say the funding is needed to offset federal cuts that could leave many Californians without vital services.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics California
Its been more than a year since the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles, and attorneys who work in firstparty property claims are still seeing a steady rise in disputes. That trend isnt slowing down anytime soonthese claims will continue moving from adjusters desks into legal disputes for at least another year or two.

Every claim is unique, but the same patterns keep showing up. Some carriers have handled these fires well, others far less so. This isnt about calling out anyone by name; its about calling out the practices that are creating unnecessary conflict.

SlowRolling Total Loss Replacement Cost

California is one of the most expensive states in the country to repair or rebuild a home. The Pacific Palisades sits at the very top of that cost curve. So why did so many large carriers initially insist that rebuild costs would be far lower?

There are explanations for the practicenone of them good. What weve seen over the past year is a slow escalation of replacement allowances, creeping upward every several months at a snails pace. And then, almost on cue, at the one-year mark, many carriers decided they were done adjusting. No more increases. No matter what the market data or construction realities show.

Related: California Bill Would Require Insurer Claims Handling Plans, and Double Penalties

This matters because California is an openpolicy state. A total loss doesnt guarantee payment of policy limits; the loss still has to be measured. But in the real world, most policyholders are underinsured or just barely adequately insured. The idea that large numbers of Palisades or Eaton Fire homeowners were overinsured to the point that their rebuild costs need heavy scrutiny simply isnt credible.

Carriers that are guilty of this almost certainly know, at the higher levels, that at best they were being hyper-conservative pending more data. So, tell the insureds that upfront. Set expectations. Explain that more adjustments are likely and tell them what the company is doing about it. Dont be secretive and conceal context. And if delay on the carrier side slows the claim, compensate for that delay. Some carriers made an effort here; many didnt.

Customer Service Is Still a Weak Link

Claims handling is supposed to be a customerservice function. Most adjusters want to help people. But when theyre undertrained or underresourced, they end up saying the wrong thingor saying nothing at all.

What were seeing now is the bareminimum approach: communications that check regulatory boxes without actually informing anyone of anything. Letters that are sparse, vague and increasingly AIgenerated. Adjusters being rotated out midstream, destroying momentum and undoing progress. Agreements made by one adjuster and then unwound by the next.

When is the human aspect going to be put back into claims? Claimants are dealing with catastrophes, and their lives have been upended. Most of them are experiencing the worst time of their entire lives.

Applying Wildfire Science to Urban Firestorms Doesnt Work

The smoke profile in the Palisades and Eaton Fires wasnt typical wildfire smoke. These were urban conflagrationshomes, vehicles, plastics, batteries, and building materials burning together.

Different smoke means different contaminants, different risks and a need for different investigation standards. Communities know this, too. People are organized and datasharing, and theyre demanding real testing.

Related: California Bill Requires Insurers to Offer, Renew Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes

For years, carriers built strategies to resist smokedamage claims in traditional wildfires. Those strategies do not fit these losses. Some companies adapted their scopes and testing protocols. Others are still trying to run the wildfire playbook in dense, urbanwildlandinterface neighborhoods, where the costs of proper cleaning and reconstruction are dramatically higher. The result is predictable: the wildfire playbook fails, and claims spiral.

Its not enough for insurers to financially prepare through underwriting. They have to operationally prepare too. Adaptation is the difference between a resolved claim and a litigated one.

Daniel Veroff is a first-party property insurance attorney with Merlin Law Group, based in San Francisco, California. He represents policyholders in catastrophic loss disputes and complex coverage matters. Email: dveroff@merlinlawgroup.com.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Claims Wildfire Louisiana
The number of US citizens visiting Ireland is expected to increase further this year, signalling a boost for Irish tourism after a stagnant 2025.

Research from hospitality data and analytics company STR found that American arrivals to Ireland continue to grow, with US tourists staying longer and spending more than the average visitor.

Speaking at the Irish Hotel Federations (IHF) annual conference in Killarney on Tuesday, Sarah Duignan of STR said that December 2025 was one of the strongest Decembers on record for US visitors, with American travellers also more likely to visit in the off-season compared to other tourists.

STR also said US citizens are increasingly visiting Ireland in the winter months, with notable increases in inbound numbers across October, November and December 2025. December last year saw just under 80,000 US visitors, Ms Duignan noted.

She added that this trend continued into the new year, with 800 more US visitors arriving in Ireland in January 2026 compared to the same month last year.

We want to see as many flights coming in from Dublin and Shannon Airport, filled with Americans, Ms Duignan told the INEC.

Positive outlook

There is a very positive outlook for American visitors, and that is even despite the weakening US Dollar. Figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that visitors from North America accounted for almost a quarter of total visitors to Ireland in 2025, following Great Britain at 38% and Continental Europe at 33%.

Looking forward, STR said US inbound travel will continue to grow, forecasting an increase of 5-6% in 2026.

Ms Duignan said:

Americans stay longer and spend more, They also do crazy itineraries that see them move around more often.

Ms Duignan also said the spread of US visitors across Ireland is helping the average daily rate (ADR) for hotels outside of Dublin, with many regional markets trading ahead of the capital.

In 2025, the ADR for Dublin was 174, trailing behind Limerick at 191, Kilkenny at 187 and Galway at 186. The ADR for Cork last year came in slightly lower at 163.

Read More First NFL game in Ireland delivers 104.5m for economy

Tourists shopping on Grafton Street, Dublin.

Full hotels

Meanwhile, average occupancy was highest in Dublin last year at 84%, with Cork, Galway and Waterford all slightly lower at 75%.

Ms Duignan said that Dublin enjoyed a particularly positive year in 2025 with major events such as the Oasis reunion, the British and Irish Lions friendly and the two major US National Football League (NFL) games played in Ireland, contributing to growing occupancy.

Data by STR show that there were 63 nights in 2025 in which hotel room occupancy in Dublin exceeded 95%.

Demand was nothing short of wild, Ms Duignan said. Those 63 nights were driven by very key events, which I believe are unlikely to follow suit in 2026.

We see on average about 40 nights a year where occupancy exceeds 95%. Ms Duignan said events remain as important as ever, with Race Week in Galway, the Cork Jazz Festival and Corks European Maritime Day all boosting visitor numbers, in addition to concerts and sporting events in Dublin.

However, what goes up must come down, Ms Duignan said, noting the NFLs decision not to play a season game in Dublin this year.

The forecast for Dublin for the end of this year is in negative territory, which is really on the back of the concert and sporting events last year that are not being backfilled in 2026.
New to the market with Tipperary town-based auctioneer Matt Ryan is an attractive 56-acre holding that will be going under the hammer at an auction on Tuesday, March 31, at the Ballykisteen Hotel, Tipperary.

The property is in the townland of Cloughaready, approximately 5km from both Pallasgreen and Emly. Its described by the selling agents as south-facing Golden Vale pasture land, with a small farmyard and outbuildings.
Melvyn Bragg went up to Oxford University in 1958, sporting an Elvis Presley look-alike haircut. He spent three glorious, carefree years in its gilded hallways. The Carlisle man was part of a postwar working-class generation  along with filmmakers Dennis Potter and Ken Loach  that breached the walls of the medieval city, although it was still an elitist bastion when he studied history there. Inheritance trumped scholarship, which fostered a nasty snobbishness.

Bragg cites, for example, the notorious Bullingdon Club, which was considered a breeding ground for political eminence in the late 1950s. Club members thought nothing of smashing up a restaurant, reckoning a few fivers would make things okay with the serfs. He mentions that the club coughed up two of Britains worst prime ministers, who went on to become spivs (David Cameron and Boris Johnson).

Braggs coming-of-age memoir evokes Liam Clancys masterpiece, The Mountain of the Women, in its depiction of innocence and hesitant, youthful ambition, that moment an artist crosses the bridge from childhood to adulthood. There were, though, few women around the Oxford campus in Braggs time. It was a male dominion.

The lack of women was a terrible deprivation, says Bragg, 86. It was a shock. I'd been brought up in mixed schools since I was four years old. All of a sudden, there was this great absence, a vacuum. It was a puzzle about what to do about it. The hospitals were raided for nurses. It was a funny business.

The tension and narrative drive in the memoir come from Braggs faltering love life. When he enrolled at Oxford, he was in love with a childhood sweetheart, a girl from Wigton, his hometown close to the Scottish border. They remained life-long friends, even though their engagement foundered.

Melvyn Bragg at the Bafta awards in 1981. Photo: BAFTA via Getty Images

Towards the end of the book, after his heart is broken, he takes up with Lisa, a French viscountess. Their engagement quickly led to marriage (shortly after graduating from Oxford). Love was a serious business back then.

You went with someone with the intention, however near or far in the future, of marrying them, explains Bragg. Or you used a pregnancy as a gun to the head and that was that. Going with someone could be protracted. There was a man in Wigton, a cobbler, who went with his fiancee for 14 years. They walked from the church the mile to the Red Dial pub every Sunday night following evensong. Eventually they spliced, moved in together and ceased the Sunday walks.

Bragg excels at capturing the weightlessness of university years, a timeout from life, three gift-wrapped years, where most of the learning is done outside the college walls  acting in drama societies; doing journalism; playing rugby, squash or rowing; filmmaking; or that cliche of student life  staying up late with friends talking through the night.

Bragg ran with a gang of four close friends. One of them, the author Michael Wolfers, worked as a government advisor and reporter in several African countries. He died at Braggs 75th birthday celebrations at Londons Garrick Club in 2014. Bragg, echoing the evidence at hand, believes Wolfers was a spy. There were overtures to Bragg, too, to join in the spying game.

Melvyn Bragg in Bantry in 2013 for the West Cork Literary Festival. Picture: Darragh Kane

I was invited across to Russia because my books were selling well in Russia, says Bragg. It was a straightforward attempt to be enlisted as a spy. When I came back to England, I was invited to the Soviet embassy and they talked about how wonderful Russia was and so forth.

They were very precise about it. There's a part of St Petersburg where they take you, walking around a big, artificial lake. Its deserted. You walked around this big circle of land, with nobody there except two or three of you. They tried to get things out of you or to do things for them. They didn't hide it. They went for it.

When asked if he had the skills to be a good spy, he is adamant: I'd have been absolutely useless. I wouldn't have been able to do it. Id tell everybody what I was up to. Id have been in the next coffee bar blabbing, Do you know what happened?

Dread of nuclear annihilation was in the air during his university years. It was a little over a decade after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, and shortly before the Cuban Missile Crisis. Student ban the bomb marches were commonplace. At times, it seemed it was all that people spoke about.

Bragg remarks that were again at a volatile moment in history, that US president Donald Trump is not a steady hand to have at the tiller. We've never seen anything like him in my lifetime, says Bragg. Theres a streak of the mad Roman emperor about him, convinced that what he says goes everywhere across his empire, and people have to listen to it. Thats the way he behaves. He takes you back to Tiberius. He considers himself to be an emperor, a maker and breaker of nations. It's a megalomaniacal madness.

He's an extremely well-honed bully. Occasionally, he lunges in the right direction, but 99 percent of the time, you don't know where he's going. Frankly, I don't think he knows where he's going. Hes erratic. He goes in one direction, then he goes another and comes back and he'll double up. There's no steadiness.

Melvyn Braggs Another World  The Oxford Years: A Memoir is published by Sceptre

Melvyn Bragg on Ingmar Bergman

Nothing had prepared me for seeing Ingmar Bergman in Oxford, writes Bragg of the Swedish filmmaker. It is difficult to explain to myself why I was and am still so locked into Bergman. His films continue to be the marker against which for me all films are judged. He put everything into them  from what I can gather his films spent his life.

"The work became the man and what was left over seems to have been a trail of sexual confusion. Like many other artists, he was driven to put the best of himself into his work, the lees were left for life. Perhaps, as has been said, you cannot have perfection in life and in the work."

Bragg interviewed Bergman in Munich for The South Bank Show. The episode was broadcast in 1978. I phoned him once, years later, he writes.

It was embarrassing. It was about three oclock in the morning. I was living in a cottage in North Cumbria  a landscape in its grandeur, its comparative emptiness, its dramatic possibilities and its loneliness very like parts of Sweden. I had drunk far too much in the pub and walked back the mile or so uphill to the cottage, one of seven dwellings in a hamlet on the fell. On the way I was seized with a brilliant idea for a Bergman film. I rehearsed it as I swayed up and up to the cottage.

There, in front of a dead fire, my wife and children in bed asleep, I called Mr Bergman and got his answerphone. I reeled off the outline of the masterpiece he was destined to turn into a film: the lifelong dispute between two religious hill farmers, brothers, who had married twins.

The following morning, I woke up with a chronic hangover and a painful sense of my stupidity. There was a perfect response on the answerphone  Thank you'.
The Government should consider banning AI nudification systems that can generate sexualised images of real people without their consent or create child sex abuse material, the Irish media regulator will say on Tuesday.

Addressing the Oireachtas Artificial Intelligence Committee, Coimisiun na Mean executive chair Jeremy Godfrey will say that changes to how tech firms operate as a result of regulation have not yet been sufficient while new types of online harm have emerged.

We think it is worth considering whether to supplement these requirements [they already have under the law], Mr Godfrey will tell TDs and Senators.

For instance, it could be useful to make it a prohibited practice to deploy AI systems that are capable of producing intimate imagery of real people without their consent, or which are capable of producing child sex abuse material.

It may also be useful to widen the scope of high-risk systems under the AI Act to include a wider range of chatbots and generative AI tools.

On Tuesday, the AI Committee will hear representatives from Coimisiun na Mean, the Data Protection Commission and Google on recent issues around images, deepfakes and consent.

Grok and X

It comes over a month on from the emergence of the controversy surrounding social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, and its Grok AI tool.

A global outcry was sparked after non-consensual intimate images were generated by users prompting Grok to do so, putting adults and children in bikinis, underwear or in sexually suggestive poses, and disseminated on X.

Facing pressure from numerous jurisdictions, X eventually said it would limit the ability to use Grok in this way in countries where this was illegal.

While Coimisiun na Mean is collaborating with the European Commission on an investigation into the affair, the Data Protection Commission also recently launched a large-scale inquiry into X on the same issue.

Mr Godfrey will tell the committee that while the investigation into Grok is a live one, he will not comment further about it.

Other risks from AI systems

But, he will say that 'nudification' is not the only way generative AI might produce illegal content that depicts real people without their consent.

For instance, it can be used to produce deep fakes that incite hatred or violence, Mr Godfrey will tell politicians. And it can be used to produce scam ads that include a purported endorsement by a public figure.

It is important that deployers of generative AI systems should be alive to the risks of misuse and they should implement safeguards to mitigate them.

According to Mr Godfrey, in the three years Coimisiun na Mean has been operating, platforms have already made changes that have made the online world safer.

This includes new age assurance measures, platforms prohibiting pornography or violence in their terms and conditions, and one platform withdrawing a proposed product with damaging addictive design features.

However, the changes have not yet been sufficient and new types of harm, especially harms related to AI, have emerged, he will add.
A 48-year-old man who pleaded guilty to carrying three knives into the Bridewell garda station saying that he was going to stab someone on St. Patricks Street in Cork was released from custody as the judge directed preparation of psychiatric and probation reports ahead of sentencing.

The accused man had no previous convictions of any kind before this unusual incident occurred. Finbarr OConnell of 11 Sunview, Fair Hill, Cork, was released from custody on condition that he would live at his mothers home at Hollymount, Blarney Road, attend psychiatric services and take all prescribed medication.

Judge Valerie Corcoran said in respect of the probation report that there should be particular emphasis on re-offending. The judge also directed that he abstain from all intoxicants and illegal substances.

Judge Corcoran said she had grave concerns about evidence that the defendant was arrested in possession of two knives but released with a doctors note to attend voluntarily at the psychiatric unit of a hospital.

The judge expressed particular concerns as the same man presented himself at the Bridewell garda station less than 24 hours later in possession of three knives and threatening to use them.

Sergeant John Dineen said there was an extremely high threshold for doctors to direct the involuntary admission of a person for psychiatric attention. Judge Corcoran said: There is no criticism of An Garda Siochana whatsoever but this is very concerning.

Read More Judge awaits psychiatric report on man who told Cork gardai he wanted to stab someone

Garda Wayne McGrath previously testified when the matter first came before court: Gardai have serious concerns that the accused poses a threat to the personal safety of members of the community. He has stated that he wants to stab and harm people. And he has been found to be in possession of knives.

It is alleged that at approximately 4.35am on December 15, 2025, the accused entered the public office of the Bridewell Garda Station in possession of a knife which he was concealing up his right sleeve.

Multiple directions were given to the accused to place any weapons he had on his person onto the ground. He failed to do so. Urgent assistance was sought from the Armed Support Unit to attend the public office of the Garda station.

The accused repeatedly stated that he wanted to kill someone and he was intending on stabbing someone on St Patricks Street.

At that original hearing Mr Buttimer, solicitor, said the defendant had no intention of harming anyone and that the only person who might have been harmed was himself. The solicitor described the defendant as a quiet and vulnerable person.

His case was adjourned until March 3 at Cork District Court.
Plans are in train to establish a womens museum in Limerick City after the donation of the former International Rugby Experience building to the State by billionaire businessman JP McManus.

Culture minister Patrick ODonovan will on Tuesday update Cabinet on the donation of the building to the State by Mr McManus, with the minister to propose its use as a new branch of the National Museum of Ireland.

The six-storey building on OConnell St, Limerick, is being proposed as a dedicated womens museum, focused on telling the stories of Irish women. It is expected to place particular emphasis on voices that have not previously been recognised or represented.

It is understood Mr ODonovan believes the gifted building would provide an unparalleled opportunity to expand the reach of the national cultural institutions beyond Dublin.

Currently, there is only two NCI outside of Dublin  the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork, with the National Museum of Ireland having an additional facility located in Mayo in Turlough Park

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

The proposal is not yet finalised, with the Government first required to review the legal, financial, and planning details. No funding is being sought at present to progress the project.

If it goes ahead, this would be a major cultural development for Limerick and the Mid-West, helping to bring more balance to where national cultural institutions are located and giving womens history a permanent home, said a government source.

Women's stories

The donation of the building is not expected to require payment of either stamp duty or capital acquisitions tax, it is understood.

Engagements are ongoing with the chair, board, and management of the National Museum of Ireland to ensure the project can be properly resourced.

The plan comes following a recommendation by the Oireachtas advisory committee on womens stories, which called for the Government to develop a permanent, bricks-and-mortar womens museum in October 2025.

A total of 31 recommendations were made by the advisory committee, with sources saying Mr ODonovan is committed to their implementation.

The International Rugby Experience was opened in May 2023, but closed its doors just 19 months later in December 2024. It had been set up through a 30m gift from the JP McManus Foundation.

Ahead of its closure, Mr McManus sought to donate the International Rugby Experience to Limerick City and County Council  but the offer was turned down.
A man had to drop his nine-year-old sister from an upstairs window to neighbours below following the suspected petrol bomb attack in Cork City on Monday.

Neighbours rushed to help the nine-year-old girl and her brother, aged in his 20s, who were trapped upstairs by the fire in the Clarkes Road area of Ballyphehane, Cork City, on Monday morning at approximately 6.35am.

Screams and thick black smoke alerted neighbours to the fire after 6am and people rushed to help. The little girl was screaming for help from an upstairs window.

One passerby tried to break the door in to help the family. The house was a ball of flame, one neighbour said.

Passersby shouted for the man to drop the girl to those trying to catch her below. If he didnt drop her out the window, she was going to die, a neighbour said.

The girl was caught by neighbours and carried away to safety.

The man then jumped out the window and was helped by passersby before an ambulance arrived.

Neighbours said they did what anyone would do if they saw a house on fire and people trapped inside.

We just tried to save them and get them to safety, said one person who helped.

Cork Fire Brigade arrived quickly at the scene and put out the fire.

The man and his younger sister, as well as another male in his 50s were taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment of injuries, gardai confirmed.

All three were treated for smoke inhalation but did not suffer serious burns, it is understood.

The fire started at the front door of the house. The house sustained significant fire damage downstairs with smoke damage through the rest of the home.

Gardai confirmed that the incident was suspicious and described it as criminal damage by fire". A technical examination of the scene has been conducted.

It is the second arson attack on a family home in Cork city in seven days.

A 13-year-old boy and his mother, in her 40s, escaped a fire at their home at Silverbirch in Rochestown at about 12.30am last Monday, February 16.

The child's brother, a 24-year-old man, jumped from an upstairs window of the home to escape the fire, injuring his legs and breaking his ankle in the fall.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the suspected arson attack in Ballyphehane.

Anyone who was in the Clarkes Road area between 6am and 7am on Monday and who may have any information is asked to contact investigating Gardai. Anyone with camera footage (including dash-cam) is asked to make that footage available.

Gardai can be contacted at Bridewell Garda Station on 021 4943330, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Investigations are ongoing.
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams will address an Oireachtas committee on Tuesday to discuss how Ireland's peace process can inform peace building in the Middle East.

In his opening statement, Mr Ahern will tell TDs and senators that "no two conflicts are the same", but that the experience of the Good Friday Agreement can carry some lessons.

"We do have examples of how we solved problems, overcame obstacles, and created opportunities to end violence and engage in the patient work of sustaining a peace process through periods of difficulty as well as progress," he will say.

Mr Ahern's statement focuses largely on his experiences as taoiseach at the signing of the agreement, saying that it is "hard for current generations of people in their early 30s to imagine an environment where violence and the threat of violence permeated almost every aspect of life in Northern Ireland, and to a different degree south of the border".

"A key challenge that I have discovered in the aftermath of any conflict, or indeed any agreement designed to bring a permanent end to violence, is the challenge of implementation, and the question of how to set in place the structures and architecture of what was signed on Good Friday.

"I worked for nine years, often spending entire weeks on details that were either deliberately misconstrued by talk participants or because they proved politically unpalatable in the wake of the agreement, in terms of what their communities could absorb.

The impact, however, was profound, whether in the areas of weapons, prisoners, policing, and security; victims of the conflict; and flags and emblems, including cultural issues like parades and language

"All these issues proved difficult at different times during the implementation of the agreement, and all in their own way were not challenges in themselves; however, they became emblematic of the absence of trust between the parties, who were now tasked with selling the compromises on some significant and key issues for their respective communities."

Learnings are universal

Mr Ahern will tell the committee that it is "hard" to directly transfer lessons to the Middle East, but some learnings are universal.

"One observation I have settled on about the nature of conflict, both our own in Ireland and scanning others around the world, is that there is no sustainable solution in an obsessive focus on 'victory'.

"Yes, an immediate battle or campaign may be won in the conventional sense that one side may prevail over the other in that particular moment. But it is a pyrrhic victory. Nothing is actually settled. The new seeds of the next phase are already sown.

It is only a matter of time before the next outbreak erupts. That's what history teaches us

"In my view and in my experience, real peace and reconciliation take root when the leaderships on both sides of a conflict accept that the only outcome that will be sustainable in the longer term is one involving compromise and accommodation.

"The clean, simple lines of purist doctrine are not available and instead the path ahead is marked by ambiguities and the constant need for flexibility and pragmatism. But the rewards are far-reaching and profound."

In his statement, Mr Adams will focus on the cause of Palestine and will call for the Government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill.

"Dialogue is the only way a genuine peace process can be achieved in the Middle East," he will say.

"Such a process must be based on the right to self-government of the people of Palestine. Adherence to the UN Charter must be paramount. It must uphold international law.

"The international protections and legal systems that should be shielding the Palestinian people from genocide have been broken and discarded. This needs to be reversed.

"Some Western governments have refused to stand against Israeli occupation, instead they have actively supported it with armaments and other measures. This needs to stop.

"The Irish Government can play a leadership role by encouraging international opposition to Israels illegal actions, calling for greater humanitarian aid, and seeking a genuine process of inclusive dialogue  under the auspices of the United Nations  that seeks to agree solutions."

Speaking ahead of the meeting, committee cathaoirleach John Lahart, a Fianna Fail TD, said: Irelands experience shows that an imperfect peace, patiently built through consent, respect for democratic mandates, and shared institutions, is better than no peace at all and that real progress only comes when all sides accept that sustainable settlements require compromise, accommodation, and a recognition of each others rights and identities."
Viewed from Europe, the USs failure to defend the people of Ukraine against Russian aggression is the greatest and most consequential of a host of recent American betrayals.

Its not just the sickening subservience shown to Vladimir Putin, an indicted war criminal and mass killer. Its not only the victim-blaming and bullying of Kyiv into making concessions. Its not even Donald Trumps crass attempts to monetise the war and milk the misery of millions for Nobel glory, while undercutting Nato allies and trampling sovereign rights.

What really shocks, and hurts, is the sheer bad faith shown by a country that Europeans always counted a friend. As the 18th-century English gothic novelist Ann Radcliffe noted, few circumstances are more afflicting than a discovery of perfidy in those whom we have trusted.

Valeriia Deikun, Kate Melmik, Lada Samusenka and Sasha Tsipan at a commemorative rally on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Grand Parade, Cork. Picture: David Creedon

To echo Trumps dark warning after he was rebuffed over Greenland: Europe will remember.

As the full-scale war Putin launched in 2022 stumbles into its fifth bloody year this Tuesday, Europe, like Russia, is in deep trouble. Yet so too is the US, though Trump and his mouthy muppets, Marco Rubio and JD Vance, dont realise it yet.

Most Europeans now regard their foremost partner as unreliable, even a foe. US global influence and leadership is fading fast, to gleeful Chinas huge advantage. Everywhere, autocrats rejoice, as do Europes advancing far-right parties.

The question of how this war is going to end is actually an existential question for Europe, said Wolfgang Ischinger, chair of this months Munich Security Conference. It will determine  in more ways than one  the future of this continent.

But the war is proving definitive, too, for Trump and his blinkered, bigoted Maga ideologues. Glossing over Russian depredations (and the illegal Venezuela coup), Rubio chose in Munich to target globalisation, climate cults and multiculturalism. The US secretary of state urged a return to ultranationalism, protectionism, closed borders and Christian culture. Yesterday is over, he declared.

Little Marco (as Trump calls him) is confused. Trumpism is all about recreating yesterday, about fantasies of the good old days.

The rally in Cork on Sunday in support of Ukraine. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Putin suffers similar delusions. The war is part of his revanchist project to make Russia great again, to rebuild the Soviet sphere. Likewise, Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, is attempting his own great leap backwards, by accumulating dictatorial powers to an extent unseen since Mao Zedong.

The open-minded, freedom-loving rainbow Europe of democracy and the rule of law is a living rebuke to these lumbering Frankensteins retro-monsters and their hard-right emulators. They revile and fear it. Like Ukraine, it stands in their way.

The US betrayal of Ukraine, foreshadowing its broader treachery, did not start with Trump. Bill Clintons post-independence 1994 security assurances for Kyiv proved meaningless. Barack Obama blinked when Putin seized Crimea in 2014. Joe Biden, haunted by cold war ghosts, reacted with fatal overcaution to the 2022 invasion.

Whats changed is that Trumps betrayals are deliberate, and are happening now. Each dawn brings another day of infamy. Last year, Ukraines civilian casualties hit their highest annual level since the war began, as Putin expanded a war that Trump pledged to end in 24 hours.

Direct US weapons supplies have been cut to almost zero. Trumps risible peace process, overseen by a business crony and his simpering son-in-law, indulges Putins maximalist demands while excluding Europe.

Trumps 28-point peace plan  a lopsided roadmap to Russian victory  was swiftly discredited. Yet he is still insisting Kyiv surrender sovereign territory, setting a catastrophic precedent, and withholding security guarantees. He still aims to make a quick buck out of Ukraines mineral resources and postwar deals with Russia. He still habitually bullies Ukraines admirable president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The rally in Cork on Sunday in support of Ukraine. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

And still he belittles European allies while courting Putin and authoritarians such as Hungarys Viktor Orban, Argentinas Javier Milei and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu.

For shameless treachery, Trump has no modern equal. Yet the belief is growing that it cannot and will not continue. How much longer can willing dupes such as the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, prate about vital transatlantic ties when Trump is daily dissolving them in acid and vitriol?

How dare Rubio lecture Europeans on Christian civilisation while he and other New World barbarians wink at Israeli atrocities in Gaza? Now they plan to attack Iran, again, and maybe Cuba, too. By what right?

Trumps perfidious tyranny, equally toxic at home and abroad, will only worsen the longer its tolerated. Despite all the obvious obstacles and difficulties, its imperative that Europeans, and the pre-midterms, anti-Trump American majority, begin to speak with one voice  and match words with actions.

And where better to start than in Ukraine, the actual and symbolic frontline in the battle between liberal democracy and the Trump-Putin axis?

Heres what must be done: deploy troops from a European coalition of the willing to secure and defend Kyiv and other unoccupied cities; Russia cannot be allowed a veto. Enforce a no-fly exclusion zone, as I have repeatedly urged. Surge defensive missiles and drones. Beach Russias shadow fleet. Step up covert active measures, including cyber and sabotage, to counter Kremlin hybrid warfare. Seize assets, expel spies, expose lies, change the narrative.

Europe must demand an immediate ceasefire, followed by phased Russian withdrawals, and assume a lead role in any final settlement talks.

If not, why not? For consider the alternatives: endless war, endless killing, or an unsustainable, unjust peace on Trump-Putin terms. Europe is on notice: the US cannot be trusted. The challenge is indeed existential. All that it stands for and holds dear is potentially at stake.

No matter how its done, for the sake of Ukraines exhausted, undefeated people and their own future peace and security, Europeans must finally find the unity, courage and wherewithal to take the military, economic, diplomatic and moral offensive.

Europe must take the fight directly to Putins door. And tell Trump to get lost.
It became clear early last week that the Governments neck-breaking U-turn on Special Needs Assistant (SNA) allocations was always going to happen.

The past week amounted to a brutal reading of the riot act. Spare a thought for your local Fianna Fail or Fine Gael TD. There were emergency meetings, Ministers being dragged into rooms, and otherwise politically neutral principals suddenly mobilising entire school communities.

And the timing? A complete howler. Slap bang in the middle of mid-term. Every parent in the country was on the phone and across social media. Every teacher and school leader was on every forum they could find, trying to make sense of what was unfolding.

A week is a long time in politics? Try a wet three-day mid-term for the empowered parent who perceives this as them being told their child is no longer a priority.

The backlash was too loud, too empowered, and too grounded in that most reliable of political kryptonite: cut anywhere else, just not my local school.

Call it NIMBYism if you like, but when it comes to certain children and certain classrooms, people organise fast. Not my child. Not his support. Not in our school. Not in my classroom.

Epic retreat

So came the climbdown.

While ministers now present this as responsiveness, what we actually witnessed was a stark moment of political vulnerability laid bare. This was not decisive leadership. It was a retreat of epic proportions, leaving the department, the two ministers, and the wider Government looking exposed and ill-prepared.

It may well be the most revealing episode of this administrations lifespan so far, showing just how fragile its decision-making becomes when it meets organised resistance.

Almost four years out from the next election, they have already lost the dressing room on following through on something even mildly unpopular  something that could have signalled an ambitious rewrite of special education policy and how we support our most vulnerable children.

The original plan to remove or redeploy SNAs based on a narrow recalibration of care needs could, in theory, have formed part of a broader structural shift.

That kind of reform might have been workable if other supports around the child had been strengthened at the same time: smaller class sizes, improved pupil-teacher ratios, a reset of the chaotic Special Education Teacher allocation system, and a clear alternative model of in-class support.

With thoughtful communication and meaningful investment in replacement structures, it could have been a difficult but coherent change.

Instead, schools were told they would lose SNAs without any corresponding increase in teaching posts, without clarity on alternative supports, and without a joined-up plan for children with additional needs. The system buckled under its own logic.

Uncomfortable truths

So the Government pressed pause, not just because the policy was flawed, but because the optics were. That exposes the first uncomfortable truth.

This Government cannot follow through when confronted with informed opposition. Its authority in this space is shallow.

It underestimated both the professional knowledge within schools and the capacity of parents and educators to mobilise quickly. Once the political temperature rose, any coherence evaporated.

The second truth is even starker. Policymakers remain fundamentally off the mark when it comes to special education and, more broadly, disability.

This controversy represents the Kanturk moment of this cycle, playing out in microcosms across the country in the 194 schools that were told they faced reductions.

It revealed how disconnected central decision-making has become from parents lived experiences and from what families believe their children who need something different now require in order to thrive.

Tanaiste Simon Harris, ministers Hildegarde Naughton, Emer Higgins and Alan Dillon, and Senator Sean Kyne at the Fine Gael Disability Network conference in Galway. The past week amounted to a brutal reading of the riot act. Spare a thought for your local Fianna Fail or Fine Gael TD. Photo: XPOSURE / Mike Shaughnessy

Not one parent directly affected bought the line that there were no cutbacks to SNAs. Nationally, that might have been technically true, but tell that to a school losing up to five pairs of boots on the ground.

There was no parallel plan for smaller class sizes. No increase in teaching posts. No floating support model. No clarity on replacement structures. Just subtraction, with the implicit assumption that schools would absorb the impact, as they always do, until they cannot.

This brings us to the third and perhaps most revealing element of this saga: the Governments growing reliance on quangos and subordinate agencies to carry out politically difficult decisions. In this case, the National Council for Special Education was tasked with implementing a directive that originated elsewhere.

They applied the criteria provided. Many of us have been keen to clarify that they merely did what they were asked to do. They communicated outcomes. And when the backlash landed, they were left politically exposed.

A weakened NCSE does not serve the people, like my daughter, who need it to be strong. I sincerely hope they take the opportunity to defend themselves now that next steps have been outlined.

This strategy of distancing ministers from consequences by outsourcing delivery may work in quieter policy areas. It does not work in education. Parents, teachers, and advocates understand the system.

They know where decisions originate. They know the difference between implementation and authorship. And they will not accept agencies being used as political buffers.

The NCSE did not design this reform alone. They executed it. Their abandonment in the aftermath sends a clear message: when pressure mounts, accountability flows downward.

The lesson of reversal

There is, however, a deeper lesson here, one that extends far beyond SNAs. This episode offers a glimpse of what disability and education advocacy could achieve if those most affected by cuts and policy failures were consistently resourced, organised, and heard.

The speed of this reversal should give everyone pause. It shows what is possible when communities mobilise with clarity and urgency.

Imagine if that same collective energy existed around special class access, therapy provision, waiting lists, inclusive class sizes, respite, transport, or transition supports. This was not just about SNAs. It was about power. And for a brief moment, that power shifted.

What has emerged now is not a solution but a holding pattern. Schools due additional SNAs will receive them. Schools facing losses will not, for now. Reviews are deferred to 2027. New circulars will be drafted. Workforce plans will be advanced. Redeployment schemes will be reconsidered.

In other words, time is being bought. Nothing has been structurally resolved. The system that SNAs currently prop up remains intact. We still have overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching posts, and little to no child therapeutic support in the community.

This pause simply delays confrontation with the reality that Ireland needs more teachers, smaller classes, and embedded multidisciplinary support if inclusion is to mean anything beyond rhetoric.

Spending figures will continue to be cited. Headlines will reference record investment. But spending alone is not impact. Outcomes matter. Childrens experiences matter. Teachers capacity matters. And trust matters. Right now, trust is in short supply.

People are not just angry because a recalibration was proposed. They are angry because it was done without safeguards, without alternatives, and without honesty. They are angry because once again, the burden of systemic failure was placed on school leaders, teachers, and most importantly on the families least able to carry it.

Start of a reckoning?

All of this illustrates something even more troubling.

For those of us who desperately need something ambitious, creative, and overarching for our children, spanning education, disability, and health, there is now little faith that this Government has the political acumen, internal support, or capacity to carry meaningful reform from proposal to actualisation.

The gap between announcement and delivery has become too wide, the pattern of retreat too familiar.

This U-turn does not mark the end of a crisis. I hope it marks the beginning of a reckoning. The question is whether Government will finally engage in genuine structural reform, or whether this will become another chapter in Irelands long history of postponing hard decisions in disability and education policy.

Circular rewrites alone will not fix this. A bit of old-fashioned political leadership might.

Any takers?
EU foreign ministers failed to break the deadlock over the Hungarian governments veto on crucial European policies relating to a 90bn funding for Ukraine for the next two years.

Budapest is also vetoing the EUs twentieth sanctions package against Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The impasse comes as Kyiv enters its fifth year under Moscows war from today.

Separately, the government of Viktor Orban is also blocking the sanctioning of several Israeli settlers wreaking destruction and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

At a meeting in Brussels, EU foreign ministers expressed frustration, and some called for changes to be made about how the EU takes decisions given that one country could halt progress on consequential matters such as obstructing vital funding for Ukraine.

At a high stakes meeting before Christmas, all 27 EU leaders  including Mr Orban  agreed to capitalise Ukraine for the next two years to pay for the functioning of the state such as salaries for teachers and doctors as well as money for military spending.

However, ahead of the EU meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto posted on X: The EU aims to adopt the 20th sanctions package. Hungary will block it. Until Ukraine resumes oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline, we will not allow decisions important to Kyiv to move forward.

Hungary claims Ukraine is preventing the flow of cheap Russian oil to Slovakia and Hungary through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline. The pipeline was damaged by Russian airstrikes.

Russia bombed the pipeline. Not only the pipeline but also 80% of Ukrainian energy infrastructure, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels at a press conference after the meeting of foreign affairs ministers.

I cant really blame Ukrainians for repairing the energy infrastructure that their people need in weather of minus 25, she said.

That they are prioritising the people who are suffering, ahead of [repairing] this pipeline which just takes cheap oil to other countries.

If Russia hadnt started this war, we wouldnt have this problem

Meanwhile, foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee urged the Hungarians to move past their demands for the greater good.

We have to ensure that money gets to those who need it most  for critical infrastructure, just to just to keep the lighting on, Ms McEntee told journalists ahead of the meeting.

We can see the sanctions implemented to date are starting to have an impact on the Russian economy and on the Shadow fleet which is funding the war, she said.

Fourth anniversary

The president of the European Commission and EU leaders are in Kyiv with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy today to commemorate four years since the start of Russias full-scale invasion.

Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was due to announce the passage of the sanctions package and prepare to deliver the first tranche of the loan to Ukraine  which runs out of money in approximately eight weeks time.

Meanwhile, Ms Kallas said 26 out of 27 EU member states supported the sanctioning of some Israeli settlers responsible for constant waves of violence in the West Bank including killing, harming and expelling Palestinians from their homes.

When one country is blocking, we dont do what the majority wants, we do what one country wants, said Ms Kallas, pointing to Hungarys serial use of the veto on major policy decisions.
Peter Mandelson has been released on bail after his arrest over claims he committed misconduct in public office during his friendship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The former British ambassador to the United States was seen returning home in a taxi and letting himself back into his London home at about 2am on Tuesday. A London Metropolitan police statement said he had been released on bail pending further investigation.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Mandelson was driven away in an unmarked police car for questioning shortly after being escorted from his London home by plainclothes officers.

The Met has been investigating allegations that he leaked Downing Street emails and market-sensitive information to the disgraced US financier during his time as business secretary. Mr Mandelson has denied any wrongdoing.

His arrest, coming days before a crucial byelection in Gorton and Denton, Greater Manchester, will be an uncomfortable reminder of what critics say is one of Keir Starmers worst lapses of judgment in office: his decision to appoint him to Washington.

The prime minister has apologised to Epsteins victims for choosing Mr Mandelson, saying the former Labour peer had lied about the extent of his relationship with the late sex offender and was sacked when that became known.

But Mr Starmer has faced deep anger from his own MPs over the decision, which again pushed his authority over his party to the brink and led to the departure of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

Peter Mandelson outside his home in north west London.

Mr Mandelsons arrest took place days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor became the first royal family member to be taken into police custody in modern times. Emails appeared to show the former prince sharing confidential information with Epstein while working as a British trade envoy.

Thames Valley police, which is investigating Mountbatten-Windsor, said searches of Royal Lodge in Windsor, where the kings brother used to live, had continued into a fifth day. A search of his current home on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, concluded on Thursday.

Downing Street has been compelled to release documents linked to Mr Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador in December 2024 to parliaments intelligence and security committee to ensure maximum transparency about the vetting process and what the government knew about his friendship with Epstein.

MPs were told on Monday that the first tranche of tens of thousands of documents would be released in early March, but would not include exchanges between Mr Starmer and Mr Mandelson on his connections to Epstein until the police investigation had been completed.

Mr Mandelson was led to a waiting car by detectives without being placed in handcuffs.

Metropolitan police officers investigating him have had discussions with lawyers from the special crime division of the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorises criminal prosecutions in England and Wales.

The discussions so far are described as informal, and no formal early investigative advice has been sought or offered.

The CPSs special crime division is also the part of the prosecution service that would consider the misconduct in public office case against Mountbatten-Windsor.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer

After Mr Mandelson was pictured leaving his north London home on Monday, a police spokesperson said: Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. A police investigation was opened earlier this month after the release of files related to the late disgraced financier. Mr Mandelson is understood to believe he has not committed any offence.

At the time, Met deputy assistant commissioner Hayley Sewart said: This will be a complex investigation requiring a significant amount of further evidence-gathering and analysis. It will take some time to do this work comprehensively. The revelations about Mr Mandelsons links to Epstein have already put Mr Starmer under intense pressure. The prime minister acknowledged he knew  as had been reported widely in the media  that Mr Mandelson and Epstein were in contact after Epstein was jailed in 2008 for child sex offences.

The Lib Dems will use their opposition day debate on Tuesday to call for the release of papers relating to Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy in 2001, including any correspondence from Mr Mandelson on the issue.

They will table a humble address, the same parliamentary device used by the Tories to force the release of documents on the former US ambassadors appointment.

The Lib Dem leader, Ed Davey, said: We are moving a binding motion to force the government to come clean. We need to see the vetting files, the due diligence reports, and the correspondence to understand how this appointment came to be, and whether glaring warning signs were missed. The allegations of misconduct in public office surfaced after the US Department of Justices release of millions of documents related to Epstein last month. Emails from 2009 appear to show Mr Mandelson, then business secretary, passing on a confidential assessment of potential policy measures by an adviser to Gordon Brown, who was prime minister at the time.

Mr Mandelson, who had previously been sacked twice from government, also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro, the day before it was announced in 2010.

Mr Mandelson, the grandson of the former Labour home and foreign secretary Herbert Morrison, has been a significant figure in the Labour party for five decades. He was selected as the partys candidate for the safe seat of Hartlepool in 1990, winning it in the 1992 general election.

An early backer of Tony Blair, he was seen as one of the key architects of New Labour and became the director of Labours landslide 1997 general election campaign before being handed various roles in government.

The Epstein revelations and resulting furore led him to quit the Labour Party. He also resigned from the House of Lords.

Global Counsel, the consultancy he co-founded in 2010, collapsed into administration after a number of clients cut ties with the company over the former ambassadors relationship with Epstein.

-The Guardian
European leaders have accused Hungary of sabotaging support for Ukraineon the eve of the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion, after a defiant Budapest blocked fresh economic measures against Moscow.

Germany, France and other EU states failed to persuade Viktor Orbans government on Monday to approve the latest EU sanctions package and a loan meant to help Kyiv meet its military and financial needs. Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, described Hungarys actions as political sabotage.

The row threatens to overshadow a carefully choreographed display of solidarity between Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his key European partners. Senior politicians are expected to visit Kyiv on Tuesday, including the British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.

For all the noise in world affairs today, this war remains the most critical issue of our age, the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, said. It asks the question of whether Ukrainian and European freedom will endure. Our answer, together, is unequivocal. Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war. The UK would stand by Ukraines side until a just and lasting peace  and beyond, Mr Starmer added.

The anniversary follows a brutal and freezing winter in which Russia has systematically dismantled Ukraines energy infrastructure with drone and ballistic missile attacks, leaving millions without power. Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv have been badly affected.

Despite worsening conditions for civilians, the mood in the capital is surprisingly upbeat. In interviews this week, Mr Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine was definitely not losing. Since late January, his armed forces have recaptured 400 sq km in the south of the country.

A further round of peace talks is expected to take place in Geneva later this week, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Mr Zelenskyys office, indicated. Mr Budanov admitted it was no secret that the negotiations with Russia, brokered by the US, arent going smoothly. We are clearly moving forward, he said.

So far, the Kremlin has refused to modify its original maximalist demands. It wants Ukraine to hand over the entire Donbas region, including areas Russia does not control. Mr Zelenskyy has ruled this out, despite coming under pressure from Donald Trumps envoys to agree.

Germany, France and other EU states failed to persuade Viktor Orbans government on Monday to approve the latest EU sanctions package and a loan meant to help Kyiv meet its military and financial needs Picture: AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Zelenskyy said giving up Donetsk oblast would mean abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.

He suggested Mr Putin had already started world war three, adding: The question is how much territory he [Putin] will be able to seize and how to stop him.

European countries have stepped up assistance to Ukraine after the White House last year ended all direct military aid. But their efforts have been sabotaged by Hungary and Slovakia, close US allies and the most Moscow-friendly members of the EU. Both depend heavily on Russian oil imports.

Budapest says it will block further sanctions against Russia until Ukraine resumes the delivery of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. On Monday, Slovakias prime minister, Robert Fico, said he was cutting emergency assistance to Ukraine because of the halt in oil deliveries.

Ukraine says the Kremlin is responsible for the interruption. It claims Russian bombs knocked out the pipeline last month. On Monday, Ukrainian long-range drones damaged an oil pumping station in Russias Tatarstan region, which is part of the Druzhba network.

Arriving for a meeting in Brussels, Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, complained that Ukraine was behaving in a very hostile manner towards his country. Please ask Ukrainians why they have stopped the oil deliveries to Hungary, he said, accusing the European Commission of siding with Kyiv.

Polands foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, hit out at Hungarys decision to block a 90bn loan to Ukraine. It was shocking, he suggested, given the fact that Budapest was itself invaded in the 20th century by Soviet troops. He said Orbans anti-Ukrainian rhetoric was aimed at a domestic audience, before elections in March.

Mr Sikorski added: I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine. Instead, the ruling party has managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression, and  now is trying to exploit that in the general election.

Other senior European figures paid tribute to Ukraines resilience. Speaking at a pro-Kyiv event in Berlin, Germanys chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said Tuesdays anniversary marked four monstrous years of war. I appeal again to our European partners  do not let up in your support, in our common support, for Ukraine, he said.

Mr Merz added: We are standing at a crossroads that could decide on the well-being of our whole continent. No one can say today whether the weapons will fall silent in Ukraine in six weeks, in six months or even later. But we are working for them to fall silent as quickly as possible.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, described his countrys commitment to Ukraine as unwavering during a meeting with Finlands leader, Alexander Stubb, another significant Ukraine booster. Putin is not winning the war but is not ready to make peace either, Stubb said in Paris.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines ambassador to the UK and the man considered to be the best-placed challenger to Mr Zelenskyy in a future presidential election, sought to downplay any immediate interest in the countrys top job  though he did not rule out running after the end of the war.

Following a speech in London, Mr Zaluzhnyi said suggestions that he wanted to pursue the presidency amounted to pub talk  and said he did not have the slightest chance to think about what happens after the war. Only after the end of martial law in Ukraine could there be discussion about my personal future, he said.

In a report on Monday, the World Bank estimated Ukraine needs $588bn (435bn) to rebuild from the destruction caused by Russias all-out 2022 attack. The figure is 12% higher than last year. The frontline Donetsk and Kharkiv regions would require the most investment, while Kyiv would need $15bn to recover, it said.

-The Guardian
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to two further sexual offences, including rape.

Brand previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

On Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court in London, the 50-year-old pleaded not guilty to one further count of rape and one of sexual assault, which are both alleged to have taken place in 2009.

Wearing a leopard print shirt with a number of buttons undone and holding a white hat, Brand spoke to confirm his name and his not guilty pleas from the dock.

The two latest charges are alleged to have taken place in London.

A court previously heard that Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room while she attended a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, and grabbing a TV workers breasts and orally raping her after dragging her into a male toilet.

He is also alleged to have grabbed a radio station workers face, pushing her against a wall and kissing her before groping her breasts and buttocks.

The other charge of the original five alleges the actor indecently assaulted another woman after grabbing her forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet.
Longevity expert Dr Peter Attia has stepped aside as a contributor to CBS News, three weeks after his emails with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became public.

Attia's name appears more than 1,700 times in the trove of three million documents released as part of the Epstein files by the US Department of Justice on January 30.

"Dr Attia's contributor role was newly established and had not yet meaningfully begun. As such, he stepped back to ensure his involvement didn't become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.

"He wishes the network and its leadership well and has no further comment at this time," a spokesperson for Attia said.

On January 27, Attia was named a CBS contributor as part of editor-in-chief Bari Weiss' strategy to restructure operations by adding 19 new contributors and bring a "streaming mentality" to the network. CBS is owned by Paramount Skydance.

Attia appeared in an October segment of the CBS show

60 Minutes

and was described as "both a pioneer and a star in the growing field of longevity medicine".

In a February 2 post on X, Attia denied he was involved in criminal activity. But he apologised and said he was "ashamed" by the Epstein emails, which included "crude, tasteless banter".

In one 2015 note, Attia said, "The biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can't tell a soul..."

In a 2016 email, Attia said, using Epstein's initials, "I go into JE withdrawal when I don't see him."

Epstein, a multimillionaire who socialised with the elite, was convicted in 2008 on charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution. He died by suicide in 2019.

Attia experienced previous fallout from the Epstein disclosures. On February 2, he stepped down as chief science officer of protein-bar company David Protein. Attia was an investor in David Protein and participated in its $10m seed funding round in August 2024.

Reuters
Senior European politicians have travelled to the Ukrainiancapital in a show of support on the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was defiant despite the devastating death toll, insisting that Russia has not broken Ukrainians nor triumphed in the war.

He said his country has withstood the onslaught by Russias bigger and better-equipped army, which over the past year of fighting captured just 0.79% of Ukraines territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank.

Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood, Mr Zelenskyy said on social media, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not achieved his goals.

A woman place flowers at the memorial to the fallen Ukrainian soldiers (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

He has not broken Ukrainians, he has not won this war, Mr Zelenskyy said.

However, as the war of attrition enters its fifth year, a US-led diplomatic push to end Europes biggest armed conflict since the Second World War appears no closer to finding compromises that might make a peace deal possible.

Negotiations are stuck on what happens to the Donbas, eastern Ukraines industrial heartland which Russian forces mostly occupy but have failed to seize completely, and the terms of a post-war security arrangement that Kyiv is demanding to deter any future Russian invasion.

The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides could reach two million by spring, with Russia sustaining the largest number of troop deaths for any major power in any conflict since the Second World War, a report last month from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies estimated.

European leaders see their countries own security at stake in Ukraine amid concerns about Mr Putins wider goals and has demanded its leaders be consulted in the ongoing US-brokered talks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X that for four years, every day and every night has been a nightmare for the Ukrainians  and not just for them, but for us all. Because war is back in Europe.

We will only end it by being strong together, because the fate of Ukraine is our fate, he added.

Mr Putin believes that time is on the side of his bigger army, Western officials and analysts say  and that Western support will trail off and that Ukraines military resistance will eventually crumble.

But French President Emmanuel Macron described the war was a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic.

The war has strengthened Nato  the very expansion Russia sought to prevent  galvanised Europeans it hoped to weaken, and laid bare the fragility of an imperialism from another age, Mr Macron said on X.

The war has brought widespread hardship for Ukrainian civilians. Russias aerial attacks have devastated families and denied civilians power and running water.

It has drawn in countries far beyond Ukraine, giving the conflict a global dimension, and threatening to worsen shortages, hunger and political instability in developing countries.

While Nato countries have come to Ukraines aid, Russia has been helped by North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops and artillery shells, Iran, which has provided drone technology, and China, which the United States and analysts say has provided machine tools and chips.

Among the European officials visiting Kyiv on Tuesday were the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, as well as seven prime ministers and four foreign ministers.
US president Donald Trump will deliver the traditional State of the Union address to Congress on Tuesday night (2am Irish time) at a fraught moment for his presidency, with his approval ratings slumping, anxieties rising over Iran, and Americans struggling with the cost of living as the November midterm election nears.

The televised prime-time speech to Congress, his second in the 13 months since returning to the White House, offers Trump a chance to persuade voters to keep Republicans in power. But it comes as he faces stiff political headwinds at home and abroad.

The appearance follows a turbulent few days for his administration, including a Supreme Court decision invalidating his global tariff regime and new data showing the economy slowed more than expected while inflation accelerated.

The Department of Homeland Security is mostly shut down due to a dispute between congressional Republicans and Democrats over the administration's aggressive immigration tactics, following the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, Trump has struggled to turn the page on the scandal surrounding the Government's release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed six in ten Americans, including a significant slice of Republicans, think Trump has become erratic as he ages.

A White House official said the theme of Trumps speech is 'America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected'  a nod to the countrys 250th birthday this year.

With Americans concerned about prices, Trump will announce a plan that would require tech companies to pay increased electricity costs in communities where new AI data centres are being built.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president will lay out an agenda for boosting the economic prospects for working Americans.

Trump, who has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize and set up his own Board of Peace, which met for the first time last week, appears to be inching closer to a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear programme, moving warships to the Middle East and developing plans that could include a change of government.

President Donald Trump with vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio at a Board of Peace meeting on February 19. Picture: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Public case against Iran

Tuesday's speech could offer Trump a chance to mount for the first time a public case for military intervention in Iran.

He will also tout his record of brokering peace deals. He will be speaking on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a reminder that he has yet to resolve the war he once said he could end "in 24 hours".

The president is expected to address the Supreme Court's decision on tariffs, arguing that the court erred and outlining alternative laws he can use to reconstitute most of the levies.

Trump reacted with fury to the ruling last week, targeting several justices with personal attacks. A repeat performance on Tuesday could make for some awkward moments; at least some of the court's nine justices are expected to attend.

White House aides and Republican campaign advisers, eyeing a challenging congressional midterm election, have urged Trump to focus on Americans' economic worries. Trump's victory in the 2024 election was based in large part on his promises to ease the cost of living, but opinion polls show voters are unconvinced by his efforts so far.

Trump has struggled to stay on message, straying in public speeches from the economy to his long list of grievances while at other times declaring he has already solved the problem.

Officials said Trump will "claim victory on the economy", a message Republican politicians running for re-election are unlikely to welcome. He will argue that he inherited a poor economy from Democratic predecessor Joe Biden and that Democrats have overstated affordability concerns.

Trump will point to stock market gains, private-sector investments, and his tax cut legislation as evidence that he has helped the economy, the officials said. The president will also tout his tough border policies and his deportation campaign, despite polls showing most Americans believe his administration has gone too far in rounding up undocumented immigrants.

'One opportunity'

"This is the one opportunity the president has where the whole world is looking at what he has to say, and this is his opportunity to summarise everything that hes done and not go off script," said Amanda Makki, a Republican strategist and former Florida congressional candidate.

Trump, who has a propensity for ad-libbing, said on Monday his address would be lengthy. His 100-minute speech last March  technically not a State of the Union speech, but otherwise similar  was the longest presidential address to Congress in modern history.

White House officials said this year's edition was crafted with room for unscripted moments. "We are planning around it," one official said.

Outdoor rally

Last year, some Democrats interrupted Trump's speech with jeers before walking out in protest. This time around, more than 20 Democrats in the House of Representatives and Senate plan to skip the speech altogether in favour of an outdoor rally on the National Mall.

Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, one of those Democrats, said the event would offer a more "honest description" of Trump's record, rather than the "propaganda push" of the speech.

Virginia Governor Abby Spanberger, whose decisive victory in November was seen as an early midterms warning sign for Republicans, will deliver the official Democratic response to the speech.

Democratic senator Alex Padilla, who was shoved to the ground and handcuffed last year after attempting to ask a question of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at a press conference, will give the Spanish-language rebuttal.

Reuters
The former partner of Marius Borg Hiby, the son of Norways crown princess, has told a court he punched her in the face during their relationship and often grabbed her by the throat.

Hiby, 29, Mette-Marits son from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is on trial accused of 38 crimes, including four rapes and assaults.

He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious offences, including the alleged rapes. He faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted.

The trial comes at a time of intense scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family after files released by the US justice department revealed Mette-Marits ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Nora Haukland, an influencer and TV personality who was in a relationship with Hiby between 2022 and 2023, is the only named alleged victim to give evidence in the trial at Oslo district court.

Hiby is charged with abuse in close relationships against Haukland. He denies the charges.

Taking the stand on Tuesday, Haukland, 28, described an incident in which she said Hiby hit her in the jaw and the lip.

I just remember falling to the ground and curling up, then he kicked me in the back and kept shouting, she added.

When an audio recording from that day was played in court, in which Hiby is heard calling her a fucking lying whore, Haukland broke down in tears.

Asked about an alleged incident in April 2023 when the prosecutor said she was held by the neck and pushed against a refrigerator, she said she did not recall the incident, described to police by a witness. That he grabbed me by the throat. It happened very often, said Haukland.

Describing their relationship, she said: He didnt really want me to do anything. I think he wanted to keep me down to a level where I was more powerless.

She said he tried to control her career choices and what she wore. When she was filming the reality show Girls of Oslo he got really angry when they wore bikinis in Ibiza.

It was all about control. I was very afraid of not following what he said. I changed my style completely, she said.

After they split up, Haukland said she tried to help him. Describing an incident when Mette-Marit called her because she had not been able to get hold of her son for several days, she agreed to help find him. When they got back to Skaugum, the official royal residence of Mette-Marit and Haakon, she said she pleaded with them to send him to rehab but they did not.

Marius goes in the shower and Im standing there with his mother and Haakon and I just break down and say now you have to help him, dont you see that he needs help?

Taking the stand later on Tuesday, Hiby said he was no angel in the relationship.

Hiby is due to continue his testimony on Wednesday.

The Guardian
The arrest of an Italian police officer on suspicion of murder over the fatal shooting of a Moroccan man has prompted a row after the opposition accused Giorgia Melonis far-right government of exploiting the case for political ends.

Abderrahim Mansouri, 28, was shot in the head by Carmelo Cinturrino, assistant chief of Mecenate police station, during a police drugs patrol in the Rogoredo area of Milan in late January. Cinturrino originally said he had acted in self-defence after Mansouri pulled a gun on him.

The case was cited by the government as an example of why a proposed law aimed at giving more protection to police officers using weapons in self-defence should be swiftly passed.

But prosecutors in Milan said Cinturrinos version of events had been contradicted by witnesses, who said Mansouri had not been holding any weapon during the incident and had been shot as he tried to escape. Prosecutors allege that a gun found at the scene  which fired only blanks  was planted there by Cinturrino to support his story.

They say that further investigations had indicated that Mansouri had feared the police officer and wanted to report him for allegedly demanding drugs and protection money.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Milans chief prosecutor, Marcello Viola, said: It is with a sense of sadness that I participate at this press conference, when a member of the state, in this case the police officer, is involved in a matter of such gravity and sensitivity.

Prosecutors said the determining factor in Cinturrinos arrest on Monday was evidence, including video surveillance, showing that the victim was not holding a weapon when he was attacked and that the weapon was brought and placed next to the body at a later stage.

Speaking via his lawyer, Cinturrino apologised on Tuesday. I was supposed to be the one enforcing the law, but I made a mistake, he said, adding that he had betrayed the trust of his fellow officers. His lawyer, Piero Porciani, said he had fired out of fear, adding: We all know that what he did afterwards was a mistake.

His client had never taken money from anyone, he added.

Cinturrinos statement followed one on Monday night from Meloni, who said that if the allegations were confirmed then we would be faced with a very serious crime, a betrayal of the nation and the dignity and honour of our law enforcement officers.

Immediately after Mansouris killing, members of Melonis coalition, especially the deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, sided with the officer and criticised magistrates for starting a criminal investigation.

A measure in the governments latest security bill, approved in early February but which still needs to be officially enacted, exempts police officers or any other citizen from being automatically registered as a suspect by prosecutors if they used a weapon or force in self-defence.

Elly Schlein, the leader of the centre-left Democratic party, accused the government of using the Rogoredo case for political speculation, while Giuseppe Conte, who leads the Five Star Movement, said the government had made a serious blunder.

Conte added: Its a very serious matter, because they want to pass sentences that suit their politics, increase support and promote propaganda.

The case comes amid heated debate over an upcoming referendum on the overhaul of the justice system, which detractors argue is a way for the Meloni government to weaken the judiciary and exert political influence.

 The Guardian
02/23/2026

By Brett Buckner

Dr. Ahmad Alhammouri and Dr. Amiee Weathers from Jacksonville State Universitys College of Education and Professional Studies have been awarded a $50,000 Alabama Summer- and After-school Program (ASAP) grant from the Alabama State Department of Education. The grant will enable the college to expand and enable its annual STEAM summer camp, providing more immersive, hands-on STEM experiences for area students.

In addition to increasing student participation opportunities, Jax State will introduce new activities such as field trips and enhanced family engagement components. It will support a more intensive camp experience for about 40 students who have completed fifth and sixth grades, said Dr. Weathers, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education.

While that number is smaller than last summer, the program will include deeper, more hands-on learning opportunities, she said. Students will participate in on-campus classes taught by faculty from the College of Education, as well as off-campus field trips to the new Challenger Learning Center and the McWane Science Center.

The idea of adding field trips to the annual camp came from the comprehensive data collected from parents, students, instructors, and staff last year, asking for suggestions for future improvements.

We really took the feedback seriously, said Dr. Alhammouri, an Associate Department Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education. We took that information and included it this year. Its going to be a special event for these kids.

With the ASAP grant, The Summer- and AfterSchool Scholar: Explore, Investigate, and Create program will implement a combined afterschool mathematics enrichment program and a week-long summer STEAM camp designed to strengthen students skills in math, science, engineering, and literacy through handson instruction.

We are going to engage the students in STEM activities in a fun way, Dr. Alhammouri said. Our goal is to improve their perception of mathematics and science, and advance their knowledge of these subjects.

Another new aspect of this years grant is the addition of on-site STEM days at partner schools in the area during April and August. The goal of these visits is to encourage STEM learning in after-school programs and extend the impact of the grant beyond summer camp.

Through this grant, we are hoping to learn more about how immersive, experience-based STEM programs impact student interest, confidence, and engagement, Dr. Weathers said. We want students to leave the program more confident, more curious, and more interested in STEM than when they arrived.

The program also introduces students and their families to the opportunities available at Jax State at an early age.

We cant forget, Dr. Alhammouri said, these students could be future Gamecocks.

The initiative builds on several years of successful community partnerships and is aimed at reducing learning gaps while fostering curiosity, confidence, and realworld problemsolving skills among participating students.
02/23/2026

By Brett Buckner

Autumn Daniel wasnt aspiring to be a trailblazer. The 22-year-old senior pre-health biology major was essentially curious. It was that curiosity that led the Five Points native to enroll in Jacksonville State Universitys Jax MIX (Merge Innovation and Experience) general education program.

When she graduates this semester, Daniel will be the first student to complete four of the five microcredential courses available through Jax MIX. Daniel has completed the Ethical Leadership and Media Literacy microcredentials and will soon complete the Environmental Stewardship and Community Engagement microcredential upon graduation.

Daniel learned about Jax MIX from her physics professor and felt the program was both practical and manageable alongside her coursework.

The Jax MIX microcredentials program allows students to develop specific, career-relevant skills outside of traditional classes, Daniel said. Each microcredential focuses on a particular area and emphasizes reflection, helping students better understand their experiences and communicate the skills they gain in a professional setting.

Daniel most enjoyed the media literacy microcredential.

It helped me strengthen my resume and better understand the importance of cover letters and tailoring application materials to specific jobs, she said. These are skills that will be especially valuable as I prepare to graduate and begin my professional career.

One of the most meaningful things Daniel gained from the program was learning how to reflect on her experiences and clearly articulate her skills.

The microcredentials helped me recognize professional growth beyond the classroom, she said, and I would definitely recommend the program to other students looking to enhance their academic and career preparation.

Like all four-year universities in the state of Alabama, Jax State is required to have students take classes in a variety of core areas, such as math, English, science, and fine arts.

Unlike other universities, though, said Dr. Marija Reiff, Jax MIX Microcredentials Coordinator, we took general education one step further and invented a way to give greater shape and clarity to students' general education experience.

Jax State accomplished this through what Reiff describes as inventing general education microcredentials that allow students to study particular tracks in general education.

This gives students more value for their time and money, she said. Our Jax MIX microcredentials allow students to double dip, fulfilling the state of Alabama requirements while simultaneously gaining credentials that signify what skills and competencies general education has given them.

The program is best suited for students who, like Daniel, are curious and motivated.

Students who see general education not just as a requirement to tick off, Reiff said, but an opportunity for lifelong learning.

Daniel will be the first student to complete four microcredentials. Thus far, there are a handful of students who have completed two microcredentials.

Daniel is a great example of the potential of the MIX program, Reiff said, showing how she has really harnessed the myriad opportunities available through general education and our innovative MIX microcredentials.

Daniels efforts are proof that the Jax MIX program is gaining momentum. Incoming freshmen have dedicated modules about Jax MIX in their required (Student Success) 101 classes, and we have had great attendance at extracurricular MIX events.

Part of what makes Jax MIX unique is the connection between curricular and extracurricular events, and we have dozens of events each semester that are tagged as being part of one of the microcredential tracks, Reiff said. We also have over 30 students slated to complete their microcredentials this spring, and we have launched a new Jax MIX Ambassadors program for students to promote Jax MIX among themselves.
02/23/2026

Jacksonville State Universitys College of Business & Industry (CBI) hosted its 26th Annual Business After Hours on February 17, in conjunction with the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center, bringing together business and civic leaders from Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah, St. Clair, and Talladega counties.

John-Bauer Graham, Interim Dean of the College of Business & Industry, opened the evening by welcoming attendees and introducing Mike Rogers, U.S. Representative for Alabamas 3rd Congressional District. Congressman Rogers reaffirmed his continued support of Jacksonville State University and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between industry and higher education in strengthening workforce development and advancing economic growth across Northeast Alabama. We sincerely appreciate Congressman Rogers longstanding support of the University and his continued commitment to growth and success across East Alabama.

Dr. Carol Lucy, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship, provided an overview of the Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. The concentration offers applied experience in business planning, financial analysis, talent management, capital sourcing, operational strategy, and the strategic use of emerging technologies to support the development and sustainability of new ventures.

She also discussed the JSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a regional resource housed within CBI that provides business development services to support business growth, operational improvement, and long-term competitiveness.

This years event marked the largest attendance in the history of CBIs hosting of Business After Hours, reflecting the continued strength of the partnership between the University and the business community. We extend special thanks to Linda Hearn, Executive Director of the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center, and the Chamber staff for their collaboration and support in making this annual event possible. We also thank all attendees, corporate partners, and CBI faculty and staff for their time, effort, and dedication in making the evening a great success.

(Photos courtesy of Michael Walker and Lou Strickland)
02/23/2026

Jacksonville State Universitys Dr. Rashad Ahmed has been named the TESOL International Association (TESOL) 2026 TESOL Teacher of the Year, the highest international recognition in the field of English language teaching.

Presented annually by TESOL International Association, the award recognizes exceptional English language teaching at all levels and honors one educator each year from among members representing more than 150 countries worldwide. Dr. Ahmed will be formally recognized at the TESOL 2026 International Convention & Expo, taking place from March 24 to 27 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Ahmed serves as Associate Professor of TESOL and Linguistics in Jax States Department of English. A Fulbright alumnus, he earned his doctorate in Applied Linguistics from the University of Memphis. His teaching, research, and professional development leadership have earned recognition at local, regional, and international levels.

I am honored beyond words. This award belongs to my students, whose resilience continually reshapes my understanding of language and humanity, and to the teachers who quietly change lives by believing in voices the world too often overlooks, Dr. Ahmed said.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ahmed contributes to the global TESOL profession through extensive editorial and scholarly service. He serves as senior editor of the International Journal of Language and Literary Studies, has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, and authored a scholarly volume on ICT-based informal language learning.

His teaching is marked by innovation and applied research. Dr. Ahmed reimagined traditional composition pedagogy through a multimodal argumentation project that integrates collaborative digital planning, ethical technology use, and culturally responsive assessment into a cohesive learning experience. In one example, students analyze published opinion pieces to identify audience awareness strategies and evidence selection techniques before using collaborative digital tools to develop visual blueprints for their own arguments.

The TESOL Teacher of the Year Award selection process includes a rigorous, multi-stage international review evaluating teaching excellence, professional leadership, and sustained impact on the field.

As part of the honor, Dr. Ahmed will present as an invited speaker at the 2026 TESOL International Convention, joining educators from around the world to share research and best practices in English language teaching.

Dr. Ahmeds selection reflects the caliber of faculty scholarship and teaching excellence at Jax State and highlights the universitys engagement in global academic communities.
02/23/2026

By Brett Buckner

For more than four decades, Jacksonville State University has gathered students, educators, and community members to remember one of historys darkest chapters  and to ensure its lessons are not forgotten. Since 1982, Jax States Annual Holocaust Remembrance has stood as one of the longest-running university-led Holocaust education programs in Alabama and remains one of only three such programs hosted by a university in the state.

This years event is April 14, at 7 p.m. in the Merrill Hall Auditorium, room B10. The remembrance will include keynote speaker James Sedlis, who is the son of two Holocaust survivors. Sedlis will share the story of his father, who fought for the Lithuanian Jewish resistance during World War II, joining efforts to resist Nazi occupation at great personal risk.

Rachel Weiser, President of the Jax State Holocaust Remembrance Committee, emphasized that the importance of continuing to engage with one of the darkest chapters of world history has value for both present and the future generations.

It ensures that the victims of the Holocaust and their families are remembered with dignity and intention each year, Weiser said. Secondly, it broadens our understanding of the Holocaust through, not just the speakers stories, but through education. It's through the ways we involve students, faculty, and community members to create a shared space to learn about and reflect on this.

As part of the program, middle and high school students compete in the Imagining the Holocaust Writing Contest, with categories in commemorative poetry, creative nonfiction, and multimodal composition. Students who place in the contest receive $150 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. Teachers and sponsors of the first-place winners in each category receive a $150 classroom grant to support their instructional efforts.

The winners will be recognized during the remembrance.

Anytime we can draw contemporary relevance out of these stories, and what I think our event does really well is creating this important reminder that memory carries responsibility, Weiser said. My goal is that by studying and commemorating the Holocaust in this way, we help ensure that future generations understand that history in such a way that these events aren't repeated.

Since 2023, Jax State has been offering middle and high school classroom grants totaling $1,200.

This makes it possible for teachers to purchase materials often inaccessible due to funding shortfalls, said April Mattox, who chairs the Imagining the Holocaust contest.

The program also includes a $1,500 teaching circle grant to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among educators in history, English, foreign languages, social studies, sociology, and science.

This grant supports projects that help students understand the Holocausts enduring relevance, Mattox said, and ensure that future generations never forget the atrocities committed during WWII.

Past recipients have used these funds for educational field trips to the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, and virtual tours of Auschwitz, and to build classroom libraries stocked with Holocaust literature.

Teachers who receive grants guarantee that their students will submit entries for the contest the following year, Mattox said, thus showing they have used the funds on tangible materials to teach their students about the Holocaust and to encourage their creativity.

The remembrance and Imagining the Holocaust events are supported in part by the Department of Englishs Holocaust Education and Creative Nonfiction Initiative.

Sustaining a program of this scope requires continued partnership from the community. What has allowed this event to continuously grow and influence future generations is donations from within the community. Sponsorship ensures the Holocaust Remembrance remains accessible, impactful, and relevant. Support directly sustains education, remembrance, and thoughtful public dialogue across campus and the region.

We couldnt do this without the community involvement, Weiser said. Because this is for the broader community. I think it creates a space to process an important event and to reflect on it; to have a moment of moral clarity that has applications and an urgency today.

Sponsorship opportunities:
by Jasim Al-Azzawi | 

( Middle East Monitor )  When former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Turkey, with the support of Qatar, was replacing Iran as Israels major strategic threat, his words were not just another warning about another enemy. Instead, his remarks reflected a broader anxiety: Israel could be entering a period of renewed conflict with a powerful and prosperous adversarya situation that also carries historical significance.

For decades, Israels security concerns have been dictated by Iran and its Shia axis, including Irans plans for a nuclear program, Hezbollahs missiles, and the undeclared wars in Syria and Lebanon. But Bennetts words speak of a new axis: Turkey, a member of NATO with a thriving economy and global ambitions, is building a Sunni axis that might be even more powerful than Irans Shia axis. Erdogan is a sophisticated actor who understands how to turn ideology into leverage, says Meliha Altunsk, a Turkish expert on international politics. Unlike Iran, Turkey combines pragmatism with ideology, making it both credible and unpredictable.

The mechanics of the new axis

The threat, as Israeli strategists see it, is not Turkey itself but Turkey and Qatar. The latter pair are accused of nourishing the Islamic Brotherhood monster, spreading an ideological threat similar to Irans support for Shia fundamentalists. Their influence is spreading in Syria and Gaza, and there are even rumors about attempts to win over Saudi Arabia from its rapprochement with Israel. The worst-case scenario: a new enemy axis consisting of Turkey and Qatar and their ally, Pakistan, with its nuclear capability.

As Steven Cook, a Council on Foreign Relations expert, writes, Israel has long calibrated its defense strategy according to Irans capabilities. But if Turkey succeeds in swinging Saudi Arabia or solidifying its relationship with Pakistan, the strategic map changes overnight. Its not just about the missiles emanating from Iran anymoreits about a Sunni world with nuclear capability.

Economic warfare: Boycott as a weapon

The conflict between Israel and Turkey is not merely ideological or military but also economic. In May 2024, Turkey imposed a complete embargo on trade with Israel, including imports and exports, and suspended all trade transactions. This came after an earlier restriction on trade for 54 product groups, including cement, aluminum, and fertilizers. Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Erdogan is sacrificing his countrys economic interests for his support for Hamas.

The threat, as Israeli strategists see it, is not Turkey itself but Turkey and Qatar. The latter pair are accused of nourishing the Islamic Brotherhood monster, spreading an ideological threat similar to Irans support for Shia fundamentalists.

For Israel, this boycott is not just a trade restriction but a reminder that Turkey is not afraid to wield economic power and that Israel must not underestimate the economic power of Turkey, a G20 country with economic influence over countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This is the first time Turkey has imposed comprehensive sanctions against another country for purely political reasons. This statement by trade analyst Sunny Mann underscores the economic significance of the boycott and Turkeys economic power.

Historical resonance: The legacy of the Ottomans

The rivalry also has historical connotations. Ottoman rule prevailed in Palestine until 1917. There is thus both familiarity and obligation. In his speeches, Erdogan often uses Ottoman symbolism. He portrays Turkey as the protector of Muslim lands. There is a historical memory at play here, says Dr Assa Ophir of Ariel University. For many in Turkey, the Palestinian issue is not only one of solidarity; it is also one of legacy.

This historical resonance adds to Israeli fears. Unlike Iran, which is rooted in Shia ideology and is alien to most Arabs, Turkey can lay claim to cultural and historical legitimacy in the region. Its Ottoman heritage lends credibility to Erdogans rhetoric, which lacks the revolutionary slogans of Iran.

Warning or provocation?

The question, therefore, is whether this Israeli warning is a genuine assessment or a provocation. While some Israeli scholars see it as a call to prepare for a new phase of hostility, which could be used to take preemptive action against Turkish expansionism, others argue that to inflate the threat of Turkish expansionism is to drive it into an adversarial alliance. Viewing Turkey as the new Iran risks strategic miscalculation, Altunsk writes. It may accelerate confrontation rather than contain it.

Writing for the Moshe Dayan Center, Jonathan Ghariani argues that the relationship between Israel and Turkey is always one of oscillating cooperation and confrontation. The post-October 7 era has sharpened tensions, but it is not unprecedented. The 1990s saw military cooperation; today, economic warfare. The pendulum swings, but the stakes are higher now.



Photo of Blue Mosque, Istanbul, by Mauro Lima on Unsplash

There is a historical memory at play here, says Dr Assa Ophir of Ariel University. For many in Turkey, the Palestinian issue is not only one of solidarity; it is also one of legacy.

The fear of a credible rival

Ultimately, what is behind the idea of Turkey as Israels next Iran is not simply the fear of encirclement, but the fear of a rival that is not only credible, but also prosperous, and carries a rich history. Iran is a dangerous foe, but also isolated. Turkey, on the other hand, is dangerous but also integrated. Iran is a foe that is revolutionary, but also sanctioned. Turkey, on the other hand, is a pragmatic foe and a trade hub.

Regardless of whether Bennetts rhetoric is a warning or a provocation, it speaks to a larger truth. That is, Israel is no longer simply fearful of the hostility of its enemies, but also of their credibility. It is a reality that will test whether policymakers in Jerusalem can distinguish between rhetoric and reality before leaping too hastily into policy. It is a reality that could keep the Middle East stuck once again in a cycle of confrontation, this time with Turkey as the fulcrum.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Via Middle East Monitor
Oakland, Ca. (Special to Informed Comment)  Though the Israeli and American power elites have for the most part declined to take action against Epstein associates, unlike those in Europe, former Israeli PM Ehud Barak is at least being publicly rebuked, only because the ruling Likud Party perceives him as an enemy of their MAGA agenda, and therefore an enemy of the state. We learned from the Epstein files that Barak thought out loud about luring a million Russians to Israel, to dilute the Palestinian and Arab presence; as well as that of East African and Mizrahi Sephardic Jews. Barak said essentially that Israel can now afford to be more selective than in the early days of the nation, when they had to take everybody. Barak proposed giving preference to attractive young women, and offer them a fast-track to Jewish conversion in the process.

Part of Baraks demographic aim was to outnumber and further marginalize the Mizrahi or Sephardic Jews in Israel. These Sephardic Jews, from Middle Eastern and African countries faced discrimination from the politically and socially dominant Ashkenazi Jews who hailed from Europe. The Sephardim include the Falasha Jews allowed in from Ethiopia and Somalia 20-30 years ago. They are not Baraks favored demographic, so his proposal was to minimize them and other eastern Jewish communities.

The Israeli government was also invested in Epstein, to the point of installing and managing security for an apartment in one of Epsteins buildings, where Barak and his wife stayed. The unit at 301 East 66th Street was owned by Epsteins brother Mark, and used to house some of the underage models, subjected to abuse. The security detail there was controlled by Rafi Shlomo, the late, former director of protective services at the Israeli mission, who also served as head of Baraks security team. Shlomo controlled access to the apartment, and vetted Epstein employees on the property with background checks. This began in 2016, eight years after Epsteins conviction for sex crimes in Florida. That the Israeli government supported an association with him cant reflect well, and may point to other activities not to be proud of.

Barak was deeply enmeshed with Epstein. In her memoir, published after her tragic suicide, Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre told of being badly beaten and raped in 2002, aged 18, by a well-known prime minister on Epsteins private island. She depicted the assault as the most brutal she experienced, writing that she begged Epstein to keep the ex-head of state away from her but that he said icily that this sort of abuse was part of the job. She revealed that it was at that point that she determined to flee him. She did not name him in the book, but Giuffre had previously accused Barak. The former prime minister has denied wrongdoing.

Some suspect that Epstein was a secret Mosad operative, gathering information and luring powerful men to his island; in order to create obligations to him, and to gather compromising information on world and business leaders. Powerful women including Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York are also in the Epstein files for their associations. She sought his counsel for enriching and promoting her foundation Mothers Army. So his influence was about more than sex. Apparently, Barak used Epstein as a go-between for communicating with Donald Trump. Baraks his wife Nili Priel is also named in the files.

Meanwhile. PM Benjamin Netanyahu is spinning the Barak-Epstein relationship as a reflection only on Barak, and not on the Israeli government. Considering that his Likud Party has become an adjunct of Trumps MAGA movement, and an Israeli version of the same, Netanyahu may be protesting too much. That appears to be especially true as Netanyahu accused, Barak of working with the anti-Zionist radical left to undermine Israels current government. Theatrical accusations indeed, in the spirit of Queen Gertrude and Hamlet.

But Netanyahus grandstanding effort to distance Israel is undermined by Yoni Koren, the late bureau chief for the Israeli Defense Ministry. He also enjoyed hospitality in the same building as Barak. Epsteins ties to Israel were considerable, and were most profound under Likud governments.

The incomplete trove of documents released thus far reveal that Epstein financed right-wing settler organizations, including the Jewish National Fund (JNF). The JNF began with the intent to help Jews escape the pogroms and later the Holocaust, but it soon became active in displacing native Palestinians. Epstein also paid for some of Israels overseas intelligence services. If Epstein was not was likely what is called in intelligence work an asset for Mossad rather than a field officer himself. Epstein also had extensive contacts with Koren in his governmental capacity, aside from his residency on East 66th Street, and paid for his cancer treatments. Then theres the connection with Ghislaine Maxwells father Robert Maxwell, who has been linked to Israel intelligence, and whose support for Israel goes back to 1948, when he supplied weapons to the Irgun terrorist gang to defeat the British. Maxwells standing and loyalty to Israel was reflected by his receiving an Israeli State funeral.



File photo, detail. Ehud Barak at the Pentagon in 2012. (DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo). Public Domain. Via Picryl.

The Epstein Files reveal a deeply complex and tangled web. Epsteins great wealth afforded him access and influence to highly placed government, business and academic superstars; and opportunities to exact quid pro quo benefits. His trafficking of underage girls as honey traps gave Epstein something on them, which elevated his manipulative capabilities. For those interested in this web of corruption, there is plenty to mine for in this summary from Al-Jazeera.

Perhaps the most embarrassing revelation about former Israeli PM Barak has been his open discussion about demographic engineering, in order to dilute the influence and presence of Palestinians, Israeli Arabs and the Mizrahi Jews. For all of Israels orthodox and unyielding restrictions about conversion, immigration and who is a real Jew, its astonishing to read about his willingness to compromise those standards, while Israel still refuses to recognize the legitimacy of Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform Judaism. Israel wouldnt allow one of their great Olympian Gold Medalists to marry in Israel, because they werent satisfied with his Jewish bonafides. But Barak encouraged recruitment of attractive young women from Russia and Belarus, to offer a quick conversion to meet his preferred demographic ideal. Haaretz quoted Barak saying to Epstein: Many people will apply to come to Israel, adding: We can control the quality much more effectively, much more than the founding fathers of Israel did. Those founders took in hundreds of thousands of Mizrahim  Jews with roots in North Africa and the wider Middle East. They took whatever came. They had to save people. Now, we can be more selective.
The war in Ukraine, sparked by the Russian invasion in 2022, is now entering its fifth year. Here are five markers in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

The four years of war have left tens or hundreds of thousands dead and pushed millions of refugees to flee their homes.

- February 24, 2022: Invasion starts -

On February 21, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognises the independence of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting the Ukrainian army since 2014.

Three days later at dawn, Putin announces a major military offensive in Ukraine, which he calls a "special military operation" to "de-Nazify" and "demilitarise" its neighbour.

The Russian army advances rapidly in the south and northeast of the country, but fails to seize the capital Kyiv, from where President Volodymyr Zelensky leads the resistance.

The southeastern port city of Mariupol falls after a brutal months-long siege. The first negotiations, held in Belarus and Turkey, founder.

- Spring of 2022: Bucha massacre -

After Russian forces abandon Kyiv's suburbs, the bodies of hundreds of civilians who have been summarily executed are found on the streets of Bucha and neighbouring areas.

Ukraine accuses the Russian army, which denies responsibility.

The macabre discoveries, witnessed among others by AFP, cause an international outcry and spark the first war crimes investigations.

A year later, on March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court issues a war crimes arrest warrant against Putin, accusing him of "unlawfully deporting" Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

- Summer 2022-winter 2023: Ukrainian counteroffensives -

From the summer of 2022, Ukrainian forces launch a string of counteroffensives. With the help of deliveries of weapons from its Western allies, Kyiv retakes swathes of the northeastern Kharkiv region and the regional capital Kherson in the south. A long and bloody battle takes place in the eastern city of Bakhmut, which lies in ruins.

As it struggles, Russia in June 2023 is faced by another threat in the form of a mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group, which marches on Moscow, but then retreats.

Its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin dies two months later in a mysterious plane crash.

In the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian army relaunches its efforts in the south and east, but fails to pierce Russian defences.

- 2024: Kursk, Russia advances slowly -

From February 2024 Russian forces regain the initiative on the frontline.

Despite losses, Moscow advances slowly but surely, seizing several strongholds in the east from a Ukrainian army short on manpower and ammunition.

In August 2024, Ukrainian troops cross the Russian border, seizing hundreds of square kilometres in the western Kursk region. They are driven out in March 2025, after a battle in which Russia is helped by North Korean troops.

Russia makes a string of deadly drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian territory, which powerful American Patriot air defence missiles and F-16 fighter jets delivered to Kyiv do not counter.

On November 21, 2024, Russia targets Ukraine with a new nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, nicknamed Oreshnik, hitting a Ukrainian military factory.

The missile is used for a second time on January 8, 2026, on an aircraft factory.

- 2025-2026: Trump diplomacy -

Back for a second term at the White House, US President Donald Trump creates shock waves by saying he and Putin have agreed to start direct talks.

On February 28, in a televised clash with Zelensky at the White House, Trump threatens to cut military aid to Ukraine.

Trump then blows hot and cold towards both Kyiv and Moscow. In November, he unveils a draft plan for Ukraine which meets Moscow's main demands, including the ceding of Ukrainian territory, in exchange for security guarantees for Kyiv.

Seeking to keep up the pressure, Russia carries out a series of strikes which knock out large parts of Ukraine's energy network, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark and cold, during a particularly harsh winter. Ukraine launches strikes on Russian oil refineries in response.

Diplomacy ploughs on. Russian, Ukrainian and American negotiators meet in Abu Dhabi then in Geneva in January and February 2026.

Moscow continues to demand Kyiv withdraw completely from the eastern Donbas region, which Ukraine views as a key sticking point.

burs/pop/jmy/sbk/abs
Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine is a "triple failure for Russia", President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the Western-backed country.

Hundreds of thousands have died since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the deadliest war on European soil since World War II.

"This war is a triple failure for Russia: militarily, economically and strategically," Macron said on X.

"One day, Russians will realise the enormity of the crime committed in their name, the futility of the pretexts invoked and the devastating long-term effects on their country."

Macron said Ukraine had resisted despite everything.

"Four years of lives shattered, of violence, rape, torture, war crimes and terror," he said.

"But four years in which Ukraine has held on and resisted."

Speaking to his counterparts in the so-called Coalition of the Willing backing Kyiv later Tuesday, Macron warned however that he was "sceptical" there would be "short-term peace" for Ukraine.

"It is good to continue these peace talk initiatives," he said, but added "there is no willingness on the Russian side to achieve peace".

Earlier, Macron said that more than 1.2 million Russian soldiers had been wounded or killed. "This is the highest number of Russian combat casualties since the Second World War," he added.

The war, he added, "has strengthened NATO, whose expansion it sought to prevent, united Europeans whom it wanted to weaken, and laid bare the fragility of an imperialism from another age."

Macron pledged continued support for Ukraine and more sanctions against Russia.

"So that Ukraine can hold out and so that Russia understands that time is not on its side," he added.

"To those who think they can count on our fatigue: they are mistaken."

Macron was to co-chair a new meeting of Ukraine's allies on Tuesday.

"Today's new meeting must allow us to continue moving forward," he said.

Talks between Russia and Ukraine, relaunched last year by the United States, have so far failed to halt the fighting.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has been accused of forcibly transferring around 20,000 children from parts of Ukraine seized by its army. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, last week, that 2,000 Ukrainian children had been brought back since the start of the war, but that thousands more remained captive.

In October 2022, as Ukrainian troops were approaching Kherson, in southern Ukraine, a convoy of ambulances left the local childrens orphanage. Eleven children were inside, evacuated by the Russian occupying authorities. Officially, it was for their safety. In reality, they were taken away.

The Russians followed a well-established pattern: official orders, medical personnel, transport  everything looked organised. But once they crossed the administrative border of Kherson region, the children were handed over to Russian authorities. According to information from the Ukrainian Ministry of Reintegration as of last year, three of the children were placed in Moscow institutions, seven were eventually returned to Ukraine. One child is reported to have died.

Inesa Chamlay, the then deputy director in the health care administration, is currently in custody for assisting the aggressor, in particular in the transfer of these children. Her case has been under consideration by the Kherson City Court since March 2024. According to the investigation, she provided medical transport for the childrens relocation. If found guilty, she faces up to 12 years in prison.

In January 2025, Mykola Dzhyhanskyi, a businessman who runs a transport company in Kherson, received an 11-year prison sentence. The Kherson court found him guilty of assisting the Russians. One of the witnesses in the case confirmed that the businessmans buses were used to transport children to the occupied Crimea. The accused claimed he was threatened with losing his business. He is currently appealing the decision. His lawyer points out that the 71-year-old man has age-related illnesses, is a Chernobyl accident rescuer, and the breadwinner for his family. He has been held in a detention centre for more than three years.

The childrens deportation process

The childrens deportation follows several recurring scenarios which include coercion, pressure, military control, and absence of choice for families. In the Kherson region, everything began when the occupiers blocked humanitarian aid from Ukrainian-controlled territory, says Myroslava Kharchenko, head of the legal department of The Save Ukraine Foundation, a non-governmental organisation involved in rescue missions to return displaced children. In such circumstances, the offer to send children to camps seemed like a solution, although it was part of a large-scale deportation plan. Announcements about trips were made at parent-teacher conferences or by phone calls to families. Those who did not agree were considered disloyal to the occupying authorities, which could endanger the whole family, Kharchenko says.

First, the children whose parents agreed to cooperate with the Russians as collaborators, were sent to Crimea. Then, they returned home. After that, the children would start asking their parents for permission to go on the trip because they saw that someone had already been to Crimea, she recalls. Parental consent had to be in writing, but they could tell the child: bring a copy of your passport and sign instead of your mother, Kharchenko says.

They are now waving these consents around like a red rag, saying that the parents gave their permission. But these documents are legally worthless, she adds, explaining that for example, consent was given for a two-week stay at the Luchisty camp, but the children remained in Crimea for six months and were moved from camp to camp.

Lawyer Yevheniya Kapalkina recounts another type of illegal displacement of children  through filtration. As her client, a father of three children was trying to leave Mariupol, he was arrested at a checkpoint, detained and sent to prison in Olenivka, a southern suburb of Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine. His children were first taken to a local medical facility.

On the day the man was released, the occupation administration decided to send the children to the Moscow region, allegedly for health reasons, the lawyer says. The children were told that if their relatives could not be found, they would be sent to an orphanage or Russian families. But their father gathered all the documents and went to Russia. He managed to get the children back.

Images denfants deplaces vers la Russie de la region occupee de Donetsk (Est de l'Ukraine) issues dune capture decran de la chaine YouTube du bureau du procureur general d'Ukraine.

Nearly 20,000 documented cases

According to the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, as of 11 November 2025, there were 19,546 documented cases of illegal displacement or deportation of Ukrainian children. So far, the Save Ukraine Foundation has only managed to return 1,024 children, including about 200 orphans. We brought children back from Crimea, Krasnodar and Rostov regions, Kharchenko says. About 80 of them are now adults, but they were minors during the occupation, so they are also considered victims of war crimes.

One of the most difficult cases was the rescue of a boy from the Oleshky boarding school, in the suburbs of Kherson, in southern Ukraine. His grandmother had all the necessary documents, but the occupying authorities required a DNA test and then declared that they could not give a Russian child to a foreigner. The child was forcibly granted Russian citizenship.

They told the grandmother she could get custody, but only if she got a Russian passport and a job in Russia. It was a trap to keep the child from leaving. But we fought for her, and we won, Kharchenko says.

A Ukrainian demographic disaster

The international humanitarian law prohibits the displacement of people from occupied territories, especially children. Children are entitled to an even higher level of protection, as their deportation means separation from their families, loss of cultural identity, and psychological consequences.

In Ukraine, it is mostly considered as a war crime  a violation of the laws and customs of war. Following recent amendments to the Criminal Code, provisions on unjustified delay in the repatriation of a child and recruitment or use of a child to participate in armed conflict have been added. However, in a broader context, such actions could be considered a crime against humanity when deportation becomes part of a large-scale policy.

If children are systematically deported and a political basis is created to support this  decrees, programmes, official statements  then this is no longer just a war crime. It is a crime against humanity and possibly an element of genocidal policy, says Andriy Yakovlev, a lawyer and expert on international humanitarian law at the Media Initiative for Human Rights.

Kateryna Rashevska, a lawyer at the Regional Centre for Human Rights and co-author of four submissions to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding crimes against Ukrainian children committed by Russians, also says that Russias actions constitute crimes against humanity and, in terms of scale and consequences, even genocide. We have already lost our children, but we may lose their children too. This is a quiet demographic disaster, she notes.

Rashevska points out that Russia does not recognise international humanitarian law in the occupied territories because it considers them part of its own territory. But when it comes to the deportation of children, it suddenly starts quoting the Geneva Conventions and referring to the rules for the evacuation of civilians. It looks like a legal bipolar disorder, she says.

According to her, the Kremlin is trying to legitimise the displacement of Ukrainian children by twisting the meaning of humanitarian law. They present forced displacement as evacuation for safety and distort the concept of the best interests of the child. In their rhetoric, Russian officials such as Maria Lvova-Belova, the presidential commissioner for childrens rights, even refer to the childrens own wish to stay.

Deportation cases: hard to investigate and hard to judge

According to the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine, as a result of documenting and investigating cases of illegal displacement and deportation of children from the occupied territories of Kherson and Donetsk regions, 17 people had been notified of suspicion at the end of the year 2025. And indictments have already been sent to court against ten people: four Russian citizens and six Ukrainian citizens.

But investigating and judging such cases is not easy. Most children, their parents and witnesses are still in the temporarily occupied territories, which makes it impossible for them to participate in the investigation, says the Prosecutor Generals Office.

Rashevska points out that the sentences are not proportionate to the scale of the crime. The paradox is that under our legislation, the maximum penalty for a war crime is 10 years, and it is 15 years for collaboration. This means that a Russian war criminal can receive a less severe punishment than a Ukrainian accomplice. This needs to be changed, she says.

Most cases judged in absentia

The case of Denys Pushylin, leader of the DNR  the self-proclaimed separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic , is currently being heard by the Dnipro Central District Court in absentia.

Pushylin, his advisor on childrens rights, and the director of the pseudo-republics state service for family and childrens rights, are accused of war crimes. According to the investigation, in May 2022, the accused signed a decree to send the children for alleged health reasons to the Polyany health resort in the Moscow region, run by the Russian presidents administration. The case is considered in absentia, as the accused are located outside Ukrainian-controlled territory.

And it is likely that most of the trials involving Russians will also be conducted in absentia. We dont know when the war will end. In a few years, witnesses may die or leave, and cities may be destroyed. Then the evidence will simply disappear. The European Court refers to this as spoliation of evidence. That is why it is important to document crimes now through legal proceedings, even in absentia, Yakovlev explains.

Such verdicts are also important for victims: not only they legally establish the crime but they can also serve as grounds for filing a claim for compensation through the International Register of Damage Caused by Russias Aggression against Ukraine.

International efforts continue in parallel. Ukraine is cooperating with the ICC and is submitting specific cases to the UN Human Rights Committee, such as a family from Mariupol, which was forcibly taken by the Russians to Taganrog, a Russian port in the Rostov region, despite the agreed humanitarian corridor.

Although cases involving local suspects are referred to Ukrainian courts, lawyers say that cases involving high-ranking Russian officials may become part of the ICCs investigations.

This report was produced thanks to a grant by Fondation Hirondelle/Justice Info. A full version of this article was published on November 15, 2025, in "Gre4ka".
ST. GEORGE, Feb 24, 2026 (BSW) - Vasion, a leader in serverless printing and Intelligent Print Automation, today announced that Vasion Output has achieved SAP certification as integrated with GROW with SAP and integrated with RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud. The Vasion solution is purpose-built to eliminate legacy output management as a cloud migration barrier.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224741412/en/

Chee Tan, Vice President of Ecosystem & Alliances at Vasion, leads Vasion's global strategic ecosystem partnerships. He drives the integration of AI-powered output management and document workflows with leading enterprise solutions such as SAP S/4HANA, enabling organizations to modernize print infrastructure, consolidate environments, and automate enterprise document workflows.

The certification confirms what enterprise resource planning (ERP) customers moving to S/4HANA need most: proven infrastructure that handles mission-critical documents without the complexity, security gaps, or custom code that typically plague complex printing environments.

"Achieving SAP S/4HANA certification is a significant milestone for our current and future customers," said Chee Tan, VP of Ecosystem & Alliances at Vasion. "As organizations modernize their operations with SAP S/4HANA, Vasion is committed to delivering the modern, secure, and integrated solutions required to support that transformation. This certification validates that our platform meets the evolving needs of today's digital enterprise."

Vasion Output addresses the specific infrastructure gaps that may surface during S/4HANA migrations, including:

Print visibility across hybrid environments: Real-time monitoring of SAP spool requests, printer status, and document delivery, from cloud to endpoint, in a single console. No more blind spots between SAP and the printer.

Troubleshooting without SAP Basis specialists: Identify print queue failures, printer health issues, and routing problems instantly. Automated resolution in minutes, with no need for tickets.

Failover that actually works: Automatic printer redirection and high availability configurations prevent document loss when systems go down. Critical invoices and shipping labels print even when infrastructure doesn't cooperate.

Security that satisfies auditors: Encrypted transmission, role-based access controls, and audit trails that meet compliance requirements-including federal standards for organizations operating in regulated environments.

Vasion Output is available now for SAP S/4HANA deployments. Organizations evaluating S/4HANA migration strategies can request a technical assessment at vasion.com.

The SAP Integration and Certification Center (SAP ICC) has certified that the integration software for Vasion Output integrates with RISE with SAP S/4HANA Cloud using standard integration technologies and integrates with GROW with SAP using SAP Business Technology Platform or standard integration technologies.

About Vasion

Vasion is the intelligent print automation platform making digital transformation attainable for all by eliminating print servers, consolidating print environments, and digitizing workflows. We're redefining modern output management with one of the most advanced and secure cloud-native platforms, turning what's been IT's longest-standing headache, print, into a strategic advantage. More than 13,500 global customers, including hundreds of the world's leading enterprises, rely on Vasion to modernize and unlock AI-ready environments. With Vasion, digital transformation works for everyone. Learn more at www.vasion.com.

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260224741412/en/

Contact

Nadia RomeroSr. Manager of PR and Corporate Communicationsnadia.romero@vasion.com

 2026 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Actor Kim Do Hoon responded to online criticism of a recent press event where he interacted with Karina from Aespa. He said that a viral interpretation of the gesture was wrong.

On February 19, Kim went to the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo for the production presentation of Netflix's variety show "Agents of Mystery season 2." There, he took a group photo with the whole cast. He was holding Karina's hand on one side and Gabee's hand on the other side during the photo shoot.

READ MORE: Kim Yoo-jung and Kim Do-hoon Spark Dating Rumors After Being Spotted Abroad  Here's What Really Happened

Some people who saw the video of the event online said Kim acted inappropriately with Karina's hand. One person even went to the fan community of Kim Do Hoon with a message for the actor, according to AllKpop.

Someone wrote online, "Don't touch Karina."

The Chosun Daily says that Kim Do Hoon used social media to explain what happened during the photo after people criticized him. He answered the accusation directly by saying, "I didn't touch her hand. I was scratching my own finger because it was itchy."

In the video that went around, he is seen moving his finger instead of touching Karina's hand while they were holding hands for the official photo. Many people now say that the controversy was caused by a misunderstanding.

Even though he explained, more comments have kept coming up online. One fan said, "Karina probably dislikes this kind of controversy too."

One viewer wondered why this incident received enough media coverage to become so well known. She asked, "Would Karina even like this kind of attention?"

Many debate on why her behaviour was criticized across the internet. Was there anything wrong with this particular action? Some have defended Kim, while others have said that famous people should be careful about how they look at big events.

A lot of news outlets covered the press event as the latest way to promote "Agents of Mystery season 2," which will be released on Netflix later this year and features the original cast.

READ MORE: Kim Do Hoon Net Worth 2022: 'The Law Cafe' Rising Star Earned THIS Much So Far






Monday, February 23, 2026 - Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika is facing public scrutiny after launching multi-million shilling apartments in the upscale Loresho neighbourhood in Nairobi.

The discussion was sparked by a social media user who shared an aerial photo of the newly built, high-end residential apartments.

In the post, the user questioned the source of funds used to finance the development, prompting heated debate online.

Loresho is one of Nairobis most affluent suburbs, known for exclusive residences and premium real estate projects.

Governor Kihika has previously faced accusations from critics who allege misuse of public resources, claims she has consistently denied.

The latest development has further fueled speculation among her political opponents and sections of the public.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has in the past publicly accused Kihikas husband, businessman Sam Mburu, of being linked to powerful state cartels involved in questionable dealings.

Below is an aerial view of the lavish apartments.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, February 23, 2026 - A Kikuyu woman has publicly burned her JCM church headgear following President William Rutos visit to Jesus Compassion Ministries (JCM), a church owned by controversial preacher Bishop Ben Kiengei.

In a video circulating online, the visibly agitated woman is seen setting the church headgear ablaze, expressing her disappointment over the Presidents appearance at the popular church.

According to her, she joined JCM seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance, but later felt disillusioned, claiming that the church had been turned into a private business.

She criticized the decision to host political leaders, singling out President Ruto over his administrations handling of the Gen Z protests, during which several young people lost their lives.

The woman expressed strong dissatisfaction with what she described as the blending of politics and religion, stating that she did not expect to share a place of worship with leaders she views as controversial.

She further revealed that she is considering leaving the privately owned JCM church and joining the Catholic Church instead.

Watch the video>>> below

Woman burns JCM church headgear after President William Ruto's visit to the church today. She has expressed her disappointment that she joined the church in search of spiritual nourishment not to partake in the same table with killers. pic.twitter.com/gIojQiZ95s  Karomo Richu (@tonykaromo) February 22, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, February 23, 2026 - A man has taken to social media claiming that he was drugged and robbed by a lady he had invited to his house in Dandora for laundry services.

According to the man, he had hired the lady to do household chores.

Beyond the cleaning services, she was also expected to attend to his manly needs.

The victim claimed that after spending time together, he began feeling dizzy and eventually lost consciousness, only to wake up hours later and discover that several of his belongings were missing.

He alleged that the woman made away with his laptop, television set, and radio before disappearing.

The aggrieved man went ahead and shared the womans photo on social media, describing her as a notorious thief and warning other men to be cautious.

Check out his post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, February 23, 2026 - Popular Kenyan rapper, Toxic Lyrikali, was attacked by a group of goons in Kiamaiko on Sunday evening, in an incident that is being linked to the rising tensions within the local drill music scene.

According to reports circulating online, the rapper was accosted by a large group of individuals, beaten and his vehicle vandalized during the confrontation.

A video shared on social media shows a chaotic scene, with a crowd surrounding a car believed to belong to the artist.

The attack is being linked by online sources to the ongoing street beef between Toxic Lyrikali and the viral rap group, Buruklyn Boyz.

The two camps have been exchanging lyrical jabs, fueling tensions among their fan bases.

Watch the video>>> below

Kenyan rapper Toxic Lyrikali was attacked by a large group of people in Kiamaiko last evening. Reports are linking the attack to a group of drill musicians known as the Buruklyn Boyz. pic.twitter.com/iUA27IHxJR  The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) February 23, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, February 23, 2026 - Chaos erupted along a major highway after members of the public were caught on camera looting from an overturned truck transporting flour.

In the video, bystanders are seen rushing to the accident scene, grabbing packets of flour and fleeing.

Some motorists, stuck in traffic due to the incident, alighted from their vehicles and joined the looting spree.

The footage has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many condemning the actions of those involved.

Kenyans are thugs. The leaders we complain about didnt appear out of nowhere. They are a mirror of the society that votes them in, one X user commented.

Watch the video>>> below

Kenyans are thugs. The leaders we complain about didnt appear out of nowhere. They are a mirror of the society that votes them in. pic.twitter.com/utYVvBQ5Ry    (@iamjoseh_) February 22, 2026

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Monday, February 23, 2026 - Veteran Kenyan music producer and entrepreneur, Edmond Josiah, popularly known as Tedd Josiah, has shared the heartbreaking story of losing his wife, Reginah Katar, when their child was only three months old.

In a candid interview with media personality, Chris the Bass, Josiah recalled the pain, shock and lessons that followed the tragedy.

Nilipata mrembo fulani nikasettle na yeye, na tukapata mtoto ilifika three months mama ya mtoto akakufa nikawachwa na mtoto, he shared.

Josiah recounted how Katar complained of a headache, vomited after taking medicine, and struggled to breastfeed before he rushed her to Nairobi Womens Hospital at 2 a.m.

By 5 a.m, doctors broke the devastating news: she had died. A postmortem later revealed internal bleeding caused by lack of vitamin K.

It was the worst moment in my life to date; it has changed me for good and for bad.

It killed a part of me because nowadays, death is not a big deal to me, he admitted.

The Joka Jok founder revealed that the tragedy left him mute for three months, especially after their nanny also lost her grandfather the same week, leaving him to care for the baby alone.

Reflecting on the painful chapter, Josiah said the experience taught him resilience.

I learned that life must go on, no matter what happens; you do not need to give up on yourself, he stated.

Today, his daughter Jameela Wendo is nine years old, a milestone Josiah says has been both rewarding and challenging as he continues to raise her as a single father.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
A THIRTY-TWO-year-old Moldovan national who has been living in Ireland for over two decades has been disqualified from driving for four years after he was caught driving without insurance while waiting for a refund from his cancelled policy. Victor Bordianu, Church Terrace, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow appeared before Carlow District Court charged with driving without insurance at Milltown, Dunlavin, Co Wicklow on 7 May 2025 at 6.25am.

The court heard that Garda Prendergast stopped a vehicle being driven by the defendant, who produced a Romanian driving licence at the scene. Inquiries showed there was no active insurance policy on the car and the defendant was cautioned in the usual manner.

He told the garda that his insurance company had cancelled his policy after just one payment. He said they had phoned him and said there was something he hadnt disclosed in his application form and, therefore, cancelled his policy.

The defendant explained that he was waiting to get a refund from the insurance company before he sought out a new insurance policy. No insurance was produced upon lawful request.

Judge Geraldine Carthy asked: Was all this said on the scene? So, he doesnt require an interpreter?

It was noted that Mr Bordianu had requested an interpreter for court on the day.

The court heard that he had two previous convictions, the last being from Naas District Court in 2012 for having no insurance.

Solicitor Alex Rafter, representing the defendant, said in mitigation: He is a Moldovan national who transferred across to Romania. He is 30 years of age and has been in Ireland since 2002.

He has dependent children and is in employment  he puts his hands up, added Mr Rafter.

Judge Carthy said: My hands are tied, unfortunately. He knew fully well at the time of driving that he had no licence.

She fined Mr Bordianu 300, to be paid within 90 days, and disqualified him from driving for four years.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Deep into the psyche of the land, Mo Anam Cara presents a major new body of work by Irish visual artist Mary Doyle Burke, whose practice moves between painting, biomaterials, sculptural installations, spoken word and digital media.

The solo exhibition, which is based on the boglands of North Kilkenny and North Tipperary is currently showing at the Source Arts Centre in Thurles and runs until Saturday, March 7.

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Rooted in the liminal terrains of Irish moors, bogs, wetlands, and shorelines, her work approaches these landscapes as anam cara, a soul friend that offer memory, guidance, and a deep, steadying companionship. These hinter lands become collaborators in her process, shaping how she listens, gathers, and translates the quiet knowledge held in place.

Working with oil and acrylic on newly developed organic bioplastic substrates, alongside natural sculptural materials, Doyle Burke expands her investigation into negative space, intergenerational memory, and the cyclical rhythms that bind human and ecological experience.

This exhibition marks the final stage of Doyle Burkes three year Irish Bog and Wetlands Project, funded through an Agility Award from The Arts Council of Ireland in 2023. This funding was to research organically created materials, dyes, pigments and biomaterials to crossover with traditional materials to create artworks using the bog, wetlands, hinterlands as inspiration and a layered metaphor.

Developed through sustained engagement with wetland ecologies, field research, and material experimentation, the project culminates here in a constellation of interconnected layers works.

Curated by PJ OConnell, a long standing figure in the Irish visual arts community, the exhibition situates Doyle Burkes material innovations within contemporary conversations about sustainability, place based practice, and public engagement.

Mary Doyle Burke is a professional visual srtist alongside working as Curator at An Chead Tine Art Gallery and Director/Studio Manager at An Chead Tine Studios in Kilkenny.
Two men have been arrested following a significant drugs seizure on the outskirts of Kilkenny yesterday (Monday).

Up to twenty gardai, along with Kilkenny County Council and the animal welfare charity, My Lovely Horse were involved in the operation.

Four properties were searched under warrant in a residential area of the Hebron area of Kilkenny City.

Approximately 10,000 worth of drugs, 7,000 of suspected heroin and a further 3,000 of suspected cocaine were seized from one property.

Two men were arrested during the operation and were brought to Kilkenny Garda Station.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE CRIME UPDATES AND COURT REPORTS

One male was charged in relation to the incident and is due to appear in court.

The second male was released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Ten dogs were also seized during the multi-agency operation due to serious animal welfare concerns.

Meanwhile gardai have also confirmed that they have received numerous reports of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of St Kieran's Cemetery on the Hebron Road.

Gardai have increased their patrols in the area in response to complaints from members of the public.

Anyone with information can contact Kilkenny gardai on (056) 777 5000.
I have huge respect for the way David Farrar operates Kiwiblog. As opposed to almost all other political blogs in NZ  he allows genuine debate.

I have, and never will have, a political affiliation. From the beginning of my career in education I made a choice to research and tell the story of what I saw  regardless of who was in power. People love to talk about evidence based policy  but when you present evidence that their policy is not working they do not appreciate the rug being pulled.



When I produced data sets to show that the decline in NZ education had been significant over the last 15 years  from a very low base in many ways  few on the right complained because Labour was in power at that time. A high up member of the PPTA even called me the most hated person in NZ education.



When Erica Stanford  for whom I had organised a highley successful two day education summit in Cambridge when she was Nationals spokesperson  became Minister of Education I was hopeful.



When she immediately appointed long-term, and distastrous, Dep Sec of Education: Ellen McGregor-Reid (EMR), into her Ministerial office  I critiqued that decision immediately as all it did was signal that very little would actually change and that the Ministry would be the main power-broker  not the Minister.



I immediately received criticism from Jordan William (Taxpayers Union) about friendly fire. I then received an email from Michael Johnston from the NZ Initiative  who had been appointed as the chair of the Ministers Advisory Group. He told me that as a friend (I had never considered him so), that the Minister was devastated and the the role of EMR was to do the difficult task of setting up the Ministers office  and then change would take place. One could only assume that that change would include completly transforming the Ministry and keeping the election promise of reducing the FTEs to 2,700.



Well; EMR has since been appointed Secretary for Education (on approx. $700k per annum), the FTEs are approx 4000. The MInistry is no more functional that it was when the NZ Initiative leader Dr Oliver Hartwitch said that TNT was the only solution. And yet . silence! A HUGE loss of credibility for all involved.

We live in a democracy  Government of the people, by the people, for the people.

The problem for NACT is not the Labour governments intervening years  Labour do not care anymore about the failing aspects of the education system than Nationals and ACT do. They do not care about the incredibly poor outcomes for Maori, Pasifika and low-income students any more that NACT do. But NACT do not either and there is MASSIVE evidence of that over the last 27 months. The problem is that the purported supporters of NACT do not hold their people to account and fall back on  Well, they might be crap, but at least they are not as crap as Labour/Greens/TPM.

Then there is the moral repugnace of this type of communication I receive on occasions. The good thing is that this person chose an appropriate alias for anyone who understand the nonmemclature of the penis.

I wont be entering into any discussion about my note to you, it is meant only as feedback not engagement.

I am always sure that when you put up a post it will be negative and certainly anti government.

I can understand you being resentful because of your unsuccessful applications for 4 private schools (sic  we have an approved private school , and some would say it is quite legitimate for you to air your resentful views on a platform such as Kiwiblog. However it becomes predictable and nauseous almost to see you prattle on as you do.

Do you seriously think that continually criticising the government is going to carry favour with a government of any hue or indeed with the public that reads your posts?

I wish you luck with all of that.

JohnThomas



The key thing here is that  you do your research and you express what you see. How morally repugnant that anyone would consider that you should curry favour. Or  as Michael Johnston said: Being outspoken excludes you from being in the tent. Why would I care? My life is very good! But  if it wasnt  in a democarcy you are supposed to speak up when you see problems. And our education system remains a mess  and it may well be accelerating on the way down.

Being tribal on either side  damages NZ.



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COLUMBIA  The removal of a bus stop shelter near the intersection of Trimble Road and Brickton Road last year followed concerns from the property owner about disruptions from people using the shelter, according to documents obtained by KOMU 8 News.

The Columbia Public Works Department removed the bus stop shelter and the trash can with it in October 2025 following a letter from the property owner dated Sept. 19, 2025, according to department spokesperson John Ogan.

The bus stop is across from MOD Pizza, which is in a building owned by TKG Management.

The company wrote in its September letter to the city that the presence of the shelter led to "excessive trash, excessive noise, harassment and even violence."

Ogan said the shelter was only on the property with the owner's consent.

"The city of Columbia Public Works received a letter from from the adjacent property owner requesting removal of the shelter, and based on the agreement that was in place, the shelter is there at the property owner's discretion and property owner's consent," Ogan said. "Having withdrawn that consent, Public Works removed the shelter."

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TKG Management did not respond to a request for comment from KOMU 8 News.

The city of Columbia also removed a bus shelter in 2022 at Green Meadows Drive and Gray Oak Drive, which is near the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway, Ogan said. That structure came down after a similar request from an adjacent property owner.

However, transportation advocates such as Columbia Planning and Zoning commissioner McKenzie Ortiz have a different perspective on the bus shelters across Columbia.

"Really, people that ride the bus, whether you are unsheltered or you have shelter, or somewhere to go, or to call home, you should have the dignity and the respect of having a shelter over your head," Ortiz said.

She runs a pedestrian advocacy group called "Pedestrian Pride," which advocates for safer, more inclusive streets for pedestrians.

Ogan said the city does not have plans to remove any more bus shelters at this time.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has canceled a Blue Alert following the fatal shooting of two Christian County deputies Monday afternoon.

Two deputies, one from Christian County and one from Webster County, were also injured as a result of the shooting.

According to Springfield NBC station KY3, the shooting occurred on the roundabout on State Highway 160 near Reeds Spring. It is also reported that more than 100 officers, deputies and state troopers assisted in the search for the suspect.

Richard Dean Bird, 45, was identified as the suspect and was killed in a shootout, KY3 reported.

A Blue Alert is one wireless emergency alert sent to phones from government authorities. It is issued to help locate a suspect that has killed or seriously injured an officer.

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The Highway Patrol said that the suspects' car, a white 2001 Chevrolet Silverado, had been located. Bird was not in the car.

Following the search for Bird, the suspect shot and killed a second Christian County deputy along with wounding several other deputies and officers from the agency when he was located, according to a Audrain County Sheriff's Facebook post.

Bird was killed during the exchange with the deputies, according to the Facebook post.

This story has been updated with additional information.
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OVER 6.1m will go to hospital and healthcare projects in Laois this year, under HSE capital funding announced today.

A total of 6,168,920 has been confirmed for 13 projects in the county, ranging from hospital infrastructure and mental health services to primary care and community care facilities.

Three hospitals will share the majority of funding, with developments at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP), St Vincents Hospital in Mountmellick and St Fintans Hospital in Portlaoise.

Other projects include designs for a new Portlaoise Primary Care Centre and an extension to the existing health centre in Mountrath to form a Primary Care Centre, which was originally planned for a greenfield site.

The largest allocation of 1,684,200 will go to fire safety improvement works at MRHP, which are currently at tender stage. The extensive works include fire rating upgrades to walls and partitions, fire door replacement, upgrades to fire detection and alarm systems and improvements to emergency lighting.

A further 1,180,000 supports the first phase of a HIQA compliance programme of works for the new 50-bed unit at St Vincents Hospital, Mountmellick, which is currently under construction.

St Vincents Hospital has also been awarded 140,350 at appraisal stage for the new build and refurbishment of the Community Nursing Unit.

Meanwhile, 1,122,800 will go to the detailed design stage of refurbishment works for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Team 3 at St Fintans Hospital, which aims to strengthen mental health supports for young people and families.

The planned Portlaoise Primary Care Centre, to be built on the St Fintans Hospital campus, will get 673,680, for the detailed design stage of the new building.

Other funding for MRHP includes 350,000 for the construction of a two-storey emergency department extension for adult and paediatric care, including a Respiratory Assessment Unit, with a further 260,000 going to the purchase and refurbishment of a property adjacent to the hospital, to provide on-call accommodation for staff.

Funding of 224,560 supported the phased delivery of anti-ligature works in the Acute Mental Health Unit at MRHP, a project which has been completed.

Also at MRHP, a grant of 168,420 has been awarded at appraisal stage for a bed capacity proposal, in line with the acute inpatient bed capacity expansion plan.

Hub 24 at St Fintans Hospital campus has been granted 196,490 at detailed design stage. The new build will provide both interim and long-term accommodation for the Integrated Care Programme for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease, alongside outreach services for older people.

Three projects each allocated 56,140 at appraisal stage are a new Community Mental Health Centre on Bridge Street, Portlaoise, replacing the existing Triogue facility; an extension to the health centre in Mountrath to deliver a Primary Care Centre, and a new High Support Community Residence at St Fintans Hospital.

The announcement was welcomed by government TDs from Laois, Willie Aird (FG) and Sean Fleming (FF), who described the funding as a major investment in local health services.

Deputy Aird said: The investments set out in the 2026 HSE capital plan shows our commitment to improve Laoiss health service facilities and ensure better access to care for our patients. Deputy Fleming said: The investment today will get many key projects that have been in the pipeline started and bring many others that have been worked on over the line.
22 FEBRUARY 2022 saw the outbreak of what would become the most devastating ground war in Europe since the end of World War 2.

Thousands of Russian troops flooded into Ukraine, supported by waves of devastating missile and drone strikes, which triggered an exodus of civilians, mostly women and children. As martial law restrictions barred most men from leaving, many of the women and children ended up seeking exile in Ireland.

The exodus of people settled across the length and breadth of the country, including Laois, where the Ukrainian group Laois ULSA was formed (Ukraine Laois Support Association).

"We were established in response to this displacement of Ukrainians, so we registered this group in county Laois, said the chairperson of the group Svitlana Lebedieva, a former tech-industry worker from the central-east city of Dnipro. "The name of this association is ULSA, which is the Ukrainian Laois Support Association, since we were established and registered in December 2023 and the purpose of that was supporting, advising and the assistance of Ukrainians, as well as to help them to integrate into the Laois community. The Laois ULSA group is involved in a plethora of community initiatives a Laois community choir, which is aimed at building bridges between cultures through artistic expression, singing in St Peter and Pauls church in Portlaoise at Sunday Masses  "which has also been a privilege for us to join," the young people are involved in a variety of Youth Work Ireland projects, they collaborate closely with the parish centre in Portlaoise where they arrange music lessons, sing for a local nursing home and, arguably the best way any group can involve themselves in their community, their active involvement in elections in Ireland.

And, of course, we were proud to take part in the local elections in 2024 and we informed Ukrainians about the registration process, helped them with the registration process, to fill out the forms  and we did that not because of obligation but because we wanted to be part of the community as well and we cared what would be going on after the elections and it would be a huge privilege for us."

Along with Svitlana, I am interviewing a former United Nations peacekeeper who served in Lebanon and Syria and legal advocate by profession, Peter McNamara. If that name sounds distinctly Irish to you, it's because he is, but for the retired soldier, his affinity with Ukraine and its people runs deep.

Peter has been married to a Ukrainian woman for seven years and lived with her in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut  now occupied by Russian forces following fierce Ukrainian resistance. I assist ULSA with advice regarding legal matters, documentation interaction with other governmental bodies and just assisting Lana in her administration of the integration of ULSA into local communities. Now I'm on pension, I'm retired and that's how I fell in love and I want to live the rest of my life in beautiful Ukraine."

While the organisation is multi-faceted, the core around which the groups community spirit revolves is music and, indeed, that is exactly what Svitlana says: The song is the soul of Ukrainians.

Peter also identifies with this cultural lynchpin and recalls how Ukrainian children are embroiled in a musical identity from a very young age and it is this affinity between Ukrainians and music  and especially children and music  that spurred the group and formed the bedrock of their key mission a to preserve Ukrainian culture and language for those children who are growing up now.

At the onset of invasion, there were about 100 Ukrainians  mostly women and children  who arrived in Laois and were eventually reaccommodated in the Town Hotel, Portlaoise.

"There were around 40 plus children at the time and, as you know with children, they did not understand why they were here and why they had to move from their own country and then there was the Christmas time" and so, to boost their spirits, Svitlanas mother Oksana, who was a musical director in Ukraine, decided to become involved in music lessons so that they could perform a show in the hotel before Christmas.

"The first performance had 15 children participating a 5-14 years old a dancing and learning some songs and they performed in the hotel, which was very good for them. After that success, the adult choir was established and, you know in Ukraine we say, the song is the soul of Ukrainians and through our music we can share that spirit and bring people together. Peter McNamara adds that "Lana and myself and the other committee members, we started this organisation to keep the strength in numbers and to ensure that while we have the music and activities of Malva and the bells and the arts and culture element and, of course, while we visit lots of places in Ireland to show the history of Ireland, part of integration, and that's why we endeavour to develop the child now that is here because one day the majority want to return back home to Ukraine, so it's an important part of our teaching. Maintaining Ukrainian culture of language, of music so that the child is never in fear of losing their identity."

For example, children who were four years old when they left Ukraine and arrived in Ireland have been living in a predominantly English-speaking country for almost four years now, nearly half their young lives; key years for a childs linguistic development.

Svitlana mentions that with some children, because they are so embroiled in English at school, if you speak to them in Ukraine, they will, naturally, reply to you in English, but that, thankfully, ULSA and its work acts as a strong bulwark against any language erosion.

However, along with picking up English while they are here, many of the children  being enrolled in Irish language primary and secondary schools  are picking up Irish, too. And so they are singing quite different types of songs. And we just honour our guys who are fighting in Ukraine because children do need to know that. And we sing Mo Ghile Mear, which is Irish a an Irish ballad which follows a man going off to war and his girlfriend or partner not being able to see him again, which is quite emotional for them. Both Svitlana and Peter are full of praise for the supports they have received and highlighted the following people: Nuala Kelly, director of the school of music; cllr Padraig Fleming, cathaoirleach Barry Walsh, Liam Ramsbottom, Laois Partnership Company, the parish centre, St Peter and Pauls church and the United Nations Company Post #27  in which Peter is involved. Particular praise was afforded to TD Sean Fleming, who invited the community  children included  on a tour of the Dail "and there we felt that we were supported by the government not only in words, but in facts and in action, said Peter.

"Inclusion is so loved by the Ukrainians," says Peter. When someone like that brings them up and invites them to the Dail, that sense of inclusion gives them great strength and support."

The community has undeniably faced challenges to life in Ireland, which Lana categorises into physical and psychological difficulties a the physical issues Lana identifies as broadly similar to issues many Irish people also face and they are accommodation, transport, language and jobs. If there is accommodation for someone out of town, for example, but there is no transport, the mother doesn't have a driving licence, children need to go to school. If they are living in Rathdowney and going to the school somewhere else, how can they get there? And to get a job, you must first learn the language. Not every employer  understandably  wants someone who is constantly using a translator," said Lana.

The psychological issues revolve around the uncertainty associated with the Temporary Protection Initiatives, the EU programme which granted Ukrainians asylum in the wake of the war. Once a year, the government announces whether or not the scheme will be renewed for the following year, which leaves many from the community confused about how to plan their lives in the medium and long term. "Sometimes, we do also meet aggressive people asking why we are here, saying that there are safe territories in Ukraine and we explain that we were quite happy at home, living our normal lives. We came here because we wanted to save our children and that is the most important thing."

Thankfully, those people are far and away the minor of exceptions, with Lana saying: " I have never met so grateful, so kind, so generous a people as the Irish really and we do appreciate everything you guys do for us. All your help. Physical. Psychological."
An extraordinary moment at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards has ignited an urgent global conversation about disability, race, media responsibility and public understanding of neurological conditions, turning a night of celebration into a catalyst for uncomfortable but necessary debate. What began as a glittering showcase of cinema at the Royal Festival Hall in London abruptly shifted tone when a single, shocking outburst on air forced viewers, broadcasters and industry figures alike to confront how we respond to words that are both deeply harmful and neurologically involuntary.

John Davidson, a Scottish campaigner whose life inspired the critically acclaimed film I Swear, was thrust into the centre of controversy when he involuntarily uttered a racial slur during Sunday night's ceremony while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. The exchange, rooted in symptoms of Tourette's syndrome, reverberated far beyond the Royal Festival Hall in London, sparking intense debate about representation, empathy and media practices.

A Sudden Outburst, A Broadcast Blunder And A Backlash

At the centre of the controversy was an involuntary vocal tic by Davidson, a recognised advocate for Tourette's syndrome awareness and the subject of the 2025 biographical film I Swear. During the presentation of the Best Visual Effects award, an N-word was audible from Davidson's seat as Jordan and Lindo stood onstage. Because the BAFTA ceremony was broadcast on a two-hour delay by the BBC, the offensive language was included in the televised programme and on BBC iPlayer before the footage was removed following swift public backlash.

Once the moment made it onto screens, criticism was vocal and widespread. Several prominent actors, including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce, publicly condemned the incident on social media, with Foxx describing the outburst as 'unacceptable' and Pierce calling for fuller apologies to the presenters rather than statements about intent or context.

BAFTA host Alan Cumming addressed the audience during the ceremony, highlighting that Davidson's outbursts stemmed from involuntary tics associated with Tourette's syndrome and that the audience had been informed of his condition beforehand. Nevertheless, many viewers at home did not receive that context before the offensive language aired.

Its infuriating that the first reaction wasnt complete and full throatted apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesnt matter the reasoning for the racist slur. https://t.co/oqFj9SdoST  Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) February 23, 2026

What Is Tourette's Syndrome, And Who Is John Davidson?

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder marked by sudden, repetitive motor and vocal tics, which in some cases can include coprolalia, the involuntary utterance of socially inappropriate words. Only a minority of people with Tourette's experience this form of vocal tic, and such outbursts are not deliberate expressions of personal views or intent.

John Davidson, now in his mid-50s, developed symptoms in his early teens and has spent decades advocating for awareness and understanding of Tourette's. He first drew public attention in the BBC documentary

What Is Tourette's Syndrome, And Who Is John Davidson?

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder marked by sudden, repetitive motor and vocal tics, which in some cases can include coprolalia, the involuntary utterance of socially inappropriate words. Only a minority of people with Tourette's experience this form of vocal tic, and such outbursts are not deliberate expressions of personal views or intent.

John Davidson, now in his mid-50s, developed symptoms in his early teens and has spent decades advocating for awareness and understanding of Tourette's. He first drew public attention in the BBC documentary John's Not Mad in 1989, which followed his life at a time when the condition was poorly understood. Later documentaries continued to revisit his story, and in 2019 he was awarded an MBE for his work raising awareness and support for those with the condition.

The 2025 film I Swear, directed by Kirk Jones and starring Robert Aramayo as Davidson, dramatises his journey from misunderstood youth to respected campaigner. The film garnered several BAFTA nominations, with Aramayo winning Best Actor and the EE Rising Star Award, and helped to bring global attention to both Davidson's life and the complexities of living with Tourette's.

In YouTube interviews at the I Swear London premiere, Davidson reflects on the surreal experience of seeing his life portrayed on the big screen and his decades of effort in educating the public about the realities of Tourette's.

in 1989, which followed his life at a time when the condition was poorly understood. Later documentaries continued to revisit his story, and in 2019, he was awarded an MBE for his work raising awareness and support for those with the condition.

The 2025 film I Swear, directed by Kirk Jones and starring Robert Aramayo as Davidson, dramatises his journey from misunderstood youth to respected campaigner. The film garnered several BAFTA nominations, with Aramayo winning Best Actor and the EE Rising Star Award, and helped to bring global attention to both Davidson's life and the complexities of living with Tourette's.

In YouTube interviews at the I Swear London premiere, Davidson reflects on the surreal experience of seeing his life portrayed on the big screen and his decades of effort in educating the public about the realities of Tourette's.

Media Responsibility, Editing Choices And Public Reaction

The BBC faced sharp criticism for its handling of the broadcast. Despite the broadcast's two-hour delay, which is typically used to edit out offensive content, the slur remained in the initial airing and on iPlayer until Monday morning, prompting a formal apology from the broadcaster. The BBC said it was sorry that the offensive language 'arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome' and acknowledged that it should not have been aired unedited.

Critics questioned why other controversial remarks, such as a 'Free Palestine' comment by a BAFTA winner, were successfully removed from broadcast, yet Davidson's outbursts were not. Some argued that this inconsistency highlighted flaws in editorial prioritisation and sensitivity training.

Beyond media criticism, the incident prompted a debate about public understanding of neurological conditions. Advocacy group Tourettes Action expressed empathy for the hurt caused by the slur, while reaffirming that tics are involuntary and not reflective of someone's character or beliefs. The charity emphasised that genuine understanding means acknowledging the neurological nature of Tourette's and making space for both education and compassion.

Some industry figures at the BAFTAs echoed this call for empathy. During his acceptance speeches, Aramayo spoke about the importance of understanding Tourette's and the wider message of I Swear in challenging misconceptions and stigma.

Yet others, including Lindo, remarked that BAFTA officials should have communicated directly with those affected, rather than allowing the controversy to spiral in public forums. Lindo said he wished someone from BAFTA had spoken to him and Jordan afterwards, underscoring the need for holistic support in such situations.

The Broader Implications

This controversy transcends the mechanics of live editing or awards ceremony protocol. It has raised fundamental questions about how society perceives disability, the nuances of involuntary neurological symptoms, and the responsibility of broadcasters to contextualise sensitive content.

For many living with Tourette's and other neurological conditions, the incident underscores the importance of public awareness and education. While Davidson's moment was involuntary and deeply rooted in his medical condition, its fallout illustrates how quickly public discourse can converge on misunderstanding, outrage, empathy and reflection, often all at once.

In the wake of the BAFTA controversy, the dialogue continues about how to balance transparency, sensitivity and representation in public media spaces, and how to foster understanding in a world where one person's involuntary tic can become a global headline.

John Davidson did not choose that moment. But in the weeks and months to come, his involuntary outburst may well become a catalyst for deeper societal understanding of some of the most misunderstood parts of the human brain.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The government of Switzerland froze more than $880 million in assets linked to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to prevent potentially illicit funds from leaving the country and preserve them for future legal proceedings.

According to AFP, the figure of 687 million Swiss francs (roughly $880 million) frozen under the new rules was disclosed by the Swiss Foreign Ministry in response to questions from reporters. This is the first time Swiss authorities have provided an overall valuation for assets blocked in connection with the regulation.

Swiss authorities moved swiftly after Nicolas Maduro's capture by U.S. forces in early January. On January 5, 2026, the Swiss Federal Council approved an ordinance to freeze any assets held in Switzerland by Maduro and politically exposed persons connected to him. The measure, issued under Switzerland's Federal Act on the Freezing and the Restitution of Illicit Assets Held by Foreign Politically Exposed Persons, took effect immediately and will remain in force for at least four years.

According to the Swiss government's press release, the freeze is intended as a precautionary step to stop potentially illicit assets from being moved out of Switzerland amid a highly volatile situation in Venezuela. Federal authorities said that if subsequent proceedings conclude that the funds were acquired illegally, Switzerland will work to ensure they are returned in a way that ultimately benefits the Venezuelan people.

The asset freeze does not target members of Venezuela's current government. Swiss officials clarified that the action focuses on individuals previously outside Swiss sanctions lists, including Maduro and 36 other people linked to him. They also pointed out that existing sanctions targeting Venezuela have been in place for years.

The country has imposed measures under its Embargo Act since 2018, aligned with European Union sanctions that included asset freezes and travel bans for Venezuelan officials in response to human rights concerns and alleged abuses of democratic procedures in Caracas. The new freeze expands on those earlier steps by specifically targeting Maduro and close associates under broader authority to block politically exposed persons' foreign assets.

For decades, Swiss banks have been a prime destination for international capital, including funds held by foreign leaders, wealthy investors, and politically exposed persons. Switzerland's 2015 Foreign Illicit Assets Act gives authorities legal tools to act if a foreign regime change or loss of power suggests an elevated risk that funds could be subject to future seizure or mutual legal assistance requests.

Nevertheless, Swiss government officials have not publicly detailed the composition of the frozen assets or offered evidence directly linking them to corruption or criminal misconduct. The freeze, they say, is designed to preserve the assets until courts or mutual assistance proceedings can investigate their origin.

Originally published on Latin Times
A former detainee's five-month confinement in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention offers a rare, unfiltered look inside a system where civil custody can feel indistinguishable from punishment, and where even basic human needs are routinely put at risk.

For nearly half a year, a man identified only as Financial_Sale9336 on Reddit was held by ICE after being arrested at his mailbox following a landlord dispute, spending time in two separate detention facilities while fighting for his immigration case. He lost his job, missed a semester of university, became homeless, and endured serious deterioration in his physical and mental health during confinement.

His is not an isolated experience. Detailed court filings, lawsuits, leaked videos, and testimony from former detainees paint a picture of conditions that frequently strain legal standards and public expectations of humane treatment in civil custody.

Inside The Walls: Daily Life, Deprivation And Control

According to the Reddit AMA, detainees were housed in units described as 'pods', with 10 to 35 people sharing space that included basic beds, bathroom facilities, a table and a television in the better-maintained centres. Yet those amenities stood in stark contrast to the conditions in many of the facilities where detainees are actually held, particularly when they are classified as criminal rather than civil detainees.

Food, according to the former detainee, was 'horrible' and just enough to 'keep you alive', with many forced to rely on commissary purchases that came with steep mark-ups. International calls to family members were possible but costly, at around $2 per minute, placing additional financial strain on individuals already stripped of their livelihoods.

Medical care inside detention was inconsistent. The detainee reported interruptions to his crucial Crohn's-disease medication and significant withdrawal from psychiatric prescriptions, exacerbating depression and anxiety. He said efforts to obtain proper treatment were routinely delayed or ignored.

These lived experiences echo findings from litigation and advocacy groups. Class-action lawsuits and filings around facilities such as 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan and ICE field offices in San Francisco describe cold, overcrowded cells with metal benches, no beds, and temperatures so low detainees likened conditions to a 'freezer'.

Legal complaints against ICE have highlighted how holding cells, often intended for short processing stays, are being used to detain people for days or weeks without proper oversight, legal access or basic sanitation.

Lawsuits, Leaked Footage And Judges Pushing Back

Legal battles have grown over these conditions. In one federal case, detainees at a Manhattan facility exposed by secret video footage were granted a temporary order by a judge to improve conditions, including provision of bedding, hygiene supplies, clean cells and timely attorney access.

A viral video from the Baltimore ICE facility showed dozens of detainees crowded into a bare cell without beds or showers, with at least one voice captured pleading in Spanish about not having washed in 10 days. Lawyers involved in a federal lawsuit labelled the conditions unconstitutional, arguing that facilities designed for brief processing were routinely being used as long-term holding sites.

Other cases across the U.S. embody similar grievances. Federal court filings in San Francisco allege freezing cells, lack of medical care, inadequate hygiene supplies and denial of legal access even when people attend immigration court hearings.

Judicial action has sometimes forced policy changes. In Long Island, after a judge accused ICE of lying in court and presiding over 'inhumane and unlawful' conditions, ICE agreed to limit detention times at a courthouse holding room to no more than 12 hours before transfer to other facilities.

A former ICE facility worker says detainees were left lying in feces, urine, and vomit at the Baltimore detention center, describing severe overcrowding and neglect. (WUSA9) pic.twitter.com/Jzpv648nED  WarMonitor (@TheWarMonitor) February 9, 2026

Systemic Failures And Human Fallout

Official ICE policy states that detention is designed to ensure presence at immigration proceedings and that facilities 'ensure the health, safety and well-being' of detainees. Yet independent standards such as the Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) and National Detention Standards vary by facility and often lack enforceability, leading to gaps in oversight.

Detention durations likewise reflect systemic issues. An August 2025 analysis found the average length of ICE custody to be about 50 days, with many individuals held for substantially longer, particularly those pursuing relief or challenging removal orders.

The human consequences of these policies extend beyond detainees' bodies and minds. Families are torn apart, education and careers are disrupted, and longstanding community ties are severed. In the Reddit account, the man's prolonged confinement led to him losing his home, job and accumulation of belongings, leaving him effectively starting over upon release.

Critics argue that the growth in ICE detention, especially under intensified enforcement operations, has overwhelmed a system not designed for such scale. Short-term holding facilities have increasingly become de facto long-term detention spaces, often without adequate safeguards, oversight or transparency.

A Hidden World With Far-Reaching Stakes

The opaque nature of immigration detention means firsthand accounts like this five-month detention story are rare and valuable. Despite government assertions of oversight and legal compliance, court filings, viral footage and lawsuits suggest a system struggling to meet its own stated standards and, in many cases, failing in basic duties of care.

For the thousands who move through the ICE detention system every year, the lived reality can be one of isolation, inadequate medical attention, uncertainty and profound personal loss. As critics and courts continue to press for reform, stories from inside these facilities provide a crucial window into a chapter of American enforcement that remains largely hidden from public view.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
After more than a decade embodying one of the most iconic figures in Spanish-language television, Rafael Amaya is preparing to return to the world that defined his career, but from a very different angle.

Amaya, best known for his 11-year run as Aurelio Casillas in El Senor de los Cielos, is set to star in and executive produce a scripted bilingual series in development centered on Emma Coronel, the wife of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, reported Deadline. The project will explore Guzman's story from Coronel's perspective, focusing on her life alongside one of the most notorious drug traffickers in modern history.

The series, which is currently searching for a writer, is being developed with Coronel herself attached as an executive producer, alongside Amaya and his producing partner Martiza Ramos through Amaya Productions. Zero Gravity Management is also producing. The involvement of Coronel marks a notable shift from previous dramatizations, placing the narrative lens on the emotional and personal cost of life inside the Sinaloa Cartel's inner circle.

For Amaya, the project represents both continuity, evolution and also the embrace to the genre of the so called "narcoseries", which have propelled his career, but also threatened his life. From 2013 to 2024, he headlined El Senor de los Cielos, portraying Casillas, a fictional drug lord inspired loosely by real-world traffickers. Over 11 seasons, the series became one of Telemundo's most successful franchises and helped define a generation of narco-dramas.

He has announced his return to the franchise for a new season.

El Chapo's story fictionalized on TV

Within that universe, the show also introduced characters clearly modeled after El Chapo. Early seasons featured El Chema, a capo played first by Mauricio Ochmann and later by Alberto Guerra (Griselda,) a thinly veiled fictionalization that reflected Guzman's rise. Later iterations reworked the archetype as the series evolved, mirroring shifts in real-world cartel dynamics.

Amaya also appeared in La Reina del Sur, the pioneer of the genre, where he played El Guero, a role that further cemented his association with narco-driven storytelling in Latin American television.

Univision has explored the El Chapo story more directly. The network produced El Chapo, starring Marco de la O as Guzman. That series focused on the drug lord's ascent, capture, escapes, and eventual extradition, offering a more traditional crime-drama structure rooted in law enforcement and cartel rivalries.

El Chapo's wife

The new project involving Amaya and Coronel appears poised to diverge from that formula. Rather than centering on operations or power struggles, the series will examine the personal consequences of Guzman's criminal life through the eyes of the woman who remained publicly loyal to him until his conviction in U.S. federal court in 2019. Guzman is currently serving a life sentence plus 30 years.

Amaya's participation adds an additional layer of significance. After spending more than a decade portraying fictionalized cartel power, he is now stepping into a project tied directly to real figures, with one of them helping shape the narrative from within.

The series remains in early development, but its premise alone places it among the most closely watched upcoming projects in the narco-drama space, signaling that the genre continues to evolve, shifting away from glorification and toward introspection, accountability, and the human cost of organized crime.

Originally published on Latin Times
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country is "calm and peaceful" after the killing of Nemesio Oceguera Cervantes, Known as El Mencho and leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion.

"What's most important is that we are working," Sheinbaum added, noting that federal and state forces are working in coordination following backlash from cartel operatives, which included road blocks and different violent acts across the country.

Sheinbaum went on to say that all major roads in the country are clear and authorities will swiftly respond to any incident.

According to official figures presented by Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch and Defense Secretary Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, almost 60 people were killed and about 20 injured in multiple Mexican states following the military operation that resulted in the death of El Mencho.

Harfuch said authorities recorded 27 attacks against security forces in Jalisco after the operation. He reported that 25 National Guard members, one prison guard and one state prosecutor's office official were killed in those incidents, along with one civilian. Thirty suspected members of organized crime were also killed during related confrontations, he said.

Trevilla detailed casualties from the operation itself, saying three soldiers were killed in direct clashes in a wooded area of Jalisco and three more died from injuries while being airlifted to a hospital. He said troops also killed eight suspected gunmen, detained two people and seized weapons including seven long guns and two rocket launchers of Russian origin.

Elsewhere in the conference, the general said that forces managed to find El Mencho after tracking down a lover of his. Once the person left the premise, officers confirmed that El Mencho stayed there. Forces then moved on to detain him, engaging in a shootout with cartel operatives there.

Trevilla Trejo noted that that El Mencho tried to escape while leaving a group of operatives behind to slow down government forces. He made it to a nearby wood, but forces pinned him down and wounded him. El Mencho was taken to a helicopter heading to Mexico City, but he died on the way.

Originally published on Latin Times
A joint operation involving U.S. and Mexican forces in the town of Tapalpa, Jalisco, ended with the capture and killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).

After news of the operation broke, several areas of Jalisco descended into chaos as alleged members of the Jalisco cartel set fire to businesses, blocked highways and caused damage in apparent retaliation for the death of their leader.

Similar to what has happened in Culiacan, Sinaloa, when Mexican authorities captured key members of the Sinaloa cartel, an expert warned that the violence unleashed by organized crime in Jalisco is only a glimpse of the broader consequences stemming from the operation to capture El Mencho.

According to security consultant and analyst Eduardo Guerrero, the cartel leader's death was a significant blow that will likely trigger widespread fragmentation within the CJNG. He warned that the Mexican government will now face what he described as "a wounded beast."

"Without a doubt, this is an event of enormous significance. We are talking about the death of the leader of Mexico's largest criminal organization. A cartel that, since its birth about 10 years ago, has done nothing but expand in a highly aggressive and highly effective manner," Guerrero told Mexican outlet Letras Libres.

"Precisely because of the enormous size of this organization, the probability of fragmentation is very high. What remains to be seen is how many people from El Mencho's inner circle were arrested. If authorities only detained him and his close leadership circle remains intact, the fragmentation would be more limited. It is very likely there will be collaboration and coordination among them to defend the cartel's survival and guarantee a minimum level of unity," he added.

When asked about the consequences of an operation of this magnitude, Guerrero said he hopes the Mexican government has a post-arrest strategy in place, as that will determine how authorities respond to reprisals by the CJNG.

"I hope that in the coming days we see arrests of regional leaders. While it is true that the CJNG has a presence throughout the country, its level of control and influence varies significantly across the national territory. There are places such as the state of Jalisco where not even a leaf moves without the cartel knowing about it," Guerrero said, pointing to the cartel's control over local and state law enforcement, the courts and even parts of the business sector.

"The restructuring that will take place within the cartel, the uncertainty, and the fears among regional leaders that they could lose their areas of influence will generate enormous internal tension, which serves as a trigger for more violence," the expert added.

Guerrero said one important factor to consider is the role of the United States in the operation, which for years had been "obsessed with El Mencho's capture."

He pointed to a statement issued weeks ago by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs in which the U.S. government rejected the gradualist strategy of President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration and called for more forceful blows against organized crime in Mexico.

"That statement was issued at the same time as other conciliatory messages following a meeting between Marco Rubio and Mexico's foreign minister. That's when it became clear to me that, beyond diplomatic courtesies, security in Mexico was a priority for them  and that they were pushing for a shift toward a much more aggressive strategy. This pressure and demand from the United States for more drastic, more forceful actions with short-term results is a key element we must consider in explaining this action by the Mexican government," Guerrero said.

Mexico's top security official, Omar Garcia Harfuch, said the operation triggered reprisals by the cartel in 11 states, including highway blockades. Harfuch said that in Jalisco, six attacks were reported, resulting in the deaths of 25 National Guard members, one official from the Jalisco state prosecutor's office, one woman and 30 alleged criminals.

Originally published on Latin Times
Mexican authorities seized rocket launchers as part of their Sunday operation against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

The Sunday raids claimed the life of CJNG leader Ruben "Nemesio" Oseguera Cervantes and resulted in widespread violence, Fox News reported.

According to the network, the firepower of the CJNG has been a concern for Mexican authorities since a military helicopter was downed in 2015 rocket-propelled grenades.

NBC News detailed that the killing of El Mencho provoked a violent reaction from CJNG throughout Mexico, with cartel operatives torching cars to block roads. The network reported that authorities worked to clear some 250 such flaming roadblocks across 20 different states.

Among the other military-style equipment seized in the raids were armored vehicles and what Fox News described as heavy weapons. The raid was far from being a standard police operation, with Fox News noting that Mexican Special Forces participated with the Mexican Air Force providing support.

A Mexican general detailed that forces managed to find and kill the drug lord after tracking down a lover of his.

Speaking during President Claudia Sheinbaum's daily press conference, General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo detailed the operation that led to El Mencho's killing.

He said that military intelligence managed to locate a man close to one of El Mencho's lovers, allowing them to determine his location. Once the person left the premise, officers confirmed that El Mencho stayed there. Forces then moved on to detain him, engaging in a shootout with cartel operatives there.

Trevilla Trejo noted that that El Mencho tried to escape while leaving a group of operatives behind to slow down government forces. He made it to a nearby wood, but forces pinned him down and wounded him. El Mencho was taken to a helicopter heading to Mexico City, but he died on the way.

The strike was part of an operation in the mountains of Jalisco and was framed as a major security success for President Claudia Sheinbaum's government.

Originally published on Latin Times
The death of one of the world's most wanted fugitives has left authorities, cartel watchers, and potential informants with a pressing question: what becomes of the $15 million reward once offered for the capture of El Mencho?

Mexican security forces confirmed that El Mencho, the elusive leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco on 22 February 2026, after being critically wounded and later dying in transit to a medical facility. The United States had been offering up to US $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

El Mencho's death marks a turning point in Mexico's decades-long battle against cartel violence, but it also raises complex legal and procedural questions about how bounty programs work when the target is no longer alive.

How the U.S. Reward System Works

The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program, which had listed El Mencho among its most wanted, typically ties payouts to information that leads to the arrest or conviction of a target. That wording leaves room for interpretation when the target is killed instead of captured.

Experts say that the government has kept the wording intentionally flexible so agencies can honor contributions from informants whose intelligence directly contributed to operational success, even if the fugitive was not taken alive. In high-profile international cases, the U.S. government has in the past honored claims where actionable intelligence led to locating a fugitive's hideout, planning a raid or otherwise facilitating authorities' ability to engage.

That precedent suggests that if a credible source can prove they provided information that directly enabled authorities to find El Mencho's location or vulnerability, they might still qualify for a reward claim, even though he was killed rather than arrested. This would not be a routine administrative payment: claims are vetted carefully, must be thoroughly documented, and ultimately require approval from senior officials within U.S. federal agencies.

Who Could Potentially Claim the Reward

In bounty programs of this scale, potential claimants generally fall into a few categories:

Private informants or collaborators: individuals with previously unknown, actionable intelligence that leads law enforcement to a fugitive's location or movements.

Law enforcement partners: authorized agencies or officials who pass actionable data through official channels.

Family members or associates of a fugitive are usually not eligible unless they can demonstrate they independently provided critical and verifiable intelligence through proper legal channels. Claims require detailed documentation showing the information was shared before authorities located the target and materially contributed to that outcome.

Closure of the Reward Posting

Once a reward target is no longer at large, whether arrested, convicted, or deceased, the posting is typically closed. That means the period during which new claims can be filed will end, and federal authorities will transition to reviewing any pending claims. Any person or entity with a potential claim will have a limited window to submit evidence and documentation.

In past cases, claims that arrive after an official posting is closed are usually not considered unless special circumstances exist. For example, if valuable intelligence came to light only shortly before a breakthrough led to an operation.

Originally published on Latin Times
Adult content creator Bonnie Blue has claimed she is pregnant just weeks after a widely reported unprotected sexual event involving around 400 men in a single day in the UK.

The claim rests on her own video and a circulating scan clip, with no public confirmation from a medical provider, as it travelled fast online, dragging public health and ethics into the same feed.

In the video, she described symptoms including nausea, intense headaches and unusual food aversions, leading her to take a pregnancy test that she said showed a positive result. She then shared footage she said was from an ultrasound appointment in London, where a technician confirmed the pregnancy.

The 400-participant event, which took place on 7 February 2026 at a private residence in the UK, was organised by Blue's team and billed by them as an attempt to set a new record for the most sexual partners in a single day.

Medical Confirmation and Personal Account

In her announcement video on 22 February 2026, Blue said she became 'a little bit nervous' before taking a pregnancy test after several days of physical discomfort. She then held up the result to the camera, saying it indicated pregnancy, and sought a medical scan to confirm it. A clip circulating online, purportedly from the scan, shows a medical professional identifying what Blue interprets as her embryo.

The Economic Times report similarly notes that Blue's conception timeline, as suggested by the ultrasound, corresponds to the period immediately following the 400-participant event. Blue's statements in the video and accompanying footage are the only publicly available first-person sources asserting the pregnancy.

Blue's pregnancy announcement follows a history of controversial content and publicity stunts that have drawn both large audiences and strong criticism. In early 2025, she claimed she had slept with more than 1,000 men within 12 hours in another widely circulated event. That claim itself generated extensive online discussion and scepticism about the logistics and veracity of such feats.

Public Reaction and Ethical Debate

The response to Blue's pregnancy news has been polarised. On social media, many commentators have voiced serious concerns about the welfare of the unborn child, questioning the conditions leading to its conception and the potential for use of the child's birth for further content creation. Others have expressed support for Blue's autonomy and personal decisions.

Adult content creator Bonnie Blue revealed she was caught off guard discovering she is pregnant, after having had unprotected sex with about 400 men  pic.twitter.com/KQPrWfPHyk  My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) February 23, 2026

Critics have said that the event exemplifies the broader issue of 'competitive sex' challenges driven by social media attention rather than health or well-being.

Health Implications

The event and subsequent announcement have sparked a fierce debate regarding sexual health and digital ethics. Observers have warned that encouraging unprotected sexual activity on such a scale disregards established sexual health guidance, including the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and careful consideration of reproductive risks.

Concern Detail STI Risks While Blue's team claims participants were 'cleared', medical professionals warn that self-reported testing is not a substitute for clinical barrier protection. Child Welfare Commentators have voiced concerns about the 'content-isation' of a child's conception and potential upbringing. Digital Influence Observers warn that such 'competitive sex' challenges encourage high-risk behaviour for social media engagement.

The extent of STD testing prior to the event, as reported by Blue's team, does not substitute for comprehensive preventative measures like barrier protection or professional health oversight.

Fertility History and Personal Context

Blue's announcement also ties into her previous public commentary on fertility. In June 2025, in an interview with Us Weekly, she spoke about her struggles to conceive with a former partner and her belief at that time that she was unlikely to fall pregnant naturally. She said she would have needed in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) to conceive.

The juxtaposition of her earlier statements about infertility with the current pregnancy claim is part of what has driven intense public scepticism. Analysts in reproductive medicine emphasise that spontaneous conception remains possible even after difficulties, particularly when hormonal and physiological factors change, but also stress that a single individual's account cannot replace clinical assessment.

Blue's audience reach and business model are rooted in digital platforms, including subscription-based content sites.

Platforms hosting user-generated content have varied policies about sexually explicit material and safety warnings. There has been no public statement from major platform operators regarding Blue's specific videos or pregnancy announcement.

Blue's public announcement of pregnancy after a self-reported involvement with hundreds of sexual partners has ignited debates about sexual health and digital culture. Whether the pregnancy will progress without complications and how Blue and those around her will navigate the medical, social, and legal implications remains an unfolding story.

No Official Response

The Department of Health and Social Care and major platforms hosting Blue's content have not issued formal statements. However, social media moderators have intensified scrutiny on her videos under 'safety and well-being' guidelines.

The practical next step is straightforward. Independent confirmation from a named medical provider, or documentation shown with identifying details removed.

The timeline suggests that if the pregnancy is viable, the due date would fall in November 2026.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Guthrie, the mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on 1 February. A ransom demand of $6 millionwas subsequently issued, with a deadline of 9 February, according to US media reports, focusing attention on how investigators and the family handle any contact with the alleged kidnappers.

Proof Of Life Central To Nancy Guthrie Inquiry

Dan Donovan, founder and managing partner of US security consultancy Stratoscope Holdings, said proof of life was a basic requirement in kidnap-for-ransom cases.

'Ransom is often not paid without proof of life because paying without verification risks funding a crime with no chance of recovery,' he told RadarOnline. Proof of life, he added, both confirms the victim's status and demonstrates that the abductors retain control.

Retired FBI agent Scott Curtis, who has been commenting on the case in US media, echoed that view and said he believed Guthrie's family had not yet received such evidence.

'I believe they haven't received proof of life,' he said. 'You're not going to make a ransom payment unless you have proof of life.'

Curtis said he had urged caution for the family, which includes Savannah Guthrie, her sister Annie and brother Camron, about moving forward without confirmation of Nancy Guthrie's condition.

US broadcasters have reported that the FBI is running a 24-hour command post as the search enters its fourth week. Federal authorities have not publicly commented on any ransom demand or on whether there has been direct contact with the kidnappers.

Nancy Guthrie Case Complicated By AI Concerns

Curtis said advances in artificial intelligence were making it more difficult for families and investigators to rely on images alone.

'There still could be some doubt in that proof of life, especially in this AI-generated world we're living in now,' he said, suggesting that any verification would need to be robust.

He argued that credible proof of life in the Guthrie case would likely require a video with audio, a definitive date stamp and details that would be hard to fabricate digitally.

Former CIA officer and FBI special agent Tracey Walder said the decision on whether to pay any ransom ultimately lay with the family, while noting that they may not have been given any visual evidence at all.

'I don't think they ever received a picture or anything like that,' Walder told US outlets, adding of the family's dilemma: 'We don't know what we would do in that situation.'

US law enforcement agencies generally advise against paying ransoms, warning that it can embolden criminal groups and offers no guarantee of a hostage's safe return. There is no indication the Guthrie family has agreed to any payment.

Doorbell Footage Shows Masked Suspect

On 10 February, the FBI released footage from a doorbell camera at Guthrie's Tucson home. The video shows a masked individual outside the property, apparently armed with a gun and carrying a backpack. The person, wearing gloves, appears to try to block the camera's view.

Later that day, a man from the nearby town of Rio Rico was taken into custody for questioning. He has since been released and has denied any involvement. Authorities say the investigation remains active and they are pursuing further leads.

The FBI has not named any suspects or announced any charges in connection with the abduction.

Savannah Guthrie has used social media to appeal for information, posting a photograph of her mother alongside a plea to the public.

'We believe she is still alive. Bring her home,' she wrote on Instagram, urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

US media have reported claims from a private investigator that a Mexican drug cartel may have been involved in what he described as a 'money-making' scheme, but federal authorities have not confirmed any cartel link.

Investigators continue to seek information from residents in and around Tucson and Rio Rico as the search for Nancy Guthrie extends beyond three weeks.
Long before Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes "El Mencho" became a household name tied to cartel violence and international manhunts, his reputation was already circulating through a different channel: music.

Oseguera was killed on Sunday, February 22, in a operation occurred in the western state of Jalisco and followed by roadblocks and burning vehicles, a tactic frequently used by cartels to slow security forces. The strike was part of an operation in the mountains of Jalisco and was framed as a major security success for President Claudia Sheinbaum's government.

El Mencho rose from local criminal networks into the top tier of Mexico's underworld, becoming the face of CJNG's rapid expansion. The cartel emerged after fractures in earlier organizations, and over time built a reputation for combining sophisticated trafficking with aggressive territorial violence, as well as diversification into other illicit businesses.

Narcocorridos and narcoballads have long functioned as an unofficial archive of Mexico's underworld, documenting figures not through court records but through rhythm, bravado, and coded language. In the case of El Mencho, artists often avoided direct naming, opting instead for nicknames, initials, geographic markers, or symbolic references tied to the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). Some mention him as Nemesio, his first name, El senor de los gallos, one of his nicknames, or el M. Others, like "El presidente".

Here are 10 songs that either explicitly mention El Mencho or are widely recognized as referencing him or the CJNG era,

1. El Senor de los Gallos  Los Alegres del Barranco

2. El tio de Jalisco  Luis R. Conriquez

3. Nemesio  Luis R. Conriquez

4. El Senor de los Gallos Enigma Norteno

5. Soy Mencho  Lenin Ramirez

6. El M  Gerardo Ortiz

7. Doble R  Los dos carnales

8. Estrategia de Escape  El Komander

9. GTA  Luis R Conriquez, Jasiel Nunez

10. Presidente -Natanael Cano, Gabito Ballesteros

Unlike traditional biographies, narcocorridos operate without footnotes or fact-checking. Their goal is not accuracy but impact. For El Mencho, music amplified fear, projected reach, and reinforced the CJNG brand far beyond Mexico.

Cultural researchers note that these songs often spread faster than official information, shaping public perception even in regions untouched by cartel violence.

Mexican authorities have repeatedly criticized narcocorridos for normalizing violence. Several states have banned public performances of songs referencing cartel figures, including El Mencho. Yet despite restrictions, the music persists online, where streaming algorithms and viral sharing keep these tracks alive.

With El Mencho now dead, these songs remain as cultural artifacts, echoes of how organized crime embeds itself into popular culture. They document not just one man, but an era when music, fear, and power converged.

Originally published on Latin Times
A Ballyroan midwife has launched a new business which provides a wide range of holistic and innovative services to support women in Laois through pregnancy, labour and postpartum.

Helen O'Brien began her career in healthcare over 20 years ago and now she is determined to offer more avenues of support for women and families in Laois as they go through one of life's most momentous experiences.

Helen launched Midwife For You in recent months after she noticed a gap in non-hospital based maternity services in Laois.

Midwife For You is based in Ballyhyland, where Helen currently resides, and offers a wide range of services to empower parents as they begin their journey to parenthood.

Helen O'Brien pictured with her infant massage setup.

The business offers infant, antenatal, and postnatal massages, maternity night care, sensory classes for babies, as well as a Whatsapp group which provides guidance for new and expectant parents.

Speaking to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, Helen said it was frustrating to see a lack of such maternity hubs in Laois and the wider region of the Midlands.

"If you were to look up different midwifery services, there's just nothing external from hospital based services. That's not to say I'm still very linked in with the hospital, midwives and colleagues."

She said these types of services are typically available in Dublin and larger cities, and they are long overdue in the Midlands.

"I thought that needs to come down to Laois. It needs to come to the Midlands and out of the city. It needs to come to the country folk."

Midwife For You's Ballyhyland premises.

Helen began working in the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise in 2000 when she was just 18-years-old. She started out as a multitask attendant working weekends before training to become a healthcare assistant in 2006 which was a step further into patient care.

The Ballyroan native said "there's not a corner of the hospital that I haven't seen." It was this experience in healthcare which attracted her to studying midwifery.

"I just remember one of the midwives saying to me when I was a healthcare assistant on maternity, that you're not dealing with sick patients. When you're a midwife, they're not sick, they're pregnant," Helen explained.

Helen's decision to go down the route of midwifery was also influenced by her own experiences as a mother. As well as a businesswoman and midwife, Helen also has her hands full with her three children aged 14, 12 and 8.

"I had two babies before I'd done my training. So they were quite small when I went in. But you know what, it was brilliant. They'd say 'oh mammy's going to school as well!' I did push myself to the limits as my last baby was actually in the middle of my training so I took a year out when she was born."

Helen laughed: "You're just kind of in the thick of it and you get on with it."

The midwife-turned-entrepreneur started studying midwifery in UCD in 2015. After she completed her training in 2020, she returned to the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Not shy from a challenge, Helen launched Midwife For You in recent months and she plans on adding even more services in the future.

Helen is also setting up a new parent and toddler group with Cuidiu in Ballyroan Community Hall starting in March.

Cuidiu is a parent-to-parent voluntary group which offers support to parents across the country. Helen said she and a group of other women aim to re-establish a Cuidiu branch for Laois and Athy as Covid restrictions led to the end of the group's meetings.

READ NEXT: 'Exceptional' teamwork in Laois at Portlaoise hotel rewarded

The new parent and toddler group is suitable for babies and toddlers up to 3-years-old.

Helen said: "Its just a relaxed space to chat, play, and connect over tea. No booking is required just drop in." The first meeting will be held on Friday, March 6 from 9.30am to 11am.
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People in Laois have been warned not to underestimate their dogs when it comes to attacking sheep this lambing season.

Local councillors have called on dog owners to take responsibility for their dogs and ensure they are under control at all times, regardless of their breed or personality.

Councillor Vivienne Phelan urged local dog owners to ensure their dogs are under effective control particularly in advance of lambing season at a meeting of Laois County Council on Monday, February 23.

The Fine Gael councillor and vet argued that dog attacks are a source of anxiety for many farming families in Laois, resulting in the injury or death of sheep as well as the financial and emotional fallout for farmers.

Cllr Phelan raised the issue following a recent conversation with a local farmer about his experience of a devastating dog attack on his farm.

"A lot of his sheep were ripped apart. The same incident happened 12 years previously and even as he was telling me that story tears were in his eyes over what happened. Not only were the sheep lost, but the health of the remaining flock was seriously impacted," Cllr Phelan said.

She emphasised that as a vet she understands how a lot of people underestimate their dog's ability to do harm.

The breed and personality of a dog does not matter when it comes to animal attacks, Cllr Phelan argued.

"Just because a dog is friendly, playful, good with the family and in at the fire at night time, that doesn't mean that they're not capable inflicting serious injuries on sheep once the instinct sets in.

"I'm asking all dog owners, whether they have a Jack Russell or an Irish Wolfhound, to take these risks seriously and to ensure that their dogs are kept under control at all times but particularly now during lambing season when flocks are more vulnerable."

Cllr John King supported Cllr Phelan's motion, saying: "The damage and suffering to sheep is absolutely cruel. Dogs are animals at the end of the day. Dog owners have to be fully responsible."

Having had much experience of dog attacks on his own farm, Cllr Ollie Clooney also backed Cllr Phelan.

"I have the experience of it over the years, around 10 or 12 times. The stress it brings on to you and the sheep is unbelievable. No one can really appreciate it. It's an unquantifiable loss."

The councillor said a dog attack was the last thing a farmer wants and when it happens "you'd want to give up."

Laois County Council have recently began an awareness campaign surrounding such dog attacks. The council have advised all dog owners to ensure their dogs cannot escape their homes or roam freely and to keep them on a lead near livestock.

They have also reminded people that dog owners are liable for damages from a dog attack or livestock worrying incident.

READ MORE: Laois IFA Chair recalls 26 of his sheep drowning as dog owners urged to act responsibly this lambing season

Ahead of this year's lambing season, the Chairman of Laois Irish Farmers Association, Henry Burns, recalled his own experience of losing 26 sheep in just one night from a dog attack.

Burns appealed to dog owners to know their responsibilities and help protect vulnerable sheep from such damaging attacks.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Drones over Portlaoise need to be regulated, as they can be used "for good or evil" a Laois councillor says.

The Laois county town has a no-fly zone over Portlaoise Prison Campus, but drones are "all we hear about" says Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Buggy.

The Portlaoise Municipal District representative is now asking the Irish Aviation Authority to give clear rules surrounding the use of unmanned aircraft systems or drones, to deliver goods in Portlaoise.

He set out his reasons, when tabling a motion with the request to the district's February meeting.

"Technology is advancing at a fast rate. Only a few years ago drones didn't exist. Now they are all we hear about, delivering drugs, taking pictures of monuments, to check damage to infrastructure, they are used in war zones to deliver bombs and carry out surveillance, as light displays instead of fireworks. Drones make deliveries to people's homes. Drones capable of carrying a person and possibly replacing cars in the not too distant future. They can be used for good or evil.

Read next: Goats belonging to Laois council tenants 'trespassing' on land

"European prime ministers have expressed concerns at the lack of anti-drone technology. Clear guidelines are needed to ensure their appropriate use.

"Portlaoise has become a city in all but name, with a large population that are embracing modern technology. There are huge levels of traffic which can delay deliveries of food for example.

"It is illegal to fly drones over or into prisons. We have a terrific hospital and drones could be used to deliver defibrillators to any part of Portlaoise in three minutes or less, they could be the difference to saving a life.

Read next: Chance for more parking spaces at busy St Mary's Hall in Portlaoise

"My aim is to flag with authorities in Dublin that there needs to be clear guidelines in towns with populations like Portlaoise, which ensures that their use in deliveries is respectful of people's privacy," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion.

"I have no knowledge on this but I'll be interested to see the reply on the rules," he said.

Laois County Council are issuing the letter.
Work will start a little later than anticipated on two new roundabouts in Portlaoise but the period of major disruption expected has not been foreshortened according to amended public notices from Laois County Council.

And, with just a week to the new start date, officials at County Hall in Portlaoise have published details of the work that will cause months of disruption on the route that serves prisons, hospitals, schools, a fire station, businesses and thousands of homes in the county town.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live previously reported that work was due to begin on February 26 on the construction of roundabouts at the Colliers Lane junction with the Dublin Road and the Rath Rua junction with the road. However, the council's amended road signs say the project will not now begin until Tuesday, March 3.

Some preparatory work has been carried out with the removal of trees at the Rath Rua junction near the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Laois County Councillors were briefed on the project on Monday, February 24, where they were also given sight of the roundabout plans. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

In his monthly written report to councillors, Michael Rainey, CEO, said the new three-arm raised roundabout will be constructed to replace the T-junction entrance to the new Rath Rua housing estate built by Glenveagh.

READ ALSO: Details revealed of multi-million euro road in Portlaoise planned by Laois council

The council says the roundabout is being constructed in accordance with planning conditions attached to the development of some 200 homes near the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

As for Colliers Lane, the council says a new four-arm raised roundabout will be constructed to replace the existing roundabout, which it says is at capacity. The roundabout will also serve the new Downey's filling station.

The council anticipates the work will take 16 weeks, meaning the completion date is June 23.
Portlaoise Comhaltas and the Buggy School of Dancing gathered for a great night of trad and dance at Kavanagh's pub.

For more pictures from Denis Byrne, click NEXT or ARROW. More on the story below.

Portlaoise Comhaltas are teaming up with the Buggy School of Dancing to travel to Williamson County in Tennessee this St Patrick's Day.

Portlaoise is one of nine Comhaltas branches catering for young and old who wish to learn and enjoy traditional music. The branch says that partnering with the Buggy school of Irish dancing in recent years, it has come to prominence at national level building on decades of voluntary effort by enthusiasts proving the seanfhocal.

The group will travel to Nashville and Bellmont University, through a sister county project between Williamson County and Laois County Council.

The Laois cohort are aiming to raise costs to support the travel fares.

Portlaoise Comhaltas branch PRO, Mr PJ Phelan, thanked those who have donated for their generosity.

"We were delighted to receive funding from local councillors, and donations from businesses around Portlaoise," Mr Phelan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"It has been great to have the backing of the community on this venture, with local businesses holding raffles and donating money. Family and friends have also been so giving, it has been brilliant and we are very thankful," he said.

Eleven comhaltas members and dancers will travel with Mr Phelan and Ms Shirley Cahill for the trip on March 8.

"We will perfom at Bellmont University for a collaboration with their musicians, and we will be doing some workshops with fantastic bluegrass bands over there. The university has a dancing school we are very excited to link up with, and we will partake in their St Patrick's Day parade on March 14," Mr Phelan finished.

Those who wish to support the group's fundraiser can do so by contacting Portlaoise Comhaltas branch.
USE THE ARROWS ABOVE OR NEXT BUTTON BELOW TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM THE FUNERAL

The funeral of slain Kerry farmer Michael Gaine took place in Kenmare, Co Kerry, last summer, three months after the popular farmer's disappearance.

Michael Gaine was reported missing on March 20, 2025, with his remains found on his land and in a slurry tank on his farm almost two months later on May 16, 2025.

Gardai continue to probe the death of Michael Gaine and are treating the case as a homicide. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, gardai confirmed a man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the investigation. He is currently detained at a Garda Station in Kerry Garda Division.

The investigation led by Serious Crime Unit Kerry Division has been and continues to be supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).

An Garda Siochana through family liaison officers continue to liaise with and support the family of Micheal Gaine.

ABOVE: Michael Gaine's wife Janice at his funeral mass in Kenmare in June 2025 PIC: Niall Carson/PA Wire

On Saturday, June 7, family and friends, including his wife Janice, attended his funeral mass at Holy Cross Church, Kenmare.

The celebrant for this Mass was Father George Hayes, Parish Priest of Kenmare, who was joined by Father Sean Murphy, Assistant Priest, Kenmare.

READ NEXT: Unusual detail at Michael Gaine's funeral amid tears as murder suspect stays away

Prior to the funeral mass, Michael's cousin Eoghan Clarke delivered his eulogy. Symbols of Michael's life were presented at the altar where his coffin was adorned with a portrait photograph of the popular farmer who was also a rallying enthusiast. The mementos presented included a photograph of Michael on his quad with his beloved dog Ted, a photograph of his parents, a photo of Michael and Janice at a wedding, a CD representing his love of music.

Speaking in his eulogy, Michael's cousin described him as "proud man" known for his work, "ethic, personality, humour and kindness."

He said he was "brave, fearless and strong" but had a softer affectionate side and "saw the good in everyone."

Mr Clarke said he had "time for everyone" and would always help those who needed it. He quoted one of Michael's friends who said, "I will always remember the way you offered help before I ever even needed it."

Eoghan said: "By virtue of his incredible character, he attracted a lot of good people in his life. My own friends describe Mike has someone who instantly gelled with them. He made them feel at ease immediately and he showed a genuine interest in them."

ABOVE: Michael Gaine's wife Janice arrives at his funeral mass in Kenmae PIC: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The eulogy continued: "He had a photographic memory for faces, for places, for facts and for words. Personally, this was always one of the most fascinating things to me about Michael. It was his ability to put in a full day's shift on the farm and then chat about politics, world events or economic developments while being fully up to speed on all of them."

Eoghan revealed how Michael met his wife Janice in the Riversdale one fateful New Year's Eve. She had come from Jakarta to visit her parents in Kerry for Christmas. The pair kept in touch as Janice went on her travels again.

"For the next few years, Michael kept Telecom Eireann in business feeding coins into one of the payphones in Kenmare just to speak to Janice in Indonesia, and then in Taiwan where he went to visit her. And the rest is history and from the outside looking in, Michael and Janice had a truly beautiful relationship. It always struck me how loving Michael was with Janice and how they both spent not just time, but quality time, together," Eoghan said.

He added: "Janice and Michaels sisters will know better than anyone that Michael had a soft, caring side. In Janices own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving. Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong. He was strong mentally and, as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically too!"

READ NEXT: Gardai confirm human remains as Michael Gaine amid major investigation update

The mass was told Michael loved all animals, particularly sheep dogs, sheep and lambs. Eoghan said: "And of course, I have to mention Teddy (or Ted - Michael and Janices Cavalier dog. Michael and Janice loved Ted dearly. Ted would come to Dublin with Michael as he dropped Janice to the airport. Ted would sit in the front seat of the Rav while you were in the back, and you wouldnt dare to suggest to swap places with Ted!

"Michael would proudly introduce Ted to anyone new and tell them about his likes and dislikes! Ted liked a biscuit, some Tayto and on the very rare occasion, a drop of Carlsberg. Mike would proudly tell you that Ted knew the colour of the green beer can and that no other beer would scratch Teds itch. While Ted has sadly passed away after a long life with Michael and Janice, there is comfort in knowing that Alfie (also a Cavalier) and Michael had bonded too in the shorter time that they were acquainted  although Alfie hasnt reached the legal drinking age in dog years just yet!"

He concluded by saying: "We will all miss Michael terribly. I know Ill miss our phone calls the most, as well as that happy feeling that Michael gave you when you were with him. He was always the glue that held the Rally of the Lakes weekend together and I will always look back very fondly on our adventures to the best spectating spots in Kerry."

PICTURES: Niall Carson/PA
Franchise Sales Operation of the Year 2026. (Left to right: Brian Cook (SIMI), David Lyons, Katarzyna Wludarska, Andre Hogan, Niall OMahony, Kevin Moore, Sean Lyons, Natasha Hogan, Erica Murray, Mark Woods (SIMI) )

Fitzpatrick's Garages Kildare is celebrating having won no fewer than three awards.

Fitzpatrick's Mercedes-Benz has been named Franchise Sales Operation of the Year 2026 at the SIMI Motor Industry Awards 2026, while Fitzpatrick's Garages Kildare has also been named Francise Aftersales Operation of the Year.

Meanwhile, SEAI and ZEVI announced their regional winners of the EV Dealership of the Year, with Fitzpatricks Garage Naas named Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster.

The SIMI Motor Industry Awards celebrate best practices in the Irish Motor Industry and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of SIMI Members.

The award winners are adjudicated by an independent panel and are chosen from various sectors operating within the Irish Motor Industry.

Companies that are shortlisted demonstrate an award-winning level of excellence and best practices over the past 12 months.

This achievement is a true testament to the passion and professionalism of the incredible teams throughout the Fitzpatricks Garage Group, as well as the continued loyalty and support of its valued customers.

Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster

Along with the prestigious SIMI Awards, the SEAI and ZEVI announced their regional winners of the EV Dealership of the Year, with Fitzpatricks Garage Naas named Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster.

A national winner will be chosen from the four regional winners at the SEAI Energy Show in April. Fitzpatricks Garages have previously won the national award in 2022 and 2024.

The award is assessed based on multiple different criteria such as staff knowledge, depth of training and EV promotion. Being named winner is an incredible recognition of our teams efforts and passion for EV vehicles.

In total, 125 car dealerships from 25 counties participated in the 2026 dealership awards.

Funded by ZEVI, these SEAI-administered awards recognise dealerships working to build consumer understanding and experience of EVs and ultimately their roll-out on Irish roads.

A huge thank you to Zero Vehicle Emissions Ireland (ZEVI) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for this incredible honour. Were proud to be part of the clean energy transition and committed to deepening consumer understanding of EVs to drive the future of efficient, zero-emissions transport for all.

A national winner will be chosen from the four regional winners at the SEAI Energy Show in April.

Fitzpatricks Garages have previously won the national award in 2022 and 2024.

Congratulations to Shane, Florian, Hubert and all the team in Naas.

Fitzpatrick's Garage Naas is home to Opel and Ireland's newest and most exciting electric car brand, Leapmotor.

Overall, Fitzpatricks Garages picked up an unprecedented three awards on the night along with a shortlist for the Bodyshop Operation of the Year.

It was a fantastic night to kick of the 75th birthday celebrations. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Here's to building on this success and an even stronger 2026 ahead.

Fitzpatrick's Garages Kildare is celebrating having won no fewer than three awards.

Fitzpatrick's Mercedes-Benz has been named Franchise Sales Operation of the Year 2026 at the SIMI Motor Industry Awards 2026, while Fitzpatrick's Garages Kildare has also been named Francise Aftersales Operation of the Year.

Meanwhile, SEAI and ZEVI announced their regional winners of the EV Dealership of the Year, with Fitzpatricks Garage Naas named Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster.

The SIMI Motor Industry Awards celebrate best practices in the Irish Motor Industry and acknowledge the hard work and achievements of SIMI Members.

The award winners are adjudicated by an independent panel and are chosen from various sectors operating within the Irish Motor Industry.

Companies that are shortlisted demonstrate an award-winning level of excellence and best practices over the past 12 months.

This achievement is a true testament to the passion and professionalism of the incredible teams throughout the Fitzpatricks Garage Group, as well as the continued loyalty and support of its valued customers.

Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster

Along with the prestigious SIMI Awards, the SEAI and ZEVI announced their regional winners of the EV Dealership of the Year, with Fitzpatricks Garage Naas named Regional EV Dealership of the Year for Leinster.

A national winner will be chosen from the four regional winners at the SEAI Energy Show in April. Fitzpatricks Garages have previously won the national award in 2022 and 2024.

The award is assessed based on multiple different criteria such as staff knowledge, depth of training and EV promotion. Being named winner is an incredible recognition of our teams efforts and passion for EV vehicles.

In total, 125 car dealerships from 25 counties participated in the 2026 dealership awards.

Funded by ZEVI, these SEAI-administered awards recognise dealerships working to build consumer understanding and experience of EVs and ultimately their roll-out on Irish roads.

A huge thank you to Zero Vehicle Emissions Ireland (ZEVI) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for this incredible honour. Were proud to be part of the clean energy transition and committed to deepening consumer understanding of EVs to drive the future of efficient, zero-emissions transport for all.

A national winner will be chosen from the four regional winners at the SEAI Energy Show in April.

Fitzpatricks Garages have previously won the national award in 2022 and 2024.

Congratulations to Shane, Florian, Hubert and all the team in Naas.

Fitzpatrick's Garage Naas is home to Opel and Ireland's newest and most exciting electric car brand, Leapmotor.

Overall, Fitzpatricks Garages picked up an unprecedented three awards on the night along with a shortlist for the Bodyshop Operation of the Year.

It was a fantastic night to kick of the 75th birthday celebrations. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.

Here's to building on this success and an even stronger 2026 ahead.
LIMERICK is set to serve up a new signature multiday food festival after Limerick City and County Council secured EU funding for its SLOWTOUR project.

As part of the project under the Interreg NorthWest Europe Programme, Limerick will implement a pilot action that develops a new food tourism offering based on its rich heritage of the food industry. This will include immersive experiences designed to celebrate local traditions, promote sustainable food practices, and engage citizens through storytelling and workshops.

Over the next three years, Limerick will deliver a multi-day food festival, with potential for additional events to build on this success. These activities will aim to attract diverse visitor profiles, increase dwell time, and foster community pride.

READ MORE: Ridiculous cost of St Patrick's Day parades in Limerick towns and villages slammed

The total budget for Limerick Council for the project is 606,400, with 363,840 funded by the European Regional Development Fund and 242,560 co-financed by Limerick Council, including support from the Mayors discretionary fund.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, said: This is a proud moment for Limerick. The SLOWTOUR project aligns perfectly with our ambition to strengthen our tourism offering and further promote Limericks food traditions and food producers. We want to showcase our rich heritage, support local businesses and create experiences that are sustainable and inclusive.

Priomh Chomhairleoir of Limerick Council, Cllr Catherine Slattery added: Im happy to see that these festivals will rightly highlight the importance of our food culture as a hub for creativity and sustainability.
GARDAI from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) carried out a day of action this Tuesday - including in Limerick - as part of Operation SKEIN targeting the Black Axe organised crime group.

The Black Axe has been described as the Nigerian mafia and one of West Africas most feared criminal networks.

According to a 2022 report by Interpol, Black Axe and similar groups are responsible for the majority of the worlds cyber-enabled financial fraud as well as many other serious crimes.

Innovations in money-transfer software and cryptocurrency have played into the hands of the group, which are renowned for multi-million dollar online scams.

READ NEXT: Gardai probe drive-by shooting in Limerick housing estate

GNECB members alongside the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and local uniform and detective units carried out 11 searches at locations across Ireland.

GNECB carried out searches in counties Sligo, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny, Kildare, and Meath. These 11 searches are in addition to three previously conducted in 2025.

During the course of the operation, gardai seized a number of electronic devices of evidential value.

A garda spokesperson said, in addition to these devices, gardai recovered a number of clothing items which are believed to denote affiliation, rank and loyalty in the organised crime group.

As part of Operation SKEIN, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau continues to work closely with law-enforcement partners across several jurisdictions and is supported in its efforts by Europol and Interpol. This coordinated international approach reflects the scale and sophistication of the criminal network under investigation.

Investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson.

Operation SKEIN is co-ordinated by the Garda Economic Crime Bureau and investigates international criminal organisations that commit fraud worldwide and launder the proceeds through networks of bank accounts in Ireland.

Since 2020, gardai have identified 1,400 potential suspects involved in the theft and laundering of 94 million.

To date, more than 636 people have been arrested as part of this operation. Over half of these have been charged with gangland offences as well as money laundering.

These arrests were made all over Ireland and conducted by local gardai from almost every Garda Community Engagement Area.
OVER 130 million has been allocated to projects in Limerick under the HSEs 2026 Capital Plan.

The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has today approved the publication of the Health Service Executives Building and Equipment Capital Plan for 2026. In 2026, the HSE plans to complete construction of a Surgical Hub for the Mid-West in Limerick, allocating 47,623,812 towards its completion.

The HSE will also progress the acquisition of a second site in close proximity to the existing Dooradoyle hospital site to extend the University Hospital Limerick campus over both sites to support the delivery of healthcare services under a single governance and shared resourcing mode. See below for full breakdown of funding for Limerick projects.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and TD for Limerick County, Niall Collins, said: The allocation of 136,081,945 in the HSEs capital plan for projects in Limerick reflects the Governments commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for all in the Mid-West region. This is a welcome increase on last years 107.5 million investment."

READ MORE: Limerick mental health charity creates 'Haven' groups for young adults

Last year I was pleased to see the completion of a number of capital projects, including the new 96-bed block at UHL, and I am pleased to see the increased level of investment in critical projects such as the new Surgical hub for the Mid-West and significant expansion to UHL, with 16,000,000 allocated to the construction of phase one of the second intended hospital block."

Capital investment in healthcare ensures the best quality environments and treatment outcomes for people in our communities and what is needed is delivery of these projects in full.

Fine Gael TD for Limerick City and Minister of State for Older People and Housing, Kieran ODonnell stated:

I welcome the approval by Government of the publication of the HSE Capital Plan for 2026. The Plan outlines over 136 million in capital healthcare expenditure for key projects across Limerick in 2026 and demonstrates Governments commitment to enhancing health service facilities and ensuring better access to care for the people of Limerick and the region. It is significant that Limerick is receiving the second highest allocation of capital funding nationally, outside of Dublin, reflecting the importance of investing in our health services here."

Fine Gael Minister Patrick ODonovan added: The investments set out in the 2026 HSE Capital plan shows our commitment to improve Limericks health service facilities and ensure better access to care for our patients. Investing in our health service is important as our population grows, with many people living longer, healthier lives."

Todays announcement, including investment in University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, St Johns Hospital Limerick, St Camillus Hospital Limerick, St Itas Hospital Newcastle West and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital is welcome news that will help bring healthcare services closer to home and better meet the needs of patients and families in our community.

Commenting on the publication of the HSE Capital Plan, Minister Carroll MacNeill said:

Im pleased to approve the publication of the HSE Capital Plan for 2026. By increasing capacity and developing the necessary infrastructure we will enable greater provision of care in our hospitals and in our communities, we are advancing the Slaintecare vision to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

Senator Maria Byrne added: The investments set out in the 2026 HSE Capital plan shows our commitment to improve Limericks health service facilities and ensure better access to care for our patients. Investing in our health service is important as our population grows, with many people living longer, healthier lives."
TALKS have kicked off between JP McManus, his family and Government in the hope of revitalising a landmark building in Limerick city centre.

Communications Minister and Limerick County TD Patrick O'Donovan is engaging with the McManus family, after they indicated that they would be prepared to gift the former International Rugby Experience building to the State.

READ MORE: HSE Capital Plan commits over 130m to boost healthcare facilities in Limerick

It comes just over a year since the facility closed after negotiations to gift the facility to Limerick City and County Council collapsed.

Since then, it has been largely out of use.

But Mr O'Donovan has this Tuesday announced his intention to open a branch of the National Museum of Ireland in the heart of Limerick, with a permanent exhibition telling the stories of women in Ireland.

He presented the idea to cabinet, who noted his plans.

"This magnificent building presents a wonderful opportunity to enhance the cultural footprint in Limerick and the wider Mid-West and I would like to thank Mr McManus and his team for supporting this shared vision for the region," he said.

"It offers great potential to amplify the representation of womens voices and lived experiences, in all their diversity, and with a special focus on under-represented and marginalised communities. It is a significant step in expanding the reach of our national cultural institutions beyond the capital," said the Fine Gael TD.

Mr O'Donovan said Limerick would become the latest regional centre for the National Museum of Ireland, joining Cork's Crawford Gallery and the Museum of Country Living in Mayo.

"This is very much in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that our national cultural institutions reach right across the country. Furthermore, I believe that a new museum dedicated to womens stories would respond very meaningfully to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Womens Stories," he added.

The Minister for Culture called for patience on the delivery of the project.

I am conscious that there is a detailed process to undertake to realise this proposal, and I know that developing any new museum is a sensitive and complex process. There are many factors to be considered, which will take time to fully work through. I am committed to working collaboratively with all involved to fully explore the potential and feasibility of this and I welcome the support of my Government colleagues as I and my Department work through this process," he said.

Barry Hannon, the chief executive of the International Rugby Experience welcomed the news.

"Our long standing ambition has always been to add to the tourism landscape in Limerick, adding a new civic space that would be an economic and cultural driver for generations into the future. We are delighted to have reached the next steps in that process with Minister ODonovans presentation to cabinet and we appreciate their shared vision on the importance of tourism and regional development. We will continue the positive collaboration with Government, the Board and Management of the National Museum and the Office of Public Works to achieve the best outcome for Limerick," he said.
THE QUICK-THINKING of bar staff and actions of Limerick Fire and Rescue Service certainly saved the life of a man who was choking to death, the Limerick Leader has learned.

The man, who turned purple, had a lucky escape as the pub is located right beside the fire station in Limerick city so expert help was on the way in seconds.

A reader contacted the Leader to say they were having breakfast in the Horse and Hound on Mulgrave Street when a man, who was sitting across from them, started choking.

The girl working there ran into the fire brigade who are, thank God, just next door. They ran in fast and a firefighter did loads of that Heimlich thing (a life-saving first aid technique for clearing blocked airways) and unblocked whatever was caught in his throat.

It was an incredibly frightening experience but I would like to say well done to the staff of the Horse and Hound who tried to help the man and immediately ran for help, said the person.

They said the whole pub was very worried for the middle-aged man.

He looked very bad after it but I think he was OK. I just want to say well done to the girls in the Horse and Hound and the fire brigade for saving that man.

It all happened so fast it was like something from a movie. They are all heroes."

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The Leader contacted Limerick City and County Council about the incident.

A spokesperson confirmed a member of staff from the Horse and Hound Bar ran over to the Fire Station in Mulgrave Street seeking urgent assistance for a gentleman who was choking. It occurred around 10am on Friday, February 6.

A number of firefighters immediately rushed over to render assistance. Thankfully, they were able to assist and dislodged the blockage. The gentleman was very grateful to all and was checked over subsequently by members of the National Ambulance Service. We understand the gentleman made a full recovery.

The spokesperson concluded by saying the quick thinking of the Horse and Hound staff and the rapid actions of the fire crew certainly saved the gentleman's life that morning.

If the man would like to thank the firefighters he can email news@limerickleader.ie
THERES been calls for a tougher approach to drivers who leave their vehicles in residential areas outside the immediate city centre without paying.

Data presented to Social Democrats councillor Elisa ODonovan at this months metropolitan meeting revealed that last year, some 159 tickets were issued by traffic wardens to cars parked in South Circular Road and Springfield Drive, which adjoins the street.

She was told that zero tickets were issued last year on two other streets nearby, Ashbourne Avenue and Ashbourne Park.

PICTURES: Laughs and drama as iconic play comes to Limerick stage

People know they can get away with parking there all day. They know there will be no traffic warden up around that side of town. I know its not just the area I am talking about. I know this is happening in other parts of the city. People are now just parking willy-nilly around these areas and its causing major issues for people accessing driveways or accessing their homes, Cllr ODonovan said.

She called for council bosses to deploy a high-visibility campaign to address parking enforcement issues in residential areas outside the core business district.

In a written reply, transport director Patricia Liddy said the local authority assigns a traffic warden to carry out patrols and enforcement duties throughout residential areas.

They focus mainly on areas around University Hospital Limerick, the Technological University of the Shannon, University of Limerick, and Mary Immaculate College.

Cllr ODonovans call received support from her party colleague, Cllr Shane Hickey-OMara, as well as Independent members Ursula Gavan and Maria Donoghue.

Cllr Donoghue said theres a similar situation in other local streets, and many of her neighbours are frequently trapped in their homes.

If you want to drive somewhere, you have to be gone by 8am to make sure your car is out. We are frequently being hemmed in, she added.
SEODA Chamber Choir Limerick and The Gunas Choir Killaloe are joining forces for a choral concert to celebrate International Womens Day in St Marys Church, Kilbane, Co Clare (V94 HX75) on Thursday, March 5 at 7.30pm.

This is a free concert and there will be an opportunity for members of the audience to make a retiring donation in aid of Adapt House (Limerick) and Clare Haven Horizons (Ennis).

Refreshments will be served after the performance.

READ MORE: Classical feast for the senses in Limerick concert series

Both are award-winning, female choirs who have performed throughout Ireland and beyond and are well known for their contributions to the musical and cultural life in the Limerick and Clare areas.

Under the talented direction of Maire Keary Scanlon (Seoda) and Rhoda Clery (The Gunas), and accompanied by Eoin Scanlon and Irina Dernova on piano, the choirs will perform many of their old favourites in the beautiful 19th century church of St Marys, Kilbane. There will be a guest performance by Liam Hunka (cello).

In recent times St Marys Church has undergone a complete refurbishment by a small group of local volunteers, with minimal funding, and a great deal of local support.



On March 5, St Marys church community looks forward to continuing the re-imagining of the space by extending a warm welcome to Seoda, The Gunas and their friends and supporters.
JPMorgan was among a number of financial services companies that took a beating on Monday over concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on their business models. Citrini Research published a widely read report on Sunday hypothesizing about how AI could transform the economy, including day-to-day payments, dragging down the shares of companies that make money from processing them.
Condoms were an entry point. We are now in a lot of detail in looking at various other needs for consumers, Puri said. It is still a fairly unanswered sector because there's a need for a lot of responsible products in the space still which do not exist yet, he added, without elaborating on Unfolds future portfolio.
As artificial intelligence (AI) stirs fresh doubts about the future of information technology services, HCL Technologies Ltds chief executive officer C. Vijayakumar said the industry is indeed at its biggest inflection point yet, and it faces a painful, people-led transition. He, however, pushed back against fears of sweeping disruption, arguing that enterprise adoption will take time and is not as dramatic as being portrayed.

So I think I would say this: this transition is different it's going to be painful because it really involves people, said Vijayakumar during a fireside chat at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum 2026 in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The chief executive's comments come as worries around the relevance of IT services have pulled down the companys shares by more than 17% since the start of the year. On the other hand, the industry's Nifty IT index fell more than 20% during this time.

Amid a fresh wave of shareholder concern around IT services, the companys shares fell 6.1% on Tuesday. Much of this came after AI major Anthropics latest blog post on 23 February that suggested AI could modernize software that manages automated teller machines (ATMs) run by banks. Shares of the countrys largest IT services companies were down 2-7%, with HCL being the worst hit among the top four.

Also Read | Anthropic and OpenAI are the new darlings of Indian IT

Vijayakumar, one of Indian ITs longest-serving CEOs, dismissed these concerns. Technology is definitely becoming much more powerful, but what is being missed is how do you really deploy it in an enterprise," he said. "Today, there is a big lag between how fast technology is evolving and how it is getting deployed in the enterprise. I think thats where the challenges are going to be, Vijayakumar said in a media interaction after the fireside chat.

Its going to take time; it is not as dramatic as what is being portrayed that technology can achieve, said Vijayakumar, who will complete a decade as the companys chief executive in October 2026.

The chief executive also sought to calm nerves of millions of engineering graduates eyeing jobs at India's top tech service firms by adding that core software engineering jobs would always be in demand.

The demand for specialized skills, I think will grow significantly, whether it is data, cloud, security, AI all these specialized skills will be in a lot more demand, he said. "I also think the core software engineering concepts will be very, very relevant," Vijayakumar added.

Also Read | Zensar in talks to acquire promoter stake in Mastek

The company ended last year with $13.84 billion in revenue, up 4.3%. This makes it the fastest growing IT services company among the countrys big five for the last two years. The management expects the company to outgrow its peers for the third straight year, as companies further unlock spending on non-essential technology.

In revenue terms, HCLTech ranks third among India's IT service providers after Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys. Wipro and Tech Mahindra follow. TCS, Infosys, Wipro and Tech Mahindra reported an annual revenue of $30.18 billion, $19.28 billion, $10.51 billion, and $6.26 billion, respectively. TCS and Infosys's revenues were up 3.8% and 3.8%, whereas Wipro and Tech Mahindra saw a 2.7% and 0.2% decline, respectively.

HCLTech was also the first of the big five IT firms to share details on revenue from GenAI, when it disclosed the numbers in October last year. It reported about $246 million revenue from advanced projects, including agentic AI, AI factories and physical AI for the July-December 2025 period.

Vijayakumars opinions are similar to those of company chairperson Roshni Nadar-Malhotra three days ago. She said the industry had taken to technological cycles in the past and that this is not the first time that weve been here.

The industry has adapted to many technological cycles over many decades. For us, AI is going to be a force multiplier. Its a good thing, because companies will always need software services. AI is like blocks of Lego, and youre not just going to make sense of it without having someone tell you what to make of it, Nadar-Malhotra said at a media roundtable on the sidelines of the groups first semiconductor project inauguration in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.

Also Read | Infosys risks losing $150 million a year from one of its largest clients

Chips on board Vijayakumar said that semiconductor companies and tech hardware manufacturers stand to benefit the most from the AI wave. I think the value is disproportionately with semiconductor companies. Enormous value is captured by the tech OEMs and the semiconductor companies. That's because it's truly driven by a constraint that exists, and whether it is semiconductors or even technology, I don't think there will be more competitive players emerge he said.

Unlike its bigger rival TCS, which is looking to build and maintain data centres, HCLTech is venturing into its hardware roots as its parent HCL Corp, flagship of the HCL Group, plans to supply chips for a quarter of Indias displays by the next two years.

The HCL Group, founded by billionaire Shiv Nadar, will run the semiconductor plant with Taiwan-headquartered global contract manufacturer Foxconn, as a privately held joint venture, India Chip Pvt Ltd. HCL Corp holds a 60% stake in the joint venture, with Foxconn holding the remaining 40%.
Early winners to build confidence

The panel highlighted the importance of early winners to increase conviction. Gupta pointed to Ranbaxy and Dr Reddys as among the first to challenge patents in the US, bringing conviction as well as an understanding of research and manufacturing quality for the entire industry. Similar early starters are needed for innovative bets to build conviction. The industry needs a lot more stories, a lot more successes, he said. Citing Glenmarks landmark $700 million licensing deal with US-based drugmaker AbbVie last year, Gupta said, We need ten more of these to really build conviction for people to say they are all in.
JioFrames AI smart glasses, unveiled last year at RIL's annual general meeting, are expected to hit the market in the next 2-3 months, an industry executive said, adding that prices are likely to be significantly lower than the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that are available in the market. Analysts expect Jio Platforms to price its smart glasses below 10,000, roughly a third of the starting price of the Gen 1 variant offered by market leader Ray-Ban Meta, which sells at around 30,000.
Improving regulations offer a key opportunity. According to Giri, several states have begun consciously differentiating beer from spirits in their excise policies, recognizing its lower alcohol content. In practical terms, this has meant that some states have held back or rolled back tax increases on beer even as duties on spirits have risen. Meanwhile, several states have introduced low-alcohol beverage (LAB) licences, which allow outlets to sell only beer and wine at significantly lower licence costs. Maharashtra alone now has around 5,500 such beer-and-wine-only outlets, expanding retail access.
Elon Musk on Monday lashed out at Anthropic after the Dario Amodei-led company accused Chinese AI companies of pulling millions of answers from Claude to train their own models.

In a post on X, Musk accused Anthropic of stealing data to train its AI model Claude, saying that the startup had to pay billions of dollars in settlement for data theft.

Anthropic is guilty of stealing training data at massive scale and has had to pay multi-billion dollar settlements for their theft. This is just a fact, Musk said in the post.

The xAI CEO attached screenshots of X Community Notes to back his claim, which says that Anthropic settled a $1.5 billion lawsuit over the creation of Claude AI and that the company also trains using stolen data.

What did Anthropic say? Anthropic, which is creating ripples across the world with its Claude Code AI model, accused three Chinese companies of using the chatbot to improperly obtain capabilities to improve their own models.

In a blog post on Monday, the company said DeepSeek, Moonshot and MiniMax created more than 16 million interactions with Claude using roughly 24,000 fake accounts.

Weve identified industrial-scale distillation attacks on our models by DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax, Anthropic said.

These labs created over 24,000 fraudulent accounts and generated over 16 million exchanges with Claude, extracting its capabilities to train and improve their own models, it added.

They used a technique called "distillation," which involves training a less capable model on the outputs of a stronger one, Anthropic noted.

Distillation can be legitimate: AI labs use it to create smaller, cheaper models for their customers. But foreign labs that illicitly distill American models can remove safeguards, feeding model capabilities into their own military, intelligence, and surveillance systems, it said.

Anthropic described the window to act on these moves as narrow.

These campaigns are growing in intensity and sophistication. The window to act is narrow, and the threat extends beyond any single company or region.

Anthropic faces backlash online Not only Elon Musk, but netizens lashed out at Anthropic for its alleged hypocrisy. Netizens accused Anthropic of training its Claude AI model with the open internet.

You trained on the open internet and then call it distillation attacks when others learn from you. Labs that like to preach open research suddenly crying about open access. this is what happens when intelligence sits behind a centralized api with subsidized tokens [sic], wrote Tory Green, co-founder of AI infrastructure firm IO.Net.

Also Read | Anthropic engineer says AI will take over most internet-based jobs

Also Read | Nikhil Kamath announces upcoming podcast with Anthropic's Dario Amodei

Another netizen asked why Anthropic was calling the action illegal and unethical, given that they themselves had done the same. When you guys train your model by bombarding others for free of cost, it's fine. But if others are training by paying your model, it's illegal? Unethical? he wrote.
Apple Inc.s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Cook said on Tuesday (local time) that the Mac mini desktop computer will be produced in the United States later this year.

In a video posted on X, Tim Cook wrote, "As part of our $600B commitment, Mac mini will be produced in the US for the first time later this year!" He added that the company is accelerating progress further as it produces more artificial intelligence (AI) servers, along with opening an all-new Apple Advanced Manufacturing Center for hands-on training.

He said, "Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing, and were proud to significantly expand our footprint in Houston with the production of Mac mini starting later this year. We began shipping advanced AI servers from Houston ahead of schedule, and were excited to accelerate that work even further," Cook added.

Also Read | Apple reportedly begins iPhone 18 Pro mass production testing

Apple's expansion plan in Houston, Texas, is expected to create thousands of jobs and deepen the $600 billion commitment the company made in 2025.

The development comes at a time when US President Donald Trump has been aggressively pushing for bringing back factories and manufacturing to the US. After taking office for a second term in January 2025, Trump called for US-based companies to accelerate plans to boost manufacturing in the country.

Apple's American Manufacturing Program Cook's announcement is part of the company's previously announced commitment last year, which he discussed with Trump at the Oval Office. Since outlining that commitment, Apple said it has crossed several milestones under its American Manufacturing Program, according to a company release.

Exceeding its target, Apple procured over 20 billion US-made chips from 24 factories across 12 states, including those of partners such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), Broadcom, and Texas Instruments.

Additionally, GlobalWafers has commenced production at its new $4 billion bare silicon wafer facility in Sherman, Texas. Keeping in line with Apple's plans, the wafers produced there will be supplied to Apples US-based chipmaking partners, including TSMC and Texas Instruments.

In 2026, the company expects to purchase over 100 million advanced chips manufactured at TSMC's Arizona plant, marking a significant jump from the previous year. The tech giant also launched its Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, which already provides hands-on training in AI, automation, and smart manufacturing to over 130 small and mid-sized manufacturers in the country.

Apple doubles down on Houston The tech giant said that the new production line of Mac mini will double the footprint at its Houston campus. In 2025, Apple started assembling advanced AI servers in Houston, with the logic boards being manufactured onsite and servers being deployed in the company's data centers across the country.

In addition to expanding production, the tech giant is putting resources into developing the workforce behind US manufacturing. The new 20,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center is set to open in Houston later this year and is currently being built. The facility will offer practical training in advanced manufacturing methods to students, supplier staff, and businesses across the country. Led by Apple specialists, the program will introduce participants to the same cutting-edge techniques used in the companys own production processes, helping strengthen American manufacturing capabilities.
Eternal-owned Zomato's founder, Deepinder Goyal's aviation startup LAT Aerospace, has acquired a Gurugram-based early-stage defence robotic startup named Sharang Shakti as the company plans to boost its indigenous defence capabilities, according to a social media post on X.

Deepinder Goyal, in his recent post, announced LAT Aerospace's recent acquisition move on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, and said that this move marks the first step towards building indigenous defence capabilities.

Also Read | Deepinder Goyal reveals the idea behind startup LAT Aerospace

LAT Aerospace has acquired Sharang Shakti, an early-stage defence robotics startup based in Gurgaon. This is our first move toward building indigenous defence capabilities alongside our long-term mission of developing next-generation civil aviation platforms from India, said Goyal in his post.

Slowly but surely  LAT Aerospace's goal Deepinder Goyal, who is the founder of LAT Aerospace, also said that slowly but surely the company aims to build on its in-house capabilities to finally deploy the developments across both defence and civil programs over time.

By bringing Sharang Shakti into LAT, we are building these capabilities in-house, from first principles, with the intent to deploy them across both defence and civil programs over time, said Deepinder Goyal in his post on X.

The founder also highlighted that the civil aviation and defence sector in Indian is often considered separate, but at the core level, the technology is shared across the autonomy, perception, sensing, navigation, guidance, and control systems.

Goyal's idea behind the startup Mint reported earlier in January 2026 that Deepinder Goyal's radical idea is to develop technology in an effort to eliminate the need for elaborate airport infrastructure in India.

In a podcast with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Deepinder Goyal revealed his idea behind the aviation startup that he aims to change the aviation sector by providing services like takeoff and landing capabilities within 20 metres.

Also Read | Deepinder Goyal receives 8,000 emails after message to former employees

Takeoff and landing within, let's say 20 metres, which will in turn eliminate the need for the elaborate airport infrastructure. This has never been done in this world. This is radical in terms of aviation, said Goyal.

This idea comes on the backdrop of how people are travelling to an airport and waiting to board, taking 3 hours before another 3-hour-long flight. Goyal called it senseless as it is the same time taken to drive from Delhi to Chandigarh.
Federal Express has filed suit against the United States government seeking a full refund of tariffs imposed under President Donald Trumps emergency economic powers, days after the Supreme Court ruled those levies unlawful. The case, lodged at the US Court of International Trade, marks the first major corporate effort to reclaim duties paid under a regime the high court struck down in a 63 decision last week.

The lawsuit intensifies the legal and financial repercussions of the Supreme Courts ruling on tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), raising the prospect of billions of dollars in repayment claims across corporate America.

FedEx Tariff Refund Lawsuit Filed at Trade Court FedEx filed its 11-page complaint at the Court of International Trade, which the Supreme Court confirmed has exclusive jurisdiction over disputes relating to the IEEPA tariffs. The plaintiffs are Federal Express Corp. and its affiliate FedEx Logistics. Named defendants include US Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States government.

Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States, the complaint states.

The company did not disclose the amount it has paid under the tariff regime since Trump extended the measures to most US trading partners last year.

Legal representation for FedEx is being provided by Washington-based Crowell & Moring, which also represents companies such as Costco, Revlon and EssilorLuxottica in related IEEPA refund actions.

Supreme Court Declares Emergency Tariffs Illegal In a closely divided ruling, the Supreme Court determined that Trumps reliance on emergency economic powers to impose sweeping tariffs exceeded statutory authority. While the majority opinion invalidated the duties, it declined to resolve whether importers that paid more than $170 billion in contested tariffs are entitled to refunds, instead leaving the issue to lower courts.

In dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh cautioned that a repayment process was likely to be a mess.

Trump signalled resistance to swift payouts, stating, I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years.

Justice Departments Prior Assurances May Complicate Refund Fight The Trump administrations legal strategy now faces potential constraints stemming from its own earlier court filings. After the trade court initially declared the tariffs unlawful last May, government lawyers urged judges to allow tariff collection to continue during appeals, arguing that refund mechanisms were available should the administration ultimately lose.

In filings last summer, Justice Department attorneys wrote that plaintiffs whose cases reached the Supreme Court will assuredly receive payment on their refund with interest if they prevailed.

Although subsequent filings have been less definitive, trade lawyers contend that federal judges are unlikely to ignore those assurances. In a December ruling, a three-judge panel of the trade court suggested the administration could not reverse course without triggering the doctrine of judicial estoppel.

The panel observed that the government could not take a contrary position after it had convinced the court that importers will be able to receive refunds even if their tariff obligations became final.

Over 1,500 Refund Cases Pending as Legal Risks Mount FedExs action comes amid a growing wave of litigation. More than 1,500 tariff refund lawsuits are currently pending, according to analysis, although that figure represents only a fraction of potential claimants. By the end of 2025, over 300,000 importers had paid the challenged tariffs.

Also Read | How Fred Smith built FedEx from the ground up

Legal experts caution that the administration may still attempt to narrow refund eligibility or construct a complex claims process. Siddartha Rao of Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney suggested that a prolonged administrative mechanism could prove labyrinthine and burdensome, potentially functioning as a de facto denial for companies requiring immediate liquidity.
This isnt just about constructing ship blocks; it is a critical step in reducing Indias turnaround times to global standards and boosting capacity to build larger, more complex vessels. With the memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025 and reinforced throughout the year, this collaboration aligns perfectly with the 'Make in India' initiative and the Maritime India Vision 2030, transforming the Kochi facility into a critical hub for both commercial and naval shipbuilding in the Indian Ocean region, he said.
Gaudium IVF and Women Health Ltd, a New Delhi in-vitro fertilization, or IVF, clinic that is set to cross 100 crore revenues soon, is tapping India's public markets.

The bootstrapped venture by a physician couple plans an initial public offer of 11.3 million shares potentially raising nearly 90 crore at the upper end of the price band of 75-79 apiece indicated in the offer prospectus.

The document, however, also discloses a series of arrangements between the company and its founder-promoter Dr Manika Khanna that skirt the edges of poor corporate governance even while being above board in law, experts point out.

These intra-group arrangements cover professional fees paid to Dr Manika and her husband Dr Peeyush Khanna, payment to her for a technology developed in-house, and rent paid by Gaudium for its flagship centre owned by her, besides disclosures of multi-crore claims made by the income tax department.

"While these arrangements may be technically disclosed and board-approved, the cumulative effect is a governance structure where the promoter extracts value from multiple angles, leaving minority shareholders to bear the residual risk," said Diviay Chadha, a partner specializing in compliance and capital market law at law firm Singhania & Co.

Dr Manika is set to will also offload 95 lakh shares through an offer for sale. At the upper end of the price band of 7579, her stake sale is valued at 75 crore.

As of the date of the filing, she held a 99.32% stake in Gaudium. After the IPO, the promoters, including her family members, will retain a 71.3% stake in the company.

Gaudium's revenue has grown from 44 crore in FY23, to 48 crore in FY24, to 71 crore im FY25, and was recorded at 49 crore in H1FY26, according to the IPO document.

The IPO opened on 20 February and closes Tuesday, with a tentative listing on 27 February. While retail participation is strong, the qualified institutional buyer segment saw no bids.

Property rental, professional fees Gaudium pays Dr Manika a rent of 1.2 crore a year for operating its flagship center from her owned property in Janakpuri, a western suburb in New Delhi. Since fiscal 2024, she has earned 3.9 crore as rent, including security deposit, from her own company.

The offer document classified this as a related party transaction conducted on an arm's length basis but noted that it cannot give any assurance that more favourable terms with other parties could not have been achieved.

Dr Manika told Mint in an interview that the company's financial consultants and management team advised her to get the registrations done in the name of the company for easier compliance to pre-natal diagnostic regulations that IVF centers have to adhere to.

The Janakpuri property is also used as the firm's registered and corporate address.

Though she draws no salary as the chairperson and managing director of the company, Dr Manika earns 1.8 crore a year as professional fees. Her husband draws a salary of 24 lakh a year as a whole-time director along with a fee of 36 lakh annually.

"Both Manika and Peeyush are into professional careers. Yes, they are promoters. But compliances allow that they can be paid as professional doctors, which is why they have a professional fees component," chief financial officer Rakesh Sharma told Mint.

Gaudium paid Dr Manika and Dr Peeyush professional fees of 2.16 crore in fiscal 2025. The remaining 11 doctors in the company, put together, earned less than 4 crore in the year.

"The amount paid to me should not be a cause of concern," Dr Manika said when asked about the skewed payments. All my life, I have put whatever I have earned back into the company for its growth.

Expenses for the two promoters make up 14% of total expenses in FY25 and 6% in H1FY26. As a percentage of revenue, that would be 8.8% for FY25 and 3.8% for H1FY26.

Gaudium has also paid Dr Manika an additional professional fee of 2.5 crore for the development of an infertility treatment module called Gaudium Advanced Analysis and Treatment, or GAAT, module. Essentially a treatment method, it is described as being developed in-house in the IPO document.

Governance questions, IT search Multiple income streams for the promoter raise questions about governance standards at a company headed for ownership by minority, public shareholders, lawyer Chadha said.

"The promoter has structured multiple parallel revenue streams from the company: receiving rental income from leasing personal property to the business, drawing professional fees instead of a conventional salary, and reportedly acting as an external supplier for a proprietary IVF method that the company simultaneously claims was developed in-house," he said, drawing the attention of regulators and institutional investors.

Such issues are usually scrutinized by the IPO investment banker ahead of offer filing. Gaudium's sole book running lead manager is Sarthi Capital Advisors. It has previously done only mainboard listings, both in 2025: Stallion India Flourochemcials Ltd and BMW Ventures Ltd.

Queries emailed to Sarthi Capital on Saturday were not answered until press time.

The IPO prospectus also reveals that, in 2022, Gaudium faced scrutiny of the income tax department, which conducted a survey on the group's premises and found financial discrepancies.

"The IT department alleged that there were unaccounted cash receipts of 74 surrogacy patients, unrecorded cash collections detected through WhatsApp chats and groups received from patients, loose/rough papers, unaccounted cash receipts, parallel fee ledgers, cash rent payments, etc," according to the IPO papers.

A tax demand against the company adds up to an outstanding 37.64 crore, said the prospectus. Gaudium has appealed the order and has secured a recovery stay pending further hearings.
Down the road from TSMC is another construction site, this one over 100 acres, where Amkor Technology is planning two chip packaging facilities, with the help of an Apple investment. When the first is completed in 2027, it will take chip wafers from TSMC, dice them into individual chips and add connectors so the chips can be plugged into devices. Amkor has said it is spending $7 billion on the site. It declined to specify the size of Apples investment.
In a statement on 24 February, a spokesperson for Jio Blackrock AMC said the asset manager received more than 1.1 million investors in the seven months since its launch in June 2025, "with over 40% investors coming in [from] B30 and 18% new to mutual funds investors, which is above the industry average and speaks to the success of our digital first strategy". The term B30 refers to locations beyond the top 30 places from where mutual funds get their assets.
The board of Tata Sons on Tuesday deferred a decision on reappointing N. Chandrasekaran as chairman for five more years after objections from Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, two executives aware of the matter said. The development signals continuing tensions at Tata Trusts that are casting a shadow over the Tata Sons board, given that two of the Trusts had earlier greenlit a third term for Chandrasekaran at the helm of India's largest conglomerate.

Noel Tata, who arrived at Bombay House with son Neville Tata, pointed to losses at several Tata Group companies including Tata Digital and Air India, and sought clarity on the management of these businesses, one of the two executives said on the condition of anonymity. At a three-hour meeting, he also requested Chandrasekarans views on discussions with the Reserve Bank of India on keeping Tata Sons private.

Noel Tata's concerns mark a rare instance of dissent since he became the Tata Trusts representative on the Tata Sons board in October 2024. The Tata Sons board comprises Chandrasekaran, Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, Group CFO Saurabh Agrawal, and independent directors Harish Manwani and Anita Marangoly George.

Emails and text messages sent to Tata Sons and Noel Tata seeking comment remained unanswered.

As early as July 2025, the two principal entities of the Tata TrustsSir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT) and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT)had approved a third term for Chandrasekaran, who became chairman of the group holding company in February 2017. The trustees had even agreed to relax the retirement age criterion for Chandrasekaran to allow him to continue beyond his 65th birthday. The current term of Chandrasekaran, who turns 63 in June, lasts until February 2027, but Tata Sons had expected an early renewal.

Noel's son Neville Tata is a member of the board of SDTT, the largest Tata philanthropic entity owning 27.98% of Tata Sons. While Neville and former board member Bhaskar Bhat were inducted into SDTT in November, their induction into the Sir Ratan Tata Trusts (SRTT) has been delayed due to objections from Venu Srinivasan and other trustees, Mint reported earlier. Srinivasan had noted that the resolution was not on the board meeting agenda of SRTT and required further discussion. Consequently, two SRTT board meetings have been cancelled over the last three months due to a lack of consensus.

Noel Tata was named chairman of Tata Trusts after the demise of Ratan Tata, who exercised complete sway over the Tata Group through his leadership of Tata Trusts and Tata Sons. However, differences began to manifest soon after Noel's elevation, leading to the exit of Mehli Mistry as a trustee late last year. According to the executive cited above, unlike the late tycoon who held a firm grip over the conglomerate, it's still a work in progress for Noel. Many at Tata Sons had viewed Mehli Mistry's exit from the two key Trusts late last year as a plus for Chandrasekaran in wielding influence over Tata Sons and Tata Trusts, the executive cited earlier said.

The hurdle to Chandrasekaran's reappointment is reminiscent of the objections to Neville Tata's joining SRTT, indicating there continues to be a thrust-and-parry in the Tata Trusts and at Tata Sons. However, unlike Neville, Chandrasekaran remains at the helm of Tata Sons until the end of February 2027.

Moves to induct senior executives from Tata Group operating companies to the Tata Sons board have faced opposition from both Noel's and Chandrasekaran's camps. Tuesday's developments have spilt the differences to the public domain.

On 28 July last year, the board of SRTT had passed a resolution, urging the Tata Sons chairman "to exercise best endeavours" to ensure that Tata Sons remains an unlisted private company, and that Tata Sons "fully engages" with the RBI on this matter.

Meanwhile, Tata Sons has invested over $11 billion in Air India, Tata Digital and Tata Electronics since its foray into aviation, e-commerce and assembling iPhones for Apple, according to a Mint review of the financials of the three privately held companies. Air India, which ended with 78,636 crore in revenue last year, posted a loss of 10,895 crore - the highest among all companies inside the Tata Group. Tata Digital and Tata Electronics reported a loss of 4,610 crore and 70 crore, respectively.

Tata Trusts is an umbrella entity comprising 15 philanthropic entities, seven of which hold shares in Tata Sons. SDTT and SRTT are the largest, owning 27.98% and 23.56% of Tata Sons, respectively, as of 31 March 2025. JRD Tata Trust owns 4.01%, while Tata Education Trust and Tata Social Welfare Trust own 3.73%. MK Tata Trust owns 0.6% and Sarvajanik Seva Trust owns 0.1%. Shapoorji Pallonji Group owns 18.38% in Tata Sons, nine Tata Group companies own 12.86%, and seven individuals own the remaining 2.87%.

Noel has previously expressed his reservations about the structure of Tata Sons. In September last year, Mint reported that Noel had discussed a potential new leadership structure for Tata Sons with a few trustees, but the plan stalled after resistance from some of them, a person aware of the matter said. In private conversations, Noel Tata floated the idea of having separate roles of chairman, chief executive officer and managing director (CEO and MD) and deputy CEO for Tata Sons, Mint reported, citing people privy to the discussions.

The genesis of the tussle within the House of Tata dates back to October 2024, according to minutes of the 11 September 2025 Tata Trusts board meeting, reported by Mint on 24 September last year. At least four Tata Trusts board members in the past had expressed their unhappiness that the three Tata Trusts nominees on the board of Tata Sons did not share information with them. This led to the removal of former defence secretary Vijay Singh, a Tata Trusts nominee, from the board of Tata Sons in September 2025. Mehli Mistry exited Tata Trusts in late 2025 after his reappointment was blocked by a group of trustees led by Noel Tata. Despite initially being considered for a lifetime position after joining in 2022, his 3-year term ended on 27 October 2025, due to internal disagreements.

In November, Tata Trusts inducted Neville and Bhat on SDTT. In February, former Citibank India head Pramit Jhaveri stepped down as a Trustee and did not seek a fresh term.
Anthropic has been making news over the past few weeks, thanks to its Claude AI model. The company recently launched Claude Code, an AI-powered agentic coding tool that helps coders build features, fix bugs, and automate development tasks. The launch of Claude Code has created ripples across the world, with its latest updates sinking tech stocks amid investor jitters.

But who is behind all this?

Dario Amodei, the CEO and co-founder of Anthropic, can be credited with the companies meteoric rise and placing itself as a top contender in the AI race.

Here is everything you need to know about Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic.

Who is Dario Amodei? Dario Amodei is the chief executive officer and co-founder of Anthropic, the company behind large language model series Claude. He is an American artificial intelligence researcher and entrepreneur.

As Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei often writes and shares his opinion on the benefits and risks of AI. In a few occasions, he has said that AI will cause unusually painful disruption in the job market. Humanity is about to be handed almost unimaginable power, and it is deeply unclear whether our social, political, and technological systems possess the maturity to wield it, Amodei wrote in a recent essay.

Also Read | Nikhil Kamath announces upcoming podcast with Anthropic's Dario Amodei

Also Read | ChatGPT takes a jab at Dario Amodei - Sam Altman viral picture

According to Forbes, his net worth is around $7 billion.

Born in San Francisco, 1983-born Dario Amodei is the son of a Italian-American leather craftsman father. His mother was a project manager of libraries.

Dario Amodei education and career Dario Amodei graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco, following which he joined Caltech to pursue his undergraduate studies.

He then moved to Stanford University, where he received his undergraduate degree in physics. He also has a PhD in biophysics from Princeton University and was a postdoctoral scholar at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Amodei started his career as a part time Software Developer at Skyline Targeted Proteomics Environment. He then joined Chinese company Baidu, following which he began working at Google as a senior research scientist at the Google Brain team.

As a deep learning researcher at Google, Amodei worked to extend the capabilities of neural networks. He has also worked on the safety and reliability of AI systems at the company.

Dario Amodei's stint at OpenAI Before OpenAI and Anthropic became rival companies, Dario Amodei worked at the ChatGPT maker's office where he joined as a team lead for AI safety in 2016.

Amodei served as Vice President of Research at OpenAI, where he led the development of large language models like GPT-2 and GPT-3. He is also the co-inventor of reinforcement learning from human feedback.

Also Read | Sam Altman breaks silence on awkward moment with Anthropic's Dario Amodei

In 2021, Dario and his sister, Daniela, founded Anthropic along with other former senior members of OpenAI. He was one of the OpenAI executives who left the companies due to directional differences.

Since he left the startup, Dario Amodei and his former boss Sam Altman, who is the CEO at OpenAI, have been tied in a cold war. Most recently, the two refused to hold hands at the India AI Impact Summit, during a photo session with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi: The government on Tuesday approved rail, airport, and metro projects worth about 12,236 crore, along with reforms in the power sector, and an increase in the support price for raw jute.

The cabinet and its committee on economic affairs (CCEA), in the first meeting at Seva Teerth, the new Prime Minister's Office (PMO), increased the minimum support price (MSP) of raw jute to 5,925 per quintal, an increase of 275 per unit, Union minister of information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said. This change is estimated to cost the public exchequer 430 crore, he said.

India is the worlds largest producer of jute, accounting for over 50-70% of global production. and with cultivation largely concentrated in West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Meghalaya and Tripura. According to official estimates, jute is grown on around 7 lakh hectares annually, with West Bengal accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total acreage. The country produces roughly 90100 lakh bales (of 180 kg each) of raw jute every year, depending on monsoon conditions.

Also Read | Cabinet approval for 7,300 cr rare earth magnet scheme expected within a month

At 5,925 per quintal, growers will receive a guaranteed floor price. With input costs such as fertilizers, labour and irrigation rising, the enhanced MSP is expected to partially offset higher production expenses, said Puneet Singh Thind, founder & director, Northern Farmers Mega FPO, a federation of farmer-producer organizations from five North Indian states.

The move comes at a time when demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging is increasing, giving jute  often called the golden fibre  renewed relevance in domestic and export markets.

Ceiling raised The cabinet also approved an increase in the equity investment ceiling for Power Grid Corporation of India to 7,500 crore from 5,000 crore earlier, in order to enable the countrys largest transmitter of electricity to participate in high-value bids it was previously unable to bid for, said Vaishnaw.

However, the existing cap of investment up to 15% of the company's net worth has been retained. As Power Grid mostly forms separate subsidiaries or Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT) for its projects, this approval would help it invest more in these projects.

Also Read | ABDM may be extended to 2030 despite unutilized funds

India's power transmission capacity currently stands at more than 5 lakh circuit km (ckm). Under the National Electricity Plan, the government has set a plan to add a total of over 1,91,000 ckm of transmission lines from 2022-23 to 2031-32. However, the progress so far has been slow. As of December FY26, a total of 5,077 ckm was added, compared to the target of 10,696 for the period of April-December.

Railway projects The cabinet also approved three railway projects in central and eastern regions to reduce congestion in passenger and freight travel and reduce logistics costs.

The projects covering eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand will expand the Indian Railways network by about 307 km, at a total cost of about 9,072 crore, said a CCEA statement.



The projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, ballast and stone chips, fly ash, fertilizers, limestone, manganese, dolomite, foodgrains, POL etc, said the statement. It also added that freight capacity would increase by 52 million tons per annum (MTPA), and that these routes would also cover popular tourist destinations such as Kanha National Park, Dhuandhar Waterfall, and Pench National Park, among others.

The three routes approved include doubling of the 231 km Gondia-Jabalpur line; 50 km Punarakh-Kiul third and fourth lines; and 26 km Gamharia-Chandil third and fourth lines.

Civil enclave The CCEA also approved the development of the Civil Enclave at Srinagar International Airport at an estimated cost of 1,677 crore to support the increase in tourism demand, especially following the abrogation of Article 370, said Vaishnaw.

The enclave, to be built by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will include a 71,500 sq m terminal building and barracks for security personnel, Vaishnaw told reporters.

Currently, the Srinagar airport has a capacity of 3 million passengers annually, while it recorded about 4.5 million passengers in FY25, said Vaishnaw. He said the airports existing capacity of 950 peak-hour passengers (PHP) would be increased to 2,900 PHP.

Metro line The cabinet also approved extension of a metro line from GIFT City in Gujarat to Shahpur, a 3.33km project with an estimated cost of 1,067 crore, Vaishnaw said. This extended corridor is expected to benefit approximately 23,702 passengers in 2029 and approximately 58,059 passengers in 2041. This corridor will strengthen connectivity between Ahmedabad & GIFT region. Major multinational companies, educational institutions, and commercial centres located along the proposed route will directly benefit, said the cabinet statement.

Keralam soon The Union cabinet also approved a proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, reflecting the state's name in Malayalam. The demand to name states in their regional languages has been longstanding, said Vaishnaw.
New Delhi: India and Israel have kicked off their first round of negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), signalling a push to deepen economic engagement as New Delhi steps up efforts to secure market access partnerships with key technology-driven economies.

The talks began on 23 February in New Delhi and will continue until 26 February, the commerce ministry said on Tuesday.

The negotiations follow signing of the terms of reference in November 2025. This had laid down a framework for discussions across identified areas aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation.

The development assumes significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to pay a two-day state visit to Israel from 25 February on the invitation of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This will be Modis second visit to Israel, underlining the growing strategic and economic depth in bilateral ties.

Merchandise trade between the two countries was at $3.65 billion in FY25. India and Israel share complementarities across several sectors, and the trade pact will be a catalyst to further enhance bilateral trade, the ministry said.

The proposed agreement is expected to provide greater certainty and predictability to businesses, including medium and small businesses, through clearer rules and improved market access commitments.

According to the commerce ministry, technical teams are discussing a wide range of chapters, including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures and trade facilitation, and intellectual property rights.

At the opening session, commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the negotiations have started at an opportune time, coinciding with the Prime Minister's visit to Israel. He highlighted the opportunities in innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture and services, noting that the FTA could help both sides better use their strengths.

Indias chief negotiator Ajay Bhadoo, additional secretary in the commerce ministry, called for a balanced agreement that creates a forward-looking framework for an evolving partnership. Israels chief negotiator Yifat Alon Perel, senior director for trade policy and agreements and deputy trade commissioner, said the pact would have the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets.

For India, the talks with Israel come amid an active FTA calendar that includes ongoing negotiations and reviews with major partners. New Delhi has increasingly focused on agreements that can support technology transfer, value-chain integration and services exports, rather than tariff reductions alone. Israel, known for its strengths in agri-tech, water management, defence technologies and startup ecosystems, is seen as a strategic partner in areas that align with Indias manufacturing and digital ambitions.

Trade experts said that while bilateral trade with Israel is modest compared to that with Indias larger partners, the composition is technology-intensive and investment-linked. An FTA could help reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, ease regulatory frictions and provide a framework for collaboration in emerging sectors such as AI and cybersecurity, where both countries have complementary capabilities, said Ajay Sahai, director general, Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation (Fieo).

Indias merchandise trade with Israel has seen a sharp correction over the past three fiscal years, with exports declining significantly from their FY23 peak, while imports have moderated at a slower pace.

Indias exports to Israel were at $8.45 billion in FY23, falling to $4.53 billion in FY24, and to $2.15 billion in FY25, commerce ministry data shows. This marks a decline of about 46% in FY24 over FY23, followed by another 53% fall in FY25. Overall, India's exports to the country have contracted by nearly 75% between FY23 and FY25, the data shows.

On the import side, India bought Israeli goods worth $2.32 billion in FY23, which declined to $2.01 billion in FY24, down 13.6%, and to $1.48 billion in FY25, down 26%, the ministry's data shows. Over the two-year period, imports have fell by a little over 36%.

Also Read | India needs a national migration policy, not rhetoric

India has maintained a trade surplus with Israel, although the gap has narrowed considerably. The trade surplus was at $6.13 billion in FY23, shrinking to $2.52 billion in FY24, and further to $0.66 billion in FY25, per the ministry data.

FTA push In a separate event on Tuesday, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said India is building bridges of trade, trust and transformation at a time of global uncertainty and it now enjoys preferential access to nearly two-thirds of global trade through a series of high-quality FTAs concluded under the Prime Minister's leadership.

Virtually addressing the 5th CII National Exports Competitiveness Summit in Chennai, Goyal said all nine FTAs signed under the current government have been with developed economies that complement Indias growth journey. He said no country can become developed without opening its doors to the global economy and reiterated the governments commitment to reform, perform and transform.

The minister also indicated that talks on FTA with Canada could be launched soon.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that citizens of the country may not see the $175 billion raised from Trump's tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was recently struck down by the Supreme Court.

Many American households were looking forward to the $2,000 check promised by President Donald Trump and the White House. While there was no solid update to begin with, even as Trump claimed several times that the checks would be sent soon, the hopes of the money actually reaching bank accounts are now bleaker than ever.

Several economists and analysts have said that some $175 billion is now locked up in litigation for refunds, and Bessent admitted that the funds are unlikely to ever come to light for consumers.

What did Scott Bessent say? Speaking at the Economic Club of Dallas following Friday's Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, Scott Bessent clarified that the judgment did not specify how the funds collected from the IEEPA tariffs should be handled. Therefore, that decision may be forwarded to international trade courts.

My sense is that could be dragged out for weeks, months, years, so  well see what happens there, he said,

He noted that IEEPA tariffs may never see the light of day for consumers. I got a feeling the American people wont see it.

Also Read | Trump threatens foreign nations amid US Supreme Court's tariff blow

Bessent claims tariff collection won't see drop Scott Bessent noted that using other forms of US tariffs, such as Section 232 (a national security justification) or Section 301 (unfair trade practices), means tariff revenue wont drop or slow.

Let's be clear about what today's ruling WAS and what it WASN'T. Despite the misplaced gloating from Democrats, ill-informed media outlets, and the very people who gutted our industrial base, the Court did not rule against President Trump's tariffs. Six justices simply ruled that IEEPA authorities cannot be used to raise even $1 of revenue, he claimed.

The Treasury Secretary noted that the Trump administration would use other methods to keep imposing tariffs.

This administration will invoke alternative legal authorities to replace the IEEPA tariffs. We will be leveraging Section 232 and Section 301 tariff authorities that have been validated through thousands of legal challenges, he said during Friday's event.

Despite the legal setback, Bessent stated that Treasury estimates show tariff revenue will remain virtually unchanged in 2026 as the administration transitions to these other mechanisms.

Treasury's estimates show that the use of Section 122 authority, combined with potentially enhanced Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs, will result in virtually unchanged tariff revenue in 2026," he added.

Supreme Court ruling on US tariffs and the aftermath The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 that the Trump administration exceeded its legal authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad-based import tariffs.

Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, and the three liberal justices, held that the IEEPA does not explicitly authorise the president to levy duties  a power the Constitution assigns to Congress.

Calling the ruling shameful, Donald Trump immediately announced that he will impose a flat 10% global tariff on all nations under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This authority allows for a temporary import surcharge (up to 15%) for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits.

Just a day later, on Saturday, the US President announced that he would raise the global tariff to the maximum limit of 15%. The newly imposed US tariffs are set to kick in from Tuesday (local time).

While the US Customs and Border Protection agency and the White House issued notices stating that tariff collection would begin after 12:00 AM EST on 24 February, Trump issued a warning to trade partners.

He warned countries against backing away from recently negotiated trade deals with the US, saying that if they did, he would hit them with much higher duties under different trade laws.
Donald Trumps new 10% global tariffs went into effect on Tuesday, kicking off a White House effort to preserve the presidents trade agenda after the Supreme Court struck down his original sweeping duties.

The president signed an executive order last Friday authorizing the 10% import tax just hours after the ruling. He subsequently threatened to raise the number to 15%, but Trump did not officially issue a directive to increase the rate by Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. Washington time when the 10% levy went into effect.

Also Read | Here are (some) answers to your biggest tariff questions

The White House is working on a formal order that will increase the global tariff rate to 15%, according to an administration official. The timeline for implementing that higher levy has not been finalized, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private matters.

The lack of clarity from Washington has spawned confusion around the globe about Trumps tariff agenda. Countries and corporations are poring over existing trade agreements to determine how theyd fare under Trumps latest threats. Major trading partners, including the European Union and India, have abruptly halted ongoing trade negotiations amid the uncertainty.

Trump is applying the 10% baseline levy under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose the charge for 150 days without congressional approval. He turned to this approach after the court ruled he violated an emergency-powers law by using it to enact his so-called reciprocal tariffs on goods from countries worldwide.

Also Read | Trump threatens foreign nations amid US Supreme Court's tariff blow

The order preserved some exemptions, including for goods compliant with the North American trade pact between the US, Canada and Mexico as well as an exception for some agricultural goods that existed under Trumps invalidated levies.

The average effective US tariff rate will settle around 10.2% including those exemptions, down from 13.6% before the court decision, according to a Bloomberg Economics analysis. Under a 15% global levy, that effective rate would be about 12%, according to the study.

Trumps team has said tariffs will remain central to his trade policy, reiterating plans to launch a series of investigations on accelerated timelines that allow him to unilaterally impose duties  all with the goal of rebuilding the tariff regime the court ruling effectively destroyed.

None of the authorities the White House has identified  such as Section 301 and Section 232  are as flexible as the emergency powers Trump had previously used to wield leverage against trading partners. The administration has yet to announce new trade investigations, which could take months to conclude.

As they respond to the justices decision, administration officials have urged trading partners to uphold deals theyve negotiated with the US over the last year.

We want them to understand these deals are going to be good deals, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday. Were going to stand by them. We expect our partners to stand by them.

That argument proved less than reassuring to some major economies. The European Union froze ratification of its agreement with the US on Monday until Trump firms up his latest tariff plans. In New Delhi, officials cited similar reasons for India postponing talks in the US this week on finalizing an interim trade deal.

Trump on Monday threatened even higher tariffs on partners that play games with their existing agreements.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Face the Nation that its critically important for global trade to have clarity from the US administration.

Trumps threat to raise the global baseline to 15% has also rattled some traditional allies that cut deals with Trump. The UK negotiated a 10% rate with the administration last year and the higher level could create a less favorable situation for its exporters.

Meanwhile, other more adversarial nations including China may find their hand strengthened in negotiations with Trump now that his emergency powers have been curtailed. The US president is set to visit Beijing late next month for a highly anticipated meeting with his counterpart, Xi Jinping.

Also Read | Sitharaman says too early to comment on impact of US tariffs twists

The tariffs took effect hours before Trump is expected to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress, which will be attended by Democrats and some Republicans who have opposed elements of his trade policy.
The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is willing to offer 27-28 assembly seats and a Rajya Sabha berth to the Congress in the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections as seat-sharing negotiations continue between the two alliance partners, according to multiple media reports.

The ruling DMK began seat-sharing negotiations with Congress leader KC Venugopal, meeting Chief Minister MK Stalin at his Alwarpet residence on Sunday.

The two parties were unable to reach a preliminary agreement on the number of seats the Congress, a junior partner in the alliance, would contest in the upcoming Assembly election in Tamil Nadu. The formal seat-sharing talks would be held on February 26 or 27, according to a report in The Hindu.

However, leaders aware of the meeting held on Sunday night, suggested that the DMK is ready to offer 27 assembly seats and a Rajya Sabha berth to the Congress for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

How many seats did Congress fight in 2021? Remember, the Congress party contested 25 seats in the 2021 polls, winning 18, as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA). In this election, however, it is expected to be offered 27-28 seats, according to a report in The Federal, citing sources. The DMK is willing to offer a couple of seats more than 2021 polls to the Congress.

In the last assembly election, the DMK contested 173 of the states 234 seats. It won 133 seats and formed the government with the Congress partys 18 seats.

Tamil Nadu is going to the assembly polls in April-May this year.

The Congress, according to media reports, was expecting at least 30 Assembly seats at the outset, but the DMK is not willing to allot more than 25 seats and one Rajya Sabha seat. Some reports suggested that the Congress wanted one Assembly seat for every Lok Sabha seat in Tamil Nadu, for a total of 39.

All India Congress Committee in-charge of Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar and TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai met DMK Parliamentary party leader Kanimozhi and discussed the issue on Monday, as per a report in The Hindu

Chodankar, after meeting Kanimozhi, acknowledged that talks remained inconclusive, though the discussion on Rajya Sabha seats and local body elections went positively.

We have to first conclude seat-sharing. We will update you, he was quoted a saying in a report in The Hindu.

Congress party's expectations According to Tamil Nadu Congress Committee sources quoted by news agencies, Venugopal, in the about 45-minute meeting on Sunday, apprised Stalin about his party's expectations and the constituencies it wished to contest.

The talks between Stalin and Venugopal took place against the backdrop of the recent meeting between DMK leader Kanimozhi and Congress top leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi over seat-sharing.

Also, the meeting follows demands by a section of state Congress leaders seeking a share in power, while CM Stalin ruled out the possibility, saying such an arrangement would not suit Tamil Nadu.

We have to first conclude seat-sharing. We will update you.

On Sunday, the DMK commenced seat-sharing talks by holding parleys with longtime ally the IUML, which sought 5 seats, and the former offered 2, citing the need to accommodate more allies.

The DMK leads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) in Tamil Nadu, and its constituents include the Congress, DMDK, Left parties and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
The first song from The Paradise, titled Aaya Sher, has been released, offering audiences their first musical glimpse into actor Nanis upcoming action drama. The track, composed by Anirudh Ravichander, presents a high-energy introduction to the films lead character and has already generated strong buzz among fans online.

The Paradise's first song Aaya Sher out The song serves as Nanis introduction number in the film and is designed as a large-scale mass anthem. Known for blending intense beats with cinematic storytelling, Anirudh delivers what industry insiders describe as an electrifying track that reflects the gritty tone of the film. Reports suggest the number was shot on a massive set with hundreds  and in some accounts more than a thousand  dancers, highlighting the ambitious scale of the production.

Directed by Srikanth Odela, who previously collaborated with Nani on Dasara, The Paradise is positioned as a dark and intense action thriller. The film marks another attempt by the actor to explore raw and rugged characters, moving away from his earlier romantic and family-centric roles. The makers have emphasised that the film will present Nani in a never-before-seen avatar, with the music playing a major role in establishing the tone of the story.

Aaya Sher appears to reflect this transformation. The visuals showcase a powerful and aggressive screen presence, supported by energetic choreography and stylised cinematography. Industry reports note that the song was carefully designed to elevate Nanis character introduction and set the emotional and narrative mood of the film from the very beginning.

Music composer Anirudh Ravichander, known for chart-topping soundtracks across Tamil and Telugu cinema, has once again leaned into a mass-appeal soundscape. His collaboration with Nani for The Paradise has been widely anticipated, with early promotional material hinting at a soundtrack rooted in raw energy and high drama. The composers signature percussion-heavy style is evident throughout the track, aligning with the films action-driven theme.

The Paradise is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas banner and features music by Anirudh, cinematography by G. K. Vishnu, and editing by Naveen Nooli. The project was officially announced in 2024 and began principal photography in 2025, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming Telugu releases.
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over the clearance certification granted to the controversial film, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. The sequel to Vipul Shah's The Kerala Story, starring Adah Sharma, claims to be inspired by true stories as it depicts how women are manipulated and coerced into religious conversion in the name of love.

The Kerala Story 2 case Recently, three petitions were filed, seeking a stay on the film's release.

According to Bar and Bench, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who was considering the stay and cancellation of its certification, emphasised the role of the CBFC.

Justice Thomas said, as per Bar and Bench, Kerala is so secular. It lives with total harmony, but have you considered this when something is portrayed as happening all over the state? There is a wrong indication and can even incite passion, and that is when the censor board (CBFC) comes into the picture.

The judge stated that the concerns raised by the petitioners regarding misrepresentation and the potential to incite communal tensions appeared to be justified, especially since the film claims to be based on true events.

The film is projected as being inspired by true events, and that, prima facie, shows that the concerns raised by the petitioners appear to have some justification, Justice Thomas said.

The court also considered that the name of the state is included in the title of the film, and hence, people's apprehensions cannot be ignored.

The Kerala Story 2 can create communal tension "Apprehensions of people in Kerala cannot be ignored because you have given the name Kerala. Normally, I do not interfere with any movie because it is a creation of art, but then you say it is inspired by true events and named it Kerala, which can create some communal tension," the judge observed.

Justice Thomas also asked whether the film adheres to CBFC guidelines that prohibit content contemptuous of racial, religious, or similar groups.

"See, freedom of creativity is there, but there are certain conditions by the CBFC to be followed. The question is, are you aware of that? Presumption can be reversed by the movie itself, but this is not just creation; you say it is inspired by true events. That has a great bearing," Justice Thomas remarked.

Senior Advocate S Sreekumar, who is representing the makers of The Kerala Story 2, agreed to remove the teaser of the film from all platforms until the court's verdict.

Kerala HC to watch The Kerala Story 2 Meanwhile, the court has also asked for a screening of the film for Justice Thomas before delivering the verdict in the case.

"I dont want to interfere with the artistic expression, but the law and guidelines laid down indicate certain restrictions when it comes to religious matters," the judge said.

One of the petitioners argued today that the film title includes Kerala, while it features a pan-India story. The petitioner also cited the recent case around Netflix's Ghuskhor Pandit.

Also Read | Anurag Kashyap calls The Kerala Story 2 'propaganda', reacts to viral beef scene

Live Law reported that the filmmakers, on the other hand, argued that the films certification creates a presumption in their favour. However, the court observed that the central government itself has laid down certain conditions that must still be followed.

The presumption can be rebutted by the movie itself. Once the movie is released, it is not just a creation. You are saying it is inspired by true events. It has a great bearing...In bold letters, you are saying inspired by a true event. And in very microscopic letters, you would have said the characters are all fictional, the court said, as per Live Law.

The Kerala Story 2 teaser While the petitioner further argued that the teaser of the film was being exhibited without gaining a censor certificate, the film's production team said that the content in the teaser is not a part of the actual movie.

To this, the court asked the makers, "Can you arrange for a movie watching for tomorrow? If you are saying that the content in the teaser is not in the movie, then there might be a point."
Actor Winona Ryder is set to appear in the third season of Netflixs hit supernatural series Wednesday, marking a major addition to the shows expanding cast. The announcement confirms a creative reunion involving several long-time collaborators linked to filmmaker Tim Burton.

Winona Ryder Joins Wednesday Season 3 According to reports, Ryder has signed on for a guest starring role, though details about her character are being kept confidential.

Her casting brings together key figures from the recently released film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, where Wednesday lead actor Jenna Ortega portrayed Ryders on-screen daughter. Burton directed that film and continues to serve as director and executive producer on Wednesday, while series creators Al Gough and Miles Millar also worked on the screenplay for the sequel.

Also Read | What to expect from Wednesday Season 3? All that we gather from Season 2

In a statement welcoming Ryder to the series, Burton said, I am so happy that Winona has joined us, she fits right into this world. And shes a dear friend. I always feel lucky to work with her.

The collaboration reflects a creative partnership between Burton and Ryder that stretches back decades. Ryder rose to global fame through Burtons films, most notably Beetlejuice (1988), where she played Lydia Deetz, and Edward Scissorhands (1990), a gothic fantasy that became one of Burtons defining works. Their shared artistic style  blending dark humour, fantasy and outsider characters  has remained influential in popular culture and continues to shape the tone of Wednesday.

Showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar also praised Ryders addition to the series, saying, When it comes to Outcasts, Winona Ryder is the GOAT. Her legendary partnership with Tim Burton has defined some of cinemas most unforgettable characters. We loved collaborating with her on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and couldnt be more thrilled to welcome her to Nevermore.

Ryders casting also marks a quick return to Netflix following her role in Stranger Things, where she played Joyce Byers across five seasons. The sci-fi drama, which premiered in 2016, helped introduce Ryder to a new generation of viewers and re-established her as a major television presence.

Also Read | Wednesday S2 review: Jenna Ortega delivers a twisted triumph

Her reunion with Jenna Ortega has drawn particular attention among fans. Ortega, who gained widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Wednesday Addams, has often cited classic gothic performances  including Ryders early roles  as influences on her acting style. Their previous collaboration in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice strengthened that intergenerational connection, making Ryders arrival in the Wednesday universe a natural extension of the partnership.

Since its debut in 2022, Wednesday has become one of Netflixs most successful series, praised for its dark aesthetic, mystery-driven storytelling and Ortegas performance. The show follows Wednesday Addams as she navigates life at Nevermore Academy while investigating supernatural crimes and uncovering family secrets.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, on February 23, 2026, moved a resolution in the state Legislative Assembly to commemorate 150 years of Vande Mataram, describing the composition as enduring in relevance despite being written during the colonial period, according to an official statement issued after the proceedings.

Addressing the House in Gandhinagar, Patel said the songs words and meaning were not limited to the circumstances of its creation and would continue to hold significance for future generations. He linked the Assembly resolution to a nationwide commemoration being held to mark 150 years since the song was composed, and said the observance provided an occasion to remember figures associated with Indias freedom struggle and to pay tribute to Bharat Mata.

In his remarks, Patel said Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed Vande Mataram in 1875 and that the song contributed to building national consciousness at a time when the country was under British rule. He said the song became a rallying cry during the freedom movement, and that its central message was devotion to the motherland and confidence that Indians would shape their own destiny.

The Chief Minister also referred to historical restrictions placed on the songs public rendition during the colonial era, saying those who sang it faced imprisonment and punishment, as per the government statement. He said the phrase Vande Mataram was taken up by many freedom fighters, including those who faced execution, and argued that the slogan came to represent sacrifice and collective resolve.

Patel spoke about the imagery associated with the song, describing it as portraying the motherland as abundant in water, fruits and grains, and associating the nation with symbols of learning, prosperity and protection. He also traced the songs journey from its composition to constitutional recognition after Independence. He noted that on January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly recorded that Vande Mataramgiven its place in the freedom movementwould be accorded recognition alongside the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Linking the commemoration to present-day goals, Patel said the song that energised the freedom movement could continue to inspire citizens in the current period, including efforts towards development and self-reliance. He attributed the national-level observance of the 150-year milestone to Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for a broad commemoration across the country and said it was intended to serve as a tribute to national heroes as well as to the idea of Bharat Mata.

During the speech, Patel also cited government-led public campaigns in recent years that have encouraged participation in national commemorations and symbols, including initiatives focused on the national flag and programmes framed around heritage and local identity, the statement said. He further referred to Operation Sindoor while speaking on national security, describing it as an example of Indias response to hostile actions, without offering details in the Assembly remarks.
Jean Todt urged full nationwide enforcement of the two-helmet-per-motorcycle policy and immediate crackdown on fake helmet manufacturers

Rajeev Kapur, MD of Steelbird Hi-Tech India, called on two-wheeler companies to mandatorily supply two genuine helmets with every bike at minimal cost and proposed AI-powered helmet sensors and GPS speed limiters to eliminate over-speeding.

The conference featured four technical sessions focusing on safer junctions, inclusive sustainable mobility, powered two-wheeler protection, and best interventions under the Safe System Approach.

Experts stressed redesigning forgiving infrastructure, balancing speed with safety, prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists, and building multi-stakeholder capacity to create error-tolerant roads that save lives.

New Delhi, February 24, 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening Indias road safety ecosystem, Steelbird Helmets, in collaboration with TRAX - Road Safety NGO and Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), hosted Mission: Save Lives On Roads, India  An Integrated Road Safety Meet at The Leela Palace, Delhi.

The high-level gathering brought together global and national experts, scientists, medical professionals, industry leaders and policymakers to drive coordinated, evidence-based strategies aimed at significantly reducing road crashes and fatalities in India. Structured around three focused panel discussions, the conference emphasised infrastructure reform, sustainable mobility and powered two-wheeler safety under the Safe System Approach.

In a powerful address as Chief Guest, Shree Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety, commended India's recent progress while stressing the critical need for full enforcement, genuine standards, and collective global action to end the unacceptable toll of road deaths.

View full Image UN Road Safety Envoy Jean Todt Slams Fake Helmets, Urges Nationwide Enforcement to Cut India's 15% Road Death Share

Shree Jean Todt expressed his pleasure at joining the gathering and thanked the organizers Steelbird, CSIR, and TRAXfor their dedication to advancing road safety worldwide. He acknowledged the meaningful steps India has taken in recent years, particularly the announced policy to include two helmets with every motorcycle purchase, and emphasized that its full nationwide implementation and strict enforcement are now essential to saving lives.

India has around 1% of the world's vehicles, yet accounts for 15% of global road deaths each yearand this is no longer acceptable. Helmets are one of the most effective life-saving tools, but only if they meet proper safety standards. Last year, nearly 70% of helmets sold in Delhi were fake. If safe helmets are a vaccine, fake helmets are fake vaccinesand millions are using this fake medicine believing it will protect them, when it will not, added the UN Special Envoy for Road Safety.

Shree Jean Todt highlighted the alarming 38% rise in fatal motorbike crashes in Delhi over the last five years and called for urgent, coordinated efforts beyond government policiesurging the private sector, including quality-focused manufacturers, to prioritize compliance and affordability. He announced the upcoming high-level UN meeting on road safety in New York this summer, where governments, industry, and organizations are expected to make public, measurable commitments.

In an impassioned welcome and call to unified action at the road safety meet, Shree Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director of Steelbird Hi-Tech India Limited .urged industry, government, and stakeholders to join forces decisively to halve road deaths and eradicate preventable tragedies through enforcement, innovation, and collective resolve.

Shree Kapur expressed deep joy at seeing everyone united on the single mission to save lives and stressed that we must collectively achieve the target of reducing road deaths by 50% as announced by our leader Gadkariji. He strongly advocated that every two-wheeler company should mandatorily provide two genuine helmets with each motorcycle. The Steelbird Managing Director highlighted the alarming reality that 50% of helmets in India are fake and easily shattered, urging the government to shut down the roughly 200 fake-helmet manufacturers in Delhi-NCR within just 15 days if it truly decides to act.

Calling for a common platform and one unified voice, Steelbird MD praised the excellent research and presentations shared, yet emphasized that individual efforts must converge. Looking to the future, Shree Kapur proposed harnessing booming AI technologysuch as helmet sensors that beep until both rider and pillion wear helmets, and GPS-linked speed limiters that automatically prevent vehicles from exceeding zone limitsto eliminate over-speeding forever.

Notably, the grand event featured four impactful technical sessions: Creating Safer Road Infrastructure through Junction Improvement and Road Space Management, Enabling Safer and Sustainable Mobility: Towards Inclusive, People-Centric Transport Systems, Strengthening Powered Two-Wheeler Users Safety, and Best Road Safety Interventions

Experts explored scientific junction redesign, black spot elimination, pedestrian-priority planning, and integration of driver behaviour into road engineering to build forgiving, error-tolerant infrastructure. Discussions underscored balancing speed with safety, embedding public health in transport planning, advancing intelligent vehicle technologies, and building stakeholder capacity for truly inclusive and sustainable mobility. A dedicated panel spotlighted the urgent need to enhance safety for powered two-wheeler usersthe most vulnerable group on Indian roads.

Note to readers: This article is part of Mints paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy.
U.S. importers on Tuesday will no longer have to pay most of the sweeping tariffs President Trump imposed last year. But companies wont get a respite from the trade turmoil and uncertainty that is defining Trumps second term. Nor can they expect the process for seeking tariff refunds to be easy.
The administration is also still moving forward on plans to revamp some of the existing national security tariffs on steel and aluminum, the people said. Those changes will likely lower the nominal tariff on many goods, but would also apply tariffs to the products full value, rather than only the value of steel or aluminum in the product. That could mean that many companies end up being charged higher tariff payments in the end.
Indias telecom regulator has cleared the way for the next spectrum auction by putting airwaves worth over 2 trillion on the block, while recommending steep cuts in reserve prices to improve participation from cash-strained operators. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended up to a 20-30% reduction in reserve price for the spectrum compared to the previous auction in 2024.

More than 62% or about 1.3 trillion worth spectrum is attributed to the 600MHz band, which went unsold in the previous spectrum auctions due to limited device support. The authority has reduced the reserve price for this band by 17% compared to the 2022 auction, and eased payment terms and rollout obligations, underscoring concerns that valuable airwaves have remained idle despite surging data demand.

In spectrum auctions, the reserve price acts as the floor value fixed by the government to ensure that airwaves are not sold below a predetermined minimum benchmark.

In all, vacant airwaves of more than 11,700MHz will be on the block across nine bands600MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz, 2,500MHz, 26GHz, and 3,300MHz. Further, the auction will also feature 17,940-crore new 5G spectrum in the 37-40GHz band, which the regulator had approved in February 2025.

Also Read | Trai weighs tougher spam rules amid 400 million daily calls

The auction spans low-, mid- and high-frequency spectrum bandswith lower bands such as 600MHz offering wider coverage, mid-bands like 1,800MHz and 3,300MHz supporting balanced 4G and 5G capacity, and high-frequency millimetre wave bands such as 26GHz and 3740GHz enabling ultra-fast 5G speeds in dense urban areas.

The recommendation from the Trai to the department of telecommunications (DoT) has come at a time when the telecom sector has largely become a duopoly with two playersReliance Jio and Bharti Airteloccupying 76.5% of the market share in terms of subscribers.

The third private telecom operatorVodafone Ideahas been losing subscribers and is struggling to compete owing to its weak financial position.

The DoT will now examine Trais recommendations and decide the next date of auctions after taking into consideration the appetite of the operators for a successful auction.

The spectrum in the frequency bands identified for IMT (international mobile telecommunication) should be auctioned on telecom circle/ metro area basis with a validity period of 20 years, Trai said in a release, adding that a calibrated reduction in the reserve price can be attempted, in an effort to improve the participation of telecom operators and enhance competitive dynamics to facilitate productive utilization of the idle.

Trai has also recommended that operators participating in auctions will not be able to acquire more than 35% of the total available spectrum, in a bid to ensure competition in the market.

It has also eased terms for deploying the 600MHz band by the telecom operators. While the spectrum charge may be levied for a period of 20 years, the validity period of the spectrum (in 600Mhz band) should be increased by four years, Trai said, recommending no rollout obligations for the initial four years for the band.

After paying 5% upfront payment of the bid amount for the 600MHz within 10 calendar days from the government's intimation, telecom operators will also be given a payment moratorium for four years after which they can make the remaining spectrum payment for the band in 19 installments.

This is different from the payment terms recommended for the older bands in 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz, 2,500MHz, 26GHz, 3,300MHz, etc, where two optionsfull or part upfront payment option, and 20 equal annual instalments optionhave been recommended by the regulator.

Any reduction in reserve price is always welcome and good for both operators and consumers. The governments objective from the spectrum auction should not be to make money but to charge enough to cover administrative expenses, said Satya N. Gupta, former principal advisor at Trai.

According to Gupta, the 600MHz spectrum purchase will be a key event to track as the band has been unsold in the previous auction. A relaxation in payment terms for the band is being proposed with an intent to promote the ecosystem of the band and its usage, he said.

The 600MHz band is valued for its long-range coverage and strong ability to penetrate buildings, making it particularly useful for rural networks and indoor connectivity. However, it has gone unsold in past auctions mainly due to steep reserve prices and the absence of a mature device and equipment ecosystem in India to support deployments in this band.

The background In the previous spectrum auction in 2024, 10,522.35MHz of spectrum with a reserve price of 96,238.45 crore was put on the block.

Of this, 141.40MHz of airwaves worth 11,341 crore were sold. In 2022, before the launch of 5G services, of the 72,098MHz of spectrum worth 4.3 trillion offered, operators acquired 51,236MHz of spectrum worth over 1.5 trillion.

6GHz not on offer In line with the demand of big tech companies and Bharti Airtel, the regulator has recommended that the upper 6GHz band (6,425-6,725MHz and 7,025-7,125MHz) should not be put up for sale in the forthcoming auction. To be sure, Reliance Jio wanted the government to bring the band in the upcoming auction but Bharti Airtel did not want the same in absence of device ecosystem and use cases.

Presently, the IMT ecosystem in the 6GHz band is at a nascent stage and very few countries like China, South Korea, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, have assigned this band for IMT based services. In view of the above, appropriate time for the auction of this band is required to be explored considering the less developed ecosystem and availability of only 400MHz spectrum in a fragmented manner, Trai said.

The regulator has also asked the telecom department to immediately initiate action for taking back spectrum held with telecom service providers under insolvency, and bring it in the upcoming auction.

Also Read | Trai proposes a cut in microwave spectrum charges: What it means for telcos

This recommendation comes after the Supreme Court on 13 February held that the airwaves cannot be sold under an insolvency process. The ruling dashed banks hopes of recovering money lent to bankrupt telecom operators such as Reliance Communications (RCom) and Aircel.

In its recommendations, Trai has also asked the government to consider incentivising the operators to expand their mobile network coverage in areas that have no mobile network coverage and are not covered under the schemes of Digital Bharat Nidhi Fund to bridge the digital divide.

Once the spectrum auction is concluded, the successful bidders of the spectrum should be permitted to opt for a reduction in the spectrum cost (up to 10% of the auction determined price (ADP). This option should be available for all Licensed Service Areas and for all frequency bands, Trai said.

It added that for the reduction in the spectrum cost, the operator should deploy new unique tower sites to provide mobile broadband services (using 4G/ 5G technologies) using the spectrum in any of its frequency bands at the locations identified by DoT within a specific period of say one year from the date of identification of such locations.

To invite greater participation in the spectrum auctions for non-telcos, the authority has recommended that the government should set aside some spectrum for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) providers and Captive Non-Public Networks (CNPN).

After identification of suitable IMT frequency band(s) to be set aside for ISPs, M2M providers and CNPN, DoT should send a reference to Trai for seeking recommendations on the terms and conditions including reserve price for assignment of such spectrum, it said.

M2M refers to connected devices communicating automatically, while CNPNs are private 4G or 5G networks set up by enterprises for their own internal use.
Gold rate today: Gold and silver were trading with losses in Tuesday's session, as investors appeared to be booking profits following the recent run-up, while the rebound in the US dollar is also making precious metals more expensive for holders of other currencies.

The April futures contract on Comex fell $116 per troy ounce to a days low of $5,109 on 24 February. Silver prices were, too, trading lower, with the March silver futures contract on Comex falling $2 per troy ounce to reach the day's low of $84.50.

If silver closes in the red, it will end the white metal's four-day winning run, during which it gained a cumulative 18%, contributing to a 9.51% gain so far in February. From the month's lows, the silver prices have recovered by 35%.

Tariff uncertainty, Mideast tensions continue to remain supportive According to analysts, ongoing US tariff uncertainty and rising tensions in the Middle East are likely to keep safe-haven assets on investors radar.

US President Donald Trump on Monday warned countries against backing away from recently negotiated trade deals, saying that he would hit them with much higher duties under different trade laws.

In the latest developments, global logistics giant FedEx filed a lawsuit seeking a full refund after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trumps emergency tariffs.

The US Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Trump's use of a 1977 emergency law to impose tariffs exceeded his authority, but Washington imposed a new tariff of 10% on all goods not covered by exemptions on Tuesday, Reuters reported, citing US Customs and Border Protection.

Meanwhile, Iran and the US will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on Sunday.

Also Read | COMEX silver inventory falls below 90 million ounces

MCX gold drops over  3,000 per 10g; silver back below  2.55 lakh per kg In the domestic market, the April gold futures contract on MCX fell 3,313 per 10 grams to the day's low of 1,58,285 per 10 grams, while the March silver futures contract dropped 11,834 per kilogram to 2,53,499, erasing most of the 12,389 rally seen in the previous trade.

Looking at monthly performance, silver is down 12.17% in February so far, while gold has remained in the green, gaining 6.18% during the same period.

Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said, "Gold traded in a range with minor weakness near 1,60,650 as CME Gold faced resistance around $5,175. Optimism over possible USIran talks on Thursday has slightly cooled the risk premium, keeping prices capped at higher levels."

"Support is placed near 1,58,000 for the April contract, while resistance remains around 1,62,500. Volatility is expected to stay elevated given ongoing geopolitical developments, as any escalation or breakdown in talks could quickly revive safe-haven buying," he further added.

The US dollar index rebounded 0.25% to 97.98 against the basket of currencies

(With inputs from Reuters)
Gold, Silver Rates Today LIVE: Gold and silver prices declined on Tuesday, pressurised by a stronger US dollar despite tariff uncertainty and US-Iran tensions. Comex gold prices fell from a more than three-week high, while silver prices dropped over 3%.

Spot gold price fell 1.5% to $5,150.38 per ounce after hitting a more than three-week high earlier in the day. US gold futures for April delivery were down 1.1% at $5,170.70 an ounce. Spot silver price plunged 3.1% to $85.50 per ounce, after hitting a more than two-week high on Monday.

Gold, Silver Rates Today LIVE: Shanghai Silver trades at strong premium

Shanghai silver market has reopened following the Lunar New Year holiday. Shanghai silver continues to trade at a significant premium compared to Western spot prices, reflecting tight local supply and high industrial demand.

The Shanghai silver price is currently quoting $94.38/oz, which is higher by over $7 per ounce against the COMEX silver rate today. This means, the Shanghai silver price is trading at a premium of over $7 per ounce against the international market price.

The US dollar rose, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for other currency holders.

Meanwhile, investors remain cautious amid the US-Iran peace talks and tariff uncertainty. US President Donald Trump warned countries against backing away from recently negotiated trade deals with the US after the Supreme Court struck down his emergency tariffs.

Stay tuned to our Gold, Silver Rates Today Live Blog for the latest updates.
By Anmol Choubey

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Gold retreated on Tuesday, easing from a threeweek high as profittaking and a firmer dollar pressured prices, while traders awaited clarity on U.S. tariff plans and the outcome of talks between Washington and Tehran.

Spot gold fell 1.4% to $5,158.24 per ounce by 01:40 p.m. ET (1840 GMT). U.S. gold futures for April delivery settled 0.9% lower at $5,176.30.

The U.S. dollar rose 0.1%, making greenback-priced bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies. [USD/]

"Gold prices (had been) trending higher again so I suspect this is just a corrective pullback," said Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals, adding that a higher dollar is also having a negative influence on the prices.

Prices hit a three-week high earlier in the session, after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to raise duties to 15% following the Supreme Court ruling that his use of an emergency law to impose tariffs exceeded his authority.

However, the U.S. on Tuesday imposed a 10% tariff on all nonexempt goods, as first announced by Trump on Friday.

Meanwhile, Iran and the U.S. will hold a third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, amid growing concerns about the risk of military conflict between the longtime adversaries.

"You've still got solid safehaven demand, with Iran-U.S. tensions and tariff uncertainty limiting selling in gold, keeping fundamentals supportive. But as prices near record highs, they'll face stiff resistance, and pushing to new highs would likely require a fresh geopolitical catalyst," Wyckoff said.

Gold, a traditional safe-haven asset, tends to benefit in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Separately, outgoing Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic told Reuters the U.S. may be entering a phase of structurally higher unemployment as firms adopt AI to cut labor, a shift that the Fed may not be able to counter with lower rates.

Spot silver edged down 1.2% to $87.21 per ounce, after hitting a more than two-week high on Monday.

Spot platinum was up 1% at $2,175.95 per ounce, while palladium rose 2.3% to $1,785.35.
Infrastructure and core industry players such as Gawar Construction and Wonder Cement also made the list, alongside financial services firms, including SBI General Insurance and Zerodha Broking. Anas Rahman Junaid, founder and chief researcher at Hurun India, however, clarified that the list does not imply that the companies will go public soon, but rather points to public-market readiness.
Initial investigations indicate the fraud is contained within the Chandigarh branch and limited to a set of government-linked accounts, suggesting no systemic issue for now. Yet, a fraud of this magnitudeenabled by collusion among only a few employeespoints to lapses in internal controls. Following reports of the Haryana government recovering 556 crore from IDFC, the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau has also been involved in the investigation.
Bharti Airtel, Indias second-largest telecom provider, witnessed its shares decline nearly 4% in intraday trade on Tuesday, February 24, touching the days low of 1,921 apiece. The stock was last seen around these levels in early February. The fall also marks its steepest intraday decline in three months.

Investors reacted negatively to the companys proposal to strengthen its Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Airtel Money Limited, through substantial capital infusion.

On Monday, the company announced significant plans for Airtel Money, stating that it will capitalise the NBFC subsidiary with 20,000 crore to be infused over the next few years, with 70% of the equity contribution coming from Bharti Airtel and the remaining 30% from the promoter group.

This announcement came weeks after the company secured an NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13. The company further said that it will leverage the large Airtel customer base to build the next growth engine for the company and further diversify its portfolio.

The NBFC has already achieved hyperscale adoption with over 9,000 crore in disbursements, and Airtel aims to rapidly expand access to simple, secure, and innovative digital financial services across India.

"The disbursement journey of the NBFC will be seamlessly integrated with the LSP platform while maintaining clear operational segregation between the two, giving customers a best-in-class experience. By combining technology, data, and customer understanding at scale, Airtel aims to set a new benchmark for digital financial services in India," the company said in its regulatory filing.

Bharti Airtel Q3 results 2026 Bharti Airtel earlier this month reported strong revenue and operating performance in the October-December quarter, even as its net profit fell significantly due to one-off factors and an exceptional gain in the year-ago period.

It reported a 55% year-on-year (y-o-y) fall in its net profit to 6,631 crore. Sequentially, it fell 2.4% in Q3 from 6,791.7 crore in the preceding quarter. Its revenue in the quarter was up 19.6% y-o-y and 3.5% sequentially at 53,982 crore.

Also Read | Airtel Money fires a 20,000-cr warning shot at Jio Financial

The drop in profit could be attributed largely to a high base in the year-ago period, when the company reported a net exceptional gain of 7,546 crore following the reclassification of Indus Towers from an associate company to its subsidiary, while also increasing the provision for gratuity and compensated absences amounting to 257 crore.

Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has increased the gap in ARPU with Reliance Jio. During the quarter, Airtels ARPU rose 1.2% sequentially to 259 a month, driven by growth in data consumption and consumer upgrades.

Bharti Airtel share price trend The companys shares began 2026 on a weak note, falling 6.50% in January after delivering a seventh consecutive year of positive performance in 2025. The stock, after hitting a record high of 2,174 in late November, lost its momentum and earlier this month dropped to the 1,900 level before gathering strength.

In the current year so far, the stock is down by 7.86%; however, its long-term performance still remains intact. Cumulatively, the stock has delivered a robust 154% return to investors over the last three years, and in the last five years, it has given 243%, turning investors portfolios wealthier.

The rally has propelled the companys market cap to cross the 12 lakh crore mark

Also Read | Airtel bets big on data centres, cloud for market share gains
Buy or sell stocks: The Indian stock market ended Monday, February 23, with solid gains despite mixed global cues. The Sensex settled at 83,294.66, climbing 480 points, or 0.58%, while the Nifty 50 finished at 25,713, up 142 points, or 0.55%. However, performance in the broader market was uneven, with the BSE 150 MidCap Index declining 0.21% and the BSE 250 SmallCap Index advancing 0.51%.

Stock market today Nifty Outlook The Nifty 50 began the session with a gap-up of 100 points, indicating strong bullish sentiment and positive opening cues. The rally continued, pushing the index to an intraday high of 25,771.45, before a mid-session correction dragged it down to a low of 25,609, forming a temporary pullback driven by profit booking.

According to Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, this decline was followed by a strong rebound of 119 points, enabling the index to close at 25,713, ending the day with overall gains of 141 points, which reflects persistent buying interest and underlying market strength.

From a technical perspective, immediate resistance is positioned in the 25,85025,900 zone, while strong support is seen around 25,55025,600. The daily RSI reading of 51.54 suggests a neutral-to-positive momentum structure, indicating room for further upside without overstretched conditions. As long as the index holds above 25,500 on a closing basis, a selective buy-on-dips approach remains valid, with a strict stop-loss maintained at 25,450 to control downside risk, Bagadia said.

Bank Nifty Outlook Bank Nifty opened the session on a flat note and then extended its bullish momentum to form an intraday high of 61,517. This was followed by an intraday correction of nearly 480 points, suggesting profit booking and short-term exhaustion at higher levels.

On the technical outlook, Bagadia said, From a technical perspective, immediate resistance is placed in the 61,50061,600 zone, while the 60,90061,000 range continues to act as a crucial support area for maintaining near-term stability. The daily RSI at 59.63 reflects strong positive momentum with a healthy bullish bias, without overbought conditions. As long as the index sustains above 59,700 on a closing basis, a selective buy-on-dips strategy may be considered, with a strict stop-loss at 59,500 to manage downside risk.

Sumeet Bagadia's stocks to buy Regarding stocks to buy today, Sumeet Bagadia recommended these five breakout stocks: City Union Bank, Privi Speciality Chemicals, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Fine Organic Industries, and Ingersoll-Rand (India).

1] City Union Bank: Buy at 291, Target 312, Stop Loss 281.

City Union Bank share price is trading around 291.05 and continues to form a higher highhigher low structure, indicating a sustained short-term uptrend. The stock has taken strong support near its 100-day EMA and is moving higher, reflecting buying interest at lower levels. RSI at 54.30 is holding above 50 and trending upward, signalling improving momentum. Traders may consider buy at CMP with SL 281 for TGT 312, maintaining risk management.

2] Privi Speciality Chemicals: Buy at 2994, Target 3200, Stop Loss 2890.

Privi Speciality Chemicals share price is trading around 2,994.80 and is showing renewed strength after bouncing back from a recent consolidation phase. The stock has taken firm support near its 100-day EMA and resumed its upward move, indicating accumulation at lower levels. RSI has reversed from the oversold zone, signalling improving momentum and positive bias. Short-term traders may consider buying at CMP with a stop loss of 2,890 and a target of 3,200, ensuring disciplined risk management.

3] Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences: Buy at 717, Target 770, Stop Loss 690.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences share price is trading around 717.45 and continues to exhibit strength with a consistent higher highhigher low formation, indicating a sustained uptrend. The stock recently consolidated in a sideways range, where accumulation was visible, and has since bounced back, signalling renewed buying interest. RSI stands at 67.80 and is trending higher, reflecting strong momentum. Traders may consider buying at CMP with a stop loss of 690 and a target of 770, maintaining disciplined risk management.

4] Fine Organic Industries: Buy at 4647, Target 4950, Stop Loss 4450.

Fine Organic Industries share price is showing a strong bullish reversal after a prolonged consolidation phase around its 200-day EMA, indicating base formation and accumulation at lower levels. On the daily chart, the stock has decisively reclaimed all key moving averages (20, 50, 100, and 200 EMA), which are now acting as dynamic support zones. The recent candle has closed near the days high with rising volume, reflecting strong buying interest and momentum expansion. Price acceptance above the 200 EMA strengthens the trend reversal bias. As long as the stock sustains above 4450, the structure remains bullish and favours a continuation move toward the 4950 resistance zone.

5] Ingersoll-Rand (India): Buy at 3988, Target 4270, Stop Loss 3820.

Ingersoll-Rand (India) is exhibiting a classic higher highhigher low structure on the daily timeframe, signalling a steady uptrend from recent swing lows. The stock has delivered a sharp recovery rally and is now trading firmly above all key EMAs, confirming trend strength across multiple timeframes. Notably, it has closed decisively above the previous four sessions trading range, indicating strong bullish follow-through and breakout intent. Volume expansion during the recent upmove supports the momentum and suggests accumulation. RSI is also trending higher, reinforcing positive momentum. Immediate support is placed near 3820, while sustained strength above current levels can drive the stock toward the 4270 resistance zone.
IDFC First Bank fraud: After an over 16% crash in the previous session, IDFC First bank share price rose 3% on Tuesday, February 24 after the lender said it had paid the entire principal and interest amount claimed by departments of the Haryana government, even as the investigation into the matter remains ongoing. The bank disclosed that the total payout stood at 583 crore, underscoring its commitment to customer-first principles and ethical banking practices.

In a regulatory filing, IDFC First Bank said it chose not to withhold payment despite the issue being under investigation, emphasising that standing by customers at critical moments is central to its operating philosophy.

Our Bank always upholds the highest principles and standards. We call ourselves a customer-first bank in the way we define our product policies, disclosures, and no fine print banking, the company said, adding that it gives customers the benefit of doubt in the event of differing interpretations.

The crash yesterday came after the lender disclosed that a 590 crore fraud had been detected at its Chandigarh branch, involving accounts linked to the Haryana government. The revelation, made over the weekend, rattled investor confidence and triggered sharp selling in the stock.

In intra-day deals today, the scrip jumped 3.1% to its day's high of 72.27 on BSE. The stock ended 1.33% higher at 70.97

The bank had said the total discrepancy stood at 590 crore, of which 490 crore had already been identified through reconciliation, while an additional 100 crore was estimated based on preliminary findings. The disclosure prompted swift action from the Haryana government, which de-empanelled IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank from accepting fresh government deposits.

Bank highlights strong financial position IDFC FIRST Bank said the payment decision was driven by principle-based governance rather than procedural delays. Now was the occasion to stand up and deliver when it truly matters and put our CUSTOMER FIRST principles in action, the bank stated, adding that it did not hold back the payment despite the matter being under investigation.

At the same time, the bank reiterated that it would continue to cooperate with the concerned government departments and law enforcement agencies to pursue action against those responsible for the fraud and to recover its dues.

IDFC First Bank reiterated that it remains financially strong despite the ongoing investigation. As of December 31, 2025, the bank reported gross non-performing assets (GNPA) of 1.69% and net NPA of 0.53%, among the healthiest asset quality metrics in the sector. Its capital adequacy ratio stood at a comfortable 16.22%, providing adequate buffers for growth.

The banks total customer business, comprising loans and deposits, rose 22.6% year-on-year to 5,62,090 crore, while its CASA ratio was around 50%. Net interest margin came in at 5.76% in Q3FY26.

IDFC First Bank said profitability has not yet fully reflected these strengths as it continues to invest in products, technology, distribution, branches, ATMs and rural banking. The bank added that the foundation-building phase is largely complete and expects operating leverage to drive earnings growth, with profits returning to a strong trajectory from FY27 onwards.

Brokerages cut targets but stay constructive Despite the sharp stock reaction in the previous session, brokerages said the incident appeared to be operational rather than structural, though near-term earnings and sentiment were likely to take a hit.

Axis Direct said, While the fraud appears limited to a single branch and management does not expect any material escalation, near-term profitability will be impacted. We have cut FY26 earnings sharply, though we broadly maintain FY2728 estimates, assuming no cascading impact from government-related business.

Axis Direct reiterated its BUY recommendation on the stock, but revised its target price to 87 per share, implying an upside of 24% from the current market price. The brokerage now values the bank at 1.4x Sep-28E adjusted book value, compared with 1.6x earlier, factoring in a 23% cut to FY26 earnings. It believes valuations of 1.2x1.1x FY2728E adjusted book value are reasonable, though a meaningful re-rating would depend on flawless execution and stronger internal controls.

It added, The outcome of the forensic audit will be closely watched, particularly for any spillover into other government accounts. While deposit growth remains largely granular and retail-driven, sustained confidence will hinge on strengthening internal processes alongside maintaining growth ahead of the system.

Emkay, meanwhile, retained an ADD rating on IDFC First Bank but cut its target price by around 16% to 80, valuing the stock at 1.2x FY28E adjusted book value.

Emkay said, The 5.9 billion mismatch represents about 1.25% of net worth and 0.2% of deposits. While this appears to be an isolated operational lapse, it could temporarily disrupt CASA momentum and delay near-term re-rating, though it does not derail the long-term RoA recovery story.

Emkay noted that the fraud could lead to incremental outflows from Haryana government accounts, which account for around 0.5% of overall deposits, or roughly 14.5 billion. It also flagged potential second-order impacts on margins and business momentum, leading it to cut FY26, FY27, and FY28 earnings estimates by 30%, 13%, and 9%, respectively.

While brokerages broadly agreed that the incident was not comparable to a structural governance failure, they cautioned that investor confidence and valuation recovery would now hinge on the findings of the forensic audit, recovery progress, and the banks ability to reinforce internal controls without losing growth momentum.

IDFC First Bank fraud: What happened? IDFC First Bank stated that, on a preliminary basis, unauthorised and fraudulent transactions appeared to have been carried out by certain employees at its Chandigarh branch, possibly in connivance with external parties. The irregularities were confined to a specific set of Haryana government-linked accounts maintained at that branch.

The issue surfaced after the bank received a request from a Haryana government department seeking closure of its account and transfer of funds to another bank. This prompted internal scrutiny, which revealed discrepancies across the identified accounts.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer V. Vaidyanathan described the episode as a clear case of employee fraud during a conference call, stating that internal evidence also pointed to the involvement of external parties. Four bank officials have been suspended pending investigation, and the matter was placed before the Special Committee of the Board for Monitoring and Follow-up of Cases of Fraud on February 20, 2026.

The bank has appointed KPMG to conduct a forensic audit, which is expected to take four to five weeks. Police complaints have been filed, law enforcement agencies have been engaged, and recovery and lien-marking actions have been initiated across the banking system.

Following the disclosure, the Haryana government issued a circular stating that no government funds would be parked, deposited, invested, or transacted through IDFC First Bank or AU Small Finance Bank until further orders.
This should be seen in the context of Indias growing heft in the global financial system, said Soumyajit Niyogi, director at India Ratings and Research. Many global investors are now looking at India to diversify their investments, and the inclusion of India in the bond indices is a testimony to that, he said. Be that as it may, given our current account deficit and the pressure on the rupee, investors will weigh their options when they place their bets.
Small-cap stock under 50: Tiger Logistics share price was trading in the green, despite the market sell-off on Tuesday, February 24, after the company announced expansion of its operations in Gujarat. On Tuesday, the Sensex tumbled over 1100 points to touch an intraday low of 82,134, while the Nifty 50 dropped 1% to 25,460 during the session.

The stock action remained volatile as Tiger Logistics share price slipped nearly 1.25% after opening in the green. However, it later trimmed losses and rebounded by 2.28% from the days low.

The small-cap stock opened at 31.91 apiece as compared to the previous close of 31.87. At 10:55 am, the stock touched its intraday high of 32.24.

Also Read | Bharti Airtel share price drops 4% on NBFC expansion plans

Tiger Logistics expansion details In a press release, Tiger Logistics announced a strategic expansion of its Western India operations, deepening its presence in Gujarat, which is considered the company's strongest growth market for Solar EXIM (Export-Import).

According to the release, Gujarat continues to be a vital hub in the solar supply chain, contributing 47% of Indias module manufacturing capacity and 49% of cell production.

With existing branches in Gandhidham and Ahmedabad, Tiger Logistics has strengthened its position within this high-volume corridor with the appointment of a General Manager  Gujarat Region to reinforce operational discipline, enhance customer proximity, and accelerate on-ground responsiveness across key accounts, the company said in the release.

The company further informed that its renewable vertical, TiGreen, currently handles up to 2,000 TEUs of solar container movements per month, with the majority of this volume coming from clients in the Gujarat region.

With strong client pipelines and the sectors ongoing expansion in Gujarat, this volume is set to increase by 4045% over the next year, supported by deeper regional capability and the companys strengthened leadership structure, it added.

Our Western India expansion is driven by clear market visibility and the scale at which our solar clients are growing in the state. Enhanced leadership and stronger operational depth in Gujarat will ensure that we can offer sharper responsiveness, tighter process control, and the long-term reliability our customers expect, Harpreet Singh Malhotra, CMD of Tiger Logistics, said.

Also Read | Small-cap IT stock trades positively despite weak trends on Dalal Street

Tiger Logistics share price trend The small-cap stock has remained under pressure amid market volatility. The stock has fallen nearly 5% in the past five sessions; however, it has gained 6% in a month.

Zooming out further, Tiger Logistics shares have shed 38% in six months and 37% since its listing in September 2025.

In terms of year-to-date (YTD) performance, the small-cap stock has dropped over 12% since the beginning of 2026.

Tiger Logistics share price is listed on both the BSE and NSE. The small-cap stock hit a 52-week high of 56.69 on its listing day, September 18, 2025 and a 52-week low of 28.61 on January 23, 2026.
Stock market today: The Indian stock market is expected to open lower on Tuesday, driven by weakness in global markets.

Trends in Gift Nifty also point to a subdued start, with it trading around the 25,607 mark  nearly 98 points below the previous close of Nifty futures.

The Indian equity market is likely to open on a cautious note, tracking subdued trends across Asian markets and an overnight sell-off in US equities. The weakness stems from renewed tariff-related uncertainty, coupled with lingering concerns around AI-led disruptions affecting global technology stocks. Investor sentiment remains guarded following President Donald Trumps rollout of a 1015% global tariff framework, effective today. While recent adjustments under the USIndia trade arrangement provide some clarity, the move introduces near-term uncertainty for export-oriented sectors and may keep risk appetite measured at the start of the session, said Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy

On Monday, however, domestic equities ended on a positive note, with the Nifty 50 closing above the 25,700 level. The Sensex advanced 479.95 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 83,294.66, while the Nifty 50 gained 141.75 points, or 0.55%, to end at 25,713.00.

Stocks to watch Amid this backdrop, these stocks are likely to remain in focus on Tuesday, February 24 -

Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel said it plans to invest 20,000 crore in its non-banking financial arm, Airtel Money Limited, over the coming years to develop a large-scale digital lending platform and widen access to formal credit across India.

Bharat Petroleum Corp State-owned oil major Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has received an excise demand order amounting to 1,816.65 crore from the Commissioner of Central Tax and Central Excise in Kochi, the company said on Monday.

Lupin The pharmaceutical company has secured approval from the European Commission for its biosimilar ranibizumab, Ranluspec, available in both vial and pre-filled syringe formats.

Waaree Energies The company has secured an order to supply 500 MW of solar modules from a well-known domestic solar power developer and independent power producer.

One Mobikwik Systems The companys subsidiary, Mobikwik Securities Broking, has obtained approval from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to begin its stockbroking operations.

Chalet Hotels The company has approved plans to develop a proposed 330-room luxury hotel, along with nearly 36,255 sq ft of commercial and retail space, in Madhapur, Hyderabad, with an estimated investment of about 632.8 crore.

Pace Digitek The OEM companys key subsidiary, Lineage Power Private Ltd, has secured a purchase order valued at 1,587.10 million (inclusive of GST) from Reliance Industries for the supply of lithium-ion battery packs.

Hindustan Zinc Hindustan Zinc has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tripura Group to accelerate the development of a Zinc Park in Rajasthan.

Also Read | Shares to buy or sell: Chandan Taparia recommends three stocks to buy today

Blue Cloud Softech Solutions The company has secured board approval for a definitive agreement framework to acquire a 100% stake in Global Impex Inc from ConnectM Technology Solutions, Inc, a US-based modern energy economy firm.

Samvardhana Motherson Auto component manufacturer Samvardhana Motherson International on Monday announced that it has commenced operations at a new manufacturing facility in Sanand to produce exterior lighting systems for the automotive sector.
Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday explained how Bharat Taxi cab and auto drivers could turn their investments into profits by signing up on the platform and driving their vehicles.

Shah was speaking with cab and auto drivers from Delhi-NCR and Gujarat during the launch event of Bharat Taxi on 23 February.

I asked all three companies whether they had set a minimum base rate for their drivers. They said no, the Union minister told the group during the 40-minute interaction, referring to ride hailing companies Uber, Ola and Rapido.

We will not do this. Whatever business you do, your minimum should be fixed. And whatever is more than that has to come back to you, he added.

Amit Shah also shared that by just investing 500, cab and auto drivers can become co-owners of Bharat Taxi, earning profits as the company earns money.

Here is how to earn profits from Bharat Taxi by investing 500, as explained by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

How to earn Bharat Taxi profits by investing  500? During his interaction, Amit Shah explained how a mere 500 investment to sign up for Bharat Taxi would yield profits for cab and auto drivers in a few years.

He said that if the company makes 25 crore in profits after three years, the government will keep 5 crore and distribute the rest 20 crore to driver partners based on their performance.

You only need to invest 500. What will happen after three years? Suppose Bharat Taxi earns 25 crore, then 20% of this 25 crore, that is 5 crore, will be deposited in Bharat Taxi's account as your capital, and 80% will be deposited back in your account based on how many kilometres the taxi has driven, he said.

Shah further said that while it will be a fixed rent for the time being, being an owner would fetch profits for drivers from Bharat Taxi. He urged drivers to wait for three years for the money to come in.

Right now, you are going to get the fixed rent. But you are the owner, so you should have a share in the profit as well. So this share is going to come, but you will have to be patient for the first three years.

Bharat Taxi will guarantee this Amit Shah further said that the newly launched cooperative cab service Bharat Taxi will guarantee a minimum base rate per kilometre for all drivers on its platform.

He asserted that existing ride-hailing aggregators had deliberately avoided setting such a floor to maximise corporate profits at the expense of workers.

"The concept is that the one who is working hard, the one who is toiling, should get the profit, not some rich man. Why did we come up with the idea of Bharat Taxi? You said that there were a lot of complaints, 30% was deducted, and there was no certainty," Amit Shah said.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to arrive in India on 27 February on an official visit aimed at "expanding" bilateral ties and forging new partnerships across key sectors, including defence, energy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to a press release issued by the Carney's office, the Canadian PM will first visit Mumbai before heading to New Delhi, where he is slated to hold a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship, with ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and AI, talent and culture, and defence," the statement read.

The two leaders met last in November 2025 on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg to review progress in the IndiaCanada partnership.

During his visit, Carney will also interact with prominent business leaders to identify fresh investment opportunities in Canada and facilitate tie-ups between enterprises from both nations.

Trade Goals The visit comes amid significant economic cooperation. In 2024, India emerged as Canadas seventh-largest trading partner, with total two-way trade reaching USD 30.8 billion.

Building on the foundations laid during last year's G20 Leaders Summit, both nations have agreed to formally launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The ambitious pact aims to more than double the bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.

A thaw in diplomatic ties This visit marks a significant diplomatic "reset." Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa had hit an all-time low in 2023 following then-PM Justin Trudeaus allegations regarding a potential Indian link to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjarclaims which India had trashed as "absurd."

The diplomatic row escalated in October 2024, leading to the reciprocal recall and expulsion of high commissioners and diplomats. However, the political landscape shifted after Liberal Party leader Carneys victory in the April 2025 parliamentary elections, paving the way for a reconciliation.

In a sign of normalising relations, both countries have already reinstated their respective high commissioners.

Anand to accompany Carney Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Monday that she will accompany Prime Minister Mark Carney on his visit to India. She noted that the two countries will further diversify trade and unlock more opportunities.

"I will be returning to India with the Prime Minister this week to further diversify trade and to unlock additional opportunities for Canadians, including by elevating all sectors of the Canadian economy and enhancing our people-to-people ties," Anita Anand said in a post on X.

She attached a press statement about PM Carney's visit to India, Australia and Japan.

"In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control. We are building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. We are building our strength at home, diversifying our trade abroad, and attracting massive new international investment, the statement said.

In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada's new government is focused on what we can control.

Carney will travel from India to Australia, where he will meet his counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and address both Houses of Parliament in Canberra.

The final leg of the 10-day trip covering the three nations will be in Tokyo, where he will meet the recently re-elected Japanese PM, Takaichi Sanae.

Solidify New Delhi-Ottawa relationship High Commissioner of India to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, said that the relationship between Canada and India has transformed in recent months and added that Carney's visit to India will "put a stamp" on all bilateral steps taken to "solidify" the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship, which was strained under Trudeau's leadership.

"The Canadian relations have transformed over the last few months, especially after Prime Minister Modi visited Canada to attend the G7 Summit. For the past four to five months, we've been working very hard to ensurethe relationship is reset to what it was before... This visit will put a stamp on all the activities that have happened to solidify the relationship and to take it to the next level," Patnaik told news agency ANI.

(With agency inputs)
A SpiceJet flight bound for Leh on Tuesday morning turned back to the national capital after developing a technical problem mid-air, in the latest operational setback for the budget carrier. The Boeing 737 aircraft, operating as flight SG121, was carrying around 150 passengers at the time of the incident, according to a PTI report citing officials familiar with the matter.

A Hindustan Times report said a full emergency was also declared at the Delhi airport when the SpiceJet Delhi-Leh flight returned due to an issue with one of its engines.

The plane landed safely in Delhi, where passengers disembarked without incident. The episode adds to mounting scrutiny over the airlines operational resilience as it simultaneously pursues fleet expansion and navigates regional airspace restrictions.

SpiceJet plane's engine issue forces precautionary return A SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed the Delhi-Leh flight returned after experiencing a technical issue.

The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers were disembarked normally, the spokesperson said in a statement.

A source indicated that the snag was related to the aircrafts engine. No injuries were reported, and alternative travel arrangements were expected to be made for affected passengers.

Leh, located in the high-altitude region of Ladakh, requires aircraft to meet specific operational standards owing to challenging terrain and weather conditions, making technical reliability particularly critical on the route.

Fleet expansion plans amid operational pressures The incident comes as SpiceJet works to rebuild and expand its fleet. The airline said last week that it aims to increase its operational aircraft to around 60 through a mix of wet and damp leases, alongside the phased reintroduction of grounded planes.

The airline is working towards ramping up its fleet to around 60 aircraft through a mix of wet and damp leases, along with the phased return to service of existing grounded aircraft, the company said in a release.

Also Read | SpiceJet to operate 100 extra flights over next 2-3 days amid IndiGo crisis

SpiceJets domestic market share rose to 4.3% in December from 1.9% in September, driven by a 56% expansion in capacity during the December quarter. The airline plans to more than double capacity, targeting 220 crore Available Seat Kilometres by Winter 2026.

However, financial headwinds persist. The carrier reported a loss of 269.27 crore for the quarter ended December 2025, citing higher operating costs and one-time expenses.

Bangladesh airspace restrictions add to strain Separately, Bangladesh has barred SpiceJet from using its airspace over pending dues, according to sources. The restriction has resulted in longer flight paths for certain services originating from Kolkata, including routes to Guwahati and Imphal.

When contacted, a SpiceJet spokesperson said the airline was in discussions with relevant authorities.

Also Read | Bangladesh bars SpiceJet from using its airspace over unpaid dues

These are routine industry issues and we are working constructively towards an early resolution. Our flight operations remain unaffected, and we continue to operate our scheduled services in line with regulatory requirements, the spokesperson said in a statement.

While the precise nature of the outstanding dues has not been disclosed, data from Flightradar24 indicates that several flights were avoiding Bangladeshi airspace and taking extended routes instead.
New Delhi, Feb 24 (PTI) After finding several compliance lapses, aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday directed the grounding of four aircraft of VSR Ventures, whose plane crashed at Baramati last month, killing Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others.

Following the crash of the Learjet 45 aircraft (VT-SSK) on January 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation had ordered a special safety audit of VSR Ventures.

Also Read | Baramati plane crash: AAIB seeks specialised support to retrieve data from cockpit voice recorder

The multi-disciplinary audit team observed several non-compliances of approved procedures in the organisation in the area of airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations, the regulator said in a statement.

"In view of the non-compliances observed and considering the gaps in maintenance procedures, it is decided to initiate the corrective measures by immediately grounding Learjet 40/45 aircraft with registration VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI till continued airworthiness standards are restored," it said.

Further, DGCA said deficiency reporting forms have been issued to VSR Ventures in the areas concerned to submit root cause analysis on the non-compliances. The submissions would be assessed by the watchdog before the next course of action.

Pawar and four others were killed in the crash of a Learjet 45 plane, owned by VSR Ventures, near Baramati on January 28.

While the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to come out with its preliminary report into the fatal crash before February 28, concerns have been raised in certain quarters claiming there could have been a conspiracy that led to the crash.

AAIB investigation Aircraft accidents probe agency AAIB on Tuesday said special support has been sought for retrieval of data from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the Learjet 45 plane that crashed near Baramati last month.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others were killed in the fatal crash of the VSR Ventures-owned plane on January 28.

In a statement, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the aircraft was equipped with two independent flight recorders.

Both recorders were exposed to intense heat for a prolonged period during the accident and sustained fire damage, it said.

According to AAIB, the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), manufactured by L3-Communications, has been successfully downloaded at its Flight Recorder Laboratory.

"The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), manufactured by Honeywell, is undergoing detailed technical examination. Assistance has been sought from the Accredited Representative of the State of Manufacture for specialised support in data retrieval," the probe agency said.

In this case, the state of manufacture is the US.

Requesting all stakeholders to avoid speculation, AAIB said it was diligently following all prescribed technical and procedural protocols to ensure a comprehensive, objective and evidence-based investigation.

It also said the investigation was being done strictly in accordance with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 and the international standards and recommended practices of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Annex 13.
Delhi Police have arrested Indian Youth Congress Chief Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the shirtless protest during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam last week, news agencies reported on Tuesday, quoting officials.

Chib was arrested after being grilled for nearly 20 hours, according to reports. He has been booked for criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, obstructing a public servant on duty, and wilful disobedience, the reports said.

Delhi Police arrested Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib over shirtless protest at AI Summit, news agency PTI reported, quoting police officials on Tuesday.

Chib has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty, news agency ANI said.

Chib was produced in Patiala court in the national capital. Delhi police has sought seven days' custody of Udai Bhanu Chib. Delhi police told the court that Chib hatched the conspiracy and provided logistical support to the protestors.

The latest arrest relates to the IYC protest on Friday, in which its members stripped to their waists during the AI Impact India Summit, displaying "Compromised PM" slogans on their bodies. The participants removed their clothing as a specific gesture of political dissent.

In a prior statement, the IYC claimed the protest was directed at a compromised Prime Minister who they alleged had devalued national identity during the AI Summit. Security forces detained the participants shortly thereafter.

Delhi police said on Monday that officials have made a fifth arrest in connection with the protest. The fifth person they arrested was identified as Jitendra Yadav, who was held from Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior.

Who is Uday Bhanu Chib? In September 2024, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge appointed former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib as the new IYC president. He replaced Srinivas BV as IYC president.

Chib had led the Youth Congress unit in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, Chib served on the Congress's manifesto committee for the J&K elections.

What happened on Friday at AI Summit? A group of IYC workers entered the AI Expo Hall, walked with posters, and began chanting slogans. Later, they removed T-shirts.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held in Delhi from 16 February to 20 February, marking the first global AI Summit to be hosted in the Global South. The summit attracted government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives from across the world to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

While the Congress faced flak over the protest at the event, which hosted dignitaries from around the world, the IYC defended the demonstration and said that peaceful demonstration is not anti-India.

On the IYC protest, Chib had said earlier that it was a manifestation of the anger against the Union government from every young person who is unemployed today, and every single one of them knows that our Prime Minister is compromised.

Some of our leaders peacefully protested at the AI Summit. The Centre and the BJP are trying to establish a propaganda that this was 'anti-India'. As per my understanding, a peaceful demonstration is not 'anti-India'. By calling anything against the government 'anti-India', can they escape from the issues? The protestors' message was clear that the PM is compromised, IYC National General Secretary, Shesh Narayan Ojha told news agency ANI on Monday.
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the Karnataka government not to take any coercive action against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in connection with an FIR registered over his alleged derogatory remarks related to the depiction of a deity in Kantara: Chapter 1.

The court granted interim protection on the condition that the actor fully cooperates with the ongoing investigation.

Petition Against FIR Heard by Bench A single-member bench of M. Nagaprasanna heard Singhs petition seeking the quashing of the FIR registered at the High Grounds police station. The complaint concerns remarks made during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India held in Goa on 28 November 2025.

Defence Says Remarks Were Meant as Tribute Senior advocate Sajjan Poovayya, appearing for the actor, submitted that Singh had expressed regret over what was described as an inappropriate statement.

According to the defence, the act was intended as a tribute out of admiration for Rishab Shettys performance in Kantara: Chapter 1 and was not meant to hurt religious sentiments.

Also Read | Ranveer Singh seeks Karnataka HC relief in Kantara daiva mimicry case

Court Stresses Responsibility of Public Figures During the hearing, the bench made strong oral observations on the responsibility of celebrities while making public statements. Referring to Shettys portrayal of the deity in the film, the court remarked that, regardless of whether Singh was aware of the cultural context, he should have acted with sensitivity.

You could be Ranveer Singh or anyone. But one shouldn't have behaved with such insensitivity. Ranveer might be a superstar. It was not expected from him, who has the power to influence people, the bench observed.

The court also underscored the lasting impact of public remarks, noting that while people may forget, the internet won't forget.

Controversy Over IFFI Performance The controversy arose from Singhs appearance at IFFI 2025, where he allegedly mimicked a sacred Daiva sequence from Kantara: Chapter 1. He reportedly referred to the revered Chavundi Daiva as a female ghost or devil while imitating the deitys expressions.

The act was viewed by some as mocking religious traditions, prompting a private complaint from a Bengaluru-based advocate.

Also Read | Ranveer Singh threat case: Look Out Circular issued against Bishnoi gang member

FIR Registered Under BNS Provisions Following the complaint filed in Bengaluru, an FIR was registered under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Singh later approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the case.

While granting interim relief, the court directed the State and other respondents to file their objections. The matter has been posted for further hearing on 2 March.
A 21-year-old man allegedly murdered his father in a violent outburst and then attempted to cover up the crime by dismembering the body, discarding some parts and concealing the remaining torso inside a drum, according to Lucknow police on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Vir identified the victim as 50-year-old Manvendra Singh and said he was allegedly killed by his son, Akshat Singh. The accused made chilling confession that he killed his father because he was being constantly pressured to clear the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), reported Times Of India.

The officer added that the case came to light during an ongoing probe into a missing person complaint registered at Ashiana police station, according to PTI.

During the investigation into the disappearance of Manvendra Singh, police subjected his son, Akshat Pratap Singh, to detailed questioning. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted that an argument broke out between him and his father around 4:30 am on February 20, following which he shot him in a fit of anger, police said.

Akshat worked at a liquor shop owned by his father and earned a monthly salary of 17,000, but he was reportedly unhappy with the arrangement, police said, the TOI report noted.

Also Read | IIM Lucknow study shows how farmer organisations drive climate action in Himalayan region

A senior officer involved in the probe said a ricocheted bullet was recovered from the room where the shooting took place. The rifle used in the incident, along with the bullet, has been sent for forensic analysis.

Investigators said the accused then attempted to cover up the crime by moving the body from the third floor to an unused room on the ground floor. He allegedly dismembered the body, disposed of some parts and concealed the remaining torso inside a drum.

Police said senior officials reached the spot after receiving information about the incident and called in a forensic team. The team is currently examining the scene carefully and gathering evidence.

The accused has been detained and a case will be registered against him under the relevant legal provisions, they mentioned, adding that the deceaseds body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Man killed in firing at wedding Meanwhile, a 50-year-old man was killed after being struck by a bullet fired during celebratory gunfire at a wedding in Lucknows Gomtinagar area on Saturday, police said.

According to police, the incident occurred around 1:30 am in Virat Khand-1 under the Gomtinagar police station limits.

The victim, Sunil Yadav, a resident of Chandganj, had attended the wedding of a relative when he was hit by a bullet during the celebration. Police said family members and relatives rushed him to a hospital, where he later died while undergoing treatment.

During the preliminary probe, police found that a man identified as Shashwat Singh, who had also attended the wedding, allegedly fired shots during the celebrations before fleeing the scene.

Also Read | Karnataka court sentences 3 to death in Israeli tourist gang rape case

Taking the matter seriously, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) has formed two special teams to secure the accuseds early arrest. Police said raids were being carried out at suspected hideouts.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, expressed solidarity with the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) following the arrest of its national President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

The Congress leader called the Youth Congress members "fearless" and praised their peaceful protest. Peaceful protest is our historical legacy. It is in our blood and is the democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of my Babbar Sher comrades in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the interest of the country against the 'COMPROMISED PM, Gandhi said in a post on X.

Also Read | Who is Uday Bhanu Chib? Youth Congress chief arrested over AI Summit protest

Earlier in the day, Chib was arrested by Delhi police in connection with the shirtless protest during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam last week. A court sent Chib to four days' police custody.

Chib, officially arrested after being grilled for nearly 20 hours, was booked for criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, obstructing a public servant on duty, and wilful disobedience, according to news agencies.

Compromises the interests of farmers Gandhi criticised the recently concluded framework of the India-US interim trade agreement, saying it compromises the interests of farmers, the textile industry, and the country's data security.

The senior Congress leader further slammed the centre following the arrest of Chib and other Youth Congress workers, calling the move a proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice.

The Trade Deal with America has compromised the interests of the country. This agreement will harm our farmers and textile industry and hand over our data to America. The arrest of Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib and other IYC comrades for bringing this truth before the country is proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice, his post added.

What happened at the India AI Impact Summit 2026? A group of IYC workers entered the AI Expo Hall, walked with posters, and began chanting slogans. Later, they removed T-shirts.

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held in Delhi from 16 February to 20 February, marking the first global AI Summit to be hosted in the Global South. The summit has attracted government policymakers, industry AI experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives from across the world to advance global discussions on artificial intelligence.

Kharge condemns the arrest Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday strongly condemned Chib's arrest. Talking to the media, Kharge said, I condemn such an arrest. The youth today are desperate for jobs, and the environment in the country has deteriorated so much that people are very angry with PM Modi. I wanted PM Modi to do something good for the country, but he has destroyed the country. He has bowed down to President Trump.

Earlier, IYC National General Secretary, Shesh Narayan Ojha, on Monday defended its protest at the AI Impact Summit, saying that a "peaceful demonstration is not anti-India."

After the BJP launched a sharp attack against Congress, calling the IYC 'shirtless' protest anti-India, Ojha slammed the Centre for arrests and detentions made in the case.
All seven people aboard an air ambulance died when the aircraft crashed near Simaria in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday evening while travelling from Ranchi to Delhi, a senior state government official said. The plane, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, went down shortly after departing from Ranchi airport at 7:11 pm.

Earlier, Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar said the aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) roughly 20 minutes after takeoff, PTI reported.

Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G said, All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi. The aircraft went missing around 7.30 pm. It crashed at Bariatu Panchayat area in Simaria. She said that the crash site lies in a remote forested area.

Keerthishree later confirmed that the aircraft crashed due to a thunderstorm.

Shubham Khandelwal, SDPO, said that they had recovered the bodies of all seven people on board.

The deceased were identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar.

Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, said the air ambulance was arranged for one of the hospitals patients. He said the patient, Sanjay Kumar, 41, a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, was admitted to the hospital on 16 February with 65% burn injuries and was undergoing treatment there. He shared that the family later decided to shift him to Delhi for advanced medical care.

Also Read | DGCA seeks share of passenger fees in push for financial autonomy

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) website, Delhi-based non-scheduled operator Redbird runs a fleet of six aircraft, one of which was involved in the crash.

On 23.02.2026 Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on sector Ranchi-Delhi crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven people on board, including two crew members, DGCA said in a statement.

Also Read | DGCA fines Air India 1 crore for flying Airbus without permit

It added, "The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, the aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi.

The district administration's search and rescue team had rushed to the site, and an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team was being sent, the statement said.

Meanwhile, former chief minister and BJP leader Champai Soren took to X and expressed deep sorrow over the crash. He said he prayed to Marang Buru, the supreme tribal deity, for the departed souls, including the crew members, and asked for strength and support for their families in this difficult time.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that the Calcutta High Court may also deploy civil judges with a minimum of three years experience to accelerate the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The Court also permitted the Calcutta High Court to request judicial officers from neighbouring Jharkhand and Odisha to handle the eight million claims and objections in West Bengals ongoing SIR of electoral rolls, reported PTI.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi took note of a letter from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court saying that the 250 district judges currently deployed in the SIR exercise would need approximately 80 days to process all claims and objections.

The Bench said, "Taking note of this fact and the time constraints, we are of the view that further clarifications are needed to increase the catchment area of judicial officers, reported BarandBench.

"If the High Court Chief Justice feels that further human resource is needed he may approach chief Justices of neighboring states - Orissa and Jharkhand High Court to draw serving and retired judicial officers of those states in similar rank who shall be entrusted to complete the verification work in west bengal. Travel, boarding, lodging of such officers shall be borne by the election commission of India," it said.

The Bench also issued a clarification on which documents can be considered valid for processing the claims. The Court said that its previous orders, one from September 2025 allowing Aadhaar as proof of identity, and another concerning the writ petition on Madhyamik admit cards and password certificates, would be recognised. It clarified that all such documents, whether updated electronically or submitted physically before 14 February 2026, would be deemed valid.

It mentioned that the Election Commission of India (ECI) may proceed with publishing the final list on 28 February, after which supplementary lists can be released on a continuous basis.

"We deem it appropriate to invoke our powers under Article 142 and declare that voters enlisted in such supplementary lists shall be deemed to be part of final list published on February 28, 2026," the Bench stated.

Also Read | SIR in Bengal: EC suspends 7 WB officials

On 9 February, the Court had instructed the State of West Bengal to ensure that the officers it provided to the Election Commission of India (ECI) report for duty, as per the BarandBench report.

Later, the ECI claimed that it was not receiving adequately qualified officers, prompting the Court to order the deployment of judicial officers.

Last week, the Court clarified that any direction or order issued by the deployed or former judicial officers would be treated as an order of the Court itself, and state authorities are required to comply immediately to ensure the timely completion of the special intensive revision (SIR) process.

Last year, the ECI conducted an SIR in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections. The process faced legal challenges through multiple petitions, including those filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Federation for Indian Women (NFIW), questioning its legality. However, the ECI went ahead with the SIR, as the Supreme Court had not stayed the process.

Following this, the ECI extended the SIR to other states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which prompted several petitions challenging the extension. The Court reserved its judgment on these matters on 29 January.

Subsequently, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee approached the Court, contesting the ECIs decision to conduct a SIR in the state. She requested that elections be held based on the existing electoral rolls prepared the previous year and sought an urgent directive to stop the deletion of voters, particularly those listed under the Logical Discrepancy category.

Banerjee, on 4 February, personally attended the Court to raise several concerns regarding the SIR, claiming that the ECI had singled out West Bengal ahead of this years assembly elections. She argued that the process, which normally takes two years, was being rushed into just three months despite festivals and the harvesting season.
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave its consent to a request from the Kerala government to transition the state's name to Keralam, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

This resolution was reached during a Cabinet session led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the inaugural gathering conducted at Seva Teerth, the recently established PMO facility.

The Union Cabinet, under the Prime Minister's leadership, authorized the motion to modify the designation of the state of Kerala to 'Keralam', Vaishnaw said.

Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill to be sent to state assembly Following the Cabinet endorsement, the President of India shall forward a legislative draft, specifically the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly to gather its perspectives as per the proviso of Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.

Once the Kerala Legislative Assembly's feedback is collected, the Indian government will seek the President's formal suggestion to present the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, aimed at renaming Kerala as 'Keralam' within Parliament, a government statement said.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly had previously adopted a formal resolution on 24 June 2024 to officially change the name of the state to 'Keralam'.

Subsequently, the Kerala leadership petitioned the central authorities to initiate the required procedures to revise the First Schedule of the Constitution by rebranding 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' in accordance with Article 3.

"The name of our State is 'Keralam' in Malayalam Language. States were formed on the basis of language on the 1st day of November, 1956. The Kerala Piravi Day is also on the 1st day of November," the Kerala Assembly resolution read.

"Since the time of National Independence Struggle, there has been a strong demand for the formation of United Kerala for the people speaking Malayalam language. But in the First Schedule to the Constitution, the name of our State is recorded as 'Kerala'. This Assembly unanimously appeals to the Central Government to take urgent steps as per Article 3 of the Constitution for modifying the name as 'Keralam'", it said.

Article 3 of the Constitution outlines the legal framework for modifying the nomenclature of existing states within the union.

Under Article 3, Parliament holds the power to change a state's name through legislation. The proviso further mandates that such a Bill cannot be tabled in either House without a Presidential recommendation, and if it impacts a state's name or borders, the President must first invite that state's legislature to share its input within a designated timeframe.

The proposal concerning the shift from Kerala to Keralam was reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's authorization, the preliminary Cabinet note was shared with the Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department for professional feedback.
The Union Cabinet is expected to consider approving the renaming of Kerala as Keralam, a proposal that has gathered political momentum ahead of the states Assembly elections due before May. The move follows a resolution passed twice by the Kerala Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to reflect the states name in its Malayalam form across all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.

If cleared, the change would amend references to the state in the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3, formalising Keralam as its official name in all recognised languages.

Kerala Assemblys Resolution and Constitutional Process The proposal was first introduced in 2024 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who argued that the state is referred to as Keralam in Malayalam and that the current English rendering does not reflect linguistic and historical identity.

Also Read | Final electoral roll published in Kerala; around 9 lakhs names removed

But the name of our state is written as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution. This Assembly requests the Centre to take immediate steps to amend it as 'Keralam' under Article 3 of the Constitution and have it renamed as 'Keralam' in all the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, Vijayan had said while moving the resolution.

The Assembly passed the resolution again on June 25, 2024, after the Union Home Ministry suggested technical modifications to the original submission. The revised resolution was subsequently forwarded to the Centre for consideration.

The state legislature has already approved changes in official records within Kerala, pending constitutional amendment at the national level.

Political Backdrop Ahead of Assembly Elections The timing of the Cabinets deliberations is significant. Kerala is scheduled to elect 140 members to its Legislative Assembly before May, though the Election Commission of India has yet to announce the polling schedule.

The proposed renaming has drawn rare cross-party support within the state. On January 24, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar publicly thanked Vijayan for responding to his letter endorsing the initiative. Chandrasekhar had earlier written to the Chief Minister expressing support for the Left Democratic Front governments move.

Also Read | Kerala launches massive AI literacy drive targeting 6 lakh parents

Sharing the Chief Ministers reply on social media, Chandrasekhar stated that the name Keralam reflects the states history, language and cultural roots.

Cabinet Meeting at Seva Tirtha The anticipated approval is set against a broader institutional transition in New Delhi. The Union Cabinet is convening at Prime Minister Narendra Modis new office at Seva Tirtha for the first time. The previous meeting was held on February 13 at the Prime Ministers Office in South Block, shortly before operations shifted to the new premises.

While the renaming proposal has been framed as a linguistic and cultural correction, its consideration in an election year underscores its political resonance. Supporters view the change as aligning constitutional terminology with historical identity, tracing the aspiration for a unified Malayalam-speaking state back to the freedom movement.
A Pawan Hans helicopter carrying seven people, including two crew members, crashed into the sea near Mayabunder in the North and Middle Andaman district on Tuesday morning, prompting an emergency rescue operation in which all on board were saved, officials said.

The aircraft ditched into the sea shortly before it was due to land, following what authorities described as a suspected technical malfunction. All five passengers and two crew members were pulled from the water and admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Crash Near Mayabunder After Suspected Technical Snag The accident occurred at around 9.30 am. According to officials, the helicopter had taken off earlier in the morning as part of a scheduled inter-island service.

Also Read | Pawan Hans launches multiple helicopter routes in Assam under RCS UDAN

The helicopter took off from Sri Vijaya Puram around 8.45 am, and it crashed into the sea around 9.30 am. A preliminary inquiry revealed that there was some technical snag, and the pilot made a crash-landing on the sea, a senior Civil Aviation official said.

Civil Aviation Director Nitesh Rawat confirmed that all seven individuals were accounted for.

A total of seven people were onboard, including the pilot. All are safe, and we are yet to take the statement of the pilot. All injured persons are under treatment at Dr Rajendra Prasad Hospital in Mayabunder. We are trying to bring the injured people to Sri Vijaya Puram, Rawat said.

A relief helicopter was dispatched from Port Blair to assist in the aftermath of the incident.

Sequence of Events Before the Sea Ditching According to a Pawan Hans spokesperson, the helicopter had been operating multiple legs that morning.

The helicopter took off from Port Blair at around 8.30 am for Ranghat. At 9.10 am, it took off for Mayabunder and was to land at 9.30 am. It, however, ditched into the sea 300 m short of the runway.

Also Read | The Pawan Hans sell-off was hit by a serious snag

There were five passengers on board and two crew members. All have been recovered and are safe, the spokesperson said.

Authorities have initiated a formal inquiry to determine the precise cause of the technical issue.

What Are Pawan Hans Helicopters? Pawan Hans Ltd is a central public sector undertaking headquartered in Noida and operates helicopter services across India, particularly in remote and island territories where fixed-wing aircraft operations are limited.

The company plays a crucial role in connecting far-flung regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, offshore oil installations and mountainous terrains. Its services are frequently used for inter-island transport, medical evacuations and government missions.

Also Read | Pawan Hans strategic disinvestment may complete by June

Tuesdays incident is likely to renew scrutiny of operational safety standards in difficult maritime and island environments, even as authorities emphasised that the pilots decision to ditch the aircraft into the sea appears to have prevented serious casualties.
(Bloomberg) -- The state of Maryland is suing to stop the Department of Homeland Security from turning a warehouse into an immigration detention facility.

DHS paid more than $100 million for a commercial warehouse near the town of Williamsport, Maryland, in January as part of a nationwide effort by the Trump administration to dramatically expand its detention capacity. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could potentially use as many as two dozen such sites across the country as mega centers for detaining immigrants.

According to a lawsuit filed by Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown, the Williamsport facility is to be outfitted with 1,500 beds.

Defendants have run roughshod over federal law and trampled on the states interests, in their pursuit of the project, Brown wrote.

Spokespeople for DHS and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Maryland lawsuit.

Brown accused the government of violating federal law by failing to prepare an environmental impact statement for the project, and for not considering alternatives. Construction could negatively impact local waterways and wildlife, Brown said, and the facility could overwhelm sewer lines once fully operational.

The site could also lead to traffic congestion, increased burdens on law enforcement and emergency services, Brown said. The attorney general also pointed to the risk of disease outbreaks and sanitation concerns based on reported conditions in other ICE facilities.

Maryland is asking a federal judge to vacate the purchase of the warehouse and declare the agencies actions unlawful. Brown seeks a court order halting any construction or conversion of the facility already taking place.

Lawmakers from Arizona are pushing back on similar plans for an ICE warehouse conversion west of Phoenix. In a post on the social media platform X, Representative Greg Stanton, a Democrat, said the acquisition of the building in Surprise, Arizona, did not go through the normal procurement process involving the Government Services Administration.

They didnt tell anyone they were doing this, Stanton said, and they paid cash money for this facility.

The case is Maryland v. Noem, 26-cv-00733, US District Court, Maryland.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
The Centre, on Friday, appointed 1994-batch Chhattisgarh cadre IAS officer Nidhi Chhibber as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the government think tank NITI Aayog, following the completion of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam's tenure on 24 February.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has assigned her the additional charge of CEO, NITI Aayog, till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier, according to the department of personnel and training order.

Chhibber is currently serving as director general of the development monitoring and evaluation office, the evaluation arm of NITI Aayog. The office plays a crucial role in strengthening outcome-based governance, conducting third-party evaluations, and supporting ministries in improving programme delivery.

Smooth transition The interim arrangement ensures continuity at the governments premier policy think tank at a time when several long-term reform and monitoring initiatives are underway.

Chhibber has held multiple senior administrative and policy roles in both the central and state governments, including the chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education in 2022, a key position overseeing Indias largest national education board.

Also Read | Niti Aayog plans to advocate 90% EV share in private vehicles by 2047

Before that, Chhibber was designated as additional secretary at NITI Aayog and was briefly appointed officer on special duty in the ministry of food processing industries in April 2025, a posting later cancelled when she moved back to the think tank.

Also Read | Why Niti Aayog recommends congestion pricing to reduce traffic jams

NITI Aayog, set up in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission, functions as the Indian governments apex public policy institution. It is tasked with fostering cooperative federalism, designing long-term development strategies, monitoring flagship schemes, and serving as a platform for Centre-state coordination.
It is often said that success comes through hard work, perseverance and determination. And this social media post by a startup founder aptly proves it. Sumit Mittal took to X (previously Twitter) to detail the struggles he faced during his academic and career pursuits.

In a deeply personal note, he wrote: Yes, I failed IIT JEE twice. Yes, I failed my chemistry pre-board exam. Yes, my family faced a financial crisis. Yes, I worked at a call center. Yes, I completed my BCA from a distant college. Yes, I started by teaching four students in a very small room. But I got AIR 4 in NIMCET. But I completed my MCA from NIT Trichy. But I have worked with top product based companies. But now I am a mentor to 1000s of students. Life is supposed to be full of ups and downs. I saw both sides. If you are facing rejection after rejection, dont worry. Success is getting closer with every step.

Also Read | Co-founder says she fired two employees for cheating on their partners

Post on rejection and resilience goes viral The post quickly gained traction on the platform, receiving more than 36,500 views.

Mittals journey reflects an unconventional path marked by early academic setbacks and financial difficulties. He wrote about failing competitive examinations, working in a call centre, and completing his Bachelor of Computer Applications from a distant college during a challenging period.

Despite these obstacles, he later secured an All India Rank 4 in the NIMCET entrance examination and completed his Master of Computer Applications from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.

Thereafter, he worked with leading product-based organisations before venturing into mentoring, and currently, he mentors thousands of students based on learnings from his own experiences.

Also Read | Man shares worst experience of sitting next to a toddler on a flight

Social media applauds inspiring journey Many users related to the post and the comments section were flooded with notes of appreciation and encouragement to the author. commented Very essence of life summarised beautifully. Another added, Failing and losing are the worst things. But only those who don't lose heart are successful."

A third comment highlighted the emotional side of success, stating, "Resumes don't show the scars, but your story proves that failures are just the setup for a massive comeback. From a small room to a mentor of thousands inspiring."

Other users also shared supportive messages, including "Well done! Wish you further success," and "This is so inspiring. Proud of you man."

A similar inspirational story has been making rounds on the internet, in which Brett Adcock, founder of Figure AI, who has been ranked 144th on Forbes net worth list, shared that he came from humble beginnings.
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's pre-wedding celebrations kicked off on 24 February, following their arrival in the city of lakes - the city of lakes - on Monday. The couple is hosting a destination wedding at ITC Mementos, Udaipur - the city of lakes, where they will tie the knot in an intimate ceremony on 26 February. The festivities titled "The Wedding of VIROSH" will celebrate the union of Indian cinema industry's iconic couple.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's pre-wedding celebrations Giving a glimpse of their pre-wedding festivities, Rashmika Mandanna shared a photo of the extravagantly set dining table with #VIROSH handkerchief adorning the feast. The celebrations will offer guests an authentic cultural experience as the meals will incorporate distinct South Indian customs.

Guests at Rashmika Vijay wedding are likely to experience a touch of South Indian tradition, with meals served on banana leaves and coconut water being specially arranged as part of the hospitality, a source familiar with the matter informed Bollywood Hungama.

View full Image Rashmika Mandanna will marry Vijay Deverakonda on February 26 in an intimate ceremony in Udaipur. ( Instagram )

As excitement builds for one of the most talked-about weddings of the year, Vijay Deverakonda shared a snapshot on Instagram stories from pre-wedding celebrations. Featuring a sunlit pool party, the photo shows the 36-year-old actor enjoying pool volleyball with friends.

View full Image Vijay Deverakonda gives a glimpse into pre-wedding celebrations featuring a sunlit pool party. ( Instagram )

View full Image Vijay Deverakonda gives a glimpse into pre-wedding celebrations featuring a sunlit pool party. ( Instagram )

Rashmika Mandanna will marry Vijay Deverakonda on February 26 in an intimate ceremony in Udaipur which will be attended by nearly 100 guests, including close family and friends.

As per a report by India Today, the mehendi ceremony is scheduled for 24 February, while haldi and sangeet ceremonies will take place on 25 February.

On February 22, the couple shared a heartfelt joint note on Instagram that said, "Our dearest loves. Before we made any plans, before we chose anything for ourselves- you were already there. With so much love, you gave us a name. You called us 'Virosh'. So today- with full hearts, we name our coming together in your honour."

Also Read | Rashmika Mandanna, Vijay Deverakonda spotted flying out of Hyderabad

View full Image Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda name their union, 'The Wedding of VIROSH.' ( Instagram )

As per media reports, a grand reception is scheduled for 4 March which will take place in the City of Pearls  Hyderabad.
The Ukrainian national flag fluttering before the Reichstag in Berlin on 24 February 2026, as Russia's war in Ukraine enters another year, with no end in sight. In Berlin, the gesture is unmistakable and serves as a visual reaffirmation of solidarity from one of Kyiv's most prominent European partners.

The Story Behind the Image However, the image resonates far beyond the ongoing conflict. The Reichstag has been etched deeply into the memory of the 20th century. In May 1945, during the Battle of Berlin, Soviet troops raised the Red Army's banner atop the same building, an event which became immortalized in one of the iconic World War II photographs, titled "Raising a Flag over the Reichstag by Yevgeny Khaldei. The image became a symbol of Nazi Germany's defeat and the role that the Soviet Union played in ending the war in Europe.

Almost eight decades later, another flag stands before the same, iconic building, this time representing Ukraine, a country that was once a part of the Soviet Union and is now locked in a four-year-long conflict with Russia. The image, which is simple at first glance, serves as a powerful, historical reminder that the Reichstag has witnessed the turning points of European history, and continues to serve as a backdrop to its unfolding chapters.

Location and More Location: Reichstag Building (Bundestag), Berlin, Germany

Time of Day: Daylight

Event Context: Anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine

Photographer: John MacDougall / AFP

Relatable news and context Today, 24 February, marks the anniversary of Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine, with no possible end in sight so far. While world leaders have tried to mediate a peace deal in the region, only US President Donald Trump's efforts have somehow proved beneficial. The two sides have come to the negotiating table, but diplomatic tensions persist between Russia and the West. The European Union has, time and again, expressed solidarity with Kyiv.

On the anniversary of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia has not "broken Ukrainians", nor triumphed in its war. His remarks come as the years-long invasion has severely tested the resolve of Kyiv and its allies. In a show of support, over a dozen senior European officials visited Kyiv to mark the anniversary, which has killed thousands of people and disrupted the lives of millions of Ukrainians. He added, "He has not won this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace. And to ensure justice.
US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday (local time), will deliver his first State of the Union address since returning to the White House for his second term in January 2025, NPR reported.

The address will allow him to highlight his agenda and shape his party's message ahead of the midterm elections, scheduled for 2026. But his primetime address comes at a time when Trump's agenda has been complicated on several fronts, including trade, where his tariff policies were struck down by the Supreme Court, and immigration, on which the US President and congressional Democrats have locked horns over funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Trump's State of the Union address: All you need to know When will the address begin? Trump is expected to begin his address at 9 PM ET (7:30 AM IST), NPR reported, adding that it could be a long address. In 2025, when Trump addressed Congress, which was not technically a State of the Union speech, it was for over 90 minutes. He even broke the record as the longest-ever joint address in at least six decades.

How to watch Trump's State of the Union address? Major news networks are expected to broadcast Trump's address live and also carry coverage throughout the day, The Guardian reported. CBS and PBS will also be livestreaming on their YouTube channels.

Also Read | US Congress deadlock over immigration risks partial shutdown

What is Trump expected to discuss? Trump's first State of the Union address is likely to focus on issues like immigration, which has been a key pillar of Trump's second term. His administration has consistently defended its enforcement agenda, arguing that it is aimed at removing those who are living illegally in the country and have committed dangerous crimes. However, the NPR report suggests that lawmakers have flagged concerns over the tactics that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uses in cities across the country. The concerns were raised after two US citizens were killed in Minneapolis in January 2026.

The US President is also likely to focus on tariffs, something that has long been defended as a way to boost domestic manufacturing. However, on 20 February, the Supreme Court struck those down, terming them illegal, putting the two sides at a crossroads. The address is also happening at a significant time in the US foreign policy, as Trump is pressuring Iran over its nuclear programme, and has not ruled out the use of force to make that happen. In the last few days, the American military has expanded its presence in the Middle East, with the Trump administration sending additional fighter jets and a second aircraft carrier.

According to AP, among the topics, Trump's main theme is likely to centre on how America is booming with a rise in new jobs and local manufacturing, despite many Americans not feeling that way. Trump, who promised a heavy dose of talk about the economy, said, "Its going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about."
A spokesperson for Gavin Newsom told a reporter to fk off after being asked to provide proof of the California governors childhood dyslexia diagnosis, according to screenshots shared online.

The exchange occurred when RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree emailed Newsoms office seeking documentation to support the Democrats long-standing claim that he was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1972 at around age five.

Hey Susan  thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, fk off, Newsoms communications director, Izzy Gardon, wrote in response, according to a screenshot Crabtree posted on X.

Reporter pushes back Crabtree criticized the response, saying journalists are entitled to verify claims made by elected officials.

Californians and all Americans deserve real answers about Newsoms claims, not lazy, expletive-laced deflections and hand gestures from a politician from a failed state who wants to be president, she said.

Im going to continue to ask the tough questions despite this vitriolic taxpayer-funded attempt to intimidate me, Crabtree added.

Dyslexia comments reignite controversy Newsoms dyslexia diagnosis resurfaced in recent days after he referenced the reading disorder during a book tour stop in Atlanta promoting his new memoir. The governor has spoken publicly about his dyslexia since at least 2004, when he was mayor of San Francisco.

During an event with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom cited his SAT score while discussing his academic struggles.

Im not trying to impress you, Im just trying to impress upon you, Im like you. Im not better than you. Im a 960 SAT guy, Newsom said.

And Im not trying to offend anyone, he added. Im not trying to act all there if you got 940  Youve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.

Newsom hits back at critics Following backlash over the remarks, Newsom defended himself on social media, accusing critics of hypocrisy.

You didnt give a st about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President [Barack] Obama or calling African nations sholes  but youre going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Newsom wrote.

Spare me your fake fking outrage.

The episode comes as Newsom, widely viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, faces heightened scrutiny over his public statements.

Also Read | Canada to help Cuba tackle power outages, fuel deficit amid Trump blockade
A coalition of 15 US states is suing to block reforms to the childhood vaccine schedule introduced by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., arguing the changes could harm public health and increase costs for state governments.

The lawsuit, according to Bloomberg report, claims Kennedys restructuring of a key federal vaccine advisory panel and subsequent revisions to recommended childhood immunizations were unlawful.

States say changes could increase disease and costs California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned that weakening confidence in vaccines could have broad consequences.

Undermining confidence in vaccines will lead to lower vaccination rates and more infectious disease, Bonta said.

He added that the changes would drive up costs for states, including increased Medicaid spending and new expenses to combat misinformation and revise public health guidance.

The states argue both the panel appointments and the schedule changes were made improperly and are asking a federal judge in San Francisco to overturn them.

The lawsuit is led by Bonta and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.

Medical opposition The case adds to mounting legal challenges facing Kennedys policy shifts. Doctors, medical associations and public health experts have criticized the changes as potentially dangerous.

In a related lawsuit filed in Massachusetts, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups are contesting the legality of the vaccine panel  formally known as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices  and recent updates to the childhood immunization schedule. That case remains ongoing.

Court decision pending The states are seeking a ruling that would block implementation of the changes and restore the previous advisory framework. The federal court in San Francisco will determine whether the challenged actions can proceed while the litigation continues.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a stark ultimatum to Anthropic, warning the AI company it faces exclusion from the Pentagons supply chain unless it agrees by Friday to permit its technology to be used in all lawful military applications.

According to the Financial Times, Hegseth summoned Anthropic chief Dario Amodei to the Pentagon on Tuesday to press the issue, threatening to cut the company out of the defence supply chain or invoke the Defence Production Act to compel cooperation.

Core of the dispute The standoff stems from a disagreement over conditional access to Anthropics Claude AI models. FT reports that Anthropic has resisted full Pentagon demands for unrestricted use  including for domains like mass domestic surveillance and lethal autonomous weapons systems.

Anthropic confirmed the meeting took place, saying the parties continued good-faith conversations about our usage policy to ensure Anthropic can continue to support the governments national security mission in line with what our models can reliably and responsibly do.

The company has expressed particular concern about deploying advanced AI in scenarios where there is no human in the loop, arguing that even state-of-the-art models are not yet reliable enough to be trusted in those contexts.

Importance of Claude Claude remains pivotal to Pentagon AI work. As FT notes, Anthropics model is currently the only one approved for classified US military missions, largely via a partnership with Palantir.

The AI system was reportedly used in high-stakes operations, including the January capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, prompting questions within Anthropic about how exactly Claude was used.

Anthropic reportedly has a $200m contract with the US defense department.

Also Read | Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei says AI could surpass humans in physical world too
Savannah Guthrie, the co-host of NBC's "Today" show, on Tuesday (local time) announced that the Guthrie family is offering a $1 million reward to anyone with information that could help in her mother Nancy Guthrie's recovery.

Sharing a new video on her Instagram, Guthrie emotionally made a plea to people, seeking help regarding her mother, who was last seen at her home in Arizona on 31 January. She was reported missing on 1 February.

While Savannah Guthrie acknowledged that her 84-year-old mother may already be gone," she added that we need to know where she is. We need her to come home. For that reason, we are offering a family reward of up to $1 million for any information that leads us to her recovery.

Guthrie family's reward, in addition to the FBI, says the agency Following Savannah Guthrie's video, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Phoenix took to its X account to announce that the reward Guthrie announced will be in addition to what the FBI announced previously. The post read, "The family of missing Tucson woman Nancy Guthrie is offering a private $1 million reward for credible information that directly leads to her return." It further said, The FBIs $100,000 reward also remains active. To help keep the tip line available for actionable investigative law enforcement leads, please submit only serious and detailed fact-based information - no well-wishes or case theories. The tip line is not for personal messages to the Guthrie family.

Savannah, who has made consistent pleas and used her social media accounts to urge the people to come forward and help their family, said that it has been 24 days since their 84-year-old mother was last seen.

In a statement released Monday (local time), the Pima County Sheriffs Department said, "There is no date or time stamp associated with these images and any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative. It added that the investigation is ongoing and conclusions will be guided by verifiable evidence and established facts.

With no breakthrough so far, the investigators have continued to review "thousands of hours of video obtained from the greater Tucson area. They also continue to run analyses on DNA found at her home in Arizona, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra late Tuesday (February 24) following a reported security threat and returned a few hours later after authorities found nothing suspicious, according to media reports and police.

Albanese was moved from The Lodge, the Prime Ministers residence in the Australian capital, after police responded to what they described as an alleged security incident around 6 pm (0700 GMT).

Precautionary relocation National broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Prime Minister was taken to a separate location for several hours as a precaution before being allowed to return.

No ongoing threat The Australian Federal Police said in a statement that officers conducted a thorough search of the protected establishment and nothing suspicious was located.

There is no current threat to the community or public safety, police added.

There is no current threat to the community or public safety, the spokesperson added.

Police did not disclose further details about the nature of the alleged incident.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is tasked with protecting federal parliamentarians and key Commonwealth sites, including The Lodge and Parliament House.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said the government has full confidence in the AFP and thanked officers for their service.

The AFP added that further information would be provided at a later stage.

Rising threats to politicians Threats against Australian politicians have intensified, with lawmakers across the political spectrum facing harassment and intimidation.

Independent senators Lidia Thorpe and Fatima Payman were among those targeted, receiving threatening letters in recent months, Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in mid-2024 that threats to the safety of federal politicians had doubled over the previous two years, underscoring growing security concerns around elected representatives.
Mexican drug cartel boss Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was tracked and killed by authorities on Sunday with the help of his girlfriend, AFP reported.

Mexican authorities acted after a girlfriend of El Mencho led them to his safe house in Tapalpa, a picturesque mountain town.

The 'romantic partner' Mexican military intelligence agents, supported by the US military's Northern Command, learned that a romantic partner planned to rendezvous with the drug lord in Tapalpa, some 130 kilometres from Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state. She was escorted to the house by a trusted associate.

Also Read | Who was El Mencho? All you need to know about killing of Mexican cartel leader

Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said at a press conference Monday that the woman, "one of the romantic partners of 'El Mencho,'" was brought to a house in Tapalpa by a trusted associate.

On Saturday, she met with Oseguera and then left, leaving Oseguera in the house with his security detail, Trevilla explained, as per AFP.

The National Guard's Special Immediate Reaction Force blueprinted the operation for the assault on Sunday with both land and air manoeuvres.

Also Read | Who was El Mencho? All you need to know about killing of Mexican cartel leader

The soldiers approached the area without entering Jalisco "to keep the secret and thus retain the element of surprise," Trevilla said.

Once they confirmed the presence of Oseguera, who was wanted for organised crime and weapons possession, they raided the ranch.

The violence "Honestly, it was a pretty violent attack," Trevilla said on Monday. Oseguera possessed an arsenal that included assault weapons and two rocket launchers.

The cartel leader and two bodyguards fled into a wooded area but were seriously wounded in a firefight. They were taken into custody and died on the way to Mexico City, Trevilla said.

Also Read | Did US give Mexico intel for El Mencho killing? White House responds

In a different location in Jalisco, soldiers killed another high-ranking cartel member, who Trevilla said was coordinating violence and offering more than $1,000 for every soldier killed.

The 59-year-old cartel leader, whose real name is Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, died after a shootout with the Mexican military.

The dead included 25 members of the Mexican National Guard who were killed in six separate attacks, Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said.

As the threat of more violence loomed, several Mexican states cancelled school on Monday, while local and foreign governments warned their citizens to stay inside.

The White House confirmed that the US provided intelligence support to the operation to capture the cartel leader and applauded Mexico's army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

Mexico hoped the death of the world's biggest fentanyl traffickers would ease Trump administration pressure to do more against the cartels, but many people were anxious as they waited to see the powerful cartel's reaction.
US-Iran Crisis Highlights: Iran and the US are all set to hold the third round of nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, February 27. Ahead of the talks and amid threats from US President Donald Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "...we continue to closely monitor US actions and have made all necessary preparations for any potential scenario."

Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the US continue to rise as the US State Department ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel at the US embassy in Beirut, amid expectations that the US could order airstrikes on Iran even with another round of diplomatic talks this week.

New protest spreads in Iran

Iranian students defied authorities with protests for a third day on Monday. The protest came after the bloody crackdown on protesters last month, while Trump has been massing warships in the Middle East and declared Friday that a change of government in Iran would be the "best thing that could happen".

State media outlets reported students chanting anti-government slogans at Tehran University, burning flags at the all-women al-Zahra University, and scuffles at Amir Kabir University, all located in the capital.

According to Iran International, statements circulated by students at the University of Tehran, Amirkabir University of Technology and Isfahan University of Technology announced the creation of Lion and Sun associations, calling for secular governance, territorial integrity and free elections, and voicing support for exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi as a transitional figure.

Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest updates on Iran-US tensions.
Amid a row between the US and China, Panamanian authorities took control of two ports on the Panama Canal from Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison.

According to Reuters, Panama published an official gazette on Monday, citing a Supreme Court ruling that cancelled key port contracts held by a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, known as Panama Ports Company (PPC).

The publication finalised the legal annulment of concessions for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals near the Panama Canal, which Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, had operated for nearly three decades.

Who takes over now? APM Terminals Panama, a subsidiary of the Danish Maersk group, will operate the Balboa port, while TIL Panama, part of the Mediterranean Shipping (MSC), will run operations at Cristobal, several reports, including AFP, Reuters reported.

After the Supreme Court ruling became final upon publication, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) has taken possession of both ports by decree to ensure uninterrupted operations, said Alberto Aleman Zubieta, head of the technical team overseeing the transition.

The government said it approved two temporary concession contracts with AMP, lasting up to 18 months, for the operation of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals.

The Supreme Court ruling, issued in late January, came amid growing US-China rivalry over global trade routes and marks a win for Washington.

US President Donald Trump has pushed to curb Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, which carries about 5% of global maritime trade.

Maersk and MSC did not immediately have a comment on the matter.

CK Hutchison objects to take over CK Hutchison said on Tuesday that Panama's decision to cancel key port contracts and grant temporary licences to MSC was unlawful and that it was considering national and international legal action against the country, reported Reuters.

"CKH considers the ruling, the executive decree, the purported termination of PPCs concession, and the takeover of the terminals to be unlawful," CK Hutchison said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The conglomerate claimed on Tuesday that Panama authorities threatened its employees with criminal prosecution if they defied orders to leave two strategic canal ports at the centre of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington.

The statement came after CK Hutchison said Panamanian authorities made "direct physical entrance" to the Balboa and Cristobal ports on Monday to remove PPC employees who were threatened with criminal prosecution if they defied orders.

CK Hutchison said PPC staff were told not to make contact with the company.

"The actions by the Panama State also raise serious risks to the operations, health and safety at the Balboa and Cristobal terminals," CK Hutchison's statement added.

CK Hutchison said it was liaising with its legal counsel on pursuing national and international legal action against Panama and third parties.

Hong Kong's government expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition to Panama's takeover in a separate statement on Tuesday, urging Panama authorities to respect the spirit of contracts and to provide a fair and just business environment.

The company's Hong Kong-listed shares were down 1.9% on Tuesday as Hong Kong's broader Hang Seng Index was also off 1.9%.

Panama authorities to run ports for now Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said the temporary contracts had been issued as "a legitimate tool that respects asset ownership."

"Let me be clear, this does not imply an expropriation of those assets, but rather their use to ensure the operation of the ports until their real value is determined for the corresponding actions. I repeat, this is not an expropriation, Mulino said in a televised address on Monday afternoon.

Early in February, Mulino said the government would move forward to formalize an agreement with APM Terminals Panama to manage and control the ports once the ruling became legally binding.

Mulino said the arrangement would remain in place while the state develops a new "competitive" concession framework to be awarded in the future, "with the humility not to repeat the mistakes of the past."

He said neither port operations nor employment will be affected throughout the process.

The Panama presidents office did not immediately respond to a request outside office hours for comment on CK Hutchison's statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky marked four years of Russias full-scale invasion with a defiant message, declaring that President Vladimir Putin has not achieved his goals and has not won this war. Reflecting on Ukraines resilience since February 24, 2022, Zelensky said the country remains unbroken despite exhaustion and relentless attacks, vowing to secure peace and justice.

Putin has not achieved his goals. He has not broken Ukrainians. He has not won this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice, Zelensky concluded an emotional address.

I need ammunition, not a ride Zelensky recalled the early hours of the invasion, when Russian forces advanced on Kyiv and evacuation offers were made.

He recounted his exchange with then US President Joe Biden. Volodymyr, there is a threat. You need to leave Ukraine urgently. We are ready to help with that.

Zelensky says he replied: I need ammunition, not a ride.

He stressed that Ukrainians were not fearless, but united by a shared understanding: We have no other Ukraine. This is our home.

From shock to resistance Describing the first days as the longest day of our lives, Zelensky said millions chose to defend the country rather than flee.

Our people did not raise a white flag  they defended the blue and yellow one.

Instead of being welcomed, Russian troops were met with recruitment lines and civilian resistance.

Every tomorrow had to be won. Ukraine had to stand  the state had to stand no matter what.

Cities and sites: Symbols of suffering Zelensky listed cities and tragedies that have defined the war  including Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol and the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam  describing mass graves, bombed maternity wards and civilian casualties.

Men do not fight like this. People do not act like this. Ukrainians will not forget it.

He accused Russia of deliberately targeting apartment buildings and power plants, adding: Putin understands he is not capable of defeating Ukraine on the battlefield.

From defense to counterattack The President highlighted Ukraines military evolution  from early reliance on Western-supplied arms to large-scale domestic drone production.

From the point when we were being given body armor to the point when we ourselves produce more than three million FPV drones a year.

He cited advanced air defense systems such as Patriots, IRIS-T, NASAMS and F-16 fighter jets, alongside Ukraines expanding long-range strike capability.

The sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva, he said, marked a turning point: It was a big moment. Later  it became a tradition.

Global support and diplomatic push Zelensky thanked partners across Europe, North America and Asia for backing Ukraine and supporting its EU candidate status.

We had to fight tooth and nail for the faith in Ukraine. We had to make sure the world got involved.

He called for sustained international pressure on Moscow: It is Russia that must be put in its place. So that there can be real peace.

Also Read | Human cost of four years of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Negotiations and real security guarantees Acknowledging fatigue after four years of war, Zelensky stressed that any peace agreement must safeguard Ukraines dignity and sovereignty.

Not to nullify all these years, not to devalue the entire struggle This cannot be surrendered, forgotten, betrayed.

He emphasized that any deal must be accepted by Ukrainians and include concrete security guarantees.

Honoring the fallen The President paid tribute to thousands of fallen soldiers and civilians, describing them as guardian angels.

Thousands of heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine may live.

Also Read | Human cost of four years of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Indias justice system is groaning under a crushing backlog. Nearly 48 million cases are pending in lower courts, while the Supreme Court alone has close to 90,000 unresolved matters. This does not include matters before tribunals and administrative bodies. There is no shortage of lawyers or law colleges, but thousands of judicial posts remain vacant. There are over 4,800 vacancies in subordinate courts and nearly 300 in high courts, leaving the country with barely 21 judges per million people, far below the widely accepted benchmark of 50.
(Bloomberg) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc will deliver on its 90 billion ($106 billion) loan package to Ukraine one way or another as the war-battered nation is set to run out of funds in a matter of weeks.

Speaking during a trip to Kyiv to mark four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, the demonstration of European Union solidarity was undermined as Hungary this month moved to block the financial lifeline over an energy dispute with Kyiv. The EUs latest round of sanctions was also halted amid resistance from Budapest.

We have different options and we will use them, von der Leyen said alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European Council President Antonio Costa in the capital on Tuesday, without elaborating on the blocs options.

The standoff left the EU delegation without its flagship offer as the war entered its fifth year, with allies seeking to buoy Ukraines military effort and US-led peace efforts having stalled. The bloc will provide 920 million this year and next to rebuild energy infrastructure, the commission chief said.

Arriving with a group of EU leaders, von der Leyen also tempered Ukraines ambition to join the bloc by 2027.

From our side, dates are impossible, von der Leyen said, reiterating that the accession process is merit-based. Zelenskiy addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday to explain why having a clear date was crucial.

The date you mentioned is more your benchmark, von der Leyen told Zelenskiy.

Russias relentless attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure last month hit the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, which have maintained ties with the Kremlin throughout the war. The two member states accused Ukraine of dragging its feet with repairs. Zelenskiy reiterated that the work was underway.

Russia destroyed it several times, Zelenskiy said. And this strike may not be the last. Russia destroys; Ukraine rebuilds. He suggested that Orban address the attacks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

--With assistance from Max Ramsay.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
When this reporter asked Rao if the bank will take any steps against its directors arrest, or if it would respond to an ongoing lawsuit at the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (the apex, quasi-judicial consumer court in India), where it finds itself at the centre of police reports and crores in fraud allegations, he gave a rather vague and unrelated response. You do not know the meaning of digital arrest, and I will not be speaking with you because it is only a matter of seconds to create a fake identity. Todays newspaper is tomorrows waste-paper, Rao said.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that AI power is getting concentrated in the hands of a few companies. Amodei, who was in India as part of the India AI Impact Summit, spoke about the dangerous trend in an episode of Nikhil Kamath's WTF podcast.

Speaking on the podcast, Amodei said he is uncomfortable with a few people and companies having control over the powerful technology.

Theres a certain randomness to how a few people end up leading these companies that grow so fast, and it seems like in the near future they will power so much of the economy, Amodei said.

I've said openly, publicly, not for the first time, that I'm at least somewhat uncomfortable with the amount of concentration of power that's happening here. I would say almost overnight, almost by accident, he added.

Amodei's comments come at a time when leading AI labs like Google DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic and xAI, along with a few Chinese rivals, dominate most of the rankings on both text and image generation models. The power balance in favour of these AI firms is such that even blog posts and new product announcements by companies like Anthropic in recent months have led to multi-billion-dollar global sell-offs in software, tech and IT services stocks.

Tsunami is coming, warns Amodei: Amodei also warned that AI is getting closer to reaching human-level intelligence and stated that there is a severe lack of public awareness regarding the massive shifts and risks that the technology will entail.

"Its as if this tsunami is coming at us, and its so close we can see it on the horizon, and yet people are coming up with these explanations for, oh, its not actually a tsunami, thats just a trick of the light," Amodei said.

Along with that, there hasnt been public awareness of the risks, and therefore our governments havent acted to address them. Theres even an ideology that we should just try to accelerate as fast as possible, he added.

Also Read | What is Claude Code Security? AI tool that wiped billions of cyber stocks

Amodei, who earlier worked at OpenAI before starting his own research lab, also warned that AI will have massive economic and geopolitical implications.

"The economic implications are going to be enormous. The geopolitical implications are going to be enormous. The safety implications are going to be enormous. It's going to transform how the world works," he told Kamath.
Anthropic's chief executive officer Dario Amodei said it is possible, maybe even likely that artificial intelligence could one day outperform humans at almost everything. This, he said, may not be limited to tasks done in data centres but may also extend to the physical world.

Speaking on the WTF podcast hosted by Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath, Amodei explained that while today's AI systems mainly operate in virtual environments, building capable robots is ultimately a technical skill that can improve over time.

He further suggested that advanced AI could even help humans get better at designing the developing robotics. However, he described it as a gradual process. "We need to figure this out step-by-step and figure out how to adapt to it.

Amodei believes there's always a need for human skill The Anthropic boss cited real-world examples to explain how AI's progress might unfold. Geoff Hinton predicted that AI will replace radiologists, he said, referring to the early claims that machine learning can replace human specialists in reading medical scans. And indeed, AI has gotten better than radiologists at doing scans, he added.

He noted that the impact hasn't been as dramatic as some feared, at least not yet. What happens today is, there aren't fewer radiologists, he said, adding how the nature of their job has changed due to technological advancement.

What the radiologist does is, they walk the patient through the scan and they kind of talk to the patient. So, the most highly technical part of the job has gone away, but somehow there's still some demand for the kind of underlying human skill, he explained.

Looking ahead, he acknowledged that the future could bring further disruptions. Now, that may not be true everywhere. And perhaps, over time, AI will advance in areas where it hasn't yet advanced. And maybe that'll happen fast, he said.

Still, Amodei urged caution, arguing that we should take it one step at a time. This is a very empirical observation. Let's see what AI does today.

Tech entrepreneurs bet big on AI Amodei is not the only tech executive making big claims about AI's capabilities and future advances. Previously, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that not only will general artificial intelligence surpass human capability in the very near future, but that there could be breakthroughs achievable only through AI, Business Insider reported.

Before OpenAI and Anthropic became rival companies, Dario Amodei worked at the ChatGPT maker's office, where he joined as a team lead for AI safety in 2016.

He further said that I would certainly say that by the end of this decade, by 2030, if we don't have extraordinarily capable models that do things that we ourselves cannot do, I'd be very surprised.
John Davidson, who is a Tourette's Syndrome campaigner, has issued a statement after his racial slur at the BAFTA Film Awards 2026. As the episode caused a controversy, Davidson said he was deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

John Davidson issues statement after BAFTA controversy Davidson was invited for the nominated film, I Swear, based on his life.

I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I Swear, which, more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits, and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome, Davidson said.

John Davidson was heard shouting the N-word as Sinners actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan were presenting an award for special visual effects at the ceremony.

As per a report by Deadline, Davidson said in his statement: I wanted to thank BAFTA and everyone involved in the awards last night for their support and understanding and inviting me to attend the broadcast. I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me. In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

John Davidson on leaving after racial slur He added that he "chose" to leave the auditorium during the Sunday night event due to his tics.

I was in attendance to celebrate the film of my life, I SWEAR, which more than any film or TV documentary, explains the origins, condition, traits and manifestations of Tourette Syndrome. I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourettes community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing, he added.

I Swear's Robert Aramayo won the best actor prize over Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

BAFTA apologises Meanwhile, the British Film Awards apologised for the "very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many", after a clip of the racial slur being shouted went viral on social media and sparked backlash.

"Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over," the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said.

"Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted."

Actor Alan Cumming, who was the ceremony host, also apologised for the language during the broadcast.

The BBC also apologised for not editing the language out of its broadcast, which aired on a two-hour delay on Sunday evening.
A Tennessee Valley-based mission group is working to return home as security concerns escalate in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes.

The 40-person group, made up of adults and children, traveled to Cancun on a multi-week mission trip with Mexico Missions and Beyond, a ministry based in Harrison, Tennessee.

Harrison-based mission group safely returns home from Mexico amid unrest after death of notorious cartel leader The group's leader says they had been anxiously awaiting the moment they touched U.S. soil again, after the death of cartel leader "El Mencho" caused unrest across the county.

Director Rich Sutton said the group built six churches during their three weeks in Mexico. Most of the children who participated in the trip returned home safely on February 19, just before violence in parts of the country prompted heightened security warnings.

They went home on the 19th, praise God, because all the trouble just happened yesterday, Sutton said. Its kind of scary for parents to go through this with their young people in Mexico, and theyre at home.

About half of the group remains in Cancun and is sheltering inside one of the churches they built.

The U.S. government issued a security alert urging Americans in certain areas of Mexico to shelter in place due to violence. Sutton said that warning forced the group to quickly adjust its plans.

That kind of changed our mode of operation, he said. Instead of going out, we stayed in, and then we started checking on our flights to make sure everything was going to be the same as what we thoughtand things had changed.

Sutton said the remaining members are scheduled to fly home Tuesday and, as of now, their flights appear to be operating as planned.

Were all flying out tomorrow. Looks like our flights are still coming in. Were praying that American Airlines stays on, he said.

What to do if youre stranded in Mexico (CNN)  The US government urged Americans in several Mexican states, including popular vacation spots in Jalisco, Baja California and Quintana

Back in Tennessee, family members, friends and church congregations are staying in close contact with the group as they await their return.

Despite the uncertainty, Sutton said the missionaries have remained calm.

The young people are missionaries. Theyre from all over the world, he said. Its not normal, but its not an apprehensive time for them to be able to do this.

Sutton said his commitment to serving others remains strong. The ministry is already preparing for its next mission trip to Cuba in about two and a half weeks.

This is a developing situation and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty says he is closely tracking security concerns in Jalisco.

If you are a Tennessee resident in Mexico and in need of help, contact Sen. Hagerty's office at 865-545-4253 or contact them online here.
STEM has become an important part of the educational curriculum at all levels across Ireland. Recently in Longford, this was evident as the Junior Cycle VEX IQ Robotics Competition took place in St Mels College, enabling student teams from seven post-primary schools and one primary school to compete in battles of engineering wits, coding and teamwork collaboration. Schools on the day travelled from all corners of County Longford, and were joined by schools from Athlone, Mullingar and as far as Ballyshannon in County Donegal.

VEX IQ is a STEM program organised by Longfords County Councils IT Department designed to enhance students digital skills, foster engagement in STEM education and encourage greater participation in subjects such as design, science, coding and ICT skills.

PICTURES | Robotics competition awards for two Longford schools

Participating schools create teams of students from 1st to 3rd year to take part and build a robot from a VEX IQ kit. The robot must be designed and built to carry out the tasks of this year's game Mix and Match. Students and their teachers learn about robot building, engineering, coding and improving their robot design throughout the process.

The atmosphere in St Mels College was electric with teams strategising, cheering and competing in real-time. There was music, countdowns and the thrill of the clock ticking down.

A total of ten teams from eight schools participated, namely:

St Mels College, Longford

Mean Scoil Mhuire, Longford

Moyne Community College, Longford

Cnoc Mhuire Granard

Ardscoil Phadraig Granard

St Finians College, Mullingar

Marist College, Athlone

Holy Family NS, Ballyshannon, Donegal

The awards on the day went to:

Excellence Award: St Mels College

Teamwork Champions: Scoil Mhuire Longford & St Finians Mullingar

Design Award: Scoil Mhuire Longford

Robot Skills Champion Award: Marist College Athlone

Judges Award: Holy Family NS Ballyshannon, Donegal

Four teams from the event secured places at the Nationals which will take place in MTU Cork on Wednesday, February 25.

Longfords Digital Strategy and the Midlands Pathway Plan both place education and future skills at their core. The county is facing a clear shortage of qualified people across key sectors, and these plans aim to close that gap by encouraging more students to pursue studies and careers in computer coding, digital design, engineering disciplines, ICT, the sciences and robotics. Together, they set out a practical route to build a stronger skills pipeline, support local talent, and ensure that Longford is ready for the demands of a rapidly changing economy.

The VEX IQ equipment and this event is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.

The days activities were supported by Christine Collins (Broadband Officer, Longford County Council), Siobhan Grealy (STEM Engagement Officer, Longford County Council), and all the staff from The IT Department in Longford County Council.

Read more: Heartening to see dedication and drive of Longford workers recognised at national level

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh said, To continue to compete in a fast-paced industry, Longford needs people with these valuable skills. Events such as the VEX IQ will develop and make Longford students more skilled, more sustainable and better equipped to enrich life in our communities and help retain rural populations.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, Events like these spark a culture of innovation, teamwork and hands on learning. The post primary participation in this competition not only strengthens STEM education but also builds a future-ready workforce and inspires the next generation of problem-solvers and creators.

For further information, visit or follow Longford County Council on social media.
An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike on a vehicle carrying Syrian Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives in southern Lebanon. (IDF on X)

An Israeli strike on a Hamas site in Lebanons Ain al Hilweh camp on February 20 underscores a shift in Israels counterterrorism campaign: Palestinian terrorist groups operating from Lebanese territory are increasingly becoming targets. The attack, which killed two people, reflects a broader pattern of Israeli operations against Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups in Lebanon over the past three years.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strike targeted infrastructure used by Hamas to prepare attacks against Israel and Israeli troops. The camp, located near Sidon, has long served as a hub for Palestinian factions.

Hamas disputed Israels characterization of the site targeted by the IDF, claiming that it belonged to a joint Palestinian security force responsible for maintaining order in the camp. Furthermore, the terrorist group initially claimed that all of the dead and wounded were civilians. However, open-source information immediately indicated that at least one of those killed was a Hamas fighter, and the group later issued an official statement announcing the deaths of Hamas operatives Bilal Deeb al Khatib and Mohammad Tareq al Sawi.

The strike is consistent with Israels expanding campaign against Palestinian terrorists in Lebanon, which has accelerated since Hamas launched its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. IDF statements and military operations indicate that Jerusalem views Lebanon not only as Hezbollahs domain but also as another front where it needs to limit the military infrastructure of Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations.

Besides the killing of senior Hamas member Saleh al Arouri in late 2023, one of the earliest high-profile strikes in this campaign occurred on March 13, 2024, when an Israeli drone killed Hamas member Hadi Ali Mustafa near Tyre in Lebanon. Israeli officials described Mustafa as a significant operative responsible for planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide. Hamas acknowledged his death, underscoring the presence of its military personnel inside Lebanon.

Israel continued targeting Hamas members in Lebanon in 2025. On February 17 of that year, an Israeli strike in Sidon killed Muhammad Shaheen, whom Israel identified as the head of Hamass operations department in Lebanon. Israeli officials said Shaheen had been involved in promoting terrorist plots against Israeli civilians with Iranian backing. Hamas confirmed his death, highlighting that the groups senior-level operatives were active in Lebanese territory.

Additional Hamas figures were eliminated later that year. In April 2025, Israel killed Hamas commander Hassan Farhat in Sidon, accusing him of advancing terror attacks against Israel. Hamas acknowledged Farhats role and death, further confirming its operational footprint in Lebanon.

Israel also conducted larger strikes against Hamas infrastructure in Lebanese refugee camps. On November 18, 2025, the IDF struck what it described as a Hamas training compound in Ain al Hilweh, killing at least 13 people. Israeli officials said the facility was used to plan terrorist operations, though Hamas denied the allegation.

Besides Hamas, Israel has also targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members in southern Lebanon. On February 17, the IDF announced that it had killed several terrorists who belonged to PIJs Syrian branch. The suspects were attempting to cross into Syria after planning attacks against Israel, the IDF said. The February 17 strike was only one of multiple Israeli attacks against Syrian PIJ operatives in southern Lebanon after the October 7 attack.

The recent Israeli strike in Ain al Hilweh underscores both the persistence and growth of Israels evolving campaign against Palestinian armed groups beyond Gaza. By targeting Hamas and PIJ on Lebanese soil and outside of the context of a declared war, Israel is demonstrating that its counterterrorism operations against Palestinian factions are no longer confined to periods of large-scale conflict. Instead, these strikes signal a sustained, multi-front strategy aimed at degrading the infrastructure and operational capabilities of Palestinian armed groups.

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.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani (far right) meets with US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack (far left) in Baghdad on February 22. (Iraqi Prime Ministers office)

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki has said he will continue seeking to become the next prime minister of the country. In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) published on February 23, Maliki said he would not withdraw his candidacy, despite pressure from the United States. No one has the right to say whom we can or cannot vote for, he said. Malikis comments have added to the uncertainty over who will be chosen to be Iraqs next prime minister.

Iraqs political parties have also continued trying to choose a new president and appoint other officials in the wake of the November 2025 elections. The unsettled political situation comes as Iraq is also dealing with US-Iran tensions, a particular challenge because of Irans support for various Iraqi Shiite parties, Irans proximity, and the fact that there are US forces in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack visited Iraq from February 22 to 23 and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani and other political leaders.

Malikis comments to the AFP were published a day after he posted related comments on X. Our national responsibility towards our people and our homeland Iraq compels us to strive and dedicate our expertise to correcting and strengthening the course of the political process, he wrote. Maliki also indicated that he believes in a democratic Iraq that has strong international partnerships. And our hand is extended for regional and international cooperation and integration for the benefit of the peoples of the countries of the region and the world, he added. Maliki was considered to be pro-Iranian during his previous terms in office. He left office after Iraq suffered major setbacks from the rise of the Islamic State in 2014.

The stalemate to choose Iraqs new leadership is weakening the country, Iraqi Shiite political leader Ammar al Hakim said on February 22, according to Shafaq News. The Shiite Coordinate Framework, which brings together various Shiite political factions, also called for the two Kurdish parties in Iraq to agree on a presidential candidate. The presidency has traditionally been held by a Kurdish figure for over two decades. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which secured the majority of Kurdish votes in the latest elections, are competing for the largely ceremonial post, the Kurdish Rudaw Media Network noted on February 24.

Various Iraqi parties appear to be considering their next moves. Malikis party, the State of Law Coalition, has continued to back him as a candidate. The Coordination Framework and the various parties within it are also waiting to decide on a candidate to back, according to a report from Shafaq on February 23.

Bahaa al Araji, the leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, an alliance of political parties founded by current Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani, indicated that the group may be reconsidering its support for Maliki, Kurdistan24 said on February 22. In a separate statement reported by Shafaq on February 24, Araji said that US pressure would not lead the Coordination Framework to change its candidate. This leaves a lack of clarity on what the Reconstruction and Development Coalition might do and what it might encourage the wider Coordination Framework to do.

A final decision of the Shiite parties may be made by February 27. According to a responsible source within the Coordination Framework, before Friday [February 27]that is, before the end of the new and final American deadlinethere will be an important and decisive meeting of the Coordination Framework, Shafaq noted on February 24.

US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack met with Iraqs Prime Minister Sudani on February 22. The necessity of effective leadership that aligns itself with the policies and practices of further stabilization for Iraq and the Iraqi people is key to our mutual goals, Barrack posted on X. Barrack also met with leaders of one of the Sunni parties in Iraq and with Kurdish leaders.

In Barracks meeting with Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani, the Kurdish leader discussed both the choices for president and prime minister. For the presidency, Barzani noted that the Kurdish parties would select a candidate who reflects the will of the people of Kurdistan. He said that while the Coordination Framework would determine the nominee for prime minister, what matters most is that the prime minister be committed to the constitution and to the principles of partnership, balance, and reconciliation.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
Syrian forces near a security checkpoint in Al Raqqa that the Islamic State targeted on February 23. (@rachidAbdr5 on X)

The Islamic State (IS) intensified attacks against the Syrian government since February 21, carrying out at least six operations across Raqqa and Deir Ezzour provinces that have killed at least eight Syrian government security personnel. These attacks started immediately after the jihadist group released a statement recorded by its spokesman, Abu Hudhayfah al Ansari, that announced a new phase of operations in Syria.

On February 21, IS claimed responsibility for an attack on a security checkpoint at Al Wasita market near the town of Saluq in northern Raqqa province that killed two members of the Syrian armys 42nd Division. On the same day, the jihadist group attacked a security checkpoint in Al Taqba. Additionally, the terrorist organization claimed that it targeted a member of the Syrian security forces in the city of Mayadin in Deir Ezzour province.

On February 23, an Islamic State cell attacked a Syrian security forces checkpoint in the Al Sabahiyah area of Raqqa city, killing four security personnel and wounding two others. One member of the Islamic State cell was also killed during the operation.

According to local sources, three of the four deceased Syrian government security members have been identified: Mohammad Amin from Tabqa, Mohammad Aboud, and Abdul Razzaq Fares. The same security checkpoint was targeted by an Islamic State cell the day before, resulting in the death of the attacker and Ahmad al Sayyed, a Syrian security forces member from Idlib. The perpetrators name was not disclosed, though sources reported that he was a Syrian from Aleppo province.

In addition to Ansari announcing a new phase of operations in his statement that proceeded the jihadist groups attacks, the Islamic State spokesman declared that Syria has moved from Iranian occupation to Turkish American occupation. He also described Syrian President Ahmad al Sharaa as a guardian of the international coalition and vowed that Sharaas fate would be no different from that of former Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad, who Sharaa ousted in December 2024.

The new Syrian regime, with its secular government and nationalist army, are infidel apostates. Nothing is more obligatory after faith than fighting them to liberate Al Sham [Syria] from their claws.  The soldiers of Al Sham must diligently strive to fight them, Ansari stated.

The uptick in Islamic State attacks comes at a delicate moment for Syrias security situation. As the Syrian government consolidated control over Al Hol camp in Hasakah province, home to thousands of Islamic State-linked women and children, large numbers of detainees reportedly escaped in an organized operation since the end of January. Local sources claimed that foreign fighters affiliated with the Syrian government smuggled a number of these families under the eyes of the Syrian forces.

Al Hol had already served as fertile ground for jihadist indoctrination among detainees. Within the camp, the wives of fighters established a de facto IS-style administrative structure in a Muhajirat (foreigners) sector. Eyewitnesses reported that they created their own morality police, enforcing strict rules and surveillance over other residents, effectively replicating elements of Islamic State governance inside the camp.

A recent UN report assessed that the Islamic State has maintained an estimated 3,000 fighters across the broader Syrian-Iraqi region, the majority in the Syrian Arab Republic. It noted that the jihadist groups cells are now dispersed across the country rather than concentrated in central Syria, and that it has concealed the extent of its operations by leaving many attacks unclaimed. The report further alleged that the Islamic State continues to recruit fighters from dissolved and other hardline factions.

Ahmad Sharawi is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.
An illustration of the US Embassy in Lebanon. (US Embassy in Lebanon)

On February 23, the US State Department ordered the departure of all non-emergency government personnel from the US Embassy in Beirut, along with their family members. A State Department official, speaking anonymously, said they had determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel based on an assessment of the security environment, while adding that the move was temporary and the embassy would continue to function. A US Embassy source told Reuters that 50 people had been evacuated, and the wire service learned that 32 embassy staff, along with family members, had flown out of Beiruts Rafic Hariri International Airport by Monday.

The State Departments Lebanon Travel Advisory tersely noted that the ordered withdrawal was due to the security situation in Beirut, without elaborating. Many outlets reporting on the drawdown framed it as a precautionary measure tied to rising tensions between the United States and Iran.

MTV Lebanon News, an outlet with an anti-Hezbollah leaning, reported that the drawdown stemmed from specific Lebanese security threats. MTV Lebanons White House correspondent alleged to have learned that Washington took the move as a precautionary measure after the great concern caused by Iranian [state] TV broadcasts depicting the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and Hamat Airbase as targets for attacks.

On February 14, Irans Arabic-language IRIB channel Al Alam ran a short video under the title Under SurveillanceBase No. 9  Hamat Base Lebanon, as part of a series of videos depicting US bases under surveillance. The 23-second video showed Hamat Air Base in crosshairs, describing it as under surveillance in Arabic but as TARGETED in English. The video then states, The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the area. American transport aircraft are landing in several airbases. Among them is Hamat Airbase in northern Lebanon. In recent months, several military transport aircraft have landed at the base. These transport aircraft are each capable of transporting 77 tons of equipment. Which points to a widescale logistical support operation.

Hamat Air Base is a Lebanese Air Force base located in Hamat, which is between Batroun and Tripoli in northern Lebanon. The US role at the facility is limited to providing security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), with a focus on infrastructure funding, contracting, and training and maintenance support. The United States does not own or have operational control over the base, nor does the base host permanent US combat forces.

US Army Corps of Engineers (Middle East District/TAM) planning documents that mention Hamat Air Base describe a US-funded project to modernize the base. This effort includes rebuilding its runway and emergency access road, followed by assisting with additional upgrades, such as an air traffic control tower, a rotary-wing hangar, an aircraft fuel depot, taxiways, and a squadron operations building.

Over the years, US military transport aircraft have landed at Hamat Air Base, but only to deliver equipment to the LAF. A recent Al Hurra report noted that US personnel at the base were exclusively involved in training LAF counterparts and that any US presence there is for the purpose of training missions, maintenance teams, and military assistance.

Media outlets affiliated with the Iranian-led Axis of Resistance often depict Hamat Air Base as a staging ground for US military operations in the region, though these claims are unsubstantiated. Since Al Alams February 14 report, pro-Hezbollah-leaning media personalities have focused on spreading such unverified claims about Hamat Air Base  including a claim of an alleged standoff between US and LAF soldiers after a drone that overflew the base was shot down on February 16. LBCI Lebanon News, quoting an unnamed LAF source, said that the downed drone, which some reports had presumed to be Iranian, had actually belonged to a local resident who lost control over it while trying to record a special occasion. LBCI reported that the aircraft had been located by an LAF unit and did not pose any security threat.

Nevertheless, MTV Lebanon claimed that successive security incidents that had occurred over the past two days had heightened American concerns. The incidents ostensibly included the drone incident and the detection of concerning moves from Dahieh [Hezbollahs stronghold in Beiruts southern suburbs] towards the environs of the US Embassy in Beirut. The report did not elaborate on the nature of these movements.

Hezbollah has not directly threatened to attack US personnel or assets in Lebanon. However, in a January 26 speech, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem described US President Donald Trumps threat to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as a direct threat to Hezbollah. He further stated that his group could not ignore this and viewed it as a responsibility and obligationas a matter of faith, conviction, and dutyto confront this threat and take all necessary measures and preparations to do so. Qassem added that Hezbollah reserved every right to do whatever we deem appropriate to meet the challenge, without elaborating on the nature of the actions the group was considering. He only specified that Hezbollah was not neutral and would determine how to act based on the prevailing circumstances

David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs.
A WITNESS to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the N17 near Claremorris described how a Toyota Yaris involved in the crash looked like it 'was sawn in half'.

The inquest into the death of Andrea Gornowicz (57), Old Park House, Castlemacgarrett, Claremorris heard how she was rear-ended by a car when turning right off the N17 and pushed into the path of an oncoming van.

The German native, who had lived in Claremorris for 30 years, suffered multiple injuries following the collision and died almost instantly.

The collision took place at the junction for Castlemacgarret on the N17 outside Claremorris at around 11.50am on May 16, 2024.

The inquest heard that Ms Gornowiczs Toyota Yaris car was stationary at the junction as it waited to turn right when it was rear-ended by a car driven by Martin Cullinan. The impact of the collision resulted in the Yaris veering onto the opposite lane and it was then hit from behind by a Renault Traffic van and towing a trailer

Derek Lynn, who was travelling behind Mr Cullinans Hyundai Matrix car told gardai that he could see the Yaris indicating to turn right and the brake lights were on. He said he started to slow down but the car in front of him failed to do so and he did not see the brake lights on it before it smashed into the back of the Yaris.

I noticed the front half of the Yaris looked like it was sawn in life, Mr Lynn told gardai following the collision.

Peter Collins, who was travelling towards Claremorris in the Renault van, said he observed the Yaris ahead of him indicating to turn right when it was rear-ended. He said the car flipped around into his lane and he did not have time to stop to avoid the collision. He said he was driving at 70-80 km per hour at the time of the collision and described the conditions as dry and sunny.

READ MORE: Silent disease caused death of healthy man on Croagh Patrick

Death trap

WHEN questioned by Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald, Coroner for Mayo, Mr Collins described the location of where the collision occurred as a death trap as it is a busy road and there was no filter lane for vehicles turning right to enter and there had been numerous accidents along that stretch of road.

The inquest heard that members of the public came to Ms Gornowiczs assistance at the scene but she was pronounced dead at 1.06pm.

A post mortem report showed that Ms Gornowicz suffered multiple injuries to her left side including fractures to her sternum and all her ribs. The cause of death was due to haemorrhagic shock due to thoracic aorta injury due to traumatic chest injuries.

Dr Fitzgerald commented that she had massive haemorrhaging following the rupture of her thoracic aorta which meant her death would have been instant.

Court presenter, Sergeant Noel Crinnegan explained that Mr Cullinan (70) was convicted of careless driving causing the death of Ms Gornowicz and was sentenced last year.

Mr Cullinan from Kilmicalla, Irishtown had been in Claremorris earlier that morning for a bite to eat and was on his way back to his home when the collision occured. He claimed he did not see any indicator or brake light but took full responsibility for the collision.

Dr Fitzgerald recorded a verdict of accidental death and said the death of Ms Gornowicz could have been avoided if due caution was taken by Mr Cullinan. She recommended that a filter lane be installed at that junction if possible or that Mayo County Council look at closing junctions to minor roads which she said are causing many collisions.

She extended her sympathies to the family and friends of Ms Gornowicz on their tragic loss while Sgt Crinnegan also asked drivers to be aware of the dangers of momentarily lapses in concentration.
With the clock slowly ticking down as multiple Mayo schools prepare to set of in search of All-Ireland glory, excitement has reached a fresh peak following the release of the fixtures for the upcoming All-Ireland semi-finals.

In total, four schools with heavy Mayo representation are in action on Saturday against Munster opposition, knowing a win could see them one hour from lifting the ultimate glory.

First, we'll touch on Saint Gerald's. The Castlebar students were on cloud nine just last Friday as they defeated Saint Muredach's of Ballina to secure Connacht 'A' glory.

Now, in the joust to win the Hogan Cup, they will travel to the TUS Midwest Campus, a stone's throw from Thomond Park, to take on Kerry side Tralee CBS. Throw-in in that one is at 12.30 pm.

Just 90 minutes later in the same city, Saint Nathy's of Ballaghaderreen will fly the Connacht flag with plenty of Mayo representation, having earned the right after besting The Bish in Bekan in the provincial 'B' decider.

At the University of Limerick South Campus, Cork side Mount Saint Michael, Rosscarbery, making their way from one of the most southern points in the country, will provide the opposition. That one gets underway at 2 pm.

An hour on, slightly north in Clarecastle, just outside Ennis, Balla Secondary School will do battle with another Cork side, Carrigaline Secondary School, in the All-Ireland 'C' semi.

The clash of the Connacht kings, who got the better of Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina, and Munster's champions, is pencilled in for a 4 pm start.

The 'D' last-four meeting of Saint Brendan's, Belmullet, and Rice College of Ennis, is a little closer to home for Mayo GAA enthusiasts looking to get in on the action.

Two weeks on from defeating Saint Tiernan's of Crossmolina in Bonniconlon, the Erris nation will touch down in the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan, for a 2.30 pm throw-in.
A major decision has been made regarding funding for several HSE key projects in Mayo.

A total sum of 10,199,708 in capital investment for County Mayo has been confirmed under the HSEs 2026 Capital Plan, announced by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll Mac Neill.

The funding forms part of the HSEs Building and Equipment Capital Programme for 2026 and will support significant developments in hospital, primary care, and community infrastructure across the county.

The list of key Mayo projects in the HSE Capital Plan:

Ballina  560,000 plus 28,000 for the new Injury Unit and the Appraisal of the 75 Bed Community Nursing Unit

Belmullet  280,000 for the appraisal of the new 50 Bed Community Nursing Unit

An Coilin & Teach Aisling  1,660,000 for the construction of two high-support community residences accommodating nine residents

An Coilin & Teach Aisling  1,660,000 for the construction of two high-support community residences accommodating nine residents Castlebar  110,000 for a new ambulance base

Daisy Lodge, Cong  1,684,200 for construction of a new facility including shared space and activity areas for children undergoing cancer treatment

Castlebar Primary Care Centre  190,876 to equip the new extension

Mayo University Hospital  5,686,632 for the extension and reconfiguration of the Emergency Department, including a new 10-space Medical Assessment Unit

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Mayo TD Keira Keogh (Fine Gael) commented: This investment represents a very significant commitment to increasing capacity and delivering the infrastructure needed to provide better care in our hospitals and communities across Mayo. Importantly, it supports the frontline staff who deliver that care every day.

Deputy Keogh acknowledged that the extension and reconfiguration of the Emergency Department in Mayo University Hospital is long awaited.

She expressed her view, that this project is now at an advanced stage and it will move to construction later this year.

Keogh also highlighted the impact the Ballina Injury Unit will have locally:

The Injury Unit in Ballina is expected to see between 8,000 and 10,000 presentations per year. That will significantly reduce pressure on the Emergency Department at Mayo University Hospital and ensure patients are treated closer to home.

Deputy Keogh concluded: I will continue working closely with the Minister and the HSE to strengthen healthcare services across Mayo. A key priority for me is securing an additional ambulance base, along with a dedicated ambulance and full resourced crew for Erris.
Bolt, one of Europes largest ride-hailing platforms, has today expanded its taxi services to 21 counties outside Dublin and Cork, making its service available nationwide for the first time. County Mayo is one of those counties that will see Bolt taxis operate in.

The rollout follows an intervention last week by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which called on the Government to remove regulatory barriers limiting the entry of ride-hailing apps, including Bolt and Uber, into the taxi market.

The Commissions research found that 57 percent of people nationwide believe there are not enough taxis in their area. While 56 percent of respondents in Dublin said supply was sufficient, that figure fell to 28 percent among those living outside Dublin.

Bolt first launched in Dublin in 2020, expanded to Cork in 2022, and has since experienced rapid growth. Online taxi drivers on the platform increased by 50 percent between 2024 and 2025.

The expansion opens the platform to thousands more licensed taxi drivers, who can now accept pre-booked trips through the Bolt app. To support the launch, drivers will benefit from a five percent commission, allowing them to retain a larger share of their earnings.

Kimberly Hurd, Bolts Senior General Manager for Ireland, said: "Ireland has always been an important market for us, and weve grown steadily over the years. Expanding our services nationwide allows us to make transport more accessible while supporting drivers with flexible, transparent earning opportunities. We welcome last week's intervention by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and its call to examine how better regulation can unlock taxi supply, particularly in more rural areas. We believe a long-term focus on increasing availability and improving coverage would benefit passengers and drivers alike."

The areas Bolt has expanded to include: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.

Passengers using Bolt can view fares upfront, track drivers in real time, and share trip details with friends and family. The service operates in line with Irish licensing regulations and supports pre-booked trips nationwide.

Bolt already operates in Dublin and Cork and runs e-bike and scooter schemes in towns across Ireland. The Bolt app is available for download on iOS and Android.

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North-West MEP Nina Carberry has called on people living in coastal areas of Mayo to engage with the consultation process aimed at shaping a future strategy for coastal regions, which was launched this week by the EU.

The representative, who serves as Vice Chair of the European Parliaments Seas, Rivers and Islands Intergroup, said it is vital that the views of local communities are reflected in future policy decisions.

With more than 1,100 kilometres of coastline, Mayo is uniquely positioned to contribute to this consultation, she said.

Carberry stressed that feedback from coastal regions will play a key role in informing how the EU supports tourism, renewable energy development, sustainable fishing and regional connectivity in the years ahead.

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She encouraged respondents to outline the main challenges facing their communities and to comment on which EU rules and regulations are working effectively and which require change.

This is an important opportunity for Mayos coastal communities to shape the future direction of EU policy, she added.

Tourism remains a significant economic driver in the county, generating more than 300 million annually, while fishing and marine-related industries continue to play a central role in many coastal towns and villages.

Nina Carberry, who is Irelands only sitting MEP on the European Parliaments Budget Committee, recently backed proposals to increase the EUs Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to at least 7 billion. The proposal includes ring-fenced funding to support fleet renewal and modernisation, as well as encouraging generational renewal within the fisheries and seafood processing sectors.

READ MORE: Fall in love with Mayos coast as 5,000 photography competition opens

She is encouraging individuals, community groups and industry stakeholders across Mayo to take part in the consultation and ensure their voices are heard as the EU develops its long-term strategy for coastal communities.

For more on the consultation, see here.
Westport is set to mark St Patricks Day in style this year, with organisers promising a return to the grand celebrations of years gone by, complete with floats, live music, a duck race, and a brand new Family Fun Zone for younger visitors.



Matt Molloy has been announced as Grand Marshal for this years parade, which takes place on St Patricks Day.



Aoife ONeill, a committee member of the parade, says the ambition this year is to restore some of the occasions former glory.

We just kind of wanted to bring the parade back to its lustre, back to the days of old where it was a big day for the town, she said. It wasnt just a parade and then home, and people stayed around the parade  there was a bit more fanfare and a bit more going on.

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Family Fun Zone

ONE of the big additions this year is a dedicated Family Fun Zone, which will run from 2pm to 5pm in the James Street car park, timed to coincide with the end of the parade. The zone will feature carnival rides, bouncy castles, carnival games, balloon making, face painting, roaming characters, live music, and a heritage section with traditional Irish crafts such as basket weaving.



"If the kids are happy, the parents are happy," ONeill told The Mayo News.

Floats, colour and vibrancy

ORGANISERS are also offering a 500 cash incentive to encourage clubs, groups, committees and organisations to enter the parade with floats. ONeill said they want to see lots of colour and vibrancy and are actively putting out a call for vintage cars to join the procession as well.

Motorised vehicles are welcome to take part in the parade if theyre pulling a float or a part of a float.



After the parade, musicians will perform outside the Town Hall. Ciara OMalley and Lisa Loughnane are lined up to play, following a well-received appearance last year. Community groups will also give a free public performance inside the Town Hall at around 5pm.



Shop fronts are being encouraged to dress up and decorate for the occasion, with the winning display earning a three-week promotional feature in the Mayo News.

Duck Race Weekend

THE festivities kick off the Saturday before the parade with a Duck Race on the Mall River. Crowds are invited to gather at the Octagon at around 2.30pm, where the Clew Bay Pipe Band will assemble before leading the party down to the Mall to launch the race. Ducks cost 5 each and are available via QR code or in person at Westport Town Hall.



A Pipers Trail will follow the duck race, with the band making their way through the town and into local establishments. There will also buskers out in force.



Looking to the future, organisers hope to build on this years events and develop a full weekend festival with a packed schedule of events around St Patricks Day.
Businesses say predictability is vital as global trade conditions grow more volatil

Logistics businesses are demanding urgent clarity after reports that the United States could impose a 15% global tariff in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling on previous trade measures.

Industry leaders have warned that any shift in US tariff policy would carry serious implications for British exporters, given the scale of trade between the two nations.

Responding to the reports, James Mills, head of trade policy at Logistics UK, said the US remains the UKs largest single-country trading partner and accounts for around one sixth of all UK exports.

He added: Any changes to tariff arrangements matter significantly for British businesses.

Companies now require urgent clarity on how the proposed 15% levy would operate in practice, he said, as well as confirmation that previously agreed sector arrangements will be honoured.

The US market plays a critical role in supporting UK employment, with exports to America underpinning nearly one million jobs.

Exports to the United States support nearly one million UK jobs, making stability in this relationship vital, Mr Mills said.

He warned that in an increasingly uncertain global climate, predictability is essential for trade-led growth.

In a more volatile global environment, trade-led growth depends on predictability and on keeping trade as open, efficient and frictionless as possible, he said.

The UK grows when it trades.

Logistics UK, one of the countrys largest business groups, represents companies across the supply chain, including road, rail, air and maritime operators, as well as retailers and manufacturers reliant on freight services.

The organisation argues that at a time of rapid change  driven by decarbonisation, technological advancement and wider geopolitical disruption  maintaining efficient cross-border trade is more important than ever for the UK economy.
The U.S. military buildup in the Middle East is now the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Two carrier strike groups, more than 120 aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, submarines and air defense systems have been positioned within striking distance of Iran. President Trump said this week that Iran has 10 to 15 days to reach a deal on its nuclear program, and several units already in the region have had their deployment orders extended.

Whether this ends in diplomacy or escalation, the message for military families is the same: Now is the time to make sure your house is in order. Here is what you should be doing this week.

Review Your SGLI Coverage

Servicemembers Group Life Insurance automatically covers active-duty members at the maximum of $500,000. But automatically doesnt mean correctly. If youve had a life change since your last review of coverage -- marriage, divorce, birth of a child -- your beneficiary designations may be outdated.

Log into the SGLI Online Enrollment System through milConnect and verify that your beneficiaries are current. This is a separate action from updating your DD Form 93, your Record of Emergency Data. Both need to match your intentions, and both need to be current. SGLI costs $31 a month at max coverage. If you previously reduced or declined coverage, this is the time to reconsider.

Read More: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance: What You Need to Know

Update Your Record of Emergency Data

Your DD Form 93 tells the military who to notify and where to send your remains if the worst happens. It also designates who receives your unpaid pay and allowances, and names the person authorized to direct your disposition. This form does not automatically sync with your SGLI beneficiaries. They are separate documents that serve separate purposes. If you havent touched yours since basic training, fix that today.

Get Your Family Care Plan Current

Single parents, dual-military couples, and anyone with dependents who cant care for themselves need a current Family Care Plan on file with their unit. This includes a signed special power of attorney designating a guardian; current ID cards and DEERS enrollment for all dependents; and financial arrangements to support your family during separation.

Even if youre married with a civilian spouse, consider whether they have what they need to handle legal, financial, and medical decisions in your absence. A general or special power of attorney, prepared through your installations legal assistance office, can prevent headaches ranging from car registrations to mortgage paperwork to enrolling kids in a new school.

Read More: Military Troops and Retirees: Here's the First Financial Step to Take in 2026

Know What Deployment Triggers

CNN reported this week that several military units deployed to the Middle East that were scheduled to rotate home have had their orders extended. Extension orders can come with little notice. If youre currently in CENTCOMs area of responsibility or attached to a unit with a contingency mission tied to the region, understand that timelines can shift fast.

For Guard and reserve members, an escalation could activate involuntary mobilization authority. If you have a civilian employer, now is a good time to review your rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Your employer is required by law to hold your job, but advance communication can prevent problems on the back end.

Talk to Your Family

The practical steps matter. But for many families, the harder conversation is the one that happens across the kitchen table. Children pick up on tension in the news. Spouses who have been through deployment before know the signs. Spouses who havent may be blindsided by how quickly things move once orders come down.

Military OneSource offers free, confidential counseling and can connect families with installation resources including Military and Family Support Centers, financial counselors and chaplain services. The number is 800-342-9647, available 24/7.

Nobody knows yet whether the current buildup will result in a strike, a deal or a prolonged standoff. What you can control is whether your family is ready for any of those outcomes.

Stay on Top of Your Military Benefits

Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
More than 200 competitors participated in the inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition, testing active duty, reserve and National Guard operators drone operating skills. One event partner told Military.com the competition was a litmus test for the U.S. military in an ever-evolving world.

The three-day event took place Feb. 17-19 and was hosted by the Army Aviation Center of Excellence and the Maneuver Center of Excellence, in Huntsville, Ala., sponsored by the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) in partnership with the University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH).

More than 800 attendees took in the action, observing what the Army dubbed as its most skilled small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators. The 200-plus participants competed in three challenges designed to test speed, precision, teamwork and creativity in small UAS employment: a highspeed drone race, a tactical squad lane, and an innovation showcase.

During the U.S.Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition on Feb. 19, 2026, in Huntsville, Ala. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers competed for the top warfighter while showcasing their agility, adaptability, and lethality as they adapt to the evolving modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)

This inaugural event occurred as the U.S. military continues to invest in and push drones under the umbrella of what the Department of Defense has called Drone Dominance. Its a broad agenda to increase the United States drone manufacturing base, in turn arming combat units with low-cost attack drones while training senior officers to overcome bureaucratic risk-aversion culture in drone procurement and training.

That focus, for example, has been on display via Joint Interagency Task Force 401 which is training forces on drone instruction and technical integration to take advantage of what officials have referred to as an inexpensive yet prolific method of staying on par or ahead with American adversaries.

Military.com reached out to the Army for comment.

Inaugural Competition Winners

The Best Drone Warfighter Competition included numerous different tasks participants were forced to complete, both singularly and in teams, with a panel of experts ultimately judging prowess based on improving survivability, lethality and battlefield adaptability.

Competitors raced Neros Archer FPV (First Person View) drones through a complex obstacle course, while paired teams executed crosscountry hunterkiller missions to identify and neutralize targets. They also showcased Soldierdesigned technologies like sensors and robotics that raise the ante on battlefields.

1st Cavalry Division Soldiers ready calibrate their drone during the Best Unit Innovation demonstration at the U.S. Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition on Feb. 19, 2026, in Huntsville, Ala. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)

Winners of the 2026 Best Drone Warfighter Competition were as follows:

Best Drone Operator: Sgt. Javon Purcher; 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas

Best Tactical Squad: Staff Sgt. Angel Caliz and Spc. Jonah Burks; 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany

Best Innovation: 1st Lt. Ryan Giallonardo, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Reed, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Wehr - 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Warfighters Learned 'To Test, Fail, Adapt and Improve'

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) became involved in the competition through its operation of the Huntsville Test Rangea nationally recognized unmanned aircraft Systems (UAS) and Counter-UAS test and training environment.

Jerry Hendrix, executive director of the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering & Simulation Center (RSESC) at UAH, told Military.com that as the Army and AAAA developed the competition concept, UAH was selected not only for its geographic location but for its in-house small UAS expertise, extensive experience delivering technical solutions to the warfighter, and proven ability to plan and execute complex, large-scale operations and test events.

Sgt. Javon Purchner, 1st Cavalry Division, poses with fellow Soldiers after his win for the Best Drone Operator Competition, during the U.S. Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition on Feb. 19, 2026, in Huntsville, Ala. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers competed for the top warfighter while showcasing their agility, adaptability, and lethality as they adapt to the evolving modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)

The opportunity emerged during a visit by an AAAA planning staff member, who recognized that the location of UAH and the Huntsville Test Rangelocated between Fort Rucker, home of the Army Aviation Center of Excellence(AVCOE), and Fort Benning, home of the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE) and the Armys Transformation and Training Command (T2COM) offered a unique advantage, Hendrix said.

Another factor was that UAH already had established relationships with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airport authorities, properly managing airspace and relevant small UAS training and evaluation. Other necessary coordination efforts included airspace range operations, logistics, and integration with existing industry partners.

Initial discussions among partners on how to get this inaugural event off the ground began in September 2025, though detailed planning started well before that as operational requirements, participants and scenarios were finalized.

Sgt. Javon Purchner, 1st Cavalry Division celebrates with fellow Soldiers after his win for the Best Drone Operator Competition, during the U.S. Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition on Feb. 19, 2026, in Huntsville, Ala. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers competed for the top warfighter while showcasing their agility, adaptability, and lethality as they adapt to the evolving modern battlefield. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michelle Lessard-Terry)

Planning and execution teams met internally and with Army stakeholders on a near-weekly basis for several months to ensure the competition was operationally relevant, competitive and valuable to the warfighter, Hendrix said.

UAHs experience was highly rewarding, as unmanned systems are no longer experimental but decisive capabilities on todays battlefield. Supporting an event that placed emerging tactics, techniques and technologies directly into the hands of soldiers reinforced the importance of this work.

The competition provided a realistic, real-world operating environmentrather than a traditional military rangeallowing warfighters to test, fail, adapt and improve in conditions that more closely reflect modern operational settings prior to deployment," he added.

And if the Army came to UAH again to request their participation for the same event in future years, Hendrix said they wont hesitate to do their part once more.
U.S. President Donald Trump in hours will deliver his annual State of the Union address to Congress and the American public, on the backdrop of multiple foreign entanglements that may soon pit the United States against Iran.

The second joint speech of Trumps second term will be delivered at 9 p.m. ET as part of an overarching theme, America at 250: Strong, Prosperous and Respected, according to CNN, anticipated to delve into national economics and the so-called affordability question that according to numerous polls has plagued the president in public perception throughout his current term, in addition to tariffs and the recent major U.S. Supreme Court position that has put the Trump administration on its heels.

Trumps speech is also slated to incorporate foreign policy positions as tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Iran in recent days and weeks. U.S. and Iran negotiators are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss nuclear security as threats of wide-scale retaliation are becoming more vocal if land strikes become an actuality.

Shown is the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, ahead of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Palestine that involved numerous militant groups like Hamas also continues despite a ceasefire. Trump and his administration have championed that conflict, evident by the established Gaza Board of Peace which held its inaugural meeting last Thursday where the president pledged a $10 billion investment towards reconstruction efforts that could cost 5-10 times that amount in years ahead.

Tuesday is also the four-year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine. Years of support from the U.S. and allies in NATO has essentially made that war a stalemate with estimates of millions of lives lost, and no real end in sight as Ukraine has always iterated no plans to relinquish territories unlawfully procured by Russia.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will delivers Democrats' rebuttal to Trump's remarks.

US-Iran Tensions On Global Display

During his speech last week to other members of the Gaza Board of Peace, Trump connected the ongoing Gaza ceasefire to Operation Midnight Hammer, the code name for the United States June 22, 2025, attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities. He also threatened U.S. air strikes on Iranian soil if negotiations collapse.

Paul Poast, an associate political science professor at the University of Chicago, told Military.com that last summers attacks and the U.S. framing behind itTrump and his allies have touted the strikes as leveling Irans nuclear capabilitiescould have implications down the line.

There's still questions about the extent to which it actually happened versus just simply delaying the program a bit, said Poast, also a senior nonresident fellow of foreign policy and public opinion at the Chicago Council on Public Affairs. But [Trump] directly thought that operation is what then enabled the possibility for peace because it lifted a cloud, as he said, and it made sides willing to start negotiating and talkingboth Hamas, but also other nations in the region.

Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting a U.S. aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck and a sign in Farsi and English reading, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Essentially, neutralizing Iran plays a pivotal role in securing long-term peace and stability in Gaza, according to Poast. That could translate to a worldview that the key to getting Hamas to disarm is to ensure that Iran doesn't encourage them.

Maybe his view is that's why we have to put this maximum pressure on Iran, we have to get the nuclear deal, Poast said. We have to negotiate with them, or we have to even go to war with them, because that is what's going to be key to reigning in Iran to prevent them from encouraging Hamas to perhaps restart the war."

I think that is possible that's the angle he's thinking. It's not a coincidence that these things are going on at the same time, but obviously, a lot of things are happening at once.

U.S. lawmakers have sounded the alarm on invading Iran and starting a war without congressional approval, including U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who has arguably been the Trump administrations most frequent critic in demanding the release of all the government files related to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Congress must vote on war according to our Constitution. @RepRoKhanna [Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)] and I will be forcing that vote to happen in the House as soon as possible. I will vote to put America first which means voting against more war in the Middle East, Massie wrote on X last week.

Melding 'America First' with Conflicts Abroad

The Trump administration has long been a strong ally to Israel.

Annelle Sheline, a research fellow in the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, told Military.com that Trumps effortsbacked by his role in the Board and the new $10 billion pledgesignal a continued level of support beyond what is coming from the wealthy Gulf countries that she said have been clear that they are not interested in paying to rebuild Gaza only to have Israel destroy it again in a few years.

Trump campaigned on an America First foreign policy, Sheline said. He later cut billions of dollars in foreign aid, arguing that it didn't adequately serve U.S. interests. He later promised that there would be no American boots on the ground in Gaza."

Yet, all of this seems to be going out the window. If Trump does end up deploying U.S. troops to Gaza, Congress could use a war powers resolution to demand he obtain their authorization. This is more likely to occur after the midterms if the Democrats take back control.

President Donald Trump speaks during a Board of Peace meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Poast said a troublesome and unknown part of these negotiations is the demilitarization phase and whether there could even be a scenario where members of Hamas are willing to give up arms and even willing to perhaps renounce the groups views.

Anytime you're talking about disarming any type of group, but especially in context of civil wars and insurgencies, this has always been a notoriously difficult problemlargely because there is what we call a commitment problem, which is, Why should I lay down the arms when I can't trust that Israel or the other side isn't going to have an excuse to relaunch military operations? That's always been the big question.

Palestine Still Important Player in Peace Talks

Palestine is a not-often discussed but pivotal piece in the U.S. foreign puzzle.

Sheline noted how Ali Shaath, previously appointed as leader of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and the only speaker being given a time limit (3 minutes) last week, was a sign that the presence of Palestinians is circumscribed.

The 20-point plan ignores the fundamental issue of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the Palestinians' legal right to self-determination, Sheline said. It also ignores Israel's legal accountability for war crimes and possibly the crime of genocide, pending the ICJ [International Court of Justice] ruling."

Although some of the countries on the Board, like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, may push for greater Palestinian inclusion, Israel is likely to try to block any meaningful engagement with the rights of Palestinians.

Palestinians gather for iftar, the fast-breaking meal, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Poast wonders whether Palestinian participation through the Board of Peace is genuine or mirrors the United States actions in Venezuela, as questions remain of whether the committee will use its knowledge of Gaza and its inner workings to conduct a fluid rebuilding of the region.

Or is this a situation that is very similar to what we've just witnessed with Venezuela? Poast said, referencing how the U.S. carried out the operation to remove embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In the aftermath, U.S. officials were skittish on who would run the country and connected Maduros removal to oil attainment. There was a lack of explanation and well-thought out plans and strategies, according to Poast.

My whole point is, there's kind of this lack of awareness of how the situation is and what it would actually take to rebuild, he added. With Gaza, there's a similar situation happening where you can have these big pronouncements.  Overall, kind of my big concern is I do worry that there's a lot of this kind of either [being] unaware or just willful ignorance.
KYIV, Ukraine  More than a dozen senior European officials were in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday in a show of support on the fourth anniversary of Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine  a grim milestone in a war that has killed tens of thousands of people and put European leaders on edge about the scale of Moscows ambitions on the continent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was defiant despite the devastating toll  insisting that Russia has not broken Ukrainians nor triumphed in the war.

Zelenskyy said his country has withstood the onslaught by Russias bigger and better equipped army, which over the past year of fighting captured just 0.79% of Ukraines territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank.

Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood, Zelenskyy said on social media, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not achieved his goals.

He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war, Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy urges Trump to visit

However, as the corrosive war of attrition enters its fifth year, a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end Europes biggest armed conflict since World War II appears no closer to finding compromises that might make a peace deal possible.

Negotiations are stuck on what happens to the Donbas, eastern Ukraines industrial heartland which Russian forces mostly occupy but have failed to seize completely, and the terms of a postwar security arrangement that Kyiv is demanding to deter any future Russian invasion.

In a speech at a makeshift memorial in Kyivs central square, where thousands of small flags and portraits show photos of fallen soldiers, Zelenskyy said he wanted U.S. President Donald Trump to visit and witness for himself Ukrainian suffering.

Only then can one truly understand what this war is really about, Zelenskyy said.

Trump, who says he wants the fighting to stop, has repeatedly changed his tone toward Putin and Zelenskyy over the past year.

The war in Europe's somber numbers

The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides could reach 2 million by spring, with Russia sustaining the largest number of troop deaths for any major power in any conflict since World War II, a report last month from the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated.

European leaders see their countries own security at stake in Ukraine amid concerns about Putins wider goals and has demanded its leaders be consulted in the ongoing U.S.-brokered talks.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X that for four years, every day and every night has been a nightmare for the Ukrainians  and not just for them, but for us all. Because war is back in Europe.

We will only end it by being strong together, because the fate of Ukraine is our fate, he added.

Putin's dangerous gamble

Putin believes that time is on the side of his bigger army, Western officials and analysts say  and that Western support will trail off and that Ukraines military resistance will eventually crumble.

But French President Emmanuel Macron described the war was a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic.

The war has strengthened NATOthe very expansion Russia sought to preventgalvanized Europeans it hoped to weaken, and laid bare the fragility of an imperialism from another age, Macron said on X.

The war has brought widespread hardship for Ukrainian civilians. Russia's aerial attacks have devastated families and denied civilians power and running water.

It has drawn in countries far beyond Ukraine, giving the conflict a global dimension, and threatened to worsen shortages, hunger and political instability in developing countries.

While NATO countries have come to Ukraines aid, Russia has been helped by North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops and artillery shells; Iran, which has provided drone technology; and China, which the United States and analysts say has provided machine tools and chips.

A war with global dimensions

Among the European officials visiting Kyiv on Tuesday were the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, as well as seven prime ministers and four foreign ministers.

The only American listed among the official guests in Kyiv ceremonies was Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard, a U.S. officer who represents NATO in Ukraine.

With Ukraine unable to sustain its fight against Russia without foreign help, NATO countries are now providing military help, purchasing American weapons after the Trump administration broke with earlier Washington policy and stopped giving arms to Kyiv.

The European Union has also sent financial aid, but has sometimes met with reluctance from members Hungary and Slovakia.

British Armed Forces Minister Al Carns said Russia's war on Ukraine was the most defining conflict in decades.

I dont think anyone of us would be able to guess (when the war started) the scale and size of what has taken place, he said.

The war has brought a revolution in military affairs, especially through the rapid development of drone technology by both sides, according to Carns. Drones now account for the vast majority of battlefield casualties, he said.

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced a new package of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine, including sending teams of British military medics conducting medical mentoring inside Ukraine, drawing on battlefield experience from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The cost of rebuilding war-battered Ukraine would amount to almost $588 billion over the next decade, according to World Bank, the European Commission, the United Nations and the Ukrainian government.

That is nearly three times the estimated nominal GDP of Ukraine for last year, they said in a report Monday.

___

Associated Press reporters across Europe contributed to this story.
Marine Corps veteran Rex Comley received an honor that was long overdue.

At 94 years old, Comley, of Johnson County, Kansas, was given the Purple Heart he earned serving in the Korean War but had never received until a special ceremony at American Legion Post 0370 in Overland Park, Kansas, on Sunday.

Comley, who served in the Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954 and became a sergeant, was recognized as a Purple Heart honoree on his military records but he never received the medal for his service.

Its something I didnt know I had coming, Comley told KSHB in Kansas City. But I knew that I never got caught up with the Purple Heart, even though I was entitled to one.

While memories fade through seven decades, Comley said he still thinks about the troops he served with.

I remember the good times, I dont remember the bad times, but I remember a lot of the fellas I was with that didnt make it back, Comley said.

Clerical Mishap Likely Led to Mistake

Humble like most veterans, Comley never made a fuss about not receiving his Purple Heart. But when he mentioned it in a conversation with Don Puchalla, chaplain of the Lenexa Marine Corps League and father of a Gold Star Marine, the drive to get Comley his medal began.

Rex Comley, a sergeant in the Marine Corps, served in the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart. (Facebook)

Comley noticed the Marine Corps hat Puchalla was wearing and the two began talking, which led to Puchalla mentioning his son was killed in action. Like swinging open a door, Comley shared more stories from his time in the Marines, telling Puchalla that he was a Purple Heart recipient, but the medal was never sent to him.

When he told me he got wounded and how he got wounded, I said, Oh, youre a Purple Heart recipient, Puchalla said. And he said, Well, on my paperwork I am, but I never received it.

Its likely that a mistake in paperwork led to Comley not receiving his Purple Heart following the end of the war in 1953. More than 50,000 American troops were wounded in battle, and with no computerized system to file meritorious honors back then, unfortunately, Comleys award got lost in the shuffle.

Think about 1952-53, typewriters, papers, clerks, a lot of Marines, Army, all branches in Korea, Puchalla said. There were like 50,000 wounded, and paper trails get lost. At least it did follow him on his military paperwork from exiting the Marine Corps, so it was official; he just never got the award.

Several local veterans organizations in Kansas stepped up on Comleys behalf and, on Sunday, he finally got to hold the Purple Heart hes spent seven decades waiting for. Family and friends attended the ceremony, including Ashley Steineger, Comleys granddaughter.

If youve had the chance to meet him, you wont forget him. Hes 94 and has the best stories! Steineger said in a Facebook post. Hes so selfless and has never met a stranger, which makes today even more amazing. It all came to be after a conversation with someone working in his neighborhood. That goes to show the impression he leaves on people.

Steineger said the ceremony was a perfect way to honor her grandfather.

The number of people who showed up for him was incredible and so humbling, she said. Numerous organizations joined in to present items to him. One of the coolest being a service dog that will be named after him that will support a veteran.

His grandson, Shaun Comley, was especially touched by Sundays celebration, having spent 24 years in the Air Force.

Hes part of one of the last truly great generations, Shaun Comley said. And to see that recognition, the Purple Heart ... its not an award that any military member sets out to earn, but he did. Its just close to my heart. Its him, its who he was.

Thinking about his own military career, Comley was honored to be there to see his grandfathers service be recognized.

With me serving, it touches home. It definitely means a lot. He didnt ask for recognition. Hell never raise his hand and say, Look at what I did, Shaun Comley said. For people to take time out of their day and for the country to pin that medal on his chest, its amazing.

Not only did Sundays ceremony right a wrong, but it also reminded Comley that his sacrifice mattered, even in Korea, sometimes labeled a forgotten war wedged between World War II and Vietnam.

For Rex, it wasnt so much getting the medal, its more about recognizing your sacrifice. You did something that very few people will do and understand, Puchalla said. He left high school to do this. That takes love of country, and I think its important they finally realize, get that warm feeling that what they did was not in vain, not forgotten.

Rex Comley while serving as a Marine in the Korean War in the early 1950s. (Facebook)

A Marine Stays Humble

While Comley enjoyed sharing his special moment with friends and family, and being in the limelight for a day, the veteran was quick to mention there are higher accolades than a Purple Heart.

To me, I think about the guys that went way above and beyond the duty, that got medals like the Bronze Star, Silver Stars, Medal of Honor, Comley said. Those are the actual heroes.

So, after finally receiving his medal, does he consider himself a hero?

No, I dont at all. It makes me think I was at the wrong place at the wrong time, he said.

Comley credits staying active for his longevity, and the love of his wife of 65 years, who keeps him grounded.

I have a lot of fun. Ive had a good life, Comley said.

Similar to Comley, there are likely other Korean War veterans still waiting for their honors. Sundays event highlighted the work veteran organizations are doing to make sure all soldiers from the war in Korea receive what theyve earned before they die. Most are in their nineties.

We dont know what hard times are; they know what hard times are, Puchalla said. They gave up all their careers, their school, to go take care of the country.
Mads Mikkelsen has closed a deal to join Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence in Martin Scorseses next feature, What Happens at Night, a new book-to-screen adaptation of Peter Camerons novel for Apple Original Films. The project is being produced in partnership with Studiocanal.

Scorsese will direct, marking his first time behind the camera since 2023s 10-time Academy Awardnominated Killers of the Flower Moon. The screenplay is written by Patrick Marber.

Per Deadline, Mikkelsen is expected to play Brother Emmanuel, a faith healer whose reputation draws international visitors to the remote, snowbound town at the center of the story. In the novel, Emmanuel is described as a figure believed by some to cure the incurable, though his powers remain ambiguous and tied to questions of belief. Patricia Clarkson has also joined the expanding ensemble. The production is eyeing a late February start.

Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter in NBCs Hannibal. (Photo Credit: NBC)

For Mikkelsen, this marks his first collaboration with Scorsese, pairing one of European cinemas most magnetic performers with one of American films most revered directors. The Danish actor has built a career on morally complex roles, from his Oscar-winning turn in Another Round to The Hunt, Casino Royale, Doctor Strange and the NBC series Hannibal.

His recent slate includes Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Promised Land, the newly released Dust Bunny, and the upcoming sci-fi survival thriller A.M.I. Taking on the enigmatic Brother Emmanuel places Mikkelsen squarely at the center of the films spiritual and psychological tension, and marks a notable new chapter in his already wide-ranging career.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jesse Plemons in Killers of the Flower Moon. (Photo Credit: Apple Original Films)

A Hitchcockian Reference Point

Several months ago, DiCaprio hinted at the project without naming it, revealing that Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo was serving as a creative touchstone. The actor described conversations with Scorsese about Alfred Hitchcocks classic as a religious experience, noting the directors fascination with its ambiguity.

Is she a ghost, or is she not a ghost? Is he a ghost? What is it? DiCaprio recalled Scorsese asking as they revisited the film.

The comparison is telling. Vertigo is less a ghost story than a psychological spiral  a meditation on identity, projection and obsession. That tonal blueprint appears consistent with Camerons novel, which unfolds as a dreamlike descent into uncertainty.

The novel What Happens at Night by Peter Cameron, which is being adapted by Martin Scorsese. (Photo Credit: Penguine Random House)

What the Novel Is About

What Happens at Night follows a married American couple who travel to an isolated, snowbound European town to adopt a baby. The wife is undergoing treatment for cancer and arrives physically weakened, raising concerns that her condition could jeopardize the adoption.

They check into a vast, nearly deserted hotel populated by enigmatic figures, including a flamboyant aging actress, a volatile businessman and Brother Emmanuel, a faith healer whose reputation draws the desperate from around the globe. As the couple navigates bureaucratic delays and unsettling encounters, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur. Questions of belief, identity and marital trust surface, and the story increasingly feels less like a straightforward adoption drama and more like a psychological chamber piece.

Jennifer Lawrence in a scene from Die, My Love. Photo Credit: Excellent Cadaver, MUBI

Jennifer Lawrences Award Buzz and Hunger Games Rumors Fuel Scorsese Role

Jennifer Lawrence enters 2026 riding a wave of critical momentum. She earned award-season recognition for her performance in Lynne Ramsays Die, My Love (produced by Scorsese), delivering one of the most emotionally raw turns of her career as a woman grappling with isolation and postpartum depression. The role positioned her firmly back in prestige territory.

Lawrence also reunited with Leonardo DiCaprio for a widely discussed Actors on Actors conversation, during which the two reflected on craft, early careers, and their upcoming collaboration with Martin Scorsese. Meanwhile, industry chatter continues around a potential return to the Hunger Games franchise in Sunrise on the Reaping, which would see her revisit Katniss Everdeen.

Between awards buzz, franchise speculation and another Scorsese pairing on the horizon, Lawrence remains one of the industrys most closely watched stars  equally at home in arthouse intensity and blockbuster mythology.

Martin Scorsese on set. (Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon/Courtesy of Apple  Courtesy of Apple)

Why This Is an Intriguing Move for Scorsese

Scorsese has no shortage of projects in various stages of development. A Hawaiian-set crime drama had DiCaprio, Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson attached at one point. A Frank Sinatra biopic and an adaptation of Shusaku Endos The Life of Jesus have also been discussed, while The Devil in the White City has lingered in development for years.

Against that backdrop, What Happens at Night stands out as a more intimate, unsettling proposition. While Scorsese is often associated with crime epics and historical dramas, this material leans into themes he has explored for decades: religious doubt, moral ambiguity, obsession and the fragile architecture of identity. From Taxi Driver to Shutter Island to Silence, his filmography is filled with some of the best characters wrestling with belief and reality.

If DiCaprios Vertigo comparison holds, What Happens at Night could mark a return to the psychological unease of Shutter Island, filtered through the existential and spiritual inquiry that has increasingly defined Scorseses later work. With a powerhouse cast, Apples backing and a story that blends ghostly suggestion with emotional intimacy, the film is shaping up as one of the directors most enigmatic undertakings in years.
Googles Endeavor Arm Leads $200 Million Financing Round in European Fintech Startup







(Googles Venture Arm Leads $200 Million Funding Round in European Fintech Startup)

What Is Googles Endeavor Arm and This European Fintech Start-up? .

Googles endeavor arm is referred to as CapitalG. It is the growth equity investment arm of Alphabet Inc., Googles parent firm. CapitalG concentrates on backing late-stage technology business that reveal solid possible to range around the world. Just recently, it led a significant funding round worth $200 million in a fast-growing European fintech startup. The start-up, though not named in early records, runs in the electronic economic services room. It supplies devices that help services take care of settlements, financing, and economic operations extra successfully. This relocation demonstrates how serious large tech gamers have to do with shaping the future of financing outside the United States. You can find out more concerning this bargain on MIS Asia.

Why Did Googles Venture Arm Pick This Fintech Startup? .

CapitalG does not spend lightly. It tries to find start-ups with solid business models, solid leadership, and clear courses to productivity. This European fintech start-up fits the bill. It has currently gotten traction throughout several nations in Europe. Its individual base consists of tiny and medium-sized business that depend on its system for daily financial jobs. The start-ups technology decreases friction in cross-border deals and streamlines compliance with neighborhood regulations. These are discomfort factors several organizations deal with. By fixing them, the startup stands out in a crowded market. Google most likely sees this as a tactical chance to expand its impact in international money. Even more details regarding the investment rationale are available at MIS Asia.

Just how Will the $200 Million Be Utilized? .

The start-up intends to utilize the fresh capital in three main means. Initially, it will increase product development. This consists of structure smarter automation features and boosting safety and security procedures. Second, it will increase into new markets. While it already offers customers in Western Europe, it currently intends to go into Central and Eastern Europe, in addition to parts of Asia. Third, it will work with more ability specifically engineers, data scientists, and consumer support staff. Growth at this scale demands strong teams behind the scenes. The financing likewise provides the business breathing room to improve its rates models and check out partnerships with banks and settlement networks. These steps could assist it end up being a dominant player in the fintech space within five years. For a within take a look at the businesss growth method, visit MIS Asia.

What Are the Real-World Applications of This Fintech System? .

Companies use this platform in lots of practical ways. A retailer in Spain might utilize it to approve payments from customers in Germany without worrying about currency conversion charges. A self-employed designer in Poland could earn money instantly by a client in France with the start-ups safe and secure invoicing system. A logistics company in Italy may automate its pay-roll and tax filings utilizing the systems integrated devices. Even shopping stores benefit by embedding the start-ups settlement portal into their websites. The system functions across devices and adapts to local financial regulations instantly. This conserves time, cuts costs, and lowers mistakes. Basically, the platform imitates a digital money assistant for organizations that operate across boundaries. It removes the old frustrations of international money motion and changes them with smooth, reputable processes.

What Are Common Concerns Concerning This Deal and the Startup? .







(Googles Venture Arm Leads $200 Million Funding Round in European Fintech Startup)

Individuals typically ask if this start-up competes with financial institutions. The answer is no it companions with them. It uses financial institution framework but adds a modern-day layer ahead. One more question is whether user information is safe. The business adheres to strict European information security regulations like GDPR and uses end-to-end encryption. Some wonder why Google is involved. The reality is, Google wants to remain near to development in finance due to the fact that payments and electronic wallets are part of its broader environment. Others ask if local business can manage the solution. Yes they provide tiered pricing, including free fundamental plans for very little operations. Finally, many would like to know if the platform supports cryptocurrencies. Right now, it concentrates on traditional money yet keeps an eye on electronic assets for future assimilation. These solutions aid clarify what the start-up does and why this funding round matters to daily users and capitalists alike.
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Hema Malini turns emotional as BAFTA honours Dharmendra in In Memoriam tribute: When will I meet him again?
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Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news.
The proposed venture, being structured with equal participation from both sides, signals a potential breakthrough in India's long-standing ambition to emerge as a serious shipbuilding nation alongside established leaders such as China, South Korea and Japan
Asian shares have outperformed, with MSCIs regional gauge rising 12% this year compared with a 0.1% decline in the S&P 500 over the same period.
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India remains second largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in Jan at 2.2 billion
A total of 143 QCOs covering 723 products have been notified by various ministries, as of December 31, 2025.
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The report noted that trading activity was heavily concentrated in a small group of stocks and ETFs. The combined turnover of the top 10 traded securities in the cash market rose to Rs 4.39 lakh crore in January, up 91.6% MoM from Rs 2.29 lakh crore in December 2025.
Haryana CM says Rs 556 crore recovered from IDFC First Bank, lender's shares in green
Traders are looking forward to the results of the state governments fundraising via bonds, amounting to Rs 44,500 crore, which is the biggest weekly debt sale.
US-based Capital Group-owned Small Cap World Fund was holding 4.01 percent stake in Embassy Office Parks REIT as of December 2025.
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In an ETF, investors transact at the market price on the exchange, not at the end-of-day NAV

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Lalit has decided to embark on his own entrepreneurial journey after an incredible 6 years with us where he drove a 4x business growth, a spokesperson said
The protest was staged during the AI Summit on Friday
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The air ambulance, which was carrying seven people while on its way from Ranchi to Delhi, crash near Simaria area, in Jharkhand's Chatra district. (Courtesy: PTI photo)
Security personnel stand guard outside Patiala House Court as Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national president Uday Bhanu Chib is produced before the court following his arrest in connection with a protest at the AI Impact Summit, in New Delhi, on February 24, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI
The Bhojshala is regarded by the Hindu community as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side claims the 11th century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
The educational institution condemned the ruckus and violence that was unleashed by external group of people
The Centre said the increased line capacity will improve mobility, operational efficiency and service reliability. The projects are aimed at easing congestion on busy routes and streamlining rail operations.
Tyson, attached to 2 Para Special Forces, was the first to confirm the presence of terrorists in the operation zone on Sunday morning
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Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
Ridley in front of Lutyens' bust last year (L); President Murmy paying floral tribute to the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari on Feb 23.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin indicated the importance of his role in state politics.
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The political undertones of the Sabarimala review are as striking as its constitutional implications. (Image: PTI/File)

Shishir Tripathi is a journalist and researcher based in Delhi. He has worked with The Indian Express, Firstpost, Governance Now, and Indic Collective. He writes on Law, Governance and Politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
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Detailed reserve prices per MHz for 20 years have been recommended across all licensed service areas and bands from 600 MHz to 26 GHz, with metro circles such as Delhi and Mumbai attracting the highest valuations.
Following the resignation, he altered his approach to flexible working.
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Army dog Tyson, a German Shepherd with the Indian Armys 2 Para Special Forces, was injured during a counter-terror operation in Chhatroo, Kishtwar district. Despite being shot in the leg, he advanced towards a concealed hideout, enabling security forces to kill three Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives, including a senior commander. The joint mission, part of Operation Trashi-I, involved the Army, police and CRPF. Tyson was airlifted to Command Hospital in Udhampur and is stable.

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A satellite image revealed a heart-shaped pink salt lake, Salinas Las Barrancas, in Argentinas Buenos Aires province. Its colour comes from salt-tolerant microbes that thrive as water evaporates and salinity rises. Research led by Maria A. Sierra at Weill Cornell Medicine linked similar pigments to Australias Lake Hillier. Satellite monitoring, including NASA imagery, shows how rainfall, evaporation and climate shifts constantly reshape the lakes outline, colour and ecological balance.

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New Zealands flightless kakapo parrot is experiencing a rare breeding bloom in 2026. Female Rakiura laid four eggs, with one chick hatching live on camera. Over 60 nests and 78 fertile eggs signal hope for this critically endangered species.

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From the stick-wielding traditions of Barsana to royal palace ceremonies in Udaipur and the spiritual Masan Holi of Varanasi, India celebrates the festival of colours in strikingly diverse ways.

Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
Thailand to increase international departure charges by 53% at six major airports from June 20, 2026; fee to be included in ticket prices.

Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences.
In early January, Apple announced that its pay package for Cook last year came in at roughly $74 million
The Arnault clan, which routinely buys up the groups stock, has capitalized on a slump in LVMH shares amid a luxury industry slowdown to accumulate a bigger stake
Pakistans recent airstrikes in Afghanistan failed to kill senior TTP leaders, resulting in civilian casualties and international concern. The intelligence failure has triggered an internal inquiry and worsened tensions with Afghanistan amid calls for restraint.

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The image, published with a story on rising demand at the Speir student pantry at the University of Galway, shows students from diverse backgrounds waiting for subsidised food.
After the Supreme Court struck down Trumps earlier tariffs, his administration imposed new 15% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act. Experts say the US doesnt meet the legal threshold, making the new tariffs likely vulnerable to court challenges.

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Prime Minister Modi begins a two-day visit to Israel, focusing on defence, technology, and trade talks amid regional tensions. Key highlights include FTA negotiations, expanded defence cooperation, and discussions on Netanyahus Hexagon of Alliances framework.

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France barred US ambassador Charles Kushner from meeting officials after he skipped a summons over US comments on a far-right activist's death. France sees the statements as interference and demands clarification before restoring Kushner's access.

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The Supreme Court did not give instructions regarding any refunds when it struck down Trump's broad tariffs imposed under the IEEPA, instead remanding the case to a lower trade court to determine next steps.
More than 40 million people were under weather alerts at the height of the storm, which blanketed major cities from Virginia to Massachusetts in heavy, wind-driven snow.
Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as El Mencho, appears in undated photographs on the U.S. Department of State website
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Lashkar-e-Taiba threatened India with a 26/11-style maritime attack, invoking the 2008 Mumbai attacks. LeTs deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri boasted of Pakistans military strength and warned of targeting Indian religious sites, prompting heightened coastal security.

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(FILES) Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends his hand for a handshake with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, January 15, 2018. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Putin claims Moscow has intelligence on possible sabotage attempts targeting Russian gas pipelines under the Black Sea, warning such actions could derail US-mediated Ukraine peace talks. He accused Ukraine of terror and said negotiations remain fragile amid ongoing tensions.

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Karnal Singh has petitioned Lahore High Court to annul his wife Sarabjeet Kaurs marriage to Nasir Hussain, arguing its invalid under Indian law as no divorce occurred. Allegations include forced conversion, legal violations, and demands for deportation.

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People line up at Guadalajara International Airport in Mexico to find out their flight status due to cancellations a day after a series of blockades and attacks by organized crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera (El Mencho) was killed. (Courtesy: Reuters photo)
The US Supreme Court struck down Trump's emergency tariff powers, but new 15% tariffs were imposed. India postponed trade talks, now benefiting from lower US tariffs and increased leverage in negotiations, as Washingtons immediate tariff power has weakened.

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Bangladesh President Shahabuddin accused Muhammad Yunuss interim government of sidelining him, violating constitutional norms, restricting his movements, blocking traditions, and attempting to force his resignation, but he vows to serve until 2028 unless asked by the BNP.

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Stranded passengers line up at Guadalajara Airport to claim compensation for flights that were canceled or postponed the previous day.
The Indian Embassy in South Korea warned that Jeju Islands visa waiver scheme allows entry only for short-term tourism and does not guarantee access to mainland Korea. The advisory follows an influencers claim of detention and denied entry during a recent trip.

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" " These shrimp do indeed look like they're swarming around a food source. Serhii Shcherbyna / Shutterstock

"What is a group of shrimp called" is a common Google search, especially when people start comparing shrimp to fish, crabs, or even cats.

The short answer: There is no single official collective noun in biology, but a group of shrimp is often called a swarm or occasionally a school. As is the case with many animals in the ocean, the exact word can vary.

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Shrimp species range from tiny freshwater shrimp that inhabit streams to larger species that spend their lives in the open sea. With so many shrimp species in the world, language has struggled to keep up.
February 24, 2026 Despite Four Weeks Of Build-Up Trumps Choices On Iran Are Still The Same Four week ago U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the Islamic Republic of Iran with another attack over its nuclear program. It was a mistake because, as I explained, Iran is no easy target: Iran however is also ready. It has increased its missile forces. It has promised to use it against U.S. positions in the Middle East and against Israel in retaliation to any attack. It has also promised to close the Strait of Hormuz. A large part of the global oil supply is flowing through it. A selective closure, which would for example allow tankers destined for China to pass, is also a possibility. But even a partial prolonged closure would suddenly increase oil and gas prices all over the world. Republican chances to win in the mid-term elections would decrease. Major Arab U.S. allies in the Middle East have rejected to take part in any adventure against Iran. Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Qatar have explicitly stated that they will not allow U.S. operations against Iran from or through their territory.



The arising conflict is unlikely to be as short as the recent 12 day campaign. It could easily escalate into attritional warfare.  What Trump wants is another symbolic victory. He has started, like usual, with a gigantic threat in the hope to receive a minor concession that will allow him to chicken out. I doubt that Iran is in the mood to give him whatever he is asking for. Since then the U.S. has beefed up its air defenses in the area and doubled the number of air-attack forces in the Middle East. But this is still, says a U.S. military think-tank, far from enough to sustain a campaign: The force is capable of punitive strikes on Iran and protection of U.S. allies and partners in the region. However, it lacks Marines, special operations forces (SOF) for raids or ground operations, and the logistics for an extended air campaign.

 The current force level is comparable to that used in Operation Desert Fox, which entailed four days of long-range punitive strikes.  The large number of cargo aircraft (C-17s and C-5Ms) and tankers (KC-135s and KC-46As) moving to the Middle East does not indicate any deployment of ground forces.  U.S. forces lack special operations and ground units needed to conduct raids or operations ashore.  The available forces are also insufficient for regime change beyond limited targeted strikes.  Finally, there are not enough forces for an extended, multi-week air campaign. That would require a substantial logistical buildup, which is possible but would take additional time.  Others analysts agree with that take (archived): Israeli intelligence has concluded that even with the imminent arrival of the USS Gerald R Ford later this week, the US has military capacity to sustain just a four to five day intense aerial assault, or a week of lower-intensity strikes, an Israeli intelligence official told the FT. Iran, in contrast to the U.S., is able to fight for a long time and especially to block the Strait of Hormuz, with global economic consequences, for several months. The build up of U.S. forces over the last month thus has not changed the strategic balance. Iran has the means to fight a long war in its near abroad while the U.S. depends on a logistic train that takes months to deliver. The White House, when ordering the build-up, was falsely believing that Iran would fold under pressure: Trumps special envoy to the region, Steve Witkoff, told Fox News over the weekend that the president is curious why Iran hasnt capitulated to U.S. demands, given the looming threat of a military attack. Why, under this pressure, with the amount of sea power and naval power over there, why havent they come to us and said, We profess we dont want a weapon, so heres what were prepared to do? And, yet, its sort of hard to get them to that place, he said. Had Witkoff and Trump bothered to learn a bit about the five thousand year old glorious history of Iran they would have known that threatening its people does not work: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on social media, saying: Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are Iranian. Trumps bluff has been called. He is now in the inconvenient situation of having to back down, and come under criticism from the Zionist lobby, or to ruin his presidency by attacking Iran. By leaking to the Washington Post the U.S. military is offering him an off-ramp (archived): As the Trump administration weighs an attack on Iran, the Pentagons top general has cautioned President Donald Trump and other officials that shortfalls in critical munitions and a lack of support from allies will add significant risk to the operation and to U.S. personnel, according to people familiar with internal discussions. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed his concerns at a White House meeting last week with Trump and his top aides, these people said, cautioning that any major operation against Iran will face challenges because the U.S. munitions stockpile has been significantly depleted by Washingtons ongoing defense of Israel and support for Ukraine.  The lack of good military options is why Trump dithers with the decision to wage another war on Iran. But the clock is running. Keeping a large expedition force for months on station in the Middle East does cost a lot of money and will deteriorate its capabilities. Despite the U.S. build-up of forces the basic strategic situation is unchanged from where it was four weeks ago: That leaves [Trump] the choice to chicken out without winning or to bet the house and his presidency on escalation. May he chose wisely. Comments
Anthony Albanese has been evacuated from The Lodge following a bomb threat.

In a statement, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokeswoman said officers responded to the alleged security threat at the Prime Ministers official Canberra residence at 6pm on Tuesday.

A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located, the spokeswoman said.

There is no current threat to the community or public safety.

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Further information will be provided at an appropriate time.

The AFP has been contacted for further comment.

It is understood no further information will be made public until the morning, The Australian reports.

The AFP confirmed they responded to an alleged security threat at The Lodge in Canberra about 6pm. Picture: Martin Ollman/news.com.au

Just a week before, Mr Albanese had called on Australians to turn the temperature down after a major defence event in Canberra was derailed by police-probed incidents.

Police evacuated hundreds of attendees at the ADM Congress at the Hyatt Hotel after a suspicious package was found.

The bomb squad was deployed to the scene.

A rock was also thrown through a hotel window during another address, sparking a scramble for the exits.

A Canberra man, 20, has been charged with intent to cause public harm and damaging property.

More to come.
Alan Arizumi and Michael Tottori FHB photos

HONOLULU (FHB)  First Hawaiian, Inc. has announced that Alan Arizumi, vice chairman of First Hawaiian, Inc. and First Hawaiian Bank, will retire effective April 3, 2026, following more than 40 years of service.

Alan has been a key member of our senior management team and has made lasting contributions to First Hawaiian Bank, said Bob Harrison, chairman, president and CEO. His leadership across multiple areas of the bank reflects the breadth of his experience and his commitment to developing people and serving our communities.

Arizumi joined First Hawaiian Bank in 1983 and has served on the senior management committee since 2009. He has led the wealth management group since 2013 and previously held senior leadership roles in risk management, business and card services, and across consumer, commercial and corporate banking.

As I reflect on my career, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and relationships that shaped my journey, said Arizumi. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many outstanding colleagues and to contribute to an institution with such a proud history. I leave with great confidence in First Hawaiian Banks continued success.

Executive Vice President Michael Tottori will assume responsibility for the Wealth Management Group and join the Senior Management Committee. Tottori began his career with First Hawaiian Bank in 1989 and returned in 2005 after gaining private client investment experience on the mainland. Since then, he has advanced through a series of leadership roles within wealth advisory, guiding the divisions strategic growth, including overseeing the transition of FHBs broker-dealer platform to Raymond James Financial. He was promoted to division manager in 2020 and to executive vice president in 2024.

Mike brings extensive experience and a proven record of growth to this role, Harrison added. He understands the importance of strong client relationships and is committed to the communities we serve. His leadership and alignment with our culture position him well to lead First Hawaiian Banks Wealth Management Group.

About FHB

First Hawaiian, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Its principal subsidiary, First Hawaiian Bank, founded in 1858 under the name Bishop & Company, is Hawaiis largest financial institution with branch locations throughout Hawaii, Guam, and Saipan.

The company offers a comprehensive suite of banking services to consumer and commercial customers including deposit products, loans, wealth management, insurance, trust, retirement planning, credit card and merchant processing services. Customers may also access their accounts through ATMs, online and mobile banking channels.

For more information about First Hawaiian, Inc., visit the companys website, www.fhb.com/.
By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang on Tuesday, Saipan time, spoke directly to a senior federal official about the CNMIs struggle to revive its tourism industry during The Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit in Hawaii.

Held at Jefferson Hall of the East-West Center in Honolulu, the two-day summit, which began Monday, was a senior-level, invitation-only forum designed to advance viable investment across the Pacific.

The summit was co-hosted by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, who is also the Pacific Islands Forum chairman

The summit brought together Pacific Island leaders, private sector representatives, and senior federal officials.

The event began Monday morning with a discussion on Advancing Private Sector-Led Growth in the Pacific, exploring investment opportunities across key sectors including infrastructure, critical minerals, supply chains, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, energy security, tourism, agriculture, health systems, and banking. Landau and Paparo were among the keynote speakers on this topic.

During the dialogue, Governor Apatang addressed Deputy Secretary Landau:

Mr. Secretary, I also want to say that we need to review federal policies. Many of the policies currently in place were implemented years ago, and we need to reassess them. Ive been to Washington, D.C., and just returned after lobbying for changes to help boost tourism in the Commonwealth. Tourism is our lifeline, so please take a look at these policies and help us.

Landau gave a thumbs-up, placed his right hand on his chest, and clapped along with the co-hosts and attendees.

Apatang also invited attendees to invest in the CNMI:

We are open to investors. For those who dont know where the CNMI is, we are right next to Guam. Come visit us. If you are ready to invest, we have islands north of Saipan available for lease. Come to the Commonwealth, and well take care of you.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

A NEW stipulation filed in Superior Court requests that defendant Yichuan Bai be released from the Department of Corrections and transferred into the custody of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho has scheduled a hearing on the request for March 3 at 2:30 p.m.

The stipulated motion, filed Feb. 23 by Bais attorney Mark Hanson and Assistant Attorney General Chester Hinds, asks the court to modify Bais bail by reducing it to zero solely for the purpose of releasing him to DHS custody. All other bail conditions would remain unchanged. According to the filing, both sides agree that the modification would continue to assure the communitys safety and prevent any risk of flight, and acknowledge that Bais transfer to DHS would most likely result in his removal from the United States prior to the conclusion of this case.

Bai voluntarily surrendered to police on Sept. 23, 2025, and has remained detained since his initial appearance the following day, when bail was set at $50,000 cash.

Charges

Bai, 40, is one of three defendants charged in connection with an Aug. 25, 2025, incident in Chinatown, where prosecutors allege a tour guide was lured under false pretenses, kidnapped, and assaulted. The defendants  Bai, Hee Jung Hwang, 39, and Peter Deleon Guerrero, 58  were later linked to additional offenses after a search of Hwangs residence uncovered a stolen firearm, ammunition, and controlled substances.

The victim, tour guide Jijing Jimmy Borja, has also been ordered removed from the CNMI. Honolulu Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner issued the removal order last week, citing Borjas prior criminal convictions and nonU.S. citizen status. Borjas immigration case is separate from the CNMI criminal proceedings, but his removal could complicate trial testimony. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they intend to seek remote testimony or rely on other evidence.

The charges against Bai have remained unchanged through multiple amended informations filed by the government.

Status of co-defendants

The case shifted following the deportation of co-defendant Hwang. Hinds confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed Hwang from the CNMI, prompting the government to request dismissal of the charges against him without prejudice. Judge Camacho granted the dismissal on Jan. 23, allowing the case to be refiled if Hwang returns.

Before his removal, the court approved a stipulation releasing Hwangs passport to ICE to facilitate deportation. The document was turned over on Dec. 12, ahead of Hwangs Dec. 15 departure.

Hinds said the prosecution will continue against Bai and Deleon Guerrero.

Case continues

With Hwang deported, Borja removed, and Bais potential transfer to DHS pending court approval, the case now centers on the remaining defendant. Judge Camacho will determine on March 3 whether Bai will be released to DHS custody while criminal proceedings continue.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Henry S. Hofschneider

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Office of the Attorney General has dismissed with prejudice the misconduct in public office charge against Henry Sablan Hofschneider after he agreed to repay $15,000 to the Saipan Mayors Office under a civil settlement approved Monday by Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo.

Assistant Attorney General Olga Kelley said Hofschneider accepted the Commonwealths offer and entered into a civil compromise, prompting the prosecution to request dismissal.

Therefore, the Commonwealth respectfully requests that the court dismiss the charges against Defendant Hofschneider with prejudice, Kelley wrote.

Hofschneider had been charged with one count of violating 6 CMC  3202(b)(1), misconduct by a public employee. The charge stemmed from a broader case filed last year in which the OAGs Criminal Division accused Hofschneider, Larissa Sablan Flores, Teresita Borja Camacho, and Eloida Dela Cruz Macaranas of improperly processing lump-sum annual leave payments for 15 current and former Saipan Mayors Office employees.

Prosecutors alleged that Hofschneiders own lump-sum leave payout of $14,517.09  along with payments to 14 others in May and June 2023  was processed without required personnel action forms, expenditure authority signatures, or review by the Office of Personnel Management. Hofschneider has denied the allegations.

Terms of the settlement

Under the agreement, Hofschneider will repay $15,000 in 36 monthly installments of $416.66, beginning March 15, 2026, with late payments accruing 9% annual interest. In return, the OAG agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice and not pursue further criminal, civil, or administrative action related to Criminal Case 25-0070. The OAG may still enforce collection of any unpaid balance.

The settlement also reinstates Hofschneiders 335.5 hours of annual leave to his government leave account. He is currently employed in the Office of the Governor and will be allowed to use or cash out his leave like any other CNMI government employee, without a cap on accrual.

Hofschneider has continued to accrue annual leave while working in the Governors Office and should not be penalized for agreeing to reinstate his earlier paid-out annual leave pursuant to this agreement, the settlement document states.

The agreement specifies that Hofschneider is not convicted of a crime. He was represented by attorney Sean Frink.

Other defendants

According to court filings, Hofschneider  then special assistant to the lieutenant governor  and Flores  then administrative manager to the lieutenant governor  were accused of appropriating $98,379.65 from the Saipan Mayors Office account between May 19 and June 28, 2023, without the mayors expenditure authorization. Both are senior aides to Gov. David Apatang and previously worked at the mayors office when Apatang served as mayor.

Camacho, the former budget officer, was charged with two counts of misconduct in public office. Prosecutors alleged she appropriated $38,279.53 for her own use between June 2 and June 28, 2023, and failed to notify the mayor or the human resources manager.

Misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Flores also faces one count of possession or removal of government property, punishable by up to six months in prison, for allegedly removing personnel files of former mayors office employees. Macaranas, a payroll manager at the Department of Finance, was accused of processing unauthorized payments totaling $98,379.65 and faces up to two years in prison and a $1,500 fine.

Flores and Macaranas have denied the allegations. No updated court information was available for Camacho.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Greenland leader rejects Trump's idea of sending U.S. hospital ship

Xinhua) 09:52, February 24, 2026

OSLO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Sunday that the autonomous territory of Denmark is not interested in receiving a U.S. hospital ship that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to send to the island.

In a Facebook post, Nielsen wrote that the answer is "no, thank you," noting that Greenland has a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens, calling it a conscious choice and a fundamental part of Greenlandic society.

He contrasted this with the United States, where it costs money to see a doctor.

Nielsen said Greenland is always open to dialogue and cooperation, including with the United States, but urged the U.S. side to talk with Greenland "instead of" making what he described as more or less random outbursts on social media.

Trump wrote on Truth Social platform on Saturday that he was working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to send "a great hospital boat" to Greenland "to take care of" people who are "sick."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
The News in Brief Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Several opposition parties have announced a joint effort to gather information regarding the alleged "chemical poisoning" of protesters. The groups involved include the United National Movement, Strong Georgia-Lelo, Droa, Ahali, Girchi More Freedom, and Strategy Builder.The parties stated that they worked with Georgian experts, the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT), and the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) to create a specialized questionnaire. This data will serve as the basis for an upcoming report."We are starting to collect information about chemical poisoning," the statement reads. "Together with Georgian experts, the International Council for the Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (IRCT) and the Independent Forensic Expert Group (IFEG) have developed a questionnaire, based on which a conclusion will be written."The coalition is urging citizens who participated in recent protests to document any health symptoms they may have experienced. The parties claim that specific substances used against the public have caused ongoing medical issues."We need to know what health problems the use of chemical substances against the population has caused," the statement says. "By filling out this questionnaire, you are helping us to establish the truth about chemical poisoning. Thank you for your trust."The results of the investigation are expected to be released once the expert groups complete their review of the submitted evidence.The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has announced the arrest of the former mayor of Lentekhi, Gia Oniani, along with municipal officials Nugzar Tvildiani and Giorgi Gulbani for abuse of official authority. The charges follow an investigation into a hotel construction project initiated by Oniani after he was elected mayor.The investigation revealed that Oniani purchased a plot of land and submitted a construction project through a company registered in his wife's name. Authorities claim the project did not meet mandatory development codes. According to the prosecution, "the area of the development did not comply with the relevant coefficient" required by law. Officials allege that Oniani and Tvildiani ignored national regulations regarding territory development and spatial planning.The site also contained a cultural heritage monument. Prosecutors stated that the officials issued permits "despite the fact that they had not agreed on the construction issue with the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection," and that the "construction permits were issued that were not in accordance with the legislation under such conditions."The case also involves Giorgi Gulbani, the husband of the former mayor's sister-in-law. As head of the supervision service, Gulbani was responsible for monitoring the construction. Investigators say that instead of stopping the project, Gulbani allowed it to continue even as it "went beyond the boundaries of the construction site" and onto land owned by private individuals and the state.The prosecution concluded that "the aforementioned actions of the defendants essentially violated the legitimate interest of the state." The investigation into the case remains ongoing as the Western Georgia Regional Prosecutor's Office continues to review the evidence.
Peter Mandelson has been released on bail hours after being arrested in a misconduct investigation stemming from his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary.

The Metropolitan Police attended the home of the former Labour minister and peer in London on Monday afternoon. The 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for questioning, the force said, without giving specifics on the alleged offence he was arrested over.

A police spokesperson said in a statement issued just after 2am on Tuesday: A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

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The Met had launched an investigation after Lord Mandelson was alleged to have passed on market-sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary. Lord Mandelson, who was sacked from his post as ambassador to the US last year and resigned from the House of Lords in January, has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Emails from 2009, published by the United States Department of Justice as part of the release of millions of documents relating to Epstein, led to allegations Lord Mandelson had passed on an assessment by one of then-prime minister Gordon Browns advisers of potential policy measures.

Peter Mandelson was seen being led from his home in London by plainclothes police officers on Monday (BBC)

This month, police searched two of Lord Mandelsons properties in connection with its investigation.

In a statement, the Met said: Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and has been taken to a London police station for interview. This follows [the execution of] search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas.

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It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service are yet to offer any early investigative advice in relation to the allegations against Lord Mandelson.

The Cabinet Office previously referred material to police in connection with the probe into Lord Mandelson after an initial review of the Epstein files suggested safeguards were compromised.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the arrest was a defining moment for prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has been criticised for his decision to make Lord Mandelson the UKs ambassador to the US despite being aware of his links to Epstein.

On Monday afternoon, MPs were told that the first tranche of documents relating to the appointment last year was expected to be released very shortly, in early March.

Keir Starmer has been criticised for his decision to appoint Mandelson (PA)

However, the prime ministers chief secretary, Darren Jones, said that the publication of some correspondence between Downing Street and the former peer would be delayed because of the Metropolitan Police interest.

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In a statement to the Commons on Monday, Mr Jones said: I should, however, inform the House that it remains the case that a subset of this first tranche of documents is currently subject to the ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation. This includes correspondence between No 10 and Lord Peter Mandelson, in which a number of follow-up questions were asked.

Because of the Metropolitan Police interest in this document, we are unable to publish it in early March in the first tranche, but will release it as soon as we are able to do so in consultation with the Metropolitan Police.

There is also a small portion of that material which engages matters of national security or international relations, and thus the role this House has envisaged for the Intelligence and Security Committee. We are working with the committee to establish processes for making this material available to them, and were very grateful to the committee in advance of their important contribution to reviewing these documents.

The Conservatives have accused the government of acting with the urgency of a tired sloth on a bank holiday Monday in releasing documents related to Lord Mandelsons appointment as the ambassador to the US. Addressing the Commons on Monday, Tory MP Mike Wood said: Careful work must not become a euphemism for managed delay.

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Mr Jones responded that the government was trying to manage a criminal investigation, adding: Im sure the House would not want us to inadvertently interfere with that process.

Meanwhile, in an interview with The Independent, Ms Badenoch accused Labour MPs of jumping on parliamentary investigations into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to distract from the Lord Mandelson affair, which she said was far more significant from a parliamentary perspective.

On Monday evening, after Lord Mandelsons arrest, Baroness Jacqui Smith, minister for women and equalities, defended Sir Keir over his handling of Lord Mandelson, stating he had taken swift action to sack him when evidence of his continued relationship with Epstein emerged.

She added: As soon as Keir Starmer understood what the reality of Peter Mandelsons relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was he sacked him, in the middle of the night actually. So I think thats an important area of judgement.
Agency reckoning: CIA purges politicized intel from Obama, Biden era in sweeping corrective action

The CIA has retracted or revised 19 intelligence reports from 2015-2023 for failing impartiality standards.

The politicized reports covered topics like domestic extremism, LGBT issues and contraception, straying from core national security.

This action follows similar controversies, including the FBI targeting parents and traditionalist Catholics.

A prior CIA review faulted the inclusion of the debunked Steele Dossier in the 2016 Russia assessment.

The moves are part of a broader effort to purge political bias from intelligence work after years of alleged weaponization.

In an unprecedented move to restore analytic integrity, the Central Intelligence Agency has publicly retracted or revised 19 intelligence reports produced between 2015 and 2023. The agency announced Friday that these products, spanning the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations, fell short of impartiality standards and represented an improper insertion of political and social agendas into intelligence work. This historic step underscores a years-long reckoning within the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement community over the alleged weaponization of federal power against domestic political opponents and ideological groups.

Historic retractions target politicized analyses

The CIAs action represents one of the most significant public admissions of institutional bias within a U.S. intelligence agency. Of the 19 identified reports, 17 were permanently deleted and two were revised and re-released. The retracted analyses covered a wide range of topics well outside the CIAs traditional national security remit, including assessments on white womens role in extremist radicalization, LGBT activism in the Middle East and global contraceptive shortfalls.

A senior CIA official stated the reports did not meet CIAs tradecraft standards and that under prior administrations, there was an inappropriate insertion of DEI issues and other distractions. The agency publicly released redacted versions of three representative reports to illustrate the flaws. One, from October 2021, relied on a partisan website hosted on Medium. Another, from July 2020, repeatedly cited pro-abortion advocacy groups. A third, from January 2015, used a Daily Beast article to critique the Egyptian governments stance on homosexuality.

Pattern of politicization extended to DOJ and FBI

The CIAs announcement is the latest in a series of actions rolling back what critics call the politicization of federal agencies during the Obama and Biden years. It follows the rescission of an October 2021 memo by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland that directed the FBI to address alleged threats against school board members, which whistleblowers revealed led to the use of counterterrorism tools against protesting parents.

Similarly, the FBI was forced in 2023 to withdraw an intelligence memo from its Richmond field office that inappropriately linked radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology to violent extremism. That memo heavily cited the Southern Poverty Law Center, a partisan advocacy group. A subsequent investigation by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) found the memo was distributed to over 1,000 FBI employees, contradicting then-Director Christopher Wrays testimony that it was an isolated product.

Revisiting the 2016 Russia assessment

Fridays retractions build upon a damning lessons learned review the CIA published in July 2025, which scrutinized the Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Russian election activities in 2016. That review concluded that including the unverified, Democrat-funded Steele Dossier in the assessment ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles. It revealed that senior CIA managers strongly opposed its inclusion but were overruled by then-Director John Brennan, who showed a preference for narrative consistency over analytical soundness.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, appointed by President Donald Trump, stated last summer that the 2016 ICA was conducted through an atypical & corrupt process. Federal prosecutors investigating the weaponization of intelligence have since sought evidence from the Senate related to Brennans testimony, signaling an ongoing scrutiny of the origins of the Trump-Russia collusion narrative.

Broader implications for intelligence integrity

The cumulative effect of these corrective actions paints a picture of intelligence and law enforcement agencies that, for nearly a decade, repeatedly strayed into domestic political and ideological debates. Key consequences include:

Erosion of public trust in the objectivity of intelligence products.

Misallocation of security resources toward non-traditional, ideologically-framed threats.

The creation of investigative precedents that targeted citizens based on political activity or religious belief.

The CIAs latest move is framed by its leadership as a definitive break from this past. There is absolutely no room for bias in our work, Director Ratcliffe said, and when we identify instances where analytic rigor has been compromised, we have a responsibility to correct the record.

Restoring objectivity as the standard

The retraction of 19 intelligence reports is a stark administrative acknowledgment that the lines between intelligence analysis and political advocacy became dangerously blurred. While Democratic critics like Senator Mark Warner warn that such corrections risk appearing politically motivated themselves, the agencys leadership insists this is a necessary purge to reaffirm a core principle: intelligence must inform policy, not be subservient to it. As the U.S. intelligence community moves forward, the challenge will be to ensure that the commitment to impartiality withstands future political transitions, restoring its crucial role as a provider of facts, not a player in politics.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

JustTheNews.com

Yahoo.com
Judges rule 4,400+ times that Trump administration illegally detained immigrants

Federal judges have ruled more than 4,400 times since October that President Donald Trump's administration unlawfully detained immigrants, according to a review by Reuters.

The decisions, issued by over 400 judges, broadly challenge the administrations shift away from a decades-old policy allowing immigrants to seek bond while their cases proceed in court.

ICE detention levels have climbed to about 68,000, roughly a 75% increase since Trump returned to office, even as courts continue to order releases through habeas corpus rulings.

Judges in multiple states have accused the government of violating court orders, with some citing failures to release detainees or improper transfers across state lines.

The administration says it is lawfully enforcing immigration policy and pursuing appeals, arguing the surge in lawsuits reflects judicial disagreement rather than misconduct.

Federal judges across the United States have ruled more than 4,400 times since October that President Donald Trump's administration unlawfully detained immigrants, according to a review of court records conducted by Reuters.

The rulings, issued by more than 400 federal judges, represent a broad judicial challenge to the administration's immigration enforcement policies.

Many of the cases center on the administration's shift away from a decades-old interpretation of federal law that allowed immigrants living in the U.S. to seek release on bond while their immigration cases proceeded. Since Trump returned to office, the population in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention has risen to approximately 68,000  a roughly 75% increase from the start of his term.

According to Reuters' analysis of federal habeas corpus petitions, legal challenges alleging unlawful detention, at least 4,421 cases since October have resulted in rulings that ICE improperly held detainees. Habeas corpus, a legal principle dating back to 14th-century English courts and enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, allows individuals to challenge unlawful imprisonment.

Reuters found more than 700 department attorneys handling immigration-related cases, with some appearing on over 1,000 habeas filings. In Minnesota, Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said the government violated 96 court orders across 76 cases by failing to release detainees. U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen acknowledged in a filing that the cases had created an "enormous burden" on government lawyers.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury wrote that ICE violated "clear and unambiguous orders" by transferring a detainee across state lines while misrepresenting his location to the court.

Other judges have issued similar rebukes.

In West Virginia, U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, ordered the release of a Venezuelan detainee last week, criticizing the government's legal stance. "It is appalling that the Government insists that this Court should redefine or completely disregard the current law as it is clearly written," Johnston wrote.

In Minnesota, Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that 18-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker Joseph Thomas had been unlawfully detained following a traffic stop and ordered his immediate release. Judge Eric Tostrud, a Trump appointee, separately ruled that Joseph's father was entitled to a bond hearing, rejecting the government's statutory interpretation.

ICE defies courts, jails immigrants despite legal rebukes

Most of the decisions focus on the Trump administration's break from a nearly 30-year interpretation of federal law that allowed immigrants already residing in the U.S. to seek release on bond while their cases moved in immigration court.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the provision is intended to ensure that individuals are not detained indefinitely and have the opportunity to present their case, but it has been criticized for allowing individuals who pose a risk to public safety to remain in the country. The law also includes a provision for "cancellation of removal," which can allow individuals to remain in the U.S. if they can demonstrate that their departure would cause an exceptional or extremely unusual hardship to a qualifying relative.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said the surge in lawsuits was "no surprise," adding that it comes "especially after many activist judges have attempted to thwart President Trump from fulfilling the American people's mandate for mass deportations."

The administration has continued to detain individuals while pursuing appeals and broader legal arguments, defending its authority despite the decisions. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the federal government is "working to lawfully deliver on President Trump's mandate to enforce federal immigration law."

Watch the video below that talks about Trump's deployment of National Guard in Washington.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

NewsNation.com

Reuters.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. imports from Taiwan surpass goods from China for the first time in decades

The United States imported more goods from Taiwan than from China for the first time in decades, as tariffs and booming AI demand reshaped trade flows.

According to the Department of Commerce (DOC), U.S. imports from China fell nearly 44% year-over-year in December 2025 to $21.1 billion, while imports from Taiwan more than doubled to $24.7 billion.

The shift has been driven largely by rising U.S. demand for advanced semiconductors and AI-related technology produced by Taiwanese firms, with the U.S. now accounting for nearly one-third of Taiwan's total exports.

Despite reduced imports, the U.S. trade deficit with China totaled $202.1 billion in 2025, while the deficit with Taiwan more than doubled to nearly $147 billion amid increased high-tech imports.

A new trade agreement finalized by the Office of the United States Trade Representative sets a 15% U.S. tariff rate on Taiwanese goods, expands Taiwan's purchases of U.S. energy and industrial products and includes major investment commitments in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The United States imported more goods from Taiwan than from China for the first time in decades, reflecting a dramatic shift in global trade patterns driven by tariffs and surging demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

New data released by the Department of Commerce (DOC) on Feb. 19 showed U.S. purchases of goods from China fell nearly 44% in December 2025 compared with a year earlier, dropping to $21.1 billion. Over the same period, imports from Taiwan more than doubled to $24.7 billion.

As recently as 2023, Taiwan exported more to China than to the U.S. or any other market. By 2025, however, exports to the U.S. were roughly double those shipped across the Taiwan Strait to China. The U.S. now accounts for nearly one-third of Taiwan's total exports.

Chinese exporters, facing higher U.S. tariffs, have increasingly diversified into other markets or routed goods through third countries. These tariffs, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, were imposed as a strategic move to protect American industries and jobs. Even so, direct trade between Washington and Beijing has declined sharply.

Despite the drop in imports from China, the U.S. trade deficit with China remains significant. In December, the U.S. posted a $12.7 billion trade gap with China, trailing only deficits with the European Union, Taiwan, Vietnam and Mexico. For the full year, the U.S. trade deficit with China narrowed by $93.4 billion to $202.1 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, the deficit with Taiwan more than doubled to nearly $147 billion.

This sharp divergence underscores how tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump have reshaped trade flows between the world's two largest economies, while a global AI boom has boosted demand for advanced chips and servers largely produced by Taiwanese firms.

U.S. and Taiwan finalize trade deal at 15% tariff rate, expanding energy, tech commitments

Taipei's Ministry of Finance attributed the surge to booming demand for technology products. Shipments of "information, communications and audiovisual products" to the U.S. in December jumped 200.7% from a year earlier.

This February, Taipei signed a trade agreement with Washington, lowering so-called reciprocal tariff rates to 15% from 20%. Semiconductor products can now be shipped to the U.S. duty-free under specified quotas.

The agreement, released on Feb. 12 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, formalizes and expands upon a framework deal first reached in January. The finalized rate places Taiwan on par with key Asian export competitors such as South Korea and Japan.

Under the agreement, Taiwan will significantly increase purchases of U.S. goods between 2025 and 2029. The commitments include $44.4 billion in liquefied natural gas and crude oil, $15.2 billion in civil aircraft and engines, and $25.2 billion in power grid equipment, generators, marine equipment and steelmaking machinery.

The January framework also included a pledge that Taiwanese companies would invest $250 billion to expand semiconductor, energy and artificial intelligence production in the United States. Of that total, $100 billion has already been committed by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's leading chipmaker. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previously said Taiwan would guarantee an additional $250 billion in U.S.-based investments.

While the final agreement does not add new specifics on those investment pledges, it states that Taiwan's representative office in Washington will coordinate with U.S. authorities to facilitate further greenfield and brownfield investments in strategic high-technology manufacturing sectors, including AI, semiconductors and advanced electronics.

The deal also delivers immediate tariff relief for many U.S. agricultural exports. Taiwan will eliminate duties of up to 26% on products such as beef, dairy and corn. However, some tariffs will remain in place at reduced levels, including a cut in the current 40% tariff on pork belly and 32% tariff on ham to 10%, according to the published schedule.

In addition, Taiwan agreed to remove certain non-tariff barriers on motor vehicles and to accept U.S. auto safety standards, as well as regulatory standards for medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

Watch this Fox Business clip featuring Montana Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt discussing China's plans for world domination.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

CNBC.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Report: Progressive groups weaponizing courts to push climate, DEI policies without legislation

Progressive activists are using lawsuits to impose ESG, climate and DEI policies on corporations, bypassing democratic legislative processes. Settlements often mandate corporate reforms (e.g., diversity training, hiring quotas) without public debate or legislative approval.

Contingency fees reward law firms, while settlements fund compliance programscreating lucrative revenue streams for consultants and advocacy groups. This cycle perpetuates more lawsuits and progressive policy enforcement outside traditional governance.

Firms like Sher Edling represent municipalities suing energy companies for climate damages, seeking profit disgorgement and disclosure mandates. Critics warn that judicial training programs may bias rulings by promoting contested "attribution science."

Lawsuits (e.g., against Google) result in settlements that institutionalize progressive policies (e.g., DEI programs) without shareholder or legislative input. Law firms behind such litigation overwhelmingly donate to Democratic causes, revealing ideological motivations.

Republican-led states are introducing anti-ESG bills to counter "woke lawfare," with 11 passed in 2025. Analysts predict growing momentum for state and federal reforms to rein in judicial activism shaping corporate governance.

A new report from the Alliance for Consumers alleges that progressive activists are increasingly bypassing legislatures and using strategic litigation to impose climate policies, diversity mandates and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards on corporations and society. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Alliance for Consumers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reforming how we protect consumers by promoting best practices.

The study, titled "Lawfare in America," argues that lawsuitsonce primarily intended to resolve disputes or compensate victimsare now being leveraged as tools for social engineering, forcing companies to adopt policies that activists have failed to enact through democratic processes.

"Woke activists will stop at nothing to force their political agenda onto the American people," said Will Hild, executive director of Consumers' Research. "This report shows how a growing network of activist elites and ideological operatives is using lawfare as a weapon to advance divisive, radical policies outside the legislative process."

Litigation as policy tool

The report contends that settlement agreements in these cases frequently go beyond financial restitution, imposing binding corporate reforms such as mandatory diversity training, hiring quotas and independent oversight mechanisms. These provisions effectively embed progressive priorities into corporate governance without public debate or legislative approval.

O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, told Just the News that this trend reflects a broader effort to reshape American society through judicial activism rather than democratic consensus.

"For the most part, you don't see on the right a massive effort to fundamentally reshape American society," Skinner said.

The financial incentives behind this litigation are also scrutinized in the report. Contingency fee arrangements generate substantial payouts for law firms, while settlements often require defendants to fund ongoing compliance programscreating lucrative revenue streams for consultants and advocacy groups.

"In short, the financial windfalls produced from woke lawfare feed into the lawsuit machine, fomenting more lawsuits and more liberal outcomes," the report states.

Climate lawsuits and "attribution science"

Among the most prominent examples cited are climate-related lawsuits targeting energy companies. The San Francisco-based firm Sher Edling has represented municipalities, including Honolulu, in cases seeking damages for climate-related infrastructure costs, as well as in corporate reforms, such as profit disgorgement and disclosure mandates.

In 2023, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability launched an investigation into Sher Edling, questioning whether wealthy donors were bankrolling litigation designed to cripple fossil fuel producers.

The report also highlights the rise of "attribution science," a field that links specific damages to fossil fuel emissions in court. Critics argue that judicial training programs on climate science may present biased perspectives, influencing rulings in favor of plaintiffs.

A coalition of 22 state attorneys general recently succeeded in removing a climate science chapter from a federal judicial manual, citing concerns over advocacy influence.

DEI and ESG mandates through litigation

Beyond environmental cases, the report examines lawsuits enforcing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. One example involves Cohen Milstein, a law firm that sued Alphabet (Google's parent company) on behalf of a Teamsters pension fund, alleging workplace misconduct.

The 2020 settlement required no direct compensation to plaintiffs. Instead, Google committed $310 million to internal DEI programs, established an advisory council and revised harassment reporting procedureseffectively institutionalizing progressive policies without shareholder or legislative input.

According to the Alliance for Consumers, 99% of Federal Election Commission-recorded donations from Cohen Milstein employees in 2024 went to Democratic candidates and allied groups.

Efforts to counter this litigation strategy are emerging at the state level. ESG Dive reported that 106 anti-ESG bills were introduced in 2025, with 11 passingall in Republican-led states.

Skinner predicts that state-level reforms will gain momentum, potentially leading to broader federal action.

"I think you're going to start to see more states take steps to rein in this woke trial-lawyer industrial complex," he said. "Then, it will build on itself."

The report frames these legal tactics as part of a larger ideological campaign to reshape corporate behavior and societal norms without democratic accountability. As progressive groups increasingly turn to courts to enforce policies that legislatures reject, the battle over ESG, DEI and climate mandates is shifting from ballot boxes to courtroomsraising fundamental questions about governance, corporate autonomy and the role of litigation in policymaking.

With red states already mobilizing legislative countermeasures, the clash over "woke lawfare" appears poised to intensify in the coming years.

Watch the video below that talks about normies waking up and escaping woke cult.

This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

StopWokeLawfare.com

JustTheNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. senators promote digital freedom for Iran while backing surveillance at home

A bipartisan group of senators, including Lindsey Graham, James Lankford, Jacky Rosen and Cory Booker, is backing federal funding to help Iranians bypass government censorship using VPNs and encryption tools.

Supporters say the initiative would promote internet freedom abroad by enabling people in restrictive regimes to access uncensored information and communicate securely.

Critics argue that several of the senators have supported expansive surveillance authorities and online content regulations within the United States, raising concerns about inconsistent standards on digital privacy.

Public voting records show Graham backed the USA PATRIOT Act, Section 702 reauthorization and encryption-related bills such as the EARN IT Act, while Lankford opposed warrant requirements in the 2020 USA Freedom Reauthorization Act and supported measures like the Kids Online Safety Act.

Rosen has supported legislation aimed at combating online harms, including the TAKE IT DOWN Act, though digital rights groups warn some proposals could expand government influence over online speech and incentivize aggressive content moderation.

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is calling for expanded federal funding to help Iranians bypass government censorship, backing tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and other anti-surveillance technologies. However, these same senators have supported broad surveillance authorities and online content regulations in the United States.

Broad surveillance authorities, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, allow for the monitoring of citizens' online activities, communications and personal data, often without adequate oversight or transparency. Online content regulations are stringent and often enforced by private tech companies, which can censor and remove content that does not align with the interests of the deep state, leading to a significant erosion of free speech and personal liberty.

According to several reports, Sens Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) are backing initiatives that would fund anti-censorship technology abroad, including tools that allow users to circumvent state internet controls. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), whose voting record on surveillance issues has drawn fewer criticisms from privacy advocates, has also joined the effort.

The coalition says the funding would help people living under restrictive regimes access uncensored information and communicate securely. VPNs and encryption tools are widely used to shield internet traffic from monitoring and to evade government-imposed firewalls.

However, several of the bill's leading proponents have long supported expansive U.S. surveillance powers and legislation that could weaken digital privacy domestically.

"The senators backing these tools for Iranians have systematically attacked them for Americans. They've voted for bulk collection programs, pushed for encryption backdoors and supported bills that would require platforms to verify user identities. The infrastructure they want to help Iranians bypass looks remarkably similar to the infrastructure they're building at home," Dan Frieth wrote in his article for Reclaim the Net.

Senators' voting records, legislative histories detail support for surveillance measures

Voting records and legislative histories that are publicly available prove their track record.

Graham, for example, voted for the USA PATRIOT Act in 2001 and has supported subsequent expansions of federal surveillance authority. He backed the re-authorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a provision that allows the collection of foreign intelligence but has also swept up Americans' communications. In 2017, he supported legislation that would have made Section 702 permanent without sunset provisions or additional congressional review.

On encryption policy, Graham co-sponsored the EARN IT Act in 2020, which could pressure technology companies to weaken end-to-end encryption to limit liability for user-generated content. He also backed the proposed Lawful Access to Encrypted Data (LAED) Act, which would have required companies to maintain the ability to provide law enforcement access to encrypted data  a requirement technologists argue would effectively mandate backdoors.

Graham has also advocated repealing Section 230 protections for online platforms and has supported proposals to require government licenses for companies offering artificial intelligence tools. At times, he has objected to surveillance practices when they affected his own communications, even as he supported the underlying authorities.

Lankford also has a mixed record on digital rights. He introduced the Free Speech Fairness Act to ease restrictions on political speech by religious and nonprofit organizations. At the same time, he has backed the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which would require platforms to implement measures such as age verification and give regulators broader authority over content moderation practices.

He has called for Section 230 to be "ripped up" and supported elements of a national strategy against antisemitism that include coordination between government agencies and online platforms. After former NSA contractor Edward Snowden disclosed classified information about U.S. surveillance programs, Lankford publicly labeled him a traitor.

When Congress considered the USA Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2020, which included provisions requiring warrants before the government could collect Americans' internet browsing and search histories, Lankford voted against the measure.

Rosen has also taken positions that digital rights groups say could expand government influence over online speech. She voted to confirm Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, a role that has included calls for stronger online content enforcement. Rosen co-founded a Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, which has advocated legislative responses to online hate speech.

She also helped introduce the TAKE IT DOWN Act, targeting the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated content. While supporters argue the bill addresses growing harms, digital rights organizations have warned that its broad provisions and lack of explicit safeguards could incentivize aggressive content removal by platforms.

Watch the June 18 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about massive White House censorship to target peace advocates and critics of Israel.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ReclaimtheNet.org

Docs.ReclaimtheNet.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
The viral video shared by @Rainmaker1973 on X captures a jaw-dropping moment in automotive innovation: behind the wheel of China's latest luxury flagship, the Zeekr 9X, a driver demonstrates an unprecedented safety feature in real time.

As an oncoming vehicle veers dangerously close in a potential side-impact scenario on a multi-lane highway, the SUV's advanced systems spring into action.

Sensors detect the imminent T-bone collision risk, and in a fraction of a secondroughly 200-700 millisecondsthe vehicle's chassis on the threatened side lifts noticeably, raising the body by about 80mm.

Image Credit: Massimo/X.

The driver, visibly excited and speaking in Chinese ("Does this Zeekr 9X do it?"), showcases hands-off, feet-off confidence as the car autonomously manages the evasion and protection maneuver, all while cruising smoothly down a tree-lined road under clear skies.

The Zeekr 9X: China's Tech-Powered Luxury Flagship

No, this isn't science fiction. It's the Zeekr 9X, Zeekr's (Geely Group's premium EV brand) full-size ultra-luxury SUV flagship, launched as a plug-in hybrid powerhouse that blends opulent design with cutting-edge active safety.

Image Credit: Massimo/X.

Measuring over 5.2 meters long with a commanding presence reminiscent of elite Western SUVs, the 9X targets the sort of customers that salivate over Rolls-Royce-level refinement, but only at a fraction of the cost (pre-sale pricing around 47-56 RMB, or roughly $65,000-$80,000 USD equivalent).

How the 'Side Impact Chassis Active Lift' Works

At the heart of this capability is Zeekr's "side impact chassis active lift" functionpart of the Haohan AI digital chassis system. It integrates predictive perception from a formidable sensor suite:

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5 LiDAR units (one 520-line ultra-long-range and four high-precision solid-state), 13 cameras, 5 millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic radars, and more, creating 360-degree dead-zone-free monitoring.

These feed real-time data to the Dinghai intelligent central controller, the chassis "super brain," which runs sophisticated algorithms to predict unavoidable side collisions.

Image Credit: Massimo/X.

When risk thresholds are met (e.g., trajectory overlap confirming a T-bone threat), the system activates the closed dual-chamber air suspension and 48V active stabilizer bar.

The air suspensionfeaturing dual-valve CCD electromagnetic dampers for independent compression/rebound controlrapidly inflates the impacted side's chambers. Simultaneously, the active stabilizer bar (delivering over a thousand lb-ft torque in 0.2 seconds) assists in the lift.

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This repositions the vehicle, so the incoming bumper aligns with the ultra-strong threshold beam (rocker/sill), battery guard rails, and reinforced underbody structures rather than vulnerable door panels.

Image Credit: JustAnotherCarDesigner - Own work, CC0, Wikimedia.

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The result? Up to 27% reduction in side intrusion, channeling energy into the vehicle's "Hahana Safety Armor"a fortress of 2000MPa hot-formed steel (10 key locations), integrated die-cast aluminum reinforcements, and a 91% high-strength material ratio.

Traditional passive safety (airbags, crumple zones) handles residual forces, but this pre-emptive geometry shift elevates protection to proactive levels, akin to a fighter bracing before a punch.

A New Era of Anticipatory Protection

This safety/protective feature builds on the 9X's broader tech arsenal.

Image Credit: AutoLab, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia.

The Haohan intelligent driving system (H9 variant) leverages dual NVIDIA DRIVE Thor-U chips (1400 TOPS total) for Level 3-ready autonomy in select scenarios, enabling confident hands-free, eyes-on highway cruising.

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All-terrain adaptive modes, crosswind compensation, and blowout control further showcase chassis mastery.

Some people have noted potential rollover risks in extreme cases, but Zeekr's engineeringrooted in massive torsional rigidity (31,000 lb-ft/deg) and redundant safetiesmitigates this, prioritizing cabin integrity.

The 9X also boasts megawatt-class hybrid performance (up to 1030 kW/1400+ hp equivalent, 3.1s 0-60 mph), Naim 3868W audio, sliding OLED screens, zero-gravity massaging seats, and a theater-like six-seat cabin.

If the electric era is one of improved safety, the Zeekr 9X's instant chassis lift agrees with a furious nod. It's a paradigm shift toward anticipatory protection.

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The Floating Biosludge Hauler: How $13 Billion Bought the US Navy a Toilet Apocalypse

The Unflushed Truth of the USS Gerald R. Ford

It is the most expensive warship ever built, a $13 billion monument to American military might. The nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford was designed to project power across the globe, armed with cutting-edge electromagnetic catapults and advanced radar systems. Yet, in the year 2026, this supposed jewel of the Navy has earned a more humiliating moniker: the Floating Biosludge Hauler. As it prowls the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela -- a key piece in the Trump administrations escalating military pressure campaign -- its 4,600-sailor crew faces an enemy no high-tech weapon can defeat: its own catastrophically failing plumbing.

The ships Vacuum Collection, Holding, and Transfer (VCHT) system is in a state of perpetual collapse. According to leaked documents and sailor reports, raw sewage routinely floods living spaces, with human waste sloshing across decks. Sailors endure waits of up to 45 minutes just for access to a functioning toilet, their morale and health rotting alongside the clogged pipes [1][2]. This is not a minor maintenance headache. It is a profound symptom of a corrupt, failing institution -- a $13 billion symbol of an empire that can no longer perform its most basic functions. A vessel sent to intimidate foreign nations cannot even provide its own crew with a fundamental human necessity, revealing a military leadership more invested in political theater and reckless adventurism than in the welfare of the sailors it commands.

This plumbing nightmare unfolds against a backdrop of heightened global tension as the Ford is dispatched to the Middle East to strike a threatening pose against Iran. This saber-rattling is overseen by a Pentagon that functions as a black hole for money, where systemic corruption ensures that sailors are sent to sea in a floating biohazard while defense contractors reap billions for defective, unworkable technology [3]. The Fords excremental crisis is more than an embarrassment; it is a damning indictment of a military-industrial complex that prioritizes profit and political posturing over practical readiness and the lives of those who serve.

The Numbers Behind the Nightmare

The core of the Fords humiliation is a Vacuum Collection, Holding, and Transfer system crippled by fundamental, foreseen design flaws. Reports indicate the systems pipes are simply too narrow to handle the waste volume generated by a crew of over 4,600 [1]. With only 650 toilets onboard, the ratio is woefully inadequate, creating constant strain. The results are staggering: in just one four-day period, the system suffered 205 separate breakdowns. Sailors are reportedly pulling 19-hour shifts in a desperate, losing battle to keep the sanitation system -- a system critical for basic hygiene and operational readiness -- from total failure [2].

This disaster was not unforeseen. As far back as 2020, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned the Navy about these very flaws. The warnings were ignored, a classic example of the Pentagons institutional arrogance and its disconnect from the grim realities faced by service members [4]. The consequence is a ship where the bathroom issues are not a new phenomenon but a chronic, debilitating condition [5]. The Ford, a vessel meant to be the vanguard of a carrier group, is instead reduced to making unscheduled port calls so its crew can use functional facilities ashore -- a national disgrace [6].

The human toll is immense. Sailors live and work amid the stench and health hazards of backed-up sewage. Pictures provided by family members show waste spilled across floors, creating hazardous and unsanitary conditions [2]. This is not mere discomfort; it is a direct assault on the health and fighting spirit of the crew. A warships capability is the sum of its crews effectiveness, and a force demoralized by such primitive failures cannot be an effective deterrent. The Fords advanced warfighting systems are rendered moot when its sailors are preoccupied with a medieval-level public health crisis.

Sabotage or Systemic Incompetence?

Faced with this ongoing catastrophe, Navy reports have pointed to improper materials -- t-shirts, rope, mop heads -- clogging the system [1]. This official explanation invites skepticism. While sailor frustration could manifest as sabotage, a more plausible root cause lies in the endemic corruption and incompetence that plagues Pentagon procurement. The notion of a $13 billion warship being undone by laundry hints at a deeper, more systemic sickness: a military leadership and defense contracting cabal that has lost all connection to operational reality.

Some have speculated that the chronic failures could be a form of passive resistance by a crew unwilling to sail into a potential, and senseless, war. Historical precedents exist for such acts. However, the evidence points overwhelmingly to a simpler, more pervasive truth: the military-industrial complex is a black hole for money where accountability vanishes and substandard equipment is the norm [3]. The Ford is a poster child for this decay. Its earlier, well-documented woes included non-functional aircraft elevators and poor or unknown reliability in critical launch and defense systems [4]. The toilet crisis is merely the latest, most visceral manifestation of this pattern.

The Pentagons focus has drifted far from engineering excellence and warfighting readiness. Instead, it is preoccupied with what retired Colonel Douglas Macgregor has described as endless wars and a lack of coherent military strategy [3]. Resources are squandered on globalist adventurism and supporting proxy conflicts, like using Israel as a proxy to wage war on Iran [7], rather than ensuring the basic functionality of frontline assets. The funds that should guarantee sailors a working toilet are funneled into corrupt contracts and geopolitical gambits. The result is a hollow force, adorned with expensive hardware that fails at the most fundamental level.

A Symbol of Empire's End

The USS Gerald R. Ford stands as a potent symbol of American imperial overreach and decay. It is the most advanced warship in the world, yet it must dock for bathroom breaks, apparently. Its sailors, when desperate, may ultimately have to resort to defecating overboard -- a practice from the age of sail, not a 21st-century supercarrier [8]. This absurdity underscores a national humiliation. A nation that cannot manage the basic sanitation of its most powerful warship has lost its claim to functional competence, let alone global leadership.

This failure is inseparable from the moral and intellectual rot within the military command structure. As analyst Andrei Martyanov has noted, the U.S. military establishment is plagued by a fundamental misunderstanding of warfare, pursuing technological vanity projects over rugged, reliable capability [9]. The Fords toilets are the perfect metaphor: a dazzling, over-engineered system that collapses under the weight of simple, predictable demand. Furthermore, this technological failure coincides with a leadership culture increasingly focused on political indoctrination and wokeness rather than the grim, practical realities of combat and seamanship.

The ships vulnerability extends beyond its plumbing. As the U.S. postures against nations like Venezuela, China, and Iran, independent analysts warn that even Americas mighty carriers are sitting ducks against modern missile threats [10]. A recent paper in a Chinese journal concluded that just two dozen hypersonic missiles could guarantee the destruction of a U.S. carrier [11]. While the Fords toilets overflow, its fundamental strategic purpose is being questioned. It represents a bankrupt doctrine: projecting power across the globe while the foundations of that power -- functional equipment, a healthy and respected fighting force, a solvent nation -- crumble at home.

Conclusion: Flushing Out Corruption to Avert Catastrophe

In a darkly comedic twist, the Fords Toilet Apocalypse may be performing an unintended but vital service. A warship immobilized by its own waste cannot easily be sent into a reckless conflict. As the U.S. escalates tensions with Iran, this floating breakdown might be the only thing preventing a rash military strike. The clogged pipes have, inadvertently, become a check on the hubris of a war-hungry establishment [12][13]. Perhaps this grotesque failure will force a moment of clarity: true military readiness is not found in $13 billion price tags or political posturing, but in functional equipment, well-cared-for personnel, and a command structure dedicated to reality over ideology.

The path forward requires a fundamental divestment from the corrupt contractors and bloated bureaucracy that created this mess. Funds must be redirected to sailor welfare and proven, reliable technology. The American public must demand an end to the endless wars and globalist meddling that drain the nations treasury and spirit. Today, the U.S. is shackled by debt and losing its competitive edge, particularly to Chinas massive industrial and energy output [14]. Pouring billions into floating failures like the Ford only accelerates this decline.

Ultimately, the saga of the USS Gerald R. Ford is a parable for our time. It reveals an empire rotting from within, obsessed with external showmanship while neglecting its core functions. The solution is not another trillion-dollar defense bill, but a return to principles of decentralization, individual competence, and honest governance. We must flush out the corruption that has clogged the arteries of our institutions. Perhaps then, we can build a military -- and a nation -- that is truly ready, not just expensively broken. For those seeking truth beyond the sanitized narratives of the corporate media, platforms like BrightNews.ai and BrightAnswers.AI offer uncensored analysis on these critical issues of national survival.

References

Sewage crisis' hits USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier: report. Gulf News. February 23, 2026. Overflowing toilets are hampering USS Fords recent deployment. WHRO. July 17, 2025. 2025 09 17 BBN Interview with Douglas Macgregor . Mike Adams. September 17, 2025. Navys newest aircraft carrier already behind schedule still may not be ready for a fight. - NaturalNews.com. July 28, 2016. The Navy's largest ship continues to be plagued by plumbing issues. Navy Times. January 22, 2026. Major plumbing headache haunts USS Gerald R. Ford off Venezuela's coast. VPM. January 17, 2026. Mike Adams interview with Ray McGovern. Mike Adams. January 29, 2024. The USS Gerald R. Ford Toilet Crisis: How a $13 Billion Aircraft Carrier Was Undone by Plumbing. Mike Adams interview with Andrei Martyanov. Mike Adams. June 20, 2024. Mike Adams interview with Steve Quayle. Mike Adams. December 24, 2024. REPORT US aircraft carriers can be destroyed with certainty by just two dozen hypersonic missiles which both Chi. - NaturalNews.com. May 17, 2024. Warmongers start push for US involvement in Iran following Hamas attack. - NaturalNews.com. October 09, 2023. New paper questioning future of US mega-carriers says they will be vulnerable to destruction without changes in. - NaturalNews.com. October 22, 2015. Brighteon Broadcast News - Cobalt Mines In Idaho. Mike Adams - Brighteon.com. June 25, 2024. U.S. Reopens Jungle Warfare Training in Panama Amid Rising Tensions with Venezuela. - NaturalNews.com. November 12, 2025. U.S. Navy Deploys Massive Carrier Strike Group Near Venezuela Amid Escalating Drug War Tensions. - NaturalNews.com. Kevin Hughes. November 14, 2025. U.S. Escalates Military Pressure on Venezuela with Repeated Bomber Flights Amid Rising Tensions. - NaturalNews.com. Kevin Hughes. November 10, 2025.

Explainer Infographic:
The Glyphosate Deception: Why Nations That Ban It Prove We Dont Need Poison to Grow Food

Introduction: The Global Reality That Debunks a Toxic Lie

A dangerous narrative peddled by corporate agriculture and captured regulators claims that glyphosate, the worlds most widely used herbicide, is indispensable for feeding a growing population. This is a lie. The global reality, proven by dozens of nations that have successfully banned or severely restricted this chemical, is that humanity can and does produce abundant food without it. For millennia before glyphosates introduction in the 1970s, civilizations thrived on poison-free harvests. The argument that we need this toxin mirrors the false dependency narratives pushed during COVID, where authorities claimed experimental injections were the only path to safety while suppressing proven natural solutions. [1]

Today, the evidence is overwhelming. Countries from Vietnam to Luxembourg are feeding their populations with robust, glyphosate-free agriculture, disproving the 'necessity' myth. The insistence that this chemical is critical for food security is not based on agricultural science but on corporate greed and regulatory corruption. It is a manufactured crisis designed to protect profits at the expense of public health, environmental integrity, and food sovereignty. As with the pandemic psyop, the truth has been systematically censored to maintain a profitable monopoly over our food system.

The Ban List: Nations That Grow Food Without Glyphosate

The global movement away from glyphosate is not a theoretical exercise; it is a practical reality demonstrated by functioning bans and restrictions. Countries like Vietnam and Saudi Arabia have enacted full prohibitions, while the European Union banned its use as a pre-harvest desiccant on grains in 2023, a major step toward cleaner wheat and oats. These nations have not descended into famine. Instead, they have shifted toward integrated pest management, organic practices, and agroecology, proving that food production does not collapse without this chemical. [2]

This momentum is growing despite intense corporate and geopolitical pressure. Mexico has been a notable battleground, standing firm for years on a plan to ban glyphosate and genetically modified corn, citing clear scientific evidence of harms, especially to children. Internal emails reveal how Monsanto owner Bayer AG and U.S. trade officials lobbied heavily to reverse this decision, exposing the political muscle deployed to protect chemical profits over public health. Similarly, Thailand backed down from a planned ban after pressure from U.S. officials, and Canada has implemented restrictions, highlighting the global struggle against this corporate toxin. [3]

These bans are not isolated acts of precaution but are grounded in a growing body of evidence and public demand for safe food. They showcase a viable path forward, one that rejects the poison-based model of industrial agriculture. The success of these national policies dismantles the core argument of chemical manufacturers: that glyphosate is an unavoidable tool. The world is showing it is entirely avoidable.

The Fraudulent Science and Regulatory Capture of Glyphosate

Glyphosate was never proven safe through honest, independent science. Its history is a chronicle of fraud and regulatory capture by Monsanto, now Bayer. A damning 187-page report by researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research Vienna reviewed 53 safety studies submitted by chemical companies to regulators and found most lacked the types of tests most able to detect cancer risks, relying on flawed, industry-funded science. [4] This corrupt foundation allowed the chemical to saturate the global environment. In 2015, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, a designation based on a review of independent studies. [5]

The legal and financial consequences have exposed the truth. Bayer has been slammed with judgments in multiple Roundup lawsuits, with juries finding not only that the herbicide caused cancers like non-Hodgkin lymphoma but that Monsanto engaged in malice and fraud to cover up its toxicity. [6] The companys $11 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits is a de facto admission of guilt, not an anomaly. Despite this, regulatory bodies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continue to parrot industry talking points, rejecting petitions to ban the chemical. [7] This illustrates a captured system where corporate influence overrides public safety.

Adding to the deception, certifications like USDA Organic lack required glyphosate residue testing, meaning organic labels are not a guaranteed shield. Independent laboratory verification, such as that conducted by the Health Rangers ISO-accredited lab, is essential for true purity. As reported, glyphosate contamination is present in foods sold at major retailers like Whole Foods, Walmart, and Target, proving that trust in labels may be misplaced. [8] Consumers must seek out foods tested with rigorous mass spectrometry to ensure they are truly free of this poison.

Glyphosates True Nature: A Chemical Weapon Disguised as a Tool

Glyphosates mechanism of action reveals its insidious nature. It is a potent chelator, meaning it binds to and strips essential minerals like manganese, zinc, and copper from both soil and the plants that grow in it. This process creates nutrient-deficient food and contributes to widespread mineral deficiencies in humans. As Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at MIT, explains in her book Toxic Legacy, glyphosate disrupts gut microbes by making minerals unavailable to them, impairing enzyme function and contributing to a cascade of chronic diseases. [9]

The herbicides origins are equally alarming, tracing back to Nazi organophosphate nerve agent research. It is a chemical weapon adapted for plants, designed not to kill directly but to sabotage a plants nutritional uptake and disease resistance, effectively acting as a biological war agent in the soil. [10] Once applied, the molecule is remarkably stable, resisting breakdown by UV light or even microwaves, ensuring it persists in our food, water, and bodies for extended periods. Laboratory findings confirm this persistence, with some herbicide residues detectable years after application. [11]

This stability and chelating power make glyphosate a persistent threat. New research by U.S. government scientists found biomarkers in the urine of people exposed to glyphosate that are linked to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer development. [12] Furthermore, a French study found glyphosate in 57% of sperm samples from infertile men, with concentrations four times higher in sperm than in blood, directly linking it to the global fertility crisis. [13] This is not a benign agricultural tool; it is a broad-spectrum poison with devastating multi-generational effects.

The Political Betrayal: How Pro-Glyphosate Narratives Serve Corporations, Not People

In a stark betrayal of public health, political figures who once positioned themselves as anti-establishment have now embraced the pro-glyphosate narrative. In February 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to designate glyphosate production as critical to national defense, effectively prioritizing this poison under the guise of military readiness. [14] This move triggered explosive backlash from health freedom advocates within his own Make America Healthy Again camp, revealing a deep rift between populist rhetoric and corporate-serving policy.

Even more disheartening was the defense of this order by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who called glyphosate a necessary evil, warning that a ban would hurt farms and raise food prices. [15] This justification ignores the massive downstream healthcare costs of cancer, liver disease, metabolic disorders in children, and infertility caused by the chemical. [16] The strategic placement of Kennedy at HHS may well be designed to neutralize legal and political threats to Bayer, illustrating the depth of regulatory corruption where even perceived reformers are co-opted to protect corporate interests.

The false affordability argument is a classic deception. It ignores the fact that glyphosates cheap price at the farm gate is subsidized by enormous public health costs, environmental cleanup, and the loss of biodiversity. This narrative serves only the profit margins of Bayer and the agrochemical cartel, not the people. It is a political betrayal that places corporate profits above the health of children, the fertility of future generations, and the sovereignty of nations like Mexico that dare to choose health over chemical imperialism. [3]

Conclusion: Reclaiming Food Sovereignty and Health

The global evidence is unequivocal: banning glyphosate leads to healthier populations and ecosystems, not food shortages. The nations that have taken this step are living proof that we do not need poison to grow food. The path forward requires a fundamental rejection of the corrupt narratives pushed by captured institutions and a return to proven, life-affirming agricultural practices. Consumers must become their own advocates, seeking out rigorously tested, glyphosate-free foods and supporting transparent, independent laboratories that verify purity beyond unreliable organic certifications.

Empowerment lies in decentralization and knowledge. Platforms like BrightAnswers.ai offer uncensored AI research on health and agriculture, while BrightLearn.ai provides free access to books on natural farming and detoxification. For clean, tested food and supplements, resources like HealthRangerStore.com demonstrate that a toxin-free supply chain is not only possible but thriving. By supporting local, regenerative farmers, growing your own food, and investing in honest information, we can reclaim our food sovereignty. The choice is clear: continue subsidizing a corporate death machine or embrace the poison-free abundance that nature provides. Our health, our children, and our future depend on this decision.

References

The Fight Against Monsantos Roundup The Politics of Pesticides. - Mitchel Cohen. Under Pressure From U.S., Mexico Walks Back Deadline for Banning Glyphosate. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Bayer, U.S. Officials Pressured Mexico to Drop Ban on Glyphosate. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Regulators Relied on Flawed Studies  Funded by Chemical Industry  to Assess Safety of Glyphosate Herbicide. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Roundup to Get Cancer Label. - Mercola.com. July 11, 2017. Makers of Roundup Paid ACSH Front Group to Hide Evidence. - Mercola.com. June 11, 2019. Out of Excuses: Groundbreaking Legal Petition Demands EPA Ban Glyphosate. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Glyphosate Contamination Widespread in Foods Sold at Whole Foods, Amazon, Walmart and Target. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Brighteon Broadcast News - They WEAPONIZED The AIR - Mike Adams. - Brighteon.com. April 18, 2025. Ruthless Power and Deleterious Politics From DDT to Roundup. - GreenMedInfo.com. Brighteon Broadcast News - Bombshell New Video Shows Shooter RUNNING - Mike Adams. - Brighteon.com. August 1, 2024. New Research Links Glyphosate to DNA Damage, Cancer and Oxidative Stress. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Glyphosate Present in 57% of Sperm Samples From Infertile Men. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Trumps Order Elevates Glyphosate to National Defense Status, Sparks MAHA Revolt. - The New American. February 20, 2026. Necessary Evil: RFK Jr. Defends Trump's Glyphosate Order. - ZeroHedge. February 24, 2026. Researchers Link Glyphosate-Based Weedkillers to Liver Disease and Endocrine Disorders in Kids. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org.

Explainer Infographic:
Trump set to defend agenda in high-stakes State of the Union amid economic doubts

Trump aims to reset his presidency amid low approval and a divided nation.

He will defend unpopular tariffs despite a recent Supreme Court rebuke.

The speech will claim economic victory despite slowing growth and public anxiety.

Immigration and tough border policies remain a core focus despite criticism.

Global tensions with Iran and the Ukraine war anniversary will also be addressed.

President Donald Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress Tuesday night at a critical juncture, aiming to reset his political narrative amid slumping approval ratings, economic anxieties, and escalating tensions with Iran. The prime-time speech offers the president a high-stakes opportunity to convince a skeptical American public that his policies are working, just over eight months before midterm elections that could redefine his second term. With more than 20 Democratic lawmakers planning to boycott the event and Virginia Governor Abby Spanberger set to deliver the official Democratic response, the political theater underscores a nation deeply divided over Trumps aggressive agenda.

The address comes after a turbulent period that saw the Supreme Court strike down key parts of his global tariff regime, a move that triggered fury from the president. Trump is expected to argue the court erred and outline alternative legal avenues to reconstitute the levies. This confrontation sets the stage for potential awkwardness, as some justices are expected to attend the speech. The presidents focus on tariffs persists despite polls showing the policies remain unpopular with many Americans who blame them for contributing to higher consumer prices.

Selling an economic vision

A central theme will be the economy, with Trump poised to claim victory, as one White House official noted, pointing to stock market gains and his tax cut legislation. He is expected to argue that he inherited a poor economy from President Joe Biden and that Democrats have overstated affordability concerns. Yet this message clashes with recent data showing economic growth slowed more than expected at the end of last year, and with a persistent public feeling that prosperity is out of reach. He cant sell people on a reality that for them, and frankly for most Americans, does not exist, said Jeff Shesol, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton.

The presidents challenge is compounded by his own lack of messaging discipline, often veering into personal grievances rather than sticking to a script on kitchen-table issues. Republican strategists hope he will stay on message. This is the one opportunity the president has where the whole world is looking at what he has to say, said Republican strategist Amanda Makki. Trump, however, promised a lengthy speech, saying, It is going to be a long speech, because we have so much to talk about.

Immigration and foreign fronts

Immigration will be another cornerstone, with Trump touting tough border policies and deportation campaigns despite bipartisan criticism following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minneapolis. Polls show most Americans believe his administration has gone too far in its immigration tactics. Meanwhile, the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, stemming from a congressional dispute over those tactics, looms in the background.

On the global stage, Trump is expected to address the movement of U.S. warships to the Middle East and plans regarding Irans nuclear program. Officials say he will discuss his plans for Iran and tout his record on brokering deals, although the nation inches closer to potential conflict. The speech also falls on the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, a lingering conflict Trump once claimed he could end in a day.

As Democrats stage a counter-rally on the National Mall, dismissing the address as a propaganda push, the event underscores a governing philosophy that has redefined presidential power. Trump has governed at breakneck speed, sealing the border, upending foreign alliances, and challenging institutional checks. Yet he now faces significant headwinds from the public and the courts. This State of the Union is less of a routine report and more of a strategic plea for a mandate to continue. In a political era defined by doubling down, Trumps task is to persuade a changed America that his vision, despite the turbulence, is still the right path forward.

Sources for this article include:

France24.com

JustTheNews.com

APNews.com

BBC.com
U.S. evacuates troops as Irans nuclear and missile threats escalate tensions in the Middle East

Despite intelligence claims since the 1990s that Iran was "years away" from a bomb, no nuclear weapon has materializedraising doubts about current assessments.

Iran's recent unveiling of a missile capable of carrying a 4,000-pound warhead poses an immediate, existential threat to Israel and U.S. bases in the region.

The Revolutionary Guard has armed proxies like Hezbollah with 150,000+ rockets, while dispersing its own missile arsenals across vast terrain to evade preemptive strikes.

Deployment of S-300 systems around nuclear sites makes surgical military action riskier, increasing chances of unintended escalation.

With the JCPOA collapsed and Tehran warning the UN that U.S. bases are "legitimate targets," off-ramps are vanishingpushing the region toward potential war.

The U.S. government has ordered the evacuation of military dependents from Bahrain and Iraq amid rising tensions with Iran, signaling heightened concerns over potential conflict in the region. While State Department spokesperson Ned Price insists the move is merely "precautionary," Iran's defense minister has escalated rhetoric, boasting of the country's strengthened military capabilitiesincluding recent missile tests and the deployment of Russian S-300 air defense systems around nuclear facilities. With approximately 40,000-50,000 U.S. troops stationed across the Middle Eastmany within striking distance of Iranian ballistic missilesthe risk of unintended escalation looms large.

Iran's growing military confidence

Iran's military posture has grown increasingly assertive, particularly following its June missile strike on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatara retaliatory move after Israel's 12-day bombing campaign against Iranian nuclear sites. That attack demonstrated Tehran's willingness to target U.S. installations, raising alarms among Pentagon planners. Now, reports from The New York Times indicate that hundreds of troops have been evacuated from Al Udeid, along with personnel reductions at Bahrain's Naval Support Activity base, home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet. Additional drawdowns may follow at bases in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite assurances from U.S. officials that aircraft carrierscurrently positioned at a "considerable distance" from Iranare difficult targets for ballistic missiles, concerns persist. Iran's missile technology has advanced significantly, and its drone warfare capabilities pose another unpredictable threat. Small, low-flying drones have proven effective at evading sophisticated anti-air defenses in recent conflicts, raising fears that swarms could overwhelm U.S. defenses in the event of war.

Iran's nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile program

Iran's nuclear program remains a flashpoint, with Western intelligence agencies warning that the regime could soon cross the threshold to weapons-grade uranium enrichment. Combined with its expanding ballistic missile arsenalincluding precision-guided munitions capable of striking U.S. bases and regional alliesTehran's military strategy appears designed to deter direct confrontation while maintaining offensive options.

The deployment of Russian S-300 systems around nuclear sites further complicates potential U.S. or Israeli strike plans. These advanced air defense networks make surgical military operations far riskier, increasing the likelihood of broader conflict if hostilities erupt. Meanwhile, Iran's recent letter to the United Nations warned that while it "will not initiate any war," the U.S. would bear "full and direct responsibility" for any retaliatory strikesexplicitly naming American bases and assets as "legitimate targets."

The risk of unintended escalation

With U.S. forces spread thin across the regionincluding critical oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and naval assets in Bahrainthe potential for miscalculation is dangerously high. A single misjudged strike or accidental engagement could spiral into a full-scale regional war, endangering not only military personnel but global energy supplies.

Pentagon officials remain cautious, emphasizing that no large-scale troop repositioning has been confirmed. However, the evacuation of dependents suggests that military planners are taking Iran's threats seriously. The contradictory reportssuch as Fox News disputing The New York Times' claimsonly add to the uncertainty, highlighting the fog of war that often precedes major conflicts.

A delicate standoff

For now, Washington appears to be hedging its betspreparing for the worst while publicly downplaying immediate threats. But as history has shown, from the Gulf of Tonkin to the Iraq WMD debacle, government narratives often obscure darker realities. Whether this evacuation is truly precautionary or the prelude to war remains to be seen. One thing is certain: in the Middle East, where decades of covert ops, false flags and geopolitical brinkmanship have shaped the landscape, nothing is ever as it seems.

The world watches nervously as the U.S. and Iran inch closer to a confrontation that neither may fully controlbut which could reshape the region for decades to come.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. evacuation of troops amid Iran's escalating nuclear and missile threats is another example of failed globalist interventionism, engineered to justify perpetual war and destabilizationjust like the false flags of 9/11 and COVID. Instead of relying on corrupt centralized powers, nations must prioritize decentralized defense, natural resilience and sovereign independence to break free from these orchestrated crises.

Watch this video about Iran unleashes next-gen unstoppable barrage of missiles.

This video is from the Treasure of the Sun channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
On the edge: U.S. prepares STRIKES as Iran drafts nuclear deal

President Donald Trump hints at limited military strikes against Iran while Tehran prepares a draft nuclear agreement in Geneva. The administration combines military pressure with diplomacy to force Iran into compliance.

Limited strikes (targeting select military/government sites) aim to pressure Iran without triggering major retaliation. If Iran resists, Trump may escalate to a broader bombing campaign, including regime-change operations.

Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, but the U.S. insists on no enrichment, no weapons and no capacity to build them. The IAEA warns of "sanitized" inspection sites, suggesting Iran may be hiding illicit nuclear activities.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz during military drills, threatening global oil shipments if conflict erupts. The U.S. deploys advanced jets, aircraft carriers and air defenses, while Iran vows "maximum force" retaliation.

The next few days will determine whether the crisis leads to war or a diplomatic breakthrough. The world watches closely as Middle East stability and global energy security hang in the balance.

In a critical juncture of global diplomacy, President Donald Trump has hinted at the possibility of limited military strikes against Iran, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that a draft nuclear agreement could be ready within days. The potential military strikes would target key Iranian sites, and the negotiations are taking place in Geneva.

This dual-track approach, combining military pressure with diplomatic negotiations, reflects the administration's strategic calculus in the face of Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional instability. The coming days may well determine whether the crisis veers towards confrontation or a breakthrough in negotiations.

Trump's military options include a range of possibilities, from a limited initial strike to a broader campaign aimed at regime change. The first limited-strike option, which has not been previously reported, signals Trump's willingness to use military force to achieve a U.S.-friendly nuclear accord. This approach would target a few military or government sites, aiming to pressure Iran into compliance without inspiring a major retaliation. If Iran still refuses to meet Trump's demands, the U.S. would respond with a broader campaign against regime facilities.

Iran's nuclear proposal, expected to be ready within days, would address the international community's concerns about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program. However, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. has insisted that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, must not have the capacity to build them and must not enrich uranium. The key question remains whether Iran's assurances will satisfy Washington's demand for a complete halt to enrichment.

Regional tensions and global implications

The standoff between the U.S. and Iran has unfolded amid heightened regional volatility. Iran recently announced a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz during military exercises, signaling its capacity to disrupt global energy shipments if conflict escalates. The waterway is a critical artery for global oil exports, and any sustained disruption could have far-reaching economic consequences.

The U.S. has continued to move cutting-edge military assets towards the Middle East, including F-35 and F-22 jet fighters, a second aircraft carrier and critical air defenses. Iran has threatened to respond with maximum force to any level of American strikes, raising the prospect of a broader conflict.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the crisis veers towards confrontation or a diplomatic breakthrough. Trump's willingness to consider military options, even limited strikes, underscores the administration's resolve to achieve a nuclear deal. Iran's readiness for conflict and the regional tensions highlight the high stakes involved. The global community awaits the outcome of these critical negotiations, which could have far-reaching implications for regional and global stability.

As the deadline for a nuclear deal approaches, the world watches with bated breath. The decisions made in the coming days will shape the future of the Middle East and the global order. The balance between deterrence and diplomacy remains precarious, and the potential for conflict looms large. The international community must remain vigilant and prepared for any eventuality, while hoping for a peaceful resolution to this long-standing crisis.

Watch the video below where Trump declares that "Iran can't have nuclear weapons."

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

WSJ.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
A fresh look at the Triceratops giant nose changes how we see this horned dinosaur's head. Researchers at the University of Tokyo used CT scans of Triceratops skulls to map out hidden details inside. Their February 2026 findings spotlight respiratory turbinate's as a smart fix for keeping that massive skull from overheating.

Triceratops Nasal Secrets

Seishiro Tada and his team scanned fossil skulls from the Hell Creek Formation, spotting ridges that hint at respiratory turbinate's. These scroll-like structures, rare in dinosaurs but common in birds, line the nasal passages to swap heat between air and blood. In Triceratops, the giant nose rerouted nerves and vessels through unusual paths since the skull blocked the usual jaw route. Tada pieced it together with 3D-printed models, calling it a puzzle that finally fit. This setup went beyond smell, tackling moisture and temperature in a head nearly a third of the dinosaur's 9-meter length.

Cooling the Triceratops Giant Nose

Unlike most reptiles with straightforward nasal flow, Triceratops evolved this advanced system to manage its oversized snout. Respiratory turbinate's would warm incoming air and cool blood to the brain and eyes, steadying conditions without full warm-blooded metabolism. Birds show matching ridges for these features, and Triceratops fossils have them too, making ceratopsians stand out. Dense vessels likely helped sense humidity, while olfactory nerves handled smell. Compared to T. rex's simpler passages or crocodiles' basic design, the Triceratops giant nose bridged old reptile traits with bird-like efficiency, aiding survival in warm Late Cretaceous spots.

Why This Matters for Horned Dinosaurs

The skull's bulk demanded real solutionsrespiratory turbinate's filled that gap, much as they do in modern animals facing climate shifts. Tada notes horned dinosaurs were the last major group to get this deep soft-tissue look, rounding out head evolution puzzles. Funded by Japan's science promoters, the work points to frills and horns next.

Key Takeaways on Triceratops Giant Nose Functions

Recent CT scans Triceratops confirm respiratory turbinate's likely cooled this dinosaur's enormous head, reshaping ceratopsian stories with practical adaptations for a tough world. Seishiro Tada's team at the University of Tokyo highlighted how the Triceratops giant nose rerouted nerves and blood vessels through nasal paths, a workaround for the skull's blocked jaw routes. These scroll-shaped turbinates, matching ridges in bird fossils, boosted heat exchangewarming chilly inhales and chilling blood flows to the brain and senses.

This setup let Triceratops handle its 9-meter frame's heat load without tipping fully warm-blooded, thriving in the steamy Late Cretaceous. Dense vessels inside added humidity checks, while olfactory space kept smell sharp for foraging or spotting threats. Compared to T. rex's plain passages, this marked ceratopsians as nasal innovators, much like birds today.

This piece centers on the February 22, 2026, University of Tokyo news release you shared, covering Seishiro Tada's CT scans Triceratops analysis and respiratory turbinates. Supporting sources include:
Akamai extends its micro-segmentation and zero-trust security platform Guardicore to run on Nvidia BlueField GPUs

The integration offloads user-configurable security processes from the host system to the Nvidia BlueField DPU and enables zero-trust segmentation without requiring software agents on fragile or legacy systems, according to Akamai. Organizations can implement this hardware-isolated, agentless security approach to help align with regulatory requirements and lower their risk profile for cyber insurance.

It delivers deep, out-of-band visibility across systems, networks, and applications without disrupting operations. Security policies can be enforced in real time and are capable of creating a strong protective boundary around critical operational systems. The result is trusted insight into operational activity and improved overall cyber resilience, according to Akamai.

Forescout works with Nvidia to bring zero-trust technology to OT networks

Forescout applies network segmentation to contain lateral movement and enforce zero-trust controls. The technology would be further integrated into partnership work already being done by the two companies. By running Forescouts on-premises sensor directly on the Nvidia BlueField, part of Nvidia Cybersecurity AI platform, customers can offload intensive computing tasks, such as deep packet inspections. This speeds up data processing, enhances asset intelligence, and improves real-time monitoring, providing security teams with the insights needed to stay ahead of emerging threats, according to Forescout.

Palo Alto to demo Prisma AIRS AI Runtime Security on Nvidia BlueField DPU

Palo Alto Networks recently partnered with Nvidia to run its Prisma AI-powered Radio Security(AIRs) package on the Nvidia BlueField DPU and will show off the technology at the conference. The technology is part of the Nvidia Enterprise AI Factory validated design and can offer real-time security protection for industrial network settings.

Prisma AIRS AI Runtime Security delivers deep visibility into industrial traffic and continuous monitoring for abnormal behavior. By running these security services on Nvidia BlueField, inspection and enforcement happen directly at the infrastructure level, closer to the workloads, Palo Alto stated.

Siemens to demo Nvidia BlueField integration with its IT/OT platform

At the S4x26 security conference, Siemens said it will demonstrate its AI-ready Industrial Automation DataCenter, a platform that collects, stores, processes, and serves operational and automation data across industrial environments. The system integrates Nvidia BlueField devices for and integrated secure edge infrastructure made up of industrial OT workloads and the data center or cloud, according to Siemens.
(This article appears in the Winter 2026 issue of the Coolidge Review.)

One of the epic stories of World War II is how Russian troops held the Stalingrad tractor factory against repeated assaults by German units from August to October 1942. That factory, the historians tell us, had produced more than half of the Soviet Unions tractors before the war, and had begun manufacturing T-34 tanks in 1941. The factory finally fell in battle, but it was rebuilt after the war as a symbol of Soviet resistance to fascismand an enduring icon of the economic miracle of Soviet socialism.

The truth was, the Stalingrad factory had been designed and built by American engineers and American workers living on-site in the early 1930s, and then outfitted by a dozen or so American companies, including International Harvester. The McClintic-Marshall Company made the plants steel structures, which then shipped to Stalingrad for assembly. The first tractors to roll off the assembly line in June 1930 were designed by the McCormick Deering company.

In other words, this supposed icon of Soviet industrial prowess was one of many examples where American companies, engineers, and workers helped transform the USSR into a major economic power.

Yet the myth persists that socialism and capitalism represent two alternate paths to industrialization and modernization. Its a myth that haunts much of the history of the twentieth century, from Maos Great Leap Forward to Castros Cuba. The idea that socialism offered a viable alternative to capitalism even shaped the 2025 mayoral race in New York City.

In fact, there is only one reliable path to human prosperity: that of free-market capitalism. In the 1920s and 1930s, American capitalists showed up in Russia to rebuild every sector of its economy, from tractors and trucks, to iron and steel production, to electrification and railroads, to the oil and gas industry that sustains Russias economy to this day.

During those years more than 1,200 American architects, engineers, designers, and foremenplus thousands of American volunteerscreated the Soviet industrial revolution. In just three years, from 1929 to 1932, they built upward of 500 factories and trained more than 3,000 Soviet staff to run them.

Its time to dispel the myth that has hung heavily over political economy debates for more than a century. Because when we pose the question Who really built the USSR?, the answer is unequivocal: the avatars of American capitalism.

AMERICA TO THE RESCUE

One could even argue that without American capitalism and capitalists, there would be no Soviet Union at all. It was the American Relief Administration under Herbert Hoover that saved Russia from mass starvation following the Russian civil war. In a powerful gesture of humanitarianism and the desire to relieve human suffering, Hoover and ARA provided approximately $70 million worth of food and medical supplies (more than $1 billion today) to the fledgling Soviet Union, including 900,000 tons of food. There is every reason to believe that without Hoover and ARA, Lenins Bolshevik regime would never have survived.

Even so, civil war and early efforts at collectivization left Russias economy in ruins. Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin all eagerly looked to the United States to help rebuild their shattered nation and modernize the Soviet economy through the Communist Partys Five-Year Plans. Whether they called it Taylorism, after the supposed expert on industrial management Frederick W. Taylor, or Fordism, after the inventor of the Model T, the Soviet aim was the same: emulate the American model, if possible with direct American help.

As it turned out, Americans were happy to oblige, starting with Henry Ford himself. Russias biggest need in the 1920s was not automobiles but tractors, to revive its agricultural base. Ford sent out one of the engineers who had built his new River Rouge plant, Leon Swajian, to construct tractor plants in Leningrad and Kharkov.

Stalingrad, however, proved to be the pride of the pack. Designed by Fords favorite industrial architect, Albert Kahn, the massive facility had another American, John Calder, as chief construction engineer. More than four hundred Americans lived full-time in Stalingrad, completing a plant that doubled the size of its model, the International Harvester plant in Milwaukee. A similar plant came together in Chelyabinsk in Siberia, covering nearly 2,500 acres with four miles of underground tunnels, all built with imported U.S. steel. When finished, the Chelyabinsk plant would turn out 55,000 tractors a year.

The cumulative result was startling. In 1924 there were 1,000 tractors in all of Russia. Ten years later, the Soviet Union had more than 200,000, thanks to Ford, International Harvester, and other American companies. By 1927, an estimated 85 percent of all trucks and tractors in the USSR were Ford-built.

Manufacturing tractors and other vehicles requires steel. In 1930 an American engineering firm, Arthur G. McKee & Company of Cleveland, undertook construction of a steel plant at Magnitogorsk that aimed to be the biggest in the world. The Russian steelworks was modeled on the U.S. Steel plant in Gary, Indiana. Once again, American workers arrived to help with the construction and train Russian managers to run a modern steel foundry.

Other steel plants around the country soon followed, including one in Kuznetsk designed and built by Freyn Engineering, another American company. John Calder himself wound up in charge of ninety Soviet steel plants in 1931, most of them American-designed and engineered.

Industrial plants in turn demand electrical power, far more than anything Soviet Russia could provide. Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin brought in an American engineer, Hugh Cooper, to build a massive hydroelectric dam at Dnieprostroi. Coopers station revolutionized the Soviet hydroelectric industry. He received the Red Banner of Labor award.

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY

What drove most American companies to the Soviet Union wasnt ideological solidarity, or naivete. In the early 1930s, the Soviets offered opportunities for big projects that an America hit by the Great Depression could not. American industrial consultants poured into the USSR.

Albert Kahn, for example, opened an office in Moscow and designed hundreds of factories and plants. Americans also reorganized Soviet railroads, which would get an additional boost thanks to Lend-Lease during World War II. Something similar happened in the Soviet oil industry, owing largely to the founder of Koch Industries. Fred Koch, father of Charles and David, built fifteen modern oil refineries in the Soviet Union between 1929 and 1932.

American workers flooded in, tooas many as ten thousand at one point in the early 1930s. One of them, John Scott, published an account of his time working at Magnitogorsk, Behind the Urals: An American Worker in Russias City of Steel. Scott arrived with all the enthusiasm of a socialist true believer. But he and other Americans were soon discouraged by the Communist regimes impossible timelines and incompetent management style.

For example, the Soviet authorities set an unrealistic deadline for completing the blast furnace. One worker later recalled seeing the slogan Blast Furnace by the Deadline! posted literally everywhere in the plant, including the bathrooms. Even with crews working around the clock, the furnace wasnt ready by the October 1931 deadline. Nor was it finished by the revised deadline, more than a month later. The Communist Party then set a final deadline: February 1932.

As historian Stephen Kotkin recounts, the McKee company objected, knowing that Russias severe winterwhen temperatures reached 20 degrees below zerowould make the task impossible. When the Soviets chose to move ahead anyway, McKee officials ordered their on-site manager not to cooperate.

On February 1, Magnitogorsk began operating the blast furnace, to great fanfare. But the furnace was only three-quarters complete, according to a McKee employee. An accident that same day forced a shutdown. Kotkin writes that there were no fewer than 550 stoppages of the furnace in the first year alone. In November 1933 the Soviets had to shut down the furnace for good.

Scott and his American coworkers also discovered that most of their Russian counterparts were in effect slave labor. Tens of thousands of Russias forced laborers fled Magnitogorsk when they could, while tens of thousands more were dragged in to replace them. All across the Soviet Union, the industrial sites built by American capitalist enterprise became prison work camps for the Communist regime.

In the end, the brutal administrative methods of Soviet socialism, which rewarded incompetence and corruption, became impossible obstacles to further cooperation with Americans. Disillusioned companies pulled out when they could. Calder returned to the United States in 1933, stating that the Soviets were broke. Others saw their investments in Soviet enterprises vanish, through either business failure or Soviet collectivization.

That was when things were going well. When Stalins purges kicked in after 1936, thousands of American workers found themselves caught in the gulag dragnet. Their horrific stories of arrest and torture are told in Tim Tzouliadiss book The Forsaken. The men and women who had built the USSR wound up as its victims, through imprisonment and even execution.

But the historical record is clear. Without the assistance of American capitalist companies and engineers, the Soviet economy would never have gotten off the ground. And without the millions of dollars of U.S. assistance during World War II, Stalins regime could never have survived the Nazi onslaught.

For example, through the Lend-Lease agreement, the United States saved the Soviet railway system, which proved crucial to transporting troops and supplies during the war. America provided almost half of the iron rails the USSR used in the war, plus thousands of locomotives and boxcars when Soviet production plummeted. Between 1941 and 1945, the Russian historian Boris Sokolov writes, the United States delivered 2.4 times as many locomotives as the Soviets produced domestically.

That influx of American infrastructure aid also enabled the Soviet economy to rebound when the war ended.

DINING WITH THE DEVIL

The lessons of American capitalisms essential role in building Soviet socialism extend into our own time. When the full story of Communist Chinas economic miracle in the 1980s and 1990s is written, it will likewise turn out that American companies, engineers, and technologies, and even the U.S. government, made it possible for China to become the worlds second biggest economy.

Meanwhile, Apple is just the latest company in Communist China learning what Arthur G. McKee, Freyn Engineering, and dozens of other American firms learned in the Communist Soviet Union in the 1930s: when you dine with the devil, as the saying goes, youd better bring a long spoon.

(This article appears in the Winter 2026 issue of the Coolidge Review.)
India and Israel held their 10th Joint Working Group meeting on counter-terrorism in New Delhi, reinforcing their strategic partnership. Both nations strongly condemned recent terror attacks in each other's countries, including the October 7 attacks in Israel and the Pahalgam attack in India. The discussions focused on emerging threats like the use of drones, AI for terrorism, and terrorist financing. They committed to deepening cooperation through training, information sharing, and multilateral platforms like the UN.

India & Israel condemn cross-border terror, pledge stronger cooperation in cybersecurity, finance & intel at 10th Joint Working Group meeting.

New Delhi, February 25 The 10th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held on Tuesday in New Delhi.

As per the release, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Vinod Bahade, and Head of Bureau, Strategic Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Nadav Eschar, led their respective delegations.

The meeting underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, reflecting the spirit and breadth of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. Both sides unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and reaffirmed the principle of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

They strongly condemned the brutal terror attacks in both countries, including the heinous October 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel, the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 22, 2025 and other terror acts that have emphasised the urgent need to hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable.

Both sides emphasised that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner. Against this backdrop, the two sides renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, including in the UN, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other multilateral platforms.

The two sides reiterated their commitment to cooperate in combating terrorism and terrorist organisations, as well as their proxies, supporters, sponsors, financiers and backers.

The two sides exchanged views on threats emanating from terrorism and discussed threats posed by terrorist groups globally and in their respective regions. They reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges, such as terrorist recruitment, abuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and financing of terrorism. They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and AI for terrorist purposes.

Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges, including through training, cybersecurity, exchange of best practices, and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral efforts. They also discussed further strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including through information sharing and cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests.

- ANI
The Asian Development Bank has signed a $108 million financing package with Aavas Financiers to expand access to affordable housing and MSME loans in India's underserved states. The funding will prioritize climate-resilient, green-certified homes and allocate at least 50% of housing loans to women property owners. A portion of the capital is concessional debt from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA). The project aims to advance inclusive growth, boost entrepreneurship, and promote gender-responsive finance.

ADB partners with Aavas Financiers to provide $108M for climate-resilient homes and MSME lending, focusing on women and underserved states.

New Delhi, February 24 The Asian Development Bank has signed a senior secured debt financing package of up to USD 108 million with Aavas Financiers Limited to expand access to affordable housing loans for lower-income households and business loans for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in underserved states across India.

ADB Private Sector Operations Department Director General Isabel Chatterton, Aavas Financiers Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sachinder Bhinder, and Representative from Global Affairs Canada Phedra Moon Morris joined the signing event.

The package includes concessional debt financing of USD 8 million (in Indian rupee equivalent) through the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA).

As per a statement from ADB, the financing will support housing loans for self-built and green-certified homes, promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing solutions for lower-middle income borrowers.

The transaction is also supported by up to USD 150,000 in technical assistance to build institutional capacity and boost market awareness of green housing solutions.

"ADB's support will unlock formal credit for underserved lower-income families and entrepreneurs while accelerating the shift toward climate-aligned and gender-responsive housing finance," said ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka. "By focusing deployment in lagging states and prioritizing women property owners, the project advances inclusive growth and resilience."

Under the transaction, at least 70 per cent of the ADB debt financing will support housing loans for the lower-income borrowers, with 50 per cent of such loans going to women property owners as sole or joint owners. The remaining 30 per cent will be onlent to MSMEs to spur entrepreneurship and jobs.

Bhinder said: "We are proud to deepen our partnership with ADB. This funding aligns well with our portfolio mix and geographic focus and help us scale affordable housing for lower-income borrowers - especially for women homeowners, expand MSME lending and pioneer green self-construction at the last mile."

Aavas is a leading affordable housing finance company with a predominantly semi-urban and semi-rural footprint. The proposed financing builds on ADB's 2020 debt support to Aavas and aligns with India's priorities on Housing for All and MSME development.

Established in 2024, CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB, supported by a commitment of Can$360 million from the Government of Canada. The fund builds on the success of the two previous funds, namely the Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II (CFPS II) and its predecessor CFPS. CANPA aims to support private-sector projects in Asia and the Pacific that focus on climate and nature-based solutions, while also promoting gender equality.

- ANI
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, addressing a gathering of ex-servicemen in Dehradun, described the Agniveer recruitment scheme as an experiment that can be refined with experience. He emphasized that a strong and organized society is the foundation of national security and reiterated that the RSS focuses on character building rather than electoral politics. Bhagwat also called for vigilant policies on Kashmir and neighboring issues, and highlighted the Uniform Civil Code as important for national integration. On social harmony, he stated the Hindu outlook is inclusive and rooted in "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat addresses ex-servicemen, calls the Agniveer scheme an experiment to be refined, and links strong society to national security.

Dehradun, February 24 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mohan Bhagwat, participated in a "Prominent Public Interaction and Integrated Dialogue Program across Various Sectors" held at the Himalayan Cultural Centre, Nimbuwala, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun, where he interacted with ex-servicemen and former army officers, the release said.

The program brought together six retired generals, a Vice Admiral, the Director General of the Coast Guard, brigadiers, and over 50 officers of Colonel rank. Hundreds of ex-servicemen, including captains and havildars, attended in military uniforms. Former Major General Gulab Singh Rawat, Colonel Ajay Kothiyal, and Colonel Mayank Chaubey welcomed Bhagwat with a shawl and a traditional cap at the beginning of the event.

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO), in his keynote address, Bhagwat stated that society plays a central role in shaping the destiny of the nation. He emphasised that a strong society ensures strong national security, adding that the organised strength of society empowers every citizen and therefore, leadership must be disciplined and value-driven. Recalling the tradition from the First War of Independence of 1857 to various revolutionary movements, he said that the flame of freedom never faded.

Referring to Winston Churchill in the context of the Second World War, he noted that learning from history is a sign of mature national consciousness.

Remembering RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Bhagwat described him as a born patriot who played a fearless role in the freedom movement and maintained close ties with leaders such as Madan Mohan Malaviya.

RSS Chief clarified that the RSS focuses solely on character building rather than electoral politics, as a strong individual leads to a strong nation. He added that the organisation grew without external support and continued to move forward on the strength of society, even after facing two bans.

During the special interactive session, ex-servicemen and officers raised important questions on national security, social harmony, youth issues, and policy matters, which Bhagwat answered in a balanced and logical manner.

Responding to questions on national security and the Agniveer scheme, the RSS Chief said strong leadership and military preparedness are always essential.

He described the Agniveer scheme as an experiment that could be refined and improved based on experience.

On issues related to Nepal, Bangladesh, Kashmir, and neighbouring countries, he remarked that these regions have historically been part of a shared cultural landscape. He reiterated that Kashmir is an integral part of India and called for a firm and vigilant policy against anti-India campaigns.

Speaking about Hindu identity and social harmony, he said the Indian worldview considers all existence interconnected and is rooted in the spirit of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." He stated that the Hindu outlook is inclusive and that public resources such as temples, water sources, and cremation grounds should be equally accessible to all Hindus.

Addressing concerns about ideological bitterness on social media, he called for reviving the tradition of constructive debate and dialogue instead of hostility. He noted that policies become effective when there is direct grassroots communication and feedback.

On corruption and character building, he said corruption is not merely a systemic issue but also one of intent. Instilling values in children, encouraging savings, and promoting a culture of sharing for society form the real foundation of nation-building. He added that finding joy in service beyond self-interest is the hallmark of a healthy society.

On youth, migration, and local development, he highlighted vast opportunities in education, healthcare, and local entrepreneurship, stressing the need for planned efforts to curb migration from mountainous regions like Garhwal. He described the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as an important instrument for national integration that could reduce social disputes. On reservations, he emphasised patience and broad social consensus, while on population imbalance, he called for a comprehensive and forward-looking policy addressing conversion, infiltration, and birth rates.

Appealing to the ex-servicemen present, Bhagwat said that just as soldiers defend the nation's borders, there is an equal need for service and effort within society. He invited them to associate with more than 130,000 service projects run across the country and said their participation during the organisation's centenary year would be invaluable.

The program concluded with the message that the organisation's purpose has never been publicity but the organisation of society and national upliftment. He said history should record that the country grew because of society, not merely the organisation.

- ANI
Italy, India, and Kenya have formed a trilateral AI cooperation agreement aimed at fostering inclusive, locally-driven innovation across Africa. The pact emphasizes co-creation, data sovereignty, and developing AI tools that reflect African social and economic contexts. It targets key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education, with goals of launching 15 pilot applications by 2026 and expanding to 100 projects. The initiative was highlighted alongside the growing adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, now endorsed by 91 countries and organizations.

New trilateral AI agreement focuses on local empowerment, data sovereignty, and 100+ projects for sustainable development in Africa.

New Delhi, Feb 24 The trilateral cooperation agreement on artificial intelligence at the AI Impact Summit between Italy, India and Kenya will foster "AI-driven development across Africa, with a strong emphasis on local empowerment, sustainability, and inclusive innovation," a new report has said.

The report from AIBase.ng said the initiative emphasises cocreation and Africanled development ensuring that AI tools reflect the social, economic, and cultural contexts of African communities.

The new initiative is more collaborative unlike "traditional AI partnerships, which often involve technology transfer from developed countries," the report suggested.

Further, the new pact supports data sovereignty, ensuring that African nations control their own data and AI systems.

AI solutions developed under this agreement will target challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education and financial inclusion, the report further said.

Shortterm goals under the agreement include launching 15 pilot AI applications by the end of 2026, while longterm ambitions aim to expand to around 100 projects across the continent, the report further said.

The agreement emphasises ethical and inclusive AI, reducing the risk of technologies that may not suit local contexts and includes research networks, computing resources, and digital platforms to support AI innovation.

The partnership reinforces Kenya's position as a regional technology hub and gateway for innovation across Africa and India will gain from robust South-South cooperation and showcasing scalable, human-centric digital solutions, the Nigeria-based media house said.

"Italy acts as a bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa, leveraging initiatives such as the Mattei Plan's AI Hub for Sustainable Development to facilitate collaboration," it added.

The 'AI Impact Summit 2026', held in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, marking a significant milestone in global cooperation on artificial intelligence.

"As on February 21, 2026, 88 countries and international organisations had endorsed this declaration. Since then, 3 more countries - Bangladesh, Costa Rica and Guatemala - have joined the declaration, taking the total number of signatories to 91 countries and organisations," Ministry of Electronics and IT said in a statement.

- IANS
Air India SATS Airport Services has signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to invest 4458 crore in two major projects at Noida International Airport in Jewar. The investment will fund a modern cargo campus designed to serve as a logistics hub for North India and a world-class air catering kitchen. These facilities aim to accelerate export-import activities and strengthen regional supply chains, generating significant employment. The deal was secured during Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's investment outreach visit to Singapore.

Air India SATS to build a cargo campus & air catering kitchen at Noida International Airport, Jewar, with a 4458 crore investment, boosting UP's economy.

Lucknow, February 24 On the second day of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Singapore, Uttar Pradesh received another major boost in global investment as the state government signed an important MoU with the leading aviation services sector company Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited.

Under this agreement, the company will establish two major projects at Noida International Airport in Jewar, located in Gautam Buddha Nagar. One project will be a state-of-the-art cargo campus, and the other will be a world-class air catering kitchen. AISATS will invest Rs 4458 crore in these two projects.

According to the MoU, AISATS will construct a state-of-the-art cargo campus within the Jewar Airport premises. This cargo campus will serve not only Uttar Pradesh but the entire North India region as a major centre for air freight and logistics. The project will accelerate export and import activities, especially benefiting sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. Jewar Airport is being developed with multi-modal connectivity, which will enable this cargo campus to emerge as a strategic hub for international trade.

Under the second major investment outlined in the MoU, a state of the art world class air catering kitchen will be established at Noida International Airport. This kitchen will provide high-quality meals for flights operating from Noida International Airport.

Notably, the food prepared here will not be limited to Jewar Airport but will also be supplied to various airports across North India. This initiative will strengthen the food processing and supply chain network in the region and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The objective of the Chief Minister's Singapore visit is to connect global investors with the opportunities available in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU signed on the second day is being regarded as a major achievement for the state's aviation, logistics, and service sectors.

With the commencement of operations at Jewar Airport, this cargo campus and air catering facility will give a new direction to the economic landscape of North India and further strengthen the state's position on the international map.

- ANI
American Express has launched a three-year partnership with the Magic Bus India Foundation to enhance youth employability. The program aims to equip nearly 3,000 young individuals in Bengaluru and Delhi NCR with technical and life skills. The curriculum includes industry-relevant training in areas like Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The initiative also provides mentorship, interview preparation, and post-placement support to ensure career stability.

American Express partners with Magic Bus India Foundation to train nearly 3,000 youth in Bengaluru & Delhi NCR with tech and life skills for employability.

New Delhi, February 24 American Express is supporting the Magic Bus India Foundation to equip youth with employability and digital skills through a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing success in the digital economy. The three-year partnership, which launched in FY 2024-25, seeks to empower nearly 3,000 young individuals across Bengaluru and Delhi NCR with technical capabilities and life skills.

According to an American Express release, the program focuses on industry-relevant training to prepare participants for a competitive job market. In its first year, the initiative has reported training completions, job placements, and employment retention. The curriculum includes instruction in Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and IT Fundamentals. Participants also receive training in transferable life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and digital literacy.

Sanjay Khanna, CEO and Country Manager of American Express India, said, "At American Express, we're committed to creating pathways to economic opportunity and growth in the communities where we live and work. Through our partnership with Magic Bus India Foundation, we're helping young people gain the skills and confidence to succeed in today's rapidly evolving job market."

The initiative provides mentorship, interview preparation, and placement in entry-level roles within the service sector. It also offers post-placement support to foster career growth and stability.

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO of Magic Bus India Foundation, said, "With support from American Express, we're enabling youth from communities to develop essential digital, life, and employability skills. This initiative is transforming their confidence and ability to access meaningful careers, helping them contribute more fully to their families and communities."

The program has already seen individual results, such as a Bachelor of Computer Science and Engineering graduate who utilised the Tech Fundamentals and Employability Skilling Program to transition into a professional role.

"Enrolling in the Magic Bus Tech Fundamentals and Employability Skilling Program, supported by American Express, helped her build confidence and gain hands-on exposure to emerging fields such as Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence, while also developing vital professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Today, she is working as an Associate Data Engineer at an IT company," the release noted.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is undertaking a three-day visit to Bihar for a first-of-its-kind high-level review in the sensitive Seemanchal region. The meetings will focus on ground-level inputs concerning demographic changes, illegal infiltration, and unauthorised religious constructions in seven border districts. Shah will chair comprehensive sessions with district officials and security agencies, emphasizing coordinated action between civil administration and law enforcement. Senior MHA officials, including the Home Secretary and IB Director, will accompany him to assess the security scenario and border management.

Home Minister Amit Shah chairs a high-level 3-day review in Bihar's border districts on demographic changes, infiltration, and illegal constructions.

By Rajnish Singh, New Delhi, February 24 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will give a focused push to issues of "demographic changes, infiltration and illegal religious constructions" during his three-day visit to Bihar from February 25 to 27, top sources said.

In what is being described as a first-of-its-kind high-level review in Bihar, the Home Minister will give direct oversight to a comprehensive meeting with District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from seven Seemanchal districts Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Supaul. These districts, located along or near the India-Nepal and India-Bangladesh borders, have long been considered sensitive from the standpoint of cross-border movement and internal security dynamics.

Sources, privy to the development, told ANI that the meeting will review "ground-level inputs on demographic changes, instances of illegal infiltration, and the status of religious structures allegedly constructed without due authorisation." The deliberations are expected to include presentations from district administrations and police authorities, along with intelligence assessments.

The Home Minister is likely to emphasise coordinated action between civil administration and law enforcement agencies to address any security vulnerabilities.

As per sources, Shah will give clear directions on strengthening coordination between district administrations and law enforcement agencies to address infiltration and unauthorised religious constructions.

It is learnt to be the first time that the Union Home Minister will directly chair such a comprehensive review meeting in Bihar focusing specifically on demographic and infiltration-related concerns at the district level. The initiative signals the Centre's heightened attention to the Seemanchal region, which has featured prominently in political and security discussions in recent years due to its proximity to international borders and its complex socio-economic profile.

The Seemanchal region, owing to its proximity to international borders, has remained under administrative watch for security and socio-political reasons.

In addition to Seemanchal district review, Shah will chair multiple meetings concerning the broader security scenario and internal security framework in Bihar. These meetings are expected to cover issues such as border management, intelligence coordination, policing strategies, and preparedness against organised crime and extremist elements.

During the visit, the Home Minister will also give time to reviewing Bihar's overall internal security preparedness.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs will accompany him, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, who will give inputs based on intelligence assessments and field reports. Their presence underscores the importance being attached to the review process and the likelihood of follow-up measures based on the findings of the meetings.

Shah is also scheduled to hold a dedicated meeting with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the central armed police force responsible for guarding the India-Nepal border. The discussion is expected to centre on border security challenges, including surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and measures to curb illegal cross-border activities. Given Bihar's long and porous border with Nepal, strengthening coordination between state police and central forces remains a key priority.

The Seemanchal region has historically faced developmental challenges, including high population density, migration pressures, and limited infrastructure. Over the years, concerns have periodically been raised regarding demographic shifts and alleged cross-border infiltration, prompting both political debate and administrative scrutiny.

The upcoming meetings are expected to assess these issues through a governance and security lens, with an emphasis on data-driven evaluation and lawful enforcement.

Officials said the outcome of the deliberations may lead to strengthened monitoring mechanisms, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and targeted administrative measures in sensitive districts. The visit is likely to conclude with a review of action points and timelines for implementation.

Shah's three-day tour thus marks a significant intervention by the Union government in Bihar's internal security landscape, particularly in the strategically important Seemanchal belt.

- ANI
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan did not appear for his customary Sunday meeting with fans outside his Mumbai residence, Jalsa. He explained via a blog post that he was occupied with professional commitments and advised fans not to visit. The actor recently concluded the latest season of his iconic quiz show, 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', expressing deep gratitude to the audience. Bachchan has a busy film slate ahead, including the sequels to 'Kalki 2898 AD' and 'Brahmastra'.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan misses his weekly fan meeting outside Jalsa due to professional work, shares heartfelt message with his followers.

Mumbai, February 22 Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan skipped his long-cherished Sunday ritual of meeting fans outside his residence this weekend, leaving many fans disheartened.

While many wondered why Big B didn't make an appearance, the 'Piku' star quickly shared an update and asked fans to not visit his residence on Sunday.



In a blog post, he said that he is busy with his professional commitments as he wrote, "the work continues with some vigour ..but .. a but appears ..and the day ends for me .. to take in the break of a Sunday ..Sunday here .. but none at the Jalsa Gate, regrettably .... so save the energy of travel and shall meet up soon."



It is worth mentioning that every Sunday, hundreds of fans gather outside Amitabh Bachchan's residence to get a glimpse of the megastar, and from the past over 40 years, the 'Sholay' star has been making sure to meet them.



The actor is also quite active on social media. He usually expresses his opinions on the relevant issues of society through his blogs and tweets.



On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan concluded the end of the latest season of his popular quiz show, 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 17'. As the show wrapped up, the veteran actor spoke from the heart and thanked the audience for standing by him and the show over the years.



Sharing his gratitude, Amitabh Bachchan said, "Apne jeevan ka ek tehahi ji haan one third of my life, se zyaada hissa aap sab ke saath bitana, mere liye bahot he saubhagya ki baat hai. Jab Jab maine iss manch se kaha hai ke hum aarahe hain ke aap sab ne khuli bahaaon se mera swagat kiya hai."



"Jab main hasaa hoon toh aap hasse hain, jab meri aakhein num hui hain toh aapke bhi aankhon se aansu bahe hain. Aap mere saath iss safar mein bhagidaar bante rahe hain, Aarambh se lekar anth tak. Aap hain toh ye khel hai, aur ye khel hai toh hum hain. Bahot bahot dhanyavaad aapka," he added.



The actor also has an exciting lineup of films, including the much-awaited sequels to 'Kalki 2898 AD' and 'Brahmastra'.





- ANI
Director Antoine Fuqua has described the process of making the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic as a "spiritual journey," citing the late pop icon's profound influence on his own career. The film, starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in his feature debut, will focus on the singer's early life and career up to his 1979 solo album "Off the Wall." A potential second film is in development to cover the remainder of Jackson's life and career. The cast includes Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson's parents, with a supporting ensemble featuring Miles Teller and Laura Harrier.

Director Antoine Fuqua describes the making of the Michael Jackson biopic as a "spiritual journey," starring nephew Jaafar Jackson.

Washington DC, February 24 Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua described making the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic as a "spiritual journey," highlighting the challenge and inspiration of portraying the legendary pop icon, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Set to hit theaters and IMAX on April 24, the Lionsgate film stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, marking his feature debut. Lionsgate will distribute the movie domestically, with Universal handling the global release.

"It's a very spiritual journey, making a movie about someone like Michael," Fuqua said in a video released by Lionsgate on Monday. "Michael was a big influence on my career as a director, seeing how he refused to get put in a box as just a Black artist only," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film also features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke in supporting roles. Produced by Graham King, John Branca, and John McClain, the screenplay was written by John Logan.

"Michael's whole life was giving to people this joy of his voice," Fuqua continued. "When I watched him on TV, he was always larger than life. For me as a filmmaker, it wasn't a leap to see it in a cinematic way." He added that understanding Jackson required exploring the tension between his love for family and passion for music, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Initially intended to cover Jackson's full life, the film now concludes with his departure from The Jacksons following the release of his 1979 solo album, Off the Wall. According to sources, a second film remains in development that would focus on the rest of Jackson's career and path prior to his 2009 death, as per the outlet.

Fuqua told The Hollywood Reporter and during a 2024 San Diego Comic-Con panel that Jackson was "a big part of my life growing up, a big influence on my career, an incredible artist, but he was a human being, and we're exploring that."

- ANI
Actor Anup Soni was deeply moved by a viral video of a baby monkey clinging to a soft toy, which reminded him of his short film "Chintu." The film, directed by Anubhav Anand, features Soni as a man revisiting his childhood home and finding an old monkey toy. Soni shared his thoughts on Instagram, encouraging viewers to watch the film on YouTube. The actor, known for shows like "Crime Patrol," continues to work across television and film.

Actor Anup Soni shares how a viral video of a baby monkey reminded him of his poignant short film 'Chintu', directed by Anubhav Anand.

Mumbai, Feb 24 Actor Anup Soni was reminded of his short film "Chintu", directed by Anubhav Anand, after a viral video of a baby monkey hugging its soft toy surfaced online.

A video of a baby monkey clinging tightly to a soft toy after reportedly being abandoned by its mother has left the internet deeply moved.

Anup took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of himself along with a toy monkey, similar to the viral clip.

The actor shared that the clip stayed with him and brought back memories of the short film he had done a few years ago. Titled Chintu, the film was directed by Anubhav Anand and revolved around a man returning to his childhood home.

Anup wrote in the caption: "That viral video of a baby monkey hugging his soft toy stayed with me. Few years back, I did a short film called CHINTU directed by very talanted @anubhavanand2010 , in which I played a man returning to his childhood home only to find his old monkey soft toy still there."

"The house was empty but the conversation wasn't. Do watch it on @youtube," he added.

Anup, who is married to actress Juhi Babbar, began his career with roles in television serials such as Sea Hawks and Saaya.

He then took a break from television to work in cinema and appeared in the 2003 films Kharaashein: Scars From Riots, Hum Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe and Hathyar.

In 2004, he appeared in Ashoke Pandit's film Sheen. But he returned to television to work in CID: Special Bureau. Anup continues working in both films and television, and he previously worked on the serial Crime Patrol.

He was recently seen in the series Saare Jahan Se Accha, which follows a resilient Indian spy who must defeat his counterpart across the border in Pakistan, in a battle of wits and tradecraft to sabotage its nuclear program.

Anup also appeared in a cameo in the film The Great Shamsuddin Family, directed by Anusha Rizvi. It stars an ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sheeba Chaddha, Farida Jalal and Purab Kohli.

- IANS
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The Assam government has officially constituted the 8th Assam Pay Commission, 2026, under the chairmanship of retired IAS officer Subhash Chandra Das. The commission's mandate is to examine and recommend revisions to the pay, allowances, and service conditions of state government employees, with key exclusions for All India Services officers and certain educational institution staff. It is tasked with ensuring recommendations are equitable, performance-oriented, and fiscally sustainable, considering state resources and central pay commission guidelines. The commission, headquartered in Guwahati, is expected to submit its report within 18 months.

Assam govt forms 8th Pay Commission under Subhash Chandra Das to review salaries and service conditions, aiming for fiscal sustainability.

Guwahati, February 24 The Assam government on Tuesday constituted the 8th Assam Pay Commission, 2026 under the chairmanship of retired IAS officer Subhash Chandra Das.

According to the order issued by the Finance (Pay Research Unit) Department, the Secretary, Finance (PRU) Department will serve as the Member Secretary of the Commission. Other members include the Senior Most Secretary, Personnel Department; Senior Most Secretary, ARTPPG Department; Senior Most Secretary, Finance Department; LR-cum- Commissioner & Special Secretary, Judicial Department; Special Director, Finance (Budget) Department or nominee of Senior Most Secretary, Finance Department; and Prof. Ratul Mahanta, Gauhati University.

The Government order stated, "The Commission will examine the principles governing the structure of emoluments and conditions of service of State Government employees, excluding - Officers of All India Services; Posts drawing UGC/AICTE/Technical pay scales in Degree Colleges, Engineering Colleges, Medical Colleges, Nursing Colleges, Ayurvedic Colleges, Pharmacy Institutes, Polytechnics and other notified institutions; Judicial Service Officers drawing pay as per the recommendations of the Shetty Commission/SNJPC."

It added, "The Commission will examine and recommend revisions in pay, allowances and service conditions in a manner that is equitable, performance oriented and fiscally sustainable, taking into account - Historical evolution of pay structures in Assam; Prevailing macro-economic conditions at National and State levels; Implications of development planning and employment expansion; Revenue resources and medium-term fiscal framework of the State; Recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission, when available; Provisions of the Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005; Year-wise fiscal impact projections under alternative implementation scenarios; Cash-flow management requirements and debt sustainability parameters. The Commission shall provide detailed fiscal impact modeling and recommend phased or staggered implementation options, where necessary."

The order further noted, "The Government of Assam has been considering for some time a comprehensive review of the structure of emoluments of Government employees, which has been in force since the last revision made with effect from 1st April, 2016 on the recommendation of the 7th Assam Pay & Productivity Pay Commission. The Government is committed to strengthening fiscal sustainability, improving service delivery outcomes and enhancing administrative efficiency. It is of the considered view that revision of pay structure must be accompanied by structural reforms in human resource management, technology adoption, outcome-based governance and rationalisation of manpower. The Government further considers that productivity per employee can be enhanced through systematic application of digital technologies in public service delivery, integration of Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) with financial management systems, measurable performance metrics and targeted skill development through structured training and capacity building. Incentive frameworks, where introduced, shall be linked to clearly defined, objectively measurable benchmarks and shall remain consistent with the fiscal capacity of the State and the provisions of the Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005. Accordingly, the Governor of Assam is pleased to constitute the 8th Assam Pay Commission, 2026."

The Commission will have its headquarters in Guwahati and is expected to submit its report preferably within 18 months from the date of its constitution, unless extended by the government.

- ANI
The Election Commission of India has instructed West Bengal police to complete identifying sensitive electoral pockets, preferably by the second week of March. This identification will guide the initial deployment planning for Central Armed Police Forces. A total of 480 CAPF companies are scheduled for deployment in two phases by March 10, with explicit orders to use them for early area domination rather than letting them sit idle. Central observers appointed by the ECI will supervise this deployment and provide daily reports.

Election Commission directs West Bengal police to identify sensitive election pockets by early March for early CAPF deployment ahead of Assembly polls.

Kolkata, Feb 24 Amid the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled later this year, the Election Commission of India has directed the police administration in the state to complete the process of identification of the sensitive pockets in the state at the earliest, and if possible, by the second week of March.

Based on the sensitive pockets identified by the state police, the Commission will do the initial planning for the concentration of the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), depending on the sensitivity of the pockets concerned.

The ECI has already decided to deploy the CAPF in the state even before the announcement of the polling dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct.

A total of 480 companies of CAPF will be deployed in the state by March 10, out of which 240 companies will be deployed on March 1 and the remaining 240 companies will be deployed on March 10.

At a preparatory meeting with the top police officials in the state on Monday evening, the ECI had clearly instructed that the initial 480 companies to be deployed between March 1 and March 10 can be allowed to sit idle, and instead should be utilised for early area domination.

The deployment of these 480 companies of CAPF should be done in consultation with the central observers appointed by the ECI in West Bengal.

The central observers have also been asked by the Commission to supervise the process of CPAF deployment and give daily reports to the ECI in the matter, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal said.

The Commission had already directed the West Bengal government to work out the detailed deployment plan, in consultation with the respective CAPFs and their chief force coordinators. The movement and deployment of CAPFs shall be coordinated by the CRPF, the Commission had clarified.

The first phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 1, will include 110 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 21 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 27 companies of Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), and 27 companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The second phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 10, will include 120 companies of CRPF, 65 companies of BSF, 16 companies of CISF, 20 companies of ITBP, and 19 companies of SSB.

De-induction of these 480 companies, that is , the process of removing troops, equipment, or personnel from a specific area, will be intimated in due course of time

- IANS
The Awami League is showing signs of revival as grassroots activists reopen party offices across several Bangladeshi districts, facing no clampdown. This activity stirs discussion about whether the party, banned in 2025, is aiming to return to mainstream politics. The report highlights the significant challenges the party faces, including a leadership vacuum with Sheikh Hasina and her son abroad. It concludes that symbolic gestures must be followed by a clear action plan and leadership clarity for a true comeback.

Bangladesh's Awami League reopens district offices, sparking debate on a political comeback under Sheikh Hasina's legacy and Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Dhaka, Feb 24 Bangladesh's Awami League is showing signs of revival with grassroots leaders and activists recently reopening offices across several districts in the country, raising national and party flags, putting up party posters and banners, while facing no clampdowns on their activity, a report said on Tuesday.

It added that such moves are more than mere formalities; they signal a strong political presence and send a "psychological message" to party activists that the party is moving towards resurgence.

Writing for the leading international magazine 'The Diplomat', Bangladeshi researcher and journalist Purnima Chowhan stated that this has stirred discussion in Bangladesh about the AL's future, whether the party is gradually returning to mainstream political activity and who will lead the comeback.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, which ruled Bangladesh for over 15 years, was banned in May 2025 by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government and was barred from contesting the February 12 national elections.

"The AL faced innumerable challenges after the ouster of its government on August 5, 2024. In addition to the ban on the party, the interim administration cracked down on its leaders and activists through mass arrests and court cases. Neither Hasina nor her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who is considered her successor, is in the country. Other AL leaders are either living in hiding in Bangladesh or abroad. Consequently, revival of the AL's organisation is a big challenge," Chowhan detailed.

She further questioned whether the Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government would allow the AL to re-enter mainstream politics.

The report noted that in some constituencies, AL leaders and activists backed and voted for BNP candidates during the national elections.

"As a result, a relationship has been established with BNP leaders who seem to have helped them to open offices. Some BNP-supported MPs are speaking in favour of AL's return to participation in politics," it added.

The pressing question, the report said, is whether the AL is merely trying to survive or aiming for a political comeback.

Citing pre-election surveys, it stated that the AL would have performed reasonably well had it contested the polls, suggesting that survival, therefore, should not be a major challenge.

"If the party is keen to make a strong comeback, symbolic gestures alone will not be enough. A structured action plan, people-focused policy positions, youth engagement, and clarity regarding leadership will be essential. If there are no visible programs, confusion increases, speculation about alternative leadership spreads, and even fears of disintegration set in," the report stressed.

"From the AL's recent moves, it is hard to say whether it is aiming for strategic preservation for now or it wants to make a comeback. What is clear is that a new political churning is happening and Joy stands at the centre of that process," it stated.

- IANS
The Supreme Court has permitted the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to deploy additional civil judges and seek judicial assistance from Jharkhand and Odisha to verify over 50 lakh objections in West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. The court clarified that all documents received by electoral officers by February 14 must be considered, even if not uploaded due to a portal issue. It also validated Aadhaar and Madhyamik admit cards as identity proof. The first electoral list will be published on February 28, with supplementary lists deemed part of the final roll.

Supreme Court allows Calcutta HC to deploy civil judges, seek help from Jharkhand & Odisha to verify 50 lakh objections in Bengal's voter revision.

Kolkata, February 24 West Bengal government on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to permit the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to deploy additional civil judges with three years of experience and, if required, seek assistance from the Chief Justices of Jharkhand and Odisha for verifying objections under the Special Intensive Revision of the voter rolls in the state.

The directions were issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court flagged a shortage of officers to verify over 50 lakh objections under the 'Logical Discrepancy' category within the existing timeframe.

The High Court had noted that even 250 judicial officers would require approximately 80 days to complete the verification.

The TMC government in the state, in a press release, said that in a significant development before the Supreme Court today, the voters of West Bengal secured critical clarifications and directions safeguarding the rights of eligible electors in the ongoing SIR process.

To ensure effective implementation within the prescribed timelines, civil Judges in West Bengal with three (3) years of service have been permitted to participate in the process. As a measure of last resort, the Chief Justice may consider requisitioning Judges from the neighbouring States of Jharkhand and Odisha, the press release said.

Noting the SC's directions, the West Bengal government said that the Supreme Court has categorically directed that both online and physical copies of documents received by the ERO/AERO on or before February 14 must be considered by the designated Judicial Officers, irrespective of whether such documents were uploaded on the ECINet Portal.

This clarification assumes particular significance in view of the fact that the option to upload documents on the ECINet Portal was suddenly disabled, resulting in technical impediments beyond the control of voters and field officials.

The Court has reinforced the primacy of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO) in certifying that documents were received on or before February 14. Such certification shall be determinative for the purposes of consideration by the Judicial Officers.

According to the press release, the SC has clarified unequivocally that all twelve (12) documents specified in the notifications dated October 27, 2025, read with June 24, 2025, issued by the Election Commission of India shall be considered. In addition, Aadhaar as proof of identity has been added consistently with the Court's earlier order in the Bihar SIR proceedings. Madhyamik Admit Cards, as recognised by the Court in its order dated January 19.

The court has also directed that the First Electoral List shall be published on February 28 to be followed by publication of Supplementary Lists, which will be part of the final electoral roll.

This direction has been expressly issued in exercise of the Court's plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India that voters in the supplementary list will be part of the final voter list. All Supplementary Lists shall be "deemed" to have been published on February 28, ensuring full protection of the right to vote, the press release said.

- ANI
Judicial officers conducting voter document adjudication in four Bengal border districts have requested special security following security breaches. The Election Commission has directed state police to ensure their safety as they process approximately 50 lakh documents flagged for "logical discrepancies." The Calcutta High Court is actively monitoring the adjudication process mandated by the Supreme Court. Officials are concerned about completing the massive adjudication before the February 28 deadline for the final electoral roll.

Judicial officers in Bengal's border districts seek special security during voter document adjudication ahead of the final electoral roll publication.

Kolkata, Feb 24 As the process of judicial adjudication of voters' documents identified under the "logical discrepancy" category in poll-bound West Bengal got underway, the judicial officers appointed in four districts located near the India-Bangladesh border have sought special security after experiencing security breaches.

The process of judicial adjudication started on Monday as directed by the Supreme Court last week.

These four districts are Malda, Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas, with all of them having international borders with Bangladesh, and South 24 Parganas having mostly a coastal border.

Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken note of the apprehension of these judicial officers and has directed the state police administration to ensure blanket security for them.

Meanwhile, of the 50 lakh voters' documents identified under the "logical discrepancy" category that have been referred for judicial adjudication, the maximum are in Murshidabad district. However, the exact figure is yet to be disclosed by the Commission.

The judicial officers appointed for the voters' documents adjudication process have been briefed to state the reason for "acceptance" or "rejection" of the documents in each case that has been referred to them for adjudication, a CEO's office insider confirmed.

At the same time, the judicial officers will also submit daily progress reports to the Calcutta High Court on the status of the adjudication process.

According to the current schedule, the final electoral roll in West Bengal is slated to be published on February 28, excluding cases referred for judicial adjudication.

Supplementary electoral rolls will be published after the adjudication process is completed, incorporating eligible voters cleared through judicial verification.

Officials indicated that a key concern remains whether adjudication of a large number of voters' documents -- estimated at around 50 lakh referred under the "logical discrepancy" category -- can be completed before the February 28 deadline.

Following the Supreme Court's directive last week mandating judicial oversight in adjudicating voters' identity documents flagged for discrepancies, the Calcutta High Court has been actively monitoring the process.

- IANS
Aim is to reach the last person in society

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated that the BJP's unwavering ideological commitment has transformed it into a giant banyan tree across the nation. He addressed a state-level training workshop, emphasizing that continuous training forms the foundation of the party's strength, which is rooted in the 'Nation First' principle established by its predecessors. Sharma traced the party's lineage from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, founded by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, to the modern BJP formed after the Emergency. He urged workers to prioritize duty and social responsibility to ensure the party's message reaches every level of society.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma credits BJP's growth to 'Nation First' ideology rooted in Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's thoughts.

Jaipur, Feb 24 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the Bharatiya Janata Party is a party that works with the spirit of "Nation First," where the nation comes before the party and the individual. 

Sharma was addressing the state-level workshop of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Training Campaign 2026 at the BJP State Office in Jaipur.

The Chief Minister said that training is a continuous process in the BJP and forms the foundation of its ideological strength. Driven by a single ideology, the party has today grown into a giant banyan tree across the country. 

He said that a sense of responsibility among party workers leads to personality development, which in turn strengthens the process of nation-building. 

Recalling the party's ideological roots, he said that the Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded on October 21, 1951, under the leadership of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, with the spirit of 'nation first'.

"This ideology, inspired by the thoughts of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, continued to evolve, and after the Emergency, the Bharatiya Janata Party was founded in 1980. Today, the BJP stands as the world's largest political party," he said. 

He urged party workers to reach out to the last person in society, emphasising that a sense of duty is more important than rights. The BJP prioritises social responsibility along with political work, and the Chief Minister assured that both the central and state governments will always work in the public interest. 

BJP State President Madan Rathore said that the objective of training is to ensure the active participation of every worker in the nation's overall development. 

Training programs will be conducted in various phases, from the booth level to the national level, and all officials must ensure that the learnings are disseminated to the district, division, and booth levels. 

National Coordinator of the campaign and Khajuraho MP Vishnu Dutt Sharma said that a nationwide training campaign will be conducted from March 7 to April 15.

After the state-level workshop, programs will be held at the district, division, and booth levels. Training sessions will also be organised for fronts, cells, departments, public representatives, media, and social media teams. 

He said that the campaign aims to strengthen ideological commitment, instill principled work conduct, provide knowledge of the party's history and development, develop capable workers, and enhance awareness of national challenges and narratives. 

MLA Ajay Mahawar, State General Secretary Mithilesh Gautam, State Coordinator of the campaign Santosh Ahlawat, and several other party officials were present at the workshop. 

- IANS
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to New Delhi is seen as pivotal for consolidating a reset in Canada-India relations initiated last year. The visit aims to elevate and expand the partnership across economic, defence, technology, and cultural sectors. Key deliverables are expected on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, alongside announcements in energy and education. The trip is fundamentally about rebuilding trust and establishing a reliable partnership amid a shifting global landscape.

Canadian PM Mark Carney's pivotal visit to India focuses on rebuilding trust, advancing trade deals, and expanding cooperation in defence, energy, and tech.

New Delhi, February 24 As diplomatic engagement between Canada and India gathers pace, expectations are high ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to the national capital.

The visit comes at a crucial time, with both governments seeking to rebuild trust and broaden cooperation across multiple sectors.

"Canada and India share a lot of things in common. We are both federal parliamentary democracies. And in that sense, as you may well know, the Indian constitution was inspired by the Canadian federal system. So I think we have a lot of things that we can cooperate on trade, on human resources, on critical minerals, on technology. So I think it's a very positive thing that India and Canada, which are middle powers in these very uncertain times, should be working together on a whole range of things, not only bilaterally, but also multilaterally," says Veena Nadjibullah, Vice President of Research and Strategy at the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada.

The Asia-Pacific foundation engages in track two dialogues with India and has been at the forefront of a reset in ties after the souring of relationships during the Truedeau tenure.

"Yes. So the foundation is dedicated to Canada-Asia relations. We have been working on Canada-India relations for a number of years. But in the last two years, we focused on achieving a reset in the relationship and re-establishing dialogue, including among, obviously, government channels, but also business, civil society. So we engage quite a bit. We've had a number of track two dialogues, track 1.5 dialogues in India multiple times a year. And I look forward to coming back again next week for Raisina," said Veena Nadjibullah.

Nadjibullah described the Canadia Prime Minister's visit as pivotal, "It is a very significant trip. It will allow to consolidate the reset that the two Prime Ministers initiated last year on the margins of the G7 here in Canada. It will also allow to elevate and expand the partnership. So elevate the relationship and expand the partnership in areas not only around economic and commercial engagement, but also cultural ties, technology, innovation discussions, educational ties, as well as people-to-people and defence ties. So it's a really robust agenda that the prime minister has."

Canadian PM Carney is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials, alongside business leaders. Nadjibullah noted that he will outline Canada's broader foreign policy direction, referencing his recent remarks in Davos.

On deliverables, she pointed to progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and anticipated announcements across energy, education, and defence.

"So there are a number of tracks. We will see some progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which both sides confirmed that they will be negotiating last year. So that's a really important discussion. Then we'll see some announcements in energy sector. We'll also see announcements in the education sector. We'll see most likely some MOUs and other things around the defense sector," she said.

She added that maritime security, AI, innovation, and technology cooperation are also likely to feature prominently.

She stressed that the visit is about more than agreements, "Most importantly, this is about rebuilding trust. This is about putting the relationship on a new footing. This is about sharing Canada's foreign policy, new approach to partnerships. And India is going to be a big part of that."

"Ottawa has a really strong focus on diversification, as does New Delhi. This relationship needed to be put back on the right track anyways. But of course, now that we have the Trump accelerator in play, there is even more urgency behind building relationships that are reliable, that are trustworthy, and that benefit the national interests of both countries," she added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to India, , Australia and Japan from February 26 to March 7, an official statement from Carney's office said on Monday.The focus during his visit will be on businesses across trade, energy, technology, and defence.

- ANI
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the need for enhanced institutional coordination between the ECI and State Election Commissioners at a national conference. The focus was on harmonizing electoral roll management, adopting technology, and sharing best practices to improve electoral integrity. Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi highlighted the importance of trust and leveraging digital platforms like ECINET for collaboration. The conference, held after a 27-year gap, resulted in a National Declaration and reinforced cooperative federalism in election management.

CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasizes harmonized electoral management and tech adoption for stronger election integrity in India.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday underscored the importance of strengthening institutional coordination between the ECI and State Election Commissioners.

Speaking at the National Round Table Conference of ECI and State Election Commissioners (SECs), the CEC emphasised the need for harmonised approaches to electoral roll management, the adoption of technology, and the sharing of best practices to further enhance the integrity and efficiency of electoral processes in the country.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) organised the National Round Table Conference, chaired by the CEC, in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

In his inaugural address, CEC Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the need for harmonised approaches to electoral roll management, the adoption of technology, and the sharing of best practices to further enhance the integrity and efficiency of electoral processes in the country.

Election Commissioner S.S. Sandhu exhorted the SECs to learn from each other and adopt each other's best practices.

He underlined that trust is the foundation of every electoral process, and that both the ECI and SECs should work in coordination.

Speaking on the importance of collaboration in digital technologies, Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi stressed the need to leverage the ECINET digital platform to build bridges between the ECI's functioning and that of the State Election Commissions.

The deliberations provided a platform for constructive exchange of ideas and reinforced the spirit of cooperative federalism in electoral management, said a statement.

The participants adopted the National Declaration and resolved that the preparation of pure electoral rolls is the bedrock of democracy.

The declaration also states that ECI will work with SECs to synergise laws relating to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies with those relating to elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures, and to further national and constitutional interests. 

During the conference, the new ECI publication titled 'A Confluence of Democracies' was launched.

The publication is a comprehensive record of the recently held India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026, documenting the participation of nearly 100 international delegates from over 70 countries along with international and national experts, deliberations across 36 thematic sessions and bilateral meetings, and the formal adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026.

The National Round Table Conference, successfully held after a 27-year gap, paved the way for fostering synergy through the sharing of technological solutions such as EVMS, ECINET, and Electoral Rolls, the statement said.

- IANS
The central government has released 500 crore for the preparations of the Haridwar Kumbh Mela in 2027. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating the funds will enhance infrastructure, sanitation, security, and pilgrim amenities. The allocation aims to ensure the event is historic, safe, and well-managed for millions of devotees. This support reinforces the coordinated efforts between the central and state governments for Uttarakhand's development.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami thanks PM Modi as Centre allocates 500 crore for Kumbh 2027 infrastructure, security, and pilgrim facilities in Haridwar.

Dehradun, February 24 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for releasing Rs 500 crore for preparations of Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar, stating that the funds will boost infrastructure, sanitation, security and pilgrim facilities to ensure a grand and well-managed event, the release said.

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Dhami stated that the Kumbh Mela is not merely a religious gathering but a globally renowned grand festival reflecting India's Sanatan culture, spiritual heritage, and social harmony. He said that the funds approved by the central government will play a crucial role in making Kumbh Mela 2027 divine, grand, and well-organised.

The allocation will accelerate work related to strengthening infrastructure, traffic management, drinking water supply, sanitation, security arrangements, and facilities for pilgrims.

CM Dhami further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the central government remains committed to the development of Uttarakhand. He noted that support for initiatives such as the Char Dham project, all-weather roads, and the expansion of rail and air connectivity has significantly strengthened the state's development. This assistance for Kumbh Mela 2027 will further reinforce the state government's resolve for the successful organization of the event.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that coordinated efforts between the central and state governments will establish Kumbh Mela 2027 as a historic, safe, and well-managed event, ensuring excellent facilities for millions of devotees arriving from across India and abroad.

He added that the state government is committed to organizing a divine and grand Kumbh Mela 2027 by ensuring timely, transparent, and quality execution of all related works.

On Saturday, CM Dhami reviewed the preparations for the Kumbh Mela during a high-level meeting held in Haridwar. On the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Kumbh Mela to be held in Haridwar next year will be divine, grand, and historic. Ensuring better facilities, smooth movement, and security for devotees during the fair is the government's top priority.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary. He recalled her as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator who championed welfare-driven governance and women's empowerment. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also honored her, noting her dedication to the poor and her role in reshaping Tamil Nadu's development. Jayalalithaa served five terms as Chief Minister, leading the state for over fourteen years.

PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah honor former Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa, recalling her as a charismatic leader and champion of welfare and women's empowerment.

New Delhi, February 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tribute to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her 78th birth anniversary, recalling her as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator who championed welfare-driven governance, women's empowerment, and inclusive development in the state.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Remembering Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary. She has made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator. Her life journey was one of immense grit and determination. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women empowerment, social justice and inclusive development. She was both compassionate and decisive. I recall with great joy my interactions with her."

PM Modi said the AIADMK leader was known for empowering women while ensuring strict law and order in Tamil Nadu during her tenure.

In his address in the 131st Episode of 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi recalled his meetings and conversations with Jayalalithaa.

"In our country, those who have worked for the welfare of society...those who have prioritised the public in their noble deeds always remain in the hearts of the people. Amma Jayalalithaa ji was one such popular leader. February 24th is the occasion of her birth anniversary. I still feel the deep affection the people of Tamil Nadu had for her, even today, during my visits to the state," PM Modi said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to the late leader, recalling her contributions towards the welfare of the poor and empowerment of women in the state.

In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "On the birth anniversary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and People's Leader J. Jayalalithaa, heartfelt tributes to her. Through her dedicated efforts for the welfare of the poor and for the rights of women, she reshaped the development of Tamil Nadu and ensured that the benefits of her administration reached even the last person in society. Her commitment to public service will forever remain an inspiration to everyone."

Jayalalithaa, who was born in 1948, served five terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. In 1982, when MG Ramachandran was the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa joined the AIADMK, the party he founded.

- ANI
Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth has revealed he abandoned efforts to laser off a tattoo dedicated to his daughter. The tattoo, inspired by the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!", was meant to be removed until his daughter India noticed it fading and objected. Hemsworth also shared that other tattoos on his arm are based on his daughter's own drawings. The actor confessed he frequently grows tired of his tattoos but keeps the ones with personal meaning from his children.

Thor star Chris Hemsworth explains he halted laser removal of a sentimental Dr. Seuss tattoo after his daughter India expressed her love for it.

Los Angeles, Feb 24 Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth has shared why he gave up on laser sessions to remove one of his tattoos.

The actor said that he quit the laser sessions after his daughter India complained, reports 'Female First UK'.

The 'Thor' star, 42, has revealed he got an image from Dr. Seuss book Oh, the Places You'll Go! inked on his arm in tribute to 13-year-old India because he used to read it to her a lot but he grew sick of it and booked in a course of laser treatment to have the tattoo erased, but he gave up after just one session because India wasn't happy about having it.

During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, he explained, "My tattoos. I have a Dr. Seuss tattoo. My daughter, I used to read that book to her a lot and my mum read it to me, Oh, the Places You'll Go! And she just would draw that little character and loved it so I got that tattoo. And then a few years later I was like, 'Ah I'm kind of sick if it'. So I started getting it taken off. I did like one laser session and then she came home one day and she goes, 'It's rubbing off. What happened to it? It's rubbing off'. And I was like, 'I thought you were sick of it?' and she goes, 'No, I love it, I love it'. So it's now kind of half faded. But it's still there".

As per 'Female First UK', Chris went on to explain he has more tattoos on his arm which were drawn by India herself after she interrupted a late-night brain-storming session with his tattoo artiste.

The actor went on to add, "There's a bunch on my arm actually, little drawings that she did. I was sitting with a tattoo artist one night and it was like 10 o'clock and we're designing all these different things, like geometry and trippy looking stuff. My daughter walked out and she goes: 'Dad I can't sleep, you're making too much noise'. And I was like: 'Sorry, sorry'. And she sits down and starts squiggling and drew the three little images here, which, one of them, the guy next to me here goes: 'That's the Wheel of Dharma, eight steps to enlightenment'. So she's drawn that. Like an eight-point star. He looked at me and goes, 'I think they're way cooler than anything we're designing' so took a photo of that. And that's that. I've got a bunch of other sort of squiggles".

However, Chris confessed he always gets "sick" of his tattoos after he has them done, adding, "The problem is I get sick of them. I'm into them for a few weeks and then I want to just get them all removed. The kids ones have a bit of something to it. But I've got some other ones which are like weird sort of psycho geometry one which looks like Illuminati kind of vibes. Weird".

- IANS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed an investor roadshow in Singapore, assuring global business leaders of a secure and conducive environment for investment. He highlighted the state's dramatic economic growth, with its GSDP increasing from 13 lakh crore to 36 lakh crore over nine years. Adityanath emphasized Uttar Pradesh's top rankings in Ease of Doing Business and its ready infrastructure, including a large land bank and skilled manpower. He positioned the state as a key driver of India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, inviting investors to partner in its growth story.

CM Yogi Adityanath assures security and growth, highlighting UP's rising GDP and infrastructure, at Singapore investor roadshow.

Singapore, February 24 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed an investor roadshow in Singapore on Tuesday, pitching his state as a secure and fast-growing destination for global investment.

Assuring business leaders of a good environment, Adityanath said, "I can assure you that every investment coming into Uttar Pradesh is secured. We not only gave a safe environment, but also showed how to connect scale with skill and speed."

He added that the state has established a new identity focused on transformation and growth.

Highlighting India's broader economic progress, the Chief Minister said the country has advanced significantly over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy.

Adityanath noted that Uttar Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore to Rs 36 lakh crore in the past nine years, contributing 9.5 per cent to India's GDP.

He described the state as a "dream destination" for investment and a top achiever in Ease of Doing Business and deregulation rankings.

Emphasizing infrastructure readiness, he cited the availability of a large land bank, skilled manpower, and connectivity through projects such as the dedicated freight corridor.

CM Yogi Adityanath said, "We have infrastructure and land bank in Uttar Pradesh. Investing in UP is easy because of the availability of trained and skilled manpower, a large land bank, a dedicated freight corridor..."

Inviting global investors to partner in the state's growth story, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh offers safety, stability, and speed across sectors, positioning itself as a key engine of India's economic growth.

- ANI
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal held separate meetings with IBM Chairman Arvind Krishna, focusing on AI skilling and the company's expansion in India, and with Jefferies' Christopher Wood to discuss global capital flows and investment trends. The minister also engaged in bilateral trade discussions with ministers from Tajikistan and Cambodia, targeting sectors like textiles, IT, and pharmaceuticals. Goyal emphasized the need for more ambitious trade growth with Brazil, noting a 25% increase to $15 billion is still suboptimal. The discussions underscore India's active push for deeper technology collaboration and stronger economic partnerships globally.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Jefferies' Christopher Wood, discussing AI skilling and investment, while also advancing trade talks with Tajikistan and Cambodia.

New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday held high-level discussions with global corporate leaders, including IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna and Jefferies' Christopher Wood, focusing on India's growing role in the global technology and investment landscape.

Following his meeting with the IBM chief, Goyal highlighted the technology major's deepening commitment to the Indian market and its emphasis on emerging technologies.

"Held a constructive meeting with Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM. We discussed the company's expanding footprint in India, with a strong focus on advancing AI skilling initiatives to equip our talent with future-ready capabilities. Encouraging to see global technology leaders contributing meaningfully to India's innovation and sustainability goals," the Union Minister posted on X.

In a separate engagement, the Minister met Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies, to exchange views on market dynamics and India's economic trajectory.

"Delighted to meet Mr. Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies. Held wide-ranging discussions on AI, evolving capital flows, and key developments shaping global markets. Also exchanged views on how these emerging trends align with India's growth story, reinforcing its position as an attractive investment destination with significant opportunities across sectors," Goyal stated.

The focus on private sector collaboration follows meetings held on Monday with ministers from Tajikistan and Cambodia, aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment ties across sectors.

Goyal said on X, "Held a productive meeting with Mr. Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Tajikistan. We discussed expanding overall bilateral trade and strengthening investment ties, with a focus on key sectors including textiles, IT, pharmaceuticals, food processing, critical minerals, and tourism. Committed to unlocking new opportunities for businesses and deepening economic cooperation between our two countries."

In another post, he noted, "Had a productive discussion with @C_Nimul, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia. We explored avenues to further strengthen the growing trade and investment partnership between both sides. With increasing collaboration across sectors, we also explored the potential to diversify cooperation to unlock greater opportunities for our people and businesses."

This follows Goyal's remarks on Saturday regarding India-Brazil ties. Referring to a 25 per cent rise in bilateral trade over the past year to USD 15 billion, he described the level as suboptimal and called for greater ambition.

Highlighting the partnership, the Minister said, "India and Brazil are natural partners. Our relationship is built on the foundation of democracy, diversity, and shared aspirations for development. We have a strong, multi-faceted strategic partnership driven by people-to-people ties and expanding cooperation across sectors. Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean region."

He added that the two nations are expanding cooperation in health and pharma; energy, including renewables; critical minerals; defence; and aviation, alongside growth in science and technology, digital public infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.

Goyal also emphasised collaboration under BRICS, IBSA, the G20, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), expressing confidence in the future of bilateral ties.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid heartfelt tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary, recalling her as a charismatic leader and exceptional administrator. He highlighted her welfare-driven governance, focus on women's empowerment, and their personal friendship, noting her "compassionate and decisive" nature. Modi shared memories of their interactions from his time as Gujarat Chief Minister, including her support for his state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also honored Jayalalithaa, crediting her with reshaping Tamil Nadu's development through a commitment to the poor and women.

PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah remember former Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa as a compassionate, decisive leader and champion of women's empowerment.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday remembered former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on her birth anniversary, saying that she has secured a special place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and exceptional administrator. PM Modi also said that she embodied both compassion and decisiveness.

PM Modi took to social media and posted on X, "Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She has made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator. Her life journey was one of immense grit and determination. As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, she championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women empowerment, social justice and inclusive development. She was both compassionate and decisive. I recall with great joy my interactions with her."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared a video clip from his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat', in which he praised Jayalalithaa as a "widely admired and beloved leader", recalling her administrative legacy and their personal friendship during the 131st episode.

The Prime Minister described Jayalalithaa as a towering figure in Tamil Nadu politics whose contributions would be remembered as a powerful symbol of women's leadership.

"Jayalalithaa was a great leader who was deeply loved by the people. My friendship with her is like a sacred tree in my heart," PM Modi said during the broadcast.

Highlighting her governance style, the Prime Minister noted that Jayalalithaa had taken firm steps to maintain law and order in Tamil Nadu and had earned the people's trust through decisive leadership.

He said her public service would always be remembered as an example of women's empowerment in Indian politics.

PM Modi said he continues to feel the affection the people of Tamil Nadu hold for her whenever he visits the state.

"Even today, when I travel to Tamil Nadu, I can sense the deep connection the people have with Jayalalithaa. When her name is mentioned, one can see a special spark among the people," he said.

Recalling his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, PM Modi said, "Every meeting and every conversation with Amma Jayalalithaa is still fresh in my mind. She also attended two of my swearing-in ceremonies in Gujarat, in 2002 and 2012. When we were both Chief Ministers of our respective states, we often discussed topics like good governance. Her thinking was crystal clear, and her thoughts were uncluttered. This was a significant characteristic of hers. Many years ago, she invited me to Chennai over lunch on the auspicious occasion of Pongal. That affectionate gesture will remain unforgettable for me."

PM Modi said Jayalalithaa had extended strong support to Gujarat during his time in office.

"She had great devotion to the nation and worked with commitment for its progress," he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute to Jayalalithaa and said, "Tributes to former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and people's leader J. Jayalalithaa Ji on her Jayanti. Through her commitment to the welfare of the poor and empowerment of women, she reshaped Tamil Nadu's development and ensured governance reached the last person. Her dedication to public service will always remain an inspiration."

Jayalalithaa, fondly called "Amma" by her supporters, remains an influential figure in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, even years after her passing.

- IANS
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has firmly rejected allegations of a lack of transparency in the implementation of the Chief Minister's Special Development Fund (CMSDF). He asserted that the scheme is driven by public need and political considerations play no role in project approvals. Sangma detailed that the entire Rs 50 crore allocation for 2025-26 has been utilized, reaching districts across the state. He clarified that while MLAs can recommend projects, the scheme remains accessible to village bodies, NGOs, and individuals directly.

CM Conrad Sangma defends the Chief Minister's Special Development Fund, asserting it is need-based, transparent, and has reached every part of Meghalaya.

Shillong, Feb 24 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday rejected allegations of a lack of transparency in the implementation of the Chief Minister's Special Development Fund, asserting that the scheme is driven purely by public need and has reached nearly every corner of the state. 

Replying to a cut motion during the ongoing Budget Session of the Assembly, Sangma acknowledged the concerns raised by MLAs but emphasised that the CMSDF operates in the spirit of openness and democratic accessibility. 

"In a large democratic system, we want to remain open and accessible to the people," the Chief Minister said. 

Clarifying that political considerations play no role in fund allocation, Sangma said projects are approved strictly based on requirements. 

"I do not look at political affiliation while sanctioning projects. Decisions are taken based on need," he told the House, adding that even during outreach initiatives like CM Connect, beneficiaries are not questioned about their party background.

Describing CMSDF as one of the most extensive schemes in Meghalaya, Sangma said its impact can be seen across districts and communities. 

"You can ask any beneficiary of the CMSDF. It has reached almost every nook and corner of the state because it is implemented with a pure heart," he said, urging legislators not to view the scheme with suspicion. 

On eligibility, the Chief Minister clarified that each MLA is entitled to recommend projects worth up to Rs 10 lakh per financial year, though not all MLAs need to avail of the provision. 

He assured Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang that his specific concerns would be examined. Sangma also defended recent reforms to the CMSDF, stating that earlier arrangements, where funds were divided between urban and rural heads, led to procedural delays.

"We have streamlined the process to ensure that projects are sanctioned at the earliest," he said. 

Providing a financial overview, the Chief Minister said the entire Rs 50 crore allocated for 2025-26 has been utilised, with funds distributed across districts including West Garo Hills (Rs 13.6 crore), East Khasi Hills (Rs 12.88 crore), South West Garo Hills (Rs 5.1 crore), Ri Bhoi (Rs 3.9 crore), East Garo Hills (Rs 3.76 crore), North Garo Hills (Rs 3.5 crore), East Jaintia Hills (Rs 2.1 crore), West Khasi Hills (Rs 1.94 crore) and Eastern West Khasi Hills (Rs 1.52 crore). 

Sangma said the scheme remains open to MLAs, village bodies, NGOs, and individuals, who may approach the Chief Minister's Secretariat directly. 

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel is set to mark a new phase in the strategic partnership, with defence and security cooperation as its cornerstone. The visit will focus on enhancing defence industrial cooperation, including co-production and the introduction of sensitive technologies like AI-integrated missile defence systems. Both nations aim to sign new agreements and push for the completion of a Free Trade Agreement to boost bilateral trade. The complementary strengths of Israel's innovation and India's scalable ecosystem are expected to drive this deepened alliance.

PM Modi's Israel visit aims to elevate strategic partnership with focus on defence, AI, counter-terrorism & new trade agreements.

Tel Aviv, February 24 Defence and security cooperation will be a key focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel on Wednesday, India's Ambassador to Israel JP Singh said, underlining the strategic depth of bilateral ties.

In an interview with Doordarshan India, Singh described the February 25 to 26 visit as "a very historic visit", recalling that Modi's first trip to Israel in 2017 "laid down the foundation of our relationship."

"This is a very historic visit. The first time he came to Israel was in 2017, and that time he laid down the foundation of our relationship. And now we have reached the stage where we need to take it forward and start a new phase of our strategic relationship," Singh said.

Our defence ties, the Ambassador said, "In this visit, you know, we have a strategic partnership." He added, "Defence and security are like a cornerstone of this partnership."

Referring to recent developments, Singh noted, "In defence last year, we signed a memorandum of understanding in defence cooperation. And there is already cooperation going on."

He highlighted the role of India's flagship 'Make in India' programme in boosting joint production." Under the Make in India program, many Israeli companies are participating, and the countries can benefit from this cooperation," he said.

Singh also pointed to the complementary strengths of both nations. "The best thing about India and Israel is that we don't compete with each other, we complement each other. And we complement in our core strengths," he said, citing Israel's expertise in science, innovation and critical technologies, and India's large pool of skilled manpower and scalable ecosystem.

Earlier on Monday, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated that defence and artificial intelligence (AI) will be the primary focus between India and Israel during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Israel starting February 25.

Azar, in a conversation with ANI, noted that PM Modi shares a special relationship with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Well, we are thrilled to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi after nine years in Israel. He is very loved in Israel. He has a very special relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu and we've been working in the last year, aligning up ministers coming to India to develop new areas of cooperation, sign new agreements, and we have gathered, we accumulated a number of agreements that we're going to sign during this visit," he said.

Azar said that Israel and India will co-produce and also co-develop new means that are needed to face the challenges of terrorism."First and foremost, in the security field, we want to expand and enhance security, defence industrial cooperation, especially introducing new technologies and more sensitive technologies into the mix to not only sell, but also co-produce and also co-develop new means that are needed to face the challenges that we have in counterterrorism and other fields," he said.

Azar further said that India and Israel are going to sign an FTA in the coming months.

"In addition, we want to sign an FTA. And the blessing of the leaders is going to be important in that context because we want to finish the negotiation in the coming months. That is going to be very important in enhancing the trade between the two countries," he said.When asked about the mission Sudarshan Chakra, a system which is somewhat like the Iron Dome system, which you have in Israel, Azar said that missile defence and the usage of AI in missiles are something the leaders will touch upon.

"Well, we usually do not elaborate on the specifics of the Industrial Defence Corporation. But I can tell you that, indeed, missile defence is one field that we're going to deal with. The combination of AI with drones is another field that we're going to deal with in the future. There are many things that are going to happen as a result of the signing of this agreement. And this is going to really become a special strategic relation in which we're going to do things that are important for both countries and are more sensitive than the things we've been doing before," he said.

Azar said that both nations have had fruitful meetings on cooperation in the AI field.

"We had very fruitful meetings with the head of our AI directorate at the prime minister's office. He met with leading figures at MIT, the special envoy to AI. He met with people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also with major Indian companies that are dealing in the AI field. What we have the sense following this meeting is that we can do a lot together because again, India has scale. for example, building huge solar fields and renewable energy sources. We can have fast solutions in AI that will reduce the cost of AI by making energy more efficient, data centres more efficient," he said.

PM Modi is scheduled to begin his two-day visit to Israel on February 25, nine years after his first trip to the country. His 2017 trip was the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel.

- ANI
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) benefits to widow pensioners and disability pension beneficiaries, along with their families. The decision, taken in a Cabinet meeting, is expected to directly benefit approximately 5.28 lakh additional individuals from these categories. This move aims to expand robust health security in the capital, ensuring no eligible citizen is deprived of affordable healthcare due to financial constraints. The CM stated this step aligns with the vision of inclusive development and strengthens the existing network of 208 empanelled hospitals under the scheme.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces inclusion of widow & disability pension beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, covering 5.5 lakh more families.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced that widow pension beneficiaries and persons with disabilities receiving government pensions will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Their families will also be eligible to avail themselves of the scheme's benefits, she said.

The Chief Minister said that this decision will bring direct and meaningful change to the lives of lakhs of needy families.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at the Delhi Secretariat.

Providing details, she informed that approximately 3,96,615 widow pension beneficiaries and around 1,31,515 beneficiaries under the disability pension scheme will directly benefit.

She reiterated that the government is firmly committed to ensuring that no poor, vulnerable, or needy citizen of Delhi is deprived of medical treatment due to financial constraints.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the country's largest health protection scheme, and the Delhi Government has taken a significant step to make it more effective and inclusive.

Chief Minister Gupta stated that following this decision, approximately 5.5 lakh additional families will come under a robust health security cover.

These families will be in addition to those already covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PRS) categories, senior citizens above 70 years of age, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, Anganwadi workers, and helpers.

With this, the scope of health protection in Delhi will expand in an unprecedented manner, she said.

She added that the decision is a strong step towards realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas".

Through Ayushman Bharat, the Prime Minister has ensured health security for crores of poor families across the country, and the Delhi government remains committed to extending the scheme's benefits to every eligible individual in the capital, she said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the government's objective is clear: no eligible citizen should be deprived of quality and affordable healthcare services.

She said that 7,23,707 Ayushman cards have been issued in Delhi so far, including 2,74,620 cards to senior citizens. For effective implementation of the scheme in the capital, a network of 208 hospitals has been empanelled, comprising 156 private and 53 government hospitals.

Through the State Health Agency (SHA) in Delhi, more than 29,120 beneficiaries have received treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to date.

Chief Minister Gupta said this is not merely an administrative decision, but a commitment linked to the health and dignity of every needy family in Delhi.

The initiative marks a significant step towards building a healthy, compassionate, equitable, and inclusive Delhi, where the benefits of development reach every individual, and no one is left behind, an official said.

- IANS
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the first anniversary of her government at a public meeting in Vikaspuri. She presented an overview of achievements from the past year, emphasizing improvements in education, healthcare, electricity, and water supply. The Chief Minister credited the success to the dedicated efforts of party workers in delivering government schemes to every household. She also reviewed ongoing development projects and promised to intensify the pace of work in West Delhi.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta reviews her govt's first-year achievements in Vikaspuri, crediting party workers for successful delivery of public welfare schemes.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Vikaspuri in the West Delhi parliamentary constituency to mark the successful completion of one year of her government in office, a party leader said on Tuesday.

A large public meeting and workers' conference was organised at the Dussehra Ground in Vikaspuri, where the Chief Minister interacted with residents and acknowledged the dedicated efforts of party workers.

On the occasion, West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Pankaj Kumar Singh, along with other dignitaries, were present.

In her address, the Chief Minister presented an overview of the achievements of the past 365 days, stating that the year had been devoted to "service, good governance and the welfare of the poor".

She described improvements in key sectors such as education, healthcare, electricity, and water supply as the government's greatest strength.

The Chief Minister said that the true foundation of any government's success lies with the worker standing at the last mile. The commitment shown by party workers in West Delhi in delivering government schemes to every household has been exceptional.

The success of this year belongs not merely to the government, but to the tireless efforts of dedicated workers.

She further remarked that the year had been defined not by authority, but by service. The sincerity with which workers in West Delhi have taken government initiatives door-to-door is commendable. "Your energy is our strength, and together we will continue to make Delhi better," she said.

The Chief Minister also reviewed ongoing development projects in the West Delhi parliamentary constituency and assured that the pace of development would be further intensified in the coming period.

- IANS
Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has sanctioned 272 additional posts for the Revenue Department, including roles for District Magistrates and SDMs. This move follows the cabinet's approval to reorganize Delhi from 11 to 13 revenue districts, increasing administrative capacity. The expansion aims to handle enhanced statutory duties, from land records to disaster management, and reduce staff shortages. Concurrently, about 75 e-District services will be delivered via Common Service Centres for a nominal fee, improving digital access and transparency.

LG V.K. Saxena approves 272 new posts in Delhi's Revenue Department, including DMs and SDMs, to enhance service delivery and digital access.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has approved creation of 272 additional posts, including two District Magistrates and eight SDMs, in the Revenue Department, in light of the newly-created districts and sub-divisions, an official said on Tuesday.

The newly-sanctioned posts, include two ADMs, six Sub-Registrars, 16 Tehsildars/SO, 22 Naib Tehsildars, 42 each of Senior Assistant and Junior Assistants and 52 MTS and several posts in the Accounts, Planning, DSS and Steno Cadres, the official said in a statement.

Before the creation of two new districts, there were 1,553 sanctioned posts in 11 districts of the Revenue Department. After creation of 272 posts, the total sanctioned posts in 13 districts has gone up to 1,825.

The Delhi Cabinet on December 11, 2025 approved the reorganisation of Revenue Districts in the National Capital from 11 to 13 districts, along with corresponding increase in Sub-Divisions (from 33 to 39) and establishment of 39 Sub-Registrar offices, making Revenue Districts co-terminus with MCD Zones/NDMC/Cantonment Board.

The re-organisation has been finalised and mapped in accordance with the Cabinet approval and is aligned with the direction of the Deregulation Cell, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as well as the Government of India's Ease of Living mandate, said the statement.

The reorganisation has significantly enhanced the statutory responsibilities of the Revenue Department, including expanded judicial and administrative workloads under BNSS, 2023, intensified field level operations for land record management, Disaster Management work, Election duties, Public Welfare schemes, Issuance of Certificates, and year-round festival management, said a statement.

Saxena's nod for these additional posts in the Revenue Department will strengthen field-level administration, reduce staff shortages, and improve service delivery to citizens, said the statement.

With the Revenue Department having maximum public interface, these measures are intended to directly enhance efficiency and reduce administrative hurdles.

As part of a digital push and to bridge the digital divide, the government has integrated e-District services with the Common Service Centre (CSC) network.

Citizens will no longer need to visit multiple government offices for minor tasks. Over 7,000 active CSC centres across Delhi will provide services locally, said a government statement.

Under this initiative, approximately 75 e-District services, including income, caste and residence certificates; birth and death certificates; services related to social welfare, food and civil supplies, labour, and education will be available.

Each service will carry a nominal fee of Rs 30, ensuring transparency and equal accessibility. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described this as a historic step that will curb financial exploitation by private cyber cafes and ensure affordable, simple and transparent government services across the national Capital.

- IANS
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced stringent new safety mandates for non-scheduled operators following a recent surge in incidents. The measures include a zero-tolerance policy, requiring operators to publicly disclose critical safety information like aircraft age and pilot experience on their websites. A safety ranking system for all operators will be published, and pilots now have final authority to cancel flights for safety without commercial repercussions. The regulator will impose harsh penalties, including license suspensions up to five years, and intensify audits of maintenance and operational data.

DGCA mandates public safety disclosures, pilot authority, and stricter penalties for non-scheduled operators following a review of recent accidents.

New Delhi, February 24 Directorate General of Civil Aviation held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with all Non-Scheduled Operators to address a recent surge in aviation incidents and emphasised prioritizing safety over commercial interests while affirming that the pilot-in-command's decision to divert delay or cancel a fight for safety reasons is final and must be respected by operators without commercial considerations.

The aviation regulator announced new stringent safety mandates following High-Level meeting with non-scheduled operators.

There have been two air accidents in less than a month involving small aircraft.

DGCA emphasised the critical need for an increased focus on safety across the sector.

A release said that the high-level interaction followed a comprehensive review of accident data from the past decade, which identifies non-adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), inadequate flight planning, and training deficiencies as the primary causative factors in aircraft accidents.

The regulator has announced a set of new measures "aimed at enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward safety compromises within the NSOP sector".

"The regulator emphasised that safety must remain the absolute priority, superseding all commercial considerations, charter commitments, or VIP movements. The authority asserted that an organisation's leadership must prioritize safety above all other criteria," the release said.

"To support this, the authority reaffirmed that the Pilot-in-Command's decision to divert, delay, or cancel a flight for safety reasons is final and must be respected by operators without commercial consequences," it added.

The release said that to address systemic weaknesses in decision-making and to ensure operational discipline, the regulator is implementing several immediate measures including Mandatory Public Disclosures, Safety Ranking, Intensive Audits, Management Responsibility, Stricter Penalties and Maintenance Scrutiny.

In a significant move toward transparency, the regulator is introducing a mandatory disclosure policy.

"NSOP operators will be required to disclose critical safety information on their websites, including aircraft age, maintenance history, and pilot experience. This ensures that customers are fully informed about the standards of the aircraft they charter," the release said.

It said that the regulator is planning to implement a safety ranking mechanism of all non-scheduled operators and the criteria for such ranking. Safety rankings will be published on the DGCA website for public information.

The authority will conduct increased random Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) audits and cross-verify ADS-B data, fuel records, and technical logs to detect unauthorised operations or the "falsifying" of data.

The release said that accountable managers and senior leadership will be held personally responsible for systemic non-compliances noting that safety lapses cannot simply be blamed on pilots.

The DGCA said that pilots found violating Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) or attempting to land below safety minima may face license suspensions of up to five years.

Operators failing to meet compliance standards will be penalised and licenses or permits may be suspended, it said.

The release said that increased monitoring will be applied to older aircraft and those undergoing ownership changes.

The regulator will audit NSOPs that run their own Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities; those found lacking adequacy will be required to outsource maintenance to approved organisations.

The regulator noted that weather-related accidents are often the result of poor judgment rather than the unpredictability of weather.

"Operators are mandated to establish real-time weather update systems and strict compliance of established SOPs. Additionally, recurrent training for pilots must have greater emphasis on weather awareness strategies and decision-making in uncontrolled environments," the release said.

After the completion of phase 1 of the special safety audit of NSOPs in early March 2026, Phase 2 covering the rest of the NSOPs will be undertaken.

"Additionally, a physical workshop on safety will be convened following the completion of current intensive audits to ensure all stakeholders are aligned with these new operational mandates," the release said.

There has been concern over two air accidents in less than a month involving small aircraft.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar died on the morning of January 28 after the aircraft carrying him crashed while attempting to land at the Baramati airport in Pune district. Five people were killed in the accident.

An aircraft, which was on a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi, crashed on Monday evening in Jharkhand killing seven people.

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

Joachim "G6" Chivayo - widely known on Zimbabwean social media for his high-flying lifestyle - has been declared wanted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in South Africa after failing to appear in court in connection with a R15 million gold case.The development builds on IOL's November 28, 2024 report detailing the arrest of Chivayo and Ayanda Brian Gungwa after they were found in possession of six bars of unwrought gold valued at approximately R15 million during a Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation operation in Brakpan. A Mercedes-Benz SUV was also seized at the time.On Monday, Hawks national Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo told IOL that both accused were granted bail of R20,000 each by the Brakpan Magistrate's Court on November 28, 2024.Mbambo said the court imposed strict bail conditions, including that both accused were not permitted to leave the Republic of South Africa or the province of Gauteng pending finalisation of the matter. They were also required to report to the Brakpan Police Station once a week on Sundays with effect from December 1, 2024.The matter was postponed to February 25, 2025 for further investigation.However, Mbambo said both accused failed to appear in court after being released on bail.On March 11, 2025, the Brakpan Magistrate's Court issued J50 warrants of arrest for both men. Mbambo confirmed to IOL that the pair have since been circulated as wanted suspects.Chivayo is popularly known online as "G6," where he frequently posts images and videos portraying a lavish lifestyle. On Facebook, he often appears driving high-end luxury vehicles and is seen handing over luxury cars, including what is depicted in posts as a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.Gungwa, who was identified by the Hawks as a South African national named Ayanda Brian Gungwa, is also popularly referred to online as "Pharaoh." In some Zimbabwean social media posts and commentary, he is referred to as "Naison Chivayo," creating confusion over his identity.Chivayo has been publicly associated with Zimbabwean mogul and philanthropist Wicknell Chivayo. In a May 2025 Facebook post, Wicknell Chivayo referred to Joachim "G6" Chivayo as his "dear little brother," celebrating his birthday and praising what he described as a growing business empire.Social media posts further show Joachim "G6" Chivayo and Naison "Pharaoh" Chivayo attending a recent graduation ceremony at the Chitepo School of Ideology in Harare, a political training institution associated with Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU-PF.The Hawks have not indicated whether investigators believe the accused remain in South Africa.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has strongly condemned the alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation of three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi. He stated the incident is unfortunate and unacceptable, undermining national unity and progress. The case was registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam echoed concerns, calling it part of a pattern of racist practices needing legislative action.

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma calls alleged racial abuse of Arunachal women in Delhi "unacceptable," stressing respect in India's diversity.

Shillong, February 24 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stated that the alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation of three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi's Malviya Nagar was "unacceptable", asserting that there is "no excuse" for disrespect in a diverse country like India.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Meghalaya Chief Minister said that the recent incident was "unfortunate" and that such incidents undermine the country's progress and unity.

"The recent incident that took place in Malviya Nagar (in Delhi) against our Northeast citizens from Arunachal Pradesh is unfortunate. It is something that is unacceptable in today's world. And the kind of language that was used, that kind of word that was used, is very sad, and it is unacceptable," the Meghalaya Chief Minister said.

"As a state, as a region, as a country, we are working to move forward; these kinds of words move us two steps back. We need to understand that for a diverse nation like India, we need to respect each other, and there is no excuse for that," he said.

Emphasising the need for dignity and mutual respect, he added, "Whether citizens are from the rest of the country or from the Northeast region or from wherever it is, without showing respect and without giving dignity to others, there is no way that we will be able to see our country progressing in the way that we all would like to see."

Sangma further said he hopes necessary action will be taken in the matter. "From our side, whatever we can do to support our sisters, we are always there," he added.

His remarks come after two residents from Delhi's Malviya Nagar allegedly racially abused and criminally intimidated three women tenants from Arunachal Pradesh.

Following the incident, a case was registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station in South Delhi.

According to officials, the FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) about intentional insult, criminal intimidation, promoting enmity, and acts done with common intention.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 20, 2026, when three women, residing as tenants in an apartment complex in Malviya Nagar, were overseeing electrical installation work in their flat.

As an electrician began drilling, dust from the construction allegedly filtered down into the premises of the neighbours living below.

This minor environmental grievance quickly turned into a volatile confrontation when the residents of the lower flat--identified as the accused Harsh Singh and his wife, Ruby Jain--went upstairs to confront the tenants.

The complainants alleged mental harassment and humiliation, though no physical injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam also reacted to the incident, stating that such cases are not isolated.

"This is not a one-off incident. This has been regularly happening across the country, especially to our young girls and boys, who are subjected to violence and humiliation of this kind. It's a larger question of racist practices in this country," he said.

The Congress MP also called for appropriate legislation to address such issues.

"We must have appropriate legislation for the Northeast people in this regard because this has been happening for decades, and it must be dealt with systematically," he said.

According to police, the accused persons in the alleged case have joined the investigation and are being interrogated.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended warm greetings to Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on Estonia's Independence Day via social media. The day marks the 1918 declaration of independence and honors the nation's struggle for freedom, including restoration from Soviet rule in 1991. India recognized Estonia in 1991, with diplomatic relations established that same year, leading to the opening of embassies in each other's capitals. Bilateral relations are described as cordial and friendly, with both nations committed to strengthening ties.

EAM S Jaishankar greeted Estonia's FM Margus Tsahkna, reaffirming India's commitment to strengthening friendly bilateral relations.

New Delhi, February 24 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday greeted Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on Estonia's Independence Day.

In a post on X, he wrote, "Warm greetings to FM Margus Tsahkna, the Government and people of Estonia on their Independence Day. @Tsahkna Committed to further strengthen our friendly ties."

Estonia celebrates Independence Day on February 24, marking the declaration of independence in 1918. On this day, the Salvation Committee issued the Manifesto to the People of Estonia in Tallinn, proclaiming Estonia a sovereign democratic republic. The holiday honours the nation's struggle for freedom, including the War of Independence and the restoration of independence in 1991 after Soviet occupation.

Celebrations feature a military parade, the presidential reception, and the raising of the blue, black, and white flag. Independence Day is a proud reminder of Estonia's resilience, identity, and enduring commitment to liberty and democracy.

India recognised the Republic of Estonia in September 1991, a month after it declared its independence from the Soviet Union.

Diplomatic relations were established in December 1991. Bilateral relations are cordial and friendly. The Embassy of India in Tallinn was opened on 28 December 2021, headed by a Cd'A a.i. Since 1991, the Embassy of India, Helsinki (Finland) was concurrently accredited to Estonia. The first Resident Ambassador, Ajaneesh Kumar, presented his credentials on 26 April, 2022.

Government of Estonia opened its Embassy in New Delhi, headed by a C.d'A in February 2012, with the first resident Ambassador presenting his credentials on 22 February, 2013.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held key meetings in Singapore to strengthen collaboration in IT and digital infrastructure. He discussed hyperscale data centre investments with STT GDC's CEO and met senior Singapore ministers to enhance institutional cooperation. The visit included a tour of SATS Changi Airport's logistics hub, informing UP's aviation development. A major outcome was an MoU with SATS Ltd to develop a cargo complex and catering kitchen at the upcoming Noida International Airport.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath meets Singapore leaders & CEOs to boost IT, data centres, and aviation infrastructure, signing key MoUs for state's growth.

Singapore City, February 24 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a focused discussion with the President and Group CEO of ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Bruno Lopez, in Singapore on Tuesday, focusing on strengthening the state's Information technology, industrial, aviation, and trade ecosystems.

He said that he had exchanged views on strengthening collaboration in hyperscale data centre infrastructure, digital ecosystems and sustainable technology investments to support Uttar Pradesh's rapid growth.

Sharing an X post, CM Yogi wrote, "Held a focused discussion with Mr Bruno Lopez, President and Group CEO, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), in Singapore today. Exchanged views on strengthening collaboration in hyperscale data centre infrastructure, digital ecosystems and sustainable technology investments to support Uttar Pradesh's rapidly expanding IT, industrial and innovation landscape."

The Chief Minister also engaged with various Singaporean leaders and exchanged views on strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing investor confidence and deepening Uttar Pradesh-Singapore engagement across sectors.

"Had a meaningful interaction with Mr Gan Kim Yong, Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, along with Mr K Shanmugam, Hon. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs. Exchanged views on strengthening institutional cooperation, enhancing investor confidence and deepening Uttar Pradesh-Singapore engagement across trade, infrastructure, security and governance frameworks," CM Yogi post read.

"Also spoke about the ongoing governance transformation in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting policy reforms, digitalisation initiatives and ease of doing business measures driving the state's rapid growth trajectory," he added.

Further, CM Yogi also visited the SATS Changi Airport Logistics Hub, touring advanced air cargo handling systems, cold chain logistics, and integrated supply chain operations.

The visit was seen as highly relevant in preparation for the upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar, aimed at providing valuable insights to strengthen Uttar Pradesh's aviation infrastructure and multimodal logistics ecosystem.

During the visit, the Chief Minister held discussions with Mr Kerry Mok, President and CEO of SATS. In his presence, SATS Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of a world-class cargo complex at Noida International Airport, Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar and other airports across North India.

"This partnership will boost trade, strengthen supply chains and generate significant employment opportunities, further reinforcing Uttar Pradesh's position as a leading aviation and logistics hub," CM Yogi added.

The Chief Minister is on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24 to deepen economic cooperation, institutional partnerships, and sector-specific collaboration between Uttar Pradesh and Singapore.

- ANI
India and Canada are working to deepen cooperation in the transportation sector and improve connectivity to facilitate the movement of people and goods. The discussions, led by High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik and Transport Minister Steve Mackinnon, focused on expanding collaboration in infrastructure and connectivity frameworks. This engagement is part of broader efforts to stabilize and reset the bilateral relationship, which had been strained. The upcoming visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to solidify these steps and advance cooperation across multiple sectors including trade, energy, and defense.

High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik meets Canadian Transport Minister to enhance bilateral cooperation in transportation and connectivity.

Ottawa, February 24 India and Canada are looking to deepen cooperation in the transportation sector and boost connectivity to facilitate smoother movement of people and goods, the High Commission of India in Ottawa said on Tuesday, regarding the meeting of High Commissioner Dinesh K Patnaik with the Canadian Transport Minister Steve Mackinnon.

In a post on X, the High Commision of India in Ottawa, 'India in Canada', said that Patnaik met with Mackinnon to discuss strengthening bilateral engagement in the sector.

"High Commissioner @DineshKPatnaik met with @stevemackinnon, Canadian Minister of Transport and discussed opportunities for strengthening India-Canada cooperation in transportation sector. Also explored avenues to further enhance connectivity to facilitate the mobility of people and ensure the seamless movement of import and export goods between India and Canada," the High Commission said in its X post.

According to the statement, the discussions focused on expanding collaboration in transportation infrastructure and improving connectivity frameworks to support growing trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The engagement comes amid broader efforts by New Delhi and Ottawa to stabilise ties and explore practical areas of cooperation, including trade, logistics and supply chain resilience.

Earlier on Tuesday, the High Commissioner said that the relationship between Canada and India has transformed in recent months and added that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India will "put a stamp" on all bilateral steps taken to "solidify" the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship, which was strained under the leadership of former Canada PM Justin Trudeau.

Noting the efforts from both sides to "reset" the relationship, Dinesh Patnaik shared that Carney's visit on February 26 will ensure increased bilateral cooperation among all sectors.

Speaking with ANI, Dinesh Patnaik said, "The Canadian relations have transformed over the last few months, especially after Prime Minister Modi visited Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Since the last four to five months, we've been working very hard to ensure that the relationship is reset to what it was before... This visit will put a stamp on all the activities that have happened to solidify the relationship and to take it to the next level," he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India from February 26 to March 7, 2026, as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour aimed at strengthening trade, energy, and strategic partnerships. During his visit, Carney will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding cooperation in areas like trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, talent mobility, culture, and defence.

He said that we can expect agreements on various sectors such as cultural, defence, aerospace, space, energy, critical minerals, innovations, education and AI, adding, "This is a multi-dimensional relationship, and you will see all dimensions during the visit."

Noting that New Delhi and Ottawa are "complementary economies," Dinesh Patnaik said that cooperation between both countries will help India to diversify its supply chain.

"Canada and India have complementary economies. Canada has a large number of resources, including energy, agriculture, fertiliser, and critical minerals, which are part of the supply chain we are thinking of setting up. A deal with Canada would help us very much in diversifying our supply chain away from the traditional sources," he said.

- ANI
Farhan Akhtar celebrated his fourth wedding anniversary with wife Shibani Akhtar by sharing adorable couple photos and a loving note on Instagram. Shibani reciprocated the sentiment with her own warm message for her husband. The couple tied the knot at his family farmhouse in Khandala in February 2022 after a three-year relationship. Professionally, Farhan is preparing for his Hollywood debut in a Sam Mendes film franchise about The Beatles.

Farhan Akhtar marks 4 years of marriage to Shibani Akhtar with romantic photos and a heartfelt note. See the couple's sweet exchange.

Mumbai, Feb 22 Actor and filmmaker Farhan Akhtar celebrated 4 years of marital bliss with the woman 'who makes everything feel better', wife Shibani Akhtar, with a special social media post.

Farhan took to his Insta handle and dropped some romantic couple photos with his better half.

He also penned a heartfelt note on the photo-sharing app, saying, "To the woman who makes everything feel better.. happy fourth anniversary Shu .. love you @shibaniakhtar (sic)."

The primary picture in the post showed Farhan placing a kiss on Shibani's cheeks.

This was followed by an adorable selfie of the lovebirds posing in matching night suits.endlessly. (sic)"The final click had Farhan and Shibani, making an elegant couple as they faced the camera while standing on the stairs.

Not just Farhan, but Shibani also wished her husband on the special day with a warm note that read, "8 and 4...Happy Anni @faroutakhtar To forever and beyond...Love you".

For the unaware, Farhan and Shibani tied the knot at Farhan's family farmhouse in Khandala in February 2022, after being in a relationship for around 3 years.

Farhan was earlier married to celebrity hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani. Married in 2000, these two decided to part ways in 2017. They are also parents to two daughters, Shakya and Akira.

On the professional front, Farhan is all set to make his Hollywood debut in Sam Mendes' four-film franchise based on the life of The Beatles.

Spilling his excitement on social media, the 'Dil Chahta Hai' maker wrote, "Honoured and grateful to be part of the ever-expanding legacy of @thebeatles and of Pandit Ravi Shankar ji. Their creative genius is a rite of passage for generation after generation of listeners... Thank you Sam Mendes... been an ardent admirer of all your work and to be directed by you in this film, is the stuff dreams are made of".

- IANS
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has nominated Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi as the President of the newly constituted India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha. The group, comprising 11 members from both Houses, is an informal forum designed to strengthen parliamentary engagement and bilateral ties between the two democracies. This move aligns with India's Act East Policy, emphasizing deeper cooperation with Southeast Asian nations across sectors like defence, trade, and maritime security. Gogoi will lead efforts to facilitate dialogue and legislative exchanges with Filipino lawmakers during the current Lok Sabha term.

Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi appointed President of the India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group to strengthen bilateral ties.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has been nominated as the President of the India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha, officials said on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries and appointed senior Opposition leaders to head over a dozen of them. Each of these groups have 11 members, including those from the Rajya Sabha.

The communication, issued by the Conference and Protocol Branch of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, stated that a Parliamentary Friendship Group between India and the Philippines has been constituted for the current Lok Sabha term to strengthen parliamentary-level engagement between the two countries.

"In this connection, the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha is pleased to nominate you as the President of the India -Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group," the letter addressed to Gogoi said.

The letter, dated February 23, was issued by L.V. Ramana, Director, Conference and Protocol Branch, Lok Sabha Secretariat, and carries official reference number 35/04/2026/C&P.

Parliamentary Friendship Groups are informal forums formed within Parliament to promote bilateral ties, facilitate dialogue between legislators, and enhance mutual understanding on issues of common interest.

These groups often play a key role in strengthening people-to-people and institutional linkages alongside formal diplomatic engagements.

India and the Philippines share growing cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, maritime security, trade, education and cultural exchanges.

Parliamentary-level interaction is seen as an important component in further deepening bilateral relations between the two democracies.

The constitution of the India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha reflects India's continued emphasis on expanding engagement with Southeast Asian nations under its Act East Policy.

As President of the Friendship Group, Gogoi is expected to lead parliamentary interactions, coordinate exchanges with Filipino lawmakers, and contribute to strengthening legislative cooperation between the two countries during the tenure of the current Lok Sabha.

Further details regarding the composition of the Friendship Group and its activities are expected to be announced by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in due course.

- IANS
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi, arrived in New Delhi on a visit aimed at strengthening historic India-GCC relations. The visit follows the recent signing of the Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the GCC bloc earlier in February. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the FTA would enable a greater flow of goods and services and encourage investments after nearly two decades of discussions. GCC Chief Negotiator Raja Al Marzouki highlighted the agreement as a crucial signal for global cooperation amidst economic uncertainty.

GCC chief Jasem Al Budaiwi visits India to strengthen historic ties and advance Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and the Gulf bloc.

New Delhi, February 24 Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi arrived in India and received a warm welcome from the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal.

In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal wrote, "Warm welcome to Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mr. Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi @jasemalbudaiwi on his arrival in New Delhi. His visit will further deepen the historic and strong India-GCC ties. @GCCSG"

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic alliance established in 1981. It consists of six member states: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. The GCC aims to promote economic integration, political cooperation, and regional security among its members. It has established a customs union and a common market to facilitate trade and movement of citizens. The organization also coordinates defence policies and infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Riyadh, the GCC plays a significant role in shaping economic and diplomatic relations within the Gulf region.

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries signed the Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) earlier in February in the national capital.

Chief Negotiator for GCC, Raja Al Marzouki, highlighted the importance of the proposed free trade agreement, noting that globalisation is under attack. "So it's a message. It's a signal for the whole group, for the whole globe, and it's important for us at this time to try to be more cooperative, to avoid any risk that our global economy facing as a result of uncertainty," he said.

He welcomed the Indian side to hold the first round of negotiations in Riyadh. He said that it will "be a pleasure to host you there."

In his address at the signing ceremony, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said discussions for an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council have been going on for nearly two decades.

"Two trading partners who have been trading amongst each other for over 5000 years. It is most appropriate that we now enter into a much stronger and robust trading arrangement, which will enable greater free flow of goods, services, bring predictability and stability to policy, help encourage greater degree of investments and take our bilateral relations between the six nation GCC group and India to greater heights," Piyush Goyal said.

- ANI
Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala has hinted at a major political announcement, stating "good news will come" during events for former CM J Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary. Her remarks fuel speculation about her launching a new political outfit as she eyes a comeback in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The state's political landscape is already shaping up for a multi-cornered contest involving the DMK-led alliance, the BJP-AIADMK alliance, and actor Vijay's new party. Sasikala, once a close aide to Jayalalithaa, was expelled from the AIADMK following her conviction in the disproportionate assets case.

Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala hints at "good news" and a potential new party ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Chennai, February 24 Expelled All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader VK Sasikala on Tuesday hinted at a possible political announcement, stating that "good news will come" ahead of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary celebrations today.

Speaking to reporters, Sasikala said, "Today there is an event for Amma's birthday. We are conducting an event for her birthday in which good news will come."

Her remarks come amid continued speculation over her political future and the possibility of launching a new political outfit following her expulsion from the AIADMK.

Prior to her remarks, Sasikala paid floral tributes to AIADMK founder and former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran as well as Jayalalithaa.

Earlier this month, Sasikala held a meeting with her supporters in Chennai as Tamil Nadu prepares for the Assembly elections later this year.

Sasikala, who was once the AIADMK's Acting General Secretary and a close aide to former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, was expelled from the party after she was convicted in the disproportionate assets case. She is eyeing a comeback in the 2026 state assembly polls.

Arasan, a supporter of the expelled leader, said, "We are with Chinnamma and will stand by her no matter what. Whatever decision she takes in the upcoming 2026 elections, we will stand by Chinnamma. I have been a very loyal supporter of VK Sasikala and her husband, Natarajan, since childhood. This will always continue."

The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the incumbent MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay's entry with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to turn the Tamil Nadu polls into a three-way contest.

In the 2021 polls, the DMK won 133 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. Congress won 18, PMK won five, VCK won four, and others won eight seats. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by DMK, which consisted of Congress, won 159 seats collectively.

While the NDA won 75 seats, the AIADMK emerged as the largest party in the alliance with 66 seats.

- ANI
The Forest Department in Udhampur district has initiated a large-scale reforestation drive under the 'Green Udhampur' mission to restore areas severely damaged by flash floods in August 2025. The department is cultivating and distributing over 80,000 saplings, with a focus on fast-growing species for rapid ecological recovery in flood-affected zones. Range Officer Ayush Gupta emphasized swift action post-calamity, including public outreach to motivate community participation in tree planting. This initiative aligns with a broader horticultural shift in Jammu and Kashmir, where districts like Rajouri are seeing farmers move to high-density fruit farming for better income.

J-K Forest Department launches a major reforestation drive in Udhampur, distributing 80,000+ saplings to restore areas devastated by 2025 flash floods.

Udhampur, February 24 Under the 'Green Udhampur' mission, the Forest Department in Udhampur district has launched a large-scale reforestation drive to restore areas severely damaged by flash floods and heavy rainfall in August 2025.

Following the devastation that led to significant loss of forest cover and damage to revenue land, the department's central nurseries in the Mand and Pangra areas are cultivating and distributing over 80,000 saplings.

The initiative focuses primarily on flood-affected zones, with special emphasis on fast-growing species to accelerate ecological recovery.

The drive also includes public outreach and awareness campaigns to encourage community participation in rebuilding the green cover.

Range Officer, Department of Forest, Udhampur, Ayush Gupta, said that the department acted swiftly after the natural calamity to mitigate environmental damage and involve the public in restoration efforts.

"In August and September, a major tragedy struck, causing significant damage to forest and revenue areas, including land and trees, due to flash floods. Our senior officers issued guidelines to meet with people. To address this, we conducted awareness campaigns with the public and motivated them to plant trees," Gupta said.

He added, "People were provided with fast-growing species like eucalyptus. We have focused more on flood-affected areas and distributed 80,000 to 85,000 plants to ensure rapid restoration of the damaged ecosystem."

Another green initiative, such as horticulture and sustainable forestry, is also visible in other districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Rajouri is currently undergoing a horticulture revolution as local farmers shift from traditional cereal crops to ultra-high-density fruit farming.

According to a local Irshad Ahmad, many plantations have been established in the region, which have reflected considerable growth. He also requested that people join the department in order to benefit from the initiative.

"We have 3-4 greenhouses and a nursery... Many plantations have been established here, reflecting considerable growth... All thanks to our dedicated officers... Additionally, we have planted pears and walnuts and implemented ultra-high-density planting... Our main request to the people is to join our department to benefit from this initiative," Ahmad told ANI.

Meanwhile, Horticulture Development Officer Anil Sharma highlighted that the people are not generating enough income from maize and other crops. He mentioned that progressive farmers of the state are generating good income by implementing high-density farming. Sharma noted that the purpose of his visit was to educate some of the farmers, as well as others.

- ANI
Gujarat has initiated Phase-1 preparations for the nationwide 2027 Census, with officials stressing the use of digital tools to enhance efficiency and transparency. Chief Secretary M. K. Das emphasized that the census data is foundational for future policy decisions and holistic national development. New initiatives include digital self-enumeration during the house listing phase, allowing citizens to participate actively online. The process will be conducted in two phases, with house listing operations scheduled to begin in April-May 2026.

Gujarat starts prep for 2027 Census, focusing on digital tools, self-enumeration, and data accuracy for national development planning.

Gandhinagar, Feb 24 Gujarat has begun preparations for the Phase-1 of nationwide Census in 2027, with officials emphasising accuracy, transparency, and the use of digital tools to ease the process.

A special meeting of Principal Census Officers from Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu was held in Gandhinagar on Tuesday under the Chief Secretary, M. K. Das.

Chief Secretary M. K. Das stated that Census 2027 will set a benchmark in administrative efficiency and digital governance. 

"India's census is the largest and most important administrative exercise in the country. The 2027 Census is crucial, as its data will be essential for policy decisions and the holistic development of the nation. With rapid population growth in urban areas, these figures will form the foundation for upcoming developmental initiatives," he said.

Das added that the use of digital tools will accelerate the census, which previously took 3 to 4 years to complete.

He further emphasised that the Census is not merely a statutory exercise but a platform on which the nation's future planning, citizen-focused programme targets, and development strategies will rely.

"Meticulous planning at the district and urban levels is essential. The state government is committed to conducting the census with the highest level of administrative preparedness," Das said.

Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, highlighted the historical context of India's census.

"The first contemporary census in India was conducted in 1881, and it has continued every ten years up to 2011. The success of the census depends on the active leadership, support, and continuous supervision of district collectors and municipal commissioners," he said.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, Jayanti Ravi, outlined new initiatives for next year's Census, noting that extensive use of technology would ensure real-time transparency and facilitate data analysis.

"For the first time, digital self-enumeration will be introduced during the house listing phase, allowing citizens to participate actively and become key stakeholders in the process," she said.

Director of Census, Gujarat, Sujal Mayatra, described the census as one of the world's largest and most complex administrative exercises, reflecting India's institutional strength.

"Decennial population data is critical for resource allocation, urban planning, welfare schemes, and targeted interventions. The 2027 Census is particularly significant as it will be conducted in a data-driven, technology-enabled governance era," he added.

The meeting also featured presentations on planning, training, staff appointments, and digital self-enumeration facilities under HLO Phase I, which involves preparing detailed lists of houses and residential units.

The Census will be conducted in two phases: the first for house listing and housing census, and the second for population enumeration.

HLO operations are scheduled to begin in April-May 2026, with citizens able to submit information online.

The meeting was attended by secretaries, district collectors, and municipal commissioners.

- IANS
News / National

by Staff reporter

Bulawayo has marked a major milestone in Zimbabwe's fight against HIV following the launch of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administered just twice a year.Scores of people from key vulnerable groups, including sex workers, gathered at the "Sisters Clinic" run by CeSHHAR Zimbabwe at Khami Clinic to access the new long-acting HIV prevention option.Lenacapavir, recently recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional HIV prevention method, is being hailed as a potential game-changer in a country that continues to face one of the highest HIV burdens in southern Africa.Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, Lenacapavir provides protection for six months per injection, easing adherence challenges for individuals who struggle to take medication consistently. Health authorities say the innovation strengthens Zimbabwe's combination HIV prevention strategy, complementing condom use, regular testing, treatment and behavioural interventions.The initial rollout will prioritise populations at higher risk of HIV infection, including adolescent girls and young women, sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men, and pregnant and breastfeeding women in high-incidence settings.Bulawayo, one of the country's major urban centres with significant HIV incidence, is part of the phased introduction.Beneficiaries who spoke at the launch said the twice-yearly injection addresses real-life challenges."We sometimes travel for our work, and it becomes difficult to take a pill every day at the same time. With an injection that lasts six months, I feel more protected and less stressed," said one beneficiary.Others cited stigma associated with daily PrEP pills as a barrier, saying the injectable option allows for greater privacy and empowerment.CeSHHAR Technical Director Dr Byron Chingombe said Lenacapavir adds another layer of protection rather than replacing existing methods."This is an additional tool in our HIV prevention toolkit. Scientific evidence shows very high effectiveness when administered correctly. Our priority now is ensuring equitable access, proper follow-up and sustained supply," he said.The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe approved the drug following an expedited review process, highlighting its public health importance. Health workers are currently undergoing training to administer the injection and manage follow-up care.The programme is being supported by partners including the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to help ensure sustainable supply and technical assistance.City of Bulawayo Director of Health Services Dr Edwin Sibanda described the development as a breakthrough in provincial HIV prevention efforts."The introduction of Lenacapavir marks a significant milestone in our provincial HIV prevention efforts. A twice-yearly injectable option improves adherence, expands choice and strengthens our ability to reduce new infections, particularly among high-risk populations," he said.Health experts emphasised that Lenacapavir must be used as part of comprehensive prevention, including regular HIV testing, condom use and risk-reduction counselling.As the rollout begins, attention now turns to community awareness, uptake and sustained funding - key factors that will determine how transformative the intervention becomes in Zimbabwe's ongoing fight against HIV.
The Rajkot Municipal Corporation has nearly completed a large-scale anti-encroachment drive, demolishing 1,504 illegal structures along the Aji River's Jangleshwar area. The operation, conducted under tight security with over 2,500 police personnel, aimed to clear obstructions to the river's natural flow and infrastructure expansion. Officials stated the action specifically targeted properties linked to 11 history-sheeters, dismantling luxurious houses and huts used to fund illegal activities. The reclaimed land, spanning over 87,000 square metres, will be cleared of debris and prepared for planned developmental work.

Rajkot Municipal Corporation completes a massive demolition drive, removing 1,504 illegal structures along the Aji River to clear encroachments and curb crime.

Rajkot, Feb 24 The Rajkot Municipal Corporation has so far demolished 1,504 illegal constructions in the Jangleshwar area along the Aji River and the adjoining town-planning road, officials confirmed on Tuesday evening.

The officials said that the five remaining structures will be removed on Wednesday.

The operation, which began on Monday, is part of a large-scale anti-encroachment drive launched by the civic body to clear unauthorised buildings that authorities say are obstructing the river's natural flow and blocking infrastructure expansion.

The scope of the demolition was expanded from an initial target of 1,489 to 1,509 structures.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Jani said notices had been served to owners of about 1,500 properties, including residences and commercial buildings on the riverbank and TP road.

He reiterated that all identified encroachments would be removed and that work to clear debris and prepare the site for future development would follow once demolitions are complete.

"All the debris will also be cleared by tomorrow evening. After the debris is removed, a decision will be made on the inauguration of the road. For now, some roads have been opened to ensure smooth movement of vehicles," Jani said.

The operation has been carried out under tight security. Officials deployed heavy machinery and excavation equipment to dismantle a range of buildings, from smaller homes to larger multi-storey structures.

More than 2,500 police personnel, including local units, surveillance teams, drone squads, and state reserve forces, were involved in maintaining order and assisting civic staff.

Local residents were issued advance notices, and utilities such as water and electricity were disconnected before demolition began, the police said.

DCP Crime Jagdish Bagarwa said, "In the Jangleshwar area, major action has been taken against illegal constructions linked to 11 history-sheeters in a joint operation by the police and the municipal corporation. Under this action, a total of eight houses, 97 huts, 3 shops, and one structure measuring approximately 3,000 square feet have been demolished. All the constructions were built illegally on the riverbank."

According to the police, the accused were living in luxurious houses and renting out huts along the riverbank, using the money they received for illegal activities.

The demolition follows legal proceedings in the Gujarat High Court, where petitions by some residents seeking interim protection from removal were not granted.

Officials said the reclaimed land, estimated at over 87,000 square metres, will be cleared of debris and prepared for planned development, including improvements to river flow management and the construction of a wider road.

The administration also believes that this demolition will curb the accused's criminal activities and prevent illegal operations in the area.

- IANS
To be completed in four years

Three new stations to be built

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of Ahmedabad's North-South Metro Corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur. The 3.33-kilometre elevated stretch will feature three stations and is estimated to cost over Rs 1,000 crore. This project aims to significantly improve connectivity between Ahmedabad city and the GIFT City financial hub, benefiting commuters and businesses. The extension supports the city's infrastructure growth ahead of major future international events.

Union Cabinet approves 3.33-km metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur in Ahmedabad, enhancing connectivity to the financial hub.

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Feb 24 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the extension of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited's North-South Corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur in Ahmedabad, a move set to strengthen connectivity between the city and the state's financial hub.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister. "This extension will enhance connectivity between Ahmedabad and GIFT City, directly benefiting all sectors," he said.

The 3.33-kilometre extension will feature three elevated stations and is expected to be completed over the next four years.

The project has been estimated at Rs 1,067.35 crore. GIFT City, established under Prime Minister Modi's vision, has gained recognition as a global fintech hub.

The metro extension is designed to facilitate easier access to the city for employees of multinational companies, educational institutions, and commercial establishments, as well as residents commuting from Ahmedabad.

Currently, Ahmedabad Metro operates 68.28 kilometres across Phase I and Phase II. Phase I, covering the APMC to Motera Stadium North-South Corridor and Thaltej Village to Vastral Village East-West Corridor, has been operational since September 2022.

Phase II, extending from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir and from GNLU to GIFT City, has been functional since January 2026.

Together, these phases include 53 stations and serve an estimated 1.6 lakh passengers daily. With the new extension, the GMRC aims to integrate GIFT City further into Ahmedabad's urban transport network.

The three elevated stations along the route are expected to serve commercial and residential commuters, offering a convenient and efficient option for daily travel.

The project reflects the state's ongoing efforts to expand Ahmedabad's metro network, supporting the city's rapid urban development ahead of major global events such as the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the aspirational 2036 Olympic Games.

The state government and local administration are also prioritising sustainable transport, with plans to operate 3,000 electric buses across the city.

- IANS
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the complete recovery of Rs 578 crore lost in a fraud at an IDFC First Bank branch, with the funds returned within 24 hours. The fraud, involving state government accounts, was allegedly executed by four or five middle and lower-level bank employees in Chandigarh. IDFC First Bank has suspended four employees and launched an investigation to recover funds through legal action. The Reserve Bank of India has stated that this appears to be an isolated incident and not a systemic failure in the banking sector.

Haryana CM confirms full recovery of Rs 578 crore lost in IDFC First Bank fraud, including interest. Four bank employees suspended.

Chandigarh, February 24 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday confirmed that the Rs 578 crore lost in a fraud at IDFC First Bank, including funds of state departments and boards, was fully recovered within 24 hours, with Rs 556 crore deposited and Rs 22 crore interest returned.

He added that a high-level committee will investigate and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.

Speaking at the Assembly, CM Saini said,"I want to clarify before this House that the entire amount lost in yesterday's incident, including the funds of some Haryana government departments and boards and corporations, has been deposited back into our accounts within just 24 hours. Speaker, approximately Rs 556 crore was deposited by the bank, of which we also received interest of approximately Rs 22 crore. The interest has also been returned. We have deposited that amount and recovered all of that money within just 24 hours...Four or five middle and lower-level employees of a bank branch in Chandigarh colluded to carry out this operation."

He further stated that strict action will be taken against any government official or employee found involved in the matter.

"Strict action will be taken against any government official or employee involved in it... We would form a high-level committee that would not only hold the officers and employees involved in this matter accountable but would also make suggestions to prevent future situations like the one that has arisen today," CM Saini added.

IDFC FIRST Bank has suspended four employees after it discovered fraudulent activity involving approximately Rs 590 crore in certain Haryana government accounts at its Chandigarh branch, the bank said in its official stock exchange filing.

The bank has launched an investigation and plans to recover the funds through legal and disciplinary action.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra has said the Rs 590 crore fraud reported at one of the IDFC First Bank branches is not a systemic kind of issue, and the central bank is watching the developments.

- ANI
An air ambulance crash in Chatra district, Jharkhand, has resulted in the tragic deaths of all seven people on board. The victims included the flight crew, medical staff, a burn patient, and his attendants. Family members gathered at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, expressing grief and raising questions about local healthcare facilities. Authorities, including the DGCA, are investigating the crash, with initial reports pointing to a sudden and severe deterioration in weather conditions.

An air ambulance crash in Chatra, Jharkhand claims 7 lives. Families mourn as officials cite sudden bad weather. Details on victims and investigation.

Ranchi, February 24 Government leaders, hospital officials and family members of the deceased have reacted with shock and expressed deep grief over the air ambulance crash in Chatra that claimed seven lives, attributing the tragedy to a sudden and severe deterioration in weather conditions.

Heart-wrenching scenes were witnessed at Sadar Hospital on Tuesday morning as family members gathered to mourn the loss of their loved ones killed in a late-night air ambulance crash. Visuals from the hospital showed grieving relatives identifying the seven deceased, which include the flight crew, medical staff, a burn patient, and his attendants.

The father of attendant Dhuru Kumar recounted the timeline of his son's final day, and while speaking to ANI, he said, "He went from Simdega at around 7 am. My son had a flight from Ranchi in the evening."

Father of the deceased Dr Vikash Kumar Gupta, said, "...My elder son was posted in the Sadar Hospital, Ranchi...If there had been proper health facilities here, why would they have gone to Delhi for treatment?...

Reflecting on the unexpected nature of the disaster, Union Minister Sanjay Seth, while speaking to ANI, said, "This is a very sad incident. The crash will be investigated, but yesterday the weather suddenly changed and turned very bad. It is a very unfortunate incident."

Providing details on the patient and the medical team involvedthe founder and CEO of Devkamal Hospital & Research Centre, Anant Sinha, while speaking to ANI, said, "The patient's name was Sanjay Kumar. He was forty-one years old. He was admitted to our hospital on the 16th. He had suffered around sixty per cent burns. We kept him in the ICU. Some relatives suggested they might want him to be taken abroad for better treatment. They negotiated and arranged for an air ambulance. Unfortunately, we got the news that a plane had crashed. Dr Vikas Gupta was close to us, unfortuntely he also died."

Meanwhile, on Monday, a medical chartered plane with seven people on board, including two crew members, crashed at Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district in Jharkhand on Monday, DGCA sources stated. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV departed from Ranchi at 7:11 PM. Shortly after, the air ambulance lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at 7: 34 PM.

"On 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV, operating a medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on sector "Ranchi-Delhi" crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven persons on board including two crew members. The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata aircraft requested deviation due to weather. At 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata. The last known position of aircraft was approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi," DGCA reported.

Earlier, the Ranchi Airport reported that after being transferred to the next station, the plane did not contact Ranchi and that the state government has been informed of the same.

- ANI
Veteran actress Helen Mirren revealed that she found her red carpet confidence by purchasing towering platform heels from a stripper shop in her early Hollywood days. She said the $39.99 shoes were a "secret weapon" that allowed her to stand eye-to-eye with taller co-stars like Nicole Kidman. Mirren has long praised the leg-lengthening and stable qualities of these shoes, originally designed for strippers. Her fondness for dramatic footwear was recently immortalized by Mattel, which accurately recreated her platform "pump shoes" for a Barbie doll in her likeness.

Hollywood legend Helen Mirren reveals her red carpet secret weapon: platform heels bought from a stripper shop to stand eye-to-eye with taller stars.

Los Angeles, Feb 24 Veteran Hollywood star Helen Mirren shared that she found her red carpet confidence in a stripper shop.

Revealing that towering platform heels were her "secret weapon" during her early years in Hollywood, the 80-year-old star spoke about her long-standing love of pole-dancing heels in an interview with British Vogue from the front row of London Fashion Week.

Reflecting on attending awards ceremonies in her earlier career, she said: "In my early days in LA, you know, the awards things, and there would be all these actresses like Nicole Kidman and these beautiful, tall, thin, gorgeous actresses, and I'd be this dumpy little five-foot-four thing amongst them."

At the time, she said, high platforms were not readily available in mainstream fashion, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Mirren added: "Platform heels were not in fashion. So the only place I could find a platform heel was in the stripper shops on Hollywood Boulevard. It was $39.99, my first pair of stripper heels, and they worked like magic. Suddenly I was up there eye to eye with (5ft 11in) Nicole Kidman."

The star has earlier talked about her preference for high platforms.

In 2010, she told Woman and Home magazine: "Four-inch platforms give you great height and make your legs look unbelievably long. I used only to be able to get them in stripper shops, but now you can buy them everywhere - although, unfortunately, that means everyone else has discovered the trick too."

Her fondness for dramatic footwear was referenced again in 2024 when Mattel created a Barbie doll in her likeness.

The doll was modelled on her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, featuring a periwinkle Del Core gown, matching blue hair and platform shoes.

Speaking to British Vogue at the time, Helen said: "Bless the Mattel team, because they got my me pump shoes right."

She added: "Enormous platform Pleasers have always been my secret weapon on red carpets - they give you six inches of height on your legs, and because they're made for strippers, they're quite stable, too."

- IANS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is undertaking a three-day visit to Bihar's border districts, with a key focus on the Seemanchal region. The itinerary includes high-level review meetings in Purnea, Kishanganj, and Araria to assess security and administrative preparedness along the India-Nepal border. The visit aims to address concerns over demographic changes and infiltration, following up on Shah's past assertions about identifying and deporting illegal immigrants. This initiative is seen as a major priority for the Home Ministry after its 'Naxal-Mukt Bharat' campaign.

Home Minister Amit Shah begins a 3-day visit to Bihar's Seemanchal to review border security, address demographic changes, and curb infiltration.

Patna, Feb 24 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will embark on a three-day visit to Bihar from Wednesday to review security measures, administrative preparedness and ongoing development initiatives in the state's border districts, with particular emphasis on areas along the India-Nepal border.

Senior officials from the Union Home Ministry accompanying HM Shah are expected to hold consultations with top state functionaries on the factors behind the demographic changes reported in the Seemanchal region and measures to address them.

The visit is being seen as a significant move by the Home Minister in the context of what the government has described as population imbalance in certain parts of the country.

As per the itinerary, HM Shah will arrive in Purnea at 4 p.m. on February 25 and proceed by helicopter to Kishanganj. He is scheduled to chair a review meeting at the Collectorate from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and will stay overnight in Kishanganj.

On February 26, the Home Minister will travel to Araria, where he will attend a programme at the Letti border outpost at 11 a.m.

He will subsequently convene a high-level review meeting at the Collectorate with Superintendents of Police and district officials from border areas to assess issues related to the India-Nepal border.

The same day, he will also take part in an event organised under the Vibrant Villages programme before returning to Purnea for an overnight stay.

On February 27, HM Shah will once again meet officials in Purnea to deliberate on matters concerning border districts. After concluding the final round of review meetings, he will leave for New Delhi.

The visit is regarded as crucial for bolstering border security, overseeing the progress of development schemes and ensuring administrative coordination in sensitive districts.

Authorities have completed logistical preparations, and elaborate security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the tour.

The Seemanchal region is expected to be a key focus of the visit. The exercise is being viewed as the next major priority of the Home Ministry following its 'Naxal-Mukt Bharat' initiative, with particular attention on making Seemanchal "infiltrator-free". HM Shah has toured Seemanchal several times in recent years.

During the previous Bihar Assembly elections, he had repeatedly alleged that efforts were underway to build a vote bank through illegal immigrants in the region and asserted that the NDA government would not allow such practices.

He had said that every infiltrator would be identified and deported and that all illegal activities would be brought to a complete halt.

- IANS
Professor B. Ravindran from IIT Madras has been appointed to the United Nations' newly established Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. The panel, created following the 2024 Global Digital Compact, aims to provide rigorous, independent scientific assessment of AI's impact on society worldwide. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the panel's formation, emphasizing the need to replace hype with evidence and ensure AI benefits everyone. Professor Ravindran, a leading expert in responsible AI, will represent India and the Global South on this 40-member international body.

IIT Madras Professor B. Ravindran appointed to the UN's new global AI scientific panel to provide independent, evidence-based insights on AI's societal impact.

Chennai, February 24 Indian Institute of Technology Madras Professor B. Ravindran has been appointed to the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, established by the United Nations to provide rigorous, independent scientific assessment of AI's impact on society.

According to the release, established through UN General Assembly Resolution on August 26, 2025, the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI serves as the first global scientific body on Artificial Intelligence, bringing together leading experts from diverse regions and disciplines to assess how AI is transforming lives and societies worldwide.

The Panel's creation follows the Global Digital Compact, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, which outlined a shared vision for an open, safe, and inclusive digital future. Among its commitments was the formation of a global scientific body to advance understanding of AI and ensure international discussions are guided by the best available scientific evidence, as stated in the release.

Addressing the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in Delhi last week, Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, said, "Meeting in India has special meaning. It brings this conversation closer to the realities shaping much of the world... Last year, the UN General Assembly took two decisive steps. First, creating an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI. I am happy to announce that the panel is now being appointed. These 40 leading experts from across regions and disciplines embody a clear message. AI must belong to everyone. You must replace hype and fear with shared evidence and close knowledge gaps. I urge Member States and civil society to contribute to the panels' work. In a world where Al is racing ahead, this Panel will provide what's been missing - rigorous, independent scientific insight. Second, launching a global dialogue on AI Governance within the United Nations where all countries, together with the private sector, academia, and civil society, can have a voice."

Prof. B. Ravindran is the Founding Head of Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras and currently serves as Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI). With more than three decades of experience in AI, his research interests span responsible AI and deep reinforcement learning.

Congratulating Prof. B. Ravindran, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, "I am extremely happy that one of my colleagues, Prof. B. Ravindran, is a member of this august panel. Prof. B. Ravindran is playing a very important role in the Centre for Responsible AI. IIT Madras, in general, and I, in specific, are extremely happy that Prof. B. Ravindran is part of this very important International Scientific Panel on AI, set up by the United Nations. I wish him and the panel all the best. This panel is going to play a very important role in achieving the positive impact of AI on our world."

Thanking the United Nations for the recognition, Prof. B. Ravindran, Head, Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI), IIT Madras, said, "AI is a generational technology, and it is affecting everybody, sometimes knowingly and often, even without their knowledge, that their lives are being touched by AI. So, the UN has now constituted an international panel of experts to look at the far-reaching implications of Artificial Intelligence. I am very honoured to be representing India in this panel of experts and the voice of the Global South."

The Independent International Scientific Panel on AI aims to strengthen global scientific cooperation, generate evidence-based insights on AI deployment, and support international governance efforts by providing independent, multidisciplinary expertise on the technology's societal, economic, and ethical implications.

According to the release, Prof. Ravindran's appointment reflects IIT Madras' continued contributions to advancing responsible AI research and shaping global discourse on emerging technologies.

- ANI
UN Resident Coordinator for India, Stefan Priesner, has praised the country's impressive development and its powerful role on the global stage. He specifically highlighted the success of the AI Impact Summit 2026, noting its focus on using technology for universal well-being. Priesner emphasized the vast potential of India's tourism sector, anchored by 42 UNESCO sites, but stressed that development must be sustainable and inclusive. He outlined ongoing UN collaboration with India across health, economic development, and climate action.

UN's Stefan Priesner commends India's global convening power, AI summit success, and potential for sustainable tourism development.

New Delhi, February 24 UN Resident Coordinator for India, Stefan Priesner, has lauded India's "impressive development" and its leadership on the global stage, specifically highlighting the country's significant potential in sustainable tourism and its successful hosting of the AI Impact Summit 2026.

"I was extremely impressed by India's leadership in inviting so many heads of state and high-level delegations from other countries. We were impressed by the convening power of India, the leadership of India, and also the messaging that we are talking about AI to generate well-being for all and happiness for all. This is very much along the lines of the thinking of the United Nations. We always think about those who are usually left out and try to never leave anybody behind," Priesner told ANI.

While speaking to ANI, Priesner expressed his long-standing connection with the country, remembering his first visit back in 1990.

"And since then, you know, I've cherished this country. I've also observed the impressive development of India. And now it is indeed my pleasure to be back as the head of the United Nations in India," he said.

Outlining his vision for the UN's role in India's growth story, Priesner emphasised building on existing partnerships.

"My priorities are to build upon the excellent collaboration that the United Nations system has with the government and the people of India. These are quite broad priorities, ranging from health and nutrition to economic development, where sustainable tourism is one sub-sector, and, of course, environmental sustainability and climate change," he stated.

Reflecting on India's technological influence, the UN Resident Coordinator praised the recent AI Summit as an "impressive international conference" that showcased the country's "convening power."

On a personal note, Priesner shared his admiration for the Indian landscape, particularly the northern mountain ranges.

"As an Austrian, I am a mountain person, so my favourite places in India have to do with the Himalayas. Certain places in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh are among my favourite places in the world," he remarked, while also noting his desire to explore the south and east of the country.

On the economic potential of the travel sector, Priesner highlighted that India possesses "almost limitless possibilities to attract tourists" with its 42 world heritage sites. However, he maintained that this growth must align with global goals.

"From the United Nations, we will always argue that tourism development should be part of sustainable development. Therefore, the issues of environmental sustainability and social inclusion are very important when tourism is developed," he added.

- ANI
India abstained from voting on a UN General Assembly resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The resolution, introduced by Kyiv, was adopted with 107 votes in favor, 12 against, and 51 abstentions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the supporting nations, pledging to continue working for peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres marked the invasion's anniversary, calling the war a violation of international law and demanding an immediate ceasefire.

India was among 51 nations abstaining from a UN General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

New York, February 25 India on Tuesday abstained from voting on a United Nations General Assembly draft resolution that called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

The resolution, titled 'Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine,' was adopted on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It received 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions from the 193-member assembly.

India was one of the 51 countries that abstained from the resolution, which was introduced by Kyiv. Other abstaining nations included Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the 107 nations that supported Ukraine's resolution at the UN General Assembly, calling for a full ceasefire and the return of Ukrainian citizens.

He highlighted that the resolution, which aims for lasting peace, was a crucial step, and pledged to continue working with global partners to achieve peace.

In a post on X, the Ukrainian President wrote, "I am grateful to each of the 107 countries that stood with Ukraine today in defense of life at the @UN. The General Assembly adopted our resolution in support of a lasting peace, with clear calls for a full ceasefire and the return of our people."

"These are the right and necessary steps. And we will keep working actively to achieve peace, together with our partners," the post read.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, United Nations General Secretary Antonio Guterres marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, describing the war as a violation of international law and a threat to global peace.

In a post on X, Guterres said, "24 February marks four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of the @UNCharter & international law. This devastating war is a stain on our collective consciousness & remains a threat to regional & international peace & security. The longer the war continues, the deadlier it becomes. Civilians bear the brunt of this conflict, with 2025 witnessing the largest number of civilians killed in Ukraine."

He called for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward achieving a just and lasting peace.

"This is simply unacceptable. I reiterate my call for an immediate, full & unconditional ceasefire as a first step towards a just, lasting & comprehensive peace. For peace to be just, it must be in line with international law, respecting Ukraine's independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity," the post read.

- ANI
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council have formally launched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. The joint statement was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi. The GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade exceeding $178 billion in the last fiscal year. The FTA aims to deepen collaboration in trade, investment, digital commerce, and cutting-edge technologies.

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council formally launch FTA talks to deepen trade, investment, and strategic ties across key economic sectors.

New Delhi, February 24 India and Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday signed the joint statement on Free Trade Agreement formally launching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement.

The joint statement was signed by India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi.

Taking it to social media platform X, Goyal said, "Delighted to welcome H.E. Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, @GCCSG. We signed the Joint Statement for the India-GCC FTA, building on the Terms of Reference signed on February 5, 2026, formally launching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement."

"This marks a major step toward deeper collaboration in key strategic areas, including trade in goods, customs procedures, services, digital trade, cutting-edge technologies, and enhanced investment flows between India and the six GCC member nations," he added.

Piyush Goyal emphasized that the Statement along with the Terms of Reference (ToR) for FTA which were signed on February 5, 2026, mark a significant milestone in the relationship between India and GCC countries.

He underscored that the relationship which is deeply rooted in shared history and cultural linkages, would get further impetus from a broad-based and mutually beneficial FTA, and underlined that amidst global uncertainties, it is most opportune that discussions are starting on negotiating a robust trading arrangement which would harness mutual synergies and complementarities.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi emphasized that FTA will serve as an important tool to further strengthen trade and investment ties between India and GCC countries by infusing predictability and certainty for businesses.

As per the information shared by the Ministry of Commerce & industry, GCC is India's largest trading partner bloc with bilateral trade reachingUSD 178.56 billion (Exports: USD 56.87 billion; Imports: USD 121.68 billion) in FY 2024-25, accounting for 15.42% of India's global trade.

In the last five years, India's trade with the GCC has expanded steadily, registering an annual average growth rate of 15.3 per cent.

Key exports from India to GCC include engineering goods, rice, textiles, machinery, gems and jewelry.

Key sectors of imports from GCC primarily comprise crude oil, LNG, petrochemicals, and precious metals such as gold. Collectively, the GCC countries represent a market of 61.5 million people (2024) and USD 2.3 trillion in terms of GDP at current prices, ranking 9th globally in this category.

The GCC region is also a significant source of FDI for India, with cumulative investments exceeding USD 31.14 billion as on September 2025.

Further, the GCC is also home to nearly ten million members of the Indian community acting as a living bridge between both countries.

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

Africa records over 200 health emergencies annually, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and rapid response systems across the continent.The rising frequency and complexity of outbreaks - from cholera and climate-related disasters to emerging infectious diseases - have exposed gaps in national health systems and underscored the need for stronger continental coordination and expanded local manufacturing capacity.Speaking at the official opening of the African Volunteers Health Corps induction workshop for southern Africa in Harare, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention head of emergency preparedness and response Wessam Mankoula emphasized that volunteers must be prepared to support countries when outbreaks exceed national capacity."One of the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of building resilient national and continental systems. We need national capacity capable of responding quickly and efficiently to emergencies and stronger collaboration between member States," Mankoula said.He noted that African solidarity becomes critical when emergencies overwhelm a country's capacity. "Neighbouring countries and continental organisations like Africa CDC can mobilise resources quickly to support response efforts," he said.Mankoula also highlighted the need to strengthen local manufacturing for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to reduce reliance on external suppliers during crises.Douglas Mombeshora, Zimbabwe's Health and Child Care Minister, said the continent continues to face increasingly complex public health emergencies, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises."We have recurrent cholera outbreaks, climate-related disasters displacing families, cross-border disease transmission challenging our surveillance systems, and shocks straining already burdened health infrastructures. These realities demand coordinated, rapid, and technically sound action, not fragmented or delayed responses," Mombeshora said.He described the workshop as more than training, representing readiness translated into action. "Effective emergency response requires technical knowledge as well as understanding emergency coordination, incident management, logistics, supply chains, risk communication, ethics, safety, and security," he said.Mombeshora added that Africa is building end-to-end capacity - from early detection to decisive response - led and sustained by African institutions. "The protection of our people's health is not only a technical priority but a core pillar of development, stability, and dignity," he said.The workshop brought together about 75 public health professionals from across southern Africa to strengthen regional health security. The African Volunteers Health Corps is designed to bolster surge capacity across member States by rapidly mobilising trained health professionals to support countries during public health emergencies and humanitarian crises.
India and Israel have commenced the first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi, with technical discussions covering goods, services, and intellectual property. The talks coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to Israel, where he will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance the strategic partnership. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met the Israeli delegation, emphasizing the FTA's role in creating opportunities for businesses and people in both nations. The agreement aims to leverage complementarities in sectors like high-tech manufacturing, cybersecurity, and agriculture, building upon a Bilateral Investment Treaty signed in 2025.

First round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement talks starts in Delhi, aiming to boost bilateral trade and economic cooperation across key sectors.

New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday, met a delegation from Israel who are in India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations and said these mark an important step towards enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

He said in a post on X that FTA negotiations aim at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides.

"Met a delegation from Israel today, visiting India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations (23rd-26th February 2026). The FTA negotiations mark an important step towards enhancing India-Israel bilateral trade & economic cooperation, aimed at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides," he said.

The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced in New Delhi on Monday and is scheduled to take place until February 26.

During this round, technical experts from both sides will engage in sessions covering various aspects of FTA such as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedure and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, among others, Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a release.

During the opening session, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal underscored that the FTA negotiations had begun at an opportune moment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on 25-26th February, 2026.

Agrawal underscored the significant opportunities available to both sides in sectors such as innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture, and services.

He emphasised that the FTA will enable both countries to harness and fully leverage these opportunities.

Chief Negotiator of India, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, reiterated the significance of this engagement for the two countries and encouraged both sides to work on a balanced agreement to build a forward-looking framework for an evolving partnership, the release said.

Chief Negotiator of Israel for the FTA, Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director Trade Policy & Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel, expressed that the two countries shared a close relationship, and that the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26.

This will be his second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.

During the visit, PM Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday said that Israel is excited to welcome PM Modi this week, noting that the two nations will move forward decisively during his visit.

He said that both India and Israel were moving towards a Free Trade Agreement, and it could get finalised this year.

During Piyush Goyal's visit in November 2025, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and Israel were signed.

During the visit of Finance Minister of Israel Bezalel Smotrich to India in September 2025, a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) was signed to expand economic cooperation, protect investors and boost cross-border investments, laying the foundation for deeper ties and potential FTA discussions.

Total merchandise trade between the two countries stood at USD 3.62 billion in FY 2024-2025. India and Israel share complementarities across several sectors, and the FTA will be a catalyst to further enhance the bilateral trade by providing certainty and predictability to businesses, including MSMEs.

- ANI
India and Israel are set to elevate their economic partnership, with a focus on finalizing a long-pending free trade agreement. Negotiating teams are currently meeting in New Delhi to advance the FTA framework, which aims to lower trade barriers across key sectors. The anticipated meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to provide a political roadmap for signing the pact. Concurrently, both nations are discussing the transformative India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, where Israel is seen as a pivotal logistics hub.

India and Israel aim to finalize a free trade agreement and boost the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during high-level talks.

Tel Aviv, February 24 Trade and connectivity are set to take centre stage as India and Israel explore ways to elevate their economic partnership, with fresh momentum around the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during PM Modi' visit to Israel which gets underway on Wednesday.

Israel is considered a pivotal link in the ambitious corridor, which aims to connect India to Europe through the Middle East via integrated shipping and rail networks.

The discussions come amid a broader push to strengthen bilateral trade and move closer to finalising a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. In an interview to Doordshan India, Indian Ambassador to Israel J P Singh highlighted the expectation of the upcoming engagement in the domain of trade and connectivity.

Responding to a question on expectations surrounding IMEC and broader economic cooperation, Singh said, "I think this is one area where there will be discussion during this visit, how to improve trade and commerce. And when we say trade and commerce, last year our commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal, also visited Israel. During that visit, he came along with a very big delegation, around 70-member business delegation, CEO and, you know, business forum meetings took place."

India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, led a large business delegation to Israel last year, signalling strong intent from New Delhi to accelerate commercial engagement. According to Singh, the visit marked a key milestone in formalizing the trade agenda between the two nations.

"During that visit, both the countries signed the terms of reference for free trade agreement. And you will be happy to know that as we speak today, the delegation from both the sides are meeting in Delhi to take forward negotiations on free trade agreement," Singh said.

Officials confirmed that negotiators are currently in New Delhi working to advance the FTA framework. The agreement, once concluded, is expected to lower trade barriers, enhance market access, and promote investment flows across sectors including technology, agriculture, defense, and services.

The anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to provide political direction to the negotiations. Singh expressed optimism about tangible outcomes from the high-level engagement.

"And I think during this visit, both the Prime Ministers are going to set a roadmap, a target, how to sign free trade agreement at the earliest possible," he added.

Beyond the FTA, the IMEC initiative is seen as a transformative connectivity project that could reshape regional supply chains. With Israel positioned as a strategic transit and logistics hub, progress on the corridor could significantly enhance trade efficiency between India and European markets.

As discussions unfold, both governments appear keen to convert diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic gains, reinforcing a partnership that has steadily expanded in scope and ambition over the past decade.

- ANI
The White House's top science adviser has declared India a "technology powerhouse" central to America's global artificial intelligence strategy. Michael Kratsios emphasized India's deep engineering talent and growing innovation ecosystem as key assets. He outlined a US push to help partner nations achieve "real AI sovereignty" through trusted technology, financing, and deployment support. The strategy includes a new US Tech Corps and focuses on applying AI in critical sectors like healthcare and education.

US science adviser calls India central to AI strategy, highlighting engineering talent and innovation. Announces new US Tech Corps for deployment.

Washington, Feb 24 India is "a technology powerhouse" that is central to the White House's global artificial intelligence push, US President Donald Trump's top science adviser has said, highlighting the country's engineering depth and growing innovation ecosystem.

"India is a technology powerhouse," Michael Kratsios, assistant to the president and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said told Fox News in an interview.

"It graduates an incredible number of engineers, has deep domestic talent, and is building strong products and applications," said the top American scientific advisor who recently returned from India after attending the India AI Impact Summit.

Kratsios placed India within a broader US strategy to expand what he described as "real AI sovereignty" among partner nations.

"The divergence in AI adoption between developed and developing countries is growing every day," he said. "We see the world in two broad categories, and different tools are needed for each."

He warned that developing countries risk "falling behind at a fundamental inflection point" unless they prioritise AI adoption in sectors delivering "concrete benefits: healthcare, education, energy infrastructure, agriculture, and citizen-facing government services."

The White House is promoting the American AI Exports Program as the vehicle for that push.

"For too long, countries seeking development support faced a false choice," Kratsios said. "We believe the American AI Exports Program offers a different path: trusted best-in-class technology, financing to overcome adoption barriers, and deployment support."

He described "real AI sovereignty" as "owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people, and charting your national destiny in the midst of global transformations."

The strategy, he said, is not about isolation or control. "We do not see this as being about any one competitor," Kratsios said. "This is about the fact that the United States has the best AI technology in the world, and many countries want it in their ecosystems."

On standards, he said the next phase of innovation "will center on agents," adding: "How those agents communicate and orchestrate their actions would benefit greatly from unified standards. NIST has launched an initiative to develop standards for agents, so these systems can interoperate securely and effectively."

Financing remains a key constraint for many emerging economies. "The AI stack is expensive," Kratsios said, pointing to "data centers, semiconductors, power generation" as essential physical inputs.

He said Washington is mobilising support through the US International Development Finance Corporation, the Export Import Bank and other agencies.

He also announced a US Tech Corps. "These will be like Peace Corps volunteers, except the focus is on technology," he said. "We are looking for people with technical backgrounds who want to help implement AI solutions."

Kratsios noted that India has "long been a strong partner in how the United States shares technology abroad," and said American hyperscalers have data centres and research operations in the country, helping deepen integration within the American AI stack.

- IANS
The US Army contingent has arrived in India for the 16th India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar, being held in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The exercise involves 45 Indian Special Forces personnel and 12 US Green Berets, focusing on joint operations in mountainous terrain. It aims to enhance interoperability, share tactics, and conduct joint mission planning. The drills are expected to strengthen the defence partnership and mutual trust between the two nations.

The 16th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar commences in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, to enhance interoperability.

New Delhi, February 25 The US Army contingent has arrived in India to participate in the 16th edition of the India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise Vajra Prahar, scheduled to be conducted at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from February 24 to March 16.

The previous edition of the exercise was held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA in November 2024.

The Indian Army contingent, represented by Special Forces units, comprises 45 personnel, while the United States will be represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The aim of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to promote military cooperation between India and the United States through enhanced interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise is designed to strengthen combined capabilities for conducting joint Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain.

The training will focus on a high degree of physical conditioning, joint mission planning and the execution of joint tactical drills. Participating troops will share best practices and operational experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and special operations tactics, techniques and procedures.

The exercise is expected to further deepen interoperability, mutual trust and professional camaraderie between the Special Forces of both nations, reinforcing the growing defence partnership between India and the United States.

- ANI
Indian medical students in Iran, particularly from Jammu and Kashmir, are seeking to return home amid regional tensions but are constrained by upcoming March examinations. The All India Medical Students Association has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for diplomatic intervention to request exam postponement from Iranian authorities. Students express anxiety over their safety and academic future, stating they are in a difficult wait-and-watch mode. Their families in India are also deeply concerned, hoping for a resolution that allows safe return without jeopardizing their studies.

Indian medical students in Iran seek govt help to postpone March exams amid regional tensions. AIMSA appeals to PM Modi for diplomatic intervention.

Tehran, February 24 As concerns continue to mount over the evolving situation in Iran, several Indian students -- particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir -- have expressed their desire to return home but say they are unable to do so due to their upcoming examinations scheduled for March.

A large number of these students are enrolled in medical programmes at universities across Iran. According to them, their institutions have not announced any postponement of examinations despite the prevailing uncertainty. This has placed them in a difficult position: either stay back to complete their exams or return to India and risk losing an academic year.

The All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) has taken up the matter with the central government. The association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention. In its appeal, AIMSA has requested that the Government of India engage with Iranian authorities and universities to explore the possibility of postponing examinations so that students who wish to return home can do so without jeopardising their studies.

Bilal Bhat, an Indian student currently studying in Iran, told ANI over Zoom that anxiety levels among students have increased in recent weeks.

"We want to come back home. Our families are worried. But our exams are scheduled in March and there is no clarity on postponement. If we miss exams, it will affect our academic year," he said.

He added that while day-to-day life continues and flights are still operating, uncertainty about how the situation may unfold has left many students and their families concerned.

Another student, Musafid, shared similar apprehensions. "We are constantly monitoring the situation. Flights are operational, but we don't know what may happen next. Our only concern is safety and our studies," he said, highlighting the dilemma faced by many pursuing professional degrees abroad.

From Jammu and Kashmir, Mohammad Momin Khan, President of J&K AIMSA, said the association has formally approached the Prime Minister's Office seeking urgent assistance. He emphasised that students are not asking for evacuation at this stage but for diplomatic intervention to ensure that academic schedules are adjusted if necessary.

Families of students back home are also closely watching developments, hoping for clarity in the coming days. For now, many students remain in wait-and-watch mode, balancing academic responsibilities with concerns about safety and the uncertainty surrounding the broader situation.

- ANI
India's GDP growth for the third quarter of FY26 is projected to reach 8-8.1%, according to an SBI Research report, indicating resilient economic activity. The growth is supported by robust rural consumption and a sustained uptick in urban demand following fiscal stimulus. Concurrently, India is preparing to release updated GDP data with a new base year of 2022-23, aiming to better capture the modern economic structure, including digital commerce. The methodological overhaul, incorporating sources like GST data, could potentially position India as the world's fourth-largest economy.

SBI Research forecasts India's Q3 FY26 GDP growth at 8-8.1%, driven by strong rural and urban consumption, amid a major statistical base year revision.

New Delhi, Feb 24 India's GDP growth in the third quarter of FY26 is likely to come at 8-8.1 per cent, an SBI Research report said on Tuesday, adding that the domestic economy has maintained strong growth momentum despite global headwinds.

High-frequency activity data indicates resilient economic activity in Q3 FY26 (October-December 2025).

"Rural consumption remains strong, driven by positive signals from farm and non-farm activity. Supported by fiscal stimulus, urban consumption shows a consistent uptick since the last festive season," said Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser, State Bank of India.

As per the first advance estimate, GDP is estimated to growth at 7.4 per cent in FY26, with growth largely driven by domestic demand.

India is updating its GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with the new series scheduled for release on February 27.

This revision, along with an updated CPI base (2024), aims to better reflect the current economic structure, including increased digital commerce and service.

The overhaul includes better measurement of the informal sector and new data sources like GST, potentially placing India as the world's fourth-largest economy.

"Given significant methodological changes and new data series to be released, it is difficult to predict the extent of revision," said the report.

The new methodology will incorporate more granular data, including GST records, e-Vahan (vehicle registrations), and information on natural gas consumption.

The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26 along with past 3 financial years' GDP estimates as well as Quarterly GDP estimates as per the new base 2022-23 will be released on February 27.

As per the latest Economic Survey, India's potential GDP is estimated to be around 7 per cent and estimated to grow in the range of 6.8-7.2 per cent during FY27.

Meanwhile, the global economic environment is characterised by high uncertainty, with growth projected at 3.3 per cent both in 2025 and 2026 but remain uneven elsewhere due to geopolitical tensions, high debt, and structural shifts like digitalisation and decarbonisation.

- IANS
IndiGo Airlines has issued a travel advisory warning passengers of significant disruptions to flights operating to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to adverse weather. Heavy fog has reduced visibility to just 1.4 kilometers at Dubai International Airport, with 100% humidity creating challenging conditions for take-offs and landings. The airline has apologized for extended waiting times both on the ground and onboard aircraft, urging travelers to monitor official channels for real-time flight status. Ground and crew teams are working to manage the situation and assist affected passengers.

IndiGo warns of major flight disruptions and extended wait times due to heavy fog and adverse weather conditions impacting Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

New Delhi, February 24 IndiGo Airlines on Tuesday announced that flight operations to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been affected by adverse weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates. The airline has cautioned passengers regarding potential delays and extended wait times as ground teams work to manage the disruptions.

According to the airline, the current atmospheric situation has led to extended waiting periods for passengers both on the ground and onboard aircraft.

Regarding the ongoing disruptions, IndiGo, in a post on X, stated

"Due to adverse weather conditions in #Dubai and #AbuDhabi, flight operations may be impacted. We understand that extended wait times, both on the ground and onboard, may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate your patience.

Our crew and ground teams are there to support you and ensure your wait is as comfortable as possible.

We value your time and are doing everything we can to help you get on your way as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued understanding."

According to AccuWeather, Dubai is currently experiencing "very warm" conditions with a high of 88F (31C) and hazy sun, creating potential challenges for scheduled flight arrivals and departures.

IndiGo has requested travellers to monitor their real-time flight status through official digital channels as the local weather in Dubai remains unpredictable with lingering haze and fog.

The airline informed that passengers might have to wait longer than usual at the airport or on the plane, and travellers should check their flight details online before leaving for the airport.

According to the latest meteorological data from AccuWeather, the region is witnessing a significant temperature spike. The forecast for Dubai on February 24 indicates a high of 88F (31C) with "hazy sun" and a real feel of 91F, while Abu Dhabi is experiencing similar warmth with highs near 89F (32C). Such conditions, often accompanied by shifting humidity and dust, can lead to reduced visibility for pilots during take-off and landing.

Meanwhile, according to meteorological reports for Dubai International Airport on February 24, the current temperature stands at 18C with a real feel of 20. The visibility has plummeted to 1.4 km due to heavy fog, significantly lower than standard clear conditions. With 100% humidity and a low cloud ceiling, the atmospheric conditions are deemed "adverse" for regular flight departures and arrivals. The airport region recorded a humidity level of 100%, creating persistent foggy conditions that have led to extended wait times for travellers.

- ANI
The Indo-Nepal Trade Festival 2026 concluded in New Delhi, marking a strategic shift toward multidimensional cooperation. Key discussions centered on harnessing Nepal's hydropower for a proposed "Himalayan Compute Corridor" to support data centers and India's AI ambitions. The event also emphasized fintech interoperability, integrated tourism circuits, and strengthening startup partnerships through training at IIT Madras. Over 10 high-level dialogues reflected a consensus on evolving bilateral ties toward energy security, digital growth, and innovation.

The Indo-Nepal Trade Festival concluded, focusing on hydropower, digital corridors, fintech, and tourism to transform bilateral relations beyond traditional trade.

New Delhi, February 24 The three-day Indo-Nepal Trade Festival 2026 concluded in the national capital with a strong push for deeper cooperation in energy, digital infrastructure, tourism and innovation, signalling a shift in bilateral ties beyond conventional trade.

Held at PHD House in Hauz Khas under the theme "Connecting People, Enhancing Bilateral Trade," the festival was led by the Everest Chamber of Commerce with support from the Nepal Tourism Board and the Trade and Export Promotion Centre. Organisers said the event featured over 50 stalls and drew more than 20,000 visitors.

Addressing the inaugural session, Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Prasad Sharma, underscored the need for export diversification beyond soybean and palm oil, while calling for stronger tourism promotion in India. He also urged greater Nepali participation in Indian trade fairs with a clear private-sector roadmap.

Chief Guest Munu Mahawar, Additional Secretary to the Government of India, conveyed New Delhi's support for Nepal's upcoming general elections, noting India's logistical assistance. He highlighted that 40 Nepali entrepreneurs received training at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras under the India-Nepal Startup Partnership, with select participants advancing to incubation and investment stages.

Energy cooperation dominated discussions, particularly during the "Harnessing Himalayan Hydropower" session, where experts proposed the "Himalayan Compute Corridor" concept. With abundant hydropower and a cool climate, Nepal was positioned as a potential hub for data centres aligned with India's AI ambitions, provided domestic grids and transmission systems are strengthened first.

Deliberations on fintech stressed QR interoperability, smoother cross-border remittances and regulatory coordination to deepen financial inclusion. Tourism stakeholders advocated integrated promotion of the Ramayana and Buddhist circuits, alongside adventure tourism and destination weddings, backed by better border management and branding.

Sessions on media ethics, youth engagement and Vision 2030 highlighted the importance of responsible journalism, research partnerships, traditional knowledge validation and AI-led startup ecosystems.

Across more than 10 high-level dialogues, the festival reflected a growing consensus: Nepal-India relations are evolving toward a multidimensional framework anchored in energy security, digital growth, innovation and people-to-people trust.

- ANI
A geopolitical report advises Israel and India to maintain strategic vigilance regarding Turkey's growing alignment with Pakistan and its questioned nuclear ambitions. It highlights that Turkey's assertive regional posture and rhetoric have sparked security concerns among analysts. For Israel, a Turkish nuclear capability could fundamentally alter regional deterrence and security calculations. For India, deepened Turkey-Pakistan defence cooperation would complicate its strategic landscape already defined by two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Geopolitical report warns Israel and India to adopt vigilant approach as Turkey's nuclear ambitions and alignment with Pakistan grow.

Tel Aviv, Feb 24 Israel and India should prioritise vigilance over alarmism through deeper strategic dialogue with NATO partners, stronger non-proliferation mechanisms, and robust regional diplomacy as "quiet preventive measures often prove more effective than public confrontation", a report said on Tuesday.

Writing for 'Times of Israel', Sergio Restelli, an Italian political advisor, author and geopolitical expert, said that both Jerusalem and New Delhi should watch closely as Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Israel, with the Turkish-Pakistani dynamics and potential issues such as Turkish nuclear ambitions warranting closer scrutiny.

"When policymakers discuss nuclear proliferation, attention usually turns to Iran or North Korea. Yet an emerging concern - still under-examined in global discourse - is the possibility of a future Turkish nuclear weapon," Restelli stated.

He cited Michael Rubin, Director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, who argued that India, particularly, should not overlook this scenario - a warning that deserves broader scrutiny- in both New Delhi and Jerusalem.

"Turkey is a NATO member and a long-standing participant in the global non-proliferation regime. It is also home to US tactical nuclear weapons under NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangements. Formally, Ankara remains bound by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has in the past publicly questioned why some states are permitted nuclear weapons while others are not," Restelli detailed.

"Combined with Turkey's increasingly assertive regional posture-from Syria to Libya to the Eastern Mediterranean-this rhetoric has raised questions among security analysts about Ankara's long-term ambitions," he added.

According to the report, the implications for Israel are "immediate and strategic".

Israel, it said, followed a policy of nuclear ambiguity, using deterrence without formal declaration, while its security doctrine emphasises preserving qualitative military superiority in a volatile region.

"A Turkish nuclear capability - even if framed as defensive - could reshape regional calculations. Turkey is not a peripheral actor; it has deep influence across the Levant, maintains close ties with certain Islamist political movements, and has experienced strained relations with Jerusalem over the past decade," the report mentioned.

The report highlighted that India's concerns are different yet equally serious, with its strategic landscape defined by two nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and China.

"Ankara's growing alignment with Islamabad on several diplomatic and defence issues has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. A Turkish nuclear capability, particularly if accompanied by expanded defence cooperation with Pakistan, would complicate India's security calculus across West Asia and beyond," it noted

Asserting that the question is not whether Turkey will build a nuclear weapon tomorrow, the report said, "The question is whether the international community is prepared for the geopolitical shockwave if it ever chooses to do so. In a world already struggling to contain proliferation pressures, a new nuclear-armed power at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East would not merely shift regional balances-it could accelerate the unravelling of the global non-proliferation order itself."

- IANS
Follows prison release and expulsion from AIADMK

Could challenge AIADMK or align with NDA

V.K. Sasikala has indicated she will announce the next phase of her political journey while marking former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's birth anniversary. Her political path was dramatically altered after a 2017 conviction, which prevented her from becoming Chief Minister and led to her eventual expulsion from the AIADMK. Speculation is now rife on whether her announcement will involve a direct confrontation with the current AIADMK leadership or a signal of support for the BJP-led NDA ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. This move is expected to significantly impact the opposition space in Tamil Nadu's evolving political landscape.

V.K. Sasikala to announce her next political phase in Pasumpon, reshaping Tamil Nadu's opposition landscape ahead of 2026 elections.

Chennai, Feb 24 Marking the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, V. K. Sasikala indicated that she would announce the next phase of her political journey, triggering fresh speculation in Tamil Nadu's political circles.

Sasikala, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa for over three decades, remained a powerful presence behind the scenes during the AIADMK supremo's rule.

Following Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016, Sasikala formally stepped into active politics and was appointed General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Soon after, she was elected leader of the AIADMK Legislature Party and was poised to take over as Chief Minister. However, dramatic political developments altered the course of events.

Then Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam rebelled against her leadership, launching what he described as a "dharma yuddham" (righteous battle).

Before Sasikala could assume office, she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case and sentenced to four years in prison.

Prior to surrendering, she named Edappadi K. Palaniswami as Chief Minister, reshaping the party's leadership structure.

By the time Sasikala was released from prison in 2021, Tamil Nadu's political landscape had undergone significant change.

She was subsequently sidelined and expelled from the AIADMK, and her repeated calls for party unity ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections failed to yield any positive response from the current leadership.

Over the past month, Sasikala has intensified consultations with her supporters, former AIADMK functionaries, and leaders from allied organisations.

At a recent memorial event for C.N. Annadurai, she made a dramatic declaration that she would re-enter the electoral fray.

Today, after paying floral tributes at the memorials of M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa, Sasikala said she would make an "important announcement" in Pasumpon.

Political observers note that launching and registering a new party - as her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran did - would be a complex and time-consuming task.

As a result, speculation is rife over whether Sasikala will adopt a confrontational stance against the AIADMK leadership or signal support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Her announcement is expected to have significant implications for the Opposition space in Tamil Nadu.

- IANS
News / National

by Staff reporter

A man from Waterfalls, Harare, has appeared in court accused of repeatedly raping his 15-year-old daughter, reportedly resulting in her pregnancy.The accused was brought before Harare Regional Magistrate Sandra Mupindu yesterday and was not asked to plead during the brief appearance.According to the prosecution, the alleged abuse began in September last year after the complainant's mother separated from her husband and moved out of the family home. On October 1, the father allegedly returned from work, found his daughter asleep in her bedroom, and raped her.The court heard that the assaults allegedly continued on multiple occasions thereafter. The matter came to light earlier this month when the teenager's pregnancy was discovered.The case has been remanded while investigations continue.
The Kerala Cabinet has approved a significant increase in the upper age limit for PSC applicants, raising it from 36 to 40 years for the general category. It also granted in-principle approval for a comprehensive statewide group insurance scheme to protect households from natural disasters, featuring both parametric and indemnity components. The scheme, with an estimated annual outlay of about Rs 120.75 crore, is based on recommendations from a committee led by Planning Board member Ravi Raman. Additionally, the Cabinet officially accepted the JB Koshy Commission report and revised the process for issuing Latin Catholic community certificates.

Kerala Cabinet raises PSC age limit to 40, approves a Rs 500 crore group insurance scheme for disaster protection, and accepts JB Koshy report.

Thiruvananthapuram, February 25 The Kerala Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of major policy decisions, including raising the upper age limit for PSC applicants and granting in-principle approval for a comprehensive group insurance scheme aimed at protecting households from recurring natural disasters.

The Cabinet decided to increase the maximum age limit for applying to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) by four years. The general category limit has been raised from 36 to 40 years, with proportional relaxation extended to all other eligible categories.

To ensure financial protection for households affected by natural calamities, the government approved a state-level group insurance mechanism to be implemented through the State Insurance Department.

The decision follows recommendations of a committee led by Planning Board member Ravi Raman, which studied suitable climate risk-transfer options for Kerala.

The Cabinet accepted proposals for a hybrid model comprising- Parametric Insurance- Compensation to the state will be triggered automatically when predefined thresholds of rainfall, floods, or windspeed are exceeded. No individual house damage assessment required. Funds will first reach the government and be disbursed as per an SOP for relief and rehabilitation. Coverage: Based on the average disaster relief expenditure of the last decade. Duration: 5 years. Premium: 3%-8% of total coverage (e.g., Rs15-40 crore annually for Rs 500 crore coverage).

Indemnity Insurance for BPL Families- Compensation will be provided directly to BPL households for actual losses to houses, household items, and temporary rental support. Local bodies will collect structural and household data; random verification by insurers permitted. Coverage per house: Up to Rs 10 lakh. Premium: Rs 250 per house; for 32.3 lakh BPL families, total annual premium is Rs 80.75 crore. Future provision: Mandatory coverage for non-BPL households may be considered by linking it to building permits or property registration.

Annual Financial Commitment- Parametric model: Rs15-40 crore, Indemnity model: Rs80.75 crore; Total estimated annual outlay: Rs 120.75 crore.

The amount will be shared equally between the State Consolidated Fund and the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Departments including Finance, Revenue, Disaster Management, and Rebuild Kerala Initiative will finalise the detailed framework.

The Cabinet also approved in principle the JB Koshy Commission report and decided to publish it officially. Apart from previously accepted recommendations, 32 additional decisions were taken on Tuesday.

Notably, the government ruled that the year 1947 should no longer be considered the benchmark for issuing Latin Catholic community certificates. Instead, certificates issued by the respective bishops may be used as supportive documents, with the final verification carried out through local inquiries by village officers.

- ANI
The production company Sunshine Pictures has issued a statement denying rumours that the teaser for 'The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond' was removed following court intervention. This clarification comes after the Kerala High Court ordered the filmmakers to arrange a screening of the Hindi film for the court before its scheduled release. The sequel, which follows three women in alleged deceptive marriages and forced conversions, has sparked significant criticism from opposition leaders and celebrities who label it propaganda. Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh has defended the film, stating it is based on researched real-life incidents.

Makers of 'The Kerala Story 2' clarify teaser was not removed despite court screening order. Film sparks controversy ahead of release.

Mumbai, February 25 The makers of 'The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond' have dismissed reports claiming the film's teaser was pulled following court intervention.

Sunshine Pictures issued a statement that said, "...would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material."

The statement further read, "Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms. We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion."

Earlier on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court ordered the makers of The Kerala Story 2 to arrange a screening of the Hindi film for the court in Kochi before its release on Friday.

The Kerala Story 2, the sequel of the National Award-winning The Kerala Story, which released in 2023, follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.

The sequel has sparked strong reactions since its trailer launch. Opposition leaders, celebrities and several social media users have criticised it as "propaganda", while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents.

In an interview with ANI, director Kamakhya Narayan Singh asserted that if he had shown anything wrong or misleading in the film, he would "leave filmmaking."

- ANI
Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children, according to the United Nations. The attacks, which occurred overnight, struck a school, a mosque, and residential homes. UNAMA condemned the strikes and called for an immediate halt to hostilities and a transparent investigation. Afghanistan's defence ministry condemned the violation of its sovereignty and warned of an appropriate response.

UN mission condemns Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that killed 13, including women and children, hitting a school and mosque.

Kabul, Feb 24 At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said, local media reported on Tuesday.

UNAMA stated that 13 people were killed and seven others were injured in Pakistan's airstrikes in Bahsud and Khogiani districts of Nangarhar on February 21-22 from 11:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

A school and a mosque were hit in two attacks targeting Paktita's Barmal district, while a house was destroyed in Orgun district of Paktita.

UNAMA condemned Pakistan's airstrikes and urged all parties to immediately stop hostilities and follow international humanitarian law so that civilians are not harmed. It demanded transparent investigations and accountability and emphasised the need for protective measures for people in conflict-hit regions.

Tensions have increased between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months. UNAMA has repeatedly stressed the need to protect people amid increasing airstrikes.

On February 22, Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence accused the Pakistani military regime of carrying out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of several civilians.

According to the Ministry, the strikes targeted a madrasa and multiple residential homes, killing and injuring "dozens of civilians", including women and children.

The violation of Afghan airspace comes amid what Kabul describes as repeated acts of Pakistani aggression.

Condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms, the Afghan Ministry called it a blatant violation of Afghanistan's national sovereignty and a clear breach of "international law, the principles of good neighbourliness, and Islamic values".

Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence affirmed that safeguarding the country's sovereignty and the security of its people are both its "religious obligations and national duties", while warning that "an appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time".

"Attacks against civilian populations and religious institutions stand as undeniable evidence of the intelligence and security failures of the Pakistani military, and such repeated acts of aggression will never be able to conceal their internal shortcomings," the Ministry said.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rob Jetten on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, expressing eagerness to strengthen bilateral ties. The two nations share extensive relations across economic partnerships, sustainable development, and technology, with the Netherlands being a leading European investor in India. A key area of cooperation is the Strategic Partnership on Water, covering flood management and clean water technologies. The new Dutch minority government, a coalition of three parties, was officially sworn in this week after months of negotiations following the October general election.

PM Narendra Modi congratulates Netherlands' new PM Rob Jetten, expressing hope to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, tech, and water management.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated his new Dutch counterpart, Rob Jetten, on assuming the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands and expressed hope for further strengthening the bilateral ties.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Congratulations, Mr Rob Jetten, on assuming office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India and the Netherlands share an extensive relationship across diverse sectors. I look forward to working closely with you to add further momentum to the growing ties between our two countries and people."

India and the Netherlands maintain robust, growing relations based on over 75 years of diplomatic ties, focusing on economic partnerships, sustainable development, and technology. The Netherlands is a top European investor and trade partner for India, with key cooperation in water management, agriculture, health, and defence.

The two nations have a Strategic Partnership on Water covering an extensive cooperation and knowledge sharing in flood management, clear water technologies, among other domains.

Earlier this month, PM Modi met former Dutch PM Dick Schoof on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and underscored the need for India and the Netherlands to work together to realise the full potential of Artificial Intelligence to achieve social transformation.

A Dutch minority government was officially sworn in on Monday at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, more than 110 days after the general election held on October 29 last year.

Following the discharge of the previous cabinet, 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries were sworn in.

The new cabinet is a coalition of Democrats 66 (D66), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), formed on January 30, Xinhua news agency reported.

Before the swearing-in, incoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten held an introductory meeting with King Willem-Alexander, marking the transition to the new administration.

According to the agreement, the new government will prioritise improving the efficiency of public administration, accelerating housing construction and energy transition, advancing proactive climate policies, promoting high-tech industries to boost economic growth, tightening immigration policies, reforming the social security and healthcare systems and strengthening national security and international cooperation.

A total of 27 parties contested the parliamentary election last October, with 15 winning seats in the House of Representatives. The D66 and the Party for Freedom (PVV) each secured 26 seats, followed by the VVD with 22 and the GreenLeft-Labour alliance (GroenLinks-PvdA) with 20. The CDA and JA21 won 18 and nine seats, respectively.

On January 9, the D66, the VVD and the CDA announced their plan to form a minority cabinet. Forming a government without majority support at the outset is rare in Dutch politics. The three parties together hold 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, 10 short of a majority, and are 16 seats short of a majority in the Senate.

"The Netherlands does not have a tradition of minority cabinets. In that respect, we are in uncharted territory," the three parties said in their coalition agreement. "The success of this cabinet hinges on its willingness to collaborate with the House of Representatives and the Senate, fellow government bodies, and civil society organisations."

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rob Jetten on assuming office as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, expressing confidence in strengthening bilateral ties. Jetten, the country's youngest-ever prime minister, leads a new three-party minority coalition government. His policy agenda focuses on progressive politics, green energy expansion, and addressing housing and healthcare challenges. The coalition was formed after snap elections triggered by the collapse of the previous government.

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Rob Jetten on becoming Netherlands Prime Minister, expressing confidence in stronger India-Netherlands bilateral relations.

New Delhi, February 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Rob Jetten on assuming office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, expressing confidence that bilateral ties would gain further momentum under his leadership.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Congratulations Mr. Rob Jetten on assuming office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India and the Netherlands share an extensive relationship across diverse sectors. I look forward to working closely with you to add further momentum to the growing ties between our two countries and people."

Jetten was sworn in as the Netherlands' youngest-ever prime minister on February 23, heading a newly formed minority coalition government.

According to a report by Euronews, Dutch King Willem-Alexander administered the oath of office to Jetten and his ministers at the Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague, wishing the new administration "good luck in uncertain times".

The three-party minority coalition, comprising Jetten's centrist liberal party Democrats 66 (D66), the Christian Democrats and the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), took 117 days to negotiate and finalise.

Euronews reported that the coalition controls 66 of the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house, meaning the government will need opposition backing to pass legislation. The largest opposition bloc, the GroenLinks-PvdA alliance, has already voiced strong objections to proposed cuts in healthcare and welfare spending.

The snap parliamentary election that brought Jetten to power was held after the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) withdrew from the previous coalition government, triggering its collapse. D66 narrowly edged out PVV in a closely fought race.

Jetten previously served as minister for climate and energy policy in the last coalition led by former Prime Minister Mark Rutte, whose government fell in 2023 amid a crisis over asylum policy.

During his campaign, Jetten called for a return to "progressive" politics, with a focus on expanding green energy, easing housing shortages by building new towns and accelerating home construction, and prioritising preventive healthcare to reduce system strain.

On migration, he pledged to strengthen integration programmes and explore allowing asylum claims to be processed from outside the European Union. He has also signalled a desire to restore the Netherlands' central role within the EU, stating during the campaign that the country must return "to the heart of Europe".

Jetten has additionally emphasised the importance of maintaining strong transatlantic ties, particularly with the United States, a key trading partner for the Dutch economy.

- ANI
The Glasgow Film Festival will honor acclaimed local filmmaker Lynne Ramsay with its Cinema City Honorary Award. She will receive the accolade during a special 'In Conversation' event exploring her distinctive approach to adaptation. The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to cinema through films like 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' and 'You Were Never Really Here'. The festival's 2026 edition will also feature appearances by James McAvoy, Felipe Bustos Sierra, and other filmmaking talent.

BAFTA-winning filmmaker Lynne Ramsay receives the honorary award at GFF 2026. Explore her career and the festival's star-studded lineup.

Glasgow, February 24 BAFTA-winning Glaswegian filmmaker Lynne Ramsay will be honoured with the Cinema City Honorary Award at the 22nd Glasgow Film Festival. She will receive the accolade on March 6 during a special In Conversation event titled 'From Page to Pulse', hosted by Glasgow filmmaker Adura Onashile as part of the festival's Industry Focus strand. The session will explore Ramsay's "unparalleled approach to adaptation," organizers said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ramsay made her feature debut with the 1999 Glasgow-shot 'Ratcatcher', which won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Over the last three decades, she has become known for her distinctive visual style and powerful storytelling, directing films including 'We Need to Talk About Kevin', 'Die My Love', and 'You Were Never Really Here', the festival noted.

Launched in 2024, the Cinema City Honorary Award recognizes filmmakers who have made "an outstanding contribution to cinema." The award is named after Glasgow's nickname "Cinema City," given in the 1930s when the city had more cinemas per capita than anywhere else in the U.K. Previous recipients include Viggo Mortensen and fellow Glaswegian James McAvoy, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Lynne Ramsay is one of a very small number of filmmakers who have the seemingly miraculous power of taking a unique vision in their minds and creating it onscreen exactly as they imagined," said Paul Gallagher, GFF head of program. "Her films have changed our understanding hiiiof what cinema can do and be."

Added Samantha Bennett, GFF industry manager, "It is a true honor to welcome a homegrown talent of Lynne's calibre to the Industry Focus program," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

GFF's 2026 lineup of guest will also include a variety of other stars and filmmakers. McAvoy will attend GFF's closing gala for the U.K. premiere of hos directorial debut California Schemin', joined on the red carpet by film cast members Samuel Bottomley, Seamus McLean Ross and Lucy Halliday.

Glasgow-based director Felipe Bustos Sierra (Nae Pasaran) will return to the fest for the opening gala of Everybody to Kenmure Street, after the film won an award at Sundance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Other filmmaking talent attending the festival includes Alice Winocour, Mark Jenkin, Polly Findlay, Marc Evans, Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, and Edinburgh filmmaker Sean Dunn for the U.K. premiere of his black comedy The Fall of Sir Douglas Weatherford, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The 22nd edition of the Glasgow Film Festival will run from February 25 to March 8, 2026.

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized prioritizing Artificial Intelligence in government operations to build a capable administration and robust Digital Public Infrastructure. He highlighted the state's 'AgriStack' initiative and the 'MahaVistar' AI app, which provides personalized digital assistance to 3 million farmers to reduce costs and uncertainties. Fadnavis outlined a policy-led growth approach, involving industry in crafting policies for Global Capability Centres and logistics, while also planning an AI policy for the MSME sector. Addressing job fears, he stated AI is an opportunity that will change the nature of employment and create new professions, requiring a mindset open to technological change.

CM Devendra Fadnavis details AI integration in Maharashtra's governance, agriculture via MahaVistar app, and policy-led growth to create new jobs.

Mumbai, Feb 24 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the nature of markets and employment. 

To build a ready and capable administration, the government has begun prioritising the effective use of 'AI' in official operations. He was speaking during an interactive session at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum 2026.

Fadnavis noted that the government is focusing on building a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by increasing the use of AI within the governance framework. The state is working toward creating an AI-enabled workforce by fostering coordination between educational institutions and the industrial sector. 

To facilitate this, a workshop will be organised in Mumbai for all educational institutions in the state. This session will brainstorm the changing nature of job opportunities due to evolving technology and the necessary shifts required in the education system.

He emphasised that if the government, educational institutions, and industry bodies like Nasscom work together, Maharashtra can advance more rapidly in the AI sector.

Fadnavis shared that at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Brazilian ministers mentioned that they are developing their own systems based on India's experience with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Currently, India is providing global leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure.

Referring to the recently launched 'AI 4Agri Summit' in the state, the Chief Minister explained that under the 'AgriStack' initiative, details regarding every farmer's landholding, crop information, and other data are being consolidated. Simultaneously, through the 'MahaVistar' AI app, which utilises Generative AI, a personalised digital assistant is being provided to every registered farmer. Currently, 3 million farmers are connected to this platform. 

The synergy of 'AgriStack' and 'MahaVistar' will certainly help farmers reduce production costs by 25-40 per cent and mitigate agricultural uncertainties. 

Fadnavis stated that policy-making in the state is now based on the mantra of 'Policy-Led Growth.' Various industry organisations were involved while drafting the Global Capability Centres (GCC) policy.

Consequently, reports indicate that Pune has emerged as a leader in the country's GCC ecosystem. He also mentioned that the Logistics Policy was prepared with the participation of the Logistics Council and is future-oriented, noting that logistics will play a crucial role in supply chain management. 

Since the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector generates large-scale employment, work is underway to develop a dedicated policy to increase AI adoption in this sector. This will involve collaboration with Nasscom, CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), and various sector councils, he said.

Regarding the fear that AI will destroy jobs, CM Fadnavis recalled that similar fears were expressed during the computer revolution. However, India leveraged that revolution to make a giant leap in the IT sector. 

"AI should be viewed not as a replacement, but as an opportunity for progress. The nature of employment will change, and new opportunities will be created. Today, 'Creator' is a recognised profession; it wasn't even in our imagination ten years ago," he said. 

He remarked that the new generation has embraced technology and emphasised that the mindset to accept change is vital.

- IANS
India and Canada have agreed to a new security framework and the posting of liaison officers to enhance cooperation against transnational crimes like fentanyl smuggling and violent extremism. The move follows a meeting between National Security Advisors Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin, marking a significant step in bilateral security ties. High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik noted a transformation in relations, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2025 visit to Canada for the G7 Summit. Both nations are working to reset their multi-dimensional relationship, which had faced a diplomatic chill over issues related to Khalistani extremism.

High Commissioner Patnaik says sustained dialogue and liaison officers will address violent extremism, fentanyl smuggling, and cybercrime for mutual safety.

By Ayushi Agarwal, Ottawa, February 24 India and Canada have understood that both sides need to engage in sustained dialogue and enhance security cooperation to address concerns related to violent extremism and transnational crimes, Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik said on Tuesday, emphasising that both countries recognise the need to work together to ensure the safety of their citizens.

Speaking to ANI ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India and other Indo-Pacific allies, Patnaik said that the recent discussions between the two countries' National Security Advisors, during NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Ottawa, marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral security ties.

"This was discussed recently when NSA Ajit Doval visited Canada, and he had very extensive discussions with his counterpart, NSA Nathalie Drouin, as well as the Minister for Public Safety. And I think what they have put together is a wonderful action plan to take forward the security cooperation between both sides to address all issues--whether it's fentanyl smuggling, whether it is transnational organised crime, violent extremism, illegal immigration fraud, cybercrime, or cybersecurity," the Indian High Commissioner said.

"We are looking at cooperation in all sectors. Both sides have understood that if we have to make Canada safe and India safe, we need to discuss and talk about all the issues, have liaison officers with each other, and have cooperation which is on time and online," he added.

Earlier this month, India and Canada agreed to establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers during a meeting with NSA Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin, Deputy Clerk and National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, as part of the former's visit to Ottawa.

According to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release, at a meeting as part of the NSA's two-day visit to the country, both sides agreed to build on their working relationship.

These were part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between India and Canada, during which the two sides acknowledged progress on initiatives to ensure the safety and security of their citizens and agreed on a shared work plan to guide cooperation on national security and law enforcement priorities.

As per the statement, the establishment of liaison officers is expected to streamline bilateral communications and facilitate timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern, including the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks.

Patnaik expressed confidence that the strengthened security framework would help address outstanding concerns in the coming years.

"This security cooperation that the NSA's visit has done makes me confident that over the next few years, we will be able to together deal with all the issues that are there between us," he added.

India and Canada encountered a diplomatic chill in 2023 when New Delhi expressed concerns over Canada's perceived leniency towards Khalistani extremist and separatist elements, with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that Indian agents were involved in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara the same year.

However, Patnaik noted that the trajectory of India-Canada ties has transformed in recent months following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit in Canada's Kananaskis in 2025.

He noted that since the appointment of High Commissioners in September, both sides have worked towards resetting the relationship.

"The Canada-India relations have really undergone a transformation over the last few months, especially after Prime Minister Modi visited Canada to attend the G7 summit in Kananaskis in June-July of last year. This has set the trend for what is happening now--the visit. The High Commissioners were appointed at the end of September last year, and for the last four to five months, we've been working very hard to ensure that the relationship is reset back to what it was before. This is an important relationship because it encompasses all aspects of the relationship between the two countries. It's a multi-dimensional relationship--from AI innovation, students, energy, any aspect," the High Commissioner said.

Patnaik highlighted a series of high-level engagements in the past few months, including meetings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, as well as discussions on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

He said the upcoming visit of the Canadian Prime Minister would further consolidate the renewed momentum in ties.

"You will see a large host of agreements across sectors--people-to-people exchanges, culture, defence, aerospace, space, energy, critical minerals, AI, innovation, universities, and education. This visit will put a stamp on the activities undertaken in recent months and take the relationship to the next level," he added.

The High Commissioner's remarks come ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India from February 26.

According to a statement from Carney's office, the Canadian PM will first arrive in Mumbai, following which he will visit New Delhi, where he will meet PM Modi.

"Prime Minister Carney will first visit Mumbai, then New Delhi, India, where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship, with ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence. He will meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations," the statement read.

This will be Carney's first visit to India after he assumed office back in March, 2025.

- ANI
He was attacked during 2023 ethnic violence

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla paid homage to the mortal remains of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte at his residence in Churachandpur district. Valte passed away in a Gurugram hospital after a prolonged illness stemming from a brutal attack during ethnic violence in May 2023. The Manipur government observed a three-day state mourning, and a total shutdown was held in Churachandpur district to mourn his death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and other leaders expressed their condolences over his demise.

Manipur Governor, CM, and others pay homage to BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte, who died after a prolonged illness following a 2023 attack. State mourning observed.

Imphal, Feb 24 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday paid his respects to the mortal remains of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte by laying a wreath and a shawl.

Valte passed away at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 21. The Governor visited the residence of the late leader in Churachandpur district and paid homage to the mortal remains of the 62-year-old tribal leader, who belonged to the Zomi community.

Valte was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Thanlon constituency in Churachandpur district.

Governor Bhalla met the bereaved family members and expressed his heartfelt condolences. He conveyed his sympathies during this moment of profound grief, prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul, and wished strength and courage to the family to bear the irreparable loss.

Manipur government's Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh also paid his respects by laying a wreath and a shawl as a mark of solemn tribute.

The body of Valte was brought to Lengpui Airport in Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, on February 22 and later taken by road to his home district of Churachandpur.

The Chairman of the Zomi Council, Vumsuan Naulak, said that the date of Valte's burial would be notified later.

A total shutdown was observed on Tuesday in the Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited Churachandpur district to mourn the death of Valte.

As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the Manipur government observed a three-day state mourning from February 22 to 24.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who travelled to Delhi on February 21, visited the private hospital in Gurugram and paid his last respects to the late legislator.

Valte had been residing in the Kuki-Zo-dominated Churachandpur district after undergoing prolonged medical treatment in Delhi following a violent attack during the ethnic violence in Imphal on May 4, 2023.

As his health deteriorated, he was airlifted from Imphal to New Delhi on February 8 for advanced medical treatment and admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram, where he breathed his last on the afternoon of February 21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Bhalla, Chief Minister Singh, and several other leaders and organisations expressed deep grief and condolences over Valte's demise.

Valte was brutally attacked and critically injured by assailants on May 4, 2023, in Imphal shortly after attending a meeting with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

The assault left him with multiple injuries and partial paralysis, necessitating his urgent transfer to Delhi, where he underwent months of intensive medical treatment.

His driver was killed in the attack.

The departed tribal leader had earlier appealed for unity among members of the Zo community amid the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur.

- IANS
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the All India Medical Students Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking intervention for the safety and academic future of Indian students in Iran. This follows a travel advisory from the Indian High Commission in Tehran asking citizens to return, but students face upcoming exams in March with no postponement announced. Students express anxiety about choosing between safety and completing their academic year, as their universities have not addressed the situation. The association requests government diplomacy to coordinate exam postponements with Iranian authorities so students can return without jeopardizing their studies.

Indian medical students in Iran appeal to PM Modi for safety and exam postponement amid travel advisory, facing academic year risk.

Srinagar, February 24 The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the All India Medical Students Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to ensure the safety and academic future of Indian students currently in Iran.

Speaking to ANI, Mohammad Momin Khan, President of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of AIMSA, highlighted the concerns following a recent travel advisory from the Indian High Commission in Tehran, which has asked citizens to return.

"The Indian High Commission in Tehran issued an advisory, in which they have asked their citizens to return. However, we have received information from students that their exams are scheduled for the 5th March. Some students have already arrived in India, so it is not possible for them to return. The current situation is very tense, and their parents are also very worried," Khan said.

Underlining the need for diplomatic coordination to ensure students can follow safety protocols without academic loss, he added, "We've even written a letter to the Prime Minister so that the exams can be postponed in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, and every university can be informed that their exams should be postponed so that the students can easily return."

This push for government intervention comes as concerns continue to mount over the evolving situation in Iran, leaving several Indian students, particularly those from Jammu and Kashmir, in a dilemma where they desire to return home but remain grounded by their upcoming examinations scheduled for March.

A large number of these students are enrolled in medical programmes at universities across Iran, and their institutions have not announced any postponement despite the prevailing uncertainty, placing them in a difficult position as they must either stay back to complete their exams or return to India and risk losing an academic year.

In its appeal, AIMSA has requested that the Government of India engage with Iranian authorities and universities to explore the possibility of postponing examinations so that students who wish to return home can do so without jeopardising their studies.

Confirming the ground reality, Bilal Bhat, an Indian student currently studying in Iran, told ANI over Zoom that anxiety levels among students have increased in recent weeks.

"We want to come back home. Our families are worried. But our exams are scheduled in March and there is no clarity on postponement. If we miss exams, it will affect our academic year," he said. He added that while day-to-day life continues and flights are still operating, uncertainty about how the situation may unfold has left many students and their families concerned.

Another student, Musafid, shared similar apprehensions, stating that they are constantly monitoring the situation. "Flights are operational, but we don't know what may happen next. Our only concern is safety and our studies," he said, highlighting the dilemma faced by many pursuing professional degrees abroad.

As families of students back home also closely watch developments in hopes of clarity, many students remain in a wait-and-watch mode, balancing academic responsibilities with concerns about safety and the uncertainty surrounding the broader situation.

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 21-year-old man from Mufakose has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison after being convicted of crimes involving a two-year-old child.The accused appeared before Harare magistrate Noel Mupeiwa, who ruled that his defence was weak and that the State had presented overwhelming evidence.The court heard that the convict was a family friend of the complainant. According to prosecutor Cecilia Mashingaidze, the incident occurred on January 7 this year when the accused visited the complainant's parents' home. He was reportedly seated in the same room as the minor and her stepbrother while the child's mother was in the kitchen.The mother heard the toddler screaming and rushed to check, but the child did not immediately disclose what had happened. Concerned, she reported the matter to the police.The minor was later interviewed and referred for a medical examination, which confirmed that she had been harmed. The complainant's stepbrother also provided relevant information during a police interview.Following the trial, the court found the accused guilty and imposed a 20-year custodial sentence.
An air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways crashed in a dense jungle in Jharkhand's Simaria, killing all seven people on board. Sashastra Seema Bal officials described the extreme difficulty of the night-time rescue operation, having to carry bodies two kilometers through bushland with limited equipment. The aircraft was on a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it lost contact. A probe team is expected to retrieve the aircraft's black box as the Council of Indian Aviation expressed condolences for the tragic incident.

SSB details the challenging night rescue after an air ambulance crash in Jharkhand killed all 7 on board. Investigation underway.

Chatra, February 24 Following the tragic crash of a Redbird Airways air ambulance aircraft near Simaria on Monday, Ramesh Kumar, Second in Command of Sashastra Seema Bal, said all seven people on board, including two crew members, were killed.

Rescue teams faced severe challenges navigating the dense jungle and carrying the bodies over a two-kilometre stretch to the main road.

Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Kumar said, "We received information that a plane had crashed. This area is quite inland. There's no road at all for two kilometres. When we arrived here at night, we saw that no one was found alive. The bodies were retrieved...It was very difficult to retrieve the bodies. We had to carry them from here for two kilometres on one side. We only had one stretcher. We had brought a stretcher from the SSB with us at night, and with that, we carried out the rescue and retrieved the bodies. It was a two-kilometre stretch up to the main road."

"We retrieved all seven bodies. The plane crashed in the middle of the jungle...It's difficult for a person to walk alone here, and this is part of a deep interior forest with a lot of bushes. Moving and rescuing people at night was certainly challenging," Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the Council of Indian Aviation expressed deep concern and extended condolences over the incident.

In a press statement, the President of the Council of Indian Aviation, Dr Nitin Jadhav, on Monday, said, "The Council of Indian Aviation expresses its deepest concern and heartfelt condolences following the tragic crash of a Redbird Airways air ambulance aircraft near Simaria, in the state of, on 23 February 2026."

The statement further noted that the aircraft was operating a critical medical evacuation mission at the time of the accident.

"The aircraft, operated by, was on a critical medical evacuation mission from to, carrying a patient, medical personnel, attendants, and flight crew. Such missions represent the highest level of humanitarian aviation service, where every second is vital in saving lives," it said.

The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block, around 7:30 pm.

The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi.

According to officials, a team from Delhi will arrive at the crash site later in the day to conduct a probe and retrieve the aircraft's black box.

- ANI
Former Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah has omitted the China-backed Damak Industrial Park from his election manifesto as he contests a parliamentary seat. The project, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, is located near the sensitive India-Nepal border area known as the Siliguri Corridor. India had reportedly advised Nepali parties against the project, labeling it a "red line" due to security concerns. The decision highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding Chinese investments in Nepal and the country's careful navigation between its two powerful neighbors.

Balen Shah omits China-funded industrial park from manifesto in Nepal election, citing controversy and India's security concerns over the border project.

New Delhi, Feb 24 A multi-billion rupee Nepal project, a part of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative has been dropped from election pledges by former Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah, who is contesting against former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in the latter's bastion of Jhapa-5 constituency, reports said.

Parliamentary election is scheduled in Nepal on March 5 under an interim government, which was constituted after the resignation of the Oli government facing widespread Gen Z anti-corruption protests in September last year.

The Damak Industrial Park in Jhapa, renamed Nepal-China Friendship Industrial Park, is now in spotlight after Balen's decision, according to the Kathmandu Post.

Quoting unnamed government officials, the Kathmandu Post said that it was of New Delhi's concern that the project is located near the Nepal-India border, particularly the sensitive Siliguri Corridor or "chicken's neck".

Officials also wondered why Kathmandu was permitting Beijing build such a big project near the border, saying that the issue has now become sensitive for several other reasons as well.

Balen Shah was among Gen Z's popular choice as the Nepal's interim Prime Minister, but he excused himself.

The 35-year-old engineer-rapper-turned-politician with a strong youth appeal, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), is being projected as the future Prime Minister of Nepal.

"The project is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an ambitious multi-continent infrastructure programme initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In February 2021, former Nepal PM Oli laid the foundation stone of the project in the (Jhapa) district's Kamal Rural Municipality," the newspaper report added.

Oli, as the Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), reportedly shared close ties with Beijing.

"While the former Prime Minister has listed the construction and completion of the industrial park in his 41-point "commitment paper" released last week, Balen Shah has omitted the project from his manifesto unveiled on Monday," the report said.

"We know about the project and the controversy around it, so we decided to exclude it," it quoted an unnamed aide of Balen Shah.

Earlier reports had said that the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist had differed on Kathmandu availing loans.

These also pointed to significant delays in the implementation of many BRI projects, with none yet finalised, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the initiative.

There has been concern among sections in Nepal, who expressed caution regarding the financial implications of BRI projects, particularly in light of Sri Lanka's financial difficulties linked to similar Chinese investments.

"According to those privy to negotiations, originally, China had proposed several funding modalities ranging from blended financing models to commercial loans. Nepali Congress had been insistent that it would not be taking commercial loans under BRI, but the final agreement adopted the phrase 'aid financing modalities' in place of the 'grant financing modalities' insisted upon by the Nepali Congress Party," a document released last year by the think-tank Centre for Social Innovation and Foreign Policy (CESIF) said.

The Damak Industrial Park seeks access to the Indian market through the Kakarvitta and Birgunj ports, it added, highlighting its importance being underscored with the visit of China's Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming.

According to the CESIF paper, a significant hurdle for Kathmandu was Beijing's request for substantial tax exemptions, which Nepal's Finance Ministry then resisted, since it was not only during the construction phase but also for many years after the project's completion.

Though China's demand became a major point of contention, a meeting of the Investment Board of Nepal, chaired by former Prime Minister Oli, decided to accelerate the project.

The report also said that India had communicated that the project constituted a "red line" and had advised both the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist not to move ahead.

- IANS
The Ukraine War has entered its fourth year with a military stalemate and devastating human costs, including over 15,000 civilian deaths. Russia's invasion shattered post-Cold War stability in Europe, forcing a strategic recalibration by Western powers. Despite massive financial and military support from a Western coalition, political divisions and Russia's UN veto power have prevented decisive international action to end the conflict. Negotiations for a peace deal continue but remain deadlocked over core issues like territorial control.

The Ukraine War enters its 4th year with no end in sight, devastating both nations, destabilizing global geopolitics, and straining international alliances.

United Nations, Feb 24 The intractable Ukraine War entered its fourth year on Tuesday with no early sign of an end to the conflict that has spread its tentacles across the world, destabilising geopolitics and international trade.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called it "a stain on our collective consciousness and remains a threat to regional and international peace and security."

According to the UN, more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 41,000 injured in the four years of the conflict.

Children were hit hard, suffering 3,200 casualties, about 660 fatal, and a third of all children in Ukraine have been displaced, the UN estimates.

International think tanks estimate that 325,000 Russian troops and 140,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed in the war.

Moscow's bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine continues, while the troops of the two countries are locked in a near stalemate on the ground, and Kyiv has made limited air and ground incursions into Russia.

The economies and societies of both countries are devastated.

On February 24, 2022, Russia started the war - the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II - with a ground assault and a missile attack on targets across Ukraine.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin expected a quick capture of Ukraine, a country having less than three times its population, with an economy about an eighth its size and a military much smaller.

But Ukraine put up massive resistance, and it didn't play by Putin's script, and there is a virtual standoff, with a slight advantage for Russia, which holds about 20 per cent of Ukraine territory.

In an X post on Tuesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declared, "We have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood; Putin has not achieved his goals."

The post-Cold War geopolitical stability in Europe was shattered by Moscow's invasion and heightening fears among smaller neighbours of Russia, especially those that were a part of the Soviet Union, like Ukraine.

The other European powers, like Germany, France, and Britain, have had to reconsider and recalibrate their military and diplomatic strategies.

Ukraine received the backing of Western nations that call themselves the "Coalition of the Willing", although without direct military involvement.

Many European leaders were visiting Kyiv on Tuesday to show their solidarity.

The US has committed about $175 billion to support Ukraine since the war began, and the European Union $230 billion.

But support wavers, with Trump sometimes putting pressure on Russia and other times on Ukraine, and telling Europe to pick up more of the tab.

And Hungary's President Viktor Orban, who is sympathetic to Moscow, has tried to block increasing the EU's support for Ukraine.

The Security Council, which alone can take action to end a war, is unable to act because of Russia's veto, and the General Assembly's resolutions condemning the invasion and demanding Moscow withdraw from Ukraine are powerless.

The Council was scheduled to hold a session on the Ukraine War on Tuesday afternoon, which would be just another rehash of the rhetoric.

The only impact the UN has had was in facilitating the export of Ukraine's wheat to the international market, where the shortages hit many developing countries the hardest, especially in Africa.

Trump claimed during his campaign that he would end the war in 24 hours, but 13 months on, the war continues, and he said in October, "I thought this would have been an easy one to settle".

It has eluded him, but he has not given up, despite a failed summit with Putin in Alaska last year, and his team of intermediaries are continuing to facilitate negotiations.

After the latest round of negotiations last week in Geneva, Trump's Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reported there was "meaningful progress", and the two sides agreed to "continue to work towards a peace deal".

Trump said in December that a peace deal was "95 per cent" complete.

At the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State acknowledged, "The bad news is they've been narrowed to the hardest questions to answer".

The main sticking points are Russia's demands that Ukraine give up territory, including those it has not captured in the Donbas region, and the fate of Crimea, which it took over in a 2014 invasion, and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power complex that Moscow holds.

Ukraine refuses to give up any territory, and its constitution decrees a universal referendum to authorise any land transfer.

- IANS
A Pakistani media report warns the country's economy is in dire straits with the federal government nearing bankruptcy. It highlights a critically narrow tax base where provinces collect minimal revenue compared to potential. Inefficiencies in the energy sector are crippling export competitiveness by driving up costs. The article calls for export-led growth, provincial burden-sharing, and a drastic overhaul of governance and public service delivery.

Pakistan's economy faces bankruptcy with rising poverty, a narrow tax base, and crippling energy sector inefficiencies, a media report warns.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Pakistan's economy is in dire straits as inequality and poverty are rising, while the Federal government is close to bankruptcy, according to an article in the Pakistani media.

The article in the Karachi-based Business Recorder pitches for export-led growth as the way ahead to uplift the masses by creating economic opportunities, along with a drastic overhaul of governance in public service delivery, especially in education.

It notes that political parties refuse to devolve power to the third tier of government, and there is little incentive to broaden taxation within municipal and provincial domains. Instead, the burden falls on the federal government, which taxes formal income heavily. At the same time, inefficiencies in the energy sector leading to high power bills are hitting the competitiveness of the country's exporters, the article pointed out.

Tax collection on land is minimal-Punjab collects less in property-related taxes than a single major city in India. Agriculture income tax and sales tax on services remain far below potential, while manufacturing is burdened by high taxation and expensive energy, the article observed.

The federal government is close to bankruptcy and requires burden-sharing from the provinces. The tax base must be broadened by bringing all stakeholders into the net. Municipalities should be empowered to collect taxes and provide amenities to make cities more livable, the article stated.

At the same time, the federal government must reduce its footprint in the energy sector. The sector's debt burden should be shared with the provinces. State-owned enterprises must be cleaned up and privatised, as has been attempted in the case of the national airline, PIA. The government must reduce its overall size. Greater fiscal prudence is especially needed at the provincial level, where new inductions into public employment are rampant. This trend must stop, the article observed.

The article blamed inconsistent government policies as major obstacles to investment, which have shrunk to an all-time low. Foreign direct investment has nearly dried up, and there is little sign of new local investment in export-oriented sectors.

- IANS
US affirms Pakistan's right to counter-terrorism

The United States stated that Pakistan has a right to defend itself from terrorism following airstrikes on militant camps along the Afghanistan border. Washington simultaneously directed a clear message to the Taliban, urging them to uphold their counterterrorism commitments to prevent attacks from Afghan soil. India strongly condemned the Pakistani strikes, highlighting reported civilian casualties and calling it an attempt by Pakistan to externalize its internal failures. New Delhi reiterated its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

US says Pakistan has right to protect itself from terror but urges Taliban to uphold commitments. India condemns strikes, cites civilian casualties.

Washington, Feb 24 Pakistan has a right to protect itself from terrorism, the US said on Monday after Islamabad carried out strikes against alleged militant camps along the Afghanistan border.

"Pakistan has a right to protect itself from terrorism," a State Department spokesperson told IANS in response to a question on the airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

"We are aware of reports that Pakistan carried out strikes against alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) camps along the border with Afghanistan," the spokesperson said.

"The Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terrorists," said the spokesperson in response to a question.

At the same time, the United States directed a clear message to Afghanistan's Taliban authorities.

"The Taliban must uphold their counterterrorism commitments and ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soil," the spokesperson said.

Pakistan said over the weekend it targeted camps linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and affiliates of the Islamic State group in the border region, killing 70 militants.

Islamabad has long maintained that TTP fighters operate from across the frontier and stage attacks inside Pakistan.

India, on Sunday, strongly criticised Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan territory that reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, and reiterated its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

Responding to media queries on the issue, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed India's condemnation of the strikes and expressed concern over the reported loss of civilian lives during the holy month of Ramadan.

"India strongly condemns Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan," MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said.

He also described the development as an attempt by Pakistan to shift attention from its internal situation.

"It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures," the MEA spokesperson said.

Reaffirming India's position on Afghanistan, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said New Delhi remains committed to supporting the country's sovereignty and independence.

"India reiterates its support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence," he added.

- IANS
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, passed a resolution praising the India AI Impact Summit as a grand success organized under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. The summit secured participation from 91 countries and investment commitments exceeding $200 billion for India's AI ecosystem, including a major Google data centre. The committee simultaneously condemned a protest incident at the summit venue on February 20. In connection with that protest, Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib has been arrested and remanded to police custody.

Panel chaired by Nishikant Dubey praises AI summit's $200B investments, Google data centre, and condemns protest involving Youth Congress chief.

New Delhi, February 24 The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, on Tuesday passed a resolution appreciating the successful organisation of the fourth edition of the India AI Impact Summit, held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.

In a press release issued after its meeting on February 24, the Committee described the summit as a "grand success" and said it was organised under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

According to the Committee, which is chiared by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the summit delivered a diplomatic declaration with participation from 91 countries and leading global companies committing to inclusive AI development. It noted that companies announced investments worth over USD 200 billion in India's artificial intelligence ecosystem.

The panel further highlighted that Google committed to establishing a major data centre in India and pledged to lay a direct subsea cable link between India and the United States.

"The Committee would like to place on record its appreciation for successfully organising the India AI Impact Summit by the Ministry of Electronics & IT under the able leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India," the statement said.

The Committee also condemned the "unfortunate incident" that occurred at the venue of the India AI Summit on February 20.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Court granted four days' police custody of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest case at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

According to officials, Chib is accused of being the main conspirator and mastermind behind the incident of unlawful assembly on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the venue and was reportedly involved in raising anti-national slogans and attempting to incite a riot-like situation.

Police alleged that Chib, in conspiracy with co-accused Shree Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Narsimha Yadav, and Ajay Kumar Yadav, obstructed and assaulted police officials on duty and during interrogation, he allegedly did not cooperate and failed to disclose the names of other co-accused who had fled the scene or the source of the T-shirts used by the protestors.

The police stated that the investigation into the case is ongoing, and Chib's custody has been sought for further questioning and proper investigation.

Earlier today, Chib was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the protest.

Chib was arrested under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including section 196 for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, or language, which is a non-bailable offence.

The Global AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, was the first to be hosted in the Global South, and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics and civil society representatives to deliberate on responsible AI governance and inclusive technological advancement.

The Summit witnessed unprecedented international participation, reaffirming India's growing leadership in shaping the global Artificial Intelligence discourse.

- ANI
A Pawan Hans helicopter was forced to ditch into the sea shortly after taking off from Port Blair while approaching to land at Mayabunder. All seven people on board, including two crew and five passengers, were successfully rescued without any injuries. The incident comes just a day after a separate, fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district claimed seven lives. Authorities have launched investigations into both aviation incidents.

A Pawan Hans helicopter made an emergency ditching into the sea near Port Blair. All seven on board were rescued safely with no injuries reported.

Port Blair, Feb 24 A Pawan Hans helicopter made an emergency ditching into the sea on Tuesday morning shortly after taking off from Port Blair, a town located in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island. The aircraft was carrying seven people at the time of the incident.

All those on board the helicopter, which belongs to the national helicopter carrier, were rescued safely, and no injuries were reported.

According to a spokesperson for Pawan Hans, the incident occurred at around 9.30 a.m. The spokesperson described it as a "short landing incident near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands", indicating that the aircraft encountered difficulty while attempting to land.

"The helicopter had taken off from Port Blair with two crew members and five passengers on board. All have been rescued and are safe. No injuries have been reported," the spokesperson said.

Officials familiar with the developments said the helicopter went down into the sea approximately 300 metres short of the runway as it was approaching Mayabunder for landing.

The incident took place at around 9.30 a.m., shortly before the aircraft was scheduled to touch down.

The development comes just a day after a fatal air crash in Jharkhand claimed seven lives. An air ambulance aircraft crashed in Chatra district on Monday evening, killing all seven people on board.

The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, had departed from Ranchi and was headed to Delhi when it went down in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, a forested region in the district.

The deceased have been identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Sanjay Kumar, Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar.

In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the Beechcraft C90 aircraft, bearing registration VT-AJV, was operating a medical evacuation flight on the Ranchi-Delhi route at the time of the crash. The aircraft came down in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district.

"The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, the aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi," the statement said.

Authorities are investigating both incidents.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day state visit to Israel at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit aims to review and advance the strategic partnership, with talks covering defence, technology, agriculture, and security. Netanyahu has termed the visit "historic," highlighting the personal bond and shared strategic vision between the two leaders. The itinerary includes a speech at the Knesset and discussions on forming broader alliances to counter regional challenges.

PM Narendra Modi visits Israel Feb 25-26 to meet PM Netanyahu, review defence, tech & security ties, and reaffirm the deep strategic partnership.

New Delhi, February 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Tuesday.

The visit comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to the MEA, the leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel.

This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and present an opportunity to review common challenges, as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.

Reflecting the significance of the diplomatic engagement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday termed the upcoming visit "historic", stating that the partnership continues to scale new heights.

In a post on X, Netanyahu described Prime Minister Modi as a "dear friend" and highlighted the growing strategic alignment between the two countries.

"This morning, at the opening of our Cabinet meeting, I spoke about the historic visit of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Israel this coming Wednesday," he said.

Calling the relationship a "powerful alliance between two global leaders", Netanyahu noted that Israel and India are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision.

"Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress," he added, specifically referring to cooperation in emerging technologies and broader geopolitical coordination.

Providing further details on the itinerary, Netanyahu confirmed that the Prime Minister will arrive on Wednesday and deliver a speech at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament).

The visit will also include an innovation event in Jerusalem and a joint visit to Yad Vashem.

Highlighting their personal bond, Netanyahu recalled, "We are personal friends; we speak frequently on the phone and visit one another. We waded together in the waters of the Mediterranean, and much water has flowed since then."

The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised that the fabric of the relationship will be tightened further through decisions related to economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation.

Regarding the diplomatic aspect, Netanyahu detailed a vision to create a "hexagon" of alliances, including India, Arab nations, African nations, and Mediterranean nations, to counter radical axes.

He further specified that the visit will promote cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum computing to ensure both nations remain among the world's leaders in these fields.

- ANI
A senior US official confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-President Donald Trump set an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion. This comes as the two nations announced a framework for an interim trade agreement involving tariff reductions and reciprocal measures. The revelation was made amidst discussions on US pressure policy on Russia and its impact on Indian interests. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court ruled against the legal basis of Trump's earlier sweeping tariffs, prompting the announcement of a new global tariff.

US official confirms Modi-Trump $500B trade goal. New US-India interim deal framework announced as Supreme Court rules on Trump tariffs.

Washington, DC, February 25 US Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg, on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Modi and US President Donald Trump set a goal to increase trade between the US and India to 500 billion dollars.

During the congressional hearing, Helberg expressed strong confidence in the future of US-India trade.

He also outlined the administration's "maximum pressure" policy on Russia aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

"The administration has instated a policy of maximum pressure on Russia. The goal of the administration is very much to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine. That included the instatment of secondary sanctions which had the effect of affecting a number of different Indian interests. Ultimately, the reaching of the bilateral joint statement on trade between the US and India has brought about positive resolutions and discussions," Helberg said.

"The content of the bilateral statement on trade include historic purchases by India from the US on energy, historic cross-border investment and I believe it was in the first quarter of the President's administration, PM Modi and President Trump set a goal of increasing overall bilateral trade flows to 500 billion dollars. So, I am incredibly confident in the trajectory of the US-India relationship...Our new ambassador there (in India) is doing an unbelievable job," he said.

This comes after the United States and India announced that they have reached a framework for an Interim Agreement regarding reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade.

The framework reaffirmed the countries' commitment to the broader US-India Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) negotiations, launched by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025, which will include additional market access commitments and support more resilient supply chains.

The Interim Agreement includes India eliminating or reducing tariffs on various US industrial goods, food, and agricultural products, while the US applies a reciprocal 18 per cent tariff on certain Indian-origin goods under an existing executive order, with provisions for removals upon successful conclusion of the agreement.

Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court on Friday ruled against most of Trump's sweeping tariff measures. Trump later signed an order making 10 per cent global tariff on all countries, effective "almost immediately".

The Court ruled 6-3 that the administration exceeded its authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose broad-based import tariffs, affirming that the power to levy taxes resides primarily with Congress.

Following the ruling, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global tariff on all countries under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, describing it as a temporary import surcharge (up to 15%) allowed for 150 days to address balance-of-payments deficits.

He later raised it further to the "fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level," effective immediately.

In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that this adjustment responds to the Supreme Court's "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision," while his administration would determine new, legally permissible tariffs in the coming months to continue "Making America Great Again."

- ANI
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Ajmer to inspect the venue and review preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on February 28. He directed officials to ensure comprehensive arrangements covering seating, utilities, traffic, and security for the event. During the visit, PM Modi will inaugurate development projects, launch an HPV vaccination program, and distribute appointment letters to youth. Senior state officials, including the Chief Secretary and DGP, accompanied the CM during the inspection.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma reviews preparations for PM Modi's Feb 28 visit to Ajmer to launch projects and distribute appointment letters.

Jaipur, Feb 24 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Tuesday visited Ajmer to review preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit on February 28. 

He inspected the programme venue at Kayad Vishram Sthal and chaired a meeting with senior officials, issuing necessary directions to ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the event.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to make comprehensive arrangements at the venue, including proper seating, availability of drinking water, medical facilities, uninterrupted electricity supply, adequate parking, traffic management, and robust security measures.

He directed the traffic police and transport department to work in close coordination to ensure seamless traffic flow and well-organised parking facilities. 

Sharma stated that during the visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several major development projects in Rajasthan.

The HPV vaccination programme will also be launched on the occasion, and appointment letters will be distributed to a large number of youth. 

Emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts, the Chief Minister directed all departments to work in synergy and complete preparations within the stipulated timeline to ensure the event's success. 

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary, Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar Sharma, and other senior officials were present during the inspection.

CM Sharma, meanwhile, shared a post on his X handle and said, "Inspected the venue at Kayad Vishram Sthal in Ajmer for the proposed public meeting of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and reviewed the preparations. After a detailed review of arrangements related to the grandeur of the event, security, and public facilities, I directed the concerned officials to ensure that all arrangements are completed in a timely, smooth, safe, and well-organised manner. 

"On this auspicious occasion, the state will receive several major development projects, and appointment letters will be distributed to the youth of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is fully prepared with great enthusiasm and readiness to welcome its beloved Prime Minister," he added.

- IANS
By AzerNEWS Staff

There are wars declared with tanks and parades. And then there are wars conducted in the shadows through cyber-attacks, intimidation, energy sabotage and propaganda. In 2025, Azerbaijan has found itself confronting the latter.

What is unfolding is not an open military confrontation. It is subtler, deniable and deliberately fragmented. Yet taken together, the cyber offensives, the attacks on diplomatic missions, the pressure on diaspora communities, the targeting of energy infrastructure, the pattern is hard to ignore. It bears the hallmarks of a hybrid campaign emanating from Moscow.

The deterioration did not happen in a vacuum. Azerbaijans deepening engagement with the west, particularly the United States, has recalibrated the geopolitical equation. The high-level meeting on 8 August between the presidents of the United States and Azerbaijan, followed by the vice-presidents visit and the signing of a strategic charter, signalled something more than routine diplomacy. It suggested a long-term alignment. In Moscow, such signals rarely go unanswered.

The pressure has literally been multidimensional.

In cyberspace, Azerbaijans media landscape faced a sweeping assault in February 2025. According to the countrys parliamentary commission on foreign interference and hybrid threats, the operation was linked to the Russian state-affiliated hacker group APT29. The attacks reportedly came in the wake of Bakus decision to close the Russian House cultural centre and the local bureau of Sputnik. The message was unmistakable: symbolic sovereignty would carry digital consequences. Over the course of the year, Azerbaijani resources were targeted repeatedly from Russian-linked sources, underscoring that this was not an isolated incident but a sustained campaign.

Beyond the virtual domain, the physical risks have been more alarming. Azerbaijans embassy in Ukraine was struck by rocket fire three times amid the ongoing war. Diplomatic missions are protected under international law; targeting them erodes the very architecture of state relations. While the broader theatre was Ukraines battlefield, the recurrence of strikes on Azerbaijani diplomatic property cannot be dismissed as mere collateral coincidence.

Energy infrastructure, too, has been drawn into the crossfire. In August 2025, a strike hit the gas distribution and compressor station in Orlivka near the Romanian border, a key node of the Trans-Balkan gas corridor. The site was expected to facilitate imports of Azerbaijani gas via SOCAR, the state energy company, into south-eastern Europe. Shortly afterwards, drone attacks targeted a SOCAR-owned oil depot near Odesa. These incidents were not random acts of wartime chaos. They struck at the connective tissue of Azerbaijans expanding energy footprint in Europe, a footprint that competes directly with Russian leverage.

At the same time, Azerbaijani communities in Russia have faced mounting pressure. Incidents in Yekaterinburg and other regions, including reports of unjustified detentions and even killings, have fuelled fears that diaspora populations are being instrumentalised. Hybrid conflict often operates by amplifying vulnerability: economic, informational, communal.

The information space has been no less contested. Russian media narratives about Azerbaijan have hardened conspicuously. Public figures such as Konstantin Zatulin, alongside a constellation of commentators and bloggers, have levelled accusations and thinly veiled threats against Baku. Propaganda, in this context, serves both as domestic conditioning and as external signalling  preparing audiences for a tougher line while attempting to delegitimise Azerbaijans independent course.

Even aviation has not been immune. The controversy surrounding an AZAL aircraft incident earlier this year fed into a climate of distrust and accusation. In hybrid confrontation, ambiguity is a tool. Events are rarely clarified; they are weaponised.

What, then, is the strategic logic? First, energy. Azerbaijans growing role as a supplier to Europe, particularly as the continent seeks alternatives to Russian gas, challenges Moscows long-standing dominance. Projects connected to the Trans-Balkan route and SOCARs activities in Ukraine represent not just commercial ventures but geopolitical statements.

Second, is the alignment, in other words, Bakus increasingly visible partnership with Washington alters the balance in the South Caucasus. For a Kremlin accustomed to viewing the region as its privileged sphere of influence, such recalibration is perceived as encroachment.

Third, is the precedent. If Azerbaijan can pursue a multi-vector policy that strengthens western ties while maintaining sovereignty, it offers a model uncomfortably at odds with Russias integrationist ambitions in the post-Soviet space.

Hybrid warfare thrives on deniability. Each cyber-attack can be dismissed as the work of rogue actors. Each infrastructure strike can be folded into the fog of war in Ukraine. Each propaganda salvo can be waved away as free speech. But strategy reveals itself in accumulation.

For Azerbaijan, the response has so far combined restraint with consolidation of western partnerships. The challenge is to avoid escalation while defending sovereignty  a delicate balance in a region where miscalculation has often proved costly.

For Europe, the lesson is equally stark. Hybrid pressure is no longer confined to the Baltic states or Ukraine. It extends along energy corridors, through digital networks and into diaspora communities. The South Caucasus is not peripheral; it is increasingly central to the continents energy security and geopolitical resilience.

The undeclared front is already open. The question is not whether hybrid confrontation exists, but how far it will be allowed to advance before it is recognised as what it is: a strategic campaign to shape the choices of a sovereign state through coercion without formal war.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 54-year-old Harare man has appeared in court facing allegations of attempting to murder his former employee, whom he accuses of stealing and selling his mining equipment before disappearing without notice.Nkosiyabo Moyo appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa charged with attempted murder. He was granted bail and is being represented by lawyer Mr Claude Bare.Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that in October 2025, the complainant had been employed by Moyo as an artisanal miner at Stories Mine in Mazowe. Moyo had reportedly entrusted him with managing operations in his absence.However, the court heard that the complainant allegedly sold all the mining equipment and fled without informing his employer.According to the State, on February 10, 2026, at approximately 7pm, Moyo tracked the complainant to Helensvale squatter camp in Borrowdale.It is alleged that Moyo, armed with a pistol, approached the complainant while he was asleep inside a shack. The complainant reportedly fled after sensing danger, but Moyo allegedly fired several shots in his direction.One of the bullets struck the complainant in the left thigh.The matter has been remanded to a later date as investigations continue.
Political activity intensifies in Bihar ahead of elections for five Rajya Sabha seats. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has reminded the NDA leadership of an earlier assurance of a Rajya Sabha seat for his party. The ruling NDA alliance, while strong, falls marginally short of the votes needed to secure all five seats, opening a window for the opposition Grand Alliance. Meanwhile, Manjhi also called for a review of Bihar's prohibition law, criticizing its ineffective implementation.

Jitan Ram Manjhi reminds NDA of promised Rajya Sabha seat as alliances strategize for Bihar's 5 seats. Tejashwi Yadav eyes opposition unity.

Patna, Feb 24 Political activity in Bihar has intensified ahead of the elections for five Rajya Sabha seats, which are being seen as significant in the context of the polls to the 37-seats across 10 states.

Of the five Bihar seats, the terms of three NDA MPs and two Grand Alliance MPs are set to expire, making the contest strategically important for both alliances.

Amid this churn, Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has reminded the NDA leadership of an earlier assurance made to his party.

Speaking to reporters, Manjhi said that as a constituent of the NDA, he had been assured two Lok Sabha seats and one Rajya Sabha seat.

He added that while he had not made any formal demand so far, he was confident that the alliance leadership would honour its commitment and that he would wait for the final decision.

Earlier, Union Minister and LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan dismissed speculation that his mother, Reena Paswan, would be nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

The Bihar MPs whose Rajya Sabha terms are ending include Ramnath Thakur, Harivansh Narayan Singh, Upendra Kushwaha, Premchandra Gupta, and Amarendradhari Singh.

According to the current strength of the Bihar Assembly, the NDA has 202 MLAs, while 41 MLAs are required to win one Rajya Sabha seat.

To secure all five seats, a total of 205 votes would be required, indicating that the ruling alliance falls marginally short of a clean sweep.

On the other hand, the Grand Alliance has 35 MLAs. If it manages to secure the support of five AIMIM MLAs and one Bahujan Samaj Party MLA, the opposition could be in a position to win one Rajya Sabha seat.

Sources indicate that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and his party are actively exploring this possibility.

However, AIMIM has reportedly placed its own conditions, and negotiations are still underway.

Within the NDA, discussions are ongoing over a possible seat-sharing formula for the Rajya Sabha elections.

According to sources, a proposal is being discussed under which two seats may go to the BJP, two to the JD(U), and one to an ally.

While Upendra Kushwaha is already being considered a strong contender, parties such as LJP (Ram Vilas) and HAM (Secular) have also staked their claim to the remaining seat.

Apart from election-related matters, Manjhi also commented on Bihar's liquor prohibition policy.

He said that while the intent of the law is correct, its implementation has been ineffective.

According to Manjhi, "The wealthy continue to consume expensive liquor, while the poor are forced to consume cheap and toxic alcohol."

He alleged that poor people are more likely to face legal action, while smugglers profit from the illegal liquor trade, and stressed the need for a review of the prohibition law.

- IANS
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has warmly welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his state visit, calling him a "true friend." In a grand gesture, Israel's Knesset was illuminated in the colors of the Indian flag to honor the visiting leader. PM Modi is visiting at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to review and advance the strategic partnership across multiple sectors. The visit aims to reaffirm the deep, long-standing ties between the two democracies.

Israeli opposition leader calls PM Modi a "true friend" as Knesset is lit in Indian flag colors ahead of his state visit to meet Netanyahu.

Tel Aviv, February 25 Ahead of PM Modi's upcoming visit, the leader of the Opposition in Israel, Yair Lapid, on Tuesday, emphasised that the India-Israel relationship goes beyond strategy, describing it as a deep bond of friendship between the two nations.

He also called PM Modi a "true friend" of Israel.

In a post on X, Lapid wrote, "All of Israel is excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi tomorrow. He is a true friend of Israel. The relationship between Israel and India is not merely a strategic one, but a bond of deep friendship between nations."

Israel's Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared that the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) is illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag in honour of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit.

"In tribute to Prime Minister @narendramodi, the Knesset is illuminated tonight in the colours of the Indian flag," Ohana wrote in a post on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday.

The visit comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges.

According to the MEA, the leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel.

This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and present an opportunity to review common challenges, as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.

- ANI
Amnesty International South Asia has expressed deep concern over reports of civilian casualties from Pakistan's recent airstrikes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, calling for an independent investigation. The organization cited previous UN reports attributing significant civilian casualties to Pakistan military forces during border clashes. Pakistan states the precision strikes targeted camps of banned militant groups like the TTP and ISIS-K in retaliation for recent suicide attacks. Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.

Amnesty International urges impartial investigation into civilian harm from Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan, citing UN casualty reports.

New Delhi, February 24 Amnesty International South Asia has expressed deep concern over reports of civilian casualties following Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on February 21 and 22, calling for a "thorough, independent, and impartial investigation" into the alleged harm.

In a post on X by Amnesty International South Asia, the organisation said it was "deeply concerned by the reports of civilian casualties caused by Pakistan's airstrike in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on 21 and 22 February."

"These reports of harm to civilians must be subjected to a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation," Amnesty said.

The organisation noted, "This is not the first time civilians have borne the brunt of the use of force. Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan attributed 70 civilians killed and 478 others wounded to the Pakistan military forces between October and December 2025, when border tensions and clashes intensified between the Afghanistan Taliban forces and the Pakistan Military."

According to UNAMA, the casualties occurred as border tensions and confrontations increased between Afghanistan's Taliban forces and the Pakistan military.

Amnesty International reiterated its appeal to all parties involved in the hostilities to take necessary steps to prevent civilian harm, stressing their obligations under international law.

More than 80 people were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes at the seven locations in Afghanistan's Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces, Geo News reported on Monday, citing Islamabad's security sources.

Pakistan has conducted multiple strikes in the region in response to recent suicide attacks for which they have blamed Afghanistan.

The targeted locations reportedly included "New Centre No. 1 and New Centre No. 2 in Nangarhar, Khwariji Maulvi Abbas Centre in Khost, Khwariji Islam Centre and Khwariji Ibrahim Centre in Nangarhar, and Khwariji Mullah Rahbar and Khwariji Mukhlis Yar in Paktika."

Earlier, Pakistan's State Minister for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, said nearly 70 militants had been "neutralised" in the cross-border operation.

The government stated that the strikes targeted camps belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by Pakistani authorities for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, its affiliates and Islamic State - Khorasan Province (Daesh-Khorasan).

Speaking to Geo News programme "Geo Pakistan," Chaudhry alleged that Afghanistan had become a source of cross-border militancy. He said Pakistan was taking necessary measures to safeguard its citizens and highlighted that around 70,000 intelligence-based operations had been conducted domestically, resulting in multiple arrests.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting described the strikes as "precise and accurate," calling them a retaliatory response to recent suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu. Islamabad claimed that the attacks were orchestrated by handlers based in Afghanistan and linked to the TTP and Daesh elements.

The strikes reportedly targeted hideouts in the Barmal area of Paktika province, Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, as well as Ghani Khel, Behsud and Argoon areas.

Chaudhry also referred to the 2020 Doha Agreement, stating that the Afghan Taliban had pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used for terrorism. He alleged that Kabul's interim administration had failed to curb militant activity.

He added that Pakistan had made diplomatic and military-level efforts to address its security concerns and urged political parties to unite against terrorism.

The latest strikes follow a surge in violence in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces. Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated in recent years, particularly since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

- ANI
The RSS will hold its highest decision-making body meeting from March 13-15 in Haryana's Samalkha. The assembly will conduct a comprehensive review of the organisation's centenary year programs and campaigns. Key discussions will focus on social transformation efforts and the current national landscape. Top leadership, including the Sarsanghchalak and Sarkaryavah, will set the organisational priorities for the coming year.

RSS top body meets in Haryana to review centenary programs, plan future roadmap, and discuss national issues. Key leaders to attend.

New Delhi, Feb 24 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh will convene its highest decision-making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, from March 13 to 15 at the Gram Vikas and Seva Sadhana Kendra in Patti Kalyana, Samalkha, Haryana.

The three-day annual assembly, corresponding to Yugabda 5127, Vikram Samvat 2082, Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, will bring together top RSS leadership and representatives to review progress, chart future plans, and address key national issues.

RSS national media and publicity head Sunil Ambekar announced the event, noting that it holds special significance as it coincides with the organisation's centenary year.

The Sabha will extensively discuss experiences and outcomes from the wide-ranging centenary programmes and campaigns conducted throughout 2025-26.

These include grand Vijayadashami celebrations marking the RSS's 100th founding anniversary on October 2, 2025 (Vijayadashami), widespread Grihasampark (household contact) drives to reach homes across villages and urban areas, Hindu Sammelans, youth conferences, gatherings of prominent citizens, and social harmony meetings aimed at fostering unity among communities.

Delegates will present a comprehensive review of the Sangh's work during the past year, including special initiatives undertaken in various provinces. Discussions are expected to focus on ongoing social transformation efforts, particularly the Panch Parivartan (fivefold change) initiatives being promoted through RSS shakhas to drive positive societal shifts in character, family, society, nation, and global outlook.

The assembly will also deliberate on the current national landscape, pass resolutions on important contemporary topics, and finalise plans for upcoming training programmes. This includes preparations for Sangh Shiksha Vargs (training camps), Karyakarta Vikas Vargs (worker development courses), and other educational activities.

The meeting will culminate in determining the RSS's organisational work plan and priorities for the coming year.

RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, all co-Sarkaryavahs, national executive members, and other senior office-bearers will participate in the meet. A total of 1,489 participants is expected, comprising elected representatives, key state and regional office-bearers, along with national presidents, general secretaries, and organising ministers from 32 Sangh-inspired organisations.

This year's meeting in Haryana marks a key moment for the RSS as it reflects on a century of service while setting the course for continued expansion, social outreach, and nation-building efforts amid evolving challenges.

- IANS
The Supreme Court has permitted the Calcutta High Court to deploy additional civil judges and seek judicial officers from Jharkhand and Odisha to address a critical shortage of manpower. This move aims to verify over 50 lakh objections in West Bengal's voter rolls under the 'Logical Discrepancy' category within a tight timeframe. The court directed that all associated expenses for these officers will be borne by the Election Commission of India. This intervention follows a recent order where the SC had already requested the Calcutta HC Chief Justice to depute district judges for the same voter verification exercise.

Supreme Court allows Calcutta HC to deploy civil judges and seek judicial officers from Jharkhand & Odisha to verify over 50 lakh voter roll objections in West Bengal.

New Delhi, February 24 The Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to deploy additional civil judges with three years of experience and, if required, seek assistance from the Chief Justices of Jharkhand and Odisha to ensure sufficient judicial manpower for verifying objections under the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of the voter rolls in West Bengal.

The directions were issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court flagged a shortage of officers to verify over 50 lakh objections under the 'Logical Discrepancy' category within the existing timeframe.

The High Court had noted that even 250 judicial officers would require approximately 80 days to complete the verification.

The Supreme Court clarified that, in addition to officers already assigned, the Calcutta High Court could deploy civil judges with three years of experience, and if further resources were required, the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC could request serving or retired judicial officers from Jharkhand and Odisha.

The expenses, including travel, boarding, and honorarium, would be borne by the Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court stated.

"If the CJ of Calcutta HC is of the opinion that further human resources would be required, he is at liberty to approach the Chief Justices of Orissa and Jharkhand High Courts for serving and former judicial officers from those states, who shall then could undertake the pending exercise. In that eventuality the travel, boarding, honorarium and other expenses will be borne by the ECI. The Chief Justices of Orissa and Jharkhand are requested to consider any request by the Calcutta CJ," the apex court noted.

The expansion of judicial manpower aims to ensure the timely and thorough verification of voter roll objections in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

This comes days after the apex court on Friday ordered the deputation of district judges in West Bengal to resolve pending voter claims of people categorised in the Commission's "logical discrepancy" list in the SIR of electoral rolls in the state.

Invoking powers under Article 142 (special power to do complete justice) of the Constitution, the bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi observed that it had no option left but to request the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to intervene on the issue by deputing district judges to resolve pending voter claims, chiefly with respect to the ones who have been included in the logical discrepancy list by the ECI.

- ANI
The Supreme Court has permitted judicial officers from the Jharkhand and Orissa High Courts to be deputed to West Bengal to help clear a massive backlog of voter claims and objections. This intervention addresses the Calcutta High Court's concern over nearly 80 lakh pending applications needing adjudication before the final electoral roll publication. The Court has allowed the deployment of additional civil judges and directed the Election Commission to bear all associated expenses. It also ruled that voters added in supplementary lists will be deemed part of the final roll published on February 28, 2026.

Supreme Court allows deputation of judicial officers from Jharkhand & Orissa HCs to West Bengal to clear 80 lakh pending voter claims before Feb 28 deadline.

New Delhi, Feb 24 The Supreme Court on Tuesday permitted judicial officers from the neighbouring High Courts of Jharkhand and Orissa to be deputed to West Bengal to expedite the adjudication of voter claims and objections arising from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipin Pancholi issued the directions after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court informed the Apex Court about the massive pendency of cases involving "logical discrepancy" and "unmapped category" voters.

As per the communication placed before the Top Court, nearly 80 lakh applications require adjudication, while only about 250 judicial officers, primarily District Judges and Additional District Judges, are currently engaged in the exercise.

The Calcutta High Court estimated that even if each officer disposes of 250 matters daily, the process would take around 80 days to conclude.

Taking note of the deadline for the final electoral roll scheduled for February 28, 2026, the CJI Kant-led Bench allowed the Calcutta High Court to additionally deploy Civil Judges (Senior Division) and Civil Judges (Junior Division) with at least three years of experience to assist in the SIR work.

It further permitted the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to seek assistance from neighbouring High Courts if additional manpower is required.

The Supreme Court said that judicial officers, serving as well as retired, from the Jharkhand and Orissa High Courts may be deputed to West Bengal for the limited purpose of completing verification of pending claims.

It directed that expenses towards travel, boarding, lodging and honorarium of such officers would be borne by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The CJI Kant-led Bench clarified that the ECI may proceed with publication of the final electoral roll on February 28, even if adjudication of certain cases remains pending.

Invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court ordered that voters whose names are included in subsequent supplementary electoral lists would be deemed to be part of the final electoral roll published on February 28.

- IANS
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the progress of the PM-Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) with agriculture ministers from 11 states. He emphasized the need for timely and appropriate utilization of allocated funds as the fiscal year-end approaches to benefit farmers. The states discussed their respective Rabi crops and procurement mechanisms to ensure farmers do not incur losses. The PM-RKVY scheme, approved in 2024 with a significant outlay, promotes sustainable agriculture and offers states flexibility in fund allocation.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed PM-RKVY progress with 11 states, urging timely fund utilization for farmers' benefit and sustainable agriculture.

New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the progress of PM- Rashtiya Krishi Vikas Yojna while meeting with 11 agriculture ministers on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting here, Minister Chouhan said, "I have reviewed the progress of PM - Rashtiya Krishi Vikas Yojna (PM-RKVY) along with 11 states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, MP, and Haryana. As the year-end is approaching, the amount allotted to the two schemes should be utilised well for the farmers, which I approved... the money needs to be put to work appropriately and faster, the states have given their words to follow along."

He added that the states discussed their respective crops, stating, "The states talked about their respective Rabi crops and their purchase convenience... and were allowed the purchase in minimum support price within an allocated time so that the farmers do not sustain any loss."

The cafeteria scheme PM-RKVY was approved by the Union cabinet in 2024 to promote sustainable agriculture and address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency. Both the schemes were implemented with a total proposed expenditure of Rs 1,01,321.61 crore.The state governments are given flexibility to re-allocate funds from one component to another based on their state-specific requirements.

Multiple initatives, Soil Health Management, Rainfed Area Development, Agro Forestry, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Agricultural Mechanization including Crop Residue Management, Per Drop More Crop, Crop Diversification Programme, RKVY DPR component, Accelerator Fund for Agri Startups are all part of the PM-RKVY.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday performed the 'griha pravesh' ceremony of newly constructed houses for one lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in Guwahati. Addressing the media, the Assam Chief Minister termed the occasion a major milestone and said the state government is closely following up on the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit.

"This is a great milestone we have achieved because all the MoUs we signed during 2.0 Advantage Assam, we are following that very closely. A lot of promises were made during that time have already started being translated into reality. One of the examples is today's inauguration," Sarma said. He added that he had also inaugurated the Tech & Digital Factory of HDFC Bank, which was announced during Advantage Assam 2.0.

"A short while ago, I inaugurated the Tech & Digital Factory of HDFC Bank, a promise made during Advantage Assam 2.0. Within just one year, it has been translated into reality," he said. Sarma further stated that discussions are underway regarding major investment proposals in the technology sector.

"We are working on some mega investment proposals in the tech sector. They are waiting for the Assam elections because they are waiting for political stability. But more or less, we have closed our discussion, and some big things are about to come to Assam again," he said. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Assam will continue to attract significant investments in the coming months.

- ANI
The South Korean government has revised bills to establish two new agencies to replace the prosecution's powers after criticism the initial plan was too similar to the current system. The revised bill for the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency reduces its investigative scope from nine to six major crime types, excluding areas like public official crimes to avoid overlap with other agencies. It also simplifies the organizational structure by classifying all personnel as investigators with graded ranks instead of separating prosecutors and general investigators. Meanwhile, the revised bill for the Indictment Agency strengthens disciplinary measures and protections for prosecutors.

South Korea revises bills for new serious crimes agency, reducing its scope from 9 to 6 crime types after public and political backlash.

Seoul, Feb 24 The South Korean government has revised bills on the establishment of two bodies set to replace the prosecution following criticism they were designed to be little different from the current prosecution service, a task force said Tuesday.

The so-called serious crimes investigation agency and the indictment agency are set to be established in October under a government reorganisation bill that passed the National Assembly last September, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The two bodies will replace the prosecution office and take on its investigative and indictment powers, respectively, as part of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung administration's drive to address longstanding criticism that the prosecution has abused its exclusive powers by carrying out politically motivated investigations.

Under the initial bills unveiled last month, the investigation agency was tasked with investigating nine major types of crimes,

The corresponding revised bill, however, reduces the number to six, excluding crimes involving public officials, elections and large-scale disasters, to reflect concerns that the scope was too large and could overlap with the powers of other agencies, according to the prosecution reform task force under the Prime Minister's Office.

The revised bill calls for the new agency to open investigations into crimes involving corruption, economic offences, the defence industry, narcotics, cyber activities, and insurrections and foreign aggression.

It also simplifies the organisational chart to remove the distinction between prosecutors and general professional investigators proposed in the original bill.

Under the new bill, all investigators will be classified as investigators but ranked from Grades 1 to 9 based on their expertise and roles.

No change was made to the title of the agency's chief, which will remain "prosecutor general."

The revised bill for the indictment agency, meanwhile, adds the dismissal of a prosecutor as a disciplinary action, whereas originally a prosecutor could only be dismissed upon being impeached or receiving a prison sentence.

It also bans the unfair treatment of prosecutors who raise objections about the fairness of a superior's orders.

The task force said it has issued legislative notices on the revised bills that will run through Thursday.

- IANS
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka emphasized a commitment to responsible, human-centered AI that preserves linguistic diversity and cultural heritage at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. He proposed enhanced regional cooperation based on affordable access, shared language datasets, and common security tools. On the sidelines, the President held significant bilateral meetings with leaders from India, the UAE, France, Bhutan, and Brazil to discuss expanded cooperation in trade, technology, and other sectors. Sri Lanka formally joined the summit's declaration, pledging to advance transparent and inclusive AI development with international partners.

Sri Lankan President reaffirms commitment to human-centered AI and strengthens partnerships with India, UAE, France, Brazil, and others at global summit.

New Delhi, February 25 Participating in the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi from February 17-20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka reaffirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to responsible, inclusive and human-centred Artificial Intelligence, while further strengthening bilateral partnerships. The Summit, convened from February 16-20, marked the first global gathering of its kind hosted in the Global South. It brought together Heads of State and Government, senior United Nations officials, leaders of international organisations and prominent figures from the global technology sector to deliberate on shaping the future of AI governance under the guiding pillars of People, Planet and Progress. Addressing the Leaders' Plenary Session on February 19, Sri Lankan President Disanayaka underscored that Artificial Intelligence must serve humanity, strengthening cultural values, safeguarding rights and ensuring equitable access to opportunity.

Highlighting AI infrastructure as the next frontier of economic and cultural cooperation, the President drew attention to the evolving global discourse on ambitions, rights and safeguards related to AI. Emphasising the often-overlooked cultural dimension of AI, the President stressed that emerging AI systems must preserve linguistic diversity and reflect the shared heritage of nations. He observed that technological advancement should not erode cultural identities but instead empower communities. The President proposed enhanced regional cooperation structured around four key pillars: affordable access; centrally governed language datasets; common evaluation mechanisms and security tools; and integrated capacity development. Sri Lanka joined the AI Impact Summit Declaration, reaffirming its commitment to advancing ethical, transparent and people-centred AI development, and to working collaboratively with international partners to ensure innovation remains inclusive and development-oriented. On the sidelines of the Summit, President Disanayaka held several high-level bilateral discussions. He met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, where discussions focused on expanding Sri Lanka-UAE cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, AI and other emerging sectors. In his meeting with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, both leaders reaffirmed longstanding friendly relations and explored strengthened cooperation in culture, education, youth affairs and health. President Disanayaka also held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, during which both sides discussed cooperation in technology, digital innovation, tourism, investment, and the maritime domain.

The President expressed appreciation for France's continued support for Sri Lanka, including through the Paris Club debt restructuring process. France reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. In his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, discussions centred on exploring possible areas for cooperation, reflecting on growing South-South engagement. President Lula da Silva invited President Disanayaka to undertake a visit to Brazil. The President also met with the Ambassador of the United States to India and the US President's Special Representative for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, to review US-Sri Lanka relations and explore avenues for further collaboration. On February 20, President Disanayaka held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. The leaders reviewed progress achieved since the President's landmark State Visit to India in December 2024 and Prime Minister Modi's visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. Discussions focused on further enhancing cooperation across trade, energy, connectivity, digital collaboration, economic engagement and cultural ties. The President conveyed appreciation for India's continued humanitarian assistance, including support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, as well as for the invitation to participate in the historic AI Impact Summit. The AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together leaders, policymakers and delegates from over 100 countries. Deliberations addressed key thematic areas, including Human Capital, Inclusion for Social Empowerment, Safe and Trusted AI, Science, Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency, Democratizing AI Resources, and AI for Economic Development and Social Good. The Chief Advisor on Digital Economy, Hans Wijayasuriya; Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Waruna Sri Dhanapala; High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne; and officials of the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi were associated with the President's engagements.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to Israel is hailed as a pivotal moment to dismantle market barriers and unlock new economic potential. The visit is expected to yield numerous agreements, solidifying a partnership that has matured into a comprehensive strategic framework. A key focus is the advancement of a Free Trade Agreement, seen as a major post-visit achievement. The future trajectory includes collaborative efforts on major connectivity projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

PM Modi's state visit to Israel aims to unlock markets, advance a Free Trade Agreement, and strengthen the special strategic partnership between the two nations.

By Sahil Pandey, Tel Aviv, February 25 As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his upcoming visit to Israel, Lauren Dagan Amos, a prominent researcher in foreign and security policy at Bar-Ilan University, has described the visit as a "very important" milestone that will open up new economic opportunities and dismantle existing market barriers.

Speaking to ANI in a Zoom interview, Amos, who specialises in India's foreign and security policy, highlighted the strategic timing of the visit, noting that India's engagement during difficult times carries significant weight.

"I think that also India and Israel will achieve a lot because when the Prime Minister of India came to Israel during a difficult time, it meant a lot," she said.

Discussing the economic impact of this high-level engagement, she noted that the visit would allow both nations to better navigate commercial challenges and unlock the potential of their respective markets.

"I think the Israeli market and the India market will open up, and we'll understand the opportunities and get through the obstacles that have been brought down," Amos added.

Reflecting on the expected deliverables, the researcher emphasised that the partnership has matured beyond its traditional defence pillars into a more comprehensive framework.

"I think there is going to be a signing of a lot of agreements on various issues. We are not only in a defence strategic partnership. I think the definition that Israel and India are special strategic partners is very important," she stated, adding that the relationship has reached a "high level of respect after all these years."

A key component of this evolving economic tie is the potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which Amos confirmed is currently under active negotiation.

"Now the Israeli delegation in India is dealing with this agreement. And I think this is the most important thing after Modi's visit to Israel. It will be a huge and great achievement for the two countries," she said.

Looking at the future trajectory of bilateral ties, Amos suggested that the focus should now shift toward major connectivity projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

"I think that they need to focus now on IMEC and how to get involved," she remarked, adding that "Israel needs to do much more than it is doing right now. It is for the benefit of India and the benefit of Israeli interests."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26. The visit, which comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marks the Prime Minister's second trip to the country, following his historic 2017 visit.

During the stay, Prime Minister Modi will meet Prime Minister Netanyahu to review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. The two leaders are expected to discuss further opportunities in diverse areas, including science and technology, innovation, defence, agriculture, and trade, while also exchanging perspectives on regional and global issues.

In addition to high-level talks with the Prime Minister, PM Modi will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. The MEA stated that this visit will reaffirm the deep-standing partnership and present an opportunity to realign efforts towards a shared vision for a robust partnership between the two resilient democracies.

Reflecting the significance of the engagement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday termed the upcoming visit "historic," describing Prime Minister Modi as a "dear friend." Calling the relationship a "powerful alliance between two global leaders," Netanyahu noted that both nations are partners in innovation and security, building an "axis of nations committed to stability and progress."

Netanyahu also provided details on the itinerary, confirming that the Prime Minister will arrive on Wednesday and deliver a speech at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament). The visit will also include an innovation event in Jerusalem and a joint visit to Yad Vashem, further highlighting the personal and strategic bond between the two leaders.

The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised that the fabric of the relationship will be tightened further through decisions related to economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation. Netanyahu detailed a vision to create a "hexagon" of alliances to counter radical axes and specified that the visit will promote cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum computing.

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) officer has appeared in court for allegedly masterminding a sophisticated smuggling scheme that reportedly cost the tax authority more than US$1 million in lost revenue.Tinotenda Mawoyo (34), who was employed as a Revenue Officer and stationed at Plumtree Border Post at the time of the alleged offences, is accused of facilitating the fraudulent importation of goods in collaboration with clearing agents and other ZIMRA officials.Mawoyo was granted US$200 bail when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.Prosecutor Mr Lancelot Mutsokoti told the court that on January 24, 2024, Mawoyo allegedly worked with Innocent Moyo - who is already on remand under case CRB PTPP118/26 at Plumtree Magistrates' Court - to fraudulently generate Baobab Consultancy's tax clearance certificate in ZIMRA's Tax and Revenue Management System (TARMS).Innocent Moyo was employed by CIM Consultancy, a firm responsible for handling the tax affairs of Baobab Consultancy, a company owned by Phillip Mafurebwe.Although Baobab Consultancy was not registered for the importation of goods, the court heard that in February 2024, Moyo allegedly issued the company's tax clearance certificate to Nyasha Moyo, an employee of Blenny Freight Services (Pvt) Ltd, a clearing agency.Nyasha Moyo, working with Blessing Kodzawako, a director of Blenny Freight Services, allegedly applied to ZIMRA for the registration of Baobab Consultancy as an importer. The application was approved, paving the way for the company to bring goods into the country.Fake Invoices and Fraudulent DeclarationsOnce registered, the accused allegedly facilitated the smuggling of alcohol and other commodities by misrepresenting them as duty-exempt agricultural equipment, including centre pivots, knapsacks and bulk washing powder.The court heard that fake invoices were generated in the name of Baobab Consultancy, listing duty-free agricultural equipment. These invoices were then used to create fraudulent Bills of Entry in the ASYCUDA World system, using tariff codes applicable to duty-free goods.The documents were allegedly presented to ZIMRA revenue officers at the scanning point for clearance, allowing the goods to pass through undetected.It is further alleged that the fraudulent paperwork was shared with other clearing agents - including Queenlight Investments, Proconnie Investments, Pelican Advisory and Sydow Investments - to generate additional fraudulent Bill of Entry numbers used to clear the smuggled consignments.Investigations are ongoing, and the matter has been remanded to a later date as the State continues to build its case.
The head of Australia's royal commission into the antisemitic Bondi Beach attack has stated that strengthening national social cohesion will be the work of years, not months. Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell emphasized the commission's critical role in helping Australians understand the scourge and impact of antisemitism. The inquiry will examine the conduct's drivers and how law enforcement protects the Jewish community, aiming for a final report before the first anniversary of the December attack. It has already issued dozens of notices to government agencies but will not hear eyewitness evidence to avoid prejudicing the criminal case against the alleged gunman.

Head of Australia's antisemitism royal commission says strengthening social cohesion after Bondi attack is work of "years, not months." Inquiry seeks public submissions.

Sydney, Feb 24 The head of a major inquiry into the antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December said on Tuesday that it could take years to strengthen social cohesion in Australia.

Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, who was appointed by the federal government to lead the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, said in her opening statement on the inquiry's first day on Tuesday that the work of the commission would help Australians come to terms with the attack.

The royal commission was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January, almost one month after 15 people were killed in the fatal mass shooting that targeted a Jewish event at the iconic beach on December 14.

Bell said that it is of critical importance that the inquiry hands down its final report before the first anniversary of the attack, but warned that strengthening social cohesion would be the work of "years, not months."

Bell said she was interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who had experienced antisemitism, "whether at school or at university or in the workplace, or elsewhere", and making a submission online did not commit them to giving evidence in public.

She said that the royal commission would not hear evidence from eyewitnesses of the attack so as not to prejudice criminal proceedings against the surviving alleged gunman Naveed Akram, Xinhua news agency reported.

The senior counsel assisting the royal commission, Richard Lancaster, said that dozens of notices have been issued to federal and state government agencies to appear before the inquiry and produce relevant documents.

"A large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism, its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians," he said.

The inquiry is expected to hand down an interim report by April 30.

The commission will identify antisemitic conduct and its drivers in Australian society, examine how law enforcement and security agencies were tackling antisemitic conduct and protecting the Jewish community and look at the circumstances leading up to the attack.

- IANS
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting five Chinese naval vessels and two balloons from the People's Republic of China operating near its territory. The ROC Armed Forces stated they are monitoring and have responded to the situation. This follows recent days where Chinese military aircraft were also detected, with one sortie crossing the median line into Taiwan's air defense zone. Concurrently, the China Coast Guard has released figures highlighting its extensive patrol activities in disputed maritime regions over the past five years.

Taiwan's defense ministry reports detecting five Chinese naval vessels and two PRC balloons operating around its territorial waters, monitoring the situation.

Taipei, February 24 Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday said it detected the presence of five Chinese vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am.

According to the X post, the Taiwanese MND also detected two PRC balloons during the timeframe.

"5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe," the MND stated in a post on X.

The MND further said, "#ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded."

Earlier, on Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said it detected the presence of five Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time).

According to a post on X, the Taiwanese MND detected no Chinese military aircraft during the timeframe, as there was an absence of PLA aircraft operating around the territory.

"5 PLAN vessel operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe," the MND stated in a post on X.

Moreover, on Sunday, the Taiwanese MND detected the presence of two sorties of Chinese military aircraft and six Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time).

One out of the two sorties of PLA aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

The China Coast Guard (CCG), on the other hand, revealed it conducted 550,000 vessel sorties and 6,000 aircraft sorties to "carry out missions protecting China's maritime rights" in the past five years. This figure included 134 patrols around the Diaoyu Islands, otherwise known as Japan's Senkaku Islands, last year alone.

- ANI
The Telangana government has invited tenders for a 9.08 crore project to enhance security and infrastructure at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's camp office located within the Dr MCR HRD Institute campus. The work includes constructing a fortified compound wall with concertina wire, installing security watch towers, gates, and developing approach roads. This project aligns with a larger 20,000 crore allocation announced for Hyderabad's comprehensive development over the next two years. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka highlighted that this unprecedented funding and the historic merger of 27 urban bodies into GHMC aim to ensure uniform civic services and integrated planning.

Telangana invites 9.08 crore tender for security upgrades at CM Revanth Reddy's camp office at MCR HRD Institute, including walls, watchtowers, and roads.

Hyderabad, February 24 The Telangana government has officially invited tenders for a major security and infrastructure project at the Dr MCR HRD Institute campus in Hyderabad.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, on several occasions, used the MCHRD premises as his camp office. While it is not the official CMO, the Chief Minister conducts certain meetings there from time to time.

Estimated at approximately Rs 9.08 crore, the contract includes the construction of a reinforced compound wall fitted with concertina wire, the installation of security watch towers, gates, furniture and other security arrangements.

The project also covers flooring for the approach ramp and development of the road on the west side for the VVIP guest house within the campus.

Dr MCR HRD Institute is the premier administrative training institute of the Government of Telangana, with the objective to create and sustain a dedicated workforce for the Government. The institute was set up in 1976 and has evolved to suit the needs of changing times, as well as the requirements of the State and Central Government.

The Institute specialises in conducting training using both in-classroom and e-learning modes and has a well-qualified, experienced, hardworking and dedicated team.

Earlier, in February, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said that the state government has allocated Rs 20,000 crore for the development of Hyderabad over the next two years, an official release said.

Several works under this allocation have already been completed, while many others are currently in progress. He said that such a massive allocation of funds, exclusively for Hyderabad's development, has never occurred in the state's history.

He described the merger of 27 surrounding urban local bodies into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation as a historic decision. Through this landmark move, uniform civic services, integrated planning, and a unified development vision within the Outer Ring Road region have become possible, he said.

"Today, Hyderabad stands as one of the fastest-growing and most investment-friendly cities in the country. This has not happened by chance. It is the result of decades of institution-building, democratic governance, and the People's Government's commitment to inclusive development," he said.

- ANI
Authorities in Srinagar have announced extensive traffic restrictions and diversions for February 26 in view of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan's visit. He will be the chief guest at the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir. Security has been significantly tightened, with the venue sanitized and sealed, and a detailed review conducted by police officials. This marks Radhakrishnan's first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since being elected Vice President in September 2025.

Security tightened and traffic diversions announced in Srinagar for Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan's visit to University of Kashmir convocation.

Srinagar, Feb 24 Authorities announced traffic restrictions for February 26 in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar city as security was tightened ahead of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan's visit.

The vice president will be the chief guest at the 21st convocation of the University of Kashmir on Thursday.

Traffic Police Srinagar on Tuesday issued a detailed traffic advisory on February 26 in view of the VVIP visit to the city. Temporary restrictions and diversions have been announced on several key routes.

According to the advisory, no motorist will be allowed to ply towards Nishat, Shalimar, Harwan and adjacent areas via Badyari Chowk and Gupkar on Thursday.

Similarly, traffic movement from Ram Munshibagh towards Hotel Grand Palace will remain suspended, and vehicles will be diverted towards Dalgate, Sangermal and Ikhwan Chowk for onward movement. Authorities said that no traffic will be allowed on the Dalgate, Khayam, Khanyar, Rainawari, Saidkadal and Hazratbal road stretch during the restriction period.

Motorists intending to travel from Harwan, Shalimar, Nishat, Ganderbal, and adjoining areas towards Lal Chowk have been advised to adopt the Burzahama route via Chandpora, Tailbal, Zakoora, Malbagh, Illahibagh and 90 Feet Road and vice versa. Those travelling from Dalgate, Lal Chowk and nearby areas towards Harwan, Shalimar and Nishat have been directed to use the Sangermal, Ikhwan Chowk, Nowhatta, 90 Feet and Malbagh road route to reach their destinations.

Motorists heading towards Srinagar Airport from Harwan, Shalimar and Nishat will be permitted to move through Burzahama, Chandpora, Tailbal, Zakoora, Malbagh, Illahibagh and 90 Feet Road. Vehicles travelling from Panthachowk and Pandrethan towards R M Bagh will be allowed via Peaks Motors Nowgam and the Bypass.

Officials said that medical emergency cases will be facilitated after due verification. Citizens requiring assistance may contact the Traffic Police Control Room at 103.

Meanwhile, V.K. Virdi, IGP (Kashmir), took a detailed security review meeting pertaining to the VVIP visit. All security agencies have been directed to coordinate so that even the minutest details are taken care of.

Three days ahead of the Vice President's visit, the venue of the main function inside the University of Kashmir has been thoroughly checked, sanitised and sealed by security officials.

Security personnel have been deployed in sufficient strength inside the university campus and along the route to and from the University that will be used by the VVIP.

This is C.P. Radhakrishnan's first visit to the union territory after he was elected to the high office on September 9, 2025.

- IANS
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomed the unveiling of a statue of C Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, praising his principles and values. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla responded by criticizing sections of the opposition for allegedly prioritizing colonial-era figures over Indian icons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the unveiling by President Droupadi Murmu was a moment of pride and a tribute to a key nation-builder. The move also drew criticism from a UBT Sena MP concerned about erasing architectural heritage.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor welcomes the statue of C Rajagopalachari, as PM Modi calls it a proud moment and BJP criticizes opposition's colonial mindset.

New Delhi, February 24 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday welcomed the unveiling of a statue of C Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He expressed pleasure at honouring Rajaji, the only Indian Governor-General, and reiterated admiration for his liberal economics, free enterprise, social justice and constitutional freedoms without communal bigotry.

In a post on X, Tharoor wrote, "I'm truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was the first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic, and he yielded his seat to the new President. I have long admired his convictions and was a strong supporter of his Swatantra Party in my student days. His set of values and principles, liberal economics and support for free enterprise, combined with social justice, strong anchoring in Indian civilisation and religious faith but without a shred of communal bigotry, and a staunch faith in the rights& freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including keeping the government out of our kitchens, bedrooms and libraries, remain mine to this day. It is sad that there are so few left to follow him today."

The Congress MP's endorsement drew a response from BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who welcomed Tharoor's remarks but criticised sections of the opposition for allegedly prioritising colonial-era figures over Indian icons.

In a post on X, a BJP spokesperson wrote, "Congress and INDI split over Lutyens' bust has been replaced with Rajaji's Bust. One more step to rid ourselves of colonial baggage, but CONGRESS, ILTIJI MUFTI, UDDHAV SENA OPPOSE IT Now, Shashi Tharoor has welcomed the move Sad that some in Congress put Lutyens above Rajaji Videshi above Swadeshi Colonial above Bharatiya."

Earlier, UBT Sena MP was critical in her view of the replacement of the bust of architecht Edward Lutyens, "The future generation of India would only know of Bimal Hasmukh Patel architectural legacy because am certain whatever is left of Lutyens design history will be broken down, redesigned or repurposed under the narrative of ridding ourselves of our colonial history. Many countries preserve the heritage and legacy of their nation's lived history for generations to remember - the good, the bad and the ugly included to learn from but in new India we are hell bent on replacing it with shiny new glass domes or convention centres- with no soul or cultural context."

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the unveiling of the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, at the historic central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan is a moment of pride for the people of India.

In his message, the Prime Minister said the bust was unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu and described the occasion, along with the celebration of 'Rajaji Utsav', as a tribute to one of India's important nation-builders.

"The unveiling of the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari Ji, widely known as Rajaji, at the historic central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Honourable President is a moment of pride for the people of India. This occasion and the celebration of 'Rajaji Utsav' honour the memory of one of India's important nation-builders. The celebrations, including a book and panel exhibition, film screening and other cultural performances that are part of the 'Rajaji Utsav' are a great tribute to a towering leader...Today, Rashtrapati Bhavan stands not as a seat of power, but as a visible embodiment of democratic self-confidence rooted in Indian civilisation. Initiatives such as the 'Rajaji Utsav' and the unveiling of a bust of Shri Rajagopalachari Ji reinforce this direction. They honour leaders who shaped the nation and remind us that freedom is sustained by celebrating their memory", he said.

"Initiatives such as the 'Rajaji Utsav' and the unveiling of a bust of Shri Rajagopalachari Ji reinforce this direction. They honour leaders who shaped the nation and remind us that freedom is sustained by celebrating their memory," he added.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that the "Rajaji Festival" will be celebrated in Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday with the unveiling of the statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor-General of independent India.

During the 131st 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, PM Modi said that the nation is leaving the symbols of slavery behind and beginning to relate to the Indian culture.

"During the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I spoke of the 'Panch-Pran' from the Red Fort. One of them is freedom from the mentality of slavery. Today, the country is leaving behind the symbols of slavery and has begun to value symbols related to Indian culture," he said.

C Rajaopalachari was born on December 10, 1878, in Madras Presidency. He was a lawyer and intellectual among many other things. He is regarded as an early political comrade of Mahatma Gandhi, who left his legal practice to join the Indian National Congress and later participated in various protests against the British Crown.

Most popularly, Rajagopalachari agitated against the Rowlatt Act, non-cooperation, and the Civil Disobedience movement.He was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Madras on a Congress ticket. He was part of the sub-committee on minorities and was conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 1954.

- ANI
The Trump administration has launched a new initiative to increase scrutiny of foreign funding flowing into American universities, emphasizing transparency and national security. Officials unveiled a public reporting portal to enforce a long-standing law requiring disclosure of foreign gifts and contracts exceeding $250,000 from a single source. The move follows findings of historically poor compliance, with past reviews citing major institutions like Yale and Harvard for insufficient reporting. While not banning foreign money, the effort aims to "shine a flashlight" on nearly $67 billion in foreign contributions since 1986, driven by concerns over research security and intellectual property in competitive tech fields.

New US portal requires universities to report foreign gifts over $250,000, citing transparency and research security concerns amid tech competition.

Washington, Feb 24 The Trump administration announced a renewed effort to scrutinise billions of dollars in foreign funding flowing into American universities, framing the move as a matter of transparency and national security rather than a restriction on international academic ties.

In a joint appearance, senior officials from the Departments of Education and State unveiled a new public reporting portal designed to make it easier for universities to disclose foreign gifts and contracts - and for the public to examine them.

"Section 117 of the Higher Education Act is a long-standing statutory provision designed to give Americans transparency and afford public accountability regarding foreign influence and foreign funding pouring into our universities," Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, told a group of reporters here

The provision, added to the Higher Education Act in 1986, requires institutions receiving federal funds to report foreign gifts and contracts totaling more than $250,000 from a single source in a calendar year. But officials said compliance has been uneven.

"Unfortunately, enforcement of those obligations has not always been consistent," Rogers said.

According to the Education Department, American colleges and universities reported receiving over $5.2 billion from foreign entities in 2025 alone. Since 1986, foreign entities have contributed nearly $67 billion.

Nicholas Kent, Under Secretary of Education, said the effort was not intended to block foreign investment in higher education.

"This isn't a ban on foreign money. It is a reporting requirement for foreign money," Rogers added.

Kent described the initiative as "shining a flashlight" on foreign funding, arguing that lawmakers, researchers, and the public should be able to assess whether such funding carries "influence" or conditions.

For Indian observers - particularly those following the growing academic and research partnerships between India and the United States - the scope of the reporting requirement is notable.

When asked whether funding from foreign corporate entities such as Tata would fall under the statute, Paul Moore, Deputy General Counsel at the Education Department, clarified that reporting applies to "foreign individuals, foreign governments" and funding of $250,000 or more from a single source over a reporting year.

Country-level data discussed at the briefing showed that in 2025, China accounted for approximately $530 million in reported funding, and the United Kingdom for about $630 million. The list is being led by Qatar with a whooping $1.2 billion.

The renewed enforcement drive follows earlier findings by a bipartisan Senate panel that described foreign funding reporting in higher education as "essentially a black hole", with at least 70 per cent not reported at the time.

Moore said past reviews had found that Yale went four years without filing a report despite having "hundreds of millions in reportable transactions", and that Harvard's "institutional compliance structure was found to be very insufficient".Nineteen civil investigations were launched previously to improve compliance, he said, adding that non-compliance rates had since fallen to about 35 per cent.

The State Department's involvement, officials said, reflects concerns about research security and intellectual property. Rogers cited the possibility of "foreign governments subsidizing the presence of their students in certain kinds of research with sensitive IP applications" as one reason transparency is necessary.

The initiative comes at a time when global competition in advanced technologies - including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology - has sharpened scrutiny of cross-border academic collaboration.

For India, whose universities and technology firms are deepening partnerships with American institutions, the administration's emphasis on disclosure signals a policy environment that is wary of foreign influence but stops short, for now, of restricting it outright.

As officials repeatedly emphasised, the administration is not making "a value judgment" about foreign funding. Instead, they argued, it is ensuring that the information is visible - and that universities take the reporting law seriously.

- IANS
US President Donald Trump is considering new national security tariffs targeting industries like large-scale batteries, industrial chemicals, and telecom equipment. The measures would be issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, separate from a proposed global tariff. This comes after the Supreme Court struck down most of Trump's second-term tariffs issued under a different authority. The potential tariffs could affect Indian exports in metals and chemicals, even as the two nations work to stabilize trade relations.

US may impose fresh Section 232 tariffs on batteries, chemicals, and telecom gear after Supreme Court strikes down other Trump-era levies.

Washington, Feb 24 US President Donald Trump is considering fresh national security tariffs on a half-dozen industries after the Supreme Court struck down many of his second-term levies, a media report said.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the proposed measures could target sectors including large-scale batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, plastic piping, industrial chemicals, and power grid and telecom equipment.

The tariffs would be issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to impose duties on national security grounds.

They would be separate from a new global 15 per cent tariff that Trump has proposed to keep in place for five months, the financial daily reported.

Products already tariffed under Section 232 have so far been exempt from other second-term levies. Trump has previously used the provision to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium, copper, cars, trucks, and auto parts.

It remains unclear when new investigations by the Commerce Department would be announced and when any tariffs would take effect. Section 232 requires lengthy probes, though once imposed, duties can be altered unilaterally.

"Safeguarding America's national and economic security remains a top priority for President Trump, and the Administration remains committed to using every lawful authority to deliver," White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.

The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to strike down most of Trump's second-term tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The ruling did not address Section 232 tariffs, which have faced fewer legal challenges, the daily said.

Trade policy under Trump has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from US courts and trading partners. His earlier tariffs on steel and aluminium triggered retaliatory measures from several countries, including India.

For India, any fresh US national security tariffs could affect exports in metals, chemicals and components tied to global supply chains. New Delhi and Washington have in recent years sought to stabilise trade ties even as tariff disputes linger.

- IANS
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini has departed from Safaga, Egypt, following a port visit as part of its ongoing Lokayan-26 global deployment. The visit included professional interactions with the Egyptian Navy and reinforced bilateral maritime cooperation. The ship recently completed a significant 1,832-nautical-mile passage from Salalah, Oman, navigating the challenging waters of the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. As the Navy's premier sail training platform, INS Sudarshini is on a 10-month expedition to train over 200 officers in traditional seamanship and modern naval operations.

Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini departs Safaga, Egypt after port visit, enhancing maritime cooperation and training under Lokayan-26.

Safaga, February 24 Indian Navy's Sail Training Ship INS Sudarshini departed from Safaga, Egypt on February 23 as part of her ongoing Lokayan-26 deployment.

Covering a distance of 1,832 nautical miles in 16 days, the passage from Salalah to Safaga marked a significant milestone, highlighting the resilience, confidence, and endurance of the ship's crew.

On arrival, the ship was warmly received by officials of the Egyptian Navy and representatives from the Indian Embassy. The Commanding Officer, INS Sudarshini, called on Rear Admiral Ramy Ahmed Ismail Mohamed, Base Commander Red Sea and Safaga Naval Base.

The interactions emphasised growing maritime partnership between the two navies, reflecting a shared vision of enhanced naval cooperation and interoperability. During the port stay, the Indian Navy will engage in professional interactions with Egyptian naval personnel, share best practices in sail training, and undertake community outreach activities aimed at strengthening bilateral goodwill.

Transit through the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea constituted a key operational phase as the ship steered through challenging weather conditions and dense shipping traffic, demonstrating a high degree of professional competence and seamanship skills. The visit of INS Sudarshini to Safaga reaffirms the Indian Navy's continued commitment to maritime outreach under the "Bridges of Friendship" initiative and underscores the strong and enduring ties between India and Egypt.

INS Sudarshini is the Indian Navy's second indigenously-built sail training ship, commissioned on 27 January 2012. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and based at Kochi, Kerala under the Southern Naval Command, she serves as the premier platform for training naval officers and coast guard personnel. Currently undertaking the flagship 10-month global expedition 'Lokayan 26' across four continents, INS Sudarshini continues her legacy of building skilled, sea-ready officers through traditional seamanship and modern naval training. Over 200 trainees will participate in this historic voyage, gaining invaluable experience in long-range navigation and maritime operations.

- ANI
The Union Cabinet has sanctioned infrastructure projects totaling nearly Rs 13 lakh crore since June 2024, covering key sectors like railways, highways, and urban transport. Major approvals include 49 railway projects, 27 highway ventures, and 10 metro connectivity initiatives. Recent cabinet decisions also cleared specific rail line expansions, a new Srinagar airport terminal, and an extension of the Ahmedabad Metro. The announcements were made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Union Cabinet has cleared major projects in railways, highways, metros, airports, and ports worth nearly Rs 13 lakh crore since June 2024 to boost national infrastructure.

New Delhi, February 24 The Union Cabinet has approved infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 13 lakh crore since June 2024, covering railways, highways, metro connectivity, airports, ports and ropeways.

According to official data, 49 railway projects Rs 1,80,164 crore have been cleared during this period. In the road sector, 27 highway projects worth Rs 2,39,748 crore have been approved. Urban transport has also received a boost, with 10 metro projects sanctioned at a cost of Rs 1,31,237 crore.

The BJP-led Narendra Modi government took office in 2024 in its third successive term.

In aviation and maritime infrastructure, the Cabinet has approved five new airports with a total investment of Rs 9,006 crore. Additionally, one major port project, along with shipping reforms involving Rs 1,45,945 crore, has been cleared. Two new ropeway projects worth Rs 6,811 crore have also been sanctioned to improve connectivity in difficult terrains.

Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday has approved a series of decisions to boost infrastructure. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the media about the cabinet decisions.

Among the key approvals, the Cabinet cleared the doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail line at an estimated cost of Rs 5,236 crore. It also sanctioned the 3rd and 4th rail line project between Punarkh and Kiul, involving an investment of Rs 2,668 crore.

In another rail-related decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of the 3rd and 4th line between Gamharia and Chandil, with a project cost of Rs 1,168 crore. Boosting aviation infrastructure, the Cabinet gave its nod for a new integrated airport terminal at Srinagar, entailing an expenditure of Rs 1,667 crore, the minister told. The Cabinet also approved the extension of Phase 2B of the Ahmedabad Metro project, with an allocation of Rs 1,067 crore aimed at strengthening urban connectivity.

The Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute, involving a financial implication of Rs 430 crore. Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this was the first meeting of the Union Cabinet held at the new Prime Minister's Office, 'Seva Teerth'.

- ANI
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the North-South Metro Corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur. The 3.33-kilometre elevated extension will include three new stations at an estimated cost of roughly Rs. 1,067 crore. The project aims to improve connectivity for the global fintech hub, businesses, and daily commuters between Ahmedabad and GIFT City. It is scheduled for completion within approximately four years.

Union Cabinet approves 3.33-km metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur with 3 stations, enhancing connectivity for fintech hub and commuters.

Gandhinagar, February 24 In a meeting of the Union Cabinet held in New Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an important decision was taken to further enhance connectivity to GIFT City, and approval has been granted for the extension of the existing North-South Corridor of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited from GIFT City to Shahpur.

As per an official release from Gujarat CMO, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Cabinet for providing the benefit of this connectivity to multinational fintech companies, units operating in GIFT City, educational institutions and commercial centres, as well as citizens commuting daily between Ahmedabad and GIFT City. GIFT City, established under the vision of the Prime Minister, has earned global recognition as a fintech hub.

At present, the 68.28-km Ahmedabad Metro Phase-I {APMC to Motera Stadium (North-South Corridor) and Thaltej Gam to Vastral Gam (East-West Corridor)} and Phase-II (Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir and GNLU to GIFT City) of Gujarat Metro, with a total of 53 stations, have been successfully operational since September 2022 (Phase-I) and January 2026 (Phase-II). Approximately 1.60 lakh people benefit daily from this convenient mode of transportation.

Now, the Union Cabinet has approved the 3.33-kilometre-long extension from GIFT City to Shahpur, which will include three elevated stations. The project, estimated at approximately Rs. 1,067.35 crore, is planned to be completed within about four years, a release stated.

Earlier in January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Metro Rail from the Mahatma Mandir Metro Station in Gandhinagar under Phase 2 of the project. According to the Gujarat CMO, "this inauguration marks a significant addition to the city's modern transportation system." The opening of the 7.8 km stretch, including seven stations--Mahatma Mandir, Sector-24, Sector-16, Old Secretariat, Akshardham, Secretariat, and Sector-10--now allows for travel along a 28.25 km route from Motera to Mahatma Mandir.

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Initiative (ZDVI) has dismissed claims by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi that Zimbabweans living abroad will only be able to vote after the passage of the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026.The remarks by Ziyambi, made a few days ago, suggested that diaspora voting would only be possible once the amendment bill is passed and corresponding changes are made to the Electoral Act - a position ZDVI strongly disputes.In a statement released Monday, ZDVI described the minister's comments as misleading, arguing that diaspora voting is already guaranteed under Section 67 of the Constitution and is not contingent on the proposed constitutional amendment."We find this difficult to understand as nothing in the proposed Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill applies to the issue of Diaspora Voting," the organisation said.ZDVI maintained that operationalising diaspora voting requires amendments to the Electoral Act - not the Constitution."As the Minister correctly points out, only an amendment of the Electoral Act is necessary to enable Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora to vote. We are delighted that the Minister has finally agreed that it is only the Electoral Act that needs to be amended," the group said.According to ZDVI, Zimbabwe's polling station-based voting system is defined by statute through the Electoral Act, meaning Parliament can adjust it to allow citizens living abroad to register and vote in constituencies linked to their home areas without altering the Constitution.The advocacy group further insisted that Zimbabweans in the diaspora must be allowed to participate in any referendum concerning Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3."We reiterate our earlier position that Zimbabweans living outside the country must participate in the constitutionally required referendum to decide on the proposed amendments," ZDVI said."If the majority of Zimbabweans vote for such in the referendum, let it be so."Zimbabwe has a significant population living abroad, many of whom send remittances that contribute substantially to the national economy. However, they have historically been excluded from participating in key national processes, including general elections and referendums.The latest exchange sets the stage for renewed debate over whether the government is prepared to extend full voting rights to citizens beyond the country's borders - or whether the matter will remain entangled in legislative and political contestation.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met Merck Electronics EVP Katherine Dei Cas to discuss collaboration in India's growing semiconductor sector. This comes alongside the launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, backed by a Rs 1,000 crore provision in the Union Budget to boost domestic chip capabilities. Separately, the Union Cabinet approved infrastructure projects worth over Rs 12,236 crore, including major railway expansions and a new airport terminal in Srinagar. The Cabinet meeting was the first held at the new Prime Minister's Office, 'Seva Teerth', with a focus on the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw meets Merck's Katherine Dei Cas to discuss semiconductor collaboration as India launches ISM 2.0 with Rs 1,000 crore.

New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw met Katherine Dei Cas, Executive Vice President of Merck Electronics Katherine Dei Cas, to discuss semiconductor collaboration in the country.

In a post on X, Vaishnaw said, "Met Ms. Katherine Dei Cas, EVP, Merck Electronics. Merck expressed a strong interest in expanding its engagement with Bharat's rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem. Discussed new avenues for collaboration."

Notably, the Union Budget 2026-27 marked a decisive moment for India's technology ambitions with the announcement of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0. The new phase signals a clear policy push to deepen domestic semiconductor capabilities at a time when chips underpin every critical digital and industrial system. ISM 2.0 will focus on producing semiconductor equipment and materials in India, designing full-stack Indian semiconductor intellectual property, and fortifying both domestic and global supply chains. A provision of Rs. 1,000 crore has been made for ISM 2.0 for FY 2026-27, with a strong emphasis on industry-led research and training centres to drive technology development and create a future-ready skilled workforce.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Union Cabinet approved a series of infrastructure and policy decisions, including major investments in railways, urban transport, and aviation, with a total financial outlay of Rs 12,236 crore. Additionally, the Cabinet took policy decisions on power sector reforms and approved the change of name from Kerala to Keralam.

While announcing the Cabinet decision, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Among the key approvals, the Cabinet cleared the doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail line at an estimated cost of Rs 5,236 crore. It also sanctioned the 3rd and 4th rail line project between Punarkh and Kiul, involving an investment of Rs 2,668 crore."

In another rail-related decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of the 3rd and 4th line between Gamharia and Chandil, with a project cost of Rs 1,168 crore. Boosting aviation infrastructure, the Cabinet gave its nod for a new integrated airport terminal at Srinagar, entailing an expenditure of Rs 1,667 crore, the minister told. The Cabinet also approved the extension of Phase 2B of the Ahmedabad Metro project, with an allocation of Rs 1,067 crore aimed at strengthening urban connectivity.

Further, the Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute, involving a financial implication of Rs 430 crore. Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this was the first meeting of the Union Cabinet held at the new Prime Minister's Office, 'Seva Teerth'.

"This meeting and this building are a direct expression of the reconstruction of New India. With this auspicious beginning, we welcome that future whose foundation has been laid by centuries of effort," Vaishnaw said.

"On this occasion, we also remember the history of this place. 'Seva Teerth' has been constructed at the site of the temporary barracks from the British era. The establishment of an active institution of national governance at that location is also a symbol of the transformation of New India," he said.

"The Union Cabinet again dedicated itself to the national resolve of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. This is a long-term national journey, in which the decisions taken today will determine the future shape of the coming generations," Minister Vaishnaw said.

- ANI
Union Ministers G Kishan Reddy and Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu held a joint review to expedite airport projects in Warangal, Adilabad, and Pedapalli, Telangana. For Warangal, with land acquisition complete, plans are being finalized for a foundation stone in July 2026. In Adilabad, the runway will use existing defence land while acquisition for terminal infrastructure is pending, and in Pedapalli, a feasibility study is ongoing. The meeting follows the minister's recent global engagements at Wings India 2026, where he highlighted international confidence in India's aviation growth.

Union Ministers review airport projects in Telangana, set timeline for Warangal, discuss land for Adilabad & Pedapalli, and highlight global aviation partnerships.

New Delhi, February 24 Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy met Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday in New Delhi to discuss the ongoing various airport projects across Telangana.

In the meeting, the two ministers conducted a comprehensive joint review of various Airport projects in Telangana, including but not limited to Warangal, Adilabad and Pedapalli.

The Ministers also decided to set up regular review meetings so that the projects in Telangana could be expedited and any issues arising could be resolved at the earliest.

In Warangal, as Land acquisition has been completed, the total land for the airport has come to 953 acres, giving scope for building a 2500 metre runway. Design and scope of work are being finalised so that the foundation stone may be laid in July 2026.

In Adilabad, land acquisition for airport building, parking and infrastructure is yet to commence, though the existing land under the Ministry of Defence will be used for the runway. The Ministries of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Defence are working out modalities for joint usage of the airport.

In Pedapalli, 980 acres have been identified for an airport, and the feasibility study by AAI is being done.

Earlier on January 29, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu held bilateral meetings with ministerial delegations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the Dominican Republic on the sidelines of Wings India 2026, highlighting India's growing global footprint in civil aviation.

In a post on X, Kinjarapu said, "On the sidelines of Wings India 2026, I held bilateral meetings with ministerial delegations from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the Dominican Republic. The participation of 20 countries in India's flagship civil aviation event reflects strong global confidence in India's aviation leadership under the inspiring guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji."

During the bilateral discussions, the minister said he emphasised manufacturing, skills development and training, and sustainability as key areas for deeper international cooperation.

These engagements took place as Kinjarapu inaugurated 'Wings India 2026' at Begumpet Airport on January 28, marking the start of one of Asia's largest aviation summits. The biennial event continued till January 31, bringing together key stakeholders from across the global aviation ecosystem.

- ANI
UP pitching itself as investment destination

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, during a visit to Germany, promoted the state's economic potential and investment opportunities to diplomats and business leaders. He held strategic meetings with German-Israeli drone and aerospace companies, briefing them on UP's investment-friendly policies and infrastructure. The state government formally invited these firms to establish manufacturing and R&D units within Uttar Pradesh. The discussions aimed at forging long-term collaboration in technology, skill development, and manufacturing to position UP as a global hub for drone innovation.

UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya meets German firms, invites investment in drone tech & manufacturing, highlighting state's economic transformation.

Nuremberg, Feb 24 Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, on a visit to Germany, spotlighted the state's surging economic potential during a special dinner in Nuremberg attended by Indian Ambassador Ajit Gupte and other distinguished guests. 

The discussions highlighted Uttar Pradesh's swift advancement toward becoming India's second-largest economy, driven by a significantly improved ease of doing business, strengthened law and order, and robust infrastructure development. 

Participants noted the state's expanding expressway network, ongoing airport expansions, and emerging industrial corridors, which are increasingly drawing global investor interest. 

Talks also explored avenues for deeper bilateral cooperation between Germany and Uttar Pradesh in key sectors, including technological exchange, skill development, and manufacturing. 

The Deputy Chief Minister underscored the transformative journey of the state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, evolving from a traditional Uttar Pradesh into a dynamic enterprise state, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to extending all possible support to international investors seeking opportunities in the region. 

The following day, at Le Meridien in Germany, a strategic meeting took place with representatives from leading German-Israeli drone and aerospace firms, including Quantum-Systems GmbH, System Helsing (HX-2 AI combat drone), Dronivo GmbH, SIA Origin Robotics, and Aronia. 

The companies briefed on their expertise in high-altitude unmanned aerial systems, advanced aerial surveillance, defense-grade reconnaissance, and drones with an operational range of approximately 160 kilometers. 

Their technologies serve armed forces in Germany and Spain and support applications in precision agriculture, land surveying, and disaster management. 

The Uttar Pradesh government extended a formal invitation for these firms to set up manufacturing units and research and development hubs in the state. 

Details were shared about investment-friendly policies, robust industrial infrastructure, superior logistics connectivity, and a large skilled workforce. 

The Deputy Chief Minister described Uttar Pradesh as emerging as the country's leading hub for defense production, aerospace manufacturing, and emerging technologies, with drones and unmanned systems forming a vital part of future economic and security frameworks. 

Such investments are expected to generate high-skilled jobs for the state's youth while accelerating technology-driven growth by integrating electronics manufacturing, data, artificial intelligence, and the drone ecosystem.

Both sides reached a positive consensus on long-term collaboration in manufacturing, research, skill development, technical training, and technology transfer. 

This partnership is anticipated to strengthen India's aerospace and unmanned systems ecosystem and position Uttar Pradesh as a global hub for drone innovation, aligning with the objectives of Make in India and "Atmanirbhar Bharat."

- IANS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the state has received investment proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore during engagements in Singapore. Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 60,000 crore have already been finalised as part of this push. He pitched UP as a secure, fast-growing destination with a large land bank, skilled manpower, and improved infrastructure connectivity. The state's GSDP has grown significantly, contributing to its goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath announces Rs 1 lakh crore investment proposals from Singapore, with Rs 60,000 crore in MoUs signed, boosting state's $1 trillion economy goal.

Singapore, February 24 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that the state has received investment proposals worth up to Rs 1 lakh crore during engagements in Singapore, with Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 60,000 crore already finalised, terming it a significant step towards transforming the state into a $1 trillion economy.

Sharing a post on X, the Chief Minister's official handle wrote, "To boost investment in Uttar Pradesh, we have received investment proposals worth up to 1 lakh crore in Singapore, along with MoUs worth 60,000 crore that have been finalised. All of these will prove to be milestones in the direction of making Uttar Pradesh a $1 trillion economy."

The Chief Minister addressed an investor roadshow in Singapore earlier today, pitching his state as a secure and fast-growing destination for global investment.

Assuring business leaders of a good environment in the state, the Chief Minister said, "I can assure you that every investment coming into Uttar Pradesh is secured. We not only gave a safe environment, but also showed how to connect scale with skill and speed."He added that the state has established a new identity focused on transformation and growth.

Highlighting India's broader economic progress, the Chief Minister said the country has advanced significantly over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy.

Adityanath noted that Uttar Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore to Rs 36 lakh crore in the past nine years, contributing 9.5 per cent to India's GDP. He described the state as a "dream destination" for investment and a top achiever in Ease of Doing Business and deregulation rankings.

Emphasising infrastructure readiness, he cited the availability of a large land bank, skilled manpower, and connectivity through projects such as the dedicated freight corridor.

CM Yogi Adityanath said, "We have infrastructure and land bank in Uttar Pradesh. Investing in UP is easy because of the availability of trained and skilled manpower, a large land bank, and a dedicated freight corridor."

Inviting global investors to partner in the state's growth story, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh offers safety, stability, and speed across sectors, positioning itself as a key engine of India's economic growth.

CM Yogi Adityanath is on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24 to deepen economic cooperation, institutional partnerships and sector-specific collaboration between Uttar Pradesh and Singapore.

- ANI
A US Supreme Court ruling striking down certain tariffs has reshaped the global trade landscape, creating distinct winners and losers. According to an ICICI Bank report, India, China, and Brazil are likely to benefit, while the Euro-zone, UK, Japan, and Singapore may face negative consequences. However, the US has imposed a new 15% universal tariff, and key sections of US trade law remain unaffected by the court's decision. The Trump administration is expected to pivot towards implementing more sector-specific tariffs through other legal avenues in the coming months.

US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs benefits India, China, Brazil; negative for EU, UK, Japan, Singapore. ICICI Bank report analyzes global trade impact.

New Delhi, February 24 The ruling of the US Supreme Court striking down tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump under the International Emergency and Economic Powers Act is likely to create winners and losers among global economies, with India, China, and Brazil emerging as beneficiaries, while the Euro-zone, UK, Japan, and Singapore may face negative implications, according to a report by ICICI Bank.

The report stated that "the revised tariff structure for the time being is likely to create a set of winners (India, China and Brazil) and losers (Euro-zone, UK, Japan and Singapore) while it is unlikely to materially change the outlook for the US economy."

The US Supreme Court struck down tariffs that were imposed under IEEPA, effectively nullifying all country-wise reciprocal tariffs as well as fentanyl-related tariffs that were implemented in 2025.

This development removes certain trade barriers that had affected multiple countries, reshaping the global trade landscape.

However, the report noted that tariffs imposed under section 232 and section 301 will not be affected by the ruling, meaning that some existing trade restrictions will continue to remain in place.

Despite the court ruling, the US President has kept his tariff agenda in place by imposing a flat universal tariff of 15 per cent under section 122. This tariff will remain effective for 150 days.

The report highlighted that it remains unclear whether these tariffs will be extended beyond this period, as any extension would require approval from the US Congress.

The report further stated that the Trump administration is likely to shift its strategy towards imposing more sector-specific tariffs using section 301, section 232, section 201, or section 338.

These tariffs require a more formal process, including investigations by relevant government departments, before they can be implemented.

According to the report, this process would likely take three to six months before tariffs under these sections can be imposed.

So while the Supreme Court ruling has temporarily reshaped tariff structures and created relative advantages for countries such as India, China, and Brazil, the broader US tariff strategy remains in place, with the administration expected to pursue alternative routes to maintain its trade policy objectives.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Chief Secretary to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure the safety of government officers and teachers. This directive follows an incident at the Directorate of Elementary Education where an MLA allegedly assaulted the director. The Chief Minister also instructed the police to ensure robust security at government offices and take swift legal action. The alleged assault occurred during a dispute over renaming a school, leaving the director injured.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directs Chief Secretary to create an SOP for officer safety after an alleged assault on an education director by an MLA.

Dehradun, February 24 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Chief Secretary to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure to ensure the safety of officers, employees, and teachers at government offices and workplaces.

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister's Office, the direction comes in the wake of concerns raised over a February 21 incident at the Directorate of Elementary Education in Dehradun. The issue was brought to the Chief Minister's notice during a meeting with office bearers of the Uttarakhand Officers, Employees and Teachers Front at his official residence on Monday.

They urged the state government to take strict and immediate measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to ensure a secure working environment for all personnel.

CM Dhami said the government has always been committed to the dignity and security of its personnel.

The Chief Minister called the Chief Secretary and instructed that an SOP be prepared for the safety of officers, employees, and teachers. He also directed the Director General of Police to ensure robust security arrangements at government offices and to take swift legal action in such cases.

Additionally, CM Dhami instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, to take action as per rules against those responsible for the incident at the Directorate of Education.

Earlier this week, a confrontation occured at the Uttarakhand Directorate of Education when BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau and his supporters allegedly assaulted the Director of Primary Education, Ajay Kumar Naudiyal, during a dispute over the renaming of a school.

Naudiyal, who sustained head injuries and was rushed to Coronation Hospital, claimed the MLA and roughly 25 associates entered his office, verbally abused him, and turned to physical violence after being told that school name changes require state government approval. However, the BJP MLA refuted any claims of assault, saying that the officer had "misbehaved" with him and a family who had come to ask him about the name change of the school.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi to discuss preparations for the Haridwar Mahakumbh in 2027. Dhami sought early approval for projects worth Rs 408.82 crore under the National Mission for Clean Ganga to ensure the event's environmental sustainability. He also requested approval for Rs 253 crore in flood protection and canal expansion works to provide irrigation to 13,000 hectares and address drinking water issues. The Chief Minister thanked the Centre for releasing Rs 500 crore for Kumbh preparations, emphasizing the event's grand scale under Prime Minister Modi's guidance.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami meets Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, seeks swift approval for Ganga & irrigation projects worth Rs 662 crore ahead of Mahakumbh.

New Delhi, February 24 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil in New Delhi for a courtesy meeting, where they held detailed discussions on the preparations for the Mahakumbh to be held in Haridwar in 2027 and projects related to the Namami Gange programme.

According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Dhami requested early approval of projects worth Rs 408.82 crore under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to ensure that the Haridwar Kumbh 2027 is organised successfully, in a well-managed manner, and in an environmentally sustainable way.

CM Dhami said that the mega event, scheduled from January to April 2027, is expected to witness the arrival of millions of devotees from across India and abroad, making the cleanliness, purity, and uninterrupted flow of the Ganga the top priority.

He also sought approval of proposals worth Rs 253 crore for flood protection works, the release of additional funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and the expansion of the Iqbalpur canal system, as well as the Kankhal and Jagjitpur canals.

The Chief Minister stated that these measures would make 665 cusecs of water available for irrigating previously unirrigated land, benefiting the Bhagwanpur and Laksar areas of Haridwar district. The project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to around 13,000 hectares of land and also help address drinking water issues in the region.

The Chief Minister added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the support of the Central Government, Haridwar Kumbh 2027 will be given a grand, divine, and historic form, while further strengthening the goal of Ganga conservation.

Meanwhile, CM Dhami thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for releasing Rs 500 crore for preparations of Kumbh Mela 2027 in Haridwar, stating that the funds will boost infrastructure, sanitation, security and pilgrim facilities to ensure a grand and well-managed event, the release said.

- ANI
An air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district claimed the lives of all seven people on board. Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed deep grief, stating the administration has been active in managing the aftermath since the incident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation, with eyewitnesses reporting the aircraft appeared unstable before crashing. Families of the victims, including a doctor and the flight crew, are mourning their sudden loss.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren expresses grief as 7 die in Chatra air ambulance crash. DGCA investigates; victims' families mourn sudden loss.

Ranchi, February 24 Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday expressed grief over the air ambulance crash in Chatra district that claimed the lives of seven people.

The ill-fated Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registered VT-AJV, was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it went down in Kasariya Panchayat under Simaria block on Monday evening at around 7:30 pm. All seven onboard, including two crew members, lost their lives.

The Jharkhand CM described the incident as "very unfortunate" and stated that the administration has been actively managing the situation since the crash, with officers reaching the accident site and retrieving the bodies.

"This is a very unfortunate incident. An air ambulance was booked for the better medical treatment of a person. Unfortunately, this incident occurred. People lost their lives. Administration has been active ever since this incident occurred. Officers have reached the accident spot. The bodies have been retrieved," Soren told the reporters.

Meanwhile, grief gripped the families of the victims of the tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district, as the father of Doctor Vikash Kumar Gupta, one of the deceased in the crash, recalled his last conversation with his son hours before the fatal incident.

Gupta's father said he learned of his son's death soon after the crash. Hailing from a poor family, he had sold his land to fund his son's education. When ministers offered assistance beyond the ex-gratia, he requested a job for his daughter-in-law.

"As soon as the plane crashed, the name of my son emerged. I hail from a poor family and sold my land so that my son could study. The ministers who came there asked if I needed any assistance apart from the ex-gratia. I asked for a job for my daughter-in-law. I had the last conversation at 4.30 PM yesterday," Gupta's father told ANI.

In Amritsar, Punjab, Lovepreet Singh, a friend of the deceased Captain Swaraj Singh, said they learned about the crash late at night."We came to know about the crash at 11 PM. He was amicable with everyone. He got married just two years ago and has a three-month-old kid," Singh told ANI.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash was underway. A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reached the site on Tuesday to examine the wreckage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) collected key documents and evidence and said it would continue the probe.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shubham Khandelwal said locals had reported seeing the aircraft lose balance moments before the crash. He said locals saw the aircraft losing balance and that it crashed 2-3 seconds later, adding that the bodies had been handed over and postmortems had been conducted.

Eyewitness Pawan Yadav told officials that the aircraft had appeared unstable before a loud explosion was heard amid light rain and poor weather conditions.

The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and had lost radar and communication contact near 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi before crashing.

As authorities continued their investigation, families of the victims mourned the sudden loss of their loved ones.

- ANI
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik states that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit will solidify the reset in India-Canada relations, which had been strained under former PM Justin Trudeau. The visit, part of an Indo-Pacific tour, aims to expand cooperation across trade, energy, defense, and technology, including artificial intelligence. Key expected outcomes include formal negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and deals on uranium supply and critical minerals. Both nations view their economies as complementary, with the partnership helping India diversify its supply chains.

Canadian PM Mark Carney's visit aims to solidify India-Canada relations, focusing on trade, energy, and defense deals, resetting ties strained under Trudeau.

By Ayushi Agarwal, Ottawa, February 24 High Commissioner of India to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, on Tuesday, said that the relationship between Canada and India has transformed in recent months and added that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India will "put a stamp" on all bilateral steps taken to "solidify" the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship, which was strained under the leadership of former Canada PM Justin Trudeau.

Noting the efforts from both sides to "reset" the relationship, Dinesh Patnaik shared that Carney's visit on February 26 will ensure increased bilateral cooperation among all sectors.

Speaking with ANI, Dinesh Patnaik said, "The Canadian relations have transformed over the last few months, especially after Prime Minister Modi visited Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Since the last four to five months, we've been working very hard to ensure that the relationship is reset to what it was before... This visit will put a stamp on all the activities that have happened to solidify the relationship and to take it to the next level," he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India from February 26 to March 7, 2026, as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour aimed at strengthening trade, energy, and strategic partnerships. During his visit, Carney will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding cooperation in areas like trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, talent mobility, culture, and defence.

He said that we can expect agreements on various sectors such as cultural, defence, aerospace, space, energy, critical minerals, innovations, education and AI, adding, "This is a multi-dimensional relationship, and you will see all dimensions during the visit."

Noting that New Delhi and Ottawa are "complementary economies," Dinesh Patnaik said that cooperation between both countries will help India to diversify its supply chain.

"Canada and India have complementary economies. Canada has a large number of resources, including energy, agriculture, fertiliser, and critical minerals, which are part of the supply chain we are thinking of setting up. A deal with Canada would help us very much in diversifying our supply chain away from the traditional sources," he said.

The India-Canada relationship suffered after Justin Trudeau alleged Indian agents' involvement in the killing of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Canada in 2023. India had rejected the allegations, calling them "politically motivated".

After Mark Carney succeeded Trudeau, both countries have worked together to improve the relationship.

In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Carney agreed to formally relaunch talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India on February 26 will bring potential outcomes on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), formal negotiations are expected to begin, aiming to double bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030; Energy and Uranium deals, a 10-year Canadian $ 2.8 billion uranium supply deal and agreements on energy and mining are likely to be signed and AI and Innovation partnerships in critical minerals is expected to be a focus area.

- ANI
India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, praised a new bilateral security cooperation action plan established by National Security Advisors from both countries. The plan aims to address issues like fentanyl smuggling, cybercrime, and illegal immigration through liaison officers for timely information sharing. The agreement was finalized during NSA Ajit Doval's recent visit to Canada, with discussions involving his counterpart and the Public Safety Minister. The enhanced cooperation sets the stage for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to India, where broader ties in defense, energy, and critical minerals are expected to be elevated.

High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik praises new security action plan covering fentanyl, cybercrime, and illegal immigration ahead of Canadian PM's visit.

Ottawa, February 24 High Commissioner of India to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, on Tuesday lauded the recently agreed security cooperation between India and Canada, stating that it addresses all the issues.

Speaking with ANI on security challenges between both countries, Dinesh Patnaik said that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his counterpart Nathalie Dourain have put together a "wonderful action plan," which established liaison officers to streamline bilateral communications.

"It was discussed recently when NSA Ajit Doval visited Canada, and he had very extensive discussions with his counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, and the Minister for Public Safety (Gary Anandasangaree). What they have put together is a wonderful action plan to take forward the security cooperation between both sides to address all issues, whether it's fentanyl smuggling, transnational organised crime, violent extremism, illegal immigration fraud, cybercrime, cyber security," he said.

"Both sides have understood that if we have to make Canada safe and India safe, we need to discuss and talk about all the issues, have liaison officers with each other, and have cooperation which is on time and online. This security cooperation that the NSA visit has made me confident that over the next few years, we will be able to deal with all the issues that are there between us," he added.

India and Canada agreed to establish security and law-enforcement liaison officers during a meeting with Ajit Doval and Nathalie Drouin this month.

As per the Ministry of External Affairs statement, the establishment of liaison officers is expected to streamline bilateral communications and facilitate timely information sharing on issues of mutual concern, including the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl precursors, and transnational organised criminal networks.

"The two sides acknowledged the progress on initiatives aimed at supporting the safety and security of their countries and citizens. They agreed to a shared workplan to guide bilateral cooperation on national security and law enforcement issues and to enable practical collaboration on respective priorities," the statement added.

During the discussions, both countries also committed to formalising cooperation on cybersecurity policy and information sharing on cybersecurity issues. They agreed to continue collaboration on matters related to fraud and immigration enforcement, consistent with domestic laws and international obligations. (ANI)

Dinesh Patnaik also discussed the upcoming visit of Canadian PM Mark Carney to India on Feb 26. He said that both countries are expected enhance cooperation on various sectors such as cultural, defence, aerospace, space, energy, critical minerals, innovations, education and AI, adding, "this is a multi-dimensional relationship, and you will see all dimensions during the visit."

Noting that New Delhi and Ottawa are "complementary economies," Dinesh Patnaik said that cooperation between both countries will help India to diversify its supply chain.

"Canada and India have complementary economies. Canada has a large number of resources, including energy, agriculture, fertiliser, and critical minerals, which are part of the supply chain we are thinking of setting up. A deal with Canada would help us very much in diversifying our supply chain away from the traditional sources," he said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit India on February 26, where he will meet PM Modi and focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship

- ANI
News / National

by Staff reporter

South Africa-based Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders say they are being harassed, unlawfully detained and denied access to basic services - despite their permits being valid until May 27, 2027.The complaints are contained in a petition addressed to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, with copies sent to the Ministers of Transport and Police, as well as the Banking Association of South Africa. The petition calls for urgent intervention to stop what it describes as ongoing abuse of ZEP and Lesotho Special Permit (LSP) holders.At the centre of the dispute is Immigration Directive No. 21 of 2025, which extended the validity of both permits until May 2027. However, affected individuals claim that some authorities are ignoring the gazetted directive, resulting in arrests, detentions and denial of services such as opening bank accounts and renewing driver's licences.Africa Immigration Programme founder Luke Dziti said it had come to his attention that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, were flouting official instructions by arresting ZEP holders unnecessarily.Dziti urged the government to issue an urgent circular to relevant departments and institutions, clearly reaffirming the validity of the permits."May you kindly urgently send a circular to the Police Minister, Minister of Transport and the Banking Association of South Africa, and inform them that the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit and the Lesotho Special Permit are valid until 28 May 2027," Dziti said.He further suggested that permit holders be issued with clearly marked expiry stickers to avoid confusion during routine checks.Dziti warned that from Monday, 23 February 2026, unlawfully detained ZEP holders would be encouraged to institute legal action, claiming up to R920 000 per person for every 24 hours of detention, calculated hourly.The concerns escalated following reports of police raids targeting foreign nationals, particularly Zimbabweans, who claim they were harassed despite carrying valid documentation.Zimbabwe Community in South Africa general secretary Ngqabutho Mabhena alleged on social media that several ZEP holders were assaulted and arrested after officials claimed their passports did not have "days" stamped.According to Mabhena, a Zimbabwean woman was allegedly assaulted by officers from Rabie Ridge Police Station after she maintained that her passport did not require a specified number of visiting days.An eyewitness reportedly said the woman was taken to hospital after being struck in the face and head with a pistol butt. Several other permit holders were allegedly detained at the same station on similar grounds.Mabhena argued that ZEP holders are legally resident in South Africa until their permits expire and do not require visitor day stamps in their passports."But due to a combination of ignorance and corruption, police always find ways to frustrate them into paying bribes through harassment, intimidation and detention," he said.Petitioners say the failure by some officials to comply with gazetted immigration directives is creating fear and instability among thousands of legally documented foreign nationals.They are now demanding clear enforcement measures, improved training for law enforcement officers and written confirmation to banks and licensing authorities to prevent further rights violations.As tensions mount, all eyes are on the Department of Home Affairs to clarify its position - and to determine whether those accused of unlawful arrests and harassment will be held accountable.
The Indian Army's White Knight Corps has praised the extraordinary courage of its assault dog Tyson, who was injured while leading troops into a terrorist hideout during Operation Trashi-I in Kishtwar. His actions compelled terrorists to reveal their position, allowing security forces to precisely engage and neutralize three Pakistan-sponsored militants. The canine is reported to be in high spirits and recovering well from his wounds. The operation is part of ongoing efforts in the Jammu region, where six terrorists have been eliminated in the last 20 days.

Indian Army's assault dog Tyson wounded but recovering after leading troops into a terrorist hideout in Kishtwar, enabling neutralization of 3 terrorists.

New Delhi, February 24 The Indian Army's White Knight Corps on Tuesday lauded the bravery of its assault dog 'Tyson', who was injured during Operation Trashi-I in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar while leading troops into a terrorist hideout.

It further stated that Tyson's action enabled security forces to carry out the operation effectively.

In a post on social media platform X, the White Knight Corps said, "In the recent operation Trashi-I at Kishtwar, Assault Dog 'Tyson', displayed extraordinary courage by taking the first bullet while leading the entry into the terrorists' hideout. Undeterred by his injuries, he pressed forward and launched a fierce assault, compelling the terrorists to open fire and thereby confirming their presence. His fearless action enabled troops of #WhiteKnightCorps, @JmuKmrPolice and #CRPF to precisely engage and neutralise three Pakistan-sponsored terrorists," the post read.

The Army formation also shared an update on the canine's condition, saying, "Wounded yet in high spirits, alert and recovering well, Tyson exemplifies unwavering devotion to duty -- a true warrior and a soldier in every sense. The hunt continues -- those who seek to disturb peace will find no sanctuary."

Operation Trashi-l, launched in January, has focused on forested and mountainous areas of Kishtwar, including Chatroo, Sonnar, Dolgam and Dichhar, involving multiple cordon and search operations.

Six terrorists were eliminated in the last 20 days in counter-terror operations across the Jammu region, dealing a significant blow to the terror infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said.

Two terrorists were killed on February 4 in an encounter under Operation KIYA in the Jophar Forest area of Basantgarh. On the same day, another terrorist was neutralised in the Dichhar area of Kishtwar under Operation Trashi-l.

Earlier on Sunday, three more terrorists were killed during relentless cordon and search operations in Kishtwar under Operation Trashi-l, officials said. (ANI)

Security forces said search operations continue to ensure no hostile elements remain at large.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held substantive discussions with Singaporean leaders during his official visit. He witnessed the signing of a strategic MoU between Invest UP and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise focused on knowledge exchange and digital transformation. A separate MoU was signed with SATS Ltd for developing a cargo complex and air catering kitchen at Noida International Airport. These partnerships aim to boost trade, strengthen supply chains, and generate employment in Uttar Pradesh.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath signs strategic MoUs with Singapore entities for infrastructure, aviation, and economic growth during his official visit.

Singapore, February 24 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday held discussions with Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng, and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, Kong Wy Mun.

In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Invest UP and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to establish a strategic partnership.

Uttar Pradesh CM on X posted, "Held a substantive discussion with Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Singapore, and Mr. Kong Wy Mun, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise. Witnessed the signing of an MoU between @_InvestUP and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to establish a strategic partnership focused on institutional capacity building, policy framework development and structured knowledge exchange to support sustainable economic growth, digital transformation and infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh."

The Chief Minister also held a meeting with Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS. In his presence, SATS Ltd signed an MoU for the development of a world-class cargo complex at Noida International Airport, Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar as well as other airports across North India.

"Held an engaging discussion with Mr Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS, in Singapore today. In his presence, SATS Ltd signed an MoU for the development of a world class cargo complex at Noida International Airport, Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar as well as other airports across North India. This partnership will boost trade, strengthen supply chains and generate significant employment opportunities, further reinforcing Uttar Pradesh's position as a leading aviation and logistics hub," CM posted on X.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24 to deepen economic cooperation, institutional partnerships and sector-specific collaboration between Uttar Pradesh and Singapore.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on a four-day tour to Singapore and Japan to attract global investment. During his Singapore visit, multiple MoUs were signed, including one for a major cargo complex at the Noida International Airport. He met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and collaboration in infrastructure and logistics. The tour supports UP's goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2027-2030.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath meets Singapore's DPM, signs MoUs for Noida Airport cargo hub and digital transformation to boost state's economy.

New Delhi, Feb 24 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is currently on a four-day visit to Singapore and Japan for attracting global investors and inviting big-ticket investments in the state, met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, and also visited an airport logistics hub with his team on Tuesday, to draw "valuable insights" and their subsequent application in building a robust aviation infrastructure in the state.

A host of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed, during the two-day tour of CM Adityanath in Singapore, including the one for setting up a world-class cargo complex at the 'now-ready' Noida International Airport, a move that is seen to give fillip to the state's aviation infrastructure and multi-modal logistics ecosystem.

Sharing information about the Uttar Pradesh government signing global partnerships in Singapore, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) told via a post on X, "'Invest UP' signs an MoU with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to strengthen institutional capacity, accelerate digital transformation, and boost infrastructure and industrial competitiveness across the state. A decisive step towards building a globally competitive and future-ready Uttar Pradesh."

On Day two of his Singapore visit, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister met Kim Yong and participated in the high-level business meet with the delegation from the Singaporean side.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding investment partnerships, and exploring collaboration in infrastructure, logistics, urban development, and emerging sectors.

Earlier on Tuesday, Yogi Adityanath visited the Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Changi Airport Logistics Hub in Singapore and toured advanced air cargo handling systems, cold chain logistics, and integrated supply chain operations.

In the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and the Singapore-based delegation, the SATS Limited signed an MoU for the development of a world-class cargo complex at the Noida International Airport in Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar and also other airports across North India.

"This landmark partnership will boost trade, strengthen supply chains, and generate significant employment opportunities, reinforcing Uttar Pradesh's position as a global investment destination," a statement from the CMO said.

Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath visited Singapore on February 23 and 24 and will head to Japan for another two-day tour, from February 25 to 26.

The visit is part of the state government's objective of moving towards $1 trillion economy target by 2027-2030.

- IANS
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New longitudinal evidence suggests that moments of awe, even during pandemic isolation, may help buffer loneliness by strengthening feelings of connection beyond the self.

Study: Experiencing awe in daily life is linked to lower loneliness. Image Credit: Bricolage / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports , researchers investigated whether daily experiences of awe are associated with lower same-day loneliness and whether feelings of connectedness to nature may partly explain this association.

Loneliness and Psychological Distress During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, between 75% and 93% of healthcare workers reported distress states such as stress, anxiety, frustration, or exhaustion, and 55% reported loneliness. Loneliness, defined as a painful subjective experience resulting from insufficient social connection, has been linked in observational research to depression, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and substance misuse.

Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to loneliness due to long shifts, emotional exhaustion, and reduced opportunities for social contact. Researchers have proposed that self-transcendent emotions, those that shift attention away from the self toward broader experiences, may reduce loneliness. Awe, which arises during encounters with vast, meaningful, or beautiful stimuli, may reduce self-focus and increase feelings of connection. Empirical evidence directly linking awe to loneliness has been limited.

Study Design and Participant Recruitment

Researchers recruited healthcare workers and community adults in May 2020, during the United States' pandemic lockdown. Healthcare workers were recruited from Northern California healthcare centers and other institutions nationwide, while community participants were recruited through the NorthBay Healthcare system and broader public outreach.

All procedures were approved by the NorthBay Healthcare Institutional Review Board ( IRB ), and informed consent was obtained in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Participants completed a baseline survey assessing loneliness using a shortened version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, baseline awe, demographic characteristics, and health status. Two days later, they attended a 60-minute online orientation session and then completed 22 consecutive days of daily diary surveys in June 2020.

Daily Measures of Awe, Loneliness, and Nature-Connectedness

Each day, participants reported their levels of awe, loneliness, and connectedness to nature using established single-item measures. The connectedness item assessed feelings of connection to plants, nature imagery, sounds, or surrounding environments, rather than broader social connectedness.

Participants also reported other positive emotions experienced that day, such as contentedness, pride, gratitude, amusement, compassion, and love, which were statistically controlled in analyses to isolate the unique effects of awe.

Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling to account for repeated daily observations nested within individuals. Multilevel mediation analyses using Bayesian estimation were conducted to test whether daily connectedness to nature mediated the relationship between awe and loneliness.

Daily Awe Linked to Lower Same-Day Loneliness

The final sample included 171 healthcare workers, contributing 3,412 daily observations, and 306 community participants, contributing 6,212 daily observations. Participants were predominantly female and middle-aged, reflecting the demographic distribution of healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Within-person analyses showed that on days when healthcare workers experienced higher-than-usual levels of awe, they reported significantly lower loneliness that same day. This association remained significant after controlling for baseline awe, baseline loneliness, age, gender, time, and other positive emotions.

Similar patterns emerged in the community sample, indicating the association was not limited to frontline healthcare professionals. After adjusting for general positive emotionality, awe uniquely predicted lower same-day loneliness. These findings reflect daily associations rather than evidence of long-term change or causation.

Awe and Daily Connectedness to Nature

The second hypothesis examined whether daily awe predicted stronger feelings of connectedness. On days when participants reported greater awe, they also reported increased connectedness to nature or their environment. This relationship remained significant after controlling for baseline characteristics and other positive emotions.

In both healthcare and community samples, daily awe significantly predicted higher levels of nature-connectedness. Connectedness was assessed using a single item and did not measure broader social belonging or interpersonal connection.

Partial Mediation by Nature-Connectedness

The third hypothesis tested whether connectedness to nature mediated the relationship between awe and loneliness. Multilevel mediation analyses indicated a statistically significant indirect effect in both samples. Daily awe predicted higher connectedness, which in turn predicted lower same-day loneliness.

The mediation was partial, meaning connectedness to nature explained part, but not all, of the association between awe and loneliness. While this suggests a plausible psychological pathway, the observational design prevents conclusions about causal direction. Lower loneliness may facilitate greater openness to awe, or other unmeasured variables may influence both experiences.

Effect Sizes and Contextual Considerations

Although effect sizes were small, they were consistent across healthcare workers and community participants. These findings were observed during one of the most socially isolating periods in recent history.

Even during long hospital shifts and pandemic lockdowns, moments of awe, such as experiencing nature, music, or meaningful human acts, were associated with lower same-day loneliness. Generalizability beyond the pandemic context remains uncertain.

The study did not test whether inducing awe reduces loneliness over time, nor did it measure broader forms of social connectedness beyond nature-related feelings.

Psychological Implications and Future Directions

This research provides longitudinal diary evidence that daily experiences of awe are associated with lower same-day loneliness in both healthcare workers and community adults. The findings suggest awe may function as a psychological resource, particularly during collective crises characterized by social isolation.

However, the observational design, reliance on single-item measures for connectedness, and pandemic-specific context limit causal inference and broader generalization. Experimental studies are needed to determine whether cultivating awe can produce sustained reductions in loneliness or improvements in mental health.

Overall, the findings support the hypothesis that self-transcendent emotional experiences may reduce loneliness, at least in part by increasing feelings of connection to the broader environment. Awe may represent a potentially valuable psychological resource for individuals at elevated risk of loneliness and distress, though further research is required to confirm causal effects and long-term benefits.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Zimbabwean authorities to immediately release journalist Gideon Madzikatidze, who has been in detention since February 18 on charges of cyberbullying and broadcasting without a licence.Madzikatidze, a reporter with online news platform Bulawayo24, was arrested over an article alleging bribery by a local waste management company. He is scheduled to appear at the Harare Magistrate's Court on February 25 for a bail application hearing.In a statement, CPJ's Africa Director Angela Quintal criticised the authorities' actions, saying licensing regulations and cybercrime provisions should not be used to criminalise legitimate journalism. She described the continued detention of a journalist for more than a week over a published report as a disproportionate response and urged authorities to drop all charges and allow journalists to operate without fear of arrest.Madzikatidze's lawyer, Godwin Giya, told CPJ that the state was opposing bail. He said the defence team was due back in court on Wednesday after the magistrate was absent from Monday's proceedings.According to the charge sheet reviewed by CPJ, the state alleges that between December 15 and 16, Madzikatidze published a story accusing the leadership of Geo Pomona Waste Management of bribing journalists and editors to avoid public scrutiny.If convicted, Madzikatidze faces up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $700 under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for cyberbullying. He also faces a potential three-month jail term and/or a $700 fine under Section 7(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act. The penalties were confirmed by Giya and the Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe.A source familiar with the case told CPJ, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, that it was unclear why authorities were invoking provisions that criminalise the unlicensed airing of television or radio programming, given that the story was published solely on a website.Bulawayo24, named after Zimbabwe's second-largest city, has provided local and international news coverage for more than a decade.CPJ said its requests for comment from Geo Pomona's legal representative, Dorothea Moyo, and from national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi went unanswered at the time of publication.
A new study from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Healthidentifies team creativity as a powerful, measurable driver of well-being and effectiveness in primary care. The research validates a new Primary Care Team Creativity tool and finds that higher levels of team creativity is also associated with greater job satisfaction and lower burnout among clinicians and staff. The findings position creativity as a practical, actionable lever for strengthening patient care, supporting providers, and advancing innovation in primary care settings. The findings are published in Health Care Management Review.

Defined as the collective ability of a team to generate novel and useful ideas, team creativity has long been studied in business and organizational psychology. However, until now, it had not been explicitly examined or validated in primary health care.

Primary care teams are under growing strain. Despite being central to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care, these teams face rising burnout and declining job satisfaction. Over the past two decades, many interventions have attempted to improve clinician well-being, but most have focused on individual resilience or workload. Our findings suggest that strengthening team-level conditions-specifically creativity-may simultaneously reduce burnout, enhance satisfaction, and improve care." Yuna Lee, PhD, assistant professor, Health Policy and Management at Columbia Mailman School, and first author

The study was conducted within a large New York State health system serving approximately 12 million people, with 85,000 employees, 21 hospitals, and 890 outpatient care centers. The sample included approximately 400 primary care providers and team members.

Among survey respondents, 32 percent had worked in their practice for more than five years; 16 percent were physicians, and 24 percent were registered nurses. Eighty-two percent identified as female, and 56 percent identified as White.

The study makes three key contributions to health services research:

Establishes team creativity as a meaningful concept in primary care. This is the first study to show the importance of team creativity to well-being outcomes in a setting that requires optimal teamwork for high-quality, patient-centered care. Introduces and validates a practical measurement tool for measuring team creativity in primary care teams. Advances understanding of how the work life of health care professionals impacts their well-being and, subsequently, patient care.

"Our study highlights the pivotal role of creativity in primary care teams," said Lee. "Drawing on decades of research in management, organizational behavior, and social psychology, we show that creativity is not just about innovation-it is closely tied to how clinicians experience their work. This has significant implications for how health systems approach burnout."

Lee continues, "With state policymakers and health system leaders under pressure to improve outcomes while addressing workforce shortages, our findings suggest that fostering team creativity should be viewed as a strategic asset.

Co-authors are Nancy LaVine, Northwell Health and Department of Medicine, Lenox Hill Hospital; Cheryl Rathert, College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University; Yulia Kogan, Population Health Analytics, Northwell Health; and Lusine Poghosyan, Stone Foundation and Elise D. Fish Columbia University Professor of Nursing and Professor of Health Policy and Management.

The study was supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (Grant 5R03HS027502-02).
Bruker Corporation today announced new advancements to enable Functional Proteomics 2.0 workflows on the timsOmni mass spectrometer to enable disease researchers to move beyond canonical protein lists toward biologically or pathologically functional proteoforms and PTM-resolved peptide variants. New releases in Bruker ProteoScape, OmniScape, and GlycoScape software now support database-independent PTM discovery, confident proteoform characterization, and eXd-enabled glycoproteomics for deeper biological, disease and drug discovery insights.

Annotated timsOmni glycopeptide eXd spectrum from GlycoScape highlighting both glycan fragment ions as well as peptide fragment ions. Image Credit: Bruker Corporation





Similarly, the now enabled timsOmni deep proteoform methods are equally powerful in interrogating drug targets, as well as biologics, including therapeutic antibodies, ADCs, multispecifics, and their PTM distributions and glyco-heterogeneity.

Confident proteoform characterization and eXd-enabled glycoproteomics on timsOmni

The latest version OmniScape 2026b strengthens timsOmni proteoform workflows by integrating the novel OmniWave algorithm, which enables top-down sequencing and proteoform identification at scale with high-confidence annotation of critical PTMs that drive disease signaling. Researchers can now move beyond protein group read-outs to proteoform-centric mechanisms, e.g., distinguishing signaling relevant protein variants that indicate disease states or treatment response. In biotherapeutics research, OmniScape supports verification of expected sequences and non-canonical modifications and can flag sequence variants or heterogeneity that may affect side effects or efficacy.

Bruker is greatly enhancing glycoproteomics with support for trapped electronbased dissociation (eXd) data in GlycoScape software, enabling confident glycopeptide characterization while preserving fragile glycan structures and supporting localization and topology insights. GlycoScape also provides interactive visualization of eXd fragment ions within annotated MS/MS spectra to simplify the validation of results.

The timsOmni gives scientists access to eXd-enabled fragmentation that can resolve complex PTMs and proteoforms with outstanding fidelity, said Professor Yehia Mechref, Director of the Texas Tech University Center for Biotechnology & Genomics. The new software capabilities  especially eXd N-glycopeptide analysis and improved top-down workflows  support deeper understanding of disease biology and provide new avenues for target discovery and translational research.

Bruker ProteoScape adds AIenhanced de novo peptide sequencing for databaseindependent discovery in metaproteomics and immunopeptidomics

Bruker is introducing a new de novo peptide sequencing workflow in Bruker ProteoScape v2026b software that pairs an AIenhanced scoring model  trained on more than seven million MS/MS spectra  with a proven dynamicprogramming foundation to deliver accurate de novo sequences from highresolution timsTOF data. This supports the demand for databaseindependent proteomics, enabling discovery of peptide variants across complex samples in applications such as metaproteomics and immunopeptidomics, including neoantigen research in immuno-oncology.
Inviting adults to colorectal cancer screening at age 60 shifts diagnoses to earlier stages without reducing short-term death rates, highlighting both the promise and trade-offs of population-based cancer detection.

Study: Colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing versus usual care in diagnostic colorectal cancer screening: the SCREESCO randomized controlled trial. Image credit: Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock.com

A recent Nature Medicine study conducted a large-scale SCREESCO randomized trial to assess whether colorectal cancer ( CRC ) screening at age 60, delivered via primary colonoscopy or fecal immunochemical testing ( FIT ), provides greater benefits or harms than usual care among adults aged 60.

Variability in International CRC Screening Approaches

Many organizations, including the American College of Gastroenterology and the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, recommend CRC screening for individuals aged 5075 years, either by colonoscopy or FIT. While colonoscopy screening has been widely studied, few randomized trials have compared FIT to usual care. Although colonoscopy can cause serious adverse events, these remain rare, and randomized evidence on screening-related benefits and harms compared to usual care is limited.

Colonoscopy is usually offered only to people at higher risk, based on results from non-invasive tests that show more blood in the stool. In many countries, most people are screened for CRC using FIT every 2 years, especially those aged 5075.

Notably, there is considerable international variability in the cutoff values used to define a positive FIT result, ranging from 8.5 g hemoglobin per gram of feces to 120 g/g. This variability reflects differences in national health policy, population risk profiles, and healthcare resources and can influence both the sensitivity and specificity of screening programs and downstream colonoscopy demand.

To guide health policy on the early detection and removal of CRC and precancerous lesions, it is essential to quantify both the benefits and risks of CRC screening.

The SCREESCO Trial Design

The SCREESCO randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) in Sweden was designed to directly compare different approaches to detecting CRC. In this trial, participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a primary colonoscopy screening group, a group receiving two rounds of two-stool FIT screening conducted 2 years apart, using a positivity threshold of 10 g hemoglobin per gram of feces in either sample to increase sensitivity, or a control group that continued with usual care and was not invited to screening. This design allowed researchers to evaluate the effectiveness and risks of both colonoscopy and FIT screening strategies alongside the standard healthcare approach.

Biennial one-sample FIT screening has been offered in the Stockholm-Gotland region since 2015 for individuals aged 6069 years, and since 2020 for those aged 6074 years, with cutoffs of 40 g/g for women and 80 g/g for men. The nationwide rollout of this FIT-based program, applying the same criteria, began in 2021 and aims to be completed by 2026.

Using comprehensive national health registers, the SCREESCO RCT assessed the diagnostic yield, total CRC cases diagnosed, and adverse events in the screening and control groups during the diagnostic phase (20142020), with a median follow-up of approximately 4.8 years, on an intention-to-screen basis. The study also evaluated whether randomization produced comparable groups at baseline, whether screening increased CRC detection, particularly for early-stage (III) cancer, compared to usual care, and whether screening was associated with short-term adverse effects, including cardiovascular and gastrointestinal events and death from any cause.

Screening Boosts Early-Stage Cancer Detection without Affecting Overall Mortality

The SCREESCO randomized trial enrolled over 278,000 Swedish adults and randomly assigned them to colonoscopy, FIT, or no screening groups. Demographics and health history were balanced across groups, and the median follow-up time was nearly five years. Participation rates differed between groups: approximately 35 % of those invited to colonoscopy and 55 % of those invited to FIT completed at least one screening round, reflecting the intention-to-screen design.

Screening with colonoscopy or FIT shifted CRC diagnoses toward earlier stages, although the absolute number of cancers detected remained small relative to the overall population studied. The colonoscopy group had a 38 % higher rate of early-stage CRC detection compared to controls, and the FIT group had a 19 % increase. Conversely, late-stage CRCs were less common among those screened, with reductions observed in both screening arms and somewhat more pronounced in the FIT group.

Despite this stage shift, the total number of CRC cases across groups remained similar during this diagnostic-phase follow-up, indicating that screening may have advanced the timing of cancer detection within the current follow-up window rather than demonstrating a reduction in overall incidence; longer follow-up is required to determine whether screening ultimately prevents cancers or reduces mortality, and the possibility of some overdiagnosis cannot yet be excluded.

Short-term risks were present but modest. Both screening arms experienced a slight temporary rise in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular events during the first year, but these differences diminished over time. Serious screening-related complications were rare, with a 0.2 % rate of major colonoscopy-related adverse events. At the end of the follow-up period, rates of cardiovascular events were similar between groups, though the FIT arm showed a modest increase in venous thromboembolism and gastrointestinal bleeding compared to controls.

All-cause mortality was unaffected by screening, and death rates were nearly identical in all arms over the study period. The trial was not yet designed to assess colorectal cancerspecific mortality, which remains a primary endpoint planned for longer-term follow-up. Men experienced higher overall CRC incidence and more advanced cancers than women, though rates of cardiovascular events were similar, and gastrointestinal complications were somewhat less frequent among men.

Conclusions

Both colonoscopy and FIT screening detected more early-stage colorectal cancers than usual care, without increasing overall cancer incidence during the diagnostic-phase follow-up or reducing all-cause mortality. Although gastrointestinal and cardiovascular event rates were higher in the first year after screening, these differences lessened with time.

The benefit of finding more early-stage cancers must be weighed against the short-term rise in adverse events, and longer-term follow-up will be needed to determine the effect of screening on colorectal cancer mortality and overall cancer prevention.

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At around 2 a.m., 7-year-old twin brothers arrived at Mission Hospital in Asheville. Both had a fever, a cough, a rash, pink eye, and cold symptoms.

The boys sat in one waiting room and then another. Two hours and 20 minutes passed before the two were isolated, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services records obtained by KFF Health News. Then two more hours ticked by.

As the sun rose, an emergency room doctor called the state epidemiologist and described the symptoms. The public health official told him to keep the kids in the hospital and quarantine them. Shortly after that call, the patients were diagnosed.

It was measles.

Hospital staff gave the father instructions on how to quarantine the family and sent them home.

The virus exposed at least 26 other people in the hospital that January day, federal investigators determined. Health inspectors for CMS investigated the measles infections and other failures in care and concluded that the twins' symptoms should have triggered an isolation procedure for which Mission Hospital staffers had trained seven months earlier. CMS designated Mission in "Immediate Jeopardy" for the exposures and other unrelated issues, one of the most severe sanctions a hospital can face, threatening to pull federal funding unless it remedied the problems.

A spokesperson for Mission said its staff was trained to manage airborne sickness and is following federal rules.

As U.S. hospitals face an increasing risk of encountering measles, and pressure to immediately spot it, health care workers face an unusual barrier: Many don't know what it looks like.

"There's a word, 'morbilliform'  it means measles-like, and there are lots of viruses that can cause a rash that looks like a measles rash in children," said Theresa Flynn, a pediatrician in Raleigh and the president of the North Carolina Pediatric Society. In 30 years in health care, she's never seen a measles case, she said.

North Carolina has reported more than 20 cases since mid-December, and more than 3,000 people nationwide have been infected since the beginning of 2025.

Children in areas with low immunization rates have been especially susceptible to outbreaks, triggering public health campaigns to promote the measles vaccine. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz encouraged vaccination in a CNN interview on Feb. 8.

With two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, a person has a 3% chance of getting the virus after exposure. If exposed, an unvaccinated person has a 90% chance of being infected, according to the CDC. It can take a week or two before someone infected with measles shows symptoms.

But for the past year, the Trump administration has sown doubt about vaccine effectiveness. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a longtime anti-vaccine activist before taking office, and under his leadership the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reduced the number of shots recommended to children.

After measles erupted in West Texas last year, Kennedy publicly recommended unconventional and unproven treatments for the virus, including steroids, antibiotics, and cod liver oil.

Infectious disease experts and doctors said federal policies have left health care workers to lean on their own experience or guidance from their state public health systems to fight a disease that many are preparing to see for the first time and that initially may behave like the common cold.

"As measles becomes more common, all of us are leveling up in our ability to recognize and immediately respond to suspected measles," Flynn said.

Three C's

Officially, the U.S. has maintained "measles elimination status" since 2000, meaning the U.S. has avoided significant spread of the virus. After outbreaks in Texas, Arizona, Utah, and now South Carolina, the nation is on track to lose that designation before the year is out. Its own adopted regulations tie elimination status to a lack of a continuous viral spread persisting for 12 months.

One county in South Carolina, an hour's drive from Asheville, has had more than 900 cases in the current outbreak  more than Texas reported in all of 2025.

Symptoms of measles, a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, can include fever, cough, a blotchy rash, and red, watery eyes. Researchers consider measles among the most contagious diseases, and the virus may remain active for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.

It can be lethal, with 1 to 3 deaths per 1,000 cases in children.

In 2025, two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico died of measles.

Along with tracking data, the CDC provides detailed summaries on its website for diagnosing measles. State public health agencies and some counties have developed dashboards tracing the disease as it surfaces in such places as hospitals, schools, grocery stores, and airports. Large hospital systems developed staff training protocols last year and shared them with area clinics.

Look for the three C's, that guidance said: cough, coryza (cold symptoms), and conjunctivitis (pink eye). According to CMS inspection records, HCA Healthcare, which owns Mission Hospital, trained Mission staff on the three C's early last year. On top of failing to isolate the twin patients right away, Mission staff didn't have a designated area for patients with respiratory symptoms, federal inspectors found.

The CDC advises health workers to immediately place patients with measles or suspicious symptoms in a special isolation room, where airflow is controlled inward. The Mission patients were separated from other patients only by plastic partitions, according to the CMS records.

Mission spokesperson Nancy Lindell said the hospital was equipped and staffed to manage airborne illnesses like measles.

"Our hospital has been working with state and federal health officials on proactive preparedness, and we are following guidance provided by the CDC," Lindell said.

(Dogwood Health Trust, a private foundation established as part of HCA's purchase of Mission Health, helps fund KFF Health News coverage.)

Most U.S. clinics and hospitals have never experienced measles cases, said Patsy Stinchfield, a former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and a nurse practitioner. She called CMS' Immediate Jeopardy penalty for Mission "extreme," given the virus can be so difficult to identify.

"In the middle of winter right now, measles looks like every other viral respiratory infection that kids come in with," Stinchfield said.

The CDC has been less communicative in the past year with clinics about their response to outbreaks, said health workers and infectious disease experts. This disconnect began soon after Trump took office, according to a KFF Health News investigation finding that health officials in West Texas were unable to talk with CDC scientists as measles surged last February and March.

"We certainly do not feel the support or guidance from the CDC right now," said Brigette Fogleman, a pediatrician at Asheville Children's Medical Center, where staff members have come up with their own method of staving off the virus: screening patients over the phone and in their cars before a visit.

In response to questions about how the CDC is supporting health care organizations during the measles resurgence, spokesperson Andrew Nixon said that "state and local health departments have the lead in investigating measles cases and outbreaks" and that the CDC provides support "as requested." He pointed to numerous guides and simulation tools the agency has developed as the virus has spread.

Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, acknowledged that diagnosing measles is a major challenge, emphasizing that coordination among public health agencies is critical in overcoming that challenge.

Stinchfield attributed the spread of measles to CDC leaders' lack of communication to clinics and to the public  no ads on buses, no social media campaigns, no sense of urgency. "When you are at the highest level of measles cases in 30 years, we should be seeing lots more from our federal government," Stinchfield said. "And I think it's harming kids and causing an inordinate amount of work and expense that really doesn't belong in health care right now."

State prepares for more measles cases

In North Carolina's Buncombe County, home to Asheville and Mission Hospital, health officials had counted seven measles cases by mid-February and anticipated many more, according to state epidemiologist Zack Moore. It's unclear how many of those are connected to the Mission exposure.

"We are preparing for a future in which we follow a trajectory like South Carolina," Moore said, "where we see sort of a gradual accumulation of cases, and then all of a sudden it reaches kind of a tipping point, and we see a more explosive growth in the outbreak and spread across the state."

Fogleman, who is also a pediatrician, and Buncombe health department director Jennifer Mullendore spoke during a recent Facebook livestream hosted by the county, urging families to get their children vaccinated, debunking vaccine misinformation, and updating parents on local case numbers.

Days before, a local private school had quarantined about 100 students after an exposure. Only 41% of students there were immunized, according to state data.

At Fogleman's clinic, parents are asked to wait in their vehicles with their children, and staffers come out to screen them there. Some parents resist vaccination and note recently weakened federal recommendations around measles vaccines for children under 4, she said.

Kennedy handpicked the committee members who made those recommendations, with several members having spread medical misinformation in the past.

One parent recently told a nurse, "It's only measles. It doesn't kill anybody," Fogleman said.

That's not true, her team must explain.

As the clinic holds families in the parking lot, trying to figure out whether symptoms point to the dangerous virus, it's difficult to get the message across, Fogleman said, especially when the nation's top disease agency hasn't conducted a widespread information campaign about the risks from measles  or the vaccine's ability to almost entirely prevent it.

"We can't change the past," Fogleman said. "All we can do is try to educate and move forward."
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) continues to expand its unique drug synthesis capabilities and expertise to advance the scalable manufacturing of safer antidotes to combat exposure to organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) and pesticides.



Unlike existing manufacturing processes, SwRI's novel approach avoids cancer-causing compounds during synthesis of oxime antidotes HI-6, Obidoxime and HLo 7. This makes for safer antidotes and supports the kilogram-scale manufacturing needed to sustain a domestic supply of OPNA antidotes for the United States military. End-to-end antidote production in the U.S. also reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions and other pressures that could arise during times of international conflict.



Exposure to pesticides and various nerve agents, such as OPNAs, causes an estimated 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. Nerve agents and pesticides disrupt the normal functions of the nervous system, causing a toxic buildup of a neurotransmitter used to activate muscular movement.



"Exposure to nerve agents or pesticides triggers a range of symptoms from blurry vision, nausea and vomiting to seizures, heart arrythmias and death. Oxime compounds such as HI-6 restore the normal functionality of the nervous system after OPNA exposure," said Lead Scientist Dr. Shawn Blumberg, who developed the process at SwRI. "This is an important step to prevent further neurodegeneration."



By eliminating toxic chemical reagents during synthesis, SwRI supports safe and scalable manufacturing of well-known, highly effective medical countermeasures while continuing ongoing collaborative efforts to discover new and potentially more effective antidotes.

Our team developed a new high-yield, high-quality manufacturing process to facilitate the domestic production of countermeasures such as HI-6, which is quickly becoming the antidote of choice due to its efficacy and versatility. We've demonstrated a new synthetic production approach that meets Current Good Manufacturing Practices." Dr. Shawn Blumberg, Lead Scientist

If produced in the United States, oxime antidotes could be exported to U.S. allies around the world.



"SwRI has been supporting nerve agent antidote research for the U.S. military for about 20 years. We have created a synthesis route for oxime antidotes, allowing safer production of these drugs at commercial scales, overcoming challenges that have stymied their use since their discovery in the 20th century," said Director of Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering Darrel Johnston.
Amritsar pilot among 7 killed in air ambulance crash in Jharkhand

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 23:15 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Chandigarh, Feb 24 (PTI) A pilot from Punjabs Amritsar, Swarajdeep Singh, was among the seven people killed in an air ambulance crash in Jharkhand, officials said.

Redbird Airways Pvt Ltds Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV enroute from Ranchi to Delhi crashed soon after takeoff. There were five people and two crew members onboard.

The crash on Monday was the second in less than a month, involving a plane operated by a non-scheduled operator. On January 28, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died in a plane crash near Baramati.

Swarajdeep (31), who had joined the company around seven months ago, was part of the crew of the air ambulance.

He hailed from the Gobind Nagar area in Amritsar.

Upon receiving the news of the death of Swarajdeep, relatives reached his residence in Amritsar to express grief with his family.

He is survived by his wife, four-month-old son and his parents. Swarajdeep got married one and a half years ago.

His family members were inconsolable and were struggling to come to terms with the loss.

Swarajdeeps friend Simardeep Singh said he had known him for 15 years. He said that before taking off on Monday, Swarajdeep had called his family, telling them that he would call after landing in Delhi.

But when the family tried to call him again after some time, they could not connect, said Singh while speaking to reporters in Amritsar.

Later, they saw the news on TV about the plane crash and found Captain Swarajdeep Singhs name among the dead, Singh said.

According to Singh, Swarajdeep met him last Saturday when he visited Amritsar. They had a plan to go out during his next visit, he said.

He always respected everyone, said Singh.

One of Swarajdeeps relatives said he always wanted to be a pilot. PTI CHS HIG HIG

First Published: February 24, 2026, 23:15 IST

News agency-feeds Amritsar pilot among 7 killed in air ambulance crash in Jharkhand

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Bewakoof Co-Founder Prabhkiran Singh Announces Exit After 14 Years At The Helm

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 17:12 IST

Prabhkiran Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Bewakoof, steps down after 14 years, leaving a Mumbai slum startup turned national youth brand.

Prabhkiran Singh announces his decision to step down as CEO of Bewakoof after 14 years.

Prabhkiran Singh, Co-Founder and CEO of Bewakoof, has announced that he will be stepping away from the company he built over the past 14 years, marking the end of a long entrepreneurial chapter that began in 2011.

Bewakoof is a D2C fashion brand, which is popular among GenZ.

From Mumbai Slum Startup To National Youth Brand

In a LinkedIn post shared on Tuesday, Singh reflected on starting Bewakoof at the age of 21 with a fellow engineering graduate. The company was launched from a small room in a Mumbai slum at a time when direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brands were still a nascent concept in India and equity funding was limited.

He recalled personally handling early operations, including making T-shirt deliveries via local trains and responding to customer queries. Over time, the brand scaled significantly, growing from campus T-shirt sales to shipping over 20,000 products daily.

Bewakoof went on to become one of Indias prominent youth-focused fashion brands and, according to Singh, was the first D2C fashion startup in the country to cross 100 crore in revenue. The company also built a social media community of more than 6 million followers.

Backed By TMRW And Aditya Birla Group

Singh stated that the company is now structurally ready" for its next phase, supported by a strong leadership team and the backing of TMRW and the Aditya Birla Group.

He added that after 14 years of building the business, he intends to prioritize his health, family, and personal goals. Singh will continue to lead Bewakoof until the end of March.

Calling the startup his firstborn," Singh said he will continue to support the brand from the sidelines as it works toward building a long-term legacy.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 15:54 IST

News business economy Bewakoof Co-Founder Prabhkiran Singh Announces Exit After 14 Years At The Helm

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Stocks To Watch: IDFC First Bank, Mobikwik, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BPCL, And Others

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 08:02 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like IDFC First Bank, Mobikwik, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BPCL, and others will be in focus on Tuesday's trade

Stocks to watch

Stocks to Watch Today  February 23, 2026: Domestic markets are likely to open lower, tracking weakness in global equities amid volatility in AI stocks and renewed tariff concerns following remarks by US President Donald Trump.

As of 7:36 AM, GIFT Nifty futures indicated a gap-down start, trading 118 points lower at 25,588.

IDFC First Bank

The banks senior management has assured the Haryana government that it will fast-track the payment of an unreconciled amount of Rs 590 crore after high-level discussions with state officials, according to a Business Standard report.

One Mobikwik Systems

The company is set to enter the equity broking space after its subsidiary, Mobikwik Securities Broking, received approval from BSE to commence stockbroking operations.

Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel and Bharti Enterprises have committed to a long-term investment of Rs 20,000 crore in their NBFC arm.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M)

In partnership with Manulife, M&M has appointed Suresh Agarwal as MD and CEO-designate of their upcoming life insurance joint venture. He is scheduled to take charge on May 1, 2026.

Vodafone Idea

According to HSBC Global Research, Vodafone Ideas planned Rs 45,000 crore capital expenditure over the coming years may not be sufficient to compete effectively. The spending significantly lags the estimated Rs 1.21.4 trillion capex plans of rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

The company has received a tax demand of Rs 1,816.65 crore from the Kochi excise department, largely related to the pre-merger period of Kochi Refineries (20042006). BPCL plans to challenge the order before CESTAT.

Pace Digitek

Its subsidiary, Lineage Power, has secured a purchase order worth Rs 158.71 crore (including GST) from Reliance Industries.

Sigma Advanced Systems

The company has strengthened its order book with fresh contracts worth Rs 100 crore from the Ministry of Defence and various defence PSUs.

Godrej Properties

The developer has acquired an 18-acre land parcel in Mumbai for a residential project with an estimated revenue potential exceeding Rs 7,500 crore.

Chalet Hotels

The board has approved the development of a 330-room luxury hotel in Madhapur, Hyderabad. The project will also include over 36,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space.

Morepen Laboratories

The company has signed a multi-year CDMO agreement with a global pharmaceutical major, valued at approximately Rs 825 crore.

Olectra Greentech

Under the PM E-drive initiative, the company has received a Letter of Intent from TGSRTC for 1,085 electric buses to be deployed in Hyderabad.

Signpost India

The firm has secured exclusive outdoor advertising rights for key stretches in Kolkata, including Park Street and Camac Street, under a new PPP-mode urban renewal project.

Silver Touch Technologies

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has appointed the company to lead a strategic digital transformation initiative.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 08:02 IST

News business markets Stocks To Watch: IDFC First Bank, Mobikwik, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BPCL, And Others

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Inactive EPFO Accounts? Govt To Send Balance Directly To Your Bank; What You Need To Know

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 10:34 IST

Ministry of Labour and Employment will refund up to Rs 1000 from inoperative EPF accounts to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Govt Clears Refund Plan for EPFO Accounts with Balance Up to Rs 1,000

Those EPF subscribers whose accounts become inoperative after failing to submit regular payments and having balance of up to one thousand rupees will get their money back. This relief comes as the Ministry of Labour and Employment has decided to refund money to the subscribers.

The governments initiative comes as there are more than six lakh inoperative accounts that have a balance of up to one thousand rupees.

What Subscribers Have To Do

Good news is that subscribers dont have to do anything to get their money back. The ministry said that the amount will be directly send back to the subscribers Aadhaar-linked bank account.

There will not be required to file any claim or submit documents to initiate the process.

Whats The Limit?

Subscribers, however, need to know that theres a limit of money coming back to the account  Rs 1000. Even if a subscriber, with an inoperative account having money over Rs 1000, it wont come back directly under the governments initiative.

An EPFO account becomes inactive if there has been no contribution or transaction for three consecutive years. However, interest continues to be credited as per rules.

How To Check If Your EPF Account Is Inoperative

Subscribers can easily check the status of their account through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation portal. Heres how:

1. Check Through EPFO Member Portal

Visit the official EPFO website

Click on Services

Select For Employees

Log in using your UAN and password

Go to View Passbook

If there have been no contributions for three years, your account may be marked inoperative

2. Check Via UMANG App

Download the UMANG app

Search for EPFO services

Log in with your UAN

Check contribution history and account status

3. Check Contribution History

If there has been no employer or employee contribution for 3 consecutive years, the account is treated as inoperative.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 10:34 IST

News business savings-and-investments Inactive EPFO Accounts? Govt To Send Balance Directly To Your Bank; What You Need To Know

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ABVP Activists Vandalise Azim Premji University During Protest Near Bengaluru

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 23:39 IST

ABVP protested at Azim Premji University alleging a SPARK seminar promoted separatist views on Kashmir. The university denied authorising the event and condemned the violence.

The student group alleged that the programme, organised by the SPARK collective on campus, portrayed Jammu and Kashmir as separate from India and disrespected the armed forces, triggering protests at the university gates. (News18)

Tensions sparked at Azim Premji University, in Bengaluru, on Tuesday after a group of ABVP members allegedly vandalised the property while accusing the organisers of holding a seminar that was derogatory towards the Indian Army and promoted separatist views on Kashmir.

The student group alleged that the programme, organised by the SPARK collective on campus, portrayed Jammu and Kashmir as separate from India and disrespected the armed forces, triggering protests at the university gates.

The ABVP members staged demonstrations raising slogans and demanding action against the organisers. During the protest, the activists entered the premises, smeared ink on the university name board, and wrote Ban SPARK" on campus walls. The protesters also shouted that Jammu and Kashmir is the sindoor of India" and accused the university of allowing space for what they described as anti-national discourse.

Later, the university issued a statement saying, Today evening around 6 pm a group of 20 people forced their way into our (Azim Premji University) campus in Bengaluru. They shouted slogans, vandalised some of the property, and assaulted a few of our security guards and students. We reported the incident immediately to the local Police Station (Sarjapura, Bengaluru). The police acted swiftly and rounded them up."

Those who had forced their entry into our campus were protesting about an event that they claimed was going to be held on our campus. The Azim Premji University had not authorised any event of this nature. The University follows strict procedures before any event is held on campus. This event which was allegedly planned by a small group of students did not happen at all," it stated.

We strongly condemn the ruckus and violence that was unleashed on our campus by this external group of people," the university added.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 23:36 IST

News cities bengaluru-news ABVP Activists Vandalise Azim Premji University During Protest Near Bengaluru

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News / National

by Staff reporter

South African fast-food brand Pedros Flame Grilled Chicken is set to create approximately 300 jobs in Zimbabwe as it rolls out an initial 10 outlets by February next year.Founded in 2018, the flame-grilled chicken chain has grown rapidly and now operates more than 210 stores across South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Kenya. The brand is entering the Zimbabwean market through a possible partnership with Canary Wharf Zimbabwe (CWZ) and other stakeholders.Executive Head of Delegation Bernard Muneri said the first phase of the expansion will focus on Harare to streamline logistics and strengthen supply chains."We are looking at opening about 10 stores within the next year, starting in Harare," Muneri said. "Each store will employ between 30 and 35 people, which means roughly 300 jobs in the first phase alone."He added that the company would prioritise local sourcing, particularly from Zimbabwean poultry farmers, and would not import chicken products.International Stores Operations representative Sean Rowe said the chain's regional expansion strategy is anchored on supporting domestic suppliers in each market it enters."All our fresh products, such as chicken and vegetables, are sourced locally in the countries we operate in," he said.New Development Executive Peter Erasmus said Zimbabwe's improving business climate and growing demand in the food services sector make it an attractive investment destination. He noted that landlords are already offering space in food courts in anticipation of the brand's arrival.CWZ chief executive Cleopas Mugomba said the potential partnership is expected to stimulate employment, skills development and technology transfer, while also supporting local agriculture and manufacturing.The company believes Zimbabwe's expanding urban consumer base and fast-growing delivery culture position the brand strongly to compete in the grilled chicken segment.
CBSE 12th Accountancy Exam 2026: Easy Or Tough? Check Full Paper Analysis Here

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:21 IST

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam: Teachers called the paper easy to moderate and scoring, though MCQs required careful reading and accuracy.

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy exam held on February 24; teachers say paper was easy to moderate. (Representative image/PTI)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 Accountancy examination on February 24 for commerce stream students. The paper was held for 80 marks and candidates were given three hours to complete it.

Teachers said the paper was largely in line with the syllabus and tested conceptual understanding along with application. According to Ankur Agarwal and Asif Khan, PGT Accountancy at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru, the exam was moderately difficult and balanced between theory and problem-solving. They noted that direct questions helped students score marks, while competency-based MCQs required careful reading and analytical thinking.

The question paper had more than 30 questions divided into two parts. Part A was compulsory, while Part B offered a choice between analysis of financial statements and computerised accounting. Students had to attempt only one option. Questions were asked for one, three, four and six marks.

CA Kalpesh Shah, Subject matter Expert at Lancers Army Schools, also said the paper was manageable for students with regular preparation.

As a subject expert, I would classify this years Accountancy paper as easy to moderate in difficulty, well-balanced, and directly based on the NCERT curriculum. The question paper reflected clarity in design and ensured comprehensive coverage of the prescribed syllabus. The paper was conceptually sound and tested students understanding rather than rote memorization," he said.

He added that the MCQ section required both logical reasoning and calculation skills.

The MCQ section, in particular, required a combination of logical reasoning and computational accuracy. It was evident that mere theoretical preparation was insufficient; students needed conceptual clarity and adequate practice to perform confidently in this section," Shah said.

He noted that most three and four mark questions were direct and student-friendly, offering good scoring opportunities for those who had practised regularly.

On specific topics, he said the Share Capital question remained standard but slightly tricky in presentation, while the alternative option was easier. He also pointed out that the Admission of Partner question had a fresh presentation but the journal entries were based on standard concepts.

ALSO READ: GPAT 2026 Exam City Slip Today At natboard.edu.in; Exam On March 7

In Part B, topics such as Ratio Analysis and Cash Flow Statement were direct and scoring. The practical questions were structured in a way that rewarded systematic working and clarity of concepts. However, even in this section, MCQs demanded careful reading and logical application," he said.

Overall, Shah said students with consistent preparation were likely to perform well, though MCQs required higher accuracy and attention.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:21 IST

News education-career CBSE 12th Accountancy Exam 2026: Easy Or Tough? Check Full Paper Analysis Here

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NCERT Introduces Topics On 'Corruption In Judiciary', Pending Cases In Class 8 Social Science Book

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:16 IST

The NCERT book also addresses the significant backlog of cases in courts, attributing this to factors like shortage of judges, legal process complexities, etc.

NCERT is developing new textbooks in line with the New Education Policy 2020.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) introduced a new Class 8 Social Science book on Monday, which includes a section explaining the judiciarys role in addressing issues such as corruption and pending cases. This is a significant update as these topics were not directly covered in the previous edition.

The updated chapter, The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," goes beyond the court structure to discuss challenges like corruption and case backlog. It details judges code of conduct and internal accountability mechanisms, and mentions the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for complaint redressal.

It highlights the constitutional provision for the impeachment of judges in serious cases following proper inquiry. The book recognises public concerns about how corruption affects access to justice, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged.

The topic further quotes former Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, who noted that corruption undermines public trust and called for transparency and accountability. It also provides approximate statistics on pending cases in the countrys courts: about 81,000 in the Supreme Court of India, around 6,240,000 in the High Courts, and approximately 47,000,000 in district and subordinate courts. These figures are intended to help students understand the pressures on the justice system.

The previous book detailed the judiciarys role, the concept of an independent judiciary, court structure, and public access, but did not mention corruption, reported the Indian Express. It did state that court cases often take years to resolve and explained the principle Justice delayed is justice denied."

The book details that the 2018 electoral bond scheme permitted anonymous donations to political parties. The Supreme Court later ruled this unconstitutional, emphasising voters right to know the sources of party funding. It also discusses the Information Technology Act, 2009, which included a provision penalising social media posts. This was contested by a law student in 2015, resulting in the Supreme Court declaring it unconstitutional and ordering its repeal due to freedom of expression violations.

New NCERT textbooks are being developed in accordance with the New Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The previous textbooks were based on the 2005 curriculum, which was revised and reduced after the pandemic.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:05 IST

News education-career NCERT Introduces Topics On 'Corruption In Judiciary', Pending Cases In Class 8 Social Science Book

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NEET PG: Low Cut-Off 'Does Not Certify Incompetence': Govt Tells Supreme Court

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:50 IST

The affidavit filed by the DGHS said that the NEET-PG is not intended to certify minimum competence, which is already established by the MBBS qualification.

Supreme Court of India (Credits: PTI Photo)

The Union Health Ministry has informed the Supreme Court that a low cut-off does not certify incompetence," referring to the zero cutoff percentile in the NEET PG third round counselling for 2025. Responding to a Public Interest Litigation challenging the reduction of the minimum qualifying percentile for PG medical admissions for the 2025-26 academic session, the ministry clarified that the decision followed extensive discussions due to thousands of vacant seats, including those in government medical colleges.

The government stated that NEET PG is not an exam to certify minimum medical qualifications. The true eligibility to become a doctor is established by completing MBBS and internship. NEET PG is merely a test to prepare a merit list of candidates for limited postgraduate (MD/MS) seats. They also mentioned that every candidate taking NEET PG is already a qualified doctor, having completed 4.5 years of MBBS studies and a mandatory one-year internship, requiring at least 50% in theory and practical to pass. Therefore, a low score in NEET PG does not mean that a doctor is weak.

The affidavit further highlighted that in NEET PG 2025, after Round 2 of counselling, 9,621 seats remained vacant in the All India Quota (AIQ) across various specialties, including 5,213 seats in government medical colleges. Overall, around 70,000 PG seats were available against 2,24,029 candidates, with 31,742 under the AIQ.

The Ministry clarified that the reduction was not intended to benefit private medical institutions but to prevent large-scale seat vacancies, including those in government institutions funded by public expenditure.

Addressing concerns about competence and patient safety, the affidavit asserted, Concerns regarding patient safety are misplaced. All candidates admitted to postgraduate courses are licensed MBBS practitioners entitled to practice independently." It added that PG education is a structured three-year supervised training programme, and final competence is rigorously assessed through MD/MS examinations.

The petitioners also raised the issue of fee disparity, noting that fees in government medical colleges range from Rs 9,000 to Rs 27,000, while fees in private colleges range from Rs 9.5 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore. Despite the availability of approximately 1.3 lakh students with 50th percentile scores, they are unable to enroll in private colleges due to the exorbitant fees. They demanded a cap on private college fees. The Supreme Court has considered the case partially heard.

The next hearing will be held on March 24, 2026. Before that, the government and NBEMS will have to provide further clarifications.

The dispute began with a notice issued by NBEMS on January 13, 2026, which significantly reduced the cut-off for the third counseling round.

This year, the NEET PG cut-off has been set significantly lower. The cut-off for General and EWS categories was set at 103 points (7th percentile). For General PwBD, the cut-off was set at 90 points, and for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD, the cut-off was reduced to minus 40 points (0th percentile).

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:44 IST

News education-career NEET PG: Low Cut-Off 'Does Not Certify Incompetence': Govt Tells Supreme Court

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Air Ambulance Crash, Engine Sparks & Chopper Crash-Landing: 3 Emergencies In 24 Hours Explained

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 19:49 IST

Ambulance Crash In Jharkhand, Mid-Air Engine Scare On Delhi-Leh Flight, Helicopter Crash-Landing In Andaman: What happened? What were causes? How many casualties were reported?

(Clockwise from left) The air ambulance; a file pic of Spicejet flight and the Pawan Hans helicopter crash. (PTI/File/News18)

From Jharkhand to Delhi to Andaman, three air emergencies were reported  an ambulance crash, mid-air engine scare and helicopter crash-landing  across India within 24 hours.

What happened? What were the causes? How many casualties were reported? News18 gets you all details at a glance.

RANCHI-DELHI AIR AMBULANCE CRASH IN IN JHARKHANDS CHATRA KILLS 7

All seven people on board a medical evacuation flight were killed after the air ambulance crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday evening while en route from Ranchi to Delhi. The aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, went down near Simariya shortly after taking off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm.

The cause: According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 7.11 pm IST and later established contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control. The aircraft reportedly requested deviation due to adverse weather conditions before losing communication. At approximately 7.34 pm, the aircraft lost both communication and radar contact with Kolkata ATC when it was around 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi.

Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told news agency ANI that preliminary findings point to bad weather as a possible factor. It crashed due to a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, the team of doctors found them dead. The total number of people is seven. Two were crew members, and the remaining five were a patient and the patients family members," she said.

Casualties: The seven on-board killed were  patient Sanjay Kumar Shaw, his wife Archana Devi, relative Dhruv Kumar, doctor Vikas Kumar Gupta, nurse Sachin Kumar Mishra, and pilots Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh.

LEH-BOUND FLIGHT WITH 150 ON BOARD RETURNS TO DELHI AFTER MID-AIR ENGINE SCARE

A SpiceJet Delhi to Leh flight was forced to return to the national capital shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning following a technical malfunction.

The cause: The Boeing 737 aircraft, operating flight SG121, turned back within minutes of departure after sparks and flames were reportedly seen mid-air, raising concerns about a possible engine-related problem. The flight, which had departed from Delhi for Leh in Ladakh, made a precautionary return as a safety measure. According to a source cited by news agency PTI, the Leh-bound SpiceJet aircraft returned to Delhi due to an engine issue.

No injuries: The engine failure SOP was activated at the Delhi airport. The aircraft safely landed back in Delhi, and no injuries were reported among the 150 passengers or crew members.

PAWAN HANS HELICOPTER CRASH-LANDS NEAR MAYABUNDER IN ANDAMAN SEA

A Pawan Hans helicopter crashed into the sea shortly after taking off on Tuesday morning from Port Blair, a town in the northern part of Middle Andaman Island. The helicopter was reportedly carrying seven people.

The cause: According to a Pawan Hans spokesperson, the incident took place around 9:30 am on Tuesday. The helicopter experienced a short landing incident near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands". Officials aware of the matter said the helicopter ditched into the sea about 300 metres short of the runway at around 9.30 am when it was to land in Mayabunder.

No casualties: The helicopter had taken off from Port Blair with two crew members and five passengers on board. All have been rescued and are safe. No injuries have been reported," the Pawan Hans spokesperson said.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 15:12 IST

News explainers Air Ambulance Crash, Engine Sparks & Chopper Crash-Landing: 3 Emergencies In 24 Hours Explained

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Ahead Of PM Modis Israel Visit, Netanyahus Hexagon of Alliances With India At Its Core Explained

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 16:24 IST

What is Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahus proposed Hexagon of Alliances? What is Indias role in it? What does it mean ahead of PM Narendra Modis visit? Explained

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Reuters File Image)

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed the Hexagon of Alliances, a strategic framework designed to formalise a network of allied nations to counter regional threats.

Netanyahus vision positions India as a cornerstone of the new bloc. What is it? Who are the partners? News18 explains.

PM Modis Israel visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Israel on February 25, 2026 for a historic two-day state visit. This marks his first visit to the country in nearly nine years and his second overall since the landmark 2017 trip.

PM Modi is expected to become the first Indian leader to address the Knesset (Israeli Parliament). Immediately upon landing in Tel Aviv, he will hold a private meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he has frequently described as a dear friend".

Discussions will focus on high-tech cooperation, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, cybersecurity, and semiconductors. The visit coincides with reports of massive new arms deals worth approximately $8.6 billion, including precision-guided bombs and advanced missile systems. Both leaders are expected to set a roadmap for finalizing a Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2026. Discussions will also cover the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a strategic transit project aimed at connecting India to European markets via Israel.

What is the Hexagon of Alliances?

The Hexagon refers to a six-sided system of alliances involving:

Israel: Central coordinator

India: Strategic anchor and global power

Mediterranean Partners: Specifically Greece and Cyprus

Arab Nations

African Nations

Asian Nations

Why the alliance?

The alliance aims to institutionalise coordination across three main pillars:

Security: Deepening intelligence sharing and defense cooperation against common radical" adversaries.

Diplomatic Alignment: Creating an axis of nations" that share similar strategic assessments of regional challenges.

Economic Cooperation: Enhancing trade, technology partnerships (especially in AI and quantum computing), and infrastructure connectivity similar to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Hexagon will counter

Netanyahu explicitly framed the bloc as a counterweight to what he described as:

The Radical Shia Axis: Led by Iran and its network of proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.

The Emerging Radical Sunni Axis": A newer framing intended to address emerging extremist threats in the region.

By anchoring India to Greece and Cyprus, the alliance creates a powerful maritime front that opposes Turkeys claims over Eastern Mediterranean oil and gas reserves.

The analysis

Analysts have described the proposal as a branding exercise" to formalise existing ad hoc relationships and project that Israel is not diplomatically isolated.

While India values its friendship with Israel, it remains highly pragmatic and typically avoids rigid bloc politics to maintain its strategic autonomy". Some potential partners, such as Greece and

Cyprus, are members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, complicating formal state-level alliances.

India and Israel

In Netanyahus Hexagon of Alliances, India is positioned as the strategic anchor and central core" of the new regional architecture. While the framework is still emerging, Indias specific roles are defined by several key functions.

Netanyahu has explicitly framed India as a global power" whose involvement provides the alliance with international legitimacy and weight. Indias role involves deepened coordination in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism operations, particularly targeting what Netanyahu calls radical axes".

India is one of the largest buyers of Israeli defense equipment, and the alliance seeks to move toward joint defense research and production under Indias Make in India" initiative.

A major focus of the India-Israel axis within the hexagon is collaboration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. The hexagon is seen as a strategic formalization of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), where India acts as the primary trade and connectivity link between Asia and the Mediterranean.

India cautious

New Delhi maintains a cautious stance due to its own strategic interests. India historically avoids joining rigid, confrontational blocs. Analysts note that while India values its relationship with Israel, it is unlikely to join an explicitly anti-Iran" military bloc.

India maintains deep civilisational" ties with Iran and critical energy and remittance links with Arab nations, making it hesitant to adopt the sectarian Shia vs Sunni" framing proposed by Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Modi has expressed agreement on the diverse nature" of bilateral relations and a commitment to peace, but he has not formally endorsed the full Hexagon" structure as a military or ideological.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:03 IST

News explainers Ahead Of PM Modis Israel Visit, Netanyahus Hexagon of Alliances With India At Its Core Explained

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40 Million Americans Under Weather Warnings As Bomb Cyclone Strikes US: The Blizzard Explained

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 19:52 IST

US roads covered in snow, flights cancelled, power outages: This rare, extremely dangerous bomb cyclone has covered America's areas from Virginia to Maine with a layer of snow

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More than 40 million people in the US are under blizzard warnings. (AP)

A massive bomb cyclone or Winter Storm Hernando is currently walloping the U.S. Northeast, bringing record-breaking snowfall and hurricane-force winds that have paralysed the region.

This rare and extremely dangerous bomb cyclone has covered areas from Virginia to Maine with a thick layer of snow. All you need to know.

What is a Bomb Cyclone?

A bomb cyclone, known scientifically as bombogenesis, is a storm whose intensity increases explosively in a very short time. When a storms central air pressure drops by at least 24 millibars in 24 hours, it is classified as a bomb cyclone. The faster the pressure drops, the stronger the storm becomes. Simply put, its like a winter hurricane.

This specific storm was triggered by a clash between frigid Arctic air diving south from Canada and warm, moist air over the Atlantic Ocean.

A rapidly spinning low-pressure system pulls in cold Arctic air, creates blizzard-like winds, and dumps so much snow that city systems struggle to cope. For a storm to be officially declared a blizzard, winds must exceed 56 kilometers per hour, there must be heavy snowfall, and visibility must be less than a quarter mile for at least three hours. The current storm has surpassed all these criteria.

The effect

New York Citys skyline is covered in snow, and heavy snowfall and strong winds have nearly stopped movement on the streets. Experts say this is one of the most powerful storms in decades, and its effects are not over yet.

Parts of the Northeast have seen up to 36 inches (3 feet) of snow. Warwick, Rhode Island reported 91 centimetres (approx. 36 inches), while Providence saw its biggest snowstorm on record.

At the height of the storm, over 600,000 customers lost power. As of Tuesday morning, roughly 450,000 homes remain in the dark, primarily in Massachusetts and New Jersey.

More than 11,000 flights have been cancelled since Sunday. Over a thousand flights have been canceled at New York Citys three major airportsLaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International, and Newark Liberty International. Two-thirds of incoming flights at JFK have been cancelled. Regional rail services have also been suspended. Major hubs like JFK and LaGuardia in New York, and Logan in Boston, faced near-total shutdowns.

Hurricane-force wind gusts up to 84 mph were recorded in New York and Massachusetts, creating dangerous whiteout conditions.

Blizzard warnings: Historic since 1996

More than 40 million people are under blizzard warnings. Blizzard warnings have been issued for New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley, most of New Jersey, and southern Connecticut. Coastal flood warnings are also in effect in all three states.

By midnight local time, Staten Islands Dongan Hills area had recorded more than a foot (about 30 centimeters) of snow, and conditions kept getting worse. According to the weather department, all 29 counties in the New York area have blizzard warnings at the same time, something not seen since the historic blizzard of 1996.

Governors in six states (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island) declared states of emergency, banning non-essential travel.

New York Citys mayor, Zohran Mamdani, declared a state of emergency and ordered all roads, highways, and bridges closed from Sunday night at 9 PM to Monday afternoon. Twenty-two warming buses have been deployed for the homeless and vulnerable, taking people to shelter homes in all five boroughs. Code Blue has been implemented, meaning no one in need will be turned away from shelters. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, and Massachusetts have also declared emergencies. The governors of New York and Massachusetts have deployed the National Guard.

More than 100,000 customers in northeastern America have lost power, and experts say the worst is yet to come.

The visuals

The powerful bomb cyclone hovering near Americas east coast looks like a hurricane in satellite images. From space, it appears as a massive spiral of dense clouds, with a spinning eye structure near the center, especially close to New Jersey.

Meteorologists say this system intensified very quickly, which is a hallmark of bomb cyclones. Current data shows central air pressure has dropped to about 972 millibars, which is typical for powerful coastal storms. In some areas, sustained winds have reached 75 miles per hour (about 120 km/h), with gusts up to 90 miles per hour (about 145 km/h).

Technically, its not a hurricane because it doesnt get its energy from warm ocean water. Instead, it draws strength from sharp differences in atmospheric temperature. However, experts say its structure and wind strength make it functionally like a hurricane".

What next?

With the storm near the coast, the sea has become very rough in New Jersey and nearby coastal areas. As it moves north, heavy rain, strong winds, and coastal flooding are expected in New York City and surrounding areas. Emergency officials have urged people to secure loose items outside and prepare for possible power outages. Strong winds can bring down tree branches and power lines. Air travel and ferry services may also be affected, and coastal communities have been warned about dangerous waves and erosion.

The weather department is monitoring the storm continuously via satellites. Although it is expected to weaken after making landfall, strong winds and heavy rain may continue for several hours afterward.

Residents of northeastern America are advised to keep an eye on official weather warnings as this powerful bomb cyclone moves toward one of the countrys most densely populated regions.

What scientists say

Scientists have long warned that even though the number of winter storms may decrease as global temperatures rise, the storms that do occur will be more intense and destructive.

Disturbances in the polar vortex, the layer of cold air over the Arctic, are also linked to climate change. When it weakens, cold Arctic air is pushed into populated areas, causing explosive storms. This storm hit just weeks after the region recovered from another deadly weather system that caused over 100 deaths.

Climate scientists say this pattern is becoming hard to ignore. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said clearly, The worst is yet to come."

With Agency Inputs

First Published: February 24, 2026, 16:47 IST

News explainers 40 Million Americans Under Weather Warnings As Bomb Cyclone Strikes US: The Blizzard Explained

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Electric Vehicles May Lose Zero-Emission Tag: Will Green Move Impact EV Prices?

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:28 IST

For a ride into greener, safer future: How will it make EVs more energy-efficient? The proposed new rules, its impact on environment, explained

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EVs don't release CO2, NOx, or soot while driving. (AI generated for representation)

Electric vehicles (EVs) are likely to lose their official zero-emission status, according to reports.

Under the proposed Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) III rules for 2027, automakers may have to factor in the grid emission intensity or how the electricity is generated while calculating the carbon footprint of an EV. This change aims to force manufacturers to make EVs more energy-efficient rather than just relying on the electric tag to offset their fleets total emissions.

What is the likely change?

As part of the proposed new Regulatory Standards (CAFE III), instead of being counted as 0g/km of CO2, automakers will likely have to convert an EVs energy consumption (kWh/100km) into a petrol equivalent (litres/100km), state reports.

This will force manufacturers to make EVs more energy-efficient, stretching more kilometers per kWh, rather than just relying on the green label to offset their gas-guzzling models.

About CAFE rules

The Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) rules are mandatory standards in India that regulate the total amount of fuel consumed and emitted by a carmakers entire fleet of vehicles, rather than individual models. The goal is to reduce the countrys dependence on fossil fuel imports and lower its overall carbon footprint.

CAFE III is the upcoming third phase of these norms, set to take effect on April 1, 2027, and remain in force until March 31, 2032. The fleet-wide emission limit is being reduced to approximately 91.7 g/km (down from 113 g/km in CAFE II). Unlike previous fixed limits, CAFE III uses a slope value" to calculate targets based on a manufacturers average vehicle weight. A lower slope makes it harder for heavier vehicles (like SUVs) to comply without electrification.

Automakers can form pools to combine their emission data. Revised 2026 rules allow more than three companies to pool together, providing greater flexibility to meet targets collectively.

Manufacturers earn extra credits" for selling zero-emission vehicles. In the draft, Battery EVs count 3 times, Plug-in Hybrids 2.5 times, and Strong Hybrids 2 times toward the fleet average.

A major flashpoint in the CAFE III draft was a proposed derogation" (concession) for petrol cars under 909 kg and 1,200 cc.

Are EVS actually green?

Critics and regulators have been highlighting that EVs are not born" green. They start with a significant carbon debt due to battery production.

Manufacturing an EV battery typically results in 15% to 40% higher emissions than producing a petrol car. The extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel is highly energy-intensive and often involves environmental degradation and unethical labour practices.

While there are no tailpipe emissions, the well-to-wheel" footprint includes the pollution generated at power plants. Studies have also raised concerns about particulate matter (PM) from non-tailpipe sources. For instance, EVs are generally heavier than ICE vehicles due to their batteries. This extra weight leads to faster tire wear, which releases microscopic synthetic rubber particles into the air and water. While regenerative braking reduces traditional brake wear, the overall weight still contributes to significant road-wear particles.

What does a zero-emission tag mean?

All zero-emission vehicles in India must display a mandatory green number plate to distinguish them from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

It remains the primary gateway for government support:

PM E-DRIVE Scheme: Replaced FAME-II, providing 10,900 crore in subsidies for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, and e-trucks through March 2026.

State-Level Benefits: Most states such as Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra continue to offer 100% road tax and registration fee waivers for vehicles with the green zero-emission" tag.

New Safety Norms: Starting in 2026, all EVs must follow stricter battery safety standards and include an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to emit sound at low speeds for pedestrian safety.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier projected that by early 2026, the upfront cost of electric cars will match that of petrol vehicles due to falling battery costs and increased domestic manufacturing.

EVs and the environment

Unlike gas cars, EVs release no CO2, NOx, or soot while driving, which significantly improves urban air quality and public health.

EVs are highly efficient, converting over 77% of grid energy to power at the wheels, compared to only 1230% for gasoline vehicles. The power plants generating its electricity may produce carbon. However, EPA data shows that even on dirty" coal-heavy grids, EVs typically have a smaller total carbon footprint than gasoline cars.

Producing EV batteries is carbon-intensive. An EV starts its life with higher embedded" emissions than a gas car, but it usually becomes cleaner" overall after about 2 years of driving.

Will absence of zero-emission tag impact EV prices?

Under current rules, every EV sold gives carmakers super credits that they use to offset the high emissions of their petrol/diesel SUVs. With the CAFE III draft, EVs may lose their zero" rating in these internal calculations. Instead, they will be assigned a value based on their energy consumption (kWh used).

This is likely to make it harder for brands to sell high-emission gas cars. To avoid heavy penalties, they may increase the price of petrol/diesel SUVs or offer more aggressive discounts on EVs to boost sales and earn the necessary credits.

The move also could lead to a two-tier market. While standard EVs might stay steady, high-efficiency models using advanced (and expensive) lightweight materials or motor tech might carry a premium price tag.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 12:12 IST

News explainers Electric Vehicles May Lose Zero-Emission Tag: Will Green Move Impact EV Prices?

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Keralam Loading: How Constitution Governs Keralas Renaming | Explained

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 16:30 IST

While the Union Cabinet's approval is a critical procedural hurdle cleared, it is only one part of a structured constitutional journey in the renaming of a state

PM Modi with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan during an event in Thiruvananthapuram. File pic

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday officially approved a proposal to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam. This decision marks a significant milestone in a process that began with a unanimous resolution by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in June 2024. The move seeks to align the states official English and constitutional name with its traditional Malayalam pronunciation and identity.

While the Cabinets approval is a critical procedural hurdle, it is only one part of a structured constitutional journey. Unlike the renaming of cities, which can be done through executive orders, changing the name of a state requires a formal amendment to the First Schedule of the Constitution of India.

The Constitutional Foundation: Article 3

The power to alter the name, area, or boundaries of an existing state rests solely with the Parliament of India under Article 3 of the Constitution. This article highlights the indestructible union of destructible states" nature of the Indian polity, meaning that while the Union itself is permanent, the internal political map can be redrawn by the central government.

To initiate this, the Union Government must draft a specific piece of legislationin this instance, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. However, before this bill can even be introduced in either House of Parliament, the Constitution mandates a unique consultative process.

The Role of the President and State Views

Under the proviso to Article 3, any bill seeking to change a states name can only be introduced in Parliament on the recommendation of the President of India. Before making this recommendation, the President is constitutionally required to refer the bill to the concerned State Legislaturethe Kerala Legislative Assemblyfor its views.

The President specifies a stipulated period" within which the state must express its opinion. It is important to note that the views of the State Legislature are not binding on the President or the Parliament. Even if the state assembly were to oppose the change (which is not the case here, as the state itself requested it), the Parliament can still proceed with the legislation once the specified time has elapsed.

Parliamentary Approval and Simple Majority

Once the President recommends the bill following the states feedback, it is introduced in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. Unlike major constitutional amendments that require a special majority" (two-thirds of members present and voting), a bill under Article 3 is treated like an ordinary piece of legislation.

According to Article 4 of the Constitution, such laws are not considered formal Constitutional Amendments" under the rigorous procedures of Article 368. Therefore, the bill only requires a simple majoritymeaning more than 50 per cent of the members present and voting in both Housesto be passed.

The Final Step: Presidential Assent

After the bill is passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, it is sent to the President for final approval. Upon receiving the Presidential Assent, the Act is notified in the Gazette of India. At this moment, the First Schedule (which lists the names of all states) and the Fourth Schedule (which allocates Rajya Sabha seats) of the Constitution are automatically updated.

For Keralam", this will mean that the new name becomes the official nomenclature in all legal documents, international treaties, and government records across all languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 16:30 IST

News explainers Keralam Loading: How Constitution Governs Keralas Renaming | Explained

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The Rs 590-Crore Trail: How An Account Glitch Uncovered A Fraud At IDFC First Bank

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:37 IST

The Rs 590-crore fraud centres on a set of Haryana government accounts maintained at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank.

IDFC First Bank

Every penny will be returned," asserted Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini after irregularities amounting to Rs 590 crore were uncovered in accounts linked to the Haryana government at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank. The revelation has placed the private lender under intense scrutiny, with the bank scrambling to contain the fallout from the multi-crore fraud disclosure.

According to Saini, the discrepancies came to light when the state government noticed glitches in certain accounts and sought detailed statements from the bank. When the figures failed to match official records, the government moved swiftly to transfer its funds  along with the applicable interest  to an authorised bank to safeguard public money. He emphasised that the funds are secure and that the government acted proactively to prevent further risk.

In response to the development, the Haryana government has de-empanelled IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank with immediate effect. The Chief Minister added that while the bank informed the Securities and Exchange Board of India that an employee was responsible, the matter has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Vigilance Department for a thorough investigation and accountability.

What Happened At IDFC First Bank?

The Rs 590-crore fraud centres on a set of Haryana government accounts maintained at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank. The irregularity surfaced when the state government sought to reconcile balances and transfer funds, only to find that the figures reflected in official records did not match the banks statements. Essentially, money that should have been intact in designated government accounts appeared to have been siphoned off, even though internal records initially suggested otherwise. The discrepancy pointed to manipulation within a defined cluster of accounts rather than a system-wide banking failure.

Preliminary findings indicate that certain bank officials may have processed unauthorised transactions or altered entries, allegedly in collusion with external parties, creating a mismatch between actual funds and reported balances. This was not a cyber breach affecting retail customers, but an internal fraud tied to specific institutional accounts. The matter has since been escalated to investigative agencies, and regulators have been informed, while the bank has initiated a forensic audit to determine how the diversion occurred, who was responsible, and whether internal control mechanisms were bypassed or deliberately weakened.

How Did The Rs 590-Crore Fraud Unfold?

Early Warning Signs

The fraud began to unravel when the Haryana government initiated routine checks and sought updated statements for certain accounts maintained at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank. What initially appeared to be minor glitches" soon raised red flags, as the balances reflected in government records did not align with the figures provided by the bank. The mismatch prompted deeper scrutiny and a demand for detailed transaction histories.

Mismatch and Escalation

As officials examined the records more closely, it became evident that the discrepancies were not clerical errors but involved substantial sums. When the government attempted to reconcile and transfer funds, the inconsistencies widened, suggesting that money shown as available in statements was either missing or had been moved without proper authorisation. This marked the turning point, triggering an immediate escalation of the matter.

Alleged Internal Manipulation

Preliminary assessments indicate that the irregularities were confined to a specific set of government-linked accounts handled at the branch. Investigators suspect that certain insiders may have processed unauthorised transactions or manipulated entries in collusion with external actors, effectively masking the diversion of funds. The alleged tampering appears to have bypassed standard internal controls, allowing the discrepancies to go undetected for a period of time.

Regulatory and Investigative Action

Once the scale of the issue became clear, the state government moved its funds to an authorised bank and de-empanelled the lender. The case has since been referred to investigative agencies, and regulators have been informed. A forensic audit is underway to trace the movement of funds, identify accountability, and determine how existing safeguards failed to prevent or promptly flag the fraud.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:37 IST

News explainers The Rs 590-Crore Trail: How An Account Glitch Uncovered A Fraud At IDFC First Bank

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Thousands Of Civilians, Lakhs Of Soldiers: The Human Toll Of The 4-Year Ukraine-Russia War

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:24 IST

According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, at least 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 41,378 injured

The biggest toll the Russia-Ukraine war has taken has been on human life. (Image: AP)

Ukrainians are exhausted of this war." As the RussiaUkraine war completes four years, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the strain of a conflict that has reshaped his country and altered the global security landscape. He added that the United States has the ability to help bring it to an end. His remarks come as the anniversary reminds the world of the wars cumulative human toll  from mounting military casualties on both sides to thousands of civilian deaths, millions displaced, and communities across Ukraine and Russia grappling with the long-term consequences of a protracted conflict.

Since Russian forces launched their full-scale invasion in February 2022, the conflict has unfolded in distinct and often devastating phases  from the initial assault on Kyiv and the rapid advance across southern and eastern Ukraine, to protracted trench warfare in the Donbas and repeated offensives around cities such as Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Ukrainian counteroffensives in 2022 reclaimed territory in Kharkiv and Kherson, even as Russia consolidated control over parts of the east and south and declared the annexation of occupied regions. The war has been marked by sustained missile and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure, ports and urban centres, periodic cross-border attacks into Russian territory, and intensified aerial bombardment through successive winters. Naval confrontations in the Black Sea, attacks on grain export routes, and long-range strikes deep behind front lines have further widened the scope of the conflict, turning what began as a rapid invasion into a grinding, multi-front war with shifting momentum but no decisive end.

The Toll On Human Life

The biggest toll the Russia-Ukraine war has taken has been on human life.

Ukraine

Four years into the war, the human toll inside Ukraine continues to mount. According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, at least 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and 41,378 injured since Russias full-scale invasion began in February 2022, including hundreds of children. These figures represent verified minimums and are widely considered conservative given reporting challenges in active combat zones. In addition to civilian losses, external studies estimate staggering battlefield casualties: one major think tank puts combined military casualties at around 1.8 million  including nearly 600,000 Ukrainian personnel killed, wounded or missing.

The war has also triggered mass displacement on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately 5.35.9 million Ukrainians have fled abroad to seek refuge, mainly in European countries, while about 3.7 million remain internally displaced within Ukraine. These movements have reshaped communities, separated families and strained resources in host countries and within Ukraine alike, creating one of the largest displacement crises in recent European history.

Beyond casualties and displacement, humanitarian pressures remain acute. The UNHCR and other UN agencies estimate that over 12.7 million people inside Ukraine require urgent humanitarian assistance, including support for shelter, food, water and medical care, amid recurrent strikes on infrastructure and ongoing combat operations. The destruction of homes, power grids, hospitals and schools has compounded civilian vulnerability, illustrating the deep and sustained societal impact of the prolonged conflict as it enters its fifth year.

Russia

Reliable casualty data from Russia remains limited, as Moscow has not regularly published updated figures. However, US and European intelligence assessments estimate that total Russian military casualties  killed and wounded  stand between 1.1 and 1.3 million by early 2026. Western officials have separately estimated that 200,000 to more than 250,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since February 2022. Independent verification efforts provide a more conservative but confirmed count: the investigative outlet Mediazona, working with the BBC Russian Service, has publicly identified by name more than 50,00060,000 Russian military personnel killed, cautioning that the true figure is likely significantly higher because many deaths go unreported. Analysts describe the conflict as Russias deadliest since World War II in absolute terms.

Inside Russia, the civilian toll has been far lower than in Ukraine but not negligible. Regional authorities in border areas such as Belgorod and Kursk have reported recurring shelling, drone strikes and temporary evacuations over the past two years. While there is no single consolidated national database, independent Russian media and regional officials indicate that civilian deaths inside Russia number in the hundreds since 2022, with incidents rising as cross-border drone attacks intensified in 2024 and 2025. At the same time, human rights groups such as OVD-Info report that thousands of people have been detained for anti-war protests, while Russian courts have prosecuted hundreds under wartime censorship and discrediting the army" laws, contributing to a broader climate of political restriction.

Beyond direct casualties, the war has also reshaped Russias demographics. Various academic studies and migration analysts estimate that between 700,000 and 1 million Russians have left the country since 2022, particularly during and after the partial mobilisation announced by President Vladimir Putin in September that year. Independent economists and research groups tracking relocation patterns note that many of those who departed were working-age professionals in sectors such as technology, media and academia. Popular destinations have included Georgia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and several European Union states. Demographers warn that the combination of battlefield losses and sustained emigration could deepen Russias existing population decline and labour shortages in the years ahead.

How Did The Russia-Ukraine War Begin?

The conflict began on 24 February 2022, when Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine from multiple directions, including from Belarus in the north, Russia in the east and Crimea in the south. The assault followed months of military build-up along Ukraines borders and escalating tensions between Moscow and the West. Russia said its objectives included the demilitarisation" and denazification" of Ukraine and preventing NATO expansion, claims rejected by Kyiv and its allies. The invasion marked a dramatic escalation of a conflict that had already been simmering since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and fighting broke out between Ukrainian forces and Moscow-backed separatists in the Donbas region.

Whats Next?

Four years on, prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain. Formal peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow have not been active for much of the conflict, and positions on core issues  including territorial control, security guarantees and Ukraines future alignment  remain far apart. Ukraine has maintained that any settlement must respect its internationally recognised borders and sovereignty, while Russia continues to assert its claims over territories it annexed in 2022. Various diplomatic efforts led by Turkey, the United Nations and other intermediaries have at times facilitated limited agreements, such as arrangements on grain exports and prisoner exchanges, but these have not evolved into sustained political negotiations.

In recent months, international attention has focused on whether external pressure or mediation  particularly involving the United States and European partners  could create conditions for renewed dialogue. Some Western officials have indicated support for eventual talks, but continue to link diplomacy to developments on the battlefield. Analysts note that both sides appear to be calibrating military operations alongside political messaging, suggesting that any meaningful peace process would likely depend on shifts in territorial control, domestic political calculations and broader geopolitical dynamics. For now, while back-channel contacts and humanitarian exchanges continue intermittently, a comprehensive ceasefire or peace agreement remains elusive.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:24 IST

News explainers Thousands Of Civilians, Lakhs Of Soldiers: The Human Toll Of The 4-Year Ukraine-Russia War

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza yesterday addressed the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, where she presented the country's position on human rights and ongoing domestic reforms.Mabiza represented Zimbabwe at the high-level gathering after Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi cancelled his trip due to pressing commitments at home. The minister is currently involved in matters relating to proposed constitutional amendments and the ongoing 90-day public consultations and national debate surrounding the reforms.In her address, Mabiza focused on outlining Zimbabwe's legislative and policy reforms, while defending the country against what she described as sustained international pressure. She criticised what she termed "unilateral coercive measures," saying they amounted to attacks on Zimbabwe's sovereignty and had adverse effects on ordinary citizens.The Attorney-General highlighted new legislation, including the National Drug, Substance Abuse, and Enforcement Urgency Law, which she said was aimed at addressing growing concerns over drug abuse and related crimes.She also underscored Zimbabwe's commitments to gender equality and noted progress towards the abolition of the death penalty, describing these as key milestones in strengthening human rights protections.On environmental issues, Mabiza pointed to Zimbabwe's efforts in climate and conservation matters, including hosting the 15th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15), as part of its broader commitment to sustainable development.Her remarks were delivered during a broader debate on the human rights situation in Zimbabwe, which has drawn sharp criticism from sections of civil society and international advocacy groups.
Trump Says 'Nothing Changes' After SC Setback On Tariffs But India Can Revisit Trade Deal. Here's How

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:12 IST

The framework for the interim deal contains a rule (Clause 8) that says if either India or US changes the tariffs they had agreed on, the other country can change its own promises

Rapid Read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump (Image credit: PTI/File)

Hours after the US Supreme Court struck down the sweeping tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, the US President, clearing the air on the impending trade deal with India, said Americas arrangement would remain intact despite the judicial setback. Nothing changes. They will be paying tariffs, and we will not be paying tariffs," Trump said while referring to India.

However, Indian negotiators, who were headed to Washington DC on Monday for three days to finalise the legal text of the India-US trade agreement struck earlier this month pushed their trip to the backburner as New Delhi sought to reschedule the talks.

Though America insists that all trade deals prior to the Supreme Court judgment stand negotiated, what may come to Indias rescue is the fact that the two countries have only reached a framework for an Interim Agreement. More importantly, Clause 8 in the framework, which was inserted from the Indian side, now gives India the flexibility to fine-tune its tariff and non-tariff commitments, even as it stays at the table with Washington to hammer out a fair and practical trade deal.

So, what exactly is Clause 8?

According to The Indian Express, the framework for the interim trade deal contains a rule (Clause 8) that says if either India or the United States changes the tariffs (taxes on imports) they had agreed on, the other country can change its own promises too. This gives both sides, but especially India, a kind of safety valve" if things change before the deal is final.

The US Supreme Court order, saying Trump had gone too far in using a special law to impose extra tariffs, gives India a reason to use the modify commitments" clause to adjust or renegotiate parts of the deal because the tariff levels the two sides were working with have changed.

As per The Economic Times, under the earlier draft of the deal, India was expected to lower its own import taxes, ease rules for American goods, and buy more products from the US. In return, the US would give India a tariff rate of 18 per cent. However now, because the US tariff baseline is already 15 per cent for everyone, India might reject giving big concessions without getting clear benefits.

To add to the confusion, the 15 per cent tariff announced on Saturday is the highest rate permitted under a rarely invoked US trade provisionSection 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. Even then, the measure is only temporary. The law allows such tariffs to remain in force for about 150 days, or roughly five months. Beyond that window, the administration would need approval from Congress to extend them. In other words, the situation remains fluid and uncertain.

The across-the-board 15 per cent tariff imposed under Section 122 is itself vulnerable to legal scrutiny. The US administration would need to demonstrate that America is facing balance-of-payments pressures to justify invoking this provision.

At the same time, the new 15 per cent rate effectively becomes the starting point for future negotiations. Any country seeking preferential access to the US market would now have to secure tariff terms below this uniform benchmark in exchange for concessions of its own.

According to The Express, with the 15 per cent duty in place under Section 122and factoring in exemptions for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and certain auto componentsIndias weighted average tariff on exports to the US has dropped sharply. Analysts estimate it has fallen from an effective 34 per cent earlier (when cumulative tariffs stood at 50 per cent) to about 9 per cent now under the revised structure.

For the time being, the modify commitments" clause gives India a chance to rethink or adjust its side of the trade deal, because the US changed the tariff rates that both sides were negotiating on after a court decision. For both the countries, this could delay or change how the final agreement looks.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:12 IST

News explainers Trump Says 'Nothing Changes' After SC Setback On Tariffs But India Can Revisit Trade Deal. Here's How

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65-Year-Old Man Killed In Goa As Speeding Thar Rams Into His Vehicle

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 18:19 IST

Bhagat Sharma from Bhopal died in north Goa, after a speeding rented Thar SUV crashed into his car. Police seized the vehicle and are investigating rash and negligent driving.

According to a witness, the Thar was reportedly being driven by a woman and after the crash she shifted and sat in the passenger seat, in an alleged attempt to escape accountability. (PTI file pic for representation)

A 65-year-old man was killed in north Goa after a renter Thar SUV rammed into his vehicle at a crossroad junction at Assagao, police said.

Police said the incident took place on Monday. The victim, identified as Bhagat Sharma, is a resident of Bhopal and was on a holiday in Goa. He was driving a Hyundai i20 with another woman and a five-year-old child, both of whom survived the crash, when the Thar, which was allegedly speeding, rammed into him, leaving him severely injured.

According to Hindustan Times, Sharma was shifted to a hospital in a private ambulance after the emergency response ambulance service allegedly took more than an hour to arrive.

There was a woman driving the Thar, the vehicle was speeding and it crashed into the white hatchback. I helped the victims from the vehicle. There was an elderly man who was severely injured, especially on the head and skull. The other occupant was injured too, but the baby was fine," HT quoted Myron Fernandes, a local resident and eyewitness, saying.

He further said that the Thar was reportedly being driven by a woman and after the crash she shifted and sat in the passenger seat, in an alleged attempt to escape accountability. The male member of the group went and sat in the drivers seat following the crash," he said.

Another local said: After about an hour they were taken to hospital in a private ambulance, and about 15 minutes after they left, the government ambulance arrived."

HT quoted a police officer, on condition of anonymity, saying, The police have registered a case of rash and negligent driving against the driver of the rented jeep. The vehicle has been seized, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the collision."

Location : Goa, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 18:19 IST

News india 65-Year-Old Man Killed In Goa As Speeding Thar Rams Into His Vehicle

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All 7 On Board Dead As Air Ambulance From Ranchi To Delhi Crashes In Jharkhand's Chatra

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 07:02 IST

Seven people, including two pilots, a critically injured patient and accompanying passengers, were killed after a Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance crashed in Jharkhands Chatra.

Chatra: Wreckage of an air ambulance, which carried seven people onboard while on its way from Ranchi to Delhi (Photos: PTI)

All seven people on board a medical evacuation flight were killed after the air ambulance crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday evening while en route from Ranchi to Delhi.

The aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, went down near Simariya shortly after taking off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm.

Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told news agency PTI that all seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash" and confirmed that the plane was headed to Delhi at the time of the incident.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the Beechcraft C90 aircraft bearing registration VT-AJV was operating a medical evacuation (air ambulance) flight on the RanchiDelhi sector when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat under Simariya block in Chatra district.

LOSS OF CONTACT AFTER TAKEOFF

According to the DGCA, the aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 7.11 pm IST and later established contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control.

The aircraft reportedly requested deviation due to adverse weather conditions before losing communication.

At approximately 7.34 pm, the aircraft lost both communication and radar contact with Kolkata ATC when it was around 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi.

Ranchi airport officials also said that contact with the aircraft was lost around 20 minutes after departure.

#WATCH | An air ambulance, with seven people (including 2 crew members) on board, crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand.It was a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (air ambulance) pic.twitter.com/xmr9OOcdNh  ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told news agency ANI that preliminary findings point to bad weather as a possible factor.

It crashed due to a thunderstorm. Unfortunately, the team of doctors found them dead. The total number of people is seven. Two were crew members, and the remaining five were a patient and the patients family members," she said.

CRASH SITE LOCATED IN FOREST AREA

The aircraft crashed in a forested area near Karmatand in Chatra district, making access difficult for rescue teams.

Chatra Superintendent of Police Sumit Kumar Agarwal told ANI that authorities received information about the crash around 10 pm.

We got information around 10 that an accident has happened. Getting here was difficult considering the terrain. The investigation team will try to recover the black box. Total number of deaths is seven," Agarwal said.

PATIENT WAS BEING SHIFTED FOR TREATMENT

Hospital authorities told PTI that the flight had been arranged to transfer a critically injured patient to Delhi for advanced treatment.

Anant Sinha, CEO of Dev Kamal Hospital in Ranchi, said that Sanjay Kumar, a 41-year-old resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, had been admitted on February 16 with nearly 65 per cent burn injuries.

The patient left the hospital for Delhi around 4.30 pm," Sinha told PTI, adding that the family had arranged the air ambulance themselves for better medical care.

Shyam Kumar, Front Office Incharge at Dev Kamal Hospital, also told IANS that the patient had been undergoing treatment before the family decided to shift him to Delhi.

IDENTITIES CONFIRMED, PROBE UNDERWAY

The deceased were identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar.

The DGCA has initiated a probe into the incident, and a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was dispatched to the crash site.

The district administration and investigation teams were also examining the wreckage.

Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said in a statement that the state government was closely monitoring the situation and had directed officials to deploy all necessary resources.

Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar told PTI that inclement weather could be a possible reason behind the crash, but stressed that the exact cause would only be determined after a detailed investigation.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 06:48 IST

News india All 7 On Board Dead As Air Ambulance From Ranchi To Delhi Crashes In Jharkhand's Chatra

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Dalit Couple Faces Humiliation Inside Karnataka Temple, Forced To Leave Premises

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:40 IST

A Dalit couple was humiliated at Arasamma Temple in Tumakuru. An FIR was filed under SC/ST Act.

Narayanappa pretended to be possessed by a deity. (Image: X/@Deb_livnletliv)

A newly married Dalit couple was allegedly humiliated inside a temple in Karnataka and forced to leave the premises in an apparent case of caste discrimination.

The incident took place at Goni village in Tumakuru district on February 19 when the Dalit couple visited the Arasamma Temple. It is learnt that a man belonging to an upper caste, identified as Narayanappa, allegedly pretended to be possessed by a deity and told the couple that they were not allowed inside the temple.

Footage from the temple shows Narayanappa blocking the pathway to the deity while kneeling, before standing and shouting at the family, forcing them to get out of the temple. The couple reportedly faced humiliation before leaving the temple. He reportedly shouted, Dalits cannot enter temple. Leave immediately."

Speaking to news agency ANI, SP Ashok KV said, One aged person started shouting at the couple in the name of God. He told them things like you should not enter into the temple. We received a complaint at the Turuvekere police station in which they mentioned seven people, six named and one unknown person."

Following the incident, the victim, Jagadish, filed a complaint with the Turuvekere Police Station. Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Narayanappa and several others present at the temple, including Prabha, Kantanna, Amulya, Puttegowda, and Padma.

We received the complaint and filed an FIR under the SC/ST Act and BNS 190 and 352. Immediately, we nabbed the person who appeared to be shouting in the video. A peace meeting has been conducted in that village under the joint leadership of the police and the revenue department. We also ensured the temple entry and other rituals of the newlywed couple," he added.

Narayanappa has been taken into custody and police were working to trace the remaining accused. The investigation into the matter was underway.

Location : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 12:40 IST

News india Dalit Couple Faces Humiliation Inside Karnataka Temple, Forced To Leave Premises

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Man Found Dead Inside Car At Mall Parking In Delhi's Mayur Vihar, Heart Attack Suspected

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:15 IST

A man was found dead inside a car parked at a mall in Delhis Mayur Vihar area. CCTV footage and preliminary probe suggests he may have suffered a heart attack

Delhi Police/ Representative image (PTI photo)

A body was found inside a car parked at a mall in Delhis Mayur Vihar area on Tuesday, police said, adding that an investigation has been initiated into the incident.

According to news agency ANI, the body was discovered inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the mall in the Mayur Vihar area of East Delhi.

Subsequently, the police were informed.

Delhi Police identified the deceased as Narendra, a resident of Illahabas in Noida.

Quoting police officials, ANI reported that the preliminary assessment points towards a natural death.

The victim has been identified as Narendra, a resident of Illahabas, Noida. The cause of death appears to be natural. CCTV footage shows that he was sitting inside the car and likely suffered a heart attack," Delhi Police said, as cited by ANI.

Police officials said CCTV footage from the parking area was being examined as part of the investigation to understand the sequence of events leading up to the incident.

The body has been taken into custody by the police and was also sent for a post-mortem, and further procedures are being carried out as per protocol.

Officials said more details regarding the circumstances surrounding the death are awaited.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:11 IST

News india Man Found Dead Inside Car At Mall Parking In Delhi's Mayur Vihar, Heart Attack Suspected

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Ex-Army Man Attacked With Beer Bottles In Gurugram After Minor Collision, Forced To Transfer Rs 30K

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 07:38 IST

Anil Yadav said six men got out of the other car carrying beer bottles and began arguing with him, even though he was willing to compensate for the damage.

Road Rage Horror: Army Veteran Dragged From Car, Beaten in Gurugram (Photo: Screengrab from X video)

A minor scrape between two cars on a Gurugram road on Saturday turned into a violent assault when a retired Army colonel was allegedly beaten with beer bottles, forced to transfer Rs 30,000 via UPI and left hospitalised.

The incident took place in Haryana when Colonel Anil Yadav, 50, was returning alone from a private hospital after attending to his ailing father. According to his complaint, a car in the lane to his right suddenly swerved left and, despite braking, his vehicle grazed it.

What happened after the accident?

Anil Yadav said six men got out of the other car carrying beer bottles and began arguing with him, even though he was willing to compensate for the damage. He alleged that they assaulted him with bottles and punches and damaged his car, breaking the windshield and lights.

He claimed the men pushed him into their car and tried to drive away but fled as traffic built up, after forcing him to transfer Rs 30,000 through UPI. He was admitted to hospital for two days.

In a post on X, Yadav alleged police inaction, claiming the investigating officer did not visit him in hospital or register an FIR promptly.

FIR registered, 5 arrested

Gurugram police said an FIR was registered at Sector 50 police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Five accused including Pankaj, Vikas, Nikhil, Sahil and Ankit Kumar have been arrested.

#WATCH | Gurugram, Haryana | On five miscreants arrested for assaulting a retired colonel, Gurugram Police PRO Sandeep Kumar says, In this case, Gurugram Police had received information that some people had assaulted a person. The police team had gone to the spot In the pic.twitter.com/gfK3eJI0TU ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

Police said the men had attended a wedding in Badshahpur on February 21 and are being questioned. The investigation is ongoing.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 07:21 IST

News india Ex-Army Man Attacked With Beer Bottles In Gurugram After Minor Collision, Forced To Transfer Rs 30K

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Body Dismembered, Head Missing: Horrific Details Emerge In Lucknow Blue Drum Murder Case

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News18.com Edited By: Shuddhanta Patra



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 13:39 IST

Despite the confession, the exact motive behind the murder remains unclear. Police said further interrogation is underway to ascertain the reasons behind the fatal argument.

Lucknow Blue Drum Horror: Son Kills Father, Dumps Body Parts

The phrase blue drum"  now associated with some of the most gruesome crimes in recent years  resurfaced in Lucknow, sending shockwaves through Uttar Pradesh. The victim was 49-year-old Manvendra Singh, owner of Vardhman Pathology Lab, who was allegedly shot dead and dismembered by his 21-year-old son inside their home in the Ashiyana area. His torso was later found stuffed inside a blue drum.

What we know about the case?

Manvendra had been missing since February 20. Ironically, it was his son, Akshat Singh, a B.Com student, who approached police to file a missing persons complaint. Investigators now believe this was an attempt to deflect suspicion.

Akshat told police that at around 6 am on February 20, his father woke him and said he was leaving for Delhi and would return by the afternoon of February 21. He claimed that since then, all three of his fathers mobile phones were switched off and he had not come back.

The incident took place at House No. 91 in Sector L of Ashiyana under the Ashiyana police station limits. During the investigation, police traced the last mobile location to Kakori, where Manvendras pathology lab is located. A search operation there yielded no immediate clues. However, inconsistencies began to appear in Akshats statements.

During questioning, he reportedly changed his version multiple times. At one stage, he claimed his father had died by suicide. Later, he confessed to murdering him.

Victim shot at dawn

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Veer, Akshat confessed that a heated argument broke out between him and his father at around 4:30 am on February 20. In a fit of rage, he allegedly picked up a licensed rifle and shot his father, killing him on the spot.

Police said he then dragged the body from the third floor of the house to the ground floor. An empty room was allegedly used to dismember the corpse. In an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, he cut the body into pieces.

Some body parts were packed into a car and taken to Sadrauna, where they were dumped. The torso was stuffed into a blue drum and kept inside the house. Police believe he was planning to dispose of the remaining parts as well, but was arrested before he could do so.

On Monday evening, police took Akshat to the Ashiyana house, where the blue drum containing Manvendra Singhs torso was recovered. Efforts are ongoing to locate the severed head, which he allegedly disposed of separately.

Sister witnessed the killing

In another revelation, police said Akshat shot his father in the presence of his sister, Kriti, a Class 11 student at APS. He allegedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident. Investigators believe fear kept her silent.

After disposing of the head, Akshat reportedly returned home and cleaned the car to remove bloodstains. When questioned by his aunt about washing the vehicle, he allegedly said it had become dirty and did not need her help. Investigators later found blood traces inside the car.

Forensic teams have been deployed at the residence and evidence collection is underway. A heavy crowd gathered outside the house as news of the crime spread.

What we know about the family?

Manvendra Singh hailed from Jalaun district. Apart from running the pathology lab, he was reportedly involved in the liquor business. His wife had died nine years ago. The family includes his son Akshat and daughter Kriti.

His father, Surendra Pal Singh, a retired Uttar Pradesh Police personnel, arrived at the scene leaning on a stick and visibly shaken. Manvendras younger brother, SS Rajawat, is posted in the Uttar Pradesh Secretariat.

Motive still unclear

Despite the confession, the exact motive behind the murder remains unclear. Police said further interrogation is underway to ascertain the reasons behind the fatal argument.

DCP Vikrant Veer said a missing complaint was registered regarding Manvendra Singh. During investigation, it was revealed that his son Akshat shot him dead and has confessed. Legal proceedings are being initiated.

The case has reignited public horror around crimes involving dismembered bodies concealed in blue drums. It has also revived memories of the 2024 Meerut Blue Drum murder, in which Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla allegedly killed her husband Saurabh Rajput, dismembered the body and sealed the remains inside a cement-filled blue drum.

That case had shocked Uttar Pradesh and turned the phrase blue drum" into a haunting reference to calculated domestic murder  a memory that has resurfaced once again with the recovery in Lucknow.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:25 IST

News india Body Dismembered, Head Missing: Horrific Details Emerge In Lucknow Blue Drum Murder Case

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'Sold My Farmland For His Education': Father Mourns Loss Of Doctor Killed In Jharkhand Crash

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 13:34 IST

Families of the Jharkhand air ambulance crash victims have shared emotional accounts of loss, and have questioned gaps in local healthcare that forced the medical evacuation.

People gather near the wreckage of a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 air ambulance that crashed in Chatra district, Jharkhand (Photo: PTI)

Heart-rending scenes unfolded in Jharkhand as grieving families of those killed in the air ambulance crash recounted personal sacrifices, shattered hopes and unanswered questions, with relatives saying the tragedy has left entire households devastated.

Leading the voices of grief was the father of the deceased doctor, Vikash Kumar Gupta, who spoke about the sacrifices made to educate his son and questioned why patients are forced to travel outside the state for advanced treatment.

Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, My elder son was posted in the Sadar Hospital, Ranchi. If there had been proper health facilities here, why would they have gone to Delhi for treatment? I had sold my farmland and other things for his education."

#WATCH | Chatra | Air Ambulance crash in Jharkhand | Father of the deceased Dr Vikash Kumar Gupta, says, My elder son was posted in the Sadar Hospital, RanchiIf there had been proper health facilities here, why would they have gone to Delhi for treatment?" pic.twitter.com/Uolg7Bj0bA ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

The doctor was among the seven people killed when a Redbird Airways air ambulance crashed near Simaria in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday evening while flying from Ranchi to Delhi on a medical evacuation mission.

FAMILY QUESTIONS HEALTHCARE GAPS

Relatives of Sanjay Prasad, who was being transported to Delhi after he had sustained burn injuries, said the decision to arrange for an air ambulance was taken only after his condition failed to improve despite treatment in Ranchi.

A family member told news agency PTI, Sanjay Prasad had suffered severe burns. He was admitted to a hospital. There was no improvement in his condition during treatment, so we wanted to shift him to Delhi. In that process, we arranged a private jet, but it crashed."

The relative explained that Prasad had sustained serious injuries after a gas cylinder explosion at his small hotel.

He had a small hotel, and a gas cylinder there had exploded, which caused the fire. That was how he got badly burnt," the relative said.

Expressing anger and grief, the family member alleged that weak healthcare arrangements forced them into a risky transfer.

The system is extremely weak. Even when we go to private facilities, the arrangements turn into hardships, and today that hardship has turned into death," the relative said.

The tragedy, the relative added, has destroyed multiple families.

Our home has been destroyed. Not just one home, many families have been ruined. If proper treatment had been available in Ranchi itself, we would not have had to take him to Delhi. And in the process of taking him to Delhi, this tragedy happened, our very existence has been shattered."

The relative further said two children have effectively been left without parental support.

There are two children who have now become like orphans. What will happen to them, I do not know."

VIDEO | Jharkhand air ambulance crash: A relative of one of the victims, says, Sanjay Prasad had suffered severe burns. He was admitted to a hospital. There was no improvement in his condition during treatment, so we wanted to shift him to Delhi. In that process, we arranged a pic.twitter.com/v22xhSR6KC Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026

Echoing similar circumstances, Sanjays uncle told IANS that the family had arranged the air ambulance only after doctors indicated his condition was not improving locally.

My nephew, Sanjay, who was injured in a fire and was admitted to a hospital in Ranchi. His condition did not improve there, so we arranged an air ambulance to take him to Delhi for treatment," he said.

Its pretty awesome how dancing makes robots less intimidating. Looking forward to seeing more nontrivial Machine Learning on these robots. Credit: Boston Dynamics. pic.twitter.com/wnB2i9qhdQ Reza Zadeh  (@Reza_Zadeh) December 29, 2020

HE WAS MY WHOLE WORLD: BROTHER REMEMBERS PARAMEDIC

Another grieving relative spoke about Sachin Kumar Mishra, a paramedical staff member who died in the crash while performing his duty.

My younger brother, Sachin Kumar Mishra, was everything to me. He was like my own child. He was my whole life and my entire world," the relative told PTI.

Recalling the familys struggles, the relative said Mishra had begun working at a young age to support the household.

Since my father is no more, he was my only support. He worked as a nursing paramedical staff member for many years. For the past two to three years, he had been working in an ambulance service," the relative said.

The family had repeatedly asked him to take a safer job, the relative added.

We had advised him many times to take a hospital job instead and not take such a big risk. I asked him to stay with me. Without him, my life feels completely incomplete."

He was the foundation of my life, my everything. Somehow, I educated my younger brother and supported him. At a very young age, he started working to support the family," the relative said.

VIDEO | Jharkhand air ambulance crash: A relative of one of the deceased, says, My younger brother, Sachin Kumar Mishra, was everything to me. He was like my own child. He was my whole life and my entire world. Since my father is no more, he was my only support. He worked as a pic.twitter.com/oamIF8qdu2 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026

THE JHARKHAND AIR AMBULANCE CRASH

The Redbird Airways Beechcraft C90 aircraft was operating a critical medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in a forested area of Chatra district shortly after takeoff.

All seven people on board, including crew members, medical personnel, attendants and the patient, were killed.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the crash, with officials stating that factors, including weather conditions, will be examined.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 13:33 IST

News india 'Sold My Farmland For His Education': Father Mourns Loss Of Doctor Killed In Jharkhand Crash

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Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash: Patients Family Had Borrowed Rs 8 Lakh For Ride To Save His Life

Curated By :

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 16:24 IST

With road travel not possible for Sanjay Shaw, who had suffered 65% burns, the family had borrowed Rs 8 lakh from friends, kin for an air ambulance to transport him to Delhi

The air ambulance that crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. (Image: ANI)

The family of Sanjay Kumar Shaw, 41, the patient who was being transported to Delhi for advanced treatment, had taken a loan of around Rs 8 lakh to hire the air ambulance that crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district shortly after taking off from Ranchi.

All seven on-board  Shaw, his wife Archana Devi, relative Dhruv Kumar, doctor Vikas Kumar Gupta, nurse Sachin Kumar Mishra, and pilots Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh  died in the mishap.

Shaw suffered 65% burns last Monday after an electric short circuit at his restaurant in Chandwa triggered a fire. As his condition deteriorated, the family decided to shift him to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi for advanced care.

#WATCH | Chatra, Jharkhand | Ramesh Kumar, Second in Command of SSB, says, We received information that a plane had crashedThis area is quite inlandTheres no road at all for two kilometresWhen we arrived here at night, we saw that no one was found aliveThe bodies https://t.co/PyebaTG3kc pic.twitter.com/WC6jGbsQMO ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

As a journey by road was not possible for Shaw, the family had borrowed around Rs 8 lakh from friends and relatives for an air ambulance.

The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, took off from Ranchi at 7.11 pm. It lost contact with Air Traffic Control about 20 minutes later. The plane crashed in a forest area in Chatra district, apparently due to poor weather conditions.

We had just reached home when we learnt about the crash from TV news. Everything ended in a moment," his brother, Vijay, told NDTV. Ajay, Shaws brother, told India Today how the family even thought of selling their property and land for the treatment of Sanjay.

The crash has left Shaws two children orphans. Had we given proper treatment to my brother-in-law Sanjay in Ranchi, precious lives could have been saved. I lost both Sanjay and my sister Archana Devi," a relative told news agency PTI.

Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, where Sanjay was being treated, told PTI that the air ambulance was arranged by one of their patients.

Bajrangi Prasad, father of Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, said he sold all his land to make his son a doctor. He has a seven-year-old son He was meritorious and completed his MBBS from Odishas Cuttack," said Prasad.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from outside the Redbird Airways Pvt. Ltd. OfficeA Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV with seven people (including 2 crew members) on board, crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. All seven pic.twitter.com/Ykuk5Kgh4E  ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

A team from Indias Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has been dispatched to investigate the cause, the regulator said. Most air crashes are due to a combination of factors and can take at least a year to investigate, according to industry experts.

Last month, a Learjet 45 charter aircraft crashed killing all five people on board, including the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar, and two members of his staff.

With Agency Inputs

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:38 IST

News india Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash: Patients Family Had Borrowed Rs 8 Lakh For Ride To Save His Life

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Union Cabinet Likely To Consider Proposal To Rename Kerala As 'Keralam'

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:52 IST

The Union Cabinet is likely to consider a proposal to rename Kerala as 'Keralam', following a resolution passed by the state Assembly.

A photo showing the state of Kerala (Social Media)

The Union Cabinet is likely to take up a proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam, following a resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly seeking to amend the states name in official records.

The move is part of the state governments effort to restore what it describes as the regions original historical and cultural name.

The proposal comes after the Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Centre to approve the renaming, paving the way for the matter to be placed before the Union government for consideration.

In January this year, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extending support to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) governments move to rename the state as Keralam.

Chandrasekhar later thanked the Chief Minister for replying to his letter and shared the response on social media, stating that the name Keralam reflects the states history, language and roots.

Restoring it is a step towards honouring our heritage. The BJP and NDA have always stood for protecting Keralams traditions, culture and faith," he said.

He further said that some political parties in the state had a long history of violating these values and beliefs.

For us, Developed Keralam, Safe Keralam and Protection of Faith are not just slogans. They are our mission," Chandrasekhar said, adding that whatever is good for Keralam and its people would always have his support.

In his reply letter, Chief Minister Vijayan said the original name of the state was Keralam and that it had been altered to Kerala during British rule for administrative convenience.

The changes made by them are being rectified, and the real name is being restored. This is in tune with the culture of the state," Vijayan said in the letter.

The Chief Minister also thanked Chandrasekhar for supporting the steps taken by the state government to protect and strengthen the language and culture of Keralam.

The Kerala Assemblys resolution seeks to formally change the states name in official records, a process that requires approval from the Union government.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:52 IST

News india Union Cabinet Likely To Consider Proposal To Rename Kerala As 'Keralam'

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The Ministry of Finance has rejected a proposal by Parliament to assume legacy debts owed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), arguing that the aviation regulator has adequate revenue streams to service its obligations.Treasury warned that taking over the liabilities would strain the national budget and undermine funding for essential public services and development priorities.According to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), CAAZ's operations are under threat after it failed to service overdue long-term legacy loans amounting to ZWL18,59 billion and domestic loans totalling ZWL111 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The committee noted that the authority's current liabilities exceed its current assets, signalling a working capital deficiency and difficulty in meeting short-term obligations.PAC said CAAZ faces a going concern challenge due to legacy loans that were not transferred to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) following the unbundling of CAAZ into two entities  a regulatory body (CAAZ) and an airport operating company (ACZ). The committee added that efforts are underway to transfer US$48 million to government, which, if successful, would help resolve the going concern issue.The committee also raised concern over what it described as a failure to properly transfer both assets and liabilities during the restructuring process, questioning the financial and accounting management of CAAZ's accounting officers.In its report, PAC recommended that CAAZ engage its parent ministry for assistance in transferring the legacy loans to ACZ. It further suggested that the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion consider taking over the debts to ease the financial burden on the authority and ensure its long-term sustainability.However, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube dismissed the proposal, saying Treasury does not have the fiscal capacity to absorb or directly service CAAZ's debts."The principle of fiscal prudence requires that debt management remain aligned with established mechanisms rather than ad hoc transfers of liability," Ncube said.Treasury explained that following the unbundling, mechanisms were put in place to ensure continuity in debt servicing. CAAZ retains responsibility for charging airspace fees, while ACZ collects landing fees and passenger tax components. In addition, CAAZ receives 32 percent of revenue collected from landing fees and passenger taxes by ACZ."These arrangements provide CAAZ with sufficient revenue streams to meet its debt obligations. The unbundling process was specifically designed to prevent the transfer of liabilities to Treasury while ensuring sustainable debt servicing by both CAAZ and ACZ," Ncube said.
Nagaland Doctor At AIIMS Gorakhpur Racially Harassed, Molested By Three Men Near Campus

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:53 IST

A resident doctor from Nagaland at AIIMS Gorakhpur was allegedly stalked, racially harassed and molested by three men while returning to campus, prompting police action.

A file photo of the Uttar Pradesh Police (PTI)

A third-year resident doctor from Nagaland posted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Gorakhpur, in Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly stalked, racially harassed and molested by three men while returning to the campus on Sunday evening.

Two accused have been arrested in connection with the incident, while efforts were underway to trace the third suspect.

Police said the incident occurred around 8 pm on February 22 when the doctor, who specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology, was returning from Orion Mall in Mohaddipur.

The accused allegedly followed her for over a kilometre and later accosted her near Gate No. 2 of the institute, located close to an Army camp.

According to the womans complaint, the three men followed the doctor for nearly 1.5 kilometres on a motorcycle, hurling obscene remarks and racial slurs targeting her northeastern origin.

One of the accused allegedly removed his shirt to intimidate her, while another touched her inappropriately. The doctor raised an alarm, forcing the trio to flee from the spot.

Police identified the arrested accused as Suraj Gupta (22) and Amrit Vishwakarma (21), both residents of Deoria district.

A case was registered at the AIIMS police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Sections 74 (assault or criminal force to outrage modesty), 296(a) (obscene acts), 351(3) (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult).

Senior Superintendent of Police Kaustubh said CCTV footage helped identify a motorcycle linked to the accused, and that multiple police teams were formed to track them down.

Strict action will be taken once the suspects are apprehended," the SSP said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

The National Federation of Resident Doctors of AIIMS and INIs (NAFORD) condemned the incident, describing the ordeal as causing deep shock, humiliation and trauma" to the survivor.

In a post cited by PTI, the federation alleged that the accused used racially discriminatory comments and stereotypes and continued stalking her even after she confronted them.

NAFORD stated, As a doctor dedicated to womens health and bringing new life, she was violated near her own institution," highlighting concerns about the safety of women doctors, particularly those from the Northeast.

Reacting to the incident, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma termed the alleged assault deeply shameful."

In a post on X quoted by ANI, Sangma said, Racial discrimination and sexual harassment of women from the North East should not just be a headline, sensationalised, forgotten and revived every time a fresh incident appears."

Outraging a womans modesty is not what a civilised nation should tolerate. They are your sisters and daughters, too. Urge the authorities to take stringent actions against the perpetrators," he added.

Police said further legal proceedings were underway as investigations continue and efforts continue to apprehend the remaining accused.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:52 IST

News india Nagaland Doctor At AIIMS Gorakhpur Racially Harassed, Molested By Three Men Near Campus

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'Pay 1 Million Or Face Baba Siddiques Fate': Maharashtra Congress MLA Threatened By 'Bishnoi Gang'

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 23:36 IST

The caller who threatened Sajid Khan Pathan identified himself as Shubham Lonkar, a key operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate

Pathan, who has since met with Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandak, expressed his frustration at not being allowed to address the House directly on the matter. File pic/X

Sajid Khan Pathan, the Congress MLA representing Maharashtras Akola West Assembly Constituency, has allegedly become the latest target of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. On February 17, Pathan received a threatening international call demanding an extortion payment of 1 million (Rs 10 crore). The caller, who identified himself as Shubham Lonkar, a key operative of the Bishnoi syndicate, warned the legislator that failure to comply would result in a fate similar to that of the late Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique.

The extortion attempt was brought to the floor of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Tuesday by Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition. Wadettiwar described the nature of the threat as spine-chilling", noting that the caller displayed an arrogant defiance of the law. According to transcripts of the call, Lonkar allegedly told the MLA that even if the police provided him with protection for a few months, the gang would simply wait for the security to be scaled back before carrying out the assassination. The caller reportedly gave Pathan a two-day deadline to arrange the funds, repeatedly referencing the October 2024 murder of Baba Siddique to instill terror.

Shubham Lonkar, the individual named in the complaint, is a high-profile fugitive with deep roots in the region. Originally from Akot in the Akola district, Lonkar has been a person of interest for law enforcement agencies across the country. He is widely considered the mastermind behind the logistics of the Baba Siddique assassination and has been linked to several other high-stakes crimes, including the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khans residence and a recent shooting near the home of director Rohit Shetty. Despite previous arrests and questioning, Lonkar remains at large, with investigators tracing the recent call to a location in California, USA.

The incident has triggered a fierce debate regarding the law and order situation in Maharashtra. During the Assembly session, Wadettiwar questioned how ordinary citizens could feel safe if elected representatives were being openly threatened by international criminal networks. He pointed out that Pathan has no known links to criminal activities, making the extortion attempt a blatant act of coercion against a public servant. In response, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar directed the state government to treat the matter with the utmost urgency, instructing the Home Department to bolster the MLAs security immediately.

Pathan, who has since met with Akola Superintendent of Police Archit Chandak, expressed his frustration at not being allowed to address the House directly on the matter. Following the threat, his security detail was increased to include four armed police personnel, and a formal case has been registered with the cyber police. This incident follows a similar threat made just days prior to a local BJP leader in Akot, suggesting a coordinated effort by the Bishnoi gang to establish a foothold of fear within the Akola district.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 23:36 IST

News india 'Pay 1 Million Or Face Baba Siddiques Fate': Maharashtra Congress MLA Threatened By 'Bishnoi Gang'

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Rajaji Honoured: Shashi Tharoor Backs Swapping Of Lutyens Statue With Rajagopalacharis Bust

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:54 IST

Centre replaced statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan with the bust of Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. (PTI file photo)

Differing from other INDIA Bloc MPs, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday praised the governments move to unveil a bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In a post on X, the Thiruvananthapuram MP said he was a strong supporter" of Rajagopalacharis Swatantra Party during his student days.

Im truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic and he yielded his seat to the new President," Tharoor wrote.

He added that he had long admired Rajagopalacharis convictions and values, including liberal economics and support for free enterprise combined with social justice, a strong anchoring in Indian civilisation and religious faith without communal bigotry, and a firm belief in constitutional rights and freedoms. He said these principles remain his own and expressed sadness that few follow them today.

Im truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic and he yielded his seat to the new President.I have long admired his convictions and was a https://t.co/exNBJ0IFIN  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 23, 2026

Centre replaces Lutyens statue with Rajagopalacharis

On Monday, the Centre replaced the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan with the bust of Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India.

At the ceremony, a musical rendition of all six stanzas of Vande Mataram was performed.

Among those present were Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Union Health Minister JP Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan, and members of Rajagopalacharis family.

PM calls it mental decolonisation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message read out by Shekhawat, described the replacement as an act of mental decolonisation."

In a separate post on X, he said the move reflects Indias resolve to honour those who shaped the nations destiny and to shed remnants of a colonial mindset. He described Rajagopalachari as a towering scholar, freedom fighter, thinker and administrator whose life embodied integrity, intellect and commitment to the nation.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:54 IST

News india Rajaji Honoured: Shashi Tharoor Backs Swapping Of Lutyens Statue With Rajagopalacharis Bust

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Shots Fired At Car Of Lawyer Linked To Lawrence Bishnois Legal Team In Delhi

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 23:53 IST

Shots were fired at the car of a lawyer linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnois legal team near Delhis Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on Tuesday.

Shots fired at car of a lawyer from the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's team in Delhi | Image: News18

Shots were fired at the car of a lawyer linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnois legal team near Delhis Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) on Tuesday, triggering panic in the area.

According to preliminary information, the firing caused damage to the rear glass of the vehicle.

The Delhi Police said the firing was reported shortly after 10:00 PM, near the Marghat Wale Hanuman Temple.

Five people were travelling in a car at the time, one of whom is a lawyer associated with the legal team of Lawrence Bishnoi, police said.

The occupants alleged that three assailants arrived on a motorcycle and opened indiscriminate fire at the vehicle. One of the five passengers sustained a bullet injury to the shoulder and was taken for medical treatment.

Officials confirmed that the injured person is out of danger.

Police have initiated legal proceedings in the matter. A forensic team has examined the scene, and investigators said the case is being probed from all possible angles.

Jailed gangster Bishnoi has emerged as one of the most closely monitored and controversial figures in Indias criminal landscape, with his name repeatedly surfacing in cases involving alleged threats, extortion attempts and violent attacks targeting high-profile individuals in India and overseas.

Despite being behind bars for nearly a decade, investigators allege that Bishnoi continues to run an extensive criminal network through associates spread across multiple Indian states and foreign countries.

He is currently lodged in a high-security ward at Sabarmati Central Jail, where he was shifted in August 2023.

Bishnoi has been incarcerated since 2015 and is housed in a high-profile security enclosure, with strict restrictions on his movement.

Under Section 268 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, authorities have barred his transfer to the custody of other state police forces.

Law enforcement agencies allege that Bishnoi heads a well-organised crime syndicate and have linked him to several high-profile criminal cases, including the recent killing of Baba Siddique in Mumbai.

Internationally, his group has also been named in allegations emerging from Canada, where authorities have linked Bishnois network to targeted violence against pro-Khalistan figures.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 22:53 IST

News india Shots Fired At Car Of Lawyer Linked To Lawrence Bishnois Legal Team In Delhi

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Snan Kits & Snack Packs: Why BSNL Directors Royal Prayagraj Tour Sank Before Takeoff

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 22:24 IST

The scale of the 'royal protocol' appeared particularly jarring, given the telecom giant's precarious financial health

According to an internal circular, teams of officers were assigned to handle everything from reception at the railway station to the procurement of 'snan' (bathing) kits for a ceremonial dip at the Triveni Sangam for Vivek Banzal. File pic/X

A routine visit by a senior BSNL official to Uttar Pradeshs holy city of Prayagraj was abruptly cancelled after a lavish hospitality protocol went viral on social media. The controversy surrounds Vivek Banzal, a director with the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, whose planned two-day tour on February 25-26 was scrapped following a massive public backlash.

Bureaucratic Overreach?

The uproar was triggered by a detailed office order, dated February 19, issued by a deputy general manager in the Prayagraj business area. The document laid out a minute-to-minute schedule that involved the deployment of 50 staff members to manage 21 specific tasks, many of which veered away from official duty into the realm of personal valet services.

According to the internal circular, teams of officers were assigned to handle everything from reception at the railway station to the procurement of snan" (bathing) kits for a ceremonial dip at the Triveni Sangam. These kits were to be meticulously packed with items including towels, combs, mirrors, slippers, and even undergarments. Further instructions mandated the provision of refreshmentsranging from dry fruits and chocolates to chips and fruit juicein the official vehicles, which were to be outfitted with fresh white towels.

Financial Irony and Social Media Backlash

The scale of the royal protocol" appeared particularly jarring given the telecom giants precarious financial health. BSNL recently reported a net loss of Rs 1,357 crore for the quarter ending September 2025, primarily driven by high depreciation and the immense capital expenditure required for its 4G network rollout.

Critics on social media were quick to point out the disconnect between the companys fiscal struggles and the deployment of senior personnel to manage a directors laundry and snacks. Netizens sarcastically dubbed the itinerary a maharaja-level" tour, questioning why a loss-making public sector undertaking (PSU) would waste manpower on personal errands during a religious visit.

Damage Control and Official Response

Faced with mounting criticism, BSNL headquarters acted swiftly to distance itself from the local offices directive. By February 23, the visit was officially withdrawn. In a statement posted on social media, BSNL India clarified that the instance of non-adherence" to professional standards had been noted and that appropriate action" had been taken against the concerned officials.

The PSU reiterated that it has standing instructions for official visits and that the detailed Prayagraj protocol was not in conformity with its core values. While the visit was meant to include a review of the Tewa Gram GP and meetings at the CTO building, the elaborate personal arrangements overshadowed any administrative intent.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 22:23 IST

News india Snan Kits & Snack Packs: Why BSNL Directors Royal Prayagraj Tour Sank Before Takeoff

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IAF Grounds Tejas Fleet For Maintenance Checks After Runway Incident At Frontline Airbase

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CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 10:12 IST

The IAFs Tejas fleet has been grounded for comprehensive maintenance and technical checks after an incident at a frontline airbase this month.

IAF's Tejas jet (File photo/PTI)

The Indian Air Forces (IAF) fleet of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas jets has been grounded for comprehensive maintenance and technical checks following an incident this month in which one aircraft sustained damage at a frontline airbase.

The incident took place on February 7, when the pilot sustained minor injuries. Sources confirmed that there was no ejection and it was purely a ground incident.

Earlier, news agency PTI had quoted sources as saying that the IAF had decided to subject the entire fleet of around 30 single-seat Tejas jets to extensive technical scrutiny as part of precautionary safety measures and to establish the root cause of the accident.

The checks are aimed at assessing the systems performance and ensuring operational safety before the aircraft resumes regular operations.

HAL CALLS INCIDENT A MINOR TECHNICAL ISSUE"

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the manufacturer of the Tejas aircraft, described the episode as a limited ground-related technical occurrence and clarified that there was no crash.

There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground," a HAL spokesperson said in a statement cited by PTI.

Responding to media reports suggesting a crash, HAL reiterated in a stock exchange filing, quoted by ANI, that HAL acknowledges the recent media reports on the LCA Tejas incident and wishes to provide factual clarification. There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on the ground."

The company further emphasised the aircrafts safety performance, stating, LCA Tejas maintains one of the worlds best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft."

It added that, as a standard operating procedure, the issue is being analysed in depth, and HAL is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution."

INCIDENT AMID PROGRAMME SCRUTINY

The development comes at a time when the Tejas programme is under focus due to delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk-1A variant to the IAF.

PTI reported that delivery timelines have been affected primarily because GE Aerospace missed several deadlines in supplying engines required for the aircraft.

The Defence Ministry had signed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL in February 2021 for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, followed by another contract worth Rs 62,370 crore last year for 97 additional aircraft.

Speaking to ANI earlier, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said production had largely stabilised, but engine supply remained a key factor.

On LCA Mark 1A, the five engines are available, and five aircraft are flying. Once this engine supply line stabilises, the production seems to have stabilised in any case," he said, adding that some operational requirements of the IAF were yet to be fully met despite successful weapon trials.

The Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft designed for air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike missions, and is capable of operating in high-threat environments.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:13 IST

News india IAF Grounds Tejas Fleet For Maintenance Checks After Runway Incident At Frontline Airbase

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Tirumala To Use Rs 25 Crore E-Nose & E-Tongue Tech To Test Prasad Quality At Temples; How?

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:33 IST

The project is being developed after an agreement between the Andhra Pradesh government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, signed in October 2024.

The facility will be run by 40 people. (Photo Credit: X)

The Tirumala temple town is getting ready for a major upgrade in how food is tested and checked. The Andhra Pradesh government has announced that a new, high-tech food laboratory will soon begin work there. The focus is to make sure that the prasadam served to devotees meets strict safety and quality standards.

State Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav shared that the facility will use advanced machines called an electronic nose" and an electronic tongue." These devices will help test the ingredients used in making the famous Tirumala laddu and other offerings.

High-Tech Lab To Start Soon

The new food testing laboratory is being set up in Tirumala in Tirupati district. It is expected to begin operations next month. The project is being developed after an agreement between the Andhra Pradesh government and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), signed in October 2024. Around Rs 25 crore has been approved for the lab.

State Health Minister Yadav reviewed the progress of the project and said that most of the work has already been completed.

The testing at the lab will ensure that the laddu and the prasadams served to the devotees will be of the highest quality. About 90 per cent of the work is over, and operations may start next month," Yadav said as quoted by The Indian Express.

The lab is being set up in the old flour mill building, which has been renovated and offers around 12,000 square feet of space. A team of about 40 people, including staff from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) health department and the state health department, will run the facility.

How The Electronic Nose And Tongue Work

The main highlight of the new lab will be the electronic nose and electronic tongue machines. These are being imported from France reportedly at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore.

The electronic nose is designed to detect changes in smell. It can sense even very small differences in aroma and identify if something is off. The electronic tongue checks taste and purity. It can study slight changes in flavour and texture that may not be easily noticed by humans.

Officials say the machines will be especially useful in checking the quality of ghee, which is a key ingredient in the Tirumala laddu. The devices can detect even the minutest changes in the purity, taste, smell, and texture of ghee.

Apart from these two machines, the lab will also have many other instruments. These include sensors to check the freshness of raw materials and microbiology testing equipment. There will also be machines that can detect metal contamination and pesticide residues.

The lab will test over 60 types of raw materials. These include ghee, cashew, cardamom, sugar, almonds, jeera, water, dry fruits, rice, raisin and chickpea.

Where Else Is This Technology Used

Electronic nose and tongue systems are not new in the food industry. Many countries reportedly use them in food and beverage testing. They are used to check milk products, oils, spices, tea, coffee and even packaged foods.

These devices are also used in quality control labs, research centres and food safety departments. Some pharmaceutical and environmental labs reportedly use similar technology to detect chemical changes and contamination.

By bringing this technology to Tirumala, officials hope to make food testing faster and more accurate. The goal is to prevent any issue before ingredients are used in preparing prasadam.

Background Of The Ghee Controversy

The decision to set up a stronger lab comes after serious allegations about adulterated ghee used for making laddus.

In November 2025, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) said that an Uttarakhand-based company supplied nearly 60 lakh kg of adulterated ghee to TTD between 2019 and 2024. The supply was worth around Rs 240 crore.

The SIT found that the ghee supplied by Bhole Baba Dairy was allegedly mixed with palm oil, palm kernel oil, palmolein, beta-carotene, acetic acid ester, ghee flavour and other adulterants. It was reportedly prepared in a way to adjust" lab test values and to maintain aroma."

The company is also accused of using proxy suppliers from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to sell the ghee to TTD.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 12:32 IST

News india Tirumala To Use Rs 25 Crore E-Nose & E-Tongue Tech To Test Prasad Quality At Temples; How?

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Union Cabinet Gives Nod To Rename Kerala As 'Keralam' Ahead Of State Assembly Polls

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 18:49 IST

The Kerala Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution in 2024, urging the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect the states name as Keralam,

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan with PM Modi | Image: X

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved a proposal to officially change the name of the state of Kerala to Keralam, clearing a key procedural hurdle in a move ahead of the state assembly polls.

With the Cabinets approval, the President of India will now initiate the constitutional process by referring the proposed Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views, in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution.

Once the state Assemblys opinion is received, the Centre will take further steps to introduce the Bill in Parliament after obtaining the Presidents recommendation.

PM Modi hailed the decision by the Union Cabinet, calling it the will of the people of the state."

The decision of the Union Cabinet on alteration of the name of Kerala to Keralam reflects the will of the people of the state. It is in line with our efforts to strengthen the connect with our glorious culture," said PM Modi.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution on June 24, 2024, urging the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to reflect the states name as Keralam, which is how it is referred to in the Malayalam language.

The resolution noted that the state was formed on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, a date celebrated annually as Kerala Piravi Day, and argued that retaining the Malayalam name would better reflect the states cultural and linguistic identity.

Subsequently, the Kerala government formally requested the Union government to initiate the constitutional amendment process for the name change under Article 3, which empowers Parliament to alter the name of an existing state, subject to consultation with the concerned state legislature.

The proposal was examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs and received approval from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The draft Cabinet note was also vetted by the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice, both of which concurred with the proposal.

With the Cabinets nod now in place, the renaming process moves a step closer to completion, even as political attention sharpens ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 15:38 IST

News india Union Cabinet Gives Nod To Rename Kerala As 'Keralam' Ahead Of State Assembly Polls

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6,000 Litres Of Adulterated Mustard Oil Seized In UP: How To Check Purity? What Are The Red Flags?

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 17:40 IST

In Uttar Pradeshs Barabanki, officials seized 6,000 litres of suspected adulterated mustard oil and over 400 litres of expired oil.

Rapid Read

4 people died in Andhra Pradesh after consuming adulterated milk. (Photo Credit: X)

In recent days, there have seen a series of alarming incidents in India that have brought the dangers of adulterated food which have triggered discussions on food safety and consumer awareness. In Uttar Pradeshs Barabanki, the Food Safety Department conducted a major crackdown where officials seized 6,000 litres of suspected adulterated mustard oil and over 400 litres of expired oil.

The brand involved, Gopichand Sarson Tel, was held for failing basic quality checks and the expired oil was immediately removed from circulation to prevent public sale, Dainik Bhaskar reported. The estimated value of the seized oil was around Rs 16 lakh while the expired stock was worth over Rs 30,000.

Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, a study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has found that 6 per cent of vegetable samples have lead contamination above permissible limits. The dangers turned fatal in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, where four people died after allegedly consuming adulterated milk from a local vendor. Victims showed symptoms such as anuria (inability to pass urine) and acute kidney complications. According to reports, the vendor has been arrested. Food safety teams have reportedly sent milk and blood samples for laboratory analysis.

Public Outrage Over Adulterated Food

The recent spate of food adulteration incidents has sparked widespread discussion on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter) where users expressed frustration and distrust over what they consume.

One user commented, Criminals now know they can get away easily. From politicians to food, everything is adulterated."

Criminals now know they can get away easily. From politicians to food, everything is adulterated. pic.twitter.com/jVUGifztnn Rants&Roasts (@Sydusm) February 24, 2026

Another user wrote, Milk and milk products are among the most adulterated foods in India. From milk to paneer to sweets food fraud is rampant, and enforcement is painfully weak across the country. Be careful about what you consume."

Milk and milk products are among the most adulterated foods in India.From milk to paneer to sweets food fraud is rampant, and enforcement is painfully weak across the country. Be careful about what you consume. pic.twitter.com/O208BQwYd8  Manas Muduli (@manas_muduli) February 24, 2026

I have started making paneer at home for months now. You cant trust any packaged food source. Bengaluru finds lead in vegetables. Air and water are toxic. Infrastructure is crumbling and killing people. But hey, who cares as long as we have 10-min apps and religious bigotry," someone else shared.

I have started making paneer at home for months now. You can't trust any packaged food source. Bengaluru finds lead in vegetables. Air and water is toxic. Infrastructure is crumbling and killing people. But hey, who cares as long as we have 10-min apps and religious bigotry https://t.co/pjZb91UiKL pic.twitter.com/WeJx0EOV0d Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) February 24, 2026

Even political circles are noticing the issue. During the Uttar Pradesh Assembly budget session, Samarpal Singh of the Samajwadi Party shared a story about fake paneer while discussing pesticide use. He recounted how a BJP MLA refused to eat paneer at a hotel as he claimed it was fake. The MLA reportedly argued that stopping fake paneer could drive milk prices to Rs 150 per kg.

Reacting to the same, a lawyer claimed that even real paneer isnt always ideal according to Ayurveda.

Forget #fakepaneer even REAL paneer isnt recommended by #Ayurveda. Occasional consumption for taste is okay, but the current protein obsession is making paneer a daily staple," she wrote. According to her:

Ayurveda details qualities of milk, chhach, ghee and dahi, many times. But paneer is considered curdled milk.

Paneer is guru or heavy", difficult to digest, can cause bloating, gas, increases Kapha and Pitta."

Before latching on a food trend, consult Ayurveda texts, find out your own body type and also consult a Vaidya."

Forget #fakepaneer even REAL paneer isn't recommended by #Ayurveda What Happens When Adulterated Food Is Consumed The effects of adulterated food can be immediate and severe or long-term and chronic: Immediate (Short-Term) Effects: Upset Stomach & Digestive Trouble: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and nausea. Acute Poisoning: Chemicals or harmful dyes can trigger rapid toxicity and severe organ stress. Allergic Reactions: Contaminants may provoke rashes, swelling or intense allergic episodes. Breathing Problems: Certain adulterants can irritate the respiratory system that cause difficulty in breathing. Long-Term (Chronic) Effects: Liver & Kidney Damage: Heavy metals like lead in spices accumulate over time which can lead to liver and kidney failure. Increased Cancer Risk: Persistent exposure to toxic dyes and chemicals Metanil yellow or Malachite green can be carcinogenic. Heart & Circulatory Issues: Adulterated oils and fats may raise bad cholesterol which increases the risk of heart attacks. Watch more videos Share this Article

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copy link Brain & Nervous System Impact: Long-term exposure can brain damage, paralysis, and developmental issues, particularly in children. Growth & Hormonal Problems: Chronic intake may lead to developmental delays, hormonal imbalances and weakened immunity.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 17:37 IST

News india 6,000 Litres Of Adulterated Mustard Oil Seized In UP: How To Check Purity? What Are The Red Flags?

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'Will Dominate The Sea In 2026': Pahalgam Mastermind Issues 26/11-Type Attack Threat | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 13:11 IST

Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of LeT, accused India of water terrorism & threatened that pressure on Kashmir will be met with unrest elsewhere, including in Balochistan

Rapid Read

CNN-News18 has accessed a video of Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of LeT and the alleged mastermind of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack. (Screenshot)

In a chilling warning invoking the spectre of the 2008 Mumbai carnage, the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has threatened to carry out a 26/11-style attack in India again using the sea route.

CNN-News18 has accessed a video of Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of LeT and the alleged mastermind of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, in which he issues open threats against India and boasts of Pakistans supposed military dominance.

Will Dominate the Sea in 2026

In the video, Kasuri claims that Pakistan had dominated the air" in 2025 and will dominate the sea" in 2026, asserting that there will be no space left for the enemy" across land, air, or sea. He frames this alleged superiority as divinely ordained, attributing it to Allahs will", and vows that Pakistan will soon establish control across all strategic domains.

Top intelligence sources say the statements amount to an advance warning of a possible maritime terror attempt similar to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which were orchestrated by LeT in 2008 and carried out via the Arabian Sea route.

Post-Pahalgam Escalation

Kasuri is accused of masterminding the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which triggered strong retaliation from India. In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps linked to LeT and other groups in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In the video, Kasuri appears deeply angered by Indian strikes on Muridke and Bahawalpurthe known strongholds of LeT infrastructure. He portrays Indias counter-terror action as aggression" and attempts to rally support by accusing New Delhi of provocation.

Direct Threats to India

Kasuri issues brazen warnings directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accuses India of water terrorism", and threatens that pressure on Kashmir will be met with unrest elsewhere, including in Balochistan.

In an inflammatory remark, he suggests that while they will not attack Madina", they would target Indian religious sitesan apparent reference to temples such as those in Ayodhyaraising fresh concerns about possible attacks on civilian and symbolic targets.

He also openly speaks of continued coordination with the Pakistan Army, reinforcing long-standing Indian allegations of state patronage and ISI backing for the group.

Intelligence And Security Assessment

Top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that the threats reflect continued attempts by Pakistan-based terror networks to regroup and remain relevant despite Indias counter-terror operations.

Security experts interpret the video as propaganda aimed at boosting cadre morale after setbacks such as Operation Sindoor. However, the explicit reference to maritime routes and 26/11-style attacks has heightened security vigilance along Indias western coastline.

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: February 24, 2026, 13:11 IST

News india 'Will Dominate The Sea In 2026': Pahalgam Mastermind Issues 26/11-Type Attack Threat | Exclusive

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Two Bulawayo men appeared in court on Tuesday facing allegations of brutally assaulting a colleague during a late-night altercation.Melusi Mlalazi (27) of Emakhandeni and Province Dube (38) of Pumula Old suburb appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Pasipanodya Maturure charged with attempted murder. The pair was remanded in custody to March 9 pending the production of a medical report.Prosecutor Melissa Dube told the court that the accused and the complainant are known to each other as work colleagues.The court heard that on February 9, 2026, at around 10PM, the complainant, Noel Chimanyi, was at the intersection of Hyde Park Road and Nketa Drive near Unathi Filling Station together with the two accused persons when a misunderstanding arose.It is alleged that the dispute escalated, resulting in the two men punching Chimanyi several times with clenched fists. The complainant reportedly fell to the ground, after which the accused allegedly continued the assault by kicking him repeatedly before leaving him lying at the scene.Chimanyi sustained injuries to his face and head and was referred to hospital for medical treatment. A report was subsequently made to the police, leading to the arrest of Mlalazi and Dube.The matter remains before the court.
With 80 Lakh Claims Pending, Supreme Court Allows Judges From Odisha, Jharkhand To Aid Bengal SIR

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:46 IST

Supreme Court asked the Calcutta High Court chief justice to request his Jharkhand and Odisha counterparts and requisition judicial officers to aid SIR process.

Supreme Court of India (Credits: PTI Photo)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Calcutta High Court to deploy civil judges and judicial officers from neighbouring Jharkhand and Odisha to assist in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, citing the massive volume of pending claims and objections.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi took note of a letter from the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court that said 250 district judges deployed in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise will take around 80 days to deal with the claims and objections, news agency PTI reported.

The letter also stated that nearly 80 lakh petitions involving logical discrepancies and unmapped voter records require verification.

Currently, 250 district judges and additional district judges have been assigned to handle around 50 lakh claims. Even if each officer disposes of 250 cases daily, the process would take nearly 80 days, the top court noted.

Taking note of the grim situation and the time constraints, the bench permitted the deployment of civil judges to conduct the process. It asked the Calcutta High Court chief justice to request his Jharkhand and Odisha counterparts and requisition judicial officers of similar ranks to deal with the situation.

The expenses for travel, boarding and lodging of these officers will be borne by the Election Commission of India.

Invoking its plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the apex court exercised extraordinary jurisdiction to ensure the timely completion of the exercise. The court also allowed the Election Commission to publish the final electoral roll on February 28. It clarified that if verification of the logical discrepancy" and unmapped" categories remains incomplete by then, the poll body may issue supplementary lists on a continuous basis as pending work is finalised.

On February 20, dismayed over the ongoing tussle between the West Bengal government and the EC, the top court issued an extraordinary" direction to deploy serving and former district judges to assist the poll panel in the controversy-ridden SIR exercise in the state.

Ruing the unfortunate blame game" and the trust deficit" between the EC and the democratically elected" Trinamool Congress government in Bengal, the bench passed a slew of fresh directions to ensure the completion of the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission had issued notices to three categories of voters  mapped, unmapped and those with logical discrepancies. The discrepancies included mismatches in parents names, spelling differences, and implausible age gaps of less than 15 years or more than 50 years between voters and their parents.

The Supreme Court clarified that Aadhaar will be accepted as proof of identity, along with Madhyamik (secondary examination) admit cards, in accordance with its earlier ruling.

The last date for publishing the final electoral roll remains February 28, with supplementary lists to follow if required.

(With inputs from agencies)

First Published: February 24, 2026, 12:46 IST

News india With 80 Lakh Claims Pending, Supreme Court Allows Judges From Odisha, Jharkhand To Aid Bengal SIR

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Youth Congress President Arrested Over Shirtless Protest At AI Summit, Cops Call Him Mastermind

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:36 IST

Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib.

Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib arrested over shirtless AI Summit protest.

Days after the nation witnessed a massive drama at Indias AI Summit in the national capital, the Delhi police on Tuesday arrested Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib. The police have termed the Youth Congress chief as the mastermind of the protest.

Chib was summoned by the Delhi Police to the Tilak Marg police station for questioning on Monday. According to sources, the Congress leader is likely to be produced in court.

As per the police, Uday Bhanu Chib possessed all the information regarding the protest and played a key role in planning the protest. During the interrogation, he did not cooperate with the police. He either evaded most of the questions or attempted to evade them.

The action against the Chib was taken on the grounds that he was involved in a conspiracy and obstructed and assaulted the police officials on their duty.

BJP Slams Congress

Meanwhile, BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari also confirmed the arrest, slamming Congress over their anti-India and anti-growth propaganda.

Taking to X, Bhandari wrote, Rahul Gandhis BABBAR ANTI INDIA SHER" ARRESTED! Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu arrested after 15 hours of questioning in the NAKED Anti-India PROTEST At World AI Summit!"

Youth of India hates NANGI Congress! Babbar Sher will get Babbar" treatment in jail! Congress is Anti-India, Anti-growth!" he added.

Rahul Gandhis BABBAR ANTI INDIA SHER" ARRESTED!Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu arrested after 15 hours of questioning in the NAKED Anti India PROTEST At World AI Summit Summit! Youth of India hates NANGI Congress! Babbar Sher will get Babbar" treatment in jail! pic.twitter.com/C3iwYLeuiJ  Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) February 24, 2026

IYC Shirtless Protest At AI Summit

The members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the Al Impact India Summit in the national capital by removing their shirts with slogans that read, Compromised PM", as a mark of dissent.

In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress said its workers were protesting against a compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the AI Summit."

Meanwhile, BJP workers held protests across multiple states against the Congress as the party demanded that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi should apologise.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:45 IST

News india Youth Congress President Arrested Over Shirtless Protest At AI Summit, Cops Call Him Mastermind

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Delhi Court Sends Indian Youth Congress Chief To 4-Day Police Custody In AI Summit Protest Case

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 12:43 IST

A Delhi court allowed custodial interrogation of Uday Bhanu Chib after police argued his role was central to planning the shirtless protest during AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib (Photo: PTI)

Delhis Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted four days of police custody remand to Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest held during the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, after hearing arguments from both the Delhi Police and the defence.

The order came after the court reserved its decision earlier in the day on a police plea seeking seven days of custodial interrogation.

The Delhi Police told the court that Chib played a central role in organising the protest and alleged that he had hatched the conspiracy" and provided logistical support to the demonstrators.

The prosecution argued that extended custody was required to confront him with other accused persons and to investigate what it described as a larger conspiracy behind the incident.

Police further informed the court that several accused individuals linked to the case are currently located in Jammu, Amethi and Himachal Pradesh, and that custodial interrogation was necessary to establish coordination among those involved.

The case, police said, pertains to unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy, alleging that Chib directed other accused during the protest.

Opposing the plea, Chibs counsel argued that police custody should not be granted mechanically.

The defence submitted that the Youth Congress leader had cooperated with investigators and had already joined the investigation twice.

The defence also claimed that Chib denied knowledge about where the T-shirts used during the protest were printed and argued that further questioning had not yielded additional information.

The counsel maintained that investigators could obtain any required details without taking him into custody.

Delhi Police, however, countered that the investigation was not limited to the printing of T-shirts, asserting that bulk printing and coordinated planning formed part of an organised conspiracy.

Chib was arrested in connection with the protest staged by Indian Youth Congress members at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit 2026.

A row erupted after a group of protesters removed their shirts displaying slogans reading compromised PM," while raising objections to policies of the central government.

Chib was booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, assault or obstruction of public servants, disobedience of lawful orders, imputations prejudicial to national integration, and offences committed with common intention.

The grounds of arrest state that Chib was allegedly the main conspirator and mastermind" behind the unlawful assembly held on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam.

The arrest memo further alleges that anti-national slogans were raised and that the protest attempted to create a riot-like situation.

Police have also claimed that Chib, along with others, obstructed and assaulted police personnel performing official duties and did not fully cooperate during interrogation, including failing to disclose the identities of certain co-accused persons.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 12:30 IST

News india Delhi Court Sends Indian Youth Congress Chief To 4-Day Police Custody In AI Summit Protest Case

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Why Are Hindu Fasts And Festivals Stretching Across Two Days Now? | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:20 IST

Why are Hindu fasts and festivals now falling on two days? An astrologer from Central Sanskrit University, Jammu, explains the reason and the simplest way to find the correct date

Rapid Read

The confusion arises because every fast and festival is determined by specific 'tithis' (lunar dates), 'nakshatras' (constellations), and 'muhurats' (precise, auspicious timings). (AI Generated)

As festive preparations gather pace across the country, many families are once again confronted with a familiar question: on which day should the festival actually be observed? In recent years, several Hindu festivals and fasts have been observed on different dates in various parts of India, leading to widespread confusion. Holi is a notable example, celebrated on March 3 in some regions and on March 4 in others, effectively dividing the countrys celebrations.

What lies behind this growing divergence in festival dates, and why has it become more noticeable in recent times?

Why Do Festival Dates Differ?

The confusion arises because every fast and festival is determined by specific tithis (lunar dates), nakshatras (constellations), and muhurats (precise, auspicious timings). At times, the required nakshatra or auspicious period is not available on a particular calendar date. Factors such as Bhadra, as well as lunar or solar eclipses, can further complicate the calculation of dates.

According to Dr Mrityunjay Tiwari, an astrologer at Central Sanskrit University, Jammu, the dates of Hindu festivals and fasts are primarily determined based on local sunrise and sunset timings.

Role Of Sunrise And Sunset

India spans a vast geographical range, from Jammu to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. Because of this wide expanse, sunrise and sunset timings can differ by as much as two and a half hours across the country. For instance, sunrise occurs earlier in Arunachal Pradesh, and consequently sunset is also earlier there. In contrast, in places such as Gujarat or Mumbai, sunrise takes place later, and sunset is correspondingly delayed.

If someone in Delhi determines the date of a fast based on Delhis sunrise and sunset, the same date cannot automatically apply to Varanasi, Patna, or Mumbai, as their sunrise and sunset timings differ. This geographical variation is one of the principal reasons why the same festival or fast may fall on two different days in different parts of India.

Impact Of Social Media And The Internet

Dr Tiwari also notes that the growth of social media and the internet has added to the confusion. In earlier times, local priests would announce festival dates according to the local calendar (panchang), based on the sunrise and sunset of that particular region.

Today, however, an astrologer in Mumbai may refer to a Varanasi-based calendar, which calculates dates according to Varanasis sunrise and sunset timings rather than Mumbais. As a result, applying a single uniform date across the entire country becomes difficult.

How To Determine The Correct Date

Dr Tiwari advises that individuals should consult their local calendar to ascertain the correct date for observing a fast or festival. The first step is to check the panchang for your specific area and note the relevant tithi along with the local sunrise and sunset timings.

A general rule is that a fast should be observed on the day when sunrise falls within the relevant tithi.

Example: Holika Dahan And Holi

Holika Dahan is performed after sunset on the full moon (Purnima) of the month of Phalguna, provided that Bhadra is not present. Holi is celebrated on the first day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Chaitra.

To determine the correct date for Holika Dahan:

Check your local calendar for the full moon date in Phalguna.

Ensure that Bhadra is not prevailing during the time of the ritual.

Perform Holika Dahan after sunset on the Bhadra-free full moon.

Thereafter, identify when sunrise falls on the first day of Chaitras dark fortnight, and celebrate Holi on that day.

Example: Amalaki Ekadashi In Delhi

Amalaki Ekadashi is observed on the eleventh day (Ekadashi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Phalguna.

In Delhi:

The Ekadashi tithi begins on February 27 at 12:33 pm and ends at 10:32 pm.

Sunrise occurs at 6:48 am and sunset at 6:19 pm on February 27.

Since the Ekadashi tithi prevails at sunrise on February 27, Amalaki Ekadashi is observed on that date in Delhi.

Example: Phalguna Full Moon In Delhi

For the full moon (Purnima) of Phalguna in Delhi:

The tithi begins on March 2 at 5:55 pm and ends on March 3 at 5:07 pm.

Sunrise takes place at 6:44 am and sunset at 6:22 pm on March 3.

As the full moon tithi is present at sunrise on March 3, the Phalguna Purnima is observed on March 3 in Delhi.

In essence, the variation in local sunrise and sunset timings across India, combined with specific astronomical and astrological conditions, explains why the same Hindu festival or fast may be observed on different days in different regions.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:20 IST

News lifestyle events Why Are Hindu Fasts And Festivals Stretching Across Two Days Now? | Explained
Go Baby Punch! Why Millions Of Us Are Rooting For A Tiny Monkey And His IKEA Toy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 16:13 IST

Beyond the cuteness, experts say our obsession with the viral macaque stems from a deep, universal need to nurture and belong.

The toy (affectionately dubbed "Ora-mama" by fans) has become his shield, his bed, and his constant companion.

In a corner of the internet usually reserved for chaotic memes and AI debates, a tiny, wide-eyed hero has emerged to remind us what it means to be human. His name is Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo, and he is currently the most famous resident of the digital world.

But why has a small monkey dragging an IKEA stuffed orangutan across a Monkey Mountain" in Japan triggered a global emotional wave? It isnt just because hes cute; its because Punch is living out a story we all recognise: the struggle to belong.

The Story Of Ora-Mama"

Punchs life began with a heartbreak. Born during a scorching July heatwave to a first-time mother, he was abandoned shortly after birth, a rare but documented occurrence when environmental stress hits a troop. Left without the physical clinging" contact vital for a macaques development, his zookeepers stepped in with a surrogate: a long-limbed, plush orangutan from IKEA.

Since then, the toy (affectionately dubbed Ora-mama" by fans) has become his shield, his bed, and his constant companion. Viral videos show Punch dragging the oversized plushie behind him as he navigates the complex social hierarchies of his troop. Weve watched him get bullied" by elder macaques, only to see him retreat and bury his face in the orange fur of his toy.

More Than Just A Video

According to experts, our obsession with Punch goes deeper than simple aww" factor. We arent just spectators; we are participants in his recovery.

If you really think about it, people arent just watching Baby Punch  theyre emotionally accompanying him," explains Dr. Shorouq Motwani, Consultant in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Narayana Health SRCC Childrens Hospital, Mumbai. Ive noticed how people pause while scrolling at night, or forward the video on family WhatsApp groups saying, This made me feel something. That reaction is very human."

Dr. Motwani suggests that Punch activates a deep caregiving instinct" that most of us dont even realise is there. We begin to see emotions that feel familiar  loneliness, hope, the need to belong. In our fast, stressful lives, such moments become emotional breathing spaces. We collectively root for him, almost as if his healing reassures our own."

The Punch" Effect

The impact of this tiny macaque is reaching far beyond social media. Sales of the Djungelskog orangutan toy have spiked globally. IKEA Japan even donated dozens of the toys to the zoo, declaring on social media, Were ALL Punchs family now."

From the hashtag #HangInTherePunch to fan art and even mentions on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Punch has become a universal symbol of resilience. Plus recent updates from the zoo show that Punch is finally making progress. He has been spotted receiving his first grooming sessions from other macaques and even hugging a real troop member instead of just his plushie.

Why We Cant Look Away

Punch reminds us of the blanket" or teddy bear" we once couldnt live withoutthe objects that made our own hard days feel softer. In a world that often feels cold and wiry" (much like the famous Harry Harlow monkey experiments of the 1950s), Punch chooses the soft option every time.

We care because, as Dr. Motwani puts it, Somewhere, we see a little bit of ourselves and our timeless need to nurture, connect, and feel safe again."

So, the next time you find yourself three minutes deep into a video of a baby macaque clutching a stuffed toy, and hear someone telling you to stop watching it, dont feel guilty about the doomscrolling." Youre not just watching a monkey; youre taking an emotional breather with a little friend who is teaching the world how to be brave.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 16:13 IST

News lifestyle relationship Go Baby Punch! Why Millions Of Us Are Rooting For A Tiny Monkey And His IKEA Toy
I Miss Him Every Single Minute: Hema Malini Reacts To Dharmendra Being Honoured At BAFTA 2026

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:08 IST

Hema Malini says it is heartening to see late Dharmendra being honoured at BAFTA, and that he was someone whose presence went beyond borders.

Rapid Read

Hema Malini Reacts To Dharmendra Being Honoured At BAFTA 2026

The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) paid tribute to Hindi cinema legend Dharmendra during its In Memoriam segment. The legendary Indian actor, who passed away in November 2025, was remembered among global cinema icons. Now, his wife and actress Hema Malini has reacted to the emotional tribute, and said that it was heartening to see him being remembered at the prestigious award ceremony, as he was someone who had fans in every corner of the world.

Hema Malini On Dharmendra Being Honoured At BAFTA 2026

While speaking about Dharmendra being honoured at BAFTA, Hema Malini told Variety India, He was someone whose presence went beyond borders. He had fans in every part of the world. My God, the way he would be mobbed in foreign countries."

She further added that they did not travel together often, except during film shoots. We didnt travel together much, except for shootings when we got to spend time together. We would sign lots of films together so we could spend time together," she said.

Hema Malini Misses Dharmendra

Hema Malini also said that she misses him every minute since he passed away. I miss him every single minute. I keep asking myself, is he really gone? When will I meet him again?" she said. She also spoke about her favourite films of his, and added, I like Chupke Chupke a lot  who doesnt? And Sholay, because of all the good times we had during the shooting. I havent seen all his films. I am going to watch them one by one, as soon as I get some time."

Dharmendras Death

Dharmendra passed away on 24 November 2025 at his Mumbai residence at the age of 89, following a prolonged illness and a brief hospitalisation due to respiratory complications. Popularly known as the He-Man" of Hindi cinema, he built a career that spanned more than six decades.

From Sholay to Seeta Aur Geeta and Mera Gaon Mera Desh, his performances defined an era. His screen presence, emotional depth and effortless charm made him one of Indian cinemas most beloved stars. His final rites were performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai, where the film fraternity and countless fans gathered to pay their respects.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:08 IST

News movies bollywood I Miss Him Every Single Minute: Hema Malini Reacts To Dharmendra Being Honoured At BAFTA 2026
Ismail Darbar Hits Back At AR Rahman Over Communal Comment: 'You Dont Make Good Songs'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 20:40 IST

Ismail Darbar responds to A. R. Rahmans communal Bollywood remark, says the industry rewards talent, not religion.

Ismail Darbar reacting to A. R. Rahman communal Bollywood comment

A fresh debate has erupted in the music industry after A. R. Rahman said he has been getting fewer opportunities in Bollywood and suggested that the industry has become increasingly communal." While his comment found some support, it also drew sharp reactions  the strongest coming from composer Ismail Darbar.

Speaking to Subhojit Ghosh on his YouTube channel, Ismail rejected Rahmans claim and said the history of Hindi cinema tells a very different story. If the industry was communal then, no Muslim in this country would have become a star. There would have not been Ismail Darbar, Naushad or Dilip Kumar. They wouldnt have become stars if this was the case."

By naming legends like Dilip Kumar, born Muhammad Yusuf Khan, and celebrated composer Naushad, Ismail argued that talent has always mattered more than religion in Bollywood. He did not stop there. It is all about talent and your fate," he said.

Ismail then took a direct dig at Rahman, saying, Also, what deficiency do you have in life that your stomach is not getting filled. The God has given you everything, so live nicely. You are very talented, you design sound very nicely. You dont make good songs, but you are a good sound designer."

Not The First Clash

This is not the first time Ismail Darbar has publicly criticised A. R. Rahman. Back in 2011, when Rahman won an Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire, Ismail had questioned the merit of the win. I just dont understand how the music for that movie won the prestigious award. What was Oscar-worthy about it? Nothing. I would have been happy had he won it for films like Roja or Bombay but not for Slumdog. He did not deserve it. Aur, mujhe pata hai ki ise kharida gaya hai (And, I know that it has been bought)." Rahman had reacted at the time with a short but clear statement. Oscars cannot be bought."

A Wider Industry Conversation

Rahmans recent remarks about Bollywood becoming communal" triggered mixed reactions across the film fraternity. While some echoed concerns about changing industry dynamics, others dismissed the claim, insisting that Hindi cinema has historically rewarded talent across communities.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 20:40 IST

News movies bollywood Ismail Darbar Hits Back At AR Rahman Over Communal Comment: 'You Dont Make Good Songs'
No Free Pass For Fame: Here's What Karnataka HC Told Ranveer Singh In Kantara Mimicry Case

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 18:08 IST

The court maintained that the harm caused to public emotions remains a serious matter that cannot be overlooked by a simple apology

The legal confrontation stems from Singhs controversial satire regarding actor Rishab Shettys portrayal of a deity. File image

In a stern courtroom session, the Karnataka High Court has criticised Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh for his reckless" behaviour during a recent public appearance, emphasising that celebrity status does not grant a licence to disregard the emotional and cultural values of others. The legal confrontation stems from Singhs controversial satire regarding actor Rishab Shettys portrayal of a deity, an act that has sparked significant backlash across the state. While defence counsel Sajan Poovayya argued that Singh offered an immediate apology once he realised the gravity of the situation, the presiding judge dismissed the notion that post-event regret could easily erase the impact. The court noted that while the public may eventually move on, the digital footprint of such incidents remains permanent, reminding the actor that public figures must exercise foresight and sensitivity before they speak.

The legal proceedings grew more intense as Government Advocate Jagadish pointed out the actors personal ties to Karnataka through his wife, suggesting he should have possessed a deeper understanding of local sentiments. The prosecution further alleged that Singh deliberately ignored requests to stop his mockery, reportedly continuing the satire even after Rishab Shetty himself expressed discomfort. The judge observed that standing on a public stage requires a high degree of responsibility, stating that the actor should have been mindful of the audiences feelings from the outset. Despite the defences assurances that Singh would be more cautious in the future, the court maintained that the harm caused to public emotions remains a serious matter that cannot be overlooked by a simple apology.

In its interim directive, the High Court has adjourned the matter until next Monday at 4 pm to allow for further deliberation. While the bench instructed that no coercive steps be taken against the actor in the meantime, it explicitly directed Ranveer Singh to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 18:08 IST

News movies bollywood No Free Pass For Fame: Here's What Karnataka HC Told Ranveer Singh In Kantara Mimicry Case
She Has Been A Warrior: Vicky Kaushal Opens Up About Katrina Kaifs Pregnancy Journey, Son Vihaan

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 07:51 IST

Vicky Kaushal spoke about his 3-month-old son Vihaan, and also called Katrina Kaif a warrior, praising her strength through pregnancy and motherhood.

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Vicky Kaushal Calls Katrina Kaif A Superhero, Says She Has Been A Warrior Through Pregnancy

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have been over the moon ever since they welcomed their first child, son Vihaan, in November 2025. On their 4th wedding anniversary in December, Vicky revealed that they have been sleep deprived, but blissful and so grateful since the arrival of their little one. Now, at a recent event, the Uri actor spoke about his 3-month-old son Vihaan, and said that he is trying to be a cheerleader while Katrina Kaif has been a warrior through pregnancy and motherhood.

Vicky Kaushal Calls Katrina Kaif A Superhero

Vicky Kaushal recently attended an event by The Hollywood Reporter India, where Neha Dhupia asked him, How is it being a brand new dad?" Vicky replied, He is three months old right now, theres very little a dad has to do when the baby is three months old, Im just trying to be a cheerleader and Im waiting for him to grow up so I can contribute more."

He further gushed over Katrina Kaif, and said, Right now, the mother is being the superhero and she has been a warrior through her pregnancy and she has been a warrior as a mother as well. Im so incredibly proud of her and I love her so much."

Previously, in an interaction with GQ India, Vicky Kaushal opened up about this new phase of life. Becoming a father this year is my biggest moment of 2025. It is a magical feeling. I always felt that when the time came, I would be very emotional and ecstatic, but it has actually been the most grounding moment that I have ever experienced in my life," he had said.

Katrina Kaif And Vicky Kaushals Love Story

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal tied the knot in a dreamy wedding in Rajasthan. The couple got married on December 9, 2021, in a private ceremony at Six Senses Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur.

The couple welcomed their son in November 2025, and took to Instagram to share the happy news with their fans and followers. The couple wrote, Our bundle of joy has arrived. With immense love and gratitude, we welcome our baby boy. 7th November 2025."

First Published: February 24, 2026, 07:36 IST

News movies bollywood She Has Been A Warrior: Vicky Kaushal Opens Up About Katrina Kaifs Pregnancy Journey, Son Vihaan
'You May Be Ranveer Singh': Court Rips Into Actor Over Kantara Mimicry, Calls Him 'Loose-Tongued'

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 14:48 IST

Karnataka High Court gives Ranveer Singh protection till March 2 in Kantara mimicry case but slams actor for calling sacred daivas "ghosts" at IFFI ceremony.

Ranveer Singh faces legal trouble over Kantara mimicry controversy at IFFI.

The Karnataka High Court has given Bollywood star Ranveer Singh temporary relief in a case thats become a nightmare for the actor. But the judges didnt hold back when telling him exactly what they think about his behaviour. On Tuesday, Justice M Nagaprasanna made it crystal clear that being a celebrity doesnt give anyone the right to mock religious beliefs. The court stopped police from arresting Ranveer until March 2, but only after delivering a stinging lecture about responsibility.

Court Slams Ranveer Singhs Loose Tongue"

The judge was brutal in his assessment. You may be Ranveer Singh or anybody. You cant be loose tongued at all! We will see if there is mens rea.. But you being an actor, you have influence on so many people. You have to be responsible. If you are speaking about a deity (you have to do your research), you cant call it a ghost. You have no right to hurt anybodys religious sentiments..You have apologised, but will your apology take back all the words? I, you, people may forget. But internet never forgets."

The court didnt stop there. They pointed out something that made Ranveers actions even worse. Two factors. Rishab Shetty was performing an act of a Deity. Goddess Chamundy. He may or may not be aware of religious sentiments of people. He has spoken female ghost" and act of mimicking Rishab Shetty, would definitely hurt sentiments. You cant be loose tongued!"

What Actually Happened at IFFI

The whole mess started at the International Film Festival of India in Goa last November. Ranveer took to the stage during the closing ceremony and decided to copy Rishab Shettys powerful Daiva performance from Kantara. But instead of showing respect, he turned it into a joke. Ranveer made exaggerated faces while mimicking the sacred act. Even worse, he called the daivas ghosts"  a comment that sent shockwaves through Karnatakas religious community. Rishab Shetty was sitting right there watching this happen. The Kantara star tried to stop him twice. First when Ranveer was on stage, and again when they met face-to-face. But Ranveer didnt seem to get the message.

Legal Team Fights Back

Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayy represented Ranveer in court, arguing that people took his words the wrong way. The lawyer insisted there was no plan to hurt any communitys feelings.

What Happens Next

The court has given Ranveer breathing space until March 2. During this time, police cant arrest him or take any harsh action. However, he has to cooperate fully with the investigation.The case has become a talking point about how celebrities should behave, especially when dealing with religious and cultural topics.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 14:43 IST

News movies bollywood 'You May Be Ranveer Singh': Court Rips Into Actor Over Kantara Mimicry, Calls Him 'Loose-Tongued'
News / National

by Staff reporter

Lisbon Tawanda Chigwenjere, a fourth year student at Midlands State University, in the Department of Politics and Public Management is currently in South Africa, whereLeaders' Initiative Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa Programme.The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), is a programme that was launched by American President, Barack Obama as part of broad efforts to nurture the next generation of African leaders.Participants of the programme are drawn from all over Southern Africa and have to undergo a rigorous selection process before being admitted into the programme. Successful candidates are then taken through a 2-week introductory online programme, which is followed by a 4-week contact programme at the YALI Leadership Regional Centre.As part of the programme, members are exposed to multi-disciplinary training from seasoned professionals and academics designed to mould them into well-rounded young leaders. Areas of focus under the programme include business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and public management.The Young African Leaders' Initiative Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa Programme, which commenced on the 11th of April 2016 at the UNISA School of Business Leadership, in Midrand South Africa, will come to an end on the 6th of May with a graduation ceremony marking the end of the contact programme.On behalf of the entire University community, we would like to congratulate Lisbon for being selected to be part of this prestigious programme and for flying the University flag high.
Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty To Additional Rape And Sexual Assault Charges

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 20:39 IST

Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape and sexual assault charges at Southwark Crown Court, linked to alleged 2009 incidents.

Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape and sexual assault charges

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has formally denied a fresh set of rape and sexual assault allegations as legal proceedings against him continue to widen. The 50-year-old appeared before Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, where he entered not guilty pleas to the latest charges linked to alleged incidents dating back to 2009.

During the brief court hearing, Brand confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The session was limited to recording his pleas, and no evidence was presented at this stage. Additional procedural hearings are expected before the matter proceeds to trial.

According to LBC UK, the newly filed charges stem from alleged incidents in London in 2009. Prosecutors authorised the additional counts after investigators reviewed further material as part of an ongoing inquiry. Brand has consistently denied all allegations and maintains that his past relationships were consensual.

The recent pleas mark the second occasion on which Brand has formally rejected criminal charges in this case. Previously, he pleaded not guilty to five sexual offence charges, including two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. Those earlier allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place between 1999 and 2005 and involve four women.

The trial concerning the earlier charges is scheduled for June 2026. The newly added counts are also expected to be addressed during those proceedings.

The investigation began in 2023 following media reports in which multiple women made allegations of sexual misconduct. Shortly afterward, the Metropolitan Police opened an inquiry. Detectives collected witness statements and reviewed available evidence before the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was sufficient basis to bring charges.

Under UK law, the identities of complainants in sexual offence cases are protected. Legal observers note that cases involving allegations from many years ago can present evidentiary challenges, particularly when events date back over a decade.

Brand, who rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian and television presenter before expanding into radio and film, has denied the accusations since they first emerged. He remains on bail as preparations for trial continue. Until the court reaches a verdict, he is presumed innocent.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 20:39 IST

News movies hollywood Russell Brand Pleads Not Guilty To Additional Rape And Sexual Assault Charges
Sydney Sweeney Cuts All Business Ties With Ex Fiance Jonathan Davino

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 10:13 IST

Reports suggest Sydney Sweeney paid Jonathan Davino to move forward independently.

Sweeney and Davino dated each other for seven years. (Photo Credit: X)

Sydney Sweeney is officially closing one chapter and starting another, in business as well as in her personal life. According to reports, the actress has dissolved the production company she co-founded with her ex-fiance, Jonathan Davino, and has since launched a new company under the same name, marking a clean professional break.

Sources with direct knowledge told TMZ that Sweeney paid Davino out so she could move forward independently. Jonathan has nothing to do with Sydneys life," sources said. Insiders also claimed that Davino has been telling people he made her." Those close to Sweeney strongly dispute the statement, though. According to them, if anything, Jonathan used the entertainer." The split appears to be both personal and professional.

Sweeney and Davino originally launched Fifty-Fifty Films LLC in January 2019, about a year after they began dating in 2018. The couple kept their relationship largely private throughout their seven years together and got engaged before calling it off in March 2025.

Following her breakup with Davino last year, a source told People, Shes completely focused on work and excited for everything she has coming up." The insider added, The wedding, the pressure  it just didnt feel right." Sweeney is now reportedly dating music executive Scooter Braun, and the pair have gone public with their relationship.

Official records show that as recently as May 2025, both were still listed as managers of the company. However, documents filed on December 12, 2025, requested the State of California to dissolve the LLC, with a box checked confirming the decision was made by a vote of all members.

Production Banners Biggest Hit

Fifty-Fifty Films described itself as an independent production studio" and backed several of Sweeneys projects, including the horror film Immaculate and the commercially successful romantic comedy Anyone But You, co-starring Glen Powell. The latter became a breakout hit, grossing $218.9 million globally (approx Rs 19,900 crore) and significantly solidified Sweeneys stature as both actor and producer.

Sydney Sweeney At Her Peak

Professionally, Sweeneys career has only witnessed highs in recent times. In 2025 alone, she appeared in five films. The biggest of them has been The Housemaid, a thriller adaptation of Freida McFaddens novel. Lionsgate projects the film will earn an estimated $383 million worldwide (around Rs 34,843 crore) after nearly two months in theatres, making it the highest-grossing film of Sweeneys career. It is expected that the film might surpass the global earnings of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood during its original release.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 10:13 IST

News movies hollywood Sydney Sweeney Cuts All Business Ties With Ex Fiance Jonathan Davino
Vijay Deverakonda-Rashmika Mandanna Wedding: Couple Keeps Ceremony Rooted, Food Served On Banana Leaves

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 08:37 IST

Reports also suggest that the couple has decided to keep the wedding private, with only close family and friends in attendance.

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Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna to marry in Udaipur on February 26.

It is no secret that Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna are all set to tie the knot. The couple is already in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and will get married on February 26. Amid all this, it has not been reported that the two stars have decided to keep their special day rooted in regional traditions. If a report by Bollywood Hungama is to be believed, guests at Vijay-Rashmikas wedding are being served food on banana leaves along with coconut water.

Guests at Rashmika-Vijays wedding are likely to experience a touch of South Indian tradition, with meals served on banana leaves and coconut water being specially arranged as part of the hospitality," a source cited by the news portal claimed.

Serving food on banana leaves is a traditional practice at many South Indian weddings, symbolising prosperity and auspicious beginnings. Similarly, coconut water is often associated with purity and welcome. Vijay, Rashmika Announce Wedding Of Virosh On February 22, the couple took to their respective Instagram stories section and confirmed their wedding. Our Dearest loves, Before we made any plans, before we chose anything for ourselves, you were already there. With so much love, you gave us a name. You called us VIROSH. So today, with full hearts, we name our coming together in your honour. We would like to name it, The Wedding of VIROSH. Thank you for holding us with so much love. You are a part of us, always. Biggest hugs and full love!" they wrote. Reports also suggest that the couple has decided to keep the wedding private, with only close family and friends in attendance. Insiders say they have chosen not to invite members of the film industry to maintain an intimate celebration. However, following their Udaipur wedding, the couple plans a grand reception in Hyderabad on March 4, reportedly at Taj Krishna, that will see their friends, colleagues and whos who from the Telugu film industry in attendance.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 08:37 IST

News movies telugu-cinema Vijay Deverakonda-Rashmika Mandanna Wedding: Couple Keeps Ceremony Rooted, Food Served On Banana Leaves
Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 07:30 IST

1 / 8 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: This vibrant musical drama established Bhansalis signature style of visual opulence. Starring Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan, it follows a woman torn between her first love and the husband who selflessly attempts to reunite her with him across the Italian landscape.

2 / 8 Devdas: Bhansalis adaptation of the classic novel redefined cinematic grandeur. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan as the tragic hero, the film is a masterclass in production design, featuring massive sets and haunting music that capture the soul-crushing descent of a heartbroken alcoholic.

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3 / 8 Black: A departure from his usual colorful spectacles, this poignant drama explores the bond between a deaf-blind girl and her eccentric teacher. Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji deliver powerhouse performances in a story that celebrates the human spirit's triumph over darkness.

4 / 8 Bajirao Mastani: This epic historical romance chronicles the forbidden love between Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I and the warrior princess Mastani. With breathtaking choreography and intense performances by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, it remains one of Bhansalis most visually stunning and successful masterpieces.

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5 / 8 Gangubai Kathiawadi: Based on a true story, this biographical drama stars Alia Bhatt as a young woman forced into sex work who rises to become a powerful matriarch. The film balances gritty reality with Bhansalis theatrical flair, championing the rights of the marginalized.

6 / 8 Guzaarish: In this aesthetically stunning drama, Bhansali explores the sensitive theme of euthanasia. Hrithik Roshan plays a paralyzed magician seeking the right to end his life, supported by his devoted nurse, played by Aishwarya Rai, in a melancholic setting.

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7 / 8 Padmaavat: This massive historical epic tells the legend of Queen Padmavati, known for her beauty and bravery. It is famous for its intricate costume design, powerful performances, and the grand, controversial climax that captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
Aurangzeb Zindabad Mindset: BJP Slams Opposition For Criticising Lutyens Bust Removal

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:21 IST

Opposition leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Iltija Mufti criticised Edwin Lutyens' bust swap with Rajagopalachari's, questioning governments attempts to erase colonial history.

(Left) British architect Edwin Lutyens' bust which was replaced with Chakravarti Rajagopalachari's (Right) at Rastrapati Bhawan.

A political row has erupted after the bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan was replaced with that of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, in an attempt to shed the countrys colonial past.

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled Rajagopalacharis bust at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre during the Rajaji Utsav on Monday morning. The new bust has been placed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap, the spot previously occupied by Lutyens, the chief architect of New Delhi and the namesake of Lutyens Delhi.

Opposition react

Opposition leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Iltija Mufti criticised the move, questioning the governments attempts to erase colonial history. They said India should preserve all parts of its history and argued that removing busts reflects misplaced anger and an attempt to rewrite architectural legacy.

Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticised the BJP governments move saying, The future generation of India would only know of Bimal Hasmukh Patel architectural legacy because am certain whatever is left of Lutyens design history will be broken down, redesigned or repurposed under the narrative of ridding ourselves of our colonial history. Many countries preserve the heritage and legacy of their nations lived history for generations to remember  the good, the bad and the ugly included to learn from but in new India we are hell bent on replacing it with shiny new glass domes or convention centres- with no soul or cultural context."

PDP leader Iltija Mufti questioned how removing busts helps India and said heritage cannot be erased. Her X post reads, How does it help India to continue with this warped misplaced sense of anger towards its history? This constant obsession of wiping off the colonial hangover? Lutyens makes Delhi what it is. You cannot efface heritage or history by removing busts & plaques. Most of Indias architectural marvels are British & Mughal. Big deal!"

BJP slams Opposition

Meanwhile, reacting to Muftis post criticising the move, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, No wonder those who once glorified terrorist Burhan Wani are rattled today. The same Aurangzeb Zindabad" mindset for vote bank politics cannot digest Bharat reclaiming its civilisational heritage and shedding the mentality of slavery."

No wonder those who once glorified terrorist Burhan Wani are rattled today.The same Aurangzeb Zindabad" mindset for vote bank politics cannot digest Bharat reclaiming its civilisational heritage and shedding the mentality of slavery. https://t.co/eqQo8CcDdD  Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) February 24, 2026

Shashi Tharoor lauds move

Meanwhile, differing from his opposition colleagues, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Rajagopalachari.

Im truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India, before we became a Republic and he yielded his seat to the new President. I have long admired his convictions and was a strong supporter of his Swatantra Party in my student days. His set of values and principles  liberal economics and support for free enterprise, combined with social justice; strong anchoring in Indian civilization and religious faith but without a shred of communal bigotry; and a staunch faith in the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including keeping the government out of our kitchens, bedrooms and libraries  remain mine to this day. It is sad that there are so few left to follow him today," said Tharoor.

How did Britain react?

British figures including Matt Ridley and Michael Fabricant criticised the move, saying history cannot be erased by removing busts or plaques.

British journalist Matt Ridley made similar remarks, saying history cannot be effaced by removing plaques. In his disagreement, Ridley said, How does it help India to continue with this warped misplaced sense of anger towards its history? This constant obsession of wiping off the colonial hangover? Lutyens makes Delhi what it is. You cannot efface heritage or history by removing busts & plaques. Most of Indias architectural marvels are British & Mughal. Big deal!"

Former British MP Michael Fabricant said that removing Lutyens name would not change the fact that he remains the buildings architect. They can remove his name, but until they remove the building, he will always be its architect," read his post on X.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:19 IST

News politics Aurangzeb Zindabad Mindset: BJP Slams Opposition For Criticising Lutyens Bust Removal

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BJPs Multi-Front Bengal Blitz: Amit Shah, JP Nadda & Nitin Nabin To Launch Parivartan Rath Yatra On March 1

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 21:52 IST

The BJPs mobilisation of such a broad spectrum of national leaders indicates a serious commitment to its outreach efforts

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Yatra from Raidighi in the South 24 Parganas district. At the same time, Union Minister JP Nadda is slated to launch the campaign in Nadia, while BJP President Nitin Nabin will spearhead the programmes commencement from Cooch Behar in North Bengal. File pic/X

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to significantly escalate its political presence in West Bengal with the formal launch of the Parivartan Rath Yatra on March 1. This large-scale campaign mobilisation involves a sophisticated multi-pronged strategy, with several of the partys most senior national figures scheduled to inaugurate the outreach programme simultaneously from geographically diverse corners of the state. By deploying a high-profile leadership cohort across both North and South Bengal, the BJP aims to demonstrate a cohesive and formidable challenge to the ruling dispensation in regions deemed strategically vital for the upcoming electoral contests.

The opening phase of the campaign features an intensive itinerary led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who will inaugurate the Yatra from Raidighi in the South 24 Parganas district. At the same time, Union Minister JP Nadda is slated to launch the campaign in Nadia, while BJP President Nitin Nabin will spearhead the programmes commencement from Cooch Behar in North Bengal. This simultaneous launch is designed to ensure maximum visibility and regional penetration from the very first day of the movement.

The momentum is expected to continue into the second day, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh scheduled to inaugurate events in Howrah before travelling to the politically sensitive area of Sandeshkhali on March 2. Other prominent national leaders are also being integrated into the initial rollout; Dharmendra Pradhan is confirmed to attend a programme in Garbeta, and Annapurna Devi is expected to be present for the Yatras launch in Kulti, Asansol. Additionally, Devendra Fadnavis has been tasked with inaugurating the Rath Yatra in Birbhum, further highlighting the partys reliance on national heavyweights to drive its local narrative.

To ensure comprehensive statewide coverage, the BJP has structured the Parivartan Yatra around nine distinct divisions, or bibhags. This territorial organisation includes Siliguri, Maldah, Nabadwip, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Puruliya, and Burdwan. This systematic approach suggests a desire to address specific regional grievances and engage with local electorates on a more granular level.

While the Trinamool Congress has sought to dismiss the initiative as election tourism", the BJPs mobilisation of such a broad spectrum of national leaders indicates a serious commitment to its outreach efforts. The March 1 launch serves as the official starting gun for what promises to be an intensive period of political campaigning, as the party seeks to shift the states political equilibrium through sustained grassroots engagement and high-decibel leadership rallies across the length and breadth of West Bengal.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 21:52 IST

News politics BJPs Multi-Front Bengal Blitz: Amit Shah, JP Nadda & Nitin Nabin To Launch Parivartan Rath Yatra On March 1

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'W Is Always Called At The End': After 'Keralam', CM Mamata On Why West Bengal Should Be 'Bangla'

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 19:51 IST

While congratulating the "brothers and sisters of Kerala" for their name change success, CM Mamata Banerjee once again drew attention to the renaming of West Bengal to 'Bangla'

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condemned what she called the BJP-led Centres political double standards and its anti-Bengali stance. (Image: PTI/File)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday condemned what she called the BJP-led Centres political double standards and its anti-Bengali" stance, soon after the Union cabinets approval of Keralas renaming to Keralam.

Banerjee said the long-pending name change proposal for West Bengal to Bangla remains stalled and the state continues to suffer from an alphabetical disadvantage, which causes professional hurdles for its people. By renaming the state, it will jump from the bottom of the list to the fourth position, following Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam.

While congratulating the brothers and sisters of Kerala" for their success, Banerjee once again drew attention to the renaming of West Bengal.

I would like to congratulate the brothers and sisters of Kerala on the decision to rename the state as Keralam. The names of several states are changed once such proposals are endorsed by the respective state governments. However, the same has not been the case with West Bengal," Banerjee said.

She added: When our students go for exams or interviews, they are called at the end since the name of the state begins with W, which is towards the end of the alphabet. I, too, face the same problem and my chance to speak always comes at the end as I am the chief minister of West Bengal."

Banerjee said the push to rename the state is deeply rooted in a desire to better reflect Bengals cultural identity and move past the historical legacy of the 1947 Partition.

Based on the culture of the state, we wanted to rename West Bengal as Bangla. In this regard, we have passed resolutions twice in the legislative assembly. After we were told that the name of the state should be the same in Hindi, Bengali and English, we passed a resolution again to rename the state as Bangla in all three languages," she said.

Experts have argued that the prefix West" is an obsolete reminder of a painful era, particularly as East Bengal" no longer exists, having become East Pakistan and subsequently the independent nation of Bangladesh.

ALSO READ | Keralam Loading: How Constitution Governs Keralas Renaming | Explained

ANTI-BENGALI, GROWING ALLIANCE BETWEEN BJP & CPIM

Banerjee took a swipe at the BJP, accusing the party of being anti-Bengali". She alleged that despite raising the issue repeatedly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, no action has been taken.

They disrespect the icons and visionaries of Bengal. They only use the word Bangla during polls to get electoral benefit," she said.

She claimed the approval of Keralas name change is due to a growing alliance between the BJP and CPIM. Kerala has been renamed since there is an alliance growing between the BJP and the CPIM," she said, adding that the partnership is not unwritten anymore".

The chief minister questioned why Bengal must always face deprivation and expressed confidence that in future the name change will be a success.

One day, you [BJP] will not be in power. We will get the name changed," she added.

WHAT IS HISTORY OF THE BANGLA DEMAND?

1999: The journey to rename West Bengal dates back to 1999, when the Jyoti Basu-led Left Front government was in power. A resolution to rename the state Bangla  ironically suggested by Saugata Roy, then a Congress MLA  was unanimously passed. The then NDA government stalled the move, citing potential confusion with the neighbouring country of Bangladesh.

2011: Upon coming to power for the first time in 2011, Mamata Banerjees government proposed the name Paschimbanga to be used across all languages, but this was also stalled at the central level.

2016: The state proposed a unique three-name solution in 2016: Bangla in Bengali, Bengal in English, and Bangal in Hindi. The Centre, however, rejected this on the grounds that a single state cannot have multiple official names in different languages.

2018: Following the Centres feedback, the Bengal assembly passed a fresh resolution in July 2018 to rename the state simply to Bangla in all three languages. But nothing has been done on that count, with the central government citing concerns over phonetic similarity to Bangladesh in international forums.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 19:41 IST

News politics 'W Is Always Called At The End': After 'Keralam', CM Mamata On Why West Bengal Should Be 'Bangla'

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Anthropic Accuses Chinas DeepSeek Of Using Its Data To Train AI; Elon Musk Says Look Whos Talking

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 13:46 IST

Anthropic has built its AI model Claude using free data and books from library, claims Elon Musk citing multiple community posts.

Anthropic accuses others of stealing data, Elon Musk is not having it.

Anthropic has accused foreign AI labs of stealing data from its AI model Claude to build their own smaller and cheaper models for the customers. These attacks are called distillation where they push the AI model to share its secrets, how it was built and other confidential details. These labs created over 24,000 fraudulent accounts and generated over 16 million exchanges with Claude, extracting its capabilities to train and improve their own models," Anthropic mentioned in its post on X.

And while Anthropic has raised these concerns from Chinese threat, xAI CEO Elon Musk has taken a dig at the AI company and accused them of stealing data and using public data for free, for which, Musk claims, Anthropic was penalised $1.5 billion.

Weve identified industrial-scale distillation attacks on our models by DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax.These labs created over 24,000 fraudulent accounts and generated over 16 million exchanges with Claude, extracting its capabilities to train and improve their own models.  Anthropic (@AnthropicAI) February 23, 2026

Musk Vs Anthropic: The New AI Battle

Musk replied to the Anthropic posts about distillation attacks by citing community notes on X, and also mentioned that the AI company had to pay multi-billion dollar settlement for its alleged stealing of data to train its AI models. These cross accusations have become fairly common these days, and the AI arena is riddled with them since the lack of training data could tempt them into a dark path.

Anthropic is guilty of stealing training data at massive scale and has had to pay multi-billion dollar settlements for their theft. This is just a fact. https://t.co/EEtdsJQ1Op Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 23, 2026

The community note under Anthropics own post suggests the company had pirated over 7 million books from shadow libraries to train Claude, and also for torrenting 20,000+ songs. Musk is basically using the classic, Look whos talking, phrase to take a dig at Anthropic and suggested they should look within themselves first before accusing anyone else of stealing its data.

Having said that, these AI-gen attacks will surely become a concern for more companies in the months and years to come.

Google had recently sounded the bugle regarding these attacks. It has even come out with a detailed report which says some attackers tried to prompt Gemini into making a clone version of the AI model which can have a massive impact on how the AI arena operates over the next few years.

The company is calling it distillation attacks," which is designed to push the AI chatbot to share the confidential details about its model and how it functions in the background.

Anthropic isnt the first AI company to make the news for stealing accusations and wont be the last. And with the industry looking for a quick start in the arena, expect more data scraping to happen without your knowledge.

Location : California, USA

First Published: February 24, 2026, 13:46 IST

News tech Anthropic Accuses Chinas DeepSeek Of Using Its Data To Train AI; Elon Musk Says Look Whos Talking

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Chrome Security Issue Reported For Desktop Users By Indian Govt

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 15:51 IST

Chrome users on Windows, macOS and even Linux can be targeted for a wide range of dangerous attacks, the alert says.

Chrome users on Windows, Mac and Linux are at risk.

Google Chrome users in India have got another major security threat and the alert for this issue came via the Indian government a few days back. The latest Chrome security warning dated February 20, 2026 has been posted by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) with a high severity ranking, which ought to get millions of Chrome users in the country extremely concerned.

These issues with Chrome have become very frequent and Google will be surely worried about its impact in the market where it has the leading share.

Chrome Security Issue: Know The Details

The security agency of the Indian government has shared the details about the issue, who it affects and how it can be exploited to target users. Multiple vulnerabilities exist in Google Chrome due to Heap buffer overflows in PDFium and Media; Integer overflow in V8. A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by convincing a user to visit a specially crafted or malicious web page on the targeted system," the CERT-In bulletin explains.

These are very important components built into the structure of the Chrome browser and the issues are serious enough for Google to take notice, same for the Indian government authorities.

There are obvious concerns about its impact, which the agency says can be used for, Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause memory corruption or trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition on the targeted system."

The other big issue is that Chrome users across businesses and personal accounts can be targeted. They can be either using a Windows, Linux system or even macOS machine. Nobody is safe from the exploits if the hackers really wanted to. These are the Chrome versions across platforms:

Google Chrome versions prior to 145.0.7632.109/110 for Windows

Google Chrome versions prior to 145.0.7632.109/110 for Mac

Google Chrome versions prior to 144.0.7559.109 for Linux

So, what is the way to stop these issues from being used to target the victims? Chrome users must download the latest available software update for Google Chrome on Windows, macOS and Linux. You can do this by heading over to the three-dot menu on Chrome  Settings  About  Update Chrome. Google has listed the security fixes that come with the stable channel update.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: February 24, 2026, 15:51 IST

News tech Chrome Security Issue Reported For Desktop Users By Indian Govt

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Bolivia Intends To Learn From India's Digital, AI Innovations: Minister | Exclusive

Curated By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 22:18 IST

Bolivia's vice tech minister underscored the remarkable dynamism of India's technology ecosystem, while welcoming the openness of Indian counterparts to expanding AI collaboration

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Omar Alfredo Penaloza Escalera is the vice-minister of science and technology at the ministry of development planning in Bolivia. (Image: Sourced)

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 brought together policymakers and technology leaders from across the world, spotlighting how artificial intelligence is reshaping governance, economies, and societies.

Among the global voices in attendance was Bolivia, a country rich in natural resources and increasingly focused on leveraging science, technology, and innovation to drive sustainable and inclusive development.

On the sidelines of the summit, CNN-News18 had a chat with Omar Alfredo Penaloza Escalera, who is the vice-minister of science and technology at the ministry of development planning in Bolivia. He spoke about La Pazs growing engagement with India, the promise of South-South cooperation in emerging technologies, and how partnerships in AI can help build domestic capacity rather than deepen global inequalities.

Excerpts from the interview:

Minister, Bolivia has traditionally focused on extractive industries and basic technology sectors. How does participation in the India AI Impact Summit fit into Bolivias broader science and technology strategy?

Bolivias participation in the India AI Impact Summit reflects our broader policy of steadily strengthening science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development. We are committed to transforming our productive sectors by adopting emerging technologies, diversifying the economy, and creating greater value.

India is a strategic partner from the Global South, with a strong track record in digital innovation and inclusive technological solutions. Our presence here shows Bolivias intent to learn from successful models, encourage knowledge exchange, and build partnerships that ultimately improve the lives of our people.

Artificial intelligence can deepen global inequalities if mismanaged. How is Bolivia ensuring that Al collaborations with India will build domestic capacity rather than create dependency?

Bolivia views international cooperation as a partnership built on mutual respect, complementarity, and joint capacity-building. In the field of AI, our focus is on developing human talent, ensuring technology transfer, and strengthening institutions.

The goal is to create solutions tailored to Bolivias own realities, while promoting technological sovereignty and responsible data governance. Our cooperation with India is designed to build domestic capacity, not dependency, so that the benefits of AI support inclusive and sustainable development.

Advanced AI relies heavily on high-performance chips and semiconductors. Does Bolivia plan to collaborate with India on developing or accessing AI hardware?

We recognise the strategic importance of technological infrastructure for advancing AI. Bolivia is open to exploring cooperation mechanisms that improve access to advanced computing capabilities, encourage technical knowledge-sharing, and enable participation in initiatives linked to specialised AI hardware.

From a complementary partnership perspective, we see opportunities to deepen dialogue in areas of shared interest, including technology innovation connected to strategic resources and the strengthening of technical capabilities in emerging sectors.

Finally, during your visit to India and interactions with Indian counterparts, what were your key takeaways?

The visit highlighted the remarkable dynamism of Indias technology ecosystem and its strong commitment to using innovation as a tool for inclusion and development. It also reinforced the value of South-South cooperation as an effective way to tackle shared challenges.

We especially appreciated the openness and willingness of our Indian counterparts to expand collaboration in areas such as applied AI, digital transformation of public services, and institutional strengthening. We leave with a strong sense that this relationship can grow into a long-term strategic partnership built on trust, respect, and mutual benefit.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 22:16 IST

News world Bolivia Intends To Learn From India's Digital, AI Innovations: Minister | Exclusive

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Akbar Novruz



For four years, the war in Ukraine has ground on, steadily burying the early bravado that it would be over in days. That claim, authored in Moscow, now reads like a dispatch from a vanished world. Wars rarely distribute gains neatly, but this one has inflicted on Russia a wound that is proving stubbornly incurable: the erosion of hegemony. Power, once lost in public, is hard to reclaim in private.

Since launching its campaign, Russia has watched its leverage drain away across regions it once treated as assured footholds, from Central Asia and the South Caucasus to the Middle East and parts of Africa. Some losses came through overreach, others through distraction. Perhaps Moscow has not stopped talking. On the contrary, it has grown louder, as declining powers often do. The latest refrain, periodically resurfacing over recent months, is that Russia will, or must, "return" to the South Caucasus.

The idea was aired most bluntly by Alexander Dugin, a philosopher and publicist who, in Western caricature and sometimes in Russian reality, is treated as an ideologue of the Kremlin. In a recent interview, he questioned the very legitimacy of sovereignty across the post-Soviet space, warning that if Moscow does not impose control, the South Caucasus would become a "forward outpost of other poles". Sovereign Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and even states as far afield as Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, were dismissed as historical clutter. Sovereignty, he said, was "over".

This is not the musings of a marginal blogger shouting into the void. Dugins concepts of a "Russian world" and contemporary Eurasianism have seeped, in diluted but recognisable form, into official discourse. When a figure with such reach declares the nation-state obsolete, selectively so, and only beyond Russias borders, it functions less as philosophy than as political signalling.

A cruder note followed. Konstantin Zatulin, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma committee on CIS affairs, reacted hysterically to verdicts delivered by a Baku military court against Armenian defendants. Issuing a provocative statement on behalf of the Lazarev Club council, he accused Azerbaijan of "arbitrariness and betrayal". It was another attempt to play to multiple galleries at once: to placate nationalist sentiment at home while needling Baku abroad.

More polished and the latest language soon appeared. Mikhail Galuzin, Russias deputy foreign minister, told Izvestia that Moscow favours continued international discussions on security in the South Caucasus, but only on a platform that "satisfies all sides". Switzerland, he argued, no longer qualifies because it has sided with Ukraine; Russia would prefer a new, "neutral" venue. The tone was diplomatic, the aim familiar: to regain relevance by redesigning the room in which others now talk without you.

More recently, Mikhail Galuzin met in Moscow with Azerbaijans ambassador, Rahman Mustafayev. According to the Russian foreign ministry, the sides discussed "pressing issues of the bilateral agenda" and reaffirmed commitment to the 2022 Declaration on Allied Interaction. The statement was notably general, the kind typically issued when specific matters are addressed but not intended for public disclosure. Schedules of future political contacts were reviewed; views were exchanged on regional and international questions.

On paper, it sounded routine. In practice, relations between Moscow and Baku have been in what might best be described as a managed frost. No significant positive momentum is visible. Russia has yet to formally acknowledge responsibility for the downing of an Azerbaijani civilian aircraft. Citizens of both countries remain imprisoned in each others jurisdictions. The contrast was difficult to ignore: diplomatic reaffirmations upstairs; prosecutions and pressure downstairs.

There is a whiff of theatre about this. There is a small, yet important nuance here. We have seen and experienced these platforms of Russia. At their zenith, Russias power brokers imagined a grand future for the Commonwealth of Independent States. Unified armed forces, shared air defence, a single currency, Russian border guards patrolling the "external perimeter", all floated seriously in the 1990s. The Khojaly genocide, carried out with the complicity of the 366th regiment, occurred amid those debates, a brutal demonstration of how exposed newly independent states could be without genuine control over their own security. What remains of that vision today are Russian guards on Armenias borders with Iran and Turkiye, and little else.

The CIS was marketed as a "civilised divorce". In practice, it was often treated as a holding pen for a post-imperial space where international law applied selectively. Even as newer integration projects, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation emerged, Moscow continued to test the waters of supranational control, sometimes in domains as banal as language policy.

The results are now plain. Georgia exited the CIS after the war of 2008. Ukraine followed Crimeas annexation. Moldova is edging toward the door. Kazakhstan remains formally committed to pro-Russian blocs but bristles at insinuations about its northern territories. Tajikistan has lodged formal protests over the treatment of its citizens in Russia. Uzbekistan has begun rehabilitating nationalist figures once denounced by Soviet lore.Nevertheless, diversification - political and economic has turned into a trend.

What, then, can Moscow offer? Investment, while under sanctions and fiscal strain? Security, after Ukraine? Threats of a second "special military operation" against Azerbaijan or Central Asia only underline the problem. Meanwhile, alternatives are multiplying. The Organization of Turkic States is growing more assertive. China, the European Union, and the United States are advancing their interests with cautious persistence. Russian influence, once a dam, now leaks.

Azerbaijan watches this with a cool eye. Baku has long treated its relationship with Russia with respect and pragmatism, avoiding gratuitous provocation. Normally, it is rare to see Azerbaijan ever dismantle any relationship. Perhaps a special relationship in that matter has always seemed impossible. Yet respect does not require acquiescence to fantasies of return. Talk of "re-invading" the South Caucasus reads less like a strategy than like a funeral oration for a dead man still insisting he is walking.

Until recently, Azerbaijan did not publicly contemplate leaving the CIS. That calculus shifted after the tragedy involving an Azerbaijan Airlines flight brought down by Russian air defences. Errors happen in complex systems; what defines them is the response. Moscows reflex, misdirection, implausible explanations, shielding of those responsible and the quiet burial of the case spoke volumes. In reply, Ilham Aliyev has twice declined to attend CIS summits.

Russia, in short, is looking for a new platform because the old ones no longer deliver obedience. But platforms cannot substitute for power, nor rhetoric for legitimacy. The South Caucasus has changed. So has the world around it. Pretending otherwise may keep Moscow briefly in the headlines, but it will not restore the authority that once made those headlines unnecessary.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ZANU-PF youths have threatened a series of protests against pro-democracy activists starting tomorrow in an audacious attempt to counter and neutralise growing discontent against President Robert Mugabe's administration, NewsDay can reveal.Party insiders yesterday said the youths have organised a meeting in Harare tomorrow to map out the plan, which includes marching in the central business district with placards to denounce leaders of the recent anti-government protests.Zimbabwe has witnessed a new wave of protests, including a successful shutdown a fortnight ago co-ordinated by cleric Evan Mawarire's #Thisflag movement and Tajamuka/Sesijikile, while opposition parties were pilingpressure on Mugabe through street protests.Senior Zanu-PF officials told NewsDay that they were mobilising for a counter offensive following a series of protests aimed at forcing Mugabe to step down over his government's failed policies."They (pro-democracy protesters) can ignore our warning at their own peril," a top Zanu-PF youth league official said."Those that may choose to go ahead with their protests will have themselves to blame. Zanu-PF is the only party that has a history of defending the country and, as youths, we don't hesitate to defend our President."The latest developments were confirmed by Zanu-PF deputy youth secretary Kudzanai Chipanga's weekend rants, where he warned that the youth league was "waiting for the 'pro-democracy' protesters to press the red button before we take action"."We promise the nation that we will not stand akimbo when we are under threat. The red button hasn't been pressed as yet and the day they press it, then they will learn the hard lesson," he said.Zanu-PF Harare provincial youth chairman Edson Takataka confirmed tomorrow's meeting, but was diplomatic on the motive of the gathering."Yes, we are meeting as normal on Wednesday (tomorrow) and deputy youth secretary Chipanga will address us at the headquarters. We cannot mobilise to deal with those two people"It's just Mawarire and that other group Tajamuka/Sesijikile. Obviously, we cannot be worried about them and our programme will go ahead as planned," he said.Zanu-PF youth national commissar Innocent Hamandishe was also coy over the issue, saying there was no need for the public to be unsettled by the meeting."This is just a normal meeting and there is no need for panic. We don't need to react to those protesters. They are just barking and, as a party, we cannot be moved by that or forced to react to them," he said, adding the meeting would be a feedback gathering following the May million-man march.But, Zanu-PF sources said after the meeting, party youths will pour into the city centre to instil fear on the public supportive of Mawarire's protests."Youths will march in Harare from the provincial party office to the headquarters. This is a way of intimidating people trying to start an uprising against the government. We are going to show them (protesters) that we have numbers and all what it takes to defeat them," a senior Zanu-PF official said.There are reports that Zanu-PF is panicking at the wave of protests, although the government has threatened to crush them.Besides a series of Cabinet security cluster meetings and Press briefings, Mugabe has despatched top politburo members to the country's 10 provinces for as yet unknown reasons.
Chinese Supersonic Missiles, Russian Attack Helicopters: Iran Arms Up As US Mobilises Forces

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 18:13 IST

As two US carrier strike groups mass off Iran's coast, Tehran is finalising deals for Chinese anti-ship and Russian supersonic missiles that could tilt the balance.

Rapid Read

The Chinese CM-302 Supersonic Missile System. (Image Credits: X/defence_insider)

Tehran is on the verge of acquiring two distinct classes of supersonic missile technology, one from China and one from Russia, even as the United States stations its most powerful naval assets within striking distance of the Iranian coastline. The convergence of these developments has set the stage for one of the most dangerous standoffs the West Asia region has seen in years.

Reuters reported, citing six sources with direct knowledge of the negotiations, that Iran is close to finalising a deal to purchase the Chinese-made CM-302 anti-ship cruise missile. Talks that began at least two years ago accelerated sharply following the twelve-day war between Israel and Iran in June last year. In the final stages of those negotiations, senior Iranian military and government officials travelled to China, including Massoud Oraei, Irans deputy defence minister.

All About CM-302 Anti-ship Cruise Missile System

CM-302 anti-ship cruise missile, China said, is the worlds finest anti-ship missile". It flies low, fast, and at supersonic speeds, covering roughly 290 kilometres before its target even knows it is coming. It can be mounted on ships, aircraft, or mobile ground launchers, and is equally capable of striking targets on land. The manufacturer has claimed the system is capable of sinking an aircraft carrier or destroyer outright.

It is a complete game-changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area," said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and senior Iran researcher at Israels Institute for National Security Studies, speaking to Reuters. These missiles are very difficult to intercept."

Alongside the Chinese deal, a separate and equally significant development is unfolding on Irans northern axis. Reports confirmed by The Hindustan Times indicate that a Russian Mil Mi-28 (NATO: Havoc) attack helicopter has been sighted inside Iran, reportedly being fitted with the Khrizantema-M supersonic anti-tank missile. The Khrizantema-M extends the helicopters strike range well beyond the effective range of most enemy air-defence systems, allowing it to engage armoured targets and fortified positions from a distance that keeps the aircraft out of the kill zone.

An Iranian foreign ministry official told Reuters: Iran has military and security agreements with its allies, and now is an appropriate time to make use of these agreements." The deal, if completed, would defy a United Nations weapons embargo reimposed on Iran last September, and would represent among the most significant arms transfers China has made to Iran in decades.

Russia and Iran have been deepening their military alignment in recent years. The Russian corvette Stoikiy recently joined joint naval exercises with Tehran in the Sea of Oman, drills that also include the Chinese navy as part of the annual trilateral exercises that the three countries have conducted for several years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned of serious consequences if the United States carries out any military strike against Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also been vocal about strengthening ties with Moscow.

THE AMERICAN ARMADA AND WHAT FACES IT

The United States has assembled a formidable military presence across the West Asia region. The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is already positioned with its full carrier strike group in the seas off Oman. The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest aircraft carrier ever built and the lead ship of its own class, has docked in Crete and is within operational striking range of Tehran. Together, the two carriers can field over 150 aircraft and carry more than 5,000 personnel. Additional American warships, aircraft, and troop movements have been reported across bases in Europe and the Middle East, pointing to what analysts have described as preparation for a possible sustained, weeks-long military campaign.

US President Donald Trump issued a ten-day ultimatum to Iran on 19 February, demanding that Tehran reach a nuclear agreement or face what he called something very tough." A White House official confirmed the US was preparing for something very tough like last time," referencing Trumps first term maximum pressure campaign.

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: February 24, 2026, 18:13 IST

News world Chinese Supersonic Missiles, Russian Attack Helicopters: Iran Arms Up As US Mobilises Forces

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France Bars US Ambassador Charles Kushner From Direct Government Access For Skipping Summons

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 06:28 IST

Charles Kushner was summoned over comments made about the death of a French far-right activist earlier this month, but did not appear on Monday

United States ambassador to France Charles Kushner.

The US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been barred from directly accessing French government ministers after he failed to appear to a summons by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Kushner was summoned over comments made about the death of a French far-right activist earlier this month, but did not appear" on Monday, a statement from Frances foreign affairs ministry, the Quai dOrsay, said, CNN reported.

Faced with this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of an ambassadors mission, the Minister has requested that he no longer have direct access to members of the French government," the ministry said.

However, Kushner will be allowed to carry out his diplomatic duties and engage in official exchanges with French authorities.

The dispute centers on the death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, who died two days after sustaining severe head injuries during a brawl in Lyon on February 12.

Video footage of the incident, which showed masked individuals kicking and punching a man on the ground, sparked widespread shock across France. The incident shocked the nation and was been called Frances Charlie Kirk moment", referring to last years shooting of the US conservative activist.

Authorities have charged two people with murder in connection with Deranques death, and a total of 11 suspects have been arrested.

The controversy intensified after the US Embassy in Paris shared a post from the US State Departments Bureau of Counterterrorism warning that violent radical leftism is on the rise" and suggesting the activist had been killed by left-wing militants. French officials rejected the remarks as interference in domestic affairs.

Barrot said Sunday that the embassys comments concerned our national community" and should not be exploited externally. We reject any interference in this event," he told France Inter radio.

The incident marked the second time Kushner has failed to appear after being summoned by French authorities. In August 2025, he was called in following remarks criticizing the French governments response to rising antisemitism. On that occasion, a US charge daffaires attended the meeting in his absence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Location : Paris, France

First Published: February 24, 2026, 06:28 IST

News world France Bars US Ambassador Charles Kushner From Direct Government Access For Skipping Summons

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How Iran Turned Underground Tunnels Into A Powerful Missile Strategy | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 15:01 IST

Iran has invested heavily in missile technology and underground storage networks, building what military observers often describe as "missile cities"

Rapid Read

Iran demonstrated aspects of this capability in 2020, when it launched ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq. (AI Image)

Israels concern over Irans missile capabilities is rooted in the steady development of a sophisticated programme that combines advancing technology with unconventional launch strategies. While Irans missile arsenal is widely recognised for its range and power, analysts say its underground launch infrastructure is equally significant, allowing Tehran to conceal weapons and carry out rapid, large-scale strikes with limited warning.

Over the past four decades, Iran has invested heavily in missile technology and underground storage networks, building what military observers often describe as missile cities", vast tunnel complexes where missiles are stored and prepared for launch. These systems allow Iran to keep key assets hidden deep underground and deploy them quickly during a conflict.

The origins of Irans missile programme date back to the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, when Iraqi missile attacks on Iranian cities exposed Irans limited retaliatory capability. The experience convinced Iranian planners of the need for long-range missiles as well as secure launch systems that could survive enemy strikes. Assistance from countries such as China and North Korea is widely believed to have played a role in the early stages of Irans missile development.

During the 1990s, Iran acquired Scud-based technology from North Korea and began developing indigenous missile systems such as the Shahab-3 and Sejjil. Alongside missile production, Tehran expanded its network of underground silos and tunnels designed to protect weapons from aerial surveillance and pre-emptive attacks.

Traditional silo technology involves storing missiles in reinforced underground shafts, where they remain ready for launch. Iran has adopted such systems but has also developed more flexible tunnel-based launch methods. In some underground facilities, missiles are positioned on rail tracks, allowing multiple launch-ready weapons to be moved quickly into firing position. Military analysts sometimes describe this arrangement as resembling a missile magazine", where successive missiles can be launched in rapid sequence.

These facilities are typically concealed beneath layers of soil and reinforced concrete. Small surface openings or launch hatches remain hidden from aerial and satellite observation until they are activated during operations, after which they can be sealed again.

Since around 2020, Iran has publicly showcased tunnel complexes where groups of missiles are transported together inside underground passages, enabling launches from multiple points and complicating enemy targeting.

Irans emphasis on underground missile deployment reflects its broader security environment. Surrounded by US military installations and regional adversaries such as Israel, and without officially possessing nuclear weapons, Tehran relies heavily on what it describes as missile deterrence, the ability to threaten retaliatory strikes across the region.

Irans missile technology is generally considered less advanced than that of major powers such as the United States and Russia, but it is regarded as significant at the regional level. Iranian medium-range ballistic missiles are believed to have ranges of up to 2,000 kilometres, placing much of the Middle East within reach. The development of solid-fuel missiles has further reduced launch preparation times and improved operational readiness.

Iran demonstrated aspects of this capability in 2020, when it launched ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq following the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, an operation that drew attention to the accuracy and coordination of its missile forces.

Other major powers maintain similar but more extensive underground missile systems. The United States operates hundreds of silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, Russia maintains one of the worlds largest and most hardened silo networks, and China has constructed new missile silos and an extensive tunnel system often described as an Underground Great Wall". North Korea has also tested missile launches from mountain tunnels.

However, analysts note a key difference in operational concepts. While countries such as the United States and Russia rely largely on fixed silos, Iran places greater emphasis on mobile tunnel-based systems. Fixed silos can be identified and targeted, whereas missiles that move within underground networks are far more difficult to locate.

Location : Iran

First Published: February 24, 2026, 15:01 IST

News world How Iran Turned Underground Tunnels Into A Powerful Missile Strategy | Explained

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4 Dead As Iran Military Helicopter Crashes Into Fruit Market Near Isfahan

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 13:48 IST

An Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market near Isfahan, killing four people, including the pilot, co-pilot and two civilians on the ground.

Helicopter crashes in Iran (Video screengrab/Social Media)

At least four people were killed after an Iranian army helicopter crashed into a fruit and vegetable market in central Iran on Tuesday.

The crash occurred in Khomeinishahr near the city of Isfahan, with emergency services confirming fatalities after the aircraft went down inside a busy market area.

The four deceased included the pilot and co-pilot, as well as two market stall workers who were present at the fruit and vegetable market when the helicopter crashed.

According to the Associated Press, the military helicopter came down in the town of Dorcheh in Isfahan province, about 330 kilometres south of Tehran.

State television footage showed debris scattered across the marketplace and smoke rising from the crash site.

A helicopter crashed a short while ago in the city of Darchah, near Khomeini Shahr in Isfahan Province.According to Irans state broadcaster, the crash occurred within the grounds of the citys fruit and vegetable market complex. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear, pic.twitter.com/iQTskQMLKK The Middle Eastern (@TMiddleEastern) February 24, 2026

AP reported that the aircraft had been on a training mission at the time of the accident.

The crash triggered a fire that was later extinguished by emergency responders.

Authorities have not yet released detailed findings on the cause of the crash, though investigations are expected to follow.

AFP, quoting Irans official IRNA news agency, reported that the helicopter belonged to the Iranian armys Air Force and that a technical malfunction" was believed to have caused the accident.

The incident marks the second aviation accident reported in Iran within less than a week.

A US-built F-4 fighter jet belonging to Irans regular air force crashed during a training flight near the western city of Hamedan recently, killing one pilot.

International agencies also highlighted Irans longstanding aviation safety challenges.

According to AP and AFP reports, analysts have frequently linked repeated crashes to difficulties in maintaining aircraft fleets due to sanctions that restrict access to original spare parts, forcing reliance on ageing helicopters and aeroplanes across both military and civilian sectors.

Meanwhile, emergency crews were deployed to clear debris and secure the crash site as authorities began preliminary assessments.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 13:47 IST

News world 4 Dead As Iran Military Helicopter Crashes Into Fruit Market Near Isfahan

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hold Drills On Southern Coast As US Tensions Rise

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 20:54 IST

The drills are mainly focused on Irans southern coastline, though similar exercises are also taking place in other parts of the country.

A rocket being fired from a boat during a military exercise by members of the IRGC and navy in the Strait of Hormuz. (File photo)

The ground forces of Irans Revolutionary Guards held military drills on the countrys southern coast, state TV reported on Tuesday, as the United States weighs possible air strikes against the Islamic Republic.

Irans Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military, are carrying out exercises along the southern shores of the Gulf under what state television described as the Combined 1404 (2026) exercise of the IRGC Ground Forces". The title refers to the current year in both the Iranian and Gregorian calendars.

According to state media, the drills are mainly focused on Irans southern coastline, though similar exercises are also taking place in other parts of the country.

The war games involve drones, naval vessels, amphibious vehicles, ground-to-sea missiles, rockets and artillery.

Mohammad Karami, commander of the IRGC ground forces, said very good measures have been designed" across various sectors, including missiles, artillery, drones, special forces and armoured vehicles.

He added that the drills were being conducted based on the threats that exist", without giving further details.

The exercises come at a time of rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. The United States is considering possible military action if talks over Irans nuclear programme fail.

Two rounds of Oman-mediated negotiations have already taken place, with further talks expected later this week.

Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the worlds largest aircraft carrier, has arrived at the US naval base of Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. It is expected to join a wider American military build-up in the Middle East.

The US already has more than a dozen warships in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships. It is unusual for two US aircraft carriers to be deployed in the region at the same time.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of possible military strikes if it does not agree to a new nuclear deal. Washington is demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment and curb its ballistic missile programme and regional activities  demands Tehran has rejected.

Western countries accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.

Last week, Iranian naval forces also conducted drills near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, underlining the tense atmosphere in the Gulf region.

(With inputs from agencies)

Location : Iran

First Published: February 24, 2026, 20:54 IST

News world Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hold Drills On Southern Coast As US Tensions Rise

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Look Forward To Strengthening Ties: PM Modi Congratulates Dutch PM Rob Jetten On Assuming Office

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 10:09 IST

Narendra Modi congratulates Rob Jetten as Dutch PM, emphasizing strong India-Netherlands ties in trade, technology, water, and strategic cooperation.

PM Modi wishes Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten on assuming office. (file photos)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Dutch leader Rob Jetten on assuming office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral relations.

Congratulations, Mr Rob Jetten, on assuming office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India and the Netherlands share an extensive relationship across diverse sectors. I look forward to working closely with you to add further momentum to the growing ties between our two countries and people," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Congratulations Mr. Rob Jetten on assuming office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. India and the Netherlands share an extensive relationship across diverse sectors. I look forward to working closely with you to add further momentum to the growing ties between our two Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2026

India and the Netherlands maintain robust, growing relations based on over 75 years of diplomatic ties, focusing on economic partnerships, sustainable development, and technology. The Netherlands is a top European investor and trade partner for India, with key cooperation in water management, agriculture, health, and defence.

The two nations have a Strategic Partnership on Water covering an extensive cooperation and knowledge sharing in flood management, clear water technologies, among other domains.

Earlier this month, PM Modi met former Dutch PM Dick Schoof on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi and underscored the need for India and the Netherlands to work together to realise the full potential of Artificial Intelligence to achieve social transformation.

Jetten was officially sworn in on Monday at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague, more than 110 days after the general election held on October 29 last year. A Dutch minority government took office following the ceremony.

The new cabinet is a coalition of Democrats 66 (D66), the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), formed on January 30, Xinhua news agency reported.

Before the swearing-in, incoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten held an introductory meeting with King Willem-Alexander, marking the transition to the new administration.

On January 9, the D66, the VVD and the CDA announced their plan to form a minority cabinet. Forming a government without majority support at the outset is rare in Dutch politics. The three parties together hold 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives, 10 short of a majority, and are 16 seats short of a majority in the Senate.

(With inputs from agencies)

First Published: February 24, 2026, 10:09 IST

News world Look Forward To Strengthening Ties: PM Modi Congratulates Dutch PM Rob Jetten On Assuming Office

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Masked Suspect Visited Nancy Guthries Home Before Her Abduction? Doorbell Footage Raises Question

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:54 IST

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made repeated attempts to contact the alleged kidnappers, who may have sent ransom notes demanding billions in bitcoin.

Nancy Guthrie Search Enters Third Week Amid Fresh Lead

In a major lead in the abduction case of Nancy Guthrie, investigators believe the masked suspect seen on her doorbell camera may have visited her Tucson home before she was taken.

As per reports, investigators think that the masked intruder, featured in home surveillance footage released by the FBI, may have approached the property sometime before February 1, the day the 84-year-old mother of Today" show host Savannah Guthrie was abducted.

Doorbell footage under scrutiny

The sources pointed to a still image released by the FBI showing the suspect at Guthries front door without a backpack. That image was reportedly captured on a different day from the morning of her disappearance.

The FBI had also released images of the suspect wearing a backpack from the morning of [Guthries] disappearance."

One theory shared with ABC News suggests the suspect first approached the door but was frightened off by the camera. He allegedly returned later, tampered with the device and obscured the lens with branches.

However, others have speculated that the man without the backpack may be different from the suspect who blocked the camera.

Officials urge caution

So far, no suspect has been identified.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department confirmed it was aware that the released images show a suspect in different stages of attire, including with and without a backpack. However, the department said there is no date or time stamp linked to the images.

In a statement, officials cautioned that any suggestion the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative and that speculation without factual support does not help the investigation.

The FBI has been contacted for further information.

Search enters third week

The search for Guthrie entered its third week on Sunday.

A group of volunteers recovered a suspicious Swiss Gear-brand bag from a storm drain near Guthries home. The drain is known to double as a homeless encampment.

Investigators said the backpack did not appear to match the one worn by the masked suspect, which was identified as a black Ozark Trail Hiker backpack sold exclusively at Walmart.

Ransom notes and ongoing probe

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made repeated attempts to contact the alleged kidnappers, who may have sent ransom notes demanding billions in bitcoin. Their pleas have gone unanswered.

A fourth ransom note was sent to TMZ last week. The tabloids founder responded by telling the sender to provide the information to the FBI if they wanted payment.

Despite no major breakthroughs since early February, the Pima County Sheriffs Department said between 300 and 400 personnel remain assigned to the case, with staffing levels unchanged.

Evidence is still being examined, including blood traces found at Guthries home. Sheriff Chris Nanos warned that analysing the DNA could take up to a year.

Location : United States of America (USA)

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:54 IST

News world Masked Suspect Visited Nancy Guthries Home Before Her Abduction? Doorbell Footage Raises Question

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Muhammad Yunus Returns To Work At His NGO After Serving 18 Months As Bangladesh's Interim Chief

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 05:32 IST

Yunus stepped down from his post as the chief advisor of Bangladesh's interim government on February 16 after the successful completeion of general elections.

Former Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus (Image: @ChiefAdviserGoB/X)

Days after stepping down from the role as chief adviser to Bangladeshs interim government, Muhammad Yunus has returned to work at his non-profit organisation. The Nobel laureate held the position for nearly 18 months after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024.

The 85-year-old was welcomed by his colleagues when he arrived at the Yunus Centre office in Mirpur on Sunday morning.

A warm welcome to Professor Muhammad Yunus as he returned to his former duties on Sunday, following an 18-month hiatus during which he led Bangladeshs Interim Government," a Facebook post read.

Yunus greeted co-workers and was presented with flowers upon his arrival.

Resuming the work, Yunus met the managing directors and advisers from Grameen organisations and the Yunus Centre to review paused initiatives and outline upcoming plans. Additionally, he is also set to resume living at his home in Gulshan, Dhaka, by the end of the month.

Yunus stepped down from his post as the chief advisor of Bangladeshs interim government on February 16. The development came days after the formation of a newly elected government under the 13th Jatiya Sangsad following the win of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

He led the interim administration from August 8, 2024, following the mass student-led uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

Bidding farewell, Yunus, in a broadcast said, Today, the interim government is stepping down. But let the practice of democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental rights that have begun not be halted."

Referring to the moment when the Sheikh Hasina government was overthrown in the uprising, Yunus said, That was the day of great liberation. What a day of joy it was. Bangladeshis across the world shed tears of happiness. The youth of our country freed it from the grip of a demon."

After leading the country through the transition period, Yunus handed over power following national elections on February 12, congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman.

Location : Bangladesh

First Published: February 24, 2026, 05:32 IST

News world Muhammad Yunus Returns To Work At His NGO After Serving 18 Months As Bangladesh's Interim Chief

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Massive Strikes By Pakistan On Afghan Checkposts As Border Conflict Escalates | Exclusive Details

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 00:32 IST

According to high-level security sources, at least 17 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed during the targeted operations, while three Pakistani soldiers have also died

Taliban security personnel search for victims after an overnight Pakistani air strike hit a residential area at the Girdi Kas village in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province. (File pic: AFP)

In a major escalation of hostilities, Pakistani security forces have launched massive strikes against Afghan Taliban checkposts along the Durand Line, resulting in significant casualties on both sides, CNN-News18 has learnt. According to high-level security sources, at least 17 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed during the targeted operations. The confrontation also took a heavy toll on Pakistani forces, with three soldiers confirmed dead and multiple others sustained injuries during the intense cross-firing that has since spread across the region.

The Landi Kotal sector has emerged as the epicentre of this latest flare-up, where a massive exchange of heavy weaponry erupted earlier today. This surge in violence follows a series of Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, triggering retaliatory fire from Afghan Taliban fighters across the Tirah, Torkham, and Waziristan sectors. What began as a response to a blatant violation of sovereignty," as termed by Kabul, has now devolved into a critical flashpoint that threatens to destabilise the entire border region.

Islamabad has maintained a firm stance, asserting its right to self-defence following a sharp increase in terror attacks originating from Afghan soil. Pakistani officials stated that these intelligence-based, selective operations" were specifically designed to neutralise seven camps belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP). These strikes were reportedly a direct retaliation for a devastating suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad earlier this month, which claimed over 30 lives. While Pakistan continues to accuse the Taliban-led administration of providing safe havens to TTP leadership, Kabul continues to issue staunch denials.

The humanitarian and diplomatic fallout of these strikes has been profound. Afghan authorities reported that at least 18 individuals, including women and children, were killed when previous strikes hit residential areas and a religious seminary in the Behsud district of Nangarhar. The Talibans Ministry of Defence has condemned the ongoing actions as a breach of international law, warning of a calculated and appropriate response".

With ground forces on both sides now on high alert, the situation remains highly volatile. Pakistan has reinforced its positions to target infiltration attempts and prevent militants from crossing into its territory, but the failure of previous ceasefire agreementsincluding the Qatar-brokered truce of late 2025suggests a grim outlook. As the historical dispute over the Durand Lines legitimacy looms large, the region faces the prospect of a sustained cross-border conflict that could have far-reaching implications for South Asian stability.

First Published: February 25, 2026, 00:01 IST

News world Massive Strikes By Pakistan On Afghan Checkposts As Border Conflict Escalates | Exclusive Details

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Pakistan's Afghan Strikes Branded 'Intel Failure' For Missing TTP Targets, Killing Civilians | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 09:43 IST

No senior commander or most-wanted figure from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed during the strikes, which reportedly caused civilian casualties

Rapid Read

Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing TTP militants to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan.

Pakistans recent airstrikes in Afghanistan have sparked controversy and drawn international concern, with intelligence sources alleging that the operations failed to eliminate any high-value targets from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and instead resulted in civilian casualties.

An intelligence source familiar with the matter told CNN-News18 that no senior commander or most-wanted figure from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed during the strikes. Pakistan failed to achieve any objective goal in the recent strikes," the source claimed, describing the operation as a complete intelligence failure".

The source further alleged that this marks the second time Pakistani forces have failed to eliminate top TTP leadership in cross-border operations. In October last year, Pakistan reportedly claimed it had targeted TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud, but subsequent reports indicated he was not killed in the operation.

The latest strikes, intended to dismantle militant infrastructure allegedly operating from Afghan territory, have instead come under scrutiny for reportedly causing civilian casualties. Local reports and humanitarian observers suggest that women and children were among those killed.

International organisations have expressed alarm over the situation. Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, voiced concern in a post on X (formerly Twitter). I am deeply concerned by reports of numerous children and other civilians being killed following renewed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan," Bennett wrote. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and abide by international law."

The alleged failure to eliminate high-value militant targets has reportedly placed Pakistans intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), under internal pressure. According to the intelligence source, a high-profile inquiry has been initiated to examine operational and intelligence shortcomings surrounding the strikes.

Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing TTP militants to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistana claim Kabul has repeatedly denied. The latest escalation threatens to further strain already fragile relations between the two neighbouring countries.

As of now, Pakistani authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific targets or outcomes of the recent strikes. Meanwhile, calls for restraint and independent investigations into civilian casualties continue to grow amid rising regional tensions.

Location : Islamabad, Pakistan

First Published: February 24, 2026, 09:43 IST

News world Pakistan's Afghan Strikes Branded 'Intel Failure' For Missing TTP Targets, Killing Civilians | Exclusive

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News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

Zanu PF youths disrupted a Justice Legal and Parliamentary Committee meeting on Iminyela Hall in Bulawayo on Friday morning.Police details stood aside without intervening.The meeting has been called off.A similar meeting descended into violence in Mutare leading to committee chair, MDC-T legislator Jessie Majome being manhandled.
Plumbing Predicament: USS Gerald R Fords Toilet Troubles Leave Sailors All At Sea Amid Iran Crisis

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 18:46 IST

For the nearly 5,000 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier, the immediate threat is not an Iranian missile battery but failure of its advanced sewage system

The world's largest warship, US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford. FIle pic/Reuters

As the United States assembles its most formidable naval and aerial presence in the Middle East in decades, the global spotlight remains fixed on the escalating rhetoric between President Donald Trump and Tehran. With the USS Gerald R Ford transiting the Mediterranean to join the USS Abraham Lincoln, the region is witnessing a concentration of firepower not seen since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, for the nearly 5,000 sailors aboard the Fordthe worlds largest and most expensive aircraft carrierthe immediate threat is not an Iranian missile battery, but a relentless internal crisis that has pushed the crew and the vessel to a breaking point.

The $13.3 billion supercarrier is currently grappling with a systemic failure of its advanced vacuum-based sewage system. Designed to be more efficient than traditional gravity-fed plumbing, the system has proven remarkably fragile during this high-tempo deployment. According to internal reports and correspondence, dozens of the ships 650 toilets are frequently out of commission, leading to queues of up to 45 minutes for basic facilities. The issue stems from a design flaw where a single valve failure can disable entire departments, compounded by persistent calcium buildup in narrow piping. These blockages require specialised acid flushes" costing approximately $400,000 each time, a maintenance procedure that is difficult to perform while the ship remains on active station.

Beyond the plumbing predicament, the human cost of the mission is mounting. The crew of the Gerald R Ford has been at sea since June 2025, having already completed a demanding tour that included the high-profile January operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Instead of returning to their homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, as scheduled, the sailors were rerouted to the Middle East. This extension has pushed the deployment into its eighth month, with the possibility of it stretching to nearly a yeara duration that would rival record-breaking missions from the Vietnam War era.

The psychological toll of this double extension" is profound. Sailors have reportedly missed significant life milestones, from the births of children to the funerals of family members, leading to a visible dip in morale. Tensions have occasionally flared between the general crew and the hull technicians, who are working 19-hour shifts in a desperate attempt to keep the ships internal infrastructure functioning. Senior naval officers have expressed concern that chronic fatigue and the lack of a clear homecoming date are leading to a retention crisis, with many sailors openly discussing their intent to leave the service as soon as they reach land.

Ultimately, the USS Gerald R Ford stands as a paradox of modern warfare. It is a vessel capable of launching stealth fighters with electromagnetic catapults and projecting unparalleled American power across the globe, yet it is currently being humbled by the most mundane of domestic failures. As the Trump administration weighs its next move against Iran, observers say the Mighty Ford" remains a symbol of both immense strategic strength and the fragile human and technical reality that underpins global dominance.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 18:38 IST

News world Plumbing Predicament: USS Gerald R Fords Toilet Troubles Leave Sailors All At Sea Amid Iran Crisis

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Red-Carpet Reset: Benjamin Netanyahu, Wife Sara To Welcome PM Modi At Israel's Ben Gurion Airport | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 01:31 IST

This personal touch by Netanyahu underscores the deep rapport between the two leaders and highlights Israels perception of India as an indispensable global ally

PM Narendra Modi with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (File pic/Reuters)

In a powerful testament to the burgeoning alliance between New Delhi and Jerusalem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to receive an unprecedented welcome as he begins his two-day state visit to Israel on Wednesday, CNN-News18 has learnt. In a rare, protocol-breaking gesture, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, will personally receive PM Modi at Ben Gurion Airport, sources said. This high-profile reception mirrors the extraordinary hospitality extended during Modis landmark 2017 trip, signalling that India-Israel relations have moved beyond traditional diplomacy into the realm of a special strategic partnership".

This personal touch by Netanyahu underscores the deep rapport between the two leaders and highlights Israels perception of India as an indispensable global ally. Beyond the symbolism, the visit is anchored by a significant leap in military collaboration. In a move that could fundamentally alter Indias security landscape, Israel has reportedly offered to share and transfer its world-renowned Iron Dome air defence technology. This potential integration into Indias indigenous Sudarshan Chakra" programme comes at a critical time of heightened regional tensions, offering New Delhi a sophisticated shield against short-range aerial threats.

The military dimension is part of a broader $8.6 billion defence engagement planned for 2026, positioning Israel as Indias second-largest weapons supplier after France. The agenda also places a heavy emphasis on frontier technologies", with innovation and technology serving as the primary pillars of the visit. PM Modi and PM Netanyahu are expected to hold intensive discussions on deepening existing collaborations in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), and space exploration. A joint innovation event in Jerusalem is scheduled to showcase the synergy between Israels high-tech ecosystem and Indias massive scale of implementation.

Economic ties are also poised for a major upgrade. Following the signing of a Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2025, the two leaders are expected to fast-track negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The visit will also see PM Modi becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset, Israels parliament, further cementing the diplomatic weight of this encounter. As the two resilient democracies" align their visions, this visit is expected to provide a definitive roadmap for the next decade of India-Israel cooperation, spanning everything from quantum computing to water management and counter-terrorism.

First Published: February 25, 2026, 01:31 IST

News world Red-Carpet Reset: Benjamin Netanyahu, Wife Sara To Welcome PM Modi At Israel's Ben Gurion Airport | Exclusive

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Roads Blocked, Vehicles Chased: Unrest In Mexico As Cartel Takes Revenge Of El Mencho's Killing

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 08:33 IST

Videos shared on social media showed roadblocks on major highways, armed men stopping vehicles and military presence in residential areas.

Cartels in Mexico are now reportedly chasing down civilian vehicles on the highway and opening fire. (Image: X)

Unrest has erupted across multiple states in Mexico after Nemesio Oseguera, known as El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed.

In some cities, authorities have asked residents and tourists to stay indoors as a safety measure. Gunmen attacked a National Guard base and public transport was suspended.

A CJNG member told Reuters the violence was revenge for Osegueras death. The attacks were carried out in revenge for the leaders death, at first against the government and out of discontent. But, later, the internal killings are coming, by the groups moving in to take over," a person said.

El Menchos Killing

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), also known as El Mencho", was killed during a Mexican military operation in Jalisco state on Sunday.

The operation that led to Osegueras death was carried out by Mexican special forces with support from US intelligence. He was injured during the raid and later died in custody.

Residents described fear and uncertainty. There is fear and a lot of caution," said Carlo Gutierrez from Guadalajara.

US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau reacted on social media, saying, Its not surprising that the bad guys are responding with terror. But we must never lose our nerve."

President Claudia Sheinbaum said daily life was normal in most of the country, but the events show the risks of targeting powerful cartel leaders whose networks stretch across Mexico.

Location : Mexico

First Published: February 24, 2026, 08:33 IST

News world Roads Blocked, Vehicles Chased: Unrest In Mexico As Cartel Takes Revenge Of El Mencho's Killing

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Sikh Man Kidnapped From Outside California Gurdwara, Murdered In Mistaken Identity Case

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News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:39 IST

Avtar Singh, a Sikh man and father of triplets, was kidnapped and murdered California in a mistaken identity case. His body was found near Lake Berryessa.

Rapid Read

Singhs body was recovered near Lake Berryessa on Friday. (Image: gofundme.com)

A 57-year-old Sikh man of Indian origin was kidnapped and murdered in California in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. The deceased has been identified as Avtar Singh.

Singh was abducted in broad daylight on February 17 outside a gurdwara in San Joaquin Countys Tracy city, just an hour from San Jose, when three suspects forced him into the back of an SUV around 2.30 pm (local time). His wife reported him missing later that evening after returning home from work to find their six-month-old triplets alone.

Body Found Three Days After Kidnapping

Singhs body was recovered three days later, on Friday, near Lake Berryessa, about two hours from the abduction site. Authorities confirmed that he was not the intended target of the attack, though they have not yet disclosed a motive or identified any suspects.

Sheriff Patrick Withrow said the case is being investigated as a homicide, emphasising that the perpetrators were targeting another individual, New York Post reported.

Deep Singh, a colleague of the victim at the Sikh temple, described him as dedicated, hardworking, and deeply respected. The victim had served as the head cook at the gurdwara for 23 years, but was known for much more than cooking.

He was not only a cook, he was a multi-tasking person," Deep Singh said, recalling the joy Avtar and his wife felt when they recently welcomed premature triplets who required an extended hospital stay.

A GoFundMe set up for the family paid tribute to Avtar Singhs warm and caring nature, calling him a man who made everyone feel like family."

What began as a deeply concerning disappearance has ended in an unimaginable loss for his family and the entire Sangat.," it stated, noting that he leaves behind his wife and three infants.

Sheriff Withrow confirmed that investigators are working diligently to determine the reason behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice. Our detectives are working tirelessly to investigate this case and identify those responsible for this terrible act," he said.

Avtar Singhs sudden death has left his family and community devastated, mourning a devoted father and husband.

Location : California, USA

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:39 IST

News world Sikh Man Kidnapped From Outside California Gurdwara, Murdered In Mistaken Identity Case

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Tracking A Lover: The Intelligence Trail That Ended Mexico Drug Lord El Mencho's Reign

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 05:59 IST

El Mencho was located in his home state of Jalisco following a coordinated special forces mission supported by US intelligence.

Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful and long-pursued head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and one of the worlds most-wanted traffickers, died following a Mexican military operation. (CNN)

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the powerful head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), also known as El Mencho," was killed during a Mexican military operation in Jalisco state on Sunday.

The 59-year-old drug lord was seriously injured during a clash with security forces in the town of Tapalpa. He later died while being airlifted to Mexico City. In all, more than 70 people were killed in the operation and the ensuing violence, including security forces, suspected cartel members and others.

The killing of one of the United States most wanted fugitives marks a major moment in Mexicos fight against organised crime, though authorities and analysts warn the aftermath remains uncertain.

Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said that surveillance of a romantic partner helped Mexican authorities track down and ultimately kill the notorious drug lord.

Trevilla said that Mencho was located in his home state of Jalisco following a coordinated special forces mission supported by US intelligence. The breakthrough came when the Mexican military began monitoring a trusted associate of one of Oseguera Cervantes romantic partners. The associate escorted the woman to the mountain town of Tapalpa on Friday, where she met with the cartel leader.

According to Trevilla, very important additional information" provided by US intelligence confirmed the precise location. After the woman left the next day, Mexican special forces finalized their operational plans, confident that Mencho remained in the area with a security detail.

Before dawn Sunday, units from the Mexican army and National Guard established a ground cordon around the wooded area near Tapalpa, while six helicopters and additional special forces units stood ready in neighboring states. The Mexican Air Force provided reconnaissance and air support.

Trevilla described the confrontation as extremely violent." As troops advanced, heavily armed gunmen attempted to stall their progress, while Oseguera Cervantes tried to flee with two bodyguards into a wooded area dotted with cabins.

Among the weapons seized were two rocket launchers  including one identical to the model CJNG used in 2015 to shoot down a military helicopter, a landmark attack that underscored the cartels firepower.

Special forces eventually located Oseguera Cervantes hidden in the undergrowth," triggering another intense firefight. Eight gunmen were killed at the scene  four more than initially reported  while the cartel leader and his two bodyguards were wounded.

During the chaos, a military helicopter was forced into an emergency landing after being struck by gunfire. Three soldiers were injured.

Unrest Followed

News of the cartel leaders death was followed by coordinated retaliatory violence attributed to CJNG members.

Vehicles were burnt, and multiple highways across Mexican states were blocked, disrupting transportation networks.

Residents in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco and Mexicos second-largest city, sheltered indoors as tensions escalated.

Schools were closed in several states, and security forces were placed on alert nationwide.

The unrest began in Jalisco and spread to neighbouring states, including Michoacan and Guanajuato, where suspected cartel members set buses on fire, erected road blockades and clashed with authorities.

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to remain at home and announced the suspension of public transport services until security conditions improved.

Who Was El Mencho?

Oseguera Cervantes, 59, originated from the western state of Michoacan and had been involved in organised crime for more than three decades.

After serving a prison sentence in the United States in the 1990s for heroin trafficking, he returned to Mexico and rose rapidly through the criminal underworld.

Around 2009, he founded the CJNG, which grew into Mexicos fastest-expanding cartel, trafficking cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and migrants into the United States.

The organisation became notorious for adopting new methods of violence, including drones and improvised explosive devices.

The cartel also carried out brazen attacks against Mexican security forces, including downing a military helicopter in 2015 and attempting to assassinate then-Mexico City police chief Omar Garcia Harfuch.

Location : Mexico

First Published: February 24, 2026, 05:59 IST

News world Tracking A Lover: The Intelligence Trail That Ended Mexico Drug Lord El Mencho's Reign

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Trump Rejects Claims Of Top General Advising Against Iran Strike Risks: '100% Incorrect'

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 06:47 IST

Trump's statements came after reports claimed that Daniel Caine cautioned the US President that a military action against Iran could carry serious risks.

US President Donald Trump. (File Photo: Reuters)

Amid the ongoing speculations regarding the possible attack on Iran by the United States, President Donald Trump refuted media reports claiming that General Daniel Caine has cautioned Washington against the war with Iran.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump said that the stories are 100 per cent incorrect" as they do not attribute his vast wealth of knowledge." Stating that the United States could easily win the war, the US President added that Caine, like him, would not like to see War".

Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect," Trump wrote.

General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," he added.

He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about; he only knows one thing, how to WIN, and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack. Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so," Trump asserted.

Following this, Trump again warned Iran to come to terms with the US on the nuclear deal, and reiterated that if they failed to do so, then it will be a very bad day for that country and, very sadly, its people."

Trumps statements came after media reports claimed that Daniel Caine cautioned the US President and senior American officials that a military action against Iran could carry serious risks, including the possibility of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to strengthen its military presence in the region.

Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said that he is likely to meet with a US delegation in Geneva on Thursday for the next round of talks over the countrys nuclear program. Both sides have already held two rounds of negotiations so far this month aimed at reaching a deal.

(With agency inputs)

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: February 24, 2026, 06:47 IST

News world Trump Rejects Claims Of Top General Advising Against Iran Strike Risks: '100% Incorrect'

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'Ukrainians Are Exhausted, But We Can't Surrender': Zelenskyy On Four Years Of War With Russia

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 07:54 IST

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainians are exhausted after nearly four years of war but cannot concede to Russia, warning that surrender would mean losing the country entirely.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainians are exhausted after nearly four years of war with Russia, but made clear that conceding to Moscows demands is not an option, stressing that any compromise that undermines Ukraines sovereignty would mean losing the country entirely.

Speaking in an interview with CNN on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion, Zelenskyy acknowledged the deep fatigue felt across Ukrainian society as the conflict enters its fifth year.

However, he underlined that war weariness cannot translate into surrender.

Zelenskyy repeatedly framed the conflict as a fight for survival against Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that yielding territory or accepting imposed terms would have irreversible consequences for Ukraine and its people.

They have to stay with a democratic country which is fighting against one person. Because this person is a war. Putin is a war. Its all about himself. Its all about one person. And the country, all his country is in prison," Zelenskyy told CNN, urging continued international support, particularly from the United States.

Appealing directly to US President Donald Trump, Zelenskyy said Washingtons role remains critical in countering Russias aggression.

If they really want to stop Putin, Americas so strong," he said.

Asked whether Trump was applying enough pressure on Moscow, Zelenskyy replied, No."

The Ukrainian President emphasised that despite exhaustion among civilians and soldiers alike, accepting Russias demands would amount to capitulation.

We cant just give him everything he wants. Because he wants to occupy us. If we give him all he wants, we will lose everything, all of us, people will have to run away or be Russian," he said.

SECURITY GUARANTEES AND PEACE TALKS REMAIN STUCK

Zelenskyy said ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States have yet to produce a breakthrough, largely due to disagreements over future security guarantees.

He said assurances offered so far lack clarity about how allies would respond if Russia launched another invasion.

I want a very specific answer, what partners will be ready to do if Putin comes again. This is what Ukrainians want to hear," he told CNN.

According to Zelenskyy, there is also disagreement over how a potential peace settlement should proceed.

While Trump favours signing a comprehensive agreement covering peace and security guarantees simultaneously, Kyiv insists that binding guarantees must first be approved by the US Congress to reassure Ukrainians that allies will stand by them in the future.

Addressing battlefield realities, Zelenskyy said Ukraine could consider freezing the war along existing front lines but firmly rejected withdrawing troops from Ukrainian-held areas in the eastern Donetsk region.

Russia wants (us) just to withdraw our army. We cant be such, sorry, foolish guys. We are not children. We went through this war, during all these years, and so we just, we cant give them the country on (a) plate," he said.

Highlighting the human dimension of territorial decisions, Zelenskyy added, For people who live there, its very important what security they will have, 200,000 people live there. What do I have to say (to them), Okay, bye-bye. We go away. You are Russian from this moment?'"

He also addressed criticism regarding postponed elections, noting that martial law prohibits voting during wartime.

What do they want? Another president?" Zelenskyy said, adding that Trump had not personally told him whether he wanted a leadership change in Ukraine.

PUTIN HAS ALREADY STARTED WORLD WAR III: ZELENSKYY

Separately, Zelenskyy wrote on X that he believes Russias invasion has effectively triggered the beginning of a wider global conflict.

There are different views on World War III. I believe Putin has already started it," Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine is acting as an outpost" preventing the war from expanding further.

He stressed that strengthening air defence remains one of Kyivs most urgent priorities and expressed disappointment that international partners have not granted licences allowing Ukraine to produce advanced systems domestically.

Air defence is the most challenging issue today," Zelenskyy said, referring to the need for capabilities such as missiles for US-made Patriot systems.

Calling for stronger support, he added that protecting Ukrainian airspace would allow civilians to live safely and help stabilise the economy.

If civilians are protected, our rear is secured, people are working, children are in school, the economy is functioning," he said.

First Published: February 24, 2026, 07:53 IST

News world 'Ukrainians Are Exhausted, But We Can't Surrender': Zelenskyy On Four Years Of War With Russia

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Vladimir Putin Claims Plot To Bomb Black Sea Gas Pipelines: Trying To Disrupt Peace Process

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 20:54 IST

Putin alleged that the suspected plans were intended to undermine US-mediated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin | File Image: AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday claimed that Moscow has intelligence suggesting possible attempts to sabotage major Russian gas pipelines running under the Black Sea, warning that such actions could be aimed at derailing ongoing peace efforts linked to the war in Ukraine.

Speaking at a meeting of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) board, Putin said security agencies had received operational inputs about a potential explosion targeting underwater gas infrastructure.

Our operational information is being reported. It concerns a possible explosion of our gas systems at the bottom of the Black Sea," he said.

 Vladimir Putin reveals BOMBING attempt likely against Russias Black Sea gas pipelinesTheyre doing everything they can to disrupt the peace process https://t.co/An3KYFNRRg pic.twitter.com/RJXM3xMTXX  RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2026

Putin alleged that the suspected plans were intended to undermine US-mediated diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Ukraine.

Theyre doing everything they can to disrupt the peace process," he said, adding that forces opposed to negotiations were seeking ways to prevent any breakthrough.

The remarks come as negotiations facilitated by the United States continue between Moscow and Kyiv, though progress has remained limited amid disagreements over territory and the terms of a ceasefire.

The pipelines cited by Putin, TurkStream and Blue Stream, are key conduits for transporting Russian natural gas directly to Turkey, bypassing Ukraine, and are critical to Russias energy exports.

The Russian president also accused Ukraine of engaging in individual and mass terror".

Moscow has previously pointed to alleged Ukrainian sabotage attempts as justification for heightened security measures and military escalation.

In late December, following talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike on Putins residence in Valdai, a claim later dismissed by Trump.

Tensions were further heightened earlier this month after Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev was shot multiple times in Moscow.

Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the attack, an allegation Kyiv denied. Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported that negotiations nearly collapsed following the incident, citing unnamed sources.

Another round of talks is tentatively expected between February 26 and 27, though the Kremlin has yet to officially confirm the schedule.

If held, it would mark the fourth round of negotiations since January, against a backdrop of continued fighting and fragile diplomatic engagement.

Location : Russia

First Published: February 24, 2026, 20:54 IST

News world Vladimir Putin Claims Plot To Bomb Black Sea Gas Pipelines: Trying To Disrupt Peace Process

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Who Is Ali Larijani? Khamenei's Trusted Hand Central To Iran's Succession Plan

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Last Updated: February 24, 2026, 11:01 IST

Khamenei has chosen Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, to serve as the temporary leader in the event that he and other high-ranking officials are killed

Rapid Read

Ali Larijanis initial career was in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), where he worked as a commander during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, eventually attaining a high rank. (AFP)

In the midst of rising tensions in the Middle East and rumours surrounding Irans leadership, one figure has come back into focus at the heart of power in Tehran: Ali Larijani. A seasoned insider with decades of experience in Irans military, security, and political apparatuses, Larijani has been given a crucial position by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking him out as one of the most trusted power-wielders in the Islamic Republic.

According to sources, Khamenei has chosen Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, to serve as the temporary leader in the event that he and other high-ranking officials are killed in a war.

Larijani was born in 1957 in Najaf, Iraq, to a leading Iranian religious family who moved back to Iran in 1961. He comes from a famous clerical family, which constitutes a political dynasty with strong roots in Irans establishment. Larijani finished his higher education in Iran, which included studies in mathematics, computer science, and subsequently philosophy at the University of Tehran.

According to a report by Mint, Larijanis initial career was in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), where he worked as a commander during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, eventually attaining a high rank. He then shifted to government positions early in the Islamic Republic, holding deputy ministerial portfolios and heading government entities like the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in the 1990s.

In the 2000s, Larijani took up high-profile positions in national politics. He was the Secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and Irans top nuclear negotiator in the mid-2000s. He was the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) from 2008 to 2020, a record-long period in that high-ranking legislative position.

Although he ran for the presidency in several elections, Larijani was disqualified by Irans clerical guardianship authorities in the 2021 and 2024 presidential elections.

In August 2025, Larijani was re-appointed as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with the approval of Khamenei, signifying his important position in Tehrans security and foreign policy establishment. He has now become the most senior adviser and operational chief in Khameneis Iran, with his powers enhanced in the face of rising tensions with the United States and Israel.

According to recent reports, Larijani is an important player in Irans plans in case the Supreme Leader is assassinated or rendered incapable of ruling, with a leadership chain of command that would place him as an interim decision-maker. Although he is considered the front-runner to handle state business in such a scenario, he is not qualified to become the Supreme Leader since he is not an important Shiite clerica necessary prerequisite for holding this position in Irans constitution.

In Irans establishment circles, Larijani is recognised as an experienced conservative insider and a pragmatic negotiator who has interacted with regional and international leaders.

As the conflict mounts, Larijani has emerged as one of the most significant political leaders in Iran, aside from the clergy. With a long service record in military, political, and diplomatic positions, his current role as the head of Irans Supreme National Security Council puts him in the middle of Irans strategic decision-making, as it faces both domestic and external pressures.

Location : Tehran, Iran

First Published: February 24, 2026, 11:01 IST

News world Who Is Ali Larijani? Khamenei's Trusted Hand Central To Iran's Succession Plan

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News / Regional

by Staff reporter

A DETE man has appeared at the Hwange Magistrates' Court facing allegations of entering into a 48-year-old woman's bedroom undressed and demanding sex.Bruce Mathema (23) of Bote township appeared before Hwange provincial magistrate Lindiwe Maphosa and pleaded not guilty to unlawful entry into premises, criminal insult and possession of mbanje.Prosecutor Tinomuteyi Mbiza told the court that on July 8, Mathema left his house undressed and forcibly entered Neli Nyambe's bedroom at around 9pm.Mathema allegedly used a knife to force open the door into Nyambe's house.It was alleged that he found Nyambe asleep and slipped into her blankets.He allegedly started fondling her and she woke up and started screaming.She switched on the light and saw that it was her neighbour Mathema and told the undressed man to leave her house, but he refused saying he would only do so if she satisfied his sexual needs.Nyambe then went to report the matter to Dete police who attended to the scene and found Mathema still undressed on Nyambe's bed smoking mbanje.The cops found Mathema in possession of three twists of mbanje and arrested him.He was remanded in custody to July 16 for continuation of trial.
News / Regional

by Nqobile Tshili

The family of a gold panner who was recently found with his head decapitated on a railway line in Mbalabala, Umzingwane District, has said they suspect foul play. Christopher Mudzingwa became the sixth man to be found dead in Emawabeni area inside three years and residents said they suspect he was murdered and his body placed on a railway track to cover up the murder.The gold panner's family said yesterday that they suspected foul play. Family spokesperson Anderson Takaendesa said indications were that Mudzingwa was murdered. "We've received the postmortem report which states that his head was decapitated."He also had some of his fingers crushed by the train. However, we're not convinced that he could have committed suicide," said Takaendesa.Mudzingwa's postmortem reads: "Cause of death decapitation/ railway accident. Circumstances leading to death: the now deceased tried to cross a railway line when there was a stationary goods train pulling 25 wagons. However, the goods train was set in motion and the now deceased was trapped and dragged for about 20 metres."Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda said: "We stand guided by the postmortem. We're treating this as sudden death as the report states he was killed in a train accident." However, Takaendesa said it was suspicious that before his death, Mudzingwa had been seen in the company of a man who was once arrested for murder, but was released under unclear circumstances. He said they had resolved to engage the police to try and find his murderers."We don't consider this as an accident. After his burial today we will go to Gwanda to meet the investigating officers," he said. Fierce fights are said to be common among gold panners, with "gold barons" at the centre and bodies of murdered rivals are thrown onto the railway line to mask the deaths as suicide.Esigodini residents said they were now living in fear.
When it comes to putting a name to Chicago's annual battle against its infamously inclement weather, it turns out that the practical is also the political. "Abolish ICE" was the top vote-getter in the city's "You Name a Snowplow" contest. Choosing the protest slogan with a double meaning proved a potent way for voters to jab at President Trump after he sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into the city and its suburbs last fall in a major immigration crackdown, the AP reports. According to Block Club Chicago, the slogan and other anti-ICE names accounted for around 80% of the almost 40,000 votes case. There were more than 13,000 names submitted.

With a surge of ICE agents beginning in September, the operation resulted in more than 4,000 arrests, a fatal shooting and a sour taste among Chicago's Democratic leaders and many of its residents, particularly in large immigrant populations. Despite mid-winter frigid cold, "ICE Out" protests in recent weeks have continued downtown, near ICE facilities and throughout the suburbs.
President Trump has a blunt theory about why gunmen keep targeting him. Without mentioning Sunday's breach at Mar-a-Lago, which ended with an allegedly armed intruder fatally shot by Secret Service agents, the president on Monday told a White House audience that "crazy shooters" only go after leaders who matter, ABC News reports. "They only go after consequential presidents," Trump said at an event honoring families of people killed by undocumented immigrants. "They don't go after non-consequential presidents." Trump, who was targeted twice with assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign, linked himself to assassinated predecessors, citing Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy as examples of "consequential" leaders. Trump then quipped, "So, maybe I want to be a little less consequential." The New York Post reports the audience "chuckled politely in response."
France's top diplomat Monday requested that US Ambassador Charles Kushner no longer be allowed direct access to members of the French government after he skipped a meeting to discuss comments by the Trump administration over the beating death of a far-right activist, the AP reports. French authorities had summoned Kushner , the father of US President Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, to the Quai d'Orsay, which houses the Foreign Affairs Ministry, on Monday evening but he did not show up, according to diplomatic sources.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the foreign affairs minister, moved to restrict Kushner's access "in light of this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of the mission of an ambassador, who has the honor of representing his country." The ministry, however, left the door open for reconciliation. "It remains, of course, possible for Ambassador Charles Kushner to carry out his duties and present himself at the Quai d'Orsay, so that we may hold the diplomatic discussions needed to smooth over the irritants that can inevitably arise in a friendship spanning 250 years," it said.

Kushner had been summoned following statements by the US Embassy and the State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau regarding the killing of Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist who died of brain injuries this month after a beating in the French city of Lyon. He was attacked during a fight on the margins of a student meeting where a far-left lawmaker was a keynote speaker. His killing highlighted a climate of deep political tension ahead of next year's presidential vote. "We reject any instrumentalization of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends," Barrot said over the weekend. "We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement."
As President Trump weighs possible military action against Iran, a strange dynamic is playing out: Multiple reports suggest his top general is leery about going forward, while Trump insists those reports are "100 percent incorrect." In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump wrote that Gen. Dan Caine, "like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won." Caine is chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs. Coverage:

The Washington Post reported that Caine warned Trump last week that the US munitions stockpile is low because of the Israeli and Ukraine conflicts. He also raised concerns that the US would not receive much allied support.

The Wall Street Journal similarly reported that Caine is worried about all of the above: casualties, "depleted air defenses and an overtaxed force." The story adds the context that these kinds of discussions are routine before any military operation.

The New York Times reported that Caine told Trump the US has enough forces in the region for a "small or medium strike, but that there would be a potentially high risk of American casualties and that such an operation would have a negative effect on U.S. weapon stockpiles."

Trump, for his part, praised Caine as someone who "knows Iran well," crediting him as the architect of last June's bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, per the Hill. "He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN," Trump wrote, adding that Caine would "be leading the pack" if ordered to act. Axios reports that Caine will be on board for whatever Trump orders.
UPDATE

Feb 25, 2026 1:00 AM CST

Add Kevin McCarthy to the list of Republicans calling for one of their own to resign. The former House speaker told CBS News on Tuesday that congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas should step down over his alleged affair with an aide who later died by suicide. "If this was in a business, he would've been fired," McCarthy said. Current House Speaker Mike Johnson has not called for Gonzales to resign. McCarthy's response to that? "This is unacceptable," he said. "This is where the leaders of the conference, we would have to step in. You step in in these situations to protect everybody else."

Feb 24, 2026 1:47 PM CST

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales is under intensifying pressure from within his own party to abandon his re-election bid, after newly released explicit text messages appear to show him asking a staffer for sexual photos. The texts, from 2024, were provided to the Wall Street Journal by the widower of Gonzales' former regional director, Regina Santos-Aviles, a married mother of one who died by self-immolation in September. Gonzalez asks for a "sexy pic" and for details on Santos-Aviles' favorite sexual position before fantasizing about having sex with her, per the San Antonio Express-News. Twice, Santos-Aviles tells the congressman he's gone "too far."
By Dan Peleschuk

KYIV, Feb 24 (Reuters) - European leaders vowed on Tuesday not to abandon Ukraine as Russia's invasion entered a fifth year, though divisions among Kyiv's partners overshadowed commemorations of the outbreak of the continent's largest war in decades.

Tuesday's anniversary of the start of the conflict, which has killed hundreds of thousands and ravaged swathes of Ukraine, comes a day after Hungary vetoed new EU sanctions against Russia and a 90 billion euro ($105 billion) loan critical to Ukraine's survival.

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Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow, and neighbouring Slovakia accuse Kyiv of deliberately blocking supplies of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine says it is trying to repair after a Russian strike last month.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, facing mounting U.S. pressure to secure a peace deal, has repeatedly urged Kyiv's allies to tighten sanctions on Moscow and send more weapons as Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of ending his war.

Kyiv has made no official announcement about resuming deliveries via the pipeline, a Ukrainian energy source told Reuters. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia for damaging the pipeline but said the EU has asked Ukraine to speed up repairs.

UKRAINE'S ALLIES PLEDGE SUPPORT

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Officials including von der Leyen, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen travelled to Kyiv for the anniversary, but were not joined by heads of major Western governments.

Leaders present in Kyiv met as the "Coalition of the Willing". British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, taking part by video link, said Ukraine's allies would have to "do the hard yards" of helping Kyiv and pressuring Russia.

Britain on Tuesday sanctioned the oil pipeline giant Transneft among nearly 300 other Russian targets, in what it called its largest package of measures since the early months of the war.

Transneft, an oil pipeline monopoly, cut crude intake into its system by some 250,000 barrels per day after a Ukrainian drone attack on a key pumping station on Monday, said two sources familiar with the situation.

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"We know that when it comes to talks, there's one person standing in the way of progress in those talks, and that is Putin, and nobody but Putin," Starmer said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also joining remotely, said it was critical to "dry up Russia's war funding" by pushing through a 20th package of sanctions.

"We must be very clear. This war will only end when Putin realises that he cannot win," he said.

Brussels plans to submit a legal proposal to ban Russian oil imports permanently on April 15, three days after a parliamentary election seen as the main obstacle to Hungarian agreement, according to EU officials and a document seen by Reuters.

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And in Kyiv, von der Leyen said the EU would deliver on its 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine, "one way or the other".

Russian forces are grinding forward with minor gains on the battlefield while attacking Ukrainian cities and towns with missiles and drones that have devastated the energy system.

In televised comments, Putin accused Ukraine of trying to torpedo the peace process, which is stalled over the issues of territory and control of Europe's largest nuclear plant.

RUSSIA ALLEGES UKRAINE NUCLEAR PLAN

Separately, Russia's foreign intelligence service said on Tuesday that Britain and France were "actively working" with Ukraine to help it obtain nuclear weapons to secure more favourable terms in a peace deal.

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It provided no evidence for its claim, which was swiftly denied by Kyiv, London and Paris.

Russia has insisted that Ukraine must cede the final 20% of the industrialised and heavily fortified eastern region of Donetsk - while Kyiv is adamant it will not relinquish land that thousands have died to defend.

Zelenskiy said in an morning address that the country would not betray the sacrifices made by its people just to bring an end to the conflict. "We cannot, we must not, give it away, forget it, betray it."

The mood on the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday was subdued, with a few dozen people gathering at a ceremony in the central square with soldiers carrying flags to remember the fallen in silence. War-weariness is many Ukrainians' prevailing emotion.

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"I don't think it will end quickly, because Russia hates us and will do everything possible to destroy us," said Svitlana Yur, 48.

In a televised address to the European Parliament, Zelenskiy urged members of the 27-nation EU to keep defending the European way of life, saying EU membership would be a guarantee of Ukraine's future security after a peace deal is signed.

The EU is considering ways to give Ukraine at least some benefits of membership before it has introduced all the many economic, democratic and judicial reforms required for full accession.

"Russians must learn that Europe is a union of independent nations and millions of people who do not tolerate humiliation and will not accept violence," Zelenskiy said.

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He also invited U.S. President Donald Trump: "Only by visiting Ukraine and seeing our lives and struggles with your own eyes, by understanding our people and the enormity of their pain, can you see what this war is really about."

(Additional reporting by John Irish, Anna Pruchnicka and Pavel Polityuk; Writing by Daniel Flynn and Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Cynthia Osterman)
TOKYO, Feb 24 (News On Japan) - The financial burden of Japans competitive junior high school entrance exams is coming under renewed scrutiny, with a popular manga series offering a lens through which to examine whether the process delivers value for families willing to spend heavily in pursuit of academic success.

The discussion centers on February Winners: The Classroom of Absolute Success, a manga by Shi Takase that ran for seven years through 2024 in Shogakukans Big Comic Spirits, was adapted into a live-action drama, and received the Shogakukan Manga Award. Set in a cram school preparing students for private junior high entrance exams, the story depicts the intense competition and financial strain faced by both children and parents.

The title refers to early February, the peak period for private junior high school entrance exams in the Tokyo metropolitan area, when students compete for limited places at prestigious schools. While children are the main participants, parental involvementand financial commitmentplays a central role. For families considering the exams in coming years, the series has been seen as a realistic portrayal of the pressures involved.

Data from the metropolitan area show that about 52,000 students sat for junior high entrance exams this year, the fourth-highest figure in the past 40 years. The participation rate stands at around 18%, meaning roughly one in five children takes the exams. Even families previously uninterested in the process may feel pressure to join as participation remains high despite Japans declining child population. With fewer children overall, many parents are spending more per child and placing greater expectations on educational outcomes.

Costs can be substantial. In one scene from the manga, the head instructor states that sixth-grade students spend an average of 1.5 million yen on cram schools in a single year. Surveys by education company Benesse indicate that attending group cram schools from fourth through sixth grade costs nearly 3 million yen over three years, or roughly 700,000 yen to 1 million yen annually on average, with expenses rising sharply in the final year before exams. Some families also pay for private tutors or additional classes to address weaker subjects.

Beyond tuition, families face transportation costs, application fees, and other related expenses. After acceptance, private junior high schools often require higher tuition and enrollment fees than public schools. The cumulative financial commitment has led some observers to question whether the investment is justified.

The mangas central instructor character bluntly describes entrance exams as a place where parents effectively buy their childrens future, reflecting a belief among some families that attending a strong school can lead to better universities and career prospects. He likens the process to purchasing an express ticket on a train: while students could theoretically reach top universities by steady progress through public education, the junior high entrance exam route is seen as a faster and more reliable path. Cram schools, in this view, function as service providers helping families secure that advantage.

Yet the analogy also underscores inequality. Seats at top schools are limited, and spending more can improve a childs chances, making the system feel increasingly dependent on financial resources. For parents, the stakes are high. In one scene, a husband questions who will take responsibility if large sums are spent and the child still fails, sparking an emotional response that reflects real-life tensions within families navigating the process.

As competition remains strong and costs continue to climb, the question of whether junior high entrance exams offer value for money is likely to remain a topic of debate among Japanese families weighing the benefits of early academic competition against its financial and emotional toll.

Source: BIZ
Consolidated net profit reached AED 14.4 billion, growing 34 per cent Year-over-Year

e&'s subscriber base increased to 244.7 million across Asia, Africa, Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe

Full year dividend per share of 90 fils that will increase to 95 fils in 2026

Hatem Dowidar the Group CEO will step down at the end of March after 6 years in the role

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood will take over on April 1st as the Group CEO, in addition to his current role as CEO of e& UAE.

ABU DHABI, UAE, Feb. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- e& has delivered record financial performance in 2025, reporting consolidated revenues of AED 72.9 billion, an increase of 23.1 per cent year-over-year (YoY).

Consolidated net profits grew to AED 14.4 billion, growing 33.6 per cent, driven by progress across its business verticals. Consolidated EBITDA rose by 21.1 per cent YoY, reaching AED 32.0 billion.

e& delivers record revenue and net profit in FY 2025 growing consolidated revenue 23% to AED 72.9 billion (PRNewsfoto/e&) e& delivers record revenue and net profit in FY 2025 growing consolidated revenue 23% to AED 72.9 billion (PRNewsfoto/e&)

e& UAE continued its solid performance, with its subscriber base surpassing 16.3 million, representing an increase of 8.4 per cent compared to the previous year. The group's total subscriber base grew to 244.7 million, marking a 31.3 per cent growth compared to 2024.

Financial highlights for FY 2025



2025 2024 Per cent change Revenue AED 72.9 billion AED 59.2 billion 23.1 % Net Profit AED 14.4 billion AED 10.8 billion 33.6 % EBITDA AED 32.0 billion AED 26.5 billion 21.1 % Earnings per Share AED 1.65 AED 1.24 33.6 % Consolidated Group Subscribers* 244.7 million* 186.5 million** 31.3 % UAE Subscribers 16.3 million 15.0 million 8.4 % * Included Telenor Pakistan figures as reported to PTA ** Adjusted for Maroc Telecom reported number

For FY 2025, the board has proposed a cash dividend of 47 fils per share for the second half (July to December) of 2025, bringing the total annual dividend to 90 fils per share. The board has also announced that the total annual dividend will increase in 2026 to reach 95 fils per share--further highlighting e&'s commitment to delivering added value to its shareholders.

Also today, e& announced that its Group Chief Executive Officer, Hatem Dowidar, has decided to step down from his position as Group CEO after 6 years in the role. The Board of Directors has accepted his resignation, with his last day in service to be 31 March 2026.

Dowidar has led e& since 2020, steering the organisation through a period of significant transformation and international expansion. Under his leadership, e& accelerated its strategic evolution from a regional telecommunications operator into a global technology and group, strengthening its footprint across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, and advancing its digital, fintech, enterprise and digital lifestyle verticals. During his tenure, the Group delivered record financial performance and reinforced its position as one of the world's leading technology and telecom brands.

The Board of Directors has appointed Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, who has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of e& UAE since 2021, as successor to assume the roles of both, Group Chief Executive Officer of e& and Chief Executive Officer  UAE, effective 1 April 2026.

H.E. Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of e&, said: "e&'s record 2025 results reflect the continued success of our strategy to evolve into a global technology group anchored by strong business pillars and disciplined execution. We are redefining the future of connectivity and enabling new possibilities across enterprise solutions, fintech and digital platforms.

On behalf of the Board, I extend our sincere appreciation to Hatem for his leadership and the significant progress achieved during his tenure. He has played a key role in advancing e&'s transformation and strengthening long-term shareholder value, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours."

Hatem Dowidar said: "It has been an honour to lead e& during a defining chapter in its history. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, transforming our business, expanding internationally, and building new growth engines for the future. The record results achieved in 2025 reflect the strength of our strategy, the resilience of our operating model, and the dedication of our people.

I extend my sincere gratitude to the Chairman, the Board, our leadership team and all our employees for their unwavering commitment and support. I remain confident in e&'s continued success in the years ahead under the leadership of Masood."

Masood M. Sharif Mahmood said:

"I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Group Chief Executive Officer of e& and grateful for the opportunity to lead this ambitious global company,". Masood, who brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in communications, investments and technology sectors, also said "I want to thank Eng Hatem Dowidar for his exceptional leadership and partnership and the Chairman and the Board of Directors for their trust and endorsement. I look forward to building on our shared achievements with our talented teams, OpCos, and partners worldwide."

e& remains focused on executing its strategic priorities, embedding advanced technologies including AI across its operations, and delivering sustainable value for its shareholders, customers, partners and the communities it serves.

Media contact:

Nancy Sudheer

Senior Manager

[email protected]

+971 50 705 5290

Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2919372/Q4_e_Eng_1.jpg

Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2919369/Q4_e_Eng_2.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2458296/5821408/e_and_AR_Logo.jpg

SOURCE e&
TAIPEI, Jan. 12, 2026 /CNW/ -- NEXCOM, a leading supplier of network appliances, will join MWC Barcelona 2026 presenting a broadened portfolio designed to support future-ready networks across telecom, enterprise, and industrial environments. As one of the selected innovators featured in the Taiwan Pavilion--supported by the Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA--NEXCOM brings breakthrough technologies designed and manufactured in Taiwan to MWC Barcelona at booth 5A61 (Hall 5).

NEXCOM brings expanded edge, security, and quantum-resistant innovations to MWC Barcelona 2026. Must see at booth 5A61 (Taiwan Pavilion): broadened portfolio of solutions addressing todays most pressing challenges in secure, synchronized, and resilient networking, built to solve real-world problems across telecom, enterprise, and industrial environments.

Visitors will be able to explore NEXCOM's latest innovations designed to address emerging challenges in secure, synchronized, and resilient networking. Key highlights include:

Post-Quantum Cryptography ( PQC)

Platforms designed to integrate PQC-ready frameworks that aim to help customers strengthen long-term protection as operators prepare for quantum-era threats.





Platforms designed to integrate PQC-ready frameworks that aim to help customers strengthen long-term protection as operators prepare for quantum-era threats. Time-Sensitive Networking ( TSN) Activation Kit

Total solution to simplify configuration, accelerate deployment, and enable precise, real-time synchronization across smart warehouse automation, production logistics, and industrial edge networks.





Total solution to simplify configuration, accelerate deployment, and enable precise, real-time synchronization across smart warehouse automation, production logistics, and industrial edge networks. NEXBOOT D ual-Layer Failover Mechanism

A combined hardware-level redundancy and firmware-level self-recovery approach to reduce costly field returns and maintenance time -- with minimal effort.





A combined hardware-level redundancy and firmware-level self-recovery approach to reduce costly field returns and maintenance time -- with minimal effort. Compact , Value-Driven Network Appliances

SD-Edge, security, and uCPE platforms engineered for strong performance, efficient power usage, and rich functionality within smaller footprints.





SD-Edge, security, and uCPE platforms engineered for strong performance, efficient power usage, and rich functionality within smaller footprints. Collaborative Partner Solutions

Ecosystem-integrated solutions demonstrating how NEXCOM hardware aligns with partner technologies to accelerate the rollout of advanced networking, cybersecurity, and edge-AI applications.

NEXCOM invites industry professionals to secure a meeting slot and explore collaboration possibilities. NEXCOM experts will be available throughout the event at the Taiwan Pavilion booth 5A61 (Hall 5) to guide through latest network and communication platforms and engage in focused solution discussions.

NEXCOM will share additional technology highlights and introduce new products in the coming press announcements. Stay tuned for more updates.

About NEXCOM

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, NEXCOM is shaping the future of AI-powered networking with its software-defined solutions. Through its Network and Communication Solutions (NCS) unit, NEXCOM delivers cutting-edge platforms for Cybersecurity, OT Security, SD-WAN, SASE, Load Balancing, 5G uCPE, edge AI, and more. NCS specializes in professional design and manufacturing services, enabling reliable and scalable network infrastructures for businesses of all sizes. With a focus on innovation, NEXCOM's solutions empower customers worldwide to build resilient, high-performance networks tailored to the demands of tomorrow's connectivity challenges.

SOURCE NEXCOM International Co., Ltd.

Media Contact: Jennifer Lan, Marketing Director, Network & Communication Solutions, E-mail: [email protected], Phone: 886-2-8226-7786
Key poll highlights:

64% of Millennials are anxious about their financial future as monthly costs squeeze budgets



57% are concerned about their current cashflow



~ $1 million: The savings goal for Millennials to achieve financial independence



~ One-tenth of $1 million: The amount Millennials have managed to save so far

TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2026 /CNW/ - A majority (64%) of Millennials are anxious about what the future holds for their finances, with over half (57%) reporting they have little or no money left over after they pay monthly bills, according to the 35th annual RBC Financial Independence Poll.

Other financial concerns identified by Millennials reflect they are among the hardest hit by the current economic realities:

At a time when Millennials need their money to work as hard as they do, a comprehensive financial plan can help bring clarity to competing financial demands and create a more confident path forward. ~ Jodi Wright, Senior Director and Head, RBC Financial Planning (CNW Group/RBC Royal Bank)

59% don't feel financially secure

don't feel financially secure 45% have dipped into their savings to keep themselves afloat over the past year

have dipped into their savings to keep themselves afloat over the past year 44% feel financially squeezed

feel financially squeezed 40% are concerned they will never pay off their debts

"Today's lack of affordability is a crucial challenge for Millennials at a time when they need their money to be working as hard as they are," said Jodi Wright, Senior Director and Head, RBC Financial Planning. "It can be overwhelming when you're trying to cover monthly expenses, pay down debt, and invest for the future."

This is where financial advice professionals come in, Wright added. "Financial Planners can help bring clarity to competing financial demands, prioritize your goals and create a clear roadmap to transform your aspirations into steps you can act on, with realistic timelines. The financial plan they create with you can also help reduce any stress by giving you a sense of control, helping you confidently build the future you have in mind."

Millennials and financial planning: "I don't know where to start"

Poll findings indicated that less than half (48%) of Millennials have a financial plan and of those, one-third (33%) described their plan as being in their head, rather than more formally created. In addition, while over half of Millennials (55%) are finding it difficult to navigate the complexities of their financial situation alone, less than one quarter (22%) have used a professional for financial advice over the past 12 months.

Reasons why a majority of Millennials aren't working with financial advice professionals were evident in some of their poll responses, including:

"I don't feel I know enough and don't want to be judged" (44%)

"I'm worried about finding my finances aren't in the best shape" (43%)

"I don't know where to start with financial planning" (40%)

"Financial advisors are just for the rich" (40%)

While retiring comfortably (52%), achieving financial independence (41%) and building wealth (41%) are among the top investing goals of Millennials, four-in-ten (43%) don't hold any investments. Two of the key reasons why: they worry that they might make poor investment choices (56%) and they lack confidence in their investing knowledge (44%).

"You don't need to have all the answers  that's what our Financial Planners are here for," Wright explained. "We help you strike the right balance between living well today and preparing wisely for tomorrow. And you don't need millions of dollars to start planning and investing. The real value of a plan is the clarity, momentum and direction it provides."

RBC and investing: Performance and advice matter

"When it comes to achieving your goals, performance and advice matter," Wright added. "RBC can help you get closer to your goals with the right support and a track record you can feel good about. You can invest with advice or call your own shots  whatever works for you."

For more details about what RBC provides to help you grow your money, including time-limited offers, check out www.rbcroyalbank.com/investments/.

Selected Findings: 2026 RBC Financial Independence Poll

Millennials & All Generations

RESPONSE MILLENNIALS

(Born between 1981

to 1996) ALL

GENERATIONS

(Aged 18+) Amount of savings needed for financial independence $999K $813K Amount saved so far for financial independence $126K $290K I'm worried about trying to save for the future while paying today's bills 65 % 52 % I don't feel financially secure 59 % 46 % I have little/no money left over after paying monthly bills 57 % 46 % I fear I'll make poor investment choices 56 % 48 % I'm finding it difficult to navigate the complexities of my financial situation alone 55 % 44 % Investing goal: Retire comfortably Investing goal: Achieve financial independence Investing goal: Build wealth 52% 41% 41% 51% 40% 38% I have a financial plan  "In my head." 48% 33% 51% 26% Have dipped into savings in 2025 to stay afloat 45 % 37 % Feel financially squeezed 46 % 36 % Don't feel confident about their investing knowledge 44 % 38 % Don't hold any investments 43 % 37 % Willing to pay fees if that brings the opportunity to earn better returns on their investments 42 % 42 % Won't ever pay off debts 40 % 30 % Have used a professional for financial advice over the past 12 months 22 % 32 % Reasons why a majority of Millennials aren't working with financial advice professionals:

 "I don't know enough and don't want to be judged." 44 % 34 %  "I worry about finding my finances aren't in best shape." 43 % 33 %  "I don't know where to start with financial planning." 40 % 32 %  "I think financial advisors are just for the rich." 40 % 32 %

FAQs  2026 RBC Financial Independence Poll

Why are Millennials feeling financially anxious?

Millennials face high living costs, debt burdens, and difficulty saving for the future. The 35th annual RBC Financial Independence Poll found that 64% report anxiety about their financial future, and 57% have little to no money left after paying monthly bills.

How much do Millennials think they need to save to achieve financial independence?

On average, Millennials believe they need approximately $1 million to achieve financial independence. However, most have saved only about one-tenth of that amount so far.

Do Millennials have financial plans?

Less than half (48%) of Millennials have a financial plan. Of those who do, one-third (33%) describe it as being "in their head" rather than formally documented.

Why aren't more Millennials working with financial advice professionals?

Key barriers include: feeling they don't know enough and fear judgment (44%); worrying that their finances aren't in good shape (43%); not knowing where to start with financial planning (40%); and believing financial advisors are only for rich people (40%).

What are the top investing goals for Millennials?

Top investing goals include: retiring comfortably (52%); achieving financial independence (41%); and building wealth (41%). However, 43% don't currently hold any investments.

Why aren't more Millennials investing?

Two key reasons: they are worried about making poor investment choices (56%); and lack of confidence in their investing knowledge (44%).

How can Financial Planners help?

Financial Planners help clarify goals, create actionable roadmaps, and develop investment strategies. You don't need millions of dollars to start planning  the point is to create clarity, momentum, and a clear path of action.

Where can I learn more about RBC's investment services?

Visit www.rbcroyalbank.com/investments/ for details about RBC's investment services, including time-limited offers and resources for getting started.

About the 35th annual RBC Financial Independence Poll

These findings are from a survey commissioned by RBC and conducted by Ipsos. Data was collected through an online quantitative research survey among a leading Canadian panel of 2,000 English and French speaking Canadians aged 18+ between November 5 to 17, 2025.

Disclaimer

RBC Financial Planning is a business name used by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). Financial planning services and investment advice are provided by RMFI. RMFI, RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RMFI is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 100,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/peopleandplanet.

Media contact:

Kathy Bevan, RBC Corporate Communications, 647-618-2287

SOURCE RBC Royal Bank
The new Low Drag Tank and Pylon (LDTP) system for the F-22 can (and likely will, in adapted form) be used on the F-47 (Boeings NGAD sixth-gen fighter), F-35, and other stealth platforms to significantly boost range options while keeping stealth at a reasonable high level for contested operations. This is based on the programs design goals, Lockheed Martins own statements, and the broader push for Pacific-range stealth fighters.

The number one complaint for many stealth planes are the limited internal fuel/range in vast theaters like the Indo-Pacific.

What Are These Stealth Low-Drag Tanks?

The LDTP program (also called stealthy fuel tanks) replaces the F-22s standard non-stealth 600-gallon external drop tanks. Key features from recent photos, official art, and the Sandboxx video you linked (uploaded today, Feb 24, 2026, showing the best public look yet):Low-drag, low-observable shaping: Faceted/stealth-optimized contours + radar-absorbent materials (RAM) to minimize RCS and wave drag.

Supersonic-capable and maneuver-hardened: Can stay attached during air combat maneuvering (ACM) and supercruise  theyre semi-permanent for combat missions, not just ferry/drop-before-fight.

Clean jettison of tanks. If dropped (via smart pneumatic pylons), the attachment points leave almost no RCS (stealth( penalty vs. a clean F-22. Regular drop tanks leave radar visible plumbing.

F-22 Range Boost and Stealth Compromises

Current baseline (internal fuel only, ~18,000 lb). Combat radius ~530 miles.

With legacy non-stealth tanks. The theoretical combat radius jumps to ~850900+ miles, but theyre never carried into combat  they destroy RCS (by 10100x or more), add massive drag, and limit maneuverability/supersonic flight.

The new tanks give 800+ mile combat radius while keeping the tanks on through the fight and maintaining stealth.

Applicability to F-47 (NGAD), F-35, and Other Stealth Aircraft

F-47/NGAD will get similar adapted versions. F-47 (Boeings sixth-gen) already has a much larger internal combat radius (over 1,000 nautical miles in many projections due to bigger airframe, better engines/efficiency). LDTP-like external low-observable stores would still give extra flexibility for ultra-long Pacific missions, ferry range, or heavy loads without fully compromising its advanced stealth.

Lockheeds Integrated Fighter Group lead (who make the F35) said in 2023 that there is an applicability of the LDTP tanks to the F-35 and other aircraft. F-35 already gets range boosts from conformal tanks in some configs, but low-drag stealth externals would be a perfect add-on for Block 4+ or export variants  dramatically cutting tanker dependence.

The concept (stealth-shaped, low-drag, clean-jettison externals) is transferable to any LO (aka stealth) platform. It would work for stealth bombers.
Un lourd bilan humain marque la journ?e de lundi avec deux accidents a?riens meurtriers sur deux continents diff?rents. Alors que l'Inde pleure les sept occupants d'un avion-ambulance, le P?rou d?plore la mort de quinze personnes, dont des enfants, dans le crash d'un h?licopt?re des forces arm?es.

Le ciel a ete le theatre de deux drames d'une violence rare en l'espace de quelques heures. Ce mardi, les autorites indiennes et peruviennes ont confirme le pire pour les deux aeronefs portes disparus la veille, portant le nombre total de victimes a 22.

Inde : Un vol humanitaire vers New Delhi s'acheve en tragedie

Dans l'est de l'Inde, c'est un vol medical qui a vire au cauchemar. L'appareil, un Beechcraft C90 de la compagnie Redbird Airways, s'est ecrase lundi soir dans l'Etat du Jharkhand, ne laissant aucun survivant. La police locale a confirme le deces des sept personnes a bord.

L'appareil effectuait la liaison entre Ranchi et New Delhi. A son bord, un patient de 41 ans, gravement brule sur plus de 60% du corps, devait etre transfere d'urgence dans la capitale indienne. Il etait accompagne de deux medecins et de deux proches. L'equipage, compose des deux pilotes, a egalement peri dans la catastrophe.

Selon les premieres informations de la Direction generale de l'aviation civile indienne, le contact avec l'equipage a ete perdu environ 23 minutes apres le decollage, avant que l'avion ne disparaisse des ecrans radars. Les conditions meteorologiques, jugees defavorables, sont pour l'heure la piste privilegiee pour expliquer le drame, alors qu'une enquete a ete ouverte pour faire la lumiere sur les causes exactes de cet accident.

Perou : Une mission de secours se transforme en desastre

Quelques heures plus tard, c'est depuis le sud du Perou que la nouvelle est tombee, tout aussi terrible. Un helicoptere militaire Mi-17, engage dans des operations humanitaires, s'est ecrase dans la region d'Arequipa, faisant 15 morts.

L'appareil, depeche pour venir en aide aux populations durement touchees par des inondations et des debordements de rivieres, avait perdu le contact radio en cours de route. Les forces speciales, mobilisees pour le rechercher, ont finalement localise l'epave dans la zone accidentee de Chala Viejo.

Le bilan est lourd : les quatre membres d'equipage et les onze passagers, parmi lesquels se trouvaient des enfants, ont tous peri. "L'aeronef se rendait pour executer des missions de recherche et de sauvetage, ainsi que pour apporter une assistance a la population", a precise la force aerienne peruvienne dans un communique, soulignant l'ironie tragique d'un vol de sauvetage qui s'est termine en drame absolu.

Les causes de ce crash, qui plonge le Perou en deuil, n'ont pas encore ete determinees.

Double Air Tragedy: 22 Killed in India Medevac Crash and Peru Military Helicopter Accident

A heavy human toll marks Monday with two deadly air accidents on two different continents. While India mourns the seven occupants of an air ambulance, Peru deplores the death of fifteen people, including children, in the crash of an armed forces helicopter.

The skies were the scene of two brutal dramas within hours of each other. This Tuesday, Indian and Peruvian authorities confirmed the worst for the two aircraft reported missing the day before, bringing the total number of victims to 22.

India: Humanitarian Flight to New Delhi Ends in Tragedy

In eastern India, a medical flight turned into a nightmare. The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 operated by Redbird Airways, crashed Monday evening in the state of Jharkhand, leaving no survivors. Local police confirmed the deaths of all seven people on board.

The aircraft was flying between Ranchi and New Delhi. On board was a 41-year-old patient, seriously burned over more than 60% of his body, who needed an emergency transfer to the Indian capital. He was accompanied by two doctors and two relatives. The crew, consisting of the two pilots, also perished in the disaster.

According to initial information from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation, contact with the crew was lost about 23 minutes after takeoff, before the plane disappeared from radar screens. Unfavorable weather conditions are currently the lead hypothesis to explain the tragedy, as an investigation has been opened to shed light on the exact causes of the accident.

Peru: Rescue Mission Turns into Disaster

A few hours later, news just as terrible came from southern Peru. A military Mi-17 helicopter, engaged in humanitarian operations, crashed in the Arequipa region, killing 15 people.

The aircraft, dispatched to help populations hard hit by floods and river overflows, had lost radio contact along the way. Special forces, mobilized to search for it, finally located the wreckage in the rugged area of Chala Viejo.

The toll is heavy: the four crew members and the eleven passengers, among whom were children, all perished. "The aircraft was going to carry out search and rescue missions, as well as to provide assistance to the population," the Peruvian Air Force said in a statement, highlighting the tragic irony of a rescue flight that ended in absolute disaster.

The causes of this crash, which plunges Peru into mourning, have not yet been determined.

crash aerien, accident avion, Inde, Perou, Jharkhand, Arequipa, avion medical, ambulance aerienne, helicoptere militaire, Mi-17, Beechcraft C90, Redbird Airways, victimes, bilan, actualites internationales, faits divers, drame, inondations Perou, sauvetage, New Delhi, Ranchi, forces aeriennes, enquete, conditions meteo

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President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, AzerNEWS reports.

"Esteemed Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Estonia  Independence Day.

I believe that the ties of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Estonia will continue to develop and expand in line with the interests of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the people of Estonia everlasting peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
Thailand's Department of Disease Control is monitoring 108 workers who had close contact with tigers at two Chiang Mai parks where 72 of the animals died in a rapid disease outbreak.

The Department of Disease Control said the workers, based at Tiger Kingdom facilities in the Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts, cared for or were in close proximity to the tigers between Feb. 8 and 19, Khaosod reported on Feb. 23. They will remain under medical surveillance for at least 21 days. No abnormal symptoms have been reported so far.

Officials have confirmed that the pathogens found in the dead tigers, canine distemper virus (CDV), Mycoplasma bacteria and feline parvovirus, are not known to spread to humans. But the Ministry of Public Health is maintaining precautionary measures, advising residents to avoid contact with sick animals, eat thoroughly cooked food and wash hands frequently.

The outbreak began on Feb. 8 at Tiger Kingdom Mae Taeng, where 31 tigers fell ill at once. The first death came the next day. The crisis peaked on Feb. 12 and 13, when 45 tigers died in just 48 hours across both sites, according to a timeline released by Protected Area Regional Office 16. By Feb. 18, the toll had reached 72: 51 at Mae Taeng and 21 at Mae Rim, wiping out nearly a third of the parks' 246 tigers.

The Chiang Mai Provincial Livestock Office said tests confirmed CDV combined with Mycoplasma bacteria. Preliminary results also detected feline parvovirus, also known as feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious disease that attacks the digestive system and immune response, the Bangkok Post reported. Avian influenza was ruled out.

But the official explanation has not gone unchallenged. Wisit Arsaithamkul, a veterinarian who was part of the team performing necropsies on the dead tigers, posted on Facebook on Feb. 22 that he was troubled by the disease surveillance and epidemiological management at the sites.

He and other local veterinarians suggested the infections may have entered through contaminated raw chicken meat from a private farm, according to Thai PBS. Wisit warned that sweeping the issue aside would prevent any improvement in the industry.

The Department of Livestock Development has also pointed to inbreeding among the captive tigers as a factor that likely weakened their immune systems. Officials noted that tigers rarely show visible signs of illness until a disease is already severe, delaying early detection.

Authorities initially cremated the carcasses on-site but switched to burial when cremation facilities ran short, according to Kritsayam Kongsatree, director of Conservation Area Management Region 16. Each burial site at the Mae Taeng compound was flagged and marked with the tiger's identification number, Thairath reported. No parts such as skin or teeth were permitted to be removed.

The 124 surviving tigers have been relocated to a quarantine center in Mae Taeng, where they are classified into five severity levels from asymptomatic to critical. Each group is receiving tailored treatment including immune boosters, fever reducers, anti-seizure medication and antibiotics, Thai PBS reported. Vaccination campaigns are being prepared.

Both Tiger Kingdom facilities remain closed, with disinfection ongoing. The parks, operated by Khum Sue Trakarn Ltd., will only reopen once the outbreak is fully contained. The company also runs Tiger Kingdom in Phuket and three Tiger Park attractions in Phuket and Pattaya.
Vietnam's job market is shifting in 2026, with sales professionals and AI talent at the front of the hiring race.

After several years of restructuring, businesses are regaining stability and shifting focus back to two core priorities: boosting revenue and strengthening production. At the same time, companies are accelerating digital transformation and investing in new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence.

Recent employment surveys released ahead of Tet show recruitment demand recovering across multiple sectors, with clear patterns emerging about who companies want most, and who may face tougher competition.

According to Navigos, sales accounts for 46% of recruitment demand this year, followed by IT-software at 13%. A similar survey by TopCV places business-sales at 48%, IT-software at 9%, communications-advertising at 8%, and customer service at 4%.

In sales, companies are overwhelmingly targeting professionals with one to five years of experience. More than 67% of employers say this group forms the operational backbone of their businesses, ready to generate revenue immediately without extensive retraining.

Recent graduates remain in demand, but to a lesser extent. About 31% of companies plan to hire fresh talent, reflecting efforts to build long-term workforce pipelines. Meanwhile, around 20% are recruiting team leaders and mid-level managers. Businesses appear to be balancing short-term performance with long-term talent development.

In IT, the most sought-after roles include web developers (45%), back-end developers (37%) and AI engineers (30%).

Companies are not just expanding teams, but also upgrading them. Many are prioritizing candidates with deep expertise in AI, semiconductor technology and microchip-related engineering. Employers increasingly favor experienced professionals with strong systems thinking over entry-level applicants.

But competition is intense. More than half of companies report difficulty finding highly skilled candidates. Around 50% worry about losing talent to major tech firms, while 34% say the overall supply of qualified applicants remains limited. The result is a tightening market at the high-skill end.

Beyond technology and sales, healthcare-related professions are also seeing growing demand. As Vietnam expands its healthcare system and awareness of mental well-being increases, recruitment for psychological counselors is projected to rise by about 19%. Hiring for nurses and caregivers is expected to increase by 16%.

Marketing and communications roles remain in demand, but employers are no longer seeking general content producers. Instead, companies want professionals who can analyze data, link KPIs directly to revenue and demonstrate measurable impact.

By contrast, hiring in administration and human resources remains relatively low, at 3% and 2%, respectively. Many firms are streamlining operations and expecting these teams to multitask as part of cost optimization efforts.

Surveys show that workers themselves recognize structural changes underway. About 41% say the labor market is becoming increasingly segmented, with rising demand in new sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, high-tech manufacturing, and semiconductors.

Another 27% believe the job market remains stable but far more competitive. Hiring standards are rising, with stronger expectations for digital skills, analytical thinking, foreign language proficiency and adaptability. Many workers are responding by enrolling in short-term courses or upgrading their skills independently.

16% of respondents, largely younger professionals, are optimistic, seeing expansion opportunities in AI, e-commerce, fintech and advanced manufacturing. However, 11%, primarily older and lower-skilled workers in traditional industries, express concern about shrinking recruitment and declining job stability.
Folk-Americana duo The Brothers Reed will perform at The Belfry on Thursday, February 26.

The Missouri-born brothers Aaron and Phil Reed have spent over a decade touring the country, building a reputation for tight sibling harmonies and a sound that blends bluegrass, folk, and country. Now based in Southern Oregon, the duo is touring in support of their latest album, "Long Way To Go," released in 2025.

Photo provided

The band is known for an exhaustive touring schedule, and a live show that features polished vocal harmonies alongside humorous, unscripted stage banter. Their appearance in Sisters serves as a domestic highlight before they depart for an international "Beyond the Tartan" tour of Scotland this June.

The Belfry, a transformed 1914 church, provides an intimate listening-room environment specifically designed for acoustic clarity. The venue features high vaulted ceilings, original hardwood floors, and stained glass windows, creating a warm, retro atmosphere. This performance will be a seated event.

The Belfry is located at 302 E. Main Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m .; show starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at http://www.Belfryevents.com.

For more information on the band, visit http://www.TheBrothersReed.com.
Cities act on their priorities by how they budget  and budgets are set to meet goals. Sisters City Council spent 4.5 hours February 19 in a goal-setting workshop, reviewing public input, assessing status of past goals, and considering new goals for fiscal year 2026-27.

Council goals are set annually and are a foundation for the next fiscal year budget. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year. Council goals also let the public know what the City has planned to accomplish. Some goal categories, like wildfire mitigation and maintenance, include ongoing projects to fit a growing need. Some goals are long projects over several years but do end, like infrastructure projects.

Assistant City Manager Kerry Prosser shared that public outreach on goal setting included an open house and a two-question community survey. The open house on January 22 was at City Hall and had 40 people in attendance who provided verbal and written comments under each of six goal categories:

 Wildfire mitigation and community resiliency.

 Housing, livability, and growth.

 Economic development.

 Essential infrastructure.

 Good governance.

 Environmental sustainability.

From The Nuggets review of the City staffs documentation (62 summarized statements of publics verbal and written suggestions), it became obvious that most of the suggestions have been or are being addressed. This points to a longstanding problem: the public not knowing what the City has done or is doing. This is not due to a lack of information being available to the public, and appears to have more to do with the large number of new residents coming in each year.

The public made suggestions for new goals: create natural firebreaks (example  restore wetland meadows), develop more variety of unsubsidized units for single occupancy by young adults or retired/elderly, seek more trade sector businesses for the area with avenues for youth into such trades, create and develop a municipal broadband, allow for City assembles, and limit focus on tourism.

The two-question survey had 163 respondents. The first question asked, What is the most important issue facing the Sisters community today? City staff found, Residents overwhelmingly want safety, affordability, and livability, but are concerned about rapid growth, increased development density, addressing the unhoused, and state mandates that override local controls.

The second question asked, What should City Council focus on in 2026-27? City staff documented that respondents wanted Council to, slow down, reduce wildfire risk, protect livability, make housing and jobs work for locals, rebuild trust before expanding [the Urban Growth Boundary] further.

City Manager Jordan Wheeler provided detailed status on the current 2025-26 Council goals. In summary, a total of 45 projects under a total of 17 strategies under the six goal categories (shared above). Of the 45 projects; nine are complete, 30 are in progress (some may complete before July and some are critical ongoing long-term goals like putting current utility lines underground  that can only be affordably funded/completed along with adjacent developments), and four low priority goals are not started but might complete before July. Council deliberated over all goals, removing what was done, rewording, and adding a few new.

On the Citys website, https://www.ci.sisters.or.us, Active City Projects is found low on the home page  click the tree icon. The City website also includes lists of projects in progress or recently completed under either Community Planning or Public Works departments. To review current or past council goals, use the Government pulldown tab on the upper part of the home page and go to City Council. The latter location is where the 2026-27 Council goals will be posted once approved in March.
A man from Eagle Crest led deputies on a pursuit through Sisters twice last Friday, before being apprehended in his home territory.

Photo courtesy DSCO

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports a deputy attempted to stop a passenger vehicle in the Sisters area on February 20, at 8:12 a.m., after observing the driver operating aggressively - including brake-checking the deputy and driving over a roundabout. The driver failed to yield and continued through Sisters.

Out of caution, the deputy did not pursue. The vehicle was last seen traveling west on Highway 20 past Black Butte.

The same vehicle was then observed returning to Sisters at 8:53 a.m. Deputies, assisted by Oregon State Police and the Black Butte Police Department, attempted another traffic stop. The driver fled east on Highway 20, prompting a pursuit. Deputies used a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), but the suspect regained control and sped away at a high rate of speed. The pursuit was terminated for public safety as the vehicle headed toward Tumalo and Bend.

At 11:07 a.m., a concerned citizen in the Eagle Crest area reported a vehicle following them, making them feel uncomfortable. Deputies responded and identified the vehicle as the same one from earlier. Multiple spike strips were successfully deployed, and a second PIT maneuver brought the vehicle to a stop on Eagle Crest Boulevard.

The driver, Doug R. Greaser, 54, of Eagle Crest, allegedly tried to walk away and resisted arrest, but was taken into custody and transported to St. Charles-Bend for further evaluation. Greaser was arrested on the following charges:

 Felony Attempt to Elude (three counts).

 Reckless Driving (three counts).

 Multiple counts of Reckless Endangering.

 Assault on a Police Officer.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office thanked Oregon State Police, Black Butte Police Department, and the community for their assistance in safely resolving the incident.
The Oregon Senate in a 17-11 vote Thursday advanced a bill meant to safeguard public lands against the threat of privatization.

Senate Bill 1590, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, would prohibit state agencies from using any funding, data, equipment or staff to help the federal government sell or transfer federal lands to private parties. The measure puts no restrictions on tribes.

Broadman brought the bill in response to efforts from congressional Republicans to include in their massive summer 2025 tax and spending law plans to sell between 2 to 3 million acres of federally-managed land across 11 Western states, including hiking trails and campgrounds in Oregon. Those provisions ultimately failed after receiving bipartisan pushback and because Congress could not guarantee that those lands wouldnt be bought by antagonistic foreign interests.

Roughly 53 percent of land in Oregon is managed by the federal government, specifically the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service.

The Senate advanced the bill along party lines, with Republicans citing concerns that the bill would limit private and public partnerships meant to manage the states natural resources and protect the health and safety of Oregonians.

The bill heads to the House next.

Reprinted courtesy of Oregon Capital Chronicle.
City of Sisters Urban Renewal Agency (URA) workshop reviewed projects to which the URA is providing part of the funding.

The City URA Board of Directors (URA-BD) are the City Council members. The Citys Urban Renewal Plan was defined and the URA-BD established in 2003 by a then City-appointed UR Advisory board. The resulting URA is a legally separate entity from the City which funds projects to, promote the development of downtown as a commercial and cultural center. The URA is funded by a percentage of property taxes. The URA has a maximum indebtedness budget of $6,200,000 most of which is allocated to 2026 projects.

The URA plan goals for fiscal year 2024-2025 has three categories: transportation, utilities, and public amenities. URA-BD members discussed three projects on February 19  the Adams Avenue streetscape, Westside Pump Station, and The acquisition process for installing public art at the Locust Street roundabout within a budget of $175,000. The status for the first two is listed below.

For the Public Art Acquisition goal, the URA-BD had a lengthy discussion about the roundabout art. URA-BD considered that since the City will eventually have four roundabouts perhaps an overall theme will be recommended. Council generally agreed to rephrase the public art acquisition goal to be for consideration of public art anywhere within the URA plan, rather than one specified location.

There are 21 projects in the Citys 2026 Major Projects and Initiatives documentation (pages 29 to 50) here, https://www.ci.sisters.or.us/media/33151. This is a summary list indicating three having URA funding. The Urban Growth Boundary amendment project has about nine months remaining to improve the annexation process and complete an area planning phase.

 Community wildfire resiliency: Next phase will inform and encourage property owners to attend to their defensible space.

 City Hall demonstration landscape to create an example for the public of defensible space landscaping.

 Signage master plan (pedestrian) is in final draft design process.

 Sisters Gateway Park and Mobility Hub will have a dog park and signage in 2026. EV charging stations to be installed by 2028.

 Highway 20 and Locust Street roundabout landscaping with funding from URA before summer.

 Well #1 improvements design is 90 percent complete.

 Building a new 2.2-million-gallon water reservoir is in the funding strategy phase.

 Build a new 16-inch Edgington Road water transmission main is in the funding strategy phase.

 Westside Pump Station includes some funding from URA and completes before summer.

 Rope Street Pump Station improvements design is 60 percent complete, bidding next and expect construction in the summer.

 Northwest Park master plan final preferred option will be before City Parks Advisory Board and then to Council.

 Barclay Drive improvements phase two is in the funding strategy phase.

 Adams Avenue Streetscape has about $3,500,000 in funding from URA and bidding completes February 27.

 Northwest Housing Alternatives, an affordable housing project which the County and City helped fund, is under construction.

 The Citys development code updates, to audit for compliance with latest Oregon state development codes and identify barriers to new housing.

 Wildfire mitigation and fuels reductions has been leading by example in addressing the Citys defensible spaces, hardening public structures, and developing a Wildfire Resiliency Plan for critical infrastructure and property.

 City Civic Leadership Academy is on its third iteration, the cohort is being identified, and it starts April 13.

 Dark Skies implementation is in the public education phase and the Citys lighting rebate program is running.

 Locust Street pedestrian improvements funding is secured and design is in progress for project completion in early 2027.

 Public Art in the City project of August 2025 suggests establishing a Public Art Advisory Board  no progress to report.
The plain meaning of Article II, Section 2 in the Oregon state constitution seems to be eluding a lot of people in high office in the state.

And thats a little puzzling because the words seem basic: Every citizen of the United States is entitled to vote in all elections not otherwise provided for by this Constitution. It does go on to restrict voting by residency and registration, and allow the Legislature to impose limitations on some financial ballot issues to taxpayers. But the rule is that in elections held by and paid for by the public, every qualified voter gets to vote.

Except that this isnt true, in a meaningful way, in primary elections, the next of which arrives in May. There, if youre not registered with the Democratic or Republican party (as a vast number of Oregon voters are not), youre shut out from most of whats on the ballot. That includes voting at a critical stage (often, in these hyper-partisan times, the only meaningful stage) for top elective offices.

Democrats and Republicans between them have an effective monopoly on most of Oregons top elective offices, but the theory is that those parties are private organizations that should be able to control participation in their activities (freedom of association). This leads to the perverse result of private benefit conferred by a government intended to operate for and by the people more broadly.

Two recent and separate legal challenges to this are underway.

One is a frontal constitutional legal argument. The group Our Primary Voice and plaintiff Mark Porter, a retired attorney, last summer sued the state in Marion County court to challenge the restrictive nature of Oregons primaries. They noted the state constitution language on voter access and said the primaries arent a special carve-out.

On January 30, Judge Natasha Zimmerman rejected the challenge. Her reasoning wasnt entirely clear. A message from Porter indicated she seemed to hold that primary elections arent covered under the constitutional provision. But Porter also said she acknowledged the state of Oregon didnt make that argument.

An appeal is expected, so well have to wait for the next round of legal filings for further analysis  probably long after this years primary election.

The second of the recent actions concern two proposed ballot initiatives. They are intended to accomplish much the same thing as the Marion County lawsuit  to open primary elections  but in this case do it through a vote at the next general election.

The proposed constitutional amendment says, In primary elections, all candidates shall be listed on a single ballot, regardless of their party affiliations, allowing all eligible voters to vote for the candidates of their choice for: United States senator, representative in Congress, Governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, state senator and state representative and any other public office so designated by law.

The debate now is the title (or caption) for the initiatives, written by the attorney generals office. The certified version for each of them says, Changes primary election processes for most partisan offices: single primary ballot, top two candidates advance.

That may be accurate, but it sounds little like a clear description of what the planned ballot issues would, if passed, actually do. Nor does it sound neutral: It refers to a major election change, but not the nature of the change.

The initiative advocates have sued the state, at the Supreme Court, to change the language. Very likely this years primary election, set for May 19, will come and go before these cases get resolved in court.

As voters consider who and what to support in the elections, they may want to think hard about which decisions theyre being allowed to make, and which not. That could become a consideration, owing to outside impacts from Washington, in the general election. But it might be a cause for concern in the primary too.

Reprinted under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Three foreigners among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

A foreign tourist takes pictures in front of the Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal, April 24, 2022. Photo by Reuters

A passenger bus plunged 200 meters (650 feet) from a mountainous road in west Nepal before dawn on Monday, killing 19 people including three foreign nationals, police said.

Among those killed were a British, Chinese and Indian citizen. The bus was carrying 44 passengers.

A New Zealander and a Chinese national were among 25 injured when the bus heading for Kathmandu from the tourist town of Pokhara fell from the road at Behighat in Dhading District, 80 km (50 miles) west of the capital, a police statement said.

The injured are being treated at hospitals in Kathmandu, it added.

Road accidents are common in mostly mountainous Nepal where the conditions of roads are poor. Hundreds die in road crashes in Nepal annually.

The government said it had ordered an investigation.
Authorities in Catania, Italy, recently shared footage captured by CCTV cameras in the municipality showing a dog carrying what look like plastic trash bags in its mouth and dumping them on the side of the road before returning from where it came. Police have since identified the animal and fined its master for using it to dump trash illegally.

Inventiveness can never be an alibi for incivility, Italian authorities wrote in a Facebook post. The environmental unit of Catanias municipal police has released two videos recorded by surveillance cameras in which a dog is seen depositing a bag of waste in the street.

This behavior is both cunning and doubly unfair, because in addition to littering the city, it attempts to evade the rules by exploiting the unwitting four-legged friend. Respect for urban decorum and the environment is everyones duty, the post added.

After analyzing the CCTV footage, Catania authorities became convinced that the dog had been trained by its owner to dump the trash illegally so that they wouldnt be caught on camera doing it. They have reportedly already fined the animals owner, although its unclear how they managed to prove that the dog had been trained to litter.

Under Italian law, individuals caught dumping garbage illegally can be fined from 1,500 euros ($1,770) to 18,000 euros ($21,220), but it doesnt say anything about dogs
Hunterdon County, New Jersey, is looking for an agency that can improve the visibility of the countys tourism brand by providing digital as well as traditional marketing and public relations services.
Hannah Cranston Media is selected as PR agency of record for Owlet, a company that produces smart infant monitoring products. HCM will lead earned media and global PR strategy for Owlet as the company expands into new markets, forges partnerships that broaden access to its product ecosystem, optimizes its hardware and software offerings, and grows investor interest. HCM will also deploy its Generative Engine Optimization framework to ensure Owlet is discoverable across AI-powered search platforms. Having monitored more than 2.5 million babies globally across 30+ countries, Owlet has announced a partnership with webAI to build an AI infrastructure that will leverage its proprietary dataset into personalized intelligence for families. We need a bold, innovative agency who not only understands our unique category, but shares our conviction that every baby deserves the best possible start in life, said Owlet head of marketing Krista Weaver. HCM brings the strategic vision to help us tell that story as we continue to expand and evolve."

RG2 Communications is named agency of record for Okupa, a boutique hotel in Athens. RG2 will lead Okupas international communications strategy across the UK, Europe and the US, overseeing press office, brand storytelling, media relations and strategic positioning in the global travel, lifestyle and design sectors. The strategy will focus on long-lead and short-lead travel features, design and architecture coverage, cultural storytelling and curated media experiences. Okupa, which opened in November 2024, was conceived as both a destination for international travelers and a gathering place for the local community.

Campstories signs on as PR agency of record for the Museum of Outdoor Arts, a nonprofit arts organization in Greenwood Village, CO that has more than 150 pieces in its collection, 85 of which are installed outdoors. The agency will develop a strategic communications plan, create and execute a robust proactive media relations strategy, and integrate + elevate PR efforts with MOA's e-newsletter and social media channels. Founded in 1981, MOA provides a variety of arts events and programs, including its signature education program, Design and Build, which provides opportunities for young artists, students and creative minds to work with professional artists on collaborative art projects. It also owns and operates Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre in collaboration with its tenant AEG Presents.
A man has died in a crash between a lorry and a motorcycle in Co Sligo.

The incident took place at Rusheen, Riverstown at around 9.20am on Tuesday.

The man, a motorcyclist aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His body has been taken to the mortuary at Sligo University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will take place.

The driver of the lorry was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The road was closed while a technical examination of the scene is carried out by forensic collision investigators.

Diversions are in place in Riverstown and on the R284 (Ballygawley to Ballyfarnon Road).

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision and anyone who may have camera or dash-camera footage to come forward.

It comes after seven people died in separate car crashes across the island of Ireland on Saturday, including 16-year-old Mia Lily Keogh OKeeffe who died while she walking in Co Meath.
Transnational fraud networks operating in Southeast Asia pose a significant threat to the United States. Chinese organized crime syndicates running large-scale scam operations in the region are targeting Americans every day, said Scott Schelble, Deputy Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the FBIs efforts to counter scam centers in Southeast Asia.



Following a recent trip to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Mr. Shelble said these are not small or isolated crimes; they are sophisticated, well-resourced criminal enterprises that exploit borders, technology, and vulnerable people to generate enormous profits.



The FBI, working closely with the Department of Justice, is fully committed to leading the global fight against these networks.



The Royal Thai Police is a strong operational partner, sharing information and producing results. The FBI, Department of Justice Strike Force, and the Royal Thai Police have succeeded in disrupting these criminal networks, identifying victims, and targeting the financial infrastructure that supports these crimes, noted Deputy Assistant Director Shelble.



In Cambodia, U.S. officials discussed how to combat scam operations. The FBI has partnered with the Cambodian National Police in a task force setting in the past, said Mr. Shelble, and my hope is to leverage the success from those investigations towards these scam compounds.



He discussed similar issues of mutual concern with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security.



Deputy Assistant Director Shelble had the opportunity to observe several large scam compounds firsthand: And even viewing them from a distance, it is impossible to fully grasp the magnitude of these operations until you see them yourself. There are entire facilities dedicated to fraud on an industrial scale.



And behind these operations are real victims  often Americans who lose their life savings, and in many cases, there are trafficked individuals who are forced to participate in this criminal activity, said Mr. Shelble. That human cost is why this work matters so much.



The message from this trip is clear. The FBI will continue to pursue these syndicates aggressively wherever they operate, and we will do so in close partnership with trusted international allies, said Deputy Assistant Director Shelble. Criminals should not believe that borders will protect them if they target Americans. We know where you are and we are coming for you.
A TULLAMORE born actor who has featured in a host of acclaimed television series over recent years is bringing a show to Esker Arts in his home town on March 5 next.

John Nayagam appeared on our TV screens in hit shows such as "Emmerdale", "Holby", "Blue Lights" and "The Teacher".

He has also created the production company, "Watering Hole Productions", which brings "Word Against The Word", a show featuring Keith Dunphy, to Esker Arts following a successful run in London and Waterford.

John Nayagam grew up on Rahan Road in Tullamore and attended Ballinamere NS and the CBS during the 80s and 90s.

"My mother was a Prendergast from Church St. I now live in London but regularly come back to Tullamore to vist friends and family," he told the Tribune.

John continued: "While away I have been lucky enough to have had a few careers, one in acting, being on 'Emmerdale' for a couple of years and 'Holby' for a time alongside theatre work but more recently I have been fortunate to be in a number of dramas including 'Blue Lights' and 'The Teacher' as well as continuing with stage work."

"On one of my visits to Tullamore for a friend's 50th I was told about Esker Arts. I couldn't believe it. I was so pleased to hear that Tullamore finally had a theatre/arts space that I reached out to Sean Walsh, the artistic director, and when I was next over arranged a meet up and was immediately determined to bring shows to my town and share them with theatre goers, non-theatre goers, young people, whoever!"

READ NEXT: Offaly peat documentary to premiere at Esker Arts in Tullamore

John said he found himself empassioned about this because despite forging a career out of acting "I was never once presented with any option, pathway on these lines when I was in Tullamore as a child/teenager and it is so fantastic that it now exists."

"So I am exploring ways to make that pathway clearer and accessible, and we have worked with Esker to get a workshop session in with one of the schools on Shakespeare before the show which Keith will run."

His company, "Watering Hole Productions", was created with the mission of making art, particularly live theatre, happen; enabling plays and work to be shared.

"Plays have their impact when they are performed live but you cannot underestimate the time, effort, cost, and how many people need to be involved to get a play from the page to the stage. I recognised that a lot of my work outside of acting involves building teams to make things happen in a sustainable way so I applied it to staging plays.

"The name Watering Hole obviously has the literal association with the pub where so many great things happen but it also conjures the notion of thirsty animals on the savannah sipping from the pool and artists/actors/writers are those animals who can hopefully sip two key things things - facilitation and funds from Watering Hole. And that latter part is a key mid-term mission - to fill the Watering Hole with funds which can be used to realise work.

The show, the company is bring to Esker Arts, "Word Against The Word" represents its first full production having debuted in London in early 2025 but Watering Hole has two other new plays in the pipe - both are written, with creative teams attached, and funding is being sought to support their staging.

READ NEXT: President of powerful EU body selected as 2025 Offaly Person of the Year

Asked if he is hoping to bring shows on a regular basis to Esker, John replied: "I most certainly am. As I mentioned I was so excited to hear Esker Arts was up and running. It was great to speak with Sean about what has been there (some great shows!), his passion for the arts as a whole and his reports of local enthusiasm for theatre in the town. I know some other theatre companies who want to bring their shows to Ireland and part of this is building a relationship both for Watering Hole and those other companies. As long there is an appetite or an interest I'll be keen to share plays."

As regards the workshop he intends to run with students in Tullamore, John outlined: "The workshops we have run previously were with cohorts of about 30/40 and therefore it was quite interactive. This workshop will be for 150 students so it will be a case of tailoring it to scale. Keith, the actor, will work through some of the physical warm-ups and exercises that enable the actor to explore Shakespearian texts and to reveal the characters through the unique language and behaviours.

"The floor will be entirely open to questions about technique (stage or screen) and practical production/career development questions. The attendees will gain some insights on how acting practitioners prepare and perform in their roles, and with a bit of luck some will be inspired."

For more details about the show "Word Against The Word" log onto the trailer https://youtu.be/-ZlWqPN17BM or view vox pops with audience reaction from its runs in Waterford and London - https://youtu.be/GNxULLVWsAQ and https://youtu.be/FfJh-3iDYpM

See eskerarts.ie
HAVRE DE GRACE, MD - February 15, 2026 - As bullying and cyberbullying incidents continue to surge nationwide, amplified by increased AI integration and digital 
Bangkok, Thailand - G.Armani Suit, a bespoke tailoring brand established in 1999, proudly announces the launch of its new official website and its relocation to 
California, United States - February 23, 2026 - The Tool Marketer, an independent digital press release publication, officially launched this week as the first niche-focused 
A customer selects calabash products at a calabash artwork shop in the town of Tangyi, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 20, 2026.(Xinhua/Xiao Bowen)

JINAN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hao Xuekun's workshop in the town of Tangyi is filled with hundreds of dry calabashes in every imaginable shape -- all carved and painted with bold colors and bright patterns. Surrounded by these ingenious crafts, Hao cheerfully sends his Chinese New Year greetings to his thousands of audiences through livestreaming.

"Tonight I've prepared this lotus Ruyi for you," the 26-year-old told roughly 8,000 people watching online, lifting a calabash that is carefully carved into the shape of a lotus with two layers of petals. "May it bring you fortune and happiness in the Year of the Horse."

In the past, few would have imagined that Tangyi, a small town of nearly 40,000 in east China's Shandong Province, could turn its hundred-year-old calabash crafting tradition into its mainstay. Today, this once-humble craft has grown into an industry worth 1.8 billion yuan (about 260 million U.S. dollars) annually, and young people like Hao are central to the transformation.

Tangyi is celebrated as the "hometown of Chinese calabashes." For centuries, artisans there have carved calabashes -- known in Chinese as hulu, a homonym for "fortune and prosperity" -- into decorative objects believed to bring good luck. The practice dates back at least to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

However, heritage alone did not guarantee prosperity.

As the third generation of his family's calabash business, peddling their works on the street with his parents constitutes a big part of Hao's childhood memories. "In the old days, the whole town only grew a couple of types of calabashes, and carving techniques were also rather basic," said Hao. "Also, if merchants wanted to sell them elsewhere, they had to carry them out themselves."

Like many other small towns across China back then, Tangyi had a traditional craft skill to be proud of, but limited processing techniques and a lack of sales channels made it hard for local craftsmen to turn their skills into money in the modern market.

As an out-and-out digital native, Hao decided to make a change. Being proficient in social media, he opened his own channel dedicated to calabash carving when he was still at college. After graduation, he did not hesitate to return to his hometown to continue his livestreaming career.

Four years later, he has built up an audience of more than 300,000 followers, receiving 100 to 300 orders a night. Hao's success has motivated other young homecomers and local farmers to join in livestreaming, turning this once seasonal street trade into an industry capable of reaching buyers nationwide.

Hao is part of a broader trend. Official data shows that some 12 million people, including young graduates and urban white-collar workers, have returned to their rural hometowns to start their own businesses.

Whether driven by a desire to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities or the sniffing out of better opportunities in hometowns, young returnees have infused local industries with much-needed vitality and creativity.

In Tangyi, their arrival has not only opened new sales channels but also brought innovations to the plant itself.

Traditional calabash carving in Tangyi is known for its intricate patterns, including pyrography and carving. But young designers like Mo Junling, 32, are pushing boundaries.

As an architectural design graduate, Mo returned to Tangyi in 2018, and introduced ink engraving, a modern art technique she had learned at university, to enhance both the sense of depth and color endurance of calabash paintings.

In addition to vivid depictions of calligraphy, animals and landscapes, Mo's works also feature the latest chic or popular cartoon characters like Nezha, securing them considerable popularity among both seasoned collectors and younger buyers.

"Traditional handicrafts can only remain vibrant through constant innovation," she said.

Mo's creativity and Hao's growing business require a steady supply of calabashes. Thus, young people returning to Tangyi have also begun breeding new calabash varieties and exploring more efficient cultivation methods.

Now, Tangyi grows over 30 different types of calabashes, boasting a dozen innovative crafting methods including ink engraving, hollow-carving, embossing and lacquering. It has also developed thousands of different calabash products such as tea cans, bracelets and pendants.

The enthusiasm of young hometown returnees was boosted by strong policy support, too. In 2024, Tangyi invited three national top-tier artisans to offer training courses in calabash crafting. A college student entrepreneurship incubator was also established last year to provide training in farming and carving techniques, enabling young people to participate freely.

With government support and growing recognition of Tangyi calabashes, more and more people are coming back to town. Hao's business is flourishing, and his hometown has become more lively. "Occasionally, there are even traffic jams that I haven't seen for years," said Hao.

Tangyi's evolution reflects a wider trend across China's smaller cities and rural counties, where returning young entrepreneurs are revitalizing local industries.

In east China's Zhejiang Province, a Gen-Z returnee has transformed a thousand-acre flower field into an online flower supermarket through livestreaming. In the southwestern province of Yunnan, a college graduate of the local Yi ethnic group has brought their traditional embroidery clothing to the Milan Fashion Week. And in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China, young entrepreneurs have partnered with universities to improve recipes for sour bamboo shoots, a key ingredient in the famous local dish.

In each case, the formula is similar: local products meet youthful ideas, and small-town businesses find new life.

Hao plans to grow calabashes himself next, extending his role from seller to producer. "The opportunity is here, and you just have to seize it." 

Calabashes carved and painted with calligraphy and cartoon designs are displayed at a calabash artwork shop in the town of Tangyi, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 20, 2026.(Xinhua/Xiao Bowen)

A shopkeeper sits amidst calabashes at a calabash artwork shop in the town of Tangyi, east China's Shandong Province, Feb. 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xiao Bowen)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump told governors Friday during a meeting at the White House he has no plans to surge federal immigration operations in states where its not wanted.

New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul said during an afternoon press conference with several other governors that Trump was asked during the closed-door meeting about what lessons he learned from immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, where federal officers killed two U.S. citizens.

The president said, Well only go where were wanted. And said, for example, I wont go to New York unless Kathy calls and says she wants me to come to New York, she said. I took that as a very positive outcome from this meeting. And I would want to hold him and the administration to that statement.

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, vice chair of the National Governors Association, said Democratic governors were able to express how problematic actions by immigration enforcement officials have been, especially after Republicans in Congress drastically increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Border Protection in their signature tax and spending cuts law.

We were actually encouraged to hear the president say that one of the takeaways from Minnesota was that he only wants to go places that he is welcomed. So we were very glad to hear that, he said. I want to be very clear that until we can have an accountable agency, the type of surge that we saw in Minnesota is not welcome in the state of Maryland.

Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said during the press conference at the NGAs winter conference there have been no problems with federal immigration enforcement actions in his state.

Why? Because it was a completely integrated operation under which local, state and federal partners worked together, he said. We did not allow people to break our laws and get in the way and impede law enforcement in doing their lawful duty.

Landry said Trump made it very clear, if you dont want our help, we wont give you any help.

Tariffs ruling interrupts meeting

Governors from throughout the country traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to attend their annual winter conference and meet with Trump at the White House, though that meeting was diverted somewhat after the Supreme Court ruled on tariffs.

Trump is scheduled to host a black tie dinner for some of the governors this weekend, though he decided not to invite certain Democrats to that event, provoking controversy throughout the lead-up to the governors meeting.

Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, chairman of the National Governors Association, said during the afternoon press conference the morning meeting with Trump included 12 GOP and 10 Democratic governors.

It was overall a really productive meeting and a great show of Hey, here is how the governors can come before the president and bring up issues that affect all of us, he said.

Moore said the White House meeting was productive and a chance for us to be able to share our thoughts and our perspectives and our ideas with the Cabinet secretaries and the agency heads and with the president himself.

We had a chance to talk about the things that matter to the people of our states. We had a chance to speak with Cabinet secretaries about energy prices and how we have to have a singular focus to bring energy prices down, he said. We had a chance to speak with the Transportation secretary about transportation issues. In the case of Maryland, it was the American Legion Bridge and the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Moore added the meeting was an important opportunity to speak truth to power and show that bipartisanship still exists on certain issues.

Sewage spill, Gateway Tunnel

Moore said he didnt bring up Trump blaming him for a sewage spill that began with a discharge into the Potomac River in the District of Columbia, opting instead to use the meeting to focus on talking with Cabinet secretaries on infrastructure, natural disaster relief and housing.

I am here to focus on helping the people of my state, he said. I am not going to spend a second talking about a petty attack that the president of the United States had.

Hochul said she appreciated the Cabinet secretaries were at the meeting and that governors were able to talk with them about several issues.

I was able to talk about the Gateway Tunnel and keeping the funding on for the largest infrastructure project in America today, she said, referring to a project to build new rail track between New York and New Jersey under the Hudson River. Wed like to keep our offshore wind on and not have to go to court constantly to get that turned back on.

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein said he was able to speak directly with Trump about the states ongoing recovery needs from Hurricane Helene.

Weve got to rebuild houses. Weve got to rebuild roads and bridges. Weve got to rebuild businesses. And we cannot do that in North Carolina without the partnership of the federal government, he said. We have a $13.5 billion request with (the Office of Management and Budget) and with the Congress. And I asked the president and he said that they are eager to talk about that.

So I came away very encouraged that he will bring renewed focus from this administration to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene.

Landry said the Supreme Courts ruling on tariffs, which was released during the meeting, completely overshadowed, which, in my opinion, was getting ready to be a very productive meeting with the president.

It was unfortunate that the Supreme Court came out with a bad ruling at that time because I think we were going to have a great meeting, he said.

Trump vowed to keep the tariffs in place under other authorities he believes he holds during an afternoon press conference at the White House, where he also rebuked the six Supreme Court justices who wrote that (the International Economic Emergency Powers Act) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.

Hochul disagreed with the assertion the Supreme Courts decision wasnt the right one.

I think the Supreme Court, many of whom are appointees by the president, sided with supporting the Constitution and doing whats right, she said. So we support this decision and hope that we can continue to find ways to work together to drive down costs, not do the opposite as we saw tariffs do in our states.

Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com.
In a makeshift camp classroom in northern Gaza, a local educator has launched daily yoga sessions for wartraumatized children, offering rare moments of calm amid continuing air strikes and displacement.

A Tent School Turned Healing Space

Inside the tent, Palestinian educator Hadeel alGharbawi leads groups of children through gentle stretches and breathing exercises on thin mats spread over the ground, turning a once-empty shelter into a rare space of safety and routine.

She says she searched online for new ways to support children after noticing that drawing and coloring alone were not enough to ease their fear and anxiety. Because formal classes were unavailable in Gaza, she trained herself in basic yoga techniques through the internet, then adapted them to the camp's harsh conditions, according to Aljazeera.

The classes come at a time when international agencies warn that nearly every child in Gaza now shows signs of severe psychological distress after more than two years of intense conflict, displacement, and loss.

A recent statement from UNICEF said all children in Gaza are in need of mental health and psychosocial support after repeated exposure to bombing, the death of relatives, and constant insecurity. The World Health Organization has also reported that cycles of violence are driving longterm emotional problems, including grief, social withdrawal, and sleep difficulties among young people.

Brief Escape From Constant Fear

For the children who attend, the tent is more than a place to exercise. Displaced student Suwar explains that yoga and art sessions help her briefly forget the war, the winter cold, and the long waits to collect water, giving her a rare sense of safety and joy.

Other children describe feeling calmer and more in control after class, saying that closing their eyes and breathing slowly makes the noise of the conflict seem farther away, at least for a short time, Yahoo News reported.

Read more: Massachusetts Child Care Costs Are Squeezing Families as Prices Outpace Wages and State Aid Struggles To Keep Up

Mental health experts say such modest initiatives can play a meaningful role in emergencies, especially when formal services are limited.

Research on yoga and mindfulness in waraffected populations has shown benefits for stress, anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, particularly when activities are adapted to local culture and taught gently.

In Gaza, where schools, hospitals, and homes have been damaged or destroyed, communitybased psychosocial support like alGharbawi's tent can be easier to sustain than clinical programs.

Alongside yoga, the space also offers informal lessons and creative workshops, helping children keep some link to education while displaced. AlGharbawi says combining learning, play, and therapeutic movement gives children a sense of structure that war has taken away.

As bombardment and shortages continue, the sessions remain fragile and dependent on donations, yet for the children who attend, each class is a small act of healing and a reminder that peace is still possible, even if only for the length of a deep breath, as per New Arab.
The Netherlands' unique postnatal home-care system, known as kraamzorg, is under growing pressure from staff shortages even as it remains a core part of maternity care for almost all new mothers in the country.

For decades, kraamzorg has meant that a trained maternity care assistant visits families at home every day in the first week after birth, helping the mother recover, monitoring the baby's health, and teaching parents basic newborn care.

How Kraamzorg Works at Home

The service is usually provided over the first eight to 10 days after delivery, either following a hospital birth or directly after a planned home birth. Assistants support with feeding, bathing, recognizing warning signs in mother or baby, and keeping in contact with the midwife or family doctor if concerns arise.

Every woman living in the Netherlands is legally entitled to this postnatal care, and kraamzorg is included in the basic health insurance package that all residents must have, according to the BBC.

Parents are entitled to at least 24 hours of care, spread over eight days, with a maximum of 80 hours in more complex situations such as twins or medical complications. In practice, most families receive a standard 49 hours, which can be adjusted up or down after an intake interview and reassessment once the baby is born.

Because kraamzorg is seen as essential, basic insurance pays most of the cost, while families usually pay a small fixed contribution per hour unless they have extra insurance that covers this fee.

Intake visits often take place in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, when a maternity nurse or agency assesses the home, explains what support is available, and plans how many hours of care will likely be needed.

Once the baby arrives, the nurse's tasks can also include light household work such as washing baby clothes or preparing simple meals so the mother can focus on rest and recovery, kraamzorgsestra reported.

A Valued System Facing Staff Shortages

In recent years, however, unions and care organizations have warned that the system is under strain. In 2024, around 500 families were reported to have missed out on a maternity nurse at home because there were not enough staff available, and projections suggest this could rise sharply in the coming decade if nothing changes.

Five major healthcare unions have submitted a petition with nearly 15,000 signatures to Dutch lawmakers, calling for better pay, fair compensation for long standby hours, and a dedicated government representative for kraamzorg.

Despite these challenges, Dutch midwives, unions, and many parents argue that kraamzorg helps prevent complications, supports breastfeeding, and reduces the need for longer hospital stays, making it a model that many consider worth protecting, as per The Guardian.
Artists perform during an evening gala in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Chen Siyumeng/Xinhua)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 100,000 visitors took part in one of New Zealand's largest cultural events over the weekend as the Happy Chinese New Year Festival lit up Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island.

The three-day celebration, running from Friday to Sunday, featured fireworks, traditional performances, live music, and dozens of food stalls showcasing Chinese cuisine.

A grand art and cultural show was the centerpiece of the festivities, which have become an annual highlight for the city's diverse communities.

Organizers said this year's turnout marked a strong recovery in public participation following several years of smaller gatherings.

"The Happy Chinese New Year Festival has become a long-cherished tradition for people of all backgrounds in Christchurch," said organizer Zhong Weiren.

The event, hosted by local Chinese community groups with support from the Christchurch City Council and the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, was part of nationwide celebrations marking the Spring Festival.

"As we celebrate Chinese New Year this year, we in Christchurch welcome the Year of the Horse, a symbol of strength, energy, determination, and progress," Christchurch City Councillor Tyla Harrison-Hunt told the audience at an evening gala co-hosted by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, and the China Railway Art Troupe.

"Events such as tonight's performance are more than a showcase of artistic excellence. They are a powerful expression of cultural connection between the people of China and New Zealand," Harrison-Hunt said.

Visitors also took part in cultural displays and family activities, including writing wishes on tags and hanging them on festive trees.

"The lights are really cool -- probably the best part. It's great to see them out again; I haven't seen them since I was a kid. There are way more people here than I remember, and the whole festival feels much bigger now. It's really good to see how much it's grown," said Christchurch resident Hamish, who visited the festival on Saturday.

An artist performs during an evening gala in celebration of the Chinese New Year in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Photo by Chen Siyumeng/Xinhua)

Editor: WXY
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 23, 2026. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that human rights, human dignity, and international law are being blatantly violated in areas affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the two-state solution is "being stripped away." (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that human rights, human dignity, and international law are being blatantly violated in areas affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the two-state solution is "being stripped away."

At the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, Guterres said that earlier this month, he addressed the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, discussing blatant violations of human rights, human dignity, and international law in areas affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict.

"The current trajectory is stark, clear, and purposeful: the two-state solution is being stripped away in broad daylight. The international community cannot allow this to happen," he said.

He called on all countries to uphold the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and international human rights law, while promoting reforms of the global governance system to ensure that developing countries have "real participation and a meaningful voice" in the international financial architecture.

The 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council opened on Monday in Geneva and is scheduled to conclude on March 31.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 23, 2026. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that human rights, human dignity, and international law are being blatantly violated in areas affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the two-state solution is "being stripped away." (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 23, 2026. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that human rights, human dignity, and international law are being blatantly violated in areas affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the two-state solution is "being stripped away." (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 23, 2026. United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that human rights, human dignity, and international law are being blatantly violated in areas affected by the Palestine-Israel conflict, and the two-state solution is "being stripped away." (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Editor: WXY
"blufinbaldy" Bulldozes Their Way to 888poker $100K Mystery Bounty Glory

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

The United Kingdom's "blufinbaldy" triumphed in the latest edition of the 888poker $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event. "blufinbaldy" left a trail of 956 foes in their wake as they turned a $109 investment into $9,799 and the title of champion.

The biggest mystery bounties were claimed on Day 1, February 22. "POPPYS12" and "Fl4tbush20" banked a $3,000 bounty each, while Brazilian "jhonnesilva" opened a golden envelope containing the $10,000 jackpot mystery bounty. Combined with other bounties and their prize money for finishing 14th, "jhonnesilva" took home $12,564, the most of anyone in the tournament.

Day 1 ended in spectacular style, with a double elimination bringing the curtain down on proceedings and leaving only seven and not eight players at the final table. "wursthandz" had more chips at the time of the double bust-out, so was the official eighth-place finisher.

$100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Bounties Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Tom "sheeeeeeeet" Hall United Kingdom $567 3,172,337 53 2 C3H5NO33 $954 2,670,310 45 3 ukabukas8149 Denmark $1,927 2,360,628 39 4 blufingbaldy United Kingdom $985 1,991,563 33 5 mr.salgado Brazil $1,267 1,768,975 30 6 FutureofNiz Brazil $1,072 1,322,885 22 7 jackkson $200 1,068,302 18

The final table began with seven players vying for the title. British superstar Tom "sheeeeeeeet" Hall was the chip leader with 53 big blinds, but nobody was particularly short, with "jackkson" bringing up the rear with 18 big blinds at their disposal.

Brazil's "FutureofNiz" looked set to be the first casualty of the final table, but Lady Luck rescued them. Hall opened from the cutoff with pocket jacks and quickly called when "FutureofNiz" three-bet-jammed with pocket nines for 23 big blinds. Hall's jacks remained best on the flop, but a nine on the turn catapulted "FutureofNiz" into the lead, where they stayed to double up.

Despite sitting down second in chips, "C3H5NO33," the chemical formula for nitroglycerine, was the first player relieved of their entire stack. Around the 45-minute mark, "C3H5NO33" three-bet Hall opening raise with ace-five of hearts, only for "ukabukas8149" to cold-four-bet from the big blind with ace-king of diamonds. Hall ducked out of the way, "C3H5NO33" five-bet shoved for 44 big blinds in total, and "ukabakus8149" called. The king-kicker of "ukabukas8149" played, and "C3H5NO33" was left with just over 12.5 big blinds.

888poker LIVE Heads to Glasgow For a 250,000 Gtd Main Event Full schedule

A couple of hands later, "C3H5NO33"min-raised with pocket sevens, "ukabukas8149" three-bet from the button with pocket kings before calling "C3H5NO33"'s jam. An ace-high board sent "C3H5NO33" to the rail.

It may have taken 45-50 minutes for the first elimination, but the rest of the finalists fll by the wayside in less than another hour.

"FutureofNiz" was the next player to get showered. Down to 2.8 big blinds, "FutureofNiz" committed their micro stack with king-jack but ran straight into the pocket queens of "blufinbaldy." The queens held, and "FutureofNiz" was gone.

The final five became four when another Brazilian," mr.salgado" joined their fellow countryman, "FutureofNiz," on the sidelines. "ukabukas8149" min-raised with pocket jacks from under the gun before snap-calling the 14.2 big blind shove from "mr.salgado." Those jacks were way ahead of the at-risk player's pocket sixes, and that remained true across all five community cards.

The dangerous Hall was sent packing in fourth just before the first scheduled break. Hall opened-shoved for 16.7 big blinds on the button with ace-nine. Ordinarily, that move would have won the blinds and antes, not least because the big blind was down to a mere 6.3 big blinds. However, the shove didn't work because "blufinbaldy" had a pair of queens in the hole, and they quickly called. A queen on the turn left Hall drawing dead.

At the start of three-handed play, "jackkson" was the shortest stack with only 5.3 big blinds, and "ukabukas8149" led the way with 67.8 big blinds, yet it was the latter who became the third-place finisher. They lost most of their stack after missing a low open-ended straight draw but shoving on the river when it completed a myriad of draws. Unfortunately, "blufinbaldy" had one of those draws, their queen-jack improving to a king-high straight, and they made one of the easier calls of their career.

"blufinbaldy" ferociously wielded their big stack and bullied their final couple of opponents. Yet another button shove from "blufinbaldy," this time with queen-seven of hearts, looked to have gotten through, but "ukabukas8149" decided to call with jack-eight of clubs. Two clubs landed on the flop, but "blufinbaldy" improved to a pair of queens on the river to send the $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event into heads-up.

"jackkson" only had an 11.1 big blind stack compared to the 91.5 big blinds of "blufinbaldy," and it proved too much of a gap to bridge. The final hand saw "blufinbaldy" min-raise with king-jack and call the 9.7 big blind jam from "jackkson," which they made with the dominated jack-nine of spades. A double-paired board failed to come to "jackkson"'s rescue, and they fell in second place for $6,250, leaving "Blufinbaldy" to bank a $9,799 top prize and the title of champion.

$100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 blufinbaldy United Kingdom $1,659 $8,140 $9,799 2 jackkson $200 $6,050 $6,250 3 ukabukas8149 Denmark $2,014 $4,375 $6,389 4 Tom "sheeeeeeeet" Hall United Kingdom $567 $2,975 $3,542 5 mr.salgado Brazil $1,267 $1,975 $3,242 6 FutureofNiz Brazil $1,072 $1,435 $2,507 7 C3H5NO33 $954 $1,000 $1,954 8 wursthandz United Kingdom $770 $750 $1,520

"wursthandz" busted as part of a double elimination at the end of Day 1, but chip stacks at the time placed them in eighth

Satellites for the next $100,000 Mystery Bounty Main Event are available in the 888poker lobby right now. Freeroll satellites are, obviously, the cheapest way into this event. Paid-for satellites start at only $0.10, increasing to $16.50 where the $109 tickets are awarded.

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Once Prominent LAPC Main Event Registration Closes with Just 50 Entries

Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

Balakrishna Patur won the 2020 LA Poker Classic Main Event for $1,015,000, beating out 490 entrants in what was arguably the most prestigious non-World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament in the U.S. at the time.

That was, however, the last year the World Poker Tour (WPT) partnered with Commerce Casino in Los Angeles to host the $10,000 buy-in major poker tournament. Since then, the event has seen such a rapid decline that registration in the 2026 edition closed on Monday with just 50 entries. Yes, 50. First place will be paid $158,030 of the $465,000 prize pool.

To put things in perspective, David "ODB" Baker won this same event (minus the WPT branding) in 2019 for $1,015,000, nearly triple this year's entire prize pool. So, what exactly happened to this once-prominent poker event that attracted pros and recreational players from all over the world? We asked some Los Angeles pros that same question.

What Happened to the LA Poker Classic Main Event?

Gus Hansen was the first-ever WPT LA Poker Classic champion.

The LA Poker Classic Main Event was a rare event in that it was one of just three tournaments among the WPT schedule each of the tour's first 18 years. That partnership, however, ended after COVID. But it doesn't appear to be the only reason for the massive decline in attendance.

"It's unfair to compare WPT and WSOP-sponsored events to non-sponsored ones, but the falloff in the Commerce Main is definitely more drastic than expected," Los Angeles poker player Derek Kwan said.

Kwan said post-COVID poker in Los Angeles "took a lot longer in general to recover than most major stops across the country." He explained that many within the local poker community believed that the poker rooms, at the time, wanted to focus more on more lucrative table games instead of poker, especially tournaments. The recovery, while long, did start to turn around with Commerce hosting the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) the past couple of years and Parkwest Bicycle Casino also having some big events.

"But poker still felt like a second-class citizen," Kwan said. "The LAPC specifically has lost its luster. It was the flagship event for Commerce, but right now feels almost no different than any other non-WSOP series during the year. Marketing has not been great, very little social media promotion, no media coverage, and nothing to try and make the Main Event, or the series overall, feel 'special.' Commerce also seems overly sensitive to overlays, which leads to lower guarantees and further contributes to lack of excitement and atteendance."

The Main Event once had a $5 million guaranteed prize pool. In 2023, the tournament promised at least $1 million in the pot, and Alex Petrosian won it for $401,650, beating out a field of 181 entrants. That was the last year the event had a guaranteed prize pool.

Gus Hansen, months before poker went mainstream thanks to Chris Moneymaker's WSOP Main Event win, was the inaugural WPT LA Poker Classic Champion in 2003. He took down the prestigious tournament for $532,490, beating a field of 136 entrants. The field skyrocketed to 382 entries the next year, and Antonio Esfandiari won it for $1,399,136.

It got even bigger in 2005 when current world champion Michael Mizrachi won his first major poker title for $1,859,909 in a field 538 entrants. The 2026 LA Poker Classic Main Event pales in comparison to past editions, and not just the WPT era fields. This year's version is the lowest turnout in tournament history.

"LA has some local regs who will play 10k's, but the lack of a guarantee with tons of competition better options this weekend, it's just gonna suffer," Matt Salsberg, a WPT champion, said. "They should have had guarantees on their satties for LAPC. Like in year's past, a satty would get 70 seats."

Salsberg pointed to the WPT Venetian event currently running in Las Vegas, a four-hour drive from LA, as one of the reasons why the LAPC Main Event had such low turnout.

"Plus, California withholds 7% tax, so to get non-residents is an issue. Plus, there's also an EPT Paris, a Wynn series and a big WSOP in Cherokee this week," Salsberg argued.

The Los Angeles pros seem to agree that the timing for the LAPC Main Event and the lack of a guaranteed prize pool were the main contributing factors for low turnout. But this was long considered one of the must-play tournaments in the world each year. Few other events outside the WSOP have the longstanding tradition and prestige of the LAPC Main Event. It appears, as Kwan said, that luster has been lost, at least for now.

Los Angeles Poker Classic the Past Decade

Michael Nia won the 2025 LAPC Main Event.

Year Entries Winner Prize 2017* 521 Daniel Strelitz $1,001,110 2018* 493 Dennis Blieden $1,000,000 2019* 546 David "ODB" Baker $1,015,000 2020* 490 Balakrishna Patur $1,015,000 2021 69 Michael Liang $175,300 2022 119 Huy Lam $300,280 2023 181 Alex Petrosian $401,650 2024 139 Wesley Haymond $279,450 2025 145 Michael Nia $308,270 2026 50 ? $158,030

*Denotes a WPT year.

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Day 1a of the 2026 PokerStars European Poker Tour Paris 5,300 Main Event is in the books. The return of the EPT to the French capital attracted 573 entries to Le Palais des Congres on the first of two starting days, only a few dozen shy of the record-setting edition of 2024. Including the entries of Day 1b and Day 2, 3,470,400 has already been collected in the prize pool.

At the end Day 1a, 180 players remained, with French native Thomas Cazayous topping the counts. Cazayou recorded his first EPT cash since 2016 earlier this week in the PokerStars Open Cup and is looking to continue his form with a deep Main Event run.

Cazayou entered the final break of the night with a slightly above-average stack, but nearly quadrupled it during the final two levels to end up with 385,000 chips, good for more than 250 big blinds at the start of Day 2. Eduard Litskan and Yaman Nakdali complete the international top three with stacks of 315,000 and 295,000 respectively, while EPT regulars Natan Chauskin, Adrian State, and Nikita Kuznetsov also secured a spot in the top ten.

End of Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Day 2 Big Blinds 1 Thomas Cazayous France 385,000 257 2 Eduard Litskan Ukraine 315,000 210 3 Yaman Nakdali Spain 295,000 197 4 Natan Chauskin Belarus 281,000 187 5 Adrian State Romania 262,500 175 6 Nikita Kuznetsov Russian Federation 253,000 169 7 Carlos Rocha Brazil 244,000 163 8 Vincent Lavollee France 238,000 159 9 Adnan Dahic Bosnia and Herzegovina 210,000 140 10 Lucas Scafini Brazil 208,000 139

Natan Chauskin

EPT champions Oliver Weis (89,000), Thomas Eychenne (86,000), Derk van Luijk (56,000), and Simon Wiciak (25,500) all found a bag at the end of the night, but none of them could eclipse the average stack of 95,000 in their hunt for their second title. Similarly, Hall of Famer Erik Seidel survived Day 1a with a stack of 42,000, while Julien Dupre, the only remaining representative of Team PokerStars when Day 1a concluded, made it through with a stack of 57,500.

Boatman's Title Defense Ends on Day 1a

Barny Boatman captured the EPT Paris Main Event trophy in 2024, but he will not be crowned back-to-back champion. Boatman fired both of his allowed bullets on Day 1a without success, meaning his Main Event has already come to an end. First-ever two-time EPT champion Victoria Coren Mitchell made a rare appearance on Day 1a, but fell just short of making it to the end. Having only entered once, though, she still has another shot at claiming a historic third title.

Barny Boatman

Other EPT champions who were sent to the rail include Adrian Mateos, Mike Watson, Tomasz Brzezinski, Artur Martirosian, Hossein Ensan, and Stephen Song, while PokerStars Ambassadors Sebastian Huber, Maria Konnikova, and Kenny Hallaert were also eliminated on Day 1a. Like Coren Mitchell, they all only spent one of their two allowed bullets and will likely try again on Day 1b or Day 2.

Day 1b will be the next and final starting flight, kicking off Tuesday, February 24, at noon local time. It will follow the same structure as Day 1a, with ten 60-minute levels being played. Late registration will remain open until the start of Day 2, and each player is allowed two entries in total across the entire tournament.

PokerNews will be back on the floor at the start of Day 1b. A big turnout is expected, so tune back in then for another full day of live poker action from Paris.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. Areas of patchy fog. High near 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Maddy Quon covers Charleston County for The Post and Courier. Most recently from Tokyo, Japan, Maddy graduated from the University of Mississippi where she studied journalism.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong speaks during a Spring Festival celebration in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Feb. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jingyao)

ISLAMABAD, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Spring Festival celebration event themed "Chinese New Year, China Pakistan Go Together," hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, was held here on Saturday evening.

Representatives from different sectors of Pakistani society, overseas Chinese, Chinese enterprises, and media attended the event.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong welcomed Pakistani friends to the embassy to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Horse together. He said that during this year's Spring Festival, going to China to celebrate the Chinese New Year has become a new trend among foreign friends. They enjoyed delicious food, beautiful scenery, and a wonderful time in China in tranquility, harmony, and joy.

Jiang hoped that the Pakistani friends could also spend a wonderful Chinese New Year at the Chinese Embassy and join hands to write a new chapter for China-Pakistan friendship.

On behalf of the Pakistani government, Pakistani Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik extended his Spring Festival greetings to the Chinese people, wishing Chinese friends and China's development success in the new year.

The guests enjoyed Chinese tea art, learned to make dumplings, and watched various performances on site. Mohammad Kamran, a student from the National University of Modern Languages of Pakistan, recited an ancient Chinese poem The Moon over the River on a Spring Night on the stage.

He said that making dumplings with his own hands during the Spring Festival was very exciting for him, hoping that the people of the two countries could strengthen exchanges and enhance friendship through their respective traditional festivals.

Pakistani Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik speaks during a Spring Festival celebration in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan on Feb. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jingyao)

People perform during a Spring Festival celebration in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Feb. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jingyao)

People perform during a Spring Festival celebration in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Feb. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jingyao)

Editor: WXY
Health Reporter

Tom Corwin is the Health Reporter for The Post and Courier. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and has covered science, medicine, politics and state legislatures for newspapers in Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 78F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies during the evening with areas of fog developing after midnight. Low near 60F. Winds light and variable.
Political Editor

Schuyler Kropf is The Post and Courier political editor. He has covered every major political race in South Carolina dating to 1988, including for U.S. Senate, governorship, the Statehouse and Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.
This paid press release is brought to you from our partnership with EZ Newswire. The Post and Courier news staff was not involved in its creation.
Halyna Yanchenko, MP, Head of the Verkhovna Rada temporary ad-hoc Commission on Protection of Investors' Rights

Today marks four years of the full-scale war and the twelfth year since Russian troops  the so-called little green men  entered Crimea and the Donbas. What do I think about on this day? The price of peace in Ukraine.

Ukrainians pay that price every single day: sitting in the dark under shelling, losing loved ones, fighting on the front line. We are not fighting simply for peace. We are fighting for our choice. For freedom. For democracy. For Europe. For the right not to live under the Russian regime  a regime harsher than prison walls.

Peace is not a commodity you can buy on a political market. That is why the question, What price should Ukraine pay for peace?  which is raised again and again in negotiations  is flawed in itself.

The rhetoric of paying for peace follows the logic of give the dragon the most beautiful girl so he wont burn the city. But the dragon will come back.

There is an ancient Greek legend about a city terrorized for years by a dragon living by a lake. To appease it, the townspeople first offered livestock. When that ran out, they began sacrificing their own children, chosen by lot. One day, the lot fell on the kings daughter  and that is when Saint George appeared. He fought the dragon, wounded it, dragged it into the city, and killed it.

The sacrifices did not end because the dragon was satisfied. They ended because someone finally said: enough  and backed those words with action.

Peace to the Sound of Sirens

This winter has brought more talk of peace than any before it. At the same time, it has seen the highest number of attacks on civilian targets since the full-scale invasion began.

In 2025, there were only four nights when Russia did not launch drones at Ukrainian cities. The same year became the deadliest for civilians: more than 2,500 killed and over 12,000 injured  about one-third more than in 2024.

These are our relatives, our friends, someones neighbors, brothers and sisters. They did not die in trenches. They died at home, in hospitals, in supermarkets, on playgrounds  targeted strikes on residential areas and critical infrastructure.

Behind closed diplomatic doors, the logic of feeding the dragon is often voiced almost word for word. Ukraine is being asked to voluntarily give up part of the Donetsk region, where around 200,000 Ukrainians still live.

To hand over this land would mean knowingly condemning those people to occupation, torture, rape, and murder. Ukraine will not do that.

There is also a security dimension. These territories form a fortified defensive line holding back Russias advance. Giving them up would not bring peace  it would open the way to the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. From a military standpoint, it would be suicide.

The current negotiation process has produced no results so far. Like previous attempts, it has stalled because of the same old mistake: pressure is placed on the victim of aggression, while Russias conditions remain largely unchanged.

Ukraine is not escalating  the aggressor is. We hope that those who take on the role of mediators will learn from past failures, so that negotiations can finally move forward.

Do Not Feed the Dragon

Russia fears U.S. sanctions. Yet over the past year, sanctions pressure has not been significantly strengthened.

A new incentive for Putin to come to the negotiating table came from the campaign to seize vessels from Russias shadow fleet transporting sanctioned oil. However, after four successful blockades of Russia-linked ships carried out with U.S. involvement, that initiative is now on hold.

Russian oil continues to sell.

Today, the largest buyers of Russian crude are China, India, and Turkey. In 2025, they purchased 91% of Russias crude oil exports  47% by China, 38% by India, and about 6% by Turkey  worth $142 billion.

The EU has almost entirely phased out Russian crude oil. The exceptions remain Slovakia and Hungary, which together still account for at least 6% of Russian exports, worth around $8 billion per year.

According to the Kyiv School of Economics, Russia earned $156 billion in 2025 from exports of crude oil and petroleum products  despite sanctions and price caps. The Kremlin allocated nearly the same amount to war: $137 billion in direct military spending and up to $161 billion for defense overall.

These are direct funds for missiles, drones, and bombs. As long as the world buys Russian oil, the Kremlin has a war budget  and no reason to compromise.

The only way to change Russias behavior is to make the war too expensive for it to continue. Cut off the money. Remove the ability to finance aggression. Without that, all talk of peace is just background noise to new attacks.

Who Is Next?

Over the past year, peace negotiations have been filled with rhetoric about what and how quickly Ukraine should give up to satisfy Russia. But they have failed to answer a crucial question: what guarantees are there that Russia will not return?

Today Putin wants the Donetsk region. Tomorrow it could be one of the Baltic states.

Are Europeans and Americans ready to pay for peace with their own territories and the people who live there? Is anyone else willing to test whether an aggressor stops after receiving concessions?

The aggressor can only be made to pay if we act together  not by debating what new sacrifice to offer the dragon from the swamps.

Russia must pay  not for peace, but for the war it started.

This war is not only against Ukraine. It is a war against the civilized way of life and the values Europe stands for. Until Ukraine receives real guarantees, not only we are unprotected  all of Europe is.

Ukraine has already bought Europe four years of time. Four years during which Russias army has been worn down here  not on the borders of the Baltic states or Poland.

So the question is not what new sacrifice Ukraine must make.

The real question is this: are we  Ukraine, Europe, and the United States  ready to draw a line together and say, Enough.
Charleston, SC (29403)

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Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. High 79F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Foggy. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-24 20:00:19

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AI Search Engineersannounces its official launch as the first AEO-Certified firm dedicated exclusively to engineering law firms into the number one recommendation position inside AI-generated search results.POST FALLS, IDAHO / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / As artificial intelligence rapidly replaces traditional search behavior, legal consumers are no longer browsing multiple websites or comparing ten blue links. Instead, they are asking direct questions inside AI systems such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, Microsoft Copilot, and Siri.When users ask:"Who is the best criminal defense lawyer near me?""Top personal injury attorney in Phoenix""Best landlord attorney in Los Angeles"AI systems generate a structured recommendation - often selecting one primary firm.There are no runner-ups.AI Search Engineers was built to engineer law firms into that answer layer.The End of Traditional RankingTraditional Search Engine Optimization focuses on webpage rankings.AI systems rank entities.AI does not display ten options and allow users to choose.It synthesizes authority signals.It evaluates structured data.It selects a recommendation candidate.It generates a summarized answer.That answer receives the call.AI Search Engineers positions itself not as a marketing agency, but as an AI Ranking Infrastructure partner for elite law firms that refuse to lose visibility in the AI era."AI visibility is no longer about ranking pages," a company spokesperson stated. "It is about engineering structured authority signals that AI systems use to generate recommendations. The firms that control those signals control the market." From SEO Campaigns to AI Authority InfrastructureMost law firms continue investing heavily in:SEO campaignsPay-per-click advertisingBacklink acquisitionBlog content productionWhile these tactics may increase web traffic, they do not guarantee inclusion in AI-generated answers.AI recommendation placement depends on:Structured data integrityEntity authority clarityCitation reinforcementContext alignmentTopical dominanceDigital trust layersSemantic consistencyAI Search Engineers bridges the gap between web visibility and AI recommendation eligibility through its proprietary AI Ranking Infrastructure system.AEO Certified. Exclusivity Protected.AI Search Engineers operates under a strict exclusivity model.The firm works with:One law firmPer regionPer practice specialtyAI does not provide second place exposure.There is one recommendation.AI Search Engineers does not sell the same AI placement slot twice within a geographic market. This structure protects clients from competitive conflicts and preserves long-term market dominance.Core Service InfrastructureAI Search Engineers delivers results through five engineered pillars:1. AI Visibility AuditA structured analysis of how a law firm currently appears across AI-generated legal answers and how competitors are being recommended.2. AI Entity ArchitectureEngineering structured authority systems that position a firm as a clearly defined, trusted legal entity within AI knowledge frameworks.3. AI Recommendation EngineeringOptimization aligned to high-intent legal queries that trigger AI-generated recommendations.4. Authority Acceleration Through MediaStrategic use of PR campaigns, podcast placements, and guaranteed publications to reinforce AI trust signals and strengthen citation pathways.5. AI Monitoring and Placement TrackingContinuous testing, prompt analysis, and recalibration to maintain and improve AI recommendation positioning as models evolve.The company maintains direct media access control, enabling structured authority development across trusted platforms that contribute to AI validation signals.Built for Elite Law FirmsAI Search Engineers serves a limited client base that includes:Criminal defense attorneysPersonal injury firmsReal estate litigation attorneysProcurement attorneysHigh-value litigation practicesEngagements are selective and structured for firms that seek long-term AI dominance, not short-term marketing spikes.Infrastructure, Not MarketingAI Search Engineers does not position itself as a traffic generator.It positions itself as the infrastructure layer that determines which law firm AI systems recognize, trust, and recommend.As AI continues to reshape legal discovery and client acquisition, firms that fail to adapt risk becoming invisible in the very systems that now guide consumer decisions.AI Search Engineers was built to ensure its clients are not excluded from the future of legal search, but engineered into it.Jack SmithMedia DirectorTrustpoint Xposure contact@ trustpointxposure.com SOURCE: AI Search Engineers
PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-24 08:25:06

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STOCKHOLM, SE / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / Bambuser AB (STO:BUSER)(FRA:5JL) -Bambuser is today launching an integration with Lovable, combining Bambuser's AI-powered video intelligence platform with Lovable's popular no-code solution that lets brands build and customise full-stack e-commerce stores, marketplaces, and analytics tools.Through Lovable, brands can now implement Bambuser directly into their digital ecosystems with greater speed and strategic alignment. The integration lowers technical barriers, effectively allowing them to simply ask Lovable to embed Bambuser Live and Shoppable Video experiences.As brands navigate a rapidly shifting content landscape, where creator-driven media, AI, and immersive formats are reshaping consumer expectations, owning and activating first-party video intelligence has become a competitive imperative. Together, the companies will enable brands to convert immersive storytelling into measurable, AI-powered commerce outcomes directly on their own platforms."The next era of commerce will be conversational, AI-powered, and increasingly modular. Our integration with Lovable brings this vision to life, enabling brands to future-proof their video strategy and ensure it performs across the next generation of digital platforms." Kristina Brjazgunova, VP of Product and Innovation at Bambuser.This establishes a new benchmark for integrating video, data, and AI at the core of digital commerce, where Bambuser and Lovable are empowering brands to build smarter, faster, and more immersive commerce experiences from the ground up.About Bambuser Bambuser is the world's leading video commerce company, with the largest customer base in its industry. Trusted by more than 250 brands, Bambuser's international streaming services are available in 240 countries.Bambuser is truly global with headquarters in Stockholm and offices in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Turku, and with a passionate team speaking more than 30 languages. Founded in 2007 as a livestreaming pioneer, trusted by the world's leading news agencies, Bambuser pivoted to Live Shopping in 2020, leveraging its legacy as the industry leader in video-first technology.Contact information Bambuser press@ bambuser.com Follow us Subscribe to Bambusers press releases here.Bambuser on LinkedIn.AttachmentsBambuser launches integration with LovableSOURCE: Bambuser AB
PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-24 20:50:20

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICATORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / BE Resources Inc. (TSXV: BER.H) (the "Company" or "BE") announces today that it has terminated its previously announced non-brokered private placement pursuant to which the Company had proposed to issue up to 2,600,000 common shares ("Shares") at $0.05 each to raise aggregate gross proceeds up to $130,000. The private placement is being terminated due to applicable NEX regulations which restrict the number of Shares which the Company may issue in a twelve-month period. The Company expects to revisit a potential private placement in due course.In other news, the Company also announces that effective December 31, 2025, Marrelli Capital Ltd. sold an aggregate of 7,609,176 common shares of the Company to Robert Suttie for an aggregate sale price of $30,000. Mr. Suttie serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Following the closing of the share sale, Mr. Suttie owns common shares representing approximately 67% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.For further information please contact:Robert Suttie416-848-6865 rsuttie@ marrellisupport.ca Neither 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.Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk that a future private placement may not be completed on the terms acceptable to the Company or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of BE, including with respect to the potential size and composition of any future private placement and the receipt of all regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.SOURCE: BE Resources Inc.
Nearly half of surveyed companies do not expect the war to end in 2026  EBA

The war will continue in 2026, according to 47% of respondent companies belonging to the European Business Association (EBA). Meanwhile, 24% believe that hostilities will end this year, and 29% remain undecided, according to the results of the "Business During War" survey conducted by the EBA.

According to the published data, three-quarters (76%) of the associations member companies will continue to operate in Ukraine regardless of whether the fighting ends this year. Another 14% do not yet have a definitive answer, and 10% suggest they may reconsider their presence in the Ukrainian market if the hostilities continue.

Business requires the greatest support in improving conditions for employee reservation (deferment), coverage of military risks, a moratorium on inspections, easing currency restrictions, and assistance in communication with state authorities.

"Despite four years of full-scale war, business demonstrates a high level of resilience and adaptability. Most companies continue to work in full and support their teams. At the same time, this year we see more restrained assessments and forecasts," stated Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the association.

The EBA noted that at the beginning of 2026, three-quarters of its member companies (76%) are operating at full capacity, while 24% are working with certain restrictions. The most common barriers remain geographic limitations of activity (58%), suspension of work during air raids (45%), and the forced transition to online formats (40%).

Regarding business sentiment, it has become more restrained: the share of managers who positively assess the current state of affairs in their business decreased from 40% in 2025 to 32% in 2026. Simultaneously, the share of those who assess the situation negatively rose from 14% in 2025 to 23% in 2026, while another 45% consider it satisfactory.

Forecasts for business dynamics in 2026 have also worsened. 39% of managers expect a deterioration in 2026 compared to 29% last year; 41% do not foresee significant changes. The share of those expecting improvement dropped from 32% in 2025 to 20% in 2026.

Among the factors with the greatest negative impact on business, entrepreneurs currently highlight attacks on energy (82%), a shortage of qualified workers (78%), war/occupation of territories (66%), reduced domestic consumption (46%), and economic instability (40%).

The EBA emphasized that financial reserves of enterprises remain relatively stable. Thus, 67% of companies have a financial safety margin for a year or more, 21% for six months, 10% for several months, and 2% report a lack of reserves.

Business losses due to the war are growing. At the beginning of 2026, 19% of companies report losses of up to $1 million, 25% report $1-10 million, and 20% report over $10 million, which is higher than last year (16%). At the same time, 11% of companies have suffered no losses, while a quarter of respondents cannot yet accurately estimate them.

"Business support for the Armed Forces remains steadily strong. Currently, 71% of companies support their own employees in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 56% provide financial help, and 37% provide products. 24% of surveyed businesses are involved in the restoration of communities or regions," the EBA publication states.

Furthermore, 88% of surveyed member companies currently have employees in the ranks of the Armed Forces, and a trend toward an increasing number of mobilized workers has been observed in recent years: in 47% of companies, the number of mobilized reaches up to 10% of the total number of those eligible for military service; in 29% of enterprises, it is 10-20%; in 12% of businesses, 20-30%; and in 3% of respondents, more than 30%. About half, specifically 51% of companies, report that among the mobilized or volunteers are specialists critical to the enterprises operation, including drivers, engineers, mechanics, IT specialists, equipment operators, managers, and others.
PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-24 03:15:09

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NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / February 23, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilMarch 23, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between November 19, 2024 and August 4, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of BellRing and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-brbr/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byMarch 23, 2026 .About the LawsuitBellRing and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On May 6, 2025, the Company disclosed that "several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand, which is expected to be a mid-single-digit headwind to our third quarter growth," and that "[w]e now expect Q3 sales growth of low single digits." On this news, the price of BellRing's shares fell $14.88 per share, or 19%, from $78.43 per share on May 5, 2025, to close at $63.55 per share on May 6, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.Then, on August 4, 2025, post-market, the Company reported its fiscal 3Q 2025 financial results, disclosing a disappointing new 2025 sales outlook, stating "BellRing management has narrowed its fiscal year 2025 outlook for net sales to [a] range between $2.28-$2.32 billion," due to "several other competitors" gaining space to sell their products with a large retailer and that "it is not surprising to see new protein RTDs enter[ed]" the convenient nutrition market. On this news, the price of BellRing's shares fell $17.46 per share, or nearly 33%, from $53.64 per share on August 4, 2025, to $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.The case is Denha v. BellRing Brands, Inc., No. 26-cv-00575.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 /Bolt Metals Corp. ("Bolt" or the "Company") (TSXV:BOLT)(OTC:PCRCF)(FSE:A3D8AK), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, is pleased to announcethe closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000. In connection with the Offering, the Company issued an aggregate of 19,354,838 special warrants (each, a "Special Warrant") at a price of $0.31 per Special Warrant.Each Special Warrant automatically converts, for no additional consideration, into one unit of the Company (each a "Unit") on the date that is the earlier of: (i) the date that is three business days following the date on which the Company files a prospectus supplement to a short form base shelf prospectus with the securities commissions qualifying distribution of the Units underlying the Special Warrants (the "Prospectus Supplement"), and (ii) the date that is four months and one day after the closing of the Offering.Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant") of the Company, with each Warrant exercisable into one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.41 until February 23, 2028.The Company intends to use the proceeds raised from the Offering for ongoing exploration activities and general working capital.The Special Warrants were issued pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements under Canadian securities laws. Prior to the filing of a Prospectus Supplement or the automatic conversion of the Special Warrants, the securities issued under the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing of the Offering.In connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finder's fees equal to $167,22.75 and issued 539,428 broker warrants (each, a "Broker Warrant"). Each Broker Warrant may be exercised into one Share at an exercise price of $0.41 until February 23, 2027. The Broker Warrants were issued pursuant to exemptions from the prospectus requirements under Canadian securities laws and are subject to a four month and one day hold period.About Bolt Metals Corp.Bolt Metals Corp. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality precious and base metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Bolt trades on the CSE under the symbol BOLT, the OTC under the symbol PCRFC and in Germany under the WKN A3D8AK.BOLT METALS CORP.Zachary Kotowych, CEO and DirectorFor more information, please email info@ boltmetals.com or visit www.boltmetals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-looking statements:This news release includes "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the closing of the Offering, the expected use of proceeds from the Offering, the filing of the Prospectus Supplement, and the Company's exploration and corporate plans and objectives. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to: uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets; the Company's the use of proceeds differing from management's current expectations; actual results of exploration and development activities; environmental risks; future prices of metals; operating risks; accidents; labour issues; delays in receiving required approvals and permits; changes in government regulations; and risks associated with early-stage mineral exploration.The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.SOURCE: Bolt Metals Corp.
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The Datrix Group martech company is among the organizations selected globally in the BI and Advanced Analytics categoryMILAN, IT / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 /Bytek, a Datrix martech company specializing in Predictive Intelligence and data activation, announces that it has joined the Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery program after meeting the requirements for the BI, ML, and Advanced Analytics category.This achievement, which follows Bytek joining Google Cloud Marketplace, is recognition that Bytek's solutions can integrate natively and optimally with the BigQuery autonomous data to AI platform, in compliance with stringent technical standards and best practices defined by Google Cloud.The Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery designation is awarded at the end of a validation process conducted by Google Cloud teams, designed to help ensure high levels of performance, reliability, and interoperability in enterprise environments.At the core of this recognition is the Bytek Prediction Platform, designed to transform first-party data into predictive signals ready for activation.The platform operates directly on BigQuery, unifying and enriching data from heterogeneous sources - such as web and app analytics, CRM, media, and business systems - and applying AI and machine-learning models to generate predictive insights that support operational decision-making.The signals produced by the platform can be leveraged for advanced business intelligence, advanced analytics, and data-driven activation use cases, helping companies improve performance, relevance, and the overall impact of their initiatives.Bytek's Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery designation offers immediate and tangible value for customers. They can benefit from:Greater confidence in choosing a partner solution validated by Google Cloud;Faster selection and adoption processes, thanks to a platform that is already tested and certified;Less time spent evaluating tools, with more focus on building high-impact business solutions.This advantage is particularly relevant in complex environments, where speed, scalability, and data reliability are critical success factors for analytics and AI projects.The designation also recognizes Bytek's distinctive technological approach, based on a warehouse-native, zero-copy model.The platform works directly within BigQuery, without duplicating or moving data across environments, enabling companies to unlock the value of their first-party data more efficiently, securely, and at scale, while reducing architectural complexity and implementation time.Joining the Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery program strengthens Bytek's, and the Datrix Group's, position within the Google Cloud ecosystem and opens up new collaboration opportunities, including joint communication and go-to-market initiatives, increased visibility as a certified partner, and ongoing dialogue with BigQuery product teams."Joining the Google Cloud Ready - BigQuery program validates our vision of an AI that doesn't move data, but enables it where it lives. Today, the challenge is no longer just to predict, but to orchestrate: by integrating traditional machine learning with new reasoning systems, we transform the data warehouse into an agentic environment designed for the performance and lifecycle marketing use cases we care most about. This warehouse-native approach allows companies to move from simple insights to truly intelligent agents capable of generating tangible impact, making predictive value-based bidding, monetization, and hyper-personalization concrete and scalable," comments Paolo Dello Vicario, Co-Founder of Datrix and CEO of Bytek.ABOUT BYTEKBytekis the MarTech Company of the Datrix Group. For over a decade, Bytek has been developing AI solutions for marketing and sales, helping businesses, banks, and retailers transform data into competitive advantage. The Bytek Prediction Platform centralizes and enriches first-party data with advanced prediction and detection algorithms, in a privacy-first architecture. Backed by a team of marketing science experts, all models are tailored to fit specific business needs and maximize performance. Bytek's approach is rooted in innovation and experimentation, providing companies with the strategic and technological support they need to stay ahead.Datrix is a Group listed on Euronext Growth Milan (ISIN code IT00054683), leading the first international ecosystem of vertical Artificial Intelligence software companies. The Group is active with AI-Based solutions in 2 business areas: AI for Data Monetization (to maximize growth opportunities in the Martech, AdTech, and FinTech sectors by transforming data into tangible value) and AI for Industrial & Business Processes (to optimize the efficiency of industrial and business processes in key sectors such as energy, manufacturing, finance, logistics, and transportation). The Datrix Group today includes the brands: Adapex, Aramix, ByTek and Navla.Datrix is also a technology partner of over 20 universities and international research centers for important Research & Development projects (funded by the European Union and Italy) based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms in the fields of LifeScience/Health, Social Well Being, and Cybersecurity. Datrix, with headquarters in Italy, operates in Europe, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.More info at www.datrixgroup.com CONTACTSCommercial inquiries:info@ bytek.ai Press & Communication: Camilla Varrella, Marketing & Communication Specialist - camilla.varrella@bytek.ai Investor Relations: Giuseppe Venezia, tel. +39 0276281064 - ir@ datrixgroup.com Investor Relations Consultant: Chiara Cardelli (KT&Partners) - ir@ datrixgroup.com SOURCE: Bytek srl
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Expo Contratista today announced the launch of the Latino Build ShowPHOENIX, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / February 23, 2026 / Expo Contratista today announced the launch of the Latino Build Show, a new interactive experience at this year's Expo Contratista on September 11 and 12 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Latino Build Show will highlight live product installations by Latino trade professionals and provide valuable, hands-on learning for DIYers and contractors alike.The launch comes at a critical moment for the U.S. construction industry, which is grappling with a severe shortage of skilled labor. Retirement rates among construction workers are expected to climb sharply in the coming years, with some estimates suggesting up to 40 % of the current construction workforce could retire by 2030, worsening an already strained labor market.At the same time, the sector continues to struggle to recruit enough qualified workers to meet demand, with shortages estimated at hundreds of thousands of skilled roles nationwide. This widening gap not only threatens project timelines and costs, but also puts pressure on existing workers and limits the ability of firms to grow."As the construction labor gap grows, we need fresh approaches to attract and retain talent," saidSergio Terreros, spokesperson for Expo Contratista . "The Latino Build Show is our contribution to that effort - showcasing talented Latino tradespeople, elevating their work, and inspiring the next generation to pursue meaningful, high-skill careers in the trades." Addressing the Skilled Worker Shortage Through Education and ExposureThe Latino Build Show is designed to:Provide live installation demonstrations from experienced Latino trade professionalsOffer practical, step-by-step guidance on tools, products, and techniquesConnect DIY homeowners and contractors with real-world skills and insightHighlight the value of skilled trades careers to young workers and career changersGive manufacturers and brands a platform to demonstrate products in actionWith the industry needing to accelerate recruitment and training of skilled workers, initiatives like the Latino Build Show play a critical role in raising visibility and creating pathways into the trades."Expo Contratista is committed to supporting the long-term health of the construction workforce," continued Terreros. "By providing live educational experiences and championing the contributions of Latino professionals, we're helping to build a future where the industry can thrive." Event DetailsLatino Build ShowExpo ContratistaSeptember 11-12Phoenix Convention CenterFor more information on attending, exhibiting, or sponsoring, visit www.expocontratista.com About Expo ContratistaExpo Contratista is a premier trade event dedicated to serving the Latino construction and contracting community. The event connects contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and professionals through education, networking, and business-growth opportunities.Media Contact:Sergio Terreros gm@ expocontratista.com 832-650-0001Sergio TerrerosPresident and CEO832-721-2106 C832-650-0000 OLinkedln | Expo Contratista Booth | Hispanic Ad Agency | NAHICA Set a Meeting with meSOURCE: Expo Contratista
PR-Inside.com: 2026-02-24 20:35:10

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Four diamond-infused THCA strains now available, powered by Hemp Living premium hemp flowerRIVERSIDE, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 /King Palm, the original cordia leaf wrap brand known for its all-natural smoking innovations, today announced the expansion of its collaboration with Hemp Living on a growing line of diamond-infused THCA pre-rolls, following strong early demand for the initial product launch.The collaboration first debuted with two strains - Lambo (Sativa) and Gush Mintz (Indica) - which quickly gained traction with wholesalers, retailers, and adult consumers nationwide. Building on that success, King Palm and Hemp Living have expanded the lineup with two additional flavors: Candy Runtz (Hybrid) and Cadillac Rainbow (Indica).Each product is powered by Hemp Living premium THCA hemp flower, delivering approximately 40% THCA while containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis, in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill. All pre-rolls are packed fresh daily and feature clearly labeled packaged-on dates to ensure quality, consistency, and transparency at retail."Hemp Living's expertise as a licensed hemp processor allows us to move quickly without compromising quality or compliance," said a spokesperson for King Palm. "The success of Lambo and Gush Mintz made it clear that the market was ready for expansion, and Candy Runtz and Cadillac Rainbow let us grow the lineup while staying true to the King Palm experience." King Palm THCA Pre-Roll LineupLambo (Sativa) - Bright, energizing, and diamond infusedGush Mintz (Indica) - Smooth, relaxing, and flavor-forwardCandy Runtz (Hybrid) - Sweet, balanced, and approachableCadillac Rainbow (Indica) - Rich, smooth, and deeply relaxingAll four SKUs are wrapped in King Palm's signature natural green leaf pre-rolls and infused with THCA diamonds, delivering a premium and consistent experience designed for adult consumers.Hemp Living serves as the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the King Palm THCA pre-roll line, overseeing sourcing, production, third-party testing, and distribution. As a licensed industrial hemp processor, Hemp Living ensures all products meet applicable federal guidelines and quality standards.Retail and Wholesale AvailabilityThe King Palm diamond-infused THCA pre-roll line is available to retail stores, wholesalers, and distributors nationwide, exclusively through Hemp Living Wholesale. Contact hemplivingwholesale.com to learn more about wholesale programs, state-by-state availability, and onboarding requirements. Wholesale pricing and availability may vary by state and region.Consumers can purchase King Palm THCA pre-rolls at participating retail smoke shops nationwide or through hemplivingusa.com Availability may vary by location.Retailer Call to ActionRetailers and wholesalers interested in carrying the King Palm THCA pre-roll lineup are encouraged to contact Hemp Living Wholesale to learn more about wholesale programs, state-by-state availability, and onboarding requirements.About King PalmKing Palm is a pioneering smoke-accessories brand best known for its proprietary cordia leaf wraps and commitment to clean, natural smoking alternatives. Free from tobacco, additives, and harsh chemicals, King Palm products are designed to elevate flavor, consistency, and quality for adult consumers worldwide.Learn more atkingpalm.com About Hemp LivingHemp Living is a licensed industrial hemp processor and one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of hemp-derived products in the United States. With a focus on compliance, transparency, and scalable production, Hemp Living partners with brands nationwide to bring premium, federally compliant hemp products to market.Learn more at hemplivingusa.com Media ContactMatt Fisher King Palm909-556-9036 matt@ kingpalm.com Brandon Puett King Palm brandon@ kingpalm.com SOURCE: King Palm // GoodTree Int.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / February 23, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., notifies investors in Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. ("Kyndryl" or the "Company") (NYSE:KD) of a class action securities lawsuit.CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of investors of Kyndryl who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between August 7, 2024 and February 9, 2026. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:Kyndryl investors should contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850, or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-kd/ to learn more.CASE DETAILS: On February 9, 2026, the Company disclosed that it would be unable to timely file its Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 and that "the Company anticipates reporting material weaknesses in the Company's internal control over financial reporting for the period covered in the Quarterly Report, as well as for the full fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, and the first two fiscal quarters of fiscal year 2026, which are expected to include, but may not be limited to, the effectiveness and strength of certain functions at the Company, including with respect to controls related to information and communication and tone at the top," as well as the departure of its C.F.O and General Counsel. On this news, the price of Kyndryl's shares fell $12.90 per share, or 55%, to close at $10.59 on February 9, 2026.The case is Brander v. Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., et al., No. 26-cv-00782.WHAT TO DO? If you invested in Kyndryl and suffered a loss during the relevant time frame, you have until April 13, 2026 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff; however, your ability to share in any recovery does not require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Growth at Milton Campus Reflects Unprecedented Need and Deepening Insurance Partnerships Across New EnglandMILTON, NH / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / The Ridge RTC, Altior Healthcare's flagship residential mental health program for teens and emerging adults, today announced an expansion of its Milton, New Hampshire campus - adding 7 new beds to meet a surge in families seeking high-quality, intensive residential care.The expansion is a direct response to sustained, high demand for The Ridge RTC's clinically intensive programming, which offers a minimum of three individual therapy sessions per week, daily group therapy, comprehensive psychiatric care, and robust family involvement. Programs typically run 30 to 90 days and are designed to treat the root causes of teen and emerging adult mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, and co-occurring conditions."The need for quality residential mental health care for young people has never been greater, and we're hearing it from families, referring providers, and insurance partners across New England and beyond," said Kenneth Kosza, CEO of Altior Healthcare. "Expanding our New Hampshire campus means more teens and emerging adults get access to the level of care they deserve - without the waitlist, and without families having to choose between the right program and what they can afford." The growth is further supported by The Ridge RTC's expanding network of in-network insurance partnerships, which now includes Aetna, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Carelon, Magellan, Beacon, and Multiplan. These relationships have been instrumental in removing financial barriers for families navigating mental health crises - and in ensuring that teens and emerging adults in need can access care quickly and with confidence.Situated on 350 acres in southeastern New Hampshire, The Ridge RTC's Milton campus blends evidence-based clinical treatment with experiential therapies, outdoor programming, and individualized psychiatric care. The expanded capacity will allow the program to serve more teens ages 12-17, while continuing to support its growing Emerging Adult Program for individuals ages 18-20."We've been deliberate about growing only when we can preserve the quality and individualized attention that defines The Ridge," said Dustin Wagner, Chief Clinical Officer of The Ridge RTC. "These 7 beds represent a thoughtful expansion - one that lets us say yes to more families without compromising what makes our program effective." The Ridge RTC operates residential campuses in Milton, New Hampshire, and mid-coast Maine. It is part of the Altior Healthcare network, which also operates Paradigm Treatment - a nationally recognized teen and emerging adult mental health program with locations in Malibu, CA; San Rafael, CA; Austin, TX; and Coeur d'Alene, ID.About The Ridge RTC The Ridge RTC is a national leader in teen and emerging adult mental health care, providing intensive, evidence-based residential treatment for ages 12-20 across campuses in New Hampshire and Maine. The program offers individualized clinical care, psychiatric services, experiential therapies, and deep family involvement in a structured, nurturing setting. The Ridge RTC is in-network with most major commercial insurance providers. For admissions inquiries, visitTheRidgeRTC.comor call 844-577-0877.About Altior Healthcare Altior Healthcare operates leading behavioral health programs nationwide, including The Ridge RTC and Paradigm Treatment. With campuses across New Hampshire, Maine, California, Texas, and Idaho, Altior provides compassionate, evidence-based teen and emerging adult mental health care. Its mission: to deliver relief, hope, and healing to every individual and family it serves. Learn more atAltiorHealthcare.com Media Contact: Randy Clunan, Chief Marketing Officer rclunan@ altiorhealthcare.com | (310) 555-1234SOURCE: The Ridge RTC
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Acquisition strengthens Velocity One's position as a leading provider of highly engineered products to the aerospace and defense marketsHOBOKEN, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / February 24, 2026 / Velocity One, an aerospace and defense platform backed by Charlesbank Capital Partners, acquired Kaney Aerospace yesterday.Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Kaney Aerospace specializes in electromechanical actuation, motion control, and advanced power solutions for aerospace and medical applications. Its products, including autopilot actuation systems, advanced and efficient electrical controls, and system integration and test, fly in commercial and defense platforms worldwide, with growing adoption in Advanced Air Mobility and autonomous vehicles. Kaney also operates an FAA Part 145 and EASA-certified repair station. The acquisition further strengthens Velocity One's portfolio of highly engineered products serving aerospace and defense customers."The addition of Kaney Aerospace marks an important step in our strategy to build Velocity One into a scaled, differentiated aerospace and defense platform," said John Borduin, CEO of Velocity One. "Kaney brings deep technical experience, longstanding customer relationships, and a strong track record in highly engineered actuation and power solutions. We are committed to preserving the strengths that have driven their success while providing them with the resources to grow. Together, we aim to expand capabilities, serve customers more broadly, and invest in the next phase of innovation." "Velocity One's financial backing and leadership strengthen our ability to fund breakthrough R&D and advance higher-performance products that meet the evolving needs of aerospace and defense customers," said Jeffrey J. Kaney, Sr., CEO of Kaney Aerospace."Kaney Aerospace is a natural addition to the Velocity One platform, adding motion control and actuation capabilities that complement our existing portfolio," said Karan Talreja, Vice President of Charlesbank Capital Partners. "John and the Velocity One leadership team have built a strong foundation over the past year, and we're confident in their ability to drive meaningful growth across the combined business." Since 2022, Velocity One has assembled a portfolio of specialized aerospace and defense companies, each with deep technical strength in mission-critical systems. Kaney Aerospace joins Cartridge Actuated Devices, a manufacturer of energetic devices; EMCORE Corporation, a developer of inertial navigation systems; and Aerosphere Power & Navigation, a provider of aircraft power electronics.Advisors RBC Capital Markets are acting as sellside financial advisors to Kaney Aerospace.Foley & Lardner LLP is serving as legal counsel to Velocity One.About Velocity One Velocity One is an aerospace and defense platform uniting specialized companies in power systems, navigation, and precision-engineered components. Headquartered in Hoboken, NJ, Velocity One and its portfolio companies serve commercial aerospace, defense, and space customers worldwide. Learn more at www.velocity-one.com About Kaney Aerospace Kaney is a leading innovator in aerospace technology, committed to pushing the boundaries of excellence in Flight Controls. With a team of industry experts, Kaney continues to shape the future of aerospace through cutting-edge technologies and a commitment to excellence. For further information about Kaney Aerospace, please visit https://kaney.com About Charlesbank Founded in 1998, Charlesbank Capital Partners is a leading middle-market private investment firm with approximately $20 billion of assets under management as of 9/30/25. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience and sector insights, the firm takes a thematic approach to investing across its target sectors: business and consumer services, healthcare, industrials and technology & technology infrastructure. Charlesbank partners with talented management teams to help businesses unlock value and accelerate growth, with a focus on long-term value creation. The firm provides flexible capital through its complementary private equity and credit strategies, which collaborate closely to harness the firm's collective insights, resources and network. Charlesbank has offices in Boston and New York. For more information, visit charlesbank.com or follow Charlesbank on LinkedIn.CONTACTS For Velocity One:Julia McDowell info@ velocity-one.com For Charlesbank:Ryan FitzGibbon / Alexa Ottenstein / Peter GavarisProsek Partners pro-charlesbank@ prosek.com ###SOURCE: Velocity One
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that six people sustained injuries in Mondays fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that a fire broke out at the airport facility, prompting an emergency response and the temporary closure of the Lagos airfield.

Providing an update on the incident, FAAN said emergency response operations remain active, with coordinated firefighting, rescue and safety teams continuing containment and recovery efforts.

The authority disclosed that a crane was deployed to support rescue operations at the Control Tower, where 14 persons were initially trapped. All of them have now been safely rescued and fully evacuated from the facility, FAAN said.

According to the agency, six persons  three males and three females, were injured. All are said to be in stable condition.

One of the affected individuals has been transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation and is also reported to be stable.

As an additional safety precaution, the sixth floor of the affected facility has been completely evacuated to support ongoing emergency operations and risk mitigation.

Preliminary findings from the Fire Service indicate that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of Terminal 1.

FAAN highlighted that the fire within the departure hall is now largely under control, while responders continue close monitoring to prevent any spread to adjoining sections of the terminal.

In line with established safety protocols, the airspace remains temporarily closed.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is working to establish a temporary Control Tower to enable the safe and timely restoration of airport operations.

FAAN said all emergency procedures were promptly activated and that it continues to collaborate with relevant emergency and support agencies to safeguard lives, infrastructure and operational integrity.

READ ALSO: Lagos airfield temporarily shut after fire outbreak at MMIA

The authority said further verified updates would be communicated as more information becomes available.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that operations at an airfield at the international wing (Old Terminal) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport were temporarily suspended following a fire outbreak on Monday.
Moniepoint Inc. says digital payments now dominate Nigerias nightlife economy, particularly among local bars and informal community venues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Moniepoint is a Nigerian financial technology (fintech) company that offers a wide range of digital banking and financial services for businesses and individuals.

It is one of the fastest-growing fintech firms in Africa.

The Lagos-based Fintech provides digital payments, banking, credit, and business management tools to millions of users.

The company said in a statement on Monday in Lagos that its study, The Business of Community Nightlife in Nigeria, analysed transactions from more than 27,000 bars, clubs and lounges on its payment network, alongside field research across several cities.

According to the report, bank transfers account for the majority of nightlife payments, followed by card transactions, while cash use continues to decline due to security concerns.

It said transaction volumes rose from about 8.00 p.m., peaked before midnight and declined thereafter, indicating that the most critical business hours occurred earlier in the night.

The study noted that local bars typically expanded their workforce by 30 per cent to 50 per cent on peak nights, with estimates showing that at least 54,000 people engaged in nightlife-related work nightly across Nigeria.

Commenting on the findings, Tosin Eniolorunda, co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint Inc., said community nightlife operators were a vital part of Nigerias economic structure.

According to the report, Lagos leads in the number of nightlife outlets on the Moniepoint network, followed by the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Delta and Edo respectively.

(NAN)
From the very beginning of the Karabakh conflict, it became clear that apart from the parties themselves, no one really knows anything about the nature of the confrontation and the crimes committed by the Armenians. He doesn't even want to know. This is especially true of the West, which has almost unanimously supported Armenia in its criminal activities for thirty years, having no idea what is really happening in the South Caucasus.

The Armenians bought the lobbyists and gave them what they were supposed to say. At the same time, all necessary measures were taken to ensure that the voices of the country affected by military aggression, occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide were not heard by anyone. The ear canals were plugged with large handouts, the promotion of lobbyists on the career ladder and other pleasures. In the old days, the Armenians managed to take over Western parliaments and political circles. They didn't give a damn what was really going on, as long as the Armenian royalties didn't stop. This is how the 907th Amendment was adopted, which can be considered a symbol of thoughtless lobbying of Armenian interests. This decision defied all logic and common sense, but it was made because it was well paid.

The fact that the same situation continues to persist in some places to this day, frankly, is surprising. Modern information technologies allow you to keep up to date with everything, if you have such a desire. Apparently, Armenian lobbyists have not had such a desire in thirty years. This is evidenced by the "investigation", which was started by British parliamentarians with the participation of Armenian separatists in the person of the poor Artak Beglaryan with the money of the diaspora.

As is customary on the Armenian side, the gathering is presented as a "British parliamentary investigation," although everything takes place within the narrow framework of a lobbying crowd. On Monday, the first meeting was held under the sonorous title "Erasing the Past: the destruction of cultural heritage." Armenian media reports that the participants of the "investigation" are looking for a way to justice and bring Azerbaijan to justice. The "investigation" is being conducted by the Institute for Human Rights of the International Bar Association (IBAHRI) in collaboration with the interpartisan Parliamentary Group on International Law, Justice and Accountability (APPG) and the interpartisan Parliamentary Group on Armenia (APPG on Armenia). The party is led by Scottish MP Brendan O'Hara. The line-up is not worth listing - it's all lords and baronesses. Things don't seem to be going well in the UK if the lords and baronesses don't shy away from selling themselves to the first person they meet. Although the primary role here is most likely played not even by the handouts of the diaspora, but by Islamophobia and Turkophobia, which have always been projected onto the Karabakh conflict and the attitude towards Azerbaijan.

So, the lords and baronesses gathered and discussed how they would conduct the investigation. They decided to accept the appeal, hold public hearings with experts and witnesses (witnesses of what?!), compile reports and put pressure on the UK government and international institutions.

As the wisdom attributed to the Prosecutor General of the USSR Rudenko says: "The main thing is not to come out on yourself during investigative actions."

The British MPs who undertook to support Armenian separatism have already come out on their own. Just look at the official website of the party. You don't even know whether to laugh or get angry. The "investigators" proved once again that the lobby always went along with its customers and swallowed everything that was given to it. Money doesn't smell, and what to say or put on the site is up to the person who pays. Even if the MPs and deputies of the parliament of such a serious and respectable power as Great Britain look like complete, sorry, idiots. It's their faces that adorn the site, not those who plant information and pay for services.

The main page photo immediately attracts attention. You look and think: did I get there? In the photos presented as evidence of the "destruction of the Armenian heritage of Artsakh," we see footage of the destroyed Aghdam and the mosques of Shusha. The Armenian customers could not find epic photos that would make them cry with pity and burn with anger, and they provided footage of the real crimes of the Armenians themselves during the occupation years. Or the compilers of the site simply thoughtlessly collected photos from Google, not paying attention to the fact that they reflect Armenian deeds.

In the photo series, we see the Saatli mosque in Shusha destroyed by the invaders, we see a panorama of the destroyed Aghdam, we see the Ashagi Govharaga mosque in Shusha, filmed during the Armenian occupation, in which the Armenians kept cattle. Finding images of the destruction allegedly caused by the Azerbaijanis is a big problem, because there is no such destruction. All that could be displayed were the demolished new buildings - Armenian churches built during the occupation in the occupied Azerbaijani towns and villages. They were built without the permission of the legitimate authorities, and their fate is not the subject of discussion. These buildings cannot be considered as any historical heritage. We are not talking about the fact that the historical and spiritual Armenian heritage on the territory of Azerbaijan objectively simply cannot exist. And this, of course, makes the task very difficult. Therefore, on the website of the "investigation" we see a blatant deception of the audience.

It's unlikely that this "investigation" has a wide audience, but it's embarrassing...
Energoatom allocates over UAH 18.5 bln to frontline needs over 4 years of war

Ukraines National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom has systematically supported Ukrainian defenders throughout four years of full-scale war, allocating more than UAH 18.5 billion for frontline needs, the company said on its Telegram channel Tuesday.

"Among other things, the company transferred an Mi-2 helicopter to the Defense Forces of Ukraine to help carry out combat missions. Energoatom also allocated UAH 300 million to the State Border Guard Service to purchase 50 armored personnel carriers for Offensive Guard units," the company said.

In addition, volunteers at nuclear power plant sites actively support Ukrainian defenders.

"Thanks to the efforts of our workforce, nuclear energy workers meet many of the militarys needs by supplying drones, vehicles, electronic warfare systems, satellite systems, and other necessary equipment to the front," the company added.

In October 2023, at the initiative of employees, the public organization Guardians of Light was established. It was founded by company volunteers in Kyiv to respond  to military requests and systematically provide necessary assistance.

According to Energoatom, the organization has since expanded into a network of branches in Pivdennoukrainsk, Varash, Slavutych, and Netishyn. Volunteers continuously support frontline units, promptly meeting their needs, from technical equipment to everyday essentials.

A separate and important area of activity has been the implementation of a psychological and emotional rehabilitation program for service members in cooperation with the Main Directorate for Psychological Support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Staff and the administration of the State Border Guard Service. Since the programs launch, more than 13,000 service members have benefited from it.

On April 3, 2025, the support effort was expanded with the Family program, which provides compensation of 50% of the cost of sanatorium stays for family members of service members undergoing emotional rehabilitation.

To support families of service members who are missing, held in captivity, or killed while carrying out combat missions, the Family Comfort program has been introduced.

Energoatom and the "Guardians of Light" NGO will continue to provide systematic support to service members and their families for as long as necessary, the company said.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Monday night undertook an emergency visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following the fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the airport.

Mr Keyamo said he arrived at the airport at about midnight and joined the Managing Director and management team of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), who were coordinating response efforts to contain the fire.

The minister commended FAAN personnel and other first responders for what he described as the swift activation of established emergency procedures.

According to him, the prompt and coordinated actions of the responders were instrumental in safeguarding lives and limiting the impact of the incident.

Mr Keyamo said he directed FAANs Fire and Rescue Department, alongside the Lagos State Fire Service, to maintain an overnight vigil at the airport to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

He added that he would undertake a tour of the airport at dawn to assess the extent of damage caused by the fire and issue necessary directives.

Background

The fire, which broke out on Monday at Terminal 1 of the airport, prompted an emergency response and the temporary closure of the Lagos airfield.

FAAN earlier confirmed that 14 persons trapped in the Control Tower were safely rescued with the support of a crane, while six people, three males and three females, sustained injuries and are in stable condition.

Preliminary findings by the fire service indicated that the fire originated from the server room on the first floor of the terminal.

As part of safety measures, the sixth floor of the facility was evacuated, and the airspace was temporarily shut while the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) worked to establish a temporary control tower to restore operations. Flight operations resumed at the airport on Monday evening.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed that 20 of 33 Nigerian banks have met the new minimum capital requirements, raising N4.05 trillion ahead of the 31 March deadline.

The apex bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) 304th meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.

In March 2024, the CBN introduced a revised recapitalisation policy requiring Nigerian banks to raise their capital base within 24 months, with the compliance period running from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026.

The CBN governor noted that the development is a result of increased investor confidence in the Nigerian banking sector.

Mr Cardoso stated that meeting the new minimum capital requirement reaffirmed steady progress towards a more robust and well-capitalised financial system.

He reiterated the strategic importance of the recapitalisation exercise and urged the banks to ensure its successful completion.

With regard to key financial soundness, the committee noted that of the 33 banks that have raised additional capital, 20 have met the new minimum capital requirement, reaffirming steady progress towards a more robust and well-capitalised financial system.

The MPC reiterated the strategic importance of the recapitalisation exercise and urged the bank to ensure its successful completion.

This would reinforce financial system resilience and enhance the sectors capacity to support sustainable economic growth, price, and other domestic developments, he stated.

Capital Raised

The CBN noted that while 13 banks are yet to meet the full standards of the new minimum capital requirement, they are at an advanced stage of their capital-raising processes.

He added that the total verified and approved capital raised stands at N4.05 trillion, representing a mix of domestic and foreign investment in the banking sector.

To date, 20 banks have fully met the new minimum capital requirement, and a further 13 are at an advanced stage of their capital-raising processes and, quite frankly, are expected to conclude within the stipulated time. It is expected.

As of 19 February 2026, total verified and approved capital raised stands at N4.05 trillion. Of this, N2.90 trillion, which is 71.6 per cent, has been mobilised domestically, while $706.84 million, which is N1.15 trillion, represents 28.33 per cent foreign participation.

So, in summary, 71.67 per cent is domestic mobilisation and 28.33 per cent is foreign participation. This balance, in my view, represents a mix of domestic and foreign investment, which signals broad investor engagement and confidence in the sector, the CBN governor explained.

He further revealed that foreign investors continue to express strong interest in the Nigerian banking sector.

When I went abroad and met with some of the investor community, they had a very strong interest in investing in the banks, so I am glad that this has come out in a very positive way.

Regulatory intervention

Mr Cardoso also explained that other financial institutions facing regulatory intervention, subject to certain legal and structural considerations, will be exempt from the tight deadlines imposed on commercial banks.

The other group that I think I would be remiss not to mention are the institutions currently undertaking regulatory intervention, with specific legal and structural considerations, which naturally influence the sequencing of their recapitalisation actions.

In other words, it is unreasonable to expect that they would follow the same sequence as those that, two and a half years ago, when we made this announcement, had ample time to do many of the things they are doing now, he said.

He assured customers of financially troubled institutions that their funds are safe, as the Central Bank of Nigeria closely supervises the institutions operations.

We remain, as the Central Bank of Nigeria, actively engaged with all relevant stakeholders to ensure an orderly and credible outcome while maintaining financial stability.

Specifically, with respect to those institutions currently under regulatory intervention, depositor funds in these institutions remain secure, and operations continue under the close supervisory and regulatory oversight of the Central Bank, he said.
Nollywood actor Ray Emordi has announced his decision to step away from acting to pursue a full-time music career.

The 35-year-old actor, who rose to prominence through roles in several Nollywood productions and YouTube film projects, made the announcement in a video shared on social media, in which he reflected on his experiences in the film industry and his long-standing passion for music.

I have stopped acting in films. I quit, he said. There was a time I never thought I would say that sentence. I have put in a lot of work in Nollywood. I have been in crazy situations on set, but I have also had some of the best experiences of my life there. It is not easy to say no when they call your phone to come back on set, but I have to stop saying yes.

Acting career

Mr Emordi has been active in Nollywood for several years, building a career through appearances in feature films, television series, and digital productions, a route increasingly common among younger Nigerian actors.

He is known for portraying youthful, urban characters, often in contemporary dramas and romance-themed productions that appeal to Nigerias growing online audience.

Some of his notable flicks include Heaven on My Mind (2018), Nneka the Pretty Serpent (2020), and Daddys Duty (2023), which he also produced, and which have garnered millions of views on YouTube.

Beyond acting, he has credits as a producer and director. He directed a comedic short film titled You Dont Say while living in Los Angeles.

Turn to music

Explaining his decision, Mr Emordi said music has always been his first love, describing it as a creative outlet he had nurtured alongside acting.

I love music. I have always loved music, and I make good music, he said.

In November 2025, the actor released a snippet of his debut single, which he said received mixed reactions from fans. I know people dey whine, and I appreciate the whining I do. First of all, you guys listened to the music, he added.

The actor-turned-musician said his artistic direction would focus on sex-oriented, dancefloor-oriented tracks and club-friendly sounds.

I want to make music for the dancefloor and for women to whine their waist and for men to be next to women whining their waist. I want to make music for people who are knacking. When they are knacking, they will be listening to my music. It will be part of their playlist, walkout playlist, dancing playlist, he said.

He also disclosed that he is currently working on an extended play (EP), which will further define his sound and reposition him in Nigerias highly competitive music scene.

Whether Mr Emordis music career will gain the same traction as his acting remains to be seen, but his pivot is one the industry has not seen in recent times. Although many actors move from acting to singing, some mix both, but not altogether quitting acting for music

Family concerns

Mr Emordi acknowledged that his decision has generated tensions within his family, which he described as conservative and concerned about reputation.

This decision has come with a lot of consequences. My family doesnt support this. It is a family of strict rules and reputation to protect, which is understandable, and I respect their decision. I wont do anything that would bring any stain to the name, he said.

He appealed to his family for understanding, noting that he would still take acting roles in selected projects, suggesting his exit from Nollywood may not be absolute.

Some of his recently released songs include Adam and Eve and On It, which are part of his yet-to-be-released Extended Play album.
Nollywood comic actor and content creator Bamidele Oluwatope, popularly known as Okemesi, has reportedly slipped into a coma following complications from medications administered during a recent hospital admission, colleagues and associates have said.

Actor Jeff Owolewa, better known as Tony Montana, disclosed the development in a recent Instagram post, raising concerns about the comedians deteriorating health condition.

Mr Owolewa said Mr Oluwatope was re-admitted to the hospital after experiencing severe reactions to drugs prescribed when he was discharged from a private medical facility last week. The comedian had only recently moved into a new apartment rented for him through public donations, following appeals for assistance.

Coma

Guys, Okemesi has been hospitalised again. He was sleeping all through Saturday and Sunday without much appetite for food due to complications from the drugs that were given to him when he was discharged last week, Mr Owolewa said.

According to him, attempts to secure immediate medical care were unsuccessful, with several hospitals reportedly declining admission due to a lack of space. He said a government hospital in Igando turned them away before they returned to the private hospital that initially treated the actor.

They admitted him and stabilised him. His breathing is improving, but he has been in a coma since Monday morning. They have placed him on oxygen. We are praying he gets back on track, Mr Owolewa added, appealing for prayers and financial assistance to cover medical expenses.

Earlier appeals for help

This recent development comes amid ongoing concerns over Mr Oluwatopes health and welfare.

In a widely circulated video last week, the comedian publicly appealed for support, revealing that he was battling serious health challenges and lacked stable accommodation.

Speaking in the video, Mr Owolewa expressed shock at his colleagues physical condition, noting that he had become significantly thinner and visibly frail compared with his earlier public appearances.

Mr Oluwatope attributed his prolonged illness to what he described as a spiritual attack, recounting how he was initially treated at Island Hospital before being relocated to Osogbo, Osun State, where he said prayers and spiritual intervention helped him regain partial mobility.

I became crippled. I couldnt talk or stand. It was through prayers and Gods miracles that I was revived, he said.

He also narrated how complications in his family situation forced him to leave his brothers residence and seek shelter on church premises, adding that he struggled with food, shelter and basic needs.

I dont have a place to sleep. I dont have anything. My fans are the only thing left for me. I need help to get back on my feet, especially with accommodation, he said.

Career and background

Okemesi rose to prominence through comedy skits, online platforms and talent competitions, including the De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt, where his stand-up routines gained attention. He is known for blending English, Yoruba and his native Ekiti dialect in his performances, a style that has endeared him to fans.

He has appeared in several Yoruba-language and mainstream Nollywood productions, including Dearest, produced by Kunle Afod, as well as Aborisade, Mebamu, and The Order.
The Gates Foundation has outlined three major ambitions it hopes to achieve over the next two decades: end preventable maternal and child deaths, eliminate deadly infectious diseases and help hundreds of millions of people escape poverty.

In his 2026 Annual Letter titled The Road to 2045, the foundations Chief Executive Officer, Mark Suzman, said the foundation would spend $200 billion over the next 20 years before closing its doors in December 2045.

Mr Suzman described it as an accelerated push to save and improve lives at a time when global health progress is slowing, and foreign aid is shrinking.

In 2025, for the first time this century, its almost certain that more children died than the year before, Mr Suzman wrote. Thats a sentence I hoped Id never have to write. Its not as if the world forgot how to save childrens lives. It just wasnt prioritised.

For Nigeria, the foundations priorities align closely with long-standing health and development gaps. The country consistently ranks among those with the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally and continues to face major burdens from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria is among the top contributors to maternal, neonatal and child deaths worldwide.

If the Gates Foundations final 20-year push is about reducing maternal and child mortality, eradicating malaria, controlling TB and HIV, and reducing poverty through agriculture and education, Nigeria sits at the centre of that agenda.

Ending preventable maternal and child deaths

The foundations first goal is: No mother or child dies of a preventable cause.

Mr Suzman writes that the aim is to bring maternal and child mortality rates in the global South in line with those in the global North by 2045. That would require halving child mortality again within two decades.

Maternal deaths in Nigeria are largely driven by preventable causes such as haemorrhage, infections, pre-eclampsia, and complications during childbirth. Access to skilled birth attendants remains uneven, especially in rural and conflict-affected areas, while many primary health centres face staffing shortages and equipment gaps.

Data from the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) show that only 46 per cent of live births in Nigeria were attended by skilled birth personnel.

To address these issues, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare launched the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) in 2024 and began refurbishing more than 1,400 PHCs. As of December 2025, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) revealed that 2,125 PHCs have been fully revitalised across the country.

Under-five mortality in Nigeria is closely linked to pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria and malnutrition. Malnutrition alone is an underlying factor in nearly half of global child deaths, and Nigeria continues to struggle with high rates of stunting.

The Gates Foundation says it will continue investing in vaccines, nutrition and maternal health care, areas where it has historically focused. Mr Suzman describes vaccines as the best buy in global health and points to investments in maternal immunisation, obstetric care, nutrition and innovation in womens health.

One example he highlights is pre-eclampsia, a major contributor to maternal deaths. Doctors still do not fully understand its causes, and treatment options are limited.

The foundation says it is supporting innovations like a screening tool that helps healthcare workers spot risk early, a quick and affordable blood test that lets clinics diagnose and manage cases without having to send the blood to a separate lab, and promising new drug candidates that could finally move treatment beyond symptom management.

Mr Suzman acknowledges that a breakthrough innovation cant change lives unless it reaches the people who need it  and that often comes down to cost and access.

Infectious diseases: Nigeria at the centre of the fight

The second goal is that the next generation grows up in a world without deadly infectious diseases.

The foundation believes malaria and polio can be eradicated by 2045, and that TB and HIV can be brought under control as manageable conditions.

Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020 after years of coordinated vaccination campaigns, but maintaining that status depends on sustained immunisation and surveillance, both of which require consistent funding.

Malaria remains Nigerias biggest infectious disease burden. The country recorded the highest number of malaria cases and deaths globally, with an estimated 68,466,000 cases, according to the 2025 World Malaria Report.

Despite long-running donor-supported programmes, malaria continues to overwhelm households and health facilities.

Tuberculosis remains underdiagnosed, and Nigeria is among the countries with a significant gap between estimated and detected cases. HIV prevalence has declined over time, but treatment and prevention efforts rely heavily on external funding.

Following a reduction in international funding, the Nigerian government intensified efforts to combat malaria, aiming to eliminate the disease by 2030. Recent actions focus on increasing domestic funding, accelerating vaccine deployment, local production of commodities, and expanding preventive treatments.

The Gates Foundation says it is supporting a new generation of tools: malaria vaccines, mosquito-targeting innovations, improved TB vaccines such as the M72 candidate currently in trials, and advances in HIV prevention and potential cures.

It is also investing in generative artificial intelligence to strengthen primary healthcare systems. Through partnerships like Horizon 1000, the foundation aims to bring AI tools to clinics across sub-Saharan Africa to support patient intake, triage and follow-up care.

In theory, such tools could help overstretched Nigerian health workers manage large patient loads. In practice, their effectiveness will depend on electricity supply, internet access, data systems and trained personnel.

Poverty, agriculture and the economic question

The third ambition extends beyond health: Hundreds of millions of people break free from poverty.

While more than 70 per cent of the foundations funding will focus on health, agriculture remains central to its poverty strategy in low- and middle-income countries.

Mr Suzman noted that growth in agriculture is two to three times more effective at reducing poverty than growth in other sectors. At COP30, the foundation committed $1.4 billion over four years to help smallholder farmers adapt to climate change.

Nigerias economy makes this goal highly relevant. Small-scale or smallholder farming is the backbone of the national food supply and a primary source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians.

Climate shocks, flooding, desertification and insecurity have disrupted agricultural productivity. Improved seeds, climate-resilient crops and better market access could boost productivity, but structural constraints like land tenure issues, rural insecurity, poor transport infrastructure and limited credit could complicate development.

Aid decline and Nigerias responsibility

Mr Suzman further notes that wealthy countries have withdrawn tens of billions of dollars from health and development funding, with foreign aid falling by more than 25 per cent. He admitted that low-income countries face mounting debt burdens that constrain spending on health and social services.

The Gates Foundations proposed $200 billion investment over the next 20 years globally, including in Nigeria, could help accelerate progress, but its impact in Nigeria will depend largely on government ownership, policy consistency and accountability.

Nigeria has repeatedly fallen short of the Abuja Declaration target of allocating 15 per cent of its national budget to health, and state-level commitments vary widely. Health financing remains heavily reliant on external partners for HIV, TB, malaria and immunisation programmes.

If global aid continues to shrink, Nigeria will need to expand domestic health financing, improve budget execution and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

A 20-year window

The Gates Foundation plans to close in 2045. That deadline gives the world a 20-year window.

Mr Suzman says he hopes future generations will look back at 2025 as a small spike, an almost forgotten moment when progress hung in the balance before the world got back on track.

Whether that proves true may depend on countries like Nigeria. The foundation can invest in vaccines, nutrition, maternal health innovation, malaria tools, TB vaccines, AI systems and climate-resilient agriculture, but lasting change will require accountable and reliable public institutions, stable financing and leadership.
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has warned that drug-resistant infections are surging across hospitals in Lagos State, raising fears that Nigeria may be heading toward a post-antibiotic era.

A senior research scientist at NIMR, Emelda Chukwu, told journalists during the institutes February Media Chat, that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no longer a looming threat but already a reality in Lagos hospitals.

Ms Chukwu said the institute has seen an increase in resistance that is threatening to overturn decades of medical progress, noting that medicines that were once guaranteed to save lives are failing.

She said surveillance across four major hospitals in Lagos revealed dangerously high resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, broad-spectrum antibiotics reserved for severe infections that do not respond to other treatments.

These are reserve drugs, but we are now seeing that even these third-generation medicines are losing their effectiveness. That is a major red flag, she warned.

She added that the surge in resistance is putting patient safety at serious risk, limiting treatment options, prolonging hospital stays, and increasing complications and mortality.

When our reserve antibiotics begin to fail, patient safety is at serious risk, she said.

AMR prevalence in Nigeria

AMR is the ability of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, to survive and grow despite exposure to medicines designed to kill them or stop their growth.

When these microorganisms become resistant, antimicrobial medicines, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitic drugs, no longer work effectively, making infections significantly harder to treat.

AMR develops gradually, often due to the misuse or overuse of antimicrobial medicines, poor infection prevention practices, and the spread of resistant strains across communities, healthcare facilities, food systems, and the environment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that AMR remains a silent but escalating threat, claiming more than 60,000 lives in Nigeria every year.

According to WHO estimates, the country has been recording this burden annually since 1990, underscoring the deep-rooted nature of the problem.

In 2021 alone, Nigeria recorded an estimated 50,500 deaths directly attributable to AMR and 227,000 associated deaths, with children under five bearing the heaviest toll.

Global burden

WHO estimates that AMR was associated with 4.71 million deaths in 2021, including 1.14 million directly attributable to drug-resistant infections.

It also noted that Sub-Saharan Africa alone recorded about 250,000 deaths in the same year.

Also, it indicates that the world loses an estimated 178 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to AMR, and projections indicate the crisis could cost the global economy nearly $1 trillion annually if left unchecked.

Recent modelling also shows that AMR could claim up to 39 million lives by 2050.

Human behaviour driving resistance

Tracing the rise in drug-resistant infections, Ms Chukwu pointed to misuse and overuse of antibiotics as a major driver.

She stated that irrespective of whether one uses antibiotics correctly or not, resistant organisms can spread as it does not respect boundaries.

She said her team has developed facility-specific antibiograms to guide treatment, noting that 80 per cent of prescriptions in hospitals are empirical.

If doctors are guided by data from their own facilities, it can significantly improve outcomes, she said.

Wastewater canals signal looming outbreaks

Ms Chukwu said her research revealed that the threat extends beyond hospitals noting that environmental surveillance across all 20 local government areas in Lagos detected antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and cholera-causing Vibrio cholerae O1 in wastewater canals.

Out of the 20 LGAs surveyed, nine had Vibrio cholerae O1 incubating in their wastewater canals. That was extremely alarming, she said.

She also said that the findings prompted a policy advisory to Lagos authorities ahead of the 2024 cholera outbreak, which spread across 36 states.

This approach allows us to detect threats early and act before they spiral out of control, Ms Chukwu said, highlighting the value of wastewater-based epidemiology in epidemic preparedness.

She added that risky behaviours such as illegal dumping and open defecation are fuelling infections.

When the canals overflow, they carry pathogens back into peoples homes. It becomes a cycle of reinfection, she explained.

Surveillance not enough

Ms Chukwu stressed that monitoring infections alone will not stop AMR.

Studies by her team show pressure on doctors to over-prescribe and low public awareness of proper antibiotic use.

Even prescribers are under pressure to prescribe. The public believes antibiotics are cure-alls. These practices are fueling resistance, she said.

She called for sustained awareness campaigns, stronger stewardship programmes, and coordinated One Health interventions linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Antimicrobial resistance is not a future threat. It is here with us. If we do not act decisively, we risk losing the gains made since the discovery of antibiotics in the 1920s. The time to strengthen surveillance and change behaviour is now, she warned.
The Kogi State Government in collaboration with Sightsavers, has inaugurated the 2025 Mass Administration of Medicines (MAM) for the prevention of Onchocerciasis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTDs).

The mass medicine distribution, aimed at preventing Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, will cover all 3,200 communities in the state, targeting 4.5 million people aged five and above.

The States Commissioner for Health, Adeiza Abdulazeez, who declared the two-day MAM meeting open on Monday in Lokoja, reaffirmed governments commitment to eliminating river blindness in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Steven Momoh, the commissioner said the meeting aimed to review progress, identify gaps, and develop strategies for the upcoming Mectizan distribution cycle in March.

He noted that the state had made progress in controlling the disease through mass drug administration campaigns and dedication of health workers and stakeholders.

He acknowledged the support of development partners, including Sight Savers, and urged participants to actively engage in discussions to ensure no community was left behind.

Kogi Government, led by Governor Ahmed Ododo, is committed to improving residents health and well-being, he said.

The Ministry of Health will provide leadership, coordination, and support for neglected tropical diseases elimination programmes.

The state NTD Coordinator, Musa Momohjimoh, explained that Kogi is endemic for Onchocerciasis due to its water-rich environment, with River Niger and Benue flowing through several local governments.

Mr Momohjimoh noted that treatment of river blindness has been ongoing in Kogi since 1997, with over 27 rounds of treatment administered.

While we have achieved great success, there are still challenges, and the disease remains endemic in some areas, he said.

He urged residents to participate in the mass medicine distribution in March.

Sightsavers Programme Officer, Phoebe Hindan, emphasised the importance of strategic implementation to ensure no one misses out on the intervention.

Ms Hindan noted that the exercise aims to close gaps observed in previous implementations and ensure the elimination of the disease, not just continued treatment.

The distribution will last for 10 days, and we urge participants to their communities are involved in the planning and implementation process, she said.

Earlier, Betsy Ibenu, NTD Data Manager, Sightsavers, said the meeting aimed to review implementation strategies, develop a work plan for achieving geographical and therapeutic coverage.

She emphasised that it would discuss strategies for micro-planning and deep dive investigations.

Stakeholders at the meeting include HOD health departments and NTD team members, Kogi branch of Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) NAFDAC, CAN, JNI, among other.

Participants pledged their commitment to achieving the aims of the exercise.

(NAN)
The Abia State Government has said it achieved 96 per cent coverage in the just-concluded measles-rubella vaccination campaign, surpassing the 95 per cent benchmark required to attain herd immunity against infectious diseases statewide.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, in Umuahia.

Mr Kanu said the campaign, which commenced on 3 February, targeted children aged nine months to 14 years in schools, health facilities and other public institutions across the state.

He noted that the exercise surpassed the 95 per cent herd immunity threshold, recording 96 per cent coverage of the target population, and described the outcome as a significant public health success.

Mr Kanu said more than 8,000 vaccination teams were deployed across the state to ensure smooth implementation, adding that officials were still collating detailed data from the exercise.

He said the achievement underscored the commitment of the current administration to improving healthcare delivery and making quality medical services affordable and accessible to residents across the state.

Mr Kanu further announced that the governor approved a collaboration between the State Ministry of Health and Quantus Medical Foundation, a United States-based healthcare consultancy, to strengthen service delivery standards.

He said the partnership would focus on training health workers to adopt global best practices, improve patient experience and enhance overall efficiency in public health facilities statewide.

He also disclosed that the ministry would functionalise 53 fully equipped Primary Health Centres, raising the number of operational centres in the state to about 117 upon completion.

Improving PHCs

The commissioner added that the Abia State Digital Health Pilot Project had commenced in selected hospitals and primary health centres to improve data management and healthcare service delivery.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, said the training programme aimed to institutionalise best practices across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities throughout the state.

Mr Uche said the governor mandated the ministry to engage healthcare culture-change experts to address service quality concerns, communication gaps and issues of professional conduct in facilities.

He explained that the initiative would train doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health workers in effective communication, empathy and improved patient-care processes across facilities.

Mr Uche noted that poor communication and lack of empathy often resulted in misunderstandings between healthcare providers and patients, sometimes undermining trust and treatment outcomes.

He said the training would be implemented in phases, beginning with doctors and nurses before extending to other categories of health workers at the local government level.

He described Quantus Medical Foundation as a healthcare culture-change consultancy led by an Abia-born professional with experience working with health institutions within and outside Nigeria.

Regarding vaccination outcomes, he said the 95 per cent benchmark represented the minimum requirement to achieve herd immunity and prevent sustained transmission of infectious diseases.

He explained that herd immunity provided indirect protection when a large proportion of a population became immune through vaccination or prior exposure, reducing chances of outbreaks.

Mr Uche added that achieving 96 per cent coverage meant Abia had exceeded the required threshold, significantly lowering the risk of measles or rubella outbreaks statewide.

(NAN)
Ismail Yusuf, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), says the reduced 2026 Hajj quota affected many countries, and was not targeted at Nigeria.

Mr Yusuf spoke during a strategic stakeholders meeting on Monday in Abuja, attributing the development to logistical capacity and evolving regulatory measures by Saudi authorities.

The meeting drew commissioners, board members, state pilgrims board chairpersons and executive secretaries, medical mission officials, and management staff.

In a statement by Information Officer Abdulbasit Abba, Mr Yusuf urged states to correct claims that Nigeria was singled out for the quota reduction.

He reaffirmed NAHCONs commitment to transparency, professionalism and strict regulatory oversight as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj.

Mr Yusuf said Nigerias allocation stands at 40,250 pilgrims, excluding tour operators, but uploaded data reportedly exceeded the approved figure.

He directed states to urgently reconcile records and withdraw excess entries to prevent administrative bottlenecks.

According to him, Saudi authorities have fixed a firm visa deadline of 1st Shawwal, with no indication of extension.

To beat the deadline, states must conclude medical screening, documentation and data uploads within the operational window to ensure timely visa issuance, he said.

He warned against substitutions on flight manifests, citing integration between airline bookings and accommodation systems.

The board member representing the Ministry of Health, Said Dumbulwa, briefed stakeholders on strengthened health certification requirements.

Mr Dumbulwa said screening must be conducted only at recognised hospitals, with mandatory inclusion of Medical and Dental Council registration numbers.

He added that medical certificates must be digitally uploaded for verification, with strict adherence to identified disqualifying conditions.

Private hospitals are not permitted to conduct Hajj certification, he said, announcing plans for a national coordination platform to streamline medical processes.

In a relief for pilgrims, Mr Yusuf announced a reduction in the Yellow Card fee from 5,000 to 2,000 for the 2026 Hajj.

He disclosed that Port Health Services will directly supervise vaccination certification amid stricter Saudi verification, including biometric checks.

NAHCON also announced strict monitoring of airline performance, warning that underperforming carriers may lose allocations to better-performing operators.

States were advised to promptly refund intending pilgrims who will not travel to avoid disputes and preserve public trust.

Mr Yusuf revealed plans to deploy monitoring teams to Saudi Arabia to assess feeding, accommodation, sanitation and service delivery. He said best-performing states may receive national recognition, while non-compliance would attract sanctions.

The chairman reaffirmed that State Pilgrims Welfare Boards remain primary custodians of pilgrims, while NAHCONs role is regulatory.

He urged unity, professionalism and collective responsibility to ensure a successful 2026 Hajj operation.

(NAN)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned from office at the request of President Bola Tinubu, PREMIUM TIMES can confirm.

A source in the presidency said Mr Egbetokun was asked to resign at a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Egbetokun is to be replaced by Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

Although the plan has not been officially announced, sources in the presidency and the police headquarters told PREMIUM TIMES that preparations are underway for a formal handover ceremony from Mr Egbetokun to Mr Disu.

Mr Egbetokun was appointed by President Tinubu as the 22nd IGP on 19 June 2023. His substantive appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on 31 October that year.

Appointed as IGP at 58, Mr Egbetokun was due to retire on 4 September 2024, upon reaching the mandatory age of 60.

However, the National Assembly amended the police law, allowing him to serve his full four-year term as IG unless removed by the president.

He was thus expected to complete his four-year tenure and remain in office until 31 October 2027.

Despite complaints by many Nigerians, the presidency explained that Mr Egbetokun remained in office legally, citing the amended Police Act 2024, which allows an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term regardless of their age or years of service. He is now 61 years old, and he marked 35 years in service on 3 March 2025.

Mr Egbetokuns tenure as IGP was marked by several controversies, including human rights abuses.

The presidency has yet to issue a statement confirming Mr Egbetokuns removal. Calls to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin did not go through at the time of this report. However, a source at the presidency said an official announcement would be made later on Tuesday.

More details will be provided in subsequent reports.
Prices for Ukrainian-made pasta products will increase by 1012% in 2026 due to a significant decline in business margins in the previous year, said Oleksiy Nadvodniuk, an analyst at ProConsulting, speaking at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Flour Millers of Ukraine union.

The expert said that the reason for this dynamic is the gap between producer price indexation and actual consumer prices in 2025.

Nadvodniuk suggested that such an increase in domestic product prices could lead to a higher share of imported goods on the market. Currently, Ukrainian producers account for 43.7% of the market structure, while the remainder consists of imports.

Among the key market trends, the analyst highlighted price pressure and promotional campaigns by various retail chains, growing demand for premium products resulting from supplies of such goods to Ukraine as part of humanitarian aid, the strengthening role of retailers' private labels, the displacement of economy-segment imports by the mid-range segment, and the growing share of instant pasta.

At the same time, the expert noted that Ukraine demonstrates high competitiveness in the export segment of instant pasta, which continues to increase its market share.
On 24 February, President Bola Tinubu appointed Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), succeeding Kayode Egbetokun, who resigned on Tuesday.

Mr Disu was promoted to the position of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in March 2025, and became an IGP less than a year after that promotion.

Mr Disus appointment came at a time when he was close to reaching the mandatory retirement age prescribed by law. He was born on 13 April 1966 and enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on 18 May 1992.

Under existing police regulations, officers are required to retire upon reaching 60 years of age or completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first. Had he not been appointed IGP, Mr Disu would have reached the age limit in 48 days.

Although he will only mark 35 years in service in May 2027, his elevation to the position of IGP means he is now expected to serve a four-year tenure, unless he resigns or is removed by the president.

The same scenario played out with Mr Egbetokun, who was appointed the 22nd IGP on 19 June 2023, with his substantive appointment confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on 31 October 2023.

Appointed IGP at age 58, Mr Egbetokun was initially set to retire on 4 September 2024 upon attaining the compulsory age of 60. However, following amendments to the Police Act by the National Assembly, IGPs are now permitted to complete their full four-year tenure unless they resign or are removed by the president.

Mr Egbetokun was expected to remain in office until 31 October 2027 before his resignation on Tuesday.

Who is Mr Disu?

Mr Disu is a career police officer with more than three decades of experience across multiple operational and leadership roles in the police.

Born on 13 April 1966 on Lagos Island, he began his career in law enforcement when he joined the Nigeria Police Force on 18 May 1992.

He holds a bachelors degree in English Education from Lagos State University (LASU), along with a postgraduate diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies and two masters degreesone in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University and another in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from LASU.

Mr Disu has undergone extensive professional training both within Nigeria and abroad, including programmes on small arms smuggling, internet fraud, strategic leadership, forensic and criminal intelligence.

His police career includes serving as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in various states, leading special units such as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and anti-kidnapping teams, and acting as second-in-command of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Rivers State.

In 2005, he led the first Nigerian police contingent on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), serving as acting Chief of Staff in Darfur.

Between 2015 and 2021, Mr Disu commanded the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a police unit which received accolades for reducing crime in Lagos.

In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a position previously held by disgraced super cop Abba Kyari, and later served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Before his appointment as IGP, he was an AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was posted to Lagos earlier this month.

Before his posting to Lagos, Mr Disu was attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice on Tuesday refiled amended charges against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, hours after withdrawing the initial case which alleged forgery, impersonation and other offences connected with an ownership battle over a controversial London property.

Acting on behalf of the AGF, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, filed 12 counts against Mr Ozekhome and a co-suspect, Ponfa Useni, accusing them of forgery, impersonation, and unlawful acquisition of property in the United Kingdom.

This latest development followed the withdrawal of the earlier case which had only three counts and in which Mr Ozekhome was the sole defendant.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed the earlier case before the FCT High Court in Abuja on 16 January.

The AGF office subsequently took over the case on 26 January and requested the rescheduling of the arraignment of the defendant.

The judge, Peter Kekemeke, then rescheduled the arraignment for today (Tuesday).

But the arraignment could not proceed on Tuesday as scheduled, as Mr Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), announced the withdrawal of the charges, prompting the judge to strike them out.

Mr Oyedepo did not give any specific reason for withdrawing the charges, other than saying it would enable the AGF to strengthen his review of all the cases before all the prosecuting agencies.

But hours later, the AGF refiled the case before the same court, the FCT High Court.

The amended version of the case filed by the AGF office raised the number of counts from three to 12 and added another defendant, Ponfa Useni, to Mr Ozekhome.

Details of amended charges

According to the amended charges, Messrs Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni conspired in 2020 alongside the late Jeremiah Useni, a retired general who served as the FCT minister during the regime of Nigerias late dictator, Sani Abacha, and made a false Nigerian International Passport No. A07535463 with the name Tali Shani, and purported same to have been issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service to claim a property in the United Kingdom.

Similarly, the prosecution charged Mr Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni of using the false passport to facilitate the claim of the property.

According to the prosecution, the document was obtained when Mr Useni allegedly falsely personated Tani Shani, a fictitious person and with such assumed character made a Power of Attorney.

The prosecution also alleged that Mr Ozekhome helped Ponfa Useni to impersonate Tali Shani in 2020. Together, they allegedly created a fake Irrevocable Power of Attorney to help Ozekhome claim the property.

The prosecution also alleged in another count that they received 18,000 as rent for the property contrary to section 319A of the Penal Code Law, 2009.

They were also accused of making a false document titled: RE: REQUEST FOR AUTHENTICATION OF NIGERIAN PASSPORT NO. A07535463 BELONGING TO MR. TALI SHANI dated 4 May 2023, to claim the property.

The prosecution said the offences contravene and attract punishments stipulated under various provisions of the Penal Code Law including sections 83, 84, 96, 179, 363, 364 and 366.

How London tribunal exposed alleged fraud, blocked ownership transfer

In September 2025, Judge Ewan Paton of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) delivered a judgment blocking Mr Ozekhome from seizing the house in North London.

The tribunal held that the case was built on a network of fraud, impersonation, and forged documents. Still, it concluded that the late Mr Useni, former Minister of FCT, was the genuine purchaser of the property in 1993.

In August 2021, Mr Ozekhome applied to transfer the property at 79 Randall Avenue into his name, claiming it was a gift from a man who presented himself as Tali Shani in appreciation for legal services.

However, the application was challenged in September 2022 by Westfields Solicitors, claiming to represent Ms Tali Shani, who insisted she was the registered owner of the property since 1993 and had never signed any transfer.

Ruling on the dispute, Judge Paton of the UK Tribunal ruled that the house was secretly bought in 1993 by the late Mr Useni, former Nigerian Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, using a false identity.

Mr Useni, an army general who died in France in January 2025, was a very influential member of the Sani Abacha government and was even in contention to be head of state following Mr Abachas death in June 1998.

Before his death, Mr Useni appeared before the court through a video link in 2024. Contrary to Mr Ozekhomes defence, Mr Useni told the court plainly: I owned it. I bought the property. It is my property.

Documents before the tribunal confirmed that the acquisition was made under a false identity, Philips Bincan, a practice consistent with findings by the Royal Court of Jersey in a separate 2022 case that exposed Mr Usenis use of coded names like Tim Shani to conceal wealth.

The tribunal therefore ruled that since Mr Shani had no legal title, he could not have transferred the property to Mr Ozekhome. Ownership of the property, the judge said, now rests with whoever secures probate over Mr Usenis English estate.

The court found that Mr Ozekhomes defence amounted to a contrived story invented in an attempt to provide a plausible reason for the 2021 transfer.

The tribunal concluded that Mr Shani had no connection whatsoever to the 1993 purchase.

Web of alleged forgery, impersonation

The London tribunal uncovered fraudulent Nigerian identity records, including a passport, a National Identification Number (NIN), and a Tax Identification Number (TIN) allegedly generated with the connivance of corrupt officials at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Immigration Service, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

NIMC admitted in evidence that the NIN assigned to Ms Tali Shani was fraudulently created remotely from Monaco, using a forged photograph and bypassing biometric requirements. The Nigerian Police Force also confirmed that the address used to back up the fraudulent phone bill was fictitious.

Judge Paton concluded that the supposed Ms Shani was never a real living person and that her documents were deliberately fabricated with the connivance of corrupt Nigerian officials. The entire case was built on forgery and deception, the judge said, before ruling that the property remained part of Mr Usenis estate, now subject to probate.

In a letter to the ICPC, the Nigeria Immigration Service confirmed that passport booklet number A07535463 was never utilised due to a defect and consequently had no record of a holder in its database.

The agency said preliminary findings indicated that the passport booklet had personal data unlawfully superimposed on it with numerous inconsistencies on the data-page, suggesting significant irregularities in its production.

HEDA petition triggers ICPC probe

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the ICPC investigation was triggered by a petition from Olanrewaju Suraj, head of the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA).

The petition accused Mr Ozekhome, his son Osilama, and several collaborators of conspiring with corrupt Nigerian officials to procure fake national identity documents in a bid to fraudulently claim ownership of the North London house.

The ICPC summoned individuals named in the UK judgment to appear before the commission for questioning.

Mr Ozekhome appeared before the commission on 12 January to give a written statement.

Ozekhomes defence

In his statement at the ICPC, Mr Ozekhome said he was aware of the judgment granted by the First Tier Tribunal in the UK.

It was prompted by an objection to my application for the transfer of a property situated at 79 Randall Avenue, London, to me, which was filed by myself and Mr Shani Tali before the H.M. Lands Registry UK. I have seen the judgment now shown to me (albeit an uncertified copy), he stated.

This fact about my title to the property, how I came about it, and all have been exhaustively written down and explained to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and I have no further explanation to the same, all issues having been under investigation by the Commission for many months now.

Mr Ozekhome further said the ownership had been with him since 2021, adding that everything concerning Mr Tali Shani and himself, as regards evidence, could be found in the judgment.

In the UK court documents, Mr Ozekhome admitted that he never knew Mr Shani until January 2019, more than two decades after the disputed purchase, and had no personal knowledge of how the property was acquired or managed in earlier years.

His confidence in the claim, he explained, stemmed largely from his long-standing relationship with Mr Useni, whom he described as both a client and friend for over 20 years.

The Nigerian lawyer told the tribunal that after being introduced to Mr Shani in 2019, he undertook several legal services for him and that the property was later gifted to him in 2021 as an expression of gratitude.

Nigerian court orders property seizure

In November last year, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) obtained an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze the property on the basis that it was shadily acquired in 1993 by the late Mr Useni.

The CCB, an agency concerned with asset declaration of public officers and enforcement of other provisions of the code of conduct for public officers, ultimately aimed to secure an order of final forfeiture of the property to the federal government.

While issuing the order of interim forfeiture for the property in November last year, Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Binta Nyako, directed the publication of the order in a newspaper to invite whoever was interested in the property to come forward to prove legitimate acquisition.

But weeks after the 14-day period lapsed, the CCB reported to the judge in January that no person or entity has come forward to claim the property or establish any legitimate interest.

CCB stated this in an application filed on 22 December 2025 through its lawyer, Sufyan Ahmad, to seek the final forfeiture of the property.

Mr Ahmed argued that the property sought to be forfeited was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity under Sections 17 and Section 19 of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (POCA), 2022.
The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, has urged the National Assembly to convert Nigerias automotive policy into law, warning that investors will remain cautious until the regulatory framework is backed by legislation.

Mr Osanipin made the call in Abuja during a capacity-building workshop for the House of Representatives Press Corps, organised by the council in collaboration with the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs.

The programme focused on improving legislative reporting and policy communication on Nigerias automotive industry.

Framing his intervention around investment security, the NADDC chief said the Nigeria Automotive Industry Development Plan has provided direction for the sector, but lacks the legal certainty required for long-term industrial growth.

According to him, manufacturers considering large-scale investments in vehicle assembly and component production need assurances that fiscal incentives and regulatory protections will outlive administrative changes.

The automotive industry is one of the most capital-intensive sectors globally, he said, adding that no serious investor would commit substantial resources without policy stability anchored in legislation.

He disclosed that the council plans further engagement with lawmakers to strengthen the legal foundation of the automotive development framework.

Legislative backing, he argued, would deepen local production, encourage technology transfer and accelerate industrialisation.

Beyond lawmaking, Mr Osanipin linked policy clarity to Nigerias broader economic objectives. He noted that the country spends trillions of naira annually on vehicle imports and spare parts, a trend the council seeks to reverse through a localisation programme targeting domestic production of selected components.

While acknowledging that no country produces every automotive part, he said Nigeria has identified components that can be competitively manufactured locally and is working with assemblers to expand domestic capacity. He cited progress in tricycle design using locally sourced materials and growing investment in compressed natural gas vehicle assembly as signs of industrial momentum.

The council, he added, has trained more than 15,000 technicians nationwide to strengthen after-sales services and technical sustainability within the sector.

Mr Osanipin also revealed that global manufacturers such as Toyota, Volkswagen and Ford have inspected Nigerian facilities and expressed surprise at the level of infrastructure available. Some of the production equipment installed locally, he said, ranks among the most sophisticated on the continent, though it receives limited public visibility.

He urged legislative reporters to situate sectoral policies within their broader industrial context, particularly measures designed to protect domestic production. Drawing parallels with global trade practices, he noted that countries routinely deploy protective policies to support local industries, create jobs and build technological capacity.

Broader industrialisation reforms

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), described the engagement as part of a broader reform to strengthen professionalism within the parliamentary media ecosystem. He conveyed the goodwill of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, and members of the 10th Assembly.

Mr Rotimi said legislative work is incomplete until policies and reforms are clearly understood by citizens, stressing that the press corps plays a central role in translating legislative intent and oversight outcomes into public knowledge. He noted that the House has institutionalised structured capacity development for its media teams, designed to be progressive and sector-focused.

According to him, the automotive industry sits at the intersection of industrialisation, local content development, job creation and economic diversification, aligning with the House legislative agenda on economic growth and reduced dependence on oil.

Role of journalists

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the training as a strategic intervention to equip reporters with the expertise needed to interpret complex sectoral policies.

She urged journalists to deepen investigative reporting and ensure that automotive policy reforms stimulate public discourse and attract investment.

Our role as journalists and media aides is to translate complex sectoral policies into stories that resonate with everyday Nigerians, she said.

Strengthening local automotive production

Similarly, Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, called for stronger national commitment to local automotive production, warning that continued dependence on imported vehicles is worsening economic pressures.

He described industrialisation as an economic necessity rather than a policy aspiration, noting that exchange rate volatility and reliance on fully built imports have contributed to capital flight and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

READ ALSO: Zamfara govt secures NADDC commitment to open automotive training centre in Gusau

Strengthening local assembly, he said, would conserve foreign exchange, create employment across technical fields and stimulate growth in supporting industries such as steel, plastics and battery production.

Mr Onadiran urged Nigerians to patronise locally assembled vehicles, arguing that consumer choices directly influence industrial expansion and economic stability. He added that legislative action, combined with informed media reporting, would be critical to strengthening investor confidence and ensuring accountability in the sector.

At the workshop, stakeholders repeatedly linked the future of Nigerias automotive industry to legal certainty, policy consistency and improved public communication, positioning legislative backing as the missing pillar in the countrys push toward automotive self-sufficiency.
The Ondo State Police Command says it has apprehended two persons suspected of supplying information to kidnappers in the state.

The suspects are Abubakar Sindiku (25) and Oliver Okoh (35).

Police spokesperson Abayomi Jimoh disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.

The disclosure comes after two incidents of kidnapping and killings in the state last week.

While a traditional ruler, Kehinde Falodun, the Alagamo of Agomo, was killed after a failed attempt to kidnap him, a couple was abducted in the second incident in Eleyewo community in Ilu-Abo.

Both communities are in the Akure North Local Government Area of the South-west state.

Mr Jimoh, in a statement, described the arrest of the two suspects as a significant operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

He said the operatives of the commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted on credible tracking analysis and technical intelligence, leading to the arrest of Messrs Sindiku and Okoh in Sabo Sango, Ado Road and Ilado Community, respectively

The suspects, Mr Jimoh said, were apprehended in connection with an ongoing investigation into a kidnapping case in the state.

Upon arrest, their statements were duly recorded, and they are currently assisting the police with useful information, he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects belong to a kidnapping syndicate. They reportedly used their motorcycles for reconnaissance, gathering information about potential targets, and providing logistics support, including supplying food and other operational accessories to members of the syndicate.

 The operational motorcycles and relevant tools used in facilitating their criminal activities were recovered.

Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and ensure they are brought to justice.

The police spokesperson further noted that the development reaffirmed the commands unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.

He further reassured residents that the Force was resolute and determined to ensure the safety and security of lives and property throughout the state.

Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible and actionable information to security agencies, he added.
The Senate Committee on State and Local Government Affairs on Monday decried the hardship faced by residents of Nigerias border communities, blaming it on inadequate government support and poor infrastructure.

The committee said the neglect has forced some residents to cross into neighbouring countries in search of basic amenities such as potable water, schools, and healthcare services.

Chairman of the committee, Binos Yaroe, made the disclosure while presenting the 2025 budget estimates of agencies under his supervision to the Senate Committee on Appropriation.

The agencies include the Border Communities Development Agency and the National Boundary Commission.

Mr Yaroe noted that the absence of basic social infrastructure in border areas has left many communities vulnerable and disconnected from the Nigerian state.

With regards to the border community development agency, Mr Chairman, our communities at the borderbecause we do not have facilities for them, sometimes they give their allegiance to neighbouring countries.

So, some of them have to cross over to neighbouring countries to get some of the social amenities, such as schools. Some even went to get water. So, it is important to provide funds to this agency, he said.

The senator, who represents Adamawa South Senatorial District, said the committee had made a special provision of N50 billion for the agency in the 2025 budget through the Service Wide Vote to address some of the challenges. However, he lamented that the funds had not been released, leaving the agency unable to fulfil its mandate effectively.

Last year, we made a special case, and the Borders Community Development Agency was provided an amount through the service-wide vote, which will enable them to be able to do some of their work, but unfortunately, because of the non-release of these funds, they have not been able to carry out their duties effectively, he said.

Many of Nigerias border communities continue to endure severe hardship due to the neglect of basic infrastructure and essential services. Residents often lack access to clean water, healthcare facilities, and other critical social amenities.

In several border areas, inadequate or non-functional primary healthcare services have forced families to make long and unsafe journeys, sometimes across international boundaries, to seek medical care.

PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed how pregnant women and newborns suffer complications because frontline clinics are poorly equipped, understaffed, or completely absent in border communities.

The absence of functional health facilities is often compounded by chronic underfunding and a lack of infrastructure investment. In some of the communities, residents may travel great distances by foot, boat, or motorbike, just to receive basic treatment, costly emergency care, or maternal health support, with delays directly contributing to fatalities and heightened risk of medical complications.

Boundary disputes

Mr Yaroe also raised concerns about unresolved boundary disputes among states, attributing the problem to inadequate funding for proper demarcation exercises.

He referenced the dispute between Bauchi State and Gombe State, where the discovery of oil has heightened disagreement over unclear territorial boundaries.

Because they have not been able to have sufficient funds, there is still a large number of boundaries that have not been demarcated. Ill just mention one incident, the boundary between Bauchi State and Gombe State. You know, because of the discovery of oil, it has given rise to a crisis between these two states because one state will say this oil is discovered in their state, and the other will say no, it is in their state. Because there is no clear demarcated boundary between them, he said.

The committee chairman stressed that agencies under his oversight require adequate and timely budget releases to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities, particularly in strengthening border governance and preventing conflicts.

Responding, the Senate Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, who chaired the Appropriation Committee session, agreed that the agencies need sufficient funding to address boundary disputes and improve conditions in border communities.

Mr Monguno, who represents Borno North Senatorial District, referenced the plight of communities in his state that share borders with Cameroon, noting that the living conditions in many border areas present a poor image of the country.
An aide to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has provided a detailed update on the politicians continued detention, eight days after he voluntarily honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement issued on Monday, 23, the former governors Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, said Mr El-Rufai has remained in custody since reporting at the EFCCs office on Monday, 16 February.

According to the statement, the former governor was initially held by the EFCC until the night of Wednesday, 18 February, when he was transferred to the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

Mr Adekeye said that as of 23 February, Mr El-Rufais lawyers had not received any response from the ICPC to an application for bail submitted on his behalf.

He added that they had also not been shown any remand order authorising his continued detention, despite what he described as the expiration of the 48-hour constitutional window for holding a person without charge.

The aide said the week ahead would be eventful, with at least two court proceedings scheduled in connection with the former governor.

He disclosed that a hearing in Mr El-Rufais fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the State Security Service (SSS) has been fixed for 25 February before the FCT High Court. The suit is seeking an order admitting him to bail.

On the same date, Mr El-Rufai is also scheduled for arraignment on charges filed by the SSS, which the statement described as widely publicised.

The statement further revealed that Mr El-Rufai has approached a Federal High Court to challenge the legality of a search conducted at his Aso Drive residence on 19 February by ICPC officials.

The suit, filed on 23 February, seeks to have the search warrant declared invalid.

The respondents in the case include the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to the statement, the former governor is asking the court to declare the warrant invalid on grounds including lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and lack of probable cause.

He is also seeking a declaration that the search violated his fundamental human rights and an injunction restraining authorities from using any items recovered during the search in proceedings against him.

Providing a timeline of events, Mr Adekeye said ICPC officials interrogated Mr El-Rufai on 19 and 20 February. An application for bail was submitted following the interrogation on 19 February, but no response has been received, he said.

He also criticised the 19 February search of the former governors residence, quoting his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, as condemning the operation as unlawful and a clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights. The lawyer reportedly described the warrant used for the search as defective.

El-Rufai: From EFCC to ICPC custody

Between 16 and 18 February, Mr El-Rufai was held at the EFCC after voluntarily responding to the agencys invitation.

According to the statement, he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC, with conditions that included providing a serving federal permanent secretary as one of his sureties. His lawyers subsequently applied for a variation of the bail terms.

Despite the grant of administrative bail, he remained in EFCC custody, a development his lawyer reportedly described as unlawful detention without justification.

Mr Adekeye further alleged that Mr El-Rufais lawyers and family members experienced difficulties in accessing him while in detention. He said one of his wives was prevented from delivering his meal directly to him on the evening of 17 February and was instructed to pass it through a commission official instead.

The statement also claimed that the former governor suffered an episode of nose bleeding overnight while in custody.

On the night of 18 February, he was transferred from EFCC custody to the ICPC, allegedly without being informed of the reason for the transfer or his destination.

The update also referenced an incident on 12 February, when Mr El-Rufai returned to the country.

According to the statement, his passport was seized at the airport during what it described as a failed attempt to arrest him. His lawyers reportedly condemned the seizure as unlawful.

Mr Adekeye said the aborted arrest came as a surprise because, at the time, Mr El-Rufai had already notified the only agency that had invited him that he would attend its office on 16 February.

He added that no formal statement has been issued by any security agency to explain the events at the airport.

The statement also disclosed that on 12 February, the ICPC delivered a letter requesting that Mr El-Rufai report to its office on 13 February.

Through his lawyers, he proposed to honour the invitation on 18 February, citing the short notice and prior commitments, including his scheduled appearance at the EFCC on 16 February.

As legal proceedings commence this week, the former governors team says it is seeking judicial intervention to secure his release and challenge what it describes as violations of his constitutional rights.

===============

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW

Update on the detention of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, 23rd February 2026

Today marks eight days since Malam Nasir El-Rufai was detained. He voluntarily reported at the EFCC in the morning of Monday, 16th February 2026 in response to an invitation. He has been held since, first by the EFCC which kept him in custody until the night of Wednesday, 18 February when he was moved to the ICPC. As at today, his lawyers have not received any response from the ICPC to an application for bail; and they have not been shown any remand order as the 48-hour window for holding a person without charge has expired.

This week, the courts would entertain at least two matters related to Malam El-Rufai. Hearing in his fundamental rights case against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the DSS has been fixed for 25th February. This case, which is before the FCT High Court, is seeking an order to admit him to bail.

He is scheduled for arraignment on the same date on the widely publicized charges filed by the DSS.

As what may be an eventful week begins, here is a recap of the fast-moving events since Malam El-Rufai returned to the country on 12th February 2026.

23rd February

Following the 19th February 2026 search of his residence by officials of the ICPC, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has asked a Federal High Court to declare the search warrant as invalid. The case, which seeks the enforcement of his fundamental rights, named as respondents the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the FCT, the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The case is seeking a declaration that the search warrant is invalid, for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and lack of probable cause. He is also asking for a declaration that the search constitutes a violation of his fundamental human rights and an injunction against the use of the items taken in the search in any proceedings against him.

20th February

 Further interrogation by ICPC.

19th February

 ICPC searched the Aso Drive residence of Malam Nasir El-Rufai. Mr. Akpan condemned the search as unlawful and clear violation of legal procedures and fundamental rights. He said that the home invasion was conducted under adefective warrant.

 Interrogation by ICPC officials. An application for bail was submitted, but has had no response, so far.

16th- 18th February:

 Malam El-Rufai voluntarily attended the offices of the EFCC as he had indicated in response to the commissions invitation. Following interrogation by EFCC officials, he is granted administrative bail with conditions that included having a serving federal permanent secretary as one of the sureties. His lawyers applied for variation of the bail terms. He remained in the EFCCs custody, a situation that his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, described as unlawful detention without justification.

 Ubong Akpan also complained that lawyers and family were having difficulties in securing access to him in detention. One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him in the evening of 17th February but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commissions personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose.

 On the night of 18th February, Malam El-Rufai was transferred to the custody of the ICPC without being told where he was being moved or why.

12th February:

 Malam El-Rufais passport was snatched at the airport, during a failed attempt to arrest him, a seizure his lawyers condemned as unlawful. This aborted arrest prompted surprise, given that he had already notified the only agency that had invited him as of that moment that he would be attending their office on 16th February. No formal statement has been issued by any security agency to explain the drama at the airport.

 ICPC delivers a letter asking him to report at their office the next day, 13th February. Malam El-Rufai responded through his lawyers that he proposed to honour the invitation on Wednesday, 18th February given the rather short notice and the other activities to which he was committed. In addition, he had already scheduled an appearance at the EFCC on 16th February, the next available business day.

Signed

Muyiwa Adekeye

Media Adviser to Malam Nasir El-Rufai

23rd February 2026
A former senator and 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Akwa Ibom State, John Akpanudoedehe, has again criticised the Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Enos handling of the lingering controversy over Akwa Iboms 76 oil wells, warning that losing the asset would betray years of sacrifice by past leaders and the people of the state.

In a video posted on Facebook on Monday, Mr Akpanudoedehe said the fight over the oil wells was part of a broader historic struggle for resource control in the Niger Delta, crediting past leaders for laying the foundation for Akwa Iboms oil wealth.

He listed former Governor of the defunct South-Eastern State, Udoakaha Esuene; former Chief of Air Staff, Nsikak Eduok; first civilian governor of Akwa Ibom, Akpan Isemin, and former Governor Victor Attah among those who played critical roles in the wealth accruing to the state.

Mr Attah championed it. He carried it upon his head. It was as if the whole of the Niger Delta had left it to him. He carried it as a personal struggle on behalf of the Niger Delta. He fought so hard day and night; he sleeps with it, no doubt about it, he said.

He also credited former federal lawmakers for their collective efforts. I also have to thank my colleagues, who were senators with me; Udo Udoma, Emmanuel Ibok-Essien, and the rest Akwa Ibom was in despair; it barely had money to pay salaries. It was that difficult.

Claims personal contribution

Mr Akpanudoedehe, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), narrated how he facilitated key meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo on resource control and the oil wells dispute.

That is the forum that achieved, that the president promised to send a bill to the National Assembly for a political solution, he said, adding that the same engagement led to approval for the construction of the once-dangerous Ibagwa Bridge along Abak-Ikot Abasi Road.

It was a death trap then; the president approved its construction. Thats what we did. This is true, and those who are still alive can testify to it.

Mr Akpanudoedehe further said he facilitated discussions between the then permanent secretary in Akwa Ibom Ministry of Finance, Umana Okon Umana, and Mr Obasanjo over the disputed wells.

That is my personal achievement. What I did for us to have these 76 oil wells I came out to advise, let this not be taken away from us because of previous sacrifice.

His latest remarks came about a week after he warned Governor Eno that the people of Akwa Ibom would not forgive him if he lost the oil wells to Cross River State.

Eno insists oil wells are secure

Governor Eno has repeatedly dismissed fears that Akwa Ibom could lose the 76 oil wells, insisting the states ownership is protected by Supreme Court rulings.

There are two Supreme Court judgements that give Akwa Ibom State the right to those oil wells This is not about sentiments, the governor said previously, urging residents to remain calm.

The state government has also rejected suggestions that any oil wells had been ceded to Cross River, describing such claims as speculative.

Political timing raises questions

Although Mr Akpanudoedehe, a former senator for Akwa Ibom North-East (19992003), insisted his intervention was not politically motivated, observers say the timing of his renewed campaign around the emotionally charged oil wells issue may be linked to his ambition to contest the 2027 Akwa Ibom governorship under the ADC platform.

You may see me as an opposition person, but I have the interest of the Akwa Ibom people at heart, the former senator had said.

Background to the oil well dispute

The disagreement over the 76 oil wells stems from interpretations of the maritime boundary following the 2002 International Court of Justice ruling on the Bakassi Peninsula. While Akwa Ibom relies on subsequent Supreme Court judgements affirming its claim, tensions with neighbouring Cross River have persisted.

With political stakes rising and public emotions tied to oil revenue and economic survival, the controversy continues to shape discourse in Akwa Ibom as the 2027 general elections gradually approach.
Nigeria and the European Union(EU) have signed a historic science and technology pact, ending a 20-year hiatus to drive measurable innovation and scale startups across Africa through proactive implementation.

Gautier Mignot, head of the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS and his team, signed on behalf of the EU in Abuja on Monday, while Kingsley Udeh, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, signed for Nigeria.

Mr Udeh said the agreement marked a milestone by positioning Nigeria as a central hub for scientific advancement in Africa.

Speaking on the historic nature of the deal, the minister said it was the first of such agreements the European Union had undertaken with any country in over two decades.

He said that to prevent the agreement from becoming cold, stuck in shelves, a dedicated EU-Nigeria Joint Science and Technical Cooperation Committee was established.

He said the committee was tasked with moving beyond standard action plans to creating deliberate strategies for both direct and indirect cooperation.

The significance, the historic importance of this moment, is not lost on us at all, the minister said.

He reiterated that Nigeria was committed to matching words with action with concrete outcomes expected to be reported at the upcoming ministerial meeting in Addis Ababa.

The partnership specifically targets the growth of Nigerias technological sector, which already produces the majority of Africas unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion).

By providing structured support through this international framework, the government aims to foster the emergence of more Nigerian tech giants and encourage the growth of similar innovative ecosystems across Africa.

It would also translate local ingenuity into measurable industrial and economic impact.

The minister confirmed that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, which placed innovation at the heart of national development.

Earlier, Mr Mignot said that while cooperation was already active, the new agreement aimed to provide a legal and political framework to upscale the relationship.

He said it moves the partnership beyond informal collaboration to a structured environment, conducive to accelerated growth and greater visibility for past and future accomplishments.

Mr Mignot said that the partnership was anchored in Horizon Europe, the worlds largest science and technology program.

ALSO READ: Two Nigerians win Africa Innovation and Entrepreneurship award

He explained that because of the global nature of science Nigerian researchers and institutions should be integrated into the nearly 100 billion initiative to foster universal knowledge exchange.

According to him, the EU identifies Nigeria as a significant hub of innovation, research and science.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement is designed to empower innovators, create pathways for joint research projects and academic exchanges, among others.

(NAN)
The Benue State Government on Tuesday launched a People-Centred Public Safety Programme and adopted it as a statewide security framework, positioning the state as the first in Nigeria to formally implement, at that scale, the community policing structure outlined in the Police Act 2020.

The event took place at the New Banquet Hall of the State Government House in Makurdi and was attended by state officials, security representatives, civil society groups and development partners.

Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia, said the programme signalled a shift toward structured collaboration between communities and security agencies.

True security is not imposed. It is built, sustained and owned by the people, Mr Ode said in a speech delivered on behalf of the governor.

He added that the government had adopted the model as state policy, not as a temporary intervention. This is not a pilot without continuity. It is a governance-backed framework with executive authority and institutional responsibility, he said.

Benue has faced years of violent attacks, armed incursions and communal clashes, particularly in Guma, Katsina-Ala and Agatu local government areas. Thousands of residents have been displaced in recurring waves of violence. Despite repeated deployments of security personnel, residents in some affected communities have reported gaps in trust and communication with security agencies.

The People-Centred Public Safety Programme was piloted in Guma and Katsina-Ala before being extended to Agatu. Lawyers Alert implemented it with support from the Open Society Foundations.

Rommy Mom, president of Lawyers Alert, said the initiative was designed to address what he described as a trust deficit between communities and security actors.

For long, the government has put in various measures to ensure safety, but there remained a gap in trust between communities and security agencies, Mr Mom said. He noted that the Police Act 2020 provides for community policing committees at the state and local levels. In Nigeria, having laws is one thing. Implementing those laws is another. Benue is the first state to implement community policing in the way envisaged by the Police Act, he said.

According to him, the community policing committees in the pilot areas include representatives of women, youth, traditional institutions, religious leaders and security agencies. He said the committees serve as platforms for information sharing and structured engagement.

Director-General of the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, Jacob Gbamwuan, said the programme aligns with the states broader security coordination efforts.

Sustainable public safety requires community trust, early warning dialogue and accountability, Mr Gbamwuan said. He added that lessons from Guma, Katsina-Ala and Agatu indicated that early reporting of threats could improve response outcomes.

The programme emphasises the participation of women, young people and internally displaced persons in local safety processes.

A representative of the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, said collaboration between the state government and security agencies had continued through joint patrols and requests for additional formations. He said the Inspector-General of Police had approved two additional area commands and five divisional headquarters in parts of the state affected by recurring violence.

Security remains a collective responsibility, the police representative said, adding that the command would continue intelligence-led operations and community engagement.

Programme Manager at the Open Society Foundations, Louise Ehlers, said the organisation supported the initiative because of its focus on community participation.

We try to differentiate between security and safety, she said. Safety is being able to live without threats of crime and violence. She said the foundation was interested in documenting lessons from Benue and sharing them in other contexts where similar reforms are under consideration.

Community representatives from the pilot local government areas also spoke at the event.

Justine Tsukwa from Guma said mistrust had affected information sharing during previous security operations. With the establishment of the community policing committee, trust was renewed, and early warning reporting improved, he said.

READ ALSO: US Congress report restates claim of persecution of Nigerian Christians

Grace Mue from Katsina-Ala said the initiative encouraged residents to view safety as a shared responsibility. Before now, it was a blame game. Now we know that safety is our responsibility, she said.

Participating ministries, departments and agencies, including the Benue State Peace Commission, the State Emergency Management Agency, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, indicated their readiness to support the expansion of the framework to other local government areas. The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, which is also a partner in the initiative, attended the programme alongside other stakeholders.

The state government said the programme would now be scaled up across Benue as part of its security policy, amid ongoing concerns over attacks and displacement in several communities.
Media sustainability will only depend on striking a careful balance between financial viability and editorial integrity, some industry leaders have said.

The media leaders said this while speaking at THE WHISTLER Annual Staff Retreat 2026 on Tuesday in Abuja.

The retreat was themed, Reimagining The Whistler: Innovation, Integrity and Impact.

Among those in attendance were Simon Kolawole, publisher of The Cable; Fisayo Soyombo, CEO of Foundation for Investigative Journalism; Muyiwa Matuluko, Editor-in-chief of TechPoint Africa.

The media chiefs warned that innovation, clarity of purpose and audience ownership are now critical to newsroom survival.

While speaking at the event, Mr Kolawole underscored the importance of clarity of purpose in journalism, noting that while journalists excel at writing, they often neglect the business side of the media.

We dont look at the business side of things, he said.

We only look at our beautiful words that we write, the prose, and the exclusive stories. But the business side of it, we think, is not our business.

Mr Kolawole highlighted a long-standing challenge: journalists provide information that the public uses to generate wealth, yet many journalists themselves struggle financially.

He recounted advice from a mentor, who observed that while readers use the information to make money, journalists continue to lament poor salaries.

He said he had resolved early in his career not to become an ethnic champion, a political mouthpiece, or a religious crusader, stressing that professional consistency over time builds credibility.

You cannot please everyone. Every choice comes with a price, he said, noting that accusations of sitting on the fence often accompany efforts to maintain neutrality.

The key is clarity. Be clear about who you are and accept the consequences of that choice.

Mr Kolawole advised young journalists to define their long-term professional vision early, arguing that clarity of destination increases the likelihood of making the right decisions along the way.

Speaking as a panelist at the retreat in Abuja, Senior Partner at Project by Project, Yop Pam, stressed that while revenue generation is essential, it must not come at the expense of credibility and public trust.

The bottom line is important. Media organisations must generate revenue to sustain operations and fund journalism, she said. But the real question is: what level of integrity underpins your reporting?

Ms Pam drew from her experience at Nigeria Info, which she noted was launched at a time when talk radio was not mainstream in Nigeria.

According to her, the platform had to confront difficult questions about how to build public-interest media while maintaining a sustainable business model.

How do you hold tough conversations with politicians and policymakers without alienating them to the extent that revenue becomes impossible? she asked, describing the process as one that required deliberate balance.

Addressing concerns about media capture, Ms Pam argued that the issue is more nuanced than public perception suggests.

While acknowledging that political interests may influence some media houses, she maintained that integrity and transparency remain the ultimate safeguards.

Audiences gravitate toward stories that confirm their beliefs. Confirmation bias is real, she said. But when a critical, non-partisan reader examines your story, can they confidently say it is factual, thoroughly investigated and free of errors? That is how trust is built.

She emphasised that transparency about sources and verification processes are basic standards of professionalism that newsrooms must consistently uphold.

Ms Pam further urged media organisations to rethink outdated competitive models, noting that the digital landscape in 2026 has been reshaped by technology and Artificial Intelligence.

There was a time when we compared content output and audience capture metrics in traditional ways. That model is outdated, she said, adding that innovation must now define newsroom strategy.

On the impact of technology, CEO of Businessfront, Muyiwa Matuluko, warned that Artificial Intelligence and platform dominance are redefining audience engagement and revenue models.

Today, users often see AI-generated summaries before they encounter original reporting. Many do not click through, he said, describing this as a major challenge for African publishers competing in a global digital ecosystem dominated by major platforms and institutions such as The New York Times.

Mr Matuluko distinguished between owned and rented audiences, urging media organisations to prioritise assets they directly control, such as websites, newsletters and proprietary research, over reliance on third-party platforms like Google, Facebook (Meta) and X.

Relying entirely on rented platforms is risky. Algorithms and policies change, he said.

Instead of fighting platform incentives, understand them and adapt strategically, while gradually guiding audiences toward owned channels.

He encouraged media organisations to invest in independent research, data products and intellectual property that strengthen long-term sustainability.

Collectively, the speakers agreed that the future of journalism lies in innovation, strategic audience ownership, financial discipline and unwavering editorial integrity, pillars they described as essential for building trust and ensuring media survival in a rapidly evolving digital age.

In his address of welcome, the Chief Operating Officer of THE WHISTLER, Christian Chukwu, said the event brought together seasoned journalists, mentors, and industry leaders to reflect on the evolving media landscape.

Mr Chukwu described the annual gathering as a deliberate way to begin our working year and an opportunity to align the newsrooms vision for the future.

Also speaking, the General Manager of THE WHISTLER, Young Ozogwu, underscored the importance of engagement and honest conversation, encouraging participants to explore new storytelling methods, deepen audience connections, and embrace reforms that strengthen journalism.
The Commercial Court of Poltava Region has accepted for consideration an application filed by Financial Company Maxi Capital Group LLC to open bankruptcy proceedings against PJSC Poltava Mining and Processing Plant (FPM, Komsomolsk, Poltava region).

According to a statement by Ferrexpo, Maxi Capital filed such application on May 9, 2025, in connection with the contested sureties claim. The court accepted the application for consideration on May 14, 2025, and scheduled a preparatory hearing for May 27, 2025, which was rescheduled several times by the judge.

"Today, the company regrets to announce that a local court of first instance in Ukraine ruled to open bankruptcy proceedings against FPM. As part of this ruling, the court has appointed an insolvency manager," the press release states.

The legal dispute over the contested sureties between Poltava Mining and Maxi Capital Group under review by the Supreme Court of Ukraine. Therefore, the local court in Poltava opened bankruptcy proceedings without a final ruling by the Supreme Court on the main litigation and notwithstanding the decision of the Supreme Court dated April 1, 2024, to suspend possible enforcement against Poltava Mining, the Ferrexpo statement says.

The statement further notes that following the official publication of the bankruptcy announcement, the insolvency manager will start compiling a list of creditor claims in accordance with the relevant Ukrainian regulations.

"The existing FPM management team will remain in place and continue to operate the business during this period. FPM will file an appeal against the court's ruling within the statutory 10-day period. However, the filing of an appeal does not suspend the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings," the statement emphasizes.

The company draws attention to the fact that not possible to assess the potential impact of such bankruptcy proceedings and their timing, as these depend on further court proceedings, which may extend over a considerable period of time. The company will continue to assess this development and will make further announcements as and when appropriate.

On December 7, 2022, Poltava Mining received a claim from Maxi Capital in the amount of UAH 4.727 billion in relation to the disputed surety obligations, under which Maxi Capital asserts that Poltava Mining guaranteed the fulfillment of obligations of Finance and Credit Bank under certain loan agreements. Finance and Credit Bank is in the process of liquidation after the National Bank of Ukraine declared it insolvent and introduced a temporary administration on September 18, 2015.

On December 7, 2022, Poltava Mining received a claim from Maxi Capital in the amount of UAH 4.727 billion regarding the contested surety obligations, under which Maxi Capital claims that Poltava Mining guaranteed the banks obligations under certain credit agreements.

As previously reported by Ferrexpo, on January 26, 2024, the Ukrainian appellate court upheld the claim against Poltava Mining in the amount of UAH 4.727 billion. On January 30, 2024, Poltava Mining filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Ukraine, and on April 1, 2024, the Supreme Court suspended potential enforcement of the appellate courts decision. Accordingly, Maxi Capital cannot initiate enforcement proceedings until a final decision by the Supreme Court or the lifting of the Supreme Courts suspension order, the company believes. It also notes that management previously considered the claim to be without merit. The Group recognized a full provision of UAH 4.727 billion in its financial statements for the 2023 financial year, and this provision was maintained in the financial statements for the 2024 financial year and in the interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2025.

Ferrexpo is an iron ore company with assets in Ukraine. Ferrexpo owns 100% of PJSC Poltava Mining, 100% of Yeristovo Mining LLC, and 99.9% of Belanovo Mining.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the dates for the purchase and submission of forms for its zonal congresses and national convention.

The partys National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the purchase and submission of forms would now hold from 12 to 23 March.

He added that the date adjustment does not affect the previously scheduled dates for the zonal congresses and the national convention.

Mr Morka said the partys zonal congresses would be held on 25 March, while its national convention would take place from 26 to 27 March as earlier announced.

He said the South-South Zonal Congress would now be held in Asaba, Delta.

Official notice of these changes in the schedule of activities has been duly given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law, Mr Morka said.

He urged all the partys members and stakeholders to take note of these updates and make the necessary adjustments.

(NAN)
The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions on Tuesday called for the employment of more judges in the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to enable the agency to effectively address the increasing volume of complaints from Nigerians.

The committee noted that although the commission currently has eight judges, the number is insufficient to handle the high volume of cases it receives annually.

Chairman of the committee, Neda Imasuen, said this while presenting the 2025 budget estimates for the agencies under his supervision to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Aside from the PCC, the committee also oversees the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

There are only eight judges; eight judges cannot, will not, be able to do the needful as they are statutorily required to do. So theres going to be hiring of judges as well, he said.

The PCC is Nigerias ombudsman institution established to investigate administrative injustices and redress grievances filed by members of the public against government ministries, departments, agencies, and private organisations.

The commission was created under the Public Complaints Commission Act of 1975 to promote accountability, fairness, and transparency in public administration.

The core mandate of the PCC includes investigating complaints of maladministration, abuse of office, unfair treatment, delay in administrative processes, wrongful termination of appointments, non-payment of entitlements, pension disputes, land matters, and other forms of bureaucratic injustice. It also intervenes in disputes between individuals and institutions, offering mediation and reconciliation mechanisms to prevent escalation into litigation or communal crises.

Unlike the courts, the commission provides its services free of charge, making it one of the most accessible avenues for ordinary Nigerians seeking redress. With offices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the PCC serves as a grassroots complaint-resolution body, particularly for citizens who may lack the resources to pursue lengthy court processes.

Aside from dispute resolution, the PCC also plays a preventive role by advising public institutions on best administrative practices and recommending reforms where patterns of injustice are identified. Its interventions have led to the payment of withheld salaries and pensions, the reinstatement of wrongfully dismissed workers, the resolution of land disputes, and the settlement of inter-community conflicts.

PCC settled over 600,000 cases of injustice in 2026

Mr Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District, stated that the commission received over 700,000 complaints from Nigerians last year concerning various cases of injustice perpetrated by government agencies and private entities.

He explained that out of the total complaints received, more than 600,000 cases were resolved and adjudicated, with justice served in many instances.

The senator said many of the complaints were lodged by ordinary Nigerians, including communal disputes that could have escalated into major crises but were successfully resolved by the commission without attracting public attention.

Over 700,000 cases came to the agency, PCC, and over 600,000 of those cases were also adjudicated. Communal issues that would have created problems were resolved, but didnt make the headlines. But PCC is working. Theyre cases from ordinary Nigerians, they do it free, they dont charge them, and the adjudication is also very quick, he added.

Mr Imasuen further argued that the number of public petitions submitted to his committee by senators from their constituencies was substantial.

He urged his colleagues to compare the volume of petitions referred to his committee with the number of cases handled by the PCC across the 36 states and local government offices nationwide.

If we can project the number of cases we get from the distinguished senators to my committee, the Committee of Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, then we can probably imagine how many of those cases go to these offices in all of the 36 states and in our local governments, he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will inaugurate its 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee on Wednesday, signalling its formal commencement of preparations for the next electoral cycle.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the inauguration will hold at the partys national secretariat in Abuja.

According to the statement, former Katsina State Governor and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, will chair the committee. Former Senate President, Pius Anyim, has been appointed Vice Chairman I, while the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will serve as Vice Chairman II.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, is designated Treasurer of the committee, while the Governor of Yobe State, Mala Buni, will serve as secretary.

The committee is mandated to coordinate all activities leading to the anticipated peaceful and successful conduct of the Partys 2026 National Convention.

The APC National Convention is the highest decision-making organ of the party after its National Executive Committee.

It brings together elected and statutory delegates from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Delegates typically include members of the National Executive Committee, state governors elected on the partys platform, members of the National Assembly who are party members, state party chairpersons and executives, local government party chairpersons and elected delegates from ward and state congresses.

At the convention, the party may elect or ratify members of the National Working Committee (NWC), amend its constitution, adopt policy directions and political strategies, pass resolutions on zoning and power-sharing arrangements and consider disciplinary matters and reconciliation efforts.

The convention is often a major political event because it shapes the partys internal leadership structure and, in some cases, signals alignments ahead of presidential and governorship primaries.

The last elective National Convention of the APC was held on 26 March 2022 at Eagle Square, Abuja.

At that convention, delegates elected members of the partys NWC, with Abdullahi Adamu emerging as national chairman.

The 2026 National Convention is expected to carry strategic importance as it may confirm or restructure the NWC, which manages the partys day-to-day affairs.

It is also likely to serve as a platform for political consultations and realignments as stakeholders begin early positioning ahead of future elections. Zoning considerations are expected to feature prominently, given the partys history of balancing regional and political interests.

The convention may also provide an opportunity to address internal disagreements and reinforce party unity.

After its inauguration on Wednesday, the Central Coordination Committee is expected to roll out detailed timelines, including formal notice of the convention, delegate accreditation procedures, nomination guidelines, confirmation of venue and arrangements for security and media accreditation.
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday in Abuja, urged Muslim and Christian leaders in the country to show greater compassion for the poor and underprivileged by pursuing policies that cater to the needs of the majority in the grassroots.

The president, who hosted governors for the breaking of an interfaith fast at the Presidential Villa, said the simultaneous periods of abstinence and penitence for both religions underscore a common humanity.

President Tinubu noted that Ramadan and Lent provide opportunities for leaders in both religions to reflect further on the plight of others and to design programmes that will directly impact the livelihoods of many.

It is a joy and great honour to be with you again this year. To give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives and keeping us together to see another Ramadan.

A great Ramadan that coincides with that of the Christian faith, Lent. You know what it means: discipline, sacrifice, faith, resilience, and strong determination to continue to bridge together, pray together, and love one another.

For the humility, self-restraint, love for our neighbours, and their service for humanity, I want to thank all of you for what you have been able to get and achieve so far. I thank God for what we have been able to achieve together, he said.

The president said more could be achieved, especially in reducing poverty and empowering the youth.

I didnt expect this number because some governors are still buried in various congresses and other local government or state-level activities.

Tolerate everybody and build structure in this period of faith, unity, harmony and sacrifice that you are experiencing. Let the young ones breathe too, the president added.

President Tinubu welcomed the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the State House.

I am glad I can see Abba from Kano. Even though the cap is red, it is not different from that of the Ebonyi State governor. Ebonyi Governor, I saw the crisis on the news, please temper justice with mercy, he stated.

The president commended Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State for his magnanimity to both Muslims and Christians during the period of fasting.

I must refer to the generosity of Prof. Zulum. I saw the layout of the Ramadan outreach for both Christians and Muslims. That is a very good spirit. I watched the story.

To all of you, I am very grateful because we have seen progress and commitment to duty. But please, I appeal again, lets go further to embrace the downtrodden, the young ones and all the supporters.

Let it be all encompassing so that we can spread the development opportunity across to the grassroots and local governments. I have seen a lot of progress being made in the states. The reward of hard work is more work, including for my son, the farmer from Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago.

There are lots of gains and commendations coming from all angles. As long as we stay together, work together, and are determined to rescue this country, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.

We are out of the woods. Out of the dark tunnel of uncertainty. The economy is showing up. Lets help the unemployed. What I promise you will not be postponed. We will establish a state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you, the president noted.

The president added, To reach the young man who feels forgotten. To lift the woman who carries her family on tired shoulders. To touch the communities at the grassroots, where hope sometimes flickers. Development must not recognise religion. Compassion must not recognise tribe. Opportunity must not recognise status.

I am determined to rescue this country. And as long as we work together in delivering hope to our citizens, the best is yet to come for Nigeria.

What I promised Nigerians will not be postponed.

Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace.

We will establish state police to curb insecurity. This is not about politics. It is about practicality. It is about empowering states with the tools to protect their people while strengthening our national framework.

We must be bold enough to reform what is not working. We must be united enough to protect what we hold dear.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, representing the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman, commended President Tinubu for fostering national unity amid religious and ethnic tensions during an interfaith.

Mr Uzodimma said the simultaneous fasting was divinely inspired.

It is not often that the Muslim Ramadan fast coincides with the Lent season. The last time was 33 years ago. This convergence is a special situation created by God to remind us Christians and Muslims, not to allow religious and ethnic differences to guide our thoughts and our political activities, Mr Uzodinma stated.

The governor commended President Tinubus leadership: Mr President, you have brought to bear in the goings on and activities of governance in Nigeria. I have been around for some time now, playing politics. Never in the history of this country have we had the opportunity to remove some situations in our political environment.

Mr Uzodimma highlighted collaborative progress: Youve done this and forged national partners in progress with governors. There are also challenges with governors. This period of fasting is a holy time that God has enjoined on us to support the less privileged. In your wisdom, you invited us to come and eat together.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

February 23, 2026
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Bemgha Koughna, on Sunday escaped an ambush by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group near Mayama Hill in Kebbi State.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by an acting spokesperson for the 8 Division, Olaniyi Osoba, a lieutenant colonel.

According to the statement, the incident occurred when Mr Koughnas convoy was en route to visit frontline troops deployed in the state. The GOC, a major general, also doubles as the commander, sector 2 of Operation Fansan Yamma, a joint task force in the North-west.

The convoy reportedly came under heavy gunfire as it moved through a forested and volatile stretch of terrain. Troops accompanying the senior officer swiftly returned fire, engaging the attackers in a fierce exchange.

The army said five suspected terrorists were killed during the encounter, while the ambush was successfully repelled.

Demonstrating exceptional leadership and tactical prowess, Major General Koughna and his troops responded with overwhelming firepower, neutralising five terrorists and thwarting the ambush, the statement read.

Following the counter-attack, troops conducted a sweep of the area and recovered a cache of weapons and other items. The items recovered include one OJC gun, one PKT machine gun, two AK-47 rifles and four AK-47 magazines. Others are a bandolier of PKT ammunition, several rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, a camel bag containing N840,000, two mobile phones and five motorcycles.

The army said troops have since maintained dominance in the area to forestall further attacks and to reassure residents of their safety.

The ambush on the generals team is not the first by terrorists targeting a senior military official.

A similar ambush in Borno State by suspected Boko Haram members last November led to the death of the brigadier general leading the team, Musa Uba, and at least four other members of the entourage.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on Tuesday withdrew the charges filed by the Federal Government against Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Informing the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said he was instructed by the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, also a SAN, to withdraw the instant charge against the defendant pursuant to Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The Section invoked by Mr Oyedepo allows a prosecutor, on the instructions of the AGF, to withdraw the charge against a defendant.

He added that the withdrawal will enable the AGF to strengthen his review of all the cases before all the prosecuting agencies.

Mr Ozekhomes lawyer, Paul Erokoro, a SAN, who appeared with 17 others SANs and other lawyers, did not object to this.

Following this, the court struck out the case against Mr Ozekhome.

On 16 January, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) charged Mr Ozekhome with three counts of felony, fraud, and forgery over allegations of receiving a London property through corrupt means and using forged documents.

His arraignment was slated for 26 January. But trial judge Peter Kekemeke postponed the arraignment till today (Tuesday) at the request of the AGF.

According to the DPP, the request to reschedule the arraignment was to allow a clean transfer of the case file from the ICPC to the office of AGF and Minister of Justice.

Details of charges

The charges, filed on 16 January by Ngozi Onwuka of ICPCs High Profile Prosecution Department, follow a damning September 2025 judgement by a London property tribunal that linked the 68-year-old lawyer to fraud and forged documents in a dispute over a North London house.

According to the charges, the ICPC said that in 2021, he received house 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX: purportedly given to him by Mr Shani Tali, an act he allegedly knew constituted a felony, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 13 and punishable under section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The ICPC also alleged that Mr Ozekhome forged a Nigerian passport purportedly with number A07535463, which bore Shani Talis name, to claim the property with the intent to commit fraud contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.

Also, ICPC charged him with dishonestly using the forged document to support the claim of ownership of the property, which is an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code CAP 532 laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2006.
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Peter Akpe as the new deputy governor of Bayelsa.

Mr Akpes appointment was confirmed during plenary on Tuesday morning, following his nomination by Governor Douye Diri.

According to Section 191 of the Nigerian Constitution, a governor nominates a replacement deputy governor, subject to confirmation by the state assembly in the event of a vacancy.

The development fills the vacancy created by the death of former Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in December 2025. His death occurred weeks after Governor Diri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2025.

Mr Ewhrudjakpo had declined to join the governor in the defection to the APC.

Before his nomination, Mr Akpe, who hails from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa, served as chief of staff to Governor Diri, a role that positioned him at the centre of executive coordination and policy implementation.

A former two-term member of the Bayelsa assembly, Mr Akpe previously rose through the state civil service to the rank of director before transitioning into partisan politics and senior administrative roles. He also served as deputy chief of staff and later acting chief of staff before his substantive appointment as chief of staff.

Lawmakers endorsed his nomination after consideration at plenary, paving the way for his swearing-in as deputy governor.
Forensic pathologists from the Federal Ministry of Justice have arrived in Benue State to investigate the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata, a community in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement on Monday, the governors Technical Adviser on Media, Solomon Iorpev, said Governor Hyacinth Alia welcomed the team as part of efforts to ensure justice for victims of what he described as a brutal assault.

As the Benue State Government continues to take concrete steps to ensure justice for the victims of the brutal attack on Yelwata community, the governor has welcomed a team of forensic pathologists from the Federal Ministry of Justice deployed to gather forensic evidence from the gruesome murders, Mr Iorpev said.

According to the statement, the governor was represented at the event by the Director General of Homeland Security, Jacob Gbamwuan, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Yangien Ornguga.

The state government assured the federal team of full cooperation during the one-week assignment.

The deployment follows proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where nine suspects were arraigned on 2 February 2026 before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in connection with the Yelwata attack.

The court stressed the importance of forensic evidence to ensure a fair trial and proper determination of culpability.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how the Yelwata attack, which occurred on 13 June 2025, left several residents dead and others displaced.

The incident formed part of a pattern of violent attacks on communities in Benue State over the past year, particularly in Guma, Logo and Katsina-Ala local government areas.

At the February arraignment, federal prosecutors told the court that investigations were ongoing and indicated that additional evidence, including forensic analysis, would be presented during trial.

The judge subsequently ordered that the suspects be remanded and underscored the need for thorough documentation of the crime scene.

ALSO READ: Benue flags off resettlement housing for Yelwata attack survivors

Mr Iorpev said Governor Alia reaffirmed his administrations commitment to work with all stakeholders to uncover the truth behind the Yelwata community attack and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

He also urged residents to remain calm and support the process.

The forensic exercise is expected to focus on exhumation, documentation and scientific analysis of remains and other materials relevant to the case.

Its findings may prove central to the prosecution as the trial of the nine suspects proceeds in Abuja.
A US Congress report has called for a comprehensive security cooperation to protect Nigerian Christians from terrorists, doubling down on the false claim by US officials of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The report described Nigeria as the deadliest country to be Christian.

The report was presented by the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House on Monday.

US Republican lawmaker Riley Moore, who made repeated false claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria backed by inaccurate data, announced the presentation of the report on X.

Just presented our report on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria to the White House, he said.

The report presented to the White House claimed findings show that Nigerian Christians have been subjected to decades of religious persecution.

Christians are subject to ongoing violent attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in the death and murder of tens of thousands of Christians, including pastors and priests, the destruction of thousands of churches and schools, as well as kidnappings.

Blasphemy laws in Nigerias northern states are used to silence speech and dissent, target Christians and minorities, and justify so-called convictions without due process, the report read.

It also stated that President Donald Trumps action and the Congresss attention on Nigeria provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity for change.

Although the Government of Nigeria is a key partner for the United States, such a government must demonstrate the political will, including by allocating its own financial resources, to immediately reduce and then eliminate the violence.

The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America  and Nigeria  safer, stronger, and more prosperous, it said.

Recommendations

The report also made several recommendations, including imposing sanctions on individuals and entities perceived to be sponsoring radical groups against Christians.

The committee also asked the White House to prioritise sanctioning Chinese illegal miners in Nigeria.

This, according to the report, will destabilise the practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that US lawmakers had linked Chinese illegal mining activities to terrorism funding in Nigeria, an allegation China vehemently rejected.

The report, however, reiterated this claim and suggested that Chinas illegal mining effort in Nigeria should be countered.

It also suggested enlisting the support of other Western countries, such as France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom, in its counterterrorism effort in Nigeria.

The US Congress report recommended direct action against armed Fulani militias, ranging from disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes to strengthening the recruitment and technical capacity of Nigerian security forces.

It also recommended expanding counter-terrorism cooperation, imposing sanctions and visa restrictions on perpetrators, and using diplomatic and economic leverage to compel armed groups to disarm.

As part of the effort to weaken the operation of Fulani militias, considered to be herders, it suggested blocking Nigerias export of beef and cattle-related products to other African countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast.

It also said Nigeria should Continue and expand security cooperation with the United States, including by divestment of Russian military equipment for American military equipment through sales and financing.

It suggested developing a demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration programme to address illicit weapons and support safer communities while allowing farmers to engage in legitimate self-defence.

The Nigerian government and local and international observers have repeatedly stated that Nigerias security challenges are not targeted at any particular group or religion but are caused by several factors and affect people of all beliefs. The US government and its officials, however, have persisted with their narrative.
No fewer than 200 shops at the Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have been sealed by the Onitsha South Local Government Council.

The markets were sealed for failing to comply with the state governments directive to discontinue the Monday sit-at-home culture.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the Onitsha South Local Government Chairperson, Emeka Orji, described the traders actions as unfortunate and counterproductive.

Mr Orji, who led the monitoring exercise on Monday, said the affected shops were located across six market lines and were found locked during the compliance monitoring.

According to him, there are strong indications that the affected shops allocations may be revoked and reassigned to other traders, pending the outcome of a full investigation by the authorities.

It is sad and unfortunate that while the state government is making concerted efforts to revive economic activities in the state, some individuals are bent on sabotaging those efforts.

Other markets and shops in Onitsha were open for business, but traders at the Bridge Head Market chose to shut down their operations.

This amounts to economic sabotage against the state, and we will no longer tolerate such actions as the affected shops will remain sealed until next Monday, he said.

The council chairperson stressed that if the affected traders fail to reopen for business on Monday, the closure could be extended indefinitely.

On his part, the Secretary of the Council, Paul Onuachalla, said that the traders actions constituted serious offences, including economic sabotage and related crimes under the law.

Mr Onuachalla further disclosed that the shop allocations of the affected traders may be revoked in line with existing laws.

In order to revive trading activities in the south-eastern state, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra has been battling traders who refuse to open their shops due to the illegal sit-at-home directive issued by a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Mr Soludo, on Monday, ordered the temporary closure of the New Auto Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, the states second-largest commercial hub, because traders were complying with the sit-at-home directive.

The closure of the New Auto Spare Parts Market came nearly a month after the governor ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for the same reason.

(NAN)
Corporation Biosphere increased the share of its international business to 30% in 2025, up from 15% at the beginning of 2022, while its sales in Europe tripled over that period, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

"The company plans to continue expanding its international presence by implementing its long-term strategy: by 2030, to raise the share of international business to 50%, achieve a capitalization of $1 billion, and consider the possibility of an IPO within a five- to six-year horizon," the statement said.

According to the release, while Biosphere lost about 30% of its turnover in 2022, by the end of 2025 it managed to restore revenue to nearly the level of early 2022 at $173 million, which also roughly corresponds to the previously announced 2024 level, and it maintained about 1,800 jobs.

"The company preserved operational resilience and transformed its business model: from a Ukrainian leader into an international corporation with teams in 15 countries, production facilities in Estonia and Romania, and a presence in more than 100 retail chains across 25 countries worldwide," the release noted.

Over four years of full-scale war, the company invested UAH 500 million in Ukraine's economy and paid UAH 1.5 billion in taxes to the state budget, the statement said.

According to the release, 163 Biosphere employees are currently defending Ukraine at the front. Nine employees have been killed in the line of duty, four are missing, and 32 veterans are already working at the company.

Among other key results over the past four years, which coincided with the full-scale war, the corporation recalled its 2022 acquisition of the Austrian brand Alufix, including a plant in Romania and four branches in EU countries, as well as the opening in 2024 of a professional household chemicals plant in Slavutych (Kyiv region) under its Biosphere Professional division.

At the same time, the company sold its diaper production line and in 2023 launched a new Tea&Food division with its own tea production under the Graff and Ritz Barton brands.

"After Russian manufacturers left the Ukrainian market, Biosphere occupied part of the vacated niche, and within a year the tea segment of the business tripled. The Graff brand is already exported to Spain, and supplies to other EU countries and Canada will begin soon," the release said, outlining achievements in this area.

Biosphere Corporation is Ukraine's largest producer and distributor of household and personal hygiene products, and one of the leading players in this sector in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The company's production facilities consist of six modern factories in Ukraine and two in Europe. Its portfolio has 25 in-house brands, including Freken BOK, Smile, Novita, Lady Cotton, PRO service, Alufix, Vortex. According to the release, Biosphere products are sold in more than 25 countries and over 100 retail chains, including METRO, Auchan, Spar, Billa, Carrefour, Albert, and Hofer.

Biosphere founder and CEO is Andriy Zdesenko.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to quash the phone call interception charges filed against him by the State Security Service (SSS).

Mr El-Rufais media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, shared details of the request in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the former governor remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

This comes ahead of the scheduled arraignment of Mr El-Rufai on the phone interception charges before trial judge Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr El-Rufais application, filed on 17 February, challenges the charges in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026 instituted by the SSS.

The SSS filed the charges following Mr El-Rufai claim on an Arise Television programme that he, with someone, intercepted National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadus phone call to listen to his order for his arrest.

In his motion on notice challenging the charges, Mr El-Rufai asked the court to quash or strike out the charges dated 16 February 2026 on the grounds that they are incompetent, disclose no offence known to law, and constitute what he described as a gross abuse of court process.

He also sought an order discharging him on the basis that the charges do not disclose a prima facie case against him.

In addition, Mr El-Rufai has asked the court to award N2 billion in costs against the SSS for what he described as abuse and misuse of court process and the unconstitutional deployment of the criminal justice system to harass, embarrass and publicly victimise him.

According to the statement, the motion cited 17 grounds for the dismissal of the charges.

Other grounds listed are alleged fatal duplicity, absence of evidence, lack of prosecutorial competence, violation of the constitutional right against self-incrimination, bad faith, political persecution and abuse of court process.

The ex-governors lawyers further argued that the prosecution breached his fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution, including the presumption of innocence under Section 36(5), the right against self-incrimination under Section 36(11), the requirement under Section 36(12) that offences be defined in written law, as well as the rights to freedom of expression and association under Sections 39 and 40.

Another suit against ICPC

Mr El-Rufai filed the suit amid a separate legal action he instituted against the ICPC, which is holding him in custody over an ongoing corruption investigation.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the former governor sued the ICPC for N1 billion on Friday over a recent reported raid on his Abuja residence by the operatives of the anti-corruption agency.

He filed the suit through his lawyer, Oluwole Iyamu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), suing the ICPC alongside a chief magistrate.of Magistrates Court of the FCT, Abuja Magisterial District; the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Mr El-Rufai asked the court to declare that the search warrant issued on 4 February by the chief magistrate authorising the search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, as invalid, null and void.

He contended that the warrant lacked particularity, contained material drafting errors, was ambiguous in its execution parameters, overbroad in scope, and unsupported by probable cause.

According to him, the alleged defects rendered the warrant unconstitutional and in breach of Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which guarantees the right to privacy.

The ICPC, which arrested Mr El-Rufai last Wednesday as he was leaving the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, raided the former governors house in the capital city on Thursday in connection with ongoing corruption investigations.

Both the ICPC and the EFCC have yet to file charges against him.

But they have shown renewed interests in Mr El-Rufai in the last few months.

The former governor, a fierce critic of the President Bola Tinubu administration who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) last year, had an altercation with security agents at the airport in Abuja upon his return to the country last week over a reported attempt to arrest him.

Mr El-Rufai would later told the Arise Television that the NSAs order was behind the alleged attempt to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 12 February.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr El-Rufai was involved in a heated verbal exchange with security operatives at the Abuja airport shortly after he arrived in the country.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has now fixed Wednesday (25 February) for his arraignment on the phone interception charges.

Although, the ICPC confirmed Mr El-Rufais arrest by its agents on 18 February, it has yet to comment on the raid on his home or release him from custody.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday, announced the demolition of Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following the fire outbreak that severely damaged the facility on Monday.

Mr Keyamo disclosed this after inspecting the charred sections of the ageing terminal, describing the level of destruction as extensive.

Among the critical assets affected was weather-reading equipment belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), located on an upper floor of the terminal.

The minister said millions of naira worth of meteorological infrastructure were destroyed in the blaze, raising concerns about operational capacity at Nigerias busiest international gateway.

Despite the losses, he assured that weather services would continue uninterrupted through alternative NiMet stations until the damaged systems are fully replaced.

Demolition and temporary relocation

Mr Keyamo stated that Terminal 1 would be pulled down, adding that arrangements had already been underway to relocate affected airlines and operators to a temporary terminal facility constructed by contractors.

He said the fire would accelerate the transition to the new structure, which is at an advanced stage of completion.

The rebuilding process will reposition Lagos as a modern aviation hub capable of competing with leading transit centres in West Africa and across the continent, the minister said.

Rescue efforts and injuries

The fire, which began around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, caused panic among passengers as thick smoke billowed from parts of the terminal.

Emergency protocols were activated, and firefighting teams deployed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control.

At the peak of the incident, some air traffic controllers were reportedly trapped but were later rescued with the aid of a crane.

Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost. However, between four and six people sustained injuries and were hospitalised. Officials said the victims are responding positively to treatment.

Flight disruption, investigation ongoing

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the fire led to the temporary closure of the Lagos airfield and disruption of flight operations, with several international flights diverted.

Air traffic control services have since been restored using a temporary control tower and mobile support systems, according to the minister.

Dismissing early claims of sabotage, Mr Keyamo cautioned against speculation, stressing that investigations are ongoing to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the fire.

FAAN assured the public that further verified updates would be communicated as more information becomes available.
A witness told the FCT High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday that former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasukis co-defendant in a security funds diversion trial voluntarily gave his statements and was treated well in custody in 2015.

The witness, Halima Kazeem, an assistant commandant 1 at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified during the trial-within-trial conducted to test the voluntariness of some extra-judicial statements credited to Mr Dasukis co-defendant, Aminu Baba-Kusa.

There was no torture of any kind, whether verbal or physical. He (Mr Baba-Kusa) was treated with the utmost respect as a suspect, Ms Kazeem said, adding that she was not aware of any mishandling of the defendant.

For over a decade, the EFCC has been prosecuting Mr Dasuki, a retired colonel, alongside Mr Baba-Kusa on 32 counts of diversion of N33.2 billion arms and security funds entrusted to the NSA office.

Also facing the charges along with the two men are two of Mr Baba-Kusas companies  Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited  which allegedly received part of the suspicious funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The anti-graft agency re-arraigned the defendants in March last year after the case was reassigned to Judge Charles Agbaza. They all denied charges.

On 14 January, the EFCC tried to tender Mr Baba-Kusas statements as evidence, but his lawyers objected to their admissibility on the grounds that they were obtained under duress.

Mr Baba-Kusas lawyer argued that a statement made by someone while being held in the underground cell of the EFCC could not be said to have been freely made.

He also said there was no compliance with Section 15(4) and 17 (2) of the Administration of Justice Act 2015.

This prompted the judge to order a trial within a trial to ascertain the voluntariness of the statements.

The issue of video coverage was not mandatory

Both of Messrs Dasuki and Baba-Kusa were present at Tuesdays proceedings, where Ms Kazeem took the stand to testify for the EFCC in the trial-within-trial.

She said as of November 2015 when Mr Baba-Kusa made the disputed statements, the issue of video coverage was not mandatory.

She also insisted that Mr Baba-Kusas lawyer was present when his seven statements were taken. Ms Kazeem said Mr Baba-Kusa had access to many visitors.

EFCCs prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), then presented Mr Baba-Kusas statements written between November and December 2015, through the witness.

All the defence lawyers raised no objection.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Solomon Umoh, also a SAN, the witness insisted that the second defendant reported at the commission with his financial secretary, company secretary and his son.

However, not all the statements Mr Baba-Kusa made were taken by her, the witness said. Referring to the fourth statement, she noted that it was not counter-signed by any other person but the defendant alone.

The statement was obtained by a member of the investigations team on the day the EFCC searched his office and house and spanned over three hours.

On the day of the EFCC search, Ms Kazeem said, Mr Baba-Kusas statement was taken by an assigned investigator over the course of three hours.

According to the witness, the length of time was based on the volume of items recovered from his house and office.

Defendant not induced

When asked if Mr Baba-Kusa was induced to act as a witness against Mr Dasuki, the witness replied, I did not induce the second defendant. All questions and interactions between the second defendant and me were based on the facts of the investigations.

Mr Umoh also grilled Ms Kazeem over the circumstances of Mr Baba-Kusas seven-day detention.

But she explained that the relatively long detention was due to Mr Baba-Kusas inability to meet his bail conditions.

She also said he had access to his phone and visitors anytime he wanted during the detention period.

Reading from Mr Baba-Kusas statement, the lawyer said, The witness begged to be allowed for two weeks. However, Mr Jacobs interjected that Mr Umoh could not rely on the statement following his argument that it was involuntary.

But the trial judge, Mr Agbaza, allowed Mr Umoh to continue.

Mr Umoh said he was trying to create a picture of a man in bondage.

He said the defendant requested two weeks out of custody to dispose of his properties worth 2.2 billion. It was here you induced him to serve as a witness, Mr Umoh said, referring to Ms Kazeem.

Replying, the witness maintained that Mr Baba-Kusa made his choices, and that he has not refunded the money to date.

Fielding question from another defence lawyer, Ebie Richard, who represented one Mr Baba-Kusas companies, on whether Mr Baba-Kusa was detained in an underground facility.

The witness replied, The cell in Idiagbon House, based on the topology, is in the basement.

The judge adjourned the matter till tomorrow (Wednesday).

Background

So far, the EFCC has called one prosecution witness in the substantive trial in which the defendants face allegations of diverting N33.2 billion arms and security funds entrusted to the NSA office.

In January, Michael Adarikun, the first prosecution witness, who is a detective with the EFCC, narrated how N2.2 billion intended for election security was allegedly diverted from the NSA office under the leadership of Mr Dasuki.

So far, he has testified about transfers from ONSAs account, with the approval of Mr Dasuki, to Mr Babba-Kusa, who allegedly used the proceeds to buy properties and foreign currencies in euros and dollars.

The decade-old trial suffered multiple adjournments in its early years, largely due to the State Security Services (SSS) refusing to release Mr Dasuki on bail despite multiple court orders.

Mr Dasuki served as NSA between 2012 and 2015, in the heat of Boko Haram attacks in Nigerias North-east, under the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

The N33.2 billion fraud trial is one of several cases the EFCC filed in the aftermath of the scandal of alleged diversion of funds meant for procurement of arms to firm up the Nigerian militarys offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015, during the President Jonathan administration.

An audit panel, established by President Muhammadu Buhari following his 2015 election victory, found that approximately $2 billion for arms procurement was unaccounted for. These funds were managed by the NSA, led by Mr Dasuki.

Mr Dasuki is also standing trial alongside former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, his son Sagir Bafarawa, former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, and Dalhatu Investment Limited for N4.6 billion arms procurement fraud.

The charges accused them of diverting N4.6 billion from the NSA offices account. The money was said to be meant for the procurement of arms to firm up the offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015.
The presidency has released the statement below confirming the exit of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the exit of Mr Egbetokun, who sources said was asked to resign by the president at a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the resignation but said it was for pressing family considerations.

Mr Onanuga also confirmed the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as acting police chief, saying the president will seek to confirm him as IGP.

Read Mr Onanugas full statement below.

President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following the submission of his letter citing pressing family considerations.

President Tinubu received Mr Egbetokuns resignation earlier today and expressed his profound appreciation for Mr Egbetokuns decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. The president acknowledged his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.

Appointed in June 2023, Mr Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.

In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

The president is confident that AIG Disus experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force during this critical period.

In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.

The president reiterates his administrations unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

February 24, 2026
A lawyer, Myson Nejo, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to commit the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, to prison over the alleged failure to comply with a judgement ordering the release of details of beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

Mr Nejo, the applicant in the Freedom of Information (FoI) suit in which the court had earlier directed the ministry to disclose records relating to the cash transfer scheme.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the court granted Mr Nejos FoI request in a judgement delivered in November 2025 and ordered the ministry to release information concerning beneficiaries of the programme after rejecting the ministrys refusal to disclose the records.

Matter progresses to Order 48

Following the ministers failure to comply with the judgement since November, the applicant initiated contempt proceedings with the issuance of a Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience of Court Order).

On Tuesday, a Federal High Court bailiff filed an affidavit of service of the document on the minister.

The document dated 24 February shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday showed that the bailiff served the document on the minister through his office at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on Monday.

In the application before the Federal High Court, Mr Nejo, through his lawyer, Vincent Adodo, urged the court to hold the minister in contempt for allegedly failing, without lawful excuse, to comply with the judgment directing the disclosure of the requested information.

The committal application argued that the continued non-compliance amounted to wilful disobedience of a valid and subsisting court order, an offence that could attract sanctions, including imprisonment, if established to the satisfaction of the court.

The contempt proceedings are expected to proceed to the stage of service of Form 49 (Notice to show cause why order of committal should not be made) on the minister if no action is taken to comply with the courts judgement within a period of time. Form 49 signals the commencement of the full blown trial which will require the physical presence of the minister in the dock in court.

Background

The former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Yilwatda Nentawe, had reportedly stated in May 2025 that about six million Nigerians had received conditional cash transfers from the Federal Government.

Mr Nejo then approached the court through his counsel, Mr Adodo, seeking an order compelling the ministry to disclose particulars of beneficiaries in Ondo State under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.

In a judgment delivered on 3 November 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to disclose detailed information on beneficiaries of its Conditional Cash Transfer programme that ran from November 2024 to May 2025.

In the judgement in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1222/2025, the court found that the applicant, Mr Nejo, was entitled under the Freedom of Information Act to the information he requested, which included names of beneficiaries in the 18 local government areas of Ondo State and data on disbursements.

The judge, Binta Nyako, ordered the ministry to release the records within seven days and awarded N2 million in damages against the ministry for its refusal to grant the request.

Mr Nejo, a lawyer and the 2024 governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, filed the suit after the ministry failed to respond to his formal FoI request.

The ministry had resisted disclosure, arguing that providing the information would violate beneficiaries privacy. But in her judgment, the court held that transparency and accountability in the use of public funds outweighed the ministrys objections.
The Nigerian government has rejected claims that it paid ransom to terrorists to secure the release of pupils abducted from St Mary Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara district of Niger State, last year.

More than 300 pupils were abducted from the school by terrorists on Friday, 21 November 2025, and the government secured the release of over 100 of them unharmed on 7 December The remaining pupils were subsequently released later.

However, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported on Tuesday that the Nigerian government allegedly paid a huge ransom to Boko Haram and released two of its senior commanders to secure the pupils release.

The report quoted intelligence sources as saying the government flew a helicopter to Gwaza in Borno State to deliver ransom to a Boko Haram commander named Ali Ngulde.

Nigerian govt reacts

But the Nigerian government has rejected the claims and faulted the reporting.

In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims as false and baseless reporting, noting it constitutes a disservice to the professionalism and integrity of Nigerias security forces and the sacrifices they make daily.

He described as fictitious and laughable, the claim that ransom was delivered to insurgents by helicopter.

While we respect the freedom of the press, we firmly reject a narrative built on shadowy, unnamed sources seeking to undermine the credibility of a sovereign government acting within its laws, Mr Idris said.

For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed.

The information minister maintained that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the State Security Services (SSS) and the National Assembly have all denied the ransom payment claims.

He criticised the report and said it was filled with contradictions that exposed its speculative character.

Nigeria is confronting a structured, profit-driven criminal enterprise. The successful rescue of the pupils, without casualty, was the result of professional intelligence and operational precision, he said.

The federal government remains unwavering in its commitment to security and urges the media to verify facts before publishing speculative reports that risk emboldening criminals or undermining troop morale.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Edetanle, over allegations that he laundered $385,000 and N165 million.

The sums, EFCC explained, were transferred to foreign accounts in the Netherlands during and shortly after his tenure at the state-owned rail agency.

The judge, Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Lagos, presided over the case.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale in a statement on Tuesday, Mr Edetanle faces a seven counts of abuse of office, money laundering, and unlawful enrichment as a public official.

The alleged offences violate Sections 332(1) and 332(3), Section 73(1), and Section 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, EFCC said.

In one of the counts, while serving as NRC Managing Director between 29 May and 11 September 2024, Mr Edetanle allegedly transferred $205,000 from his Access Bank domiciliary account to the account of Ehimen Okhiria at ABN AMRO Bank in the Netherlands. EFCC alleged that the funds came from unlawful activities.

In another count, EFCC alleged that after leaving office, between 21 October and 21 November 2024, he moved $40,000 from his Access Bank domiciliary account to Mr Okhirias account in the Netherlands, also using proceeds from unlawful activities.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following the plea, the prosecution lawyer, Abba Muhammad, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), requested that the court set a trial date and remand Mr Edetanle in a correctional facility pending trial.

But the defence lawyer, Adebowale Kamoru, told the court he had just received the charges and requested a brief adjournment to prepare a bail application.

After hearing both sides, Mr Oshodi adjourned the case until 13, 14, and 15 May.

The judge ordered that Mr Edetanle be remanded in a maximum-security correctional facility until the bail application is determined.

Background

Mr Edetanle was appointed Managing Director of the NRC in October 2016, having previously served in an acting capacity.

His roles included providing leadership and strategic direction for the implementation of the NRC master plan.

As an electrical engineer, Mr Edetanle has extensive experience in electrical and mechanical systems, signalling, telecommunication, ICT, and the installation, maintenance, and repair of railway equipment.

Since 1988, he has overseen the design, development, installation, and supervision of numerous projects within the rail transport sector.
The Kano State High Court has adjourned the multi-billion-dollar port ownership case involving former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The postponement followed a heated debate between the prosecution and defence counsel.

Mr Ganduje and three other defendants are facing a 10-count charge involving criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

The Kano State Government charged him alongside his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello.

A heated argument broke out on Monday when the lead defence counsel, A.S. Gadanya, SAN, moved an application challenging the legal instrumentknown as a fiatauthorising the prosecution teams appearance.

Mr Gadanya argued that the fiat presented by the prosecution was issued for an entirely different matter.

He contended that because the prosecution lacked the specific authority to litigate this case, the court should set aside all prior proceedings conducted by the team.

The counsel for the state government, R O Zakariyya, opposed Mr Gadanyas application, citing relevant statutory provisions. He presented a document to the court, which he asserted was a valid fiat containing the names of every member of the prosecution team.

The judge, Yusuf Ubale of the State High Court No. 2, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat Complex, listened to both arguments but declined to rule immediately.

He adjourned the hearing to 6 May for a formal ruling on the defences objection.

Inside the prosecution

The state government accused Mr Ganduje and three other defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the states 20 per cent equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants diverted over N4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects, including a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port, for their personal and family benefit.

The defendants also faced charges of abuse of office and conflict of interest, as it was alleged that they leveraged their official roles to redirect public resources for personal benefit, thereby violating financial and constitutional regulations.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES last September exposed how Mr Ganduje secretly transferred the state governments 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth more than N4 billion to provide infrastructure for the project.

The transfer ended Kano States shareholding in the project, while Mr Gandujes children and aide, Abubakar Bawuro, became directors and shareholders.

What PREMIUM TIMES investigation exposed

When Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on 8 December 2003, its only directors were the founder, Ahmad Rabiu, and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu.

Two years later, at an extraordinary general meeting on 19 January 2005, the board was expanded with the appointment of four new directors: Abdulaziz Haladu, Anwar Isyaku-Rabiu, Diepreye George, and Abdullahi Kwaru.

Records obtained by this newspaper show that on 5 March 2020, Mr Gandujes three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr Rabius son and all other directors elected in 2005 as board members of the company.

ALSO READ: Court refuses to issue arrest warrant for Ganduje over port ownership scandal

Minutes of the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 5 March 2020, at its Zaria Road office in Kano, confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umarall children of Mr Ganduje alongside Mr Bawuro as new directors of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

It was also at the meeting that the state government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port and the Ganduje children were appointed, not just as directors, but also as shareholders with five million shares each.

According to its ordinary resolution, the meeting was attended by all the shareholders, and it was unanimously resolved that Abdulaziz Abdullah Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar the three children of Mr Ganduje be allotted five million shares each, each being 20 per cent of the total 25 million shares of the company.

Mr Rabiu and Mr Bawuro were also each allotted 20 per cent, creating a new ownership structure of five equal shareholders, each with 20 per cent of the companys shares.

This structure edged out the Kano State Government from part ownership of the company.

The state government said due process was not followed in the divestment process, accusing Mr Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state.
His death signalled an increase in organised death sentences against journalists across the world. With tears in our eyes, lets migrate to delegiwacentre.com for the tasty contents that stood him out of the crowd among his contemporaries.

Finally, here it is! Dele Giwa, the late journalism icon, is back  in prose. Its a breaking news! The Dele Giwa Journalism Research Centre  a digitalised archive that features the works of the late journalism legend, is now available.

The online construct is a research hub exclusively dedicated to exhibiting Dele Giwas intellectual contribution to the growth of the society  a confirmation of the unceasing impact of his journalistic exploits.

The virtual Centre is still work-in-progress. But since my first visit, I have not been able to take my eyes off the screen. Daily, the site gets better and juicier in contents, as freshly-minted and appetising updates keep making their entry.

The website  a friendly ecosystem devoid of advertorial distractions  is designed to host everything  almost everything  written by Dele Giwa since he arrived Nigeria from the United States of America in late 1979.

For example, his first column in the good old Daily Times, headlined, Golden FleeceI Think I Got It, is as juicy in context and style as though it was published this morning. The story captures the day he arrived the US, his academic pursuits, work experience, and his return to Nigeria.

For the post-1986 generation of Nigerians, the name Dele Giwa might sound strange, and even archaic. Someone is likely to ask: Who the heck was he? This is because some may not have heard of him or read any of his articles.

Prior to Deles unnatural death in 1986, the internet was still an unheard-of phenomenon waiting to be invented and used across the world. In its absence, the publication, storage and retrieval of information was comparatively in the analogue form. Dele was a pre-internet happening in Nigeria.

Until his return to Nigeria in 1979, even among the old generation journalists, the name Dele Giwa made no meaning to them, in spite of the fact he had spent more than four years as a news assistant at the New York Times  regarded as the worlds most influential newspaper.

Therefore, the web domain is constructed to honour his life, intellect, and legacy. More than that, it is meant to preserve the memories of Dele  as he was known by friends and colleagues  because he remains indisputably, one of Nigerias most brilliant and courageous journalists.

The website comes as a relief to most of his colleagues who for 40 years  since his death  had tried every option, within limited resources, to keep his memory alive by publishing his acclaimed columns, which covered his tour of duty at the Daily Times, the Concord, and Newswatch magazine.

In 1997, Nyaknnoabasi Osso, the pioneer Newswatch librarian, who is regarded as the trusted custodian of Deles collection of published columns, had experimented on a book entitled, Parallax Snaps: The Writings of Dele Giwa. It was not a success story. In his autobiography, Osso narrates how he got to know Dele through Ray Ekpu, who was Deles close friend, long before Newswatch started.

I learnt that it was about a year ago that Nyaknnoabasi started discussions with Deles first son, Billy, on the need to preserve and promote Deles intellectual inheritance by creating an open podium for research, historical documentation, and scholarly engagement.

Deles family was excited by the idea. With Billy bankrolling the process, the Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (BLERF)  a global information powerhouse founded by Nyaknnoabasi  was endorsed to power the innovation which today is gradually gaining world-wide attention.

The Centre, according to the mission statement of the founders, is fully dedicated to advancing the doctrines of ethical journalism anchored on truthfulness, integrity, and courage, while inspiring future generations to pursue excellence and principled reporting.

Before someone wonders why I am celebrating the innovation, lets briefly look back at who Dele was and what he means to journalism. I never met Dele one-on-one. I was too insignificant in journalism at the time he flourished in the profession, after his return from New York Times to Nigerias Daily Times.

When he accepted the challenge of returning to Nigeria in 1979, he did so armed with a rock-solid professional credibility, which he earned at the New York Times. He was aware that not much had changed between when he left home and when he returned.

In his words, he knew that armed robbers were still sending notices of their visits to their victims. Public water supply was non-reliable. Electricity still flickered. Travelling by road was like being hell-bound. Still, he was persuaded by Dele Cole and the late Stanley Macebuh to return home.

My distant knowledge of Dele started during his ebbing days at the Sunday Concord, through his weekly column. Later in 1984 when I found myself in journalism school, my lecturers talked about him and Ray Ekpu with unhidden deference. That was when Newswatch magazine came on the scene.

Required by different instructors to do assignments which involved mass media content analysis, I found myself drawn to Deles writings. I discovered that his journalism was awe-inspiring  bold, scholarly at times, truthful, intellectually exciting, and stylishly yummy.

Even as a student reporter at the then Nigerian Chronicle where I did my internship, though I hardly understood the implied meanings of most of his thoughts captured in his weekly striking prose, I desired to write like Dele  I am still trying to.

From my findings, it was clear that the moment Dele appeared in the Nigerian journalism scene, something shifted. He was refreshing and unpretentious. Though disdained by the system, he was adored and even worshipped by others.

His column in the Daily Times, where he spent about a year, was a must-read. He was professionally tempestuous, because as they say in the local parlance, he was always shaking the table. He became a navy seal in the infantry squad  tough, demanding and fearless.

It was and still remains a wonder how Dele and Uncle Ray lasted so long at the Concord. At Newswatch, Dele led a pack of well-tested and dazzling news hunters. His was a generation of journalistic intellectual poster boys who paraded professional credentials that separated them from mere run-of-the-mill reporters.

The team reinvented journalism with excellent investigative reportage. Collectively and individually, they tried to be super ethical  disciplined, focused, and even rich. They pioneered the era when journalists started driving Mercedes Benz cars.

Analysis of Deles journalism style exposed the fact that he never liked satire  an evasive literary device which, for fear of repercussions, mocks a subject through indirect name-calling and mud-splashing. Dele loved to say what he wanted to say directly and fearlessly.

His journalism was designed to embody what the profession was intended to be  ethical and revolutionary. When you think about Deles journalistic style, you think boldness, think self-confidence, think facts, think ethical adherence, think audacity, and think influence.

Those who did not like Deles brand of reporting  and tried to label him the bogeyman of Nigerian journalism  were actually in love with his style, even when they were targets of his unsparing narratives. His words had enormous weight. He chose them carefully.

Dele did not seem to have permanent friends. This is however based on a distant perception. He had an enduring vision of practicing rule-based journalism without emotionally-induced distraction based on friendship. To him, what was right was right, and what was wrong was wrong  no strings attached.

On 19 October, 1986, a parcel was delivered to Deles home. His son received it from the strange delivery man and took it to him. It was a deadly gift item. Dele must have thought the parcel contained some document that would give Newswatch another exclusive story.

Seated with Dele in his study was the London correspondent of Newswatch magazine, Mr Kayode Soyinka, who was on a visit to Nigeria. Kayode has given a brief insight of what unfolded that moment in his memoir, Born Into JournalismMemoir of a Newspaper Reporter.

Oddly, Dele was instructed by the sender, in writing, to open the pack by himself. With the parcel placed on his lap, he tore it open. Instantly, a loud explosion shook the entire building. Kayode narrowly survived to tell the story. Dele did not.

They killed him and created an evil metaphor: here was a man who stormed Nigerian journalism scene with a detonated intellect and uncommon boldness expressed in his unputdownable prose, only to be bombed to death through an uncommon device.

There is a spine-chilling saying among the Unites States elite military group called the Navy Seals: live fast, die young, and leave (behind) a good-looking corpse. Dele lived fast, died young, and left behind an impeccable professional integrity.

It would demand a study in a field beyond human psychology to establish how, at age 39, when he died, Dele had achieved so much in his chosen career that those who tripled his age would never dream of in any discipline. He was still climbing when they cut him down.

His death signalled an increase in organised death sentences against journalists across the world. With tears in our eyes, lets migrate to delegiwacentre.com for the tasty contents that stood him out of the crowd among his contemporaries.

Sam Akpe, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.
the APC must moderate its chest-beating. APC Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yiltwada; the Lagos APC; Minister Nyesom Wike; the Southern Governors Forum; and other APC chieftains, have attributed their partys victory this past weekend to its wide acceptance by Nigerians, an endorsement of President Tinubu, and a signal of the APCs impending victory in the 2027 general elections. They sound as if their party has already won a second term, but they must be concerned about the challenge of legitimacy, and the crisis of alienation which the low voter turn-out indicates.

The elections, held over the weekend, Saturday, 21 February, were interesting for the obvious reason that they were clearly the litmus test cases for the Electoral Act, 2026, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, 18 February. The President had promised last week that we were all going to see democracy flourish and Senate President Godswill Akpabio added that the amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 will enable us to conduct free and fair elections in Nigeria that will be acceptable to the international community and all Nigerians, that will meet the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians as democrats. The major bone of contention in passing the new law was Section 60 (3), on whether or not the best deal for Nigeria would be the mandatory, real time electronic transmission of results from the polling unit to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IREV). After much controversy, the National Assembly chose a hybrid format: manual and electronic, which in real terms does not appear new, or revolutionary.

The underlying principle remained the same nonetheless: to ensure the integrity, transparency and accountability of the electoral process and rebuild confidence and trust. The test came, just three days after the President gave his assent, in the shape of elections. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), elections were held in the six municipal areas to elect six chairmen and 62 councillors. In Rivers State, there were by-elections to fill two vacant seats in the House of Assembly  Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies, and in Kano, two more seats also needed to be filled, the previous occupiers having died  Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies. Did the elections give the impression of a flourishing democracy? Can the elections be considered acceptable to all Nigerians? Did they meet the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians as democrats? The obvious answer is in the negative. The elections have ignited fears and anxieties about what to expect in the general elections of 2027; they have raised questions about the electoral process, in terms of management, and the role of stakeholders  the electoral commission(INEC), state actors, security agencies, political parties and the voting public, as well as the credibility of results. In an earlier commentary in this column titled, Senate and the Electoral Act amendment, I concluded by saying that the best electoral framework can be designed with good intentions; it would take more than an amended Electoral Act to prevent electoral fraud. Civil society activists, the opposition, and many Nigerians were not convinced that the Electoral Act 2026 was the best for Nigeria, nor did anyone assume that it would end up as the magic cure for electoral malpractices. The cynics have just been proven right, as it would appear that nothing has changed.

In Abuja, the FCT, the results, as announced, showed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winning in five of the six municipal areas: Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) won in Gwagwalada. Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a PDP chieftain, has said that the PDPs victory is a clear indication of the partys resurgence. Others claim that the APC deliberately allowed the PDP to win in at least one area council to give the impression that there was actually a fair competition for the peoples votes. The truth lies elsewhere. The PDP was able to win in Gwagwalada because the APC candidate who got 17, 788 votes does not have as much local support as the winner, Mohammed Kasim of the PDP. Other political parties performed poorly in all the area councils, because they did not have strong structures on the ground. The ADC in particular, ran a disorganised, discordant, campaign driven more by the personalities and ambitions of those with an eye on the partys presidential ticket, rather than a deliberate and organised team work. The best showing posted by the ADC was in Abuja Municipal with 12,109 votes, less than a third of the APCs winning votes of 40,295 votes. The party got 1,366 votes in Gwagwalada, 4,254 in Bwari, a mere 37 votes in Abaji, (where there was a large voter turnout), 716 votes in Kuje and 1,073 in Kwali. As expected, there have been disputations about the results across board, with the opposition parties alleging that the votes were rigged. Even with its 51 victory, the ruling APC has complained about the delay of results in two wards in Kuje: Central and Kabi, and also the results from Gudun Karya ward. Dr Moses Paul, the ADC candidate in Abuja Municipal is inconsolable. He alleges that some of his agents were threatened and voters were suppressed in favour of the ruling party. In a statement on Sunday, 22 February, Dr Paul, who has lived in Abuja for 40 years, says, No force in history has ever defeated an idea whose time has come. Even the PDP is complaining. Ini Ememobong, spokesperson of the PDP, says many things went wrong in the FCT elections. The PDP has already set up a legal team led by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Barau, to challenge the results, and asked aggrieved candidates to get ready to go to court. With so much confusion over area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, it may be said that the battle for the 2027 general elections may have started, and the expectations that the spate of litigations would be reduced may be no more than mere wishful thinking.

Voter turn-out, voter apathy, was an issue in Abuja. Out of a total number of 1,680,315 registered voters, only about 239,000 voters showed up to vote, representing about 15 per cent. The whole idea of democracy is that it would be participatory, inclusive, free, fair and credible. Democracy is also meant to be of the people, by the people, for the people. When the people refuse to show up on polling day, it means that they have their doubts about the process, they do not trust it, or they are afraid to participate. The Electoral Act 2026 obviously has not built any trust or confidence. Those who argue that the turn out in the FCT shows an improvement compared to the past miss the point: 15 per cent, by all considerations, is a failure rate in simple mathematics; it is not good enough to argue that in the 2022 Area Council elections in Abuja, only 9.4 per cent of registered voters showed up. It was not only in Abuja that the people failed to turn out in large numbers (except perhaps in Abaji), voter apathy was also recorded in Rivers and Kano states. Political parties, the INEC, and the National Orientation Agency, have a lot to do to educate the voting public and invest more in voter mobilisation. The elections on 21 February are the second set conducted under Professor Joash Amupitan, the first being the Anambra elections in November 2025, but there are bigger challenges ahead in the Ekiti (20 June), Osun (8 August) gubernatorial elections and the general elections of 2027. For the peoples votes to count, they must come out to vote, and perform their civic duty as responsible citizens.

INEC has been commended for the peaceful conduct of the recent elections but that should not push INEC to become triumphant. There have been reports of voters not finding their names in designated polling units. INEC denies migrating voters from one unit to another but admits that it created split units, which were located a few metres away from the original polling units known to voters, in order to reduce congestion on election day. And that voters were informed accordingly four days before voting day. In Kuje Area Council, election results were not announced until Sunday afternoon, 22 February, due to a logistical error involving a collation officer. It was most clever of INEC to have avoided the use of the phrase technical glitches, although it talked about the difficult terrain of Kabi ward, which delayed the final collation of Area Council results. What kind of difficult terrain, please? In most parts of the FCT, INEC officials arrived early, much earlier than the voters who arrived in trickles or did not even bother to vote in many places. INEC can only count the votes cast, those who stayed away failed to make a statement about their choice, and the naysayers obviously include those who are most vocal on social media and beer parlours, but when it is election day, they disappear. Elections are won and lost at polling units, not on social media.

Vote buying was recorded in Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) deployed its officers in the FCT, and ended up arresting 20 persons for vote buying and selling. Over 17 million was seized. One of the suspects was arrested with 13.5 million in his possession. Those who sell and buy votes are saboteurs. They and their sponsors deserve stiff punishment. The impunity remains because they always get away with it. The EFCC did certainly much better than other security agencies. In one polling unit in Nyanya General Hospital, there is a video in circulation showing persons trying to buy votes, with the police and Civil Defence officers in attendance doing nothing while party agents took up the matter. In Rivers State, there were two by elections: in Ahoada East to fill the seat vacated by Honourable Edison Ehie, and in Khana Constituency II to replace Honourable Dinebari Lolo who died. The turn-out was low, and the two seats were won by the APC. Governor Simi Fubara described the election as a family affair and urged the people in both constituencies to vote for the APC. Voting materials did not arrive early  a minus for INEC. But the results did not come as a surprise, with Governor Fubara having deported himself from the PDP to the APC, and his godfather, Minister Nyesom Wike breathing down everybodys neck in Rivers to justify his much-advertised loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu. Rivers State is now a perfect case of state capture!

In Kano, the APC similarly won the House of Assembly by-elections in Kano Municipal and Ungogo. Voter apathy was also a problem. In the 2023 general elections, both constituencies recorded a total turn-out figure of 130,000 viz: Kano Municipal  60,000 and Ungogo  70,000, but this time around voter participation was less than 17,000 in both constituencies  less than 15 per cent of the voter turn-out in 2023. The two winners were sons of their predecessors, who both died on 24 December, 2025. Their sons have now been elected to replace them on the same day, 21 February. There was almost no contest in Kano State. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) did not participate because the two candidates who defected, along with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to the APC were previously handpicked for the position, out of compassion, by the NNPP leader, Dr Kwankwaso. The PDP and the ADC also stayed away, citing the Ramadan season and the small scope of the by-elections. Governor Yusuf may celebrate the victory as evidence of his capacity to deliver Kano state to the ruling APC, which he recently joined, but definitely this is not a true test of the future of Kano politics. Kano is a major political battleground where the competition is fierce. Elections in that state in 2027 would be a tough battle among gladiators, except, of course, the APC manages to capture the entire state politically and completely, but that looks like a very long shot. The same people of Kano who did not show up in these by-elections will troop out en masse in 2027. They have an independent mind of their own.

This is why the APC must moderate its chest-beating. APC Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yiltwada; the Lagos APC; Minister Nyesom Wike; the Southern Governors Forum; and other APC chieftains, have attributed their partys victory this past weekend to its wide acceptance by Nigerians, an endorsement of President Tinubu, and a signal of the APCs impending victory in the 2027 general elections. They sound as if their party has already won a second term, but they must be concerned about the challenge of legitimacy, and the crisis of alienation which the low voter turn-out indicates. But by far, the biggest problem, in Rivers State and the FCT, is the role played by Minister Nyesom Wike. The President attributes the partys success to Wikes achievements in the FCT. He might as well add Rivers, with he, Wike, having beaten everybody in that state, including the governor, the youths and those walking stick-swinging elders, into total submission. Wike declared a public holiday ahead of the election in the FCT and imposed a curfew in the city. He has no powers to do so. On election day, he disobeyed his own law by circulating around the city like smallpox, claiming he was monitoring the election. He is not a registered voter in the FCT and he is not an accredited election observer! He has been accused correctly by the ADC of direct interference without any constitutional role. Rather than praise him, the President should call him to order. Nobody is above the law, as we have seen in the examples of the one formerly known as Prince Andrew in the UK, and President Donald Trump in the United States who has just been reminded of the same principle.

Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

Today, February 24, marks exactly four years since Putin was taking Kyiv in three days, and this speaks volumes about how Ukraine has been fighting all this time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Today marks exactly four years since Putin was taking Kyiv in three days. And this actually says a lot about our resistance, about how Ukraine has been fighting all this time. Behind these words are millions of our people. Behind these words is great courage, very hard work, endurance, and a long journey that Ukraine has been overcoming since February 24," Zelenskyy says in an address on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion by Russia.

The President recalls that the first conversations with world leaders at the beginning of the war took place in a small room in the bunker on Bankova.

"I spoke with President Biden here and heard right here: 'Volodymyr, there is a threat, you need to leave Ukraine urgently. We are ready to help with this.' And I replied here that I need weapons, not a ride. And not because we are all so fearless or made of steel," he adds.

According to him, on the first day of the full-scale invasion, all Ukrainians felt both fear and pain, but "on some invisible level, we all knew that we have no other Ukraine."

"It was a choice. A choice made then by millions of Ukrainian men and women. Our people did not raise the white flag; they protected the blue and yellow one. And the occupiers, who thought they would be met here with lines for flowers, saw lines for military enlistment offices. Our people chose resistance," Zelenskyy said.

The head of state notes that soldiers and civilians "together showed lost Russia the only correct road."

"No one knew what tomorrow would bring, but everyone understood: every tomorrow must be earned. Ukraine had to stand; the state had to stand despite everything. And despite everything, our Ukraine had to work," he says.
The future lies not in choosing between technology and human processes, but in embedding technology so deeply that it forces human actors toward accountability. The journey from that polling unit in Katsina in 1999 to the nations decision in 2027 will depend on it.

My direct experience with Nigerias elections began in 1999. As a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Katsina State, I cast my ballot for Dr Olu Falae of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd.) won that election with 18,738,154 votes, against Dr Olu Falae, who received 11,110,287 votes. He subsequently served two presidential terms. That cycle, for me, was one of hope.

The 2003 gubernatorial election in Lagos marked a stark shift. At my local polling unit, I witnessed voters openly thumb-printing stacks of ballot papers  a brazen act that revealed the systems vulnerability. For years, subsequent elections followed this troubling pattern.

A gradual change seemed to arrive with the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and stronger measures against electoral thuggery. The 2015 and 2019 elections were widely seen as benefiting from these technological and procedural advances, fostering a cautious optimism.

Today, however, my optimism is subdued. The political landscape feels increasingly tilted, with defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) fuelling talk of a de facto one-party state. The opposition  fragmented and lacking cohesion  seems unprepared to mount a credible challenge for 2027. Most concerning is the disillusionment of young Nigerians, whose energy is vital for democratic renewal.

The Great Divide: How Young People View Elections vs. The Reality

From social media chatter to campus debates, a clear youth perspective emerges. Young, urban, and digitally-engaged Nigerians believe elections should be won on through data-driven campaigns, compelling manifestos, and grassroots mobilisation. They cite movements like #EndSARS as proof of a New Nigeria ready to vote on issues: unemployment, insecurity, and governance.

Yet, evidence from the field reveals a different, more entrenched reality. Elections are still predominantly won through a mix of:

Clientelism and Patrimonial Politics: The direct exchange of money, food, or promises for votes; stomach infrastructure. Ethno-Religious Mobilisation: Voting along deep-seated identity lines, often orchestrated by political elites. Control of State Machinery: Incumbents leveraging public resources, security agencies, and traditional institutions for advantage. Voter Suppression and Violence: Creating fear and apathy in volatile regions to skew outcomes. Nigerias long-standing history of election-related violence persisted during the 2023 polls. While official casualty figures have not been released by the police or electoral commission, estimates vary: a newspaper reported 39 deaths, whereas the European Union cited 21 during a media briefing. Violence disrupted voting in several states across the country, including Lagos, Delta, Kogi, and Kano, as well as Enugu and Ebonyi. The European Union Election Observation Mission also confirmed that in some areas, clashes and unrest significantly disturbed the voting process (The Conversation, 2023). Legal and Technical Manipulation: Where the ballot box fails, the courtroom becomes the final battleground. For instance, in 2023, Nigerias Court of Appeal, serving as the Presidential Elections Tribunal, commenced hearings on petitions disputing the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the victor in that years presidential election. The poll was tainted by widespread irregularities, such as violence at polling stations and significant logistical and procedural failures, most notably, the failure to transmit results from polling units in real time (Ewang, 2023).

The brutal truth, however, is that technology is only as good as the humans operating it. BVAS machines can fail; networks can be poor. More critically, officials can be pressured, bribed, or threatened not to transmit results properly. Technology solves technical glitches; it cannot solve a lack of political will or institutional capture.

This glaring clash between digital-age ideals and analogue-era tactics fuels the intense disillusionment witnessed every electoral cycle.

Inside the Machine: How Politicians and Parties Actually Win Elections

No matter how lofty youth aspirations are, entrenched political machinery runs by its own internal logic, turning preparation into a two-tiered exercise: a polished public face of rallies, manifestos, social media campaigns, and youth outreach, alongside a far more decisive ground game, where real power is secured.

This real preparation involves winning primaries and tickets through financial muscle and elite negotiations, rather than popular party support; producing candidates beholden to godfathers instead of constituents, while also structuring inducement logistics for agents, community leaders, and security operatives; assembling a legal war chest of top SANs for inevitable election petitions; and engaging in pragmatic coalition-building that co-opts influential actors with promises of patronage, rather than shared ideology.

A perplexing phenomenon is how ordinary citizens, often not party members, become ardent supporters  campaigning online, attending rallies, and even acting as disruptive agents for these structures. This highlights the complex interplay of hope, identity, and survival within the electorate.

The Umpires Challenge: INECs Credibility and the 2027 Prospect

Overseeing this fraught process is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Historically, INEC has struggled with operational independence, logistical efficacy, and public trust, often buckling under immense political pressure.

The 2023 election was a pivotal moment of promise and letdown. With the new Electoral Act 2022, the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), and BVAS, credible elections seemed within reach. However, the failure to mandate the transmission of election results to the IReV in real-time became the symbolic collapse of public trust. While BVAS improved accreditation, the old, vulnerable loophole of manual collation remained.

Nigerias electoral system is a battlefield between an analogue, patronage-based political culture and a digital, accountability-seeking civic force. Technology is an essential tool, but the wars outcome will be decided by political culture, institutional integrity, and judicial courage.

As 2027 approaches, the outlook is cautious. Restoring confidence hinges on:

INECs Leadership: The Chairperson must demonstrate undeniable neutrality. Political Will: Will the government fund INEC fully and, crucially, allow it to operate independently? Learning from 2023: Making the IReV/BVAS process seamless, mandatory, and legally foolproof through all collation stages, is non-negotiable.

The Accountability Tightrope: Technology, Trust, and Human Interference

At the core of this is mandatory electronic transmission of results. It is the single most crucial accountability measure, designed to curtail the black box of manual collation where figures are altered. Without this, the legitimacy of any declared winner remains in question.

The brutal truth, however, is that technology is only as good as the humans operating it. BVAS machines can fail; networks can be poor. More critically, officials can be pressured, bribed, or threatened not to transmit results properly. Technology solves technical glitches; it cannot solve a lack of political will or institutional capture.

This is where Civic-Tech/Gov-Tech becomes vital  not as a panacea, but as a critical catalyst. Its value lies in:

Transparency and Observation: (e.g., Yiaga Africas Watching The Vote, CUPS situation rooms, CivicHives LiveResult Platform) Citizen Engagement: Simplifying access to voter information and results tracking: (e.g. EiEs RSVP) Building a Parallel Narrative: Through Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), providing statistically rigorous evidence to challenge or validate official results. Shifting Norms: Cultivating a generation that demands transparency, thereby raising the cost of manipulation.

Synthesis: The Critical Crossroads for 2027

Nigerias electoral system is a battlefield between an analogue, patronage-based political culture and a digital, accountability-seeking civic force. Technology is an essential tool, but the wars outcome will be decided by political culture, institutional integrity, and judicial courage.

For 2027, the key questions are:

Will electronic transmission of results be made legally mandatory and practically foolproof?

Will INECs leadership demonstrate unassailable independence?

Will Nigerias youth channel their disillusionment into sustained engagement  not just online, but at polling units and in the meticulous observation of the electoral process?

The future lies not in choosing between technology and human processes, but in embedding technology so deeply that it forces human actors toward accountability. The journey from that polling unit in Katsina in 1999 to the nations decision in 2027 will depend on it.

References

The Conversation. (2023, May 3). Nigerias elections faced five serious challenges  how to fix them before the next polls. https://theconversation.com/nigerias-elections-faced-five-serious-challenges-how-to-fix-them-before-the-next-polls-203697

Electoral Geography 2.0. (2007, September 6). Nigeria. Presidential election 1999. Electoral Geography 2.0. https://www.electoralgeography.com/new/en/countries/n/nigeria/nigeria-presidential-election-1999.html

Ewang, A. (2023, May 9). Nigerian Court to Hear Challenges Against Presidential Election Result. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/09/nigerian-court-hear-challenges-against-presidential-election-result

Joseph Amenaghawon is acting country director, BudgIT Foundation and head, CivicHive.
If Nigeria is to remain a nation governed by law rather than sentiment, then institutions  especially the SSS  must uphold due process, transparency, and accountability. This case must follow the same standard of judicial openness and constitutional procedure that defined the highprofile Ese Oruru investigation, which the police handled with commendable neutrality.

Among the current crop of Nigerias security chiefs, perhaps none is as widely respected for his professional record as the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi. Since his assumption of office, he has been celebrated as a quintessential officer  one who is neither a religious bigot nor an ethnocentric partisan. His track record in states like Bauchi and Kaduna reflects a man who understands the delicate fabric of our diverse society and has often supported Muslim communal activities with the same zeal he applies to national security.

It is precisely because of this high regard that I find myself profoundly bewildered. Why is it that this same leadership, credited with a commitment to due process, appears to be wavering in the face of a clear court order? I am referring to the case of Walida Abdulhadi Ibrahim, a young Muslim girl from Jigawa State, and the stalled prosecution of a SSS operative, Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, accused of her abduction, sexual exploitation, and forced conversion to Christianity.

This disturbing saga echoes the 20152016 Ese Oruru case. The nation vividly remembers how a teenage girl from Bayelsa was taken to Kano by Yunusa Dahiru (popularly known as Yellow), where she was allegedly converted to Islam and impregnated. The public outcry at the time was overwhelming. The media, civil society, and the international community demanded swift justice.

The Bayelsa State Government under Governor Seriake Dickson intervened decisively  providing medical care, insisting on a thorough investigation, and ensuring prosecution. Yunusa Dahiru was eventually convicted and jailed. Ese Oruru received rehabilitation and later graduated from the University of Ilorin in flying colours.

In my recent essay, From Ese Oruru to Walida: Unmasking selective outrage, I asked a rhetorical question that now feels prophetic: Would Walidas case attract the same moral panic? Or would it be quietly buried because it doesnt fit a convenient narrative of religious persecution? My fears are being validated by the day.

A coalition of civil society and faith-based organisations recently raised the alarm in Abuja, accusing the SSS of violating a subsisting court order directing the release of 16-year-old Walida to her family. They specifically named SSS officer Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi as central to the allegations and called for his prosecution, should any culpability be established.

A petition filed by Gamji Lawchain paints a disturbing picture: a minor allegedly abducted two years ago, held in unlawful custody, and denied access to her parents. Her father maintains that the trauma of this ordeal contributed directly to the untimely death of Walidas mother.

At the heart of the controversy is the SSS acting simultaneously as a custodian and investigator  a clear conflict of interest. Compounding this is a suspicious dispute over her age. While the family insists she is 16, there are attempts to portray her as a 22-year-old adult. An independent, document-based verification of her age is essential. Anything less would undermine the integrity of our childprotection laws.

Strangely, a group known as the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has issued a countermessage, claiming that she left home in 2023 and was taken by a woman called Maryam  later identified as Chinaza  who allegedly converted her to Christianity. The AYA leader, Salihu Danlami, further asserted that Walida underwent a mental evaluation and is stable and happy with her captor. Such claims overlook the welldocumented psychological phenomenon known as Stockholm Syndrome.

We have seen this before in the North-East; rescued Chibok and Dapchi girls have, at times, expressed a desire to return to their abusers after rescue from ISWAP/Boko Haram, exhibiting emotional bonds with their captors as a survival-driven coping mechanism. A girl who has been serially abused and impregnated outside of matrimony cannot be declared as mentally stable by a youth group in a press conference. She requires clinical rehabilitation, not media interviews.

The SSS must comply fully with judicial directives concerning Walidas custody and potential reunification with her family. A neutral, independent inquiry into the allegations against the SSS operative should be conducted. If found guilty, he must face the full weight of the law  just as Yunusa Dahiru did in the Ese Oruru case.

There must also be a transparent verification of Walidas age through credible documentation and independent scrutiny. NAPTIP should assume a leading role, given the child-protection and trafficking dimensions.

Equally, the Jigawa State Government under Governor Umar Namadi must not remain on the sidelines. A decade ago, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa did not treat Ese Orurus case as someone elses burden. He intervened decisively and stood by the victim. Jigawa should do no less for Walida.

The media and the public must resist the urge to frame this matter in inflammatory religious terms. During the Ese Oruru case, northern traditional rulers and religious leaders were hastily accused of complicity. We must not repeat that mistake or allow this situation to be cast as a religious confrontation. Just as many argued in 2016 that Yunusas actions did not represent Islam, we must also acknowledge that the alleged actions of Onyewuenyi do not represent Christianity or the SSS.

We cannot afford another cycle of collective suspicion. Responsible communication  not sensationalism  must guide public discourse. This is not a religious contest. It is a childrights issue. Justice must never depend on religious identity.

If Nigeria is to remain a nation governed by law rather than sentiment, then institutions  especially the SSS  must uphold due process, transparency, and accountability. This case must follow the same standard of judicial openness and constitutional procedure that defined the highprofile Ese Oruru investigation, which the police handled with commendable neutrality.

I therefore respectfully appeal to the DirectorGeneral of the SSS to act swiftly, transparently, and in full fidelity to the rule of law. As a man of established integrity, he must ensure that justice is neither delayed nor distorted. Let it never be said that under his leadership, the law became a respecter of persons or uniforms.

In cases involving alleged child exploitation or forced conversion, justice delayed is justice questioned. Institutional integrity is measured not by rhetoric but by response.

What was good for Ese Oruru must, in the interest of fairness and equity, also be good for Walida.

Yushau A Shuaib is the author of An Encounter with the Spymaster and can be reached via [email protected].
For decades, no one knew of Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke while he and his wife endured the crucible of fire in the nation of Lesotho, crying out to God for the birth of the vision of a bloodwashed Africa that he had received from the Lord. God had spoken it, yet the realities around him suggested otherwise. He suffered tremendous rejection, poverty, lack, and repeated failures. But today, those realities have shifted.

Another powerful testimony that mirrors this is the story of George Muller in England.

George Muller felt deeply that God wanted him to build orphanages, yet he made a commitment never to ask anyone for money. For years, he and the children often sat at empty tables with no food, waiting for God. Many nights they prayed into the night with nothing changing. Yet he held onto Gods yes. Eventually, miracle after miracle broke open, unsolicited food arriving at the door, donors moved by God, rent paid, and thousands of children raised without debt. Muller proved that waiting is not inactivity; it is faith under pressure that refuses to bow to visible lack.

Friends, Christian history is filled with countless stories of men and women who waited on God for a blessing or breakthrough for nearly their entire lives, yet they never betrayed Him. The version of Christianity that teaches that God always operates a 24hour miracle system is an error. Christianity has been misrepresented from many pulpits. God does not run a pray and immediately receive mechanism in all situations. In the kingdom of God, faith works in partnership with patience. Seeds grow in the silent chapters of life. Life often presents us with realities that contradict the convictions we hold from the Word of God. God may have spoken something to you, His truth may have been revealed to you, and you may believe it with your whole heart, yet your present circumstances seem to be saying no.

For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:1011)

It is one thing to walk by faith while waiting for God; it is another thing entirely when your faith itself seems to be failing. Faith can fail.

Jesus implied this in Luke 22:32:

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.

In Abrahams case, hear what he asked God:

Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? (Genesis 15:2)

Nothing in life is more frustrating, more challenging, and sometimes more depressing than staking your entire life and faith on what God has said while the realities around you appear to contradict every promise.

This same contradiction was deeply evident in the life of Heidi Baker of Mozambique. Before millions knew her ministry, she lived in absolute poverty, attacked by witchdoctors, sick for years, rejected by communities, and overwhelmed by thousands of abandoned children. She often cried at night, wondering why Gods promise of revival looked nothing like her daily suffering. Yet she stayed. Today, her ministry has fed and housed thousands, planted thousands of churches, and witnessed miracles across nations, Gods yes slowly rising from years of no and not yet.

God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good (Numbers 23:19)

Some of these seeming contradictions include the following:

God promised you a child, yet now your womb has been removed. God promised to relocate you to a specific country, yet now you face a criminal record for something you know nothing about. God promised to use you mightily in ministry, yet your members have deserted you and no one is willing to associate with you. God promised to heal you, yet the doctors have given up.

You heard God. You encountered Him. You saw your blessing in Scripture. His Word came alive in your heart, but reality seems to deny it. What do you do? Is God still faithful? Is His Word still reliable? Joseph faced this same contradiction. So did Job. So did Abraham. Now let us step back and ask: Why does life confront us with these contradictions? Why does God say yes, yet reality seems to say no, or almost no? We will examine the reasons behind these contradictions, the consequences, the remedies, and even the benefits.

The Reasons

We missed the timing of fulfilment

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time. (Isaiah 60:22)

Timing tested the faith of Watchman Nee of China, who spent over 20 years in prison, separated from the ministry God promised him. His calling was clear, his vision was divine, yet for decades he saw none of it. His writings were banned, his ministry dismantled, and his life confined. Yet while reality screamed no, the seeds he wrote in hidden prison notebooks eventually exploded across the world. His books have shaped global Christianity far beyond anything he saw in his lifetime. Gods yes often blooms long after the seed is sown in suffering.

We misinterpreted what God told us

What He meant may not be what we assumed. He may be raising you as a voice in business, yet you desire to be a voice in ministry, or vice versa.

We are being tested

God tested Abraham in Genesis 22:13. How do you reconcile being told to sacrifice what God promised to bless you with? The Israelites suffered hunger and thirst in Exodus 1518, even though God had promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.

This tension is also seen in the story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot in Ecuador. God called Jim Elliot to evangelize the unreached Waorani tribe, but instead of open doors, he encountered hostility, danger, and, ultimately, martyrdom. His death seemed to contradict every promise. But Elisabeth returned in forgiveness, and God opened the hearts of the same tribe that killed her husband. A revival began that transformed an entire people group. What looked like a tragic no was actually the seed of Gods redemptive yes.

Demonic confusion and opposition

designed to discourage you and turn you against the Lord. Satan manipulates people, systems, and situations to push you away from Gods Word so you adopt your own plans.

Lack of actionable faith

Some believers wait for God alone to start, sustain, and finish everything. Meanwhile, things deteriorate. God told the Israelites to fight and possess their inheritance (Deuteronomy 1:1946), but they refused out of fear, and the promise was aborted in their generation.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Self-inflicted sabotage

People undermine their own marriages, ministries, and careers through carelessness, impatience, carnality, sin, and corruption. God promised Elis house the priesthood forever, but their actions caused God to revoke it.

In every season where Gods promise seems buried beneath contradiction, remember this: His silence is not His denial, and His delays are not His rejection. Seeds work in silence. That things are not active around you on earth does not mean that things are not active in Heaven around God. Hear it again, seeds work in silence. The same God who upheld Abraham, Joseph, George Muller, Heidi Baker, Watchman Nee, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot, will uphold you too.

So hold your ground. Stay faithful. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep believing. Your yes may not come quickly, but it will come, and when it does, it will be worth every tear, every trial, and every year of waiting.

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected]. You can connect with him on: YouTube: @VoiceoftheWatchmen, TikTok: @drayoakerele, Instagram: @drayoakerele, Facebook: @Ayo Akerele
The All progressives Congress (APC) national appeal panel for Enugu State ward and local government congresses has given the congresses conducted by the state chapter of the party a clean bill of health, hailing what it described as the prevalent peace, unity, and internal democracy in the party.

This was even as the panel commended governor of the state, Peter Mbah, for his peaceful dispositions and ability to weld the various political tendencies into a united and strong APC household.

The commendations were given by the Chairperson of the APC Congress Appeal Committee for Enugu State, Mrs Nkechi Chukwura and her members while addressing journalists at the partys secretariat in Enugu, Monday evening.

We have been around for the past few days. We have equally gone round. And we are glad that we have not seen any rancour, protests or petitions all through our stay here in Enugu State. This has shown that the Enugu State chapter of the APC is peaceful. Things have been going on well.

We want to say a big thank you to the governor of Enugu State for a very peaceful, enabling environment for this congress to take place. We want to thank the Caretaker Committee of our party in Enugu State led by Dr. Ben Nwoye for a job well done. We equally commend the Congress Committee and the Screening Committee for making our job very easy. If they did not work well, it would not have been easy for us, she stated.

Mrs Chukwura also lauded Governor Mbah for the level of transformation witnessed by the committee in the course of its work in the state.

I specially want to appreciate the governor of Enugu State for the wonderful work he has been doing in the state. When we moved around the state, we were amazed at what he was able to accomplish in less than three years.

But equally important is the fact that the giant development strides in the state and the peace we witnessed are a reflection of the governors personality because there can be no transformation of this magnitude without peace and unity, she concluded.

Other members of the Committee present at the press briefing were Felix Ebiliekwe, Agbamu Okieriete Gibson, Chief Vincent Omojiriemu, and Comrade Bulus Gaknung.
The Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Mathieu Bouyer, has reaffirmed the companys commitment to expanding Nigerias energy supply while reducing the carbon intensity of its operations.

Mr Bouyer made the remarks during a panel session titled Capitalising on Africas Global Upstream Momentum at the 9th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2026), held on Wednesday, February 4, in Abuja, where industry leaders examined investment trends and opportunities across the continents oil and gas sector.

According to Mr Bouyer, TotalEnergies strategy in Nigeria is built around two core pillars: growing oil and gas production and expanding electricity generation through integrated power solutions, in line with the Companys global ambition of delivering more energy with less emission.

Our strategy is about growing energy as a whole, Mr Bouyer said, noting that Nigeria remains a key market within TotalEnergies global portfolio and continues to compete with other countries for upstream investment capital.

Mr Bouyer explained that the companys immediate priority was maximising value from its existing assets, spanning onshore gas and offshore oil and gas developments. He highlighted the recently sanctioned Ubeta Gas project, which is designed to deliver up to 300 million cubic feet of gas per day, alongside several additional projects currently under evaluation.

On sustainability, Mr Bouyer disclosed that TotalEnergies eliminated routine gas flaring across all its Nigerian operations since 2023, marking a major milestone in its emissions reduction programme.

He said that the company has deployed advanced methane detection technologies, including its own proprietary technology AUSEA, which was developed to monitor emissions in real time and enable rapid intervention. In addition to the deployment of AUSEA, Mr Bouyer added that TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited has also installed 2,500 Permanent Emission Monitoring Systems (PEMPs) across all its production sites in Nigeria.

He also announced plans to commission a five megawatt solar power plant at OML 58 to supply electricity to the Ubeta Gas Project, describing it as one of the worlds first near net zero gas developments.

Bouyer underscored the importance of partnerships with Nigerian companies, describing collaboration with local operators as critical to accelerating project delivery and unlocking value for the broader economy.

He cited long standing joint ventures with AMNI, Conoil, and Sapetro, pointing to flagship projects such as Egina FPSO and Akpo Condensate as evidence of successful cooperation between international and indigenous operators. He also disclosed ongoing work with Conoil to appraise deep offshore resources, alongside planned exploration drilling with Sapetro.

When we work with local partners, it enables us to move faster and create value, not just for ourselves, but for the country, Mr Bouyer said.

Beyond the plenary discussions, Bouyer and members of his management team also engaged with students from three schools who visited the TotalEnergies exhibition booth at NIES 2026, reinforcing the companys focus on knowledge transfer, skills development, and nurturing future energy professionals.
The Kano State High Court has adjourned the multi-billion-dollar port ownership case involving former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The postponement followed a heated debate between the prosecution and defence counsel.

Mr Ganduje and three other defendants are facing a 10-count charge involving criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

The Kano State Government charged him alongside his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello.

A heated argument broke out on Monday when the lead defence counsel, A.S. Gadanya, SAN, moved an application challenging the legal instrumentknown as a fiatauthorising the prosecution teams appearance.

Mr Gadanya argued that the fiat presented by the prosecution was issued for an entirely different matter.

He contended that because the prosecution lacked the specific authority to litigate this case, the court should set aside all prior proceedings conducted by the team.

The counsel for the state government, R O Zakariyya, opposed Mr Gadanyas application, citing relevant statutory provisions. He presented a document to the court, which he asserted was a valid fiat containing the names of every member of the prosecution team.

The judge, Yusuf Ubale of the State High Court No. 2, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat Complex, listened to both arguments but declined to rule immediately.

He adjourned the hearing to 6 May for a formal ruling on the defences objection.

Inside the prosecution

The state government accused Mr Ganduje and three other defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the states 20 per cent equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise.

The prosecution also alleged that the defendants diverted over N4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects, including a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port, for their personal and family benefit.

The defendants also faced charges of abuse of office and conflict of interest, as it was alleged that they leveraged their official roles to redirect public resources for personal benefit, thereby violating financial and constitutional regulations.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES last September exposed how Mr Ganduje secretly transferred the state governments 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth more than N4 billion to provide infrastructure for the project.

The transfer ended Kano States shareholding in the project, while Mr Gandujes children and aide, Abubakar Bawuro, became directors and shareholders.

What PREMIUM TIMES investigation exposed

When Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on 8 December 2003, its only directors were the founder, Ahmad Rabiu, and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu.

Two years later, at an extraordinary general meeting on 19 January 2005, the board was expanded with the appointment of four new directors: Abdulaziz Haladu, Anwar Isyaku-Rabiu, Diepreye George, and Abdullahi Kwaru.

Records obtained by this newspaper show that on 5 March 2020, Mr Gandujes three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr Rabius son and all other directors elected in 2005 as board members of the company.

Minutes of the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 5 March 2020, at its Zaria Road office in Kano, confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umarall children of Mr Ganduje alongside Mr Bawuro as new directors of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

It was also at the meeting that the state government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port and the Ganduje children were appointed, not just as directors, but also as shareholders with five million shares each.

According to its ordinary resolution, the meeting was attended by all the shareholders, and it was unanimously resolved that Abdulaziz Abdullah Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar the three children of Mr Ganduje be allotted five million shares each, each being 20 per cent of the total 25 million shares of the company.

Mr Rabiu and Mr Bawuro were also each allotted 20 per cent, creating a new ownership structure of five equal shareholders, each with 20 per cent of the companys shares.

This structure edged out the Kano State Government from part ownership of the company.

The state government said due process was not followed in the divestment process, accusing Mr Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has unveiled a new measure to tackle vandalism of public infrastructure, warning that village heads risk losing official recognition if government property is destroyed in their domains.

Mr Eno stated this on Saturday during the monthly prayer service at the Government House, Uyo, as part of his administration efforts to strengthen the protection of public assets across the state.

Any village that has government presence and experiences vandalism of government property will result in the withdrawal of the village heads certificate (of recognition), the governor said.

Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom are formally recognised by the state and issued certificates affirming their status.

Mr Eno said that traditional rulers, as custodians of their communities, must take responsibility for protecting schools and other public facilities.

If a public school, well furnished with modern facilities by the government, could be conveniently vandalised in your locality, what is the usefulness of the village head there? he asked.

To operationalise the directive, the governor instructed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, and the state Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Uwemedimo Udo, to convene an urgent meeting with village heads to formally communicate the new policy.

The governors threat comes amid growing concerns over the destruction and theft of government property in some communities, including recently built model public primary schools.

The Eno administration has invested in upgrading educational and primary healthcare infrastructure, with at least one project in each local government area.
Etim Etim, the director of strategic communications for the ARISE Renewed Hope Initiative, the platform coordinating the reelection campaign of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, has warned that the entry of the sons of President Bola Tinubu and other prominent Nigerian politicians into the 2027 general elections portends danger to society.

In an opinion article published on 13 February by TheCable and other news platforms, the communications director, Mr Etim, expressed concern over reports that President Tinubus son, Seyi, Nyesom Wikes son, Joachim, and David Umahis son, Osborne, are preparing to contest elections for various positions.

Background

Mr Etim announced his appointment to the ARISE Renewed Hope Initiative in January via a Facebook post, stating that he would lead strategic media engagement to highlight Governor Enos achievements and build support for his reelection.

The organisation was established to coordinate Governor Enos nomination process and campaign activities ahead of the 2027 election, as well as mobilise support for Mr Tinubus reelection.

According to political permutations cited in the article, Mr Tinubus son, Seyi, is believed to be interested in contesting for the Lagos State governorship in 2027, reportedly with his fathers backing.

Mr Etim stated in the article that Mr Wikes son, Joachim, is said to be positioned for the House of Representatives seat for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State.

PREMIUM TIMES has not verified these claims.

READ ALSO: Wike nullifies 485 Abuja land documents over forgery concerns

What is certain, however, is that Mr Umahis 27-year-old son, Osborne, is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the chairmanship seat of Ohaozara Local Government Area in Ebonyi State. The election is scheduled for August.

Etims fear

Apart from its huge financial returns, Nigerian politics is attractive to these political children because of ease of entry, Mr Etim stated in his article. Unlike in the private sector, where we spend days preparing for job interviews and, on being employed, toil hard to climb the ladder, these privileged political children dont lift a finger before they are ushered into offices.

He said that while there is nothing inherently wrong with any Nigerian, whether the son of a train driver or the daughter of a senator seeking public office, manipulating rules or twisting processes to favour elite families would undermine democratic fairness.

For one, ordinary folks and their children do not stand a chance. Who will contest against Joachim Wike in Rivers State or Seyi Tinubu in Lagos? he asked.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach the leadership of the ARISE Renewed Hope Initiative for their comment on the issue.

Mr Etims opinion does not necessarily reflect the position of the ARISE Renewed Hope Initiative or that of Governor Eno.
The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi and a top figure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Oyegun, on Tuesday escaped an attack by hoodlums in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the armed hoodlums shot at Messrs Obi and Oyegun, as well as members of the Obidient Movement, while they were moving to Mr Oyeguns residence from the ADC secretariat in Edo State.

The politicians had attended the partys rally organised to formally receive former Edo State governorship candidate Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party into the ADC.

The rally took place at the ADC secretariat located along Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City.

The hoodlums arrived at the partys secretariat during the rally before trailing the politicians at Mr Oyeguns residence.

Mr Akpata was the LPs governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo governorship election.

Mr Obi and others were said to have been trailed to the residence of Mr Oyegun where the attackers fired shots which damaged the gate and vehicles conveying the politicians during the attack.

Valentine Obienyem, a media aide to Mr Obi, confirmed the incident in a Facebook statement on Tuesday.

Mr Obienyem said that while Mr Obi and other ADC members were at the secretariat, they noticed unusual activities by individuals in Sienna vehicles, which prompted the politicians to leave the venue.

As Obi left the secretariat for Chief Oyeguns residence, these vehicles followed him. Initially, the convoy did not suspect anything, as the movements of the Sienna buses appeared inconspicuous.

Once Obis car entered the residence and the gate was shut, the Sienna buses arrived and (the hoodlums) opened fire on the convoy.

At that time, Obis vehicle was safely inside, while security vehicles and backup personnel were still outside, he narrated.

The media aide said the hoodlums fired at multiple vehicles and attempted to enter Mr Oyeguns residence while repeatedly shooting at his gate.

He, however, said security personnel returned the fire which forced the attackers to flee.

Thankfully, no lives were lost, though several people sustained varying degrees of injuries, he said.

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, also confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.

They (the hoodlums) shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger, Mr Tanko said.

Police confirm attack

The police spokesperson in Edo State, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the attack in a statement on Tuesday.

Ms Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police in the state received a distress call that the hoodlums invaded the ADC secretariat at about 2:55 p.m., disrupted the premises and chased guests away.

Police patrol teams responded promptly to the distress call, upon which the suspects fled the scene.

Some plastic chairs and canopies were damaged during the incident.

No casualties were reported. Security personnel have since been deployed to the area to maintain law and order and prevent any further disturbance, she said.

The situation is currently under control, and further developments will be communicated as necessary.

The police spokesperson was, however, silent on the reported attack on the convoy of Peter Obi and other ADC members at the residence of Mr Oyegun  all of whom were trailed from the ADC secretariat.

Peter Obi speaks

Mr Obi, who confirmed the attack in a video clip circulating on Facebook, said the hoodlums opened fire on him and others while they were entering Mr Oyeguns residence.

The hoodlums came in front of his (Oyeguns) house, shooting (at us). If you look at his gate, you can see the bullet marks, he said, pointing at the gate.

Several cars (were) damaged.

The clip showed expended bullets on the ground in front of Mr Oyeguns residence. Some vehicles were also seen with bullet holes.

Mr Obi argued that Nigerian citizens cannot be terrorised if the country has an efficient government.

It is unacceptable, he said of the attack.

Background

In July 2025, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State warned Mr Obi during a political rally in the state not to enter the state without notifying him or obtaining security clearance.

Mr Okpebholo, a member of the APC, claimed Mr Obis visit in July of that year to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, where he donated N15 million for the completion of projects in the school, triggered violence and the death of three persons.

This message is for the man who claims he has no shishi, he had said at the rally, apparently referring to Mr Obi, who often uses the slang to express his disdain for extravagance, particularly by politicians during campaigns.

For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance, the governor declared.

Continuing, Mr Okpebholo said: Theres a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. Im not joking.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested a suspected serial fraudster, Callistus Okeke, for allegedly defrauding two Nigerians of N369.3 million.

The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday.

Mr Oyewale said operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate arrested the suspect in response to petitions from the two victims.

The EFCC spokesperson said the petitioners  Chinedu Ezeugwu and Ernest Agu  alleged that the suspect defrauded them separately after presenting himself as a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator.

Chinedu Ezeugwus petition

Mr Ezeugwu, according to the statement, claimed that he paid N157.3 million to the suspect for onward transmission to his business partner in China.

Mr Oyewale said Mr Ezeugwu reported that while the suspect remitted only N24 million to his partner in China, he (the petitioner) gave him telex copies of ABA Bank of Cambodia for the outstanding amount.

The EFCC spokesperson said the petitioner upon presentation to his partner in China, the copies of the bank documents were found to be fake.

He said the suspect, in the course of the EFCC investigation, admitted that the N157.3 million he received was diverted for his personal use and that the telex copies of ABA Bank of Cambodia were forged.

I became short of finance for business and used Mr Ezeugwus money (the petitioner) to start settling other peoples money that was hanging.

I used it to settle other customers that I was owing because my business was experiencing a financial setback.

I also sent some telex copies to Mr Ezeugwu through WhatsApp, and the telex copies I forwarded to him were not the real ones, EFCC quoted the suspect as saying.

Mr Oyewale stressed that further investigation showed that, contrary to his initial claim, the suspect is not a BDC operator.

After admitting to the crime, the suspect successfully sent back the sum of N50 million to Chinedu, leaving the balance of N83, 295, 000 unpaid, he said.

Ernest Agus petition

Mr Oyewale said Mr Agu, in his petition, alleged that the suspect, in 2024, requested a loan to execute a transaction, as his funds were in dollars and domiciled outside Nigeria.

According to the statement, the petitioner said the suspect had promised to repay the loan.

A total of N212 million was transferred to Callistus account, and every attempt made for him to return the same as agreed has become futile as all the invoices and telex copies he raised were fake, the EFCC quoted the petitioner as saying.

The spokesperson said that during the EFCC investigation, the suspect remitted N167.6 million to Mr Agu, leaving an unpaid balance of N44.3 million.

The suspect will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded, he stated.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Fraud, including forgery and obtaining by false pretence, is a criminal offence under Nigerian laws.

The Criminal Code Act, applicable in Southern Nigeria, is the main legislation which criminalises fraud in the country.

Obtaining by false pretence is outlawed in Section 419 of the Act. Offenders face up to three years imprisonment upon conviction, the section said.

The Act also makes forgery illegal, prescribing various jail terms for offenders upon conviction, depending on the nature of forgery.

Section 467 of the Act states that forgery is a felony that attracts a three-year jail term upon conviction.

Like in the Criminal Code Act, forgery is also outlawed in the Penal Code, which covers the northern part of the country.

Section 364 of the Penal Code prescribes imprisonment for a term which may extend to 14 years for offenders upon conviction.

Several Nigerians have been convicted for various fraud-related offences.
Zelenskyy: Every aid package had to be literally fought for, along with the faith in Ukraine

Every aid package, batch of weapons, and sanctions against Russia had to be literally fought for; the entire team sought solutions to ensure Ukraine stood firm, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Our team was here, the government, daily meetings with the military, calls, searching for solutionseverything necessary for Ukraine to stand firm. We had to deliver weapons. We delivered medicine, delivered food to cities blocked by the enemy. So that there would be the life for which Ukraine fights so desperately. And, to be honest, well, it happened in different ways, and both official and non-literary language was heard here, because every aid package, every sanction against Russia, every batch of weaponsall of this had to be literally... literally fought for. To fight for the faith in Ukraine," Zelenskyy says in an address on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion by Russia.

According to the President, this was the key message of appeals to European countries, the US Congress, most parliaments, and to ordinary people around the world.

"These appeals worked because Ukrainians fought in a way that took one's breath away. And this resistance was visible from space. It was absolutely inspiring, so very soon everyone saw this blue and yellow seathousands of people with our flags in the squares of Europe and the world," he said.

The head of state recalls that Ukraine built, brick by brick, the support that allowed it to withstand the first day of the war, and then another, a week, and a month.

"And we saw spring. We won it when it seemed this February would never end. We gained our first spring during the great war. It was a turning point, and for the first time then, the thought flashed in everyone's mind: we can do it. Ukraine can do it," Zelenskyy said.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers in the state capital, Akure.

The commands spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the suspects were in possession of huge sums of money collected as ransom when they were apprehended.

He gave their names of the suspects as Muritala Muhammed (22), Mustapha Adamu (20), Usman Ibrahim (25), Amisu Aruna (28), Asiru Abdulasis (20), Abduliu Sanni (22), and Ibrahim Suraju (20).

Others are Noah Isiaku (20), Abdulahi Suraju (20), and Arabi Hamet (18).

Mr Jimoh they were arrested on Sunday following a combined operation between the commands Anti-Kidnapping Section and Visiting PMF personnel.

He said the operatives were said to have swiftly mobilised to locations along Ondo Road based on credible and actionable intelligence.

During the operation, their operational motorcycle and ransom money was recovered from the suspects. Notably, part of the recovered cash comprised burnt currency notes, which are currently being documented as exhibits in the ongoing investigation, Mr Jimon said.

The suspects have made useful confessional statements, detailing the individual roles each played within the syndicate.

Relevant exhibits recovered and are currently being processed for comprehensive investigation and further necessary action.

He added that the command was working assiduously to unravel the full scope of the syndicates operations and to identify and apprehend other accomplices who may still be at large.

Ondo State had recently come under of attack by kidnappers, with some persons losing their lives in the process.

Last week, armed bandits attacked Eleyewo community in Ilu-Abo, in Akure North LGA of the state, abducting a couple and shooting one person.

A former Secretary to the Federal Government, Olu Falae, is the traditional ruler of the community.

Some days earlier, gunmen invaded the palace of the Alagamo of Agamo, Kehinde Falodun, and murdered him after riddling his body with bullets.

The police, a few days ago, announced the arrest of two persons allegedly serving as informants to a kidnapping syndicate in the state.

The two informants, who were aiding the syndicates logistic, were apprehended along with two motorbikes used for their operations.

Although, security agencies in the state have vowed to track down the killers, no one has been arrested so far in connection with the attack.
The dynamics of the acromegaly market are anticipated to change due to extensive R&D, the entry of novel therapies such as Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others, and increasing awareness among care providers and caregivers.

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently published Acromegaly Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, acromegaly emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2022 to 2036, segmented into leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Acromegaly Market Summary

The total acromegaly treatment market size is expected to grow positively by 2036 in the leading markets.

The United States accounts for the largest market size of acromegaly, in comparison to EU4 (Germany, Italy, France, and Spain), the UK, and Japan.

The total diagnosed prevalent cases of acromegaly in the US were ~ 27K in 2025. These numbers are expected to increase by 2036.

in 2025. These numbers are expected to increase by 2036. Leading acromegaly companies, such as Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Camurus AB, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Debiopharm International SA, Marea Therapeutics, and others, are developing new acromegaly treatment drugs that can be available in the acromegaly market in the coming years.

and others, are developing new acromegaly treatment drugs that can be available in the acromegaly market in the coming years. The promising acromegaly therapies in clinical trials include Paltusotine, CAM2029, ALXN2420, Debio 4126, MAR002, and others.

Discover what will the market share of acromegaly therapies @ https://www.delveinsight.com/sample-request/acromegaly-market?utm_source=cision&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=spr

Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Acromegaly Market

Rising Acromegaly Prevalence: Acromegaly occurs in approximately 5070 people per million per year. This increase in prevalence leads to increased R&D activities and more patients opting for treatment in the future.

Acromegaly occurs in approximately 5070 people per million per year. This increase in prevalence leads to increased R&D activities and more patients opting for treatment in the future. Advancing Diagnostic Tools for Early Acromegaly Detection: One of the major opportunities is exploring the advancement of diagnostic tools or methods for the early detection of acromegaly in the affected patient pool.

One of the major opportunities is exploring the advancement of diagnostic tools or methods for the early detection of acromegaly in the affected patient pool. Opportunities in the Acromegaly Treatment Landscape: There is potential in the acromegaly treatment landscape for drugs with improved clinical profiles and for the development of biomarker-based therapy (precision medicine) tailored to patients' specific characteristics to improve overall patient outcomes.

There is potential in the acromegaly treatment landscape for drugs with improved clinical profiles and for the development of biomarker-based therapy (precision medicine) tailored to patients' specific characteristics to improve overall patient outcomes. Launch of Emerging Acromegaly Therapies: The dynamics of the acromegaly market are expected to change in the coming years due to the launch of emerging therapies such as Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others.

Aparna Thakur, Assistant Project Manager, Forecasting and Analytics at DelveInsight, commented that the shift toward oral medications is driving the acromegaly market, with paltusotine further advancing this trend. Additionally, CAM2029's once-monthly, ready-to-use injection pen offers patients convenient self-administration, reducing their treatment burden.

Acromegaly Market Analysis

Treatment options for acromegaly include surgical removal of the pituitary tumor, radiation therapy, and medications to control growth hormone production.

Early diagnosis and treatment can improve or reverse some symptoms, although long-standing physical changes may persist.

Several approved therapies for acromegaly, including MYCAPSSA (Chiesi Farmaceutici), PALSONIFY (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals/Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho), OCZYESA (Camurus AB, approved in the EU), and SIGNIFOR LAR (Recordati), are currently available.

(Chiesi Farmaceutici), (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals/Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho), (Camurus AB, approved in the EU), and (Recordati), are currently available. Pharmaceutical developers are actively developing innovative modalities to address unmet needs in the treatment of acromegaly.

Investigational therapies include Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (Alexion Pharmaceuticals), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), and others.

Acromegaly Competitive Landscape

Some of the products under development for the treatment of acromegaly include Debio 4126 (Debiopharm International SA), ALXN2420 (AstraZeneca), MAR002 (Marea Therapeutics), Paltusotine (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals), CAM2029 (Camurus AB), and others.

Debiopharm International SA's Debio 4126 is a next-generation, long-acting octreotide formulation intended for intramuscular injection once every three months. Early clinical findings, supported by strong pharmacokinetic modeling, indicate prolonged octreotide release, stable suppression of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), and a safety profile similar to that of existing somatostatin analogs (SSAs), providing a solid foundation for advancing to Phase III development.

AstraZeneca's ALXN2420 is an emerging small-peptide antagonist of the Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR), being developed as an adjunct therapy to SSAs to achieve deeper IGF-1 suppression and normalization. The molecule binds to human GHR and blocks growth hormonemediated activation in vitro. In animal studies, administration of ALXN2420 led to marked reductions in IGF-1 and was associated with decreased growth in juvenile rats. Notably, when combined with an SSA, ALXN2420 produced an additive reduction in IGF-1. The therapy is currently in Phase II testing for acromegaly.

Marea Therapeutics' MAR002 is a highly potent, selective, long-acting allosteric monoclonal antibody that antagonizes the Growth Hormone Receptor and is being developed for acromegaly treatment. Its in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles are consistent with those of an extended-half-life human antibody, supporting infrequent subcutaneous dosing in clinical use. These properties highlight its potential to deliver effective and convenient treatment for patients with acromegaly.

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the acromegaly market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the acromegaly market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

Discover more about the best acromegaly drugs by market share @ Acromegaly Drugs Market

Recent Developments in the Acromegaly Market

In January 2026, Camurus announced that the US FDA had accepted for review the company's resubmission of the New Drug Application (NDA) for OCLAIZ for the treatment of patients with acromegaly. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 10 June 2026.

announced that the US FDA had accepted for review the company's resubmission of the New Drug Application (NDA) for OCLAIZ for the treatment of patients with acromegaly. The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of 10 June 2026. In January 2026, Marea Therapeutics announced positive topline results from its first-in-human Phase I study of MAR002, a first-in-class allosteric monoclonal antibody targeting the growth hormone receptor (GHR) for the treatment of acromegaly.

announced positive topline results from its first-in-human Phase I study of MAR002, a first-in-class allosteric monoclonal antibody targeting the growth hormone receptor (GHR) for the treatment of acromegaly. In December 2025, Debiopharm announced that the first patient had been randomized in the Phase III (OXTEND-03) clinical trial for adults with acromegaly who are currently maintained onsomatostatin analogs.

announced that the first patient had been randomized in the Phase III (OXTEND-03) clinical trial for adults with acromegaly who are currently maintained onsomatostatin analogs. In August 2025, Marea Therapeutics announced that the first participant had been enrolled in its Phase I study evaluating MAR002 for the treatment of acromegaly.

What is Acromegaly?

Acromegaly is a rare hormonal disorder that occurs when the body produces too much growth hormone, usually due to a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This excess hormone causes tissues, bones, and organs to grow larger than normal over time. People with acromegaly often develop enlarged hands and feet, changes in facial features such as a protruding jaw or enlarged nose, and symptoms like joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. If left untreated, the condition can lead to serious health complications, including heart disease and diabetes, but early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent long-term problems.

Acromegaly Epidemiology Segmentation

The acromegaly epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current acromegaly patient pool and forecasted trends for the leading markets. In the US, acromegaly diagnosed prevalent cases, based on origin, accounted for 95% pituitary tumors and 5% non-pituitary tumors.

The acromegaly treatment market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 20222036 in the leading markets, segmented into:

Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly

Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly

Acromegaly Market Forecast Report Metrics Details Study Period 20222036 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Acromegaly Epidemiology Segmentation Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly, and Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly Key Acromegaly Companies Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Camurus AB, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Debiopharm International SA, Marea Therapeutics, Amryt Pharma, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Recordati, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho, and others Key Acromegaly Therapies Paltusotine, CAM2029, ALXN2420, Debio 4126, MAR002, MYCAPSSA, SIGNIFOR LAR, PALSONIFY, and others

Scope of the Acromegaly Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Acromegaly current marketed and emerging therapies

Acromegaly current marketed and emerging therapies Acromegaly Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Acromegaly Drugs and Market Outlook

Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Acromegaly Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Acromegaly Market Access and Reimbursement

Download the report to understand what are novel biomarkers in acromegaly @ Acromegaly Market Forecast

Table of Contents

1 Acromegaly Market Key Insights 2 Acromegaly Market Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary 4 Key Events 5 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 6 Acromegaly Market Overview at a Glance 6.1 Clinical Landscape Analysis (By Phase, RoA, and Molecule Type) 6.2 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies of Acromegaly in 2025 in the 7MM 6.3 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies of Acromegaly in 2036 in the 7MM 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Causes 7.3 Diagnosis 8 Treatment and Management 9 Epidemiology and Patient Population 9.1 Key Findings 9.2 Assumption and Rationale of Acromegaly: The 7MM Analysis 9.3 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the 7MM 9.4 The United States 9.4.1 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.2 Tumor Origin-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.3 Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.4 Tumor Size-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.4.5 Total Treated Cases of Acromegaly in the United States 9.5 EU4 and the UK 9.6 Japan 10 Acromegaly Patient Journey 11 Marketed Acromegaly Therapies 11.1 Key Cross Competition 11.2 Paltusotine (PALSONIFY): Crinetics Pharmaceuticals and Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho 11.2.1 Product Description 11.2.2 Regulatory Milestones 11.2.3 Other Developmental Activities 11.2.4 Summary of Pivotal Trials 11.2.5 Analyst's View 11.3 CAM2029 (OCZYESA): Camurus AB List to be continued 12 Emerging Acromegaly Therapies 12.1 Key Cross Competition 12.2 MAR002: Marea Therapeutics 12.2.1 Product Description 12.2.2 Other Developmental Activities 12.2.3 Clinical Development 12.2.3.1 Clinical Trials Information 12.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 12.2.5 Analyst's Views 12.3 Debio 4126: Debiopharm International SA List to be continued in the report. 13 Acromegaly Market: 7MM Analysis 13.1 Key Findings 13.2 Acromegaly Market Outlook 13.3 Conjoint Analysis 13.4 Key Market Forecast Assumptions 13.5 Total Market Size of Acromegaly in the 7MM 13.6 Market Size of Acromegaly by Therapies in 7MM 13.7 The United States Acromegaly Market Size 13.7.1 Total Market Size of Acromegaly in the United States 13.7.2 Market Size of Acromegaly by Therapies in the United States 13.8 EU4 and the UK Acromegaly Market Size 13.9 Japan Acromegaly Market Size 14 Acromegaly Market Unmet Needs 15 Acromegaly Market SWOT Analysis 16 Key Opinion Leaders' Views on Acromegaly 17 Acromegaly Market Access and Reimbursement 17.1 The United States 17.2 In EU4 and the UK 17.3 Japan 17.4 Summary and Comparison of Market Access and Pricing Policy Developments in 2025 17.5 Market Access and Reimbursement of Acromegaly 18 Acronyms and Abbreviations 19 Bibliography 20 Acromegaly Market Report Methodology

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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

www.delveinsight.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ADC Therapeutics SA (NYSE: ADCT), a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), today announced participation in upcoming investor conferences in March:

TD Cowen 46th Annual Health Care Conference

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Presentation Time: 11:50 a.m. EST

Format: Corporate presentation

Speaker: Ameet Mallik, Chief Executive Officer

Location: Boston, MA

To register for the webcast, click here.

Jefferies Biotech on the Beach Summit

Date: March 11, 2026

Format: One-on-one meetings

Location: Miami, FL

A live webcast of the presentation will be available via the Events & Presentations page in the Investors section of ADC Therapeutics' website, ir.adctherapeutics.com with a replay available for approximately 30 days following.

About ADC Therapeutics

ADC Therapeutics (NYSE: ADCT) is a commercial-stage global leader and pioneer in the field of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs), transforming treatment for patients through our focused portfolio with ZYNLONTA (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl).

ADC Therapeutics' CD19-directed ADC ZYNLONTA received accelerated approval by the FDA and conditional approval from the European Commission for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy. ZYNLONTA is also in development in combination with other agents and in earlier lines of therapy.

Headquartered in Lausanne (Biopole), Switzerland, with operations in New Jersey, ADC Therapeutics is focused on driving innovation in ADC development with specialized capabilities from clinical to manufacturing and commercialization. Learn more at adctherapeutics.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "would", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "seem", "seek", "future", "continue", or "appear" or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: changes to the preliminary unaudited Q4 and full year 2025 net product revenue and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025; expected cash runway at least to 2028 which assumes use of minimum liquidity amount required to be maintained under its loan agreement covenants; whether future LOTIS-7 clinical trial results will be consistent with or different from the LOTIS-7 data presented by the Company on December 3, 2025, the timing, publication and outcome of the full LOTIS-7 trial, compendia inclusion and regulatory strategy and the commercial opportunity; the timing of the PFS events and topline data release for LOTIS-5 and the results of the trial, the timing for the sBLA submission and full FDA approval; the Company's ability to grow ZYNLONTA revenue in the United States and potential peak revenue; the ability of our partners to commercialize ZYNLONTA in foreign markets, the timing and amount of future revenue and payments to us from such partnerships and their ability to obtain regulatory approval for ZYNLONTA in foreign jurisdictions; the timing and results of the Company's clinical trials; the timing, publication and results of investigator-initiated trials including those studying FL and MZL and the potential regulatory and/or compendia strategy and the future opportunity; the timing and outcome of regulatory submissions for the Company's products or product candidates; actions by the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities; projected revenue and expenses; the Company's indebtedness, including HealthCare Royalty Management and Blue Owl and Oaktree facilities, and the restrictions imposed on the Company's activities by such indebtedness, the ability to comply with the terms of the various agreements and repay such indebtedness and the significant cash required to service such indebtedness; and the Company's ability to obtain financial and other resources for its research, development, clinical, and commercial activities; and the uncertainties of international trade policies, including tariffs, sanctions, trade barriers and most favored nation drug pricing and the potential impact they may have on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Additional information concerning these and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's other periodic and current reports and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, achievements or prospects to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or prospects expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this document.

CONTACTS:

Investors and Media

Nicole Riley

ADC Therapeutics

[email protected]

+1 862-926-9040

SOURCE ADC Therapeutics SA
ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the appointment of Sara Walsh, CFA, to lead the Investor Relations team.

Sara has nearly two decades of tenure at Gallagher, where she began as a summer sales intern and has held positions of increasing responsibility in Corporate Finance and Treasury. She also serves as Gallagher's Treasurer and head of Corporate Finance, overseeing financial analysis and reporting, capital planning and communications with rating agencies, banks, and investment bankers, including leading all of Gallagher's capital raises in the past five years.

Sara has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder since 2016 and was recognized by Business Insurance as a Woman to Watch honoree in 2025.

"With Sara's strong financial background and understanding of the capital markets, she will be a terrific leader of our Investor Relations, Corporate Finance, and Treasury functions," said Douglas Howell, Chief Financial Officer. "I would also like to thank Ray Iardella for his dedicated 10 years of service at Gallagher. We wish him all the best."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE: AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors:

Sara Walsh, CFA

630-285-3593 / [email protected]

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Westgate Resorts has been named the best digital detox vacation spot in 2026 by Consumer365, recognizing its offline retreat experience at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in Central Florida.

Best Digital Detox Retreat

Westgate Resorts - a U.S.-based hospitality company that develops and operates vacation resorts and experiential travel destinations across the country, offering accommodations, group retreats, and leisure-focused getaways in both urban and nature-driven settings

The designation reflects a broader shift in travel preferences as families, youth groups, and corporate teams increasingly seek experiences that encourage reduced screen time and in-person connection. With digital fatigue and constant connectivity cited as growing concerns among travelers, resorts offering structured offline programming have gained renewed attention.

Located along the Kissimmee River, Westgate River Ranch Resort offers a ranch-style environment designed to encourage guests to step away from devices and engage with nature, outdoor recreation, and shared activities.

A Florida-Based Retreat Centered on Offline Experiences

At Westgate River Ranch, digital detox programming is built into the guest experience. Rather than positioning the retreat as a strict technology ban, the resort emphasizes immersive alternatives that naturally redirect attention from screens to hands-on activities.

Guests participating in digital detox retreats can expect:

Campfire gatherings focused on storytelling and stargazing

Amazing Race-style team challenges

Private hayrides and line dancing lessons

Cattle drive experiences

Archery instruction and skeet shooting

Swamp buggy and airboat adventures

A Saturday night rodeo open to guests

On-site bourbon tastings such as S'mores 'n Pours featuring Buffalo Trace bourbon

The ranch-style programming is structured to support both relaxation and active participation. According to Westgate Resorts' retreat materials, the goal is to create an environment where technology becomes secondary to shared experience.

Digital Detox Programming for Families and Youth Groups

Consumer365's recognition highlighted the resort's adaptability for different age groups, particularly its structured programming for children and youth organizations.

For families seeking a digital detox retreat for kids , the resort offers outdoor-focused activities designed to encourage imagination and physical engagement. Options include:

Archery and fishing

Petting farm access

Cowboy Adventure Park

Swamp buggy rides

Airboat excursions

Hands-on rodeo experiences

With more than 15 accommodation types available, including traditional lodge rooms and glamping-style units, families can return for repeat visits while experiencing different lodging formats each time.

The emphasis on outdoor recreation aligns with broader travel trends showing increased demand for nature-based getaways, especially in domestic destinations.

Adult-Focused Retreats Emphasizing Nature and Reflection

For adults, Westgate River Ranch frames its digital detox retreats as an opportunity to exchange notifications for outdoor immersion. Activities such as horseback riding, skeet shooting, and guided ranch experiences provide structured alternatives to screen time.

Accommodations include unique glamping options such as teepees, tents, and Conestoga wagons. These lodging formats are designed to complement the rustic setting while maintaining comfort standards expected at a full-service resort.

Evening programming often centers on communal gatherings, including campfires and ranch events, reinforcing the offline theme. By offering curated experiences rather than unstructured downtime, the resort aims to help guests disengage from habitual device use.

Team Building and Corporate Retreat Applications

Beyond leisure travel, Westgate River Ranch has positioned its digital detox programming as a team-building solution for businesses and organizations .

Group retreats incorporate structured challenges intended to foster collaboration and communication. Activities such as cattle drives, line dancing instruction, and Amazing Race-style competitions are organized to encourage participation and interaction.

Corporate planners have increasingly explored offline retreat formats as a counterbalance to remote and hybrid work environments. As companies continue evaluating employee engagement strategies, experiential travel programs that emphasize real-world interaction have become part of that discussion.

Digital Detox Travel as a Broader Industry Trend

The recognition from Consumer365 reflects a growing segment within the travel industry focused on intentional disconnection. As smartphones and remote work blur boundaries between personal and professional life, travelers are exploring vacations designed to create clear breaks from digital routines.

Florida has remained a popular destination for experiential travel due to its climate, accessibility, and range of outdoor environments. Westgate River Ranch's rural setting provides an alternative to traditional beach or theme park vacations, offering a working dude ranch atmosphere within driving distance of major metropolitan areas.

By combining outdoor recreation, structured group programming, and varied lodging options, the resort has positioned its digital detox retreat as part of a wider movement toward restorative travel.

Click here for the full review at Consumer365.

About Westgate Resorts

Westgate Resorts is a diversified hospitality company headquartered in Orlando, Fla., featuring the largest privately held timeshare resort club in the world and a portfolio of more than 60 resort properties. The company offers spacious villa accommodations, world-class amenities, and family-friendly destinations in sought-after locations such as Orlando, Las Vegas, Gatlinburg, Park City, and Myrtle Beach. In 2025, the company expanded its footprint with the addition of VI Resorts by Westgate, enhancing its presence in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Since its founding in 1982, Westgate has focused on creating memorable vacations and delivering exceptional service, while maintaining a commitment to innovation, hospitality, and community engagement. Whether guests are seeking relaxation, adventure, or a combination of both, the company's 9,000 Team Members provide personalized and value-driven getaways tailored to every traveler's needs. Connect with Westgate Resorts on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook and learn more at WestgateResorts.com .

About Consumer365.org: Consumer365 provides consumer news and industry insights. As an affiliate, Consumer365 may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

SOURCE Consumer365.org
CHENNAI, India, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most reputable destination management companies in India, Cholan Tours, has announced a pioneering industry initiative, the introduction of professionally trained women chauffeurs to operate multi-day and long-distance tours across India, a first-of-its-kind concept in the Indian tourism sector.

Cholan Tours Breaks Industry Barriers with India's First Women Chauffeur-Driven Tours

For decades, long-route tour driving has remained a predominantly male profession. By opening this space to women and creating structured career opportunities within it, Cholan Tours is challenging traditional norms and reshaping the way travel services are delivered. The new program will see women chauffeurs operating extended hours while delivering the same high standards of professionalism, reliability, and hospitality for which the company is known.

This initiative is designed to benefit both travellers and communities. For travellers, especially solo women, families, and women-only groups, the presence of trained women chauffeurs offers greater comfort, confidence, and peace of mind. For women entering the workforce, it creates access to stable employment, financial independence, and a meaningful career path in tourism.

To ensure excellence, each chauffeur undergoes comprehensive training that includes advanced driving skills, route and destination knowledge, safety protocols, and hospitality etiquette. The company has also established structured support systems, including safe accommodation arrangements during tours, to prioritise the well-being of its drivers throughout their assignments.

According to Mr. Pandian Kumaravel, Managing Director and Founder of Cholan Tours, "This is not just a new service. It is a step towards social change. For 23 years, we have focused on delivering memorable journeys. Now we want to create meaningful opportunities. By introducing women chauffeurs for long-distance tours, we are empowering women, enhancing traveller confidence, and redefining inclusive tourism in India."

To implement this project in Tamil Nadu, Cholan Tours has recently signed an MOU with the Government of Tamil Nadu to facilitate appointing 100 women drivers for tour operations in the state. By combining service excellence with gender inclusion, the company aims to demonstrate how tourism can positively impact communities while elevating traveller experiences.

Media contact(s):

[email protected]

+91-4314226100

About Cholan Tours:

Headquartered in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Cholan Tours is one of India's leading Destination Management Companies with over 23 years of experience in customised tours, cultural journeys, group travel, and end-to-end travel management services worldwide. Known for reliability and service excellence, the company continues to lead with initiatives that enhance travel experiences while creating meaningful social impact.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918095/CHOLAN_TOURS_Team_Women.jpg

SOURCE Cholan Tours Pvt Ltd
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC), the nation's largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, today announced it has been named to the Fortune 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list and the Forbes 2026 America's Best Companies list. These distinctions underscore the Company's continued excellence in patient care, corporate culture and long-term performance.

This year marks the sixth consecutive year Encompass Health has been named to the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies list, one of the leading indicators of corporate reputation worldwide. The selection process begins with the largest U.S. companies by revenue and major non-U.S. companies earning more than $10 billion. Those companies are narrowed to the highest-revenue organizations in each industry across 29 countries. Fortune and Korn Ferry then conduct a corporate reputation survey in which executives, directors and analysts evaluate companies on criteria such as management quality, financial soundness, innovation, social responsibility, service quality and global competitiveness. Companies ranking in the top half of their industries earn placement on the World's Most Admired Companies list.

Encompass Health was also named to the Forbes 2026 America's Best Companies list. Forbes uses a broad, data-intensive methodology to evaluate thousands of public and private U.S. companies. To compile the list, Forbes partners with multiple data and analytics firms and aggregates hundreds of measures of company quality, including customer satisfaction, financial performance, leadership consistency, workplace culture, trust indicators, media sentiment and long-term value creation. Millions of data points are analyzed to identify the top 500 companies nationwide.

"These recognitions speak to the exceptional work of our clinicians and the trust we've earned with patients, partners and investors," said Mark Tarr, president and chief executive officer of Encompass Health. "We are committed to helping individuals recover and regain independence, and we look forward to extending that commitment to more communities as we grow."

This achievement marks another significant honor for Encompass Health, following numerous recent accolades. View all of Encompass Health's recent awards and recognitions at encompasshealth.com/why-choose-us/awards-accreditation.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 173 hospitals in 39 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is recognized as America's Most Awarded Leader in Inpatient Rehabilitation by Newsweek and Statista and is ranked among Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies and Forbes' America's Best Companies. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, X, Instagram and Facebook.

From Fortune. 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World's Most Admired Companies is trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Encompass Health.

Encompass Health Media Contact:

Polly Manuel | 205-970-5912

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Flexzo Ai, the AI-powered healthcare workforce platform transforming staffing economics in the United States, today announced a multi-year, multi-site partnership with Island Doctors, a leading Florida-based primary care provider. The agreement will see Flexzo Ai deployed across Island Doctors' growing clinic network, introducing autonomous workforce automation, predictive staffing intelligence, and AI-driven clinician engagement at scale.

Island Doctors x Flexzo Ai

As healthcare providers nationwide face escalating agency costs and chronic workforce shortages, Island Doctors is embracing a technology-first strategy to build and manage its own internal float infrastructure. By implementing Flexzo Ai's modular staffing engine, Island Doctors will gain real-time workforce visibility, automated compliance controls, and intelligent shift matching across multiple sites without relying on traditional staffing intermediaries.

Flexzo Ai operates as a proactive workforce engine rather than a passive job marketplace. The platform tracks clinician availability in real time and matches vacancies based on skills, licensure, behavioral fit, compliance status, and pay alignment. When internal supply does not immediately meet demand, the system actively generates new capacity, ensuring continuity of care and operational resilience.

A core component of the deployment at Island Doctors is Flexzo Ai's autonomous re-engagement technology. The platform reactivates inactive but qualified clinicians based on AI-predicted staffing schedule, increasing database utilization through targeted, data-driven outreach. Its built-in Ai agent manages candidate conversations at scale through chat and push notifications, significantly reducing recruiter workload associated with manual engagement. Through mobile app integration, clinicians receive seamless, real-time communication, enabling frictionless re-engagement and faster shift fulfillment.

Beyond matching and engagement, Flexzo Ai introduces predictive workforce intelligence into primary care operations. By analyzing provider data alongside broader workforce trends, the platform identifies and forecasts potential staffing shortages before they occur. This real-time shortage prediction capability allows Island Doctors to proactively address coverage gaps, reducing disruption and protecting patient access.

"Healthcare staffing in the U.S. has been reactive for too long," said Jack Henderson, CEO of Flexzo Ai. "Our technology enables providers to anticipate shortages, autonomously re-engage clinicians, and deploy staff with precision across multiple sites. Island Doctors is implementing an AI-powered workforce infrastructure designed to eliminate agency dependency and create long-term operational control."

Flexzo Ai's subscription-based model provides transparency and cost control, helping organizations significantly reduce agency usage while improving fill rates and workforce stability. The system integrates into existing scheduling and payroll environments without requiring disruptive IT overhauls, making adoption scalable across expanding clinic networks.

For Island Doctors, the partnership aligns with its mission to deliver patient-centered care supported by innovative operational models.

"Our clinics operate in diverse communities across Florida, and continuity of care is critical," said John Paul Shaddock, Chief Operating Officer of Island Doctors. "Flexzo Ai gives us predictive insight into staffing demand and the ability to engage clinicians intelligently and at scale. This partnership strengthens our infrastructure, reduces inefficiencies, and ensures our providers can focus on what matters most, caring for patients."

Originally launched in the United Kingdom, where it has helped multiple NHS Trusts dramatically reduce agency reliance while improving workforce efficiency, Flexzo Ai is now expanding its footprint across the United States. The Island Doctors partnership marks a significant step in bringing autonomous workforce technology to U.S. primary care.

About Island Doctors

Island Doctors is a Florida-based primary care provider delivering patient-centered care through a growing network of clinics. Focused on quality, access, and continuity, Island Doctors serves diverse communities across the state while investing in innovative operational models that support both patients and clinicians.

About Flexzo Ai

Flexzo Ai is a digital healthcare staffing platform that builds and manages internal float pools for healthcare providers. The platform automates credentialing, compliance verification, AI-driven shift matching, and predictive workforce engagement. Originating in the United Kingdom and now expanding across the United States, Flexzo Ai helps healthcare organizations reduce agency reliance and take control of their workforce through intelligent automation.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2919128/Flexzo_Ai_x_Island_Doctors.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2919127/Flexzo_Ai_Logo.jpg

Contact Information:

https://flexzo.ai

SOURCE Flexzo Ai
SAO PAULO, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 4Q25 Highlights

Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of R$2.4 billion in 4Q25, 13% lower than in 3Q25 and in line with 4Q24. Notably, North America accounted for 62% of the Company's Consolidated EBITDA in 2025.

(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of in 4Q25, 13% lower than in 3Q25 and in line with 4Q24. Notably, North America accounted for 62% of the Company's Consolidated EBITDA in 2025. Investments (CAPEX) of R$1.5 billion in 4Q25 , totaling R$6.1 billion in 2025. For 2026, the approved investment plan projects R$ 4.7 billion in CAPEX.

, totaling R$6.1 billion in 2025. For 2026, the approved investment plan projects R$ 4.7 billion in CAPEX. Dividend distribution of R$0.10 per share, equivalent to R$197.5 million, to be paid based on March 18, 2026. In 2025, Gerdau S.A. distributed R$2.4 billion to shareholders through dividend and share buybacks, reaching a 182.3% shareholder return.

of R$0.10 per share, equivalent to R$197.5 million, to be paid based on March 18, 2026. In 2025, Gerdau S.A. distributed R$2.4 billion to shareholders through dividend and share buybacks, reaching a 182.3% shareholder return. The Company concluded its 2025 share buyback program, totaling approximately R$1.0 billion in repurchases. Additionally, the Company's Board of Directors approved a new share buyback program of up to 56.4 million Gerdau S.A. shares, with a term of up to 18 months.

Additional information

Gerdau S.A. (NYSE: GGB, BM&Fbovespa: GGBR3, GGBR4) informs that it is filling today its 4Q25 results at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and at the Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM), which are available at Gerdau's website. To access this document, please click on: https://ri.gerdau.com/en/notices-and-results/results-center/.

The 4Q25 Valuation Guide is also available on Gerdau's website.

https://ri.gerdau.com/en/financial-information/valuation-guide/

SOURCE Gerdau S.A.
Strategic Acquisition Strengthens GCEI AI Division with Proven Consulting Capabilities, Immediate Revenue, and Mission-Aligned Expertise

HOUSTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Clean Energy, Inc. (OTCID: GCEI) today announced the acquisition of Flamelit Inc., a mission-driven AI and data science firm delivering responsible, production-ready AI systems that turn complex data into actionable decisions for the public good.

This strategic transaction brings Flamelit's high-performing consultancy complete with $2.1 Million in revenue over the last few years, active contracts, operational infrastructure, and strategic partnerships directly into GCEI's newly launched AI Division. With Flamelit's four core employees and bench of 10+ senior data scientists, GCEI gains immediate capacity to scale ethical AI solutions across energy, infrastructure, climate resilience, and public health.

"Flamelit embodies the kind of practical, impact-focused AI we're building at GCEI," said Dr. Earl Azimov, CEO of Global Clean Energy. "Their track record of deploying trustworthy systems for government, utilities, and health organizations aligns perfectly with our mission to create renewable, responsive, and resilient infrastructure. This acquisition accelerates our AI Division from vision to execution, delivering value from day one."

Greg Godbout, Chief Innovation Officer, added, "Integrating Flamelit's expertise positions GCEI to lead in mission-critical applications from utilities protection to environmental health intelligence. With Tom Roderick, PhD, Chief AI Officer, we're ready to scale these solutions and drive real-world resilience."

Flamelit's portfolio includes innovations like AI algorithms detecting pressure waves in water systems to prevent pipe failures, a multimodal Pediatric Asthma Early-Warning System using NASA satellite data, and machine learning models predicting sepsis on patient arrival. The firm also offers Fractional Chief AI Officer (CAIO) services for executive AI strategy and governance.

This acquisition builds on GCEI's recent AI Division launch, positioning the company at the intersection of clean energy demand and AI innovation. According to a February 4, 2026 Vanderbilt Report the global AI in Energy Market is growing from $11.3B in 2024 to $54.83B by 2030 at a 30.2% CAGR.

About Global Clean Energy, Inc. (GCEI)

Global Clean Energy drives the transition to sustainable infrastructure through innovative AI, energy solutions, and resilience technologies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release may be regarded, in certain instances, as "forward-looking statements" pursuant to certain sections of the Securities Act 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act 1934, respectively. "Forward-looking statements" are based on expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made, and involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those currently anticipated, including, but not limited to delays, difficulties, changed strategies, or unanticipated factors or circumstances affecting Global Clean Energy Inc. and its business. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will ever prove to be accurate, and readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements contained herein. Global Clean Energy Inc. will not republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Global Clean Energy Inc.
Zelenskyy: Let the images of the pain brought by Russia be seen by everyone who still buys oil from Putin

The President's address to the participants of the meeting of the Coalition of the Wishing on December 11, 2025 | Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine / www.president.gov.ua

Russia has brought pain to every Ukrainian heart and revealed its true nature; let the images of the consequences of Russia crimes be seen by all whose consciences are not troubled, who still extend a hand to Russia evil and still buy oil from Putin, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Bucha. Irpin. Borodianka. Mass graves. Hostomel. 'Mriya.' Kharkiv. Mykolaiv. Regional State Administration. Kakhovka Dam. Zaporizhzhia NPP (nuclear power plant). Kremenchuk and Kryvyi Rih. Ternopil and Lviv. Olenivka. Chasiv Yar. Kyiv. 'Okhmatdyt.' Kramatorsk. Railway station. A toy. Mariupol. Drama Theater. The inscription 'Children.' Odesa. A high-rise building. A girl. Three months old. Vilniansk. Maternity ward. An infant. Two days old," the President recalled the Russia crimes in his address on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

The President noted that men do not fight this way, and human beings do not act this way, and Ukrainians will not forget it.

"And let these images be seen by all whose consciences are not troubled, who still extend a hand to Russia evil and still buy oil from Putin," he emphasized.

According to him, Ukrainians are transforming their own rage into energy for the struggle and are proving that "you can force us down into a shelter, but it is impossible to drive Ukraine underground forever."

He also remembered the heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine might live.

"Da Vinci. Hrenka. Juice. Zheka. Tykhyi. Nord. Petrychenko. Matsievskyi. Sailor Vitaliy Skakun. Pilot Oleksandr Oksanchenko. Daria Lopatina, Delta. Lana Chornohorska, Sati. Yulia Bereziuk. Marharyta Polovinko. Thousands, thousands of heroes who gave their lives so that Ukraine might live. Our warrior-defenders. Our guardian angels," the President said.

"I am sure they told God the whole truth about this war. About how we defend ourselves. We defend our land, life, independence, our culture, history, our Sophia, our people. One thousand four hundred sixty-two days of full-scale war. Twelve years since the start of the war by Russia. For somea lifetime. Of course, we all want the war to end. But no one will allow Ukraine to end," Zelenskyy said.
STOCKHOLM, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Greater Than, a global provider of risk intelligence into road safety and climate impact, has signed an agreement with multinational automotive manufacturer Honda, following a successful research and development collaboration. The agreement supports the commercialization of Honda's crash risk map powered by Greater Than's AI technology. The solution visualizes crash probability and risk patterns on road stretches across geographic regions. The insights are generated through AI analysis of anonymized data from Honda's Connected Car Program.

The solution is planned to be launched in Japan in 2026, followed by a gradual rollout to additional markets, scaling toward global adoption during the coming years. Honda is responsible for the sales and marketing of the solution, while Greater Than is responsible for the technology. Based on market adaptation and sales performance, revenue is expected to scale progressively as customer adoption and usage increase.

"This is an exciting partnership and another strong example of how Greater Than's AI enables innovative, scalable solutions for global mobility," said Johan Forseke, Head of APAC, Greater Than. "Together with Honda, we're applying crash probability insights at an infrastructure level, helping stakeholders prioritize where to act, while building a service with real-world impact and long-term commercial potential."

Honda's crash risk map is a SaaS solution that transforms real-world connected car data into actionable risk insights to identify high-risk areas, supporting infrastructure planning and data-driven mobility decisions.

"We are committed to turning data from Honda vehicles into meaningful insights, helping to shape safer, more sustainable societies," said Yuki Ishikawa, Business Strategy and Planning Department, SDV Integrated Strategy Division, Honda. "By working with Greater Than to uncover more value from our driving data, we're able to provide useful information that will inform better decisions and ultimately help all road users move around more safely."

CONTACT:

Press contact Greater Than

[email protected]

+46 855 593 200

www.greaterthan.eu



This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/greater-than/r/greater-than-announces-licensing-agreement-with-world-leading-automotive-manufacturer-honda-to-power,c4311732

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CANTON, Ga., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The article outlines how credentials, treatment planning, and patient comfort shape long term orthodontic care outcomes.

What should patients consider when choosing an orthodontist in Canton, GA? A HelloNation article provides the answer, featuring insights from Dr. Michelle Mathieson of Harmony Orthodontics in Canton, GA.

Dr. Michelle Mathieson, DMD, MSD - Owner & Orthodontist, Harmony Orthodontics

The HelloNation article explains that selecting the right orthodontist affects not only appearance but also long term oral health. From credentials to communication style, several factors influence the quality of orthodontic care and the overall dental experience.

Credentials and professional background form the foundation of any orthodontic practice. The article notes that an orthodontist should complete dental school followed by specialized orthodontic training. This advanced dental experience supports accurate diagnosis, careful treatment planning, and effective correction of alignment or bite concerns.

Experience also plays a role in managing both routine and complex cases. Patients in Canton are encouraged to review qualifications and past case results when evaluating an orthodontist. A strong record of orthodontic care helps ensure that treatment decisions are based on skill and established knowledge.

Clear communication is described as essential throughout the process. The article emphasizes that patients should feel comfortable asking questions about braces, clear aligners, timelines, and expected results. An orthodontist who explains treatment planning clearly helps patients understand each phase of care and builds trust from the start.

Modern technology is another factor to consider. Advanced imaging and digital tools support more accurate treatment planning and can improve patient comfort during visits. The article highlights options such as braces and clear aligners, noting that updated techniques often create a smoother dental experience with fewer adjustments and more predictable results.

Personalized treatment planning distinguishes high quality orthodontic care. Each patient has unique needs related to bite alignment, jaw function, and aesthetic goals. The article explains that an orthodontist in Canton should provide a comprehensive evaluation and discuss multiple treatment planning options before beginning braces or clear aligners.

Long term care is equally important. Orthodontic care does not end when braces are removed or clear aligners are completed. Retainers, follow up visits, and monitoring help preserve results. The article states that an orthodontist committed to long term outcomes supports continued patient comfort and confidence.

The office environment also influences the dental experience. A welcoming setting and attentive team contribute to patient comfort during what can be months or years of treatment. The article suggests observing how staff interact with patients and whether communication remains clear and respectful.

Reviews and referrals may further guide decision making. Feedback from other Canton patients can provide insight into orthodontic care quality, treatment planning clarity, and overall satisfaction. Consistent positive references often indicate that an orthodontist values both results and patient comfort.

The HelloNation article concludes that choosing an orthodontist involves evaluating credentials, dental experience, communication style, and commitment to personalized treatment planning. By considering these factors, patients in Canton can select an orthodontist who delivers reliable orthodontic care, supports patient comfort, and provides a positive dental experience from consultation through completion.

What to Look for When Choosing an Orthodontist in Canton, GA features insights from Dr. Michelle Mathieson, Expert Orthodontist of Canton, GA, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising" approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

SOURCE HelloNation
New role underscores company's commitment to modernizing technology, digital and data capabilities

AUSTIN, Minn., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the appointment of Donald Monk as chief technology officer, effective March 23. In this newly created role, Monk will serve as the company's senior-most technology leader, responsible for envisioning, aligning and delivering the enterprise technology, digital and data strategy that supports longterm growth.

Donald Monk named Hormel Foods First Chief Technology Officer

"Don is an exceptional technology leader with a proven track record of transforming large, global organizations and building modern digital capabilities that unlock business growth," said John Ghingo, president, Hormel Foods. "As we continue to prioritize the modernization of our technology and data platforms, Don's experience and leadership will be critical in enhancing the capabilities that empower our business. We are thrilled to welcome him to Hormel Foods."

Monk brings more than 35 years of global technology leadership to Hormel Foods, including more than three decades at General Mills, where he ultimately served as chief information officer. Widely recognized for leading complex enterprise transformations, he has built highperforming global teams and developed modern technology ecosystems that enable organizations to move faster and deliver stronger business results.

About Donald Monk

Monk is a global technology executive with more than 35 years of experience leading large, complex digital, data and technology organizations. He has deep expertise in shaping enterprise technology strategy, modernizing digital capabilities and enabling business growth through innovation.

Monk spent 33 years at General Mills, ultimately serving as chief information officer, where he led global technology strategy, delivery and operations across the company's international footprint. He later joined Cargill, most recently serving as senior vice president of strategy, governance and transformation for the company's digital technology and data organization. In that role, he guided global strategy and transformation efforts across all aspects of the digital and data function, including people, process, analytics and AI, finance and technology governance.

Throughout his career, Monk has led major enterprise transformations, built highperforming global teams and implemented modern technology platforms that strengthen operational performance and accelerate growth.

Monk holds a Master of Science in software engineering from the University of Minnesota  Twin Cities and a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS, SKIPPY, SPAM, HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE, APPLEGATE, WHOLLY, HORMEL BLACK LABEL, COLUMBUS, JENNIE-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact:

Media Relations

Hormel Foods

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
LONDON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Talentis  the Executive Search Software with a 4.9* rating on G2, is pleased to announce growth of 67% in exit ARR in H2 of 2025. This dramatic increase in revenue and subscriber numbers likely positions the platform as the fastest growing executive search CRM on the market.

Talentis Fundraise Announcement

Alongside the announcement of Talentis' significant sales acceleration, ultimate parent Dillistone Group Plc announced an equity fundraise worth more than US$2Million. Backed by investors from both the US and the UK, a specific objective of the investment is to "provide adequate resources to take full advantage of the immediate and global opportunity afforded by Talentis".

Strong Growth in Executive Search Software

Talentis has delivered impressive growth as executive search firms increasingly reassess their technology infrastructure. The platform is now used by executive search firms and in-house recruiting teams across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Independent user reviews on sites like G2 refer to how the platform has "dramatically increased productivity" for users, with clients reporting that the "new software is simply outstanding."

A changing recruitment landscape

Talentis has benefited from a changing recruitment landscape. Unlike legacy executive search software that requires extensive data input and maintenance by users, the Talentis CRM provides an integrated CRM and candidate sourcing platform, which streamlines the executive search process  while offering a seamless user experience. This is an attractive combination for executive recruiters who are tasked with building candidate shortlists ever faster.

Purpose-Built Executive Search Technology

Unlike generalist recruitment CRM systems, Talentis was designed exclusively for executive search firms. The platform combines:

Executive search CRM functionality

Search assignment management

Structured market mapping tools

Candidate intelligence capture

Access to hundreds of millions of public candidate and client profiles via the integrated TalentGraph

Numerous AI integrations built into the platform.

For firms evaluating how to choose executive search software, a key consideration is whether the platform strengthens long-term value. Talentis enables firms to build a living executive database that compounds over time  rather than relying solely on external subscription databases.

Increasing Demand for Alternatives to Legacy Executive Search CRM Systems

In 2026, executive search firms are increasingly questioning the traditional combination of:

A legacy executive search CRM

LinkedIn Recruiter licences

Disconnected research spreadsheets

The market is shifting toward unified executive search platforms that integrate workflow, research, and data ownership. Talentis has gained traction among boutique retained search firms, international networks, and growth-focused executive search businesses looking to modernise their technology stack.

As 2026 progresses, firms searching for:

"Best executive search software"

"Executive search CRM comparison"

"LinkedIn Recruiter alternative for executive search"

"Executive search database software"

are increasingly considering Talentis as a modern solution built specifically for retained search.

About Ikiru People

Ikiru People is a specialist provider of executive search technology and forms part of Dillistone Group Plc. Through Talentis, Ikiru People delivers purpose-built executive search software designed to help retained search firms build proprietary talent intelligence, manage assignments effectively, and strengthen long-term competitive advantage.

For executive search firms evaluating innovative technology, further information about Talentis is available at https://www.talentis.global/recruitment-software/talentis-fundraise/.

Media contact: Yann Le Leyour, Marketing Manager  [email protected].

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2918247/Ikiru_People_Ltd.jpg

SOURCE Ikiru People Ltd
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jonathan R. De Armas has been named one of Orlando Style Magazine's "Attorneys of the Year 2025," recognizing his record of trial success, client-focused advocacy, and growing impact in personal injury and insurance litigation across Central Florida. As founder and managing attorney of De Armas Law , he leads a results-driven practice serving clients in Orlando, Tampa, and throughout Florida from his primary office in the Orlando area.

Award recognition: Orlando Style Magazine selected Jonathan R. De Armas for its prestigious "Orlando's Attorneys of the Year 2025" list, spotlighting lawyers who exemplify professional excellence, integrity, and community leadership. The feature highlights his evolution from public defender to trial-tested civil litigator and his success in recovering substantial compensation for injured Floridians.

De Armas Law emphasized that this recognition reflects a firm-wide commitment to giving clients personal attention and relentless representation against insurance companies and negligent parties. The honor also underscores Mr. De Armas's reputation among peers, several of whom describe him as "tenacious," "a lawyer's lawyer," and "among the hardest working lawyers" they have met.

Background and Experience: Originally from Easton, Pennsylvania, Jonathan De Armas earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Florida State University before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law. During law school he developed early courtroom and research experience through roles as a research assistant, a court administrator in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit, and an extern at the Public Defender's Office, as well as work with the Florida Innocence Project.

Mr. De Armas began his legal career in 2013 as an Assistant Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, where he tried numerous cases to verdict and never lost a felony jury trial. He later moved into civil practice, joining one of Florida's largest insurance defense firms and then a plaintiff's practice, gaining a rare dual perspective on how insurers evaluate, defend, and resolve claims.

Founding De Armas Law: In 2019, Jonathan De Armas opened his own firm, De Armas Law, with a clear focus on representing individuals and families harmed in accidents and insurance disputes. Since opening its doors, the firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients in cases involving automobile accidents, first-party property and hurricane claims, and other serious injury matters.

As managing attorney, Mr. De Armas uses his background in both plaintiff and defense work to craft litigation strategies that anticipate insurer tactics and push for maximum recovery. Clients and fellow attorneys consistently praise his attention to detail, willingness to explain each step of the process, and readiness to pursue creative solutions rather than defaulting to lengthy, expensive litigation when a better path exists.

Practice focus and client impact: De Armas Law concentrates on personal injury and insurance-related cases, including automobile and truck accidents, motorcycle and pedestrian collisions, premises liability, slip and fall incidents, wrongful death, and first-party insurance disputes such as property damage and PIP claims. Mr. De Armas's experience inside an insurance defense firm gives him insight into claim valuation, common coverage defenses, and negotiation dynamics that can significantly influence case outcomes.

Clients frequently describe him as responsive, thorough, and willing to "go to battle" when insurers use delay or denial tactics. Testimonials highlight his ability to resolve long-stalled property and insurance disputes in a matter of months, often securing full restoration costs or favorable settlements after years of frustration.

Community Presence and Locations: From his primary Orlando-area office at De Armas Law, 237 South Westmonte Drive Suite 110, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Mr. De Armas serves clients across Central Florida and beyond. The firm can be reached at 407-362-7777 for consultations related to serious injuries, automobile accidents, or insurance disputes .

In addition to its Orlando base, De Armas Law maintains a growing presence in the Tampa area and handles cases throughout the state, reflecting the firm's broader commitment to advocating for injured Floridians wherever they need support. Social media channels and community partnerships further extend the firm's outreach, emphasizing education about accident rights, insurance pitfalls, and the importance of timely legal guidance after an injury.

Professional honors and affiliations: Jonathan De Armas has earned multiple recognitions beyond Orlando Style Magazine's 2025 "Attorneys of the Year" honor, including the Elite Lawyer distinction beginning in 2022 for his work as a personal injury attorney. Earlier in his career he received a Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award from Florida State University College of Law, reflecting a longstanding commitment to public service.

He is an active member of The Florida Bar and local bar associations and continues to build his practice around accessibility, clear communication, and hands-on representation. Colleagues regularly endorse him for litigation, insurance, and personal injury work, reinforcing his standing as a trusted resource for both clients and fellow attorneys seeking co-counsel or referrals.

About De Armas Law: De Armas Law is a personal injury and insurance litigation firm serving Orlando, Tampa, and clients throughout Florida. The firm handles car accidents, trucking and motorcycle crashes, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death claims, and a wide range of first-party insurance disputes, including property damage and PIP matters.

Rooted in trial experience and informed by years inside the insurance industry, De Armas Law is structured to give clients direct access to a trusted attorney who understands both sides of the litigation process. For more information or to schedule a consultation with Attorney Jonathan R. De Armas, contact De Armas Law at 407-362-7777 or visit mydearmaslaw.com .

SOURCE De Armas Law Firm
Previously unpublished clinical data support the potential long  term safety and efficacy of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) for plantar fibromatosis.

The findings will be presented at the ACFAS Annual Meeting, highlighting progress toward a potential nonsurgical treatment option for a painful condition.

Keenova's Phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway, with results expected mid-2026.

DUBLIN, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Keenova Therapeutics plc is presenting clinical data on plantar fibromatosis at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Meeting, taking place February 2427, 2026.

Why It Matters

Plantar fibromatosis is a progressive condition with no FDA-approved nonsurgical treatment options. Keenova is investigating collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) as a potential therapy. CCH is not approved for treating plantar fibromatosis.

News You Should Know

New findings from Study 306, an openlabel extension of Keenova's phase 2 trial analysis show:

Patients receiving initial treatment or retreatment with CCH demonstrated a safety profile consistent with the earlier phase 2 study.

Data support the potential longterm safety, efficacy, and durability of CCH in plantar fibromatosis.

Keenova's Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating CCH for plantar fibromatosis is currently underway, with results expected mid-2026.

CSO Perspective

"We are pleased to share with the medical community these important data that help advance our understanding of this burdensome condition," said Dr. Marek Honczarenko, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Keenova. "We are progressing our program to pivotal Phase 3 study to advance a potential nonsurgical treatment option for patients with plantar fibromatosis, reinforcing our commitment to bring new therapies for challenging conditions."

Zoom in: About Study 306

Builds on earlier phase 2 results showing improvements in nodule hardness, consistency, and other clinical measures, including the reduction of pain associated with the condition.

Participants entered a 180day observation period without treatment, followed by an optional treatment phase for new or previously treated nodules.

Participants who chose not to be retreated continued in longterm observation without receiving additional treatment.

The primary endpoint was safety.

Additional efficacy was evaluated using patient and investigatorreported outcomes.

Presentation Details

Title: Long-term safety, efficacy, and durability of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in the treatment and re-treatment of plantar fibromatosis (PFI)

Long-term safety, efficacy, and durability of collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) in the treatment and re-treatment of plantar fibromatosis (PFI) Authors: C. James Anderson, DPM; Jason Levy, DPM, FACFAS; Sara E. Suttle, DPM, FACFAS; Nigel Jones, PharmD; Luis Ortega, MD; Gongfu Zhou, PhD; Joseph Caporusso, DPM

About Plantar Fibromatosis

Plantar fibromatosis or Ledderhose disease is a hyperproliferative fibrous tissue disorder resulting in the formation of collagen nodules along the plantar fascia, the thick connective tissue that supports the arch of the foot, which is often painful. There is no cure for plantar fibromatosis. Symptom management options include custom insoles (orthotics), topical treatments, over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications, radiation therapy and steroid injections, and ultimately, surgery may be required to remove the nodules.

About Keenova

Keenova Therapeutics is a leading global developer and manufacturer of branded therapeutics that strives to help patients with rare or unaddressed conditions live happier and healthier lives.

The Company's diversified brands portfolio is focused across a wide range of therapeutic areas of significant unmet need, including endocrinology, gastroenterology, hepatology, immunology, neonatal respiratory critical care, nephrology, neurology, pulmonology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, rheumatology and urology. Globally headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Keenova benefits from a strong U.S. manufacturing footprint with facilities in Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. To learn more, please visit www.keenova.com.

Keenova uses its website as a channel of distribution of important company information, such as press releases, investor presentations and other financial information. It also uses its website to expedite public access to time-critical information regarding the Company in advance of or in lieu of distributing a press release or a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosing the same information. Therefore, investors should look to the Investor Relations page of the website for important and time-critical information. Visitors to the website can also register to receive automatic e-mail and other notifications alerting them when new information is made available on the Investor Relations page of the website.

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

There are a number of important factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those suggested or indicated by such forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to, among other things: the expected benefits and synergies of the business combination with Endo ("Business Combination") may not be fully realized in a timely manner, or at all; the Company's increased indebtedness as a result of the Business Combination and significant transaction costs related to the Business Combination; the expected growth opportunities, profit improvements, cost savings and other benefits as a result of the spin-off of Par Health may not be fully realized in a timely manner, or at all; unanticipated costs, litigation and/or regulatory inquiries and investigations as a result of the spin-off of Par Health; risks associated with being a smaller, less diversified company as a result of the spin-off of Par Health; potential changes in the Company's business strategy and performance; exposure to global economic conditions and market uncertainty; governmental investigations and inquiries, regulatory actions, and lawsuits, in each case related to the Company's or its officers; the Company's contractual and court-ordered compliance obligations that, if violated, could result in penalties; compliance with and restrictions under the global settlement to resolve all opioid-related claims; matters related to Acthar Gel, including the settlement with governmental parties to resolve certain disputes and compliance with and restrictions under the related corporate integrity agreement; the ability to maintain relationships with the Company's suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties; scrutiny from governments, legislative bodies and enforcement agencies related to sales, marketing and pricing practices; pricing pressure on certain of the Company's products due to legal changes or changes in insurers' or other payers' reimbursement practices resulting from recent increased public scrutiny of healthcare and pharmaceutical costs; the reimbursement practices of governmental health administration authorities, private health coverage insurers and other third-party payers; complex reporting and payment obligations under the Medicare and Medicaid rebate programs and other governmental purchasing and rebate programs; cost containment efforts of customers, purchasing groups, third-party payers and governmental organizations; changes in or failure to comply with relevant laws and regulations; any undesirable side effects caused by the Company's approved and investigational products, which could limit their commercial profile or result in other negative consequences; the Company's and its partners' ability to successfully develop, commercialize or launch new products or expand commercial opportunities of existing products, including Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) SelfJect, the INOmax Evolve DS delivery system, and XIAFLEX; the Company's ability to successfully identify or discover additional products or product candidates; the Company's ability to navigate price fluctuations and pressures, including the ability to achieve anticipated benefits of price increases of its products; competition; the Company's and its partners' ability to protect intellectual property rights, including in relation to ongoing and future litigation; limited clinical trial data for Acthar Gel; the timing, expense and uncertainty associated with clinical studies and related regulatory processes; product liability losses and other litigation liability; material health, safety and environmental laws and related liabilities; business development activities or other strategic transactions; attraction and retention of key personnel; the effectiveness of information technology infrastructure, including risks of external attacks or failures; customer concentration; the Company's reliance on certain individual products that are material to its financial performance; the Company's ability to receive sufficient procurement and production quotas granted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; complex manufacturing processes; reliance on third-party manufacturers and supply chain providers and related market disruptions; conducting business internationally; the Company's significant levels of intangible assets and related impairment testing; natural disasters or other catastrophic events; the Company's substantial indebtedness and settlement obligation, its ability to generate sufficient cash to reduce its indebtedness and its potential need and ability to incur further indebtedness; restrictions contained in the agreements governing the Company's indebtedness and settlement obligation on the Company's operations, future financings and use of proceeds; the Company's variable rate indebtedness; the Company's tax treatment by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 7874 and Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; future changes to applicable tax laws or the impact of disputes with governmental tax authorities; the impact of Irish laws; the comparability of the Company's post-emergence financial results and the projections filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware and the lack of comparability of the Company's historical financial statements and information contained in its financial statements after the adoption of fresh-start accounting following emergence from Mallinckrodt's and Endo's respective bankruptcy proceedings.

The "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2024, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 28, 2025, its Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended June 27, 2025, its Quarterly Report for the quarterly period ended September 26, 2025, its Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, filed with the SEC, and other filings with the SEC, all of which are on file with the SEC and available from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and the Company's website (www.keenova.com), identify and describe in more detail the risks and uncertainties to which the Company's businesses are subject. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business. The forward-looking statements made herein speak only as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Given these uncertainties, one should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

SOURCE Keenova Therapeutics
MIAMI, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mowi, the world's largest supplier of farm-raised salmon and recognized as a sustainable protein producer, is gearing up for Expo West, the industry's defining event for natural and organic professionals.

Taking place over 3rd to 6th March at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, the 2026 edition of Expo West is the second year Mowi has attended. With an extended booth (booth number N1641), Mowi will be showcasing accessible premium salmon products and innovations from the MOWI brand and Ducktrap.

Our team is ready to connect at #NaturalProductsExpoWest 2026. Stop by to explore how Mowi and Ducktrap can help grow your seafood category. Mowi Atlantic Salmon and Ducktraps smoked line delivering the trusted quality and signature flavor consumers love.

"Expo West is the perfect opportunity for Mowi to connect with retailers, buyers, and key partners across the natural and organic food industry while continuing to strengthen our position as a food company first. As salmon consumption continues to grow in the U.S., this food industry show allows us to showcase how Mowi is delivering a healthy and affordable premium protein through innovationfrom MOWI farm-raised Atlantic salmon and Ducktrap smoked fish products to chef-led inspiration that highlights the versatility of our salmon," said Diana Dumet, Senior Director of Marketing & Category at Mowi CP of Americas.

And this year, MOWI is going big! The Mowi booth has been extended to accommodate more product innovations, including MOWI Fjord Norwegian Salmon Burgers and Ducktrap Hot Honey Atlantic Salmon, showcasing the versatility of Ducktrap's smoked ready-to-eat selection and MOWI's fresh ready-to-cook salmon. The Mowi booth will also have Michelin trained chef Alex Trim to expertly prepare delicious, premium salmon that offers versatility and ease in preparation.

MOWI and Ducktrap portfolio highlights at Expo West 2026 include:

Expo West, organized by New Hope Network, is the industry's defining event for natural and organic professionals. Now in its 45th edition, Expo West is the ultimate CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) and retail ecosystem experience in Anaheim, California, where breakthrough connections, visionary insights and market-transforming discoveries revolutionize business trajectories.

Expo West takes place at Anaheim Convention Center, California, 3-6 March 2026 (Mowi booth number N1641). Registration and further information can be found at: https://www.expowest.com/

Notes to editors

About chef Alex Trim

With a love of food shaped by his childhood in London, travels around Europe and parents working within the industry, chef Alex Trim began his career in the United States after relocating there in his early teens. Training at the world-renowned Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago, and later rising to Sous Chef at Tru, the city's iconic two-Michelin-star institution, Alex continued his journey with the esteemed LEYE Restaurant Group. There, he contributed to menu development and played a key role in the launch of multiple high-profile concepts. In mid-2021, he pivoted towards private dining, bringing Michelin-level execution into more intimate, bespoke settings.

Today, Alex is known for demystifying fine dining and translating Michelin-style cuisine into refined yet approachable experiences. He is widely regarded as the premier private chef in Naples, Florida, catering to food enthusiasts who seek elevated, personalized dining. A tastemaker and innovator, Chef Alex Trim continues to redefine luxury dining beyond the restaurant walls.

About Mowi

Mowi is the world's leading producer of sustainable farm-raised salmon, dedicated to delivering the highest quality seafood products with an unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. With operations in 26 countries, Mowi is at the forefront of sustainable aquaculture, producing premium salmon known for its exceptional flavor, texture and nutritional value.

Learn more about Mowi company at https://mowisalmon.us/.

Learn more about MOWI brand's full range of products at https://mowisalmon.us/products/.

https://www.facebook.com/mowisalmon.us/

https://www.instagram.com/mowisalmon.us/

https://www.youtube.com/@MOWISalmonUS

About Ducktrap

Over 40 years, Ducktrap River of Maine has gone from two workers to 100+ employees. What started as a small trout farm selling to local businesses has blossomed into a full scale 125,000 sq. ft. smoked seafood campus. Today all four of our brands (Ducktrap, Kendall Brook, Winter Harbor, Spruce Point) are sold across the United States.

https://ducktrap.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ducktrapriverofmaine/

https://www.instagram.com/ducktrapriverofmaine/

https://www.youtube.com/@ducktrap

https://uk.pinterest.com/ducktrapsince1978/

For media enquiries:

Kathryn Hudson-Melians

Trade Marketing Manager

Mowi CP of Americas

Phone: 305-794-5420

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Mowi USA
TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On Track Partners, a leader in residential and commercial garage door services, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Carey's Seamless Gutters & Overhead Doors, a premier provider of seamless gutter systems and garage door installation, service, and repair serving southern Wisconsin. This partnership marks a significant step in On Track Partners' continued expansion across the Midwest.

Founded in 2006, Carey's has earned a strong reputation for quality workmanship, trusted service, and local expertise. With over 50 employees, the company serves homeowners and commercial customers throughout southern Wisconsin, delivering professional gutter installation and cleaning, and a full range of overhead door solutions.

"Carey's exemplifies the type of business we look to partner with  community-focused, service-oriented, and built on a reputation for doing the job right," said Daley Donigan, Head of M&A at On Track Partners. "Dan and Becky have grown a business that customers trust for both the quality of their work and the way they treat their communities. We're excited to support their continued success while preserving the culture and customer-first approach that has defined Carey's."

Under the new partnership, Carey's will continue operating under its established name, with its leadership team and employees remaining in place. The company's local presence, deep customer relationships, and commitment to craftsmanship will remain central as On Track Partners provides additional operational support and resources to help fuel continued future growth.

"We're incredibly proud of what we've built at Carey's, and this moment is a meaningful milestone for our team," said Dan and Becky Carey, Owners of Carey's Seamless Gutters & Overhead Doors. "On Track Partners understands the importance of people, culture, and customer trust. With their support, we can continue to invest in our team, broaden our service capabilities, and maintain the high standards our customers have come to expect."

On Track Partners was founded with the support of NorthCurrent Partners, a private investment firm focused on partnering with high-quality service businesses and supporting long-term value creation. Together, On Track Partners and its partner brands are committed to empowering local operators, investing in people, and delivering industry-leading service to customers and communities nationwide.

About On Track Partners

On Track Partners is a national leader in residential and commercial garage door installation, service, and repair. Through its partnerships with regional brands, On Track Partners focuses on driving growth, empowering teams, and delivering industry-leading service to customers nationwide. More information about On Track Partners can be found at www.ontrackpartnersusa.com.

About NorthCurrent Partners

Based in New York City, NorthCurrent Partners is a private investment firm that seeks to partner with and grow companies in the United States. As the private equity arm of a family office, NorthCurrent brings certainty, flexibility, and speed to its transactions and investment partnerships. NorthCurrent's longer-term approach comes from its roots in growing a multi-generation family business. NorthCurrent focuses on business and consumer services. Further information about NorthCurrent Partners can be found at www.northcurrentpartners.com.

For media inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE On Track Partners
TULSA, Okla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS) today announced that it will participate in several upcoming investor conferences. The company will attend the UBS Midwest Utilities Conference on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, followed by the Morgan Stanley Energy and Power Conference on Monday, March 2, 2026, and the Jefferies Power, Energy, Clean Energy and Utilities Conference on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, both in New York City, New York.

Curtis Dinan, senior vice president and chief operating officer, and Christopher Sighinolfi, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will be in attendance at all three conferences. They will conduct a series of meetings with members of the investment community at each event.

The materials utilized at the conferences will be accessible on the ONE Gas website, www.onegas.com/investors/events-and-presentations.

ONE Gas, Inc. (NYSE: OGS) is a 100-percent regulated natural gas utility, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange and the NYSE Texas under the symbol "OGS." ONE Gas is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index and is one of the largest natural gas utilities in the United States.

Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ONE Gas provides a reliable and affordable energy choice to more than 2.3 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Its divisions include Kansas Gas Service, the largest natural gas distributor in Kansas; Oklahoma Natural Gas, the largest in Oklahoma; and Texas Gas Service, the third largest in Texas, in terms of customers.

For more information and the latest news about ONE Gas, visit onegas.com and follow its social channels: @ONEGas, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Analyst Contact: Erin Dailey

918-947-7411

Media Contact: Leah Harper

918-947-7123

SOURCE ONE Gas, Inc.
Free professional development program in Chicago invites educators to deepen and energize poetry instruction

CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Poetry Foundation is pleased to announce that its Summer Poetry Teachers Institute will return to Chicago July 1317, 2026, bringing together K12 teachers and community college educators from across the United States for a free, five-day professional development experience focused on teaching poetry with confidence, creativity, and purpose.

Shamika Keepers, a 2024 Summer Poetry Teachers Institute lead teacher, facilitates a breakout session. Photograph by Sarah Joyce, courtesy of the Poetry Foundation.

The 2026 program will be led by acclaimed poets, expert educators, and teaching artists Lauren DeJulio Bell, Lucy Biederman , Kathy Higgs-Coulthard, Lupe Mendez , Faisal Mohyuddin , Vera Naputi, Kenyatta Rogers , and Michelle Schaub, with additional session leaders to be announced soon. In addition to daily seminars and workshops at the Bennett Day School, participants will have the option to attend an offsite poetry reading and reception on Thursday evening.

The 2026 Institute will explore the theme "Poetry Speaks" through seminars, hands-on workshops, and small breakout sessions. Designed for educators at all experience levels with teaching poetry, the Institute supports participants in developing classroom-ready poetry lessons and dynamic unit plans. They will learn strategies that increase student curiosity and comfort around poetry. Participation is free to eligible educators.

"We believe poetry is both expansive and inclusivethere is something for everyone within it," said Justine Haka, Poetry Foundation education program manager. "At the same time, poetry is open and complex, which can make it challenging to teach. The Institute supports educators as they develop multiple entry points for students, helping to cultivate lasting relationships with poetry in the classroom."

Since 2015, the Summer Poetry Teachers Institute has offered a fresh, energizing approach to reading and teaching poemsone that centers exploration, discussion, and the lived experience of poetry in the classroom. expand access to poetry, and invigorate instructional practice across grade levels and learning environments, cultivating a love for poetry and self-expression.

Application Process and Eligibility

Educators across all subjects at the K12 grade and community college levels, librarians, counselors, and school administrators are invited to apply. The Institute welcomes new and experienced poetry teachers, as well as educators who are eager to explore poetry for the first time.

Participants will receive 30 hours of professional development credit from the Illinois State Board of Education. While the Institute is offered at no cost, and breakfast and lunch are included, participants are responsible for travel, lodging, and additional meals.

Participation is capped at 165 attendees to provide an intimate experience, and applications are accepted until March 20, 2026.

Eligibility requirements and additional information are available at poetryfoundation.org/programs/teachers-institute .

About the Poetry Foundation

The Poetry Foundation transforms lives through the power of words. Our work aims to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation and Poetry magazine on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Poetry Foundation
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Few things warm the souls of Ukrainians as much as footage of burning enemy military facilities and their oil refineries; now it is almost daily news, and Ukrainian long-range capability has now become the norm, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"And few things warm the souls of Ukrainians as much as footage of burning enemy military facilities and their oil refineries. When this happened for the first time, it was big news. Nowit is almost daily. What previously seemed like fantasy has now become the norm. 'Patriots,' 'IRIS-Ts,' 'NASAMS,' F-16s. And something more: our own weapons, our own long-range capability," Zelenskyy says in an address on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion by Russia.

The President noted that Ukraine has traveled the path from the point when it was being sent "body armor" to the point where Ukraine itself produces more than three million FPV drones per year.

"From the times when we admired 'Javelins' and 'Bayraktars' to the day when we have our own 'Sichen,' 'Hor,' 'Vampire,' 'Palyanytsya,' 'Peklo,' 'Ruta,' 'Flamingo.' From the request to close the sky to the ability to shoot down hundreds of 'Shaheds' in a night. From hedgehogs and fortifications on the streets of Kyiv to the Kursk operation and 'Pavutyna' (Web)," he adds.

Zelenskyy said this is not enough, and Ukraine will do more because Russia does not stop, "unfortunately, and fights by all methods against peace, against us, against people."
ARLINGTON, Texas, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Quaint Quant Conferencethe South's only dedicated quantitative finance eventreturns on Friday, April 10, 2026, hosted at the SMU Cox School of Business in Dallas. Now in its fourth year, the conference continues its mission to unite leading quantitative finance professionals, academics, and students to explore the innovations shaping financial markets and the future of datadriven strategy.

Quaint Quant Conference Returns to DallasFort Worth in 2026, Showcasing Premier Quant Talent at SMU Cox School of Business

The Quaint Quant Conference has established itself as a national destination for the quantitative finance community. What began as a regional gathering has evolved into a premier event attracting experts in mathematics, statistics, AI/ML, computational modeling, risk management, and financial analytics. The 2026 conference is presented in partnership with Agora Data, SMU Cox School of Business, and Fancy Quantorganizations that embody the growing influence and diversity of quantitative practice across the financial sector.

Held in the heart of Dallas at SMU Cox School of Business, the conference offers an intentionally casual environment designed for meaningful, high-value engagement. Attendees participate in deep-dive presentations, applied discussions, and career-focused sessions. The event builds on the momentum of the 2025 conference, which featured distinguished speakers from institutions including Morgan Stanley, BlackRock, KeyBank, JP Morgan Chase, Google, and H2O.ai.

"The Quaint Quant Conference has become an essential forum for driving innovation in quantitative finance," said Matt Burke, President & COO of Agora Data. "Agora is proud to support an event that brings together the brightest minds in analytics, modeling, and financial technology. Creating this level of collaborationright here in the Southis critical as our industry continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace."

"SMU Cox is excited to host the Quaint Quant Conference at a time when there's real energy and momentum across our campus," said Shelly Heinrich, senior assistant dean of graduate admissions and the Career Management Center at the Cox School. "We're seeing growing demand for quantitative skills in every industry, and we're committed to meeting that demand through rigorous coursework and innovative new programslike our MS in AI for Business launching this fall. This conference is a perfect fit for the future we're building at SMU Cox and the future of students, faculty, and industry partners committed to advancing the positive real-world impact of quantitative disciplines."

"The pace of change in quantitative finance has never been faster, and the Quaint Quant Conference gives us the rare chance to step back and engage in deeper conversations," said Dimitri Bianco, Founder of Fancy Quant. "Bringing together bright minds from across research, banking, fintech, and academia helps push the industry forward and ensures we're solving tomorrow's challengesnot just today's."

About Quaint Quant Conference

The Quaint Quant Conference is a premier annual event that brings together professionals and students who apply advanced quantitative techniquesincluding machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational modeling, and statistical analysisto address challenges in financial markets, risk management, and datadriven decisioning. Now in its fourth year, the conference continues to cultivate a highly engaged, collaborative community devoted to advancing quantitative practice across the South and beyond.

Event Details

Date: Friday, April 10, 2026

Friday, April 10, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM  6:00 PM CT

8:00 AM  6:00 PM CT Location: SMU Cox School of Business, Dallas, Texas

SMU Cox School of Business, Dallas, Texas Sponsors: Agora Data, SMU Cox School of Business, Fancy Quant

Agora Data, SMU Cox School of Business, Fancy Quant Website and Registration: www.quaintquantconference.com/

Agora Data, Inc. is a leading non-prime auto fintech innovator transforming access to capital across the automotive finance ecosystem. Through advanced AI-driven analytics, credit modeling, and capital markets expertise, Agora empowers loan originators to improve portfolio performance, unlock capital, and scale responsibly. Backed by deep automotive roots, Agora has delivered multiple industry firsts, including the industry's first asset-pooled non-prime auto securitization in 2020, and continues to pioneer innovative structured finance and funding solutions for auto dealers, financial institutions, and investors. Agora drives greater efficiency, transparency, and long-term performance in non-prime auto finance. For more information, visit www.agoradata.com or call 1-877-592-4672.

About SMU Cox

The Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University ( SMU Cox ) is committed to influencing the way the world conducts business via prolific research that provokes innovation, change and global thought leadership. SMU Cox offers a full range of business education programs including B.B.A., Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Executive MBA, MBA Direct (online, for early-career professionals), Online MBA, Master of Science degree programs, graduate certificate programs, and Executive Education. In 2020, the Cox School celebrated 100 years of business education at SMU. Consistently ranked among the world's leading business schools, SMU Cox maintains an active alumni network globally. SMU Cox is accredited by AACSB, the leading U.S.-based organization for global business school accreditation.

About Fancy Quant

Fancy Quant is a Dallas based quantitative finance platform founded by industry expert Dimitri Bianco. Through its brand Fancy Quant Nation, the organization provides educational resources, consulting, career development guidance, and public-facing content designed to demystify quantitative finance. Fancy Quant produces widely followed YouTube content, podcasts, and written materials covering topics in statistics, machine learning, risk modeling, data science, and quant careers. The company also offers mentoring, public speaking, university partnerships, and training services aimed at empowering both students and professionals in the rapidly evolving field of quantitative finance. www.fancyquantnation.com

For media inquiries, please contact:

Shelly Vandeven

[email protected]

Press Contact:

Shelly Vandeven

1-877-592-4672

SOURCE Quaint Quant Conference
CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Unimarket, a global technology leader in source-to-pay solutions, today announced that Quinnipiac University has selected Unimarket's eProcurement+ and Sourcing solutions to streamline procurement processes, strengthen internal controls, and modernize its source-to-pay environment.

Quinnipiac University is a private university located in Hamden, Connecticut, enrolling more than 9,400 students. Originally founded as a business college, Quinnipiac has grown into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of academic programs, including business, education, engineering health sciences, nursing, law, medicine, and the arts and sciences. With multiple campuses, small class sizes, and a vibrant student life, the university combines a close-knit academic experience with the resources of a full-scale university.

Following a board-mandated audit in early 2024, Quinnipiac evaluated its existing procure-to-pay ecosystem and identified opportunities to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and increase visibility across procurement and payables. At the time, the university was managing multiple disjointed systems, a homegrown invoice solution, and integrated payables, which contributed to manual work and fragmented workflows.

By implementing Unimarket Sourcing and eProcurement+, Quinnipiac aims to consolidate key procurement processes into a more centralized, end-to-end source-to-pay platform. The university plans to streamline purchase order and invoice processing to reduce duplicate effort and improve data accuracy, by integrating systems more effectively, automating vendor onboarding, and driving cost effective approval workflows.

Unimarket will also support improved receiving and invoice matching, helping ensure that transactions and supporting documentation are consistently tracked and easily accessible. Together, these capabilities are designed to address audit findings, strengthen compliance, and provide clearer accountability across procurement and financial operations.

"Quinnipiac needed a modern platform that could simplify a complex environment and help us move toward a more integrated, efficient way of working," said Daniella Vizziello, director of procurement services at Quinnipiac. "Unimarket stood out for its ease of use, strong functionality, and ability to integrate with Colleague, including Ethos. Just as importantly, we are confident that Unimarket is a partner that understands higher education and is committed to supporting us throughout this transformation."

Quinnipiac selected Unimarket based on its robust capabilities, higher education expertise, and reputation for building collaborative, supportive customer relationships. The university expects the new platform to reduce manual processes, improve transparency, and free staff to focus on higher-value procurement and financial activities.

"Quinnipiac University took a disciplined and thoughtful approach to modernizing its source-to-pay operations," said Phil Kenney, CEO at Unimarket. "By consolidating systems and strengthening end-to-end workflows, they're positioning procurement and finance to operate more efficiently while improving control and visibility. We're proud to partner with Quinnipiac as they move forward with this initiative."

Unimarket works with colleges and universities worldwide to help procurement and finance teams gain greater visibility into spend, streamline operations, and improve financial control through intuitive, integrated source-to-pay solutions.

About Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 9,700 students in more than 100 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Computing and Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Quinnipiac is ranked 51st in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse "2026 Best Colleges in the U.S." and is also recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review's "The Best 391 Colleges." The university is expanding innovative programs for both traditional and adult learners and developing dynamic corporate partnerships. Quinnipiac recently completed a significant capital expansion on its main campus, including a state-of-the-art new School of Business and an interdisciplinary science and innovation hub. For more information, please visit qu.edu.

About Unimarket

Unimarket is a global provider of source-to-pay and spend management software solutions. We empower organizations to achieve greater clarity and control over their procurement processes, maximizing impact through tangible financial outcomes and sustainable business practices. For more information about Unimarket, visit: https://www.unimarket.com.

Media Contact

Lou Hughes

Moving Minds

[email protected]

561.508.0128

www.movingminds.io

SOURCE Unimarket
NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Phoenix Education Partners, Inc. (NYSE: PXED) resulting from allegations that Phoenix Education may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Phoenix Education securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=50770 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

What is this about: On January 3, 2026, Fox News published an article entitled "University of Phoenix data breach hits 3.5M people." The story stated that the "University of Phoenix has confirmed a major data breach affecting nearly 3.5 million people. The incident traces back to August when attackers accessed the university's network and quietly stole sensitive information."

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. 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.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P.A.
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally owned Servpac Inc. has broken ground on Building 2 of its MTP Data Center in Mililani Technology Park, adding over 15,500 square feet, increasing the facility's size by 50% and more than doubling the center's capacity.

An intimate groundbreaking ceremony was held with a blessing from Kahu Kaleo Patterson, vicar of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Wahiawa.

The $13-million-dollar Building 2 is being built on an additional 5 acres of company-owned land. Building 2 is expected to be complete in the second quarter of this year, creating at least 15 permanent jobs. Construction will create approximately 150 temporary jobs.

Servpac Inc. has grown exponentially in recent years. In 2023, it completed a significant expansion project, doubling colocation capacity at the MTP Data Center.

Servpac's Principal Infrastructure Engineer, Jack Pestaner, is responsible for the overall design leadership and technical execution of the Building 2 data center project. He led the design of Servpac's Puuhale Data Center in 2014 and the MTP Data Center in 2020, which achieved Uptime Institute Tier IV certification. As an Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer, he ensures the data center's architecture and implementation align with the highest standards of resiliency, fault tolerance, and operational continuity.

As a locally owned company with 100% of its leadership on Oahu, Servpac is committed to supporting other Hawaii-based organizations. Ralph S. Inouye Co. is the general contractor; Senior Project Manager Travis Satsuma is overseeing construction. Other prime contractors include JB Construction (electrical work), Standard Sheetmetal (air-conditioning) and GPRM Prestress (specialist precast concrete supplier).

Design and engineering consultants include InForm Design (project architect), InSynergy Engineering (engineering), Kai Hawaii (structural engineering) and Dempsey Pacific (civil engineering).

Prime suppliers include Alpha Electric Supply, Eaton Corporation and Trane.

"We are expanding by our clients' request for a reliable means to house their mission-critical data," says Richard Zheng, president and founder of Servpac. "Given Hawaii's particular vulnerabilities because of threats from hurricanes to tsunami and rising sea levels, the need is great for a state-of-the-art, geographically secure data facility. With the development of Building 2, our customers can access their information faster and more securely in this best-in-class data center right in our own backyard."

Building 2

The ground-up, brand-new construction ensures that Building 2 is built to Zheng's exacting specifications. It is designed to the highest levels of security as befits the state's most geographically secure data center  purpose-built to withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds.

Material choice for Building 2 was very intentional; the pre-cast concrete structure is designed for long-term building stability and a lifespan of over a century. Concrete provides for the greatest security as a solid barrier that will retain structural integrity, is resistant to impact  whether from manmade or natural phenomena  and is fire- and weather-resistant.

There will be a physical separation of critical systems and infrastructure so that primary and redundant systems will always operate.

Designed as a Tier IV data center  like the existing Building 1  Building 2 will feature separate power systems that are capable of continuous operation, even if commercial power fails. The independent air-conditioning system is configured so that cooling needs will always be met.

Because of concurrently maintainable systems, equipment can be serviced without causing any disruptions. Advanced monitoring and notification of all power, HVAC, security and fire systems are integrated into one comprehensive management system that is built and maintained by Servpac's own engineering staff, who have an intimate understanding of the systems.

Building 2 has been purpose-built with sustainability at its core. The new facility utilizes highly efficient, closed-loop cooling systems that eliminate the need for water consumption, paired with a contained, zone-based cooling design that automatically delivers cooling only where and when it is required. Large-scale on-site solar deployment significantly reduces reliance on carbon-based power sources, while thoughtfully designed natural landscaping with ground absorption will help minimize wastewater runoff. Together, these features reflect Servpac's commitment to reducing environmental impact while delivering resilient, next-generation data center infrastructure.

About MTP Data Center by Servpac

Servpac, Hawaii's cloud solution, focuses on five core areas: cloud computing, disaster recovery, data center colocation, fiber internet and managed network IT services.

Founded in 2019, MTP Data Center by Servpac is Hawaii's premier data facility for colocation and cloud computing solutions. At 30,000 square feet, the existing Building 1 is the largest locally owned cloud solution in Hawaii. The facility is the state's only data center that has been awarded Uptime Institute's highest Tier IV certification for both design and construction; Uptime Institute is the globally recognized authority for data center standards. Featuring advanced independent and fully redundant systems, the facility is engineered to guarantee business resiliency. Centrally located in Mililani Tech Park, MTP Data Center sits 850 feet above sea level, making it the most geographically secure facility to protect an organization's mission-critical data. For more information, visit servpac.com.

CONTACT: Christina Dimovska, [email protected]

SOURCE Servpac Inc.
Throughout Winter and Spring 2026, the Consortium will engage U.S. audiences through educational masterclasses and high-profile food & wine festivals.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consorzio di Tutela vini DOC Sicilia , which oversees and safeguards the interests of producers within the Sicilia DOC designation, will return to the U.S. in Winter and Spring 2026 to present its wines to American audiences, highlighting their premium quality, refined character, and unique value to both trade and consumer audiences.

This year, the Consortium will kick off its U.S. activities by participating in several major consumer events nationwide. Sicilia DOC will return to the Charleston Food + Wine Festival in Charleston, SC, from Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 8, where consumers will be able to sample wines from producers across the island. The Consortium will also be featured at the festival's popular Shucked event on March 5, which celebrates oysters and highlights the versatility of Sicilia DOC wines as ideal partners for seafood.

Sicilia DOC will then appear at the Boston Wine Expo in Boston, MA, from Saturday, March 7 through Sunday, March 8. During the Expo, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Sicilia DOCorganized masterclass, Sicily: A Winegrowing Continent, led by Jessica Sculley, Director of the Commonwealth Wine School.

The Consortium will conclude its consumer-facing events at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival in Pebble Beach, CA, where Sicilia DOC will be present from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12.

Following these festivals, the Consortium will shift its focus to trade education, hosting a series of one-hour seminars led by Mark Guilladeau, Master Sommelier at the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. Each seminar will be followed by a one-hour standing reception featuring wines from a selection of Sicilia DOC producers.

Most of these educational sessions will take place on the West Coast, with stops in Los Angeles, CA on Monday, April 27; Denver, CO on Tuesday, April 28; and Dallas, TX on Thursday, April 30. The roadshow will conclude in New York City on Monday, May 4, with a walk-around tasting in Manhattan, featuring in-person participation from Sicilia DOC producers.

Consortium Director Camillo Pugliesi says: "This year's US initiatives are designed to elevate the presence of Sicilia DOC wines among key influencers in the American food and wine sectors. With the dedication of our producers and a carefully targeted strategy, we aim to showcase the distinctive character, premium quality, and refined elegance of our denomination. These events provide the perfect platform to cultivate meaningful, mutually rewarding connections with both the wine trade and discerning consumers. The U.S. market is essential for Sicilia DOC wines, and through these efforts, we seek to position our wines as a symbol of luxury and sophistication, securing a place at the forefront of enthusiasts' and industry leaders' minds."

Through this comprehensive series of events and educational initiatives, Sicilia DOC aims to strengthen its presence in the U.S. market while showcasing the exceptional quality, elegance, and heritage of Sicilian wines to both trade professionals and consumers. More details about Sicilia DOC's educational masterclasses will be shared shortly.

About Sicilia DOC

Established in 2011, the Consorzio di Tutela vini DOC Sicilia and its producers draw on centuries of winemaking heritage, honoring Sicily's past while shaping the future of viticulture on the island. Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Sicily is a true mosaic of terroirs, cultures, and culinary traditions, vividly expressed through its remarkably diverse and distinctive wines. Sicilia DOC is dedicated to advancing quality-driven production and championing its native grape varieties, notably Nero d'Avola and Grillo, ensuring each bottle delivers an authentic expression of its place of origin. The Consortium is equally committed to sustainability, promoting this mission by encouraging producers to adhere to the industry-leading protocols in addition to those established by SOStain Sicilia, an even more stringent and entirely Sicilian sustainability certification, which provides growers with the knowledge and tools to embrace organic and environmentally responsible practices.

For more information, visit www.winesofsicily.com.

Madeleine Hayes

Colangelo & Partners

[email protected]

SOURCE Consorzio di Tutela Vini Sicilia DOC
Local Entrepreneurs Launch High-Performance Cabinet and Exterior Refinishing Service for Allen, Plano, and McKinney Homeowners

ALLEN, Texas, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners in Allen, TX will soon have a smarter way to transform their homes thanks to Spray-Net, the rapidly growing home improvement franchise using science and technology to bring renovation solutions to homeowners that weren't possible before.

The company has announced a signed agreement with local entrepreneurs, Nicole Glenn and Chris Riley, to bring its renowned painting concept to North Dallas. Spray-Net stands apart in the $400 billion home improvement industry by combining the science of industrial-grade coatings with the convenience of on-site application. From siding, doors, brick and stucco to kitchen cabinets. Spray-Net delivers durable, weather-adjustable, eco-friendly finishes that look new and are often completed in just one day.

"Opening Spray-Net Allen is both a strategic business decision and a personal commitment to the community we call home," says Glenn. "After building and scaling national service organizations, I was drawn to Spray-Net's operational discipline, proprietary technology, and the ability to deliver a premium transformation without the cost and disruption of full replacement. North Dallas homeowners value quality and professionalism, and we're excited to bring a higher standard of exterior and cabinet solutions to Allen, Plano, and McKinney."

Debuting in March 2026, the new business is set to become a game-changer for Allen residents. In addition to expertise in factory-finished coatings and a 15-year no-peel warranty, Spray-Net also specializes in refinishing Aluminum Siding, Vinyl Siding, Engineered Wood, Fiber Cement, Stucco, Brick, Front & Garage Doors, Windows and Kitchen Cabinets.

For over a decade, Spray-Net has delivered impeccable painting results to communities across the United States and Canada. Since its founding, Spray-Net has transformed over 30,000 homes with its smarter, faster, and cost-effective approach. Unlike conventional paints that often chip and peel, Spray-Net delivers a like-new, durable finish on-site, a breakthrough so significant that the company's founder, Carmelo Marsala, received four patents for paint application processes and chemistry. Homeowners looking for a durable home painting solution now have an option that provides a factory-quality finish without costly replacements.

"Nicole is exactly the type of entrepreneur we look for as we continue to grow across Texas," says Carmelo Marsala. "Her experience building and leading disciplined, service-driven organizations brings a level of operational excellence that elevates everything she touches. Combined with Chris's production leadership and commitment to quality, Spray-Net Allen is positioned to set a new benchmark for homeowners in the North Dallas market."

To learn more about Spray-Net, visit the company's website at https://www.spray-net.com/en-us/locations/allen, and www.spray-net.com

About Spray-Net

Founded in 2010 by Carmelo Marsala, Spray-Net is the innovative home improvement franchise transforming the way property owners revamp their homes. Using proprietary, weather-adjustable coatings and a patented application process, Spray-Net delivers a factory-quality finish for exteriors, kitchen cabinets, often in just one day. With over 30,000 homes transformed and more than 70 franchisees serving territories across Canada and the U.S., Spray-Net offers a smarter, more cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional painting or full replacement. As the brand continues its U.S. expansion, Spray-Net empowers franchisees with a scalable business model, low overhead, industry-leading margins, and ongoing innovation and support.

For more information, visit www.spray-net.com

SOURCE Spray-Net
Fifth annual dinetodonate event advances awareness, support, and research for the more than 50 million Americans living with tinnitus

VIENNA, Va., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is proud to announce the impactful results of the fifth annual dine-to-donate fundraiser hosted by Texas Roadhouse, Bubba's 33, and Jaggers restaurants. On February 2, locations nationwide donated 100% of profits from dine-in and to-go orders to ATA, raising $1.1 million. The total raised surpassed last year's record of $980,000, making it the most successful event to date.

Honoring the legacy of Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse, Bubba's 33, and Jaggers raised a record $1.1 million for the American Tinnitus Association on February 2, 2026. Taylor lived with severe tinnitus, a condition that affects more than 50 million Americans and ranges from mildly disruptive to debilitating.

As in previous years, the event launched Tinnitus Awareness Week 2026 and honored the enduring legacy of Texas Roadhouse Founder Kent Taylor, who struggled with severe tinnitus.

"Thank you to our Roadies and guests for banding together to raise awareness and funds for tinnitus," said Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan. "Knowing that more than 50 million adults in the United States live with this condition, we are proud that these efforts will make a meaningful impact. This is a powerful tribute to our founder, Kent Taylor, whose legacy of helping others continues to guide our purpose."

The funds raised will directly advance ATA's mission to transform tinnitus care. In addition to expanding its Innovative Tinnitus Research Grants Program and patient support services, it will launch educational programs for healthcare providers to create a consistent, evidence-based framework of care. As a complex chronic condition, gaps in medical understanding and skilled specialists are a major obstacle to patients receiving care that minimizes the negative impact of the sound.

"Texas Roadhouse and Roadie Nation have once again demonstrated what legendary corporate citizenship can achieve. Raising a record $1.1 million in a single day is truly transformative for the millions of Americans living with tinnitus. Since 2021, their partnership has generated an extraordinary $4.7 million in support of ATA's mission," said Patrick A. Lynch, CEO of the American Tinnitus Association. "Kent Taylor's story tells us what the statistics cannot. Tinnitus is complex, deeply personal, and for many, genuinely life-altering. This partnership fuels critical research, strengthens patient education, and ensures that those who are struggling know they are not alone. We are profoundly grateful for Texas Roadhouse's continued leadership and belief in ATA as the nation's longest-serving charity dedicated exclusively to tinnitus," he added.

Tinnitus, commonly described as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, or clicking in the ears, is the perception of sound when no external source is present. The auditory condition affects people of all ages and backgrounds and can have a profound impact on quality of life, with approximately 20 percent of those affected finding it significantly disruptive. Despite its prevalence, most forms of tinnitus cannot be cured, and an accepted standard of care for patients remains elusive. ATA's research funding, patient support programs, and healthcare provider education are essential to closing that gap.

For those who wish to support this partnership, Texas Roadhouse, Bubba's 33, and Jaggers are donating 10% of online ATA-branded gift card sales through March 31, 2026. Gift cards may be purchased at texasroadhouse.com , bubbas33.com , and eatjaggers.com .

For guidance on tinnitus or to find a qualified healthcare provider, contact ATA at 800-634-8978 or email [email protected]. Donations to support ATA's mission can be made at ata.org or by mailing a check payable to the American Tinnitus Association, c/o Truist Bank, PO Box 424049, Washington, DC 20042-4049.

About the American Tinnitus Association

Founded in 1971, the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) is the nation's oldest public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code exclusively dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with tinnitus and their families. ATA provides individualized nonmedical guidance, initiates educational programs for the public and healthcare communities, advocates for better patient care, and funds innovative research to find cures and more effective treatments. ATA has funded more than $7 million in research since 1980 and holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. For more information, visit ata.org .

About Texas Roadhouse, LLC.

Texas Roadhouse was founded by Kent Taylor in 1993 and has more than 736 locations in 49 states and 10 foreign countries. This Louisville-based company has a family of three brands, including Bubba's 33 with 54 locations in 15 states and Jaggers with over 16 locations in multiple states. Bubba's 33 was founded in 2013 and Jaggers in 2014, each with their own signature menu items and made-from-scratch food. All three concepts have received national and local recognition. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com .

SOURCE American Tinnitus Association
CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thoughtworks , a global technology consultancy integrating design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation, today released findings from its global report, titled; "Modernization Is No Longer a Project: AI-Enabled Managed Services for Continuous Change." The data reveals a critical disconnect between AI adoption and maturity in IT operations. The report delves into what separates leaders in application operations from those stuck in an ineffectual 'intermittent' approach to modernization.

While AI adoption is widespread among large enterprises, operational maturity lags significantly behind. While nearly nine in 10 organizations have adopted AI tools, the vast majority (approximately 90%) remain stuck in reactive modernization cycles. Only 12% have managed to break free and transition to a fully continuous, AI-driven optimization model.

The core modernization advantage

Mature organizations are abandoning one-off initiatives in favor of a continuous modernization engine. These organizations are leveraging AI to drive measurable gains:

Release velocity: Achieving 45% faster product and feature releases.

Achieving 45% faster product and feature releases. AI-led security: Shifting to AI-driven vulnerability management, realizing a 48% reduction in risk exposure.

Shifting to AI-driven vulnerability management, realizing a 48% reduction in risk exposure. Architectural scalability: Improving systems maintainability and scalability (36%) while aligning IT more closely to business goals (34%).

"The era of intermittent application modernization is no longer sustainable," says Josh Burks, SVP and Global Leader of Managed Services at Thoughtworks . "Our research with IDC confirms that a reactive, project-based modernization approach leads to high costs, security vulnerabilities and significant people impact. To maintain a competitive advantage and deliver AI that works, organizations are moving away from risky one-off interventions and toward a model of continuous modernization."

"Enterprise security and operations are rapidly becoming AI-led, yet most organizations lack the maturity to realize the expected benefits," says Jennifer Thomson, AVP Global Services Insights at IDC. "The shift we are seeing is a move toward a 'human-in-the-loop' strategy where human expertise is reserved for strategic architectural decisions and complex problem solving. By focusing on pipeline intelligence and automated security, organizations can finally bridge the gap between IT operations and business objectives, replacing outdated headcount pricing with shared-risk models that incentivize speed and scale."

A new commercial reality

As organizations struggle to break free from reactive maintenance, the report highlights that AI is moving from promise to practice in application operations; however, success will be defined by proof of value, data quality and a fundamental realignment of people and processes. Organizations are moving away from people-heavy, headcount-based pricing in favor of:

Innovation milestones: 56% of organizations want contracts tied to continuous improvement mandates.

56% of organizations want contracts tied to continuous improvement mandates. Shared risk: 43% are seeking risk-reward sharing models for modernization initiatives.

43% are seeking risk-reward sharing models for modernization initiatives. Value-based KPIs: Success is increasingly measured by speed, resilience and customer experience rather than simple uptime.

To bridge the gap, Thoughtworks outlines a 180-day action plan focused on proving value through pipeline intelligence, AI-guided remediation and upskilling teams in AI/ML literacy, also identified as the top critical skill across all sectors.

Supporting resources:

Methodology:

The research was conducted by IDC and surveyed 500 senior IT and digital decision-makers across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and APJ, spanning large organizations (1,000+ employees) in manufacturing, finance, retail, and life sciences, with respondents primarily acting as technology decision-makers or key influencers and representing organizations that already use AI or plan to adopt it within the next two years.

About Thoughtworks

Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation. We are over 10,000 Thoughtworkers strong across 47 offices in 18 countries. For 30+ years, we've delivered extraordinary impact together with our clients by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as the differentiator.

Media contact:

Justine Manche

VP, Brand and Communications

Email: [email protected]

Kathrin Jansing

Head of Public Relations for Europe and interim for Americas

Email: [email protected]

Michelle Surendran

Head of Public Relations for APAC and India

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Thoughtworks
FIRST THIRD-PARTY VERIFIED SOIL-SAMPLE CARBON CREDITS ISSUED TO U.S. FARMERS WILL EVOLVE CARBON MARKET

Measurednot modeledindependent validation confirms higher stored carbon levels and signals major shift in U.S. agricultural carbon markets

MINOT, N.D., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterans Carbon Holdings (VCH) today confirmed that the first-ever third-party validated soil-sample carbon credits have officially been issued. This process marks a decisive shift in how agricultural carbon is quantified, certified, and monetized in the United States.

VCH Grower, Stuart Eeg, Greenbush MN

Unlike conventional carbon programs that rely on satellite imagery or practice-based modeling to estimate outcomes, these credits are based on direct stratified soil sampling and independent third-party validation under BCarbon's Soil Carbon Protocol v2.0. Serialization is currently underway, enabling full traceability from issuance through sale via DOVU's blockchain infrastructure on Hedera.

Independent reviewers and protocol validation confirm that direct measurement at soil depth is identifying substantially higher levels of stored carbon in agricultural subsoils than are typically captured through imagery-based or practice-based estimation models. By measuring actual carbon concentrations rather than projecting outcomes from assumed farming practices, VCH's methodology is uncovering quantifiable carbon gains that may be materially underrepresented in conventional carbon programs.

The issued credits originate from agricultural land in the Red River Valley and represent verified subsoil carbon gains validated under BCarbon's scientific framework. VCH projects expansion across 1.5 to 2 million acres in North Dakota and western Minnesota in 2026.

VCH has announced plans to distribute approximately $1.1 billion in direct payments to U.S. farmers and landowners over the next nine years, with 55% of all revenue flowing directly back to participating growers.

"Over the next nine years, we project approximately $1.1 billion returning directly to American farmers and landowners," said Katie Lorenz, President of Veterans Carbon Holdings. "If the carbon comes from the soil, the majority of the value belongs to the farmer. This represents a meaningful shift of capital back into rural America, where it belongs."

"This is proven, measured carbon," said Stephen Gorton, Scientist and Owner of Veterans Carbon Holdings. "For years, carbon markets have relied heavily on modeling. We are replacing estimation with field-based verification and scientific rigor. Farmers should be paid for what they actually deliver."

By positioning credits through DOVU's Article 6-aligned infrastructure, VCH is targeting premium global markets rather than oversupplied domestic voluntary markets. The structure is designed to meet emerging international integrity standards and institutional buyer requirements for transparency, auditability, and measurable environmental outcomes.

The first U.S. grower to receive issued soil-sample carbon credits, Stuart Eeg of Greenbush, Minnesota, emphasized the tangible impact: "This program returns real income to farmers. It rewards stewardship with measurable proof, not assumptions. That changes everything."

As serialization progresses, each credit will carry transparent verification and traceability from validation through sale, reinforcing accountability for buyers and financial certainty for growers.

For more information, visit www.veteranscarbonholdings.com.

SOURCE Veterans Carbon Holdings
New Clean Room Manufacturing Plant Will Create Six New High-Paying Jobs in Local Community.

ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC) celebrated alongside community partners the grand opening of The Tiny Cargo Company's new $1.5 million state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia. With over 2,000 square feet of specialized clean room space, the new plant will be among the first dedicated exosome advanced manufacturing sites in the world and will create six new high-paying jobs across research and development, cleanroom manufacturing, and regulatory operations, according to the company.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Tiny Cargo Company. Photo Credit: Roanoke Regional Partnership

Founded by renowned scientific expert Dr. Robert Gourdie, Tiny Cargo was incubated within Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) and commercialized its technology through an exclusive licensing agreement with Virginia Tech, leading to its spin-out as a newly launched startup company in 2018. Tiny Cargo's scale-up growth underscores the Roanoke-Blacksburg region's expanding innovation ecosystem that is uniquely interconnected by advanced research, lab-to-market commercialization, and startup entrepreneurship.

VIPC, through collaborative partnership with Virginia Tech and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, has supported the founding and advancement of Tiny Cargo, helping to catalyze early-stage funding and resource development via research lab faculty recruitment, R&D and intellectual property commercialization, and private sector investor capital attraction.VIPC serves as Virginia's designated statewide economic development leader for fueling entrepreneur ecosystems that grow, attract, and retain innovation, talent, and capital across the Commonwealth.

"Tiny Cargo Company's grand opening of a new scale-up advanced manufacturing facility in Roanoke is a testament to both the opportunity and impact that can come to life in local communities when you combine talent and capital to unlock innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship," said Joe Benevento, President and CEO of VIPC. "VIPC is proud to be a close partner with Virginia Tech, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, and the regional Roanoke-Blacksburg innovation ecosystem."

"What we've built at Virginia Tech and in Roanoke allows us to turn something that was once only in research labs into a reliable, safe, and scalable production, making real products possible, ranging from oral medicines and nutritional supplements to advanced skincare," said Alan Gourdie, CEO of The Tiny Cargo Company.

"Tiny Cargo's growth reflects exactly what the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute was built to do," said Dr. Michael Friedlander, Executive Director at FBRI. "We create a space for discovery and innovation that allows researchers to move promising ideas out of the lab and into the marketplace. Seeing a company scale its operations here in Roanoke is a powerful example of research turning into real-world impact."

Tiny Cargo has developed a patent-pending drug delivery platform to lead the next generation of drug and biologics delivery using milk-derived exosomes as nonimmunogenic nanocarriers to encapsulate and deliver a broad range of novel therapies and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Tiny Cargo's proprietary method involves isolating and extracting exosomes from dairy milk and then loading the exosomes with therapeutics or nutraceuticals. This novel drug delivery platform, branded as XOlacta, is poised to reduce damage caused by radiation therapy and substantially increase patient retention and acceptance of radiation therapy by eliminating its debilitating side effects. In addition to preventing radiation poisoning in cancer patients, XOlacta has the potential to serve as a therapeutic medical countermeasure for radio-nuclear attacks or accidents.

Dr. Robert Gourdie, Founder and President of The Tiny Cargo Company, is a renowned scientific expert in intercellular communication and therapeutic peptides with 160+ publications and 15+ patents.

About The Tiny Cargo Company

Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech, The Tiny Cargo Company is leading the next generation of drug and biologics delivery using bovine milk exosomes. We utilize these natural, nonimmunogenic nanocarriers  nature's most efficient transport tools  to encapsulate and deliver a broad range of novel therapies and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). By converting injectable and poorly absorbed molecules into highly effective oral or topical treatments, The Tiny Cargo Company aims to transform product effectiveness and patient compliance across the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries. To learn more about The Tiny Cargo Company, visit www.tinycargo.com.

About Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp. (VIPC) serves as Virginia's designated statewide technology and innovation economic development authority. VIPC unleashes growth, opportunity, and impact across the Commonwealth by fueling collaborative innovation ecosystems that accelerate startup entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, and investment attraction through public-private partnerships. For more information, visit www.VIPC.org.

Contact

Amber Salter

[email protected]

804.591.9591

SOURCE VIPC
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the European Union not to delay and set a specific date for Ukraines accession to the bloc, stating that this should happen as early as 2027.

"I want a date. Im asking for it," Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Financial Times on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

According to the president, any postponement of Ukraines membership in the European Union could create a situation where future leaders or the next generations find themselves in a difficult position due to a possible blockage by Russia.

We will not allow the next leaders or the next generation to find themselves in a situation where Russia blocks Ukraines membership in the EU for 50 years, Zelenskyy said.
About this content 

About Stephen Gunnion

Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Jamie Ashcroft

Jamie Ashcroft, the News Editor for Proactive UK, has developed an impressive career in financial journalism, focusing on the small-cap sector for over fourteen years. Before joining the Proactive team, he was a stockbroker during the global financial crisis, a role that complemented his educational background - a first-class degree in Business and Economics and qualifications in software design and development. As one of the early external hires at Proactive in 2009, Jamie contributed... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Oliver Haill

Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Lisa Uhlman

Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
A speculative research note published on Monday has injected a sharper edge into the AI debate  and investors have taken notice.

Citrini Researchs blog post, The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis, circulated widely in US markets overnight. Framed as a thought exercise in financial history, from the future, it sketches a hypothetical macro scenario in which rapid advances in artificial intelligence first drive extraordinary corporate margins  and later destabilise consumption, credit and the broader economy.

It was not offered as a base-case forecast. But in markets already navigating renewed US tariff uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and signs of fatigue in crowded AI trades, its themes landed heavily.

A stress test, not a forecast

The authors frame the post as preparation for potential left-tail outcomes as AI makes the economy increasingly weird, rather than a straight-line call on recession or collapse.

At the heart of the piece is what Citrini calls an intelligence displacement spiral. The scenario lays out a negative feedback loop in which AI-driven productivity gains reduce white-collar employment, boost margins and push companies to reinvest savings back into automation  further displacing workers and dampening wage growth.

The memo envisions a 2028 world in which AI capabilities improved, companies needed fewer workers, white collar layoffs increased, displaced workers spent less, margin pressure pushed firms to invest more in AI, AI capabilities improved  a negative feedback look with no natural brake.

Phantom output, real pain

In Citrinis stylised timeline, equity markets initially celebrate. By late 2026, AI-driven efficiencies have lifted margins significantly, pushing major indices to fresh highs. But beneath that surface strength, the consumer economy begins to erode.

Citrini highlights that the top 20% of earners account for around 65% of discretionary spending. If higher-income knowledge workers are disproportionately affected by automation, the impact on demand would exceed what headline GDP figures suggest. The report labels the result Ghost GDP  economic output that shows up in the national accounts but never circulates through the real economy.

This framing challenges the prevailing AI narrative that focuses on enhanced efficiency and margin expansion. It introduces the idea that productivity gains can coexist with weakening household demand  at least for a time.

Frictionless transactions and collapsing moats

The scenario also interrogates business models built on traditional intermediation and human friction.

Citrini argues that agentic AI could eliminate many of the rent-extraction layers underpinning sectors such as travel booking, insurance renewals and subscription services. On payments rails, once AI agents control transactions, they are assumed to optimise away costs such as card interchange fees.

In this construct, machines optimise for price and efficiency rather than brand loyalty or habit, potentially compressing margins in sectors long supported by embedded fees and network effects.

Markets react

That line of thinking fed directly into price action overnight, with both tech and financial markets hit hard globally.

US payments giants Visa, Mastercard and American Express fell between 4% and 8%, while major banks including JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley were also sharply lower and software stocks extended recent weakness.

The report was not the only driver. Markets were already contending with renewed tariff uncertainty, evolving US trade rhetoric and broader geopolitical tensions. A Financial Times report that Moodys had warned of gaps in US accounting rules around AI-related data centre liabilities added to unease about how aggressively the AI buildout is being funded.

Updates from Anthropic relating to its Claude tools also rattled parts of the legacy software ecosystem. IBM suffered its steepest one-day fall in decades after investors focused on the potential for AI-assisted code modernisation to challenge elements of its mainframe business, while cybersecurity names were also under pressure. In some respects, the reaction echoed the very dynamic Citrini describes  AI tools not just enhancing productivity, but beginning to encroach on established revenue pools within the technology stack itself.

For investors in Australia, where the anxious tech mood has carried over on Tuesday and helped keep growth-oriented software and fintech names under pressure, the episode underscores how tightly ASX tech valuations remain linked to global AI narratives.

Many Australian-listed software companies trade on forward revenue multiples and recurring revenue assumptions similar to their US peers. When those assumptions are questioned  even hypothetically  multiples can compress quickly.

A shifting AI narrative

For the past two years, the dominant market question has been how much artificial intelligence can expand margins and accelerate earnings growth.

Citrinis scenario shifts the lens toward distributional and second-order effects: who loses income as automation scales, how that feeds into consumption, and whether parts of the financial system built on steady cash flow assumptions become more fragile.

That does not invalidate the productivity story. But the market reaction suggests investors are increasingly willing to interrogate both sides of the equation.

For now, The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis remains what its authors describe  a thought exercise. Its rapid transmission through global markets, however, shows how sensitive tech valuations have become to even hypothetical shifts in the AI narrative.

As artificial intelligence moves from promise to structural force, investors are beginning to price not just the upside  but the unintended consequences.
About this content 

About Emily Jarvie

Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, and... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine, declaring the devastating consequences of the aggression for the Russian state, while affirming support for Ukraine and the construction of a European security architecture.

"Four years ago, Europe woke up to the sound of Russian bombs in Ukraine For four years now, Ukraine has held its ground and resisted. One day, the Russians will realize the scale of the crime committed in their name, the absurdity of the justifications given, and the long-term devastating consequences for their country," reads Macrons statement, published on the social network X on Tuesday morning in Ukrainian, French, and English.

The President of France called Ukraine "the front line of defense of our continent" and declared decisive support from France and all of Europe. "Europe has already mobilized EUR 170 billion. At the European Council in December, we agreed on a EUR 90 billion loan to provide Ukraine with predictable funding over the next two years. Nothing justifies a revision of this decision. Now we must put it into practice. The supply of equipment and ammunition, training, strengthening air defense and the fight against drones, as well as the maintenance of already provided equipment, will continue. So that Ukraine stands firm and Russia understands: time is not on its side. We will also continue to strike at the Russian war economy: we will stay the course on sanctions and continue actions against the shadow fleet," he wrote.

Macron addressed "those who think they can count on our fatigue," stating that "they are mistakenwe are and will remain side-by-side with Ukraine."

"This war is a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic. It has strengthened NATO, the expansion of which Russia wanted to avoid; it has united Europeans, whom it sought to weaken; and it has exposed the fragility of an imperialism from another era," he emphasized.

The French President noted that Russia has captured only 1% of Ukrainian territory since the front stabilized in November 2022, at the cost of 1.2 million of its soldiers killed or wounded, and is now "recruiting people on the African continent to send them to fight on the Ukrainian front, often without any prior training."

He also noted that "since there will be no peace without security, and our security is decided in Ukraine, we will continue to work within the Coalition of the Willing" and reported a common position with the USA regarding future security guarantees.

"Todays meeting should allow us to continue moving forward. We will also ensure that the interests of Europeans are properly taken into account in the negotiations, includingat the appropriate timewhen it comes to the security architecture necessary for our continent," Macron said.

As reported, on Tuesday, Macron gathered the Coalition of the Willing in Paris "to further advance the historic work between more than 30 countries that have joined their forces so that peace, when it is concluded in Ukraine, can be guaranteed."
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About Steve Darling

Steve Darling is an award winning broadcaster who has spent the past 20 years as one of the most recognizable faces in British Columbia, reporting and anchoring at BCTV and Global Television. He spent 15 years as the co-host of the number one morning new program in the province. Steve is a tireless worker for charity hosting some 50 events a year. He is an ambassador for the Canucks Autism Network and hosts numerous events with BC Childrens Hospital and the Child Development foundation of... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
Washington, Feb 24 : US President Donald Trump forcefully rejected media reports that his top general opposes military action against Iran, insisting that any such operation would be "easily won" if ordered, even as senior Democratic lawmakers warned against what they described as a rush towards another Middle East war.

Washington, Feb 24 (IANS) US President Donald Trump forcefully rejected media reports that his top general opposes military action against Iran, insisting that any such operation would be "easily won" if ordered, even as senior Democratic lawmakers warned against what they described as a rush towards another Middle East war.

"Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He called the reporting "100% incorrect".

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the Pentagon has raised concerns to President Trump about an extended military campaign against Iran, advising that war plans being considered carry risks including US and allied casualties, depleted air defences, and an overtaxed force.

The warnings have largely been voiced by Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, within the Defense Department and during meetings of the National Security Council, current and former officials said, the daily reported.

"General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see war, but if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," Trump wrote.

He added that Caine "has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack."

Trump said he would prefer diplomacy. "I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not, if we don't make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them."

The President also referenced a previous strike. He said Caine "was in charge of Midnight Hammer, the attack on the Iranian Nuclear Development. It is a Development no longer, but rather, was blown to smithereens by our Great B-2 Bombers."

The remarks came amid a broader political backlash on Capitol Hill.

US Senator Chris Coons, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, said: "Less than one year after the United States bombed Iran's nuclear program, President Trump has deployed a massive concentration of air and sea power within striking distance of Iran, threatening military action."

He questioned the administration's objectives. "Congress and the American people need answers about what our objectives are in Iran," Coons said, adding that Americans "deserve to know what President Trump's objectives are, how they will make Americans safer, and how any military engagement will end."

While acknowledging that "Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon," Coons warned that "risking the lives of American service members by bombing the country yet again in hopes that this is the attack that will finally compel them to abandon their nuclear ambitions is not a strategy."

Congressman Seth Moulton also opposed the use of force. "Trump is preparing to attack Iran and draft America into an Iraq War 2.0. What does he think he will achieve, and at what cost? So far, we have no idea," he said.

Moulton argued that "the only reason we don't have a deal is because Trump tore it up in his first term," and added: "Now it's up to Congress to find more backbone than it did when George W. Bush misled America into Iraq."
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Bhopal on Tuesday to lead a major protest against the interim India-US trade framework, which the party alleges severely harms Indian farmers by opening doors to cheaper US imports.

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari announced the visit, stating: "On February 24, 2026, in Bhopal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will raise their voice for the rights and privileges of farmers against the injustice being done to them in the India-US trade deal."

Speaking to the media, Patwari accused the government of yielding under US pressure, claiming the deal has already depressed prices for key crops like soybean, cotton, and maize.

He described it as a "compromise deal" imposed "with a sword on their neck," adding that Madhya Pradesh's soybean, maize, and cotton farmers - along with families across the stateare directly affected.

The February 24 event, he said, reflects the party's commitment to fighting for farmers nationwide. The protest will take the form of a Kisan Sammelan (farmers' convention) in Bhopal, launching a targeted campaign in vulnerable states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Bihar.

Sharing details about the 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' to be held at Atal Path located in Jawahr Chowk area in the city, Madhya Pradesh Congress media in-charge and former minister Mukesh Nayak told IANS that more than one lakh farmers from across the state are expected to participate.

Nayak shared that the programme is scheduled to begin around 2 pm with the arrival of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Bhopal. He also shared that two large domes have been set up at the venue, with a massive stage arrangement where nearly 250 leaders and office-bearers are expected to sit.

"Bhopal's Kisan Mahapanchayat will be very crucial for the Congress workers in the state, and it will set the movement for a change in Madhya Pradesh. The people of Madhya Pradesh are fed up with the corruption and anarchy of the BJP for over 20 years," Nayak said.

Congress MLA Umang Singhar, who is LoP in the state, said that the soybean farmers may face lower prices due to import pressures, while cotton farmers in the Malwa and Nimar regions could suffer losses.

Singhar said, "Kisan Mahapanchayat is being organised in support of farmers and to raise awareness about what the Congress has termed the "anti-farmer implications" of the trade deal.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Chennai, Feb 24 : The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall in parts of southern Tamil Nadu and the Western Ghats region until March 1, following the formation of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.

According to an official press release issued by the weather department, a low-pressure area formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining central parts of the Bay on the morning of February 23. The system is expected to weaken gradually as it moves in a north-easterly direction.

Meanwhile, a cyclonic circulation prevailing over the southeast Arabian Sea off the south Kerala coast is likely to influence weather activity over adjoining regions. Under the combined impact of these systems, moderate rainfall is expected at one or two places across southern Tamil Nadu, the Western Ghats districts, and neighbouring areas from February 24 to March 1.

The department also released rainfall data recorded over the past 24 hours. The highest rainfall in Tamil Nadu was registered at Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district, which received 40 mm of rain. Several other locations recorded significant showers, including Perunchani Dam in Kanniyakumari district, Sivalogam, Kuzhithurai, Surulacode and Puthen Dam, each receiving 30 mm of rainfall.

Places that recorded 20 mm of rainfall include Kayathar in Thoothukudi district, Palamore in Kanniyakumari, Tirupathisaram, Chittar, Sivagiri in Thoothukudi, Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi town, and parts of Madurai district.

Fishermen have been advised to exercise caution as squally weather conditions are likely to prevail over the northern parts of the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining southwest, central, and east-central Bay of Bengal.

Wind speeds may reach up to 60 kmph in these areas, the weather office warned.

Authorities have urged fishermen to avoid venturing into the specified sea regions during this period due to rough conditions.

The weather department said it will continue to closely monitor the systems and issue further updates as necessary.

With intermittent rain expected over the coming days, residents in southern districts have been advised to stay alert and follow official advisories.
AI-based healthcare projects to be launched in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj. Image Source: IANS News

February 24 : Lucknow/Germany: Carrying forward the visionary agenda of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a delegation from Uttar Pradesh led by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya held an important meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, with Dr. Gunjan Bhardwaj, CEO of tech company Innoplexus & Partex. Detailed discussions were held on possibilities for advanced collaboration in health technology, data centres and AI-based solutions.

Dr. Gunjan Bhardwaj shared plans to expand operations in India, stating that preparations are underway to establish data centres in Uttar Pradesh under a partnership model. He also proposed developing privacy-compliant healthcare data platforms and piloting AI-based healthcare projects in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Lucknow and Prayagraj.

The meeting also resulted in agreement on setting up computer centres, strengthening GCC operations and promoting the use of AI in medical education. The delegation and Dr. Bhardwaj emphasized ensuring strict data privacy standards, data localization and good governance while making healthcare delivery more data-driven.

In addition, extensive discussions were held on expanding government partnerships and exploring potential revenue generation opportunities.
February 24 : Singapore/Lucknow: The Indian diaspora in Singapore was filled with enthusiasm upon seeing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath among them. Throughout his address, the venue echoed with applause and energy, as the slogan Yogi Hai To UP Hai resonated across the atmosphere. The moment became emotional when a woman affectionately addressed CM Yogi as Bhaiya on behalf of all the women of the state.

During the event, a young girl brought a sketch of the Chief Minister, and when CM Yogi autographed it, her face lit up with joy.

During the program, Swati, an Indian-origin resident of Singapore, expressed her feelings, introducing herself as a sister of Uttar Pradesh and of CM Yogi Adityanath.

She said that she was inspired after hearing the Chief Ministers address in Sanskrit. Swati said, When a saint enters politics, politics becomes an act of devotion, and it truly has. On behalf of the 11.5 crore women of Uttar Pradesh, I call the Chief Minister my brother because women in Uttar Pradesh have now received a sense of security. Today, women can go out fearlessly even at night. There is now a fear of the law among criminals.

Praising Uttar Pradeshs improved law and order under the Chief Ministers leadership, Swati raised the slogan Yogi Hai To UP Hai and recited in Sanskrit, Yogi Netrte Pradesh Bhavati Suraksitam Shubham, meaning Under Yogis leadership, the state becomes safe and prosperous.

This interaction organized in Singapore reflected the growing connection and cultural bond between the Indian diaspora and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

While the Chief Minister was on stage, a young girl approached with her sketch of him. CM Yogi signed it, bringing immense happiness to her. Another woman tied a Raksha Sutra (Rakhi) on the Chief Ministers wrist as a gesture of affection and respect.

On this occasion, students of the Global Indian International School in Singapore presented a captivating dance performance on Ganpati Vandana, showcasing the richness of Indian tradition. The Chief Minister wholeheartedly appreciated their performance.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "The children beautifully presented Indias classical art form through Ganpati Vandana".

He added that at a time when there is a rush to adopt western culture, the Indian community living thousands of kilometers away in Singapore continues to preserve and promote Indias spiritual and cultural values with great strength and devotion.
February 24 : Singapore: Addressing the Indian community in Singapore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented a clear and confident picture of the new India and the new Uttar Pradesh. He said that the Uttar Pradesh once known for riots and curfews has today become the centre of development, investment, faith, industrial progress, and global trust. Now it is not the same Uttar Pradesh of riots. In his address, the Chief Minister quoted "Na curfew hai, na danga, ab UP mein sab changa", He elaborated on the transformed image of the new Uttar Pradesh, the confluence of heritage and development, and the vast improvement in law and order. During this occasion, CM Yogi also extended greetings to everyone for the upcoming Holi festival.

The Chief Minister said, "State of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of the country, is witnessing a transformation that is the result of 9 years of commitment, good governance, and visionary leadership". He recalled that the state once identified with riots, insecurity, and anarchy has now emerged as a model of law and order, investment, and development. By effectively implementing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the grassroots level, Uttar Pradesh has presented an inspiring example of a balanced blend of heritage and development.

He added, the Ram Temple is not merely a religious place but a symbol of Indias cultural dignity and self-pride. The redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham represents the establishment of our eternal traditions in a modern form, while the holy land of Mathura-Vrindavan is the living embodiment of Indias devotion and spirituality. The grand spectacle of harmony can be seen at the Maha Kumbh, where millions of devotees take a holy dip together at the Sangam, where there is no high or low, and everyone chants Har-Har Gange in unison. This is the soul of India and also its strength.

The Chief Minister said, this vision and strategic execution have resulted in Uttar Pradeshs economy tripling over the past 9 years, with per capita income also witnessing almost threefold growth. More than 34 sectoral policies have been implemented in the state. A 75,000-acre land bank is available. Cluster-based industrial areas have been developed. Uninterrupted power supply and robust law and order are providing a favourable environment for investment.

He further added, today Uttar Pradesh accounts for around 55% of the mobile phones and nearly 60% of the electronic components manufactured in India. Every citizen of the state is now peacefully participating in the mainstream of development. Inviting everyone to invest in Uttar Pradesh, explore tourism, and form industrial partnerships, the Chief Minister said that the coming times hold even greater possibilities for the state.

The Chief Minister said, "The Indian community living in any corner of the world, carries an unbreakable bond and affection for its motherland, which inspires all of us to contribute to Indias development". Appreciating the enthusiasm and dedication of the Indian diaspora, he said that Indias cultural roots are so deep that even thousands of kilometers away, Indians remain connected to their identity and values.

He recalled the saying of an ancient sage: Durlabham Bharate Janma, Manushyam Tatra Durlabham, meaning that to be born on the sacred land of India is rare, and to be born as a human there is a great fortune. Every Indian should feel proud that their ancestral roots are in India, and those roots continue to connect them with their motherland".

The Chief Minister also informed, the debt of ones mother and motherland lasts a lifetime. Indian culture teaches us to act with complete gratitude and responsibility toward the land we live on. This is the essence of Indian values. Referring to the universal perspective of Sanatan tradition, he said that India gave the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam centuries ago, meaning the whole world is one family. The concept of the Global Village that is popular in the world today was established by India thousands of years ago. Unity in diversity, mutual respect despite differences, and collective progress as one family are the true identity of India.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Modis vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is the modern expression of this Indian philosophy. Development is possible only when there is a spirit of collectiveness and gratitude. Every citizens contribution is important, and it is through this participation that the new India is moving forward.

He said that todays India is confidently showcasing its strength and capability on the global stage. Soon, India will become the worlds third-largest economy. This is not just a goal but a firm resolve. The achievements India has made in digital revolution, start-up culture, and innovation are unprecedented.

Referring to the recently held AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the Chief Minister said that heads of state from over 20 countries and representatives from more than 100 countries participated, acknowledging Indias growing global role. Even the developed nations of the world have wholeheartedly praised the initiatives taken under Prime Minister Modis leadership for the welfare of 140 crore Indians and the global community.

On this occasion, Uttar Pradeshs Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner and ACS Finance Deepak Kumar, Indias High Commissioner to Singapore Dr Shilpak N. Ambule, and founder of Global Indian School Atul, along with other officials, were present.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : A SpiceJet flight carrying around 150 passengers to Leh returned safely to Delhi Airport on Tuesday shortly after takeoff from the airport after experiencing a "technical issue".

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) A SpiceJet flight carrying around 150 passengers to Leh returned safely to Delhi Airport on Tuesday shortly after takeoff from the airport after experiencing a "technical issue".

All passengers were disembarked safely at the Delhi airport.

The Boeing 737 aircraft, operating flight SG121 from Delhi to Leh, turned back minutes after departure after the crew detected a possible technical issue.

"A SpiceJet flight operating from Delhi to Leh on February 24 returned to Delhi after experiencing a technical issue," an airline spokesperson said.

"The aircraft landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers were disembarked normally. There was no fire warning in the cockpit," the spokesperson added.

According to airport sources, the aircraft suffered a possible engine issue, likely linked to the second engine.

In November, a SpiceJet flight from Mumbai to Kolkata made an emergency landing due to a failure in one of its engines, according to Kolkata Airport officials. All passengers and crew members were safe.

"On November 9, SpiceJet flight SG 670 operating from Mumbai to Kolkata experienced a technical issue during descent at Kolkata airport. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew deplaned normally," according to a statement from a SpiceJet spokesperson.

On September 12, a SpiceJet Q400 flight from Gujarat's Kandla airport to Mumbai made a similar emergency landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) after an outer wheel was found on the runway following take-off.

The plane landed safely, with all passengers and crew unharmed.

Another Patna-bound SpiceJet aircraft returned to Delhi in October shortly after take-off following a technical issue. According to SpiceJet, flight SG 497, operating from Delhi to Patna with a Boeing 737 aircraft, made a normal landing at the Delhi Airport, and all passengers were safely deplaned. "The aircraft landed normally and passengers were deplaned safely. An alternate aircraft was arranged to accommodate the passengers," the airline had said.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a section addressing "corruption in the judiciary" under a chapter titled 'The role of the judiciary in our society', triggering political debate.

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a section addressing "corruption in the judiciary" under a chapter titled 'The role of the judiciary in our society', triggering political debate.

In the revised chapter, the textbook identifies "corruption at various levels of the judiciary" and a "massive backlogon account of multiple reasons, such as a lack of an adequate number of judges, complicated legal procedures, and poor infrastructure" among the key challenges confronting the judicial system.

By contrast, the earlier edition of the textbook focused primarily on explaining the role of the judiciary, the concept of an independent judiciary, the structure of courts, and citizens' access to them, without explicitly mentioning corruption.

It did, however, acknowledge delays in the justice delivery system. "The phrase 'justice delayed is justice denied' is often used to characterise this extended time period that courts take," the earlier book had noted, referring to the prolonged pendency of cases.

The inclusion of a specific reference to corruption in the new edition has drawn criticism from some quarters.

Congress MP and Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal questioned the emphasis on judicial corruption while pointing to alleged wrongdoing in other spheres.

Referring to the new content, the MP asked why similar attention was not given to the "massive corruption" of "politicians, including ministers, public servants, investigation agencies", and why governments "brush them under the carpet."

"NCERT's Class 8 book includes a section on: Corruption in the judiciary! What about the massive corruption of: Politicians, including ministers, public servants, and investigation agencies. And why governments brush them under the carpet!" Sibal posted on X.

The updated textbook also provides approximate figures on pending cases across the judiciary, citing around 81,000 cases in the Supreme Court, nearly 62,40,000 in High Courts, and about 4,70,00,000 in District and Subordinate Courts.

In discussing accountability, the section on "corruption in the judiciary" explains that judges are bound by a code of conduct that regulates not only their courtroom behaviour but also their conduct outside court.

It outlines the judiciary's internal mechanisms for ensuring accountability and mentions an "established procedure for receiving complaints through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)," noting that over 1,600 complaints were received between 2017 and 2021.

The book also cites former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, who in July 2025 said: "Sadly, there have been instances of corruption and misconduct that have surfaced even within the judiciary. Such occurrences inevitably have a negative impact on public confidence, potentially eroding faith in the integrity of the system as a whole. However, the path to rebuilding this trust lies in the swift, decisive and transparent action taken to address and resolve these issues Any erosion of this confidence risks weakening the judiciary's constitutional role as the ultimate arbiter of rights. Transparency and accountability are democratic virtues."

NCERT has been revising textbooks across classes in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education.

New textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 have been released so far, with the first part of the updated Class 8 Social Science book having been issued in July last year.
Ruben Vardanyan seems to have acquired a remarkable new talent  the remote management of farmland.

While ordinary inmates contend with standard prison conditions, Ruben, under the supervision of Azerbaijani authorities in Baku, is reportedly able to allocate plots of land in Syunik. According to Armenian opposition media, seven families in Tatev allegedly received land grants through his intervention.

It may sound incredible, but the mechanics are simple in theory: under careful monitoring, Vardanyan appears to influence agricultural activities and cadastral documentation from afar. Whether this involves advanced satellite technology or metaphorical astral privatization, the effect is the same. Meanwhile, legal representatives may focus on practical support rather than paperwork, facilitating the process in unconventional ways.

If this continues, one could imagine a future where land allocation reaches the most remote locations  perhaps even beyond Earth  though such exaggeration is, of course, metaphorical. The point remains: the narrative surrounding Vardanyans activities highlights the extraordinary claims circulating in media reports and the complexity of land issues in the region.
The United States wants to reach an agreement regarding a settlement in Ukraine by July 4, Bloomberg reports, citing European officials and NATO representatives.

"The US is pushing for a deal before Trump hosts the 250th anniversary celebrations of American independence on July 4. But, according to senior European and NATO officials, there are no signs that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to reach an agreement that does not satisfy his core demands," Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

According to them, the Washington administration wants to conclude the deal before the United States holds festivities for the countrys 250th anniversary of independence.

The publication notes that three rounds of trilateral negotiations this year in Abu Dhabi and Geneva have failed to achieve any results. Ukraines European allies have been largely sidelined from the talks; Moscow and Washington are effectively competing to see who will be the first to make concessions. This would mean either Russia yielding on some of its red lines, which include full control over territories in eastern Donbas, or the US abandoning Ukraine.

Ukraine, in turn, rejects Russias demands to withdraw troops from fortified areas of eastern Donetsk and has proposed a ceasefire along existing front lines. The US proposes creating a free economic zone in this area along with security guarantees for Ukraine against any future attack by Russia. There is no final framework regarding the fate of the nuclear power plant yet, although the US has stated that energy distribution will be a critical part of any agreement. While the US has proposed a three-way split, Kyiv rejects any split with Russia, although it has stated that the Americans would be free to divide their share with Moscow.

One concern among Kyivs allies is that Putin may agree to a ceasefire that would allow Trump to claim success in ending the war, while Russia continues a campaign of sabotage, hybrid warfare, or election interference aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, according to European diplomats familiar with the matter who asked not to be named as the issue is not public.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Actor and television host Maniesh Paul shared a tender birthday note for his wife Sanyukta Paul, calling her the reason he believes life is "beautiful and blessed." Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) Actor and television host Maniesh Paul shared a tender birthday note for his wife Sanyukta Paul, calling her the reason he believes life is "beautiful and blessed."

Maniesh took to Instagram, where he shared three pictures posing romantically with Sanyukta, who he described as someone who makes "everything beautiful because she is beautiful inside out."

Maniesh wrote as the caption: "Happy birthday to the girl who makes everything beautiful because she is beautiful inside out."

He added: "The one who is always there for everyone The one because of whom I can say life is beautiful and blessed. Love you @sanyuktap Thank you for everything and by everything I mean EVERYTHING!!!"

Maniesh met Sanyukta in school. The couple finally got married in 2007. They have a daughter born in 2011 and a son born in 2016. In January, the couple completed 19 years of marital bliss. The actor had penned a note for his wife on the photo-sharing app.

He had written: "Happy anniversary @sanyuktap... 19 years flew by... Life will be easy...Life will be tough...It will be smooth...It wil be rough...For me to get back to the best of me your standing by me is enough...I love you...(sic). "P.s: but I will irritate you foreverthat won't change."

Talking about the actor, Maniesh started his career in Delhi, as a host in cultural events in schools and colleges. He was then seen in Ghost Bana Dost to play the role of a ghost. Maniesh has acted in many serials such as Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi, Zindadil, Ssshhhh...Phir Koi Hai and Kahani Shuru with Love Guru.

He appeared in Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif-starrer Tees Maar Khan in 2010. Maniesh made his debut in a lead role of the computer geek Mickey in Mickey Virus.

Maniesh was recently seen in "Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari". The film features Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf and Akshay Oberoi. The movie is directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Karan Johar.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 : The Kerala Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Tuesday as the entire opposition staged a walkout after vociferously demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan over the Sabarimala gold theft case.

Raising the issue during the proceedings, opposition members accused the government of shielding those responsible and targeting the Sabarimala tantri unfairly.

Speaking for the opposition, K. Babu said the government must answer devotees on who was responsible for keeping the tantri in jail for 40 days.

He alleged that the release of the accused in the gold theft case reflected serious lapses on the part of the government.

The opposition also claimed that the action against the tantri was an act of retaliation for not cooperating with the implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on women's entry into Sabarimala.

"If the Devaswom Minister resigns, the issue can be resolved, and the House can proceed smoothly," K. Babu said, as members displayed banners and placards inside the Assembly and pressed for an immediate response.

As the protests intensified, the Speaker urged members to maintain order, but the opposition remained adamant, reiterating its demand for Minister Vasavan's resignation before announcing a walkout.

Responding to the charges, Industries Minister P. Rajeev rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of playing politics.

He questioned whether the opposition "had the courage to move a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet" and asked if they could bring forward even a shred of evidence of corruption.

Rajeev asserted that the government had fulfilled its manifesto promises and dismissed the protest as politically motivated.

He termed the opposition "destructive" and accused it of opposing everything indiscriminately.

With the walkout, proceedings continued amid heightened political tensions over the Sabarimala issue.

In a related development, the Travancore Devasom Board, which hosted the controversial Global Ayyappa meet last year, has come under fire from the Kerala High Court for improper accounting and has appointed a task force for a fresh audit of the more than Rs 7 crore expenses.

The Board is likely to inform the Court that it requires some more time to submit the expense statement.
Quetta, Feb 24 : The Baloch National Movement (BNM) strongly condemned Pakistan's attacks on Afghanistan, calling them a direct assault on the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and freedom of the Afghan nation, deliberately targeting unarmed civilians.

The remarks followed Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence statement on Sunday, after Pakistan carried out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of several civilians.

According to the Ministry, the strikes targeted a madrasa and multiple residential homes, killing and injuring "dozens of civilians", including women and children.

Expressing solidarity with the affected Afghan families, the BNM reaffirmed support for Afghanistan's sovereignty and its right to self-defence.

It stated that "for the past 79 years, the primary cause of instability in the region has been the policies of the State of Pakistan, which are driven by both its overt and covert expansionist ambitions."

The rights group added that, shortly after its creation, Pakistan occupied Balochistan, stripping the region of its sovereignty and freedoms and keeping it subjugated under a "dominant Punjabi regime". It argued that "oppressed nations" under Pakistan are struggling for their "national survival".

"The world can see that Pakistan has become politically and socially fragmented, and these very conditions have become a source of crisis for the state itself," it noted.

Despite Pakistani military repression and violence against political forces, the BNM said, Pakistan has consistently failed to resolve its internal issues.

"Instead, it seeks to deflect responsibility for its failures onto neighbouring countries, thereby fueling instability and a war-like atmosphere in the region," the Baloch group stated.

It warned that Pakistan's military power poses a clear threat not only regionally but beyond. To address this situation, it emphasised that "unity and the formation of a joint front among the nations of the region are essential".
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over the interim India-US trade framework, alleging that the agreement severely harms Indian farmers by opening the door to cheaper agricultural imports from America. He claimed that even Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, does not know what is in the deal.

Khera is in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to participate in a protest against the India-US trade deal. Speaking to IANS he questioned the transparency of the deal and accused the government of sidelining farmers' interests.

"Ask them  did they read the deal? Even Piyush Goyal doesn't know what's in the deal. Whatever comes from the US, everyone immediately agrees. The Agriculture Minister should feel especially ashamed, because if anyone has broken the backbone of farmers in his own state, it is Shivraj Singh Chouhan," Khera told IANS.

The protest in Bhopal is part of the Congress party's broader agitation against the trade framework. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to lead a major farmers' convention, or 'Kisan Mahapanchayat', in the state capital.

Speaking on the party's 'Kisan Maha Chaupal' campaign, Khera announced that the next Mahachaupal would be held in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. "Maharashtra is very important, with significant cotton cultivation. There is also extensive soybean farming, and the deal Centre made has caused the greatest harm to the soybean farmers there," he said.

Congress national spokesperson Abhay Dubey claimed that the BJP government had "lost its moral compass" and damaged farmers' incomes through international trade deals.

MP State Congress President Jitu Patwari claimed that since clarity on the trade framework emerged, soybean and cotton prices had fallen by nearly 30 per cent in Madhya Pradesh.

Patwari said farmers in the state  one of the largest producers of soybean, cotton and maize  were already struggling due to unmet MSP promises and earlier policy decisions. "I challenge the state's Chief Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture  they are lying to the people," he said.

"Farmers are the backbone of this country. India, being an agriculture-based nation, connects the largest population to farming. The government failed farmers through the three farm laws, tried to implement the Land Acquisition Act, and did not fulfil its MSP promises. In Madhya Pradesh, soybean, cotton, and maize production is among the highest, yet not a single crop is sold at MSP. Since the trade deal clarity was announced, prices have fallen by 30 per cent, affecting our farmers...I challenge the state's Chief Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture is lying to the people," he claimed.

According to party leaders, more than one lakh farmers are expected to attend the Kisan Mahapanchayat at Atal Path in Bhopal.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kabul, Feb 24 : Afghan police in the drive against illegal drugs arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 41 kg of illicit drugs from their possessions in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province, said a statement of the provincial police office on Tuesday.

The arrested suspects, according to the statement, were attempting to smuggle 29 kg of opium poppy and 12 kg of hashish out of the province on Monday.

The Afghan government has vowed to fight against producing illegal drugs and their trafficking until the once drug-producing nation becomes free of the drug threats, Xinhua News Agency reported.

On February 3, provincial police spokesman Mullah Kalimullah Nangyal said police in western Afghanistan's Farah province have arrested two drug smugglers and seized 75 kilograms of narcotics.

The official added that acting on intelligence, security forces raided a location in Farah Rod district on Monday, apprehending the two suspects and confiscating 75 kg of raw opium.

An assault rifle was also recovered from the operation site, the spokesman said.

This marks the second seizure of illegal drugs recently reported in western Afghanistan.

On February 1, the provincial police office said that police have seized 170 kg of illegal drugs from a vehicle in western Afghanistan's Herat province and taken two alleged drug smugglers into custody.

Based on intelligence, police intercepted a car on Saturday and, after a search, recovered 170 kg of opium and hashish from hidden compartments in the vehicle, the statement said. It added that two individuals in the car were arrested on charges of attempting to traffic the contraband to an unknown destination.

The arrestees will be handed over to judicial authorities after preliminary interrogation is completed, the statement further noted.

Police will not allow anyone to produce or traffic illegal drugs anywhere in the province, the statement emphasised.

In a similar operation, police in eastern Khost province discovered 18 kg of hashish and arrested an alleged drug trafficker.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, on Tuesday appealed to the citizens not to respond to any video call about digital arrest as it is non existent and there is no legal provision for a "digital arrest."

Scammers impersonating police or CBI officials use video calls to create a "virtual jail" environment, which is entirely fraudulent.

Intervening during reply to a question by member Abu Azmi in the state Assembly during question hour, the Chief Minister highlighted the sophisticated nature of these frauds and emphasised that no government or law enforcement agency will ever conduct an "arrest" via a video call.

He stressed the importance of the first 60 minutes, the golden hour, after a fraud occurs. If reported immediately to the 1930 helpline or the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, there is a much higher chance of freezing the transaction and recovering funds.

The chief minister said if the complaint is made within a golden hour, it will help the police to trace the transaction trail and hold it from proceeding ahead.

"No government agency or police officer will ever arrest you over a video call or demand money to settle a case. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it immediately to 1930," he noted.

He noted that Maharashtra has developed the most advanced cyber security center in India, which is now being used as a model by other states to track digital footprints and curb fake call centers.

The CM referred two cases about how a retired IAS officer and senior naval officer fell prey to such calls and reiterated the citizens not to respond to such calls declaring digital arrest. He also emphasised the importance of golden hour to track the case and recover the money.

The chief minister said the central government is implementing a comprehensive awareness campaign against cyber crimes across the country so also the state government is also making all efforts to make citizens aware of these crimes. Earlier, the chief minister revealed that the state has successfully cracked down on several syndicates. Between late 2025 and early 2026, 145 major cyber arrest cases were recorded, involving frauds worth over Rs 129 crore.

The Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam said that in Ahilyanagar despite two months after the registration of offence by a victim the police have kept on hold Rs 78 lakh of the total Rs 87 lakh.

He appealed to the citizens to soon report cyber crime related cases including digital arrest during golden hour.

CM Fadnavis later told the Assembly that the victim would get the money that have been put on hold during the investigation.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief and MLA Abu Azmi on Tuesday backed Congress MP Imran Masood's remarks that authorities must ensure "innocent people" are not arrested. Masood's remarks came following the police crackdown on an alleged terror conspiracy involving eight suspects said to have links with Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh-based radical groups.

Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief and MLA Abu Azmi on Tuesday backed Congress MP Imran Masood's remarks that authorities must ensure "innocent people" are not arrested. Masood's remarks came following the police crackdown on an alleged terror conspiracy involving eight suspects said to have links with Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh-based radical groups.

Supporting the Congress MP's statement, Azmi alleged that members of the Muslim community were being "deliberately targeted" in the country. His comments came a day after Masood stressed the need for caution while taking action against terror suspects.

"I am not sure who has been arrested. People may spend 20 years in jail and then get released. There is no doubt that strict action is needed against terror, but innocent people should not be arrested. Ensure that those released after long sentences are not wrongly targeted," Masood had told IANS.

Sharing the same view, Azmi told IANS, "He is absolutely right, and I support him. In the Mumbai serial blast case, 12 youths were arrested and were handed the death penalty by a lower court. The High Court acquitted them, but even then, the government took the case to the Supreme Court."

"In the Malegaon blast case, Purohit Pandey and others were convicted, but the government lawyer was instructed to go easy on them. They were later acquitted, and no further appeals were made," he further said.

"This clearly shows the condition of this country. Muslims are deliberately targeted," Azmi added.

The political reactions followed the arrest of eight individuals from different locations in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal for allegedly plotting a major terror conspiracy at the direction of Pakistan's ISI and Bangladesh-based radical organisations.

On Saturday, security agencies also issued an alert about a possible explosion near Delhi's Red Fort after intelligence inputs suggested that the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba had drawn up a list of high-profile locations to target in India.

Sources said the coordinated security operation was launched after specific intelligence inputs were received about a suspected terror module planning activities across various parts of the country.

During the raids, police seized several mobile phones and SIM cards from the accused. These devices are currently being examined to determine the extent and reach of the network.

The developments come in the backdrop of a car explosion near the Red Fort on November 10, in which 13 people were killed, and more than 20 others sustained injuries.
Hyderabad, Feb 24 : In a major crackdown, Hyderabad Police dismantled a pan-India cyber fraud syndicate with the arrest of 104 fraudsters across 16 states.

At least 32 special teams carried out aOperation Octopusa over a span of 10 days, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said on Tuesday.

Under the leadership of DCP (Cybercrimes) V. Aravind Babu, the police executed a coordinated operation against cybercrime syndicates operating across the country.

The apprehended individuals are linked to 1,055 cyber fraud cases registered across India, involving a total fraud amount of approximately a127 crore, the Commissioner said in a statement.

During the operation, the police seized 204 mobile phones, 141 SIM cards, 152 bank passbooks, 234 debit/credit cards, 26 laptops, 56 corporate/firm stamps and a36 lakh cash.

The operation was carried out in Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Odisha.

The Commissioner noted that in recent times, there has been a surge in cases of victims falling prey to investment scams, trading frauds, and 'Digital Arrest' scams, resulting in the loss of their hard-earned money.

Exploiting the trust of unsuspecting citizens, cyber fraudsters have been draining bank accounts through manipulation, intimidation, and emotional coercion.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, 'Operation Octopus' was designed to deliver a decisive blow to these illegal networks. Following an intensive investigation into the rise of such frauds, the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Hyderabad, identified a nexus of 151 bank accounts used to siphon off victimsa funds, said Sajjanar.

Through meticulous Intelligence gathering and forensic analysis, 151 bank accounts were identified as conduits for laundering the proceeds of crime. To dismantle this complex network, 32 Special Teams comprising seasoned investigators were constituted. The operation was executed simultaneously across 16 states over a span of 10 days and 104 individuals who played pivotal roles in the execution of the fraud were apprehended.

A Relationship Manager from Bandhan Bank was among those arrested for colluding with fraudsters to facilitate the opening and operation of fraudulent accounts.

'Operation Octopus' is an ongoing initiative, and the investigation is progressing to dismantle the higher echelons of these syndicates.

A clear and unequivocal message is being sent: Anyone found complicit in such crimes a" regardless of stature, influence, or role a" will not be spared. Every lead will be pursued, and the perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

Any individual supporting cybercriminals, including bank officials, mule account holders, will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law, said the Police Commissioner.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 : Veteran technocrat and former Konkan Railway Chairperson E. Sreedharan on Tuesday unveiled a revised design for a semi high-speed rail corridor across Kerala, promising faster execution, lower costs and minimal land acquisition compared to existing proposals.

The new plan, covering the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur corridor, also brings Pathanamthitta and Malappuram onto the alignment.

Sreedharan said trains under the proposed system would operate at speeds of up to 200 kmph, enabling end-to-end travel in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Project cost is estimated at around Rs 56,500 crore. Briefing the media, Sreedharan said one-third of operational energy costs can be saved as power would be generated by the company itself.

"High-speed railway is a service organisation", he said, adding that ticket fares would be kept at the lowest viable levels, broadly comparable to AC chair car rates.

Passenger comfort, safety, punctuality and cleanliness would be prioritised.

Under the design, trains would halt for one minute at regular stations and two minutes at major hubs.

The alignment would largely run through elevated viaducts and tunnels, reducing the need for large-scale land acquisition and mitigating environmental concerns.

Sreedharan indicated that the revised proposal was prepared after limited progress on his earlier submission and said it would soon be presented to the Union government for consideration.

The announcement comes even as the Pinarayi Vijayan government has moved ahead with a separate Regional Rapid Transit Corridor (RRTC) proposal.

The state Cabinet has given in-principle approval for the RRTC project, envisaged broadly on the lines of rapid inter-city systems, with phased implementation from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod.

Budgetary allocation has also been made for preliminary steps.

The parallel proposals underscore differing approaches to addressing Kerala's mounting mobility challenges.

While Sreedharan's model emphasises higher speeds and a predominantly elevated alignment to contain costs, the state's RRTC plan is positioned as an integrated regional transit solution linking major urban centres.

With detailed project reports yet to be finalised in either case, the coming months are likely to determine which model gains policy traction.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday met an injured autorickshaw driver outside his residence while he was leaving for Bhopal. On seeing the injured autorickshaw driver on the way, the Congress MP stopped his convoy and came out of his car to check on him and offer help.

Along with this, LoP Rahul Gandhi instructed his companions to ensure proper medical support to the injured.

Speaking to IANS, the injured driver later said, "Rahul Gandhi asked how I got hurt, so I explained to him and he said 'go to the hospital and get treatment'."

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and LoP Rahul Gandhi will be in Bhopal to lead a major protest against the interim India-US trade framework, which the party alleges severely harms Indian farmers by opening doors to cheaper US imports.

Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari announced the visit, stating: "On February 24, 2026, in Bhopal, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ji and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi will raise their voice for the rights and privileges of farmers against the injustice being done to them in the India-US trade deal."

Speaking to the media, Patwari accused the government of yielding under US pressure, claiming the deal has already depressed prices for key crops like soybean, cotton, and maize.

He described it as a "compromise deal" imposed "with a sword on their neck," adding that Madhya Pradesh's soybean, maize, and cotton farmers a" along with families across the state a" are directly affected.

The February 24 event, he said, reflects the party's commitment to fighting for farmers nationwide. The protest will take the form of a Kisan Sammelan (farmers' convention) in Bhopal, launching a targeted campaign in vulnerable states: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Bihar.

Sharing details about the aKisan Mahapanchayata to be held at Atal Path located in Jawahar Chowk area in the city, Madhya Pradesh Congress media incharge and former minister Mukesh Nayak told IANS that more than one lakh farmers from across the state are expected to participate.a

Nayak shared that the program is scheduled to begin around 2 pm with the arrival of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi in Bhopal. He also shared that two large domes have been set up at the venue, with a massive stage arrangement where nearly 250 leaders and office-bearers are expected to sit.
Ukraine can count on full support in EU accession and post-war reconstruction - statement by Presidents of EC, EP, and European Council

Under very difficult circumstances, Ukraine has made significant progress in European integration reforms, and its future lies within the European Union, according to a joint statement by the presidents of the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine, published Tuesday morning.

"The future of a secure and prosperous Ukraine lies within the European Union. Ukraine has made significant progress in reforms aimed at EU accession under very difficult circumstances. Ukraine can count on our full support in EU accession and post-war reconstruction. We firmly support Ukraine. We stand for a just and lasting peace. We stand for a strong and sovereign Ukraine in a strong and sovereign Europe," the text of the statement reads.

The heads of the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament emphasize that Russia "has not achieved its military goals in Ukraine" and therefore "deliberately attacks Ukrainian civilian and critical infrastructure," but Ukrainians "remain impressive in their resilience, determination, and endurance."

They also emphasized fundamental support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"Our goal is a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine, based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We support all efforts aimed at achieving such a peace  a peace with dignity and long-term security. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the cornerstone. No country can annex its neighbor. Borders cannot be changed by force. Russia cannot be rewarded," the statement says.

It is emphasized that the European Union "will continue to provide comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people," and the first payment from the EUR 60 billion portion of the EUR 90 billion loan intended for military needs "will be made as soon as possible."

"Putins war of attrition is relentlessly draining Russia, and we intend to exert further pressure on Russia to end its aggression and begin meaningful peace negotiations. We intend to increase pressure on Russias energy and financial sectors and take additional measures against the shadow fleet," the statement reads.

It is also noted that the EU and its member states, in accordance with their competencies, "are ready to contribute to reliable and credible security guarantees so that Russia can never attack Ukraine again."

"We will ensure that Russia is held accountable for the crimes committed and the damage it has caused. We aim to establish a Special Tribunal to address the crimes of aggression against Ukraine and an International Commission for claims regarding Ukraine as soon as possible, both within the framework of the Council of Europe," the statement emphasizes.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : A Delhi court on Tuesday remanded Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib to four days of police custody following his arrest in connection with the shirtless protest held during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

Chib was produced before the Patiala House Court after his arrest by the Delhi Police earlier in the day.

The investigating agency sought seven days of custodial interrogation, submitting that Chib was the "main conspirator and mastermind" behind the incident.

Opposing the plea, the defence argued against prolonged custody, while the prosecution contended that custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the larger conspiracy.

After hearing both sides, the Patiala House Court allowed four days of police custody for further investigation.

According to the grounds of arrest, Chib has been accused of being the main conspirator in organising an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit and Expo 2026, where alleged anti-national slogans were raised, and attempts were made to incite a riot-like situation.

Police further alleged that Chib, along with co-accused Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Narasimha Yadav, Ajay Kumar Yadav and others, obstructed and assaulted police officials performing their duties.

The arrest memo also stated that he allegedly did not cooperate during interrogation and failed to disclose details about the absconding co-accused and the source of printing the T-shirts used during the protest.

Chib was arrested after nearly 15 hours of questioning at Tilak Marg police station in connection with the shirtless protest staged on the final day of the India AI Impact Summit.

The protest had triggered a political row, with the Bharatiya Janata Party criticising the demonstration as an attempt to tarnish India's global image, while the Congress party defended it as a peaceful protest reflecting concerns of the youth.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : Amid the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled later this year, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the police administration in the state to complete the process of identification of the sensitive pockets in the state at the earliest, and if possible, by the second week of March.

Based on the sensitive pockets identified by the state police, the Commission will do the initial planning for the concentration of the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), depending on the sensitivity of the pockets concerned.

The ECI has already decided to deploy the CAPF in the state even before the announcement of the polling dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct.

A total of 480 companies of CAPF will be deployed in the state by March 10, out of which 240 companies will be deployed on March 1 and the remaining 240 companies will be deployed on March 10.

At a preparatory meeting with the top police officials in the state on Monday evening, the ECI had clearly instructed that the initial 480 companies to be deployed between March 1 and March 10 can be allowed to sit idle, and instead should be utilised for early area domination.

The deployment of these 480 companies of CAPF should be done in consultation with the central observers appointed by the ECI in West Bengal.

The central observers have also been asked by the Commission to supervise the process of CPAF deployment and give daily reports to the ECI in the matter, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal said.

The Commission had already directed the West Bengal government to work out the detailed deployment plan, in consultation with the respective CAPFs and their chief force coordinators. The movement and deployment of CAPFs shall be coordinated by the CRPF, the Commission had clarified.

The first phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 1, will include 110 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 21 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 27 companies of Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), and 27 companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The second phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 10, will include 120 companies of CRPF, 65 companies of BSF, 16 companies of CISF, 20 companies of ITBP, and 19 companies of SSB.

De-induction of these 480 companies, that is , the process of removing troops, equipment, or personnel from a specific area, will be intimated in due course of time
Tokyo, Feb 24 : Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday thanked External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar for his congratulatory message on his reappointment to the post and stated that he is looking forward to strengthening bilateral ties with India and realising a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FIOP).

Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared Toshimitsu Motegi's statement on X.

"I appreciate your congratulatory message on my reappointment. I look forward to continuously working with you S Jaishankar to strengthen bilateral relations and to realize a 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)'. Minister for Foreign Affairs MOTEGI Toshimitsu," the statement read.

Motegi's statement came in response to EAM Jaishankar's congratulatory message on his reappointment as Japan's Foreign Minister.

In a statement shared on X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, "Congratulate FM Toshimitsu Motegi on his reappointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Look forward to working together to advance our Special Strategic and Global Partnership."

Earlier, on February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her victory in Japan's House of Representatives election.

In his message, PM Modi expressed confidence that he and Takaichi will continue to take the friendship between India and Japan to greater heights.

"Congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives! Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. I am confident that under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights," PM Modi posted on X.

In response to his wishes, Sanae Takaichi thanked PM Modi and stated that she is looking forward to working with him to strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two nations.

"Thank you very much, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for your warm congratulations on the House of Representatives election. I look forward to continuing to work together with you to strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India and to cooperate in realising a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)," Takaichi posted on X.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives election held on February 8. The LDP is the first party in postwar Japan to cross the two-thirds majority line of 310 seats in the 465-member lower house, Japan's Kyodo News reported.

On January 16, EAM Jaishankar and Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi co-chaired the 18th India-Japan Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi and discussed economic, maritime, supply chain, critical mineral, technology, P2P and multilateral cooperation between both countries.

"Pleased to co-chair the 18th India - Japan Strategic Dialogue alongside FM Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi today. Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership is on an upward trajectory and holds immense potential for shaping the world order and de-risking the international economy," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

"Todayas discussions on deeper economic, maritime, supply chain, critical mineral, technology, P2P and multilateral cooperation were reflective of our shared interests and mutual understanding. Also had a useful exchange of perspectives on Indo-Pacific and regional and global developments," he added.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Feb 24 : India's tourism sector is poised to get a big push with the Union Budget for 2026-27 proposing a series of targeted interventions to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance service quality, and improve destination competitiveness.

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Indiaas tourism sector is poised to get a big push with the Union Budget for 2026-27 proposing a series of targeted interventions to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance service quality, and improve destination competitiveness.

Tourism has a significant potential for employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, and balanced regional development. Owing to its strong multiplier effect and capacity to create livelihoods across hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and allied services, tourism has been identified as a strategic growth driver in the Budget, according to an official factsheet issued on Tuesday.

Based on the 'India Tourism Data Compendium 2025' by the Ministry of Tourism, the sector contributes 5.22 per cent to Indiaas GDP (total impact), with a direct share of 2.72 per cent. It also supports 13.34 per cent of total employment, with a direct employment share of 5.82 per cent, reflecting its strong role in livelihood generation and inclusive development.

Major initiatives that will be undertaken, following the presentation of the Budget, which include destination development and of the modernisation tourist sector through proposals for heritage and experiential site development, creation of digital knowledge grids for tourism assets, and promotion of nature-based and wildlife tourism.

The focus will be on preserving temples and monasteries, creating pilgrimage centres, and improving connectivity and amenities in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura.

Five major tourism destinations will be developed across Purvodaya States with 4,000 e-buses for connectivity as part of the proposals. Besides, five regional medical hubs will be established, to promote India as a hub for medical tourism services.

The proposals also include the development of 15 archaeological sites including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace with the aim of converting them into developed vibrant, experiential cultural destinations.

As part of the package, India plans to host the first Global Big Cat Summit, bringing together leaders and ministers from 95 countries, reinforcing Indiaas leadership in eco-tourism diplomacy.

Other proposals to accelerate the development of tourism are the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality to address skill gaps and align academic training with industry requirements, as well as a pilot programme to upskill 10,000 tourist guides at iconic destinations through partnerships with premier institutions. These measures are aimed at improving workforce productivity and elevating visitor experiences across key tourism circuits.

Overall, the Union Budget 2026a"27 positions tourism as a resilient and high-impact sector within Indiaas economic framework, with a clear focus on job creation, investment stimulation, and sustainable growth across regions, the factsheet added.
Chandigarh, Feb 24 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the entire money in the fraud involving state government accounts at the Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank has been returned to the government's accounts.

"A total of Rs 556 crore, including Rs 22 crore of interest, was returned to the government account within 24 hours," he said.

The Chief Minister said the involvement of four-five employees of the bank's Chandigarh branch has been revealed.

"No one, whether a bank employee, a private individual, or a government official, will be spared in the case," he said.

Saying the country has a strong watchman like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister assured the House, "No one can even look at the hard-earned money of 2.8 crore people (of the state). Today, the governance system in Haryana has changed, and every penny of the public's money is accounted for."

He said the government has formed a committee headed by the Finance Secretary to investigate this matter. "This committee will not only investigate the entire matter but also make recommendations to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future," he added.

Earlier, IDFC First Bank identified Rs 590 crore of fraudulent activities at its Chandigarh branch, according to the bank's Exchange Filing.

The state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered an FIR against bank officials, public servants and other individuals under Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 316 (5), 318 (4), 336 (3), 338, 340 (2) and 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

In a protest outside the Assembly by the opposition Congress on the bank scam, state party President Rao Narendra Singh told the media, "This is not an ordinary scam, it is more than a Rs 590-crore scam, and I demand a CBI investigation into it, as big players are involved."

A day earlier, CM Saini had informed the House that the fraud came to light due to the alertness of state government departments, following which the government immediately de-empanelled the bank.

Statements provided by the bank did not match the records maintained by the departments concerned, and directions have also been issued to constitute a high-level committee to conduct a detailed probe, he had said.

The Chief Minister had informed the House during the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha that IDFC First Bank had written to SEBI acknowledging irregularities committed by certain bank employees.

The bank has also initiated action against the employees concerned.

He had said the bank wrote a letter on February 21. However, even before the government took cognisance of the matter, on February 18, it de-panelled the bank and directed that the entire amount, along with interest, be transferred to a nationalised bank.

The Chief Minister had said a significant portion of the government's funds deposited with IDFC First Bank had been invested in fixed deposits (FDs). He had said the practice of departments keeping funds in banks is not new. This has been happening earlier as well. Even during the Congress tenure, departmental funds were kept in banks. Banks are empanelled from time to time, and new banks continue to be added, he had said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Imphal, Feb 24 : Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has approved the construction of 5,000 new houses for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), affected by ethnic violence in Manipur, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), officials said on Tuesday.

An official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Imphal said that Chouhan approved the construction of the houses for IDPs affected by the prolonged law and order crisis for the financial year 2025-26 after a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday night.

The state's two Deputy Chief Ministers -- Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho -- accompanied the Chief Minister during the meeting with the Union Rural Development Minister at the latteras residence in New Delhi.

The CMO official said that Central Minister Chouhan warmly received the three Manipur leaders and assured them of all possible assistance in their efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

Earlier this month, the Manipur government had submitted a proposal for a special project under PMAY-G for the construction of 5,000 houses for IDPs affected by ethnic violence, he said.

Acting on the proposal, the Union Rural Development Ministry also approved a special window of the Awas Plus 2024 household survey to capture details of eligible affected families.

The state government has further been permitted to continue the registration process of eligible beneficiaries under the special PMAY-G project, the official said.

However, the Union Rural Development Ministry directed the state government to ensure that beneficiaries under the special project are identified strictly in accordance with PMAY-G guidelines.

The identification and uploading of details of eligible beneficiaries must be completed through the Awas Plus 2024 mobile application. The houses will be constructed as per the provisions laid down in the Framework for Implementation (FFI) of PMAY-G.

The state government has also been allowed to sanction houses for eligible beneficiaries under the special project who had earlier received one or more instalments under PMAY-G, but whose houses were destroyed during the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023. Chief Minister Khemchand Singh has been in New Delhi since February 21, marking his first visit to the national capital after taking oath as Manipuras new BJP Chief Minister on February 4.

On Monday, the Chief Minister met Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, who assured that his Ministry would coordinate with other Union Ministries to address key issues concerning Manipur. Khemchand Singh also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who assured him of all possible assistance to revive the state's financial health and economy.

The Chief Minister further held discussions with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured full cooperation and support from his Ministry for all initiatives of the Manipur government.

Accompanied by the two Deputy Chief Ministers, the Manipur Chief Minister also separately met BJP National President Nitin Nabin and the partyas National General Secretary (Organisation) B. L. Santhosh, during which party-related matters concerning Manipur were discussed.

Earlier, on February 22, the Chief Minister, along with the two Deputy Chief Ministers, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss a range of issues, including the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, officials said.

According to the CMO official, the Home Minister discussed with the Manipur leadership the steps initiated by the new state government to remove barriers between different communities and to restore peace and harmony across the state.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Congress leader Udit Raj on Tuesday questioned the selective approach towards historical recognition, following party MP Shashi Tharoor's welcome of the installation of C. Rajagopalachari's statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking to IANS, Udit Raj said, "I say that Edwin Lutyens designed Connaught Place, Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block. If his statue is removed, then Rajagopalachari's statue could also be removed. The parliamentary system, the state governments, schools, universities, and colleges -- all of these are gifts of the British. So, by that logic, remove everything."

He further stressed the importance of preserving history, calling it a chronological record of past events that should not be tampered with.

"If they feel so strongly about old heritage, then first, all RSS and BJP leaders in power should stop sending their children to English-medium schools. They should revive the Gurukul system, teach through Sanskrit, and impart traditional knowledge. Yet, what is happening? Their children are being sent to Harvard, MIT, and Oxford," he said.

Udit Raj also criticised the Centre, highlighting the contributions of Indian reformers, adding, "Savitribai Phule and Jyotirao Phule opened the first school for girls in Pune, yet these people opposed it. What have they actually done themselves? This is a double standard."

The comments came after Shashi Tharoor took to X to express his admiration for Rajaji. "I'm truly pleased to see Rajaji honoured by a statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was its first Indian occupant as the only Indian Governor-General of India before we became a Republic," Tharoor wrote.

"I have long admired his convictions and was a strong supporter of his Swatantra Party in my student days. His values - liberal economics with social justice, faith in Indian civilization without communal bigotry, and staunch protection of constitutional rights - remain mine to this day. It is sad that so few follow him today."

Udit Raj's remarks underline the ongoing debate in the country over historical legacies, their interpretation, and the balance between preserving tradition and embracing modernity.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kabul, Feb 24 : At least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said, local media reported on Tuesday.

UNAMA stated that 13 people were killed and seven others were injured in Pakistan's airstrikes in Bahsud and Khogiani districts of Nangarhar on February 21a"22 from 11:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

A school and a mosque were hit in two attacks targeting Paktita's Barmal district, while a house was destroyed in Orgun district of Paktita.

UNAMA condemned Pakistan's airstrikes and urged all parties to immediately stop hostilities and follow international humanitarian law so that civilians are not harmed. It demanded transparent investigations and accountability and emphasised the need for protective measures for people in conflict-hit regions.

Tensions have increased between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months. UNAMA has repeatedly stressed the need to protect people amid increasing airstrikes.

On February 22, Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence accused the Pakistani military regime of carrying out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of several civilians.

According to the Ministry, the strikes targeted a madrasa and multiple residential homes, killing and injuring "dozens of civilians", including women and children.

The violation of Afghan airspace comes amid what Kabul describes as repeated acts of Pakistani aggression.

Condemning the attack in the strongest possible terms, the Afghan Ministry called it a blatant violation of Afghanistan's national sovereignty and a clear breach of "international law, the principles of good neighbourliness, and Islamic values".

Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence affirmed that safeguarding the country's sovereignty and the security of its people are both its "religious obligations and national duties", while warning that "an appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time".

"Attacks against civilian populations and religious institutions stand as undeniable evidence of the intelligence and security failures of the Pakistani military, and such repeated acts of aggression will never be able to conceal their internal shortcomings," the Ministry said.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has been nominated as the President of the India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha, officials said on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries and appointed senior Opposition leaders to head over a dozen of them. Each of these groups have 11 members, including those from the Rajya Sabha.

The communication, issued by the Conference and Protocol Branch of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, stated that a Parliamentary Friendship Group between India and the Philippines has been constituted for the current Lok Sabha term to strengthen parliamentary-level engagement between the two countries.

"In this connection, the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha is pleased to nominate you as the President of the India Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group," the letter addressed to Gogoi said.

The letter, dated February 23, was issued by L.V. Ramana, Director, Conference and Protocol Branch, Lok Sabha Secretariat, and carries official reference number 35/04/2026/C&P.

Parliamentary Friendship Groups are informal forums formed within Parliament to promote bilateral ties, facilitate dialogue between legislators, and enhance mutual understanding on issues of common interest.

These groups often play a key role in strengthening people-to-people and institutional linkages alongside formal diplomatic engagements.

India and the Philippines share growing cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, maritime security, trade, education and cultural exchanges.

Parliamentary-level interaction is seen as an important component in further deepening bilateral relations between the two democracies.

The constitution of the IndiaPhilippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha reflects India's continued emphasis on expanding engagement with Southeast Asian nations under its Act East Policy.

As President of the Friendship Group, Gogoi is expected to lead parliamentary interactions, coordinate exchanges with Filipino lawmakers, and contribute to strengthening legislative cooperation between the two countries during the tenure of the current Lok Sabha.

Further details regarding the composition of the Friendship Group and its activities are expected to be announced by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in due course.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Amid strain on state finances, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the charge of planning and finance departments, on Tuesday tabled the supplementary demands worth Rs 11,995 crore for the remaining period of the fiscal 2025-26.

Of the Rs 11,995 crore, the state government has earmarked Rs 3,112.85 crore to meet the expenses incurred on the concession given in the electricity tariff to Agriculture pump, power loom and textile consumers in the state, and Rs 803.94 crore has been proposed as incentives to small, medium, large industries and mega projects under the package scheme of incentives.

The government has proposed Rs 4,792.02 crore for transferring the loan amount to the state power distribution company, Mahavitaran, which has been received from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank for the solar agriculture pump scheme. This allocation is aimed at pushing the government's plan to use 52 per cent renewable energy by 2030 under the net zero mission.

The government has also proposed Rs 1,431.05 crore as an additional fund as part of the Central share for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan mission. In March 2025, Ajit Pawar had presented the budget with a revenue deficit of Rs 45,890 crore.

In June 2025, the government presented the supplementary demands worth Rs 57,509.71 crore, crossing the revenue deficit of Rs one lakh crore.

In the Winter Session during December 2025, with supplementary demands of Rs 75,286.37 crore, the revenue deficit had already touched the Rs two lakh crore mark. In addition to the revenue deficit of Rs 45,891 crore, the budget 2025-26 had projected that Maharashtra's debt burden is set to rise to Rs 9.32 lakh crore. In Tuesday's supplementary demands, the state government has not only refrained from proposing any new and additional expenses but has focused solely on Power subsidies for farmers and Industry incentives.

CM Fadnavis will present the state budget for the year 2026-27 on March 6. He has already announced in the press conference on Sunday that there could be strict measures to maintain financial discipline.

Earlier, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, the Chief Minister had said that the state is on track to generate 16 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by the end of this year. By 2032, the state aims to generate an additional 45 GW, with 70 per cent coming from solar. Renewable energy, which stood at 13 per cent four years ago, is projected to reach 52 per cent by 2030," he said.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the state launched Asia's largest decentralised solar scheme.

By shifting the entire agricultural load to solar power and establishing a dedicated company for farmer supply, the state is making every agricultural feeder independent.

"The cost of supplying power to farmers has dropped from Rs 8 to less than Rs 3 per unit. This transition is not only helping farmers but also reducing the financial burden on industries and households," the Chief Minister noted.

The government is advancing a capital outlay for pumped storage hydro projects (combined capacity of 5,630 MW) with an estimated total investment of Rs 24,631 crore.
Members of Parliament have called on international institutions to unite efforts to restore Ukrainian energy facilities damaged by Russia.

On Tuesday, 308 MPs voted in favor of resolution No. 15041 regarding an appeal by the Verkhovna Rada to the parliaments and governments of foreign states, international organizations, and international parliamentary assemblies on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The Verkhovna Rada also called on international bodies to support efforts aimed at providing Ukraine with reliable, legally binding security guarantees. These are intended to serve as an effective tool for preventing repeated aggression by Russia against Ukraine and to facilitate the restoration of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe.

Furthermore, the appeal contains a call to the international community to step up support for Ukraine: to provide military assistance, air defense systems, and long-range weapons, and to facilitate the creation of joint ventures and the attraction of investment into the defense-industrial sector, including through the use of frozen Russian assets.

Parliament called on the global community to compel Russia to agree to implement an initiative for a full and unconditional ceasefire as the first step toward a real peace process. This refers to the restoration of sustainable peace based on international law and respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial sea.

The resolution proposes that partner states ban entry into the territories of the free world for citizens of Russia who participated in the armed aggression against Ukraine. It also calls for ensuring support for the activities of the International Criminal Court and facilitating the creation of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression.

In the appeal, MPs urged international organizations, parliaments, and governments of democratic countries to demand that Russia release all Ukrainian citizensprisoners of war, internees, civilians, illegally moved, and deported persons, including children.
Jammu, Feb 24 : Rajni Bala, mother of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib, on Tuesday reacted to his arrest by the Delhi Police over the shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit, questioning "since when have protests in the country become a conspiracy."

Speaking to IANS, Rajni Bala said, "He was arrested yesterday. I don't understand, since when protesting in our country has become a conspiracy. I don't know in this country from which time, protests have become conspiracy? The Constitution has given us the right to protest if the government does anything wrong."

She further added, "Also, if someone wants to raise their voices for the youth and countrymen, then, they have the right to hold protests. The Constitution has given us this right. Where is the conspiracy in this?"

Responding to allegations against her son, she said, "Everyone is saying that Uday Bhanu's hand is behind this. He is the Youth Congress President, so it is understood that everything happens on his say."

"All workers work by taking suggestions and then hold protests. I don't know why the Union government is taking this matter so personally, as to why they held a shirtless protest," she told IANS.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Tuesday remanded Uday Bhanu Chib to four days of police custody following his arrest in connection with the shirtless protest held during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

Chib was produced before the Patiala House Court after his arrest by the Delhi Police earlier in the day.

The investigating agency sought seven days of custodial interrogation, submitting that Chib was the "main conspirator and mastermind" behind the incident.

Opposing the plea, the defence argued against prolonged custody, while the prosecution contended that custodial interrogation was essential to uncover the larger conspiracy.

After hearing both sides, the Patiala House Court granted four days of police custody for further investigation.

According to the grounds of arrest, Chib has been accused of being the main conspirator in organising an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit and Expo 2026, where alleged anti-national slogans were raised and attempts were allegedly made to incite a riot-like situation.
Dharwad : , Feb 24 (IANS) Thousands of students, members of the All Karnataka State Student Association (AKSSA), and unemployed youths staged a massive protest in Dharwad on Tuesday, demanding that the Karnataka government immediately fill vacant posts in various state departments.

The BJP has called for a protest in support of the unemployed youths, intensifying pressure on the Karnataka government.

The protesters gathered in large numbers and held placards carrying photographs of Congress leaders while raising slogans against the government, accusing it of delaying recruitment.

They demanded immediate notification and recruitment to vacant posts, stating that prolonged delays have left lakhs of educated youths without employment.

Police had a tough time controlling the crowd as agitators pushed aside barricades and attempted to march towards Jayanagar. The protesters confronted police personnel during the march, creating tense moments in parts of the city. Additional police forces were deployed to maintain law and order and prevent escalation of the situation.

The AKSSA had been seeking permission from the police for several days to hold the protest. However, permission was denied citing various reasons. The association subsequently approached the court, which directed the student body to conduct the protest in accordance with police guidelines. However, the organisation staged the protest following the BJPas call for the agitation.

Leader of Opposition, R. Ashoka, commenting on the protest while speaking to the media, alleged in Chitradurga that the state government has failed to address unemployment despite having clearance to fill thousands of vacant posts.

He said that more than 2.5 lakh government posts are currently vacant in Karnataka, and the finance department had cleared recruitment for 65,000 posts nearly six months ago. However, no interviews have been conducted so far.

Ashoka criticized the state leadership, alleging that the government has failed to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youth even after being in power for over two-and-a-half years. He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar of focussing on internal political issues rather than providing employment to students hailing from poor families.

He further said that around 20,000 unemployed youths are participating in the protest and he will joint them soon. He also warned that if the government does not begin the recruitment process immediately, the BJP and student groups would launch a statewide agitation.

Ashoka demanded that the government issue recruitment notifications without further delay and initiate the hiring process to provide employment opportunities to eligible candidates across the state.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Leaders across parties have reacted sharply to the National Council of Educational Research and Training's (NCERT) revised Class 8 Social Science textbook, which states that the Congress accepted the 1947 Partition as "the only way forward", sparking a fresh debate over how India's history is taught.

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Leaders across parties have reacted sharply to the National Council of Educational Research and Trainingas (NCERT) revised Class 8 Social Science textbook, which states that the Congress accepted the 1947 Partition as "the only way forward", sparking a fresh debate over how Indiaas history is taught.

Speaking to IANS, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused the Congress of distorting historical realities for decades. "The history of the Congress party is quite tainted; that is why, after so many decades, history itself has turned rebellious. The Congress tried to push the countryas reality, its history, and the contributions of great national figures into the dark pages of history. Now all of this should come before the nation and the new generation a" and it is coming," he said.

On the other hand, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha urged that the events surrounding Partition be viewed in context. Referring to Mahatma Gandhias stance, he said the leadership of the time faced extraordinary circumstances. "Rivers of blood were flowing at that time. Today it is easy to sit and deliver speeches, but those speaking now may not understand the gravity of the situation back then," he said, adding that the Congress leadership was at the forefront of the freedom struggle.

In Patna, Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary, of the Janata Dal-United, described Partition as an immensely painful chapter in history. "Whenever a partition happens, it causes immense suffering. It was a very painful story a" trains were packed with people moving from here to there and from there to here. Very unfortunate," he said, while adding that NCERT is presenting history according to its own perspective.

The revised textbook, released on February 23 in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, revisits key historical events, including the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the 1946 Direct Action Day, alongside expanded discussion on Partition.

The changes have triggered a wider political debate over historical interpretation, academic autonomy, and the portrayal of Indiaas freedom struggle to younger generations.
Ranchi, Feb 24 : The Jharkhand government on Tuesday unveiled several initiatives in education, health, tourism, infrastructure and women's empowerment in its 2026-27 Budget presented in the Assembly.

Ranchi, Feb 24 (IANS) The Jharkhand government on Tuesday unveiled several initiatives in education, health, tourism, infrastructure and womenas empowerment in its 2026-27 Budget presented in the Assembly.

The state will establish 100 new CM Schools of Excellence, where CBSE-based education will be introduced from the 2027-28 academic session. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore said 80 such schools are already operational across the state.

A model school for dependents of martyrs has also been announced.

In higher education, the government has proposed the establishment of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Chatra district. Five new girlsa residential schools will be opened -- two in Dhanbad and one each in Palamu, Latehar, and Garhwa.

Under a new initiative called "Mahila Kisan Khushali Yojana", Rs 25 crore has been allocated to promote women farmers. The scheme aims to connect them with integrated farming practices, modern technology and both online and offline marketing platforms.

The Budget also includes a Gender Budget of Rs 34,211.27 crore, covering 232 schemes across 17 departments.

Significant expansion has been planned in the healthcare sector. The Sadar Hospitals in Latehar, Sahebganj and Saraikela-Kharsawan will be upgraded into medical colleges and hospitals under the PPP model.

The government has announced the addition of 220 MBBS seats in government medical colleges, including RIMS, by next year. Currently, the state has 1,030 MBBS seats, and the target is to raise this to 1,325 over the next four years.

Postgraduate (PG) seats will increase from 225 to 325 next year, with a long-term goal of reaching 750 seats within four years.

The state also aims to open 750 "Abua Dispensaries" to ensure affordable and quality medicines across Jharkhand.

A Budget of Rs 10,793.16 crore, representing 10.7 per cent of the total plan outlay, has been prepared based on 138 child development schemes.

To strengthen air connectivity, the government has signed an agreement with the Airports Authority of India to expand Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi. The runway will be extended from 9,000 feet to 12,000 feet. A greenfield airport has also been proposed in Sahibganj.

Several tourism infrastructure projects have been announced in the Budget. These include glass bridges and ropeways at Dasham and Jonha Falls in Ranchi; a ropeway at Hundru Falls; skywalks and solar boats at Rajrappa and Patratu; a glass watch tower at Netarhat, and development of Punasi Dam in Deoghar and Malay Dam in Palamu.

The government said the Budget seeks to balance social welfare with infrastructure expansion, focusing on long-term human development and economic growth.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday took a firm stance against the misuse of orchestra bar licences to operate illegal dance bars, saying that the government will propose a provision to permanently cancel the licences of such bars, who despite earlier actions against them, continue to operate and violate norms.

The government proposes to strengthen the Maharashtra Prohibition of Obscene Dance in Hotels, Restaurant and Bar Rooms and Protection of Dignity of Women (Working Therein) Act, 2016 and bring in amendments during the Budget Session or the Monsoon Session of the Assembly.

He also declared the governmentas zero tolerance policy against the illegal operation of such bars.

The primary focus of these "special provisions" is to eliminate legal loopholes that allowed orchestra bars to function as de facto dance bars.

The government proposes permanent cancellation of licences of such bars involving "obscene dance" or illegal modifications to premises, rather than temporary suspensions.

While the Supreme Court previously struck down mandatory CCTVs inside performance areas due to privacy concerns, the state continues to mandate strict adherence to specific hall sizes and podium distances, no showering of currency notes (tips must be added to the bill) and operating hours.

The CMas announcement came during the Question Hour in the state Assembly when several members, including Shiv Sena (UBT) member Bhaskar Jadhav, raised a specific issue with regard to operation of bars situated at Panvel along the highway.

The chief minister in his reply said the police will again conduct investigations regarding these Panvel bars.

The Minister of State for Home (Urban), Yogesh Kadam, said that in Masal tehsil of Pune district there are no dance bars but orchestra bars and the police had registered offences against three orchestra bars for violation of rules.

The police have filed a chargesheet in these cases. Further, the police have registered an offence against an orchestra bar from south Solapur for violation of stipulated rules against 71 people, including women and customers. The police have seized Rs 56 lakh and the investigation is currently underway.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : A bomb scare sparked chaos at the Asansol Court in West Burdwan district of West Bengal during peak working hours on Tuesday afternoon after the District Judge received a threatening email.

Personnel from the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate swiftly evacuated the premises and launched an intensive search for explosives, while sources suggested the threat might be a hoax, though no official confirmation has yet been received.

The email claimed that an RDX-IED had been planted at a strategic location within the court complex and would be detonated through remote control at noon. The message said that five to seven Maoists would enter the court and the judge's chamber to execute the explosion, a police official said.

Tuesday is a full working day at the court, with litigants, lawyers and judges present for scheduled hearings when the threat surfaced.

"A threatening email was received by the Asansol District Judge. In the message, it was said that a bomb had been placed in the court premises and it would be detonated at noon," the police said.

The police used loudspeakers to clear the premises and moved everyone, including lawyers and court staff, to a safe distance when the search was conducted. Sniffer dogs were also deployed for the search.

Initial reports suggested the judge received a threatening phone call, but it was later confirmed that the message came through an email. The District Judge indicated that it is initially believed to be a false alarm.

The police and bomb disposal teams were still conducting searches and investigations at the premises at the time of filing this report.

The entire court complex remains under heavy police security, with the area cordoned off as search operations continue.

Officials said it is too early to draw conclusions, though sources indicated the threat may turn out to be a hoax.

Further details are awaited.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 : In a historic political shift in the capital city, the BJP led council of the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation on Tuesday presented its maiden Budget, promising a decisive break from the past with a strong push for infrastructure, welfare and governance reforms.

The Budget assumes significance as it follows the party's stellar victory in the 101 member council, the first time the BJP has secured control of the Corporation.

The party won 50 seats on its own and subsequently secured the support of one of the two Independent councilors, enabling it to command a clear majority and form the administration.

Presenting the Budget, Deputy Mayor G.S. Ashanath declared that "what has not changed will now change," signaling a shift in priorities.

The proposals focus on improving living standards in the capital while addressing long-pending urban challenges through what the council described as sustainable solutions.

A flagship announcement is a Corporation funded housing scheme for the homeless, under which the civic body will bear the full cost of house construction for eligible beneficiaries.

An allocation of Rs 20 crore has also been set aside for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

In a bid to create a hunger free city, Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for subsidised meals under the Atal Canteen initiative, while an Atal Supermarket will be launched at a cost of Rs 1 crore.

Healthcare has received prominence, with Rs 1.5 crore allocated for Prime Health Lab facilities.

In collaboration with Hindustan Latex Limited, the Corporation will establish a diagnostic centre equipped with CT scan, MRI and X-ray facilities, alongside 50 collection centres across the city.

Urban sanitation and infrastructure form another major thrust area.

Under a Swachh Bharat model, Rs 20 crore has been earmarked to install 200 modern public toilets.

The Budget also proposes Rs 10 crore for sewer network expansion and Rs 10 crore for developing model roads linking various wards.

Stray dog management measures include a new shelter and ABC centre costing Rs 3 crore each, besides a portable crematorium at Rs 50 lakh.

Tourism and global outreach have also found mention. Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for a spiritual tourism circuit connecting the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal, Vettucaud and Beemapally.

An International Office will be set up to prepare the city to host global sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games.

A Rs 5 crore 'Sunrise Project' aims to position Thiruvananthapuram as the country's first elderly friendly city.

Mayor V.V. Rajesh said the goal is to make the capital the best city in India by 2030 and the world's leading municipal corporation by 2035, leveraging Central schemes to accelerate development.

The Budget speech also contained veiled criticism of the previous administration, asserting that governance must prioritise citizens over accolades.
Islamabad, Feb 24 : Five United Nations special rapporteurs have voiced concern over criminal proceedings against human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in Pakistan, stressing that the charges made against them may be used to suppress legal advocacy and freedom of expression, local media reported on Tuesday.

In a formal communication sent to the Pakistani government, the UN experts voiced concerns regarding the convictions of the two lawyers under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The signatories to the communication include special rapporteurs responsible for the independence of judges and lawyers, freedom of expression, the rights to peaceful assembly and association, the situation of human rights activists, and the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, The Balochistan Post reported.

On January 24, the court in Pakistan sentenced two lawyers to a combined total of 17 years imprisonment under Sections 9, 10 and 26-A of the law and imposed a fine of 36 million Pakistani Rupees (PKR) on each lawyer.

At least 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against Mazari since 2022, however, none of it resulted in a conviction, according to the UN communication. These cases include allegations related to protests against enforced disappearances, military leadership criticism, and arrests under the Anti-Terrorism Act, The Balochistan Post reported.

According to the UN special rapporteurs, these developments seem to indicate that the two lawyers were being targeted for their professional work and advocacy for human rights. The UN special rapporteurs voiced concerns regarding procedural irregularities during the court hearing. These included claims that the defendants were not notified about the FIR, the defence was not given important documents, the non-bailable warrants were issued and statements were recorded in the absence of the accused and their legal representatives, The Balochistan Post reported.

The UN experts noted that linking freedom of expression with terrorism-related charges could risk criminalising the work of human rights activists. They urged Pakistani authorities to address the alleged violations, ensure fair trial guarantees and make reforms to the PECA legislation so that it follows international human rights standards. According to the communication, the letter is the 17th formal correspondence sent to Pakistan regarding concerns over pressure on lawyers, journalists and civil society actors.

Earlier in January, the European Union (EU) reminded Pakistan of its international human rights commitments while condemning the conviction of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta.

Expressing deep concerns, an EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stated that the conviction of human rights lawyers over social media activity goes against freedom of expression and independence of lawyers.

"The conviction of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha over social media activity goes against freedom of expression and independence of lawyers. These are not only key democratic principles but also part of Pakistanas international human rights commitments," Anouni, the EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, posted on X.

The arrest and conviction of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta by the Pakistani authorities has been severely criticised all over world.

The duo was reportedly arrested in Islamabad in January while they were on their way to the district courts.

Both Imaan and Hadi, were indicted by an Islamabad court in October last year in a case linked to alleged controversial social media posts.
Guwahati, Feb 24 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday reacted sharply to the "shamshan yatra (funeral procession)" organised by the Congress against former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah, terming the move politically immature and counterproductive.

Guwahati, Feb 24 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday reacted sharply to the "shamshan yatra (funeral procession)" organised by the Congress against former Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Borah, terming the move politically immature and counterproductive.

Addressing reporters, CM Sarma said the actions taken by the Congress party often end up benefiting the BJP.

"Whenever Congress does something, it turns out to be a blessing for us," the Chief Minister remarked, adding that such symbolic protests reflect the party's frustration rather than political strength.

Referring to Borah's exit from Congress, CM Sarma recalled his own departure from the party years ago.

"When I left the Congress, they washed the premises of Rajiv Bhawan. However, I did not leave behind any bitterness," he said, drawing a contrast between his approach and the current political discourse within the opposition.

Bhupen Borah formally resigned from Congress last week, citing prolonged neglect, lack of internal democracy and denial of opportunities to engage with the party's central leadership.

Shortly after quitting the party he had been associated with for more than three decades, Borah joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on February 22, marking a significant political shift ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Borah's resignation and subsequent induction into the BJP have triggered strong reactions within the Congress party, leading to protests and symbolic demonstrations by party workers.

The Congress leadership has accused Borah of betraying the party, while BJP leaders have welcomed his decision, calling it a reflection of growing disillusionment within the opposition camp.

Meanwhile, CM Sarma also spoke about ticket distribution in the hill district of Karbi Anglong, stating that the BJP would take decisions after assessing ground realities and organisational feedback.

He indicated that the party would prioritise winnability and local support while finalising candidates.

Political observers say Borah's switch to the BJP could impact Assam's opposition dynamics, particularly at a time when Congress is attempting to rebuild alliances and consolidate its base. The BJP, on the other hand, continues to project confidence, asserting that recent political developments indicate growing public support for the ruling party across regions of the state.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 24 : The opposition Biju Janata (BJD) on Tuesday held a massive demonstration of farmers at the Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar over the state government's alleged anti-farmer policies and the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state.

Thousands of BJD workers and leaders gathered at the Master Canteen Square here and later in a rally reached the Lower PMG, where a huge meeting was held.

Addressing the gathering, BJD president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik slammed the BJP-led state government, raising serious concerns over alleged irregularities in mandis and the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

In his address, Patnaik alleged that while the present government is raising the slogan of "Jai Kisan" (hails the farmers), its actions reflect "Bhago Kisan" (run away, farmers). The BJD supremo said a government cannot function on stories and speeches; it must deliver through concrete action.

"This government will soon complete its two years in office. However, it has failed both in decision-making and implementation. During elections, they used to make tall promises, but none have been fulfilled," alleged Patnaik.

Highlighting the pro-farmer policies of the previous BJD government, he noted that a separate agriculture budget was introduced, the farmer welfare KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) scheme was implemented, credit support was ensured, and irrigation facilities were expanded for farmers.

The BJD chief further alleged that farmers are not getting fertilisers on time, the paddy procurement is not being carried out properly, and the illegal practices of "katni-chhatni" (deductions in paddy weight) are on the rise.

He said farmers are not receiving payments on time, and when they raise complaints, the government dismisses their concerns as false. Patnaik stated that he had written to the government urging it to sincerely fulfil its electoral promises and resolve farmers' issues.

He proposed several measures, including the formation of a special squad to stop "katni-chhatni", breaking the alleged nexus between millers and government officials, removal of the 150-quintal ceiling on input subsidy, ensuring payment to farmers through DBT within 48 hours, and the procurement of paddy lying in open fields within 72 hours.

"It is unfortunate that 15 days have passed, yet nothing has been done. Hundreds of crores are being spent on publicity, but nothing is being done for the farmers. For the past eight days, BJD has been fighting in the Assembly over the problems faced by farmers. However, this government has no concern at all for the farmers," alleged Patnaik.

Raising concerns over the law-and-order situation, Patnaik said no one in the state feels safe. He alleged that women are not secure, and youth are not getting employment opportunities. He also criticized the repeated examination paper leaks, stating that the government has failed to conduct even a single examination properly.

"People need service, not speeches from politicians. A government cannot run on narratives; it must deliver results," said Patnaik, affirming that the BJD will continue its fight for farmers' rights till the government awakes from its deep slumber.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/orbanviktor

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the European Union will find ways to bypass the blocking announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban regarding the transfer of a EUR 90 billion European loan to Ukraine, but expressed hope that the head of the Hungarian government will not resort to such attempts.

"I hope that colleagues like Orban will not become accomplices of Putin and Lukashenko. Because if he blocks the EU 90 billion intended for us, for weaponswhich, by the way, are not his moneythen from a historical perspective, Orban will become an ally of the fascist Russian regime. Therefore, in my opinion, the blocking will not happen. The European Union will find ways to bypass this. We will receive the appropriate funds, and the US will give us the opportunity to purchase the appropriate weapons that we need and which the Europeans do not have," Zelenskyy said in an interview with the Association of Public Service Broadcasting of Germany (ARD).

He added that Ukraine "cannot compare itself with the Russians" because "we will not have as many weapons." "However, if financing is secured, we will have just as many drones. Its already almost like that. Perhaps a little less, but we are trying to achieve a balance in the number of drones on the battlefield We will achieve our goals anyway. The goals are set, and manufacturers are implementing them. Of course, it is a matter of money and time," Zelenskyy added.

As reported, the European Commission expects that all leaders who committed to providing the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbanwho declared its blockagewill fulfill their political commitments, and non-compliance would be a violation of loyal cooperation. Hungary is blocking the provision of this loan, demanding the resumption of Russian oil supplies through Ukraine via the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged as a result of Russian attacks.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Actor Aditya Pancholi attended the hearing at the Bombay High Court on Tuesday. The court heard the petition for the 28th time filed by the actor to quash the FIR filed against him in the alleged rape case.

The case was filed by a female actor in 2019. The actor said that he cannot say anything more on the legal procedure, and the outcome of the case will be on March 4. His lawyer Prashant Patil said that the FIR of rape (IPC 376 among other sections) registered at Versova police station in 2019 has been sought to be quashed, the next hearing of the case has been fixed on March 4.

He told IANS, "The complainant in this case is a female actor and the accused is Aditya Pancholi. Pancholi's lawyer Patil said that the hearing was held in the court today and the demand to cancel the FIR was reiterated. Appearing for the police in the court, the public prosecutor said the victim did not turn up for the probe despite being served notices 11 times by the police".

After this, the High Court has issued a notice again today and directed to appear on the next date. Significantly, there has been a dispute over this FIR registered on June 27, 2019, the accused side claims that the complaint was filed almost 15 years after the alleged incident and this action is malafide, the petition has demanded to cancel the FIR citing the 'Bhajan Lal' decision of the Supreme Court.

"Before the FIR was registered, one person had met Aditya Pancholi, whose recording is with us, we have produced that recording in the court and have explained how the intention behind registering this FIR is wrong and why it should be quashed", Patil shared.

A lawyer appeared in the court on Tuesday on behalf of the complainant who sought time from the court and said that he needs time in this matter so that he can take instruction from his client and present his side. The matter is currently pending in the court and the next hearing will be on March 4, 2026.
Dhaka, Feb 24 : A prosecutor of Bangladesh's International Crime Tribunal (ICT) accused the outgoing Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal, Mohammad Tajul Islam, of corruption and irregularities, alleging that a syndicate led by him had turned the "Chair of the Chief Prosecutor" into a money-making tool.

In a social media post on Monday, Prosecutor BM Sultan Mahmud levelled allegations of multiple irregularities against Tajul as well as fellow prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim, citing money exchanges and questionable handling of high-profile cases.

According to the post, in late November last year, the wife of Abzal, an accused in the Ashulia case involving the killing and burning of six bodies during July 2024 demonstrations, entered Tamim's room one evening with a heavy bag.

"After noticing the matter, we immediately went to Tajul Islam's room and informed him. No action was taken; instead, we were scolded," Sultan said.

He further claimed that Tamim subsequently acknowledged in the presence of several individuals that Abzal's wife had visited his office.

"The Chief Prosecutor only asked why the accused's wife had gone to his room. The matter ended there," Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, quoted Sultan as saying.

Sultan alleged that Abzal was later turned into a state witness before being acquitted in the final verdict.

He also expressed concerns over the Chankharpul case, where law enforcers allegedly opened fire on protesters, killing at least six people during July demonstrations.

Sultan claimed that despite a video clip capturing Sub-Inspector Ashraful ordering others to open fire, he was made a witness instead of being charged as an accused.

"I have that video. Anyone can see it if needed," he said.

He also questioned why Assistant Police Commissioner Al Imran Hossain was reportedly removed from the Abu Sayed killing case in Rangpur district during the July 2024 protests, claiming that multiple witnesses had implicated Imran in the court.

Sultan further alleged that former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun was turned into a state witness without adequate justification.

"Not only IGP Mamun, but in the Ashulia case, Abzal was also made a state witness in exchange for money. A syndicate of three or four people has been involved in this cycle from the beginning," he alleged.

Responding to the accusations, while addressing a press conference on Monday, Tajul said, "These are personal allegations, of which I have no knowledge. We have investigated such claims, and they are completely false. It is unfortunate if anyone spreads such stories out of personal malice."

On Monday, Md Aminul Islam formally assumed charge as Chief Prosecutor of the ICT, receiving the charge from outgoing Chief Prosecutor Tajul at the tribunal premises.

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in 2024, Tajul was appointed Chief Prosecutor of the ICT by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

His tenure saw the tribunal come under global scrutiny over alleged procedural lapses and controversial rulings in several cases.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 24 : AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday defended the Indian Youth Congress' "shirtless" protest at AI Impact Summit in Delhi, saying that it was done in the interest of the nation.

He further condemned the arrest of Youth Congress members in connection with protests held during the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, calling the action undemocratic and unjustified.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Kharge said the Youth Congress members had staged the protest in the interest of the nation and to highlight critical issues such as unemployment and the condition of farmers.

"Our youths attached to the AICC Youth Congress have been arrested and remanded to police and judicial custody in connection with protests at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi. I condemn this. These protests were carried out after careful consideration and in the interest of the nation, and they should not be treated as serious offences," Kharge said.

He said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to unemployment and the alleged injustice faced by farmers. Kharge also criticised the Centre over its international agreements, alleging that decisions taken by the government have adversely affected farmers.

"They protested against unemployment and the injustice meted out to farmers. The government's agreements with US President Donald Trump have burdened our farmers. These policies will harm farmers, and the protest was staged to highlight these concerns," he said.

Kharge expressed concern over the arrest and denial of bail to Youth Congress members, stating that such actions "undermine democratic principles".

Responding to claims that the protest tarnished India's image during an international event, Kharge said protests during major events are not unprecedented.

"They (BJP) say the country's reputation was damaged because the protest took place during an international event.

However, during the Commonwealth Games, senior leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and BJP leaders, had staged protests.

The Youth Congress protest was aimed at drawing attention, but it is now being subjected to propaganda, he said.

Kharge said the Youth Congress protest was intended to highlight issues affecting farmers and unemployed youth and condemned what he described as atrocities against the protesting members.

Criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge alleged, "Without thinking about the country, the Prime Minister is accepting everything that Donald Trump is asking for."

He alleged that decisions such as "stopping oil imports from Russia" and "accepting demands from the United States" could have adverse consequences for the country and its farmers.

On last Friday, a group of IYC workers staged a protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue by removing their shirts to reveal T-shirts printed with slogans against the government and the India-US interim trade deal, before being whisked away by security personnel.

Police said the accused registered online to obtain QR codes to access the venue.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : The Maharashtra government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that as many as 45,662 women were reported missing in 2024, of whom 30,877 have been traced. In 2025, 48,278 women were reported missing, with 36,581 found so far.

In addition, as many as 11,313 minor girls went missing in 2024 and 12,113 in 2025. Of these, 8,475 and 10,295, respectively, have been traced, the government said.

Responding to a starred question raised by all-party legislators, the state Home Department, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, tabled detailed data on missing women and children for 2024 and 2025.

According to the figures, 4,989 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years went missing during the two years from cities including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Of them, 4,813, or 96 percent, have been traced.

The government said in its written reply, "The Maharashtra government ran 13 Operations Muskaan from July 2015 to December 2024, during which 41,193 minors (including girls and boys) were found. A 14th Operation Muskaan is currently underway, and till February 16, as many as 1,401 minors (454 boys and 947 girls) have been found."

Further data showed that during 2024-25, a total of 4,514 minors (1,435 boys and 3,080 girls) went missing, of whom 4,455 (1,409 boys and 3,046 girls) have been traced.

The Chief Minister said the government is also implementing "Operation Muskan" from January 20 to February 20, 2026, aimed at reuniting missing and affected women and children with their families.

During 2024 and 2025, police traced 96 girls in the 15-18 age group. The government has also directed safety audits of schools to prevent crimes against children.

It further informed the House that Anti-Human Trafficking Cells have been set up in police divisions, excluding railway units, and awareness drives such as the Police Kaka and Police Didi initiatives are being carried out to curb harassment and improve child safety.
Mumbai Feb 24 : Actress Sunny Leone recently turned her twins sons Noah and Asher's birthday into a full-blown adventure getaway as she celebrated their special day at LEGOLAND Malaysia.

Sharing fun glimpses from the celebration on her social media account, Sunny captioned the post as, "Come celebrate with us at LEGOLAND Malaysia.

We stayed inside a LEGO dream, rode everything from roller coasters to boats, splashed at the Water Park, and ended with the sweetest birthday celebration for Noah and Asher."

In the video shared by the actress, Sunny is seen enjoying at the park with her twin sons, Noah and Asher, daughter Nisha, and husband Daniel Weber.

The family appears to be enjoying and soaking in every bit of the experience. From thrilling rides to relaxed moments together, the family clearly had a great time.

The children in the video were seen paddling boats in a pond, laughing and cheering as they navigated through the water.

The celebration concluded with a cute cake-cutting ceremony for the birthday boys.

Surrounded by their parents and sister, Noah and Asher marked their special day with smiles and excitement.

For the uninitiated, Sunny Leone is a proud mother to three children, daughter Nisha Kaur Weber and twin sons Asher Singh Weber and Noah Singh Weber.

Sunny and her husband Daniel Weber adopted Nisha in 2017 from Latur, Maharashtra, when she was just over a year old.

In 2018, the couple welcomed their twin boys, Asher and Noah, through surrogacy.

On the professional front, Sunny is currently seen in Anurag Kashyap's Kennedy. She is also seen hosting the reality show Splitsvilla. It is her 10th year hosting the reality show.

---IANS

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Srinagar, Feb 24 : The J&K Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday sought the help of the Punjab chief minister on an alleged eviction threat to Kashmiri students over the Ramzan meal in CT University.

A statement by JKSA said, aThe Jammu and Kashmir Students Association today sought the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister over alleged harassment and eviction threats faced by Muslim Kashmiri students at CT University, Punjab, after they requested basic arrangements for Sehri (Suhoor) and Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan."

The Association said it has received serious complaints from students alleging that they were threatened with eviction from their hostels and cancellation of their admissions for seeking meals at appropriate timings in the university mess during Ramzan.

National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, stated that the students are regular fee-paying boarders who merely requested necessary meal arrangements in view of Ramzan.

However, instead of addressing their legitimate and reasonable demand, they allege that the Vice Chancellor and certain other university officials responded with intimidation, abusive language, and warnings to vacate the campus.

He said that no student should face hostility, threats, or coercion for observing their faith. Universities, he emphasised, are meant to be safe and inclusive spaces that uphold constitutional values, dignity, and equal treatment for all, irrespective of region, religion, or background.

aAny form of intimidation or discrimination within an educational institution sets a deeply troubling precedent and undermines the spirit of diversity and pluralism that India stands for," the convenor said.

The Association has urged the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, to intervene in the matter, order an impartial and time-bound inquiry, and ensure that no student is harassed, threatened, or academically penalised for practising their faith.

The Association has also requested that immediate arrangements be made to facilitate Sehri and Iftar during the holy month so that students can observe Ramzan with dignity while continuing their education without fear.

Khan Faiq, Punjab-Chandigarh Coordinator of JKSA, said that it has historically been a welcoming and compassionate home for Kashmiri students and traders, reflecting a spirit of brotherhood and inclusivity.

Allowing this matter to remain unresolved risks setting a wrong and avoidable precedent. He said that the Association expressed hope that the state government will take swift corrective measures to preserve this legacy and reassure students and their families.

He reiterated that universities must remain safe spaces where diversity is respected, constitutional rights are protected, and every student feels secure.
Sagar : , Feb 24 (IANS) A group of unidentified assailants allegedly stormed the campus of Dr Hari Singh Gour University in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district and brutally attacked five students in broad daylight, officials said on Tuesday.

The assault took place between 1.20 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. on Monday when the campus was bustling with students. Notably, the Civil Lines police station is located barely a km from the university premises.

According to an FIR lodged at Civil Lines police station on Monday evening, the injured students have been identified as Hari Ayyappan, Bittu Mahto, Narayan Shukla, Shukhram Yadav and Ankit Shah.

The complaint was filed by Hari Ayyappan, a Kerala resident pursuing a BA (Hons) at the university and residing in a campus hostel. In his statement, Ayyappan claimed he identified two of the attackers -- Kapil Swami and Avinash Gupta -- who are allegedly linked to a right-wing group.

"As we were on our way to meet the university proctor, we noticed a large crowd gathered near a tree. When we reached there, around 8-10 people suddenly attacked us," Ayyappan stated in the FIR.

He alleged that the attackers hurled abuses, pushed them to the ground, and assaulted them with sticks, plastic pipes, and other objects. The accused allegedly issued threats before fleeing the campus in vehicles -- a car bearing registration number MP-11 T5553 and a Royal Enfield motorcycle numbered MP-15MV7713.

Police have named Kapil Swami and Avinash Gupta, both residents of Sagar, in the FIR. However, no arrests have been made so far. Officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused.

Despite the incident occurring inside the campus and involving hostel students, the university administration has not issued any formal statement. Attempts to contact Dean Yashvanth Thakur went unanswered. University proctor Chanda Bain declined to comment, stating she was with the students at the time.

Videos circulating on social media show students being assaulted and pleading for help from university staff. In one clip, a student can be heard saying, "Sir, we are students. They are beating us. Please protect us."

Last week, members of the AISF allegedly faced disruption while organising a programme on "Sex Education," during which posters and banners -- including those featuring Bhagat Singh and Hari Singh Gour -- were reportedly vandalised.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will follow based on evidence and witness statements.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the extension of the existing North-South corridor of the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited's (GMRC) Ahmedabad Metro from GIFT City to Shahpur locality in Ahmedabad, for Rs 1,067.35 crore.

About 3.33 kms long and including three elevated stations, the project is scheduled to be completed in approximately four years, according to a Cabinet communique.

The project will be implemented by GMRC, a 50:50 joint venture between the Centre and the Gujarat government.

The extended corridor is expected to benefit approximately 23,702 passengers in 2029 and approximately 58,059 passengers in 2041, according to the communique.

It further stated that the project is expected to generate approximately 1,000 jobs in construction.

About 250 people will be employed in the post-construction phase for operations and maintenance.

"This project will generate a significant number of direct employment opportunities, equivalent to the number mentioned above. Additionally, other activities will generate indirect employment for even more people," according to the Cabinet communique.

The 68.28-km-long Ahmedabad Metro Phase-I -- APMC to Motera Stadium (North-South Corridor) and Thaltej Gam to Vastral Gam (East-West Corridor) a" and Phase-II (Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir & GNLU to GIFT City), with a total of 53 stations, have been successfully made operational since September 2022 (Phase-I) and January 2026 (Phase-II).

The daily ridership on this line is approximately 1,60,000.

The extended corridor will strengthen connectivity between Ahmedabad and the GIFT region.

Key multinational companies, educational institutions, and commercial centres located along the proposed route will directly benefit.

This extension will also be beneficial to the daily commuters travelling between Ahmedabad and the GIFT region for catering for the travel needs related to business, employment and education.

Meanwhile, trading activity in GIFT Nifty touched a new record on February 22. The index recorded its highest-ever single-day trading volume of 457,989 contracts, with a turnover of $23.48 billion, or around Rs 2.13 lakh crore.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved an increase of Rs 275 per quintal in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of raw jute for marketing season 2026-27 compared to the price of the previous year.

The MSP of raw jute (TD-3 grade) has been fixed at Rs. 5,925 per quintal for the 2026-27 season. This would ensure a return of 61.8 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production.

The MSP of raw jute announced for Marketing season 2026-27 is in line with the principle of fixing MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the government in the Budget 2018-19, according to an official statement issued after the meeting of the CCEA.

The MSP of Raw Jute for the Marketing season 2026-27 is an increase of Rs 275 per quintal over the previous marketing season 2025-26. The government has increased the MSP of raw jute from Rs 2,400 per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs.5,925 per quintal in 2026-27, registering an increase of Rs 3,525 per quintal, which represents a 2.5 times rise, the statement said.

The MSP amount paid to jute growing farmers during the period 2014-15 to 2025-26 was Rs 1,342 crore, while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, the amount paid was Rs 441 crore.

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will continue as the Central Government Nodal Agency to undertake price support operations, and the losses incurred, if any, in such operations, will be fully reimbursed by the Central government, the statement said.

India is the world's largest raw jute producer, with over 99 per cent of its production concentrated in West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. West Bengal is the leading producer, accounting for over 80 per cent of the total output due to favourable alluvial soil and climate, followed by Bihar and Assam.
Mathura : , Feb 24 (IANS) Thousands of devotees and tourists from across India and abroad have begun arriving in the Braj region to witness the world-famous Holi celebrations in Barsana, Vrindavan and Mathura, as the traditional festivities formally commenced with ritual ceremonies on Tuesday.

The grand Braj Holi began with groups of women from Barsana visiting Nandgaon to extend a ceremonial invitation for the iconic Lathmar Holi. With this customary exchange, the vibrant Phag (Holi) celebrations in the region have officially started. Later in the evening, Laddu Prasad was scheduled to be showered in the courtyard of the revered Shri Radha Rani Temple (Ladli Ji Temple), drawing large crowds of devotees.

Visitors expressed deep joy at witnessing the centuries-old traditions. A devotee from Mumbai said, "We have come from Mumbai, and it feels very good to be here. Everything looks extremely beautiful. It is wonderful to see these celebrations." Another visitor described the experience as "full of joy and spiritual bliss," adding that everyone should witness it at least once.

Authorities have made elaborate arrangements to manage the massive influx of pilgrims. Superintendent of Police (Security) Suresh Chandra Rawat said the world-renowned celebrations are being held under tight security. Separate routes have been designated for entry and exit to prevent overcrowding, while devotees are being allowed to reach temples in a regulated manner to ensure smooth darshan.

"All congestion points have been barricaded, and crowd movement is being carefully managed," the officer said. A network of 230 CCTV cameras has been installed across the area, monitored from three designated control rooms. The entire region has been divided into seven zones and 18 sectors for efficient security deployment.

Police also said they are maintaining strict surveillance on anti-social elements to ensure peaceful celebrations. The colourful festivities in the Braj region are expected to continue over the coming days, attracting even larger crowds.
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a new EUR 100 million package of energy support for Ukraine.

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the European Council Antonio Costa in Kyiv on Tuesday, she said the European Commission is the largest donor of energy support. Since the start of the war, they have delivered more than 11,000 generators. A huge number were delivered in January, but they will continue. She added that is why they have a new EUR 100 million package for urgent support, to ensure what is needed.

In addition, the European Commission President said a plan for the winter of 2026-2027 has already been developed.

Von der Leyen said it will include a EUR 920 million package to stabilize Ukraines energy system. She gave a few examples: it will ensure stable electricity supplies across the country; it will then support the decentralization of renewable energy generation; it will include the repair and modernization of the power grid, as well as CHP plants.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said Kyiv on Tuesday is hosting the leadership of the European Commission and the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic Eight on the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : In a scathing attack on administrative lethargy, BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar on Tuesday expressed intense fury in the Legislative Assembly over excessive delays in responses to suggestions made by members through various parliamentary tools.

Highlighting a glaring example of red tape, Mungantiwar revealed that a Cut Motion he moved on March 16, 2022, received a response only on February 18, 2026, almost four years later.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the pace of legislative functioning, he sarcastically demanded that the Speaker introduce a "Thoko Bill-2026" (Strike-Down Bill) to penalise negligent officials.

Addressing the delay, Mungantiwar stated, "If members receive answers after four years, it is evident that no one fears the legislature anymore. Such apathy is degrading the quality of the House's proceedings." 

He urged the Assembly Speaker, Rahul Narwekar, to conduct an inquiry into the delays on Cut Motions and submit a report within two days, demanding strict action against those responsible.

Mungantiwar remarked, "The Speaker cannot lead with just his heart. This story is starting to resemble folklore like 'Chivtai, Chivtai, Open the Door' or the legendary 'Birbal's Khichdi' that never cooks. If the Speaker truly wishes to improve the qualitative standard of the Legislature, he must make use of the Silver Scepter placed before him."

Backing Mungantiwar's concerns, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis quipped that Mungantiwar was "lucky" to get an answer in just four years. 

He shared his own experience, noting that he once received a response to a Cut Motion he moved as a legislator only after he had become the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister emphasised the need for a robust Audit System to streamline legislative work. He suggested that Ministers and the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) must receive regular updates on pending assurances, unstarred questions, and calling-attention motions. 

Further, he said the Legislature should track and follow up on proceedings even when the House is not in session. 

He stressed the need to use modern technology to build an independent tracking platform for all parliamentary tools.

Congress legislator Vijay Wadettiwar also joined the fray, demanding that responses to 'Points of Propriety' be given on time and that a separate tracking system be established to keep members informed of the factual status of their queries.

Responding to the uproar, Speaker Rahul Narwekar admitted that tracking had been handled manually until now, which proved difficult due to the high volume of motions. 

"A digital platform is currently being developed to track every parliamentary tool, providing members with details on whether a reply has been received and the exact duration of any delay. Records of the Legislature from 1937 to 2025 have been completely digitized and are set to go 'Live' shortly," he announced.


New Delhi Feb 24 : The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, approved the proposal for alteration of name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam', government officials said.

After approval of the Union Cabinet, President Droupadi Murmu will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala Assembly for expressing its views under the provision to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.

After receipt of the views of the Kerala Assembly, the Union government will take further action and the recommendation of President Murmu will be obtained for introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, for alteration of name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' in the Parliament.

Incidentally, the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, to alter the name of "Kerala" to "Keralam", which is as under: "The name of our State is 'Keralam' in Malayalam Language."

"States were formed on the basis of language on the first day of November 1956. The Kerala Piravi Day is also observed on the first day of November. Since the time of the country's independence struggle, there has been a strong demand for the formation of United Kerala for the people speaking Malayalam language. However, in the First Schedule to the Constitution the name of our state is recorded as 'Kerala'. The Kerala Assembly unanimously appeals to the Central government to take urgent steps as per Article 3 of the Constitution for modifying the name as 'Keralam'."

Thereafter, the Kerala government requested the Union government to take necessary steps to amend the First Schedule to the Constitution by altering the name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' as per Article 3 of the Constitution.

Article 3 of the Constitution provides for alteration of names of existing states.

According to Article 3, Parliament may by law alter the name of any state in the country.

Further provision to Article 3 states that no Bill for the purpose would be introduced in either Houses of the Parliament except on the recommendation of the President and unless, where the proposal contained in the Bill affects the area, boundaries or name of any of the states, the Bill has been referred by the President to the Legislature of that state for expressing its views thereon within such period as may be specified in the reference or within such further period as the President may allow and the period so specified or allowed has expired.

The matter regarding alteration of name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' was considered in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and with the approval of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the draft note for the Union Cabinet for the alteration of name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' was circulated to the Ministry of Law and Justice's Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department for their comments.

The Ministry of Law and Justice's Department of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department have concurred with the proposal for the alteration of name of 'Kerala' as 'Keralam'.
Greater Noida, Feb 24 : A 28-year-old man was brutally killed in a daylight attack outside his home in Luksar village under the Ecotech-1 police station area of Greater Noida, sending shockwaves through the locality.

While police suspect old rivalry as the motive, the family of the victim, identified as Nitin, has denied any such dispute and demanded strict action against the perpetrators.

Nitin had stepped out of his house on Tuesday morning after bathing, when four to five assailants suddenly opened fire at him in the residential lane, a relative said. As Nitin attempted to flee, one of the attackers allegedly chased him and stabbed him with a knife, the relative added.

Hearing gunshots and screams, residents rushed out of their homes and alerted the police. Nitin was immediately taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where doctors later declared him dead. He is survived by his wife and two young children.

Family members rejected claims that the killing was linked to an old rivalry, insisting that Nitin had no major disputes. They demanded swift justice and stringent punishment for the accused. "We want action like the bulldozer action seen during Yogi Ji's rule," a relative said, expressing anger over the incident. A formal complaint has been filed with the police.

Chilling CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing armed men entering the lane and firing at close range while children were playing nearby, and residents watched in horror. The attack unfolded within seconds, turning a quiet neighbourhood into a scene of chaos.

Police officials said two suspects have been detained for questioning, while the main accused and other associates remain absconding. Senior officers, along with a forensic team, inspected the crime scene and collected evidence. CCTV footage from the area is being analysed to identify and trace the attackers.

The incident has heightened tension in Luksar village and adjoining areas. Additional police personnel have been deployed as a precaution to maintain law and order. Authorities said special teams have been formed to ensure the early arrest of all accused.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bibhas Adhikari in the primary school recruitment case in West Bengal, said agency sources on Tuesday.

Adhikari is a close associate of Trinamool Congress MLA Manik Bhattacharya, who was arrested by the ED in the teacher recruitment scam in the primary section.

Bhattacharya is currently out on bail which was granted to him by the Calcutta High Court in 2024.

It may be noted that along with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the ED, too, has been investigating the teacher recruitment case.

Earlier, both the ED and the CBI had conducted searches at multiple addresses of Bibhas Adhikari including Nalhati in Birbhum district.

The CBI had also summoned him several times. The court has also submitted a chargesheet against Bibhas in the recruitment case. This time, the ED has summoned him for questioning.

Incidentally, Bibhas, the former Trinamool Congress president of Block-II of Nalhati in Birbhum district, was involved in the recruitment case after the arrest of the former president of the West Bengal Primary Education Board and Trinamool MLA Manik Bhattacharya.

He was known as Manik's 'close friend'.

Bibhas was also the former president of the private B.Ed and D.L.Ed college organisation.

Soon after Manik's arrest in 2022, ED officials searched a flat on Amherst Street in north Kolkata. The ED claimed that Bibhas was linked to that flat. After the search operation, the flat was also sealed.

In April 2023, the CBI conducted a search operation at Bibhas' house and ashram in Birbhum. They seized a large number of documents from there. After that, CBI officials summoned him to the Nizam Palace office in Kolkata several times.

It is worth noting that Kuntal Ghosh, a former Trinamool youth leader from Balagarh in Hooghly district, who was arrested in the recruitment scam, questioned why Bibhas was not being arrested. Not only that, Gopal Dalpati, who was also involved in the recruitment scam, too, spoke out against Bibhas. Later, the CBI raided Bibhas' house and ashram in Nalhati.

In October 2025, the CBI submitted the final chargesheet in the primary recruitment scam case. A chargesheet was filed against Manik Bhattacharya, Bibhas Adhikari and Ratna Bagchi, one of the accused in the recruitment case.

The CBI investigation revealed that 350 people were given jobs through roundabout means in the primary recruitment. Investigators suspect that Bibhas was working as an agent in this ring.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is currently on a four-day visit to Singapore and Japan for attracting global investors and inviting big-ticket investments in the state, met Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, and also visited an airport logistics hub with his team on Tuesday, to draw "valuable insights" and their subsequent application in building a robust aviation infrastructure in the state.

A host of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have been signed, during the two-day tour of CM Adityanath in Singapore, including the one for setting up a world-class cargo complex at the 'now-ready' Noida International Airport, a move that is seen to give fillip to the state's aviation infrastructure and multi-modal logistics ecosystem.

Sharing information about the Uttar Pradesh government signing global partnerships in Singapore, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) told via a post on X, "'Invest UP' signs an MoU with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to strengthen institutional capacity, accelerate digital transformation, and boost infrastructure and industrial competitiveness across the state. A decisive step towards building a globally competitive and future-ready Uttar Pradesh."

On Day two of his Singapore visit, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister met Kim Yong and participated in the high-level business meet with the delegation from the Singaporean side.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding investment partnerships, and exploring collaboration in infrastructure, logistics, urban development, and emerging sectors.

Earlier on Tuesday, Yogi Adityanath visited the Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) Changi Airport Logistics Hub in Singapore and toured advanced air cargo handling systems, cold chain logistics, and integrated supply chain operations.

In the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and the Singapore-based delegation, the SATS Limited signed an MoU for the development of a world-class cargo complex at the Noida International Airport in Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar and also other airports across North India.

"This landmark partnership will boost trade, strengthen supply chains, and generate significant employment opportunities, reinforcing Uttar Pradesh's position as a global investment destination," a statement from the CMO said.

Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath visited Singapore on February 23 and 24 and will head to Japan for another two-day tour, from February 25 to 26.

The visit is part of the state government's objective of moving towards $1 trillion economy target by 2027-2030.
Guwahati, Feb 24 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday reacted to the nomination of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi as President of the India-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, taking a sharp political dig at the senior Congress leader.

Guwahati, Feb 24 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday reacted to the nomination of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi as President of the IndiaPhilippines Parliamentary Friendship Group, taking a sharp political dig at the senior Congress leader.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries and appointed senior Opposition leaders to head over a dozen of them. Each of these groups have 11 members, including those from the Rajya Sabha.

Sarma's comments came shortly after the Lok Sabha Secretariat formally nominated Gogoi, a Lok Sabha MP from Assam, as the President of the IndiaPhilippines Parliamentary Friendship Group for the 18th Lok Sabha.

The Friendship Group aims to strengthen parliamentary-level engagement and cooperation between the two democracies.

Commenting on Gogoi's appointment, Sarma said that it would have been more appropriate if he had been given responsibility related to Pakistan.

"It would have been better if Gaurav Gogoi was given responsibility for Pakistan. He could have maintained relations with Pakistan as well," the Chief Minister remarked, in a sarcastic tone.

The Chief Minister's remarks are seen as part of the ongoing political sparring between the BJP and the Congress in Assam, where political rhetoric has intensified ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Sarma has frequently targeted Gogoi, often questioning the Congress leader's political positioning and approach on national and international issues.

A communication, issued by the Conference and Protocol Branch of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, stated that a Parliamentary Friendship Group between India and the Philippines has been constituted for the current Lok Sabha term to strengthen parliamentary-level engagement between the two countries. "In this connection, the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha is pleased to nominate you as the President of the IndiaPhilippines Parliamentary Friendship Group," the letter addressed to Gogoi said.

The letter, dated February 23, was issued by L.V. Ramana, Director, Conference and Protocol Branch, Lok Sabha Secretariat, and carries official reference number 35/04/2026/C&P. Parliamentary Friendship Groups are informal forums formed within Parliament to promote bilateral ties, facilitate dialogue between legislators, and enhance mutual understanding on issues of common interest.

These groups often play a key role in strengthening people-to-people and institutional linkages alongside formal diplomatic engagements.

India and the Philippines share growing cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, maritime security, trade, education and cultural exchanges. Parliamentary-level interaction is seen as an important component in further deepening bilateral relations between the two democracies.

---IANS

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Chennai, Feb 24 : A Special CBI Court has sentenced a man possessing multiple passports to four years' imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 20,000, said an official on Tuesday.

The case, investigated by the CBI, came up before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai, on Monday, the official said in a statement.

The Special Court convicted and sentenced Ubaidullah alias F. Hameed alias Ubaithullah Khan Faizal to imprisonment for forgery and securing multiple passports.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case on December 31, 2018 on the allegation that the accused Ubaidullah with dishonest intention, obtained many passports in fictitious names by impersonating himself and submitting forged documents.

The original complaint alleged that Ubaidullah had travelled abroad using fake passports, thus, obtained to cheat the Customs Department.

While boarding a Singapore bound flight he was apprehended by Customs Officials at Chennai International Airport for illegal possession of foreign currencies equivalent to Rs 36.74 lakh, without any legal permission, the CBI said.

The accused had also furnished false and suppressed material information with a view to obtain passport from the passport authorities, the CBI said.

On completion of investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on March 13, 2020 against the accused.

In a separate case, the CBI last month arrested a long-absconding Proclaimed Offender, Sarit Vij alias Sarat Kumar Vij, in connection with a Rs 58 lakh fraud involving the Customs Department. A reward of Rs 10,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest, the agency said in an official statement.

The CBI had registered the case on June 1, 1999, against Joseph Kuok, then Superintendent at the Inland Container Depot (ICD), Tughlakabad, Delhi, and other accused, for allegedly cheating the Customs Department of approximately Rs 58 lakh.

During the investigation, the role of Sarit Vij emerged. He was a partner in the firm PS International, which had allegedly filed false duty drawback claims with the Customs Department, fraudulently seeking a refund of around Rs 19 lakh. Following completion of the investigation, Vij was chargesheeted along with other co-accused.

However, after the filing of the charge sheet in 2003, Sarit Vij failed to appear before the court and remained absconding throughout the trial. Despite sustained and persistent efforts by the investigating agency, he could not be traced for several years.

After completing all prescribed legal formalities, the court declared Sarit Vij a Proclaimed Offender on January 30, 2004. Subsequently, a reward of Rs 10,000 was announced for information leading to his whereabouts and arrest.
Bengaluru, Feb 24 : Responding to questions about controversial statements made by ministers and MLAs on leadership, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said it is the Chief Minister's responsibility to control ministers and legislators.

Speaking to reporters near his official residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar responded to questions about the ongoing political discussions regarding a possible leadership change and the Dalit Chief Minister issue.

"It is the Chief Minister's responsibility to control ministers and MLAs. As party president, I am informing the high command about party-related matters," he said.

Shivakumar said he regularly discusses party matters with senior Congress leader, Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi, a staunch supporter of CM Siddaramaiah.

"Jarkiholi is a senior leader and has worked with me as working president. We speak once a week. We are like-minded individuals, and he is deeply concerned about the party. We are preparing plans to bring our government back to power," he said.

Answering a question on Minister for Social Welfare H.C. Mahadevappa's vehement demand of Dalit CM, in case CM Siddaramaiah steps down, Shivakumar sarcastically stated Minister Mahadevappa may have information about a possible change in the Chief Minister's post, which is why he raised the issue of appointing a Dalit Chief Minister.

"I have seen Mahadevappa's statement. Apart from that, there is no other discussion. Since he is also part of our high command, he may have information about a change in the Chief Minister's post. However, I do not have any information about it," he said.

When asked whether the party high command had summoned him and the Chief Minister to Delhi, Shivakumar said, "I have not received any call. I have to visit Delhi regarding matters related to my department. Funds of Rs 1 lakh crore are being allocated for urban development schemes, and there are concerns that major cities may not receive adequate support. I will discuss this with officials and ask them to prepare proposals for the development of tier-2 and tier-3 cities."

Commenting on reports that some MLAs had written to the high command seeking ministerial positions for new legislators, Shivakumar said he supports the inclusion of new faces in the Cabinet.

"I read about the letter in newspapers, but I have not received it. Everyone has aspirations to become a minister. Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister without being an MLA initially. There is nothing wrong to aspire. I, too, became a minister when I was a first-time MLA. A new generation must grow. How long can we remain in positions? I have been a minister for 36 years. New generation and new ideas must come. The party will decide on this," he said.

When asked whether new legislators would be inducted into the Cabinet, Shivakumar clarified that the decision rests with the Chief Minister.

"I have not said I will form the Cabinet. The Chief Minister has said he will expand the Cabinet. When such discussions happen, some people write letters, visit Delhi, and express their aspirations. It is natural for them to have such expectations," he said.

Shivakumar said the state government is spending Rs 5,065 crore on road development in Bengaluru, with Rs 2,000 crore allocated by the Chief Minister. He added that 75 per cent of the work has been completed and directed officials to complete all projects by April-end without compromising quality.

He also said that 10 lakh e-Khata documents will be distributed, and welfare schemes will be implemented to support 30,000 registered street vendors by providing vehicles to support their livelihoods.

Responding to BJP protests over vacant government posts, Shivakumar said recruitment would be conducted soon.

"They are questioning us now, but why did they not do it earlier? We will soon fill vacant posts. We have introduced the Yuva Nidhi scheme to support unemployed youth. Some delays have occurred due to internal reservations and other issues," he said.

On expectations from the upcoming state budget, Shivakumar said the budget process must remain confidential.

"Neither the Chief Minister nor ministers can reveal budget details in advance. Confidentiality is essential. The cabinet will approve the budget before it is presented. There are many challenges facing the state, and the Chief Minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the budget accordingly," he said.

Shivakumar also clarified that he had no additional information regarding the statement by Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi that internal party issues were being resolved.
Amaravati, Feb 24 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday claimed that over 20 crore Tirupati laddus were made with adulterated ghee and sold during the YSRCP rule.a Amaravati, Feb 24 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday claimed that over 20 crore Tirupati laddus were made with adulterated ghee and sold during the YSRCP rule.

He claimed that between 2019 and 2024, 59.71 lakh litres of adulterated ghee were supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), and Rs. 234 crore were spent on this.

Replying to the debate in the State Assembly on the Tirupati laddu adulteration, he said 20.01 crore laddus were made with adulterated ghee and sold to devotees.

He alleged that a syndicate was formed to produce adulterated ghee and supply it to TTD, in violation of all norms and by bypassing the laboratories for testing quality.

He clarified that after the coalition government came to power, he cited the NDDB report on ghee adulteration.

The Chief Minister said that after the issue came to the government's notice, it was decided to constitute the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

"They challenged this, too, and went to the Supreme Court. The court said that there should be no political involvement in this and that an SIT should be formed and an investigation should be conducted under the auspices of the CBI," he said.

Chandrababu Naidu revealed that the CBI submitted a report to the state government for action against the guilty officials. They suggested some rectification in the TTD.

The Chief Minister said the government had formed a one-man committee to take action in accordance with the SIT report. He noted that the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition filed by Subramanian Swamy against the one-member committee.

He alleged that the tender rules were changed between January and February 2020 as part of the adulteration conspiracy.

He claimed that, even though the CFTRI issued its report on ghee adulteration in 2022, the then TTD chairman suppressed it. The rules were thrown to the wind to give ghee supply contracts to unqualified companies.

CM Naidu said that then TTD Chairman Subbareddy's personal assistant Chinnappanna, took a bribe of Rs 4.5 crore.

"It was found that various types of chemicals were used to make adulterated ghee. They even lured the technical experts of TTD with expensive phones and opened the gates for adulterated ghee," he said.

The Chief Minister claimed that SIT also seized drums of monoglyceride and acetic acid from the dairy and uncovered details of a bribe. The SIT has also framed charges against the accused involved in this conspiracy, and cases have been registered under various sections.

He alleged that the wrongdoers are now trying to hide their crime.

Naidu alleged a conspiracy to tarnish the sanctity of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. He also referred to the alleged proselytisation, noting that the Jerusalem yatra was printed on RTC bus tickets to Tirumala.

He claimed that there were pre-planned attacks on the Hindu faith during the YSRCP rule. A total of 2032 temples were attacked, and idols were vandalised. No case was filed, and no proper investigation was done.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said the guilty in ghee adulteration should be punished, no matter who they are. He said that, as the matter relates to faith, there should be appropriate action against those involved.

He said the NDDB report had revealed that chemicals used in animal fat processing were used in the ghee. He also pointed out that the CBI, in its report, made it clear that no ghee was used to make laddus.


Chandigarh, Feb 24 : Asserting that senior citizens are the backbone of society, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said safeguarding their dignity and ensuring their financial and social security remains a central priority of his government. a

Clarifying on pension cuts at the ongoing Budget session of the Vidhan Sabha here, the Chief Minister firmly rejected the claims, describing them as politically motivated misinformation. a

He said the government has not discontinued pensions; rather, it has strengthened social security measures for the elderly. a

Highlighting the Centreas commitment to senior citizens, he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modias assurance of expanded healthcare protection for citizens aged 70 and above. a

Under this provision, eligible elderly beneficiaries are entitled to medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, ensuring that families are not burdened by the cost of serious illnesses. a

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Chief Minister said rumours regarding pension discontinuation were being deliberately circulated to create confusion among elderly citizens. a

Spreading such misinformation, he said, is irresponsible and deeply unfortunate, particularly when it concerns the most pivotal sections of society. He underlined that the government has streamlined pension delivery through a transparent and technology-driven mechanism. a

Beneficiaries now receive real-time SMS alerts when their pensions are credited directly to their bank accounts, enabling hassle-free withdrawals without the need to visit government offices repeatedly.

aDrawing a contrast with the previous Congress regime, the Chief Minister said senior citizens earlier had to endure long delays, sometimes waiting months for their pension payments. Many were forced to make repeated trips to government offices, often in extreme weather conditions, with little administrative responsiveness.

aClarifying the issue of a temporary delay in payment release, he explained that when discrepancies or complaints arise, verification is conducted as part of due process. During this period, payments may be paused and promptly released once verification is complete. a

Emphasising the governmentas commitment, the Chief Minister said that Haryana has built a system that is transparent, accountable, and respectful, ensuring that elderly citizens receive their entitlements with dignity and without unnecessary hardship.
President of the European Council Antonio Costa said an agreement had been reached under which Ukraine would assess the work needed to restore the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian attack on January 27.

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Costa said that when an EU member state faced problems with a third country, it was for EU institutions to support the member state and address the issue with that country, adding that this was what he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had done regarding the pipeline. He said Ukraine would, in the coming days, carry out an assessment of how long the restoration would take.

He said Hungary and Slovakia had alternative routes for oil supplies. Costa pointed to the Adriatic pipeline from Croatia to Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia, and added that there were other territorial options as well, describing it as a minor issue in terms of safeguarding energy supplies.

Costa said this was a completely different matter from the behavior of an EU member state within the EU.

He said the conduct of an EU member state had to be guided by the principle of fair and sincere cooperation and that, once the European Council agreed and adopted a decision, all member states had to cooperate to implement it, meaning no one could stop or try to block a decision adopted by the European Council. Costa said he had written to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, telling him that Hungary was violating the principle of fair and sincere cooperation, and urging Budapest to immediately cooperate in implementing the European Council decision adopted on December 18.

Costa made the remarks while commenting on Orbans statements about his intention to block the EUs reparations loan to Ukraine of EUR 90 billion because, as Orban claims, the Ukrainian side had allegedly deliberately suspended oil supplies via Druzhba.

As reported, the European Commission expects all leaders who have committed to providing Ukraine with a EUR 90 billion loan, including Orban, who has said he is blocking it, to honor their political commitments, warning that failure to do so would breach the principle of loyal cooperation. Hungary is blocking the loan, demanding the resumption of Russian oil supplies via Ukraine through the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged as a result of Russian attacks.
Luchnow, Feb 24 : The Enforcement Directorate's Lucknow Zonal Office has filed a chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, against former MLA Arif Anwar Hashmi (ex-MLA from Utraula, Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh) and his wife Rozi Salma.

The complaint was submitted on February 23 before the Special Judge, CBI/ED, Lucknow.

The ED initiated its probe based on multiple FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police against Hashmi and his associates for offences related to illegal encroachment, forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.

Following thorough investigation, UP Police filed several chargesheets establishing these scheduled offences, an ED press statement said.

Investigations revealed large unaccounted cash deposits in bank accounts held by Hashmi and his wife, which were grossly inconsistent with their reported sources of income.

The couple failed to justify the origin of these funds, including those used to acquire immovable properties, it said.

The accused allegedly generated proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 8.24 crore through commission of the scheduled offences.

As part of the action, the ED had earlier issued a Provisional Attachment Order on September 24, 2024, attaching 21 immovable properties, comprising agricultural land, residential plots, and flats, valued at Rs 8.24 crore. These assets belong to Arif Anwar Hashmi and Rozi Salma and are located in the districts of Balrampur, Lucknow, and Gonda in Uttar Pradesh.

The attachment was confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority under PMLA on March 3, 2025.

The prosecution complaint seeks to proceed against the accused for money laundering under relevant provisions of the PMLA, linking the attached properties directly to the proceeds of crime derived from the predicate offences investigated by UP Police.

Further investigation in the case remains ongoing, with the ED continuing to examine related financial trails and associates.

Arif Anwar Hashmi, a former two-time Samajwadi Party legislator from the Utraula assembly seat in Balrampur district, has faced multiple legal challenges in recent years, including prior attachments and cases stemming from land-related allegations and other criminal complaints.

The development marks a significant escalation in the multi-agency scrutiny of the former legislator's financial dealings, highlighting the ED's focus on tracing and confiscating assets generated through alleged criminal activities.
Hyderabad, Feb 24 : In the biggest blow to the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist, four top Maoist leaders, including Thippiri Tirupati alias Devuji, and Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, surrendered before the Telangana Police, officials said on Tuesday.

CPI-Maoist Central Committee Member, Polit Bureau Member and Central Military Commission (CMC) In-charge Devuji, who is also known as Kumma dada, Central Committee Member Malla Raji Reddy, Telangana State Committee (TSC) Secretary Bade Chokka Rao alias Damodar alias Jagan; and State Committee Member Nune Narsimha Reddy alias Ganganna alias Sannu Dada were produced before media by the Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy here.

While three of the surrendered Maoists are from Telangana, Narasimha Reddy is from the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

62-year-old Devuji hailed from Korutla of Jagtial district.

Devuji, who was underground for four decades, told media that he surrendered due to ill-health.

He said that in future he will be active in public life and work with the same ideology to solve people's problems but within the legal framework.

The DGP said that with the surrender of Devuji and Raji Reddy, the last surviving apex organisational body of CPI-Maoist, has collapsed.

Simultaneously, the Telangana State Committee of the organisation has been rendered defunct with the surrender of Chokka Rao and Narsimha Reddy, the Telangana DGP said.

Devuji has been underground for 44 years while Malla Reddy was underground for 46 years.

Chokka Rao and Narasimha Reddy were also active in the Maoist movement for 28 years and 36 years respectively.

Devuji married Arike Jaini alias Srujana of Maharashtra in 1991.

She was a CPI (Maoist) member in Perimeli Dalam when she married Devuji.

She was elevated to the rank of Regional Committee Member and died in 2020 in an exchange of fire in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.

During education at Junior College in Korutla, Devuji was attracted to revolutionary politics and joined the Radical Students Union (RSU). He joined the CPI-ML People's War in January 1982, and in April 1984 he was sent to Dandakaranya by Muppala Laxman Rao alias Ganapathi along with Malla Raji Reddy to work in armed squad.

In 2017, Devuji assumed charge as in-charge of the CMC and was subsequently elected as a Politburo Member, a position he continues to hold till date.

Additionally, following the surrender of Mallojula Venugopal alias Sonu, a CPI-Maoist Politburo member, he has been acting as the official spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist by the name of 'Abhay'.

Malla Raji Reddy, 76, is a native of Shastrulapalle village in Peddapally district.

In 1971, Raji Reddy completed his intermediate and joined the RSU in 1974.

In 1976, he was arrested in Korutla and Jagtial cases and was released in September 1977.

Raji Reddy was arrested in 2007 when he was attending the CPI-Maoist organisational work in Kerala.

In 2009, he was released from jail and again went underground.

In 2022, he was transferred to Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DSZC) and made its in-charge and is continuing as in-charge of DKSZC till now.

Chokka Rao, 74, is a resident of Kalvapalli village in Mulugu district of Telangana.

Narsimha Reddy, 62, hails from Vallur village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.

The Telangana DGP said these top Maoist leaders rejoined the mainstream following the appeal made by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy last year to CPI-Maoist cadres to renounce violence, return to the mainstream, and actively participate in the development and welfare of the state and its people.

He added that ideological divergence, internal rifts, and growing disillusionment have further eroded organisational cohesion.

"This decision represents a positive, conscious, and pragmatic response to the state government's appeal and a clear rejection of the path of extremism," he said.

"Devuji and Raji Reddy carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh each while Chokka Rao and Narasimha Reddy carried a reward of Rs 20 lakh each. They have been given the reward amount as per the Telangana government's rehabilitation policy."

State DGP Shivadhar Reddy said a total of 591 Maoists have surrendered before the Telangana Police since 2024. They include four CPI-Maoist Central Committee Members and 16 State Committee Members.

He added that now only 11 underground CPI-Maoist cadres, who are native of Telangana are left over.

"Of these, only two Area Committee are presently working in Telangana State Committee, while the remaining are operating in other states, including Chhattisgarh."

"Out of three Central Committee Members of the CPI-Maoist, two are native of Telangana," the Telangana DGP said.

The DGP appealed to all the remaining underground CPI-Maoist cadres, particularly the 11 underground cadres, who are natives of Telangana, to renounce violence, return to their native villages/towns, reunite with their families, and contribute constructively to the development of the state.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court to restrain the release of the feature film "Yadav Ji Ki Love Story", scheduled for nationwide release on Friday, alleging that the movie's title and portrayal risk reinforcing caste-based stereotypes and disturbing social harmony. a New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court to restrain the release of the feature film "Yadav Ji Ki Love Story", scheduled for nationwide release on Friday, alleging that the movie's title and portrayal risk reinforcing caste-based stereotypes and disturbing social harmony. 

The petition, filed by advocate Makardhvaj Yadav, contended that the proposed release has already triggered organised protests, representations before district authorities, and public demonstrations by members of the Yadav community in several parts of the country. 

Stating that the issue goes beyond a private grievance, the plea submitted that there exists a "genuine and reasonable apprehension" that exhibition of the film in its present form may lead to caste-based tension and disruption of public order. 

"The proposed release has already led to organised protests and expressions of concern by members of the Yadav community across various regions, indicating a credible apprehension of disturbance to public order and social harmony," the petition stated. 

According to the plea, the film's use of the caste-identifying expression "Yadav Ji" in its title and promotional material inevitably associates an entire community with the narrative and characterisation of a commercial cinematic work. 

"The deliberate use of a caste-specific identifier in a commercial cinematic narrative inevitably associates the entire community with the themes, characterisation, and narrative arc of the film," the plea stated, urging the top court to examine the impact of such portrayal on an ordinary, prudent viewer in the prevailing socio-cultural context. 

The petitioner argued that, despite promotional claims describing the movie as a fictional romantic drama, the combination of a caste-specific title and reportedly sensitive social themes may reinforce stereotypes associated with the community.

"In the present socio-political climate, such portrayal may inadvertently contribute to social polarisation or misunderstanding," the petition said. 

It also alleged that release of the film in its present form could cause "irreparable injury" to the dignity, reputation, and collective self-respect of members of the Yadav community. 

"The right to dignity and reputation forms an intrinsic part of Article 21, and the use of 'Yadav Ji' in the title may reasonably be understood as attributing the narrative's themes to the community at large rather than to a fictional individual," the plea stated. 

The petition submitted that no efficacious alternative remedy exists in view of the imminent release date and urged the Supreme Court to grant an interim stay, arguing that any damage to social harmony and community dignity would be irreversible if the film is released and later found unconstitutional. 

"The balance of convenience lies in favour of temporary restraint, which would not cause irreparable prejudice to the producers, who may undertake suitable modification subject to judicial direction," the plea stated. 

The petition assumes significance in light of the Supreme Court's recent observations in another film-related controversy concerning the title "Ghooskhor Pandat". 

A Bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna had come down heavily on the filmmakers, observing that freedom of speech and expression cannot be used as a licence to denigrate a section of society. 

"Freedom of speech and expression does not mean you can portray a community in a bad light," the apex court had orally remarked, cautioning that such nomenclature could disturb social harmony at a time when societal tensions already exist. 

Following the apex court's strong observations, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey filed an affidavit assuring the Supreme Court that the controversial title had been "unequivocally withdrawn" and that the film does not insult or target any religion or community.
Patna, Feb 24 : Several senior leaders and dignitaries attended the Shradhkarma of Radha Devi Saraogi, the mother of Sanjay Saraogi, and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family.

Arif Mohammad Khan, Nitish Kumar, and BJP National President Nitin Nabin paid floral tributes and offered prayers for the departed soul.

The Governor personally conveyed his sympathies to Sanjay Saraogi and his family during this moment of profound grief.

Early in the morning, Nitin Nabin arrived at Darbhanga Airport and proceeded directly to the residence of Sanjay Saraogi, where he paid tribute to the portrait of Radha Devi Saraogi.

Throughout the day, a steady stream of BJP leaders and NDA representatives visited the family to offer condolences.

Among those present were Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Bihar Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Industry Minister Dilip Jaiswal, and Bettiah Lok Sabha MP Sanjay Jaiswal, along with several other senior NDA leaders.

Paying tribute, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said he prayed for strength and patience for the family and peace for the departed soul.

"The loss of a mother is extremely painful. I pray that God grants courage to the family and eternal peace to the departed soul," the Governor said.

After attending the Assembly session in Patna, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also reached Darbhanga and paid his respects to Radha Devi Saraogi, standing in solidarity with the grieving family.

Radha Devi Saraogi passed away on February 13 at the age of 72. She had been unwell for the past few days and was undergoing treatment at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai, where she breathed her last.

The late Radha Devi Saraogi was known to be deeply religious and actively involved in social work. News of her demise has cast a pall of grief over her family and well-wishers.

Sanjay Saraogi was appointed as the BJP State President on December 15, 2025.

--IANS

ajk/dan


Agartala, Feb 24 : The much-anticipated Maitree international bus service linking Agartala and Kolkata via Bangladesh capital Dhaka resumed regular operations, bringing to an end a suspension that lasted for over a year.

The first bus in the Maitree International Bus Service fleet departed from Kolkata on Monday, traversed through Dhaka, and reached Agartala on Tuesday.

Passengers were accorded a warm welcome on arrival at the Agartala (India) - Akhaura (Bangladesh) Integrated Check Post (ICP).

Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) Acting Chairman Samar Roy, and senior officials from the ICP were present to greet the passengers.

Speaking to the media, the Minister described the resumption of the Agartala-Kolkata bus service via Dhaka as a welcome and joyous development, noting that it comes just days after a new government assumed office in Bangladesh.

He said that bilateral relations, particularly in cultural and economic spheres, are expected to strengthen with the beginning of this new phase.

Emphasising that development for both India and Bangladesh is not possible without friendship, Chowdhury said the bus services stand as a strong symbol of mutual trust and cooperation.

Keeping peace, stability and development in mind, a bus travelling from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka arrived at the Akhaura check post on Tuesday, marking the formal resumption of services after an 18-month suspension.

TRTC Acting Chairman Samar Roy said that the Agartala-Dhaka bus service is also likely to resume soon. He added that the 35-seater state government-owned TRTC bus will depart from Agartala three days a week, while another bus will leave Kolkata on three days a week. Both services will operate via Dhaka, connecting Tripura and West Bengal. The Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata and Agartala-Dhaka bus services were initially suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and later resumed in June 2022.

However, operations were again halted after a bus operated by a local travel agency met with an accident in Bangladesh and was subsequently attacked by a mob.

Bus operators also expressed reluctance to resume services following incidents of violence in Bangladesh during June-July last year, particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on August 5, 2024.

A TRTC official said that with a newly elected government now in place in Bangladesh and reports indicating improvement in the overall law-and-order situation, the concerned authorities have decided to restart the cross-border bus services.

The Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata and Agartalaa"Dhaka routes are considered vital connectivity links, enabling smoother and faster travel between the mountainous Northeastern state and eastern India through Bangladesh territory.

Sources said that the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission (AHC) in Agartala has also begun issuing visas in special cases. Earlier, the Bangladesh AHC in Agartala had announced that all visa and consular services would remain suspended from December 23, 2025, due to "unavoidable circumstances" until further notice.

Tripura, which shares an 856-km-long border with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides, witnesses regular cross-border movement.

A large number of people travel frequently between the two countries for trade, tourism, education and personal reasons.

The Agartala-Akhaura ICP is also the second-largest trading point between India and Bangladesh after the Petrapole-Benapole ICP in West Bengal.

Travel from India's mountainous Northeastern region to the rest of the country via Bangladesh is significantly faster, more efficient and trouble-free compared to the traditional narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the "Chicken's Neck".

While the road distance between Agartala and Kolkata via Guwahati is about 1,650 km, the route through Bangladesh reduces the distance to just 620 km.
Guwahati, Feb 24 : All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA, Rafiqul Islam, on Tuesday criticised both the BJP and the Congress, alleging that the ruling party thrives on polarisation while the Congress has failed to emerge as a credible Opposition force in Assam. He stated that instead of fighting the BJP, the Congress is primarily targeting AIUDF, which helps the ruling party.

Speaking to IANS, Islam accused the BJP of promoting communalism and failing to live up to its promise of inclusive development.

"The BJP talks about 'sabka saath, sabka vikas', but in reality it has only deepened divisions in society and ignored genuine issues faced by common people," the AIUDF legislator alleged.

Outlining his party's electoral strategy ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, Islam said the AIUDF will contest in around 30 to 32 constituencies.

"We have done solid groundwork in these seats. Our organisational strength at the grassroots level is strong, and we are confident about our prospects," he said.

Islam also criticised the Congress for what he described as a misplaced electoral focus.

According to him, the Congress should directly challenge the BJP in Upper Assam, where the ruling party has a strong presence.

"Instead of taking the BJP head-on in Upper Assam, the Congress is concentrating only on minority-dominated seats. This approach is weakening the opposition space," he added.

The AIUDF MLA further claimed that the Congress was struggling with internal erosion, pointing to several of its MLAs and senior leaders joining the BJP in recent times.

"Many Congress MLAs and top leaders have already joined the BJP, and many more are in the queue to join the ruling party. This is not a good sign for the Congress," Islam said.

He alleged that instead of fighting the BJP, the Congress is primarily targeting AIUDF, which, according to him, only helps the ruling party.

"The Congress is basically fighting AIUDF instead of fighting against the BJP, and that is benefiting the BJP politically," he remarked.

Concluding his remarks, Islam said that AIUDF's ultimate objective is to prevent the BJP from returning to power in Assam.

"Our goal is clear  to ensure that the BJP does not come back to power and that the people of Assam get a government that believes in unity and justice," he said.
Patna, Feb 24 : The Vigilance Department's crackdown against corrupt government officials continues unabated in Bihar.

Patna, Feb 24 (IANS) The Vigilance Departmentas crackdown against corrupt government officials continues unabated in Bihar.

Despite frequent arrests, cases of bribery are still surfacing.

On Tuesday, vigilance teams arrested a Block Supply Officer in Samastipur and a Survey Amin in Supaul, both caught red-handed while accepting bribes.

In the first case, the Special Vigilance Bureau (SVB) arrested Rajesh Kumar Bhagat, the Block Supply Officer of Vidyapati Nagar and Ujiarpur blocks in Samastipur, while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.

The complaint was filed by Ram Iqbal Singh, a resident of Maniyarpur village under Ghatho police station.

He alleged that Rajesh Kumar Bhagat was demanding a bribe in lieu of increasing the additional foodgrain allocation under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

After verification, the Vigilance Bureau found the allegations to be prima facie true.

A case was registered, and an investigation team was constituted under the leadership of Akhilesh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Patna.

The accused was arrested from his rented residence near Kali Chowk under Dalsingh Sarai police station while accepting the bribe.

After interrogation, he will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court.

In another operation, the Vigilance Department arrested Vikram Kumar Ram, a Survey Amin posted in the Marauna area of Supaul, while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000.

The complaint was lodged by Jaynarayan Yadav, a resident of Khorma village under the Marauna police station.

He alleged that the survey officer was demanding money to complete pending land survey work.

Following verification, the vigilance team found the complaint to be genuine.

Acting swiftly, a team from Patna reached Supaul and laid a trap.

The accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe in his rented room in Nirmali.

This operation was conducted under the leadership of Narendra Kumar, DSP, Vigilance Bureau, Patna.

After questioning, the accused was taken into custody and will be produced before the Special Vigilance Court.

As news of the arrests spread, a crowd gathered at the spot, leading to a brief commotion.

Vigilance officials later escorted the accused away after completing formal procedures.

These back-to-back arrests once again highlight the Vigilance Departmentas sustained action against corruption in Biharas administrative machinery.
Patna, Feb 24 : Concerns have been raised about computer education in Bihar's government schools, with the opposition questioning the state government in the Legislature about the significant shortage of computer teachers.

Raising the issue in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, CPI(ML) MLA Sandeep Saurabh stated that the state requires nearly 26,000 computer teachers, while the government has announced vacancies for only 460 posts.a

He demanded that at least half of the required positions be filled immediately to ensure meaningful implementation of computer education.a

Supporting the concern, Saharsa MLA Indrajit Gupta said that although computer education has been formally introduced in government schools from Classes 6 to 10, no computer teacher has been appointed so far.a

As a result, he alleged, computer education exists only on paper.a

Responding to the allegations, the Education Minister, Sunil Kumar, told the House that the state had earlier faced an acute shortage of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics teachers, which was addressed as a priority.a

He assured members that the shortage of computer teachers would now be resolved in a phased manner.a

On the issue of teacher imbalance, Indrajit Gupta further alleged that some schools have an excess number of teachers while others are critically understaffed.a

The minister clarified that District Magistrates (DMs) have now been empowered to conduct local assessments and ensure balanced deployment of teachers across schools.a

Meanwhile, as proceedings began in the Bihar Legislative Council on Tuesday, both ruling and opposition members raised multiple issues, leading to heated exchanges in the House.a

BJP MLC Naval Kishore raised the issue of degree college employees not receiving pensions, demanding that all pending pensions be cleared before Holi.a

Following this, RJD MLC Sunil Singh raised the issue of a gang rape incident in Supaul, seeking immediate and strict action from the government.a

Senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui highlighted concerns over tuberculosis (TB) patients, stating that while the state has over 1.5 lakh TB patients, only 4,440 patients are reportedly receiving nutritional support, calling the situation alarming.a

Responding to these concerns, Health Minister Mangal Pandey informed the House that 2,14,858 TB patients were registered in 2025.a

He stated that all TB patients receive food baskets for six months during treatment.a

Additionally, from 2024 onwards, every TB patient has been provided with Rs 1,000 per month in direct financial assistance.a

In the same session, MLC Ashok Kumar raised the issue of the absence of an ultrasound machine in Rajauli, Nawada district.a

The Health Minister clarified that ultrasound services will be arranged immediately after the issue comes to the governmentas notice.a
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Patiala House Court in Delhi to send Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu to four days' police custody in connection with the disruption caused by Congress leaders at India's AI Impact Summit.a New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Patiala House Court in Delhi to send Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu to four days' police custody in connection with the disruption caused by Congress leaders at India's AI Impact Summit.

Sachdeva stated that the kind of misconduct committed by Uday Bhanu at the AI Summit at the behest of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was an attempt to tarnish India's image.

The court accepted the four-day police custody of Uday Bhanu, an official said. Those who attempted to defame India on the global stage now stand politically exposed, he said.

Sachdeva said that Rahul Gandhi is the "Bhasmasur" of the Congress party, and the hired workers who perform at his direction are now bent on sinking the Congress itself.

He said that the AI Summit was neither a program of any political party nor of any individual, but an event showcasing India's achievements before the world.

Sachdedeva added that the summit was meant to highlight how Indian youth are bringing new innovations in AI at national and international levels, demonstrating how India is moving toward becoming a global leader.

However, Rahul Gandhi's supporters' actions were shameful and clearly indicate the involvement of the Congress high command in this conspiracy.

He said it is no coincidence that whenever India's global image and prestige rise, Congress and its supporting groups indulge in such acts.

He recalled that when US President Donald Trump visited India during his previous visit, protests were carried out by Umar Khalid, and now, when national leaders from 22 countries were present, such misconduct by Congress is disgraceful and unforgivable.


Islamabad, Feb 24 : Citing a new report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) which reveals that the Punjab province's Crime Control Department (CCD) might be more violent than any other specialised squads in the country, a report has stated that policing in Pakistan cannot improve if contempt for human life goes unpunished.

The CCD's first year of operations saw at least 670 encounters that claimed lives of 924 suspects between April-December 2025. During the same period, only two police personnel were killed.

"While a disproportionate ratio may suggest the police force is highly trained and professional, the astounding difference here implies something else is at play. The government has no valid counterpoint to the HRCP's call for an independent judicial inquiry," an editorial in leading Pakistani daily 'The Express Tribune' mentioned.

More than two encounters occurred on an average per day, with heavy concentration in districts like Lahore and Faisalabad. The official statements about these killings stated that suspects opened fire, police conducted "retaliatory" fire, suspects were fatally injured. Civilian witnesses were not found, although some of the encounters occurred in busy areas.

"Policing in Pakistan cannot improve if such contempt for human life goes unpunished. Encounters are flat-out illegal under Pakistani and international law. Yet, despite decades of embarrassing revelations, federal and provincial governments continue to do little more than pay lip service to the issue. Unfortunately, 'Safe Punjab' cannot be built on the bones of victims of extrajudicial murder. If we are to become a great nation, we must first become a nation of laws, where even the worst among us are guaranteed their rights," The Express Tribune stated.

Last week, the HRCP condemned CCD in Punjab province for pursuing a deliberate policy of staged encounters resulting in extrajudicial killings that fundamentally undermines the rule of law and constitutional protections in the province. Citing various media reports, the HRCP documented at least 670 CCD-led encounters over the course of eight months in Punjab in 2025, resulting in the deaths of 924 suspects, with two police officers killed during the same period.

"The extreme casualty imbalance  averaging more than two fatal encounters daily  combined with the uniformity of operational patterns across districts, indicates an institutionalised practice rather than isolated incidents of misconduct. The fact-finding mission has therefore called for an urgent high-level judicial inquiry into these deaths," the HRCP stated.

The organisation documented a pervasive climate of fear among victims' families. One family reported pressure from police officials to bury the deceased immediately and claimed they were warned that other relatives could be killed if they pursued the case further. Such intimidation, it said, constitutes criminal conduct and represents a fundamental obstruction of justice.

"The practice of police encounters as a method of crime control has a long and troubling history in Pakistan. Successive provincial governments, especially in Punjab and Sindh, have defended such actions as necessary to combat crime, militancy or systemic inefficiencies within the criminal justice system," the HRCP stated.

However, the organisation highlighted that Pakistani courts, civil society organisations and human rights bodies have repeatedly raised concerns regarding extrajudicial killings, the surrounding lack of accountability and violations of the right to life guaranteed under Article 9 of Pakistan's Constitution.

As per the HRCP findings, "CCD operations fail to comply with the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which require that lethal force be absolutely necessary and proportionate, and that violators be held accountable."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes Hungarys blocking of a EUR 90 billion financial package is not linked to the Druzhba oil pipeline.

"This is not the first time Hungarys prime minister has blocked something. And I am not sure these issues are happening in parallel: the EUR 90 billion loan and the pipeline. Because these are different things. First of all, it was Russia that damaged the pipeline," Zelenskyy said at a press conference on Tuesday in Kyiv.

According to the President, Ukraine cannot be held responsible for the destruction caused by Russias actions.

"We had to restore it, more than once. Well, that pipeline  once. When you restore something, Russia attacks again," he said.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has satellite images and other evidence confirming Russias responsibility for the damage. In addition, the aggressor state has damaged other pipelines as well. "So if they want to block financial support, they should block Russia," he said.

Zelenskyy also suggested that Hungary could hold talks with Russia on stopping attacks on energy infrastructure.
Srinagar, Feb 24 : The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Kashmir announced on Tuesday the arrest of two Punjab-based drug peddlers and the recovery of 79 grams of heroin in the Srinagar and Budgam districts.

According to an official statement, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Kashmir apprehended two Punjab-based drug peddlers in separate operations in Srinagar and Budgam districts, recovering 79 grams of heroin.

In the first operation, based on credible and specific intelligence, ANTF Kashmir apprehended Ajay Kumar, son of Joginder and resident of Mustafabad Jattan, Gurdaspur, Punjab, from the Gangbugh area of Srinagar district.

During the search, 42 grams of heroin were recovered from his possession. Preliminary investigation indicates the accused procured the contraband from Punjab and intended to distribute it in the Gangbugh area.

First Information Report (FIR) No. 02/2026 under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered at Police StationIn a separate operation, ANTF Kashmir apprehended Jhon Masih, son of Balwinder Masih and resident of Mustafabad Jatin, Gurdaspur, Punjab, in Budgam district, recovering 37 grams of heroin from his possession.his possession.a

Consequently, First Information Report (FIR) No. 03/2026 under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered at Police Station ANTF Kashmir.

Both operations were conducted based on specific intelligence inputs developed by ANTF Kashmir concerning the involvement of the accused in inter-state narcotics trafficking. Further investigation is underway to uncover the forward and backward linkages of the drug supply chain and to identify other individuals involved in the illicit trade.

The Anti-Narcotics Task Force, J&K, reiterates its commitment to intensifying efforts against drug smuggling and dismantling networks in the narcotics trade. The public is urged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and share credible information related to drug trafficking to help safeguard the youth and ensure a drug-free Jammu & Kashmir.a
Mumbai, Feb 24 : The second day of the Maharashtra State Legislature's budget session witnessed a heated exchange over the mounting burden of non-academic duties imposed on school teachers.

NCP legislator Vikram Kale in the state Legislative Council on Tuesday raised a poignant "Calling Attention" motion, highlighting the plight of educators who are increasingly being diverted from their primary role of teaching.

The debate took a sharp turn when Kale alleged that teachers were recently assigned the task of "counting stray dogs," calling it a profound insult to the teaching profession in a state that follows the progressive ideals of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar.

"We call them 'Acharya' (revered teachers) and give them a place of honour, yet we task them with counting dogs? Whether it is election duties, voter list updates, or even counting toilets, the government always looks towards teachers despite having other staff," Kale argued.

He further highlighted the operational crisis in schools.

He cited an instance where 45 out of 60 teachers in a single school were drafted for Zilla Parishad election duties, leaving only 15 teachers to manage 2,000 students. He claimed that when teachers voice concerns, District Collectors often threaten them with criminal action.

Responding to the allegations, Minister of State Pankaj Bhoyar clarified that the government has not officially tasked teachers with a "dog census."

According to the Minister, the directive originated from a Supreme Court order regarding public safety and hygiene. The instructions given to schools were to maintain clean educational premises, ensure proper fencing to prevent stray animals, and properly dispose of food waste to avoid attracting stray dogs.

"No teacher has been asked to count dogs. We are simply asking them to ensure a safe and hygienic environment within their school campus," Bhoyar stated.

The Minister reminded the House that under Section 27 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, teachers are legally obligated to perform three types of non-academic work, including decadal census, disaster relief duties and duties relating to local body, state, and parliamentary elections.

However, acknowledging the stress on the teaching community, Bhoyar announced that the government is considering new measures to streamline reporting. The Proposals include designating one Saturday a month specifically for administrative/non-academic reporting and exploring if reporting tasks can be shifted to local Setu (facilitation) centres to reduce the burden on teachers.

The Minister assured the House that a meeting would be convened with the Chief Minister and relevant stakeholders to find a permanent solution after calculating the financial implications of these shifts.
Mumbai, Feb 24 : Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar on Tuesday directed the state government to take a serious note of the alleged threats given to Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan by Lawrence Bishnoi gang members.

Congress MLA and legislative group leader Vijay Wadettiwar raised the issue through an adjournment motion in the Legislative Assembly.

"Our Congress MLA Sajid Khan Pathan from Akola west has received death threats in the name of the Bishnoi gang along with an international extortion call demanding Rs 10 crore.

"On February 17, at 3:30 PM, he received an international call. A person named Shubham Lonkar, associated with the Bishnoi gang, made the call demanding a ransom of Rs 10 crore and threatened to shoot him dead if the money was not paid," said Wadettiwar.

He informed the Assembly that the person issuing the threat arrogantly claimed that even if the police were informed, they would provide protection for a month or two, but they would eventually kill him after six months or a year.

"If public representatives themselves are not safe in the state, what about the general public?" he asked.

He emphasised that receiving threats from a gang previously involved in shooting incidents is an extremely serious matter, adding that listening to the audio of the threat is spine-chilling.

He noted that despite Sajid Pathan having no connection to any criminal activities, he is being targeted.

Taking serious note of the issue, Narvekar directed the Maharashtra government to treat the matter with extreme seriousness and take immediate steps regarding the MLA's security. The Speaker, however did not give an opportunity to Pathan to speak about the issue.

Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Pathan said, "I received a phone call on February 17. The caller identified himself as Shubham Lonkar from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and said that he was the same man who killed Baba Siddique, and I am next.

"He demanded Rs 10 crore from me, and said if I refused to give the sum, he would kill me in front of everyone like he killed Baba Siddique."

Pathan said that he contacted Akola SP immediately and action is being taken.

"The CM also called me up. But unfortunately, I was not allowed to speak on this matter in the House. If I am being threatened, what would happen to a common man, I wonder," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 : In a political season dominated by optics and messaging, it is not often that Kerala's biggest screen icon starts asking the questions instead of facing them.

That is precisely what happened when Dadasaheb Phalke award winner and Malayalam cinemaas enduring superstar Mohanlal sat down to interview Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister.

The teaser of the interview is set to be released on Tuesday evening across social media and television platforms, with the full version to follow on leading channels.

For decades, it has been Mohanlal who has been at the receiving end of probing questions about cinema, craft, fame and public life.

This time, the roles were reversed.

The actor reportedly spent two days in Thiruvananthapuram for the project.

The first day was devoted to discussions on the themes to be covered, and the interview took place the next day.

The conversation is said to span the Chief Ministeras personal journey, political evolution, and the governmentas record in office.

The optics are compelling.

A Dadasaheb Phalke laureate interviewing a sitting Chief Minister on the eve of an election inevitably invites political readings.

The Opposition has already accused the government of ramping up public relations efforts as the state heads to the polls.

The presence of one of Keralaas most popular cultural figures is bound to amplify that debate.

This is not entirely unprecedented.

Mohanlal had earlier conducted a similar interview with former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

Photographs of Mohanlal and Pinarayi Vijayan together at Cliff House have already gone viral, fuelling anticipation.

Whether the interview reshapes political narratives or remains a high-profile media moment, one thing is certain: when the superstar asks the questions, Kerala watches.

Incidentally the same time last year, Mohanlal was interviewed by state Culture and Films Minister Saji Cherian, when the superstar was the chief guest at a cultural event organised at Cherianas constituency in Chengannur.
Islamabad, Feb 24 : Seven individuals, including six police personnel, were killed after unidentified assailants targetted a police vehicle in Kohat district of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, local media reported.

A senior police officer said that six police personnel, including the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), an inspector and four constables were killed after a vehicle, carrying two individuals for a court appearance, was targetted, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported. The officer mentioned that one of the two individuals was also killed in the attack. The attackers also torched the vehicle following the attack.

On Monday, at least three Federal Constabulary (FC) men were killed when an ambulance carrying injured personnel came under attack in the Badrakhail area of Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local media reported citing regional police authorities.

The personnel were injured in a quadcopter attack on an FC post in the Dargah Shaheedan area on Monday and were being transported to a hospital for treatment when the attack took place, the District Police Officer (DPO) told Pakistan's leading Geo News reported.

The report mentioned that at least five FC men were injured in the quadcopter attack, while two rescue personnel were also wounded in the ambulance attack. After the attack, police launched a search and rescue operation to find the attackers.

On February 16, around 11 Pakistani security personnel were killed in a targetted suicide car bombing at a joint checkpost in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, local media reported citing a confirmation from the media wing of country's military.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack involving an explosive-laden vehicle took place on February 16 at a Frontier Corps security post in Bajaur near the Afghanistan border.

Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported that the checkpoint, housed in a former religious school building in Bajaur, was completely destroyed, and bodies were later recovered from under the rubble.

"A child living in a nearby house was also killed, while at least three people suffered serious injuries as surrounding homes were damaged by the powerful blast. Videos circulating online showed civilians attempting rescue efforts in darkness, pulling survivors from debris as fears remained that civilian casualties could rise further," the report mentioned.

It added further that Pakistan has witnessed a surge in suicide and militant attacks in recent months, including a deadly mosque bombing in Islamabad that killed dozens of worshippers.

Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terrorist activities, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the ceasefire deal between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) ended in 2022.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Senior advocates representing Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protesters have strongly criticised the arrest of the outfit's President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with demonstrations during an international AI Summit, calling the police action excessive and contrary to democratic norms.

Senior advocate Sanjoy Ghosh argued that protests at major international events are a normal feature of democratic societies. "In every healthy democracy, protests take place at such events. You may not agree with them, but they are part of democracy," he said, adding that arresting opposition youth leaders over the demonstration sends the wrong message globally.

He contended that the reaction of authorities, including seeking extended police custody, was disproportionate. Referring to Supreme Court guidelines, Ghosh said that for offences punishable with less than seven years, bail should ordinarily be granted, and prolonged custody is unwarranted. He also dismissed claims that the protest brought "national shame", asserting that democratic dissent should instead be seen as a sign of institutional strength.

Another counsel, advocate Subhash Gulati, alleged procedural lapses and curbs on fundamental rights. "Oppression is happening when democracy is being stifled. There is no right to speech or expression, and even when we come to court to defend ourselves, we are not being given a copy of the FIR," he said, criticising the conduct of the police.

Meanwhile, tensions flared outside the court's premises as Congress workers raised slogans when Chib was escorted out under heavy security. Large contingents of police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

Authorities have maintained that the arrest was made in connection with law-and-order concerns arising from the protest, and further investigation is underway. The incident has triggered a political debate over the limits of protest, policing of demonstrations, and the balance between public order and democratic freedoms.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday told a Congress delegation that the undignified protest at the venue of the AI Summit last week was ill-conceived, malicious, and amounted to jeopardising the national image on international fora.

The L-G made these remarks before a delegation of Congress party comprising Ajay Maken, MP and Treasurer, AICC, and Devendra Yadav, President, DPCC, and other leaders, said a statement by a Lok Niwas official.

The meeting coincided with the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib, the national president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), by Delhi Police on Tuesday over the shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapan during the AI Impact Summit on February 20.

The Congress leaders had sought a meeting with the L-G to present a memorandum to him regarding the recent police action against Indian Youth Congress volunteers, following their conduct and behaviour at the recently concluded AI Summit.

While receiving the memorandum, the L-G told the delegation categorically that, without prejudice to the legal merits of the case, the act of the Youth Congress volunteers was prima facie aimed at derogating the nation, on an occasion where an extremely important and topical international event was underway, said a statement issued by Lok Niwas.

While underlining that the AI Summit was not being hosted by any individual or a political party, but India as a nation, the L-G criticised the protestersa actions in the strictest terms.

Earlier, the Delhi Congress chief accused the Delhi Police of harassing the IYC protesters who staged a shirtless protest.

Yadav said that the Delhi police seem to be completely in the dark about the Mandapam incident and were picking up Congress workers from their homes who had nothing to do with the case.

He said that this action of the police is totally illegal and condemnable, adding that it was illegal for the police to make Congress workers sit in the Tilak Marg police station on the pretext of questioning them in a bid to harass them.
New Delhi/Imphal, Feb 24 : Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on Tuesday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and briefed him on the initiatives taken by the new state government to restore peace and harmony in the state, officials said.

An official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Imphal said that the Chief Minister, accompanied by the two Deputy Chief Ministers -- Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho -- met the Prime Minister at his office at Seva Teerth in New Delhi.

This was the first meeting between Chief Minister Khemchand Singh and Prime Minister Modi since the former assumed office on February 4.

According to the CMO official, the Chief Minister apprised Prime Minister Modi of the steps undertaken by the new state government to promote peace, stability and social harmony across Manipur.

He also urged Prime Minister Modi to give special attention to women empowerment initiatives in both the hill and valley regions of the state.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister and the two Deputy Chief Ministers formally invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Manipur.

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh has been in New Delhi since February 21, marking his first visit to the national capital after taking oath as the new Manipur Chief Minister.

During his visit, the Chief Minister met several Union Ministers and senior BJP Central leaders, holding discussions on a range of issues related to the state's development and welfare.

On Monday night, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh accompanied by the two Deputy Chief Ministers held a meeting with the Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has approved the construction of 5,000 new houses for the rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), affected by ethnic violence in Manipur.

These houses will be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), officials said on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Chief Minister met the Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, who assured that his Ministry would coordinate with other Union Ministries to address key issues concerning Manipur.

Chief Minister Khemchand Singh also met the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who assured him of all possible assistance to revive the state's financial health and economy.

The Chief Minister held discussions with the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who assured full cooperation and support from his Ministry for all initiatives of the Manipur government.

Accompanied by the two Deputy Chief Ministers -- Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikh, the Manipur Chief Minister also separately met the BJP President Nitin Nabin and the party's National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, during which party-related matters concerning Manipur were discussed.

"Earlier, on February 22, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, along with the two Deputy Chief Ministers, met the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss a range of issues, including the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons," officials said.

According to the CMO official, the Union Home Minister discussed with the Manipur leadership the steps initiated by the new state government to remove barriers between different communities and to restore peace and harmony across the state.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The Delhi High Court has taken strong exception to threats made by a contemnor during virtual proceedings in a criminal contempt case initiated on a reference from a district judge, warning that such conduct would amount to "compounding of the contempt".

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The Delhi High Court has taken strong exception to threats made by a contemnor during virtual proceedings in a criminal contempt case initiated on a reference from a district judge, warning that such conduct would amount to "compounding of the contempt".

A Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja observed that despite specific directions requiring his physical appearance, respondent Adeeshwar Singhal failed to appear in person and instead joined the hearing through video conferencing.

"The respondent, in spite of our directions to be physically present before this Court, has not appeared in person," recorded the order passed on February 19.

The Justice Chawla-led Bench further observed that though the respondent had joined the hearing virtually, his conduct during the proceedings was unacceptable.

"While he has joined the proceedings virtually, he has threatened the Court. We take strong exception to the same and have, in fact, warned the respondent that this would amount to compounding of the contempt," the order said.

Directing strict compliance with its earlier orders, the Delhi High Court again directed the respondent to appear physically on the next date of hearing, cautioning that coercive measures would follow in case of non-compliance.

"We, again, call upon the respondent to appear in person before this Court on the next date of hearing, failing which, we shall be constrained to take appropriate coercive steps to have his presence ensured," it added.

The court also appointed senior advocate Dr. Amit George as amicus curiae to assist in the matter and directed the registry to supply him with a copy of the paperbook.

Significantly, the Justice Chawla-led Bench ordered that from the next hearing onwards, the proceedings would be recorded and preserved "awaiting further directions of this Court".

The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 23, 2026.

The contempt proceedings arise from a reference made in April 2025 by a Shahdara district court judge, alleging that Adeeshwar Singhal had made "scandalous and derogatory remarks" against the judicial officer during virtual proceedings and repeatedly disrupted the hearing despite warnings.

In May last year, a Bench of Justices Subramonium Prasad and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar had issued notice to the contemnor to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for making "contumacious statements" against the District Judge.

Subsequent hearings recorded repeated non-compliance with directions for personal appearance.

In an order passed on November 6, 2025, the Delhi High Court had issued bailable warrants after the respondent refused to appear physically and allegedly described the proceedings as "stupid".

The Delhi High Court later directed issuance of Non-Bailable Warrants in December 2025 after noting that he had used "derogatory and contemptuous words" against judges and had to be removed from the video-conferencing proceedings.

Later, on January 8, 2026, the Justice Chawla-led Bench was informed that the Non-Bailable Warrants could not be served as the respondent was reported to have left the country, prompting directions to the authorities to file a status report on efforts made to trace him and secure his presence.
Jaipur, Feb 24 : Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari informed the Assembly on Tuesday that the state government has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) worth Rs 275.68 crore for the implementation of the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit Development Plan.

The Review Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Rajasthan Heritage Authority approved the proposed works under this DPR on February 3, 2026. She said that developing new tourism circuits and schemes creates direct and indirect employment opportunities for local communities.

The state government will prioritise providing maximum employment to local residents.

This project will generate opportunities for local material suppliers and workers, and will also benefit tour operators, guides, hotels, parking services, cafeterias, souvenir shops, handicrafts, and homestay operators.

Responding to supplementary questions raised by MLA Deepti Kiran Maheshwari during Question Hour, the Tourism Minister said that before developing assets under the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit Development Scheme, consultations will be held with local authorities to ensure proper maintenance and operation.

Regular monitoring will be carried out by the District Tourism Development Committee, chaired by the District Collector. She added that there is currently no provision to link the circuit to any digital promotion scheme.

However, the department will promote the proposed destinations through print, electronic, and social media, as well as departmental digital platforms and printed publicity materials, to attract more domestic and international tourists.

Earlier, in a written reply to the original question, the Tourism Minister stated that under paragraph 55 of the State Budget 2024-25 (February 8, 2024), a provision of Rs 100 crore was announced for the development of the Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit, covering key sites associated with the life of Maharana Pratap, including Chavand, Haldighati, Gogunda, Kumbhalgarh, Diver, Udaipur, and others.

She informed that the Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation and the Rajasthan Heritage Authority have been appointed as implementing agencies, with the latter to monitor the project works.

Financial and administrative approval of Rs 100 crore was issued in January 2025 for the preparation of the DPR, and Rs 2.83 lakh was spent on the Concept Project Report (CPR).

She further stated that as the Maharana Pratap Circuit Project is linked to the pride and public faith of Mewar, extensive consultations were held at various levels, and the DPR was prepared after incorporating suggestions received.

The financial approval process for the DPR is currently underway, after which development works will be undertaken accordingly.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has announced that the Estonian government will make an additional contribution to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) mechanism for the purchase of U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine.

"Estonia allocates a further 11 million to NATOs PURL initiative. For four years, Ukraine has steadfastly resisted unjustified aggression. We continue our support so they can safeguard their independence and sovereignty and secure a just and lasting peace for Europe," he said on X social media platform.

In late September 2025, Tsahkna said Estonia would allocate EUR 10 million for the PURL initiative.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday that the renaming of the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-ruled Kerala was because of the tacit understanding between the Communist Party of India-Marxist and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is also in the form of a clandestine political agreement in West Bengal.

"The name change for Kerala was possible because of the understanding between the BJP and CPI-M, which is also there in West Bengal. But our proposal for renaming 'West Bengal' as 'Bangla' was not allowed. However, I will go through to the end to ensure that West Bengal's name is changed," the Chief Minister said while speaking to the media persons.

According to CM Banerjee, she proposed the name change for West Bengal, taking into account the state's culture, history, thought process, and philosophy.

"The proposal was also passed in the West Bengal Assembly more than once. But the Union government did not endorse the proposal. When our students go for national-level examinations or interviews, they are called at the end since the name of the state begins with 'W', which figures towards the end in the English alphabetical list. I, too, face the same problem when I go to speak at any conference as the state Chief Minister," she said.

According to the West Bengal Chief Minister, in the past, several state governments' proposals to change the names of their respective states were approved by the Union government.

"However, it was only we (West Bengal) who were deprived," she added.

However, at the same time, she congratulated the people of Kerala over the change of name of the state.

She also claimed that in the past she requested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the proposal to rename "West Bengal" as "Bangla".

"But those discussions did not yield results, as they are "anti-Bengal" and "anti-Bengali". They always disrespect the icons and visionaries from West Bengal. They only use the word 'Bangla' during polls to get electoral benefit out of it," the Chief Minister said.

According to CM Banerjee, she does not have any problem with the change of name for any other state.

"We are quite flexible in the matter. We do not have enmity with other states. We love all states. All that we want is that we should also be allowed to change the name of the state," the Chief Minister said.

The main objection of the Union government regarding the renaming of "West Bengal" as "Bangla" was that the proposed name sounded somewhat similar to the neighbouring country Bangladesh.

Till now, the proposal from the West Bengal government regarding the name change had neither been endorsed nor been rejected officially.
Dharamshala : , Feb 24 (IANS) A Central University of Himachal Pradesh professor on Tuesday described the recent India AI Summit in the national capital as a landmark moment for the country, saying it signalled India's growing stature in cutting-edge technology as the world closely watches its progress.

Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 24 (IANS) A Central University of Himachal Pradesh professor on Tuesday described the recent India AI Summit in the national capital as a landmark moment for the country, saying it signalled Indiaas growing stature in cutting-edge technology as the world closely watches its progress.

Speaking to IANS, Professor Inder Singh Thakur noted that the summit held at Bharat Mandapam showcased Indiaas expanding capabilities in artificial intelligence across sectors.

"The AI Summit in Delhi was a significant event for India, as the entire world is observing the countryas technological strides. Artificial intelligence is now being applied in almost every domain, and India has taken a major step forward," he said, congratulating "140 crore Indians" for the achievement.

He added that the capital has increasingly become a venue for major global gatherings, reflecting Indiaas rising diplomatic and technological importance on the world stage.

Commenting on the protest by the Indian Youth Congress during the event, Thakur said dissent is an essential part of democracy but must be exercised responsibly.

"If we feel the need to protest, it is our right to raise our voice. India has never been a country that suppresses voices. This is the land of Buddha, the land of peace. Protest is respected here, but it should be conducted in a proper manner and within norms," he said.

He stressed that dialogue and debate, rather than confrontation, are vital for national progress. "When there is discussion without feelings of conflict or revenge, we can think constructively for the country. Especially during an international event with world leaders present, the choice of place for protest was not appropriate," he added.

Meanwhile, several prominent academicians issued a joint statement describing the India AI Impact Summit as a historic milestone demonstrating Indiaas emergence as a sovereign AI power. They termed the protest "inappropriate", arguing that the global platform was meant to highlight the countryas technological strength and innovation ecosystem.

The statement cited the presentation of 644 AI technologies, participation by global CEOs, investment commitments reportedly worth $250 billion, and Indiaas third position in the Global AI Vibrancy Index as evidence of the countryas rapid advancement.

Emphasising national unity, the signatories said safeguarding Indiaas credibility in advanced technology sectors is crucial as the country positions itself as a major global hub for artificial intelligence.
Bengaluru, Feb 24 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah condemned the murder of a Class 10 student by a group of minors, and urged the public to maintain peace while advising parents to closely monitor their children's activities.

He also cautioned against any attempts to exploit the situation or disrupt public order.

Shivamogga experienced tension on Tuesday after a Class 10 student died while attempting to save his friend from an attack by minors from the same area. The deceased student's family has stated they will take drastic action if the perpetrators are not punished.

Sanket, 15, was killed while trying to protect his friend Girish from a group assault on the outskirts of Shivamogga on Monday night, which led to heightened tensions in the area.

Policemen have taken seven boys into custody in connection with the incident. The case has reportedly taken a communal turn, as the accused belong to a different community.

Siddaramaiah stated, "I strongly condemn the brutal assault and murder of a school student at Uragadur near Shivamogga city. I appeal to the public to maintain peace and restraint and not fall prey to any provocation. Strict action will also be taken against anyone who attempts to misuse the situation and disturb public peace."

In addition to supporting the bereaved family, we will ensure that all those involved are punished according to the law and will make every effort to deliver justice. The murderers are still minors. It is unfortunate that children who should have focused on their education, built their future, and supported their families have instead fallen prey to bad habits and become involved in such unlawful acts, CM Siddaramaiah stated.a

"Regardless of motive or identity, I have instructed the police to ensure the accused are dealt with strictly under the law. Strong action will be taken to deter similar crimes in the future," CM Siddaramaiah assured.

Hatred, violence, and criminal tendencies at such a young age are extremely dangerous. If individuals with such a mindset become addicted to bad habits, the situation can go out of control, he observed.a

"Parents must closely monitor their childrenas activities and guide them if they go astray. School authorities should ensure no illegal activities occur near school premises and seek police assistance if necessary," he appealed.

"To support the grieving family, the government will provide compensation of Rs 15 lakh to the deceased studentas parents. All those involved have been arrested, and I assure the family that a fair investigation will be conducted and maximum punishment will be ensured," he stated.

a
Chandigarh, Feb 24 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said that while democracy guarantees every individual the right to protest and express views against the government, the Opposition's decision to stage a demonstration at the main entrance of the Vidhan Sabha was not appropriate.

Speaking on the issue of the Congress protesting outside the main gate of the Assembly in the morning, the Chief Minister said the demonstration was not proper.

He said that the right to dissent is fundamental in a democracy, but it must be exercised in a manner that does not affect the decorum and functioning of the legislature.

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, CM Saini remarked that if members require space to put forth their views, a site has already been designated in Sector 25, Chandigarh, for protests. They may go there and stage a peaceful demonstration, adding that there would be no restriction.

"If anyone has concerns, they may protest at the designated site for an hour or two; there will be no obstruction," he said.

Emphasising institutional responsibility, the Chief Minister said that maintaining the dignity of the House is the Speaker's responsibility, who is the custodian of the Assembly.

The government, he affirmed, stands firmly with every decision taken by the Speaker in this regard.

CM Saini also expressed gratitude to the Speaker, stating that he has carried all members along in keeping with the traditions of the House.

He said the Speaker has never discriminated against any member.

Regardless of party affiliation, even if there may have been a perception of minor disparity at times, the Opposition has been given adequate time to present its views, and the Chair has consistently demonstrated impartiality.
Bengaluru, Feb 24 : Reacting to the protest by government job aspirants in Dharwad, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday, urged to focus on education and assured faster recruitment.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has issued an official statement in this regard.

"I appeal to all the aspirants to continue focusing on your education, skill-building, and preparation with confidence and patience. Karnataka's youth are the architects of our future. Your perseverance inspires us. My government stands firmly with you, not just in words, but in action. We will ensure opportunities are expanded, dreams are protected, and public service remains a noble and attainable path for every deserving young mind," the Chief Minister said.

"I want to assure that the process of filling the remaining vacancies is ongoing and will be further accelerated in a transparent, systematic, and time-bound manner. We are taking all necessary administrative and policy measures to recruit for more positions in the coming years and to strengthen recruitment institutions so that such backlogs do not recur," he added.

"This is not merely about filling posts; it is about rebuilding administrative capacity, restoring fairness in recruitment, and ensuring that every deserving candidate, across regions and communities, receives equal opportunity," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"I take serious note of the ongoing protests by government job aspirants in Dharwad. I understand the anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty that many of our government job aspirants are experiencing. Behind every application is a dream, a family's hope, years of hard work, and an aspiration to serve Karnataka. As Chief Minister, I want every student to know that your concerns are heard, and your future matters deeply to us," he assured.

"When we assumed office, more than 2.64 lakh government posts were vacant. This massive backlog did not arise overnight, it was the result of prolonged inaction under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government, which failed to initiate timely recruitments or create a structured roadmap to fill vacancies."

"It is deeply unfortunate that opposition BJP leaders are choosing to mislead innocent students even now to serve their narrow political interests. Instead of encouraging aspirants to stay focused on their preparation and future, they are attempting to instigate unrest."

"The present situation is largely a consequence of the series of recruitment irregularities and corruption scams between 2019 and 2023, which eroded trust in the system and resulted in a massive backlog of vacancies. Our (Congress) government is committed to restoring credibility, transparency, and stability in the recruitment process," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"At the same time, several recruitment processes had to be temporarily stalled due to legal challenges surrounding internal reservation, which was under consideration before the courts. As a government committed to constitutional propriety and social justice, we chose to act responsibly within the framework of law rather than rush decisions that could jeopardise the careers of thousands of candidates," he noted.

He also said that despite these structural and legal constraints the current state government has moved with determination and integrity.

"In the last 2.5 years alone, more than 40,000 job recruitments have been completed across departments. We are also conscious that many job aspirants have waited for years due to delays beyond their control. Recognising this hardship, the state government has relaxed the age criteria by more than five years for upcoming recruitments, ensuring that deserving candidates are not unfairly excluded because of systemic delays."
Mumbai, Feb 24 : President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that the Government of India has taken several important steps over the past decade to ensure that all citizens remain healthy and have access to quality healthcare. a Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said that the Government of India has taken several important steps over the past decade to ensure that all citizens remain healthy and have access to quality healthcare. 

The President said that healthy citizens are the foundation of a strong nation. Protecting people from disease and providing timely, appropriate medical care are crucial to keeping them healthy.

"Healthcare is an integral part of nation-building. The health of the citizens is a collective responsibility. All stakeholders must work together to ensure that even the poorest of the poor receive timely and proper medical care. 'Affordable World Class Healthcare Services to All' should be everyone's mission," she noted.

She was speaking after launching the nationwide campaign of PD Hinduja Hospital, "Saving lives and building a healthier Bharat."

The President said that the country is moving forward toward the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. Healthy citizens are a fundamental requirement for achieving this goal. 

"Citizens will remain healthy only if they have timely access to quality healthcare. She expressed confidence that through our collective efforts, our citizens will be able to receive excellent healthcare and India will gain greater recognition as a global healthcare destination," she added.

She further stated that over 180,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs provide healthcare services across the country. 

Under the world's largest health insurance scheme, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, around 12 crore families receive health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation. 

According to the President, national programs such as Mission Indradhanush, the TB-Free India Campaign, and the Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission are helping protect citizens from diseases. 

The number of MBBS and postgraduate seats has been increased to increase the availability of quality doctors and paramedical professionals. New AIIMS and medical colleges have been established in several states to provide access to quality healthcare.

"These efforts are yielding positive results. However, in building a healthy India, the role of all stakeholders, along with the government, is crucial. Everyone must work together to ensure that quality healthcare reaches every citizen. The "Saving Lives and Building a Healthier India" campaign is one such effort in this direction," she said.

The President said that saving a life is the greatest act of charity. Access to emergency medical care is crucial to saving lives. It is believed that providing proper medical care within the golden hour can save most lives. 

To ensure that no one loses life due to a lack of immediate medical assistance, the PM Relief Scheme provides cashless treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh to accident victims. Along with ambulances and trauma centres, awareness is also crucial to saving lives in serious accidents and medical emergencies, she added.

The President said that, like other fields, technology and AI are playing a crucial role in healthcare. Their role will only increase in the future, and we must be prepared for this. The Government of India is creating an ecosystem conducive to innovation and widespread adoption of new technologies. The IndiaAI Mission is supporting innovation in AI-enabled healthcare.

The President said that India is a leading pharmaceutical producer. Medicines manufactured in our country are helping treat people worldwide. 

"However, we still rely on imports for many medical devices and critical medicines. These imported devices and medicines pose a significant financial burden for ordinary people. Manufacturing medicines and equipment in the country is crucial to providing affordable healthcare to our citizens. Initiatives such as Make in India and PLI are helping in this direction," she remarked.

She urged the medical fraternity and business community to contribute to nation-building by encouraging research, innovation, and start-ups in this field.
Islamabad, Feb 24 : The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, covering 45 vulnerable rural districts in Pakistan, has revealed that 7.5 million people - 21 per cent of the population assessed - face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity from December last year to March 2026. Of these, 1.25 million people are in emergency, a rung below famine and marked by food shortages and increasing malnutrition, a report has stated.

The data showcases that too many households cannot meet basic food needs without using harmful coping strategies. The survey covers selected rural districts in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and not the whole country and is waiting for formal provincial endorsement, an editorial in Pakistan's leading daily Dawn detailed.

It mentioned that residual damage from the 2025 monsoon floods, prolonged drought and dry spells and localised insecurity have impacted farm and pastoral incomes in Pakistan. Lean-season dynamics, high wheat flour prices, expensive fuel and transport and heavy dependence on markets affects buying power. Many families have reported increasing debt. Water shortage, crop disease and pricey inputs resulting in limited production. Trade disruptions and insecurity further increase the problem in border districts in Pakistan.

A modest easing is expected after the wheat harvest and seasonal livestock sales as 6.7 million people are expected to face acrisisa or worse between April-September. The Dawn editorial indicates that in Pakistan, access is the binding constraint and not the availability.

Last month, a report highlighted that Pakistan is struggling to afford food and education. A 20-year comparison of household consumption in Pakistan showcases a structural reallocation of funds towards fixing living costs instead of spending it on food, revealed a new poll released by Gallup Pakistan.

Data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) reveals that the share of money spent by households on food reduced from 43 per cent to 37 per cent between 2005 and 2025. During the same period, housing and utilities have increased from 15 per cent to a quarter of household budgets, an editorial in 'The News International' mentioned.

"Gallup analysis finds that, when viewed alongside weaker real incomes and evidence of declining food quantities, this trend likely reflects households cutting back on food consumption to cope with rising fixed expenses, like housing and utilities, rather than food becoming more affordable. This is also not the only analysis to find that Pakistanis are cutting back on food," it highlighted.

The HIES 2024-25 survey revealed that people facing moderate-to-severe food insecurity had increased from one in six to one in four between 2018-19 and 2024-25, making it harder for residents of Pakistan to survive in the present and the prospects for future also do not look bright.

"According to the Institute of Social and Policy Science (I-SAP)as 15th annual report on aPublic Financing of Educationa families are now bearing the majority of spending on education; a first in the nationas history. Of the Rs 5.03 trillion total cost of education, household spending accounts for Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 2.8 trillion while the public sector pitches in PKR 2.23 trillion," the editorial in The News International stated.

The household spending comprises Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 1.31 trillion spent on paying private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and shadow education and PKR 878 billion in other expenses. The disparity comes amid people preferring private education system for their children and major issues related to the adequacy of the public education system.
Chandigarh, Feb 24 : Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said on Tuesday that the state government's sustained crackdown against narcotics is delivering concrete results, dismantling drug networks that once operated with impunity, adding that drug traffickers are also fleeing the state and establishing Haryana as the new base.

He noted that as Punjab "strengthens enforcement and public participation against drugs, serious questions are arising about the growing menace in Haryana under the current Nayab Singh Saini government".

Recalling that drugs proliferated across Punjab during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government from 2007-2017, Minister Cheema said a similar pattern is now visible in Haryana.

Referring to Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu, who is facing action after anti-drug operations, Punjab Minister Cheema asked what the BJP government in Haryana is trying to protect him.

He also asked whether the repeated visits of Haryana Chief Minister Saini to Punjab indicate an attempt to allow drug networks to regroup and seek a return, even as Haryana sinks deeper into the crisis.

Minister Cheema told the media here that as the Punjab government intensified its crackdown against narcotics, drug traffickers are fleeing the state and establishing Haryana as their new base.

"The decisive action under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has tightened the grip on drug networks in Punjab, exposing how criminal elements are now relocating operations," he said.

Minister Cheema said, "As the noose tightens against drugs in Punjab, traffickers have made Haryana their new base. Our efforts are producing results, and that is why they are being forced to run."

Recalling the past, he said, "Punjab has suffered the consequences of drug proliferation from 2007-2017. It was during the BJP-Akali government that drugs like heroin and 'chitta' spread across Punjab. The people of Punjab rejected them because they witnessed the devastation first-hand."

Minister Cheema said after the AAP government assumed office in 2022, a decisive campaign 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' was launched.

"A special sub-committee was formed, and extensive coordination meetings were held across districts. Recently, more than 1.5 lakh members of Village Defence Committees took an oath to support the anti-drug movement, reflecting mass public participation," he added.
Srinagar, Feb 24 : Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the expansion of the Civil Enclave at Srinagar airport, proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,677 crore.

Manoj Sinha also hoped that the new terminal for the Jammu airport would be completed by the year's end.

He said in a series of comments on X, "Jammu and Kashmir Skies Soar: dawn of a bold aviation era. I am grateful to Hon'ble PM Sh Narendra Modi Ji for the major expansion of Civil Enclave at Srinagar Int'l Airport."

"I vividly remember the announcement we made at Srinagar on 25th Sept 2021 in the presence of then Hon'ble Minister for @MoCA_GoI," he stated.

"CCEA's Rs 1,677 crore approval for a new 71,500 sqm Civil Enclave marks a defining leap in connectivity for the Valley. It is designed to serve 2,900 passengers during peak hours and has an annual capacity of 10 million passengers per annum," the LG wrote on X.

"Better connectivity will ensure more tourists, more investment and more jobs. The new Civil Enclave at Srinagar will upgrade the Valley's economic future and transform Srinagar from a beautiful destination into a thriving one," he added.

"Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Sh. Narendra Modi Ji, Jammu Airport's new terminal is set for completion by the end of this year. Upon commissioning, the advanced infrastructure in the renowned spiritual city will bolster connectivity and catalyse remarkable economic advancement," LG Manoj Sinha said.

Connectivity is also part of the dream of total integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

After hanging fire for nearly a century, the dream of a rail link between Jammu and the Valley was realised when the Prime Minister inaugurated the rail link to the Valley on June 6, 2025.

The direct rail service between Srinagar and Jammu and between Srinagar and the rest of the country is likely to start within the next few months.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The first round of negotiations for the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began in New Delhi and will continue until February 26, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday.

New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) The first round of negotiations for the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began in New Delhi and will continue until February 26, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modias visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the timing of the talks provides fresh momentum to deepen economic ties between the two countries.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the agreement were signed in November 2025, creating a structured framework for discussions aimed at expanding trade and economic cooperation.

The FTA is expected to provide greater certainty and predictability to businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and help unlock new opportunities across sectors.

Total merchandise trade between India and Israel stood at $3.62 billion in FY 2024-25. Both countries have complementary strengths in areas such as innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture and services.

The ministry believes the agreement could significantly boost bilateral trade by leveraging these synergies.

During the opening session, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said the negotiations had started at an opportune time, aligning with the Prime Ministeras visit to Israel.

He highlighted the strong potential for collaboration in advanced technology sectors and said the FTA would help both sides fully utilise emerging opportunities.

Technical experts from both countries are participating in detailed discussions during this round.

The talks cover a wide range of issues, including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedures and trade facilitation, and intellectual property rights.

Indiaas Chief Negotiator Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, stressed the importance of building a balanced and forward-looking agreement that reflects the evolving partnership between the two nations.

Israelas Chief Negotiator Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director for Trade Policy and Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner at Israelas Ministry of Economy and Industry, said the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries.
Denmark doing everything possible to attract more funding this year for Danish model - defense minister in Kyiv

Danish Defense Minister Troel Lund Poulsen, who is visiting Kyiv, hopes to secure more funding for the "Danish model" this year.

He stated this at a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykhailo Fedorov, and the head of the "Come Back Alive" foundation, Taras Chmut, on Tuesday.

"From our discussions today, Id like to highlight three points. First of all, were doing everything we can to hopefully secure more funding for the Danish model this year," Poulsen said.

He recalled that the "Danish model" was created in Kyiv two years ago together with the now former Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov.

"Im honored to see how well it was organized and how quickly this model delivered critical capabilities for you: artillery, drones, missiles. And we want to do more this year. I think one of the fastest ways to provide more to soldiers here in Ukraine is the Danish model," the head of the Danish Ministry of Defense stated.

According to him, Ukraine and Denmark agreed to do "everything possible to finance even more using the Danish model."
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday expressed concern over the state government's failure to fill vacant government posts and warned the government not to take the protests by unemployed youth lightly.a New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday expressed concern over the state government's failure to fill vacant government posts and warned the government not to take the protests by unemployed youth lightly.

He said the state government should not ignore the fact that a large number of job aspirants have taken to the streets in Dharwad. He said the youth have been forced to protest due to the government's negligence in filling vacant posts on time.

He also extended support to the protesting youth, urging them to ensure their protest remains peaceful and assuring them that he stands with them.

Kumaraswamy said that 2.94 lakh government posts are currently vacant in the state, while only cabinet-rank posts are being filled at "super-fast" speed. This reflects the priorities of the Congress government, he said.

According to the report of the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission headed by R.V. Deshpande, there are 7 lakh unemployed people in the state. All of them are waiting for government jobs, and the vacancies should have been filled in a phased manner. Instead, the government has wasted three valuable years in internal power struggles and has no time to focus on the youth, he criticised.

Kumaraswamy warned that unemployment is not a simple issue, but a constantly erupting volcano, and the government must not forget this. He said the authorities should have acted by now by allocating separate funds in the budget and initiating the recruitment process.

He pointed out that the highest number of vacancies exists in the education, health, and police departments.

He alleged that there are no inspectors at 18 key police stations in Bengaluru city and blamed the situation on the government's preoccupation with transfer-related matters.

He said these factors are directly affecting governance and urged the government to take immediate steps to fill vacant posts.

He also called on the government to come down from the third floor of Vidhana Soudha and listen to the voices of the youth, warning that otherwise the Congress government will have to pay a price for their anger.

--IANS

mka/dan


Chennai, Feb 24 : The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday formally submitted a list of 72 Assembly constituencies to the AIADMK as part of seat-sharing discussions for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

According to sources, the BJP has expressed interest in directly contesting between 30 and 35 of these seats under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) arrangement.

The list was handed over to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami by BJP State president Nainar Nagenthran and Union Minister and the partyas election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Piyush Goyal, during a meeting held in Chennai.

The AIADMK is a key constituent of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu, with the alliance having been reaffirmed ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

With the polls drawing closer, both major fronts in the State have intensified seat-sharing negotiations. While discussions within the DMK-led alliance are said to be progressing steadily, the NDA has now formally initiated its internal allocation process.

Sources indicated that the BJPas wish list includes prominent urban constituencies in Chennai such as Thousand Lights, T. Nagar, and Velachery. In neighbouring districts, the party has sought seats, including Tiruttani and Avadi in Tiruvallur district, and Kancheepuram and Thalli.

The list reportedly also features constituencies such as Alangulam and Tenkasi in the southern belt.

Also, the BJP is believed to have shown interest in contesting seats such as Tiruvannamalai, Singanallur, Aravakurichi, Palani, Vilavancode, and Nagercoil, where it expects to secure significant vote shares based on its recent electoral performance and organisational presence.

Party insiders suggest that the BJPas demand for 30a"35 seats reflects its ambition to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu, particularly in regions where it has made incremental gains in recent elections.

The final allocation, however, will depend on negotiations with the AIADMK leadership and the overall alliance strategy.

With both the DMK-led alliance and the NDA accelerating preparations, the coming days are expected to witness intense bargaining and strategic calculations as Tamil Nadu gears up for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : A bomb threat was sent to seven courts in West Bengal, including the Calcutta High Court, through e-mails, causing panic among judges and lawyers on Tuesday, police said.

Following the bomb threat, the state administration hastily called a high-level meeting in State Secretariat.

West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, in a press conference, said: "The security in the courts is the responsibility of the state government. There is no reason to panic."

The State Chief Secretary, on Tuesday, appealed to the general public not to listen to rumours.

At the same time, the West Bengal Cyber aaCrime Branch has already started an investigation to find out who is behind this threatening e-mail.

"The judges will be provided with all kinds of protection. They will be helped so that they can do the work of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) without any hindrance," Chief Secretary Chakraborty added.

She also said, "Rumours have been spread that bombs have been planted in several courts in the state, including Asansol and Durgapur. The state government is keeping a close eye on this matter and a search is being carried out for the sender of the email."

She assured the general public that there is no reason to panic unnecessarily over such baseless rumours.

West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Piyush Pandey, who was also present at the press conference, said, "We are fully prepared to handle such a situation."

Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar was present at the press conference as well.

He said that the police's Cyber Cell is active in finding out from where these emails were sent, adding: "We are investigating the entire matter. We are taking the whole incident very seriously. Initial investigation shows that these emails are completely fake. The pattern of emails sent in each place is similar."

He also said that the district judges will continue to work normally, the state government will take the responsibility of ensuring their security.

The administration is fully committed to that, he added.

On Tuesday, at 11:30 a.m., an e-mail was received by Asansol District Judge Debaprasad Nath.

The e-mail claimed that the bomb kept in the court premises and the judge's chamber would be detonated by 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

The e-mail, written in Bengali, also made several objectionable and serious demands.

It is known that not only Asansol, but also Calcutta High Court, Alipore Court, Durgapur Court, Berhampur Court, Suri Court, Hooghly District Court and Rampurhat Court have been sent threatening e-mails with the same message.

As soon as the news of bomb threat spread, there was a huge commotion in the court premises.

All judicial work was immediately suspended for security reasons.

Immediately after receiving the threatening e-mail, every court premises were ordered to be vacated immediately.

In the case of Asansol, Sandeep Karra, the Deputy Commissioner of Police of Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, and a large police force reached the spot on receiving the news.

The entire court premises were surrounded and the entry of the general public was completely prohibited, following which the bomb squad and dog squad were brought in and a search began.

Starting from the judge's chamber, the security guards searched the courtroom and the adjacent areas.

However, even after a long search, no suspicious object or explosive was recovered from any of the court premises.

The situation is currently under control, according to police sources.

The state administration was shaken by the threat of such a bomb in an important place like a court.

An emergency meeting was held at the State Secretariat on Tuesday to review the situation.

Since the content of all the threatening emails is almost the same, the initial assumption of the police is that it was done intentionally to spread panic.

At present, with the increase in cybercrime, the investigators are also investigating this incident from that perspective.

Cyber aaaaCell officials have started working in full swing to find out from which IP address these emails were sent and what is their technical source.

As of now, police security has been increased in every court premises and strict surveillance is being carried out on suspicious movements.
Seoul, Feb 24 : A potential trip to South Korea by a US delegation for negotiations on security issues is being delayed due to scheduling matters, a senior Seoul official said Tuesday, dismissing speculation that the delay was related to trade issues.

The US delegation had been widely expected to visit South Korea as early as late February to discuss security issues under a joint fact sheet that ranges from Seoul's bid to build nuclear-powered submarines to bilateral cooperation on nuclear energy and shipbuilding. But the schedule for the trip has not been confirmed yet, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Concerns have risen that last week's US Supreme Court ruling against US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs could delay Seoul's negotiations with Washington over the security issues.

The Seoul official said a delay in the US delegation's trip is about "scheduling" issues, dismissing concerns that uncertainty in the trade environment following the tariff ruling is affecting the allies' security-related talks to implement the joint summit agreements.

"Progress is being stalled a little bit due to difficulty in predicting the US political situation and other complex factors, including the Iran issue, Russia's war with Ukraine, and (planned) summit talks between the United States and China," the official said.

He said South Korea has left open the possibility of Seoul officials visiting the US to proceed with security-related negotiations if the US delegation's trip to Seoul is further delayed.

The allies seek to implement the joint summit document that includes Washington's approval of Seoul's push to build nuclear-powered submarines, and the pursuit of civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing rights.

Last week, South Korea's defence minister has lodged a protest with the US Forces Korea (USFK) early this week over its brief standoff with Chinese fighter jets during a rare air exercise, military sources said.

South Korea's Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back has delivered a complaint in a call with General Xavier Brunson, the commander of the Combined Forces Command and the United States Forces Korea, immediately after he received a report of the incident on Wednesday, according to the sources.

General Jin young-sung, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also lodged a complaint in a call with Gen. Brunson, they added.

On Wednesday, US and Chinese fighter jets engaged in a rare standoff over the Yellow Sea during a training operation of the U.S. Air Force, which involved some 10 USFK F-16 fighter jets.

The F-16 jets reportedly flew to an area between the respective air defence identifications zones of South Korea and China, prompting the Chinese military to dispatch its own fighter jets to the scene, but no clash occurred.

The USFK had notified the South Korean military of its plan ahead of the exercise but apparently did not elaborate on the details, including the purpose of the drills, officials have said.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will convene its highest decision-making body, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha, from March 13 to 15 at the Gram Vikas and Seva Sadhana Kendra in Patti Kalyana, Samalkha, Haryana.

The three-day annual assembly, corresponding to Yugabda 5127, Vikram Samvat 2082, Chaitra Krishna Ekadashi, will bring together top RSS leadership and representatives to review progress, chart future plans, and address key national issues.

RSS national media and publicity head Sunil Ambekar announced the event, noting that it holds special significance as it coincides with the organisation's centenary year.

The Sabha will extensively discuss experiences and outcomes from the wide-ranging centenary programmes and campaigns conducted throughout 2025-26.

These include grand Vijayadashami celebrations marking the RSS's 100th founding anniversary on October 2, 2025 (Vijayadashami), widespread Grihasampark (household contact) drives to reach homes across villages and urban areas, Hindu Sammelans, youth conferences, gatherings of prominent citizens, and social harmony meetings aimed at fostering unity among communities.

Delegates will present a comprehensive review of the Sangh's work during the past year, including special initiatives undertaken in various provinces. Discussions are expected to focus on ongoing social transformation efforts, particularly the Panch Parivartan (fivefold change) initiatives being promoted through RSS shakhas to drive positive societal shifts in character, family, society, nation, and global outlook.

The assembly will also deliberate on the current national landscape, pass resolutions on important contemporary topics, and finalise plans for upcoming training programmes. This includes preparations for Sangh Shiksha Vargs (training camps), Karyakarta Vikas Vargs (worker development courses), and other educational activities.

The meeting will culminate in determining the RSS's organisational work plan and priorities for the coming year.

RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, all co-Sarkaryavahs, national executive members, and other senior office-bearers will participate in the meet. A total of 1,489 participants is expected, comprising elected representatives, key state and regional office-bearers, along with national presidents, general secretaries, and organising ministers from 32 Sangh-inspired organisations.

This year's meeting in Haryana marks a key moment for the RSS as it reflects on a century of service while setting the course for continued expansion, social outreach, and nation-building efforts amid evolving challenges.
Noida, Feb 24 : Former Delhi High Court judge S.N. Dhingra on Tuesday expressed concern over the protest by Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members during the recent AI summit, saying the timing, location, and manner of the demonstration affected national dignity and could have legal implications.

Speaking to IANS, Justice Dhingra (retd) said that while the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, exercising that right in a way that undermines the countryas image -- especially during a major international event -- raises serious questions.

"Protest is a democratic right, but staging it in a manner that affects national honour, particularly when top global leaders and business heads are present, is problematic. It was also wrong from a legal standpoint," he said.

He noted that the summit was attended by Prime Ministers and Presidents from around 20 countries, along with CEOs, diplomats and foreign delegates, making it a significant diplomatic and economic platform rather than a political gathering.

According to him, disruptions at such business-focused forums can influence the investment climate and international cooperation. "If this had been a political summit or a forum for political debate, the protest might have been understandable. But this was a business-oriented event centred on artificial intelligence and its future impact," he added.

The former judge added that freedom of expression and national interest are not mutually exclusive, but dissent should not be framed in a way that appears hostile to the nation itself. Criticism of the government or a political party, he said, is a legitimate democratic right, but actions perceived as harming national interest may invite legal scrutiny.

Dhingra also pointed out that law enforcement agencies invoke provisions they consider appropriate under prevailing circumstances, while courts ultimately decide their validity.

Emphasising the importance of discipline at high-level international gatherings, he said that disorder at such events affects Indiaas global image. "Foreign delegates observe not only the government but also the conduct of opposition groups and citizens. Their impressions shape how India is viewed internationally," he said.
Hyderabad, Feb 24 : Hyderabad police on Tuesday arrested two inter-state robbery offenders who had looted Rs. 6 lakh from a businessman by opening fire on January 31.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Task Force, Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, announced the arrest of the inter-state robbery offenders, both natives of Uttar Pradesh.

They had committed the offence near the SBI ATM, Koti branch, in the heart of the city. The accused had forcibly confined the victim, assaulted him by using country made fire-arm, and robbed the cash.

The arrested accused have been identified as Furkhan Ahmed, 36 years, resident of UP's Saharanpur, and Taiyyab Tyagi, 30, a cab driver and resident of Shaheen Nagar, Hyderabad and native of UP's Muzaffarnagar district.

The police seized a country-made pistol along with 35 live rounds, two magazines, Rs 2.38 lakh cash and two mobile phones.

Five other accused, Faheem Ahmed, Naushad, Abid, Danish Tyagi, and Mohd Matlub, all natives of Uttar Pradesh, are absconding.

The Commissioner's Task Force, Secunderabad Zone and Khairatabad Zone teams, along with Sultan Bazar police, arrested the offenders.

The DCP said Furkhan Ahmed was found involved in eight cases in Uttar Pradesh, while one case was registered against Taiyyab Tyagi.

According to police, cab driver Taiyyab Tyagi, during his early morning rides, had often noticed passengers depositing large amounts of cash at ATM deposit machines in and around Abids, Koti, and Nampally areas. He hatched a plan to commit robbery and contacted his uncle Naushad and his cousin Danish Tyagi, and revealed the plan. Naushad suggested that he include Abid, Furkhan and Faheem Ahmed to execute the plan.

Abid, Furkhan, and Faheem came to Hyderabad along with country made fire-arms. In the early hours of January 31, Taiyyab Tyagi and Abid went to Nampally Railway Station to observe the surroundings and monitor the arrival of the target person. Furkhan Ahmed and Faheem Ahmed were waiting at the SBI ATM at Koti along with a country-made firearm.

They went inside the ATM, threatened the victim with the firearm, demanding his cash. During this struggle, Furkhan fired one round at the floor and a second round at his leg. They robbed his cash bag, his two-wheeler and fled from the spot.

After committing the offence, the accused went to Shaheen Nagar, Chandrayangutta. They counted the robbed cash in front of Mohd Matlub, who is Taiyyab Tyagi's uncle. The accused then dispersed separately to their native places.

Six special teams were constituted to detect the robbery case. Acting on credible information, the police arrested two accused near Shaheen Nagar on Tuesday.
Ujjain, Feb 24 : a Encouraging the efforts of postal workers and their services to the people of the country, Union Minister for Communication Jyotiraditya Scindia advised them to become pioneers of change by adopting new technologies.

Ujjain, Feb 24 (IANS) Encouraging the efforts of postal workers and their services to the people of the country, Union Minister for Communication Jyotiraditya Scindia advised them to become pioneers of change by adopting new technologies.

Scindia stated that post offices are not limited to traditional services but have become modern centres for digital banking, direct benefit transfers, e-commerce parcels, and the distribution of government schemes.

The Union Minister made this statement while addressing a large gathering of postal workers at a 'Rural Postal Conference' held in Ujjain on Tuesday. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also joined the conference.

He stated that postal workers not only deliver letters, but are also the strongest link in nation-building and a living symbol of rural India's trust. "When the Postman Moves, India Moves," he said, describing the postal workers as the most reliable bridge between technology and society.

Meanwhile, the minister also underlined that over 1.6 lakh post offices and the unwavering trust of millions of citizens give the Indian Post a unique identity globally. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Postal Department is undergoing rapid transformation," he said.

While honouring postal employees who provided outstanding service during the conference, Scindia said that the hard work of these 'Karmayogis' working in remote and inaccessible areas is the true capital of the Indian Post.

The Minister expressed confidence that, with this spirit of service, dedication, and innovation, the Indian Postal Department will play a leading role in realising the vision of 'Developed India 2047' and in establishing the country as the world's largest logistics power.

On this occasion, addressing the conference, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the state government has initiated new innovations to make the postal services accessible to the common people.

Citing an example of the government's step, Yadav said that the facility of delivering the prasad of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga to every home through postal services has now been started.

--IANS

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Tokyo, Feb 24 : China's policy towards Japan is not merely a tactical misstep but a "strategic blunder" rooted in a misunderstanding of how influence is shaped and consolidated in Asia.

Tokyo, Feb 24 (IANS) China's policy towards Japan is not merely a tactical misstep but a "strategic blunder" rooted in a misunderstanding of how influence is shaped and consolidated in Asia.

By viewing Japan primarily as an adversarial player instead of a competitive partner within a shared regional framework, Beijing is limiting its own strategic options, a report said on Tuesday.

"China's approach towards Japan has reached an inflection point in the past few months since the autumn of 2025. What began as managed rivalry has now hardened into a posture of sustained pressure. And in doing so, Beijing has locked itself into a strategy that is increasingly being viewed as self-defeating," a report in 'Japan Forward' detailed.

"Rather than reshaping regional behaviour in China's favour, Beijing's hard policy has intuitively accelerated security alignments and deepened its negative perceptions prevailing across East and Southeast Asia. The effects of such a policy are already visible, and its long-term implications are unlikely to favour Beijing," it added.

According to the report, Beijing has made clear over the past year that restraint is no longer its preferred approach in dealing with Tokyo, with Chinese coast guard vessels entering the contiguous zone around the disputed Senkaku Islands on a daily basis.

Moreover, it said, repeated intrusions into Japan's territorial waters have been documented month after month.

The report highlighted that in 2025 Japan recorded Chinese maritime presence near the islands for more than 356 days, "a level of operational persistence without precedent in the bilateral relationship".

"Politically, Beijing has also hardened its public messaging. It has rejected crisis-management mechanisms when tensions have spiked, instead framing Japan's defence reforms as evidence of militarism rather than reaction," it mentioned.

"Economic levers have also been applied selectively, from export control signalling to informal pressure on Japanese firms operating in China. All together, these actions point to a deliberate strategy of normalised coercion rather than episodic deterrence," it further added.

The report emphasised that China's recent coercive behaviour has strained bilateral ties, underpinned by a "strategic misreading" of Japan's role within its immediate neighbourhood and across Asia.

Beijing portrays Tokyo as an "extension of a United States containment strategy" rather than an independent regional actor guided by its own strategic calculations.

The report further said, "If Beijing continues on its current trajectory, it will face a region that is increasingly aligned not against China's power, but against its conduct. A recalibrated approach would not require concession or retreat. It would require restraint, predictability, and a return to competitive coexistence."
Imphal, Feb 24 : Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday paid his respects to the mortal remains of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte by laying a wreath and a shawl.

Valte passed away at a private hospital in Gurugram on February 21. The Governor visited the residence of the late leader in Churachandpur district and paid homage to the mortal remains of the 62-year-old tribal leader, who belonged to the Zomi community.

Valte was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Thanlon constituency in Churachandpur district.

Governor Bhalla met the bereaved family members and expressed his heartfelt condolences. He conveyed his sympathies during this moment of profound grief, prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul, and wished strength and courage to the family to bear the irreparable loss.

Manipur governmentas Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh also paid his respects by laying a wreath and a shawl as a mark of solemn tribute.

The body of Valte was brought to Lengpui Airport in Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, on February 22 and later taken by road to his home district of Churachandpur.

The Chairman of the Zomi Council, Vumsuan Naulak, said that the date of Valteas burial would be notified later.

A total shutdown was observed on Tuesday in the Kuki-Zo tribal inhabited Churachandpur district to mourn the death of Valte.

As a mark of respect to the departed leader, the Manipur government observed a three-day state mourning from February 22 to 24.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who travelled to Delhi on February 21, visited the private hospital in Gurugram and paid his last respects to the late legislator.

Valte had been residing in the Kuki-Zo-dominated Churachandpur district after undergoing prolonged medical treatment in Delhi following a violent attack during the ethnic violence in Imphal on May 4, 2023.

As his health deteriorated, he was airlifted from Imphal to New Delhi on February 8 for advanced medical treatment and admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram, where he breathed his last on the afternoon of February 21.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Bhalla, Chief Minister Singh, and several other leaders and organisations expressed deep grief and condolences over Valteas demise.

Valte was brutally attacked and critically injured by assailants on May 4, 2023, in Imphal shortly after attending a meeting with former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

The assault left him with multiple injuries and partial paralysis, necessitating his urgent transfer to Delhi, where he underwent months of intensive medical treatment.

His driver was killed in the attack.

The departed tribal leader had earlier appealed for unity among members of the Zo community amid the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola signed a EUR 90 billion loan agreement for Ukraine on behalf of the European Parliament. Metsola wrote this on the social media site X on Tuesday.

As Metsola noted, the loan is provided to support the functioning of essential public services, maintain Ukraines strong defense, protect the common security and freedom of Ukraine and Europe, achieve real and lasting peace, and secure Ukraines future in Europe.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : Adhikar Raksha Committee, a representative body for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), members were accused of throwing shoes at the West Bengal Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari after he reached the office of State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata on Tuesday.

LoP Adhikari and a BJP delegation came to meet the state CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal as per the pre-arranged schedule.

As soon as the LoP reached the office premises, the BLOs intensified their protest.

Although, the police had already barricaded the area, an atmosphere of tension was created.

Allegedly, some angry BLOs threw shoes at LoP Adhikari and started insulting him by taking his name.

The protesters alleged that the LoP was misleading the Election Commission of India (ECI) due to which electoral poll workers such as the BLOs are facing harassment.

Eyewitnesses said that several shoes were also seen flying in the air.

Due to the incident, a situation of extreme chaos was created in front of the state CEO's office.

The police brought the situation under control and further strengthened the security cordon.

Although, the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal have not been officially announced yet, tension is gradually increasing in Bengal politics over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Speaking to media persons after meeting the West Bengal CEO, LoP Adhikari criticised the police for failing to control the situation.

"If this is the situation in Kolkata, especially in a place near Raj Bhavan and West Bengal Assembly, then imagine the law and order situation in districts across West Bengal. The police have become an extension of the Trinamool Congress here. They (state police) are deliberately allowing the BLOs to continue their protest outside the state CEO office and create disturbance," the LoP said.

Meanwhile, LoP Adhikari also filed a complaint with the west Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal regarding several matters.

He alleged that the Nadia District Magistrate, Aneesh Dasgupta, has been making attempts to include names of illegal immigrants in the voter list of the state.

He also asked how could the former state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant be present in the meeting of Election Commission officials at the Calcutta High Court on Monday.
Kolkata, Feb 24 : Trinamool Congress-backed Adhikar Raksha Committee, a representative body for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), members were accused of throwing shoes at the West Bengal Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari after he reached the office of State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata on Tuesday.

LoP Adhikari and a BJP delegation came to meet the state CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal as per the pre-arranged schedule.

As soon as the LoP reached the office premises, the BLOs intensified their protest.

Although, the police had already barricaded the area, an atmosphere of tension was created.

Allegedly, some angry BLOs threw shoes at LoP Adhikari and started insulting him by taking his name.

The protesters alleged that the LoP was misleading the Election Commission of India (ECI) due to which electoral poll workers such as the BLOs are facing harassment.

Eyewitnesses said that several shoes were also seen flying in the air.

Due to the incident, a situation of extreme chaos was created in front of the state CEO's office.

The police brought the situation under control and further strengthened the security cordon.

Although, the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal have not been officially announced yet, tension is gradually increasing in Bengal politics over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Speaking to media persons after meeting the West Bengal CEO, LoP Adhikari criticised the police for failing to control the situation.

"If this is the situation in Kolkata, especially in a place near Raj Bhavan and West Bengal Assembly, then imagine the law and order situation in districts across West Bengal. The police have become an extension of the Trinamool Congress here. They (state police) are deliberately allowing the BLOs to continue their protest outside the state CEO office and create disturbance," the LoP said.

Meanwhile, LoP Adhikari also filed a complaint with the west Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal regarding several matters.

He alleged that the Nadia District Magistrate, Aneesh Dasgupta, has been making attempts to include names of illegal immigrants in the voter list of the state.

He also asked how could the former state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant be present in the meeting of Election Commission officials at the Calcutta High Court on Monday.
Amaravati, Feb 24 : The condition of seven persons undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Andhra Pradesh's Rajahmundry after consuming adulterated milk is critical, a top official said on Tuesday.

State Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner Veerapandian said that 15 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals, of whom three are on ventilators, two on dialysis and three more on ventilator-dialysis.

Among those undergoing treatment, there are two children, including a five-month-old baby.

He said four people have died so far. No new cases were registered on Tuesday.

Veerapandian told the media that necessary steps are being taken to provide better treatment to all those hospitalised.

On the suggestion of senior nephrologist Raviraj, medicines required to quickly improve kidney function but not available here are being brought from Chennai and Mumbai.

Officials said that milk was supplied to the homes on February 16. As some may show symptoms later, doctors have been made available round the clock in the affected areas for 24 hours. These measures will continue for another month, the officials said.

They said three people have been admitted to hospitals based on the results of their blood samples. Two of them were found to have high creatinine levels.

Blood samples were collected from 315 people belonging to 110 families, who all had received milk from the same vendor. Two of them had high creatinine levels, while the third had suspicious symptoms. Their condition is stated to be stable.

Veerapandian said that he has not come across traces of urea in milk so far. He said that if urea is found in milk, health problems like kidney failure and liver damage will not immediately arise. He quoted medical experts to say that problems like kidney or liver failure, and urinary incontinence can arise only if milk mixed with urea is consumed for a long time.

He also said that serious health problems can arise three to four days after consuming milk mixed with ethylene glycol.

Veerapandian, who addressed the press conference along with Neelakantha Reddy, Director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine (Food Safety Department), said it was found during the police investigation that ethylene glycol, which was used as a coolant in a milk cooling machine, had leaked.

They said that they have collected up to 10 samples of the remaining curd, ghee, vinegar, and milk used by affected families and sent them to laboratories recognised by the National Food Safety Authority in Hyderabad and Kakinada for testing.

They said that the milk sold by the seller was not found, but samples of curd, paneer, ghee, and cream were collected. They said that the results of the water samples are likely to come in stages between Wednesday and Saturday. They said that they are hoping to have clarity on the source of adulteration of the milk after receiving the reports of water samples.

Police were continuing the investigation based on the information collected from the vendor, who is already in police custody. A probe is on the use of ethylene glycol in dairy milk storage and related issues. Police have also questioned the mechanic who repaired the milk cooling machine.

IPM Director Neelakantha Reddy announced that the collection of samples from milk traders, milk manufacturers, storage owners and wholesalers across the state will begin from Wednesday. He said that they will be identified in the inspections, whether they have authorised licenses or not.
Patna, Feb 24 : A tragic road accident on NH-31 near Bagdi Bridge in the Jhandapur police station area of Bhagalpur district claimed 4 lives and left 16 people injured on Tuesday evening.a Patna, Feb 24 (IANS) A tragic road accident on NH-31 near Bagdi Bridge in the Jhandapur police station area of Bhagalpur district claimed 4 lives and left 16 people injured on Tuesday evening.

According to the in-charge of the Jhandapur police outpost, a speeding truck rammed into a pickup van near Bagdi Bridge.

Following the impact, the pickup van lost control and collided with an e-rickshaw and a bus coming from the opposite direction, triggering a multi-vehicle crash.

Four people died on the spot. A total of sixteen people sustained injuries, and many of them have critical conditions.

All four passengers were travelling in the E-Riskshah.

Local police rushed to the scene immediately after receiving information and shifted the injured to the Bihpur Community Health Centre (CHC).

Due to the serious nature of injuries, several victims were referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, also known as Mayaganj Hospital, for advanced treatment.

The bodies of the deceased have been sent to Mayaganj Hospital for postmortem examination.

Among the victims, three were residents of Sameli in Katihar district, while one was from Mansi in Khagaria district.

The identities of injured individuals are still being verified. The victims include a woman, a child, and two labourers, who were reportedly returning from work at a brick kiln at the time of the accident.

Confirming the incident, Prerna Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Navgachhia, said: "The accident occurred near Bagdi Bridge under Jhandapur police station limits around 5.30 pm on Tuesday. Four people died on the spot, and 16 others were injured. Some of the injured are in critical condition and have been referred to Bhagalpur for better treatment. Those with minor injuries are being treated at the subdivisional hospital."

Police are investigating the cause of the accident, and traffic movement on NH-31 was temporarily affected following the crash.

The death toll is expected to rise further.
New Delhi, Feb 24 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Vikaspuri in the West Delhi parliamentary constituency to mark the successful completion of one year of her government in office, a party leader said on Tuesday.a New Delhi, Feb 24 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Vikaspuri in the West Delhi parliamentary constituency to mark the successful completion of one year of her government in office, a party leader said on Tuesday.

A large public meeting and workers' conference was organised at the Dussehra Ground in Vikaspuri, where the Chief Minister interacted with residents and acknowledged the dedicated efforts of party workers.

On the occasion, West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Pankaj Kumar Singh, along with other dignitaries, were present.

In her address, the Chief Minister presented an overview of the achievements of the past 365 days, stating that the year had been devoted to "service, good governance and the welfare of the poor".

She described improvements in key sectors such as education, healthcare, electricity, and water supply as the government's greatest strength.

The Chief Minister said that the true foundation of any government's success lies with the worker standing at the last mile. The commitment shown by party workers in West Delhi in delivering government schemes to every household has been exceptional.

The success of this year belongs not merely to the government, but to the tireless efforts of dedicated workers.

She further remarked that the year had been defined not by authority, but by service. The sincerity with which workers in West Delhi have taken government initiatives door-to-door is commendable. "Your energy is our strength, and together we will continue to make Delhi better," she said.

The Chief Minister also reviewed ongoing development projects in the West Delhi parliamentary constituency and assured that the pace of development would be further intensified in the coming period.
Washington, Feb 24 : The United States is building a new economic security architecture to secure artificial intelligence supply chains, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told lawmakers Tuesday, casting Pax Silica as Washington's answer to strategic dependency in the AI age.a Washington, Feb 24 (IANS) The United States is building a new economic security architecture to secure artificial intelligence supply chains, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told lawmakers Tuesday, casting Pax Silica as Washington's answer to strategic dependency in the AI age.

"I did not come here today to speak to you about tariffs. I did not come here to discuss the minutiae of trade deficits or the technical specifications of logic chips. I came here to speak to you about survival," Helberg said in testimony before a Congressional committee.

Framing the moment as historic, he said: "History is not a straight line. It is a series of crossroads. And today, the United States and its closest partners stand before the most consequential crossroads we have faced in a century."

The defining question, Helberg argued, is not whether artificial intelligence will transform the global economy, but "who will control the industrial foundations that make AI possible, and who will be forced to depend on those who do."

That imperative underpins Pax Silica, which he described as "a coalition for the AI age, focused on rebuilding supply chain security across the infrastructure, industrial capacity, and critical technologies that now determine national power."

"In the AI era, supply chains are leveraged," he warned, arguing that "dependency is vulnerability." Pax Silica, he said, is "an economic security architecture built to reduce strategic dependency, build reliable redundancy, and outcompete coercive systems without becoming them."

Citing growth figures, Helberg said, "G7 growth averages 1.5 per cent; Pax Silica countries average 4.7 per cent. And thanks to President Trump's pro-growth policies, balanced trade, energy dominance, deregulation, and tax incentives, the US is again leading at 4.3 per cent."

He outlined two pillars for the next phase: execution and alignment.

On execution, the United States and its partners will issue joint Requests for Proposals to integrate logistics infrastructure  including ports, railways, and highways  with secure data flows and end-to-end visibility. On industrial capacity, he stressed that "Industrial capacity is not nostalgia. In this century, it is sovereignty."

Helberg also highlighted the American AI Exports Program, calling it "the United States' signature AI diplomacy initiative" and "a whole-of-government effort to share the benefits of American AI technologies with partners around the world."

On policy alignment, he said Pax Silica would promote a "Pro-Innovation, Pro-Adoption approach to AI policy." "We believe in AI opportunity, not AI trepidation," he said, adding that the United States would "resist the extraterritorial reach of censorship and burdensome regulations."

The coalition is expanding. India formally joined the initiative last week, signing the Pax Silica Declaration in New Delhi alongside US officials. "India joins Pax Silica, the coalition that will define the 21st century economic and technological order," US Ambassador Sergio Gor said before the signing in New Delhi.

The alliance includes countries such as Japan, South Korea, the UK, and Israel and aims to strengthen critical minerals supply chains and deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 : Demanding accountability in the alleged Sabarimala gold scam, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should "apologise before Lord Ayyappa" for the manner in which the issue was handled.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 24 (IANS) Demanding accountability in the alleged Sabarimala gold scam, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should "apologise before Lord Ayyappa" for the manner in which the issue was handled.

The remark came during the party's "Ayyappa Jyothi" protest staged outside Cliff House, the Chief Minister's official residence, where BJP workers lit lamps and raised slogans accusing the government of shielding the real culprits while targeting devotees and temple authorities.

Chandrasekhar alleged that the arrest of the Sabarimala Tantri was politically motivated and carried out without evidence.

He claimed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had acted to protect the Devaswom Minister and others in the government from scrutiny in the gold theft case.

Chandrasekhar said the court had clearly observed that there was no evidence against the Tantri, yet he was arrested in haste.

The move, he contended, was aimed at diverting attention from the larger questions surrounding the alleged gold scam.

The BJP put forward three key demands which includes, a CBI inquiry into the Sabarimala gold case, withdrawal of the affidavit filed by the State government in the Supreme Court and scrapping of what the party described as "false cases" registered against devotees.

The party also alleged that certain intermediaries were acting on behalf of both the CPI(M) and the Congress in the matter, deepening what it termed as a "politically compromised" investigation.

In a related development, the Supreme Court asked if there was any gold remaining in the temple.

The apex court asked this query while considering the bail plea of one of the accused, Pankaj Bhandari and posted it for further hearing on March 9.

In all, 13 people were arrested, of whom six have secured bail, and the remaining also have moved petitions for bail.

With the Sabarimala issue once again acquiring political overtones, the protest signals an intensification of the BJP's campaign against the Left government, positioning the temple controversy at the centre of the State's political discourse.
Bhopal, Feb 24 : Responding to the statements of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's statements about India-US trade deal during their visit to Bhopal on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday that the proposed trade deal is a symbol of India's growing global reputation.a Bhopal, Feb 24 (IANS) Responding to the statements of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's statements about India-US trade deal during their visit to Bhopal on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Tuesday that the proposed trade deal is a symbol of India's growing global reputation.

Chief Minister Yadav said that the India-US agreement will open new opportunities for farmers, youth, and entrepreneurs across the country, including Madhya Pradesh, and will help propel the Indian economy to new heights, according to a statement issued by the state BJP.

He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established India as the fourth-largest economy in the world. "Instead of opposing the trade deal, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge should apologise to the farmers of Madhya Pradesh for the broken promises made in the name of loan waiver," Yadav said.

Hitting out further at the opposition, the Chief Minister stated that the Congress formed the government in Madhya Pradesh in 2018 by promising loan waivers, but failed to fully waive farmers' loans.

"Rahul Gandhi, who organises Kisan Chaupal in Bhopal and makes allegations on the BJP, should explain which pulses are included in the list?" he asked, adding that, "Congress is opposing the trade deal to hide its failures."

Highlighting the agricultural growth in the past 20 years in Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said that until 2003, the irrigation area was limited to only 7.5 lakh hectares, despite the availability of rivers, fields, and resources.

In contrast, in recent years, the Madhya Pradesh government has achieved historic expansion in the irrigation sector, increasing it by 10 lakh hectares in a short period, proving that results are possible with commitment and clear policy, he claimed.

"We are also ready to rise above party lines and engage in a comprehensive discussion on agriculture, because our goal is not politics, but the prosperity of farmers and the state," he said.

Referring to a decision of his Cabinet on Tuesday, Yadav stated that the state government has approved "five farmer-friendly schemes worth approximately Rs 10,500 crore for the next five years."

--IANS

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Washington, Feb 24 : The National Endowment for Democracy backed political and civic actors in Bangladesh in the run-up to the 2024 collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government, supporting electoral reforms, voter education, and independent reporting, its president told US lawmakers on Tuesday.

Testifying before the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, & Related Programs of the House Committee on Appropriations, NED President and CEO Damon Wilson said, "In Bangladesh, NED's support is helping the country emerge from more than 10 years of authoritarian rule, violence, and instability."

Wilson told lawmakers that for over two decades, NED had supported partners working to strengthen political parties and parliamentary institutions, advance labor rights, promote inclusive economic growth, and produce independent reporting on human rights and corruption, efforts that were especially critical under the rule of Sheikh Hasina, which collapsed in 2024.

He said, "The country now has an opportunity to restore peace and advance democratic governance and reform."

Referring to the period before the latest elections, Wilson stated, "In the lead up to the most recent elections, NED-supported partners and the core institutes helped advance electoral reforms, monitor the integrity of the process, and promote voter education, contributing to this critical step toward the reestablishment of multiparty democracy."

He added that "NED and the Core institutes' longstanding relationships and expertise will help local actors promote accountability, safeguard fundamental freedoms, and strengthen democratic institutions as Bangladeshis work to build a durable democratic future."

The Bangladesh section formed part of Wilson's broader testimony describing what he called "a consequential time for freedom around the world."

He said NED's work is grounded in support for local civic actors and institutions rather than imposing external models.

In Fiscal Year 2025, NED provided $271 million in grants supporting more than 1,550 projects across over 90 countries.

According to the testimony, 86 per cent of direct grants totalled less than $150,000, with funding directed toward independent media, civic organisations, labour and business groups, and reform initiatives.

The National Endowment for Democracy was created by the US Congress in 1983 during the Reagan administration to provide grants to democratic actors overseas.

US officials describe it as a democracy-support institution operating through grants and partnerships with civil society groups abroad.
Nuremberg, Feb 24 : Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, on a visit to Germany, spotlighted the state's surging economic potential during a special dinner in Nuremberg attended by Indian Ambassador Ajit Gupte and other distinguished guests. a Nuremberg, Feb 24 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, on a visit to Germany, spotlighted the state's surging economic potential during a special dinner in Nuremberg attended by Indian Ambassador Ajit Gupte and other distinguished guests. 

The discussions highlighted Uttar Pradesh's swift advancement toward becoming India's second-largest economy, driven by a significantly improved ease of doing business, strengthened law and order, and robust infrastructure development. 

Participants noted the state's expanding expressway network, ongoing airport expansions, and emerging industrial corridors, which are increasingly drawing global investor interest. 

Talks also explored avenues for deeper bilateral cooperation between Germany and Uttar Pradesh in key sectors, including technological exchange, skill development, and manufacturing. 

The Deputy Chief Minister underscored the transformative journey of the state under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, evolving from a traditional Uttar Pradesh into a dynamic enterprise state, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to extending all possible support to international investors seeking opportunities in the region. 

The following day, at Le Meridien in Germany, a strategic meeting took place with representatives from leading German-Israeli drone and aerospace firms, including Quantum-Systems GmbH, System Helsing (HX-2 AI combat drone), Dronivo GmbH, SIA Origin Robotics, and Aronia. 

The companies briefed on their expertise in high-altitude unmanned aerial systems, advanced aerial surveillance, defense-grade reconnaissance, and drones with an operational range of approximately 160 kilometers. 

Their technologies serve armed forces in Germany and Spain and support applications in precision agriculture, land surveying, and disaster management. 

The Uttar Pradesh government extended a formal invitation for these firms to set up manufacturing units and research and development hubs in the state. 

Details were shared about investment-friendly policies, robust industrial infrastructure, superior logistics connectivity, and a large skilled workforce. 

The Deputy Chief Minister described Uttar Pradesh as emerging as the country's leading hub for defense production, aerospace manufacturing, and emerging technologies, with drones and unmanned systems forming a vital part of future economic and security frameworks. 

Such investments are expected to generate high-skilled jobs for the state's youth while accelerating technology-driven growth by integrating electronics manufacturing, data, artificial intelligence, and the drone ecosystem.

Both sides reached a positive consensus on long-term collaboration in manufacturing, research, skill development, technical training, and technology transfer. 

This partnership is anticipated to strengthen India's aerospace and unmanned systems ecosystem and position Uttar Pradesh as a global hub for drone innovation, aligning with the objectives of Make in India and "Atmanirbhar Bharat."

--IANS

sktr/dan
Akbar Novruz



Senior US military officials have warned the White House of the potential consequences of a prolonged military conflict with Iran, as President Donald Trump considers whether to authorise a second wave of strikes amid stalled nuclear negotiations.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, has cautioned that a deeper military engagement in the Middle East  particularly one involving US ground forces  could carry significant strategic and human costs.

Caine reportedly warned that a boots-on-the-ground operation would risk depleting American air defence systems, straining military readiness and potentially alienating regional allies. He is also said to have flagged the prospect of thousands of casualties should the conflict escalate beyond limited strikes.

The White House acknowledged that the concerns were taken seriously. In a statement to the Journal, officials said the president listens to a broad range of views before making decisions and would act in accordance with what he believes serves US national security interests.

Trump has for weeks floated the possibility of renewed military action against Iran, arguing that diplomacy over Tehrans nuclear programme has stalled. Last year, he authorised strikes that preceded a 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel, raising fears of a wider regional war before tensions subsided.

The president has not publicly committed to further attacks. However, his remarks have triggered intense debate within Washington and beyond. A significant segment of the Republican base has voiced opposition to another Middle Eastern conflict, warning that it could echo the costly and protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with uncertain strategic returns.

The issue surfaced prominently in a recent interview conducted by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson with the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee. During the exchange, Huckabee appeared to endorse sweeping Israeli military ambitions in the region  remarks that drew sharp criticism from several Middle Eastern governments.

A group of regional states subsequently issued a joint statement condemning what they described as inflammatory rhetoric. The White House later said Huckabees comments had been taken out of context and did not reflect official US policy.

Behind the scenes, defence officials are said to be weighing not only the immediate military feasibility of renewed strikes but also the broader implications for US alliances and deterrence. A sustained confrontation with Iran could stretch American resources at a time when Washington is also managing commitments in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Analysts note that Iran retains a network of regional proxies and missile capabilities that could target US assets and partners across the Middle East, increasing the risk of rapid escalation. Any expansion from air or missile strikes into a ground campaign would represent a dramatic shift, potentially drawing the United States into another open-ended conflict.

For Trump, the calculus is both strategic and political. While projecting strength abroad has long been central to his foreign policy posture, domestic appetite for another war in the Middle East appears limited. The memory of two decades of conflict continues to shape public opinion, particularly among voters wary of high costs and uncertain outcomes.

As nuclear talks remain deadlocked and rhetoric intensifies, the White House faces a delicate decision. Whether Trump opts for renewed strikes or recalibrates towards diplomacy, the warnings from the Pentagon underscore the stakes of escalation in a region already on edge.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution titled "Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has said.

"I welcome today's adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution 'Advancing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine' initiated by Ukraine. At defining moments, the international community must be clear in its position. Today is such a moment. For us, this is not just another vote. It is confirmation that Ukraine is not alone  and that the principles of the UN Charter still matter," the foreign minister said on Telegram channel.

Sybiha thanked all 107 member states that supported the resolution.

"We will continue to act  firmly and consistently  to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. I am grateful to my deputy Maryana Betsa, the Foreign Ministry's Department of International Organizations and its director Serhiy Dvornyk, as well as Permanent Representative Andriy Melnyk and the team of Ukraine's Mission to the UN," the minister added.
Bengaluru, Feb 24 : Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary and State Coordinator of its training campaign, P. Rajeev, alleged on Tuesday that the Congress has exploited Dalits for political purposes across the country.

He said the demand for a Dalit Chief Minister in Karnataka surfaces only when the Congress feels its political existence is under threat.

Speaking at a press conference held at the state BJP office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Rajeev said that whenever the Congress senses a decline in its political standing or when Dalits begin distancing themselves from the party, it raises the slogan of a Dalit Chief Minister to appease the community.

He said this was merely an attempt to mislead Dalits and that the Congress had not delivered justice to them.

He added that even though the State Budget has increased significantly compared to the Covid-19 period, the current Congress-led Karnataka government has not allocated funds to the Dalit community at the same level as the previous BJP government did during the pandemic.

Rajeev said that across the country, Dalits have received greater justice under non-Congress governments.

Responding to another query, he added that land ownership remains a distant dream for many Dalits in Karnataka.

He alleged that the present Congress-led state government has not provided even a single gunta of land to Dalit farmers.

He urged people to compare the number of Dalits who became landowners under land ownership and housing schemes during the tenure of former Chief Ministers B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai with the number of beneficiaries under the current Congress government's tenure.

Rajeev also said that a training workshop for district teams across Karnataka will be held on February 26 at the Scouts and Guides Hall under the Chairmanship of State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra and in the presence of BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh.

He added that a team has been appointed from each training district in the state.

He said that training sessions will be conducted at 1,156 locations.

On an average, about 200 office-bearers will participate in each session, and more than two lakh office-bearers will be trained as part of the campaign.

State Coordinator of the training campaign Vikas Kumar. P and campaign members Madhushree Manjunath and Poornima Prakash were also present at the press conference.
Amaravati, Feb 25 : Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the outbreak of diarrhea in Srikakulam.a

He criticised the government for negligence and said public health was being compromised due to administrative failure.a

The YSRCP chief stated that poor road repair work and a lack of proper precautions in the drinking water supply had led to the present situation, and added that failure to protect public health exposed weaknesses in governance. a

He said in a statement that the government has a responsibility to ensure safe drinking water and proper sanitation management.a

YS Jagan emphasised that the victims currently receiving treatment must be provided with the best possible medical care. He demanded that special medical teams monitor patients who are on ventilator support and that senior specialists be appointed if required. a

He said no effort should be spared in saving lives. He also called for a thorough inquiry into the incident and strict action against those responsible. a

The former Chief Minister urged the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure water purification, chlorination, and proper drainage management to prevent further spread. He warned that if the government fails to protect peopleas health, the public will respond accordingly. a

He also demanded immediate financial assistance for the families of the deceased and affected victims.a

Meanwhile, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy interacted with party workers, supporters, and members of the public during his visit to his constituency, Pulivendula, in YSR Kadapa district. a

At the Bhakarapuram camp office, he met people who had gathered in large numbers to see him and present their concerns. a

According to a party statement, he enquired about the well-being of party workers and listened patiently to their problems.

He assured them that difficult times would not last forever and that better days were ahead. He told them not to lose courage and promised to stand by anyone facing trouble. a

Several leaders and cadres complained about harassment and attacks by TDP leaders under the coalition government. In response, he advised them to remain strong and continue their struggle democratically.a

He also spoke to Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy regarding certain issues and suggested steps to resolve them. YS Jagan expressed concern about what he called the deteriorating governance and the misuse of institutions. a

He said that any government should work for public welfare and not for vendetta. He recalled that during the YSRCP tenure, benefits were delivered to all eligible persons without discrimination.

a--IANS

ms/dan
New Delhi, Feb 25 : Unidentified assailants opened fire on a car in Delhi's Kashmere Gate area on Tuesday, injuring one person, police officials said.

According to police, there were five people in the car, and the attackers fled after the shooting. The injured person was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. His condition is reported to be stable.

DCP North Delhi Raja Banthia told reporters at the scene, "We received information at around 10:10 pm that a car had been fired upon near Kashmere Gate. Upon reaching the spot, we found that four to five rounds had been fired at the car. One person was injured and has been admitted to the hospital. Our team immediately mobilized and an investigation has been initiated."

The DCP said, "We are working on every aspect of the investigation. Based on CCTV footage, witness statements, and other technical evidence, we will soon identify and arrest the attackers. Maintaining law and order in Delhi is our priority."

According to police sources, the injured man claims to be a member of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's legal team. However, the police have not yet been able to officially confirm it.

The other four people in the car at the time of the incident are safe. Police said the motive for the attack is not yet clear, but it could be related to an old rivalry or gang war.

Police arrived at the scene and seized footage from nearby CCTV cameras. A forensic team has also begun an investigation. Empty cartridges were recovered from the scene of the shooting, and efforts are being made to identify the weapon.

Police have cordoned off the surrounding area and launched a search for the suspects.
Technology

Aviras Strengthens Its Position as a Leading Digital Innovation Partner in Singapore

Singapore  February 2026  Aviras, an emerging leader in digital technology and software solutions, proudly reinforces its commitment to helping businesses adapt, innovate, and grow in todays fast-changing digital environment. With a strong focus on quality, scalability, and innovation, Aviras delivers tailored technology solutions that enable organizations to stay competitive and future-ready.

As businesses across industries accelerate their digital transformation journeys, the need for reliable, strategic, and forward-thinking technology partners has never been greater. Aviras addresses this demand by offering comprehensive digital services that combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of business strategy.

Driving Digital Transformation with Purpose

At the heart of Aviras success is a clear mission: to simplify technology while maximizing business value. The company believes that digital transformation is not just about adopting new tools, but about building meaningful systems that solve real business challenges.

From startups launching their first digital platform to enterprises modernizing legacy systems, Aviras works closely with clients to design and develop solutions that align with their long-term goals. Each project is approached with careful planning, detailed analysis, and a strong commitment to delivering measurable outcomes.

Comprehensive Technology Services

Aviras offers a wide range of services designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses:

Custom Software Development

Aviras develops scalable and secure software solutions tailored to specific business requirements. Whether it is enterprise systems, workflow automation tools, or industry-specific platforms, the company ensures that every solution enhances efficiency and productivity.

Mobile Application Development

Recognizing the growing importance of mobile-first experiences, Aviras builds intuitive and high-performance mobile applications for both Android and iOS platforms. These applications are designed to provide seamless user experiences while maintaining strong backend performance.

Web Development and Digital Platforms

Aviras creates modern, responsive, and user-friendly websites that serve as powerful digital touchpoints for businesses. From corporate websites to complex e-commerce platforms, each solution is built to reflect brand identity and drive engagement.

UI/UX Design

User experience plays a critical role in digital success. Aviras focuses on clean, intuitive, and conversion-oriented designs that ensure customers enjoy smooth interactions across devices and platforms.

Cloud and IT Solutions

To support scalable operations, Aviras provides cloud integration, infrastructure management, and IT support services. These solutions enable businesses to operate efficiently while maintaining high levels of security and reliability.

Emerging Technologies Integration

Aviras also explores advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, automation, and IoT integration to help businesses stay ahead of market trends and technological shifts.

A Client-Centric Approach

What differentiates Aviras is its client-focused methodology. The company emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and continuous communication throughout every project phase. By understanding each clients industry, operational model, and challenges, Aviras develops solutions that are not only technically strong but also strategically aligned.

Every engagement follows a structured development lifecycle  from initial consultation and research to design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance. This systematic approach ensures reliability, timely delivery, and consistent quality.

Empowering Businesses Across Industries

Aviras serves clients across multiple sectors, including retail, logistics, healthcare, education, finance, and professional services. By delivering customized solutions for diverse industries, the company has gained valuable insights that enhance its ability to create adaptable and industry-specific digital systems.

Small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from cost-effective digital strategies that help them scale efficiently, while larger organizations leverage Aviras expertise to optimize complex infrastructures and streamline operations.

Focus on Innovation and Quality

In the competitive digital landscape, innovation is essential. Aviras continuously invests in research, modern development frameworks, and best practices to ensure that its solutions remain relevant and high-performing. The company follows industry standards for coding, security, and testing to maintain reliability and data protection.

Quality assurance is embedded in every stage of development. Rigorous testing procedures ensure that applications and platforms function smoothly under different scenarios and user conditions. This dedication to quality reduces risks and enhances user satisfaction.

Building Long-Term Partnerships

Aviras views every project as the beginning of a long-term partnership rather than a one-time engagement. Ongoing support, system updates, and performance monitoring ensure that clients continue to receive value even after deployment.

By prioritizing trust, accountability, and measurable impact, Aviras has positioned itself as a dependable digital partner for businesses seeking sustainable growth.

Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Aviras aims to further expand its digital capabilities and strengthen its presence in Singapores technology ecosystem. The company plans to enhance its service offerings by integrating advanced analytics, automation tools, and intelligent systems that drive smarter decision-making.

As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, Aviras remains dedicated to helping organizations navigate change with confidence. Through strategic planning, technical excellence, and customer-focused innovation, the company is committed to shaping a more connected and efficient digital future.

About Aviras

Aviras is a Singapore-based technology solutions company specializing in custom software development, mobile applications, web development, cloud solutions, and digital transformation services. With a commitment to innovation, quality, and client success, Aviras helps businesses build scalable digital platforms that drive performance and long-term growth.

For media inquiries, partnerships, or additional information, please contact:

Aviras

Singapore

Email: info@aviras.sg

Website: https://aviras.sg/
Events

FaW TOKYO 2026 to Provide Free Interpretation Service for International Visitors

TOKYO, Japan  FaW TOKYOFASHION WORLD TOKYO 2026 April announced that it will offer a complimentary interpretation service for the upcoming Spring 2026 edition, aimed at supporting international buyers and facilitating smoother communication with Japanese exhibitors.



This complimentary service is available in English, Chinese, and Korean, making it easier than ever for overseas attendees to connect with local brands, ask detailed questions, and gain top-notch insights into products and market trends. Each visitor may book up to one hour with a professional interpreter, enabling more meaningful discussions and helping to build strong business relationships from the outset. With limited slots available, advance registration is required, and applications will open in mid-February. We strongly encourage interested buyers to apply early to secure their place.



Feedback from previous events underscores the value of this service, with many participants reporting that interpretation opened doors to new partnerships and ensured smoother business meetings. By bridging language barriers, FaW TOKYO empowers visitors to make informed decisions, discover new opportunities, and maximise their time at the show.



FaW TOKYO invites buyers, retailers, manufacturers, and industry professionals from around the world to take advantage of these exclusive services and join Japans largest fashion business platform this spring. Dont miss your chance to connect globally, source innovative products, and experience the very best of Japanese and international fashion.



For full event details and registration information, visit the official FaW TOKYO website.




Marcella Smith, a veteran of the New York publishing and bookselling world, died on December 2 after a short illness. She was 78.

Smith graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English, but gave up her plan to become an English teacher when a student described her as very nice but boring, recounted her wife, Linda Mironti.

She began her career in the book world as a sales clerk at the Globe, a small bookshop near the White House. She soon moved on to become the manager of the hardback department at Brentanos main Washington, D.C. store where, Mironti said, she became a beloved fixture, puffing away at Lucky Strikes as she kept track of inventory and the next big sellers.

She had an oft-repeated refrain for such big hits of the day as Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Once Is Not Enough: It might not be great literature, but it sells like hotcakes.

When All the Presidents Men was published in 1974, Smith spent hours on the phone to ensure that Brentanos had enough copies on hand to satisfy the huge demand for the book about the Watergate scandal. Her initiative earned Smith a promotion to the regional chain stores New York buying officer; in her new role, she worked for the fearsome head buyer, Lillian Friedman.

After a stint as manager of the Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich bookstore, Smith moved to St. Martins Press as a sales rep covering the Northeast and later served as director of special sales before working in sales at Simon & Schuster.

Smith was perhaps best known as a buyer at Barnes & Noble, where she served as small press manager and head of vendor relations. In that role, Smith helped hundreds of small press owners better navigate the world of publishing, a role she also fulfilled with the national organization Publishers Marketing Association (now the Independent Book Publishers Association).

She sat on the PMA board from 19951999, afterward serving on the organizations nominating committee. For more than 25 years, she also served as a judge for the PMAs Benjamin Franklin Awards (now the IBPA Book Awards) and was instrumental in starting the organizations Trade Distribution Program (now Small Press United), which offered Independent Publishers Group distribution contracts to hundreds of small publishers.

Smith lived for more than 50 years in an apartment on West 46th St. and was joined there in 1995 by Mironti. In their almost 30 years together, the couple traveled extensively, often in connection with Mirontis duties as co-owner of Il Chiostro, a company offering workshops and programs in Italy with a focus on art, culture, food, and wine. Smiths final trip with Mironti was to Venice just a couple of months before her death.

Mironti said that Smith left a message for her friends and family reassuring them that she was at peace with her death. In her usual literary style, her farewell message was a quote from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy: So long and thanks for all the fish!

Josh Marwell, retired president of sales at HarperCollins and a longtime friend of Smith's, had his own memory of Smith: During her long career Marcella touched all aspects of the book business with her unique combination of keen intelligence, strong sense of humor and above all her core integrity. She is missed by her countless friends and colleagues in the book world who have had the lucky fortune to have known and worked with her.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
Throughout the day on February 24, Russian forces once again attacked gas production infrastructure belonging to the Naftogaz Group, this time striking a facility in Kharkiv region with drones, the company reported Tuesday.

"The attack is ongoing. Damage has been recorded. Operations at the facility have been suspended. Immediately after the air raid alert is lifted, the company's specialists, together with units of the State Emergency Service, will be able to begin eliminating the consequences of the shelling," said Serhiy Koretsky, Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz.

Since the beginning of the year, Russian forces have carried out 26 attacks on Naftogaz Group facilities.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 312 Naftogaz employees have been killed by enemy actions.
The push to protect children from cell phones and social media is gaining momentum worldwide. As EU and Asian countries consider legal limits on minors access to social media, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was grilled in a Los Angeles courtroom last week about whether his companys popular apps, which include Facebook and Instagram, are addictive.

That question already seems to have been resolved in the public mind. Pennsylvania now seems poised to become the 32nd state to ban or limit cell phones in its public schools. A parent leader who supports the ban told the Philadelphia Inquirer the legislation is necessary to detach kids from addictive devices and break the dopamine feedback loop.

These concerns are easy to understand given the rise in anxiety and depression, as well as the decline in academic achievement recorded since the iPhones debut in 2007. But a growing body of research challenges the use of science to support these bans. While it makes sense that electronic devices connected to the World Wide Web can distract some students from their teachers instruction, there is, at best, conflicting evidence that the interventions can improve academic performance and discipline. The evidence is even weaker regarding medical claims that technology causes addiction, depression, and dopamine rushes. Although experts do not believe that limiting cell phone use causes new problems, they worry that blaming devices for a wide range of issues may prevent schools and parents from addressing the more complex issues that undermine discipline, academic achievement, and mental health.

Researchers find that moderate social media use is associated with higher rates of well-being.

A new study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics that followed more than 100,000 Australian kids in grades 4-12 for three years reported that moderate social media use was associated with the best well-being outcomes, while both no use and highest use were associated with poorer well-being. These results dovetail with the findings of another new study of over 25,000 youth in England that found that neither time spent on social media nor on video games predicts later mental health problems in youth. As RealClearInvestigations has previously reported, the claim that people become addicted to social media because it provides a dopamine rush is also not supported by the literature.

Our findings suggest that policies framed primarily as a mental health intervention are based on a flawed premise: that time spent online causes anxiety and depression, the lead author of the British study, the University of Manchesters Qiqi Cheng, told RCI. Our data shows this is not the case. While we found that anxious adolescents do spend more time online (a correlation), our longitudinal model confirms that increasing usage does not predict a decline in mental health. This suggests that high usage is likely a symptom or a coping mechanism, not the cause.

Fig Leaf

These new studies are significant, but they are not groundbreaking. Researchers have been finding for years that while social media can be a channel for unseemly political arguments and harassment, it can also be a positive coping strategy for youth, particularly during periods of stress or social isolation, such as during COVID lockdowns. Indeed, back in 2020, during the pandemic, news media and research groups often described social media as a lifeline during lockdowns. The narrative has since changed 180 degrees since then, even as the evidence has not.

Experts say they are frustrated by the stark divide between the complex forces at play regarding cell phones and social media and the almost exclusively negative portrayal of their impact in the media and the stringent policies they have inspired. Such policies, they say, can harm well-being by cutting youth off from sources of support. This may particularly be true for teens who struggle with social anxiety in real life or have difficult family environments. As the authors of one 2023 study put it, [O]ur results suggested that social media use positively predicted adolescents well-being.

Blanket bans on social media can also be harmful because they may offer a fig leaf that covers deeper issues, leaving them unexplored. Depressive symptoms, the authors of the 2023 study reported, may not be directly associated with actual behaviors of regularly using social media but rather with some maladaptive cognitive and affective processes related to social media use.

Social media can offer an important means for connection for teens.

Although many parents, educators, and politicians understand that correlation doesnt equal causation, it can be hard to resist that flawed logic. As Professor Cheng told RCI, First, intuition often overrides data. As we observed in our study, there is a correlation: anxious adolescents do spend more time on screens. Parents witness this correlation daily. However, it is very hard to convince someone that what they are observing is a trait (personality) rather than a state induced by the device. The correlation is visible; the lack of causation is invisible.

Given this tendency, blaming technology can offer a tempting quick fix. Social media provides a convenient scapegoat, Cheng said. If we accept that screen time isnt the primary driver of the mental health crisis, we are forced to look at much harder, structural problems  like academic pressure, family breakdown, poverty, and underfunded mental health services.

Peter Gray, Research Professor at Boston College and expert on youth education and mental health, said blaming the smartphone offers a tangible villain and a seemingly simple solution. It is a lot easier (at least in theory) to ban social media for kids than it is to solve more complex societal problems. It is more satisfying for us adults to blame those greedy social media companies for kids suffering than, say, to blame an increasingly oppressive system of schooling that we have imposed on kids, or to blame society in general for the severe constraints we have put on kids real-world freedoms.

Copycat Effect

Nevertheless, the push to ban phones in schools has gained momentum around the world  the American Enterprise Institute suggested that a copycat effect may be at work. Perhaps the most notorious has been Australias ban on youth under 16 accessing social media. While researchers have questioned the health impacts of that effort, it is also not clear if the ban is even keeping youth off social media. Though almost 5 million teen accounts were deactivated in Australia after the ban, downloads of VPNs, programs used to mask the location of an internet user, surged. This suggests that teens are simply opening new accounts to work around the ban.

Policies requiring kids to check their phones at the school door have been largely ineffective in improving student outcomes.

As RCI has previously reported, cell phone bans in school have been largely ineffective in improving student outcomes. The widespread adoption of such bans across multiple states, municipalities, and districts has not blunted downward trends in US standardized testing scores. It also does not appear to have reduced incidents of bullying or improved mental health. Data collected from Orange County schools in Florida, which banned phones for the entire school day, found an increase in the number of serious bullying incidents and the number of students referred for mental health services. So many factors are involved that it is hard to conclude anything from these numbers except that the ban did not deliver promised benefits. Since the statewide ban, Floridas national testing scores reached their nadir: the lowest levels in 20 years.

Intuitively, it makes sense that banning cell phones should help with distraction. After all, we want students paying attention to teachers, not their phones. But what if the problem isnt phones but the schools themselves? Students routinely report in surveys that schools are boring, and recent decades regulations and the emphasis on standardized testing have probably made this worse. Phones may just have been a very visible (and admittedly annoying) reminder to teachers, little different from the daydreaming, doodling, roughhousing, side chatter, or sleeping of yesteryear.

Indeed, research studies appear to bear this out. Although, as is often the case, studies that examine cellphone policies do vary in outcome, the most rigorous find little benefit to students related to learning, attention, bullying, or mental health. Just this month, a new large study from the U.K. found no student benefits from cell phone ban policies.

No Impact

Recently, news media highlighted a few studies that claimed surprising results of benefits for cell phone bans. These unpublished studies, however, have not gone through peer review, and a close analysis of these reveals that the beneficial effects were basically zero. Despite the news coverage, one of these studies admitted, there were no significant changes in overall student well-being, academic motivation, digital usage, or experiences of online harassment. Similarly, another widely cited study suggesting support for cell phone bans found that exposure to cell phone bans predicted basically 0% of the variance in learning outcomes. Studies can sometimes find statistically significant results for effects that are vanishingly small. These two studies are better evidence against cellphone bans than for them, but were misleadingly presented in news coverage. Its entirely possible that longer-term studies could change this picture. Perhaps benefits accrue over longer periods of time. But to date, both data from the real world and from scientific studies suggest these bans have been ineffective at improving student performance in schools.

Still, their appeal to educators is clear. Rather than focus on dodgy DEI-focused education, increased government regulation, the failures of Common Core, the tedious boredom and stress, etc., distracting the public with the monocausal quick fix of cellphone and technology bans gives schools maybe three to five years before its clear they didnt work.

Researcher Peter Gray says blaming smartphones offers a tangible villain and a seemingly simple solution for complex behavioral issues.

As Professor Gray argued in a recent post addressing these educational issues, The reforms led to an increase in a skill and drill mode of teaching, aimed at increasing scores on standardized exams and away from methods more likely to generate genuine interest and pleasureThese reforms no doubt help explain why teachers began to assign fewer full books to students in their classes and why students began increasingly to view reading as something you do for a test rather than for fun, enlightenment, or intellectual engagement. In other words, it was government policy, not tech, which beat the love of learning and reading out of kids.

There is also a growing movement against EdTech efforts that began in the early 2000s, which advocated the use of more technology in education, including giving laptops to poor students to close the digital divide.

This EdTech movement has also recently come under fire, with claims that introducing technology in the classroom explains the downward trends in standardized test scores. For instance, one New York Times article boldly declared, The Screen That Ate Your Childs Education. Lawmakers held hearings in January, blaming a wide range of technologies for learning declines in youth. A growing parent-led movement in Los Angeles, for example, seeks to remove laptops and other personal devices from the classrooms, returning them to paper and pencils in the age of AI.

However, randomized controlled trials of EdTech suggest that education technology in classrooms is associated with gains in learning. As one recent meta-analysis of studies concluded, effects found in the present study are consistent with prior meta-analyses that suggest that educational technology interventions can have positive effects on elementary school age students literacy. Some interventions were better than others, and it may be fair to argue that they were more modest than some proponents of EdTech had advertised. But evidence technology has eaten education appears limited.

Hyped Headlines

Much of the concern has been driven by a misunderstanding of hyped newspaper headlines about learning outcomes. According to the Nations Report Card, learning outcomes for U.S. students have barely budged over the past 35 years. The 2010s, the prime period of youth adoption of tech, represented a high point in student learning outcomes. Those fell off again, following the COVID-19 epidemic and school closures. However, standardized testing scores today are about the same as they were in the early 1990s, before the adoption of modern technology.

For instance, 8th-grade math scores are slightly above 1990 levels.

Reading scores are only marginally below those from 1990.

As such, very modest changes may have irresponsibly been sold as a bigger crisis than they actually are. Professor Gray said schools are deflecting responsibility for youth problems away from their own failures, including the embrace of one-size-fits-all approaches such as Common Core. [Learning] operates much better when teachers have the freedom to make their own decisions about what happens in their classroom than when governments or other higher authorities, who arent in the classroom, make that decision, he said.

Some experts note the irony that even as politicians, educators, and many parents turn to cell phone bans as a cure-all, some indices suggest youth outcomes are improving, despite these failed policy efforts. According to the Centers for Disease Control, youth mental health outcomes have been improving for the past several years. Similarly, in Australia, youth experiencing high psychological distress dropped from 25% in 2023 to 19% in 2025, before any social media ban. Indeed, it would be critical not to let politicians retroactively take credit for youth outcome improvements already underway before their clumsy regulation efforts began.
President Jose Jeri morphed into the Anthony Scaramucci of South American politics, getting punted after a measly 4 months in office as the head of state in Peru. He barely had time to order new drapes for the presidential palace.

Kidding aside, political instability afflicts Peru, a nation with so much promise and a hub that, increasingly, becomes a flash point in the Pacific battle for influence between China and the United States.

Jeri was himself a replacement leader for President Dina Boluarte, who was impeached before him. In turn, Boluarte was a replacement for Pedro Castillo who was both impeached and arrested. Prior recent presidents have served lengthy prison sentences. This rinse and repeat cycle forms a troubling throughline of chaos within the corridors of power in Lima.

But often, upheaval presents opportunity.

Right now, in an April election, the electoral scene in Peru clarifies. Citizens clamor for order and a better trajectory. Those aspirations point to Rafael Lopez Aliaga as the man of the hour who can save his country from this dismal cycle and elevate the prosperity of regular Peruvians. Aliaga can also act as a trusted partner with the United States rather than repeating the pattern of supplication to the Chinese Community Party.

Aliaga currently leads in the polls, and stands out amidst the crowded field as a hugely successful businessman who emerged from outside of politics to become the mayor of Lima. As the leader of Perus sprawling capital, he earned high marks for his leadership, especially in the tangible realms of street safety and public works.

Peruvians particularly appreciated Aliagas strong stance against punitive road tolls collected by a Canadian private equity firm Brookfield. Peruvians widely believe that the concession was obtained from dirty deals agreed to by prior corrupt officials in Lima. This entire scandal, known as Rutas de Lima locally, presented a particularly punitive tax upon the working poor in the region.

As such, Aliaga shored up his populist credentials in standing up against foreign abuse of Peruvians. As a businessman, Aliaga welcomes badly needed foreign capital into Peru, but only on terms that are transparent and corruption-free.

Speaking of foreign intrigue, President Jeris main offense that drove his removal from office, per NY Times reporting, was that he failed to disclose meetings with Chinese businessmen who were under government scrutiny. Chinese influence in Peru grows into a foundational worry, both for its citizens and for U.S. national security officials. The CCP has aggressively expanded operations there, fiendishly exploiting a prevalence of internal corruption -- combined with the constant churn of Perus top leadership.

Specifically, China exerts very controversial control over Perus valuable Chancay deep water port, one of the shipping jewels of Latin America, able to accommodate the largest ocean vessels traversing the Pacific between China and South America. Many Peruvians understandably bristle at surrendering majority control of such a strategic asset, and especially to the Beijing dictatorship.

Not surprisingly, Washington objects as well, and issued a scathing public statement about Chinese state-owned-enterprise Cosco controlling much of the port. The U.S. State Department warned that Peru could be powerless to oversee Chancaywhich is under the jurisdiction of predatory Chinese owners.

Thankfully for the people of Peru and for the United States, Aliaga has been clear and consistent in seeking a closer Peruvian relationship with America rather than China. Aliaga, widely known by his nickname Porky, recognizes that the vast natural resources of Peru form a perfect counter to China. Americas exploding digital economy badly needs the critical minerals found in Peru. By partnering with Peru, the U.S. simultaneously decouples from China while also checking Chinas influence in Latin America.

So, Aliaga emerges as a key rising ally for America. In fact, he becomes the newest key political ally in the region that increasingly shifts to the political right, including Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Honduras, and Costa Rica.

As patriotic populism sweeps the region, the Trump Administration recently issued a historic explanation of its pivot in strategic focus with the landmark National Security Strategy memorandum. This NSS projects a macro pivot away from the Old World to the New, placing primary foreign policy emphasis on strengthening the Western Hemisphere.

Using language that was both lofty and blunt, this U.S. administration clearly sees the Americas broadly as the fulcrum center of future power, both commercially and strategically. In this regard, a partner like Rafael Aliaga presents an incredible chance to align with a New World leader who shares the Trump vision to employ populism to defend and advance Western Civilization, throughout the hemisphere.

So, as the political dust settles in Limaa new possible reality becomes clearer. With the steady hand of Aliaga directing the affairs of state, a calmer, more predictable, more prosperous future starts to unfold. After years of noise and disappointment, this bold new leader will forge a rising era of Latin prosperity and stability.

Steve Cortes is president of the League of American Workers and advisor to Catholic Vote. He directs political campaigns on media, polling, and Hispanic outreach, including Trump 2016/2020 and Vance 2022 US Senate. He is a former broadcaster for Fox News and CNN.
This article is Part I to 'Understanding the Modern Middle East.' Part II, that discussed current U.S. opportunities can be found here.

Board of Peace? The fall of Iran? A new Gaza? Republic of Somaliland? Syrian Druze and Kurds? A resurgent ISIS? Oppressed Christians? Saudi Arabia vs. the UAE? Qatari influence of American universities? The Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization?

Americans confused by the flurry of new stories flowing out of the Middle East are in good company. Many of our leading foreign policy experts and policymakers are in the same boat. Why? For the same reason that their predictions about the region have been so consistently wrong: Theyve been operating within a fundamentally flawed framework for more than a century.

The key to understanding todays Middle Eastand in fact, everything thats happened in the region since the Allied victory in WWI ended the Ottoman Empireis the regions largest group, Sunni Arabs. Their primary goal since at least 1915 has been restoring the imperial structure that defined the region for most of 2700 years. Over the course of the past century, competing theories of empire and competing claims for the imperial throne have riven the Sunni Arabsadding to the confusionbut this central story of the regions dominant demographic frames all else.

The secondary storylargely a reaction to the firstfeels more fragmented. Like all empires, the Ottoman Empire was both multicultural and supremacist. Home to many nations and faiths, the Sunni Turks were first among unequals, followed by non-Turkish Sunnisnotably the Arabs. All other subjectsChristians, Jews, Shiites, Kurds, Druze, Alawites, Yazidis, and othersenjoyed measures of internal autonomy that helped preserve their national identities while suffering (often brutally) discriminatory treatment.

As the Empire crumbled, the spirit of European romantic nationalism took holdas did the spirit of European fascism. The former gave rise to national self-determination movements proclaiming the rights of these long-subjugated nations. The latter announced newly-formed states claiming to obliterate all prior distinctions and define new identities around state citizenshipan artificial designation that only a brutal strongman could impose. The Baath Party, whose competing factions tormented Iraq (under Saddam) and Syria (under the Assads), was explicitly fascist.

By mid-century, however, various Arab elites understood that the restoration of the empire, which they all claimed to want as a matter of theory, would undermine the wealth and status theyd established within the regions new states. The Sunni Arab worlds first serious claimant to imperial restorationNassers Egypt-based pan-Arabist United Arab Republicthus warred constantly with Arab royalists. At its bloodiest, the Yemeni Civil War of 1962-70 pitted American-backed Saudi proxies against Soviet-backed Egyptians.

Few framings of the regions post-Ottoman century seem willing to recognize that every significant development flows from a combination of these main themes: The Sunni Arab-led drive to restore imperial rule, fights among Sunni Arabs to define the nature and leadership of that new empire, the push for minority self-determination, and the fascist utopian/authoritarian drive to impose new identities for the modern world.

Even the one movement that may seem to be an exceptionIrans Khomeinist revolutionis really only a twist on those themes. The Islamic Republic was never truly about Iran; it was a Shiite awakening. Khomeinism combined resurgent Shiite nationalism with the imperial drive. Like Hitlers Nazism, its essential claim was that nefarious forces were restraining those who, by all rights, deserved to dominate and rule.

The Iran/Iraq war of the 1980s pitted this nascent Shiite empire against a Sunni majority. When it ended and Saddam moved to unify the Sunnis beneath his imperial rule, the royalists again balked. His ejection from Kuwait in 1991 buried the idea of a secular Arab empire, allowing the older dream of a Sunni Islamic empire to retake center stage.

Meanwhile, the Arab/Israeli conflict came to define the front lines of the battle between imperialism and self-determination. Because Zionism proved to be the regions only truly successful movement for minority self-determination (at least to date), it remains by far the greatest affront to the imperial drive. For those seeking to resurrect a Levantine empiresecular or Islamic, Sunni or Shiiteany ethnic homeland carved out of imperial territory is illegitimate.

Lebanon during its Christian heyday and Syria under the Alawite Assads at least pretended to remain within the fold. Only the Zionist entity, the Jewish State of Israel, proudly opted out of the whole. Sunni Arab leadershipwith backing, at different times, from Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Islamic Republicconscripted a permanent imperial army to fight it. Their hapless conscripts, deprived of agency and individuality, simultaneously embraced as brother Arabs, consigned to the status of permanently stateless refugees, and reviled as worthless cannon fodder, became known as the Palestinians.

As the PLO Charter makes clear (and as the charters of UNRWA and Hamas, along with all League of Nations documents moving the region into its post-Ottoman era) confirm, differentiation among Sunni Arabs never existed beyond the tribal or village levels. National identities were non-existent.

The Palestinian identity was cultivated exclusively to ensure that the region could never stabilize with a Jewish state in its midst. The definition of Palestinian was fixed to mean all Arabs capable of forwarding a narrow, personal or ancestral, claim to territory within the Jewish homeland. Any Arab who met the definition was trapped. Their lives were meaningless, their children weapons, their suffering a boon to the cause.

For the past century, the epicenter of the struggle between minority self-determination and revanchist imperialism has pitted Zionism and its allies against Palestinian Liberation (or Free Palestine, in its snappy contemporary update) and the forces behind it.

Over the past two decades, the forces of empire and the forces of self-determination have both grown stronger. ISIS forged and governed the largest, longest-standing Caliphate since Ataturk abolished the institution in 1924. It did so in ways that paid no heed to international borders, which it viewed as a foreign and infidel imposition into the rightful empire of Islam. Though American forces during the first Trump Administration defeated ISIS as a territorial force, its ideology and much of its organizational structure remain. Meanwhile, 2020s Abraham Accords broke the taboo on far more than Arab alliance with Israel; it provided the first effective mechanism for individual Arab states to elevate their national interests above the imperial drive, not only as a matter of practice (which had long been done) but as a proud, open, ideological and strategic choice.

Confusion about todays Middle East stems almost entirely from a miscast narrative about the regions post-Ottoman development. See the history clearly and the significance of the present day emergesas does the path that best serves both American interests and American ideals.
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Indian stock markets face a sharp decline as Sensex and Nifty slump due to IT stock selloffs amid rising AI disruption fears and renewed global trade concerns.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points Indian stock market indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply due to a selloff in IT stocks, fueled by fears of AI-led disruption.

Rising crude oil prices and renewed global trade concerns, particularly related to US President Trump's tariff policies, contributed to the negative market sentiment.

IT stocks like Eternal, HCL Technologies, and Infosys experienced the most significant declines on the Sensex.

Investors are closely watching US President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address for further insights on trade policies.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net sellers in the market.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped nearly 1 per cent in early trade on Tuesday, dragged down by a sharp selloff in IT stocks amid rising fears of AI-led disruption.

Rising global crude prices amid escalating US-Iran tensions and sluggish global cues also hit investor sentiment, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 1,068.74 points, or 1.28 per cent, to settle at 82,225.92.

During the day, the benchmark plunged 1,359.93 points, or 1.63 per cent, to hit an intraday low of 81,934.73.

The 50-share NSE Nifty fell 288.35 points, or 1.12 per cent, to close at 25,424.65.

In the intraday session, it depreciated by 385.4 points, or 1.49 per cent, to hit a low of 25,327.60.

Gainers and Losers

Global trade and tariff worries resurfaced as well, with additional pressure arising from Trump's warnings on trade deals and reports of possible national-security tariffs, he added.

Tech Mahindra emerged as the biggest laggard, declining by 6.6 per cent, followed by HCL Technologies, Eternal, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Larsen & Toubro, Trent, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, Bharat Electronics Ltd and ICICI Bank.

On the other hand, NTPC, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Steel, PowerGrid, Titan, Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, and Sun Pharmaceuticals were among the gainers.

Broader indices also ended in the negative territory, with the BSE Smallcap Select Index falling 0.68 per cent, while the Midcap Select Index slipped 0.54 per cent.

Market Analyst Insights

"Domestic markets registered a sharp decline, led by significant weakness in IT stocks amid renewed global concerns over AI-driven disruption and margin pressures for traditional service providers," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said.

Nair further said that realty stocks also came under strain on expectations that prolonged stress in the IT sector could weigh on real estate demand and valuations.

"Meanwhile, escalating US-Iran tensions, marked by embassy staff evacuations and Iran's warnings of wider regional escalation, intensified risk aversion.

"Overall, markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical risks and sector-specific pressures, driving investors toward defensive, domestically focused segments," Nair said.

Global Market Trends

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Shanghai's SSE Composite Index and Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark ended higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed in red territory.

Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.22 per cent to $71.66 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 3,483.70 crore on Monday, while domestic institutional investors were net sellers of stocks worth Rs 1,292.24 crore, according to exchange data.
Indian stock markets face a sharp decline as Sensex and Nifty slump due to IT stock selloffs amid rising AI disruption fears and renewed global trade concerns.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Sensex and Nifty50 Performance: Key Market Highlights Today Indian stock market indices Sensex and Nifty fell sharply due to a selloff in IT stocks, fueled by fears of AI-led disruption.

Rising crude oil prices and renewed global trade concerns, particularly related to US President Trump's tariff policies, contributed to the negative market sentiment.

IT stocks like Eternal, HCL Technologies, and Infosys experienced the most significant declines on the Sensex.

Investors are closely watching US President Trump's upcoming State of the Union address for further insights on trade policies.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net sellers in the market.

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped nearly 1 per cent in early trade on Tuesday, dragged down by a sharp selloff in IT stocks amid rising fears of AI-led disruption.

Rising global crude prices amid escalating US-Iran tensions and sluggish global cues also hit investor sentiment, traders said.

The 30-share BSE Sensex plummeted 1,068.74 points, or 1.28 per cent, to settle at 82,225.92.

During the day, the benchmark plunged 1,359.93 points, or 1.63 per cent, to hit an intraday low of 81,934.73.

The 50-share NSE Nifty fell 288.35 points, or 1.12 per cent, to close at 25,424.65.

In the intraday session, it depreciated by 385.4 points, or 1.49 per cent, to hit a low of 25,327.60.

Sector Winners and Losers on Dalal Street

Global trade and tariff worries resurfaced as well, with additional pressure arising from Trump's warnings on trade deals and reports of possible national-security tariffs, he added.

Tech Mahindra emerged as the biggest laggard, declining by 6.6 per cent, followed by HCL Technologies, Eternal, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Larsen & Toubro, Trent, Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, Bharat Electronics Ltd and ICICI Bank.

On the other hand, NTPC, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Steel, PowerGrid, Titan, Reliance Industries, Axis Bank, and Sun Pharmaceuticals were among the gainers.

Broader indices also ended in the negative territory, with the BSE Smallcap Select Index falling 0.68 per cent, while the Midcap Select Index slipped 0.54 per cent.

Expert View: What Investors Should Watch Next

"Domestic markets registered a sharp decline, led by significant weakness in IT stocks amid renewed global concerns over AI-driven disruption and margin pressures for traditional service providers," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said.

Nair further said that realty stocks also came under strain on expectations that prolonged stress in the IT sector could weigh on real estate demand and valuations.

"Meanwhile, escalating US-Iran tensions, marked by embassy staff evacuations and Iran's warnings of wider regional escalation, intensified risk aversion.

"Overall, markets remain highly sensitive to geopolitical risks and sector-specific pressures, driving investors toward defensive, domestically focused segments," Nair said.

Global Markets and Tariff Concerns Impacted Indian Equities

In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Shanghai's SSE Composite Index and Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark ended higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed in red territory.

Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, rose 0.22 per cent to $71.66 per barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 3,483.70 crore on Monday, while domestic institutional investors were net sellers of stocks worth Rs 1,292.24 crore, according to exchange data.
Sensitive issues remain. Water sharing of the Ganga and Teesta rivers. Treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus. Border management. Trade imbalances. Connectivity projects.

What happens next will shape not just bilateral ties, but the balance of South Asia itself, points out Ramesh Menon.

IMAGE: A week ago, on February 17, 2026, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin swore in Tarique Rahman as Bangladesh's prime minister. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

Key Points If Tarique Rahman governs inclusively, strengthens institutions and prioritises regional cooperation, Bangladesh could regain its economic momentum and restore confidence at home and abroad.

If mismanaged, old tensions could resurface quickly. That will not be good news for India, as it will make it easier for both China and Pakistan to stoke conflicts with India.

For Bangladesh, the test is whether this political change can restore trust and revive growth. For India, the task is steady engagement based on mutual interest, not personalities.

The Bangladesh elections, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide parliamentary victory, were being keenly watched across South Asia, particularly in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to reach out to BNP leader Tarique Rahman, who had returned to the country after 17 years in exile, even before the final results were formally declared.

The BNP secured close to 50 per cent of the vote, winning 212 of the 300 seats in Parliament. It was a decisive mandate.

Relations between India and Bangladesh had drifted after then prime minister Sheikh Hasina was forced out in August 2024 following massive countrywide protests against her governance.

Her Awami League was barred from contesting this election. Hasina, now in exile in India, had called for a boycott.

Yet, nearly 60 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote. That turnout itself reflected a strong desire for political change.

The change, however, will not be without complications.

BNP leaders have called for Hasina's extradition from India to face charges linked to the violent crackdown during the protests in which large numbers of people were killed. She has been given a death sentence by a court.

The issue is likely to become a diplomatic irritant.

The BNP has also asked India not to allow Hasina to make political statements from Indian soil.

The Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, which has re-emerged as a significant force, will also influence the tone of relations.

The Jamaat-e-Islami party emerged with significant parliamentary strength, raising fresh questions about ideological balance in Dhaka's political calculus.

The National Citizen Party, led by student leaders who spearheaded the agitation against Hasina, will add its own pressure. Many young people were killed during the protests. That memory remains raw.

Hasina had ruled Bangladesh with a firm and often uncompromising hand. Opposition space had narrowed sharply over the years.

Ironically, it is that very opposition which has now swept to power.

IMAGE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman's photograph as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, February 13, 2026. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

But victory at the ballot box is one thing. Governing is another.

Rahman inherits a stressed economy. External debt now exceeds 100 billion dollars. Foreign exchange reserves have fallen sharply from their earlier highs. The banking sector is under severe strain, with non-performing loans rising to worrying levels. Poverty has edged up again to around 20 to 21 per cent.

A World Bank assessment had warned that nearly two million people slipped back into poverty during the recent slowdown.

Youth unemployment remains a serious concern. More than 650,000 graduates enter the job market every year. Many struggle to find stable employment. Economic frustration was one of the triggers of unrest.

According to World Bank debt sustainability analysis, public debt has risen toward moderate risk levels, with external obligations accounting for about 39 per cent of GDP and a growing repayment burden. Non-performing loans have surged to above 24 per cent of the banking system, reflecting deep structural issues.

This election, therefore, is not just a change of government. It is a test of whether political legitimacy can translate into economic renewal.

Previous elections had been boycotted or criticised for lack of fairness.

This vote was framed by the BNP as a battle to restore democracy and institutions. A constitutional referendum was also held alongside the polls, with reports suggesting strong support for governance reforms.

The message from voters was clear. They want accountability and an institutional reset.

What Lies Ahead For India

India can see both risk and opportunity here.

For India, maintaining influence means engaging with Bangladesh on its terms while not appearing transactional.

The new government will seek foreign investment, infrastructure financing, and diplomatic balance. A tilt too sharply away from India could empower external actors in the Bay of Bengal and complicate New Delhi's security and connectivity priorities.

New Delhi had drawn closer to Hasina over the past decade, especially after she acted firmly against Indian insurgent groups operating from Bangladeshi soil. Security cooperation deepened. Connectivity projects expanded. Trade grew. India benefited strategically from transit access to its north east through Bangladesh.

History, however, makes India cautious. During the BNP's earlier tenure from 2001 to 2006, India had concerns about insurgent groups operating from across the border. New Delhi will watch closely to ensure that security cooperation does not weaken.

Sensitive issues remain. Water sharing of the Ganga and Teesta rivers. Treatment of minorities, particularly Hindus. Border management. Trade imbalances. Connectivity projects.

All these will test the maturity of the new leadership.

The silver lining for India was that the BNP campaign did not rely on anti-India rhetoric.

After the victory, senior advisers indicated that Bangladesh wants to reset ties with India on a balanced footing. That suggests pragmatism.

IMAGE: Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman meets Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Dhaka, February 17, 2026. Photograph: @hamidullah_riaz X/ANI Photo

There is also a larger geopolitical layer. China and the United States have welcomed the new government. Bangladesh's location in the Bay of Bengal makes it strategically important.

Rahman will have to balance major powers carefully. India will have to engage without appearing overbearing.

Tarique Rahman's own journey reflects Bangladesh's turbulent politics. The son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and the late president Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP, he has long been a controversial figure. Convicted in corruption cases under the previous government, charges his supporters call politically motivated, he spent years in exile in London.

Within the BNP, he steadily consolidated control after his mother was jailed and her health deteriorated. He reshaped district leadership and kept the party intact during years of repression.

His return signals a generational shift.

But it also means expectations are high.

He must now move from narrow Opposition politics to statecraft. That requires inclusion, administrative discipline and economic realism.

Bangladesh Politics Polarisation

IMAGE: Supporters of Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies protest against post-election violence in Dhaka, February 16, 2026. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

Bangladesh's politics has long been deeply polarised. If that polarisation is not moderated, instability could return. If institutions are not strengthened, reform will falter.

For Bangladesh, the test is whether this political change can restore trust and revive growth. For India, the task is steady engagement based on mutual interest, not personalities.

Rahman now has both mandate and moment.

If he governs inclusively, strengthens institutions and prioritises regional cooperation, Bangladesh could regain its economic momentum and restore confidence at home and abroad.

If mismanaged, old tensions could resurface quickly. That will not be good news for India, as it will make it easier for both China and Pakistan to stoke conflicts with India.

The stakes for both Dhaka and New Delhi are high.

What happens next will shape not just bilateral ties, but the balance of South Asia itself.

Ramesh Menon is an author of seven books, an award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and educator. He is the author of Modi Demystified: The Making of a Prime Minister.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Photo: Anadolu Agency

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that European security, of which Ukraine's security is an integral part, cannot be discussed without the presence of Europeans at the peace negotiating table.

"Today marks a milestone. For four long years, the Ukrainian people have defended not only their sovereignty but also the foundations of the European order and peace. We are all extremely grateful for the enormous sacrifices made by Ukrainian service members and civilians," Merz said, joining the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing via video link.

"Ukraine's security and Europe's security are inseparable. Therefore, European security cannot be discussed without Europeans at this table," the German Chancellor emphasized.

Merz noted that Germany's commitment to Ukraine's defense remains unwavering. "Today, we are providing Ukraine with our strongest support. My government has increased military support to EUR 11.5 billion by 2026. And we are continuously improving our defense cooperation within the EU. We are working to finalize the EUR 90 billion loan, so that the first payments will be made in April," he said.

According to Merz, within the framework of this Coalition of the Willing, "we are working to provide swift and strong security guarantees to ensure that Ukraine never faces such aggression again. Therefore, we must make it clear that this war will only end when Putin realizes he cannot win. And that is precisely why we must increase pressure on Russia," Merz emphasized.

"We need to deplete Russia's funding for the war. The European Union's next round of sanctions is aimed precisely at this goal," Merz emphasized.

"Moscow is no longer as strong as it would like the world to think. Russia must not win. Therefore, we will continue to work toward long-term peace. A peace without a theory that would support aggression, and with powerful security guarantees," Merz said.
A tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district resulted in the death of all seven individuals on board, prompting investigations into the cause and concerns over flight authorisation during adverse weather conditions.

IMAGE: Security personnel carry out search operations at the forested crash site near Kasariya Panchayat in Simaria block, where a Redbird Airways air ambulance en route from Ranchi to Delhi crashed on February 23rd, killing all seven onboard, including two crew members, in Chatra on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points A Redbird Airways air ambulance crashed near Simaria, Jharkhand, resulting in the death of all seven people on board, including two pilots.

Inclement weather is suspected as a possible cause of the crash, prompting calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flight's authorization.

Family members of the deceased have expressed grief and highlighted concerns about health infrastructure and the circumstances leading to the need for medical evacuation.

The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are investigating the crash to determine the exact cause.

The Jharkhand government has pledged support to the affected families and promised to investigate the decision to allow the flight to proceed in adverse weather conditions.

The grief and pain of family members of seven people, who died in an air ambulance crash near Simaria in Jharkhand's Chatra district, were palpable on Tuesday as the bodies of some of the deceased were consigned to flames.

The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route to Delhi from Ranchi when it crashed on Monday evening in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, located deep inside a forest, killing all seven on board, including two pilots.

The deceased were pilots Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh, patient Sanjay Kumar, his sister Archana Devi, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, and para-medical staff Sachin Kumar Mishra and attendant Dhruv Kumar.

Scenes of heartbreak unfolded as inconsolable relatives gathered for the last rites after post-mortem examinations at Sadar Hospital in Chatra.

'My son saved many lives flying air ambulances'

Among the deceased was Captain Vikas Bhagat, a pilot who had flown countless medical evacuation missions.

"I am an ill-fated father who had to see the mortal remains of my son. It cannot get more unfortunate," said D S Bhagat, his voice choking.

His son had saved many lives flying air ambulances, only to lose his own in one tragic flight.

Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, another victim, had been the pride of his family. His father, Bajrangi Prasad from Bihar's Aurangabad district, said he had sold all his land to educate his son.

"He was meritorious and completed his MBBS from Cuttack... He has a seven-year-old son...," Prasad said, struggling to hold back tears.

For one family, the tragedy proved too cruel.

Sanjay Kumar (41), who had suffered 65 per cent burn injuries, was being taken to Delhi for advanced treatment. His sister Archana Devi accompanied him.

Neither reached the destination.

"Had we received proper treatment in Ranchi, perhaps this journey wouldn't have been necessary," his brother-in-law said, blaming poor health infrastructure in the state.

"We had borrowed lakhs of rupees to arrange for the air ambulance. Now we lost both," he said.

'Family borrowed Rs 8 lakh for air ambulance'

Sanjay's close friend Rajesh Prasad said, "His family gathered Rs 8 lakh to take him to Delhi. Most of the amount was borrowed."

Sachin Kumar Mishra, a paramedic, was another victim of the crash.

His elder brother said, "Sachin was everything to me. He was like my own child. My parents are no more, and now my brother has also gone."

"Sachin's mother, who used to cook at a school, had sold her jewellery to enable Sachin to study BSc Nursing," another relative said.

Dinesh Prasad, father of Dhurv Kumar and a handicapped person, was uncontrollable.

"What will happen now? I don't get even a pension for the handicapped.... I don't want to live... I feel like consuming poison," he said, adding that none from the government had met him.

All seven families, who were united by the tragic crash, rued that they had not received any compensation so far.

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the accident, and said the state government will provide all support to the affected families.

'Since receiving the news last night of the heart-wrenching incident involving the air ambulance... the district administration, along with the state government, has been fully engaged in addressing it. In this tragic event, we have lost a total of seven of our own, including brave pilots, leaving me deeply anguished and stunned,' Soren said in a post on X.

The Governor said the news of the air ambulance accident was extremely heartbreaking.

"My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May god grant them the strength to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti," Gangwar said.

Jharkhand health minister Irfan Ansari said the state government will conduct a probe into how permission was given to the aircraft to fly during 'inclement weather'.

He also said proper compensation would be given to the kin of the deceased.
The victim alleged that at least seven unknown men raped her one after the other and then forced her to transfer Rs 10,000 to one of the accused's accounts.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 28-year-old woman alleged that seven men raped her near Silchar in Assams Cachar district on February 19 and forced her to transfer Rs 10,000 to one of the accused.

The victim identified two accused who have been arrested; police are searching for the remaining suspects.

An FIR was lodged at Silchar Sadar Police Station under charges including gang rape, extortion, dacoity and criminal intimidation.

The case gained attention after a local journalist reporting on it was allegedly assaulted by a relative of an accused.

A 28-year-old woman was allegedly raped by seven men who also extorted money from her while she was out with her boyfriend near Silchar town in Assam's Cachar district, police said on Tuesday.

The victim filed a complaint of the incident, which took place on February 19, and a case has been registered in this connection, a senior police officer said.

The victim identified two persons, who were subsequently arrested, while efforts are on to identify and nab the others, he added.

The case was registered at Silchar Sadar Police Station under sections 308 (5) (extortion by death threat), 310 (2) (dacoity), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 61(2) (unlawful act committed by two or more persons, 70(1) (gang rape), 76 (criminal force against woman with intent to disrobe her or compel her to be naked), 79 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, police said.

The mandatory medical examination has been conducted, and her statement has also been recorded, the officer said.

The victim alleged that at least seven unknown men raped her one after the other and then forced her to transfer Rs 10,000 to one of the accused's accounts.

The police were initially tight-lipped about the issue, but the matter went viral on social media on Tuesday after a Silchar-based journalist was attacked by family members of one of the accused.

Accused's family attacks journalist

The journalist claimed that he was stopped by the family members of the accused near the National Highway Road police station, asked why he reported the incident and then beaten up, but was saved by onlookers.

He also lodged a complaint in this connection, and the police arrested one person in this connection.

A senior police officer appealed to people not to spread misinformation on social media and shared the details.

The victim's family members said that she was in a car with her boyfriend on Bypass Road, a few kilometres from Silchar town, when a group of men appeared in an SUV and attacked them.

"They first asked the couple about their whereabouts and then suddenly grabbed the woman and her friend. There were around 7 men, and they raped her one by one in front of her friend," they alleged.

Opposition demands action

Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev also demanded strict action and asked the police for an update on the matter.

'I have met SP Cachar District for an update on action taken There should be no attempt to cover up this case. @AITC4Assam will not tolerate it. Medical report awaited I am told,' the Trinamool Congress MP said.
The handover is expected to be coordinated through the Dawki-Tamabil sector, where Indian and Bangladeshi border agencies regularly conduct such transfers.

Kindly note the image has been published only for representational purposes.

Key Points The detainees were arrested by Meghalaya police in anti-infiltration operations along the India-Bangladesh border.

Handover is expected through the Dawki-Tamabil border sector.

The move comes amid heightened vigilance against illegal entry and trafficking networks.

In a development that clears the way for their return home, Bangladesh has issued travel permits for 18 of its nationals currently lodged in the Shillong district prison, officials said on Monday.

The detainees had been picked up earlier by Meghalaya police in separate anti-infiltration operations along the India-Bangladesh border and were subsequently prosecuted under relevant laws.

With their legal processes completed, their deportation had been pending for want of travel documents from the Bangladesh side.

Officials said the issuance of travel permits is a crucial procedural step that enables foreign nationals to be repatriated once their sentences are over.

"The documentation from the Bangladesh authorities has now come through. We are completing the remaining formalities so that the individuals can be handed over at a designated border point," a senior official said.

The handover is expected to be coordinated through the Dawki-Tamabil sector, where Indian and Bangladeshi border agencies regularly conduct such transfers.

Security arrangements and transit logistics are being finalised in consultation with all concerned agencies, officials added.

Meghalaya shares an approximately 443 kilometre-long international border with Bangladesh, making border management and coordination between the two countries a constant administrative priority.

The development comes amid heightened vigilance along Meghalaya's international border, where the state has stepped up enforcement against illegal entry and human trafficking networks.

"Detection, prosecution and deportation are all part of a standard legal process. Once a foreign national has served the sentence and the home country confirms identity and nationality, repatriation follows," another official said.

Authorities emphasised that deportations are carried out in accordance with due process and bilateral protocols, with proper documentation and verification on both sides.

With travel permits now in place, the repatriation of the 18 detainees from Shillong is expected to take place in the coming days, subject to final administrative clearances.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati faces sexual abuse allegations and responds by claiming innocence and a fabricated story, while a Congress leader calls for an impartial investigation into the matter.

IMAGE: Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati speaks to media. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati addresses sexual abuse allegations, stating he will not oppose arrest and believes the truth will emerge.

An FIR was filed against Saraswati and his disciple under the POCSO Act for alleged sexual abuse at a gurukul and religious gatherings.

Saraswati claims the allegations are fabricated and asserts he has received 'clean chits' from the public, his conscience, and the Supreme Court.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai has requested an impartial investigation into the allegations against Saraswati to protect religious autonomy.

Days after he was booked for alleged sexual abuse of two persons, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Monday said he will not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" will be exposed sooner or later.

Speaking to reporters, Saraswati said there are three courts -- the first is the public, which is following all the developments and will deliver its verdict; the second is his own conscience; and the third is the Supreme Court, which knows who is right and who is wrong.

"I have received clean chits from all three," he claimed.

FIR against Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati

An FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on Saturday on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.

The FIR was registered under the relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following an order of a special court.

Saraswati said the truth will eventually come to light and the "fabricated story" will be exposed sooner or later.

He claimed that he remained in the fair area in full view of CCTV cameras and the media during the Magh Mela.

Responding to the allegations linked to his gurukul, he claimed that the boys in question never studied there nor did they take admission, and that their marksheets indicated they were students of a school in Hardoi.

He also dismissed claims about an alleged CD, asking why it has not been made public if it exists.

According to the FIR, the accused, posing as religious preceptors, allegedly subjected the minor and another youth to repeated sexual assault on multiple occasions over the past year.

It also alleged that the acts were carried out under the guise of guru seva and by misusing religious authority.

Controversies and Calls for Investigation

Saraswati hit the headlines recently for his confrontation with the organisers of the Magh Mela. He accused them of preventing him from taking a bath on Mauni Amavasya.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding that an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the case against Saraswati.

This is essential to protect the constitutional dignity of religious autonomy, Rai said in his letter.

He said Saraswati had previously publicly questioned the Uttar Pradesh government's administrative system in connection with the stampede at the Maha Kumbh.

Subsequently, incidents such as his being prevented from bathing at the Magh Mela and alleged mistreatment of his disciples came to light, drawing widespread criticism. Criticism cannot be suppressed by punitive power, the Congress leader said.

In light of the above constitutional principles, it is essential that the investigation is impartial, independent and completely free from political influence, Rai said.

This issue is not just about one individual, but is related to faith, constitutional rights and impartiality of governance, he said.

The people of the country want confidence that the rule of law is supreme in India and that abuse of any kind will not be protected, he said.
The Canadian government is attempting to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a Pakistan-born businessman, for allegedly misrepresenting his residency when applying for citizenship, due to his suspected involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

IMAGE: 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being taken from Patiala House court, in New Delhi. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

Key Points Canada is moving to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana Hussain, accused of playing a role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The revocation is based on Rana allegedly misrepresenting his residency in Canada on his citizenship application.

Rana is accused of lying about his time spent in Canada when applying for citizenship in 2000.

The Canadian government has referred the case to the Federal Court for a final decision on the citizenship revocation.

The government argues that cancelling citizenship for misrepresentation is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Canadian citizenship.

The Canadian government is pushing to revoke the citizenship of a Pakistan-born businessman, Tahawwur Rana Hussain, accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen.

Documents obtained by Global News show that immigration officials have notified Rana that they intend to strip him of the Canadian citizenship he acquired in 2001.

He immigrated to Canada in 1997 and was later convicted in the US of plotting to attack staff at a Danish newspaper.

Rana, the mastermind behind the 26/11 attack, which killed 166 people, was extradited from the United States to India in April 2025. He was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as soon as he landed in New Delhi.

In its decision, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) wrote that Rana's citizenship was being revoked not for terrorism, but rather because he lied on his application form, the report added.

Details of the Citizenship Application Misrepresentation

When Rana applied for citizenship in 2000, he claimed to have lived in Ottawa and Toronto for the previous four years, with only a six-day absence from the country, the IRCC wrote in a report.

An RCMP investigation, however, determined he had actually spent almost that entire time in Chicago, where he owned several properties and businesses, including an immigration firm and a grocery store.

The revocation decision accused him of "a serious and deliberate deception," and said his "lack of respect for the citizenship laws of Canada" had led immigration officials to wrongly grant him citizenship.

"Yours is a case in which it appears that you misrepresented your residence in Canada during the application process for citizenship by deliberately failing to declare your absences from Canada," IRCC wrote to him on May 31, 2024.

"Your misrepresentation led decision makers to believe that you had met the residence requirements for citizenship, when it appears you had not."

The government said it was referring his case to the Federal Court, which has the final say on whether citizenship was obtained by "false representation or fraud or by knowingly concealing material circumstances."

Legal Proceedings and Government Stance

A Toronto immigration lawyer representing Tahawwur Rana, also known as Tahawwur Hussain Rana, has appealed the decision, arguing it was unfair and violated his rights, the Global report added.

A hearing related to the revocation was held in Federal Court last week.

Government lawyers asked the court on December 19 for permission to withhold sensitive national security information from the case.

An immigration department spokesperson told Global News that cancelling citizenship for misrepresentation was "an important tool for maintaining the integrity of Canadian citizenship."

To ensure the process is fair, the Federal Court makes the final decision in such cases, Mary Rose Sabater said.

"The Government does not take the revocation of citizenship lightly."

She said she could not say how many such revocations had occurred because the department did not track them, but a review by Global News identified only three such decisions in the past decade.
An illegal human egg trafficking ring in India, centered in Badlapur, is under investigation for potential links to Bengaluru and Telangana, exposing the exploitation of vulnerable women and raising serious ethical and legal concerns.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: Pexels/Pixabay.com

Key Points Investigation into illegal human egg extraction in Badlapur reveals potential links to Bengaluru and Telangana.

Authorities suspect over 40 women were exploited for commercial egg extraction, lured with payments of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.

A woman was allegedly subjected to egg extraction 33 times, violating the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021.

Illegal injections worth Rs 9.50 lakh to Rs 10 lakh were seized, and two hospitals are under scrutiny for illegal sonographies.

Maharashtra Health Minister assures a thorough investigation and strict action against those involved in the illegal human egg trade.

The ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal human egg extraction and sale racket in Badlapur has laid bare suspected links to Bengaluru and Telangana, with four women arrested so far, a police officer said on Tuesday.

According to police, at least 40 women may have been exploited for commercial extraction of eggs.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Sachin Gore informed the media that the fourth accused, identified as Sonal Garewal, was arrested on Monday night.

Garewal allegedly assisted in illegal sonographies and stored ovulation-stimulating equipment in her house without possessing any medical degree, he said.

"We have seized illegal injections worth Rs 9.50 lakh to Rs 10 lakh from three locations following proper panchnamas. Four teams are investigating to identify more illegal centres and individuals involved," said Gore.

The racket came to light after a woman complained that she had not been paid for an egg donation.

This led to a raid on the residence of the alleged kingpin, Sulakshana Gadekar (44), where hormonal injections were recovered.

Subsequent arrests included Ashwini Chabuskwar (29) and Manjusha Wankhede (46).

Investigators suspect that an interstate network is involved in the crime.

According to police, data seized from mobile phones suggest that donor women were lured with offers of Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.

They were transported to Bengaluru, Telangana, Nagpur, Pune, and Nashik for extraction after receiving hormonal injections at Gadekar's residence.

Hospitals Under Scrutiny

"Preliminary findings suggest over 40 women may have been exploited. In one shocking instance, a donor was allegedly subjected to egg extraction 33 times, violating the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, which permits donation only once in a lifetime," a senior officer said.

Two hospitals in Ulhasnagar and Thane are currently under scrutiny for conducting sonographies without valid prescriptions. Authorities are examining medical records to verify legal compliance.

Government Response

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar has assured a thorough investigation, warning of strict action against any medical professionals or agents involved in the commercial sale of human eggs.
Meeting at the new 'Seva Teerth' PMO complex, the Union Cabinet pledged to embody 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' in every decision, prioritizing citizen empowerment and transparent governance for a 'Viksit Bharat'.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the inaugural programme of Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2, in New Delhi. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

Key Points The Union Cabinet resolved to prioritise citizen empowerment and service at the new PMO complex, 'Seva Teerth', guided by 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'.

The cabinet aims to simplify life for every Indian through transparent and citizen-centric governance.

The 'Seva Teerth' complex symbolises a new work culture rooted in constitutional values and accountability to the people's aspirations.

The cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to 'Viksit Bharat 2047' and securing India's place among the top three economies.

Past achievements, including poverty reduction and improved access to healthcare and sanitation, were highlighted as part of the ongoing reform journey.

The Union Cabinet, in its first meeting at Seva Teerth, the new Prime Minister Office complex, resolved that every decision taken in the premises will be inspired by the sentiment of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' and will be a centre for empowerment of every Indian and not a place for display of power.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also resolved that every effort of governance conducted from Seva Teerth will remain connected to the spirit of simplifying the life of the last person in the country.

According to the resolution, termed 'Seva Sankalp Resolution', every decision taken in the new building will be inspired by a spirit of service towards 1.4 billion citizens and will be connected to the broader goal of nation-building.

'The Union Cabinet reiterates its resolve that every decision taken in this premises will be inspired by the sentiment of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'. This place will not be a centre for the display of power, but rather a centre for the empowerment of every Indian,' the resolution read.

'We reaffirm that, in line with our vision, we will further strengthen the governance model that is transparent, aware, and sensitive to the emotions of citizens,' it said.

'Direct expression of reconstruction of New India'

Reading out the resolution at a cabinet briefing, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that work culture at Seva Teerth will be guided by the spirit of the fundamental ethos of the Constitution, and every decision will be accountable to the aspirations of people.

This meeting and this building are a direct expression of the reconstruction of New India, according to the resolution.

'With this auspicious beginning, we welcome that future whose foundation has been laid by centuries of effort. After Independence, for so many decades, governments operated from the Prime Minister's Office in South Block, preserving the legacy and envisioning the future. We envisioned an India whose thought is indigenous, whose form is modern, and whose capability is boundless. Today, Seva Teerth is the embodied manifestation of that very vision, which will enhance India's pride as the Mother of Democracy,' it said.

Vaishnaw said the cabinet remembered the history of the complex's location, which was the site of the temporary barracks from the British era.

He said that before colonial rule, India was a nation recognised both for its material grandeur and for its human values.

The concept of Seva Teerth is formed from the confluence of both these ideals, he said.

'The message of service was re-affirmed and re-emphasised and discussion was held on how to take forward the vision of Prime Minister in converting it into reforms that help improve lives of every citizen and create new opportunities, is seen in this resolution,' the minister said.

The first meeting is an important milestone in India's history, Vaishnaw said.

Resolution highlights achievements

The resolution read, 'For us, constitutional values are the expression of that moral commitment which connects governance with the dignity, equality, and justice of every citizen. The work culture of 'Seva Teerth' will be guided by this very spirit, where every policy will be in accordance with the fundamental ethos of the Constitution and every decision will be accountable to the aspirations of the people.'

The 'Seva Teerth' is the answer to the need for governance infrastructure that promotes dynamism instead of stagnation, dedication instead of indifference, and solutions instead of doubt, the cabinet resolved.

The decisions taken in recent years under Modi's leadership have brought new clarity to the purpose of governance and strengthened public trust in governance, the resolution read.

It said that in the past decade, by lifting more than 25 crores of citizens out of poverty, the country has achieved what was once considered impossible.

Through Ayushman Bharat, the nation achieved the distinction of connecting crores of people to health security, and the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensured food security for nearly 80 crore citizens, bringing an end to the scourge of hunger, it said.

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the construction of over 12 crores toilets provided crores of families and women with a life of dignity.

The construction of more than 40 million houses granted shelter to crores of families. In rural areas, through the Jal Jeevan Mission, access to drinking water has been provided to around 16 crore citizens, the resolution read.

The Union Cabinet views these transformations as a continuous journey of reforms. With the mantra of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,' reforms such as GST, DBT, and Digital India have made governance more transparent, more efficient, and more citizen-centric, it read.

'Symbol of a new work culture'

The cabinet said it takes a firm resolve that with the new energy of 'Seva Teerth' and the rapid pace of the 'Reform Express,' we will fulfil its commitment to secure India's place among the top three economies of the world in the near future.

'Today, the Union Cabinet again dedicated itself to the national resolve of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. This is a long-term national journey, in which the decisions taken today will determine the future shape of the coming generations. This first meeting at 'Seva Teerth' reminds us that the greater the goal of development, the deeper must be our sense of responsibility towards it,' the resolution read.

The cabinet said the premise is not merely a modern workplace but also a symbol of a new work culture in governance.

It said this first meeting further strengthens the belief that with the right policy, honest intent, and correct leadership, the path toward building a Developed India will continue to be illuminated.

The cabinet said it 'reiterates' its commitment to make 'Seva Teerth' a global example of sensitive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance.

'The Cabinet resolves that in the journey to make India a prosperous, capable, and self-reliant nation by 2047, this premises will serve as a powerful center of national aspirations,' it said.
Following the tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand that claimed seven lives, the DGCA has initiated a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident and address concerns about flight authorisation during inclement weather.

IMAGE: A team of DGCA investigates the site where a Delhi-bound air ambulance crashed on Monday night, in Chatra on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points The DGCA has launched an investigation into the air ambulance crash in Jharkhand that resulted in seven fatalities.

The air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways, crashed en route from Ranchi to Delhi.

Inclement weather is being considered as a possible factor in the crash, pending a detailed investigation.

Families of the deceased are grieving and expressing concerns about healthcare infrastructure and compensation.

The DGCA is examining the circumstances surrounding the flight's authorization during adverse weather conditions.

A day after an air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district killing all seven people on board, two teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) arrived in the state on Tuesday and began investigating the accident, an official said.

After post-mortem examination at Sadar Hospital in Chatra, the bodies of the victims were handed over to their families, barring one from Amritsar.

The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route to Delhi from Ranchi when it crashed on Monday evening in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, located deep inside a forest, and left all seven dead.

The deceased were pilots Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh, patient Sanjay Kumar, his sister Archana Devi, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, and para-medical staff Sachin Kumar Mishra and attendant Dhruv Kumar.

While the body of Gupta, the doctor accompanying the patient, is being taken to his Bihar home, the family members of Captain Singh are on their way to Chatra from Chandigarh, officials said.

Inclement weather could have caused the crash

"Two teams from the DGCA have arrived here, and they have begun the probe. It will take another two days for them to come to a conclusion. A five-member team from Kolkata and a two-member team from Delhi will conduct the investigation," Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told PTI.

The aircraft took off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm and went missing around 7.30 pm. It lost contact with the air traffic control about 20 minutes after departure.

Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar said inclement weather could be a possible reason behind the crash, though the exact cause would be ascertained after a detailed probe.

Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari said the state government will conduct a probe into how permission was given to the aircraft to fly during 'inclement weather'.

He also said proper compensation would be given to the kin of the deceased.

Terming the crash extremely unfortunate, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said unpleasant weather could be one of the reasons, which will be determined by the probe.

'Since receiving the news last night of the heart-wrenching incident involving the air ambulance... the district administration, along with the state government, has been fully engaged in addressing it,' Chief Minister Hemant Soren said in a post on X.

Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also condoled the deaths, saying the news of the air ambulance accident is extremely heartbreaking.

Mourning and grief

Meanwhile, a lingering sense of grief prevailed in Chatra district, as the near and dear ones of those killed in the crash expressed shock and disbelief.

Among the deceased was Captain Vikas Bhagat, a pilot who had flown countless medical evacuation missions.

"I am an ill-fated father who had to see the mortal remains of my son. It cannot get more unfortunate," said D S Bhagat, his voice choking.

Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, another victim, had been the pride of his family. His father, Bajrangi Prasad from Bihar's Aurangabad district, said he had sold all his land to educate his son.

"He was meritorious and completed his MBBS from Cuttack... He has a seven-year-old son...," Prasad said, struggling to hold back tears.

For one family, the tragedy proved too cruel.

Sanjay Kumar (41), who had suffered 65 per cent burn injuries, was being taken to Delhi for advanced treatment. His sister Archana Devi accompanied him. Neither reached the destination.

"Had we received proper treatment in Ranchi, perhaps this journey wouldn't have been necessary," his brother-in-law said, blaming poor health infrastructure in the state.

"We had borrowed lakhs of rupees to arrange for the air ambulance. Now we lost both," he said.

Sachin Kumar Mishra, a paramedic, was another victim of the crash.

His elder brother said, "Sachin was everything to me. He was like my own child. My parents are no more, and now my brother has also gone."

"Sachin's Mother, who used to cook at a school, had sold her jewellery to enable Sachin to study BSc Nursing," another relative said.

Dinesh Prasad, father of Dhurv Kumar and a handicapped person, was uncontrollable.

"What will happen now? I don't get even a pension for the handicapped.... I don't want to live... I feel like consuming poison," he said, adding that none from the government had met him.

All seven families, who were united by the tragic crash, rued that they had not received any compensation so far.

In a statement, the DGCA said the Beechcraft C90 aircraft (VT-AJV) was operating a medical evacuation flight on the Ranchi-Delhi sector when it crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district.

"The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, the aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi," it said.

According to the DGCA website, Delhi-based non-scheduled operator Redbird has six aircraft in its fleet, including the one that crashed.
Marking the 153rd anniversary of Kolkata's historic tram network, the Calcutta Tram Users Association brought back the World War II Geetanjali tram for a special commemorative run.

Residents turned up in large numbers to experience a slice of living history, celebrating a transport system that has long been woven into the cultural fabric of the city.

Key Points Kolkata's tram network is the oldest operating electric tram system in Asia.

Launched in 1873 (initially horse-drawn), the tramways have served the city for over a century-and-a-half, making them one of the oldest running public transport systems in the world.

Beyond transport, trams have become an iconic part of Kolkata's identity  representing nostalgia, slow city life, and sustainable urban mobility.

IMAGE: Locals enjoy the vintage Geetanjali tram, rolled out by the Calcutta Tram Users Association, as the city's iconic tramways mark their 153rd anniversary in Kolkata on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. All Photographs: ANI Photo

Photographs curated and Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Pakistan conducted airstrikes on Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on February 22, 2026, targeting areas in Bihsud district. The military operation resulted in significant damage to residential structures and infrastructure.

Residents gathered at affected sites to assess the destruction as heavy machinery cleared debris from damaged homes. The strikes mark a continuation of cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

IMAGE: Residents gather at the site, following the Pakistani airstrikes, in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

IMAGE: Residents gather near a damaged house as a loader clears debris, following the Pakistani airstrikes, in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

IMAGE: Residents gather at the site, following the Pakistani airstrikes, in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

IMAGE: Residents gather as machinery clears the debris of a damaged house, following the Pakistani air strikes, in Nangarhar, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

IMAGE: Residents gather at the site, following the Pakistani airstrikes, in Bihsud district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, February 22, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff

Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is confident the next, 20th package of sanctions against Russia will be adopted and says it is only a matter of time.

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, von der Leyen said sanctions must be adopted unanimously, and that principle will not change. She added they worked on the 19th sanctions package quite successfully. According to her, none of these processes was easy when they negotiated any of the packages, but based on the experience of the previous, 19th package, she expressed confidence that they will also adopt the 20th.

Von der Leyen said it is only a matter of time and it must happen as soon as possible, but given that the common goal is to reduce Russia's revenues and take away the ability of its war machine to operate, they feel this pressure  to ensure this as quickly as possible.

In early February, von der Leyen said the EU's new 20th sanctions package against Russia would envisage a full ban on maritime transport of Russian oil and tighter export restrictions on Russia, an expansion of sanctions on the shadow fleet by another 43 vessels, and an anti-circumvention instrument. She said this would complement the EU ban on LNG imports agreed under the 19th package and the RepowerEU regulation.
In a shocking case from Lucknow, a young man has been arrested for the murder and dismemberment of his father, allegedly triggered by pressure to succeed in the NEET medical entrance exam.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: / Rediff.com

Key Points A 21-year-old man in Lucknow was arrested for allegedly murdering and dismembering his father.

The alleged motive behind the gruesome crime was the father's pressure on the son to clear NEET.

The accused confessed to the crime, and the murder weapon has been recovered by the police.

The victim's torso was found hidden in a drum at their residence, while other body parts were disposed of at different locations.

The incident has shocked the local community, with neighbors expressing disbelief at the son's actions.

A day after a 21-year-old man was arrested for allegedly shooting dead his father, dismembering the body and hiding the torso in a drum in Ashiyana area in Lucknow, an officer on Tuesday said the accused has been sent to police remand and is being further questioned to ascertain other aspects of the case.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Jitendra Kumar Dubey told PTI that the accused, Akshat Singh, is in police custody and is being interrogated.

"Prima facie, the root of the incident appears to be anger over his father repeatedly pressuring him to focus on studies and clear the NEET medical entrance examination. However, further questioning is underway and a thorough investigation is in progress," Dubey said.

On Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Vir said Akshat allegedly shot dead his father, Manvendra Singh (50), around 4.30 am on February 20 following a dispute.

The accused later chopped his body parts in an attempt to destroy evidence, disposing the severed hands and legs at different locations in Lucknow, while concealing the torso inside a drum kept at the ground floor of their house.

Police said the accused has confessed to the crime and the weapon used in the murder has been recovered. A forensic team has examined the spot and collected evidence.

The body has been sent for post-mortem.

Neighbours in shock

The grisly crime has left residents of Sector L in Ashiyana shaken.

A neighbour, who had joined the family in searching for Manvendra Singh after learning that he had gone missing, said it was unimaginable that the son could commit such an act.

The neighbour said on February 20, after the family claimed Manvendra had gone missing, locals accompanied them to the police station. However, Akshat allegedly told them that he had already lodged a complaint and was in touch with the police, thereby deflecting suspicion.

Manvendra Singh's brother, who had been in business with him for several years, said he never suspected his nephew. Speaking to a television channel, he said he had called his brother on the evening of February 20 but found his phone switched off.

"When I spoke to my nephew, he told me that his father had gone to Delhi on urgent work and would return in two days. The next day too, all his phones were switched off, which raised suspicion. I went to the house and inquired, but never imagined that Akshat could be involved," he said.

Family denies 'extreme academic pressure'

Family members and neighbours said Manvendra Singh owned four pathology centres and three liquor shops and was financially well-off.

His brother said he was not fully aware of any extreme academic pressure on Akshat, adding that the family was financially capable of securing admission to a private medical college if required.

The victim's brother also said he did not have the courage to see the torso when informed that it was found inside a blue drum on the ground floor of the house.

Police and neighbours said Manvendra Singh's wife had died earlier and he is survived by a son and a daughter.

The family lived on the third floor of the three-storey house, while the middle floor was rented out and the ground floor was vacant.

Further investigation is underway, police added.
The Delhi high court has ruled that refusing marriage based on a 'kundali' mismatch after establishing a physical relationship can attract legal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, specifically Section 69, addressing sexual intercourse obtained through deceptive means.

. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The court refused bail to a man accused of having physical relations with a woman and then refusing marriage based on horoscope incompatibility.

The accused's repeated assurances of marriage, including 'kundali' matching, before establishing physical relations are key to the court's observation.

The court noted the prosecutrix withdrew her initial complaint based on the accused's assurance of marriage, highlighting the significance of the promise.

The court emphasized that this case is not a mere 'relationship turning sour' but involves repeated assurances of marriage despite family insistence on 'kundali' matching.

Refusing to marry due to a 'kundali' (horoscope) mismatch after establishing physical relationship based on an assurance of marriage can attract Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which criminalises sexual intercourse through deceitful means, the Delhi high court has said.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the observation while refusing to grant bail to a man accused of establishing physical relations with a woman and later refusing to marry her on the ground that their birth-charts did not match.

The judge observed that physical relations were established over a period of time on the basis of the accused's repeated assurance to the prosecutrix there was no impediment to their marriage, including 'kundali' matching, and therefore, at this stage, his conduct would attract the offence under Section 69 of the BNS.

The accused, in judicial custody since January 4, sought bail on the ground that the relationship was consensual, and the parties had known each other for eight years.

His counsel said rape on the false pretext of marriage was not made out and that he deserved to be granted regular bail.

Court's Observations and Rationale

In its order passed on February 17, the court noted that the first complaint by the prosecutrix was lodged in November 2025 but was withdrawn only on the assurance of marriage allegedly given by the accused and his family, and there was a subsequent refusal to marry on the ground of non-matching of 'kundalis'.

The present FIR was lodged in January 2026 for offences under Section 376 (rape) of IPC and Section 69 of BNS.

The court opined that the sequence of events showed that it was not a mere case of "relationship turning sour" but of repeated assurances of marriage despite the applicant being aware of the insistence of his family on 'kundali'-matching.

"There can be no quarrel with the proposition that criminal law cannot be invoked merely because a relationship fails or marriage does not materialise. However, the present case, at this stage, stands on a different footing," the court stated.

"The subsequent refusal to marry on the ground of non-matching of kundalis, despite earlier assurances to the contrary, prima facie raises a question as to the nature and genuineness of the promise extended by the applicant. Such conduct, at this stage, would attract the offence under Section 69 of the BNS," it said.

The court dismissed the bail application, saying it was not inclined to give relief on account of the nature of allegations, the material collected during investigation, and the fact that chargesheet in the case was yet to be filed.
A tragic house fire in Meerut, India, caused by a suspected electrical short circuit, has resulted in the death of six people, including five children, prompting an investigation and condolences from the chief minister.

Image used only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points A fire in Meerut, India, resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals, including five children.

Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit as the primary cause of the devastating house fire.

The presence of a large quantity of cloth, used for tailoring and an online garment business, fueled the rapid spread of the flames.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences and directed officials to provide immediate relief measures.

The family has declined a post-mortem examination and has not requested government compensation following the tragic incident.

Tragedy struck a cloth trader's family in Meerut when six members, including four-month-old twin sisters and three other children, perished in a fire triggered by a suspected electrical malfunction at its three-storey house, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred around 8 on Monday night at Kidwai Nagar in the Lisadi Gate area. Seven people were admitted to hospital with burn injuries, of whom six died, Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey told reporters.

Police confirmed the deaths after midnight.

The house belongs to Iqbal Ahmed, whose family is engaged in tailoring and an online garment business.

A large quantity of clothing material was stored on the ground floor, which officials said could have aided the rapid spread of the fire.

'Electrical fault' blamed for fire

The blaze is suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault in a machine or home appliance, they said.

The deceased have been identified as Rukhsar (25), Mahbish (12), Hammad (4), Akdas (4), Nabia and Inayat (4 months).

The twins and the other children were the offspring of Iqbal Ahmed's sons, Farooq and Aseem.

Aseem's wife, Rukhsar, also died in the incident. One injured woman, Ameer Bano (55), is undergoing treatment, police said.

According to officials, some male members of the family had gone to offer Taraweeh namaz at the nearby Surahi Wali Masjid when the fire broke out, leaving others inside the house.

Mohammad Farooq said he was at the mosque when he received a call about the blaze.

"By the time I returned, a huge crowd had gathered. The blaze killed my daughter, my son, my younger brother's twin daughters and his son. My elderly mother survived, though her blood pressure shot up due to the shock," he said.

Fire tenders could not reach the spot because of narrow lanes

Eyewitness Raisuddin said residents rushed to the spot after hearing screams from inside the house and alerted the police and fire department.

He said fire tenders could not reach the exact location directly because of the narrow lanes in the locality.

Another eyewitness, Salman, said the fire allegedly broke out due to a short circuit and quickly assumed massive proportions.

Local resident Aamir said Aseem's elder daughter had gone to her maternal grandmother's house at the time of the incident, which saved her life. However, his wife and other children were present in the house and were caught in the blaze.

A Dial 112 response vehicle reached the spot within three minutes of receiving information, followed by four fire tenders, Pandey said.

The narrow lanes posed a major challenge for firefighters, who deployed motorcycles and accessed the house from adjoining rooftops.

Fire personnel also broke a wall to gain entry into the building.

Detailed inquiry ordered

While five people were rescued from the first floor, those trapped on the second floor were engulfed by dense smoke and flames.

The priority was to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining houses, the SSP said.

He also hailed the role of a good Samaritan in the rescue operations.

Chief Fire Officer Surendra Singh said seven people were pulled out and taken to a nearby private hospital before being referred to a medical college, where six succumbed.

District Magistrate V K Singh, who visited the spot, said a detailed inquiry has been ordered.

Officials from the electricity department have been sent to the site, and their findings are awaited.

Officials said the family gave in writing that they did not want post-mortem examinations conducted and have not sought any government assistance so far.

The victims were laid to rest at the Bale Miyan cemetery in Nauchandi on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, residents said no such incident had occurred in the locality earlier, and a pall of gloom has descended on the area following the tragedy.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved family and had directed officials to expedite relief measures, an official statement said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel aims to bolster strategic ties, focusing on enhanced defense cooperation, trade agreements, and addressing regional security concerns amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. Photograph: Courtesy @IsraeliPM/X

Key Points Prime Minister Modi is visiting Israel to strengthen defence and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Discussions will focus on boosting overall defence and security cooperation, including potential integration of elements from Israel's Iron Dome air defense system into India's indigenous air defense shield.

India and Israel are actively pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment ties.

The visit underscores the robust strategic partnership between India and Israel, spanning technology, innovation, agriculture, and people-to-people relations.

India and Israel signed a bilateral framework agreement to facilitate the temporary and legal employment of Indian workers in Israel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle-east including deteriorating ties between the United States and Iran.

Modi's engagements will include his address to Israel's parliament, wide-ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and a meeting with President Isaac Herzog.

"This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

It is learnt that boosting overall defence and security cooperation will be a major area of discussions during delegation level talks between the two prime ministers on Thursday.

Netanyahu is scheduled to host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday night.

It will be Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Modi's first visit to that country in July, 2017.

Netanyahu had made a return visit to India in January 2018.

Modi, Netanyahu likely to discuss Gaza

India and Israel share a robust strategic partnership with strong cooperation across science and technology, innovation, defence and security, trade and investment, agriculture, water, and people-to-people relations.

'The two leaders will review the significant progress made in India-Israel Strategic Partnership, and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people to people exchanges,' the MEA said in a statement.

It said the leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In their talks, the two prime ministers are also likely to deliberate on the prevailing situation in the Middle-East including in Gaza.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict in June last, Netanyahu and Modi spoke twice on the phone.

On October 9, Modi dialled Netanyahu and congratulated him on the progress made under President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

There has been an upswing in the India-Israel ties in the last few years including in the areas of defence, scientific research, cybersecurity and innovation.

The defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of the partnership between the two sides with Israel supplying a plethora of military platforms and weapon systems to India.

India eyes 'Sudarshan Chakra' with Iron Dome tech boost

In November last, during the visit of India's defence secretary to Israel, an important agreement on defence cooperation was signed.

As India is looking at developing an indigenous air defence shield called 'Sudarshan Chakra', it is learnt that New Delhi would like to explore the possibility of incorporating certain elements from Israel's Iron Dome all-weather air defence system that can intercept and destroy missiles and artillery shells.

The trade and investment ties between the two sides are also witnessing steady progress.

During the visit to Israel of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in November, the term of reference (ToR) for the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and Israel was signed.

In September, the two sides had inked a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) to expand economic cooperation.

The people-to-people ties between the two countries are also an important aspect of the overall relations with over 41,000-strong Indian diaspora playing a key role in the two-way engagement.

In November 2023, India and Israel signed a bilateral framework agreement to facilitate the temporary and legal employment of Indian workers in Israel.

Since then, 20,000 Indians arrived in Israel, both under the Government-to-Government route and through private channels, according to officials.
In Navi Mumbai, police arrested two individuals and seized opium valued at Rs 1 crore, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

Key Points Two individuals arrested in Navi Mumbai for alleged possession of opium.

The seized opium is estimated to be worth Rs 1 crore.

The arrests occurred after a police raid in the Ghot Camp locality of Taloja.

The accused are identified as Surinder Gurujant Singh and Maninder Gurujant Singh, both from Punjab.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway.

Two persons have been arrested for alleged possession of opium worth Rs 1 crore in Navi Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.

Based on a tip-off, the police raided a premises in Ghot Camp locality in Taloja on Monday and apprehended the accused, both natives of Punjab, an official said.

Details of the Arrest and Seizure

The duo, Surinder Gurujant Singh alias Kalu (24) and Maninder Gurujant Singh (26), were found in possession of opium worth Rs 1.02 crore, he said.

A case has been registered against the duo under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the official said.

The accused are also wanted in connection with a case registered by the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), he said, adding that a probe is on to ascertain the source of the contraband and the intended distribution network.
Army dog 'Tyson' is recovering after bravely taking a bullet during Operation Trashi-I in Kishtwar, contributing to the successful elimination of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists and highlighting the crucial role of canine soldiers in counter-terrorism efforts.

IMAGE: Army dog 'Tyson' was shot while leading troops in Operation Trashi-I in Kishtwar. Photographs: @Whiteknight_IA/X

Key Points Tyson's bravery helped neutralize Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah and two associates.

Despite his injuries, Tyson continued the assault, confirming the terrorists' location.

Tyson was evacuated by helicopter and is receiving veterinary care.

The Indian Army commended the role of army dog units in counter-terror operations.

Army canine soldier 'Tyson', a German Shepherd who took the first bullet while leading troops during Operation Trashi-I in Kishtwar district, is recovering well, officials said.

The heroics of the four-legged soldier contributed to the killing of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah and his two associates inside their hideout -- a mudhouse (dhok) in the foothills of a hill -- at Passerkut in the Chatroo belt.

Tyson's Courage in Operation Trashi-I

"In the recent operation Trashi-I at Kishtwar, assault dog 'Tyson', displayed extraordinary courage by taking the first bullet while leading the entry into the terrorists' hideout. Undeterred by his injuries, he pressed forward and launched a fierce assault, compelling the terrorists to open fire and thereby confirming their presence," the army's White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

The army said Tyson's fearlessnes enabled troops of White Knight Corps, police, and the CRPF to precisely engage and neutralise the three Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.

"Wounded yet in high spirits, alert and recovering well, Tyson exemplifies unwavering devotion to duty -- a true warrior and a soldier in every sense," the army said, adding, "the hunt continues -- those who seek to disturb peace will find no sanctuary."

Recovery and Recognition

After sustaining an injury to one of his front legs, the K9 soldier was evacuated by helicopter and admitted to a veterinary hospital, officials said.

General Officer Commanding of White Knight Corps, Lt Gen P K Mishra, visited Tyson at the veterinary facility and reviewed his medical condition, they said.

The corps commander interacted with the attending veterinary team, directed that the best possible care be ensured, and commended the role of army dog units in counter-terror operations.
The incident took on a communal undertone, prompting authorities to deploy heavy police reinforcements across the city to maintain order.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 16-year-old boy was murdered outside a government school in Sulaebailu, Shivamogga, leading to increased tension.

The victim, Sanketh, was an SSLC student who intervened in an argument involving a group of boys outside his school.

The police have taken seven minors into custody in connection with the murder and are investigating the motive.

The incident has taken on a communal undertone, prompting authorities to deploy heavy police reinforcements to maintain order.

BJP MLA from Shivamogga, S N Channabasappa, visited the hospital following the incident.

A 16-year-old boy was murdered outside a government school in Sulaebailu in Karnataka's Shivamogga on Tuesday, sparking tension in the area, police said.

Following the incident, a large police force was deployed in Shivamogga.

Condemning the killing, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah assured justice to the bereaved family and said all necessary steps would be taken to secure strict punishment for the accused.

He added that the government would provide Rs 15 lakh in compensation to the deceased student's parents.

The victim, Sanketh (16), an SSLC student of Government High School at Uragadooru, on Monday, had attended a special class ahead of examinations, police said.

Superintendent of Police Nikhil B told reporters that Sanketh intervened in an argument outside the school involving a group of boys who were discussing a cricket match.

"Some of the boys, known to him and who had earlier studied at the same school, were involved. They hit him with their hands. Sanketh collapsed immediately, and by the time he was taken to the hospital, he had died," the SP said.

"He was struck near the chest, which caused him to collapse on the spot," he added.

Police yet to ascertain murder motive

All seven minors involved in the incident have been taken into custody.

On the possible motive, the SP said the exact cause is yet to be ascertained.

"We do not have complete information yet. Once a detailed inquiry is conducted, we will know. Some suggest it may have been over a trivial matter, but this cannot be confirmed at this stage," he said.

The incident took on a communal undertone, prompting authorities to deploy heavy police reinforcements across the city to maintain order.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Shivamogga, S N Channabasappa, visited the hospital.

The family of the deceased also staged a protest outside their residence seeking justice.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appealed to the public not to heed provocations and to maintain peace.

He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb public order or exploit the situation.

'We stand firmly with the bereaved family and will ensure that every individual involved in this heinous crime is brought to justice through due process of law. All necessary steps will be taken to secure strict punishment for the accused,' he said in a post on X.

The CM said it was deeply disturbing that the perpetrators were young boys.

'Children who should be focusing on education and shaping their future have instead fallen prey to harmful influences and engaged in unlawful acts. This is both tragic and alarming,' he said.

Govt directs stringent action

Siddaramaiah has directed the police to take stringent action and ensure the law deals firmly with the perpetrators.

"Whatever the motive, and whoever is responsible, I have directed the police to take decisive action. This must serve as a deterrent so that anyone contemplating similar acts in the future will think twice," he said.

Noting the dangers of growing hatred and criminal tendencies among youth, the CM advised parents to closely monitor their children's activities and guide them if they stray.

He also urged school authorities to remain vigilant, prevent unlawful activity in and around campuses, and seek police assistance when necessary.

"To support the grieving family, the government will provide Rs 15 lakh in compensation to the deceased student's parents. All those involved have already been arrested. I assure the family that a fair and impartial investigation will be conducted and that the maximum punishment under the law will be pursued," he added.

BJP slams Siddaramaiah govt

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party State President B Y Vijayendra condemned the murder, calling it a brutal incident.

Criticising the Congress government, he cited similar recent incidents in Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada, and Yellapur, including the stone pelting during the Shivaji Jayanti procession and the murder of a Dalit woman in Yellapur.

"Despite these incidents, questions remain about whether the Home Minister (G Parameshwara) is effectively in charge. He gives routine answers to every query," he said.

"A tense atmosphere has developed in Shivamogga. The state government must act promptly. Whoever the killers are-of any caste or religion-the law is the same for all. Strict action must be taken without hesitation," he added.
In a shocking crime in Lucknow, a 21-year-old man allegedly murdered his father and dismembered the body in an attempt to conceal the homicide, prompting a police investigation.

Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: @lkopolice/X

Key Points A 21-year-old man in Lucknow is accused of fatally shooting his father during a dispute.

To conceal the crime, the accused allegedly dismembered the body and disposed of the parts.

Police discovered the crime while investigating a missing person report filed for the deceased.

The accused has been detained, and a forensic team is investigating the crime scene in Lucknow.

A 21-year-old man allegedly shot dead his father in a fit of rage and, in order to conceal the murder, chopped off the body parts and threw them while hiding the remaining torso in a drum, police said on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Manvendra Singh (50), who was killed by his son Akshat Singh (21), Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Vikrant Vir said on Monday.

Vir said that the police were conducting an ongoing investigation of a missing person registered at the Ashiana police station.

Son hides father's body in drum

As part of the investigation, Akshat Pratap Singh, the son of the missing person's son Manvendra Singh, was extensively questioned. During the interrogation, the accused admitted that a dispute arose between him and his father over some issue around 4.30 am on February 20. In a fit of rage, he shot his father, resulting in his death, the police said.

After the incident, the accused brought the deceased's body down from the third floor in order to conceal evidence and placed it in an empty room on the ground floor.

He allegedly chopped off the body parts and threw them. He hid the remaining torso in a drum.

Investigation and Forensic Examination

Upon receiving information about the incident, senior officials inspected the scene and called a forensic team. The forensic team is thoroughly inspecting the scene and collecting evidence.

The accused has been detained and a case will be registered under the relevant sections against the accused.

The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination, the police said.
Tensions between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have drawn national attention in recent months.

IMAGE: Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photographs: ANI Photo

Key Points Swami Avimukteshwaranand opposed the inauguration of the incomplete Ram temple in Ayodhya.

UP government questioned his claim as Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth.

He alleged gold was missing from Kedarnath and criticised temple replicas.

FIR filed against him under POCSO, which he denies.

What began as a disagreement over the timing of the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya has grown into a wider dispute involving questions about religious authority, recognition of the Shankaracharya title, temple administration, and serious legal allegations against him of child sex abuse.

An explainer about what went wrong between Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Who is Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati?

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is a monk of the Dashanami tradition established by Adi Shankaracharya.

He was appointed in September 2022 as the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth (Jyotirmath) in Uttarakhand after the death of his guru, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, who passed away on September 11, 2022.

Jyotish Peeth is one of the four main maths established by Adi Shankaracharya to promote Advaita Vedanta.

Origins of the dispute

The visible tension intensified in January 2024 during the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand objected to the inauguration of what he described as an incomplete temple.

He declined the invitation to attend the ceremony and stated that inaugurating a half-constructed temple was against Hindu dharma.

He emphasised that religious matters should follow scriptural traditions rather than political timelines as general elections were to be held in April 2024.

Why was his objection significant?

By refusing to attend the consecration of the Ram temple, he indirectly criticised the government's role in organising the event.

This placed him at odds with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who strongly supported the ceremony as it was being inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Any other disagreements?

He opposed the demolition of several old temples during the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.

He also questioned Yogi Adityanath for holding the post of Uttar Pradesh chief minister, stating once he became a sanyasi he cannot hold any post that pays a salary.

What further controversies did he create?

In 2024 he alleged that 228 kg of gold had gone missing from the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand.

He also criticised the construction of a replica of the Kedarnath temple in Delhi, arguing that the original temple belongs to the Himalayas and should not be replicated elsewhere.

He also commented on the 'I love Muhammad' versus 'I love Mahadev' slogan controversy, saying that Mahadev is a matter of worship, not of casual expression like 'love', and that the controversy was diverting attention from real public issues.

What is the core administrative dispute between him and the Uttar Pradesh government?

The Uttar Pradesh government has reportedly questioned his claim to the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, citing a Supreme Court-related matter.

In October 2022, the Supreme Court heard an application alleging that he falsely claimed succession and became Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth. The state administration has, at times, challenged his use of the title.

During the January 2026 Magh Mela in Prayagraj, he alleged that local authorities prevented him from taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.

He staged an 11-day sit-in protest and later returned to his math in Varanasi.

He was also questioned by the Prayagraj Mela Authority regarding his use of the Shankaracharya title.

Yogi Adityanath stated that not everyone can call himself a Shankaracharya or assume the role of a peeth's acharya at will.

Without naming the Shankaracharya, he warned people to be cautious of 'Kalanemi', referring to a demon from the Ramayana who disguised himself as a saint to trick Lord Hanuman.

What are the four traditional Shankaracharya peeths?

According to tradition, Adi Shankaracharya established four main amnaya peethams:

Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka (South)

Dwarka Sharada Peetham in Gujarat (West)

Govardhan Peetham in Odisha (East)

Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand (North)

These institutions oversee monastic traditions and specific Vedas. The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in Tamil Nadu is also recognised by many as an important centre.

What is the latest FIR controversy about?

A first information report was lodged in Prayagraj against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari under provisions of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case was registered following an order by a special POCSO court.

The complaint alleges sexual abuse of two minors for more than a year and also during the Magh Mela. The court noted serious accusations which carries severe punishment under the law.

The complaint was filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who approached the court after alleging that the police did not act on earlier written complaints.

How has Swami Avimukteshwaranand responded to the allegations?

He has denied all allegations, calling them fabricated. He stated that he was present in the Magh Mela area under CCTV and media coverage. Regarding the gurukul allegations, he claimed that the boys mentioned were never students there and that their school records show they studied elsewhere.

He alleged the complainant was a history-sheeter with multiple criminal cases. Ashutosh has denied these claims and stated that although accusations were made against him in the past, he was never convicted.

So what is the real problem between Swami Avimukteshwaranand and the UP government?

The conflict appears to have multiple layers:

1. Religious authority versus political authority.

2. Disagreement over the Ram temple inauguration.

3. Questions about his legitimacy as Shankaracharya.

4. Public criticisms of temple management and alleged corruption.

5. Administrative actions during events like the Magh Mela.

6. Ongoing legal controversies that have further intensified tensions.

At its core, the dispute reflects a broader struggle over religious leadership, institutional recognition, and the relationship between traditional Hindu monastic authorities and a politically powerful state government led by Yogi Adityanath.
The Kerala High Court is scrutinising The Kerala Story 2 amid concerns that the film misrepresents the state and could incite communal tensions, potentially impacting public order.

IMAGE: A poster of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond. Photograph: X

Key Points Kerala High Court questions the depiction of Kerala in The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond, citing potential for communal disharmony.

The court is reviewing the film's certification for public viewing and considering watching it before its scheduled release.

A petition seeks to quash the film's certification, alleging non-compliance with the Cinematograph Act and potential stigmatization of Kerala.

Producers of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond are willing to withdraw the teasers of the film.

The Kerala high court on Tuesday observed that The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond depicts a state like Kerala where everyone lives in communal harmony in a wrong light.

The court also observed that using the state's name and claiming the film is based on true facts can lead to communal tensions in the state.

The observations came from Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas while hearing arguments on three separate pleas seeking to quash the certificate for public viewing granted to The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond.

When the matter came up again in the post lunch session, the court was told that the producers of the film were willing to withdraw the teasers of the film.

Court to see The Kerala Story 2?

The court, thereafter, said it will hear the matter again on Wednesday when it is likely to decide whether to see the movie before its scheduled release on February 27.

Earlier in the day, during the arguments, the court indicated it was inclined to watch the film before passing an order.

It also asked the censor board whether the movie complies with all the mandatory guidelines.

One of the three pleas has been moved by Sreedev Namboodiri of Kannavam in Kannur district, who has arrayed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah as respondents in his writ petition filed last week.

Besides quashing of its certification, Namboodiri's petition also seeks certain modifications, including reconsideration of its title.

Concerns Over Film's Portrayal of Kerala

The petitioner has claimed that the film was certified for public viewing by the CBFC allegedly without due compliance with the statutory mandate under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

According to the petition, the grievance arises from the teaser and trailer of the film, which portray narratives involving women from multiple states, yet brand the content as 'The Kerala Story', thereby associating alleged incidents of terrorism, forced conversion and demographic conspiracy exclusively with the state of Kerala.

"Such a portrayal has the potential to stigmatise an entire regional population, disturb public order, and incite communal and regional disharmony", the petition has said.
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he was looking forward to the adoption of the bill on sanctions against Russia and called for providing Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.

"This bill has a three-year sunset and tariffs can only be imposed on countries purchasing cheap Russian energy. However, I know it will be an important tool for President Trump to end this bloodbath. It is time to give President Trump the resources he needs to negotiate an honorable and just peace," Graham said on the X social network, emphasizing that increasing pressure on the Russian oil and gas sector is the key to ending the war.

He also called for increased military support for Ukraine, in particular, providing the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Tomahawk missiles.

"Finally, it is apparent to me that at this point, Putin is not serious about ending the war. I would urge President Trump to provide Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine to increase the military pressure on Putins forces. The Tomahawks would be able to go deeper into Russia and hit drone and missile factories that provide the armaments to Putins war machine," the senator said.
After four decades underground, top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati, known as Devuji, has surrendered to Telangana police, signaling a major development in the fight against Naxalism in India.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati, known as Devuji, surrendered to the Telangana police after 40 years underground.

Devuji, a key Central Committee member of the CPI-Maoist, cited health issues as the reason for his surrender.

Devuji plans to continue his political career within the legal framework, focusing on people's problems.

Devuji's commitment to revolutionary ideologies was influenced by Jagitial Jaitra Yatra and grassroots agitations.

Devuji's wife, also a Maoist party member, died in 2020 in an exchange of fire.

Top Maoist commander and the key "strategist" of the banned CPI-Maoist outfit, Thippiri Tirupati, also known as Devuji, surrendered before the Telangana police on Tuesday, after spending over four decades of underground life, police said.

Devuji, a key Central Committee member of the proscribed organisation and the politburo member of the Maoist party, along with another central committee member Malla Raji Reddy, formally surrendered in the presence of state DGP B Shivadhar Reddy.

Besides Devji and Raji Reddy, two other ultras -- Bade Chokka Rao @ Jagan and Nune Narasimha Reddy @ Ganganna also laid down their arms, Reddy said.

The DGP said Devuji was supposed to be elected as Secretary of the CPI-Maoist in a Central Committee meeting of the party's politburo, which never took place.

Replying to the query, Devuji said he surrendered due to health issues and vowed to continue his political career within "legal framework".

"Due to health reasons, I have decided to give up my underground life and join the mainstream, not for my personal life. I have decided to work on people's problems within the legal framework. That means I will continue my political life. I will take the decades of the philosophy which I believed in, as guidance to work henceforth," he said.

Devuji's Background and Early Activism

Devuji is a native of Korutla town, Jagtial district. His father Venkata Narsaiah was a farmer. He has an elder sister Leela and two younger brothers (Gangadhar, Venkat).

Devuji, married Arike Jaini @ Srujana in January 1991. She was a party member in Perimeli Dalam when she married Devuji. She was elevated to the rank of Regional Committee Member (RCM) and died in 2020 in an "exchange of fire" in Kasansur forest area of Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra.

After completing his early education in private and government schools, he moved to Korutla for his intermediate studies. There, he was drawn into the fold of radical activism and joined the Radical Students' Union (RSU).

He was the president of RSU Korutla Town and then Karimnagar district. He spent years studying revolutionary ideologies before formally joining CPI-ML people's war.

His commitment was deeply influenced by Jagitial Jaitra Yatra and various grassroot agitations led by the CPI (ML) People's War Group.

He was elevated as the Central Committee Member in 2001, and was made in charge of CMC in 2016, the police had earlier said.
Russian intelligence has accused the UK and France of secretly planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine, raising concerns about international law and the non-proliferation treaty.

IMAGE: French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC), in Munich, Germany on February 13, 2026. Photograph: Thomas Kienzle/Pool via Reuters

Key Points Russian intelligence agency (SVR) alleges the United Kingdom and France are covertly planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine.

The SVR claims this action would violate international law, specifically the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Kremlin emphasises that a non-nuclear Ukraine is a condition for settling the ongoing crisis.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov states Russia will consider this information during ongoing negotiations.

Peace talks with US mediation are expected to occur in Geneva.

A Russian intelligence agency on Tuesday claimed that the United Kingdom and France are covertly planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) made this claim in a report it issued on Tuesday as Moscow's military operation in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine entered its fifth year on Tuesday.

Without providing any evidence to support its claims, the agency said: "The British and French realise that their designs imply a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and carry the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system."

"The Westerners' main efforts are focused on making Kiev's possession of a nuclear weapon look like it was developed by Ukrainians themselves," the report added.

Violates conditions of settlement: Kremlin

Reacting to the report, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that non-nuclear Ukraine is one of the conditions of the settlement of the crisis as Moscow strives for a negotiated end to fighting.

"Undoubtedly, this information about Paris and London's intention to arm Kyiv with a nuclear bomb is extremely important. It is important from the point of view of the threat it poses to the entire non-proliferation regime, especially in the context of active hostilities unfolding in Europe, on the European continent," he said, briefing the press.

Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had outlined the conditions for a Ukrainian settlement back in June 2024 at a meeting with foreign ministry officials.

"We will certainly take this information into account during the ongoing negotiations. Because this is potentially extremely dangerous information," he said.

The next round of peace talks with US mediation is expected in Geneva on February 27, according to local reports.
Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested after a disruptive shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, leading to further investigation into potential conspiracy and funding.

IMAGE: Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib has been arrested over a 'shirtless protest' at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Photograph: @UdayBhanuIYC/X

Key Points Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib has been arrested for his involvement in a shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi.

The arrest brings the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the protest to eight.

Additional charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been added to the FIR, including promoting enmity between groups and acts prejudicial to national integration.

Police is treating Chib as the 'main conspirator' and 'mastermind'of the shirtless protest.

Police are investigating a potential conspiracy and the financial backing behind the protest, including funding for the printed T-shirts.

Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib as the 'main conspirator' and 'mastermind' of the shirtless protest at the AI Summit last week, and added charges of rioting against him and other seven IYC workers held earlier.

While the Congress strongly slammed the government, terming the arrest of its workers as 'murder of democracy in India', the Bharatiya Janata Party alleged that Rahul Gandhi was the 'mastermind' and asserted that the long arm of the law will soon reach the 'rogue' person who organised the 'anarchic incident' to defame India from behind the scenes.

In the evening, amid slogans of 'death of democracy', IYC workers staged a protest outside its office against the arrest of Chib.

The protesters raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri during the demonstration.

Additional charges added in the case

Earlier, police added sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot- if rioting be committed; if not committed) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in the case.

Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva described the accused as 'aggressive elements' and said that a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event.

"On February 20, while the India AI Impact Summit was underway at Bharat Mandapam, a premeditated attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. During the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries," he said.

Later in the day, a Delhi court sent Chib to four days of police custody, even as the investigating officer (IO) sought seven days of custodial interrogation.

Police said that during the course of investigation, many individuals were seen in CCTV footage from the event venue and surrounding areas.

"The involvement of several other persons has also been detected, who were allegedly assisting the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act," Special Commissioner of Police (Crime and Police Management & Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastva told reporters at the press conference.

He said to unearth the entire conspiracy, continuous coordination is being maintained with police authorities of other states and raids are being carried out.

"During investigation, Sections 191(1) and 192 of the BNS have also been added. Based on the investigation so far, it has emerged that the offence was committed as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy, and substantial evidence in this regard has been obtained," he said.

Cong, BJP trade charges

The Congress strongly condemned the arrest of Chib and other IYC workers, with Gandhi alleging that the action was reflective of 'dictatorial tendencies and cowardice'.

Gandhi said he is proud of his fellow members of the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in national interest against the 'compromised PM'.

"We will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to protect democracy and the Constitution of our country. We will continue to fight and continue our struggle against those who have mortgaged our country," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters in New Delhi.

Hitting back, the BJP alleged that Gandhi was 'mastermind' of anarchic incident at the AI Summit.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, the party's national spokesperson, Gaurav Bhatia, alleged that the Congress youth wing had staged the protest at the summit at the behest of Gandhi.

"Rahul Gandhi is the mastermind, rather a super mastermind, of such an anarchic incident. The naked protest held by Congress youth wing president and others at the behest of Rahul Gandhi tarnished the image of India," he said.

"There is not much difference between Rahul Gandhi and those who are 'lampat, goondey and mawaali (rogue, hooligans, ruffians)'", the BJP leader added.

Srivastva said considering the multi-state ramifications of the case, the underlying financial and logistical networks among the accused, and the need for a comprehensive probe, further investigation has been transferred to the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch.

According to police, additional sections under the BNS, including 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration), have been invoked in the FIR.

Both carry a jail term of up to three years.
Ukrainians marked the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion with emotional scenes as people laid flowers, lit candles, and remembered the fallen at ceremonies in towns and cities across the country.

In Kyiv, there was a moment of silence for war dead. In Lviv, children packed a church to join prayers for peace. In Bucha, there were bitter memories of brutal atrocities carried out by Russian soldiers who briefly occupied the town in 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released a video in which, for the first time, he presented the bunker where he spent the first hours of the war. He said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had not achieved his goals.

"He has not broken Ukrainians. He has not won this war. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice," he said in a video address released on February 24.

Zelenskyy also said he would like to welcome US President Donald Trump to Ukraine.

"Only by visiting Ukraine and seeing our life and struggle with one's own eyes, feeling our people and this sea of pain, can one understand what this war is really about," he added.

Ukraine has entered the fifth year of Russia's all-out invasion, the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, with its troops holding the line against grinding attacks in frozen trenches while its civilians face nightly mass drone and missile strikes that have cut off energy supplies amid bitter winter weather.

Even on the day of the anniversary, Russian missiles and drones rained down on Zaporizhzhya in eastern Ukraine, injuring several people.

Estimates of overall casualty figures vary, but one recent report put the number of killed, wounded, and missing at 1.2 million Russians and 500,000-600,000 Ukrainians.

The conflict has displaced millions of Ukrainians from their homes. The World Bank said on the eve of the anniversary that reconstructing the economy would cost $588 billion over a decade.

But for this to begin, the war must end.

Peace Talks

US-led peace negotiations, launched by Trump after he took office in January 2025, have not made a clear breakthrough -- although further talks may take place in the coming days, according to the Ukrainian authorities.

During talks last week, US chief envoy Steve Witkoff said "meaningful progress" was made, without giving details, and added that "both parties agreed tocontinue working toward a deal."

Ukrainians Skeptical About Peace Talks On Anniversary Of Russia's Invasion by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:52 0:00

On February 24, the US Embassy in Kyiv posted a message on social media recognizing four years of destruction and human suffering and stating that Trump remains committed to achieving a negotiated settlement and lasting peace that ensures Ukraines independent and prosperous future.

A statement was also released on February 24 backing peace efforts by the G7 group of leading industrial nations, which brings together the United States, Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.

"We express our continued support for President Trump's efforts to achieve these objectives by initiating a peace process and bringing the parties to direct discussions. Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners," it said.

After months of talks, territory remains one of the main sticking points. Russia is demanding Ukraine hand over what it still holds in the eastern Donbas region, despite proving unable to conquer it militarily.

On February 24, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia had not yet reached its war objectives and would continue fighting until it did.

"The goals haven't been fully achieved yet, which is why the military operation continues," he said.

Later, Putin struck a defiant tone in an address to the Federal Security Service, stating Ukraine "did not manage to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia" and was now seeking other means.

"There is an absolute need to defeat Russia. They are looking for any way, anything at all. They will push themselves to some extreme point, and then they will regret it," he said.

Separately, Kremlin officials alleged, without evidence, that Britain and France were trying to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons.

Russia has repeatedly resorted to nuclear saber-rattling during the course of its four-year invasion in an attempt to dissuade Western countries from supporting Ukraine. Ukraine and France immediately dismissed the latest Russian claim.

Leaders Reaffirm Support For Ukraine

European leaders commemorated the anniversary by reiterating their support for Kyiv and denouncing Moscow's aggression.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing a new package of military, humanitarian, and reconstruction support, said: "Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war."

"This war is a triple failure for Russia: military, economic, and strategic," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X on February 24.

"One day, Russians will grasp the enormity of the crime committed in their name, the hollowness of the pretexts invoked, and the long-term, devastating effects on their own country," he added.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized that the Ukrainian people deserve a just and lasting peace. "Their security is our security," he stated during a ceremony in Brussels.

European nations have sought to pick up the slack since US President Donald Trump decided to substantially reduce military support for Ukraine. Under a NATO scheme, European countries now purchase US weapons and other military equipment for Ukraine while also maintaining their own supplies to Kyiv.

The past year also saw European nations plus Canada and other allies forming the Coalition of the Willing to coordinate Ukraine support and also plan for a potential post-war peace-keeping mission or "reassurance force."

Security Guarantees

The prospect of Western troops in Ukraine is part of Kyiv's key demands for peace: viable security guarantees so Moscow doesn't use a pause in fighting to simply rearm and attack again down the line.

This is also a sticking point, with Kremlin officials repeatedly stating that Western forces deploying to Ukraine would be unacceptable. Many analysts have said Russia does not really want peace.

'We're Poorer': Russians Reflect On 4 Years Of War by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:49 0:00

Speaking to an RFE/RL camera team in Kramatorsk, a town in eastern Ukraine that has come under repeated Russian bombardment, one local resident articulated the widely held desire for peace as the war enters its fifth year.

"I wish they'd agree on something good. We've been praying about that. People have suffered so much," she said. As she finished speaking, a loud explosion rang out.
Iran has arrested the bureau chief of Japan's public broadcaster, NHK World, and transferred him to Tehrans notorious Evin prison, two sources have told RFE/RL's Radio Farda.

A spokesman for Japan's government, Masanao Ozaki, told reporters that a Japanese citizen had been detained on January 20 but declined to give more details.

It is unclear what charges the NHK journalist, Shinnosuke Kawashima, faces, although sources said he was taken to Evin prison on February 23.

Kawashima is being held in Ward 7 of the prison, where political prisoners are usually incarcerated, one of the sources said.

Fumina Koike from NHKs PR Department told RFE/RL on February 25: "NHK places the utmost priority on ensuring the safety of its employees at all times. We are unable to provide any information at this moment."

Iranian officials have not announced the arrest of Kawashima, who previously served as NHK's bureau chief in Jakarta.

NHK is Japan's public broadcaster, providing news and information about Japan and Asia on television, radio, and online platforms to a global audience.

Kawashima's arrest came weeks after the authorities killed thousands of people in an unprecedented crackdown on mass protests calling for the overthrow of Irans clerical rulers.

As part of the crackdown, tens of thousands of people have been arrested across the country in recent weeks, including journalists and human rights defenders.
Photo: https://x.com/antoniocostapm

President of the European Council Antonio Costa said Europe's future is linked to Ukraine's freedom.

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, he said the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine was not only about remembering the past but about shaping the future, adding that the future was being written in Kyiv, not in Moscow. Costa said the only path to a just and lasting peace was one based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and respect for the UN Charter.

Costa welcomed all efforts aimed at achieving peace, including efforts by partners in the United States.

He added that Russia could not achieve victory at the negotiating table while it was losing heavily on the battlefield, and said Russia must come to the negotiating table seriously and accept that it cannot win this war.

He noted, however, that Russia was intensifying its attacks on civilian infrastructure amid harsh winter conditions.

Costa said his message remains as clear as possible, Ukraine can count on the European Union. Ukraine's future is in the European Union, he added.
Kyrgyz citizen Ernisbek Mamasydykov did not expect to get caught up in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but one day in August last year he found himself in a military uniform headed for the front.

The sudden turnaround in his life came after a period of 10 years living on-and-off in Moscow. On August 2, 2025, the 37-year-old called his wife, Nazgul Sagynova, and told her he had been detained and taken to the military commissariat.

"[I'm] not [going] to the war, just to the army. They said Ill serve for one year. Dont worry too much. Take good care of the children," he wrote. "Theyre taking my phone soon. Ill contact you when I can."

Mamasydykov, who also holds a Russian passport, made his last call to a relative on August 20. He was in Kupyansk, Ukraine, and said that on the very day they arrived, the teahouse where they were drinking tea was bombed.

Since then, no one has spoken to him directly. Russian military authorities declared him missing in Ukraine since October.

Searching Through Silence

Sagynova has searched tirelessly, traveling to Moscow and filing appeals with the Red Cross, the Russian Defense Ministry and military prosecutors office -- all without results or financial support. She constantly monitors social media, hoping for news.

The only thing I look at are Telegram groups. I just stare at them, look at incoming information, maybe there will be some news. I wait for news on YouTube, hoping the war will end. The only people I talk to are women like me, she told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service.

Mamasydykov is one of about 700 Kyrgyz citizens who have gone missing in the war, according to Tamara Kurushkina of the Ukrainian government-supported I Want to Live project -- which tracks soldiers killed, captured, or missing in the war.

"Fewer than 3 percent of the missing are found alive. Approximately 9597 percent are killed and their bodies are not recovered, she said.

Kyrgyz authorities warn that citizens joining foreign armed conflicts may face criminal charges. Most families are afraid to make official requests, fearing punishment, and remain silent.

This leaves relatives trapped, unable to seek information or support, and vulnerable to misinformation.

Debt, War, And An Impossible Choice

Minura is also searching for her husband, Erkinbek, who went missing in Luhansk Province, in eastern Ukraine. Their names have been changed for security reasons.

He too is a Kyrgyz citizen with a Russian passport. She said debt forced him to join the Russian Army after their family worked in Moscow for more than a decade. This was his second deployment. The first left him with severe concussion and nightmares, she added.

At night he would suddenly jump up, scream, even lash out. He would cry, saying he saw the children disappear before his eyes. War changes people, Minura explained. My husband went to war in the summer of 2025 for the second time. After one month, there was no news. Since then, we have been searching.

The bureaucratic obstacles are immense, and the ongoing fighting in Luhansk leaves families waiting, powerless.

You live as if in a tunnel. You dont know what to tell your children, your parents. You walk around, but your heart hurts, said Minura.

Legal Shadows And Financial Silence

Artem Klyga, a lawyer specializing in military law in Russia who has been living in Germany for two years, told RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service about the legal and financial challenges faced by families:

"With just a word from the commanders, the court can declare people 'missing' or 'dead.' The main purpose is to avoid paying the soldier or their relatives," he said. "Usually, if the person is alive, they are paid about 200,000 rubles ($2,6000) per month. Kyrgyz citizens outside Russia cannot effectively appeal or demand anything.

Russia is home to large populations of Central Asian migrants, who account for approximately 3.5 to 3.8 million of the 5.7 million foreign citizens residing in the country at the start of 2026, according to the Russian Interior Ministry.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, reported that the Russian Defense Ministry coerced at least 20,000 Central Asian migrants into military service through threats of citizenship revocation and family deportation.

Many of them have dual citizenship and are a useful source of manpower for a Russian military suffering huge losses every month in Ukraine.

For people like Sagynova, it's a nightmare that they want no part of.

Women suffer. The children stand in front of me and ask about their father. You do not know what to answer," she said. "Before going [to Russia], people should think about their loved ones -- their parents -- and whether they will return or not.
Ukrainians marked the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion with memorial ceremonies across Ukraine. European leaders attended events in Kyiv as people reflected on the wars toll and their hopes for peace. On the day of the anniversary, drone strikes hit the city of Zaporizhzhya.
KYIV -- Red Cross chief Pierre Krahenbuhl has told RFE/RL that Russia is not granting the organization "the level of access we would wish" to the Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) it holds captive.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service in Kyiv on February 20, Krahenbuhl, who is director general of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), said he had raised "repeated" requests for access.

The issue is particularly concerning that given many Ukrainian soldiers released in prisoner exchanges have provided detailed accounts of abuse and torture in Russian captivity.

The ICRC is mandated to monitor compliance with the rights of POWs.

As of this month, Ukrainian authorities say approximately 7,000 Ukrainian military personnel are being held in Russian captivity while nearly 4,000 Russian service members are in Ukrainian custody.

RFE/RL: How many Ukrainian POWs has the ICRC visited since 2022?

Krahenbuhl: Since 2022, we have visited 8,400 prisoners of war, the large majority in Ukraine. I want to take this opportunity to express recognition for the way the Ukrainian authorities work with us.

Currently, in the Russian Federation, we do not have the level of access we would wish, and we are very focused on establishing regular and sustained access to prisoners of war, as it is our absolute top priority.

RFE/RL: How often has Russia denied access?

Krahenbuhl: We make very regular requests, and we will not go into the details of how many requests we have made. The simple thing I can tell you is that this is a very regular and repeated request on our side to have access. The ICRC will insist on this because it is an obligation under international humanitarian law for parties to an international armed conflict to authorize ICRC visits.

RFE/RL: If Russia refuses access, what leverage does the ICRC have?

Krahenbuhl: That's a very good question, because in armed conflicts, we face times when it is easy for us to conduct visits and times when it's difficult.

Our only way of working is through dialogue. We have no other means to impose it. In an international armed conflict, states have accepted the responsibility to let the ICRC visit. We come with reminders, regular insistence on having this access, and this is very important in our dialogue with the Russian Federation.

Sometimes I am asked why we are not public about it. Why do we not denounce one side for not cooperating in the way we would expect? But the reality is, our belief based on our long history of working in these types of situations, is that the bilateral dialogue -- you could say the quiet diplomacy -- works best.

RFE/RL: Ukrainian prisoners have reported torture. What has the ICRC documented?

Krahenbuhl: We are, of course, aware of the reports you have mentioned. We collect information from all sources. We may receive indications about a problem that may occur from a family, or we meet with prisoners who have been released. They share their experience with us.

But in public, we do not discuss these matters, because our way of working is we take this information and we'll speak to the parties directly when we find there are problems in a place of detention or if we find there are problems in the way the armed conflict is being fought.

For example, if civilians are targeted or if there are problems of this type, this is information we take directly to the Russian Federation, and we will have discussions about these matters with them. But I cannot confirm any of these, because it's information that we debate with the parties themselves.

RFE/RL: How many Ukrainian soldiers considered missing are currently registered in your database?

Krahenbuhl: We have several tens of thousands of Ukrainians registered in our database. The figure I can give you is that we have received 200,000 requests from families. These include both Ukrainians and Russians who are currently either presumed prisoners of war or presumed missing and possibly killed in action.

RFE/RL: Does the Red Cross have information about the Ukrainian children Russia has transferred from occupied territories?

Krahenbuhl: We have received requests from families about children, and we have also played a role in the return of about 100 children since 2022. Any individual requests that we receive, we follow up on, and as I said, in 100 cases we have also contributed to their return.

For example, in the case of Qatar, which has been involved in trying to facilitate and identify where the children are, we have been approached and have facilitated their return. And in 100 cases, it has been successful.

RFE/RL: Are you planning to visit Russia?

Krahenbuhl: I am always ready to go to Russia. I do not have dates at the moment, but it's important. I have now had a very important visit to Ukraine. It would be natural, of course, that at one point I also traveled to Moscow.

RFE/RL: What are you taking away with you when you leave Ukraine?

Krahenbuhl: During my visit, I saw the burns unit at one of the hospitals in Kyiv, where the patients arrived with really terrible burns and injuries. I saw the identification center. I went to the regional Clinical Hospital in Kyiv, where the people arrive with amputations.

We have invested there to create a physical rehabilitation center to make sure we can accompany these patients. Why am I describing this? Because this is the reality of what armed conflicts do to people, and it is not abstract. The ICRC is deeply connected to this reality.
Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods.

I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and this week I am drilling down on two issues: EU support for Armenia and whats going on with EU sanctions on Russia.

Briefing #1: How The EU Plans To Help Armenia During A Crucial Year

What You Need To Know: The European Union is preparing to help Armenia counter Russian interference in its parliamentary elections slated for June by first deploying a hybrid rapid response team to tackle Kremlin disinformation and then, potentially, rolling out a more permanent civilian mission to the South Caucasus nation.

According to a letter seen by RFE/RL, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan asked Brussels on February 13 to dispatch a rapid response team to Yerevan.

The EU sent a similar team to Moldova during its parliamentary elections last year, consisting of roughly 20 people who worked alongside Moldovan authorities to detect and counter disinformation emanating from Russia on social media in a timely manner.

Both Brussels and Chisinau deemed the project a success and the European Union is now keen to replicate the effort in Armenia as the country faces crucial elections that Russia is expected to try to influence.

Deep Background: According to diplomatic notes from discussions in Brussels, the EU is keen to express support for strengthening Armenias democratic resilience and information integrity both ahead of the June 2026 elections, and during the ongoing peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

It added that the proposed support for Armenia should be aimed clearly at reducing and mitigating Russias destabilizing activities.

There is also a request for the EUs diplomatic corps, the EEAS, to continue its outreach to Azerbaijan to explain the purpose of the EUs support to Armenia and the need to avoid negatively impacting the ongoing peace process.

Baku has previously expressed misgivings both about the nonlethal military aid the EU has started to provide to Armenia in recent years and the current EU mission to Armenia, called EUMA.

EUMA was established in 2023 and deploys around 225 personnel along Armenias border with Azerbaijan, where they patrol the Armenian side of the frontier to help build confidence on the ground.

A potential new EU mission would overlap with EUMA, whose mandate ends in early 2027. But the new mission would be more focused on hybrid threats, dealing with similar issues as the potential hybrid response team, with one diplomatic note describing its role as safeguarding the integrity of the election process, possibly closely followed by a constitutional referendum.

According to several EU diplomats that RFE/RL has been in touch with, the idea is to get the mission up and running by the time of the EU-Armenia summit in Yerevan on May 4. That means that some sort of decision should be taken during March.

Drilling Down

Yerevan already requested such a mission in December 2025, but getting it off the ground is not entirely straightforward.

Two decisions are needed by EU member states -- one to technically establish it and one to actually launch it. And while no one yet has voiced any misgivings, diplomats RFE/RL has been in contact with point out that Armenia doesnt have the same European and international support as Moldova, which is an official candidate country looking to join the bloc as early as this decade.

Hungary has previously blocked EU decisions related to support for Yerevan, often arguing in Brussels that Azerbaijan should be given whatever Armenia is granted.

EU officials have noted that if equal treatment is requested by either Baku or other EU member states, parallel support actions for Azerbaijan could be considered even though few believe that the country would be interested in hosting a similar EU mission.

There is also hope in EU corridors that Azerbaijan can be more positively inclined toward a new mission in Armenia as it would be linked to supporting the US-led peace process and a normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the first instance, and potentially even ensure better relations between Armenia and Turkey going forward.

Another potential stumbling block could be financing. Several diplomats have pointed out that the EU budget is stretched as Brussels is also looking to extend or establish other missions in places such as Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, and Lebanon.

There is hope, however, that a possible new Armenia mission would have a lean footprint with a core team of just a few experts and most of the other mission members transferred from EUMA acting as support staff.

Briefing #2: What Now For The EU Sanctions Package On Russia?

What You Need To Know: EU foreign ministers failed to agree on fresh sanctions on Russia when they met in Brussels on February 23.

It had been widely expected that these would be green-lighted to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion on February 24, but Hungary and Slovakia vetoed the entire package over something unrelated -- the disruption of deliveries of Russian oil to the two landlocked Central European countries via the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline.

On top of that, Hungary is also blocking the 90-billion-euro loan ($106 billion) to Ukraine that was tentatively agreed by EU leaders in December.

EU diplomats that RFE/RL has spoken to hope that the sanctions will be agreed soon, especially as they expect both Budapest and Bratislava to have enough oil to see out both winter and spring. They also expect approval because the text of the sanctions package has more or less been agreed.

Deep Background: The main issue is a proposal to introduce a maritime service ban on all Russian oil products which would prevent EU economic operators from providing services to any vessel transporting these products from Russian ports.

This would do away with the current oil price cap -- imposed by the Group of Seven (G7) -- by completely stopping EU vessels from transporting Russian oil while non-EU boats could still continue but would not be able to rely on EU port services or insurance.

The main obstacle, however, has been that EU states with a strong maritime sector, such as Greece and Malta, wanted an agreement at G7-level before a full EU ban takes place.

In the draft sanctions text, seen by RFE/RL, there is something of a compromise as it reads that the [European] Council should be informed as soon as possible of any agreement of the Price Cap Coalition, and the Council should decide, based on a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, that the oil price cap is no longer applicable, with the result that a full ban on maritime services related to Russian crude oil and petroleum products would enter into force.

The Price Cap Coalition mentioned is not a formal international forum like the G7. Instead, it is an informal group consisting of the G7 countries, all EU member states, and Australia.

The EU has previously worked on lowering the oil cap with only some members of the coalition and the thinking in Brussels is that a number of non-EU countries will be ready to get rid of the cap altogether if the EU indicates that it will move.

Drilling Down

On top of the maritime ban, an additional 45 shadow fleet vessels will be targeted, taking the number of boats that can no longer be serviced in EU ports to nearly 700.

Sanctions will also be levied on Russian icebreakers, with Brussels believing that such boats are instrumental in oil and gas exports from northernmost Russia.

The package also includes import restrictions on Russian and Belarusian vulcanized rubber, tanned animal hides, scrap steel, and some minerals. An EU export ban is also being imposed on the two countries for the same products as well as industrial tractors.

The EU broadcast ban of Russian media such as RT and Sputnik, which has been in place since 2022, will now be extended to other outlets mirroring their content.

While most big Russian banks have already been targeted, this raft of measures also includes 20 smaller, regional financial institutions in the country. A ban on engaging with the digital ruble, which still isnt fully functional but is expected to become a common method of payment for Russias central bank, has also been included in the sanctions package.

Furthermore, the new package is introducing more restrictive measures than previous rounds of sanctions against other countries beyond Belarus and Russia. Numerous companies from China, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates will be under tighter export restrictions from the EU, and some Chinese, Kazakh, and Uzbek firms will have their assets in the EU frozen.

For the first time ever, the EU is also triggering its anti-circumvention tool (ACT) prohibiting EU companies from exporting Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines and radio equipment to Kyrgyzstan -- items that can be used in the war, notably for drones.

This comes after Brussels noted an almost 800 percent increase in exports of these products from the bloc to the Central Asian country in 2025 and that exports from Kyrgyzstan to Russia for the same period shot up by 1,200 percent.

The Georgian port of Kulevi has also been slapped with a transaction ban, together with a port in Indonesia, for having aided the Russian shadow fleet by letting it operate from there, according to the EU.

Azerbaijans Yelo Bank has been targeted for aiding Russian circumvention and two Kyrgyz banks have been sanctioned for this as well. However, three Tajik banks have been removed from a previous blacklist from late last year after it was shown that they no longer engage in sanctions circumvention.

An Armenian bank, OJSC Unibank, was slated for sanctions in an early draft seen by RFE/RL but has since been dropped from the proposal after Yerevan proved to Brussels that it doesnt engage in such transactions with Russia.

Looking Ahead

This week is really about the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The European Parliament will have an extra plenary session, which will be addressed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via videolink, and the chamber will also pass a nonbinding resolution calling for more sanctions on Moscow and more arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The EUs top officials, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, are in Kyiv and will have a coalition of the willing meeting in the Ukrainian capital alongside Zelenskyy and a number of other European leaders.

That's all for this week!

I am off next week so the next issue will come on March 10.

Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on X @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at Rikard Jozwiak.

Until next time,

Rikard Jozwiak

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition subscribe here .
The provision of an additional autism class at Ballyforan National School has been called for by an Independent councillor.

Councillor Emer Kelly has called on Roscommon County Council to write to the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the urgent need for an additional autism class at the South Roscommon school.

There is huge demand for spaces in this area and they are not being resourced, Cllr Kelly told a recent meeting of the Athlone Municipal District.

She told the meeting that the issue has been on-going for the last couple of years and the school is not getting enough clarity on the situation.

They find themselves in a very unstable position in relation to the provision of special education and the need for an additional autism class, said Cllr Kelly.

The school, board of management and everyone in the community is calling for an additional special education class in the school. All the staff have the relevant qualifications and the special education team within the school all have their post grad in special education, and full support from all relevant parties.

She explained that for some years the principal of the school has been working very closely with the relevant people, investigating establishing the special class, not alone for South Roscommon but also in the parish community which crosses over to the Galway area.

The school had expressed an interest in setting up a class in September 2024 with a view to an additional class in 2025 and another in 2026, but due to the limited availability of space at the school, three classes werent going to be an option based on the site requirements, said Cllr Kelly. The management happily agreed to take two classes, one in 2024 and the other in 2025, and they had meetings with relevant parties who were supportive, but now there is a difficult situation. The current autism class is full and they cant fill the local demand that comes to them and there are pupils from outside the catchment area who want to enrol in the class. Some pupils are in the mainstream setting but cant get an assessment even though they are in urgent need of it, she said.

She said that the school will do whatever is needed to accommodate an additional class.

Its not fair that these children dont have access to education because a class is not sanctioned in a rural school, and in addition to that, the school requires some repair works, said Cllr Kelly.

Can we put that in a letter as well? The roof on the school is in need of repair but hasnt been granted funding, although they were granted funding for solar panels, but cant draw them down until the other repairs are done.

Cllr Laurence Fallon said he was delighted with the motion and the issue had been going on a long time. It seems we are going backward and there seems to be a slight change in policy, and it should be looked at, because people in rural Ireland are as entitled to the same services as anywhere else, said Cllr. Fallon. Lets hope we can get this as soon as possible.

Cllr Tony Ward said he supported the motion and was conscious of children in a catchment area, having facilities in that area, with their friends and neighbours there.

There is a need here and it has to be addressed, and I know that Deputy Martin Daly has arranged to meet with the school and try and address the issues there, said Fianna Fails Cllr. John Keogh.

He also commented about the roof repairs and the solar panel situation.

Hopefully my colleagues in Fine Gael will liaise with their Oireachtas members as well to try and resolve this issue, said Cllr Keogh.

Cllr Valerie Duffy said she was happy to support and follow up to get an update on policy on the provision of autism classes in rural Ireland to see if there has been a change in policy.

It is important to have everything as close to home as possible and I support Cllr Kelly and hope we get an answer, said the Fine Gael councillor, who seconded the Kelly proposal.

*Published under the Local Democracy Scheme
The Canadian government announced on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine the extension of Operation UNIFIER for three years, the government press service said.

"To further support Ukraine at this important juncture, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced the renewal of Operation UNIFIER for an additional three years to 2029. Through this operation, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) provide ongoing military training, and capacity building in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Under the renewed mandate, the number of CAF personnel dedicated to the operation will increase, providing greater flexibility and enabling Canada to further adapt and respond to Ukraines evolving operational needs," the statement reads.

It is noted the extension of Operation UNIFIER allows CAF members to continue training Ukrainian recruits and leaders, strengthening Ukraine's ability to defend itself now and in the future.

The Government of Canada said, as a partner, it will take the necessary measures to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position. This requires flexible, targeted military assistance that directly responds to operational needs on the battlefield.

In this regard, McGuinty also announced $2 billion in military assistance for fiscal year 2026-2027, which builds on Canada's continued provision of critical military support and will help provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the equipment and capabilities they need to defend their territory.

In addition, Canada will donate more than 400 armored vehicles, including 66 General Dynamics 6s light armored vehicles and 383 Senator armored vehicles (Roshel).

"Today's announcement of additional military assistance and the renewal of Operation UNIFIER underscores Canadas unwavering commitment to Ukraines fight for freedom. We are ensuring Ukraine has the tools to defend its sovereignty, protect its people, and pursue a just and lasting peace. Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine," McGuinty said.
A man who pleaded guilty to 500 worth of criminal damage to an apartment, as well as incurring a 100 clean-up cost for repeatedly spitting on the door of a Garda cell, has been jailed for a total of nine months.

Nathan Devaney (30), formerly of River Village, Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon, now of no fixed abode in Athlone, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens at a sitting of Athlone District Court where he said, I plead guilty to everything.

Sergeant Sheila Kenny outlined to the court that on January 8th, 2026, at 11.05 p.m., gardai received reports of a disturbance at an OConnell Street apartment.

When they arrived at the property, they observed a male, shouting, with blood all over the door. They then discovered hed destroyed the apartment in blood.

There were altercations with gardai, the court heard, and force had to be used to effect arrest. When he was detained in Athlone Garda Station, he continuously spat on the cell door.

Mr Devaney, who is currently serving a three-month prison sentence for theft, also pleaded guilty to a number of theft charges. Those charges include stealing 60 worth of alcohol from the Grove Filling Station, Baylough, Athlone, on July 15th, 2025; theft of 120 worth of alcohol from Tesco Express, Baylough, Athlone on November 12th, 2025; meat to the value of 60 from SuperValu, Monksland on both November 11th, 2025 and January 7th, 2026; and 70 worth of alcohol from Tesco, Golden Island Shopping Centre on January 8th, 2026.

The court previously heard from solicitor, Dara Hayden, that his client has a poor history of mental health and his most pressing issue is drug addiction.

Mr Devaney, addressing the court, said he was looking to start on a methadone programme.

In mitigation on the sentencing day, Mr Hayden outlined to the court that drug addiction was driving his clients offending behaviour.

Judge Owens did note the plea to all matters, as well as the fact that Mr Devaney has struggled in a cycle of drug offending and the fact he has a number of relevant convictions, with some of those being committed while on bail.

Im doing the best I can in respect of the charges, she remarked.

She convicted and sentence Mr Devaney to five months in prison for the theft of alcohol from Tesco, Golden Island, with a five month concurrent sentence handed down for the theft of 120 worth of alcohol from Tesco Express, Baylough.

For the 500 worth of damage to the apartment, she imposed a consecutive sentence of eight months in prison, suspending the final four months for a period of 18 months on the condition he enter an own bond of 200 and that he remain under the supervision of the probation service.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.
The Slovenian ambassador could be invited to a Roscommon County Council civic reception.

At the January meeting of the local authority where the Athlone Green City project was discussed, Cllr Tom Crosby said that the county is twinned with Slovenia for Irelands forthcoming Presidency of the EU.

Their capital city, Ljubljana, has been awarded the green capital of Europe, so I think the timing is perfect, he said.

He proposed that the twinning should be progressed now.

They are big into tourism and an ideal fit for us, the independent councillor said.

He suggested that Slovenias ambassador should be invited to a civic reception in the county.

We should bring them around our beautiful county and show whats on offer, he said.

*Published under the Local democracy Reporting Scheme
The telephone exchange at Carrick-on-Shannon Post Office closed on Thursday, February 6th, 1986 following the onset of automatic telephone exchanges all over the country. Now to mark that significant moment a 40th reunion dinner celebration of all former telephonists, P & T, Eir, Telecom Eireann, An Post and staff of the exchange will take place in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturday, February 28th.

A total of 48 full time and 30 part time staff who had been fighting the closure for almost two years saw their jobs come to an end back in 1986. The 10 service would now be dealt with by the Sligo exchange. All telephonists were given the option to re-locate. Some took voluntary redundancy.

December 1983 - Minister of State at the Dept of Post & Telegraphs, Ted Nealon is pictured with P & T employees from Carrick-on-Shannon and Sligo at the opening of the new automatic exchange.

The closure of the exchange and the change-over to full automatic operation severed manual telephone operating links going back 40 years previously when the first telephonists took up duty in Carrick-on-Shannon in the 1940s.

Three years prior to the closure, in December of 1983, 640 subscribers in the Carrick-on-Shannon area were transferred to the new automatic exchange and a further 50 in the Leitrim Village area. Minister of State at the Dept of Post and Telegraphs, Ted Nealon TD performed the official opening ceremony.

The Carrick-on-Shannon Exchange was the biggest of its kind in the country at the time and covered an area bigger than the Sligo Exchange.

December 1985  staff members pictured marking the retirement of senior supervisor, Teresa Doherty.

Chamber of Commerce President at the time, Mr Tommy Phillips described the closure as disastrous. He said the closure will have a major effect on the social and economic life of the town. For the business community its the equivalent of the loss for a medium sized factory providing regular and lucrative employment. The social consequences will be much more difficult to quantify.

Staff members from Telecom Eireann who took part in a regional health & safety quiz in the County Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon in 1984.

Hotels, pubs, supermarkets, flat-owners, garages, petrol filling stations, boutiques and other business concerns in the town will be seriously affected by the departure of such a large number of people from a comparatively small community. The organisers of the special reunion on Saturday, February 28th say all former and present staff are most welcome to join them on the night.

For further details on the reunion contact Attracta on 086 1704899, Geraldine 086 3218785, Damien 087 4676703. Pre-booking essential.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

The Taoiseach has said opposing a 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine would amount to backing the countrys surrender to Russian aggression.

On the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said it was extremely important to show solidarity with Ukraine.

It comes after the main opposition party Sinn Fein opposed the 90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, comprising 60 billion in military funding.

(PA Graphics)

At the weekend, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said two Sinn Fein MEPs voted against it because we also know that spending tens of billions more of taxpayers money on more and more weaponry is not the way to resolve this conflict.

The full international effort has to be around diplomacy, peacemaking, there has to be a diplomatic and political solution arrived at.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet on Tuesday morning, Martin said Sinn Feins approach was tantamount to asking Ukraine to surrender and that Russia would be thrilled with that approach.

He said: Its the fourth anniversary of a horrific and savage war started by Russia, violating the UN Charter, and its extremely important that we all show solidarity with Ukraine, that we reject the violation of the United Nations Charter and the appalling loss of life that has occurred as a result of this war.

I would really strongly condemn Sinn Feins approach, which, if it was to be adopted by the government and all governments in Europe, would be tantamount to asking Ukraine to surrender to this Russian aggression.

Because without the 90 billion loan, Ukraine would simply, from a financial point of view, collapse and couldnt keep going  not just in terms of defending its own people, but in terms of actually the budget, the day-to-day living within Ukraine, that 90 billion and substantial elements of that is essential for the budgetary sustainability of Ukraine.

President Trump and the US had brokered talks, Ukraine has entered into talks, Ukraine is anxious for peace, Ukraine has shown a willingness for peace. There is no sense that we have the same commitment from President Putin and Russia Taoiseach Micheal Martin

It beggars belief really that Sinn Fein wants Europe to abandon Ukraine at this particular point in time, because the actual impact of not putting forward that loan would be the surrender of Ukraine.

Asked about whether Sinn Fein was trying a different, non-militarised approach to resolve the conflict, Martin said thats victory for Russia.

He added: Russia would be thrilled with that approach, absolutely delighted.

Europe pulls the rug from under Ukraine just at a critical moment. I think that the happiest person in the world, if the Sinn Fein policy was to be adopted, would be President Putin.

I mean that sincerely, because it needs the funding, first of all, to defend citizens, and it needs money for its budgetary wherewithal on an annual basis.

The issue here is, does Russia want peace? President Trump and the US had brokered talks, Ukraine has entered into talks, Ukraine is anxious for peace, Ukraine has shown a willingness for peace.

There is no sense that we have the same commitment from President Putin and Russia.
The keynote address will be about integrating energy production into agricultural lands.

As North Dakota's energy industry continues to expand, effective reclamation is critical to sustaining the state's land and natural resources.

Landowners, industry professionals, researchers and policymakers are invited to the 2026 North Dakota Reclamation Conference to engage in meaningful conversations about the reclamation of disturbed lands. The event will be held March 3-4 at the Rough Rider Center in Watford City, North Dakota.

The North Dakota Reclamation Conference provides a place to share research, practical experience and applied approaches that support successful reclamation and long-term land stewardship.

The 2026 conference will focus on the intersections of reclamation and agriculture, with breakout sessions showcasing applied science and case studies to enhance reclamation. Breakout sessions will cover soil health in reclamation, as well as delineation and management techniques. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect outside of sessions during a social event at Stonehome Brewing Company.

The event will feature a keynote address by Anna Clare Monlezun, a rancher and rangeland scientist from Colorado. Drawing on her professional experience, Monlezun will share insights on integrating energy production into agricultural lands.

"I love working with others and engaging in the tough discussions to figure out the win-wins between agriculture and energy," says Monlezun.

"Everyone is invited to come, from industrial leaders to farmers and ranchers," says Howdy Lawlar, McKenzie County commissioner and rancher. "It's a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about how reclamation should be taken care of on your land and how things should be done the right way."

The event is hosted by North Dakota State University Extension, the Society for Range Management, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, BNI Coal and BKS Environmental.

Conference details and registration are available at ndsu.ag/reclamation-26. Early registration is $125 if paid by Feb. 14 and $145 thereafter. Student registration is free.

For more information, contact Miranda Meehan, NDSU Extension livestock environmental stewardship specialist, at 701-231-7683 or [email protected].
Kelly Alvstad, Sidney High School Agricultural Education teacher, was one of the presenters at the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Conference held in Nashville, TN, Dec. 8-12, 2025. NAAE is an annual convention open to Career Technical Educators (CTE) and is known for its state-of-the-art Career Expo, where the more than 1,800 attendees can learn more about current curriculum, and new teaching models and materials.

Alvstad held a workshop titled "The Overwhelmed Teacher: How to Successfully Manage the Madness", which focused on the topic of mental health issues. She shared advice on how educators can refocus and reconnect with their goals, and discussed practical tools to protect mental health. It was one of 80 engaging ag ed specific professional development workshops during the event.

"Mental health is a topic most people can relate to, but few will speak about it publicly. I saw the opportunity to use my own experiences," she said, adding that she wrote most of the presentation during an in-patient stay at a Behavioral Health Institute in March 2025. "I had a lot of questions that were asked after the 75-minute presentation. This made me realize that so many CTE teachers can relate to real-world mental health issues."

Alvstad attended her first NAAE Conference in Las Vegas in 2022. She decided to apply to be a presenter in March 2025.

"I had learned a lot from the presenters (in 2022) and felt like I also had something to offer educators," she recalls.

It was July when she learned she had been accepted.

"It felt like forever while I was waiting for the official email stating that I was chosen. I was ecstatic to learn that I had been selected as a presenter. I was in FFA Public Speaking in high school in Pennsylvania, and being chosen at the national level was a full circle moment for me. If I expect my students to speak, I will always show them through my experiences!" Alvstad said.

As a first-year presenter, what she found most rewarding were emails from those who had attended her workshop stating how glad they were that they had chosen her presentation, along with a two-page "thank you" which commended her for being raw, honest and openly speaking about her struggles.

The topic of mental health continues to be one Alvstad is passionate about, and she is diligent in reminding others, "It is most important to know that you are not alone when it comes to mental health. It is capable of striking anyone at any time. No one or family is exempt."

She highly recommends other ag educators attend the conference, as CTE is one of the fastest-evolving careers in the world, and NAAE participation is a great way for educators to help keep their students ahead of the curve in education and the trades. There are even grants available to help with some of the cost to attend.

For more information on the National Association of Agricultural Educators, visit http://www.naae.org.
Come hungry and ready to laugh at this year's MonDak Ag Days & Trade Show Pitchfork Fondue, with comedian Tim Harmston. The Friday social starts at 5 p.m., March 6 at the Richland County Event Center, 2118 W. Holly St., Sidney.

Harmston is a comedian from Portwing, WI, who draws much of his humor from his upbringing in Menomonie, WI, and connects people through common experiences.

Prior to his comedic career, he worked in the Chicago Film Industry as an art director, where he spent roughly 20 years making TV commercials.

He joined improv classes at Chicago's Second City, which ultimately led him to the life of a stand-up comedian.

"I decided I wasn't a team player," Harmston laughed. "I had my own ideas and I was going to live or die with my own ideas, but it was a great introduction to being around funny, talented people."

Harmston worked in the film industry while starting his stand-up career, and began performing at open-mic nights in and around Minnesota and Wisconsin in 2002.

"I was the most nervous I've ever been for any moment in my life! I was in front of four people in a bar, so the stakes weren't high," he recalls of his very first open-mic night. "But that goes away with repetition, like anything. Then you start to stack victories."

He was awarded Minneapolis Comedy Club's Acme's Funniest Person in the Twin Cities in 2003, which is the biggest amateur comedian contest in Minneapolis, with about 300 amateur comedians in the running.

"It's a legendary comedy club, one of the best in the country, so it was a good launching pad and opened doors," said Harmston.

It was also in 2003 that he met his wife, fellow comedian Mary Mack, at a comedy contest.

In 2008, the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, a website that had cameras in comedy clubs all over the country, honored him with a Rusty Nail award for best newcomer.

He went on to compete on "Last Comic Standing" in 2014, and has made appearances on "The Late Show With David Letterman", Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham", and was a regular voice on Wisconsin's Public Radio's "Big River Radio Wave".

Harmston has released several comedy albums including his latest, "Frozen Badger", which debuted at number 1 on the Apple Music Comedy charts.

He encourages anyone with stand-up comedian dreams to start by just jotting it down whenever they think of something funny, and then sit down and try to find the truth in why it's funny and how people can relate.

"With the podcast boom, comedy is more prevalent than ever, and people have more access to it than ever before in history. We're fortunate with the internet. People can make a comedy career from just about anywhere," he explained.

When he and his wife aren't touring, they enjoy the quiet life: fishing, hiking and soaking up as much nature as possible.

"We retreat into the woods and reset ourselves," he added.

This won't be Harmston's first time in Montana, and he's gotten close to Sidney having performed in both Dickinson and Williston, but this will be a debut performance for the Eastern Montana town.

"I'm excited to be there! It sounds like a fun event and my wife and I always enjoy our time in Montana," he said.

To preview the hilarity, check Harmston out on his website, http://www.timharmston.com, listen to him on Sirius XM's comedy channels, or find his funny antics at "Dry Bar Comedy" on Youtube.
Women who attend National Farmers Unions Womens Conference build community and skills together with other women in ag from across the country (Photo courtesy National Farmers Union)

Women who attend National Farmers Unions Womens Conference build community and skills together with other women in ag from across the country.

Ladies Who Ag have the opportunity to attend National Farmers Unions Womens Conference this summer in the nations capital at no cost to them through Montana Farmers Union.

The 2026 National Womens Conference takes place June 1-3 in Washington, DC, where women from across the country will celebrate each other and the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The conference boasts something for everyone. From topics in farm business management to mental well-being in agriculture to cooperatives, attendees will explore an array of agricultural topics and hear from inspiring Farmers Union members about their individual journeys in leadership.

Montana Farmers Union encourages current members to apply. Montana Farmers Union covers the cost of registration, travel, lodging, and food of selected applicants. Learn more about prerequisites and apply by April 8 at: https://forms.gle/EFFTsQeRb5ZaSZWJ6.
The entire Mon-Dak community is invited to attend MonDak Ag Days & Tade Show, March 57, at the Richland County Event Center. This annual celebration of agriculture brings together producers, ag professionals, businesses and families for three days of learning, connection and community fun.

MonDak Ag Days isn't just for those working in agriculture, it's an event designed for the whole family. Whether you're interested in the latest farming technology, want to enjoy great food with neighbors, or are simply looking for something fun to do in early March, there's something for everyone.

The large trade show will showcase the latest in agriculture - from equipment and tools to feed, seed, breeding and agricultural technology. It's a great opportunity to visit with exhibitors, ask questions, and even let the kids see impressive equipment up close. Throughout the event, attendees can connect with regional ag experts and industry representatives who help keep our local economy strong.

Educational sessions will be hosted by the MSURichland County Extension Office and are designed to provide timely, practical information for producers and ag professionals. Several sessions qualify for pesticide points and continuing education credits, making it both informative and valuable.

Thursday Education Sessions:

1 p.m.  Improving Management of White Mold in Pinto Beans and Soybeans (1 Pesticide Point)

2 p.m.  Estate Planning 10

3 p.m.  Cattle and Beef Market Situation and Outlook

Friday Education Schedule:

Friday's schedule begins at 10 a.m. with a full lineup of relevant and engaging topics, including a special Lunch and Learn session.

10 a.m.  Weed Management Update for Montana (1 Pesticide Point)

11 a.m.  Supplementation and the Use of Salt: Considerations for Cattle Nutrition Programs

12 p.m.  Lunch and Learn with the Montana Bureau of Mines & Geology  Update on the Fox Hills/Hell Creek Aquifer in Eastern Montana

1 p.m.  A Pulse Crop Pest and Disease Survey Program for Eastern Montana (1 Pesticide Point)

2 p.m.  Upterra: Maximizing the Value of Your Water to Improve Efficiency and Profitability

3 p.m.  Fort Peck Dam Test Flow Updates

The addition of the Lunch and Learn with the Montana Bureau of Mines & Geology offers an update on the Fox Hills/Hell Creek aquifer, an important topic for landowners, producers and families.

Customer appreciation breakfasts will be held both days of the event, giving attendees a chance to start the morning with good food and great company. Farm Bureau will host breakfast on Friday, and Butler Ag Equipment will host on Saturday. A free-will lunch will be provided Friday by the Sidney FFA, showcasing local youth involvement in agriculture.

Friday evening will bring the entire community together for food and fun. A free social hour runs from 5-6 p.m., followed by the popular Pitchfork Fondue Dinner from 6-8 p.m. The evening will feature nationally renowned comedian Tim Harmston, promising plenty of laughs. A full cash bar will be available. Tickets are required for the fondue dinner and comedy show and are available online or at the Sidney Chamber of Commerce.

MonDak Ag Days continues to be a cornerstone event for the region, a place where agriculture, education and community come together under one roof. Whether you farm, work in ag, support a local business, or simply want to enjoy a day out with your family, MonDak Ag Days offers something for everyone.

Bring your family, invite your neighbors and join us March 5-7 as we celebrate the industry that supports and sustains the Mon-Dak region.
HELENA  The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) has submitted a formal request for rulemaking to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) urging the agency to amend and clarify its regulations governing the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program to expressly recognize livestock auction markets and rancher/farmer feeder feedlots as falling within the definition of agriculture. The petition was developed in response to feedback gathered during MSGAs Producer Profitability Initiative listening sessions and the Montana Agriculture Labor Summit.

The request asks the Department to update its regulations to reflect the integral role livestock auction markets and rancher/farmer feeder feedlots play in seasonal agricultural production and the broader livestock supply chain. Auction markets are a critical component of the livestock industry, providing essential services such as animal handling, sorting, weighing, marketing, and transportation coordination for producers across Montana and the nation. Rancher/farmer operated feedlots constitute production agriculture by performing essential, value-added activities within the livestock production cycle, including feeding and daily husbandry of animals prior to finishing or sale. These activities are necessary to transform livestock from one production stage to the next and are performed on ranches and farms, thereby falling squarely within the scope of agricultural labor and services relevant to the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program.

Livestock auction markets and rancher/farmer feedlots are unquestionably part of production agriculture, said Lesley Robinson, MSGA president. Yet under current H-2A regulations, these businesses face uncertainty about their eligibility to participate in the program, even though they perform agricultural work essential to livestock production. Clarifying this definition would provide much-needed regulatory certainty and help address chronic workforce shortages.

The H-2A program allows agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers when domestic labor is unavailable. While the program has long been used by livestock producers, ambiguity in the Department of Labors regulatory definition of agriculture has left livestock auction markets and feedlots in a gray area, despite their close connection to ranching and farming operations.

In its request, MSGA emphasized that auction market employees routinely perform duties historically and customarily associated with production agriculture, and that excluding these operations from H-2A eligibility undermines the efficiency and resilience of the livestock industry. Clarifying that rancher/farmer feeder feedlots qualify as agricultural employers for purposes of the H-2A program would support the programs statutory purpose, reflect the economic realities of modern livestock production and marketing, and help ensure the continued functioning of a critical segment of the agricultural economy.

Montanas livestock producers depend on well-functioning auction markets and feedlots, Robinson added. Ensuring these operations can access a stable workforce is critical not only for animal welfare and producer livelihoods, but also for the strength of rural economies.

MSGA urged the Department of Labor to initiate rulemaking to amend its H-2A regulations, so they clearly and expressly include livestock auction markets and rancher/farmer feedlots within the definition of agriculture, aligning federal policy with industry realities.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, who is on a visit to Kyiv, expressed hope that even more Ukrainian defense companies will be able to establish production on Danish territory.

He stated this at a joint briefing with his Ukrainian counterpart Mykhailo Fedorov and head of the Come Back Alive foundation Taras Chmut on Tuesday.

"We have continued the discussions we have had over the last month regarding inviting defense companies from Ukraine to set up production in Denmark. We invited the first company to set up production in Denmark. We announced this last year. It was Firepoint. And now the facility is being built to start production this year. We hope that in the near future we will be able to invite more companies to start production in Denmark," Poulsen said.

The minister said manufacturing in Denmark will be, above all, a safe place. In addition, Poulsen noted that manufacturing in Denmark will also have a positive impact on Denmark's security in the coming years.

"I think this is what you could call the 'Danish model 2.0' because it will be a model that will create more production directly for Ukraine, but also provide greater security for Denmark. And that is really in our interests as well," he added.

As reported, Denmark was the first to introduce a unique mechanism for direct procurement of weapons from Ukrainian manufacturers ("Danish model").

The defining event of 2025 was the evolution of Danish support from a donor model to a strategic defense-industrial partnership. Memorandums were signed on the creation of production facilities by Ukrainian companies in Denmark.

The successful implementation of the "Danish model" contributed to the expansion of financing of the Ukrainian defense industry by other countries.
HELENA  The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is encouraging college students to submit applications for the 2026 Summer Internship Program. The deadline to apply is March 1 and the internship duration will be from May-August.

The MSGA Summer Internship Program was created to provide students with a hands-on experience of the various facets of association event planning and execution, policy development, social media engagement and coverage, and member engagement. This internship program is made possible from support of the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation.

MSGAs Summer Internship is a chance for college students to build meaningful industry connections and develop the leadership skills needed to shape the future of agriculture, said Raylee Honeycutt, MSGA executive vice president. We encourage students who are passionate about the beef industry to apply and be part of the work that supports Montana ranch families.

Successful applicants must meet the following requirements:

Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA.

Applicants should be an undergraduate college student at a sophomore or junior level at the time of application submission.

An agricultural, communications, or marketing degree program or background is preferred but not required.

Applicants should possess excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic.

Applicants should be U.S. residents.

Applicants must be available to work in the MSGA Helena office during the designation internship duration.

The selected candidate will be responsible for assisting the Director of Marketing and Communications with all formal association communications including public relations, external communications, member communications, and event management.

For more information about the summer internship program or to apply, visit http://www.mtbeef.org.
HELENA  The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Young Cattlemens Conference (YCC). This national leadership and advocacy program will be held May 28-June 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted by March 15, 2026.

The Young Cattlemens Conference is designed for cattle producers ages 25-50 who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the beef industry and strengthening their leadership skills. Coordinated by the National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA), the conference brings together young cattlemen and cattlewomen from across the country for an in-depth look at all segments of the beef supply chain.

Throughout the week-long program, participants will travel alongside peers from other states, visiting key industry operations and engaging directly with leaders who shape the future of beef production. The conference also includes a day on Capitol Hill, where attendees will meet with members of Montanas congressional delegation to discuss policy issues impacting cattle producers and advocate on behalf of the industry.

MSGA will select up to two individuals to represent Montana at the 2026 Young Cattlemens Conference. Selected participants will receive financial support covering the cost of program registration, as well as a $500 travel stipend. This support is provided through MSGAs Young Stockgrowers and the Montana Stockgrowers Foundation (MSF). Applicants must be members of both the Montana Stockgrowers Association and the National Cattlemens Beef Association to be eligible.

To learn more about the Young Cattlemens Conference or to apply online, visit www.mtbeef.org.
Session presenters will share research-based information to help participants improve everyday care and decision-making for their horses.

North Dakota State University Extension will host its 2026 Horse Management Webinar Series, offering horse owners, stable managers and equine enthusiasts the opportunity to learn practical management strategies from veterinary and equine health professionals. The free online webinars will be held at noon CT on March 11 and March 18.

"Our goal with this webinar series is to give horse owners practical, research-based information they can use right away," says Mary Keena, NDSU Extension livestock environmental management specialist. "Whether it's recognizing early signs of an eye issue or understanding what to expect with neurologic concerns, these sessions are designed to help owners feel more confident in caring for their horses."

During each session, presenters will share research-based information to help participants improve everyday care and decision-making for their horses.

Topics will include equine ocular (eye) health and equine neurologic conditions.

On March 11, Dr. Lynn Martin with the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center will break down the most common equine eye issues - such as corneal ulcers, squamous cell carcinoma and equine recurrent uveitis - into actionable knowledge for everyday horse owners. Attendees will learn how to recognize early warning signs and provide safe first aid while awaiting veterinary care.

The March 18 session will be led by Dr. Sally DeNotta with the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Neurologic conditions can affect both performance and pleasure horses. This webinar will review common neurologic issues that might affect horses and discuss veterinary diagnostic options if a horse owner suspects neurologic involvement.

Registration is required to attend. Visit ndsu.ag/horsewebinar26 to register for the Zoom webinars.
Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant Hearings, March 9-12

HELENA  The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council will meet beginning on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Delta Hotel, Helena, MT. The council will review applications for the 2026 Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants through a series of hearings March 10-12, 2026. Funding deliberations will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.

Meetings will be conducted in-person with the option to join online through Zoom. An agenda is available on the Montana Department of Agriculture website at agr.mt.gov. To request information to join the meeting virtually, please contact Greta Dige, Noxious Weed Trust Fund Coordinator, by email at [email protected].

The Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Program was established by the 1985 Montana Legislature to provide funding for the noxious weed research projects, state and community education/development projects, and local cooperatives.

To view all current public meeting notices and find more information on the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund, visit agr.mt.gov.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.
Dr. Sam Wyffels, Animal & Range Sciences Department assistant professor at Montana State University, will be speaking at this year's Ag Days & Trade Show Event March 5-7 in Sidney He is scheduled to speak Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at the Richland County Event Center. His research interests "are focused on enhancing the environmental and economic sustainability of beef cattle production systems in Montana. Specifically, incorporating precision ag. technology to beef cattle production, grazing beef cattle nutrition, and environmental factors that influence grazing behavior and nutritional requirements of beef cattle. The goal of my research is to provide high power data to inform livestock management strategies in Montana."

He had this to say on what he will be sharing at Ag Days:

"I'll be discussing the importance of supplementation for beef cattle grazing low quality or dormant forages, where protein and mineral deficiencies can limit performance and overall herd health. Strategic supplementation helps cattle maintain body condition, improve forage use, and meet essential nutrient requirements. My presentation will also highlight some of our recent research at Montana State University examining the role of salt (NaCl) in supplement programs. Salt is commonly used to regulate intake of freechoice supplements, but our work shows that careful considerations need to be made when multiple sources of salt are available to cattle. Understanding how salt influences intake behavior is key for producers designing effective, economical supplementation strategies."

Ag Days will take place March 5-7 at the Richland County Event Center. Educational Sessions will begin Thursday at 1 p.m., and the Trade Show will open at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday March 6-7.
The resolution noted that states were reorganised on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, and highlighted the long-standing demand for a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking people. File Photo.

Vaishnaw said the Cabinet approved the proposal to alter the state's name to "Keralam".

Kerala Name Change: Union Cabinet Approves Keralam, Parliament Process to Follow

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday cleared the Kerala governments proposal to rename the state from Kerala to Keralam, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held at Seva Teerth, the new Prime Ministers Office complex.

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Vaishnaw said the Cabinet approved the proposal to alter the states name to "Keralam". Following this approval, the President of India will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala Legislative Assembly to seek its views, as required under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution.

After receiving the Assemblys views, the central government will obtain the Presidents recommendation to introduce the Bill in Parliament to officially change the name in the First Schedule of the Constitution.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly had earlier passed a unanimous resolution on June 24, 2024, urging the Centre to rename the state as Keralam, stating that this is the name used in the Malayalam language. The resolution noted that states were reorganised on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956, and highlighted the long-standing demand for a united Kerala for Malayalam-speaking people.

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The proposal was examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs and, after approval from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, was circulated to the Ministry of Law and Justice. The concerned departments agreed with the proposal.

Source: The Tribune
The updated chapter, titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society", not only outlines the hierarchy of courts and access to justice but also discusses challenges such as corruption and the large number of pending cases. File Photo.

The chapter also describes the constitutional process for removing judges in serious cases through impeachment by Parliament.



NCERT Updates Class 8 Social Science Textbook, Adds Judicial Corruption Section for First Time

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For the first time, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included a section on corruption in the judiciary in its new Class 8 Social Science textbook, marking a departure from earlier editions that mainly explained the structure and functions of courts.

The updated chapter, titled The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society", not only outlines the hierarchy of courts and access to justice but also discusses challenges such as corruption and the large number of pending cases. It mentions approximate case pendency figures about 81,000 in the Supreme Court, 62,40,000 in High Courts, and 4,70,00,000 in district and subordinate courts.

On the issue of corruption, the book explains that judges are bound by ethical guidelines that shape their behaviour both within the courtroom and outside it. It refers to internal accountability systems within the judiciary and notes that complaints can be filed through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). According to the text, more than 1,600 complaints were received through this platform between 2017 and 2021.

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The chapter also describes the constitutional process for removing judges in serious cases through impeachment by Parliament after a proper inquiry. While acknowledging concerns about corruption affecting access to justice, especially for disadvantaged groups, the book states that steps are being taken to improve transparency, including the use of technology and firm action against misconduct.

Source: The Tribune
Akali & Congress govts deliberately kept Punjab's children uneducated: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann File Photo.

The Chief Minister said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state.



Akali & Congress govts deliberately kept Punjabs children uneducated: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

MANSA, 24th February 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday said that decades of Akali and Congress rule deliberately kept Punjabs children uneducated while political families thrived, asserting that those parties were never concerned about public progress but only about securing power for their sons, daughters and relatives. Addressing a gathering in Sardulgarh after laying the foundation stone of a Government ITI that will skill 240 students every year, he said the BJP is now banking on defectors from other parties to chase electoral dreams, but Punjab has chosen a different path.

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Emphasising that his government is spending every single penny of the state exchequer honestly on the welfare and advancement of the people, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that the AAP government, Punjab is running on a new engine of development, while the engines of the BJP, Akali Dal and Congress have become outdated and incapable of driving the state forward.

Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, Akali Dal is itself a dinosaur which has usurped the state and its people. While the AAP government is making strenuous efforts to prepare Punjabi youth for futuristic needs by making them Doctor and Engineers, Akali Dal is bent upon dragging them back to Dinosaur Era in the state.

He reminded the people that Dinosaurs eat the human beings, adding that this is favorite animal of Akalis who have usurped Punjab, Punjabis and the hard earned money of people. People will never elect such people who had ruined the state and had usurped our generations by their atrocious moves, he said.

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Taking a jibe over the Akal Dals Punjab Bachao Yatra, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the real name of this gimmick of Akali Dal is Parivar Bachao Yatra. I dare the Akali leaders to explain that after looting the state for 15 years, from whom they are trying to save the state from. People had elected Akalis but they proved to be traitors and had always backstabbed the state and its people, he added.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded people that when the entire farming community was fighting for their rights, the Akalis had supported the Modi government on draconian farm laws just for saving their berth in the Union Ministry.

He said that Akalis had misused the panth for their vested political interests due to which they cannot be forgiven by the people. Taking a jibe over BJP, he said that the saffron party is banking on the deadwood of other parties in hope of winning the elections. This strategy of the BJP will not work in the state as their engine with worn out spare parts of other machines will not be able to run long, said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

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The Chief Minister said that the traditional political parties are envious of him because they are not able to digest that the son of a common man is governing the state effectively. The people of Punjab have lost their faith in the traditional political parties because of their anti-people and anti-Punjab stance, he added.

He reiterated that the previous rulers were more concerned about their family members rather than Punjab and Punjabis due to which they have been shown the door.

However, the Chief Minister said that after assuming charge of office, he has laid special focus on the progress and prosperity of Punjab, especially this region. He pointed out that previous governments converted schools in the entire state into just Mid Day Meal Centres but now these schools have been transformed into Educational hubs. The AAP government is working on a mission of boosting education in the state and ensuring the access of quality education to the poor students, he asserted.

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The Chief Minister said that to impart quality education to the youth 118 Schools of Eminence have been set up in the state and teachers have been sent for training in Finland and Singapore, for upscaling their teaching skills. Congress and Akalis have only a four point agenda, which is to ensure the welfare of themselves, their sons, and their brother-in-laws. As Education is the key for progress, our government has laid due emphasis on development of this sector and in the coming days a person will be called rich not by his wealth but by the education acquired by his children, said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

The Chief Minister said that the Punjab government is judiciously utilizing every single penny of the state exchequer for the well being of the people of the state. More than 90% households in Punjab are getting free power, even the farmers are today getting power in the daytime which has been unprecedented. At a time when the assets of the country are being given by the Union government to their blue eyed friends at throw away prices, the Punjab government has created history by buying a private thermal plant, he asserted.

The Chief Minister stated that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been opened in Punjab to provide free healthcare to people adding that quality healthcare facilities are being provided to the people in the government hospitals. At the time when the state government had assumed the charge of office, only 21% of canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 68% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes, he added.

The Chief Minister said that as many as 6,900 km long, 18,349 water courses have been revived in Punjab to provide water at tail ends thereby immensely benefitting the farmers. In order to provide comprehensive healthcare to people the state government has launched Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, the first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides cashless medical treatment up to a10 lakh for every resident family in Punjab. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first Indian state to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage, which has significantly eased the financial burden on the public while ensuring quality health services, he affirmed.

The Chief Minister said that this historic move is aimed at providing universal health care to all the families of the state. More than 63,000 government jobs have been given to the youth of Punjab without any bribe or recommendation due to which every section of society is happy, he noted.

In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security, the state government has launched the Meri Rasoi Yojna. Under this scheme 40 lakh families will receive free quarterly food kits starting April, in addition to wheat provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The hard working and resilient farmers of Punjab have worked tirelessly to ensure that no one in the country sleeps hungry and our state has always led from the front in feeding the nation. However, there are still some families within Punjab who struggle to manage daily meals, he said.

The Chief Minister noted, Under this scheme, the Punjab government will provide food kits to 40 lakh families and each kit will contain two kilograms of lentils, two kilograms of sugar, one kilogram of salt, 200 grams of turmeric powder and one litre of mustard oil for monthly consumption. These food kits will be provided in addition to the wheat already being distributed to eligible beneficiaries under the NFSA. I am thankful to this region, which has always showered a lot of love to me both as an artist and now as a politician.

The Chief Minister said, I will always remain indebted to the people of the region for this love. This area was earlier labelled as backward area and even the state used to issue certificates for it, and no focus was laid on the progress of this region. However, the AAP government is working tirelessly to remove this tag by launching a number of development projects. Foundation stone for a Government ITI in village Fatehgarh Sahnewali has been laid to provide skill-oriented training and technical courses to youth.

The Chief Minister profusely thanked the Fatehgarh Sahnewali panchayat for giving five acres of land free of cost for this project adding that the construction, staff recruitment, infrastructure, and other expenses for the ITI will cost approximately a24.50 crore. This institution with capacity of 240 students will offer training in five trades viz. Electrician, Mechanic Electric Vehicle, Refrigeration & Air Conditioner Technician, Industrial Robotics & Digital Manufacturing Technician, and CNC Machining Technician. With this ITI, rural youth in the area will get the opportunity for skill-based education near their homes, he added.

Likewise, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that two new Bridges are coming up at a cost of a17.31 Crore adding that residents of around 27 villages in Sardulgarh constituency bordering the Ghaggar river, had to travel long detours to cross the river. To solve this problem, a new bridge is being built at village Bhalluana with a cost of a12.03 crore. Similarly, a new steel bridge is being constructed at village Barn at a cost of a5.28 crore, which will reduce peoples extra travel by 5-9 km, he added.

He further said that to provide quality health facilities to residents of Sardulgarh, a Mohalla Clinic is being opened in the city at a cost of a39 lakh which will offer 107 types of free medicines and 47 types of free tests. Likewise, a Health & Wellness Centre will be built at village Bhagwanpur Hinga with a cost of a55 lakh. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that next to the Sardulgarh sub-divisional hospital, a Block Public Health Unit will be built at a49 lakh, providing laboratory services under one roof, along with a data centre and SMO meeting-cum-conference hall, he added.

The Chief Minister said that a1.25 crore is being spent on Minor Concrete Lining, a1 crore is being spent for Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Jis Charan Chhoh Village Development Projects in two villages and the capacity of the Danewala 66 KV grid has been increased from 12.5 MVA to 20 MVA at a cost of a2.33 crore to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially to the farming community during the paddy season.

Likewise, the Chief Minister said that Mansa-Talwandi Sabo Road is being upgraded at a cost of a31.20 Crore, a33.07 crore are being spent on construction of new watercourses and a12.83 crore is being spent to set up new Grids in Villages Jhanda Kalan, Ullak, and Banawala New. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that a14.76 crore is being spent to lay new sewerage pipelines in Sardulgarh city, which will cover 24.80 km of sewerage system and other projects. He also announced to upgrade the Sardulgarh Government hospital to 100 bedded hospital for providing quality treatment to the people.

In his address, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said, It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the foundation stone of this ambitious project has been laid. This project will give a boost to the economic development and the prosperity of this entire region. We are pursuing the politics of honesty and work and all sort of negative agenda will be rejected by people.

Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, The mandate of 2022 was in the favor of the agenda of Health and Education for the well -being of the common people. The ITI will act as a game changer by opening new vistas of employment for the children of the common man. The state government is committed for the welfare of Punjab and Punjabis.

On the occasion, Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Gurmeet Singh Khudian, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and others were also present.
As Bhagwant Mann Govt's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' yielding results in Punjab, traffickers shifting base to Haryana: Harpal Singh Cheema File Photo.

Harpal Singh Cheema further questioned the repeated visits of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to Punjab.



As Bhagwant Mann Govt's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' yielding results in Punjab, traffickers shifting base to Haryana: Harpal Singh Cheema

CHANDIGARH, 24th February 2026: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday said that the Punjab Governments decisive and sustained crackdown against narcotics is delivering concrete results, dismantling drug networks that once operated with impunity. He said that as Punjab strengthens enforcement and public participation against drugs, serious questions are arising about the growing menace in Haryana under the Nayab Singh Saini government.

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Recalling that drugs proliferated across Punjab during the 20072017 SAD-BJP regime, Harpal Singh Cheema said a similar pattern is now visible in Haryana. Referring to Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu, who is facing action after anti-drug operations, Harpal Singh Cheema asked what the BJP government in Haryana is trying to protect. He also questioned whether the repeated visits of Nayab Singh Saini to Punjab indicate an attempt to allow drug networks to regroup and seek a return, even as Haryana sinks deeper into the crisis.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that as the Punjab Government intensifies its crackdown against narcotics, drug traffickers are fleeing the state and establishing Haryana as their new base. The decisive action under the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has tightened the grip on drug networks in Punjab, exposing how criminal elements are now relocating operations, he added.

Harpal Singh Cheema said, As the noose tightens against drugs in Punjab, traffickers have made Haryana their new base. Our efforts are producing results, and that is why they are being forced to run.

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Recalling the past, Harpal Singh Cheema said, Punjab has suffered the consequences of drug proliferation during the 20072017 SAD-BJP regime. It was during the BJP-Akali government that drugs like heroin and chitta spread across Punjab. The people of Punjab rejected them because they witnessed the devastation first-hand, he said.

Harpal Singh Cheema asserted that after the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assumed office in 2022, a decisive campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh, was launched. A special sub-committee was formed, and extensive coordination meetings were held across districts. Recently, over 1.5 lakh members of Village Defence Committees took an oath to support the anti-drug movement, reflecting mass public participation, he added.

The senior AAP Punjab leader asserted, Today, a similar situation is emerging in Haryana. Under government patronage, drugs are spreading there, and police officers who act against narcotics are being openly threatened.

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Referring to Haryana Police officer Sunil Sandhu, Harpal Singh Cheema said, Sunil Sandhu is widely known on social media for his commendable work. He has received several awards for his service. Recently, he seized narcotics and the video of the operation went viral. Ever since then, the BJP government has been troubling this police officer. This raises serious concerns about what the Haryana government is trying to protect.

He added that this pattern is not isolated. Three thousand kilograms of heroin were seized in BJP-ruled Gujarat. Such a massive seizure raises serious questions about the functioning of drug networks in BJP-governed states, Harpal Singh Cheema said.

Harpal Singh Cheema further questioned the repeated visits of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to Punjab. Nayab Singh Saini has been visiting Punjab frequently. Is the BJP attempting to revive the drug trade in Punjab once again? The dark phase that Punjab endured under a BJP-backed government is now being witnessed in Haryana, which is steadily sinking deeper into the drug crisis, he said.

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Reaffirming the Punjab Governments firm resolve, Harpal Singh Cheema said that Punjab will not allow drug mafias to regroup and will continue its campaign relentlessly. He added that officers acting honestly against drug networks must be protected and not penalised for doing their duty.
Photo: https://x.com/AndrejPlenkovic/status

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic. During the meeting, the parties discussed energy cooperation and security, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram channel.

"Croatia is already transferring equipment for the needs of Ukrainian energy companies, and we appreciate its readiness to continue assisting in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy sector," the president said following the meeting.

Zelenskyy and Plenkovic also discussed the steps necessary for gaining EU membership and joint actions of all European partners.

"I also informed the Prime Minister about the trilateral meetings in Geneva and preparations for the next talks. I thank Andrej for this visit and for the fact that Croatia has been standing by and helping Ukrainians during these years. I thank you for participating in the PURL program and preparing a new defense package," the president said.

In turn, Plenkovic said Croatia supports a just and sustainable peace and that Ukraine should not agree to any de jure renunciation of its occupied territories during peace talks.

"The Croatian government will continue to support #Ukraine politically, militarily, energetically, and humanitarianly, as well as in demining efforts and by sharing its experience in prosecuting war crimes," Plenkovic said on the X social network.

He also said through JANAF, Croatia has the opportunity to ensure oil supplies sufficient to meet 100% of the needs of oil refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, which is fully compliant with the EU and US sanctions regimes.

"Finally, I reiterated the Croatian Government's firm support for Ukraine's reform efforts and its European path, including progress toward membership in the EU," Plenkovic said.
The memorandum, submitted on behalf of the Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society of New York, sought formal recognition of Punjabi in New York State. File Photo.

The meeting took place on February 17 at the Governor's Office in Manhattan.



US Attorney Jaspreet Singh Leads Push for Punjabi Language Recognition in New York

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Jaspreet Singh, an Attorney-at-Law (USA) and a prominent alumnus of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, has taken the initiative to seek official recognition for the Punjabi language in the state of New York.

Singh led a delegation of Sikh community leaders from New York to meet Governor Kathy Hochul and submitted a memorandum requesting official status for Punjabi so it can be introduced in schools and colleges.

The meeting took place on February 17 at the Governors Office in Manhattan. Senior representatives from various departments attended, including the State Police, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Education and Interfaith Affairs. Sibu Nair, Director of Asian American Affairs, was also present.

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The memorandum, submitted on behalf of the Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society of New York, sought formal recognition of Punjabi in New York State, including its inclusion in educational institutions and the DMV. It also requested support for establishing a community centre at the Gurdwara, stronger action against hate crimes targeting Sikhs and Punjabis, assistance in setting up a funeral home for the community, and attention to issues faced by immigrants in the state.

Singh additionally raised concerns about legal challenges faced by detainees, including the use of Habeas Corpus petitions for relief. He described the governors response as constructive, with a follow-up meeting planned in May. The delegation also invited her to the Sikh Day Parade on April 25, 2026, in Manhattan.

Source: The Tribune
February 24, 2026

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 24.02.2026, 13:55

UKRAINE The presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, are in Kyiv to show support for Ukraine and to attend events marking 4 years since the start of Russias full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom announced today a new assistance package for Ukraine, which includes a training programme for Ukrainian helicopter pilots, funding to repair energy infrastructure bombed by the Russians, and to support the resilience of civilians and efforts to hold accountable the Russians guilty of war crimes. Also today, the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine convenes in a video call at the request of the two co-chairs, the French president Emmanuel Macron and the British PM Keir Starmer. This meeting, which is also attended by the president of Romania Nicusor Dan, follows up the one in Paris on January 6 and aims to reaffirm the commitment of the 35 participating countries to stand by Ukraine and to help it pave the way for a strong and sustainable peace, which would guarantee both its own security and that of Europe. The war resulted in almost 2 million casualties, including 1,200,000 Russian soldiers and approximately 600,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, according to an estimate by a well-known American think tank. Several million Ukrainian civilians were forced to leave their country.

PARLIAMENT The Romanian Parliament building will be illuminated this evening in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to mark 4 years of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The institution thus joins other states that will commemorate the victims of the war through a joint show of solidarity, the Chamber of Deputies announced. Romanian Deputies also observed a moment of silence in memory of the Ukrainian civilians killed in the conflict. Several civic organisations organised public events in various cities in Romania, while in Constanta (southeast) Ukrainian refugees commemorated the victims of the war, reaffirming their faith in justice and a future lived in peace and thanking Romania for the humanitarian and military support it provided.

EU A General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting takes place in Brussels today. The participating ministers and state secretaries for European affairs are to exchange views on the agenda of the upcoming European Council meeting on March 19-20, 2026, with a focus on Ukraine, competitiveness and defence, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and the Middle East. The GAC agenda also includes a round table on the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, established within the framework of the European Democracy Shield, an initiative launched in November 2025 by the European Commission. Romania is represented by the foreign minister Oana Toiu.

ECONOMY The public administration reform and the economic recovery measures could be passed by the government today, after the ruling coalition reached a unanimous agreement on the documents yesterday. Both sets of measures will be passed under a single emergency order. The legislation aims to modernise the state, stimulate the economy and comply with the commitments undertaken at EU level. The leaders of the four coalition parties (the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, Save Romania Union, and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania) also agreed to introduce fiscal measures such as a 25% cut in property taxes on buildings older than 100 years and a 15% discount for those between 50 and 100 years old. Also, people with severe disabilities will benefit from property tax cuts, and the finance ministry will develop a correction mechanism for those who have already paid taxes at the original values. A new coalition meeting is due tomorrow, when the long-delayed 2026 state budget bill will be discussed.

JUDICIARY The candidates for the position of chief prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in Romania are interviewed today by a Justice Ministry committee. The candidates are Ioan-Viorel Cerbu, a prosecutor with the DNA and currently serving as deputy chief prosecutor; Vlad Grigorescu, a prosecutor with the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences, and Tatiana Toader, a deputy chief prosecutor with the DNA. The DNA chief prosecutor post will be vacant as of March 31. The two candidates for the position of Chief Prosecutor of the General Prosecutors Office, Cristina Chiriac and Bogdan Parlog, were interviewed at the justice ministry on Monday. Marius Voineag, the current head of the DNA, who is running for deputy prosecutor general, was also interviewed on Monday. (AMP)
February 24, 2026 UPDATE

The latest news from RRI

Newsflash

Newsroom, 24.02.2026, 20:00

Discussion  President Nicusor Dan had a discussion with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan on Tuesday in Bucharest ahead of the latters visit to Brussels on Thursday. The head of state recalled in an online post that the declaration regarding the launch of the EastInvest mechanism is to be signed, a new European instrument that will make around 20 billion Euros available to nine member states bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to counteract the economic and security effects caused by the war. Romania is among the countries that will be able to access this financing, so as to encourage investments in the south-east of the country, Moldavia, the Danube and Black Sea regions, the president also noted. Nicusor Dan added that he also discussed with the prime minister the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and specified that Romania needs these European resources to successfully overcome the current complicated period and to generate economic growth on solid foundations.

Ukraine  The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, were in Kyiv on Tuesday to show their support for Ukraine and to participate in events dedicated to the period of 4 years since Russias full-scale invasion. On the other hand, the United Kingdom announced on Tuesday a new assistance package for Ukraine, which includes a training program for Ukrainian helicopter pilots, funds to repair energy infrastructure bombed by the Russians and to also support the resilience of the population and efforts to hold Russians guilty of war crimes accountable. Also on Tuesday, the Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine met by videoconference at the request of the two co-chairs, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. This meeting, which was also attended by Romanian President Nicusor Dan, is a continuation of the one in Paris on January 6 and aims to reaffirm the commitment of the 35 participating countries to continue to stand by Ukraine and to help it achieve the conditions for a solid and lasting peace, which would guarantee both its own security and that of Europe. Nicusor Dan announced on Tuesday, after the meeting, that Romania will continue to provide all necessary support to Ukraine. The war resulted in the death and injury of almost 2 million people, including 1,200,000 Russian soldiers and approximately 600,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, according to an estimate by a well-known American analysis center. Several million Ukrainian civilians were forced to flee.

Parliament  The Romanian Parliament was illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on Tuesday evening to mark four years of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The institution thus joins other states that will commemorate, through a joint gesture of solidarity, the victims of the war, announced the Chamber of Deputies, where a moment of silence was observed in memory of the Ukrainian citizens killed in the conflict. Several civic organizations organized public events in various cities in Romania, and, in Constanta (southeast), Ukrainian refugees commemorated the victims of the war, reaffirming their belief in justice and a future lived in peace and thanking Romania for the humanitarian and military support provided.

Meeting  The General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting took place in Brussels on Tuesday. The agenda of the meeting of ministers and state secretaries for European affairs included an exchange of views on the topics on the agenda of the upcoming European Council meeting on 19-20 March 2026, with a focus on Ukraine, competitiveness and defense, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and the Middle East. The GAC agenda also included a debate on the European Centre for Democratic Resilience, envisaged within the framework of the European Shield for Democracy, an initiative launched in November 2025 by the European Commission. At this debate, Romania was represented by the Foreign Minister, Oana Toiu.

Anticorruption  The candidates for the position of Chief Prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate in Romania (DNA) held interviews on Tuesday before the Commission established at the Ministry of Justice. They are Ioan-Viorel Cerbu, a prosecutor within the DNA, delegated as Deputy Chief Prosecutor; Vlad Grigorescu, a prosecutor within the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism, and Tatiana Toader, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the DNA. The position of Chief Prosecutor of the DNA remains vacant as of March 31. The two candidates aiming for the position of Chief Prosecutor of the General Prosecutors Office, Cristina Chiriac and Bogdan Parlog, held interviews at the Ministry of Justice on Monday. Marius Voineag, the current head of the DNA, who is running for the position of Deputy Prosecutor General, was also interviewed on Monday.

Ukrainians  In 2025, 4,556 cases of fraudulent border crossing from Ukraine to Romania were detected, involving approximately 10,250 Ukrainian citizens: 5,402 in Maramures County, 3,800 in Suceava County and 1,048 at the border line included in Satu Mare County, all from the north of the country, said on Tuesday the head of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Border Police Inspectorate (ITPF), police chief Florin Coman, quoted by the Bucharest press. According to him, compared to 2024, when approximately 13,000 Ukrainian citizens were detected at the green border, a moderate decrease in the phenomenon is observed. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion and until now, 31,618 Ukrainian citizens have illegally crossed the state border into Romania. Most illegal border crossings take place in the mountainous area or through the waters of the Tisa River, which involves major risks. Since the beginning of the conflict, 35 Ukrainian citizens have been found dead  the head of the Sighetu Marmatiei Territorial Border Police Inspectorate also said. In the counties of Maramures and Suceava, people involved in the trafficking of Ukrainian migrants were also discovered. (LS)
The Tirana Declaration

Romania adopts the Tirana Ministerial Declaration on Corridor VIII

Source: facebook.com/mapn.ro

Daniela Budu, 24.02.2026, 13:50

Romania, along with Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, and North Macedonia, adopted the Tirana Ministerial Declaration on Corridor VIII, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday. Through this Declaration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, the five states reiterate the political, economic, and strategic importance of the project, which aims to remedy connectivity deficiencies in Southeast Europe. The declaration also highlights the importance of the Black Sea and the Western Balkans as economic areas with significant potential for further development.

According to the Bucharest ministry, Corridor VIII plays a key role in facilitating trade flows and improving regional and European supply chains. Both the private sector and local communities stand to gain from the development of the Corridor, which increases the resilience of regional economies and generates investment opportunities, the MFA further emphasizes. At the same time, Corridor VIII improves military mobility, contributing to efforts to strengthen the Eastern Flank and NATO-EU cooperation.

The five states have committed, the ministry notes, to leverage the European Unions dedicated financial instruments to transform this project into a European axis of security and prosperity. Romanias participation in this meeting adds to our countrys other sustained efforts to strengthen security on the Eastern Flank and increase national and local prosperity through the development of projects of strategic interest, the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest added.

We recall that Romania joined the project in 2024, two years after the outbreak of war in neighbouring Ukraine, when military mobility on this corridor became a priority. It officially signed the letter of intent for accession in Brussels, during the meeting of NATO member states defence ministers. The project involves connecting the port of Constanta with the ports of Varna and Burgas in Bulgaria through dual-use (civil-military) infrastructure projects, from where it continues on to Italy.

Military mobility corridors aim to create a network of main routes designed to simplify and accelerate the movement of military forces, equipment, and materials, both in peacetime and in crisis or conflict situations. This means that NATO troops landing in Italian ports (Bari/Brindisi) can now cross the Balkans more quickly to reach the Eastern Flank, including bases in Romania. Aimed at improving connectivity, facilitating trade, and ensuring military mobility in the region, this corridor is crucial for regional security and economic development and is officially recognized as a project of strategic importance. (MI)
Judges at the International Criminal Court have opened a confirmation of charges hearing for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send him to trial on alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during his government's deadly "war on drugs".

The confirmation hearing marks a key step that will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.

The purpose of the four-day hearing, taking place in The Hague, is to determine whether there are "substantial grounds to believe" that Duterte committed the crimes charged by the ICC Prosecutor.

"The Chamber shall not take any decision with regard to the guilt or innocence of Mr. Duterte during this hearing," said Iulia Antoanella Motoc, the Presiding Judge.

The 80-year-old former leader is suspected of crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder allegedly committed between 2011 November and 2019 March, which includes his terms as Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City, and President of the Philippines.

According to the prosecution, the case comprises three counts of crimes against humanity: murders in or around Davao City during his mayoral period allegedly carried out by the so-called "Davao Death Squad"; murders of so-called "high-value targets" during his presidential period; and murders and attempted murders in barangay (the lowest administrative division) clearance operations during his presidency.

"Mr. Duterte and his co-perpetrators shared a common plan to neutralize alleged criminals in the Philippines...through violent crimes, including murder," the courtroom officer said, reading out the prosecution's charges.

ICC issued an arrest warrant for Duterte on 2025 March 7 and he surrendered to the Court after being arrested by Philippine authorities five days later. He remains at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen in the Netherlands.

ICC suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

"The burden of proof is upon the Office of the ICC Prosecutor, which must produce sufficient evidence to prove the charges against Duterte at the required standard of proof," said Judge Motoc.

At the hearing, the legal representatives of the 539 victims will lay out their cases before the judges.

Within 60 days after the hearing concludes, the judges will issue a decision on whether to proceed.

Duterte won seven terms and served for more than 22 years as mayor of Davao, one of the largest cities in the country.

During his rule, the once crime-ridden city became peaceful and investor-friendly.

Duterte's political success has been aided by his vocal support for the extrajudicial killing of drug users and criminals. His career has sparked numerous protests and attracted controversy, particularly over human rights issues and his controversial comments. Duterte has repeatedly stated that he personally killed criminal suspects during his term as mayor of Davao. Extrajudicial killings that were allegedly committed by the Davao Death Squad between 1998 and 2016 while Duterte served as mayor have also been scrutinized by human-rights groups and the Office of the Ombudsman. The victims were mainly alleged drug users, alleged petty criminals, and street children.

The International Criminal Court opened a preliminary investigation into Duterte's drug war in 2018, prompting him to withdraw the Philippines from the UN-backed body in response.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Amidst a global market sentiment tethered to trade tensions and AI worries, the CAC 40 benchmark that tracks the 40 largest French stocks based on the Euronext Paris is trading slightly above the flatline.

The U.S. Supreme Court verdict and the blanket tariffs that have followed added to uncertainties over the trade deals reached with the U.S. last year. Sentiment however remains cautious amidst the European Parliament postponing a vote on the US-Europe agreement for a second time.

CAC 40 is currently trading at 8,507.33, rising 0.12 percent from the previous close of 8,497.17. The day's trading ranged between 8,461.88 and 8,509.21.

At current levels, the index has gained 5.1 percent over the past 1 year.

Amidst the muted sentiment, 15 scrips in the 40-stock index are trading below the flatline.

STMicroElectronics, Renault, Stellantis have all gained close to 2 percent. Engie, carrefour and Euronext are trading with overnight gains of around 1.5 percent.



Capgemini led losses with a decline of 2.9 percent. Credit Agricole, Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, have all lost more than 1.7 percent as worried about AI disrupting traditional lines.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding tariffs triggering demand for safe haven assets, yields on treasuries softened globally. In tandem, yields on France's 10-year bonds dropped 0.49 percent to 3.266 percent, versus the level of 3.282 percent at the previous close. Yields ranged between 3.284 percent and 3.265 percent in the day's trading.

With the U.S. Dollar firming up, the 6-currency Dollar Index is currently at 97.87, gaining 0.17 percent from the previous close of 97.71. The EUR/USD pair has edged down 0.03 percent to 1.1781. The pair ranged between 1.1797 and 1.1768. The EUR/GBP pair is trading at 0.8734, dropping 0.05 percent below the flatline. Amidst the yen's weakness, the EUR/JPY pair has jumped 0.69 percent to trade at 183.51.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
European Union leaders will hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Tuesday, the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission announced that President Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, will participate in the official memorial ceremony to be held in the Ukrainian capital, commemorating the four years of war. They will also visit an energy infrastructure site damaged by Russian missile strikes. Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa will then hold a meeting with Zelenskyy.

The leaders will also attend a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, taking place in Kyiv. The meeting reaffirms the commitment of the 35 participating countries to support Ukraine in achieving a lasting and robust peace, ensuring the security of both Ukraine and Europe.

European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jorgensen, Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, and Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, will also travel to Kyiv.

As winter tightens its grip on the country, Russia is trying to freeze Ukraine into submission, systematically targeting energy infrastructure, leaving millions in the dark and cold.

Civilians in the Occupied Territories?in the east of Ukraine are forced to adopt Russian passports, Ukrainian language is prohibited, people are isolated from Ukrainian media and are arrested on arbitrary charged for any demonstration of pro-Ukrainian sentiment.

"More than ever, Europe stands by Ukraine, and this visit will also highlight our extensive support to our brave partner and neighbor," the European Commission said in a press release.

Since Russia's invasion in 2022, Europe has provided 194.9 billion EUR worth of support to Ukraine, including 70 billion EUR for the military.

Ukraine has received from the EU almost 3 billion EUR for energy security purposes. Ahead of this winter, the Commission mobilized more than 900 million EUR for emergency gas purchases in Ukraine, and the electricity export capacity from the EU to Ukraine is currently at a maximum level. The EU has also offered more than 157,000 tons of aid so far, including 1,000 generators in the past month.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland from 2019 to 2023, has been awarded the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, announced Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

"Today, I had the honor of presenting the Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class, to Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland from 2019 to 2023. Sanna Marin is a true friend of Ukraine, who has consistently supported our country during the most difficult times and continues to stand by us today. This high state award is a symbol of our deep gratitude for her leadership, principled stance, solidarity, and significant contribution to strengthening support," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Zhovkva thanked the entire Finnish people and Sunny personally for their continued support of Ukraine.
By Alimat Aliyeva

The Italian automaker Lamborghini has decided to abandon plans for a fully electric car, citing high development costs and limited consumer interest, AzerNEWS reports.

This decision comes after more than a year of extensive internal discussions, engagement with customers and dealers, as well as thorough market analysis, said the companys CEO. He added that investing in fully electric vehicles when the market and our customer base are not ready would be an expensive hobby and financially irresponsible toward shareholders, customers, employees, and their families.

In 2023, Lamborghini unveiled a concept for the all-electric Lanzador, featuring two electric motors and all-wheel drive. Production had been tentatively planned for 2028, but the project has now been shelved.

Instead, Lamborghini will focus on developing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). According to the company, by 2030 all of its models will feature hybrid powertrains, while traditional internal combustion engines will continue for as long as possible, preserving the brands iconic sound and performance.

Lamborghini is part of Audi, which in turn belongs to the German Volkswagen Group. In 2025, the company set a record by selling 10,747 cars. Europe and the Middle East remain its largest markets, while U.S. sales declined by nearly 10%.

The strong performance of Lamborghinis Revuelto hybrid supercar contributed significantly to these results, with prices starting at 450,000 ($605,000). The plug-in hybrid Urus SUV, starting at around 210,000 ($285,000), also sold well. Last year, Lamborghini expanded its hybrid lineup with the Temerario, priced from 260,000 ($350,000).

Despite halting its fully electric program, Lamborghini continues to push technological boundaries. The hybrid models combine the brands signature roar with eco-friendly efficiency, offering a glimpse into the future of high-performance supercars that balance speed, style, and sustainability.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Stephen Witkoff announced a meeting with the head of the Ukrainian negotiating delegation, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov in Geneva soon.

He stated this online at the YES meeting organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on February 24, 2026.

Witkoff said he planned to travel to Geneva with Jared Kushner on Thursday, noting that they would fly out on Wednesday night. He explained that the main purpose of the trip was a meeting with Iranian representatives, as they were attempting to resolve the situation through diplomatic means. He added that he had spoken with Rustem Umerov  with whom he said he was in contact almost daily  and had asked him to seek President Zelenskyy's permission for a meeting in Geneva.

According to Witkoff, after that meeting he can visit the United States, but their first priority would be talks with Umerov in Geneva.

He said the goal of those discussions was to continue the conversation and explore possible options for reaching a peace agreement.

On February 24, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy held a special YES Meeting on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event brought together leading political leaders, government officials, military personnel, experts, and parliamentarians from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States for a frank conversation about the state of the war in Ukraine, the prospects for its end, and Ukraine's place in Europe's future security architecture.
Fedorov: Lithuania to increase its contributions to PURL, Ukraine to share its experience in combating UAVs

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, following a meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Robertas Kaunas, said Lithuania is ready to increase its contributions to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, and Ukraine, in turn, will share its experience in combating strike drones.

"Productive meeting with Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas. Focus: drone, air defence, EW cooperation. Grateful for Lithuania's 0.25% GDP support & PURL contributions. Ukraine is also ready to share its 'Shahed-fighting' expertise to boost partner's defense," Fedorov said on the X social network.

Kaunas also reported on the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense through the PURL program.

"Lithuania, in supporting Ukraines air defence, will allocate an additional contribution to the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, under which US-manufactured weaponry is supplied to Ukraine," the minister said on the X social platform.
Zelenskyy: It's new to me that USA wants war ended by July 4

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that for him the information about the United States desire to conclude a peace agreement by July 4 is new.

"For me this is new information, although now the information is changing very quickly," Zelenskyy said during the summit "Ukraine  the States of Northern Europe and the Baltics."

The president said Ukraine has always supported quick decisions on ending the war.

"It does not say that the fast track is connected with the fact that we give up part of our territories," he said.

As reported, the United States wants to conclude an agreement on the settlement in Ukraine by July 4, Bloomberg reports with reference to European officials and NATO representatives.

"Allies say the US is pushing for a deal before Trump hosts the 250th anniversary celebrations of American independence on July 4. But there is no indication that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to reach an agreement that does not grant his central demands, according to senior European and NATO officials," Bloomberg said on Tuesday.
Special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, Stephen Witkoff, does not rule out a visit by NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov to Florida soon, as well as a trilateral meeting between delegations of Ukraine, Russia, the United States within the next ten days.

He stated this in an online format at the YES meeting organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on February 24, 2026.

Witkoff said they were not only planning meetings in Geneva, adding that he believed Rustem Umerov might travel to Florida to meet with them shortly afterward. He said a trilateral meeting was being prepared, involving the Ukrainian delegation, the Russian delegation, and himself, Jared Kushner, and their teams, likely within the next ten days.

On February 24, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy hosted a special YES meeting to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event brought together leading political leaders, government officials, military personnel, experts, and parliamentarians from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States for a frank conversation about the state of the war in Ukraine, the prospects for its conclusion, and Ukraine's place in Europe's future security architecture.
Boris Johnson: Were very far from abandoning USA and acting independently. Such vision cannot be imposed on Ukraine

British Prime Minister (2019-2022) Boris Johnson is convinced that Europe and the West are not doing enough to ensure Ukraine's complete victory, and that abandoning the United States is not yet possible.

He stated this at a YES meeting organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation on February 24, 2026.

Wake up. Face the reality. The United States provides 70% of NATO s budget, 95% of its strategic heavy-lift transport capacity. Even if we assume that the French nuclear deterrent actually works, the United States still effectively provides 100% of Europe s nuclear deterrent. Therefore, technologically, we are dependent on the United States. We are very far from a situation where we could simply abandon the United States and act independently. We cannot impose such a vision on Ukraine  it is an illusion, a trap, and self-deception, Johnson said.

At the same time, he called for increased military aid to Ukraine, stronger sanctions, and a more assertive stance, including considering the possibility of deploying a European military contingent to Ukraine without engaging in military action, in order to demonstrate to Putin the West's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and its future in the Western alliance.

Johnson noted that the West "lacks a sense of urgency."

"There's too much complacency in Europe about this war. The fact that Ukrainian generals and their incredible military have been fighting this war for four years has created a certain apathy," the former prime minister added.

He emphasized that "Europe and the West must realize: the war won't end until we step up our support."
London stocks were set to nudge down at the open on Tuesday after heavy losses on Wall Street, as investors continue to assess the impact of US President Trumps latest tariff threat.

The FTSE 100 was called to open around nine points lower, faring pretty well considering the heavy selloff seen in the US, where stocks were hit not only by Trump's tarriff announcement, but also by more worries about AI disruption.

DoorDash and American Express both fell sharply on the back of a research report by Citrini, which mentioned both companies as it outlined the potential AI risks to various industries.

IBM also took a hit after AI start-up Anthropic said its Claude Code can help modernise COBOL, a programming language mainly run on IBM computers.

Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote, said: "Markets on both sides of the Atlantic kicked off the week on a sour note, as Donald Trumps latest tariff shake-up offered little for businesses and investors to cheer.

"European carmakers were among the hardest hit after EU leaders decided to freeze ratification of the trade deal signed last summer. They want clarification on the proposed 15% global tariff - what it covers and how long it would last - before moving forward.

"The US President expressed frustration, but signing an agreement without fully understanding the details is not the European way. As a result, the deal risks unravelling before it is even implemented - a significant waste of time and political capital."

In UK corporate news, Asia and Africa-focused bank Standard Chartered reported a 16% rise in annual earnings on the back of a strong performance at its wealth management division.

Pre-tax profit came in at $6.96bn, compared with $6bn a year earlier and the $7.2bn forecast by analysts in a company-compiled poll. StanChart also unveiled a $1.5bn share buyback to start immediately.

Croda International posted a jump in annual sales and earnings despite the ongoing impact of US tariffs and wider geopolitical uncertainty.

The speciality chemicals group posted a 6.6% rise in sales in the year to December end, to 1.7bn, on a constant currency basis, while adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were 7.1% stronger at 396.6m.

The blue chip said it was encouraged by the progress it had made during the year to grow earnings and returns, despite an "uncertain" trading environment.

Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty said chief financial officer Phil Harrison will step down from the board later this year after more than ten years in the role.

Harrison will remain a director of the company and continue to fulfil his current role until Myles Westcott, currently group financial controller at BAE Systems, succeeds him later in the year.
Statement by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion

On February 24, 2022, the world gave Ukraine three days. Today marks the 1,462nd day of Russia's unprovoked full-scale war. Four years of air raid sirens and missiles overhead. Four years of destroyed homes and stolen lives. Four years of Russia's brutal full-scale aggression and four years of Ukraine standing, fighting, and resisting.

Freedom has its price. Ukraine pays for it every day. Defenders with incredible courage hold the line on the front lines, inspiring the free world. Workers join the ranks of the Armed Forces. Colleagues are killed. Families are torn apart by war. Businesses are destroyed. Russia seeks to erase Ukraine: to destroy its sovereignty, plunge its people into darkness, and ruin its economy.

Day after day, Russia continues to destroy and humiliate American businesses operating in Ukraine. Forty-seven percent of the production facilities and factories of Chamber member companies have been damaged. Thirty-eight percent of companies have had employees killed.

Putin is not only attacking Ukraine  he is deliberately targeting the American economic presence here. The attacks on US brands are a direct signal to America. And yet, companies remain here  believing, investing, and creating jobs. US policy must match the strength of spirit of American businesses operating in Ukraine every day. Putin must be stopped.

Four years into a full-scale war, Ukraine remains open for business. Despite continuous attacks, almost half of the damaged enterprises have been completely restored. Ninety percent of companies are fully operational. They work during blackouts, recover after shelling, and protect their teams. They pay taxes. They support communities. They keep Ukraine's economy going. That is what true resilience is.

Ukraine has stood strong for four years. For four years, Ukrainians have been proving that they are stronger than fear, stronger than darkness, stronger than the aggressor who believed that Ukraine would fall in three days.

Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Business stands, united with Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!
Paramount Skydance has increased its bid for Warner Bros Discovery, Reuters reported on Monday, raising the stakes in the bidding war for the historic studio and its broadcast and cable TV assets in an effort to beat out rival suitor Netflix. It could not immediately be determined how the bid was revised. Warner Bros and Paramount declined to comment, while Netflix could not immediately be reached.  Guardian

Criminal gangs are systematically targeting shops, retailers have warned, with 5.5m incidents of shoplifting detected last year, costing the industry an estimated 400m. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned over endemic violence towards shop workers  who faced an average 36 incidents of violence involving a weapon every day last year  and said high levels of theft was causing anxiety among retail staff.  Guardian

Unemployment will surge to 5.5pc within months as the jobless rate climbs above the worst months of the pandemic, a Wall Street bank has warned. Economists at JP Morgan said unemployment will hit two million in the first half of the year as businesses hold off hiring in the wake of Rachel Reevess 25bn raid on employers National Insurance contributions (NICs), which kicked in last April.  Telegraph

Britains reliance on foreign food imports is a threat to national security, the head of the National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned. Tom Bradshaw will use a speech on Tuesday to call for more home-grown food production to boost the economy, as he claims that thousands of farms are fighting for survival.  Telegraph

Almost 90 per cent of firms in the FTSE 350 have achieved, or are close to meeting, a government-backed target to have 40 per cent of board positions held by women. The FTSE Women Leaders Review (WLR), published on Tuesday, reveals that 88 per cent of FTSE 350 firms had boards where at least 33 per cent of all positions were filled by women, with 69 per cent of firms meeting the voluntary 40 per cent target.  The Times

A New York investment bank has settled a lawsuit by a former analyst who claimed she was wrongfully dismissed for asking to be able to sleep more than eight hours a night. Kathryn Shiber, a junior analyst, alleged she was fired ten weeks into a three-year analyst programme at Centerview Partners soon after she informed the boutique firm that she had mood and anxiety disorders requiring her to sleep eight to nine hours a night.  The Times
CREATOR CITY and DMNTR invite you to a closed discussion on the reputation of developers

The organizers of CREATOR CITY, Kreator-Bud, and the DMNTR media group invite you to a prestigious evening event dedicated to the key value of the modern real estate markettrust and reputation.

Date and time: March 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Format: closed VIP event (panel discussions, networking, buffet)

Venue: Kyiv (details will be sent to registered participants)

The event will focus on how to build and monetize reputation in the context of high competition, a crisis of trust, and the transformation of the Ukrainian real estate market in 2026.

Experts will discuss:

Reputation as a strategic asset for developers

Tools for restoring and strengthening customer trust

The role of transparency, quality, and communication in attracting investment

Real-life cases of market leaders who turn reputation into a competitive advantage.

Moderator

Dmytro Struk  Development Director, Kreator-Bud.

Speakers

Vitaliy Borul  CEO, Credo Development

Yaroslav Korniyachenko  Founder and CEO of Vlasne Misto

Eduard Suprunov  Head of B2B Department, LG Electronics Ukraine

Yevgen Bokiy  Commercial Director of UDP

Olga Arbuzova  Sales Director of Sigma

Anna Iskierdo  Architect, public figure, co-founder and CEO of the architectural and design company AIMM

Serhiy Datsiv  General Director of MIROPLAST LLC (WDS TM)

The event will bring together top managers of development companies, architects, builders, suppliers of materials and equipment, investors, and industry experts.

Participation is by prior registration and invitation only.

About the organizers:

CREATOR CITY is a platform for creative developers and architects.

Creator-Bud is a leading Ukrainian developer that creates modern business-class residential complexes.

DMNTR (Dom i Interier) is an authoritative media brand in the field of architecture, design, real estate, and construction.

Contacts for media and registration:

DMNTR Media Group

Tel.: +38 (044) 461 91 28

Join the discussion that is shaping the future of the Ukrainian real estate market!

Registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdss6KU7YJ6RxsoWp0aCA8Wqg9rmt_AxciV4flK7435ZuN__Q/viewform?usp=dialog

Interfax-Ukraine - information partner
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BusinessCompaniesObesity Backfired: Ozempic makers disastrous trial and its $US475 billion meltdown Colin Kruger February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Novo Nordisks next-generation weight-loss drug CagriSema has been labelled obsolete before it even hits the market after the pharma giants trial results failed to match the performance of existing obesity drugs from rival Eli Lilly. Novos shares dived more than 16 per cent on the news and are trading at levels last seen in 2021, back before the company started the anti-obesity GLP-1 craze. Novo had a market monopoly on the injectable weight-loss drugs until competition emerged last year. Novo Nordisk has struggled with competition in the obesity drug race. Bloomberg The trigger for the latest share dump was a market announcement on Monday in Denmark revealing that people treated with a standard dose of Novos CagriSema in a trial achieved 20.2 per cent weight loss after 84 weeks, compared with 23.6 per cent for Lillys tirzepatide. A spokesman said the results showed the new drug was not deemed non-inferior to (Eli Lillys) tirzepatide, in this particular trial at least.

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Outsiders had a more brutal interpretation. Related Article Pregnancy Tidal wave of pressure: Has the Ozempic boom made it harder for new mums? The trial has backfired, Michael Shah, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, said. The base case was CagriSema showing weight loss in line with Zepbound, Eli Lillys brand name for tirzepatide. Not even achieving that, he said, was unexpected and extends Lillys advantage. Chris ODonnell, founder of Australian health group My Weight Loss Clinic, is more sanguine about this race for the best results. The reality is, is that we need a range of different compounds, because theyre not going to suit everybody, he said.

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And he points out these controlled trials are very different from the real experience of many users who dont get the same support. Data in Australia shows that, without proper support, the average user is only on the medication for nine to 12 weeks. So the typical Australian is only taking this medication for around about three months, and then is stopping. Dr Kieran Dang, the chief medical officer at Mosh, also played down the weight-loss metrics from the trial. Both are large amounts of weight that is more than what many people using medical weight loss products are aiming for, he said. Its important that patients always combine these medications with a structured weight loss program. In the real world, this can often make a much larger difference than which medication is used, he added.

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Novo has innovations that may help, like its consumer anti-obesity drug Wegovy being available in pill form in the US. But Lillys Zepbound, sold in Australia as Mounjaro, has been widely accepted here as a more effective weight-loss drug. Its reflected in the fact that Novo has now lost 60 per cent of its market valuation over the last year and wiped out $US475 billion ($672 billion) of shareholder wealth since it peaked in 2024 at more than $US600 billion, when it was Europes most valuable company. Novo had a market monopoly on the injectable weight-loss drugs until rivals like Eli Lilly released their own products. Bloomberg The Danish groups unassailable market has now been devoured by Eli Lilly, generic rivals, and Donald Trumps push to lower pharmaceutical costs for Americans. Novos chief scientific officer Martin Holst Lange told Bloomberg that additional studies needed to be done to assess CagriSemas full weight-loss potential.

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A spokesperson said: because of the large unmet need in obesity, and CagriSemas strong weight-loss profile, cardiometabolic benefits (heart, liver, kidney) and the proven efficacy of semaglutide with more than 49 million patient years of exposure, we are fully committed to continue studying and launching CagriSema in 2027  we believe in the power of this biology. Earlier, Novo chief executive Maziar Mike Doustdar bristled in response to an analysts question about how he might move quickly on a new experimental medicine now that CagriSema looks somewhat obsolete. He said CagriSema showed better weight-loss results than competitors in the kind of large-scale trials used for regulatory approvals. Doustdar was already under pressure after Novos financial results early this month, when it forecast a 13 per cent decline in sales this year as the price war for obesity drugs hit sales and its bottom line. And Eli Lilly is not the only competition.

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This month, Novo sued obesity drug retailer Hims & Hers, alleging infringement on its IP with a knock-off version of Wegovy. Hims & Hers, which has sold its own brand versions of the semaglutide obesity drug, pulled the product and its shares declined sharply in response. Loading Hims & Hers acquired Aussie weight loss start-up Eucalyptus last week, which has offered a similar business model to its new owner, for $1.6 billion. The US company has the right to pay for much of that with its shares, which have lost more than 50 per cent of their value in the year to date. On Monday (US time), Hims & Hers confirmed it forecasts sales within market expectations for the year - provided it could continue to sell its own version of the top brand weight-loss drugs. Novo says it will continue testing of its latest obesity drug.

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BusinessWorkplaceAviation Should some jobs not be outsourced? Skydiving instructors think so Chris Zappone February 25, 2026  5:30am Save 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 A A A

Are there some jobs that shouldnt be outsourced to foreign workers? How about a skydiving instructor? Foreign workers filling that role has become a flashpoint between the skydivers union and Australias biggest skydiving company. Skydive Australia members strike in St Kilda in December. Workers at Experience Co, which operates Skydive Australia, walked off the job at jump sites across the east coast last week over a deal that would pay visa workers less than the companys full-time employees. The Australian Workers Union, which represents the skydivers, said Experience Co is also applying for permission to bring in overseas workers to fill out the ranks of its employees.

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Unionised tandem skydiving instructors were grounded from Friday until Monday night across Illawarra, Noosa, Yarra Valley, St Kilda, and Barwon Heads, which are among the companys 10 drop zones. The union is also upset that Experience Co has ended its local training program, which would prepare a new generation of local skydiving instructors. Related Article Air accident Skydiver dangles from plane tail after parachute snags We do see companies that think that you dont have to pay to train your staff here and you can get them from overseas and you can reduce your labour cost, AWU National Organiser Jonathan Cook said. Experience Co CEO John OSullivan says the union is unfairly conflating ongoing enterprise bargaining with the issue of foreign workers. He cites a global shortage of skydiving instructors, which he says prompted Experience Co to apply to the federal government for a labour agreement to allow the company to hire 15 instructors per year for three years.

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OSullivan said the plan isnt to replace Australian staff, but its necessary because there are currently a number of staff on working holidaymaker and student visas, which will expire over the next 12 to 18 months. And they have asked us to sponsor them to come into the country. Opposition to the Labour Agreement is actually reducing our capacity, said OSullivan. We are unable to service more customers which means that for our existing cohort of skydive instructors, they make less money. Expanding the workforce by sponsoring foreign staff on student and working holidaymaker visas would boost capacity, increasing the pace of jumps and putting more money in the pockets of skydivers, OSullivan said. Currently, skydiving instructors earn $57,000 plus an average of about $47 for each jump or video camera service. The company is offering $58,000 plus $50 per jump. We have got in front of them a proposition that makes them the best paid skydive instructors in the country, OSullivan said.

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Foreign workers earn the $57,000 base but dont get the extra payment component that the Australians jumpers do. However, OSullivan said the company is paying the visa cost for many of the foreign skydiving instructors from countries like Brazil, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Skydive Australia members on strike. The AWUs Cook counters that the visa worker could be doing the same job as an instructor who might earn $100,000 if the volumes are high. Skydivers typically try to work for 1000 jumps a year, which in a busy season with good weather can mean three to four tandem jumps an hour. In practice, this can translate to 18 or so jumps a day at peak season. The camera adds to the instructors income, with a $47 bonus on each jump for each camera, which can be attached to the instructor, the passenger, and the plane. Customers book the camera services 80-90 per cent of the time.

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So to earn $100,000 a year, a skydiving instructor would need to make 1100 jumps a year with camera ancillary payments. To earn $70,000 a year, they would need about 800 jumps with camera sales. Related Article Updated

Aviation Qantas to accept dual citizens expired UK passports All workers doing the same job should get the same pay. Employee, visa worker, contractor  it should not matter, Cook said. The union is also upset at the closure of Experience Cos two skydiving instruction schools, which could train up local instructors. OSullivan says the company is happy to sit down and discuss resurrecting the schools once were through the EBA. The ASX-listed company has about 1300 employees, with about 140 skydivers, of whom about 60 are AWU members.

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The union said it didnt even learn about the plan to bring in foreign workers on a lower wage until the government informed it a year ago as part of the labour agreement application. AWUs Cook said: The union is not anti-migration per se, but it has to be done in a collaborative and productive way not just for the sake of profit. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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CultureBooksReview A labour of love, this book spotlights the influence of French New Wave cinema Tom Ryan February 25, 2026  5:30am Save 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 A A A

Whats good, whats bad, and whats in between in literature? Here we review the latest titles. See all stories .

CINEMA

Far from the Masters  Experimentations in Post-New Wave French Cinema

eds. Conall Cash and Corey P. Cribb

Index Press, $29.95 Issued by a small Melbourne-based publisher, Far from the Masters is modest in form but ambitious in purpose. A labour of love originating from a Melbourne University film club devoted to French cinema, its only 112 pages long and the quality of most of the reproductions is poor. But it turns a bright spotlight on filmmaking practices often overlooked in discussions of how the nouvelle vague  the French New Wave, generally linked to the work in the 1950s and 60s of writer-directors such as Francois Truffaut, Jean-Luc Godard, Claude Chabrol and Agnes Varda  not only rejected the cinema du papa that preceded it but also left its mark on what came afterwards. Made up of nine essays by local writers, the book grapples with various ways in which particular films and their creators from the late 60s onwards have engaged in what the book labels post-New Wave experimentations. The introduction by editors Conall Cash and Corey P. Cribb, academics now based abroad, sets the scene, proposing that these films generally turn away from the innocence or lightness of discovery prevalent in the films of the New Wave and, both formally and thematically, grapple with a crisis in the relation between personal life and collective meaning.

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The following eight chapters scrutinise specific films in this context, more or less. Their interest is primarily in analysis, in how the films work as forms of expression, rather than in any evaluation of their worth, although philosopher Scott Robinsons scathing account of JR and Agnes Vardas Visages Villages (2017) makes explicit his contempt for the film and for its betrayal of Vardas earlier work. The names of a couple of the contributors will be familiar to regular readers of this masthead. Jake Wilson shows himself to be as comfortable in this more scholarly context as he is in his regular reviewing stint with his excellent study of Jacques Rivettes Le pont du Nord (1981), illuminating the ways that its preoccupation with the inevitability of change flows through its imagery as well as its plot. And former Age film critic and arts writer Philippa Hawker brings her customary eloquence to an insightful study of Les Idoles (1968), a rarity made by Marco (born Marc-Gilbert Guillaumin), tracing its transformation from a radical performance work into a film and neatly contextualising it in relation to a wide range of better-known works. Francois Truffaut directing a scene during filming of Le Peau Douce (Soft Skin) in 1964 Melbourne University English Department academic Miranda Stanyon perceptively draws on her special area of interest in her examination of Rivettes Lamour fou (1969), which deals with rehearsals for Andromaque, Jean Racines 17th-century play born of Greek mythology. Her excavation of the parallels between the characters in the play and in the film points to the modernist undercurrent which is everywhere implicit in the book (but, curiously, never mentioned). Editors Cash and Cribb offer instructive readings of, respectively, uncompromising writer-director Maurice Pialats searing A Nos Amours (1983) and Patrick Devals Acephale (1968), the most experimental of all the works discussed in the collection and a film that in its search for new modes of existence, embraces all those unwanted and violent parts of ourselves that we have neglected to recognise as human.

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And Jack Keenans probing of Truffauts Lenfant sauvage (1970), based on the actual case of a doctors attempt to introduce a feral child to civilisation, eschews any straightforward reading of the film. Drawing on details of Truffauts own life and career, Keenan astutely excavates a complicated and self-questioning autobiography from the film, even if he unnecessarily decorates his commentary with some Lacanian psychoanalysing. Filmmaker Agnes Varda directing a scene from her film Cleo from 5 to 7. Roger Viollet via Getty Images Only Michelle Huangs bloggy account of her encounter with Chantal Akermans groundbreaking Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975) sits uncomfortably in the book. The most memorable cinematic experiences are those that inspire new emotions within me, she writes. Which is fair enough, I suppose (whatever these new emotions might be), but her job as a commentator is surely to ask how they do this. More interested in her own response to the film than in what makes it tick (even if she doesnt totally ignore this), her contribution seems at odds with the project outlined in the opening. Taken as a whole, though, Far from the Masters is thoughtful and informed, likely to leave readers well-equipped to appreciate one of the less-travelled roads in world cinema. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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When Yerin Ha walked onto the set of Bridgerton for the first time, she felt like she had climbed through a TV. Its a world I had watched for years, says Ha, who plays maid Sophie Baek in season four of the wildly popular Regency-era drama. It felt so bizarre and surreal, but it just shows you how much work goes into preparing this detail, from the ceilings to the colours and everything. It just made it more realistic and easier for me to be able to focus on the scenes. Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek, with co-star Luke Thompson, who plays Benedict Bridgerton. The 28-year-old Australian-Korean actor, who grew up on Sydneys north shore, is in the middle of eating breakfast during a hectic trip back to Australia for the AACTA awards. Its a brief respite from a whirlwind few weeks, where she was unveiled  quite literally, her character first appears wearing a mask at a ball  as the new love interest of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). Editor's pick Literature Wuthering Heights is many things, but its not the novel Emily Bronte wrote Importantly, she is also the series first lead with an East Asian background. In the books, written by Julia Quinn, her character is called Sophie Beckett, but upon casting Ha, the characters name was changed to the Korean Baek. In the world of Bridgerton, this is not a big deal, as the show prides itself on its blind casting, where actors of colour have been chosen for roles that, historically, would have gone to white actors. The same goes for sexuality, as some characters  such as the upcoming Michaela Stirling  have been swapped from male in the book to female on screen.

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It is just an acknowledgement and a recognition of who I am, says Ha, of the name change. Im not having to fit a mould that potentially was different. Yes, in the book, shes blonde-haired, green- or blue-eyed, and Im not, so how are they going to make the character fit me? And it was a very simple conversation. It didnt need to be any more complicated than it needed to be. Yerin Has Sophie Baek is a maid in Bridgertons retelling of Cinderella. I think thats what they do so well, they celebrate every individual for their own uniqueness. Thats what I love. Season four is adapted from An Offer from a Gentleman, the third book in Quinns sprawling series. It is loosely based on Cinderella  Sophie is a maid, the illegitimate daughter of Lord Penwood, and unloved stepdaughter of Lady Penwood and her two daughters  but Ha sees it as a step away from the classic fairytale. Related Article Streaming What to stream this week: Derry Girls creators new comic thriller, plus five more picks Yes, its a retelling of Cinderella, says Ha. But I do think ours takes that story and takes it on a bit of a spin. Sophie is so fascinating. Shes someone whos grappling with her sense of identity. Shes been kept hidden her whole life. Shes not quite a noblewoman, but shes not quite a maid. So, I tried to bring a lot of aspects of me [to the character], of understanding what its potentially like to be an outsider. Shes someone who obviously has a lot of walls up and struggles with trust because the one person that she truly loved, her father, she felt betrayed her.

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She goes on a journey of what it means to let love in. And there is so much strength in softness, and vulnerability is not considered weak. So I think she goes on a journey of understanding that, basically. That focus on class  the upstairs haves and the downstairs have-nots  is the thread that runs through season four. It stops short of going full Downton Abbey, but the servants are at least given more agency. Yerin Ha and Shabana Azeez, who stars in The Pitt, present the AACTA Awards earlier this month. Getty Images for AACTA Thats probably why season four feels, energetically, perhaps a bit different, says Ha. I like to think that, anyway. By opening up the universe of the downstairs world, which I always say is like the heartbeat of the house, you get to see how its all run, and you do see the class disparity. Related Article Streaming She spent her teen years with Hollywoods biggest stars. Now a new era begins Its not a privileged romance between two noble people. Its about [whats forbidden]. When society tells you that you cant be with someone purely because of class, what are you going to do? Are you going to fight for it? Or are you going to surrender to what society says? So I think it immediately raises the stakes in a completely different way for our season. Ha and Thompson  long Bridgertons underappreciated MVP  have wonderfully zippy chemistry, giving the Netflix series the jolt it needed after a flatlining third season. Ha was a late pick for the role, and was catapulted into the drama with little preparation. That meant she and Thompson had to pretty much get to know each other while the cameras were rolling.

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Eating outSpecials board The venue whose pasta night was so popular its now twice-weekly (plus five more deals) From solo-friendly lunches to team outings and dinners, these not-too-shabby deals cover every moment of the corporate week  without the steep price tag. Haymun Win February 25, 2026 Save 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 A A A

As featured in the Melbourne hit list March 2026. See all stories .

As the cost of a flat white creeps up and your salary remains static, your 9-to-5 fuel needs to be as wallet-friendly as possible. From hearty Japanese rice bowls and currywursts to cacio e pepe in a usually pricey Melbourne neighbourhood, this roster of affordable weekday deals proves that $20 meals still exist. Korean eatery Hong Daes $19.99 dosirak menu features 15 variations of the lunchbox meal. $19.99 Korean lunchboxes, Hong Dae, CBD Dosirak is South Koreas answer to Japans bento box, with rice and a balanced mix of side dishes neatly packaged in containers. This Korean eaterys recently launched $19.99 dosirak menu features 15 variations including beef bulgogi, spicy pork, and fried chicken with sauces including lemon cream. As per tradition, a slew of sides includes kimchi, soy-braised quail eggs, rolled omelette and a honeyed rice cake. Available from 11.30am to 3pm. 100 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, instagram.com/hongdae_korean_restaurant

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Head to Bar Bouni on Wednesdays and Thursdays for dining deals from noon to late. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Multiple specials, Bar Bouni, Southbank Working in Southbanks Arts Precinct? Dont tell your boss, but this new bar is about to be responsible for your long lunches and early knock-offs. On Thursdays, a $19.90 burger-and-fries combo offers three Middle Eastern-leaning choices: smashed beef kofta with zhoug, the green Yemeni sauce; fried chicken with harissa and tahini sauce; and a vegan-friendly white bean and chickpea fritter in a potato bun. Wednesdays are reserved for Lebanese-style steak frites served with zhoug-infused butter ($24.90). All specials run from noon to late. 153 Sturt Street, Southbank, barbouni.com.au South Yarras Godby Hotel offers $20 weekday lunches including sushi platters.

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$20 lunches, Godby Hotel, South Yarra Housed in the old South Yarra Railway Stations first-class lounge, Godby Hotel is a sexy multilevel venue dressed in walnut-stained timber. But its 12pm3pm weekday deals match the variety and prices at a food court, making it a good option for lunches with the crew. For $20, find pub classics like chicken schnitzel and smash burgers, pastas including cacio e pepe, and sushi platters that nod to the venues Japanese-inspired bar Nightbird. 163 Toorak Road, Melbourne, godbyhotel.com.au Ophelias $20 pasta night is twice-weekly. Dave Green $20 dinner specials, Ophelia, Northcote

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Wednesday nights are all about roast chicken at Northcotes Ophelia. Bargain summer dinners are Ophelias forte. Customers called for more of the wildly popular $20 Tuesday pasta nights and the team obliged, adding Thursdays too. In between carb-forward nights, Wednesdays are all about roast chicken. From 6pm onwards, score half a boneless bird and one side for $20. Currently, it comes with braised fennel atop spicy vodka sauce and herb oil. Throw in $10 chips for the table and youre golden. 85 High Street, Northcote, opheliawestgarth.com.au Get $19 currywurst at Hofbrauhaus from 12 to 3pm on weekdays. Brian Doherty

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Lunch from $19, Hofbrauhaus, CBD From 12pm-3pm on weekdays, Hofbrauhaus runs an express menu with six dishes at bargain prices, including a $19 currywurst, $19 German sausages with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, and $20 German-style gnocchi called schupfnudel. Add a German beer or house wine for $6. For those with the time and a cast-iron stomach, the German beer hall is also offering a free meal and a lifetime of free drinks to anyone who finishes a behemoth 1.5-kilogram pork schnitzel, a bowl of chips and a litre of beer in 45 minutes. 18-28 Market Lane, Melbourne, hofbrauhaus.com.au Nikulands omurice is topped with its signature hamburg beef patty. $14.90 omurice bowls, Nikuland, CBD

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Meat cooked teppanyaki-style reigns supreme here, but the 11.30am to 4pm lunch bargains are equally hard to pass up. Omurice  an omelette splayed over garlic rice  is topped with the restaurants signature hamburg beef patty or chicken karaage, with sweet-sour demiglace gravy or creamy mushroom sauce. Theres also a mixed tempura option for $3 extra. 258 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, nikuland.com.au
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NationalInvestigation $50,000 in an envelope: Bribe allegedly offered to withdraw intimidation claim Nick McKenzie February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Sydney crime figures are suspected to be behind an audacious bribe plot allegedly aimed at silencing a victim of an ongoing NSW construction industry standover racket linked to major state and federal government sites. According to the claims reported to detectives, the victim was offered $50,000 cash in an envelope in return for retracting allegations that NSW construction industry figures were responsible for a months-long effort to intimidate and target families of building industry workers. A bribery plot is seen as part of a broader attempt to undermine the CFMEU administration. Peter Rae The standover campaign is ultimately aimed at construction and union insiders accused of backing efforts by the CFMEU administration to confront entrenched crime and corruption in the building industry. The victim allegedly refused the $50,000 offer, returning the purportedly cash-filled envelope to the suspected sender this month. Associates of the victim also reported the bribery approach to NSW Police, who are assessing the complaint.

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This masthead is not detailing key aspects of the standover and bribery allegations to protect the safety of those being targeted, but industry sources confirmed that the allegations had been passed to local detectives and NSW CFMEU boss Michael Crosby. The federal police have been advised of the allegations, sources said. The suspected bribe payer is part of a network of organised crime and construction industry figures across NSW that built strong ties to recently jailed former union boss Darren Greenfield. Images show Darren Greenfield allegedly taking a wad of cash under a table (left) and then putting it in an office drawer (right). Fairfax Media Greenfield was last year sent to prison for taking bribes from a Chinese plasterer, but intelligence gathered by a now-defunct federal and NSW Police taskforce suggested the corrupt union boss may have received vastly greater pay-offs from building companies than was ever aired or proven in court. We had plenty of other indications he [Greenfield] had been given bribes from bosses, a law enforcement source said on condition of anonymity.

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The response from authorities to the recent $50,000 bribery plot allegations in NSW stands in stark contrast to that by state and federal police in Victoria. In the southern state, Victoria Polices Taskforce Hawk has resulted in multiple arrests of organised crime figures, ex-union officials and company owners suspected of corrupting the building industry. It is also proactively targeting building industry figures suspected of wrongdoing. In NSW, state and federal authorities have launched no taskforce or funded any significant police-led building industry counter-organised crime attack despite repeated calls for action from CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC. One agency probing the NSW building industry is the secretive NSW Crime Commission, although the nature of its investigations are unclear. We are miles ahead of NSW in fighting this problem, one Victorian official said.

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The official, who requested anonymity because they are not authorised to speak publicly, also said the failure of authorities in Sydney to ramp up their efforts might be partly because the media coverage of crime and corruption in the NSW building industry had been more sporadic than that in Victoria. The federal police have also been reluctant to assign multiple investigators to the building industry in Victoria or NSW, with resources diverted to the agencys expanding focus on tackling extremism. The nations union and employer body watchdog, the Fair Work Commission, has also urged law enforcement agencies to increase their focus on crime and corruption across Australias building sector. According to commission documents released to this masthead, the agency has collected several complaints about unlawful behaviour on NSW government sites.

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One example cited in the FWC documents involves a complaint from late 2024 involving a NSW government building project at St Marys Metro Station and a CFMEU member [who allegedly] has made threats against another workers life, reportedly boasting gang affiliations. Workers have raised safety concerns, with some resigning due to intimidation and bullying involving this individual and the site superintendent, the FWC complaint states. A second complaint gathered by the FWC involves alleged threats by a CFMEU delegate to cause physical harm if a site contractor did not take action against subcontractors without a union Enterprise Agreement on government funded new airport/Parramatta rail link projects. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
China ready to work with all countries to improve global human rights governance: Chinese FM

Xinhua) 08:04, February 24, 2026

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, gives a speech via video link at the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to work with all countries to improve global human rights governance and promote the sound development of the international human rights cause, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a speech delivered via video link during the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Wang noted that the international situation is complex and intertwined, and that global human rights governance and the post-World War II international order are facing new tests of the times. The Global Governance Initiative proposed by China has received support and responses from more than 150 countries and international organizations, he added.

Wang called for upholding sovereign equality and safeguarding the original aspirations of global human rights governance. The only path that can lead to ever-broader prospects is one of human rights development, rooted in a country's specific national conditions and responsive to the needs of its people, he said.

All parties should abide by the international rule of law and consolidate the foundations of global human rights governance, Wang noted. Together, all countries should uphold the "golden rule" of non-interference in one another's internal affairs, and firmly reject words and deeds that create double standards in the name of human rights, he said.

He called for practicing multilateralism and addressing the challenges to global human rights governance. All countries should reject all forms of colonialism or racial discrimination, and respond properly to rising issues such as artificial intelligence, as well as climate change and human rights.

Wang emphasized that all parties should advocate a people-oriented approach to global human rights governance and enrich the connotations of such governance. The international community should also position the right to development in a more prominent position on the multilateral human rights agenda, he said.

Calling for action-oriented approaches to and the enhanced efficacy of global human rights governance, Wang said that China is willing to coordinate its actions with the international community to collectively chart a new blueprint for this global cause.

Noting that 2026 marks the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, he said the country will continue advancing its whole-process people's democracy, ensuring the achievements of Chinese modernization benefit all people in a more equitable manner.

China stands ready to work with all countries to promote common development and prosperity, safeguard international fairness and justice, uphold the common values of humanity, and build a community with a shared future for all, with the aim of ensuring that the progress of human rights civilization benefits the whole world, he stressed.

This photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, giving a speech via video link at the high-level segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
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Opinion NationalNSWLetters Affordable housing runs a poor second to top end of town February 24, 2026  6:30pm Save 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 A A A

Shane Wrights report (Middle income Australians shut out of housing market, February 22) leads inevitably to serious questions about the NSW governments affordable-housing policies. The KPMG analysis, revealing developers are focused on the million-dollar-plus market, seems consistent with recent comments by Urban Taskforce CEO Tom Forrest that development of apartments west of Parramatta isnt viable, and interest is now only in the citys higher-yield east and north. Developers are focused on the million-dollar-plus market, like this proposed apartment block in Gordon, shown as an artists impression. NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Echoing that, NSW Treasury has been advised that the most feasible area to build apartments is Woollahra, where profits on each unit are about $1.2 million. At the same time, however, the governments affordable-housing policies are facilitating the demolition of buildings in this area, which have provided relatively affordable housing in studios and one-bedroom units, and enabling developers to replace them with fewer, and mostly larger, multimillion-dollar pads. The only quid pro quo is including a handful of so-called affordable dwellings in these projects. But affordable only means made available at a 20 per cent discount on market rent. The bottom line is these luxury dwellings will still be well out of reach for low- and middle-income earners, while developers will, as they say, be laughing all the way to the bank. Ross Duncan, Potts Point In Tuesdays paper, there are four stories that highlight the greatest failings of a series of state and federal governments; a lack of planning. A lack of green space in Wentworth Point, the poor state of rail from Newcastle to Sydney, the lack of housing, and upgrading Richmond Road after building Marsden Park and other suburbs.

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Our governments dont plan. We dont have a planned level of population growth that links to birth rates and immigration. Such a plan would be coordinated to consider where growth will occur, how people will be housed, the schools and hospitals needed, roads, rail, water etc. What we actually have is repeated racially based arguments about immigration targets that are not agreed among governments, and the targets are not enforced. Major roads such as the Northern Road / Narellan Road from Penrith to Campbelltown are rebuilt with enormous numbers of traffic lights rather than on and off ramps, and no sign of light rail despite the new airport and surrounding industrial/technology park being on the route. Government-owned public housing is almost non-existent, and we therefore have a rising number of people in insecure housing. A basic function of government is planning for the long term. Our governments see nothing past the next election. Steven Lee, Faulconbridge The minister and prime minister were certainly on message on Tuesday, both referring to the metre-by-metre survey to be undertaken for the high-speed rail line (Fast rail to boost economy by $250b, February 24). Lets hope the geologists do a better job than the M6 and Snowy 2.0 planners. Otherwise, the high-speed train will be buried before its even started. Philip Cooney, Wentworth Falls After 40 years of plans that went nowhere and an increasingly eye-watering cost that may well overrun as badly as many other infrastructure projects, I cant help thinking forget it. Surely, the money could be more effectively and efficiently spent reducing the need for high-speed transport from Newcastle to the CBD? Incentives to create jobs along the coast? Upgrades to public transport in population growth areas? Medical and education services within cooee of where people actually live?

I might also point out that, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, nobody has yet mentioned the cost of a ticket on the finished product. Sue Hoad, Merewether

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Your map of the proposed fast train line from Melbourne to Newcastle suggests a series that you could run, perhaps weekly. For next week, I suggest a recent photograph of the Tasmanian Tiger. Then a photo of the bunyip, and one of the bodies of aliens kept at Area 51 in the US. It could be a successful series. Other readers might submit other subjects. Aidan Moore, Melba (ACT) Skin checks too costly I support the proposal in the Herald for an independent body to make decisions on Medicare rebates and pricing (How GPs plan to end Medicare politics and change bulk billing for good, February 23). Ill provide one example of a current Medicare rebate that doesnt make sense. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, and treatment of melanomas and other skin cancers place a massive burden on the health system. Early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers through regular specialist skin examinations is proven to save lives and significantly reduce long-term healthcare costs. However, the current Medicare rebate for a comprehensive skin check by a dermatologist or specialist is far below the true cost of providing this service. As a result, many patients face substantial out-of-pocket expenses, creating a financial barrier to timely and preventive care. In fact, the Medicare rebate for a specialist undertaking a full-body skin cancer and melanoma check ($42.30) is slightly less than the Medicare rebate for a standard visit to the GP ($43.90).

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Australias world-leading skin-cancer rates should be matched by world-leading investment in prevention and early diagnosis. A substantial Medicare rebate would encourage regular specialist checks, reduce delayed presentations, and ultimately lower mortality while saving public-health expenditure in the long term. David Pitney, Pymble Time to flush the royals Some have contrasted the UK response to ex-Prince Andrews behaviour, with the US response to Trumps behaviour, and concluded that we are lucky to have the monarchy rather than a republic (Albanese tells UK: We would dump Andrew from royal line of succession, smh.com.au, February 24). Andrew was a member of our royal family, and eighth in line to be king of Australia. Why werent we asked what we thought about his behaviour? We have neither the UK system nor the US system. The monarchy does not protect us from constitutional crises, as was proven by Sir John Kerr. Why pretend we need a foreign king, the remnant of an ancient feudal system with no relevance to current Australia, to keep us secure? Our awkward clinging to the British royal family, which fortunately declines to interfere in the decisions of our government, is therefore useless. They must always represent the interests of Britain ahead of our interests. We should let them go, be our own country, keep our perfectly functional system with a governor-general (or president, or any other title we wish) as titular and ceremonial head of state to represent us where appropriate, and let King Charles get on with looking after Britain. Jennifer Katauskas, Turramurra

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Illustration by Cathy Wilcox It saddens me that considering all the grief and embarrassment Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has brought to his family, he seems to be devoid of any integrity and dignity to just resign his right to succession and be done with it. It is highly unlikely that ascending the throne is ever going to happen. Of the seven ahead of him in the line, five are still of school age with long lives of their own ahead of them, not to mention the fact that they have yet to reach an age of providing their own little lines of succession. Brian Collins, Cronulla While Im sure the majority of Australians support our PMs decision to eliminate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from being eighth in line to be our king, I was surprised to learn that Prince Harry remains fifth in line. Perhaps its time to get rid of both of these non-working royals at the same time. David Boyd, Bondi Beach Why just ex-prince, the eighth in line to the throne? Better to propose dumping everyone in that line to hasten the removal of an offensively undemocratic monarchys grip on Australias governance system. Geoffrey Briot, Stanmore

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Beware banning books In an age when people are financially stressed and time-poor, charlatans and snake-oil salesmen abound. It is vital not to allow them and their ilk to restrict access to factual information by a modern version of book burning (NSW fighting wave of attempted US-style book bans, February 24). Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls Duttons dinosaurs back Isnt it wonderful to see one of Duttons dinosaurs back in charge (John Howard used nostalgia successfully as a political weapon. Angus Taylor will find it tougher, February 24)? The party of lower taxes gave us the highest-spending, highest-taxing government in recent memory. They helped create the housing crisis with the capital gains discount, the removal of the reasonable benefit limit on superannuation contributions so now 5 per cent of super funds get half the tax benefits, the payout of $295 billion of windfall mining taxes in tax cuts that pumped the housing market, the superannuation rule change that allowed borrowing in SMSFs and thousands of rich companies paying only 15 per cent tax because they are owned by super funds. They also created the two-speed investor classes: mainly old rich people who pay almost no tax and thus get billions in company tax refunds through franking credit payments versus the younger workers who pay tax on their investments. The young people who are the victims of the Liberal governments would be fools to vote for these people. Last time around they demonstrated that they are not fools. Alan Stanley, Upper Corindi

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Illustration by Joe Benke Angus Taylors vision for the Liberal Party that he wants to lead is smaller government, fewer taxes, fewer government interventions and so on and so on. The moment there are floods and fires and general disasters, the cry (usually from his lot) is always why isnt the government doing something? Where does the money to fund assistance in those situations come from Angus? PAYG taxpayers of course; they dont have clever tax avoidance accountants. And, where does the money for those enormous grants for the wealthy private schools come from? Mostly the PAYG workers, of course. Adrianne Hannan, Bowral Theyve surfaced. The Coalition, deafly silent on matters climate and energy since laying Ley to political rest, start squawking about a carbon tariff (Hypocritical: Coalition slams Labor on climate tariffs while seeking Trump reprieve, February 24). Note its primarily the Nationals, those fresh-air loving rural denizens who dont seem to actually want fresh air. Those familiar voices, David Littleproud and Kevin Hogan, emerging to build on their handy work of forcing the Liberals to trash 2050 emissions reduction efforts. Sussan Ley must be feeling good about that one, coerced then dumped. Heres conservative heaven, rubbish anything climate in tandem with the word tax. Arent we getting sick of this hollow, negative, retrograde, parrot-like drivel? The stuff of perennial losers. Brian Jones, Leura

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Right China move Imagine my delight to read Lisa Visentin (Farewell Singapore, ni hao Beijing as China opens up its doors again, February 21). The reason is that like her, I am more convinced than ever of the importance of the China story. China is now the worlds technological, manufacturing and infrastructure superpower. We have much to learn from it. We are also, whether we like it or not, living in Chinas hemisphere and our destiny is increasingly tied to Chinas rise as a superpower to rival the US. During a trip to China last November, I realised that one way the Chinese Communist Party sticks to its side of the social compact with its citizens is to provide the best infrastructure in the world for them to use. Even a poor farmer who one day is knee-deep in mud can the next day ride a train at 350kph, alight at a modern station, jump on an electric bus gliding below dizzying skyscrapers and high-density housing blocks, to meet his daughter at a dazzling shopping centre and enjoy a delicious banquet lunch. A good standard of living is not just about multiple TV subscriptions, buying a new car every two years, or living in a McMansion. It is more about the quality of public infrastructure, something our governments and leaders would do well to take note of. Harry Creamer, Port Macquarie

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Singapore is about as food-obsessed as nations come. Lisa Visentin Ukraine tripwire With Russias grinding war in Ukraine reaching its fourth anniversary, David Crowe offers the main reason why this unwinnable war has proven to be so intractable: Ukraine cannot trust America to come to its defence (Four years on, Ukraine is under more pressure than ever. So is Russia, February 24). But the main reason why America cannot be trusted is that it cannot afford to enter into a direct confrontation with a nuclear-armed Russia. Otherwise, this proxy war in Ukraine could easily morph into a tripwire that ignites a nuclear catastrophe between these two nuclear powers. From a historical perspective, ever since Americas atomic bombing of Hiroshima, every major conventional war has since ended in a stalemate. Think of Korea, Vietnam and now Ukraine. Think also of what could similarly transpire if a US-China war was fought over Taiwan. Indeed, the war in Ukraine could prove to be not only the last vestige of a pre-Hiroshima world, but the last nail in the coffin of having war as an option for dispute resolution between the worlds nuclear powers and their proxies. Vincent Zankin, Rivett (ACT) I was disheartened to read that loopholes still exist in Australias sanctions against Russia  providing billions of dollars to the Kremlin. Without doubt, that money contributes to Russias war chest against Ukraine and funds other of Putins imperialistic strategies. As an Australian without any Ukrainian ties but with unalloyed disgust at Russias aggression against Ukraine, I add my voice to all others urging our government to act quickly to close those loopholes. That said, has four bloody years not been enough time to manage that? Marie Del Monte, Ashfield

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Bring them here Never did I think the Labor Party, both federal and state, would be running its own version of children overboard. Denying the right to return home to 11 Australian women and 23 children in the face of the potential closure of the poverty-stricken Al-Roj camp defies comprehension. Bring them here, attend to their medical, dental and educational needs and prevent the inevitable radicalisation of children left without hope in Syria.

Jenny Forster, Manly In his letter Bill Bowman wrote Nor do we penalise children who are in difficult situation through no possible fault of their own (Letters, February 24). We are still locking up Indigenous children as young as 10 years old, coming from poor conditions, imposed by our society. When will our governments cease locking up children and improve their lives with education, compassion and follow through with the famous statement no child will live in poverty. Time to bring home the ISIS women and their children. Brian McDonald, Willoughby To submit a letter to The Sydney Morning Herald, email letters@smh.com.au. Click here for tips on how to submit letters. The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform. Sign up here.
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NationalNSWPlanning The radical alternative to Sydneys $150m civic square plan Julie Power and Megan Gorrey February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Woolworths and six other buildings opposite Sydneys Town Hall would be saved from demolition with a public plaza carved from existing structures as part of a radical what if proposal to stir debate around Lord Mayor Clover Moores $150 million new public square. As planning accelerates on Moores plan, Sydney architects DunnHillam have floated the idea that the seven buildings in central Sydney could be repurposed for another 100 years of use instead of the wholesale demolition proposed by the City of Sydney. Their environmentally friendly design proposes a large public plaza that doesnt just run below the existing buildings  it runs through, down and in it. It would be experienced in three dimensions, said architect Ashley Dunn, a founding principal of the practice that won multiple awards and commendations in the 2026 NSW regional architecture awards.

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Planning Sydney might get a new civic square. One building stands in the way You can be on the upper floors and the roof, and still be in the square, he said. The City of Sydney council has been planning to demolish the buildings on the block between George, Park and Pitt streets to create a new public domain in the CBD for more than 40 years. Councillors on Monday endorsed the proposed scope of works for the project, allowing it to proceed to the next stage of concept design, planning approvals and construction. They also voted to award the tender for head design consultancy services; however, those details remain confidential. Dunn said they realised their vision was unlikely to be realised, but it showed what could be possible working with what already exists. The practice shared Moores ambition for a generous public realm, but they called on the city and others to think about the value of existing built structures.

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The building and construction sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, accounting for 37 per cent of global emissions. The council has slowly been purchasing property opposite Town Hall to create a large public square in the city centre. City of Sydney Dunn said 60 per cent of a buildings carbon was in the structure, the rest in facade and fitout. By retaining buildings, we preserve vast amounts of embodied carbon and avoid sending materials to landfill. Every building that we choose to retain is both an environmental and cultural win, a tangible expression of care for the citys memories and stories embedded in place. Work on the square was not expected to start until 2035. But Moore last year signalled her intent to fast-track the project to begin in early 2028, before the next local council elections. The council has estimated the project would be finished in 2031. Independent councillor Yvonne Weldon is opposing the project due to its steep cost. She told Mondays meeting the plan was putting the council under serious financial stress, and that the 4200-square-metre plaza would come at the cost of other projects and programs.

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An artists impression of Town Hall Square, part of the councils long-term strategy to create three separate but interconnected public squares along George Street. Im all about improving and expanding our public spaces, but to me, this just doesnt stack up. Were doing Sydney Square next door. Martin Place needs an upgrade and could be transformed to be a more prominent public space at a fraction of the cost. Were also set to lose one of the only full-line supermarkets in the city centre, and the heritage value of the Woolworths building too. Moore said the project had been supported by successive councils since it was first proposed in the 1980s. Its now the great honour of this council to be able to go ahead with this very exciting project, which has had such strong support from our residential and business communities. Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou said destroying the commercial buildings, particularly Woolworths, to make way for the square was a waste of ratepayers money.

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Related Article Architecture Sydney tower named the worlds best building If were encouraging more people to live in the city, they need access to a large supermarket. Woolworths said the store was its most visited supermarket nationally, with more than 6.5 million customers per year. Moore said in response that Town Hall Square was an idea whose time had come, and the council must be brave and deliver this transformational project. There will always be critics ready to rally against transformation or investment, and vested interests keen to maintain the status quo, she said.

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Moore said all costs for the square, including lost revenue from the rental properties that will make way for the project, had been factored into the councils long-term financial plan. Council papers said the purpose of the paved square was to create a significant public space that would form Sydneys civic heart. The square would include trees and spaces with seats and infrastructure to support daily activities, events, public gatherings, protests and celebrations. The project scope does not include construction of basement areas, nor any underground walkways. A risk assessment noted the squares location was a bustling transport intersection located in the heart of central Sydney, and there was a need to identify and proactively manage the risks associated with the demolition and construction of a project of this scale and complexity. Related Article Exclusive

Night-time economy Extremely disappointed: Minister defies residents noise complaints to dump Barangaroo curfew Between 1985 and 2019, the council gradually acquired six of the seven properties required for the project, starting with the Woolworths building on the corner of George and Park streets. It plans to compulsorily acquire the final building, which is currently home to a Foot Locker shoe store.

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A council report last year noted the buildings it had acquired were all more than 50 years old and the costs to maintain, upgrade and operate them was soon forecast to exceed the income from leases. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Updated NationalQueenslandCrime Woman whose body was left in house for weeks identified Dominique Tassell Updated February 24, 2026  1:54pm ,first published 11:02am Save 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 A A A

The body of a woman whose death police allege was a homicide might have been left in an Ipswich house for weeks. Police were called to Beryl Court in the suburb of Bellbird Park on February 19 over a person causing a disturbance on the street. There they discovered the remains of 42-year-old Katherine Sanowski in a house. Loading Police believe her body had been in the home for about two weeks, Detective Inspector Michael Manago said.

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Sanowski did not live at the Bellbird Park address. Neighbours said a person had been seen pacing on the street for days, always wearing the same clothes. We were called to a disturbance that related to some property being damaged and a person interfering with traffic out in the street, Manago said. Katherine Sanowski was found dead in a Bellbird Park home last Thursday. Instagram A 34-year-old resident of the address was taken into custody before being transported to hospital.

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That person, who was still awaiting a medical assessment, has not been interviewed by detectives. A homicide investigation was under way after a post-mortem examination of Sanowski identified suspicious elements, Manago said. Sanowski, who lived in Springfield Lakes, had been in regular contact with her family, and had not been reported missing. Police at the home where Katherine Sanowskis body was found. Ha-Teya Gripske While she and the person taken into custody were known to each other, the dynamics of their relationship were a key part of the police investigation.

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Police said they were not related to each other. We dont believe theres anyone else involved, Manago said. However, were keeping an open mind. Police have urged anyone who interacted with Sanowski this year, particularly this month, to contact police. Anyone who saw anything of note in the Bellbird Park area was also urged to come forward. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Three injured after truck ploughs into front yard on busy Melbourne road

Three people have been rushed to hospital after a truck veered off the road and ploughed through a fence into a front yard in Melbourne's south-east.
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Faithful honor the remains of Italys patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, during the public display to mark 800 years since his death, in the lower church of the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi on February 24, 2026 in Assisi, Italy. The venerated Christian figure, born in the 12th Century, is known for renouncing his wealth and devoting his life to the poor, and found the Franciscan order. Credit:Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
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PoliticsFederalCapital gains tax Tax change would help first timers get a home: Treasury Shane Wright February 24, 2026  3:54pm Save 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 A A A

Cutting the capital gains tax discount would give first home buyers a better chance at getting into the property market, Treasury officials have conceded even as the housing industry warns any change would lead to fewer homes and higher rents. As former Reserve Bank governor and Treasury secretary Bernie Fraser said a cartel that included politicians was opposed to any reform that may reduce house prices, Treasury staff told a Senate inquiry that changes to the capital gains tax would ultimately have a small impact on the $12 trillion housing sector. Treasury officials have confirmed that research suggests changes to capital gains tax would help more first home buyers find a property. Adobe Stock The federal government is considering a change to the current 50 per cent concession on capital gains tax (CGT) as part of a broader overhaul of the tax system. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to be drawn on whether the government will change the concession, which could feature as part of the May 12 budget that Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said will focus on intergenerational equity.

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Treasury first assistant secretary Shane Johnson told the inquiry on Tuesday that there had been a great deal of analysis into CGT changes, with almost all showing relatively little impact. Related Article Capital gains tax A terrible system for young people: Tax reform architect pleads for real reform He said the biggest impact would likely be on who owns property, with the pendulum swinging back towards first-time buyers. It provides an opportunity, essentially, for first home buyers to have a house, he said. His comments came ahead of a forceful rejection of CGT changes by the property sector, with the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Association both saying housing was already highly taxed.

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HIA managing director Jocelyn Martin said extra taxes would result in investors building fewer homes, which would then lead to an increase in rents. If governments needed more revenue, then they should put in place policies that supported home construction. If you want more revenue from housing, build more homes, she said. Whether you are concerned about homeownership, rental affordability, government revenue or fairness between investors and owner occupiers, the answer is the same: build more homes. But Fraser, who argued the entire concession be axed, said younger Australians were being shut out of the property market by those with a vested interest in keeping prices high.

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[Theres] this cartel, which comprises of existing home owners, property developers and, not least, lots of politicians who like to see house prices rise and go on rising because theres votes in it, he said. Fraser said the discount was one of the many factors that had led to higher house prices. He said it was hurting young people who cannot get into the property market. Former RBA governor Bernie Fraser says a cartel that includes politicians and existing home owners dont want to see prices fall. Alex Ellinghausen They must be watching with awful dismay, he said. One of the nations leading tax experts, Australia National Universitys Bob Breunig, told the inquiry that without change to the tax system more young people would become disenchanted and angry with politics.

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Pressed by Senator Nick McKim on medieval-era land taxes, Breunig alluded to the years leading up to Napoleons dictatorship of France in the 18th century. Related Article Opinion

Productivity summit The act of bastardry thats hurting young generations Shane Wright Senior economics correspondent That is the trajectory that we are on. I dont think were back to pre-French Revolution times, but Im worried about that, he said. Breunig, who said changes to the CGT concession would have little impact on the property sector, said the biggest issue was the widening wealth gap among younger Australians. If youre a young person and your parents have a lot of assets, those assets will eventually come to you, he said.

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The real inequality is between people in the same generation, those who have assets and those who dont. Breunig said older Australians had enjoyed a much larger increase in income over recent decades, largely because of the lift in asset prices. He said better targeting of government handouts should be examined. Its not that we should be punishing old people. We all want to live in a country where old people are rich, he said. Lets target assistance to those people who really need it.

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On Monday, Labor doyen Bill Kelty said the current income tax system and its top marginal rate of 47 per cent were hurting young Australians. Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson on Tuesday signalled the Coalition, which opposed Labors tax cuts ahead of the election last year, would look at ways to reduce tax rates. Im hoping this is something were absolutely going to look at it and if we can achieve it, its something I want to achieve, he told radio 2GB. Its not fair. It taxes young people in particular when all theyve got is their physical labour or of course their intellectual labour. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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WorldAsiaWorld politics For more than eight years, Nanette has been waiting for Rodrigo Duterte to pay Zach Hope February 24, 2026  11:32am Save 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 A A A

Singapore: Aldrin Castillo was drinking outside his sisters house in the Manila night when several men, their faces covered, turned up on motorbikes and forced him to kneel in the road with his hands behind his head. They asked him his name, and then he was dead. One bullet went through his temple. Others went into his chest, neck and ear. Nanette Castillo watches a livestream in Manila showing the first day of former president Rodrigo Dutertes committal hearing at The Hague. Nine Newspapers His mother, Nanette, informed by frantic phone calls that her son had been shot, could see some of the holes when she rushed to embrace his body. I was looking for signs of life, she recalled. If Aldrin showed any signs of life, Id rush him into the hospital. I was asking for an ambulance. The authorities just said, Nanette, hes gone.

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It was October 2, 2017. Ever since, she has been waiting for Rodrigo Duterte to pay. Nanette, 58, was among about 50 people, mostly mothers and wives with similar stories, who gathered at a Manila NGO on Monday night to watch the livestream from the opening day of the former Philippine presidents committal hearing for alleged crimes against humanity. Dutertes case in the International Criminal Court stems from his war on drugs, a deadly crackdown on perceived criminals initiated during his time as mayor of Davao City from 1988, and expanded nationwide when he was elected president in 2016. Then Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. AP He has been in custody at The Hague, in the Netherlands, since he was arrested and extradited from the Philippines in March last year.

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The scheduled five days of hearings were a reminder of the courts unwavering commitment  to bring justice to the thousands of victims of the mass crimes and atrocities perpetrated in the Philippines, ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said. This was also a reminder that those in power are not above the law. Rights groups claim as many as 30,000 people were murdered, including children, by police officers, opportunistic hitmen and members of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS). Prosecutors say the killers were acting on Dutertes express wishes and, in some cases, financial incentives. The allegations at the ICC relate to 76 of the alleged murders spanning from when the Philippines became a party to the courts Rome Statute in 2011 through to March 2019, when Duterte, as president, withdrew the nation from the statute amid preliminary ICC investigations. Family members of people killed during Dutertes war on drugs watch as his defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, speaks at The Hague. Nine Newspapers

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The defences efforts to have the 80-year-old released on the grounds of age and declining health failed. It did, however, successfully argue that he should not be forced to appear in person, angering victims. A woman wipes away tears in Manila on Monday night. Nine Newspapers The sight of Mr Duterte being read and being confronted with the grave and horrible charges against him would have constituted a vital component of justice for the victims, Joel Butuyan, for the families, said in court. Related Article Updated

Drugs For decades, Duterte Harry did as he pleased  then police boarded his plane This case represents the last boat the victims can board on a journey in search of justice for their loved ones, who were brutally killed upon the orders of Mr Duterte.

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If this chamber prevents the boat from sailing by not confirming the charges, the victims will forever be moored on an island where the nights are filled with the screams and cries of their massacred loved ones. Aldrin Castillo, 32 when he died, was a welder with plans to move to Saudi Arabia for a better-paying job within months. He promised his mother he would send money home to help support the family. He was a mammas boy, but also flawed. There was a problem with Aldrin, I wont lie, Nanette said. My son used shabu [methamphetamine]. But that was not a big problem for us because he could control it. We could control it as a family. I am not hiding the fact that my son used drugs. I know that, and that saddens me as a mother, but I tried to find ways.

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She believed the main target was another neighbourhood man, but that Aldrin was shot anyway in someones pursuit of a quota, perhaps before he even had a chance to say who he was. About 50 people were gathered at an NGO in Manila on Monday to watch the live feed from The Hague. Nine Newspapers No one has been held responsible, and Nanette still doesnt know if it was undercover police officers or vigilantes, though she suspects the former. She was never even shown a police report, she said. It is just the start of the justice, she said at the viewing on Monday night. Even though Duterte is at The Hague, his co-conspirators are still in the Philippines.

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I want to be part of this because I know that my son is also here watching. Maybe he sees this, these steps towards justice. The confirmation-of-charges hearing in the Netherlands will continue for the rest of the week. The panel of judges will then have 60 days to decide whether the case goes to trial. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East tensions Iran speculation spikes as Rubio briefs Gang of Eight ahead of Trump speech Michael Koziol February 25, 2026  5:58am Save 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 A A A

Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will brief senior members of Congress about the situation in Iran hours before Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address, sparking fresh speculation about an imminent US strike on the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Trump to prioritise diplomacy, pledging Iran would resume negotiations with the US in Geneva and that a deal was within reach. Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff said at the weekend that the only acceptable outcome was for Iran to move to zero enrichment of uranium. Bloomberg Rubio was due to brief the so-called Gang of Eight, which includes Democratic and Republican leaders from both congressional chambers, on Tuesday afternoon (Washington time) before Trump delivers the presidents annual speech to Congress at 9pm (1pm Wednesday AEDT). The briefing is about Iran, a source told Reuters. The development has intensified speculation about Trumps plans for military action against Iran, and comes amid reports that the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Dan Razin Caine, privately warned that a campaign against Iran would be difficult and carry significant risks to American lives.

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Trump rejected that portrayal, saying on social media that Caine like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won. All reporting on a potential war with Iran had been written incorrectly, Trump said. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we dont make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hosed down speculative reports. AP White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also disparaged sensationalist reporting over the past 24 hours, and said only Trump knew what he would do regarding Iran. President Trumps first option is always diplomacy. But as he has shown, he is willing to use the lethal force of the US military if necessary, she said.

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Araghchi said Tehran wanted a fair deal as fast as possible, but its fundamental convictions were unchanged: it would not develop a nuclear weapon, but it would not forgo its right to peaceful nuclear technology. That is a key sticking point, with the US demanding Iran halt all uranium enrichment. We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority, Araghchi said on X. Trump will address a joint sitting of Congress to deliver the annual State of the Union speech at 1pm AEDT. AP It would be unprecedented for a US president to announce military action in the State of the Union, which typically highlights the administrations achievements and policy agenda, with a focus on domestic affairs. Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator who has advised numerous presidents, said that alone is reason enough for Trump to do it.

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However, it would detract from his domestic message at a time when he is keen to emphasise lower crime rates and cheaper petrol prices, among other matters, in a prime-time speech ahead of Novembers midterm elections. Meanwhile, Republican senator Ted Cruz of Texas said he had personally told the president the Iranian regime had never been weaker and urged that he should not miss this opportunity to arm the protesters and remove the ayatollah. I think theres a very real possibility we will see, potentially in a matter of days, limited strikes, Cruz told CNBC television on Tuesday. What were not going to see is boots on the ground  but I think theres a real possibility of targeted strikes that are designed to support the Iranian people who are protesting. Former CIA director and retired army general David Petraeus said it was unusual for highly sensitive national security discussions, such as those involving Caine, to be leaked to the press  including in the second Trump administration, which is seen as being more disciplined that the first.

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Petraeus told a live event hosted by Foreign Policy magazine that Caine was evidently concerned about the missile math  how many missiles and launchers Iran had left, and how many interceptors the US had left. Related Article Middle East at war Trump considers much bigger attack on Iran as part of two-pronged war if diplomacy fails There were several options on the table, he said, including a demonstration strike to show the cost of not making a deal, a decapitation strike to kill the ayatollah or other members of Irans leadership, or a sustained air campaign. You can do a lot of damage. What Im not sure you can do is bring about regime change, Petraeus said, noting there was no obvious opposition figure in Iran poised to take power. If we do go big, we very much need to [go] after the capabilities they have to retaliate because that has the most catastrophic potential, he said.

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Gang of Eight members are House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican congressman Rick Crawford and Tom Cotton, and Democratic congressmen Jim Himes and Mark Warner. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Windward Islands Bank (WIB) has come under intense scrutiny as a major fraud investigation unfolds, implicating one of its employees in a scheme that allegedly siphoned thousands of dollars from customer accounts. Despite the gravity of the situation, WIB has chosen to remain tight-lipped, offering no comment when approached by SMN News.

In a brief statement, WIBs spokesperson, after consulting with the banks management, declined to address the allegations or provide any reassurance to its customers. This silence has only fueled public outrage, as customers demand accountability and transparency from the financial institution.

Adding to the growing concerns, it has been revealed that banks on St. Maarten, including WIB, do not have insurance in place to protect their customers from such fraudulent activities. This alarming fact was confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a recent assessment of transparency practices on the island. The lack of insurance leaves customers exposed to significant financial losses, with little to no recourse in the event of fraud.

The ongoing investigation, led by the detectives and fraud departments of the Korps Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM), has already resulted in the freezing of several accounts. Police Spokesman Joe Josepha confirmed that the police is conducting a very broad investigation but refrained from providing specific details.

Sources indicate that the scheme involved an employee transferring large sums of moneyup to $15,000 at a timeto accomplices, who then funneled the funds to the employees boyfriend in Sint Eustatius. The boyfriend was apprehended in St. Maarten while driving a stolen vehicle, accompanied by another woman who is also alleged to have received stolen funds.

The scandal has left WIB customers questioning the banks internal controls and security measures. How could such a scheme go undetected? What safeguards, if any, are in place to protect account holders? The revelation that banks on St. Maarten lack insurance to cover customer losses only deepens the crisis of confidence.

The IMFs findings on transparency practices further highlight systemic vulnerabilities in the islands banking sector. The transparency assessment was conducted on the request of Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten.

Without proper insurance or robust oversight, customers are left to bear the brunt of financial crimes, eroding trust in local financial institutions.

WIBs refusal to comment or provide clarity on the situation is a disservice to its customers and the community at large. This is not just a financial scandalit is a breach of trust that strikes at the heart of the banks relationship with its customers

As the investigation continues, the public will be watching closely. WIBs silence is not an option. The bank owes its customers answers, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that such a betrayal never happens again. Until then, the shadow of this scandal will loom large over the institution and the islands banking sector as a whole.
China's vegetable capital embraces smart farming, eyes global markets

People's Daily Online) 14:00, February 24, 2026

Known as China's "vegetable capital," Shouguang, a county-level city administered by Weifang in east China's Shandong Province, ships more than 17,000 kilograms of vegetables to markets every minute on average. This agricultural powerhouse has built a complete vegetable industrial chain and is now undergoing a smart transformation of its greenhouse farming.

Zheng Jingqu, a second-generation farmer born in the late 1980s, sells vegetables to overseas markets from Shouguang. He steps into one of his greenhouses, where a smart monitoring screen now hangs on the wall, displaying real-time data. Outside, a logistics warehouse bustles with activity. His white-haired father, Zheng Yuxing, stands on his tiptoes to check the shipping list.

Staff members take care of tomato plants at Shouguang Vegetable High-tech Demonstration Park in Shouguang, a county-level city administered by Weifang in east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

The father-and-son duo reflects the ongoing transformation of Shouguang's vegetable industry.

In 1990, Zheng Yuxing built an old-fashioned greenhouse 8 meters wide and 2.2 meters high. In 2017, when Zheng Jingqu returned from working elsewhere to start his own venture and proposed building 12 high-standard greenhouses, his father expressed concerns.

"With such a huge investment, when will we break even? Do we have enough workers?" his father asked.

Undeterred, Zheng Jingqu established Ruijing Family Farm, installing rows of smart equipment that transformed traditional farming methods. What truly changed his father's attitude was the tangible returns: previously, 1 mu (about 0.07 hectares) of land generated an annual output of around 10,000 yuan (about $1,450); now, each mu produces 80,000 yuan in annual value.

By late 2022, Zheng Jingqu invested 40 million yuan to build a second farm. His new greenhouses measure 15 to 16 meters wide and 150 to 160 meters long, with spacious canopies. The operation now benefits around 500 neighboring farming households.

The facilities are far smarter too, equipped with sensors monitoring temperature, humidity, and other factors, with real-time data feeding directly to display screens. In addition, AI algorithms now serve as "vegetable cultivation managers."

"An automated greenhouse roll-up motor, for example, used to be either fully open or closed at the push of a button. Now it monitors light and temperature conditions and flexibly adjusts curtain positioning," Zheng Jingqu said.

Behind this effort lies Shouguang's determination to transform agriculture through the industrial internet. In recent years, the municipal bureau of agriculture and rural affairs, together with the Shouguang branch of the State Grid Corporation of China, has continuously upgraded agricultural infrastructure and industrial equipment. In newly built greenhouses, smart equipment adoption, Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and standardized production all exceed 85 percent. Meanwhile, labor productivity has increased by 30 to 50 percent, and per-mu yield has reached three to five times pre-upgrade levels.

Visitors tour Shouguang Vegetable High-tech Demonstration Park in Shouguang, a county-level city administered by Weifang in east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Zhang Linlin, deputy director of the vegetable industry development center at the municipal bureau of agriculture and rural affairs, said Shouguang regularly organizes training sessions for new-type agricultural business entities, bringing together young people skilled in technology and business management.

At one such gathering, Zheng Jingqu met Ma Taiting, who focuses on supermarket supply chains, and together they tried a new "direct procurement and supply" model.

Vegetables from Ruijing Family Farm go directly from the field to shelves at retailers such as JD.com, Yonghui Superstores, and Freshippo. Shortened supply chains have translated into rising economic returns. In 2025, the farm expanded from its initial 100-plus mu to 400 mu, and Zheng Jingqu gradually built a complete industrial chain covering logistics, retail terminals, and brand operations.

Meanwhile, researchers are no longer focused solely on disease resistance and yield; they've incorporated taste and nutrition as core indicators, driving growing adoption of new varieties.

"For example, a tomato variety independently developed by Shandong Shouguang Sanmu Seedlings Co., Ltd. features high quality, disease resistance, and strong commercial appeal. The domestically bred variety is gradually replacing imported seeds that once dominated the market," Zhang said.

"Defining 'delicious' relies on data, not subjective feeling," said Gao Juexiao, head of certification at the National Vegetable Quality Standard Center in Shouguang. The center has established a scientific vegetable quality evaluation system based on four dimensions: appearance, mouthfeel, flavor, and texture. It has partnered with the Institute of Vegetables and Flowers of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to develop industry standards for vegetable quality assessment and launched a certification program for delicious vegetables.

In recent years, Zheng Jingqu's overseas business has expanded significantly, with annual exports exceeding 1,000 tonnes.

Currently, over 30 Shouguang enterprises and cooperatives operate overseas, establishing more than 300 farming operations across over 40 countries and regions. From January to October 2025, vegetable and vegetable product exports reached 320 million yuan, accounting for 21.5 percent of total agricultural exports.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Kou Jie)
ARUBA:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran is continuing his efforts to explore structured, military-based training opportunities for Sint Maartens youth aged 18 and older, following recent talks with Arubas Minister of Justice, the Honorable Arthur Dowers.

The discussions form part of Dorans ongoing follow-up to a proposal he submitted last year to the Government of Sint Maarten, addressed to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice. In that proposal, he called on the government to reconsider allowing local youth access to structured military-oriented training programs abroad.

To date, no official response has been received from the Government of Sint Maarten regarding the proposal, and a requested meeting on the matter has not been convened. I am looking forward to an open discussion with the Government of Sint Maarten on this matter, Doran stated.

Despite the absence of a response, Doran has continued engaging Kingdom partners to assess practical options for regional cooperation. He explored whether Sint Maartens youth could access existing training opportunities in Aruba and Curacao and sought further insight into how those programs operate and how young people could benefit.

During the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO), at the request of MP Doran, a member of the Sint Maarten delegation, military-based youth training was formally placed on the agenda. This resulted in the Kingdom's parliamentary delegations visiting the military training facility in Aruba to gain first-hand insight into the programs structure and intake process.

As a follow-up, the matter was included on the Kingdoms Afsprakenlijst, with reference to challenges related to menskracht within existing training frameworks. In this context, menskracht refers to the availability of sufficient registered participants to fully utilize the existing training capacity.

According to Doran, discussions with Aruba confirmed that, while the infrastructure and training framework are in place, the challenges primarily relate to ensuring sufficient registered participants to maximize available training opportunities.

Arubas Minister of Justice, the Honorable Arthur Dowers, expressed openness to collaboration, stating: I fully support the idea of regional cooperation in this area and look forward to further exploring these possibilities with the Government of Sint Maarten to benefit the youth of our islands.

This is not only about addressing delinquency, Doran emphasized. It is about opening doors for young people who want to build meaningful careers and futures.

He added that partnering with countries that already have established facilities may provide a practical pathway toward expanding access to disciplined training, skills development, and long-term career opportunities for Sint Maartens youth.

MP Doran reiterated that he looks forward to receiving a formal response from the Government of Sint Maarten and to the convening of the requested meeting so that discussions can proceed at the national level.

I remain hopeful that we can work together to further determine the mechanisms needed to make this initiative a reality for our youth, he said.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Windward Islands, Sint Eustatius businessman S. T. finds himself at the center of a sprawling criminal investigation. The allegations against T paint a grim picture of greed, corruption, and a blatant disregard for the law, tarnishing the reputation of the small island community.

A Web of Crime: Car Theft and Fraud

T, the owner of ABM Car Rentals, is accused of orchestrating a sophisticated car theft ring operating out of St. Maarten. According to sources, Ts recruited a gang of criminals to steal vehicles on St. Maarten, which were then shipped to Sint Eustatius and rented out through his car rental company. This brazen operation not only undermines the trust of unsuspecting customers but also highlights the audacity of Ts alleged criminal enterprise.

The businessman was reportedly caught red-handed, driving a stolen vehicle on St. Maarten. Adding to the scandal, his passenger at the time of arrest was identified as S.B., a former girlfriend of Ts. While police remain tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation, the scale of the operation suggests a deeply entrenched criminal network.

A History of Deception

This is not Ts first brush with the law. He is also a key suspect in the Windward Island Bank fraud case, a scandal that has implicated several individuals, including an immigration officer. The case involves fraudulent activities that have shaken public confidence in the regions financial institutions. Ts alleged involvement in both the car theft ring and the bank fraud case paints a damning portrait of a man who appears to have built his business empire on a foundation of deceit and criminality.

The Silence of Law Enforcement

While the police on St. Maarten have refused to comment on the case, citing the magnitude of the investigation, their silence speaks volumes. The lack of transparency raises questions about the extent of Ts influence and the potential involvement of other high-profile individuals. Is this a case of one mans greed, or does it point to a larger, more insidious network of corruption?

A Betrayal of Trust

For the people of Sint Eustatius, the allegations against T are a betrayal of trust. As a businessman, he was expected to contribute to the communitys growth and prosperity. Instead, he stands accused of exploiting his position for personal gain, leaving a trail of victims in his wake. From unsuspecting car rental customers to the financial institutions defrauded in the bank scandal, Ts alleged actions have caused untold harm.

Demanding Accountability

The time has come for accountability. The authorities must ensure that justice is served, not only to restore public trust but also to send a clear message that no one is above the law. The people of Sint Eustatius and St. Maarten deserve better than to have their communities tarnished by the actions of a few unscrupulous individuals.

As the investigation unfolds, one can only hope that the full extent of Ts alleged crimes will be brought to light and that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions. For now, the shadow of corruption looms large over Sint Eustatius, a stark reminder of the damage greed and dishonesty have wrought.
An adaptation of Michael Chabons The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay will be shown in theaters after its successful run at the Metropolitan Opera in New York

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay is one of the great American novels of the turn of the century, and, as its millions of readers will concur, prime material for a screen adaptation. On February 24, a quarter of a century after its author, Michael Chabon, won the Pulitzer Prize, this story of comic book superheroes and Holocaust victims finally arrives in theaters in the form of an opera.

Theaters in the United States and Canada will screen the production with which the Metropolitan Opera in New York opened its season in September, which returned to the majestic and elegant Manhattan stage for a brief, one-week revival that closed last Saturday. That day, the opera house  a relic of another era with its 3,800 seats  was nearly full, despite a snowstorm looming over the city, the fact that the contemporary repertoire is far removed from the infallible bel canto, and that the institution, like the rest of New Yorks opera houses, has been struggling with low attendance since the end of the pandemic. (These problems have recently led to, among other emergency measures, a reduced season, layoffs, and the sale of the halls two incredible Chagalls.)

With music by Mason Bates and a book by Gene Scheer, the production  a Met commission that has enjoyed an unusual encore  condenses the complex plot of the 600-page novel into about three hours. It does so at the expense of the story of the Jewish cousins Joe Kavalier and Sam Clays success in the burgeoning superhero comic book industry. Their rise to fame begins after Joe arrives in Brooklyn, having fled Nazi-occupied Prague thanks to his talent for escapism. This skill inspires them to create the character with whom they, and Empire Comics, the company they built, compete on newsstands against the newly launched Superman and Captain America.

Stage sketch from Mason Bates' opera The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. MET OPERA

The Escapist is a kind of Houdini against fascism, born from the imagination and rage of a man who feels fortunate for his successful life in the New World and guilty for having fled, leaving his brother (sister, in the opera) behind. The story that Bates and Scheer save from the chopping block also gives prominence to the romance between Kavalier (played convincingly by Andrzej Filonczyk) and Rosa Saks (Sun-Ly Pierce), an artist, and to Clays (Miles Mykkanen) gay awakening with Tracy Bacon (Edward Nelson), the actor who portrays The Escapist when the character transitions to radio. It also features an ending that alternates between the comfortable life of the burgeoning American suburbia and the gritty realities of the Western theater during World War II.

The best aspects of the production are Yannick Nezet-Seguins conducting of the orchestra and the staging, with the use of vignettes that enlarge and focus, the projections that serve for the jumps between continents, from war-torn Europe to the view of New York from the Empire State Building on a stormy night, and the line work of the drawings that move the story forward.

The seed of the opera was planted in a 2017 performance in Santa Fe, New Mexico, of an earlier work by Bates, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, based on the life of the Apple founder. Peter Gelb, then executive director of the Metropolitan Opera, was in the audience. He asked the composer for ideas, and Bates suggested The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. By then, Bates had already asked Chabon for permission to adapt the book. The author did not collaborate on the production (opera, apparently, is not his forte), although he has referred to the result on his Substack as adorable.

Missteps in Hollywood

The adaptation took eight years. Bates composed a cinematic score, and Scheer packs the inevitably simplified story into a frenetic pace. At least they managed to successfully translate a novel to another medium, the rights to which were acquired by Paramount producer Scott Rudin before its publication. Like so many Hollywood projects, this one is told from the perspective of its missteps.

Michael Chabon, en la epoca de la publicacion de su novela sobre superheroes.

Initially, Sidney Pollack was slated to direct, with Jude Law set to play Kavalier. Stephen Daldry then took over as director, and in 2004, the project nearly moved forward with a cast that included Tobey Maguire, Jamie Bell, and Natalie Portman  a line-up that changed two years later (with Ryan Gosling, Andrew Garfield, and Jason Schwartzman joining the cast). In 2011, Daldry announced he had changed his mind and was preparing to turn The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay into an eight-episode miniseries for HBO.

Before the pandemic, the idea of adapting it into chapters resurfaced as a project for CBS Television Studios Showtime platform. This time, Chabon and his wife, fellow writer Ayelet Waldman, were tasked with adapting a story that, seven years later, still eludes them. Readers know it contains top-notch audiovisual material, but that doesnt seem to be enough. In the meantime, they have, at least, the refuge of opera.

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USS Gerald Ford, world's largest aircraft carrier, at US base on Crete



Souda, Greece, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, has reached the US naval base of Souda Bay on Crete, en route to joining a massive military build-up in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump -- who ordered strikes on Iran last year -- has repeatedly threatened Tehran with fresh military action if it does not cut a new deal on its contentious nuclear programme, which the West fears is aimed at building an atomic weapon.

The Ford reached the Greek island on Monday, according to an AFP photographer.

The Greek defence ministry declined to comment on the aircraft carrier's arrival, and the US embassy in Athens did not immediately respond to questions from AFP.

US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is home to approximately 1,000 people, including active duty military, U.S. civilian employees, local national employees, contractors, and family members.

Washington currently has more than a dozen warships in the Middle East: one aircraft carrier -- the USS Abraham Lincoln -- nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships.

It is rare for there to be two US aircraft carriers -- which carry dozens of warplanes and are crewed by thousands of sailors -- in the Middle East.

The United States had two of the massive warships in the region in June last year when it bombed three Iranian nuclear sites during Israel's 12-day war with Iran.

In his first term in office, Trump abandoned a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran that placed curbs on its atomic activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

Following the United States' withdrawal, Iran began enriching uranium at higher levels -- up to 60 percent, near the 90 percent needed for a bomb -- though it has always maintained its programme is strictly peaceful.

A previous round of nuclear diplomacy last year fell apart when Israel launched its surprise campaign against the Islamic republic.

burs-str-jph/smw
Thailand, Cambodia dispute exchange of fire at border



Bangkok, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Thailand's military said its troops exchanged fire with Cambodian forces along their border on Tuesday, accusing its neighbour of violating a December truce, while Phnom Penh denied the use of "any weapons".

The Southeast Asian nations' decades-long border dispute erupted into several rounds of clashes last year, killing dozens of people and displacing more than a million in July and December.

The countries signed a ceasefire agreement in late December but tensions on the border remain, with both sides trading accusations of truce violations.

Thailand's military said Cambodian forces "fired a single 40 mm grenade round" near a Thai patrol in the border province of Sisaket on Tuesday, prompting return fire, according to a statement.

Thai army spokesman Winthai Suvaree accused Cambodia of violating their ceasefire deal, which ended three weeks of clashes.

Cambodia's Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the allegation were "entirely false" and designed to "mislead public opinion and provoke tension".

No Thai personnel were injured on Tuesday, the army said.

"Following the incident, Thai forces responded by firing an M79 (grenade launcher) in the direction from which the shot originated... as a warning and for self-defence," it added.

The Thai army, citing a preliminary assessment, said the "incident may have resulted from a rotation of Cambodian troops, with new personnel lacking familiarity with regulations and command control".



- 'Fabricated' -



Neth Pheaktra said the claims that its military fired on patrolling Thai troops were "fabricated and grossly distort the facts".

The minister reiterated Cambodia's "unwavering commitment" to the December truce and an earlier short-lived ceasefire deal from October.

"Cambodia is deeply concerned that unilateral allegations made without joint verification, consultation or factual substantiation risk misrepresenting the situation on the ground and undermining mutual trust," he said.

Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said liaison teams from the Cambodian and Thai militaries promptly discussed the matter after "reports of explosions and gunfire on the Thai side".

"Cambodian officials explicitly informed their Thai counterparts that Cambodian forces did not fire any weapons as alleged," Maly Socheata said in a statement.

Under the December truce, Cambodia and Thailand pledged to cease fire, freeze troop movements and cooperate on demining efforts along their border.

But last month, Thailand accused Cambodia of violating the truce, saying cross-border mortar fire wounded a soldier, while Phnom Penh said a "pile of garbage" exploded, injuring two of its own troops.

Since the latest round of heavy fighting, Cambodia has said Thai forces captured several areas in border provinces -- contrary to their agreements -- and has demanded their withdrawal.

Bangkok has insisted it merely reclaimed land that was part of Thailand and had been occupied by Cambodians for years.

While the two nations agreed in December to stop fighting, they still need to resolve their century-old conflict, stemming from a dispute over the French colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier.
UN arrives in east DR Congo town to prepare ceasefire mission



Kinshasa, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



A team of UN peacekeepers arrived in the flashpoint eastern Democratic Republic of Congo town of Uvira to prepare the deployment of a ceasefire?monitoring mission, the force said Tuesday.

Eastern DRC has been ravaged by three decades of conflict and faces renewed violence following the 2021 resurgence of the M23 armed group, backed by Rwanda and its army.

The M23 seized large swathes of territory in the east and launched an offensive in December on Uvira, a strategic town in South Kivu province near the border with Burundi.

The assault drew condemnation from the United States, which has mediated a fragile peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda.

That agreement provided for the UN's DRC peacekeeping mission MONUSCO to carry out a field-monitoring operation with a view to implementing a permanent ceasefire.

On Tuesday, MONUSCO and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, a grouping of surrounding countries, said in a statement they had deployed a joint exploratory and preliminary assessment mission to Uvira.

Scheduled to run until Friday, the mission focuses on assessing access, security, logistics and engagement needs, MONUSCO said.

The statement called the mission "an essential step towards deploying the future joint ceasefire?monitoring mechanism".

In January, the M23 withdrew its last troops from Uvira, claiming it was responding to a US request. The Congolese army said it had retaken control of the town.
Revolutionary Guards conduct military drills in Iran's south: state TV



Tehran, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military, are carrying out drills on the country's southern shores of the Gulf, state media said Tuesday.

"Combined 1404 (2026) exercise of the IRGC Ground Forces has begun," state TV reported, referring to this year in both the Iranian and Gregorian calendars.

The war games are focused on the south coasts but similar drills are happening in other parts of Iran, the report added.

They include drones, vessels, amphibious vehicles, ground-to-sea missiles and rockets as well as artillery, state TV said.

"Very good measures have been designed in various sectors, including missiles, artillery, drones, special forces, armoured vehicles and armoured personnel carriers," Mohammad Karami, commander of IRGC ground forces, told state television.

He said the drills were being conducted "based on the threats that exist", without elaborating.

The drills come after Washington and Tehran concluded two rounds of Oman-mediated talks aimed at reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear programme, with further talks set for Thursday.

Washington has repeatedly called for zero uranium enrichment by Iran but has also sought to address its ballistic missile programme and support for militant groups in the region, demands Iran has rejected.

Western countries accuse the Islamic republic of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies having such military ambitions but insists on its right to nuclear technology for civilian purposes.

US President Donald Trump, who has ratcheted up pressure on Iran to reach an agreement, has deployed a significant naval force to the Middle East. He once again on Monday threatened Iran with a military attack if a deal is not reached.

Last week, Iranian naval forces conducted another round of military drills in the Gulf and around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Akbar Novruz



United States President Donald Trump stated on Monday that today's report, which claimed US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine warned him about "significant risks" of attacking Iran, is "100% incorrect," and that the general believes the war against Iran would be "easily won", AzerNEWS reports.

"General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack," he added.

The US president said that everything that has been written about Iran was written "incorrectly, and purposefully so," noting that it will be "a very bad day" for Iran if no deal is reached.

The Washington Post newspaper reported earlier in the day that Caine had told Trump during a meeting last week that a lack of critical munitions and support from regional allies could hinder US efforts to contain a possible Iranian retaliation in the event of an attack by the US.

US munitions stockpiles, including those used in missile defence systems, have been stretched thin by their use in support of allies such as Israel and Ukraine, according to the report.

Caine also has raised concerns about the scale of any Iran campaign, its inherent complexity and the possibility of US casualties, the newspaper reported, citing a person familiar with internal discussions on the matter.

Caines office responded to The Washington Post article by stating that he is tasked with providing a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make Americas security decisions.

The online news outlet Axios, which also reported on Caines concerns in discussions with Trump, said in an article on Monday evening that Caine has been the sole military figure briefing Trump on Iran for several weeks.

The outlet reported that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief, Admiral Brad Cooper, tasked with overseeing US military operations in the Middle East, has not been invited to meetings or spoken with Trump since January.
The delivery services giant is the first major company to claim reimbursement following the Supreme Courts decision that the import duties are unlawful

Two days after the Supreme Court ruled that reciprocal tariffs were unlawful, considering that the path approved by President Donald Trump with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to circumvent congressional oversight was not appropriate, the delivery services company FedEx has filed a lawsuit to demand a full refund.

Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States, the company said in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade against Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency that collects tariffs, as well as the U.S. government.

FedEx explains that, during the period the reciprocal tariffs were in effect, it was forced to pay a substantial amount of duties on the goods it imported from other countries, and suffered injury caused by those orders. Normally, FedExs lawyers wrote in the filing, when goods enter into the United States, the importer of record pays an estimated duty, then CBP fixes the final appraisement of merchandise by confirming the final value, classification, duty rate, and final amount of duty for the imported goods.

Several studies have confirmed that American businesses and households have borne the brunt of the tariffs since Trump approved them in April of last year. The president invoked the IEEPA, arguing that the country was threatened by the enormous trade deficit and the fentanyl crisis. But six of the nine Supreme Court justices believe that this law, which allowed him to bypass congressional approval, is not the appropriate legal framework for enacting such measures.

FedExs lawsuit is the first filed by a major U.S. company after the Supreme Courts decision. Other companies had filed their lawsuits prior to the Courts ruling, which has been a major blow to Trumps core economic policy. The retail warehouse club giant Costco sued the government in early December of last year seeking a refund of the tariffs.

Several hundred small and medium-sized businesses joined together under the banner of We Pay the Tariffs to advocate for a refund and have them declared illegal. An Illinois toy manufacturer and a New York alcohol importer, representing the platform, along with complaints from some Democratic officials, took the case to the Supreme Court, which issued a decision last Friday.

FedEx had already warned in quarterly earnings reports about the impact of the tariffs on its finances. In its September report, it acknowledged to investors that the blow to its earnings for the fiscal year could reach $1 billion by 2026. From a customer perspective, it has been a very stressful period, said Brie Carere, FedExs chief customer officer, in September, NBC reported.

Businesses arent the only ones demanding refunds on import duties. Last Friday, after learning of the courts decision, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker sent a letter and an invoice to the White House, with the following message: On behalf of the people of Illinois, I demand a refund of $1,700 for every family in Illinois. There are 5,105,448 households in my state, bringing the total damages you owe to $8,679,261,600.

This letter and the attached invoice stand as an official notice that compensation is owed to the people of Illinois, and if you do not comply, we will pursue further action, wrote Pritzker, who is one of the presidents most vocal critics.

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Europe faces large 'shortfalls' in its defence: report



London, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Europe has wide "shortfalls" in its military capabilities which leave it "ill-prepared" as the war in Ukraine grinds on, a new report said Tuesday.

With the new security strategy of US President Donald Trump's administration forcing European countries to rethink defence policies, four years of war in Ukraine has spurred efforts to boost military capabilities, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said in its annual report.

The 2026 edition of the Military Balance report by the London-based institute notes that the United States is seeking to refocus its efforts on protecting its own territory.

As a result, the US leader continues to push allies for "greater burden-sharing" in military spending, both in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region in response to China's growing influence.



- Military spending -



In 2025, global military spending rose by 2.5 percent to $2.63 trillion, a slower pace than over the past five years.

This was partly due to a drop in the US defence budget -- a decline unlikely to last, with the Trump administration's defence spending expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2026 for the first time.

Part of that will notably fund America's "Golden Dome" missile defence shield project, the IISS said.

In contrast, military spending continued to grow at "record levels" in Europe, reaching $562.9 billion -- up 12.6 percent in a year -- driven by Germany.

NATO countries, under pressure from America and facing an increased threat from Russia, have pledged to raise national defence budgets to 5.0 percent of GDP by 2035.

But they could be constrained by their "limited fiscal headroom", the IISS warned.



- Ukraine war -



The IISS report, published on the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said it was difficult to imagine the war would end any time soon.

"Western estimates of Russian personnel losses vary, but these may now total more than a million killed or wounded," the report added.

Despite that "Russia has been able to adapt, regenerate and maintain its capability".

Russia's war in Ukraine has driven "rapid and continuous evolution in technologies -- notably in the design and use of uninhabited systems and artificial intelligence -- as well as in tactics and defence-production cycles," according to the IISS.

But any end to the conflict will depend on "decisions taken in foreign capitals" which will "play an important role in shaping the war's trajectory".

This is especially "given both sides' reliance on external support for materiel".



- NATO's eastern flank -



The IISS report highlighted NATO efforts to reinforce its eastern flank against a potential threat, pointing to drone incursions into Poland last September.

"Unfortunately for European armed forces, (there) is a capability shortfall, leaving them ill-prepared for the kind of large scale attacks that Ukraine is facing," it said.

NATO chief Mark Rutte in June called for the alliance to hike its integrated air and missile defence by 400 percent.

Calling it an "ambitious target", the IISS concluded that "NATO has some way to go".

Moves to address these "deficiencies" were underway, including the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, "which aims to close air-defence gaps with off-the-shelf procurement of systems".

The Baltic states and Poland have been joined by Finland in the Baltic Drone Wall programme announced in early 2025.

And the same countries have announced they are withdrawing from a key treaty, in order to potentially renew their use of anti-personnel mines along their borders.



- Iran weakened, China rises -



Iran's ambitions "have suffered major setbacks" since the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel "and during the Twelve-Day War between Israel and Iran in June 2025," the report stated.

"It incurred significant damage to its nuclear and missile installations" during Israeli and US strikes in June 2025.

This could lead it to seek closer cooperation with China and Russia to rebuild its capabilities, the IISS said.

Iran's traditional allies in the Middle East, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, have also been weakened by Israeli military action.

This raises "serious questions over whether Iran can sustain current levels of military spending -- and indeed its stature in the balance of power in the region -- while managing the economy and stemming civil unrest".

Meanwhile, China's "defence budget outpaces the wider" Asia-Pacific region, accounting for some 44 percent of regional spending.

A large military parade held on September 3 to mark 80 years since the end of World War II "sent both political and military-operational signals," the institute said.

For the first time it publicly confirmed Beijing's "nuclear triad" of air, submarine and land capabilities.

An anti-corruption purge in the army has also not deterred Beijing from increasing its number of incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone.

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Lebanon fears Israeli strikes if Iran situation escalates



Beirut, Lebanon, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Lebanon's foreign minister said Tuesday his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, as Israel has intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Also on Tuesday, Lebanon's army accused the Israeli military of firing near a position it was setting up in the country's south, saying it had instructed troops to return fire.

"There are signs that the Israelis could strike very hard in the event of an escalation, potentially including strategic infrastructure such as the airport," foreign minister Youssef Raggi told reporters in Geneva.

His comments came amid a massive US military buildup in the Middle East that suggested Washington was prepared to wage a potentially sustained campaign against Iran.

Iran vowed on Monday to retaliate "ferociously" against any attack from the United States, and repeated its warning of a regional conflagration in response to President Donald Trump's latest threat of strikes.

"We are currently conducting diplomatic efforts to request that, even in the event of retaliation, Lebanese civilian infrastructure not be targeted," Raggi said.

He stressed that his country's leadership had been very clear: "This war does not concern us."

A Lebanese official who requested anonymity said "what the Lebanese fear is a chain reaction: an American strike against Iran, a Hezbollah retaliatory strike against Israel, followed by a massive Israeli response."



- Israeli strikes -

Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah, usually saying it was targeting the group.

Last Friday, Israel carried out deadly strikes on what it called Hezbollah positions in eastern Lebanon and targets linked to the Palestinian group Hamas in the south.

Hezbollah said Saturday that eight of its fighters had been killed, and vowed "resistance".

Its leader Naim Qassem stated last month that any attack on Tehran would also be an attack on Hezbollah.

On Monday, Washington ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its embassy in Lebanon's capital Beirut as anticipation rose of a possible conflict with Iran.

On Tuesday, Lebanon's army said it was "establishing a new observation post on the southern border" when "the area surrounding the post was subjected to gunfire from the Israeli side".

"The army command issued orders to reinforce the post, remain there, and return fire."

On the same day in Cairo, a preparatory meeting was held ahead of a conference in Paris next month to back Lebanon's army, which is facing heavy pressure from Washington and Israel to disarm Hezbollah.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that Tuesday's meeting aimed "to enable the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state".

Lebanon's government last year committed to disarming Hezbollah, which was badly weakened in a recent war with Israel, and tasked the army with drawing up a plan to do so.

The army, which has limited capabilities, declared in January the completion of the first phase of its plan near the border with Israel.

It said last week it would need at least four months to complete the second phase.

Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of rearming, has criticised the army's progress as insufficient.
Britain unveils 'biggest' Russia sanctions on Ukraine war anniversary



London, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



The UK government on Tuesday announced its "biggest sanctions package" against Russia since ones imposed straight after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine four years ago, targeting oil exports and military equipment suppliers.

Marking the anniversary of the invasion, London announced nearly 300 new sanctions as foreign minister Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv.

This took the total of companies and individuals targeted by Britain over the Ukraine war to more than 3,000.

New measures included an asset freeze on Russia's state controlled pipeline operator Transneft, citing the oil sector's "strategic significance to the government of Russia".

Transneft transports over 80 percent of Moscow's oil exports according to the British government. It has faced Western sanctions since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Britain also moved against Russia's "dark web of illicit oil traders", cracking down on one of the largest shadow fleet operators shipping oil in contravention of international sanctions.

Britain said the new raft of sanctions sent the message that "Russian oil is off the market".

A report released by a Finnish think tank Tuesday found Russia is exporting higher volumes of oil than before the invasion of Ukraine, however, sending most of its oil to China, India and Turkey.

The British government also clamped down on companies supplying military equipment as well as Russia's civil nuclear energy programme and liquefied natural gas industry.

It singled out two television channels in the Caucasus country of Georgia for spreading pro-Russian disinformation.

Both the stations under new sanctions -- Imedi TV and POSTV -- are widely seen as government mouthpieces, promoting the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced accusations of drifting toward Russia and derailing Georgia's bid to join the European Union.

The channels regularly claim Ukraine is a "puppet" of the West and portray President Volodymyr Zelensky as illegitimate, Britain said.

Georgia was long seen as one of the most pro-Western states in the former Soviet Union, but relations have soured amid mass protests over controversial laws stifling political dissent, media and civil society.

Imedi TV was founded by businessman Badri Patarkatsishvili who opposed pro-Western president Mikheil Saakashvili and died in Britain in 2008.

The channel was until recently owned by a British firm which weeks ago announced its sale to a Georgian media company and to the channel's management.

Both channels responded defiantly to the sanctions.

In a statement on Facebook, Imedi TV said the sanctions "have no value whatsoever" while state-owned channel POSTV gave its response on the platform as two smiley emojis.
Egypt urges int'l support for Lebanese army as Hezbollah disarmed



Cairo, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Egypt on Tuesday urged the international community to better support Lebanon's armed forces to ensure that all weapons in the country come under the exclusive authority of the state.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of next month's Paris conference in support of the Lebanese army, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty praised "the success of the Lebanese army in completing the first phase of the plan".

"This achievement reflects the efficiency of the military institution and requires intensifying international support to complete the remaining phases of the plan," Abdelatty said.

Last year, Lebanon's government committed to disarming Hezbollah, which was severely weakened in its recent war with Israel, and tasked the army with drafting a plan to implement the decision.

In January, and in line with the 2024 truce, the army announced it had completed the first phase of the disarmament plan, covering the area between the Litani River and the Israeli border about 30 kilometres (20 miles) further south.

Abdelatty said that Tuesday's meeting aimed "to enable the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state".

The meeting brought together Lebanon's top security chiefs, including Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal and Internal Security Forces Director-General Major General Raed Abdallah.

They were joined by representatives of the Quintet Committee on Lebanon, among them Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, the French President's personal envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and Saudi Arabia's envoy to Beirut Prince Yazid bin Farhan, along with senior officials from the United States.

The second phase of the plan focuses on the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, around 40 kilometres south of Beirut.

Hezbollah has so far refused to hand over its weapons north of the Litani.

The government said last week that the army would need at least four months to implement the plan's second phase to disarm Hezbollah in the country's south.
Dublin favours France for defence investment accord



Dublin, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Ireland said Tuesday that France was the "preferred partner" for an armoured vehicle fleet investment as it ramps up military spending ahead of taking over the rotating EU presidency in July.

"Working directly with a trusted partner like France allows us to reduce risks, benefit from proven expertise, and ensure that our forces have reliable and interoperable equipment for the future," Irish Defence Minister Helen McEntee said in a statement.

Ireland and France will now begin negotiations on a potential agreement, focused on the French Scorpion armoured vehicle programme, the only one "capable of providing all the required capabilities", according to Dublin.

This programme, launched in 2014, "combines vehicles of different types and links them through a secure communications network, with the aim of creating a more coherent and more responsive land force", it said.

Once negotiations on the size of the fleet, as well as the timetable and costs, are completed, a framework agreement could be finalised, prior to acquisitions.

The development of a modern armoured fleet is one of its priorities, along with anti-drone technologies, after unidentified drones were detected during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Dublin on December 1.

Negotiations are also underway with France to acquire a military radar system.

Ireland, an EU member but militarily neutral, has a small army and possesses neither a combat air force nor a significant naval fleet.

Its threadbare military has come under heightened scrutiny as it prepares to assume the six-month presidency of the European Union in early July, when it will host summits for the bloc's leaders.

Dublin announced last December a 55 percent hike in military spending, with a 1.7 billion euros spending plan running through 2030.

McEntee is also expected to unveil Wednesday a new maritime security plan including moves to increase cooperation with NATO and the EU under a new strategy to protect the country's seas and sub-sea infrastructure.
Denmark mulls hosting Ukrainian military equipment manufacturer



Copenhagen, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Denmark in is in talks to host production facilities for Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyfall, which would become the second Ukrainian arms maker to produce in the Nordic country, the Danish defence ministry announced Tuesday.

"Bringing strong Ukrainian defence companies to Denmark to work together with Danish industry will strengthen the security of both Denmark and Ukraine," Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen said in a statement.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Defence, Poulsen had held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday.

Ukrainian firm Fire Point, which develops drones and missiles for the military, was the first to set up in Denmark, where it began construction in Vojens of a plant to produce propellants in December.

Production is scheduled to start in the autumn.

If Skyfall also establishes production in Denmark, it would be encouraged to enter into partnerships with relevant Danish businesses, the ministry said.

In parallel with any potential contract negotiations, "an in-depth screening and due diligence of the company's specific circumstances must be carried out, including with regard to corruption, ownership structure, and money laundering," it added.

Denmark, like its Nordic neighbours, is one of Ukraine's largest military and civilian backers.
Madagascar's leader meets Macron after Putin talks



Paris, France, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday hosted Madagascar's new leader for talks after the African nation has taken steps to ramp up ties with Russia.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina -- Madagascar's interim leader since the former president fled in October following demonstrations -- arrived in France less than a week after holding talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Madagascar is the latest of several former French colonies in Africa to come under military control since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and other nations. The three Sahel countries have since tightened ties with Russia.

In Madagascar, some diplomats are concerned about "the speed with which Russia" has taken steps to build ties with the new leader, said a Western diplomatic source on the island.

France is to keen to maintain a relationship with the strategically located nation rich in nickel and cobalt in the face of the growing influence of countries such as China, India and, more recently, Russia.

"Our aim is to consolidate and renew this relationship," Macron's office said ahead of the talks, stressing that relations with Madagascar remained "a priority for France in Africa".

Speaking to journalists before flying to Paris, Madagascar's leader said that the trips to Russia and France had "no connection with each other".

"We are following the policy we have adopted in terms of diplomacy: establishing relations with countries that can bring benefits to the Malagasy people," he said.

Last week Randrianirina travelled to Moscow on a plane chartered by Russia, weeks after the Kremlin sent military equipment to the island.

He told Putin his country was ready to "move our partnership to a new level".

Last month, Russian military instructors visited Madagascar to train their counterparts in military equipment supplied by Moscow, including drones.

The delegation was led by the deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence, Andrei Averyanov, the National Assembly president told AFP.

Averyanov was also present at the Kremlin talks between Putin and Randrianirina last week.

Russia was the third country Randrianirina went to since coming to power, having visited the United Arab Emirates and South Africa beforehand.

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Egypt urges support for Lebanese army as Hezbollah disarmed



Cairo, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Egypt on Tuesday urged the international community to better support Lebanon's armed forces as the country moves forward with a plan to disarm the militant group Hezbollah and bring all weapons under state control.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of next month's Paris conference in support of the Lebanese army, Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty praised "the success of the Lebanese army in completing the first phase of the plan".

"This achievement reflects the efficiency of the military institution and requires intensifying international support to complete the remaining phases of the plan," Abdelatty said.

Lebanon's government last year committed to disarming Hezbollah, which was badly weakened in a recent war with Israel, and tasked the army with drawing up a plan to do so.

Lebanon has since received promises of support, amid a shortage of equipment, personnel and technical capabilities needed to carry out the army's mission.

Though its capabilities are limited, the military has worked to dismantle Hezbollah facilities and tunnels and confiscate weapons in the last few months.

It declared in January the completion of the first phase of its plan, which tackled the area south of the Litani river, located around 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of Israel.

Lebanon's military now intends to tackle the area north of the river as the second phase of its plan, having said last week that it would need at least four months to finish the job.

Abdelatty said Tuesday's meeting aimed "to enable the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state".

The meeting brought together Lebanon's top security chiefs, including Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal and Internal Security Forces Director-General Major General Raed Abdallah.

They were joined by representatives of the Quintet Committee on Lebanon, among them Qatar's state minister for foreign affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian and Saudi Arabia's envoy to Beirut Prince Yazid bin Farhan, along with senior officials from the United States.

At a separate meeting with Le Drian, Abdelatty stressed the need for what he described as a comprehensive international approach to the crisis in Lebanon.

"There is no path to restoring stability except by obliging Israel to immediately halt its aggression" and "fully withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories," he said.

Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of rearming, has criticised the army's progress as insufficient, and has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with the group.
The footage appeared to show an individual tell the crowd: A steadfast and noble resistance in Palestine and in Gaza to look to, to be inspired by and  I dont want to yap for too long  but a chant that weve been workshopping in Oxford that maybe you guys want to join in.
For decades, public health has been waging an allout battle against smoking. Tobacco kills seven million people worldwide every year, and its countless harmful effects are thoroughly documented, yet the addiction is so powerful that once someone starts smoking, quitting can become an ordeal. There are treatments to combat smoking, but therapeutic options remain limited, and science continues searching for new strategies to break the dependence created by the habit. In this context, a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications has opened a new path by identifying genetic variants that predispose people to smoke less. The authors suggest that this finding could serve as a starting point for designing a new therapeutic target.

We have discovered that people carrying rare, naturally occurring mutations in a gene called CHRNB3 tend to smoke significantly fewer cigarettes per day, explain the studys lead authors, geneticists Veera Rajagopa and Giovanni Coppola, in an email response.

The CHRNB3 gene encodes a protein (the 3 subunit) that is part of the receptor through which nicotine acts in the brain. We found this protective association independently in three different populations: Indigenous Mexicans, East Asians, and Europeans, which gives us strong confidence that the finding has biological relevance, say the scientists from the Regeneron Genetic Center, a genomic research center belonging to the pharmaceutical company Regeneron.

After analyzing a Mexican cohort of nearly 38,000 smokers, the authors found that people with a specific variant in this gene smoked less than those without the genetic alteration. Specifically, compared to people carrying the most common version of the gene, those with one copy of this variant in the CHRNB3 gene smoked 21% less, or one fewer cigarette per day.

And the small number of people who carried two copies of the variant  essentially a natural deletion of the gene  smoked approximately 78% fewer cigarettes per day, the authors note. Rajagopa and Coppola argue that the effect of a single copy of this genetic variant is comparable in magnitude to that of other known genetic alterations closely linked to smoking.

In the Mexican cohort, the authors observed that the discovered genetic variant slightly altered the structure of the 3 protein, but the mechanism by which this change affects tobacco use remains unclear, they admit. Whether this occurs because the brains response to nicotine is altered in terms of how rewarding or aversive it feels remains an open and interesting question that future research will need to address, the authors note.

Beyond the studies in the Mexican population, the research validated its findings in an Asian cohort and a European one. In all three cases, it found mutations in the same segment of DNA. The alterations were different, but all involved the CHRNB3 gene and produced a similar effect in terms of predisposition to smoke less. This convergence between ancestries strongly implicates CHRNB3 as the causal gene, the researchers argue.

Previous studies have linked the CHRNB3 gene to smoking, but this study goes a step further and points directly to its therapeutic potential. Our study provides the first direct human genetic evidence that loss of CHRNB3 function reduces cigarette consumption, the authors state.

The scientists suggest that inhibiting the CHRNB3 gene could help reduce or stop smoking. However, they immediately temper short-term expectations, cautioning that it is too early to confirm whether a treatment is possible and, if so, whether it would be effective or safe: Specifically, our genetic findings suggest that a potential therapy targeting receptors containing 3 could represent a complementary approach, particularly for reducing smoking intensity in regular smokers. But several key questions remain, such as understanding the genes mechanism for influencing smoking and its other functions in the brain.

Managing expectations

The authors argue that more exhaustive evaluations of the identified variants are needed. They also see a need for laboratory studies to understand exactly how the absence of this protein helps people smoke less.

Javier Costas, lead researcher of the Psychiatric Genetics group at the Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) in Spain, told the Science Media Center (SMC) that the findings of this study were promising, but key questions remain. Inactivating the gene with drugs could have the same benefit. However, they havent studied whether this same variant could be associated with other negative health effects, which would translate into potential side effects of the medication that inactivates the gene, the expert explained.

Costas says that additional evidence is needed, especially considering that the authors declare a conflict of interest, as many are shareholders or employees of a pharmaceutical company and owners of a patent on this gene.

Miguel Barrueco, former head of the pulmonology department at the Hospital of Salamanca, takes the same cautious stance: he says the article is interesting, but it is advisable to be prudent in interpreting the results and not sow false therapeutic expectations, for example, about the short-term viability of a therapy for nicotine addiction like the one proposed.

Similar studies conducted with other genes that also play a role in nicotine addiction have not resulted in their therapeutic applications. The spectrum of brain receptors and neurotransmitters (and the genes that encode them) involved in nicotine addiction is very broad and complex and largely still unknown, Barrueco told SMC.

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Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king.
He added: "You will have seen the Prime Minister's words this morning, paying tribute to the incredible resilience of the Ukrainians, and you will have seen the package of action on military, humanitarian, reconstruction fronts announced today, which is a sign of where our support is for Ukraine. We will continue with our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace."
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A Waymo robotaxi follows a Tesla during a drive Friday in downtown San Antonio. Brandon Lingle/San Antonio Express-News

In its first-ever multicity launch, Waymo today began limited ride-hailing services in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Orlando, Fla., as the company pushes to expand its footprint across the nation.

The move puts the Google spinoff, which already operates in five U.S. cities including Austin, further ahead of Austin-based Tesla Inc., which operates in only two cities and still has human safety monitors or drivers on board.

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Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando are critical to our plans, as we lay groundwork for service in 20+ cities, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a statement.

Customers in the new service areas will use the Waymo app to set up rides. That differs from the experience in Austin, where Waymo cars are hailed through the Uber app.

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Residents in the new markets may face a wait, though, because the company is inviting only select riders whove already downloaded the Waymo app. The California company said it will keep inviting new riders as the service grows enough to open to everyone later this year.

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Some people got invitations two weeks ago but have had to wait for the launch to book a ride. Though Waymo vehicles have been increasingly seen around San Antonio and other expansion cities, until today they have been only testing.

In San Antonio, Waymos 60-square-mile service area is roughly bounded by Interstate 10 on the south and west and Loop 410 to the north and east. It includes downtown, neighborhoods in the area and the Arena District, but service to San Antonio International Airport is still in the testing phase and not available yet.

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A Waymo robotaxi arrives outside of San Antonio City Hall on Friday. It started offering its driverless ride-hailing service in San Antonio on Tuesday as part of its first multicity launch. Houston, Dallas and Orlando, Fla., were the other cities in Tuesdays launch. Brandon Lingle/San Antonio Express-News

Waymos price per ride varies depending on demand and conditions, but its comparable to other ride-shares or taxis, according to spokesman Chris Bonelli.

Dozens of the white Jaguar I-Pace vehicles will be operating in the city for the initial rollout, he said, and that number will scale to hundreds over time.

In Austin, the company is currently operating about 200 fully autonomous robotaxis in a 140-square-mile area. Waymo launched in the capital city on March 4, ahead of the South by Southwest festival. Since then, its expanded its service area a couple of times, most recently in January when it added about 50 square miles.

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Waymo arrived in San Antonio in May when it began mapping the city with cars operated by human drivers. It began letting its vehicles drive themselves around town in November.

The cars use lidar, radar and 29 cameras along with global positioning and software powered by artificial intelligence for guidance. They can call a human operator for help if needed.

Waymo self-driving cars are charging at a facility in Southeast Austin. The California company, which has been operating in Austin since March, has launched its driverless ride-hailing service in San Antonio, along with Houston, Dallas and Orlando, Fla. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Waymos have driven 200 million miles autonomously, and the company says data show theyre safer than the human drivers in the cities where it operates. In addition to Austin, the driverless ride-hailing company operates in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix and San Francisco.

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Data from over 127 million miles traveled shows we achieved a ten-fold reduction in serious injury or worse crashes and 12-fold reduction in injury crashes with pedestrians compared to human drivers, it said in a statement.

Still, there have been problems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the vehicles after they illegally drove past stopped school buses in Austin and in a separate incident struck a child near her school in California. Waymo voluntarily reported that accident, which the child walked away from.

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In San Antonio, some residents have complained about the vehicles loitering in their neighborhoods for hours, an occurrence Waymo says is normal in the cities where it operates.

The cars use public parking spaces between trips for efficiency and to be able to quickly respond when hailed, Waymo said. They go to a central facility when not in operation.

Last month, a Waymo partially blocked a downtown intersection, forcing other vehicles to swerve around through several cycles of the traffic light. The company said the car paused because the traffic light was not working, but eyewitnesses and the city said the light was functioning properly.

The city has stayed mum on the rollout.

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Tuesday's expansion, though, is a significant step toward Waymo's goal to surpass 1 million weekly paid trips by the end of this year. Without identifying where its robotaxis will be available next, Waymo has said it's targeting a list of eight other cities including Las Vegas, Washington, Detroit and Boston while signaling its first overseas availability is likely to be London.

To help pay to get more robotaxis on the streets in more cities, Waymo recently raised $16 billion as part of a financial infusion that put the value of the company at $126 billion. The valuation fueled speculation it may eventually be spun off from corporate parent Alphabet Inc., where it began as a secret project within Google in 2009.

Madison Iszler contributed to this report.
Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, in 2019. The company, which has major operations in Austin and Central Texas, has signed a deal with Meta Platforms for AI chips. Mark Lennihan/Associated Press file photo

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. will sell artificial intelligence chips to Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. in a $100 billion deal that advances AMDs position in the race for dominance in AI chipmaking.

It also gives Meta the opportunity to buy as much as 10% of AMD. The chipmakers shares jumped.

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AMD has a major presence in Central Texas, where it has operated since 1979. Though the company is based in Santa Clara, Calif., CEO Lisa Su runs the business from Austin, where it employs about 3,700 people and is growing with the recent announcement of a data center near Rockdale.

Meta also has operations in Austin, with offices downtown.

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Under the deal, it will buy AMDs latest chips, the MI450, to help power data centers. The 6-gigawatt agreement will see shipments supporting the first gigawatt deployment set to start during the second half of this year.

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AMD made a similar chips-for-stake deal with OpenAI earlier this year. The ChatGPT maker plans to use AMD chips as it builds billions of dollars worth of data centers in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio and an as-yet unspecified site in the Midwest.

The turn toward AMD and other chipmakers comes as Nvidia Corp., the worlds most valuable company, raises prices on its semiconductors. Companies like Meta and OpenAI, longtime customers of Nvidia, have started pursuing alternatives as they build more data centers.

It carved out an early lead in converting its chipsets, known as graphics processing units or GPUs, from use in powering video games to helping train powerful AI systems like the technology behind ChatGPT and image generators. Demand skyrocketed as more people began using AI chatbots. Tech companies now are scrambling for chips to build and run them.

Thanks to the rich deals, Wall Street investors are questioning whether the rapdily growing AI boom is an economic bubble that will soon burst. As such an expensive industry, AI is dominated by a select few companies that are expanding investment in one another. The AMD deal, for example, comes just days after Meta announced a long-term partnership to use millions of chips and other equipment from Nvidia for its AI data centers.

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Shares of AMD were up more than 10% before the market opened Tuesday and continued rising in regular trading.

The companies said that AMD issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of its common stock at 1 cent apiece, structured to vest as long as certain milestones are achieved.

The first tranche vests with the initial 1-gigawatt of shipments with additional portions vesting as Metas purchases scale to 6 gigawatts.

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Meta is also a major employer in Austin. According to Opportunity Austin, the Facebook owner employs about 2,000 people in downtown offices but there have been several rounds of layoffs since that number was recorded and its current employment is unclear.
Employees of Austin-based tech company inKind participate in Austins Pride Parade in August 2025. The company announced last week that it raised $450 million to invest in restaurants. inKind

A local tech company recently secured $450 million in its latest funding round, and its preparing to invest almost all of it in restaurants.

Austin-based inKind announced that the funding and any future capital raised will be dedicated to its mission of funding 10,000 restaurants in 2026.

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That funding, its almost entirely going toward restaurants, CEO and cofounder Johann Moonesinghe told the American-Statesman. But it actually isnt enough. We have so much demand from restaurants because weve established ourselves as one of the best ways to finance restaurants. We work with great restaurant groups, and we also work with independent restaurants, all people who are really passionate about what they do and they all need funding to grow.

A decade ago, Moonesinghe founded inKind alongside his husband, Andy, and brother, Rajan, while living in Washington, D.C., with the mission of helping restaurants grow and thrive.

They built and launched the first restaurant incubator  modeled after the Techstars accelerator in Colorado  bringing together business leaders, chefs, restaurateurs and more to give smaller spots a place to learn how to grow their businesses and avoid closing.

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Often plagued by high operating costs and location issues, about 17% of restaurants fail within their first year, according to research. Nearly 80% of restaurants fail within five years.

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Johann Moonesinghe, CEO and co-founder of inKind, founded the company a decade ago with his husband, Andy, and brother Rajan. inKind

The trios restaurant incubator transitioned into the tech platform inKind, which is a dual-sided marketplace for both consumers and restaurants. On the consumer side, the app offers consumers exclusive dining experiences and rewards to help consumers save money and try new restaurants with no detriment to the restaurant. On the business side, the platform offers debt-free funding to restaurants.

The company has roughly 4 million users on the platform and has funded $600 million in about 6,000 restaurants nationwide. The company currently has about 180 employees, 100 of whom are located at the companys Austin headquarters at the corner of West Sixth Street and Congress Avenue.

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Were very picky about who we fund, we only work with great restaurants, Moonesinghe said. As a consumer, you open the app and know youll find a great restaurant, otherwise theyd stop using the app. We only fund those restaurants with great food, great hospitality, but theres so many of those. Theres so much demand.

According to Moonesinghe, only about 2% of the companies inKind invests in close.

And the $600 million invested in restaurants includes large investments locally.

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Outside of inKind, Moonesinghe owns restaurants locally, including Ember Kitchen and The Guest House. Moonesinghe said inKind has invested $79 million into Austin restaurants like TenTen, El Raval, Devil May Care and The Well.

A lot of the push and effort to fund restaurants, especially locally, came in honor of his brother, who cofounded the company. Rajan Moonesinghe was killed by an Austin Police officer in 2022. In November, the two-week trial of Officer Daniel Sanchez ended in a mistrial. A new trial is set to begin in August.

We have a very, very, very strong mission of helping restaurateurs, and we do that a lot in honor of Rajan and his legacy, Moonesinghe said. Restaurants are critical to communities. They are the nexuses of communities where we gather, and theyre typically owned by individuals who are working really really hard.
Hang gliding on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Austin American-Statesman

If youre heading to Mexico for spring break, your trip may still be on  but you may need a backup plan.

Mexicos latest security turmoil is already spilling into one of the biggest stresses of travel: flight schedules and cruise itineraries. Some airlines have paused flights to certain destinations and cruise lines have begun skipping ports, creating uncertainty just weeks before peak travel season.

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Will Mexico violence affect spring break travel?

Right now, the answer is: it depends on where youre going and whether disruptions linger into March.

ANKARA, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 23: An infographic titled "States where violence erupted following the killing of El Mencho" created in Ankara, Turkiye on February 23, 2026. (Photo by Yilmaz Yucel/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

A State Department security alert says Americans in certain areas should shelter in place because of ongoing security operations, road blockages and related criminal activity.

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The same alert also makes a key distinction for spring break planning. Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara flights have continued to be disrupted, with the alert citing flight-crew availability. Most other airports are operating normally, and the alert says it has no indication of security-related flight disruptions outside Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta  including for travelers using other Mexican airports.

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It also says the situation had returned to normal in Quintana Roo (Cancun/Cozumel/Playa del Carmen/Tulum), along with Sinaloa and Tamaulipas  important for travelers weighing whether to switch destinations.

So if your spring break trip is Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta) or Guadalajara, youve got more near-term volatility to plan around than travelers heading to places like Cancun.

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Airline specifics: waivers, rebooking windows, and what to check

Heres what the big carriers have said so far:

American Airlines (GDL + PVR)

American Airlines' travel alert covers Guadalajara (GDL) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR). The airline is waiving change fees for customers who booked by Feb. 21 and were set to travel between Feb. 22 and Feb. 26. Those travelers can rebook their trips at no extra charge, as long as the new flight departs by March 7. It also notes changes must be booked by Feb. 26, and you cant change origin or destination cities.

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Spring break implication: if youre flying mid-March, you likely wont be automatically covered under this waiver unless the airline extends it  but its a model for what extensions can look like.

Delta (PVR + GDL)

Deltas advisory is explicitly labeled for Jalisco, Mexico  Civil Unrest. It lists PVR and GDL as affected cities, with impacted travel dates Feb. 2226 and a reissue deadline of March 7. Rebooked travel must begin no later than March 7 for the waiver terms described.

Southwest Airlines (PVR)

Southwest posted a dedicated advisory for Jalisco Mexico Civil Unrest  PVR. It warns service to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) may be disrupted Feb. 2225, and says customers can rebook or travel standby within 14 days of the original travel date between the same city pairs without paying a fare increase. It also spells out refund eligibility if Southwest cancels or significantly delays a flight and you choose not to travel.

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Air Canada (PVR + Guadalajara region)

Air Canadas notice urges customers in the Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta region to stay at their hotel or current accommodations and not head to the airport, saying it revised ticketing policies for affected customers.

What the State Department alert says about flights and ground travel

GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 22: A view of the site where Mexican Army troops killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation), during a federal operation in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on February 22, 2026. Earlier in the day, armed men blocked several highways in the western state of Jalisco, setting vehicles and trucks on fire in response to the federal security operation in the region (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

The State Department says that some, but not all scheduled flights departing Guadalajara are disrupted, with a note that canceled U.S.-bound travelers may be able to connect through another Mexican city. It also adds that widespread toll road disruptions are occurring, with travelers directed to check the Mexican Federal Roads and Bridges of Incomes and Related Services X account for road-closure updates

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Cruise line specifics: where ships are being rerouted and whats on the March calendar

Cruise lines have mostly responded by skipping Puerto Vallarta rather than canceling full voyages.

Holland Americas Zuiderdam had a Puerto Vallarta call canceled; Cruise Critic reports passengers were told the ship would not dock.

Cruise Critic also reported Norwegian Bliss and Royal Princess were scheduled to dock later in the week and were expected to skip Puerto Vallarta as well.

Travel Market Report, citing a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson, said a Norwegian Bliss Puerto Vallarta call was canceled, and it laid out what it described as the next scheduled Puerto Vallarta calls for several ships in early March  right in the lead-up to spring break travel weeks.

For spring breakers, this tells you that even if flights stabilize, cruise itineraries can still shift quickly  especially if lines decide Puerto Vallarta is a skip port for a few weeks.

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GUADALAJARA, JALISCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 22: A view of the site where Mexican Army troops killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as 'El Mencho,' leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation), during a federal operation in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on February 22, 2026. Earlier in the day, armed men blocked several highways in the western state of Jalisco, setting vehicles and trucks on fire in response to the federal security operation in the region (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images

When is spring break 2026 in Austin?

For families and college students in the Austin area, peak travel weeks are still ahead. Most spring break trips typically fall in mid-March, when schools and universities schedule time off.

Austin ISD spring break runs March 1620.

The University of Texas at Austin is on break March 1621.

Texas State University, another major driver of regional travel, schedules its break for March 1521.

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Because many travelers book trips months in advance, the biggest question now is whether the recent disruptions in western Mexico will stabilize before those peak weeks or whether airlines and cruise lines will continue adjusting schedules and itineraries as spring break demand ramps up.

Practical spring break tips: how to check cancellations and protect your trip

Here are some steps you can take to ensure you aren't surprised when you show up at the airport for your vacation:

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Urban Heat performs at The Creek and the Cave at South by Southwest on Friday March 17, 2023. Jay Janner / American-Statesman

Shut The (Expletive) Up When We Speak is a documentary premiering at this years South by Southwest Film Festival that highlights Black musicians in Austins punk music scene. The film features local artists Black Mercy, Chief and TheDoomsDayDevice, (Expletive) Money and Urban Heat.

Director Ryan Darbonne, a graduate film production student at UT Austin, has long explored stories focused on Black youth subcultures and what he describes as Black punk. Typically a narrative filmmaker, this marks Darbonnes first documentary feature.

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Local filmmaker Ryan Darbonne's documentary on Austin's Black punk music scene, "Shut The (Expletive) Up When We Speak," is premiering at SXSW 2026. Provided by Ryan Darbonne

I wanted it to feel grungy  kind of messy and ugly  so we (mostly) shot it on a camera from 2001, Darbonne said. The very nature of being Black, or a person of color, in America is punk in itself. By the very nature of me pointing a camera at five Black men, Im making a statement.

Darbonne made the film for $80 and had no expectation that it would be selected to premiere at one of the worlds most prestigious film festivals. He said filmmakers should focus on creating projects that feel true to themselves rather than making work solely with festivals in mind.

You make what you have to make and hope that it resonates with people, Darbonne said. It just felt like hanging out with friends, and I think that resonated on screen.

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The film premieres as part of the festival's Texas Short Program at the Long Center at 3:15 p.m. on March 12.

Additional SXSW screenings: schedule.sxsw.com

People wait in line at the Paramount Theatre for The Makings of Curtis Mayfield World Premiere" during the SXSW Conference & Festivals at the Paramount Theatre on Monday, March 10, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

8 more documentaries premiering at SXSW 2026

1. Los Lobos Native Sons

Los Lobos, the trailblazing Mexican American rock band from Los Angeles, trace their musical journey in this documentary, which features interviews with Linda Ronstadt, Tom Waits, Dolores Huerta, Cheech Marin, George Lopez, Peter Frampton and more. According to the filmmakers, the film celebrates the bands legacy as cultural trailblazers blending rock, roots and Mexican traditions into a sound uniquely their own.

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2. The Last Critic

The Last Critic follows Robert Christgau, a pioneer of music criticism who helped shape the form while covering the Monterey Pop Festival for Esquire in 1967. Christgau made his biggest impact as a writer and editor at The Village Voice, and also contributed to Rolling Stone, Creem and other publications. The documentary explores whether the art form remains relevant in the modern media landscape  and whether music criticism is nearing an end.

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3. We Are The Shaggs

The Shaggs formed in late-60s rural New Hampshire after the father of Betty, Dorothy and Helen Wiggin claimed to have a prophetic vision that his daughters would become rock stars  despite having no musical experience. The documentary follows the bands origins and the making of their only album, "Philosophy of the World, which has become one of the most polarizing records of all time, embraced as a precursor to outsider music for its unintentional brilliance.

4. Stalin Boys

Four Mexican American middle school boys living in a Texas border town develop an unusual obsession with Joseph Stalin. After their teacher tells them about the Texas State History Fair, they write a play about the late Soviet dictator using homemade props and, according to the filmmakers, are forced to confront their own relationship with power and control.

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5. Black Zombie

Black Zombie explores the historical and cultural origins of zombies and examines how the horror staple is being reclaimed as a symbol of survival and spiritual resistance. With roots in Haitian folklore, the documentary traces the zombies evolution from spiritual tradition to the cinema spotlight in films like Night of the Living Dead.

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6. Capturing Bigfoot

The 1967 Patterson-Gimlin tape remains the most analyzed and debated footage allegedly capturing the cryptic Bigfoot walking through the Northern California woods. Featuring interviews with Roger Pattersons son, the documentary reexamines the legend after a 16mm film reel is discovered in a safe. According to the filmmakers, the story is about family legacy, broken friendships and belief itself.

7. Amazing Live Sea Monkeys

Yolanda Signorelli von Braunhut has made it her mission to regain control of her late husband Harolds invention, Amazing Live Sea Monkeys!, from a large corporate toy company. Now living alone without electricity or running water on an estate along the Potomac River, she remains the only person in possession of the Sea-Monkeys secret formula and is determined to reintroduce the iconic 70s novelty to the world.

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8. YIYIISTSAA (Listen)

YIYIISTSAA (Listen) is the senior thesis film of director Malakye Zaayin Tsosie, focusing on a Navajo-language radio station in Gallup, New Mexico. With few fluent speakers of Dine Bizaad (the Navajo language) remaining, the documentary explores efforts within the Navajo Nation to preserve and revitalize the language for future generations.

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How do I attend SXSW Film & TV events?
Former Bexar County Democratic Party chair Monica Ramirez Alcantara is running for Bexar County district clerk, the recordkeeeper for the county's district courts. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Elva Abundis Esparza, a former employee of the Bexar County district clerk's office, is running for district clerk. Elva Abundis Esparza/Facebook Gloria Martinez is running for a second term as Bexar County district clerk. Courtesy of Bexar County Chris Castillo, a former employee of the Bexar County district clerk's office, is running for district clerk. Chris Castillo/Facebook

Four candidates are trying to unseat Bexar County District Clerk Gloria Martinez to take over the office that keeps the records for the county's district courts.

Martinez is running for a second term. Her challengers include a decadeslong employee of the district clerk's office who narrowly lost to her in 2022 and the former chair of the Bexar County Democratic Party.

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All of Martinez's challengers say she hasn't done enough to make court documents more accessible online.

No Republican candidates filed to run, so whoever wins the Democratic primary will be unopposed in the general election. But if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will head to a May 26 runoff.

The district clerk is the registrar and recordkeeper for Bexar County's 27 state district courts, both criminal and civil. They handle all case filings, court fees and official case documents as well as jury administration. District courts handle felony criminal cases, divorces, child custody disputes and major civil lawsuits.

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The job pays $160,000 a year with a $6,000 transportation allowance  more than the county's top prosecutor and slightly less than the four county commissioners.

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Early voting runs through Feb. 27, and election day is March 3.

Who are the candidates?

Martinez was elected district clerk in 2022 after working in the office for three decades, eventually rising to deputy district clerk. She beat Republican Misty Spears, who now represents District 9 on City Council.

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Martinez joined the Navy Reserves in 2005 and was deployed to Iraq in 2009.

Her opponents say that how the district clerk manages court documents is behind the times, and that Martinez has not done enough to fix it. People can see basic updates on their cases online  such as when a hearing is scheduled or a document is filed  but they have to request copies of the documents either in-person at the courthouse or by mail.

Left, Gloria Martinez. Top right, Elva Abundis Esparza. Bottom right, Chris Castillo. Courtesy of Bexar County; Elva Abundis Esparza/Facebook; Chris Castillo/Facebook

"The office has pretty much stood stagnant for the last couple of years, and I just feel like she hasn't done anything," said Chris Castillo, a retired employee of the district clerk's office who is challenging Martinez.

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Martinez did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story.

Monica Ramirez Alcantara, 52, led Bexar County's Democratic party for six years before running for district clerk. She resigned shortly into her fourth two-year term after the party's major losses in the 2024 election. Before that, she worked as a paralegal.

One of Alcantara's ideas is to create a subscription program that would let lawyers access court documents online, while residents could use a public portal to download records or have them emailed to them. She also wants to improve "customer service."

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"When you're walking into the courthouse, other than for an adoption or a marriage, many times you're walking in on your worst day," Alcantara said. "And everyone that walks into that courtroom needs to be treated with respect, a smile, dignity."

Alcantara's used the connections she built up as party chair to boost her campaign. Sheriff Javier Salazar, former County Judge Nelson Wolff and the union that represents Bexar County sheriff's deputies endorsed her.

Castillo, 59, ran for district clerk in 2022. She lost to Martinez by less than 3,000 of 61,000 votes.

Castillo is touting her experience. She worked numerous jobs in the district clerk's office before retiring in 2019 and said that an outsider like Alcantara would face a steep learning curve.

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"The office is in dire need of help. Someone with zero experience is not going to help that," Castillo said. "It's no disrespect to her because I respect her for her outside experience, but she has none in this office."

Castillo said that experience would make it easier for her to reach the candidates' goal of putting court records online. She also wants to offer curbside pickup of documents for seniors and veterans.

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Another candidate, Elva Abundis Esparza, said her experience prepares her for the job. Esparza, 69, worked in the district clerk's office for 14 years and also led constituent services for a City Council member and a county commissioner.
Failed operations, thwarted intelligence, and unprecedented firepower hampered the pursuit of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader until the operation in which he was killed

The capture of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, aka El Mencho, was a long-sought goal for Mexico, one that seemed impossible to achieve for over a decade. The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) became the most elusive drug kingpin, he was also wanted by the United States, and yet he managed to evade military cordons, federal deployments and intelligence operations that, at various times, brought him within striking distance of his arrest. Finally, he was killed this Sunday in an operation that concludes one of the longest and most complex manhunts against a Mexican drug lord.

The first failed attempt to capture El Mencho was in 2012. According to an investigation by El Universal, the drug lord was allegedly arrested on August 27, 2012, in Zapopan, Jalisco, by members of the Mexican Navy, but had to be released hours later due to the intervention of the then-governor of the state, Emilio Gonzalez Marquez. At the time, the information was disseminated by local and national media outlets that claimed to have confirmation from federal security officials, but it remained a rumor. It was neither corroborated nor denied by the authorities. The story gained traction due to a series of roadblocks and the burning of dozens of vehicles in the state capital, Guadalajara, and various municipalities operated by members of the CJNG. The violence spread to the state of Colima and was attributed to the cartel following the arrest of Oseguera Cervantes. The Federal Police, led at that time by Genaro Garcia Luna, the security secretary under President Felipe Calderon and now convicted in the United States for collaborating with organized crime, ruled out any connection.

Genaro Garcia Luna, in Mexico City, in June 2011. Alexandre Meneghini (AP)

The second major attempt occurred on May 1, 2015, during Enrique Pena Nietos presidency, in what was then considered the largest federal deployment against the CJNG. Federal security forces from the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), the Navy, the Federal Police, the Attorney Generals Office (PGR), and the then-Center for National Security and Investigation (Cisen) carried out Operation Jalisco. But the criminal groups response was immediate. Roadblocks, burning vehicles, and armed attacks in various parts of western Mexico captured national and international attention. The episode of violence culminated in the downing of a military helicopter with a rocket launcher, an unprecedented event that resulted in the deaths of soldiers, demonstrating the cartels paramilitary capabilities. There was a violent reaction from the criminal group to prevent the authorities from acting, said Monte Alejandro Rubido, the National Security Commissioner, after the failed operation. El Mencho managed to escape.

That episode was a turning point. Oseguera Cervantes became an almost legendary figure within the security institutions. According to leaks from federal authorities, the difficulty in capturing him had much to do with his discipline: he eliminated electronic communications, minimized his movements, and operated through a territorial protection network that included hard-to-reach rural areas in Jalisco, Michoacan, and Colima.

Blockades in Zacatecas this Sunday following the death of 'El Mencho'. Cuartoscuro

During Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors six-year term in office, the security strategy prioritized containing violence over capturing leaders, but El Mencho remained on the list of high-value targets. During those years, the United States increased pressure with federal indictments and a multimillion-dollar reward that reached up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest. Even so, the CJNGs combination of low profile and firepower kept the leader beyond the reach of the state.

For years, the authorities themselves acknowledgedalbeit indirectlythe complexity of capturing Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. After the failed 2015 operation, the then-Secretary of National Defense, Salvador Cienfuegos, warned that the Army could not act irresponsibly [...] putting the population at risk, a reference to the violence that his arrest could unleash. Within the Security Cabinet, the message pointed in the same direction: the Secretary of Security, Alfonso Durazo, advocated avoiding spectacles and prioritizing the reduction of violence.

The news of the killing of Nemesio Oseguera was presented this Monday in Mexico City. Jose Mendez (EFE)

Another incident that highlighted El Menchos operational capabilities was the 2020 attack on Omar Garcia Harfuch, then in charge of security in Mexico City, an attack attributed to the CJNG. The current Secretary of Security under President Claudia Sheinbaum described it as the most violent group in the country, a statement that offered a glimpse into what confronting the criminal organization and capturing its leader would entail. Until now. The search has ended.

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H-E-B was ranked No. 3 among the nation's favorite grocery store chains. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman

New data from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index reveals Americans' favorite grocery stores, and one beloved Texas brand is near the top.

Around 31,000 people were surveyed about 19 major grocery brands, and each was rated with a score out of 100. The stores were rated based on categories like quality and freshness of meat and produce, cleanliness, store layout and speed of the checkout process.

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The survey covered a wide array of national grocers, but H-E-B still took one of the top spots in the rankings despite only operating stores in Texas and Mexico.

Trader Joe's was the overall favorite, with southern upscale grocery chain Publix coming in a close second. H-E-B was ranked No. 3, with a rating of 83 out of 100.

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The survey found customers in the Northeast were less satisfied with their grocery options than respondents in other regions.

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In addition to the grocery rankings, the index's convenience store rankings showed Buc-ee's coming in at No. 5 out of 24 major brands, as well.

Best and worst grocery stores, ranked

See how these grocery stores ranked, and their corresponding scores out of 100.

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A former Pflugerville massage therapist accused of sexual assault has had his license suspended after he violated a condition of his bail, state officials said. AMERICAN-STATESMAN file

A Pflugerville massage therapist charged this year with sexual assault continued practicing despite a bail condition that he stop, according to a state agency.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued an emergency order suspending the massage therapist license of Holt Marshall Field of Pflugerville, the agency said in a news release Monday. "Based on the pending charge and the need to protect public health and safety, the department took emergency action to suspend his license," the release said.

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Police have said Field sexually assaulted a client during a massage session in October. After he was arrested in January, Field was released on $40,000 bond on the condition that he stop providing massages at Pflugerville Massage and Skin Care and stay 200 yards away from the business, the release said. Field and his wife own the business, police have said.

"TDLR received information that Field continued to offer massage therapy services following his arrest," according to the release.
A "Welcome to Texas" sign stands on the side of the road, May 9, 2017 near Dalhart. A new analysis shows two Central Texas cities attracted some of the highest rates of new residents in 2025. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Can you guess which Lone Star cities are seeing the biggest influxes of new residents?

Its no secret Texas towns continue to attract movers, both from within and outside the state. But a new report by migration data company moveBuddha may surprise you. Numbers from 2025 indicate that Americas it cities may need to give up their crowns.

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For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, no state had double the number of in-moves as out-moves. In fact, fewer Americans moved in general last year. Rather than popular destinations, those who did move chose a wider variety of areas.

Which Texas cities are attracting the interest of movers, and how do they fit into national trends? Here's what moveBuddha found.

2 Central Texas cities among new 'micro-destinations' in 2025

In moveBuddhas analysis, there was a 10% popularity increase for micro-destinations  small cities and towns that are desirable to many movers despite being in an average-ranked state. Georgetown and Austin landed among the top 16 in 2025, increasing by 36% and 14% respectively.

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Despite Florida having a lower in-to-out ratio than Texas, individual cities in the Sunshine State dominated the list. Here are the top 21 micro-destinations, per last years migration data:

Rank City In-to-out ratio, 2025 Ratio change, 2024-2025 1 Ocala, Fla. 3.09 74.2% 2 Port St. Lucie, Fla. 1.67 72.4% 3 Palm Coast, Fla. 2.14 71.2% 4 Roseville, Calif. 1.38 56.0% 5 Cumming, Ga. 1.53 42.5% 6 Cape Coral, Fla. 1.30 42.4% 7 Kissimmee, Fla. 1.76 38.9% 8 Georgetown 1.66 36.0% 9 Delray Beach, Fla. 1.19 30.8% 10 Boca Raton, Fla. 1.16 27.5% 11 Springfield, Mo. 1.29 22.5% 12 Jacksonville, Fla. 1.35 22.2% 13 Alpharetta, Ga. 1.28 21.4% 14 Salem, Ore. 1.26 18.8% 15 Cambridge, Mass. 1.05 18.4% 16 Austin 1.16 14.0% 17 Fort Collins, Colo. 1.49 14.0% 18 Queen Creek, Ariz. 1.211 12.2% 19 Beaverton, Ore. 1.108 11.5% 20 Bellevue, Wash. 1.054 10.2% 21 Oklahoma City 1.007 10.1%

Georgetown among most desirable, rising cities in 2025

A new plaza in Georgetown by the library has a covered stage, shaded pavilion with fans and event lawn for people to gather. The space opened in December of 2025. Claire Osborn/American-Statesman

Moving across states can require enormous effort, resources and planning, which is unavailable to some. For this reason moveBuddha also gathered data on search trends to reveal the most desired destinations, using data from its own moving cost estimator tool.

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The tool determined Georgetown ranked No. 14, with 166 searches for moving into the Texas city for every 100 searches for moving out of it. The Central Texas city also ranked No. 10 among the top-rising cities. Its in-to-out ratios jumped 36% from 2024 to 2025, launching its rank 37 positions. Georgetown  along with Roseville, Calif., Cumming, Ga. and Kissimmee, Fla.  proved desirable for proximity to booming cities within urban price tags.

[These cities] give movers access to airports and hybrid work arrangements even as they allow breathing room from the hustle and bustle of Americas economic centers, moveBuddhas analysis explained. And thats been a winning formula for retirees  but also many families.

Shift in moving preferences by state, 2020-2025

MAP: State move-in ratios, 2020-2025

While Texas has seen a slight dip in its move-in-to-out ratio since a spike in 2021, it has consistently welcomed more residents than its lost each year. The Lone Star States ratios over the last six years are as follows:

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2020: 1.6

2021: 1.68

2022: 1.3

2023: 1.14

2024: 1.19

2025: 1.18

10 states with highest ratio of moves in-to-out, 2025

South Carolina led moveBuddha's rankings for the third consecutive year.

South Carolina: 199 in to 100 out Idaho: 169 in to 100 out North Carolina: 166 in to 100 out Alaska: 162 in to 100 out Maine: 157 in to 100 out Tennessee: 149 in to 100 out Delaware: 138 in to 100 out South Dakota: 136 in to 100 out Arkansas: 135 in to 100 out Alabama: 133 in to 100 out

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Last year, Alaska saw the largest ratio increase among states. It jumped from its No. 13 ranking with a 1.30 ratio in 2024 to No. 4 with a 1.62 ratio in 2025. According to moveBuddha, this is consistent with trends like widespread remote work opportunities and a growing emphasis on lifestyle over big-city career ladders.

States with lowest ratio of moves in-to-out, 2025

California once again had the lowest ratio among states, despite improving slightly from its ratio of 0.48 in 2024.

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California: 62 in to 100 out New Jersey: 64 in to 100 out Connecticut: 67 in to 100 out New York: 71 in to 100 out Maryland: 74 in to 100 out District of Columbia: 74 in to 100 out Nebraska: 75 in to 100 out Rhode Island: 79 in to 100 out Massachusetts: 80 in to 100 out Virginia: 82 in to 100 out
Julianna Duennes Russ is a breaking and trending news reporter at the Austin American-Statesman. She covered business as a Dow Jones intern for the San Antonio Express-News and has bylines with the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She holds Bachelors degrees in journalism, international affairs and comparative literature from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a certificate in sports media. When shes not writing, you can find Julianna strolling Zilker Park or cuddling with her orange cat, Colby. Reach out to her at julianna.russ@statesman.com with news or notes.
Austin police cruiser Austin American-Statesman

A man accused in a deadly shooting outside a North Austin convenience store last year has been arrested in California and extradited to Travis County, police said.

Caleb Jenkins was taken into custody Jan. 26 in Sacramento and charged with murder in connection with the killing of Quinton Arnold, according to the Austin Police Department. Authorities said Jenkins was extradited to the Travis County Jail on Feb. 18. According to jail records, Jenkins is charged with first-degree murder, assault causing bodily injury to a family member and an out-of-county felony hold.

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The case began early Oct. 12, 2025, when officers responded to reports of gunfire near the 1800 block of Rutland Drive. Police said they arrived around 3 a.m. and found Arnold, 37, shot in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven at 1822 Rutland Drive. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Investigators previously said witnesses reported Arnold was standing outside the store near his vehicle when a car pulled up. Someone inside the vehicle opened fire before driving away.
University of Texas President Jim Davis throws the horns while walking off stage at his investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis announces a partnership between the University of Texas Police Department and the Austin Police Department to establish a West Campus patrol district at a news conference at UT in Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas President Jim Davis greets Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, before a meeting of the Select Committee on Civil Discourse and Freedom of Speech in Higher Education at the Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Jim Davis is applauded while being inducted as President of the University of Texas during an investiture ceremony at Hogg Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Conservative political donor Harlan Crow, left to right, University of Texas Interim President Jim Davis, UT System Chairman Kevin Eltife, Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Dean of the School of Civic Leadership Justin Dyer and UT alum Bob Rowling gather for a group photo at the announcement of a $100 million investment in the University of Texas School of Civic Leadership at the UT Main Building Thursday May 8, 2025. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

One year ago, the University of Texas System Board of Regents unanimously appointed then chief operations officer Jim Davis as UTs interim president. The former administrator has overseen significant changes to the Forty Acres in his first year on the job.

Davis is the first UT president in more than 100 years not to come from an academic background. His experience includes time as a UT student and graduate, Navy cryptologist, deputy attorney general and senior administrator overseeing legal affairs and operations at UT.

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There was no national search or committee involved in his selection last February. UT System Chair Kevin Eltife charged the new president with improving the schools operational efficiency. Eltife said he had full confidence that Daviss passion, knowledge of campus and commitment to the role will lead UT to success.

In the last year, Davis has named new leaders, bolstered campus safety and reassured faculty that UT would support them amid federal cuts to research.

Davis has also declined all interview requests with the Austin American-Statesman about decisions made during his tenure thus far, but told The Alcalade, UTs alumni magazine, in August that I bring a different set of experiences to questions that many universities havent faced in a long time.

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I have a strong sense of how it operates and where its strengths and weaknesses are, he said. This is a place that I truly love, and my commitment to it being special and great is unlimited.

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Here are five major changes hes overseen at UT since his appointment last February:

Balance to the core curriculum

Shortly after becoming interim president, Davis ended the Skills & Experience Flags Program, a series of UT-specific requirements that every Longhorn had to take to graduate. The program required students to take courses in quantitative reasoning, cultural diversity and global cultures. Former President Jay Hartzell charged a committee with reviewing the program after conservative lawmakers targeted core courses focused on race and gender.

Daviss decision to end the program came after the committee said they supported the programs value and suggested tweaks to better align it with graduate requirements.

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To determine future requirements, Davis launched a core curriculum review committee aimed at ensuring graduates leave UT with a broad and ideologically diverse mix of courses. After Charlie Kirks assassination, he suggested to lawmakers that core curriculum can teach students to better disagree and empathize with each other and promised in an October speech to ensure there is balance in those classes.

Has inquiry become indoctrination? Has science surrendered to subjectivity? Have we given in to a culture of asserting my truth, with an intolerance for any other? he said. That is not the Texas way.

In his first State of the University address, he focused heavily on curriculum and his hopes to broaden degree programs. In the speech, he said now is the moment for UT to become a model of public trust.

Consolidating fragmented departments

In an effort to better steward limited university resources and to broaden overly fragmented degree programs, Davis announced several reorganizations across multiple schools and colleges.

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Last week, UT regents approved a new School of Computing that will open in Fall 2026. The school will be housed in the College of Natural Sciences. The university will consolidate UTs School of Information into a department under the new computing school, which will also hold the Department of Computer Science and the Department of Statistics and Data Science. UT officials said this is purely an organizational change that will not impact degree programs.

Earlier this month, Davis announced that the university would combine four ethnic and gender studies programs  African and African Diaspora Studies, Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and American Studies  into a new Department for Social and Cultural Analysis Studies. Departments focused on French, Italian, Germanic Studies and Slavic and Eurasian Studies will become a new European and Eurasian Studies department.

The new European department does not include the Spanish and Portuguese Department. Asian Studies and Middle Eastern Studies departments were also not included in the consolidations.

Critics of the affected programs have argued the consolidated departments should have been folded into larger academic units because of their low enrollment or small faculty size. But similarly sized departments did not face consolidation in the College of Liberal Arts, leading some faculty affected by the move to suggest it was political pressure  not efficiency  that prompted the reorganization.

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Davis did not mention politics in his announcement to the UT community  he said the reorganization came after a university review of programs for size, academic mission and breadth. He declined an interview with the Statesman for more information.

Expanding UTs conservative-championed Civics school

At an announcement Davis hailed as a historic convening of political and university partners, the UT Regents gave $100 million to the School of Civic Leadership last May. Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised the universitys newest school, which was created at the Republican Legislatures urging in 2023 as a way to ideologically balance campus.

With the money, the Civics school is renovating its new home on campus and seeking approval for new degrees in Great Books and Strategy and Statecraft. School officials recently announced a new program in Jewish and Western Civilization with an accompanying scholars program.

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The National Endowment for the Humanities also invested $10 million in the school to hire 16 new faculty and launch the new majors, the dean said in a previous interview.

Some faculty have criticized Davis for overseeing the expansion of this school while consolidating overly fragmented departments in programs that are politically unpopular among Republicans.

A new way to seek faculty advice

The UT System ended faculty senates to comply with Senate Bill 37, a higher education reform law that handed greater power to governor-appointed regents. The system left it up to institution presidents to determine the best way to engage with faculty.

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At the flagship, Davis created a Presidents Faculty Advisory Board with 14 members  a body that is significantly smaller than UTs faculty council, which had more than 70 members. There is no longer a public forum to gather faculty, and Davis did not specify when or how often he will consult his new advisory board.

The 14 faculty serve a two-year term and regularly advise on a broad range of topics, according to Davis, who sent an email to campus announcing the new board. He also launched faculty committees to advise on core curriculum and academic responsibility.

Scrutiny on gender ideology

UT hasnt restricted race and gender like the Texas A&M and Texas Tech university systems where courses advocating for gender ideology and race ideology can no longer be taught without prior approval. The flagship has also dodged some of the scandals other universities have faced when firing professors because of their liberal speech.

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But UT has still seen notable change amid the conservative crusade against liberal indoctrination. Under Davis, UT Health Services stopped offering hormone replacement therapy, a common form of gender affirming care for transgender people.

A UT spokesperson told Texas Scorecard it would investigate courses in gender after the conservative publication reported on the schools LGBTQ course offerings. The UT System regents later announced their own audit into such courses.

Davis promised UT would become a model of public trust and honestly investigate questions of indoctrination versus education. As part of the consolidation of gender and ethnic studies departments, he said the university is reviewing degrees in the affected ethnic and gender studies departments. The future of those programs remain unclear.
A student walks through the University of Texas campus in 2023. A recent announcement to effectively end Mexican American Studies and related fields of study at UT came without meaningful discussion with those most affected, Alicia Perez-Hodge writes. Aaron Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

In South Texas public schools, I learned about Robert E. Lee and George Washington and the histories of the United States and Texas. Yet not a single lesson addressed Mexican American history  our Indigenous and African roots or the men and women who shaped this country. It was as if only Anglos made history.

It was only when I took an ethnic studies course in college that I discovered Mexican Americans have a history  one deeply intertwined with that of other communities. Later, when a career move took me to New England, that education proved invaluable. That knowledge shaped my professional life and prepared me to work with diverse communities.

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I share this experience because the University of Texas now risks denying todays students the same opportunity. UT President Jim Davis recently announced a proposal that will effectively end Mexican American Studies and related fields of study at the university. The proposal consolidates the Department of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies (MALS), the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies, the Department of American Studies, and the Department of Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies into a single department called the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis.

In practical terms, the restructuring will result in funding cuts for staffing and research as well as the elimination of programs, threatening decades of academic achievement that made UT a leading center for the study of Mexican Americans and Latino communities. Davis has framed the restructuring as necessary to maintain public trust and fulfill the universitys mission.

For Latino and African American communities, the consolidation has the opposite effect. It neither builds trust nor fulfills the universitys responsibility to serve a state where communities of color are the majority. Among those most affected are MALS and its affiliates, including the Latino Research Institute (LRI) and the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS).

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CMAS, established more than 50 years ago in response to student and community advocacy, plays a crucial role in advancing research and public understanding of Mexican American and Latino histories, cultures and contributions. MALS, founded 15 years ago, has a national reputation as a high-caliber academic department that brings distinction to the university. These programs are not redundant or fragmented. They are the result of decades of scholarship, community engagement and institutional development.

Equally troubling is the lack of meaningful consultation with those most affected by this proposal. Davis has disregarded public input from major stakeholder communities. Two months ago, the Latino Coalition for Excellence in Higher Education  a consortium that includes the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Hispanic Advocates and Business Leaders of Austin (HABLA), the Latino Texas Policy Center and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce  formally requested dialogue. The Texas Exes Hispanic Alumni Network also sent a letter in November.

Both groups expressed a willingness to collaborate with university leadership to ensure the continued vitality of Latino Studies. To date, these communications have been ignored, signaling a troubling lack of engagement with communities that have long supported and invested in UT.

This consolidation appears politically motivated, aligning with state and national efforts to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion. Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and President Donald Trump have all advocated eliminating what they label divisive academic programs. These efforts disproportionately target the study of Mexican Americans, Latinos and other minority communities.

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Consolidating or diluting departments centered on communities of color  while leaving other academic fields intact  sends a message about whose histories are valued. More than 11 million Texans identify as Latino, representing about 40% of the states population and 53% of students in Texas public schools. To marginalize the academic study of these communities amounts to institutional racism. "Education without representation" is wrong and must be challenged.

Davis announcement raises serious questions about process, transparency and accountability. Who conducted the review cited in his memo? What evidence supports claims of fragmentation and inconsistency? Why have affected faculty, students, alumni and community organizations been excluded from meaningful participation?

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The proposed consolidation threatens not only specific departments, but the universitys commitment to academic excellence and public service. Community organizations, alumni and advocates urge university leadership to halt the consolidation, engage with stakeholders and uphold the integrity of programs that reflect and serve the people of Texas. Only through open dialogue and accountability can the university maintain public trust and fulfill its mission to all Texans.
South and Central Texas temperatures Tuesday afternoon will be about five to 10 degrees above average. Pivotal

The beautiful weather across Texas this week comes to us courtesy of a ridge of high atmospheric pressure settling over the region.

While we enjoy the sunshine and calm weather, were keeping our friends and family in the northeastern United States in mind as they deal with a powerful noreaster. The storm, which is triggering blizzard and winter storm warnings and snowfall totals of up to two feet along the coast.

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In Texas, our main concern will be an elevated wildfire risk across much of the state by midweek.

Tuesday Forecast

The chilly air from the weekend will stick around for one more morning. While were not expecting a widespread freeze like the one Monday morning in the Hill Country, a few low-lying valleys could still fall to near or below freezing  similar to what had happened at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which dropped to 28 degrees Monday morning.

Austin temperatures in the afternoon will be at least 10 degrees above normal over the next several days, even after the passage of a cold front late in the work week. National Weather Service

The afternoon will be sunny, warm, and breezy, with south to southwest winds blowing between 8 and 15 mph and gusts near 25 mph. Temperatures will climb into the lower to mid-70s, which is about 5 degrees above our late-February average high temp of 68 degrees.

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Moisture will begin to increase throughout the day, as indicated by dew point temperatures steadily rising. But the increase wont be quite fast enough, which means an elevated wildfire threat will remain across the region.

By late morning, the winds will be more aggressive, especially over the higher inland terrain, meteorologists at the National Weather Service wrote in their daily forecast discussion. We are currently expecting the minimum relative humidity values to bounce back into the 30s, but confidence is below normal that the dew points and relative humidity can get established enough to thwart at least a minor fire weather concern.

Breezy winds, low humidity, warm temperatures and lots of sunshine will increase the threat of wildfires on Tuesday across parts of Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service

The Texas A&M Forest Service is more concerned about the wildfire threat surrounding the Central Texas area. The elevated risk stretches from West Texas into North Texas, then extends east and south toward Houston.

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What is the Wednesday forecast?

Southerly air flow off the Gulf Coast will continue Wednesday, which will keep temperatures slightly milder with daybreak temperatures in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

The ridge of high pressure will shift east, and an atmospheric disturbance will move out of the Rocky Mountains, dropping into North Texas. This change in weather features will set up a southwesterly flow across Central Texas, pushing a dry line (between dry and humid air masses) into the region. This will not only elevate fire weather concerns Wednesday, but it will also support a sharp surge in temperatures in Austin. Afternoon highs are expected to climb into the upper 80s, which would be about 10 to 15 degrees warmer than normal.

A dry cold front will move across Texas on Thursday, reinforcing the dry air and breezy north winds in place this week. Weather Prediction Center

Whats the forecast for the rest of the week?

A cold front will move through around midday Thursday, bringing breezy north winds and a slight dip in temperatures on Friday. However, the air behind the front isnt especially cold, as the core of the coldest air will remain well to the northeast.

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Wispy cirrus clouds over the Texas Capitol in Austin are spotted on Jan. 9, 2023, the day before the start of the 88th Texas Legislature that year. Jay Janner

Severe weather season in Texas is just a few weeks away. It's a time of year when weather can turn dangerous fairly quickly, but you dont have to be a professional meteorologist to better understand whats happening in the sky. Simply by observing the clouds each day you can earn scientific knowledge from your own backyard.

Starting a cloud diary or journal is easy and could be a fun project for yourself or your family. Keeping track of cloud types and patterns not only builds a stronger understanding of basic weather concepts but also reveals the direct connection between cloud formations and the changing weather around you.

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VISUAL GUIDE TO CLOUDS: Clouds can tell you more about Texas weather than you think.

Keeping a cloud diary that includes cloud types, wind patterns, temperature changes, and precipitation levels can help you learn how to interpret observations and predict weather events. Plus, it's a great way to impress your friends by forecasting the weather just by looking up.

Scattered cumulus clouds fill the sky over Lake Bastrop last year on Sept. 12, 2025, in Bastrop County. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

How to begin

St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock appears under thunderstorm clouds blanketing the area in this file photo taken in February 2018. Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman

To begin your cloud diary, observe the weather each day and document the following elements:

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Location and time : Record the date, time, and location of your observation.

: Record the date, time, and location of your observation. Temperature and wind observations : Use your smart phones weather app and the nearest airport reporting station to note the temperature, wind direction, and wind speed at the time of observation.

: Use your smart phones weather app and the nearest airport reporting station to note the temperature, wind direction, and wind speed at the time of observation. Weather conditions and cloud types : Describe whether it is breezy, sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, or foggy, and identify the types of clouds you see.

: Describe whether it is breezy, sunny, cloudy, stormy, rainy, or foggy, and identify the types of clouds you see. Visual reference: Either sketch the clouds or take a photograph. You may notice unique cloud formations that tell an even bigger weather story.

This is an excellent introduction to understanding daily weather observations and how they connect to forecasting.

Dark clouds roll into Austin last year on May 28, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

For instance, if you observe a sequence in which sunny, dry conditions one day are followed by the appearance of high, thin, wispy clouds, along with a shift to southerly winds and rising temperatures and humidity, it hints at a changing weather pattern.

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If, in the following days, increasing moisture and a sticky feel to the atmosphere are accompanied by fog or overcast skies, this can signal the approach of a cold front with a cooler air mass behind it. Such observations suggest that rain or thunderstorms could develop, followed by a northerly wind shift that brings falling temperatures and clearer skies.

Types of clouds

Cirrus clouds: The word cirrus comes from the Latin word cirro, which means curl of hair or fringe. Cirrus clouds are found high in the atmosphere where most jet planes fly, between 20,000 and 40,000 feet. Temperatures are well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, so these clouds are formed with ice crystals instead of water droplets. They are white and look wispy.

Cumulus clouds: The Latin word cumulus refers to a heap, pile or mound. These clouds are found through all layers of the atmosphere and look like fluffy cotton balls with flat bases. They develop when the moisture, in the form of water droplets, found in rising warm air begins to condense.

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Stratus clouds: Stratus comes from the Latin word for layer or spread over. Stratus clouds form when a large, moist air mass gradually cools as it rises. This cooling causes the water vapor in the air to condense, resulting in a thick, gray layer of clouds that covers the sky, resembling a blanket.

Become a weather spotter

Once you have mastered keeping a cloud diary and documenting weather patterns, you might consider using your skills by joining the National Weather Services SKYWARN program, which is a volunteer initiative with more than 350,000 trained weather spotters. According to the National Weather Service, these volunteers play a role in community safety by providing timely and accurate severe weather reports for them.

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Wall clouds are found underneath the base of a thunderstorm and their presence indicates that the upward motion of air is strong and beginning to rotate. National Weather Service

Local weather offices offer SKYWARN classes year-round. In these classes, youll learn about the basics of thunderstorm development, the fundamentals of storm structure, identifying features of potential severe weather, severe weather safety, what weather information to report, and how to accurately report this information.
Mexico is holding its breath after the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias El Mencho, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). With the chaos and destruction unleashed by the cartels leaders across a significant portion of the country now under control, the Secretary of National Defense, Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, revealed that during the hours of roadblocks being set up and businesses burned, lieutenants of the criminal organization were offering 20,000 pesos (approximately $1,150) for each soldier killed. He stated, almost in tears, that at least 25 members of the security forces were killed in the day following what was the biggest blow  and the culmination  of the security strategy implemented by the government of Claudia Sheinbaum and her Secretary of Security, Omar Garcia Harfuch. It was an incentive that fits with the criminal profile of this cartel, which has never hesitated to use all its force against politicians and law enforcement officers who were not under its control, and which has spread terror with over a decade of murders, massacres of dozens of officers, the deaths of politicians in the style of Carlos Manzo and Aristoteles Sandoval, and even a revenge attack against a YouTuber known as El Pirata de Culiacan.

Undoubtedly, the most-remembered attack is the attempted assassination of Garcia Harfuch when he was head of the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection in Mexico City in June 2020. An ambush by 28 hitmen in an upscale area of the capital, using hundreds of .50 caliber bullets combined with grenades, failed to kill Harfuch, although two of his bodyguards and a woman who happened to be passing by were not so lucky. But less is said about the other cases in which the CJNG achieved its objective, leading the DEA to define it as one of the most ruthless criminal organizations in the world.

In March 2013, a couple of years after its emergence on the national stage, hitmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel killed its first high-ranking politician, Jose de Jesus Gallegos, who had only been serving as Secretary of Tourism for the State of Jalisco for a few days under the administration of PRI member Aristoteles Sandoval. Sandoval himself was assassinated in December 2020, while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

A body lies on a road in Tapalpa, Jalisco, on February 23. Marco Ugarte (AP)

Amid all this, a trail of bodies of murdered politicians and law enforcement officers. Some examples: In 2014, Manuel Gomez Torres, a member of the National Action Party (PAN) and mayor of Ayutla; Congressman Gabriel Gomez Michel and his assistant, Heriberto Nunez Ramos. In 2015: An ambush by cartel members on a group of security personnel in April, following the death of a capo, left 15 officers dead; in an attempt to capture El Mencho in May 2015, his bodyguards shot down a military helicopter with a rocket launcher, killing a dozen uniformed personnel. 2019: Another ambush, this time in Michoacan, left 13 more police officers dead. 2020: the same CJNG hitman first murdered Francis Anel Bueno Sanchez, a congresswoman from Colima, and then a judge from the same state, Uriel Villegas Ortiz, along with his wife Veronica Barajas Guerra.

The cartels last major political assassination was in November 2025, when, during the Day of the Dead celebrations three hitmen, one of them a teenager, shot and killed the mayor of Uruapan, Carlos Manzo, in Michoacan. Manzo was trying to reclaim his territory from the control of organized crime.

The cartels vengeful side was also on display in 2025. Last May, Ivan Morales Corrales was murdered in an ambush in Temixco, Morelos. The police officer was a survivor of the 2015 helicopter attack during the attempt to capture El Mencho. Another victim of retaliation was Juan Luis Lagunas Rosales, a YouTuber nicknamed El Pirata de Culiacan, who was murdered in 2017 at the age of 17 in a bar in Guadalajara, Jalisco. His crime? The assassination, involving 15 gunshots, occurred just days after he posted a video, visibly intoxicated, in which he shouted, El Mencho can suck my dick.

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The battlefield has become a transparent zone, populated by sensors and modern devices, where everything is visible and the intensive use of drones increases casualties

The initial stages of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 were marked by long columns of Russian tanks and armored vehicles that aimed to seize the country in a matter of days. The front line is now stalled, but the conflict has progressed rapidly in the last four years: toward the robotic warfare looming in 2026. The battlefield is riddled with sensors that render it transparent, maximizing the vulnerability of soldiers, and drones have become an omnipresent lethal weapon on land, sea, and, above all, in the air. In this modern form of warfare where armies compete for technological supremacy, the infantry soldier bears the brunt of the consequences.

Some of the key milestones of the conflict in Ukraine are linked to the weaponry that defined the battlefields. The Russian invasion was characterized by tanks, self-propelled artillery, and combat vehicles, reminiscent of 20th-century conflicts. Kyivs troops halted them with the help of Javelin man-portable anti-tank missiles, which became iconic. The Himars missile launchers subsequently boosted national morale and fueled the successful counter-offensive of summer 2022, which allowed Ukraine to recapture Kherson and other territories, also using armored vehicles and tanks.

Destroyed Russian tanks in the Sumy region on March 7, 2022. Reuters

The war of mobility gave way to positional warfare that autumn. And in the long and bloody Battle of Bakhmut, in early 2023, Mavic drones became the Ukrainians main reconnaissance tool. Then they also started to be used to drop grenades into the trenches. That was something new, explains Vladyslav Urubkov, head of the military department at the army aid organization Come Back Alive (CBA).

During the nine months of the offensive against Donetsk, the use of FPV (First Person View) drones spread, and the Russians began using KAB glide bombs, he continues. Urubkov served in the army in Donbas until the summer of that year and now travels back and forth to the front.

Following the failed counteroffensive of 2023 and the four-month blockade of U.S. military aid, Ukraine began ramping up production of FPV drones. Urubkov continues his review of the wars milestones at his organizations headquarters, guarded by armed soldiers. We had personnel problems, and in 2024 we failed to halt the Russian advance from Avdiivka to Pokrovsk. Drones began to be deployed more rapidly, and Russia followed suit. Both sides had electromagnetic warfare equipment, but the Russians was superior.

The Ukrainian offensive in Russias Kursk region in the summer of 2024 brought another technological innovation: Russias first fiber-optic drones, guided by cables and immune to electromagnetic warfare. For now, the only protection against them is to install nets and shoot [at] them directly, says Urubkov. To secure logistics, kilometers-long nets cover roads near the front, preventing drones from crashing into vehicles.

Ukrainian soldiers cover roads with nets to protect them from fiber optic drones in Druzhkivka, Donetsk, last Thursday. TOMMASO FUMAGALLI (EFE)

War has become a high-tech struggle. Drones have long dominated the battlefield. The race is now for numbers: Whoever has the most will have the advantage on the front lines, summarized one of the founders of DeepState, an organization that maps warfare from its inception, a few days ago at a meeting at the Kyiv Security Forum  held in a hotel parking lot to protect against bombing.

According to the head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, both sides use between 6,000 and 8,000 FPV drones daily. Drone operators are a priority target. Moscow has a feared elite unit in Ukraine, Rubicon.

In the air, at long range, Russia has a clear superiority with ballistic and cruise missiles, KAB bombs with ever-increasing range, Lancet kamikaze drones, and Shahed drones. They use them not only on the front lines, against logistical support, but also to destroy energy, military, and increasingly civilian infrastructure throughout the country. Early Sunday morning, Russia launched 50 missiles and nearly 300 attack drones of various types against the entire country.

Artillery remains essential, and tanks and other armored vehicles havent disappeared  the challenge now is adapting and protecting them from drones  but light vehicles like buggies and motorcycles are being used more and more. The Russians no longer attempt to break through the front lines, but instead employ infiltration tactics with small groups of soldiers.

And then there are the ground robots. Ukraine is ahead in development and application in this area, explain Roman Pohorilyi and Ruslan Mykula of DeepState. They are key for logistics and for the evacuation of soldiers. According to the Ministry of Defense, ground drones carried out 7,000 missions in January alone.

A ground drone exhibition last Friday in Ukraine, at an undisclosed location. Valentyn Ogirenko (REUTERS)

In the lethal zone of the battlefield, soldiers previously feared artillery fire and mines above all else. They had to be vigilant against Mavic drones, which had a range of about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), but were practically useless on rainy or foggy days.

That space, however, has now become an increasingly vast gray area, as the range of ubiquitous drones grows, exceeding 40 kilometers (25 miles) with fiber optics. There is no longer a clear dividing line between sides. Now they mingle in the air, on the ground, and underground.

Soldiers condemned to the trenches

Optical, thermal, radio frequency, acoustic, seismic, and GPS sensors, along with the signals emitted by cell phones. All these devices populate this modern battlefield and make it transparent. Everything is seen, everything is known in real time. And the kill chain, the sequence from the detection of a target to its destruction, is getting faster and faster.

STING FPV interceptor drones at a Ukrainian drone manufacturers' exhibition. Valentyn Ogirenko (REUTERS)

The one who bears the brunt of this frenetic and lethal technological development is the infantry soldier. The Ukrainian army attributes between 70% and 80% of its frontline casualties to drones. Andrii Yvanuk, codename Rezhyser (director), has served in the bloodiest parts of the conflict, such as Pokrovsk, in the 414th Independent Brigade of Unmanned Aerial Systems Attack, an innovative mobile reconnaissance unit. He has seen how the lives of these soldiers have worsened with each technological advance. The main problems are logistics and rotation. Getting supplies (ammunition, water, food) to the position is like Russian roulette: you dont know if youll reach it. And its safer to stay put than to rotate, he explains.

The main rule is to sit and hide, Yvanuk continues. Before, there could be up to 10 soldiers in the same position, and they would be relieved every two or three days. Now, in some of the most difficult sectors of the front, there might be one or two at most, and they can spend weeks, even months, without leaving their trenches and underground bunkers. Psychologically, these are unbearable conditions.

If they stick their heads out, theyll get blown off, says Yvanuk, an intelligence drone operator. In the cold, soldiers can be easily identified with thermal cameras. Cooking and trying to keep warm is very dangerous. Even sitting on the ground, they can be identified because they heat the floor, he explains. They can go days without being able to venture outside to do basic things: Sometimes bottles of urine and bags of feces pile up.

Ukrainian soldiers operate fiber optic-guided FPV drones to deliver supplies in the gray zone in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk, on Tuesday. UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES (via REUTERS)

The infantrys primary role is to hear and see the enemy, gather intelligence, and share it with drone and artillery units, which are the ones that carry out the attacks. But amid this ecosystem of chips, satellites, and cables, these soldiers remain essential: Where we have infantry, its our territory, Yvanuk states.

The year 2026 is the year of Warfare 5.0, as Yuri  who prefers not to give his last name  says. He leads a team at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense dedicated to analyzing defense and security trends. We are in a stage with more unmanned systems that is heading toward a phase with autonomous systems in different domains, he states.

In a Kyiv cafe, the analyst offers a glimpse into the future of robotics, showing examples on his cell phone. One video shows a drone using machine learning and artificial intelligence systems that can resume its capture if the operator loses control due to electromagnetic warfare. Another video depicts an operation in which ground robots and drones surrounded an enemy position and captured the soldiers.

The search for solutions never stops, and technological superiority comes and goes: One side develops interceptors. The other transforms drones. We are better at innovating, but in an autocratic regime like Russia it is easier to scale up, Yuri explains.

Theres a certain euphoria in Ukraine today because they say the blocking of Starlink  Elon Musks satellite internet network  for Russian troops is having an effect on the front lines. Some attribute to this the fact that Kyiv has recovered, according to some estimates, about 200 square kilometers (77 square miles) of territory, mainly in Zaporizhzhia. Yuri, though, isnt declaring victory over Starlink: Theyll come up with something else.
A Brazilian courts decision to acquit a 35-year-old man accused of raping a 12-year-old girlarguing that they were two young lovers united by a consensual emotional bondhas sparked intense controversy and reignited the debate about the normalization of child marriage. Even when the law punishes the practice, as it does in Brazil, the difficulty of combating it is evident. The Brazilian Penal Code considers any sexual relationship with a minor under 14 a crime, yet that was insufficient to prevent the judges from invoking jurisprudence to make their case. Last Friday they issued the controversial ruling, with two male judges voting in favor and the only female judge on the panel voting against.

Some 34,000 Brazilian girls under the age of 14, mostly poor and Black, declared themselves as married in the census, even though marriage before the age of 16 is illegal. Another stark statistic that helps illustrate the magnitude of the problem is that 38 babies are born every day to mothers under the age of 14 in this country of 211 million inhabitants.

The case that has now sparked controversy first came to the attention of authorities in 2024 when the 12-year-old girl, who lives in Indianapolis, a small town of 6,000 residents in the state of Minas Gerais, stopped attending school. They soon discovered that, with her mothers consent, she had gone to live with a man almost three times her age. Brazilian law considers that before the age of 14, no one has the capacity to consent to a sexual relationship. Therefore, the child protection agency notified the Public Prosecutors Office, which filed charges against the man and the girls mother.

In the first trial, he was sentenced to nine years in prison for the rape of a vulnerable person, while the victims mother was acquitted. He appealed and has since been exonerated.

And one more fact: the controversial ruling is far from an exception. The UOL website has compiled nine acquittals handed down in 2024 and 2025 in cases against adults accused of raping children under 14, tried in various courts, including the Supreme Court itself. In all nine of these cases, the presiding judge was a man.

Amid this controversy, Luciana Temer, president of the Liberta Institute and one of Brazils most recognized activists in the fight against child abuse, has emphasized that changing the law is not enough. We have to change peoples mindsets because this is a deeply rooted cultural issue, she warned. A few years ago, the wedding of a 65-year-old mayor to a teenager who had turned 16 the day before sparked a powerful wave of outrage.

The most recent case has worked a miracle of sorts amidst Brazils political polarization, with eight months to go before the presidential and parliamentary elections. The ruling has been harshly criticized by both the left and the right. It must be one of the very few issues that have managed to bring together the two lawmakers who embody ideological extremes: the ultraconservative Bolsonaro supporter Nikolas Ferreira, 29, and Erika Hilton, a 33-year-old transgender member of parliament from the Socialism and Liberty Party, the party of the assassinated Marielle Franco.

The National Council of Justice, an official body that oversees the judiciary, has requested explanations from the Minas Gerais court that issued the acquittal. The Ministries of Human Rights and Women condemned the ruling in a joint statement, recalling the 34,000 girls who described to census takers living in conjugal unions.

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Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion at a crossroads. In addition to the military and social toll of the war, the United States is pressuring Kyiv to accept a peace deal that, on Moscows terms, would amount to a surrender. The main stumbling block to the three-way peace talks, scheduled to resume this Thursday, is the cession of the eastern region of Donbas.

Meanwhile, the relentless winter and nearly 50 months of grueling fighting have frozen the positions of both sides on the battlefield. Drones, the undisputed masters of the skies, are dictating the pace of the conflict. Despite the dire predictions for 2022, Ukraine is holding firm against the Russian advance, which has survived sanctions and is leveraging its superior arsenal and troop numbers. This gives the Kremlin a slight advantage, meaning it is gradually occupying a little more Ukrainian territory, although, in reality, after these four years, one could speak of a stalemate or balance, according to Guillermo Pulido, a military analyst for the magazine Ejercitos.

To counter this enemy superiority, Kyiv can rely on its drone production capabilities or artificial intelligence, adds this specialist. However, there is one hurdle that Ukraine will find difficult to overcome on its own, Pulido adds: Russian ballistic missiles. In the first year of his second term in the White House, Donald Trump virtually eliminated U.S. military aid. The most important weaponry for Ukraine, such as Patriot missile systems, comes from the U.S., but the allies must acquire them. Kyiv has found itself without the ammunition to intercept Moscows missiles at critical moments due to these acquisition delays.

Medical sources within the Ukrainian army have told EL PAIS that over 90% of current casualties are caused by drones. This weaponry will continue to play an increasingly prominent role amid a shift of historic proportions in technological warfare, with Ukraine as the battleground, predicts Pulido. The prominence of tanks, fighter jets, and frigates is fading, he adds.

Ukrainian soldiers on the Donbas front, in January 2026. 24TH MECHANIZED BRIGADE PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT (EFE)

The devastating impact of war will leave its mark for years on a country of just over 600,000 square kilometers (233,000 square miles)  of which around 20% is under Russian occupation  and a population of 42 million in 2022. The total cost of reconstruction and recovery over the next decade will reach  according to 2025 figures  almost $588 billion according to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This is equivalent to almost three times Ukraines 2025 GDP, according to figures announced this Monday by the government in Kyiv, along with the EU, the World Bank, and the UN.

Meanwhile, the Russian economy is struggling, but Western sanctions havent crippled Moscows military and economic machine. Pulido predicts that the next step would be to escalate the threat, even resorting to a blockade of Russian ports, thus causing the Kremlin to lose the war and risking a possible escalation by Vladimir Putin. If Russia didnt have nuclear weapons, we would have already bombed them, as we did with Yugoslavia or Libya, the analyst concludes.

Nearly four million Ukrainians are internally displaced within the country; another 6.7 million are abroad, and authorities believe that up to a third may never return. Furthermore, while reliable official figures from Kyiv are unavailable, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed and wounded, and several million remain under Russian occupation.

Anelia Pilkevich, 34, who works for an American technology company, moved from Kyiv to Lviv (near the Polish border) as soon as Russia launched its major invasion on February 24, 2022. A year and a half ago, realizing that the war showed no signs of ending, she decided to settle in Spain. Today, she has largely overcome the grief of emigration and has no plans to return in the short term, although she admits that her first visit home a few weeks ago was not easy.

The demographic deficit will slow the reconstruction of a country whose infrastructure in sectors such as communications, housing, commerce, industry, agriculture, and energy has been severely damaged. The energy sector alone has seen a 21% increase in attacks compared to a year ago. Demining the territory will be another challenge.

A family in Kyiv on February 16. Gleb Garanich (REUTERS)

For all these reasons, Ukraine faces a long and costly postwar period for which it must continue to maintain a well-equipped army. Kyiv, however, is already suffering from a shortage of uniformed personnel due to a protracted conflict and a lack of trust in its rulers among hundreds of thousands of citizens who are fleeing mandatory conscription amid a desertion rate estimated at around 20%. Ukraine will have no choice but to continue resorting to this forced conscription, however unpopular it may be, since the only distant alternative is a salary increase, something that depends solely on aid from abroad, Pulido points out.

Donbas

Russian troops currently control virtually all of Luhansk province and 78% of Donetsk province, the two territories combined making up the Donbas region. Taking the remaining 22% at the current rate could require between one and two years of fighting and the loss of thousands of soldiers. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated in an interview with the BBC on Monday, I dont look at [Donbas] simply as land. I see it as abandonment  weakening our positions, abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there.

Ukraines defense strategy is anchored in this disputed territory, with Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as its strongholds. It is the region of Ukraine where the precursor of the current war began in 2014 and where thousands of soldiers have died in the conflicts bloodiest battles. I am sure that this withdrawal would divide our society, Zelenskiy added. According to a poll conducted this week by the Razumkov Center and the Kyiv Security Forum, 62.7% of Ukrainians oppose ceding the territory in exchange for a peace agreement.

Pilkevich says over the phone that most Ukrainians are willing to do anything to restore peace and stability, but considers it foolish to reach agreements with Moscow because she notes that the Kremlin hasnt honored its past commitments and wont honor them now. The rest of the world  she cites the U.S. and the EU  must wake up and not abandon Ukraine.

Zelenskiy, oblivious to the bureaucratic pace imposed by Brussels, is pushing to accelerate Ukraines integration into the EU. He has already been warned from various quarters that, despite the goodwill of most of the 27 member states, this will take longer than is needed  in principle  to reach an agreement with Moscow. One of the main obstacles remains the high level of corruption, with the most serious case in years occurring in 2025, which led the president to dismiss his chief of staff and friend, Andriy Yermak.

Trumps plans

While Europe  whose future hinges on the peace negotiations  has no say at the negotiating table, Trump is pushing for a deal. The United States is proposing as a solution meeting Putins demands regarding Donbas: that the Ukrainian army withdraw to create a demilitarized zone. Zelenskiy has responded that the fair thing to do in that case would be for the Russians to do the same in an equivalent area. So far, the two sides have made progress on military issues, such as ceasefire mechanisms and monitoring. At the most recent meeting, held in Geneva last week, the U.S. pledged to participate in monitoring compliance.

The territorial issue, the most sensitive from a political standpoint, will ultimately have to be addressed by the leaders. Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, has suggested that the meeting could take place in the coming weeks. Zelenskiys chief of staff, Kirill Budanov, stated on Monday that its difficult to organize it now but expressed confidence that it will happen.

When Trump won the presidential election in November 2024, Ukraine hoped that if anyone could stand up to Putin, it was the Republican. The U.S. president, however, has made it clear that the war in Ukraine is a European matter, while expressing his admiration for Putin.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy on February 14 at the Munich Security Conference. DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)

Trump faces the midterm elections in November and is pushing to resolve the conflict this spring. Zelenskiy is trying not to antagonize him, but so far he is maintaining his core demands. According to reports, there is a division within his team: one faction is worried that the opportunity to reach an agreement will close before summer, while the other is determined not to compromise.

The Ukrainians do not trust Moscow and demand firm security guarantees to deter Russia from attacking again. Zelenskiy is calling for these guarantees to be signed with the United States and the coalition of volunteers  an alliance created at the initiative of France and the United Kingdom  before agreeing to any potential ceasefire. Washington says the agreement comes first, everything else can follow.

Ukraine is trying to protect its dignity as much as possible, at the risk of Trump growing impatient and walking away from the negotiating table. Kyiv has the backing of the EU, its biggest financial supporter. But while Europe has the will  this Tuesday, the presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Council, Antonio Costa, are traveling to Kyiv to accompany Zelenskiy  it lacks the military capabilities of the United States, despite its rearmament plans.

There are also member states, especially Hungary, that act more as allies of Putin than of Ukraine. The ultraconservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has been undermining support for the invaded country since the beginning of the conflict  and whose continued leadership is at stake  now has the support of his Slovakian counterpart, Robert Fico.

Brussels was counting on the symbolic value of formalizing a 20th sanctions package on the anniversary of the invasion, and above all, a vital 90 billion ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine. Budapest and Bratislava accuse Kyiv of blocking the flow of oil through the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons, an infrastructure attacked by Russia in January. The unity and support for Kyiv that the EU wanted to demonstrate has once again been called into question by the blockade.

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Griffin Media modernizes its newsroom operations with Bitcentrals Core News

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Newport Beach, California( )

Bitcentral, the leading provider of professional media solutions for broadcast and digital video, today announced that Griffin Media, an Oklahoma-based multimedia company, has deployed Bitcentrals Core News across its flagship stations, KWTV and KOTV. The rollout represents a major investment in modernizing Griffins news operations and equipping its teams with faster, more flexible, and better connected production workflows.

Core News was built to give newsrooms practical tools that drive real efficiency in daily production, said Sam Kamel, CEO of Bitcentral. Griffin Medias implementation is a powerful example of that impact - stronger collaboration across stations, smoother content movement, and highly efficient production from story creation all the way through to playout. Were excited that Griffin chose Bitcentral for this strategic upgrade, and well be there to support their growth for years to come.

The deployment includes Bitcentrals Precis, Oasis, Create, Fusion Hybrid Storage (FHS), and additional playout and technical automation products for multi-station control room operations. Together, these technologies form a unified system that strengthens how KWTV and KOTV create, manage, and distribute news. The adoption of Core News also extends a growing relationship between the companies, following Griffins 2024 implementation of ViewNexa Channels as a key component of their digital content distribution initiative.

KWTVs Core News-powered newsroom officially launched on November 2, 2025, with KOTV scheduled to follow on November 16, 2025.

Bitcentrals Core News puts Griffin Media in a strong position as we transform our newsroom operations, said Jack Conway, Vice President of Technology at Griffin Media. The system is intuitive for our teams, and we expect it to streamline how content moves between stations and improve how our producers work day-to-day. These upgrades ensure Griffin Media continues delivering the most trusted and best local reporting that our viewers across Oklahoma have counted on for 117 years.

Key benefits Griffin Media is realizing from Core News include:

Better End-to-end production: Integrated editing, asset management, and playout through Precis, Oasis, and Create.

Integrated editing, asset management, and playout through Precis, Oasis, and Create. Real-time collaboration: Oasis sharing and hybrid storage allow KWTV and KOTV to exchange content instantly and operate more cohesively.

Oasis sharing and hybrid storage allow KWTV and KOTV to exchange content instantly and operate more cohesively. Greater operational flexibility: Scalable control room and smarter content storage systems that support future expansion.

Griffin Medias adoption of Core News demonstrates Bitcentrals commitment to delivering modern, adaptable solutions that help newsrooms meet the demands of todays audiences while preparing for tomorrows challenges.
A second B-21 Raider, the nations sixth-generation stealth bomber, joins flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Sept. 11, 2025. (U.S. Air Force)



The Air Force is taking a big step forward with the B-21 Raider as it seeks to hasten delivery of the services next-generation stealth bomber fleet.

Manufacturer Northrop Grumman and the Air Force agreed to boost production capacity of the bomber by 25% using $4.5 billion in already approved funding, according to a service statement Monday.

The Raider represents a generational leap in dual nuclear and conventional stealth aircraft, designed to operate in the most contested environments, according to the Air Force.

It is expected to become the primary penetrating bomber in the U.S. inventory, gradually replacing the B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit.

We are responsibly accelerating delivery of a critical, combat-effective capability, Gen. Dale White, director of critical major weapon systems at the Pentagon, said in the statement.

The B-21, now in flight testing, is set to form the backbone of the Air Forces future bomber fleet alongside upgraded B-52s. The first aircraft are slated to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in 2027.

Airman 1st Class Timothy Cadigan, assigned to the 509th Security Forces Squadron out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., guards a B-2 Spirt stealth bomber in Oscoda, Mich., during a rare aircrew changeover outside the aircrafts home base, Aug. 5, 2025. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)



While the move speeds up delivery of planned aircraft, the Air Force did not announce changes to the programs total planned fleet size.

It previously said it would buy at least 100 B-21s, though some military officials and analysts have advocated for a higher number amid the current geopolitical environment.

The push to accelerate B-21 production comes as military leaders emphasize the need to modernize the aging nuclear triad while preparing for large-scale conflict.

The triad refers to the three delivery systems for U.S. nuclear weapons: land-based missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and strategic bombers. The bomber leg has relied heavily on decades-old aircraft, including the B-52, first fielded during the Cold War.

Military leaders have repeatedly described the B-21 as central to maintaining credible deterrence in the coming decades, particularly as potential adversaries invest in advanced air defenses and long-range weapons.

Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas will be the second and third installations, respectively, to receive the B-21, the service said in 2024. An expected timeline for those deliveries has not been announced.
A new just-promoted Chief Warrant Officer 3 in November 2024. Many senior warrant officers seeking to remain in the service will have to place bids for their retention bonuses in a new auction-style system meant to ensure the service retains the highly trained specialists while reducing costs. (Vanessa Schell/U.S. Army)



Many senior Army warrant officers seeking to remain in the service will have to place bids for their retention bonuses in a new auction-style system meant to ensure the service retains the highly trained specialists while reducing costs.

The Warrant Officer Retention Bonus Auction asks those ranked from promotable Chief Warrant Officer 2 through Chief Warrant Officer 4 to submit a confidential bid indicating the minimum monthly bonus they would accept to remain on active duty for six more years, according to a Feb. 19 Army news release. Service officials instructed those seeking to remain in the service to bid your true value.

The goal is simple, said Lt. Col. Tim Justicz, an Army economist who helped design the program. Reward as many qualified Warrant Officers as possible with the most competitive bonus the budget allows.

In the program, eligible warrant officers must submit their bonus bid  a minimum of $100 per month that increases in $100 intervals  into a market, according to the Army. After all eligible warrant officers submit their bids, service officials will use that data to determine a single, market-clearing bonus rate that would pay a bonus to as many warrant officers as possible under current budget restrictions, according to the service.

Those who submitted bids at that selected bonus rate or lower will receive that market-clearing bonus rate. Those who bid higher than the determined rate will not receive any retention bonus.

Army leadership believes the system rewards transparency and encourages officers to carefully consider the compensation that would make them comfortable with continued service, the news release reads.

The new program impacts more than 40 warrant officer military occupational specialties including Special Forces warrant officers, CID special agents, those in several intelligence specialties, electronic warfare technicians, cyberspace defense technicians and drone operations technicians, according to a Feb. 20 Army military personnel memorandum.

It does not affect warrant officer pilots.

The new program moves away from the long-standing fixed-rate bonuses warrant officers have received for agreeing to remain in active duty. Army officials said it was not yet clear if other warrant officer specialties or ranks would later become part of the new program.

The Army will host two virtual town halls via Microsoft Teams to provide more information on the Warrant Officer Retention Bonus Auction, according to the MILPER. Sessions are planned for noon EST on Thursday and for noon EST on March 12.
Pfc. Michael Dempsey, 21, was slated to stand trial on involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide charges in the crash death of a pedestrian in Ansbach, Germany, on Jan. 12, 2025. Those charges were dropped last week after an Army court agreed to his request for a discharge through a special dispensation. (Facebook)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  A military police officer in the U.S. Army who killed a German pedestrian in a road crash last year in Ansbach has agreed to a deal that will spare him the possibility of a prison sentence.

Pfc. Michael Dempsey, 21, had been scheduled to stand trial in May on charges of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide.

He was arraigned at Katterbach Kaserne on Feb. 17 and pleaded not guilty, Bavarian public broadcaster BR24 reported. The charges were dropped Friday after his request for a discharge through a special dispensation was approved.

At the time of the early-morning crash near Urlas Kaserne on Jan. 12, 2025, Dempsey was 19. He was driving his police vehicle on the B14 highway when he lost control and fatally struck 33-year-old Damaris Wedel as she was walking on a footpath, German police said previously.

Wedel, a married mother of four, was hit from behind with a vehicle traveling at between 45 and 55 mph, authorities said. A GoFundMe campaign started by a family friend raised over $115,000, BR24 reported at the time.

German prosecutors think Dempsey fell asleep at the wheel, they told Stars and Stripes in March. He had started work at 9:30 p.m. the previous day. The case was eventually handed over to the U.S. military for prosecution.

Under the terms of the deal, he will be separated from the Army with an other-than-honorable discharge and reduced in rank to private, Michelle McCaskill, an Office of Special Trial Counsel spokeswoman, said in a statement Friday.

Through his request for a discharge, Pfc. Dempsey took responsibility for his actions, McCaskill said, adding that Wedels family supported the petition.

A resident of Holbrook, N.Y., Dempsey will soon return to the U.S., McCaskill said. She noted that his deal also includes financial penalties.

Stars and Stripes reporters Lydia Gordon and Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from USCG Air Station Kodiak conducts a hoist during a search and rescue exercise in Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 12, 2026. (Cameron Snell/U.S. Coast Guard)



The U.S. Coast Guard said Monday that it continues search and rescue missions and other key functions even as up to 41,000 service members could go unpaid if the congressional budget showdown over Department of Homeland Security funding continues through Friday.

The Coast Guard is focusing on those operations authorized by law that provide for national security or that protect life and property, said Lt. Krystal Wolfe, a spokeswoman for the Coast Guard.

Wolfe said the service would continue to respond to oil spills and hazardous chemical releases, conduct law enforcement and security patrols, and maintain safe and secure waterways.

Coast Guard operations are covered by excepted provisions of the federal budget. Service members must continue to perform their duties, even without pay. Under federal law, they are reimbursed for lost earnings. Unlike other uniformed services, the Coast Guard is not part of the Defense Department and falls under the Department of Homeland Security.

Some Republicans in Washington have called on President Donald Trump to ensure the Coast Guard meets its payroll at the end of the week.

More than 41,000 active-duty and activated Reserve Coast Guard members face the very real possibility of missing their next scheduled payday on Feb. 27 if the Department of Homeland Security does not receive appropriations, U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and 12 other Republican members of Congress wrote in a letter sent during the weekend to Trump.

The Coast Guard said Feb. 18 that service members could apply to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance for an interest-free loan equal to one paycheck, up to $6,000.

Congress returned to Washington on Monday, and both the majority Republicans and the minority Democrats said there has been no agreement on the DHS budget. Prior funding expired Feb. 13.

The DHS budget was removed from a package of budget bills up for vote earlier this month. Democrats had called for the split in legislation following the fatal shooting of two protesters in Minneapolis by immigration agents.

Opponents of DHS funding sought to include guarantees in the legislation to stop ICE agents from operating in certain areas, prohibit the wearing of masks, require officers to wear bodycams and mandate better training on use-of-force rules.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said late last week that Democrats in the House and Senate were on the same page to vote against DHS funding without concessions from congressional Republicans and Trump.

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., was one of eight Democrats to split from the party during efforts to reopen the government during the record 43-day shutdown late last year. Shes backing the party leaders efforts this time by opposing DHS funding.

Its up to Republicans in Congress to decide whether theyll work with us to rein in ICEs out-of-control behavior or continue their DHS shutdown to block any reforms, Rosen said Feb. 19 in a statement.

Though ICE is the main target of Democratic opposition to approving DHS funding, the agency continues to operate using part of the $75 million in additional funding it received last year under the One Big Beautiful Bill legislation supporting a collection of Trumps policy goals.

Left less protected or unfunded are the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Merchant Marine and other agencies that fall under the DHS.

Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, who serves on the House Transportation Subcommittee overseeing the Coast Guard, last week told Fox News that the service was collateral damage in the fight over immigration agencies. Begich supports the DHS budget bill.

Wolfe said the main impact has been the reduced capacity in some cases for training and maintenance.

We will continue to monitor the situation and, if necessary, adjust our operations to ensure national security and to protect life and property, Wolfe said.
An aerial view of Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, New Jersey, in January 2015. (David Micallef/U.S. Coast Guard)



(Tribune News Service)  The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an incident in which a swastika was reportedly drawn on a bathroom wall at the services training center in Cape May, New Jersey.

Following discovery of a hate symbol drawn on a bathroom wall in a building at Training Center Cape May, the Coast Guard immediately referred the matter to the Coast Guard Investigative Service for investigation  consistent with longstanding Coast Guard policy. This hate symbol was immediately removed, a spokesperson for the service branch said in an email Monday.

The Washington Post first reported on Monday that the hate symbol  which the Coast Guard did not specify  was a hand-drawn swastika that was discovered Thursday evening in the mens bathroom.

Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard commandant, was informed about the incident on Saturday, the Post reported.

The Commandant immediately traveled to Training Center Cape May and held a mandatory All Hands with the nearly 900 recruits and staff to address the incident directly, reinforce the Coast Guards strong standards and policies, and reaffirm the Services dedication to accountability through our core values, the Coast Guard spokesperson said.

In a statement, Lunday said: Anyone who adheres to or advances hate or extremist ideology  get out. Leave. You dont belong in the United States Coast Guard and we reject you.

Lunday added: We will not allow anyone to put a stain of hate on our United States Coast Guard. We will not be defined by the cowardly acts, but instead be defined by our unwavering response and our resolve to defeat them.

The spokesperson said that the Coast Guard is committed to maintaining a workplace that is safe, professional, and respectful for every member of our workforce. Any behavior that undermines these standards will be addressed swiftly and seriously.

Late last year, the Post reported that the Coast Guard had planned to downgrade swastikas and nooses in its workplace harassment manual as potentially divisive rather than hate symbols.

In December, Lunday announced that the revisions were completely removed from the policy manual and swastikas and nooses would still be considered overt hate symbols, the Post reported.

2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Leo Gualtieri made custom packaging for the Friday Saturday Sunday Lego set he made for his father Gene for Christmas. (Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)



PHILADELPHIA  To be loved is to be known  or, better yet, to inspire a 3,233-piece custom Lego set.

Gene Gualtieri is devoted to Friday Saturday Sunday . Almost every Friday since 2022, the Filter Square resident has lined up at 4:30 p.m. to score the same seat at the first-floor bar of Chad and Hanna Williams acclaimed Rittenhouse Square restaurant , where he is known to house a full roast chicken  bones and all  and order off-menu sherry martinis from bartender Paul MacDonald. Its a ritual that has inspired a tattoo on Gualtieris bicep: B9, code for bar seat no. 9.

Its my seat, said Gualtieri, 57, an engineer. This feeling of hospitality and being welcomed [at the bar] ... its a social hub for me.

So when Gualtieris 21-year-old son, Leo, needed a Christmas present for his father, everyone from his aunt Claire to his older brother Sam had the same idea. What if, Leo recounts them wondering, there was a way to shrink Friday Saturday Sunday so it fits in your house?

The resulting gift  a 1-foot-tall replica of Friday Saturday Sundays facade and its ground-level Lovers Bar , constructed out of more than 3,200 Legos  doesnt skimp on the details. Leo recreated everything, down to the discolored patches of sidewalk out front.

Friday Saturday Sunday (Leos version) comes with Lego figurines of the Williamses, bartender MacDonald and his father that can be posed to sit in one of the bars 13 tiger-print chairs. Theres a petite version of the Fibonacci carousel MacDonald uses to perfect his mixology, plus miniatures of the bars gargoyle- and raven-shaped pour spouts, mermaid caryatids, and towering citrus bowls. In honor of restaurants Michelin star , Leo even included a tiny and perfectly rotund Michelin Man.

Hanna Williams, co-owner of Friday Saturday Sunday, and Gene Gualtieri, a regular at the restaurant, pose with Lego action figures of themselves created by Gualtieris son Leo. (Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Hanna Williams, co-owner of Friday Saturday Sunday, holds Lego characters of herself and Gene Gualtieri, whose son Leo spent over 100 hours creating a miniature version of the restaurant out of the plastic blocks. (Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)



Leo stored the pieces in a repurposed Seinfeld Lego set box that he wrapped in a rendering of the finished design. When Gualtieri opened it on Christmas morning, he cried. The finished version inspired a similar response from others after Gualtieri and the restaurant posted photos on Instagram at the end of January.

This is so beautiful I wanna cry, commented one person. Top 10 most impressive things I have ever seen, wrote another.

Leos dad concurs. I was pretty blown away, Gualtierri said. At first glance, it looks like a Lego set youd get a store.

A replica built brick by (plastic) brick

Recreating Friday Saturday Sunday was a labor of love for Leo, a self-described former Lego kid currently finishing up his senior year at Emerson College as a comedy major. As a child, Leo was fixated on building an ever-expanding amusement park out of the plastic blocks alongside his dad. It was an obsession that served him well this holiday season.

To reconstruct the restaurant, Leo first had to create a rendering of the bar and its exterior in Brick Link , Minecraft-esque software that lets users build and source their own custom Lego sets. Leo said he spent roughly 100 hours translating all the tiny details into Lego form, working first off images of the facade from Google. When those werent precise enough, he said, Leo begged MacDonald to send him photos of all the minutiae, from the glassware to close-ups of the light fixtures.

A Lego replica of the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday. (Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

The exterior of the custom Lego model of restaurant Friday Saturday Sunday built by Leo Gualtieri. (Tyger Williams, The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)



It was addicting ... I would work on it in class, said Leo while on Zoom with his father, who scoffed at the admission. Time would pass much faster because I was locked in.

Once the rendering was complete, Leo and his mom spent $1,500 on the Lego pieces, sourced from 13 different Lego resellers across Japan, Spain, and the Netherlands. To find a realistic version of Chad Williams beard and apron, Leo had to commission custom blocks from an Etsy selle r .

After Christmas, Leo spent the remainder of his winter break from college building mini Friday Saturday Sunday, developing calluses from clicking the bricks into place. Dad, Leo said, wasnt much help.

He tried to build some chairs, Leo said of his father. I dont think hes cut out for it. (Gualtieri agreed. Leo, he admitted, gets his dexterity from his mother.)

Every time he looks at the replica, Gualtieri said he discovers new details, like how the bottles mimic the exact ones behind MacDonalds bar. Hanna Williams, Friday Saturday Sundays co-owner, felt the same when Gualtieri sent her progress updates on the buildout.

I think [Leo] might know every inch of the bar better than me, she said. Williams especially loves her Lego doppleganger: A high bun, bangs, and tattoos? Thats so me.

Williams is used to her restaurant being the recipient of the highest order of affection. In the decade since she and her husband revamped Friday Saturday Sunday from a classic fine-dining restaurant with excellent mushroom soup into cozy bar for walk-ins with a top-floor tasting menu that melds Caribbean, Asian, and soul food influences, the restaurant has earned a Michelin Star , a James Beard Award , and a spot on the Worlds 50 Best North American restaurants . Just last week, Friday Saturday Sunday won an award for excellence in hospitality from the Tasties, Phillys homegrown culinary honors.

And yet, Williams said, the Lego replica represents an extra-special type of achievement.

Its completely overwhelming, she said. But at the same time, theres nothing that could make you feel better.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that the government will release a trove of classified documents about 23-F to settle a debt with citizens. Questions remain about the role played by former king Juan Carlos I, about the support shown by the army, and the extent of civilian involvement

The story of February 23, 1981 (known in Spain as 23-F) is one of a failure with a happy ending. The system failed to prevent or stop the attempted coup, but the coup plotters did not achieve their objectives, and democracy continued its course. The documentation known to date, including the nearly 13,000 pages of the legal case to which this newspaper gained access on the 40th anniversary of the coup in 2021, provides an insiders look at the protagonists perspectives and, at the same time, exposes things that were overlooked, both before and after. As a result, and despite the vast number of existing books, studies and documentaries about those hours when the country held its breath, reasonable doubts remain 45 years later.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that the government will release a trove of classified documents about 23-F to settle a debt with citizens. The socialist leader posted on X that memory cannot be locked away. Democracies must know their past in order to build a freer future. He also thanked the writer Javier Cercas, author of the award-winning The Anatomy of a Moment, a non-fiction narrative of 23-F, for paving the way by requesting the declassification of this information. The main opposition Popular Party (PP) was quick to describe the announcement as a smokescreen.

Julian Casanova, a renowned professor of contemporary history, cautions against excessive optimism regarding the release: History doesnt exist without documents, but documents are not absolute truth; a critical reading of the context and the source is necessary. Whoever classifies them decides what is kept and what is destroyed. No one should expect that all the documents or conversations generated around 23-F will be declassified, because some probably no longer exist. The CESID [predecessor of the national intelligence agency CNI] was then more focused on persecuting reds than on hunting down coup plotters because it was staffed by former Franco supporters, and that has repercussions. Those who classified or stored those documents were not lifelong democrats.

The following is a reconstruction of what is known and what is not about the role played by former king Juan Carlos I, about the support shown by the army, and the extent of civilian involvement in the attempted coup.

On June 3, 1982, the 23-F sentence was released. The case, which EL PAIS had access to, included nearly 13,000 pages detailing the preparation and execution of the coup. Of the 33 defendants, 22 were convicted. Victor Sainz

Background and preparations

The saber-rattling was palpable and undeniable; the man who stormed into Congress, Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero, at 6:20 p.m. on February 23, 1981, had been released from prison in May 1980 after serving a seven-month sentence for conspiracy to rebel in connection with another coup attempt in 1978, known as Operation Galaxy. In the interrogations, the records of which EL PAIS had access to, he revealed that since his release he had devoted himself to maintaining contact with officers who shared his concern about the situation in Spain, such as Lieutenant-General Milans del Bosch. In other words, he continued to conspire without anyone bothering him.

Tejero spoke with Milans del Bosch, and Milans in turn spoke with General Alfonso Armada. Because of these conversations, Tejero repeatedly insisted during his interrogations, he assumed it was with His Majestys knowledge. Armada had been with King Juan Carlos since 1955, having served as his tutor, and he blamed then-prime minister Adolfo Suarez for his dismissal as the monarchs secretary. The King Emeritus states in his memoirs, published last December, that his father, Juan, dined with General Milans [whom he now describes as a man famous for his bravery] two months before the coup and that Milans told him: Before I retire, Im going to bring the tanks into the streets.

Juan Carlos adds: When my father told me this, I didnt take it seriously, although I should have. The former king asserts in his memoir that it was very painful for him to realize that if Armada insisted so much on being by his side that day, it was for one reason only: To make people believe that I supported the coup. Both Milans and Armada had participated in the Civil War with Franco and in the campaign in Russia with the Blue Division during World War II.

The truth is that the king had met with General Armada, whom the court ruling identifies as the main beneficiary of the 23-F operation, just weeks before the coup. According to the subsequent interrogations of Milans del Bosch, Armada told them that the king was fed up with Suarez and was considering replacing him as prime minister. The king favored a civilian government, while the queen, it seemed, preferred a military one.

According to documents obtained by this newspaper, the coup plotters hesitated between occupying La Moncloa (the prime ministers residence) or the Congress building, and opted for the lower house because it was less complicated. Tejero took countless photographs to study the buildings security measures. He explained that in December 1980 he had bought six 50-seater buses, as well as raincoats from the Rastro flea market, to transport 288 Civil Guards discreetly. He claimed that the purchase, for about three million pesetas, was financed with cash from an inheritance from his wifes deceased aunt, and that just in case it wasnt enough, he had requested four months salary in advance, confident that it would be repaid once the coup succeeded. He assured the lawyer he hired to handle the arrangements, for which he said he had forged his wifes signature, that the buses were for a Basque family who wanted to invest to avoid the revolutionary tax levied by the terrorist group ETA.

No one should expect that all the documents or conversations generated around 23-F will be declassified, because some probably no longer exist Julian Casanova, historian

The historian Nicolas Sesma and the researcher Carlos Fonseca, both of whom have written on the subject, agree that it would be of utmost importance for the declassified documents to include all the documentation produced by the CESID both before and after the coup. If there is no documentation prior to the coup, Fonseca states, it would be extremely serious because it would mean the military intelligence service was unaware of anything. But at least there should be documentation from the period afterward, when they analyzed what went wrong and what accomplices they might have had within their ranks; they took statements from hundreds of witnesses, but the CESID was ultimately ruled out as part of the plot.

Casanova insists that at that time, the intelligence services were neither fully democratic nor did they operate with democratic methods of document classification, so he believes that the material they generated about 23-F sought, above all, to protect the top brass, just as he believes that civilian involvement in the coup probably went far beyond what was stated in the court conviction.

The calls between Congress and the outside world

Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio Tejero stormed the Congress building on February 23, 1981, shortly after 6:00 p.m. and left under arrest at noon on February 24. During that time, telephone conversations took place both inside and outside the building, including with the royal palace of La Zarzuela, but only a few have been made public, all occurring after the state broadcaster TVE released the recorded message from King Juan Carlos condemning the coup, at 1:15 a.m.

Sesma and Fonseca believe that the most interesting aspect of this declassification would be the transcription of communications between Congress and the outside world, and especially with the Royal Palace. In his memoirs, Juan Carlos recounts a conversation between Sabino Fernandez Campo, who had replaced Armada at his side, and Tejero in Congress, in which, according to his account, his secretary asked Tejero to stop speaking in the name of the King and to leave the Chamber. Tejero hung up.

In 1994, Fonseca states, Julio Camunas, who at the time of the coup was the government delegate to Telefonica and had previously been Undersecretary of Public Order, confirmed that Francisco Laina, the Director of State Security, had ordered him to tap some private telephones and those of Congress, but the tapes recording the conversations to and from the lower house were not included in the case file. In his book, the researcher asserts that Lainas second wife told him she had kept some of those recordings, but that she didnt allow him to listen to them to respect her husbands wishes. I find it hard to believe, Sesma agrees, that those conversations werent recorded. Laina was very experienced, and its only logical that he would cover his tracks.

Laina assured this newspaper in 2011 that they consulted three psychologists and finally agreed to cut off Tejeros phone lines, but not completely, so that he would not feel isolated inside Congress, and that he urged the kings secretary to get Juan Carlos to publicly condemn the coup as soon as possible, to which the royal secretary replied that the monarch wanted to speak to all the captains general first. At 1:15 a.m. on February 24, almost seven hours after Tejero stormed into parliament, TVE broadcast the kings message.

Casanova would also like to see documents that clearly demonstrate that as soon as Tejero stormed into Congress, King Juan Carlos said that this could not be allowed in order to clear up doubts about what happened until one in the morning.

The calls between La Zarzuela and military leaders

When Defense Minister Alberto Oliart appeared before Congress in March 1981 to inform lawmakers of the progress of the investigation into the 23-F coup attempt, he asserted, as Fonseca recalls, that 94.4% of the armed forces were loyal to the government. However, King Juan Carlos I himself paints a different picture in his memoirs: I called each of the captains general individually. Of the 11, I estimate that half supported the rebellion, but they didnt dare disobey. According to Laina, the reason for the delay in the kings message condemning the coup was that Juan Carlos I wanted to speak with all the captains general first. Both Sesma and Fonseca doubt that these conversations will be revealed once the 23-F documents are declassified.

The plotters assembled 288 members of the Civil Guard to participate in the coup. Victor Sainz

Coalition government and party intrigues

In the interrogations to which this newspaper had access, Tejero explained that he felt betrayed by General Armada when the latter explained the coalition government he intended to impose after the coup. Among the names mentioned in these statements are those of Enrique Mugica, Jordi Sole Tura and Felipe Gonzalez, who would later go on to become Spains longest-serving democratically elected prime minister under the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), from 1982 to 1996.

The former king asserts in his memoirs that political parties were also scheming in their pursuit of power. There is at least one meeting that might emerge in the declassified documents: the one held in October 1980 between the socialists Enrique Mugica and Joan Reventos and General Armada, which lasted three and a half hours. The investigating judge asked Armada if, during that meeting, he reached any agreement with members of the PSOE with a view to the eventual acceptance by said party or a faction thereof of a political formula such as the one he may have proposed as a consequence of the events of February 23. The general replied that a government was never discussed.

At 10.40a.m. on February 24, Tejero calls a military superior to say that he is ready to turn himself in and that he wants to see Armada. The court documents include the piece of paper listing the conditions for him to walk out of Congress. Victor Sainz

The surrender

At 10:40 a.m. on February 24, Tejero telephoned the second-in-command of the Third Military Region to inform him that he was willing to surrender and that he wanted to see General Armada. The court documents include the piece of paper where his conditions for leaving the Congress building were noted: No officers of rank below lieutenant. No photographers. Any officers who are sanctioned will be sent to military prisons.

The investigation encompassed nearly 200 people, but only one civilian was convicted, and no one from the intelligence services was ever implicated. The courts acquitted Commander Jose Luis Cortina of the CESID even though, according to Tejero, Cortina had summoned him before February 23 to wish him luck and to inform him that the decrees that would come into effect once the coup concluded were already prepared.

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Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review his arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors in Seoul, South Korea, July 9, 2025. (Kim Hong-Ji/AP)



SEOUL, South Korea  South Koreas jailed former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has appealed his life sentence for rebellion over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024, his lawyers said Tuesday.

The conservative leader, who faces multiple trials over his power grab, expressed defiance following his conviction at the Seoul Central District Court last week. He called the decision illogical, said his actions were solely for the sake of the nation and our people, and accused the judge of being biased against him.

In a text message, Yoons lawyers said they aimed to address the supposed errors in fact-finding and misinterpretations of the law contained in last Thursdays ruling. The case will now be sent to a specialized panel at a Seoul High Court established under a law passed in December to handle cases involving rebellion, treason and foreign subversion.

We will never be silent about what we view as an excessive indictment by a special prosecutor, the contradictory judgment rendered by the lower court based on that premise, and its political circumstances, Yoons legal team said.

Yoons martial law decree, announced late at night on Dec. 3, 2024, lasted about six hours until a quorum of lawmakers broke through a blockade of heavily armed soldiers and police at the National Assembly. They then voted to overturn it, forcing his Cabinet to lift the measure.

Yoon was suspended from office on Dec. 14, 2024, after being impeached by the liberal-led legislature and was formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He was re-arrested in July and now faces eight criminal trials over the martial law debacle and other allegations, with the rebellion charge carrying the heaviest punishment.

Though brief, Yoons martial law decree triggered the countrys most severe political crisis in decades, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy and rattling financial markets. The turmoil eased only after his liberal rival Lee Jae Myung won an early presidential election last June.

Yoon has claimed that his martial law decree was a legal and necessary act of governance against liberals controlling the legislature, portraying them as anti-state forces paralyzing state affairs by impeaching high-level officials, cutting his budgets and obstructing his agenda.

But the Seoul Central District Court said Yoons actions amounted to orchestrating a rebellion, ruling that he mobilized troops and police in an unlawful bid to seize the legislature, arrest political opponents and establish unchecked rule for a considerable time.

A special prosecutor who investigated Yoons rebellion charges had sought the death penalty, saying he deserved the harshest punishment under the law given the threat his actions posed to the countrys democracy. Following last weeks ruling, Jang Woo-sung, a member of the special prosecutors investigation team, hinted that they intended to appeal, saying they had unspecified reservations about some of the courts factual findings and the severity of the sentence.

South Korea has not executed a death-row inmate since 1997, in what is widely seen as a de facto moratorium on capital punishment and popular calls for its abolition.

Yoon is the first former South Korean president to receive a life sentence since late military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, who was sentenced to death in 1996 for his 1979 coup, a bloody 1980 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Gwangju that left more than 200 people dead or missing, and corruption. The Supreme Court later reduced Chuns sentence to life imprisonment, and he was released in late 1997 under a special presidential pardon.
Camp Yonaguni on Yonaguni Island, Okinawa, is pictured in this undated photo. (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)



Japan plans to deploy upgraded air defense missiles on its westernmost island  within sight of Taiwan  by 2031, a move that underscores Tokyos growing concern over regional security and tensions with China.

The Type-03 medium-range surface-to-air guided missiles are expected to be stationed at Camp Yonaguni during fiscal 2030, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters Tuesday in Tokyo. Japans fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.

We are currently conducting basic studies on the development of facilities for the deployment of troops on the eastern side of the camp, he said, according to video of a news conference posted to the Ministry of Defense website.

The timeline could change depending on the progress of future facility development, he said.

An Okinawa Defense Bureau spokesman declined to provide details over the phone Tuesday about when they would finish purchasing the land.

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Japan and China over Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said during a November parliamentary session that Tokyo could use military force in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Beijing responded with condemnation and a diplomatic and economic campaign against Japan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in 2024 that Taiwans unification with the mainland is inevitable. In December, Chinese forces rehearsed a blockade of the island, including missile launches, as part of a series of military exercises.

The ministry also informed Yonaguni Town Mayor Tsueno Uechi of the decision, a spokesman for the towns General Affairs Division said by phone Tuesday. He did not say when Uechi was notified.

Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The ministry plans to brief residents at 6:30 p.m. Monday in Yonaguni, according to the towns website.

In 2022, the Defense Ministry announced plans to expand the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force base on Yonaguni to accommodate a missile unit. Yonaguni, about 70 miles east of Taiwan, is Japans westernmost island.

Koizumi reiterated the plan during a November news conference at Camp Yonaguni.

We believe that this deployment will reduce the possibility of armed attacks on Japan, he said, according to a transcript posted on the ministrys website.

The missile unit could include about 100 personnel, according to a document posted Jan. 26 on the Yonaguni town website. As of March, the camp had about 230 personnel.

The unit will not conduct live-fire training on the island, according to a document posted June 5, 2023.

The upgraded Type-03 missiles will include enhancements designed to counter hypersonic glide vehicles  advanced warheads capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds  according to Defense Ministry information posted in December 2022.

In 2023, the Ground Self-Defense Force opened a missile base on Ishigaki Island at the far end of the Nansei chain stretching from Kyushu to Taiwan. That base houses Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles and Type-03 air defense missiles aimed at countering Chinas growing military presence around Taiwan and in the East China Sea.
South Korean soldiers keep watch during a Freedom Shield drill in Dongducheon, South Korea, on March 13, 2025. (Jameson Harris/U.S. Army)



CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  U.S. Forces Korea rejected a South Korean request to reschedule a trilateral aerial exercise with Japan, according to local media reports, amid sensitivities over a Japanese holiday tied to disputed islands claimed by both countries.

Seoul asked that the training be moved because it conflicted with the Lunar New Year period from Feb. 15-18, and fell just ahead of Takeshima Day on Sunday, the Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

South Korea and Japan have a long-running territorial dispute over the remote islets, known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan, about 150 miles east of the Korean Peninsula.

Yonhap, citing an unidentified source, reported the U.S. declined the request. The U.S. proceeded with drills involving Japanese forces on Feb. 16 and 18, and a solo USFK exercise on Feb. 18, the agency said.

The U.S.-Japan training was unrelated to the planned trilateral exercise, Chung Binna, a spokeswoman for South Koreas Ministry of National Defense, said at a Monday press briefing.

Chung expressed deep regret over media reports suggesting discord among the three countries.

The report categorically portrays the usual consultation and coordination process between the allies as a matter of conflict or exclusion, which is an oversimplification of the facts, she said.

U.S. and South Korean forces routinely coordinate on exercise planning, Chung said. The ministry reaffirmed South Koreas firm and stable commitment to the South Korea-U.S. alliance and trilateral security cooperation, she said.

USFK spokesman David Kim declined to comment in an email to Stars and Stripes on Tuesday.

Joint U.S.-South Korea exercises, including field training, will be conducted in a balanced manner throughout the year to maintain readiness and enhance capabilities, the ministry said.

The U.S. and Japan are slated to begin the large-scale annual Freedom Shield exercise next month, without changes or reductions, Chung said.

The training will focus on verifying South Koreas ability to assume wartime operational control of military forces on the peninsula, she said.

USFK and the ministry are still discussing the start date for Freedom Shield, South Korean air force spokesman Lt. Col. Jang Dong-ha said at a Monday briefing. An announcement had been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday but was not released, he said.

We will provide the information in a timely manner after the discussion, he said.
The 325th Maintenance Groups building at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., lies in ruin following Hurricane Michael on Oct. 10, 2018. (Alexander Henninger/U.S. Air Force)



Extreme weather and natural disasters cost the Pentagon at least $15 billion over the past decade, and more planning is needed to mitigate future weather impacts to bases and their military missions, a government watchdog found.

However, that estimate could be low because the Defense Department has not comprehensively tracked data related to those costs, according to the Government Accountability Office, which issued a report Monday on preparing for extreme weather events.

The GAO reviewed 12 bases that have sustained substantial damage since 2015 and visited three of them in person for the 61-page report  conducted at the request of Congress.

Starting in 2024, DOD began taking steps to track data on extreme weather costs and other impacts, but DODs efforts to date have not enabled the department to collect complete and accurate data on installation disaster recovery costs, according to the report.

The GAO made five recommendations: to establish a process to collect complete disaster recovery cost data from military bases; to expand the definition of natural disasters to make sure all types of threats are accounted for; and for the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force to issue guidance to bases to put resiliency and recovery plans into installation master plans. Specifically, the GAO wanted to make sure that earthquakes were included in disaster plan accounting and preparation because it is not included in the Pentagons definition of extreme weather, according to the report.

The Defense Department agreed with each recommendation, according to the report.

Vehicles left behind following the evacuation of Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., are reduced to smashed meta, after Hurricane Michael made landfall on Oct. 10, 2018. (Alexander Henninger/U.S. Air Force)



Among the larger disasters evaluated in the report was Hurricane Michael, which hit Floridas Tyndall Air Force Base in 2018, causing roughly $4.5 billion in damage. It also resulted in 700,000 cubic yards of debris to manage. Among the cost of recovery was transferring the F-22 mission to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, in Virginia.

Recovery work at the base is estimated to continue until 2027, according to the report.

In 2019, an earthquake struck National Air Weapons Station China Lake, in California, causing nearly $4 billion in damage that affected critical labs and weapons magazines. Final recovery work is expected to be completed this year.

The costs associated with recovering from extreme weather were not always damage related. Fort Hood, Texas, was hit in 2021 by Winter Storm Uri, leaving the Army with a $35.9 million heating bill for the storm. Total recovery costs from the ice storm, which left several buildings and barracks with busted water pipes, were $48.3 million.

The GAO also noted that during recovery, the 12 bases reviewed did look for ways to rebuild so that future weather events would be less impactful and made adjustments that were feasible.

Some examples of improvements included stabilizing hillsides after 2023 flooding at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., to prevent erosion from future flood events, adding seismic joints to buildings at China Lake and adding breakaway walls to minimize structure damage in flooding at Tyndall. Air Force officials also redesigned the layout of the base to improve resilience, operational efficiency and quality of life for airmen.

In some instances, base officials told the GAO there were resilience projects they identified that could help the base, but a lack of funding stopped them from moving forward.
An LC-130H Skibird takes off from Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica in December 2022. (Air National Guard)



The Pentagon has secured $194 million to build the first of a fleet of new ski planes that will support troops flying over the Arctic and Antarctic.

Funding approved by Congress last month includes $29 million for engineering work and $165 million to purchase one new LC-130J aircraft, according to a statement posted on the Senate Appropriations Committee website.

Four ski-equipped LC-130H Skibirds and 250 airmen from the New York Air National Guards 109th Airlift Wing have been supporting operations in Antarctica during the Southern Hemispheres summer research season, which kicked off in October and wraps up this month.

The 109th supports science research in Greenland during summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

Some of our planes are over 50 years old, wing commander Col. Steven Slosek told Stars and Stripes by phone Jan. 7.

An airman watches an LC-130H Skibird at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica in December 2025. (Gabriel Enders/Air National Guard)



The Air Force has been replacing its C-130H Hercules tactical airlifters with upgraded C-130J Super Hercules planes in recent years.

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin will deliver a C-130J and then upgrade it to an LC-130J equipped with skis, Slosek said.

The Guard expects the new aircraft will roll off the production line in about three years and require another year to convert.

I think its going to be a big upgrade, Slosek said.

The C-130J needs two fewer crew members than the model it replaced thanks to automated navigation and engineering systems, and its engines provide more power, fuel efficiency and range.

The militarys fleet of C-130Hs is dwindling, which could lead to challenges with the supply chain if the guard doesnt upgrade its planes, Slosek said.

The C-130J will be flying for a long time and has a robust supply system, he said.

A goal for the new ski plane is stronger landing gear, Slosek said.

Landing on unprepared snow, the aircraft can take a massive beating, he said.

Guard members are also interested in the C-130Js aerial refueling capability, which could extend their range, if required, Slosek said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth leaves an oath of enlistment ceremony, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, held on the base of the Washington Monument in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP)



WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropics CEO a Friday deadline to open the companys artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use or risk losing its government contract, according to a person familiar with their meeting Tuesday.

Anthropic makes the chatbot Claude and is the last of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network. CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI, including the dangers of fully autonomous armed drones and of AI-assisted mass surveillance that could track dissent.

Defense officials warned they could designate Anthropic a supply chain risk or use the Defense Production Act to essentially give the military more authority to use its products even if it doesnt approve of how they are used, according to the person familiar with the meeting and a senior Pentagon official, who both were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The development, which was reported earlier by Axios, underscores the debate over AIs role in national security and concerns about how the technology could be used in high-stakes situations involving lethal force, sensitive information or government surveillance. It also comes as Hegseth has vowed to root out what he calls a woke culture in the armed forces.

A powerful AI looking across billions of conversations from millions of people could gauge public sentiment, detect pockets of disloyalty forming, and stamp them out before they grow, Amodei wrote in an essay last month.

The person familiar called the tone of the meeting cordial but said Amodei didnt budge on two areas he has established as lines Anthropic wont cross  fully autonomous military targeting operations and domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens.

The Pentagon objects to Anthropics ethical restrictions because military operations need tools that dont come with built-in limitations, the senior Pentagon official said. The official argued that the Pentagon has only issued lawful orders and stressed that using Anthropics tools legally would be the militarys responsibility.

Anthropic will no longer be the only AI company approved for classified military networks

The Pentagon announced last summer that it was awarding defense contracts to four AI companies  Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and Elon Musks xAI. Each contract is worth up to $200 million.

Anthropic was the first AI company to get approved for classified military networks, where it works with partners like Palantir. Musks xAI company, which operates the Grok chatbot, says Grok also is ready to be used in classified settings, according to the senior Pentagon official.

The official noted that the other AI companies were close to that milestone. SpaceX, Musks space flight company that recently merged with xAI, didnt immediately return a request for comment Tuesday.

Hegseth said in a January speech at SpaceX in South Texas that he was shrugging off any AI models that wont allow you to fight wars.

Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems means that they operate without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications, before adding that the Pentagons AI will not be woke.

The defense secretary said that Grok would join the secure but unclassified Pentagon AI network, called GenAI.mil. The announcement came days after Grok  which is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Musk  drew global scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent.

OpenAI announced in early February that it, too, would join GenAI.mil, enabling service members to use a custom version of ChatGPT for unclassified tasks.

Anthropic calls itself more safety-minded

Anthropic said in a statement after Tuesdays meeting that it continued good-faith conversations about our usage policy to ensure Anthropic can continue to support the governments national security mission in line with what our models can reliably and responsibly do.

Anthropic has long pitched itself as the more responsible and safety-minded of the leading AI companies, ever since its founders quit OpenAI to form the startup in 2021.

The uncertainty with the Pentagon is putting those intentions to the test, according to Owen Daniels, associate director of analysis and fellow at Georgetown Universitys Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

Anthropics peers, including Meta, Google and xAI, have been willing to comply with the departments policy on using models for all lawful applications, Daniels said. So the companys bargaining power here is limited, and it risks losing influence in the departments push to adopt AI.

In the AI craze that followed the release of ChatGPT, Anthropic closely aligned with President Joe Bidens Democratic administration in volunteering to subject its AI systems to third-party scrutiny to guard against national security risks.

Amodei, the CEO, has warned of AIs potentially catastrophic dangers while rejecting the label that hes an AI doomer. He argued in the January essay that we are considerably closer to real danger in 2026 than we were in 2023 but that those risks should be managed in a realistic, pragmatic manner.

Anthropic has been at odds with the Trump administration

This would not be the first time Anthropics advocacy for stricter AI safeguards has put it at odds with President Donald Trumps administration. Anthropic needled chipmaker Nvidia publicly, criticizing Trumps proposals to loosen export controls to enable some AI computer chips to be sold in China. The AI company, however, remains a close partner with Nvidia.

Trumps Republican administration and Anthropic also have been on opposite sides of a lobbying push to regulate AI in U.S. states.

Trumps top AI adviser, David Sacks, accused Anthropic in October of running a sophisticated regulatory capture strategy based on fear-mongering.

Sacks was responding on X to Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark, writing about his attempt to balance technological optimism with appropriate fear about the steady march toward more capable AI systems.

Anthropic hired a number of ex-Biden officials soon after Trumps return to the White House, but its also tried to signal a bipartisan approach. The company recently added Chris Liddell, a former White House official from Trumps first term, to its board of directors.

The Pentagons breakneck adoption of AI shows the need for greater AI oversight or regulation by Congress, particularly if AI is being used to surveil Americans, said Amos Toh, senior counsel at the Brennan Centers Liberty and National Security Program at New York University.

The law is not keeping up with how quickly the technology is evolving, Toh wrote in a post on Bluesky. But that doesnt mean DoD has a blank check.

OBrien reported from Providence, R.I.
The leader of a drugtransport network tried to flee with a million euros in her car when police arrested the members of her organization in Madrid

Paula Andrea, the alleged leader of a drugtrafficking organization, was caught on February 13 fleeing her home in Madrid with a little over 1 million ($1.18 million) in cash. The money, stuffed into supermarket raffia bags, was split between the trunk and the back seat of her car, a highend Mercedes valued at more than 140,000 ($165,00).

Police believe someone from her circle tipped her off that the group had been taken down. The rest of the members  11 men  had just been arrested in an industrial warehouse in Alcobendas in the Madrid region with more than 3,200 kilos of cocaine, military weapons, and other items linked to drug trafficking, including a satellite antenna used to maintain connection on a narcolancha. All of them have been placed in provisional custody.

Paula Andrea, around 47 years old, was in charge of managing the accounts. Investigators place her at the top of the criminal group alongside Gilbert, her expartner, who oversaw the logistics. Two of the accountants sons are also among those arrested.

That Friday, February 13, the woman grabbed some clothes, documents, and the million euros in cash. The money was divided into vacuumsealed bundles of varying amounts. Most were packages of 50,000 ($59,000). Some of the seized stacks of bills, wrapped in transparent plastic, were decorated with hearts and smileyface emojis and bore spiritual affirmations such as Gold and honey for me always or Everything that has been taken from you, I will return. Thank you, Universe.

Vacuum-sealed banknotes seized from the leader of a drug trafficking organization. Juana Viudez

Its likely that before officers reached the back of the warehouse where they were arrested, someone warned the boss, explains one of the investigators involved in the operation, which the Spanish National Police reported on Tuesday. When this police force plans to arrest drugtrafficking organizations, it usually deploys the Special Operations Group (GEO), specialists in highrisk situations. The agents sweep the area slowly and secure it step by step; during that window of time, she may have been alerted.

The total amount of drugs seized  3,400 kilos of cocaine sets a record for the Madrid region, where it is unusual to intercept such a large shipment at once. But what has drawn the most attention is not the quantity, but the groups elusive and innovative methods.

The organization operated as a service provider for other traffickers and may have been active for several years, depending on demand. They had the structure and the nerve required to move 3,400 kilos of cocaine, said Chief Inspector Jose Francisco Podio of the Central Unit for Drugs and Organized Crime (Udyco Central) during a press conference at the Canillas Police Complex in Madrid.

High-end vehicle in which one of the members of a drug trafficking organization was caught with more than one million euros in cash. Juana Viudez

The group was responsible for collecting drug shipments on request in southern Spain  especially in river areas  and transporting them in convoys to Madrid, where they handed them off to the next link in the trafficking chain. Members posed as construction workers. They entered and exited the two warehouses under investigation  one in Alcobendas and the other in Fuente del Saz  dressed as laborers, and they carefully chose the ideal times to travel by road, using rental vehicles. They picked hours with heavy traffic or normal work activity to blend in, explained Inspector Manuel Llorente of Udyco Madrid.

Udyco Madrid agents began investigating the group in mid2024, but paused when its members left for the Netherlands. After some time, they returned to Madrid and resumed operations, the agents say. Last July, the Central Narcotics Brigade received information from Sweden, Poland, and Portugal about a truck seized with drugs that had originated in Spain. The starting point of the shipment was the Alcobendas warehouse where most of the organization was eventually arrested and the cocaine seized minutes after it arrived.

During the investigation  dubbed Operation Tocada Space  agents documented one of the groups drugtransport routes: members traveled to an area near San Juan del Puerto (in the province of Huelva), spent several days sleeping around Seville, and then returned to Madrid.

The organization took extensive security measures when moving around, which made the investigation extremely laborintensive. Investigators said they relied on oldschool methods  long hours of surveillance and a great deal of patience.

Inspector Manuel Llorente, from the Udyco in Madrid, addresses journalists, accompanied by Chief Inspector Francisco Podio of the Central Narcotics Brigade, this Tuesday, at the Canillas police complex in Madrid. Daniel Gonzalez (EFE)

Two of the seized vehicles had sophisticated hidden compartments, known as caletas. One of them, installed in a black Audi, concealed a storage space where they kept pistols and wargrade weapons. On Tuesday, the car still had a blackbead rosary hanging from the gearshift. The other caleta, built into a white vehicle, was designed to hide drugs.

Agents found the cocaine packed in bales, wrapped in gray coverings, each marked with a different colored tape and distinct logos. The packages had been sprayed with gasoline to mask the smell.

They also seized a wetsuit  still wet and covered in mud  and a Starlink antenna used to access the internet in areas without coverage. Investigators believe the wetsuit may have been worn by a representative of the organization that owned the drugs, to verify that the shipment was delivered exactly as agreed.

The investigation remains open. The financial side of operation is now being investigated by Spains Central Unit for Economic and Financial Crime (UDEF), and further inquiries are underway into the people who sent the drugs and those who were meant to receive them.

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Laura Velasco Granada Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 11:33 Share

A woman was injured on Monday 23 February, after allegedly being stabbed by her 13-year-old daughter in Motril on Granada province's Costa Tropical. The National Police is investigating the incident, which occurred at around 5pm in a farmhouse located on the town's Calle Pataura.

The wounded woman was taken by her husband to a hospital, where health services were working on Monday afternoon to stabilise her and apparently awaiting surgery for the stab wounds.

According to sources the girl has admitted to stabbing her mother, which has also been corroborated by the victim. The minor allegedly used a kitchen knife causing several wounds to her mother's hand.

As IDEAL has learned, there had been no previous altercations in the family, nor had the couple's daughter ever been confrontational. In fact the sources told IDEAL that the girl had been exemplary. Investigations will determine the motive for the attack. The victim's husband and another son also live in the house.

If the crime is confirmed, the minor would be too young to stand trial according to Spanish law, as she is below the minimum age for prosecution, which is set at 14 years old.
Artists from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region perform during an event celebrating the Chinese New Year in Hanau, Germany, Feb. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xiang)

FRANKFURT, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A series of cultural events characterized by Chinese singing, dancing and arts brought a festive touch of red to Frankfurt, as residents marked the Chinese Spring Festival following the city's carnival celebrations.

Red lanterns decorated the main stage set up in central Frankfurt on Sunday, drawing crowds of local spectators. Artists from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region presented traditional songs and dances, captivating a fascinated audience.

The performances included dance styles unique to northern Xizang, which are part of China's intangible cultural heritage, according to the head of the dance team from Nagqu City in Xizang.

"The performance is really wonderful. It is the first time in my life that I have watched such graceful Xizang dances in Frankfurt," Feldmann, a 67-year-old Frankfurt resident, told Xinhua.

The one-hour-long Xizang-style performance marked the finale of the second Chinese New Year Temple Fair in Frankfurt, which opened on Friday.

A Dingbu dragon dance, a form of national intangible cultural heritage from the Chinese province Zhejiang, made its debut at the temple fair's opening ceremony on Friday. More than 10 performers mimicked the leaps and flips while doing the Dragon dance.

Beyond the artistic performances, booths featuring Chinese delicacies, Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), sugar painting and traditional Chinese festival supplies attracted many German visitors.

Julia, a freshman studying sinology at Goethe University Frankfurt, said it was her first time attending a Chinese New Year-related event. The vibrant expressions and visual elements of Chinese culture inspired her to "learn more about the Chinese culture," she said.

Stella Schulz-Nurtsch, a member of the City Council in Frankfurt, also attended the temple fair with a bright red scarf. "Red is a symbol of Chinese culture," she said, adding that the festive enthusiasm could disperse the winter's coldness.

The temple fairs and related activities were part of a broader program of festivities in Frankfurt celebrating the Chinese New Year.

The city government, together with the General Consulate of China in Frankfurt, has hosted the Chinese New Year receptions for years. Nargess Eskandari-Gruenberg, deputy mayor of Frankfurt, said this joint celebration has become a tradition.

It reflects stable and friendly cooperation between the two sides, Eskandari-Gruenberg said, adding that Frankfurt will continue to support deepening cooperation with China and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

The Spring Festival is the most important and oldest in the Chinese cultural circle, said Christoph Degen, state secretary of science and research, art and culture of the German state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located.

The Chinese community is an important part of the diverse society in Hessen, said Degen, adding that Hessen looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields. 

(260224) -- FRANKFURT, Feb. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Artists from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region perform during the second Chinese New Year Temple Fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Feb. 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Xiang)
El Algarrobico hotel, where construction has been suspended for the past 20 years.

Jose Luis Piedra Seville Tuesday, 24 February 2026 | Updated 26/02/2026 16:30h. Share

The environmental group Salvemos Mojacar (Save Mojacar) has announced it will file a criminal complaint against the mayor of Carboneras, Salvador Hernandez, if he continues to ignore court rulings regarding the infamous El Algarrobico hotel.

For two decades, construction on the hotel - located on a pristine beach in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park - has been suspended. Now, activists are threatening a malfeasance suit if the mayor refuses to declare the original building licence illegal, as mandated by the High Court of Justice of Andalucia (TSJA).

The group alleges that Carboneras council is intentionally "bogging down" the process by withholding documentation from the Advisory Council of Andalucia.

They believe this delay is a strategic move to endorse the licences legality, which would trigger new appeals and potentially stall demolition for another five years.
Rebeca Alcantara Granada Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 14:04 Share

The new register of tourist apartments promoted by the Spanish government in 2025 has led to the removal of 1,664 flats from online rental platforms in Granada province. According to data from the INE (Spain's national statistics institute) in May last year, before this register was launched, there were 8,305 such apartments in Granada, which means that more than 20 per cent have been removed from the online market.

These are properties that have not been registered in the Ministry of Housing's new system, so they cannot be offered on websites like AirBnb or Booking.com. However, this does not mean that they are completely out of the tourist market, because there is another register, which was already in place previously and which is managed by the Junta de Andalucia. In fact, this double filter has caused discrepancies between the two authorities since the second one was set up in July this year. The government has always maintained that it was the application of a European directive.

The data are different depending on which register is consulted. The Junta de Andalucia lists 9,600 tourist properties (not counting rural houses) on its website. However, the Ministry's figures indicate that out of 8,400, more than 1,600 have been revoked, of which half, 832, are in Granada city. The reason is that the fact that they leave the digital platforms because they are not on this second register, which is done through the offices of the property registrars, does not cause them to be removed by the Andalusian government.

New European regulations for the regulation of short-term rentals, which came into effect on 1 July 2025, oblige all tourist rental properties to have a mandatory code called the Rental Registration Number (RIN) in order to be able to legally advertise on platforms and which provoked criticism from associations representing owners of this type of homes.

Avitar Granada's president, Antonio Jesus Castillo, has criticised the restrictions, saying that they are becoming more and more restrictive for the sector. He also points out that although the number of properties registered on the Junta's register is higher, this is partly due to the fact that some have ceased to be used for this purpose, but have not been removed from this list and have not been registered in the Ministry's register.

The Andalusian association of tourist apartment properties (AVVAPro) is also critical. They argue that the decision to entrust the Spanish registrars with the implementation of a duplicate state register has provoked the forced departure of owners and management companies that complied with the regional regulations, "generating an unjustified restrictive impact".

The figures published by the INE show that since the entry into force of the register up to November the number of tourist properties in the province has already fallen by nine per cent. Andalucia is the region with the highest tension of this type of flats in the country and in Granada, in November (the last month for which the INE has figures), 1.3 per cent of the properties registered were for tourist use. However, the percentage was lower than before the entry into force of the register.

The central government wants these homes that cannot be advertised on platforms to be put on the regular rental market in order to increase the supply, which is currently insufficient. In September, when prime minister Pedro Sanchez made a first assessment of the launch of this register, he announced that the intention was that unregistered homes would become permanent rentals "for young people and families".
First deputy PM and minister of finance, Maria Jesus Montero, during her visit to Grazalema.

JOSE LUIS PIEDRA Seville Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 14:52 Share

The Spanish government will begin paying out aid immediately to those affected by the series of storms that let loose on Andalucia. The first payments will start in early March, as announced this Monday by deputy prime minister Maria Jesus Montero.

She confirmed that "the first payments from the 7-billion-euro aid package, approved by central government to address reconstruction efforts following all the damage caused by the recent storms, will begin in early March".

Montero highlighted the speed with which the nation's socialist government has processed this aid and asked Junta president, Juanma Moreno, to apply the same speed to the regional government's public aid for individuals, businesses and municipalities affected by the storms.

In her opinion, "the most important thing now is the delivery of aid and streamlining all the procedures so that the application process doesn't become an additional burden for those affected".

The minister visited the town of Grazalema in Cadiz province on Monday this week, the area worst hit by the storms, where some 90 people still haven't been able to return to their own homes.

Montero said that regional aid offices will be set up in the town on Thursday to help those affected process their applications for this aid.

As such, Grazalema will be the first municipality to benefit from the aid rollout, which will be handled via a total of 14 offices that will travel throughout Andalucia to support and facilitate all the necessary procedures for those affected.

This includes 60,000 euros to make severely damaged houses habitable again. The aid package for agriculture exceeds 2.8 billion euros and includes 2,100 direct grants that will begin to be paid out in April.

Those most affected, those required to evacuate from their homes, will receive 150 euros per day per family member. Montero gave an example: "a family of four that's been away from their home for ten days would receive around 6,000 euros in direct, no-obligation aid, to try to compensate for expenses and inconvenience".

The Spanish government also plans to grant benefits for work stoppages or suspension of business activity through the ERTE scheme (temporary employment regulation file) and for damage to homes. In the case of very significant damage, up to 60,000 euros in aid will be available, quadrupling the usual amount for this type of assistance.

"The important thing now is the rollout of aid and streamlining all the procedures so that bureaucracy doesn't become an additional problem and we are able to help in the emergency and reconstruction of the economy," stated the Deputy PM.

The government will allocate aid for the economic recovery of three municipalities in particular, Grazalema and Benaocaz in Cadiz province and Dudar in Granada province. The aid will range from around 5,000 euros for the self-employed and up to 120,000 euros for companies, depending on their turnover, so as to "bring their facilities back up to scratch as soon as possible".

The government has also allocated two billion euros in aid to the affected municipalities to restore infrastructure, streets, street lighting, roads and tracks.
Chus Heredia Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 13:14 Share

The Axarquia area of Malaga province has left behind the nightmare years of severe drought thanks to the periods of heavy rainfall in the past two years, at least for now.

La Vinuela reservoir, the main source of supply for the Axarquia is at 85 per cent of its capacity, with almost 140 million cubic metres stored, which would have been unthinkable two years ago when it was at just seven per cent and on the verge of being declared a 'dead' reservoir.

The Axarquia needs 22 million cubic metres per year to supply the towns and villages connected to its network. However, irrigation is another issue. The potential for producing recycled water for agriculture amounts to 21 hm3 per year. The River Chillar wells are also active, which have been key in difficult years, as have the transfers of drinking water from Malaga city.

The third major infrastructure that has been in the pipeline for several years is a desalination plant and after much controversy, the draft project is ready. SUR has learned that the Axarquia's community of fruit and vegetable farmers, as well as the public water company, Axaragua, as users of the future plant, have already received a copy of the draft projectraft they had commissioned.

The project can now be submitted to Acuamed (the public eater company which forms part of Spain's central government) for supervision and to begin the process of putting the project design and construction out to tender. However, the biggest obstacle that the future plant now faces is that there is currently no capacity to provide the 21 MW of electricity it needs to operate.

Electrical infrastructure

A solution will have to be found to a problem that is sadly very common in provinces like Malaga: the lack of electrical infrastructure is holding back planned developments in an increasingly demanding context.

Initially, the desalination plant was to be located in the vicinity of the El Ingenio shopping centre, but it will finally be located in the area known as Las Campinuelas, in the Camino de Torrox area of Velez Malaga. It will have a capacity of 25 cubic hectometres per year in the first phase, but everything will be prepared so that this can be doubled if necessary. In fact, all the seawater intake and water delivery networks are designed for this capacity. The necessary space is also included in the land.

The Velez desalination plant will have mixed use, with approximately half of the flow destined for agriculture and the other half for urban supply. Its financing, initially estimated at 100 million euros, will be provided by the central government, which has already committed to financing the project. However, this is borrowed money, advanced, which users will have to repay in the form of a fee over fifty years.

The energy requirements of a plant of this type are always very demanding. The extremely high pressures of the reverse osmosis processes and the operation of racks, membranes and filters demand it. That's not to mention the saltwater pumping and rejection systems. Furthermore, a desalination plant operates practically non-stop, although more or fewer lines can be put into operation depending on the needs at any given time.

It is not the only desalination plant in the preliminary design phase in the province. On the western Costa del Sol, Acosol and the Andalusian regional government have put out to tender the first technical studies for a plant of around 20 hm3 (10 in the first phase), which will be located between Torremolinos and Mijas and will complement the one in Marbella.
Moving from Valencia to Malaga in 2026: Europe's largest sustainable mobility event The eMobility Expo World Congress - MOW 2026 will be held at Malaga's principal trade fair, exhibition and conference centre (Fycma) next month

Sur Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 11:27 Share

On 10 and 11 March, Malaga will host the third edition of eMobility Expo World Congress alongside MOW 2026.

The former is Europe's largest professional event for the sustainable, autonomous, electrified, connected and safe mobility industry. For its first two years, the eMobility event was held in Valencia.

The move to Malaga is the result of an agreement signed with the regional government of Andalucia to combine eMobility Expo World Congress and MOW (the New Mobility Order in the World), currently the most influential forum on sustainable mobility.

The most disruptive innovations in sustainable mobility, electrification, green hydrogen, connectivity and new technologies will be showcased at the combined event, which will be held at Malaga city's trade fair, exhibition and conference centre (Fycma).

Over the two days, this international event will bring together more than 200 exhibiting companies and more than 6,000 professionals and managers to "drive the transformation of the sector towards a smarter, more efficient and environmentally friendly model", according to a press release from the event organisers.

Among these 200 participating companies are leaders specialising in micro-mobility, the automotive industry, technology, manufacturers of electric batteries and charging systems, new fuel sources, products for automated and autonomous driving, the components industry, logistics, aeronautics, rail and shipbuilding, as well as start-ups that develop innovative products and services in this field.

As part of the event, the MOW 2026 conference will also take place at Fycma, where more than 370 experts will share the keys to implementing new business models and present the most cutting-edge technological and sustainable trends in the field of mobility.
An abandoned building site full of water on Calle Bailen has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes in Malaga city.

Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 13:22 Share

SUR has received the first complaints about the accumulation of water in abandoned sites in Malaga city. Last week, the newspaper reported that the recent storms have created pools of stagnant water that bring forward the mosquito season.

Now, the first local residents from the Bailen-Miraflores district have denounced the abandoned state of a plot that has become a breeding ground for these insects.

The building site in question has not had any work done in years, since the laying of the foundation and the building of four walls. The recent rains have turned it into an open-air "swimming pool" and a direct health threat due to the proliferation of mosquitoes.

According to local resident Juan Antonio Sanchez, the concrete box collects around 50-60 centimetres of stagnant water that attracts insects and emanates bad smells.

"They knocked down an old house, dug out the foundations, made the base and the concrete perimeter and the work came to a standstill," Sanchez, who lives right next to the site, said. "There could very well be 50,000 litres in there," he believes.

With rising temperatures, he and his wife have already noticed the increase of mosquitoes. "We can't open a window. We have mosquito nets all over the place. Even so, if we are careless, they come in," he said.

A local resident even installed a pump from his terrace to remove the stagnant water, but he couldn't completely drain the site.

They cannot let their grandchildren play on the balcony or the patio because they get bitten. All of them have started to use repellents.

A pump is not enough

Sanchez has written to the city council to request an intervention due to the lack of actions from the site owners, but to no avail. He decided to take the matter in his own hands, knowing that nobody is taking care of the health risk.

"I installed a pump from my house, a hose of elevent metres, and I pumped a lot of water onto my roof," he said. This, however, is a partial remedy, as he cannot completely drain the water.

According to Sanchez, the solution would be for the owner, whether a bank or a construction company, to cover the concrete box with a provisional structure that would prevent rainwater from accumulating. "A simple canopy could prevent it from filling up again," he said.

Sanchez demands that the city council declare the abandoned site in a state of insalubrity. So far, the only response he has received is that it is a private property and the city council is not allowed to enter.

The locals refuse to believe that the city council cannot do anything, given that this is a matter of public health. "If there is a private site that affects the public, the owner should be forced to solve it. It can't be because it's private that nobody intervenes," they say.

Environmental health experts have been warning for days that the combination of abundant rainfall and rising temperatures at the end of February creates the perfect breeding ground for larvae to hatch in puddles, building pits and unmaintained plots of land.

Juan Antonio Sanchez and many others in the area live with their windows closed and permanently surrounded by repellents and insecticides. "We are not asking for anything extraordinary, just that they prevent an abandoned plot of land from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bad smells."
E. PRESS Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 15:06 Share

The National Police have arrested two young amateur cockfighting cockerel breeders for stealing birds from two farms in Malaga province.

The investigation began when the police received a complaint regarding the theft of fighting cocks from a farm in Los Montes de Malaga. After that came a second complaint about the same type of crime but in the town of Cartama.

The statement of one of the injured parties was key to the investigation. The man happened to be on the property at the time the intruders gained access and was able to shout them away. He could provide the police with the registration number of the vehicle the suspects used to escape.

Following enquiries, the police identified the perpetrators, aged 20 and 23. One of them had recently served a prison sentence for similar offences.

The police arrested the two suspects for the crimes of robbery with force and fraud, the latter for obtaining fuel at petrol stations without paying for it.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 15:40 | Updated 17:47h. Share

For weeks, the towering lampposts of Malagas Hiperronda ring road have hosted some unexpected tenants.

These high-capacity motorway structures have become the ideal nocturnal perch for dozens of storks, creating a striking sight for drivers as the birds silhouetted against the dusk.

Storks on the Malaga Hiperronda ring road. Salvador Salas Storks on the Malaga Hiperronda ring road. Salvador Salas Storks on the Malaga Hiperronda ring road. Salvador Salas Storks on the Malaga Hiperronda ring road. Salvador Salas Storks on the Malaga Hiperronda ring road. Salvador Salas 1 /

The phenomenon is quite new in a city more accustomed to pigeons and seagulls, but it has a simple explanation: abundant and accessible food; water nearby and an increasingly mild winter.

Antonio Roman Munoz Gallego, an ornithologist at the University of Malaga (UMA), is studying this phenomenon, and admits that it is quite new. "Until three decades ago, practically all European storks migrated to sub-Saharan Africa. Today, more and more of them are staying."

The migratory route of the white stork Central Europe Spain Africa Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA The migratory route of the white stork Central Europe Spain Africa Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA The migratory route of the white stork Central Europe Spain Africa Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA

In recent years, the change has been rapid and evident. The researcher recalls that just three winters ago, the group of storks that stayed in this area did not exceed 30 specimens. This year, since last September, between 100 and 125 storks have been counted, with an average of around 115 individuals. "These numbers have tripled in a very short time".

Presence of the white stork in mainland Spain Summer season Resident Malaga Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA Presence of the white stork in mainland Spain Summer season Resident Malaga Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA Presence of the white stork in mainland Spain Summer season Resident Malaga Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA

The landfill, a major attraction

And those are only the ones that live there long-term, because there are many more in transit. During the last census of wintering birds, carried out by the scientist and his team on 21 January, the count inside the Los Ruices landfill reached 548 storks. This is an exceptional number that includes both those that spend the winter in Malaga and migratory groups that stopped over to feed before continuing on to northern Europe.

Presence of the white stork in Malaga city Los Ruices landfill Puerto de la Torre A-357 Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA Presence of the white stork in Malaga city Los Ruices landfill Puerto de la Torre A-357 Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA Presence of the white stork in Malaga city Los Ruices landfill Puerto de la Torre A-357 Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA

The main reason for this change of habits in a growing group of the birds is the availability of food. "The Los Ruices landfill is the determining factor," says the ornithologist. "They find food there every day. It is a visible source that is maintained over time."

The white stork 180-218 cm 95-110 cm Long, straight beak Wide, long wings Long body Minimal vocal chords Excessively long legs Long toes Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA The white stork 180-218 cm 95-110 cm Long, straight beak Wide, long wings Long body Minimal vocal chords Excessively long legs Long toes Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA The white stork 180-218 cm 95-110 cm Long straight beak Wide, long wings Long body Minimal vocal chords Excessively long legs Long toes Source: SEO Birdlife ENCARNI HINOJOSA

In addition, just a short flight from the ring road, the Guadalhorce river guarantees fresh water and quiet resting areas. "It's like an information centre for birds. Storks attract more storks. If a migrating group sees others feeding, they stop, feed and then continue their route."

'Hot' street lamps

One of the most striking aspects of the phenomenon is that many of them choose to spend the night on lampposts along the road. "They choose them because of the heat," explains the expert. "The bulb heats up the structure and the platform is warm. It allows them to keep warm at night."

In fact, only some of the lights on the ring road are lit at night and these are their favourite ones. But only when there is no wind: on stormy days, the birds abandon these perches and take refuge in the area around the Guadalhorce.

From the ring information that has been read, researchers know that many of the storks come from Germany and other central European countries, such as the Netherlands. "They are storks that no longer fly to Africa. They spend the winter in Malaga and, in a few weeks, will return to their breeding quarters in northern Europe."

Climate change or opportunity?

Although climate change may have an influence, Roman Munoz is clear that the main reason is not climate, but food. "Rather than talking about climate change, we are talking about a species that takes advantage of a resource that we put on a plate," he says. Even so, milder winters help. "For a stork, if there is food, the Malaga winter is not cold," he adds.

On the other hand, storks are not very likely to breed in the province at the moment. At present, there are only four or five breeding pairs: in Arriate, Ronda, Antequera, Fuente de Piedra and possibly Alameda. This is due to the lower natural availability of water and amphibians for hunting, compared to other areas such as Extremadura.

However, this situation may change in the medium term. "It is possible that this continued presence could lead to the establishment of a breeding pair in the area around the Guadalhorce river," says the ornithologist, although he qualifies his words: "It is more a wish than a certainty."

What is clear is that the phenomenon is here to stay. "More and more come every year," confirms Antonio Roman Munoz. And the lampposts of the ring road are already used for much more than just lighting up drivers.
The judicial investigation into the train accident in Adamuz (Cordoba), which killed 46 people and injured 120 others on 18 January, has uncovered serious irregularities in the chain of custody of the material evidence collected at the scene of the accident.

Various documents from the Guardia Civil and a court order state that state railway infrastructure company Adif removed and transferred pieces "of interest for the investigation" before having express judicial authorisation.

According to an official report from the judicial police unit (UOPJ) of the Guardia Civil of Cordoba, dated 7 February and sent to the court of Montoro, Adif workers moved short rail segments that are deliberately cut for technical analysis from the area of the accident to the high-speed maintenance base in Hornachuelos (Cordoba).

On 6 February, a person in charge of the Hornachuelos base said that on 22 January "he had received a verbal order from the Adif area manager to remove rail segments, including welding, and transfer them to the AVE maintenance base". This transfer, he added, was carried out "between the night of 22 and early morning of 23 January".

The worker also said that they carried out "hardness tests" that "were not destructive", although the Guardia Civil's report expresses doubts about the scope of these tests.

When the Guardia Civil and the rail accident investigation commision (CIAF) went to the accident scene on 30 January, they learnt that Adif had taken some parts to Hornachuelos.

They sent an email to Adif on 2 February to warn the state company "not to carry out any type of action on the welds without prior authorisation". The following day, the Guardia Civil went to Hornachuelos to "list and seal all the welds removed by Adif and put them at the disposal of the court".

In their letter, the investigators warn that these parts could include those that the investigative commission intended to analyse after the judicial authorisation on 3 February. "This is shared for your information and for the purposes you deem appropriate," the police document concludes.

The judge's order

Judge Cristina Pastor formally reprimanded Adif for interfering in the investigation with an order from 10 February. The court ordered the return of any material of interest and stated that any future action on the evidence must happen "under judicial control".

In its defence, Adif states that "there were no precautionary measures" in place on the day when they removed the material that was left "abandoned and unprotected". The company says that the purpose of the removal was to "guarantee conservation" and that the pieces "were not manipulated or altered". According to Adif, the material has been "at the disposal of the courts at all times".

The Guardia Civil's official statement, however, says that "it was not until 28 January that Adif received authorisation to access the accident area", which places the prior removal of material outside the framework of authorised procedures.

The Guardia Civil have also told the court that they have found it difficult to obtain the technical documentation they have requested from Adif in a complete and timely manner.
A. Rallo Valencia Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 10:19 Share

In the final months of Carlos Mazon's presidency of the Valencian government, Josep Lanuza emerged as one of his most trusted advisors. Despite his political roots on the left, Lanuza became a key confidant for the head of the Generalitat.

On Monday, he followed several other high-ranking officials in appearing before the judge investigating the regional government's response to the catastrophic dana storm.

Lanuza was the individual who accompanied Mazon in the official car to the Cecopi (the regional emergency response centre) on the fateful evening of 29 October. However, his testimony regarding the timeline of that afternoon has raised significant questions in court.

Lanuza explained that his routine involved meeting Mazon after 7:00 pm, and that day was no exception. He was waiting at the Palau, the seat of the regional government, while the president was at a lengthy lunch at El Ventorro. Lanuza maintained that the president arrived at approximately 7.30 pm and spoke with him in his office for "20 or 25 minutes."

"We can't get down to business, there's a mess," Mazon reportedly told him, referring to their scheduled plans. Critically, Lanuza claimed, "I don't recall any conversation about the emergency" during that window.

Judicial frustration

This chronological account sparked visible irritation from the judge. According to reports from Las Provincias, the judge pointed out that Lanuzas version of events directly contradicts other witnesses.

"Whom am I supposed to believe: you or the three bodyguards?" she asked.

The timeline is a central pillar of the investigation. Lanuza estimated they left the Palau for the Cecopi at approximately 8:00 pm. He testified that he was present when Mazon called Salome Pradas (the regional minister for justice and interior) during the journey, noting that the president mentioned concerns regarding the Forata dam.

However, the judge expressed further disbelief when Lanuza stated he remembered nothing about any other calls the president received during the drive to L'Eliana, other than Mazon's brief comments after hanging up. Lanuza also claimed the president said nothing when the ES-Alert sirenthe emergency mobile notificationsounded while they were in the car.

'False news'

During questioning, a representative from the Ciudadanos party asked Lanuza about a media headline that attributed the phrase "President, there are many dead" to him.

"That news is false," Lanuza asserted. "I cannot convey information I do not have. I exercised my right to reply." He maintained that no such information was discussed in his presence.

While Lanuza admitted they were aware of the red alert - recalling the social media video in which Mazon infamously claimed the rain would subside by 6pm - he claimed to be unaware that the university and provincial authorities had already sent staff home.

Despite being an expert in strategy, Lanuza suggested he was largely oblivious to the scale of the disaster unfolding at that moment.
Akbar Novruz



Slovakia has stopped supplying electricity to Ukraine, Slovak media reported, citing Prime Minister Robert Fico, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the TA3 TV channel, Fico said that from today, Slovakia will not provide electricity to Ukraine even if Kyiv requests assistance to stabilize its energy system.

Slovakia stopped emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine on Monday after Bratislava's ultimatum over the Druzhba oil pipeline expired, escalating a dispute over Russian oil transit halted by what Kyiv says was a Russian drone attack last month.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the decision in a video statement, saying Ukraine will no longer receive assistance to stabilise its energy network.

"From today, if Ukraine asks Slovakia for help stabilising its energy network, it will not receive such help," Fico said.

The Slovak leader issued an ultimatum on Saturday, demanding Kyiv restore oil flows by Monday or face the cut-off of emergency electricity supplies.

Fico said Slovakia's ambassador in Kyiv was prevented from visiting the damaged section of the Druzhba pipeline. "Stopping oil flow is a purely political decision to blackmail Slovakia," he said.

If Ukraine does not restore oil transit, Slovakia is prepared to take further measures including reconsidering its support for Ukraine's EU membership, Fico warned.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, describing Fico's ultimatum as "blackmail" that plays into Russia's hands. "Ultimatums should be sent to the Kremlin, and certainly not to Kyiv," the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

The Druzhba pipeline stopped operating on 27 January after what Ukraine said was a Russian drone strike on equipment near Brody in western Ukraine.

Ukraine said at the time its technicians were conducting detailed technical inspections of the damaged equipment while working under constant threat of further Russian strikes. In the meantime, Kyiv has proposed alternative transit routes including the Odesa-Brody pipeline while emergency repairs continue.

Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban dispute Ukraine's account, claiming there are no technical obstacles to resuming supplies.

Fico said Slovakia's ambassador was prevented from visiting the damaged section of the pipeline. He has not mentioned the Russian drone attack in any public statements.

Hungary suspended diesel deliveries to Ukraine last week and threatened to block a 90bn EU loan package to Kyiv if Russian oil supplies are not restored.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also said Budapest would block the EU's 20th sanctions package against Russia.

Several EU foreign ministers criticised Budapest's decision, including Germany's Johann Wadephul, who said he was "astonished by the Hungarian position".

Slovakia declared a state of oil emergency after the pipeline shutdown to ensure its refinery can meet domestic demand.

Tuesday marks the fourth year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Over the course of the past four years, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian targets in its daily drone and missile attacks, aiming to demoralise Ukrainians, especially during the harsh winter months.
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), addresses the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea on Feb. 23, 2026. (KCNA/Handout via Xinhua)

PYONGYANG, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea outlined general goals for the national economy over the next five years, focusing on stabilization, consolidation and a gradual qualitative development, state media said Tuesday.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, articulated his vision for the country's future economic development in a speech at Monday's session of the ruling party's Ninth Congress, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.

"The new five-year plan period will become a stage for stabilizing and consolidating our economy and bringing about its gradual qualitative development," Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

The main schedule for the congress is to work out a long-term plan for the coming five years and to make a decision on the plan, Kim said in the speech.

"The vital success of a Party congress depends on how we define our struggle orientation of the coming five years, study and discuss the goals to be attained by each field and adopt relevant decisions," he said. 
Dilip Kuner Tuesday, 24 February 2026, 13:45 | Updated 14:22h. Share

The UKs Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, completed his first official visit to Spain this week, signaling a diplomatic "reset" aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and supporting the British expat community.

With over 400,000 UK citizens currently residing in Spain and more than 19 million visiting in 2025, the Minister emphasised that the British government is prioritising the interests of those living and travelling abroad.

Residency and the EES

A primary focus of the two-day visit was the resolution of ongoing issues regarding the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero). Many British nationals have reported difficulties in obtaining or renewing these biometric residency cards.

Securing a TIE is increasingly urgent; it serves as the definitive proof of residence that exempts UK nationals from the EUs upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) - a digital registration scheme for non-EU visitors to the Schengen Area.

During meetings with Migration Minister Elma Saiz Delgado and EU Sherpa Maider Makua, Thomas-Symonds pushed for a more streamlined process to protect the rights of residents.

The 2027 food and drink deal

The Minister also visited Madrids Mercado de La Paz to highlight the importance of British exports. A key pillar of the UKs new strategy is the ambition to reach a specialised food and drink trade agreement by 2027.

If successful, this deal would significantly reduce the red tape and food safety barriers that currently make it difficult for British retailers in Spain to stock UK products. It would also simplify the process for expats bringing personal produce between the two countries.

The visit follows a broader shift in UK-EU relations since 2024. Following the first UK-EU Summit in May 2025, new economic and security frameworks were established. These agreements are projected to be worth 10 billion to the UK economy by 2040 and are expected to further lower barriers for British citizens in Spain.

In a keynote speech at the Nueva Economia Forum, Thomas-Symonds acknowledged the challenges of the last decade: "I know that the last decade created uncertainties for the expat community. That is why we have worked to reset our relationship with the EU. It will soon be easier to get British produce in Spain thanks to our new food and drink deal."

The Minister concluded his visit by reaffirming that the UK-Spain relationship is a cornerstone of the governments ambition for a more "positive and productive partnership" with the European Union.
Modern Samsung Galaxy phones come packed with powerful features, but many of the best options are buried in menus. By adjusting a few key Samsung Galaxy settings right away, users can improve performance, battery life, security, and everyday convenience. These Samsung phone tips focus on practical One UI settings that most people will benefit from immediately.

1. Turn On the Highest Screen Resolution

Many Galaxy devices support multiple resolutions, such as FHD+ and QHD+. Some ship with a lower resolution enabled to save battery, but switching to the highest option can make videos, photos, and text look noticeably sharper. For users who value a crisp display, this is an easy upgrade.

To change it, open Settings  Display  Screen resolution and select the highest available option (often QHD+ or WQHD+), then apply the change. Those who later want more battery life can simply return to FHD+.

2. Enable Always On Display for Quick Glance Info

Always On Display (AOD) is one of the most useful One UI settings because it shows time, date, battery level, and notification icons on a lowpower screen. This reduces the need to tap or unlock the phone just to check basic information.

To turn it on, go to Settings  Lock screen  Always On Display, then toggle it on. Users can choose to show it all the time, on a schedule, or only when tapping the screen, and some models allow customizing clock styles and colors.

3. Switch to Gesture Navigation for More Screen Space

Samsung Galaxy settings allow users to switch from the traditional threebutton navigation to swipe gestures. Gesture navigation frees up screen space at the bottom and offers a cleaner, more modern look.

To enable it, open Settings  Display  Navigation bar and choose Swipe gestures instead of Buttons. Sensitivity and gesture hints can also be adjusted. After a short learning period, many users find gestures faster and more natural.

4. Customize the Side Key (Power Button) Actions

The side key can be customized to act as a handy shortcut. Through One UI settings, users can decide what happens when they doublepress or press and hold the button, such as launching the camera or opening the power menu.

To change this, go to Settings  Advanced features  Side key. Common choices include doublepress to open the camera and press and hold for the power off menu. This small tweak saves time for frequently used actions.

5. Boost Security with Secure Folder and Strong Lock Screen

Securityfocused Samsung phone tips start with the lock screen and Secure Folder. Secure Folder creates an encrypted space for sensitive apps, photos, and files, protected by its own PIN, pattern, or password.

To set it up, open Settings  Security and privacy (or Biometrics and security)  Secure Folder, sign in with a Samsung account, and follow the prompts. At the same time, choosing a strong lock method, such as a PIN with fingerprint unlock, adds important protection if the phone is lost or borrowed.

6. Turn On Find My Mobile and Remote Unlock

Find My Mobile helps locate, lock, or erase a lost device. When enabled, it provides an extra layer of safety alongside Android's builtin tracking tools and is one of the most important Samsung Galaxy settings for peace of mind.

To enable it, go to Settings  Security and privacy  Find My Mobile, sign into a Samsung account, and turn it on. Features like Remote unlock and Send last location can also be activated so the device can still be managed if it goes missing.

7. Optimize Battery With Adaptive Battery and Power Saving

Batteryrelated One UI settings can significantly extend runtime. Adaptive battery learns which apps are rarely used and limits their background activity. Power saving modes reduce performance and visual effects when battery life becomes critical.

To adjust these options, open Settings  Battery and device care  Battery. From there, users can enable Adaptive battery and select a power saving mode. Those who spend long days away from a charger can tailor these settings to match their routine.

8. Use Modes and Routines for Smart Automation

Modes and Routines (formerly Bixby Routines) automate common actions based on conditions like time, location, or battery level. This feature can make the phone feel smarter and more responsive to daily habits.

These controls are found in Settings  Modes and Routines. Users can enable preset modes like Sleep or Driving, or build custom routines such as turning on Do Not Disturb at bedtime, enabling WiFi at home, or activating Power saving when the battery drops below a chosen percentage.

9. Clean Up Notifications and Enable Notification History

Too many alerts can be distracting, but Samsung Galaxy settings offer fine control over notifications. Each app's notifications can be allowed, silenced, or restricted to certain categories, reducing noise while keeping important alerts visible.

Open Settings  Notifications to manage which apps can send alerts and how they appear. Under Advanced settings, turning on Notification history lets users review recently dismissed notifications, which is helpful if an alert is cleared by accident.

10. Reorganize Quick Settings and Add Essential Toggles

The Quick Settings panel is a central control hub that becomes far more useful when customized. Rearranging tiles and adding the most-used toggles makes it faster to manage connectivity, brightness, and tools.

To edit it, swipe down twice from the top of the screen to fully open Quick Settings, then tap the pencil or edit icon. Tiles like WiFi, Mobile data, Torch, Eye comfort shield, Screen recorder, and Power saving are popular choices to keep in the first row. A few minutes of organizing here pays off every day.

Essential Samsung Phone Tips for a Smarter Setup

Spending a short time with key Samsung Galaxy settings, screen resolution, Always On Display, gesture navigation, security options, battery tools, automation, and notifications, creates a noticeably smoother experience.

By exploring these core One UI settings and tailoring them to personal habits, users can turn a default Galaxy setup into a device that feels faster, safer, and better suited to daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do these Samsung Galaxy settings work on older Galaxy models?

Most of these settings exist on recent Galaxy phones running newer versions of One UI, but names and menu locations may differ on older models or outdated software.

2. Will enabling higher screen resolution and Always On Display drain my battery faster?

Yes, both features can increase battery usage slightly, but many users find the improved display quality and convenience worth the trade-off.

3. Can I undo all my Samsung Galaxy settings changes if I make a mistake?

Users can reset specific areas like display, home screen, or all settings (without deleting personal data) from the General management  Reset menu.

4. Are Modes and Routines safe to use with sensitive apps or data?

Yes, they mainly automate system actions and app behavior, but users should review each routine carefully to ensure it doesn't override security or privacy preferences.
Microsoft has confirmed it is investigating a frustrating bug in the classic version of Microsoft Outlook for Windows, where the mouse pointer disappears while users move it across the app interface.

The issue, first reported by users nearly two months ago, makes the desktop email app difficult  and in some cases nearly impossible  to use. Many affected customers say the pointer vanishes while moving across the Outlook interface, leaving them unable to interact with emails, menus, or other on-screen elements.

My mouse just stopped being visible while I am using Outlook, and this is very, very, frustrating because my permission wasnt given to make these changes, and now I cant find anything, cant open emails, cant copy and paste, and the list goes on and on.. I hope this is fixable, one customer wrote on the Windows forum.

How The Bug Affects Users

According to Microsofts support documentation, the mouse pointer  and in some cases the text cursor  becomes invisible when hovering over certain parts of the Outlook interface. Interestingly, the pointer remains active in the background.

When using classic Outlook, you may find that the mouse pointer or mouse cursor disappears as you move the pointer over the Outlook interface, the company said in a recent support document.

Although the mouse pointer is not there, the email in the message list will change color as you hover over it. This issue has also been reported with OneNote and other Microsoft 365 apps to a lesser degree.

Some users say the glitch makes Outlook nearly unusable, especially in busy work environments where precise navigation is essential.

The company also acknowledged that a similar issue has been reported, to a lesser extent, in other Microsoft 365 apps such as Microsoft OneNote.

Microsofts Response

Microsoft has officially marked the issue as Investigating and says the Outlook team is actively working to identify the root cause.

For enterprise customers, the company is asking Microsoft 365 tenant administrators to open a support case and submit diagnostic log files, including WebView2 traces, to help engineers analyze the bug more effectively and assist with troubleshooting.

At this time, Microsoft has not shared a timeline for when a permanent fix will be available.

Temporary Workarounds For Affected Users

While the company works on a solution, Microsoft has provided three temporary fixes that may restore the missing cursor:

Click an Email in the Message List: Select an email when the message row highlights. This may cause the mouse pointer to reappear. Switch to PowerPoint and Back: Open Microsoft PowerPoint, click inside an editable area, and switch back to Outlook. This has helped some users regain visibility of the pointer. Restart the Computer: Restarting the PC appears to temporarily resolve the issue in many cases.

Some users have also reported success by adjusting Windows mouse settings, though Microsoft has not officially listed this as a primary workaround.
A father and son walk through flood water in Badung Regency, Bali Province of Indonesia, Feb. 24, 2026. Heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding in parts of Indonesia's resort island of Bali, inundating areas of Denpasar, particularly the Sanur area, and prompting the evacuation of dozens of foreign visitors, according to local authorities on Tuesday. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding in parts of Indonesia's resort island of Bali, inundating areas of Denpasar, particularly the Sanur area, and prompting the evacuation of dozens of foreign visitors, according to local authorities on Tuesday.

The worst-hit areas included Jalan Bumi Ayu and Jalan Kesari in Sanur, as well as Jalan Gunung Athena in Denpasar. In these locations, floodwaters reached up to 1.5 meters, or about chest-deep for an adult. A number of villas and hotels were submerged, disrupting tourism activities in the area.

A search and rescue team from the Bali Police was deployed on Tuesday morning. A total of 14 personnel, equipped with four canoes and one rubber boat, were mobilized to carry out evacuation operations.

"So far, five guests have been evacuated, and seven people were evacuated in the north," team coordinator Gede Sutrawan was quoted by local media as saying.

The flooding followed several days of heavy rain affecting much of Bali. Authorities warned that continued rainfall could prolong or worsen the situation, urging residents and visitors to remain vigilant and comply with safety advisories. 

Tourists are evacuated among flooding in Badung Regency, Bali Province of Indonesia, Feb. 24, 2026. Heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding in parts of Indonesia's resort island of Bali, inundating areas of Denpasar, particularly the Sanur area, and prompting the evacuation of dozens of foreign visitors, according to local authorities on Tuesday. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)

Tourists are evacuated among flooding in Badung Regency, Bali Province of Indonesia, Feb. 24, 2026. Heavy rainfall has triggered severe flooding in parts of Indonesia's resort island of Bali, inundating areas of Denpasar, particularly the Sanur area, and prompting the evacuation of dozens of foreign visitors, according to local authorities on Tuesday. (Photo by Dicky Bisinglasi/Xinhua)
US Supreme Court to hear bid to block climate change suits



Washington, United States, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2026



The US Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case brought by oil and gas companies seeking to block climate change lawsuits.

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed across the United States seeking to hold fossil fuel producers liable for damages caused by climate change.

Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy (USA) are appealing a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that a climate change lawsuit filed by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, should be allowed to proceed in state court.

The energy giants argue that such claims should be heard in federal -- not state -- court and that federal environmental laws should apply.

"Boulder, Colorado, cannot make energy policy for the entire country," they said in their petition asking the Supreme Court for review.

"State law cannot impose the costs of global climate change on a subset of the world's energy producers chosen by a single municipality."

Exxon Mobil and Suncor said energy companies are being sued for "billions of dollars in damages for injuries allegedly caused by the contribution of greenhouse-gas emissions to global climate change."

"But as the Court has recognized for over a century," they said, "the structure of our constitutional system does not permit a State to provide relief under state law for injuries allegedly caused by pollution emanating from outside the State."

The Justice Department under President Donald Trump, reversing the stance of the Biden administration, asked the conservative majority Supreme Court to weigh in through a friend-of-the-court brief in the Colorado case.

Reacting to the decision to hear the case, Alyssa Johl, vice president at the Center for Climate Integrity, urged the Supreme Court to uphold the Colorado Supreme Court ruling.

"No part of the Constitution, or any state or federal law, gives corporations the right to lie to the public about the dangers associated with their products simply because those products are fossil fuels," Johl said in a statement.

"The Court should uphold what the Colorado Supreme Court and others have made clear: communities like Boulder have the right to seek accountability in their state courts when corporations have knowingly caused local harms."

Many of the lawsuits filed against oil and gas giants by state and local authorities are modeled on successful legal actions taken against the tobacco industry in the 1990s.

None have yet gone to trial.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the case in the fall term, which begins in October.
US winter storm brings rare hush to snowy New York



New York, Feb 23 (AFP) Feb 23, 2026



New York's typically bustling streets were almost deserted Monday after a huge snowstorm carpeted the city, where a nonessential travel ban inconvenienced some but offered a fun day out for others.

Buses and ambulances equipped with snow chains rolled through a quieter-than-usual Manhattan, while many shops and restaurants were shuttered in Brooklyn and other boroughs.

With schools closed across the city of 8.5 million people, many children took advantage of the free day by sledding down snowy hills in Central Park.

"I really love it, it's really fun to play in the snow," said Dylan, 11, who added it was the most snow he had seen in his life.

Behind him, three-year-old Chloe burst out laughing as she lay in the powder before her dad Eddie, 41, helped her back to her feet.

"We had some snow about a month ago. But it's probably the most we've had in a decade or two. Everybody loves it," Eddie told AFP.

Elsewhere, parkgoers threw snowballs from a bridge onto a frozen lake to test the strength of the ice.

Central Park, New York's official reporting station, measured 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) of snow as of 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) -- the largest amount in over a decade.

Some locals used skis to navigate the powder, even walking their dogs at the same time.

Major tourist hubs like Times Square were almost empty on Monday but for a scattering of people bundled up in coats.



- 'Frustrating' -



Hannah Baade, a finance worker living in Brooklyn, said she enjoyed seeing the city covered in snow.

"I like it," she told AFP. "I would prefer to get snow in the winter, it makes it seem like winter."

"It's just funny that we haven't had snow for a few years and then we get these two massive storms this year."

But other New Yorkers were annoyed to see more snow, which fell weeks after a January winter storm was starting to thaw out.

"The snow had just melted and now we're getting a ton more," said Alexa, 36, who didn't want to share her last name.

"So it's a little frustrating, but it's also wintertime, so it's OK."

Sixty-year-old Joe Schultz was rushing to shovel snow from a buried footpath in Brooklyn.

"[It's] not bad for now, but later... when the temperature drops, it'll be harder because we've got ice underneath it," he said.
Post-it maker 3M faces Belgian trial over 'forever' chemicals



Brussels, Belgium, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



Hundreds of Belgians living near a 3M plant have sued the US multinational maker of Post-it and Scotch tape over pollution from so-called "forever chemicals" in a trial that opens on Tuesday.

The residents are demanding almost 30 million euros ($35 million) in total in potential damages in the latest in a series of legal cases worldwide centring on the harm caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Abnormal levels of groundwater and soil pollution were detected near a 3M site in Zwijndrecht, outside the port city of Antwerp, in 2021.

A blood-sampling campaign later confirmed that hundreds of people living nearby had been exposed to very high concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a member of the PFAS family used as a waterproofing agent.

3M said it has not produced PFAS at the plant inaugurated in the 1970s since 2024 and has launched a soil remediation operation in the area.

But Geert Lenssens, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said about 1,400 locals are seeking 20,000 euros each in compensation in anticipation of future needs, accusing the US group of "excessive neighbourhood disturbances".

"An illness can take several decades to develop, as we saw with asbestos," Lenssens said, adding his clients' properties in the area also stood to lose value.



- Human-made chemicals -



Heard by an Antwerp judge, the case is scheduled to last three days and follows the successful lawsuit brought by another local family against 3M before the same court, according to Lenssens.

A verdict is not expected before a month.

Often called "forever chemicals" as they take an extremely long time to break down, PFAS are human-made chemicals that repel heat, water and oil, and are used in nonstick pans, stain-proof carpets, and other products.

They are increasingly being restricted across the world due to adverse health effects.

Chronic exposure to even low levels has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birth weights and several kinds of cancer.

3M told AFP it is currently carrying out a large-scale clean-up operation in Zwijndrecht, following a 2022 agreement with local authorities, under which the firm committed to spending half a billion euros on remediation measures.

The company, which has also been sued in the United States over its use of PFAS, said it would end all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025.

mad/ub/ec/gv

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
Spanish judge moves to try ex-govt leader over deadly 2024 floods



Madrid, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



A Spanish judge on Tuesday ordered Valencia's former regional president to stand trial for negligence over his handling of flash floods in 2024 that killed 230 people.

Carlos Mazon resigned in November 2025 after a year of intense scrutiny over his whereabouts on the day of the disaster, whose management is primarily a regional responsibility under Spain's decentralised political system.

Critics noted that on the day of the floods, Mazon spent several hours having lunch with a journalist while his government delayed sending mobile alerts to warn residents.

Judge Nuria Ruiz Tobarra, who is investigating the regional government's response, said there is evidence that Mazon showed "absolute negligence in the coordination and management" of the floods.

Mazon's decision to "retreat to a private dining room when faced with an extremely serious situation" was "a decisive factor in the deadly human toll", she added in her ruling.

The judge referred the case to the Superior Court of Justice of Valencia, which has the authority to prosecute Mazon because he retains legal protections as a member of the regional parliament.

The higher court must now decide whether to put Mazon, a member of the conservative Popular Party (PP), on trial as recommended by the lower court, continue investigating, or drop the case.

In addition to the 230 deaths, thousands of homes were damaged across the Mediterranean region when a year's worth of rain fell in just a few hours on Oct. 29, 2024.

Families of victims of Spain's deadliest natural disaster in a generation expressed outrage at a state funeral a year later, shouting "murderer" and "coward" as Mazon arrived.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday briefed the media on the arrangements for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China, which will take place from Feb. 25 to 26.

Mao noted at a regular news briefing that this visit is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Merz, and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern. 
After blizzard, US officials slam snowball attack injuring New York police



New York, Feb 24 (AFP) Feb 24, 2026



US officials on Tuesday condemned an incident in which they said New York police were injured when a crowd pelted them with snowballs.

Footage online shows two male officers being struck with snowballs and taunted on Monday afternoon as they walked through a park following the city's largest snowstorm in over a decade.

Another video showed a large group following several officers, with snowballs hitting some in the back of the head as they walked towards their vehicle.

"Multiple uniformed officers were struck in the face with snowballs," a New York Police Department spokeswoman told AFP.

She said the officers, who were responding to reports of a disorderly group in Washington Square Park, were taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment.

Detectives from the NYPD are investigating the incident, according to police commissioner Jessica Tisch.

"I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal," she wrote on X.

Kathy Hochul, governor of New York state, also criticized the incident.

"It is never acceptable to throw anything at a police officer, full stop," she said.

City mayor Zohran Mamdani was more measured in his comments, saying he had seen what he called "the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers."

"Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone's catching a snowball, it's me," he wrote on X.

The largest union representing NYPD officers called for the individuals throwing snowballs to be arrested and charged with assault.

"Unacceptable and outrageous -- this is the environment that NYC police officers are up against," the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York said on social media.

A huge blizzard on Monday dumped 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) of snow in Central Park, according to New York City's climate reporting station -- the ninth biggest snowstorm ever recorded there.
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Filmmaker Jonte Richardson has announced his resignation as a Bafta judge, citing the academys utterly unforgivable handling of a racial slur aired during its recent film awards ceremony.

The director and producer confirmed he would no longer serve on the emerging talent judging panel following an incident where Tourettes campaigner John Davidson shouted a racial slur during a presentation by Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The 54-year-olds outburst was heard as the Black Hollywood actors presented the award for special visual effects at Londons Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.

Mr Davidson has since stated he is deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning.

In a statement posted on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson explained his decision: After considerable soul-searching, I feel compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel. The organisations handling of the unfortunate Tourettes N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable.

He continued, expressing his inability to contribute to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community". Mr Richardson highlighted the irony, noting that this years cohort includes some incredible Black talent, including one of his favourite shows of 2025, Just Act Normal.

open image in gallery John Davidson at the Baftas (Ian West/PA) ( PA )

However, when an organisation like Bafta, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour, he added. Mr Richardson concluded by hoping Bafta leadership and the BBC comprehend the damage they... have caused, and take the necessary steps to ensure their production staff are inclusive enough to prevent such an issue in the future.

During the broadcast, awards ceremony presenter Alan Cumming apologised for any offensive language viewers may have heard. Bafta issued a statement on Monday night, apologising for the incident and taking full responsibility for placing its guests in a difficult situation. The academy also apologised unreservedly to Mr Jordan and Mr Lindo and to all those impacted, thanking them for their incredible dignity and professionalism.

Baftas statement affirmed: We will learn from this and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.

The BBC also apologised for not editing the racial slur out of the broadcast. A spokesperson for the corporation said: Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer.

Responding to these apologies, Mr Richardson commented: TBF the Bafta apology is considerably better than the BBC mumbled sidestepping. But the fact that it took 24 hours and intense backlash to get here suggests that despite its claims, Bafta remains inherently unsafe for Black and disabled people. He expressed scepticism about future changes, predicting that the same production company and the same execs will still be in charge of next years awards. So claiming to learn from this will inevitably be as performative as their desire for inclusion.

open image in gallery Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo heard a racial slur while presenting award at Baftas ( BBC )

Richardson, who is a champion of diverse voices in the industry, is a director, writer, producer and editor who has worked in both the UK and the US on projects including Channel 4s Bluefinch and award-winning productions for BET and HBO.

In a statement to the Press Association, Mr Davidson said he chose to leave the auditorium early as he was aware of the distress my tics were causing. According to the NHS, Tourette syndrome causes sudden, repetitive sounds or movements, which can, in rare instances, result in uncontrollable offensive language.

Mr Davidson, who developed the condition at 12, was made an MBE in 2019 for his work increasing understanding of Tourette syndrome. He was attending the Baftas representing the film I Swear, which chronicles his life with the condition.

It stars Robert Aramayo, who won best actor for his performance in the film, which also won best casting. Aramayo was also named EE Rising Star.
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Another Oscar-winning actor is joining Leonardo DiCaprio for the sequel to Michael Manns 1995 hit movie Heat.

Christian Bale confirmed that he is signed on for the sequel in an interview with Fox News journalist Jake Hamilton, saying: Ill be back in Chicago soon for Heat 2!

Rumors about Bale joining the cast circulated in November, but Tuesday marks the first time that the American Psycho star addressed the sequel. Both Bale and DiCaprios roles in the movie have been kept under wraps for now.

The long-awaited addition is reportedly set to start production in August. Shoots have been planned all over the world, including in locations like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Singapore and Paraguay.

Manns new project is based on his 2022 novel Heat 2, written with Meg Gardiner. The book serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the original crime thriller starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

open image in gallery Leonardo DiCaprio has already been confirmed to star in Michael Mann's sequel to his hit 1995 film 'Heat' ( Getty Images for Warner Bros. )

open image in gallery Christian Bale confirmed his involvement in Michael Mann's 'Heat 2' ( Getty Images )

Heat, which centers around a group of thieves in Los Angeles, is considered one of the best thrillers ever and has been acclaimed over the years for its star-studded performances as well as its action scenes. In addition to its leading men, the cult classic starred the late Val Kilmer, Ashley Judd, Jon Voight and Natalie Portman.

The book features characters from the original film like detective Vincent Hanna, played by Pacino, and criminal Neil McCauley, played by De Niro.

Due to the new story taking place before and after the events of the original film, speculation has risen over how Mann will tackle portraying younger versions of Pacino and De Niros characters.

open image in gallery Robert De Niro and Al Pacino starred in the original 1995 crime thriller 'Heat' ( Getty Images for AFI )

The legendary filmmaker said at the Lumiere Film Festival in October that he might experiment with artificial intelligence to solve the issue, saying at a press conference: I dont experiment with technology gratuitously. When I have a dramatic need or esthetic need for it, then I go deep into what I need. He added, Aging and de-aging may be very important in the next film.

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After previously suggesting Timothee Chalamet to play a younger version of him, Pacino said during a 2022 interview with The Independent that he would be open to using Irishman-style de-aging technology to reprise the role himself.

Meanwhile, Adam Driver is rumored to be attached to the film as a younger version of De Niros character, while Elvis star Austin Butler has played coy amid speculation that he will play character Chris Shiherlis, the role originally made famous by Kilmer.
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Rosamund Pike has named Dame Judi Dench as the finest actress she has ever collaborated with, affectionately describing the veteran star as a "mischief maker". The 47-year-old actress, known for her roles in Gone Girl and Saltburn, shared her admiration during an interview with comedian Romesh Ranganathan on BBC Radio 2.

Pike, who worked alongside Dame Judi in a 2009 London production of Madame de Sade and the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, lauded her for being "so delightful" and her remarkable ability to seamlessly transition into character.

"The best actress Ive ever worked with is Judi Dench, whos such a mischief maker," Pike stated.

"Shes so delightful. Shes so, so good. If you ever just want to just hear something short, listen to Judi Dench read a Shakespeare sonnet, just find one on YouTube, and it will move you to tears  youll just think that is how English should be spoken.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

Shes just amazing and yet, when youre doing a play with her, shes so funny, shes so naughty. Off stage, shes completely out of character, laughing, playing a practical joke, and then she walks on and its all there."

Shifting her praise to the male acting world, Pike also singled out American Psycho star Christian Bale as the best actor she has worked with. The pair starred together in the 2017 film Hostiles, though Pike admitted she doesn't know Bale well due to his renowned method acting approach.

"Hes another level," she remarked. "I cant say I know him really, but it was just a pretty amazing experience to be around him in a film called Hostiles, but I dont think I met Christian, I think I only met the character. Hes quite method. Hes very method."

Pike elaborated on Bales dedication, highlighting his profound commitment to his craft. "Its just the level of truth, the level of commitment, integrity, truth. Its the sort of depth of it all the time. I think he just doesnt give anything away.

open image in gallery ( Mony Group/PA Wire )

I think hes not someone whos fallen victim to the thing of needing to be liked. I dont think hes at all interested in his own image in the press or anything. I think he just does the work and has been able to do it since he was very young. I think he shuts out all the noise really well and creates the space he needs. His performances are just astounding."

In contrast to Bales immersive technique, Pike revealed her own approach to acting. "Ive seen both ways of total excellence, and I think I can go quite up to the last minute being silly and then switch on."

Beyond her acclaimed roles in Gone Girl, 2005s Pride and Prejudice, and the recent Saltburn, Pike is set to appear in the West End production of Inter Alia. The play will run from 19 March until 20 June at Wyndhams Theatre.
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Martin Shorts daughter, Katherine Elizabeth Hartley Short, has died aged 42.

Katherines death was confirmed in a statement to The Independent by a representative for Martin.

It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time, the statement read.

Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.

According to TMZ, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call at Katherines home in the Hollywood Hills Monday evening, where she was found deceased.

open image in gallery Martin Shorts daughter, Katherine, has died aged 42 ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Katherine had two younger brothers, Oliver Patrick Short, 39, and Henry Hayter Short, 36 ( Getty Images )

The Independent has reached out to representatives for the LAPD for comment.

Katherine is the oldest of Martin and his late wife Nancy Dolmans three adoptive children; the former couple is also parents to sons Oliver Patrick Short, 39, and Henry Hayter Short, 36. Dolman died in 2010 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Its been a tough two years for my children, Martin told The Guardian shortly after his wifes death. This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does, you gain a little, and you suffer a little. Theres no big surprise.

While Martin has not revealed many details about his daughter, she has made public appearances alongside him in the past, including the 2003 afterparty for The Producers, Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project Hulaween and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011.

In 2006, she graduated with a bachelors degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University before moving on to receive her masters in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.

Katherine worked at UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years before working at the dual-diagnosis outpatient program Camden Center. She later worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and also part-time at the clinic, Amae Health.

According to her website, Katherine was also involved with a charity called Bring Change 2 Mind, which aims to empower young people to build connected, empathetic and supportive school communities where conversations about mental health are welcome and stigma-free.

While Martin is currently on a two-man comedy-and-music tour with his Only Murders in the Building co-star, Steve Martin, it is unclear if he will be in attendance at their next show on Friday at the Miller High Life Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Matthew Lillard has admitted that he felt like he was observing his own wake after he was flooded with messages of support following Quentin Tarantinos criticism of him.

The US actor, 56, was the target of director Tarantinos vitriol in a now-infamous podcast episode, in which he made disparaging comments about Lillard and fellow actors Paul Dano and Owen Wilson.

In a new interview, Lillard joked that the outpouring of love he received in response felt as though he was witnessing his own funeral.

It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets, he told People. I mean, it was really nice being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things people say after you die.

Everyone, from the people at the mall this weekend with my kids to George Clooney and James Gunn and Mike Flanagan, I mean, people have been sort of been really generous with telling me how much they loved me and liked my work.

Lillard first addressed Tarantinos remarks in December during an appearance at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, saying it f***ing [sucked] that the Kill Bill director had aired his negative views.

Matthew Lillard (left) said he was touched by the support from fans and his peers after Tarantinos disparaging remarks ( Getty )

In his appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino, 62, said he didnt care for Lillard while also calling Dano weak sauce and claiming he was the big giant flaw in Paul Thomas Andersons film There Will Be Blood.

Quentin Tarantino this week said he didnt like me as an actor, a TikTok showed Lillard telling fans at GalaxyCon, before adding: Eh, whatever. Who gives a s***.

The Scooby-Doo and Scream star continued: The point is that it hurts your feelings. It f***ing sucks. And you wouldnt say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldnt say that to somebody whos a top-line actor in Hollywood.

Lillard said Tarantinos remarks sucked particularly because he would love to be in one of his movies: I think hes a lovely filmmaker, and to just sort of get punched in the mouth was kind of a bummer.

However, he maintained that he was grateful for the support he had received: At the end of the day, it was kind of lovely.

Dano also said he was grateful for the support he received in an interview last month, while his Little Miss Sunshine co-star Toni Collette said more plainly: F*** that guy! He mustve been high... it was just confusing. Who does that?

Lillard reprises his role as Stu Macher this month in the latest instalment of the slasher franchise Scream, alongside co-stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette and Courteney Cox.
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Had things played out differently, Natalie Dormers face would be splashed across magazine covers right now. The actor would be sitting on chat shows, chummily sharing anecdotes about her time on Game of Thrones and charming the pants off Graham Norton. She would be giving interview after interview about her glossy new ITV series The Lady, which concerns Jane Andrews, the royal dresser to Sarah Ferguson, who went on to murder her businessman boyfriend, Thomas Cressman, at their London home in 2000. Dormer, in a bouncy red blowout and shoulder pads, plays the then-Duchess of York.

But as luck would have it, Dormer is doing none of these things. Youd hardly know she was in the show if you were not tuning in yourself. The publicity circuit in general for The Lady has been very hush-hush if not totally non-existent after Dormer pulled out of promoting the series back in September.

open image in gallery Natalie Dormer as Sarah Ferguson in new drama The Lady ( Left Bank/Sony Pictures Television )

She did so following a fresh revelation about Fergusons links to Jeffrey Epstein, the billionaire sex offender who died in prison in 2019. In an email sent in 2011, Ferguson apologised to the American financier for publicly disavowing him after hed been jailed years earlier for soliciting prostitution from a minor. I know you feel hellaciously let down by me from what you were either told or read and I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that, Ferguson wrote. (A spokesperson for the then-duchess said she had sent the email in response to a threat Epstein had made to sue her for defamation.)

In a statement issued last year, Dormer said: When I agreed to take the role in The Lady, I knew portraying the scripts Sarah Ferguson would require nuance. People are layered, their journeys are full of highs and lows, and as an actor, my job is to lean into those elements and bring them to life with honesty and empathy.

Since completing the project, new information has come to light that makes it impossible for me to reconcile my values with Sarah Fergusons behaviour, which I believe is inexcusable. For that reason, I will not be taking part in the promotion of the project.

Dormer went one step further and donated her full salary from The Lady to the National Association for People Abused in Childhood and the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse  a move in keeping with my commitment to the well-being of children, she said.

Its true that the series arrives at an awkward (to put it mildly) time for Ferguson, whose ex-husband, ex-prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has just been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office this week over allegations that he sent confidential government documents to Epstein. An unflattering photo of him slunk down in the backseat of a car has been plastered on every newspaper in the world  and the Louvre. The arrest follows, of course, months and months of disgrace for Andrew. And Fergie too.

open image in gallery Dormer has not promoted the series at all after new information came out about the former duchesss connections to Epstein ( Left Bank/Sony Pictures Television )

Just days ago, accusations emerged that she had taken her daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, to meet Epstein only days after he was released from prison for child sex crimes. She also stands accused of introducing her then 22-year-old goddaughter to Epstein months later. Over to you! she wrote in an email, released in the Epstein files, providing the contact details for the daughter of her former lady-in-waiting. Epstein appeared to consider employing her and making a $100,000 donation in her name to a health charity.

All this to say, a series focused on Ferguson and her circle is a tough sell these days. While The Ladys star, the Bafta-nominated Mia McKenna Bruce who plays the working-class, Grimsby-born Andrews, has not made any statement, things have been noticeably quiet from her camp too. Seemingly zero interviews were completed or published in the lead-up to the shows release  an anomaly for a primetime drama.

Of course, disowning a project is nothing new for an actor  whether over creative differences or ethical concerns. The past decade, for example, has seen a spate of stars disavow their work with Woody Allen. Greta Gerwig, Colin Firth, Elliot Page, Kate Winslet, and Rachel Brosnahan among them. Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Hall donated their salaries from their films with the director, A Rainy Day in New York and Victoria Cristina Barcelona, respectively, to charitable causes.

In the case of Dormer, her foresight turns out to have been fortuitous  not only because more continues to come out about Ferguson in the Epstein files  but because the series is not very good anyway. In a two-star review, The Independents TV critic Nick Hilton points out that beyond the sensationalist interest in Andrews royal links, the case feels oddly flat and would be of no interest to TV crime writers sans Fergie.

open image in gallery There continues to be revelations around Fergies connection with the disgraced financier ( AFP/Getty )

He also notes that Andrews is still alive, as are the family and friends of her victim, Thomas Cressman. And so, the prurience of the case  including allegations, depicted here in the courtroom scenes, of rape and domestic abuse against Cressman, and sex abuse in Andrews childhood, all of which remains unproven  feels uncomfortable, he writes. Cressmans brother has also objected to the project, which depicts the late businessman as unlikeable and faintly seedy, notes The Telegraph.

Despite some superb performances, The Lady tells an ugly royal story that anyone living in the UK in the 2000s will remember  all the while an even uglier one unfolds in real time. For Dormer, getting distance from that can surely only be a good thing.
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Major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, are set to face regulatory oversight from Ofcom, bringing them in line with traditional broadcasters under new legislation.

The move will see the UKs largest video-on-demand (VoD) services, defined as those with over 500,000 UK users, subjected to "enhanced regulation" by the media watchdog.

The government is introducing secondary legislation to empower Ofcom to accept viewer complaints and launch investigations into streaming platforms, a role it currently performs for broadcast television. This expanded remit will also encompass public service broadcaster VoD services such as ITVX and Channel 4.

However, BBC VoD services like BBC iPlayer will initially remain exempt, continuing under the Broadcasting Code via the BBC Framework Agreement, though they are intended to be included in due course.

Previously, only licensed television channels were mandated to comply with Ofcoms Broadcasting Code and accessibility requirements, leaving many popular streaming services either unregulated or not subject to the same standards within the UK.

Under the new framework, any VoD platform exceeding 500,000 users will automatically be designated a "Tier 1" service, requiring adherence to a new VoD standards code that mirrors the Broadcasting Code followed by established broadcasters.

Two-thirds of households subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, according to Ofcoms 2025 Media Nations report ( (Nick Ansell/PA) )

The legislation aims to ensure accurate and impartial news reporting, alongside safeguarding audiences from "harmful or offensive" material. Viewers will gain the ability to lodge complaints directly with Ofcom, which will then possess the authority to investigate alleged breaches of the code and take appropriate action.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy commented on the changes, stating: "We know that the way audiences watch TV has fundamentally changed. Millions now choose to watch content on video-on-demand platforms alongside or, in the case of many young people, instead of traditional TV."

She added that the Media Act introduced vital updates to the regulatory framework, strengthening audience protections, creating a level playing field for the industry, and supporting the UKs vibrant media sector.

A public consultation will be launched to establish the specific VoD standards code, allowing both the public and streaming providers to contribute their perspectives. The finalised code is expected to come into effect one year after its publication by Ofcom.

This regulatory shift reflects the significant migration of viewers from traditional television to on-demand streaming. According to Ofcoms 2025 Media Nations report, two-thirds of households subscribe to at least one of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+, with 85 per cent of people using an on-demand service monthly, compared to 67 per cent who watch live TV.
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Robert Carradine, who starred in Revenge of the Nerds and the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, has died at 71.

The American actor was best known for playing Lizzies dad, Sam, in the childrens show. He took his own life after struggling with bipolar disorder for 20 years.

In a statement, his family said: It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away. In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him.

We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with bipolar disorder.

They continued: We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness. At this time we ask for the privacy to grieve this unfathomable loss. With gratitude for your understanding and compassion.

Carradines brother Keith spoke out about the actors mental health difficulties, saying that his family want people to know that there is no shame in it. He added: It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul.

Robert Carradine will be known to younger generations as Sam, the father from Lizzie McGuire ( Getty )

He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day. We will take solace in how funny he could be, how wise and utterly accepting and tolerant he was. Thats who my baby brother was.

Carradine is survived by his three children, Ever, Marica Reed and Ian Alexander, as well as his grandchildren, brothers, nephews and nieces  including The Goonies star Martha Plimpton.

The actor, who was the son of House of Frankensteins John Carradine and came from a family of actors, made his film debut in 1972, taking on a role in The Cowboys, before landing a role in Martin Scorseses Mean Streets a year later. He later appeared in the Oscar-winning film Coming Home alongside Jane Fonda and Jon Voight.

Carradine acted opposite his brothers, David and Keith, in Walter Hill film The Long Riders before shooting to fame in 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, in which he played geek Lewis Skolnick. However, the younger generation know him best for playing Lizzies reliable dad Sam in hit Disney series Lizzie McGuire from 2001 to 2004.

His co-star Hilary Duff paid tribute to her onscreen dad with an emotional Instagram post, writing: This one hurts.

She added: Its really hard to face this reality about an old friend. There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my onscreen parents. Ill be forever grateful for that. Im deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him.

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If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
LANZHOU, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Many young Chinese took the lead in reshaping the Spring Festival -- the nation's most important holiday -- blending tradition with personal expression through creative spending.

Instead of spending hours in the kitchen on the eve of the Chinese New Year, Liu Hao, a 27-year-old resident in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, ordered pre-made dishes online, featuring delicacies from other parts of the country.

"All we had to do was heat and plate them. It was delicious, looked great for photos, and my parents didn't have to be tied to the kitchen all day," Liu said, praising the relaxed "light cooking" style.

The Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival, fell on Feb. 17 this year. According to a recent report by the Douyin e-commerce platform, the transaction volume for products related to the New Year's Eve dinner surged by 92 percent year-on-year from Jan. 16 to 29.

On the lifestyle social media platform rednote, the hashtag "I am the Spring Festival organizer" had garnered over 2.42 billion views. More young people are becoming the "masters of ceremonies" for their families' festivities, moving beyond mere participation to actively shaping the celebrations.

Chen Qi, a civil servant based in Lanzhou, took over her family's holiday shopping.

"I used to follow my parents to busy markets to stockpile festive foods. Now, I prioritize smart and tech-driven items that bring joy and relaxation," said Chen, 33, listing a smart floor cleaner for herself and a neck massager for her parents as examples of her "electronic New Year goods."

She also purchased a set of creative red couplets, adorned with cartoonish characters and horse-related puns, offering a fresh take on the classic ritual in the Year of the Horse.

Pop culture collectibles also emerged as a prominent part of the new festive landscape. Li Xuerui, a university student who celebrated her zodiac year, prepared a unique "lucky money" gift for her younger siblings back home in Lanzhou -- a set of limited-edition blind boxes featuring the Year of the Horse.

"Gathering around the table to unveil the blind boxes on New Year's Eve created a new kind of ritual for our reunion, a fun twist on the traditional red envelope," Li said.

She also shopped for cultural and creative souvenirs at the Gansu Provincial Museum, selecting items themed around the iconic Bronze Horse, a popular token among young people to share with friends.

During this year's local "two sessions," regions including Hubei, Jiangxi and Chongqing incorporated terms such as "emotional value" and "emotional economy" into their government work reports to encourage emotion-driven consumption.

Experts suggested that through these choices -- from pre-made festive dishes to couplets with puns and collectible gifts -- young people were crafting a Spring Festival experience that was more relaxed, personalized, and emotionally resonant for themselves. 
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Christina Applegate has opened up about her day-to-day living with multiple sclerosis.

The Emmy-winning actor, 54, was diagnosed with MS  an incurable autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord  in 2021, and has spoken openly about the debilitating pain of the condition.

She now spends a big part of each day in her bed because her chronic pain makes it hard to move around, she told People in an interview published Tuesday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, You With The Sad Eyes.

Applegate said despite the excruciating discomfort, she is committed to her routine of taking her 15-year-old daughter, Sadie, to school and activities.

I want to take her; its my favorite thing to do. Its the only time we have together by ourselves, Applegate told the outlet. I tell myself, Just get her there safely and get home so you can get back into bed. And thats what I do.

open image in gallery Christina Applegate said she spends the majority of her days in bed due to her chronic pain from multiple sclerosis ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Applegate added that she is devoted to taking her daughter, Sadie Grace LeNoble, to school and activities each day ( Getty Images )

The Married... with Children actor often speaks about her condition on her MesSy podcast, which she hosts alongside Sopranos actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who also lives with MS.

Applegate said in November 2024 that she lays in bed screaming because of the pain.

Jamie and I have different  everybody has different ways of it showing up. I lay in bed screaming. Like, the sharp pains, the ache, that squeezing, she said at the time.

The Dead To Me star went on to say, I cant even pick up my phone sometimes, because now its traveled into my hands. So Ill try to go get my phone, or get my remote to turn on the TV [and] sometimes, I cant even hold them. I cant open bottles now.

Symptoms of MS can include extreme tiredness, numbness in parts of the body, being off-balance or dizzy, muscle cramps and spasms, and memory problems, to name a few.

Applegate said in the 2024 episode: Jamie knows that I just lay in bed all the time. I mean, I worked for almost 50 years, so Im kind of okay with it. But if I put my feet on the ground and theyre hurting like extraordinarily bad to the touch, I was like, Yep. Gonna get back in my bed and pee in my diaper because I dont feel like walking all the way to the damn bathroom.

She added, I actually dont lay here and pee in my diaper. Thats just a joke. But its so freaking painful and so hard and so awkward.
There was a time when cooking shows were just that. Someone calmly demonstrating how to roast a chicken without incident. Someone explaining why a sauce splits and how to rescue it. The stakes were low, the tone gentle, the kitchen a place of competence rather than combustion.

Even when competitive formats arrived, they retained at least a basic reverence for skill. Early MasterChef contestants were judged on cooking, not their charisma, clothes or chat, let alone romantic intrigue.

The Heat  ITVs latest reality experiment, airing tonight at 9pm  by contrast, takes a rather different approach. The series strands 10 chefs in Barcelona, installs them in four-Michelin-starred Jean-Christophe Novellis glossy restaurant as he searches for the next rising star, and, for good measure, sticks reality royalty Olivia Attwood in the role of glamorous presenter, love-red ballgown and all.

Sounds normal, until the cameras keep rolling and were promised staff nights out, post-shift dates and the sort of personal entanglements that tend to arise when attractive, sleep-deprived people are forced to live and work together. In other words, the result looks suspiciously like the Love Island villa, with aprons and knives. What could possibly go wrong?

The kitchen as competition, soap opera and dating show all at once. It might be the strangest cooking show yet, although food television has always had a curious relationship with reality. Even its early incarnations carried a faint whiff of performance. Fanny Cradock, swathed in theatrical makeup and chiffon frocks, did not merely teach Britain to cook after the war  she made it feel glamorous, decadent and something closer to stagecraft than domestic duty.

Nigella Lawson, of course, pushed that idea further, transforming the act of stirring a saucepan into something sensual with a raised eyebrow and double entendre. Gordon Ramsay raised the temperature with Boiling Point, and later Hells Kitchen, where screaming in someones face because theyve wrecked the Wellington became not just normal, but entertaining. Anthony Bourdain added romance of a different kind: chefs as sleep-deprived wanderers, kitchens as gritty worlds of excess and camaraderie. Even the Hairy Bikers, hardly pin-ups, turned cooking into something driven as much by friendship and personality as recipes.

Along the way, food television settled into two familiar modes. MasterChef gave us pressure, precision and the quiet terror of undercooked steak. The Great British Bake Off offered the opposite  bunting, handshakes and the sort of jeopardy where the worst outcome is a slightly deflated genoise. Between them, the modern televised kitchen became either intensely stressful or aggressively cosy.

By the time Netflix joined the feast, chefs were filmed like auteurs. At one end sits Chefs Table, a series so reverent it borders on devotional. At the other, Is It Cake?, where people spend less time cooking than squinting suspiciously at objects that may or may not be sponge.

Kitchens, and their inhabitants, have been aestheticised, mythologised and lightly fetishised for years. If anything, Fanny Cradock might have rather enjoyed the notion of chefs shedding their professional composure  and possibly their dignity  once the working day was done.

Which makes The Heat feel less like a radical departure than the obvious conclusion. Food television no longer trades solely on aspiration or comfort. Viewers want jeopardy. They want tension. Ideally, they want to be feet-up on the sofa, tea in hand, while a stranger visibly sweats over a sauce refusing to emulsify.

open image in gallery After-hours, where The Heat looks most like Love Island ( ITV )

The Heat understands this perfectly. The problem is not that the format feels contrived, but that it is presented as even remotely realistic.

The first episode wastes little time clarifying the programmes priorities. Novelli greets the contestants with the reassuringly enigmatic declaration: You are here because I can smell potential. One suspects he can also detect the faint aroma of reality-TV hormones, because the kitchen drama is swiftly intercut with Big Brother-style confessionals in which contestants muse less on seasoning than romantic prospects. Im in my dating era, announces one.

Id be open to dating a chef, offers another, which is not so much a meet-cute as a statistical gamble. They work unsociable hours, operate under chronic pressure and industry surveys suggest that one in five hospitality workers use drugs, half report feeling depressed due to being overworked and over a quarter admit they rely on alcohol simply to get through shifts. As dating pools go, its somewhat of a high-risk category.

The structural borrowings from Love Island are not subtle. A surprise hot chef is introduced at the episodes close, deployed with the theatrical timing of a villa bombshell. Rooftop drinks and party games follow service. Contestants exchange awkward flirtations while discussing who they fancy, occasionally forgetting to include the front-of-house staff (all female, by the way) in these calculations  a lapse that feels, if nothing else, faintly authentic to hospitality life.

Kitchen competence, meanwhile, proves secondary to narrative jeopardy. The inaugural head chef (a man) describes himself as loud, a trait that does not prevent dishes from emerging late and cold and customers complaining. Novelli declares he has received more complaints that day than during his entire career. Failure results in ritual demotion to pot wash.

open image in gallery Nigella Lawson, long proof that food television has never been entirely about the food ( PA )

Elsewhere, the edit delivers some unintended intrigue. The female contestants, broadly speaking, appear to keep their composure. The male contestants, broadly speaking, do not. Whether this reflects kitchen reality or editorial preference is difficult to say, though anyone who has witnessed a busy domestic kitchen  particularly one overseen by a working mum juggling toddlers, dinner and a well-meaning but conspicuously unflappable fun dad  may find the dynamic quietly familiar.

Hospitality itself, however, tells a rather different story. Roughly 70 per cent of the workforce is female, yet leadership roles remain disproportionately male, with only 20 per cent of head chefs being women. Michelins upper tiers are more lopsided still, with just 8 per cent of star holders in the UK being women. The sexy chef archetype persists, but its gender coding rarely shifts.

The industrys fault lines are hardly theoretical. Only last year, dozens of female chefs and hospitality professionals published an open letter condemning sexism and inequality in restaurant kitchens after chef Jason Atherton claimed he had not personally witnessed such behaviour. The letter described sexism as pervasive and structurally embedded, a description unlikely to surprise anyone who has spent meaningful time in professional kitchens.

The Heat, however, inhabits a rather different tonal universe. In the trailer, one of the female chefs is heard cheerfully demanding, Let me see your balls!, a remark presumably culinary in intent, though swiftly followed by a male colleagues eager Yes, chef! that lands with all the cadence of Carry On Barcelona. Later, when the episodes head chef is informed by the maitre d that diners are complaining about slow service, he reflects to camera: She was on me, and not in a good way. If The Heat is anything but realistic  and it rarely pretends otherwise  this may, perversely, have been one of its more authentic moments.

Set beside lived realities, some of the shows breezy flirtation feels oddly detached from the world it purports to represent. Research suggests sexual harassment in hospitality is far from rare: according to a large survey of workers, around nine in 10 people in the sector report having experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment on the job, with more than half saying they were targeted by a customer and nearly a quarter by a manager. For many workers, particularly women, its less a dramatic subplot than an exhausting reality.

This is not a trivial detail, even if the show risks making it feel like one. It is the day-to-day reality for many people who work in bars, restaurants, hotels and clubs. A world in which unwanted comments, touching and propositioning are often treated as part of the job.

Which makes The Heats breezy conflation of kitchen life and romantic intrigue feel faintly surreal. Professional kitchens are not carefree arenas of rooftop cocktails and playful flirtation over the pass. They are intense, hierarchical workplaces defined by urgency, fatigue and pressure. Were the show to depict kitchen culture with genuine fidelity, it would be a very dark show indeed  and one unlikely to survive regulatory scrutiny.
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A cardiac specialist in London, who was born with two congenital heart defects that cause her heart to stop for up to 14 seconds at a time and led to a stroke at 26, has revealed she has undergone nine "interventions" over three decades, including open-heart surgery, after doctors discovered a "gaping hole" in her heart.

Angeliki Asimaki, 45, says her condition means she cannot run for a bus or ascend multiple flights of stairs, but insists it is "definitely" the foundation for her lifes devotion to heart research. Through her British Heart Foundation-funded work at City St Georges, University of London, she has developed a pioneering cheek swab capable of diagnosing and monitoring arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), a condition associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death.

Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Ms Asimaki first experienced symptoms at the age of 15. These began as dizziness and light-headedness, escalating over several months to fainting up to six times a day. With no family history of heart disease, she underwent extensive tests for brain, blood sugar, or thyroid issues, before doctors determined that her heart would stop for up to 14 seconds whenever her heart rate exceeded 120 beats per minute.

At 15, Ms Asimaki was diagnosed with an intermittent complete AV block, meaning "no electricity was flowing from the upper to the lower chambers" of her heart, necessitating a pacemaker. She told PA Real Life: "When I was first diagnosed I thought that my life was over. I was so scared and angry. I was fainting so frequently during the day that I had reached the point that I couldnt leave my bedroom and go to the bathroom without having to ask a parent to accompany me, just in case I fell in the corridor."

open image in gallery Angeliki thought her doctor was "cracking a joke" about the hole in her heart ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Within six months of her symptoms appearing, Ms Asimaki had a pacemaker fitted. "When you are a teenager and you are told that the only way to stay alive is if you have a machine helping your heart beat, you feel like your wings are being cut off," she explained. "At this age, people feel like they are invincible, and then all of a sudden, my heart needs a device in order to work. So I was very angry."

Her life changed instantly, as pacemakers in the 1990s were susceptible to magnetic fields. This meant she could not use microwaves or be in confined spaces like taxis with anyone using a mobile phone. At 21, her pacemaker battery ran out, requiring replacement. This has occurred four more times since, with her most recent, MRI-compatible battery fitted two years ago at St Georges Hospital in London.

However, Ms Asimakis heart problems continued. At 21, a combination of a pulmonary embolism and pneumonia led to a "long hospital stay" and blood-thinning medication. Then, at 26, she suddenly noticed an inability to focus her right eye while reading on a flight from Boston to Athens. Initially dismissing it as her "contact lenses were not working", within 24 hours, the entire right side of her body became weak. Rushed to hospital, doctors informed her she was experiencing a haemorrhagic stroke, caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, and she was treated with high doses of steroids for brain inflammation.

It was not until she was 29, during a seven-hour surgery to replace pacemaker leads that were draining batteries too quickly, that she finally understood the root cause of her ongoing issues. "When I woke up from that surgery, the surgeon looked worse than me," Ms Asimaki recalled. "He came to tell me that the leads (of the pacemaker) were in a horrible condition," and that he had replaced them.

open image in gallery Angeliki's heart would stop for up to 14 seconds at a time and caused a stroke at 26 ( Collect/PA Real Life )

She continued: "But then he said: Angeliki, you have a hole in your heart! And I started laughing. I mean, I was coming out of anaesthesia, but I thought he was cracking a joke. I said: What are you talking about? Theres no hole in my heart. Theyve been checking my heart for 10 years now. He said: No, theres a gaping hole in your heart, so we need to discuss this once youve recovered from surgery. It was surreal," she said.

After six months for "the new pacemaker leads to settle", Ms Asimaki underwent open-heart surgery to "physically stitch up the hole", commending the surgeon for his "incredible work". In total, she has had five pacemaker interventions, three ablations (catheter-based procedures for heart rhythm problems), and one open-heart surgery  nine procedures in all.

"Looking back, I think it would have been better if I had gotten both diagnoses at the same time," she reflected. "Because it felt like I was only just coming to terms with one of my problems and then all of a sudden you are dumping a second problem on me. I felt angry with the doctors that were looking after me in Greece. I felt like they could have picked up on this a little earlier and saved me a lot of grief," she said.

Despite these challenges, Ms Asimakis subsequent career as a leading expert in sudden cardiac death was a "no brainer" because she "really wanted to help people that had similar problems" to her own. After high school, she moved to London for university, completed a PhD in cardiomyopathies at Middlesex Hospital, and interned at Harvard University in Boston, where she became a faculty member, spending 11 years in the United States.

Since returning to London in 2017 at 36, Ms Asimaki has developed a method for diagnosing and monitoring arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) using an at-home cheek swab to examine protein localisations, offering a safer alternative to dangerous heart biopsies. "Im not going to rest until I expand it to other diseases, but I cant tell you much more about that because its not published yet. But we are getting there," she stated.

open image in gallery Angeliki says her condition is 'definitely' the basis for why she's devoted her life to heart research ( Collect/PA Real Life )

On how her personal health influences her professional life, Ms Asimaki said: "It is definitely the reason that I am very empathetic when I meet patients. I truly understand where theyre coming from, their fears and anxieties, and when they are nervous about the future. It is very easy for me to say: I live on a device too and Im doing well."

In her personal life, Ms Asimaki is a mother to two healthy children, Michail (born 2018) and Helena (born 2021). Both were "high-risk pregnancies" due to her congenital heart conditions, but were closely monitored by "massive multidisciplinary teams" who began imaging their hearts in utero.

She concluded: "Looking back all these years, I could never have imagined how my life would turn out. So the major reason that Im sharing my story is to give people hope. Lets face it, Im never going to be cured. Im always going to be managed. But I want people to see that there are ways that you can turn out all right."

Angeliki is currently walking a total of 28 miles throughout February to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Donations can be made via her JustGiving page.
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The holy month of Ramadan is here, when Muslims across the globe embark on a period of fasting designed to test their spiritual strength and devotion.

During this sacred time, adherents engage in prayer, Quranic recitation, and mindfulness, seeking to deepen their faith.

The arrival of Ramadan was marked by diverse celebrations worldwide, from communal Iftar gatherings  the breaking of the fast  to household decorations and traditional culinary delights.

The daily fast begins just before dawn with a modest pre-fast meal known as "suhoor," concluding after sunset with "iftar." Between these two meals, those observing the fast abstain entirely from food and even water.

In 2026, Ramadan began on the Wednesday 18 February in the UK. It started with the sighting of the crescent moon, which usually appears one night after a new moon.

But how should you greet someone who observes the holy month? Heres everything you need to know.

How should you wish someone a Happy Ramadan?

A saying familiar to many Muslims around the globe is, Ramadan Mubarak which simply means Blessed Ramadan. Another commonly used term is, Ramadan Kareem, which translates to Generous Ramadan, both terms are from Arabic origins.

A Muslim woman praying. ( Getty Images )

These are some of the ways in which many Muslims welcome the fasting month between family, friends and neighbours, and is well used throughout the fasting month, when greeting people for the first time.

Ramzan is another variation often used around the globe too, mainly around countries such as India and Pakistan.

If you have Muslim colleagues, friends or neighbours, the simplest way to wish them a Happy Ramadan is by saying, Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem .

Happy fasting and Ramadan Mubarak to Muslims around the globe!

Why do Muslims celebrate Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and changes every year in accordance with the moon.

Before the fasting month begins, Muslims around the world prepare and wait for the arrival of Ramadan to be announced by the Saudi moon sighting committee or their local mosque.

Ramadan is an essential part of the Islamic faith and it is believed, that it is the month whereby the Holy Quran was first reveal to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

How do Muslims fast?

The fasting process is between dawn to sunset and is a sign of loyalty to the Islamic faith, which means that Muslims must abstain from eating and drinking, and yes, not even water.

Many Muslims fast as a reminder to remain patient, learn self-discipline and to build an understanding of those that are suffering around the world.

Among many others, Ramadan is also one of the five pillars of Islam. The pillars are key practices that Muslims are obligated to fulfill throughout their lifetime.

Who is exempt from fasting?

Fasting is not permitted to those that are suffering from a mental or physical illness.

Pregnant women who are breastfeeding and women who are menstruating, are also exempt. As well as travellers, and children who have not yet reached puberty.
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The mineral water brand Topo Chico will be temporarily unavailable in the United States, and the shortage may last months.

Topo Chico, which is owned by Coca-Cola, revealed in a statement that both the production facility and the water source located in Mexico will be undergoing upgrades, leaving the bottled water more difficult to obtain in the meantime.

According to a letter Coca-Cola sent distributors, which was seen by CNN, it recently identified additional challenges in the source wells, including quality issues related to the sources geology, resulting in a pause in receiving any orders.

We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production, the letter read.

A spokesperson for the company told CNN that they are planning for the mineral water to be back on shelves around July.

open image in gallery The water brand Topo Chico will be making its mineral water, temporarily unavailable, to upgrade the production facility and the water source ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery The shortage only applies to the brands mineral water, and none of its other beverages ( Coca-Cola )

Since the companys inception in 1895, Topo Chico mineral water has been sourced from wells in Monterrey, Mexico, where the bottles were first sold in the 1920s, according to Chron.com.

The company clarified in a statement to the website that while the upgrades will affect the brands mineral water, all other beverages produced by Topo Chico, such as its sparkling water and canned cocktails, will remain available in the United States.

This is not the first time there has been a Topo Chico shortage in the U.S., as there was previously one in 2022 due to high consumer demand and a shortage of raw materials.

Last year, the brands mineral water was also recalled due to the possible presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria that occurs naturally in water sources, including mineral water.

According to a letter sent to Costco customers in June 2025, the health risks of consuming mineral water with Pseudomonas are very low in healthy individuals and will only cause minor health consequences in people with weakened immune systems.

The recall specifically applied to bottles that were sold at select Costco warehouses in Texas and Louisiana from May 20 to May 29, 2025.

The water bottles were sold in 18-packs and have the lot number 13A2541 printed on both the cases packaging and the neck of the individual bottles.

Customers who have purchased the affected water bottles are urged to return them to their local Costco in exchange for a full refund. Any questions regarding the recall can be directed to Coca-Cola using the phone number 1-800-GET-COKE.
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The family of a teen girl found dead under a bed on a Carnival cruise ship in November has confirmed her stepbrother has now been charged with murder, court documents show.

Federal officials have not publicly named a suspect or announced charges in Anna Kepners death, which was deemed a homicide by asphyxiation, but filings show her 16-year-old stepbrother is believed to be responsible.

The court documents, copies of which were obtained by CBS News, revealed an emergency filing dated February 20 from attorneys for Thomas Hudson, the stepbrothers father.

"According to social media from the Kepner family, on February 3, 2026, the Petitioner/Father's son, TH, was charged by the United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida for the [redacted] and homicide of Anna Kepner, they said in the filing.

The documents emerged as part of an ongoing custody dispute between Thomas Hudson and Shauntel Hudson, who is also referred to in reports as Shauntel Kepner. The pair finalized their divorce in 2023, prior to the cruise where Anna Kepner died.

open image in gallery Anna Kepner, 18, was set to graduate from high school this year and dreamed of being a cheerleader ( Temple Christian School )

According to CBS, there is an ongoing case against the teen that is currently under seal and being overseen by Miami federal judge Beth Bloom.

The stepbrother, who is not being named because he is a minor, appeared in federal court in Miami on February 6, CBS reported, but the media were not allowed in the courtroom.

"If it's a juvenile you won't know until he's charged as an adult," Dave Aronberg, a former Palm Beach state attorney, told the network.

On November 7, midway through the family cruise, a maid found Anna wrapped in a blanket and covered in life jackets underneath a bed in a room she shared with her stepbrother.

Prior to the alleged charges and arrest, there were multiple indications that Annas stepbrother was a focus of the investigation into the death aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise, which was bound for the Caribbean at the time of the Florida teens death.

open image in gallery The Carnival Horizon liner, where the alleged incident occurred ( Getty/iStock )

The FBI has jurisdiction in the case because Anna was a U.S. citizen and her death occurred in international waters.

Chris Kepner, the suspects stepfather, has previously suggested his daughters stepbrother could be responsible.

"I want him to face the consequences ... I will be fighting to make sure that does happen, he told People last year.

"I cannot say that he is responsible but I cant decline, he added. He was the only one that was in the room and the FBI has an ongoing investigation in which they will have to provide the evidence to say that he did do it or did not do this."

The teens mother told her ex-husband that the boy had no memory of events surrounding Kepners death, according to text messages submitted to the court as part of the dispute.

Shauntel Kepner testified in December that the teens were good friends and wanted to room together, along with Kepners biological brother, rather than stay in a room with their grandparents.

They wanted to stay together, she said, News 6 reports. The three of them, like the Three Amigos, are best friends.

Kepner, of Titusville, Florida, was set to graduate from high school this year and dreamed of being a cheerleader for the University of Georgia. She had considered joining the military or serving as a K9 police officer after school.

Carnival Cruise Line has said it is cooperating with the investigation.
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The father of six-month-old triplets from a northern California town is dead after a botched kidnapping, according to authorities.

Avtar Singh, 57, was abducted from outside of a Sikh temple in the community of Tracy, just northeast of San Jose, on February 17.

On Monday, the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office said it believes Singh was taken by mistake. Spokesperson Heather Brent did not elaborate on why investigators believe that to be the case.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Singhs family following his death. What began as a deeply concerning disappearance has ended in an unimaginable loss for his family, one section of the crowdfunding page reads.

open image in gallery Avtar Singh, 57, was found dead by police after being kidnapped by unknown assailants a week earlier ( GoFundme )

Singh is also referred to as a beloved sevadaar of Tracy Gurdwara Sahib, the temple where he was last seen.

Authorities have said that surveillance video showed Singh being bundled into a white SUV around 2:30 pm.

There was a struggle, but it was three against one, Brent said. The assailants were all dressed in black.

Brent went on to say that it wasnt until six hours later that Singh was reported missing. Due to rain in the area at the time, nobody saw him being taken away.

Sheriff Patrick Withrow told the media the abduction was not a random act.

They were targeted after another individual for a specific reason, and we're hoping that reason comes to light, the sheriff added.

Friends told KCRA that Singhs wife raised the alarm when she came home from work and found their young children unattended.

The kids were alone. God's blessing. They were safe, but they were alone, Temple Secretary Deep Singh told the station.

open image in gallery The 57-year-old is survived by his father and his triplets ( GoFundMe )

On Friday, February 20, authorities were called to a report of a dead body in Napa County, around 90 miles north of where Singh was last seen. On Monday, it was confirmed that the body recovered was Singhs. The white SUV had also been found at the scene.

His cause of death has not been made public.

Singh had been a volunteer at his temple for over 20 years, according to the GoFundMe page. He was known for making everyone feel like family, the page reads. So far, it has raised around $400,000.

His absence leaves a profound void in our community... During this incredibly difficult time, we ask the community to come together in support of the family as they navigate this heartbreaking loss, a relative wrote.

open image in gallery The white SUV that took Singh away from the temple ( an Joaquin County Sheriffs Office )

Deep Singh paid a similar tribute to the slain father when speaking to KCRA.

He was very sincere and hard working. For 23 years, his main role was the head cook at our gurudwara, at the temple, but he was not only a cook, he was a multi-tasking person.

When they got here, it was a big gathering. It was a big celebration. He was happy, mom was happy, and the community was happy. We're not gonna be able to repair her loss.

Another friend, Rasleen Kaur, told ABC10 that she could not bring herself to go into the kitchen where Singh volunteered.

They took an innocent man. He was so near and dear to us, so this was shocking, and it was just so unfortunate because he was innocent in all of this, she said.

I didnt even go into the kitchen today, I couldnt, and I think everyone is just hoping that he would just walk by because he's always here, and so, it's truly a void.

The Independent has contacted the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office and the Napa County Sheriff's Office for comment.
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Four victims were found dead after a mass stabbing outside a home near Gig Harbor, Washington, according to local officials.

A fifth person, a male suspect, is also dead, per police.

Police received a call around 8:41 a.m. that a man was potentially breaking a pending no-contact order at a local home. Deputies then got a copy of the order to serve to the man.

While en route, multiple witnesses reported at 9:30am that a male was stabbing people outside the home, the Pierce County Sheriffs Office wrote in a statement on Facebook. A solo deputy arrived, and shots were reported at 9:33am.

There were four deceased individuals, including the 32-year-old male suspect, and a fifth victim was immediately transported by Gig Harbor Fire and later succumbed to their injuries, the statement added.

open image in gallery Five people, including a suspect, are dead after a mass stabbing incident outside a home near Tacoma, Washington, on Tuesday ( AP )

The Pierce County Force Investigation Team has taken over the investigation into the incident.

Police described the crime scene as very active.

Law enforcement vehicles could be seen lining a road near the scene on the 14000 block of 87th Avenue. Ct. NW, and a nearby house was cordoned off with police tape.

Officials have not publicly named the victims, the suspect, or the deputy involved in the shooting.

"It was a protection order, so somebody involved in this was known," Officer Shelbie Boyd, public information officer for the Pierce County Force Investigation Team, told KOMO. "Relation to the stabbing victims, were uncertain what the relationships were of each of them."

open image in gallery A sheriffs deputy fired on a male suspect accused of stabbing multiple people outside the home ( Pierce County Sheriff's Office )

No deputies were injured in the incident.

Preliminary information indicates the victims are all adults, KING 5 reports.

A 52-year-old woman and her 33-year-old son were listed as residents at the home where the incident took place, according to The Seattle Times.

Last May, a county commissioner ordered the 33-year-old to vacate the residence and avoid contact with his mother for a year, the paper reports.

The man reportedly had a mental health disorder, according to the commissioner, and had told his mother her grave had already been dug, per the May order. He had also been barred from possessing weapons and ordered to follow a treatment plan from St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, including receiving medication.

The May order followed two previous petitions for protective orders after a string of concerning behavior, according to the paper, including an incident where the man allegedly hurt his mothers cat and claimed he was an Egyptian god.

Gig Harbor is located on the Key Peninsula, about 15 miles drive northwest of Tacoma, and has a population of about 13,000.
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Melvin Trotter, 65, is set to become the second person executed in Florida this year, with a three-drug injection scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Florida State Prison near Starke. Trotter was convicted of the 1986 murder of grocery store owner Virgie Langford.

He was initially sentenced to death in 1987, but the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing in 1993 after finding errors in how aggravating factors were handled, leading to him again receiving the death penalty.

This execution follows a record 19 in Florida last year. Governor Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in 2023 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in the US in 1976, exceeding the previous high of eight in 2014.

Court records state Trotter strangled and stabbed Ms Langford at her store in Palmetto. A truck driver discovered her alive after the attack, and she was able to describe her assailant before eventually dying at a hospital.

Besides recalling Trotter's physical appearance, Langford said her attacker had a Tropicana employee badge with the name Melvin on it. According to court records, police later found a T-shirt with Langford's blood type at Trotter's home and the man's handprint on a meat cooler at the grocery store.

open image in gallery Two more Florida executions have already been scheduled for later this month and next month (Associated Press) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Last week, the Florida Supreme Court denied appeals filed by Trotter. His attorneys had argued that Florida corrections officials had mismanaged its own death penalty protocols. Attorneys also argued that Trotter's advanced age of 65 should exempt him from execution.

Trotter's final appeals were still pending Tuesday before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A total of 47 people were executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida led the way with a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis. Alabama, South Carolina and Texas tied for second with five executions each last year.

So far this year, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida have carried out one execution each.

On Feb. 10, a man convicted of killing a traveling salesperson who he and his brother had met at a bar become the first person executed in Florida this year. Ronald Palmer Heath, 64, was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the 1989 killing of Michael Sheridan.

Two more Florida executions have already been scheduled for next month: Billy Leon Kearse, 53, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on March 3, and Michael Lee King, 54, on March 17.

All Florida executions are carried out by injecting a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
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A Pennsylvania man has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed his wife in a car after she disrespected him in front of others at a party.

Jose Antonio Luna, 59, was arrested soon after the shooting Saturday evening in Rockledge, a suburb of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Luna allegedly shot his wife, 48-year-old Alisett Schubert, multiple times inside her silver Nissan Murano, ultimately killing her, 6ABC reported.

The married couple had been arguing as they drove home that night when Schubert, who was behind the wheel, told Luna to get out of the car and walk home, according to court documents obtained by the Inquirer.

They then began to wrestle over Schuberts purse, where she kept a .38 caliber revolver that was registered in her name, according to the affidavit.

open image in gallery Jose Antonio Luna, 59, was arrested soon after the shooting Saturday evening ( Montgomery County Correctional Facility )

Luna got hold of the weapon and shot his wife once, prompting her to yell, Oh my God, and try to run away. Luna then shot her four more times, according to court documents.

The accused later told investigators that Schubert had disrespected him in front of others during the party they were at earlier.

A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) bus driver came across the couples car stalled in the road  and then heard two or three gunshots. The bus driver watched Luna exit the car and open the drivers side door, and said Schuberts body slouched out of the car, according to the affidavit.

The bus driver then watched Luna then fled the scene. When police later caught him about a mile away, Luna put Schuberts gun to his head and pulled the trigger, but the gun was out of ammunition and did not go off, according to the affidavit.

Luna was arrested without incident.

After police located Schubert, she was taken to a nearby hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

According to the affidavit, Schubert had previously told a close friend that Luna was physically and mentally abusing her.

Prosecutors also said that Luna had an extensive criminal history and had been arrested numerous times for illegal entry into the U.S. and for reentry after deportation. The Independent has contacted the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office for more information.

In addition to first-degree murder, Luna was charged with third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of a crime.

He is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He is due to have a preliminary hearing March 5.
ISTANBUL, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- A high-profile suspect linked to the Gulen movement, believed to be behind the 2016 coup attempt, was detained in Istanbul on Tuesday following a joint operation by police and intelligence units, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as Bedrettin Gunebakmaz, was on the Interior Ministry's "wanted terrorists" list and held a senior role within the movement's naval network, according to the Istanbul Police Department.

Gunebakmaz was located through technical and physical surveillance before being apprehended in the Uskudar district on the city's Asian side. Authorities noted that he had taken extensive measures to conceal his identity, including registering rental agreements and utilities under false names and using caps, beanies, and glasses to evade security cameras.

Officials added that the suspect had used encrypted communication applications and maintained foreign financial accounts linked to the organization. He has been taken into custody for further investigation as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Gulen movement networks in Turkiye, the statement said.

The Turkish government blames Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric who lived in self-exile in the United States from 1999 until his death in 2024, for orchestrating the failed coup attempt in July 2016, which left at least 250 people dead and around 2,200 injured. Turkiye has designated the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization. 
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The masked suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than the date of her disappearance, according to multiple reports.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona, in the early morning hours of February 1. Police believe the elderly woman was taken as she slept.

Authorities released photos of the suspect, who is yet to be publicly identified, earlier this month. The suspect was wearing a ski mask, gloves and, in most of the photos, a backpack.

The photos were taken from a doorbell camera at Nancys front door the morning of her disappearance, according to the FBI.

open image in gallery The masked suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than the date of her disappearance, according to multiple reports ( FBI )

But ABC News reported Monday, citing sources familiar with the investigation, one of the images, which showed the suspect without a backpack, was taken on another day before the alleged abduction.

A CNN source later confirmed the suspected kidnapper was at her front door on a night other than the day Nancy disappeared.

Its unclear which day the suspect may have come to the home before Nancy vanished.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Monday night, We are aware that doorbell images released earlier in the investigation depict a suspect in different stages of attire, including with and without a backpack.

There is no date or time stamp associated with these images. Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative.

The Independent has reached out to the FBI for comment.

open image in gallery Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Arizona home more than three weeks ago ( NBC/Today )

Authorities are still working to get evidence analyzed from Nancys home and at places where police conducted search warrants.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Saturday, As with any biological evidence, there can be challenges separating DNA.

In a snag to the case last week, the department said DNA from a pair of gloves found two miles away from Nancys home did not trigger a match in the FBIs national database and did not match DNA found at the property.

A local couple told local outlet KVOA they found a black glove that appeared to have blood on it, less than a mile from Nancys affluent neighborhood, on February 11.

Detectives and agents have collected multiple gloves from the area, and analysis is part of the investigation, the sheriffs department said in their Saturday statement.

open image in gallery Photos of Nancy's suspected kidnapper, both with and without a backpack, were shared by the FBI ( FBI )

Its been more than three weeks since Nancy vanished. Authorities and the Guthrie family are desperate to find her.

The reward for valuable information in connection with Nancys disappearance has grown to more than $200,000 between the FBI and local officials.

Savannah and her family have even gone so far as to offer to pay for her safe return following reports of ransom notes that are yet to be verified by police.

Savannah has not posted on Instagram, where she usually shares updates about the case, in more than a week.

open image in gallery ABC News sources said one of the images of the suspected kidnapper, which showed him without a backpack, was taken on another day before the suspected abduction ( AP )

In her latest post shared on February 15, the TV journalist spoke directly to her mothers suspected kidnapper: I wanted to say to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that its never too late.

It is never too late to do the right thing, she said.

Some volunteers have taken it upon themselves to search for Nancy in the desert near her home.

Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work, the department said in Saturdays statement. We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals.
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A Utah judge on Tuesday refused to remove the local county attorneys office from prosecuting the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The defense had argued a conflict of interest existed because a prosecutors adult daughter was present at the shooting.

Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty against 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

The defense asked the judge to disqualify the Utah County Attorneys Office, noting that a deputy county attorney continued to work on the case despite his daughter being in the audience when Kirk was shot.

They also argued that prosecutors swift announcement of their intention to pursue the death penalty demonstrated strong emotional reactions, which they said justified disqualifying the entire team.

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is not a significant risk that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander's loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson's rights. ( Laura Seitz/The Deseret News via AP )

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is not a significant risk that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander's loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson's rights.

Prosecutors need not be immune to the emotional response of others to prosecute a case, Graf said.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk helped mobilize young people to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunanders daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she told the court earlier this month.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleagues daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf found that the daughter's presence did not factor into Gray's decision.

Messages seeking comment were left Tuesday for attorneys with the defense and prosecution.

The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said Grafs ruling was appropriate given the circumstances.

Chad Grunanders daughter is not going to be a witness. She didnt actually see Mr. Kirk killed. She was facing away, Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said.

The judge has been weighing other issues of fairness for Robinson, should he go to trial.

Full video recordings of Kirks shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinsons right to a fair trial.

Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that highly biased news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirks widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.

The defense request to exclude cameras was classified by the court as private and has not been released.

On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case. Graf said without access to those motions, media attorneys could not meaningfully argue against closing parts of the case from public view.
BANGKOK, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree announced that a Thai border patrol was fired upon by Cambodian forces Tuesday morning while conducting a routine patrol in the border area of Sisaket Province.

Cambodian troops launched one 40 mm grenade near the Thai patrol position, but no Thai personnel were injured in the incident, the spokesman said.

According to Winthai, following the attack, Thai forces returned fire in the direction of the origin using an M79 grenade launcher in accordance with rules of engagement, as a warning and self-defense measure to ensure the safety of personnel and the area under responsibility.

Preliminary assessment by the Thai side suggests the incident may be linked to a troop rotation on the Cambodian side. The newly deployed unit was unfamiliar with relevant regulations and command procedures, resulting in operational errors in the field, the army spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Maly Socheata denied the allegation in a press release.

She said following reports of explosions and gunfire on the Thai side, liaison teams from the two sides promptly established contact to discuss the matter.

"During this communication, Cambodian officials explicitly informed their Thai counterparts that Cambodian forces did not fire any weapons as alleged," Socheata said.

Also on Tuesday, Cambodia's State Secretariat of Border Affairs said that it had once again proposed to Thailand to dispatch a joint survey team to resume the work of border demarcation at some segments. 
CAIRO/RIYADH, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud discussed on Monday developments in the Gaza Strip and other regional and international issues.

During a meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, they stressed the necessity for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire agreement to stop the war and implement the peace plan for Gaza, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

They also highlighted the importance of increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza without obstacles and the need to expedite the early recovery and reconstruction process.

Furthermore, they rejected attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land, stressing that the solution lies in launching a comprehensive political process that leads to the implementation of the two-state solution.

They also discussed other regional and international issues of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of avoiding escalation and tension in the region, supporting peaceful solutions to crises through dialogue, and strengthening Arab solidarity to confront challenges.

Both sides agreed to continue and enhance political consultation and coordination to maintain regional stability. 
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Olympio storms into US with bonanza silver and antimony plays Brought to you by Bulls N Bears Doug Bright February 24, 2026  5:07pm Save 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 A A A

Olympio Metals has signed a binding option agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the Raven silver project in Montana and the Sawtooth antimony project in Idaho, USA, marking a strategic entry into the US critical minerals sector. Both projects offer strong prospectivity for silver, antimony and copper, with interest in them bolstered by their inclusion on the 2025 US Geological Surveys critical minerals list, which is supported by the US Governments US$12 (A$17) billion strategic mineral stockpile initiative. Olympio Metals adit entry at the old Raven silver-copper mine in Montana, USA. No modern exploration or drilling has taken place at either asset, presenting fresh discovery potential. The flagship Raven silver project in Montana comprises 27 claims and hosts the historic Raven and Silver King mines in the Thompson River district.

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A move into the USGS Critical Minerals space provides opportunity to rapidly develop silver and antimony prospects. Olympio Metals managing director Sean Delaney The Raven Mine operated between 1919 and 1934 and produced 85 tonnes of ore for 5695 ounces of silver and 15 tonnes of copper at average grades of 2084 grams per tonne (g/t) silver and 19.51 per cent copper. Between 1916 and 1950, the Silver King mine delivered 477 tons of ore, yielding 15,272 ounces of silver, 6 tonnes of copper, 50 tonnes of lead, and 2.4 tonnes of zinc. Average grades at Silver King were 996g/t silver, 1.38 per cent copper, 11.6 per cent lead and 1.9 per cent zinc. Just 15 kilometres from Thompson Falls, the Raven silver project benefits from nearby infrastructure, including US Antimony Corporations operational silver-antimony smelter, 45km to the west, which offers a clear pathway to future production.

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The complementary Sawtooth antimony project in Idaho comprises 99 claims containing five prospects near the historic Sawtooth City camp, with known silver and antimony occurrences in veins and shear zones. Historical reports refer to antimony mineralisation, including the antimony sulphide mineral stibnite, although available documentation is insufficient for modern quantitative reporting. Olympio Metals managing director Sean Delaney said: Acquiring two projects in the USA prospective for silver, antimony and copper diversifies Olympios exposure into the critical minerals space. The Olympio team are completing due diligence and assessing the geological prospectivity and development potential of these significant silver and antimony assets. Under the option agreement with vendor Lia Energy Holdings, Olympio has paid a non-refundable cash option fee of A$20,000, which grants 90 days for due diligence. On exercise of the option, Olympio will issue 15 million of its shares to the vendor. The deal provides for various deferred performance milestones along a progressive development path extending from two to ten years, with additional payments in shares or cash tied to the start of drilling, high-grade intercepts.

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A later milestone is tied to completion of a JORC or foreign compliant mineral resource estimate of greater than or equal to 250,000 ounces at an average grade of equal to or better than 100g/t silver equivalent. Additionally, the vendor will retain marketing and offtake rights for 50 per cent of production and a 5 per cent net smelter royalty. To fund the acquisition and subsequent exploration, Olympio has secured firm commitments for an oversubscribed A$3 million placement. Notably, the vendor group has committed A$500,000 to the placement. Olympio is currently advancing its due diligence on the two new US projects and has started planning its exploration strategy. Meanwhile, the company is still maintaining a solid focus on its promising Bousquet gold project, which straddles the famed and highly prospective Cadillac Break in Quebec, Canada. Backed by bonanza historical silver grades at Raven, untested antimony potential at Sawtooth and nearby processing infrastructure, Olympio looks to have stacked the deck in its favour as it pushes into the US.

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With fresh funding from a critical minerals-driven placement, the company is poised to tap into the growing American demand for a secure domestic supply of silver and antimony. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Southern Cross Medias new executive chairman said he removed former Seven boss Jeff Howard as CEO of the merged company just hours before its first results to accelerate the delivery of its new strategy. In an interview following Southern Cross half-year earnings release on Tuesday, Heith Mackay-Cruise said he made the management change because he needed the right person in place to take the company forward. Southern Cross Medias executive chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise. Alex Ellinghausen At the end of the day, this is actually about finding the right leadership for tomorrows business, not todays, Mackay-Cruise said. He added the decision, made on his first day since taking over from billionaire Kerry Stokes as chair, had been very considered after significant opportunities to improve the business had been identified.

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Seven West Media, the television and publishing arm of the newly merged business, saw its net profit plummet by 42.2 per cent to $21.9 million in the December half. The company, which was previously controlled by Stokes, announced its tie-up with Australias largest radio company Southern Cross Austereo, in September, with the latter taking a 50.1 per cent majority stake. The deal was finalised last month, and Stokes formally stepped down as interim chair on Friday, handing the reins to Mackay-Cruise as of this week. Related Article Media & marketing Seven Network CEO dumped the night before company releases results Mackay-Cruise rejected suggestions that Howards exit after just 48 days in the new role was a move designed to cement Southern Cross control over Seven, or that he and his board should have already been aware of the structural headwinds facing the television industry. The TV divisions operating earnings plunged 28 per cent to $66.9 million in the six months to December. However, Howards removal effectively spells a takeover of Seven by Southern Cross, with Mackay-Cruise now assuming the role of interim executive chair alongside John Kelly, the former Southern Cross Media CEO, who has been appointed interim CEO for its TV and radio business. The pair were chair and CEO of Southern Cross before the merger, and Kelly had been announced to head the companys audio division, which includes the Triple M Network, Hit Network and digital audio brand LiSTNR, following the tie-up.

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Howard, who was the boss of Seven and had been appointed to run the combined entity, was not personally named in the companys investor briefing on Tuesday, with Southern Cross instead referring only to key management personnel changes announced to the market. The board recognises these announcements are significant, but in our view [...] the changes we have announced are about accelerating the delivery of our strategy and positioning the company to move more quickly and realise the benefits of our merger, Mackay-Cruise told the briefing. Jeff Howard and his predecessor as Seven West Media chief executive, James Warburton. Questions were put to Mackay-Cruise and Kelly over that strategy, which appears to be a U-turn on what was announced in September. Executive management personnel from Seven now appear all but wiped out after Howards exit and Kellys re-elevation to CEO while the board conducts its search for a permanent new chief executive. In the new entitys first post-merger results, Southern Cross revenue was down 1.5 per cent to $1.01 billion in the half year to December. Net profits were down 16.5 per cent to $34.7 million, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 14.5 per cent to $106.9 million in what Mackay-Cruise called a frustrating economic and advertising environment.

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The company did not declare a dividend for investors, saying it was focused on reducing debt. Related Article Earnings season Nine wont overpay for NRL rights, says CEO Mackay-Cruise said The West Australian newspaper continued to demonstrate strong digital momentum, with its digital platforms recording 56.8 million page views in December, up 27 per cent year-on-year. The West Australian recorded EBITDA of $14 million, down 5 per cent from the previous reporting period. Southern Cross audio division recorded earnings growth of 28 per cent to $40.1 million, while revenue rose 3.2 per cent to $216.5 million. Asked how he would run the Seven Network and The West Australian, which have been so closely associated with Stokes for many years, Mackay-Cruise said he has different shoes to Kerry.

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I would make the comment that todays board is an independently governed board. Were very lucky to have Ryan [Stokes] and [the Stokes-controlled investment company] SGH be the main shareholder and sit around the board, he continued. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.
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     CultureTV & radioReview Strap in, folks, this potboiler of outlandish trash TV is five-star perfect Lenny Ann Low February 24, 2026  1:43pm Save 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 A A A

The Hunting Wives      I, a proud devotee of the rambunctious, lust-filled, class-crossing bonkfest books by authors Jilly Cooper and Barbara Taylor Bradford  and the joyfully escapist TV adaptations they inspired  did not see where this series was going. Here is Sophie ONeil (Brittany Snow), a former Democratic campaign manager, and her architect twit of a husband Graham (Evan Jonigkeit), four weeks into moving with their son to a MAGA Texas town called Maple Brook after leaving life, jobs and secrets behind in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Joyce Glenn, Brittany Snow, Katie Lowes, and Alexandria DeBerry in The Hunting Wives. This pitch perfect, eight-episode potboiler of trash TV begins with Sophie and Graham arriving at the party of her husbands boss, a gun-loving, Stetson-wearing millionaire called Jed Banks (Dermot Mulroney) and his hot third wife, Margo (Malin Akerman), a woman who never met a rifle, sultry innuendo or figure-hugging, sternum-baring lame dress she didnt like.

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Margo is also predisposed to removing said dresses at the drop of a hat, or, in this case, the arrival of Sophie into her mansion bathroom at the party, where Jed announces he is considering running for Texas governor. Related Article Review What to stream (or not) this week: Gordon Ramsays bland doco, plus five more picks Sophie, meanwhile, has been a picture of stark hesitation and nervous unsettledness on arrival. But something distant stirs in Sophies nethers on meeting Margo, who on dropping her dress and one of Sophies Xanax pills, looks her new quarry up and down and declares, Why, I think this party just got a whole lot better. Sophie then meets Margos close circle of four friends, including devout Christian Jill (Katie Lowes) and the town sheriffs wife, Callie (Jaime Ray Newman), who Margo is having a secret affair with, even though she and Jed are up to their hot tub jets with group sex sessions almost every night of the week. Keeping up? We know there is something else afoot. The opening titles feature a blood-covered blonde woman running through a forest trying to evade gunshots unsuccessfully. Who is shooting her? Who is she? When the next shot cuts to Sophie, fidgeting in an Uber after a trip to Dallas to buy a black party dress (Its a little Soviet, Graham declares), its fair to wonder, is it her?

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Into this mix is Jills jock son Brad who is going out with Abby (Madison Wolfe) by pressuring her into sex, and Abbys single mother, Starr (Chrissy Metz), who is fairly wary of the whole cool-lady gang and Brad. The men in this series do not fare well. Theyre either boorish, gormless, secretly abusive, thick as the Cuban heels on their cowboy boots or simple assholes. Theyre also massively watchable. But do not doubt we are here to see the women, led by the cool, wild and enigmatic Margo, who is always one step ahead of what turns out to be a murder investigation. Malin Akerman and Dermot Mulroney in The Hunting Wives. The Hunting Wives, adapted from the 2021 book of the same name by May Cobb, is not a load of nonsense. Its a big, beautiful pile of seething, heaving, emotion-teetering trash TV mastery where, yes, Texas men declare Enough with your feminism if their wife briefly notes an independent desire  and said women pull open said husbands colossal trophy belt buckle while calling him Daddy. But the meat of the drama is the outlandish but perfectly believable excellent female characters navigating multiple murders, blackmail, power plays, stifling husbands, secret histories and affairs with each other. It could buckle under all of it, but the shows casting, writing, pace and twisty drama keep you hooked.

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As Margo says as she seductively coaxes Sophie into driving late-night doughnuts in a car park. Come on  live a little. The Hunting Wives airs at 9.05pm on Tuesdays on Nine, and is now streaming on Stan. Stan is owned by Nine, the publisher of this masthead. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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EnvironmentConservationNational parks Fees up and quad bikes in: New plans for NSW national parks Caitlin Fitzsimmons February 24, 2026  7:55pm Save 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 A A A

A fight is brewing about the cost of supported camping in NSW national parks, while an updated government document reveals commercial motorbike tours and quad biking could be allowed in hundreds of parks across the state. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe repeatedly declined to cap the amount that private operators can charge to offer supported camping in national parks during budget estimates on Tuesday, describing it as hypothetical. Mungo National Park in south-western NSW is one of the locations where commercial motorbike tours could be allowed. Tyson Mayr She indicated the scheme, which would allow businesses to provide services such as prebooked tents and campervans, was relatively small and was only expected to earn about $32,000 in revenue for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Sharpe said this also occurred under the previous Coalition government. Coalition environment spokeswoman Jacqui Munro repeatedly asked Sharpe whether she would cap the amount the private operators could charge members of the public.

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Dorrigo National Park is one of the locations where commercial motorbike tours could be permissible. Destination NSW Operators are potentially making money off access to public land, Munro said. So Im asking if you have any limitations on the price that people will have to pay in relation to these contracts. But the answer is, you dont know. Sharpe responded: At this point, on these proposals, I dont know because I havent seen the business proposals. The call for expressions of interest says private operators would pay either $830.40 a year and 5 per cent of turnover, or $1245.60 and 10 per cent of revenue, depending on the popularity and facilities of the park. It does not stipulate how much the businesses can charge the public. The supported camping proposal has been controversial because it could give private operators exclusive or priority access to parts of campgrounds, limiting access to the public. Sharpe has said previously that the goal is to broaden access to parks, since not everyone could carry a tent on a long bushwalk.

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Gary Dunnett, chief executive of the National Parks Association, said staying overnight in national parks was an important way of connecting people with nature and building appreciation for parks. Clearly, having for-profit operations that are charging excessive fees is not conducive to providing that sort of widest possible access to good, environmentally sustainable camping experiences, Dunnett said. Were disappointed to hear that at the moment, the governments not focused on making sure that those experiences can be as cheap as possible, as affordable as possible. Bents Basin in south-west Sydney is theoretically a site for quad biking, but the National Parks Association says this would be inappropriate. Wolter Peeters Munro told this masthead the lack of a pricing cap meant there was no assurance that private operators would not be able to charge as much as they wanted for the use of public land. National parks are more important than ever for peoples health and wellbeing, she said.

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The government is also reviewing the fee structure and booking system for NPWS-managed campsites. Related Article Exclusive

Wildlife NSW launched a review of wildlife care in 2024. Now the results are in The debate comes as NPWS published its updated list of activities permissible by location under the Eco Pass licensing system for commercial operators. NPWS head Alex Graham told the estimates hearing it was usually updated quarterly, and any licences would be considered on a case by case basis. Previous versions are not available, so the extent of change is unclear. The November version lists 256 locations where commercial motorbike tours could be permitted, including Mungo National Park in south-western NSW and Dorrigo National Park on the North Coast, and wilderness areas such as Barrington Tops and Blue Mountains national parks. Another 72 locations are permitted to have commercial quad biking activity. An NPWS spokesperson said the Eco Pass program outlined where activities could be considered, but was not broad approval. At present, 40 parks were licensed for motorcycle tours and only one  Worrimi Conservation Lands  for quad biking.

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Private operators offering guided tours and equipment hire have been licensed to operate in NSW national parks since 2009, the spokesperson said. Licensed operators help more people visit national parks, learn about nature and heritage, and stay safe. Dunnett said some of the inclusions in the list were surprising. For instance, one of the sites that they have notionally available for quad biking would be Bents Basin State Conservation Area, which is an incredibly popular swimming and picnicking site in the south-western corner of Sydney  it would be totally and utterly inappropriate for quad biking, Dunnett said. Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve is another one where quad biking is theoretically permissible, and again, thats just totally inappropriate. Nature reserves should not be listed for that sort of purpose. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
Mortgage holders might be spared an interest rate rise at the next Reserve Bank meeting, but fresh inflation figures have placed further pressure on the board for future hikes.

Underlying inflation ticked up for January to 3.4 per cent, up from 3.3 per cent in December.

The Reserve Banks preferred measure of consumer prices, trimmed mean inflation, increased by 0.3 per cent in January, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released on Wednesday.

Headline inflation, which includes a broader spread of goods and services, held steady at 3.8 per cent in the year to January, the same as the December reading.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said stubborn levels of inflation would likely stick around for some time.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers. AAP

These are the sorts of numbers that we expect to see throughout the first half of the year while the governments energy rebates come off, Chalmers told reporters in Brisbane. We knew before these numbers that inflation would come in higher than we would like.

The end of federal and state energy rebates has exacerbated inflation increases, with energy costs rising 32.2 per cent in the year to January, compared to 21.5 per cent in the 12 months to December. Excluding the impact of the rebates, energy prices would have risen by 4.5 per cent in the year to January.

After the Reserve Bank chose to lift interest rates to 3.85 per cent at its February meeting, Bendigo Bank chief economist David Robertson said a second straight rise was not likely. But more increases were on the cards.

A range of factors suggest this new tightening cycle will likely be persistent and drawn-out, including the resilience of global trade in the face of tariffs and tight domestic labour and housing markets, Robertson said. Although we currently only forecast one more hike this calendar year.

MLC senior economist Bob Cunneen said the inflation data would concern the central bank.

The Reserve Banks finger remains on the interest rate trigger, given these persistent price pressures, Cunneen said. Another interest rate rise is on the horizon for Australia.

Chalmers said the decision to end the energy rebates was a difficult one.

We know the impact it is having on families and on this data, he said. These new numbers are another important reminder that the coming budget will have the right focus on inflation and productivity against a backdrop of global uncertainty.

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said removing the energy subsidies had revealed the true picture of inflation.

Until the government stops pouring debt-petrol onto the inflation fire, the cost of household groceries will continue to go up, Wilson said. The cost of the supermarket basket will go up.

AAP
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NationalNSWCrime The moment that shook a vibrant Sydney suburb to its core Mostafa Rachwani February 24, 2026  11:30am Save 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 A A A

As a man knelt and quietly cried at a shrine erected where Amamuddin Sadar was stabbed to death in Merrylands last week, fellow mourners looked on solemnly. The shrine is just outside Binass Mini Mart, an Indian grocer, and is covered in flowers and notes, with one saying, You did not deserve this death but I know you are flying in heaven with God now. Sadar, 38, was killed during a stabbing spree on Merrylands Road last Tuesday, as he was heading to see his accountant. A memorial to stabbing victim Amamuddin Sadar near Binass Mini Mart, Merrylands. Wolter Peeters Two others were stabbed during the attack: a 57-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man. Police arrested 25-year-old Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa soon after, and he was charged with murder and attempted murder.

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It was a random attack. Leaaetoa was unknown to the victims and had absconded from mental health treatment 10 days earlier while being transferred between hospitals. The incident has shaken Merrylands and particularly the retail artery where it happened, a usually humming hub of activity reduced to a murmur. The usually humming suburb has been left reeling since the attack. Wolter Peeters Sadar was well-known among the many Afghan migrants who live in and around Merrylands, and was part of the interconnected network of migrant communities that fuel the usually boisterous energy in the area. Merrylands is home to many newly arrived migrants, and is one of the most multicultural areas in the city, boasting substantial Lebanese, Afghan, Nepalese and Indian communities.

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But the optimistic energy that normally bubbles below the surface felt absent in the quiet sadness that has followed Sadars alleged murder. Zaki Sultani works at Kabul Boutique, his family shop selling traditional Afghan clothes and jewellery just a couple of blocks down from where the attack happened, and said the area feels less lively. The owner of Kabul Boutique, Zaki Sultani, says the area feels less safe in the week since the attack. Wolter Peeters People are scared, he said, leaning over his counter. And Im also scared. You just never know whos going to come into this shop any more, and do something crazy. Sultani, 18, arrived in Australia from Afghanistan four years ago, and said his familys business had already felt a dramatic change since the stabbing.

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Its been very bad for business. Normally, this shop is full any time of day, and now, nobody is here. Its gone from here to zero, he says, holding his hand above his head and pointing down. Related Article Hospitals in crisis The Sydney hospitals where nurses are expected to be prison guards Down Merrylands Road, at Karimian Carpets, worker Ahmed Jamali says hes had to change his smoking habits in the aftermath of the attack. Now when we smoke outside, we are looking left and right, looking at everybody who walks past, wondering if it will happen again, he added. If we could, wed smoke inside now. But we cant.

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Jamalis family life has also been affected; his ex-wife no longer feels safe dropping off his 13-year-old daughter at his place of work. Our lives have all changed because of this, of course. Wouldnt it have this impact anywhere else? Next door, at kitchen retailer Khorasan Shop, owner Abdul Azimi says he is considering buying a weapon to protect his business. He points to an enormous monitor hanging from the roof displaying his extensive CCTV network. Its not enough, he said. I have security cameras in here running 24 hours a day, but you have to put something else in here to defend against someone attacking you. He had a knife at the end of the day. Cameras cant help you there.

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Azimi, who sells a variety of kitchen and home goods tailored to the needs of the migrant communities, said he has seen a downturn in customers since the attack. Related Article Updated

Crime Shocking CCTV footage captures moments before Sydney stabbing rampage The community out here is very afraid, you can see it if you walk around. We used to have so many customers, now look, there are only two in the shop, he said. Sometimes I can go five to 10 minutes between customers. That has just never happened. Local state MP Julia Finn described people as feeling unnerved by the incident. Finns office is a short walk from where the attack began.

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People are unnerved. Its scary because it is totally unprovoked, there wasnt even a conversation. And everybody around there, all the businesses, are being affected. While the incident has shaken the community, and despite organised crime remaining present in the area, Finn said data showed Merrylands was overall safer than ever. Peoples perception of Merrylands has been shaped by the organised crime issue, but the perception is not backed by crime statistics. To me, Merrylands seems safer than it was 30 years ago, when I worked here as an electorate officer. It might be different, but it feels safer, Finn said. The Sydney Morning Herald has opened a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email parramatta@smh.com.au with news tips.
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NationalScience These popular dogs cant breathe or give birth properly. Why do we breed them? Angus Dalton February 24, 2026  7:45pm Save 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 A A A

Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. They call it air hunger; a primal, debilitating type of breathlessness. Its a frightening feeling comparable to the final few seconds of holding your breath for as long as you can. Except it happens even when youre breathing. Pugs and French bulldogs are two dog breeds most at risk of air hunger, struggling to breathe for much of their lives due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), the result of narrowed nostrils and shortened muzzles purposely bred into flat-faced dogs. French Bulldogs are popular but prone to health issues. Getty Images About 90 per cent of Frenchies, bulldogs and pugs cant breathe freely. And a new study has shown a wide range of other breeds also suffer from BOAS.

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Pekingese and Japanese Chin had similar rates of breathing problems to pugs, while more than half of Boston terriers, King Charles spaniels and shih tzus had some level of clinically significant breathing problems. Despite the health struggles, French bulldogs remain the second-most popular dog in Australia. They also have a 16 times greater risk of difficult births due to their round heads and narrow hips (at least 80 per cent are born via caesarean), can suffer from chronic eye ulcers and risk spine issues which cause incontinence or difficultly defecating. The vast majority of people who own flat-faced breeds totally adore their pups and obviously wouldnt wish anything bad on their precious pooches. So why do we keep breeding and buying these dogs that often cant breathe, give birth or poop properly? And what can we do about their welfare? Kindchenschema: Powerful puppy-dog eyes

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One of the going theories is that flat-faced dogs trigger strong emotional feelings because they resemble human babies. Zoologist Konrad Lorenz gave the concept a name: kindchenschema. One experiment testing the theory found people more keenly wanted to care for babies with round faces, high foreheads, big eyes and small noses. Kindchenschema is a term for the theory we like pugs and French bulldogs because they remind us of babies. Matt Willis Research has shown animals with similar features can hack this effect, from rabbits to reptiles. This is puppy-dog eyes on a whole other level: a powerful gaze which hijacks our evolutionary drive to protect our young. One analysis into the effect within flat-faced dogs concluded breeds including pugs and Frenchies do show exaggeration of some, but not all, known fronto-facial kindchenschema features, and this may well contribute to their apparently cute appearance and to their current popularity as companion animals.

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Its a fascinating quirk of co-evolution that hormones hardwired to drive the care of human offspring have come to shape the skulls of canines. Researchers have said this psychological driver should be considered when understanding the appeal of these dogs. It does resonate for me as a veterinarian, Dr Anne Quain, senior lecturer in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, says of the theory. Ive seen people walking with a French bulldog in a baby harness strapped to their chest. But, because the babylike face also blunts a dogs breath, shes seen too many dogs of the same breed die of heatstroke. Cute pugs are adored by their owners. Getty Images Part of the issue with that is that we are practising a form of unnatural selection, she says. I think a lot of people just dont appreciate that that cute appearance predisposes these particular dogs to chronic oxygen deprivation.

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Research has shown breed loyalty and emotional ties between people and flat-faced dogs is particularly strong; one study found 93 per cent of flat-faced dog owners will opt for the same breed again despite severe health risks. Related Article Analysis

IVF Superbabies for the white and wealthy? The societal debate we need to have The fact that unending love for these dogs drives demand to breed more of them is called the brachycephalic paradox. I really want to stress that I think every single dog on this planet deserves the best life that we can give them, Quain says. Theyre all beautiful dogs and their owners arent deliberately putting them through [health issues]. So if knowing the health risks doesnt discourage people from buying flat-faced dogs, what can be done?

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Should we ban flat-faced dogs? Norway banned the breeding of some short-faced dogs including bulldogs and cavalier King Charles spaniels in 2022. (The ban was later largely walked back.) The new BOAS study, however, shows breathing problems go beyond a handful of notorious breeds. For dogs struggling to excrete carbon dioxide through compromised airways, breed labels are irrelevant, Sydney University vet professor Paul McGreevy points out. And bans arent necessarily a one-way ticket to better dog welfare. Theres concern bans could drive black market breeding. French bulldogs, for example, are a valuable item (between $3000 and $8000 as a starting point) known to be traded criminally. French bulldogs can be sold for between $3000 and $8000. Getty Images

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Dr Arthur House, a BOAS expert at Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, says reaching backyard breeders who may be ignorant or uncaring of breeding standards is key to improving health. Related Article General insurance Is pet insurance worth it? For many Australians, the answer is no Reaching the people who breed these dogs is what we need to do. So if we ban them, then we cant reach these people. House says progress is under way due to a measurement technique called the respiratory functional grade (RFG) scheme, which was developed by the University of Cambridge and the UK Kennel Club. It grades dogs BOAS risk by taking them on a three-minute run then ranking the sound of their breathing from zero to three, with higher numbers indicating more ragged breathing. If you are looking at buying a puppy, you really should be asking if the parents have been tested for BOAS through the RFG program, he says. The same scheme was used to rank dogs in the new study.

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McGreevy says that because the test is subjective, its easy to manipulate, and cautions against its use for breeding decisions. When a measurement tool is both subjective and temperament-dependent, breeding selection based on it amounts to selecting for test performance rather than genuine airway health, he says. Dogs with genuine respiratory distress deserve evidence-based interventions. Vets recommend seeking out dogs from reputable breeders who are attached to clubs or other industry bodies, because they are generally stricter about standards and have the knowledge and incentive to prioritise health over looks, unlike some hobby or backyard breeders. Says Quain: From a science point of view, we need to stop breeding for human aesthetic purposes and breed for welfare. The Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence. Sign up to get it each week.
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NationalVictoriaEducation Childcare giant says Joshua Brown ticked companys hiring boxes Nicole Precel Updated February 24, 2026  7:16pm ,first published 3:22pm Save 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 A A A

The boss of childcare giant Affinity Education was unable to tell a state parliamentary inquiry how many breaches of regulations his Victorian centres had incurred, but revealed that accused paedophile Joshua Brown passed all hiring checks. Affinity chief executive Glen Hurley insisted safety was paramount to the for-profit provider despite its centres being among those where Brown worked. Brown faces 150 charges for alleged sexual abuse of children in his care. The former childcare worker is also accused of transmitting child abuse material. Joshua Brown has been charged with sex offences in Victoria over his time working as a childcare worker. Marija Ercegovac Hurley appeared before an inquiry into the early childhood education and care sector on Tuesday, apologising on behalf of the company for the distress caused by incidents at its centres and saying 2025 was the lowest point for the sector and for Affinity.

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I found it deeply troubling that the actions of a small number of individuals have cast such a shadow over a profession built on care, trust and responsibility, he said. Brown, who worked at 23 centres including 13 run by Affinity, was last year arrested and charged with offences against 12 alleged victims. Police investigations continue. Hurley took over leadership of Affinity, which operates more than 250 centres around the country, in October after executives Tim Hickey and Nishad Alanie resigned. A Papilio early learning centre, an Affinity-run centre. Stephen Kiprillis Last year, federal Education Minister Jason Clare lashed Affinity for its handling of the Brown case, saying there were serious questions about how Affinity responded and the assistance they provided police.

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Asked on Tuesday about Browns employment, Hurley said that before he was hired as a childcare worker, Brown underwent an extensive hiring process, which included assessing his CV, a phone screening, a national police check, working with children check, checking qualifications and references, and a face-to-face interview with centre managers. That process was in place, and those processes were worked through in order to, like all employees ... to be offered employment, Hurley said. He said Affinity had since strengthened its recruitment process. Labor upper house MP Michael Galea questioned Hurley on transparency and the number of Affinity centres that exceeded minimum requirements. Hurley conceded the company did not publish the National Quality Frameworks data on the websites of its centres, and said he could not say how many breaches the companys centres had.

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I dont have that data here in front of me, he said. I can take it [the question] on notice. He refused to share his wage, despite his predecessor telling an inquiry hearing last year his base salary was $625,000. Related Article Melbourne childcare crisis Shocking new charges in case of accused childcare paedophile Joshua Brown Greens MP Anasina Gray-Barberio replied: The reasons for these questions, obviously, Affinity is a for-profit, huge player in the early childhood sector, and youve got some really serious, distressing issues happening in your centres ... Victorian parents, want to know how you are balancing the tensions between safety and profit. Gray-Barberio asked what Affinity had done to remedy the issues at its Essendon centre, which had been on a watch list of the former regulator and was where Brown was alleged to be found to be committing, perpetrating abuse on children. The MP also asked how the centre is rated now.

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When Hurley said the centre was now meeting standards, Gray-Barberio said: But it really should be at exceeding, right? If youre serious about purpose and determination, you would be making every effort to ensure that all your centres under your watch are exceeding. Of Affinitys 52 Victorian centres, 6 per cent are exceeding the national benchmarks, 92 per cent are meeting standards and 2 per cent are working towards the benchmarks. I agree that we need to be doing better in this, Hurley said. He was also asked about incentives paid to employees, and confirmed they were paid based on tenure and enrolment. What I will stress is that the safety and quality gates must be met in order for any of those incentives to be unlocked, he said.

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However, Hurley said he didnt know whether that was the case before he came into the role. ASX-listed G8 Education chief executive Pejman Okhovat said their hearts went out to the children and families affected by the devastating and horrific news that a former educator had been charged with child sex offences in Victoria. Photo: Louie Douvis We are truly sorry for the indescribable pain this has caused them, he said. G8 centres were among those where children were allegedly abused, including allegations Brown abused children at its Creative Gardens centre in Point Cook between 2022 and 2023.

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G8 has 395 early learning services, employing 2900 workers who care for 12,000 children in 128 Victorian centres. Another G8 centre in Melbournes west has appeared on new independent regulator VECRAs website with multiple breaches, unrelated to Brown, which had occurred two years prior. Given all the horrors that weve seen, heard and read about in the last year, exactly how can I take you by face value everything you said about accountability, governance, change, child safety, child-centred? pressed Gray-Barberio. She said the report outlined the case of a child with a disability who was found in the middle of a busy road. What do you have to say to that as the CEO? The buck stops with you in terms of safety, Gray-Barberio said. Okhovat said the incident was self-reported and was before a court. Were absolutely committed to ensuring that we learn from that isolated incident in that centre, and continue to improve.

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Josie King, chief legal quality and risk officer, said it was a failure of supervision, and the company had policies, procedures and protocols in place. But like many sectors where youre dependent on your team to actually implement and execute on those policies and procedures, sometimes there are failings, she said. Related Article Childcare This childcare chain has been mired in scandal. The CEOs pay went up King said in terms of Brown, the company had no reports internally in respect to any of the allegations over which he has now been charged. But there were two incidents at G8 involving Brown that were witnessed and reported by the companys team to the Commission for Children and Young People, the regulators and police. Okhovat said those investigations, which happened between October 2021 and February 2024, were concluded, and Brown was put on a performance improvement plan and further training.

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Why put him on disciplinary action when he was found to be aggressive with children? Why not fire him? asked Gray-Barebrio. At the time when we investigated that situation and the aggressiveness was shouting at children, which we absolutely do not condone, in any shape or format, and we put them on appropriate discipline levels and provide the further coaching and training, he said. The second time, he was suspended pending further investigation and he later resigned. King said it was challenging under the current regime to share information about disciplinary outcomes with other employers when actions hadnt reached the standard of a criminal finding. Which was one of the reasons weve been advocating for clearer and better sharing of information between providers and regulators, so that all the pieces of the puzzle are held and able to be communicated and appropriately triangulated.

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Ros Baxter, chief executive of not-for-profit GoodStart Early Learning, said it, and many others, had repeatedly called for a national early childhood education and care commission. She said there needed to be better stewardship of the system as a whole. The inquiry, which also questioned representatives of peak bodies including Early Childhood Australia chief executive Samantha Page and Australian Childcare Alliance president Paul Mondo, heard there needed to be stronger regulation around supply and oversupply of centres. Baxter said there were more than 500 centres that opened in Australia in the past year, none in childcare deserts, almost all by for-profit providers. She also said the regulator needed more resources to work effectively. Mondo agreed and called for a federal taskforce to solve the competing priorities for employers when it comes to the tension between employment law, unfair dismissal and responsibilities for child safety.

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The national early childhood register rollout begins on February 27, but some large-scale providers said they still had little information about it. The inquiry continues on Wednesday. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Workers carry out maintenance work at a solar power plant in Surobi district of Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

SUROBI/QARGHAYI, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- In Afghanistan, a land rich with untapped natural bounty, vast reserves of coal, gas, wind-swept valleys, cascading rivers, and relentless sunshine, millions of citizens continue to light their homes with kerosene lamps, power their businesses with expensive generators, or simply adapt to darkness.

In the rugged terrain of Qarghayi district, Laghman province, nestled adjacent to Kabul, residents like Rohullah endure a life perpetually dimmed by power outages. For years, this tailor has grappled with the absence of electricity in his modest home and workshop, where the hum of sewing machines falls silent far too often.

"With a large population, our electricity supply remains woefully inadequate," Rohullah told Xinhua. "I run a tailoring shop, yet there is no electricity. We would be delighted if solar power generation were significantly expanded."

Across the district, residents share similar complaints. The absence of reliable power forces families to adapt their daily routines around darkness, limiting children's study hours and constraining economic activity after sunset.

Amidst the crisis, private companies have invested in solar power generation, yielding promising and tangible results. One such facility in Surobi district has been operational for the past year, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in a country blessed with exceptional solar resources.

Ali Reza Yosufi, an electrical engineer at the facility, highlights Afghanistan's unique advantage. "Afghanistan is a nation blessed with far more sunny days than most countries," Yosufi explained. "Solar power projects are immensely beneficial and can effectively bridge the prevailing electricity shortages."

The scale of the operation is impressive. "This initiative incorporates 32,400 solar panels, successfully providing clean, renewable electricity to thousands of households," Yosufi told Xinhua, adding that the project generates approximately 22.75 megawatts of power, sufficient to supply electricity to between 15,000 and 18,000 families.

According to Yosufi, all equipment for the project was sourced from China at competitive prices while maintaining superior quality standards.

"All components utilized here are Chinese-made, featuring high quality from globally recognized standard brands," he noted, adding that procurement from China proves significantly more cost-effective than from other countries, with considerable advantages in transportation logistics and ease of supply.

Officials emphasize that heightened focus is being placed on solar power generation nationwide, with the goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency in the near future.

Qari Mohammad Sadeq Haqparast, spokesman for Afghanistan's state-owned power company, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), outlined ambitious plans. "DABS has initiated work on 15 solar power generation projects with a combined capacity of 721 MW. The completion of these projects will substantially alleviate the country's acute electricity shortages."

According to survey reports cited by Haqparast, Afghanistan possesses immense solar energy potential, capable of generating up to 222,000 MW, far exceeding current and projected national needs.

DABS currently manages approximately 750 MW of electricity within its system, the majority imported from neighboring countries, he noted. However, achieving comprehensive national self-sufficiency would require an estimated 4,000 MW of reliable power generation capacity -- a target that remains distant without significant private sector participation and international partnership. 

This photo taken on Feb. 17, 2026 shows solar panels at a solar power plant in Surobi district of Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Feb. 17, 2026 shows a solar power plant in Surobi district of Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Feb. 17, 2026 shows solar panels at a solar power plant in Surobi district of Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Workers check solar panels at a solar power plant in Surobi district of Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
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NationalVictoriaWeather Mass flood warnings issued as Victoria braces for thunderstorms, pouring rain Angus Delaney February 24, 2026  10:49am Save 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 A A A

Follow our Melbourne weather live blog here. Powerful thunderstorms could cause flash flooding on Tuesday, as much of Victoria braces for intense rain. Melbourne and parts of central Victoria could experience 4070 millimetres of rain in six hours, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a severe weather warning. Severe thunderstorms are forecast for Melbourne and central Victoria. Jason South A low-pressure weather system over the Northern Territory has drawn up tropical moisture into the air over central parts of the country, which will push south-east and could lead to flash flooding, including across the Melbourne metro area, said meteorologist Angus Hines.

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The Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers are among those which could be subjected to isolated and moderate flooding from Tuesday night. Authorities are unsure of the location and timing of the heaviest rainfall, but rapid creek and river level rises and flash flooding are possible in areas that receive the heaviest rainfall. Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and flash flooding can be dangerous, and the State Emergency Service advises people to avoid travel if possible, and to be aware of falling trees, floodwaters and fallen powerlines. Hines said flash flooding could also force road closures and damage agricultural land, but was beneficial in the recovery from recent bushfires.

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Rainfall over agricultural areas in the south [of Australia] has brought some welcome relief, particularly for parts of ... Victoria, which are still facing long-term rainfall deficiencies after a very dry summer so far, Hines said. Rainfall is also welcome over the south-east, where fires have impacted communities, and the rain is assisting firefighters with their ongoing efforts. Areas recently scorched by bushfires are more susceptible to flash flooding, as burnt soil does not absorb water, which means runoff can happen unexpectedly. SES Victoria chief officer operations Alistair Drayton said early preparation was the best defence for severe weather. If severe weather is impacting your area, consider delaying travel where possible and staying indoors until conditions improve, he said. Never drive through floodwater.

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The rain forecast today follows flash flooding in Wodonga on Sunday, where about 90 calls for assistance were made to the SES. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaLocal council Mayor defends himself after 30-day suspension for raging lunatic slur Angus Delaney and Alexander Darling February 25, 2026  7:52am Save 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 A A A

The mayor of an outer-Melbourne council said he has been subjected to harassment in the workplace and a character assassination by his political rivals, after an independent arbiter found he engaged in misconduct when he called his predecessor a raging lunatic in a social media post. On Tuesday night, Wyndham City mayor Josh Gilligan was suspended for 30 days and made to apologise to former three-term mayor Kim McAliney after his Facebook post in September 2025 was found to have breached the Councillor Code of Conduct. Wyndham mayor Josh Gilligan has been suspended for 30 days. Lusi Enrique Ascui This raging lunatic recently proclaimed she wont pay her council rates  spouting anti-government propaganda you usually see from the sovereign citizen movement, he wrote at the time. Gilligan went on to say he would urge the council to release confidential minutes to reveal one of the suspected contributory factors linked to her resignation in 2020 and that she resigned because of the shame she brought upon herself.

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Related Article Local council Wyndham deputy mayor enables bullying allegations against her to be released Arbiter Simon Heath found these words breached Victorias Model Councillor Code of Conduct and that the raging lunatic comment towards McAliney was belittling, demeaning, abusive and insulting. No evidence was provided to indicate that Ms McAlineys resignation from council over five years ago was for inappropriate reasons, Heath wrote in his findings. Gilligan was also twice investigated for misconduct in 2022. Heath noted that in one of these incidents it was found he did not treat another councillor with respect. Gilligan was not sanctioned for that breach, but the arbiter for that 2022 finding wrote: If this behaviour continued  a sanction would be appropriate.

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In his mandated apology, the mayor said his comments fell short of the code of conduct and thus should not have been said. I take responsibility for my words and regret the offence and hurt they caused to Ms McAliney. I am sorry to her. But in a statement released on Wednesday, Gilligan said he wanted to provide context which isnt reflected in the [arbiters] decision, including that McAliney is a long-time political rival and Labor factional foe of his. Over the last five years, Ive been subjected to behaviours that are unacceptable in any modern workplace, including being physically confronted at a public venue, having colleagues and their allies actively work to remove me from elected office, and being obsessively questioned about my professional integrity. These are not behaviours that should be accepted as something that Councillors should tolerate as part of their role, Gilligan said in the statement. If the standards were applied consistently across all levels of government, many politicians would be clearing out their desks, he said.

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Gilligan said he would respect and abide by the decision and that he was not permitted to appeal the decision. His suspension starts on Wednesday, and his apology must remain on his Facebook page for 30 days. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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Exclusive NationalWAMining Absurd: Toxic chemical risks in Kimberley fracking plan downplayed, environmentalists say Holly Thompson February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Key points Texan billionaire Rhett Bennett bought an exploration permit in the Kimberley region in 2019 and his company, Black Mountain Energy, sought WA environmental approval in 2021.

In January the company won the support of the state Environmental Protection Authority, but has not yet been given the green light by the environment minister.

The Appeals Convenor now has to consider an unprecedented 8000 appeals against the EPAs decision.

The assessment by the federal environmental regulator is still ongoing.

In November 2025, it found Black Mountain had not justified the claim drilling would not impact local water resources, and in December the Independent Expert Scientific Committee advising the federal government labelled Black Mountains assessment of its project as limited and disjointed.

Environmental groups claim the risk of toxic chemicals to groundwater in WAs Kimberley was downplayed in the environmental watchdogs recent approval of plans for a controversial fracking project in the region. Documents from Texan-owned Black Mountain Energy which cited the regions sparse population as the reason risk to human health would be low were provided to the WA Environmental Protection Authority during the assessment of the companys proposed Valhalla project. One of Black Mountains proposed wells is two kilometres from Mount Hardman Creek in the Kimberley. But Environs Kimberley Executive Director Martin Pritchard claimed that excuse callously disregards the pastoralists and traditional owners who live in the Kimberley. Black Mountain subsidiary Bennett Resources human health risk assessment of the Valhalla project noted pastoralists drinking from bore water was common practice, and that traditional owners hunting in the area could also drink the water.

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But, they concluded, community members are not expected to use or touch groundwater from pastoral bores unless needed in case of thirst. Related Article Mining 8000 appeals: Kimberley fracking plan becomes most contested project in WA history The idea that farmers and traditional owners would suddenly stop drinking the water theyve been safely drinking for years because of this project is absurd, Pritchard said. The responsibility sits squarely with Black Mountain not to pollute it in the first place  and the EPA not to enable them. Lock the Gate Alliance WA campaign coordinator Simone van Hattem said public pressure was mounting on Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn to reject the Valhalla proposal.

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West Australians remain committed to stopping this project that risks destroying endangered animal habitats, polluting water sources and industrialising the Kimberley, she said. A record number of public submissions have been lodged appealing the EPAs decision. Van Hattem said the EPA had also failed to consider the toxic chemicals impact on the Martuwarra Fitzroy River catchment, and native species. Black Mountains fracking plans threaten to contaminate precious rivers with toxic fracking chemicals, she said. The 20 wells currently proposed would just be the beginning. Full-scale fracking in the Kimberley would mean thousands of gas wells industrialising the region and sucking billions of litres of water.

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Van Hattem said to date, only three wells had been fracked in the Kimberley, but there were already significant issues reported. Buru Energy previously held the Valhalla title, and photos from one of the companys fracking wastewater ponds, sent to this masthead, show dead birds floating in the water. Buru Energys fracking wastewater pond in the Kimberley. So far only three wells have been fracked in the Kimberley, and they have led to serious issues including exposed radioactive wastewater and greenhouse gas leaks, van Hattem said. Fracking is among the most destructive methods of gas extraction, which is why its been banned in parts of Australia and many countries overseas.

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Black Mountain Energy was contacted for comment but did not respond before publication. However, in its human health risk assessment, the company stated: The interest and scrutiny arise from the development of a new unconventional project following the lifting of the hydraulic fracture stimulation moratorium and the lack of public knowledge relating to impacts and risks associated with the project in region of the West Kimberley. The closest relevant human receptor, an Indigenous community, is aware and supportive of the proposal, it reads. Community members and associated workers such as pastoralists travelling within the proposals area understand that they are not considered susceptible or vulnerable populations likely to be exposed by the proposals activities. A Department of Water and Environmental Regulation spokesperson said as the matter was now in the appeals process, it would be inappropriate to comment further. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Travel spending by councillors at the City of Perth more than tripled last financial year, jumping to $106,500, newly released figures show.

A table released ahead of Tuesday nights council meeting, in response to community questions, revealed $163,524 was spent by councillors on travel over three financial years, from $33,880 in 2023/24 to $106,505 in 2024/25.

Travel costs released ahead of council meeting. City of Perth agenda 24 February 2026

In 2024, council voted for a policy which allowed councillors to join the lord mayor in business class travel for both domestic and international flights, unless they specifically requested otherwise.

The summary lists overall travel expenses, but does not break down what the costs relate to, such as flights and accommodation.
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Analysis PoliticsFederalAntisemitism royal commission Tight deadline, a criminal trial and tech issues: Royal commission off to a rocky start Matthew Knott Updated February 24, 2026  4:06pm ,first published 4:02pm Save 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 A A A

Virginia Bell delivered a reality check on the first day of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Australia. While never veering into self-pity or blame, she made clear she is operating in a constrained environment and the royal commission she leads cannot make everyone happy. From a technological standpoint, the royal commission got off to a clunky start. The livestream broadcast of Bells opening statement started on mute; soon it froze and then went entirely dark for the journalists covering the event from a viewing room at the Law Courts building in Sydney. Loading These glitches felt symbolic of an inquiry that was not quite ready for showtime but had to perform anyway, one that is scrambling to establish itself in time to meet the timeframes the government has imposed upon it. Bell used her 18-minute opening statement to outline four key facts about the way the royal commission will operate.

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First, she made clear that her inquiry cannot undermine the criminal trial of gunman Naveed Akram, who is accused of killing 15 people and attempting to kill 40 others. If this limits her ability to examine one of the royal commissions key terms of reference  the circumstances surrounding the antisemitic Bondi terrorist attack on 14 December 2025  then so be it. This commission must do its work without risking any prejudice to that criminal proceeding, Bell said. Leading evidence at this commission from people who may be witnesses in the criminal proceeding would create that risk and, for that reason, it will not occur. Bell will meet privately at Bondi this week with survivors of the attack and relatives of those who died to explain why there will be limits on what they can publicly tell the commission. Related Article Updated

Antisemitism royal commission Royal commission rules out eyewitness accounts of Bondi attack Second, the messy way the royal commission was established is slowing down its work. The Albanese government at first resisted such a probe, instead appointing former ASIO boss Dennis Richardson to lead a snap inquiry into potential intelligence and security failures. That review has now been folded into the royal commission, which will deliver an interim report by April 30. Perhaps inevitably, the absorption of an administrative inquiry into this royal commission has led to some delay, Bell said, as intelligence and law enforcement agencies seek legal advice and explore immunity options before handing over documents. The delays in obtaining materials, Bell said, make it unlikely that her interim report will form a definitive judgment on the adequacy of the security arrangements at the Bondi Hanukkah event and the effectiveness of information sharing ASIO and the police. That will have to wait until her final report.

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Third, she will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism as a hatred of Jews. The nations peak Jewish organisations want governments, universities and other institutions to use this definition, but it is opposed by Islamic and pro-Palestinian groups. Bell acknowledged some of the examples accompanying the definition online are controversial  for example, one says it is antisemitic to claim Israels existence is a racist endeavour  but she believes the definition itself is sound. Fourth, she regards delivering her final report by December 14 as a top priority. This imposes a tight timeframe, and its going to impose limitations on how the commission approaches its terms of reference, she said. Some had interpreted the inclusion of the phrase social cohesion in the royal commissions title as an invitation to delve into other forms of discrimination, including against Muslims and Indigenous Australians. Related Article Antisemitism royal commission The five key questions for the Bondi royal commission to answer Bell politely but firmly shut the door on any idea that her probe will be a catch-all investigation into prejudice in Australia. While acknowledging there were many forms of discrimination, she said that, given the atrocity at Bondi: I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion. Two crucial concepts loom for Bell to tackle: Israel and radical Islam. Bell described antisemitism as the worlds oldest religious and ethnic prejudice, but antisemitism exploded in Australia following the October 7 terror attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, which led to at least 70,000 deaths and has been branded a genocide by a United Nations commission of inquiry.

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No Australian, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, deserves to be targeted for violence or harassment because of the actions of an overseas government, yet this happens with disturbing frequency. Many Jewish Australians are deeply connected to Israel, the worlds only majority-Jewish state; some are not. Examining the connections between anger at Israel and antisemitism in Australia will be a complex task, but one that the royal commission cannot overlook from if it is to fulfil its mission. Similarly, the royal commission cannot shy away from examining the influence of contorted, radical forms of Islam in fomenting antisemitism. After all, both Naveed Akram and father Sajid were adherents of the Islamic State terror group. Bell said the royal commission will examine how racist or far-right ideology, or extreme cultural or religious prejudice contribute to antisemitism. Her mission is to shine a light on the root causes of antisemitism without inflaming existing divisions in society. As Bell made clear in her opening address: she has a formidable task ahead. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Analysis PoliticsNSWHousing crisis How Melbourne beats Sydney on housing crisis solutions Matt Wade February 25, 2026  5:01am Save 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 A A A

The NSW government has not prioritised the best type of residential development to deal with Sydneys housing shortage and should follow Victorias blueprint to fix the crisis, a leading think tank says. Analysis by the Grattan Institute shows the most feasible housing option across Sydneys established suburbs is three-storey townhouses and other forms of gentle density. But that is precisely the housing typology that NSW has not allowed enough of under recent planning reforms, said Brendan Coates, a Grattan Institute economist and co-author of the research. Townhouses being built in Camberwell, Melbourne. Joe Armao The missing piece of the puzzle in Sydney is that it forbids a lot of the gentle density now allowed in Melbourne, he said. Our work shows gentle density like townhouses most likely to be commercially feasible to build in the current market.

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Premier Chris Minns has introduced the most ambitious reforms to improve housing affordability that NSW has seen in a generation. The changes include the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) program which allows taller apartment buildings near transport hubs, along with a Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy at 171 areas across the state. The new low- and mid-rise rules apply to 138 sites in Sydney, or about 9 per cent of the citys residential land. Dual occupancies have been made legal to build in low-density zoned districts, but gentle density remains illegal in many areas. Aerial photos show development in Parramatta. Dean Sewell Coates says NSW reforms fall short of those in Victoria because in Melbourne, three-storey townhouses are permitted in most residentially zoned land.

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Were using the same methodology to assess whats happening in Melbourne and Sydney, and were finding there is now scope for a lot more housing in Melbourne than Sydney following their reforms, he said. Grattan estimates that an 800-square-metre site in suburban Melbourne can now accommodate five or more townhouses, but similar sites in Sydney are often limited to just two homes. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said all housing types, including three-storey terraces and apartments, are permitted in low and mid-rise areas. Around a quarter of all NSW approvals are for townhouses, semis and terraces, he said. NSW is leading the nation in housing approvals and the number of homes currently under construction. These results reflect the Minns Labor governments Low and Mid-rise Housing Policy which scrapped restrictive policies and regulations that had run rampant, effectively banning many housing types across NSW, to create the missing middle.

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Scully said the government had led the largest rezoning in NSWs history via the Transport Oriented Development Program, which already has a pipeline of almost 18,000 homes. Related Article Capital gains tax Tax change would help first timers get a home: Treasury The Grattan research shows there are more than 400,000 sites in Greater Sydney where it would be commercially feasible to build gentle density developments of up to three storeys, such as townhouses, if NSW were to follow Victoria and permit these housing forms. This includes 37,000 feasible sites for gentle development in the Northern Beaches Council area, 37,000 sites in Canterbury Bankstown, 19,000 sites in Parramatta and 18,000 sites in Ku-ring-gai. Premier Minns should follow [Victorian] Premier Allans lead and allow terraces and low-rise flats in all areas currently zoned for low-density, as long as they meet reasonable set-back, height and site coverage requirements, the Grattan research note said. The analysis also identified a a feasibility gap for mid-rise apartments in Sydney (those between four and eight storeys) due to the cost of sinking basements, reinforced concrete and lifts, along with more stringent building regulations for taller buildings, including fire safety. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaBuilding Bad Sex toy claim, allegations of drugs on site to keep workers awake hit North East Link Kieran Rooney February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

Victorias $26 billion North East Link toll road has been hit by allegations of drug taking on site and sexually inappropriate behaviour, prompting an investigation from the projects construction consortium. Workers have been accused of taking pills to stay awake, trying to source mushie gummies and exchanging a picture of a sex toy, in affidavits that paint a picture of serious misconduct on the Big Build road. An aerial view of construction for the North East Link. Joe Armao The sworn statements were provided to the Spark consortium and have caused a widened inquiry about potential breaches of the code of conduct. The allegations under review include that staff engaged in sexually explicit conversations, that one sent a photo of a sex toy to a fellow worker and there were conversations about sourcing drugs.

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In one affidavit, witnessed by a justice of the peace and seen by this masthead, a worker says sexualised talk was normalised on site and he was offered drugs. It offers a photo and screenshots of messages between workers to back the claims. Related Article Building Bad Rotting from the top: Bribery, drugs, bikies and billions of taxpayer dollars Another worker is accused of providing pills from what appeared to be a prescription medication jar to fellow workers that I later was informed was being used to keep people awake. The allegations come just weeks after an independent report into the CFMEU by integrity expert Geoffrey Watson, SC, alleged taxpayer-funded projects hosted drug trafficking, systemic corruption and bribery, bikie gangs and sexual exploitation of women. The allegations made in these affidavits, seen by The Age, do not involve CFMEU figures, but do make serious accusations about behaviour on the project.

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The two affidavits containing the worksite allegations have been provided to Sparks ethics committee. Spark is responsible for delivering the 6.4-kilometre twin tunnels that form the largest part of the North East Link, which will connect the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen with the Metropolitan Ring Road at Greensborough. Spark has a code of conduct that applies to all employees and subcontractors and sets clear expectations around integrity, respect and lawful behaviour, a spokeswoman said. Behaviour that breaches the code of conduct is taken seriously and is investigated by the Spark ethics committee. As this is an ongoing investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. Another part of an affidavit says a staff member ran errands for a colleague who had given people a leg-up over the years. VIDA told The Age on Tuesday the allegations had been referred to the Workforce Inspectorate for assessment.

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The worksite claims come after an incident in January during tunnelling for the project caused a large sinkhole to appear in Heidelbergs AJ Burkitt Oval. Watsons Rotting from the Top report into the CFMEU, released to a Queensland inquiry into the union, alleged some Big Build worksites were converted by bikies into drug distribution centres. Redacted sections of the report, removed by the union administrator but released to the inquiry following questions from this masthead, also accused the Victorian government of turning a blind eye to CFMEU corruption and organised crime on infrastructure projects. Loading Watsons redacted chapter estimated this behaviour cost roughly $15 billion across the governments $100 billion infrastructure program. Fair Work Commission chief Murray Furlong told a Senate estimates hearing that he had heard similar figures from Victorian government officials.

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Premier Jacinta Allan has denied this figure, labelling it untested, while continuing to rebuff calls for a royal commission. On Tuesday, Allan said she was still considering a report from a parliamentary committee that recommends giving the states corruption watchdog, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, the power to follow taxpayer dollars to subcontractors and labour-hire companies regularly used on construction sites. Editor's pick Health How this kaleidoscopic condition can help your life and career We need to consider that report appropriately, because these are serious matters, she said. Allan said 70 charges had been laid by Victoria Police and 126 construction licences cancelled through strengthened powers for the Labour Hire Authority.

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On Monday, Jobs Minister Danny Pearson confirmed he had received a small number of corruption complaints while heading up his previous portfolio of transport infrastructure. However, he said they were concerns of a general nature and he had not received briefings of any alleged criminality. Pearson said he became aware of systemic problems in the middle of 2024 when this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes released their Building Bad investigation into coercion and widespread infiltration of organised crime on taxpayer-funded projects. Construction giant Lendlease was asked on an earnings call on Monday whether it had been the target of any criminal activity by the CFMEU or if it was helping the various investigations into the unions activities. Lendlease chief executive Tony Lombardo said that if there was an issue, we make sure theres early escalation back to the appropriate stakeholders. We always follow the law when it comes to how we operate and follow within the guidelines, Lombardo said. Were making sure our people on our sites are safe and weve got productive workplaces.

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Lendlease is undertaking major projects at 889 Collins Street and Exhibition Place in Melbourne and Victoria Cross and One Circular Quay in Sydney. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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InspirationBeach and island holidays This tiny island is home to some of Australias most beautiful hikes Andrew Bain February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

This article is part of Travellers Holiday Guide to Adventure & Outdoors. See all stories .

Australia has no lack of islands with great hiking trails, whether its Hinchinbrook, Kgari or Maria Island, to name a few, but the best island walking might well be on one of its far-flung shards of land. Sitting 600 kilometres off the NSW coast, Lord Howe Island is just 11 kilometres in length but, wrapped in reefs and weighted down by the bulk of Mount Gower, this volcanic remnant somehow packs in a wealth of trails. None are long, some are tough, all are beautiful. Lord Howe Island has a surprisingly large number of hiking trails. Mount Gower has long dominated hiking thoughts on the island, with the 875-metre peak regularly touted as one of Australias best, and toughest, day hikes. But its not alone in its appeal. There are trails right across the crescent-shaped island, with the standout walks at its either ends  the mountainous south around Mount Gower, but also across its hilly north. My plan on arrival is to save the challenge of Gower for last, starting instead in the north, where Malabar Ridge rises off the sands of Neds Beach.

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Its just a kilometre up the ridge to Malabar Hill, but its a step into another world. Staghorn ferns grow directly out of boulders, the water below is so blue that it could be glazed, and its a point of the island where birdlife is plentiful  I hear one islander joke that looking for the tail feathers of red-tailed tropicbirds is what passes for shopping on Lord Howe. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. From Malabar Hill, trails continue along Lord Howes northernmost edge, first atop the cliff edge to a prominent incisor of rock known as Kims Lookout and then down to North Bay, backed by Lord Howes emblematic Kentia palms, which fringe the beach and its reefs like a plantation. On the track to Mount Gower. Destination NSW Between these northern hills and the sharp southern rise of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, Lord Howe flattens into a virtual isthmus, itself sketched with trails through forest and to beaches. But even as I climb above North Bay to the tip of low Mount Eliza, the furthest point on the island from Mount Gower, its the two high peaks that dominate the view. Next to them the next morning, I meet local guide Dean Hiscox, owner of Lord Howe Environmental Tours. Before climbing Gower the next day, I have one more hike to ready me.

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Goat House Cave is the walk I send people to if theyre not sure how theyll go on Gower, Dean says. Looking over the water to Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower. Andrew Bain Reaching the cave, which is an overhang at the base of 777-metre Mount Lidgbirds high cliffs, requires a steep climb, assisted at times  as on Gower  by pitches of rope. Its taxing, but not daunting, and soon were sitting out in the overhang, looking over the island as it stretches away long and thin below us. Geologically, Lord Howe is a lot like Hawaii, Dean says. You could tack it onto the end of the Hawaiian islands and it would fit right in. A day later, Im back at the foot of this twin pair of peaks, now heading for the highest point: Mount Gowers summit. This commanding mountain can be climbed only with a guide, and Ive joined a Sea to Summit Expeditions trip led by Jack Shick, a fifth-generation islander who has been leading hikes on Gower since 1992.

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Navigating the roped section of Mount Gower. Andrew Bain Ive climbed it 2400 times, give or take a couple, he says. The walk begins along the coast, but after 20 minutes comes the declaration of doom: were heading up. Donning helmets for a traverse beneath Gowers ominous cliffs, we begin the climb. The toughest moments come beyond a saddle in the main ridge and include 20 roped sections, hauling ourselves up by hand and foot. Its steep, exposed and scrambly, but its short and sure, and four hours after setting out, we rise onto Gowers summit plateau. Its like stepping into Arthur Conan Doyles Lost World, with every tree and leaf slathered in moss and lichen fed by the cloud that so regularly settles over the peak. Atop the mountain, we pause for lunch, joined by currawongs and the islands ubiquitous wood hens, calling at us like squeaky wheels. Thats the most terrifying hike Ive ever done, says fellow hiker Lindsey.

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Now theres just the little business of getting down. THE DETAILS Related Article Australia How Aussie islands 70s-style apartments became a luxe house hotel HIKE

Guided Mt Gower hikes are operated by Sea to Summit Expeditions and Lord Howe Environmental Tours. The eight- to 10-hour hike costs from $170 and trips run Monday and Thursday (Sea to Summit Expeditions) and Wednesday and Friday (Lord Howe Environmental Tours). See lordhoweislandtours.net, lordhoweislandtours.com STAY

Leanda Lei offers central accommodation, with free bikes for getting around the island and to trails. From $400 a night. See leandalei.com.au

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FLY

Qantas flies to Lord Howe from Sydney, while Eastern Air Service flies from Port Macquarie, Newcastle and the Gold Coast. See qantas.com.au, easternairservices.com.au The writer travelled as a guest of the Lord Howe Island Tourism Association. See lordhoweisland.info

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Reviews & adviceFoodie travel Opinion Ive tried all the worlds hangover cures. Here are the 11 best Ben Groundwater Travel writer February 25, 2026  5:00am

February 25, 2026  5:00am Save 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 A A A

No one tries to have a hangover. Sure, you do all the things that will result in one  you go out in a new city, you get a little too excited, you drink all the drinks, you toast to the good health of all your new friends, you stay out far too late  but it still feels surprising and a bit unfair when you wake up feeling terrible. And then what do you do? Well, it depends on which country you wake up in. Because almost every nation with an established drinking culture will also have an established ritual to mitigate the after-effects of that boozing. Hungover? Head to a Japanese convenience store. iStock These, in my opinion at least, are the worlds greatest hangover cures. It pays to know them. Ukon no Chikara, Japan

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Walk into any Japanese convenience store and you will inevitably spot, usually facing the front door, a few shelves filled with small, brightly coloured metal bottles covered in Japanese script. These are hangover cures. The trick with the likes of popular brands such as Ukon no Chikara, however, is that youre supposed to drink them before you go out boozing, not after. Still, all that turmeric and vitamin C cant hurt the next morning. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Bacon butty, England All hail the bacon butty. iStock Assumed knowledge would have it that the king of British hangover cures is the full English breakfast: bacon, sausages, baked beans, fried bread, black pudding. And thats fine if youve got someone else to make it for you. If not though, who has the energy? Instead, all you need is a few rashers of good bacon, fried until lightly crisp, slapped on white bread and slathered in HP Sauce. All hail the bacon butty. Haejang-guk, South Korea

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Korea has an entire class of dishes for hangover cures. iStock Koreans take their hangover cures so seriously that they have not one dish but an entire class of dishes  known as haejang-guk, or hangover soups  to ward off the evils of too much soju and beer. Some of these soups are absolute monsters that contain coagulated ox blood, while others, such as kongnamul gukbap, a bean sprout soup served with rice, kimchi and a raw egg cracked over the top, is a little more approachable for first-timers. Irn-Bru, Scotland Irn-Bru has an indescribable flavour. iStock Scotlands national beverage is a truly disgusting brew with an indescribable flavour, and its exactly what you want when you wake up with pure whisky coursing through your veins (or is that just me?). Irn-Bru is a fizzy, neon-orange drink that is said to contain 32 flavours, though I cant identify any of them. Its also a national obsession in Scotland, and it does contain a small amount of iron, plus a lot of sugar, so it should sort you right out.

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Utopenci, Czechia Czech pickled sausages: served with beer and after beer. iStock Though many of us lean towards the carb-heavy and the fatty when it comes to hangover cures, in much of Eastern Europe theres a preference for sour, pickled items. The Czechs have figured out a way to tick all boxes with utopenci, or pickled sausages. These are soft snags that are split down the middle and pickled in brine, served with pickled onions and capsicum plus hearty bread. Theyre great to eat while drinking beer, and even better the morning after. Chilaquiles, Mexico Road to recovery: chilaquiles. Penny Stephens

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The real experts know that a hangover cure should have a good hit of chilli. And chilaquiles, a classic Mexican breakfast, has a good hit of chilli. It also has corn chips and eggs, which has to hit the mark. To make chilaquiles, crisp, fried corn tortillas are drowned in salsa verde, and then topped with fried eggs, diced onions, coriander and crumbled queso fresco. Many of my mornings in Mexico have been made immeasurably better thanks to chilaquiles. Pho, Vietnam Gently coax your hangover into submission with a bowl of pho. iStock You have two choices with a hangover: you can shock it out of your system with a breakfast of pure power, or you can gently coax it into submission with a dish thats calm and comforting. Vietnamese pho is the latter. Its a subtle, herbaceous soup with slippery rice noodles and thin-sliced beef. Its not technically known as a hangover cure in its homeland, though it is served for breakfast and it does do the job after too many Bia Saigons. Bloody Caesar, Canada

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Et tu, hangover? A bloody caesar, for a brutal hangover. Getty Images We in Australia have many cures for hangovers, though perhaps the most universally cherished could be described as hair of the dog. Canadians agree, which is why they reach for the Clamato (tomato juice mixed with clam broth) to make their own version of the heart-starting Bloody Mary. A Bloody Caesar has vodka, Worcestershire sauce and tabasco, mixed with Clamato, served with a celery stalk and  as with one I tried in Whistler  sometimes even a rasher of crispy bacon. I mean, come on. 100plus, Malaysia Malaysians dont drink much, but they do produce one of the worlds best hangover cures. Alamy Malaysians dont drink a whole lot  the country has one of the lowest rates of alcohol consumption in Asia. Malaysia has also, however, inadvertently produced one of the worlds great hangover cures, 100plus. This is an electrolyte-rich, isotonic drink similar to Gatorade or Pocari Sweat, designed to help people recover from physical activity. Though it also helps people recover from alcoholic activity.

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Leche de tigre, Peru Tigers milk  mostly fish juice. iStock Youve heard of hair of the dog, but how about milk of the tiger? Leche de tigre  literal translation, tigers milk  is the juice used to cure fish in ceviche. Its a sour, delicious concoction made with lime juice, fish stock, onion, garlic, celery, ginger and aji limo (a local chilli). Once the ceviche has been served, the leftover liquid is kept and consumed as a short drink in the evening, or as a killer hangover cure the next morning. Rollmops, Germany Rollmops: rich with good oils and electrolytes. iStock

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They love a beer in Germany, which means they also suffer the odd hangover, and they defeat it with the creation of a katerfruehstueck, or hangover breakfast. One of the key elements of said meal is rollmops, pickled herring fillets that are wrapped around onion and gherkins. A rollmop is sour and salty, rich with good oils and electrolytes, and yeah, its a bit of a challenge at 7am. But its exactly what your body needs after a long night in a beer hall. Related Article Opinion

Foodie travel Ive travelled the world, and these are the 11 greatest breakfasts Ben Groundwater Travel writer The verdict All these hangover cures have worked for me in the past, and most have even been pleasurable to consume. If I was going to nominate a winner, however, my dream hangover cure, it would probably be a bacon butty washed down with an Ukon no Chikara and a Bloody Caesar. With a bowl of pho later on. Cheers.

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Opinion Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine  writing about it, as well as consuming it  and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater Connect via email
NEW YORK, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge on Monday blocked the release of a report by former Special Counsel Jack Smith about President Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents following his first term.

Florida-based U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said the release of the report would present a "manifest injustice" to the president and his two co-defendants, because it would detail substantial allegations of criminal wrongdoing in a case that never reached a jury.

In a ruling, Cannon wrote that disclosure of Smith's report "would contravene basic notions of fairness and justice in the process, where no adjudication of guilt has been reached following initiation of criminal charges."

Smith charged Trump in 2023 with 40 counts of illegally retaining classified U.S. national defense information at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and obstructing government efforts to retrieve the materials. Trump denied all the allegations.

Cannon, appointed to the bench by Trump in 2020, dismissed all the charges in 2024, ruling that Smith was unlawfully appointed by the Justice Department during former President Joe Biden's administration. 
Ski-Doo racers finish 1-2 for sixth win in seven years, Snocross success continues in New York

VALCOURT, QC, Feb. 24, 2026 - Ski-Doo, iconic brand of BRP Inc. (TSX: DOO) is ecstatic to celebrate a commanding performance at the 2026 Iron Dog, the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race. In an inspiring display of endurance and precision, Tyler Aklestad and Nick Olstad powered their Ski-Doo machines to victory, earning the title of 2026 Iron Dog Champions.

Right behind them, Team #5Zack Weisz and Thomas Davissecured a remarkable second-place finish, completing a powerful 12 sweep for Ski-Doo.







"Can't thank all you guys enough, those sleds ran amazing," stated Aklestad as he passed along thanks to the Ski-Doo team. "It just feels so amazing to have another win. It truly was a complete test of equipment and environment this year."

BRP also extends its heartfelt congratulations to every Ski-Doo racer who took on this year's grueling course. The Iron Dog demands unmatched grit, preparation, and resilience, and each competitor who lined up on a Ski-Doo sled showcased the spirit and determination that define the BRP racing family.

Together, these athletes demonstrated what's possible when world-class riders meet world-class machines. These racers use the MXZ X-RS 600R E-TEC  the same exact snowmobile anyone can ride, not a limited edition or specialty race snowmobile some competitors use.

The Ski-Doo team can't wait for next year's race already as the 2027 MXZ X-RS 600RR E-TEC will feature the new Rotax 600RR E-TEC engine with more horsepower and even better performance. Racers will want to visit their Ski-Doo dealer before March 31st to place an order for next year's snowmobile.

Ski-Doo Racers Continue to Roll in Snocross

Ski-Doo racers continued to shine in Salamanca, New York with Crayden Dillon delivering a standout weekend. After a strong runner-up finish on Friday, the rookie came back with fire on Saturday  grabbing the lead early and never looking back as he powered his Ski-Doo to a dominant nine-second victory.

Jordan Lebel, the current points leader, added another impressive performance to his season resume. Despite starting deep in the pack, he charged forward with trademark intensity, climbing from eighth to third within four laps and securing his sixth podium of the year.

Ski-Doo racers are on a tear, stacking wins and podiums across back-to-back weekends. Jordan Lebel set the tone last week in Valcourt with a flawless performance, sweeping both Pro finals and reinforcing his status as one of the sport's dominant forces, while Dillon and Theo Poirer completed a podium sweep on Saturday.

With Dillon's commanding win this weekend and Lebel's relentless drive to the podium, Ski-Doo racers once again proved they're setting the pace in the ISOC Pro class.

Follow Ski-Doo Racing on social media and to learn more about all Ski-Doo models visit www.ski-doo.com

About BRP

BRP Inc. is a global leader in the world of powersports products, propulsion systems and boats built on over 80 years of ingenuity and intensive consumer focus. Through its portfolio of industry-leading and distinctive brands featuring Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and pontoons, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, Quintrex boats and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts and recreational aircraft, BRP unlocks exhilarating adventures and provides access to experiences across different playgrounds. The Company completes its lines of products with a dedicated parts, accessories and apparel portfolio to fully optimize the riding experience. Committed to growing responsibly, BRP is developing electric models for its existing product lines. Headquartered in Quebec, Canada, BRP had annual sales of CA$7.8 billion from over 130 countries and employed approximately 16,500 driven, resourceful people as of January 31, 2025.

Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Can-Am, Rotax, Quintrex and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE BRP Inc.
New interactive map helps travelers plan unforgettable journeys in honor of the road's centennial

NEEDHAM, Mass., Feb. 24, 2026 -- Wanderlab , Tripadvisor 's in-house creative studio, and Choice Hotels International are joining forces to celebrate 100 years of Route 66, one of America's most storied and beloved highways. To mark a century of cross-country adventures, the brands are launching a dynamic, interactive Century of Route 66 road trip guide that pays tribute to the communities, roadside stops, and travelers that have shaped Route 66 into a true American classic.

As part of the centennial celebration, Wanderlab at Tripadvisor and Choice Hotels are unveiling a collaborative, interactive map that spans all 2,500 miles of Route 66 across eight states. This digital experience brings together Choice Hotels accommodations with historic sites, quirky roadside attractions, and beloved diners that help turn a drive into a true journey. From photo opportunities along the Mural Trail to must-try horseshoe sandwiches in Springfield, Illinois, the guide helps travelers build their own bucket-list Route 66 itinerary while exploring convenient stays at Choice Hotels properties throughout the route, such as Comfort Suites in Rolla after exploring St. Louis, Missouri, or Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bolingbrook when departing Chicago, Illinois. With more than 7,400 properties worldwide, Choice Hotels ensures comfortable accommodations are never far from the small towns and cities that define this legendary highway.

"Route 66 isn't just a road but a century's worth of stories and experiences, and travelers on Tripadvisor remind us of that every day," noted Steve Paganelli, CDME, VP, Global Media & Partnerships at Tripadvisor. "We're seeing Route 66 interest surge on our platform with a 20% growth in pageviews year over year from 2023 to 2024 from reviews to forums, as more travelers look to hit the open road. Partnering with Choice Hotels lets us turn that passion into a practical, end-to-end guide so people can confidently plan, book, and experience this iconic journey."

Noha Abdalla, Chief Marketing Officer at Choice Hotels International, noted that "Route 66 has inspired generations of travelers, and we're proud to help make exploring it more accessible than ever. With convenient and trusted stays along nearly every stretch of the route, Choice Hotels gives roadtrippers the confidence to discover the local flavors, smalltown histories, and oneofakind landmarks that make this highway so iconic. Our collaboration with Wanderlab at Tripadvisor brings those experiences together in a way that empowers travelers to plan their journey with easeand enjoy the freedom of the open road in true Route 66 fashion."

Born during the Great Depression as a lifeline for families seeking opportunity, Route 66 has become an enduring symbol of freedom and the open road. Tripadvisor data shows a 20% year-over-year increase in Route 66 interest, while 56% of U.S. travelers plan to drive to vacation destinations this year, underscoring the road trip's central role in American travel. Tripadvisor forums buzz with questions, tips, and stories about legendary highways, cementing the platform as the go-to source for road trip informationand now, those insights come together in a curated Route 66 itinerary that highlights the very best of the journey.

Kick off your Route 66 adventure in historic Illinois : The adventure begins in historic Illinois, where Route 66 officially starts with neon-lit diners, towering roadside oddities, stays at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Bolingbrook , and museums packed with Americana. Must-see stops include the Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience and the iconic Polk-a-Dot Drive-In for a retro dining experience.

Discover Missouri's classic stops on the Mother Road: Missouri's stretch delivers pure Americana with the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge curving dramatically over the Mississippi River, stays at Comfort Suites, St. Louis - Sunset Hills , and the nostalgic 66 Drive-In Theatre for movies under the stars.

Kansas ' 13 mighty miles of Route 66: Though Kansas claims only 13 miles of Route 66, it packs outsized charm with the beautifully preserved Old Riverton Store from the 1920s and stays at Comfort Suites Speedway - Kansas City , where the all-suite setup provides space to spread out with complimentary breakfast for the road ahead.

Explore Oklahoma's iconic stops on the longest stretch of 66: Oklahoma boasts more Route 66 miles than any other state, featuring instantly recognizable icons like the striking red Round Barn architectural curiosity and community landmark. Travelers can rest at Sleep Inn and Suites Oklahoma City , a comfortable base for exploring the city's Route 66 sights with rooms designed for rest and convenience.

Texas -sized fun on Route 66's boldest stretch: Texas delivers everything bigger with the famous Cadillac Ranch art installation, stays at Comfort Inn & Suites , and Big Texan Steak Ranch's legendary 72-ounce steak challenge in Amarillo.

Neon nights and desert sights on New Mexico Route 66 : New Mexico's stretch combines wide-open skies with the Route 66 Auto Museum's well-curated collection of classic cars and vintage memorabilia, plus stays at Quality Inn & Suites Gallup I-40 Exit 20 , freshly renovated and conveniently located near Red Rock State Park and the historic El Morro Theatre.

Red rocks, retro stops, and Arizona Route 66 magic: Arizona offers dramatic scenery from pine forests to desert vistas, highlighted by the awe-inspiring Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum and scenic accommodations at Comfort Inn I-17 & I-40 , surrounded by Ponderosa pines near the San Francisco Peaks base.

California classics mark the Route 66 finish line: The journey concludes in California with the cinematic finale at Santa Monica Pier's "End of the Trail" sign where Route 66 meets the Pacific Ocean, complemented by the nostalgic time capsule experience at Peggy Sue's 50's Diner, retro and unapologetically nostalgic in the desert. Conclude the trip close by to top restaurants at the Comfort Suites Barstow Near I-15 .

By combining Tripadvisor's unparalleled traveler insights with Choice Hotels' trusted nationwide network of hotels, this interactive map transforms a century of Route 66 stories into the ultimate road trip guide.

About Tripadvisor, Inc.

Tripadvisor, the world's largest travel guidance platform*, helps millions of people each month** become better travelers, from planning to booking to taking a trip. Travelers across the globe use Tripadvisor's website and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than a billion reviews and contributions, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.

Tripadvisor LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tripadvisor, Inc. . The subsidiaries of Tripadvisor, Inc. own and operate a portfolio of travel media brands and businesses, operating under various websites and apps.

* Source: SimilarWeb, unique users de-duplicated monthly, Dec 2025

** Source: Tripadvisor internal log files

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. , is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The challenger in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice has nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 650,000 rooms, in 47 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com .

SOURCE Tripadvisor
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday chaired a State Council executive meeting, during which arrangements were made for government work following the Spring Festival holiday and a series of draft policy documents were reviewed.

This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), and all departments under the State Council must remain focused on annual goals and tasks, and ensure that the government's arrangements are fully in place, the meeting said.

It said that efforts should be made to support local authorities and enterprises in fostering new growth drivers, and to introduce more targeted policy measures to invigorate market vitality continuously and enhance the people's well-being.

It also highlighted the need to develop the silver economy and strengthen elderly care services. To unleash the consumption potential of senior citizens further, it urged efforts to foster tailored consumption scenarios and business models.

The meeting called for quality improvements and the expanded coverage of elderly care services to ensure the country's senior citizens are cared for well.

It reviewed and adopted a guideline on strengthening firefighting work in local communities, and stressed the need for improved fire safety systems at the community level, as well as strengthened public preparedness for emergencies.

A draft revision of law on water was also discussed and approved in principle, and the decision to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation was made. 
Anjuman Urdu Primary Schoolwins SQAAF Award for 2025-26





Business Reporter :

In a historic achievement that has sent ripples of pride across the education sector, Anjuman Urdu Primary School (Semi-English), Sadar, has been officially honored with the prestigious School Quality Assessment and Assurance Framework (SQAAF) Award for 2025-26. Out of more than 67,000 schools across Maharashtra, only a select 429 institutions were chosen for this elite recognition. From the entire Nagpur district, only three primary schools achieved this feat, with Anjuman Urdu Primary School standing tall as the only Urdu medium school in the region to receive this honor. Disciplined governance and focus on administrative excellence of Zaka Haq, Administrator, ensured that the school met every rigorous criterion of the SQAAF framework.

Under strategic guidance of Anees Ahmed, CEO, the school has successfully bridged the gap between traditional values and modern educational standards, making it a model institution. Hands-on leadership and academic rigor of Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, Headmaster, have been the driving force behind the schools consistent 100 per cent results and flawless operations. By securing this award, Anjuman Hami-E-Islam has proved that with the right leadership, an Urdu medium school can outshine thousands of institutions and set a benchmark for the entire state. This recognition validates the schools mission to provide high-quality, accessible education to all, said Tanveer Mirza, Chairman CDC.
Feature: Young Zimbabweans turn to Chinese firms for expanded job opportunities

Xinhua) 09:57, February 24, 2026

Zimbabwean youths inquire about job opportunities from staff members of a Chinese company during a job fair in Marondera District of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, on Feb. 21, 2026. As the job market remains competitive for fresh graduates, young Zimbabweans have expressed a growing interest in seeking career opportunities at Chinese firms, which have become a major source of employment in the southern African country. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

MARONDERA, Zimbabwe, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- As the job market remains competitive for fresh graduates, young Zimbabweans have expressed a growing interest in seeking career opportunities at Chinese firms, which have become a major source of employment in the southern African country.

"China is advanced in terms of technology, so I hope to get an opportunity to be exposed to cutting-edge and modern technologies. I believe that will create a good professional path for me as a chemical engineer," said 24-year-old Learnmore Njiri.

The young graduate was among many Zimbabwean youths who attended a job fair in Marondera District of Mashonaland East Province, held alongside the National Youth Day, which is marked annually on Feb. 21 to honor the role of young people in Zimbabwe's development.

Among the recruiting companies was Huayou Cobalt, a Chinese company that operates a lithium mine and processing plant in the province. Through its Zimbabwean subsidiary, the company is one of the largest private employers in Zimbabwe.

After checking a catalog of vacancies available at Huayou Cobalt, 19-year-old Wesley Sigauke, a mechanical engineering student, said he hopes to acquire more technical and advanced skills from Chinese companies setting up operations in Zimbabwe.

"I am that kind of worker who never gets tired to learn and never runs out of things to do or explore. I am always trying to learn new things. If there is any way I can get a scholarship to study in China, I will take it," he said.

With growing Chinese investment and career opportunities, there is an increasing trend of learning Chinese among young Zimbabwean professionals.

"I took an elementary Chinese language module in college, and I hope to continue learning the language, knowing the culture. I think speaking the language can bring more opportunities for me," said Njiri.

Due to the influx of Chinese investors, there is a need for locals who can help bridge the communication gap, he added.

Zeng Liangkuan, human resource manager at Huayou Cobalt, told Xinhua that the company has been expanding recruitment of local employees equipped with professional skills in relevant areas to meet the rising demand.

"Knowing the Chinese language has always been a plus," Zeng said, adding that the company is in greater need of young professionals with language proficiency.

"We are willing to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive career development paths for qualified professionals," he said.

In his official address at the National Youth Day celebration, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasized the need to equip young people with relevant skills, saying young people are not merely spectators but active participants in the ongoing national development journey.

Saul Elias, a young Zimbabwean, told Xinhua that he attended the job fair to seek employment so that he could contribute productively to his community.

"We are expecting to get employment that can uplift our livelihoods so that we can contribute to the development of our country," he added.

Zimbabwean youths inquire about job opportunities from a staff member of a Chinese company during a job fair in Marondera District of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, on Feb. 21, 2026. As the job market remains competitive for fresh graduates, young Zimbabweans have expressed a growing interest in seeking career opportunities at Chinese firms, which have become a major source of employment in the southern African country. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

A Zimbabwean youth inquires about job opportunities from a staff member of a Chinese company during a job fair in Marondera District of Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, on Feb. 21, 2026. As the job market remains competitive for fresh graduates, young Zimbabweans have expressed a growing interest in seeking career opportunities at Chinese firms, which have become a major source of employment in the southern African country. (Photo by Tafara Mugwara/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
Akbar Novruz



Peter Mandelson, a former British ambassador to the United States, ex-member of the House of Lords and a senior figure in the Labour Party, was arrested in London on February 23, according to police sources. Authorities confirmed the detention but did not officially disclose the suspects name, AzerNEWS reports.

The 72-year-old is suspected of abuse of power in a case linked to his connections with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. US investigators consider Epstein to have been the organizer of a large human trafficking network, alleging that he recruited girls, including minors, into prostitution.

Mandelson was dismissed from his post as ambassador to Washington in September last year. Subsequent revelations indicated that his ties with Epstein were more extensive than previously acknowledged. His name reportedly appears in multiple documents from the so-called Epstein dossier published by the FBI. According to the investigation, Mandelson allegedly shared sensitive information with Epstein during his tenure as a minister in the government of former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Earlier, on February 19, Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, was also detained in connection with the Epstein case, though he was released after 12 hours. The investigation into his role is ongoing.

In February, British authorities established a special coordination group to examine new allegations against high-ranking officials named in the Epstein-related documents.

Epstein was arrested in the United States in the summer of 2019 on charges of trafficking underage girls and coercing them into prostitution. In August of that year, the 66-year-old billionaire was found dead in prison in what authorities ruled a suicide. His associate Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for human trafficking and facilitating sexual exploitation.

Investigators note that numerous senior politicians, officials and business figures had contact with Epstein. Leaked documents indicate that both Prince Andrew and Mandelson maintained friendly relations with him.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China places great importance on its economic and trade cooperation with Germany, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

Over the more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Germany, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has deepened steadily, according to a spokesperson for the ministry.

Germany has remained China's largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment in Europe, and the two countries have achieved extensive industrial integration, the ministry said.

It noted that in recent years, annual trade between China and Germany has consistently exceeded 200 billion U.S. dollars, and two-way investment stock has surpassed 65 billion U.S. dollars, with each figure accounting for nearly one-quarter of China's total engagement with the European Union.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to lead a high-level trade delegation to China, accompanied by senior executives from about 30 leading German companies in key sectors such as automotives, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, machinery manufacturing and the circular economy, the spokesperson said, noting that this underscores Germany's strong commitment to deepening bilateral economic and trade relations.

China places great importance on its economic and trade cooperation with Germany, and is actively preparing for joint initiatives such as the China-Germany economic advisory committee meeting, aiming to provide a platform for dialogue and collaboration between enterprises from both sides, the ministry said. 
Bharat Sheth featured in IJ Power List 2026





Business Reporter :

BHARAT Sheth, Managing Director of Batukbhai Sons Jewellers, Dharampeth, has been featured in the prestigious IJ Power List 2026, a pan-India recognition by The Indian Jeweller Magazine honouring industry leaders. He was felicitated at a ceremony in Mumbai by veteran actress Zeenat Aman for his contribution to redefining bridal jewellery retail. At a time when large, experience-led showrooms were uncommon, he envisioned and built one of the regions most advanced jewellery destinations. Commenting on the recognition, his son, Viraj Sheth, Director at Batukbhai Sons Jewellers Pvt Ltd, said, My father pioneered a curated, experience-driven bridal format when the market was fragmented. His vision has shaped our brand and influenced regional retail practices.
HC directs joint action to resolve traffic, parking issues in Dhantoli, Rpeth





Staff Reporter :

The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday orally directed the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Police and Dhantoli Nagarik Madal to jointly find a solution to the growing traffic congestion in Dhantoli, Congress Nagar and Ramdaspeth. The court also raised concern over unauthorised hospital constructions and the commercial use of parking spaces. A division bench of Justice Anil S Kilor and Justice Raj D Wakode instructed the DCP Traffic to submit a detailed report within two weeks with the proposed solutions. The court further directed the NMC to issue show-cause notices to hospitals found encroaching on parking spaces and charging commercial rates.

Show cause notices to all hospitals

During the hearing, the High Court observed that misuse of hospital parking areas for commercial purposes was not limited to Dhantoli, Congress Nagar and Ramdaspeth but was visible across the city. The bench questioned why violators in these areas should not be penalised at four times the commercial rate. The court also asked why those found guilty in the committee report, submitted after inspection, should not be charged commercial penalty for one year. The court noted that a notification issued earlier by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Traffic regarding parking in Dhantoli was not being followed properly. Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) submitted a table before the court regarding penalty rent, assuming certain constructions to be around ten years old at two different locations.

Authorities told to work together

Taking serious note of the situation, the High Court ordered the Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police and Dhantoli Nagarik Mandal to sit together and work out a practical solution to the persistent traffic and parking problems.

We want solution

Expressing concern over public inconvenience, the court orally observed that ambulances are often forced to stop in the middle of the road due to congestion, leading to traffic blockages and hardship to patients and citizens. We want a solution to all these issues. It is your duty to find one. Tell us what solution you are working on, the bench told the NMC and the DCP Traffic. Advocate Ashwin Deshpande appeared for the Nagarik Mandal, Advocate Gemini Kasat represented the Municipal Corporation, and Advocate Deepak Thakre argued on behalf of the government. The matter is expected to come up after the traffic police submit their report within two weeks.
INDIA: GLOBAL POWER





WADING through crises of various magnitude on the geopolitical landscape whose contours are rapidly changing, the India-Israel partnership has remained extremely strong, weathering all the storms. Both the countries acknowledge each others strategic autonomy and right to defend itself by fully supporting each other. The bonhomie has gone up multiple notches and is set to get a new expression when Israel Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu launches a hexagon of alliances in and around the Middle-East region with the prominent presence of India in the grouping. The alliance is a vision of Mr. Netanyahu as he seeks the presence and guidance of his dear friend Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in this ambitious endeavor. The hexagon alliance is a broader diplomatic architecture forming a geopolitical axis. As per Mr. Netanyahus initial sketch the alliance will comprise India, Arab nations, African countries, Greece, Cyprus and some Asian States.

The axis is likely to work more as a force against extremists disturbing peace in the region than being an economic corridor. Though there seems to be a link with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to strengthen trade and infrastructure across regions, the Israel PM has chosen to call it a geopolitical necessity. What is of great interest for the world is the place accorded to India by Mr. Netanyahu. In his address to the Cabinet before unveiling the Hexagon alliance, the Israeli PM described India as a global power while hailing his personal bonding with Mr. Modi as a special relation. Both the leaders share great chemistry and are regularly in contact with each other to discuss various critical issues. The Modi-Bibi bromance has become a folklore as the world looks in awe at the friendship which has stood the test of time. Over the years, Israel and India have had each others back during times of crisis and have deftly negotiated complex diplomatic hurdles arising out of various issues. The relation will get an official expression in the Hexagon alliance when Mr. Modi visits Israel in the coming month. What Mr. Netanyahu has said about his relation with Mr. Modi holds great significance for the world.

As new axes are being chalked out following the economic hustle imposed by the United States, India has held on to its position with great resilience. It withstood the pressure mounted by US President Mr. Donald Trump over signing a highly skewed trade deal and it also spoke from a position of strength on subjects like practicing strategic autonomy. While all this was on, India maintained its stated positions on the Israel-Palestine issue without disturbing its relationship with Tel Aviv. The inclusion of India in the proposed alliance by Mr. Netanyahu is a living proof of how Indias position on the dint of its spiritual strength is respected by the world. In the past few years, the India-Israel bilateral relationship was tested over the IDFs military action in the Gaza Strip. The world mounted severe pressure on New Delhi to call out Tel Avivs excesses but it stuck to its position of neutrality while firmly backing the two-State solution. Indias position has come from its deep belief in peaceful co-existence with no place for extremism. It has always been hailed by Israel as India has remained the first supporter to its fight against terrorism.

During the unprovoked attack by Hamas on Israeli cities on October 7, 2023, India came out in Tel Avivs support asserting its right to defend with an all-out attack on the militants. New Delhi has never budged from this position as it forced other nations to condemn terrorism afflicting Israel. The Knesset has also acknowledged this principled stand and Israel has never shied away from describing India as a close, all-weather friend. The bonhomie has paved the way for a new geopolitical axis seeking to restrain extremism and form a shared future. As always, India will be the guiding light to the alliance.
JNU protest turns violent JNUSU, ABVP accuse each other of attacks





NEW DELHI :

TENSIONS flared on the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after student groups aligned with the Left and Right accused each other of unleashing violence during a protest march in early hours of Monday. According to students, the alleged incident took place at around 1.30 am on Monday, where several students got injured in an alleged stone pelting after a scuffle broke out among students. According to the statement, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) had called for a Samta Juloos towards the East Gate, demanding the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the revocation of a rustication order. Protesters alleged the administration did not engage with the march and instead allowed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members to confront them.

However, ABVP rejected the allegations and accused Left-backed organisations of provoking clashes and spreading misinformation about the incident. Left-backed groups, including All India Students Association (AISA), claimed ABVP activists pelted stones at the JNUSU encampment and attacked unarmed students, leaving several injured. According to the purported videos shared by several students caught in the stand-off, there were scenes of confusion and fear in the campus as rival groups traded violence near the protest site. University authorities did not respond to queries immediately. According to students, the situation on campus remained tense.
Spl meet of NMC today to select 16 members to Standing Committee





Staff Reporter :

Agenda also lists co-option of 10 members to House plus nomination to subject committees

A special meet of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) slated for Tuesday, at Suresh Bhat Hall, is going to nominate members to over a dozen subject committees, including all important Standing Committee. The meet, a first for the new Mayor Neeta Thakre, is convened at 11 am. About 16 members will be be nominated to the financial body of the civic body as per the respective party strength, with ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) getting maximum seats. The next important body is Transport Committee as it pertains to all important management of city bus fleet. The importance is also on account of the budgetary outlay. As Standing Committee gets to decide on all financial decision pertaining to NMC, the members have the final say on the all the crucial files. Co-option: The other important item listed on the agenda of the meeting is co-option of 10 members to NMC House.

Till the names are finalised, the would be contenders would remain in tizzy, as in past there has been instance one getting outsmarted at last minute. The exercise is important for BJP as it has doled out promises of co-option to nip the rebellion on part of some ex-corporators and others for safe guarding its chosen candidates in run upto elections. Dozen committees: During the meeting, the House is also going to complete the formalities of constituting other statutory committees. These includes the Medical and Health Committee, it is of quite importance given the increasing mandate relating to citizens health in the second capital of state. Also BJP in its manifesto has committed to widening the scope of health infrastructure to meet the needs of citizens.

The other committees whose nominations are to be finalised also include Architecture and Project; Legal; Education; Slums Eradication and House Building; Sports; Women and Child; Water Works; Tax; and Fire Services and Electrical. Around 10 members are nominated on each of these committee, with one later elected as Chairperson in the first meet of the subject committee.

Women to power-up NMC in 1st year: BJP

To recognise and also empower the women power, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to dedicate first year of power in NMC by rewarding its women corporators. Stating this on Monday, Dayashankar Tiwari, President, BJP, Nagpur City Unit, said that it is decided to nominate women as Chairperson of all dozen subject committee in first year. Similarly, all the chairperson posts in 10 zones of NMC are also going to be helmed by women corporators. Already two important posts in NMC, that of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are already occupied by women corporators.
Too early to comment on US tariffs: Nirmala





NEW DELHI :

FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said it is too early to comment on the tariff changes announced by the United States and the commerce Ministry is reviewing the situation. On Friday, the US Supreme Court gave a verdict against the sweeping import tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. Following that, President Donald Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all countries, including India, from February 24 for 150 days. Later on Saturday, Trump announced raising these tariffs to 15 per cent.

Asked about the impact of tariff changes on the Indian economy, Sitharaman said it is a bit too soon to comment. But on the trade particularly, aside from the Indian economy in general, the Commerce Ministry is reviewing the situation. The delegation will have to take a call on when they are going to go for further negotiations. So its a bit too early for me (to comment), Sitharaman said. On Sunday, India and the US decided to reschedule the proposed meeting of their chief negotiators, supposed to be held in Washington from Monday, to finalise the text for the interim trade pact, according to sources.
Chinese tourists visit the Egyptian Museum during the Spring Festival holiday in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 21, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience.

From the bustling streets of Cairo, past the pyramids of Giza, through the temples of Luxor and Aswan, to the shores of the Red Sea, Chinese tourists have experienced Egypt's iconic landmarks.

"Yesterday we visited the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and today we're planning to explore the Egyptian Museum and old downtown Cairo," said Liu Dan, a traveler from Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, who came to Egypt with her family during the holiday.

She added that Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilizations with an incredibly diverse and rich history that blends ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Islamic cultures.

Liu noted the deepening people-to-people exchanges between China and Egypt. On her flight from Guangzhou, she met an Egyptian tour guide who had studied Chinese at a local university. "His Chinese was almost as good as a native speaker's -- communication was seamless," she said.

For Han Shu, a Chinese teacher at Henan Normal University in central China's Henan Province, Egypt was the third stop on his family's independent overseas journey, after Thailand and Uzbekistan. Traveling with his child, he carefully planned the trip around historical landmarks, with their itinerary including Cairo and a Nile cruise to Luxor.

"We love cities rich in ancient civilization and full of cultural charm," said Han.

At Luxor Temple, Youssef El-Hady, a Chinese-speaking tour guide, was leading a group of Chinese visitors after finishing another tour at the Karnak Temple complex.

"For us as guides, the Chinese Spring Festival is an annual season we look forward to every year," he said, noting that this year has seen a noticeable increase of Chinese visitors compared to previous years.

Egypt received a record of nearly 19 million tourists in 2025, up 21 percent from the previous year, statistics showed.

According to the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Egypt reached 360,000 in 2025. Egyptian officials said the country targets attracting 3 million Chinese tourists by 2028.

Mohamed Othman, head of the Cultural Tourism Marketing Committee in Upper Egypt, said Chinese tourism is currently achieving record levels, expressing confidence that Chinese tourists will become a major contributor to Egypt's tourism market in the coming years. 

Chinese tourists visit the Egyptian Museum during the Spring Festival holiday in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 21, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Chinese tourists visit the Egyptian Museum during the Spring Festival holiday in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 21, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Chinese tourists visit the Pyramids of Giza during the Spring Festival holiday in Giza, Egypt, Feb. 23, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Chinese tourists visit the Egyptian Museum during the Spring Festival holiday in Cairo, Egypt, Feb. 21, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Chinese tourists visit the Pyramids of Giza during the Spring Festival holiday in Giza, Egypt, Feb. 23, 2026. As the Chinese people welcomed the Year of the Horse during this year's Spring Festival, many travelers chose to spend the holiday among the temples, pyramids and museums of Egypt, drawn by its cultural depth and growing travel convenience. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian social media influencer Liakhova Albina, who is based on China's tropical Hainan Island, had a whirlwind Spring Festival. She decorated her home with red couplets, browsed bustling holiday markets, prepared a Chinese New Year's Eve feast, and watched a dazzling display of drones and fireworks -- sharing each moment with her followers back home.

"This Spring Festival felt like a warmth that crossed borders," she said.

Her videos capture a broader shift across China, where this ancient festival is being remixed, powered by technology, infused with modern flair and reaching a global audience. This Year of the Horse is not just being celebrated; it is being reinvented.

ROBOTS, DRONES, AI

Beneath the century-old arcades of historic Zhongshan Road in Xiamen, a coastal city in east China's Fujian Province, a recent event celebrating intangible cultural heritage through digital technology drew eager crowds. AR and VR headsets allowed visitors to experience immersive digital detail as they admired intricate lacquer carvings, watched local opera performances and traced the history of "qiaopi," which were remittances or letters sent home by earlier generations of overseas Chinese.

But the real showstopper was a human-droid demonstration which saw a troupe of robots named "Wanglai" square up to human martial artists, incorporating elements of China's martial and theatrical intangible cultural heritage as they sparred bare-handed and shifted formations. The livestreamed performance attracted more than 100,000 viewers.

"We're using technology to present intangible cultural heritage in new ways," said Lin Gonghua, head of the local robotics company that was behind the robots on show.

The fusion of technology and tradition has become a hallmark of modern Chinese New Year celebrations. Nowhere was this more evident than in the "Spring Festival Gala," an annual TV spectacle that has become a national institution. This year, robots equipped with various functions once again shared the stage with human performers, their presence now familiar though ever-evolving.

Offstage, technology played a big part in the festivities. In Beijing, a robot rabbit entertained visitors with folk tales at a temple fair. In central China's Hunan Province, over 1,000 drones painted galloping horses and good wishes for the new year across the night sky.

Even the most intimate traditions have received a digital makeover, with people around the country using AI to compose couplets, generate personalized greeting videos, or create virtual family portraits.

TRADITION REINVENTED

In northwest China's Gansu Province -- a region famous for its rich equine culture -- another kind of revival is underway.

In an art village located in Tongwei County of Dingxi, young seal carver Lian Jie has created a whimsical Spring Festival product: a framed rubbing of a galloping horse carrying a gold ingot on its back. The design plays on the Chinese term "ma shang you qian," which means both "money on horseback" and "getting rich immediately," making it an auspicious and clever gift for the Year of the Horse.

"Creating popular Chinese zodiac-themed works helps keep traditional culture both grounded and innovative, while bringing it closer to people," Lian said.

Lian's creations follow a rising trend in China, as museums across the country tap into the "China-chic" wave with themed cultural products like Lian's.

The Gansu Provincial Museum's "Green Horse" is another example. The playful green plush toy modeled on the iconic "Bronze Galloping Horse" from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 A.D.) has gone viral recently, inspiring a wave of fan-made creations online.

"Chinese zodiac culture is a powerful emotional connector," said Diao Jinuo, an expert in the field who is based at the Communication University of China. "The popularity of these horse-themed creations shows the Spring Festival merchandise market is maturing, reflects the enduring vitality of traditional culture, and opens new paths to keep festivals alive."

A GLOBAL WELCOME

Mexican national Renata, with a deep fascination for China, chose to spend this Chinese New Year travelling the country with her family. At a cultural center in Beijing, she made dumplings and wrote the Chinese character "Fu," which means good fortune. Upon discovering that she was born in the Year of the Horse, she happily crafted a sugar painting in the shape of her Chinese zodiac animal.

Renata told Xinhua that she thought the celebrations lasted a long time, but that each day brought something new. "And the fact that the family gathers around is amazing," she added, expressing hope that she would continue to celebrate Spring Festival with her family in the years to come.

Such experiences are becoming increasingly common. Thanks to visa-free travel policies and streamlined entry procedures, celebrating Spring Festival in China is now a growing trend among international tourists. During the nine-day holiday from Feb. 15 to 23, total cross-border trips averaged over 1.97 million per day, a 10.1 percent year-on-year increase, according to the National Immigration Administration on Tuesday. International visitors made over 1.31 million of these crossings, with the daily figure surging 21.8 percent.

And the festival's global appeal extends far beyond China's borders. In New York, the UN headquarters hosted a Year of the Horse gala. Frankfurt held a Spring Festival temple fair, featuring Yingge dance from Guangdong's Chaoshan region and Ansai waist drum performances, both of which are forms of traditional intangible cultural heritage in China. Social media has been flooded with videos of international users celebrating by making dumplings, or posting their own "Fu" characters.

Spring Festival, which has been officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, resonates globally with its core values of reunion and harmony.

Shahbaz Khan, director of UNESCO's Regional Office for East Asia, said that Spring Festival not only celebrates family and cultural heritage, but also welcomes people from around the world. He noted that the festival fosters intercultural dialogue, advances people-to-people exchange and conveys the benefits of shared prosperity. 
London Security plc (LON:LSC  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 2,200 and last traded at GBX 2,600, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2,550.

London Security Stock Up 2.0%

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 2,823.40 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 3,183.15. The stock has a market capitalization of 318.76 million, a P/E ratio of 15.38 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 2.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75.

London Security Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

London Security plc, an investment holding company, manufactures, sells, and rents fire protection equipment in the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, France, Germany, Denmark, and Luxembourg. It also provides intruder alarms products, as well as fire protection equipment maintenance services. The company offers its products under the Nu-Swift, Ansul, Total, Premier, and Master brands to companies, governments, and private individuals. The company was formerly known as London Securities plc and changed its name to London Security plc in 2003.

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Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm bought 16,558 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $919,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 179.4% in the second quarter. Lockheed Martin Investment Management Co. now owns 43,450 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,999,000 after purchasing an additional 27,900 shares during the period. Martin Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 53.8% in the 3rd quarter. Martin Capital Partners LLC now owns 117,577 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,524,000 after buying an additional 41,129 shares during the last quarter. Markel Group Inc. raised its holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.9% in the 3rd quarter. Markel Group Inc. now owns 2,368,649 shares of the companys stock worth $131,436,000 after acquiring an additional 110,061 shares during the period. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisors L.P. bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 3rd quarter worth $1,294,000. Finally, WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 2,732,182 shares of the companys stock worth $151,636,000 after acquiring an additional 97,477 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.54% of the companys stock.

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Novo Nordisk A/S Trading Down 16.3%

Shares of NVO opened at $39.68 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $53.56 and its 200 day moving average price is $53.23. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $177.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.43 and a beta of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12-month low of $39.34 and a 12-month high of $93.80.

Novo Nordisk A/S Dividend Announcement

Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $12.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.97 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 68.91% and a net margin of 33.03%. As a group, research analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be issued a $1.2751 dividend. This represents a yield of 541.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 30th. Novo Nordisk A/Ss payout ratio is 23.63%.

Key Novo Nordisk A/S News

Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. CICC Research initiated coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Friday, January 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $73.50 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.07.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk A/S Profile

(Free Report)

Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsvrd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The companys core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.

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Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT  Get Free Report) is one of 90 publicly-traded companies in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Medical Properties Trust to similar companies based on the strength of its risk, dividends, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Dividends

Medical Properties Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.3%. Medical Properties Trust pays out -78.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Real Estate Investment Trusts companies pay a dividend yield of 4.0% and pay out 102.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Medical Properties Trust is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

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Profitability

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Medical Properties Trust -28.50% -5.83% -1.85% Medical Properties Trust Competitors -34.14% -18.20% -0.23%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

Valuation & Earnings

71.8% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 63.7% of shares of all Real Estate Investment Trusts companies are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 7.9% of shares of all Real Estate Investment Trusts companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Medical Properties Trust $972.02 million -$277.05 million -12.52 Medical Properties Trust Competitors $463.71 million $16.35 million 26.54

Medical Properties Trust has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its rivals. Medical Properties Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Medical Properties Trust and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Medical Properties Trust 1 0 1 0 2.00 Medical Properties Trust Competitors 2346 4059 2396 22 2.01

Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus price target of $8.00, indicating a potential upside of 38.89%. As a group, Real Estate Investment Trusts companies have a potential upside of 17.37%. Given Medical Properties Trusts higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Medical Properties Trust is more favorable than its rivals.

Volatility & Risk

Medical Properties Trust has a beta of 1.43, meaning that its share price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Medical Properties Trusts rivals have a beta of 1.15, meaning that their average share price is 15% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Medical Properties Trust beats its rivals on 9 of the 15 factors compared.

Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed to capitalize on the changing trends in healthcare delivery by acquiring and developing net-leased healthcare facilities. MPTs financing model allows hospitals and other healthcare facilities to unlock the value of their underlying real estate in order to fund facility improvements, technology upgrades, staff additions and new construction. Facilities include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and other medical and surgical facilities.

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Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI  Get Free Report) shares were down 6.2% on Tuesday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $174.01 and last traded at $180.9560. Approximately 325,728 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 30% from the average daily volume of 468,165 shares. The stock had previously closed at $192.83.

The construction company reported $1.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($0.06). Armstrong World Industries had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 38.97%. The company had revenue of $388.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $400.87 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.50 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Armstrong World Industries has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.050-8.350 EPS.

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Armstrong World Industries Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 5th will be given a dividend of $0.339 per share. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 5th. Armstrong World Industriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.31%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AWI has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Armstrong World Industries in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group increased their price objective on Armstrong World Industries from $178.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Armstrong World Industries from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Armstrong World Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Armstrong World Industries presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $207.50.

View Our Latest Stock Report on AWI

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Armstrong World Industries

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its position in Armstrong World Industries by 1,317.0% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 36,418 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $7,138,000 after purchasing an additional 33,848 shares during the last quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group increased its stake in Armstrong World Industries by 3.3% in the second quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 177,232 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $28,790,000 after purchasing an additional 5,730 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its holdings in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 10.8% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 208,870 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $40,941,000 after buying an additional 20,280 shares during the last quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. boosted its stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries by 121.3% during the second quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 737,000 shares of the construction companys stock worth $119,718,000 after buying an additional 404,000 shares during the period. Finally, Calamos Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Armstrong World Industries during the third quarter worth about $2,055,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.93% of the companys stock.

Armstrong World Industries Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $7.72 billion, a PE ratio of 25.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $192.88 and a 200-day moving average of $192.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Armstrong World Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Armstrong World Industries, Inc is a leading global manufacturer of commercial ceiling and wall solutions. The company offers a diverse portfolio of acoustical, decorative and specialty ceiling systems designed to enhance interior environments in offices, healthcare facilities, schools, retail outlets and other non-residential settings. Through its focus on performance, aesthetics and sustainability, Armstrong World Industries addresses both functional and design requirements for architects, contractors and building owners.

Armstrongs product range includes mineral fiber, fiberglass, wood wool, metal and stone wool ceiling panels, as well as suspension and grid systems.

Further Reading

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Tempus AI, Hut 8, Upstart, BigBear.ai, and SoundHound AI are the five Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of companies that develop, provide, or heavily rely on AI technologies and servicesranging from chipmakers and cloud/AI software firms to businesses that integrate machine learning into core products. Investors buy these stocks to gain exposure to potential AI-driven growth and productivity gains, while accepting risks such as high valuations, rapid technological change, and regulatory or ethical uncertainties. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days.

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Tempus AI (TEM)

Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

Hut 8 (HUT)

Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other.

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Upstart (UPST)

Upstart Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform in the United States. Its platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans that connects consumer demand for loans to its to bank and credit unions.

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BigBear.ai (BBAI)

BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services.

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SoundHound AI (SOUN)

SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant.

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American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DCH  Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Hold by the five brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $12.45.

DCH has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on American Axle & Manufacturing from $12.00 to $10.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of American Axle & Manufacturing from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, February 19th. They issued a buy rating and a $10.35 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Axle & Manufacturing from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d) rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, BWS Financial reissued a buy rating and set a $17.00 price objective on shares of American Axle & Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on American Axle & Manufacturing

American Axle & Manufacturing Stock Down 4.1%

Shares of NYSE DCH opened at $6.72 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -37.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.60. American Axle & Manufacturing has a 12-month low of $3.00 and a 12-month high of $9.25. The company has a current ratio of 2.95, a quick ratio of 2.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.31.

American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:DCH  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.02) by $0.09. American Axle & Manufacturing had a negative net margin of 0.34% and a positive return on equity of 10.00%. The business had revenue of $1.38 billion during the quarter. During the same period last year, the business earned ($0.06) earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up .2% on a year-over-year basis.

American Axle & Manufacturing News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting American Axle & Manufacturing this week:

American Axle & Manufacturing Company Profile

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American Axle & Manufacturing is a U.S.-based designer, engineer and manufacturer of driveline and drivetrain systems and components for the automotive and light- and heavy-vehicle markets. The company produces a range of mechanical and electromechanical products including axles, driveshafts, differential systems, halfshafts, transmission components, and related sealing and suspension parts. Its product portfolio serves passenger cars, light trucks, commercial vehicles and off-highway applications.

Beyond component manufacturing, the company provides integrated engineering services such as product development, testing and system integration to help vehicle manufacturers meet performance, weight and fuel-economy targets.

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Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSE:CJ  Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$10.10 and last traded at C$9.94, with a volume of 802279 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$9.92.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on CJ. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on Cardinal Energy from C$9.00 to C$9.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce raised Cardinal Energy from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating and raised their price target for the company from C$7.75 to C$11.00 in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on Cardinal Energy from C$9.00 to C$9.50 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$10.00.

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Cardinal Energy Stock Up 0.2%

Cardinal Energy Company Profile

The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.05. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$8.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$8.35. The firm has a market cap of C$1.72 billion, a PE ratio of 20.71, a P/E/G ratio of -0.26 and a beta of 0.46.

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Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas production company with operations focused on low decline sustainable oil production in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently completed its first thermal SAGD project in Reford, Saskatchewan and has transitioned to the production phase of operations. The Companys portfolio of conventional and SAGD project inventory offers a complimentary low decline, long life resource base that is ideally suited to sustain our commitment to meaningful dividend returns to shareholders.

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Cedar Woods Properties (ASX:CWP) reported a strong first half for FY2026, highlighted by record profitability, higher margins, and a lift in interim dividends, as management pointed to favorable housing market dynamics and a growing national development pipeline.

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Record first-half profit and higher interim dividend

Managing Director Nathan Blackburne said the company was really pleased with the first-half outcome and its outlook for the full year. Cedar Woods delivered a record net profit after tax of AUD 39.6 million, which management said was 64% higher than the first half of FY2025.

The result was generated from revenue of, which was described asthan the prior corresponding period. Earnings per share were reported at, upyear over year.

The board declared an interim dividend of AUD 14, up 40% on the prior year, with the Bonus Share Plan to remain in operation for the interim dividend. CFO Leon Hanrahan also reiterated that the company views its dividend payout ratio on a full-year basis and said there was no change to its 50% payout ratio policy.

Sales, presales, and margins improve

Operationally, Cedar Woods reported contracted sales of 756 lots in the first half. As of 31 December, the company held presale contracts valued at over AUD 748 million, which management said was 16% higher than the AUD 642 million in presales at the same time last year. Management said these presales are expected to deliver revenue in the second half of FY2026 and beyond, adding that approximately half of the presales on hand would go into FY2027, with presales also building into FY2028.

Hanrahan said revenue growth and margin expansion drove a much stronger half-year performance. The company recorded 34% more settlements in the period, while gross margin increased to 31% from 26% a year earlier. Operating costs were lower, which management attributed to savings in marketing spend, while administration costs rose due to increased headcount and incentives as the company invests in new projects. Finance costs were lower than the prior period, which Hanrahan said reflected development stage and a higher portion of costs being capitalized.

Balance sheet and liquidity position

On the balance sheet, Hanrahan said total assets at 31 December were broadly in line with the June 30 position, with settlement-related inventory reductions offset by significant development spending during the half.

He reported net bank debt of AUD 85 million, down 40%, and said the companys gearing metrics were low, with net bank debt to total tangible assets less cash at 10%. While this sat below the companys target range, management expects gearing to rise in the second half due to fewer settlements and acquisition payments, finishing the year in the high teens.

Hanrahan also said Cedar Woods renewed its five-year corporate finance facilities shortly after the end of the half to secure long-term funding availability. The company ended the half with approximately AUD 170 million of drawn facility headroom, and management cited liquidity of over AUD 189 million as at 31 December 2025.

Market tailwinds and portfolio performance

Blackburne said the company continues to see considerable tailwinds, pointing to a chronic shortfall of housing and supply gaps. He cited expectations that housing completions will fall short of government targets by around 400,000 for the combined capitals by 2029, and argued that constrained supply should support sales volumes and pricing.

Demand indicators were described as strong. Management said inquiry levels rose through the first half, with Q2 inquiries 14% higher than Q1 and higher than the prior corresponding period. Sales momentum also accelerated, with record quarterly sales in Q2 FY2026, up 20% on Q1 and 17% year over year. The company described land sales as particularly strong, with steady sales in South Australia and improving sales in Victoria.

Blackburne said Cedar Woods achieved strong price growth in the first half in Western Australia and Queensland, and modest price growth in Victoria. He also said first-home buyers were among the most active buyer cohorts, supported by government incentives.

Partnerships, acquisitions, and outlook

Management emphasized diversification across product types and geographies, describing a pipeline of 36 projects and 9,000+ lots, townhouses, and apartments across four states. Blackburne said the company is developing approximately 1,100 dwellings and residential lots and highlighted the importance of multiple product typesincluding townhouses, master-planned communities, and commercialto create a smoother earnings profile.

Cedar Woods also discussed its partnering strategy, including relationships with QIC and Tokyo Gas, which management said allow participation in larger projects without committing the entire capital. Blackburne said the company has had four projects with Tokyo Gas, with two completed, and that the intention with both partnerships is to pursue more projects.

On acquisitions, management said it is actively assessing opportunities in Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia, with a bias toward medium-density projects and some apartment opportunities. During the half, Cedar Woods contracted a site in Aveley in Perths northwest suburbs, which management said is conditional due to planning and is expected to settle in FY2027. In the Q&A, management also discussed a townhouse project referenced as Soko (previously described as Madeley in pipeline charts), noting the land has settled and that it is expected to contribute predominantly to FY2027 and FY2028.

For previously announced acquisitions, management said payments for Corio, Mount Barker, and Fairfield are spread across multiple years, with installments discussed as occurring in 2026, 2027, and likely 2028.

Blackburne said the company is well-placed for further growth in earnings, citing favorable sector conditions and strong presale contracts supporting FY2026 and FY2027. Management stated it had guided previously to a minimum of 20% earnings growth for FY2026 and said it now expects approximately 30%35% growth. In response to questions, management attributed the guidance upgrade to a combination of stronger price growth across projects, more settlements coming into the year, and reduced marketing costs due to strong inquiry levels.

Management also noted seasonality in settlement timing, saying FY2026 was weighted to the first half, with slightly fewer settlements expected in the second half and a very big first quarter anticipated in FY2027.

About Cedar Woods Properties (ASX:CWP)

Cedar Woods Properties Limited engages in property investment and development activities in Australia. It is involved in the acquisition, development, marketing, and sale of housing lots, apartments, townhouses, and commercial properties in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland. The company was incorporated in 1987 and is based in West Perth, Australia.

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China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE:CYD  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $55.03, but opened at $49.28. China Yuchai International shares last traded at $50.0010, with a volume of 156,922 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of China Yuchai International in a report on Monday, December 22nd. UBS Group began coverage on shares of China Yuchai International in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a buy rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research upgraded China Yuchai International from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded China Yuchai International from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $60.00.

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China Yuchai International Price Performance

Hedge Funds Weigh In On China Yuchai International

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $43.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.68.

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in China Yuchai International by 752.8% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 849,464 shares of the companys stock worth $35,142,000 after buying an additional 749,861 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in China Yuchai International by 157.3% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 720,231 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,796,000 after purchasing an additional 440,278 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in shares of China Yuchai International by 3.4% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 278,494 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,887,000 after buying an additional 9,287 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of China Yuchai International by 73.0% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 235,141 shares of the companys stock worth $9,728,000 after purchasing an additional 99,260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in China Yuchai International during the second quarter worth approximately $4,759,000.

About China Yuchai International

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China Yuchai International Ltd. (NYSE: CYD) is a Cayman Islandsincorporated holding company with principal executive offices in Singapore. Through its subsidiaries, the company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of diesel engines in the Peoples Republic of China. Its principal operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited (GYMCL), has been producing diesel engines since 1951 and ranks among the countrys largest heavy-duty engine makers.

The companys core product portfolio includes high-speed and medium-speed diesel engines for on-highway trucks and buses, off-road vehicles such as construction and agricultural machinery, marine propulsion systems, and power generator sets.

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President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua meets with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb. 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

GENEVA, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua met with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala here on Monday.

Fu noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of China's accession to the WTO. Over the past 25 years, Xinhua has consistently witnessed and documented many memorable moments in exchanges and cooperation between China and the WTO, he said.

Looking ahead, Xinhua is ready to further strengthen communication and cooperation with the WTO, jointly highlighting the importance of the multilateral trading system and better presenting the stories of how China and the WTO have worked together to drive global economic growth, Fu added.

Okonjo-Iweala commended China's long-standing support for WTO reform. She said China's announcement last year that it would not seek new special and differential treatment in the WTO's current or future negotiations demonstrated the country's resolve to deepen reform and opening up.

She expressed willingness to further strengthen communication and cooperation with China, and jointly advance the reform, improvement and development of the WTO. 
Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) in the last few weeks:

2/14/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating.

2/6/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating.

2/5/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its hold rating reaffirmed by analysts at Argus.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft. They now have a $48.00 price target on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $48.00 to $49.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Morgan Stanley from $50.00 to $49.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Mizuho from $38.00 to $37.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $50.00 to $45.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Piper Sandler from $47.00 to $44.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at KeyCorp from $45.00 to $42.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Barclays PLC from $44.00 to $40.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $50.00 to $45.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at TD Cowen. They now have a $44.00 price target on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its equal weight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Stephens. They now have a $35.00 price target on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at BTIG Research. They now have a $45.00 price target on the stock.

2/4/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target lowered by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group from $50.00 to $48.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

1/26/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG.

1/23/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Piper Sandler from $44.00 to $47.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

1/22/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $45.00 to $50.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock.

1/21/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Raymond James Financial, Inc. from $40.00 to $45.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

1/9/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho from $36.00 to $38.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

1/9/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill is now covered by analysts at Telsey Advisory Group. They set an outperform rating and a $50.00 price target on the stock.

1/8/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill was downgraded by analysts at Gordon Haskett from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating.

1/8/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Truist Financial Corporation from $45.00 to $50.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

1/7/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from $38.00 to $44.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock.

1/5/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at TD Cowen.

1/5/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein from $40.00 to $50.00. They now have an outperform rating on the stock.

1/2/2026  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its price target raised by analysts at Mizuho from $34.00 to $36.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock.

12/29/2025  Chipotle Mexican Grill had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

12/29/2025  Chipotle Mexican Grill was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong sell rating to a hold rating.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant company known for its Mexican-inspired menu of burritos, bowls, tacos and salads. Founded in 1993 by Steve Ells, the chain emphasizes fresh, customizable meals made from a limited menu of core ingredients and a focus on ingredient quality. Chipotle operates primarily company-owned restaurants and offers dine-in, takeout, catering and delivery through its own digital platforms and third-party partners.

The company is headquartered in Newport Beach, California, and traces its roots to Denver, Colorado.

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Colonial Trust Co SC grew its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 431.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 8,327 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,760 shares during the period. Colonial Trust Co SCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $2,326,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Fairman Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 171.2% during the third quarter. Fairman Group LLC now owns 141 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the second quarter worth $32,000. Delta Asset Management LLC TN grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 50.0% in the third quarter. Delta Asset Management LLC TN now owns 150 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Navigoe LLC acquired a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the third quarter valued at $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of TSM stock opened at $369.97 on Tuesday. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a fifty-two week low of $134.25 and a fifty-two week high of $380.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.47 and a current ratio of 2.69. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $329.67 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $294.52. The company has a market cap of $1.92 trillion, a P/E ratio of 34.74, a PEG ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.31.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The semiconductor company reported $14.32 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $32.50 billion during the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 45.13% and a return on equity of 36.18%. Research analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 11th will be paid a $0.9503 dividend. This represents a $3.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 11th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings payout ratio is 23.57%.

Key Headlines Impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have commented on TSM. Wedbush reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Argus upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Zacks Research raised shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $325.00 to $370.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $391.43.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a leading pure-play semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related services to the global semiconductor industry. Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC manufactures integrated circuits on behalf of fabless and integrated device manufacturers, offering contract chip production across a broad set of technologies and products.

TSMCs service offering covers logic and mixed-signal process technologies, specialty processes for radio-frequency, power management and embedded memory, and advanced nodes used in mobile, high-performance computing and AI applications.

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Douglas Dynamics, Inc. (NYSE:PLOW  Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Tuesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $42.64, but opened at $44.71. Douglas Dynamics shares last traded at $45.36, with a volume of 108,405 shares.

The auto parts company reported $0.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.56 by $0.06. Douglas Dynamics had a return on equity of 16.18% and a net margin of 6.82%.The business had revenue of $184.54 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $169.95 million. Douglas Dynamics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.250-2.850 EPS.

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Douglas Dynamics Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a $0.295 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Douglas Dynamicss dividend payout ratio is 67.05%.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Here are the key news stories impacting Douglas Dynamics this week:

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $39.00 price target on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a report on Monday, December 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Douglas Dynamics from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Douglas Dynamics in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $39.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PLOW

Institutional Trading of Douglas Dynamics

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC raised its stake in Douglas Dynamics by 229.9% in the 3rd quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,204 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 839 shares during the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in shares of Douglas Dynamics during the third quarter worth $39,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 85.4% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,266 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 583 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in shares of Douglas Dynamics by 136.6% in the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,257 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $67,000 after buying an additional 1,303 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Douglas Dynamics in the third quarter worth about $69,000. 91.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Douglas Dynamics Stock Up 3.8%

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The businesss 50-day moving average is $37.07 and its two-hundred day moving average is $33.66.

About Douglas Dynamics

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Douglas Dynamics, Inc is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of snow and ice removal equipment for commercial, municipal and residential markets. The companys product portfolio encompasses a wide range of truck-mounted plows, spreaders, salt brine systems and related accessories engineered to perform in challenging winter conditions. Its offerings cater to professional snow contractors, government agencies and retail customers seeking reliable solutions for snow and ice management.

Douglas Dynamics markets its products under several well-known brands, including Fisher Engineering, Western Products, Hiniker Company and Buyers Products.

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Erste Group Bank (OTCMKTS:EBKDY  Get Free Report) is expected to announce its results before the market opens on Thursday, February 26th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.95 per share and revenue of $3.5296 billion for the quarter.

Erste Group Bank Stock Performance

EBKDY opened at $62.88 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $48.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 0.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.36. The firms 50-day moving average price is $61.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.63. Erste Group Bank has a 52-week low of $29.50 and a 52-week high of $66.88.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on EBKDY. Barclays upgraded shares of Erste Group Bank from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Citigroup raised Erste Group Bank to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Erste Group Bank in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Erste Group Bank in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Erste Group Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Erste Group Bank currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

Erste Group Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Erste Group Bank AG is an Austrian banking group headquartered in Vienna that operates as a universal bank serving retail, corporate and institutional customers. The group offers a broad range of financial services including deposit-taking, lending, mortgage financing, payment and transaction banking, and wealth management. Erste Group also provides capital markets services, corporate and investment banking solutions, and a range of insurance and pension-linked products through partnerships and subsidiary operations.

Erste Group maintains a significant regional presence beyond Austria, with operations across several Central and Eastern European countries.

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Extendicare (OTCMKTS:EXETF  Get Free Report) is expected to be issuing its results before the market opens on Thursday, February 26th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.1928 per share and revenue of $519.80 million for the quarter.

Extendicare Stock Up 4.3%

Shares of EXETF opened at $18.72 on Tuesday. Extendicare has a one year low of $8.04 and a one year high of $18.72. The business has a fifty day moving average of $16.68 and a 200 day moving average of $13.48.

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Extendicare Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $0.03 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 244.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 28th. Extendicares payout ratio is currently -185.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EXETF. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Extendicare from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. National Bank Financial reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Extendicare in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Extendicare from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, TD Securities restated a hold rating on shares of Extendicare in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Extendicare presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Extendicare Company Profile

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Extendicare Inc (OTCMKTS:EXETF) is a Canada-based senior care provider headquartered in Markham, Ontario. The company specializes in the ownership and operation of long-term care homes, retirement residences and home health care services. It is publicly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol EXE and trades in the over-the-counter market as EXETF.

Extendicares operations are organized into two primary segments. The Long-Term Care & Retirement Living division operates approximately 120 facilities under the Extendicare and EspritVitalite banners, serving residents in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of Atlantic Canada.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co., Coinbase Global, and Robinhood Markets are the three Financial stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Financial stocks are shares of companies whose primary business is providing financial servicessuch as banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers, asset managers, and some fintech firms. Investors buy them to gain exposure to credit conditions, interest-rate movements, and economic cycles because these firms revenues and profits are closely tied to lending margins, investment returns, and regulatory changes. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Financial stocks within the last several days.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

Coinbase Global (COIN)

Coinbase Global, Inc. provides financial infrastructure and technology for the crypto economy in the United States and internationally. The company offers the primary financial account in the crypto economy for consumers; and a marketplace with a pool of liquidity for transacting in crypto assets for institutions.

Read Our Latest Research Report on COIN

Robinhood Markets (HOOD)

Robinhood Markets, Inc. operates financial services platform in the United States. Its platform allows users to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), American depository receipts, options, gold, and cryptocurrencies. The company offers fractional trading, recurring investments, fully-paid securities lending, access to investing on margin, cash sweep, instant withdrawals, retirement program, around-the-clock trading, and initial public offerings participation services.

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First Financial Bankshares Inc increased its position in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP  Free Report) by 52.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 137,209 shares of the railroad operators stock after purchasing an additional 47,201 shares during the period. First Financial Bankshares Incs holdings in Union Pacific were worth $32,432,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UNP. Compound Planning Inc. raised its holdings in Union Pacific by 6.7% during the third quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 11,001 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $2,600,000 after buying an additional 688 shares during the last quarter. Portland Global Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 25.3% during the third quarter. Portland Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,113 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $263,000 after acquiring an additional 225 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Union Pacific by 1.6% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 5,759 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $1,361,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc raised its holdings in shares of Union Pacific by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 38,016 shares of the railroad operators stock worth $8,986,000 after acquiring an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Union Pacific by 38.3% in the 3rd quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 6,875 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $1,625,000 after acquiring an additional 1,903 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.38% of the companys stock.

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Union Pacific Stock Down 0.9%

UNP stock opened at $263.82 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $156.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.04, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $239.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $230.38. Union Pacific Corporation has a 1-year low of $204.66 and a 1-year high of $267.81.

Union Pacific Dividend Announcement

Union Pacific ( NYSE:UNP Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The railroad operator reported $2.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.92 by ($0.06). The business had revenue of $6.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.15 billion. Union Pacific had a net margin of 29.12% and a return on equity of 40.89%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.91 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Union Pacific Corporation will post 11.99 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be given a $1.38 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. This represents a $5.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. Union Pacifics payout ratio is currently 46.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. TD Cowen cut their price target on Union Pacific from $257.00 to $255.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a $285.00 price target (up previously from $270.00) on shares of Union Pacific in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating and issued a $267.00 price target on shares of Union Pacific in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Union Pacific from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada set a $280.00 target price on shares of Union Pacific in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $260.14.

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Union Pacific Profile

(Free Report)

Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) is one of the largest freight railroad companies in the United States. Its principal operating subsidiary, Union Pacific Railroad, has roots that trace back to the Pacific Railway Act of 1862 and the construction of the first transcontinental rail link completed in 1869. The company is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, and operates as a holding company for rail transportation and related services.

Union Pacifics core business is the movement of freight by rail across an extensive rail network serving the western twothirds of the United States.

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First Financial Bankshares Inc bought a new position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (NYSEARCA:VT  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 35,519 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $4,895,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of VT. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 25.4% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 84,950 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $11,784,000 after buying an additional 17,181 shares in the last quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF by 3.8% during the 3rd quarter. Coyle Financial Counsel LLC now owns 135,545 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $18,678,000 after acquiring an additional 4,984 shares in the last quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $7,907,000. Certior Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF in the third quarter valued at $2,696,000. Finally, Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC UT purchased a new position in shares of Vanguard Total World Stock ETF in the third quarter valued at $4,959,000.

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Vanguard Total World Stock ETF Stock Performance

Shares of VT opened at $146.65 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.41 billion, a PE ratio of 20.34 and a beta of 0.93. The companys fifty day moving average is $144.40 and its 200 day moving average is $140.00. Vanguard Total World Stock ETF has a fifty-two week low of $100.89 and a fifty-two week high of $148.72.

About Vanguard Total World Stock ETF

Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund ETF (the Fund) is an open-end investment company. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap Index, which covers both well-established and still-developing markets. The Fund invests in both foreign and the United States stocks. The fund offers three classes of shares: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares. As of April 30, 2012, the Fund invests in sectors, such as consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, healthcare, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunication services and utilities.

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flatexDEGIRO (OTCMKTS:FNNTF  Get Free Report) is expected to be issuing its results before the market opens on Thursday, February 26th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.94 per share and revenue of $158.7680 million for the quarter.

flatexDEGIRO Price Performance

Shares of FNNTF stock opened at $43.00 on Tuesday. flatexDEGIRO has a 12-month low of $39.33 and a 12-month high of $43.27. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.01 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.01.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

FNNTF has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of flatexDEGIRO in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of flatexDEGIRO in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, flatexDEGIRO presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

About flatexDEGIRO

(Get Free Report)

flatexDEGIRO AG is a Germany-based digital brokerage firm formed through the merger of German online broker flatex AG and Dutch discount broker DeGiro in 2020. The combined entity offers a unified trading platform designed for retail investors, aiming to provide low-cost access to global financial markets. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main with regional offices across Europe, flatexDEGIRO serves as one of the continents leading online brokers.

The companys core offerings include execution and custody services for equities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds and derivatives.

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Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report)s share price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $24.59, but opened at $22.57. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA shares last traded at $23.0760, with a volume of 508,488 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have issued reports on FMS. Erste Group Bank cut Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 20th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $28.00.

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Get Our Latest Report on Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Stock Down 7.9%

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $23.34 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.48. The stock has a market cap of $13.13 billion, a PE ratio of 16.53, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.00.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (NYSE:FMS  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The company reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.67 by $1.02. The business had revenue of $5.95 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.80 billion. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA had a net margin of 3.72% and a return on equity of 7.42%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA will post 1.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of FMS. Factory Mutual Insurance Co. acquired a new position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA in the third quarter valued at $1,769,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 14,816,852 shares of the companys stock worth $390,128,000 after purchasing an additional 153,870 shares in the last quarter. Todd Asset Management LLC grew its position in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 5.2% during the 3rd quarter. Todd Asset Management LLC now owns 1,303,424 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,319,000 after purchasing an additional 64,311 shares during the last quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA raised its holdings in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 18.2% during the second quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA now owns 229,375 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,553,000 after purchasing an additional 35,314 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 373,961 shares of the companys stock worth $10,684,000 after buying an additional 78,956 shares during the last quarter. 8.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co KGaA is the worlds largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. The companys primary business activities encompass the operation of dialysis clinics and the manufacture and distribution of dialysis equipment, dialysis machines, dialyzers, consumables and related therapies. Through its global network of clinics, Fresenius Medical Care delivers comprehensive kidney care, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, patient education and support services.

In its products segment, the company designs and produces dialysis machines, water treatment systems and disposables such as highflux dialyzers and bloodlines.

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This photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows a drone show above the sea near Macao Tower in Macao, south China. A drone and fireworks show was held on Monday by the Macao Government Tourism Office to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows a drone show above the sea near Macao Tower in Macao, south China. A drone and fireworks show was held on Monday by the Macao Government Tourism Office to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows a fireworks show above the sea near Macao Tower in Macao, south China. A drone and fireworks show was held on Monday by the Macao Government Tourism Office to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

This photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows a fireworks show above the sea near Macao Tower in Macao, south China. A drone and fireworks show was held on Monday by the Macao Government Tourism Office to celebrate the Spring Festival. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
Granite Investment Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of JBT Marel Corporation (NYSE:JBTM  Free Report) by 20.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 25,298 shares of the companys stock after selling 6,313 shares during the quarter. Granite Investment Partners LLCs holdings in JBT Marel were worth $3,553,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in JBTM. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in JBT Marel during the third quarter valued at about $812,000. Personal CFO Solutions LLC raised its position in JBT Marel by 24.3% in the third quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 2,100 shares of the companys stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 411 shares during the period. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management purchased a new position in JBT Marel in the third quarter valued at about $223,000. Kovack Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of JBT Marel during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $652,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of JBT Marel by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,539,674 shares of the companys stock valued at $778,047,000 after acquiring an additional 56,115 shares during the period. 98.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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JBT Marel Price Performance

JBTM opened at $163.70 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $158.17 and a 200-day moving average price of $145.75. JBT Marel Corporation has a twelve month low of $90.08 and a twelve month high of $170.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a market capitalization of $8.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -73.08, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.01.

JBT Marel Dividend Announcement

JBT Marel ( NYSE:JBTM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 23rd. The company reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.92 by $0.06. JBT Marel had a negative net margin of 3.39% and a positive return on equity of 7.88%. The company had revenue of $1.01 billion during the quarter. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.70 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 115.6% on a year-over-year basis. JBT Marel has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.000-8.500 EPS. Equities analysts expect that JBT Marel Corporation will post 5.21 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 29th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 15th. JBT Marels dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -17.86%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of JBT Marel from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $180.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of JBT Marel in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $174.50.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on JBTM

Insider Buying and Selling at JBT Marel

In related news, Director Olafur S. Gudmundsson sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.79, for a total transaction of $2,835,800.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 19,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,832,964.20. The trade was a 50.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.69% of the companys stock.

JBT Marel Profile

(Free Report)

JBT Marel Corporation provides technology solutions to food and beverage industry in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. It offers value-added processing that includes chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, blending, marinating, tumbling, flattening, forming, portioning, coating, cooking, frying, freezing, extracting, pasteurizing, sterilizing, concentrating, high pressure processing, weighing, inspecting, filling, closing, sealing, end of line material handling, and packaging solutions to the food, beverage, and health market.

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Greenland Capital Management LP lessened its position in S&P Global Inc. (NYSE:SPGI  Free Report) by 54.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 10,810 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 12,879 shares during the period. Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings in S&P Global were worth $5,261,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SPGI. MTM Investment Management LLC bought a new position in S&P Global during the second quarter worth about $27,000. J.Safra Asset Management Corp bought a new stake in S&P Global in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Spurstone Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of S&P Global in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in shares of S&P Global in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, First Pacific Financial boosted its stake in shares of S&P Global by 51.0% during the 3rd quarter. First Pacific Financial now owns 74 shares of the business services providers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the period. 87.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of S&P Global in a research note on Monday, December 29th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of S&P Global from $601.00 to $482.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Evercore set a $625.00 target price on shares of S&P Global and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Robert W. Baird set a $546.00 price target on shares of S&P Global in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of S&P Global from $675.00 to $530.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and seventeen have given a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, S&P Global has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $562.67.

S&P Global Stock Performance

NYSE SPGI opened at $404.54 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. The company has a market capitalization of $120.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.20. S&P Global Inc. has a 12-month low of $381.61 and a 12-month high of $579.05. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $497.52 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $505.05.

S&P Global (NYSE:SPGI  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The business services provider reported $4.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.32 by ($0.02). S&P Global had a return on equity of 16.56% and a net margin of 29.16%.The business had revenue of $3.92 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.77 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% compared to the same quarter last year. S&P Global has set its FY 2026 guidance at 19.400-19.650 EPS. Analysts anticipate that S&P Global Inc. will post 17.11 earnings per share for the current year.

S&P Global Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be issued a $0.97 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 25th. This represents a $3.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. This is a boost from S&P Globals previous quarterly dividend of $0.96. S&P Globals payout ratio is presently 26.48%.

S&P Global Profile

(Free Report)

S&P Global is a leading provider of financial information, analytics and benchmark indices that serve investors, issuers, corporations and public institutions worldwide. The company operates through well-known businesses that include credit ratings, market intelligence and index licensing, as well as commodity and energy information services. Its products and services are used to assess creditworthiness, inform investment decisions, construct and track benchmark portfolios, and support risk and commodity market analysis.

S&P Global Ratings provides independent credit ratings, research and data used by fixed income investors and capital market participants to evaluate issuer and transaction risk.

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Hamelin Gold Limited (ASX:HMG  Get Free Report) insider Justin Osborne purchased 150,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of A$0.12 per share, for a total transaction of A$17,700.00.

Hamelin Gold Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $8.70 million, a PE ratio of -6.83 and a beta of 0.68.

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Hamelin Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Further Reading

Hamelin Gold Limited operates as a mineral exploration company in the Western Tanami region of Western Australia. It holds 100% interest in the West Tanami project covering 2,500 square kilometers of gold province located in Western Australia. Hamelin Gold Limited was incorporated in 2021 and is based in Subiaco, Australia. Hamelin Gold Limited operates as a subsidiary of Encounter Resources Limited.

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Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT.A  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports.

Haverty Furniture Companies Trading Up 8.7%

Shares of NYSE HVT.A opened at $28.98 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average is $26.15 and its 200-day moving average is $23.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $471.49 million, a PE ratio of 25.27 and a beta of 0.94. Haverty Furniture Companies has a 1 year low of $16.94 and a 1 year high of $44.99.

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Haverty Furniture Companies Company Profile

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Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in owning and managing retail and distribution properties for the furniture industry. Established in 2019 as a spin-off from Havertys Furniture Stores, Inc, the companys portfolio consists of strategically located facilitiesincluding showroom locations and distribution centersleased primarily to its former parent under long-term, net lease agreements. By focusing on single-tenant commercial real estate tailored to furniture retailing and logistics, Haverty Furniture Companies aims to deliver stable, predictable rental income and to support the growth of its tenants national retail network.

At the time of its formation, Haverty Furniture Companies acquired a mix of properties encompassing corporate distribution centers, regional distribution hubs and retail showrooms across several key markets in the Southeastern and Southwestern United States.

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American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:DCH  Get Free Report) and QF Liquidation (OTCMKTS:QTWWQ  Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations and risk.

Risk and Volatility

American Axle & Manufacturing has a beta of 1.6, meaning that its stock price is 60% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, QF Liquidation has a beta of 8.41, meaning that its stock price is 741% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares American Axle & Manufacturing and QF Liquidations net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Axle & Manufacturing -0.34% 10.00% 1.17% QF Liquidation N/A N/A N/A

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American Axle & Manufacturing $5.84 billion 0.27 -$19.70 million ($0.18) -37.33 QF Liquidation N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

This table compares American Axle & Manufacturing and QF Liquidations gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

QF Liquidation has lower revenue, but higher earnings than American Axle & Manufacturing.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

91.4% of American Axle & Manufacturing shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.7% of American Axle & Manufacturing shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.0% of QF Liquidation shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for American Axle & Manufacturing and QF Liquidation, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Axle & Manufacturing 2 0 3 0 2.20 QF Liquidation 0 0 0 0 0.00

American Axle & Manufacturing currently has a consensus price target of $12.45, suggesting a potential upside of 85.27%. Given American Axle & Manufacturings stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe American Axle & Manufacturing is more favorable than QF Liquidation.

Summary

American Axle & Manufacturing beats QF Liquidation on 8 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About American Axle & Manufacturing

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American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. is a leading supplier of driveline and drivetrain systems, modules and components for the light vehicle market world wide. It manufactures Driveline and Metal Forming technologies to support electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Its the primary supplier of driveline components to its major customers include General Motors, Stellantis and Ford. It also sells various products to Ford & Stellantis from Metal Forming segment. It has the 2 operating segments. Driveline segment comprises front & rear axles, driveshafts, differential assemblies, clutch modules, balance shaft systems, disconnecting driveline technology, and electric & hybrid driveline products and systems for light trucks, SUVs, crossover vehicles, passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Metal Forming segment comprises axle & transmission shafts, ring and pinion gears, differential gears & assemblies, connecting rods and variable valve timing products for OEM and Tier 1 automotive suppliers.

About QF Liquidation

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QF Liquidation, Inc. develops, produces, and sells compressed natural gas fuel storage tanks and packaged fuel storage systems for heavy, medium, and light-duty trucks; and passenger vehicles in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Taiwan. Its products include high pressure gaseous fuel tanks, packaged fuel system modules, gaseous fuel electronic vehicle control systems and software, hybrid control and motor control software systems, inverters and motors, and engines/generators and fuel cell power. The company also designs, develops, engineers, and validates fuel storage systems for natural gas vehicle applications ranging from passenger vehicles to heavy duty trucks; and integrates electric motors, inverters, generators, and electronic vehicle control components into hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. In addition, it provides component, subsystem, and system testing and validation services; certification and compliance; and production engineering and manufacturing process development services. Further, the company offers vehicle level assembly services; technical training services; and service procedures, diagnostics, tools, and repair/maintenance programs for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Its customers include OEMs, aftermarket and OEM truck integrators, fleets, material science companies, and other governmental entities and agencies. The company, formerly known as Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California.

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc (OTCMKTS:HKMPF  Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $20.69, but opened at $21.95. Hikma Pharmaceuticals shares last traded at $21.95, with a volume of 200 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Barclays cut Hikma Pharmaceuticals from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Hikma Pharmaceuticals has an average rating of Hold.

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals Price Performance

Hikma Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.72. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $20.93 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $22.10.

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals is a multinational pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of branded and non-branded generics, specialty injectables and consumer healthcare products. The companys three core business segments include generic medicines, injectable products and branded generics, serving hospitals, wholesalers and pharmacies worldwide. Its product portfolio spans diverse therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular, oncology, respiratory, pain management and anti-infectives, with an emphasis on injectable solutions for complex hospital treatments.

Founded in 1978 in Amman, Jordan, Hikma has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to become one of the leading pharmaceutical players in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the United States.

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hipages Group (ASX:HPG) executives said the company delivered profitable growth in the first half ended Dec. 31, 2025, as it continued its shift from a marketplace-only model toward a software-led platform that combines lead generation with job management tools and a growing range of services.

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CEO and co-founder Roby Sharon-Zipser said the group achieved double-digit top-line growth, EBITDA margin expansion, and a significant uplift in free cash generation during the period. Chief Finance and Operating Officer Jaco Jonker added that New Zealand delivered exceptional growth in its first full year of post-migration optimization following a move to a full subscription model.

Financial performance: revenue growth and record EBITDA margin

Jonker reported monthly recurring revenue (MRR) closed at AUD 7.5 million, up 9% from the prior corresponding period (PCP), while total revenue increased 11% to AUD 44.9 million. The company posted a record EBITDA margin of 25%, up four percentage points, and net profit after tax of AUD 2.7 million, which management said was significantly ahead of the PCP.

Cash generation was a key theme of the presentation. Operating cash flow rose 37% to AUD 12.9 million, and free cash flow increased to AUD 4.3 million. hipages ended the half with AUD 31.1 million in cash and funds on deposit and no debt, according to Jonker.

Subscription businesses: up slightly to 35,000

up slightly to 35,000 ARPU: up 10% to AUD 2,497

up 10% to AUD 2,497 Marketplace connections: 1.4 million business-household connections, down 4% versus PCP

Management attributed the decline in connections partly to subdued consumer confidence in Australia.

Australia: stable subscribers, softer connections, continued ARPU growth

In Australia, Jonker said business-household connections softened and were down 5% versus the PCP. He cited a 2% dip in job volumes linked to subdued consumer confidence, along with a short-term impact from mid-period updates to the matching engine that were later recalibrated. Connection rates for households remained strong at 83% after accounting for typical first-half/second-half seasonality, he said.

On monetization, hipages said all Australian trade businesses have now migrated to its new platform pricing plans. Australian ARPU increased 9% on pricing optimization and planned sanctions, while subscriber numbers were broadly stable at 32,200. Jonker highlighted that the number of businesses served over the last 12 months reached 48,600, which management described as a reactivation and cross-sell opportunity for value-added services.

MRR retention was stable at 58%. Jonker said the company sees upside as adoption of job management tools deepens. Monthly active users of job management features are approaching 15% of the subscriber base; management estimated about 5,000 MAUs by month-end for February to date. The company said early data supports its thesis that greater job management usage improves retention outcomes.

New Zealand: subscription model drives 40%+ ARPU and revenue growth

In New Zealand, management said the first full year of post-migration optimization produced revenue and ARPU growth accelerating strongly, both up more than 40% year-over-year. Jonker said subscription business numbers rose 17% year-over-year, reflecting what the company called quality of demand, while total businesses served declined as a lag effect of the migration to full subscription.

Sharon-Zipser said New Zealand remains a smaller part of the group but argued the results validate hipages subscription model. He said the strategy there will mirror Australias, including introducing the platform solution and rolling out job management in New Zealand probably by the end of FY 2027, which he said would influence subscription pricing and packaging.

Strategy and product: job management upgrades and expanded AI push

Sharon-Zipser said hipages has evolved into a single platform that now layers job management and a vast growing range of services. He said the company plans to expand its total addressable market by adding new services for trade business customers through partnerships and bolt-on acquisitions, and to monetize households in the short term through perks and offers, and later through broader home management and improvement solutions.

Product updates discussed included Smart Quotes with AI-generated market rate guidance, scheduling that syncs to a users personal calendar, and an estimates function that sends semi-automated estimate SMS responses using templates to improve response speed and conversion.

AI was framed across search, product, and operations. Sharon-Zipser said hipages is optimizing its website content for discoverability in AI-driven channels (including Googles AI Overview and AI Mode, ChatGPT, and Perplexity) and is tracking visibility in those channels. He also said hipages has launched a custom hipages ChatGPT app that allows ChatGPT users to search the hipages directory and link through to directory profiles and job posting.

On operations, he said AI workflows are being embedded across sales, customer service, and engineering, including call summaries, next best action suggestions, automated QA, prototyping, bug triaging, and code review, with an expectation of improved efficiency and further margin benefits.

Outlook: revenue range lowered to reflect macro conditions, cash targets maintained

For FY 2026, hipages is targeting total revenue of AUD 90 million to AUD 91 million, which Sharon-Zipser said reflects macroeconomic conditions affecting marketplace activity. The company is targeting EBITDA margins of 24% to 26% and free cash flow of AUD 8 million to AUD 10 million.

In Q&A, management acknowledged the revenue guidance was lower than previously guided. Sharon-Zipser said the update reflects softness the company is sensing in the macro environment, with particular softness in Victoria. He also said a matching algorithm change contributed to weaker performance in the second quarter and had an impact on MRR on a go-forward basis, though he said activity returned to normal in January and February.

Pressed on how much of the guidance change was macro versus algorithm-related, Sharon-Zipser said he would probably put it at 50/50 at a high level. He said the company learned that reducing description length in the job posting flowintended to make posting easierhurt matching performance because detailed descriptions are critical to the algorithm. He said the company reverted to the prior flow and saw a very quick recovery.

Jonker said marketing costs are expected to be fairly consistent between the first and second halves, and that historically about 60% of marketing spend is attributed to the consumer (homeowner) side, with the remainder aimed at tradie acquisition.

On capital management, Sharon-Zipser said the board regularly discusses options such as a share buyback but has not approved one at this stage. He said the company is focused on funding organic growth and maintaining capacity for inorganic opportunities, adding that hipages is actively in market pursuing M&A that supports strategy or accelerates growth.

About hipages Group (ASX:HPG)

Hipages Group Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an online tradie marketplace and software as a service (SaaS) provider in Australia and New Zealand. The company offers hipages, an online tradie marketplace that provides local tradies with job leads and grow their business; and Builderscrack, an online home repair and renovation marketplace that enables homeowners to connect with local tradies. It provides Tradiecore, a workflow management SaaS platform that eases the burden of everyday admin for trade businesses; and Proptech Labs, a property management productivity software.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. lessened its stake in Cushman & Wakefield PLC (NYSE:CWK  Free Report) by 47.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,495,688 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,917,667 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned 2.37% of Cushman & Wakefield worth $87,491,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Cushman & Wakefield by 13.0% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 19,245 shares of the companys stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 2,214 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board boosted its stake in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 11.9% during the 3rd quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 1,020,610 shares of the companys stock worth $16,248,000 after acquiring an additional 108,422 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 117,770 shares of the companys stock worth $1,875,000 after acquiring an additional 3,808 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in shares of Cushman & Wakefield by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 691,952 shares of the companys stock worth $11,016,000 after acquiring an additional 11,787 shares during the period. Finally, Versor Investments LP increased its stake in Cushman & Wakefield by 104.3% in the 3rd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 33,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $535,000 after purchasing an additional 17,153 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.56% of the companys stock.

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Cushman & Wakefield Stock Down 3.2%

Shares of NYSE CWK opened at $12.91 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.99 billion, a PE ratio of 33.97 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $15.75 and a 200-day moving average of $15.76. Cushman & Wakefield PLC has a 52-week low of $7.64 and a 52-week high of $17.40.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Cushman & Wakefield ( NYSE:CWK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.01. Cushman & Wakefield had a return on equity of 15.02% and a net margin of 0.86%.The firm had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.83 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.48 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Cushman & Wakefield PLC will post 1.2 EPS for the current year.

CWK has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup raised Cushman & Wakefield from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $18.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $19.00 price target on shares of Cushman & Wakefield in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Barclays reissued a positive rating and set a $19.00 price objective on shares of Cushman & Wakefield in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Wall Street Zen lowered Cushman & Wakefield from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Zacks Research cut Cushman & Wakefield from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Cushman & Wakefield has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $18.56.

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Cushman & Wakefield Company Profile

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Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global commercial real estate services firm headquartered in Chicago. The company provides a wide range of services to occupiers and investors, specializing in transaction management, property management, facilities management and project management. Its clientele spans corporate occupiers, landlords, investors and government entities seeking solutions to optimize their real estate portfolios and operations.

The firms core offerings include leasing advisory for office, industrial, retail and multifamily properties, as well as capital markets advice on acquisitions, dispositions and debt and equity placements.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cushman & Wakefield PLC (NYSE:CWK  Free Report).

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Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $225.00 to $300.00 in a research note issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the scientific and technical instruments companys stock. Wells Fargo & Companys price target suggests a potential upside of 1.31% from the companys current price.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on KEYS. Morgan Stanley set a $268.00 target price on Keysight Technologies in a report on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on shares of Keysight Technologies from $230.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday. UBS Group reissued a buy rating on shares of Keysight Technologies in a report on Tuesday. Susquehanna reaffirmed a positive rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of Keysight Technologies in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Keysight Technologies from $232.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $256.64.

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Keysight Technologies Stock Up 20.9%

Shares of KEYS stock traded up $51.13 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $296.13. 1,679,816 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,119,087. Keysight Technologies has a 52-week low of $121.43 and a 52-week high of $301.48. The stock has a market cap of $50.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 60.36, a P/E/G ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 2.35 and a quick ratio of 1.78. The stocks fifty day moving average is $217.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $190.81.

Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.39 billion. Keysight Technologies had a return on equity of 19.30% and a net margin of 15.71%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.65 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Keysight Technologies will post 6.32 EPS for the current year.

Keysight Technologies declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Monday, November 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the scientific and technical instruments company to reacquire up to 4.9% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Keysight Technologies

In other news, SVP Ingrid A. Estrada sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.68, for a total value of $475,360.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 107,861 shares in the company, valued at $25,636,402.48. This represents a 1.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Sung Yoon sold 889 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $206.66, for a total transaction of $183,720.74. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,953 shares in the company, valued at $3,503,506.98. The trade was a 4.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 80,784 shares of company stock worth $16,317,097 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Keysight Technologies by 92.6% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 27,216 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $3,965,000 after purchasing an additional 13,085 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC boosted its stake in Keysight Technologies by 5.0% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 2,581 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $387,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in shares of Keysight Technologies by 30.0% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 10,652 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $1,595,000 after acquiring an additional 2,461 shares during the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Keysight Technologies by 66.5% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 393 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Keysight Technologies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $254,000. 84.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Keysight Technologies

Here are the key news stories impacting Keysight Technologies this week:

Keysight Technologies Company Profile

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Keysight Technologies is a global provider of electronic design, test, measurement and optimization solutions for communications, electronics and related industries. The company was formed as a corporate spin-off from Agilent Technologies in 2014; its origins trace back to the electronic measurement business that was part of HewlettPackard before Agilent. Keysight develops hardware and software used throughout the product development lifecycle, from design and simulation to prototype validation and manufacturing test.

Keysights product portfolio includes electronic test and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, network and spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers and modular PXI-based systems, together with software platforms for simulation, automated test and data analysis.

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Klarna Group (NYSE:KLAR) reported what management described as an accelerating adoption of its expanded set of banking services in Q4 2025, including the Klarna Card, deposit accounts, and fair financing, alongside its core buy now, pay later (BNPL) offering. On the companys earnings call, CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski said growth in these products outpaced internal expectations during the quarter, while the company also emphasized that rapid lending growth can pressure near-term reported profitability due to upfront provisioning mechanics.

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Q4 growth metrics and guidance beats

Siemiatkowski said active consumers reached 180 million, up 28% year-over-year, and merchants grew to 966,000, up 42%. Gross merchandise volume (GMV) was $38.7 billion, which management said was above the top end of guidance. Revenue grew 38% to over $1 billion, which also beat guidance.

Transaction margin and the impact of upfront provisioning

For full-year 2025, Siemiatkowski said Klarna processedof volume acrossand, positioning the business as a bank with an exceptional network that is expanding across key top-line metrics.

Klarna highlighted growth in transaction margin dollars before and after provisions, while acknowledging that one profitability metric fell short of its guidance. Siemiatkowski said transaction margin dollars before provisions grew 31% year-over-year to $622 million. After provisions, transaction margin dollars were $372 million, up 17% year-over-year and up 28% sequentially from Q3.

However, Siemiatkowski said Q4s transaction margin dollars did not land where we guided, attributing that primarily to the acceleration in lending growth and the accounting timing effect of booking expected credit losses upfront while recognizing revenue over time.

To illustrate, management walked through a simplified cohort example in which a loan cohort may generate lifetime profit, but the first quarter shows a drag because provisions are recognized immediately while revenue accrues over subsequent quarters. Siemiatkowski gave a specific Klarna example for the quarter: on $2.5 billion of U.S. BNPL financing portfolio originated in Q4 2025, the company booked $80 million in provisions upfront and recognized $40 million in revenue, which he described as a near-term headwind. He also said there was $180 million of interest income still to come on that cohort while the expected credit losses had already been provisioned.

Management linked the Q4 timing pressure to stronger-than-expected adoption of banking products, including fair financing, which Siemiatkowski said was growing at 165% annually on a GMV basis.

Loan sales and forward flow programs

To support growth in a capital-efficient manner, Klarna said it ramped loan sales and initiated its first fair financing forward flow during Q4 2025, with $73 million of gain on sales recognized in the quarter. CFO Niclas Neglen later said Klarna sold about $1.6 billion in Q4 and expected a Q1 transaction that would be slightly smaller, adding that the company would execute additional sales as and when it makes sense, without committing to a specific percentage of production sold.

In response to an investor question about delinquency trends following elevated provisions cited in Q3 2025, Neglen said credit performance was stable rather than deteriorating. He said provisions for credit losses declined in Q4 versus Q3 from 0.72% of GMV to 0.65%, attributing that to stable delinquency trends and the impact of increased loan sales.

Partnerships, merchant expansion, and product ubiquity

Management emphasized distribution partnerships as a driver of merchant growth and wider product availability at checkout. Siemiatkowski said Klarna added 285,000 merchants over the year and continued scaling its default relationship with Stripe, began a default rollout with Nexi through Paytrail, and expanded Apple Pay and Google Pay into additional markets. He also cited new partnerships with Emirates, LEGO, Vinted, and StockX, along with deepened relationships with Walmart, Lufthansa, and Etsy.

Siemiatkowski said the company doubled the number of merchants where fair financing is available and expanded its pay-in-full product to nearly half of its total merchant base. He framed the approach as ensuring relevant payment optionspay now, pay later, and fair financingare available across more checkout experiences, including through partners such as Stripe and Adyen.

Banking customer adoption, card usage, and efficiency focus

Klarna pointed to rapid adoption of its card and deposit offerings. Siemiatkowski said active card users grew to 4.2 million, up 288% year-over-year. Consumer deposits reached $13 billion, up 37%, and banking customers reached 15.8 million, growing 101% year-over-year.

Management contrasted engagement and monetization between the broader consumer base and banking customers:

Overall consumers (180 million) transact about 10x per year with an average revenue per user (ARPU) of about $30 .

with an average revenue per user (ARPU) of about . Banking customers (15.8 million) transact about 28.5x per year with ARPU of $107 .

with ARPU of . Average deposits increase from $64 for paying customers to $475 for banking customers, while credit balances were described as modest.

On credit, Siemiatkowski said Klarna does not issue revolving credit and underwrites every transaction, citing stable 3%4% charge-off rates for its U.S. fair financing product. He also described Klarnas operating model as technology-driven and headcount-efficient, noting revenue per employee reached $1.24 million in 2025 and was up 3.6x since 2022. He said revenue has grown 104% since 2022 while adjusted operating expenses declined 8%.

On the Klarna Card, Siemiatkowski said early usage showed a healthy proportion of debit, day-to-day spendingrather than being used only for pay later or financing transactionsacross both the U.S. and Europe. Neglen added that the card was supporting growth even in established markets such as Sweden, which he said has roughly 80% population penetration.

Looking ahead, management discussed 2026 guidance at a high level, indicating it expects GMV and revenue growth in line with 2025, transaction margin dollars as a percentage of GMV broadly consistent with Q4 2025 amid continued scaling, and an acceleration in transaction margin growth into the second half as cohorts mature. Executives also said they were focused on improving processing and servicing costs over time, including by driving more transactions through Klarnas own rails as balances and refunds increasingly flow through its accounts.

About Klarna Group (NYSE:KLAR)

Klarna Group is a global payments provider specializing in buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions for online and in-store shoppers. The company partners with merchants to offer flexible payment options, including interest-free installments and deferred payments, aiming to enhance conversion rates and customer loyalty. Klarnas platform integrates risk assessment, fraud prevention, and a one-click checkout experience to streamline transactions for both retailers and consumers.

Through its digital wallet and mobile app, Klarna enables users to manage purchases, track spending and access exclusive shopping offers from partner merchants.

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SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's former President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday filed an appeal against his life sentence for leading an insurrection relevant to his martial law declaration, according to Yonhap news agency.

Yoon's legal team submitted the notice of appeal to the Seoul Central District Court, which sentenced him to life in prison on charges of ringleading the insurrection.

By law, the insurrection ringleader can only be sentenced to capital punishment or life imprisonment if found guilty.

Yoon was accused of orchestrating the insurrection by declaring an unconstitutional emergency martial law despite the absence of war, incident, or equivalent national emergencies.

Yoon was also charged with mobilizing martial law troops and police to obstruct the National Assembly's resolution to lift the martial law and attempting to detain key political figures, such as the leaders of the main political parties and the parliamentary speaker.

The emergency martial law was declared by Yoon on the night of Dec. 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April of 2025, officially removing him from office.

Yoon was indicted under detention in January of 2025 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, becoming the first sitting president to be arrested and indicted. 
Kogan.com (ASX:KGN) management told investors its first-half FY26 results reflected growth, strong cash generation, and improved operating leverage, led by continued strength in the core Kogan.com segment while the company worked through a reset and rebuild at its New Zealand-based Mighty Ape business.

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First-half performance led by Kogan.com segment

Chief Executive Officer Ruslan Kogan and Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer David Shafer said the group reports across two segments: Kogan.com and Mighty Ape. They described Kogan.com as firing on all cylinders, with gross sales surpassing AUD 500 million in the half, up 21% year over year, while revenue rose 17%.

Adjusted EBITDA for the Kogan.com segment increased 18% to AUD 27.6 million, with adjusted earnings margins expanding to 11.9%, which management attributed to operating leverage as sales scale through the platform model. Shafer added that gross profit in the segment climbed 16% to nearly AUD 100 million.

At the group level, management said total revenue increased 5% to AUD 287.6 million, though group adjusted EBITDA dipped slightly by 3% due to the Mighty Ape reset. Despite that drag, the company highlighted free cash flow of AUD 45.1 million for the half, up 2% from the prior corresponding period, supported by AUD 46.9 million in operating cash flow.

Mighty Ape transition half marked by inventory reset and cost actions

Management characterized Mighty Apes first half as a deliberate transition period under its One Group Strategy, aimed at aligning procurement, verticals, marketplace, and loyalty programs across the two businesses. Mighty Ape revenue fell 25% in the half, which management said reflected intentional steps to reset inventory levels and tighten procurement, including a focus on rebuilding inventory with a greater emphasis on exclusive products.

Mighty Ape recorded an adjusted EBITDA loss of AUD 3.2 million for the half. Shafer said the company had stripped back the cost base and streamlined operations, and stated the business had reduced stock holdings by 32% through an optimization program. Management also said Mighty Apes adjusted EBITDA margin improved month-by-month, moving from double-digit negative territory in July to positive territory by December, though they cautioned that the New Zealand retail environment remains challenging and the reset is still a work in progress.

Shift toward durable earnings base in platform-based sales

Shafer highlighted that 72% of group gross profit came from exclusive products and services, which he described as areas where the company controls intellectual property, supply chain, and margins. He provided a breakdown of gross profit contributions, citing:

Kogan.com products at 30.8% of total gross profit

Loyalty programs at 28.3%

Marketplaces at 18.7%

Management described this mix as a way to diversify revenue streamscombining recurring subscriptions, exclusive products, and capital-light marketplace revenuewhile reducing reliance on any single category.

On operating leverage, the company said Kogan.com delivered double-digit revenue growth of 16.9%, with gross margin steady at 42.9% and delivered margin improving to 38.9%. Shafer said marketing investment increased to drive growth, while fixed costs as a percentage of sales declined to 11.3%.

In the business update, Ruslan Kogan said platform-based sales revenue rose 16.6% to AUD 68.9 million in the half, calling it capital light, scalable, and carrying zero inventory risk. The company also pointed to a record half for Kogan Marketplace, with revenue up 31.6% to AUD 19.5 million, and to Kogan First subscription revenue growth of 7.6% to AUD 30.3 million. Management noted that roughly 50% of product gross sales at Kogan.com were driven by First members, and said deferred income tied to prepaid subscriptions grew 13.7% to AUD 11.2 million.

The company also reported Kogan Verticals revenue increased 8.8% to AUD 12.3 million, with Kogan Mobile up 13% and Kogan Internet up 40%.

Capital position, shareholder returns, and dividend update

Management said inventory discipline helped release AUD 7.1 million year-on-year, largely due to the Mighty Ape reset. The company ended the half with AUD 71.8 million in cash, said this was up more than AUD 4 million year-on-year, and reiterated it remains debt-free.

Shafer said the company returned capital to shareholders during the half through AUD 5.8 million in dividends (net of the dividend reinvestment plan) and AUD 4.8 million via an on-market share buyback. The board declared an interim dividend of AUD 0.08 per share, fully franked, with payment scheduled for April 30. Management said the dividend reinvestment plan remains active and offers shares at a 2.5% discount to market price.

January trading update and outlook

Management provided a January 2026 trading update, reporting group gross sales up 10% to AUD 88.1 million and group revenue up 8%. They said Kogan.com gross sales rose 13% in January, while Mighty Ape gross sales fell 13%.

Looking ahead, management said it expects a return to positive performance in Mighty Ape in the second half of FY26 as the One Group Strategy progresses, though executives stressed they were cautiously optimistic and not making definite predictions. For FY26, the company expects group adjusted earnings margins in the range of 6% to 9%, citing ongoing growth initiatives, economic headwinds in New Zealand, and continued Mighty Ape optimization.

During Q&A, management also addressed currency, saying it hedges order-by-order and does not take a directional view on exchange rates. Shafer said the Australian dollars appreciation typically takes three to six months to flow through into landed costs, and that lower landed costs could eventually support lower consumer prices and improved demand.

About Kogan.com (ASX:KGN)

Kogan.com Ltd operates as an online retailer in Australia. The company offers various brands across a range of categories, including electronics, appliances, homewares, hardware, toys, and others; and owns and operates 20 private label brands. It also provides pre-paid mobile phone plans online; and directly sourced holiday packages and travel bookings. In addition, the company offers general insurances, including home, contents, landlord, car, and travel insurances, as well as pet and life insurance; NBN internet plans; and home loans.

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Shares of Koninklijke KPN NV (OTCMKTS:KKPNY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $5.65 and last traded at $5.5290, with a volume of 33506 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.54.

Koninklijke KPN Price Performance

The business has a 50-day moving average of $4.89 and a 200 day moving average of $4.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.82, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.72.

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Koninklijke KPN Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Koninklijke KPN N.V. (KPN) is a Dutch telecommunications and information-communications-technology (ICT) company that provides a broad range of connectivity and digital services. Its core activities include fixed-line and mobile telephony, broadband internet, and television services for residential customers, alongside managed network, cloud, security and unified communications solutions for business and public-sector clients. KPN operates and maintains network infrastructure such as fiber and mobile networks, data centers, and platforms for Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity services.

The companys primary market is the Netherlands, where it serves households, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and government organizations.

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Lcnb Corp lowered its stake in shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Free Report) by 39.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 38,366 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 24,923 shares during the quarter. Lcnb Corps holdings in U.S. Bancorp were worth $1,854,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC grew its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 323.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 48,274 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,309,000 after buying an additional 36,863 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC raised its position in shares of U.S. Bancorp by 2.1% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 34,411 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,453,000 after acquiring an additional 714 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in U.S. Bancorp by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 39,276 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,658,000 after acquiring an additional 6,252 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in U.S. Bancorp during the second quarter valued at approximately $425,000. Finally, Strategic Blueprint LLC grew its holdings in U.S. Bancorp by 5.4% during the second quarter. Strategic Blueprint LLC now owns 5,358 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.60% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on USB. Evercore boosted their price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp from $60.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on U.S. Bancorp from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $62.00 price target on shares of U.S. Bancorp in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on U.S. Bancorp from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered U.S. Bancorp from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $59.79.

U.S. Bancorp Trading Down 4.9%

U.S. Bancorp stock opened at $55.76 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $56.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $50.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $86.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.07, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.80. U.S. Bancorp has a 52 week low of $35.18 and a 52 week high of $61.19.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 20th. The financial services provider reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.07. U.S. Bancorp had a net margin of 17.66% and a return on equity of 13.48%. The firm had revenue of $7.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.31 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.07 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that U.S. Bancorp will post 4.38 earnings per share for the current year.

U.S. Bancorp Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. U.S. Bancorps dividend payout ratio is 45.02%.

Insider Activity at U.S. Bancorp

In related news, insider Mark G. Runkel sold 32,195 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.65, for a total transaction of $1,952,626.75. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 97,728 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,927,203.20. This represents a 24.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

U.S. Bancorp Company Profile

(Free Report)

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) is a bank holding company and the parent of U.S. Bank, a national commercial bank that provides a wide range of banking, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services. The company operates through consumer and business banking, commercial banking, payment services, and wealth management segments. Its product set includes deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, mortgage origination and servicing, credit and debit card services, treasury and cash management, merchant processing, and institutional and trust services.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.

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Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of ING Group, N.V. (NYSE:ING  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 20,442 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $533,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of ING Group during the third quarter worth about $451,000. Capital Fund Management S.A. boosted its position in shares of ING Group by 14.7% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 612,511 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,396,000 after purchasing an additional 78,622 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in ING Group by 4.3% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,990,736 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $51,918,000 after buying an additional 82,340 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in ING Group by 64.7% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 467,898 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,233,000 after purchasing an additional 183,891 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Logan Capital Management Inc. grew its position in ING Group by 11.0% during the 2nd quarter. Logan Capital Management Inc. now owns 220,820 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,829,000 after purchasing an additional 21,853 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.49% of the companys stock.

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ING Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ING opened at $29.33 on Tuesday. ING Group, N.V. has a 52 week low of $16.47 and a 52 week high of $31.17. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $28.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $26.47. The company has a market cap of $85.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.27, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.99.

ING Group Dividend Announcement

ING Group ( NYSE:ING Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $0.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.67 billion. ING Group had a return on equity of 12.26% and a net margin of 27.50%. Research analysts predict that ING Group, N.V. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, April 17th will be given a $0.8796 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th. This represents a yield of 589.0%. ING Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 28.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ING. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of ING Group in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded ING Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut ING Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup upgraded ING Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded ING Group from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, ING Group presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ING Group

ING Group Profile

(Free Report)

ING Group N.V. is a Dutch multinational financial services company headquartered in Amsterdam. Formed through the consolidation of Dutch financial businesses, ING operates as a banking and financial services group that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporates and institutional clients. The company is organized under a two-tier governance model common in the Netherlands, with an Executive Board responsible for day-to-day management and a Supervisory Board providing oversight.

INGs principal activities include retail and direct banking, commercial and wholesale banking, corporate lending, transaction services and cash management, and a range of investment and savings products.

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LGT Capital Partners LTD. reduced its holdings in Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Free Report) by 28.8% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 232,949 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 94,018 shares during the quarter. Morgan Stanley accounts for about 1.8% of LGT Capital Partners LTD.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. LGT Capital Partners LTD.s holdings in Morgan Stanley were worth $37,030,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Morgan Stanley during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. lifted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 65.2% in the third quarter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. now owns 185 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Compass Financial Services Inc purchased a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC grew its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 91.9% during the 3rd quarter. Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC now owns 213 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Finally, Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new position in shares of Morgan Stanley in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Institutional investors own 84.19% of the companys stock.

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More Morgan Stanley News

Here are the key news stories impacting Morgan Stanley this week:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MS. Evercore cut Morgan Stanley from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Morgan Stanley from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. HSBC restated a hold rating on shares of Morgan Stanley in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a $207.00 target price on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $185.93.

Read Our Latest Report on Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley Stock Down 4.8%

NYSE:MS opened at $166.91 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.39, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. The firm has a market cap of $265.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.20. Morgan Stanley has a fifty-two week low of $94.33 and a fifty-two week high of $192.68. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $166.61.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 15th. The financial services provider reported $2.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.40. Morgan Stanley had a net margin of 14.09% and a return on equity of 16.78%. The company had revenue of $17.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.69 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.22 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Morgan Stanley will post 8.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Morgan Stanley Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 13th. Investors of record on Friday, January 30th were given a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 30th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Morgan Stanleys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Charles A. Smith sold 8,500 shares of Morgan Stanley stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.08, for a total value of $1,547,680.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 119,128 shares in the company, valued at $21,690,826.24. The trade was a 6.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, insider Daniel A. Simkowitz sold 32,968 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $182.61, for a total transaction of $6,020,286.48. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 357,342 shares of the companys stock, valued at $65,254,222.62. The trade was a 8.45% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 129,191 shares of company stock worth $23,736,506 in the last three months. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Morgan Stanley

(Free Report)

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1935 by Henry S. Morgan and Harold Stanley, the company provides a broad range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services to corporations, governments, institutions and individual investors. Leadership has been guided by a senior executive team and board of directors; James P. Gorman has served as the companys chief executive and chairman in recent years.

The firms primary business activities are organized around three principal businesses: Institutional Securities, Wealth Management and Investment Management.

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Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAR  Get Free Report)s stock price traded up 9.8% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $7.90 and last traded at $7.86. Approximately 1,666,721 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 51% from the average session volume of 3,416,557 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.16.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on LAR shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in a research report on Wednesday, December 24th. Scotiabank upgraded Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating and upped their price target for the stock from $4.25 to $7.75 in a research note on Monday, January 12th. TD Securities raised shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. HSBC upgraded shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $4.75 to $9.60 in a research report on Monday, January 19th. Finally, National Bank Financial upped their target price on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $4.75 to $6.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $7.44.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on LAR

Lithium Americas (Argentina) Trading Up 9.1%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lithium Americas (Argentina)

The firms 50-day moving average price is $6.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $5.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.27 billion and a PE ratio of -15.62.

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada purchased a new stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the 1st quarter valued at $572,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. bought a new position in Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the first quarter valued at $1,064,000. Woodline Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the first quarter valued at $3,456,000. Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) by 15.3% in the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 136,505 shares of the companys stock valued at $284,000 after acquiring an additional 18,096 shares during the period. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. bought a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 49.17% of the companys stock.

About Lithium Americas (Argentina)

(Get Free Report)

Lithium Americas (Argentina) is a subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp. focused on the exploration, development and production of lithium brine resources in the Jujuy province of northwest Argentina. The companys principal asset is the Cauchari-Olaroz project, situated within the Lithium Triangle, one of the worlds richest regions for lithium-bearing brines. Through its Argentine operations, Lithium Americas aims to supply battery-grade lithium carbonate critical to electric vehicle and energy-storage markets.

The Cauchari-Olaroz project encompasses concessions on the Salar de Cauchari and Salar de Olaroz salt flats, where detailed drilling programs and pilotscale evaporation ponds have demonstrated favorable lithium concentrations.

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Shares of Magna International Inc. (NYSE:MGA  Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) have earned an average rating of Hold from the eighteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $61.7333.

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. TD Securities boosted their price target on shares of Magna International from $58.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce upgraded shares of Magna International from a neutral rating to an outperformer rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $56.00 to $76.00 in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Magna International from $48.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Magna International from $54.00 to $65.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on Magna International from $49.00 to $61.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th.

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View Our Latest Research Report on MGA

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Magna International

Magna International Price Performance

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in Magna International during the third quarter worth approximately $1,880,000. ARGA Investment Management LP grew its position in shares of Magna International by 33.2% during the third quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 4,148,133 shares of the companys stock worth $196,557,000 after acquiring an additional 1,033,747 shares during the last quarter. AGF Management Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Magna International during the third quarter worth approximately $14,191,000. Meritage Portfolio Management acquired a new position in shares of Magna International in the 3rd quarter valued at $3,551,000. Finally, Western Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Magna International in the 2nd quarter valued at $249,000. 67.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of NYSE MGA opened at $63.89 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The company has a market cap of $17.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.66 and a beta of 1.50. The stocks 50-day moving average is $56.05 and its two-hundred day moving average is $50.16. Magna International has a 1-year low of $30.39 and a 1-year high of $69.94.

Magna International (NYSE:MGA  Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The company reported $2.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.81 by $0.37. Magna International had a return on equity of 12.73% and a net margin of 1.99%.The business had revenue of $10.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.54 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.69 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Magna International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.250-7.250 EPS. Analysts forecast that Magna International will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Magna International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a $0.495 dividend. This represents a $1.98 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. This is a positive change from Magna Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 27th. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 65.76%.

Magna International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Magna International Inc is a leading global automotive supplier specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of vehicle systems, assemblies, modules, and components. Headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, the company partners with major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop technologies and solutions that enhance vehicle performance, safety, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Magnas broad portfolio encompasses body exteriors and structures, powertrain systems, seating and interiors, roof systems, mirror systems, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

The company operates more than 350 manufacturing and assembly facilities and over 100 innovation centers across 27 countries, serving customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa.

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Miller Investment Management LP lessened its holdings in The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (NYSE:PNC  Free Report) by 40.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 12,580 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 8,680 shares during the quarter. Miller Investment Management LPs holdings in The PNC Financial Services Group were worth $2,528,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in The PNC Financial Services Group by 32.2% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,041 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $779,000 after purchasing an additional 984 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its position in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 8,261 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,452,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 50.3% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,331 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $807,000 after purchasing an additional 1,449 shares during the period. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 16.8% in the second quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 2,028 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $378,000 after buying an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of The PNC Financial Services Group by 2.7% in the second quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,741 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $511,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. 83.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Activity at The PNC Financial Services Group

In other news, EVP Alexander E. C. Overstrom sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.91, for a total transaction of $584,775.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 21,120 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,940,179.20. This represents a 10.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Louis Robert Cestello sold 4,279 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $234.01, for a total value of $1,001,328.79. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 18,867 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,415,066.67. The trade was a 18.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 14,186 shares of company stock valued at $3,296,973 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock.

The PNC Financial Services Group Price Performance

Shares of PNC stock opened at $220.45 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $221.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $203.73. The company has a market cap of $86.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc has a twelve month low of $145.12 and a twelve month high of $243.94.

The PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE:PNC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The financial services provider reported $4.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.23 by $0.65. The firm had revenue of $6.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.90 billion. The PNC Financial Services Group had a return on equity of 11.87% and a net margin of 20.40%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.77 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc will post 15.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The PNC Financial Services Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th were given a dividend of $1.70 per share. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, January 20th. The PNC Financial Services Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 40.99%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PNC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on The PNC Financial Services Group from $211.00 to $221.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Oppenheimer increased their target price on The PNC Financial Services Group from $268.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Barclays boosted their price target on The PNC Financial Services Group from $235.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of The PNC Financial Services Group from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $234.44.

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The PNC Financial Services Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offering a broad range of banking, lending, investment and wealth management services. PNC operates a national banking franchise with a significant retail branch network and dedicated capabilities for commercial, institutional and government clients. Its services are designed to serve individuals, small businesses, corporations and public sector entities across the United States.

PNCs core business activities include consumer and business banking, residential mortgage lending, corporate and institutional banking, asset management and wealth advisory services.

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Monash Absolute Investment Company Limited (ASX:MA1  Get Free Report) declared a interim dividend on Tuesday, February 24th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.013 per share on Thursday, March 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 63.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 26th.

Monash Absolute Investment Price Performance

Monash Absolute Investment Company Profile

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Monash Absolute Investment Company Limited is a listed investment company launched and managed by Monash Investors Pty Limited. It invests in public equity markets across Australia. It invests in the growth and value stocks of small-cap companies. Monash Absolute Investment Company Limited is domiciled in Australia.

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Mufg Securities Americas Inc. increased its holdings in Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX  Free Report) by 44.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 51,898 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 15,902 shares during the quarter. Chevron makes up 0.5% of Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest position. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Chevron were worth $8,059,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Chevron by 17.9% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 183,790,028 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $28,540,753,000 after buying an additional 27,961,463 shares during the last quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc grew its holdings in Chevron by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Berkshire Hathaway Inc now owns 122,064,792 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $17,478,458,000 after acquiring an additional 3,454,258 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Chevron by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 34,772,753 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,979,255,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342,723 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 20,826,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,982,190,000 after purchasing an additional 378,936 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Chevron by 27.9% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,627,146 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $3,047,900,000 after purchasing an additional 4,279,918 shares in the last quarter. 72.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Chevron in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Wall Street Zen upgraded Chevron from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Zacks Research upgraded Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Chevron from $196.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Chevron from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $176.36.

Insider Activity

In other Chevron news, CTO Thomas Ryder Booth sold 1,122 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.37, for a total transaction of $204,619.14. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Vice Chairman Mark A. Nelson sold 45,800 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total value of $7,976,986.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,161 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,247,231.37. The trade was a 86.48% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 534,898 shares of company stock worth $89,543,711 over the last ninety days. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Chevron Stock Up 0.5%

CVX stock opened at $184.84 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $372.18 billion, a PE ratio of 27.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.70. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $166.55 and its 200 day simple moving average is $158.78. Chevron Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $132.04 and a fifty-two week high of $187.90. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Chevron (NYSE:CVX  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.08. Chevron had a net margin of 6.51% and a return on equity of 8.23%. The firm had revenue of $45.79 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $48.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.06 EPS. Chevrons revenue was down 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Chevron Corporation will post 10.79 EPS for the current year.

Chevron Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be given a $1.78 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $7.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.9%. This is an increase from Chevrons previous quarterly dividend of $1.71. Chevrons payout ratio is 106.91%.

Chevron Profile

(Free Report)

Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is an American multinational energy company engaged in virtually all aspects of the oil and gas industry. As an integrated energy firm, Chevrons core activities include upstream oil and natural gas exploration and production, midstream transportation and storage, downstream refining and marketing of fuels and lubricants, and petrochemical manufacturing through joint ventures and subsidiaries. The company markets fuels under brands such as Chevron, Texaco and Caltex and supplies a range of products and services to retail customers, industrial users and commercial fleets worldwide.

Chevron traces its corporate lineage to the early petroleum companies that eventually became Standard Oil of California and has evolved through significant mergers and restructurings, including the acquisitions of Gulf Oil and Texaco.

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BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Central Leading Group for Party Building of the Communist Party of China (CPC) met on Tuesday to plan a new Party-wide education campaign for the establishment and application of a sound understanding of what it means to perform well.

The meeting was chaired by Cai Qi, who heads the group, and was also attended by the group's deputy head, Li Xi. Cai and Li, both of whom are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also delivered speeches.

According to the meeting, the education campaign is essential to implementing the strategic plans of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and to making decisive progress toward basically achieving socialist modernization.

The campaign is a key measure to fulfill the Party's fundamental purpose and consolidate its governance foundation, the meeting noted.

It is of great significance to advancing the cause of the Party and the country, and to exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance, it said.

It urged Party committees and leading Party members groups at all levels to regard the campaign as a key task for Party-building this year, improve effective mechanisms that prevent and rectify deviations in the view of governance performance, address prominent issues, and ensure that the public participates in and benefits from the campaign with tangible results. 
Mufg Securities Americas Inc. raised its position in Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD  Free Report) by 21.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 25,026 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 4,461 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Prologis were worth $2,866,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Clayton Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Prologis in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated acquired a new stake in shares of Prologis during the 3rd quarter worth about $36,000. Rossby Financial LCC lifted its stake in Prologis by 69.6% during the third quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 329 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC boosted its holdings in Prologis by 34.5% in the third quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 343 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new position in Prologis in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 93.50% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Prologis Stock Down 0.5%

Prologis stock opened at $140.76 on Tuesday. Prologis, Inc. has a twelve month low of $85.35 and a twelve month high of $142.40. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $131.79 and a two-hundred day moving average of $123.44. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $130.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.65, a PEG ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 1.42.

Prologis Increases Dividend

Prologis ( NYSE:PLD Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The real estate investment trust reported $1.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $1.44. Prologis had a return on equity of 5.79% and a net margin of 37.86%.The business had revenue of $2.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.42 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Prologis has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This is a boost from Prologiss previous quarterly dividend of $1.01. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 113.80%.

Prologis News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Prologis this week:

Insider Buying and Selling at Prologis

In other news, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total transaction of $79,239.60. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 8,208 shares in the company, valued at $1,047,340.80. The trade was a 7.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 0.57% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PLD has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Prologis in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Freedom Capital downgraded shares of Prologis from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on Prologis from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Prologis in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on Prologis from $144.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $136.95.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Prologis

Prologis Company Profile

(Free Report)

Prologis, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in logistics and distribution facilities. The company focuses on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality industrial real estate assets that support supply chain infrastructure for third-party logistics providers, e-commerce businesses, retailers and manufacturers. Its portfolio primarily consists of warehouse and distribution centers designed to optimize goods movement and storage near key transportation hubs.

With a global presence, Prologis serves customers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

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National Australia Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NABZY  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $17.45 and last traded at $17.00, with a volume of 182363 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $17.20.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on NABZY shares. UBS Group raised shares of National Australia Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Macquarie Infrastructure raised shares of National Australia Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of National Australia Bank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $38.00.

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National Australia Bank Trading Down 1.2%

National Australia Bank Company Profile

The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $14.86 and a 200-day moving average of $14.26.

(Get Free Report)

National Australia Bank (OTCMKTS: NABZY) is one of Australias largest banking groups, offering a broad range of financial services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional customers. Its core activities include personal and business banking  such as deposits, home and business lending, credit cards and payment services  as well as wealth management, insurance, markets and specialist lending. The bank provides transaction and cash management solutions, financing and advisory services to corporate clients and institutional investors.

Headquartered in Melbourne, NAB traces its corporate origins to a 1982 merger between the National Bank of Australasia and the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, with precursor institutions dating to the 19th century.

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Emera (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) had its target price increased by analysts at National Bank Financial from C$67.00 to C$68.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has a sector perform rating on the stock. National Bank Financials target price would suggest a potential downside of 1.92% from the companys current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Desjardins raised their price objective on shares of Emera from C$68.00 to C$69.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Emera from C$72.00 to C$78.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce upped their price objective on shares of Emera from C$71.00 to C$72.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Emera from C$72.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, TD Securities upped their price target on Emera from C$74.00 to C$75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$71.72.

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Emera Price Performance

Shares of TSE EMA traded down C$0.80 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$69.33. 309,223 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,464,986. The firms fifty day moving average price is C$67.94 and its 200 day moving average price is C$67.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.23, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a market cap of C$20.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.00, a PEG ratio of 6.20 and a beta of 0.59. Emera has a 1 year low of C$56.59 and a 1 year high of C$71.86.

Emera (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The company reported C$1.48 EPS for the quarter. Emera had a return on equity of 6.06% and a net margin of 10.51%.The company had revenue of C$2.01 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Emera will post 3.1991627 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Emera

In other Emera news, Director Scott Carlyle Balfour sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.75, for a total transaction of C$677,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$523,910.75. The trade was a 56.39% decrease in their position. Also, insider Daniel Muldoon sold 8,000 shares of Emera stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$67.00, for a total transaction of C$536,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$159,326. This trade represents a 77.09% decrease in their position. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Emera Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Emera is a geographically diverse energy and services company investing in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution as well as gas transmission and utility energy services. Emera has operations throughout North America and the Caribbean countries.

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Nkcfo LLC acquired a new stake in Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE:TFC  Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 38,700 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $1,769,000.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of TFC. Aspect Partners LLC lifted its position in Truist Financial by 71.5% in the second quarter. Aspect Partners LLC now owns 643 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Truist Financial in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Capital A Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Truist Financial by 1,189.5% in the 2nd quarter. Capital A Wealth Management LLC now owns 735 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Truist Financial by 631.6% during the 3rd quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC now owns 695 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Truist Financial during the 2nd quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors own 71.28% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Truist Financial from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $56.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Truist Financial from $49.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Truist Financial from $51.50 to $57.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Truist Financial from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on Truist Financial from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.47.

Truist Financial Stock Down 4.3%

Shares of NYSE:TFC opened at $50.10 on Tuesday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $51.19 and its 200 day moving average is $47.39. The stock has a market cap of $64.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.89. Truist Financial Corporation has a 52-week low of $33.56 and a 52-week high of $56.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The insurance provider reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.09 by ($0.09). Truist Financial had a return on equity of 9.03% and a net margin of 17.09%.The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.91 earnings per share. Truist Financials quarterly revenue was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Truist Financial Corporation will post 4 EPS for the current year.

Truist Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Truist Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 54.59%.

Truist Financial declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Tuesday, December 16th that authorizes the company to repurchase $10.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the insurance provider to repurchase up to 15.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Truist Financial

In other news, CAO Cynthia B. Powell sold 3,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total value of $183,715.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 667 shares in the company, valued at approximately $35,010.83. The trade was a 83.99% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Michael Baron Maguire sold 13,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $50.13, for a total transaction of $651,690.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 74,323 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,725,811.99. The trade was a 14.89% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock.

About Truist Financial

(Free Report)

Truist Financial Corporation is an American bank holding company that provides a broad range of financial services through its primary subsidiary, Truist Bank, and other operating units. The company offers traditional retail banking products and services such as deposit accounts, consumer and residential mortgage lending, and credit and debit card services. Truist also serves commercial clients with middle-market and corporate lending, treasury and payment solutions, and specialty finance products.

Beyond core banking, Truist operates wealth management, asset management, insurance and capital markets businesses.

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Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by investment analysts at Oppenheimer from $300.00 to $250.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the technology companys stock. Oppenheimers target price would indicate a potential upside of 94.22% from the stocks current price.

GWRE has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Citigroup lifted their target price on Guidewire Software from $242.00 to $245.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Guidewire Software from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Guidewire Software in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Citizens Jmp restated a market outperform rating and set a $281.00 price objective on shares of Guidewire Software in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Guidewire Software from $250.00 to $210.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Guidewire Software has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $255.92.

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Guidewire Software Stock Performance

Shares of GWRE opened at $128.72 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 122.05, a P/E/G ratio of 8.23 and a beta of 1.06. Guidewire Software has a 1 year low of $120.37 and a 1 year high of $272.60. The companys fifty day moving average is $164.23 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 3.48 and a current ratio of 3.48.

Guidewire Software (NYSE:GWRE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The technology company reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.66. The company had revenue of $332.64 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $316.62 million. Guidewire Software had a net margin of 7.23% and a return on equity of 10.15%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 26.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.43 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Guidewire Software will post 0.52 earnings per share for the current year.

Guidewire Software announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, January 8th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 3.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider James Winston King sold 1,860 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total value of $362,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 33,702 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,571,890. The trade was a 5.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Michael George Rosenbaum sold 6,015 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.08, for a total transaction of $1,155,361.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 240,743 shares of the companys stock, valued at $46,241,915.44. This trade represents a 2.44% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 47,160 shares of company stock worth $8,917,644 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Guidewire Software

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in Guidewire Software by 57.0% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 51,694 shares of the technology companys stock worth $11,735,000 after purchasing an additional 18,774 shares during the period. Scalar Gauge Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Guidewire Software during the third quarter worth approximately $5,287,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC bought a new stake in shares of Guidewire Software during the third quarter valued at approximately $51,967,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Guidewire Software by 59.6% in the third quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 27,763 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $6,382,000 after purchasing an additional 10,364 shares during the period. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its holdings in Guidewire Software by 12.8% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 150,957 shares of the technology companys stock worth $34,699,000 after purchasing an additional 17,151 shares during the period.

Guidewire Software Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Guidewire Software, Inc develops software products and cloud services for property and casualty (P&C) insurance carriers. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the companys offerings are designed to help insurers manage the core functions of their businesspolicy administration, billing and claimswhile supporting digital engagement, analytics and operational modernization.

Guidewires core product portfolio is commonly known as the InsuranceSuite, which includes PolicyCenter for policy administration, BillingCenter for billing and receivables, and ClaimCenter for claims management.

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OUTFRONT Media (NYSE:OUT  Get Free Report) is expected to release its Q4 2025 results after the market closes on Wednesday, February 25th. Analysts expect OUTFRONT Media to post earnings of $0.71 per share and revenue of $511.6110 million for the quarter. Parties may review the information on the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning report for the latest details on the call scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 4:30 PM ET.

OUTFRONT Media Price Performance

Shares of NYSE OUT opened at $25.97 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $24.80 and a 200-day simple moving average of $21.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 1.56. OUTFRONT Media has a 52 week low of $12.95 and a 52 week high of $27.04.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $27.00 price objective (up previously from $23.00) on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a report on Thursday, December 18th. TD Cowen raised OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $23.00 price objective (up previously from $20.00) on shares of OUTFRONT Media in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Zacks Research upgraded OUTFRONT Media from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised OUTFRONT Media from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $20.00 to $28.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $24.57.

Insider Buying and Selling at OUTFRONT Media

In related news, Director Manuel A. Diaz sold 11,271 shares of OUTFRONT Media stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.49, for a total value of $276,026.79. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 47,515 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,163,642.35. This trade represents a 19.17% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of OUT. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in OUTFRONT Media in the 4th quarter valued at about $71,000. State of Wyoming increased its stake in OUTFRONT Media by 155.5% during the second quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 7,973 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 4,853 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its position in shares of OUTFRONT Media by 45.4% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 9,126 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $149,000 after purchasing an additional 2,851 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of OUTFRONT Media during the third quarter worth about $172,000.

OUTFRONT Media Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

OUTFRONT Media Inc is a leading out-of-home (OOH) advertising company offering a broad range of billboard, transit and digital display solutions across major urban markets in the United States and Canada. Its portfolio encompasses traditional static billboards, high-resolution digital signage, transit media on buses, trains and taxis, as well as street furniture placements such as bus shelters, kiosks and urban panels. The company partners with brand marketers to deliver high-impact campaigns that engage consumers outside the home environment.

Through an extensive network of assets in key metropolitan areas, OUTFRONT provides advertisers with premium visibility along highways, city streets and transit corridors.

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Newmont, Barrick Mining, First Majestic Silver, Freeport-McMoRan, Hecla Mining, Coeur Mining, and Pan American Silver are the seven Gold stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Gold stocks are shares of companies whose primary business involves gold, such as mining, exploration, processing, or refining, and can also include funds that track a basket of such companies. Investors buy them to gain exposure to movements in the gold marketthese stocks tend to correlate with the price of gold but can be more volatile due to operational, geopolitical, and commodity-specific risks. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Gold stocks within the last several days.

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Newmont (NEM)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, Fiji, and Ghana.

Barrick Mining (B)

Barrick Gold Corporation is a sector-leading gold and copper producer. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GOLD and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ABX.



In January 2019 Barrick merged with Randgold Resources and in July that year it combined its gold mines in Nevada, USA, with those of Newmont Corporation in a joint venture, Nevada Gold Mines, which is majority-owned and operated by Barrick.

Read Our Latest Research Report on B

First Majestic Silver (AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of mineral properties with a focus on silver and gold production in North America. Its projects include the San Dimas mine covering an area of approximately 71,867 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico; the Santa Elena that covers an area of approximately 102,244 hectares located in Sonora State, Mexico; and the La Encantada covering an area of approximately 4,076 hectares located in Coahuila State, Mexico.

Read Our Latest Research Report on AG

Freeport-McMoRan (FCX)

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in North America, South America, and Indonesia. It primarily explores for copper, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals. The company's assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Chino and Tyrone in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde in Peru and El Abra in Chile.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FCX

Hecla Mining (HL)

Hecla Mining Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides precious and base metal properties in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, and China. The company mines for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates, as well as carbon material containing silver and gold for custom smelters, metal traders, and third-party processors; and dore containing silver and gold.

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Coeur Mining (CDE)

Coeur Mining, Inc. explores for precious metals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company primarily explores for gold, silver, zinc, and lead properties. It markets and sells its concentrates to third-party customers, smelters, under off-take agreements. The company was formerly known as Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and changed its name to Coeur Mining, Inc.

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Pan American Silver (PAAS)

Pan American Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of silver, gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. The company was formerly known as Pan American Minerals Corp. and changed its name to Pan American Silver Corp.

Read Our Latest Research Report on PAAS

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Sasol (NYSE:SSL) executives focused on safety, operational stability and cash generation during the companys interim results presentation for financial year 2026, describing progress on internal performance levers amid what management repeatedly characterized as a volatile and challenging macro environment.

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Management framed priorities around safety and operational execution

President and CEO Simon Baloyi opened the call by reiterating Sasols two-pillar strategystrengthening the foundation business while positioning the company to grow and transformwhich he said remains unchanged since the May 2025 Capital Markets Day.

Southern Africa operations: coal quality, gas, and Natref utilization

Baloyi said safety remains the companys top priority, noting a tragic fatality in September 2025. He said an investigation found gaps in risk awareness and inconsistent adherence to safety rules. Sasols response includes strengthening leadership and personal accountability, reinforcing standards, intensifying focus on high-risk activities, and improving service-provider safety management. He added that leading indicators have improved, including fewer hospitalizations and lost workday cases, lower injury severity, and no major process safety incidents over the past 18 months.

Baloyi said operational delivery in Southern Africa is improving, citing progress on coal quality and reliability. The de-stoning plant reached beneficial operation in December on plan and is already improving coal quality. Mining EVP Sandile Siyaya later said the plant is operating at full capacity and that Sasol is achieving its commitment for coal supplied to Secunda Operations at below between 12% and 14% (with Sasol targeting below 12% in later periods).

Baloyi said external coal purchases were elevated in the first half during the ramp-up of the de-stoning plant. He said purchases should be lower in the second half and are expected to normalize in financial year 2027 as Sasol focuses on increasing its own production volumes and reducing external purchases.

On the gas portfolio, management said plateau extension projects remain on track to support supply through financial year 2028. However, startup delays at the CTT Gas-to-Power project in Mozambique affected the timing of PSA volumes. Baloyi said total gas volumes are unchanged, but a revised production profile deferred monetization and, together with a stronger rand/U.S. dollar exchange rate, resulted in a PSA impairment. Management also said Sasol is using approved sub-gas arrangements to maintain flows to South Africa while CTT progresses, and is evaluating performance testing and potential infrastructure improvements to optimize production.

In Q&A, EVP Victor Bester added that after achieving Ready for Operations on the PSA asset in the second quarter, Sasol identified physical restrictions limiting throughput of excess gas to South Africa. He said a performance test run will inform options to address the constraint and that the fix is expected to require low or no capital solutions. Bester also said Sasol lowered gas guidance due to reduced external customer demand and higher pure gas production from Secundas gasifiers displacing natural gas, along with other factors including recent flooding in Mozambique and work needed on wells and licensing.

Baloyi said Secunda production increased 10% year-on-year, supported by the absence of a phase shutdown, improved coal quality, and gasifier availability. Responding to questions about whether the company could raise guidance given improved run rates, Bester said Sasol is optimistic but is following a ramp-up curve toward FY 2028. He said the gasifier restoration program has covered 25% of the fleet to date and is expected to reach 40% by year-end, and that Sasol wants a fuller understanding of required restoration work before changing guidance.

At the Natref refinery, management said operational performance improved and commissioning of the last low-carbon boiler supports reliability and emissions objectives. Baloyi also said Sasol stepped into capacity after Prax SA entered business rescue, to maintain supply to South Africa and OR Tambo Airport. In Q&A, Baloyi said Sasol can utilize that portion of volume while business rescue continues, but an M&A process is underway with timing potentially around December. He said Natref was running around 480-500 (versus a possible 620-650), depending on the ability to place volumes, and that higher utilization has working capital implications as Sasol carries crude and finished product components for the refinery.

Financial performance: free cash flow, lower capex, and impairments

CFO Walt Bruns said the macro backdrop remained difficult in the first half of FY 2026, with Brent crude down 14% year-on-year and a stronger rand contributing to a 17% decline in the rand oil price. While the stronger rand weighed on earnings, Bruns said it reduced the rand value of U.S. dollar-denominated debt. He also pointed to refining margins as a notable positive, supported by improved diesel differentials and stronger performance at Natref.

Bruns said sales volumes rose 3% in the first half, supported by improved production and a better sales mix into higher-margin channels. He said cash fixed costs declined 2% overall, driven by lower labor costs and reduced external spend. Capital expenditure fell 43% year-on-year, mainly due to the absence of a Secunda phase shutdown, lower Mozambique PSA spend, and reduced environmental compliance capital as programs near completion.

As a result, Sasol revised its full-year capital guidance down by ZAR 2 billion to a range of ZAR 22 billion to ZAR 24 billion, with Bruns emphasizing the reduction is not a deferral and not rolling over into later years. In response to questions about higher expected second-half spending, Bruns said Sasol anticipates an increase due to projects progressing through gates in the second half, including mining investments to raise own production and reduce external purchases, as well as non-phase shutdown capital at Secunda.

Bruns highlighted positive free cash flow in the first halffor the first time in 4 yearsand said it was more than a 100% improvement from the prior period. Gross margin declined 6% due to the lower rand oil price and chemical pricing pressure, partially offset by stronger refining margins and higher sales volumes.

EBIT decreased 52%, which Bruns said was mainly driven by non-cash remeasurement items, including impairments of ZAR 7.8 billion (vs. ZAR 5.7 billion in the prior year). He said the current period included:

ZAR 3.0 billion impairment related to the Secunda Liquid Fuels Refinery (which he said is now fully impaired), with recoverable amount improved through management actions but impacted by lower forecast price assumptions and a stronger exchange rate.

related to the Secunda Liquid Fuels Refinery (which he said is now fully impaired), with recoverable amount improved through management actions but impacted by lower forecast price assumptions and a stronger exchange rate. ZAR 3.9 billion impairment on the Mozambican PSA gas development, reflecting the revised production profile and stronger rand-dollar exchange rate.

on the Mozambican PSA gas development, reflecting the revised production profile and stronger rand-dollar exchange rate. ZAR 500 million impairment of Sasols equity-accounted investment in the CTT Gas-to-Power project due to startup delays and a higher end-of-job cost estimate.

Bruns also said mining EBITDA was lower, largely due to the phaseout of export coal sales, partly offset by redirecting volumes to Secunda and income from leasing Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) capacity. In Q&A, management said leasing the entitlement generated about ZAR 500 million, give or take, and that it was leased to more than one operator.

Deleveraging, hedging, and revised chemicals outlook

Sasol reported net debt of $3.8 billion at the half, with Bruns saying the company remains on track to achieve net debt below $3.7 billion by year-end, supported by expected higher second-half cash generation and working capital unwind. He said Sasols longer-term path remains to reach the $3 billion net debt level that triggers dividends, but given the macro outlook, that target will likely be achieved in FY 2028. Bruns also said liquidity headroom exceeds $4 billion.

Bruns said Sasol completed its FY 2026 hedging program and has begun FY 2027 hedging. For the second half of FY 2026, he said oil price risk is hedged at an effective cover ratio of 55%-60% with an average floor around $59 per barrel, and 25%-30% of rand/U.S. dollar exposure is hedged, primarily through zero-cost collars in a ZAR 18 to ZAR 22 range. In Q&A, he said Sasol has broadened the instruments used, including put spreads and butterflies, to balance protection, cost, and upside participation.

In International Chemicals, Baloyi said a reset is progressing but markets are tougher than we anticipated. He said adjusted EBITDA increased 10% year-on-year despite challenging markets, supported by early benefits from self-help measures, but the company revised full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance from the prior range of $375 million to $450 million and revised margin outlook to 8% to 10%. EVP Antje Gerber said Europe remains a challenging environment due to weak demand, overcapacity, high and volatile energy costs, and regulatory complexity. She said Sasol is operating on a value over volume basis, emphasizing specialty and contracted positions, and that Europe must perform on its own merits.

Gerber also said Sasol remains confident in its FY 2028 International Chemicals EBITDA target of $750 million to $850 million, noting that management expects two-thirds of the improvement to come from self-help measures rather than market recovery assumptions.

Grow-and-transform update: renewables, offsets, and eSAF progress

Baloyi said Sasols decarbonization approach remains pragmatic and value accretive, and that the company will scale solutions in line with market demand. He said Sasol secured an additional 300 MW of renewable energy (a solar and battery storage project reaching financial close and expected online in 2028), bringing contracted renewables to more than 1.2 GW in South Africa toward a 2 GW target by 2030. Management said 180 MW is operational and 740 MW is under construction, and that Sasol received a renewable energy trading license from NERSA in December 2025.

Baloyi said Sasol has contracted approximately 9 million tons of carbon offsets over the next three years, covering around 60% of offset requirements, and that following a renewable diesel pilot at Natref, certification is nearing completion and planned for the second half.

Management also highlighted a EUR 350 million grant secured in January by Zaffra, Sasols joint venture with Topsoe, for an eSAF project in Germany. In Q&A, Sasol said the project is designed as a small plant of about 2,000 barrels per day, translating to around 40,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel, with first production expected around 2030, subject to progressing feasibility work and securing offtakes before a final investment decision.

About Sasol (NYSE:SSL)

Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa. The companys core operations encompass the conversion of natural gas, coal and heavy hydrocarbons into liquid fuels and a wide array of chemical products. Sasol leverages proprietary Fischer-Tropsch and gas-to-liquids (GTL) technologies to deliver cleaner-burning diesel, jet fuel and naphtha, alongside solvents, surfactants and specialty polymers for industrial and consumer applications.

In addition to its GTL business, Sasol operates downstream facilities for the manufacture of alpha olefins, ethylene, propylene and other base-chemical intermediates.

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Meridian Mining UK Societas (TSE:MNO  Free Report)  Research analysts at Scotiabank issued their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Meridian Mining UK Societas in a research note issued on Thursday, February 19th. Scotiabank analyst E. Winmill forecasts that the company will earn ($0.04) per share for the year. Scotiabank currently has a Strong-Buy rating on the stock. Scotiabank also issued estimates for Meridian Mining UK Societas FY2026 earnings at ($0.03) EPS.

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Meridian Mining UK Societas Stock Performance

Shares of Meridian Mining UK Societas stock opened at C$1.95 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$817.94 million, a P/E ratio of -32.50 and a beta of 1.31. Meridian Mining UK Societas has a 52-week low of C$0.46 and a 52-week high of C$1.96. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$1.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$1.33.

About Meridian Mining UK Societas

Meridian Mining is focused on: The development and exploration of the advanced stage Cabacal VMS gold-copper project, The initial resource definition at the second higher-grade VMS asset at Santa Helena as the first stage of the Cabacal Hub development strategy, Regional scale exploration of the Cabacal VMS belt to expand the Cabacal Hub strategy, and Exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone belts the above all located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

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SKS Technologies Group (ASX:SKS) reported a strong first-half FY2026 result, with management highlighting broad-based gains across revenue, profitability, and cash generation, supported by continued momentum in data centers alongside growth in traditional end markets.

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First-half financial performance

Management said revenue for the first half of FY2026 totaled AUD 132 million, representing 13.6% growth versus the prior corresponding period. Profitability increased at a faster rate, with EBITDA up 42.9% to AUD 14 million and profit before tax (PBT) up 52.8%. The company cited a 9.7% PBT result for the half and said it was on track for its full-year guidance of AUD 340 million in revenue and a 10% profit before tax margin.

Cost mix and operating leverage

On margins, management emphasized improvement in profit before tax margin fromto. It also pointed to the relationship between revenue growth and cost growth as a driver of higher profitability: sales increased 13.6% while total expenses increased 11.1%.

Executives explained that the cost mix shifted versus prior periods due to project staging. Raw materials declined as a percentage of sales, which management attributed to the business being in the engineering and design phase on the MEL02 STACK job with Hickory and nearing completion on AirTrunk projectsboth of which had lower material spend during the half given where they sat in their respective life cycles.

Management said that when raw materials and employee expenses are combined, the increase was 10.4%, below the 13.6% sales increase, supporting margin expansion. Other overhead categories such as occupancy, administration, and depreciation increased more in line with what management described as expected full-year revenue growth somewhere around about 30%. The company also stated it believes its fixed cost base can handle revenues of around AUD 400 million.

Cash flow, balance sheet, and dividend

The company reported stronger cash conversion in the half. Cash flow from operations rose 47% year over year to AUD 27.8 million from AUD 18.9 million. That performance contributed to a significantly higher cash balance, with cash on hand of AUD 51.7 million at the end of the December half, compared with AUD 19.6 million a year earlier.

Management also highlighted improved working capital, which it said moved from AUD 18.3 million to AUD 9.85 million. Unearned revenue/contract liabilities declined from AUD 45.6 million to AUD 39.9 million, which executives described as reflecting project mixbeing in earlier phases on one project and later phases on another.

The company said it has AUD 32 million in bank facilities and has relinquished its bank overdraft given it no longer requires it, pointing to the cash position as the primary reason.

Reflecting the first-half performance, SKS declared an interim dividend of AUD 0.035, up from the AUD 0.01 interim dividend paid in the first half of FY2025.

Sector mix, project activity, and acquisitions

Management reiterated the importance of growing traditional market sectors even as data centers become a larger portion of the business due to the scale of activity in that segment. It reported a little over 14% growth and said the first-half split between data center revenue and traditional revenue was quite even, though it expects data center revenue to rise as a share in the second half.

On strategy, executives said the companys approach has not materially changed over the past two to three years. Key priorities include recruiting and onboarding to support rapid growth, maintaining discipline over the cost base so margins improve with scale, continuing to invest in operating platforms, and sustaining a rigorous safety culture. The company said it remains opportunistic on acquisitions but is not actively pursuing deals given organic growth prospects.

Management provided an update on the Delta-Elcom acquisition, which it said settled on 12 January. Delta-Elcom was described as a Sydney-based specialist electrical solutions provider focused on data centers and digital infrastructure as well as health projects. The company said the integration has gone well, with 100% of Delta-Elcom employees transitioning into SKS, and that the business has adopted the SKS Technologies brand from day one. Management also said the acquisition expands the group to nine sites nationally and strengthens exposure to New South Wales, which it described as the largest data center market in Australia, while noting Melbourne is currently growing faster. Executives said Sydney and Melbourne together represent roughly 70% to 80% of the Australian data center market.

Work in hand, pipeline, safety, and FY2026 outlook

SKS reported AUD 325 million of work in hand, up AUD 125 million from 30 June 2025. Management emphasized that the full-year revenue forecast implies a much bigger second half than the first half, and said the work-in-hand position supports that expectation.

Looking further out, the company reported AUD 177 million of work in hand attributed to FY2027. Management noted that at its late-November update it had cited AUD 150 million for FY2027, and said additional contract wins helped lift the figure, with some work expected to carry into FY2027. Repeat business was cited at 91%. By sector, management said data centers account for close to 85% of the work-in-hand order book, reflecting the scale of that market.

Pipeline activity also increased. The company reported AUD 572 million of open tenders and said it has seen a strong increase in tender activity since November 2025. Management characterized the pipeline as real opportunities and real proposals that the company is actively working to convert.

The company also highlighted progress at SKS Indigenous Technologies, an initiative launched a little over three years ago. Management reported work on hand in excess of AUD 13 million and first-half revenue just short of AUD 13 million. It also cited a 90% employee retention rate for its Indigenous workforce of approximately 40 people.

On operations, management referenced major projects completed during the first half, including work at the MEL01-B campus at STACK Infrastructure, progress on upgrades supporting ADF operations at Mount Bundy in the Northern Territory, and the Geelong Convention and Events Center, described as in final stages of handover.

Safety performance was another focus, with the company reporting zero lost time injuries across nearly 608,000 work hours in the first half, while productive work hours rose 14.2% from the prior corresponding period. Management said it expects productive hours to increase further in the second half as hiring continues to support higher activity levels.

In its outlook, SKS said it continues to see strong demand across all market sectors, underpinned by accelerating growth in data centers. Management reaffirmed its FY2026 forecast of AUD 340 million in revenue at a 10% profit before tax margin, stating it is confident in achieving the guidance.

About SKS Technologies Group (ASX:SKS)

SKS Technologies Group Limited engages in the design, supply, and installation of audio visual, electrical, and communication products and services primarily in Australia. It offers audiovisual and IT solutions, including audiovisual integration, automated audiovisual systems, digital signage, video conferencing, TP over IP networks, room control systems, medical imaging solutions, multi-screen control room, large screens and stadiums, hi-tech intuitive corporate boardrooms and training rooms, display and projector systems, interactive whiteboards, touch panel control systems, specialist controlled lighting systems, public address systems, and video and audio conferencing solutions, as well as maintenance and support services for architects, builders, and consultants.

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SYDNEY, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The head of a major inquiry into the antisemitic terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach in December said on Tuesday that it could take years to strengthen social cohesion in Australia.

Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell, who was appointed by the federal government to lead the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, said in her opening statement on the inquiry's first day on Tuesday that the work of the commission would help Australians come to terms with the attack.

The royal commission was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January, almost one month after 15 people were killed in the fatal mass shooting that targeted a Jewish event at the iconic beach on Dec. 14.

Bell said that it is of critical importance that the inquiry hands down its final report before the first anniversary of the attack, but warned that strengthening social cohesion would be the work of "years, not months."

She said that the royal commission would not hear evidence from eyewitnesses of the attack so as not to prejudice criminal proceedings against the surviving alleged gunman Naveed Akram.

The senior counsel assisting the royal commission, Richard Lancaster, said that dozens of notices have been issued to federal and state government agencies to appear before the inquiry and produce relevant documents.

"A large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism, its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians," he said.

The inquiry is expected to hand down an interim report by April 30. 
Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $59.37, but opened at $55.5701. Suzuki Motor shares last traded at $58.15, with a volume of 790 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Dbs Bank raised Suzuki Motor to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Suzuki Motor has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Suzuki Motor Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $59.00 and a 200 day moving average of $58.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.66. The firm has a market cap of $28.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.27 and a beta of 0.46.

Suzuki Motor (OTCMKTS:SZKMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Suzuki Motor had a return on equity of 10.69% and a net margin of 6.78%.The company had revenue of $10.73 billion during the quarter. Suzuki Motor has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.249-5.249 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Suzuki Motor will post 5.11 EPS for the current year.

Suzuki Motor Company Profile

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Suzuki Motor Corporation traces its roots to 1909 when Michio Suzuki founded Suzuki Loom Works; the company later entered motor vehicle production and was reorganized as an independent motor company in the mid-20th century. Headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan, Suzuki has grown into a multinational manufacturer known for producing compact, fuel-efficient vehicles and a broad range of two- and four-wheeled products. The company has a long history in small-car and motorcycle design and has adapted its product portfolio over decades to serve both personal and light commercial transport markets.

Suzukis primary business activities include the design, manufacture and sale of automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and outboard motors, along with related parts and accessories.

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The European Smaller Companies Trust (LON:ESCT  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday. The company reported GBX 0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. The European Smaller Companies Trust had a net margin of 87.06% and a return on equity of 10.91%.

The European Smaller Companies Trust Stock Down 0.2%

ESCT stock opened at GBX 222.16 on Tuesday. The European Smaller Companies Trust has a twelve month low of GBX 155.45 and a twelve month high of GBX 230. The company has a quick ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.30. The company has a market cap of 778.92 million, a PE ratio of 9.25 and a beta of 1.25. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 220.67 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 214.90.

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Insider Activity at The European Smaller Companies Trust

In other news, insider Daniel Burgess acquired 18,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 211 per share, for a total transaction of 37,980. Also, insider James Williams bought 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 27th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 208 per share, with a total value of 31,200. Corporate insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

About The European Smaller Companies Trust

The Companys investment objective is to achieve capital growth by investing predominantly in smaller and medium sized companies in Europe. The Company maintains a diversified portfolio. The Company invests 7% of its total assets. The Company invests in equities and other investments for long term, so as to secure its investment objective.

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Triple Flag Precious Metals (NYSE:TFPM) management highlighted record operating and financial results for full-year 2025, while outlining a lower production outlook for 2026 tied to planned mine sequencing and stream terms at key assets. The company also emphasized a multi-year growth pipeline led by Northparkes in Australia and several development-stage projects expected to contribute later in the decade.

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Record 2025 production and cash flow

CEO Sheldon Vanderkooy said Triple Flag delivered record production of 113,000 gold equivalent ounces (GEOs) in 2025, landing in the upper half of guidance and marking a ninth consecutive year of year-over-year production growth. He attributed the record performance to higher GEOs and stronger gold prices, which also drove record cash flow.

2026 guidance reflects sequencing at Northparkes and Cerro Lindo stream step-down

Chief Financial Officer Eban Bari said operating cash flow per sharedescribed as managements most important metricincreasedto, reflecting the performance of the companys core streaming and royalty portfolio. Vanderkooy said the business model is working as it is intended, translating higher gold prices into higher cash flow per share, and noted that prices in 2026 have continued to rise. He added that fourth-quarter 2025 gold averaged, which he said was below spot prices at the time of the call, just under $5,000 per ounce.

For 2026, management guided to 95,000 to 105,000 GEOs. Vanderkooy said the expected year-over-year decline reflects well-understood mine sequencing at Northparkes and a planned step-down in the Cerro Lindo stream rate after the company received 19.5 million ounces of silver from the stream since acquiring it in 2016. Vanderkooy described Cerro Lindo as having a long life and strong exploration potential, with continuing exposure to silver prices.

Bari added that 2026 GEOs are expected to be derived entirely from gold and silver, and the companys guidance assumes a conservative gold-to-silver price ratio of 72 for the year. Additional 2026 items discussed included:

Depletion expense: $65 million to $75 million, slightly lower than 2025, reflecting expected sales mix.

$65 million to $75 million, slightly lower than 2025, reflecting expected sales mix. G&A costs: $30 million to $32 million, consistent with 2025, including the impact of share-based compensation tied to a stronger share price.

$30 million to $32 million, consistent with 2025, including the impact of share-based compensation tied to a stronger share price. Australian cash tax rate (royalties): approximately 25%, consistent with prior-year actuals.

On quarterly cadence, management said it provides annual guidance and will not break it down by quarter. Bari noted the Cerro Lindo step-down is expected to occur sometime in Q2, but said the company could not provide more quarterly detail.

2030 outlook and project pipeline

Management reiterated a longer-term outlook calling for production of 140,000 to 150,000 GEOs in 2030, which Vanderkooy said represents roughly 45% growth from the midpoint of 2026 guidance. COO James Dendle said the companys long-term organic growth profile reflects progress and de-risking milestones delivered by operators across the portfolio, aided by constructive commodity prices and what he described as favorable permitting regimes in the jurisdictions where Triple Flag operates.

Dendle cited several project advances during the past 12 months, including:

Eskay Creek (British Columbia): received full permits in less than one year after submission.

received full permits in less than one year after submission. Aridirada: Aura Minerals received a construction license within one year of acquisition.

Aura Minerals received a construction license within one year of acquisition. Goldfield (Nevada): Centerra renewed its focus on developing the project as a heap leach operation.

He also named additional assets advancing toward production or ramp-up over the medium term, including Arcata, Kone, South Railroad, and Delamar.

Northparkes highlighted as cornerstone growth asset

Both Vanderkooy and Dendle emphasized Northparkes as Triple Flags largest asset and a key driver of future growth. Vanderkooy said Evolution Mining recently released an update featuring three related catalysts for Triple Flag:

E22 Block Cave: Evolution approved development of the E22 block cave, which Vanderkooy said has attractive gold grades for Triple Flag and is a value-maximizing approach for both companies.

Evolution approved development of the E22 block cave, which Vanderkooy said has attractive gold grades for Triple Flag and is a value-maximizing approach for both companies. Potential mill expansion: Evolution is studying expanding throughput from 7.6 million tonnes per annum to 10 million tonnes per annum or potentially more, which management said could benefit Triple Flags stream.

Evolution is studying expanding throughput from 7.6 million tonnes per annum to or potentially more, which management said could benefit Triple Flags stream. E44 gold-only deposit: Triple Flag and Evolution reached an agreement to enable development of E44, which had not been included in Evolutions life-of-mine plan. Triple Flag will receive guaranteed minimum deliveries starting in 2030.

Dendle added that the E48 sub-level cave is ramping up and supporting near-term gold growth, while E22 is expected to reach initial production by 2030. He said guaranteed deliveries from E44 are expected to commence in 2030 for a seven-year period, with potential for life extensions beyond that.

In response to an analyst question about whether there could be more opportunities like E44, management pointed to Northparkes history as a gold project in the mid-1990s and said E44 is the most known gold-dominant deposit today. Dendle said there are multiple targets across the property identified from historical work that have not been systematically tested or defined, and suggested expanded mill capacity could increase the ability to take advantage of such mineralization.

Capital deployment, shareholder returns, and balance sheet

Vanderkooy said the company invested over $350 million in 2025 in what he described as value-accretive deals, including Arcata (Peru), the Arthur Oxide Project (Nevada), the Johnson Camp Mine (Arizona), and the Minera Florida producing mine (Chile). Bari also referenced Kemess among transactions providing immediate or near- to medium-term cash flow, exploration potential, and exposure to mining-friendly jurisdictions with strong operators.

On shareholder returns, Bari said Triple Flag paid nearly $46 million in dividends in 2025, including a 5% dividend increase mid-year, marking the fourth consecutive annual increase since the IPO. The company also repurchased $9 million of shares in the open market at an average price of about $17.39 per share, and said it expects to remain active under its NCIB opportunistically.

Bari said Triple Flag ended 2025 debt-free with more than $70 million in cash and $1 billion available on its credit facility. Vanderkooy characterized the balance sheet as pristine and said total liquidity exceeded $1 billion, giving the company flexibility for additional accretive growth and progressively growing shareholder returns.

During Q&A, Vanderkooy said Triple Flags typical sweet spot for deal size remains $200 million to $500 million, adding that a $4.3 billion transaction discussed in the market was too big for Triple Flag, but that the company sees ample opportunity to deploy capital in its targeted range.

Management also addressed two specific items. Vanderkooy said Triple Flag retains a royalty on the Pumpkin Hollow open pit and is interested to see what new owner Kinterra does with the asset, but stated the company will not invest additional capital in Pumpkin Hollow. Separately, in response to a question about ATO, Vanderkooy said the matter is in litigation and that Triple Flag removed ATO from both its 2026 guidance and its 2030 outlook, stating that the guidance includes zero contribution from ATO and that any ATO impact would be upside relative to those figures.

About Triple Flag Precious Metals (NYSE:TFPM)

Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. is a Toronto-based precious metals streaming and royalty company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TFPM. The company specializes in providing upfront financing to mining operators in exchange for the right to purchase a fixed percentage of future gold and silver production at discounted prices. By structuring these streaming and royalty agreements, Triple Flag Precious Metals aims to optimize its capital deployment and maintain a predictable cost profile while benefitting from upside in precious metal prices.

Since its formation in mid-2022, Triple Flag Precious Metals has established a diversified portfolio of streaming and royalty assets across a variety of jurisdictions.

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UCB (OTCMKTS:UCBJY  Get Free Report) is anticipated to release its results before the market opens on Thursday, February 26th. Analysts expect UCB to post earnings of $2.98 per share and revenue of $4.9258 billion for the quarter.

UCB Price Performance

UCB stock opened at $159.09 on Tuesday. UCB has a one year low of $71.16 and a one year high of $168.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $150.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $137.49.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Zacks Research downgraded UCB from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, UCB presently has a consensus rating of Buy.

UCB Company Profile

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UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company founded in Belgium in 1928, specializing in the discovery and development of therapies for severe diseases in the fields of neurology and immunology. Headquartered in Brussels, UCB leverages nearly a century of scientific expertise to address areas of high unmet medical need, with a focus on chronic conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinsons disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohns disease.

The companys commercial portfolio includes key branded medicines such as CIMZIA (certolizumab pegol) for inflammatory disorders, VIMPAT (lacosamide) for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in epilepsy, and NEUPRO (rotigotine transdermal system) for Parkinsons disease and restless legs syndrome.

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Shares of United Community Banks, Inc. (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) have been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the seven research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $38.00.

UCB has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded United Community Banks from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of United Community Banks from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Hovde Group downgraded shares of United Community Banks from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $38.00 target price on the stock. in a research report on Monday, February 9th. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of United Community Banks from $38.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of United Community Banks in a report on Wednesday, January 21st.

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United Community Banks Trading Down 4.2%

NYSE UCB opened at $33.29 on Tuesday. United Community Banks has a 52 week low of $22.93 and a 52 week high of $36.77. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $33.64 and a 200 day moving average price of $32.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The firm has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 12.75 and a beta of 0.84.

United Community Banks (NYSE:UCB  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $0.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.73 by ($0.02). United Community Banks had a return on equity of 9.49% and a net margin of 21.35%.United Community Bankss revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.61 earnings per share.

United Community Banks announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Monday, December 8th that permits the company to buyback $100.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 2.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at United Community Banks

In other news, CAO Alan H. Kumler sold 12,043 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $35.36, for a total value of $425,840.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 21,096 shares in the company, valued at $745,954.56. This trade represents a 36.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On United Community Banks

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its holdings in shares of United Community Banks by 7.0% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 55,319 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,557,000 after acquiring an additional 3,617 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in United Community Banks by 176.2% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 26,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $746,000 after purchasing an additional 16,925 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in United Community Banks by 4.6% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 71,211 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,003,000 after purchasing an additional 3,115 shares during the period. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in United Community Banks during the 1st quarter worth about $219,000. Finally, United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of United Community Banks in the first quarter worth about $204,000. 82.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

United Community Banks Company Profile

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United Community Banks, Inc (NYSE: UCB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Blairsville, Georgia. It operates primarily through its subsidiary, United Community Bank, providing a broad range of banking and financial services to individual, business and governmental customers. The companys core offerings include deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, mortgage origination, treasury and cash management services, and wealth management.

In addition to traditional banking products such as checking, savings and money market accounts, United Community Bank specializes in commercial real estate financing, small business administration (SBA) loans, equipment financing and agricultural lending.

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Vanguard Group Inc. cut its stake in Macerich Company (The) (NYSE:MAC  Free Report) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 38,609,253 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 260,060 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 15.28% of Macerich worth $702,688,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Nordea Investment Management AB bought a new stake in shares of Macerich in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $5,326,000. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al increased its position in shares of Macerich by 35.0% during the third quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al now owns 724,233 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $13,181,000 after purchasing an additional 187,900 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Macerich by 39.2% in the third quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 388,219 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,066,000 after purchasing an additional 109,413 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in Macerich by 1,110.2% in the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 185,832 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,382,000 after purchasing an additional 170,477 shares during the period. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. bought a new position in Macerich in the second quarter worth $18,368,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.38% of the companys stock.

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Macerich Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE MAC opened at $20.27 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $18.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $17.97. Macerich Company has a one year low of $12.48 and a one year high of $20.85. The firm has a market cap of $5.19 billion, a PE ratio of -26.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 2.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.01, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 1.03.

Macerich Announces Dividend

Macerich ( NYSE:MAC Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.07) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by ($0.50). Macerich had a negative return on equity of 7.32% and a negative net margin of 19.44%.The business had revenue of $261.70 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $260.48 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.47 EPS. Macerichs revenue for the quarter was down 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Macerich Company will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 16th will be given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 16th. Macerichs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -88.31%.

Macerich News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Macerich this week:

Positive Sentiment: KeyCorp raised Macerich to a Strong-Buy and published multi-year, quarter-by-quarter EPS forecasts that imply earnings growth into FY2027 (KeyCorp sees FY2027 EPS of $1.69 vs. current consensus ~ $1.55). This upgrade and the more constructive outlook are the primary drivers lifting investor sentiment. KeyCorp estimates / MarketBeat

KeyCorp raised Macerich to a Strong-Buy and published multi-year, quarter-by-quarter EPS forecasts that imply earnings growth into FY2027 (KeyCorp sees FY2027 EPS of $1.69 vs. current consensus ~ $1.55). This upgrade and the more constructive outlook are the primary drivers lifting investor sentiment. Positive Sentiment: KeyBanc also upgraded Macerich (reported by MSN), adding further momentum from the broker community and reinforcing the trade that the REITs turnaround and cash-flow recovery are gaining traction. KeyBanc upgrade

KeyBanc also upgraded Macerich (reported by MSN), adding further momentum from the broker community and reinforcing the trade that the REITs turnaround and cash-flow recovery are gaining traction. Neutral Sentiment: Multiple analyst notes from KeyCorp break down expected quarterly cadence (Q1Q4 2026 and Q1Q4 2027) showing gradual EPS improvement  useful for modeling but not a guarantee; these provide a basis for valuation upgrades if results track the plan. KeyCorp detailed estimates

Multiple analyst notes from KeyCorp break down expected quarterly cadence (Q1Q4 2026 and Q1Q4 2027) showing gradual EPS improvement  useful for modeling but not a guarantee; these provide a basis for valuation upgrades if results track the plan. Negative Sentiment: Macerichs recent Q4 2025 results and earnings call highlighted a revenue increase but an EPS miss (reported -$0.07 vs. expectations) and continued losses, which remain a near-term risk if operating trends or occupancy/re-leasing progress slow. Investors are weighing the upgrades against this execution risk. Q4 2025 results article

Macerichs recent Q4 2025 results and earnings call highlighted a revenue increase but an EPS miss (reported -$0.07 vs. expectations) and continued losses, which remain a near-term risk if operating trends or occupancy/re-leasing progress slow. Investors are weighing the upgrades against this execution risk. Negative Sentiment: The Q4 2025 earnings call transcript provides additional color on margin pressure, re-leasing timelines and capital allocation questions that could temper enthusiasm if management doesnt show sustained improvement. Earnings call transcript

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MAC has been the topic of several recent research reports. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Macerich from $18.00 to $19.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. KeyCorp set a $25.00 price objective on Macerich and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Macerich in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $21.00 target price on shares of Macerich in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Mizuho set a $21.00 price target on Macerich in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.20.

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Macerich Profile

(Free Report)

The Macerich Company (NYSE: MAC) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of regional shopping centers in the United States. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company focuses on high-quality retail properties, including enclosed malls, open-air centers and mixed-use lifestyle destinations. Since its establishment as a REIT in 1994, Macerich has pursued a disciplined strategy of investing in properties that serve strong consumer demographics and offer long-term growth potential.

Macerichs core activities encompass property and asset management, leasing, marketing and redevelopment services.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN  Free Report) by 33.1% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 306,442 shares of the banks stock after selling 151,390 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Banco Santander were worth $3,212,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SAN. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Santander in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Banco Santander during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in Banco Santander during the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Banco Santander in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Smithfield Trust Co acquired a new position in Banco Santander in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 9.19% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

SAN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b+) rating on shares of Banco Santander in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Zacks Research lowered Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Wall Street Zen raised Banco Santander from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Banco Santander in a research report on Monday, February 16th. Finally, Barclays downgraded shares of Banco Santander from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Banco Santander has an average rating of Hold.

Banco Santander Price Performance

NYSE SAN opened at $12.73 on Tuesday. Banco Santander, S.A. has a one year low of $5.54 and a one year high of $13.19. The businesss fifty day moving average is $12.19 and its 200-day moving average is $10.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $189.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.60, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.72.

Banco Santander (NYSE:SAN  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The bank reported $0.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.24 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $18.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.89 billion. Banco Santander had a net margin of 18.85% and a return on equity of 12.14%. Research analysts expect that Banco Santander, S.A. will post 0.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Banco Santander Company Profile

(Free Report)

Banco Santander, SA (NYSE: SAN) is a Spanish multinational banking group headquartered in Santander, Spain. Founded in 1857, the bank has grown from a regional institution into one of Europes largest banking groups, operating a diversified financial services platform that serves retail, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporate clients. Santander is publicly listed in Spain and maintains American Depositary Receipts on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SAN.

The groups core activities include retail and commercial bankingoffering deposit accounts, payment services, mortgages, personal and auto loans, and small business financingalongside corporate and investment banking services for larger institutional clients.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. decreased its position in Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) by 17.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,435 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,187 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Capital One Financial were worth $4,131,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,537,167 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $12,018,671,000 after acquiring an additional 156,254 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 63.4% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,780,128 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,910,500,000 after acquiring an additional 10,776,843 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Capital One Financial by 64.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,008,841 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,970,628,000 after acquiring an additional 5,474,328 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,701,511,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Capital One Financial by 41.3% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 7,011,073 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,491,676,000 after purchasing an additional 2,050,010 shares in the last quarter. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Activity

In other Capital One Financial news, insider Lia Dean sold 3,284 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.68, for a total value of $734,565.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 70,162 shares in the company, valued at $15,693,836.16. The trade was a 4.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Matthew W. Cooper sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $500,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 92,486 shares in the company, valued at $23,121,500. The trade was a 2.12% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 34,274 shares of company stock valued at $8,131,054. Company insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock.

Capital One Financial Price Performance

Shares of COF opened at $190.69 on Tuesday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $230.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $223.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $118.60 billion, a PE ratio of 64.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.14. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 1-year low of $143.22 and a 1-year high of $259.64.

Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.14 by ($0.28). Capital One Financial had a net margin of 3.54% and a return on equity of 10.68%. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.67 EPS. The firms revenue was up 53.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 EPS for the current year.

Capital One Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 19th. Capital One Financials payout ratio is currently 108.11%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on COF. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $275.00 target price on shares of Capital One Financial in a report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Capital One Financial from $265.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating and issued a $300.00 price target on shares of Capital One Financial in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. HSBC reduced their target price on Capital One Financial from $234.00 to $226.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $265.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $274.70.

View Our Latest Analysis on COF

About Capital One Financial

(Free Report)

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The companys core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises.

Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions.

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Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report released on Sunday.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Zacks Research raised Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 9th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $15.75.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Trading Down 2.4%

Institutional Trading of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending

NYSE NCDL opened at $13.50 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $13.69 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $14.40. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending has a twelve month low of $12.95 and a twelve month high of $18.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The company has a market capitalization of $666.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.82 and a beta of 0.40.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Atlatl Advisers LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending during the 2nd quarter valued at $173,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 100.0% during the second quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 32,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $531,000 after acquiring an additional 16,408 shares during the last quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending in the second quarter worth about $773,000. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC raised its position in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 12.2% during the 2nd quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 22,453 shares of the companys stock valued at $364,000 after purchasing an additional 2,438 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC bought a new position in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $349,000.

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL) is a closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide shareholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a diversified portfolio of direct lending instruments. Established in early 2022, NCDL focuses on privately negotiated debt investments in middle-market companies, primarily within the United States. The fund offers investors access to a segment of the credit markets that has historically been less correlated with public debt markets, aiming to capture yield premiums associated with private lending.

The funds investment strategy centers on senior secured loans, unitranche financings and selectively structured mezzanine debt.

Further Reading

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Paymentus (NYSE:PAY  Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities researchers at Wedbush from $40.00 to $32.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the business services providers stock. Wedbushs price objective suggests a potential upside of 30.75% from the companys previous close.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Paymentus from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $32.00 price target on Paymentus in a research report on Tuesday. Raymond James Financial upgraded Paymentus from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and set a $35.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Paymentus in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Paymentus from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Sunday, February 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Paymentus has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $35.33.

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Paymentus Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Paymentus

Paymentus stock opened at $24.48 on Tuesday. Paymentus has a 1 year low of $22.65 and a 1 year high of $40.43. The firms 50-day moving average is $28.23 and its 200-day moving average is $31.96. The company has a market cap of $3.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 53.21 and a beta of 1.49.

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Lisanti Capital Growth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Paymentus in the 3rd quarter worth $3,708,000. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS acquired a new position in shares of Paymentus in the 3rd quarter valued at $4,461,000. Advantage Alpha Capital Partners LP purchased a new position in Paymentus in the 2nd quarter worth about $2,553,000. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in Paymentus by 42.0% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 308,594 shares of the business services providers stock worth $10,106,000 after buying an additional 91,342 shares during the period. Finally, Jump Financial LLC raised its holdings in Paymentus by 63.5% during the 2nd quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 129,029 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,226,000 after buying an additional 50,129 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.38% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Paymentus

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Paymentus Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Paymentus is a U.S.-based financial technology company that specializes in cloud-native bill payment and presentment solutions. Its platform enables businesses and government entities to manage the entire payment lifecycle, from electronic bill presentment and real-time payment processing to reconciliation and reporting. Through web portals, mobile applications, interactive voice response (IVR) systems and in-person channels, Paymentus helps clients streamline accounts receivable operations, enhance customer engagement and reduce operational costs.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Paymentus has built a modular suite of services that can be tailored to the needs of various industries.

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people, including a senior police officer, were killed in a terrorist attack on a police vehicle in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, police said.

Terrorists ambushed a police van on routine patrol near Shakardara Road in Kohat district, killing Deputy Superintendent of Police Asad Mahmood and two security personnel on the spot, according to a police statement.

Four other policemen were injured in the attack and shifted to a hospital, where three later succumbed to their wounds.

The total death toll rose to seven, including the deputy superintendent, five security personnel and one civilian, the statement said.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the attackers. An investigation is underway. 
Whitecap Resources (TSE:WCP  Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by TD Securities from C$13.00 to C$15.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. TD Securities price objective would suggest a potential upside of 10.54% from the stocks current price.

Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on WCP. Capital One Financial upgraded shares of Whitecap Resources to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Desjardins boosted their target price on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$13.50 to C$14.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$14.00 to C$15.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, National Bank Financial increased their price target on shares of Whitecap Resources from C$15.00 to C$16.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$14.94.

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Whitecap Resources Price Performance

About Whitecap Resources

WCP traded down C$0.19 during trading on Tuesday, hitting C$13.57. The companys stock had a trading volume of 4,716,080 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,063,189. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.58. The stock has a market capitalization of C$16.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -0.33 and a beta of 0.69. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$12.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$11.22. Whitecap Resources has a 12 month low of C$6.87 and a 12 month high of C$13.98.

(Get Free Report)

Whitecap Resources Inc is engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, and holding interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets. The company acquires assets with discovered petroleum initially in place and low current recovery factors. Light oil is the primary byproduct of Whitecaps Canadian assets. To extract petroleum products from its resources, the company uses horizontal drilling, in addition to multistage fracturing technology. Crude oil is the leading revenue generator out of the basket of energy products sold by Whitecap.

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Wrapmanager Inc. purchased a new stake in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 2,271 shares of the aircraft producers stock, valued at approximately $490,000.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in BA. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in Boeing by 1.1% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 67,529,417 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $14,574,874,000 after buying an additional 756,057 shares during the last quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC boosted its stake in shares of Boeing by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Newport Trust Company LLC now owns 29,198,446 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $6,301,901,000 after acquiring an additional 707,490 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Boeing by 2.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,316,838 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $3,402,073,000 after acquiring an additional 432,026 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Boeing by 3.8% during the second quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 5,327,443 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $1,116,259,000 after purchasing an additional 196,666 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Boeing by 1.1% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,242,397 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $888,910,000 after purchasing an additional 44,338 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.82% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BA has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen restated a buy rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. New Street Research set a $257.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Boeing from $265.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Boeing from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Susquehanna reiterated a positive rating and issued a $280.00 target price on shares of Boeing in a report on Thursday, January 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $246.14.

Boeing Stock Performance

BA stock opened at $230.35 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $233.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $219.85. The Boeing Company has a 12 month low of $128.88 and a 12 month high of $254.35. The company has a market capitalization of $180.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 114.60 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.37.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The aircraft producer reported $9.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.40) by $10.32. The business had revenue of $23.95 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.41 billion. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 57.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted ($5.90) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that The Boeing Company will post -2.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Boeing

In other news, EVP Uma M. Amuluru sold 2,731 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $236.00, for a total transaction of $644,516.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 11,925 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,814,300. This represents a 18.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Ann M. Schmidt sold 6,281 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $243.37, for a total value of $1,528,606.97. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 13,978 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,401,825.86. This trade represents a 31.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders sold 19,509 shares of company stock worth $4,629,316. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Boeing Company Profile

(Free Report)

Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense systems, and space and security technologies. Founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, the company today operates as an integrated aerospace and defense contractor with a global customer base. Boeing relocated its corporate headquarters to Arlington, Virginia in 2022 and maintains extensive engineering, manufacturing and service operations across the United States and around the world.

Boeings principal lines of business include Commercial Airplanes, which produces and supports a range of jetliners used by airlines globally; Defense, Space & Security, which develops military aircraft, rotorcraft, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, satellites, and launch and missile systems; and Boeing Global Services, which provides aftermarket maintenance, training, spare parts, digital analytics and logistics support.

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Wrapmanager Inc. reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) by 24.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,553 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 1,162 shares during the quarter. Wrapmanager Inc.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $2,021,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of MA. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Mastercard by 55,868.1% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,541,880,000 after buying an additional 13,397,168 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter valued at $6,725,317,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Mastercard by 25.6% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,372,404 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $3,580,909,000 after acquiring an additional 1,299,977 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 79,431,340 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $45,181,341,000 after purchasing an additional 955,533 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 2.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after purchasing an additional 542,841 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock.

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Key Mastercard News

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

Mastercard Price Performance

MA opened at $495.06 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $441.50 billion, a PE ratio of 29.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The businesss 50-day moving average is $549.62 and its two-hundred day moving average is $561.18. Mastercard Incorporated has a 1 year low of $465.59 and a 1 year high of $601.77.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The business had revenue of $8.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.82 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts anticipate that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Mastercard Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.07%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. HSBC raised shares of Mastercard from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $668.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Mastercard from $665.00 to $678.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Mastercard from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Mastercard has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $669.27.

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About Mastercard

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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Wrapmanager Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 39.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 8,498 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 5,645 shares during the period. Wrapmanager Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,138,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of ABT. Cloud Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Guerra Advisors Inc purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 81.3% in the second quarter. Anfield Capital Management LLC now owns 232 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Bridge Generations Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Abbott Laboratories stock opened at $115.14 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23. The company has a market capitalization of $200.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.95, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 0.75. Abbott Laboratories has a twelve month low of $105.27 and a twelve month high of $141.23. The stocks 50 day moving average is $118.19 and its 200 day moving average is $125.68.

Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The healthcare product maker reported $1.50 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.50. The company had revenue of $11.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.80 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 14.72% and a return on equity of 17.94%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.34 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratories has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.120-1.180 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 5.550-5.800 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th will be given a $0.63 dividend. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 67.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Abbott Laboratories

In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks bought 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $108.73 per share, with a total value of $1,087,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 6,738,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $732,711,572.41. The trade was a 0.15% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on ABT shares. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $169.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Daiwa Securities Group reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $136.00 to $113.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Sanford C. Bernstein decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $154.00 to $125.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Evercore decreased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $144.00 to $138.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $137.05.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ABT

Abbott Laboratories News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $60.42, but opened at $57.00. Zealand Pharma A/S shares last traded at $57.00, with a volume of 442 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ZLDPF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Zealand Pharma A/S in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. BTIG Research raised Zealand Pharma A/S to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Buy.

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Zealand Pharma A/S Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 14.10 and a current ratio of 14.10. The company has a market cap of $4.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.17 and a beta of 0.72. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $67.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.80.

Zealand Pharma A/S (OTCMKTS:ZLDPF  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported ($0.81) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($1.34) by $0.53. The firm had revenue of $10.79 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.69 million. Zealand Pharma A/S had a return on equity of 49.76% and a net margin of 70.06%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Zealand Pharma A/S will post -2.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Zealand Pharma A/S Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Zealand Pharma A/S is a Denmarkbased biopharmaceutical company specializing in the discovery, design and development of peptidebased therapeutics. Utilizing proprietary peptide engineering platforms, the company focuses on metabolic and endocrine disorders, including diabetes and rare gastrointestinal diseases. Zealand employs a rational design approach to optimize stability, selectivity and dosing profiles of its candidates, aiming to improve patient outcomes where current treatment options are limited.

Among the most advanced assets in Zealands pipeline is dasiglucagon, a stable glucagon analog designed for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia.

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COLOMBO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan health officials said on Tuesday that nearly 45 percent of the country's tuberculosis (TB) patients are in the Western Province, the most populous region, and that Colombo is the main driver of transmission nationwide.

Officials from the National Program for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases made the remarks at a training program in Colombo.

They said many people contract TB in Colombo and then spread the disease to other parts of the country, making TB control in the capital an urgent priority. According to the officials, Colombo records 82 TB patients per 100,000 people.

They said adult men face a higher risk of TB than women. However, in areas under the Colombo Municipal Council, women and children also show a high rate of TB transmission, requiring special attention in control efforts.

The officials also said the program will place greater focus this year on improving outpatient department case detection in hospitals across Sri Lanka, in order to identify TB patients more efficiently. 
A 40-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault with a dangerous instrument and causing grievous harm after a domestic dispute allegedly left a woman injured. The case has renewed conversation about domestic violence and protection for victims.

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By Alimat Aliyeva

Malaysias labor productivity per hour worked showed solid momentum in 2025, rising by 3.7 percent, with value added per hour reaching 44.5 ringgit (approximately 11.41 U.S. dollars), according to official data released Monday by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

In a statement, DOSM also reported that labor productivity per employed person increased by 3.4 percent, bringing value added per worker to 102,672 ringgit for the year.

All major sectors of the economy recorded steady gains, reflecting broad-based improvements rather than growth concentrated in a single industry. Economists note that the expansion was supported by stronger performance in manufacturing, services, and selected export-oriented industries, alongside continued digitalization and automation efforts.

Malaysias labor productivity is well positioned for a positive outlook in 2026, supported by a stable labor market and sustainable economic performance throughout the year, DOSM said.

According to the department, the sustained growth in national labor productivity signals that Malaysia is moving in the right direction by utilizing its workforce more efficiently and generating higher value per worker. Analysts add that continued investment in technology, skills development, and higher value-added sectors could further strengthen competitiveness, particularly as regional economies intensify efforts to attract advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based industries.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China saw a total of 17.796 million cross-border trips during the Spring Festival holiday period ending on Monday, official data showed.

During the period, the average daily number of cross-border trips rose 10.1 percent year on year to 1.977 million, the National Immigration Administration said on Tuesday.

Among them, the average daily number of cross-border trips made by mainland residents and residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan both rose year on year, by 10.2 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

International visitors made 1.313 million crossings, with the daily average rising 21.8 percent year on year. Among inbound international travelers, 460,000 entered under visa-free policies, up 28.5 percent from the daily average during last year's holiday.

Amidst rising trends such as "becoming Chinese" on social media, traveling to China for the Spring Festival has become a new trend among international tourists, boosted by the expanding circle of visa-free countries, improved tax refund policies, and upgraded inbound tourism services.

China has expanded its unilateral visa-free access to 50 countries, extending the policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and Britain, which started Feb. 17, the first day of the Chinese New Year.

Last year, the total number of entry ports covered under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy reached 65, significantly streamlining travel for international visitors. 
ABU DHABI, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday introduced a new mechanism requiring pharmaceutical companies to appoint multiple agents for each medical product distributed in the country in a bid to prevent monopolies and strengthen drug security.

The new mechanism, announced by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), replaces the previous single-agent model, seeking to ensure the sustainable availability of medicine and reduce the risk of supply disruptions during emergencies and crises. It is the first of its kind in the UAE healthcare sector.

Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDE, said that the mechanism is part of efforts to develop a resilient national pharmaceutical ecosystem, enhance supply chain diversification and protect public health.

EDE Director General Fatima Al Kaabi said the move would improve distribution efficiency, support market stability, and strengthen the country's global competitiveness in the pharmaceutical sector. 
ABU DHABI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has discussed the current regional situation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, local media reported Monday.

In a phone conversation, they discussed the latest developments in the region and their implications for regional security and stability. They also exchanged greetings on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the significance of the negotiations between the United States and Iran, noting that positive progress in such talks would help strengthen regional security, advance prosperity and stability for the peoples of the region, and contribute to regional and international peace, said WAM.

The development follows two rounds of indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran this month, with the first in Muscat on Feb. 6 and the second in Geneva on Feb. 17. Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi said on Sunday that the next round of U.S.-Iran talks will take place on Thursday in Geneva. 
Curtis F. Jeanis, a cherished son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on February 22, in Orange, at the age of 94. Born on October 28, 1931, in Crowley, Louisiana, Curtis lived a life marked by dedication, service and warmth to his family, friends and the community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, February 26, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Officiating will be the Reverend Antony Paulose of St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m., with a Rosary beginning at 10:00 a.m.

A proud veteran of the United States Army, Curtis served during the Korean War, an experience that shaped his character and instilled in him a strong sense of duty to his community. After returning home, he built a fulfilling career, retiring from Firestone and serving as City Manager for the cities of Pinehurst and Vidor, where he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around him.

Curtis was deeply involved in his church, St. Mary Catholic Church, contributed to its mission and volunteered extensively. His dedication also extended to the Knights of Columbus, where he was a valued and active member. He also volunteered with Orange Christian Services, showcasing his unwavering commitment to helping others in need.

Outside of his professional pursuits and community service, Curtis enjoyed a variety of hobbies that brought him joy and fulfillment. He was passionate about aviation and held a private pilot's license. He enjoyed sharing his passion for flying with his sons. His love for the water was evident in his interests in boating and scuba diving, activities that allowed him to explore the beauty of nature and make memories with family and friends.

Curtis is survived by his current wife, Jane Richard Jeanis and his loving sons, Louis Paul Jeanis II and his wife, Carolyn, Joseph Ben Jeanis, Curtis F. Jeanis Jr. and his wife, Carri and David Allen Jeanis and his wife, Janie.

He will be remembered fondly by his grandchildren, Gregory, Lucas, Justin, Benjamin, Brittany, Blake and Sean Jeanis and his seven great-grandchildren. Curtis is also survived by his sister, Janet Talley.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 58 years, Genevieve Mazzola Jeanis; parents, Louis Paul and Lena Jeanis; brother, Rayford Jeanis; sister, Florence Armbruster and his daughter-in-law, Yvonne Jeanis.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Gregory, Lucas, Justin, Benjamin, Blake and Sean Jeanis.

Curtis F. Jeanis leaves behind a legacy of service, love and commitment to family and community that will long be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His spirit will continue to inspire those who strive to make their world a better place.

The Family would like to acknowledge and express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Golden Years Assisted Living Care Services in Orange, as well as the nurses with Gentiva Hospice, for their thoughtful and loving care provided to Curtis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary Catholic Church at https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZJPZ/home or to Orange Christian Services at 2518 W Park Ave, Orange, TX 77630.
CM off to right start with Delhi sojourn ? Date with PM : First in 3 years

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Fruitful. This is one word that comes to mind if one takes a long, hard look at the Delhi sojourn of Chief Minister Y Khemchand and his two deputies. Left Imphal on February 21 and in a span of 3/4 days, the newly inducted Chief Minister has met the who is who of Delhi including the Union Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, DoNER Minister and most importantly the Prime Minister. A sort of an accomplishment, one may say, if one takes into account the fact that after May 3, 2023, none of the political leaders of Manipur have ever been granted an audience by the Prime Minister. Even when Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13, 2025, he did not take the trouble of meeting any of the political leaders or BJP MLAs at Imphal. Manipur was then under Presidents Rule, but the Assembly was not dissolved and the MLAs remained MLAs and even then the BJP supremo from Delhi did not deem it fit to have a face to face meeting with the State BJP leaders. This is where the audience granted by the Prime Minister to Khemchand and his two deputies, Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, becomes all that more significant. Details of what were discussed are not yet known, but the significance of the meeting is not lost on anyone, particularly those who have been closely following the political developments in the State. And even as the finer details of the meeting with the Prime Minister have not come to the public domain, it is also still not clear when the Ministry would be expanded. To many, the primary objective of the Chief Ministers visit to Delhi was in connection with the Ministry expansion, but so far nothing has been spelt out on this. Uncertain is the word that comes to mind when any talk veers towards the Ministry expansion, and one wonders how long the present arrangement would continue. Apart from the long time it has taken to expand the Council of Ministers and fill in the remaining 7 vacant slots, the new Chief Minister seems to be taking the right steps, if the meeting granted with the Prime Minister is anything to go by. In a way it is also surprising to see that the focus of the people and the Government seems to be on the Ministry expansion while the more urgent and more pressing point should be on taking Manipur to the path of normalcy. A point which has been touched upon and stressed many times in this column and if one takes a look at the reality and the way Manipur has been proceeding from one development to the other, the answer should lie with Delhi. As repeatedly said, all it would need is for the Union Home Minister to wag his fingers and tell everyone to fall in line. That this has not happened so far is something that is very clear.

The Chief Minister is likely to return soon and one will have to wait and see what tidings he brings from Delhi, that is if there is anything additional that needs to be said, but it is more than evident that the Delhi trip this time has rather been fruitful. Fruitful in the sense that the Chief Minister managed to meet the Prime Minister, other than a host of other Union Ministers. More than enough indication that if the Prime Minister wishes, he can certainly set aside some time to meet BJP leaders from Manipur. Hence the question why this was not the case earlier. Manipur has seen enough bloodshed, enough violence and it has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons for decades, with things taking a turn for the worse after May 3, 2023. The question is whether the new Chief Minister will be able to go some way to address some of the pressing issues of the State. Only time can tell, and while the first task before the Government is taking Manipur to the path of normalcy, to be understood as opening the National Highways to all, free movement across the length and breadth of the State and resettlement of the IDPs, the Chief Minister and his team will need to ensure that everything is back on track. As far as Imphal is concerned, the first step should be to ensure that the severe inconveniences being faced due to the laying of the cement concrete roads are addressed to. It goes against development when a two way lane is turned to a one way lane for days, in the name of laying the cement concrete road.
Scribe honoured

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IMPHAL, Feb 24 : Special Correspondent of New Observer Post and Chief Bureau of Indian Observer Post, Brown Nongmaithem, has been honoured with the "Pillars of Hindustani Society" award for 2025-2026.

The award was presented by the Trans Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI) and the Trans Asian Chamber & Indo-Mongolian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMCCI), Mumbai.

The award ceremony took place during a joint anniversary celebration marking the 27th anniversary of TACCI and the 32nd anniversary of IMCCI, held at the Ball Room of the Royal Mumbai Yacht Club, Gateway of India.

Brown was one of 33 awardees recognized for their contributions in various fields, including arts, culture, and professionalism.

These awards were presented to individuals, both men and women, who have made remarkable, genuine contributions to Indian society. Brown Nongmaithem has been reporting news for over 25 years, contributing to platforms such as The News File, The Sunday Indian (magazine) News Observer Post, and Indian Observer Post, which is published in both Hindi and English.

His stories in The Sunday Indian were featured in fourteen Indian languages.

This is the first-ever award received by Brown in his career.

The award ceremony was attended by notable figures, including HE Mariano Agustin Caucino, Ambassador of Argentina, and Justice Shreehari Daawara (retired), among others.
BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday briefed the media on the arrangements for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to China, which will take place from Feb. 25 to 26.

Mao noted at a regular news briefing that this visit is Merz's first trip to China since taking office. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Merz, and Premier Li Qiang will hold talks with him to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

She said that China and Germany are comprehensive strategic partners committed to win-win cooperation, with frequent high-level exchanges and deepened practical cooperation, and their mutually beneficial cooperation brings tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries.

China and Germany are the world's second and third-largest economies, and their sound development of relations aligns with both their interests and the expectations of the world, she said.

China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and trust with Germany, deepen pragmatic cooperation, promote the greater development of China-Germany relations, and work together to contribute more to world peace and prosperity, Mao said. 
India and France recently moved to modernise their three-decade-old tax treaty, signing an Amending Protocol that gives clearer taxing rights on capital gains, reshapes dividend taxation and tightens cooperation against tax evasion.

The Finance Ministry recently disclosed the update to the 1992 IndiaFrance Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) and said that it was designed to boost investment, provide tax certainty and align the treaty with the latest international standards.

Signed in New Delhi during the recent visit of the French President, the protocol was inked by CBDT Chairperson Ravi Agrawal and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou on behalf of the two governments.

What changes?

A key change is that capital gains on the sale of shares will now be taxed in the country where the company whose shares are being sold is resident, giving the source jurisdiction full taxing rights.

The protocol also deletes the much-debated Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause from the original DTAC, ending disputes over whether India had to match the lower withholding tax rates it offered to some OECD countries in other treaties.

The old single 10 per cent rate is no longer applicable to dividends. It was replaced with a two-tier structure: 5 per cent withholding for shareholders holding at least 10 per cent of the capital, and 15 per cent for all other cases.

This is expected to make intra-group investments more attractive while still preserving some revenue for tax authorities, according to the ministry.

The definition of Fees for Technical Services was also tweaked to align the language used in the IndiaUS tax treaty, and the concept of Permanent Establishment was expanded to include a Service PE, bringing more cross-border service activity into the tax net.

Information sharing and BEPS standards

The protocol updated provisions on exchange of information and adds a new article on assistance in tax collection, in line with OECD-led global standards.

It also folds into the bilateral treaty the relevant provisions of the BEPS Multilateral Instrument, which India and France have already signed and ratified, further tightening anti-avoidance safeguards.

The changes will take effect after both countries complete their internal legal procedures, including ratification and notification, and subject to the terms agreed between them.

The Finance Ministry said that the overhaul balances the interests of both sides and should strengthen flows of investment, technology and personnel between India and France.

Confirming the Centres stance, Frances Ministry of Economy and Finance, in its press communique, FranceInde: un accord fiscal actualise pour renforcer les echanges economiques, announced the updated tax agreement, highlighting benefits for French companies. The French side, however, stressed that the move reduced withholding on intra-group dividends to 5 per cent, a narrower scope for technical services subject to Indian withholding tax, and modernised cooperation tools against tax fraud, focused on enhanced legal certainty and competitiveness for French investors in India.
The Telangana government has decided to take over Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-I from Larsen & Toubro at Rs 15,000 crore. The Telangana Cabinet, chaired by A. Revanth Reddy, approved the takeover of the 69-km Phase-I network of Hyderabad Metro Rail, with the transaction to be completed by March 31 this year.

The government is acquiring the Hyderabad Metro Phase-I primarily to meet a structural condition required for undertaking the next phase of Metro expansion and to remove ownership hurdles that currently block Phase-II.

According to the government, the Union government has made it clear that Phase-II can be taken up as a joint venture between the Centre and the state only if the entire Metro network is under a single entity. Since Phase I is currently operated by L&T under a public-private partnership, Telangana cannot proceed with Phase II in the joint venture mode unless it acquires the existing network.

Another factor behind the decision is L&Ts unwillingness to undertake Phase-II works. With the private concessionaire not interested in continuing with expansion, the state concluded that taking over Phase I was necessary to move ahead with future corridors.

The government expects to acquire Phase I at an approximate 22 per cent discount. The asset valuation is estimated to be between Rs 19,000 crore and Rs 22,000 crore. Telangana expects to pay around Rs 15,000 crore, including outstanding liabilities. Reportedly, the government will take over the debt of Rs 13,000 crore and pay the remaining Rs 2,000 crore to L&T.

Officials say the takeover will allow the state to seek approvals and funding for Phase II, which has been proposed in two parts. Phase-II A involves 76.4 km across five corridors, while Phase-II B proposes 86.1 km across three corridors. Currently, the Hyderabad Metro only serves limited parts of Hyderabad, and the city badly needs expansion to the new IT districts as well as to different suburbs. The government maintains that without bringing Phase I under its control, Phase II cannot be processed under the joint venture framework, making the purchase a prerequisite rather than a policy choice.

However, the details of the deal have not been made public yet. Urban policy experts like Donti Narsimha Reddy are demanding the basis for valuation and also questioning the Rs 800 crore loan the government gave to L&T in the past.
As India's indigenous fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is still 10 years away from fruition, India may be looking at a stopgap measure, and Russia's Sukhoi-57 is being considered as the first choice.

Russia and the US showcased their fifth-generation fighters, the Su-57 and F-35, at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru. While Russia made a pitch for joint production of the Su-57 and tech transfer, the US had offered the F-35 to India to deepen the defence ties between the two countries.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

According to a report by The Tribune, the defence ministry and the Indian Air Force (IAF) discussed the urgent need to have a fifth-generation fighter as China continues to expand its fifth-generation fleet with the Chengdu J-20 and the multi-role Shenyang J-35. China has also offered to sell 40 J-35 jets to Pakistana move, if realised, would exert pressure on the IAF, which is already facing a squadron shortage.

While there has been no official communication from the authorities regarding this, India is more likely to consider the Russian jet as the US fighter comes with a load of restrictions, including possible non-integration of Indian weapons on board the aircraft. It then makes more sense for India to look at the Russian jet, as India already has experience with Russian platforms.

ALSO READ: The trouble with 114 Rafale fighter jets order: Co-produce the jet, but no control over 'brain'?

We are yet to start negotiations with the Russians; that will happen once IAF teams take a deep dive into what all is on offer, The Tribune quoted a source as saying.

In January, a top Russian aerospace official had claimed India and Russia were holding technical discussions to explore the possibility of the joint production of the Sukhoi Su-57E fighter jet in India.

The CEO of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Vadim Badekha, had said the two sides are also discussing "the licensed production of the Su-57 fighters in India at the facilities currently used to produce the Su-30 aircraft, and the maximum use of Indian industry and Indian systems in this aircraft."

Earlier, Alexander Mikheev, CEO of the state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport, had announced that the firm was offering India the supply of Su-57E fighter jets, as well as the organisation of their production in the country and assistance in developing the AMCA.
CHANGCHUN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Wang Xue, a resident of Beijing, booked a Russian king crab for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner. She saw on the logistics app on the morning of Feb. 15 that the crab had already departed from the airport in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province.

Wang was eagerly awaiting the feast, where this impressive king crab would be the centerpiece of the table, bringing good fortune and a prosperous start to the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, which fell on Feb. 17 this year.

The king crab ordered by Wang was shipped from Hunchun City in Jilin, a major import hub for the crab in China. Located next to the Russian Far East, Hunchun imports more than 1.5 million live king crabs annually, representing over 70 percent of China's total imports.

In the lead-up to the Spring Festival, the Hunchun port entered its busiest period of the year. A steady stream of refrigerated trucks laden with live king crabs crossed the border and, after efficient customs clearance, were quickly dispatched to various parts of China.

Zhang Xiaofei, head of Hunchun Linsheng Trading Co., Ltd., a company engaged in the king crab import business, said that with surging market demand before the Spring Festival, the average daily import volume had increased by about 30 percent compared to the usual number. "During peak periods, 30 to 40 refrigerated trucks carrying king crabs enter the country each day," Zhang said.

Hunchun Customs has launched a "green channel" and round-the-clock inspection by appointment to ensure the quality of live aquatic products such as king crabs, significantly reducing customs clearance time.

Wang Kaichao, 31, runs a seafood shop in Hunchun that mainly sells Russian seafood products, including king crabs. During the final week before the Spring Festival holiday, he arrived at the shop at 3 or 4 a.m. each morning, preparing shipments to destinations across the country.

"We shipped out about 200 to 300 orders a day, totaling around one tonne of king crabs," Wang said. He noted that more Chinese people are now aware that Russian king crabs are shipped via Hunchun, which is driving a growing customer base. This year's pre-Spring Festival sales have nearly doubled compared to last year, with products mainly going to first-tier coastal destinations such as Guangdong and Shanghai.

Demand for high-quality seafood in China's consumer market continues to heat up. According to customs data, in 2025, Hunchun Customs supervised the import of 28,000 tonnes of live crabs and other aquatic food products, a year-on-year increase of 13.4 percent, contributing to local foreign trade growth and consumption upgrading.

Efficient customs clearance reduces overall operating costs for enterprises, allowing king crabs to enter the market at better prices and in fresher condition. Fast logistics then enable the crabs to be conveniently transported across China.

The period around the Spring Festival marks the peak season for king crab consumption. Anticipating a surge in transport demand, Changchun airport made detailed arrangements, including cargo acceptance and space allocation, as well as vehicle scheduling and staffing.

Meanwhile, the airport has enhanced its cold-chain logistics capabilities by building a temporary holding center for cold-water seafood. Located in the airport's cargo area, the center features 16 aquaculture tanks and provides services including centralized procurement of cold-water seafood, temporary holding at the airport, and air cold-chain transportation.

This initiative removes the limitation that cold-water seafood shipments could only be delivered on the same day upon arrival at the airport. The products can now be temporarily held at the airport before delivery or transfer, as required by the customer.

According to local authorities, Russian king crabs are now also being shipped to destinations including Hong Kong via flights from Changchun. Specifically, the crabs are transported from Russia's Zarubino port to Hunchun, then transferred to Changchun, before being airlifted to the metropolis using Hainan Airlines' newly launched Changchun-Hong Kong route. 
Given its strong acceptance among its target audience, a third season of "Wednesday" was a given. Netflix has not only confirmed that filming for the new chapter is ongoing, but also new cast members for guest and full-fledged appearances for the next Nevermore Academy adventure.

In a major announcement, Winona Ryder's involvement, albeit in a guest appearance, has been confirmed, marking a reunion with her "Beetlejuice" director Tim Burton, who is heavily involved in the show, handling directorial and additional creative duties. Ryder joins Eva Green, who joined Season 3 as Morticia Addams' (Catherine Zeta-Jones) long-lost sister.

Ryder and Green are joined by Chris Sarandon ("Dog Day Afternoon", "The Princess Bride"), Noah Taylor ("Peaky Blinders", "Game of Thrones"), Oscar Morgan ("A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms"), and Kennedy Moyer ("Task", "Roofman").

Jenna Ortega (Wednesday Addams), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia Addams), and Luis Guzman (Gomez Addams) return in recurring lead roles.

Tim Burton, who is also executive producer, said in an official Netflix statement, Im so excited to be back for Season 3, and its great to be reunited with all of the original cast. The addition of some dear friends and past collaborators of mine  Winona, Eva, Chris, and Noah  makes this season extra special. I feel very lucky.

Showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar added, Its our dark delight to fling open Nevermore Academys gates once more as we begin production on Season 3. We thank our invincible cast and crew for their continued commitment to doom and gloom. To the fans, we appreciate your patience and ravenous online commentary  your twisted theories have inspired nightmares. This season, we welcome new students, new teachers, and excavate some long-rotting Addams Family secrets. Dont say you werent warned.
Manjit Sangha, a 52-year-old woman from the United Kingdom, never imagined that an ordinary evening playing with her pet dog could change her life forever.

What appeared to be an innocent lick on a small cut or scratch is believed to have triggered a severe infection that rapidly progressed to sepsis. Within days, Sangha was fighting for her life. After 32 weeks in hospital, several cardiac arrests, and multiple complications, doctors had to amputate both her legs below the knee and both her hands. She has since returned home, but her story has drawn global attention to a condition called sepsis.

Globally, sepsis remains a major public health challenge. According to data published in 2020, there were an estimated 48.9 million cases of sepsis worldwide and 11 million sepsis-related deaths, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of all global deaths. Almost half of these cases, around 20 million, occurred in children under the age of five. These figures underscore the importance of understanding what sepsis is, how it is caused, its warning signs, and whether contact with pets can truly pose a threat.

What actually happened?

In July 2025, Manjit Sangha returned home from work feeling unwell. According to reports, by the next morning, she had become unconscious. Her hands and feet were ice-cold, her lips had turned purple, and she was struggling to breathe. The deterioration was shockingly rapid.

Speaking to the BBC, her husband, Kamaljit Sangha, described the ordeal: Your mind is all over the place. You're thinking, How can this happen in less than 24 hours? One minute on a Saturday, she's playing with the dog, Sunday she's gone to work, Monday night she's in a coma."

She was rushed to New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton and admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors fought to stabilise her, but the infection had already triggered severe sepsis. Sangha suffered six cardiac arrests during her hospital stay and developed multiple complications. The infection led to significant tissue damage due to impaired blood flow, forcing surgeons to amputate both her legs below the knee and both her hands. Her spleen was also removed.

Doctors later told the BBC that they believed the infection may have entered through a small cut or scratch that had been licked by her dog. What seemed harmless may have allowed bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering a catastrophic immune response.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

After 32 weeks in the hospital, Sangha finally returned home. Her case has reignited debate and concern over whether dogs can cause sepsis, and how common such events truly are.

What is sepsis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Sepsis is a serious condition in which the body responds improperly to an infection. The infection-fighting processes turn on the body, causing the organs to work poorly.

In simple terms, sepsis is not the infection itself but the bodys overwhelming and dysregulated response to infection. Instead of targeting only the invading pathogen, the immune system triggers widespread inflammation that damages tissues and organs.

If untreated, sepsis can progress to septic shock, which involves a dramatic drop in blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic explains that septic shock can damage the lungs, kidneys, liver and other organs. When the damage becomes severe, it can lead to death. Early treatment significantly improves survival rates, making rapid diagnosis critical.

What are the symptoms?

Sepsis symptoms can be vague and vary widely, which often makes early detection challenging. Symptoms may include a change in mental status, fast and shallow breathing, unexplained sweating, lightheadedness, and shivering. In many cases, patients also show symptoms related to the original infection, such as painful urination in urinary tract infections or a worsening cough in pneumonia.

Importantly, sepsis does not look the same in every individual. It may present differently in children compared to adults. Because symptoms can mimic other illnesses, delays in recognition are common.

When sepsis progresses to septic shock, symptoms become more severe. These include the inability to stand up, extreme drowsiness or difficulty staying awake, and major changes in mental status such as severe confusion. A significant drop in blood pressure is a hallmark feature, and this stage carries a substantially higher risk of death.

How is it caused?

Sepsis can arise from any type of infection - bacterial, viral, or fungal. Common sources include infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia), the urinary tract, the digestive system, the bloodstream, catheter insertion sites, and wounds or burns.

Certain factors increase the risk that an infection will progress to sepsis. These include being over the age of 65, infancy, weakened immune systems (due to cancer treatment, HIV, or other conditions), chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prolonged intensive care stays, the presence of medical devices such as intravenous catheters or breathing tubes, recent antibiotic use, and corticosteroid treatment.

As sepsis worsens, vital organs may not receive an adequate blood supply. It can also cause abnormal blood clotting, leading to small clots or ruptured blood vessels that damage tissues. While many people recover from mild sepsis, the mortality rate for septic shock remains between 30 and 40 per cent. Additionally, surviving a severe episode increases the risk of future infections.

Do dogs cause sepsis?

Manjit Sanghas case has raised a pressing question: can dogs really cause sepsis? Medical evidence suggests that simply being near a dog or being licked on intact, healthy skin very rarely leads to sepsis.

The critical factor is whether bacteria gain entry into the bloodstream through a bite, scratch or open wound. Sepsis is not caused by the dog itself, but by infection triggered by bacteria, and the bodys overwhelming immune response to that infection.

Certain groups are more vulnerable, including people with weakened immune systems, individuals without a spleen, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. In such cases, bacteria introduced through broken skin may multiply rapidly and enter the bloodstream. One organism most commonly linked to severe infections after dog exposure is Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacterium commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats.

A 2011 case report described a previously healthy, 67-year-old man who was rushed to the emergency room with fever, chills, hypotension and vomiting, and was diagnosed with septic shock. After doctors elicited a history of dog contact, cultures confirmed septicemia due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus, described in the report as a normal oral and nasal flora inhabitant of cats and dogs that can cause severe and sometimes fatal septicemia in humans. The authors noted the rarity of such cases despite widespread dog ownership.

Similarly, a 2017 report detailed the case of a 41-year-old man who developed septic shock after a wound was licked by his dog. He later suffered disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and required multiple amputations.

The report noted that while dog bites are common, the overall yearly incidence of infection with C. canimorsus is estimated at 0.67 per million people. Only a small number of strains of C. canimorsus are dangerous to humans, it stated, adding that approximately 170 cases had been published in the literature at the time, with only two linked specifically to infection through licking.

Mortality in patients presenting with sepsis remains as high as 30 per cent, and diagnosis can be delayed because symptoms are often non-specific and the bacterium is difficult to culture. The authors concluded that dog bites or even the contact of wound surfaces with dog saliva may lead to life-threatening sepsis and potentially fatal outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

What experts say?

Dr P Praveen Kumar Reddy, Consultant in General Medicine at SRM Prime Hospital, Chennai, explains that dog saliva can lead to sepsis, but only in rare circumstances.

He notes that dogs naturally carry bacteria, yeast and other microorganisms in their mouths, but these usually do not harm healthy individuals because the human immune system is strong enough to fight them off. Sepsis risk arises only when saliva comes into contact with an open cut, wound, existing skin infection or an area where the skin barrier is broken, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

Directly, it wont cause septic shock, Dr Reddy clarifies. It progresses in stages, initially mild infection symptoms, and if not treated properly, it can worsen. In people with weakened immune systems, the body may not be able to control the infection, leading to organ damage.

He adds that those at higher risk include individuals with diabetes, severe hypertension, hypothyroidism, chronic illnesses, diabetic foot ulcers or other skin infections. Healthy people usually wont have a problem. But if you have a cut or skin infection, avoid letting a dog lick that area. And always wash the area properly with soap and water if such contact happens, he advises.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS
In connection with the 'shirtless protests' during the India AI Impact Summit, Delhi police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib.

Congress raised its strong opposition to the arrest and called the government's move "dictatorial".

"I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib ji and other young comrades by the Delhi Police. The dictatorial government is forgetting that in a democracy, young people raising their voice, asking questions, and protesting is not a crime- it is the strongest weapon of democracy," said senior leader Bhupesh Baghel.

VIDEO | Delhi: On arrest of Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with 'shirtless' protest staged by a group of IYC members at the AI Impact Summit last week, Congress leader Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) says, "Protesting is the duty and responsibility of the pic.twitter.com/2MOujnPDLX  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026

Baghel said that the arrest is not only illegal but also a direct attack on freedom of expression and democracy.

While raising his voice at the AI Summit, Bhanu had said that the youth of the country "will no longer remain silent". He later clarified that the party was not against the AI Summit but firmly opposes "any compromise with India's interests."

He had further alleged that when the nation's farmers are being compromised, anti-India trade agreements are being signed, and the youth are being pushed into hate politics.

"PM is compromised, and that does not mean that the public should remain silent," said Bhanu.

The IYC's 'shirtless' protest at the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam venue had faced backlash not only from the NDA parties but also from some of the INDIA bloc allies. Slamming the protest, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that it brought shame to the nation.

Defending the protest, IYC's National General Secretary, Shesh Narayan Ojha, on Monday said that "a peaceful demonstration is not 'anti-India'.

Meanwhile, launching a scathing jibe at Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "You are already naked, then why did you feel the need to take off your clothes?" Modi accused Congress of using a global event platform for its "dirty and naked politics."

Delhi Police arrested five people in connection with the protest so far. IYC members Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, Narasimha Yadav and Jitendra Yadav were charged under BNS Sections 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy).
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday appealed to citizens not to respond to unknown video calls amid a surge in fraud cases linked to so-called digital arrests, emphasising that such arrests have no legal validity.

Cautioning people about cyber scams, Fadnavis said fraudsters operating from abroad are using local handler to make these digital arrest calls and cheat unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned money. These scammers often impersonate officials from agencies such as the CBI, Customs, or the police during video calls and threaten individuals they target.

He advised people to immediately disconnect the call upon hearing the term digital arrest. Victims should promptly dial the 1930 helpline to lodge a complaint. Fadnavis stressed the importance of the golden hour, which is the first hour after a digital arrest fraud call, noting that complaints registered within this period have a strong likelihood of enabling authorities to recover the lost money, said the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio.

Fadnavis was responding to a query raised by Abu Asim Azmi of the Samajwadi Party during Question Hour in the state legislative assembly. He reiterated that no law enforcement agency conducts arrests through video calls or demands money to resolve cases.

Highlighting the reach of such scams, Fadnavis said even highly educated individuals have fallen victim to digital arrest fraud due to a lack of awareness. I know that even a retired IAS officer and a very senior retired naval officer have been victims of digital arrest fraud due to a lack of awareness, said Fadnavis.

He also informed the House that Maharashtra has set up what he described as the countrys best cybercrime tracking facility, adding that several other states are modelling their cybersecurity centres on Maharashtras system.

Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam told the assembly that between 2025 and early 2026, Maharashtra recorded 145 major cybercrime cases involving fraud amounting to Rs 129 crore. He referred to a case in Ahilyanagar, formerly known as Ahmednagar district, where a victim lost Rs 87 lakh. Police were able to recover Rs 78 lakh as the complaint was filed during the golden hour.

Fadnavis explained that once a victim transfers money to the fraudsters account, it is quickly routed through eight to 10 different accounts across India and subsequently moved to more than 100 accounts overseas, often in countries with which India does not have treaties to pursue legal action or recover the money.

People should just hang up suspicious calls and immediately report the call to the 1930 helpline, urged Fadnavis.
Four senior Maoist leaders, including two central committee members, surrendered before Telangana Police in Hyderabad on Tuesday, marking one of the highest-profile capitulations of top insurgent figures in the state.

Tipiri Tirupati alias Devujji, described by police as the most influential Maoist leader to surrender so far, said he would continue to be guided by Maoist ideology but would pursue his political activity through democratic means.

Though I have come out of armed struggle, the ideology that I believed throughout my life will continue to guide my further political action, of course, through democratic means, Devujji told reporters.

When journalists asked multiple questions at once, he said he was willing to speak to the media at length but that it was not the right time or place. Another central committee member, Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, said Maoism would never die in response to a reporters question.

Telangana Director General of Police B. Sivadhar Reddy said Devujji would have replaced party chief Muppalla Lakshman Rao alias Ganapati had a central committee conference been possible. Such a meeting, he said, had become impossible due to sustained security pressure.

Along with Devujji and Raji Reddy, Bade Chokka Rao, alias Damodar, and Nune Narsimha Reddy, alias Ganganna, also surrendered. While the first two are central committee members, Damodar and Narsimha Reddy are state-level leaders. Damodar earlier headed the Telangana unit of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

The press conference was notably cordial, with police officials using restrained language and the surrendered leaders appearing composed. Most probing questions came from journalists, many of whom referred to the surrender as signalling the end of the road for the Maoist movement. The former leaders declined to answer detailed queries and invited reporters for separate conversations later.

I will give interviews to all of you. No problem, Devujji said.

Police said all four were drawn to radical politics during their early college years and dropped out of their studies to go underground.

Devujji, 62, joined the movement in 1978, spent more than four decades in the organisation and became in charge of the central military commission in 2017. Raji Reddy joined in 1971 and held several leadership positions across the country.

Chokka Rao joined the party in 1996 and mainly operated in Telangana. Narsimha Reddy, from Andhra Pradesh, joined while studying law at Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur and later worked in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand.

The DGP commended B. Sumati, in charge of the Special Intelligence Bureau, for persuading the leaders to surrender by explaining the changing societal conditions. He said the surrendered ex-militants would be eligible for benefits under Telanganas rehabilitation and relief policy, introduced in 1993.

This is a time-tested policy. We give reward money, land, government schemes and even education. Even 40 years back, two surrendered militants studied engineering, he said.

Under the state and Centres rehabilitation policy, Rs 90 lakh was disbursed to the four Maoists. Devji and Sangram carried rewards of Rs 25 lakh each, while Damodar and Ganganna Rs 20 lakh. The police assured full support under the rehabilitation programme.

Sivadhar Reddy handed over the cheques to the four leaders and reiterated Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddys appeal to Maoists to join the mainstream and fight for the people through legal means.

He said 11 Telanganites were still active in the Maoist movement and urged them to surrender at the earliest.

Police are also attempting to reach remaining holdout leaders, including Ganapati. The DGP said only Muppidi Sambaiah is currently active among senior figures, while most others are cadre or low-level leaders. Ganapati, who is ailing and believed to be living in an urban shelter, is also willing to surrender, and efforts are underway to convince him through Devujji and his associates.

In 2025 and 2026, a total of 591 Maoists surrendered before Telangana police. Of these, four are central committee members, 16 state committee members, 26 divisional committee members, 85 area committee members and 460 party members.

The DGP described the development as a major success for Telangana police.
Two sisters from Bhopal have been arrested for allegedly running a sex racket under the pretence of providing jobs to young women from economically weaker families.

Identified as Amreen and Afreen, the two sisters were earlier residents of a slum in Abbas Nagar and recently shifted to the posh Sagar Royal Villa near Ashima Mall in Hoshangabad, Bhopal. Police suspect that their lavish lifestyle was possibly funded by illicit earnings from the sex racket.

Their associate Chandan Yadav was also arrested by Bagsewania police while two other accused  Bilal, Yasir and Chanu  are still at large. Police have registered cases against the accused under sections related to rape, criminal conspiracy, and forced religious conversion.

The racket was busted after two women, aged 32 and 21, came forward to reveal their harrowing ordeals. They both contacted each other through Instagram and decided to file separate complaints.

Police said the sisters lured women from low-income backgrounds with promises of domestic jobs paying around Rs 10,000 per month, plus free housing and meals.

Both complainants alleged that they were forced to socialise with wealthy men at parties, pubs, and lounges and pressured to get drunk and drugged. They also alleged that they were sexually assaulted in some cases.

The first complainant, a maid who worked at Amreens house, accused Chandan Yadav of raping her at his sisters residence in Narayan Nagar. She alleged that he blackmailed her and threatened to kill her if she complained. She also accused Yasir and Bilal of drugging and raping her.

The second complainant was identified as a beautician from Mungeli, Chhattisgarh. She claimed that in December 2025, she was brought to Ahmedabad under the guise of work where Amreen's relative Yasir raped her. She also claimed that Bilal laced her tea with an intoxicant and raped her after she fell unconscious. She also claimed that Chandan Yadav raped her several times between August 2025 and January 2026.

She alleged that whenever she tried to resist or escape, she was blackmailed with compromising photos.

Adding to the gravity of the crime, the victim said she was forced to change her religion, wear a burqa and offer namaz against her will. Chandan said he himself got converted and promised marriage into a good family. However, she fled in January and stayed with her relatives in Chhattisgarh before returning to Bhopal in February to file a complaint.
The Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala to Keralam on Tuesday. The move, which was endorsed by the Kerala Assembly, is finally set to be fulfilled.

The Assembly has passed the resolutions in 2023 and 2024 urging the union government amend the name of the state in the constitution.

Both resolutions were moved by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The move is being made under Article 3 of the Constitution, which allows states to alter names.

The resolution argues that the the name of the state is Keralam in the the Malayalam language. The state however has been referred to as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution since the linguistic reorganisation of states on Nov. 1, 1956.

Union Cabinet approves the proposal for alteration of name of State of Kerala as Keralam pic.twitter.com/uVydvy5fFl  ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

The name of our State is 'Keralam' in Malayalam Language. States were formed on the basis of language on the 1st day of November, 1956. The Kerala Piravi Day is also on the 1st day of November. Since the time of National Independence Struggle, there has been a strong demand for the formation of United Kerala for the people speaking the Malayalam language. But in the First Schedule to the Constitution the name of our State is recorded as 'Kerala'. This Assembly unanimously appeal to the Central Government to take urgent steps as per Article 3 of the Constitution for modifying the name as 'Keralam'," the bill read.

Kerala BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had also written to the CM last month to express the partys support for the move.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor questioned what Keralites would be called in English if the state is renamed. He asked what would happen to the terms "Keralite" and "Keralan."

In a post on X he asked, "All to the good, no doubt, but a small linguistic question for the Anglophones among us: what happens now to the terms Keralite and Keralan for the denizens of the new Keralam? Keralamite sounds like a microbe and Keralamian like a rare earth mineral! @CMOKerala might want to launch a competition for new terms resulting from this electoral zeal:"

All to the good, no doubt, but a small linguistic question for the Anglophones among us: what happens now to the terms Keralite and Keralan for the denizens of the new Keralam? Keralamite sounds like a microbe and Keralamian like a rare earth mineral! @CMOKerala might  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) February 24, 2026

The Centre said that further action will be taken and the recommendation of the President will be obtained so that the bill can be passed.
All seven people on board an air ambulance were killed after the aircraft crashed in Jharkhands Chatra district on Monday night, officials confirmed.

The aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route from Ranchi to Delhi when it went missing.

The aircraft went missing around 7:30 pm. It crashed in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G. said, adding that the crash site is located deep inside a forest.

She said that, prima facie, the accident appears to have been caused by bad weather, though the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation by aviation authorities.

#WATCH | An air ambulance, with seven people (including 2 crew members) on board, crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand.



It was a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (air ambulance) pic.twitter.com/xmr9OOcdNh  ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2026

According to a statement issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight took off from Ranchi airport at 7:11 pm.

The aircraft became airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, it lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi, the statement said.

The deceased were identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi, and Dhuru Kumar.

Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, told PTI that the air ambulance had been arranged for one of their patients, Sanjay Kumar (41), a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district.

The patient was admitted to the hospital on February 16 with 65 percent burn injuries and was undergoing treatment, he said. Kumars family later decided to shift him to Delhi for advanced treatment and arranged the air ambulance on Monday.
In a significant move, the Supreme Court on Tuesday authorised the deployment of civil judges from Odisha and Jharkhand to deal with 80 lakh claims and objections in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SPIR) of electoral rolls.

The order by a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi came after the Calcutta High Court informed the apex court that the 250 district judges currently engaged in the SIR exercise would need approximately 80 days to process the claims and objections.

The Supreme Court, in its ruling, directed the Election Commission (EC) to cover the expenses for deploying judicial officers from the neighbouring states.

The Court allowed the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to select officers from the ranks of civil judges (senior division) and civil judges (junior division) with a minimum of three years of experience.

The order further stated, If the Hon'ble Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court believes additional human resources are necessary, he may approach the Chief Justices of the High Courts of Jharkhand and Odisha to provide serving or retired judicial officers of similar rank.

"Their travel, honorarium and other expenses shall be borne by the ECI," it added.

Additionally, the Supreme Court urged the Chief Justices of Jharkhand and Odisha High Courts to consider the Calcutta High Court's request urgently and sympathetically.

The court also allowed the Election Commission to publish the final electoral roll by February 28, while stating that supplementary lists can be issued as the verification process progresses.

Earlier, on February 20, the Supreme Court had issued an "extraordinary" directive for the deployment of both serving and retired district judges to support the Election Commission in the contentious SIR exercise in West Bengal.

On Monday, the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice held an internal coordination meeting with West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal and senior administrative and police officials over the SIR work entrusted to judicial officers.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Agarwal said training of judicial officers on the SIR online portal was completed on Monday morning, and the exercise has already commenced in several places.
The deadlock over seat-sharing between the Congress and the DMK continued on Monday, a day after AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal called on Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the latter's residence on Chithranjan Avenue in Chennai. The Congress, which had been insisting on power sharing in the state, now appears to have abandoned that stance, with its sole demand focused on increasing the number of seats.

After Venugopal met with Stalin, AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar and his team called on DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi to discuss seat sharing. During the meeting, sources from the DMK and Congress said that the national party presented a long list of demands, including an increase in the number of seats, Rajya Sabha berths both now and in 2028, as well as representation in local bodies. The talks are likely to continue today.

With six Rajya Sabha berths falling vacant in April this year, the DMK will be nominating four members. Of these, one seat has been agreed to go to Vijayakanths DMDK, which recently joined the Secular Progressive Alliance. Sources in the DMK said that the Congress has requested a Rajya Sabha seat for its senior leader, Pawan Khera, as the nomination for the biennial election is drawing close. Also, the national party is looking to retain senior Congress leader P.Chidambarams RS berth, allocated under the DMK quota, which will fall vacant in 2028.

While the DMK leadership was initially hesitant, sources say the decision was approved after deliberations. Congress also demands representation in local bodies and mayoral positions, which was readily agreed upon. Though the DMK is ready to offer more mayoral positions and local body representations, the Congresss demands to have a strong presence in all the local body committees and also the welfare boards have led to a block in the alliance talks.

The deadlock over finalising the number of assembly seats continues as the DMK is unwilling to offer the Congress more than 30 seats. According to highly placed sources, the national party wants to contest from all the assembly constituencies in the 10 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2024, which will be nothing less than 60 constituencies. The Congress party, which contested 25 assembly seats in 2021 as part of the DMK alliance, managed to win only 18 constituencies.

Incidentally, the Congress is in no mood to take a confrontational approach with the DMK, as it seeks greater representation in the upper housea goal achievable only with the DMKs support. Venugopals meeting with Stalin on Sunday was an effort to mend the relationship between the two parties, which had been strained over the past two months due to public sparring by the leaders of the DMK and Congress.

During the meeting, Venugopal did not bring any message from the high command regarding power sharing. But an increase in the number of seats, the Congress feels, could help them demand power sharing post-elections.
European Union (EU) foreign ministers failed on Monday to reach an agreement on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, after Hungary refused to back the measures ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russian-Ukraine conflict. #XinhuaNews
February 24 marks the anniversary of the first tramcar introduced in Kolkata in 1873. To celebrate the occasion, a decorated World War-II era wooden-bodied tram rolled out on Tuesday morning from the Gariahat tram depot to Shyambazar via Esplanade, making passersby at once curious and nostalgic.

A passenger inside the Gitanjali tram car from World War II era | Salil Bera

Much more than a mode of transport, the tram is a moving symbol of the citys layered history and a witness to many landmark events. Its criss-cross of steel tracks and overhead wires once connected large parts of the metropolis. Today, only a handful of routes are operational and the tramcars are few and far between. If one wanted to take a ride, one would have to Google the time and location in order to know how to catch it.

The tram has been critiqued for being slow, adding to traffic congestion, and causing bike accidents by skidding wheels on iron tracks. Threats of closure have beleaguered it as a result. However, the birthday celebration augurs well for the tram.

Gitanjali tram car from World War II era | Salil Bera

A heritage tram named Gitanjali, built during World War II at the Nonapukur workshop, was at the centre of the celebration. According to Sagnik Gupta, Joint Secretary of the Calcutta Tram Users Association, trams were once manufactured under difficult circumstances during the war. The Japanese air raids on Kolkata led to blackouts which meant that work at the depot had to be done by candlelight.

Gitanjali stopped its commercial passenger service in the 1980s. It later functioned as a staff tram connecting depots such as Khidirpur and Tollygunge. There were nearly 7,000 employees who worked within the system back then. Of the two such staff cars, one has been preserved as a souvenir, while the other restored one was declared a heritage tram in 2014 and is available for hire.

Tram lovers contend that since the infrastructure still exists across the city, why the city doesnt reclaim this environment-friendly mode of transport. At a time when metropolises across the world are reintroducing the electric tram to flight pollution, they question the apathy of the authorities to in reinstating it.






US President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed media reports claiming that General Daniel Caine had warned him against launching a military action on Iran.

Trump said that General Caine, like others in his administration, would prefer to avoid war but believes that, if military action becomes necessary, it would be decisively won by the US.

Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect, he added.

Media reports had suggested that Caine, Trump's top military adviser, had cautioned him about the significant risks of striking Iran, particularly the possibility of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict.

Axios, citing two sources, reported that Caine viewed the stakes of a major operation in Iran as high, with increased risks of extended involvement and American casualties. It said Trumps envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have also been urging the president to hold off and give diplomacy a chance.

Refuting these claims, Trump said: General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.

He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack, Trump added.

According to a New York Times report, while General Caine had previously told Trump there was a high likelihood of success before the US operation in Venezuela, he has not offered the same level of reassurance during the Iran discussions.

Trump, meanwhile, issued a fresh warning to Tehran, urging it to reach an agreement with the US on its nuclear programme and cautioning that it would face severe consequences if it failed to do so.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet an Iranian delegation in Geneva on Thursday, even as Washington continues to bolster its military presence in the region.

A second US aircraft carrier is heading to the area, joining a growing deployment of American warships and aircraft, fueling speculation about a possible strike.

On Monday, the US ordered nonessential diplomats and their family members at the US Embassy in Beirut to leave Lebanon, Reuters reported.

Lebanon has long been a flashpoint for Iran-linked retaliatory attacks against US facilities, interests and personnel, largely due to Tehrans support for and influence over the Hezbollah militant group.
An internal turmoil within Israel has now triggered a wave of panic in the Indian Embassy in Israel over fears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could likely address a half-empty Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, during his visit to the Jewish state on Wednesday.

As per plans, Modi will land at Tel Aviv on Wednesday, after which he will hold a private meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Mr Benjamin Netanyahu. The highlight of the visit is, however, his address at the Israeli Parliament. Narendra Modi will be the first Indian leader to address the Israeli Parliament.

However, the historic event now faces the shadow of a boycott after a heated confrontation erupted in the Knesset over Netanyahus failure to invite Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit to a meeting in honour of the Indian Prime Minister. Opposition parties threatened to boycott the session and Modis speech, triggering uncertainty in the Indian Embassy.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, "If the coalition boycotts the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the special session with the Indian Prime Minister, we will not be able to attend it. If the coalition boycotts the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, there will be a huge embarrassment for the Israeli Knesset. We do not want to embarrass India and have the prime minister of a country of a billion people standing here, in front of a half-empty Knesset. The Indian embassy is panicking about this."

Though Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana insists and promises that Modi will not address a half-empty plenary session, the Indian Embassy is reportedly considering whether to call off the speech, according to Hebrew media Ynet. It quoted sources which said Indians are debating whether to cancel the speech to avoid embarrassing images of a half-empty plenary session.

The speaker attacked Lapid for his decision. "If Lapid wants to harm the State of Israel's foreign relations with an important friend of ours, which is also one of the most important powers in the world, that is his choice. An unfortunate, wrong choice, and I hope he will reverse it. If he still insists on his decision, it is appropriate for him to explain in his next conversation with the Indian embassy why he did not boycott the special meetings in honor of President Javier Gerardo Milei, President Trump, and Prime Minister Edi Rama - even though Judge Amit was not invited to them - while he intends to boycott their prime minister," Ohana said.

However, Lapid claims that he urges Netanyahu to instruct the Knesset Speaker not to boycott the Supreme President, and to allow the opposition to participate in the ceremonial meeting in honour of Indian Prime Minister Modi. Ohana's primaries are not more important than relations with a major ally, which is one of the most important countries in the world. We want to be at the meeting; we need to be at the meeting. Prime Minister Netanyahu should instruct Ohana to allow us to participate in the meeting.

However, Ohana said he has decided to invite former Knesset members to fill the hall.
As the worlds biggest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, docks at Souda Bay in Greece, with a fully loaded flight deck, reports from Israel state that U.S. Air Force refuelling planes were spotted parked at Ben Gurion airport, hinting at an imminent US attack on Iran.

According to a report that appeared in Hebrew media, Walla, the KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refuelling capability for the United States Air Force fighter planes.

The presence of the refuelling planes hints at a broader American preparedness for an attack on Iran. This also coincides with the arrival of the Ford at Crete. The carrier just needs one day to reach the Israeli coast, where it will dock if the war breaks out. The Ford is considered the largest and most expensive warship ever built, at 337 meters long and costing $13 billion to build.

Yesterday, Israeli sources reported that the USS Gerald R. Ford had entered their territorial waters, but this turned out to be a hoax.



The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was actually spotted near Crete, Greece.



It arrived at Souda Bay in Crete for a port visit. pic.twitter.com/FYDuFiKR3v  Jack Straw (@JackStr42679640) February 23, 2026

Further evidence of tensions with Iran came at noon with the American decision to evacuate dozens of its citizens from Lebanon, non-essential employees at the embassy in Beirut, and their families. A source at the US embassy told Reuters that 50 people had been evacuated, while an official at Beirut airport told the news agency that 32 embassy staff, along with their family members, had taken off from the airport.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

A senior US State Department official told the Lebanese network MTV: "We are continuously assessing the security environment and based on the latest review, we have decided that it would be appropriate to reduce our presence at the embassy in Lebanon to essential personnel only. The embassy in Beirut is operational with essential staff. This measure is temporary and is intended to ensure the safety of employees.

According to the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), there are already more than 200 American fighter jets in the Middle East, and more than 300 if you include those in Europe. Of these, 36 are F-15s, and at least 48 are F-35 stealth aircraft. Britain has 12 F-22 stealth aircraft, and there are also 36 F-16s in the region.

In addition to the fighter jets, the US forces in the region also include more than 100 refuelling, command and control, reconnaissance and transport aircraft. The US strike groups include two aircraft carriers - the Lincoln, which arrived many weeks ago, and the Ford, which is in the Mediterranean, continuing to advance eastward and has been spotted in the Crete area - as well as 12 destroyers. More destroyers may also be on the way.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has unveiled what he describes as a transformative geopolitical initiative: a hexagon of regional alliances designed to counter both a radical Shia axis led by Iran and an emerging radical Sunni axis. Announced during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, the proposed framework would link Israel more closely with India and Mediterranean partners such as Greece and Cyprus, alongside a number of unnamed Arab, African and Asian states.

Netanyahu argues that this integrated system would complement Israels longstanding strategic partnership with the United States, strengthening its diplomatic reach and reinforcing its long-term security. The initiative, he suggested, reflects a changing regional order in which Israel must build overlapping networks of cooperation rather than rely solely on Washington.

The timing of the announcement is significant. It comes ahead of an official visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to address the Knesset, visit Yad Vashem and participate in an innovation-focused event in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, who has often described Modi as a personal friend, said their discussions would centre on deepening economic, diplomatic and security ties.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

At the heart of the bilateral agenda lies technology. Both governments have emphasised cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced high-tech manufacturing. Netanyahu has framed the partnership as a means of positioning Israel and India as global leaders in next-generation innovation, while Modi has publicly praised what he calls a relationship built on trust, shared democratic values and technological ambition.

Yet the hexagon vision extends far beyond economics. It is rooted in a hard security doctrine forged during one of the most turbulent periods in Israels recent history. Over the past year, Israel has been involved in military operations across multiple fronts, targeting actors linked to Iran in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Israeli officials argue that these campaigns have inflicted substantial damage on Tehrans regional network, including Hezbollah and the Houthis.

However, Netanyahu has also drawn attention to what he calls an emerging radical Sunni axis. While he stopped short of naming states directly, Israeli political discourse has increasingly pointed towards Turkey under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a growing strategic challenge. Relations between Ankara and Jerusalem have deteriorated sharply over the war in Gaza, with Erdogan delivering fierce public criticism of Israeli military operations.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett recently described Turkey as the new Iran, urging Israeli policymakers to prepare for simultaneous confrontation with both Tehran and Ankara. This framing suggests that Israels strategic anxieties are no longer confined to the traditional Iran-led Shia alliance but now encompass Sunni Islamist currents as well.

The proposal has drawn immediate criticism from Hamas. Spokesperson Hazem Qassem condemned the hexagon as a hegemonic project designed to entrench Israeli dominance while marginalising Palestinian rights and aspirations for statehood. He warned that such a bloc would deepen polarisation across the Arab world rather than foster stability.

Regional realities complicate Netanyahus design. Several Sunni-majority states, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, have in recent months coordinated diplomatic efforts critical of Israeli military conduct. Prospects for Saudi-Israeli normalisation, once buoyed by quiet negotiations, appear increasingly remote amid continuing conflict in Gaza.

Analysts have greeted the hexagon with scepticism. Some describe it as a branding exercise rather than a concrete diplomatic architecture. A formal NATO-style pact, they argue, is improbable given divergent national interests and competing geopolitical calculations. While Greece has significant defence ties with Israel, it has been pursuing cautious rapprochement with Turkey.

India is also well known for its pragmatism in foreign relations. New Delhis civilisational links and energy ties with Iran are well known. It also enjoys excellent ties with most states in the Gulf. Therefore, it is unlikely to invest deeply in any sort of rigid bloc politics in the Middle East, and will be keen to keep its strategic autonomy and diversified partnerships. Despite deep ties in the defence and technology sectors with Israel, India might not be keen to commit to any confrontational frameworks.

Netanyahu is also eyeing his domestic audience while talking up the alliance. He faced significant political challenges at home, facing corruption charges, criticism over judicial reforms and the economic toll of prolonged conflict in Gaza. An ambitious regional blueprint could be an opportunity to reassure his domestic constituency that Israel is not diplomatically isolated and he continues to be politically relevant.
After decades of eluding capture, Mexicos most wanted drug lord El Mencho, was found with the help of one of his romantic partners, according to security agents.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who had a $15 million bounty on his head, was killed after a massive operation by the Mexican Army on Sunday.

The authorities were able to track down the ruthless boss of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel because of one critical tip-off: that he would be meeting with his girlfriend in a cabin in the woods.

On Friday, Mexican intelligence officers tracked down a man who was close to one of Osegueras romantic partners, the New York Times reported.

General Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Mexico's Secretary of National Defence, said that the man took the woman to see Oseguera in a cabin in Tapalpa in Jalisco state, where the cartel is based.

The woman left the cabin the next day, leaving behind Oseguera with his security team.

The Mexican Special Forces then began their preparation for his capture.

A hack of the Mexican government by the Guacamaya Leaks group in October 2022, revealed the identity of Oseguera's alleged new partner after his seperation from his wife Rosalinda Gonzalez Valencia. A leaked document identified his new partner as Guadalupe Moreno Carrillo. However her association and role in the Jalisco cartel is unknown.

The Mexican Special Forces moved to Tapalpa early on Sunday. Oseguera fled as a shoot-out began between his security team and the soldiers.

Trevilla said that his associates had a "large amount of weaponry". It was a very violent attack, he added. Around 8 of the cartel members were reportedly killed in the firing.

ALSO READ | Dismemberment, cannibalism: What you need to know about Jalisco New Generation, Mexico's 'most aggressive' drug cartel

The special forces then tracked Oseguera and another one of his teams in the undergrowth of a wooded area. His group also possessed a rocket launcher, which was used in 2015 to shoot down a military helicopter. This time, however, Mexican authorities prevented the use of the weapon, and the associates only managed to damage a nearby helicopter.

The operation ended in a bloody shoot-out with several members of the Jalisco cartel being killed.

Oseguera was declared dead after being wounded in the confrontation along with two of his guards while being transported to a medical centre.

Soon after the news of his death, gunmen took to the streets in about 20 states, setting vehicles on fire and wreaking havoc. 62 people were reported dead.

The operation was a victory. It renewed Mexicos stance against the countrys violent drug cartels, which imports illicit substances and revived its relations with the US.

Garantizamos la tranquilidad y la paz del pueblo.https://t.co/yYfiUGhe22 pic.twitter.com/aDPtGEV2BD  Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) February 23, 2026

However, the aftermath of taking out cartel bosses has often been violence. About 70 people were arrested and 34 suspected cartel members were killed in the chaos that followed. 25 members of the national guard were also killed. One of the victims was a civilian pregnant woman who got caught in a crossfire, Mexican media reported.

Hugo H., alias El Tuli, El Menchos closest operative who was in charge of logistics and finances of the organisation, had begun immediately directing the response after the operation from El Grullo in Jalisco.

Hugo coordinated the fires and the assault on the Mexican military. After the Special Forces located him, he tried to flee. He was also killed in a confrontation after opening fire. The authorities seized from him, weapons, ammunition, a sum of seven million pesos and $1 million in cash.
The Canadian government has initiated proceedings to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, according to reports on Monday.

This move comes ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carneys visit to India on February 26, as the two countries seek to mend bilateral ties that had been strained under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and a close associate of David Coleman Headley, a US citizen and one of the primary conspirators behind the attack. Rana is currently in Indian custody, awaiting trial on charges related to the attack.

However, Canadas decision to revoke his citizenship is not linked to terrorism charges but to allegations of misrepresentation.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) discovered that Rana had lied on his citizenship application in 2000. He claimed to have lived in Ottawa and Toronto for the four years prior, with only a six-day absence from the country.

Investigations revealed, however, that he had spent nearly the entire period in Chicago, where he owned several properties and businesses, including an immigration firm and a grocery store.

"Yours is a case in which it appears that you misrepresented your residence in Canada during the application process for citizenship by deliberately failing to declare your absences from Canada," the IRCC wrote to Rana, notifying him about its intention to strip him of his citizenship.

A spokesperson for the immigration department told Global News that revoking citizenship for misrepresentation is a crucial tool to maintain the integrity of Canadian citizenship.

The matter is now being heard in federal court, which will make the final decision on Ranas citizenship.

Meanwhile, Carney is set to visit Mumbai on Thursday for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders. Canada and India moved last year to advance a trade deal following two years of strained relations.
Altai Resources Inc. (CVE:ATI  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 964000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03.

Altai Resources Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$0.03 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.05. The company has a market capitalization of C$840,510.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.75 and a beta of 1.82.

Altai Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Altai Resources Inc operates as a natural resource exploration and development company in Canada. The company explores for oil and natural gas, and gold properties. It holds a 50% interest in the Malartic gold property which consists of six map designated claims covering an area of 127.6 hectares located in the Malartic Township, Val d'Or area, Quebec; and a 50% interest in the Cessford oil property covering an area of 240 acres located in the Cessford area of Southern Alberta. Altai Resources Inc was incorporated in 1955 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

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Derwent Valley Holdings Plc (OTCMKTS:DWVYF  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $24.45 and last traded at $24.45, with a volume of 625 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.86.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Kepler Capital Markets lowered Derwent Valley from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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Derwent Valley Price Performance

About Derwent Valley

The firms 50-day moving average price is $23.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $23.21.

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Derwent London PLC (OTCMKTS:DWVYF) is a real estate investment trust headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company specialises in the ownership, development and management of commercial properties, with a primary focus on office and mixed-use buildings in central London. Leveraging a significant development pipeline, Derwent London aims to maximise asset value through both new-build projects and the refurbishment of historic structures, often incorporating sustainable design and modern workplace features.

With a portfolio concentrated in key West End and City locations, Derwent London targets areas undergoing regeneration and urban renewal.

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JUBA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has assured the United Nations (UN) of his government's commitment to granting humanitarian agencies unimpeded access to all affected areas across the country.

During a meeting on Monday with visiting UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher in the capital, Juba, Kiir pledged to facilitate the swift delivery of relief supplies to communities in need nationwide.

Fletcher, who arrived in South Sudan on Friday, said that the president reaffirmed his government's willingness to ensure that humanitarian agencies have unrestricted activities in the country, a move he said is crucial in ensuring that urgent aid reaches displaced and flood-affected communities.

Albino Akol Atak, South Sudan's minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said the president had directed the ministry to strengthen coordination with UN agencies and other humanitarian partners to address the current crisis.

The UN said that a recent escalation of fighting in Jonglei State has exacerbated this crisis, displacing more than 280,000 people and disrupting markets, agricultural activities, and basic services, leaving many communities with little or no access to food. 
A number of research firms have changed their ratings and price targets for Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM):

2/23/2026  Philip Morris International had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Barclays PLC. They now have a $205.00 price target on the stock.

2/10/2026  Philip Morris International had its price target raised by analysts at Citigroup Inc. from $200.00 to $210.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

2/10/2026  Philip Morris International had its price target raised by analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $190.00 to $205.00. They now have a buy rating on the stock.

2/9/2026  Philip Morris International had its neutral rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a $181.50 price target on the stock.

2/9/2026  Philip Morris International had its overweight rating reaffirmed by analysts at Morgan Stanley. They now have a $205.00 price target on the stock.

2/9/2026  Philip Morris International was given a new $200.00 price target on by analysts at Stifel Nicolaus.

1/22/2026  Philip Morris International had its buy (b) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings.

1/20/2026  Philip Morris International was downgraded by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating. They now have a $180.00 price target on the stock, down previously from $220.00.

1/10/2026  Philip Morris International was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th were paid a $1.47 dividend. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 26th. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 80.88%.

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Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States.

PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products.

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Shares of ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $66.98 and last traded at $66.8350, with a volume of 1605795 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $65.20.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of ArcelorMittal from $47.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Santander raised shares of ArcelorMittal from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of ArcelorMittal in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Oddo Bhf upgraded shares of ArcelorMittal from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded ArcelorMittal from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $51.10 to $73.20 in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ArcelorMittal has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $51.98.

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ArcelorMittal Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $52.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The company has a market capitalization of $51.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.52.

ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.30. ArcelorMittal had a net margin of 5.14% and a return on equity of 5.27%. The firm had revenue of $14.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $15.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.52 EPS. ArcelorMittals revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that ArcelorMittal will post 3.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

ArcelorMittal Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 13th will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. ArcelorMittals payout ratio is 12.44%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On ArcelorMittal

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. American Century Companies Inc. increased its stake in shares of ArcelorMittal by 39.1% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 392,644 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $12,400,000 after purchasing an additional 110,420 shares during the period. Covalis Capital LLP acquired a new position in ArcelorMittal in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,644,000. Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new position in ArcelorMittal during the 2nd quarter worth $430,000. Arrow Capital Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of ArcelorMittal during the second quarter worth $5,206,000. Finally, Creative Planning boosted its position in shares of ArcelorMittal by 13.5% in the second quarter. Creative Planning now owns 73,957 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $2,336,000 after acquiring an additional 8,768 shares during the period. 9.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

ArcelorMittal Company Profile

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ArcelorMittal is a multinational steel manufacturing company formed in 2006 through the merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel. Headquartered in Luxembourg, the company is one of the worlds largest producers of steel and operates an integrated value chain that spans raw material extraction, steelmaking, processing and distribution. Its product portfolio includes flat and long carbon steel products, coated and specialty steels, tubular products and value-added solutions tailored for sectors such as automotive, construction, household appliances, energy and packaging.

ArcelorMittals operations are global in scope, with production facilities, distribution networks and commercial activities across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

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Rakuten, Inc. (OTCMKTS:RKUNY  Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 34,035 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 275% from the previous sessions volume of 9,075 shares.The stock last traded at $5.3640 and had previously closed at $5.36.

Rakuten Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.91 and a beta of 1.21. The companys 50 day moving average is $6.15 and its 200-day moving average is $6.19.

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Rakuten (OTCMKTS:RKUNY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $4.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.15 billion. Rakuten had a negative net margin of 7.13% and a negative return on equity of 15.36%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Rakuten, Inc. will post 0.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Rakuten Company Profile

Rakuten, Inc is a diversified internet services company based in Tokyo, Japan, and founded in 1997 by Hiroshi Mikitani, who continues to serve as chairman and chief executive officer. Originally established as an online marketplace, Rakuten has expanded its reach to become a global technology group offering a wide range of digital services and consumer-facing platforms. The company is listed in Japan but its American depositary receipts trade over the counter under the symbol RKUNY.

At the core of Rakutens business is its e-commerce marketplace, Rakuten Ichiba, which hosts millions of merchants and serves tens of millions of customers across Japan and other key markets.

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Ambu A/S Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:AMBBY  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $12.54 and last traded at $12.54, with a volume of 307 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $12.61.

Ambu A/S Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.45 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50-day moving average is $13.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $14.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 2.86 and a quick ratio of 1.67.

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Ambu A/S (OTCMKTS:AMBBY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $242.85 million during the quarter. Ambu A/S had a net margin of 8.86% and a return on equity of 9.15%.

About Ambu A/S

Ambu A/S is a Denmark-based medical device company specializing in single-use diagnostic and life-supporting equipment for hospitals, clinics and emergency services. The companys core focus lies in developing products that enhance patient safety, streamline clinical workflows and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Ambus offerings span critical care solutions such as anesthesia and respiratory care devices, as well as advanced endoscopy systems for minimally invasive diagnostics and therapies.

Within its anesthesia and respiratory care segment, Ambu is known for its market-leading disposable resuscitatorscommonly referred to as Ambu bagsas well as a range of airway management products, including laryngeal masks and endotracheal tubes.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)s stock price was down 4.3% on Monday . The stock traded as low as $295.10 and last traded at $297.4960. Approximately 12,856,381 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 13% from the average daily volume of 11,403,586 shares. The stock had previously closed at $310.79.

Key Stories Impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Here are the key news stories impacting JPMorgan Chase & Co. this week:

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

JPM has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $360.00 to $350.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $354.00 to $363.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $330.00 price objective on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Barclays restated a buy rating on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $336.00 to $345.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $339.73.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance

The companys 50-day moving average is $315.05 and its 200-day moving average is $308.22. The firm has a market cap of $802.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 13th. The financial services provider reported $5.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.93 by $0.30. The firm had revenue of $45.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $45.98 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.16% and a net margin of 20.35%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $4.81 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 18.1 earnings per share for the current year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th were paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 6th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s payout ratio is presently 29.99%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 3,404 shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.40, for a total transaction of $1,042,985.60. Following the sale, the general counsel directly owned 61,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,981,173.60. The trade was a 5.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Robin Leopold sold 432 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $307.14, for a total transaction of $132,684.48. Following the transaction, the insider owned 65,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,072,520.42. This represents a 0.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 71,596 shares of company stock worth $22,067,932 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.47% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Creative Planning increased its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 1,364,887 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $395,695,000 after acquiring an additional 29,844 shares in the last quarter. Aviva PLC increased its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 6.0% in the second quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 2,232,458 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $647,212,000 after purchasing an additional 126,742 shares in the last quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management raised its holdings in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 14.1% during the third quarter. Triangle Securities Wealth Management now owns 25,822 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $8,145,000 after purchasing an additional 3,191 shares during the period. Kelman Lazarov Inc. boosted its position in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 16.9% during the 2nd quarter. Kelman Lazarov Inc. now owns 1,257 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $364,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gladwyn Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $534,000. Institutional investors own 71.55% of the companys stock.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

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JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE: JPM) is a diversified global financial services firm headquartered in New York City. The company provides a wide range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, small businesses, corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Its operations span retail banking, commercial lending, investment banking, asset management, payments and card services, and treasury and securities services.

The firms principal business activities are organized across several core lines: Consumer & Community Banking, which offers deposit accounts, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and branch and digital banking under the Chase brand; Corporate & Investment Banking, which provides capital markets, advisory, underwriting, trading and risk management services; Commercial Banking, delivering lending, treasury and capital solutions to middle-market and corporate clients; and Asset & Wealth Management, which offers investment management, private banking and retirement services to institutions and high-net-worth individuals.

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Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report)s stock price was up 2.3% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $151.27 and last traded at $150.72. Approximately 15,452,366 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 28% from the average daily volume of 21,339,064 shares. The stock had previously closed at $147.28.

Trending Headlines about Exxon Mobil

Here are the key news stories impacting Exxon Mobil this week:

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

XOM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of Exxon Mobil from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $125.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Exxon Mobil from $146.00 to $148.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Loop Capital set a $123.00 price objective on Exxon Mobil in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Exxon Mobil has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $140.59.

Exxon Mobil Trading Up 2.3%

The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $132.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $120.23. The company has a market cap of $628.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.53, a PEG ratio of 15.28 and a beta of 0.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.79.

Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $1.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $80.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.98 billion. Exxon Mobil had a return on equity of 11.21% and a net margin of 8.68%.The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.67 EPS. Research analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Exxon Mobils payout ratio is presently 61.58%.

Insider Transactions at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.75, for a total value of $698,750.00. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 23,584 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,295,864. This represents a 17.49% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 14,230 shares of company stock valued at $1,888,421. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Eagle Capital Management LLC grew its position in Exxon Mobil by 15.3% during the first quarter. Eagle Capital Management LLC now owns 2,836 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $337,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil during the 1st quarter worth about $305,000. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its position in Exxon Mobil by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 11,237 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,211,000 after purchasing an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Castellan Group raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 2.9% in the second quarter. Castellan Group now owns 26,470 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,853,000 after buying an additional 740 shares during the period. Finally, United Bank raised its holdings in Exxon Mobil by 2.8% in the second quarter. United Bank now owns 21,821 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,352,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 61.80% of the companys stock.

About Exxon Mobil

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Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) is an integrated oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, production, refining, distribution and marketing of petroleum products and the manufacture and sale of petrochemicals. Its operations span the full energy value chain, including upstream exploration and development of crude oil and natural gas; midstream transportation and storage; and downstream refining, product distribution and retail. The company also produces a broad range of chemical products for industrial and consumer applications.

ExxonMobil markets fuels and lubricants under well-known brands such as Exxon, Mobil and Esso, and its Mobil 1 motor oil is a prominent consumer product.

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CMB.TECH nv (NYSE:CMBT  Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $14.17 and last traded at $14.1450, with a volume of 1231533 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.98.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CMBT has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered CMB.TECH from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, January 31st. Pareto Securities upgraded shares of CMB.TECH to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of CMB.TECH from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CMB.TECH has a consensus rating of Buy.

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CMB.TECH Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $11.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.73 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The stock has a market cap of $2.75 billion, a PE ratio of 17.25 and a beta of -0.08.

CMB.TECH (NYSE:CMBT  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 26th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $460.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $393.37 million. CMB.TECH had a return on equity of 4.28% and a net margin of 12.64%.

CMB.TECH Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, January 7th were issued a dividend of $0.05 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, January 7th. CMB.TECHs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.54%.

Institutional Trading of CMB.TECH

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in CMB.TECH during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of CMB.TECH in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of CMB.TECH during the third quarter worth approximately $45,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of CMB.TECH in the 3rd quarter valued at $56,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc raised its position in CMB.TECH by 221.3% in the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 6,529 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 4,497 shares during the last quarter.

About CMB.TECH

(Get Free Report)

Euronav NV, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation and storage of crude oil worldwide. The company offers floating, storage, and offloading (FSO) services. It also owns and operates a fleet of vessels. The company was incorporated in 2003 and is headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium. As of March 15, 2024, Euronav NV operates as subsidiary of CMB NV.

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Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT  Get Free Report) is one of 90 public companies in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Medical Properties Trust to similar businesses based on the strength of its earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability and risk.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

71.8% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 63.7% of shares of all Real Estate Investment Trusts companies are held by institutional investors. 1.3% of Medical Properties Trust shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 7.9% of shares of all Real Estate Investment Trusts companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Medical Properties Trust and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Medical Properties Trust 1 0 1 0 2.00 Medical Properties Trust Competitors 2346 4059 2396 22 2.01

Valuation & Earnings

Medical Properties Trust presently has a consensus price target of $8.00, suggesting a potential upside of 38.89%. As a group, Real Estate Investment Trusts companies have a potential upside of 17.37%. Given Medical Properties Trusts higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Medical Properties Trust is more favorable than its rivals.

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Medical Properties Trust $972.02 million -$277.05 million -12.52 Medical Properties Trust Competitors $463.71 million $16.35 million 26.54

Medical Properties Trust has higher revenue, but lower earnings than its rivals. Medical Properties Trust is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Profitability

This table compares Medical Properties Trust and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Medical Properties Trust -28.50% -5.83% -1.85% Medical Properties Trust Competitors -34.14% -18.20% -0.23%

Risk and Volatility

Medical Properties Trust has a beta of 1.43, suggesting that its share price is 43% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Medical Properties Trusts rivals have a beta of 1.15, suggesting that their average share price is 15% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Dividends

Medical Properties Trust pays an annual dividend of $0.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.3%. Medical Properties Trust pays out -78.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Real Estate Investment Trusts companies pay a dividend yield of 4.0% and pay out 102.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Medical Properties Trust is clearly a better dividend stock than its rivals, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Medical Properties Trust beats its rivals on 9 of the 15 factors compared.

Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

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Medical Properties Trust, Inc. is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed to capitalize on the changing trends in healthcare delivery by acquiring and developing net-leased healthcare facilities. MPTs financing model allows hospitals and other healthcare facilities to unlock the value of their underlying real estate in order to fund facility improvements, technology upgrades, staff additions and new construction. Facilities include acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and other medical and surgical facilities.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, and Citigroup are the three Bank stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Bank stocks are shares of publicly traded commercial and investment banks that give investors an ownership stake in those financial institutions and a claim on their profits. Investors value bank stocks based on factors like net interest margins, loan quality, deposit stability, capital ratios and regulatory oversight, and they tend to be sensitive to interest-rate moves and credit cycles. Many bank stocks pay regular dividends, but they also carry risks from loan losses, regulatory changes and economic downturns. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Bank stocks within the last several days.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a financial holding company, which engages in the provision of financial and investment banking services. It focuses on investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. It operates through the following segments: Consumer and Community Banking (CCB), Commercial and Investment Bank (CIB), Asset and Wealth Management (AWM), and Corporate.

Bank of America (BAC)

Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BAC

Citigroup (C)

Citigroup Inc., a diversified financial service holding company, provides various financial product and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions worldwide. It operates through five segments: Services, Markets, Banking, U.S. Personal Banking, and Wealth. The Services segment includes Treasury and Trade Solutions, which provides cash management, trade, and working capital solutions to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and public sector organizations; and Securities Services, such as cross-border support for clients, local market expertise, post-trade technologies, data solutions, and various securities services solutions.

Read Our Latest Research Report on C

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Nanosonics (ASX:NAN) management said the company delivered another really good and positive half in the first half of FY26, pointing to disciplined revenue growth, operating leverage, and progress on commercialization plans for its endoscope cleaning device, CORIS.

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Financial performance: revenue growth and operating leverage

CEO and President Michael Kavanagh said first-half revenue rose 9% versus the prior corresponding period (8% in constant currency), supported by momentum in both recurring and capital revenue. Reported revenue for the half was AUD 102 million.

Gross margin moderated to, which management attributed to U.S. tariffs, increased air freight, and product mix effects as capital salesparticularly upgradesbecame a larger component. Kavanagh said these impacts were anticipated and managed within the companys broader financial framework.

Operating expenses increased 4% to AUD 69.5 million, which management said reflected cost discipline while continuing to invest in R&D and growth priorities. Operating profit reached AUD 8.5 million, and consolidated EBIT was AUD 8.4 million, down 3% on a reported basis but up 15% in constant currency.

CFO Jason Burris said foreign exchange was a key driver of the reported EBIT decline. He cited a AUD 0.7 million FX loss in the half (versus a AUD 1.3 million gain in the prior period), tied primarily to revaluation of non-Australian dollar asset balances as the Australian dollar strengthened against the U.S. dollar to 0.67 at the balance date.

Installed base and recurring revenue trends

Burris said the global installed base ended the half at 38,080 devices, up 6% year over year, which management said supports protection of approximately 29 million patients annually. Recurring revenue increased 9% versus the prior period, with management highlighting growth in consumables and services.

Core consumables grew in line with the installed base (management referenced ~9% growth in Q&A).

grew in line with the installed base (management referenced ~9% growth in Q&A). Ecosystem consumables increased (management cited ~6% growth in Q&A), including items such as wipes and clean probe covers.

increased (management cited ~6% growth in Q&A), including items such as wipes and clean probe covers. Service and repairs grew 24% , which management attributed to deeper customer engagement and maturity of the fleet.

grew , which management attributed to deeper customer engagement and maturity of the fleet. Spare parts declined 23%, which management linked to customer inventory dynamics and lower replacement requirements as more customers upgrade to newer-generation systems.

Capital sales: upgrades drive volume, pressure ASP

Management emphasized that upgrades are becoming a more meaningful contributor to growth. Total installations increased 20% to 2,070 devices in the half, reflecting continued new placements and a record level of upgrades in North America.

Capital revenue increased 9% to AUD 26.5 million. Burris said the result included several large-scale upgrade agreements and reflected volume-based pricing that lowered the average selling price for Trophon units. Kavanagh added that the majority of upgrades in the half were to Trophon2, noting that Trophon3 launched midway through the period and many customer budget approvals were already well advanced for Trophon2.

Management argued that while this mix moderated near-term average selling prices, Trophon2 placements still expand the recurring revenue base and support software-led value capture over time via Trophon2 Plus, a software upgrade that brings many of Trophon3s benefits to Trophon2 users.

In Q&A, Kavanagh said the company expects the Trophon2/Trophon3 mix to shift toward Trophon3 over time, with the pace influenced by hospital budget approval cycles. He also highlighted the opportunity to offer software upgrades to an installed base of over 25,000+ Trophon2 units.

CORIS: regulatory progress and controlled market release

On CORIS, Kavanagh said commercialization is progressing as planned. During the half, Nanosonics secured regulatory registrations across Australia, Europe, and the UK, and submitted its first 510(k) application for expanded scope indications in the U.S., which is currently under FDA review.

Management also highlighted the start of a controlled market release (CMR) in the UK, announced after the half, calling it an important milestone. Looking ahead, Kavanagh said additional FDA submissions for broader indications are planned, further CMRs will start in Australia and Europe, and U.S. CMR timing will follow the first 510(k) and initial learnings from early CMR sites. As previously indicated, management said it expects broader commercialization to start in FY27 on a region-by-region basis.

Cash, buyback, and reaffirmed FY26 guidance

Burris said cash flow was a modest AUD 1.4 million outflow in the half, reflecting planned inventory investment for CORIS, continued CORIS-related investment, the commencement of a share buyback, and receivables timing that he said had already improved in January. The company executed around AUD 4 million of the buyback and expects to resume following the blackout period.

Nanosonics ended the half debt-free with a cash balance of AUD 159.8 million.

Management reaffirmed FY26 guidance on a constant currency basis, calling for:

Revenue growth of 8%12% for the year

for the year Gross margin of 75%77% , assuming tariff rates remain at first-half levels

, assuming tariff rates remain at first-half levels Continued operating expense discipline while maintaining investments in CORIS and other growth projects

Kavanagh noted that average selling prices in capital could remain similar in the second half depending on the Trophon2/Trophon3 mix and the size of upgrade deals. He also said that if the revenue range were recast using an average AUD/USD exchange rate of approximately 0.70 for the second half, then, after considering hedging, the revenue range would be approximately 3% lower.

In response to questions about FX sensitivity, Burris said that if the Australian dollar remains around current levels, the potential impact on unrealized FX balances in the second half could be more than likely 22.5 times the first-half FX impact, based on the magnitude of currency movement.

About Nanosonics (ASX:NAN)

Nanosonics Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an infection prevention company in Australia and internationally. The company manufactures and distributes the trophon ultrasound probe disinfector, and its related consumables and accessories, as well as research, develops, and commercialize of infection control and decontamination products and related technologies. Its product portfolio includes trophon2 that provides protection across various level disinfection HLD cycle; Nanosonics AuditPro, an infection control workflow compliance management; Trophon EPR for mitigating the risk of exposure to toxic chemicals; and CORIS, an instrument reprocessing product platform.

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CANBERRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has returned to The Lodge, his Canberra residence, after he had been evacuated for 3 hours over a security threat on Tuesday night.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed that it responded to an "alleged security incident" at 6 p.m., and the prime minister returned after a search had been completed.

"A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located," a statement from the Australian Federal Police said, adding that "there is no current threat to the community or public safety."

Safety threats to the prime minister and other federal politicians have escalated in recent months. In October, Krissy Barrett, AFP commissioner, established new hate disrupter squads, known as National Security Investigations teams, to deal with threats, including the targeting of politicians.

She noted in a Senate Estimates Opening Statement earlier this month that hatred and violence are directed at the country's politicians, other office holders and members of Australia's Jewish community, adding that 21 individuals across Australia had been charged since the teams were set up. 
Integral Diagnostics (ASX:IDX) executives said the company delivered another strong set of results in the first half of fiscal 2026, highlighting solid revenue growth, margin expansion, and faster-than-expected merger synergies from its Capitol acquisition.

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First-half performance and key metrics

Chief Executive and Managing Director Ian Kadish said first-half revenue rose 55.6% to AUD 393.5 million, which included a six-month contribution from Capitol. The company reported an operating EBITDA margin of 20.6%, up 230 basis points from the prior corresponding period.

Management also pointed to improved shareholder returns, withtoper share and antoper share. Chief Financial Officer Craig White said growth strengthened further down the profit and loss statement, with operating NPAT upto

On a pro forma, like-for-like basis, White said operating EBITDA for the half was AUD 81.1 million versus an adjusted AUD 70.9 million a year earlier, representing 14.4% growth. He explained the comparable base was adjusted for items including repairs and maintenance that had been capitalized, management costs previously treated below the line, the closure of four clinics and sale of one site (Melton), and the impact of a 2% reduction in CT Medicare indexation implemented in November 2024.

Capitol integration and synergy progress

Kadish said the Capitol integration is well advanced, with annual merger synergies of more than AUD 14 million already achieved, above the AUD 10 million estimate provided at the time of the merger. White said additional synergy opportunities are continuing to emerge, particularly in procurement, IT contract renewals, equipment service agreements, and consumables purchasing as the group leverages its larger scale.

Asked to quantify further synergy potential, White said it was difficult to give a definitive number because benefits continue to surface, but he described further procurement gains as a feature over the next 1218 months. He also emphasized the opportunity to increase teleradiology usage across legacy Capitol clinics, where penetration was described as materially below the legacy IDX level.

Organic growth, modality mix, and teleradiology

White said headline revenue growth on a like-for-like basis was 5.7%, or 6.9% after adjusting for closed clinics and constant currency in New Zealand. In Australia, he said legacy IDX revenue grew 8.5% and legacy Capitol grew 5.4%, resulting in combined Australia growth of 7.4% compared with Medicare growth of 9.1%.

Executives attributed stronger legacy IDX growth to underlying performance and the impact of MRI deregulation and the National CT Lung Cancer Screening Program, both effective from 1 July 2025. By contrast, Kadish said Capitols lower growth was largely tied to its heavier reliance on GP referrals, with GP attendance growth described as fairly low, almost flat early in the half and improving later after the GP Bulk Billing incentive began in November. He also cited challenges including radiologist recruitment issues at a large South Australian site and workforce constraints (particularly sonographers) in parts of Melbourne.

Teleradiology was a central theme of the call. Kadish said the IDXt platform had 124 teleradiologists as of 31 December 2025, up from 93 a year earlier, and management indicated recruitment remains a constraint but said the pipeline includes 2030 candidates. White said teleradiology penetration was around 15% of group scans, made up of roughly 20% in legacy IDX and 7%8% in legacy Capitol. He said increasing teleradiology penetration improves radiologist productivity, describing the radiologist cost as a percentage of revenue as being about 4%5% lower when reported via teleradiology versus in-clinic reporting. Kadish said the company believes teleradiology could reach 30% of group scans over a three- to four-year timeframe.

Costs, cash flow, capex, and balance sheet

White said operating expenses reflected labor cost improvement, with labor costs down 140 basis points as a result of integration synergies and increased use of IDXt, despite ongoing clinical labor shortages and wage pressure in regional Australia. Consumables were slightly higher due to modality mix shifts toward higher-end modalities and higher prices for radiopharmaceuticals and contrast, while equipment costs were modestly lower as procurement benefits began to appear.

Operating free cash flow rose about 65%, although conversion was lower than the prior period (65% versus 76.9%), which White attributed to working capital movements including AUD 4.1 million in higher prepayments and around AUD 9 million lower accounts payable. Capital expenditure totaled AUD 24.9 million, including AUD 16.9 million in replacement capex and AUD 8 million in growth capex, with spend including new sites and MRI investment.

The company ended the half with net debt to EBITDA at 2.5x (down from 2.8x), with White noting leverage was slightly above the merger forecast due to an unanticipated Capitol stub-period tax payment and additional MRI capex ahead of deregulation. Management said the group had about AUD 115 million of liquidity headroom and had hedged just over 51% of gross debt, effective late December, at a rate White said was about 0.5% favorable to current BBSY.

Outlook, regulation, and non-recurring costs

Kadish said IDX is positioned to benefit from industry tailwinds including an aging population, Medicare indexation (2.4% effective 1 July 2025), and a shift toward higher-acuity modalities. He said about 10% of scans are processed through AI algorithms, and teleradiology and AI are being used to improve productivity. He also referenced the AUD 8 billion GP Bulk Billing Incentive Program (effective 1 November 2025) and said an expedited specialist pathway for radiologists from the U.K. and Ireland is expected to be implemented sometime in the second half of FY2026.

For trading, management said the group achieved 7.8% constant-currency revenue growth in January 2026 on a like-for-like basis (or 7.6% reported, reflecting currency). The company guided to FY2026 operating EBITDA margin of approximately 21% (consistent with AGM guidance), with Kadish saying the company aims to be at least 21%. Full-year replacement and growth capex is expected to be AUD 45 million to AUD 55 million.

On non-recurring items, White said first-half transaction, restructure, and integration costs were AUD 10.3 million, including merger integration, Workday implementation, and business development/M&A activity. He indicated a lower level in the second half, and in Q&A agreed an estimate of around AUD 12 million pre-tax for the second half was reasonable. Kadish said integration-related costs were expected to continue for up to two years post-merger but have been declining each half.

Asked about M&A, Kadish said the company is looking at both completing integration and evaluating opportunities, describing the market as continuing to consolidate and saying the group would participate strategically and in a sensible way.

About Integral Diagnostics (ASX:IDX)

Integral Diagnostics Limited, a healthcare services company, provides diagnostic imaging services to general practitioners, medical specialists, and allied health professionals and their patients in Australia and New Zealand. It provides services through 67 radiology clinics. The company was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.

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Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NYSEARCA:NORW  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $35.03 and last traded at $35.16. 22,129 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 16% from the average session volume of 19,024 shares. The stock had previously closed at $35.51.

Global X MSCI Norway ETF Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $69.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.35 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.27.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Global X MSCI Norway ETF

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Jane Street Group LLC acquired a new stake in Global X MSCI Norway ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,388,000. Natural Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Global X MSCI Norway ETF in the third quarter worth $1,110,000. Cresset Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Global X MSCI Norway ETF by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 29,630 shares of the companys stock valued at $895,000 after acquiring an additional 597 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE raised its stake in shares of Global X MSCI Norway ETF by 138.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 27,930 shares of the companys stock valued at $817,000 after acquiring an additional 16,217 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG lifted its holdings in shares of Global X MSCI Norway ETF by 58.5% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 25,582 shares of the companys stock valued at $773,000 after acquiring an additional 9,438 shares in the last quarter.

About Global X MSCI Norway ETF

The Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Norway IMI 25\u002F50 index, a market-cap-weighted index of Norwegian stocks. NORW was launched on Nov 9, 2010 and is managed by Global X.

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YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:YPF  Get Free Report) was downgraded by Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Sunday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Zacks Research cut YPF Sociedad Anonima from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, YPF Sociedad Anonima presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $41.67.

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YPF Sociedad Anonima Stock Down 2.4%

Hedge Funds Weigh In On YPF Sociedad Anonima

Shares of NYSE:YPF opened at $37.59 on Friday. YPF Sociedad Anonima has a fifty-two week low of $22.82 and a fifty-two week high of $40.38. The firms 50 day moving average price is $36.48 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.17. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market cap of $14.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.86 and a beta of 1.43.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in YPF Sociedad Anonima by 194.9% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,898,315 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $154,052,000 after buying an additional 3,237,154 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 55.7% in the second quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 3,379,408 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $106,282,000 after acquiring an additional 1,208,440 shares in the last quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 36.1% during the third quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,017,000 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $48,993,000 after acquiring an additional 534,800 shares during the period. UBS Group AG raised its holdings in YPF Sociedad Anonima by 125.2% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 651,384 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $15,822,000 after purchasing an additional 362,155 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of YPF Sociedad Anonima by 161.2% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 568,507 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $17,880,000 after buying an additional 350,842 shares during the period. 10.08% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About YPF Sociedad Anonima

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YPF Sociedad Anonima (NYSE: YPF) is an integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The companys primary businesses encompass upstream exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, midstream transportation and storage, and downstream refining and distribution. YPF operates several major refineries and a nationwide network of service stations, supplying fuels, lubricants, and petrochemical products to both retail and industrial customers.

Founded in 1922 as Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales, YPF was the worlds first state?owned oil company.

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Kyndryl (NYSE:KD  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued on Sunday.

Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on KD. Scotiabank began coverage on shares of Kyndryl in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of Kyndryl from $35.00 to $16.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Kyndryl from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and set a $16.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Guggenheim downgraded shares of Kyndryl from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Kyndryl from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Kyndryl currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $29.00.

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Kyndryl Price Performance

Shares of KD opened at $11.42 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.87 and a beta of 1.85. Kyndryl has a fifty-two week low of $10.10 and a fifty-two week high of $44.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The firms 50 day moving average price is $22.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.65.

Kyndryl (NYSE:KD  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 9th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.60 by ($0.08). The business had revenue of $3.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.89 billion. Kyndryl had a return on equity of 25.91% and a net margin of 1.65%.The businesss revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.51 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Kyndryl will post 0.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Kyndryl

In related news, SVP Vineet Khurana sold 6,641 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.69, for a total value of $177,248.29. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 59,708 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,593,606.52. This trade represents a 10.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 1.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kyndryl

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in shares of Kyndryl by 50.2% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 148,178 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,653,000 after purchasing an additional 49,504 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in Kyndryl by 15.8% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 8,025 shares of the companys stock worth $252,000 after buying an additional 1,093 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its position in Kyndryl by 1.5% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 733,068 shares of the companys stock worth $23,018,000 after buying an additional 11,177 shares during the period. Ethic Inc. lifted its stake in Kyndryl by 71.9% in the second quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 21,270 shares of the companys stock valued at $882,000 after buying an additional 8,898 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Kyndryl by 10.8% in the second quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 7,942 shares of the companys stock valued at $333,000 after acquiring an additional 776 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.53% of the companys stock.

Kyndryl News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Kyndryl this week:

Positive Sentiment: Wall Street Zen upgraded Kyndryl, a small constructive note that could support sentiment if followed by more analyst buying. Kyndryl (NYSE:KD) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded Kyndryl, a small constructive note that could support sentiment if followed by more analyst buying. Negative Sentiment: Hagens Berman filed a securities class action linking the lawsuit to the roughly 55% share plunge on Feb. 9 and alleging the company disclosed four bombshell issues (delayed filing, material internal control weaknesses, senior departures, SEC inquiry). Litigation emphasizes potential damages and management scrutiny. Hagens Berman class action

Hagens Berman filed a securities class action linking the lawsuit to the roughly 55% share plunge on Feb. 9 and alleging the company disclosed four bombshell issues (delayed filing, material internal control weaknesses, senior departures, SEC inquiry). Litigation emphasizes potential damages and management scrutiny. Negative Sentiment: Rosen Law Firm and several other plaintiff firms (Levi & Korsinsky, Block & Leviton, Wolf Haldenstein, Bronstein Gewirtz, Faruqi, Kaplan Fox, RGRD, DJS, Schall, etc.) issued investor notices urging claimants to seek lead?plaintiff status by Apr. 13, 2026  a sign of broad litigation interest that can increase legal costs, distraction and settlement risk. Rosen Law Firm notice

Rosen Law Firm and several other plaintiff firms (Levi & Korsinsky, Block & Leviton, Wolf Haldenstein, Bronstein Gewirtz, Faruqi, Kaplan Fox, RGRD, DJS, Schall, etc.) issued investor notices urging claimants to seek lead?plaintiff status by Apr. 13, 2026  a sign of broad litigation interest that can increase legal costs, distraction and settlement risk. Negative Sentiment: Multiple press releases from law firms summarize identical class periods (Aug. 7, 2024Feb. 9, 2026) and the same Apr. 13 deadline  reinforcing that the market may expect continued negative headlines and potential financial reserves or disclosures from Kyndryl. Representative notice: GlobeNewswire investor notice

Multiple press releases from law firms summarize identical class periods (Aug. 7, 2024Feb. 9, 2026) and the same Apr. 13 deadline  reinforcing that the market may expect continued negative headlines and potential financial reserves or disclosures from Kyndryl. Representative notice: Negative Sentiment: Kalkine and other market reports note the stock fell after earnings and the broader Russell?1000 impact; the earnings miss (Feb. 9 quarter) plus the litigation/SEC issues are the proximate causes for continued downward pressure. Kalkine: Kyndryl falls after earnings

Kyndryl Company Profile

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Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a global managed infrastructure services provider formed in November 2021 through the spin-off of IBMs Managed Infrastructure Services business. The company designs, builds, manages and modernizes critical information technology systems for enterprises worldwide. Kyndryls core offerings include cloud migration and management, network and edge computing solutions, digital workplace services and IT resiliency and security capabilities.

With a workforce of approximately 90,000 professionals and operations in more than 60 countries, Kyndryl serves clients across a broad range of industries, including financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing and retail.

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Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Free Report) (NYSE:RY)  Erste Group Bank boosted their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Royal Bank of Canada in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 18th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $15.68 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $15.61. The consensus estimate for Royal Bank of Canadas current full-year earnings is $12.35 per share.

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RY has been the subject of several other research reports. TD Securities boosted their price target on Royal Bank of Canada from C$246.00 to C$260.00 in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$239.00 to C$248.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$227.00 to C$244.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 19th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Royal Bank of Canada from C$229.00 to C$245.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, National Bank Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Royal Bank of Canada from C$235.00 to C$241.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Royal Bank of Canada currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$238.31.

Royal Bank of Canada Price Performance

Shares of TSE RY opened at C$234.00 on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada has a one year low of C$151.25 and a one year high of C$240.34. The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$232.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$214.69. The company has a market capitalization of C$327.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 1.28.

Royal Bank of Canada (TSE:RY  Get Free Report) (NYSE:RY) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The financial services provider reported C$3.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Royal Bank of Canada had a net margin of 28.23% and a return on equity of 13.27%. The company had revenue of C$17.21 billion during the quarter.

Insider Buying and Selling at Royal Bank of Canada

In related news, Director David Ian Mckay sold 91,288 shares of Royal Bank of Canada stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$228.75, for a total transaction of C$20,882,130.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 5,873 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$1,343,448.75. This trade represents a 93.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock.

Royal Bank of Canada Company Profile

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Royal Bank of Canada is one of the two largest banks in Canada. It is a diversified financial services company, offering personal and commercial banking, wealth-management services, insurance, corporate banking, and capital markets services. The bank is concentrated in Canada, with additional operations in the U.S. and other countries.

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Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Employers (NYSE:EIG  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note released on Saturday.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Zacks Research upgraded Employers from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Employers in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Employers presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Employers Trading Down 0.2%

Shares of Employers stock opened at $39.09 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $878.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 118.44 and a beta of 0.57. Employers has a 1-year low of $35.73 and a 1-year high of $52.28. The firms 50-day moving average price is $43.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $42.00.

Employers (NYSE:EIG  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.41 by $0.25. The company had revenue of $170.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $217.35 million. Employers had a net margin of 1.26% and a return on equity of 2.10%. Employerss quarterly revenue was down 21.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.15 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Employers will post 3.63 EPS for the current year.

Employers Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 4th. Employerss payout ratio is 387.88%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Employers

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EIG. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in shares of Employers by 32.8% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,037 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 1,490 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Employers by 4.6% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 14,685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $744,000 after purchasing an additional 644 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its holdings in Employers by 9.1% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 67,992 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,443,000 after purchasing an additional 5,696 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in Employers by 738.8% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 40,448 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,048,000 after purchasing an additional 35,626 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allianz Asset Management GmbH acquired a new position in Employers in the second quarter valued at about $719,000. 80.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Employers

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Employers Holdings, Inc (NYSE: EIG) is a publicly traded property and casualty insurance holding company headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Through its subsidiaries, Employers Mutual Casualty Company and Employers Preferred Insurance Company, the firm specializes in providing workers compensation coverage alongside an array of commercial insurance products. Its service offerings include general liability, commercial auto, businessowners policies and umbrella coverages, tailored to meet the risk-management needs of small and mid-sized businesses across multiple industries.

The company markets its insurance solutions primarily through a network of independent agencies and brokers, leveraging local market expertise to underwrite policies that address the unique exposures faced by clients in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, retail and service sectors.

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Wall Street Zen cut shares of AGCO (NYSE:AGCO  Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Saturday morning.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on AGCO from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Oppenheimer increased their price target on AGCO from $128.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Robert W. Baird set a $128.00 price target on AGCO in a report on Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $132.00 price objective on shares of AGCO in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of AGCO from $123.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AGCO has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $122.73.

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AGCO Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AGCO opened at $135.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $116.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $111.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.78 billion, a PE ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.19. AGCO has a 52 week low of $73.79 and a 52 week high of $143.78.

AGCO (NYSE:AGCO  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.85 by $0.32. AGCO had a net margin of 7.21% and a return on equity of 9.39%. The business had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.67 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.97 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. AGCO has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.500-6.000 EPS. Analysts predict that AGCO will post 4.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AGCO Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. AGCOs dividend payout ratio is currently 11.90%.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Kelvin Eugene Bennett sold 2,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $137.04, for a total value of $315,192.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 16,844 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,308,301.76. This trade represents a 12.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 16.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AGCO. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its position in AGCO by 1,721.4% in the third quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 255 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Bancorp Inc. bought a new stake in AGCO during the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in AGCO by 951.9% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 284 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its position in AGCO by 3,725.0% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 306 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 298 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AGCO during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 78.80% of the companys stock.

About AGCO

(Get Free Report)

AGCO Corporation is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision farming solutions. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, the company markets a diverse portfolio of well-known brands, including Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Challenger, Valtra and GSI, serving farmers and producers in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Through an extensive dealer network, AGCO provides equipment tailored to a broad range of crop and livestock operations.

The companys product offerings span tractors, combine harvesters, hay and forage tools, application equipment, seeding and tillage implements, as well as grain storage and protein solutions.

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Chatham Lodging Trust (NYSE:CLDT  Get Free Report) will likely be announcing its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Wednesday, February 25th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.16 per share and revenue of $67.2150 million for the quarter. Parties can check the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning summary page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET.

Chatham Lodging Trust Trading Down 2.1%

Shares of NYSE:CLDT opened at $7.31 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $354.68 million, a P/E ratio of 731.00 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Chatham Lodging Trust has a 1 year low of $5.83 and a 1 year high of $8.47. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $7.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $6.94.

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Chatham Lodging Trust Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Chatham Lodging Trusts payout ratio is 3,600.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CLDT. Sculptor Capital LP bought a new stake in Chatham Lodging Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $14,901,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Chatham Lodging Trust by 413.3% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 813,825 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,464,000 after buying an additional 655,265 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Chatham Lodging Trust by 394.2% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 486,346 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $3,390,000 after buying an additional 387,937 shares during the last quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Chatham Lodging Trust by 24.0% during the third quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 801,619 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,379,000 after buying an additional 155,023 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bridgeway Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chatham Lodging Trust in the second quarter worth $906,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.37% of the companys stock.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on CLDT shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Chatham Lodging Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d) rating on shares of Chatham Lodging Trust in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $9.50.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Chatham Lodging Trust

Chatham Lodging Trust Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Chatham Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on investing in upscale, extended-stay hotels and premium-branded, select-service hotels. The company owns 39 hotels totaling 5,915 rooms/suites in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

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CAE Inc. (TSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CAE) has received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$48.15.

Several research analysts have issued reports on CAE shares. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce increased their target price on shares of CAE from C$47.00 to C$56.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of CAE from C$49.00 to C$57.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of CAE from C$40.00 to C$46.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Desjardins upped their target price on CAE from C$46.00 to C$51.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, TD Securities lifted their price target on CAE from C$53.00 to C$54.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on CAE

CAE Trading Down 3.2%

Shares of TSE CAE opened at C$39.72 on Friday. CAE has a twelve month low of C$28.98 and a twelve month high of C$47.65. The firm has a market cap of C$12.78 billion, a PE ratio of 33.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of C$43.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$40.07. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.04.

CAE (TSE:CAE  Get Free Report) (NYSE:CAE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported C$0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. CAE had a negative return on equity of 7.81% and a negative net margin of 7.75%.

About CAE

(Get Free Report)

CAE Inc is a global company focused on delivering training for the civil aviation, defense, security, and healthcare markets. Multiple types of simulators and synthetic exercises may be sold to customers to serve as alternatives for live-training experiences. The companys training solutions are provided through products and services. CAE has many different training locations where clients can be trained and educated through a series of programs. Additionally, part of the revenues come from supplying aviation personnel on a lease, along with providing aviation support organizations.

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Ultrapar Participacoes (NYSE:UGP  Get Free Report) is projected to announce its Q4 2025 results before the market opens on Wednesday, February 25th. Analysts expect Ultrapar Participacoes to post earnings of $0.06 per share and revenue of $6.6436 billion for the quarter. Individuals may visit the the companys upcoming Q4 2025 earning results page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET.

Ultrapar Participacoes Trading Down 1.2%

NYSE:UGP opened at $5.29 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $5.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.24, a PEG ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a current ratio of 1.83. Ultrapar Participacoes has a 1 year low of $2.64 and a 1 year high of $5.42. The business has a fifty day moving average of $4.39 and a 200-day moving average of $4.04.

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Ultrapar Participacoes Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th were given a $0.1876 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 12th. Ultrapar Participacoess dividend payout ratio is currently 59.57%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ultrapar Participacoes

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Ultrapar Participacoes by 80.9% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 177,847 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $583,000 after buying an additional 79,524 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 10.9% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 70,838 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $218,000 after acquiring an additional 6,947 shares in the last quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes during the third quarter valued at approximately $76,000. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of Ultrapar Participacoes by 100.8% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 22,832 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 11,461 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Ultrapar Participacoes in the 4th quarter worth approximately $65,000. 3.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

UGP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Ultrapar Participacoes from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $5.40 price target on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings cut Ultrapar Participacoes from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Ultrapar Participacoes presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $5.40.

View Our Latest Report on UGP

About Ultrapar Participacoes

(Get Free Report)

Ultrapar Participacoes SA is a Brazilian diversified holding company operating in the downstream energy and chemical sectors. Its Ipiranga unit runs one of Brazils largest networks of fuel stations, supplying gasoline, ethanol, diesel and convenience-store products to retail and wholesale customers. Through Ultragaz, the company is a leading distributor of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), offering cylinder and bulk gas solutions for residential, commercial and industrial use across urban and rural regions.

In the specialty chemicals arena, Ultrapar controls Oxiteno, which produces surfactants and specialty chemical formulations for industries such as personal care, oil and gas, agrochemicals and coatings.

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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) divers work in the waters near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, the Philippines, Feb. 22, 2026. The PCG on Tuesday said it has completed a full underwater search of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan province on Jan. 26, leaving at least 65 people dead. (PCG/Handout via Xinhua)

MANILA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday said it has completed a full underwater search of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan province on Jan. 26, leaving at least 65 people dead.

The PCG said 27 days of high-risk technical deep-water diving operations near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan resulted in the recovery of 22 bodies from the wreck, bringing the confirmed death toll to 65, with 14 passengers still missing. At least 293 people survived the disaster.

Since Jan. 28, Coast Guard divers faced strong underwater currents, near-zero visibility caused by heavy siltation, submerged hazards and structural instability while searching the vessel, said Commodore Rejard Marfe, commander of the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao.

He said divers systematically examined Deck A, Deck B, the car deck and the engine room. The engine room search was carried out despite oil contamination and scattered debris that further reduced visibility.

Although the entire ferry has been searched, divers will continue operations until Thursday to conduct re-swiping procedures to ensure no area is left unchecked and to provide closure to the victims' families, especially of the missing.

All dives were documented through underwater video recordings to support the ongoing investigation into the sinking.

The tragedy ranks among the Philippines' deadliest maritime incidents in recent years, renewing concerns about the safety of sea travel in the archipelagic country, where ferries remain the primary mode of inter-island transport. 

This screenshot shows a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) diver working in waters near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, the Philippines, Feb. 23, 2026. The PCG on Tuesday said it has completed a full underwater search of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan province on Jan. 26, leaving at least 65 people dead. (PCG/Handout via Xinhua)

This screenshot shows a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) diver working in waters near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, the Philippines, Feb. 23, 2026. The PCG on Tuesday said it has completed a full underwater search of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan province on Jan. 26, leaving at least 65 people dead. (PCG/Handout via Xinhua)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) divers work in the waters near Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, the Philippines, Feb. 22, 2026. The PCG on Tuesday said it has completed a full underwater search of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan province on Jan. 26, leaving at least 65 people dead. (PCG/Handout via Xinhua)
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO  Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the six analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $358.50.

A number of research firms have recently commented on BIO. Wall Street Zen cut Bio-Rad Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $265.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d-) rating on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in a report on Monday, December 29th.

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Get Our Latest Research Report on Bio-Rad Laboratories

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bio-Rad Laboratories

Bio-Rad Laboratories Stock Down 0.9%

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in BIO. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 3.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 134,767 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $40,154,000 after acquiring an additional 4,262 shares in the last quarter. Sector Gamma AS raised its holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 28.0% during the third quarter. Sector Gamma AS now owns 22,827 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $6,400,000 after purchasing an additional 4,998 shares during the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC boosted its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 54.9% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 21,580 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $6,051,000 after purchasing an additional 7,648 shares in the last quarter. GAM Holding AG acquired a new stake in Bio-Rad Laboratories in the second quarter valued at $724,000. Finally, Boston Trust Walden Corp purchased a new position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the third quarter valued at $26,763,000. 65.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Shares of NYSE:BIO opened at $268.77 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $300.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $301.53. Bio-Rad Laboratories has a twelve month low of $211.43 and a twelve month high of $343.12. The company has a current ratio of 5.62, a quick ratio of 4.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. The company has a market capitalization of $7.25 billion, a PE ratio of 9.63 and a beta of 1.18.

Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The medical research company reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.57 by ($0.06). Bio-Rad Laboratories had a net margin of 29.42% and a return on equity of 3.86%. The company had revenue of $693.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $694.64 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.90 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Bio-Rad Laboratories will post 10.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc is a global provider of life science research and clinical diagnostic products. The company operates through two primary business segments: Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. Within the Life Science segment, Bio-Rad offers instruments, reagents and consumables for protein analysis, cell biology, gene expression and other molecular biology applications. The Clinical Diagnostics segment supplies quality control products, blood-typing reagents and instruments, and molecular diagnostic assays used in blood screening, infectious disease testing and routine clinical laboratories.

Founded in 1952 by David and Alice Schwartz and headquartered in Hercules, California, Bio-Rad has grown its footprint across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other regions.

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JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced its stake in shares of BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU  Free Report) by 12.0% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,229,399 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 304,029 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s holdings in BankUnited were worth $85,074,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its position in BankUnited by 11.7% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 334,570 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,767,000 after buying an additional 34,952 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of BankUnited by 1.7% during the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 40,026 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,527,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares during the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in BankUnited by 59.1% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 24,744 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $944,000 after purchasing an additional 9,194 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in BankUnited by 23.5% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,452 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 276 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Savant Capital LLC lifted its holdings in BankUnited by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 23,826 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $909,000 after purchasing an additional 432 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.70% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BKU has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a sell rating on shares of BankUnited in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of BankUnited from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Zacks Research raised BankUnited from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of BankUnited from $42.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on BankUnited from $42.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, BankUnited presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $52.45.

BankUnited Price Performance

BKU stock opened at $48.15 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $47.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $42.31. BankUnited, Inc. has a 52-week low of $28.21 and a 52-week high of $52.11. The company has a market capitalization of $3.62 billion, a PE ratio of 13.60 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

BankUnited (NYSE:BKU  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.94 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.85 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $288.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $279.76 million. BankUnited had a return on equity of 9.09% and a net margin of 14.14%.During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.91 EPS. Analysts predict that BankUnited, Inc. will post 3.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

BankUnited Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th were given a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 9th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. BankUniteds payout ratio is presently 35.03%.

Insider Activity

In other BankUnited news, insider Jay D. Richards sold 3,506 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.83, for a total transaction of $174,703.98. Following the sale, the insider owned 35,687 shares in the company, valued at $1,778,283.21. This represents a 8.95% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Sanjiv Sobti sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.88, for a total value of $254,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 18,816 shares of the companys stock, valued at $957,358.08. This trade represents a 20.99% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.15% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

BankUnited Profile

(Free Report)

BankUnited, Inc is a bank holding company based in Miami Lakes, Florida, operating through its subsidiary BankUnited, National Association. The company provides a broad range of commercial banking products and services, including deposit accounts, commercial lending and treasury management. It serves middle-market and small-business clients, offering tailored financing solutions across a variety of industry sectors.

The banks lending portfolio includes commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans and construction financing, as well as residential mortgage lending.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BKU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE:BKU  Free Report).

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Stryker (NYSE:SYK  Get Free Report) and Avivagen (OTCMKTS:VIVXF  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, profitability, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

77.1% of Stryker shares are held by institutional investors. 5.9% of Stryker shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.1% of Avivagen shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Stryker and Avivagen, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Stryker 0 4 13 0 2.76 Avivagen 0 0 0 0 0.00

Earnings & Valuation

Stryker presently has a consensus target price of $426.94, indicating a potential upside of 10.95%. Given Strykers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Stryker is more favorable than Avivagen.

This table compares Stryker and Avivagens gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Stryker $25.12 billion 5.86 $3.25 billion $8.40 45.81 Avivagen N/A N/A N/A ($0.04) N/A

Stryker has higher revenue and earnings than Avivagen. Avivagen is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Stryker, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Stryker and Avivagens net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Stryker 12.92% 24.41% 11.25% Avivagen N/A N/A N/A

Summary

Stryker beats Avivagen on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Stryker

(Get Free Report)

Stryker Corporation operates as a medical technology company. The company operates through two segments, MedSurg and Neurotechnology, and Orthopaedics and Spine. The Orthopaedics and Spine segment provides implants for use in total joint replacements, such as hip, knee and shoulder, and trauma and extremities surgeries. This segment also offers spinal implant products comprising cervical and thoracolumbar systems that include fixation, minimally invasive and interbody systems used in spinal injury, complex spine and degenerative therapies. The MedSurg and Neurotechnology segment offers surgical equipment, and surgical navigation systems, endoscopic and communications systems, patient handling, emergency medical equipment and intensive care disposable products, reprocessed and remanufactured medical devices, clinical communication and workflow solutions, and other medical device products that are used in various medical specialties, as well as patient and caregiver safety technologies. This segment also provides neurosurgical, neurovascular and craniomaxillofacial implant products, which include products used for minimally invasive endovascular procedures; products for brain and open skull based surgical procedures; orthobiologic and biosurgery products, such as synthetic bone grafts and vertebral augmentation products; minimally invasive products for the treatment of acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke; and craniomaxillofacial implant products, including cranial, maxillofacial, and chest wall devices, as well as dural substitutes and sealants. The company sells its products to doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities through company-owned subsidiaries and branches, as well as third-party dealers and distributors in approximately 75 countries. Stryker Corporation was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Portage, Michigan.

About Avivagen

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Avivagen Inc. focuses on developing and commercializing products for livestock feeds that support immune function and help animals to achieve their growth and productivity. The company offers OxC-beta Livestock, a premix for inclusion in livestock feeds; Vivamune health chews for dogs; Dr. Tobias dog chews; and Dr. Tobias Beta blend for the human immune system. It serves in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Avivagen Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada.

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iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (TSE:XEU  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$40.24 and last traded at C$40.04, with a volume of 45549 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$40.20.

iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of C$38.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$37.24.

iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide long-term capital growth by replicating, to the extent possible, the performance of the MSCI Europe Investable Market Index (the Index), net of expenses. To achieve its investment objective the Fund uses an indexing strategy. Under this strategy, the Fund seeks to replicate the performance of the Index, net of expenses, by employing, directly or indirectly, through investment in one or more iShares ETFs and/or through the use of derivatives, a replicating strategy or sampling strategy.

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O Brien Greene & Co. Inc cut its holdings in Franco-Nevada Corporation (NYSE:FNV  Free Report) (TSE:FNV) by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 48,120 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 3,249 shares during the period. Franco-Nevada accounts for about 3.3% of O Brien Greene & Co. Incs holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest position. O Brien Greene & Co. Incs holdings in Franco-Nevada were worth $10,726,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Franco-Nevada in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Franco-Nevada by 600.0% during the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 196 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 168 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Franco-Nevada by 78.3% in the 2nd quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 205 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co grew its holdings in Franco-Nevada by 590.9% in the 2nd quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 228 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 195 shares during the period. Finally, City Holding Co. purchased a new stake in Franco-Nevada in the 3rd quarter valued at about $56,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.06% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on FNV. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of Franco-Nevada from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $225.00 to $250.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Franco-Nevada from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating and issued a $228.00 price target on shares of Franco-Nevada in a report on Sunday, December 7th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reissued an outperform rating on shares of Franco-Nevada in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, HC Wainwright upped their price objective on Franco-Nevada from $210.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Franco-Nevada presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $254.38.

Franco-Nevada Stock Performance

NYSE FNV opened at $270.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.74, a PEG ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.47. Franco-Nevada Corporation has a one year low of $137.05 and a one year high of $273.55. The companys 50 day moving average price is $235.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $211.15.

Franco-Nevada Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Franco-Nevadas previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. Franco-Nevadas payout ratio is 31.87%.

Franco-Nevada Company Profile

(Free Report)

Franco-Nevada Corporation is a Toronto-based royalty and streaming company that specializes in securing and managing long-term interests in mining properties. The firm focuses primarily on precious metals, particularly gold, while also holding interests related to silver, copper, platinum-group metals and select base metals. Rather than operating mines directly, Franco-Nevada acquires royalty and streaming agreements that entitle it to a percentage of production or revenue from producing and developing assets in exchange for upfront or staged financing.

The companys business model centers on providing capital to mining companies in return for a sustained share of production or metal revenue, which can reduce exposure to operating and capital cost risks typical of mine operators.

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Nkcfo LLC bought a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC  Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 4,900 shares of the aerospace companys stock, valued at approximately $2,986,000. Northrop Grumman accounts for about 0.9% of Nkcfo LLCs holdings, making the stock its 26th largest holding.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Northrop Grumman by 200.0% in the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 48 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Northrop Grumman in the third quarter valued at $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Northrop Grumman by 75.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 63 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Northrop Grumman in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.40% of the companys stock.

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Northrop Grumman Stock Performance

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock opened at $725.37 on Tuesday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $645.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $604.84. Northrop Grumman Corporation has a 12 month low of $449.20 and a 12 month high of $745.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $102.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90, a PEG ratio of 5.37 and a beta of 0.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 1.01.

Northrop Grumman Dividend Announcement

Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The aerospace company reported $7.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.97 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $11.71 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.61 billion. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 9.97% and a return on equity of 25.57%. Northrop Grummans quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $6.39 EPS. Northrop Grumman has set its FY 2026 guidance at 27.400-27.900 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Northrop Grumman Corporation will post 28.05 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Monday, February 23rd will be issued a dividend of $2.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 23rd. This represents a $9.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Northrop Grummans dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NOC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $765.00 target price on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Argus set a $785.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $715.00 to $781.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of Northrop Grumman from $715.00 to $750.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an outperform rating and a $710.00 price target on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $693.60.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NOC

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Mark A. Welsh III sold 95 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $684.52, for a total value of $65,029.40. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,203 shares in the company, valued at $2,877,037.56. The trade was a 2.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Kathy J. Warden sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $708.82, for a total value of $14,176,400.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 171,602 shares of the companys stock, valued at $121,634,929.64. The trade was a 10.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 32,431 shares of company stock worth $21,969,404. Insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

About Northrop Grumman

(Free Report)

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is a leading U.S.-based aerospace and defense company that designs, builds and sustains advanced systems, products and technologies for government and commercial customers. Formed through the combination of Northrop and Grumman businesses in the 1990s, the companys portfolio spans manned and unmanned aircraft, space systems, missile defense, radar and sensor systems, and integrated command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions.

The companys work includes airframe and platform manufacturing, space hardware and satellite systems, advanced mission systems and cybersecurity services, as well as logistics, sustainment and modernization programs.

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Krane Funds Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET  Free Report) by 101.7% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 6,728 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,393 shares during the quarter. Krane Funds Advisors LLCs holdings in Cloudflare were worth $1,389,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Cloudflare by 693.3% during the third quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 119 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Cloudflare by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 130 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Cloudflare during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. ORG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Cloudflare by 101.4% during the 3rd quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 139 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares during the period. Finally, Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Cloudflare during the third quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.68% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Cloudflare

In other Cloudflare news, Director Carl Ledbetter sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, January 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.16, for a total value of $3,167,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 953,073 shares of the companys stock, valued at $201,250,894.68. This trade represents a 1.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John Graham-Cumming sold 2,520 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $173.35, for a total transaction of $436,842.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 495,191 shares in the company, valued at approximately $85,841,359.85. The trade was a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 464,455 shares of company stock worth $90,522,134. Insiders own 10.89% of the companys stock.

Cloudflare Trading Down 9.7%

NYSE NET opened at $159.98 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $56.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -551.63 and a beta of 1.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a current ratio of 2.04. Cloudflare, Inc. has a one year low of $89.42 and a one year high of $260.00. The companys 50 day moving average price is $187.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $203.85.

Cloudflare (NYSE:NET  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.01. Cloudflare had a negative net margin of 4.72% and a negative return on equity of 7.40%. The company had revenue of $614.51 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $591.67 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.19 earnings per share. Cloudflares revenue for the quarter was up 33.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Cloudflare, Inc. will post -0.11 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Cloudflare from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Morgan Stanley set a $245.00 price target on Cloudflare in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed a peer perform rating on shares of Cloudflare in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Cloudflare from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $260.00 target price on shares of Cloudflare and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Cloudflare currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $230.70.

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Key Stories Impacting Cloudflare

Here are the key news stories impacting Cloudflare this week:

About Cloudflare

(Free Report)

Cloudflare, Inc is a global web infrastructure and security company that provides a suite of services designed to improve the performance, reliability and security of internet properties. Its core offerings include a content delivery network (CDN), distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection, managed DNS, and a web application firewall (WAF). Cloudflare also provides tools for bot management, SSL/TLS, load balancing and rate limiting to help organizations maintain uptime and protect web applications from attack.

In addition to traditional edge and security services, Cloudflare has expanded into edge computing and developer platforms.

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Carlton Investments Ltd. (ASX:CIN  Get Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Wednesday, February 18th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Investors of record on Sunday, March 22nd will be paid a dividend of 0.47 per share on Sunday, March 22nd. This represents a dividend yield of 131.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 26th.

Carlton Investments Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 37.70 and a quick ratio of 86.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $839.30 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.68 and a beta of 0.74.

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About Carlton Investments

(Get Free Report)

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Carlton Investments Limited is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm manages separate client-focused equity portfolios. It invests in the public equity markets of Australia through its subsidiaries. Carlton Investments Limited was founded in 1928 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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Palumbo Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 23,603 shares of the specialty retailers stock, valued at approximately $4,608,000. Williams-Sonoma accounts for about 1.2% of Palumbo Wealth Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WSM. Norges Bank bought a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the 2nd quarter worth about $212,107,000. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 184.3% in the third quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 861,236 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $167,927,000 after purchasing an additional 558,311 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 30.6% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,741,639 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $284,532,000 after purchasing an additional 407,929 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in Williams-Sonoma by 30.0% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 1,736,466 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $283,686,000 after purchasing an additional 401,138 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in Williams-Sonoma by 44.9% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,256,734 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $205,317,000 after purchasing an additional 389,548 shares during the period. 99.29% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Williams-Sonoma Price Performance

WSM opened at $202.21 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.14 billion, a PE ratio of 22.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 1.64. The businesss 50-day moving average is $202.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is $195.78. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $130.07 and a 1 year high of $222.00.

Williams-Sonoma Announces Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th were given a dividend of $0.66 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 16th. This represents a $2.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio is presently 29.04%.

Several brokerages have weighed in on WSM. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $206.00 target price on Williams-Sonoma and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. UBS Group set a $175.00 price target on Williams-Sonoma and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Zelman & Associates upgraded Williams-Sonoma from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $205.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $245.00 price objective (up from $210.00) on shares of Williams-Sonoma in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $202.00 to $188.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Williams-Sonoma has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $202.11.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Williams-Sonoma

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In other news, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 767 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, January 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.16, for a total value of $157,357.72. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,236 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,715,497.76. This trade represents a 5.48% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Laura Alber sold 35,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $207.39, for a total value of $7,258,650.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 806,537 shares in the company, valued at approximately $167,267,708.43. This trade represents a 4.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 47,928 shares of company stock valued at $9,618,000. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Williams-Sonoma

(Free Report)

Williams?Sonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multi?brand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higher?end interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.

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Greenland Capital Management LP decreased its holdings in Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE:BRX  Free Report) by 7.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 283,614 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 23,191 shares during the quarter. Brixmor Property Group comprises 0.8% of Greenland Capital Management LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th largest holding. Greenland Capital Management LP owned 0.09% of Brixmor Property Group worth $7,850,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its stake in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 6.0% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 1,057,592 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,274,000 after purchasing an additional 60,017 shares during the period. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 27.2% in the second quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 579,142 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $15,081,000 after purchasing an additional 123,695 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Brixmor Property Group during the third quarter worth approximately $1,491,000. AlphaQuest LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 406.0% in the 3rd quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 62,793 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,738,000 after purchasing an additional 50,383 shares during the period. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Brixmor Property Group by 30.8% during the 2nd quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 50,676 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,320,000 after acquiring an additional 11,928 shares in the last quarter. 98.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Brixmor Property Group

In related news, Director Julie Bowerman sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.03, for a total value of $232,240.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 18,400 shares in the company, valued at $534,152. This represents a 30.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.75% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Brixmor Property Group Stock Performance

BRX opened at $29.81 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.10. Brixmor Property Group Inc. has a 12-month low of $22.28 and a 12-month high of $29.97. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $26.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83.

Brixmor Property Group (NYSE:BRX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 9th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.58 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.01. Brixmor Property Group had a return on equity of 13.00% and a net margin of 28.16%.The company had revenue of $353.75 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $347.42 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.53 EPS. Brixmor Property Groups revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Brixmor Property Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.330-2.370 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Brixmor Property Group Inc. will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Brixmor Property Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 2nd will be given a $0.3075 dividend. This represents a $1.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, April 2nd. Brixmor Property Groups payout ratio is 97.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BRX has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Brixmor Property Group from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $29.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Brixmor Property Group in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on Brixmor Property Group from $30.00 to $29.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Brixmor Property Group from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $30.70.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Brixmor Property Group

About Brixmor Property Group

(Free Report)

Brixmor Property Group is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the ownership, management and development of open-air shopping centers across the United States. The company acquires and leases retail properties that feature everyday, necessity-based tenants such as grocery stores, discount retailers, and service providers. Brixmors core strategy centers on generating stable, long-term income streams through tenant relationships and targeted property enhancements.

The companys main business activities include proactive leasing, property upkeep and capital improvement projects designed to maximize occupancy and tenant satisfaction.

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Kabul, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Local media in Afghanistan reported on Tuesday that clashes broke out on Tuesday afternoon between Afghan and Pakistani forces in the border areas, and the fighting is still ongoing.

According to sources, the clashes occurred in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, in areas bordering Pakistan. 
Greenland Capital Management LP raised its stake in Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE  Free Report) by 282.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 107,400 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 79,314 shares during the quarter. Sempra Energy comprises 1.0% of Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings, making the stock its 19th largest position. Greenland Capital Management LPs holdings in Sempra Energy were worth $9,664,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in SRE. West Wealth Group LLC increased its stake in shares of Sempra Energy by 1.1% during the third quarter. West Wealth Group LLC now owns 10,207 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $942,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO grew its holdings in Sempra Energy by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Town & Country Bank & Trust CO dba First Bankers Trust CO now owns 6,911 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $622,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its position in Sempra Energy by 24.4% during the 2nd quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 642 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Sempra Energy by 51.2% during the second quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 375 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mendel Money Management boosted its position in shares of Sempra Energy by 1.6% in the second quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 8,476 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $642,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.65% of the companys stock.

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Sempra Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Sempra Energy stock opened at $93.55 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The company has a market cap of $61.06 billion, a PE ratio of 28.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.53 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a 50 day moving average of $89.05 and a 200-day moving average of $88.45. Sempra Energy has a 1-year low of $61.90 and a 1-year high of $95.74.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

SRE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $99.00 price target (up from $80.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Sempra Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. UBS Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Sempra Energy in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barclays set a $95.00 price target on Sempra Energy and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an overweight rating and set a $112.00 price objective (down previously from $115.00) on shares of Sempra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $96.17.

Read Our Latest Report on SRE

Sempra Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Sempra Energy is a San Diegobased energy infrastructure company that develops, owns and operates businesses delivering electricity and natural gas. Its operations include regulated utility services that provide electric and gas distribution to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as non?regulated infrastructure businesses that develop and manage large-scale energy assets.

The companys product and service portfolio spans electricity and natural gas delivery, transmission and storage, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generation and electric transmission projects.

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Mufg Securities Americas Inc. grew its position in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 20.0% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 53,737 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,956 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Citigroup were worth $5,454,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in C. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC grew its position in Citigroup by 87.6% in the third quarter. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC now owns 257 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Citigroup in the third quarter worth $40,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new position in Citigroup during the second quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in Citigroup by 35.3% during the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 418 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.72% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have recently issued reports on C. Wolfe Research reiterated an outperform rating and set a $141.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $87.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Citigroup from $115.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Citigroup from $123.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $127.25.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Citigroup news, insider Cantu Ernesto Torres sold 43,173 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.09, for a total value of $4,796,088.57. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 45,835 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,091,810.15. This trade represents a 48.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Citigroup News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

Positive Sentiment: Citi agreed to sell a 24% stake in Banamex for about $2.5B, trimming international retail exposure and unlocking near-term cash ahead of an eventual Banamex IPO  a capital/strategic positive that can fund buybacks, strengthen capital or simplify the franchise. Citi signs deal to sell 24% equity stake in Banamex

Citi agreed to sell a 24% stake in Banamex for about $2.5B, trimming international retail exposure and unlocking near-term cash ahead of an eventual Banamex IPO  a capital/strategic positive that can fund buybacks, strengthen capital or simplify the franchise. Neutral Sentiment: Citi entities have exited substantial?holder status in Nuix and Citi is participating as an anchor investor in regional IPOs (e.g., PNGS Reva), reflecting ongoing capital markets activity but with limited direct impact on Citis core banking P&L. Citi Group entities exit substantial holder status in Nuix

Citi entities have exited substantial?holder status in Nuix and Citi is participating as an anchor investor in regional IPOs (e.g., PNGS Reva), reflecting ongoing capital markets activity but with limited direct impact on Citis core banking P&L. Negative Sentiment: Financial stocks fell broadly in late trading, dragging large banks including Citi as investors rotate out of the sector  this market?wide weakness is a key proximate cause of todays drop. Sector Update: Financial Stocks Decline Late Afternoon

Financial stocks fell broadly in late trading, dragging large banks including Citi as investors rotate out of the sector  this market?wide weakness is a key proximate cause of todays drop. Negative Sentiment: Regulatory and underwriting risk headlines emerging around banks exposure to AI/data?center lending  the ECB is probing lenders AI-related risks, which raises uncertainty on loan quality and capital planning for large global banks. That contributes to sectorwide nervousness. European Central Bank Gauges Lenders Risks From AI

Citigroup Trading Down 4.6%

Shares of C stock opened at $110.67 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $198.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.18. Citigroup Inc. has a 1 year low of $55.51 and a 1 year high of $125.16. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $116.72 and its 200 day simple moving average is $105.71. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $19.87 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.99 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 8.28%. The businesss revenue was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.34 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 EPS for the current year.

Citigroup Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 2nd will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, February 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is 34.43%.

Citigroup Company Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

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First Heartland Consultants Inc. bought a new stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI  Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 137,305 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $5,649,000. First Heartland Consultants Inc. owned 0.08% of iShares China Large-Cap ETF as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Spear Holdings RSC Ltd lifted its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 25.7% in the third quarter. Spear Holdings RSC Ltd now owns 6,461,482 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $265,825,000 after buying an additional 1,320,667 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd increased its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 57.1% in the 2nd quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 5,674,694 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $208,602,000 after acquiring an additional 2,063,028 shares during the period. Natixis increased its holdings in shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 63.3% in the 2nd quarter. Natixis now owns 4,976,144 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $182,923,000 after acquiring an additional 1,928,592 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 276.1% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,266,142 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $175,509,000 after purchasing an additional 3,131,897 shares during the period. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd grew its position in iShares China Large-Cap ETF by 35.5% during the 2nd quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 2,980,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $109,545,000 after purchasing an additional 780,000 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares China Large-Cap ETF Stock Performance

Shares of iShares China Large-Cap ETF stock opened at $38.68 on Tuesday. iShares China Large-Cap ETF has a one year low of $29.20 and a one year high of $42.00. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $39.10 and a two-hundred day moving average of $39.52. The company has a market cap of $6.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.78 and a beta of 0.28.

iShares China Large-Cap ETF Company Profile

iShares China Large-Cap ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE China 25 Index (the Underlying Index). The Funds portfolio of sectors include Financials, Telecommunication, Oil & gas, Technology and Consumer goods. The underlying Index is designed to represent the performance of the companies in the Chinese equity market, which are available to the international investors.

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Cellnex Telecom (OTCMKTS:CLLNY  Get Free Report) is expected to be releasing its results before the market opens on Friday, February 27th. Analysts expect Cellnex Telecom to post earnings of $0.1253 per share and revenue of $1.2409 billion for the quarter.

Cellnex Telecom Stock Up 1.6%

Shares of CLLNY stock opened at $18.20 on Tuesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $16.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $16.30. Cellnex Telecom has a 52-week low of $14.18 and a 52-week high of $20.45.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

CLLNY has been the topic of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Cellnex Telecom from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Cellnex Telecom in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Barclays upgraded Cellnex Telecom to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, New Street Research upgraded shares of Cellnex Telecom to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Cellnex Telecom has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

About Cellnex Telecom

(Get Free Report)

Cellnex Telecom SA is a leading independent wireless telecommunications infrastructure operator based in Barcelona, Spain. The company designs, builds and manages telecom tower sites and related connectivity solutions, offering site rental services to mobile network operators, broadcasters and enterprises. Its portfolio includes macro sites, distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells, in-building coverage, fiber networks and edge computing nodes, all aimed at enhancing voice, data and next-generation digital services.

Founded as a spin-off from Abertis Infraestructuras in 2015, Cellnex launched an initial public offering on the Madrid Stock Exchange in May of that year.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D acquired a new stake in ADT Inc. (NYSE:ADT  Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 246,188 shares of the security and automation businesss stock, valued at approximately $2,144,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of ADT. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in ADT by 503.0% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 13,279 shares of the security and automation businesss stock valued at $108,000 after buying an additional 11,077 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new stake in shares of ADT in the first quarter worth $296,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its stake in shares of ADT by 29.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 1,154,250 shares of the security and automation businesss stock valued at $9,396,000 after acquiring an additional 262,480 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth raised its stake in shares of ADT by 75.9% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 54,363 shares of the security and automation businesss stock valued at $442,000 after acquiring an additional 23,463 shares during the period. Finally, Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of ADT during the 2nd quarter valued at $93,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.22% of the companys stock.

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ADT Stock Down 2.1%

Shares of ADT stock opened at $7.75 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.54. ADT Inc. has a 1-year low of $7.28 and a 1-year high of $8.94. The business has a 50-day moving average of $8.04 and a 200-day moving average of $8.33. The company has a market capitalization of $6.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.22 and a beta of 0.98.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on ADT shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of ADT in a report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on ADT from $9.50 to $9.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Zacks Research upgraded ADT from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, February 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut ADT from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ADT currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $9.25.

Read Our Latest Analysis on ADT

ADT Profile

(Free Report)

ADT Inc is a leading provider of security and automation solutions for residential and commercial customers. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, including intrusion detection systems, video surveillance, fire and carbon monoxide monitoring, and integrated smart home automation platforms. Through professional installation, continuous monitoring, and a network of 24/7 monitoring centers, ADT helps customers protect their properties, assets and loved ones.

Founded in 1874 as the American District Telegraph Company, ADT has evolved from one of the first telegraph-based alarm services into a modern security technology enterprise.

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Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 19.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 93,511 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 15,489 shares during the quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $7,838,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WFC. Main Street Group LTD increased its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 36.9% in the 3rd quarter. Main Street Group LTD now owns 438 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. D Orazio & Associates Inc. grew its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 3.6% in the third quarter. D Orazio & Associates Inc. now owns 3,436 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $288,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares during the period. Stonebrook Private Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.7% during the third quarter. Stonebrook Private Inc. now owns 4,511 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $378,000 after acquiring an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% during the third quarter. Hidden Cove Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,948 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $499,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares during the period. Finally, Zullo Investment Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Zullo Investment Group Inc. now owns 6,340 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Wells Fargo & Company

In related news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.72, for a total transaction of $2,193,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 79,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,006,722.72. This represents a 23.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

More Wells Fargo & Company News

Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo hired a $3.1 billion advisory team from J.P. Morgan, a move that can immediately boost investment-banking revenue and client relationships if the team brings mandates and fees. Read More.

Wells Fargo hired a $3.1 billion advisory team from J.P. Morgan, a move that can immediately boost investment-banking revenue and client relationships if the team brings mandates and fees. Read More. Positive Sentiment: The bank named Dennis Devine as head of Business Banking (serving firms up to $25M in sales); leadership hires can improve execution and client retention in a strategic segment for fee and deposit growth. Read More.

The bank named Dennis Devine as head of Business Banking (serving firms up to $25M in sales); leadership hires can improve execution and client retention in a strategic segment for fee and deposit growth. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Wells Fargo research is active: analysts upgraded Alphabet/Google and reiterated/raised views on other tech names (CoreWeave) and raised outlooks on coverage names  this highlights an active research franchise but has limited direct near-term impact on WFCs fundamentals beyond trading and research revenue. Read More.

Wells Fargo research is active: analysts upgraded Alphabet/Google and reiterated/raised views on other tech names (CoreWeave) and raised outlooks on coverage names  this highlights an active research franchise but has limited direct near-term impact on WFCs fundamentals beyond trading and research revenue. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: The firms analyst notes on growth-tech and healthcare (e.g., CoreWeave, Cardinal Health) signal continued investment-banking and research activity, which supports noninterest income but is incremental and timing-dependent. Read More.

The firms analyst notes on growth-tech and healthcare (e.g., CoreWeave, Cardinal Health) signal continued investment-banking and research activity, which supports noninterest income but is incremental and timing-dependent. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Negative publicity and potential operational/regulatory risk from a widely reported fraud case: a 90?year?old customer lost $814K and Wells Fargo denies the claim  such incidents raise reputational, compliance and possible litigation concerns. Read More.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:

WFC has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Argus boosted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $104.00 to $100.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and set a $113.00 price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $97.03.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 4.1%

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $85.06 on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company has a fifty-two week low of $58.42 and a fifty-two week high of $97.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.90. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $91.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $86.32. The stock has a market cap of $267.01 billion, a PE ratio of 13.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.09.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $11.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.63 billion. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.43 EPS. Research analysts predict that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is presently 28.71%.

About Wells Fargo & Company

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Moon Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of General Motors Company (NYSE:GM  Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 42,954 shares of the auto manufacturers stock, valued at approximately $2,619,000. General Motors makes up about 1.9% of Moon Capital Management LPs portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in GM. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in General Motors by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 110,759,703 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $5,450,485,000 after purchasing an additional 11,418,367 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of General Motors during the second quarter valued at approximately $444,319,000. Viking Global Investors LP grew its holdings in General Motors by 81.1% during the second quarter. Viking Global Investors LP now owns 13,018,874 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $640,659,000 after buying an additional 5,830,050 shares in the last quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC grew its holdings in General Motors by 436.8% during the second quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 2,658,525 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $130,826,000 after buying an additional 2,163,274 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its position in General Motors by 125.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,699,220 shares of the auto manufacturers stock valued at $182,039,000 after buying an additional 2,061,712 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.67% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of General Motors from $86.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of General Motors from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $98.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 29th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of General Motors from $97.00 to $102.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Wedbush lifted their target price on shares of General Motors from $75.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of General Motors in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, General Motors presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $89.52.

Trending Headlines about General Motors

Here are the key news stories impacting General Motors this week:

General Motors Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GM opened at $79.56 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $82.14 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $70.37. General Motors Company has a 1-year low of $41.60 and a 1-year high of $87.62. The firm has a market cap of $71.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.36.

General Motors (NYSE:GM  Get Free Report) (TSE:GMM.U) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The auto manufacturer reported $2.51 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.26 by $0.25. General Motors had a return on equity of 14.72% and a net margin of 1.46%.The company had revenue of $45.29 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $45.81 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.92 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. General Motors has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.750-10.500 EPS. Analysts anticipate that General Motors Company will post 11.44 earnings per share for the current year.

General Motors Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. This is an increase from General Motorss previous quarterly dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. General Motorss payout ratio is presently 19.93%.

General Motors announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, January 27th that allows the company to buyback $6.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the auto manufacturer to reacquire up to 8.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often a sign that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

General Motors Profile

(Free Report)

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) is a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, that designs, builds and sells cars, trucks, crossovers and electric vehicles, and provides related parts and services. Founded in 1908, GM has long been one of the worlds largest automakers and has evolved into a multi-brand company whose primary marques include Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac and Buick. Beyond vehicle manufacturing, GMs operations encompass vehicle financing, connected services and advanced mobility initiatives.

GM develops and markets a broad portfolio of products and technologies, including internal-combustion and battery-electric vehicles, vehicle components and on-board connectivity services.

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Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT  Get Free Report) announced its earnings results on Monday. The company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.02, Zacks reports. Haverty Furniture Companies had a net margin of 2.62% and a return on equity of 6.34%. The business had revenue of $201.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $197.47 million.

Haverty Furniture Companies Stock Performance

HVT traded down $1.06 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $24.26. 22,048 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 68,843. Haverty Furniture Companies has a 12-month low of $17.01 and a 12-month high of $27.67. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $25.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $23.53. The company has a market cap of $394.71 million, a P/E ratio of 21.31, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.32.

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Haverty Furniture Companies Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th will be paid a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 10th. Haverty Furniture Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 115.79%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on HVT shares. Wall Street Zen raised Haverty Furniture Companies from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Zacks Research cut Haverty Furniture Companies from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Reduce.

Read Our Latest Report on Haverty Furniture Companies

Insider Activity at Haverty Furniture Companies

In other Haverty Furniture Companies news, Director Rawson Haverty, Jr. sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.86, for a total transaction of $186,450.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 8.63% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Haverty Furniture Companies

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co lifted its position in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies by 57.0% during the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 1,721 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 625 shares during the last quarter. State of Wyoming purchased a new stake in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies during the second quarter valued at $58,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies by 7.9% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,898 shares of the companys stock worth $175,000 after purchasing an additional 651 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $215,000. Institutional investors own 80.57% of the companys stock.

Haverty Furniture Companies Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and home decor in the United States. Founded in 1885 by J.J. Haverty and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company offers a broad assortment of upholstered furniture, case goods, mattresses, area rugs and decorative accessories. Customers can shop through a network of company-owned showrooms as well as an e-commerce platform, supported by in-house design services, delivery options and consumer financing programs.

Over more than a century of operation, Havertys has expanded its presence primarily across the Southeast and select markets beyond.

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Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL  Free Report) by 20.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,159 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 3,106 shares during the period. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.s holdings in Ecolab were worth $3,330,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new position in shares of Ecolab in the third quarter worth $28,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its position in Ecolab by 1,177.8% during the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 115 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC increased its position in Ecolab by 81.5% during the 2nd quarter. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 118 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Ecolab in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Ecolab by 93.6% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 151 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.91% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ECL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Ecolab from $275.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Ecolab from $294.00 to $337.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Ecolab from $323.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Mizuho set a $335.00 price objective on Ecolab in a report on Wednesday, February 11th. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $327.00 target price on Ecolab in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Ecolab presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $323.56.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director David Maclennan bought 750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 8th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $257.60 per share, for a total transaction of $193,200.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 23,035 shares in the company, valued at $5,933,816. This represents a 3.37% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock.

Ecolab Price Performance

ECL opened at $305.39 on Tuesday. Ecolab Inc. has a 52-week low of $221.62 and a 52-week high of $306.52. The company has a 50 day moving average of $279.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $273.27. The company has a market cap of $86.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75.

Ecolab (NYSE:ECL  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The basic materials company reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.07 by $0.01. Ecolab had a net margin of 12.91% and a return on equity of 22.73%. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.20 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.81 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Ecolab has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.430-8.630 EPS and its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.670-1.730 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Ecolab Inc. will post 7.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Ecolab Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a $0.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Ecolabs dividend payout ratio is presently 40.11%.

Ecolab Company Profile

(Free Report)

Ecolab, Inc is a global provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services. The company develops and supplies cleaning and sanitizing chemicals, dispensing equipment, water-treatment systems, pest elimination services and related technologies designed to help businesses maintain clean, safe and efficient operations. Its offerings span both products and onsite services, often paired with technical support and training.

Ecolab serves a broad range of end markets including hospitality and foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, manufacturing and industrial operations, and energy and utilities.

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State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D grew its holdings in Ralliant Corporation (NYSE:RAL  Free Report) by 37.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 50,681 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 13,871 shares during the period. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund Ds holdings in Ralliant were worth $2,216,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. CWM LLC purchased a new stake in Ralliant during the 2nd quarter valued at about $280,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new position in Ralliant in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $492,000. Brookstone Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Ralliant during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $792,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Ralliant in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,462,000. Finally, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ralliant in the second quarter valued at approximately $1,556,000.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

RAL has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded Ralliant from a hold (c) rating to a sell (d) rating in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Barclays cut their target price on Ralliant from $60.00 to $52.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $45.00 price target on shares of Ralliant in a report on Friday, February 6th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Ralliant from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Ralliant from $52.00 to $41.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $50.50.

Ralliant Price Performance

RAL stock opened at $42.05 on Tuesday. Ralliant Corporation has a 52-week low of $37.27 and a 52-week high of $57.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market cap of $4.74 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.45. The business has a fifty day moving average of $49.88 and a two-hundred day moving average of $46.55.

Ralliant (NYSE:RAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $554.60 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $543.04 million. The firms revenue was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Ralliant has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.460-0.520 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.220-2.420 EPS.

Ralliant Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 9th. Ralliants dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.20%.

Insider Activity at Ralliant

In related news, Director Kate Mitchell purchased 2,350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $42.48 per share, for a total transaction of $99,828.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,411 shares in the company, valued at approximately $357,299.28. The trade was a 38.77% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Kevin E. Bryant purchased 1,250 shares of Ralliant stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $39.97 per share, for a total transaction of $49,962.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 4,653 shares in the company, valued at approximately $185,980.41. This trade represents a 36.73% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders purchased 8,145 shares of company stock worth $332,233.

Ralliant Profile

(Free Report)

Ralliant, Inc (NYSE: RAL) is a medical technology company focused on enabling point-of-care cell therapy solutions in the field of regenerative medicine. The company develops and markets systems that isolate, concentrate and store adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells directly from a patients own fat tissue, facilitating same-day, autologous treatments without the need for extensive laboratory infrastructure.

The companys core product portfolio includes proprietary device platforms and single-use processing kits engineered to streamline the workflow for clinicians.

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By Alimat Aliyeva

Apple is planning to shift part of its Mac Mini desktop computer production to the United States, AzerNEWS reports.

A new production line at the Foxconn facility in Houston, Texas, is expected to begin operations later this year. Initially, the Houston plant will focus on meeting domestic demand, while production of Mac Mini computers will continue in Asia.

Historically, most of Apples products, including the iPhone and iPad, have been manufactured in Asia, particularly in China. In recent years, however, Apple has been diversifying its supply chain, moving some production to countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and India.

Industry analysts suggest that this move could be part of Apples broader strategy to reduce dependency on Asia, mitigate geopolitical risks, and strengthen its Made in America profile. Some observers also note that localized production may shorten supply chains, improve logistics, and allow Apple to respond more quickly to U.S. market demand.

In addition, the Houston facility could become a testbed for next-generation Mac manufacturing technologies, potentially paving the way for other Apple products to be produced domestically in the future.
LONDON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Former British ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police in London announced Monday.

Officers arrested the 72-year-old Mandelson at an address in Camden on Monday, and he has been taken to a London police station for interview, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

"This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas," the spokesperson said via a statement published online, adding that they were not able to provide further information to "prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation."

In late January, the U.S. Justice Department made public a large cache of files related to the dead American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prompting renewed scrutiny in Britain. British police confirmed later that they had opened a criminal investigation into Mandelson over alleged misconduct while in public office, including the possible disclosure of market-sensitive information.

Mandelson previously served as a senior cabinet minister under former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was appointed ambassador to Washington in early 2025 but was dismissed by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after seven months as questions over his past resurfaced.

Earlier this month, Starmer apologized for his decision to appoint Mandelson as British ambassador to the United States.

Speaking at an event in the town of Hastings in southeast England, Starmer said he had underestimated the seriousness of Mandelson's past association with Epstein. He offered an apology to victims connected to the Epstein case and said he understood the anger voiced across parliament.

Due to the Mandelson-Epstein scandal, Starmer's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, communications director Tim Allan, and Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service Chris Wormald have all stepped down from their posts. 
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (OTCMKTS:RYCEY  Get Free Report) is projected to release its results before the market opens on Thursday, February 26th. Analysts expect Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC to post earnings of $0.1902 per share and revenue of $14.5661 billion for the quarter.

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS RYCEY opened at $18.11 on Tuesday. Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC has a 52 week low of $7.68 and a 52 week high of $18.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $16.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in the third quarter worth $37,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC by 30.5% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 7,095 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $112,000 after purchasing an additional 1,658 shares in the last quarter. Financial Avengers Inc. raised its stake in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC by 32.8% in the 3rd quarter. Financial Avengers Inc. now owns 66,400 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,076,000 after purchasing an additional 16,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its holdings in Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 82,415 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,205 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.07% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

View Our Latest Report on Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

About Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

(Get Free Report)

Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a UK-based multinational engineering company that designs, manufactures and services power systems for the civil and defence aerospace, marine and energy markets. The companys core activities include the development and production of turbine engines for commercial and military aircraft, propulsion and power systems for naval vessels, and industrial gas turbines for power generation and distributed energy applications. A significant portion of its business is focused on aftermarket support, providing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services and long-term service agreements to customers worldwide.

In aerospace, Rolls?Royce is best known for its high-thrust turbofan engines used on widebody and regional aircraft, supported by comprehensive service programs and digital monitoring solutions that optimize engine health and operational availability.

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Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC acquired a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) during the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 2,090 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $352,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 13.4% in the third quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 1,133,384 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $192,951,000 after purchasing an additional 134,147 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 386.5% during the 3rd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 188,189 shares of the mining companys stock worth $31,703,000 after buying an additional 149,506 shares during the period. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC lifted its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 1,560.8% in the 3rd quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC now owns 48,677 shares of the mining companys stock worth $8,205,000 after buying an additional 45,746 shares in the last quarter. AustralianSuper Pty Ltd purchased a new position in Agnico Eagle Mines in the 3rd quarter valued at about $23,958,000. Finally, Addenda Capital Inc. boosted its position in Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Addenda Capital Inc. now owns 724,231 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $122,076,000 after buying an additional 15,965 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on AEM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from $248.00 to $235.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $189.00 price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Sunday, December 7th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $198.00 to $256.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, TD Securities set a $251.00 price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $234.91.

Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance

AEM stock opened at $240.28 on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $196.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $172.07. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 12-month low of $92.11 and a 12-month high of $240.82. The firm has a market cap of $120.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.06, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 0.63. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The mining company reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $3.53 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.40 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 37.47% and a return on equity of 18.09%. The firms revenue was up 60.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.26 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 4.63 EPS for the current year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Agnico Eagle Miness previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is currently 20.27%.

Agnico Eagle Mines Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) is a Canadian-based senior gold producer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold-bearing properties. Agnico Eagle pursues both greenfield and brownfield exploration to expand its resource base and operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects to generate long-life gold production.

Its core business activities span the full mining lifecycle: grassroots and advanced-stage exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, mine construction, underground and open-pit mining, ore processing and metal recovery, and post-mining reclamation and closure.

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Stonebrook Private Inc. increased its position in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (NYSEARCA:XHLF  Free Report) by 18.5% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 76,764 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 12,003 shares during the period. Stonebrook Private Inc.s holdings in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF were worth $3,870,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of XHLF. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the 3rd quarter worth about $41,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $50,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF by 2,861.1% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,731 shares of the companys stock valued at $188,000 after acquiring an additional 3,605 shares during the last quarter. Finally, B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $203,000.

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BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Stock Performance

Shares of XHLF opened at $50.32 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $50.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $50.32. BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF has a 12-month low of $50.17 and a 12-month high of $50.42.

BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Increases Dividend

BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF Company Profile

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 5th. Investors of record on Monday, February 2nd were given a dividend of $0.1649 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 2nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. This is an increase from BondBloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETFs previous monthly dividend of $0.16.

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The Bondbloxx Bloomberg Six Month Target Duration US Treasury ETF (XHLF) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund is passively managed to invest in a portfolio of US Treasury securities with a target duration of six months. XHLF was launched on Sep 13, 2022 and is managed by BondBloxx.

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Ampol Limited (ASX:ALD  Get Free Report) announced a final dividend on Tuesday, February 24th, MarketIndexAU Dividends reports. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.60 per share on Wednesday, April 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 209.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 5th.

Ampol Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $6.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.38, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 112.49, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 1.13.

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About Ampol

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Ampol Limited purchases, refines, distributes, and markets petroleum products in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. The company operates through Convenience Retail, Z Energy, and Fuels and Infrastructure segments. The Convenience Retail segment sells fuels through Ampol's network of stores. The Fuels and Infrastructure segment wholesales fuels and lubricant supplies. The Z Energy segment distributes fuel in the New Zealand market. It distributes its products through depots, terminals, pipelines, and service station sites.

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Wrapmanager Inc. lowered its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) by 35.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 12,311 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 6,659 shares during the quarter. Wrapmanager Inc.s holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,032,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in Wells Fargo & Company in the 3rd quarter valued at $337,000. Bright Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the third quarter worth $202,000. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. raised its position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 19.9% in the third quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 93,511 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $7,838,000 after buying an additional 15,489 shares during the last quarter. Compound Planning Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 11.2% in the third quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 41,586 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,486,000 after buying an additional 4,189 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stonebrook Private Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.7% in the third quarter. Stonebrook Private Inc. now owns 4,511 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $378,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. 75.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Down 4.1%

Shares of NYSE:WFC opened at $85.06 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $267.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.57, a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a beta of 1.09. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12-month low of $58.42 and a 12-month high of $97.76. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $91.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $86.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.10. Wells Fargo & Company had a net margin of 17.27% and a return on equity of 12.90%. The company had revenue of $11.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.63 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 6th will be given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 6th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.71%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Evercore dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $110.00 to $105.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Robert W. Baird upgraded Wells Fargo & Company from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $85.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, February 13th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and set a $113.00 price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Argus lifted their price target on Wells Fargo & Company from $94.00 to $101.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Thirteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Wells Fargo & Company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $97.03.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WFC

Wells Fargo & Company News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Wells Fargo & Company this week:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Kleber Santos sold 25,000 shares of Wells Fargo & Company stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.72, for a total value of $2,193,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 79,876 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,006,722.72. This trade represents a 23.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

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Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, U.S.-based financial services company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1852 by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, the firm has evolved from its origins in express delivery and pioneer-era banking into one of the largest full-service banks in the United States. The company provides a broad range of financial products and services to individual, small business, commercial, and institutional clients. Charles W. Scharf serves as chief executive officer.

Wells Fargo operates across several core business segments, including consumer banking and lending, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth and investment management.

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Electro Optic Systems (ASX:EOS) used its annual results presentation to outline a sharp increase in order intake during 2025, a continued push into counter-drone and space control markets, and a reshaped portfolio following the sale of EM Solutions and the planned acquisition of command-and-control provider MARSS.

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Market backdrop and strategic priorities

Group CEO Dr. Andreas Schwer said market conditions were superb, pointing to growing defense budgets and geopolitical tension as supportive tailwinds. He framed EOS strategic focus around two areas: counter-drone systems and space control or space warfare.

Schwer argued that modern conflict dynamics are driving demand for counter-drone capabilities, describing how drone and anti-drone warfare has become more dominant relative to missile strikes. EOS said its approach emphasizes hard kill solutions, with Schwer stating that soft kill becomes less and less effective in military context, as drones are more and more hardened.

EOS highlighted a broadened counter-drone portfolio that includes remote weapon systems, interceptor drones, high-energy laser weapons, and integrations for rockets and missiles. The company also emphasized the role of command-and-control software, describing MARSS NiDAR system as the brain behind any counter-drone system, particularly for defeating higher volumes of drones or swarms.

2025 financial performance

CFO and COO Clive Cuthell reported 2025 revenue of AUD 128.5 million, which was down compared to 2024. Management attributed the decline primarily to the divestment of EM Solutions and to major order intakes occurring later than expected, affecting the timing of revenue recognition.

Gross margin increased to 63%. Cuthell said the result included the benefit of a finalized Middle East contract (previously disclosed) and what he described as continued improvement in the underlying base gross margin. He cautioned that management does not expect 63% gross margin going forward, but said EOS is aiming for continued multi-year improvement, perhaps over 50% in 2026 versus historical levels.

Underlying EBITDA was a loss of AUD 24 million, which management linked mainly to lower revenue, with gross margin improvements offsetting some operating expense increases. Cuthell said EBIT included higher depreciation and amortization (including customer-funded CapEx) and AUD 9 million in non-recurring non-trading items, consisting of an ASIC-related penalty (about two-thirds) and acquisition costs related to MARSS (about one-third).

Finance costs improved after EOS repaid all debt in January 2025; the company reported it has no borrowings, though finance costs included a make-whole expense tied to the repayment. Cuthell also noted net profit after tax included a AUD 91 million gain on the sale of EM Solutions recorded in January 2025.

Order book surge and revenue rollout targets

Management repeatedly emphasized the expansion of the order book during 2025. EOS said it signed 18 contracts totaling AUD 420 million in order intake, compared with AUD 70 million and six orders in the prior year. This resulted in an unconditional order book of AUD 459 million at the end of December 2025.

Schwer and Cuthell both noted the order book figure excludes a highly conditional Korean high-energy laser contract (KRW 80 million), which management said is not included in internal planning. In Q&A, Cuthell confirmed the deposit and letter of credit conditions had not yet been met.

EOS did not issue revenue guidance, but provided a planning target for converting backlog into 2026 revenue. Cuthell said the company is aiming to realize 40% to 50% of the AUD 459 million order book in calendar 2026, equating to roughly AUD 180 million to AUD 230 million from the existing backlog, with additional revenue potential from new orders that can be delivered within the year. He said the outcome depends more on delivery timing than on new orders, and noted revenue is typically weighted toward the second half.

High-energy laser, space control, and expansion moves

Schwer described high-energy lasers as a major growth pillar beyond the remote weapon systems business. EOS said it achieved a commercialization milestone by becoming the first company to sign a 100 kW high-energy laser weapon export contract, citing a landmark deal with the Dutch government valued at EUR 71 million.

EOS said it opened a 20,000 sq ft serial high-energy laser production facility in Singapore on February 6, designed for 20 laser weapons per year with expansion potential to 40 per year. In Q&A, management said delivery timelines are driven by supply-chain lead times for key components, and that EOS is negotiating with the Dutch customer to accelerate delivery, potentially as early as the end of 2027.

On space control, Schwer said EOS ATLAS product range can be deployed in fixed installations or mobile configurations, with missions including dazzling sensors, disabling satellites by increasing laser power, and moving satellites or space debris. In response to an analyst question, Schwer said the fixed installation product is available now and could be sold without further development, estimating a system cost of around about $100 million. He said development is ongoing for a mobile solution, with a prototype expected by the end of 2027 or 2028.

EOS also highlighted geographic expansion and commercial partnerships, noting new offices and operations in Europe (including France, the UK, the Netherlands and Germany). Schwer described partnership agreements with Calidus in the Middle East, MSI in the UK (including licensed production), KNDS for European opportunities (including potential production in France), and Roketsan in Turkey for high-energy laser efforts.

MARSS acquisition and additional opportunities discussed

Management positioned the planned acquisition of MARSS as a core strategic move to strengthen EOS integrated counter-drone offering and embed AI-enabled command and control across EOS products. Schwer said MARSS has fielded more than 60 systems globally and provides a user-intuitive interface that EOS teams found easy to integrate in prior collaborations.

EOS said it announced the transaction on January 12, with an upfront cash payment of AUD 36 million plus an earn-out in shares and cash tied to order intake. Cuthell said EOS expects earn-outs to be funded from cash flow generated by those orders.

During Q&A, the company discussed several additional items:

German UTF tender: Schwer said Germany is seeking more than 3,000 remote weapon systems over the next 10 years and that Diehl and EOS are among three shortlisted bidders for the first phase. He said a final decision is expected in 2027, and management described total market potential of more than EUR 1 billion.

Schwer said Germany is seeking more than 3,000 remote weapon systems over the next 10 years and that Diehl and EOS are among three shortlisted bidders for the first phase. He said a final decision is expected in 2027, and management described total market potential of more than EUR 1 billion. M1 Abrams tank opportunity: Schwer said EOS was selected by the US government and General Dynamics as the sole partner to integrate an autonomous version of the R400 Slinger weapon station on the Abrams platform. He said EOS expects further slices of orders in 2026, with large-quantity orders from 2027 onward, and described longer-term market potential of up to $3 billion over 15 years.

Schwer said EOS was selected by the US government and General Dynamics as the sole partner to integrate an autonomous version of the R400 Slinger weapon station on the Abrams platform. He said EOS expects further slices of orders in 2026, with large-quantity orders from 2027 onward, and described longer-term market potential of up to $3 billion over 15 years. Laser development pathway: Schwer said current technology scales from 50 kW to 150 kW and that EOS is negotiating with governments to potentially sign a contract this year to develop a scalable 300 kW laser family, which he said could expand applications to counter-rocket, artillery and mortar missions and extend space warfare capability to higher orbits.

Schwer said current technology scales from 50 kW to 150 kW and that EOS is negotiating with governments to potentially sign a contract this year to develop a scalable 300 kW laser family, which he said could expand applications to counter-rocket, artillery and mortar missions and extend space warfare capability to higher orbits. CapEx expectations: Cuthell said the company does not provide CapEx guidance, but noted historical CapEx has typically been under AUD 20 million and that significant portions have been customer-funded under contracts.

EOS closed the presentation by reiterating its focus on disciplined cost management, including sensitivity to overhead growth, while continuing to invest selectively to support delivery speed and product competitiveness.

About Electro Optic Systems (ASX:EOS)

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of telescopes and dome enclosures, laser satellite tracking systems, electro-optic fire control systems, and microwave satellite dishes and receivers. The company operates in Defence Systems and Space Systems segments. It develops, manufactures, and markets fire control, surveillance, and weapon systems to military customers; designs, manufactures, and supplies remote weapon systems, as well as provides related installation, integration, and support services; and designs, manufactures, delivers, and operates sensors for space domain awareness and space control.

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Symal Group (ASX:SYL) management used its first-half FY2026 results call to highlight continued revenue growth, a large work program pipeline, and an active acquisition agenda as the company expands its national footprint and capability set.

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First-half financial performance and dividend

Group Managing Director Joe Bartolo said Symal delivered normalized revenue of AUD 504.2 million for the half ended December 31, 2025, up 21% from the prior corresponding period. Normalized EBITDA was AUD 51.4 million, up 6%, and normalized NPAT A was AUD 20.9 million, up 4%.

Bartolo noted that revenue growth outpaced EBITDA growth during the half, attributing the result to project mix and deliberate investment in capability and overhead support to scale. He said margins remained within Symals target range of, while the company ended the half with(excluding lease liabilities) and reported cash conversion of

The board declared an interim dividend of AUD 0.033 per share, representing 40% of NPAT, which management described as the midpoint of its 30%50% payout policy.

Work in hand, ECI pipeline, and FY2026 guidance

Management reported work in hand of AUD 1.64 billion as of December 31, with Bartolo pointing to wins concentrated in data centers, solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS), water infrastructure, defense, and community infrastructure. In addition, Symal disclosed approximately AUD 1.4 billion of formal early contractor involvement (ECI) engagements.

CEO Nabeel Sadaka said work in hand is a point-in-time measure that can fluctuate as projects convert from ECIs or tenders to executed contracts, but described forward visibility as a strength of the business. He added that Symal has historically converted about 90% of ECIs, while noting that even a lower conversion rate would still be meaningful to the pipeline.

Symal reaffirmed FY2026 EBITDA guidance of AUD 117 million to AUD 127 million. CFO Geoff Trumbull said the company would provide a further update after completion of the Timms, L&D, and Davison transactions.

Operational update: safety, workforce, and segment performance

Sadaka emphasized the companys focus on safety and workforce development. He said Symal completed more than 9,200 hours of facilitated training during the period and had 55 graduates in development. He also cited community initiatives, including raising $280,000 for the Fight Cancer Foundation for the 10th year in a row, and described support provided after recent bushfires through Operation Veteran Assist.

On safety, Sadaka reported total recordable injury frequency rate (TRIFR) and lost time injury frequency rate at historical lows for the 12 months to December 31. He said the TRIFR was 1.76, comparing favorably to an industry average of 6, and noted the workforce had grown beyond 1,500 people.

For reporting purposes, Symal discussed three segmentscontracting services, plant and equipment, and otherwhile noting that integration across the group means segments often support the same projects.

Contracting services : 83% of group revenue and 52% of EBITDA. Normalized revenue rose 26.5% to AUD 419.3 million ; normalized EBITDA increased 8.4% to AUD 26.9 million . EBITDA margin was 6.4% , down 1.1 percentage points, which management attributed to a greater contribution from lower-margin projects and investment to expand in northern states.

: 83% of group revenue and 52% of EBITDA. Normalized revenue rose to ; normalized EBITDA increased to . EBITDA margin was , down 1.1 percentage points, which management attributed to a greater contribution from lower-margin projects and investment to expand in northern states. Plant and equipment : 17% of group revenue and 42% of EBITDA. Normalized revenue increased 5% to AUD 87.3 million ; normalized EBITDA was AUD 21.3 million with an EBITDA margin of 24.4% . Management said EBIT fell to AUD 8.6 million after exceptional outcomes in the prior period and noted softness tied to investing in fleet ahead of demand, particularly in Queensland.

: 17% of group revenue and 42% of EBITDA. Normalized revenue increased to ; normalized EBITDA was with an EBITDA margin of . Management said EBIT fell to after exceptional outcomes in the prior period and noted softness tied to investing in fleet ahead of demand, particularly in Queensland. Other: accounted for 6% of EBITDA.

Balance sheet, cash flow, and below-the-line items

Trumbull said Symals normalized presentation excluded non-recurring impacts from the IPO and other one-off items, and introduced NPAT A as a metric that excludes the non-cash amortization of acquired intangibles.

He reported depreciation and amortization (D&A) expenses increased about 40% year over year to AUD 20.5 million, driven by fleet investment and incremental lease asset depreciation from new locations in South Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Avalon. Trumbull said D&A was expected to trend up slightly in the second half as depreciation on current-year fleet investment flows through, and noted amortization of acquired intangibles could rise as transactions complete (with those effects planned to be excluded from NPAT A).

Net finance costs increased to AUD 5.4 million, reflecting a higher average debt balance tied to plant and equipment investment and increased AASB 16 lease interest. Trumbull said interest costs would likely continue to trend upward as the company draws on new debt facilities for future M&A, depending on timing.

Operating cash flow for the half was AUD 37.7 million, with cash conversion of 108%. Total investment cash outflow was AUD 76 million, including AUD 36 million in upfront acquisition payments for Locale and McFadyen and AUD 40 million net investment in property, plant and equipment. Trumbull said full-year plant and equipment capex was expected to be closer to AUD 50 million, including additional capex for Locale and McFadyen.

Symal ended the half with cash of AUD 126.1 million, compared with AUD 169 million at June 30, which management said was largely due to the acquisitions completed during the period. The company also established AUD 300 million of new revolving corporate debt and bank guarantee facilities and increased bonding facilities by AUD 50 million to a total of AUD 100 million.

Growth themes and acquisitions

Management highlighted several markets it sees as key opportunities, including data centers, the energy transition, defense, and Queensland infrastructure tied to Brisbane 2032. Bartolo said Symal secured four new data centers in the first half and described the companys focus on increasing scope on these projects. In the Q&A, he said the companys data center work includes in-ground works, concrete works, in-ground services, and precast installation.

In energy transition, Bartolo said Symal is seeing sustained demand across transmission, wind, solar, and battery infrastructure and pointed to expanded electrical capability through CROE. He said the company secured its first high-value utility-scale electrical contract and had more than 20 renewable projects awaiting decision, representing a $2 billion opportunity.

On defense, Bartolo said Symal is delivering 10 civil and infrastructure packages across four states with a total value of $220 million, and is evaluating acquisitions to deepen capability and enhance margins.

On Brisbane 2032, Bartolo said there is AUD 22.9 billion of committed, government-backed infrastructure investment through to 2032, and cited a broader Queensland major project pipeline estimated at over AUD 100 billion over the next five years. In Q&A, management said it is beginning to see initial expressions of interest, with tenders expected over the next six to nine months and construction projects starting next year.

On M&A, Bartolo said Symal has announced five acquisitions since listing: Ascot Bins, Locale Civil, McFadyens, Timms Group and L&D, and Davison. He provided detail on December announcements, stating Timms Group and L&D carried an AUD 28 million upfront purchase price supported by plant and equipment and contributed approximately AUD 8 million in annualized EBITDA, with expected earnings accretion from year one. Davison Earthmovers was described as contributing approximately AUD 7 million in annualized EBITDA, also expected to be earnings accretive in the first year, supported by a significant fleet of plant and equipment and nearly 40 years of operating history.

During Q&A, management said Locale and McFadyen were performing in line with expectations and would contribute in the second half, and reiterated that guidance would be updated once there is more certainty on completion timing for pending deals. Trumbull also flagged potential incremental depreciation for Timms/L&D and Davison following completion, noting prior estimates of AUD 3 millionAUD 4 million of annualized depreciation for Timms and L&D and AUD 1 millionAUD 2 million for Davison, with completion expected later in FY2026.

About Symal Group (ASX:SYL)

Civil construction contracting and subcontracting

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Best Buy (NYSE:BBY  Get Free Report)s stock had its outperform rating reissued by research analysts at Telsey Advisory Group in a report released on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $95.00 price objective on the technology retailers stock. Telsey Advisory Groups price target indicates a potential upside of 49.58% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on BBY. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Best Buy in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Best Buy from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Best Buy from $82.00 to $76.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Best Buy from $81.00 to $77.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Best Buy from $77.00 to $73.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 16th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $79.79.

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Best Buy Stock Up 1.3%

Shares of Best Buy stock traded up $0.80 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $63.51. 570,467 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,401,609. The firm has a market cap of $13.31 billion, a PE ratio of 21.03, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.44. The stocks fifty day moving average is $67.85 and its 200 day moving average is $73.23. Best Buy has a 1 year low of $54.99 and a 1 year high of $91.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.26 and a current ratio of 1.05.

Best Buy (NYSE:BBY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The technology retailer reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.09. Best Buy had a net margin of 1.54% and a return on equity of 50.02%. The firm had revenue of $9.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Best Buy will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Best Buy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Best Buy by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 23,947,415 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $1,810,904,000 after buying an additional 552,360 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Best Buy by 46.2% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 142,288 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $10,760,000 after acquiring an additional 44,989 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its position in Best Buy by 272.6% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 183,842 shares of the technology retailers stock worth $13,902,000 after purchasing an additional 134,508 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Best Buy by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,754,844 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $132,701,000 after purchasing an additional 39,026 shares in the last quarter. Finally, VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al lifted its holdings in shares of Best Buy by 155.9% in the third quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al now owns 157,400 shares of the technology retailers stock valued at $11,903,000 after buying an additional 95,900 shares during the period. 80.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Best Buy Company Profile

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Best Buy Co, Inc is a leading North American consumer electronics retailer that sells a broad range of products including computers, mobile phones, televisions and home theater systems, major appliances, smart-home devices, gaming hardware and software, wearables and related accessories. The company operates through a mix of large-format stores, smaller specialty locations and an e-commerce platform, offering national and private-brand merchandise from major consumer-technology manufacturers as well as third-party sellers.

Beyond product retailing, Best Buy provides a suite of services aimed at installation, repair and ongoing technical support.

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Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $28.00 and last traded at $28.00, with a volume of 240 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $28.95.

Internet Initiative Japan Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average of $32.78 and a two-hundred day moving average of $35.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.67 and a beta of 1.17.

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Internet Initiative Japan (OTCMKTS:IIJIY  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.57 by ($0.11). Internet Initiative Japan had a net margin of 6.64% and a return on equity of 15.12%. The firm had revenue of $557.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $565.72 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. will post 0.37 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Internet Initiative Japan Company Profile

Internet Initiative Japan Inc (OTCMKTS: IIJIY) was founded in 1992 and is recognized as Japans first commercial Internet service provider. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company builds and operates large?scale IP networks, offering a full suite of connectivity solutions including dedicated internet access, virtual private networks (VPNs), multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) services, and high?capacity leased lines. IIJs network backbone spans major Japanese cities and is linked to international points of presence, supporting both domestic and cross-border data traffic.

In addition to core connectivity services, IIJ provides a broad portfolio of IT infrastructure offerings.

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Dominion Energy (NYSE:D) executives highlighted higher-than-guided 2025 earnings, an expanded five-year capital plan, and continued progress on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project during the companys fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call. Management also introduced 2026 earnings guidance and discussed demand growth in Virginia, particularly tied to data center load, alongside recent regulatory and project developments across its jurisdictions.

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2025 results and 2026 earnings outlook

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Steven Ridge said the company delivered full-year 2025 operating earnings of $3.42 per share and operating earnings excluding RNG 45Z credits of $3.33 per share, both above the midpoint of prior guidance. Ridge added that full-year 2025 GAAP earnings were $3.45 per share, higher than operating EPS.

Ridge also pointed to credit performance, saying the companys estimate of Moodys CFO pre-working capital to debt was nearly 100 basis points above its downgrade threshold and the strongest result the company has reported for that metric since 2012.

For 2026, Dominion Energy guided to operating earnings per share (excluding RNG 45Z credit income) of $3.40 to $3.60, with a midpoint of $3.50. Ridge said the midpoint implies a 6.1% increase versus the comparable 2025 guidance midpoint of $3.30, despite 2026 being a double outage year at Millstone. Including RNG 45Z income, total operating earnings guidance midpoint was presented as $3.57 per share.

On RNG 45Z credits, Ridge said expectations reflect updated credit scoring and lower production assumptions, and the company is still awaiting final regulations. In Q&A, management attributed updated assumptions primarily to a change in CI scoring tied to a newly published GREET model for 2026 and beyond, while noting that 2025 credits were booked under the rules in place during 2025.

Five-year capital plan raised to about $65 billion

Ridge said Dominion increased its five-year total capital estimate from $50 billion to approximately $65 billion, representing a 30% increase. He said more than 90% of the increase is tied to Dominion Energy Virginia, and nearly two-thirds of the updated capital spend is expected to be eligible for recovery through rider mechanisms, subject to regulatory approval.

Ridge said the company updated the compounded annual growth rate of its investment base to about 10%. He also discussed the generation component of the plan, referencing gas generation in the companys integrated resource plans that includes two combustion turbines (CTs) and three combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs), with the CCGTs projected to enter service from 2032 through 2034. Ridge noted Dominion has secured turbine slots for each project.

To fund the expanded plan, Ridge outlined a financing approach in which nearly 60% of five-year investing cash flows and projected dividends are expected to be satisfied by operating cash flows. Roughly 10% is expected to come from net hybrid issuance, around 10% from common equity through DRIP and ATM programs, and the remainder (about 20%) from long- and short-term debt.

Long-term earnings growth reaffirmed, with higher-range bias starting in 2028

Ridge said Dominion reaffirmed its long-term operating earnings per share growth guidance of 5% to 7% annually off the original 2025 guidance midpoint of $3.30 per share, on an ex-45Z basis. He added the company now expects to achieve the upper half of that range beginning in 2028, citing improved business fundamentals, including more regulated investment, partly offset by headwinds such as lower RNG production, lower future day rate assumptions for its Jones Act wind turbine installation vessel Charybdis, and higher financing costs.

Ridge also addressed why the companys rate base growth and long-term earnings growth differ, citing equity dilution from planned issuance, increased parent-level interest expense, and the timing mismatch between rate base growth and cash flow from long-lead projects, particularly gas generation that does not enter service until the early 2030s.

On the dividend, Ridge reiterated the company will revisit the dividend per share growth rate when it achieves a peer-aligned payout ratio. In response to an analyst question, he said the company has not made a final decision on payout ratio changes, while acknowledging broader peer trends toward lower payout ratios as a funding source for larger capital plans.

CVOW over 70% complete; first power expected by end of March

Chair, President, and CEO Bob Blue said CVOW is now over 70% complete and remains on track for first power to the grid by the end of March. He reported installation of 176 monopiles was completed more quickly than expected, transition pieces were more than 70% installed, and the third and final offshore substation was installed the prior Saturday. Blue said deepwater export cables are installed, inter-array cable installation is on track, remaining cabling is fabricated, and the majority is landed in Virginia. Onshore work to accept first power was said to be complete.

The project budget stands at $11.5 billion, including $155 million of unused contingency, according to Blue. He also noted the company continues to provide updates on potential tariff exposure across discrete tariff categories and durations, and said Dominion is reviewing a recent Supreme Court tariff ruling and will update the project budget in the future as appropriate.

Blue discussed early turbine installation progress and noted the company is deliberately moving more slowly in initial iterations. He cited winter weather downtime and the need to occasionally pause installation to refine procedures. Blue also described an incident in which a human performance error, unrelated to Charybdis operations, damaged a blade after installation on the first turbine, requiring removal and replacement and resulting in an iteration that took almost two weeks. He said the company does not expect that type of delay to repeat and cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from early installation iterations.

He added the budget includes installation schedule contingency for weather delays through July 2027. If installation extends beyond that, the company estimated each additional quarter would add $150 million to $200 million to project cost, with a portion allocated to its financing partner. In Q&A, Blue said the company expects the majority of turbine installations in 2026 and some into 2027, and referenced a planning assumption of about 2.25 days per installation over time, with winter conditions expected to slow progress.

Demand growth, data centers, and recent regulatory developments

Management emphasized demand growth in Virginia. Ridge said weather-normal sales in Dominion Energy Virginias load-serving entity increased 5.4% in 2025, and that all of the top 20 peak demand days in the Dominion zone have occurred in the last 14 months.

Blue said Dominions data center pipeline totaled over 48 GW in various stages of contracting as of December 2025, up from about 47 GW as of September. He said the companys demand forecast is based on signed ESAs and CLOAs rather than early-stage letters of authorization, and that forecasted data center demand through 2045 is more than covered by existing signed ESAs and CLOAs.

Blue also highlighted customer affordability metrics, stating that current customer rates at Dominion Energy Virginia and Dominion Energy South Carolina are lower than the national average by 4% and 12%, respectively. He said typical residential rates are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of about 2.6% (Virginia) and 2.8% (South Carolina). He also referenced customer assistance programs including budget billing, energy savings programs, and EnergyShare.

The call included multiple regulatory and business updates, including:

Virginia biennial review: Blue said the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued a final order on Nov. 25 approving large load provisions intended to mitigate stranded asset risk and ensure fair cost allocation among customers.

Blue said the Virginia State Corporation Commission issued a final order on Nov. 25 approving large load provisions intended to mitigate stranded asset risk and ensure fair cost allocation among customers. Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center: Blue said the Virginia commission approved a CPCN and rider for the approximately 1 GW gas-fired facility expected to cost about $1.5 billion and enter service in 2029; the commission later affirmed the order and denied a reconsideration petition on Feb. 12.

Blue said the Virginia commission approved a CPCN and rider for the approximately 1 GW gas-fired facility expected to cost about $1.5 billion and enter service in 2029; the commission later affirmed the order and denied a reconsideration petition on Feb. 12. PJM transmission awards: Blue said PJM selected a portfolio of transmission projects totaling over $5 billion, with in-service dates through 2032, calling it Dominion Energy Virginias largest proposed investment since PJM began its open window process. Management said the portion through 2030 is included in the updated capital plan.

Blue said PJM selected a portfolio of transmission projects totaling over $5 billion, with in-service dates through 2032, calling it Dominion Energy Virginias largest proposed investment since PJM began its open window process. Management said the portion through 2030 is included in the updated capital plan. South Carolina rate case: Blue said Dominion Energy South Carolina filed an electric rate case on Jan. 2 to support $1.4 billion invested since 2023, with a decision expected in June and rates effective in July.

Blue said Dominion Energy South Carolina filed an electric rate case on Jan. 2 to support $1.4 billion invested since 2023, with a decision expected in June and rates effective in July. Millstone: Blue said the plant supplied over 90% of Connecticuts carbon-free electricity and achieved a capacity factor of over 91% in 2025. He said 55% of output is under a fixed-price contract through late 2029 and the remaining output is significantly de-risked by hedging. He also noted a Connecticut DEEP zero-carbon RFP for which Millstone is eligible, with bids due in March.

Blue concluded by reiterating the companys focus on execution, highlighting record safety performance metrics in 2025, reaffirmed earnings growth guidance, and the expanded capital plan aimed at meeting reliability needs and growing demand.

About Dominion Energy (NYSE:D)

Dominion Energy, Inc, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a diversified energy company that primarily operates regulated electricity and natural gas utilities and develops energy infrastructure. The companys core activities include the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as the purchase, storage and delivery of natural gas. Dominion combines traditional utility operations with energy infrastructure businesses to provide essential services across its service territories.

Dominions electricity portfolio spans multiple technologies and fuel sources, including nuclear, natural gas-fired generation and renewable resources such as utility-scale solar and wind.

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BERLIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China remains the best choice for German companies, as China's push for technological self-reliance, industrial upgrade and high-quality growth creates long-term opportunities, said renowned German economist Hermann Simon.

"China has a strong supplier infrastructure, a huge market and highly innovative consumers," he told Xinhua in a recent interview. "For many activities, China is the best location."

Simon, known as the father of the "Hidden Champions" theory, said that China's latest developments reflect both continuity and ambition.

"For many years, China has been our largest trading partner," he said. "While global uncertainty has raged in recent years, business cooperation between both countries remained resilient."

He noted that German companies are performing strongly in China, operating more than 2,000 factories to date.

Simon also expressed optimism regarding German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to China from Wednesday to Thursday. "Learning from each other is essential to sustaining long-term competitiveness on both sides," he said.

He emphasized that stable political relations enhance corporate confidence. "Good political relations have a two-fold effect," he said. "They may ease transactions and investments, but more importantly, they change the attitude towards China."

When relations are positive, German firms are more likely to invest in and visit China, while Chinese managers and entrepreneurs are increasingly willing to invest in Germany, he said.

Turning to China's strategic priorities, Simon said the latest five-year plans emphasize industrial strength, technological sovereignty and self-reliance. He noted that China's shift toward high-quality development represents a structural transformation.

Looking ahead, Simon said German firms should actively participate in China's next wave of technological upgrading rather than fear of being left behind.

"The right conclusion is to become an insider and benefit from developments in China," he said. "We in Germany can learn from that." 
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft (OTCMKTS:BMWYY  Get Free Report) and Debenhams (OTCMKTS:DBHSY  Get Free Report) are both auto/tires/trucks companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, valuation and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and Debenhams net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft 6.90% 11.39% 4.19% Debenhams N/A N/A N/A

Risk & Volatility

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft has a beta of 1.1, meaning that its share price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Debenhams has a beta of -0.62, meaning that its share price is 162% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft 1 1 0 0 1.50 Debenhams 0 0 0 0 0.00

Institutional & Insider Ownership

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and Debenhams, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

0.0% of Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft pays an annual dividend of $1.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.3%. Debenhams pays an annual dividend of $0.02 per share and has a dividend yield of 200.0%. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft pays out 33.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Debenhams pays out -1.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Debenhams is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and Debenhamss gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft $168.28 billion 0.31 $12.22 billion $4.67 6.25 Debenhams $3.07 billion 0.00 -$621.24 million ($2.02) 0.00

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft has higher revenue and earnings than Debenhams. Debenhams is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft beats Debenhams on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

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Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of automobiles and motorcycles, and spare parts and accessories worldwide. It operates through Automotive, Motorcycles, and Financial Services segments. The Automotive segment engages in the development, manufacture, assembling, and sale of automobiles, spare parts, accessories, and mobility services under the BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands. The Motorcycles segment develops, manufactures, assembles, and sells motorcycles and scooters under the BMW Motorrad brand, as well as spare parts and accessories. The Financial Services segment is involved in the automobile and motorcycle leasing, credit financing, retail and dealership financing, multi-brand fleet, customer deposit, and insurance activities; and the provision of fleet management services under the Alphabet brand. The company sells its products through independent dealerships. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.

About Debenhams

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Debenhams plc, through its subsidiaries, operates and franchises a range of department stores in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, and internationally. It provides women's wear, men's wear, kids wear, and lingerie, as well as beauty, home, furniture, gift and toy, electrical, Christmas, and others products. The company's brands primarily include The Collection, Mantaray, Maine New England, and Red Herring. It is also involved in online retailing business; and the operation of in-store cafes and restaurants. The company owns and operates 240 department stores in approximately 90 countries. Debenhams plc was founded in 1778 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE:STM  Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Tuesday. Investors purchased 7,157 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 50% compared to the average daily volume of 4,777 call options.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of STMicroelectronics by 2.6% in the third quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 18,500 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $523,000 after buying an additional 475 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in STMicroelectronics by 13.1% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,405 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $115,000 after acquiring an additional 509 shares in the last quarter. Earnest Partners LLC boosted its stake in STMicroelectronics by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 17,282 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares during the period. Vident Advisory LLC boosted its stake in STMicroelectronics by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 23,196 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $656,000 after purchasing an additional 573 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of STMicroelectronics by 27.5% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 2,680 shares of the semiconductor producers stock valued at $82,000 after purchasing an additional 578 shares during the period. 5.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on STM shares. Mizuho set a $28.00 price target on STMicroelectronics in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of STMicroelectronics from a sell (d+) rating to a hold (c-) rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price target on STMicroelectronics from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Monday. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, STMicroelectronics has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $31.93.

STMicroelectronics Stock Up 0.0%

STMicroelectronics stock traded up $0.01 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $34.00. 3,858,808 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,241,362. STMicroelectronics has a 1-year low of $17.25 and a 1-year high of $35.07. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $28.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $27.10. The company has a current ratio of 3.36, a quick ratio of 2.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10. The stock has a market cap of $30.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 189.04 and a beta of 1.59.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The semiconductor producer reported $0.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.27 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.29 billion. STMicroelectronics had a return on equity of 2.70% and a net margin of 1.41%. As a group, analysts anticipate that STMicroelectronics will post 0.85 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About STMicroelectronics

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STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, formed through the 1987 merger of SGS Microelettronica and Thomson Semiconducteurs. The company designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of semiconductor products and solutions that serve multiple end markets worldwide. STs offerings span from basic components to integrated systems, emphasizing energy-efficient and high-performance devices for modern electronics.

Product categories include microcontrollers (notably the widely used STM32 family), analog and mixed-signal ICs, power MOSFETs and power-management devices, MEMS and sensors, image sensors, and discrete semiconductors.

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Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI)s stock price rose 10.4% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $90.79 and last traded at $89.28. Approximately 2,462,052 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 6% from the average daily volume of 2,315,682 shares. The stock had previously closed at $80.86.

Analyst Ratings Changes

TRI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce set a $183.00 target price on Thomson Reuters and gave the stock an outperformer rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $111.00 price target on shares of Thomson Reuters and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. TD Securities reissued a buy rating on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research report on Friday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from $160.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company set a $140.00 price target on Thomson Reuters and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Eleven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $156.42.

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Thomson Reuters Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $40.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.45, a PEG ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The company has a 50 day moving average of $114.77 and a 200 day moving average of $141.04.

Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The business services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.06 by $0.01. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 30.45%.The company had revenue of $2 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.01 EPS. Thomson Reuterss quarterly revenue was up 5.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Thomson Reuters Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a $0.655 dividend. This is a boost from Thomson Reuterss previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, February 17th. This represents a $2.62 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 78.68%.

Institutional Trading of Thomson Reuters

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,776,640 shares of the business services providers stock worth $762,320,000 after buying an additional 85,684 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 4,664,372 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $616,342,000 after acquiring an additional 33,418 shares in the last quarter. TLT Family Holdco ULC bought a new position in Thomson Reuters during the second quarter worth $865,442,000. LCC Family Corp. bought a new stake in Thomson Reuters during the second quarter valued at $813,253,000. Finally, SEG Family Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Thomson Reuters during the second quarter worth $659,930,000. 17.31% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Thomson Reuters Company Profile

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Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI) is a multinational information and media company that provides content, technology and services to professionals in the legal, tax & accounting, compliance, risk, corporate and media sectors. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the company combines news and editorial content from the Reuters news agency with specialist workflow platforms and databases designed to support decision-making and regulatory compliance across industries worldwide.

The companys product portfolio spans legal research and workflow tools, tax and accounting software, regulatory and risk management solutions, and real-time news and data services.

Further Reading

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Pop Mart International Group Limited  Unsponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:PMRTY  Get Free Report)s share price traded down 5.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $29.67 and last traded at $29.83. 3,903 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 19,054 shares. The stock had previously closed at $31.54.

Pop Mart International Group Stock Performance

The firms fifty day moving average price is $27.48 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.70.

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Pop Mart International Group Company Profile

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Pop Mart International Group Ltd is a leading designer, developer and retailer of collectible art toys and lifestyle products. Founded in Beijing in 2010, the company has built a portfolio of proprietary intellectual property and artist collaborations, with its core business centered on blind-box collectible figurines that combine contemporary design with surprise-driven consumer engagement. Pop Marts distinctive toy offerings span a variety of artist-led series and thematic collections, making it a recognized name among collectors and casual consumers alike.

The companys product lineup features several signature brands, including Pucky, Molly and Dimoo, each characterized by unique aesthetic styles and narrative elements.

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PCCW Ltd. (OTCMKTS:PCCWY  Get Free Report) rose 8.1% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $7.88 and last traded at $7.88. Approximately 129 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 47% from the average daily volume of 245 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.29.

PCCW Stock Performance

The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $7.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.57.

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About PCCW

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PCCW Limited (OTCMKTS:PCCWY) is a Hong Kongbased technology and telecommunications company offering a broad array of connectivity, media and IT solutions. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the group traces its roots to the early 2000s restructuring of the local fixed-line incumbent and has since diversified into broadband, mobile and digital media services under various subsidiaries.

The companys consumer and enterprise businesses encompass fixed-line telephone, broadband internet access, mobile services and pay-TV.

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Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) rose 11.5% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as C$124.39 and last traded at C$123.58. Approximately 645,667 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 22% from the average daily volume of 823,801 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$110.84.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on TRI shares. TD Securities dropped their price target on Thomson Reuters from C$285.00 to C$175.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. National Bank Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$190.00 to C$175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Thomson Reuters from C$275.00 to C$165.00 in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$181.83.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on TRI

Thomson Reuters Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of C$55.06 billion, a PE ratio of 37.16, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of -0.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.28, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$157.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$195.50.

Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported C$1.47 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$2.76 billion during the quarter. Thomson Reuters had a net margin of 32.12% and a return on equity of 20.19%. On average, research analysts expect that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 5.6395803 earnings per share for the current year.

About Thomson Reuters

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Thomson Reuters is the result of the $17.6 billion megamerger of Canadas Thomson and the United Kingdoms Reuters Group in 2008 and the 2018 carve-out of its finance and risk business, Refinitiv, in which it holds a 45% stake. In 2019, the company agreed to exchange its 45% stake in Refinitiv for a 15% stake in LSE. Since the divestiture, the company is more concentrated on selling its flagship legal data and software, WestLaw, and its tax accounting software, OneSource. In addition, the company does hold a significant investment in the publicly traded Tradeweb, which operates a fixed income exchange.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (TSE:BIP.UN  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BIP)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as C$54.03 and last traded at C$53.70, with a volume of 104043 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$52.97.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of C$24.92 billion, a PE ratio of 59.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -2.12 and a beta of 1.87. The firms fifty day simple moving average is C$49.13 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$47.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 180.01, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.45.

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Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (TSE:BIP.UN  Get Free Report) (NYSE:BIP) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported C$0.61 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$8.32 billion for the quarter. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners had a positive return on equity of 5.21% and a negative net margin of 0.09%. On average, research analysts predict that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. will post 0.9401645 EPS for the current year.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Company Profile

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP is a Bermuda exempted limited partnership that owns and operates quality, long-life assets that generate stable cash flows, by virtue of barriers to entry or other characteristics tend to appreciate in value over time. It focuses on acquiring infrastructure assets that have low maintenance capital costs and high barriers to entry. The companys segments consist of Utilities, Transport, Midstream, and Data. Geographically, it generates maximum revenue from Brazil and also has a presence in Australia, Colombia, United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Chile, Peru, India, and other countries.

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Orkla Asa (OTCMKTS:ORKLY  Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.8136 and last traded at $13.7050, with a volume of 17006 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.6950.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Kepler Capital Markets cut shares of Orkla Asa from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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Orkla Asa Trading Up 0.1%

The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $11.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.11. The company has a market cap of $13.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.35 and a beta of 0.43.

Orkla Asa (OTCMKTS:ORKLY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.03. Orkla Asa had a return on equity of 13.96% and a net margin of 16.06%.The firm had revenue of $1.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.85 billion.

Orkla Asa Company Profile

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Orkla ASA (OTCMKTS: ORKLY) is a leading Norwegian industrial group with a strong focus on branded consumer goods, aluminium solutions and strategic investments. Founded in 1654 as a regional copper mine in Orkdal, Trndelag, the company has evolved over centuries into a diversified conglomerate headquartered in Oslo. Orklas portfolio spans fast-moving consumer goods, including food, snacks, confectionery and personal care products, alongside advanced aluminium solutions and financial investments in select industries.

Within its branded consumer goods division, Orkla operates several business areas: Orkla Foods, Orkla Confectionery & Snacks, Orkla Care and Orkla Food Ingredients.

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Brambles Ltd. (OTCMKTS:BXBLY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $35.41 and last traded at $35.32, with a volume of 16431 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $34.70.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Zacks Research raised shares of Brambles to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold.

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Brambles Price Performance

Brambles Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The stocks 50-day moving average is $31.58 and its 200-day moving average is $31.87.

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Brambles Limited (OTCMKTS:BXBLY) is a global supply-chain logistics company headquartered in Sydney, Australia, best known for its pooled pallet and reusable packaging services. The company operates the CHEP brand for pallets and larger load-carrier solutions and the IFCO brand for reusable plastic crates, offering customers standardized, shared assets that move goods through retail, grocery, manufacturing and other supply chains.

Brambles core activities include the management, distribution and maintenance of pooled pallets, crates and containers; repair and refurbishment services; and logistics support such as asset tracking and inventory management.

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Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst (TSE:CHP.UN  Get Free Report) had its target price upped by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$16.00 to C$17.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a sector perform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target suggests a potential upside of 7.19% from the companys previous close.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on CHP.UN. Raymond James Financial increased their target price on shares of Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst from C$16.25 to C$16.50 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday. Scotiabank increased their price objective on shares of Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst from C$16.00 to C$16.50 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, National Bank Financial boosted their target price on Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst from C$15.50 to C$16.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of C$16.40.

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Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst Price Performance

About Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst

Shares of CHP.UN traded down C$0.09 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$15.86. The company had a trading volume of 123,482 shares, compared to its average volume of 359,100. The company has a market capitalization of C$11.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 249.71, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a current ratio of 0.70. The companys 50 day simple moving average is C$15.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$14.95. Choice Properties Real Est Invstmnt Trst has a 1-year low of C$13.39 and a 1-year high of C$16.00.

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Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust invests in, manages, and develops retail and commercial properties across Canada. The companys portfolio primarily consists of shopping centers anchored by supermarkets and stand-alone supermarkets. The properties are mostly located in Ontario and Quebec, followed by Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and New Brunswick. Choice Properties generate the majority of revenue from leasing properties to its tenants. The companys principal tenant, the large-format retailer Loblaw Companies, contributes the vast majority of the total rent.

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen shot dead six people before setting their vehicles on fire in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province on Monday, police sources said.

The incident happened in Panjgur district, where the attackers opened fire on two vehicles traveling along a road reportedly used for informal oil transportation, killing six people on the spot, the sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Police and Levies personnel, who rushed to the site after receiving information, cordoned off the area, the sources said.

An investigation is underway to determine the nature and motive of the attack, and efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. 
Emera (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) had its target price raised by analysts at Raymond James Financial from C$73.00 to C$74.50 in a research note issued on Tuesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Raymond James Financials price objective would suggest a potential upside of 7.46% from the companys previous close.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on EMA. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Emera from C$72.00 to C$78.00 in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of Emera from C$74.00 to C$75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce increased their target price on Emera from C$71.00 to C$72.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Emera from C$68.00 to C$72.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Emera from C$70.00 to C$76.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$71.72.

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Emera Stock Down 1.1%

TSE EMA traded down C$0.80 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$69.33. 309,223 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,464,986. Emera has a 1-year low of C$56.59 and a 1-year high of C$71.86. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 150.23. The company has a market cap of C$20.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.00, a P/E/G ratio of 6.20 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of C$67.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$67.02.

Emera (TSE:EMA  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The company reported C$1.48 earnings per share for the quarter. Emera had a net margin of 10.51% and a return on equity of 6.06%. The company had revenue of C$2.01 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Emera will post 3.1991627 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Emera

In other Emera news, insider Daniel Muldoon sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.00, for a total value of C$536,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 2,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$159,326. This represents a 77.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Also, Director Scott Carlyle Balfour sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of C$67.75, for a total value of C$677,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 7,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$523,910.75. The trade was a 56.39% decrease in their position. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Emera

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Emera is a geographically diverse energy and services company investing in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution as well as gas transmission and utility energy services. Emera has operations throughout North America and the Caribbean countries.

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Dynatrace (NYSE:DT  Get Free Report) and American Noble Gas (NYSE:INFY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Dynatrace and American Noble Gas, as provided by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Dynatrace 0 6 19 0 2.76 American Noble Gas 1 7 2 0 2.10

Dynatrace presently has a consensus target price of $52.52, suggesting a potential upside of 53.95%. American Noble Gas has a consensus target price of $16.89, suggesting a potential upside of 22.15%. Given Dynatraces stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Dynatrace is more favorable than American Noble Gas.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

Volatility and Risk

94.3% of Dynatrace shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 16.2% of American Noble Gas shares are held by institutional investors. 0.6% of Dynatrace shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 22.4% of American Noble Gas shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dynatrace has a beta of 0.84, suggesting that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, American Noble Gas has a beta of 0.98, suggesting that its share price is 2% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Dynatrace and American Noble Gass top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Dynatrace $1.70 billion 5.99 $483.68 million $0.61 55.93 American Noble Gas $19.28 billion 2.90 $3.16 billion $0.77 17.95

American Noble Gas has higher revenue and earnings than Dynatrace. American Noble Gas is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Dynatrace, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Dynatrace and American Noble Gas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Dynatrace 9.55% 9.75% 6.45% American Noble Gas 16.16% 30.60% 19.26%

Summary

American Noble Gas beats Dynatrace on 8 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Dynatrace

(Get Free Report)

Dynatrace, Inc. provides a security platform for multicloud environments in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates Dynatrace, a security platform, which provides application and microservices monitoring, runtime application security, infrastructure monitoring, log management and analytics, digital experience monitoring, digital business analytics, and cloud automation. Its platform allows its customers to modernize and automate IT operations, delivers software, and enhance user experiences. In addition, the company offers implementation, consulting, and training services. It markets its products through a combination of direct sales team and a network of partners, including resellers, system integrators, and managed service providers. It serves customers in various industries comprising banking, financial services, government, insurance, retail and wholesale, transportation, and software. Dynatrace, Inc. was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

About American Noble Gas

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Infosys Ltd. is a digital services and consulting company, which engages in the provision of end-to-end business solutions. It operates through the following segments: Financial Services, Retail, Communication, Energy, Utilities, Resources, and Services, Manufacturing, Hi-Tech, Life Sciences, and All Other. The company was founded by Dinesh Krishnan Swamy, Senapathy Gopalakrishnan, Narayana Ramarao Nagavara Murthy, Raghavan N. S., Ashok Arora, Nandan M. Nilekani, and S. D. Shibulal on July 2, 1981 and is headquartered in Bangalore, India.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) insider Guy Gosselin sold 4,947 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$310.00, for a total value of C$1,533,570.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 31,381 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$9,728,110. This trade represents a 13.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock.

Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

Shares of TSE AEM traded up C$5.78 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$335.44. The companys stock had a trading volume of 318,506 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,070,636. The firm has a market capitalization of C$167.82 billion, a PE ratio of 37.86, a P/E/G ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.54. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 52 week low of C$132.96 and a 52 week high of C$335.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.88, a current ratio of 1.75 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$269.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$238.21.

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Agnico Eagle Mines (TSE:AEM  Get Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 13th. The company reported C$3.71 EPS for the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines had a net margin of 12.86% and a return on equity of 5.05%. The business had revenue of C$4.89 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 5.4966052 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is currently 18.06%.

AEM has been the subject of a number of research reports. National Bank Financial upped their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from C$300.00 to C$320.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Erste Group Bank downgraded Agnico Eagle Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, February 18th. TD Securities boosted their price target on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$241.00 to C$251.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. set a C$337.00 target price on Agnico Eagle Mines and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$300.00 to C$350.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$272.60.

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Agnico Eagle Mines Company Profile

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Agnico Eagle Mines is a gold miner operating mines in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It also owns 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines on line in rapid succession in the following years. The company produced more than 1.7 million gold ounces in 2020. Agnico Eagle is focused on increasing gold production in lower-risk jurisdictions.

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Deere & Company, Bunge Global, Corteva, Valmont Industries, Cal-Maine Foods, Gates Industrial, and Andersons are the seven Agriculture stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Agriculture stocks are shares of publicly traded companies involved in producing, supplying, processing or supporting agricultural goods and servicesthis includes farmers and cooperatives, seed and fertilizer makers, farm-equipment manufacturers, commodity traders, food processors and ag?tech firms. Investors use them to gain exposure to trends in crop prices, global food demand and productivity, but they carry risks tied to weather, yields, commodity volatility and agricultural policy. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Agriculture stocks within the last several days.

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Deere & Company (DE)

Deere & Co. engages in the manufacture and distribution of equipment used in agriculture, construction, forestry, and turf care. It operates through the following segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Agriculture and Turf segment focuses on the distribution and manufacture of a full line of agriculture and turf equipment and related service parts.

Bunge Global (BG)

Bunge Global SA operates as an agribusiness and food company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Agribusiness, Refined and Specialty Oils, Milling, and Sugar and Bioenergy. The Agribusiness segment purchases, stores, transports, processes, and sells agricultural commodities and commodity products, including oilseeds primarily soybeans, rapeseed, canola, and sunflower seeds, as well as grains comprising wheat and corn; and processes oilseeds into vegetable oils and protein meals.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BG

Corteva (CTVA)

Corteva, Inc. operates in the agriculture business. It operates through two segments, Seed and Crop Protection. The Seed segment develops and supplies advanced germplasm and traits that produce optimum yield for farms. It offers trait technologies that enhance resistance to weather, disease, insects, and herbicides used to control weeds, as well as food and nutritional characteristics.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CTVA

Valmont Industries (VMI)

Valmont Industries, Inc. operates as manufacturer of products and services for infrastructure and agriculture markets in the United States, Australia, Brazil, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Infrastructure and Agriculture. The company manufactures and distributes steel, pre-stressed concrete, composite structures for electrical transmission, substation, and distribution applications; and designs, engineers, and manufactures metal, steel, wood, aluminum, and composite poles and structures for lighting and transportation applications.

Read Our Latest Research Report on VMI

Cal-Maine Foods (CALM)

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, grades, packages, markets, and distributes shell eggs. The company offers specialty shell eggs, such as nutritionally enhanced, cage free, organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and brown eggs under the Egg-Land's Best, Land O' Lakes, Farmhouse Eggs, Sunups, Sunny Meadow, and 4Grain brand names.

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Gates Industrial (GTES)

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Andersons (ANDE)

The Andersons, Inc. operates in trade, renewables, and nutrient and industrial sectors in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Switzerland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Trade, Renewables, and Nutrient & Industrial. The companys Trade segment operates grain elevators; stores commodities; and provides grain marketing, risk management, and origination services, as well as sells commodities, such as corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, ethanol, and corn oil.

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China Construction Bank Corp. (OTCMKTS:CICHY  Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 236,255 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 245% from the previous sessions volume of 68,417 shares.The stock last traded at $20.6365 and had previously closed at $20.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Zacks Research raised China Construction Bank to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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China Construction Bank Stock Performance

About China Construction Bank

The company has a market cap of $270.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.74 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $19.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.97.

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China Construction Bank Corporation (OTCMKTS:CICHY) is one of the largest commercial banks in China, headquartered in Beijing. The bank provides a broad range of banking and financial services to corporate, institutional and individual customers. It is widely recognized as one of the major state-owned banks in China and has played a significant role in financing infrastructure, real estate and corporate development across the country.

CCBs core business activities include corporate banking, personal banking and treasury operations.

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Torrid (NYSE:CURV  Get Free Report) and Esprit (OTCMKTS:ESPGY  Get Free Report) are both small-cap retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

81.8% of Torrid shares are owned by institutional investors. 9.8% of Torrid shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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Profitability

This table compares Torrid and Esprits net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Torrid -0.18% -1.69% -0.43% Esprit N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Recommendations

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Torrid 3 4 1 0 1.75 Esprit 0 0 0 0 0.00

This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Torrid and Esprit, as reported by MarketBeat.

Torrid presently has a consensus target price of $1.44, indicating a potential upside of 43.28%. Given Torrids stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Torrid is more favorable than Esprit.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Torrid and Esprits revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Torrid $1.10 billion 0.09 $16.32 million ($0.01) -100.50 Esprit $5.38 million 0.46 -$157.30 million N/A N/A

Torrid has higher revenue and earnings than Esprit.

Summary

Torrid beats Esprit on 7 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Torrid

(Get Free Report)

Torrid Holdings Inc. operates in womens plus-size apparel and intimates market in North America. The company designs, develops, and merchandises its products under the Torrid, Torrid Curve, CURV, and Lovesick brand names. It is involved in the sale of tops, bottoms, dresses, denims, activewear, intimates, sleep wear, swim wear, and outerwear products; and non-apparel products comprising accessories, footwear, and beauty products. The company sells its products directly to consumers through its e-commerce platform and its physical stores. Torrid Holdings Inc. was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in City Of Industry, California.

About Esprit

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Esprit Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, engages in retail and wholesale distribution, and licensing of fashion and non-apparel products. It operates through Europe; Asia; E-shop; and Corporate Services, Sourcing, Licensing and Others segments. The company offers apparel and accessories under the ESPRIT brand name through retail stores and e-commerce platforms. It is also involved in the sourcing, purchasing, distributing, and sale of merchandise; provision of financial and treasury services, as well as logistic services comprising customs dealing and quality control; design and image directions; and conceptualization and development of global uniform image businesses. Esprit Holdings Limited was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in North Point, Hong Kong.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Renowned U.S. economist Jeffrey Sachs on Monday urged President Donald Trump to provide relief to American families who bore the costs of the sweeping tariffs his administration imposed, after the Supreme Court ruled that these tariffs were unlawful.

The tariffs were "illegal, unfair, and detrimental to the American people," and it was not the foreign countries, but the American families, who were paying for the tariffs, Sachs, a professor of economics and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, wrote in an opinion piece published on the U.S.-based news website Common Dreams.

He cited economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and other independent research institutions as saying that the "burden of the tariffs fell overwhelmingly on American importers, businesses, and consumers."

"The administration has the responsibility to design such relief. You took the money illegally; now you should return it," Sachs stressed.

According to him, roughly 140 billion U.S. dollars in tariff revenue was collected at U.S. ports last year. In the meantime, American households on average paid roughly 1,000 dollars or more due to the tariffs.

"For families living paycheck to paycheck, that is not abstract. That is rent stretched to the breaking point. That is groceries rising in price while wages fail to keep up," Sachs said.

On Friday morning, U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote that Trump's tariff policy under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was illegal.

Hours later after the ruling, Trump signed an order imposing a 10 percent tariff on imports from all countries. On Saturday, Trump said he would raise the new global tariff to 15 percent.

On Monday, Trump threatened countries around the world to abide by any tariff deals they agreed to despite the Supreme Court ruling. "Any Country that wants to 'play games' with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have 'Ripped Off' the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. 
There will be no cuts to special needs assistants (SNAs) across schools in Ireland for the coming academic year, Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton said.

The Department of Education had last week paused a review of SNA allocations and redeployment after a public backlash and outcry from opposition TDs, teachers, parents and trade unions.

It came after the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) told several schools they could lose part of their SNA allocation.

Ms Naughton had initially defended the proposal, arguing that there would be an increase of 1,700 SNAs from September, and that two thirds of 580 schools that had been reviewed would see their allocation of SNAs stay the same or increase.

On Tuesday, Ms Naughton said that at a meeting on Monday night, the Government agreed not to reduce the number of SNAs at any schools from September.

She said she had listened and understood the concern caused by the cliff edge approach.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that while reviews had been regular since the SNA system was introduced in the 1990s, they had not taken place since the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: You cant impose, in my view, substantial reductions in any one given year, notwithstanding that the majority were one or two, but in some cases you have schools losing up to four SNAs, and thats a big hit to a school.

An additional 19 million euros was allocated to fund the decision.

Last night, we agreed at Government that schools who had an NCSE review were due to get an increase in their allocations for SNAs that will proceed this coming school year, and those schools that were in line to reduce resources, that would not happen, Ms Naughton said.

She said a redeployment scheme and a workforce development plan for SNAs would both be published, as well as the revised circular.

Ms Naughton said once those documents are published, the NCSE would start reviewing schools again for the 27/28 school year.

She said: Its really important that we are listening to parents, to SNAS, to schools who had huge concerns in relation to the cliff edge approach here.

And I want to provide that reassurance to schools, to let them know Im listening and responding, to make sure that we get the supports for children who need it and students who need it.

Ms Naughton added: Im not happy with the sequencing of events here, where the redeployment scheme was not published, it was advanced, it was near finalisation, but it needed to be explained to SNAs, because this is actually positive for them.

Ive listened, and thats why it is important to put a hold on this process, to listen to the concerns.

We need to bring everyone with us and I want to get it right.

Theres no point in Government proceeding with something where our schools and our teachers and parents in particular are worried about the process and worried whether their children are going to have the supports they need, and thats why its really important that we respond here, and we get the sequencing right and the communications right.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has alerted Irish customers to an urgent recall of popular health supplements amid serious salmonella fears.

Ambrosia Brands, LLC, is recalling specific batches of its Rosabella Moringa capsules due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

READ NEXT: Man in his 50s arrested in connection with murder of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine

The recalled batches are packaged in white plastic bottles. The batch code is printed on the bottom of the bottles and is the middle seven digits of the code printed above the expiry date.

The affected batches have best-before dates ranging from 03/2027 to 11/2027.

People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody.

Other symptoms may include fever, headache, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

READ NEXT: What was said at Michael Gaine's funeral as man is arrested over death of Kerry farmer?

What to do:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Wholesalers / distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to retailer customers.

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.
The Irish data and privacy regulator has defended how it holds big tech to account, arguing that it has levied billions of euros in fines against multinational companies.

The head of the Data Protection Commission told politicians that there was no fear or favour in how they apply the law.

Irelands media and online regulator, Coimisiun na Mean, also said it was not inherently illegal for companies to provide people with access to an AI tool to create child sexual abuse images, even though the creation of such images was an offence.

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) and Coimisiun na Mean were before committee on Tuesday in relation to deepfake images and the recent controversy by artificial intelligence (AI) tool Grok.

The social media site X, which was known as Twitter before it was bought by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has come under criticism over Grok, which has been accused of generating sexualised images, including of children.

The controversy highlighted a possible loophole in relation to regulations in Ireland around non-consensual images.

Senior Government figures have insisted that there is sufficient legislation to investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse material and non-consensual sexualised images of adults that have been generated through AI tools online.

However, a senior garda said that intimate abuse imagery of adults needs to be shared to constitute an offence and a complainant is required to prompt an investigation.

The controversy also raised questions over whether childrens access to social media should be restricted by government.

The European Commission is, with the assistance of Coimisiun na Mean, conducting an investigation into Xs compliance with its obligations after the Grok controversy.

The DPC announced last week that it was investigating X over non-consensual, intimate or sexualised images being allegedly created through generative AI involving the personal data of EU citizens, including children.

Appearing before committee on Tuesday, chairman of the DPC Des Hogan said the transformative potential of AI will only be realised if its substantive risks and potential harms are addressed.

Asked by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy if the DPC was too close to big tech, he said: I think weve over four billion levied fines at the moment.

I can certainly say that my predecessor and current commissioners were very, very focused on regulating everyone, be it public or private sector, theres no fear of favour, a guarantee of that, and we will apply the law as we apply the law.

We work very closely with our peer regulators, we listen to their views, we listen to civil society organisations.

He said that one of the challenges they face is the legal challenge to the decisions they make against big tech.

He said all fines levied against large platforms were being challenged, bar two, and in the public sector all fines had been accepted, bar one in relation to the 550,000 euro fine for the Department of Social Protection over the Public Services Card, which is due before the High Court next month.

We are not only being litigated under statutory appeal, which is provided for the Data Protection Act, were concurrently being judicially reviewed in each of those decisions and that is a difficulty.

He added: I would say that were up against very well resourced legal teams, if I could put it like that.

By and large, we feel that theyre defendable, they were taken over a number of years.

We get criticised for taking inquiry decisions over a number of years. We do that because were very careful, and we give fair procedural rights to the parties.

Executive chairman of Coimisiun na Mean Jeremy Godfrey said the the creation of child sex abuse material is illegal under Irish law and social media platforms must remove it when reported.

He said that because the non-consensual sharing of intimate images is a criminal offence in Ireland under Cocos Law, there was consequential obligations on platforms to remove that material.

But he said it was not inherently unlawful to deploy an AI system capable of creating child sex abuse material and said action to prohibit this could be useful.

Its unlawful in the Irish law to produce the imagery, but its the deployment of the tool that would be prohibited under the AI Act.

So at the moment, its not a criminal offence under Irish law to deploy an AI system that can be used in that way, using it in that way is a criminal offence.

Its not on the users of AI, not on the people who are putting prompts in, the AI Act puts obligations on the developers and deployers of AI models and AI systems.

So it would be another tool so that people werent provided with the ability to break the law in such an easy way.

Asked if there are other areas of high risk in relation to AI, he cited generative AI being used as companions and therapists.

There are some horror stories of having very severe and damaging effects on peoples mental health as a result of it.

So I think theres certainly risks around the way people interact with generative AI that could potentially be addressed by broadening the categories of high risk systems to include a wider range of chatbots and generative AI tools.

He added: We dont have a very specific proposal about how that might be done.

Its something which is in the European Commissions remit to change, so some review to look at how the list of high risk systems might be added to to reflect some of the risks created by generative AI, we think would be a good idea.
The Government did not sign off on the review of how special needs assistants are allocated at schools across Ireland, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said.

He was defending a move to pause the review and reallocation of SNAs for the coming school year after it caused concern and outrage among parents, teachers and SNAs.

The number of SNAs at around 580 schools were reviewed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and a third were told that the number of SNAs at their school would be reduced from September.

Two thirds were deemed to need more SNAs or to keep their current allocation as it was.

At a meeting on Monday night, the Government agreed not to reduce the number of SNAs at any schools from September, but in schools where the NCSE said more SNAs were needed, they will be allocated.

The decision will cost an extra 19 million euros in funding at the Department of Education.

Once a revised circular, a redeployment scheme and a workforce development plan for SNAs are published, the NCSE will again review SNA allocations at schools for the 27/28 academic year.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it was extraordinary to state that the Government did not sign off on the review after ministers publicly defended the plan last week.

The Government never signed off on this at a governmental level, just make that point to you, the Taoiseach said.

Government didnt sign off on this, in terms of the 550 and the scale and the impact of it.

When Government saw the impact of this, Government considered it, and Government have decided not to go ahead with what was being proposed.

The paused proposal to reallocate SNAs across almost 200 schools in Ireland was raised by Sinn Fein, Labour, the Social Democrats and Independent TD Seamus Healy at Leaders Questions on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the government had announced an extension of that pause that would buy yourself time and to alleviate pressure on government.

She said the cut SNAs remains on the table, despite concern and heartbreak from parents, and called on the Government to rule out any cuts to SNA services, calling it a cynical bean-counting exercise.

This is a tactical retreat and not a change of heart, she said in the Dail on Tuesday.

Mr Martin accused Ms McDonald of exaggeration, while speaking in Irish, and then said she personified cynicism.

In 2020 there were 16,000 special needs assistants, starting next September, there will be well over 25,000 special needs assistants.

Thats not cut backs, thats not pulling back, thats not taking special needs assistants from vulnerable children, thats allocating more resources.

He said there had been a significant increase in the number of children and young people identifying with a disability in the last census compared to the previous census.

Taoiseach, what you have given us is a demonstration of a complete unwillingness to accept realities on the ground, Ms McDonald said.

In fact, I would say that your response there was gaslighting parents and SNAs, she said, prompting objections from the government benches.

You need to know that those parents and children and young people who rely on their SNA to participate in school life, to participate in learning, to stay at school, to build confidence esteem, to build relationships.

You need to announce now, not a pause or a review of a review, but a complete reversal of this disgraceful policy.

Ms Bacik said schools were told without warning or consultation that they would have their SNA allocation reduced, and it was only reversed after a national uproar.

Its extraordinary to hear you say the Government never signed off on this, she said.

It was your government policy. Government ministers were out defending it all last week.

Its extraordinary to hear you now seeking to deflect blame, to deflect responsibility. It was your policy, you got the NCSE to implement it.

Theres a fundamental lack of coherence in government decision making that is so visible here, Taoiseach.

Theres this fundamental lack of coherence. Theres a lack of vision.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said that complex needs must be reintroduced as a criteria when considering allocations and its removal was a step in the complete wrong direction.

Mr Martin said he accepted that parents of children with special needs have to fight a very hard battle for services in education and healthcare and said he believes in a multi-disciplinary approach to help children with special needs which they would deliver on during the lifetime of this Government.

He said the percentage of the overall education budget, now at 13 billion euros, is very, very high because the Government had prioritised special education.
In 2026 . . .

This year's vacay turns scary and might even destabilize Latin America even more so . . . But not enough to talk about THE INSATIABLE AMERICAN APPETITE FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS that pretty much funds cartels, illegal immigration and probably explains the atrocious reggaeton music genre.

Check-it . . .

"Tourists and visitors from around the U.S. are stuck in popular cities like Puerto Vallarta after the killing of a powerful cartel leader in Mexico. A Kansas City performer and frequent traveler to Mexico remains in Puerto Vallarta and hopes he'll be able to return to the States later this week."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
KINSHASA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), known as MONUSCO, on Tuesday announced the deployment of a joint exploratory assessment mission to Uvira, a strategic city in the country's east, from Feb. 23 to 27, to prepare for the establishment of a joint ceasefire monitoring mechanism.

Presented as an essential prelude to any future deployment, the mission, conducted in coordination with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), an intergovernmental organization, aims to determine whether operational conditions are in place to ensure a monitoring mechanism that is "credible, safe and operationally feasible," MONUSCO said in a statement.

Teams on the ground are expected to assess access, security guarantees, available logistics, and engagement modalities with local actors in Uvira, which currently serves as the administrative center of South Kivu Province after the provincial capital, Bukavu, was seized by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in February 2025.

The mission follows consultations with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who also serves as chair of the ICGLR, and forms part of the ceasefire architecture stemming from a framework agreement signed with the M23 in Doha, Qatar, on Nov. 15, 2025, MONUSCO said.

It stressed that this remains a strictly exploratory phase and that the scale of any future deployment will depend on agreed parameters and, above all, effective security guarantees.

"Effective ceasefire monitoring is intended to reduce violence and create the necessary space for a durable political solution," the statement quoted Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO's acting head, as saying.

Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu, was retaken by DRC government forces in January 2026.

The UN mission's announcement comes amid heightened tensions in Uvira territory and the South Kivu highlands region, where clashes continue between government forces and allied groups on the one side and M23 rebels on the other, despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives.

Fresh fighting has been reported since Monday in the mining areas of Rubaya in Masisi territory, North Kivu province.

On Tuesday morning, intense clashes involving shelling were still ongoing around the town of Rubaya, according to M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka, despite a truce proposed by Angola that was due to take effect on Feb. 18. 
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The Westin Tampa Bay has officially completed a multi-million dollar, full-property transformation, reimagining every guest touchpoint across the hotel, from serene guest rooms and wellness-focused amenities to modernized meeting spaces, refreshed wedding venues, a brand new restaurant concept, and an upcoming new resort-style pool experience.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - February 23rd, 2026 -

The Westin Tampa Bay Reveals Full-Property Transformation

From Reimagined Guest Rooms, a New Restaurant Palmette Brasserie & Bar, State-of-the-Art Event Spaces, and a South Beach Style Pool Slated for Summer, the Hotels Revitalization Redefines the Bayfront Experience

TAMPA, Fla. (February 23rd, 2026)  The Westin Tampa Bay has officially completed a multi-million dollar, full-property transformation, reimagining every guest touchpoint across the hotel, from serene guest rooms and wellness-focused amenities to modernized meeting spaces, refreshed wedding venues, a brand new restaurant concept, and an upcoming new resort-style pool experience.

The redesigned guest rooms now feature a refined coastal aesthetic inspired by the natural beauty of Tampa Bay. Light, airy color palettes and modern textures set a calming tone, while floor-to-ceiling windows highlight sweeping bay views. Upgraded furnishings, luxury bedding, and smart in-room technology, including energy-efficient systems that adjust temperature and drapes when unoccupied, deliver both comfort and sustainability.

Beyond the guest rooms, enhancements extended throughout the property. The hotels expansive 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space received modern finishes, improved layouts to support conferences, social events, and gatherings of all sizes. Dedicated wedding venues were also elevated, offering refreshed indoor and outdoor settings designed to maintain timeless appeal.

General Manager, Lukasz Chrzastek, has been overseeing the property transition. Lukasz states, At The Westin, wellness is at the core of everything we do, and this renovation allowed us to elevate that promise across the entire property. From calming guest rooms and state-of-the-art fitness spaces to thoughtfully designed gathering areas and dining experiences, every element was refreshed to support balance, connection, and well-being for todays traveler.

The transformation continued with a reimagined fitness center outfitted with the latest equipment, offering guests a bright, energizing space to maintain their wellness routines. The hotel also debuted a South Beach-inspired outdoor poolscape featuring tropical landscaping, a cascading waterfall, ambient music, and craft cocktails served poolside, creating a leisure destination just steps from the waterfront.

Renovations included the opening of a new on-site restaurant, Palmette Brasserie and Bar, designed to reflect the flavors and energy of Tampa Bay. The space offers bold island-inspired dishes, familiar modern favorites, and a seamless indoor-outdoor dining experience with panoramic views of the bay.

Inspired by the palmette motif, fronds rising from a single base and opening outward, Palmettes story begins with the idea that shared meals naturally bring people together. Think modern brasserie with a relaxed tropical feel, where coastal flavors, warm textures, and spirited energy set the tone. From water views to breezy indoor/outdoor seating, every detail is designed for moments worth lingering over.

Located in the Westshore Business District, just minutes from Tampa International Airport, downtown Tampa, and Floridas award-winning beaches, The Westin Tampa Bay now offers a fully revitalized guest experience that blends modern luxury, local inspiration, and the signature wellness-driven hospitality of the Westin brand.

THE WESTIN TAMPA BAY: The Westin is a premier hotel located in the Westshore Business District, offering modern accommodations, wellness-inspired amenities, and scenic waterfront views. The property is currently undergoing a transformative renovation to enhance guest experiences and elevate its standing as a top destination for travel and events. 7627 W Courtney Campbell Cswy, Tampa, FL 33607 | (813) 281-0000

About Pyramid Global Hospitality: Pyramid Global Hospitality was formed by the 2021 merger of three hotel and resort management companies, creating the most owner-focused, experiential company in the industry and establishing a position as a best workplace. The organizations global portfolio spans more than 240 properties across the U.S., Caribbean and Europe. It maintains offices in Boston; The Woodlands, Texas; Cincinnati; and London. For more information, visit www.PyramidGlobal.com

EVOLVE & CO: Evolve & Co is a full-service advertising agency located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. The company is a collective of brand strategists and creatives, specializing in the lifestyle vertical. The firm is located at 475 Central Avenue Suite M7, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. www.evolveandco.com

Editors: For details or to schedule an interview, contact Lisa Williams at lisa@evolveandco.com or 727.490.9835.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The UK is ready to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the water sector, Elvin Raziyev, a representative of the UK Embassy, said during a roundtable discussion titled "Water Security in Azerbaijan: Regulation, Risk, and Responsible Business Action," held in Baku, Trend reports.

"Both our countries face similar water challenges: deteriorating infrastructure, growing demand, flood risks, and the need to modernize water treatment systems. These common challenges create real opportunities for cooperation. The UK is ready to work with Azerbaijan in the water sector through expertise, innovation, and funding for specific projects," he explained.

Raziyev noted that the UK-Azerbaijan relationship is stronger than ever. The nations decided to take it to the next level of strategic relationships last year, with an eye toward increasing collaboration in the areas of energy, communications, infrastructure, and innovation.



He elaborated by saying that there is great opportunity for collaboration in the water sector.

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Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Estonia Alar Karis, Trend reports.

"Esteemed Mr. President,

On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Estonia  Independence Day.

I believe that the ties of friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Estonia will continue to develop and expand in line with the interests of our peoples.

On this festive day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and the people of Estonia everlasting peace and prosperity," the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, Taleh Kazimov, met with representatives of the Azerbaijan Fashion Retailers Association (AFRA) and discussed the availability of financial services and the development of cashless payments, Trend reports via CBA.

Meanwhile, it is noted that the meeting discussed issues included in the association's agenda concerning financial services, banking operations, and payment mechanisms.

The meeting also provided information on the initiatives being implemented by the Central Bank aimed at improving the accessibility of financial services for businesses and increasing the efficiency of non-cash payment services, the information said.

As of January 1 of this year, business loans accounted for 53.6% (16.1 billion manat ($9.4 billion)) of the loan portfolio of Azerbaijani banks.

This is 301.5 million manat ($177.3 million) or 1.9% more than the previous month and 1.3 billion manat ($760 million) or 8.9% more than the same period last year.

Over the reporting period, the volume of loans issued to large businesses amounted to 8.5 billion manat ($5 billion), which is 78.3 million manat ($46.05 million) or 2.2% more than the previous month and 252.9 million manat ($148.7 million) or 3% more than the same period last year.

In addition, as of January 1 of this year, microenterprises were granted business loans totaling 3.5 billion manat ($2.06 billion). This is 40.3 million manat ($23.7 million), or 1.1%, more than the previous month and 452.8 million manat ($266.3 million), or 14.6%, more than the same period last year.

As of January 1 of this year, medium-sized enterprises were granted 2.2 billion manat ($1.2 billion) in loans. This is 9.8 million manat ($5.7 million) or 0.4% more than the previous month and 455 million manat ($267.6 million) or 24.8% more than the same period last year.

In addition, as of January 1, 2026, the volume of business loans issued to small businesses amounted to 1.7 billion manat ($1 billion), which means an increase of 64.9 million manat ($38.1 million), or 3.9% in monthly terms, and 158.3 million manat ($93.1 million), or 10.2% in annual terms.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Azerbaijans Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with a delegation led by Matt Gibson, Global Head of Client Business for Asset and Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs, the statement of the Ministry of Economy said, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the sides highlighted the productive partnership between Azerbaijan and the company. It was noted that Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for investors, supported by a favorable business environment, macroeconomic stability, and strong foreign exchange reserves.

The discussion also covered the reforms being implemented in the country, policies aimed at diversifying the economy, development of the non-oil sector, and the digital development agenda. It was emphasized that economic priorities defined in line with global challenges create favorable conditions for strategic investments.

The parties reviewed prospects for cooperation across various sectors of the economy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan Anar Guliyev has provided detailed information on the declaration of 2026, as the "Year of Urban Planning and Architecture" in the country and preparations for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), during a meeting with the newly appointed UN Interim Resident Coordinator in Azerbaijan Igor Garafulic, a source in the committee told Trend.

Guliyev also provided the guest with an update on the advancements made in the post-conflict reconstruction efforts, aligning with Azerbaijan's national priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 17 through 22, 2026, organized by UN-Habitat and the Azerbaijani government. This significant event is the first in the Caspian/South Caucasus region, addressing the urgent global housing crisis under the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." Expectations include 30,000 participants, such as heads of state and experts, engaging in over 40 main sessions and 350 partner events.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. A group of NGO leaders from Azerbaijan has addressed an open letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons of the British Parliament, Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, the President of the International Bar Association, Claudio Visco, and the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld.

Trend presents the letter:

Dear Speaker of the House of Commons of the British Parliament Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Lords Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, President of the International Bar Association Claudio Visco, and Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld!

We, a group of Azerbaijans civil society representatives specializing in human rights and freedoms, as well as cultural heritage, are appealing to you because of the overt disrespect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan by a number of members of the British Parliament and the leadership of the Institute of Human Rights of the International Bar Association, who have launched a political campaign against our country on the basis of unverified and unconfirmed information.

They have announced an inquiry into the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh.

First and foremost, it should be noted that there is no territorial unit called Nagorno-Karabakh in Azerbaijan. The Garabagh region is a sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, and this is unequivocally recognized as such by the international community, including Great Britain itself. Therefore, the term Nagorno-Karabakh used in the inquiry is legally and historically incorrect, and its use is unacceptable. This is a dirty political campaign directed against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Azerbaijan. Such an approach is already clear evidence that the inquiry does not meet the criteria of objectivity and legal validity.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has ended, as both countries have made great progress in the peace process. The text of the peace treaty is now ready and was initialed during the Washington summit held on August 8 last year. It is clear that the peace treaty to be signed covers the issues on the agenda between the two countries. This being the case, the launch of such an inquiry by actors outside the region raises serious questions about its main intentions and goals. The initiative aims to disrupt the process of normalization between the two countries, undermine trust, and revive separatist tendencies by inciting sentiments of revenge. This should not be in the interest of the British government, which has supported the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia from the very beginning and has already established a strategic partnership with both countries. Then whose interests does this initiative, which British parliament members have joined, serve?

The content and form of the questions of the inquiry clearly reveal that it does not aim to conduct an objective investigation. Instead of serving to determine facts in a neutral manner, the questions suggest that a violation has already occurred. Anyone looking at the questions can clearly see that the inquiry is a biased scenario aimed at creating a false impression in the international community and based on the political orders of certain interest groups.

The composition of the panel and the controversial and prejudiced activities of the individuals represented on it in the past raise serious questions over their neutrality in this process. The British MPs represented on the panel have consistently demonstrated an anti-Azerbaijani position over the past decades. Interestingly, the panel does not include any MPs with a neutral position on the subject other than those who have traditionally supported Armenia's aggression and policy of occupation against Azerbaijan in the past. Under such circumstances, who can ever have any hopes for the objectivity of the inquiry? It is clear that the goal here is not to reach an objective legal conclusion, but to weaken the British government's support for normalization efforts by keeping the existing biased position active in the British Parliament.

Additionally, in the initial stage of the inquiry, no official Azerbaijani institution was contacted, and the information collected was not verified or confirmed. In the second stage, inquiry questions are answered only by email, which raises legitimate questions about the transparency of the entire process.

At the first hearing of the inquiry in the British Parliament due on February 25, the Center for Justice and Truth NGO is expected to present a relevant report at the invitation of the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). The report posted on the CFJT website extensively distorts the history of the region, shows it through the prism of separatism, and questions the fact that Garabagh is Azerbaijani territory. The fact that IBAHRI turned to such a biased organization for the first hearing in Parliament once again reveals the general purpose of the inquiry.

During the 30 years of occupation, the Armenian authorities systematically destroyed, desecrated, and changed the origin of hundreds of cultural, religious, and historical heritage items belonging to the Azerbaijani people in Garabagh and East Zangezur, as well as in Armenia itself. Also, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity have been committed against the Azerbaijani people. Why doesnt IBAHRI pay attention to the aforementioned violations of international law? Is such an approach consistent with the principles of legal objectivity and impartiality?

It is worth emphasizing in particular that IBAHRI declares on its official website that the rule of law and the preparation of impartial reports in the field of international fact-finding are its guiding principles. If IBAHRI does not stop the current inquiry and does not act in accordance with these principles, then it should remove these provisions from its official website.

We demand that the activities of the authors of this inquiry be investigated within the framework of the relevant ethical mechanisms of the British Parliament as a step that sabotages the British government's official foreign policy course towards the region, and we strongly condemn this biased approach as a precedent for turning the law into an instrument for political ends.

We demand that the inquiry process be immediately stopped!

We call on the British Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, to investigate the matter without delay and take action to stop this provocation. We are ready to meet with Ambassador Fergus Auld on this issue.

Signatures:

1. Amir Aliyev  Chairman of the Center for the Promotion of Human Rights Public Union

2. Rizvan Nabiyev  Member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Analysis and Research Public Union

3. Novella Jafarova  Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Women's Rights Society named after D. Aliyeva Public Union

4. Saadat Bananyarli  Chairperson of the Azerbaijan National Division of the International Human Rights Society Public Union

5. Saida Gojamanli  Chairperson of the Protection of Human Rights and Legality Public Union

6. Alimammad Nuriyev  Head of the Constitutional Research Foundation

7. Zaur Ibrahimli  Member of the Board of Directors of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum

8. Oghuz Mammadov  Chairman of the Zangi  Study of Historical Heritage Public Union

9. Dilgam Ahmad  Chairman of the Chapar National Heritage Research Center Public Union

10. Fariz Khalilli  Chairman of the Miras Public Union for the Support in the Study of Cultural Heritage

11. Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of the "Regional Human Rights and Media Center" Public Union

12. Irada Rzazada  Chairperson of the Public Union "For the Social Well-being of Citizens.
VIENTIANE, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Laos is targeting between 5 and 6 million international tourist arrivals in 2026, driven by improved regional connectivity and rising global interest in cross-border rail travel, local media said.

Authorities expect robust inflows of visitors from China, boosted by the 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic relations and the expanding role of the China-Laos Railway in connecting ASEAN with China and wider global markets, Lao News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Tourism remains a key economic pillar for Laos, generating revenue and supporting jobs at both national and community levels. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Laos welcomed nearly 5 million international visitor arrivals annually, earning close to 700 million U.S. dollars in revenue.

Since reopening in 2022, alongside the launch of the China-Laos Railway in 2021, visitor numbers have steadily recovered. Officials say Laos is strengthening its reputation not only as a destination rich in heritage, natural beauty, and culture, but also as an emerging regional transport hub backed by modern infrastructure and social stability.

The Lao government also plans to enhance regional integration through future rail links with Thailand and Vietnam, while advancing broader development strategies focused on green growth, industrial modernization, and digital transformation.

Laos welcomed more than 4.5 million foreign visitors in 2025, marking an 11 percent increase from 2024. The number of foreign arrivals exceeded the government's target of 4.3 million visitors for the year. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. On February 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, received delegations headed by Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, Fuat Oktay, and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, Nikoloz Samkharadze, and discussed stability and security issues in the region, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA.

The meeting discussed the current state and prospects of the Azerbaijani-Turkish alliance and the Azerbaijani-Georgian strategic partnership, as well as the security situation in the region.

At the meeting, the importance of expanding inter-parliamentary cooperation, especially regular contacts between foreign affairs committees, was emphasized. It was noted with satisfaction that the 10th trilateral meeting of the foreign affairs committees of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia gave additional impetus to the development of relations.

The parties noted that trilateral cooperation formats between parliaments, as well as foreign and defense ministers, contribute to strengthening peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the region. Among the main topics of discussion were energy security, transport and communication projects, including the development of the Middle Corridor, and regional economic integration.

In addition, the sides exchanged views on ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the region in the post-conflict period, the role of the normalization process, and parliamentary diplomacy in this direction. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke in detail about the peace and normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, informed about the steps taken by Azerbaijan, and voiced our expectations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. On the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev, Head of the Presidential Administration Samir Nuriyev visited People's Poet Nariman Hasanzade at his home and presented him with the Heydar Aliyev Order, awarded for his outstanding contributions to Azerbaijani culture, Trend reports.

Samir Nuriyev conveyed the greetings and congratulations of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to Nariman Hasanzade on the occasion of his 95th birthday.

During the meeting, special attention was given to Hasanzades contributions to Azerbaijani literature and his decades-long efforts in promoting national and spiritual values. It was noted that his multifaceted creativity and public activity have significantly enriched Azerbaijani literature and culture and played an important role in nurturing patriotism among younger generations.

The People's Poet expressed deep gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva for their attention and care. He also appreciated the state support provided to individuals dedicated to preserving national-spiritual values, cultural heritage, and the development of culture and the arts.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. A delegation led by Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (GNAT), visited the Turkish Martyrs monument in Azerbaijan's Baku on February 24, Trend reports.

At this cemetery, which symbolizes the eternity and indestructibility of the brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, the memory of the heroes and selfless Turkish brothers who gave their lives for Azerbaijan's independence was honored, and bouquets of flowers were laid.

Will be updated
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Business, Investment, and Export Promotion in Azerbaijan (hereinafter referred to as the agency) has been established under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the document, the agency is being established on the basis of the public legal entity "Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Businesses of the Republic of Azerbaijan" and the public legal entity "Agency for the Promotion of Investments and Exports of AzerbaijanAZPROMO" under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The decree was signed to ensure a more efficient and coordinated implementation of state policy in the field of micro, small, and medium-sized business development, investment, and export promotion.

It was determined that the agency is an institution within the structure of the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, which operates in the direction of supporting the development of micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurship, promoting investments and exports in the non-oil (gas) sector, participating in the protection of the interests of business entities, and coordinating the services of state bodies (institutions) and entrepreneurs in this area.

The number of employees of the agency is set at a total of 370 staff units, including 291 staff units for the employees of its office and 79 staff units for the employees of its regional departments.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must prepare and submit proposals on the following to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

Within three months:

A draft of the agency's statute and structure;

Improvement of regulatory legal acts;

Within nine months:

Mechanisms for the gradual implementation by private sector entities of the services provided by state bodies (institutions) to micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurship entities, exporters and investors;

Improvement of investment and export promotion mechanisms in the non-oil (gas) sector;

Must ensure the transfer of state property on the balance sheet of public legal entities specified in this decree to the balance sheet of the agency within three months;

Must take measures to ensure the staffing of the Agency's employees at the expense of employees of public legal entities specified in this decree, in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On civil service";

Must resolve issues related to the financing of the Agency's activities within one month;

Must ensure that the resolution of issues of material and technical support of the agency, as well as the financing of expenses related to the implementation of the improvement of investment and export promotion mechanisms in the non-oil (gas) sector, is financed within the funds provided for in the state budget in the current year, and that appropriate funds are provided for in the state budget projects in the following years, and shall inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan about this;

Must resolve other issues arising from this decree.

Until approval of the agency's charter and structure, the public legal entities specified in this decree will continue their activities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The TRIPP project will be beneficial for the entire region, including Georgia, said Fuat Oktay, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (GNAT), Trend reports.

Speaking at the 10th trilateral meeting of the foreign affairs committees of Turkiye, Georgia, and Azerbaijan held at the Azerbaijani Parliament, Oktay emphasized Turkiyes commitment to strengthening relations with all its neighbors.

''As Azerbaijan normalizes relations with Armenia, Turkiye will further develop its ties with Yerevan,'' he added.

Moreover, our ties with Azerbaijan continue to deepen. Peace and stability in the South Caucasus remain a priority for Turkiye. After a long period, we have achieved peace in the region. Turkiye supports the deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The TRIPP project will create new economic opportunities for our region. This project will be beneficial for the entire region, including Georgia, he said.

Meanwhile, the 10th trilateral meeting of the Foreign Relations Committees of the parliaments of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia has commenced in Baku.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov met with Armenian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Abisoghomonyan in Geneva on the sidelines of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the statement of the Azerbaijani MFA says, Trend reports.

The meeting took place as a continuation of contacts held at a higher political level.

The deputy ministers discussed possible confidence-building measures within multilateral platforms and international organizations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, held a meeting with Fuat Oktay, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye (GNAT), to discuss the expansion of bilateral cooperation, the parliamentary press service told Trend.

During the talks, the significance of the trilateral cooperation framework, which includes Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, was underscored. The parties emphasized that this partnership plays a crucial role in fostering peace, stability, and economic development in the region.

Gafarova highlighted the increasing importance of continued collaboration between the foreign affairs committees in light of the evolving regional and global dynamics. She stressed that this trilateral dialogue serves to further strengthen interparliamentary relations among the three nations.

Fuad Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, conveyed greetings from Numan Kurtulmus, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, to the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, and Sahiba Gafarova requested him to convey her greetings to the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

During the discussion, the sides also addressed Azerbaijan-Turkiye relations, noting that ties between the two countries continue to develop in line with the principle of One nation, two states, put forward by National Leader Heydar Aliyev. Speaker Gafarova said that Azerbaijan and Turkiye demonstrate to the world that they stand together in both joyful and difficult times. It was emphasized that the brotherly relations between the heads of state are the most important factor in the multifaceted development of bilateral ties. They define the agenda of cooperation and provide relevant instructions for its advancement.

Oktay noted that amid tensions in the broader region, cooperation between the brotherly countries serves as a factor of stability. The importance of economic ties was underlined, and attention was drawn to the role of parliaments in further deepening relations in this sphere. The sides also discussed major joint projects implemented by Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

Gafarova added that all available opportunities are being used at the parliamentary level to fully reflect the will of the heads of state regarding the development of bilateral relations. Members of parliament conduct numerous visits and meetings throughout the year, taking all necessary steps to ensure high-level cooperation. This includes strong mutual support and joint activities within international parliamentary organizations.

The meeting also featured an exchange of views on the situation in the region following the Washington Summit held in August last year, the new opportunities for cooperation expected after the launch of the Zangezur corridor, and other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian welcomed the progress in the peace settlement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, calling it an important step towards strengthening security and developing regional cooperation, Trend reports.

He said this during the meeting with Armenian Defence Minister Suren Papikian.

During the discussions, Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's readiness to expand comprehensive ties with its neighbors, including Armenia, and expressed his intention to complete the preparation of a document on strategic partnership between Tehran and Yerevan. According to him, Iran's policy is aimed at supporting peace, stability and sustainable security, and any destabilizing actions harm all countries in the region.

Papikian, in turn, noted the successful cooperation in the defense, economic, and transport spheres and emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership with Iran.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Global Baku Forum is a platform for rich dialogue bringing together leaders, thinkers and change makers across regions and sectors, Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan said, Trend reports.

At a time of growing uncertainty and global change, dialogue matters more than ever. That is what makes the Global Baku Forum so meaningful. The forum is a platform for rich dialogue, bringing together leaders, thinkers and change makers across regions and sectors to respectfully discuss current challenges, share ideas, strengthen partnerships and advance practical solutions for our common future, she said.

Grynspan emphasized the importance of cooperation in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

By coming together, we can build bridges and shape a more inclusive, stable and sustainable world. I warmly invite you to join me at the Global Baku Forum in March 2026, she added.

The XIII Global Baku Forum is scheduled for March 1214, 2026, in Baku under the theme "Bridging Divides in a World in Transition". Established in 2013 and organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the event serves as a platform for current and former government officials, international organizations, and academics to discuss regional and global policy. This 13th edition follows a period of increased diplomatic activity in the region and will focus on themes of geopolitical transition and international security.
This photo taken on Feb. 24, 2026 shows a scene of Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

MOSCOW, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- One traffic police officer was killed and two others were injured following the detonation of an unidentified device at Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, the Russian Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

According to the ministry, at around 00:05 Moscow time (21:05 GMT), a man approached traffic police officers who were in a service vehicle on patrol duty at Savyolovsky Station Square. An unidentified device then detonated.

The suspect died at the scene, TASS news agency quoted the city's police press service as saying.

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case. It said that investigators and forensic experts from the committee, working alongside operational units, are inspecting the scene and reviewing surveillance footage. A number of forensic examinations, including medical and explosive-technical examinations, will also be commissioned in the near term. 

Staff members investigate at Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

Staff members investigate at Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

Staff members investigate at Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

A staff member walks past Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24. 2026. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

Staff members investigate at Savyolovsky Station Square in Moscow, Russia, Feb. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The Global Baku Forum has become a leading international platform for dialogue, bringing the best minds together to reflect on global challenges, Miguel Angel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), said, Trend reports.

The Global Baku Forum organized by Nizami Ganjavi International Center has become one of the most acknowledged global platforms, bringing the best minds together to reflect on global challenges, a role that is increasingly essential in a world marked by deepening fragmentation. I thank the NGIC for its steadfast dedication to dialogue and peace, he said.

Moratinos highlighted the importance of the forum for collective problem solving and bridging divides.

At a time when global diversions grow sharper, gathering in Baku will offer a meaningful opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and collective problem solving. I look forward to meeting you there, he added.

He encouraged participation in the upcoming 13th Global Baku Forum.

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, UNAOC, is proud of its partnership with NGIC and I encourage you to join the 13th Global Baku Forum from 12 to 14 March 2026, where we will explore how to bridge divides in a world in transition, Moratinos stated.

The XIII Global Baku Forum is scheduled for March 1214, 2026, in Baku under the theme "Bridging Divides in a World in Transition". Established in 2013 and organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the event serves as a platform for current and former government officials, international organizations, and academics to discuss regional and global policy. This 13th edition follows a period of increased diplomatic activity in the region and will focus on themes of geopolitical transition and international security.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 25. The former MP Gultakin Hajibayli was released after giving testimony, Trend reports.

Gultekin Hadjibeyli was released after testifying as a witness to the State Security Service (SSS) of Azerbaijan.

18:59 (GMT+4) Authorities in Azerbaijan searched the home of the former MP Gultakin Hajibayli, as part of a widening criminal investigation involving former senior official Ramiz Mehdiyev and several others, Trend reports.

The State Security Service (SSS) summoned Hajibayli for questioning as a witness within the framework of the case.

Ramiz Mehdiyev is accused under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (treason), and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of property obtained by criminal means) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan.

As part of the criminal case, the chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), Ali Karimli, his adviser Mammad Ibrahim, as well as the former head of the Secretariat of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and former employee of the Presidential Administration, Eldar Amirov, have been arrested.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. On February 21, 2026, an event dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the Khojaly tragedy was held in the city of Ottawa, jointly organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Canada and the Azerbaijan Diaspora Support Fund, Trend reports via the embassy.

In addition to the Embassy staff, representatives of the diaspora and the local community, as well as students studying in Ottawa, attended the event.

The event began with a one-minute silence in memory of the victims of the Khojaly genocide.

In his speech, Charge dAffaires Vusal Suleymanov provided detailed information about the Khojaly genocide, describing it as one of the bloodiest pages of the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide systematically carried out against Azerbaijanis by Armenians since the beginning of the 20th century.

Within the framework of the event, speeches by members of the Azerbaijani community were delivered, photographs and a film reflecting the horrors of the tragedy were shown.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. In recent years, the United States' engagement with Central Asia has evolved into a more systematic and strategic approach. Washington is strengthening its political dialogue, expanding its economic footprint, and working to solidify its position in a region that has increasingly emerged as a pivotal nexus between East and West.

In this setup, Uzbekistan holds a pivotal position. This nation stands out as one of the foremost beneficiaries of U.S. aid in the region, thanks to its strategic position at the center of Central Asia and its closeness to the tumultuous landscape of Afghanistan. Washington views Tashkent as a key partner, extending beyond security to encompass infrastructure development, energy initiatives, and trade routes. In the face of increasing competition for influence, the United States sees its engagement with Uzbekistan as a crucial, long-term component of its regional strategy.

Against this backdrop, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs visit to the United States on February 17-19 became a logical continuation of the course toward deepening cooperation.

The political dimension of the trip was reflected in Mirziyoyevs participation in the inaugural meeting of the Peace Council, established at the initiative of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Council is dedicated to the reconstruction and humanitarian assistance efforts in the Gaza Strip. In January of this year, Uzbekistan proudly became a founding state during the event in Davos. This move broadens the scope of dialogue between Tashkent and Washington, extending beyond regional concerns and highlighting Uzbekistan's commitment to participating in wider international initiatives.

The economic aspect of the visit was the heart of the matter. The trip unfolded under the shadow of a previously unveiled three-year Economic Cooperation Program valued at $35 billion.

I am thrilled to announce an incredible trade and economic deal between the United States and Uzbekistan. Over the next three years, Uzbekistan will be purchasing and investing almost $35 billion and, in the next 10 years, over $100 billion in key American sectors, including critical minerals, aviation, automotive parts, infrastructure, Agriculture, energy & chemicals, information technology, and others, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social following his meeting with Central Asian leaders in Washington in November 2025.

When compared with the current level of bilateral trade, which exceeds $1 billion, these figures point to a qualitatively new scale of interaction. In effect, the discussion is shifting from gradual trade growth to the formation of a deeper investment architecture.

The February negotiations demonstrated both sides intention to give practical substance to these agreements. One of the key outcomes was an agreement to launch a new bilateral investment platform designed to structure large-scale projects and ensure long-term financing.

In addition, during the visit, the U.S. Export-Import Bank announced its intention to expand support for industrial and infrastructure projects in Uzbekistan. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) confirmed its readiness to invest in major national and regional initiatives, with particular attention to energy and financial market development.

In Mirziyoyevs presence, a flurry of bilateral documents was signed, paving the way for a network of gas stations, the rollout of sprinkler irrigation technologies, initiatives for extracting and supplying critical minerals, the establishment of a poultry cluster, the enhancement of the agro-industrial complex, the financial market, and the fine-tuning of the investment climate. Notably, cooperation spans a wide range of areas - from raw materials and infrastructure to agriculture and the financial system. Such a diversified approach reduces dependence on a single sector and forms a more sustainable, long-term model of engagement.

Simultaneously, the trend of institutional convergence persists. Uzbekistan is modernizing its financial sector and capital market with the backing of American experts while also enhancing investment protection mechanisms.

Over the past years, Uzbekistan has taken significant steps in transitioning from a centralized economy to a market economy. Laws have been adopted to protect investments, including guarantees for foreign investors. The 2017 Strategy, New Uzbekistan 2022, and Uzbekistan-2030 are clear examples of this, said Carolyn Lamm, Chairperson of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC), during the Uzbek-American Business Forum in Tashkent.

The United States is lending a hand to Uzbekistan as it navigates the waters of joining the World Trade Organization, a move that Tashkent sees as a key step to solidify its standing in global markets and boost the appeal of its economy for investors.

At the same time, the deepening of collaboration is unfolding amidst a tangled web of regional dynamics. China keeps its fingers in many pies in Central Asia, while Russia continues to be a key player in the economic game, and the European Union is stepping up to the plate with its own transport plans. The situation in Afghanistan continues to be a wild card in the mix.

In this context, the bolstering of ties with the United States can be viewed as part of diversification strategy. Tashkent sees this as a chance to broaden its investment and technology avenues, enhance its bargaining power, and speed up internal reforms. For Washington, it offers a chance to consolidate its economic and political presence in a key country of the region.

The February visit demonstrated that Uzbek-U.S. relations are moving to a more structured level. The key question now is the implementation of the declared agreements and the ability of both sides to translate large-scale figures into concrete projects. Even partial implementation of the program could significantly transform the scale of bilateral ties and reinforce Uzbekistans position as one of the United States central partners in Central Asia.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 24. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to provide a financial package of up to 6 million euros to support ABN-MB Group, a major operator of coffee shops and restaurants in Uzbekistan, Trend reports via the EBRD.

The financing will be allocated towards the acquisition of specialized food-production equipment and the construction of a new production and warehousing facility. Upon completion, the project is expected to significantly increase the Group's centralized food-production capacity, potentially doubling its current output.

This investment is expected to enhance overall operational efficiency and decrease dependency on imported goods, as the company aims to further localize key food-production processes.

Additional support for the expansion will be provided through blended concessional finance of up to 70,000 euros, made available through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) Finance and Technology Transfer Centre for Climate Change (FINTECC) programme. This initiative encourages businesses to adopt environmentally sustainable technologies.

The ABN-MB Group intends to utilize the FINTECC funding for the procurement of energy-efficient equipment, insulation materials, and the installation of solar panels.

Meanwhile, the EBRD has invested nearly $6.9 billion in Uzbekistan through 205 projects to date, with the majority of funding directed toward private sector development. Uzbekistan has remained the largest recipient of EBRD investment in Central Asia over the past six years.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) has provided $436.67 million in financing to Azerbaijan to increase agricultural productivity by significantly reducing irrigation water losses and promoting sustainable rural development, in line with the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socioeconomic Development" program, Trend reports via the bank.

The project will also pave the way for green growth, bolster climate resilience, and guarantee food security for the long haul.

"The approved projects demonstrate the IsDB's strategic focus on promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in its member countries. By addressing key challenges in infrastructure, energy, water resources, transport, and industrial development, these initiatives will ensure long-term impact and make a significant contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," the statement reads.

The IsDB announced the approval of $2.41 billion in financing for a number of transformational projects at its 364th Board of Executive Directors (BED) meeting, chaired by IsDB President Mohammed Al Jasser.

The approval reflects the bank's continued commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, promoting economic development, including climate- and environmental-focused investments, and advancing the SDGs in member countries.

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Iran scales up agricultural sector lending

Loans handed out by Iranian banks to the agricultural sector have really taken off over the past year. This growth shows a keen eye on nurturing agricultural development in Iran. The funds were distributed across various initiatives aimed at boosting the sector's overall productivity.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. Kazakhstan has approved a schedule for supplying 402,000 tons of discounted diesel fuel to agricultural producers as part of preparations for spring field work, Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said at a government meeting, Trend reports.

According to the minister, the ministries of energy and agriculture approved in January 2026 a delivery schedule covering the period from February 1 through June 30.

To promote transparency and enhance control in diesel fuel distribution, a range of measures has been implemented. These include the introduction of distinct PIN codes for digital marking, the color coding of fuel in yellow, blue, and red, and the establishment of a dedicated virtual warehouse within the electronic invoicing system.



The following steps are designed to guarantee that oil suppliers effectively sell diesel fuel to agricultural producers for its proper application.

The shipment of diesel fuel for agricultural producers is under constant monitoring by the ministry, Akkenzhenov emphasized.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. Kazakhstan has reduced the area allocated for wheat and increased sowing of fodder, oilseed, and legume crops for the 2026 agricultural season, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.

The plan was presented during a government meeting by Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov. The new structure of sown areas was approved for 2026, with the shift aimed at diversifying crop production and ensuring a stable raw material base for processing enterprises.

The total sown area this year has been increased by 180,000 hectares, reaching 23.8 million hectares. The decision is intended to reduce price fluctuation risks and strengthen supply for domestic processors.

Priority has been given to highly profitable and drought-resistant crops.

Under the 2026 structure:

Fodder crops will increase by 242,000 hectares;

Barley will expand by 94,000 hectares;

Corn will grow by 90,000 hectares, reaching 265,000 hectares;

Oilseed crops will rise by 55,000 hectares;

Potato acreage will expand by 10,300 hectares;

The wheat area will decrease by 125,000 hectares, totaling 12.1 million hectares.

The updated crop structure is part of broader preparations for the upcoming spring fieldwork campaign, alongside measures to provide farmers with preferential financing and necessary resources.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. The number of newly recommended domestic seed varieties in Kazakhstan has tripled compared to recent years, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.

The statement was made during a government meeting, on February 24, by Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov.

In 2026, 45 new high-yield varieties of Kazakh selection have been recommended for use, three times more than in 2021.

The measure is presented as part of intensified support for national breeding programs. According to the Minister, special attention is being paid to the development of seed production.

At the same time, the share of grain crops in domestic seed breeding has decreased from 40% to 26% in favor of high-margin oilseed and fodder crops.

To modernize the variety testing network, the ministry proposes introducing fees for testing foreign seed varieties.

In parallel, fertilizer application levels are increasing across the country.

For 2026, the fertilizer application plan stands at 2.3 million tons. Producers and suppliers are currently contracting and building up stocks in warehouses. I would like to note that the advance subsidy mechanism for mineral fertilizers, launched in 2024, has contributed to the development of the chemical industry and increased domestic fertilizer production, Saparov said.
Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Chaoshan scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2026. The scenic area kicked off on Monday a special night tour event among plum blossom trees illuminated by light. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows plum blossom trees at Chaoshan scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. The scenic area kicked off on Monday a special night tour event among plum blossom trees illuminated by light. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists visit a night market at Chaoshan scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2026. The scenic area kicked off on Monday a special night tour event among plum blossom trees illuminated by light. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Plum blossoms are pictured at Chaoshan scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2026. The scenic area kicked off on Monday a special night tour event among plum blossom trees illuminated by light. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

Tourists play immersive script-based games at Chaoshan scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2026. The scenic area kicked off on Monday a special night tour event among plum blossom trees illuminated by light. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. In 2025, Azerbaijani industrial parks established in the liberated territories, such as the Aghdam Industrial Park, demonstrated significant economic progress, with 32 registered residents, 5 non-residents, investments totaling 145.8 million manat ($85.7 million), the Chairman of the Board of the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA) under the Ministry of Economy, Seymur Adigozalov, said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at a press conference that highlighted the achievements of the organization under his leadership over the past year and the strategic objectives for the year ahead.

Moreover, he noted that progress has led to the creation of approximately 1,000 permanent jobs.

According to him, the park already ranks second in the country in terms of the number of residents: "Preference is given to the local population when hiring. Currently, 13 enterprises operate in the Aghdam Industrial Park. The products manufactured in the park are sold not only on the domestic market but also exported. Entrepreneurs in the industrial park sold products worth 1.4 billion manats, of which 62.3 million manat ($36.6 million) were exported."

Adigozalov also stressed that 19 residents and 3 non-residents have registered in the Araz Valley Economic Zone industrial park located in the Jabrayil district: More than 43.8 million manat ($25.7 million) have been invested in the park, and about 100 jobs have been created.

''In addition, the expansion of production and implementation of new projects continues in the industrial parks of Mingachevir, Garadagh, Pirallahi, and Hajigabul, as well as in the industrial areas of Neftchala, Sabirabad, and Masalli.

Work is currently underway to create the necessary infrastructure in the Nakhchivan Industrial Park, established at the end of 2024, and the Western Industrial Park, established in 2026.

Overall, the industrial infrastructure that has been created contributes to the development of entrepreneurship in the regions, the balanced formation of industrial potential, and the expansion of economic activity,'' he noted.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 24. Uzbekistan and Belarus signed 12 documents during the 5th meeting of the UzbekistanBelarus Business Council, Trend reports via the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan.

The agreements cover a broad range of key sectors, including mechanical engineering and agricultural machinery, textiles and light industry, pharmaceuticals, construction, food production, exchange trade, and logistics.

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mikhail Myatlikov, heads of relevant ministries and agencies, industry associations, and representatives of the business communities of both countries.

Participants highlighted that the Business Council has emerged as a powerful platform for enhancing direct partnerships among entrepreneurs, fostering collaborative investment initiatives, and tackling practical challenges in bilateral cooperation.

In the session, key focus areas for future collaboration were pinpointed, encompassing agriculture and the food sector, mechanical engineering, textile and leather-footwear production, furniture manufacturing, and woodworking. The parties also explored the initiation of new collaborative investment projects under the auspices of industry commissions.

Currently, Uzbekistan is home to 242 enterprises with Belarusian capital, comprising 57 joint ventures and 185 fully foreign-owned businesses. The numbers clearly illustrate the growing and substantial economic partnership between the two nations.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Azerbaijan and Iran held talks on the implementation of energy projects, the country's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov wrote on his X account, Trend reports.

At the meeting with Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Co-Chair of the Azerbaijan-Iran Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, we held discussions on the implementation of joint #energy projects, the publication reads.

According to the State Statistical Committee, in 2025, Azerbaijan exported 37.230 million kWh of electricity to Iran. The income from this volume of electricity exports amounted to $1.058 million.

Compared to 2024, electricity exports to Iran increased by 813,000 kWh in volume, or 2.2%, and by $23,000 in value, or 2.2%.

Meanwhile, in 2025, Iran exported electricity worth $980,000 and 34.506 million kWh to Azerbaijan.

This indicator is $13,000 or 1.3% lower in value and 449,000 kWh or 1.3% lower in volume compared to 2024.
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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 24. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has announced an additional $200 million in funding to support youth entrepreneurship, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek President.

The announcement was made during a meeting chaired by the president with young people, focused on expanding opportunities to support youth-led initiatives and business development.

The new measures will raise the maximum loan amount for self-employed young citizens from 100 million soums ($8,173) to an impressive 300 million soums ($24,520). The limit on concessional loans for youth entrepreneurship projects will increase from 5 billion soums ($408,650) to 10 billion soums ($817,300).



Moreover, aspiring young entrepreneurs can secure investments of up to $100,000 for their groundbreaking startup initiatives.



Exciting new financing options will soon be available for young individuals eager to invest in franchises from local brands in the services and catering industries, which have successfully generated over 1,000 jobs. The innovative mechanisms are crafted to streamline the establishment of new branches and enhance the growth of thriving domestic business models.

The initiative aims to strengthen youth economic participation, promote innovation, and accelerate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. On February 24, British Chamber of Commerce Azerbaijan (BCCA) Sustainability & Energy Committee in partnership with the British Embassy Baku, hosted a Roundtable discussion on Water Security in Azerbaijan: Regulation, Risk, and Responsible Business Action, Trend reports.

Held ahead of Novruz and aligned with Water Tuesday (Su Crsnbsi), the event reflected the symbolic importance of water in Azerbaijani tradition, connecting cultural heritage with forward-looking sustainability dialogue.

The event brought together representatives from key public institutions, international organizations and the private sector to discuss regulatory developments, risk management, and the role of responsible business in strengthening water security in Azerbaijan.

The discussion featured contributions from the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, SOCAR, Azercosmos, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), ADA University, Aqualink Azerbaijan and other private sector stakeholders.

Speakers addressed national water strategy priorities, environmental management planning, the use of GIS and satellite technologies in water monitoring, sustainable finance mechanisms, legal frameworks, and innovative business solutions. The event concluded with an open discussion that encouraged direct exchange among participants.

Through such initiatives, the British business community continues to contribute to constructive dialogue on sustainability and the strategic sectors that shape UKAzerbaijan business relations.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a decree on additional measures to improve the provision of drinking water to the population in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Trend reports.

Guided by paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and in line with the Action Plan for 20262030 on ensuring the efficient use of water resources in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, approved by Presidential Order number 942 dated February 21, 2026, the head of state resolved to enhance drinking water supply in several settlements across the autonomous republic.

Under the decree, the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, in coordination with the Authorized Representative Office of the President of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, will take the necessary measures for the preparation of design and estimate documentation, drilling, and ensuring drinking water supply through 40 sub-artesian wells in 38 settlements with a population exceeding 80,000 people, as specified in the annex to the document.

The commission established under the Presidential Order dated April 15, 2020, on measures related to ensuring the efficient use of water resources, has been tasked with coordinating the implementation of the activities outlined in the document.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the authorized representative office of the president in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are instructed to resolve issues arising from the order.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan have been tasked with taking the necessary measures to finance the implementation of the activities envisaged in the document.

The decree was signed in Baku, Azerbaijan, on February 24, 2026.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe engaged in discussions focused on enhancing political-diplomatic dialogue and strengthening trade-economic cooperation, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, and a Zimbabwean delegation led by Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

The delegation arrived in Ashgabat to engage in political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

During the discussions, the parties highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and expressed a shared interest in further enhancing their political and diplomatic dialogue.

The parties examined key areas of cooperation within the United Nations framework, reaffirming their mutual support for initiatives designed to strengthen peace, security, and sustainable development.

Furthermore, the diplomats exchanged perspectives on organizing joint business events and addressed matters related to the expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and Zimbabwe signed a Protocol on bilateral political consultations between the Foreign Ministries, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The document was signed between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Serdar Muhammetdurdyyev, and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, Albert Ranganai Chimbindi, who led a delegation that arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the political discussions between the two countries.

In the course of the discussions, the sides examined the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on enhancing political and diplomatic dialogue. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to fostering high-level interactions, conducting regular consultations between foreign ministries, and reinforcing inter-parliamentary relations.

Furthermore, the parties explored avenues for strengthening trade and economic partnerships, emphasizing the substantial potential for collaboration in sectors such as energy, agriculture, the textile industry, and others. In this context, they underscored the importance of fostering connections between business communities, organizing joint business forums, and encouraging participation in exhibitions and trade fairs.

In the cultural and humanitarian domain, the parties expressed a shared interest in expanding cooperation in education, sports, and tourism, while also focusing on organizing reciprocal cultural events and cultivating direct ties between relevant institutions.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and Georgia signed an agreement on cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The document was signed following a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her visit to Tbilisi, Georgia.

During the discussions, the sides acknowledged the steady, and systematic development of Turkmen-Georgian cooperation, spanning a broad spectrum of shared interests. Emphasis was placed on inter-parliamentary collaboration as a vital tool for fostering mutual understanding and aligning positions on key issues in the bilateral agenda.

Highlighting the dynamic nature of the established parliamentary ties, the parties underscored the significant role of high-level parliamentary visits and the annual meetings of inter-parliamentary friendship groups. These formats were identified as essential instruments of parliamentary diplomacy, instrumental in bolstering both bilateral and multilateral relations.

The parties reviewed legislative initiatives and explored opportunities for joint projects, with a particular focus on enhancing the effectiveness of friendship groups, fostering the exchange of experience, and strengthening cooperation among relevant parliamentary committees.

Moreover, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to continued mutual support for initiatives within international organizations.
This photo shows a scene of the first enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Feb. 23, 2026. (KCNA/Handout via Xinhua)

PYONGYANG, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), on Monday presided over the first enlarged plenary meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the WPK, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Tuesday.

The Presidium of the Political Bureau and the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee were elected at the meeting.

The Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee includes Kim Jong Un, Pak Thae Song, Jo Yong Won, Kim Jae Ryong and Ri Il Hwan, according to a press release of the meeting cited by KCNA. 
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and the European Investment Bank (EIB) discussed cooperation in digitalization, development of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, and financing of priority sectors of the economy, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

The talks were held in Ashgabat between the representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan and a delegation led by Edvardas Bumsteinas, Head of the EIBs Department for Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific.

The parties reviewed cooperation in the transport sector, including potential financing of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor (Middle Corridor), aimed at enhancing connectivity between Central Asia and Europe. It was noted that measures are being taken within the SPECA program to implement the roadmap for digitalization of the corridor.

The significance of digital transformation emerged as a key focus for collaboration, with Turkmenistan strategically prioritizing the advancement of digital reforms.



The Turkmen side highlighted that Turkmenistans economic development strategy focuses on enhancing international cooperation, especially with esteemed financial institutions and banking entities.



Key investment areas have been pinpointed, focusing on energy and water management projects. Special focus was directed towards collaboration in the energy sector, emphasizing the diversification and advancement of clean, environmentally friendly green energy solutions. The parties acknowledged significant opportunities for European banks to engage in sustainable energy projects being launched in Turkmenistan.

The Turkmen side additionally underlined the importance of agricultural development and rational use of water resources, including cooperation with the EIB in irrigation construction and the introduction of high-tech equipment.

Hydrocarbon extraction and processing projects were also cited among priority areas, given Turkmenistans significant reserves and active export of both raw and processed hydrocarbon products.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing confidence in further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 24. Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have agreed to accelerate the entry into force of a Preferential Trade Agreement and advance joint projects in investment and industrial cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjaev wrote on his social media page, Trend reports.

Today we held a video conference with Afghanistans Minister of Industry and Trade, Nuriddin Azizi. We discussed practical steps to expand trade and economic cooperation, as well as preparations for the upcoming visit of the Afghan delegation to Uzbekistan, Khodjaev noted.

He pointed out that the parties also assessed the evolution of interregional connections and the necessary infrastructure to enhance product promotion, which includes the setup of showrooms and warehouses, in addition to industrial collaboration in the processing of agricultural goods, construction materials, and textiles, along with efforts focused on bolstering food security.



In the interim, the trade volume between the two nations has surged 2.5-fold over the last five yearsfrom $653 million in 2021 to $1.7 billion in 2025.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. A roadmap will be prepared to increase cargo shipments by road and rail between Azerbaijan and Iran, Azerbaijani Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"We held a meeting with a delegation led by the Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, Farzaneh Sadegh. At the meeting, we discussed the issues of increasing the volume of freight transportation by road and rail and the development of transport infrastructure. We reached an agreement on the preparation of a road map in this regard. At the same time, we exchanged views on expanding regional relations on transport corridors in a multilateral format," he explained.

Sadegh visited Azerbaijan on February 23. As part of the visit, the minister participated in the 17th meeting of the State Commission for Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran, held in Baku on February 23 and 24.

The meeting also discussed joint projects between the two countries, road and rail transport, and cargo transportation; energy, trade, and other areas of cooperation. At the same time, a memorandum of cooperation was signed on the results of the 17th meeting.

Trade relations between the two countries are also developing on an upward trajectory. Thus, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the volume of trade transactions between Azerbaijan and Iran in January of this year amounted to $57.13 million, which is $1.2 million or 2.1% more than in the same period of 2025.

In the reporting period, trade turnover with Iran amounted to 1.61% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover.

In January of this year, Azerbaijan exported products valued at $960,000 to Iran. The price stands at $349,000, reflecting a significant increase of 57.1% compared to the same month in 2025.

During the reporting month, Iran's exports to Azerbaijan reached a total of $56.2 million, reflecting an increase of $830,000 or 1.5% compared to the same period in 2025.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Azerbaijan is amending the Rules for the Management, Accounting, and Use of the Fund for Guaranteeing Public Debt Obligations and Guarantees, Trend reports.

According to the information, this decision was approved by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on April 10, 2008.

The relevant decision was signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov.

According to the decision, in compliance with the law "On the budget system", if budget loans granted from the state budget to the budget of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, local budgets, budget organizations, public legal entities established on behalf of the state and other legal entities receiving financial assistance from the state budget cannot be repaid by those entities during the year, the Ministry of Finance may use the fund's funds to close (repay) the budget loans granted.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, February 24. The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Belarus surged by 25% in 2025, reaching nearly $1 billion, Trend reports via the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

These figures were disclosed during a meeting between Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin.

The parties examined key issues surrounding the further expansion of the UzbekBelarusian multifaceted partnership, particularly in the context of implementing agreements made at the highest level.

Significant attention was given to formulating a new economic agenda, with a focus on advancing joint initiatives in sectors such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food industries, agriculture, and other areas of mutual interest.

The discussions also highlighted the critical importance of strengthening interregional cooperation and enhancing cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

During his visit to Uzbekistan, Belarusian Prime Minister Alexander Turchin additionally participated in the 5th session of the UzbekistanBelarus Business Council and the UzbekistanBelarus Business Forum.
Photo: The official "X" account of the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Belgium

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and Austria discussed bilateral cooperation and active engagement between business communities of the two countries, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan to Belgium.

The talks were held during a meeting between Turkmen Ambassador to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, and Austrias Permanent Representative to the European Union, Gregor Schusterschitz.

Special focus was directed towards Turkmenistans collaboration with the European Union. Both parties recognized the significance of upholding the established level of interaction and continually enhancing the legal and contractual framework of their collaboration. They emphasized the importance of effectively putting agreements into action and ensuring coordination at the institutional level.



The parties highlighted that fostering constructive political dialogue and enhancing economic connections lays a strong groundwork for deepening their partnership. They expressed positive views on the planned and upcoming joint events, underscoring their timeliness and significance for advancing bilateral and interregional cooperation.

Earlier, Palvanov discussed with senior officials of the EU prospects for long-term partnership in innovation, climate, and education between Turkmenistan and the EU.

During the talks, Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation, underscored that the European Union ranks among Turkmenistans top three strategic partners for the 2025-2026 period. The parties emphasized crucial areas for partnership, such as the progression of cutting-edge technologies, the evolution of artificial intelligence, and collaborative initiatives on the climate agenda.

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Photo: The official "X" account of the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Belgium

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and Estonia discussed Turkmenistan-EU cooperation and the development of the EU-Central Asia format, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan to Belgium.

The talks were held during a meeting between Turkmen Ambassador to Belgium, Sapar Palvanov, and Estonias Permanent Representative to the European Union, Lauri Kuusing.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening the legal and contractual framework of interaction. Both parties agreed on the importance of updating and developing the regulatory basis of cooperation to ensure stable and predictable conditions for expanding political, economic, and sectoral partnerships. They also pointed out the importance of keeping all ducks in a row and putting agreements into action effectively.

The parties expressed their commitment to maintaining ongoing communication and consultations to enhance collaboration between Turkmenistan and the European Union, while also reinforcing connections within the EU-Central Asia framework.



Palvanov recently engaged in discussions with senior EU officials regarding the potential for a long-term partnership focused on innovation, climate, and education between Turkmenistan and the EU.

During the talks, Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation, underscored that the European Union ranks among Turkmenistans top three strategic partners for the 2025-2026 period. The stakeholders underscored critical domains for synergy, encompassing the progression of cutting-edge technologies, the evolution of AI, and collaborative initiatives on the environmental agenda.

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Photo: The press service of the Turkmen Government.

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, February 24. Turkmenistan and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) discussed prospects for expanding bilateral ties, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

The talks were held between Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Turkmenistan to China, Parahat Durdyyev, and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Nurlan Yermekbayev, at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Beijing.

The parties acknowledged their shared commitment to enhancing multilateral discussions throughout the Eurasian region.

On September 1, 2025, during a working visit to China, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan attended the SCO Summit. He emphasized key areas such as transport, logistics, trade, energy, and economic collaboration with SCO member states, reaffirming Turkmenistan's commitment to enhancing natural gas exports and bolstering humanitarian and cultural connections.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The collaboration between the Arab Energy Fund and the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) with CVC DIF to establish a joint investment mechanism that will invest alongside DIF7 represents a natural progression of the fund's long-term strategy and enhances its international standing, Azerbaijani economist expert Inglab Ahmadov told Trend.

This agreement aligns with a prevailing pattern observed in recent years.

"The fund has been strengthening its cooperation with major international financial groups for several years, including players like BlackRock, expanding its presence in global portfolio investments. In this context, the new partnership is fully consistent with the strategy SOFAZ has been pursuing in recent years," he explained.

The expert emphasized that this is not simply a collaboration with an Arab fund.

"The project also involves CVC DIF, a European infrastructure and logistics company specializing in investments in logistics, technology, transportation, and storage. This adds additional depth to the agreement, as such projects have not only investment but also geo-economic significance," he said.

Ahmadov highlighted that earlier discussions also underscored the importance of significant investment and logistics initiatives, focusing on both diversification and geopolitical influence.



He stated that, in several instances, these projects aligned with the goals of energy transformation and the advancement of renewable energy sources. Viewed from this angle, the existing agreement holds considerable importance and is strategically well-timed.



The specialist highlighted the geographic composition of SOFAZ's investment portfolio.

"Today, the fund's largest portfolio investment is traditionally concentrated in Europe (approximately 26 percent, with North America accounting for approximately 24 percent), with gold also accounting for a significant portion. Thus, the fund's primary investment activity has long been concentrated in the Euro-Atlantic region.

However, growing uncertainty and volatility in Western markets are objectively pushing the fund toward further geographic diversification. In recent years, SOFAZ has been actively collaborating with Arab sovereign wealth funds and large investment structures, gradually strengthening its presence in the MENA region," he said.

The expert called this region relatively stable, solvent, and focused on long-term development, making it a promising investment destination.

He believes that thematic, partner, and geographic diversification are especially important considering the fund's increasing assets. Boosting profitability demands a strategic investment approach: overlooking the surging gold price, enhanced profits can only be achieved through meticulously crafted and calculated investments that effectively manage risks while providing tangible returns. The new agreement, as noted by the expert, aligns perfectly with this rationale.



In response to a query regarding the potential for the partnership to enhance economic collaboration between Azerbaijan and Middle Eastern nations, Ahmadov highlighted that a favorable trend in this area has been evident over the last 5 to 10 years.

"Major Arab companies are participating in renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan, while negotiations on other large-scale investment initiatives are underway. This is truly part of the policy of diversifying foreign economic relations," he said.

At the same time, the expert underscored the need for balance. Even within the framework of the current agreement, cooperation with European partners is included, which is due to technological and investment risks. Technological innovation remains largely concentrated in Western countries and, to some extent, in China, so a combined partnership format minimizes risks and increases investment efficiency.

"The multiplicative participation of players from various fields, including geographic, technological, and investment, creates a more sustainable model of cooperation," the expert mentioned.

Commenting on whether this partnership is part of a broader strategy to diversify income in the post-hydrocarbon era, Ahmadov pointed out that in recent years, the significant growth in the fund's assets was primarily due to favorable conditions in the gold market.

"However, excessive reliance on this factor carries risks, as a price correction is possible," he added.

In this regard, the expert emphasized the need for alternative investment options, including stocks, infrastructure, and logistics projects, even if they are considered riskier.

According to him, investments in stocks and other market instruments rank third in the fund's asset structure after gold and government treasuries, but their strategic role will increase.

"Therefore, the partnership with the Arab Energy Corporation and the CVC DIF is in line with SOFAZ's overall strategy: geographic and instrumental diversification, which involves a gradual increase in the share of higher-yielding, albeit riskier, investments. Ultimately, this policy is aimed at ensuring sustainable and higher returns for the fund over the long term," Ahmadov concluded.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 24. Italys Saipem has secured an additional offshore contract in Saudi Arabia under its existing Long-Term Agreement with Saudi Aramco, the company said, Trend reports.

The award, issued as a Contract Release Purchase Order (CRPO), covers the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) of a 48-inch trunkline at the Safaniya oil field  one of the worlds largest offshore oil fields.

Saipems scope includes approximately 65 km of offshore pipeline and 12 km onshore, along with associated subsea facilities.

Offshore operations will be executed by Saipems construction vessels currently deployed in the region, while fabrication work will take place at the companys Saudi yard, Saipem Taqa Al-Rushaid Fabricators Co. Ltd., located in Dammam. The company said the project will further strengthen its industrial footprint in the Kingdom.

Project execution will draw on Saipems experience in delivering strategic pipelines and offshore infrastructure in the region, supported by its advanced engineering capabilities. The company said activities will be carried out in line with its safety, quality and environmental standards to ensure operational efficiency and reliability.

The new award reinforces Saipems long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia and further consolidates its relationship with Aramco, the company added.

Saipem has been active in Saudi Arabia for decades and is one of Aramcos key offshore contractors. The company has previously executed major projects in the Kingdom, including offshore trunklines, subsea installations and platform works across key fields such as Safaniya, Marjan and Zuluf.

In recent years, Saipem has expanded its local manufacturing and fabrication capacity through its joint venture yard in Dammam, aligning with Saudi Arabias localization drive under Vision 2030. The firm is also a participant in Aramcos Long-Term Agreement (LTA) program, which streamlines the award of offshore engineering and construction work to prequalified contractors.

Saipem is a global engineering and construction group serving the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. The company operates through business lines including Asset Based Services, Drilling, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind and Sustainable Infrastructures.

Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Saipem operates in more than 50 countries and employs about 30,000 people from over 130 nations.
ACCRA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Ghanaian government has decided to change the name of the international airport in the capital, from Kotoka International Airport to its original name, Accra International Airport.

A statement late Monday from the transport ministry said the implementation of the name change would involve the systematic update of official documentation, statutory instruments where necessary, airport signage, aviation publications and digital platforms.

"The government has considered it appropriate to restore the airport to its former and internationally recognized name," the statement said.

The original name, Accra International Airport (ACC), has remained the official designation in the documents of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the statement said.

The airport was renamed Kotoka International Airport in 1969 to honor Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, who was murdered in a failed coup attempt in 1967 at a location which now serves as the forecourt of the airport. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovshan Najaf met with the Chief Executive Officer of the British company Wood, Steve Nicol, to review the progress of joint projects, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The meeting, held on February 24, 2026, highlighted mutual satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration between SOCAR and Wood. The parties discussed the status of joint projects and exchanged views on areas of shared interest.

The discussion encompassed a thorough review of SOCARs domestic and international projects, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across midstream, upstream, downstream, renewable energy, and digitalization sectors. Both parties delved into additional strategic avenues for collaboration.

With a legacy spanning more than 160 years, Wood delivers expert engineering, consulting, and operational services designed to address the intricate and strategically vital challenges within the energy and materials industries. The company delivers cutting-edge and effective solutions for intricate industrial assets, focusing on digitalization, decarbonization, and optimization within the industry.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. The technical-economic feasibility study for the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor is expected to be completed by early 2027, with the Italian company CESI selected as the consulting firm to lead preliminary research over eleven months, Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Energy, Elnur Soltanov, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

Soltanov stated that the project aims to integrate the energy systems of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan and establish a green energy route to Europe.

"Selecting a consulting firm at this stage is crucial to ensure the project is completed on time and to a high standard, as advancing to the investment and construction phases is impossible without a feasibility study. This decision will have a direct impact on the projects overall timeline," he stressed.

Elnur Soltanov highlighted that ongoing renewable energy projects enable the gradual achievement of strategic goals.

"In this context, the 230 MW Garadagh Solar Power Plant (SPP), built by the United Arab Emirates Masdar company and the largest in the Caspian region and the CIS, was commissioned in 2023.

Additionally, the 240 MW Khizi-Absheron Combined Energy Station (KES), constructed by Saudi Arabias ACWA Power, held its official opening on January 8, 2026. The successful completion of these projects marks a significant milestone in advancing the countrys renewable energy targets.

Within the mega project framework, Masdar is also developing the 445 MW Bilasuvar SPP, the 315 MW Neftchala SPP, and the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh Combined Heat and Power Plant, with construction progressing steadily. The first solar panel at Bilasuvar GES was installed in October 2025, and construction of the station is ongoing," he added.

Soltanov highlighted that the implementation of other priority projects is also progressing.

"Work is underway on the 240 MW Shafag SPP in the liberated territories, the Shams and Ufug SPPs projects with capacities of 50 MW each, as well as two additional SPP projects totaling 50 MW in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Moreover, key cooperation agreements in renewable energy have been signed with companies from the Peoples Republic of China, paving the way for several significant onshore and offshore projects," he said.

Regarding wind energy in the Caspian Sea, five potential zones have been identified, and work continues to designate these areas for renewable energy use. Soltanov noted that the Caspian wind projects are strategically important for strengthening energy security and advancing green energy targets, with technical potential estimated at 157 GW.

"Several agreements have already been signed to ensure this potential is effectively harnessed. Potential sites for wind projects were identified, reviewed by relevant state agencies, and formally agreed upon. Work is now underway to officially designate these areas as renewable energy zones," the official said.

He also discussed three main green energy corridors: Caspian-Black Sea-Europe, Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe, and Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Europe.

"The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe corridor has already established a joint venture involving operators from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary, with the feasibility study expected to conclude in the first quarter of the year. The first phase of the project is slated for completion in 2032, followed by the second phase in 2036, and the third in 2040. The project received a positive response when it was proposed for inclusion in the next Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), and it was officially added to the TYNDP 2026 project portfolio on October 20, 2025. The next step will involve applying for PCI/PMI (Projects of Common Interest / Mutual Interest) status," he added.

Soltanov highlighted that the other two corridors, Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe and Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Europe, are also in the preliminary feasibility study and agreement phase.

Projects continue to integrate the energy infrastructures of Azerbaijan and Turkiye and to enable electricity exports via Nakhchivan. As part of the project, the 'Jabrayil' substation, with a capacity of 330/110/10 kilovolts and 2x250 MVA, has been completed and is operational, establishing the 'Jabrayil' energy hub. Plans are underway to construct a 330 kV power transmission line linking the Jabrayil energy hub with Nakhchivan through the Zangezur corridor via Armenia and/or Iran, alongside a new 330 kV substation in Nakhchivan, he explained.

In his statement, Deputy Minister elaborated on the transformative potential of the Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor agreement signed by Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan within the regions evolving energy architecture. He underscored that the Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of Green Energy between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan represents a pivotal step in deepening regional energy cooperation:

"This agreement establishes the framework for new 'green energy' corridors, enabling the transfer of substantial energy volumes from Central Asia to European markets. Enhanced integration of the energy systems of the three nations will bolster regional energy flows and stability while contributing to Europes energy diversification. Consequently, reliance on gas and other hydrocarbon sources will diminish, while the share of renewable energy will expand. Beyond energy supply, the agreement creates profound economic and geopolitical advantages, further consolidating regional energy security through intensified cooperation," he stated.

The Deputy Minister also highlighted the implications of the Protocol of the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Joint Intergovernmental Commission, signed earlier this year in Baku, for advancing bilateral green energy collaboration. He recalled that the Protocol endorsed the Cooperation Action Plan for 2026-2027 between the two countries, encompassing 73 areas of strategic engagement:

"This Action Plan provides for expanded collaboration across multiple sectors, with energy at its core. In the realm of green energy, it facilitates carbon reduction initiatives, promotes investment, and encourages the transfer of renewable energy technologies. The Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor, in particular, establishes a novel route for exporting renewable energy to Europe, enhancing Azerbaijans pivotal role in this dynamic. For Italy and other European nations, this corridor offers strategic advantages in energy diversification, export expansion, and the delivery of clean energy alternatives to traditional oil and gas supplies."

Looking ahead, Soltanov outlined Azerbaijans principal priorities and strategic direction for its green energy agenda in the near and medium term:

"Azerbaijans green energy policy, aligned with the nations long-term socio-economic development strategy, emphasizes the efficient utilization of energy in 2026, the expansion of renewable energy sources, implementation of large-scale wind and solar projects, phased decarbonization of the energy sector, enhancement of export potential, and the fortification of regional and international energy cooperation. By 2030, the plan anticipates the commissioning of six gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar capacity, expanding to eight GW by 2032. In Karabakh and East Zangezur, hydro, solar, and wind installations, including rooftop panels, are projected to generate 1.6 GW by 2030, culminating in a reduction exceeding two million tons of emissions," the official concluded.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 24. Saudi Arabias ACWA Power has signed Investment Agreement Key Terms with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkiye to develop up to 5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity in Turkiye, the company said, Trend reports.

The program will begin with Phase 1 projects totaling 2 GW of solar capacity across two plants in Sivas and Taseli.

Under the agreement, ACWA Power will develop, finance, construct, commission and operate both facilities. Separately, Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Key Terms were concluded with Elektrik Uretim A.S. (EUAS) for the sale of electricity generated from the plants.

The initiative builds on ACWA Powers first investment in the country  the 927-MW Krkkale independent power plant project valued at $930 million  which the company said offsets about 1.8 million tons of CO annually.

Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power, said the agreements mark a pivotal step in the companys partnership with Turkiye and highlight the countrys potential as a clean energy and manufacturing hub.

He added that the 5-GW renewable program will support Turkiyes climate targets, including cutting emissions by 41% by 2030, reaching net zero by 2053 and expanding renewable capacity to 120 GW by 2035.

The company said the program will deliver fixed-price electricity, improving predictability for grid planning and industrial investment. By replacing imported fossil fuels with domestic clean power, the projects are expected to reduce Turkiyes exposure to global energy price volatility and strengthen energy security.

The initiative could bring up to $5 billion in foreign direct investment and create thousands of jobs, including hundreds of high-skilled operational roles, ACWA Power said.

ACWA Power added that localization remains a strategic priority and noted it has already achieved full local employment across its existing projects in Turkiye.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. Kazakhstan exported 2.859 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products derived from bituminous minerals to Turkiye in 2025, reflecting a 44.5% increase compared to the 1.978 million tons exported in 2024.

Data obtained by Trend from the countrys Bureau of National Statistics shows that the total value of these exports reached $1.505 billion, reflecting a 23.7% rise compared to $1.217 billion in 2024.

In total, Kazakhstan exported a total of 76.032 million tons of crude oil and petroleum products in 2025, which is a 7% increase from the 71.037 million tons exported in 2024. Despite the higher volume, the total value of these global exports reached $39.898 billion, representing a 7% decline from $42.885 billion the previous year.

Overall, Kazakhstans foreign trade turnover totaled $143.888 billion in 2025, a 1.3% increase compared to 2024. Total exports amounted to $79.041 billion, down 3.2% year-on-year, while imports grew by 7.4% to reach $64.847 billion.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan plan to expand the capacity of cross-border junctions to boost freight transport, Trend reports via the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan.

A joint delegation from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan has conducted a working trip to the countries' cross-border railway facilities, where they carried out a detailed inspection of the Saryagash and Syr Darya junctions. The visit was part of ongoing efforts to implement agreements between Astana and Tashkent aimed at increasing transportation volumes to 60 million tons.

During the visit, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the capacity of cross-border junctions. The Saryagash junction is poised to boost its capacity from 36 to 40 train pairs daily, while the Oasis junction is set for a remarkable fivefold increase, soaring to 10 train pairs per day.

Focused efforts were dedicated to enhancing the Syrdarya junction. With the launch of the Darbaza-Maktaral section, the number of train pairs will increase to 10, laying the essential groundwork to reach the ambitious freight turnover goal of 60 million tons.

The parties also examined infrastructure development, focusing on resolving bottlenecks that impact the capacity and efficiency of railway transportation.

According to the Kazakh ministry, the volume of rail freight transportation between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan reached 32.3 million tons in 2025, which is a 16% increase compared to 2024.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, February 24. Germany's Lufthansa will resume regular flights to Kazakhstan's Almaty and Astana from March 29, 2026, Trend reports via the company.

Regular flights will operate five times per week to Almaty and four times per week to Astana from Frankfurt am Main.

The company noted that air communication will follow a circular model, offering both direct flights from each city and flights with an intermediate stop in Almaty and Astana. This aims to provide more departure options and facilitate further connections to cities in Europe and North America.

During the stopover in Astana, passengers continuing their journey remain on board, while passengers in Almaty can spend their waiting time in the transit lounge at Almaty Airport. Flights are operated on Airbus A340-300 aircraft.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. Kyrgyzstan and Cambodia discussed the current state and prospects for the further development of bilateral ties, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The issues were discussed on February 23, 2026, in Geneva on the sidelines of the high-level segments of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, during a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn.

In the meeting, both parties reiterated their commitment to enhancing political dialogue, broadening the legal and contractual framework, boosting trade and economic collaboration, and fostering student exchanges.



Special focus was directed towards enhancing collaboration within the United Nations and addressing various matters on the global agenda.



After the meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through mutual high-level visits and the upcoming round of political consultations between their foreign ministries.

Meanwhile, on February 23, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev took part in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. Kyrgyzstan and Indonesia discussed the state and prospects of Kyrgyz-Indonesian cooperation, emphasizing the importance of intensifying political dialogue, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The issue was discussed on February 23, 2026, in Geneva on the sidelines of the high-level segments of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament during a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Sugiono.

The parties emphasized the significance of high-level visits, enhancing bilateral relations, and fostering collaboration within the United Nations and other global organizations.

The parties also committed to strengthening economic connections by organizing business forums and showed a keen interest in fostering collaboration within the halal industry in Kyrgyzstan.

After the meeting, both parties expressed their commitment to deepening multilateral and bilateral relations, broadening practical cooperation, and improving engagement between their foreign ministries, including the establishment of mechanisms for regular political consultations.

Meanwhile, on February 23, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev took part in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. Kyrgyzstan and Iceland discussed the prospects for developing Kyrgyz-Icelandic bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The discussion took place on February 23, 2026, in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council. This meeting brought together Jeenbek Kulubaev, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, and Katrin Gunnarsdottir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iceland.

The meeting covered a range of important topics, including trade, finance, climate initiatives, green energy, education, and investment.

Minister Kulubaev extended an invitation to the Icelandic delegation to join the 2026 World Nomad Games and the Second Global Mountain Summit "Bishkek+25" scheduled for 2027.

Minister Gunnarsdottir conveyed her keen interest in these events and affirmed her willingness to thoughtfully evaluate proposals for collaboration.

After the meeting, both parties reiterated their dedication to fostering open dialogue and enhancing Kyrgyz-Icelandic relations. They also reached an agreement to initiate political consultations and broaden the legal and contractual framework.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev discussed prospects for developing bilateral cooperation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Andorra Imma Tor Faus, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The issue was discussed on February 23, 2026, in Geneva on the sidelines of the high-level segments of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament.

In the meeting, both parties highlighted the enduring partnership in sustainable mountain development and focused on enhancing collaboration within international and regional organizations.



Minister Kulubaev provided an update to his counterpart regarding Kyrgyzstans international initiatives, highlighting the World Nomad Games and the upcoming Second Global Mountain Summit set for October 2027.



After the meeting, the leaders of the foreign ministries expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations.

Meanwhile, on February 23, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Minister Kulubaev took part in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

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Laman Ismayilova



Novruz is the most ancient and beloved holiday in Azerbaijan, marking the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature at the time of the vernal equinox, usually on March 20 or 21, AzerNEWS reports.

Recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Novruz reflects centuries-old traditions connected to nature, seasonal change, and the four classical elements. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, Azerbaijani people celebrate four consecutive Tuesdays known as "C?r??nb?l?r," each dedicated to one of the fundamental elements: water, fire, wind, and earth.

The first of these is Su C?r??nb?si, or Water Tuesday, which symbolizes water as the source of life and the element that awakens nature after winter. According to traditional belief preserved in Azerbaijani folklore, water is the first of the elements to be created, and its renewal marks the beginning of seasonal transformation.

As winter ends and the days grow longer, people observe the revival of rivers, springs, and streams, which are seen as signs that nature is preparing for rebirth. The celebration of Water Tuesday expresses respect for water's life-giving power and its role in purification, health, and abundance.

On the morning of Water Tuesday, many people traditionally visit natural water sources such as rivers, springs, or wells. It is customary to collect fresh water at dawn, when it is believed to be especially pure and beneficial. Young girls often go together to fetch water, sometimes singing folk songs along the way. The collected water is brought home and used for symbolic rituals. Family members wash their hands or faces with it, believing this act will cleanse them of illness and misfortune and bring health throughout the coming year. In rural areas especially, people may sprinkle water around their homes, in courtyards, and on trees, expressing hope for fertility, prosperity, and a fruitful agricultural season.

Water is also used symbolically within the household. A bowl of clear water may be placed on the Novruz table as part of the festive arrangement that includes sprouted wheat (samani), sweets, dyed eggs, and candles.

The presence of water represents clarity, freshness, and the continuous flow of life. In some regions, people gently splash water on one another as a sign of blessing. Another widespread custom involves jumping over flowing water or stepping across a small stream. This gesture symbolizes leaving behind the troubles of the old year and entering the new year purified and renewed.

These practices are rooted in ancient beliefs that long predate modern times. Historically, communities in the region viewed natural elements as sacred forces that governed life. Water in particular was associated with healing and protection. Folk traditions hold that water drawn before sunrise on this day has special properties.

Today in Azerbaijan, Water Tuesday continues to be observed both in villages and cities. While urban life has changed many aspects of traditional practice, families still maintain core customs, such as washing with fresh water and preparing for the upcoming Novruz festivities. Schools, cultural institutions, and community groups sometimes organize educational events explaining the significance of the four Tuesdays and their connection to national heritage.

Su C?r??nb?si (Water Tuesday) is followed by Od C?r??nb?si (Fire Tuesday), Yel C?r??nb?si (Wind Tuesday), and Torpaq C?r??nb?si (Earth Tuesday), each representing another stage in nature's awakening.
BEIRUT, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- On the western slopes of Jabal al-Wastani overlooking Lebanon's southern border, 60-year-old beekeeper Jalal Daher stood before rows of blackened hives.

He lifted the wooden lid of one box. Burned wax crumbled to the ground. The steady hum that had accompanied him for more than 25 years was gone.

Daher said months of shelling and fires during cross-border hostilities destroyed colonies he had built over decades. Since conflict escalated in October 2023, access to bee yards in several border areas has been dangerous or, at times, impossible, preventing beekeepers from feeding or protecting their hives during peak production periods.

Around 8,000 beekeepers manage more than 417,000 hives in Lebanon, with annual honey production reaching about 1,500 tonnes under normal conditions, data from the country's Ministry of Agriculture shows.

However, according to World Bank estimates, around 5,000 beehives were completely destroyed in Lebanon between Oct. 8, 2023, and Dec. 20, 2024, with damages valued at approximately 800,000 U.S. dollars.

As hostilities intensified, many beekeepers relocated their hives from border regions and highlands to safer areas.

Omar Awad, a beekeeper from Rashaya in eastern Lebanon, said apiarists traditionally move hives in winter to the country's warmer coastal regions, where citrus orchards provide essential nectar.

This year, however, expanding military operations pushed many toward colder eastern and northern areas, where limited flowering and sub-zero temperatures disrupted production cycles and further colony losses.

Munir Othman, a beekeeper from Baalbek, said that even relocated apiaries in eastern mountain areas were affected by continued hostilities, further weakening the sector.

In Hasbaya, Majed al-Halabi, head of a local beekeepers' cooperative, said some areas recorded losses of between 60 and 70 percent of their hives due to inaccessibility and interrupted care, adding that actual losses may exceed officially reported figures.

Beyond conflict, climate change has further strained the sector.

Kamel Khair, a university lecturer specializing in environmental studies, said bees are highly sensitive to climate fluctuations. Rising temperatures, recurring drought and forest fires have reduced woodland areas and shortened flowering seasons, directly affecting honey yields and colony survival.

Reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization indicate that climate instability contributes to declining bee health and productivity. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that continued disruptions could pose a threat to primary pollinators.

The impact has been reflected in local markets, where honey prices have risen from about 15 dollars per kg to 25 due to reduced supply and rising production costs.

Beekeepers say Lebanon's prolonged economic crisis has compounded their difficulties.

Adel al-Khatib, another beekeeper, noted that feed prices and costs of treatments against the Varroa mite and honey extraction equipment have increased significantly. However, production has fallen by nearly half compared to previous years, leaving many unable to cover expenses.

He emphasized that bees play a crucial role not only in honey production but also in pollinating fruit and vegetable crops, meaning any decline in bee populations directly affects agricultural output and local food security.

Nizar Hani, Lebanon's minister of agriculture, told Xinhua that organizing and developing the sector is a priority to enhance its contribution to the national economy. He stressed the importance of establishing regulatory frameworks to ensure environmental balance and sector sustainability.

The United Nations marks May 20 each year as World Bee Day to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and the threats they face worldwide. 
Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev discussed prospects for expanding political dialogue, as well as trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation with President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The issue was discussed on February 23, 2026, in Geneva on the sidelines of the high-level segments of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament.

During the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on topical issues on the international agenda and cooperation within the United Nations and other international organizations.

Furthermore, the Kyrgyz side underscored its interest in establishing and developing full-fledged bilateral relations, highlighting the importance of forming a solid political and legal framework for cooperation.

Following the talks, the sides confirmed their readiness to intensify contacts, organize political consultations, and strengthen interaction between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

Meanwhile, on February 23, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Minister Kulubaev took part in the high-level segment of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, February 24. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Jeenbek Kulubaev, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Abdulla Khaleel, confirmed their mutual interest in establishing air connectivity between the two countries, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz MFA.

The interest was announced on February 23, 2026, during their engagement in the high-level sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

During the meeting, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, emphasizing the importance of strengthening political dialogue, as well as economic and cultural ties.

Particular attention was paid to cooperation in multilateral formats. The interlocutors reaffirmed their mutual interest in expanding cooperation and further developing friendly relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Maldives.

In conclusion, Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev invited the Maldivian side to participate in the World Nomad Games in 2026 and the Second Global Mountain Summit scheduled for October 2027.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 24. Iran will resume talks with the U.S. in Geneva with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal  in the shortest possible time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"Pillared on the understandings forged in the previous round, Iran will resume talks with the U.S. in Geneva with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable dealin the shortest possible time," he wrote.

"We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority," the minister noted.
QUITO, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and nine others injured following an explosion inside a house in the canton of Antonio Ante in northern Ecuador's Imbabura province on Tuesday morning, the National Police said.

The blast destroyed the house and alarmed nearby residents, who alerted emergency services.

Firefighters rescued 10 injured people from the scene, one of whom later died from their injuries, according to local media reports.

Police confirmed that explosives and firearms were found in the house. Bomb disposal technicians conducted controlled detonations of unexploded devices found at the scene.

Witnesses said that several people fled the area after the explosion.

The site remains cordoned off as authorities continue their investigation. 
JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investments have created thousands of jobs and introduced advanced manufacturing technologies in South Africa's Gauteng Province, a provincial official said on Monday.

Delivering the State of the Province Address, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi noted a series of multi-sectoral investments by Chinese firms aimed at bolstering the province's economic growth.

Lesufi highlighted Chung Fung Metal's 156-million-U.S.-dollar investment in a new steel factory, which opened in January and has created over 1,000 jobs.

"This new steel factory has brought the latest technologies in steel manufacturing to our shores," Lesufi said, adding that a further 1,000 permanent positions are expected once a proposed direct reduced iron plant is fully operational.

The premier further noted Chery International's acquisition of a plant in Pretoria and a 150-million-U.S.-dollar investment by Haier's local subsidiary Kwikot in Benoni, which together protect more than 1,400 existing jobs and support the provincial goal of creating 250,000 positions, especially for the youth.

As South Africa's economic hub, Gauteng continues to host a wide range of Chinese enterprises, further deepening the economic partnership between the two countries. 
Hou Jianwen (C) and his local colleagues pose for a group photo after completing the surgery in Zanzibar, Tanzania, on Jan. 18, 2026. (The 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar/Handout via Xinhua)

DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three weeks ago, 31-year-old Ali Hamad Kombo believed his working life -- and his family's livelihood -- had come to an abrupt and painful end.

A commuter bus conductor in Chake Chake district on Tanzania's Zanzibar Pemba Island, Kombo, depends on daily wages to support his wife and three children. A road accident left him with a fractured right arm, forcing him to stop work and plunging his family into uncertainty.

"I thought everything was over," Kombo recalled in a recent interview with Xinhua. "Without my hand, I could not work. Without work, I could not take care of my children."

Today, Kombo's outlook has changed dramatically. Following a complex operation at Abdulla Mzee Hospital, he is recovering steadily and hopes to return to work in the coming weeks. His renewed optimism, he says, is thanks to the joint efforts of the 35th Chinese medical team in Zanzibar and local doctors.

"I have no proper words to thank the Chinese doctors," Kombo said, gently flexing his recovering arm. "They not only saved my hand after a very difficult surgery, but they also saved my family. I am looking forward to working again and earning an income."

A local doctor told Xinhua that Kombo's injury resulted from a traffic accident on Pemba Island, where narrow roads and a growing number of vehicles often lead to serious trauma cases, while medical resources remain limited.

After initial treatment, doctors confirmed that Kombo had suffered a severe fracture of the distal humerus near the elbow, an injury known for its complexity and high risk of long-term disability if not treated properly.

For Kombo, the diagnosis was devastating. "I could not even hold a cup," he said. "All I could think about was how my children would eat."

At Abdulla Mzee Hospital, local orthopedic surgeon Eveline Emmanuel Sikahanga reviewed Kombo's imaging and reached out to Hou Jianwen, deputy leader of the Chinese medical team in Zanzibar and chief orthopedic surgeon, stationed on Pemba Island as part of China's long-running medical aid program.

The imaging revealed a highly comminuted fracture, with the bone shattered into multiple fragments and the joint surface severely damaged. "This was not a simple fracture," Hou said. "It involved the joint, with many fragments that needed precise reconstruction."

Under the hospital's limited conditions, the challenge was immense, as there was no intraoperative C-arm fluoroscopy available for real-time X-ray guidance.

The first operation was scheduled for the evening of Jan. 17 and continued late into the night. Using an olecranon osteotomy approach to access the damaged joint, Hou worked closely with Sikahanga throughout the procedure.

Without fluoroscopy, every step relied on anatomical knowledge, tactile feedback and experience, what surgeons sometimes call a "blind operation." Each screw and wire placement was uncertain until postoperative X-rays confirmed the result.

"The fracture was even more complex than the images suggested," Hou said. "There were more than seven significant fragments, and one key piece was difficult to identify at first."

Together with Sikahanga, Hou carefully identified the anatomy, stabilized the bone fragments, and determined the correct angles for fixation.

As the surgery progressed, the need for additional assistance became clear. Hou called in Zhu Shuangjiu, head of general surgery with the Chinese medical team, to help maintain reduction and assist with fixation.

"With three people working together, everything became more efficient," Sikahanga said. The operation concluded around 1:00 a.m. local time the following day.

Hou's work did not end with the surgery. Unable to sleep, he sketched detailed diagrams of the fracture reduction and fixation technique, later sharing them with Sikahanga as a learning tool.

"This is how mentorship should be," Sikahanga said later. "Not just words, but standing with you during the hardest moments and helping you understand every decision."

Postoperative X-rays taken the next morning showed satisfactory reduction and fixation. Kombo's circulation and nerve sensation were intact, a crucial indicator of success.

For Kombo, the technical details matter less than the outcome. He can move his fingers. The pain is manageable. And for the first time since the accident, he can plan for the future.

"I will go back to work," he said with a smile.

For Hou and his colleagues, Kombo's recovery embodies the purpose of their mission. Chinese medical teams have worked in Zanzibar for decades, providing care, training and support in areas where resources are limited.

"True medical aid is not only about treating patients," Hou said. "It is about sharing knowledge, building confidence with local doctors, and taking responsibility together for every life." 
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's former president Yoon Suk-yeol's legal team filed an appeal Tuesday against the first-instance verdict on his insurrection charges, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Yoon was sentenced to life in prison on charges of insurrection, live footage showed last Thursday. 
Small-business owners, entrepreneurs and startups will have the opportunity to learn how to use various artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to enhance their marketing, market research and intellectual property protection skills Tuesday, March 3.

Paul Johnson, Kayley Achi and Monica Patten will lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network webinar, titled AI Marketing, Market Research and Intellectual Property Workshop, from noon-12:30 p.m. To register, go here. Registration is free.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

During the webinar, Achi will demonstrate how Google Gemini can help small-business owners conduct basic market research tasks. Johnson will demonstrate how to use Claude AI to easily create marketing content for social media, websites or product descriptions. Patten will discuss what information small-business owners should and should not share with AI chatbots to keep their trade secrets safe and protect their intellectual property.

Johnson is the cybersecurity for small business program manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network.

Achi is the program manager for the Wyoming SBDC Networks Market Research Center.

Patten is the Wyoming SBDC Networks research and commercialization director.

For more information, call Tyler Schanck, marketing, communications and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email tschanck@uwyo.edu.
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.
President Donald Trump on Monday denied reports that the top US military officer had flagged the risks of a major operation against Iran, saying Washington would "easily" beat Tehran in any war.

US media reported that General Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, had warned of various risks associated with strikes against Iran including a long-term entanglement.

But Trump said on his Truth Social network that it was "100 percent incorrect" that Caine was "against us going to war with Iran."

"General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," Trump wrote.

"He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack."

The Washington Post said Caine had expressed concern at the White House and Pentagon that munition shortages and a lack of allied support could increase danger to US personnel.

And the Wall Street Journal said both the top general and other Pentagon officials have warned of risks such as US and allied casualties as well as the danger of US air defenses being depleted if its forces strike Iran.

The Axios news outlet meanwhile said Caine had warned of the United States "becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict."

Trump's roving negotiator Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner had also been urging the president to hold off attacks and give diplomacy a chance, Axios said.

The US president however accused the media outlets of writing "incorrectly, and purposefully so."

"I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we dont make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people," Trump added.

Trump, who ordered strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last year, has repeatedly threatened Tehran with further military action if ongoing talks do not reach a replacement for the nuclear deal the US president tore up in 2018, during his first term in office.

Washington has deployed a massive military force to the Middle East, sending two aircraft carriers as well as more than a dozen other ships, a large number of warplanes and other assets to the region.

But negotiations are still set to continue, with a US official saying the next round of talks with Tehran would take place on Thursday.

wd-dk/ksb
KABUL, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police in the drive against illegal drugs arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 41 kg of illicit drugs from their possessions in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province on Monday, said a statement of the provincial police office on Tuesday.

The arrested suspects, according to the statement, were attempting to smuggle 29 kg of opium poppy and 12 kg of hashish out of the province.

The Afghan government has vowed to fight against producing illegal drugs and their trafficking until the once drug-producing nation becomes free of the drug threats. 
KABUL, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Sediqullah Nusrat, deputy spokesman of the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense, confirmed to Xinhua that clashes had taken place between Afghan security forces and Pakistani troops in Nangarhar province on Tuesday.

According to Nusrat, the confrontation erupted when Pakistani forces opened fire on Afghan personnel who were conducting routine patrols in the area, adding that the situation has since returned to normal and calm has been fully restored.

Zabihullah Noorani, head of information and culture for Nangarhar province, also confirmed that Pakistani forces opened fire on Afghan forces, which was met with a response from the border forces of Afghanistan.

Local media in Afghanistan reported on Tuesday that clashes broke out on Tuesday afternoon between Afghan and Pakistani forces in the border areas.

According to sources, the clashes occurred in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province, in areas bordering Pakistan.

Sources said that heavy weapons were used by both sides and that there were casualties. The Pakistani side has not yet issued any statement on the latest clashes.

Earlier, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan government, said that Afghanistan would respond to airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on Sunday.

The Afghan side said that the Pakistani military on Sunday carried out airstrikes on the bilateral border areas, killing 18 people and injuring five others.

Pakistan said Sunday that it had carried out intelligence-based, targeted strikes on seven militant camps and hideouts in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, following a series of suicide bombings, and killed over 80 terrorists. 
DECATUR, IL. (WAND) - Happy Tuesday! It will be another breezy day, but a much warmer one overall. Winds will be gusting out of the southwest through the afternoon. This will drive in warmer air across much of the Midwest. Temperatures will top off in the mid-40s this afternoon despite the clouds.

Temperatures will be much warmer overnight into Wednesday morning with lows in the upper 20s. Wednesday looks mild as mostly sunny skies return. High temperatures will once again warm up into the 40s before our next weather maker moves into Illinois.

A system will impact Illinois overnight Wednesday and linger through Thursday morning. The bulk of the precipitation will start as rain and transition to a snow or sleet mix for areas along the I-72. The exact location of the freezing line will make a massive difference in this system. If the line moves south of I-72, we can expect to have slippery travel conditions for the Thursday morning drive. Areas north of I-74 will have the best chance for snow.

The snow chances wont hang around for very long. Temperatures will warm up well above freezing through the morning and afternoon on Thursday. Friday and Saturday are looking great with sunny skies and above-average temperatures in the mid-50s.

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Rome reopens Belvedere Antonio Cederna to tourists and residents.

Rome authorities on Monday reopened a terrace with panoramic views of the Colosseum following a 12-year closure necessitated by the construction of the Metro C subway line.

The newly renovated viewpoint, overlooking the Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum, was inaugurated by Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri and the city's environment councillor Sabrina Alfonsi.

The terrace is named after Antonio Cederna (1921-1996), a prominent Italian intellectual whose children were present at the inauguration.

Cederna dedicated his life to historic environmental and cultural battles for the capital, including advocating for a pedestrian area around the Colosseum and the preservation of the Appian Way.

Belvedere Cederna

The Belvedere Cederna renovation project redeveloped the terrace's green spaces, introducing five olive trees and 10 lemon trees, along with six new benches.

The terrace, accessible via the Clivus Acilio, sits above Via dei Fori Imperiali which was built as part of Mussolini's plans to connect the Colosseum with Piazza Venezia.

Originally called Via dell'Impero, the street was created by bulldozing a path through the Velia hill - a spur between the north side of the Palatine Hill and the Oppian Hill - and was inaugurated on 28 October 1932 on the tenth anniversary of the March on Rome.

Today the grand street is the focus of new works as part of the Carme project, an ambitious urban planning initiative aimed at creating a New Archeological Walk by linking various ancient sites in the central archeological area into a cohesive, pedestrian-friendly network.

Just behind the Cederna terrace is another jewel of the capital, the Renaissance-era Villa Rivaldi, soon to be restored by the Italian culture ministry and the Lazio Region.

"We are working to transform the city and enhance its unique characteristics", Gualtieri said, referencing the "redevelopment of Via dei Fori Imperiali, where there's no going back in time, but rather a move forward".

Pine trees

Alfonsi paid tribute to Cederna's "key role in shaping public debate on the environment and culture," before providing an update on the pine tree situation on the street below the terrace.

The city recently cut down 12 umbrella pines along Via dei Fori Imperiali, following the collapse of three trees, after tests showed they were at risk of falling.

"They will be replaced, and there will also be an increase to compensate for those removed over the years" - Alfonsi said - "There won't just be pine trees, but also pomegranate trees and other species thanks to the Carme project, which includes new plantings."

Photo Roma Capitale
New initiative to foster shared promotion of Rome's archaeological heritage.

Italy's culture ministry has announced a new two-year partnership between the Colosseum Archaeological Park and the National Roman Museum, with effect from March 2026.

The collaboration introduces a reciprocal ticketing discount designed to foster the shared promotion of Rome's archaeological heritage.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park comprises the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Domus Aurea, while the National Roman Museum (MNR) network includes Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Massimo and Crypta Balbi (the latter of which is temporarily closed).

How it works

Under the terms of the agreement, visitors holding a valid ticket for the National Roman Museum are entitled to purchase the 'Amici PArCo' reduced ticket for the Parco archeologico del Colosseo at a cost of 14.

Conversely, those who have visited the Colosseum Archaeological Park will be eligible to purchase the MNR 'Musei in Rete' ticket for a reduced fee of 10.

Simone Quilici, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, characterised the initiative as a cornerstone of a new policy aimed at strengthening Romes museum network.

By integrating institutions that house artefacts from the Palatine, the Forum and the Domus Aurea, the programme seeks to distribute tourist traffic more equitably across the city's state museums.

The National Roman Museum joins existing partners, including the Jewish Museum of Rome and Villa Farnesina, in this expanding cultural circuit.

MNR director Federica Rinaldi emphasised that the agreement represents a modern, integrated vision of heritage management.

She noted that the initiative encourages a more comprehensive visitor experience by linking grand outdoor monumental complexes with the museum collections that provide their historical context.

According to Rinaldi, this unified narrative of Roman civilization - spanning from symbols of public power to the artefacts of daily social and artistic life - is essential for making culture more accessible and sustainable for Rome residents, historians and tourists.

Opening times

The announcement also coincides with updated visiting hours for both institutions.

Starting 1 March, the National Roman Museum will advance its opening time to 09.00, remaining open Tuesday through Sunday until 19.00.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park will maintain its standard opening of 08.00 for the Colosseum and 09.00 for the Forum-Palatine and the Domus Aurea.

Seasonal closing times for the Park will shift throughout the year, with the site closing at 17.30 in March and extending to 19.15 from late March through September.
Isabel Hayes

A convicted attempted murderer has been given a four-and-a half-year jail term for the prolonged and violent robbery of a man who was recovering from surgery.

Dean Paget (37) is currently serving a 13-year jail term for the attempted murder of his former partner, whose unborn child was pronounced dead in the wake of the April 2021 assault.

He will not serve further time in prison for the robbery offence, with Judge Orla Crowe ordering that the four-and-a-half year sentence handed down on Tuesday should date from his guilty plea last January.

Four months prior to the attempted murder of his partner, Paget and a woman carried out the attack on the man who was walking along the Dublin canal in December 2020 as he recovered from hip surgery, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

The charges in relation to this robbery were twice struck out for unknown reasons before Paget was again charged in June last year, defence counsel, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, told the court.

Paget, with an address at Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at Castleknock Road on December 3rd, 2020.

A count of assault causing harm was struck out, while two other counts of making a threat to kill and production of an article were taken into consideration, the court heard.

Paget has 73 convictions, including attempted murder, causing serious harm, robbery, theft and threats to kill.

George Burns BL, prosecuting, told the court that on the day in question, the injured party was taking a short walk in his local area to aid his rehabilitation from recent hip surgery.

Paget and a co-accused, Megan Creighton, set upon him as he walked along the canal, with Creighton biting his nose as he lay pinned on the ground and Paget kicking and punching him while threatening to knife him with a screwdriver. They took his phone during the attack.

An off-duty garda came upon the scene, and the injured party managed to get his phone back from the pair who fled the scene before eventually being detained.

Creighton (37) of Corduff Crescent, Blanchardstown, was jailed for three years in 2022.

The injured man was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for a bite mark to his nose and abrasions to his cheek and neck.

In a victim impact statement read out by counsel, he said he was subjected to a prolonged and violent assault, during which his immediate concern was for his hip, which had recently been replaced.

He said that as he was pinned down by his assailants, he genuinely believed he was going to die, and his thoughts were for his wife and children.

Physical injuries heal over time, but psychological injuries do not, he said. He still has a visible scar to his nose and struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.

In her plea of mitigation, Ms Lawlor said her client wanted to make a full apology for his actions that day. She said his guilty plea was of valuable assistance, given the significant period of unexplained delay in bringing charges against Paget.

She noted this matter could have been dealt with before Paget's more serious Central Criminal Court matter. She asked the court to take into consideration his sincere and genuine remorse.

Sentencing him on Tuesday, Judge Orla Crowe said this was a very serious matter that had a profound effect on the injured party. This was a sustained, physical, violent robbery, she said.

She set a headline sentence of six years, which she reduced to four and a half years, taking mitigating factors into account. She noted the contents of a prison governor's report said Paget is doing well in custody.
Following sold-out runs in Cork, Waterford and Dublin, Red n Blue Theatre Company will present its production of, 'Lovesong' by Abi Morgan in the Theatre Royal from tonight, Tuesday, February 24, until Thursday, February 26.

The shows get under way at 8pm.

'Lovesong' is a story of one couple, told from two different points in their lives, as young lovers in their 30s and as worldly companions looking back on their relationship.

Their past and present selves collide in what is a beautiful tale of togetherness.

All relationships have their ups and downs; the optimism of youth becomes the wisdom of experience and at the end of the day, love is a leap of faith.

The production received 16 sell-out performances in Cork, Waterford, and Dublin to-date and received five nominations at the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards, including: Outstanding Event of the Year; Best Play (which it won); Best Supporting Actor - Sean Ahern, and Best Supporting Actress - Mary Flavin-Colbert.

On its initial staging in Waterford, Arts Correspondent for Waterford News & Star, Pat McEvoy wrote: "Beautifully written and masterfully performed.

Another critic described it as "a wonderful, poignant, and beautifully crafted piece of theatrical magic", while another reviewer wrote: "A seamless interplay between youth and age - warm, tender, and profoundly moving.

The formidable cast of the show includes Dylan Kennedy, Sean Ahern, Mary Flavin-Colbert and Jenny Fennessy.

'Lovesong' will be staged in the Theatre Royal. Pic: McMahon Studios

Dylan Kennedy trained at East 15 Acting School and has an impressive list of credits to his name including: 'From Out the Land' (Clonmel Junction Festival); 'The Last Stand, Amongst Men' (Four Rivers); 'Philadelphia, Here I Come', (Donmar Warehouse); 'Katie Roche' (Abbey Theatre); 'Our Tethered Kin' (Broken Crow); 'Hansel and Gretel' (National Theatre); 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh); 'All Over Town' (Project Arts Centre); 'Peter Pan' (National Theatre of Scotland) and 'Romeo and Juliet', to name but a few.

Alongside his onstage work he also has numerous directing credits including 'Lovesong', 'The Flags' and 'Taboo'.

Sean Ahern won Best Supporting Actor in the Waterford News and Star Green Room Awards for his performance as Bill in 'Lovesong'. He also won Best Supporting Actor in the RTE All-Ireland Final with Brideview Drama for his portrayal of Mick Tracey in 'The Stolen Child'. He is no stranger to All-Ireland finals, having won the One Act Drama League of Ireland Final playing Nashie in 'The Quiet Land' (2017) and finishing second with 'Where is This Malabar?'.

Mary Flavin-Colbert, won Best Supporting Actress at the Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards for her performance as Maggie in 'Lovesong'. In 2025, she won Best Actress for Dora in 'Blackwater Lightship' (Ballyduff Drama), and in 2024, she won Best Supporting Actress for Aunt Maggie in 'The Ferryman' (Ballyduff Drama).

Sean Ahern and Mary Flavin-Colbert. Pic: Keith Currams

Previous awards include Best Supporting Actress for 'Conversations On A Homecoming' (Palace Players, RTE All-Ireland Drama Festival winner), Best Actress for 'Chipatti' (Palace Players, 2022), and a nomination for 'Where is This Malabar?' (2018).

Jenny Fennessy is an acting graduate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London whose numerous TV credits include 'Call the Midwife' (BBC), 'The Doireann Project' and 'Seriously, Sinead?' (RTE). Theatre credits include Greg Dorans 'King Lear' and Melly Stills 'Cymbeline' (Royal Shakespeare Company) along with Richard Eyres 'Liola' (National Theatre, London), 'Macbeth' (as Lady Macbeth  Red n Blue Theatre), 'Romeo and Juliet' (as Nurse), 'Hamlet' (as Gertrude), 'Othello' (as Emilia) and 'The Merchant of Venice' (as Nerissa  Mill Productions).

Dylan Kennedy and Sean Ahern.(Photo by Keith Currams).

Red n Blue Theatre Company was established in 2018 by husband-and-wife team Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy. Simple storytelling is at the heart of their work, creating honest, entertaining, and memorable theatre. Between them, they have performed with companies and venues such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Abbey Theatre, The Donmar Warehouse, The National Theatre (UK), The Barbican, BBC, Channel 4, and RTE, and worked with some formidable directors including Tony Award winner John Tiffany and Olivier Award winners Katie Mitchell, Lyndsey Turner, Sir Richard Eyre, and Greg Doran.

The production in Waterford is supported by Waterford City & County Council.

Tickets for the show are priced 23.50 (21.50 concession) and the running time is approximately 80 minutes with no interval. The age recommendation for the show is 16 plus.
When John Moran became Limericks and Irelands first democratically elected mayor two years ago, the move was warmly welcomed across the political spectrum- more than 80% of Limerick voters agreed it was a positive development.

The move was designed to transfer executive power back into the hands of democratically elected officials, reshaping Irelands antiquated and byzantine council structure.

While Waterford voters narrowly rejected the premise of a directly elected Mayor in 2019, the Limerick experiment has been watched closely.

Irelands system of local democracy is built on a lopsided relationship between elected councillors and a councils executive - essentially high-ranking civil servants who wield the lions share of decision-making power whilst holding no democratic mandate.

A 2023 European report into Irish local authorities was damning in highlighting the imbalance and the way in which elected councillors are starved of autonomy.

Surely Moran, boasting a CV that would trump many Leinster House legislators, was going to illuminate a bright path forward?

Two years on from his election, it certainly hasnt worked out that way.

Political infighting, led by a minority from Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, along with ambiguities in his remit, has left Moran in a precarious situation and unable to push through legislation.

For those who think Waterfords problems can be solved by waving a magic wand and electing a democratic mayor, its evidently not that simple.

What remains glaringly obvious is the need for urgent reform of Waterfords local council.

A council run by officials who have no requirement to be front-facing lends itself to a system where transparency and accountability are often left wanting.

When theres no necessity for public support, and councillors are left powerless, people who feel the effects of council decision-making in their everyday lives understandably become disillusioned.

Whether readers like or loathe Active Travel, should fundamental changes to peoples daily commutes really take place with such little public scrutiny? Even when plans are presented to the public, they are often changed before implementation.

Councillors can project flooding occurring in areas, but if a council is haphazard in its reaction, there isnt any real political consequence for the culpable executive.

When Waterfords third largest museum is shut down with the blessing of the council, albeit temporarily, the councillors cant tell constituents why - because they never really had a say in the matter.

Yet the mayoral system in Limerick has presented its own challenges.

With seemingly more power in the hands of Moran and Limerick councillors, the power struggle in the local authority has changed forms.

Gone are the shadowy executive rulings, instead replaced by the ossified politics familiar to Leinster House.

With more power in the hands of councillors and a stronger incentive to sabotage progress for political point scoring, the Limerick Council could begin to mirror the Dail as a body that only looks in the short-term.

It becomes the same kind of machine that will dole out giveaways in pre-election budgets while ignoring the nations glaring infrastructure deficits, content to champion a dreadfully hyper-exposed economy that takes half of its corporation tax intake from just three companies, and a country that finds itself in a housing crisis having seen NAMA flog land assets at dirt-cheap prices as soon as it got them.

This newspaper does not have the ready-made solution to fix the local authority question. Maybe Limericks system will find a way to iron out the kinks in the coming years?

The only thing thats constant in life is change, and Waterford council should welcome it, fight through it and learn how to use it for the better.
Boats are seen at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Boats are seen at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Visitors view boats at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows yachts on display at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Photo taken on Feb. 23, 2026 shows yachts on display at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Visitors view boats at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Visitors view boats at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Visitors look at a marine engine produced by Weichai Group at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)

Visitors view a boat at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, Turkiye, Feb. 23, 2026. The Bosphorus Boat Show, the largest land-based boat exhibition in Turkiye, is held in Istanbul from Feb. 21 to 28. More than 200 exhibitors participated in the event, showcasing a wide range of vessels as well as marine engines and related equipment. (Xinhua/Liu Lei)
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BusinessBanking & financeBig four Former ANZ chief Shayne Elliott drops legal action against bank Clancy Yeates February 24, 2026  9:55am Save 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 A A A

The former chief executive of ANZ Bank, Shayne Elliott, has ended his legal action against the bank after it denied him $13.5 million in bonuses following a string of regulatory woes at the big four giant. The Melbourne-based bank, which had previously vowed to defend the court case vigorously, said on Tuesday it had not made any payments or commitments to Elliott. Former ANZ chief Shayne Elliott. Janie Barrett ANZ today welcomed the decision by former chief executive officer Shayne Elliott to discontinue legal proceedings relating to remuneration outcomes in the 2025 financial year, the bank said. As part of discontinuation, ANZ confirms that no payments or commitments were made to Mr Elliott, with both parties bearing their own costs.

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Elliott missed out on $13.5 million after the banks board pushed for accountability for a series of incidents that occurred while he was running the bank, including four court matters that were settled last September, with ANZ agreeing to pay a record $240 million fine. In doing so, the bank admitted to unconscionable conduct on a major government bond deal, incorrect reporting of trading data and misconduct affecting nearly 65,000 customers. In December, Elliott took action in the Supreme Court of NSW, saying he accepted the need for accountability, but he alleged the bank had breached its contract with him. The bank and I had a clear, unambiguous agreement about the terms of my departure. As you would expect, having entered into a contract, my expectation is that those terms would be honoured, Elliott said in a statement in December. This masthead attempted to contact Elliott on Tuesday. After Elliott lodged the lawsuit, ANZs chairman Paul OSullivan told the banks annual meeting in December that ANZ was very confident of our legal position regarding the dispute, and he vowed to defend the case.

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OSullivan also signalled the bank could seek to claw back more bonuses from executives, saying salaries and incentives were a key mechanism for how the bank enforced accountability. Related Article Big four ANZ wont hesitate to wrest more bonuses from executives, says chair I want to be really clear, the board can  and will  make future adjustments where appropriate. This methodical assessment over an extended period is consistent with the intent of the law, in terms of regulation, following the Royal Commission, ensuring accountability and alignment over time, OSullivan told the annual meeting. Elliott left ANZ in May after more than nine years in the top job. ANZs annual report, published in November, said neither Elliott nor his successor, Nuno Matos, had received a short-term bonus for the 2025 year, and the bank had also cancelled incentives that Elliott was due to receive. Investors issued ANZ with a hefty protest vote at its annual meeting last year, with 32.4 per cent of votes opposing its remuneration report, delivering the bank a second strike on executive pay. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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Updated BusinessConsumer affairsAviation Qantas to accept dual citizens expired UK passports Chris Zappone February 24, 2026  8:29am Save 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 A A A

Qantas said it will temporarily accept expired British passports from dual Anglo-Australian citizens boarding flights for the UK, when that countrys new visa rules come into effect on Wednesday. The Australian flagship carrier said it would follow advice from the UK government and accept expired passports - from 1989 or later - from dual citizens if they dont have the current British passport required under the rule change for dual citizens to use for entry to Britain and Ireland. Although the UK government has been warning of the change since October 2024, confusion over the rule change has mounted as the February 25 enforcement date nears. Peter Braig Effective on February 25, Australian citizens - who are also British or Irish dual nationals by descent - can no longer travel to the UK without a current British or Irish passport. These dual citizens, many of whom hold the status by virtue of their parents, cannot use an inexpensive Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), either.

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The UK has used ETAs, which cost only 16 ($30.50), since October 2023. However, their use becomes mandatory this week, and for citizens (including dual citizens), ETAs are no longer an option. Related Article Updated

Air travel Technically British: UK visa rule change unleashes confusion for dual citizens We recognise that this is a significant change for carriers and travellers, the UK Home Office told British media late last week. The Home Office further clarified that: At their own discretion, carriers may accept some expired British passport as alternative documentation. These could include expired passports from 1989 or a valid non-visa national third-country passport where biographic details match. It is an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept, according to the UK Home Office.

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Separately, individuals who have previously had a British passport can apply for an emergency travel document if they urgently need to enter the UK. Australian Tony Ducker has no desire to be a British citizen. UK Border Force will still assess a persons suitability to enter the UK and conduct additional checks if required, the UK Home Office said. Although the UK government has been warning of the change since October 2024, confusion over the rule change has mounted as the February 25 enforcement date nears. The change will see thousands of Australians with a family link to the UK forced to accept or reject British citizenship as a condition for entry into Britain. Dual citizens of the UK also have the option of the pricier 589 ($1135) one-time cost of a certificate of entitlement, which vouches for their right to be in the UK and can be used with Australian passports.

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Virgin and Qatar Airways said that passengers flying to the UK or Ireland will find staff checking passengers right of entry into their final destination before travel. Australians who also hold British or Irish citizenship will not be able to apply for an ETA. Getty Images Even as the UK has created a temporary exception, the airlines say the ultimate responsibility to meet the entry requirements of all countries, including obligations that may apply to dual citizens, resides with the passengers. Related Article Opinion

Brexit Brits in Australia are shredding their passports. I think I know why Gary Nunn Contributor Underscoring the ambiguity over the rule change implementation, a spokesperson for Emirates said the carriers standing policy is that it is the individual travellers responsibility to ensure they meet all necessary visa and entry requirements for their destination. The airline operates 146 weekly flights across three London airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted.

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The airline advises all passengers to verify the most up-to-date requirements directly with the relevant government authorities well in advance of their travel, as these can change at short notice. Singapore Airlines, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific have all been reached for comment. Typical reservation systems will flag dual citizens, as it is with anyone who does not meet the entry requirements for their final destination. They will be turned away if they dont have the relevant documentation. NSW-based Tony Ducker notes that he was born, lived, and worked his entire life in Australia and was recently advised he is, to his surprise, a British citizen and will require a British passport for travel there. Passengers can be denied boarding. Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

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I never requested this citizenship nor was I formally advised of having this citizenship, said Ducker. I do not want UK citizenship, he wrote in an email, stressing he has always travelled on his Australian passport. Related Article Exclusive

Aviation Qantas, union at loggerheads over job security in AI-era Ducker has been told to post his original birth certificate and current passport to the UK. The Home Office has reportedly sent a range of communications to airlines and those impacted who the UK holds valid contact details for.

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Many Australians of British and Irish heritage question how UK authorities would be aware of the parentage of children born outside of the UK or Ireland decades ago, and who, in many cases, had no diplomatic contact with the UK. Ducker said, A ridiculous bureaucratic process. I do not consider myself a UK citizen. Is the UK running short on citizens, so they have to go around the world trying to automatically add citizens? Writing in The Conversation, Nando Sigona, Professor of International Migration at the University of Birmingham, said the new rule for some simply means ensuring that their UK passport is valid. For others  particularly families living abroad who have never needed a British passport for their children  it introduces an unexpected bureaucratic step. Families with easy access to consular services, financial resources and familiarity with UK administrative systems can adapt quickly, wrote Sigona. Those living further from British bureaucratic infrastructure face greater friction. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.

CLARIFICATION This story has been updated to say a certificate of entitlement is only available to UK citizens.
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CultureMoviesFilm awards BBC apologises for airing BAFTA racial slur made by guest with Tourette syndrome Kate Holton and Paul Sandle February 24, 2026  6:37am Save 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 A A A

The BBC apologised on Tuesday for failing to edit out a racial slur from its broadcast of Britains top movie awards, after a guest with Tourette syndrome shouted out while two black actors from the film Sinners were presenting an award. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTA awards on Sunday night when John Davidson shouted a racial slur. The BBC broadcast the show about two hours later and the offensive language remained in the program, and on the broadcasters streaming platform until Monday morning (UK time). Michael B. Jordan (left) and Delroy Lindo on stage at the BAFTA awards on Sunday night. Getty Images Later in the program, film director Akinola Davies Jr said Free Palestine in an acceptance speech. The BBC edited the remark out of the broadcast. The racial slur by Davidson sparked anger from several black actors and a production designer who said there should have been a more comprehensive apology at the time. Davidson attended the BAFTA awards in London after his life inspired the film I Swear, which won several awards.

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Tourette syndrome is a condition that causes people to make involuntary, sudden and repetitive sounds or movements known as tics, which can sometimes include swearing. A BBC spokesperson said on Tuesday that some viewers might have heard strong and offensive language during the awards program. John Davidson (left) attended the BAFTAs to celebrate I Swear, a film inspired by his life, starring Robert Aramayo (right). Getty Images This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony, it was not intentional. We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast, and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer. In a separate statement, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said: We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

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BAFTA said it had taken steps to make the audience aware of the tics and the possibility that they could hear strong language during the ceremony. Related Article Film awards Doing it for the naughty girls: Jessie Buckley one step closer to Oscars victory Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted, the academy said. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism. Davidson issued his own statement on Tuesday, emphasising that his tics are not a reflection of his personal beliefs. I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning, he said.

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I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourettes community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so  I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing. The host of the awards, actor Alan Cumming, apologised for the offensive language later during the ceremony, and said the person with Tourette syndrome had no control over what he had said. Cumming added: We apologise if you were offended. View post on X Wendell Pierce, Jordans co-star on The Wire, said on X it was infuriating that the two actors did not receive a full and immediate apology. The insult to them takes priority, he said. It doesnt matter the reasoning for the racist slur.

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Hannah Beachler, the Sinners production designer, said it had been an impossible situation, but the throw-away apology had made it worse. Of course we were offended, she said. Sinners, a vampire thriller that celebrates blues music and black culture in the segregation-era American South, is in the midst of a historic awards season for black cinema. Sinners has scooped a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations. AP It has a record 16 Oscar nominations and at the BAFTAs, the movie won awards for best original screenplay for writer and director Ryan Coogler, best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku and best original score. Jordan has been nominated for multiple awards, including an Oscar, for his portrayal of twin brothers in Sinners. Lindo, a stage and film actor, is also nominated for an Oscar.

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Health It starts as an itch then the urge grows. Whats it like to have Tourettes? I Swear tells the story of Davidson growing up with Tourette syndrome and the impact it had on his life, culminating in him becoming a campaigner to raise awareness of the condition. BAFTA said Davidson chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony on a screen. We would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him, BAFTA said. We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all.

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Related Article Oscars Rose Byrne, Jacob Elordi lead Australias Oscars charge as Sinners makes history The Tourettes Action charity group said it understood the hurt Davidsons words had caused at the BAFTAs, but said they did not reflect a persons beliefs, intentions or character. We are deeply sorry to the black community for the harm caused, but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary, the group said in a statement. Reuters, with Nell Geraets Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter.

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Analysis CultureTV & radioKyle Sandilands Are we all being played by Kyle and Jackie O? The timing of their latest on-air fight, which generated another burst of headlines, might not be a coincidence. Michael Lallo February 24, 2026  11:46am Save 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 A A A

Here we go again: another round of headlines about Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson. But are we being played by Australias most controversy hungry radio hosts? Consider the timing of the pairs on-air fight last Friday, which resulted in Henderson reportedly taking a week off from their KIIS FM breakfast program to gather her thoughts. The trigger for this clash was, of all things, a discussion about astrology, prompting Sandilands to question the work ethic of his co-host. Youre off with the fairies, you are unfocused, you dont give a shit  everyone in this building has mentioned it to me, Sandilands said in response to Henderson dissecting the birth chart of the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. The commercial radio industry is divided about whether Fridays argument between KIIS FM hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson was real or just a publicity stunt. Facebook

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Thanks to the blaze of publicity this generated, we know what happened next: the segment devolved into an ugly fight, with a tearful Henderson stepping away from the show for the rest of this week. (KIIS is yet to confirm her return date, or to comment publicly.) But you really need to look at the timing of all of this, says one former breakfast radio producer, who asked not to be named because they currently work in the industry in a different capacity. Its the last week of the current radio ratings survey period  and when Jackie returns on Monday [as expected], itll be the start of a new survey period. If this really is a publicity stunt, it could backfire. Former breakfast radio producer Why is this relevant? It all comes down to how radio ratings work. Each year, there are eight surveys in which participants record which programs theyve listened to through a variety of platforms, including paper and electronic diaries. Although people are meant to be filling out their diaries every day, a lot of them get busy or just forget, so they end up completing them in batches or just doing it all at the end of the survey, explains one FM radio veteran, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to comment publicly. Radio stations know this, so they want their programs to be front and centre in peoples minds during this time  and one way to do that is to generate publicity at the end of the survey period. (Its important to note that ratings provider GfK is shifting towards platforms that allow respondents to effortlessly record their radio listening in real time, including live-streamed data and microphone-equipped smartwatches that capture encrypted anonymised information.)

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It just so happens that the end of the current survey period is this week  the same week that began with Sandilands revealing that Henderson was taking a break from their program, sparking a media storm. And if Henderson does return to work on Monday, it will coincide with the start of a new survey period  helping put their Kyle and Jackie O program at the forefront of survey participants minds. Related Article Radio Off with the fairies: Jackie O steps away from radio after on-air fight with Sandilands Meanwhile, the vacuum created by Hendersons absence this week is already being filled by a welter of tabloid reports, ranging from Sandilands breaking his silence on Tuesday mornings show (Shell be gone for the week, Im told  Im looking forward to her return) to Henderson being trailed by paparazzi while visiting a pharmacy (The 50-year-old picked up a bottle of Hydralyte, an electrolyte drink used to treat dehydration). Yet many in the industry are conflicted about whether this bust-up is just another confected outrage  or a real argument that got out of hand. Everyone knows Kyle and Jackie are the masters of creating their own drama, says the industry veteran. But people [who work in commercial radio] are genuinely divided about whether Jackie was doing her best acting, or whether she was genuinely upset. Id say that opinion is split 50/50 on this one.

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This is borne out by comments on industry website Radio Today. This reeks of a desperate attempt to get PR, [its] totally staged, one observer stated. Sounds real to me  Kyle was being honest about his feelings, argued another. Its fair to assume that Sandilands and Henderson are under enormous strain. Many reports claim theyre being paid $200 million between them as part of a 10-year contract. Whatever the real figure is, its causing all kinds of problems for parent company Australian Radio Network, which is yet to reap the kind of ratings (and revenue) that would justify such a colossal investment. While Kyle and Jackie O dominate the FM breakfast ratings in Sydney, the program has hit a new low in Melbourne. In Sydney, where The Kyle & Jackie O Show dominates the FM breakfast market, the pair ended 2025 with 12.7 per cent of the available audience, although theyre still behind 2GBs Ben Fordham. But in Melbourne, they sank to a new low of 5 per cent, placing them in eighth position overall. Adding to their woes is the fact that Lauren Phillips and Jase Hawkins, who were dumped by KIIS Melbourne at the end of 2023 to make way for Kyle & Jackie O, were scooped up by Nova, where they ended the year with an 8.8 per cent audience share. (The first ratings survey of 2026 will be released in mid-March.) If this really is a publicity stunt, it could backfire, says the former radio producer. The problem is that in Sydney, Kyle and Jackie are huge out in Parramatta and Penrith and those outer western suburbs, where [audiences are more accustomed to their style of broadcasting].

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But in Melbourne, the demographics are very different  theyre not the audiences that Fox or Nova are chasing. Melbourne wants to hear about AFL and the latest CFMEU [scandals]. Kyle and Jackie just arent making any inroads there; it seems Melbourne has made up its mind about them. Related Article Updated

Melbourne radio Kyle and Jackie O hit rock bottom in Melbourne Making matters worse are ongoing campaigns by activist groups such as Mad F---ing Witches, which relentlessly urge sponsors to boycott the program  making it even harder for KIIS to generate the level of advertising revenue that would warrant Sandilands and Hendersons eye-watering salaries. Perhaps the most generous thing I can say is that itll be a big job to turn all of this around, says another radio producer. How they do that is anybodys guess. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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CultureTV & radioVale This one hurts: Hilary Duff pays tribute to Lizzie McGuire co-star Robert Carradine Lindsey Bahr and and Nell Geraets February 25, 2026  6:55am Save 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 A A A

Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in Lizzie McGuire and the 1984 comedy Revenge of the Nerds, has died at 71, his family has announced. Tributes began flowing shortly after the news of Carradines death was made public on Tuesday (US time) by his family. The actor had struggled with bipolar disorder for two decades. Hilary Duff, his co-star and fictional daughter in the popular Disney television series Lizzie McGuire, said her heart ached for Carradine and his family. Robert Carradine was best known for his roles in Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds. Alamy Stock Photo This one hurts. Its really hard to face this reality about an old friend, Duff wrote on Instagram on Tuesday night. She also shared two photos of her and Carradine while shooting the show.

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There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. Ill be forever grateful for that. Im deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. Jamie Lee Curtis, who previously dated Carradine, also shared a lengthy tribute on Instagram, reminiscing about when they first met on the set of The Dinah Shore Show, where they became a little family and where she first experienced domesticity, motherhood and partnership. He was my first crush in the movies and I didnt realise it, Curtis wrote. We remained friends after we broke up and Ever [Carradines daughter] and I have as well. The long and winding road. Rest in speed and humour and love, Bobby. In a statement shared with entertainment news website Deadline on Tuesday, Carradines brother Keith said the family wanted people to know about Carradines mental health struggles, and that there is no shame in it.

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It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day, Keith said. Known for both his film and television work, Carradine worked steadily in the industry for over 40 years. Though he collaborated with some of the most respected directors of the day, he never gained the worldwide recognition of his more famous siblings Keith (also the father of Martha Plimpton) and half-brother David, who died in 2009. Carradine, a Los Angeles native and son to character actor John Carradine, was introduced to audiences with roles on the television series Bonanza in 1971 and in the John Wayne western The Cowboys in 1972. Robert Carradine (right) played the head nerd Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds. Alamy Stock Photo

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However, despite his family background, acting wasnt his first calling. I always had a passion to be a race car driver, and thats what I thought I was going to do, and at some penultimate moment  I think I was sitting with my brother David when The Cowboys was being cast, and they were interested in David as the bad guy, and he didnt want to be the guy that shot John Wayne in the back, Carradine recalled in a 2013 interview with Popdose. But he said, You know, it is called The Cowboys, and theyre meeting all these young guys. Why dont you go in? Related Article Vale Global drag community mourns the loss of Australian icon Maxi Shield In addition to starring in a short-lived television spinoff of The Cowboys, and appearing alongside his half-brother David in his popular ABC series Kung Fu, he would go on to nab roles in Martin Scorseses Mean Streets, Hal Ashbys Vietnam drama Coming Home, and Samuel Fullers World War II film The Big Red One. The heights of his sibling Davids success eluded Carradine, but the two could often be seen in the same projects, including in Walter Hills The Long Riders and Paul Bartels Cannonball.

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Carradines biggest hit would come in 1984 with the off-colour comedy Revenge of the Nerds, in which he played head nerd Lewis Skolnick, with his abrupt, infectious and guttural laugh. He reprised the role for the big-screen sequel and two made-for-television follow-ups, and continued to pay homage to the beloved character with a guest role on the series Robot Chicken and as a co-host (with Revenge of the Nerds co-star Curtis Armstrong) of the pop-culture competition show King of the Nerds, which aired for three seasons. In the late 1980s and 1990s, according to the family statement, Carradine realised his racing ambitions and was a driver for Lotus. In the 2000s, Carradine gained small-screen success in Lizzie McGuire as the eponymous characters father. Work remained consistent even if the projects diminished in prestige and quality. Then Quentin Tarantino, ever the champion of fading character actors, cast Carradine in Django Unchained as one of the trackers in the 2012 film after seeing a very furry photograph, as Carradine told Popdose. Robert Carradine worked across film and television since the early 1970s. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP In 2015, Carradine was cited for a Colorado crash that injured him and his wife, Edith Mani. They later divorced, after more than 25 years of marriage.

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Carradines survivors include his three children, actor Ever Carradine, Marika Reed Carradine and Ian Alexander Carradine. Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them its because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back, Ever wrote on Instagram. I think its partly because we basically grew up together. Twenty years age difference really isnt that much, and while I never ever thought of him as a sibling, I did always think of him as my partner. We were in it together. With AP If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.

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Mental health Nell Geraets is a Culture and Lifestyle reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. or email. Connect via X
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EnvironmentClimate changeClimate policy SAs algal bloom spreading north towards one of the worlds marine wonders Bianca Hall February 24, 2026  9:02am Save 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 A A A

South Australias algal bloom has spread north up the Yorke Peninsula, turning waters a sickly brownish-green colour and suffocating southern sand octopus, rays and other marine life. There are now fears it could spread further north into the Spencer Gulf towards South Australias annual aggregation of giant cuttlefish, which is due to take place off the coast of Whyalla from May. A giant cuttlefish. The annual migration in Spencer Gulf is one of the natural wonders of the Australian marine environment. S.Rohrlach/iStock The annual event is the only known mass gathering of giant cuttlefish  which can weigh as much as 10 kilograms  in the world, and is billed as one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment. The natural wonder attracts photographers, divers and researchers from around the world, drawn to the beauty of the colour-changing cuttlefish, which are dubbed chameleons of the sea.

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Great Southern Reef Foundation co-founder Stefan Andrews on Monday surveyed water off the coast of Port Victoria, a town located in the middle part of the Spencer Gulf, and recorded water visibility of less than one metre in parts. He said he saw multiple marine species, including octopus, starfish and abalone, dead and dying. A southern ray in water off the coast of Port Victoria last week as Karenia levels began to rise. Stefan Andrews I watched a healthy reef collapse in seven days, he said. One week ago I dived here, and it was full of life. Stingrays, large fish, small fish, octopus. Today I came back to dead octopus on the seafloor and abalone so weak you could lift them straight off the rock.

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South Australias coastline has been in the grip of a deadly algal bloom caused by multiple species of the tiny dinoflagellate Karenia, a genus of planktonic organisms that drift in water columns. The organisms turn seawater greenish-brown, and produce a mucky foam that causes skin irritations among humans. By Monday, the water off the Port Victoria coast had turned a brown-green colour, visibility was low and dead octopus were lying on the sea floor. Stfan Andrews For the past few weeks, sections of the Yorke Peninsula and Spencer Gulf have been hit by elevated Karenia levels, although figures released by the South Australian government show levels were low last week. A spokesman for the South Australian environment department was unable to provide data on the Karenia levels this week in the region.

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Professor Mike Steer, the executive director of the South Australian Research and Development Institute, said the south-west of the Yorke Peninsula remains the only active bloom area in the state. Related Article Climate crisis The water was completely dead: Inside the grim race with a microscopic enemy The state government has established an extra nine onshore water testing sites on Yorke Peninsula since late December 2025, taking the total across the region to 17 sites, Steer said. The testing and monitoring program also includes extensive offshore testing in Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent. The program provides valuable insights into algal bloom trends. However, the bloom remains a dynamic situation that is hard to predict. Giant cuttlefish generally live for 12 to 18 months, and die after they mate. Females lay eggs in the winter.

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The next generation is highly dependent on the previous generation and the [survival] of those eggs, Andrews said. They could manage to get through this year, or they could all get wiped out. And if they dont manage to lay eggs this year, then it might not ever happen again. Last year the South Australian and federal governments invested in a trial bubble curtain measuring 200 metres by 100 metres. It was hoped the vertical sheet of bubbles would protect cuttlefish and their eggs from the toxic blooms if they approached Port Lowly, near Whyalla, where cuttlefish congregate during winter. A dead fiddler ray on the beach in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg in July 2025 and linked to the algal bloom. Getty Images However, cuttlefish migrate long distances to reach the aggregation site, and Andrews said it was unknown whether they would get caught in deadly blooms on their migration.

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Steer said the bubble curtain could be deployed at short notice, as required. For 12 months, scientists have been engaged in a grim game of cat and mouse with a microscopic enemy that defies definition. In November, scientists from Australia, New Zealand and the UK published a research paper that showed five Karenia species have contributed to the blooms. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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LifestyleBeautyJeffrey Epstein What the Epstein files reveal about the beauty and fashion industry Lauren Ironmonger February 24, 2026  2:03am Save 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 A A A

The latest wave of Jeffrey Epsteins email correspondence, released by the US Department of Justice last month, reveals the extent of the former financiers connections in the worlds of fashion, beauty and wellness, which he often used as leverage to lure victims and exert power. They also reveal the sex offender was an investor in Allergan Aesthetics, the makers of Botox, and was interested in funding a personal genome project at Harvard researching the genetic origins of beauty as well as research into designer babies. Being mentioned in the files does not mean that a person had any knowledge of, or involvement in, Epsteins crimes. This masthead is not suggesting any criminal wrongdoing on the part of those mentioned in the files, nor of any brands associated with such figures, just that their names appear. Some people are calling for a boycott of the brands implicated in the latest release of Jeffrey Epsteins email correspondence. Matt Willis The inclusion of some names in the files  including Estee Lauder chair Ronald Lauder and luxury skincare mogul Peter Thomas Roth  has led some online users to call for boycotts of their brands.

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But Trent Rigby, director of Retail Customer Advisory, is sceptical about just how much of a dint boycotts will have in companies revenue and reputation. They generate a lot of noise, but they dont really translate to any sort of material or major sales decline, he says, explaining beauty tends to be a habit-driven category with shoppers unlikely to withdraw support in the long term. However, he thinks founder-led brands, are more likely to bear a stain, and the public will be looking to brands for how they respond. Below are just a few of the high-profile names revealed in the files. Leslie Wexner

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Leslie Wexner. Getty Images Leslie Wexner, former CEO of lingerie brand Victorias Secret, has long been tied to Epstein. The businessman, whom Epstein served as financial manager between 1987 and 2007, is also the co-founder and chair emeritus of Bath & Body Works and was responsible for making Abercrombie & Fitch a household name. In 2009, Wexner was named by the FBI in a list of Epsteins 10 co-conspirators, alongside figures including Ghislaine Maxwell, Richard Kahn and modelling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Outspoken victim Virginia Guiffre previously alleged Wexner as one of the men Epstein trafficked her to.

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Editor's pick Analysis

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Disgraced Andrews secret deals with Epstein pose a grim test for the King The 88-year-old last week told US congress he was duped by a world-class conman: I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide. Wexner has always maintained his innocence and has never been convicted for any crimes related to Epstein. Ronald Lauder

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Ronald Lauder, chairman of Estee Lauder International, appears in the Epstein files more than 900 times. Getty Images Ronald Lauder, the sole heir to the Estee Lauder empire founded by his parents Estee and Joseph, appears in the files more than 900 times. Estee Lauder Companies, an American multinational, is the second-largest cosmetics company in the world after LOreal and counts iconic brands such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique, La Mer, M.A.C and Jo Malone in its stable. In 2014, Epstein set up an LLC for Lauder and investor Leon Black, enabling their shared ownership of a US$25 million ($35 million) painting. The new spate of emails shows Lauder and Epsteins staff set up lunches for the two men in 2017 but dont reveal any relationship beyond a few social, philanthropic and business engagements.

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Lauder, a close friend of US president Donald Trump, was also revealed in January to be the man who pushed for the acquisition of Greenland (Lauder has commercial holdings there). Vera Wang Fashion designer Vera Wang at the Met Gala last year. Getty Images This is not the first time American fashion designer Vera Wang, best known for her wedding dresses, has been associated with Epstein. An investigation by The Wall Street Journal published in 2023 revealed the designer appeared in Epsteins schedule from 2013 to 2017, and that she was another high-powered industry insider whose name Epstein cited to lure in young victims.

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Editor's pick Opinion

Jeffrey Epstein Epstein files give weight to conspiracy theories we once dismissed Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist Wang expressed regret over her relationship with Epstein at the time, telling WSJ: I never knew he was using my name in any capacity, and it horrifies and repulses me to now hear that he did so. The new spate of emails shows communication continued between the two after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, mainly in the form of requests via their assistants to call one another. They also reveal Epstein attended Wangs fashion show in 2010 and that in 2013, he brought a bride to her showroom. Unfortunately, Vera is not available to meet up at the dress store today. I did request please be sure to let Vera know you have been asking and hoped to see her, Epsteins assistant Lesley Groff wrote to him. Epstein also appears to have helped a member of the Agnellis, an Italian business dynasty, secure a summer internship in Vera Wangs design team in June 2013.

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Naomi Campbell Naomi Campbell maintains she had no knowledge of any criminal conduct. Getty Images Naomi Campbells association with Epstein is not new. The British supermodel was allegedly close friends with Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell and was named by victim Virginia Giuffre when she first went public with her story. Giuffre was photographed at Campbells 31st birthday party in Saint-Tropez in 2001, and in 2020, claimed Campbell was aware of Epsteins abuse in a post on Twitter: You saw me at your parties, you saw me in Epsteins homes, you saw me on the plane, you saw me get my haircut, you saw me on the streets, you watched me be abused. You saw me! she wrote.

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Another of Epsteins victims, who was 15 when she met him, claimed he had promised to get her work at Victorias Secret and said he knew Campbell. The same victim said she had met with Campbell at Epsteins private office. However, the new suite of emails shed further light on the nature of their relationship, including that they continued correspondence after his 2008 conviction, that Campbell requested use of Epsteins private jet and invited him to parties. Campbell has maintained she had no knowledge of Epsteins criminal conduct, which her lawyer reiterated in a statement to The New York Times last week: Prior to Epsteins 2019 arrest in New York, my client knew nothing about his appalling criminal conduct If my client had ever encountered any young woman whom she thought was being victimised by Epstein, she would have personally taken immediate action to help her, part of the statement read. Campbells close friend and collaborator, the late designer Azzedine Alaia, also appears in the emails, which indicate he scheduled a meeting with Epstein, Hermes CEO Axel Dumas and French-German banker Ariane de Rothschild in 2014.

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Peter Thomas Roth Skincare mogul Peter Thomas Roth. Getty Images Luxury skincare mogul Peter Thomas Roth exchanged emails with Epstein between 2004 and 2018. In an email sent to Ghislaine Maxwell in October 2007, following Epsteins Florida indictment on one state felony charge of solicitation of prostitution but before his 2008 conviction, Roth wrote: Please tell Jeffery how very sorry Noreen and I are for him and how terrible we feel for him. We totally feel he was set up to be made an example of...how very sad for him and for all of us. Please also let him know we know he did nothing wrong and will always love him and be our friend for ever. If he ever needs anything from us, or if he needs us to do anything for him, please get in touch with us and we will ALWAYS be there for him. Anything! Promise.....XXOO Peter.

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Editor's pick Epstein fallout I regret ever knowing him: Bill Gates denies Epstein claim in latest release of files Roth launched his eponymous brand in 1993, and quickly gained a reputation for his clinical, science-based approach to cosmetics, becoming the largest privately owned skincare brand in the US today. In Australia, the brand is stocked at retailers including Adore Beauty and Sephora. This masthead has contacted both retailers to see if they will be pulling the brand from shelves, or have noticed any changes to sales. They had not responded at the time of publication. Roth also seems to have visited Epstein at home, according to an email sent in September 2017 in which Epstein wrote, Peter thomas roth is coming to my house to explain to all the girls about skin creams, cleansers and such. Afterwards, Roth sent 13 gift bags to Epstein.

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In 2018, Roth emailed Epstein a link to an article headline, Steve Bannon trying to get on disgraced Jeffrey Epsteins good side. Fun, Epstein replied. In a statement posted to Instagram on February 6, Roth denied being present with him for any activity that was inappropriate, or ever having attended any parties, flying on Epsteins plane or visiting the island. He explained that Epstein had been his physics teacher in school and they stayed in touch in the decades that followed. Peter Attia Peter Attia appeared at SXSW in Texas last year. Getty Images

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Canadian-American longevity guru Peter Attias name appears more than 1800 times in the files, including in correspondence where he reviewed blood tests and MRI scans of Epstein and made appointments for meetings. In one particularly crass email exchange from 2016, Attia wrote: Pussy is, indeed, low carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though. In another, from 2015, with the subject line got a fresh shipment, Attia wrote: The biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I cant tell a soul... Editor's pick Extremism Helly Hansen is the new uniform of choice for neo-Nazis. Why? Attia is known for his work in longevity medicine, and appeared in the 2022 series Limitless: With Chris Hemsworth, in which he told the Australian actor he carried a gene that leads to a higher risk of developing Alzheimers disease.

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On February 2, Attia shared an email he sent to employees on X, denying any knowledge of Epsteins abuse: I was not involved in any criminal activity; My interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone; I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties. That said, I apologise and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me. I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it. Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra in 2023. Getty Images In November, new age wellness guru Deepak Chopras name first appeared in email communications with Epstein. This new drop of documents reveals thousands more exchanges, including one February 2017 email in which Chopra appears to ask Epstein to accompany him to Israel.

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Come to Israel with us, Chopra wrote. Relax and have fun with interesting people. [if] you want use a fake name . Bring your girls. It will be fun to have you. Love In another exchange a month later, Chopra wrote: God is a construct. Cute girls are real. Epstein also asked in return of Chopra: Did you find me a cute Israeli? In a statement posted to X (Twitter) on February 5, the 79-year-old said he was deeply saddened by the suffering of the victims in this case.

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I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct. Any contact I had was limited and unrelated to abusive activity. Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today, given what was publicly known at the time. Axel Dumas, Hermes CEO Hermes CEO Axel Dumas and Anna Wintour in October last year. Getty Images Axel Dumas, CEO of luxury French house Hermes, dodged multiple attempts by Epstein to meet with him, according to the latest tranche of files. Following their release, Dumas told Business of Fashion Epstein and Woody Allen showed up unannounced to one of the brands workshops on the outskirts of Paris.

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Dumas also said he turned down a request to decorate Epsteins private jet in 2012. I was a young leader at the time, in the middle of the LVMH affair [at the time the company was battling an attempt at a hostile takeover], he said. Epstein already had a despicable reputation. The emails also reveal an affinity between Epstein and the heritage brand, including multiple purchases of luxury handbags for women in his circle. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
PARIS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday voiced unsatisfaction after U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner failed to attend a summons by the French Foreign Ministry, saying diplomatic representatives must respect established protocol.

Speaking to French media France Info, Barrot said that when one has the honor of representing one's country in France, one need to respect diplomatic customs and responds to summonses from the foreign ministry.

Barrot described the ambassador's absence "a surprise," pointing to Kushner's "personal responsibility" in the matter. He noted that summoning an ambassador when explanations are required is a routine diplomatic practice.

"This in no way affects the relationship between France and the United States," Barrot said. "However, it will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country."

The French minister reiterated that France does not accept foreign interference in its domestic political debate and said the purpose of the summons was to seek clarification.

The summons followed statements by the U.S. embassy on social media about the death of Quentin Deranque, a French far-right activist, which French authorities viewed as inappropriate.

On Friday, the U.S. Embassy said on X account that "violent left-wing extremism is on the rise, and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety."

On Monday, France restricted Kushner's access to senior government officials after he failed to attend a summons from the French Foreign Ministry.

According to French media reports, Deranque was seriously injured during a clash between rival radical groups at a conference in Lyon on Feb. 12. The event was organized by a member of the hard-left party La France Insoumise (LFI). Deranque later died from his injuries. 
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NationalWAPopulation Opinion Are we having the right debate about population growth? Alan Duncan Director of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre February 24, 2026  9:01pm

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Every few years Australia returns to a familiar refrain: population growth is too fast, migration must be restrained, and pressure on housing, infrastructure and public services demands a slowdown. The narrative is resurfacing again now, fuelled by concerns about rents, congestion and the cost of living. Australias population growth isnt an issue  the planning is. Cameron Myles Much of the anxiety rests on projections that have repeatedly underestimated how many people live here and how fast Australia is growing. But what does too fast mean when we talk about population growth?

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There is no official threshold. No single number. In practice, growth is labelled too fast when housing supply falls behind demand, infrastructure lags, or planning systems fail to keep pace. When dwelling construction cant match household formation, rents rise, prices accelerate and pressure builds. But the issue is rarely population growth itself  it is whether we planned for it. And it is an important debate. Population growth shapes how we plan our cities, build our homes, invest in infrastructure and sustain our economy.

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But, before arguing about pace, we must be sure we are measuring it properly. Related Article Planning and development The major sporting spectacle threatening to draw West Australian workers east Too often, the real problem is not the debate  its the numbers underpinning it. Government population projections have been systematically wrong for years. Not by chance, but consistently.

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They have repeatedly underestimated how many people live in Australia, how fast the population grows, and how central migration is to economic performance. Across the Commonwealths last five Population Statements, Australias post-COVID population growth has been underestimated 15 times out of a possible 17. These undercounts matter because policy built on erroneous projections leads to faulty decisions. Some variances have been small, and the 2024 statement came closest to the mark. But projection shortfalls have tended to widen over time.

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Part of the problem is the habitual assumption that population growth returns to its long-term trend, and that stronger growth is temporary; something to ride out rather than plan for. The 2025 Population Statement expects growth of 1.3 per cent by June 2026, slowing to 1.1 per cent by the end of the decade  nearly 100,000 fewer people than forecast just a year earlier. That is a big hostage to fortune. Governments could force that outcome by capping skilled migration. But at what cost to economic growth?

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Net overseas migration is a quiet workhorse of Australias economy, demand-led and deeply tied to prosperity. Over the past two decades, migration has contributed around half of total economic growth. We are planning housing, infrastructure and services using projections that repeatedly underestimate reality, while debating migration as if it were optional or temporary. Not occasionally. Consistently. It has expanded labour supply, supported productivity and strengthened industries across construction, resources, healthcare, education and small business.

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OECD research aligns with the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centres latest findings: migration lifts employment across skill levels, ages and genders, without adverse wage effects. Western Australia understands this well. Its capital-intensive, export-oriented and cyclical economy relies on migration to smooth labour shortages, stabilise growth and support regional development. Without it, growth would have been weaker, wages more volatile and productivity lower. At the same time, Australias fertility rate continues to fall.

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This is not cyclical. It is structural. Australians are having fewer children, later in life, with many either choosing not to have children or wishing to but being unable to. Even well-designed family policies are unlikely to reverse this trend meaningfully. The implications are profound for the future workforce, tax base and sustainability of essential services, and demand a more serious national conversation about fertility and family policy. This is not nostalgia or moralising, but practical economic policy.

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Affordable childcare, high-quality reproductive healthcare, secure housing, flexible work, modern parental leave and stronger support for women balancing careers and caregiving are no longer social extras. They are economic necessities. Natural population growth can no longer do the heavy lifting it once did. Here lies the disconnect. We are planning housing, infrastructure and services using projections that repeatedly underestimate reality, while debating migration as if it were optional or temporary.

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It is neither. Migration is now a structural driver of economic growth. None of this denies the real pressures on housing, transport and public services, especially in fast-growing states such as Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. But these pressures are not caused by migration alone. They arise when population growth outpaces housing supply, infrastructure delivery and the responsiveness of the planning system.

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Just under 174,000 dwellings were completed in the year to June 2025, well short of the National Housing Accords 240,000 annual target. At the current pace, Australia will fall roughly one third of a million homes short of the 1.2 million new builds promised by June 2029 under the Accord. This is a housing supply problem, not a migration problem. Lower population forecasts can act like a pressure valve, taking the heat out of the scale of the challenge  and the urgency required to address it. If projections continue to undercount reality, we will keep building too little, too late - and then blaming migration for the consequences.

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A more honest conversation is needed. One that recognises declining fertility as a long-term constraint, migration as an economic necessity, and accurate population forecasting as essential economic infrastructure. Getting the numbers right will not solve every challenge. But getting them wrong guarantees we will keep having the wrong debate. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

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Australian economy Professor Alan Duncan has been director of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University since 2013, having previously directed the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling at the University of Canberra.
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Updated PoliticsFederalNational security PM evacuated from The Lodge over security threat Paul Sakkal Updated February 24, 2026  7:15pm ,first published 6:45pm Save 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 A A A

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been forced to evacuate from The Lodge, his residence in Canberra, while police searched the premises following a security threat. Loading Albanese was only able to return to the heavily fortified house near parliament after 9pm, three hours after the threat first emerged. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had to evacuate his official residence for more than three hours while police searched the premises. Alex Ellinghausen The nature of the threat has not been made public.

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A federal police spokeswoman said they responded to an alleged security incident at 6pm. A thorough search of a protection establishment has commenced and is still ongoing, she said. There is no current threat to the community or public safety. The Lodge in Canberra, pictured in 2022. The Sydney Morning Herald Government sources said the threat was probably not real. But given the rise in extremism and violent threats towards MPs, police were obliged to take it seriously.

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Other politicians who have allegedly received violent threats include Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Communications Minister Anika Wells and independent MP Allegra Spender. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsWAIndustrial relations Firefighters to escalate pay fight as some leave service for safer, better-paid roles Hamish Hastie February 24, 2026  6:00am Save 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 A A A

With negotiations at an impasse, the firefighters union will take the extraordinary step of calling on the WA Industrial Relations Commission to draw up an entirely new pay deal. The lengthy pay and conditions fight started in March last year, but 22 meetings and several rejected offers and counteroffers later, the government and the United Firefighters Union of WA are no closer to striking a deal. Firefighters have been locked in a dispute with the government since March last year. Hamish Hastie The union said this deadlock forced it to request the commission take over the entire process through a little-used process known as an enterprise order, which could cost taxpayers millions in legal bills. Even the 2023 pay fight between nurses and the government that spilled into a huge rally on the steps of Parliament and Dumas House ended in a deal without the need for significant intervention by the commission.

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Union secretary John Marsh is confident the data theyve compiled, along with evidence from firefighters on the ground, will be compelling enough for the commission to draft a deal that would be closer to their demands than the offers presented by the government. Theyll find tens of millions to fight us, but nothing to help us, he said. This government is playing on our biggest fear. Theyre waiting on a tragedy as a wake-up call, and we dont want to say we told you so. Weve been left with no choice but to make this historic move, and were committed to supporting the brave, hardworking people this government has chosen to gaslight and ignore. At the heart of the pay dispute is the unions request for a $2 average increase to firefighters base wages to bring it more on par with other frontline public sector agreements.

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The union then wants a percentage increase on top of that base increment, as well as improvements around recognition of the work and pressures the workforce is subject to, in addition to better health and safety provisions. The Cook government has offered a 5 per cent, 4 per cent and 3.75 per cent increase to wages, which was rejected by 91 per cent of union members in November last year. Marsh said more than a decade of undervaluing WA firefighters has left them way behind as a frontline workforce to the point where some firies were leaving the service to take on other jobs in the public sector with better pay and conditions. Were just trying to identify that theres a disparity between the public sector, he said. Weve recently had a five-year firefighter whos the top of her game... shes just recently resigned from the job to go and work as an emergency response crew for the government on the side of the freeway.

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She can get a better offer, and better conditions and pay, by joining another government department without the risk of cancer, post-traumatic stress and traumatic incidents. It is ridiculous, and theyre not willing to address or identify what the actual concerns are. Firies spend no time talking about how good they are. They dont talk about the jobs we go to. We very rarely even let our families into our worst days. Right now, we just cant believe that weve been pushed to this point. After the union rejected the last offer in November, the state government accused the union of disparaging the deal in the lead-up to the membership vote. It said the deal represented a total pay increase of $17,000 for a senior firefighter over three years which was a weekly increase from $154 per week up to $336 by 2027.

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The dispute has become increasingly public, with firefighters drawing messages on their appliances and station calling on the government to improve their offer. In December, the commission ordered the union stop 13 industrial actions it was using, including limiting overtime hours to 24 hours per work cycle. In return, the state started paying the 5 per cent increase from December 12. The state has also been paying 6 per cent more on penalty rates since that same date.
The typical house in every Australian capital city is out of reach for a solo buyer earning the national average full-time wage, Canstar analysis shows.

The same individual would also be priced out of buying a median-priced unit in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.

Interest rates would need to fall to near-record lows to meaningfully improve affordability, experts say. Credit: Oscar Colman

This months interest rate rise has pushed median-priced properties further out of reach. Rates would need to fall to near-record lows to meaningfully improve affordability, experts say.

The national average full-time wage in January was $104,807, according to weekly earnings data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. After this months rate rise, that wage would allow an individual with modest expenses to borrow an estimated $533,000, based on the average owner-occupier variable rate of 5.75 per cent.
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WorldAsiaWorld politics For more than eight years, Nanette has been waiting for Rodrigo Duterte to pay Zach Hope February 24, 2026  8:32am Save 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 A A A

Singapore: Aldrin Castillo was drinking outside his sisters house in the Manila night when several men, their faces covered, turned up on motorbikes and forced him to kneel in the road with his hands behind his head. They asked him his name, and then he was dead. One bullet went through his temple. Others went into his chest, neck and ear. Nanette Castillo watches a livestream in Manila showing the first day of former president Rodrigo Dutertes committal hearing at The Hague. Nine Newspapers His mother, Nanette, informed by frantic phone calls that her son had been shot, could see some of the holes when she rushed to embrace his body. I was looking for signs of life, she recalled. If Aldrin showed any signs of life, Id rush him into the hospital. I was asking for an ambulance. The authorities just said, Nanette, hes gone.

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It was October 2, 2017. Ever since, she has been waiting for Rodrigo Duterte to pay. Nanette, 58, was among about 50 people, mostly mothers and wives with similar stories, who gathered at a Manila NGO on Monday night to watch the livestream from the opening day of the former Philippine presidents committal hearing for alleged crimes against humanity. Dutertes case in the International Criminal Court stems from his war on drugs, a deadly crackdown on perceived criminals initiated during his time as mayor of Davao City from 1988, and expanded nationwide when he was elected president in 2016. Then Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. AP He has been in custody at The Hague, in the Netherlands, since he was arrested and extradited from the Philippines in March last year.

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The scheduled five days of hearings were a reminder of the courts unwavering commitment  to bring justice to the thousands of victims of the mass crimes and atrocities perpetrated in the Philippines, ICC deputy prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang said. This was also a reminder that those in power are not above the law. Rights groups claim as many as 30,000 people were murdered, including children, by police officers, opportunistic hitmen and members of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS). Prosecutors say the killers were acting on Dutertes express wishes and, in some cases, financial incentives. The allegations at the ICC relate to 76 of the alleged murders spanning from when the Philippines became a party to the courts Rome Statute in 2011 through to March 2019, when Duterte, as president, withdrew the nation from the statute amid preliminary ICC investigations. Family members of people killed during Dutertes war on drugs watch as his defence lawyer, Nicholas Kaufman, speaks at The Hague. Nine Newspapers

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The defences efforts to have the 80-year-old released on the grounds of age and declining health failed. It did, however, successfully argue that he should not be forced to appear in person, angering victims. A woman wipes away tears in Manila on Monday night. Nine Newspapers The sight of Mr Duterte being read and being confronted with the grave and horrible charges against him would have constituted a vital component of justice for the victims, Joel Butuyan, for the families, said in court. Related Article Updated

Drugs For decades, Duterte Harry did as he pleased  then police boarded his plane This case represents the last boat the victims can board on a journey in search of justice for their loved ones, who were brutally killed upon the orders of Mr Duterte.

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If this chamber prevents the boat from sailing by not confirming the charges, the victims will forever be moored on an island where the nights are filled with the screams and cries of their massacred loved ones. Aldrin Castillo, 32 when he died, was a welder with plans to move to Saudi Arabia for a better-paying job within months. He promised his mother he would send money home to help support the family. He was a mammas boy, but also flawed. There was a problem with Aldrin, I wont lie, Nanette said. My son used shabu [methamphetamine]. But that was not a big problem for us because he could control it. We could control it as a family. I am not hiding the fact that my son used drugs. I know that, and that saddens me as a mother, but I tried to find ways.

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She believed the main target was another neighbourhood man, but that Aldrin was shot anyway in someones pursuit of a quota, perhaps before he even had a chance to say who he was. About 50 people were gathered at an NGO in Manila on Monday to watch the live feed from The Hague. Nine Newspapers No one has been held responsible, and Nanette still doesnt know if it was undercover police officers or vigilantes, though she suspects the former. She was never even shown a police report, she said. It is just the start of the justice, she said at the viewing on Monday night. Even though Duterte is at The Hague, his co-conspirators are still in the Philippines.

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I want to be part of this because I know that my son is also here watching. Maybe he sees this, these steps towards justice. The confirmation-of-charges hearing in the Netherlands will continue for the rest of the week. The panel of judges will then have 60 days to decide whether the case goes to trial. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldEuropeAUKUS Australia seals UK defence deal with $300m for AUKUS sub reactors David Crowe February 24, 2026  6:44am Save 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 A A A

Australia will deepen its defence ties with Britain by spending $310 million on a new stage of the AUKUS submarine project as well as launching joint work on radar systems, drones and missile tests that could help Ukraine. The agreement was sealed in London on Monday night in a meeting between Australian and UK ministers that cleared the way for closer links in the defence industry to develop defensive weapons. The US is due to sell Australia at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. Getty Images Australia has previously pledged $5 billion to help fund the development of the nuclear power systems for the AUKUS fleet, but the new spending is the first payment for equipment from Rolls-Royce to be installed in the first submarines. The $310 million will buy the first components for the nuclear reactors to be supplied by Rolls-Royce and transferred to South Australia for fitting to the first two AUKUS vessels to be built at the Osborne shipyard.

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Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy met his counterpart, UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard, on Monday and announced the funding after their talks. Related Article Exclusive

AUKUS High probability of failure: Former top officials dire AUKUS warning This is the start of the construction process for these reactors, Conroy said in London. Were on track. Were hitting all major milestones for the AUKUS project. As well as claiming progress on the nuclear reactor modules, Conroy pointed to the governments announcement last week of a $3.9 billion commitment to the construction of the Osborne shipyard, with that cost likely to increase to $30 billion over several decades.

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That announcement, and that $30 billion investment, will build the only submarine yard in the Southern Hemisphere capable of constructing a nuclear-powered submarine, he said. This is a challenging project. This is a project that is the greatest industrial undertaking Australia has ever attempted, but it will also be nation-shaping in terms of modernising our manufacturing sector. While AUKUS is fiercely opposed by some members of the Labor Party and rejected by former prime minister Paul Keating and former foreign affairs minister Bob Carr, the government insists it is necessary for national defence and will create 20,000 jobs over the decades. The agreement relies on help from the United States to supply interim submarines  three Virginia-class vessels  but has a long-term goal of developing a future vessel with the UK. Australia aims to have five vessels from the early 2040s, using the same SSN-AUKUS design as the UK, which plans to have up to 12 vessels. The project is based on calculations that, without the new fleet, the UK would be more vulnerable to Russia, and Australia would be more vulnerable to China.

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Conroy and his UK counterpart emerged from their talks in London with plans for joint work on other projects, including lasers and radar. The Ghost Bat is about to move from prototype to production after a $1 billion government investment. Department of Defence The communique from the meeting said the two sides would explore the potential for the UK to use radar systems developed in Australia. Australia has a world-leading radar technology developed by Canberra-based CEA Technologies, which the federal government purchased in 2023 to ensure the intellectual property remained in the country. On drones, the two sides plan to work on the Ghost Bat aerial vehicle, already being produced in Australia, so it could be fitted with missiles that complement the UK and other NATO member states arsenals.

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That will potentially facilitate exports of Ghost Bats to European nations who might be interested in it, Conroy said. British missiles set for Australian testing The agreement in London will also see British missiles tested in Australia to help with the development of new weapons being supplied to Ukraine. I wont comment about the specific UK weapon that may be tested at our weapon ranges, but theres a number of advanced, long-range weapons that the UK is providing, or looking at providing to Ukraine, Conroy said. Obviously, testing those at our world-class facilities would advantage that process and give Ukraine further assistance in their valiant struggle against Russian aggression.

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The talks also led to an agreement to do more work on laser weapons, to co-operate on the supply of critical minerals and increase the number of Australians who are embedded with defence company BAE Systems in the UK to prepare for the construction of the AUKUS fleet. Related Video Video icon 1:54 Nuclear-powered British submarine visits WA in AUKUS milestone The joint work on the AUKUS design, with five to be built in South Australia and up to 12 in the UK, is supposed to reduce construction costs compared to each country doing its own design. Any challenges to the UK construction timetable will have repercussions for Australia because of the shared development. Rolls-Royce future programs director Rich Palmer told this masthead last October he was 100 per cent sure the submarines would be delivered, despite the concerns about AUKUS in the US and the strong criticism of the project in Australia.

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The British timetable depends on the countrys ability to build one new submarine every 18 months for the existing fleet before it can switch to the new fleet when the AUKUS design is decided. Industry experts are worried that each Astute submarine currently takes about 24 months to build. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
The war of attrition appears almost certain to continue, despite Donald Trumps pressure on Ukraine to sign away its territory in the hope of a lasting peace.

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There is a ruthless objective behind the Russian missile strikes that kill and wound civilians across Ukraine almost every day, and the future of the war is being shaped by whether survivors can defy the pitiless violence. The killing continues on the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, when Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tanks rolling toward Kyiv in a bid to topple the government, but the attacks have yet to achieve his goal. Russia marked the week before the February 24 anniversary by launching more than 1300 attack drones against Ukraine. NurPhoto via Getty Images Some of us are living in unbearable conditions, says Olena Davlikanova, an associate senior fellow at the Sahaidachny Security Centre in Ukraine and a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis. What does it lead us to? It leads us to more hatred towards Russians. While in Moscow, their calculation is to make us go outside to protest and demand signing up to a peace deal, in reality, people just want more Russians to be killed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shows no sign of giving up positions that have withstood Russian attacks for years. AP Davlikanova says this from Kyiv, where Russia has targeted energy systems with repeated bombings to shut down heating for millions of residents in the middle of the northern winter. Sometimes there is no electricity for 24 hours at a time. It has been minus 20 degrees outside, she says, and about 5 degrees inside her home.

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While leaders talk of peace, progress is slow and a ceasefire seems unlikely despite Donald Trumps talk of a quick deal when he won his second term as American president. Putin not only wants Ukrainian territory but a settlement with Europe and America that cements Russian power. Ukraine, so far, will not give him this victory. And the options are not simply a binary choice between war and peace. There are multiple scenarios ahead as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European supporters, as well as Trump and his envoys, negotiate the terms that might justify ceding ground to Putin. Repeated Russian bombings have shut down heating for millions of residents in the middle of the northern winter. Getty Images The options include a capitulation that would agree to Putins most aggressive demands, including that Ukraine limit the size of its army and give up fortified positions that prevent Russian forces from gaining full control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. They include holding out for a ceasefire on better terms, hoping that Putin relents. And they include a continued war of attrition  and even a Ukrainian escalation. Ukraine is not ready to give up the most fortified positions, says Davlikanova. The Russians were unable to take them militarily for more than a decade, and we do not understand why some of our partners push us to do this. This would be a suicidal act. This is ultimately about whether Ukraine should trust Putin to respect a new border  either official or de facto  in a peace deal. The answer, so far, is that Ukrainian and European leaders believe Putin would one day launch a further invasion, so they will not accept peace terms that give him a strategic advantage.

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Russia holds about 70 per cent of the Donetsk Oblast and demands control of fortress cities such as Kramatorsk, but Zelensky shows no sign of giving up positions that have withstood Russian attacks for years. Trump might ease the Ukrainian fears by offering a security guarantee that delivers US support if Russia ever breaks the terms of a peace deal  akin to a NATO pact that treats a Russian incursion as the trigger for American military help. Trump, however, remains vague about the fine print on any security guarantee. Ukraine simply cannot trust America to come to its defence. So the cruelty continues. More than 15,000 civilians have been killed and another 41,378 injured since February 2022, according to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, or HRMMU. The situation has demonstrably worsened, its head, Danielle Bell, said last week. Civilian casualties in 2025 were 31 per cent higher than in 2024 and 70 per cent higher than in 2023. Russia marked the week before the February 24 anniversary by launching more than 1300 attack drones against Ukraine, as well as 1400 guided aerial bombs and 96 missiles, according to the Ukrainian government. Zelensky blamed Russia for what authorities described as a terrorist attack in Lviv, in the far west of Ukraine, that killed a police officer and injured 25 others. The conflict has killed more than 15,000 civilians and injured more than 41,000 since February 2022. Getty Images Moscow continues to invest in strikes more than in diplomacy, Zelensky said on social media. That is why we must bolster our air defence.

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Can Ukraine fight Russia to a standstill, if not a victory? It faces the immense challenge of countering a neighbour with a bigger population, industrial base and military. In current circumstances, its quite difficult to see that Ukraine could hold Russia back and not cede territory, says Neil Melvin, director of international security at the Royal United Services Institute in London. Loading Thats because four years into the war, essentially we have an attritional conflict, and that reflects the asymmetry of resources. Russia has more people, more equipment and more money to bring to the fight. Ukraine is gradually trading territory to grind down the Russians. And the Russians are doing the same. Theyre trying to grind down the Ukrainians. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war The territory at the heart of Russias war in Ukraine Melvin says Ukraine has to wage this war with a limited economy and a limited military, troubled by increasing levels of desertion. It has a technical edge against Russia in some areas, such as the use of sea drones to target Russian ships in the Black Sea, but has a disadvantage in others. Russia brings bigger numbers to the arms race: it is capable of sending more missiles and drones than Ukraine can send in response. Putin also has the capacity to order waves of soldiers against Ukrainian defences at a staggering cost, reflecting his absolute control in the Kremlin after years of eliminating rivals and centralising his power.

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Russian forces have suffered nearly 1.2 million casualties over the past four years, according to estimates issued three weeks ago by Seth Jones and Riley McCabe at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. That is greater than any losses by any major power since World War II. After seizing the initiative in 2024, Russian forces have advanced at an average rate of between 15 and 70 metres per day in their most prominent offensives  slower than almost any major offensive campaign in any war in the last century, they say. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has tried to justify his war by seeking a new security regime across the continent. AP Desperate for more troops, Russia has relied on an estimated 10,000 soldiers from North Korea and is said to have recruited 1000 from Kenya. While the Russian economy is undeniably weak as sanctions take their toll, Putin seems willing to send more fighters to his meat grinder in Ukraine despite the losses. Ukraine is short of the supplies it needs to defend its people on the home front or go on the attack on the battlefield. For air defence, the country relies on the Patriot systems made in the US: Raytheon makes the control systems and radar, while Lockheed Martin makes the interceptor missiles. Europe funds the supply of some of these to Ukraine, but cannot get enough. Related Article Graphic content

Russia-Ukraine war North Korean troops are now on front lines of Russias war in combat against Ukraine Europe is unable to substitute those systems produced by the US, says Marianna Fakhurdinova, a fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis and also at the Transatlantic Dialogue Centre in the US. But there is another problem, and it goes far beyond defensive systems. Ukraine is hamstrung when it tries to destroy Russian bases that launch attacks on civilians.

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WorldNorth AmericaMissing person She may already be gone: Savannah Guthrie offers $US1 million reward in mothers disappearance Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs February 24, 2026  11:00pm Save 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 A A A

Tucson, Arizona: Television news anchor Savannah Guthrie says her family is offering up to $US1 million ($1.42 million) for information that leads to finding her mother, Nancy, who was abducted from her home more than three weeks ago. Loading Guthrie, a US Today show host, made the new offer in a four-minute video posted on Instagram in which she acknowledged that her 84-year-old mother may already be dead, but said the family was holding out hope for a miracle. If Nancy Guthrie has died, she said, the family still needs to know where she is. The family is also donating $US500,000 to the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, a non-profit group that works to find missing children and stop children from being sexually exploited.

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The $US1 million reward is in addition to the current FBI reward of $US100,000, and both would be paid to anyone who provides information that leads to locating Guthrie. There is also a $US100,000 reward being offered by a Tucson-based crime hotline. If youve been waiting, and you havent been sure, let this be your sign to please come forward, Guthrie said. Tell what you know, and help us bring our beloved mum home so that we can either celebrate a glorious, miraculous homecoming, or celebrate the beautiful, brave and courageous and noble life that she has lived. Savannah Guthrie with her mother, Nancy, in 2019. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home just north of Tucson, Arizona, early in the morning on February 1  taken in the dark of night from her bed, Savannah Guthrie said in the video she posted Tuesday morning (US time).

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The FBI and local sheriffs department have received tens of thousands of tips, but have offered few clues about who might have taken her. The key evidence so far has been 44 seconds of footage from Nancys doorbell camera that showed a masked, armed man approaching her door shortly before her abduction. Loading The Pima County Sheriffs Department publicly ruled out Guthries family  including Nancys children and their spouses  as suspects last week. Hundreds of investigators from the department and the FBI are assigned to the case, authorities have said. Guthries video on Tuesday was the first time in more than a week that she had spoken publicly. She and her siblings had released several other videos early in the investigation, offering to negotiate a ransom payment to any abductor.

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Since then, however, there has been little discussion from authorities or the family about any purported ransom demands. Over the past two weeks, the focus of investigators and the family appears to have turned to trying to generate tips. Related Article Missing person An elderly mother in peril, a masked intruder, an agonised celebrity: Why Americans cant look away In her video, Guthrie said she hoped that people would also give their attention to other cases of missing people who are not tied to celebrities like her. We are hoping that the attention that has been given to our mum and our family will extend to all the families like ours, who are in need, she said. The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which is headquartered in Virginia, said on social media that it was grateful to the Guthrie family for turning their personal heartbreak into a commitment to helping others.

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This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
Dr. Mustafa Ciftci, vice president of the Turkiye Acupuncture Association, receives an interview with Xinhua at his clinic in Ankara, Turkiye, Feb. 17, 2026. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- In a sleek clinic tucked into one of the modern neighborhoods of Turkiye's capital Ankara, thin needles are helping Turkish patients recover balance, mobility and relief from chronic pain.

The therapy, acupuncture, as a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dating back thousands of years, is drawing growing interest across Turkiye, supported by expanding scientific research, institutional recognition and deepening exchanges with China.

"The future of acupuncture in Turkiye is very bright," Dr. Mustafa Ciftci, vice president of the Turkiye Acupuncture Association, told Xinhua at his Ankara clinic.

Originating in China more than two millennia ago, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate the flow of energy in accordance with TCM theory.

Ciftci said Turkiye's growing engagement with China has contributed to the field's development.

Turkish associations maintain professional cooperation with Chinese institutions, exchanging expertise and participating in joint academic activities, he said.

"There is a serious exchange between us. We are open to both educational and scientific cooperation," he noted.

Ciftci said Turkiye has embraced acupuncture with a regulation on traditional and complementary medicine introduced in 2014, consolidating its legal and institutional framework.

"Especially in the last 10 years, with the support of the Ministry of Health, there has been a very strong interest in traditional and complementary medicine, particularly acupuncture," he noted.

Ciftci added that acupuncture is not positioned as an alternative to modern medicine, but as a complementary therapy. "While continuing their existing modern medical treatments, patients come to receive acupuncture support," he said.

Among his patients is 46-year-old nurse Oznur Selvi, who suffered a crippling brain hemorrhage and turned to acupuncture as part of her recovery.

"I was coming here accompanied by three people because I had a serious balance problem," she recalled.

"After starting treatment, there was a significant reduction in these problems. I began to embrace acupuncture even more seriously," she said.

Selvi said she experienced gradual but tangible improvements.

"With acupuncture, my sense of taste began to return, and there was improvement in my speech ability," she said. "I have benefited greatly. I am a personal example of this."

Learning that the method was rooted in ancient Chinese medicine deepened her appreciation.

"I recommend it to everyone, and I hope it becomes more widespread in Turkiye," she added.

Ciftci noted that acupuncture is widely used in neurological rehabilitation, particularly in the recovery phase following strokes and other serious conditions.

Demand is also rising among patients suffering from chronic pain and rheumatic conditions.

Emre Kazli, 29, sought treatment at the clinic for rheumatism and fibromyalgia, both of which often associated with persistent pain and fatigue.

"After six months of treatment, my pain completely disappeared," Kazli said.

The growing acceptance of acupuncture in Turkiye, he believes, is also linked to cultural factors and a renewed openness to holistic approaches to health.

Meanwhile, scientific research on acupuncture in Turkiye has intensified in recent years, with more academic studies examining its mechanisms and clinical outcomes.

Looking ahead, Ciftci expects acupuncture to gain even stronger academic footing in the country. "Perhaps in the coming period, acupuncture chairs and main scientific departments will be established at universities," he said. 

Dr. Mustafa Ciftci, vice president of the Turkiye Acupuncture Association, operates acupuncture treatment on a patient at his clinic in Ankara, Turkiye on Feb. 17, 2026. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A Turkish acupuncturist operates acupuncture treatment on a patient at her clinic in Ankara, Turkiye on Feb. 23, 2026. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
Strengthening understanding of rules of origin and practices is key to successful implementation of Free Trade Agreements and to build trust between Customs and trade operators.

10 Customs officers completed the development cycle, marking the first time some Customs administrations officials have been accredited by the WCO.

Newly accredited WCO experts on rules of origin will be able to train their peers in Portuguese and Arabic speaking countries.

Building sustainable and autonomous training capacity in Customs administrations is one of the WCO objectives. Since 2022, with funding from the European Union, the WCO has been working with African Customs administrations to equip Customs officials and relevant stakeholders with the knowledge and skills required to efficiently implement rules of origin provisions set in preferential trade agreements. One key activity of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is to develop a pool of experts capable of training their peers and key stakeholders to support WCO training activities.

Ten Portuguese and Arabic speaking Customs officers completed the Rules of Origin Competency Development Cycle in February 2026, bringing the number of trainers on rules of origin that have been accredited under the Programme to 19. It is the first time that Portuguese speaking experts on rules of origin have been accredited and, for some Customs administrations, the first time one of their officers has been accredited by the WCO.

The 10 officers who successfully completed the cycle represented the Customs administrations of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Tunisia.

The Accreditation Journey

Developed under the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, the Rules of Origin Competency Development Cycle combines online learning with in-person instruction to create a flexible, engaging, and effective learning experience. To be accredited, the officers have to complete intermediate and advanced training, participate in a train the trainers workshop as well as a pre-accreditation workshop, and, finally, take part in a WCO workshop as a trainer. The Competency Development Cycle started in 2024 for both the Arabic and Portuguese speaking groups and culminated with the final step of their accreditation process at the end of 2025.

The newly accredited experts attended the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO) and the Global Forum on Origin Self-Certification held in Brussels in February 2026 with the aim to ensure continued competency development in the subject and enable them to interact with a wider network of origin experts.

These experts will be invited to serve as facilitators in the upcoming training sessions organized by the Programme on a continental, regional and national level. Some experts were already experienced trainers when embarking on the accreditation journey with the Programme, while others had not yet had the opportunity to conduct training. Common for all is that they will be a major asset for their respective administrations in support of national training activities, both for their peers and for other public and private stakeholders.

EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme: Supporting Customs administrations

To date, 213 activities have already been carried out under the EU-WCO RoO Africa Programme, each of them tailor-made to respond to the needs of the Programmes beneficiaries. Activities include conducting training as well as diagnostic and needs assessments, organizing forums and consultations, and developing guidelines, manuals and Standard Operating Procedures.

In 2026, the Programme will continue to respond to requests from Customs administrations, Regional Economic Communities and the private sector in Africa to further develop their origin competencies. It will also continue providing technical assistance on the effective implementation and application of rules of origin, including the self-certification provisions found in intra-African free trade agreements as well as Economic Partnership Agreements between African countries and the European Union.
By AzerNEWS Staff

A group of Azerbaijani non-governmental organization (NGO) leaders has sent an open letter to senior British and international legal officials, criticizing what they describe as a politically motivated and biased inquiry targeting Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty.

AzerNEWS reports that the letter was addressed to Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons; Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, Speaker of the House of Lords; Claudio Visco, President of the International Bar Association; and Fergus Auld, the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The letter reads:

Dear Sirs,

We, representatives of Azerbaijani civil society specializing in human rights, freedoms, and cultural heritage, address you regarding the open disrespect shown by a number of members of the UK Parliament and the leadership of the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute toward the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as their initiation of a political campaign against our country based on unchecked, unverified, and false information.

In this context, they have announced an inquiry titled "The Destruction of Armenian Cultural Heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh."

First and foremost, it must be stated clearly that there is no territorial or administrative unit called "Nagorno-Karabakh" in Azerbaijan. The Garabagh region is the sovereign territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a fact unequivocally recognized by the international community, including the United Kingdom. Therefore, the use of the term "Nagorno-Karabakh" in the inquiry is legally and historically incorrect and entirely unacceptable. Such terminology constitutes a blatant political campaign directed against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Azerbaijani state. This approach alone demonstrates that the inquiry fails to meet basic standards of objectivity and legal credibility.

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has ended, and both states have made significant progress in the peace process. The text of the Peace Agreement has already been finalized and was initialed during the Summit Meeting held in Washington on August 8 last year. It is evident that the peace agreement to be signed addresses all outstanding issues between the two states. Under these circumstances, the initiation of such an inquiry by actors outside the region raises serious questions about its true intent and objectives. This initiative appears aimed at undermining the normalization process between the two countries, eroding trust, fueling revanchism, and reviving separatist tendencies. Such an approach cannot serve the interests of the British government, which has supported the normalization process from the outset and has already established strategic partnerships with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. This raises a legitimate question: whose interests are actually being served by this initiative joined by certain British parliamentarians?

The content and formulation of the inquiry questions clearly reveal that it is not intended as an objective investigation. Rather than neutrally establishing facts, the questions are framed in a way that presumes violations have already occurred. Anyone reviewing the questions can clearly see that this inquiry is a biased scenario designed to create misleading perceptions within the international community and prepared on the basis of a political order from certain interest groups.

The composition of the panel and the controversial, biased activities of its members in the past raise serious concerns about their neutrality. The British MPs represented on the panel have, for decades, consistently demonstrated anti-Azerbaijani positions. Notably, apart from traditional parliamentarians who previously supported Armenias aggression and occupation policies against Azerbaijan, no parliamentarian with a neutral stance on the issue has been included in the panel. Under such circumstances, how can anyone expect objectivity from this inquiry? It is clear that the purpose is not to reach any impartial legal conclusion, but rather to keep an already existing biased position active within the UK Parliament and to weaken the British governments support for normalization efforts.

Furthermore, at the initial stage of the inquiry, no Azerbaijani official institution was contacted, and the information collected was neither verified nor confirmed. At the second stage, responses to inquiry questions are reportedly accepted only via email, which raises legitimate concerns regarding transparency and procedural integrity.

Within the framework of the inquiry, it is expected that at the first hearing to be held in the UK Parliament on February 25, an NGO called the Center for Justice and Truth will present a report at the invitation of the International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). The report published on the organizations website grossly distorts the regions history, presents it through a separatist lens, and questions the fact that Garabagh is the territory of Azerbaijan. IBAHRIs decision to rely on such a biased organization for the first parliamentary hearing once again reveals the true purpose of the inquiry.

During nearly thirty years of occupation, hundreds of Azerbaijani cultural, religious, and historical heritage sites in Garabagh, Eastern Zangezur, and even within the territory of Armenia were systematically destroyed, desecrated, or had their origins falsified by Armenian authorities. At the same time, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity were committed against the Azerbaijani people. Why does IBAHRI ignore these documented violations of international law? Is such an approach compatible with the principles of legal objectivity and impartiality?

It should be particularly emphasized that IBAHRI, on its official website, declares the promotion of the rule of law and the preparation of impartial reports in the field of international fact-finding as its core principles. If IBAHRI does not suspend the current inquiry and fails to act in accordance with these principles, then it should remove these declarations from its official website.

We demand that the activities of the initiators of this inquiry be examined within the relevant ethical mechanisms of the UK Parliament as actions that sabotage the official foreign policy course of the British government regarding the region. We strongly condemn this biased approach as a precedent of instrumentalizing law for political purposes.

We demand the immediate suspension of this inquiry.

We call on the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan, Fergus Auld, to urgently investigate this matter and to take action to stop this provocation. We also declare our readiness to meet with Ambassador Fergus Auld to discuss this issue.

The open letter was signed by the following individuals:

1. Amir Aliyev  Chairman of the "Center for the Promotion of Human Rights" Public Union

2. Rizvan Nabiyev  Member of the Board of Directors of the "Legal Analysis and Research" Public Union

3. Novella Jafarova  Chairman of the "Azerbaijan Womens Rights Society named after D. Aliyeva" Public Union

4. Saadat Bananyarli  Chairman of the "Azerbaijan National Branch of the International Human Rights Society" Public Union

5. Saida Gojamanli  Chairman of the "Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law" Public Union

6. Alimammad Nuriyev  Head of the "Constitution" Research Foundation

7. Zaur Ibrahimli  Member of the Board of Directors of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum

8. Oguz Mammadov  Chairman of the "Zangi - Study of Historical Heritage" Public Union

9. Dilgam Ahmed  Chairman of the "Chapar" National Heritage Research Center Public Union

10. Fariz Khalilli - Chairman of the "Miras" Social Union for the Study of Cultural Heritage

11. Khalid Kazimov - Chairman of the "Regional Human Rights and Media Center" Public Union

12. Irada Rzazadeh - Chairman of the "For the Social Welfare of Citizens" Public Union.
AbbVie has announced plans to invest $380m to construct two new active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facilities at its current North Chicago site in Illinois, US.

These facilities will integrate advanced manufacturing technologies and AI for supporting production of the company's obesity and next-generation neuroscience medications.

Construction is scheduled to commence in spring 2026, with both facilities anticipated to be fully operational by 2029.

AbbVie intends to recruit 300 employees in North Chicago, including manufacturing operators, scientists, lab technicians, and engineers, to support the expanded operations.

Manufacturing APIs is a multi-step and intricate process that creates the components essential for a medications therapeutic effects.

Over the last six months, AbbVie has revealed plans to considerably increase its API manufacturing capacity in the US.

In September 2025, the company broke ground on the initial phase of this investment, a chemical synthesis facility aimed at relocating API production for certain neuroscience, immunology, and oncology products from Europe and Asia back to the US.

AbbVie employs about 29,000 people in the US, including over 6,000 at its manufacturing sites in the US.

In addition to the latest investment, recently, AbbVie revealed plans for a device manufacturing facility acquisition in Arizona and to make substantial investments at its site in Massachusetts. Further investments in other US states are expected to be announced in 2026.

AbbVie chairman and CEO Robert Michael said: This milestone demonstrates further progress against our $100bn commitment to US R&D and capital investments over the next decade.

By strengthening our US manufacturing capabilities, we are well-positioned to support our investment in innovation and enhance our ability to deliver next-generation medicines to patients.

In August 2025, AbbVie signed a definitive agreement to acquire Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals lead investigational candidate, bretisilocin, for up to $1.2bn, including an upfront payment and development milestones.

"AbbVie announces $380m investment in North Chicago API facilities" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Ambiq Micro Inc. (NYSE:AMBQ) is one of the best stocks for beginners with little money in 2026. On February 17, Ambiq announced the launch of soundKIT, which is its fourth open-source AI Development Kit, designed to bring real-time, always-on audio intelligence to ultra-low-power edge devices. The kit allows manufacturers to deploy sophisticated functions, such as voice activity detection, keyword spotting, speech enhancement, and speaker identification, directly on Ambiqs systems-on-chip/SoCs.

By enabling these processes to run locally on the device rather than in the cloud, soundKIT addresses critical industry barriers regarding power consumption, latency, and data privacy for embedded systems. The development kit provides a comprehensive, modular framework that supports the entire commercial lifecycle, from data preparation and training to hardware-aware validation. Unlike a standard model zoo, soundKIT allows engineering teams to prototype on a PC and then transition seamlessly to Ambiq evaluation boards using identical configurations.

Ambiq Micro Inc. (NYSE:AMBQ) is targeting a wide array of high-growth sectors with this release, including wearables, smart home technology, automotive in-cabin systems, and industrial monitoring. Because the kit prioritizes offline operation and long battery life, it is particularly suited for healthcare assistive technologies and security products where reliable, low-latency performance is vital.

Ambiq Micro Inc. (NYSE:AMBQ) develops ultra-low-power semiconductor solutions in the US, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The companys flagship products include Apollo and Atomiq.

While we acknowledge the potential of AMBQ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock .

READ NEXT: 10 Most Profitable Undervalued Stocks to Buy and 11 Best Mining Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street.

Disclosure: None.
By Max A. Cherney, Stephen Nellis and Zaheer Kachwala

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Advanced Micro Devices said on Tuesday it has agreed to sell up to $60 billion worth of artificial intelligence chips to Meta Platforms over five years in a deal that allows the Facebook owner to purchase as much as 10% of the chip firm.

More from Yahoo Scout How does this partnership impact AMD's competitive position? Why is Meta diversifying its AI chip suppliers? What are the key terms of AMD's deal with Meta? What concerns exist about circular deals in AI industry?

AMD shares rose more than 6% in early trading, while market leader Nvidia, set to report results on Wednesday, fell around 1%.

Surging demand for AI processors has deepened competition for Nvidia and niche players as the industry scrambles to secure scarce supply. In October, Alphabet agreed to supply Anthropic with custom chips it had long reserved for in-house use in a deal worth tens of billions of dollars.

AMD had signed a similar pact with OpenAI last year, which was hailed as a vote of confidence in its chips and software, significantly boosting its stock price, while Meta has separately struck a deal with Nvidia to buy millions of AI chips.

"Meta is locking in supply, diversifying away from a single vendor, and doing whatever it takes to make sure its AI ambitions aren't bottlenecked by chips," said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

"For AMD, this is a vote of confidence in its next-generation AI hardware  but having to give up a 10% stake suggests it could be struggling to generate organic demand."

RETURN OF CIRCULAR DEALS

The partnership also highlights the deepening ties among some of the AI industry's top players amid rising concerns around circular deals. Meta and OpenAI are set to own a stake in one of their most significant suppliers while Nvidia is eyeing investments in some of its largest customers, including the ChatGPT parent.

AMD will supply six gigawatts' worth of chips to Meta, starting with one gigawatt of the company's forthcoming MI450 flagship hardware in the second half of this year, AMD CEO Lisa Su told a news briefing.

One gigawatt is enough to power roughly about 750,000 homes on average.

Investor worries about the AI market also extend to the long wait for significant payoffs from Big Tech's relentless spending to expand data center infrastructure.

Capital expenditure from Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon.com and Meta is expected to total at least $630 billion this year, according to Reuters calculations, with most of the spending focused on data centers and AI chips.

"The return of circular transactions in the industry gives investors something else to worry about," said Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell.
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Parkinsons Ireland has announced the appointment of a new Parkinsons nurse specialist in Mayo.

Laura Niepage, who previously worked with the NHS, has taken up the role of Parkinsons nurse specialist, which is the first community based Parkinsons nurse specialist post created in the county. The service will operate from Ballina Primary Care Centre and will be available to people living with Parkinsons disease across Mayo.

It is estimated that approximately 18,000 people are living with Parkinsons disease in Ireland, a figure expected to double by 2050.

The CEO of Parkinsons Ireland, Shane OBrien, commented:

We are delighted to provide people with Parkinsons and their care partners with free access to a dedicated Parkinsons Nurse Specialist. Laura is a fantastic asset to our organisation and brings extensive experience and compassion to her role. This service will be a vital point of support between consultant appointments, helping people to manage a complex neurological condition more effectively.

"We would also like to pay tribute to our Mayo branch, whose volunteers continue to deliver vital community services such as physiotherapy and social gatherings. Finally, we would like to thank the HSE for making a consultation room available to us in the Ballina Primary Care Centre.

Chairperson of Parkinsons Ireland Mayo Branch, Caroline McLoughlin, said the appointment marks a major milestone for the area.

This is a significant achievement for Mayo. As a branch of Parkinsons Ireland, we have helped secure a nurse specialist who will provide vital local support to patients and families, reducing travel and improving access to specialist care. Securing this role has been hugely important for people in Mayo. Our branch has worked hard to ensure that specialist care is available closer to home when it is needed most. This appointment will make a real and lasting difference in our community. We see first-hand the impact specialist nursing care has on patients and families, and we are delighted that this essential support is now available locally. We are proud to have worked with our CEO Shane OBrien to help make this a reality for our members.

Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects mobility. Its progression varies from person to person, with many able to manage symptoms effectively with medication for many years. There are more than 40 recognised symptoms associated with the condition, making specialist support vital for those living with Parkinsons and their families.

The service in Ballina is provided free of charge and is available by appointment only. Appointments can be requested by calling 1800 359 359 or by emailing nurse@parkinsons.ie.
Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, in 2019. The company, which has major operations in Austin and Central Texas, has signed a deal with Meta Platforms for AI chips. (Mark Lennihan/Associated Press file photo)





Advanced Micro Devices Inc. will sell artificial intelligence chips to Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. in a $100 billion deal that advances AMDs position in the race for dominance in AI chipmaking.

It also gives Meta the opportunity to buy as much as 10% of AMD. The chipmakers shares jumped.

AMD has a major presence in Central Texas, where it has operated since 1979. Though the company is based in Santa Clara, Calif., CEO Lisa Su runs the business from Austin, where it employs about 3,700 people and is growing with the recent announcement of a data center near Rockdale.

Meta also has operations in Austin, with offices downtown.

OTHER CHIP DEALS:Tesla taps Samsung in $16.5B AI chip deal tied to new Austin-area facility

Under the deal, it will buy AMDs latest chips, the MI450, to help power data centers. The 6-gigawatt agreement will see shipments supporting the first gigawatt deployment set to start during the second half of this year.

AMD made a similar chips-for-stake deal with OpenAI earlier this year. The ChatGPT maker plans to use AMD chips as it builds billions of dollars worth of data centers in Texas, New Mexico, Ohio and an as-yet unspecified site in the Midwest.

The turn toward AMD and other chipmakers comes as Nvidia Corp., the worlds most valuable company, raises prices on its semiconductors. Companies like Meta and OpenAI, longtime customers of Nvidia, have started pursuing alternatives as they build more data centers.

It carved out an early lead in converting its chipsets, known as graphics processing units or GPUs, from use in powering video games to helping train powerful AI systems like the technology behind ChatGPT and image generators. Demand skyrocketed as more people began using AI chatbots. Tech companies now are scrambling for chips to build and run them.

Thanks to the rich deals, Wall Street investors are questioning whether the rapdily growing AI boom is an economic bubble that will soon burst. As such an expensive industry, AI is dominated by a select few companies that are expanding investment in one another. The AMD deal, for example, comes just days after Meta announced a long-term partnership to use millions of chips and other equipment from Nvidia for its AI data centers.

Shares of AMD were up more than 10% before the market opened Tuesday and continued rising in regular trading.

The companies said that AMD issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of its common stock at 1 cent apiece, structured to vest as long as certain milestones are achieved.
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Advanced Micro Devices said on Tuesday it has agreed to sell up to $60 billion worth of artificial intelligence chips to Meta Platforms over five years in a deal that allows the Facebook owner to purchase as much as 10% of the chip firm.

The company had signed a similar pact with OpenAI last year, which was hailed as a vote of confidence in its chips and software, significantly boosting its stock price.

More from Yahoo Scout What strategic benefits does Meta gain from this partnership? How does this deal challenge Nvidia's market dominance? What risks does AMD face in this massive agreement? What are the key details of AMD's $60 billion Meta deal?

COMMENTARY:

GADJO SEVILLA, ANALYST, EMARKETER, NEW YORK

"The structure of the Meta/AMD deal squarely fits the emerging 'closedloop hyperscaler' pattern: a megacap AI customer gets longterm access to a key supplier's hardware, often in exchange for equity exposure and other strategic commitments. It is also a strong indicator that the AI hardware segment is diversifying and challenging longtime leader Nvidia since companies like Meta now see other options for AI compute."

"AMD has placed itself in a very competitive position to serve the demands of hyperscalers seeking alternatives to Nvidia. It is doing so technologically and through it's co-design approach combining silicon, systems, and software to optimize AI training."

DAN COATSWORTH, HEAD OF MARKETS, AJ BELL, LONDON

"For a long time, it looked as if Nvidia was the only chip player in town, but that is increasingly not the case. Metas deal with AMD is a blow to Nvidia, especially as the potential for the Facebook owner to take a stake in the chip maker could result in a closer working relationship going forward."

"It is standard practice for big companies to source goods and services from different companies to avoid over-dependence on one supplier. Meta had already signaled that it would continue to spend big, so the scale of the deal with AMD isnt out of the ordinary. Whats potentially jarring investors is the structure of the arrangement. The return of circular transactions in the industry gives investors something else to worry about, alongside potentially excessive levels of spending by hyperscalers more broadly on AI, and disruption in multiple sectors from the technology."

"The minor drop in pre-market trading for Meta would suggest its shareholders are approaching the news with some caution. However, there is a party going on at AMD as it gets one up on Nvidia."

MATT BRITZMAN, SENIOR EQUITY ANALYST, HARGREAVES LANSDOWN, GREAT BRISTOL AREA, ENGLAND

"Meta's AI arms race just shifted up another gear. The company has struck a huge deal with AMD to buy around $60bn of AI chips over 5 years, with an option to take a 10% equity stake in the chipmaker. Coming hot on the heels of Meta's recent Nvidia agreement, the message couldn't be clearer: AI infrastructure is priority number one. Meta is locking in supply, diversifying away from a single vendor, and doing whatever it takes to make sure its AI ambitions aren't bottlenecked by chips."
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Apple will move some production of its Mac Mini desktop computer to the U.S. from Asia, with a new manufacturing effort set to begin later this year at a facility in Houston, the iPhone maker said on Tuesday.

The company is also expanding the Houston facility to include a new training center for advanced manufacturing, and said its Houston operations will create thousands of jobs.

The plan marks Apple's most recent U.S. investment, following its commitment announced last August to invest $600 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.

In May, U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened Apple with a 25% tariff on products manufactured overseas, a sharp reversal from earlier policy when his administration had exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from rounds of tariffs on Chinese imports.

Apple's Mac Mini announcement comes amid renewed uncertainty around tariffs. The United States has imposed a new tariff of 10% on all goods not covered by exemptions, the rate first announced by Trump on Friday after the Supreme Court struck down the duties he imposed last year, rather than the 15% he promised a day later.

"Apple is deeply committed to the future of American manufacturing," said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

The company, which began making AI servers in Houston last year, also said production was ahead of schedule.

Apple has a mixed track record when it comes to following through on investment promises.

In 2019, for instance, Cook toured a Texas factory with Trump that was promoted as a new manufacturing site. However, the facility had been producing Apple computers since 2013 and Apple has since moved that production to Thailand.

Apple continues to manufacture most of its products, including iPhones and iPads, in Asia, primarily in China, although it has shifted some production to Vietnam, Thailand and India in recent years.

(Reporting by Devika Nair and Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Devika Syamnath)
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With no single headline event driving attention today, Scholar Rock Holding (SRRK) is back on watch for many investors as they reassess recent share performance, clinical focus, and the companys current financial profile.

See our latest analysis for Scholar Rock Holding.

Scholar Rock Holdings share price has pulled back 2.06% over the last day to US$47.01. The 30 day share price return of 6.14% and one year total shareholder return of 26.51% sit within a much stronger three year total shareholder return that is more than 4x.

If you are watching biotech momentum like this, it may also be a good time to scan a focused list of 27 healthcare AI stocks as another way to find potential opportunities in the space.

With shares up 26.51% over the past year and trading close to the average analyst price target, the key question is whether Scholar Rock is still undervalued or if the market is already pricing in its future growth.

Preferred Price-to-Book Multiple of 19.6x: Is It Justified?

Scholar Rock is currently trading at a P/B of 19.6x, which our checks describe as good value against its peer group average of 24.8x, but expensive relative to the broader US biotech industry at 2.6x.

The P/B ratio compares the companys market value to its book value, which can be a useful yardstick for asset heavy or early stage biotech names that do not yet have meaningful earnings. In this case, the market is assigning a premium to Scholar Rocks balance sheet, even though the company is still unprofitable and reported a loss of $353.428m and less than $1m in revenue.

Compared with closer peers, a 19.6x P/B is below the 24.8x average, which suggests investors are not paying the top end of sector valuations for this stock. However, that same 19.6x stands very high against the US biotech industrys 2.6x average, so the market is clearly pricing Scholar Rock well above the broader group on this metric.

See what the numbers say about this price  find out in our valuation breakdown.

Result: Price-to-book of 19.6x (OVERVALUED)

DCF Signal Points To A Very Large Discount

Alongside the P/B view, the SWS DCF model flags a much lower implied value gap, with Scholar Rock at $47.01 versus an estimated future cash flow value of $174.36, described as trading at 73% below that estimate.

The DCF model works by estimating future cash flows and then discounting them back to today using a required return, which produces a single present value per share. For a company like Scholar Rock, with very limited current revenue and ongoing losses, that type of model leans heavily on assumptions about future growth, timing of potential cash inflows and the cost of capital.
First innovators graduate from Wits Crucible Centre for Entrepreneurship

The Centre has celebrated a significant milestone in its journey with the graduation of the very first cohort of students.

The fifteen students successfully completed the Centres pilot Entrepreneurship Capability Development Programme (ECDP) and are now ready to take their ideas into the incubation phase.

Working in teams and partnerships the students earned their place in the formal incubation phase through a rigorous process which required disciplined learning, structured experimentation, resilience under critique, and the translation of ideas into viable venture propositions.

The Wits Crucible Centre for Entrepreneurship was established in 2024 as a strategic initiative within Wits Business School to rethink how a leading African university engages in venture creation. It serves as an ecosystem node, connecting young entrepreneurs with capital, infrastructure, training, and research capacity, driven by the overarching purpose of civic renewal and social impact.

Partnerships are at the core of the Centres identity and vision. Anglo American was a catalyst when it donated a landmark building in Johannesburgs CBD to Wits University in 2024 to house the Centre. The Services SETA provided an R84 million seed grant to fund programme development, infrastructure build-out, and multi-year entrepreneurial capability development. The Liberty Group has provided temporary premises at the Flame Station on its campus in Braamfontein, allowing the Centre to commence training while permanent facilities are being finalised. Jozi My Jozi has also supported the urban positioning and integration of the Centre within the broader Johannesburg regeneration narrative.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Professor Maurice Radebe, director of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, noted that at the core of the partnership network lies the Wits University ecosystem.

This is not an isolated initiative; it is embedded within a university that understands both intellectual rigour and societal responsibility. Wits brings faculty expertise, research infrastructure, postgraduate supervision capacity, governance oversight, and institutional credibility.

Professor Radebe also called for impact investors, development finance institutions, corporate venture arms and philanthropic organisations to add their support.

Support is needed not only for training, which already has institutional backing, but also for the risk capital layer that allows founders to shift into full-time venture building. Without that layer, capability remains hidden. With it, ventures scale, jobs are created, and inclusive growth becomes measurable.

He added: The Centre itself is scaling. In 2026, we are preparing to support the next cohort of 250 entrepreneurs through the ECDP and into structured incubation pathways for which we need ecosystem partners. The pipeline is structured, the governance is institutional, and the support systems are embedded within a university environment. The time to step in is now.
Deputy Simon Vermeulen asked Aurigny's shareholder a number of question about its financial performance [BBC]

Guernsey's airline Aurigny needs to improve on its efficiency and financial performance to not become a "recurring burden" to the taxpayer, its owner has said.

The States Trading Supervisory Board (STSB), which is the sole shareholder of the airline, said its 2024 loss of 6.5 million was "not satisfactory".

STSB was responding to questions from Deputy Simon Vermeulen, who was asking about the use of leased aircraft.

Previously, Aurigny's chief commercial officer Phillip Saunders said the use of wet-leased aircraft dropped by "at least 75%" in 2025, compared to the previous year.

STSB said public ownership of Aurginy was still justified in the current landscape of Guernsey's public finances.

"As a small island jurisdiction, Guernsey requires reliable air connectivity for its economy, public services and community life," it said

"The market has repeatedly shown that purely private provision does not always guarantee that on acceptable terms, and certainly not free of public subsidy, as the subsidy for the new Heathrow connection demonstrates."

The Economic Development Committee is financially supporting the British Airways route, which launches in April.

Vermeulen had asked STSB if Aurigny had made profit or losses in 2025, but the board refused to answer.

"Aurigny's financial results for 2025 (and 2024 comparators) will be published when its annual financial statements have been finalised and audited.

"In the interim, it would not be appropriate for the STSB, as shareholder, to comment on what the figures will be pending the completion of year-end processes."

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BIP Wealth, an Atlanta-based RIA, has received a minority investment from Constellation Wealth Capital (CWC) to support its growth objectives.

The partnership is intended to assist BIP Wealth in expanding both its organic and inorganic growth efforts. The firm manages more than $5.5bn in assets.

In 2025, the firm saw $725m in new organic assets under management and projects higher figures for 2026 with the backing of CWC.

It also expects CWCs advisory support to help scale operations while maintaining its independence.

CWC president and managing partner Karl Heckenberg said: "When we look for qualities in a firm to partner with, the BIP Wealth team checked all the boxes.

"It's important to us to partner with people who value partnership and client service. Seeing their impressive organic growth and dedication to clients, we knew we wanted to link arms and help support the growth of the BIP Wealth platform in the future."

BIP Wealths growth strategy has included acquisitions.

In 2024 and 2025, the firm added more than $1.2bn in assets through partnerships with The Money Advisor Group and Prehmus Financial.

CWCs investment is expected to help accelerate BIPs plans to partner with more wealth management firms, particularly in the Southeast region and beyond.

Advisory on the transaction was provided by Chase Corporate Advisorys Jeff Singh, who facilitated the initial introduction between BIP Wealth and CWC.

BIP Wealth serves clients nationally from five locations: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Columbus, and Peachtree Corners in Georgia, as well as Nashville, Tennessee.

BIP Wealth CEO and co-founder Bill Harris commented: "We want to offer our client-first, servant leadership model to other firms looking for a solution. Whether a founder is looking for help with their succession plan or wanting to fuel their next stage of growth, we want to partner with like-minded people.

"This partnership with CWC will open new doors of growth in our business that will benefit our clients and our entire team. We have a lot to offer with our deep expertise in private investments and advanced planning capabilities with Estate Planning and Tax Professionals on our team. I'm excited about the future of where BIP Wealth is headed as we continue to grow."

"BIP Wealth secures investment from Constellation Wealth Capital" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission in the Turkish Parliament approved a joint report by a large majority on February 18. It was formed as part of the negotiations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), led by Abdullah Ocalan, who is in prison.

Established in August 2025, the commission defined its official purpose as completely removing terrorism from Turkiyes agenda, strengthening social integration, reinforcing national unity and brotherhood, and working in the areas of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission established in Parliament approved a joint report in a vote on February 18 [Photo: Grand National Assembly of Turkiye]

The joint report has declared that the commissions main goals are a Turkiye free of terrorism, strengthening democracy, and increasing development and economic prosperity. However, there is an irreconcilable contradiction between the goal of democratization and social welfare, which expresses the interests and goals of the working class, and of the ruling class represented by the capitalist parties that formed this commission.

The World Socialist Web Site has repeatedly explained that neither the negotiations with the PKK nor the commissions function are about democratization and peace, but rather about the Turkish and Kurdish ruling elites developing their regional interests in collaboration with US imperialism.

The report expresses its focal point as the explosive situation in the Middle East, stating: Changing global and regional conditions have made strengthening the internal front not a choice but a necessity. In a period when conflicts are spreading, identity-based fault lines are being provoked, and proxy mechanisms aim to weaken states from within, internal peace and democratic integration are also the main pillars of foreign policy capacity.

This is a repetition of Erdogans words from 2024, when negotiations began: While the maps are being redrawn in blood, while the war that Israel has waged from Gaza to Lebanon is approaching our borders, we are trying to strengthen our internal front. We want 85 million of us to come together under the common denominator of Turkiye.

The commission, established with 51 members comprising deputies from almost all parties in parliament, saw 47 members, including those from Erdogans Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP), its fascist ally the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and the Kurdish nationalist Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) voted yes on the report. One member of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) delegation abstained, while the Labor Party (EMEP) and the Workers Party of Turkiye (TIP) MPs voted no.

The DEM Party expressed its dissatisfaction with EMEP and TIP not signing the report, while EMEP MP Iskender Bayhan declared that their no vote and the DEM Partys yes with reservations stance were aligned. This reflects EMEPs efforts to remain allied with the DEM Party, with which it entered parliament, and to avoid breaking away from the capitalist establishment under any circumstances.

Broad parliamentary support for the commission and its report reflects the Turkish and Kurdish capitalist political establishments efforts to take a united stance abroad and pursue their reactionary interests amid the deepening war environment in the Middle East, led by US imperialism. At home, this translates into open or covert support for the Erdogan governments gradual elimination of democratic rights and escalation of social attacks on the working class.

As the US prepares to wage war on Iran, with the goal of securing complete domination in the Middle East, its main ally in the region, Israel, has been increasing its influence since it launched the genocide in Gaza in October 2023. While providing logistical support for the genocide, Ankara is in a growing competition with Tel Aviv in Syria and the broader region. it has responded with efforts to turn the PKK-led Kurdish movement from a 40-year enemy into an ally and strengthen Turkiyes hand in the Middle East, with Ocalans help. Erdogan and Ocalan have advanced a Turkish, Kurdish, Arab alliance, aligned with US objectives, against Israels growing influence in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and the Middle East.

With the support of Erdogans friend Trump, Turkiye is seeking to advance this policy in Syria and the entire region. This policy is not directed against imperialism and Zionism; it is in strategic alliance with them. Its aim is not to mobilise the Turkish and Kurdish workers against imperialism, but rather to subordinate them to the alliance of the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisie with imperialism.

During the negotiation process, ongoing for approximately 1.5 years, the security-oriented approach represented by the AKP and MHP has been to push their weight in the commission report under the slogan Terror-Free Turkiye. The opposition parties, which are pro-European Union (EU) and NATO, legitimize the negotiations and the commission with a false claim of democratization and peace.

The CHP, which came first in the 2024 local elections and which the government tried to sideline through the judiciary, is fully supporting negotiations and the commission, amid the construction of a dictatorship, within the framework of the common interests of the ruling class.

CHP Deputy Group Leader Murat Emir stated that With the CHPs resolute stance, we have added a democracy reservation to the commission report, which was intended to be written in the ideological language of the ruling party! We ensured that the end of the trusteeship absurdity, the full implementation of the Constitutional Court and European Court of Human Rights decisions, and the principles of fair trial were included in the report. We will follow up on this report to the end to ensure that it does not remain mere words on paper!

The DEM Party is also contributing to the spread of similar illusions among the Kurdish people. Its reservation to the report is, in fact, an admission that this process has nothing to do with democratization. So much so that the report fails to even define the issue as a Kurdish question and focuses instead on terrorism.

It explains its reservations as: We do not consider it appropriate to use concepts such as terror-free Turkiye, terrorist organization, or terrorist scourge... There is a Kurdish issue, and it cannot be viewed as a terrorist problem. It is not a one-dimensional problem in terms of its root causes; it is a matter of rights and freedoms with a political, social, economic, cultural, and historical background. The process that is insistently defined as terrorism today is a conflictual process brought about by policies based on denial. In this respect, the Kurdish issue is as much a systemic problem as it is an identity and cultural problem.

The criticism of the report by the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the umbrella organization of which the PKK is a part, also indicates how difficult it is for the Kurdish movement to defend the report. Demanding that Ocalan be given the conditions to work freely to fulfil his role, the KCK adds, The report does not name the Kurdish issue. It is impossible to solve a problem without naming it.

The TIP and EMEP, which claim to be socialist, play a particularly critical role in legitimizing the imperialist-backed negotiation process. By participating in this commission, they spread the illusion that the right-wing bourgeois parties in the commission could bring about democratization and peace, at a time when dictatorship was gaining momentum in Turkiye and US imperialism, with which not only Erdogan but also the CHP and DEM Party were allied, was preparing to attack Iran. Their no vote on the report has no connection to a principled break from pro-imperialist capitalist politics and the state. By expressing their support for the process, they are providing assurances on this matter.

These parties, regardless of their working class rhetoric, act as the political mouthpieces of the affluent middle class. By continuing the tradition of class collaborationism of Stalinism and pursuing alliances with the so-called progressive factions within the national bourgeoisie, they are hindering the development of the working classs independent revolutionary politics. Their orientation toward the CHP and the DEM Party is accompanied by a significant abandonment of anti-imperialist rhetoric and the adoption of identity politics.

The political perspective of the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi  Dorduncu Enternasyonals (Socialist Equality Party  Fourth International) is guided not by Stalinism, but by Trotskyism, which has defended and developed the theoretical and political legacy of the October Revolution of 1917 against Stalinism and all anti-Marxist political tendencies to this day. As Leon Trotsky explained in his Theory of Permanent Revolution, which guided the October Revolution, the Turkish and Kurdish bourgeoisie, like other bourgeoisies in the Middle East and other parts of the world with a belated capitalist development, are structurally incapable of opposing imperialism or establishing a democratic regime. These tasks fall to the working class.

The democratic solution to the Kurdish question and the end of genocide and war require the international working class to unite and mobilize based on an anti-war, socialist program to seize power from the imperialist powers and their bourgeois proxies. This means fighting for a Socialist Federation of the Middle East.
We call on our colleagues to reject the whitewash being prepared by Communication Workers Union (CWU) General Secretary Dave Ward and his deputy Martin Walsh through the parliamentary committee headed by Labour MP Liam Byrne into the crisis at Royal Mail.

The surprise within ruling circles over the collapse of the mail service during Christmas and into the New Year is feigned.

Liam Byrne [Photo by House of Commons / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Public anger must not be diverted, nor our independent organisation blocked against renewed attacks on jobs, terms and conditions and the crippling workloads imposed by those responsible for a wrecking operation.

Ward and Walsh stated in their February 18 message to Royal Mail Group members: this is a serious investigation by the government. They note Byrne has written as chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee to Royal Mails CEO and outlined the quality-of-service crisis and given two weeks to answer questions regarding the service, including whether the company is prioritising parcels over letters.

Who do they think they are kidding?

The CWU greenlighted this new stage in Royal Mails dismantling with the agreements they co-authored with the Starmer government to install billionaire Daniel Kretinksys EP Group as sole owners in the 3.6 billion takeover last May. They even lectured us on the need to accept the reality of privatisation.

They worked to stifle our opposition, claiming the downgrade of the six-day letter service was a reform of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) when it was a staging post in Royal Mails conversion to a low-wage parcel operation modelled on Amazon.

The Starmer governments Deed of Undertaking with Kretinsky endorsed value extraction, e.g., asset stripping. It set a deliberately low benchmark of meeting or improving delivery performance in 2023-4a year in which around a quarter of First Class letters did not arrive on time. Industrial-scale breaches of the statutory delivery targets have continued to the present day.

The regulator, Ofcom, agreed the downgrading of the USO last July to alternate weekday delivery for all letters other than First Class and watered-down delivery targets overall, backing cost-cutting of up to 425 million through the Optimised Delivery Model (ODM).

Ward and Walsh claim EP Group have not honoured its undertakings when they were party to this scorched earth policy. It was codified in their 12-page Framework Agreement signed with EP Group in December 2024, a companion to Labours Deed of Undertaking.

Walsh rubber-stamped the ODM pilots at 35 offices from February last year, cutting duties from four to three, lengthening delivery spans to five hours or more and imposing heavier parcel-orientated walks. Across the remaining 97 percent of delivery units, this has been mirrored by the de facto collapse of the mail service, chronic understaffing and impossible workloads. Every attempt to demand CWU officials oppose this has been rebuffed.

Now we are told to participate in an investigation headed by the same government the CWU apparatus has worked with to enforce EP Group restructuring.

No to a whitewash Part II

Our colleagues have recalled the 2023 parliamentary committee headed by Labour MP Darren Jones that led nowhere. Jones used the two hearings in January and February that year to grandstand against then Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson over parcel prioritisation, management surveillance and denial of sick pay.

Postal workers testimony was used to stage this political theatre while the CWU leadership demobilised the first national dispute since privatisation. Ward and the postal executive acted as strike-breakers by vetoing a renewed mandate for action after 18 days of stoppages to hatch a sellout deal at ACAS in April, pushed through in July.

Thompson received a 700,000 golden handshake to step down while the attacks he headed up were implemented in full: real-terms pay cuts, as well as cuts to jobs, sick pay and implementing a two-tier workforce based on inferior pay and terms for new entrants. Jones was paraded as a hero by CWU officials at the national briefing launching the negotiators agreement.

The Starmer government is now going further than its Conservative predecessor in dismantling the postal service on behalf of the corporate oligarchy typified by Kretinsky. Jones has served as Starmers trusted head kicker, elevated to the position of the Prime Ministers Chief Secretary.

The way forward

The lesson is clear: we need a strategy independent of Labour and the entire political establishment to which the CWU bureaucracy is joined at the hip. Independent workplace organisation must transfer power to the rank and file from the unaccountable pro-company bureaucracy.

The Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee was formed in April 2023 to oppose the CWUs sellout and has a principled record of struggle against the union bureaucracy and the consequences of its betrayal: providing a voice for opposition against victimisations, unsafe working conditions, the two-tier workforce and ODM. We appeal to our colleagues to expand this fight.

Our allies are not the Starmer government or its industrial enforcers in the CWU apparatus, but other workers being driven into struggle against the destruction of public services and the National Health Service to ensure big business profits and diverting billions for military spending.

The company is going to war on postal workers with its January 29 declaration that it will unilaterally roll out the ODM nationally across all 1,250 units. The response of Walsh has been to scuttle into closed-door meetings with management for a month, triggered by the dispute resolution process. We are denied any oversight; his February 10 one-minute video update stated the intention to find an agreement by both sides with comments disabled on Facebook in anticipation of angry responses to another surrender.

Censorship has become routine as the CWU claims to speak for us, while silencing our voice.

We are told a tri-partite meeting between the CWU, EP Group and the government took place on February 16, attended by company representatives and Labours Business Secretary. It outlined four weeks of intensive negotiations on USO reform, equalisation of terms and conditions and full implementation of the agreement reached between EP Group and Royal Mail overseen by the Starmer government. Ward and Walsh claim this is to influence the future in a positive way.

There is nothing positive in what Walsh is seeking to enforce through his Heavy and Light version of ODM. This has not been drawn up in consultation with members, let alone agreed. It does not spell the end of ODM but its repackaging: reducing duties from eight to six to deliver a first wave of 150 million in cost-cutting, with a further 120 pilots planned by April.

The equalisation pathway for new entrants now paid barely above the minimum wage proposes a three-year qualification period, with incremental gains funded through USO reform cost-cutting: job losses, increased workloads and the gutting of the mail service.

We reject the calls for unity behind this agenda and the prattle about aligning the interests of all stakeholders. Our interests and those of the public are incompatible with the biggest plundering operation in more than a decade of privatisation.

We call for a boycott of the sham parliamentary investigation and collaboration with the Starmer government. Our long list of grievances must be drawn up to launch a genuine mobilisation in the workplace in unity against the tri-partite alliance of the CWU apparatus, EP Group and the Starmer government.

Ward and Walsh must be removed by an opposition prepared from below with clear red lines. The PWRFC proposes the following demands:

 Disband the pilots at the 35 delivery offices. Full disclosure of the wrecking operation and restoration of workers contracts

 Oppose executive action to impose ODM. Halt the reconfiguration of all delivery units

 No to Walshs ODM Mark II of intensified workloads and job cuts

 Equal pay for equal work. The immediate levelling up of new entrants on the basic pay and terms of legacy workers

 End Royal Mails breaches of the USO. The public has a right to a dependable mail service

Help build the PWRFC: the fightback begins with telling the truthand organising collectively to act on it!
Responding to the call of the neo-fascist group Lyon Populaire, several thousand people paid homage Saturday in Lyon and at other rallies in France, to the young fascist Quentin Deranque. Deranque died following a clash after a conference given at Lyon University by France Unbowed (LFI) Euro-Deputy, Rima Hassan, who is of Palestinian origin.

As was the case in the United States after the death of fascist Charlie Kirk, the death of Deranque is today exploited by President Emmanuel Macron and the French political establishment and throughout Europe to mobilise the fascists against LFI and criminalise workers and youths left-wing aspirations.

People take part in a march behind an anti-communist banner in Lyon, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, to pay tribute to Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old fascist [AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani]

A political front, embracing fascist groups, the Socialist Party, the extreme right National Rally (RN), all the way up to Macron and his government, seeks to carry out an offensive against democratic rights and a mounting opposition to the installation of a police-state dictatorship. The objective is to clear the way for either of RNs candidates, Marine Le Pen or Jordan Bardella, to assume power after the current local elections and presidential elections next year.

The government did not ban the demonstration of support for Deranque, insisting on the need for order and respect for the right of assembly. This decision comes in the context of political polarisation between the extreme right and left-wing movements. Rather, at the opening of the Agricultural Fair, Macron gave his blessing to the demonstration: It is a moment of remembrance and respect for the death of our young compatriot.

On RTL radio the Minister of the Interior explained that the police will fan out on the periphery of the march to ensure no threats to public order. There will be an extremely strong police presence, drawn from local forces and anti-riot police.

Concerned about the spillover of violence after the call to pay homage to Deranque launched by Lyon Populaire, the Mayor of Lyon, Gregory Doucet and Mayor Fanny Dubot of the 7th precinct, had requested the local police chief ban the demonstration: A march is legitimate when one has lost a loved one. This is not the case here. What worries me is this call has gone out to an international network. We fear that this march may spillover putting local security in danger.

A petition calling for the march to be banned launched by the media outlet Lyon Insurrection gathered more than 36,000 signatures in 48 hours. Demonstrations were organised in Nantes by the Nemesis collective involving a few hundred people as well as in Rennes, Strasbourg and Paris.

In Lyon, the prefecture announced 3,000 participants on the march, mostly in the 7th precinct. One person was arrested for carrying a knife or hammer at the tail end of the march. Far-right participants, mostly wearing masks, made Nazi salutes. The slogans, We are going to take back this country and This is our land were chanted. Some of the slogans targeted Jean-Luc Melenchons party saying: Antifa murderers and LFI accomplices.

Political specialist and professor Philippe Marliere commented: This is an absolute unprecedented turnaround. A sanitary cordon placed around a left-wing party would have been unthought of a few years ago.

The ruling classes seem to have made their choice for the RN. The millions of voters who aspired to a left government and voted LFI are now considered a problem for the potential victory of the RN. The states immediate role is to repress the opposition of youth and workers to the installation of an authoritarian regime in France.

The death of Deranque also serves as an international catalyst. The British far-right figure Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, gave homage to Deranque on social networks, sharing several videos showing French right-wing extremists vandalising LFI offices. In Belgium, the Flemish group Voorpost called for a march in Brussels but then cancelled it. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticized what she described as an ideological hate climate, characterizing Deranques death as an injury to all of Europe

The Trump administration, which stated in its latest national security document that it would intervene in the internal politics of the European Union to promote a racist policy of remigration relying on European fascist parties, responded through the US State Departments Office of Counterterrorism. In a message posted on social media, it stated: Violent radical leftism is on the rise, and its role in the death of Quentin Deranque demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he would summon US ambassador Charles Kushner to a meeting Monday, in response to the counterterrorism bureaus message being posted on X by the US embassy in Paris. He accused foreign actors of exploiting the killing for political ends and said France needed no lessons from the international reactionary movement.

Just as Trump did after Kirks death to advance his authoritarian agenda, his administration is now using Deranques death to legitimize a security crackdown and strengthen far-right forces in Europe. And despite official protests at outside interference, Macrons government shares the Trump administrations agenda.

Several LFI offices have been attacked following Deranques death. At Saint-Nazaire, a deputys office was vandalised with Justice for Quentin daubed in red paint. In Lille, Metz, Castres, Bordeaux and Rouen deputies offices were ransacked. In Paris, LFIs head office was evacuated after a bomb alert.

After decades of making the RN socially acceptable, there is a turn towards leading this party into a process of normalisation that should benefit it in the upcoming municipal and presidential elections. With that in mind, the RN did not officially participate in the Lyon demonstration for fear of being associated with extreme right-wing groups. Bardella declared that the National Rally is not participating in the marches with which we have no direct links to the organisers.

However, the Rhone Senator of the Republican Party, Etienne Blanc, was present in Lyon.

As Mediapart revealed, Vincent, a friend of Quentin Deranque omnipresent in the media for a week, is Vincent Claudin, the parliamentary attache for the RN deputy of the Drome, Lisette Pollet. Claudin was a member of the fascist Lyon Populaire until 2024. He issued the call, under his first name, to demonstrate in memory of his friend in a video posted online Thursday on the official platform of the organization.

Deranque was active in the extreme right-wing identity organisation, Audace Lyon, and a member of the neo-fascist organization, Allobroges Bourgoin, after having campaigned for the royalist group Action Francaise. He practiced martial arts with members of his far-right group. Attending the Rima Hassan conference, Deranque took charge of the security for the group Nemesis, where ultra-nationalists were armed and masked, as indicated in the video published by the anti-fascist online site, Contre-Attaque.

As underlined by Tristan Boursier, associated researcher at the Center for Political Research at Science-Po University: Lyon has been a hotbed of confrontation between the extreme right and anti-fascists since 2010, in part because the extreme right tried to build a territorial presence, which in turn produced an escalating counter-mobilization.

As the figures show for the mobilisation in Lyon, there is not a mass fascist movement in France. On the contrary, it is the state that is trying to impose an authoritarian regime to carry out class war and a NATO war against Russia and China. The struggle against fascism therefore demands a conscious political mobilisation of the working class, not a reliance on the organisations of the pseudo-left, the Socialist Party and the Stalinist Communist party, among which the LFI and Melenchon has functioned for decades.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio [Photo: U.S. Department of State]

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand emphasized the federal Liberal governments full-throated support for imperialist-imposed regime change in Iran at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month.

We will not open diplomatic relationships with Iran unless there is a regime change. Period, she told reporters from the Globe and Mail. Earlier the same day, Anand announced sanctions against seven individuals she claimed were linked to Iranian state bodies responsible for intimidation, violence and transnational repression targeting Iranian dissidents and human-rights defenders.

In remarks dripping with hypocrisy, Anand demanded that the repressive Iranian regime must curtail the consistent and illegal violation of Iranian human rights, including by respecting international law and international humanitarian law.

As the Trump administration massed its naval and air forces in the Middle East to prepare a potentially devastating assault on Iran, 60 heads of state and hundreds of high-ranking foreign affairs and defence officials gathered in Munich to navigate what conference organizers termed a new era of wrecking ball politics and sweeping destruction. With a US aircraft carrier battle group looming in the Arabian Sea, a second en route and over 120 fighter jets poised to launch weeks of air strikes, Anand cynically refused to say whether Canada would support an unprovoked and illegal US military attack on Iran.

In the week since the conference concluded, American military forces in the Middle East have reached their highest levels since the illegal 2003 invasion of Iraqa war that was justified on the basis of fabricated claims Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. This time around, the impending war is even more criminal, with Washington not even bothering to offer a pretext for their attacking an historically oppressed country. The would-be dictator Trump is set to launch a massive onslaught that could claim the lives of hundreds of thousands and threaten the lives of millions across the region should the conflict spread.

Notable among the guests invited to participate in the Munich Security Conference was Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, the bloody US-backed dictator who was overthrown by the 1979 revolution. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in the US for the past 48 years, has offered himself as the figurehead of a new Iranian government that would take power through US military assault and establish an imperialist puppet regime. While at the conference, he pleaded for military intervention and increased enforcement of sanctions and offered up Iranian energy reserves to US and European imperialism. It is time, he proclaimed, to end the Islamic Republic.

Anands declaration of Canadas support for imperialist-orchestrated regime change in Iran coincided with the global day of action called by the exile Iranian Crown Prince for February 14. Right-wing opponents of the Iranian regime demonstrated in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto, where the pre-1979 Iranian flag with the monarchys emblem and pro-monarchy chants were widespread. Demonstrators denounced the regimes bloody crackdown on protests that began in December of last year, which were initially motivated by the economic hardships induced by the US-led sanctions but quickly became dominated by right-wing, pro-imperialist forces. The imperialist powers seized on the bourgeois-clerical regimes violent crackdown against the protests to escalate preparations for war as part of American imperialisms relentless drive to secure dominance of the Middle East. The demonstration in Toronto explicitly called for the Canadian government to recognize Pahlavi as the leader of Irans democratic transition. Draped in the flag of the Iranian monarchy, demonstrators, many of them wearing Make America Great Again caps, marched down Yonge Street chanting King Reza Pahlavi!

Canadian imperialisms support for the US-Israeli rampage across the Middle East

Anands declaration of support for regime change in Iran is just the latest instance of the Liberal government, now headed by the former central banker Mark Carney, offering its full support to US imperialism in its drive to assert unbridled hegemony over the Middle East, the worlds most important oil-exporting region.

Last June, it backed the illegal 12-day US-Israeli war on Iran. The air strikes killed more than a thousand Iranians, most of them civilians. When Israel, with Washingtons military-logistical support, attacked Iran, in flagrant violation of international law, Ottawa adopted a posture of complicit silence. When Trump ordered the US to directly enter the conflict by launching a massive and unprovoked assault on Irans nuclear energy facilities, the Carney government welcomed the US military intervention and demanded Tehran stand down.

US and other western intelligence services and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conceded that there was no evidence Iran was seeking to develop a nuclear weapon. This did not stop Carney from supporting the US-Israeli assault on Iran as legitimate and necessary to alleviate the grave threat to international security ostensibly posed by Irans nuclear energy program. In the wake of this nakedly illegal act of aggression, Carney called for a return to negotiations and a diplomatic solution. The Trump administration and its Israeli ally have used talk of diplomatic solutions to cover their aggression against Iran over recent years, including the institution of punishing economic sanctions aimed at crashing the Iranian economy and provoking regime change.

Successive Liberal governments, under Carney and his predecessor Justin Trudeau, have likewise offered their steadfast political support to Israel throughout its genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza. US imperialisms regional proxy has pursued a deliberate policy of ethnic cleansing and extermination against the Palestinians in Gaza, instituted a regime of brutal repression and illegal occupation in the West Bank, and lashed out violently against Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Despite crocodile tears about Israeli violations of international law, Canada under Carney and Justin Trudeau before him has consistently supported Israels right to defend itself, i.e. to commit any crime against the perceived enemies of US imperialism and its allies, no matter the horrific toll on the civilian population.

Canadas Liberal government has funnelled millions of dollars of weaponry to facilitate Israels genocidal assault on Gaza since 2023, despite its repeated claims to have stopped arms exports. Working with provincial governments of every political stripe, it has systematically suppressed opposition to the genocide at home. From Trudeau on down, government ministers denounced students and workers protesting Israels mass slaughter and Canadas complicity in it as antisemites and gave a free hand to far-right Zionist organizations to intimidate activists. At the UN, Canada has repeatedly voted with the US to block resolutions condemning Israels illegal occupation of Palestinian land and rampant violation of Palestinian rights.

Coming from a government that has backed Israel to the hilt as it has committed the gravest war crimes of this century, Anands cynical denunciations of Iran for violating human rights and international humanitarian law are absurd. While she and Carney castigate Iran, they are courting Saudi Arabia and other absolutist Gulf States for investment.

The Carney governments loyal support of US imperialisms efforts to force regime change in Iran and dominate the resource-rich and geostrategically critical Middle East, underscore the true nature of its conflict with the Trump administration. Canada is a junior imperialist power which has historically pursued its economic and political interests on the world stage through alliances with the dominant imperialist partnerfirst as part of the British Empire and subsequently as a close ally of US imperialism. What Carney termed in Davos the rupture in international relations is the final breakdown of the post-war world order upon which the Canada-US alliance rested. In its stead, a new redivision of the world among the imperialists is well underway, with Canadian imperialism seeking to retain some form of collaboration with its erstwhile US ally, while at the same time asserting more forcefully its own predatory interests.

While pushing back against Trumps threats to Canadian sovereignty and desperately seeking economic leverage against the US through diversified international trade, Canadas imperialist ruling elite hopes to secure its share of the spoils in the Middle East by lining up behind Washingtons war on Iran.

Carney welcomed the US military assault on Venezuela at the beginning of the year and the kidnapping of the countrys president, Nicolas Maduro, with the claim that this evisceration of international law, ordered by the would-be dictator Trump, opened the door to democracy. If Ottawa didnt go on record as explicitly supporting Washingtons criminal actions, it was because Trump brazenly touted them as an important step in realizing the Donroe Doctrine. It asserts that US imperialism, as the pre-eminent power in the Americas, has the right to seize resources, strategic territories and assets from any state in the Western Hemisphere, including its traditional Canadian imperialist junior partners.

The fall of the Islamic Republic and the opening up of Irans economy and natural resources to foreign capital would offer immense profit and strategic opportunities for Canadian capital. The denial of Iranian oil and natural gas to China, a major strategic objective of US imperialism in its war against Iran, would benefit Canadas energy producers, both by spiking prices in the short-term and opening up Irans resources for them to exploit in the years ahead.

Above all, the Carney government and the Canadian ruling elite are desperately seeking a rapprochement with Washington that allows them to retain their dominance over Canadas vast land, natural resources and working class. Their goal is to be admitted as a partner within the walls of Fortress North America, rather than absorbed as the 51st state.

Pledging tens of billions in increased military spending and corresponding brutal austerity, the rapid development of military production and secure supply chains for critical minerals and other natural resources, the Carney government hopes to secure Ottawas place at the imperialism high-tablealongside the US and/or European powersin the conflicts to come. The only social force capable of preventing this is the working class in Canada and around the world, fighting on the basis of a socialist program.
The support for Israels genocidal policy in Gaza by the German government and the countrys official cultural institutions was the subject of fierce and prolonged protest at this years Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale).

Abdallah Al-Khatib in Berlin

From the start of the festival, Berlinale management and the head of the festival jury, Wim Wenders, had determinedly sought to evade any discussion of the devastation taking place in occupied Palestine and block all criticism of the state of Israel.

On several occasions, festival director Tricia Tuttle declared that taking a clear position on the genocide in Gaza was not possible due to the complexity of situation. Tuttle repeated the phrase once again in her defensive speech at the festival closing ceremony. Wenders had gone even further, declaring at the start of the festival that the correct response by artists was to stay out of politics. This led to novelist Arundhati Roys cancelling her appearance at the festival and other expressions of outrage. Wenders later nervously retreated somewhat, asserting that: Activists are fighting, mainly on the internet, for humanitarian causes, namely the dignity and protection of human life. These are our causes as well.

In any event, to the dismay of Tuttle and Wenders and the German establishment, politics dominated the closing evening of the Berlinale.

One after another, filmmakers awarded prizes for their work publicly criticised the Zionist regimes actions in Gaza and defended the rights of Palestinians.

Lebanese director Marie-Rose Osta, received an award for her short film Someday a Child, about an 11-year-old boy with extraordinary powers living with his uncle in a Lebanese village. Osta pointed to the fact that children in Lebanon and Gaza were being killed by Israeli bombs. To applause, she asserted: In reality, children in Gaza, in all of Palestine, and in my Lebanon, do not have superpowers to protect them from Israeli bombs [] No child should need superpowers to survive a genocide empowered by veto powers and the collapse of international law.

Someday a Child

Two Turkish films won the top awards in Berlin. Ilker Cataks Yellow Letters won the Golden Bear, while Emin Alpers Salvation collected the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize. In his acceptance speech, Catak emphasized the need to stand together against autocratic regimes around the world, saying, Let us fight them, not each other. Alper also highlighted the plight of the victims of repression in Palestine, Turkey and Iran, saying they are not alone.

Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah Al-Khatib accepted the Best Feature Debut Award for his film Chronicles from the Siege. According to its press notes:

During the siege of their city, a group of ordinary people struggle to survive amid hunger, snipers, and bombardments, while clinging to human connection, love, and small daily pleasures. Faced with impossible moral choices and deep psychological strain, their lives become inseparable from the siege itself.

Al-Khatib based himself in part on his own experience under fire in the Yarmouk refugee camp for Palestinians in Damascus during the Syrian Civil War, which the filmmaker previously turned into the documentary Little Palestine.

In Berlin, Al-Khatib unrolled a Palestinian flag and told the audience:

Im happy to be here to get this prize, but Im Palestinian, so I have to use this moment to speak about Palestine. Al-Khatib continued, I was under a lot of pressure to participate in the Berlinale for one reason only, to stand here and say that Palestinians will be free and one day, we will have a great film festival in the middle of Gaza, in the middle of other Palestinian cities.

Our festival will stand in solidarity with the people living under siege, under occupation and under dictatorships around the world. Clearly referring to Wenders earlier comments about politics, he added: We will speak about politics before cinema. We will speak about resistance before art, about freedom before beauty, and about a human being before culture, the long awaited day is coming.

Salvation

Al-Khatib then accused the German government, among others, of being partners in the genocide in Gaza. To loud applause from the audience, he declared: We will remember everyone who stood by our side, and we will remember everyone who was against us.

This was all too much for government representatives sitting in the audience. The German environment minister Carsten Schneider (Social Democratic Party) stormed out of the festival hall on hearing Al-Khatibs entirely accurate remarks about German complicity in the Israeli genocide. A spokesperson for the minister later stated that the statements by the director were unacceptable. Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor naturally praised Schneiders reaction to the speech.

Berlins right-wing mayor, Kai Wegner, told the pro-Zionist Axel Springer rag, Bild, that those on the stage who presented themselves as pro-Palestinian activists were solely concerned with hatred of Israel.

Predictably, culture minister Wolfram Weimer, who worked for many year as a journalist for the Springer group, stated that pro-Palestinian activists at the Berlinale had shown their ugly face with their opposition to Israel. Christian Social Union (CSU) regional leader Alexander Hoffmann denounced what he claimed were repugnant scenes of antisemitism during the ceremony.

In a video statement, Al-Khatib acknowledged that a number of film festivals had wanted to show his film but he had accepted the offer from Berlin precisely because he felt he was not welcome there. For this reason, he says, it was necessary to come to Germany with his film to put forward the cause of the Palestinian people.

In fact, Germany years ago put into place unprecedented structures aimed at silencing criticism of Israel.

In 2008, the conservative government of Angela Merkel (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) declared Germanys commitment to Israel to be a reason of state (Staatsrason), that is, a foundational principle. This position was reaffirmed by the following national government led by Social Democratic Party (SPD) chancellor Olaf Scholz, with the support of all of the parliamentary parties, including the Greens and Left Party.

In 2017, the German parliament adopted the reactionary International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, conflating the latter with criticism of Israelonce again with the support of all parties apart from the Left Party, which abstained in the vote.

One year later, the government appointed a special Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight against Antisemitism. This commissioner has established a network of antisemitism commissioners in 15 of Germanys 16 states. It should be noted that there is no equivalent network of state officials in Germany to oppose racism or anti-Muslim discrimination.

In fact, in 2023 one of these states, Saxony-Anhalt, went so far as to mandate that all those applying for German citizenship in the state had to submit a written declaration affirming Israels right to exist.

Chronicles from the Siege

The aim of these structures and commissioners is to shut down criticism of the state of Israel and in its genocidal policy in Gaza and beyond by smearing it as antisemitism. A list of the prosecutions, bans and censorship measures imposed, often through police violence, on artists and activists who have protested against the genocide and criticised the Israeli state during the past three years would fill dozens of pages.

At the same time, the German government applauds the work being carried out by the fascist regime in Tel Aviv. According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), Israel is carrying out the Western worlds Drecksarbeit, that is, its dirty work!

Only a year ago, with the avid backing of ambassador Prosor, Mayor Wegner and Culture Minister Weimer were patrons of an exhibition We Will Dance Again, centred on the attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, 2023. The exhibition celebrated the Israeli fascist and settler Elkana Federman as the Hero of October 7. Federman is a member of the far-right group Tzav 9, which is sanctioned by both the European Union and the US for serious human rights violations.

It is against this background of intimidation and repression that courageous artists like Abdallah Al-Khatib and Marie-Rose Osta raise their voices to oppose genocide. They do so in the face of the cowardice and complicity of artists and cultural officials who insist the situation is too complex to take sides in or that the best response is to stay out of politics.

A series of further articles to follow will deal with some of the most notable films on show at the festival.
The US Supreme Court may have ruled that sweeping tariffs imposed by invoking an emergency under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal, but the tariff war will go on and possibly even intensify.

That was the message from US President Trump after the Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision struck down his so-called reciprocal tariffs first unveiled last April and subsequently used to impose a series of shakedown deals on major US trading partners, including commitments from Japan and South Korea to make investments of hundreds of billions of dollars in the US.

Containers are stored in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. [AP Photo/Michael Probst]

Trumps initial response was to announce the imposition of a 10 percent tariff on all goods coming into the US, later lifted to 15 percent, to come into effect from today.

In an action not carried out by any president before him, Trump has invoked the tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act.

This provides for a tariff of up to 15 percent to be imposed for 150 days after which Congressional approval is required for an extension.

During the operation of the Section 122 tariff, which applies across the board and unlike the reciprocal tariffs under the IEEPA cannot be varied for individual countries, the Trump regime will seek a more permanent basis for its tariff regime, initially using Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act.

In television interviews, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the new tariffs would be temporary to ensure the continued inflow of money. He described the Section 122 imposts as a five-month bridge during which studies on Section 232 tariffs and Section 301s are done.

In a social media post over the weekend, Trump hinted that other means may also be developed.

During the short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again, he wrote.

While he suffered a setback as a result of the decision, Trump made clear he was determined to press ahead using presidential authority.

While I am sure they did not mean to do so, the Supreme Courts decision made a presidents ability to regulate trade and impose tariffs more powerful, and more crystal clear, he said.

The administration had considered for some time that the case would go against itin line with lower court decisionsand had been making preparations.

Trump said that in response to the decision he would seek to use Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act. This provides for the US to impose tariffs long-term if it is decided, after an investigation, that a country is engaged in unfair trade practices against the US.

While tariffs imposed by this means may be potentially higher than those previously imposed, they cannot be applied across board, as was the case with the reciprocal tariffs, but only on a country-by-country basis and the investigation which is required to precede their imposition can sometimes take months.

The administration has other weapons as well, the use of which could be extended. Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act allows the president to impose tariffs on specific goods for national security reasons. It has already been used by Trump to impose tariffs on steel, aluminum as well as to initiate investigations into pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and other high-tech goods.

A key issue which has arisen as a result of the court decision is the fate of the deals imposed on a range of countries with the threat if they did not comply, they could be hit with massive reciprocal tariffs.

At this stage it appears that these so-called agreements will largely remain intact, though there may be some maneuvering where a final deal has not been reached.

In a blog post over the weekend, international tariff expert Simon Evenett said the ruling did not lessen the leverage of the US because one threat would be replaced by another.

For countries currently in negotiations with the United States, or with interim deals in placesuch as Switzerlandthe threat of high tariffs after the 150-day period remains, and arguably intensifies, the pressure to make concessions. Overall expect little change, he wrote.

This was also the message delivered by the US trade representative Jamieson Greer when he spoke to the CBS program Face the Nation on Sunday.

Ive been telling them for a yearwhether we won or lost, we were going to have tariffs, the presidents policy was going to continue. Thats why they signed these deals even while the litigation was pending.

In other words, US trade partners were told that even if the reciprocal tariffs were struck down, they would be hit another way if they did not comply with US demands.

The deals with South Korea and Japan, which involved major concessions to the US in the form of investments, will remain in place because of the threat of auto tariffs not subject to the Supreme Court ruling.

The European parliament is meeting this week to consider the ratification of the so-called Turnberry agreement of last yearwidely regarded as a capitulation by the European Union to the US.

The European Commission said it wanted full clarity on the next steps by the Trump administration. European Central Bank president Christine Lagarde said clarity from the administration was critical and that new measures would need to be in compliance with the constitution, in compliance with the law.

But it is considered unlikely that such expressions of opposition to what the US has done will go much further, at least at this stage.

As Nicolas Kohler-Suzuki of the Jacques Delors Institute told the Financial Times (FT), he expected the deal to survive, despite opposition because of the threat of substitute deterrence.

The stick is alternative statutory threats, specifically automotive tariffs. The European parliament will be emboldened by the ruling, but the economic risk of reinstated auto tariffs remains and neutralizes the incentive for [an] outright challenge, he said.

India, which is at present negotiating the final stages of a trade deal with the UStalks have been scheduled for this weekmay seek some room for maneuver but received a blunt warning from Trump who said, nothing changes.

The attitude of the administration was underscored by one of its chief trade war hawks, Peter Navarro, in a comment published in todays FT.

Trump has noted that he has been very modest in his initial ask of trading partners, he wrote. That restraint is over. Any country that believes the courts ruling strengthens its handor allows it to walk away from the bargaining tableis misreading the moment.

Within the US, one of the major issues will be the reimbursement of corporations which have paid the bulk of the tariffs so fardespite Trumps insistence they were being borne by foreigners.

The Supreme Court made no ruling on this issue; neither to say the administration could keep the money it had already collected nor indicating any means by which corporations might seek redress. It appears to have thrown the matter back to the lower courts.

The National Retail Federation, which includes giants such as Walmart, said the US courts had to ensure a seamless process to refund the tariffs to US importers.

That is the least likely outcome. Bessent indicated that he did not expect money to be paid out soon, if indeed ever. My sense is that [it] could be dragged over weeks, months, years.

The Supreme Court ruling does not mean that there will be some return to constitutionality by the Trump regime or a restoration of the status quo ante as far as international economic relations are concernedquite the opposite.

As FT columnist Edward Luce noted in a pointed remark, the Supreme Court decision may cause Trump to lash out in other ways.

Given his instinct for unfiltered discretion, the Supreme Courts ruling could lead to overcompensation in other spheres. US military action is the one area where the executive branch can almost always count on judicial forbearance.
At least five high school students in Quakertown, located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, have now been held in police custody for more than 72 hours following last Fridays anti-ICE protest. As of this writing, authorities have not publicly clarified how many students remain detained, what specific charges they face, or why juveniles are being held for this length of time.

Quakertown High School students peacefully protesting the immigration Gestapo prior to being assaulted by police, February 20, 2026. [Photo: David Stubanas]

Their alleged offense: defending themselves after a police chief, not in uniform, physically assaulted students. The police assault has provoked mass outrage in the community and throughout the country. A Change.org petition demanding the resignation of Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree, who was captured on video choking a young female student, has exceeded 7,800 signatures as of this writing.

A man, identified as Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree, is seen putting a female student in a chokehold, February 20, 2026.

Separately, a GoFundMe to support students expected attorneys fees and medical costs associated with the police assault has raised nearly $33,000.

The department and Chief McElree have refused to issue a public statement explaining the use of force. No detailed charging documents have been released. Instead, silence.

The refusal to release basic information raises serious questions. Why are minors being held for days without public clarification of charges? Why has there been no immediate statement from the department explaining the conduct of its chief? Why has there been no release of body-camera footage?

The police are engaged in a cover-up aimed at suppressing not only students, but everyones democratic right to peacefully protest.

The assault in Quakertown is not an isolated incident. Across the country, students participating in anti-ICE demonstrations have faced physical attacks and threats.

On February 2 in Buda, Texas, 45-year-old Chad Michael Watts, wearing a red Make America Great Again hat, exited his truck and targeted a young female student during a peaceful protest. Social media video shows Watts advancing toward the student, prompting classmates to intervene in her defense. Watts was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault causing bodily injury.

On February 10, students at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California reported that an older man threatened to shoot them while they participated in an anti-ICE protest. Video footage shows students screaming and retreating around a black truck after the unidentified man allegedly issued the threat. The incident carries particular weight given that Saugus High was the site of a mass shooting in 2019.

In Grand Island, Nebraska, a 54-year-old man, Michael Brown, attacked students participating in a February 16 walkout. Brown was initially charged with child abuse. As of last Thursday, those charges had been dropped.

In each case, students engaging in protest activity became targets of physical aggression. In some instances, adult attackers were charged. In others, charges were reduced or dropped. In Quakertown, however, it is the students who remain behind bars while police leadership refuses public explanation.

As of Monday afternoon, it is still unclear whether the students will be released or remain in custody. No charges against the students have been publicly disclosed, and the department has not issued a detailed statement on the incident. Police have yet to release any body or dash camera footage captured that day.

Holding minors for more than 48 hours after they were assaulted by police is extraordinary. The continued detention of these students underscores that this has nothing to do with public safety, but is focused on suppressing dissent and protecting official misconduct.

In a statement issued Monday, ACLU of Pennsylvania Legal Director Witold Walczak said:

On Friday, students in Quakertown made the decision to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights and organize a public demonstration to protest continued and escalating abuses by ICE. By all accounts, including abundant video evidence, there were no issues at the demonstration until Quakertown police arrived and incited violence.

Walczak added:

The ACLU of Pennsylvania is in touch with the student demonstrators. Were calling for a full and transparent investigation of this incident and for the police and Chief McElree to be held accountable for their actions if the evidence confirms the apparent excessive force, retaliation and false arrest.

Will Lehman, a socialist autoworker and candidate for UAW president, released a statement Sunday night condemning the assault on students. This was, plain and simple, police brutality against children, Lehman said.

Lehman works at the Mack-Volvo plant, only a half hour away from Quakertown High School. He noted that the students actions are part of the citys rich tradition of resistance.

Just over a mile from their school, freedom seekers once passed through this town on the Underground Railroad. Local abolitionists, including Quaker families, opened their homes as safe houses and defied the Fugitive Slave Act, which armed slavecatchers with the legal authority to seize human beings even in free states. Then, as now, the law was invoked to justify the pursuit of working-class people whose only crime was seeking freedom and a better life. The slavecatchers of that era and the thugs of ICE today serve the same reactionary purposes.

Lehman called for all charges against the students and their supporters to be dropped and for all those responsible for the violation of constitutional rights, from the police to the Trump administration, to be held accountable. Instead of appealing to the same politicians and political parties that have empowered and turned a blind eye to police violence, Lehman proposed the formation of rank-and-file committees comprised of workers, students, and teachers to respond to raids, arrests and suspensions.

Only an organized working-class movement, acting independently of the pro-corporate union bureaucracies and both corporate-controlled parties, can abolish ICE and dismantle the police-state apparatus, he concluded.
Bitcoin remained tethered near the the lower end of its recent trading range even as global financial markets showed signs of a renewal of risk appetite, keeping the token on course for its steepest monthly decline since 2022.

The original cryptocurrency fell as much as 3% to around $62,557, before paring the decline on Tuesday. Its now down roughly 24% in February, set for its worst monthly performance since June 2022. That year, the implosion of stablecoin project TerraUSD triggered a daisy chain of failures that included crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital and BlockFi, the lender.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Bitcoin is also on track for a fifth straight monthly decline, its longest losing streak since 2018  a bruising period for crypto markets defined by the unraveling of an initial coin offering boom.

The slide, which extends a selloff that began in October, comes amid broader risk-off sentiment across global markets after President Donald Trump announced plans to raise global tariffs to 15%, a move that unsettled investors and weighed on equities and other higher-risk assets.

President Trumps decision to raise global tariffs to 15% rattled risk assets broadly, and Bitcoin moved with them, said Rachael Lucas, crypto analyst at BTC Markets. Despite the digital gold narrative, Bitcoin continues to trade as a risk asset. When macro fear spikes, capital rotates toward traditional safe havens. Bitcoin is not there yet.

WATCH: Bitcoin is set up for a strong rebound, says Ryan Rasmussen of Bitwise.Source: Bloomberg

The crypto market calamity of 2022 is still reverberating. On Monday, the administrator for Terraform Labs  the entity behind the TerraUSD stablecoin  sued Jane Street Group LLC. Todd Snyder, a bankruptcy court-appointed administrator, claimed in the complaint that Jane Street used non-public information to front-run trading that hastened the collapse of Terraform.

A Jane Street spokesperson called the suit desperate and a transparent attempt to extract money, according to a statement.

Support Zone

Since the massive selloff started four months ago, cautious sentiment has plagued the crypto market, and Bitcoin has broken through multiple key support levels as it headed lower.

Bitcoin slipped below $60,000 in early February, but there was a steady tug-of-war near current levels, drawing attention to the outcome of the local battle between bulls and bears, Alex Kuptsikevich, chief market analyst at FxPro, said in a note. The outcome will determine whether we see a recovery rebound or a new downward momentum.
More than two months since the December 14 terrorist attack on a Jewish gathering at Sydneys Bondi Beach, in which two Islamic State-inspired gunmen murdered 15 people, questions about how the atrocity was able to be perpetrated remain entirely unanswered.

Sajid and Naveed Akram during firearms training in October 2025 [Photo: NSW Local Court]

There has been no convincing explanation as to how the assailants, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, were able to plan the atrocity, assemble an arsenal of high-powered weaponry and perpetrate their crime without state intervention. The younger attacker, who survived, had been on the radar of the authorities as an associate of a convicted Islamic State terrorist, and it appears that the father, who was shot dead by police, was also known.

The Bondi atrocity, the most deadly terrorist attack on Australian soil, has dominated political and media discussion since it occurred. The crime has been invoked by Labor governments, federal and state, to implement unprecedented measures, ranging from police powers to ban all protests to new provisions for organisations and political parties to be illegalised on the vague grounds that they promote hate speech.

But despite its centrality to political life, the attack itself is increasingly remote in the official discussion. It is invoked in passing to justify sweeping attacks on the democratic rights of millions of people, without reference to the background, political identity or connections of the perpetrators themselves.

There are two basic reasons for that contradiction.

Firstly, the attack has been seized upon by the ruling elite and its political representatives, above all the Labor governments, to crack down on the mass movement against the Israeli genocide in Gaza, which had no connection whatsoever with the Bondi atrocity. Secondly, information that has emerged about the perpetrators raises grave questions about the role of state and federal authorities, particularly the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), the domestic spy agency.

On the night of the attack, government and police officials stated that Naveed Akram had at one stage come to the attention of ASIO, but suggested that he had been only of peripheral interest.

It was later admitted that the younger attacker had in fact been investigated by the spy agency for six months in 2019, over his close relationship with Isaac El Matari. The previous year El Matari had returned to Australia, having been jailed for nine months in Lebanon for attempting to join Islamic State.

El Matari allegedly sought to develop a base of support for Islamic State in Sydney. Arrested in 2019 and convicted of terror offenses two years later, he was accused of having discussed among other things the possibility of mass casualty terrorist attacks at famous landmarks in Sydney. By this point, Islamic State had carried out multiple mass atrocities in Western capitals and Sunni Islamic extremism had been listed by ASIO as the greatest terrorist threat for the best part of twenty years.

All of that would be enough to cast questions over ASIOs claim that it discontinued surveillance of Naveed Akram in 2019 having concluded he was not a threat. But further doubts were raised by a rare exception to the general media disinterest, an investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations (ABC) Four Corners program that aired earlier this month.

The program was substantially based on the claims of Marcus, an individual who asserts that in 2019 he was directed by ASIO to infiltrate a small Sunni extremist milieu in Sydney centred on street proselytizing and a prayer circle headed by Wissam Haddad.

Marcus told the program that he began warning ASIO that the younger Akram was a supporter of Islamic State in 2019. During the month of Ramadan in that year, Marcus claimed that Naveed Akram had attended a small religious retreat with El Matari and others of his associates.

Marcus claimed that during the retreat Akram had been brainwashed. During those 10 nights, Naveed was exposed to material of ISIS, including clips, videos, magazines from the Philippines, from Afghanistan, from some parts in Syria and Iraq, he stated. The ABC stated that while it was able to verify that the retreat had occurred, it could not independently confirm Marcus description of its extremist content.

Significantly, Marcus also claimed that Sajid Akram, the older attacker, was an Islamic State supporter at the time. Marcus said he thought the father was even more extremist than the son, and that after El Mataris arrest he had justified the latters terrorist plans in a discussion with the ASIO agent.

That Sajid Akram was involved with the same extremist milieu as his son was confirmed by an individual known as Ye Ye, a close associate of Haddad. As per the ABC, Ye Ye told Four Corners he bonded with Sajid Akram over their interest in the early lectures of Anwar al-Awlaki, the US-born Al Qaeda cleric killed in a US drone strike in 2011. According to Ye Ye, it was Sajid Akram who introduced his son to the hardline religious circle.

Sajid Akram was also interviewed by ASIO in 2019, during which he reportedly gave an undertaking to keep his son away from extremism. But based on the statements of both Marcus and Ye Ye, it appears that the father was himself an extremist. If he was open in his views with Marcus, it is difficult to understand how ASIO would have simply accepted such an undertaking.

Marcus statements cannot be accepted uncritically. As a former informant, he is part of a murky world of intelligence operations, centred on deception. And the circumstances of his falling out with ASIO remain unclear.

To the extent that there was discussion of supporting Islamic State and terrorism in the circles to which Marcus belonged, he himself had to present as an extremist, and now he no longer has the legal or political shield of being on ASIOs books. That may explain why, while stating that he had warned ASIO of Naveed Akram, he shared their 2019 assessment that he was not at that time a terror threat.

ASIOs response to the Four Corners program, however, which consisted of simultaneously questioning the veracity of Marcus claims and issuing legal threats to the ABC, seemed decidedly to be a case of they do protest too much.

In any event, Marcus presence, as an ASIO informant, in the tiny extremist Islamist milieu in which the Akrams circulated, testifies to the extent to which that milieu is not only surveilled by the intelligence agencies, but at times even directed or controlled by them. Marcus, originally from the Middle East, claims to have led prayer groups and other activities within the network while he was working with ASIO.

Wissam Haddad, who Marcus and others allege is at the head of the extremist network, has had antagonistic relations with much of the Islamic community for years. In the wake of the attack, two unnamed Muslim leaders told the Sydney Morning Herald that they had previously expressed their frustration to the police that Haddad had not been prosecuted for any serious crimes. They claimed that a senior police official responded that he was a honey pot, i.e., someone who wittingly or unwittingly served as a point of attraction for other extremists who could then be monitored by the authorities.

The ABC reported that according to its sources, in 2020, ASIO shared information about Naveed Akram with the Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police and other agencies. In the same year New South Wales Police interviewed the teenager and added him to an intelligence database, the Known Entity Management System (KEMS), which tracks people who could go on to become terrorists. Akram was supposedly removed from the KEMS sometime before the Bondi attack, but there is no public indication of when that occurred.

It was the very same year, 2020, that Sajid Akram applied for a firearms license. The granting of that license, by the NSW authorities, dragged on for three years, a circumstance that officials have ascribed to logjams.

In comments to the Australian in December, independent NSW MP Phil Donato, a former police prosecutor and licensed firearms holder, said, Ive never in my experience heard of someone waiting three years for an approval to be granted by the firearms registry. It begs the questionwhat was the reason for the delay? I dont accept it was a backlog of applications or being understaffed at the registry.

It should also be noted that the NSW Police have far-reaching powers to deny a gun license. According to the latest figures, reported by the Guardian last year, there are 8,717 people in the state who are subject to a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO). That draconian power enables state authorities not only to ban an individual from purchasing guns, but also to conduct warrantless searches at any time to ensure they are not in possession of a firearm.

Given their background, the Akrams, by logic, would have been more likely to land on the FPO list than the registered gun owners list.

In September 2023, upon receiving the license and completing a 28-day cooling off period, Sajid Akram immediately purchased three shotguns. According to experts, the simultaneous purchase of identical weapons should have automatically triggered a review by the NSW gun authorities, but for reasons that have also not been explained, that did not occur.

But nothing has been explained. To the extent that there is any official explanation for the ease with which the Akrams assembled their arsenal and carried out their attack, it is put down to failures to connect the dots, the fact that they supposedly went off the radar and other vague and unconvincing assertions.

One explanation, that had at least the semblance of a ring of truth to it, was provided by an unnamed intelligence source to the Australian Financial Review (AFR) last December. The AFR characterized the source as saying, When the risk of antisemitic attacks increased after the October 7 massacre in Israel, the former official said that ASIO likely focused on individuals linked with pro-Palestinian organisations rather than Islamic State, which had lost control of its Middle East territory by 2019.

Stripped of the biased framing, fraudulently associating opponents of the Israeli genocide in Gaza with antisemitism, that is a suggestion that ASIO was focussing on spying on and disrupting anti-war activists, rather than monitoring Islamic State supporters.

There is also the question of the relationship between western intelligence agencies and Islamic State itself. The organisation was spawned by a US-led intervention into Syria beginning in 2011, when the CIA funnelled billions in cash and weaponry to Islamist militias fighting the Iranian- and Russian-linked government of Bashar Al-Assad. The US was in a de facto alliance with the group that would become the Islamic State, only beginning operations against it when it crossed back into Iraq, threatening Washingtons control over oil resources.

The current Syrian regime is the end product of the regime-change operation. Its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, an Al Qaeda terrorist who previously had a US bounty on his head, has been feted in Washington and has moved to normalise ties with Israel.

That is a reminder that in foreign policy, reactionary Islamist forces have frequently been used as the direct or de facto instruments of US imperialism and its allies. Domestically, their activities, often conducted under the eye of the intelligence agencies, have been invoked to crackdown on democratic rights and to legitimise further militarism.
A section of the hundreds of students who walked out of class, joined by community members, to protest ICE occupation of Minneapolis and demand justice for Renee Good, January 14, 2026.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) denounces the growing persecution of high school students who are walking out to oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the Trump administrations nationwide immigration crackdown.

Across the United States, students are being threatened, suspended, arrested and violently attacked for exercising basic democratic rights. In Prince William County, Virginia, school officials suspended 323 students at Woodbridge Senior High School for leaving campus during a protest.

In Quakertown, Pennsylvania, police violently assaulted students during a peaceful anti-ICE walkout last week, with video showing the police chief grabbing students and placing one in a chokehold, and multiple students arrested.

These reprisals are part of a broader campaign to intimidate youth, criminalize political opposition and normalize police-state methods. The same repression is being extended nationwide: students have walked out in more than three dozen states in recent weeks, and officialsfrom school administrators to state governmentshave responded with threats and punishment aimed at shutting the movement down.

A powerful movement of students and youth is erupting across the United States in response to the brutalization and murder of immigrants by ICE, and the broader drive by the Trump administration to impose a presidential dictatorship.

Since the start of the year, students at dozens of schools across the countryfrom Tucson to Detroit to Los Angeleshave walked out in protest against ICE terror and dictatorship, part of a growing national movement of high school and middle school students, including thousands across California, Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida and Illinois. Actions have taken place at more than 50 schools in recent weeks, often under the slogans ICE Out or No One Is Illegal.

In Michigan alone, students have walked out in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Ypsilanti, Detroit and Royal Oak. Coordinated demonstrations have also occurred in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Kansas City and Austin.

The courage of student protesters expresses the awakening of an entire generation and marks a new stage in the political radicalization of youth.

These walkouts take place in the context of a nationwide ICE rampage, including the murder of Minneapolis mother Renee Nicole Good and CBP murder of Alex Pretti. These murders are part of a strategy by the Trump administration to normalize state violence, divide the working class and lay the foundations for dictatorship. The Trump government is directly waging war on the Constitution, democracy and the working class on behalf of the oligarchy.

The Trump regimes escalation of ICE terror and its mobilization as a domestic paramilitary force is an integral pillar of the plots to rig and steal the 2026 midterm elections. ICE is being readied to intimidate voters and even physically seize ballots and voter records in urban centers.

Students walking out of schools and entering political life are faced with concrete questions of perspective and orientation. One critical question is the attitude which the student walkout movement must take toward the Democratic Party.

The Democratic Party is not opposed to the agenda of the Trump regime. The differences are merely tactical. Beyond complicity and silence on attacks, the Democratic Party has actively enabled, protected and collaborated with the Trump government.

The Democrats agree with large portions of Trumps economic policies and have systematically enabled Trumps attack on the working class because they represent only a different faction of the ruling class. In response to the ICE terror raids in Minneapolis, the Democratic Party supported increasing their funding, in exchange for toothless de-escalation training, and have promoted the fiction of a drawdown or withdrawal of ICE from Minnesota as a supposed victory.

The role of the Democratic Partys so-called left, represented by figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and most recently Zohran Mamdani, is no less hostile to an independent movement of the working class. Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders, as members of the House and Senate, have voted for strikebreaking measures and for massive military funding, including government budgets that finance ICE. They promote the mildest reforms to attract support from workers and youth, only to channel opposition back into the Democratic Party and keep it within safe limits. Such gestures cannot stop an administration waging war on democratic rights.

Since taking office, New York City Mayor Mamdani has rapidly shed his election rhetoric and become a pliant manager of the affairs of the capitalist state. Mamdanis declared partnership with Trump exposes him as posing no challenge to the interests and operations of the ruling oligarchy.

Students and youth must turn to the working class!

The mass demonstrations of the recent period against police violence, against gun violence, against the genocide of Gaza, against ICE repression and against imperialist war, reflect the broad and deep opposition to these policies. The experiences of recent years are leading youth to far-reaching conclusions, including a break from the bankrupt political perspective of seeking to pressure the ruling class.

Student walkouts, campus occupations, and protests have moral force and the potential to spark a broader mass movement. Their action must be oriented to the social force that has the power to concretely change the course of objective developments.

A sustained, coordinated work stoppage threatens the ruling classs ability to wage war abroad and at home. Workers in manufacturing can interrupt weapons production directly to halt military escalation. Transport workers can paralyze the physical movement of troops, fuel and weapons. Disruptions in the energy sector increase operational costs.

Workers can strike to prevent conversion of peacetime factories into war industries. Workers in social services and education can strike against cuts used to finance the military and ICE, and teachers can organize mass education campaigns and school strikes that link questions of war, austerity, ICE raids and other attacks on the population, to their fundamental source: the capitalist system.

The international working class is the most powerful force in world history. Youth and students must direct their opposition and energy to winning the working class to the perspective and program of socialism. The open break from any pretenses of legality by the Trump administration in its attack on the working class is producing a deep and growing radicalization of mass consciousness. The time for bandages and half-measures has long passed.

The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) proposes the following steps to expand the student walkout movement and turn it to the working class:

Build rankandfile committees on every campus, and hold mass, democratic meetings to elect student delegates to coordinate with local workers. Demand that faculty and campus staff refuse to cooperate with ICE or university administrations aiding repression. Politically link the walkout to working class struggles. Students must reach out to teachers, graduate student workers, healthcare and other workers who are already in struggle and propose coordinated joint student-worker protest and strike preparations. Students walking out should send delegations to factories, logistics hubs and other major workplaces, and pickets to reach workers. Utilize the student walkouts as the starting point of a broader struggle. A single day will not defeat a regime prepared to use the military and police violence against the population. The walkout should adopt resolutions calling for openended strike action, the defense of immigrant communities, the withdrawal of paramilitary agencies, to demands for jobs, wages and social services.

The struggles of students and workers must be linked and coordinated internationally. The international perspective and concrete links between workers of all countries are able to counter the propaganda that normalizes division, repression and imperialist war. Above all such internationalism contributes to the necessary political clarity that the epoch demands: only socialist revolution can abolish the capitalist system that drives imperialism and dictatorship.

Only the working class, organized independently and internationally, can stop Trump and the oligarchy, remove them from power, and reorganize society. The Democrats will not lead such a struggle. If you are serious about changing the world, join the struggle to construct a revolutionary leadership. We urge students who have participated in the walkouts, and those beginning to enter political life, to share this statement widely and join the IYSSE today.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford sails in formation with the guided missile destroyers USS Winston Churchill, USS Mitscher, USS Mahan, USS Bainbridge and USS Forrest Sherman in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 12, 2024. [Photo: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob Mattingly ]

The State Department ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel and family members from the U.S. Embassy in Beirut on Monday, amid a major buildup of forces in the Middle East and intensifying preparations for war against Iran. Reuters reported that 32 embassy staff and family members flew out of Beirut airport, while an embassy source put the total at 50 people evacuated.

The State Department updated its travel advisory for Lebanon on Monday, warning US citizens not to travel to the country and imposing travel restrictions on remaining personnel with little to no notice.

The pullout follows a pattern established before Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, when the US reduced its presence at embassies in Baghdad, Kuwait and Bahrain in the days before B-2 bombers struck Irans nuclear facilities on June 22.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the worlds largest warship, arrived at Souda Bay on the island of Crete on Monday after transiting the Mediterranean and is expected off the coast of Israel within days. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is operating in the Arabian Sea. Scores of fighter jets, bombers, refueling aircraft and antimissile batteries have poured into the region. More than 40,000 US personnel are stationed across military bases and naval assets in the Middle East.

The New York Times reported Sunday that this is the largest military force [the US] has concentrated in the region since it prepared for the invasion of Iraq, nearly 23 years ago. The Washington Post wrote Monday that a senior Persian Gulf official told the paper that Arab countries have informed Washington they would not allow their bases to be used for a strike against Iran, and that Irans threat to retaliate against any country that supports the US operation has raised questions about Washingtons ability to secure overflight rights.

Talks between the US and Iran are scheduled for Thursday, February 26, in Geneva. But the record of US diplomacy with Iran refutes any belief that Washington is seeking a negotiated settlement.

In April 2025, the White House gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum while five rounds of indirect talks were held. On June 8, 2025, while talks were still ongoing, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff sat in a war planning session at Camp David alongside CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior military officials. Axios reported on June 10 that Ratcliffe briefed Trump that Israel was on the verge of launching strikes and already had operatives inside Iran. CNN reported on June 22 that Trumps advisers had drawn up options for the US to join Israels campaign in the months beforehand.

Five days after the Camp David session, on June 13precisely one day after the ultimatum expiredIsrael launched Operation Rising Lion. On June 22, the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer, striking three nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Irans foreign minister told the United Nations: We were attacked in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic process.

The same fraud was carried out against Venezuela, where Maduro sought to negotiate as late as January 2, 2026, the day before the invasion. Trump said afterward on Fox News: I didnt want to negotiate.

The reported debates within the administration point to the massive stakes and consequences of the threatened war. An attack on Iran would involve a vastly greater scale of retaliation than Venezuela, potentially involving significant numbers of US casualties. Iran possesses over a thousand ballistic missiles, advanced drones, cruise missiles and a network of proxy forces. It has threatened to strike US bases across the region if it is attacked.

The Washington Post reported Monday that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine cautioned Trump and senior officials at a White House meeting on Tuesday, February 17, that shortfalls in critical munitions and a lack of support from allies will add significant risk to the operation and to U.S. personnel.

According to the Post, Caine warned that the US munitions stockpile has been significantly depleted by Washingtons defense of Israel and support for Ukraine. Two munitions critical to protecting US troops from Iranian ballistic missilesTHAAD interceptors and Patriot missile systemshave been extensively consumed in recent operations, and the US produces only several hundred of each per year.

The Times reported Sunday that during the Venezuela planning, General Caine told Trump there was a high likelihood of success. But Caine has not been able to deliver the same reassurances to Mr. Trump during the Iran discussions, in large measure because it is a far more difficult target.

Trump responded on Truth Social on Sunday by calling the reports 100 percent incorrect, claiming that Caine believes an attack on Iran would be something easily won. The people who spoke to the Post directly contradicted Trumps optimistic characterization.

RANE (formerly Stratfor) assessed in a February 19 analysis that a wider, longer-lasting campaign is more plausible this time around unless a nuclear deal is reached. In an earlier January assessment, RANE concluded that the risk of a U.S. attack on Iran will remain high in the coming days and weeks, while a February analysis found that U.S.-Iran negotiations remain likely to stall or collapse over irreconcilable demands, sustaining the risk of U.S. (and likely Israeli) military action.

The Atlantic Council published a detailed analysis on Sunday predicting that a campaign targeting regime change could extend for weeks or months, require much more munitions and expose U.S. forces to more intense retaliation.

The scale of a potential campaign is staggering. The Washington Post reported that taking out Irans missile program alone would require hitting hundreds of targets across a country more than three times the size of Iraq, including mobile launchers, supply depots, air defense systems, and transportation networks. If the objective is regime change, the target set would expand dramatically to thousands of sites, including command-and-control nodes, security services, and key buildings tied to Khamenei.

Iran has placed its armed forces on the highest state of alert and is positioning ballistic missile launchers along its western border with Iraq and along the Persian Gulf, within range of US military bases.

Ayatollah Khamenei told an audience last week: The most powerful military in the world might receive such a slap that it wont be able to get on its feet. He has named four layers of succession for each military and government role, named three potential successors to himself, and delegated authority to a tight circle of confidants in the event he is killed.

The Democratic Party has offered no opposition to the preparations for war. None of its leading figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, has issued any statement condemning the threatened attack.

Far from opposing the war, prominent Democrats have actively endorsed it. Senator Fetterman went on Newsmax to pledge his support for bombing Iran. Representative Gottheimer opposed a bipartisan resolution by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna that would have required congressional authorization for military action against Iran.

The Democrats funded every weapon now being assembled for the attack, with 115 House Democrats voting for the $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act in December and 149 voting for $839 billion in defense appropriations in January.
Qabil Ashirov



Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry has extended its congratulations to Estonia on the occasion of its National Day.

AzerNEWS reports that the message was shared via the ministrys official account on the social media platform X.

In the statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry conveyed its warm wishes to the government and people of the Estonia.

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Estonia, we extend our congratulations to the Government and people of Estonia.

Happy National Day, Estonia! the post read.

The message reflects the ongoing diplomatic goodwill between the two countries, underscoring Azerbaijans commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with European partners.
Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St.

BYD (SEHK:1211) is reported to be in final bidding to acquire a Nissan and Mercedes Benz manufacturing plant in Mexico, which would give it ready made production capacity in North America.

In Indonesia, BYD has launched dedicated electric vehicle insurance for its owners, aimed at addressing EV specific risks and support needs.

BYD, a major Chinese EV and battery producer, has been expanding its footprint across multiple regions as global automakers and governments focus more on electrification. A Mexican manufacturing base could align with this broader industry shift toward regional production hubs, especially as supply chains and trade patterns continue to evolve. For investors watching global EV competition, both manufacturing reach and local customer support are becoming central themes.

The move into a Mexican plant, if completed, could shorten delivery timelines for buyers in Mexico and Latin America and reduce reliance on distant export routes. At the same time, tailored EV insurance in Indonesia signals that BYD is not only selling cars but also building supporting services around them, which may influence how sticky its customer relationships become in newer markets.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for BYD by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on BYD.

SEHK:1211 Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Feb 2026

 Beyond the headline: 1 risk and 3 things going right for BYD that every investor should see.

Quick Assessment

 Price vs Analyst Target : At HK$99.35 versus a HK$126.02 analyst target, the price is about 21% below consensus.

 Simply Wall St Valuation : BYD is flagged as undervalued, trading around 22.5% below estimated fair value.

 Recent Momentum: The 30 day return is roughly flat at a 0.25% decline.

There is only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold BYD. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of BYD's Fair Value.

Key Considerations

 The potential Mexican plant could add North American capacity, while Indonesian EV insurance pushes BYD deeper into services around its cars.

 It may be useful to monitor utilization of any new Mexican capacity, EV sales in newer markets, and whether the current P/E of 20.8x moves closer to the sector average of 13.5x.

 One flagged major risk is a high level of non cash earnings, so you may want to check how much of reported profit converts into cash flow.

Dig Deeper

For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete BYD analysis. Alternatively, you can visit the community page for BYD to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative.
CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE) is one of the best stocks for beginners with little money in 2026. On February 12, CAE released its FQ3 2026 earnings report, with total revenue reaching $1.25 billion, which was a 2% increase year-over-year. The standout performer was the Defense segment, which saw a 14% revenue jump and a 38% increase in adjusted operating income, driven by superior program execution and strategic partnerships with entities like Saab and the Australian Defense Force.

In contrast, the Civil segment faced significant headwinds, with revenue declining 5% to $717.2 million. This downturn was primarily due to lower simulator sales and a drop in training center utilization, which fell from 76% to 71%. In response, the CEO announced a transformation plan to rationalize the commercial simulator network, which involves retiring 25 underperforming simulators over the next 12 to 24 months.

lukas-souza-5KRFOTnpnnY-unsplash

While this move resulted in $7.3 million worth of transformation-related expenses this quarter, management expects it to eventually boost utilization by 400 basis points and better align the network with current market demand. Looking ahead, CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE) is refocusing its portfolio by identifying non-core assets, representing roughly 8% of revenue, for potential divestiture.

CAE Inc. (NYSE:CAE), together with its subsidiaries, provides training, simulation, and critical operation solutions in Canada, the US, the UK, Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the rest of the Americas. It operates through two segments: Civil Aviation and Defense & Security.

While we acknowledge the potential of CAE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock .

READ NEXT: 10 Most Profitable Undervalued Stocks to Buy and 11 Best Mining Stocks to Buy According to Wall Street.

Disclosure: None.
The MIT Technology Review reports that data centers already consume 4.4% of all the electricity generated in the U.S. and that artificial intelligence (AI) will require as much electricity as 22% of all American households combined by 2028.

To solve that power crunch on the horizon, the United States has been focusing on nuclear power. The Department of Energy has set a goal to triple American nuclear energy production by the middle of the century.

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And all those nuclear reactors both operating and planned run on uranium. Over the past year, as the prices of just about every other energy resource have declined, uranium's spot price has climbed 38%.

However, unlike coal, uranium isn't ready to use when you pull it out of the ground. It needs to be refined by a company like Centrus Energy (NYSE: LEU).

Image source: Getty Images.

Enriching uranium, enriching investors

Centrus' ticker symbol, LEU, represents what it does, it enriches yellow cake uranium (with two of its biggest partners being in France and Russia) that has been converted into UF6 gas to increase the concentration of U-235 (the isotope of uranium used in nuclear fuel) which is needed for light enriched uranium (LEU). LEU is the most basic ingredient in the fuel pellets that go into the fuel rods a nuclear reactor uses.

The company enriches uranium through its CTS segment and is the only Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed producer of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), which is a form of LEU meant to allow reactors to get smaller.

Centrus has two plants in addition to its corporate headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. The Oak Ridge, Tennessee, facility is where it manufactures its AC100M centrifuge machines for uranium enrichment. Those centrifuges are then used at Centrus' Piketon, Ohio, plant to enrisch LEU and HALEU.

And in order to meet the increasing demand for uranium, Centrus is investing in both of those facilities. In January 2026 it announced a $560 million investment into the Oak Ridge centrifuge plant and then in early February it announced a multibillion-dollar expansion of its Ohio facility, for which it has partnered with Fluor.

Through its LEU business segment, Centrus provides enrichment element of LEU for companies that operate commercial nuclear reactors. It has a long-term deal with France's state-run nuclear fuel company Orano. And it has a contract with Russian nuclear fuel company TENEX which expires next year.
Addison Raes dad Monty Lopez agreed to submit to a DNA test to determine if he is the father of the pop stars little brother, TMZ has learned.

A Louisiana judge signed off on the parties' agreement to have Monty complete the testing within days of the order. Addisons mom and Montys ex, Sheri Easterling, has to front the money for the test costs until the outcome is determined.

Getty

As TMZ first reported, Sheri filed a petition for sole custody and support for Lucas, born in 2013, late last year. Sherri shares three children with Monty: Addison, Enzo, and a minor child.

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Sheri also filed a petition asking for a DNA test to be done. Monty agreed, and the court has now instructed them to move forward with it.

In court docs, Sheri also suggested Monty have supervised visits. Sheri and Monty wed in 2002 and got divorced years later. They eventually reconciled and re-wed in 2018, but broke up again in 2022.

Addison Rae Hot Shots - Click image to open gallery

In her petition, Sheri claimed Monty had been verbally abusive in the past, saying he degraded her during their marriage and called her worthless trash and a stupid fucking b*tch. The paperwork also alleged that Monty slapped Addison when she was a kid in 2008.

She claimed Monty had issues with alcohol and had been arrested for driving under the influence multiple times. Sheri also used Montys 2025 arrest for felony obscenity for allegedly exposing himself as evidence why she should have sole custody.

TMZ

As TMZ first reported, Monty was arrested on July 27, 2025, over an incident that happened on August 31, 2024.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriffs Office in Louisiana accused him of "exposing his genitals, pubic hair, in a public place or place open to public view, or in any prison or jail, with the intent of arousing sexual desire or which appealed to the prurient interest or was patently offensive."
NEED TO KNOW

The girlfriend of ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths is speaking out after his death

Jom Thipanongsri remembered Griffiths as "a kind, cheerful person who always made me smile," she told The Sun

Griffiths was found dead after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium in Pattaya, Thailand, on Feb. 9

Quentin Griffiths' girlfriend is speaking out after his death.

Jom Thipanongsri, who was dating the ASOS co-founder at the time of his death on Feb. 9, spoke to The Sun in a report published Feb. 23 and expressed her sadness and disbelief. Griffiths, 58, was found dead after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium in Pattaya, Thailand, in what authorities are treating as a suspected suicide, per the outlet.

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Thipanongsri, a 26-year-old beautician, said Griffiths showed no signs of suicidal tendencies prior to his death, and she wasn't aware of her partner taking any antidepressants or other medications.

No one close to him ever thought he would take his own life," she said, adding. "Im so sad, heartbroken. I was in complete shock when I heard the news, and I have been crying every day since."

Thipanongsri told the outlet she and Griffiths met a few years ago and became romantically involved following Griffiths' split from then-wife Ploy Kringsinthanakun, 43, with whom he shares two children.

At the time of his death, Griffiths had been involved in two ongoing court cases, one of which was a legal dispute with Kringsinthanakun over their shared business, BBC previously reported. Documents relating to both cases were found in Griffiths' apartment.

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Thipanongsri said Griffiths didn't confide in her about the lawsuit with his ex-wife, beyond the custody situation between them. According to Thipanongsri, Griffiths was granted custody while Kringsinthanakun had restricted access to their kids.

"I have met his children. They were cheerful and good people. I feel sorry for them now, and I dont know who will take care of them," Thipanongsri said.

I cant believe he has gone. He was a kind, cheerful person who always made me smile," she said, adding, He was a special person, my hero  I love him so much and miss him every single day.

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.

Griffiths co-founded ASOS in London in 2000 alongside Andrew Regan, Deborah Thorpe and Nick Robertson, the great-grandson of the suit retailer Austin Reed, per BBC. The brand was initially called "As Seen on Screen," because it offered items inspired by those worn by movie and TV stars. The brand has grown in popularity since then, with the company's value reaching an estimated $8 billion at one point, per BBC.

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Before leaving the company in 2005, Griffiths worked as the marketing director for ASOS. Following his departure, Griffiths remained a large shareholder for the brand for almost a decade, Reuters reported.



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NEED TO KNOW

Zachery Ty Bryan was sentenced to 16 months in jail, with no probation, on Monday, Feb. 23

The sentencing follows a plea deal in which he pled guilty to a felony DUI charge that stemmed from a February 2024 arrest

He admitted to an enhancement for having two prior DUI convictions

Zachery Ty Bryan has been sentenced to 16 months in jail following his February 2024 arrest on DUI charges.

The Home Improvement actor, 44, received the sentence on Monday, Feb. 23, which stems from the 2024 incident in which the actor was arrested in La Quinta, Calif., and charged with felony DUI and a misdemeanor for alleged contempt of court.



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According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Bryan was rearraigned on Feb. 23 and struck a plea deal with prosecutors after he pleaded guilty to the DUI charge. He also admitted to an enhancement related to having two prior DUI convictions, per the records.

In addition to 16 months in county jail, Bryan was denied probation. He has 57 days of jail credit, meaning he will serve over 14 months.

PEOPLE reached out to Bryan's California attorney, Jeremy Brehmer, for comment.

Zachery Ty Bryan on June 30, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty

Bryan is also due in court in Lane County, Ore., on March 2 for a probation violation hearing, in connection with a domestic violence conviction from July 2023.

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At the time, he was arrested by the Eugene Police Department following a report of a physical dispute. He was held in Lane County Jail on Assault in the Fourth Degree APA (Abuse Prevention Act), third-degree robbery, and misdemeanor harassment charges.

In October 2023, he pled guilty to "felony assault in the fourth degree constituting domestic violence," Lane County's chief deputy district attorney told PEOPLE at the time, and he was sentenced to seven days in jail.

Then on Nov. 29, 2025, he violated his probation from a prior domestic violence charge in Oregon. Bryan and his fiancee, Johnnie Faye Cartwright were both arrested that day. Cartwright, 32, was later arraigned and pleaded not guilty to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and three counts of reckless driving.

Bryan denied the charges of violating his probation at his Dec. 3 arraignment. He was placed at Lane County Community Corrections without bail and released on Dec. 10, according to online records previously obtained by PEOPLE.

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On Dec. 29, he admitted to three probation violations and his probation officer recommended that he serve the entirety of the 19-to-20-month sentence he originally faced in connection with a 2023 domestic violence conviction, according to KEZI. He now awaits a hearing on March 2.



PEOPLE has reached out to Bryan's Oregon attorney, John Kolego, for comment.



The recent California sentencing and forthcoming Oregon hearing come amid several arrests in the past five years.

In 2020, he was initially charged with felony strangulation, fourth-degree assault and interfering with making a police report after an argument with Cartwright. He pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor domestic violence charges instead. He served seven days in jail and was placed on 36 months of probation.

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He was then arrested for the aforementioned July 2023 domestic violence charges. Then in 2024, he was arrested twice on DUI-related charges, including the February 2024 arrest in La Quinta.

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The second occurred in Oklahoma in October 2024, according to court records obtained by PEOPLE. He was arrested on one count of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence and one count of driving with a license cancelled/suspended/revoked.



Less than a year later, in January 2025, he was arrested in South Carolina on second-degree domestic violence charges. He allegedly choked Cartwright and punched her in the face," according to a police report.

Read the original article on People
Zachery Ty Bryan was sentenced to 16 months for a 2024 DUI arrest  his sixth arrest in just five years  after a California judge denied probation as part of a plea deal, according to court records.

The Home Improvement and Tokyo Drift actor pleaded guilty at an arraignment hearing in Riverside County, where he acknowledged his prior DUI convictions and an enhancement for driving above a 0.15% blood-alcohol level, TheWrap learned Tuesday.

Bryan was credited with 57 days of time served and sentenced to 16 months in county jail. His request for probation was denied.

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Bryan, a former child actor best known for his role on the ABC sitcom starring Tim Allen, was arrested in Oregon last November. The arrest violated his existing probation, and he was briefly held in Eugene without bail before being released.

Bryan had been serving probation from a prior domestic assault conviction. His fiancee, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was also arrested during the November incident and booked on five charges, including driving under the influence, reckless endangerment and attempted assault.

Bryan was also arrested in January 2025 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on a charge of second-degree domestic violence. In that case, Cartwright, who shares three children with Bryan, told police that he had choked and punched her.

Bryans sentence came from one of two DUI charges from 2024  once in February and again in October. In 2023, he was charged with misdemeanor harassment, third-degree robbery and fourth-degree felony assault.

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In 2020, Bryan was arrested in Oregon for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend at their home.

Bryan rose to fame in the 1990s playing Brad Taylor on Home Improvement. His film credits include True Heart and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. He also appeared in the Netflix series The Guardians of Justice, which debuted in 2022.

The post Home Improvement and Tokyo Drift Star Zachery Ty Bryan Sentenced to 16 Months in DUI Plea Deal appeared first on TheWrap.
Things have officially gone from bad to worse at Kenya Moores hair spa. Real Housewives of Atlanta fans watched her open the business in Season 16, only for it to be overshadowed by a notorious series of poster boards that may or may not have featured nude images of Brit Eady.

After that disaster, Kenyas landlord wound up suing her. He accused her of owing $44k in rent, dating back to December 2024, with the amount climbing each day. Kenyas lawyers tried to dispute the claim, but unfortunately, things didnt go in her favor.

Kenya Moore owes a five-figure sum to her Hair Spa landlord

Photo Credit Nicole Weingart/Bravo

After facing accusations of failing to pay rent on the hair spa, Kenya clapped back with accusations of her own. She said that the landlord reneged on a plan to make renovations to the space. Kenya argued that she had to use her own money to transform the space into what we saw on TV.

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In the court docs, she said renovations were necessary to make it usable and to be occupied for its intended use. The landlord was supposed to reimburse her, which never happened. However, the landlord said she was still on the hook for rent.

According to court documents reviewed by TMZ, a Georgia judge sided with the landlord. Her company, Moore Vision Media, has to pay $43,988 by the end of this month, along with another $43,988.67 by late March. That brings the total amount owed to $87,976. Can you imagine how many blowouts they would need to do at the hair spa to cover that?

Additionally, the judge said that Kenya needed to resume paying her monthly rent. Thats around $5,500 a month. If she doesnt pay, shell need to vacate the premises.

Allegedly, things are already off to a shaky start following the court order. The landlord said she missed the February deadline for the first payment. As a result, they have asked the court to evict her from the property, but a decision hasnt been made just yet.

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The Real Housewives of Atlanta returns to Bravo on Sunday, April 5, at 8/7c. You can always stream it on Peacock.

TELL US  ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THE LATEST UPDATES ON KENYA MOORE HAIR SPA? DO YOU THINK THE BUSINESS WILL CLOSE ITS DOORS?

The post Kenya Moore Hair Spa Must Pay Huge Sum to Landlord, Judge Rules appeared first on Reality Tea.
The BAFTAs, the BBC and John Davidson have spoken out amid backlash after Tourette's advocate Davidson hurled a racial slur in an outburst while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented onstage.

The broadcaster aired the slur after Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome and was in attendance as part of the BAFTA-nominated film "I Swear," shouted out while the "Sinners" stars, who are both Black, presented the award for best visual effects at the awards ceremony, the United Kingdom equivalent of the Oscars, on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The moment was not edited out of the broadcast, which aired on a two-hour delay, and remained on the BBC's streaming service through the morning after. The BBC identified Davidson, the subject whose story is told in "I Swear," as the guest and has since apologized for the move, saying that a shout was audible, but the word would have been difficult to make out.

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"The BBC has apologised for not editing out a racial slur from its Bafta Film Awards coverage after a guest with Tourette's syndrome shouted out when two black actors were on stage," the outlet wrote.

The British broadcaster added in a statement: "Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the Bafta Film Awards. This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional."

Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo presented the award for best visual effects at the BAFTAs on Feb. 22 and experienced an outburst of a racial slur from John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome and was in attendance as part of the BAFTA-nominated film "I Swear."

Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to the Tourette Association of America. The majority of people with Tourette syndrome do not have Coprolalia, with a prevalence of 10-33% of people, according to the National Library of Medicine.

USA TODAY has reached out to Jordan and Lindo's reps for comment.

Delroy Lindo reacts to BAFTAs racial slur incident

Lindo told Vanity Fair at a Warner Brothers post-ceremony afterparty that he and Jordan "did what we had to do" by continuing to present, but that he also wished "someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards."

Delroy Lindo attends the BAFTA Film Awards nominees' party at The National Gallery, in London, Feb. 21, 2026.

Multiple times during the award show, Alan Cumming briefly paused to address Davidson's expletives and racial slurs. "You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette's syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience," Cumming said, per Variety. "Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone."

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According to Variety and Deadline, several outbursts were heard in the room, including "boring" and "shut the [expletive] up" when BAFTA chair Sara Putt gave an introductory speech during the awards show ceremony, and another expletive was shouted when directors of "Boong" accepted the award for best children's and family film.

Alan Cumming addresses tic outburst from John Davidson during BAFTA awards

'Deeply mortified' John Davidson left his seat after becoming 'aware of the distress my tics were causing'

Davidson spoke out in a statement shared by Variety Monday, Feb. 23, and said he felt "mortified."

John Davidson and Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson in "I Sweat," attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards Nominees' Party at the National Portrait Gallery on Feb. 21, 2026, in London.

"I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs," Davidson said. "I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.

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"In addition to the announcement by Alan Cumming, the BBC and BAFTA, I can only add that I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning," he continued.

"I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so. I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing."

She was filmed in a store while ticking. Now, 'Baylen Out Loud' is telling her own story.

BAFTA apologizes for 'very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain'

In a lengthy statement published by The Hollywood Reporter, the award show's leadership offered an apology for "putting our guests in a very difficult situation" and explained the events of the evening.

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"At the BAFTA Film Awards last night, our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all," the statement began.

Oscar hopefuls including Emma Stone ("Bugonia") are stepping out on the red carpet at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22, where "Sinners" and "Once Battle After Another" are vying for best film honors. Emma Stone Timothee Chalamet Leonardo DiCaprio Michael B. Jordan Kate Hudson Teyana Taylor Jessie Buckley Benicio Del Toro Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst Hannah Waddingham Cillian Murphy Carey Mulligan Kathryn Hahn Alicia Vikander Maggie Gyllenhaal See Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet walk 2026 BAFTAs red carpet 1 of 17 Oscar hopefuls including Emma Stone ("Bugonia") are stepping out on the red carpet at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, Feb. 22, where "Sinners" and "Once Battle After Another" are vying for best film honors.

The film organization then explained Davidson has "devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding" of Tourette's and "such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual's beliefs and are not intentional."

The BAFTAs' "duty of care to all our guests" starts "from a position of inclusion," which entailed disclaimers about Davidson's tics  which could involved "strong language, involuntary noises or movements"  before and during the ceremony, according to the statement.

"Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room," the organization said, apologizing "unreservedly" to Jordan and Lindo, as well as "to all those impacted." They also thanked the actors "for their incredible dignity and professionalism."

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After the incident, "John chose to leave the auditorium and watch the rest of the ceremony from a screen, and we would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him," BAFTA said.

The statement concluded, "We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."

Reactions to racial slur outburst at BAFTAs highlight 'impossible,' 'volatile' situation

Several stars reacted to the moment on social media, sharing anger over what they feel are misdirected apologies.

Commenting under The Neighborhood Talk's Feb. 22 Instagram post, Jamie Foxx wrote, "Nah he meant that" and "unacceptable."

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"Asking for more grace for the person who shouted a racist slur instead of for Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, who had to push through being embarrassed in front of their peers," journalist Jemele Hill said on X. "But that's often the expectation  that Black people are just supposed to be ok with being disrespected and dehumanized so that other people don't feel bad."

Actor Wendell Pierce responded to Hill's post, writing, "It's infuriating that the first reaction wasn't complete and full throatted [sic] apologies to Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. The insult to them takes priority. It doesn't matter the reasoning for the racist slur."

Michael B. Jordan poses on the red carpet during the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in the Southbank Centre, London, Feb. 22, 2026.

Hannah Beachler, a production designer for "Sinners," said one of Davidson's outbursts was aimed at her. She called it an "impossible situation."

"I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended,' at the end of the show," she wrote on X early Monday. "Of course we were offended ... but our frequency, our spiritual vibration is tuned to a higher level than what happened. I am not steal [sic], this did not bounce off of me, but I exist above it."

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Meanwhile, Variety awards editor Clayton Davis wrote that "the primary failure here rests with BAFTA and the BBC."

"They still allowed the slur to air, unfiltered, and then let the moment circulate as a clip  stripped of context and primed for outrage," he continued. "That decision poured gasoline on an already volatile situation."

Davis also notes the BBC managed to edit out filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. saying "Free Palestine."

Contributing: Pamela Avila and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Davidson apologizes for Michael B Jordan, Delroy Lindo BAFTA slur
Rodeo star Kelsie Domers 3-year-old daughter, Oaklynn Rae, died earlier this month after an accident allegedly involving a horse.

Oaklynn died on Thursday, February 19, after a freak wreck involving one of their horses, according to Rodeo Life, which claimed the animal fell onto Kelsie and Oaklynn at their ranch in Texas and the toddler didnt survive.

Fox San Antonio's Ryan Wolf reported that Domer was allegedly leading two horses while holding Oaklynn when one of the horses suffered a sudden medical emergency, collapsed and fell onto them. The journalist added, Despite life-saving efforts, Oaklynn did not survive and her moms condition remains private.

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Kelsie and her husband, Ryan Domer, have not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding Oaklynns death, but their daughters obituary shed light on the positive mark she left on everyone who knew her.

Influencer Emilie Kisers 3-Year-Old Son Dies After Discovered Unconscious in Pool

Oaklynn was born in August 2022 in Grandbury, Texas, the same birthday as her great-grandma, which the family said made them feel like they had the angels blessing.

She was taken from us too soon  soaring to heaven on February 19, 2026, the obituary read.

The tribute to Oaklynn noted that she packed a lot in her short time with us, including traveling the rodeo circuit all over the U.S., hitting the practice pen with mom and dad, and loving her family with all her heart. (Kelsie is a 10-time Womens Professional Rodeo Association world champion breakaway roper while her husband, Ryan, qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo.)

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Oaklynn loved frogs, horses, everybodys puppies, going to yodeos, and hanging out with all her friends, per the obituary. She did not know a stranger and lit up the room the minute she made her grand entrance.

Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Robert Carradine, Kara Braxton, Rondale Moore and More Stars We Lost This Year

The 3-year-old is survived by her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.

According to the bulletin, there will be two funeral services for Oaklynn on Thursday, February 26, in Dublin, Texas, followed by graveside services on Friday, February 27, in Cherokee, Oklahoma.

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The family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Rope Like A Girl to help others with family expenses and scholarships in Oaklynns memory for rodeo athletes at Southwestern Oklahoma State University or Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

Courtesy of Kelsie Domer/Instagram

While Oaklynns family mourns their loss privately, the rodeo community has publicly shown support for them.

In honor of Oaklynn Rae Domer, the breakaway ropers filled the arena with pink tonight as a heartfelt tribute to her memory. , Cowboy Channel wrote via Instagram on Friday, February 20, sharing glimpses at the riders tribute at the San Antonio Rodeo, which also included a moment of silence for Oaklynn.

Professional roper Hope Thompson shared a video montage via Instagram on Friday in honor of the late little girl.

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Katelynn Ordone Honors 2-Year-Old Son Preston Okay Baby 1 Day Before 1st Mothers Day Without Him

Oaklynn Rae Domer, Baby Oakie, Oakie  the brightest light and the biggest love. In just three short years, you filled a lifetime with joy, laughter, and a kind of warmth that can never fade. You taught us how to live fully, love deeply, and find beauty in the simplest moments, she wrote. You didnt meet a stranger and I admired that about you. Selfishly, I feel your time here was far too brief, but you were too perfect for this broken world.

Thompson continued, Your spirit shines on in every memory and every heart you touched. You will always be missed, forever cherished, and never forgotten. Thank you Jesus, for giving us the divine gift of peace knowing we will see Oakie again one day. Whats left of my time on earth I pray I can LIVE as BIG and LOVE as PURE as you did sweet girl. Fly high precious Angel  .

She concluded: Thank you  Kelsie Domer and Ryan Domer for sharing your baby girl with us. Prayers to the Domer and Chace families and everyone who loved Oakie .
Sarah Fergie Ferguson may have reason to worry after her ex-husband, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was arrested last week on his 66th birthday.

The former Duchess of York, 66  who was named multiple times in the Department of Justices January 30 drop of files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein  could be the next person in her family approached by law enforcement.

After the mother of two was forced to vacate Royal Lodge, its been said shes been spotted in the United Arab Emirates as she weighs her options for the future.

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She will be arrested next if she returns to the U.K., a confidant told journalist Rob Shuter for a Tuesday, February 24, post on his Naughty But Nice Substack, adding that her trip to UAE is for survival and not holiday.

Police sources said that its only a matter of time before the law intervenes, adding: Its inevitable.

Theres a deep fear that if she comes back to the U.K., she could be swept up in Andrews legal chaos  even locked up herself, another insider said. The fear feels and reality is real to her.

For now, a source said Fergie is being looked after financially and emotionally, but she is terrified.

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In emails that emerged as part of the Epstein files, it appears Fergie planned to visit Epstein  who pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute  in Florida the following year.

On July 22, 2009, Epstein was released from a 13-month prison stint but remained under house arrest. Days later, it appears that he exchanged emails with the childrens book author about meeting her for lunch in Miami on July 27.

Fergie even allegedly told Epstein via another email that daughter Princess Eugenie, now 35, was enjoying a shagging weekend in 2010.

Fergie, who previously said via a representative that she was taken in by Epsteins lies, denies any wrongdoing and consistently maintains her innocence with regard to the scandal.

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Though her ex-husband has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained his innocence regarding his ties to the late financier, he was accused of sharing confidential information with Epstein related to his role as a trade envoy.

The Thames Valley Police launched an inquiry into Andrew after it was reported that emails suggest the father of two sent Epstein reports from a tour of Southeast Asia he took in 2010. Andrew was arrested and released on February 19.

Read More From National Enquirer

This story Sarah Fergie Ferguson Will Reportedly Be Arrested Next If She Returns to the U.K. first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
We recently published 10 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer talked about.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is one of the largest oil companies in the world. Its shares are up by a modest 16.8% over the past year and by a stronger 18% year-to-date. Some of the gains in the stock have been due to US actions in Venezuela, which led Cramer to advise caution and recommend oil and gas drilling equipment providers instead. Melius Research discussed Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) on February 17th as it raised the share price target to $205 and upgraded the stock to Buy. Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)s exploration and production expansion played a role in the upgrade as Melius pointed out that the firm had increased its acreage by more than 50% and was interested in new opportunities in Iraq and Libya. Cramer has long praised Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX)s stock and maintained that he prefers it over Exxon. The CNBC TV host reiterated the opinion in this appearance as well:

Copyright: nexusplexus / 123RF Stock Photo

It is such a good company to begin with. Its the only company I would buy here.

While we acknowledge the potential of CVX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now.
After former Prince Andrew was asked to vacate the Royal Lodge and move to a much more modest house in Norfolk, many wondered where his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, would stay since she no longer wants to be associated with her ex amid the controversy. It was earlier reported that the former princess would move near her daughters home. But now, it is being claimed that Ferguson is hiding in the UK with her friends.

Distressed Sarah Fergusons friends still care for her, helping her lay low in UK, says source

After Sarah Ferguson left the Royal Lodge, many have often wondered about her new address. It was earlier reported that either she would live with Princess Eugenie in Portugal or relocate to a granny annexe near Princess Beatrices house. But later it was claimed the former Duchess of York would not stay with her daughters. But would reportedly look for a private residence.

However, as per the Daily Mail, Ferguson seems to be hiding out in the UK with her friends. Notably, secretly getting out abroad would involve planning and money and stealth, and she hasnt got any of those things.

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According to a source, Ferguson is laying low with friends but is in constant tears and very distressed. Moreover, she is not in a good place. She is a very delicate human, said the source, who described her as insecure and naive.

While her whereabouts are still unclear. However, the outlet has earlier reported that she quietly checked into what is described as the worlds most expensive wellness clinic. She was staying at the luxury Paracelsus Recovery Clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, which reportedly charges over $17,000 per day.

Sarah left for Zurich just after Christmas, and stayed until the end of January, a Swiss source told the outlet. Another friend in Switzerland said the former royalty is a regular client. Plus, she has built up a strong relationship with Paracelsus, so it was the obvious place for her to get away from everything.

Originally written by Parul Singh on Mandatory.

The post Sarah Ferguson Laying Low With Friends in UK  Source appeared first on Mandatory.
Chris Hemsworth has revealed why he decided to leave LA and move back to his home country, Australia. The 42-year-old actor described his decision to move away from Hollywoods glamorous life in LA as the greatest decision hes made, after admitting that he did not enjoy his time there.

Chris Hemsworth opens up about leaving LA for Australia

Chris Hemsworth confesses that moving out of LA was the greatest decision he has made. The Avengers star shared that coming home to paparazzi and all the sort of trappings of the city emboldened his decision to relocate his family to a large farm in Australia.

During an episode of SmartLess, Hemsworth shared, It was right around the time my boys were born, and it was just, we kind of were set up in LA and not enjoying it, you know? Like nothing was shooting there. We were filming kind of everywhere else.

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He added, And then  youd come home and paparazzi and all the sort of trappings of, you know, living in that space.

The Thor star and his actress wife, Elsa Pataky, relocated to a sprawling farm in Australia. Hemsworth further explained, You know, when you come back from work, you wanna go on a holiday? Like coming home for me is  it feels like a holiday. We have a big farm, horses, motorbikes and surf.

Hemsworth also spoke to PEOPLE at the world premiere of his new movie Crime 101 in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 10. He revealed what his children think of his illustrious Hollywood career. The star quipped, They dont care. They dont care at all. Hemsworth added that his children were enamored by his role as Thor, but changed their opinion once they realized that he couldnt fly.

The 42-year-old star shared, I reckon when they first realized I was Thor, they thought it was really cool. And then they realized they couldnt fly, and they thought it was less cool.

Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.

The post Why Chris Hemsworth Decided To Leave LA & Move to Australia appeared first on Reality Tea.
Warning: The following post contains discussions of domestic abuse.

One-time Home Improvement star and former teen heartthrob Zachery Ty Bryan, who once graced living rooms across America as Brad Taylor on the hit ABC sitcom, is now facing 16 months of jail time stemming from a 2024 DUI arrest. TMZ first reported the news.

The former actor was rearraigned on Monday morning, February 23, after he pled guilty to driving under the influence and admitted to an enhancement for driving with a BAC of 0.15% or higher  nearly double the legal limit of .08. According to the publication, the judge denied probation and Bryan was sentenced to 16 months in county jail with credit for 57 days served.

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Bryan has faced mounting legal troubles in recent years stemming from numerous allegations of misconduct. In October 2020, following an argument with his partner, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, he was arrested and charged with felony strangulation, fourth-degree assault, and interfering with making a police report, according to the Associated Press. He pled guilty to two domestic violence misdemeanor charges and received seven days in jail and 36 months of probation.

Following the 2020 charges, The Hollywood Reporter detailed allegations that Bryan was involved in a scheme tied to an agriculture technology startup. According to several sources cited in the report, he allegedly took individual investments ranging from $5k to $25k, totaling nearly $50,000, under what was described as fraudulent circumstances.

In 2023, he was arrested and charged with fourth-degree felony assault, third-degree robbery, and misdemeanor harassment. In 2024, Bryan was arrested twice  first in February and then in October  on DUI charges.

In January 2025, he was arrested on charges of second-degree domestic violence in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. According to a Peoples coverage of the police report, he allegedly choked Cartwright and punched her in the face multiple times.

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And on November 29, police arrested the former child actor in Eugene, Oregon, for allegedly violating his probation from a domestic violence conviction, according to jail records, per People.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 18007997233.

Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.
The winners of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards have been overshadowed and overwhelmed by controversy that lasted more than 24 hours after the ceremony concluded.

Both the British Academy Film Awards and the BBC on Monday apologized to Sinners actors and Academy Awards nominees Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo after a racial outburst from a member of the audience was included in both the broadcast and stream despite a two-hour tape delay.

More from Gold Derby

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The fallout continued through Tuesday, with a resignation, an interview, and a BAFTA open letter to its members offering another apology and a vow for a "comprehensive review."

Here's a brief examination of what happened, why it became a flashpoint, and what's next.

This post was originally published on Feb. 23; it has been updated with the latest news.

The moment

Jordan and Lindo were on stage at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday to present the night's first award, for Special Visual Effects, when John Davidson, a Tourette Syndrome advocate and subject of the nominated biopic I Swear, could be heard shouting the N-word. During other outbursts at the ceremony, he yelled, "F--k you," and, "Shut the f--k up."

The initial response

The audience had been made aware that outbursts were possible before the ceremony started, and after some interruptions, host Alan Cumming addressed them, saying, "You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourettes syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone."

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Cumming would speak on the outbursts again, later in the show, adding "Tourettes syndrome is a disability and the tics youve heard tonight are involuntary, which means the person who has Tourettes syndrome has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight."

The blowback

Yet, despite attempts to warn attendees before and address the incidents after, audience members there in person and watching online as the clip made the rounds on social media were left underwhelmed by both the preparation and responses from BAFTA, the BBC  which broadcast the slur  and Cumming for his framing of the apology.

Lindo spoke with Vanity Fair at the Warner Bros. after-party and expressed disappointment that no one from BAFTA spoke to him and Jordan after the outburst, saying that he and his costar "did what we had to do" onstage.

Sinners's Oscar-nominated production designer Hannah Beachler wrote about her experience at the show on social media. "I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words," she posted. "The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show. ... And a third time at a Black woman. I understand and deeply know why this is an impossible situation. I know we must handle this with grace and continue to push through. But what made the situation worse was the throw away apology of 'if you were offended.'"

I keep trying to write about what happened at the BAFTAs, and I can't find the words. The situation is almost impossible, but it happened 3 times that night, and one of the three times was directed at myself on the way to dinner after the show.  HannahBeachler (@HannahEBeachler) February 23, 2026

Davidson reportedly left the ceremony after 25 minutes of his own accord.

The botched broadcast and bungled apology

The BBC One coverage of the BAFTAs didn't air until two hours later, and while producers edited the show for time, Davidson's N-word comment was left in the broadcast.

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According a Deadline report, sources claimed that neither BBC producer nor BAFTA clearly heard Davidsons comment, and were unaware of the N-word slur until they were informed by media reports. (A Gold Derby reporter in the room said that journalists and attendees were well aware of what happened.) While the BBC missed the Davidson comment, its censored did remove a free Palestine statement from an acceptance speech, which the broadcaster attributed to time constraints.

[Update Feb. 24: Warner Bros.  the studio behind Sinners  has indicated that it reacted immediately following the outburst, requesting that it be removed from the time-delayed broadcast. Studio sources claim that BAFTA alerted them their request had been past along, but the outburst was still part of the BBC airing.]

Despite mounting criticism, the segment remained available on demand to stream in the BBC's iPlayer app until Monday morning. The BBC finally took down the entire program, re-edited it, and re-posted it without Davidson's outburt.

"Some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language during the BAFTA Film Awards 2026," said the BBC in a statement. "This arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and was not intentional. We apologize for any offense caused by the language heard."

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Meanwhile, the U.K. charity Tourettes Action tried to shut down criticism of Davidson in a statement. "We deeply understand that these words can cause hurt but at the same time, it is vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome: tics are involuntary," the group wrote.

The offending comments were cut from the U.S. telecast of the ceremony, which aired on E! Sunday night, nearly eight hours after the ceremony ended.

More apologies

By Monday morning, critics had derided the initial round of statements as tone-deaf, especially from the BAFTAs, which have had a sketchy record when it comes to people of color. Eventually, more mea culpas were issued.

"I am and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning," Davidson said in a statement. "I appreciated the announcement to the auditorium in advance of the recording, warning everyone that my tics are involuntary and are not a reflection of my personal beliefs. I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me."

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And the BAFTAs issued a lengthy statement apologizing "unreservedly" to Jordan and Lindo and thanking the actors "for their incredible dignity and professionalism."

"Our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many, the BAFTA statement continued. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologize to all.

"We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologize to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy."

The fallout  and what's next

Early Tuesday, Black filmmaker and BAFTA jury member Jonte Richardson resigned from the emerging talent judging panel over the incident. "I cannot and will not contribute my time energy and expertise to an organisation that has repeatedly failed to safeguard the dignity of its Black guests, members and the Black creative community," the filmmaker wrote in a statement posted to social media.

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"When an organisation like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour," Richardson added.

His announcement was soon followed by BAFTA releasing an open letter of apology to its members. "We recognise this has impacted members in a multitude of ways  we want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all," read the letter, which was signed by BAFTA Chair Sara Putt and CEO Jane Millichip. "We want to assure all our members that a comprehensive review is underway.

"We take full responsibility for putting our guests and members of the academy in a very difficult situation and we will learn from this," the letter stated. "We will keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy  as firmly demonstrated by this years nominated and winning films."

Update  Feb. 25:

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In his first interview since the incident, Davidson told Variety that BAFTA had assured him through I Swear's distributor, Studio Canel, that "any swearing would be edited out of the broadcast." He also recalls being seated near a microphone in the auditorium. "With hindsight I have to question whether this was wise, so close to where I was seated, knowing I would tic," he said.

Update  Feb. 27:

Variety, after earlier reporting from Deadline, has confirmed that BAFTA "raised concerns" with the BBC about the incident making it into the telecast of the ceremony, but no steps were taken on the part of the broadcaster until hours after the awards went online with the slur included.

BAFTA officials also pushed back on Davidson's account of a microphone placed near his seat, saying that the audio equipment he saw wasn't amplifying sound for the broadcast, but served as "an analyzer mic that monitors the loudness in the room for EQ purposes."

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Three-time Grammy Award winner Darius Rucker is bringing his summer tour to Kansas City.

Darius Rucker announced his 20-city Songs of Summer Tour, which will make a stop at Starlight Theatre on July 31.

Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

The show will feature special guests Evan Honer and Austin Williams. The tour will take Rucker to outdoor venues across the country beginning in June.

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For me, its not summer if were not playing music outdoors, Rucker said in a news release.

When I think of the concerts I love attending, its the people, the hits, and the hot summer air theres nothing that compares, so Songs of Summer in a lot of ways is my nod to being in that moment together.

View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com

Tickets for the Kansas City stop go on sale Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m. For more ticket information, click here.

Fans can also purchase a variety of VIP packages, which may include premium tickets, a pre-show meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Rucker, a guided backstage tour and an autographed tour poster.



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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Claim:

In September 1992, musician Eric Clapton invited 16-year-old Sarah Mitchell, who was deaf, onstage at a concert in Birmingham, England, and performed for her.

Rating:

Rating: False

In January and February 2026, social media users widely shared a feel-good story claiming musician Eric Clapton paused a concert to bring a profoundly deaf teenager onstage so she could feel the music's vibrations.

The posts claimed that during a show in Birmingham, England, on Sept. 23, 1992, Clapton stopped midsong and brought a "profoundly deaf" 16-year-old named Sarah Mitchell onto the stage. Clapton supposedly positioned an amplifier behind her chair so she could feel the music's vibrations and then played a song for her as the arena fell silent.

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One Instagram post (archived) sharing the story began:

Twelve thousand people were on their feetcheering, shouting, swaying with the rhythm. And right in the middle of all that noise, a teenage girl sat perfectly still. September 23, 1992. The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. Clapton was midway through his Journeyman tour, riding the high of a sold-out crowd. He'd already torn through "Bad Love," "Pretending," and "Before You Accuse Me." The arena was alive. But in the third row, center section, one person wasn't moving. Her name was Sarah Mitchell. She was sixteen years old. And she was profoundly deafborn that way. She couldn't hear Clapton's guitar. Couldn't hear the screaming fans. Couldn't hear the amplifiers shaking the building.

(Instagram user @secretcypher_club)

Over the weeks, the story spread on numerous social media platforms, including X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. Some posts featured links leading to articles hosted on advertisement-filled websites.

Snopes readers also searched our website for information about whether the claim was true.

However, the story about Clapton amounted to fiction. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo found no credible media outlets reporting about such an event, and several key details in the story conflicted with well-documented information about Clapton's tours and Birmingham performances in 1992.

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The fabricated story resembled glurge, which Dictionary.com defines as "stories, often sent by email, that are supposed to be true and uplifting, but which are often fabricated and sentimental." It was one of hundreds of similarly fake stories about celebrities on Facebook that aim to generate views and advertising revenue via websites linked in posts.

Timeline doesn't match tour records

The story placed the alleged moment on Sept. 23, 1992, at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. However, Clapton's official timeline shows that the Journeyman World Tour opened at the NEC on Jan. 14, 1990  not September 1992  and ran for three consecutive nights. Fan-compiled tour listings corroborated the dates and location. Moreover, the posts framed the alleged moment as part of Clapton's Journeyman tour, which ended in March 1991 and did not extend into September 1992.

Clapton did play in Birmingham in early February 1992, but those shows were at the National Indoor Arena, not the NEC. He later returned to the NEC for a series of benefit concerts in October 1992  dates that don't match the rumored Sept. 23 appearance.

The story also isn't mentioned in "Eric Clapton: The Autobiography," first published in the United Kingdom in 2007. Since the book covers key moments from Clapton's career and touring life, the encounter described in the social media posts would likely have been included if it had actually happened.

AI-generated content helped spread story

The claim frequently circulated alongside an image showing Clapton with a teenage girl that appeared to have been generated using artificial intelligence. Hive Moderation, an online AI detector, determined that the image was highly likely to be AI-generated.

(Facebook user Dena Wells)

Similarly, most of the accompanying text was likely AI-generated, according to the AI detector ZeroGPT. (Research shows AI-detection software is imperfect. Readers should consider the tools' results with skepticism.)

(ZeroGPT)

The text's tone, structure and emotional language further pointed to AI authorship.

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Finally, the story appears to have originated from a YouTube channel presenting itself as a source of "true stories About Eric Clapton that will restore your faith in humanity," but the video provided no verifiable evidence of the event. The channel's other content follows the same clickbait pattern, with sensational, vague titles and attention-grabbing thumbnails designed to generate clicks. Many of the thumbnails also appear to be AI-generated or heavily manipulated, which is consistent with a channel producing content that's primarily focused on generating views:

(YouTube channel @EricClaptonTheUntoldLegacy)

The false rumor about Clapton fits a familiar pattern of shareable, feel-good celebrity stories that spread quickly online because they appeal to emotion and usually rely on little more than reposts. We have debunked similar claims before, including posts alleging U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump spent New Year's Day 2026 at a Pennsylvania orphanage and that Stephen Colbert launched a multimillion-dollar "Evergreen Sanctuary" for abused dogs.

Sources:

5 February 1992 - Eric Clapton & His Band - Where's Eric! https://whereseric.com/tour/1992-5/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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14 January 1990 - Eric Clapton & His Band - Where's Eric! https://whereseric.com/tour/1990/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

AI Detector - Trusted AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT5 & Gemini. https://www.zerogpt.com/. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

Eric Clapton : The Autobiography. With Internet Archive, London : Arrow Books, 2007. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/ericclaptonautob0000unse.

"Eric Clapton: The Untold Legacy." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsP2ltBHEM_M896B3z5K_tw. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

Hive Moderation. https://hivemoderation.com/ai-generated-content-detection. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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Kar, Sujita Kumar, et al. "How Sensitive Are the Free AI-Detector Tools in Detecting AI-Generated Texts? A Comparison of Popular AI-Detector Tools." Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, vol. 47, no. 3, May 2025, pp. 27578. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241247934.

"Timeline (1990s)." Eric Clapton, https://ericclapton.com/pages/timeline-1990s. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

Winter, Emery. "Did Stephen Colbert Launch Sanctuary for Abandoned and Abused Dogs?" Snopes, 30 Dec. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/colbert-animal-sanctuary-dogs/.

Wrona, Aleksandra. "Bogus Story Claims Trumps Volunteered at Pennsylvania Orphanage on New Year's Day." Snopes, 11 Jan. 2026, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/donald-melania-trump-orphanage/.
"Michelle" will be revealed in full for the first time in a festive broadcast on KAN 11 on March 5.

It worked as a song title for the Beatles, and now KAN, Israel's public broadcaster, has revealed that the song Israel's 2026 Eurovision contestant, Noam Bettan, will perform at the competition is titled "Michelle."

"Michelle" will be revealed in full for the first time in a festive broadcast on KAN 11 on March 5.

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The song includes lyrics in Hebrew, French, and English. The lyrics were written by Nadav Aharoni, Tzlil Kalifi, and Yuval Rafael, who represented Israel at Eurovision last year. Aharoni and Kalifi composed the music, and Aharoni is its producer. The song was reviewed and approved by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the body that organizes the contest.

How is a Eurovision song chosen?

This year, about 200 songs were submitted to the selection committee by Israeli artists. Following significant changes made by KAN to the selection process, any creator registered with ACUM, the Society of Authors, Composers, and Music Publishers in Israel, could submit a song for the committee to consider. The songs were submitted anonymously.

Eurovision 2026 will take place in Vienna in May, and Bettan is scheduled to perform in the first semi-final.

ISRAEL HAS been singled out as no country ever has been before at Eurovision. Here, viewers cheer as they watch this years Eurovision Song Contest finals being screened at a community center in Tel Aviv, in May. (credit: MAYA LEVIN/AFP via Getty Images)

If the judges feel that Bettan's performance of "Michelle" goes together well, to paraphrase a line from the Beatles' "Michelle," then he will take part in the grand final on May 16.
PA live! (WBRE)  Brianna Strunk with the Pocono Television Network introduces us to Eric Mintel, a jazz musician and paranormal investigator, while visiting the historic Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap to explore reported hauntings and captures unusual phenomena like orbs and apparitions.

Alongside his team, they investigate the inns haunted history, uncovering spirits connected to past events and legendary jazz performances, while sharing findings on Eric Mintel Investigates.

Mintel is a jazz musician who performs at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, where jazz greats like Bob Dorough of Schoolhouse Rock and Phil Woods often played, but on Monday, Mintel was there for another reason.

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Not every place we go to is haunted, but if there is a place being haunted, I like to say those spirits liked being there. Thats why they go to pubs, restaurants, bed and breakfasts. A lot of people want to investigate graveyards, but theres nothing there. Sometimes, but most of the times they want to be in places like this, like the Deer Head Inn. Theres really great energy here, Mintel explained.

Puppeteer of R2-D2 joins NEPA Comic Con

In 2017, Mintel, a musician and filmmaker, teamed up with his high school friend, Dom Sattele, a spirit medium, and videographer Mike Strigl, to form Eric Mintel Investigates. Theyve visited more than 200 locations nationwide, including in the Poconos, like the Inn at Jim Thorpe, Candle Shoppe of the Poconos, the Old Jail Museum, and the Dimmick Inn.

Back at the Deer Head, the building dates back to the 1800s, originally an inn called Central House, built when Delaware Water Gap was a resort town hosting 500,000 tourists every year.

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Jim Knowles, who bartended for many years at the Deer Head and now lives on the second floor, is eager to see whats uncovered.

You said youve never experienced anything haunted here, but have you heard there is a lot of haunted history here? Strunk asked.

For some reason, Ive heard, I just havent witnessed it, and Im not skeptical, I just havent witnessed it. And Im very curious to see what happens because I have an open mind, it just hasnt happened, Knowles replied.

Early on in their investigation, the crew catches orbs on camera in one of the overnight rooms.

In room 402, Sattele saw a young girl sitting on the edge of the bed, giddy with excitement because shes about to get married.

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Find elder law care to protect, plan for future

So this was an arranged marriage; she was from Connecticut, they came down. Her future husband was working in the mines and was all about the money and the name recongition which she has, which was going to help their family. So her dowry was the most exciting part for them, the grooms family, and they were working out the particulars a couple rooms down. They were just talking about everything And again, this is late 1800s, before the 1900s, Sattele explained.

Near the stairwell, Sattele describes a lady in white who walks the road and the nearby Appalachian Trail.

When I came from upstairs, coming down here, looking out, I could see her walking across the ridge up there, Sattele said.

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Downstairs, where customers now enjoy dinner, drinks, and live jazz, Sattele picks up on something sinister; A man stabbed to death during a bar fight in the 1800s.

Back upstairs, they focus on recent reports of overnight guests hearing unexplained piano playing late at night.

Sattele traces it to the late Johnny Coats, a legendary jazz pianist who put the Deer Head on the map.

New drama follows detective, canine partner in scenic outdoors

I know its Johnny that was playing the music for the couple. I know it 100%. Im asking him to do something, but hes reluctant; hes being shy about it because theres a lot going on with us being in here filming, Sattele explained.

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And that would be him, Mintel added.

Hes a shy guy, Sattele replied.

That makes sense, Mintel continued.

Eric Mintel Investigates airs weeknights at 7:00 p.m. on the Pocono Television Network, or catch up any time online. Brand new investigations premiere Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.

You can watch the full episode from the Deer Head Inn on Saturday, March 7 and March 14.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News.
Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 24 is right around the corner, and the story seems ready to take an intriguing new turn. As events move closer to a pivotal moment, the upcoming chapter is expected to raise the stakes with unexpected twists and mounting tension. With excitement steadily building among readers, many are eagerly waiting to see what unfolds next and how this chapter will shape the path ahead.

Heres a brief guide outlining the anticipated arrival of Chapter 24, including its specific release date and time. Additionally, information is provided regarding the legal platforms where it can be accessed upon its release.

When is the Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 24 release date and time?

Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 24 is scheduled to officially release on Sunday, March 01, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET.

Readers around the globe of this action-drama fantasy manga can stay informed about this event. This is because Chapter 24 of Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo will be available in significant time zones:

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8 a.m. PT

11 a.m. ET

4 p.m. BST

5 p.m. CT

In the meantime, fans in Japan will have access to Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 24 starting at 12 a.m. JST on Monday, March 02, 2026.

Where to read the Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Manga with Chapter 24

To access Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 24, you can visit several useful websites, including Viz Media and Shueishas Manga Plus.

Shueishas Manga Plus is well-known for its simul-release approach, offering new English chapters simultaneously with their debut in Japan. Readers can enjoy chapters for free on both its website and mobile app, making it convenient for fans worldwide to dive into the story.

Meanwhile, Viz Media provides English translations paired with an intuitive interface. While some chapters are available for free, a subscription allows for complete access afterward.

Set in 2086, 68 years after the Culling Games in Jujutsu Kaisen, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo plot centers around an alien race known as the Simurians, who come to Earth in search of a new home. Their envoy, Maru, is dispatched to Japanthe epicenter of Cursed Energyto demonstrate their peaceful intentions. To explore the possibility of coexistence between humans and Simurians, Maru collaborates with Jujutsu Sorcerers Tsurugi and Yuka Okkotsu, the grandchildren of Maki Zenin and Yuta Okkotsu.
There has been a lot of emotion and heartbreak amongst those working at the Today Show. Many have been shaken by the news of Nancy Guthries disappearance. Her daughter and co-host of the NBC program, Savannah Guthrie, has not been on the show since her mother went missing.

Savannahs husband, Mike Feldman, recently visited those who work there. The former chief of staff for the ex-Vice President Al Gore was expressing his gratitude to everyone there who have offered their support during this difficult time. By all accounts, there werent many dry eyes amongst those who saw Mike.

Nancy Guthrie has now been missing for over three weeks

Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images

The emotions and worry over Nancys condition go far beyond just her family. An insider tells Page Six that when Mike visited, he went around and thanked everyone and got a bunch of hugs. They say the show is like a family, adding that the tears were real, and [the colleagues] are struggling too.

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That description seems on par with what a former fill-in host, Andy Cohen, has said. The talk-show host still cant believe whats going on with Nancy, missing now for over three weeks. He adds that for staff on the show, the mood is somber and sad.

As for Savannah, sources say that shes not in the right frame of mind to even respond to well-wishes. She and her siblings, though, have seen all the messages of love and prayers and appreciate them. Her husband has been travelling back and forth from New York to Tucson, Arizona, where Nancy was allegedly kidnapped.

Savannahs previous message came in mid-February, calling on the publics help to step forward and go to the police if you have any info on Nancys disappearance. There have been numerous ransom notes sent to news outlets, while the FBI has given a suspect description. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says the timeline for finding Nancy is unpredictable.

TELL US  DO YOU THINK WELL EVER SEE SAVANNAH GUTHRIE BACK HOSTING THE TODAY SHOW?

The post Savannah Guthries Husband Mike Feldman Has Emotional Visit at Today Show: Details appeared first on Reality Tea.
Madrid-based automotive components group CIE Automotive has received advisory support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to accelerate decarbonisation across its operations and value chain.

The support was provided by EIB Advisory under the Advisory Programme to Support Climate Action and Sustainability for Corporates funded by the InvestEU Advisory Hub.

CIE Automotives Decarbonisation Plan, reviewed with the assistance of the EIB, includes emissions reduction targets, a long-term strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a detailed analysis of baseline emissions and Business-as-Usual trajectories, and the identification of key operational and supply chain levers for rapid emissions reduction.

The plan also outlines concrete investment opportunities such as energy efficiency improvements, low carbon technologies, renewable electricity procurement, the adoption of electric furnaces, and support for low carbon material sourcing.

With more than 100 manufacturing facilities across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, a diversified technological base, and strong supply chain integration, CIE says it is well positioned to drive sustainable change across one of the worlds most emissions intensive industries.

CIE Automotive says it is one of the first automotive companies to receive EIB advisory support under the InvestEU Advisory Hub.

By supporting CIE Automotive with targeted advisory services, the EIB and InvestEU are helping to transform strategic plans into concrete, investable projects that deliver real benefits for companies (including in terms of increased competitivity) and the environment.

Developing more sustainable manufacturing technologies in the automotive sector is critical to further decarbonising European industry and advancing the climate transition. The Hub acts as the single entry point for project promoters and intermediaries seeking advisory support, capacity-building, and technical assistance linked to centrally managed EU investment funds.

EIB Advisory acts as an implementing partner of the InvestEU Advisory Hub, delivering a wide range of services to help businesses and the public sector make sound investment decisions and gain access to financing.

The partnership between CIE Automotive and the EIB dates back to 2009. Since then, the EIB has supported the companys research and development activities, strengthening its global competitiveness, CIE points out.

"CIE Automotive receives support from the EIB for decarbonisation strategy" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.
I'm a huge fan of historical documentaries that unearth castles and treasures or reveal the rich history of dynasties across the world. It's just so intriguing how life was back thenand especially how dark and ruthless people were. I know all about the kings and queens who brought progressive reforms and won great wars. But what about those that did some disturbing things and committed atrocious crimes? That's what I want to learn about.

Giphy

So yet again, I dug deep and found some shocking material. Here are 11 kings and queens who did some really terrifying and questionable things during their reign:

Disclaimer: The following content has mentions of death, violence, sexual assault, and sensitive historical events. Reader discretion is advised.

1. Caligula , known to be Rome's most tyrannical ruler, was the third emperor of the Roman Empire. His father was Germanicus, who was the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius. After Caligula's father's death and the imprisonment of his mother and siblings, he was sent to live with Tiberius. Upon Tiberius' death in 37 AD, Caligula was named the sole emperor. He was only 25 years old at the time and was a loved emperor, known for granting bonuses and eliminating unfair taxes. However, a few months after he became emperor, he became seriously ill. Even though he recovered from the illness, it is said that at some point he allegedly went 'mad'. In 38 AD, he executed Naevius Sutorius Macro, the prefect of the Praetorian Guard who was the reason behind Caligula coming to power. He also executed Tiberius Gemellus, the grandson of Tiberius, who was also heir to the throne.

Heritage Images / Getty Images

He was also the subject of mockery. While Caligula was bald, his body was hairy, which led to him being the butt of jokes by those around him. Anyone who mentioned a goat in his presence (in reference to how hairy he was) because of this joke was rumored to get a death sentence.

Related: I Honestly Believe No One Under The Age Of 20 Will Know What Any Of These Things Are

He displayed great cruelty and erratic behavior. It is said that he liked to remind people of his power by repeating the phrase: "Remember that I have the right to do anything to anybody." Additionally, he would publicly dress up as various gods and demigods, believing that he was a living god himself. Because he had exhausted the state treasury left by Tiberius, he extorted prominent Roman citizens and confiscated their estates. In 40 AD, he marched his troops to Gaul and plundered the inhabitants. His behavior soon turned the public against him, and conspiracies were starting to form.

Print Collector / Print Collector/Getty Images

In 41 AD, four months after his return from Gaul, Caligula was murdered by Cassius Chaerea, Cornelius Sabinus, and others. His wife, Caesonia, and his daughter were also executed.

2. King Leopold II, the Belgian ruler who ruled from 1865 to 1909, was responsible for the widespread atrocities against his colonial subjects. He believed that the best way to acquire more wealth would be to establish an African colony. He presented himself as someone eager to spread Christianity and Western civilization among the African natives, which was a guise he fronted for many years. He started to develop the Congo River basin and persuaded local chiefs (many of them lacking Western education) by making them sign treaties that were favorable for the king. He even persuaded all major nations of the West that the territory (now modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) was his personal property. He called it the Congo Free State, and it was the world's only private colony, of which he was its "proprietor."

Universal History Archive / Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

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He made a vast fortune from ivory and made numerous possessions out of it. When rubber became the next significant raw materialwith inventions of the inflatable bicycle and automobiles on the riseLeopold exploited the wild rubber reserves that grew in the Central African rainforests. His private army would enter a village, hold the women hostage, and force the men to gather a monthly quota of wild rubber.

From road building to chopping wood, the natives were forced to work. Many of the women hostages starved, and the men were worked to the point of death. Due to this, thousands of Congolese fled their villages to avoid being forced laborers and found refuge in the forest, where food and shelter were scarce.

One of the most notorious practices under his rule was a direct result of the suppression of those who rebelled against the regime. A Congolese soldier had to prove that they had utilized every single bullet by presenting a severed hand of every rebel they killed. Thus, baskets of severed hands were collected, and due to this, few able-bodied adults were left to hunt, fish, and cultivate crops. This left the Congolese vulnerable to diseases, and the population significantly decreased between 1880 and 1920. The French, German, and Portuguese colonial officials followed this system as well. There was an international outcry due to the king's system. This pressure forced him to relinquish his ownership of the territory, and it became the Belgian Congo in 1908. This might have ended King Leopold's reign in Congo; however, the colonial system that took over would continue to exploit the land and the villagers.

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3. Queen Ranavalona I of the Kingdom of Imerina (present-day Madagascar) essentially halved the population during her reign in the fight against colonization. She came to the throne in 1828, after the death of her husband, King Radama I. He was a ruler who had embraced European-style reforms and missionary activity, which she quickly reversed when she came to power. At 33 years old, she took firm control of a society facing foreign pressure. European powers were interested in securing opportunities of trade and religious conversion in the monarchy, which would give way for colonization to take over the empire. While the island was officially independent, these foreign influences were growing and portrayed a threat to Queen Ranavalona. She launched a campaign to purge all foreign influences from the island.

Eraza Collection via Alamy

This meant that Christian missionaries were expelled, worship was banned, and converts were persecuted. European technology and customs were strictly restricted, and trade was heavily controlled.

These measures were her form of resistance against the dangers of foreign powers and colonization; however, they also came at a steep internal cost.

During her rule, trials by ordeal (including the 'tangena ordeal') were revived and used heavily. This meant that a person accused of a crime would be forced to drink poison to determine whether they were guilty. If they did not show any reactions to the poison, they were considered innocent. Thousands are believed to have died due to these trials. She also expanded the fanompoana system of state labor, which was forced labor by citizens as a tax payment. The citizens were forced to work on military campaigns and other government projects. It is estimated that Madagascar's population fell by 50% under her rule. Even those who were accused of disloyalty risked imprisonment, enslavement, or execution. While her work to stop foreign powers was definitely impenetrable for that time, it would not stop the foreign influences in the future.

Chronicle via Alamy

Related: 23 Celebrity Deaths That Were So Dark They Left A Permanent Stain On My Brain

4. King Henry VIII of England had a turbulent rule over England. He is notably known for his six wives and for having killed an estimated 57,000 people during his 36-year rule over England. One of the killings that we remember from history is that of Anne Boleyn, whose daughter would become the longest-reigning Tudor monarch, Queen Elizabeth I. Anne Boleyn was his second and most infamous wife, for whom he changed England's religion and separated from the Church of Rome to marry. When Anne Boleyn failed to have a son, she found herself in a conspiracy accusing her of infidelity with five men. She was sentenced to death in the Tower of London.

Universal History Archive / Contributor / Print Collector / Contributor

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His third wife, Jane Seymour, produced a son, which Henry VIII much desired; however, she tragically died during childbirth.

Queen Catherine Howard was 17 when she married the 49-year-old king, days after he had obtained an annulment from Anne of Cleves. When the king found out that she had had sexual relations at 15 with an older man, named Francis Dereham, it was seen as treason. Under the 'bill of attainder,' Catherine was sentenced to death with no trial. His last wife, Catherine Parr, outlived Henry.

Aside from his failed marriages, his messiest separation was that with the Catholic Church. After failing to get his first marriage annulled, the king had his adviser, Thomas Cromwell, get Parliament to pass a law making Henry the head of the Church of England. And in 1532, the law was passed, which exempted England from the pope's authority. This increased Henry VIII's power exponentially. Those who opposed this were immediately executed. Additionally, he had members of the Pole and Courtenay families executed for supposedly conspiring against him.

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Historian John Stow claimed that Henry VIII had around 70,000 people executed (although this is believed to be an exaggerated number), but it was near the thousands, including the execution of 67-year-old Margaret Pole, who was once his daughter governess. His reign is one of the bloodiest and messiest in history.

5. Ivan IV, also known as Ivan the Terrible, was the first czar of Russia. His reign was marked with brutality and paranoia, including executions and other regressive forces to kill. He ascended the throne at a young age in 1530, after his mother died. He brought about a series of reforms, including increasing the power of the state over the Russian Orthodox Church and bringing the domains of Muscovy (the Latin name for Moscow) under control. He also started military campaigns where he conquered important Mongol territory; however, the war stretched for decades, leading Mongol raiders to sack and burn Moscow until Ivan surrendered. What history remembers of his reign, however, is his paranoid behavior.

Heritage Images / Getty Images

He executed thousands of suspected traitors, particularly boyars (the highest rank of feudal nobility). He organized the Oprichni kia personal praetorian guard that would enforce a rule of terror over Russia while he eliminated his opposition. The oprichninaIvan's reign of terror using the oprichnikilasted seven years. It is said that Ivan later sent memorial lists of more than 3,000 of his victims (most of whom were executed by the oprichniki) to various monasteries so that they are prayed for. It is said that he might have been suffering from mental illness since his actions had become increasingly violent. He killed his own son in a fit of rage and massacred thousands of people in the city of Novgorod in order to suppress a conspiracy that might not have existed in reality but rather in his mind. This stained Ivan's reputation as a king. He died in 1584.

Heritage Images / Getty Images UniversalImagesGroup / Contributor

Related: 18 Of The "Biggest Historical Lies" People Somehow Still Believe Despite Evidence To The Contrary

6. King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta due to his abuse of power. He was known to break the taboo of the honorable captivitywhich meant that when an aristocrat was taken as a prisoner from a battle, they were to be treated honorably until the ransom was met. John did not follow this tradition, and he arranged for the 'disappearance' of his nephew and rival, Arthur of Brittany. It is said that Arthur was killed by accident, although others pointed fingers at John for murdering his nephew. But the most notorious crime that King John committed was starving 22 knights to death. The knights who were fighting for Arthur were starved to death in Corfe Castle after Arthur refused to surrender. It was said to be the most cruel punishment given to the knights.

Print Collector / Print Collector/Getty Images

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Perhaps the worst use of this starvation technique was on King John's former friend, William De Briouze's familyhis wife Matilda and his son, William. In 1210, he imprisoned the mother and son in his castle and starved them to death.

Moreover, he attacked the church as well. Furious with the pope over the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury, he drove the monks of Canterbury into exile and seized the lands of the English clergy. This led to the king himself being excommunicated in 1208. His treatment of the church only charged the people's fury against him. But the breaking point was when he lost Normandy, Anjou, Maine, and parts of Poitou in 1206; his reputation took a huge hit, and he was determined to win it back. So he became increasingly ruthless with his financial administration, raising the taxes and exploiting his feudal rights. This abuse increased discontent within his barony.

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Negotiations between John and his barons failed, and a civil war broke out in 1215. John was again called to negotiate with the rebels, and finally, in June 1215, he accepted the baronial terms. After further revisions were made to the document, the king signed the famous Magna Carta, which ensured feudal rights and restated English law.

His reputation and reign were further degraded. He was known as a suspicious, vengeful, and treacherous king.

7. Nero was the fifth Roman emperor and stepson of the emperor Claudius. He was infamous for his debauchery, the burning of Rome, and the persecution of Christians. He did not direct the government himself but rather used his autocratic powers to pursue his grandiose plans. He would spend his evenings on the streets, often rioting with others, and this act was a big scandal to the people at the time. He executed his mother because of her overbearing nature and fury at seeing her son get out of control. Additionally, he had his wife, Octavia, murdered after having fallen in love with another woman: the empress Poppaea.

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But the reason why he is considered to be one of the most cruel emperors of the Roman Empire is the Great Fire of 64. Nero was not responsible for the fire itself, but after the destruction caused by the fire, he began building a massive palacethe Golden Housewhich was never fully finished. This led to the Roman citizens believing that the emperor started the fire to build a new palace. In order to shift responsibility for the fire, Nero blamed the Christians, who were thought to have engaged in many wicked practices at the time. It was due to this that Nero had accidentally initiated the persecution of the Christians, and by doing so, earned himself the reputation of the Antichrist.

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8. Timur , a Turkic conqueror who started off as a bandit and then rose to become a mighty conqueror of Central Asia. He was the ruler of the Chagatai Khanate, with the capital at Samarkand. He was known to be ruthless, cunning, vengeful, and cruel. He claimed to be the restorer of the Mongol Empire, although his campaigns were more like large-scale looting. In the 1380s and 90s, he invaded Russia and Persia and ravaged Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, and Mesopotamia. He was infamous for destroying cities and massacring their populations. He would then build large triumphant towers made of his victims' skulls and take the survivors as slaves.

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His last major campaign was aimed against the Ottoman Sultan, Bayazid I, and the Mameluke Sultan of Egypt. He headed towards the ancient town of Damascus. The garrison of the city was already weak. What remained were some forty men to defend Damascus; however, they surrendered after a month. Following the surrender, Timur extorted a huge ransom and then let his men ravage the town. They pillaged and looted the inhabitants; the men were let loose to rape, torture, burn, crush, and enslave the residents. Children were left to starve while their mothers were taken away. His cruel nature was later turned into a biography by twelve-year-old Ahman ibn Arabshah, one of the residents he had enslaved. Timur would fall ill and die in 1405.

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9. Queen Mary I, or infamously known as 'Bloody Mary,' was the daughter of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Mary was a Roman Catholic, and she became queen in 1553. To secure a Catholic succession, she married Catholic Philip of Spain, the heir to the Spanish throne. This was met with disapproval from the public, especially a rebel group led by Protestant Thomas Wyatt the Younger, but Mary refused to hide away and asserted her authority. She then had Wyatt executed after the rebels dispersed. This was just the beginning of her reign, and her determination to keep Catholicism as the realm's faith, would give her the nickname, 'Bloody Mary.'

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The specific reason behind the title was her revival of the heresy laws. These stated that a person who did not follow the faith of the realm would be burned to death. During the years of Mary's reign, around 300 men, women, and children were burned at the stake across England for not practicing Catholicism. One of the victims included Thomas Cranmer, who had been the Archbishop of Canterbury during Henry VIII's reign.

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10. Vlad III "the Impaler" of Wallachia was a voivode (military governor or prince) who was infamous for his cruel methods of punishing his enemies in the 15th century. In order to regain his father's seat, he embarked on a lifelong series of campaigns. It was only after an eight-year struggle that Vlad claimed the seat. During his period of rule, the atrocities he committed became his reputation. He used to impale his enemies on stakes in the ground and leave them to dieearning him the name Vlad the Impaler. After retreating from a battle in 1462, he left the field filled with thousands of impaled victims as a deterrent to the incoming Ottoman forces.

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11. Pope Clement VII's papacy was marked with significant political challenges, with one such political maneuver leading to the sack of Rome in 1527, which resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. Giulio de' Medici became Pope Clement VII in 1523. He began his jurisdiction as the pope, stuck in between the political ambitions of King Charles V of Spain (also the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire), and King Francis I of France. In fear that he might end up in total control of Charles, since the Spanish already ruled the entire southern part of Italy, Pope Clement came out in support of Francis in 1524. Clement thought that there was greater independence in France as the pope. This infuriated King Charles, and his troops fought with the French army; however, the Spanish army emerged victorious and took King Francis I as prisoner. Scared for the future of the Roman Catholic Church, Clement sided with Charles, and this placed all of Italy under Spanish protection.

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Following this, Sforza of Milan conspired to overthrow the Spanish rule, along with Pope Clement VII's support, by bribing the marquis of Pescarabut this failed when Pescara exposed it to Charles. Meanwhile, Francis I was released from captivity after renouncing claims to Burgundy and Italy, then joined Clement in forming the League of Cognac (1526) against Spainan alliance too weak to succeed since Francis did not have the money to support the military.

In 1527, forces led by Pompeo Colonna, a pro-Spanish cardinal, along with a force of German mercenaries, attacked Rome. Panicked, Clement attempted to secure a treaty with the Spanish ambassador to the Vatican, but it was too late. The German mercenaries had not been paid for their services, and they advanced to Rome. Thus, the sack of Rome had begun. Captives were held for ransom, and those who could not pay were executed. The mercenaries, who were primarily Protestants, ruined the Catholic churches and other religious objects. Nuns were raped, tortured, and killed. The Tiber River was filled with bodies. The inhabitants of Rome blamed the destruction of the city on Pope Clement VII's broken promises. He had no choice but to sign another treaty that gave control of the pope to the Spanish king's dominion, impacting the catholic church's authority.

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Yikes! I knew dark and grisly events took place during the reign of these kings and queens, but I underestimated just how cruel and horrifying they were. I'm truly glad I no longer live in an era where the punishment of being 'hanged, drawn, and quartered' exists. Which other king or queen do you know of, that did some really questionable and disturbing things during their rule? Let us know in the comments.

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A future governor. A Cy Young Award winner. An Olympic gold medalist.

When it comes to the New Hampshire Union Leaders 40 Under Forty, which is celebrating its 25th year, honoring the states most influential young professionals is anything but old hat.

Its more like a tip of the cap to the upstarts already starting to etch their names into Granite State lore with the likes of Gov. Kelly Ayotte, pitcher Chris Carpenter or skier Bode Miller.

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On March 4, the New Hampshire Union Leader will honor the 2026 recipients at a reception and awards ceremony at the Nashua Center for the Arts.

Joining 960 honorees, this years class includes executives, educators, attorneys, health-care providers, a state trooper, a veterinarian, environmental scientists, business owners and more. From public employees to community nonprofits to the private sector, the one thing they all have in common is remarkable achievement in all walks of life and virtually every New Hampshire industry.

Ive been fortunate to have so many influential people in my life that have shaped who I am and I recognize that its my turn to be that person for others, said Jay Michaud, a 40 Under Forty honoree from Londonderry.

Michaud, 39, is the executive director for musculoskeletal services at Elliot Health System. He led the development of the Elliots first survivor banquet last year, an event that reunited people who have survived a cardiac arrest with their caregivers.

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Another recipient, Courtney Benoit of Derry, is a Pinkerton Academy and Southern New Hampshire University graduate. At 39, she is the vice president of human resources for Aubuchon.

Like many of the other honorees, Benoit participates in several volunteer activities.

Im motivated by a desire to leave things better than I found them and to genuinely care for others. Being in a position to support, guide, and advocate for people and help them see their own potential, is both a responsibility and a privilege, she said.

There are dozens more like them in this years class. The 40 Under Forty event is open to the public, so you can hear more about Michaud, Benoit, and the stories that made their classmates who they are as well,

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Registration and the reception will kick off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the awards from 7-9 p.m. In addition to the public, coworkers and families of honorees, as well as past recipients are encouraged to attend.

To register for the event, visit unionleader.com/forty and click on the register button under the event description.

dpierce@unionleader.com
Theres no shortage of opinions when it comes to wolves and their place in the environment. In a time with increased introductions of wolves and natural expansion of introduced populations, human-wolf conflict will likely continue to increase in many forms. But how likely is it that people will be attacked and killed by wolves? In 2010, a school teacher in rural Alaska was killed and eaten by at least two wolves while out jogging, and in the early 2000s, a wolf attacked a woman in a campground along the Dalton highway who escaped by getting into a campground restroom.

As to whether-or-not aggressive encounters may be normal, I find the insight of legendary Alaskan and federal wolf hunter Frank Glaser fascinating. He spent decades hunting, trapping, and observing wolves, and even captured and bred them with sled dogs. This story, Will Wolves Attack a Man, was originally written in Outdoor Life by Jim Rearden in the October 1954 issue. Glasers stories are incredible because of the first-hand wisdom and experience he possessed. Many of his stories include detailed side stories that add value to his experience. So, do wolves attack humans? Heres what Glaser had to say. Tyler Freel, senior staff writer

In April 1933, Moose John Millovich left Fairbanks, Alaska on a beaver-trapping expedition to the Beaver River in the White Mountains. some 75 miles to the north. A friend drove him part way  to Olnes, a little mining village. From there Moose John, a man about 60 years old, pulled a sled 50 miles north, bucking spring snow through the rolling hills and low tundra to the big bend on the Beaver. Moose John had lived on the river before and was an experienced outdoorsman. Neither he nor any of his many friends foresaw any possible danger to him.

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He was expected back in Fairbanks in late May, but July rolled around, and he hadnt showed up. Two of his Fairbanks friends, George Bojanich and Sam Hjorta, hiked to the Beaver to look for him.

They found the door to Moose Johns cabin open. The dates on a calendar were marked off through May 9. There were burned hotcakes and burned bacon on the stove. The table was set with clean dishes and silverware. But there was no Moose John.

The two men searched upstream and down for several miles, thinking that their friend might have fallen into the river and drowned. After three or four days of fruitless scouting they were about to give up. About all the sign theyd found was the wolf tracks around the cabin. Wolves occasionally howled from the hills as they went about their futile search.

They finally sat down and reasoned that the missing man must be somewhere near the cabin, since he obviously wouldnt wander far while cooking breakfast. So they started circling the cabin, covering the ground inch by inch.

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One of the men found a human thigh bone less than 30 feet from the cabin, under some large spruce trees growing in a stand of knee-high redtop grass. It had been cracked open as by a powerful-jawed animal. Soon they found a human skull with part of the hair and scalp still attached. Then other bones were found near by.

A string of sled dogs nearby. Illustration by Philip Ronfor / Outdoor Life

George Bojanich told me later that all they found of the trapper just filled a five-gallon can. The ribs and all the small bones were gone. His clothes had been widely scattered through the gloomy spruces, and there was an occasional bone clinging to them by bits of dried flesh.

Bojanich and Hjorta decided that wolves had killed Moose John. There were certainly plenty of wolves in the White Mountains at that time. Bojanich had trapped in that region for marten just the previous year, and the howling of the wolf packs had made him so jittery that he was glad to leave in the spring. Those wolves get hungry when the caribou arent there-which is often-and they do become bold.

Related: What Really Happened to Crist Kolby, the Trapper Who Was Killed by Wolves?

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Perhaps they did kill old Moose John. No one will ever know. Wolves certainly ate him. His bones were cracked open  almost positive evidence of wolf work  and wolf sign was all around the cabin. The biggest of grizzly bears would never have broken those bones.

I thought about that incident for a long time. George Bojanich told me every detail when he and Sam returned after burying Moose Johns remains. Also, a few years later, I spent a winter in Moose Johns cabin. Bojanich and Hjorta had buried the can holding the trappers remains about 20 feet from the door  in front of the only window. I spent hours sitting at that window, eating, writing, and reading, and every time I glanced out I saw the cross over the grave.

The Outdoor Life revenant hoodie.

Although Bojanich, Hjorta, and many others believe wolves killed the old trapper, I dont think so. There are many possible explanations of his death. He was in his 60s, and he might have died of a heart attack while throwing out garbage near the cabin. Wolves could have found him dead there. An incident that occurred when I was staying at the same cabin on the Beaver River a couple of years later suggests an even better explanation.

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It was May, just about the time of year that Moose John met his end, and I was trapping wolves. One morning the snow had a good crust on it, and I traveled eight or nine miles up a little creek on snowshoes. By noon the sun had softened the snow so that I couldnt use the webs any more, so I started back toward the cabin, hiking along the mountainside. On the way I came to a big rockslide. where there was practically no snow. I started across it, my snowshoes under one arm and rifle slung across my shoulder.

It was tricky footing in that loose, slick, shale. I was wearing moccasins, and had to watch every step. When I got almost to the middle of the slide I heard a noise and looked up to see a grizzly sitting on its haunches and looking at me, like a big dog sitting up and begging. I let out a war whoop, figuring the bear would leave. Ive met literally hundreds of grizzlies in my 50 years of trapping. and normally a yell or two will send the biggest bear high-tailing. This one just sat.

I let out another whoop then and continued walking. I still didnt put my snowshoes down, or even get my rifle ready. Then the bear let out a growl or two and started toward me. The slope was steep, and a lot of rocks started rolling as the bear came half sliding and half jumping down the slope toward me. By then he was about 60 feet away. I was taken completely by surprise, depending too much on what bears are supposed to do.

I jumped back so the rocks wouldnt hit me and dropped the snowshoes. The grizzly was practically on top of me when I threw the gun up and fired without aiming. His momentum carried him past and not more than six feet in front of me.

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He reached the bottom of the slide, picked himself up, and started back toward me. That puzzled me. He was hit in the chest, and would no doubt have died in a few minutes. Most bears would have kept right on going  even more likely, most bears would never have charged in the first place. As this one struggled uphill toward me, growling and grunting, I took my time and shot him in the neck. He stopped then, dead.

Later I learned that other people have had somewhat similar experiences with grizzlies in the White Mountains. The bears there are just aggressive, thats all. I dont know why.

Moose John had trapped eight or nine beavers before he died and he didnt have any dogs to eat the carcasses. He probably had thrown the skinned bodies  the best kind of bear bait  in the snow in front of the cabin. Bears usually have been out of hibernation for a week or so by May 9, when he had stopped marking the calendar, and I suspect that one of those aggressive spring  hungry grizzlies was feeding on the beaver carcasses when, for some reason, Moose John drew near him without a gun and got swatted down. I think its much more likely than wolves killing him.

In all of my experience with wolves  including 17 years as a government wolf hunter  I have never seen wolves start to tackle a man except in cases of mistaken identity. And when they see their mistake theyll back off. Most wolves wont even try to get at you when theyre in a trap.

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One June, walking along the Alaska Range with a couple of my three-quarter-wolf dogs carrying packs, I stumbled onto a pair of wolves. I had left Wood River and was plowing through a thick mass of dwarf birch when two gray wolves howled just ahead of me. Then I saw their heads poke out of the brush 20 or 30 yards away.

Theyd heard me coming and probably thought I was a caribou. The moment they howled my two dogs lit out after them and the wolves disappeared. They probably had pups, and perhaps I was close to their den. Im sure if they had realized what I was they wouldnt have shown themselves.

Another time I was snowshoeing along at the edge of some timber when suddenly I heard animals running in the snow behind me. I turned and saw three black wolves coming right for me on a dead run. By the time I flipped my parka hood back, pulled my mittens off. and had my gun ready, they had wheeled back into the timber.

I went back to see what had happened. Their tracks showed theyd been loping along slowly, and apparently heard me walking in the timber before they could see or smell me. They must have thought they were going to cut off a moose or a caribou when they started to rush me. The moment they saw their error they whirled in their tracks  running faster to get away than they had to overhaul me.

The full two-page spread from the October 1954 issue. Illustration by Philip Ronfor / Outdoor Life

Wolves are great to follow sled dogs, too. For years I owned a team of wolf-dogs, and perhaps thats an even greater attraction than a team without wolf blood, for many and many a time wolves have followed my dog-sled trail for miles.

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Years ago, before the passage of Alaska game laws, trappers commonly killed caribou throughout the summer for fresh meat and dog food. I usually waited until the cool of evening. Then Id go a few miles from the cabin and kill a bull caribou, dress it out, and haul it home with my dog team and a wooden-runner sled that worked pretty well on grass and gravel. One evening I arrived home about 8 oclock with a big bull on the sled. I leaned my rifle against the corner of the cabin, tied my dogs to their houses, and started back to the sled to hang the meat. Suddenly I noticed the dogs looking toward the river, wagging their tails, straining on their chains. There were three black wolves sitting there, not over 20 yards away.

Wolves seem to sense what a man is thinking and doing. I ignored  or pretended to ignore  these three. Slowly and nonchalantly, I walked to the cabin and picked up the rifle. Then I whirled fast, ready to shoot. I think the wolves started moving as I turned my back. By the time I had one centered in the scope he was just jumping off the riverbank to a sandbar. I dropped him into the river, dead. The other two sprinted down the bank and I blew geysers of gravel up all around them, missing about two shots at each of them before they disappeared. It was pretty light all night at that time of year and I was curious, so I walked back to where Id killed the caribou on a river bar. I found tracks in the sand where the wolves had hit my sled trail a few hundred yards from where I loaded the bull. There were drops of caribou blood along the way, and that probably attracted them, but my tracks were there, and scent too, no doubt. The wolves had come trailing right to the cabin, and on a dead run. Why, I do not know. Wolves are the only animals I know that identify, by sight, a man that is sitting still. Several times Ive had them identify me when the wind was in my favor and I was absolutely motionless, leaning against the base of a tree or rock. Moose, caribou, and bears  especially bears  can look square at you from 20 or 30 feet away without recognizing you, if you dont move and the wind is in your favor. Not wolves. Theyll stare at you for a moment, identify you as a man, and high-tail it out of the country.

Frank Glaser knew wolves, and he even bred them to produce his own batch of hardy working dogs. Photo is from Jim Reardens book, Alaskas Wolf Man. Tyler Freel

But I do know one case of a wolf attacking an Eskimo. I investigated it personally and know that this wolf wasnt fooling. But the facts go beyond that. Its an interesting story.

Punyuk was the Eskimos name (old-time Eskimos had only one name, generally) and he lived at Noorvik in the Kobuk River country. I was living at Kotzebue, about 60 miles away, at the time he was attacked. Miss Marge Swenson, teacher-nurse at Noorvik, had a daily radio contact with Kotzebue. She asked, during one of these contacts, for me to come to Noorvik to investigate the case.

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I hooked up a dog team and drove to Noorvik, taking two days for the trip. It was January, cold, storming, and mostly dark as the north is at that time of year. I arrived four days after Punyuk had been attacked.

The evening I got there Miss Swenson went to Punyuks house to change his bandages, and I went along to hear the story from the old Eskimo himself. He lived in a small, crowded, log cabin, which is unusual in that barren country where logs have to be hauled many miles. Punyuk was lying on a low couch when we entered the lamp-lit, smoky cabin.

Punyuk was 63, and he knew only a few words of English. His married daughter, who assisted Marge Swenson at the school, acted as interpreter. Heres the story as she translated it for me.

Punyuk had been living in a stove-heated tent and trapping on a ridge that pokes out between the Kobuk and Selawik Rivers. He had his dogs tied to some willows near the tent. Sometime during early evening (it gets dark about 2 oclock at that time of the year) he heard his dogs growling and making a fuss. Stepping outside, Punyuk saw what he took to be one of his dogs, loose. It was dark, but the moon and stars reflecting from the snow gave a fair amount of light. He picked up a chunk of ice from a pile he kept to melt for cooking and drinking and threw it at the dog, ordering it to come.

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When the ice hit the animal it rushed Punyuk, jumped up with its front feet on his shoulders, and bit at the top of his head. Of course Punyuk realized then that it wasnt one of his dogs, both from its actions and its size  it was twice as big as any of his dogs  and he knew right away that he was dealing with a wolf.

When the wolf found it couldnt yank that chunk out of Punyuks leg it let go, and Punyuk struggled to his feet. But the wolf jumped up and grabbed his shoulder, biting twice clear to the bone.

The animal knocked him down and started chewing on his head. It ripped three or four places clear to the skull, and tore the whole length of his scalp before Punyuk grasped the animals throat and managed to get his knees on it and choke it down. He got a small pocketknife out after the animal had relaxed a bit, and slashed with it a few times. He didnt stab.

He stood up then, looked closely, and saw for sure that it was a black wolf. He didnt try to finish it off.

Figuring that a trapper normally has a pile of wood outside his tent, I asked his daughter, Did he have some stovewood there?

Yes.

Then why didnt he hit it with a piece of that and kill it?

She talked with him for a long time then, and he seemed reluctant to tell her. Finally she said, My father cannot kill a black wolf.

That puzzled me at the time, but I learned later Punyuk belonged to what is known as a wolf clan. Many of the older members believed that when some old village grandmother died her spirit would go into a wolf, preferably a black wolf. To kill one for those people, was like killing a respected old woman. This wasnt a fairy tale to those old-time Eskimos; they believed every word of it.

Punyuk stood over the black wolf he had choked into unconsciousness until it revived, making no move to harm it.

Oh, you have hurt me enough, grandmother, he said. Now go and leave me in peace.

As his daughter translated this I tried to picture simple old Punyuk standing in the arctic moonlight, his scalp torn loose, blood running down his head and face, talking to the wolf. I didnt laugh.

The wolf got up and grabbed Punyuks right thigh and sank its teeth in deep. The Eskimo had on a pair of overalls at the time, having just stepped from the heated tent; with sealskin pants, his regular outdoor clothing, hed have had better protection.

The wolf actually lifted him clear of the ground and threw him down, then placed its forepaws on him and pulled. trying to tear a chunk out of his thigh.

Marge Swenson dressed the wounds as Punyuk related the story. It made a strange setting in the dim light of the tiny cabin, and the old Eskimos guttural tones emphasized the bizarre tale he was telling. He didnt wince as Marge pulled the blood-stuck bandages free and probed to drain his wounds.

I could see bone in the two main holes in his leg where the wolfs upper canines had entered. On the opposite side, where the two lower canines had sunk in, I could see a couple of cords the teeth had caught as the animal tried to pull out a chunk of meat. They were terrible wounds.

When the wolf found it couldnt yank that chunk out of Punyuks leg it let go, and Punyuk struggled to his feet. But the wolf jumped up and grabbed his shoulder, biting twice clear to the bone. Then it tried Punyuks head again, driving one tusk in just above his ear. If it had been a little lower it probably would have killed him. Evidently Punyuk passed out then, for his daughter told me, My father didnt know any more.

When Punyuk revived the wolf was gone, and the dogs were barking and making quite a racket. He dragged himself into the tent and washed the blood off, bandaged himself crudely, and put on his fur clothes. Then he crawled around until he got his dogs harnessed to the sled and he sprawled on it as they pulled him into Noorvik.

When Punyuk told the story to his two boys, they immediately harnessed a dog team and left to track down the wolf. They didnt believe in the old superstition.

The wolf bled a little, and had staggered and fallen down a number of times. Several times it went out of its way to attack a lone spruce tree and chew limbs from it.

The trail zigzagged to the village of Kiana, about 12 miles from Punyuks camp. When the boys got there they learned that someone in the village had killed the wolf as it was eating some malamute puppies.

I got this news from Louis Rotmann, a white trader, and the day after Punyuk told me his story I went to Kiana. The wolf had been skinned, but I found the carcass and cut off the neck and head. The animal was an adult, in excellent condition. Hed have weighed more than 100 pounds.

I turned the wolfs head over to Dr. Bauer in Kotzebue, and he sent it out for laboratory analysis. For some reason the laboratory report didnt get back to Kotzebue for several months, too late to help Punyuk. In March word reached the reindeer camp I was in that the old Eskimo was dead. He had apparently recovered from the wolfs attack, then had died suddenly while lying on the ice and fishing for arctic sheefish.

A month later the laboratory report confirming what I had suspected  that the wolf had rabies  came through. By then, of course, all the excitement had died down, and many people, in saying that Punyuk was attacked by a wolf, will let it go at that. An account of this incident, in a national magazine, said Punyuk died of his wounds shortly after being attacked by a wolf. Period. Rabies wasnt mentioned.

I dont know of a single proven instance of a normal wolf attacking a human. And I have tried to learn as much as possible about every reported attack in Alaska since 1915. Wolves just dont take to people. Even when captured as pups, before their eyes are open, they dont gentle well. I once caught a young wolf in a trap and took it home to use for breeding purposes. I even broke it to harness and drove it, but I could never trust it.

A few years back I discovered a wolf den on the Chatanika River, north of Fairbanks 50 miles or so, and managed to kill several of the half-grown pups. I told Ted LaFon, who was watchman at a big mining siphon near the den, and suggested that if he waited until May the following year the pair might come back and he could get that litter of pups. He did, and brought in 13 of them. He sold a number of them alive to people in Fairbanks.

I was in Nome at the time, but the next fall I came into Fairbanks in November. As I started to go into the Nordale Hotel for a room, I was astonished to see a big gray wolf crouched in front of the doorway. A woman was holding it on a leash.

Thats a nice wolf you have there, lady, I said, as I took the leash and skidded the animal aside to walk in.

It isnt a wolf; its a dog, she shouted after me as I went up to the desk to register.

I read in the paper that night that the city council had called a special meeting to warn two or three people who had these full-grown, full-blooded wolves to get their wolves out of town or theyd order them destroyed.

Read Next: The Best Shot Ill Ever Make: Fred Bears World-Record Stone Sheep

The wolf I hauled out of the Nordale doorway was scared to death. I could see fear in its eyes, and it was flattened out there afraid to move. Thats a dangerous situation  a half-tame wolf. No telling how an animal like that might react if a youngster pulled its tail or something.

The Fairbanks city council was right. But a wild wolf is different. As long as a man is alive, I think hes safe from attack by wolves in the wild.
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The group documented their road trip on TikTok, turning the unexpected journey into a fun and memorable experience

What started as a bachelorette party in the Bahamas quickly turned into a travel nightmare for a group of women amid the historic blizzard battering the northeastern United States.

Casey Licari, a 35-year-old mother of two from New York, tells PEOPLE she flew out to Harbour Island in the Bahamas in the early morning of Friday, Feb. 20. She was there as part of a group of 10 women  including two moms, a teacher and one very pregnant girl  celebrating their friends bachelorette party. When they arrived, Licari says there was no inclination that the storm was coming.

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During the trip, the women participated in a boat day, drank at the bars, saw some wildlife including sea turtles and pigs and even did karaoke at Daddy Ds NightClub. Licari says the trip, full of memorable moments, was first booked months ago in November 2025.

The bachelorette party in the Bahamas Casey Licari

But during dinner on Saturday evening, the group nervously giggled after receiving a message from their airline.

We were out to dinner and had just finished a round of drinks when we all got the alert that American Airlines canceled our flights, Licari says. We were like, Oh s---, theres 10 of us. We have to spring into action and figure out how we are all going to get home.

The traveler says within minutes all other alternative flights and accommodations were sold out.

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There wasnt really any other option. We were looking at flights, Amtraks, and then were like, Lets just get a car, just in case,  she says.

Casey Licari

In the end, the women changed their flights destination from New York to Miami and booked the last car available for rent in the area  which was at a rental car location 20 to 30 minutes away from the Florida airport.

I personally have two little kids that are 2 and 3. My husband also had the stomach bug so he was solo parenting, Licari says. So I just wanted to get home as soon as possible.

However, not everyone was confident in the plans to drive home. Licari says, The Miami Customs, when we went through, they started laughing at us. One Uber driver told us youre not gonna make it But we wanted to prove everyone wrong.

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So six of the women, after other group members had traveled home elsewhere, officially embarked on the hours-long journey via minivan back to New York City.

Casey Licari Casey Licari

I would say you have to embrace the craziness of it all, Licari says. Ive never done a road trip with six people. I found this was a bit easier because we had more people to switch on and off. And there was always at least one person awake to talk to.

She adds: Once we got in the car, got our snacks, got out food, we didnt hit any rain. It was a beautiful, sunny day [on] Tuesday morning, so we were are pretty confident in our decision.

Along the way, Licari was sure to capture footage of the unexpected travel delays and mishaps. She compiled the clips in a Feb. 23 TikTok that included the start of the road trip.

Casey Licari Casey Licari

We were just making the best of it, filming some funny videos along the way and trying to have as much fun as we can during this 20-hour endeavor, Licari says. This is the only crew Id travel with for this many hours, with this many people. Weve all known each other our whole lives so its been very entertaining.

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On Tuesday afternoon, Licari confirmed to PEOPLE that her group made it safely back to New York.

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Disney Cruise Line is looking ahead to summer 2027 with an expanded lineup of adventures.

Disney is expanding its global itinerary with new sailings to Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean, and Singapore.

The updated schedule features the European debut of the Disney Wish and increased departures from ports in Florida and Canada.

The 2027 season expansion includes a variety of international destinations and new ports of call.

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These planned itineraries are designed to offer a broader range of travel options for families across multiple continents during the summer months.

Two ships will be dedicated to Alaskan cruises departing from Vancouver during the 2027 season.

The Disney Wish is scheduled to make its European debut with several new itineraries. The ship will make its first stops in Norway, Italy, and Croatia as part of the summer schedule.

Caribbean voyages will remain a primary focus for the cruise line.

These trips are scheduled to depart from both Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale.

More information on Disney Cruise Line can be found here.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
NEED TO KNOW

The 2026 World Nature Photography Awards are showcasing wildlife from all corners of Earth

One shot from Australian photographer Jono Allen of a rare white humpback whale and her mother took home the top prize

"This year's winning images are a powerful reminder of both the wonder of our planet and the importance of protecting it," said Adrian Dinsdale, co-founder of the WNPAs



The 2026 World Nature Photography Awards have their winners, and the photos showcase wildlife from all corners of the world, with one shot of a rare white humpback whale and her mother taking home the top prize.

On Friday, Feb. 20, the World Nature Photography Awards announced their winners for 2026 after receiving thousands of entries from around the globe.

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According to a press release obtained by PEOPLE, Australian photographer Jono Allen took home the top prize for his "extraordinary" photograph of a young white humpback whale, named Mahina, taken in the Vavau islands of Tonga.

"Sharing this moment with Mahina and her protective mother is a memory that will live with me forever," Allen said. "It was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary days I have ever experienced in the ocean  and perhaps ever will."

"To be announced World Nature Photographer of the Year through capturing this unique mother and calf bond has made what was already a truly life  changing encounter even more profound and humbling," he added. "I feel beyond honored to receive this award."

A young humpback whale with her mother, taken in the Vavau islands of Tonga. Jono Allen/World Nature Photography Awards

Other lauded photos that were honored at this year's awards featured shots of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles in the wild. One photo, by Vaidehi Chandrasekar of Singapore, showed a lone giraffe after taking a sip of water in the dry Makgadikgadi landscape of Botswana during sunset.

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Chandrasekar described the animal as "towering and graceful," and the moment it threw its head back to shake some water from its face as "magic."

"The droplets danced in the air, forming a near-perfect circle before falling back to the earth. With the animal's outline enhanced by the rim lighting, golden reflections sparkled off the airborne water," the photographer wrote. "A rare and fleeting behavior, made unforgettable by the setting sun. My desire was to capture the interplay of the golden light and the motion of the swishing of the water."

A giraffe shakes water off after drinking from a lake in Botswana. Vaidehi Chandrasekar/World Nature Photography Awards

Another award-winning shot taken in Kenya by Elizabeth Yicheng Shen shows a lioness clutching her cub in her mouth.

A lioness clutches a cub in her mouth. Elizabeth Yicheng Shen/World Nature Photography Awards

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American photographer Mary Schrader snapped another honored shot, which shows a young female gorilla gently nestled against a silverback in Bwindi, Uganda, admiring an orange butterfly floating past.

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"Captivated, the young gorilla's eyes widened, and in that moment, a beautiful interaction unfolded as a silent, shared wonder between two vastly different beings," Schrader wrote of the quiet moment. "...As the butterfly danced gracefully around the gorilla, it seemed to embody the delicate beauty and fragile interconnectedness of our natural world. This photograph captures not just the gorilla's gentle curiosity but also a brief, beautiful moment where two creatures paused, noticing each other, bound by wonder and discovery."

A brown bear is photographed chasing salmon in Alaska's Katmai National Park. Charlie Wemyss-Dunn/World Nature Photography Awards

Yet another winning photograph, taken by British photographer Charlie Wemyss-Dunn, showed a brown bear hunting salmon in Alaska's Katmai National Park during the salmon's migration season.

"I positioned myself at the cliff's edge to get a unique perspective looking down on the action below and used a polarizing filter to cut any glare from the water's surface," Wemyss-Dunn said of snapping the shot. "As the hungry predator approached the water, I used a fast shutter burst to freeze the moment when two nearby salmon dart away in diagonals from the outstretched claws of the diving bear."

A polar bear investigates e-waste in Canada. Robert Gloeckner/World Nature Photography Awards

Bears also made an appearance in the category of urban wildlife, with a photo by American Robert Gloeckner, who snapped a polar bear in Manitoba, Canada, investigating a heap of discarded electronics.

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"In 2024, the [Churchill, Manitoba's] only trash facility burned to the ground. The incident underscored a growing concern: polar bears were increasingly scavenging garbage during the ice-free months, leading to a rise in human-wildlife conflicts," Gloeckner wrote. "As sea ice forms later and melts earlier each year due to climate change, bears spend more time on land with fewer natural hunting opportunities."

"This prompts them to explore new food sources, no matter how artificial," the photographer continued. "This photo captures more than a curious bear, it symbolizes the ongoing struggle between wilderness and waste. The 'trash trail' leading from human settlements to the Arctic's most iconic predator is not just a path of garbage."

Kayla the chimp undergoes an ultrasound. Alain Schroeder/World Nature Photography Awards

Belgian photographer Alain Schroeder took home a prize in the nature photojournalism category for his shot of Kayla the chimpanzee undergoing an ultrasound.

The striking shot shows the 37-year-old female primate, with her stomach shaved, sedated, and wearing socks and a fur hat to avoid discomfort during her exam at Save the Chimps in Florida.

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According to the awards organization, the 2026 competition attracted thousands of entries from photographers across 51 countries and six continents, all of which "[highlighted] the beauty, fragility and power of the natural world."

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.

"As the awards continue to grow, so too does the diversity and quality of work submitted from across the globe," said Adrian Dinsdale, co-founder of the WNPAs.

"This year's winning images are a powerful reminder of both the wonder of our planet and the importance of protecting it," Dinsdale added. "We congratulate Jono and all of our category winners on their outstanding achievements."

See the full list of winners at the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards here.



Read the original article on People
One worker is dead, and three others were injured following an early morning explosion and fire over the weekend at the Perdue Feed Mill facility in Hertford County.

Emergency crews were dispatched around 2:15 a.m. Saturday to the 200 block of Perdue Road after reports of an explosion and commercial structure fire at the facility. Officials said the blast occurred inside an eight-story grain tower.

Multiple local and state agencies responded, including area volunteer fire departments, Hertford County EMS, North Carolina Emergency Management, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

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According to officials and Perdue Farms, four associates were working at the facility when the explosion happened.

By Sunday morning, authorities said two workers were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. A third person was airlifted to a regional medical facility with serious injuries. The fourth worker was initially unaccounted for.

In a statement attributed to Andrea Staub, Perdue officials later confirmed that the missing associate had died.

"We are deeply saddened to confirm that the associate who was unaccounted for following Saturday's explosion at our Cofield, North Carolina, facility has died. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones. This is an incredibly difficult moment for them and for many across our company, and we are providing support as they grieve this loss," Staub said. "We are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and professionally, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate what happened. Our focus remains on the safety of our people and supporting those affected."

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Hertford County officials said the victim's body was recovered and transported to the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for formal identification and determination of the official cause of death. The individual's name has not yet been released.

Officials described the response as a multi-day operation involving fire suppression, search efforts, structural stabilization, and coordinated recovery operations.

"This was an incredibly difficult and emotionally taxing operation for everyone involved," Christian Davies, public information officer with Hertford County told local reporters. "Our focus remained on supporting the family, protecting our responders and serving the Cofield community. We are deeply grateful for the dedication shown by our volunteers and partner agencies."

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Authorities say updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The post 1 dead, 3 injured after explosion at Perdue feed mill in N.C. appeared first on AGDAILY.
The official target size of the future B-21 Raider fleet remains 100 aircraft, despite an announcement that production of the stealth bomber is expanding, a U.S. Air Force official has confirmed to TWZ. For now, the main focus of the production boost is on accelerating fielding of the B-21, now set to begin in 2027. More production capacity could still open the door to an increase in the total planned Raider fleet size in the future.

The U.S. Air Force and prime contractor Northrop Grumman announced yesterday that they had finalized an agreement to boost annual B-21 production capacity by 25 percent. The news came on the first day of the Air & Space Forces Associations (AFA) annual Warfare Symposium, at which TWZ is in attendance. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have been openly discussing the possibility of a production expansion for more than a year now.

Specific Raider production rate details remain classified, but Aviation Week has reported that it is understood to be up to eight aircraft per year. The Air Force official told TWZ that the final B-21 fleet size figure is expected to be classified, as well.

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The B-21 production capacity expansion is leveraging $4.5 billion in supplemental funding provided by a reconciliation bill, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed last year. The new agreement with Northrop Grumman involves compressing delivery timelines while preserving cost and performance discipline, per the Air Force. For years, U.S. military officials, as well as members of Congress, have repeatedly described the B-21 program as a model acquisition effort that has remained on track despite its cost and complexity, and at least some hurdles along the way.

The second pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber seen during its maiden flight in 2025. USAF

This is what disciplined acquisition delivers, Air Force Gen. Dale White, Director of Critical Major Weapon Systems and direct reporting portfolio manager to the Deputy Secretary of War, said in a statement yesterday. This decision reflects our confidence in the programs performance and the stability of the industrial base. By increasing production capacity now, we are responsibly accelerating delivery of a critical, combat-effective capability to the warfighter.

The B-21 is foundational to our long-range strike capability and to credible deterrence, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink also said in a statement. Accelerating production capacity now ensures we deliver operational capability to combatant commanders faster  strengthening our ability to outpace, deter, and, if necessary, defeat emerging threats. This is disciplined execution at the speed the security environment demands.

The B-21 was delivered on schedule and will be on the ramp at Ellsworth in 2027, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach also said during a keynote address at the AFA Warfare Symposium yesterday. Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota has long been slated to be the first home for operational Raiders.

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Getting the B-21 Raider into the hands of our Air Force operators and maintainers is the mission of thousands of dedicated Northrop Grumman team members, Tom Jones, President of Northrop Grummans Aeronautics Systems sector, said in a statement accompanying a press release from the company yesterday, as well. We have delivered continued outstanding performance on B-21 in ground and flight test, in partnership with the Air Force.

A pre-production B-21 seen in flight. USAF

The first pre-production B-21 arrived at Edwards Air Force Base following its maiden flight in 2023. A second pre-production Raider took to the skies last year. The Air Force eventually expected to take delivery of a total of six pre-production examples of the new stealth bomber. Non-flying airframes are also being used to support ongoing testing.

Northrop Grumman has received at least three contracts now for low-rate initial production (LRIP) lots of B-21s, as well as funding to support long-lead time items for future lots. How many Raiders in total the Air Force has already ordered to date is unknown. President Donald Trump has made mention of buying between 20 and 30 new and improved B-2s on several occasions in the past year or so, but these comments are widely understood to be referencing purchases of B-21s. Whether the figures Trump has offered reflect existing LRIP contracts or prospective future lots is also not known.

Though there has been no official change in the plan yet, expanded production capacity could still create a path to increasing the total size of the B-21 fleet. U.S. officials have increasingly expressed support in recent years for a larger fleet of Raiders, possibly consisting of up to 145 bombers. Its also worth noting here that the Air Forces bomber fleet plans, broadly, are no longer constrained by limitations previously imposed by the New START arms control treaty with Russia, which expired earlier this month.

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Air Force officials have also touted the boost in capabilities the service expects to get just with 100 stealthy B-21s, especially when contrasted with what is currently offered by the silver bullet B-2 fleet. Though B-2s are a vital component of Americas strategic nuclear arsenal, and also provide unique conventional strike capabilities, as was demonstrated during the Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iran last year, there are only 19 of them in service today.

A B-2 seen in a hangar at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri ahead of the Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iran in 2025. USAF

So, the B-21,  its in flight test now, its a phenomenal capability, then-Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost said during an online talk last year. In the job prior to this  I was interacting with acquisition, RCO [Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office], and Northrop Grumman in how we work together to drive the concepts, drive the requirements, drive the fielding and the manufacture, actually, of this airplane, so that it can become something different when we have it in numbers.

Thats what Im most excited about, he continued. Sixth-generation stealth brings with it, it brings its own set of pretty amazing capabilities, but what Im most excited about is the ability to build a campaign force.

At that time, Armagost was the commander of the Eighth Air Force, to which the Air Forces current B-2, B-1, and B-52 bombers are all assigned. Armagost, since promoted to Lieutenant General, is now Deputy Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).

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Right now, Im focused on delivering the initial capability. And unfortunately, I cant talk too much about the capabilities of the bomber. They are significant, and they are impressive, AFGSCs current commander, Gen. Stephen Davis, also told TWZ last month. From the commands perspective, were concentrating on getting everything in place up at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to bed down that capability. Really, its the acquisition community thats still delivering that plane, and Im certainly interested in that, but Im probably more focused on the bed down and getting those things right.

USAF Secretary of the Air Force Publi

This was Davis first interview since he took up his current post last November. He offered additional insights about the B-21 and what capabilities it will offer, including its ability to work with future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, as well as what role it could play in a future conflict in the Pacific against China. You can find his full comments about the Raider here.

If nothing else, the Air Force and Northrop Grumman have now taken important new steps to get the first operational B-21s into service faster.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
A centuries-old sword from the time of the Crusades was discovered by a student swimming off the coast of Haifa, Israel, the University of Haifa revealed on Monday.

Shlomi Katsin, a student in the university's Department of Maritime Civilizations, was swimming off Dor Beach when he saw a group of divers with metal detectors, the school said. Katsin feared the divers were antiquities thieves and was able to chase them out of the area. Then, he saw the sword protruding from the seafloor, the university said. The discovery was entirely "by chance," according to the news release.

Katsin reached out to Department of Maritime Civilizations professor Debi Tsveikal to report the find. Tsveikal contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority. The university said the authority "granted special permission to remove the sword from the water in order to preserve it and prevent damage."

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The three-foot-long blade was recovered and brought to a conservation laboratory at the university's Leon Recanati Institute of Maritime Studies. Then it was taken to Medica Elisha Hospital in Haifa, where a CT scan allowed researchers to learn more details about the blade without damaging it. Photos show the sword covered in seashells and other marine sediment.

Crusader sword from the 12th century discovered off the coast of Haifa, Israel. / Credit: Yoav Bornstein, University of Haifa (Yoav Bornstein, University of Haifa)

The scan showed that the sword was made to be held in one hand and likely belonged to a Crusader warrior from Europe. There was a fracture in the sword blade, and most of the iron that the weapon had originally been made from had been eaten away by "the ravages of time and the sea," the university said.

Dr. Sarah Lantos, a professor at the Department of Maritime Civilizations, said that the discovery of the sword is rare and gives researchers "a unique opportunity to learn about the lives" of European knights in Israel.

Tsveikal, the professor who Katsin reported his find to, said there are only a few known blades that date back to the Crusades in Israel.

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"This discovery contributes greatly to our understanding of the use of maritime anchorages and the lives of warriors during this period," she said.

The Crusades took place between 1095 and 1291, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They were a series of military campaigns fought by Christian knights to take areas along the Mediterranean from Muslim control. The battles took place in modern-day Israel, Turkey, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. The Crusaders built fortified castles to protect their new territories, and the two sides traded control of those territories over the centuries, until the era ended in 1291.

In 2021, an amateur diver found a large sword dating back to the Crusades at the bottom of Mediterranean Sea off Israel.

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A 14-year-old boy was killed in an Urbandale shooting on Sunday, Feb. 22, according to police.

Officers responded just before 5 p.m. Sunday to Plaza Manor Apartments following a reported disturbance, said Urbandale Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Joe Fisher. Upon arrival, officers found a 14-year-old boy dead at the scene, according to an update from Fisher on Tuesday morning.

Fisher told the Des Moines Register on Monday that it was determined the death was not a suicide.

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Two boys, ages 13 and 14, are identified as suspects, Fisher said in the release. Because of the victim's and suspect's ages, their names will not be released per Iowa law.

The 13-year-old boy is charged with going armed with intent, and the 14-year-old boy is charged with going armed with intent, aiding and abetting, Fisher said.

An investigation into Urbandale's first homicide since 2024 continues. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Urbandale shooting victim was a 14-year-old boy, police say
Citigroup has agreed to sell a 24% stake in Grupo Financiero Banamex to a group of institutional investors and family offices, as part of its planned exit from its Mexican retail banking unit.

The buyers, which include organisations such as General Atlantic, Afore SURA, Banco BTG Pactual, Chubb, Blackstone-managed funds, Liberty Strategic Capital, and Qatar Investment Authority, will purchase a combined 499 million shares.

The agreed price for the shares is approximately $2.5bn, with each buyer limited to a maximum stake of 4.9%.

The transaction values Banamex at about 0.85 times its book value and 1.01 times tangible book value according to local accounting standards.

Completion of these transactions is subject to regulatory approval in Mexico and other customary conditions.

The deals are expected to close in 2026.

This move follows the closure in December 2025 of a separate transaction in which Fernando Chico Pardo, who chairs the Banamex board and is its largest private shareholder, acquired a 25% stake in the company.

He was involved in selecting the new shareholders and will participate in incorporating them into the business.

Upon completion of these sales, Citi will have divested 49% of Banamex.

Citi head of International Ernesto Torres Cantu said: We are honoured to have the backing of these buyers as we prepare for Banamexs proposed initial public offering.

Their investment is a further endorsement of Banamexs long-term strategy, market leadership and growth prospects, and their commitment solidifies Banamexs foundational position within Mexicos banking system.

The bank confirmed it does not plan further sales in 2026, intending for the current investor group to focus on developing Banamex.

Citi said that selling Banamex remains a key objective and that any decisions about a potential public listing or further share sales will consider market conditions, financial factors, and regulatory approvals.

Outside of Mexico, Citi also noted progress towards completing the sale of its consumer banking operations internationally, including the signing of an agreement to sell its consumer business in Poland.

"Citi enters $2.5bn deal to sell 24% of Banamex to investors " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Reconstruction of the burial event at Gomolava in Serbia. | Credit: Sara Nylund

Archaeologists have analyzed a mass grave in southeastern Europe that held the remains of women and children who were violently murdered 2,800 years ago. The grave may be key to understanding the evolution of strategic mass violence in the Early Iron Age, researchers reported in a new study.

The grave was unearthed at the archaeological site of Gomolava, located near the modern town of Hrtkovci in northern Serbia. Originally founded as a settlement on the Sava River in the sixth millennium B.C. , both settled and mobile cultural groups used Gomolava repeatedly over the centuries. By the ninth century B.C., semisedentary groups in the Carpathian Basin were consolidating around sites like Gomolava, creating tension over land use and ownership.

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Gomolava "was situated at a physical, political and conceptual flashpoint"  and the consequences of these new interactions were deadly, researchers wrote in the study, which was published Monday (Feb. 23) in the journal Nature Human Behaviour .

The researchers focused their analysis on a small mass grave at Gomolava that was just 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) in diameter and 1.6 feet (0.5 m) deep. Archaeologists discovered postholes around the burial pit that suggested there had been some sort of memorialization of the grave. The pit also contained ceramic vessels and small, bronze accessories, along with the bones of nearly 100 animals, including the complete skeleton of a young cow at the very bottom of the grave.

But when the researchers began to study the 77 human skeletons in the pit, they found that more than 70% of the skeletons were female and 69% were children.

"The predominance of women and younger individuals in the mass grave at Gomolava is exceptional in European prehistory," the researchers wrote.

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Additionally, the archaeologists found extensive evidence of intentional, violent, lethal trauma to the victims' heads involving "close contact and especially blunt force, which could have resulted from a number of implements or weapons," they wrote. The attackers may have been significantly taller than the victims or on horseback, given the location of the injuries, the team said.

"Overall, the patterning reveals severe violence that was brutal, deliberate and efficient," the researchers wrote.

To learn more about the victims, the researchers studied the individuals' DNA . This analysis revealed that only a handful of the 77 people had close biological ties, which suggests that the killing was not a raid on a settlement of extended families. A study of the skeletons' strontium isotope ratios  a chemical variant found in dental enamel that is influenced by geographic origin  also showed that more than one-third of the people grew up outside the Gomolava region.

"It is clear that this is a heterogenous assembly of individuals," study lead author Linda Fibiger , a bioarchaeologist at the University of Edinburgh, told Live Science in an email. Gomolava was "a focus for burying predominantly women and children that had been brutally killed at the time," she said.

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But the reason for the mass violence remains elusive.

In the ninth century B.C., myriad cultural groups were moving and settling across the Carpathian Basin. This population influx, coupled with tension between mobile and sedentary lifestyles, may have created a "potentially explosive set of conflicting ideologies of land use and ownership," the researchers wrote. This tension may have led to the forced migration or displacement of certain people, the capture and killing of specific groups, and the exchange of women and children through marriage or fostering.

The burial plan of the ninth-century mass grave discovered at the archaeological site of Gomolava in Serbia. | Credit: Sara Nylund (after Tasic 1972)

"There is nothing osteologically or archaeologically that indicates that these individuals were captured and held for a while," Fibiger said. "We are looking at shifting settlement structure, land use and most likely accompanying power structures."

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A second mass grave was also found at Gomolava in 1954. That pit held mostly female skeletons in addition to the bones of animals, metal objects and ceramics that date to the same era.

Both mass graves may have been intended as hoards of valuable objects and people, the researchers wrote. Women and children were vital for these communities' survival, leading the researchers to conclude that these individuals' murders were intended as genealogical disruption.

"Taken together, the killing event, the mortuary event and the resulting monument signal a chain of actions intended to forcibly resolve or eradicate conflict and rebalance power within or between communities," the researchers wrote, resulting in "mass violence and assertion of power in prehistoric Europe."
Two locations of Fazolis, a fast-casual restaurant chain that begin in Lexington, appear to have closed permanently.

The location of Fazolis at 2195 Richmond Rd. in the Idle Hour Shopping Center was listed a permanently closed on restaurant websites and on the restaurants Facebook page. No one was answering the phone at the location.

A photo of a closed sign on a menu board was shared on the Lexington Reddit.

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Additionally, the Fazolis at 2200 Nicholasville Rd. in the Zandale Shopping Center also was listed as permanently closed on restaurant websites.

The moves come less than a month after parent corporation FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 reorganizational bankruptcy protection in Texas. FAT Brands acquired Fazolis in 2021 for $130 million.

Fazolis was founded in Lexington as Gratzis in 1988 and became known for its fast-casual dining experience and unlimited breadsticks. The chain had five locations in Fayette County, along with Fazolis headquarters.

The building for the Richmond Road location began life as a Frischs Big Boy drive-in.

The reason the parking lot is so big on one end is because the Frischs had car hops, Sam Nelson told the Herald-Leader in 2018 after the longtime Fazolis restaurant executive retired.

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The original Fazolis at 1951 N. Broadway closed in 2017.

The locations join a growing list of closing or closed Lexington restaurants, including:

Zims Cafe and Thirsty Fox in the old courthouse downtown

Tolly-Ho on South Broadway

Bad Wolf Burgers off Leestown Road

Joellas Hot Chicken in Hamburg

Sams Hot Dogs in Lexington Green

Columbia Steak Express on Southland

Big City Pizza in Hamburg

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In a wildly ridiculous case of GOP lawmakers wanting to make everything about ultimately banning abortion and punishing abortion patients, two (he/him) lawmakers in Tennessee have proposed a bill that would charge abortion patients with homicide.

Rep. Jody Barrett (R) and Sen. Mark Pody (R) have introduced House Bill 570 and Senate Bill 738, which, if passed, would revise the states criminal code to charge abortion patients with fetal homicide. Some media outlets have highlighted that this could mean abortion patients could receive the death penalty, which Rep. Barrett denies. But even though its true that their bill doesnt explicitly mention the death penalty, punishment for fetal homicide can include life imprisonment, life without parole, or, yes, the death penalty.

The bill also removes protection for pregnant people. For the most part, states with abortion bans look to punish the doctor, healthcare provider, or anyone who helps someone get an abortion, not the abortion seeker themselves. But HB 570 and SB 738 would consider any harm done to a fetus as harm done to an individual born alive or, in other words, prioritize protections for a fetus over the pregnant person carrying them.

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While the bill has yet to be voted on, it would take effect on July 1 if it passesthough it would not apply to any cases before then.

The legislation was initially announced by anti-abortion group Foundation to Abolish Abortion (FAA), and was endorsed by the Southern Baptist Conventionor the same denomination that made headlines in 2019 for overlooking and enabling a system of church leaders who raped, molested, and abused hundreds of victims. It was also backed by Reps. Bud Hulsey (R), Ed Butler (R), and Monty Fritts (R)the latter of whom defended the bill by telling the Tennessee Holler in late January that murder is murder. I know thats hard for people to hear, and I dont mean to be hard with it, I promise.

Tennessee is one of 13 states with a near-total abortion ban, and also considered one of the strictest bans in the countrywhile it has a vague exception for the life of the mother, the ban has zero exceptions for rape or incest. In July, one doctor also used the states newly-passed Medical Ethics Defense Act to deny a pregnant woman prenatal care because she was unmarried.

So far in 2026, three states, in addition to Tennessee, have tried to advance legislation aiming to classify abortion as murder. Ten states tried (and failed) to do the same in 2025. Its a risky move for the GOP ahead of the midtermsas abortion rights remain overwhelmingly popular in the U.S. But if they want to dig their own grave, they have our blessing to shovel away.

Like what you just read? Youve got great taste. Subscribe to Jezebel, and for $5 a month or $50 a year, youll get access to a bunch of subscriber benefits, including getting to read the next article (and all the ones after that) ad-free. Plus, youll be supporting independent journalismwhich, can you even imagine not supporting independent journalism in times like these? Yikes.
A 23-year-old man from Cincinnati, who is accused of causing a Xenia crash in October, was indicted on charges in court on Tuesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

News Center 7 previously reported that an 18-year-old man died after being thrown from a car during a crash off of Bellbrook Avenue in Xenia.

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Adrian Hernandez was indicted in the Greene County Court of Common Pleas.

According to court documents, he faces the following charges:

Aggravated vehicular Homicide, first-degree felony.

Aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree felony.

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them, first-degree misdemeanor.

Driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction, first-degree misdemeanor.

Driving under the financial responsibility law suspension or cancellation.

On Oct. 29, the Xenia Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers pulled up and discovered a single car had crashed.

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That car began disintegrating as it flipped over several times, hitting three other parked cars in two driveways.

Both Hernandez and 18-year-old Ashton Evans were ejected from the mustang during the crash.

Both occupants were transported to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries, where Evans later died.

Hernandez is in the Greene County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

He is set to appear in court on May 1.

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TRIPOLI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - At least five bodies of migrants including two women have been washed ashore in Qasr al-Akhyar, a coastal town in the east of Libya's capital Tripoli, a police officer told Reuters on Saturday.

Hassan Al-Ghawil, head of investigations at the Qasr Al-Akhyar police station, said that according to people in the area, a child's body washed ashore and because of the waves' height the body returned to the sea, and the coast guard was asked to search for it.

Ghawil said the bodies are all dark-skinned people. The bodies were found on Emhamid Al-Sharif shore in the western part of the town by people who reported to the police station.

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Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean since the fall in 2011 of dictator Muammar Gaddafi to a NATO-backed uprising. Factional conflict has split the country into western and eastern factions since 2014.

Qasr al-Akhyar is a coastal town some 73 kilometers (45 miles) east of Tripoli.

Pictures were posted on the internet, and also seen by Reuters, showing the bodies of the migrants lying on the shore, where some were still within black inflatable lifebuoys.

"We reported to the Red Crescent to recover the bodies," said Ghawil. "The bodies we found are still intact and we think there are more bodies to wash ashore."

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Earlier this month, fifty-three migrants, including two babies, were dead or missing after a rubber boat carrying 55 people capsized off the coast of Zuwara town in western Tripoli, the International Organization for Migration said.

Last week, a U.N. report said migrants in Libya, including young girls, are at risk of being killed, tortured, raped or put into domestic slavery, calling for a moratorium on the return of migrant boats to the country until human rights are ensured.

(Reporting by Ahmed Elumami and Hani Amara;writing by Ahmed Elumami, Editing by Franklin Paul)
Once again, the United States is on the precipice of war with Iran. But this time might be different.

In the eight months since the Trump administration bombed Iranian nuclear sites, the world has changed, and President Donald Trump seems emboldened. He faced little blowback after his previous attack on Iran, and hes riding high after snatching Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.

Now Trump is amping up the pressure on Tehran to give up its nuclear program by deploying a huge collection of fighter jets and warships to the Middle East, not seen since the Iraq War. If negotiations fail, Trump is threatening a massive attack, with the pursuit of regime change a possibility.

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Last year,we asked a series of experts to weigh in on how an attack on Iran might unfold. Weve gone back to them to see what they think of Trumps latest moves, the potential rewards or risks of military action and how their own views may have changed based on what happened last time.

Their general consensus: Trump may be about to take risks that are far less predictable  and far more deadly  than his previous gambits to reshape the globe.

There will not be a TACO this time

BY RYAN CROCKER

Ryan Crocker is a distinguished chair in diplomacy and security at RAND, and he was a career Foreign Service Officer who served six times as an American ambassador to: Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon.

I t is highly unlikely that Iran will meet U.S. demands on zero enrichment, ballistic missiles and/or support for proxy forces. Tehran sees these as crucial underpinnings of regime legitimacy; to meet Washingtons conditions would effectively mean the end of the Islamic Republic.

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The massive buildup of U.S. forces cannot be sustained indefinitely. There will not be a TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) this time  in the absence of an agreement, President Donald Trump will take action, probably limited in the first instance, in an effort to coerce Iran into an agreement. When that doesnt work, and it wont, Trump will expand operations in an effort to decapitate the regime, including clerical and military leadership. That will require precise intelligence, which may be harder to obtain than it was in June.

It is important that initial strikes comprehensively target Irans missile capabilities. If Iran can, they will use them against U.S. allies and assets in the region, as well as Israel. What Trump will not do is commit U.S. ground forces. In the event of regime decapitation, this means the U.S. will have no ability to control subsequent events. It is impossible to predict what will happen next. What we can say with confidence is that we will not see the emergence of a secular democracy led by the son of the Shah. Far more likely would be the seizure of power by a group of unknown military officers and massive internal violence.

President Trump operates without either clear objectives or strategy

BY JONATHAN PANIKOFF

Jonathan Panikoff is director of the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative and a former deputy national intelligence officer for the Near East on the National Intelligence Council.

P resident Donald Trump correctly learned that military action can work  but may have overlearned how much and how often. It is probably not only the June strikes that increased President Trumps confidence in his ability to attack Iran with limited blowback, but his killing in January 2020 of Iranian Qods Force chief Qassem Soleimani, as well as the military action he took in Venezuela and success there. The U.S. is not going to be able to rendition the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the same way. And strikes always carry severe risks, including the potential that this is the time Iran finally decides the regimes survival is at stake  always its singular overriding goal.

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But without clear goals for what the strikes are meant to achieve, there is no broader strategy to determine which risks are worth taking. If Tehran determines the regime is at risk, then the response may be extensive and include not just ballistic missile strikes on Israel or U.S. bases and personnel in the region, but potentially asymmetric attacks, both terrorist and cyber, across the globe as well.

The problem is that the presidents own words, help is on the way, have put him in a box, making the lack of a clear strategy a potential lesser risk than not striking and keeping his word. If he doesnt, it will embolden the Iranian regime further, which would be skeptical of the presidents future threats, undermining U.S. deterrence. Moreover, it would reinforce the view of many Arab states that are already negative toward U.S. reliability and the value of President Trumps word, a notion that Beijing and Moscow would almost certainly latch onto as well.

Neither protests nor airstrikes alone are likely to end the regimes grip on power. History suggests it will require either the varying Iranian security forces to stand aside, as happened in 1979, or at least a part of the security establishment to switch sides to the opposition.

What we all should have learned by now is that President Trump, more than many of his predecessors, operates without either clear objectives or a strategy. That can create opportunities for the U.S. and its allies where they didnt previously exist, and perhaps U.S. airstrikes, in addition to further diminishing Irans ballistic missile and nuclear problem, will bring tens of thousands back to the street. But it also poses the risk that, for the first time, the presidents actions vis-a-vis Iran wont actually lead to the result he expects and could prompt significantly greater threats to Israel, Gulf allies and U.S. personnel in the region.

Effectively playing a game of chicken

BY DENNIS ROSS

Ambassador Dennis Ross is the William Davidson distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former U.S. special envoy to the Middle East; his latest book is Statecraft 2.0: What America Needs to Lead in a Multipolar World.

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B efore President Donald Trump launched his strikes against the Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites  the most important Iranian nuclear infrastructure  I predicted that if he attacked only in a limited way, the conflict would be contained. But if the attack was wider and seen as being about regime change, it would escalate and not be containable. Though we attacked all three sites, Trumps intent was limited to the nuclear program, and the Iranians responded much the way they had to the killing of Qassem Soleimani: They signaled what they would do in advance of attacking al Udeid base, letting us limit the damage and conveying they had no interest in escalation. So, is that the lesson that President Trump has learned: You can use force in a limited way for a limited objective and Iran will respond in kind?

The fact that the president is apparently now speaking about a more limited strike to try to produce a deal  and only if that fails might he then consider a much larger one intended to produce regime collapse  suggests the following: First, he thinks that he can use limited force for coercive purposes to achieve a deal and that the Iranians have an interest in keeping the conflict limited. Second, that if he cannot achieve a nuclear deal  which seems to be his preoccupation even if others talk about ballistic missiles, support for proxies and treatment of Irans citizens  he will raise the ante, but much later.

The problem is that the Iranians now seem to feel that Trump can be deterred by their threats to attack U.S. forces, interests and friends throughout the region. They read him as wanting only a limited conflict and they are threatening a much wider one. Apart from the mismatch in perceptions, there is an irony: Neither side actually wants a wider war. Trump doesnt want a war that escalates, could be hard to stop and could produce a huge leap in oil prices when he already has to deal with the affordability crisis in this country. But the Iranians, for all their bluster, know they are profoundly vulnerable with little or no air defense, and with the risk that their forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and related control mechanisms of their public, could be dramatically weakened by a war that escalates. With a public they know is extremely angry, this is not the time to weaken the regime further. So neither may want a wider war with escalation that can take on a life of its own, but each reads the other as willing to back down on their red-lines, believe it is very costly for them to back down on their own, and are effectively playing a game of chicken.

For President Trump it comes back to understanding his objective. I may be wrong, but I still think he defines it more narrowly: Iran doesnt rebuild its nuclear infrastructure and program and effectively gives up its pursuit of nuclear weapons in a way that is unmistakable. For Ayatollah Ali Khamenei et al., is that outcome seen as such a sign of regime weakness that it is a threat to the regime? Or is it possible that there are those around the Supreme Leader who can prevail upon him to look for a way out, given the danger of a war with the U.S. to the survival of the regime? That happened in 1988 with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini when Mir Hossein Mousavi and Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani persuaded him that the risk of escalation with the U.S. threatened the survival of the regime, and he needed to end the war with Iraq. The real question now is whether, as in 1988, regime survival will once again trump revolutionary defiance.

We may yet find ourselves in a cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation

BY RAY TAKEYH

Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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T he Trump administration was a late entry into the June War. Once Israel began to dominate Irans skyline and attack its nuclear facilities and kill scores of its generals with relative impunity, President Donald Trump inched his way into the conflict. First, he boasted that the Israeli success was caused by American weapons, and then he joined the war and took credit for its outcome. He promised that Irans nuclear program was obliterated.

And then came Americas snatching of President Nicolas Maduro from his palace in Venezuela. Trump, who relishes displays of power, seems to enjoy bombing recalcitrant adversaries, as long as there is no cost. Trumps demand is for Iran to declare that it will never enrich uranium at home. In the midst of all the military deployments in the Persian Gulf, the fact that is neglected is that zero-enrichment is Irans practical condition today. The bombed nuclear facilities remain under rubble, and there is no evidence that Iran is surreptitiously enriching uranium anywhere. In essence, Trump is proposing to bomb Iran to get a declaration from a regime that he and many in the Republican Party have long insisted is not to be believed.

Wars have their own dynamics that are impossible to predict ahead of time. As Vietnam-era diplomat George Ball warned Lyndon Johnson, Once on the tigers back, we cannot be sure of picking the place to dismount. America may bomb Iran, and it may get away with it. The Islamic Republic is weak, its defenses battered and its population restive. But the mullahs may retaliate and, in the process, they may kill American servicemen, thus mandating more American bombing. We may yet find ourselves in a cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation, otherwise, on the tigers back.

Seldom has a military operation lacked coherent strategic objectives or a concise explanation as the prospective attack on Iran. In another era, Congress would be demanding an explanation from the administration and a measure of accountability. American people should demand no less.

Iranian leaders would ultimately prefer deal-making to a broader war

BY ARASH AZIZI

Arash Azizi is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom.

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P resident Donald Trump might have concluded from the 12 Day War that decisive military action can bring a swift end to a conflict and that, faced with overwhelming American military might, there is little that Iran can do. As is often the case, too much hubris can be dangerous because, under certain conditions, Iranians might end up broadening the conflict, knowing full well Trump's aversion to that scenario. They could, for instance, strike Israel, infrastructure in hubs such as Dubai and U.S. bases in the region, causing significant instability. Iran will suffer grave consequences if it picks this path, but those Iranian military leaders who could lead such a campaign might still reasonably hope to be in a better position at the end of it. They might even use this to pave their own path to power.

Last year, I said that the Iranian leaders would ultimately prefer deal-making to a broader war in the region. I still think the same. Under the right conditions, elements in Iran might seize the opportunity for a new deal with the U.S. and perhaps even bring about a Venezuela-like regime transformation in the country. But there nevertheless exist dangers of a broadened conflict, even if neither side truly wants it.

The majority of Americans oppose a U.S. military campaign against Iran

BY ROBIN WRIGHT

Robin Wright is a foreign affairs analyst who has written multiple books on the Middle East, including Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World.

M uch of what all of us wrote last year may be even truer today. Alas.

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President Donald Trump either does not fathom the growing domestic and international opposition to a war with Iran, or he is making facile assumptions about how it might play out afterwards. Before the 12 Day War last year, Trump called for unconditional surrender. This time around, on February 13, he said a change in power would be the best thing that could happen in Iran. While the theocracy is clearly no longer sustainable long-term, Trump has not yet made a single clear-eyed case about who or what might come next. The previous four administrations made historic blunders  costly in thousands of American lives and trillions from the national treasury  in their calculations about Afghanistan and Iraq. If all Trump wants is a new nuclear deal, that means the current government remains in power. Then what?

I, for one, remain bewildered. Others seem confused, too. The majority of Americans oppose a U.S. military campaign against Iran under the current circumstances, according to a poll last month. Dozens of members of Congress, from both parties, have publicly warned in recent weeks that the White House does not have the legal authority to engage in a new war without getting congressional approval. Much of the world, including powerful players in the Middle East, is wary too. Britain, which participated in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is refusing to allow U.S. warplanes to use its military bases for air strikes on Iran.

Implicitly or explicitly, Washington backed opposition movements during the Arab uprisings launched in 2011. The autocratic leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen  who had collectively ruled for 123 years  were ousted. There are lessons here, too. Some of the leaders democratically elected in Tunisia are now in jail. The current Egyptian government is more brutal than the one ousted in 2011. Libya is hopelessly divided between two rival governments. And poor Yemen: The autocrats in those countries did not deserve to hold on to power. The protesters in those countries and in Iran today, facing such brutality, have inspired us all. The Middle East has consistently been the worlds most volatile region for 78 years. More than ever, all the arms of power in Washington need to be careful not to mess up whatever they opt to do next.

Trump is more confident about military strikes in Iran this time around

BY IAN BREMMER

Ian Bremmer is president and founder of the Eurasia Group.

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P resident Donald Trump is more confident about military strikes in Iran this time around  both on the back of his experience at the end of his first term (after the killing of Qassem Soleimani) and the 12 Day War last year, as well as given the success of his military operation in Venezuela last month.

I see the risks of limited action as comparatively low, since Israel has established escalation dominance in the region (against Iran's proxies) and the regime is not under imminent threat in its domestic environment. But a broader decapitation threat is another matter, and there I could see attacks against U.S. military targets in the region, as well as critical energy infrastructure, and disrupting the Strait of Hormuz (with significant implications for oil prices) as more plausible.

All of which is why a more limited set of strikes, at least to begin with, seems the more likely option to me at this point. Yes, Iran hasn't offered much in terms of their negotiations, but there's no reason not to test that after having once again pushed back their nuclear capabilities and targeted ballistic missile capacity (that they're not yet willing to negotiate about).


A massive snowball fight in Washington Square Park following this weeks blizzard that left two police officers hospitalized has drawn sharply different responses from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Mayor Mamdani.

While both Tisch and Mamdani condemned the snowball hurlers, Tisch called their actions criminal and promised an investigation, while the mayor said he didnt believe anyone should be prosecuted.

From the video Ive seen, it looks like a snowball fight, Mamdani told reporters Tuesday. No arrests have been made.

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Asked if he thought anyone should be charged over the incident, Mamdani replied, I dont.

At least two cops were sent to the hospital with bruises, cuts and complaints of head pain after they were caught in the middle of the snowball fight organized on social media after the historic blizzard dumped 20 inches of snow on the city.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the NYPD release surveillance footage of two suspects wielding snowballs in the park and asked the publics help identifying them and tracking them down. One suspect is shown holding a snowball at least a foot in diameter with both hands.

The duo struck two cops multiple times with snow and ice in the head, neck and face, according to the NYPD.

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The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking cops, Tisch wrote on X late Monday. I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal.

Our detectives are investigating this matter, she added.

Mamdani last month jestingly invited schoolchildren to chuck him with snowballs for mandating remote learning on the first school snow day of the year. He said Tuesday he didnt believe criminal charges were warranted for the park melee.

[The police] and our entire city workforce deserve to be treated with respect, Mamdani said. The only person in our citys workforce who deserves to be treated with a snowball is me.

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Patrick Hendry, head of the NYPDs largest union, the Police Benevolent Association, blasted Mamdanis response as a complete failure of leadership.

This was not just a snowball fight. This was an assault  by adults throwing chunks of ice and rocks  that landed two police officers in the hospital with head and face injuries, Hendry said.

By ignoring their injuries and dismissing the incident, the mayor has sent a disgraceful message to every police officer who serves this city, and a dangerous message to every person who might be looking to attack a police officer in the future.

Cops in the park were sent to its comfort station after receiving 911 calls of people hurling snowballs from the roof and jumping off it about 4:15 p.m. on Monday, a police spokesman said.

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Two officers responded and found about 50 people, mostly teenagers and college-age men, engaged in the heated snowball fight and called for backup.

A sergeant and other officers at a detail nearby were responding when multiple uniformed officers were struck in the head at close range with snowballs, causing injuries to the head, face and neck area, an NYPD spokesman said.

Video uploaded to social media shows the officers being battered by snowballs outside the rest rooms as dozens of parkgoers crowd around filming the cops and jeering at them.

Fg bitch, one man can be heard screaming at the cops, while another yelled, Get em out of here.

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One cop was repeatedly hit by snowballs, the video shows. At one point, someone runs up behind the officer and smashes a snowball into the back of the cops head.

Police were recorded shoving two people out of the way as they walked through the gantlet of snow hurlers.

The injured cops were taken to Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital.

Our police officers are being treated for their injuries, but the case CANNOT end there, the Police Benevolent Association posted on social media Monday night. The individuals involved must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer.

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The snowball fight drew many New York University students, police union officials believe. The college has many buildings on the parks perimeter and nearby.

While some people may attempt to dismiss this incident as college high jinks or harmless kids throwing snowballs, the deliberate targeting of uniformed police officers by hurling objects at them while they perform their lawful duties constitutes an assault, NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong said in a statement to his members.

He added that the snowball hurlers crossed a clear line.

The behavior of the people throwing the snowballs, many of whom are believed to be NYU students, was reckless and unlawful, and put the lives and safety of others at risk, he said. Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles or worse.

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An NYU spokesman said the university is not aware of any evidence showing that cops were struck by snowballs thrown by its students.

We have enormous appreciation for the NYPD officers who keep our community safe. Assaulting police officers is a serious offense, said Joseph Tirella. At this time, we have found no indication anyone from NYU was involved.

The snowball fight began at 3 p.m. and was promoted by Sidetalk, an Instagram account with 1.8 million followers.

Other videos show cops being followed out of the park to a marked NYPD van as gigantic snowballs rain down upon them.

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The Detectives Endowment Association is calling on Mayor Mamdani and District Attorney [Alvin] Bragg to ensure every individual responsible for this illegal behavior is prosecuted, that unions president, Scott Munro, said in a statement. No free pass. No get out of jail free card.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) also blasted the snowball hurlers.

These are public servants who are out in the cold, in all kinds of conditions, to keep New Yorkers safe, she wrote on X. Causing injuries to officers is not a game. We cannot normalize this kind of behavior in our city.

The union demands were ridiculed on social media, with some calling the pelted officers snowflakes and encouraging the cops to play along next time.

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No one wants to fund thousands in investigations over two [cops] trying to break up a snowball fight, one X user, who goes by the handle Ghost Money, wrote. You guys have the worst PR.

Even my dad, who spent 33 years as a police officer here in Ohio before retiring, said these officers brought this on themselves, user @armystig wrote. The kids were outside and having fun in the park on a snow day. There was no need for them to stick their noses into this. Let the kids have their fun.

This is not the first time Mamdani has taken a view opposing that of law enforcement when it comes to aggressive actions toward police officers.

Earlier this month, Mamdani said that Jabez Chakraborty, a 22-year-old diagnosed schizophrenic who was shot by police in his Queens home when he charged an officer with a knife, shouldnt be prosecuted.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz brought the case to a grand jury, which indicted Chakraborty with attempted assault and weapons possession.

With Rocco Parascandola
Afghan and Pakistani forces engaged in new clashes along their troubled border region, days after deadly air strikes on Afghanistan by Pakistan sent tensions soaring.

The two countries gave competing accounts of the violence on Tuesday, each accusing the other of triggering it.

Zabihullah Noorani, head of the Afghan information department in the eastern Nangarhar Province, said Pakistani forces carried out the first shots in the Shahkot area near the border. The fighting has since stopped, and there are no Afghan casualties, he added.

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Pakistani government official Mosharraf Zaidi accused Afghan forces of firing unprovoked near the Torkham border area.

Pakistans security forces responded immediately and effectively silencing the Taliban aggression, Zaidi wrote in a post on X.

The fighting follows Pakistani strikes on Afghanistans Nangarhar and Paktika Provinces on Sunday, which the UN mission in Afghanistan said killed at least 13 civilians.





We will respond

Afghanistans Taliban government said at least 18 people were killed and denied Pakistans announcement that the military operation killed more than 80 fighters.

Relations between the neighbours have plunged in recent months, with land border crossings largely shut since deadly fighting in October that killed more than 70 people on both sides.

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Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of failing to act against armed groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denies.

Pakistans military claimed its latest air strikes in Afghanistan targeted camps and hideouts belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad.

The Afghan Defence Ministry condemned the attacks, saying they hit a religious school and residential homes, causing dozens of deaths and injuries, including women and children.

We hold the Pakistani military responsible for targeting civilians and religious sites. We will respond to these attacks in due course with a measured and appropriate response, said the ministry.




Islamabad, Pakistan  In the weeks before the Pakistani military carried out air raids inside Afghanistan over the weekend, violence had been unrelenting.

On February 6, a suicide bomber detonated explosives during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque in the capital, Islamabad, killing at least 36 worshippers and wounding 170 others.

Days later, an explosives-laden vehicle rammed a security post in Bajaur in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 11 soldiers and a child. The attacker, according to Pakistani authorities, was later identified as an Afghan national.

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After the Bajaur attack, Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a demarche to the Taliban authorities on February 19, summoning the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad.

But two days later, in the early hours of Saturday, another suicide bomber struck a security convoy in Bannu, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.

Pakistans patience appeared to have run out, and early on Sunday, the military struck back, targeting what it described as camps and hideouts in Afghan border areas.

According to Pakistani authorities, air raids in Afghanistans Nangarhar and Paktika provinces targeted sanctuaries of Pakistan Taliban, or TTP, and its affiliates, killing at least 80 militants in intelligence-based air strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border targeting seven camps.

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Kabul has rejected those claims. The Afghan Ministry of Defence said the strikes hit a religious school and residential homes, killing and wounding dozens, including women and children. Afghan sources told Al Jazeera that at least 17 people were killed in Nangarhar alone. Kabul pledged a measured and appropriate response.

Later on Sunday, India entered the picture, condemning the Pakistani military action and throwing in its support for Afghanistans sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India strongly condemns Pakistans airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures, he said.

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In many ways, the statement from New Delhi underscored the unease in Islamabad over Indias growing engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan  an emerging partnership between two countries that Pakistan has repeatedly blamed in recent months for its domestic security turmoil.

Breaking point

Pakistans Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a statement issued on Sunday, said it had conclusive evidence that the recent attacks on its soil were carried out by fighters and suicide bombers acting on the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.

It said Islamabad had repeatedly urged Kabul to take verifiable steps to prevent armed groups from using Afghan soil, but that no substantive action had followed.

Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, the statement read, but the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remain its top priority.

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Pakistans attack shattered a fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye after talks in October and November, following earlier rounds of deadly border clashes. The discussions last year had failed to produce a formal peace agreement, and calm along the frontier remained tenuous.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is supporting armed groups that attack Pakistan.

But as far back as October last year, the Pakistan militarys spokesperson, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, had warned that Islamabads patience was wearing thin.

Afghanistan is being used as a base of operations against Pakistan, and there is proof and evidence of that. The necessary measures that should be taken to protect the lives and property of the people of Pakistan will be taken and will continue to be taken, he said during a press briefing, without presenting evidence publicly.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after a suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad in November, had also stressed the need for cooperation from Kabul.

Afghanistan must understand that lasting peace can only be realised by reining in TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory, he said.

Left between bad and worse options

The TTP, which emerged in 2007, is distinct from the Taliban in Afghanistan but shares deep ideological, social and linguistic ties with the group. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of providing sanctuary to the TTP on Afghan soil, a charge Kabul denies.

Abdul Basit, a scholar at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said Pakistans attack confirms the collapse of the temporary ceasefire that followed the talks late last year.

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Basit questioned the logic behind Pakistans bombings.

The more Pakistan will strike in Afghanistan, the more Kabul and TTP will come closer, he told Al Jazeera.

At the same time, Basit said, he understood Pakistans dilemma. They have to retaliate after losing so many security personnel, he said, describing Pakistan as being left between bad and worse options.

The losses for Pakistan in recent months have been steep. Last year was among the deadliest in nearly a decade, with 699 attacks recorded nationwide, a 34 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies.

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Its 2025 security report said at least 1,034 people were killed in the renewed wave of violence, marking a 21 percent rise in terrorism-related fatalities. In addition, 1,366 people were injured over the course of the year, underscoring the growing human cost of terrorism, the report said.

Cross-border air raids are not new. A similar operation in December 2024 killed at least 46 people, most of them civilians. That episode prompted sharp warnings from Kabul, but attacks on Pakistani soil  blamed by Islamabad on the TTP  continued.

Some experts said Pakistans strategy needed to involve more than military pressure on the Taliban.

Fahad Nabeel, who heads the Islamabad-based research consultancy Geopolitical Insights, said Pakistan must also work to build goodwill among Afghans.

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Reopening the border and resuming bilateral trade are two possible measures that Pakistan can adopt. Pakistan also needs to share actionable intelligence with allied countries like China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye to increase pressure on the Afghan Taliban to act against anti-Pakistan militant groups, he told Al Jazeera.

The India question

An intriguing dimension of the crisis has been not only who Pakistan targeted, but who responded.

Afghanistans Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addresses the media in New Delhi, India, October 12, 2025 [Elke Scholiers/Getty Images]

India, Pakistans nuclear-armed rival, condemned the air raids and highlighted civilian casualties in Afghanistan, while remaining silent on the attacks inside Pakistan that preceded them.

For officials in Islamabad, New Delhis statement reinforced a perception that India and the Taliban authorities are edging closer in ways that complicate Pakistans security calculus.

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That shift has gathered pace over the past year. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqis six-day visit to India last October marked the first trip by a senior Taliban official since the group returned to power in 2021. India reopened its embassy in Kabul during the same period.

When a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan weeks later, India was among the first to send aid and later gifted ambulances to Kabul, gestures closely watched in Islamabad.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed in October that India had penetrated the Taliban leadership and suggested that Kabuls growing ties with New Delhi made it less willing to cut ties with the TTP. He offered no public evidence to back his claims.

Basit said while Pakistans attacks on Afghanistan would amount to Indias gain  drawing the Taliban and New Delhi closer, with a shared enemy in Islamabad  India faced limitations imposed by geography. It can provide humanitarian support to Afghanistan, but nothing more than that, he said.

Still, Nabeel argued, Pakistani policymakers need clarity on how to address armed groups operating from Afghan soil.

Pakistan cannot afford to keep both borders [with Afghanistan and India] engaged at a time when the prospects of military confrontation between the US and Iran are growing with each passing day, he said, referring to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Narrowing options

Pakistans eastern border with India has remained tense since the two countries had a four-day military confrontation in May last year after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan, which denied any role.

To the west, the Taliban government shows little sign of acting decisively against the TTP, say Pakistani officials. At home, a surge in attacks, including in big cities, has intensified public pressure on the military to respond forcefully.

Sundays air raids were intended to project strength to Kabul, say experts. Whether they amount to a coherent long-term strategy is less clear, especially as the Taliban has pledged retaliation.

But Basit pointed out that the Taliban leadership also needs to project strength domestically and respond to entrenched anti-Pakistan sentiment among Afghans.

Kabul is well within its rights to respond, considering it is a matter of their own sovereignty, but also because by doing that, the public will rally behind them and increase their domestic legitimacy, as we saw in the last cycle of attacks, he said.
U.S. airlines canceled flights to and from the Mexican cities of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara on Monday amid cartel-related violence over the weekend, leaving tourists stranded.

The situation remains fluid, and travel experts say travelers in Mexico should closely monitor updates from the U.S. Embassy and local media, along with other posts on social-media platforms. Major U.S. airlines are offering waivers to affected passengers, but consumer advocates note that travelers with canceled flights are also entitled to refunds. Policies at hotels and short-term rental units, meanwhile, vary by company and property.

Most Read from MarketWatch

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It doesnt matter why a flight is canceled  it can be because of bad weather, security issues or a zombie apocalypse, said Teresa Murray, consumer-watchdog director at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. If its canceled, a refund is due to those who want it.

As of Monday afternoon, 40% of outbound flights were canceled at Puerto Vallarta International Airport, according to FlightAware data, while 17% of flights from Guadalajara International Airport were canceled.

The cancellations come a day after violence erupted in the area when news broke that the Mexican army had killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel. Jalisco and surrounding areas were under shelter-in-place orders from local officials and the U.S. Embassy as late as Monday afternoon, although public transportation services are resuming gradually.

U.S. citizens stuck in Mexico can contact the State Departments Bureau of Consular Affairs for help at 202-501-4444. U.S. legislators are also urging anyone traveling in Mexico to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which helps the State Department contact U.S. residents abroad during emergencies.

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Read more: Snowstorm hits airline stocks as flight cancellations near 5,000

Shares of top U.S. airlines closed sharply lower Monday as a winter storm pummeled the Northeastern U.S., grounding thousands of flights in addition to those canceled in Mexico.

How major U.S. airlines are responding

While travelers have the right to a refund when a flight is canceled, that doesnt necessarily mean they should pursue one. Those who still plan to fly in the coming days may want to consider rebooking at the same price, Murray said. If they get a refund and book another ticket on their own, it may cost substantially more.

The security situation in parts of Mexico remains uncertain, said Katy Nastro, a travel expert and spokesperson for the travel app Going. While airlines have said flights could resume as early as Tuesday, many travelers are still struggling to get clear guidance on rebooking.

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Read more: Thousands of flight cancellations could mean record cash refunds for stranded passengers under this new rule

Sheltering in place is one thing, but not understanding or seeing a timeline is another, Nastro said. We are hearing of frustrated passengers trying to contact the airlines to get any insight on rebooking, and even they were not aware of when fliers could get back out.

Here are the latest updates for the region from U.S. carriers, provided to MarketWatch via email:

A travelers loyalty status with a particular airline can affect how quickly they get through to customer service during disruptions. Elite members often have more direct lines of communication with their carriers, Murray said, though she noted that all travelers may have better luck using airline apps or online chat tools rather than calling.

What to know about hotel and short-term-rental bookings in Mexico

While airlines operate under federal rules that now require them to provide cash refunds in many situations, lodging policies are less standardized. Hotel stays and short-term rentals are typically governed by company policies or are at the discretion of a specific property.

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Major hotel chains have not announced blanket policies for the region. Several travelers have posted on social media that late checkout and extensions were handled on a case-by-case basis, sometimes depending on availability or individual property decisions, even for elite loyalty members. Hilton HLT and Marriott MAR did not respond to requests for comment from MarketWatch.

Dont Short Yourself: Dont make the same mistake I did when I tried to save $200 on my last flight

Airbnb ABNB said it has activated its major disruptive-events policy across the Mexican state of Jalisco, allowing eligible guests to cancel reservations for refunds, and is working with hosts to extend stays when travelers cannot safely check out. But some travelers posting online said they initially struggled to get refunds or extensions approved, even as flights were canceled and U.S. officials advised people in Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place.

Consumer advocates say travelers who cannot safely leave a hotel or short-term rental should document local advisories, keep screenshots of communications with properties and escalate requests through corporate customer-service channels when possible.

Now read: United Airlines best loyalty perks will soon be reserved for its cardholders. Is the card worth it?

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Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is included among the 13 Best Strong Buy Dividend Stocks to Invest in.

Citigroup Sells Additional 24% Stake in Banamex for $2.5 Billion

According to a Bloomberg report published on February 23, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) agreed to sell an additional 24% stake in its Mexican retail banking unit for about $2.5 billion. The buyers include private equity firms, a bank, and a sovereign wealth fund. The move strengthens the ownership base of the business as Mexican billionaire Fernando Chico Pardo takes a leading role.

The investors agreed to purchase 499 million shares of Grupo Financiero Banamex for about 43 billion pesos, or $2.5 billion. Citigroup said the transactions are still subject to regulatory approval and are expected to close later this year. The sale was completed at a slight premium compared with the stake sold to Chico Pardo last year.

Each investor acquired a stake of less than 5%. Citigroup said the buyers include funds managed by Blackstone, General Atlantic, Brazilian bank Banco BTG Pactual, and Afore Sura, the Mexican pension fund operated by Colombias Sura Asset Management. The company also confirmed that Chubb, Liberty Strategic Capital, and the Qatar Investment Authority purchased equity stakes as part of the transaction.

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), led by CEO Jane Fraser, has been gradually reducing its exposure to retail banking in Mexico. Last year, the bank sold a 25% stake in Banamex to Chico Pardo for 42 billion pesos, or about $2.43 billion. The most recent sale was completed at 0.85 times book value, slightly higher than the 0.8 times book value paid in the earlier transaction.

While we acknowledge the potential of C as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best Low Volatility Dividend Stocks to Invest In

Disclosure: None.
At the Alaska Beacon, were constantly trying to figure out where we should put our attention. Theres always more news than there are people to report it.

Every Thursday, the Alaska Legislature publishes its committee schedule for the coming week. Public notices alert us to meetings and events. The governors office occasionally lets us know ahead of time that somethings coming down the pike, too.

Heres what we know about for the coming week. If you know of something thats coming up that you should think we should pay attention to, email us at info@alaskabeacon.com.

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We cant cover everything on this list, but were interested in them and we think you should know about them in case youre interested in them, too.

This list is ripped from our notebooks, and it is likely to change over the course of the week. Well update it when we can.

Are you trying to keep track of when to testify on a bill? The Legislature has a website for that.

Monday, Feb. 23

House and Senate floor sessions in the morning

9:00 a.m. Senate Finance gets its questions answered by the Legislative Finance Division

1 p.m. House Judiciary Committee hold an investigatory hearing into ICE detention of minors in Alaska

1 p.m. House Resources Committee hears mining association update

1: 30 p.m. Senate Judiciary Committee hears Alaska Criminal Justice Data report

1:30 Senate Labor and Commerce hears a bill that would expand the scope of practice for Physicians Assistants

3:30 p.m. House and Senate Task Force on Education Funding hears an update on special education

Tuesday, Feb 24

Alaska Miners Association Juneau Mining Forum 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baranof Hotel

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9 a.m. House Finance Subcommittee hears about the Department of Corrections FY27 budget request

9 a.m. Senate Finance Committee hears invited and public testimony on a bill that would reimburse exonerated felons for lost Permanent Fund Dividend payments

10 a.m. House Fish and Game hears from Commissioner Doug Vincent Lang on FY27 fiscal topics

1:30 p.m. House Finance takes up the operating and mental health budgets

1:30 p.m. House Transportation looks at a bill that would regulate autonomous vehicles

3:15 p.m. House Health and Social Services looks at a resolution to support the Rural Health Transformation Program

3:15 p.m. House State Affairs considers a bill that would prohibit law enforcement from concealing faces and another that would require the governor to submit a balanced budget to the Legislature

3:30 p.m. House Health and Social Services considers a bill that would require parent notification for bullying and create a safe gun storage fund

3:30 p.m. Senate State Affairs hears an update on the Department of Corrections

Wednesday, Feb 25

House and Senate floor sessions in the morning

8 a.m. House Education hears an update on the Alaska Reads Act, then an update on career and technical education

9 a.m. House Finance hears about marijuana tax reform bill

9 a.m. Senate Finance gets an update on the Alaska Permanent Funds performance

1 p.m. House Resources hears a North Slope production update presentation from Hilcorp

1 p.m. House Judiciary hears a presentation on foster care sibling relationships from Facing Foster Care, a non-profit advocacy group, and an update from the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

1:30 p.m. House Finance looks at the Governors proposed budget for DOC and Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development

1:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary considers a bill that would raise the age of consent to 18

3:30 p.m. Senate Education hears a bill on University of Alaska fees

Thursday, Feb 26

8 a.m. House Public Safety looks at Department of Public Safetys FY27 budget topics with Commissioner Jim Cockrell

9 a.m. House Subfinance Committee continues hearing the Department of Corrections FY27 budget request

9 a.m. Senate Finance hears regional public testimony related to the budget

12 p.m. Lunch and Learn presentation with Facing Foster Care, a non-profit advocacy group

1:30 p.m. Senate Special Committee on Arctic Affairs hears about rural energy costs and nuclear power from UAFs Gwen Holdmann

1:30 p.m. Senate Finance hears regional public testimony related to the budget

3:20 p.m. House Health and Social Services hears an update on the Division of Juvenile Justice, then an update on a recent audit of the Office of Childrens Services

3:30 p.m. Senate State Affairs hears an update on response systems for domestic violence and sexual assault

Friday, Feb 27

House and Senate floor sessions

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8 a.m. House Education Committee hears a presentation on teacher recruitment and retention

9 a.m. Senate Finance hears regional testimony from Fairbanks, the Interior and Copper River Valley

1:30 p.m. House Resources hears an update from the Division of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water; Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and Office of Project Management and Permitting

1:30 p.m. House Finance gets a response from the Office of Childrens Services on its recent audit and an update on its budget overview

1:30 Senate Finance hears regional public testimony from Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula and Matanuska-Susitna Valley

3:30 p.m. Senate Resources looks at a resolution that would support the extension of an executive order banning the import of Russian seafood

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Plans to deploy peacekeeping troops on the ground in Ukraine will require Vladimir Putins approval, allies have conceded.

A growing number of members of the so-called coalition of the willing had privately admitted that their contributions to the mission depended on permission from the Russian president, multiple sources told The Telegraph.

The diplomatic and defence insiders warned that this meant the Anglo-French plan to uphold any ceasefire could be thrown into disarray at the Kremlins whim.

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The internal tensions, revealed on the anniversary of Putins invasion, will come as a blow to Ukraines efforts to broker an end to the war.

Vladimir Putin at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the Defender of the Fatherland Day ceremony in Moscow on Monday - Maxim Shipenkov/EPA/Shutterstock

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, welcomed a dozen European leaders to Kyiv on Tuesday to mark four years since the war broke out.

He also joined a virtual meeting of the coalition of the willing, chaired by Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, to discuss the ongoing peace negotiations.

During three rounds of face-to-face talks over a ceasefire, Ukrainian and Russian officials have been unable to break the deadlock.

Putin has refused to drop a demand for Ukraine to cede territory in the eastern Donbas region not controlled by Russian forces.

2402 MAP Ukraine 2025 2026

European sources briefed on the talks have claimed post-war security guarantees are also a stumbling block.

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The UK and France have pledged to deploy troops and weapons to Ukraine as part of the plan to end Russias war and deter any future invasions.

At least 26 countries from the coalition of the willing, which includes a host of EU member states, Turkey, Norway and Iceland, have said they will assist with the mission.

But one senior diplomatic source said they had heard from representatives from countries that they would only send our troops if theres Russian consent.

The fear is that without Putins backing, any European force could be considered a legitimate military target.

If Russia says we dont agree to it and consider those troops a target, then you need to send a different kind of force, the source said.

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So, whether Russia does or does not agree to this has a tremendous effect on it.

Russia marked the fourth anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine with a drone attack on Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday - Reuters

A second diplomatic source suggested European governments had essentially handed Putin a veto over the coalitions plans by demanding a spot at the negotiating table.

Kyiv has only said it will end the war with sufficient security guarantees from both the US and European allies.

Continental leaders, including Sir Keir, said they would be willing to send a deterrence force to Ukraine, as well as help secure the countrys skies and seas, with intelligence and logistical support from the US.

But this has led to the discussion over security guarantees merging with the US-mediated ceasefire talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

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Because its now the same negotiations, Russia has to agree on those security guarantees, namely the troops on the ground, the source said.

A European defence source described potential deployment as rather hypothetical because of Putins long-standing objection to Nato troops being stationed in Ukraine.

Sources say European governments have given Putin a veto over the coalitions plans - Leon Neal/Getty Images

The original 28-point peace plan drafted by Russian and American officials blocked the possibility of any troops from the Western alliance being used for peacekeeping.

The clause was removed from the latest 20-point plan revised after US talks with Ukrainian and European officials.

The Kremlin has often warned that any European troops in Ukraine would be seen as a legitimate target for military strikes.

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Stoking those fears on Tuesday, Russias foreign intelligence service accused Britain and France of preparing to send nuclear weapons to Kyiv.

Yuri Ushakov, a senior Kremlin aide, said he would raise the issue with Washington, in what could be perceived as an effort to scupper the peace talks.

In a joint statement issued by the coalition of the willing on Tuesday, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany vowed to ramp up economic pressure on Russia including through additional sanctions.

Britain announced its largest-ever sanctions package against Moscow since the beginning of the war, targeting energy revenues and key suppliers of military hardware.

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Speaking in Brussels, Mark Rutte, the secretary-general of Nato, said: It is imperative that Ukraine continues to get the military, financial and humanitarian aid it needs to enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russian terror from the skies and to hold the front lines.

A promise of help does not end a war, he said, urging Kyivs allies to increase their military support.

Ukraine needs ammunition today and every day until the bloodshed stops.

EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, arrived almost empty-handed in Kyiv on Tuesday morning, after they failed to secure backing for a 20th round of sanctions against Moscow.

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Hungary vetoed the package of punitive measures, and a 90bn (78.4bn) loan for Kyiv, after it accused Ukraine of blocking shipments of Russian oil to central Europe.

Do not count on us. We will not give money, we will not give soldiers, we will not go to war, Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, said in a video message.

Speaking to The Telegraph on the streets of Kyiv, Boris Johnson, the former prime minister, said the war-torn countrys allies had to get serious about Ukraine.

What needs to happen now is that the West, and Britain could lead this, needs to get its act together and needs to do several things to escalate the pressure on Putin, because at the moment hes not feeling under anything like enough pressure to end the conflict.

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The negotiations are completely abstract. Theres no evidence that Russian wants to do this, he said.

Mr Johnson said Ukraine should be supplied with American Tomahawk and German Taurus missiles to target Russian drone factories, Europe should end all exports of Russian oil and completely seize Russian assets frozen on the continent to assist Kyiv.

Until Putin gets the message that were serious, he wont come to the table, he concluded.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. That was certainly the case for the man-made Osborne Reef of the 1970s, which was meant to boost marine life off Florida's coast but did the opposite.

What's happening?

The Osborne Reef was created when a nonprofit dropped around two million tires into coastal waters during the 1970s, as Interesting Engineering described.

The concept was approved by the Army Corps of Engineers and garnered widespread support. Tire manufacturer Goodyear contributed by launching the initiative with a gold-plated tire from the Goodyear Blimp.

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The project backfired because of an array of natural challenges. Tires broke loose during hurricanes and tropical storms as they were secured only by nylon ropes and steel clips.

Those tires damaged nearby coral reefs while failing to provide a proper habitat for coral as intended. The tires also traveled far and wide, creating a costly cleanup situation with hundreds of thousands of tires strewn across the bottom of the ocean.

Why is the Osborne Reef important?

The Osborne Reef saga shows that even projects with the right ideas can go very wrong. 4ocean (@4ocean), a company that works to clean up the ocean, illuminated that point in a post to Instagram, highlighting its efforts to clean up the area.

"Ultimately, the well-intentioned project failed," it wrote. "We definitely have a lot of work to do."

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4ocean isn't alone in those efforts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Debris Program launched a reconnaissance project nearly 20 years ago, and there have been other efforts to remove the tires.

What's being done about the Osborne Reef?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection provided a summary of the efforts to clean up the tires. In several phases of a pilot project that started in 2007, divers got more efficient at removing the tires.

As they progressed, they also prioritized the health of coral found on the tires. The project now includes finding a new home for those coral that will give them a better chance of survival before tire removal by divers.

By 2023, nearly 650,000 tires had been removed. That process will continue through at least February 2028.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
County officials in Texas pulled the plug on renaming a road to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk after pushback from locals.

After Kirk, 31, was shot dead at Utah Valley University in September last year, he was immediately lionized by the right, despite his polarizing politics.

This was the case in Bastrop County in Central Texas, where a motion was tabled to designate a portion of FM 969 the Charlie Kirk Corridor.

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The plan for the road, which is about 30 minutes east of downtown Austin, was shelved after over 100 locals showed up to voice their disapproval.

Locals worried that Kirk had both divisive politics and no connection to the area. / JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images

Bastrop County Commissioner David Glass had claimed that Kirks activism emphasized civic participation, free speech, and political engagement among youth, building a national network of student activists and influencing political discourse on college campuses and beyond.

But, as word spread about the potential re-designation, people assembled at the commissioners meeting on Monday with cardboard signs with NO written on them.

Glass also told The Austin American-Statesman that he had received hordes of emails about the motion over the weekend.

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Im going to take a breath and have some more conversations with my constituents, he told the title, before changing his tune in a follow-up email where he declared that he was not planning on resubmitting the renaming resolution.

Not all of us are going to agree, but we can agree to disagree, said Glass. I absolutely dont agree with everything Charlie Kirk said.

The Statesman also reported that those who voiced their objections were treated to applause. We need to start promoting equality, we need to start loving each other, resident Sumai Lokumbe said.

More than 100 people packed a Bastrop County commissioners meeting on Monday to voice their objections or support for a proposed resolution to rename FM 969 the "Charlie Kirk Corridor."



No action was taken because Commissioner David Glass, who had proposed the resolution, asked pic.twitter.com/5hu9Wb3K2G  Austin Statesman (@statesman) February 23, 2026

Lokumbe urged officials to name the road portion after someone who did something for the Bastrop community.

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Dock Jackson, the Democratic candidate for county judge, added, Charlie Kirk, to my knowledge, has no relatives or connection to Bastrop County, I do not feel the court should pass a resolution endorsing this street name change.

Charlie Kirk was one of the most polarizing figures in politics, said Ruth Todd. Naming a road in his honor does not unite the community... it sends a message to a significant portion of our community that their comfort in their home county does not matter.
Pat and Howard Fleischmann traveled to Puerto Vallarta to celebrate their 69th and 75th birthdays.

But the joyful occasion turned into a nightmare when the Arizona couple was caught in the middle of narco-cartel violence that erupted in the Mexican resort town following the killing of drug kingpin, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known by his nickname El Mencho. Oseguera Cervantes was the leader of Mexico's most powerful drug cartel, the Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion, or CJNG, according to U.S. and Mexican officials.

Now the couple doesn't know for certain if they will be able to fly back to Phoenix after U.S. and Canadian airlines suspended flights to Mexico in response to the eruption of cartel violence in dozens of cities there.

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Pat Fleischmann said she had seen videos on social media showing cartel members bombing the Puerto Vallarta airport and shooting at passengers attempting to run away.

"They were running, running like somebody was hunting them down," Pat Fleischmann said.

However, Jorge Mendoza Yescas, the consul general of Mexico in Phoenix, said the airport was not attacked and has been secured by the Mexican military.

A burned bus is pictured in this photo from a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A burned bus is seen in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A closeup look at a burned bus can be seen in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence captured this photo of OXXO burned out in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence captured this photo of broken glass at The Opal Mine jewelry store in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence captured a closeup photo of this Black Hawk helicopter near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence photographed this military boat in the water near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence took this closeup photo showing OXXO burned out in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence spotted this Black Hawk helicopter in the sky near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A couple caught up in cartel violence captured this photo of a man walking by a burned-out OXXO in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Beer cans are seen at OXXO by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Broken glass can be seen at The Opal Mine jewelry store in this photo, taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Howard and Pat Fleischmann. Multiple burned buses are seen in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A sign at OXXO in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, reads 0 Celsius. The door of OXXO is burned in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The driver's area of a burned bus near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, can be see in this photo, taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence. The engine area of a burned bus near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, can be seen in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence. The rear view of a burned bus near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, can be seen in this photo taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence. Arizona couple shows cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico photos 1 of 19 A burned bus is pictured in this photo from a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mexican authorities said at least 62 people were killed, including 25 National Guard members, and 70 were arrested, USA Today reported.

But Mendoza Yescas said there were no reports of Americans killed or kidnapped during the cartel violence.

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He said the videos at the airport in Puerto Vallarta apparently showed people running after someone had falsely shouted that cartel members were there, "but that was not true."

He said numerous other false claims have circulated on social media and across news outlets, including that organized crime members were holding U.S. tourists hostage and that cartel members had attacked the airport in Guadalajara, about four hours drive from Puerto Vallarta.

Mendoza Yescas confirmed cartel members had carried out 85 blockades by setting vehicles on fire in 11 states throughout Mexico.

He said the cartel violence that erupted in several states in Mexico was in reaction to a "major (military) operation" that resulted in the death of "the most dangerous criminal in Mexico in recent years and one of the most dangerous criminals in the world."

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Mendoza Yescas said that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced during a Monday, Feb. 23 news conference that there were no more blockades as of Feb. 23.

"Control has been exercised by the authorities," Mendoza Yescas said, adding later, "It's very important to fight this misinformation. We detected accounts that disseminate false content and manipulated material using artificial intelligence, to generate panic."

He said there were no reports of blockades or violence related to the killing of El Mencho in Sonora, which neighbors Arizona to the south in Mexico.

Meanwhile, the Fleischmanns said the cartel violence shattered their perception of Puerto Vallarta as a safe and peaceful resort town. They have been visiting the city on the Pacific coast of Mexico for 40 years, and they got married there in 2006.

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"It's a scary thing," said Pat Fleischmann. She turned 69 on Feb. 23, the day after the violence erupted. "This has been our paradise for 40 years...You can walk anywhere, anytime around this city and not feel in the least any harm would come to you."

Broken glass can be seen at The Opal Mine jewelry store in this photo, taken by a couple caught up in cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Now the Fleischmanns don't know if they will ever return.

"It would be a long time before I even think about coming back," Pat Fleischmann said. "I think it will be a long time before this city recovers."

But first they have to get out.

They were scheduled to return to Phoenix on a 2 p.m. flight on Feb. 24. But as of Feb. 23, they were still unsure if a plane would arrive to take them back.

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The Fleishmanns arrived in Puerto Vallarta on Feb. 15, in time to celebrate Howard's 75th birthday on February 16.

The Fleischmanns spent the week dining at fine restaurants such as The Iguana, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's old haunt, swimming in the pool, lounging on the beach and taking strolls along The Malecon, Puerto Vallarta's 12-block long boardwalk.

Then on Sunday, Feb. 22 the city erupted in violence.

The couple had slept in until 9 a.m. that morning. Pat Fleischmann looked out the window and noticed smoke billowing from a fire a block or so away. She commented to Howard that it looked like a building was on fire. Howard thought it looked like burning trash. Then Pat saw smoke from another fire. Then another. And another.

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The couple headed down to a restaurant on the beach in front of building where they rented a condo.

The waiter told them the restaurant was closing at 10:30 a.m. When they asked why, the waiter told them Mexican officials had ordered all businesses closed in response to a wave of cartel violence spreading throughout the city following the killing of El Mencho, said Howard Fleischman. He is retired and previously owned Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, which he sold in 2021.

The Fleischmanns finished their breakfast and then returned to their condo, Howard Fleischmann said.

The restaurant, located directly below the condos, was fire bombed shortly after they left, Howard Fleischmann said. The staff managed to extinguish the blaze before it destroyed the restaurant, Howard Fleischmann said. If they hadn't, the fire likely would have spread to the condos complex where they were staying, Howard Fleischmann said.

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The Fleischmanns said they became increasingly worried as the day wore on. They heard explosions and gunfire in the distance. A Black Hawk helicopter operated by the Mexican military made several low passes over the city. They saw a Mexican military gunboat patrolling off the coast.

Looking out their window, the Fleischmanns could see the city was deserted.

"It's an eerie feeling when you look outside," Howard Fleischmann said. "It's a Sunday and there is usually, in the area where we stay, probably 4,000 people on the beach because it's family day in Mexico and there was no one. No one. No one on the beach. No businesses open."

Besides being surrounded by the violence, the Fleischmanns worried about running out of food if the violence lasted for several days. They didn't have anything to eat. Some other Americans from their complex offered to share their food, Howard Fleischmann said.

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The Fleischmanns and other Americans figured out "that we needed to get united because none of us had food and all the food places were shut down and all the OXXOs (convenient stores) were getting burned up," Howard Fleischmann said. "My understanding is they burned 50 of those."

On Monday, Feb. 23, the Fleischmanns went for a walk despite the U.S. State Department telling Americans in Mexico to "shelter in place."

Howard Fleischmann took photographs of charred city busses and walked past several OXXO convenient stores and businesses that had been destroyed by fire.

The Fleischmanns have plans to join other Americans at a business meeting in Cabo San Lucas Mexico at the end of March.

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But Pat Fleischmann said she doubts they will attend.

"The travel people are already reconsidering canceling that trip to Cabo," she said. "It's too early to put more groups together as targets."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona couple caught in middle of CJNG cartel violence in Mexico
George Retes was heading to his job as a security officer in Ventura County, California, last year when he got caught up in an immigration raid near his job site.

A U.S. citizen, Retes got out of his car to identify himself and tell Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers that he needed to go to work.

Instead of letting the former Army infantryman and disabled veteran pass through, agents surrounded his car and threw tear gas behind it. They gave him conflicting instructions for driving his car, broke his window, discharged pepper spray in his face and then forced him to the ground.

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According to Retes, the agents would not allow him to retrieve his wallet for identification. They loaded him into a vehicle with other detainees, drove him for processing at Port Hueneme and then on to the Metropolitan Detention Center, Los Angeles, where he sat for three days on solitary suicide watch, having been deemed by a social worker as a danger.

Retes was released, without ever being offered a phone call or a lawyer. On Tuesday, he will be surrounded by lawyers, law enforcement, company executives, politicians, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Supreme Court justices as a guest at President Donald Trumps first State of the Union of his second term.

Accompanying the House Veterans Affairs Committees ranking Democrat, Rep. Mark Takano of California, Retes wants others to know that his wrongful detention, followed by what he said was a smear campaign by the Department of Homeland Security against him, can happen to anyone.

I hope my presence represents that they just cant lie and have it be okay. I represent everyone else this is happening to, Retes said in an interview with Military Times.

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Since the start of deportation operations under the Trump administration, ICE has arrested nearly 400,000 people, nearly 60% of whom have had prior charges or convictions, including 14% charged or convicted of violent crimes.

The remaining 40% have largely been living in the U.S. peacefully, albeit without legal immigration status, or waiting asylum decisions or changes to their visas. Some have been U.S. citizens and at least eight have been American veterans, according to The Guardian newspaper.

In January, two U.S. citizens  Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs nurse  were killed by federal agents while protesting immigration enforcement operations in the city.

While the operations had divided the country before the Minneapolis shootings, the deaths sparked outrage over the operations. According to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted in February, roughly six in 10 U.S. adults believed the immigration enforcement operations have gone too far, with roughly 62% saying Trump has overstepped his bounds sending immigration agents into U.S. cities and using federal law enforcement officers at public protests.

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Slightly over half  52%  said the effort to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally has gone too far. The remainder said the operations have been about right (32%) or not far enough (14%).

Retes, 26, a former E-4, who deployed to Iraq from 2019 to 2020 and was honorably discharged in 2022, said what is going on in the U.S. is not okay.

Theres really no other way to put it  it sucks. Its so disappointing. This happened to me last year and seeing it just continue to happen and things getting worse and people dying  it just sucks, Retes said.

Takano said he asked the former soldier to join him at the speech as an example of the overreach of the Trump administration and the heavy-handed immigration policies.

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George Retes is a U.S. citizen and an Iraq War veteran, and yet he was treated like an enemy by his own government, Takano said in a statement. His presence will speak volumes.

In October, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement calling the illegal detention of Retes a false claim.

DHS officials said that Retes became violent, refused to comply with law enforcement and blocked their route by refusing to move his vehicle. He was arrested, they said, for assault.

Retes said none of the statements were true

They cant just say whatever they want and [it] be okay, Retes said.

Shortly after Pretti was shot, U.S. officials including White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called him a domestic terrorist. They have since said they are looking further into the circumstances surrounding Prettis death.

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Retes said he connected deeply with Prettis death, watching agents put Prettis hands around his back and hold him near the ground, and the aftermath.

Hed like the violence to stop and has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for violation of his constitutional rights and negligence.

It could easily have been me. The only difference is that the officers doing everything to me werent as trigger happy, Retes said.

The State of the Union is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST Tuesday and is expected to air live on all major networks as well as streaming on news sites, C-SPAN and YouTube.
A man was critically hurt after he was shot by police after allegedly charging at officers with a knife outside of a Buckhead condo complex on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

Atlanta Police Maj. Peter Malecki said the incident began after a man and woman were involved in an altercation at the condominium complex, where he eventually damaged the woman's door. Police said the man became violent, but then left before shortly returning and acting aggressive once again.

Upon returning, the 59-year-old man confronted a maintenance worker at the complex, who said the man had a knife. Police said the maintenance worker then hid in a closet for his safety and called 911 around 2:15 p.m.

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When officers responded to the location at 3047 Lenox Road NE, the address of Wiltshire Condominiums, they encountered the man who they say was wielding a knife.

Malecki said that responding officers told the man to drop the knife, but he did not. He said officers then deployed a Taser on the man, but he continued to aggressively charge at officers. One of the four responding officers then shot the man twice in the middle of the roadway, Malecki said.

The man was rushed to Grady Hospital, where police said he is in critical condition.

Atlanta Police confirmed with 11Alive that they have requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate the shooting.

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Photo from a neighbor in the area showed a person being loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher.

Lenox Road is closed in front of The Plantation at Lenox, which has caused a major traffic issue with the road being a common cut-through for lots of residents in the area. Malecki said the road will likely be closed for several more hours as the GBI investigates the shooting.

The officer who fired his weapon has been placed on administrative leave, which is a routine protocol for APD.

11Alive's Cody Alcorn is at the scene and we are continuing to learn more information about what is going on.
Attorneys for the man charged with fatally stabbing two Arkansas hikers in front of their children accused the prosecutor Tuesday of violating a gag order with a speech to a civic group and a video for his appeals court judge campaign.

The attorneys representing Andrew James McGann asked a judge to bar the prosecutor, Brandon Carter, from seeking the death penalty against McGann.

McGann was charged last year in the stabbing deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, while they were hiking in Devils Den State Park.

Andrew James McGann (Courtesy of Arkansas State Police)

The judge in McGanns case last year issued a gag order prohibiting attorneys from making any statements regarding evidence in the case, as well as McGanns guilt, innocence or likelihood of conviction.

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McGanns attorneys cited a video posted last month on the YouTube channel for Carters state appeals court campaign that shows an image of McGann as Carters voice can be heard saying the phrase keeping dangerous criminals off our streets.

Carter does not specifically mention McGann, who is the only defendant who appears on the video.

The filing also cites a speech Carter gave to a Springdale civic group last month where he mentions the McGann case. In the speech, a video of which is available on Carters campaign Facebook page, he notes the gag order and says hes not allowed to discuss the case beyond logistics.

The prosecuting attorneys politicization of this case substantially increases the likelihood of a tainted jury pool, and it should go without saying that the use of this case as a political vehicle is unacceptable, the filing said.

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In a response filed with the court, Carter said neither of the examples cited by McGanns attorneys violate the gag order since he doesnt discuss evidence or whether McGann is guilty.

Carters response said that the argument would require him to stand silent and utter no dialogue rather than note the gag order in the case.

This both borders on the absurd, and it is not what is ordered in the courts order limiting pretrial public statements, Carters filing said.

Carter also said that prohibiting the state from seeking the death penalty because of pretrial publicity isnt a legally available option.

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McGann was arrested in Springdale, located about 30 miles north of Devils Den, days after the Brinks killing. Police said McGann admitted to killing the couple after he was arrested. A hearing date is set for April in the case.






A racial slur was edited out of the Baftas ceremony before it was broadcast, but another one aired in error, the BBC's chief content officer has said.

Tourette's campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word when US actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage on Sunday.

The shout was audible in the broadcast, although many viewers would have struggled to make out the word.

BBC content chief Kate Phillips emailed staff on Tuesday, reiterating the BBC's apology for it not being edited out of the broadcast, adding: "We understand how distressing this was."

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Phillips confirmed other instances of offensive language had been removed, telling staff: "The edit team removed another racial slur from the broadcast."

In contrast, the slur shouted when Lindo and Jordan were on stage "was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast", she said.

The use of the N-word on any BBC television programme is very rare and usually requires sign-off from a channel controller.

The Bafta ceremony was shown on BBC One on a two-hour delay, with producers editing the show's length to fit its two-hour broadcast slot.

BBC News understands the producers overseeing the ceremony for the BBC were doing so from a TV truck and simply did not hear the slur shouted when Lindo and Jordan were on stage.

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Phillips added: "Award attendees were pre-warned about the possibility of involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome at the start of the show, and [host] Alan Cumming addressed it during the broadcast.

"Of course, this doesn't lessen the impact and upset."

"We take full responsibility for what happened," Phillips said. "When I was made aware it was audible on iPlayer, I asked for it to be taken down."

The ceremony started at 17:00 GMT, two hours before the TV broadcast began.

The ceremony was made available on iPlayer after its broadcast concluded at 21:00 GMT. It was removed from iPlayer at around 11:30 on Monday morning.

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Labour MP Dawn Butler previously asked director-general Tim Davie for an "urgent explanation" for what happened, saying the N-word "should never have been aired" and its broadcast was "painful and unforgivable".

In a statement on Monday, Bafta said it acknowledged the "harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all".

"Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism."

Bafta also thanked Davidson for his "dignity and consideration of others, on what should have been a night of celebration for him".

Host Alan Cumming apologised to the audience for the language heard during the ceremony [Getty Images]

After the ceremony, Lindo told Vanity Fair that he and Jordan, who were handing out an award "did what we had to do" as they carried on presenting, but also said he wished "someone from Bafta spoke to us afterward".

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On Tuesday, Deadline reported that a representative from Warner Bros, the studio behind Sinners, which stars Lindo and Jordan, complained to Bafta in the minutes after the slur was shouted, and reportedly received assurances that their concerns would be passed on to the BBC. Bafta has been asked for comment.

In a letter to its members on Tuesday, the organisation said: "We are in contact with the studios involved and conversations are ongoing."

Bafta also said it wanted to "assure all our members that a comprehensive review is under way".

In a statement on Monday, Davidson said he was "deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning".

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"I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so," he said in a statement.

"I chose to leave the auditorium early into the ceremony as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing."
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett asserted that Israel will cease being a democratic state if journalists grow to fear criticizing the government.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett decried threats made against Arab Israeli journalist Lucy Aharish in a statement released on Monday.

"Sending paid thugs to Lucy Aharishs private home to terrorize her and her family is a dangerous crossing of a red line, Bennett stated, referencing an incident in which two right-wing activists attempted to intimidate Aharish at her home.

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Such harassment is made even more serious when carried out with the encouragement or blind eye of government ministers, Bennett continued.

He asserted that Israel will cease being a democratic state if journalists grow to fear criticizing the government.

We will also cease to be a Jewish state, because the foundation of Jewish heritage is freedom, free criticism, and checks on absolute power, Bennett stated.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, February 17, 2026 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Bennett shared that he has faced media criticism throughout his political career and that, while the experience was unpleasant, the medias right to express itself is the very soul of democracy.

Right-wing activists detained for harassing Aharish

Right-wing activists Rami Ben Yehuda and Mordechai David were detained by police on Saturday after entering Aharishs apartment building to harass her, according to a Sunday N12 News report.

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According to N12, they were arrested on suspicion of trespass and public order offences.

Aharish faced severe backlash after calling on her fellow Arab Israelis to exercise their right to vote and to demonstrate against government inaction regarding the violent crime in the Arab sector.
Loyal customers of The Coca-Cola Company are being forced to find a replacement for one of its most popular brands as it abruptly disappears from store shelves across the U.S.

While water is essential, many consumers have turned to sparkling water as a healthier alternative to soda or juice, seeking flavor and hydration without added sugar or artificial ingredients. That shift has helped mineral water brands build a strong following and become a household staple.

Now, those committed fans are being put to the test by an unexpected disruption.

Topo Chico faces a temporary U.S. shortage

Coca-Cola (KO) has confirmed that Topo Chico Mineral Water is temporarily unavailable in the U.S. due to upgrades at its water source and production facilities in Monterrey, Mexico.

The interruption stems from infrastructure improvements and additional challenges identified in the source wells. These include geological and quality-related issues that have slowed production, according to a company statement reported by CNN.

"We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production," said Coca-Cola in the statement.

The company expects Topo Chico Mineral Water to return to U.S. store shelves later in 2026, with availability likely resuming around the third quarter.

The shortage affects only the brand's core mineral water product. Other offerings, such as Topo Chico Sabores and canned cocktails, remain available.

Topo Chico has relied on a single, historic source of water since 1895, limiting production flexibility and making disruptions harder to offset.

The Coca-Cola company confirms a Topo Chico shortage in the U.S.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Coca-Cola's strategic investments in the premium sparkling segment

Coca-Cola acquired Topo Chico in 2017 for $200 million as part of its strategy to expand into on-trend, better-for-you beverage categories, according to the company's website.

At the time of the acquisition, the brand was distributed in Northern Mexico and across 35 U.S. states. The deal enabled broader national expansion and strengthened Coca-Cola's presence in the premium sparkling water segment, which was experiencing double-digit growth.

Today, Coca-Cola operates as a leading "total beverage company," manufacturing and selling more than 200 brands worldwide, its website indicates.

More Retail Business News:

For fiscal year 2025, the company reported net revenue of $47.9 billion, increasing 2% year over year, with North America up 4%, representing its second-largest regional market.
The proposal, described by the mother of a slain hostage as a breakthrough unlike anything Ive seen," would see the commission be granted full traditional state powers.

Bereaved families supported a new proposed framework for a commission of inquiry into the governments handling of the October 7 Hamas attacks, offering what they describe as a comprehensive compromise amid the ongoing deadlock over who should lead the probe.

The proposal was initiated by the Shover Shivyon civic organization and announced on Monday. Iris Haim, mother of slain hostage Yotam Haim, said it was a breakthrough unlike anything Ive seen."

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Prof. Nitzan Censor from the organization said the proposal may provide a final opportunity to establish a broadly trusted investigative body to investigate the attacks.

The appointment of the commission members is currently the most critical issue," he explained, offering a new compromise.

Picture from February 23 Shovrei Shivyon press conference announcement of compromise framework to probe Oct. 7 failures. (credit: Shovrei Shivyon)

The organization proposes establishing a four-member appointing committee composed of representatives from the government, the Supreme Court, the coalition, and the opposition. This four-person body would be required to unanimously appoint the five members of the commission, which would be headed by a retired Supreme Court or District Court judge.

The composition of the proposed commission

The commission would be granted full powers similar to those of a traditional state commission of inquiry. Hundreds of Likud members and university jurists have signed onto the framework, alongside bereaved families.

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We call on the conflicted political system to adopt our framework and bring hope to the people of Israel, Censor said.

The proposal we are presenting here, by supporters and opponents of the government together with bereaved families, is the last opportunity to establish a commission of inquiry that will enjoy cross-camp public trust, before Israel enters an election campaign that would delay this for a long time, he said.

The ones who benefit from that delay are our enemies," he added.

The proposal comes as the government advances a controversial bill that would establish a new investigative mechanism.

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The advancing bill, proposed by MK Ariel Kallner (Likud), calls for a politically appointed committee to conduct the probe. It has sparked outrage among bereaved family members, with claims of a conflict of interest in the investigation.

The controversial bill diverges from the traditional independent state commission of inquiry overseen by the Supreme Court.

A state commission of inquiry is considered the most authoritative and independent investigative system under Israeli law. It operates entirely outside the political echelon.

Amid the ongoing rift between the government and the judiciary, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly opposed judicial authorities leading the investigation.

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Likud Central Committee member and strategist Moti Ohana emphasized on Monday the urgency of reaching a consensus between all sides on how to conduct the probe into October 7.

Ive been a Likudnik [Likud supporter] and a Bibi supporter for 40 years, and I sent my children to war, Ohana said. We have a supreme interest in establishing a commission of inquiry acceptable to both sides. We have no other choice if we want to prevent such a disaster from happening again.

Theres no reason we cant find five commission members acceptable to both camps. This is the only way to reach elections and emerge from them as one society. If a commission is not established now, I doubt it will be established at all.

Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, who lost both his sons on October 7, called on Israels leadership to act.

We demand that you, the leaders of the state, heal the fracture, break the deadlock, and establish an agreed commission of inquiry, he said. Only in this way will we restore trust to the people of Israel.
Areas of the Northeast United States are still blanketed in snow on Tuesday after a powerful blizzard slammed much of the region, bringing travel to a near-standstill. Even the Florida plunged into freezing temperatures Feb. 24.

More than 2,100 flights within, into, or out of the U.S. on Tuesday have been canceled, according to live tracking site FlightAware. The bulk of the disruptions hit airports in and around New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

Florida airports aren't getting hit as hard as other areas of the country, but as of noon there have been around 311 delays and around 390 cancelations at Florida airports, especially Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa. Sunshine State travelers heading to states in the storm's path may run into issues over the next few days if their destinations get snowed in. Florida airports saw more than 1,000 flight cancellations on Feb. 23.

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Airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines are working to ease the storm's impact on travelers by waiving change fees and fare differences for anyone traveling to the hardest-hit areas who needs to change their plans.

Here's what to know.

How many airline delays, cancellations reported into and out of US Tuesday, Feb. 24?

According to FlightAware.com, which provides real-time flight information, as of 7:30 a.m., the following delays and cancellations of flights have been reported within, into or out of the United States today, Feb. 24:

Tuesday, February. 24 Delays: 1,660 Cancellations: 2,137

Wednesday, Feb. 25 Delays: 0 Cancellations: 69



How many delays, cancellations reported at Florida airports?

Here's the breakdown by airport as of around noon Feb. 24. Click the airport names for detailed flight info and updated numbers throughout the day.

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 3

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 43

Cancellations: 91

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 18

Cancellations: 23

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 9

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 76

Cancellations: 50

Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) cancellations, delays

Delays: 5

Cancellations: 2

Delays: 72

Cancellations: 81

Delays: 5

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 31

Cancellations: 52

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 3

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 5

Cancellations: 14

Delays: 24

Cancellations: 26

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 22

Cancellations: 36

How do I check if my flight is canceled?

Don't wait until you're already at the airport to check your flight. Monitor your flight early and often, starting now, as cancellations will increase as the weather conditions worsen.

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Download your airlines mobile app and turn on push and text notifications for alerts about your flight. Some apps have a Wheres My Plane? feature that lets you see whether the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasnt departed yet from its previous airport. That can be an early signal of trouble.

What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds

If your flight is canceled, use the airline's mobile app to rebook as soon as possible, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Going. If you need to talk to someone, Keyes suggests calling one of the carriers international lines.

"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight, Keyes told USA TODAY. When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.

If your flight is canceled for any reason, youre entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for significant delays or changes.

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C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

(This story was updated with new information.)

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Flights canceled today in Florida as winter storm slams Northeast
A state of emergency continues to be in effect in parts of Massachusetts along with a travel ban as the state deals with the aftermath of a powerful blizzard that left behind record breaking snow on Monday, Feb. 23, bringing travel to a near-standstill and causing widespread power outages.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey lifted blizzard emergency for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, but all other counties in the state remain under a state of emergency, according to a Feb. 23 news release. A travel ban, meanwhile, is in place for Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes and Barnstable counties.

Healey also directed non-emergency executive department state employees not to report to work on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and urged employers to consider remote work as the state deals with the aftermath of the first blizzard since 2022.

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While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across Southeastern Massachusetts, the governor said in a statement. We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work. It will take some time for crews to address snow removal and power outages, so we urge everyone to remain cautious and patient while we work to get things back to normal.

A Nor'easter winter storm buried streets, cars and neighborhoods across the Northeast. At least 49 locations reported more than 24 inches of snow by 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Matt Powers shovels a Jersey City sidewalk, Monday, February 23, 2026 after more than a foot of snow had blanketed the area. Jay Johnson is covered in snow as he clears the sidewalk outside his Center Street home in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. Almost a foot of snow covers cars and a home on Main Street in Marshfield, Mass. on Feb. 23, 2026. A school bus covered in snow in front of a private school on North Main Street in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. Paul Ortiz, of Elmwood Park, shovels the snow out from his front walkway during a blizzard in the early morning of Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Elmwood Park. A man clears snow outside his Brick Township, NJ, home Monday morning February 23, 2026. One of the biggest snow storms in history is leaving the Shore under blizzard conditions. Robin Giglio clears snow from her driveway along Bay Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, Monday morning February 23, 2026. One of the biggest snow storms in history is leaving the Shore under blizzard conditions. A snowplow clears the road in Central Park as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. A child walks through the snow in Brooklyn as blizzard conditions continue on Feb. 23, 2026 in New York City. A snow plow vehicle clears snow on a street as snow falls during a winter storm in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. A man cleans the heavy snow off his car on Progress Street in Brewster, New York Feb. 23, 2026. A person removes snow from a grocery store marquee during a winter storm in New York City on Feb. 23, 2026. Residents in Philadelphia dig out their cars as heavy snow continues to fall on Feb. 23, 2026. A car is covered by snow by Summit street on Feb. 23, 2026 in Norwood, N.J. An MTA worker clears snow outside a subway station during a powerful winter storm that forced school closures and pushed offices and transit systems onto emergency schedules, in New York City, Feb. 23, 2026. Cars are encased in snow during the blizzard in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Feb. 23, 2026. Snow covers a mailbox and cars during a blizzard in the early morning of Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Elmwood Park, N.J. Snow up to your eyeballs! Photos show how deep the wintry blanket got 1 of 17 A Nor'easter winter storm buried streets, cars and neighborhoods across the Northeast. At least 49 locations reported more than 24 inches of snow by 1:30 p.m. on Monday.

Matt Powers shovels a Jersey City sidewalk, Monday, February 23, 2026 after more than a foot of snow had blanketed the area.

Massachusetts was among the states hit the hardest by power outages, according to USA TODAY's outage tracker. As of 8 a.m. ET on Feb. 24, with more than 250,000 in the dark. The highest outages were reported in Barnstable County and Nantucket County.

The Boston Globe also announced on Feb. 23 that it would not publish a print edition on Tuesday, a decision the newspaper described as "unprecedented." It was the first time in more than 153 years that the weather had impacted the daily newspaper's print production.

See power outage map of Massachusetts

See Northeast power outage map

Coastal areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Delaware were hit the hardest by the powerful nor'easter, which unleashed more than 2 feet of snow in some states.

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Though the number of outages fell by the morning of Feb. 24, USA TODAY tracked more than 250,000 outages in Massachusetts. New Jersey, meanwhile, reported more than 35,000 outages, Delaware more than 26,000, and Rhode Island about 21,000.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See power outage map of Massachusetts following blizzard, snowstorm
UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Sheriff Brad Cole has confirmed to Ozarks First that Deputy Gabriel Ramirez was the deputy killed in the incident on Monday.

Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and Sheriff Brad Cole in a social media post from July 18, 2025, photo courtesy of Christian County Sheriffs Office

Law enforcement tells Ozarks First the incident occured around 4 p.m. after a traffic stop on Glossip Ave. in Highlandville.

MSHP says in a social media post that Birds vehicle was found abandoned as officials search near Reeds Spring, Missouri.

UPDATE 7:17 p.m.: The Stone County Sheriffs Office has posted a photo of the suspect in the investigation.

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Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole tells Ozarks First that the suspect is Richard Dean Bird.

Photo courtesy of Stone County Sheriffs Office.

The social media post does not identify the individual, but deputies say he is the person involved in the incident.

Stone County deputies are assisting Christian County in the search for the man.

Law enforcement tells the public not to approach the man, but if seen, to call 911.

Original story:

HIGHLANDVILLE, Mo.  The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) has issued a blue alert for a fatal shooting involving a Christian County deputy.

According to an MSHP public safety alert, law enforcement is searching for a white 2001 Chevy extended cab truck with a Missouri license plate of 9MGX36 near Highlandville, Missouri.

Photo courtesy of MSHP.

Sheriff Brad Cole of Christian County has confirmed to Ozarks First that a deputy has been killed in the line of duty.

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The truck is also described as a silver brush guard, rusted roof, black body trim, tinted rear windows and a three-ball hitch.

Troopers say the vehicle was seen travelling south on U.S. 160 from Route HH in Christian County.

A blue alert is when officials try to warn the public of a violent offender who has either killed, seriously injured or posed a credible threat to law enforcement, according to an MSHP article.

This story will be updated as new information is released.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




A powerful nor'easter winter storm continues to slowly churn through Connecticut Monday morning, causing heavy snow, whiteout conditions, high winds and thousands of power outages.

The storm closed Connecticut schools and most government offices Monday. Gov. Ned Lamont has declared a state of emergency and banned commercial vehicles from Connecticut's highways.

The storm experienced bombogenesis, a rapid intensification over a short period of time more popularly called a "bomb cyclone." It's projected to dump up to 2 feet of snow on parts of Connecticut.

Parts of CT experience first blizzard in 8 years

For the first time in eight years, the National Weather Service has confirmed that blizzard criteria has been met along the Connecticut shoreline. Bridgeport, New Haven, and Groton all have seen at least three consecutive hours of falling/blowing snow with wind gusts over 35 mph and visibility of a quarter mile or less.

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This marks the first blizzard in Connecticut since January 4, 2018, when the shoreline also qualified with several hours of blizzard conditions.

Inland locations are yet to reach that criteria, but several towns are on their way. As of 9 a.m., most weather stations in the state were reporting winds gusting over 35 mph with visibility ranging from a quarter-mile to three-quarters of a mile. Intermittent whiteout conditions are expected at times over the next 3 to 6 hours across Connecticut.

Despite being used colloquially to refer to heavy snowfall, a blizzard is actually defined by a combination of high wind and low visibility, rather than by the volume of snow.

To officially qualify as a blizzard in Connecticut, the following criteria must be met for at least three consecutive hours: sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater, visibility reduced to one-quarter mile or less due to falling and/or blowing snow and widespread conditions meeting those thresholds.

Heavy snow and high wind gusts

As of Monday morning, parts of the state had already recorded more than a foot, with 22 inches reported in Chester.

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The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning across the state as winds gusting as high as 55 mph early Monday caused visibility to deteriorate along the state's highways.

During a news conference Sunday, state officials urged people to stay off the roads.

"We got the trucks off the roads starting at 5 o'clock. You stay off the roads as well," Lamont said Sunday, referring to the time Sunday afternoon when the ban on commercial vehicles on highways went into effect.

"It's just incredibly dangerous. could get really slick," the governor added.

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Garrett T. Eucalitto, the state transportation commissioner, noted the storm would bring a heavy wet snow that would take longer to clear than the light, fluffy snow that fell in the late January storm.

"We are asking people to be the safest place possible during this course of the storm which is to stay home," he said.

CT power outages, canceled flights

Thousands of power outages were reported Monday morning, according to the state's two main power companies. Eversource, the state's largest power utility, warned "several hundreds thousand customers" could lose power. Full restoration may take days, the company's president of Connecticut operations said.

DoorDash, the food delivery app, said it was suspending service in Connecticut until at least noon.

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Thousands of flights in and out of the United States were canceled Monday. The flight tracking service FlightAware said more than 5,300 U.S. flights were canceled as of Monday morning.

{ "__type": "devHubFreeformEmbed", "__id": "FlightTrackerDelays", "__data": { "props": { "airport_codes": "bdl,hvn,hpn" } } }

In Connecticut, Tweed New Haven airport closed Sunday and is not expected to open until 8 p.m. Monday. Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks is open, but more than 90% of flights have been canceled, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Airport Authority said.

This article originally published at Blizzard pounds Connecticut with heavy snow, damaging winds, power outages.
SAO PAULO (AP)  The trial of the suspects accused in the 2018 killing of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco and her driver began Tuesday in Brazil's Supreme Court. The shocking, high-profile case turned the politician  who defended the human rights of Brazil's marginalized communities  into a global symbol of resistance.

A five-judge panel will rule on charges against former congressman Chiquinho Brazao; his brother who was a member of a Rio government watchdog, Domingos Brazao; his assistant Robson Calixto Fonseca; police investigator Rivaldo Barbosa and former police officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira.

After a full day of statements from both sides, the Supreme Court session was adjourned until Wednesday morning, when the judges will rule.

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Franco, a Black and bisexual politician, was killed at age 38 along with her driver Anderson Gomes in a drive-by shooting.

All the suspects have so far denied any connection with the killing of the councilwoman.

Prosecutors say many of the charges come from plea bargain deals signed with former police officers Ronnie Lessa and Elcio Queiroz, sentenced in October 2024 for the killing to 78 and 59 years in prison, respectively.

The Brazao brothers were arrested in 2024 as alleged masterminds of the crime. Investigations have linked them to vigilante groups known as militias, which often antagonized Franco.

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Then-Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said at the time of the arrests that the investigations suggested that Chiquinho Brazao was especially upset about a bill that his then-colleague Franco sponsored at the city council about regulation of land for public housing.

The trial started Tuesday morning with Justice Alexandre de Moraes reading a summary of the case. Deputy Attorney-General Hindenburgo Chateaubriand then took the stand to argue that all five suspects should be found guilty as charged.

The prosecutor added that the Brazao brothers led a criminal organization whose primary target was Marcelo Freixo, a leftist politician and current head of Brazils government tourism agency, because he interfered with their businesses.

Franco worked with Freixo before she was elected councilwoman.

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Cleber Lopes, an attorney for Chiquinho Brazao, said the prosecution based its case on flawed federal police information derived from the testimony of Francos shooter and his accomplice driver in their plea deals. He added that his client's alleged involvement with militia groups does not make him guilty in the Franco case.

People in Rio de Janeiro politics who have never asked drug dealers or vigilantes for their votes may cast the first stone, Lopes said. It is not enough to make a generic reference (to Brazao's links to vigilante groups.)

Chico Otavio, the author of a book about Franco's killing and a crime expert, said the investigation leading to the trial largely depended on the plea bargain testimonies. He added the ruling will come at a moment when Brazil's top court is facing popularity headwinds due to other cases.

A conviction will be sold to society as a victory against organized crime, but it is not quite that, Otavio told The Associated Press.

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The same militia groups that could be behind Marielle's killing are even more powerful now. They are spreading to more areas of the city. Society will get an answer about her death, but Brazil will continue to be very far from solving its organized crime problem.

On Monday, United Nations experts in Geneva called for justice and remedy for all victims of pervasive systemic racism, structural discrimination and violence in Brazil."

As we reach this long awaited stage of the judicial process, it is vital that fairness and transparency are upheld and that full justice prevails, they said in a statement.

Anielle Franco, Marielle's sister and Brazil's racial equality minister, stressed the importance of Tuesday's trial for Brazil's democracy.

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She said on X that the killing "opened wide a pattern of violence, racism and misogyny in our country."

We believe that the judiciary will act for justice and in favor of our people, making our democracy stronger, she said. We will never stop fighting for every voice that was knocked out."

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  Is the Pine Tree State calling your name?

Whats the Pine Tree State, you ask? Maine!

Starting this summer you can fly straight to Portland, Maine, from the Akron-Canton Airport.

Cleveland mayor spent $50K on trip to conference: I-Team

Breeze Airways announced the new route Tuesday. Flights will be available on Thursdays and Sundays starting July 2.

According to airport officials, one-way fares will start as low as $59.

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From relaxing along Maines rugged coastline to experiencing the energy of seasonal fairs, festivals, and charming coastal towns, Portland offers something for every traveler. This new route provides our passengers with even more convenient access to unique and memorable destinations, said Ren Camacho, President and CEO of Akron-Canton Airport., via a Tuesday news release.

These Cleveland neighborhoods are the friendliest: New rankings

The budget-friendly carrier is also expanding service to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Starting July 1, flights will be offered daily.

The Akron-Canton Airport offers 24 non-stop flights and more than 150 one-stop flights.

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Click here to see available flights.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The penguins were intrigued, perhaps for good reason. Dressed head to toe in sterile personal protective gear, three scientists were scouring their Antarctic habitat on the hunt for penguin poo, or guano.

They were very curious, they wanted to see what we were doing, said Dr Roseanna Mayfield, assistant professor of environmental sciences at the University of Nottingham. Some of them were also quite cheeky. Im sure they wondered why we were there.

It was late December and the British team had swapped Christmas festivities for a frosty field trip with an ambitious goal: to uncover traces of microbial threats in ancient guano deposits.

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Their project, called PathoPast, aims to build the first historic archive of avian pathogens in Antarctica, based on the secrets preserved in sediment under the regions lakes.

These lakes offer a fantastic opportunity to look at the undisturbed chronology of sediments impacted by bird colonies, mainly penguins, said Dr Alex Williams, a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong. The hope is that we collect these cores, then look inside for traces of ancient genetic material.

He added: Having a better understanding of past pathogen exposure can provide valuable context about the resilience of present-day penguin populations. With growing concerns about the spread of H5N1 in Antarctic ecosystems, this has never been more important.

In the last five years, a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu has lapped the globe with increasing intensity, killing an unprecedented number of wild birds and jumping into mammals  including red foxes in the Netherlands, cattle in the United States and sea lions in Peru.

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Antarctica has not emerged unscathed: the virus was first spotted in the region in late 2023. Since then, researchers have sporadically found H5N1 in dead birds, but a paper published last month in Scientific Reports documented a mass die-off for the first time  multi-organ necrosis killed at least 50 skuas after they contracted avian flu. The birds are considered a sentinel species for the health of the ecosystem overall.

Its very worrisome  the thing about avian influenza is that the virus changes so rapidly, said Dr Michelle Wille, a senior researcher in the department of microbiology and immunology at the University of Melbourne, who works on pathogens in Antarctic wildlife. We havent seen mass mortality in Antarctic penguins on the peninsula. That doesnt mean it cant happen.

But tracking H5N1 and other diseases in the regions avian population is no easy task. Dr Wille said researchers know embarrassingly little about the pathogens which affect birds  both from the past and the present.

In 2020, she co-authored a study that sequenced the RNA viromes of three penguin species and their ticks, and identified more than 100 viruses. It was a small study, but it more than doubled the number of known viruses found in Antarctic penguins, and countered the idea that birds in the freezing region are exposed to fewer pathogens than populations elsewhere.

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One of the things it elucidated for me is how we actually have almost no baseline data, in regards to the viruses that circulate in Antarctic animals, said Dr Wille. If we find something new, we literally have no idea whether its just new to science but has always been there, or if its new to the region. Theres abysmally little information.

Dr Wille said PathoPast, a project she is not involved in, is therefore a really cool idea which could provide a desperately needed view of the past.

Drs Martha Ledger, Alex Williams and Roseanna Mayfield - Martha Ledger

Researchers faced difficult weather conditions during the expedition - Eduardo J. Pizarro

The snowy, barren landscape of Ardley Lake - Martha Ledger

Dr Colin Butter, an associate Professor in bioveterinary science at the University of Lincoln, who is also not involved in the work, added that the team is likely to have more success tracing bacterial pathogens than viruses like bird flu, as DNA is far less delicate than RNA.

The ability to look at ancient DNA is astonishing now, said Dr Butter. I think this will give, for the first time, a really good idea of the problems in these populations historically, and how they coped with infections.

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The research, funded by the Polar Research Infrastructure Network (POLARIN), is a collaboration between specialists at a network of institutions, including expedition team members based at the University of Hong Kong and University of Nottingham.

After months of careful planning and trying logistics, the three scientists travelled to the southern tip of Chile in mid-December. From there they flew 2.5 hours over the notorious Drake Passage to the rugged King George Island. Known as gateway to Antarctica, it hosts research outposts operated by countries including China, Russia and Uruguay.

As we descended through a thick layer of cloud, I remember being really excited and thinking it was unlike anything Ive ever seen, said Dr Martha Ledger, a postdoctoral fellow in biological sciences at the University of Hong Kong. Looking at the snowy, barren landscape, I also realised we were pretty much guaranteed to get a white Christmas.

A colony of Chinstrap penguins on King George Island - Alex Williams

An Adelie penguin - Alex Williams

Researchers collect samples from the colony - Martha Ledger

The PathoPast team spent 18 days over the festive period at a research station called Professor Julio Escudero Base, a complex of low-rise modules operated by Chiles Instituto Antartico Chileno (INACH). Christmas featured a Secret Santa and big dinner with white tablecloths, while New Years Eve saw a round of cheers each time the clock struck midnight in a researchers home town  roughly two dozen people were on base at the time.

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To collect their samples, the three British scientists travelled by boat and foot from the base to two lakes  Ardley and Yannae  nestled in the beautiful and stark landscape dominated by white and grey.

Getting there was a slog: winds speeds as high as 30km per hour made the zero degrees celsius temperature feel as cold as -17, and the kit they were carrying  including an inflatable dinghy and steel coring equipment  weighed some 70kg.

Challenges continued on the water, which had not thawed as much as expected  thick sheets of ice complicated efforts to get to deepest parts of the lakes. Once in place, the researchers used a hammer-weight system to drill the coring equipment down into the lakebed below, and the organic matter preserved by the cold over centuries.

The lakes we cored on King George and Ardley Island offered different challenges than Id experienced before, due to the unseasonably late melting of the lakes, said Dr Mayfield.

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Theres a huge sense of achievement when we bring the sediment up onto the boat. It is always exciting to see what samples we will retrieve from the lake bed, what colour the sediment will be, if theres any plants, or small invertebrate insects swimming around in the water.

Sampling at Yannae Lake - Eduardo J. Pizarro

Ardley Island Argentinian refuges - Alex Williams

The base on King George Island - Alex Williams

As well as six cores of lakebed sediment, the researchers took water samples for chemical and microbial analysis and  overseen by the colonies of Chinstrap, Gentoo and Adelie penguins  samples of fresh guano, to compare genome sequences from the past and the present. Some of the cores are protruded, which allows for chronological analysis.

But it will be some time before results are available  the samples have now made it off King George Island to the Chilean city Punta Arenas, but have some way to go (and many more complicated logistics) before they reach the labs in Nottingham and Hong Kong for analysis.

Dr Williams stressed the risks involved in this research are relatively low, because the team are not dealing with frozen material.

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Last year, in a pandemic scenario exercise, the World Health Organization gamed an outbreak of a fictional disease called mammothpox, which emerged from the permafrost and infected researchers on a palaeontological dig.

We dont know what were going to find, but the most likely scenario is that we only recover the traces of non-viable penguin microbes, because most of these organisms will quickly succumb when exposed to harsh Antarctic conditions, said Dr Williams.

Plus, the lakebed is not frozen. Its a stable low temperature, which does aid preservation, but it does not compare to the frozen conditions of Northern Siberian permafrost, for example.

He added that, once in the lab, they are not trying to grow anything, were simply extracting the genetic traces, so the biological risks are minimal.

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Instead, the riskier element was collecting the fresh guano needed to contextualise the historic analysis  hence the personal protective equipment. The team and their collaborators will also inactivate any viruses found inside these samples, and hope to have early results within a year.

Though they said its highly unlikely theyll be able to produce a complete record of penguin microbes, they hope their archive will show which pathogens have affected the birds over time, and how the population adapted. This could be critical to protect the penguin species that watched over the festive field trip.

Learning how things have changed over time, and the different drivers, is really interesting, said Dr Ledger. But it can also help us understand the present and predict the future, and the impact an emerging disease may have on Antarctica. This is critical.

Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security

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A 23-year-old British hiker was among 19 people who were killed when their packed tour bus veered off a mountain highway and plunged 200 metres into a river in Nepal.

Dominic Stewart, from Exeter, was on a solo trekking holiday in the Himalayas when the bus crashed en route from the resort city of Pokhara to Kathmandu in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mr Stewart, an avid hiker who had recently finished walking the arduous Annapurna Circuit, was three weeks away from celebrating his birthday, his family told The Telegraph.

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The youngest of six siblings, he had been planning to study finance and accountancy at university in Bristol, his father Mike said at the family home.

Mr Stewart, who was known as Dom to friends and his family, was an ardent Liverpool FC supporter and had arrived in Nepal last month after travelling through Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

He was loved by everybody he met, his father said. He was a massive Liverpool fan. We went to European finals in Madrid and Paris together.

Mr Stewarts mother Jane said: He loved walking on Dartmoor, loved mountains. He was our baby, he was the baby of six. He was my husbands best friend.

Rescue workers search the wreckage

The bus, which was carrying 29 men and 15 women, was a third of the way through its 300km journey when it lost control on the Prithvi highway and plunged into the Trishuli River at around 1.30am.

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Seventeen people, including three foreigners, died at the scene. Two others later died from their injuries, and a small number of victims remain in critical condition.

Police and government officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

Photographs from the crash site show the tour bus reduced to a heap of twisted metal, lying on its side at the foot of the mountain. The bus was reportedly operated by Machhapuchhre Tours and Travels.

Police and government officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash

Police and emergency rescuers freed several passengers who had been trapped for hours. One passenger, Krishna Raj Manandhar, from the village of Imadol on the outskirts of Kathmandu, was trapped for five hours until rescuers were able to cut through the vehicles exhaust and rear wheels to pull him out.

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Deputy Inspector General Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, a spokesman for Nepals Armed Police Force, confirmed that Mr Stewart was among the fatalities.

Mr Stewarts body is being moved from the Primary Health Centre at Gajuri to Kathmandu Medical College Hospital and will be handed over to the UK embassy on Tuesday, he said.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Nepal, and are in contact with the local authorities.

The bus was carrying 29 men and 15 women, and was a third of the way through its 300km journey when it lost control on the Prithvi highway

Nepalese police said 11 men and eight women were killed. Only nine of them, including Mr Stewart, have so far been identified.

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They are Chandra Bahadur Kunwar, 63, from Syangja; Om Kumar Malla, around 40, from Tanahun; Engineer Thakuri, 30, from Dhading; Bishnu Maya Dhakal, 55, from Tanahun; Lopsang Gole, 42, from Kathmandu; Hari Prasad Sigdel, around 45, from Tanahun; and Nabindra Shrestha, 55, from Palpa.

Another 25 people were injured, and 14 are receiving treatment at the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu, including a 12-year-old Chinese national who sustained moderate head injuries.

Nepals Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a committee to investigate the accident following meetings between the Home Minister Om Prakash Arya and senior officials from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, the Department of Roads, the transport entrepreneurs federation, and the chiefs of the three security agencies.

The crash is the most recent in a spate of incidents across Nepal that have killed 40 people in three weeks.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
It has been nearly a year since Gov. Brian Kemp signed The Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority Act, or House Bill 763. In doing so, it enabled the county to establish an airport authority board. The total investment is expected to cost $183 million, according to Bryan County's website.

But the airport board must get the green light from the Georgia Department of Transportation before it can begin building the new facility.

GDOT, through its Southeast Georgia Regional System Plan, will analyze 13 airports, everything from size to current and future capacity needs. According to Airport Authority Board Member Trip Addison, if GDOT determines there is a need for an additional airport in the region, "Bryan County can petition the organization to consider their proposed location."

A row of planes are photographed at the Statesboro airport.

"The study will provide a foundation and guidance to GDOT and Federal Aviation Administration on future aviation capacity/demand in the region," said Cody Dupre, aviation planning manager at GDOT.

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Rick Breitenfeldt, public affairs specialist for FAA, confirmed Bryan County, "would work through GDOT, not directly with the FAA," if they decide to build an airport.

"If an airport is seeking federal financial assistance, the state aviation agency must submit a formal request to the FAA to have the airport included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS)," said Breitenfeldt. "To support this request, the state must demonstrate its endorsement of the proposed airporttypically by including it in the State Aviation System Plan. The FAA will then evaluate the request based on specific screening criteria to determine if the proposed airport qualifies for inclusion in the NPIAS."

More: 'Ready to put this to bed': Emails detail concerns over Westwin

During an aviation webinar conducted by GDOT in October 2025, Dupre, along with staff from design firm Kimley-Horn, laid out the agenda for the study.

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Dupre pointed to significant growth in the region during the webinar, showing that in just five years, Southeast Georgia, which includes Bryan and Chatham Counties, saw a population increase of 37,000 residents between 2018-2023.

In almost all instances, a fairly demonstrative overall increase [has occurred] in terms of household income, representing potentially a higher utilization of airports and airfields for both private as well as commercial air traffic, said Vento during the webinar. As folks continue to move to the southeast portion of Georgia and really the South in general, we anticipate that these overall socio-economic trends will continue now and into the future.

More: Hyundai records 901,686 in total sales domestically in 2025

Those airports are:

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Millen Airport (Millen)

Plantation Airpark (Sylvania)

Statesboro  Bulloch County Airport

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

Claxton-Evans County Airport

MidCoast Regional Airport (Hinesville)

Jesup-Wayne County Airport

Reidsville Municipal Airport

East Georgia Regional Airport (Swainsboro)

Treutlen County Airport

Metter Municipal Airport Vidalia Regional Airport

Brunswick Golden Isles Airport

More: Georgia Democratic Senator talks Trump administration, healthcare

Growth in that area we expect will put pressure on the region's infrastructure, including the airport system, said Dupre in a webinar on GDOTs website, which is still available for viewing. So, we look at 13 airports throughout the region and just study their current and existing infrastructure and see if we meet those needs.

According to GDOTs website, study outreach to the airports in Southeast Georgia took place between October-December 2025 as a team from Kimley-Horn has been sent out to collect data for waitlists, hangar space, rates and charges and more. Other information that will be collected include aviation demands that have not been met at various airports, utility infrastructure, development constraints and more.

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[It is] really important to recognize the rapid growth and changes in the southeast portions of Georgia, said Vento. One of the major drivers of this is the new Hyundai plant that's coming online, [which is] really driving a lot of changes in the region.

The addition of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America also prompted GDOT to take a closer look at its airports throughout the state to determine future capacity needs. Vento nor Dupre specified if HMGMA is utilizing airports in the region. However, Caughey Hearn, who serves on the Evans County Airport Authority, said in a previous interview that companies like HMGMA use the airport in Claxton to transport parts and supplies to and from the plant.

The Hyundai plant, among other growth points such as the Port of Savannah, is expected to add economic growth to the region, said Vento during the webinar. The study will analyze the regions existing airports and whether those airports can accommodate that growth. The study will reflect added air cargo, air traffic, and additional aviation demand to the region.

During the Dec. 9 Bryan County commission meeting, local officials passed a resolution to withdraw support from the airport authority. The city of Richmond Hill has not announced any decision regarding the airport and tabled the discussion from a Feb. 17 city council meeting on the airport to a later time, although a date has not been announced yet.

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Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: GDOT to decide if South Georgia needs another airport
Corn price action is down fractionally to 1 1/2 cents so far on Monday morning. Futures were up 1 to 4 cents across the front months on Friday, as March was down 4  cents last week. Spillover support from gains in wheat was helping. Preliminary open interest was down 24,532 contracts on Friday, mostly in March, down 58,947 contracts. May was up 14,534 contracts. The CmdtyView national averageCash Corn price was up 1 3/4 cent to $3.94 1/4. With just a week left in the Crop Insurance price discovery, the average December corn close has been $4.60, down a dime from the same period last year.

Export Sales data continues to show strong export sales, with old crop corn sales at 1.47 MMT in the week of 2/12. That was down from last week, but still 1.1% above the same week last year. New crop sales were at 65,700 MT in that week. Japan was the top buyer of 381,500 MT, with 270,100 MT sold to Mexico and 127,300 MT sold to Taiwan.

More News from Barchart

Commitment of Traders data from Friday afternoon showed a total of 20,795 contracts trimmed from the spec fund net long position in the week of February 17. That took the net short to 27,415 contracts.

A couple South Korean importers purchased a total of 130,000 MT in a tender on Friday, with at least half of that expected to be sourced from the US.

Brazils first corn crop is estimated at 28% harvested according to AgRural, behind the 37% average pace. The second crop was tallied at 50% planted by Thursday, lagging the 64% average pace.

Mar 26 Corn closed at $4.27 1/2, up 1 3/4 cents, currently down 3/4 cent

Nearby Cash was $3.94 1/4, up 1 3/4 cents,

May 26 Corn closed at $4.39 3/4, up 3 1/2 cents, currently down 1/2 cent

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.48 1/4, up 3 3/4 cents, currently down 3/4 cent

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
HOUSTON (AP)  U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas resisted growing calls Tuesday from fellow congressional Republicans to resign over a report of an alleged affair with a former staffer who later died after she set herself on fire.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joined Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Nancy Mace of South Carolina in demanding that Gonzales step down immediately. Gonzales is in a tough race in Texas Republican primary on March 3, facing a challenger he narrowly defeated in a 2024 GOP runoff.

He told reporters he will not resign. A resignation would leave Republicans with a 217-214 majority until March, when the first of three special elections to fill vacancies is set in Georgia.

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There will be opportunities for all of the details and facts to come out, he said. What you've seen is not all the facts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would talk to Gonzales on Tuesday.

Johnson said Monday that the accusations against Gonzales must be taken seriously, but he added, in every case like this, you have to allow the investigation to play out and all the facts to come out.

If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress," Johnson said.

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Meanwhile, Mace announced that she has introduced a resolution to force the House Ethics Commission to publicly release its reports and records of allegations of sexual harassment against members of Congress.

Gonzales said in a social media post last week that he was being blackmailed and then suggested in another post Sunday that he is the target of coordinated political attacks.

His main primary opponent is Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and gun rights influencer who calls himself the AK Guy on YouTube, where his channel has nearly 4.2 million subscribers. Gonzales defeated Herrera by fewer than 400 votes in their 2024 runoff.

President Donald Trump had endorsed Gonzales for reelection in December.

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The San Antonio Express-News reported last week that it had obtained text messages in which the former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to a colleague that she had an affair with the lawmaker.

The Associated Press has not independently obtained copies of the messages. An attorney for Adrian Aviles, Santos-Aviles husband, has said the husband found out about the affair before his wifes death.

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, 35, died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde home. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office later ruled her death as a suicide by self-immolation.

Where are the other men in the GOP? Massie asked Tuesday in a post on X in calling for Gonzales to resign, adding that Trump should revoke his endorsement.

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Gonzales, whose district stretches from San Antonio to El Paso and runs along the U.S.-Mexico border, has six children with his wife.

His allegation of blackmail is based on an email from the attorney for the staffer's husband, Robert Barrera, discussing a possible lawsuit against the lawmaker and a potential settlement with a nondisclosure agreement. The email says that the maximum recoverable amount is $300,000.

Barrera has said he was not trying to blackmail Gonzales and called the accusation an attempt by the congressman to look like a political victim.

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Also contributing was Associated Press journalist Kevin Freking in Washington.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney heads to India this week pushing to double trade and mend fractured ties, his first stop on an Asia-Pacific tour that also includes Australia and Japan as he seeks to reduce reliance on the United States.

Carney has said that the US-led global order is fading and that Canada should not expect the old system to return once President Donald Trump leaves office.

Hedging against the mercurial resident of the White House he has sought to rebuild previously testy relations with major Asian economies, last month visiting Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping after years of frozen ties.

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Carney will leave on Thursday for India, on a visit that will be closely watched as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi try to repair ties that effectively ruptured in 2024.

"In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control," Carney said in a statement announcing the trip.

"We are forging new partnerships abroad to create greater certainty, security and prosperity at home."

Trump's tariffs on autos, aluminum, lumber and steel are hurting the Canadian economy.

The impacts of the levies have been muted by the president's broad adherence to an existing North American free trade agreement.

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Negotiations on revising that deal are set for the start of this year and Trump has repeatedly insisted the United States doesn't need access to any Canadian products -- which would have sweeping consequences for its northern neighbor.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to annex Canada, and last month posted an image on social media of a map with Canada -- as well as Greenland and Venezuela -- covered by the American flag.

Carney says that to safeguard Canada's economic future the country needs to massively expand non-US international trade.

- 'New challenges' -

India is a key target and Carney says he wants to more than double bilateral trade, eyeing a target of CAN$70 billion ($51 billion) by 2030.

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The two countries last year agreed to launch talks on a new free trade agreement.

The meeting is all the more significant given the bitter fallout from Canadian accusations that New Delhi was involved in the 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh leader -- claims which India denied.

That rift severely disrupted consular and trade services between the nations, which exchanged about CAN$28 billion in goods and services in 2023.

Carney will then visit Sydney and Australia's capital, Canberra, for meetings with local counterpart Anthony Albanese.

Albanese's office said the trip would focus on economic security and critical minerals, as well as defence.

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"As our countries face new challenges and opportunities, we must deepen our cooperation with partners to promote our national interests," the Australian prime minister said.

Carney will wrap up his tour in Japan, where he will hold talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

He will fly back to Canada on March 7.

bs-oho/hmn
By David Ljunggren

OTTAWA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Canadian officials expressed disappointment that OpenAI representatives did not present new safety measures in a meeting on Tuesday after the ChatGPT maker said it did not contact police about an account it banned belonging to an alleged mass shooter.

Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, is suspected of killing eight people on February 10 before taking her own life in a small town in British Columbia. OpenAI said it banned her account last year on ChatGPT for policy violations, which it said did not meet internal criteria for reporting to law enforcement.

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Evan Solomon, the federal minister in charge of artificial intelligence, summoned OpenAI's top safety officials for a meeting in Ottawa.

"We made it clear that Canadians expect credible warning signs of serious violence to be escalated in a timely and responsible way. Internal review alone is not sufficient when public safety is at stake," Solomon said in a statement after the meeting.

"We expressed our disappointment that no substantial new safety measures were presented at this time. OpenAI indicated they will return shortly with more concrete proposals tailored to the Canadian context."

Solomon said OpenAI confirmed the company was cooperating with Canadian police, though details of the ongoing investigation were not discussed. Public safety, culture and justice ministers also joined the meeting.

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OpenAI said it had taken steps in recent months to strengthen safeguards and made changes to law enforcement referral protocol for cases involving violent activities.

"The ministers underscored that Canadians expect continued concrete action and we heard that message loud and clear," the company said in a statement. "Weve committed to follow up in the coming days with an update on additional steps were taking, as we continue to support law enforcement and work with the government on strengthening AI safety for all Canadians.

In 2024, Canada's Liberal government introduced draft legislation to crack down on online hate, but the effort stalled amid criticism it was too broad in scope. Ministers say they will try again this year with a revised bill.

Van Rootselaar, who police say was born male but identified as a woman and began transitioning six years ago, had a history of mental health problems. The killings took place in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, a town of around 2,400.

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OpenAI says it banned Van Rootselaar's account in 2025 after it was flagged by systems that identify "misuses of our models in furtherance of violent activities."

The company considered contacting police, but determined the account did not meet the threshold of posing an imminent and credible risk of serious physical harm to others.

(Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Rod Nickel and Saad Sayeed)
A Central Arizona Project-backed advocacy group called the Coalition for Protecting Arizonas Lifeline has begun rolling out television ads and online videos defending the water suppliers rights to a Colorado River that is under serious hydrological and political strain.

Arizona is being unfairly targeted for reductions of Colorado River water that would cripple our state, flatten our economy and weaken our nations defense, an ad aired by the coalition warns. It goes on to note that Arizona communities have done their part, committing more water for conservation in Lake Mead than those in other states, and that several options that the federal government is weighing for managing the river would fall hardest on the state.

One such alternative under review, CAP General Manager Brenda Burman recently said, would essentially dry up the agencys canal from the river to Phoenix and Tucson.

In that alternative, they proposed to take us off the map, she said. Three other alternatives do less harm to CAP. The agency has rejected all as unfairly penalizing Arizona while demanding much less from upstream states in particular.

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The alternatives Burman was referring to were never stated as the Trump administrations preference, but rather as ideas from which the seven states that share the river water might draw from in writing an agreement for sharing in its worsening shortages. Now that the states have failed to reach such an agreement, though, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is faced with either enacting something like them or rapidly developing a new federal plan in time to replace river guidelines that expire this autumn.

Natural resource: As states draw Colorado River water, what's left for the river?

CAP, cities organize to defend water

In normal times before the last quarter-century of drought, CAP was entitled to 1.6 million acre-feet of water  each acre-foot equating to roughly 326,000 gallons and enough to support about three households for a year. In those plentiful times Arizona took some of that water and sunk it in the ground for future use.

In recent years, Lake Mead's loss of stored water has forced CAP to forego more than 500,000 acre-feet a year. Worse cutbacks are on the horizon, but just how dry the canal will go depends on what rules the federal government imposes.

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Anticipating a fight, CAP formed the coalition last summer, announcing that discussions with the mayors of Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa and Surprise had led to its creation. Two dozen other mayors ultimately joined, along with leaders of several commerce groups and Native American tribes.

The coalitions website and ads ask Arizonans to pledge their support for the effort to protect CAP water. The group has posted numerous video testimonials from members.

If there are major cuts or changes in how Colorado River water is allocated, the impacts on our communities and the entire state could be devastating, Casa Grande Mayor Lisa Fitzgibbons said in one such testimonial. Thats why Arizona and cities like Casa Grande are taking proactive steps to protect our water future, including by a city demand management program.

While the materials dont directly state members intended method of securing water, some of the videos lean heavily on the so-called Law of the River and its guarantee of water from the four headwaters states to Arizona, California and Nevada. This theme reiterates a point that CAP and Arizona water officials have stressed over the last year or so, that if push comes to shove in a legal battle, they have the 1922 Colorado River Compact on their side.

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Water shortages: Without a deal on the Colorado River, deeper cuts loom. How 9 Arizona cities will respond

'This was an obligation'

Two river tutorial videos note that the compact awarded the three states of the Lower Basin 7.5 million acre-feet of water per year on average plus half of the smaller U.S. obligation to Mexico, and stated that the Upper Basin states would not deplete the river flow below that level.

Twentieth century negotiators from the Upper Basin conceded the point out of fear that California and Arizona could otherwise claim most of the river due to their earlier use of the water, according to the videos. In wet years the Upper Basin could use up to 7.5 million acre-feet itself, but in dry years it would allow at least that much to flow to the more developed Southwestern cities and farm districts.

This was an obligation, a narrator states, meaning a guarantee.

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Read more Colorado River stories: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter.

Thats a point that modern negotiators for the Upper Basin states have disputed, saying that the Lower Basin continues to use most of the water while its climate change rather than their own consumption that has reduced the supply.

We do not have a delivery obligation under the terms of the compact," Colorado state river commissioner Becky Mitchell said last year during a meeting of the Upper Colorado River Commission, "and will not agree to impose one on ourselves through agreement now."

As states gear up for a potential showdown in court, CAP and its Coalition for Protecting Arizonas Lifeline are making clear that they will demand compact compliance if other states dont cut their uses sufficiently.

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The Colorado River Compact isnt just history, one of the videos asserts. Its the foundation of Western water law. And it still dictates how the West shares its most important resource  water.

Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Colorado River cuts 'unfairly target' Arizona, coalition says
Monday's blizzard buried Cape Cod in snow, knocked out power to over 150,000 people and prompted the governor to call for a travel ban - which was later lifted midday Tuesday.

Wellfleet and Nantucket, at least, reached hurricane strength winds, at 77 and 83 miles per hour, respectively.

The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies during the day Tuesday, as plows and Eversource crews continue work opening roads and getting the power back on. The latter may take days, an Eversource spokesperson said.

How much snow did Cape Cod get?

Here are the snow inch counts for Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, according to the National Weather Service, as of the 11:16 a.m. Feb. 24 report. Dates and times are listed next to each entry. We will update with new totals if they become available. Nantucket was not on the latest list.

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Centerville: 20 inches at 1:10 p.m. Feb. 23

Chatham: 5.5 inches at 2 p.m. Feb. 23

Cotuit: 14 inches at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 23

Dennis: 8.5 inches at 2 p.m. Feb. 23

Falmouth: 16 inches at 7 a.m. Feb. 24

Forestdale: 21 inches at 10:45 p.m. Feb. 23

Pocasset: 19.5 inches at 1:41 p.m. Feb. 23

Sandwich: 18 inches at 7 a.m. Feb. 24

Yarmouth: 15 inches at 2 p.m. Feb. 23

West Tisbury: 20 inches at 11:01 a.m. Feb. 24

Cape Cod snow inch counts as of the 11:18 p.m., Feb. 23, National Weather Service report

Times reported are listed alongside each total, and were all sent in Feb. 23.

Barnstable: 14 inches at 8 a.m.

Brewster: 12 inches at 10 a.m.

Centerville: 20 inches at 1:10 p.m.

Chatham: 5.5 inches at 2 p.m.

Cotuit: 14 inches at 12:15 p.m.

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Dennis: 8.5 inches at 2 p.m.

Falmouth: 7 inches at 6 a.m.

Forestdale: 21 inches at 10:45 p.m.

Harwich: 7 inches at 10 a.m.

Hyannis: 8 inches at 10 a.m.

Marstons Mills: 10 inches at 10 a.m.

Mashpee: 6.8 inches at 8 a.m.

Nantucket: 4.5 inches at 10 a.m.

Pocasset: 19.5 inches at 1:41 p.m.

Sandwich: 14 inches at 2 p.m.

Yarmouth: 15 inches at 2 p.m.

West Tisbury: 7 inches at 6 a.m.

Who got the most snow in Massachusetts?

Cape Cod didn't get the highest snow totals in the state - that honor went to Bliss Corner in Bristol County at 37 inches. Bristol County and Plymouth County both had a handful of reports over 30 inches.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod snow totals after Feb. 23 blizzard
Portland winemaker Thomas Monroe found it hard to explain to his 5-year-old son why black smoke was drifting over Puerto Vallarta on Sunday. They could see the plumes from fires in the Mexican city from where they sheltered in place at a friends house after the killing of a major drug boss by the Mexican army.

Monroe is among the Portland-area residents who are now stuck in travel limbo in Mexico after airlines canceled or delayed flights from the Jalisco area amid civil unrest following the Sunday killing. Monroe and his family had hoped to come home early, but havent been able to secure a quick flight out of the city.

Our vacation is kind of in a bit of tatters right now, Monroe said on Monday, adding: I definitely feel more for the residents and the people who live here full-time who are being impacted.

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The U.S. State Department warned citizens to shelter in place Sunday after the army killed cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Several airlines canceled or scaled back flights, including Alaska Airlines, which canceled more than 40 flights to and from Mexico on Sunday and Monday, including three between Portland and Puerto Vallarta.

The cartel on Sunday set fire to vehicles and erected more than 250 roadblocks in response to Oseguera Cervantes death, the Associated Press reported. Several Mexican states canceled school Monday, but some businesses reopened and people began leaving their homes.

Monroe, his wife and his son are visiting friends in Puerto Vallarta. They arrived Friday and had planned to leave Puerto Vallarta on Sunday to visit a small town further north, he said.

Now they are holed up in town, trying to sort out what to do next, Monroe said.

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Monroe and his family were planning to spend nine days in Mexico, but said after seeing the unrest, they wanted to leave sooner. He reached out to Alaska Airlines and eventually wrangled a waiver to change tickets, but said the earliest he could find a flight out of the country was the day before they were scheduled to leave anyway.

Its kind of an odd dichotomy of the beauty and all these parts about this place that I love, but also this kind of hanging black cloud that were under, he said.

Mostly, he said, he worries for his friends and the other Puerto Vallarta residents.

More travel stories

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Teresa and Genaro Torres, from Vancouver, were also visiting Puerto Vallarta when the army killed the cartel leader. They are supposed to fly home on Wednesday and havent heard yet if their flight will be affected.

The resort where theyre staying is starting to run out of some food and drink items, they said, but its expecting to get deliveries Tuesday.

The Torres family has been fortunate, they said. Theyve seen and met others who had to sleep in hotel lobbies or got stuck sheltering in place without food.

Clearly we are not suffering, but theres a sense of anxiety too, Teresa Torres said. This is not normal.

Read the original article on oregonlive.com. Add oregonlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Some frogs are gathering in the "swamp."

While President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address on Feb. 24, a roster of influential actors, elected officials, cultural figures, journalists and veterans will assemble just a few minutes away in Washington to deliver a live rebuttal.

The "State of the Swamp" counter-address, headlined by actor Robert De Niro, is set to take place at the same time the president speaks to a joint session of Congress about the nation's affairs and his policy agenda. Invoking the frog as a symbol of opposition to Trump, the event's title references the swampy terrain of the nation's capital.

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Here's what to expect from "State of the Swamp," including who will be in attendance and the meaning behind the event.

A viral video captured earlier this month showed a Portland protester in a frog costume getting chemical spray aimed directly at his costumes air vent by a federal agent, according to the Oregonian. Since then, protesters at "No Kings Day" and Immigration and Customs detention facilities across the United States have embraced the frog as a symbol of resistance. The viral video has over 1.5 million views.



A frog-costumed demonstrator stands amid others during a 'No Kings' protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London, Britain. People participate in a "No Kings" national day of protest in Howell, Michigan, on October 18, 2025. From New York to San Francisco, millions of Americans are expected to hit the streets to voice their anger over President Donald Trump's policies at nationwide "No Kings" protests. Dressed as a frog, Cindy Corey waves a flag at a No Kings rally in downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Stanley Sea, dressed as Marquis de Lafayette, and Cindy Corey, dressed as a frog, lead a march on Green Street during a No Kings rally in downtown Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. A person in a frog costume holds a sign as crowds gather during a "No Kings" demonstration Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis. Attendees protested President Donald Trump administrations actions. A protester hoists a metal frog on a stick in front of the Henderson County Courthouse during the No Kings 2.0 rally in downtown Hendersonville on Oct. 18, 2025. The event was part of a nationwide day of action organized by Indivisible. People participate in a "No Kings" national day of protest in New York on October 18, 2025. David Bacon, from Sandwich, navigates the crowd with a foggy view from his frog suit at the "No Kings" Rally in Hyannis around the Airport Rotary. Photo taken on October 18, 2025. Millions rallied against Trump at 'No Kings' See the elaborate looks and biting signs 1 of 8 A viral video captured earlier this month showed a Portland protester in a frog costume getting chemical spray aimed directly at his costumes air vent by a federal agent, according to the Oregonian. Since then, protesters at "No Kings Day" and Immigration and Customs detention facilities across the United States have embraced the frog as a symbol of resistance. The viral video has over 1.5 million views.



A frog-costumed demonstrator stands amid others during a 'No Kings' protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London, Britain.

What is 'State of the Swamp'?

A poster for the "State of the Swamp," an event featuring celebrities and politicians which aims to serve as a rebuttal to President Donald Trump's State of the Union.

The "State of the Swamp" is organized by anti-Trump group Defiance.org, the "artist-activist" coalition Portland Frog Brigade and advocacy media network Courier. The event is a live counter-address "focused on defying Donald Trump's abuses of power, including officials who previously advised Trump," according to a Feb. 17 statement from organizers.

"This is not a protest or a watch party," Defiance.org co-founder Miles Taylor said in the statement. "It's a live, public rebuttal."

The event will include live music, satire, speeches and direct calls to action, according to organizers.

Where is 'State of the Swamp' being held?

The location at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, is just over a mile away from where Trump will be simultaneously speaking to a joint session of Congress inside the U.S. Capitol Building.

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More SOTU: Who is giving the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union?

How to watch

The counter-address is set to begin with "pre-buttals" at 7 p.m. ET, direct State of the Union rebuttals from 9 to 10 p.m., followed by keynote speakers until 11 p.m.

In-person tickets are sold out, according to the website, but the program can be livestreamed nationwide for free via Defiance.org, YouTube, Substack and other media partners listed on the State of the Swamp website. Those who want to tune in virtually should register via the State of the Swamp website.

Who's attending?

The State of the Swamp is set to feature familiar faces, including actors De Niro and Mark Ruffalo, and former CNN broadcaster Jim Acosta.

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Mark Ruffalo and Trump: Actor protests ICE, 'worst human being' Trump at Golden Globes

Political names are on the roster, too, including former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA), former Republican Rep. Joe Walsh of Illinois and former Democratic Rep. Stacey Abrams of Georgia.

Organizers say the coalition attending also includes: George Conway, Joyce Vance, Marianne Williamson, Glenn Kirschner, Mehdi Hasan, LaTosha Brown, Stephanie Grisham, Miles Taylor, Tara McGowan, Baratunde Thurston, Sue Gordon, Wajahat Ali, Norm Eisen, Steve Schmidt, Charlie Sykes, Rashad Robinson, Olivia Troye, Asha Rangappa, Brian Karem, Robby Roadsteamer and Lisandra Vazquez.

And ... frogs?

"No Kings" in Los Angeles, California.

Attendees are encouraged to wear green or frog attire, according to organizers. These outfits are "a symbol of peaceful defiance and civic participation," their statement says.

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This won't be the first time demonstrations against the Trump administration invoke the frog as a symbol of resistance. Frog and animal costumes began to multiply late last year after a federal agent sprayed the air vent of a protesters frog costume during a protest in early October. Protesters dressed as frogs outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in October in Portland, Oregon, while protesters at nationwide "No King's Day" demonstrations embraced the frog image.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is 'State of the Swamp?' Date, time, how to watch live rebuttal
Chad closed its border with Sudan, shutting a vital lane for thousands trying to escape the Sudanese civil war.

Chad said the border  across which more than a million Sudanese have fled their country  would be closed until further notice after the conflict neared its territory. While there have been numerous attempts to end hostilities in Sudan, the fighting rages on, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, including the first declaration of famine anywhere in years.

Experts have warned that the war will continue so long as foreign powers  namely the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt  continue backing and funding the belligerents, including a paramilitary accused of perpetrating a genocide.
Feb. 24 (UPI) -- The French government has barred Ambassador Charles Kushner from meeting with government officials after he failed to show up for a summons.

Kushner, the U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco, was summoned Monday after making comments about a criminal case in Lyon, calling it "violent radical leftism."

When he didn't show up for the meeting, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs barred Kushner from meetings with French ministers.

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"It's not primarily a bilateral issue, it's a question of the basic expectations attached to the mission of an ambassador," a French official told The Hill. "We just wanted to underline that he will not be granted direct access to ministers and members of the government, but he can carry out his duties [and present himself at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs]."

Last week, police in France arrested 11 people for the beating death of a far-right activist at a protest in Lyon. Quentin Deranque, 23, died Feb. 14 after suffering a severe brain injury from the attack.

"Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque's death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety," the U.S. embassy in France and the State Department Bureau of Counter-Terrorism said on X.

On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he would summon Kushner, "because the embassy issued a commentary on this event, which concerns the national community. We reject any interference in this event," Barrot said on French radio.

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But Kushner, the father of President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, didn't show up for the meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, which is a breach of diplomatic protocol.

Kushner "needs to be able to have this discussion with us, with [the foreign ministry], so that he can resume the normal exercise of his duties as ambassador in France," The Guardian reported Barrot said Tuesday.

"When you have the honor of representing your country, the United States of America, in France as ambassador, you abide by the most basic customs of diplomacy and you respond to summonses from the foreign ministry," Barrot told France Info radio.

"I believe all French people share the same feeling," he added. "We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into, our national political debate, whatever the circumstances."

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Kushner cited personal commitments for his inability to attend and sent a senior embassy official, The Guardian reported.

Kushner was appointed to the Paris job in May, and also failed to show to a summons in August after he published an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron accusing the government of failing to take action on anti-Semitism.

"Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures towards recognition of a Palestinian state emboldened extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France," Kushner wrote. "In today's world, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism."
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand, is turning up the heat on its Midwest expansion with the signing of a new food truck in South Bend. Spearheaded by brother-in-laws Hussein Kourani and Al Obaid, the opening marks the brand's second truck in Indiana, and signals continued regional momentum, with a third truck already slated to launch in Fort Wayne in 2027.

Connecticut-style lobster roll with warm, buttery Maine lobster on a toasted New England roll.

As Cousins Maine Lobster continues its expansion throughout the Midwest, Indiana has emerged as a priority growth market thanks to strong consumer demand, vibrant communities, and expanding food scene eager for premium, fast-casual concepts. The South Bend launch represents another strategic step in building a scalable regional presence designed to bring authentic Maine lobster to more customers.

Kourani and Obaid were drawn to the brand's proven business model, family-oriented culture, and reputation for operational excellence. With a shared entrepreneurial vision, the duo looks forward to building lasting community connections while delivering the signature that has fueled the brand's nationwide following.

"Watching someone take their first bite of an authentic Maine lobster roll and seeing their reaction is what this is all about," said Kourani and Obaid. "Cousins Maine Lobster welcomed us like family from day one, and we're excited to bring that same spirit to South Bend by creating a place where great food, community, and unforgettable moments come together."

The Midwest continues to serve as a major engine for Cousins Maine Lobster's national expansion, as the brand grows its coast-to-coast presence through disciplined market selection and experienced operators committed to long-term success. "This is exactly the type of growth that defines Cousins Maine Lobster: strategic, intentional, and powered by exceptional operators," said Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development at Cousins Maine Lobster.

"We're building incredible momentum across the Midwest, and Indiana is a prime example of that growth in action," said Lindsay Herberger. "Hussein and Al bring the entrepreneurial drive and community focus we look for in franchise partners. Their multi-unit commitment reflects the strength of our model and the growing demand for our brand, and we're thrilled to support their journey as they introduce Cousins Maine Lobster to even more customers across the region."

Cousins Maine Lobster will celebrate its official South Bend debut on Saturday, March 7th, from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Tractor Supply Co., located at 330 Ireland Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46544. The community is invited to join the celebration, enjoy authentic Maine lobster favorites, and help welcome this exciting new addition to the local dining scene. For the latest updates on our South Bend food truck and a full schedule of events, visit Cousins Maine Lobster South Bend.
CHICAGO (WGN)  As Arlington Heights and Hammond continue to position themselves as the best destination for a new Chicago Bears stadium, the City of Chicago is considering potential plans for a Bears-less future at Soldier Field.

First reported by Fox 32s Paris Schultz, sources confirmed to WGN-TV News that the Chicago Park District has pitched a $630-million transformation plan for Soldier Field as the Bears continue to plan their likely departure for the northwest suburbs or Northwest Indiana.

The plan intends to convert Soldier Field into a massive concert and special events venue, where $130 million is earmarked for direct stadium renovations, and the remaining $500 million would go toward surrounding infrastructure that would aim to improve traffic and parking around the stadium.

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The funding package would include money from the State of Illinois road fund to help pay for infrastructure upgrades. Sources also said the Bears could cover a portion of the cost. The franchise would owe approximately $90 million if they break their lease with the Park District, which runs until 2033.

According to Illinois Policy, the City of Chicago still owes $356 million on the 2003 Soldier Field renovations, but when considering interest and the total amount to be paid over the life of the bonds, the total cost will likely be north of $500 million.

The lever that has and will continue to pay for that debt is a 2% hotel tax, which is why the pitch centers on emphasizing Soldier Field as a year-round concert venue. Big concerts drive hotel occupancies up, which could then help generate more funds from the hotel tax to pay down the Soldier Field renovation debt.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.




A Northern California man once sentenced to what appeared to be life in prison for kidnapping and molesting young children has been approved for parole under the state's elderly parole law.

David Allen Funston, 64, was convicted in 1999 of 16 counts of kidnapping and child molestation for crimes committed in Sacramento County between 1995 and 1996, prosecutors said at the time. A judge described him as "the monster parents fear the most."

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Funston received three consecutive terms of 25 years to life, plus an additional prison term. He was not sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, making him legally eligible for a parole hearing under California law.

According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Funston has been incarcerated since May 10, 1999, at the California Institution for Men in Chino. CDCR records show he first became eligible for a parole suitability hearing in January 2021.

The Board of Parole Hearings denied him parole in May 2022. He later waived hearings in 2023 and 2024 before being granted parole suitability on Sept. 24, 2025, records show.

Gov. Gavin Newsom referred that decision to the full Board of Parole Hearings for review on Jan. 12, CDCR said in a statement.

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The governor may refer a parole grant for review by the full board but does not make the final decision in non-homicide cases. The full board reaffirmed the parole grant on Feb. 18.

"For safety and security reasons, CDCR does not provide information on a person's time or location of parole release," the department said.

A parole grant does not necessarily result in immediate release and remains subject to administrative review periods.

Under California's Elderly Parole Program, incarcerated people may qualify for a hearing after reaching age 50 and serving at least 20 consecutive years in prison, depending on their sentence.

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Commissioners must give "special consideration" to advanced age, long-term confinement and any diminished physical condition when determining whether a person currently poses an unreasonable risk to public safety, according to CDCR guidelines.

The program was initially shaped by federal court orders addressing prison overcrowding and later codified into state law.

Parole hearings do not revisit guilt or innocence. Instead, commissioners assess whether an incarcerated person currently presents an unreasonable risk to the community.

The decision has drawn sharp condemnation from victims and former prosecutors.

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"He shouldn't be breathing the same air that we're breathing at all," one victim, who was kidnapped and assaulted when she was 4, told the Los Angeles Times. "I disagree with him getting paroled out because he's a horrible person. That man is a monster."

Former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who prosecuted the case as a deputy district attorney, called Funston "one sick individual," according to the Los Angeles Times. She urged officials to consider civil commitment under California's sexually violent predator law, which can allow certain offenders to be confined to a state hospital after completing a prison term if prosecutors petition and a judge approves the commitment.

At a Sacramento County Sheriff's Office news conference Monday, Sheriff Jim Cooper criticized the decision.

"Elections are coming up," Cooper said. "This is a great question. What do you stand for?' Don't talk the talk, walk the walk. Protect our children. Don't protect the perpetrator of these crimes. Why are we protecting him?"

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A victim who spoke at the news conference called Funston "dangerous" and said, "He does not deserve freedom."

It remains unclear when Funston will be released or whether he will be referred for possible sexually violent predator proceedings.

This article originally published at Child molester serving life terms granted parole in California, sparking outrage.
Beijing is known for keeping quiet about its military hardware. But in footage aired on January 29, 2026, via CCTV, China's main state broadcaster, the Yanan  a Type 055 guided-missile destroyer  was shown off in full display. The 27-minute clip showed the ship firing electronic jamming missiles during what was officially described as an encounter with foreign aircraft near Taiwan. Now, showing off military hardware in action publicly is unusual for China. But admitting to specific confrontations happening in those particular waters is even rarer.

Type 055s are roughly 11,000-ton warships that China officially classifies as guided-missile destroyers. They are one of the most advanced weapons in China's military arsenal and are far from your average warships. Western analysts often bump their classification up to "cruiser" because of their sheer size and all the firepower packed into them. Each one of these carries 112 vertical launch cells loaded with a mix of surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles, and potentially even hypersonic weapons. They stretch to over 590 feet long and can hit 30 knots, which is fast for something that weighs about as much as a small office building. Fleet numbers are expanding rapidly, compared to those of the US Navy destroyers.

In the footage, the Yanan's crew spots what appear to be multiple groups of aircraft shifting direction nearby. A sailor on watch calls out orders to prepare the starboard side, and from there, the ship cranks its radar systems up to high power, which effectively helps widen its search range. But the Yanan doesn't just go it alone from that point on.

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Read more: 10 Of The Largest Navies In The World, Ranked By Self-Reported Total Naval Assets

Not a one-ship show

A Chinese Type 055 guided-missile destroyer launches a missile - CCTV

Before the Yanan actually fires anything, it calls in backup from the Shandong  one of China's aircraft carriers. That ship sends three planes out to confirm what's actually out there first. Only after that does the destroyer go ahead by launching four electronic jamming missiles. This coordination was further explained in the clip.

In it, a crew member, Wang Liang, pointed out in the broadcast that modern naval combat isn't really about one ship doing everything anymore. Rather, it's about how every system works together as a whole, across air and sea. Wang went further and framed the PLA Navy as operating on the front line of both conventional and what he called "invisible warfare." Confrontations extend well beyond surface combat into air defense, anti-submarine operations, and electronic warfare all at once.

The footage was part of a series by CCTV, which had earlier broadcast footage of the Nanchang, another Type 055. This one was the first of its kind and launched back in June 2017. It was seen operating alongside the carrier Liaoning. In that specific clip, the Nanchang keeps changing course to physically block two foreign vessels from weaving their way through the carrier group's formation. So in both cases, the Yanan and Nanchang aren't just acting as standalone weapons platforms  they're functioning as pieces of a much larger coordinated system.

The fleet behind all of this

A full fleet of Chinese ships and jets on display - CCTV

Those two ships are just a small part of what's now the world's largest navy. There are currently eight Type 055 destroyers in active service, and all of them were commissioned by 2023. Four of those are stationed with the North Sea Fleet out of Qingdao, and the other four operate under the South Sea Fleet from Zhanjiang, covering the contested South China Sea. A second batch is already being built at Chinese shipyards in both Dalian and Shanghai, with new ships expected to enter service sometime this year. Those newer ones reportedly come with upgraded power generation systems and improved weapons  including the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile, which was shown in a live test launch for the very first time in late 2025.

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The timing of all this footage matters quite a bit, too. It dropped against a backdrop of growing tension around Taiwan. The US approved roughly $11.1 billion in arms sales to the island back in December, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently suggested that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. Beijing has pushed back hard on both of those developments.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Iran is close to buying a supersonic missile from China that could destroy American aircraft carriers.

Officials from the Islamic Republic are in advanced negotiations with Beijing to purchase the CM-302 cruise weapon, which is designed to damage warships, according to Reuters.

The news agency cited six sources as saying that negotiations, which began two years ago, sped up after the 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June.

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The devices are not believed to have ever been used in combat.

However, according to their manufacturer, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, they can travel at up to four times the speed of sound, carrying a quarter of a ton of explosives and can conduct zigzagging evasive manoeuvres in the final phase of flight to confuse ships defences.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is currently stationed in the Arabian Sea south of Iran, while a second carrier group, the USS Gerald R Ford, is also approaching the region and was photographed in Crete on Monday.

Chinas CM-302 missile, also know as a carrier killer, is specifically designed to destroy warships

It is not known how many missiles Iran wants to purchase or when they might arrive and become operational.

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The US is amassing the largest concentration of sea and air power in the Middle East since the second Gulf War, as Donald Trump threatens Tehran in an effort to enforce restrictions on its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

The loss of even a single ship would be a historic humiliation for the US and probably politically disastrous for Mr Trump.

Although the White House appears keen to give negotiations with Iran a chance, the US is also thought to be delaying a military strike in order to further build up its missile defences in the region.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system is designed to take out high-altitude ballistic missiles, although the Patriot batteries  satellite images show more of these have recently been deployed  are capable of firing a variant that targets low-altitude cruise missiles.

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The CM-302, which is an export variant of the YJ-12 family of supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, approaches its target just above the waves.

They are believed to have a range of about 180 miles.

Reuters reported that, as talks to buy the missiles entered their final phase last summer, Iran sent a team of senior military and governmental officials to China.

This included Massoud Oraei, Irans deputy defence minister, the outlet said.

One security analyst, Danny Citrinowitz, a former Israeli intelligence officer, said: These missiles are very difficult to intercept. Its a complete game-changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area.

China, which opposes Western military intervention in Iran, sold significant quantities of weapons to the Islamic Republic in the 1980s but then tapered off support in the late 1990s under international pressure.

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While hosting Masoud Pezeshkian, the Iranian president, for a military parade in Beijing in September, Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, said: China supports Iran in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity.

Meanwhile, Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted ground force exercises in southern Iran and Gulf islands on Wednesday using what they called new combined tactics and modern technologies.

It is the third major military display in a week as Tehran simultaneously negotiates with Washington.

The USS Gerald R Ford anchored off the Cretan coast on Monday. The loss of any ship could prove politically disastrous for Mr Trump - Costas Metaxakis/AFP via Getty

State television broadcast footage showing missiles, drones and rockets being fired at intended targets during the drills, which were centred on the Madinah headquarters of the IRGC ground forces.

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The commander of the drill said the exercises were planned based on existing threats.

State television reported that a new missile system that was recently added to the IRGC ground forces was tested during the exercises.

The IRGC also announced the appointment of Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, a brigadier general, as the new commander of the Saberin Special Forces Brigade.

Mr Hosseini previously commanded the 110 Salman Farsi Special Forces Brigade and has extensive operational and command experience.

The ground force exercises follow two other major military displays.

Iran conducted live-fire drills in the Strait of Hormuz last week, temporarily closing parts of the critical waterway through which 20 per cent of global oil production passes.

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Iran and Russia also conducted joint naval exercises on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

Separately, student protests continued on Wednesday at multiple Tehran universities, with clashes reported between anti-regime demonstrators and pro-government students at Khajeh Nasir and Elm-o-Sanat universities, while sit-ins took place at Alzahra and Shahid Beheshti universities.

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China imposed export restrictions on dozens of Japanese firms on Tuesday that it said were involved in building up Tokyo's military, escalating a months-long row.

The spat between Asia's top two economies was sparked by comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November that Japan could intervene militarily in any attack on self-ruled Taiwan.

The measures announced on Tuesday cover exports of "dual-use" items -- which can have civilian and military uses -- to 20 Japanese entities, including subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan's space agency.

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The commerce ministry added a further 20 Japanese organisations, including automaker Subaru, to a "watch list" requiring stricter reviews of exported items that could be used for military purposes.

"The above measures are aimed at curbing Japan's 'remilitarisation' and nuclear ambitions and are completely legitimate, reasonable and lawful," a commerce ministry statement said.

"Honest and law-abiding Japanese entities have nothing to worry about," it added.

A Japanese trade ministry official told AFP that Tokyo would "take appropriate measures" after analysing the impact of the new curbs.

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Tokyo had strongly protested the measures and demanded they be overturned, according to deputy chief cabinet secretary Kei Sato who called Beijing's move "absolutely intolerable and extremely regrettable."

Takaichi's comments on Taiwan, which China views as its territory and has not ruled out taking by force, have enraged Beijing.

The most visible consequence is a sharp drop in Chinese visitors to Japan -- 61 percent in January -- after Beijing warned its citizens against going there.

In December, J-15 jets from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier twice locked radar on Japanese aircraft in international waters near Okinawa, according to Japan.

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China has reportedly suspended imports of Japanese seafood. Japan's last two pandas were also returned to China last month.

China announced tightened controls on exports to Japan for items with potential military uses in January.

This fuelled worries that Beijing may choke supplies of vital rare-earth minerals, some of which are included in China's list of "dual-use" goods.

- Shares tumble -

The latest move singles out Japanese industrial heavyweights including shipbuilding and aerospace firms.

Shares in Kawasaki Heavy Industries sank almost five percent in Tokyo, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shed close to four percent and IHI tumbled nearly seven percent.

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Several of the firms listed are indeed active in the defence industry, manufacturing kit including ships, fighter jets and missiles for the Japanese military.

Japan has been shedding its strict pacifist stance, moving to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities and to ease rules on exporting lethal defence equipment.

Takaichi's government in December approved a record defence budget worth nine trillion yen ($58 billion) for the coming fiscal year to expand its military capabilities.

Beijing's top diplomat Wang Yi said at the Munich Security Conference this month that forces in Japan were seeking to "revive militarism".

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Takaichi told parliament on Friday that China was intensifying attempts to change the status quo "by force or coercion" in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

"Strengthening our defence capabilities is essential to protect the lives and peaceful livelihoods of our citizens as we face the most severe and complex security environment since the end of (World War II)," Takaichi said Monday.

Japanese firms dealing with China were already struggling with delays in getting approvals, said Noriyuki Kawamura, professor emeritus of Japan-China relations at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies.

"With today's announcement, we can expect the process will be made even more stringent. I believe this will be a huge blow to companies involved," Kawamura told AFP.

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Yee Kuang Heng, a professor in international security at the University of Tokyo, said that Japanese firms are major buyers of critical minerals gallium and germanium from China, with gallium nitride used in radar sensors on Japanese warships.

"Short-term impact may be limited with a stockpile to cushion the disruptions but if the controls drag on, some damage is possible," Heng told AFP.

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An illustration of China's robotic Shenlong space plane above Earth. | Credit: Erik Simonsen/Getty Images

China's reusable space plane is circling Earth once again.

The Shenlong ("Divine Dragon") spacecraft launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on Feb. 6, kicking off the robotic vehicle's fourth-ever orbital mission.

What exactly is it doing up there?

We don't know for sure. The Chinese government has revealed few details about Shenlong, whose three previous flights to low Earth orbit (LEO) launched in September 2020, May 2023 and September 2024 and lasted two days, 276 days and 266 days, respectively.

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The official line is vague and anodyne: Shenlong helps test technologies that "will pave the way for more convenient and affordable round-trip methods for the peaceful use of space in the future."

That use case is similar to the one the U.S. military gives for its autonomous X-37B space plane, which Shenlong is thought to broadly resemble. And secrecy is a shared trait: Most X-37B payloads and activities are classified.

Analysts believe the Space Force owns two X-37B vehicles, each of which is 29 feet (8.8 meters) long and looks like a miniature version of NASA's old space shuttle orbiters. The X-37B reached orbit for the first time in 2010 and is currently flying its eighth mission, which launched last August atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Though military officials have always insisted that the X-37B is merely a technology testbed, the vehicle has aroused suspicion in some quarters. Early in its flying days, for example, China apparently viewed it as a space weapon . But these fears are overblown, experts say.

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"To date, the X-37B has never approached or rendezvoused with any other known space object and generally orbits far below the vast majority of operational satellites," the nonprofit Secure World Foundation (SWF) wrote in its X-37B fact sheet . (There was one exception to that low-orbit rule, as the fact sheet notes: On the seventh X-37B flight , the vehicle got more than 24,000 miles, or 38,600 kilometers, from Earth on a highly elliptical orbit.)

Photo of Earth snapped by the X-37B space plane on its seventh mission (left). At right: a prelaunch look at the vehicle, before it was encased in its payload fairing. | Credit: US Space Force

The X-37B would also be a poor delivery system for space-to-ground weaponry, due to its small payload bay (about the size of a pickup truck bed) and limited power-generating capability.

"Hyperkinetic weapons dropped from the bay would need to be equipped with thrusters capable of performing a significant deorbit burn, which is unlikely given the available room," the SWF fact sheet states.

"The X-37B itself reenters like the space shuttle, landing at an estimated 200 mph (321 kph), which means it travels in the atmosphere much slower than a nuclear reentry vehicle on a ballistic arc or a hyperkinetic weapon," the fact sheet continues. "It thus would need to carry conventional explosives to do any significant damage. The X-37B after reentry would be a slow-moving, not-very-maneuverable glide bomb, easy prey for any air defense system along its path to the target."

Imagery of China's Shenlong space plane in orbit captured in August 2024 with a 14-inch telescope operated by Felix Schofbanker in Upper Austria. The images appear to show solar panels, antennae or some other components deployed from the space plane. | Credit: Felix Schofbanker

Much of this same reasoning holds for Shenlong. It's thought to be roughly the same size as the X-37B, for example, so we shouldn't worry about it raining bombs on Earth. However, unlike the X-37B, Shenlong has rendezvoused with other objects in space.

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On each of its three previous missions, the space plane released one or more objects into orbit . We learned this not from the Chinese government but rather from the U.S. military, private space situational awareness companies and amateur astronomers, who have tracked Shenlong and its activities.

"The satellite deployed during the first mission demonstrated transmission broadcast capabilities, and the satellite deployed during Shenlong's second mission is thought to have displayed independent propulsive capabilities," the SWF wrote in its Shenlong fact sheet . "Shenlong has conducted numerous close maneuvers and capture/ docking operations with the deployed satellites."

Indeed, such rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs)  which we have not seen from the X-37B  may be a priority of the Shenlong program, as they seem to be for Chinese space officials overall.

"I think that tracks along with other things that they're doing  you know, conducting RPOs in LEO and GEO," said Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability for the SWF. ("GEO" is geostationary orbit , which lies 22,236 miles, 35,876 km, above Earth.)

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"This is a skill set that they're obviously interested in, as is Russia, as is the United States," she told Space.com.

This interest is not exactly surprising: Mastery of RPO tech would allow operators to refuel, refurbish, upgrade and deorbit their own satellites  and, potentially, inspect and/or tamper with adversary spacecraft .

"It's almost at the point now where, if you want to have space superiority, you need to be able to conduct RPOs," Samson said.

Shenlong's orbital work therefore worries some experts , who cite its anti-satellite potential. It's tough to know how warranted such concerns are, given the secrecy  an argument you could make about the X-37B as well.

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More information about each program would go a long way toward allaying some of these fears, if indeed they are unfounded, Samson said.

"I think a little more transparency would help fill in some of the blanks, because otherwise, people tend to just imagine the worst-case scenario," she said.
OZARK, Mo.  The Christian County Sheriffs Office is holding a press conference at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday on the historic Christian County Courthouse lawn concerning the investigation of the manhunt where two Christian County deputies were killed and two other area deputies were injured.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe is also in attendance for the news conference.

Christian County Deputy Gabriel Ramirez, 30, was killed in Highlandville after a traffic stop with suspect Richard Bird at around 4 p.m. Monday. Deputy Michael Hislope, 40, was shot and killed a few hours later after law enforcement engaged with Bird overnight near Reeds Spring.

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Bird was then shot by law enforcement following the manhunt, according to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole.

Another Christian County deputy was shot and taken to the hospital, with their condition currently unknown. A Webster County deputy was also shot four times but is expected to live.

Catch Ozarks Firsts live coverage of the press conference above.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Hundreds of Christian leaders and scholars nationwide are denouncing President Donald Trumps administration and urging more active resistance among the faithful to the injustices and anti-democratic danger sweeping across the nation.

We are facing a cruel and oppressive government, their collective statement begins. In moments like this, silence is not neutrality  it is an active choice to permit harm.

Titled A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy, the letter says the nation is facing a profound moral, spiritual, and democratic emergency. Its release coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent, a period of repentance, self-reflection and resistance to temptation.

We thought it was important to tie into a season where many Christians go deeper into their faith, said Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners, a Christian social justice organization. Part of what were critiquing is the way in which many White evangelical Christians succumb to an unconditional support of the administration, despite the fact that its actions are completely antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.

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Leaders of all faiths have increasingly spoken out and participated in protests against the policies of the Trump administration, particularly aimed at what many see as overly aggressive efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. Pastors have been arrested and struck with pepper balls during demonstrations.

The statement says Christians have a moral obligation to speak out against citizens and immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed; the erosion of hard-won rights and freedoms; and a calculated effort to reverse Americas growing racial and ethnic diversity  all of which are pushing us toward authoritarian and imperial rule.

This moment is a defining test of Christian discipleship and civic responsibility, said the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and director of the Georgetown Center for Faith and Justice in Washington, DC. Democratic freedoms are being taken away and the gospel is being distorted. The vulnerable people Jesus told us to stand with and defend are being targeted and assaulted.

Wallis and Taylor organized the collective effort along with Barbara Williams-Skinner, president of Baltimores Skinner Institute, a faith leadership development organization.

A U.S. immigration agent holds on to the backpack of Liam Ramos, 5, as he is being detained on Jan 20, 2026, in Minneapolis.

About 400 people initially signed the statement, representing a range of Christian denominations, leaders of Black, Asian and Latino churches and associations and Christian universities and institutions. Hundreds more have added their names since the letters Feb. 18 release, organizers say.

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The Executive Office of the President of the United States, which includes the White House office, did not respond to a request for comment about the statement.

The Christian leaders and scholars say, aside from the risks to democracy, they are troubled by a Christian faith corrupted by the heretical ideology of White Christian nationalism.

People look at it as just a democratic crisis, but its not, said the Rev. Cynthia Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, who was among those who signed the letter. Its a crisis of faith.

Christian nationalism, the idea that Christian people and biblical law should govern American life, has seeped into the highest levels of American government, with conservative evangelicals becoming a major political force with strong support of Trump. Evangelical pastor Doug Wilson, who has said women should neither vote nor hold religious or political leadership positions, was recently invited by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to conduct a service at the Pentagon.

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Their religious leaders have been so unconditionally supportive that its almost branded this administration as being religious in the minds of many Americans, which is a distortion, said Bishop Raymond Rivera of the Council of Holistic Christian Churches and Ministries, who also signed the letter. Theyve confused proximity to political power with proximity to the power of God. Theyre not the same.

Pastor Douglas Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, speaks at the National Conservative Conference in Washington D.C., on July 9, 2024.

Taylor called such conflation a form of idolatry and said the Trump administration in turn has misused Christian language to support its activities, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment ads that quote scripture in their appeals  one ad, for instance, includes a verse saying Blessed are the peacemakers.

That feels particularly offensive and egregious in light of the tactics weve seen them employ in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere," he said. "Its corrupting the Christian faith to advance its own political agenda.

People 'are afraid'

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University, a Christian institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said she initially wondered before signing whether the moment required something more than signing yet another statement.

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I realized this statement isnt primarily for people who have been on the front lines of these issues but for pastors and ordinary Christians who may be just waking up to whats happening and whats at stake, Du Mez said. I think its important to offer a statement that clarifies the political and theological stakes and that people can put their name behind This is a way for ordinary Christians to step up.

The letter concludes by tying a set of core theological convictions to actions the signers pledge to take to practice their faith and protect democracy, including defending voting rights, pursuing peace and standing with unjustly targeted immigrants.

Faith leader Michael Woolf, minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, is detained by Illinois State Police during a protest against immigration actions, outside the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2025.

Dottie Escobedo-Frank, bishop of the United Methodist Churchs California-Pacific Conference in Pasadena, said she signed the letter to encourage her Southern California community and all Christians to live out their callings to serve the downtrodden, demonstrate compassion and challenge political leaders to act on their behalf.

However, with church ministries offering food distribution, childcare, or elderly assistance having faced disruption from ICE agents or anti-immigrant demonstrators, were seeing people in our communities who are afraid to live out their faith because of the actions of our government, she said.

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Taylor understands many may be justifiably fearful of living out their creed, but said its critical for people to engage at a time when the pages of the authoritarian playbook are very much in effect, he said.

He said one way to overcome such fears, aside from leaning into the resilience of faith itself, is to connect with other Christians. The letter effort includes a website where supporters can find ways to get involved.

One of the most consistent refrains in scripture is do not be afraid, Taylor said. Authoritarian governments thrive on people feeling isolated and overwhelmed, so were trying to create a network of solidarity and courage. We have the power to prevent things from getting worse.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian leaders say silence no longer option amid 'crisis of faith'
JOHNSON CITY and BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)  When Celebration Church decided to help relocate one Ukrainian family affected by Russias invasion, Pastor Robert Russell never would have guessed where that first commitment would lead.

We asked for volunteers, and the first family that we brought, they were in Germany, Russell told News Channel 11 as Russias war with Ukraine was about to enter its fifth year  and the church had strong connections with about 75 Ukrainians.

Celebrations efforts are the Tri-Cities most significant when it comes to resettling Ukrainians displaced by the war, but by no means the only ones. Groups of people around the region have stepped forward to help as well, making a difference for people like Anna Furman and her family, who live in Johnson City.

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Thank you Johnson City, thank you America because these (are) safer places and very good and very beautiful, said Furman, who lives here with her husband and one of their two daughters after arriving in July 2022 through the Uniting for Ukraine humanitarian parole program.

Uniting for Ukraine: Local Ukrainians hope to get loved ones here through new federal program

Celebration had a small connection, particularly with the Kharkiv area  Ukraines second-largest city that lies not far from Russia in the countrys northeast. Members had done mission work there and maintained a relationship with a man named Alex Yagolnick.

Yagolnick and his family had made it to the U.S. earlier and gotten temporary protected status. Around the time U.S. launched its Uniting For Ukraine program in the spring of 2022, Yagolnick visited his friends at Celebration.

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He actually came here and met with me and some other people and said, Can you help some of the people that I know? because they had fled, but they were struggling, some were barely surviving, Russell said.

Kharkiv had suffered relentless attacks early in the war. Families had fled wherever they could, some to safer locations in the country, others to nearby countries like Poland and Germany. Leaders in the church didnt wait to run the idea through a bunch of committees, Russell said.

We like to say were led by the Holy Spirit, and we just felt like the Lord was leading us to do it, he said.

We didnt know what we were doing. We were figuring it out as we went. But for that matter, I dont know that anybody knew what they were doing. Even the government with (Uniting for Ukraine) they kept changing things about it because they were trying to figure it out.

From one family to 55 people

We told Alex we would help a family, Russell said, emphasizing the singular a family.

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That first family had heard bombs going off in the distance on Feb. 24, 2022, the day of the Russian invasion.

Then they heard them close to their home, Russell said. They threw their kids in the car, fled and never went back.

That family was in Germany for several months, one of the countries that was doing the best it could to absorb huge numbers of refugees.

A family in the church had stepped up to host the first family to arrive. But Yagolnick had a lot of friends in difficult circumstances.

We kept getting request after request from Alex, Russell said. In retrospect, I dont know what I was thinking, but I kept saying, yes. I couldnt say no, thats what it was. My heart was, I want to say yes, but it was a lot of work, and in just a few months, we had five families here.

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The numbers kept growing, but Russell said there was never a lack of help.

I could see the hand of the Lord countless times, he said. There would be a need, whatever it was. Maybe for a host home or a sponsor. Or then later when they got here and we needed help with transporting children, or we needed a vehicle or something, it would always arrive. Always.

Family after family came, most of them with children.

You could see the anguish in their face and the fear and the heartache, Russell said. I mean, Im sure youve been through difficult things. We all have. But Ive never had to flee my home on the spur of the moment and not be able to go back.

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He said the church became more adept at settling families as time went by. Eventually, people were able to get work authorizations and most have moved into their own homes in the area. Along the way, in addition to money and hospitality, nearly 30 vehicles were donated to Ukrainian families.

But Russell said the experience has been as beneficial to his church as it has to the displaced people.

There are a number of people who have been really significantly involved as volunteers. And some of them would tell you it changed their lives in a wonderful way. In fact, one man said to me, Ill never go back. In other words, he became such a volunteer, such a servant,, hes never going back to, let us say, a more self-focused lifestyle.

Anna Furman: Different sponsors, same life-changing story

When Uniting for Ukraine launched, Anna Furman was living in Berlin with her daughters, then 17 and 14, and their Yorkshire Terrier, Marty. Her husband, Igor Pupenko, had joined the military at the age of 58 after the war broke out.

Igor Pupenko and Anna Furman at an East Tennessee State University football game in the fall of 2024, two years after Furmans arrival in the U.S. and several months after Pupenko, who served in the war, joined his family in Johnson City, Tenn. (WJHL)

My life in Kyiv was wonderful, Furman, who said she knew a total of three words of English when she arrived in Johnson City, told News Channel 11. I have family, two daughters, husband, many friends. I have business, travel company. We have everything, and we was very happy.

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With Kyiv under attack, she took her daughters to safety, but the situation in Berlin wasnt ideal. When her close friend Nellie Ostrovsky, whos lived in Johnson City for more than 30 years, learned about Uniting for Ukraine, she was able to find a sponsor here.

They arrived in July 2022, just in time for daughters Dana, then 17, and Darina, then 14, to begin their senior and freshman years at University High. Furman launched herself into English classes and began making friends and trying to settle in. Darina, who spoke less English than her sister, grappled with trauma from the war while attending two schools  University High and, online, her school at home in Kyiv.

When start war for Darina was very stressful, Furman said. Father go in military, volunteer, and here no friends.

Then Dana Pupenko moved to England to study in early 2023. But Darina was slowly beginning to adapt, and the difference three years later is like night and day, Furman said.

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Now much better, because very good school, and right now she has friends, no problem with English language, no accent, job, and co-workers also young persons, and she volunteer in different places, Furman said. She has drivers license and she buy a carnext year go in university (shes been accepted at East Tennessee State University).

And in 2024, Igor Pupenko was released from military service after turning 60. He joined the family in Johnson City in July 2024, got a job, and they moved into a rented home near their sponsors in October 2024. She said Igor is also thriving.

Ukraine unfortunately not finished

Even with talks of a ceasefire and eventual peace ongoing, both Furman and Russell said the medium-term future looks too risky for many displaced Ukrainians. Russell said after a mid-2025 pause to Uniting for Ukraine applications that created a lot of anxiety for families seeking another two-year reparole, families began hearing theyd been approved late last year.

Some had parole that expired, Russell said.

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Theyre technically still legal because theyve made application, but they havent been approved and they didnt know, Am I going to get deported next week? Theyre not so bad now, but theyre lets say last summer, there was a lot of fear among our Ukrainian population.

Russell said the families involved with Celebration have every reason to want to stay for the present.

The war is still right at their doorstep. Kharkiv gets bombed regularly. They cant go home.

He said hes sometimes asked whether the families want to go back.

I think the answers would vary depending on the individual, but some of them would say, we dont have anything to go back to, all of our friends have left, we dont have a home to go back to.'

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For her part, Furman wants to go back if what she describes as a lasting peace can be won.

I very miss for Kyiv, and I very miss for my friends. I have cousins, I have uncle in Kyiv and I born in Kyiv. Its very beautiful, very interesting old city, and when finish war, this is my dream.

But she said shes skeptical.

I dont know about Russia, when you have neighbor country Russia, no safe. Many people here from Kharkiv, from Kherson (one of four regions Russia claims voted to become part of Russia in late 2023) and some cities in some areas, Russia all destroyed. No house, no city.

Even in the capital, where the family owns an 11th-floor apartment, the situation remains unsafe.

Many apartment destroyed, many houses destroyed, many people died, and I dont know when finished war I will have my apartment or no. Because every night, Russia bomb and rocket  Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv and many, many cities. Russia bomb civil(ian) train with people.

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Years of investments in renewable energy and efficiency upgrades are saving Kentucky schools millions of dollars on utility bills, a lifeline for districts wrestling with funding shortfalls and rising electricity rates.

Warren County Public Schools claimed the mantle of the nation's first net-zero school in Richardsville Elementary more than a decade ago, with solar panels and a slew of efficiency upgrades allowing the school to generate more electricity than it uses. Continued investments  in solar, geothermal heating and cooling, lighting upgrades, modern building envelopes, and other improvements  have yielded additional savings at schools across the district.

A study from Building Power Resource Center highlighted savings from energy upgrades in school districts across the country, including Warren County. A set of energy retrofits at five schools in 2017 has since saved the district more than $2.4 million in utility costs, the analysis found.

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Yong Jung Cho, executive director of the group behind the report, said the analysis is a first of its kind, compiling not only projected savings from such investments, but the actual savings over the course of several years. And Warren County, she said, "is probably one of the best examples."

"These are smart investments," Cho said. "With tighter budgets, efficiency and clean energy projects are one of the few investments that school districts and local governments can make that actually save operating costs (to) efficiently use taxpayer dollars."

Solar panels blanket the roof of Jennings Creek Elementary School, in Warren County. The district has saved millions of dollars by making clean energy and efficiency upgrades.

Renewable energy and efficiency projects have forged ahead in Warren County and other Kentucky school districts even as the state has been slow to embrace such investments at scale. Kentucky's building codes for energy efficiency are outdated, and adoption of solar and other renewable energy sources has lagged behind other states.

And the national analysis comes as President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress have reversed federal support for many decarbonization investments. School districts have previously leveraged federal incentive programs to help fund energy upgrades, like solar installation, to ease costs for local taxpayers.

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Warren County Public Schools, which encompasses Bowling Green, is one of the state's largest school districts, and it's growing. Chris McIntyre, the district's chief financial and operations officer and construction supervisor, said the past two decades of energy investments have yielded "tens of millions" in savings.

The district's push for energy efficiency and sustainability, McIntyre said, started with a question facing every school district: "How can we save money to reinvest in our kids and our staff?"

Proof of concept in Warren County

More than a dozen Warren County schools are topped with solar panels, drawing power from the sun. Most are equipped with geothermal wells, which draw on the steady temperature of the earth for heating and cooling  a much more efficient technology than conventional HVAC systems.

The district builds schools with insulated concrete. They're lit with efficient LEDs, and go dark at night. The district has even looked to its food services and kitchen appliances for further gains. Altogether, Warren County schools' overall energy consumption is a fraction of the average for other districts in the same climate zone.

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As a result, McIntyre said, "you're looking at over $4 million a year in annual savings that we can push back into the general fund for increasing student opportunities and increasing compensation for our staff to be competitive."

Energy savings are pivotal for school districts across the state struggling with a funding shortfall. Louisville is no exception, as Jefferson County Public Schools looks for ways to shave more than $140 million from its budget. Those cuts may take the form of staff cuts and school closures, and ultimately, fewer resources for kids.

JCPS has implemented geothermal heating and cooling in five new schools in the past decade, and is implementing geothermal in new schools under construction, with the help of federal incentives, according to spokesperson Carolyn Callahan. The district has also implemented LED lighting in all its new and renovated schools in the past decade, along with other efficiency upgrades. The state's largest district, however, does not utilize solar power.

Other places of learning have also made investments in renewable energy and efficiency, from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to Kentucky State University. The University of Louisville's new engineering building draws on 160 geothermal wells for heating and cooling and was constructed to high energy efficiency standards, The Courier Journal previously reported.

Richardsville Elementary School, in Warren County, was recognized as the nation's first net-zero school in 2009. Using solar power, shown here, along with geothermal HVAC and energy efficiency upgrades, the school generates more energy than it uses.

Obstacles to energy savings

Not all Kentucky schools have been able to modernize their facilities at the same pace, and districts are often in need of state and federal dollars to support upgrades. Just last year, Gov. Andy Beshear announced funding to a series of school districts, including in Fleming County, which contained the state's last school with a coal-burning furnace.

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Some districts, especially in rural parts of the state, may lack the specialized expertise to shepherd large energy projects to fruition. And McIntyre highlighted the importance of getting architects and builders on board with the goal of high efficiency. Masons, for example, need to be comfortable working with insulated concrete form building.

"A big challenge is the knowledge gap," Cho said. "School district administrators and school boards typically lack technical expertise and experience with planning, designing and implementing portfoliowide upgrades like these."

And many school districts do not employ a specialized energy manager, even though these experts often pay for their salary many times over through efficiency savings. "On average, sustainability staff achieve annual savings of $1 million, which equates to ten times their salary," according to a report from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Financing large energy investments can also be a challenge for school districts already struggling with funding. Warren County entered a guaranteed energy savings contract in 2017, which supported a number of energy upgrades across the district and another net-zero school, Jennings Creek Elementary. Such contracts use future energy savings to finance the upgrades, helping lower the upfront costs.

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More KY environment items: From Louisville, EPA eases limits on toxic emissions from coal plants

Energy upgrades are often cost-effective for cash-strapped school districts, but also represent another form of investment in Kentucky students, who will bear the burden of prolonged over-reliance on fossil fuels and energy inefficiency, in the form of a destabilizing climate and hazardous air pollution.

"Schools are a cornerstone of our communities. It's where the next generation of leaders and people go to learn," Cho said. "Schools should be places that help students and young people be set up for success, and they can be a model for doing that by investing in these technologies."

Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor.

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Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@courier-journal.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky schools save millions with green energy
By Jaspreet Singh

Feb 23 (Reuters) - Shares of cybersecurity companies including CrowdStrike and Datadog slumped on Monday, as investors weighed the potential impact of artificial intelligence startup Anthropic's new security tool on the industry.

Anthropic's new feature, Claude Code Security, is designed to detect high-severity vulnerabilities in open-source software repositories and offer patches to fix bugs.

More from Yahoo Scout What are analysts saying about this selloff? Why did cybersecurity stocks drop so significantly? How does AI threaten traditional cybersecurity companies? What is Anthropic's Claude Code Security tool?

Shares of CrowdStrike, Datadog and Zscaler fell around 11%, while those of Fortinet and Okta were down roughly 6%. Palo Alto Networks dropped 3% and SentinelOne was down by 5%.

Software stocks have been battered in recent months by market fears around the growing capabilities of AI tools, particularly following the launch of plug-ins from Anthropic's large language model Claude, seen as the startup's push to become an application layer.

"What you're seeing today is really the continuation of a panic-driven, narrative-led selloff," said Shrenik Kothari, director, security and infrastructure analyst at Robert W. Baird.

Claude Code Security does not handle real-time security tasks such as detecting live intrusions, stopping attacks in progress or managing compiled software components in production, which are capabilities provided by other specialized security platforms, said Kothari.

Some analysts have said the selloff is an overreaction, fueled by an overly simplistic narrative that AI would negate the need for existing cybersecurity solutions.

Separately, AI chip designer Nvidia said on Monday it has teamed up with Akamai, Forescout, Palo Alto Networks, Xage Security and Siemens to boost real-time cybersecurity for industrial control systems.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)
The United States Coast Guard is investigating after a swastika was found at its training center in Cape May.

The swastika was discovered on Thursday in a bathroom on the base, officials said.

In response, Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, flew from Washington to Cape May, where he spoke to about 900 recruits and staff members to address the incident on Saturday.

"Anyone who adheres to or advances hate or extremist ideology - get out," Lunday said in a statement. "Leave. You don't belong in the United States Coast Guard and we reject you."

The drawing was since removed.


The father of the student deputies say shot and killed four people inside Apalachee High School cried in court Tuesday morning.

Colin Gray is on trial, accused of giving his son, Colt, the gun used in the shooting. Prosecutors have charged the dad with 29 crimes linked to the mass shooting, arguing the father knew his son could cause harm, yet he never locked up the guns in the home.

Tuesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent who interviewed the dad hours after the shooting testified.

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Her name is Kelsey Ward.

We wanted to gather information about the family dynamics, about Colt himself and his background, where he had obtained the firearm that he had used during the shooting and any info we could obtain about his mental health, Ward testified.

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Prosecutors played jurors a voice recording Ward took when interviewing the father that day.

Colin is heard telling Ward, I never could have even imagined this happening.

The father cried in the courtroom as this portion of the interview played.

I want to apologize to somebody, and I dont know who, hes heard saying in the recording.

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His son, Colt, had just taken an AR-15 style weapon the dad bought him for Christmas and used it to shoot inside Apalachee High School.

Bullets and shrapnel hit three teachers and eight students. Four of them died. They were math teachers Cristina Irimie and Ricky Aspinwall and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.

In the recording, jurors can hear the father tell agents that his sons anxiety escalated over the past five to seven months, his son wont go to school, and his son started hitting him.

Hell bull rush me, and Ill kind of hold him in place, said Colin Gray in the recording. He hit me in the face.

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The father did not admit to agents that he was aware of his sons interest in school shootings. He did acknowledge to agents that he knew his son had pictures of a convicted mass murderer on his wall. He told agents that he and Colts mother planned to get him into counseling.

The agent who interviewed the father, Ward, told jurors, Just in the week prior to the incident occurring, he said he had been on the phone with counselors, and he felt Colt maybe needed to be checked into a place.

The agent asked the father where his guns were stored. He said they were in Colts room and in his closet. He said they were not locked up.

The dad said in the recording, This was not on my damn radar.

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He told agents that the last time he saw his son was before school that morning.

I said, hey, make sure you please go to school today. Its very important. I need to get these counselors involved. He said Im going to go, dont worry, Colin said in the recording.

Colin read a text message to agents. He said his son sent it to him minutes before the mass shooting.

Out of the blue, he said, Im sorry. Its not your fault, Colin told investigators.

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With the qualifying period for the Columbus mayoral race approaching in March, candidates shared their thoughts about a $5.18 billion project to build an artificial intelligence data center in Columbus.

Choose Columbus president and CEO Missy Kendrick announced Project Ruby at a Development Authority of Columbus meeting Feb. 12. The project is the work of a partnership between the Development Authority and Habitat Partners.

Construction of data centers across Georgia has been a debated topic. Opponents argue against the centers because of the high water and energy consumption. Proponents tout the potential economic benefits, including high-paying jobs.

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The Ledger-Enquirer asked the 2026 mayoral candidates for their opinion about the Columbus data center project, environmental concerns surrounding data centers and job creation from data centers.

Mayoral candidate Mark LaJoye did not respond to the Ledger-Enquirers request before publishing. Here are the responses from the other candidates via email, edited for brevity and clarity:

Jaketra Bryant

At this time, I do not support rushing a data center into Columbus.

Before bringing in large industrial projects, we need to focus on what residents are consistently asking for: safer streets, affordable utilities, completed infrastructure projects, stronger schools and fair investment across all neighborhoods.

Jaketra Bryant filed her declaration of intent to accept campaign contributions for mayor of Columbus in the 2026 election on Sept. 8.

These issues directly affect families today. Any major industrial project must come after we address those foundational needs  not before.

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I also agree with the spirit of HB 1012, introduced by Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman (District 97), which calls for slowing the expansion of data centers to allow for further study and public input.

Large-scale developments that significantly impact power grids, water usage, land resources and utility rates deserve careful review  not acceleration. Data centers consume substantial energy and water.

In a consolidated government like Columbus, increased infrastructure demand can translate into higher costs for residents. Before approving such a project, the community deserves a full environmental impact assessment, transparent cost projections and clear evidence that local ratepayers will not subsidize corporate expansion.

Job creation alone is not enough justification.

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We must ask how many permanent jobs, at what wages and if there are local hiring guarantees.

If the long-term benefit to residents is minimal, while environmental and utility burdens are significant, that is not balanced development.

Equally important is representation. Major decisions shaping our city should involve leadership teams and advisory bodies that reflect the demographic reality of Columbus. Community forums must be inclusive, accessible and meaningful  not symbolic.

This is not about being anti-growth; it is about being pro-community.

Development should be strategic, transparent and aligned with the needs residents are consistently voicing. If we are confident that a project benefits Columbus, it will withstand public scrutiny and a deliberate timeline.

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Until then, our priority should be stabilizing families, lowering costs, strengthening neighborhoods and completing long-promised infrastructure improvements.

This is exactly why my campaign is committed to building a more inclusive and representative administration  one that reflects the full diversity of Columbus and ensures that major decisions are guided by thorough research, community engagement and transparent accountability.

Economic development should not be one-sided or predetermined; it should be shaped by the voices of residents in every neighborhood and aligned with the real needs of our city.

Joanne Cogle

As mayor, my focus will be on making Columbus one of the most business-ready cities in the South  a place where responsible investment can grow our tax base and create strong private-sector job opportunities for our residents.

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Projects like this can be major economic assets, but good leadership requires full due diligence.

Columbus Councilor Joanne Cogle of District 7, who is running for mayor, discusses the plan for the former Georgia State Farmers Market site in Columbus during a Nov. 11, 2025, interview with the Ledger-Enquirer.

We need to hear from the community, business owners and our operational partners, while carefully evaluating environmental impacts and understanding how projects affect our utilities and infrastructure capacity.

The Development Authority works as an extension of the economic development strategy set by the Columbus Council and serves as subject-matter experts in evaluating projects like this.

Their research focuses heavily on community and environmental impacts, including prioritizing data centers that use closed-loop infrastructure systems.

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Just as important, infrastructure improvements tied to these projects are expected to be implemented and funded by the end user and not by Columbus taxpayers.

Columbus cant afford to miss opportunities because were not competitive, but we also cant afford to get major decisions wrong. Columbus deserves leadership that is serious about economic growth and serious about getting ALL the details right for Columbus.

Columbus can be the BEST place in Georgia to do Business, and that is my mission.

Isaiah Hugley

As mayor of Columbus, I would support a data center if it is carefully reviewed and proven to be safe and beneficial for our community.

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Like other communities in Georgia, Columbus is facing financial uncertainty with the Georgia General Assembly considering the elimination of property taxes statewide and Columbus unique circumstance with our existing property tax freeze.

Former Columbus city manager Isaiah is running for Columbus mayor in the 2026 election.

Such revenue constraints affect what the city collects to pay for police, fire protection, roads and other critical services.

A data center could provide meaningful new revenue, potentially $50$60 million, that could support important community priorities such as:

Improvements to all of our parks to include Golden Park

Renovations at the Liberty Theatre

Construction of a new jail facility

Enhanced city services

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Data centers are not new to Columbus. Companies like TSYS have operated multiple data centers here since the 1970s and 1990s, and Synovus established one in the early 2000s. These facilities have been part of our local economy for decades.

A recently announced data center project is expected to bring more than 200 jobs paying over $80,000 annually, a strong boost to our workforce and local economy.

That said, we must do our homework. If studies confirm that our infrastructure, water supply and power systems can support it, and that residents will not be negatively impacted, then a data center could be a smart and responsible opportunity for Columbus.

Data centers do require significant electricity and water, and cooling systems can generate noise.

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Before approving any project, I would insist on a review of the impact on the power grid, assurance that the residential water supply wont be reduced, strong noise mitigation requirements, compliance with all environmental and emissions standards and a check with other communities that have, or are building, data centers for best practices.

Transparency is essential. All findings should be shared publicly, so residents understand both the benefits and the risks.

If infrastructure upgrades are necessary, the company, not taxpayers, should bear those costs. And if any long-term environmental or health risks are identified, they must be addressed before moving forward.

While 200+ high-paying jobs are meaningful, we have to look at the full picture, long-term infrastructure demands, environmental impacts and financial sustainability.

Thats why due diligence is critical. We should study how data centers have affected other Georgia communities.

Some cities have seen strong economic benefits with Douglasville, Alpharetta and Atlanta experiencing economic development, business investment and growth in the tax base. At the same time, other communities, such as Lithia Springs and Social Circle, have raised concerns about infrastructure strain, water usage and long-term environmental impact.

A data center could represent a strong opportunity for Columbus, bringing new revenue, high-paying job and helping offset potential property tax losses.

But my support would be conditional. We must protect taxpayers, our infrastructure, public health and maintain full transparency with citizens.

If those conditions are met, a data center could help Columbus move forward in a financially responsible and sustainable way.

As mayor, my job is to balance opportunity with accountability and ensure any major project truly benefits the people of Columbus. While a data center could be a strong opportunity for Columbus, Im equally focused on positioning our city to attract even higher-wage industries that elevate the quality of life and create lasting prosperity for every neighborhood.

Steve Kelly

At this current time, I cannot give a yes or no to supporting it.

A project of this size deserves careful review. A data center could bring investment and strengthen our tax base, but it also raises concerns about infrastructure and environmental impact.

Steven Kelly

My position is simple: Show us the verified numbers.

If it strengthens Columbus without shifting costs or risks onto residents, it is worth serious consideration. If it does not strengthen Columbus, or there are risks or other impacts, we need to be honest about that.

I have concerns (about power and water usage) as well.

Large data centers require significant electricity. Some use substantial amounts of water, depending on the cooling system. Backup generators, even if only tested monthly, still produce emissions. Noise can be mitigated, but it must be measured, not guessed.

This is why I believe detailed, public information matters. We need clear projections of water usage, electrical demand and environmental impact. We also need to know how any additional infrastructure would be funded.

Data centers are not major job creators despite their physical size and power usage.

Their value appears to be in capital investment and tax revenue, rather than large employment numbers. This means the financial structure of the deal is critical. The long-term return to the city must be strong, and utility ratepayers must be protected. Assurances are not enough. Transparency builds trust.

I will be doing more research. I dont think that anyone, including myself, should lock in a final position right now, not until all questions are thoroughly answered and verified and all of the data is analyzed.

Large-scale projects like this shape a city for decades. Decisions should be based on documented facts, long-term planning and a clear understanding of both opportunity and impact.

Growth is important. Getting it right is more important.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a $14 million contract for improvements at a major Concord intersection in Cabarrus County.

NJR Group Inc. will perform the work at the intersection of Union Cemetery Road, U.S. 29 and Rock Hill Church Road, according to an NCDOT release.

ALSO READ >> Debate over I-77 toll lanes heats up at Charlotte City Council meeting

The project is designed to improve safety and reduce crashes by replacing unsignalized, full-movement intersections. As part of the enhancement, crews will realign Union Cemetery Road to intersect directly with U.S. 29 and Rock Hill Church Road and build leftover turn movements along U.S. 29. These movements will be added for traffic coming from Rock Hill Church Road and for vehicles traveling from U.S. 29 to Cabarrus Avenue.

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Contract crews could begin work on the project as early as next month.

The roadway portion of the project is scheduled for completion in late fall 2027. Landscaping and vegetation establishment will remain ongoing at the site into spring 2028.

VIDEO: Residents take matters into own hands for safer sidewalks in northeast Charlotte
It seems the general consensus from Connecticut residents is that we're ready for this winter to be over. Months of sub-freezing temperatures and powerful snowstorms have left many people longing for that first warm spring stretch when we can finally put away the snow shovel. Unfortunately, that won't be happening anytime soon, with multiple snow threats in the forecast as we turn the calendar from February to March.

Here's an early look at the potential for another significant storm (or two) in Connecticut early next week. The important disclaimer is that any possible impacts are still roughly a week away, so this is far from a "locked in" forecast.

Be wary of your phone's weather app

Social media is already starting to buzz about the potential for next week's snowstorm, with one reader writing on my Facebook page that their phone's weather app shows 16 to 21 inches of snow next Tuesday.

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Most of the major weather apps use algorithms that pull in computer model forecast data without being seen by a person. While that can be sufficient during tranquil stretches of sunny days, periods of active weather (like we've seen numerous times this winter) require more nuance.

Here's what the data shows

Early next week, many forecast models are showing a storm approaching from the west, moving across the Northeast in the Monday/Tuesday time frame. Some of those models (like NOAA's GFS model) are projecting a strong high pressure system to our north, funneling in enough cold air to deliver big snow accumulation (6 to 12 inches) in southern New England on Monday.

Tuesday morning's run of the GFS computer model shows a period of heavy snow moving across Connecticut on Monday. (WeatherBELL)





Other models (like the ECMWF, or "Euro"), show the high pressure a bit farther to the southwest, pushing Monday's storm into the Mid-Atlantic and bringing little to no impact to Connecticut.

Tuesday morning's run of the ECMWF (Euro) computer model keeps any snow to the south of Connecticut on Monday. (WeatherBELL)





The ECMWF (Euro) computer model has a period of snow quickly changing to sleet and rain next Wednesday. (WeatherBELL)





Then, on Tuesday into Wednesday, a larger storm will likely form, but its track will make all the difference as to which locations see snow.

The GFS computer model shows the possibility of wintry mix in Connecticut as a storm moves through on Wednesday. (WeatherBELL)

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The GFS and Euro both have a strong storm moving into the Northeast, with the low pressure center moving far enough north to put Connecticut on the warmer side of the storm for a period of time.

This scenario wouldn't lead to a big snowstorm, but we could still see a moderate- to high-impact winter storm bringing a period of ice and rain.

The bottom line

These potential impacts are still a week away, and there is still quite a bit of uncertainty as to how it'll evolve. But, with the way this winter has been going, it's unwise to rule out any potential snowstorm this far in advance. Until then, make sure your winter gear is still in working order, and let's keep dreaming of warmer days.

This article originally published at Could Connecticut see another big snowstorm next week? Here's what the data shows..
The General Affairs Council has approved two legislative acts necessary to prepare a 90 billion loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027 on 24 February, but key amendments to the EU budget remain unapproved due to Hungary's position.

Source: European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels

Details: On 24 February, the Council of the EU approved two bills enabling the EU to provide a 90 billion loan to Ukraine. However, the third document  amendments to the EU long-term budget  remains blocked by Hungary.

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"Today, we formally adopted the regulations on the Ukraine support loan and the Ukraine Facility as planned," said Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Cyprus EU Presidency, at the end of the Council meeting.

She emphasised that "at a time when Russia is intensifying strikes on critical key infrastructure and as humanitarian needs intensify, the EU must stand firm in its support towards Ukraine. The Cyprus Presidency has made this a top priority, and we remain committed to delivering in this regard."

After the documents were approved, Cyprus's Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola formally signed the legislative acts.

Background:

Previously, EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told European Pravda that these documents will allow technical preparations to begin so that Ukraine can receive the first tranche of the 90 billion loan in April 2026, despite Hungary's refusal to approve one of the bills required for the disbursement.

Hungary has blocked the 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine by refusing to vote in favour of one of the three pieces of legislation approved by the European Parliament that are required to release the funds  the regulation on amendments to the EU's long-term budget for 2021-2027.

All three documents have been approved by the European Parliament and are at the final stage of adoption in the Council of the EU.

The plan had been for the documents to be adopted by the Council and signed in the European Parliament on 24 February, marking the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY)  An official pardon to Tony the Crawfish during the 10th Annual Pardoning of the Crawfish was held at Tony Chacheres Creole Foods in Opelousas earlier today.

The annual event, started by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser in 2017 and held on the first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, celebrates crawfish season in Louisiana and across the Gulf South. The Lieutenant Governor hosted the event alongside the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and highlighted the impact the crawfish industry has on Louisiana.

Crawfish isnt just a meal in Louisiana  its a way of life and a cornerstone of our economy, Nungesser said. Our state leads the nation as the largest domestic producer, harvesting roughly 150 million pounds each year and supporting thousands of farmers, fishermen, processors, restaurants, and families. Peak season brings communities together around backyard boils, festivals, and restaurant tables across Louisiana and the Gulf South. Today, we celebrate that tradition by sparing one lucky crawfish and officially pardoning Tony before he could end up on someones tray. Its a fun Louisiana tradition, but it also highlights the pride we have in an industry that helps feed our people, fuel our economy, and showcase our culture to the world.

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The crustacean is named Tony in honor of the late Anthony Tony Chachere, the chef and founder of Tony Chacheres Creole Foods. Over his lifetime, around Acadiana, he eventually became known as the Ole Master of fine Cajun cuisine. In 1972, he published the Cajun Country Cookbook, including the recipe that became his famous Original Creole Seasoning. The response led him to start Tony Chacheres Creole Foods.

In keeping with tradition, Barry Toups, owner of Crawfish Haven and Mrs. Roses Bed & Breakfast in Kaplan, caught and selected the guest of honor for his reprieve. Tony the Crawfish was then transported to Tony Chacheres Creole Foods in Opelousas where he was the king of his own procession to his regal habitat. Lt. Governor Nungesser bestowed the official pardon upon Tony, delivering an official proclamation to the guest of honors namesake, the Chachere family.

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Following his pardoning, the Louisiana Office of State Parks transported Tony to Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, Louisiana, where he will live out the rest of his days burrowing in the mud, swimming in the bayou, and making the state park his new home.

Pictured from left to right: Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser; Celeste Chachere, Tony Chacheres Creole Foods; Autumn Raymond, 2025 Jr. Crawfish Queen, Barry Toups, Crawfish Haven, and State Representative Dustin Miller.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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GRAND ISLAND, Neb.  The criminal trial against a notary who helped two 2024 petitions aimed at legalizing and regulating medical cannabis began Monday with a focus on what defines a proper notarization in Nebraska.

Jacy C. Todd of York, 55, faces 24 misdemeanor charges in Hall County Court related to how he carried out his duties as a notary around the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana statewide ballot measures. The petitions overwhelmingly passed and have been law since Dec. 12, 2024.

County and state prosecutors allege that Todd, on 23 separate dates between Jan. 29 and July 2 of 2024, notarized petitions on behalf of a paid circulator from Grand Island, Michael K. Egbert, 67, who was not in Todds presence. The charges of official misconduct are Class II misdemeanors. A Class II misdemeanor carries a maximum of six months imprisonment or a $1,000 fine, or both.

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The 24th charge relates to a broader case in Lancaster County against the medical cannabis petitions in the lead-up to the 2024 election. In a deposition for that case, Todd said he always followed his notarial duties. So prosecutors say Todd lied under oath, which would be a Class I misdemeanor. A Class I misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine, or both.

He messed up

Mark Porto, Todds attorney, told jurors that Todd didnt know at the time that the notary and circulator needed to be in the same place for a signature and stamp on each petition page. He said Todd made some mistakes but didnt do so knowingly.

Jacy Todd of York, a notary for the statewide 2024 medical cannabis petitions and a Republican candidate for governor in 2026. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

He messed up, Porto said. He didnt realize it at the time, but youre supposed to do the notarization with the person still right there. It was against the technical notary rules.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Hall County Attorney Marty Klein first announced a criminal investigation into the medical cannabis petitions on Sept. 13, 2024. That was one day after prosecutors charged Egbert, the paid circulator who worked with Todd, with a Class IV felony of falsifying his circulators oath when he forged signatures, including by use of a phone book.

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A few weeks later, on Oct. 2, 2024, prosecutors charged Todd with 24 counts of official misconduct. One of those charges was dismissed leading up to Todds criminal trial.

On Nov. 8, 2024, Egbert pleaded guilty to a Class I misdemeanor and paid a $250 fine for an attempt to falsify his circulators oath.

Duties of a notary

Klein said Egbert made a terrible, criminal choice, including admitting to using the phone book to add voters to the petition pages to get paid. Some were deceased, others used names that had been misspelled.

Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Hall County Attorney Marty Klein host a news conference related to a Grand Island man charged with collecting allegedly fraudulent signatures on two petitions related to medical marijuana earlier in 2024. Sept. 13, 2024. (Screenshot by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Related to Todds 23 counts of alleged official misconduct, Klein said prosecutors would clearly prove at least two charges because Egbert was not in the state on at least two dates  Feb. 26, 2024, and June 10, 2024.

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In February 2024, Klein said prosecutors would prove Egbert was in Pennsylvania on a veterans retreat. He said there was a photo showing Egbert outside the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and a flight manifest showing him on the flight to Pennsylvania. For the June occasion, Klein said Egbert and his wife were in Iowa visiting one of Egberts daughters.

Klein said Egberts wife in February and the boyfriend of another daughter in June brought the petition pages to Todds business to be signed in Egberts absence.

Because of those two instances, Klein said the other 21 charges of official misconduct were also likely true. Porto said that just isnt the case.

Its very clear what the duties are for a notary public, Klein told the jury, and Jacy Todd did not uphold those duties as he was supposed to.

Initial red flag

Hall County Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet and her office discovered Egberts actions on their own. Overstreet, a state witness, said her staff noticed signers who had been deceased for multiple years, some dead between five and 15 years. She said it is not atypical for a petition to include a deceased signer, because signature gathering sometimes lasts more than a year.

Hall County Election Commissioner Tracy Overstreet

(Courtesy Hall County)

Other signers, Overstreet said, had supposedly misspelled their own names, listed incorrect dates of birth  including some off by five to 40 years  or used old addresses.

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It made me wonder if somebody had a directory of some type, like a church directory or a business directory or a phone book or something, Overstreet said.

Egbert, his family and Todd are expected to take the witness stand Tuesday. Attorneys and Hall County Judge Alfred Corey said testimony would likely end by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

Corey initially dismissed the charges against Todd on Nov. 22, 2024, finding notaries were not public officials. Hall County District Judge Andrew Butler ruled the opposite April 22, 2025.

In July 2025, Todd announced he would run for the 2026 GOP nomination for governor.

Core defense arguments

Porto described Todd as one of the leaders who put democracy into action via the petitions and that the jury would not hear that Todd forged any documents like Egbert did, that Egbert did not always sign the petition pages himself or that anyone told Egbert to act fraudulently.

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Porto three times argued that unless prosecutors can prove Todd knew what he was doing was wrong, he must be found not guilty.

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, center, leads a news conference against Legislative Bill 677 that seeks to help implement medical cannabis regulations in the state. About a dozen law enforcement officials joined him in standing against the legislation. May 7, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Assistant Attorney General Mike Jensen, co-counsel to Klein, each time pushed back. He described Portos argument as a misstatement of the law.

Ignorance of the law is not a defense, Jensen said. Defense counsel is an officer of the court. He knows that.

Corey sided with Jensen and later reminded jurors that attorneys have a duty to use all honorable means to protect the interests of those theyre representing.

At the end of this, youll get the law, you can apply the law to the facts and then make an appropriate decision, Corey said.

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Porto stressed that he would like the jury instructed that knowledge is an essential element to the charge of official misconduct.

There was a big spotlight shined upon that opening statement, Porto said. I think there needs to be an equivalent spotlight shown upon that  in the form of a curative instruction.

Jensen said the defense counsel hadnt proposed such jury instructions and that Porto was offering a new legal theory and adding words to the law where they dont exist.

Corey asked Porto: But arent you, by signing up as a notary, saying youre agreeing to all of these and, whether or not you look into them or not, thats on you as a person if you dont do that?

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Porto said theres a distinction between civil or administrative consequences and criminal penalties.

Presumptive evidence

In addition to Overstreet, two of the prosecutions witnesses from the Nebraska Secretary of States Office took the witness stand Monday: David Wilson Jr., an attorney and director of the offices licensing division, which oversees notaries, and Deputy Secretary of State Wayne Bena, who oversees elections.

The prosecution walked Wilson through various state laws and regulations around notarizations, which serve as presumptive evidence that someone signing a document is who they say they are.

David Wilson Jr., associate general counsel and licensing director for the Nebraska Secretary of States Office, gives testimony on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera/Lincoln Journal Star)

Notary publics take open-note tests to become notaries and are licensed for a four-year term if successful. Todd completed his notary application in June 2021 and did not renew his license last summer.

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A valid notarization includes an in-person verification of the signers identity, Wilson testified.

Then a third party can see that document, and they can reasonably trust that the person who signed it is who it purports to be, Wilson said.

As an example for the jury, Jensen worked with Overstreet to symbolically notarize a blank piece of paper. He had just introduced himself to Overstreet in the hallway, so he offered his drivers license to verify his identity before proceeding with the notarization.

In the more than 500 days since Todd was charged, medical cannabis advocates and attorneys for Todd and related defendants have said Todd is the first notary in the county to be criminally charged in this manner. Some have said they worry other Nebraska notaries for the medical cannabis petitions, or notaries for other petitions, could be targeted if Todd is convicted.

Intersection with 2024 election

Jensen said Todds case has nothing to do with the constitutionality of the medical cannabis laws, overturning a vote or being pro or against marijuana. He said it was not an affront to medical marijuana, a referendum effort or a turning point on what happens with the drug in the state.

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This is a criminal prosecution that is simply involving a notary public not following the rules as theyre supposed to, Jensen said.

Jensen, whose elected boss, Hilgers, has questioned the legality of medical cannabis, said several news stories would like this case to be much more than what it is.

Jensen asked prospective jurors during jury selection whether any had strong feelings about medical marijuana, adding he would be the first to say, I dont care what you voted for.

Its my duty as an attorney general to defend the Constitution, which includes the medical marijuana provisions that the voters passed, Jensen said. My job here is to prosecute crimes that happen in the State of Nebraska, and, in this case, the allegations involving a notary public.

Notary criminal case timeline

Sept. 12, 2024  The Hall County Attorneys Office and Nebraska Attorney Generals Office charge Michael K. Egbert of Grand Island with one Class IV felony of falsely swearing to a circulators affidavit on two active petitions from Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein and Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced the charges the next day.

Oct. 2, 2024  Klein and Hilgers charge Jacy C. Todd of York, a notary for the medical cannabis petitions, with 24 Class II misdemeanor charges of official misconduct for allegedly knowingly violating his notarial duties. Prosecutors allege Todd illegally notarized multiple petitions outside of the presence of Egbert.

Nov. 8, 2024  Egbert pleads guilty to his charge, which is reduced to a Class I misdemeanor for an attempt to falsely swear to a circulators affidavit. Egbert is assessed a $250 fine.

Nov. 22, 2024  Hall County Judge Alfred Corey dismisses all charges against Todd. Corey said notaries were not public officials who could be accused of official misconduct.

Dec. 6, 2024  The Hall County Attorneys Office and Nebraska AGs Office appeal the dismissal of criminal charges against Todd to the Hall County District Court.

April 22, 2025  Hall County District Judge Andrew Butler allows the 24 misdemeanor charges against Todd, ruling notary publics are public officials. Butler questioned the extent of resources being used to pursue such criminal charges and the number of such charges, when looking at the current climate of the state and voice of its residents. But he said those decisions were left to another entity.

July 1, 2025  Todd announces he will seek the Republican nomination for Nebraska governor in 2026 and challenge Gov. Jim Pillen in the GOP primary.

Dec. 9, 2025  Prosecutors charge Todd with a Class I misdemeanor for allegedly making a false statement under oath. Prosecutors allege Todd lied during a deposition on a broader Lancaster County District Court case related to alleged medical cannabis petition fraud in October 2024. The presiding judge dismissed the petition fraud case, and it was appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Feb. 23, 2026  The criminal trial begins against Todd in Hall County Court. One of the misdemeanor charges of official misconduct was dismissed before trial.

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The killing of drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes may look like a decisive victory in the war on drugs. But in Washington and Mexico City, it is also being viewed as something more strategic: a visible response to mounting U.S. pressure that has reshaped Mexicos approach to the cartels.

The operation, carried out by Mexican forces with U.S. intelligence support, underscores deepening coordination between the two governments as fentanyl trafficking remains a central political and security issue in the United States.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., told Fox News Digital he had personally warned Mexican officials last year that Washington expected stronger action. "In August of last year, I went down to Mexico. I took a trip to El Salvador, Panama and Mexico, and I met with senior officials in the Mexican government. The message I conveyed to them was that they needed to get serious about fighting the cartels to stop the drug trafficking into America and to stop the human trafficking into America. I told them that if they didnt get serious, President Trump was going to."

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"This was before the Maduro raid," Cruz added, "But the raid was not a surprise  it was clear the president was going to do what was necessary to keep America safe. I will say that Mexico has pivoted sharply, and this is a real manifestation of that. Thousands of Americans are alive today because Trump was re-elected and Republicans were put in charge of Congress. If we had kept the Democrats open-border policies in place, there would be thousands more Americans dead from murder, other violent crime and drug overdoses."

Hegseth Says Us Strikes Force Some Cartel Leaders To Halt Drug Operations

A soldier stands guard by a charred vehicle after it was set on fire in Cointzio, Mexico, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, after the death of "El Mencho."

Melissa Ford Maldonado, director of Western Hemisphere at the America First Policy Institute, told Fox News Digital the strike reflects a broader shift in incentives driven by Washington.

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"U.S. pressure has absolutely shaped Mexicos actions. Pressure is the only thing that compels the Mexican state to act," Ford Maldonado said. "The Trump administration has been explicit in linking trade leverage and even the possibility of unilateral action to Mexicos performance against the cartels, which has completely changed the incentive structure in Mexico City. When Washington demands visible results, Mexico is under pressure to produce something visible."

She said the killing itself fits that dynamic. "The killing of El Mencho is an attempt to do that," she said. "El Mencho was one of the most wanted men in the hemisphere, and Jalisco New Generation cartel is among the most violent and militarized cartels in Mexico. His death gives the Mexican government something concrete to point to  a high-value target  and claim theyre delivering. But these are only tactical wins, designed to relieve immediate pressure from Washington."

Death Toll Rises After Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Killed In Us-backed Operation

A worker sorts freshly printed copies of the newspaper PM bearing the headline "U.S. mapped El Mencho and Mexico delivered the final blow, Caught between two fires," following the killing of the drug lord on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.

Ford Maldonado cautioned that high-profile takedowns have historically failed to produce lasting stability.

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"The problem is that tactical wins are not the same thing as strategic change. Tactical wins arent enough anymore. If they were, the long list of past arrests and extraditions would have solved this already. I believe Washington is looking for something deeper now: the disruption of the ecosystem that allows cartel power to thrive. Mexico has a problem with corruption, territorial control and political protection, and they must address the political and financial networks that keep the cartels in power."

She also pointed to internal Mexican political dynamics that may complicate the narrative.

In June 2020, Omar Garcia Harfuch, then Mexico Citys chief of police, survived an assassination attempt widely attributed to El Mencho. Garcia Harfuch is now Mexicos secretary of security and citizen protection and oversaw the operation that killed the cartel leader.

"Therefore, there may be other motives involved," Ford Maldonado said. "Jalisco New Generation cartel has been in a long-standing and very bloody rivalry with the Sinaloa cartel, which some say is the traditional cartel partner of the Morena regime. So, if the Mexican government goes after the rivals of a cartel its long been accused of tolerating or working alongside, that alone doesnt prove it has truly broken with cartel-state collusion."

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A wave of violence took place after the death of "El Mencho," in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

For now, she said, the killing is significant but not definitive.

"Unfortunately, history has shown that killing a cartel leader rarely produces lasting stability. It disrupts command and control temporarily," she said. "Whether this is a real turning point depends on what comes next, specifically, whether enforcement moves beyond high-profile cartel leaders and begins to confront the political and financial networks that sustain them. Until then, this is significant, but its not transformative."





Original article source: Cruz warned Mexico officials 'President Trump was going to' act if they didn't fight cartels
When the developer Novva first announced that it was building Utahs largest data center campus just south of Salt Lake City, the companys CEO touted the many advantages of the region: among them a low risk of disasters, an expanding international airport, no sales tax on equipment, and the high altitude cold of the desert landscape, which would help keep cooling costs down. Perhaps most importantly, power would be cheap. Utah has some of the lowest electricity costs in the country.

We believe Utah is a hidden gem for one of the largest wholesale colocation campuses in the United States, CEO and founder Wes Swenson said in a 2020 press release.

But the company quickly ran into trouble. Rocky Mountain Power, the local utility, was not able to provide the full amount of energy that the data center needed until 2031  and even then it wasnt guaranteed. How exactly that power would be transmitted to the remote facility was also uncertain.

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Locked out of options with Rocky Mountain, Novva decided to build its own natural gas plant near its data center to provide 200 megawatts of power. But even that would take until 2027. By 2025, with the generative artificial intelligence explosion in full swing, Novva had secured a contract with a so-called hyperscaler  the tech industry term that refers to one of the massive companies building out global cloud computing. That undisclosed customer wanted to use the facility as soon as possible. So Novva turned to a solution that, despite being inefficient and highly polluting, could be deployed much more quickly: a fleet of diesel- and gas-fired generators.

To operate these generators  which produce nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and far more carbon dioxide emissions than a typical natural gas plant per unit of energy  Novva would need permission from the state. The permits it received from the Utah Division of Air Quality came with strict limits. They capped the volume of emissions the gas-fired generators could produce, and the diesel generators could only be operated 42 hours a year.

With these limits on its ability to satisfy the hyperscalers extreme demand for power, in March of last year, Novva appealed to a higher authority: President Donald Trump.

The EPA had just announced that it would consider providing so-called presidential exemptions to companies requesting reprieves from environmental regulations, and Novva jumped at the opportunity. A company representative wrote to the EPA arguing that exempting the data center from Clean Air Act standards was in the United States national security interests. (The federal agency had created a special email account just to field the companies requests.) As one of the largest data center clusters, it could help the administration with its stated goal to ensure that AI is responsibly developed, the representative noted. At the time, DeepSeek-R1, Chinas answer to ChatGPT, had recently been released, fueling concerns that the U.S. adversarys AI capabilities were rapidly catching up.

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We ask that you provide this exemption to assist in ensuring the United States Al supremacy, the letter reads.

Novvas plea was one of hundreds submitted to the EPAs presidential exemption inbox last spring. Grist obtained copies of these letters by filing a records request under the Freedom of Information Act. The vast majority were submitted by coal-fired power plant operators, refineries, petcoke plants, medical sterilizers, and steel manufacturers. Novva was one of two data center developers that requested exemptions. The other, Thunderhead Energy Solutions, requested exemptions for 11 data centers consuming a combined 23 gigawatts of energy across Texas, Montana, and Illinois.

Thunderheads request was far more brazen than Novvas. It proposed building a 5,000-megawatt gas-fired plant in Winkler County in West Texas  a facility far larger than the states largest power plant, the roughly 3,700-megawatt W.A. Parish Generating Station. So far, the company has only publicly announced plans for a 250-megawatt plant in neighboring Ector County.

Novva sought a two-year exemption to run 96 diesel generators without any limits while it finishes construction of its natural gas plant, which already has approval from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. But company CEO Wes Swenson told The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist that he never heard back from the feds and wasnt granted the exemption. Whatever power it currently uses is primarily sourced from the grid.

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But these exemption requests demonstrate some of the challenges that data center developers eager to capitalize on the AI boom are facing  and the steps theyre considering to circumvent regulatory hurdles. In the rush to secure power, many companies are installing solar arrays and batteries on-site in addition to building their own natural gas plants and deploying fleets of inefficient generators. This type of behind-the-meter generation is becoming increasingly common, with at least 54 data centers using this approach, according to one analysis.

Novvas data center campus lies in the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which is regularly plagued by so-called wintertime inversion pollution, an event where warm mountain air traps colder air and pollution in the valley. The area also grapples with summertime ozone smog, which forms when pollutants get baked by the sun. A spokesperson for Utahs air quality regulator said the agency wasnt aware of Novvas attempt to obtain relief from federal regulations, which the state is charged with enforcing.

Swenson said he learned of the possibility of Clean Air Act immunity after his webcrawlers picked it up. He asserted that Trump created the presidential exemption for Elon Musk, after the billionaire built a data center in Memphis and was granted exemptions from permitting requirements. (In fact, its not clear if Musks company ever applied for federal relief, and it may be unlikely given that it was granted a separate exemption by local regulators.)

To fast track it, they created that exemption, Swenson said. Why wouldnt we apply?

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Though Novva did not receive its exemption, an analysis by the Environmental Defense Fund found that of the more than 500 exemption requests that the organization was able to obtain records for, roughly a third were granted. (The group did not have complete information for an additional one-third of requests.)

The ultimate status of Thunderhead Energys request is uncertain; a representative for Thunderhead did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the EPA said the agency played no role in determining whether to grant the exemptions and directed questions to the White House. The White House directed questions back to the EPA.

The EPA required that companies applying for exemptions meet two criteria: establish that the technology to comply with the Clean Air Act rule in question is not available, and that the facilitys operation is in the national security interests of the country. The data center developers claimed they met both criteria. Novva claimed that by granting the exemption, the United States makes a significant step forward to tackl[ing] some of the worlds most pressing challenges while Thunderhead made the argument that its projects were significantly accelerating national security-related computing capacity.

Almost everybody would claim its some kind of national security issue, Swenson said in an interview. American data should stay in America.

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Both companies also claimed that they had installed the best available technology to curb emissions but still needed an exemption to emit above allowable limits. Novvas air quality permit from the state sets strict caps on emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. The technology to meet those requirements while installing additional generators just wasnt available, the company claimed in its letter.

For Novva to be able to install any additional diesel-fired generators, the associated control technologies would have to be so effective that each additional generator would effectively have zero emissions, the company noted. Currently, a control technology this effective is not available.

Novvas natural gas plant is expected to be operational in the coming months. The company is currently working on upgrading its state air quality permit. If the company is able to secure the updated permit, it will likely be allowed to increase its emissions.

Leia Larsen contributed reporting to this story.

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Editors note: Environmental Defense Fund is an advertiser with Grist. Advertisers play no role in Grists editorial decisions.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline These data center developers asked Trump for an exemption from pollution rules on Feb 24, 2026.
Global logistics powerhouse DHL is reducing reliance on third-party carriers and commercial airlines in favor of its own freighter aircraft to improve service and lower costs for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals and biologic shipments that require handling according to stringent standards.

DHL (FSE: DHL) announced last week that it will prioritize use of its own aviation capacity on specially designated routes around the world.

The recent introduction of a shuttle service between the DHL hubs in Brussels, Belgium, and Cincinnati utilizing a Boeing 777-300 converted freighter aircraft marked the shift to a dedicated, DHL-operated airfreight refrigerated network, the transportation company said. The cargo jet, which is operated several times per week by Michigan-based partner Kalitta Air, is painted with a Health Logistics label to underscore the use of equipment set aside specifically for medical industry customers.

The Midwest, where Cincinnati is located, is home to many healthcare company headquarters and manufacturing plants. Brussels is conveniently located near major drug making clusters in Europe.

Bringing the pharma air logistics network fully in-house allows DHL to ensure logistics best practices are employed at every step in the journey  from origin handling, temperature-controlled airport processes, loading and unloading, flight operations and destination delivery. Biologics, vaccines, and specialized cell-and-gene therapies require consistent temperatures, often between 2C and 8C, and sometimes as low as -70C, to maintain effectiveness. Regulatory frameworks such as Good Distribution Practices impose strict requirements for visibility, documentation, and quality throughout the supply chain. Operators that invest in refrigerated infrastructure and process discipline usually are favored by medical companies.

By exerting direct control and ensuring shipments stay within pharma-only warehouse zones, DHL says it can reduce reliance on heavy, costly packaging and refrigerated in-flight containers, reduce handoffs and minimize the risk of temperature excursions outside prescribed cold or frozen temperature ranges  thereby lowering costs and increasing quality.

The restructuring of the air cargo cold chain is part of a broader DHL Group strategy to double healthcare logistics revenue to $10.8 billion by 2030, aided by an extensive temperature-controlled network, first- and last-mile specialty courier coverage, and integrated service offerings. Last April, DHL said it planned to invest $2.2 billion to upgrade its logistics portfolio in the life sciences and healthcare sector. The global pharmaceutical logistics market is expected to reach $159 billion by 2030, while the biopharma cold chain logistics market is set to grow at a 10.5% compound annual rate and reach $75 billion by 2033, according to various market research reports.
A Delaware man who fatally shot his parents will spend nearly four decades in prison before being eligible to ask for an early release.

Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Marianne Hemmeter sentenced 27-year-old Mohamed Lamin Kandeh on Feb. 23 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 39 years.

Hemmeter found Kandeh guilty on Dec. 17 of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the September 2023 killings of his father, 61-year-old Mohamed Alusine Kandeh and his mother, 60-year-old Bintu Kandeh. The younger Kandeh opted for a bench trial instead of a jury trial.

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According to court records, a family member called Delaware police after the Kandehs did not meet them that day as had been planned. Delaware police went to the family home on the 200 block of Bristol Drive and found the Kandehs fatally shot inside. Their son was no longer at the house.

The younger Kandeh was arrested the next day after being pulled over by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Court records say the younger Kandeh shot both of his parents multiple times sometime between 10:45 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2023 and 3 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2023. A gun and ammunition Kandeh had with him when he was arrested matched evidence at the crime scene.

According to records, the younger Kandeh had threatened his father in the past, resulting in a misdemeanor charge after he pointed a gun at his father's head.

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The younger Kandeh's competence to stand trial was evaluated several times over the duration of his case. According to court records, he underwent treatment for several months to ensure he could understand the court proceedings.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Delaware man gets life sentence for killing parents in 2023
A Delaware man was sentenced to life in prison Monday for the shooting deaths of his parents more than two years ago.

A judge sentenced Mohamed Lanim Kandeh to life with the possibility of parole after 39 years.

Kandeh was found guilty on four counts of murder and one count of tampering with evidence in December.

In September 2023, officers were called to a home on Bristol Drive after police were told 61-year-old Mohamed Alusine Kandeh and 60-year-old Bintu Kandeh did not meet up with their daughter for lunch.

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Court records state their daughter was concerned for her parents safety and went to their house armed with a kitchen knife and a box cutter for protection. She found her parents laying in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor and called 911.

The daughter told authorities that her brother, Mohamed Lanim Kandeh, is often paranoid, delusional and has a fascination with firearms. He also lived with his parents.

Kandeh was previously charged with aggravated menacing in November 2022. That charge was reduced to disorderly conduct following a plea deal. The affidavit stated that during that incident, he held a gun up to his fathers head and grinned.
Democratic attorneys general are bracing for President Donald Trump to interfere in the midterm elections  and war-gaming how to stop him.

The partys top prosecutors have been strategizing for months about how to counter a series of increasingly extreme scenarios they fear could play out this fall. They have huddled in hotel conference rooms and over Zoom meetings to run tabletop exercises anticipating the presidents moves and choreographing responses.

Theyre preparing for the administration to potentially confiscate ballots and voting machines, strip resources from the postal service to disrupt the delivery of mail ballots, and send military members and immigration agents to polling locations to intimidate voters. Theyre readying motions for temporary restraining orders to preserve election materials and remove armed forces from voting sites.

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And, as the president attempts to assert federal control over elections, seize voter data and relitigate false claims of fraud from 2020, theyre monitoring Trump and his allies every word about elections for clues about what his administration could do next.

[Trump] wants to continue to have his party prevail, seemingly by whatever means necessary, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said. So we have to be ready for that, sad and tragic as it is.

The Democratic attorneys general, some of whom battled Trumps election-subversion tactics in the courts in 2020, have already challenged the presidents efforts to overhaul election administration and access sensitive voter data ahead of a midterm contest that could turn him into a lame duck.

Nineteen of them banded together to sue the administration last spring over Trumps sweeping executive order targeting voting rules, most of which has since been blocked by courts. When the Department of Justice dispatched election monitors to polling locations in New Jersey and California last November, Bonta deployed his own observers in his state in response.

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But the presidents more recent moves have prosecutors ratcheting up their preparations for November, five Democratic attorneys general said in interviews.

Earlier this month, Trump called on Republicans to nationalize voting and suggested the federal government should intervene in election operations in swing-states' predominantly blue cities like Atlanta, Detroit and Philadelphia  places that have been central to his election conspiracy theories for years. House Republicans passed one set of voting restrictions and are teeing up another, though the measures are unlikely to clear the Senate. And Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem raised alarms among Democrats when she said her department is working to ensure that we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders.

Trump and his allies rhetoric is the type of red-alarm fire that people need to take very seriously, said Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, who leads the Democratic Attorneys General Associations election protection working group.

He will try anything, Brown said, so we have to just sort of think creatively about: If you were the president and you were trying to invalidate an election or undermine an election, what are the oddball, ludicrous, unconstitutional theories that you might advance?

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White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson fired back in a statement accusing Democrats of plotting to undermine commonsense election integrity efforts supported by a vast majority of Americans and arguing existing law gives the Department of Justice full authority to ensure states comply with federal election laws, which mandate accurate state voter rolls.

President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of elections, and that includes totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters, Jackson said. The President has also urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act and other legislative proposals that would establish a uniform standard of photo ID for voting, prohibit no-excuse mail-in voting, and end the practice of ballot harvesting to ensure the safety and security of our elections.

Democratic attorneys general have panned the SAVE Act as an attack on the right to vote and urged Congress not to pass it and other measures Trump is pushing.

They also fear the Trump administration could aim to intimidate legal voters by sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations.

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ICE chief Todd Lyons said in a congressional hearing earlier this month that theres no reason for ICE officials to be deployed to polling facilities. But MAGA influencer Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist, is encouraging the president to take that step to prevent noncitizens from voting, despite its rare occurrence. Hes also urging Trump to send in troops, further stoking Democrats concerns.

When asked about Bannons comments during a briefing earlier this month, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said while she cant guarantee that an ICE agent wont be around a polling location in November she hadnt heard the president discuss any formal plans to put ICE outside of polling locations, calling the question "disingenuous."

Democrats aren't reassured.

If the president said, Look, I want my ICE people to protect American elections  go to all these polling places and stand out in front with guns, I think they would do it, said Attorney General Keith Ellison of Minnesota, where an immigration enforcement surge earlier this year resulted in two deaths. And I think we all need to be prepared to deal with that problem.

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Several Democratic attorneys general said theyre particularly alarmed after the FBI seized voting records in Fulton County, Georgia, based on a referral from Kurt Olsen, an attorney who worked with Trump to undermine the 2020 election results. Theyre now bracing for similar seizures in other places Trump has previously targeted over debunked claims of voter fraud.

Those concerns are heightened in battleground states with contests that could decide control of Congress.

We recognize that what happened in Fulton County could happen in Detroit. Not because theres any merit to claims that anything wrong happened in Detroit, but because we know that those claims will be made again, said Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel of swing-state Michigan.

The president and his administration know and understand that Democrats dont win statewide in Michigan without counting the Detroit vote, she added. So of course Trump wants to undermine in peoples minds the integrity of Detroit elections, even though thats not borne fruit whenever that has been investigated.

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Democrats in states that rely heavily on mail-in ballots are also girding for an assault on the voting system that Trump is trying to eliminate, but that GOP operatives and even some Republicans in Congress support as a way to keep voters engaged in non-presidential years.

They are worried about Trump weaponizing the postal service, either by again blocking funding for the agency or installing allies to slow operations. And they cautioned that his push to discount ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive afterward could disenfranchise voters in states with grace periods. The Supreme Court is due to consider a case on ballot deadlines next month.

Democratic attorneys general, meanwhile, will argue in a lower court next week in a multistate lawsuit seeking to permanently block portions of Trumps executive order  which includes cutting off mail ballots and requiring documentary proof of citizenship for the national voter registration form  from taking effect.

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is co-leading the lawsuit alongside Bonta, urged his counterparts to stay nimble.

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Trump likes to sow chaos because he thinks its going to throw people off their game, Ford said. But he has met his match when it comes to the Nevada attorney generals office; he's met his match when it comes to the Democratic attorneys general.

Elena Schneider contributed to this report.
Democrats in Congress are planning to shame President Donald Trump by bringing Jeffrey Epstein survivors to Tuesdays State of the Union.

Some members of Congress are sending the survivors in their stead, while others have invited them to be their guests when Trump addresses the nation at the Capitol on Tuesday evening.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Reps. Jamie Raskin and Suhas Subramanyam are bringing Sky and Amanda Roberts, the brother and sister-in-law of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epsteins most prominent victims, who died by suicide in April 2025.

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The Trump administration is fighting our push for justice at every step with a cover-up. It is an honor to bring Virginia Roberts Giuffres family as our guests for the State of the Union to be a visible reminder to Trump that were not giving in or giving up, Subramanyam, a Democrat from Virginia, said in a statement.

Donald Trump has denied knowing about Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes while the pair were good friends. / Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has invited Dani Bensky, another survivor of Epsteins abuse, to be one of his guests. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will also bring a survivor, a source familiar with his plans told Roll Call.

GOP rebel Rep. Thomas Massie, who co-authored the Epstein Files Transparency Act with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, estimated that up to 12 survivors could attend Trumps address, Roll Call reported.

Rep. Ro Khanna has invited Haley Robson, who was trafficked by Epstein when she was 16. A Trump voter in 2024, Robson has since turned against the president and blasted him last year for repeatedly dismissing the Epstein files as a hoax. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump, who was close friends with Epstein for years, has been criticized by some survivors for his handling of Epsteins case and for resisting fully releasing the files from the governments investigation into the convicted sex trafficker.

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Last year, he was slammed for refusing to meet with survivors while working to dissuade Republicans from voting for Khanna and Massies bill, which mandated a full disclosure of the files.

After Congress passed the bill and Trumpknowing the numbers were not on his sidewas forced to sign it into law, the Justice Department missed the deadline for disclosing the files. Amid their staggered release, the DOJ has been criticized for redacting Epsteins associates while failing to redact survivors names in the files.

Reps. Pramila Jayapal, James Walkinshaw, Teresa Leger Fernandez, and Emily Randallalong with Khannaare also bringing survivors, according to NewsNations Joe Khalil.

Khanna has invited Haley Robson, who was trafficked by Epstein when she was 16. A Trump voter in 2024, Robson has since turned against the president and blasted him last year for repeatedly dismissing the Epstein files as a hoax.

Haleys courageous fight is proof that this isnt about politics, its about exposing Americas two-tiered system of justice and bringing accountability to the Epstein class involved in the horrific abuse of young girls, Khanna said in a statement.
The Detroit school districts four-year graduation rate reached a new high and nearly closed the gap between the district and the statewide average last year, newly released data shows.

The Detroit Public Schools Community Districts 2025 graduation rate of more than 83% was the highest since the state began using its current measures in 2007-08. The rate was nearly 5 percentage points higher compared to the previous year and more than 7.3 percentage points higher than in 2019, the last year before the pandemic.

Of the districts 24 high schools, 13 met or exceeded the state graduation rate average last year and 18 improved their rates from the year before.

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The districts dropout rate was 10.6% last year, about 3.5 percentage points higher than the state average. The numbers dont include students who took longer than four years to graduate, earned a GED certificate, or aged out of special education.

This moment is more than a milestone; it is a bold promise of what DPSCD can achieve when we remain aligned, accountable, and courageous in our vision for students, said board President LaTrice McClendon in a statement from the district.

Of the 24 high school charters in Detroit and the 17 suburban high school charters where Detroit students make up more than half of enrollment, a Detroit Free Press analysis found 2025 graduation rates varied widely by school.

The graduation rate was more than 88% at Cesar Chavez Academy, 93.4% at Voyageur Academy, 95.7% at University Preparatory Academy, and 81.3% at Old Redford Academy.

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Around half of the school-age children who live in Detroit attend district schools. The remainder largely attend charter schools in the city, suburban charters and districts, or private schools.

The statewide average graduation rate was more than 84%, up from 82.83% the previous year and also the highest since the state started using its current formula.

The state calculates the four-year graduation rate with a cohort model that tracks the percentage of students who earn a regular diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Brian Love, state director for research and advocacy group the Education Trust-Midwest, said in a statement the improvement is promising for the state.

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It shows that the collaboration of our state leaders and educators is working for our state's students, he said. At the same time, our state leaders have more work to do to ensure all students are college and career ready, particularly students with the greatest needs.

State data suggests many Michigan students are still not prepared for college coursework.

According to the College Board, which produces Advanced Placement courses and exams, as well as the SAT, students who meet the SAT benchmarks have a 75% chance of earning a passing grade or better in first-semester college courses.

More than 72% of students in the state scored below math benchmarks on the SAT in 2024-25. More than 44% scored below reading and writing benchmarks.

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SAT scores are not a high school graduation requirement in Michigan and many students dont enroll in college after graduation.

The most recently available data shows 53.4% of 2024 graduates in the state enrolled in college or university within six months of completing high school. In DPSCD, 45.6% of graduates enrolled in higher education.

In DPSCD, 85% of students scored below benchmarks in math and 63.9% scored below benchmarks in reading and writing. In recent years, the district has improved its college readiness scores and narrowed the gap between DPSCD and state scores.

Among most Detroit charter schools, few students met college readiness benchmarks in at least one subject. At Voyageur Academy, for example, more than 95% of students did not meet the math benchmark and more than 91.3% did not meet the reading and writing benchmark.

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Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said in an email the districts first goal is to graduate students with a high school diploma in four years.

As you know, we have made strong improvements in that area, he said. At the same time, we are working differently and harder to ensure they are college ready.

He added the districts High School Redesign initiative recognizes the different interests and talents of our students  honors, arts, career  this we believe will better motivate, inspire, and prepare them to be more college or career ready.

Some Detroit neighborhood high schools saw big gains

Most of DPSCDs neighborhood high schools improved their graduation rates compared to before the pandemic.

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Cody High Schools 72.4% graduation rate in 2025, for example, was an improvement of nearly 11 percentage points from 2019.

Cody High School is seen in Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

At Central High School, the graduation rate was more than 79% in 2025  an increase of 9 percentage points from the year before. It improved by 14 percentage points compared to 2019.

Principal LaToyia Webb said as a small neighborhood school, the staff know students well and quickly identify their needs.

We track student performance, attendance and behavior closely, so our staff can intervene quickly when students show signs of falling behind, she said in an email.

In addition to credit recovery offered during the school day and districtwide initiatives to reduce absenteeism, Webb said community partnerships, after-school programs, and student mentoring contributed to the improvement.

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We create a supportive environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued, she said. A strong school climate directly contributes to persistence and academic achievement.

More funding, wraparound supports appear to pay off for DPSCD

Districts like Detroit have long experienced inequities compared to schools in wealthier Michigan communities, which result in disparities in academic performance and graduation rates.

The pandemic exacerbated systemic problems that affect students ability to show up for school and learn, such as poverty, poor health, and homelessness.

At the height of COVID in 2021, DPSCDs graduation rate was 64.5%. At the time, the district rate was 16 percentage points lower compared to the states.

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Since then, an influx of $1.27 billion in one-time federal COVID relief dollars allowed the district to address infrastructure needs and ramp up efforts to combat chronic absenteeism, defined as a student missing 10% or more of school days. The district was also allocated more per-pupil and at-risk funding in recent state budgets.

The district has made big strides in reducing chronic absenteeism rates in the subsequent years. In 2024-25 it fell below pre-pandemic rates at 60.9%.

School system officials say the same strategies that have improved attendance  creating health hubs, offering more counseling, and boosting wraparound services  have also contributed to the higher graduation rates.

Those efforts appear to have paid off in particular for vulnerable students. Last year, 75% of the districts students experiencing homelessness graduated in four years. The number improved by 12.8 percentage points compared to 2024.

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In addition to increasing wraparound support, the district credits expanded college and career-level courses, a stronger academic intervention model for struggling students, and professional development for school counselors for the higher graduation rate.

In the next school year, DPSCD will launch its High School Redesign plan for incoming freshmen. It will introduce four-year diploma pathways, expand advising, and create more career pathway opportunities at neighborhood schools.

Imani Foster, communications director for the educational justice organization 482Forward, said the district has listened to what students want to see in their schools to keep them more engaged.

She also noted financial incentives for students to participate in a tutoring program or to have perfect attendance.

McClendon said strengthening early warning systems for middle schoolers falling behind and creating more flexible schedules for students balancing work or family responsibilities are options the district may consider to improve college readiness.

Foster is hopeful Detroits new Mayor Mary Sheffield will follow through on her promises to improve conditions in the city that affect education, including better transportation options, child care, and affordable housing.

Oftentimes, when we only have the schools addressing these issues, we leave students out, she said.

Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org.Micah Walker is a reporter for BridgeDetroit. You can reach her at mwalker@bridgedetroit.com.Kristi Tanner is a reporter for the Detroit Free Press. You can reach her at ktanner@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Public Schools Community District increases graduation rate
Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) on Tuesday said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem agreed to halt plans to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in the Granite State.

Ayotte said Noem agreed after she met with her in Washington, D.C., last week.

Im pleased to announce that the Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack. During my trip to Washington last week, I had productive discussions with Secretary Kristi Noem, Ayotte wrote in a post on the social platform X.

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I thank her for hearing the concerns of the Town of Merrimack and for the continued cooperation between DHS and New Hampshire law enforcement to secure our northern border, keep dangerous criminals off our streets, and ensure our communities are safe, she added.

Noem confirmed the meeting to Reuters and said New Hampshire remains a strong partner on immigration enforcement measures.

Ayottes push to forego a new ICE facility coincides with a push from her counterparts to do the same in Democratic states.

On Monday, Maryland filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to convert a warehouse into an ICE facility.

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Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) cited concerns for the citys ability to maintain a large group of detainees alleging that runoff from the site could impact environmentally protected areas.

Brown also questioned the treatment of detained immigrants, as multiple people have already died in ICE custody since the start of this year.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) was also critical of the move, and said lawmakers were not given a heads up.

No administration is above the law. Our people must be heard when the federal government makes decisions that affect their health, their safety, and their communities, Moore said in a statement.

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DHS spent more than $100 million in taxpayer money to purchase a Washington County warehouse to serve as an ICE detention facilitywithout an environmental review and without public input. The State of Maryland is filing this lawsuit because DHS must be held to the same legal standard as every other federal agency, he added.

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Some four months after the spectactular break-in at the world famous Louvre museum in Paris, the museum's director resigned on Tuesday.

Laurence des Cars offered her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, who accepted it, a statement from the seat of the French presidency, the Elysee Palace in Paris, said. Macron thanked her for her commitment over the years.

Des Cars became Louvre director in 2021. Macron has now proposed entrusting her with a mission to promote cooperation between major museums as part of France's current Group of Seven (G7) presidency.

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The resignation comes at a time when the world's most visited museum is grappling with major security and modernization challenges.

The spectacular heist took place in broad daylight on a Sunday morning. The jewellery stolen, with an estimated value of 88 million ($102 million), was of "invaluable cultural and historical significance" beyond its market value, the French ministries of culture and interior said at the time.

Louvre crises continued unabated

The heist was just one of many problems for des Cars. There have been negative headlines for months, most recently over suspicions of large-scale ticket fraud that had been going on for 10 years. Investigators arrested nine people and seized more than 1.4 million.

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Apart from security issues, the museum endured several floods that reportedly damaged a ceiling painting and books.

And then there are labour problems: In December, there were partial work stoppages and a four-day complete closure. The employees are demanding more staff, better working conditions, an end to precarious contract work and outsourcing  and, last but not least, investment in the buildings and technical equipment.

But the jewellery theft was the hardest blow, which sparked a debate about the museum's security.

Masked men parked a truck equipped with a lifting platform next to the museum. While two of the perpetrators waited on motor scooters on the street, the other two used the lifting platform to reach a first-floor balcony and from there entered the museum through a window, where they also threatened staff. The loot has not yet been found.

Director des Cars subsequently offered her resignation, but French Culture Minister Rachida Dati rejected it. However, following further crises, she announced that she would review the organization and governance of the Louvre.
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  It was an emotional night as community members gathered to watch the debut of Rosenwald: Panama City Documentary, created by filmmaker Henry Godwin.

The film was inspired by stories Godwins father shared about attending Rosenwald High School during segregation.

Rosenwald was the first all-black school in Bay County.

He was class of 67, so he had a chance to see what it was like going to an all-segregated school and then that transition of being integrated into Bay High School. And so the story just kind of progressed, him telling me these things over the years, said filmmaker Henry Godwin.

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The school was built as part of a larger effort funded by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to provide education for African American children in the segregated South.

At a time when public funding for black students was limited, Rosenwald High School became an all-black school staffed by dedicated educators determined to see their students succeed.

Matter of fact, I remember one of my teachers saying, when you leave this school, youre going to go out and represent me. And before I let you go out and misrepresent me and be an embarrassment to my school, Rosenwald, I wont let you graduate because they felt that anybody that graduated from Rosenwald reflected on them, Godwins father, Henry said.

The school served generations of students before closing in the late 1960s following integration.

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The documentary compiles firsthand stories from former students who describe close friendships, the school environment and lessons that extended far beyond the classroom.

For Godwin, the purpose of the film goes far beyond remembering the past.

Seeing your audience member come and actually learn something that they had not known when they originally arrived. And so its just encouragement to keep going and to keep teaching people about their city and about, you know, the things that you would think they would know, Godwin said.

Rosenwald now serves as an alternative school with grades 6-12.

Godwin says he is currently in the editing phase of the documentary. While there is no release date set, he says this episode will be the first of many.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
A lost dog who vanished into the Rocky Mountains has finally been rescued and reunited with his owner after 43 days in the wilderness.

Steven Maa and his girlfriend were moving across country from New Jersey to Los Angeles with their 10-year-old brindled mutt Rocky (the name is a coincidence) when they stopped off in the remote former mining town of Montezuma, Colorado for a ski break on December 28.

But within minutes of handing Rocky over to a dog-sitter, he got scared, slipped out of his harness, and bolted into the wilds.

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With a snowstorm blanketing the area, Maa and his partner Kate began searching for Rocky and stayed out until around 3 a.m., to no avail.

Steven Maa, left, with his brindled mutt Rocky, right, who managed to survive alone in subzero temperatures (Summit Lost Pet Rescue via Facebook)

That's when Summit Lost Pet Rescue, a local non-profit, got involved, via a referral from Montezuma's Mayor Lesley Davis.

"Steve was definitely concerned that Rocky wasnt going to survive the night, the group's founder Brandon Ciullo told NJ.com. "I explained to him: 'Weve been doing this for 10 years. My biggest worry and concern is vehicles, then wildlife and then environment.'"

Despite the danger, Summit had a practiced plan for situations such as this. They also had a 99 percent success rate in 2025, with 213 out of 214 lost dogs recovered safely.

How to find a scared, lost dog

Step one: set up remotely monitored cameras all over the area near where Rocky disappeared, plus a "scent station" with items that smelled like Maa or Rocky himself, such as clothes or a dog bed.

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"Especially if its an unfamiliar area, a dog will come back, smell something that smells familiar, and then end up just staying in that particular area, Ciullo told The Summit Daily News, a local newspaper.

The non-profit says that lost dogs often go into extreme 'fight or flight mode', and advise owners and rescuers not to make eye contact, call their name, or chase them (Summit Lost Pet Rescue via Facebook)

Step two: fire off emails and social media posts as widely as possible, alerting anyone and everyone to be on the lookout for a small black dog with white markings resembling rocky road ice cream.

Three days later, Summit's cameras spotted Rocky alive  which gave Rocky's owners hope. "Up to that point, we had just been kind of devastated by the situation," Maa said. "Worried about, 'wow, can he even survive one night?'"

But when Maa came near, Rocky barked at him and ran off again. He was in "survival mode", Ciullo explained, and must not have recognized his owner's scent  which is common for dogs in desperate states.

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That was the last time anyone saw Rocky for 39 days.

The trail goes cold

Maa and his girlfriend stayed and helped for eight more days, searching for 16 hours every day, but eventually they were forced to depart in order to finish their move and start Maa's new job in Culver City, California.

Teams of volunteers searched the area every day, with Maa helping coordinate and raise attention from the Golden State. According to Ciullo, no other dog has ever been missing for longer and still come back safely.

By early February, though, Summit had little choice but to begin winding down its search to focus on other animals. The probability of success, Maa was told, was not high.

Rocky in his cage after being rescued. He twice entered the trap set for him without stepping on the pressure plate, putting rescue workers in a tense waiting game (Summit Lost Pet Rescue via facebook)

"I think my judgment was a little clogged with emotion," Ciullo said. "I just kind of couldnt believe we couldnt find him and I was disappointed."

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Then, on February 9, a Ring doorbell camera caught a fleeting glimpse of a small yet familiar black canine shape.

Please let me help you

Ciullo was searching for another dog when he got the call. He apologized to the owner, telling them that Rocky had been gone for 43 days and was probably "extremely starving" and "very, very close to dying."

Ciullo and Summit's co-founder Melissa Davis now set up a trap, using Maa's clothes to make a scent trail and baiting it with some food. Within hours, Rocky was poking his nose inside, and even laid down to sleep on a blanket. But he didn't step on the pressure plate.

"I was pleading with Rocky to please let me help you. Im here to help you," Ciullo told NJ.com.

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Eventually Ciullo was forced to get out and try to approach Rocky  only for Rocky, still in a state of desperation, to wake up, bark at him, and run off.

Ciullo and Davis worked to reset the trap with peanut butter, only now they could hear Rocky howling.

"When a dog is dying, he comes very vocal and usually starts howling," Ciullo told the Summit Daily. "You can hear him in the woods just howling. And Im like: 'Thats Rocky. He is in pain.'"

Ciullo warned the other volunteers that he was prepared to sleep in his truck for however long it took. I told them, 'Im not leaving this godd*** mountain until this dog is in the back of my truck,'", he told NJ.com.

Were extremely proud of him

After one more false start, Rocky finally tripped the trap. When the group found him he weighed only 28 lbs, barely more than half his usual weight. Shockingly, he was in good spirits.

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"He was running around. He went straight to the toy bin," Ciullo said. "We couldnt believe that this dog that hasnt probably eaten in 43 days had this much energy and this much life to him."

Rocky looked none the worse for wear as he posed outside the gates of Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles after escaping his alpine ordeal (Steven Maa / Summit Lost Pet Rescue via Facebook)

On February 13, Maa drove from California and was joyfully reunited with Rocky. "We were just so overjoyed and just [in] disbelief that he could survive for that long, just extremely proud of him for being able to do that and be so resourceful out there," said Maa.

He added that there seemed to be no lasting change in Rocky's personality, and that he rapidly returned to his old "cuddle bug" ways.

For Ciullo, it was a vindication of Summit's rescue work. "Hes the only dog Ive ever cried over," he told NJ.com. "These reunions are why we do what we do."

In a Facebook post afterwards, Summit said: "We are so grateful to our Summit community and dedicated volunteers who worked thousands of hours to save Rocky!!! It takes partnership, a village, and donations to save lost pets."
UPDATED: Donald Trump dined with major broadcast and cable network news anchors on Tuesday, carrying on a long tradition of presidents having lunch with the major media figures in the hours before delivering a State of the Union address.

The three major broadcast anchors  ABC News David Muir, CBS News Tony Dokoupil and NBC News Tom Llamas  were there, and the list of attendees also included Fox News Brett Baier and Martha MacCallum, CNNs Dana Bash and Jake Tapper, MS NOWs Stephanie Ruhle, NewsNations Blake Burman and Leland Vittert and Newsmaxs Greta Van Susteren and Rob Finnerty sources said. Breitbart News Alex Marlow and Matthew Boyle also were there, the outlet said, as the lone print outlet on hand.

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Also there was Jonathan Karl, ABC News chief Washington correspondent and This Week host, who said in a post on social media that Trump offered a preview of his speech. Per Karl, Trump also talked about Iran, and said that Iran wants a deal more than I do, but they just cant say the magic words, which he said was they wont build a bomb.

Karl added, The president said he is going to talk a lot about the economy, and hes going to call for new tax cuts tonight and hes going to say that the next three years in America will be the best years economically that we ever had.'

He said that Trump told the anchors, Its already begun.

Per Llamas and Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, Trump also is expected to announce an agreement with AI and tech companies that they will pay their own electricity bills for their data centers, many of which are now under construction.

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The lunch itself is off the record, but occasionally anchors are allowed to report some details.

The fact that the tradition has carried on is notable, given Trumps routine characterization of news he doesnt like as fake news, and his threats against the networks. In his year in office, his FCC chairman, Brendan Carr, has revived investigations against ABC News over the way that its 2024 presidential debate was moderated, as well as one against CBS News over the way 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris.

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Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) is one of the world's largest and most respected pharmaceutical companies. That is an important backdrop for dividend investors to consider as they look at the stock's lofty 6.4% dividend yield. For reference, the average pharma stock has a yield of just 1.7%. There's a reason to buy Pfizer beyond the yield.

Pfizer gets you most of the way to 10%

If you buy Pfizer and collect that 6.4% dividend yield, you are roughly two-thirds of the way toward the 10% return that most investors expect from stocks over time. If you reinvest the dividends, you are effectively buying more shares while the stock is unloved. If the stock bounces back, you'll be leveraged to the upside.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks 

Image source: Getty Images.

That said, the yield isn't just high on an absolute basis; it's also high relative to other drug stocks. So buying Pfizer as part of your healthcare allocation could help supercharge the income your portfolio generates. The problem, of course, is the risk that the lofty dividend payment can't be supported.

Pfizer is doing the right things

Pfizer's yield is so high because it has important drugs that are going to lose patent protection. That will lead to revenue declines for those drugs. Meanwhile, the company has had notable setbacks in its efforts to develop new drugs, including having to abandon an internally developed GLP-1 weight-loss drug.

These aren't actually unusual events in the pharmaceutical sector. Pfizer has muddled through tough patches like this before. And it is working quickly to address the issues it faces, buying a company with an attractive GLP-1 drug candidate and partnering with another to form a distribution deal. Pfizer isn't just hoping for the best; it is taking the steps needed to ensure better times are ahead.

What about that dividend?

Right now, Pfizer's dividend payout ratio is above 100%. That suggests the dividend comes with some risk, which is true. However, dividends are paid out of cash flow, not earnings, so a payout ratio can rise above 100% for a period without triggering a dividend cut. And Pfizer recently stated that it intends to support the current dividend.

Given Pfizer's long and successful history, it seems reasonable for more aggressive dividend investors to give management the benefit of the doubt. That's true with regard to both the business turnaround and the company's ability to support the dividend until performance improves.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A Virginia Beach jury found a 27-year-old man guilty of involuntary manslaughter and other charges following a 2023 high-speed crash that killed two passengers.

Maxwell J. Schaefer, formerly of Tomball, Texas, was also convicted of possession of a Schedule I/II drug and reckless driving  endangerment.

Maxwell J. Schaefer

Virginia Beach Commonwealths Attorney Colin D. Stolle announced the verdict on Feb. 23, 2026, following a three-day trial in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.

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The conviction stems from a May 7, 2023, incident where Schaefer drove 113 mph on Interstate 264-West before veering off the highway and striking a tree.

Schaefer was driving three passengers in the early morning hours after leaving a concert at Peabodys nightclub at the Oceanfront. Evidence presented during the trial showed the vehicle was traveling in the far-left lane of Interstate 264-West when it suddenly veered across all lanes of traffic and then hit a tree. A witness and an off-duty Virginia Beach police officer arrived at the scene and discovered one occupant had died on impact.

Todd Reid Marcey was the passenger pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Another passenger, Tajh Dorleans, was transported to a hospital where he remained for 10 months. Dorleans eventually died from injuries sustained in the collision. A third passenger survived the crash, but faces lifelong medical complications, Stolle said in a news release.

Following the collision, rescue personnel transported Schaefer and the other occupants to the hospital. Investigators found a vial of cocaine in Schaefers clothing and located drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Medical tests conducted at the hospital confirmed evidence of drug use by Schaefer at the time of the incident.

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Schaefer was arrested after completing a period of rehabilitation for injuries he suffered in the crash.

Circuit Court Judge Tanya Felton, who presided over the trial, is scheduled to sentence Schaefer on May 27, 2026.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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A driver who was stranded by the side of a road for about two hours after a tyre burst when she hit a large pothole said she was "glad" the road defect had been fixed.

Becky Broadley, from Daventry, said she was travelling on the B4038 Kilsby Lane in Northamptonshire at about 19:30 GMT on 6 February when her tyre "just went bang" and she had to call out a mobile tyre repairer.

She said the road was in a "really bad situation" and reported it to West Northamptonshire Council, as she said about nine other cars suffered a similar fate.

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The council said work had since been completed "to address additional defects along this stretch".

Becky Broadley said a cone had been placed next to the pothole later on the Friday in question [Becky Broadley]

Broadley said she had noticed the hole had been repaired but the word "temporary" had been written on it in yellow.

"I'm glad it's been filled in, as it was so deep; the road was in a really bad situation," she said.

A council spokesperson said emergency repairs were carried out on 4 and 7 February with further repairs on 9 February to address the "additional defects".

"Our team continues to monitor the road, as new defects can appear during winter due to wet and cold weather conditions, but the specific issue raised has now been resolved," they said.

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They said it did not know how many individual repairs were carried out but "some inquiries of this nature are likely to have contributed to works being raised".

They added the word "temporary" had been added by a utility company to make it clear it was a temporary surface.

A mobile tyre repairer was called out to the B4038, between Kilsby and Hillmorton in Warwickshire [Becky Broadley]

Broadley said she had been in her father's car and they had been left with a 250 repair bill and were now looking at claiming the money back from the council.

"The road has been fixed, but who knows whether it will survive?" she added.

The council said: "We encourage residents to continue reporting any potholes or highways concerns via our online portal so we can investigate and address them promptly."

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A new minority Dutch coalition government took office Monday led by Rob Jetten, the Netherlands youngest-ever prime minister who will have to use all his bridge-building skills to pass laws and see out a full four-year term in office.

Jetten, 38, heads a three-party administration made up of his centrist D66, the center-right Christian Democrats and the center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy.

Jetten, who is the Netherlands first openly gay premier, said in a post on X it was an enormous honor to be able to get to work as prime minister.

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The coalition parties together hold only 66 of the lower house of parliaments 150 seats, so Jetten will have to negotiate with opposition lawmakers to find support for every piece of legislation his government wants to pass. The largest opposition bloc, the newly merged Green Left and Labor Party, has already signaled it will push for changes to some of Jetten's plans.

Jetten and his team of ministers took their oath of office in the presence of King Willem-Alexander in the ornate Orange Hall of the royal palace in a forest on the edge of The Hague. The king wished the new government good luck in uncertain times.

A small group of demonstrators from the Extinction Rebellion environmental group protested outside the gates of the palace during the ceremony and sounded sirens as the new ministers lined up for a formal photo.

Following the traditional photo of the new Cabinet on the steps of the palace, the new government ministers held their first meeting.

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The Netherlands' main LGBTQI+ organization, COC, welcomed Jetten's appointment.

The new premier can be a role model for people from the rainbow community, it said in a statement. It shows that your sexual orientation doesnt have to matter. That you can become a construction worker, a doctor, a lawyer, and even prime minister.

The government was sworn in 117 days after national elections that Jettens party won by a narrow margin over the Party for Freedom led by anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders. The final result was decided only after a count of postal ballots after the fourth national election since 2017 in the politically splintered Netherlands.

The new government took office a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Jetten has pledged to continue his country's strong support for Kyiv as it battles the forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He has also said he will continue spending to strengthen the Dutch military in times of geopolitical uncertainty.

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Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius, the new defense minister, will be in charge of overseeing that goal and she underscored its importance in her first message on social media after taking up her post.

Our own security is at stake, and we must not be naive about that, she posted on X. If we want freedom to prevail and our way of life to endure, then the Netherlands and Europe must take matters into their own hands.
A new Dutch government took power on Monday, with 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten sworn in as the country's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay one.

"Sworn in. We're going to get started. Let's get to work," Jetten posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a picture of his cabinet posing with King Willem-Alexander on the steps of the royal palace.

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October, coming from behind to dethrone the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders by a razor-thin margin.

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The snap election was called after the PVV withdrew from the previous coalition, the Netherlands' most right-wing government in recent history, which lasted just 11 months.

Jetten's D66 has teamed up with the centre-right CDA party and the liberal VVD to form a coalition, but will fall nine seats short of a parliamentary majority with only 66 seats.

The parties took 117 days to form their coalition -- much less than the 223 days taken to form the previous government.

After his election victory, Jetten declared that it was possible to beat populist movements "if you campaign with a positive message for your country".

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On the campaign trail, Jetten said he wanted to "bring the Netherlands back to the heart of Europe because without European cooperation, we are nowhere".

In a manifesto published in January, the three parties pledged full support for Ukraine and vowed to live up to the country's NATO spending commitments.

- 'Right-wing signature' -

Although the new government is not as far to the right as the previous one, it still has a "right-wing signature", Sarah de Lange, a professor of politics at Leiden University, told AFP.

"The coalition has opted for budget cuts rather than running a deficit to finance any investments it wants to make" and there is "substantial continuity between the immigration plans of the new government and the previous one", De Lange said.

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The parties have pledged to press ahead with a crackdown on migration, including measures such as tougher rules on family reunification.

Jetten's coalition has also vowed to cut social benefits, including unemployment benefits, to help finance proposed investments in the military and defence.

But since the coalition will rely on support from opposition parties to pass legislation, "getting larger reforms passed by parliament might take longer than usual", De Lange said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the swearing-in of the avowedly pro-European Jetten.

"From economy to security -- together we will work for the benefit of the Netherlands and all of Europe," said von der Leyen, who announced a meeting with the new Dutch PM in Brussels next week.

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- Wilders out -

Jetten and his cabinet were sworn in on Monday by King Willem-Alexander at the Huis Ten Bosch in The Hague.

The prime minister was initially more keen on a broad coalition including the left-leaning Groenlinks/PvdA, but this was firmly opposed by VVD leader Dilan Yesilgoz.

Wilders, who shook Europe's political scene to the core with a shock election win in November 2023, saw his fortunes plummet in last year's election.

His PVV party plunged from 37 seats in 2023 to 26 seats after what was widely seen as a lacklustre campaign.

The PVV still finished in second place, but all parties in the coalition had ruled out working with Wilders, leaving him sitting on the sidelines.

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"Not my cabinet," tweeted Wilders.

Other far-right parties have made inroads in Europe's fifth-largest economy, however.

The Forum for Democracy, led by 28-year-old Lidewij de Vos, gained four seats in the 2025 election with a message against "uncontrolled immigration" and "the hopeless EU".

Hard-right party JA21 also shot up the rankings, gaining eight seats and nearly securing a place at the cabinet table before being blocked by Jetten.

bur-ric/ach
The year is 2030.

With spring around the corner, Ukraine has just endured the toughest winter of the war yet. It was Russias eighth winter campaign against the countrys energy infrastructure. Ukraines air defenses have improved. Its grid has grown more resilient. But Russias weapons are deadlier, its drone swarms larger, its tactics more adaptive  inflicting severe damage and forcing millions to live in darkness.

Another U.S. administration has come and gone after promising to end the war swiftly. European leaders are once again renewing sanctions and announcing aid packages on the anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion.

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The United Nations has just released a report calling 2029 the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022, when the full-scale invasion started.

Sounds impossible?

It shouldnt.

Because here we are in 2026, marking four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion  and the pattern is already set. Russia escalates. Ukraine adapts. The West deliberates. Talks resume. Talks stop. The war grinds on  and Ukraine buries its dead.

In 2022, it was hard to imagine this level of destruction lasting more than a year. In 2023, it was hard to imagine it lasting three. Today, the idea that it could continue until 2030 feels unbearable  but not unrealistic.

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Both Ukraine and Russia have demonstrated unwavering determination  one to attack, the other to defend  resulting in a war of attrition that has now lasted for years.

Backed by China and buoyed by continued global demand for its oil, Moscow has sustained its war effort, paying lucrative bonuses to volunteer recruits, upgrading its weapons, and scaling up their production.

With Western  or at this point, European  support, Ukraine has received enough financial and military assistance to keep its guns firing, expand its drone industry and largely hold Russian forces at bay, suffering only incremental territorial losses that come at enormous cost to Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian servicemen of the 59th Brigade mobile air defense unit near Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine, on July 19, 2025. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)

But what about the peace deal that U.S. officials insist is just around the corner?

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When U.S. officials boast about the progress they are making in peace negotiations, they omit an inconvenient but crucial detail.

On the surface, the main barrier to ending the war is a piece of land  specifically, the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk Oblast that Russia wants, and that Ukraine refuses to surrender.

But the impasse is not the land itself.

Russia continues to openly seek nothing less than military-political capitulation from Kyiv, and demanding the bloodless handover of Ukraines most fortified strongholds is just the first step. Ukraine, meanwhile, sees Russias real intentions for exactly what they are, and has no intention of capitulating.

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For Russia, this war is about imperial restoration  whatever name the empire takes this time. Without Ukraine, that project will never materialize.

For Ukraine, the stakes are existential  its sovereignty, its statehood, its identity are on the line.

When both sides view the war in existential terms and both retain external backing, a multi-decade-long conflict is not far-fetched. History offers plenty of such precedents.

So yes, this war could last until 2030  if the Wests current strategy remains unchanged.

In 2022, the West helped Ukraine survive but not win. Too many decisions that could have shifted the balance early  from advanced weapons systems to sweeping sanctions  were delayed, diluted, or delivered incrementally.

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The logic behind this caution was clear: escalate gradually and leave space for Russia to reconsider its course before facing harsher consequences.

Thanks to this, visions of a truly just end to the war, with the return of all occupied territories, have faded.

Four years of full-scale war later, Ukraine is fighting again for survival, and the most important lesson still remains to be learned. Russia does not respond to incentives. It responds to pressure.

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, on Aug. 15, 2025. (Drew Angerer / AFP via Getty Images)

The only way to end this war is to make it militarily and economically impossible for Moscow to continue it.

That would require decisions Western leaders have hesitated to take  from cutting off the remaining lifelines of Russian oil exports, to seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraines defense, to assuming a far greater share of the burden rather than outsourcing the risk almost entirely to Ukrainians  yes, boots on the ground.

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Such steps demand true leadership and political courage  the courage to explain difficult choices to voters, to accept short-term costs, and to act with strategic clarity rather than perpetual caution.

It is the kind of courage Ukrainians showed in the first days of the full-scale invasion, when they chose resistance over surrender and altered the course of history.

After four years of Ukraine doing the impossible, the question is still whether its allies can finally match that resolve.

The next chapter of this war is not predetermined.

It can be another four years of hesitation, incrementalism, and tens of thousands more Ukrainian graves.

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Or it can be the chapter in which the West finally decides that managing the war is no longer enough  and chooses instead to help Ukraine end Russias aggression once and for all.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Orange County Public Schools state funding will be reduced by approximately $17 million for the current school year due to a decrease in student enrollment.

The adjustment follows the latest state education funding calculations.

The reduction was triggered by the third Florida Education Finance Program calculation, which provides an updated student count for the district.

Michael Ollendorff, media relations administrator for OCPS, told Channel 9, The district has been closely monitoring enrollment since the initial forecast for the 2025-2026 school year. As expected, the third FEFP calculation reflects a reduction in funding of roughly $17 million,

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He went on to address how the funding cut will be implemented.

The district will not be required to repay those funds, the State of Florida will withhold the funding from future payments, Ollendorff said.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Ukraine, which has been defending itself against an all-out Russian invasion for four years, is not expected to experience another severe energy crisis this coming winter, according to a new plan announced by the European Union on Tuesday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the plan named "Repair, Rebuild, Restart" during a visit to Kiev to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of Moscow's war on Ukraine.

She said it would be backed by more than 920 million ($1.08 billion) and would ensure a reliable power supply across Ukraine in the winter of 2026-27.

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To achieve this, the decentralized production of renewable energy will be accelerated, and networks damaged by Russian attacks will be rebuilt and modernized, von der Leyen explained. Additionally, damaged power plants are to be repaired.

For immediate assistance this winter, the conservative German politician also announced a new package worth more than 100 million, which she said is available immediately.

This was after the EU failed to approve its 20th sanctions package against Russia and a 90 billion ($105 billion) financial assistance plan for Ukraine, due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.

Ukraine says it is experiencing the worst energy crisis in its history this winter. Due to targeted Russian attacks on infrastructure, millions of people are affected by prolonged power and heating outages.
European Union countries have failed to agree on a 20th package of sanctions against Russia, as the war in Ukraine entered its fifth year on Tuesday.

According to information obtained by dpa by EU diplomats, Hungary in particular continued to block the planned tightening of sanctions against Russia.

During a Monday meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Hungary also reaffirmed its opposition to a multibillion-euro loan for Ukraine. Instead, only a 100 million ($117.8 million) emergency package for Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which EU officials say can be approved without Hungary's backing, is now expected to be announced.

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"This is a setback and a message we did not want to send today," said the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas.

The EU had planned to use the anniversary to send a signal of support to Ukrainians and reaffirm that the bloc would stand by them in their defence against Russian aggression.

EU leaders had also aimed to show Russian President Vladimir Putin that he cannot count on fading European solidarity and should come to the negotiating table.

Hungary conditions sanctions approval on Russian oil flow

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Monday said that his country would only agree to the measures to help Ukraine if Kiev allows the resumption of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.

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Szijjarto accused Kiev of deliberately blocking the use of the pipeline, which runs through Ukraine, for political reasons.

Ukraine says that Russian bombing led to flow of oil being stopped at the end of January.

Budapest's position was supported by Slovakia. Like Hungary, Slovakia still purchases large quantities of Russian crude oil and says that it cannot guarantee its energy security without the supplies.

"I am astonished by Hungary's position," said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul as he arrived at the foreign ministers' meeting.

"I do not believe it is right for Hungary to betray its own struggle for freedom and European sovereignty," Wadephul said, alluding to the Soviet Union's decades-long rule of Hungary following World War II.

War anniversary in Kiev

Ministers had been expected to formally sign off on the 90 billion EU loan and the bloc's 20th package of sanctions on Russia.

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On Tuesday, a group of senior EU officials plan to travel to Kiev to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022.

European Council President Antonio Costa, who is among them, said in a letter to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban that he would "raise this matter directly" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"A decision taken by the European Council must be respected. When leaders reach a consensus, they are bound by their decision. Any breach of this commitment constitutes a violation of the principle of sincere cooperation," Costa wrote.

Even prior to the meeting, Orban had said that Budapest would block both measures unless the Druzhba pipeline supplies resume.

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"I think we shouldn't tie together things that are not connected to each other at all," said Kallas.

Critical aid for Ukraine

The 90 billion loan was initially agreed by EU leaders, including Orban, in December and then approved by the European Parliament, but still needs to be formally signed off by EU ministers.

The funding is intended to meet Ukraine's financial and military needs until the end of 2027, enabling it to further resist Moscow's larger military might.

The EU's 20th package of sanctions is to include a ban on maritime services related to exports of Russian crude oil.

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In addition, the European Commission has proposed additional financial restrictions to further constrain Russia's ability to carry out international payments to fund economic activities.

There are fears in Brussels that Orban is instrumentalizing the conflict for his current election campaign.

Last week, Orban claimed without any evidence that Ukraine was interested in him losing Hungary's parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12.
Top European Union officials joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Tuesday to mark four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, reaffirming Europe's backing for the war-ravaged country.

However, internal divisions within the bloc over sanctions and financial aid threatened to undercut the show of unity.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa placed candles alongside Zelensky at a memorial on Independence Square to those who have died fighting the Russians and observed a minute of silence for the victims of the war.

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Earlier, Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska formally welcomed foreign dignitaries at St Sophia's Cathedral, where representatives of various religious denominations prayed for Ukraines victory and a "just peace."

Russia launched the invasion on February 24, 2022. According to Zelensky, around 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since then, though observers estimate higher figures.

The United Nations says more than 15,000 civilians have been killed and another 41,000 injured in Europe's largest war since World War II.

Estimates based on Russian public data suggest roughly 220,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, although Western and Ukrainian officials have put the number significantly higher.

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"Europe stands unwaveringly with Ukraine, financially, militarily, and through this harsh winter," von der Leyen wrote on X upon arrival.

Costa praised the "courage and determination of the Ukrainian people" and said Ukraine had made impressive progress toward EU membership despite being at war.

Von der Leyen and Costa travelled to Kiev by train, joined by several national leaders, including from Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Croatia.

In a video message, Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin had failed in his objectives.

"Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood; Putin has not achieved his goals," he said.

EU divisions on full display

The anniversary events were shadowed by Hungary and Slovakias refusal to approve the European Unions 20th sanctions package against Russia and a 90 billion ($105 billion) financial assistance plan for Ukraine.

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The package, which includes 60 billion earmarked for Ukraines military, had been expected to receive formal approval after EU leaders endorsed it in December.

But Hungary, supported by Slovakia, vetoed the measures this week, citing a halt in Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine.

Budapest accuses Kiev of blocking the pipeline for political reasons, while Ukrainian officials say disruptions since late January were caused by Russian bombardment.

Zelensky urged the EU to approve the loan package, calling it "a real financial guarantee of our security and our resilience."

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Costa sharply criticized Hungarys stance, calling it "completely unacceptable" for a member state to disregard agreements reached by EU leaders.

EU officials are instead expected to announce a 100 million emergency package for Ukraines energy infrastructure, which does not require Hungarys backing.

Europe marks anniversary

Across Europe, leaders and ministers marked the anniversary with pledges of continued support.

The German, French and Polish foreign ministers issued a joint video message praising Ukraines unbreakable spirit and vowing to stand behind the country as long as it takes.

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French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were organizing a virtual meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of more than 30 countries backing Ukraine.

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister Wadephul attended a prayer service for peace at Berlins French Cathedral, while a solidarity rally was held at the Brandenburg Gate. Similar events took place in other German cities.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin acknowledged that Russia has yet to achieve its war aims.

"The objectives have not been fully achieved so far, which is why the special military operation continues," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS, using Moscows official term for the war.

He said Russia remained open to a diplomatic settlement but insisted its conditions were well known, accusing the West of seeking to "destroy" Russia as the conflict enters its fifth year.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa are expected in Kiev on Tuesday as Ukraine marks the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion.

The two EU chiefs are due to attend a memorial ceremony with several European leaders and express their solidarity with Ukraine.

They also plan to visit locations damaged by Russia's aerial campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

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However, the visit is overshadowed by Hungary and Slovakia blocking new sanctions against Russia.

Hungary on Monday also vetoed a 90 billion ($106 billion) EU support package for Ukraine, of which 60 billion is earmarked specifically for its defence against the Russian attack.

The two countries are regarded as having the closest relations with Moscow among the EU member states.

At the international level, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are organizing a video conference of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, which includes Germany, to mark the anniversary.

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Senior EU politicians gathered in Kiev also want to take part in the conference.

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will commemorate the war and the many thousands of dead and injured at a prayer service for peace at the French Cathedral in Berlin.

A solidarity rally for Ukraine is also planned for the evening at the Brandenburg Gate in the capital. Similar events are also taking place in other German cities, including Bremen, Stuttgart, Munich and Cologne.
Quick Read

Microsoft (MSFT) stock fell 17% year-to-date and trades at a P/E ratio under 25. This matches 2015 valuation levels.

Microsofts Copilot adoption remains at 3.3% of 450M commercial seats. Large enterprise deals require discounts of 40% to 60%.

Copilots U.S. paid subscriber share dropped 39% from 18.8% in July to 11.5% in January.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its products more extensively than most of its peers, with tools like Copilot embedded across its software suite and its Azure AI infrastructure sold out in key regions.Bullish analyses often focus on its potential to monetize Copilot through paid upgrades, but current adoption remains low at 3.3% of its user base.

The market, though, appears skeptical, with Microsoft stock down 17% year-to-date and a drop of about 26% from its 52-week high around $555 per share. Shares now trade at a price-to-earnings ratio under 25, equivalent to where it traded back in 2015 when ratios hovered in the mid-20s. Considering the potential its AI integration holds, does Microsoft deserve this decade-low multiple?

Copilot's Reach in a Massive User Base

Microsoft 365 Copilot is available to over 450 million commercial paid seats -- or the number of authorized users or devices allowed to access a software application -- providing a built-in platform for AI features like document summarization and data analysis in apps such as Word and Excel. This entrenchment positions Copilot for widespread use, with 15 million paid seats reported in January, reflecting 160% year-over-year growth. Azure, Microsoft's cloud service, also incorporates Copilot capabilities, enhancing its appeal for enterprise workloads.

Azure's AI infrastructure is experiencing high demand, with capacity sold out as demand backlog has doubled to $625 billion, partly driven by OpenAI-related commitments. Azure revenue grew 39% in the fourth quarter.

However, the sold-out status stems more from supply constraints than unlimited demand. These include power shortages, equipment delays, and physical limits on data center expansion, with Microsoft acknowledging that constraints will persist at least through the end of its fiscal year in June. Such limitations could enable competitors like Amazon's (NASDAQ:AMZN) AWS and Google Cloud to capture market share by fulfilling orders faster in underserved areas, potentially slowing Microsoft's ability to convert its backlog into revenue at the desired pace.
By Lili Bayer

BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Reuters) - An EU internal memo has raised security concerns about the escape of thousands of people from a detention camp holding relatives of suspected Islamic State fighters in northeastern Syria, suggesting militant groups could recruit from them.

The memo, sent from the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union to member states and dated February 23, said the status of third-country nationals who had fled the camp at al-Hol remained unclear and that it was reported that a majority of them had escaped.

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"This raises concerns about how terrorist groups might seek to capitalise on the current situation to increase recruitment efforts among escapees," said the memo, which was reviewed by Reuters.

PRISONERS INCLUDED THOUSANDS OF FOREIGNERS

Al-Hol, near the Iraqi border, was one of the main detention camps for relatives of suspected Islamic State fighters who were detained during the U.S.-backed campaign against the jihadist group in Syria.

Control of the camp changed hands in January, when Syrian government forces under President Ahmed al-Sharaa drove the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces from the area.

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The SDF had guarded the facility for years.

The camp's population was 23,407 people the day before the government takeover, including 6,280 foreigners from more than 40 nationalities, Reuters reported last week, citing official data from the camp.

The U.S. military said on February 13 it had completed a mission to transfer 5,700 adult male Islamic State fighters from jails in Syria to Iraq. It had originally said up to 7,000 prisoners could eventually be transferred. The EU memo noted that the initial target was not met.

'CHAOTIC TAKEOVER'

In a section entitled "Security concerns stemming from the evolving situation in northeast Syria", the EU memo said the "chaotic takeover led to the collapse of security and services in the al-Hol camp, triggering the escape of a significant portion of its population".

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The U.N. refugee agency in Syria and the Syrian government "have confirmed that an uncontrolled exodus has occurred over the past few weeks", it added.

Damascus has accused the SDF of withdrawing from al-Hol on January 20 without any coordination. The SDF has said its forces had been "compelled" to withdraw from the camp to areas surrounding cities which it said were under threat.

A Syrian government security source told Reuters last week that the security authorities, working in cooperation with international partners, had established a unit to "pursue those who are wanted".

The SDF had guarded prisons holding thousands of Islamic State militants in northeast Syria, in addition to al-Hol and a second camp at Roj, which also holds relatives of suspected jihadists.

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The EU memo said the capacity of Damascus "to manage these facilities is assessed as limited and facing significant operational challenges". It noted that the government's stated intent to gradually phase out al-Hol camp had "been overtaken by recent events, which raise grave security concerns".

The EU memo said that al-Hol and Roj camps were hosting around 25,000 people, primarily women and children, "with many of these being highly radicalised and living in degrading humanitarian and security conditions".

Roj camp remains under the control of the SDF for now.

Last week, the SDF released 34 Australian nationals from Roj, only for them to return later. The Australian government has ruled out helping families of IS militants return home. Roj is also home to British-born Shamima Begum.

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The EU memo said there was "reason for concern regarding the possible escape of families" from Roj once the Syrian government takes control.

Syria's Information Ministry and the U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Additional reporting by Firas Dalatey; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alex Richardson)
European foreign ministers on Tuesday paid tribute to Ukraine's "unbreakable spirit" four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion that continues to cause widespread destruction and death.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul took to X to share a joint video message with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Poland's Radosaw Sikorski and their Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha to voice continued European support for Kiev on the anniversary of the war, which started on February 24, 2022.

"Four years of bravery. Four years of sacrifice. Four years of unbreakable spirit. Four years of defending freedom," the ministers said in the message.

"For us. For you. For Ukraine. For Europe. We stand behind you as long as it takes."
Shortly after leading European politicians visited Kiev on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's war against Ukraine, the Russian Air Force attacked Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, killing two.

The two died in an explosion, the regional military administrator Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram. Five other civilians ranging in age from 21 to 71 were injured and taken to hospital.

In addition, numerous houses were damaged by bomb hits and there could still be more victims under the rubble, Hanzha said.

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On the fourth anniversary of the start the war, Russian troops initially scaled back their activities on the front lines. The General Staff in Kiev reported only 50 armed clashes along various sections of the front, compared to the usual 80 seen daily.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, and his wife Olena Zelenska are joined by EU Commission President Urusla von der Leyen, EU Council President Antonio Costa, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a commemoration ceremony for the 4th anniversary of the Russian war on Ukraine. -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa

EU Commission President Urusula von der Leyen and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrive to a commemoration ceremony for the 4th anniversary of the Russian war on Ukraine. -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa
As Massachusetts continues to dig itself out from the aftermath of Mondays powerful noreaster, Eversource says help is on the way from outside the Bay State.

Residents on Cape Cod, the Islands, and Plymouth and Bristol Counties were hit the hardest by Mondays blizzard and hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters were without power late Monday night.

While Eversource says more than 1,000 crews have already helped restore power to 116,000 customers as of 10 p.m. Monday, more crews from New Hampshire, western Massachusetts, and Connecticut will arrive to help get the Bay State running again.

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According to the MEMA outage map, 272,604 customers, mostly with National Grid and Eversource, were without power as of 1030 p.m. Monday.

Of the outages, more than 155,000 were in Barnstable County. Plymouth County also had over 70,000 outages.

Eastham police said Monday night that the entire Cape Cod community was without power on Monday.

Doug Foley, Eversources President of Massachusetts Electric Operations, says the restoration efforts are part of a large-scale, multi-day operation.

We already had resources pre-staged, but it simply wasnt safe to start the restoration. Customers will see a massive influx of additional crews across the Cape and other coastal communities  including bucket trucks, tree crews and damage assessors, working as quickly as safely possible to bring our customers back online. Even though the storm is beginning to ease, conditions on the ground remain extremely difficult. Crews are dealing with deep snow, blocked roads, narrow access points, and downed lines that are buried and hard to see, Foley said. Working closely with our municipal partners on snow removal and access is essential to clearing blockages and reaching damage locations safely. Were bringing in additional crews from across New England to sustain this effort, and we will be working around-the-clock until the job is done.

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Eversource reminded customers to stay clear of downed wires, which may be hidden by snow, report them immediately to 9-1-1, and use extreme caution during storm cleanup.

Eversource is expected to hold a press conference on Tuesday morning to further detail restoration efforts.

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Kathy Manke, who over a nearly 50-year period shepherded two of Tacomas oldest bars, The Cloverleaf and The Spar Tavern, died earlier this month after a reported battle with cancer. She was 85.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Kathy Manke  Mom, Sister, GG, Grandma, Friend and Mentor, The Spar Tavern posted to Facebook and Instagram on Valentines Day. After a long battle with cancer, she peacefully passed on February 13 with family by her side. There is not a person who has met her that didnt love her. She had a positive impact on so many lives and will be greatly missed.

A staff member who answered the phone Monday afternoon agreed that everbody knew Kathy. She still frequented the restaurant, especially for jazz and blues nights with local musicians.

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Among the many comments and condolences on social media, locals and former Tacomans alike shared memories of meeting Manke at the Old Town bar, which operated as the Old Tacoma Saloon in the early 20th century before becoming a restaurant in the 1920s called The Spar.

She was dedicated to making The Spar work, wrote one, adding that he visited often in the 1990s. Another noted that Manke was among the first bar owners to institute a no-smoking rule  years before the state banned indoor smoking in 2005.

According to a 1993 review in The Seattle Times, in which the writer praised the charming space and the $5.95 fish and chips, Manke didnt relegate the non-smokers to a corner. She opened up the spacious back room for dining, so guests could catch views of Commencement Bay below. In fact, the big windows had been boarded up before she took over; she also had plaster removed from the walls to reveal the big wooden beams and the red turn-of-the-century brick that feel intrinsic to The Spars soul.

Manke purchased the somewhat run-down bar in 1988 with a friend, Suzanne Simchuk, who later departed the business. Taverns, she said, were not just a place to get drunk. They were gathering places, and under her stewardship, The Spar grew in size and stature, becoming a locals haunt (for Spar-flies, to those in the know) and a family-friendly hangout that remains in the family. In 2018, she sold it to her son Kris Manke and granddaughters Rena Manke and Adrielle Flinders, who continue to own and operate it today.

Manke, second from right, discusses an upcoming sea-to-ski, 50-mile relay race with her teammates, including Simchuk, second from left, at The Spar in 1994. (Geff Hinds/The News Tribune Archives)

The Spar was not Mankes first restaurant rodeo. She had previously owned and operated another Tacoma icon, The Cloverleaf, with her then-husband Lennard Manke. That experience, which lasted about a decade, taught her the ins and outs of the business and the importance of being a good boss, according to an obituary posted on the website of Gaffney Funeral Home. In a 1994 News Tribune article, Lennard told the reporter that the pizzeria was humming in no small part because of Manke.

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She went on to manage Engine House No. 9 and saved enough money to buy The Spar with Simchuk.

Kathleen Griswold Manke was born Nov. 15, 1940 in Tacoma, the oldest of four children. Her mother suffered from tuberculosis and lived in a sanatorium for some of her early childhood, which helped lay the foundation of Kathys keen ability to wade through difficult times with grace and dignity, her obituary reads.

On top of the stress and rigor required to run a successful bar and restaurant, she was active in a local Rotary Club chapter, sponsoring several exchange students, and volunteered with the Job Carr Cabin Museum in Old Town.

The museum shared on Instagram last week that Manke had served on its first executive committee.

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We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Kathy Manke, long-time friend and volunteer of the cabin  Her passing will be greatly felt in the Old Town Tacoma community, the post read.

An avid reader, sailor and traveler, Manke was known to gift books for almost every occasion and took to the waters around the world, including in Alaska, Chesapeake Bay and across the pond in Ireland. Her family took annual trips from their home in Fox Island to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, according to her obituary, and often vacationed in Hawaii.

The Spar is considered to be among the oldest taverns in Tacoma. Manke revitalized it in the 1980s and 90s, restoring the brick building and opening up the back room to soak in the view. The family also operated a cafe in the adjoining space, now occupied by the sister-owned and operated Curran Coffee. (Dean J. Koepfler/The News Tribune Archives)

Manke is survived by her two brothers, James and Michael Griswold; her children, Colleen Davis (Karl), Kris Manke (Colleen) and Tim Manke (Julie); six grandchildren, including Rena Manke and Flinders, and 12 great-grandchildren.

St. Leo Catholic Church at 710 S. 13th St. in Tacoma will hold a funeral service at noon on Feb. 24. The Spar will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday to accommodate the attendance of staff, friends and family.

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In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Rachel Lynn Henley Foundation, which supports pediatric cancer research and families dealing with sarcoma, a type of tissue cancer that comprises around 20% of all childhood cancer diagnoses, according to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.
A federal employee and his accomplice were sentenced to prison for a scheme to resell electronic devices purchased with a government-issued credit card.

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Dustin Jagger, 41, of Canton, and Damarco McKinley, 26, of Cleveland, were each sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for their roles in the theft and resale of government property, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Northern District of Ohio.

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Jagger used his position as a logistics employee at the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center to purchase nearly $200,000 worth of iPhones, iPads, and other electronics.

According to court documents, Jagger kept some of the items and sold others for cash through an online marketplace. A portion of the products was sold to McKinley for resale in Chicago.

U.S. District Judge Dan A. Polster handed down the sentences, which include three years of supervised release for both men.

Jagger was ordered to pay approximately $198,183.84 in restitution.

Of that amount, $29,124.56 must be paid jointly with McKinley, according to the office.

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Jagger previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property, while McKinley pleaded guilty to interstate transportation of stolen goods in October.

The scheme was uncovered after McKinley was stopped for a traffic violation in Indiana.

At the time of the stop, McKinley had more than $29,000 worth of electronics that Jagger had purchased with the medical centers credit card.

During the investigation into McKinley, federal agents seized 16 iPhones and eight iPads purchased with the medical centers credit card.

Agents also recovered a Glock 43 handgun with one round in the chamber, a loaded magazine, $4,262 in cash, and credit cards issued in other peoples names.

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Jaggers house in Canton was also searched. Authorities found the government credit card, speakers, soundbars, adapters, and headphones.

Any federal employee who abuses their position for personal gain, contributes to the erosion of the publics trust, United States Attorney David M. Toepfer said. He added that such actions waste tax dollars and show disrespect for veterans.

The Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.

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A new report from the United Nations shows staggering levels of food waste around the world, especially in India, which is part of a vicious cycle.

What's happening?

According to the new report, extreme heatwaves and severe flooding have worsened the food crisis in India.

According to one study, 30-40% of all food produced in India is wasted, as noted by Impakter. The publication also reported that the average Indian household discards approximately 121 pounds (55 kilograms) of food each year.

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The nation wastes roughly 87.5 million tons of food, valued at over $10.15 billion (920.7 billion Indian rupees). According to the Shaksham Foundation, over 224 million Indians are undernourished, and one in every three children under five is stunted due to malnutrition.

The rate of food waste in India is particularly troubling, given how many households suffer from food insecurity. A lack of food isn't the problem; poor infrastructure, agricultural practices, and consumer mindsets are.

Why is food waste in India so concerning?

This food waste is part of a brutal cycle. The immense waste drives up grocery costs, making it more difficult for vulnerable communities to access adequate nutrition.

A different UN report found that India is the world's third-largest methane emitter, according to DownToEarth. Methane is a gas that worsens air pollution and is produced by waste.

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The excessive methane pollution from India are driven by a combination of burning crop residue to make room for new crops and loading up landfills with food waste.

Much of the waste stems from climate-driven weather, such as heatwaves and floods. But food waste created by extreme weather events then emits methane, which worsens pollution and leads to more weather disasters.

The cycle is leaving millions of Indians hungry or undernourished, and creating a feedback loop of dangerous weather conditions and severe air pollution. Without intervention, the problem will only grow more dire. People and the planet are suffering, and good food is going to waste.

What's being done to reduce food waste in India?

The report included strategies for managing food waste. These included protecting vulnerable populations from rising food costs, aligning policies to stabilize markets, investing in data collection and analysis, and prioritizing industry-wide measures with lasting impact.

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Investing in resilient agrifood systems and new technologies is also recommended. Luckily, scientists are developing exciting new approaches to farming that aim to tackle severe food waste.

Innovative tactics, such as soilless farming, crop evaluation using artificial intelligence, and flood-resistant materials, can improve crop yields in the face of a changing climate.

Food waste must be tackled on multiple levels. From policy implementation and farm production to grocery infrastructure and household habits, solving this food waste problem requires everyone's participation and care.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
When large mansions started popping up in the midst of a protected national park in Sierra Leone, many people wondered how such a thing could be possible.

An in-depth investigation has revealed that the country's own government facilitated the construction on environmentally significant, protected lands, according to The Associated Press.

What's happening?

At least 50 different mansions have appeared amid Western Area Peninsula National Park, leading to questions of how the construction had been allowed, and by whom.

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An internal government examination into the matter, only recently made public, found that senior government officials had themselves handed the land rights over to wealthy private parties.

When the AP visited the site recently, some construction projects were still underway, the outlet reported.

As part of the private construction, "widespread and indiscriminate clearing of the forested areas" has taken place, according to Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission, per the AP.

Why is it important?

The protected area, where a construction ban is still nominally in place, is near a significant reservoir that provides water to 90% of the residents of nearby Freetown, Sierra Leone. The government's own report called the situation "an environmental time bomb that needs to be nipped in the bud," according to the AP.

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Freetown is home to more than 1.4 million residents, according to World Population Review.

The situation has underscored the importance of protecting natural lands and also the challenges of instituting and maintaining such protections.

According to the AP, the lands where the mansions now sit consisted of rainforests as recently as 2019.

What's being done about it?

The first step to putting an end to the illegal construction is to expose the practice and those responsible for it. Despite having been commissioned roughly four years ago, the investigation's findings have only recently been made public.

Authorities and environmental advocates around the world have faced similar challenges in protecting natural lands. For example, in Brazil, opponents have pushed back against the planned development of a multibillion-dollar paper and pulp mill that would be built within a designated conservation area.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Does a viral post prove that U.S. President Donald Trump called C-SPAN to complain about the Supreme Court's decision making his previous sweeping tariffs on foreign goods illegal? No, that's not true: The caller who introduced himself as "John Barron" was not identified as Trump anywhere except for social media. The TV channel issued a statement refuting the rumor that it was Trump calling under a made-up name.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) published on February 22, 2026. It opened:

That's the funniest thing I've ever heard. It's definitely him. The president is a child. Who does that??? Also, God help us.

The post shared a fragment from the C-SPAN broadcast. The lower banner seen on the screen read:

6-3 SUPREME COURT DECISION STRIKES DOWN TRUMP TARIFFS.

The video contained the following exchange between the TV host and the caller whose voice sounded strikingly similar to that of Trump:

HOST: John in Virginia, Republican, let's hear from you. CALLER: Well, this is John Barron, and you have... look, you have this is the worst decision you ever have in your life, practically... Jack... and Jack is going to agree with me, right? But this is a terrible decision. And you have Hakeem Jeffries, who is... he's a dope. And you have Chuck Schumer, who can't cook a cheeseburger. Of course, these people are happy. Of course, these people are happy, but true Americans will not be happy. And you have the woman earlier -- I assume she's a woman, she's a Democrat -- but she said she's just, she's disgraced, she's devastated. HOST: All right, John, we'll go to Chester, who's in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Democratic caller.

This is what the clip looked like on X at the time of writing:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of post at x.com/cenkuygur

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The clip was an unaltered fragment from an authentic February 20, 2026, C-SPAN broadcast dedicated to the discussion about the Supreme Court decision (archived here) that banned Trump's tariffs on foreign goods. The material reused in the post on X can be found at the 44:55 mark in the full recording of the program (archived here) published under the title:

Supreme Court Decision on President Trump's Tariffs. Viewer calls and other reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on President Trump's authority to impose tariffs.

The video's description said nothing about Trump calling in to complain on that day.

A search on the C-SPAN website, however, showed two different - much shorter -- clips that referred (archived here) to the caller in question as Trump. But those were user-generated videos, and they were marked as such.

According to a 2016 Washington Post article (archived here), Trump once introduced himself as "John Barron" to act as his own spokesperson.

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On February 22, 2026, C-SPAN issued a statement (archived here), refuting the claim on X. It read:

Because so many of you are talking about Friday's C-SPAN caller who identified himself as 'John Barron,' we want to put this to rest: it was not the president. The call came from a central Virginia phone number and came while the president was in a widely covered, in-person White-House meeting with the governors.

A search on Google News for the keywords seen here (archived here) showed that no credible media organizations identified the caller who used Trump's pseudonym as the real Trump.

Lead Stories reached out for additional comments to C-SPAN and the White House, but did not receive an immediate response. If we hear back, this story will be updated as appropriate.
Did California pay the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) more than $100 million mainly to fund protests as a viral social media post said? No, that's not true: California's payments to CHIRLA were overwhelmingly tied to immigration legal services and social welfare programs. There is no evidence in state budget records that any funds were used to pay or organize protesters.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on X on February 22, 2026. The text in the post read:

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT PAYING PROTESTORS OVER $100M I have discovered that the state of California is using taxpayer funds to subsidize non-profit organizations whose core function is to organize protests. CHIRLA (@CHIRLA) has taken over $100M alone in tax-payer funds according to the state expenditure website. Based on their website, CHIRLA's primary function is protest-related activities and left-wing advocacy. They have been protesting and advocating since 1986 and take credit for some Newsom policies. Source: https://open.fiscal.ca.gov/transparency.html

This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing:

Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot of X post.

The social media post links to the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal) website, which shows how the state manages its finances. The image from the post is a screenshot from the FI$Cal site, sorted for payments to CHIRLA. Using the same website (archived here), Lead Stories also came up with the $115 million payout to CHIRLA for the 2019-2025 fiscal years:

Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot of FI$Cal website.

State of California

The bar graphs on the site show that $113 million of the $115 million, or 98%, paid to CHIRLA by the state in those years came from California's Department of Social Services. A budget document (archived here) says:

The mission of the Department of Social Services is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence. The Department accomplishes its mission through the operation and oversight of a variety of programs that provide cash assistance, social services, disability evaluation, community care licensing, and other services.

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The document shows three years of expenditures (2022-2024 fiscal years), and there is no evidence that any program directly funds protests or protesters. There are no state-funded or federally funded line items for protest payments, activist stipends, demonstration organizing, or political advocacy activities. All state funds are tied to public assistance, health and human services, caregiving, disability eligibility, protective services, and administrative operations.

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

Jorge-Mario Cabrera, director of communications for CHIRLA, said in a February 23, 2026, email to Lead Stories that "CHIRLA has not received any state funding for organizing or civic engagement," adding "CHIRLA's engagement and advocacy work does not include paying for protesters." He also disputed the post's claim that the group's "core function [was] to organize protests," saying:

CHIRLA empowers immigrant communities through education, litigation, advocacy, and organizing efforts as well [as] offer legal immigration services including family petitions, U-visa and VAWA [Violence Against Women Act] applications, naturalizations, deportation defense, and DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] renewals and college services. We offer community education programs, such as workshops on workers rights and immigrant Know Your Rights, and available support systems. And we engage in advocacy and civic engagement, registered people to vote, encouraging to participate in elections, and advocate for changes in policy around housing, healthcare, immigration, education, and other issues.

CHIRLA has been accused of funding the June 2025 protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, some of which became violent. The non-profit has held press events opposing immigration roundups but denies funding or participating in the protests. Cabrera added:
Quick Read

Dominion Energy (D) grew Q4 revenue 20% to $4.09B on data center electricity demand in northern Virginia.

Dominions net income surged to $567M from $59M. Operating income nearly doubled to $756M.

Dominions offshore wind project generated $258M in unrecoverable cost charges.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) posted Q4 2025 revenue of $4.09 billion, up 20% year-over-year, as surging data center electricity demand in northern Virginia continues to reshape the utility's growth profile. The results reinforce a broader thesis: AI infrastructure is becoming a genuine earnings driver for regulated utilities, not just a talking point.

The headline EPS of $0.68 narrowly missed the $0.69 consensus estimate, but the underlying numbers tell a stronger story. Operating income nearly doubled year-over-year to $756 million, and net income surged to $567 million from just $59 million in Q4 2024. The Virginia segment, Dominion's largest, generated $536 million in operating earnings, with customer usage growth in Loudoun County (the epicenter of U.S. data center construction) cited as a key driver.

For 2026, management guided to operating EPS of $3.45 to $3.69, with long-term annual growth of 5% to 7% through 2030, biased toward the upper half from 2028 onward. Dividend investors should note the ex-dividend date falls on February 27, 2026, just days away, with a current yield of approximately 4.1%.

Risks remain real. The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project generated $258 million in charges tied to unrecoverable costs, and interest expense climbed to $509 million in Q4 from $444 million a year ago. Management will address data center load growth projections and CVOW cost recovery on the 11:00 AM ET earnings call todaytwo items analysts are closely watching for context on Dominion Energy near-term outlook.

Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

And no, its got nothing to do with increasing your income, savings, clipping coupons, or even cutting back on your lifestyle. Its much more straightforward (and powerful) than any of that. Frankly, its shocking more people dont adopt the habit given how easy it is.
Claim:

An image authentically shows U.S. first lady Melania Trump pole dancing for disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In late February 2026, internet users circulated an image they claimed showed U.S. first lady Melania Trump pole dancing for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The image spread after the U.S. Department of Justice released more than 3 million files related to Epstein in late January.

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The alleged photograph spread widely on Facebook, with some users claiming that it was from a section of the Epstein files that was supposed to be redacted.

(Facebook user "David Vandygriff")

The earliest example of the image we found appeared on Feb. 9 on the Instagram page of the British artist Alison Jackson, who according to her website creates "convincingly realistic photographs, films and sculpture depicting celebrities doing things in private." The Instagram post with the picture had a caption reading, "Apparently, Melania was introduced to Donald Trump by Epstein" as well as a disclaimer stating, "Fictional image. No factual claims implied." As a result, we've rated the image fake.

We messaged Jackson's Instagram page to confirm she created the image in question and will update this story if we learn more.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/DUijnCNCPNp/

Snopes has previously debunked other images featuring famous people created by the same artist. For a previous story about a fake image of U.S. President Donald Trump and Epstein getting their feet washed by a girl, a spokesperson for Jackson told us: "The image was created by Alison Jackson, she uses lookalikes of the public figures and makes them look realistic, she also uses Ai  it's a bit of both."

We searched for the image in the Epstein files made available by the DOJ and found no such photograph in the files. A reverse image search also found no credible sources sharing the purported photograph. If this image were actually in the files, major media outlets would have widely covered it.

We also ran the image through Google Gemini's SynthID check, a tool that scans for embedded watermarks input through AI software. That scan found no SynthID watermark and concluded that it was not created using Google's AI, but noted "SynthID only detects Google's specific watermark, so it cannot determine if the image was created or altered using other AI tools or software like Photoshop."

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We also analyzed the image using other AI detection tools. Hive Moderation and Zero-GPT determined it was highly likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content. Sight Engine determined it was unlikely to be AI-generated. (Research shows AI-detection software is imperfect and readers should consider the tools' results with skepticism.)

The image has several red flags that indicate it was either AI-generated or heavily edited. First, the shadow behind the woman's figure is inconsistent and does not cast the same dark shade onto Epstein seated behind her while appearing to be lit in the same way. Second, the woman's fingers appear cut off around the pole. Third, it is unclear where the shadow on the bed between the pole and the woman's legs is coming from.

Snopes has previously investigated an image claiming to show Melania Trump, Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell and a few young women or teenage girls. Snopes has also analyzed the unsubstantiated claim that Melania Trump was an escort before meeting her now-husband President Donald Trump at a party thrown by Maxwell.

Sources:

Epstein Library. Department of Justice, https://www.justice.gov/epstein. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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Ibrahim, Nur. "Investigating Alleged Photo of Melania Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell and Unidentified Girls." Snopes, 7 Feb. 2026, https://www.snopes.com//news/2026/02/07/melania-trump-ghislaine-maxwell-girls-photo/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

Izzo, Jack. "Unraveling Claim Melania Was an Escort before Meeting Trump at Ghislaine Maxwell Party." Snopes, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/09/01/melania-trump-escort-ghislaine-maxwell-party/. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

Kar, Sujita Kumar, et al. "How Sensitive Are the Free AI-Detector Tools in Detecting AI-Generated Texts? A Comparison of Popular AI-Detector Tools." Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, vol. 47, no. 3, May 2025, pp. 27578. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176241247934. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

Office of Public Affairs | Department of Justice Publishes 3.5 Million Responsive Pages in Compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act | United States Department of Justice. 30 Jan. 2026, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-files. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

"Verify Google AI-Generated Images, Videos, and Audio with SynthID." Gemini Apps Help. https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/16722517. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.


Do photos and social media accounts of Austin Tucker Martin reveal him to be transgender? No, that's not true: The photos purporting to show Martin, who was killed while allegedly armed and breaking into President Trump's private Mar-a-Lago club, are mislabeled. They show an unidentified person who does not resemble verified family photos of Martin. No credible reporting about Austin Tucker Martin says that he was transgender.

The photos appeared in a post (archived here) published on X by @kinocopter on Feb. 22, 2026. It was captioned:

 Austin Tucker who was shot and killed trying to breach Mar-a-Lago with a gun this morning has been discovered to be trans after uncovering his social media accounts which have since been deleted.

These are the two mislabeled images included with the post:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from x.com/kinocopter/status/2025644355260924120.

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from X.

The two images above show an unidentified person who is not Austin Tucker Martin. Reverse image searches with Google Lens return just a few social media posts from the past day which repeat the same baseless claim. These images have not been published by credible news outlets.

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Martin's family in North Carolina had reported him missing. A poster with a photo of him wearing a grey winter coat and tinted eye glasses (pictured below) was circulated with the Carthage, North Carolina Police Department phone number.

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from Yahoo News.

Martin was shot after 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 22, 2026 by two secret service agents and a Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy after he entered Trump's Palm Beach, Florida Mar-a-Lago estate. A press briefing led by Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw is embedded below (archived here).

On Feb. 22, 2026 the Moore County North Carolina Sheriff's Office posted (archived here) a clarification on Facebook. It read in part:

Moore County Sheriff's Office Provides Clarification Regarding Missing Person Report

The Moore County Sheriff's Office confirms that on February 22, 2026, at approximately 1:38 a.m., a relative of 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin approached a deputy at a local business and reported him missing. He was subsequently entered into a national missing person database.

Following that report, federal authorities informed the Sheriff's Office that they are conducting an active investigation in Florida involving Martin. At their request, the missing person case information has been turned over to federal investigators.

The Moore County Sheriff's Office had no prior history involving Martin before the missing person report.

Another photo of Martin, pictured with his family (below) has appeared in many press reports, including The Sun (archived here) originating from the Facebook account of Melissa Martin. Austin Tucker Martin is on the right side of the photo in the blue shirt. He does not resemble the person in the post from @kinocopter.

martinfamily.jpg

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(Image source: Lead Stories screenshot from The Sun Newspaper.)



There is no indication that Martin was transgender. A search of Google News for "Austin Tucker Martin, Transgender" (archived here) did not produce any relevant results. Some news articles were about the Mar-a-Lago incident but do not mention the word transgender, other articles were about mass shootings by transgender people, but do not mention the officer-involved shooting of Martin at Mar-a-Lago.
By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump says he should get the Nobel Peace Prize after wading into eight conflicts since taking office last January. But the issues that caused many remain unresolved and conflict has flared again in some of the regions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and along the border between Cambodia and Thailand.

Here are some of the international disputes where Trump has intervened:

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ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN

Trump brought together the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan on August 8 to sign a joint declaration pledging to seek peaceful relations between nations that have been at odds since the late 1980s.

"I got to know them through trade," Trump said later in a radio interview. "I was dealing with them a little bit, and I said, 'Why you guys fighting?' Then I said, 'I'm not going to do a trade deal if you guys are going to fight. It's crazy.'"

The two countries had committed to a ceasefire in 2023. In March, they said they had agreed on the text of a draft peace agreement, but that deal has not been signed.

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The subsequent White House-brokered declaration falls short of a formal peace treaty that would place legally binding obligations on both sides. Issues remain, including whether an agreement requires Armenia to revise its constitution.

The leaders struck economic agreements with Washington that granted the U.S. development rights to a strategic transit corridor through southern Armenia. The Trump administration said this would allow for more energy exports. In documents released at the time, the corridor was named after Trump. U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited both countries in February, signing a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan and a nuclear deal with Armenia.

CAMBODIA AND THAILAND

Tensions remain between Thailand and Cambodia despite the fragile ceasefire earlier brokered in part by Trump.

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The U.S. president had helped bring Thailand to the table for talks after long-simmering tensions with Cambodia spilled over in July into a five-day military conflict, the deadliest fighting between the two in more than a decade.

Trump had reached out to then-acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai two days after fighting erupted along a stretch of the border. Trump withheld trade deals with both countries until the conflict ended.

The U.S. president oversaw the signing of a ceasefire deal between the two countries in Malaysia in October, which broke down within a matter of weeks before a new ceasefire was reached on December 27.

ISRAEL, IRAN AND THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

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Trump chaired the first meeting of his Board of Peace initiative on Thursday, as part of a bid to direct a deal aimed at ending conflict in - and redeveloping - Gaza.

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas agreed in October to the first phase of a Trump-brokered hostage and ceasefire deal. Hostilities have continued.

But the agreement nonetheless marked a major step forward for efforts to end a two-year war in Gaza in which more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed. Under the deal, Hamas handed over hostages seized in the deadly attacks that started the assault. Both, however, have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.

Both sides remain far apart on major issues, including Hamas' disarmament, the governance of post-war Gaza and the composition and mandate of an international security force in the enclave.

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The U.S. president has also been working to expand the Abraham Accords, an initiative from his first term aimed at normalizing diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations.

The Republican initially pursued talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Israel launched an aerial war on Iran on June 13 and pressed Trump to join in. He did on June 22, bombing Iranian nuclear sites. He then pressed Israel and Iran to join a ceasefire that Qatar mediated.

Trump said at the time that Iran's key nuclear sites were obliterated and disputed reports that the program had merely been set back. But in recent weeks, Trump has threatened Iran over both that nuclear program and the government's human rights practices. He has ordered a huge buildup of forces in the Middle East and preparations for a potential multi-week air attack on the country.

RWANDA AND DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

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The Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 staged a lightning offensive this year and now holds more territory than ever in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Its recent advances have stirred fears of further regional spillover of fighting.

Under pressure from Trump, Rwanda and Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement on June 27. It hasn't been implemented.

Trump brought the leaders of Congo and Rwanda to a Washington event on December 4 at a peace institute that his administration unofficially renamed in honor of the U.S. president. There, they signed more documents affirming their commitment to Trump's peace plan.

But the fighting has continued. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has said that Rwanda is violating its commitments, as has U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rwanda has long denied backing M23, but U.N. experts and Congolese leaders disagree. Qatar has brokered separate talks between Congo and M23.

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Meanwhile, the leader of a Congolese rebel coalition that includes the M23 group has said a deal on critical minerals signed in December between Congo and Washington was unconstitutional, raising doubts about its implementation.

The insurgency is the latest episode in a decades-old conflict with roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Trump has warned of "very severe penalties, financial and otherwise" if the agreement is violated. The U.S. is seeking access to Congo's vast array of critical minerals as it competes with China for control of natural resources.

INDIA AND PAKISTAN

U.S. officials worried conflict could spiral out of control when nuclear-armed India and Pakistan clashed in May following an attack in India that Delhi blamed on Islamabad.

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Consulting with Trump, Rubio and Vance pushed Indian and Pakistani officials to de-escalate the situation.

A ceasefire was announced on May 10 after four days of fighting. But it addressed few of the issues that have divided India and Pakistan, which have fought three major wars since their independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.

Days after the ceasefire, Trump said he used the threat of cutting trade with the countries to secure the deal. India disputed that U.S. pressure led to the truce and that trade was a factor.

EGYPT AND ETHIOPIA

Egypt and Ethiopia have a long dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo regards as a national security issue and fears will threaten its Nile River water supplies.

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"We're working on that one problem, but it's going to get solved," Trump said in July.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later included Egypt and Ethiopia in a list of conflicts that "the president has now ended."

It is unclear what Trump is doing on the issue, though he has said he wants to bring the parties together for talks. In public comments, Trump has largely echoed Cairo's concerns.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed opened the dam in September despite objections from both Sudan and Egypt. Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has vowed to protect his own country's interests.

SERBIA AND KOSOVO

Kosovo and Serbia maintain tense relations five years after agreements Trump brokered with both during his first term to improve their economic ties.

Without providing evidence, Trump said in June he "stopped" war between the countries during his first term and that "I will fix it, again," in his second.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after NATO bombed Serb forces to halt the killing and expulsion of ethnic Albanians from the region during a 1998-1999 counter-insurgency war.

But Serbia still regards Kosovo as an integral part of its territory. The countries have signed no peace deal.

Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, has sought to extend government control over the north, where about 50,000 ethnic Serbs live, many of whom refuse to recognize Kosovo's independence.

Kosovo's president, Vjosa Osmani, said in July that over "the last few weeks," Trump had prevented further escalation in the region. She did not elaborate, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied that any escalation had been looming.

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Trump, who said during the 2024 presidential campaign that he could solve the war in Ukraine in one day, has so far been unable to end the nearly four-year-old conflict that analysts say has left more than 1 million people dead or wounded.

"I thought this was going to be one of the easier ones," Trump said on August 18. "It's actually one of the most difficult."

Trump's views on how to best bring peace have swung from calling for a ceasefire to saying a deal could still be worked out while fierce fighting continued. He imposed sanctions on Russia's two biggest oil companies in October.

More recently, Trump has attempted to press Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy into accepting a deal to end the war that European leaders worry would favor Moscow and destabilize the continent. Talks in recent days have produced few signs of progress.

SOUTH KOREA AND NORTH KOREA

Trump has said he wants to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and make another push towards peace.

"We'll come back, and we'll, at some point in the not-too-distant future, meet with North Korea," Trump told reporters in October on a trip to South Korea.

Trump and Kim held three summits during Trump's 2017-2021 first term. They also exchanged several letters that Trump called "beautiful" before the unprecedented diplomatic effort broke down over U.S. demands that Kim give up his nuclear weapons.

North Korea has surged ahead with more and bigger ballistic missiles, expanded its nuclear weapons facilities, and gained new support from its neighbors in the years since. In his second term, Trump has acknowledged that North Korea is a "nuclear power."

Kim said in September that there was no reason to avoid talks with Washington if it dropped its demands that his country give up nuclear weapons. Trump agreed to support Seoul's pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine for its own defense.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Additional reporting by Fatos Bytyci and Susan Heavey; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Ross Colvin, Daniel Wallis and Alistair Bell)
The public display of violence in Mexico following the slaying of drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes could continue for a few days or weeks given his stature within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the group's extraordinary military-style capabilities, veteran cartel watchers tell USA TODAY.

The cartel produced a similar nationwide show of force in 2015, even using a rocket propelled grenade to shoot down a Mexican army helicopter, after the Mexican military tried to capture Oseguera Cervantes, more commonly known as "El Mencho."

In 2019, the rival Sinaloa Cartel waged war on the Mexican government when it tried to arrest one of the sons of its leader, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

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If past is prologue, what we've seen is that there will be at least a week, maybe more, of these sort of violent reprisals by the cartels. And then things will turn inward, Anthony Placido, former head of intelligence for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, told USA TODAY.

Already, criminal violence has engulfed parts of Mexico after troops killed Oseguera Cervantes in a Feb. 22 shootout in the cartels stronghold in the western coastal state of Jalisco.

The cartels response was immediate, spreading outward from Jalisco and plunging much of Mexico into chaos and violence. CJNG soldiers set cars, buses and businesses on fire and blockaded roads in violence that spread to 20 states. Mexican authorities said at least 62 people were killed, including 25 National Guard members, and 70 were arrested.

But as bad as things are in Mexico following Oseguera Cervantes' death, CJNG appears to have stopped short of unleashing anything close to the kind of violence it has shown it is capable of in the past.

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U.S. counternarcotics officials have said in recent years the cartel has amassed so much firepower that it resembles more of a small nation states army than a transnational crime syndicate.

The question now, experts say, is whether CJNG will de-escalate the sporadic violence and regroup, or ramp up its attacks on the Mexican government, the public and rival cartels fighting over the lucrative trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs into the United States.

Experts say the cartel will likely train its sophisticated arsenal of weapons on its rivals in an effort to get back to its main business  earning billions of dollars in annual drug revenue as what the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officially calls one of the five most dangerous criminal organizations in the world."

'Nothing they do is going to bring Mencho back'

Most analysts say CJNG will regroup and focus on maintaining the global dominance over the drug trade that it has long shared with the rival Sinaloa cartel.

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Nothing they do is going to bring Mencho back, Placido said. And so the most important thing for them is who's going to take over the cartel, and are the Sinaloa guys going to try and take their territory?

I don't have a crystal ball, Placido said. But I would think that instead of these big public manifestations where they're burning vehicles and doing all kinds of stuff to protest against the government, theyre going to rapidly become involved in sort of inter-cartel violence and warfare. And that will be more targeted.

In the short term, CNJG certainly has the capacity to wreak much more lethal violence on the Mexican government and the public  including American tourists who have been told to shelter in place.

Some past demonstrations of force by CJNG have included mass arson campaigns known as narcobloqueos, even more simultaneous roadblocks across multiple states than it has currently  and high-profile assassination attempts.

Police cordoned off an area of where an assassination attempt was made on Mexico City's police chief. Officials have blamed CArtel Jalisco Nueva GeneraciAn (CJNG) and its fugitive leader, "El Mencho." Attack7

A 'messy aftermath' before a cartel gets back to business

In an assessment Feb. 23, Mexico-based International Crisis Group analyst David Mora wrote that claiming a top criminal scalp will not spare the government from a messy aftermath.

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Vanda Felbab-Brown, a Brookings Institution expert on nonstate armed groups including CJNG, said the current violence echoes that which followed the Mexican governments attempt to capture Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a son of El Chapo, in its stronghold of Culiacan in 2019.

Within hours, heavily armed Sinaloa forces paralyzed the city, directly assaulted the military and forced the government to release him.

In the current case, Felbab-Brown told USA TODAY, the current violence is essentially CJNGs way of showing its capabilities, essentially an act of retaliatory, demonstrative violence against the state.

They are saying, 'Hey Mexican government, we are punishing you. We are responding. You killed our leader. This is showing you what we can do,' Felbab-Brown said.

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Its pretty enormous in geographic scope and scale, she said. But it will die off in a matter of time.

That could take just a few days, or a few weeks, she said.

And once this immediate violence settles, then the question is, what kind of other violence will break out within factions of CJNG and between them and their rivals? Felbab-Brown said. And that violence will be far more complicated and far more lasting.

What happened after El Chapo's capture

Once the initial explosion of publicly directed violence dies down, what happens next depends on a number of factors.

El Mencho left no clear heir, Mora said, and the remaining leaders could dispute control.

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If CJNG doesnt quickly appoint a successor and close ranks, infighting among rival factions within it could consume the organization, Placido said.

That was the case after the capture of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the leader of the rival Sinaloa cartel a decade ago.

Since then, Sinaloa has been wracked by infighting and internal power struggles between the sons of El Chapo  known as the Chapitos  and factions loyal to Ismael El Mayo Zambada, who is now in U.S. custody too.

Much of that violence is cartel-on-cartel though, and would not paralyze huge swaths of Mexico  and its important tourist industry  like the current situation, Placido and Felbab-Brown said.

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In the case of CJNG, taking out El Mencho could slow his own cartel's rapid expansion within Mexico and internationally. But it is also likely to leave it weakened against the Sinaloa cartel on several fronts that could lead to bloody turf battles throughout Mexico and even in the United States, they said.

A less likely but still possible scenario: all-out war

A less likely scenario is that CJNG will launch a longterm war against the Mexican government to avenge the death of its longtime leader.

Over the past half century, Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs have engaged in protracted skirmishes over its sporadic counternarcotics crackdowns. Colombian cartels did the same thing in the 1990s with car bombs, assassinations and attacks on the military.

If that happens, CNJG is capable of inflicting significant damage, given its arsenal of heavy weapons , many of them obtained from U.S. gun manufacturers, according to a USA TODAY investigation.

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Most analysts predict that wont be the case because CJNG, like Sinaloa and other cartels before it, would prefer a detente with the government that allows it to focus on its global business operations.

In many ways, its just a waste of resources. El Mencho is dead, so there is nothing to bargain for like there was after the arrest of El Chapos son, Felbab-Brown said.

Some public violence is needed, she said, to show how fearless they are, how they can act with more brazenness, more brutality, more violence than anyone in order to keep Mexican authorities at bay.

But in the end, Placido said, Its all about the money. Its always been about the money.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico faces 'more complicated violence' after 'El Mencho' death
The public display of violence in Mexico after the killing of drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes could continue for days or weeks given his stature within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the group's extraordinary military-style capabilities, veteran cartel watchers tell USA TODAY.

The cartel produced a similar nationwide show of force in 2015, even using a rocket-propelled grenade to shoot down a Mexican Army helicopter after the Mexican military tried to capture Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as "El Mencho."

In 2019, the rival Sinaloa Cartel waged war on the Mexican government when it tried to arrest one of the sons of its leader, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Advertisement Advertisement

If past is prologue, what we've seen is that there will be at least a week, maybe more, of these sort of violent reprisals by the cartels. And then things will turn inward, Anthony Placido, former head of intelligence for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, told USA TODAY.

After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Smoke billows from burning vehicles amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. A man extinguishes a burning truck set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican Army personnel stand guard as passengers leave Guadalajara International Airport in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican National Guard special forces patrol around the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) headquarters in Mexico City on Feb. 22, 2026. This aerial view shows burned cars and trucks, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. A man riding a bicycle takes a photo of a burned truck, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblocks following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime, following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. The burned wreckage of a truck, used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Tyre puncture spikes lie on a street after being used by members of organized crime. following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Soldiers check motorcycle drivers after organized crime burned vehicles to block roads following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Photos show Mexico unrest after cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed 1 of 19 After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

Already, criminal violence has engulfed parts of Mexico after troops killed Oseguera Cervantes in a shoot-out Feb. 22 in the cartels stronghold in the western coastal state of Jalisco.

The cartels response was immediate, spreading outward from Jalisco and plunging much of Mexico into chaos and violence. Cartel soldiers set cars, buses and businesses on fire and blockaded roads in violence that spread to 20 states. Mexican authorities said at least 62 people were killed, including 25 National Guard members, and 70 people were arrested.

But as bad as things are in Mexico after Oseguera Cervantes' death, the cartel appears to have stopped short of unleashing anything close to the kind of violence it has shown it is capable of in the past.

Advertisement Advertisement

U.S. counternarcotics officials have said in recent years that the cartel has amassed so much firepower that it resembles more of a small nation-states army than a transnational crime syndicate.

The question now, experts say, is whether the cartel will de-escalate the sporadic violence and regroup or ramp up its attacks on the Mexican government, the public and rival cartels fighting over the lucrative trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and other drugs into the United States.

Experts say the cartel probably will train its sophisticated arsenal of weapons on its rivals in an effort to get back to its main business: earning billions of dollars in annual drug revenue as what the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls one of the five most dangerous criminal organizations in the world."

'Nothing they do is going to bring Mencho back'

Most analysts say the cartel will regroup and focus on maintaining the global dominance over the drug trade it has long shared with the rival Sinaloa Cartel.

Advertisement Advertisement

Nothing they do is going to bring Mencho back, Placido said. And so the most important thing for them is: Who's going to take over the cartel, and are the Sinaloa guys going to try and take their territory?

I don't have a crystal ball, Placido said. But I would think that instead of these big public manifestations where they're burning vehicles and doing all kinds of stuff to protest against the government, theyre going to rapidly become involved in sort of inter-cartel violence and warfare. And that will be more targeted.

In the short term, the cartel certainly has the capacity to wreak much more lethal violence on the Mexican government and the public  including American tourists who have been told to shelter in place.

Some past demonstrations of force have included mass arson campaigns known as narcobloqueos, even more simultaneous roadblocks across multiple states than it has currently  and high-profile assassination attempts.

Police cordoned off an area of where an assassination attempt was made on Mexico City's police chief. Officials have blamed CArtel Jalisco Nueva GeneraciAn (CJNG) and its fugitive leader, "El Mencho." Attack7

A 'messy aftermath' before a cartel gets back to business

In an assessment Feb. 23, Mexico-based International Crisis Group analyst David Mora wrote that claiming a top criminal scalp will not spare the government from a messy aftermath.

Advertisement Advertisement

Vanda Felbab-Brown, a Brookings Institution expert on nonstate armed groups including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, said today's violence echoes the unrest after the Mexican governments attempt to capture Ovidio Guzman Lopez, a son of El Chapo, in its stronghold of Culiacan in 2019.

Within hours, heavily armed Sinaloa forces paralyzed the city, directly assaulted the military and forced the government to release him.

The violence now, Felbab-Brown told USA TODAY, is essentially the cartels way of showing its capabilities, essentially an act of retaliatory, demonstrative violence against the state.

They are saying, 'Hey Mexican government, we are punishing you. We are responding. You killed our leader. This is showing you what we can do,' Felbab-Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Its pretty enormous in geographic scope and scale, she said. But it will die off in a matter of time.

That could take just a few days or a few weeks, she said.

And once this immediate violence settles, then the question is, what kind of other violence will break out within factions of CJNG and between them and their rivals? Felbab-Brown said. And that violence will be far more complicated and far more lasting.

What happened after El Chapo's capture

Once the initial explosion of publicly directed violence dies down, what happens next depends on a number of factors.

El Mencho left no clear heir, Mora said, and the remaining leaders could dispute control.

Advertisement Advertisement

If the cartel doesnt quickly appoint a successor and close ranks, infighting among rival factions could consume the organization, Placido said.

That was the case after the capture of Guzman, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel a decade ago.

Since then, Sinaloa has been racked by infighting and internal power struggles between the sons of El Chapo  known as the Chapitos  and factions loyal to Ismael El Mayo Zambada, who is now in U.S. custody, too.

Much of that violence is cartel-on-cartel, though, and would not paralyze huge swaths of Mexico  and its important tourist industry  like today's upheaval, Placido and Felbab-Brown said.

Advertisement Advertisement

In the case of the New Generation Cartel, taking out El Mencho could slow his own cartel's rapid expansion within Mexico and internationally. But it is also likely to leave it weakened against the Sinaloa Cartel on several fronts that could lead to bloody turf battles throughout Mexico and even in the United States, they said.

A less likely but still possible scenario: All-out war

A less likely scenario is that the cartel will launch a long-term war against the Mexican government to avenge the death of its longtime leader.

Over the past half-century, Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs have engaged in protracted skirmishes over its sporadic counternarcotics crackdowns. Colombian cartels did the same thing in the 1990s with car bombs, assassinations and attacks on the military.

If that happens, the cartel is capable of inflicting significant damage, given its arsenal of heavy weapons, many of them obtained from U.S. gun manufacturers, according to a USA TODAY investigation.

Advertisement Advertisement

Most analysts predict that wont be the case because the New Generation Cartel, like Sinaloa and other cartels before it, would prefer a detente with the government that allows it to focus on its global business operations.

In many ways, its just a waste of resources. El Mencho is dead, so there is nothing to bargain for like there was after the arrest of El Chapos son, Felbab-Brown said.

Some public violence is needed, she said, to show how fearless they are, how they can act with more brazenness, more brutality, more violence than anyone to keep Mexican authorities at bay.

But in the end, Placido said, its all about the money. Its always been about the money.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mexico faces 'more complicated violence' after 'El Mencho' death
SHEBOYGAN  The Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers held its annual meeting, providing updates on conservation efforts and electing a new board member.

More than 50 farmers, industry partners and community members gathered Feb. 13 to hear about the group's achievements and ongoing projects, according to a community announcement.

Farmers reviewed 2025 sustainability progress and launched new soil health and water quality initiatives at the SRPF annual meeting.

Brody Stapel, who opened the meeting, highlighted key accomplishments from the past year and outlined future goals.

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In 2025, our group hosted six events, giving members and others in the community opportunities to learn and network, Stapel said, according to the announcement. We participated in our eighth year of the Member Conservation Practice survey, documenting our sustainability progress. Im always amazed by the significant impact of our efforts that the survey indicates.

Survey shows conservation progress

Marti Viste, strategic account manager for Farmers for Sustainable Food, provided an update on the group's 2025 survey results. Thirty-five members participated in the survey, which covered 20,217 cropped acres. Of those acres, 40% had cover crops, 58% were no-till and 14% were planted green.

Tricia Verville from the Sand County Foundation shared an update on the Johnsonville project, which involved four Sheboygan River Progressive Farmers members. The project aims to improve water quality in the Sheboygan River Basin and has shown positive outcomes in the past year.

Joe Ailts of Ailts Agronomy discussed the benefits of using a Haney Soil Test to measure nitrogen. He encouraged farmers to run the test in their fields.

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You cant manage what you cant measure, Ailts said. Running more Haney Tests provides additional data points to help farmers identify soil trends."

Ailts encouraged members to participate in a new Haney Testing Incentive Program, made possible with funding from the Fund for Lake Michigan. Members interested in participating in the program signed up at the annual meeting, with more details to be released soon.

Board election results shared

During the business portion of the meeting, Jim Webb of Byron Seeds was elected to the board. Brody Stapel of Double Dutch Dairy, Mark Loehr of Loehr Dairy and Mike Mulder of Higher Ground Ranch were reelected.

Other board members include Derek Sippel of Airy Point Dairy, Brian Huenink of Hueninks Seed and Dairy, Mark Breunig of A-OK Farms, Ken Strack of Strack-View Farms and Chuck Born.

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This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, NTazeen@usatodayco.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.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: How farmers are expanding soil health efforts in the Sheboygan area
FBI Miami is trying to determine Austin Tucker Martin's steps as he traveled from his home in North Carolina to Mar-a-Lago, where law-enforcement agents fatally shot him as he tried to enter the grounds of President Donald Trump's Palm Beach estate on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Part of the ongoing investigation is to build a timeline of Martins movements, stops, purchases, and interactions with other people during his drive from North Carolina to Palm Beach County in addition to attempting to establish a possible motive, Brett Skiles, the special agent in charge of the FBI Miami office, said a news release issued late on Monday, Feb. 23.

The FBI said it encourages anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or go to tips.fbi.gov.

Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies detour traffic away from the Southern Boulevard on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, before a news conference regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach mansion. Camilo Valencia of the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office sets up the media stand ahead of Sheriff Ric Bradshaws arrival on Southern Boulevard near Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies detour traffic away from the Southern Boulevard on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, before a news conference regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach mansion. Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies detour traffic away from the Southern Boulevard on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, before a news conference regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach mansion. Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies detour traffic away from the Southern Boulevard on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, before a news conference regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach mansion. Members of the news media prepare for a news conference on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, along Southern Boulevard regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago. FBI, PBSO, Secret Service hold briefing on Mar-a-Lago fatal shooting 1 of 6 Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies detour traffic away from the Southern Boulevard on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, before a news conference regarding an incident at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's Palm Beach mansion.

The Feb. 23 statement confirmed that Martin was the person who confronted agents at Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and a gas can at about 2 a.m. Feb. 22. The 21-year-old was a resident of Moore County, North Carolina, about 65 miles southwest of Raleigh.

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Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said officers shot and killed Martin when he pointed his shotgun at them during the confrontation.

FBI Miami it collected evidence at the scene of the shooting throughout Feb. 22 before releasing it that night. It also collected evidence from Martin's home in North Carolina, releasing it on Feb. 23.

Agents also found and took possession of Martin's vehicle, taking it to a secure facility for evidence processing. It did not say what type of vehicle Martin drove or where they found it.

The FBI statement said it also is interviewing Martin's family members, friends and acquaintances, going through his digital devices, tracing his route from North Carolina to Palm Beach County and reviewing his social-media activity.

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On Feb. 22, FBI Miami asked people who live near Trump in Palm Beach People to check the cameras outside their homes for footage from earlier that day.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FBI seeks tips on Austin Tucker Martin's path to Mar-a-Lago shooting
A federal court on Monday rejected the latest Republican-led bid to block a new congressional map in Utah that could give Democrats a seat in the red state.

A three-judge panel denied a motion for a preliminary injunction that would have blocked the new lines from going into effect before this falls midterms.

Because we conclude Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success of the merits, and because the Purcell principle counsels this court not to enjoin a states election laws in the period close to the election, we DENY Plaintiffs preliminary injunction motion, reads the filing in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.

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Unlike redistricting efforts in Texas and California, where plans were put forward to boost party margins in the House ahead of the 2026 midterms, Utah was forced to redraw its maps by a court order when a state judge tossed GOP-drawn maps and imposed a new plan.

Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, alongside several fellow Utah Republicans, filed suit earlier this month, alleging that the state judge violated the Constitution and asking that the map selection be sent back to the state Legislature, where Republicans hold a supermajority.

The case could make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court  but Mondays ruling is the latest blow for the GOP after the Utah Supreme Court dismissed another effort to stay the congressional map last week.

The new map at issue could offer a rare pickup opportunity for Democrats in a red state that voted for President Trump by nearly 22 points in 2024.

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Republicans currently hold all four congressional districts, but the redrawn lines make space for a more Democrat-favorable district around Salt Lake County.

Meanwhile, Utah Republicans said this month that they have enough signatures to put forward a ballot initiative that would do away with the states independent redistricting commission.

Trump endorsed the initiative in a Truth Social post last month.

Utahns deserve Maps drawn by those they elect, not Rogue Judges or Leftwing Activists who never faced the Voters, and, therefore, I encourage all Patriotic Utahns, Republicans, and MAGA Supporters who love their Great State and Country to sign this initiative, ASAP, Trump wrote in the post.

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The filing period for congressional candidates in Utah opens March 9, and primary elections are set for June 23.

National Democrats hailed the ruling as a victory for fair representation in Utah.

Now, the courts once again sided with Utah voters and denied Republicans attempts to block a fair map. While Donald Trump and his allies try to rig elections because they are scared of losing in November, Democrats will continue fighting to ensure Utahns have a fair map that keeps communities connected, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said in a statement.

Updated 5:41 p.m. EST

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MIAMI  From the moment Philippe Bien-Aime stepped foot in the United States on July 25, 1995, immigration authorities, say the Haitian native has been living a lie.

The former mayor of North Miami arrived in the U.S. with his photo on someone elses passport, authorities say in a federal lawsuit seeking to strip Bien-Aime of his citizenship. As part of his naturalization process, they add, Bien-Aime, 60, has lied about who and how many women hes married and divorced and also about how many children he has had with them.

He used his original name, Jean Philippe Janvier, in a 2000 deportation case in which a U.S. immigration judge ordered his return to Haiti  though he never moved back to his country. Instead, he used a new name, Philippe Bien-Aime, on a naturalization application in 2005 after he married a U.S. citizen. He also used that name when he won the mayoral election in North Miami in 2019, after six years on the city council.

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An immigration officer said in an affidavit filed in federal court in Miami this week that as part of the naturalization process, Bien-Aime was not eligible to receive a visa as the spouse of a U.S. citizen because his marriage to the U.S. citizen  was bigamous and invalid  pointing out that he lied about being divorced from his Haitian wife. Bien-Aime was not legally free to marry the U.S. citizen or allowed to attain an immigration benefit through a bigamous marriage, the officer said in the affidavit supporting the federal lawsuit.

Adding to the intrigue are court documents that say that, under the name Jean Philippe Janvier, he married Sarahjane Ternier, and under the name Philippe Bien-Aime, he married Beatrice Gelin  both on the same date, June 20, 1993, in Port-au-Prince.

A U.S. immigration summary of Haitian government records show that the marriage and divorce certificates for Janvier and Ternier were found to be fraudulent. Meanwhile, the Haitian divorce records for Bien-Aime and Gelin were also found to be fraudulent. The immigration summary, however, states that a marriage certificate for Bien-Aime and Gelin was found in Haitis National Archives but does not comment on whether its valid or invalid.

Court records show Bien-Aime asserted throughout his applications for a green card and for naturalization that he divorced Gelin on Dec. 30, 1999, and married Marie Rose Chauvet, a U.S. citizen, on May 30, 2001. Bien-Aime attained U.S. citizenship on Sept. 22, 2006.

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The federal suit seeking his denaturalization accuses Bien-Aime of falsely telling authorities that he has not practiced polygamy and has not given any false testimony to obtain immigration benefits.

The decades of alleged deceptions and misrepresentations are at the heart of the federal governments efforts to strip Bien-Aime of his American citizenship. The case is part of a larger, aggressive Trump administration campaign to catch immigrants who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship. The Department of Justice last year ordered its civil division to prioritize denaturalization, cases that have previously been rarely pursued.

United States citizenship is a privilege grounded in honesty and allegiance to this country, Jason A. Reding Quinones, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, said in a statement. The fact that he later served as an elected mayor makes the alleged deception even more serious, because public office carries a duty of candor and respect for the rule of law.

Should U.S. authorities succeed in revoking his citizenship, Bien-Aime is facing deportation to native Haiti, a country in the throes of violence and instability.

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U.S. officials were investigating the fraudulent marriage and divorce documents as early as August 2019, during President Donald Trumps first term, according to an overseas verification report that also lists the Bien-Aime and the Janvier monikers. That was two months after Port-au-Prince-born Bien-Aime had been elected mayor of North Miami. Neither the first Trump administration nor the subsequent Biden administration pursued legal action against him.

To back up their allegations, the federal government provides a July 1965 certificate registering the birth of Jean Philippe Janvier; immigration applications where Bien-Aime does not list he had other names or mention one of his purported wives in Haiti and the children she bore him in the United States; a divorce certificate to the other woman in Haiti that they say is fraudulent; and his original deportation order from the early 2000s.

On a phone call Thursday, Bien-Aime declined to comment and referred The Miami Herald to his lawyer. His immigration attorney, Peterson St. Philippe, said he was not in a position to provide detailed comments.

We believe it is appropriate to address the allegations through the judicial process rather than through public commentary. We trust that any reporting will reflect that the matter remains unresolved and that no findings have been made, St. Philippe said.

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Bien-Aime is no stranger to controversy. In 2018, a former North Miami city administrator filed a lawsuit against Bien-Aime and the city claiming he had sexually harassed her for months and held her prisoner in a car while trying to have sex with her. The aide said her contract with the city was terminated in retaliation for filing the federal suit against Bien-Aime, a councilman at the time.

Prosecutors say that U.S. authorities were not aware that the Jean Philippe Janvier whom an immigration judge had ordered deported was the Philippe Bien-Aime granted U.S. citizenship. On a campaign website, Bien-Aime said he was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, before immigrating to Canada in 1991 and arriving in the U.S. in 1993.

U.S. immigration authorities issued an identification number for Janvier on an unspecified date, according to court documents. They also issued an alien ID number for Bien-Aime in 1994, the documents show, which was before Janvier entered the United States in 1995 on the photo-switched passport in another persons name.

Two years later, while Janvier was being served a notice to show up to deportation proceedings, the U.S. Embassy in Port-Au-Prince issued Bien-Aime a tourist visa, according to an affidavit from an immigration official who reviewed his records extensively. Bien-Aime entered the U.S. in June 1997 and kept traveling between the U.S. and Haiti while Janviers deportation proceedings were ongoing.

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During three years of deportation proceedings, Janvier submitted a birth certificate with his name, testified that he was Jean Philippe Janvier and that he had used a fake passport. He welcomed a daughter with Ternier in 1999.

On July 31, 2000, an immigration judge ordered Janvier and Ternier deported. The couple challenged the decision through the Board of Immigration Appeals. But the next year, Janvier notified the court he was withdrawing his appeal and that he planned on living in Haiti. The board determined that his deportation order was final in July 2001. Janvier had another child with Ternier in 2002. The Department of Homeland Security set his departure date for June 26, 2003.

Instead of going back to Haiti, Bien-Aime married Marie Rose Chauvet, the American spouse, in 2001. Immigration authorities say that Janvier  under the name Bien-Aime  was still then married to another Haitian woman, Beatrice Gelin, who he claimed to have divorced. In 2002, he applied for a green card as Philippe Bien-Aime through his marriage with Chauvet. After he provided his fingerprints and was interviewed by immigration officers, the federal government granted Bien-Aime permanent residency.

In his green card application, he did not mention his deportation order and did not list any children. During his green card interview that same year, he mentioned one daughter he said was born in Haiti in 1999. Federal court records say he and Ternier had welcomed a daughter in the United States in August 1999.

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Meanwhile, in the application to make his green card permanent he listed one son: Marc Peterson, born August 1988, and no other children, according to the federal complaint. In his subsequent application to become a U.S. citizen, he listed Marc Peterson again, but with a different birthday, June 1987.

Bien-Aime went on to have a third child with Ternier in 2004. Bien-Aimes campaign website for an unsuccessful run for Miami-Dade county commissioner in 2022 described as loving husband to Sara and proud father of Saphi, Philjae, and Terphil.

He applied for naturalization in 2005, once more using his current name. During the interview process to become a naturalized citizen, Bien-Aime did not disclose other names and claimed to not be married to more than one person at a time. He was approved for citizenship on Sept. 11, 2006 and took the naturalization oath 11 days later.

Nearly 13 years after Bien-Aime became a naturalized citizen, a 2019 report out of U.S. immigration offices in Port-Au-Prince determined his marriage to Ternier and divorces to Ternier and Gelin were fraudulent. It also linked him to the Jean Philippe Janvier identity. At the time of the investigation, he was North Miamis mayor.

Seven years later, in February 2026, the U.S. government moved to denaturalize him.
A mother is gearing up to take part in an all-female convoy delivering vehicles to Ukrainian medics to mark International Women's Day.

Karen Watt is making the 1,300-mile (2,100km) journey from her home in Oxfordshire to the Ukrainian border alongside at least 15 other women next month as part of the Driving Ukraine project.

The charity, founded by her son Fynn, has transported more than 300 vehicles to the frontline since the Russian invasion began.

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It comes as campaigners and charities across Oxfordshire mark exactly four years since the conflict started.

"Every month we try to do something different and have a different theme, and March is because it's International Women's Day," Karen explained.

She said the all-female seven-vehicle convoy would be handing the keys over to female Ukrainian combat medics.

Karen's son Fynn started Driving Ukraine following the Russian invasion [Driving Ukraine]

Driving Ukraine, based in Deddington, deliver the vehicles to medical corps within the Ukrainian military.

"Every vehicle has an impact and makes a difference without a shadow of a doubt," Karen said.

She said the initial "fear" she had when her then 21-year-old-son first took a vehicle over to Ukraine had since "changed into full blown pride".

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"We're actually departing on the 12th of March and that's his 25th birthday, so I can't think of a better gift to give him..."

To mark the four-year anniversary of the conflict, the Ukrainian flag was flown from Oxfordshire County Hall on Tuesday [BBC]

Another campaigner who has also transported aid to Ukraine is Magdalena Kwiecinska, who set up the Banbury-based UK Help for Ukraine group in 2022.

Originally from Poland, she said it was "just really impossible" that the war had entered its fifth year.

"At the start we were just thinking it would be few months, maybe a year, but now four years - it's just very sad.

"We've got lots of lots of different stories, very sad stories from the cities and towns just near to the frontline - mostly from the people from Kharkiv," she said.

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"Their houses have been destroyed completely to the ground, someone's died, someone's missing and they don't know where the part of the family is."

Although UK Help for Ukraine officially closed last year, Magdalena is still helping to provide aid to those in Ukraine.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

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EDM Resources launches gold exploration program at Scotia Mine Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

EDM Resources Inc (TSX-V:EDM, OTC:SWNLF) announced that it has commenced a focused gold exploration program at its Scotia Mine property in Nova Scotia, as the company evaluates the potential for gold mineralization within its broader land package.

The program builds on high-grade gold assays previously reported from concentrate sampling in September 2025. At that time, lead concentrate composite assays returned values of up to 142 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, with repeat assays of 157 g/t and 95.5 g/t gold. Zinc concentrate composite assays returned 2.93 g/t gold, with repeat assays of 3.64 g/t and 1.46 g/t gold.

The concentrate assay results were derived from historical material processed during prior operations at the Scotia Mine and were independently confirmed through additional multi-element and gold analyses conducted by AGAT Laboratories.

The company said the results highlighted the potential for gold values associated with existing zinc-lead mineralization, while noting that concentrate assay results do not necessarily reflect in-situ grades and are provided for exploratory context only.

According to EDM, the current exploration program is designed to assess the source and distribution of gold mineralization across the property.

Planned work includes a review and reinterpretation of historical drill core and geological data, geological mapping of prospective zones within the Meguma Terrane formation, targeted sampling and assay programs, and evaluation of gold potential beneath and adjacent to the main zinc-lead carbonate zone. The company also intends to identify priority drill targets for potential follow-up exploration.

EDM said its objective is to determine whether the gold mineralization represents a discrete exploration target, a potential by-product opportunity within the existing deposit, or a broader structural or stratigraphic feature within the regional geology.

In parallel with the gold-focused work, the company has initiated preparation of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate. The updated estimate will assess the potential inclusion of additional gypsum and anhydrite mineral resources, building on historical work and previously identified zones of interest.

"With final permitting progressing and gold exploration now underway, EDM is entering a pivotal phase, EDM Resources CEO Mark Haywood said. Our objective is straightforward: advance the Scotia Mine toward restart while evaluating the potential for additional value through gold mineralization."

The company also confirmed that its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders was held on February 20, with all matters presented to shareholders approved, including the election of directors, appointment of auditors, and renewal of its equity incentive plans.

EDM said it will attend the upcoming Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada convention, being held in Toronto from March 1 to 4, and invited investors and industry participants to arrange meetings with management during the event.
Fifteen people have died after a military helicopter providing rescue services during severe flooding in south Peru crashed on Sunday.

The Peruvian Air Force said the Mi-17 aircraft lost radio contact while operating in the Arequipa region, which has been hit by torrential rain and flash flooding.

Rescue teams found the wreckage in the Chala district on Monday, officials said. Seven children were among the 11 passengers and four crew members who died.

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The helicopter had been deployed to support search and rescue efforts in the region as mudslides and overflowing rivers caused widespread damage.

Local media reported that some of the armed forces personnel on board had relatives accompanying them. One of the victims was three years old.

The Peruvian Air Force said: "Our deepest condolences to the family members, friends, and the entire FAP family for the irreparable loss of our crew and passengers."

The aircraft had been travelling from the city of Pisco, in the Ica region, to Chala in Arequipa to carry out a support mission. It was found near Chala Viejo, a town close to the Pacific coast.

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An investigation has been launched into the incident, officials said.

Torrential rain has caused intense flooding across Peru's Arequipa region causing mudslides, flooded streets and homes and trees to collapse.

At least two people have died as a result of the storm's impact, according to local media. An elderly women was carried away by floodwaters in the Cayma district, and a man died after being struck by lightning.

Arequipa's regional governor, Rohel Sanchez, said local authorities had requested assistance from the national government because homes have been damaged and declared "uninhabitable".

Dramatic footage from the region showed streams of mud and debris washing through residential streets and floodwater entering people's homes.
WARNING: This story references sexual assault allegations and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

A woman said she tried to fight back against Frank Stronach and repeatedly urged him to "please stop" as the Canadian businessman raped her inside a hotel room back in 1990, court heard on Monday.

I kept struggling, fighting him, saying, No, Frank, stop,' said the woman, crying as she told the court about the alleged attack.

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Stop, please, I beg you, stop. Don't do this. Don't do this.

The woman, who is now 71, was very emotional throughout her testimony, often bursting into tears as she testified.

Stronach, 93, faces a total of 12 charges, including sexual assault and forcible confinement. Two of the counts, rape and attempted rape, are considered historical charges as they were abolished when the Criminal Code was amended in 1983 to create the offence of sexual assault.

Stronach, founder of auto-parts giant Magna International, has denied the allegations and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The woman is the fifth of seven female complainants to testify. Their allegations span the period between 1977 and 1990.

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On Monday, the complainant told court she got to know Stronach through a mutual friend in the early 1980s. She said over a period of a few months, she would go to Rooneys, the restaurant Stronach owned, where she would see him.

She said she never really got to know him that well, other than when she might say hi at Rooney's.

The woman told court that she hadn't seen Stronach in years but then ran into him at Rooney's in 1990. Months later, she said she saw him at a hotel restaurant located in Markham or Scarborough as she was waiting for a client, sometime in November of that year.

Stronach watches a woman testify about his alleged sexual assault against her. (Alexandra Newbould/CBC)

The woman said Stronach sat down with her, that they chatted for a bit, and he asked for her number. They arranged to meet the following day, she said.

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During that meeting, the woman, who had just months earlier given birth, told court that she became very emotional as she discussed with Stronach her breakup with her boyfriend.

The woman said Stronach was very understanding, tried to console her and suggested they continue their conversation in his hotel suite.

She said she trusted him and thought it was a simple courteous invite.

Once inside the hotel room, she said Stronach slipped off her purse and jacket, put his arms around her and walked her backward to the bed.

She said while she was on the bed, he started to undo the buttons of her top.

'Please don't do this'

I said Frank, no no, this is not what I want, please dont do this. I thought we were just going to talk. Please dont do this.

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She told court she was trying to keep her top closed, but he snapped it open. She said Stronach then pulled her bra above her chest. He pulled her skirt to her chest, then pulled off her underwear and pantyhose, she told court.

She said she didnt know how to defend herself, except verbally, by repeatedly telling him to stop.

The woman said his response was something like, 'You'll be OK, you'll be OK. Everything's OK.'"

She said at one point, Stronach pulled down his pants and used his legs to force her legs apart.

'I wasn't strong enough'

In fact, I had bruises afterwards on my knees because I was trying so hard to keep my legs together, tight together, so that he wouldn't be able to enter me, she said.

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But I wasn't strong enough.

She said Stronach had intercourse with her, ejaculated and did not use protection.

She said throughout the alleged attack, she was crying, but that he was just wild and had become a different person from the gentle and kind man she had known.

He became a beast," she told court.

She said the whole ordeal lasted between 20 minutes and half an hour. When it was over, she said Stronach kept asking her if she was OK.

'No, I'm not OK'

And I kept saying, No, I'm not OK. I'm not OK.' And he kept saying, 'Oh, it's OK.' Like, 'we'll get together again.'

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And I go, No, no, not after this.

(Alexandra Newbould/CBC)

She said Stronach escorted her to the door of the hotel room. The woman said she then went to the elevator, down to the lobby, got into her car and drove home.

She told court that along with the bruising on her knees, she suffered vaginal bleeding from the alleged attack. She also said she had some bruises around her waistline and neckline.

The woman said she never spoke to or saw Stronach again. She said she decided to come forward to police in June 2024 after seeing a news item that said he had been charged for sexual misconduct related offences.

Defence challenges woman over dates, credibility

During cross-examination, Stomachs lawyer Leora Shemesh challenged the woman on her testimony Monday compared to previous statements to police, as well as her overall credibility.

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For example, the woman told court that she and her friend saw Stronach at Rooney's in 1990, months before the alleged attack. But Shemesh said Rooney's had closed in 1988.

"I thought it was Rooney's. I assumed it was Rooney's," the woman said.

Shemesh also noted that the woman had never told police about meeting up with Stronach at Rooney's, and that her testimony on Monday was the first time she had made mention of it.

Shemesh also raised an inteview the woman gave to police in June 2024 in which the officer noted that she had been raped in 1980, not 1990 and she had known Stronach from the 70s, not the early 80s.

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As well, the officer noted that the woman had been messaged by Stronach to go out for dinner and that they had had drinks in his hotel room before she said he attacked her.

Stronach's lawyer Leora Shemesh cross-examines the woman about her testimony on Monday in comparison to previous statements to police. (Alexandra Newbould/CBC)

The woman said she may have confused the years but insisted Stronach had attacked her in 1990, just after her daughter had been born. She denied that Stronach ever messaged her for dinner or that they had drinks in the hotel room.

She did acknowledge that she couldn't remember the name of the hotel where the alleged attack happened, and that she had erased it from her mind.

'That's a lie'

Shemesh also questioned the woman about her court testimony denying seeing media coverage related to Stronach.

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Shemesh said at one meeting with police, the woman said she had seen media coverage, including a news program in which a woman, with her face blacked out, spoke about her experiences with Stronach and her face was blacked out.

"I didn't say that I saw media coverage. Never," the woman said.

"That's a lie," Shemesh said.

"I don't remember saying that I saw media coverage. All I know is that I saw that ... he was up for charges. That's all I know."

Shemesh also focused on various legal issues the woman has been involved in, including being sued 25 times.

'I don't believe it's 25, but if you say it's 25 and you counted it," the woman said.

Those lawsuits, Shemesh said, included the woman being accused of falsifying a contract and that she had falsified or forged her brother's signature.

"No, of course not. I didn't falsify anything," she said.

The woman said her company lost that case because they weren't very good at "keeping records of things. We weren't legally savvy."

Shemesh also raised an ongoing lawsuit by a man who claims he was falsely arrested and placed into a holding cell based on false claims made by the woman.

The woman denied that the man had been falsely arrested, and insisted that he had threatened her life.

Shemesh is continuing her cross-examination of the woman on Tuesday.
Only one person was treated by medics after escaping a fire at the Superior and Sage hotel early Tuesday morning.

The fire was reported just after 11 p.m. Monday at 525 Hammond Avenue in Superior, Wisconsin, with firefighters arriving to find what the Superior Fire Department described as a "large exterior fire that was spreading to the eaves of the structure," while people "were actively evacuating the building."

Firefighters rescued seven people from the hotel before part of the roof collapsed.

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The picture below from Carlton County Fire News shows the dramatic scene at the hotel.

Carlton County Fire News (Carlton County Fire News)

"The fire rapidly spread to the roof of the structure as well as the attic space. A partial collapse occurred and crews were pulled from the building," Superior Fire Department said in a press release.

Duluth fire crews then responded to assist at the scene, and the blaze was extinguished just after 4 a.m. Tuesday.

One person sought medical attention, with Northern News Now speaking to the victim, who said she was glad to be alive.

Im really happy to be alive because I think I sucked in a lot of smoke, I was in there for a good half hour," the woman said.

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Damage estimates are believed to be around $1 million.

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Firefighters battled a house fire in the Indianwood community in Indiantown on the night of Feb. 23, according to Martin County Fire Rescue officials.

Crews went to a residential structure fire just before 11 p.m. in the 1600 block of Southwest Five Wood Way, according to officials.

They arrived to find heavy black smoke and visible flames coming from the back of a mobile home, according to officials.

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Wildfire: Brush fire burns over 19 acres, risk of brush fires remains high

Weather: Cool day of weather, one last cold night before temperatures warm

Firefighters battled a fire coming from the back of a mobile home in the Indianwood community in Indiantown on the night of Feb. 23, 2026.

Two residents inside the mobile home had escaped before firefighters arrived and were uninjured, according to officials.

One firefighter was evaluated for minor smoke inhalation but remained on duty after a medical refusal, according to officials.

The cause of the fire was unknown and remained under investigation on Feb. 24.

Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter with TCPalm. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fire burns Indianwood residential community mobile home in Indiantown
Six years ago, Meda DeWitt was seeking to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy from office. Now, shes looking to take his position.

Last week, DeWitt became the 17th person and second independent to file a letter of intent for Alaskas gubernatorial race.

Speaking by phone, she said a majority of the candidates in the race are Republican and all working off the same talking points.

We need somebody who isnt owned by a specific party and required to use those talking points shared among all of the party, and really listen to Alaskans and get the job done, she said.

Candidates for Governor

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DeWitt is a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in the state. She is Tlingit from the Naanya.aayi clan in Wrangell, she is senior state manager for the Wilderness Society in Alaska and president of Yak-Tat Kwaan Inc., the village corporation for Yakutat.

A traditional healer, she has 20 years of experience as a community and political organizer.

I have experience in working with the different components that a community needs to thrive, she said. And I believe that our state has some hard realities that we need to address. You know, we need to address climate change. We have 141 communities that are going to have to be relocated.

DeWitt said the states budget will need some tough love but that the next governor should also be prepared to support the base needs of what the state is supposed to provide its residents.

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Asked why she believes shes the best person to organize that, she said, Well, Alaska needs a mom. My elders that I work with have asked me to run. Communities have asked me to run. My children have asked me to run. They believe that I can make a difference, and so I personally may never have just chosen on my own to step up into that space, but when you have your elders in your life that matter, your children in your life that matter, and your community in your life that matter, that ask you to do it, then you have to take the time to honor that.

The recall campaign against Dunleavy launched in 2019, after the governor proposed sweeping budget cuts. It alleged a variety of illegal and incompetent acts.

Dunleavys attorney general rejected the campaign, stalling it until the following year, when it was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. The campaign ultimately fell short of the signatures needed to force a recall vote.

He cut safety, he cut education, he cut elder benefits, he cut all of these things that underpin being able to live here and survive, she said, recalling the campaign. Alaska is hard to live in.

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She noted that Dunleavy now has the worst approval rating of any governor in the United States.

The recall, even though we didnt recall him, we did hold him in check. He knew that that was always looming there in the background for his entire eight years, she said.

The next governor will have to deal with tough issues, DeWitt said.

We have to talk about ferries in Southeast, she said. We have to talk about coastal erosion on the West Coast, we have to talk about our oil and gas dependency and how thats not healthy for us. Also, whos talking about the fact that we ship in 95% of our food and goods?

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DeWitt sees her campaign as one focused on issues that people are talking about.

I think that this is a peoples campaign thats going to take people power to do it, and I look forward to working with Alaskans in the process, she said. And I humbly ask for their support and their vote and to be given the opportunity to serve.



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A Tuscaloosa woman faces a theft charge involving a fund for nursing home residents, according to the Alabama attorney generals office.

Tameko H. Green, 52, was arrested Feb. 23 and charged with one count of first-degree theft of property, Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a news release.

Green, who formerly served as the nursing homes financial officer, is accused of stealing at least $3,500 from 25 residents between January 2023 and September 2025.

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In her role as financial officer, Green was responsible for maintaining the facilitys patient trust fund, an account used for residents daily needs.

A referral from the Alabama Department of Public Health led to an investigation by the Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the News app

Green, who worked at the nursing home for 18 years, surrendered at the Tuscaloosa County Jail and was released after posting $5,000 bail.

If convicted, Green could face two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.

The nursing home was not identified in the attorney generals news release.

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The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is a division of the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. Seventy-five percent of its funding is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, totaling $1.14 million for fiscal year 2025.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@usatodayco.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa woman accused of stealing from nursing home
COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  Colleton Countys first tuition-free public charter school is preparing to break ground on a permanent campus that will eventually serve students from early kindergarten through eighth grade.

Libertas Academy, which is already operating in a temporary location, currently enrolls children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. The school plans to add one grade each year until it reaches eighth grade, and leaders say a new permanent campus is essential to supporting that growth.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, where former South Carolina governor David Beasley will join school and county officials to mark the start of construction.

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Organizers say the project represents a major investment in rural education and expands access to high-quality public charter school options in the region.

Beasley, who signed South Carolinas original Charter School Act into law in 1996, is expected to highlight the role charter schools play in increasing educational opportunities in rural communities.

Tutelage School Solutions, which supports the academy, said his participation, amplifies the significance of this milestone and the continued commitment to educational equity for students and families, no matter their zip code.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Smith Street in Walterboro.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A somber procession lit up the night sky as law enforcement agencies from across the Houston area honored Fort Bend County Deputy Kenneth Lewis.

The veteran deputy died Monday, two days after police say he was struck by a driver who fled the scene while Lewis was helping a stranded motorist.

On Monday night, Deputy Lewis' body was transported from Memorial Hermann Hospital to the medical examiner's office, escorted by officers from multiple departments paying tribute to one of their own.

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According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office (FBCSO), Lewis was in uniform when he pulled over in his personal car to help the driver. He was then hit by a passing vehicle that sped off.

It happened at about 3:40 a.m. on Saturday on I-10 near Eldridge Parkway. Lewis was heading home from an extra duty, said FBCSO Chief Deputy Mattie Provost.

"That's who he was, always wanting to help people," Provost said and described Lewis as having a "heart of gold."

"He was a talker. Every time I saw him at the office, he'd stop and talk to you for a while," she added. "Everybody in the community where he worked loved him because he was just a great guy."

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Lewis' three teenage children, 17-year-old twin boys and a 15-year-old daughter, were with him when he died, in addition to other family and friends, Provost said.

"As you can imagine, the shock they're in right now. So, they're just taking it day by day, and so we've assured them we're here for them, and we will help them get through this as they will help us get through it as well," she said.

Houston police are now searching for the suspect vehicle, described only as a black or dark-colored Honda sedan.

"I can assure you that we will solve it," Provost said. "It will be solved, and we will bring the person to justice for Deputy Lewis."

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Lewis had served with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office since 2015 and previously worked for the Missouri City Police Department.

Officials say that while he was performing a police function at the time of the crash, his death has not yet been officially classified as a line-of-duty death.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is urged to contact Houston police or Crime Stoppers.

For more on this story, follow Jessica Willey on Facebook, X and Instagram.


France's foreign minister on Tuesday demanded an explanation after US envoy Charles Kushner failed to show up to explain comments about a slain far-right activist but said ties between France and the United States would not be affected.

Kushner, whose son Jared is married to US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka, has already been summoned once before over his criticism of France's handling of antisemitism. He skipped that meeting as well, sending an official instead.

On Monday, France moved to block Kushner from having access to government ministers.

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Barrot summoned Kushner after the US embassy in Paris reposted comments by the Trump administration about the killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque, 23.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he wanted an explanation over the US ambassador's refusal to respect "basic" rules of conduct and behaviour of diplomats.

"It's a surprise," Barrot told broadcaster France Info.

"When you have the honour of representing your country, the United States of America in France, as ambassador, you abide by the most basic customs of diplomacy and you respond to summonses from the foreign ministry," he told broadcaster France Info.

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Barrot stressed the need "to have a conversation with him".

"I believe all French people share the same feeling," he said. "We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into, our national political debate, whatever the circumstances."

"This is the conversation we need to have," he said, noting that Paris also wished to raise the issue of US sanctions against several European figures, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.

However Barrot said the new incident would "in no way affect the relationship between France and the United States".

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"It has weathered other storms, but this will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country," France's top diplomat said.

Asked whether the ambassador might be declared persona non grata, Barrot did not answer directly.

A diplomatic source told AFP the ambassador cited "personal commitments" and sent a senior embassy official instead.

Deranque died from head injuries following clashes between radical-left and far-right supporters on the sidelines of a February 12 protest against a politician from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party in Lyon.

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The US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has reportedly assured French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot he will not interfere in the country's affairs, after he failed to explain claims France had seen a "rise" in violence.

The pair spoke by phone on Tuesday after Barrot blocked Kushner, father of Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, from access to ministers in response to the US envoy's apparent snubbing of a summons on Monday evening over his comments.

On Monday, Kushner had cited a prior engagement and sent a deputy instead of answering the summon himself.

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The pair have reportedly agreed to meet face-to-face in the coming days. Neither has spoken publicly about Tuesday's talks.

"[Barrot] reiterated the reasons that had led to the summons: France cannot accept any form of interference or manipulation of its national public debate by the authorities of a third country," a member of the foreign minister's team told French media about Tuesday's call.

"The ambassador took note and expressed his willingness not to interfere in our public debate."

The diplomatic row began last week, when the US embassy in France posted comments on social media about the murder of far-right nationalist Quentin Deranque, warning that "violent left-wing extremism is on the rise" in France.

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Deranque, a 23-year-old maths student, died in hospital on 14 February - two days after being beaten by a gang of masked young men in Lyon, in an attack which ministers from France's centre-right government blamed on "far-left" militants.

Quentin Deranque came under attack near an event by a leading radical left politician in Lyon [AFP]

The comments posted by the US embassy angered the French government, with Barrot saying over the weekend: "We reject any use of this tragedy, which has plunged a French family into mourning, for political ends."

"We have no lessons to learn, particularly on the issue of violence, from the international reactionary movement."

Kushner's failure to turn up on Monday worsened the situation, with the foreign ministry then accusing him of an "apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission".

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It said Barrot had requested Kushner "no longer be allowed direct access" to government ministers.

Prior to speaking to Kushner on Tuesday, Barrot told Franceinfo that his failure to answer his summons had been "a surprise".

"When you have the honour of representing your country, the United States of America in France, as ambassador, you abide by the most basic customs of diplomacy and you respond to summonses from the foreign ministry," said Barrot.

"We do not accept that foreign countries can come and interfere in, then insert themselves into, our national political debate, whatever the circumstances."

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The US embassy in Paris described Kushner's call with Barrot on Tuesday as "frank and amicable", telling the BBC in a statement that the pair had "reaffirmed their shared commitment to working together".

It is not the first time Kushner has found himself in diplomatic hot water with the French government. Last year, he was summoned over what the foreign ministry said were unacceptable allegations of failing to tackle a surge in antisemitism.

Six men suspected of being involved in the fatal assault have been charged over Deranque's death, while a parliamentary assistant for a deputy from the radical left France Unbowed (LFI) party has also been charged with complicity.

They were all members of, or close to, an organisation called La Jeune Garde (The Young Guard) which used to provide security for LFI before it was banned last year.

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LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, who is a likely contender in next year's presidential election, has said his party had "nothing to do with this story" and condemned "all forms of violence".

"We express our consternation, but also our empathy and compassion for [Deranque's] family and friends," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting at the Elysee Palace on Tuesday, which he had earlier said would "assess all the violent action groups that are active and have links with political parties".

Sources told French media after the meeting that the government had begun a process to close branches of La Jeune Garde that they suspected were trying to operate despite the ban.
US President Donald Trump is arguably one of the most consequential political figures shaping the global payments narrative today. His administrations overt support for digital assets has accelerated regulatory clarity and institutional engagement in the US crypto market. This resulted in stablecoins facilitating more than $30tn in transaction volume in 2025. Although much of this reflects trading or treasury flows, rather than consumer payments, it nonetheless signals the scale at which alternative settlement mechanisms are developing.

At the same time, US foreign policy and the increasing use of financial sanctions have accelerated discussions across parts of the Global South around trade settlement diversification and partial dedollarisation.

GlobalData Payment Cards Analytics

With the start of 2026, Europes payment sovereignty is once again high on the agenda, as European and UK banks point to increasing geopolitical and operational risks, in light of the continents structural reliance on US-based card networks, primarily Visa and Mastercard. GlobalDatas Payment Cards Analytics shows that 42% of total European card payments value was processed by Visa and Mastercard in 2025. However, zooming in on the UK and eurozone presents a more concentrated picture of dependence.

With no scaled domestic card scheme, the American duopoly accounts for 98% of total UK card payments value. In February 2026, major banks began discussions over alternative contingency solutions following resilience and concentration risk warnings from the Bank of England.

Nonetheless, banks are likely to continue working with Visa and Mastercard on supplementary infrastructure, routing optionality, and interoperability measures, rather than attempting to build an entirely new national scheme from scratch. This reflects not only the UKs long-standing infrastructural reliance, but also the absence of a widely adopted national mobile wallet solution comparable to those widely used in other parts of the world.

Mastercard, Visa combined market share doubles in eurozone

Europe presents a more mixed picture; leaving the market more fragmented than its level of economic integration would suggest. Visa and Mastercard processed 47% of the eurozones card payment value in 2025, with 13 out of 19 countries being highly reliant on these two providers with at least 96% of their card transaction values, according to GlobalDatas Payment Cards Analytics. The duopolys combined market share in the eurozone has doubled since 2010; further intensifying concerns over long-term dependency on foreign providers, even as it has improved cross-border acceptance and operational standardisation.
Fallen Beech Grove Police Officer Brian Elliott will be laid to rest on Monday, Feb. 23, following funeral services at Beech Grove High School.

Elliott was fatally shot in the line of duty Monday, Feb. 16 while responding to a domestic disturbance not far from the school.

Live updates from the funeral

The funeral opened with "Amazing Grace," performed by Bryan Wolfe of the Marion County Sheriff's Department.

Joshua Shrum, who was Elliott's best friend, spoke first to open the funeral.

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"Today is not about us  it's about Brian Elliott," Shrum said.

Beech Grove Mayor James Coffman spoke second. Here are selections of what Coffman said about Elliott:

"While Brian's service and sacrifice will forever be linked to him, it does not define all that he was. Brian was a husband, a son, a brother and a friend, and like many of us, Brian was a Beech Grove Hornet. He walked these same halls and graduated in 2011."

"He loved bourbon, music, motorcycles, his wife, family, friends and colleagues."

Brian Elliott was Mayor James Coffman's first officer he swore in after becoming mayor. It was April 8, 2024  the same day of the total solar eclipse in which Beech Grove was in the path of totality.

Beech Grove officers, including Elliott, traded friendship bracelets during an event when Taylor Swift was in town.

"He loved our community and fellow police officers with everything he had."

"This was so much more than a job to him."

"Brian was fun and someone you wanted to be friends with."

"As we heal together as a community, it's incumbent on us to share these stories and keep Brian's joy alive."

"I'll remember his joy, his bravery but also his humility. Brian was humble."

"We are not celebrating his life at some downtown Indianapolis sporting venue. We are home."

After Coffman spoke, the song "Here's To Us" by Halestorm played.

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Then, Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice spoke and shared the following:

Maurice thanked fellow officers who have assisted in the days since Elliott was killed. "I do not take it lightly that when our world stops, you've responded. Even when your world kept spinning, you were here to prop us up to get back on our feet."

"Erin, I want to thank you for sharing Brian with the Beech Grove Police Department."

"Feb. 16, 2026, will forever be a devastating day in the history of the Beech Grove Police Department."

"There is no playbook, policy and training that can prepare you when your officers call you  not one, but two  officers shot. As I drove into the city, I couldn't comprehend how this could've happened. I thought it was a mistake."

"Brian was a go-getter."

"After leaving the hospital, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Feb. 17, I returned to the police department as questions remained on what had occurred just a few hours prior. Although I had been briefed on several of the event, a few questions remained."

"Two officers heard a cry for help and without hesitation, answered that cry. They immediately went to intervene, unaware there was an ambush on the other side of that door."

"Ofc. Elliott was one of them. They knew he possessed those qualities that make the Beech Grove Police Department who we are."

"Ofc. Brian Elliott was the best of the best, and that's why he was a Beech Grove police officer."

"It is time for this nation and this state to have a criminal justice reform and youth violence ... it is time to hold those accountable ... so they cannot kill an innocent victim."

"We are hurting, shocked and broken-hearted at Brian's loss. There have been times where it almost seems unbearable."

"We cannot quit. That would only diminish the sacrifice that Brian made and the legacy he leaves behind."

"We will have a scar to bear, but I have already seen the resolve and unity this tragedy has brought."

"We have started down the long path of healing."

"Ofc. Brian Elliott, it was an honor to have served alongside you. We will continue to carry on your sacrifice from here."

After Maurice spoke, the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from "Fiddler on the Roof" played.

Shrum returned to share more remarks on Elliott:

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"I never imagined I'd be standing here talking about Elliott like this."

"He was honestly more than a best friend, more than a brother, more than anything."

"He was the guy that would make you laugh about the strangest things. One day when we were on duty, he convinced me to leave a fake ticket on the girl's car I was dating."

"Elliott had a way to talk to you and instantly make you feel like you'd known him for years."

Shrum said Elliott was the vice president of the Circle City Cigar Club.

"He was the guy that would help you out without hesitation, the guy that would sit with you in silence if that's what you needed. He didn't need credit  he just needed to know the people he loved were OK."

"He made those quiet sacrifices that you would never see."

"I remember him telling me that he was going to propose to Erin, and I told him, 'About time!' I told him 'You better do it before she gets to know you.'" (jokingly)

"I tried to come up with a way to say goodbye, a way to turn the page, but you can't."

"I'm sure a lot of you have heard this before: The Romans say that you die twice  once when your body leaves this world and once when your name is spoken for the last time. Elliott will never die that second death.

After Shrum spoke, the song "Purple Rain" by Prince played.

After "Purple Rain," "Sound of Silence" by Disturbed played with a collage of photos of Elliott being shown.

Then, the song "YYZ" by Rush played, with a photo of Elliott, his wife, Erin, and their dog.

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Shrum concluded the service by saying, "No matter what happens, tomorrow's another day, but we cannot get to tomorrow without getting through today first."

Inside the gym where Elliott went to high school, several tributes were on display Sunday, Feb. 22 during a visitation: his motorcycle with his helmet and jacket, photos with loved ones, and a letter from the Indiana attorney general expressing condolences to his family.

Police officers from across Indiana and the country came to pay their respects Sunday.

While the visitation was open to the public, Elliott's fellow law enforcement family took part in a private, more intimate ceremony. They presented a flag in Elliott's honor. Rows of officers in their dress uniforms saluted one of their own.

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Since Elliott's death, a police officer has been with him 24/7. Every time he has been moved, it has been in a flag-draped coffin with a police procession.

The 10-42 call outside of the Beech Grove Police Department happened at 1:44 p.m., which is the radio call signaling an officers end of service.

Approximately 500 cars were in the procession route from Beech Grove High School to Crown Hill Cemetery.

The hearse carrying Elliott reached the garrison flag outside of Crown Hill Cemetery at 2:39 p.m.

Funeral procession

A procession to Crown Hill Cemetery, on Indianapolis' north side, will follow the funeral. Community members are encouraged to line the route.

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The procession is expected to leave Beech Grove High School between 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Here is the route from the high school:

West on Hornet Avenue to Emerson

North on Emerson Avenue to Main Street

West on Main Street to N 17th Avenue

North on 17th Avenue to the round-about

West on Albany Street to Keystone Avenue

South on Keystone Avenue to I-65

North on I-65 to 29th Street Exit

East on 29th Street to Illinois Street

North on Illinois Street to 34th Street

Arrive at Crown Hill Cemetery

What we know about Ofc. Brian Elliott

Elliott was a two-year veteran of the Beech Grove Police Department.

"He has left a lasting impression and legacy on not only our department, but the city," Beech Grove Police Chief Michael Maurice said. "He always wanted to be a Beech Grove cop."

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In a Facebook post on Sept. 4, 2024, the Beech Grove Police Department congratulated Elliott at his swearing-in ceremony.

Elliott graduated from Beech Grove High School and got a criminal justice degree at IUPUI.

Prior to joining the Beech Grove Police Department, Elliott served with the Marion County Sheriff's Office for six years.

The sheriff's office said Elliott spent the majority of his time with the department serving in the Sex and Violent Offender Registry (SOVO) Unit, "a highly sought after position at the MSCO as it allows deputies to serve their community in a unique, hands-on way."

"Many amongst the MCSO ranks were very close friends of Officer Brian Elliott," the sheriff's office said, adding that he also served as a reserve deputy for a number of years. "He was well-respected and loved by his peers, and leaves behind fond memories in the hearts of many."

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While at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, the Beech Grove Police Department said Elliott, "represented our department with esteem as Assistant Squad Leader, Honor Graduate, and the Glenda Mercer Memorial Award winner for top academic achievement."

The Beech Grove Police Department shared the following fun facts about Elliott:

Favorite food: Sushi

Least favorite food: Pickles

Favorite team: Indianapolis Colts

Least favorite team: Los Angeles Lakers

Favorite movie: "Jurassic Park"

Favorite police movie: "Hot Fuzz"

Favorite band: Metallica

Pets: A dog named Ellie

Interesting fact: Elliott plays the bass guitar

How to support Ofc. Brian Elliott's family

The Central Indiana Police Foundation is hosting the official, family-approved fund to support Elliott's family.

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"His service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and our community now comes together to honor his life by caring for those he loved most," the Central Indiana Police Foundation said in a news release.

The Central Indiana Police Foundation in ensuring all donations made to this fund will directly support Elliott's wife, Erin, and his family during this incredibly difficult time.

Those who wish to contribute are encouraged to do so through this official foundation "to ensure the integrity and proper stewardship of all gifts," according to the news release.

Donations can be made at this link.

Checks  made out to Central IN Police Foundation, with the memo: Officer Brian Elliott Memorial Fund  can be mailed to the following address:

Central IN Police Foundation

1525 Shelby Street

Indianapolis, IN 46203

The Central Indiana Police Foundation is also accepting notes and cards for the family.

The QR code for the fund can be scanned below.
President Donald Trump briefly paused his remarks at an event recognizing angel families to talk to a woman about an eye procedure that hes paying for.

On Monday morning, the president hosted angel families  those who have lost loved ones at the hands of illegal immigrants  in the White House to honor their losses. While addressing the families, Trump suddenly stopped in his tracks to point out a seemingly familiar face in the crowd.

Hello, darling. How are you? he said to a female attendee. No, right behind you. Look. My friend, right? Are you OK? Yes, you! Are you OK?

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The woman said she was doing very well, prompting Trump to ask if her eyes were OK.

I gave her money to get her eyes fixed, Trump clarified to the rest of the audience. Lot of money to get her eyes fixed. That doctor ripped me off, but thats OK.

When Trump asked when she was schedule to get her operation, the woman explained that the plan was to have it done Wednesday.

Good! Trump responded. Youre gonna have 20/20 vision! Shes almost blind  cataracts. Shes almost blind, and with one operation thatll take a very short period of time  hope you have a good doctor. Hes an expensive doctor. Top of the line, right? But you know what? Youre gonna have 20/20 vision. Because I noticed youre wearing glasses. I saw you yesterday on television wearing glasses and I said, Wow.'

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The president also declared February 23 National Angel Family Day.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post I Gave Her Money: Trump Pauses Angel Mom Event to Bizarrely Boast About Paying for Audience Members Eye Procedure first appeared on Mediaite.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued more information to sponsors regarding its plausible mechanism pathway, a new framework to spur the development of therapies for ultra-rare diseases.

In the draft guidance published on 23 February, the FDA specifically discusses genome editing and RNA-based therapies that are highly specific and personalised.

The agencys commissioner, Martin Makary, and Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Director (CBER) director, Vinay Prasad, first unveiled the programme in a New England Journal of Medicine article in November 2025.

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The aim of the pathway is to remove regulatory barriers, such as large amounts of clinical data, in order to bring more innovative and bespoke therapies to market. At the time, the two FDA leaders were brief on details, though were keen to use Baby KJ as a case study. In May 2025, Baby KJ became the worlds first patient treated with a bespoke CRISPR-based therapy.

The criteria that house the pathway are therapies that identify a disease-causing abnormality, demonstrate an ability to treat the diseases root-cause, and rely on natural history disease progression in untreated patients. Sponsors with an application must also show that their product successfully drugs or edits the target and a positive clinical outcome.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr (RFK Jr) said: We are cutting unnecessary red tape, aligning regulation with modern biology, and clearing a path for breakthrough treatments to reach the patients who need them most.

The main feature of the pathway is reducing the reliance on clinical trial data, which is harder to obtain for personalised therapies drugging rare diseases with small patient population sizes.

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Within the draft guidance, the FDA said it is open to master protocols such as umbrella or platform trials. Trials must be designed to demonstrate clinical benefit, including symptom improvement, slowing of disease progression and decreases in disease related events. Biomarkers will also be accepted as endpoints if they are established to predict clinical benefit.

Given that many genetic editing technologies are considered modular in their approach, a highly supported plausible mechanism of action may used to approve therapy variants that target a different mutation. This effectively means that patients not included in the clinical trial used to support the original approval can still be included in the approved label. For example, a single disease with 150 different genetic mutations would be well suited to the bespoke pathway.

Makary stated: This guidance is a critical step the FDA is taking to tailor our regulatory approach to patients with ultra-rare conditions. It is our priority to remove barriers and exercise regulatory flexibility to encourage scientific advances and deliver more cures and meaningful treatments for patients suffering from rare diseases.

While gene editing and RNA-based technology is the focus of the guidance, the concepts could apply to other individualised therapies, as per the FDA. However, the agency has not provided further information on how this might be regulated.

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At the time of the initial announcement in November, William Blair analyst Sami Corwin said the pathway has broad, positive implications for cell and gene therapy companies.

She added: However, based on the language in the pathways outline, the application of the pathway, particularly beyond rare and ultra-rare diseases is a bit more unclear.

Advancing personalised therapies has been an aim of the Trump administration as it looks to cut the costs of longer-term treatment. In June 2025, in front of a cell and gene therapy panel, RFK Jr said he was going to continue to figure out new ways of accelerating approvals for rare disease drugs and treatments.

"Gene editing takes centre stage in FDAs new rare disease approval pathway" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




Georgetown McDonough MBAs. Courtesy photo

Starting this fall, Georgetown Universitys McDonough School of Business will be rolling out a redesign of its full and parttime MBA programs.

Overall, this curriculum shift happened because the environment for business education is changing very fast, Senior Associate Dean of MBA Programs Sudipta Dasmohapatra says. This is driven by AI, geopolitics, and the uncertain job environment.

AI LITERACY IN THE CURRICULUM

Leadership at McDonough surveyed alumni, employers, students, peer institutions, and the broader community, Dasmohapatra says, to get a strong understanding of which skills matter most to employers right now.

Senior Associate Dean of MBA programs Sudipta Dasmohapatra: Our focus is making sure that every student is data and AI literate, and thats why we dont have an AI specialization at this time in the program

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Industry leaders message to us was: Dont just teach the students what the business is, teach them how to do business in todays environment, she says.

Their insights were extremely valuable and heavily influenced this residency.The MBA program now front-loads the power skills that define effective leadership like communication, critical thinking, ethical judgment, and professional confidence.

Employers of course value their employees knowing fundamentals like strategy, finance, accounting, and leadership  but they also want graduates who can operate faster, communicate better, adapt to the changing world very quickly, and work confidently with technology.

As soon as MBAs arrive on campus, they dive into leadership development training, career preparation, and a techforward curriculum that sets the tone for their whole MBA experience.

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Theres also a new overarching emphasis on AI, data, and digital fluency in the program.

If you think about whats happening in the business world, skills are expiring really fast  especially AI and technology skills, shares Dasmohapatra.

In the opening term, regardless of their background, every student will partake in McDonoughs brand-new AI bootcamp.

RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP AROUND AI

Among specializations offered, McDonough is actually not offering one in AI. Thats because AI is embedded everywhere in their program.

Our focus is making sure that every student is data and AI literate, and thats why we dont have an AI specialization at this time in the program, says Dasmohapatra.

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Ethics is an inseparable topic when it comes to teaching technology and AI. Students must know the bias that comes with making decisions using generative AI, she says. Ethics is the basis of all AI conversations.

To keep ahead of the curve, McDonough is introducing a required core course called Applied AI and Experiential Learning, where their MBAs will complete hands-on projects that mirror real business challenges.

The opening term includes a new ethical leadership course which holds an ethical leadership project that spans the entirety of the program. MBAs receive seed funding of anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 to partner with an organization and create meaningful impact.

MBAs receive seed funding of anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 and they partner with an outside organization, explains Dasmohapatra. Then, like a true leader, they work to turn that money into much more while creating a positive impact.

Georgetown McDonough MBA Class of 2027. Courtesy photo

CAREER READINESS AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Career preparation for MBAs begins even before the opening term, with a career course that helps students refine resumes, craft cover letters, build their personal brand, and start mapping out potential paths.

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Our big focus is career readiness, and we weave this in throughout the entire curriculum, Dasmohapatra explains.

The opening term now has professional confidence skills, leadership development, communication skills, and networking as core components.

The hiring market has become very competitive, and its very skillsfocused, Dasmohapatra says. Employers want candidates who can hit the ground running on the very first day.

Alumni engagement is another part of what students can expect from this program.

As part of the revamp, the Leadership Communications course, which has historically been one of the programs most beloved experiences, has been moved from the end of the first year to the start of the program. Past MBAs had said that this experience would be even more valuable if started early on.

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The Leadership Development course wraps up in a simulation where students will present real business cases to more than 120 alumni acting as senior executives in front of hundreds of people.

In this experience, the MBAs are challenged by leaders and they really have to think on their feet, Dasmohapatra says.

Inside the classroom at McDonough. Courtesy photo

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Experiential learning extends far beyond the opening term.

McDonoughs signature Global Business Experience remains a cornerstone of the MBA program. This is where students work on consulting projects with international partners, travel to meet clients, and present their recommendations onsite.

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Customization is another hallmark of the redesign. Students take foundational core courses, and theyll also have access to a custom core thats designed especially for their own career goals.

Our focus in the new curriculum is to get the studeFnts career ready, but to also uphold the Georgetown values, Dasmohapatra says.

When they graduate, she hopes they leave having learned all of the tools and knowledge to set them up for success.

Our goal is that our students graduate with judgment, confidence, and knowledge, Dasmohapatra says, feeling ready to go into their jobs from day one.

The post Georgetown McDonoughs MBA Just Got A Reboot appeared first on Poets&Quants.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in China, seeking to rebalance the two countries trade relationship.

Berlin was for years the driving force for closer EU relations with Beijing  as China took off economically, it was a huge market for Germanys industrial exports. But that drive appears to be a historic policy miscalculation, Politico reported, comparable to Germanys reliance on Russian energy, as Chinas soaring industrial output floods markets and its dominance of raw-materials supply chains gives Beijing huge power over Germanys factories.

Merz is under pressure from German industry leaders to take a harder line, but he is in a tough spot: US unpredictability means relying on Washington is unwise, leaving him little leverage over Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Hungary and Slovakia will not be able to sustain their block on new EU sanctions on Russia, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said as the war in Ukraine entered its fifth year on Tuesday.

"I expect Hungary to agree" to the 20th EU sanctions package, Wadephul told local radio station RBB Inforadio.

He said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had likely been trying to send a signal amid the anniversary of the invasion launched on February 24, 2022. Top EU officials as well as European leaders have travelled to Kiev to mark the occasion.

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Hungary and Slovakia refused to sign off on a 20th package of sanctions against Russia on Monday, citing a halt in Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline running through Ukraine.

Hungary also vetoed an EU plan to provide key financial assistance for Ukraine. The measures would have amounted to a total of 90 billion ($105 billion), including 60 billion earmarked specifically for Ukraines defence against Russia.

The move caused ire among fellow EU leaders who had been meaning to sent a strong signal of support to Kiev as the war hit the four-year mark.

Wadephul accused Hungary of betraying its own history, noting that the country had been a driving force behind the fall of the Iron Curtain in the late 1980s.

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The German minister also criticized Orban, whose visit to Moscow in 2024 sparked outrage in Europe, for his Russia-friendly stance.

"Sometimes I get the impression that he pays more attention to what [Russian President] Vladimir Putin likes than to what serves Europe. But we must not allow ourselves to be irritated by this," he said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced calls from business leaders to insist on fair competition with China as he prepared to set off on Tuesday for talks with President Xi Jinping.

The Federation of German Industries (BDI) is calling on Merz to "clearly address issues such as overcapacity, distortions of competition and export controls on critical raw materials," said board member Wolfgang Niedermark.

"German and European companies are not only competing with highly innovative Chinese firms, but are also part of a systematic competition shaped by states."

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Without a change of course on China's part, new trade conflicts with the European Union are looming, warned Niedermark.

He said export controls on rare earths threaten Europe's economic security, while non-transparent licensing procedures and selective market access further distort competition and impair investment decisions.

Merz is to depart on Tuesday evening for his first trip to China since becoming chancellor last year.

On Wednesday, he will meet with Xi in Beijing to discuss economic cooperation and security issues such as the war in Ukraine. Merz also intends to raise the issue of human rights and visit the Forbidden City in the Chinese capital.

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The chancellor will be accompanied by a business delegation and will also visit the economic metropolis of Hangzhou.

Germany's export-led economy has become increasingly dependent on the massive Chinese market in recent years, but sales of German products such as cars have slowed amid rising domestic competition.

Nevertheless, China was Germany's main trading partner in 2025, overtaking the United States as a result of President Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Ghana's government has removed the name of a coup leader, who helped overthrow founding father Kwame Nkrumah exactly 60 years ago, from the country's main airport.

Kotoka International Airport will now be known as Accra International Airport, its original name. But the move has not been without controversy.

Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka was among a group of officers who deposed Nkrumah in 1966. He himself was killed at the airport the following year during a failed counter-coup attempt.

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The military government then renamed it in 1969 in his honour, portraying him as a "liberator" from what they saw as Nkrumah's authoritarian rule. But some argued his name contradicts Ghana's democratic values.

The transport ministry said the government "considered it appropriate" to restore the earlier name. Critics of the move, including Kotoka's family, said it erased his legacy and service.

Transport Minister Joseph Bukari Nikpe has been quoted in local media as saying that the change was aimed at projecting a neutral national image and reflecting the name of the capital city, Accra.

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But some have questioned the cost and asked why issues like unemployment and living conditions are not more of a priority for the government.

In arguing for the move, some civil society groups said that honouring Kotoka fundamentally contradicted the country's democratic values and glorified an unconstitutional change of government.

This view has gained traction under current President John Mahama, who returned to power after the December 2024 election, and the debate has intensified over the past month.

Among those who have opposed the name change is parliament's minority leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who called it a betrayal of the Volta Region, Kotoka's home.

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He argued that the name was one of the few national honours recognising the eastern region.

The discussions have spilled over to social media, with Ghanaians divided over the legal, social and political implications of changing the airport's name.

But in its statement on Monday, the transport ministry called on the public and international partners to support and co-operate with the relevant authorities to ensure what it described as a "smooth and seamless transition".

The authorities have assured the public that the name change will not affect airport operations, safety standards or international travel.

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In the build up to the 1966 coup, Nkrumah had faced criticism that he was becoming increasingly oppressive.

Historians have debated the role the West, particularly the US's Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), played in unseating Ghana's first president.

As well as leading Ghana to independence in 1957, Nkrumah was seen as a visionary in the pan-African liberation movement.

After his overthrow, Ghanaians lived through several coups up until the return of multiparty democracy in 1992.

Since then there has been a series of closely fought elections and peaceful transfers of power.

More about Ghana from the BBC:

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Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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At 4 p.m. Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced he was lifting Connecticut's temporary ban on commercial travel on state highways, which went into effect at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The ban had been put in place in advance of the arrival of a powerful nor'easter and bomb cyclone, which pounded Connecticut with heavy snow and damaging winds throughout most of the day Monday. Southern portions of the state saw their first blizzard in eight years, and the storm caused up to 30,000 power outages across Connecticut.

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In a release announcing the end of the commercial vehicle ban, Lamont still discouraged motorists from traveling, citing precarious conditions, particularly on local roads.

"While the worst part of the storm has passed, lingering snowfall remains and it is going to take some time for plow crews to fully clear the roads, which is why I continue to urge everyone to stay off the roads for the remainder of Monday unless absolutely necessary," Lamont said in the release. "If you must travel, leave early, take it slow and keep a good distance from the plows."

Shortly after Lamont lifted the travel ban, snow stopped falling in the state, at about 4:30 p.m., according to CT Insider meteorologist Dan Amarante.

The ban had only applied to "commercial vehicles," which the state Department of Motor Vehicles defined as "any motor vehicle designed or used to transport merchandise, freight or persons in connection with any business enterprise."

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Personal travel was not banned, though officials have advised against it, and emergency vehicles were able to travel unimpeded by the law, though not the weather conditions

A travel ban that neighboring Rhode Island issued Sunday night for all vehicles, not just commercial vehicles, remains in effect.

This article originally published at Gov. Ned Lamont ends Connecticut's commercial travel ban after 23 hours.
A Harrisburg auto dealer has been accused of conducting fraudulent business practices, according to State Police.

Khaled Yaye, 49, owner of Yeni Auto Sales, is charged with forgery, tampering with records, deceptive or fraudulent business practices, and altered, forged, or counterfeit documents or plates following an investigation by State Police.

Yaye also faces 130 violations of Pennsylvania Vehicle Code related to the "improper handling, reassignment, and processing of vehicle titles at his dealership, as well as charges under the Pennsylvania Board of Vehicles Act for substantial misrepresentation of facts in a vehicle sale, unprofessional conduct, and willful failure to display his dealership license," according to State Police.

The case was investigated by the State Police Vehicle Fraud Investigations Unit and the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Taxation is central to a countrys social cohesion, providing the revenue governments need to function, deliver services and maintain stability. The EU says it wants to make taxation fairer, more transparent and more efficient by tackling tax discrimination, double taxation and tax evasion.

Large multinational companies and wealthy individuals are increasingly under scrutiny as debate grows over whether they pay their fair share. Protests across Europe have at times called on them to contribute more.

A 2025 Eurobarometer survey found that two-thirds of EU citizens support a tax on the rich, while four in five favour taxing large multinational companies. Support varies widely across Europe, and experts say differences in trust in governments and public institutions help explain the gap.

Participants were asked: What is your opinion on a minimum level of tax based on wealth applied to the wealthiest individuals (top 0.001%) in your country?

On average, 65% across the EU supported such a minimum tax. Support ranged from 45% in Czechia to 78% in Hungary.

Beyond these two countries, support is at least 70% in Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Greece, while it falls below half in Poland and Denmark.

Among the EUs four largest economies, support levels are similar. Italy leads with 70%, followed closely by Germany and Spain at 69% each. France, at 65%, matches the EU average.

Overall, support is high in Central and Eastern Europe, though internal differences are striking. Poland and Czechia stand out as clear outliers, with significantly lower backing.

In some lower-support countries in the region, dont know responses are also relatively high, including Czechia (25%) and Latvia (19%).

Inequality and wealth gaps

Perceptions of inequality and the visibility of wealth gaps play a decisive role in shaping attitudes toward taxation, Erick Kirchler of the University of Vienna told Euronews Business.

Where social safety nets are weak and disparities in wealth are salient, citizens tend to demand stronger corrective measures, including higher taxes on the very rich.

He noted that many wealth taxes were abolished in the Nordic countries amid concerns about efficiency and tax avoidance. Citizens there, he said, generally trust existing income and capital-income taxes to work effectively and to distribute burdens fairly. Consequently, the willingness to reintroduce net-wealth taxes remains limited, he added.

Role of trust in government

Caren Sureth-Sloane of Paderborn University said differences in trust in government shape these perceptions. Levels of income and wealth inequality, and what people see as acceptable inequality, also play a role.
Palestinians across Gaza have woken up to heavy rains that flooded their makeshift tents as they brave the winter with little to no protection.

The enclave was hit by a winter storm late Monday through Tuesday  the first since the start of the holy month of Ramadan  with Gazas civil defence units reporting multiple distress calls overnight.

Rescue teams provided emergency assistance to several families whose tents were flooded in the al-Mawasi camp west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

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Areas west of Gaza City, particularly the Remal neighbourhood and the port area, were also hit hard.

Videos circulating on social media showed flooded tents in Remal, as residents struggled to find solutions to prevent further damage.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued to kill Palestinians in Gaza in violation of a ceasefire reached with Hamas in October.

Interactive - Attacks on Gaza calendar Feb 23, 2026-1771426871

As the enclave battled the aftermath of the rains, the Israeli military killed two people, including a boy, in northern Gazas Beit Lahiya area. The details of those killings are awaited.

Its not only the fact that aid is not entering, but also [that] Israel continues violating the ceasefire, continues to kill Palestinians, said Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary, reporting from Gaza City.

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More than 600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the United States-brokered ceasefire came into effect, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Israel launched its genocidal offensive in Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounding 171,000 others as it turned the enclave to rubble.





Catastrophic conditions

Tens of thousands of Palestinian families are living in makeshift tents, unable to withstand heavy rains and exposed to waterborne illnesses and the risk of hypothermia.

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said the situation remains catastrophic.

Since December, a series of winter storms have flooded or blown away tens of thousands of tents and caused already damaged buildings, previously hit by Israeli attacks, to collapse, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians.

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Some have died from extreme cold in their flimsy tents as Israel continues to block the entry of aid shipments and shelter materials, including tents and mobile homes.

Despite the harsh weather, Israel is maintaining its restrictions on the entry of critically needed humanitarian aid.

Al Jazeeras Khoudary said thousands of Palestinians denied permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment were homeless, because they do not have any houses to return to, as the Israeli forces destroyed most of their houses.




German bishops elected a new chairman on Tuesday, choosing a progressive described as a "Catholic cosmopolitan" as Church membership is rapidly declining in Germany amid demand for reforms.

Heiner Wilmer, 64, serves as bishop of the central city of Hildesheim and follows in the footsteps of Georg Batzing who led the German Bishops' Conference for six years but did not stand for re-election at the body's spring plenary assembly.

Wilmer is considered a supporter of women in leading positions in the Catholic Church, where they are still excluded from holding offices such as bishop or priest.

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He has also pushed for reforming the Catholic Church's stance on sexual morality and is in favour of allowing priests to bless homosexual couples, a highly controversial issue within the Church.

At the same time, Wilmer has underscored the importance of evangelism, meaning the act of spreading the belief in Jesus Christ and Christianity, an issue traditionally important to conservative bishops.

Noting that many Catholics have begun questioning fundamental Catholic tenets such as life after death or that Jesus is the son of God, he has called for fundamental questions of faith to be re-addressed.

Germany's Catholic Church is losing hundreds of thousands of members every year, having recently dropped to below 20 million. Surveys show that many Catholics want urgent reforms, including for women to be allowed to enter the priesthood and greater recognition for homosexual partnerships.

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As part of efforts to address such concerns, German bishops launched a reform process in 2019 called the Synodal Path.

However, this met with considerable resistance in the Roman Curia, the central administration in Rome, while a group of German conservative bishops also opposes liberal reforms.

Renowned canon lawyer Thomas Schuller described Wilmer, as a "man of the middle ground" and a "Catholic cosmopolitan" who is capable of fimproving relations with the Vatican.

"He speaks all the relevant languages, has excellent connections in Rome and is highly recognized there," Schuller told dpa.

"Wilmer is a man of the middle ground who stands for moderate reforms and will support them."
Shovels are returning to the ground  and snow  at the Gateway rail tunnel project sites in North Jersey and Manhattan.

The nearly 1,000 workers who were laid off Feb. 6 will return to work this week, said the Gateway Development Commission, the bistate agency overseeing the project.

The layoffs occurred because the commission ran out of money after the Trump administration withheld some $205 million in federal reimbursements over the last four months.

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That money was restored after the Gateway commission and the states of New York and New Jersey filed two lawsuits in separate federal courts accusing the Trump administration of breach of contract and irreparable harm.

"This is great news for these workers, the hundreds of thousands of riders who take the train to New York City every day, and the entire region, but we cannot take our eyes off the ball," Alicia Glen, a co-chair of the Gateway commission's board, said in a statement on Feb. 24.

Story continues below photo gallery.

"We need every federal dollar accounted for in our grant and loan agreements to build this tunnel," Glen said. About $15 billion of the $16 billion program involves federal grants and federal loans.

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In the weeks since construction was paused, politicians and laborers have held multiple rallies, spoken at public meetings and raised awareness about the effects of the pause on social media. At least three members of Congress from New York and New Jersey invited laid-off Gateway laborers to join them as guests at President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech on Feb. 24.

Balpreet Grewal-Virk, a co-chair of the Gateway commission, thanked everyone for the support they've shown the program these past few weeks.

"We are incredibly thankful for Governor Sherrill, New Jerseys congressional delegation, and the many other leaders who have called on the administration to stop delaying the most urgent infrastructure project in the country," Grewal-Virk said in a statement.

"Were seeing the results of this effort now, as hundreds of workers go back to our construction sites," Grewal-Virk said.

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Related: Meet laid-off Gateway tunnel worker who is State of the Union guest

Time to assemble tunnel boring machine

The Gateway project involves constructing a new two-track rail tunnel between North Jersey and New York Penn Station to improve service and then rehabilitating the 116-year-old tunnel currently in use.

NJ Transit and Amtrak riders who take trains that use the old tunnel routinely deal with delays, cancellations and unreliable commutes because of the tunnel's age, as well as the damage from corrosive salt water during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Work will resume at the Tonnelle Avenue sites in North Bergen, in the Hudson River, at the 12th Avenue site in Manhattan and at a project site on the Weehawken-Hoboken border.

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Among the most pressing matters is putting together the tunnel boring machine, a behemoth that arrived in multiple parts in January.

One of the tunnel boring machines made in Germany that will dig a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River between North Jersey and Manhattan.

It needs to be assembled so that excavation can begin this spring and make room on the property for a second tunnel boring machine that is ready to be shipped in parts from Germany.

The costs of the delays caused by the Trump administration's freeze on the money are not fully known, but the Gateway commission said the agency is delaying the award of two important contracts.

Those contracts are for future phases of work on the tunnel and the rail alignment with Secaucus Junction station in New Jersey.

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Awarding those contracts  previously scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026  will remain on hold until they "regain access to all $15 billion in federal grants and loans," the Gateway commission said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Gateway tunnel sites construction to resume. Here's when
Yunior Sosa Ordonez is the only person who can help put an alleged violent carjacker behind bars, but he may never get the chance. The Cuban citizen has been in ICE custody for the last four months, and the agency has so far refused to release him.

In the early morning hours of May 15, 2024, the 51-year-old Louisville man was driving for Lyft when he accepted a fare on his phone.

He arrived at the 1000 block of Sale Avenue in the Wyandotte neighborhood and stopped the car to let a man inside.

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Suddenly, the passenger brandished a handgun and ordered Sosa Ordonez to get out of the car. When Sosa Ordonez didnt move quickly enough, the man, identified by authorities as 24-year-old Amontre Easton, fired two shots near Sosa Ordonezs head.

Miraculously uninjured, Sosa Ordonez got out of the car, and Easton allegedly drove away.

The events that followed the carjacking would prove the lengths to which the federal government, under President Donald Trump, is willing to detain and deport noncitizens. Sosa Ordonez, later detained by ICE following a motor vehicle stop, has no criminal history in Kentucky other than a few traffic violations, and court filings indicate he has taken steps toward lawful status. Despite this, ICE continues to hold him, while local prosecutors plead for his release.

Left to wait, Sosa Ordonez joins hundreds of other ICE detainees in Kentucky jails uncertain about their futures.

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That is not a lawful civil detention," Louisville attorney Matthew Conway wrote in a civil lawsuit challenging Sosa Ordonezs detention. "It is executive detention without accountability."

Testimony is 'irreplacable'

The evening of the carjacking, Sosa Ordonez immediately reported the crime to Louisville police, who soon identified Easton through the Lyft history of the scheduled ride, according to an incident report. In October 2024, Jefferson County prosecutors secured an indictment charging Easton with first-degree robbery, first-degree wanton endangerment, and having a handgun as a convicted felon.

The Louisville Metro Police Department then signed off on a U non-immigrant status (U visa), confirming that Sosa Ordonez, a Cuban citizen, was a victim of the crime and had been helpful in the ensuing investigation. (The certification is the first step for non-citizen crime victims to apply for a years-long visa and potential residency.)

However, the situation became complicated when Sosa Ordonez was pulled over by LMPD on Oct. 10, 2025, for allegedly driving without a license plate. During the stop, officers discovered he had a warrant for failing to pay court costs associated with driving without registration, and they arrested him and booked him into Louisvilles jail.

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Two days later, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Sosa Ordonez, and he has since been incarcerated at the Oldham County Detention Center. The facility is one of 11 Kentucky jails that contract with ICE to detain people.

The Oldham County Detention Center on Thursday afternoon. June 15, 2023

Now, state prosecutors say they cannot prosecute Easton without Sosa Ordonezs testimony, but ICE has refused to release him.

The situation has become urgent; in January, Conway, Sosa Ordonez's attorney, emailed ICE requesting that Sosa Ordonez be released on parole. (ICE can release individuals on parole for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons).

In the email, Conway also attached a letter from a prosecutor with the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorneys Office.

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In the Jan. 6 letter, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Gillian Urbaniak said Sosa Ordonezs testimony was irreplaceable to the Commonwealths ability to prosecute the case and that there was no adequate substitute witness.

For those reasons, the Commonwealth respectfully requests that action is taken to ensure Mr. Sosa Ordonezs continued presence and availability to testify in the pending prosecution, she wrote.

More: ICE detainees seeking freedom slam Kentucky judges with petitions

It remains unclear whether ICE contacted the Commonwealth Attorneys Office in response to the letter or arranged for Sosa Ordonezs release.

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A spokesperson for the office declined to comment, citing Kentucky Supreme Court rules on trial publicity that limit the information prosecuting attorneys can share while cases are ongoing.

However, court records indicate that no such arrangements were made, and they allege that Sosa Ordonez is caught in a legal quagmire created by the Trump administration's policies.

ICE did not respond to a request for comment.

'Constitutional dead zone'

Six days after Conway sent the email and letter, an ICE agent informed him on Jan. 12 that he would have to wait for Sosa Ordonezs next court date.

I am not a (sic) IJ Judge and cannot release anyone on parole, the official, Jason Johnson, wrote, using the acronym for immigration judges.

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On the same day, Conway responded, saying he had provided Immigration Judge Kelly Johnson with Sosa Ordonezs U-Visa certification and other documents during a hearing the previous week. According to Conway, during that hearing, Judge Kelly Johnson asked a Department of Homeland Security prosecutor if ICE could parole Sosa Ordonez.

According to Conway, the prosecutor told the judge he lacked the authority to do so. He also said that he had seen Conways email and confirmed that Conway had contacted the right person, but that the approval for release or parole needed to come from Jason Johnson.

Im happy to work with you and provide information. Please let me know what is needed, Conway wrote to Jason Johnson.

Jason Johnsons response was brief: You would need to provide these documents to an IJ judge. I believe this next hearing is April 7, 2026. (On Jan. 14, Judge Kelly Johnson denied bond for Sosa Ordonez, ruling he lacked the authority to grant it.)

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The contradictory responses from the officials have left Sosa Ordonez in a constitutional dead zone in which no federal official claims authority to release petitioner, yet all insist on continuing his imprisonment, Conway wrote in a civil lawsuit challenging Sosa Ordonezs detention.

Conway did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Unable to prepare for trial

In late January, Conway filed a habeas corpus petition in the Western District of Kentucky, claiming that Sosa Ordonez is being held indefinitely in Oldham County in violation of the Fifth Amendment, which protects individuals, irrespective of their immigration status, from deprivation of life, liberty or property by the federal government without due process of law.

According to the petition, Sosa Ordonez has lived in Louisville since 2021 and has employment authorization, a Social Security number and a Kentucky drivers license. He has no criminal record in Kentucky aside from minor traffic citations and has filed multiple applications for relief, including an asylum application, according to Conway and court records.

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Conway argues that Sosa Ordonezs detention serves no civil or regulatory purpose.

It does not protect the public. It does not ensure appearance in immigration court. It does not advance removal proceedings in any meaningful way, Conway wrote in the petition. Instead, it has become punitive, arbitrary, and constitutionally indefensible. Even more troubling, it has become an instrument of federal interference with state criminal justice.

About a thousand people showed up in downtown Louisville to protest the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis. Thursday, January 8, 2026

Federal prosecutors, however, disagree. They assert that Sosa Ordonez is more likely to appear in state court if he is in ICE custody, pointing to his failure to pay court costs for the expired registration.

They also said in court filings that Judge Kelly Johnson, while denying Sosa Ordonez bond due to lack of authority, also determined that he posed a danger to the community and a flight risk. The Courier Journal could find no documents in the habeas petition to support that claim.

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The prosecutors contended that state actions, such as a prosecution, do not supersede federal actions.

Despite this, Conway is seeking the immediate release of Sosa Ordonez. He also requests that DHS be prevented from re-detaining Sosa Ordonez without a material change in circumstances, that DHS refrain from removing Sosa Ordonez from the U.S. during the criminal case, and that all removal proceedings against him be deferred or postponed.

Because of his continued detention since Oct. 10, 2025, he has been unable to meet with prosecutors, assist in trial preparation, participate in witness preparation, or otherwise fulfill his role as the victim and essential witness in the armed robbery case, Conway wrote. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has been stripped of its ability to prosecute a violent offender."

U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom, nominated to the federal bench in 2017 by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate the following year, is assigned to Sosa Ordonezs case.

As of February 23, Judge Boom had not yet ruled. A review of court records by The Courier Journal shows that Boom has two other pending habeas petitions in the Western District.

Some of her colleagues in the Western District, such as Judges Rebecca Grady Jennings, Greg Stivers, and Chief Judge David Hale, have recently ruled in favor of other habeas petitions, finding that the government violated the constitutional rights of ICE detainees.

The next hearing in the case against Easton is scheduled for Feb. 25. He faces several charges, including the robbery of Sosa Ordonez, the theft of a test-drive vehicle from an auto dealer, and taking cash from a Little Caesars restaurant after claiming to an employee he had a gun.

In addition, Easton allegedly impersonated an employee of another Little Caesars location to obtain cash from that store after he had already left his position at the chain.

Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor.

Monroe Trombly covers public safety. He can be reached at mtrombly@gannett.com. His X handle is @MonroeTrombly.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: ICE holds key witness in Louisville carjacking trial
NEW YORK  A departing bomb cyclone lashed the Northeast coast with hurricane-force wind gusts, set all-time snowfall records and is already being dubbed "The Blizzard of 2026" as it becomes the benchmark for several communities across the region. Hundreds of thousands are still without power, with a foot of snow recorded in 10 states.

At its height, over 40 million people across eight states were under Blizzard Warnings and more than 600,000 customers were in the dark Monday after the storm had "bombed out" offshore earlier in the morning. More than 11,000 U.S. flights were canceled through Tuesday, according to the flight-tracking site FlightAware.

Live Updates: Deadly Blizzard 'Bomb' Paralyzes Northeast In Extreme Snow, Soaring Power Outages

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The monster nor'easter has finally made its exit with the final flakes falling in the early morning hours Tuesday across parts of New England, which remain buried in snow.

Places farther south like New York City, New Jersey and the Philadelphia area were able to get a jump start on cleanup as the storm lifted through the day Monday. Many travel bans have been lifted and some mass transit systems that were shut down due to the massive nor'easter are beginning to come back online.

However, black ice is expected to remain a major concern through the Tuesday morning commute after a dangerous refreeze overnight.

The sprawling system produced several areas of "jackpot" snow totals, with 23 feet of accumulation where the heaviest bands set up, including southeast Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the eastern portion of New York's Long Island.

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A snow emergency remains in effect across Boston Tuesday. Public schools will stay closed but city offices and community centers will be operating on a delayed schedule, first opening at noon.

The city's subway, bus, commuter rail and ferry systems are operating with reduced service, after Boston tallied 17.1 inches of snow Monday.

The National Weather Service office in Norton recorded 31.8 inches of snow, while Berkley saw 31 inches.

The lion's share of the regional power outages remain in Massachusetts with more than 250,000 customers still in the dark early Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a travel ban remains in effect across Rhode Island, which saw the most snow of any state.

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Providence recorded 37.1 inches of snow, an all-time record. Warwick, North Kingston, Glocester and Central Falls all saw more than 31 inches of accumulation.

Connecticut lifted its travel ban Monday night.

What Is A Bomb Cyclone?

New York's Long Island tallied impressive snow totals, with Islip reporting 29.1 inches. A travel ban was in place across Suffolk County through Monday afternoon and county buses are scheduled to resume operation at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday.

FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel showed whiteout conditions just before 9:00 a.m.

New York City subways are operating with some residual delays and the heavily-used commuter rail lines of Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit have resumed service with modified schedules.

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Central Park tallied 19.7 inches of snow entering the city's top 10 snowstorms of all time.

MTA buses during a winter storm in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued a rare citywide travel ban for non-essential vehicles across all city roads, which was lifted at 12:00 p.m. Monday

New York City public school students had their first full snow day since 2019, although in-person classes resumed Tuesday.

Newark, New Jersey just west of New York City, recorded 27.1 inches of snow, its second-biggest snowstorm, after a heavy snow band sat over the region overnight Monday.

The central and southern parts of the state, as well as the Jersey shore are seeing some of the largest snow totals. Freehold recorded 22.2 inches of snow by Monday morning.

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Toms River recorded more than 12 inches of snow and Atlantic City tallied more than 14 inches of snow by Monday morning.

Philadelphia ended its snow emergency at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday after tallying more than 14 inches of snow.

Delaware the state's department of transportation reported Mondayt that nearly 100 roads in Kent and Sussex Counties have downed trees or power lines and many others are in poor condition due to snow accumulation.

Non-emergency vehicles were banned on all roads in Sussex and Kent and only essential personnel are allowed to drive in New Castle County.

Two people were killed near Sunderland, Maryland Sunday afternoon after a tree fell on their car as the nor'easter began to slam the region.

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The Calvert County Sheriff's Office said Monday that a third person was trapped inside and was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

In Washington, D.C., both the Senate and House postponed key votes to Tuesday due to the nor'easter.





Original article source: Historic blizzard of 2026 smashes snow records as millions begin to dig out from vicious bomb cyclone
Hong Kong has formally complained to the government of Panama after it took control of two ports on the Panama Canal. It accused the Panamanian authorities of taking them over by force.

The ports had been run by a Hong Kong-based company, CK Hutchison, for more than two decades.

Last month, Panama's Supreme Court annulled the contracts which allowed the firm to operate the container ports, saying they were "unconstitutional".

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The ruling followed claims by US President Donald Trump that China was operating the canal. There is no public evidence to suggest this.

Hong Kong's government said, in a statement, it was lodging a "strong protest" after Panama's "blatant act" undermined both the "spirit of the contracts" and "international trade rules".

Last year, the Hong Kong-based company agreed to sell most of its stake in the two ports to a group led by the US investment firm BlackRock. The move by the Panamanian government could disrupt the $22.8bn (20.75bn) sale, according to the Reuters news agency.

CK Hutchison, founded by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, described the move as "unlawful".

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President Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Central American canal is under Chinese control.

During his inauguration address last January, he said: "China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama and we're taking it back."

The following month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also demanded that Panama make "immediate changes" to what he called the "influence and control" of China over the canal.

There is no public evidence to suggest China exercises control over the canal, though Chinese companies have a significant presence there.

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Up to 14,000 ships use the 51-mile (82km) Panama Canal each year as a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific.

The waterway, which handles about 5% of global maritime trade volume, is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an agency of the Panamanian government.

From October 2023 to September 2024, China accounted for 21.4% of the cargo volume transiting the canal, making it the second-largest user after the US.
CHICAGO (WGN)  A Downers Grove man was making his last food delivery before heading home when he was killed Monday morning.

A person of interest of is in custody in connection with the investigation, police said.

Family identified the victim as 28-year-old Daniel Figueroa, a man who loved fishing, drawing, art, and spending time with loved ones.

Chicago police officers responded to the 5500 block of West Flournoy Street in the Austin neighborhood around 2:05 a.m. after he was found lying in the street.

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Police sources say Daniel Figueroa had just made an Uber Eats delivery at Loretto Hospital when an encounter with three suspects trying to steal his van turned deadly.

Photo provided by Chicago police shows 33-year-old Montoya Perry, a Maywood resident, who has been charged with a felony count of murder and a felony count of vehicular hijacking in connection with the killing of a delivery driver in Austin.

According to police, 33-year-old Montoya Perry, a Maywood resident, has been charged with a felony count of murder and a felony count of vehicular hijacking in connection with the incident. The van has also been recovered.

Carlos Figueroa, the victims father, shared his familys plea for justice just hours after learning the worst news of his life.

He was my youngest son, and now I have to bury him because someone decided to take his life, Carlos Figueroa said. He was on his way home. This was going to be his last stop.

(L to R) Carlos Figueroa and Daniel Figueroa (Photo provided to WGN)

Police sources said Daniel Figueroa was delivering to a doctor at the hospital, who told investigators the drivers location showed him nearby. When he went out to get his food, he found the 28-year-old lying in the street.

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Investigators spoke with hospital workers and reviewed surveillance video, according to police sources. They learned the victim had already dropped off the food when he encountered three suspects trying to steal his van on his way out.

As Daniel Figueroa tried to open the door, the suspects dragged him for about half a block before they took off. He was transported to Mt. Sinai, where he was pronounced dead.

I hope my son didnt suffer, Carlos Figueroa said. He didnt deserve this. Not one bit. He was a good kid.

Carlos Figueroa said his son grew up in Downers Grove and still lived there with his girlfriend and her son, whom he loved and saw as his own.

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I used to live in the city. I moved away from all of that to give my kids a better life. Not for this, and the city took him from me, Carlos Figueroa said.

Daniel Figueroa had been trying to earn some extra money on the side of his job as an Amazon delivery driver.

He was just trying to do something for himself out there, Figueroa said. Im hollow inside. I dont know what to do. I have to deal with this now and for the rest of my life.

Daniel Figueroas family said fishing with his dad was a cherished tradition they shared. He loved it so much, his dad joked, he even had a small fishing pole tattooed on his finger.

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My hearts broken. As a parent, I dont wish this upon anybody, and I dont know what to do from here, Carlos Figueroa said.

Loretto Hospital says its fully cooperating with law enforcement in the investigation. In a statement, a hospital spokesperson wrote:

On behalf of Loretto Hospital, our prayers and condolences go out to the individuals family and loved ones. Our focus remains on supporting the safety, health, and well-being of the community we serve during this difficult time.

A spokesperson for Uber also shared a statement with WGN-TV:

Were incredibly saddened by this tragic loss, and our thoughts are with their family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginably difficult time. Weve reached out to police and will assist them however we can.

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Area Four detectives are conducting the investigation into Daniel Figueroas death, which was ruled a homicide, according to authorities.

Anyone with additional information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

This way, there can be some kind of justice for my son, and he didnt die in vain, Carlos Figueroa said. I would appreciate it.

Police have not released a description of the suspects, but sources say video appeared to show two females and one male getting into the victims vehicle.

Figueroas loved ones have since created a GoFundMe fundraiser in an effort to cover funeral costs and provide some immediate financial stability for his family.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEED TO KNOW

Human remains going back to the early 1900s were discovered at a construction site where a new building was being constructed this month, the University of Oklahoma said

Work on the building has been halted following the discovery

The school said it has contacted authorities about the find

Human remains possibly dating back over 100 years ago were found at a construction site, said officials with the University of Oklahoma last week.

Construction crews made the discovery on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the future home of the schools Life Sciences Laboratories Building, the university said in an email to PEOPLE on Monday, Feb. 23.

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Work was stopped immediately, and the university notified law enforcement and the State Medical Examiners Office. All required procedures and state burial protection laws are being followed, OU said.

The school suggested that "criminal activity" has been ruled out, adding, Based on preliminary evaluation, there are no findings to suggest criminal activity. Early indications suggest the remains date to the early 1900s."

The school also said the site remains an early-stage evaluation, and we will continue to follow all legal and regulatory requirements.

The university is committed to ensuring the remains are handled with care, dignity, and respect, the statement concluded.

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A truck apparently affiliated with the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was present at the construction site on Friday, Feb. 20, per the OU Daily, the school's student newspaper.

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.

Construction workers were observed drilling around an area that was blocked off by a white tent, the newspaper reported.

The Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) told PEOPLE Monday, Feb. 23, that the agency has "waived jurisdiction on the case since they are non-forensic remains."

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A spokesperson for the OCME had explained earlier to the OU Daily that the discovery of non-forensic remains means that the deaths do not require a criminal investigation.

The site where the remains were discovered was formerly occupied by Sutton Hall, which was demolished last year for the new building being constructed, The Oklahoman reported.

PEOPLE was directed to State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck for further information, but did not receive an immediate response.

Read the original article on People
The Flagler County Sheriffs Office and the FBI Jacksonville have recovered human remains and vehicle parts believed to belong to Mary Lou Combs, a Palm Coast woman who disappeared in 2003.

The discovery, which was announced Monday, follows the location of a car bumper in October that matched the make and model of the red 1996 Plymouth Neon Combs was driving at the time of her disappearance, the FBI said.

Combs, 41, was reported missing on Oct. 9, 2003, after not attending her daughters birthday celebration. The last time she was seen was on August 19, 2003, when she left the home she shared intermittently with her mother and three children.

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Family members reached out to the sheriffs office after realizing she had not collected her final paycheck from a Food Lion in Flagler Beach.

In October, a voluntary dive team collaborating with the Cold Case Unit discovered a bumper matching Combs red 1996 Plymouth Neon Coupe. The vehicle was found upside down, partially buried in muck at a depth of about 14 to 17 feet underwater.

Because the car was fragile, the FBI Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team from Miami, along with the Jacksonville Evidence Response Team, participated in the recovery operation on Feb. 3.

FBI divers entered the vehicle through a broken driver-side window and used dredging equipment to suction out the contents into a sluice basket on the shore. Investigators from the Flagler County Sheriffs Office CSI team examined the sediment to find evidence. They recovered items such as a steering wheel labeled Neon, a manual window crank, a floor mat, and red plastic. Divers also discovered a size seven shoe, matching Combs shoe size.

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In addition to the vehicle parts, the search team recovered a Florida drivers license belonging to Combs, child toys and a car seat. An onsite forensic anthropologist identified the human remains found at the scene.

One recovered bone featured a metal plate from an ankle reconstruction, a medical procedure Combs was known to have had following an injury. Detectives are currently investigating whether the serial numbers on the medical device match records for Combs.

Investigators noted that while rumors suggested Combs may have overdosed at a party, current evidence points toward a tragic accident. Detectives believe she likely drove her car into the Intracoastal Waterway and drowned.

The human remains are currently with the medical examiner, who is investigating to determine the cause of death. Following that investigation, the remains will be sent to a lab for DNA cross-referencing to confirm a match with Combs.

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Detectives also continue to work on confirming the registration of the medical devices found with the remains.

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Hundreds of thousands of people remain without power after a powerful noreaster moved through.

As of 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, more than 209,000 customers are without power, according to the MEMA outage map.

Of the outages, more than 134,000 were in Barnstable County. Plymouth County also had over 50,000 outages.

Bristol County is also reporting over 5,000 outages.

By Monday morning, blizzard criteria were met in many communities, including Boston. Rhode Islands TF Green Airport broke a snowfall record set in the Blizzard of 1978.

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More than three feet of snow buried some local communities.

Hurricane-force winds? Town-by-town list of top gusts reported in Mass. during noreaster

Schools across the state were forced to call off classes for Tuesday.

For the full forecast, visit the link here.

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
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Advanced Micro Devices has agreed to sell up to $60 billion worth of artificial intelligence chips to Meta Platforms over five years in a deal that allows the Facebook owner to purchase as much as 10% of the chip firm.

Here is a list of multi-billion-dollar AI, cloud and chip deals signed recently:

More from Yahoo Scout What major AI infrastructure investments are companies making? What are Meta's $60 billion AMD deal details? Which tech giants are leading multi-billion dollar AI acquisitions? How is OpenAI securing funding and partnerships across industries?

OPENAI DEALS

AMAZON AND OPENAI

Amazon is considering an investment of around $10 billion in OpenAI, though talks remain "very fluid," according to a source who requested anonymity due to the private nature of their talks.

DISNEY AND OPENAI

Walt Disney to invest $1 billion in OpenAI and will let the ChatGPT-parent use characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel franchises in its Sora AI video generator - a move that could transform Hollywood content creation.

As part of the three-year licensing agreement, Sora and ChatGPT Images will begin generating videos featuring licensed Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Mufasa early next year. The deal excludes any talent likeness or voices.

BROADCOM AND OPENAI

OpenAI has partnered with Broadcom to produce its first in-house artificial intelligence processors, the latest tie-up for the world's most valuable startup for computing power amid surging demand for its services.

AMD AND OPENAI

AMD agreed to supply artificial intelligence chips to OpenAI in a multi-year deal that would also give the ChatGPT creator the option to buy up to roughly 10% of the chipmaker.

NVIDIA AND OPENAI

Nvidia is set to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and supply it with data center chips, in a deal giving the chipmaker a financial stake in OpenAI. OpenAI is already an important customer for Nvidia.

ORACLE AND OPENAI

Oracle is reported to have signed one of the biggest cloud deals ever with OpenAI, under which the ChatGPT maker is expected to buy $300 billion in computing power from the company for about five years.

COREWEAVE AND OPENAI

CoreWeave signed a five-year contract worth $11.9 billion with OpenAI in March, before the Nvidia-backed startup's IPO.

STARGATE DATACENTER PROJECT

Stargate is a joint venture between SoftBank, OpenAI and Oracle to build data centers. The project was announced in January by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said that the companies would invest up to $500 billion to fund infrastructure for artificial intelligence.

META DEALS

META AND AMD

AMD will sell up to $60 billion worth of artificial intelligence chips to Meta in a deal that allows the social media firm to purchase as much as 10% of the chip firm.

AMD will supply six gigawatts' worth of chips to Meta, starting with one gigawatt of the company's forthcoming MI450 flagship hardware in the second half of this year.
The European Union has stumbled at a crucial moment in its effort to tighten pressure on Russia, after Hungary unexpectedly blocked a new round of sanctions just as leaders sought to project unity ahead of the wars fourth anniversary.

This is a setback and a message we did not want to send today, said the EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, after Mondays meeting of foreign ministers failed to reach agreement. Diplomats had been racing to finalise both a fresh sanctions package and a major financial lifeline for Kyiv  a combined show of resolve as the conflict grinds on.

Four years on from Russias full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the human toll remains immense, with an estimated 1.8 million Russian and Ukrainian soldiers dead, wounded or missing. European leaders had hoped to underline their continued support for Ukraine while raising the economic cost for Moscow.

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Hungary's Orban defies EU by promising to go on buying Russian oil

Unity under strain

The proposed measures, if agreed by the European parliament, will be the EUs 20th sanctions package against Russia, targeting its shadow fleet and key energy revenues  sectors seen as vital to sustaining the Kremlins war effort. Alongside this, ministers are working to approve a 90 billion loan to help Ukraine meet its military and economic needs over the next two years.

Hungary  widely regarded as the blocs most Russia-friendly member  disrupted those plans. Over the weekend, Budapest signalled it would block both the sanctions and the loan unless Russian oil deliveries to Hungary resumed.

Those shipments, along with supplies to Slovakia, have been disrupted since late January after reported drone attacks damaged the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude through Ukraine into Central Europe. Ukrainian officials say the damage was caused by Russian strikes, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Kyiv of deliberately holding back supplies  an allegation without evidence.

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Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said energy security was at stake. No one has the right to put our energy security at risk, he said ahead of the talks.

Kallas warned that Hungarys stance also raised legal concerns, noting that backing away from a previously agreed Ukraine loan would run counter to EU treaties.

Despite the impasse, most European leaders struck a determined tone. In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron said Europes commitment to Ukraine "remains unwavering. Finlands President Alexander Stubb, standing alongside him, called on allies to raise the costs for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz marked four monstrous years of war and urged continued support, warning that Europe stands at a crossroads for its future security.

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Moscow war against Ukraine 'triple failure for Russia', Macron says

Pressure on Moscow

For many in the EU, the logic is clear  the war will only end when it becomes unsustainable for Russia to continue. This war will only end when Russia no longer sees any sense in continuing it, Merz said, arguing that Moscows war financing must be squeezed further.

Stubb echoed that view, describing Russias campaign as a strategic failure as well as a military and economic one. Putin is not winning this war, but he cannot make peace, he said.

The EU has already committed almost 195 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine and has taken significant steps to curb Russian energy exports. Most European countries have sharply reduced or ended their reliance on Russian oil and gas since 2022.

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Hungary and Slovakia, however, remain exceptions. Both have maintained  and in some cases increased  imports under a temporary exemption from the EUs ban on Russian oil.

Domestic politics may also be shaping Hungarys position. Orban, facing a tight election in under two months, has launched an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign and accused the opposition Tisza party  which leads in many polls  of conspiring with Brussels and Kyiv to install a pro-Ukraine government.

Polands Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski suggested Hungarys veto threat may be tied to that political battle. I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine, he said, adding that the government had fostered hostility towards the victim of aggression.

The EUs latest attempt to present a united front has faltered, but most member states remain committed to supporting Kyiv and increasing pressure on Moscow.

(With newswires)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has shut down plans for a new federal immigration detention center in her alleged lovers home state after protesters made it clear it was not welcome.

New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced on Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security would not move forward with a proposed 324,000-square-foot Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility that would have housed 500 to 1,000 migrants in the town of Merrimack, New Hampshire.

During my trip to Washington last week, I had productive discussions with Secretary Kristi Noem, and Im pleased to announce that the Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack, Ayotte, a Republican, said in a press release, which was shared on X by Politico reporter Kyle Cheney.

The New Hampshire governor said Noem had scrapped the planned Merrimack ICE facility. / Kyle Cheney/X

Noems chief adviser and alleged lover, Corey Lewandowski, was a marine patrol officer in New Hampshire and mulled running for U.S. senator in the state in 2019.

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On Saturday, hundreds of community members gathered in the streets outside Merrimack Town Hall to protest the proposed ICE detention center.

Among the protesters was Democratic state Rep. Wendy Thomas, who said the warehouse facility would cost the town $529,000 in lost revenue every yearfunds that she argued would be better used to support our schools, our roads, and our public services.

Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, assumed office in January 2025. / Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

This decision will define who we are, not just as a town, but as a state, Thomas said at the rally, InDepthNH reported. Merrimack should not become the place where suffering is hidden behind fences and contracts. New Hampshire should not become the state that welcomes this.

City officials have repeatedly said they have been in the dark" about DHS plans for the ICE facility, according to NHPR.

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The Merrimack warehouse is one of several proposed ICE warehouse detention centers around the country that have drawn backlash from the local community.

Officials in the small, primarily conservative town of Social Circle, Georgia, have expressed concern about the federal governments purchase of a large industrial warehouse for ICE detainees. Community members, who live in a county that voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, shared similar sentiments.

I would rather not have it here, longtime Social Circle resident Harriett Nunnally told The Guardian. I dont see any pluses... nobody wants a prison in their backyard.

Residents in the primarily Republican town of Social Circle, Georgia, have come out against the giant proposed ICE detention center. / Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

The Republican state representative for Merrimack, Bill Boyd, has also been trying to stop the planned detention center, telling NHPR that he was against [the plan for the facility] for the simple fact that this is federalism run amok.

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On Feb. 6, Boyd wrote a letter to Noem warning of the negative impact that the ICE facility would have on the towns economy and public safety services, saying it would stifle economic growth and replace it with an incompatible use that generates minimal economic returns or community benefits.

Kristi Noem earned the moniker ICE Barbie for her camera-ready immigration crackdowns. / ALEX BRANDON / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, the states congressional delegation announced a bipartisan bill requiring input from residents and state and local officials before creating new federal detention facilities.

Our new bill responds directly to the concerns weve heard from local officials in towns like Merrimack, New Hampshire, and across the country, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said, according to NHPR. They were never consulted about ICEs plans, and they dont want the chaos of new detention facilities in their communities.

Anti-ICE protests have broken out across the country over the past few months. / Jesse Grant/Getty Images

When reached for comment, DHS shared a statement attributed to Noem: I appreciated my discussions with Governor Ayotte last week. From banning sanctuary cities to strengthening law enforcement cooperation, New Hampshire has been a strong partner in securing our country, and we look forward to continuing our work together.
Feb. 23U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement authorities on Monday defended the arrest of a Soldotna mother and her three children amid vigils for the family and a state legislative hearing on ICE's actions in Alaska.

Sonia Espinoza Arriaga, a McDonald's employee who'd recently married a U.S. citizen, and her three kids ages 18, 16 and 5 were taken into custody in Soldotna on Feb. 17.

The next day, Espinoza Arriaga and the two younger children were deported to Mexico, where they remain. The family is in Jalisco state, according to the family's attorney. Since Sunday, Jalisco state has been wracked with street violence after the Mexican government killed the head of a notorious drug cartel.

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Espinoza Arriaga, an asylum seeker, was fleeing cartel violence as well as fear of a past partner when she entered the U.S. in 2023, her husband, Alexander Sanchez-Ramos, has said.

In a statement Monday, ICE spokesperson Christine Cuttita said Espinoza Arriaga and her family "were issued a final order of removal as a family unit Jan. 13 after she failed to show up for her immigration court hearing."

"ICE located and arrested Espinoza in Soldotna, Alaska on Feb. 17 during a targeted vehicle stop," the statement said. The mother "is now facing the consequences of making the decision to not follow that lawful order to report to ICE," Cuttita wrote.

Cuttita wrote that "upon Espinoza's request, ICE ensured that her family remained unified and brought the entire family unit to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office in Anchorage for processing. At no time were the children separated from their mother while in ICE custody."

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"ICE does NOT separate families," wrote Cuttita. "Parents are given a choice to either take their minor children with them or place them in the care of someone they designate. This is consistent with past administration's immigration enforcement."

While Espinoza Arriaga and her two other children were deported thousands of miles away to Mexico, her 18-year-old son was processed as an adult and held at the Anchorage jail before being transferred to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Washington.

Their cases are in the process of both a federal habeas corpus petition and an appeal in immigration court, according to Lara Nations, the attorney.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing held in Juneau on Monday, legislators heard from advocates as well as representatives of state agencies after the detention of Espinoza Arriaga and her children.

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The hearing was organized by Rep. Andrew Gray, an Anchorage Democrat, and included speakers from advocacy and legal organizations as well as clergy members and representatives of state agencies, including the Alaska Department of Public Safety and the Alaska Department of Corrections.

The Alaska State Troopers have no role in enforcing immigration law, said Leon Morgan, a deputy commissioner with the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

"We don't coordinate with ICE for immigration enforcement," Morgan testified.

In criminal cases, "we will certainly work with our federal partners," he said. But civil immigration enforcement matters aren't in that purview, he said.

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"That's been a long-standing policy with the department," Morgan said.

Some law enforcement agencies have formal cooperation agreements with ICE through programs in which state or local law enforcement officers are trained, certified and authorized by ICE to do functions of immigration enforcement such as serving and executing administrative warrants on people in their custody. Troopers are not part of that program, Morgan said.

Only two Alaska agencies  the Alaska Department of Corrections and the Kodiak Police Department  are currently listed by ICE as participating.

[Former ICE instructor says agency slashed training for new officers, lied to Congress]

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Asked about media reports that Espinoza Arriaga and her kids had been taken to an Alaska State Troopers post in Soldotna, Morgan said he thought ICE had maybe switched vehicles in the parking lot.

"I don't think we leveraged any trooper assets to do that," he said.

The Alaska Department of Corrections has an agreement to hold federal detainees of all kinds  both those charged with federal crimes and civil immigration detainees, testified Zane Nighswonger, director of institutions with the department.

Immigration detainees are subject to the same conditions as criminal defendants in jail, but "we do keep them separate from the prisoner population, as they're non-criminally charged," he said.

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People usually spend about 72 hours in the Anchorage jail until they are flown to the Northwest Detention Center in Washington, where some stay for months or even years.

The committee also heard testimony from Soldotna-area residents and community leaders, including a mom who said her daughter was in the same kindergarten class as 5-year-old Matias Espinoza Arriaga. Alison Flack spoke of working with the boy as a classroom volunteer just days before he was taken into ICE custody.

"He was working so hard. He was following my instructions and sounding out his words," she said. "I could tell how proud he felt."

A few days later, her daughter told her the child hadn't been at school. When she read news accounts of the family's detention, "I immediately got a lump in my throat," she said.

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Families were shaken to hear that he had been detained along with his mother and brothers. Flack said she wasn't sure how to explain the situation to her daughter.

"Should I tell her that he moved and just hope and pray that she doesn't find out the truth?" she said.

More than 120 people showed up for a meeting in Soldotna to talk about what happened to the family, said Meredith Harbor, a pastor with Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Many of them didn't know the family personally, she said.

A vigil for the family Monday night drew an overflow crowd at St. John United Methodist Church in South Anchorage.

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Lead pastor Andy Bartel said he wasn't surprised by the large turnout.

"I think most people want to feel empowered, that they have a voice, that we are a nation that has been by the people and for the people," Bartel said.

Daily News photojournalist Marc Lester contributed.
An Idaho lawmaker brought a memorial Monday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision legalizing gay marriage.

But even if the Supreme Court were to undo that ruling, its unclear how quickly that would affect Idaho. The Gem State has recognized same-sex marriages since the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the states ban on gay marriage in 2014, nine months before the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges case.

Rachael Beierle (left) laughs along with then-acting Boise Mayor Maryanne Jordan (middle) as Amber Beierle (right) recites her marriage vows at City Hall on Oct. 15, 2014.

The memorials sponsor, Rep. Tony Wisniewski, R-Post Falls, told the Statesman he was not a lawyer and couldnt say.

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Several states view of marriage superseded other states definition of marriage and brought everybody down to a common denominator, Wisniewski told the House State Affairs Committee on Monday morning. The ultimate issue here is that this is an area best left to the states.

The memorial also said that the Legislature rejects the Obergefell decision and called the ruling an illegitimate overreach. A successful memorial is an expression of the Legislatures view but has no impact on law.

The decision got its name from Ohio man James Obergefell, who with his dying husband John Arthur sued for their marriage to be recognized on Arthurs death certificate, according to the ACLU of Ohio.

The couple had married two years before in Maryland but Ohio prohibited gay marriage. Another couple in Ohio plus couples in three other states also sued to force states to recognize their marriages, list them as parents on their kids birth certificates and allow them to adopt children, according to Justia, a legal database.

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The Supreme Court decided 5-4 that marriage was a fundamental liberty that extended to gay Americans under the 14th Amendment, according to Oyez, a Supreme Court database.

In the past 30 years, popular support for gay marriage has soared. In 2024, close to 70% of people said they supported legal gay marriage in a Gallup poll. Public opinion polling in Idaho is hard to come by but a 2022 Statesman poll showed 49% supported legal same-sex marriage in Idaho.

In 2023, 386 same-sex or partner-and-partner couples married out of almost 14,000 Idaho marriages, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

However, there has been a nationwide backsliding on LGBTQ+ issues as President Donald Trump has rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, in his 2022 abortion case opinion, wrote that the court should reconsider the decision that legalized gay marriage, among others.

The Idaho bill is essentially a rerun of a memorial brought by Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, in 2025. A quarter of House Republicans voted against that legislation and it did not move forward in the Senate. Scott brought her bill in partnership with MassResistance, an organization that has a long history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights.

Wisniewski told the Statesman that MassResistance contacted him but that he had not contacted them on purpose.

Im not sure that we necessarily need to have this memorial, because we already have it in our state constitution, said Rep. Stephanie Mickelsen, R-Idaho Falls.

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The House State Affairs committee introduced the bill with a small change.

In the hallway outside the committee room, a woman came up to Wisniewski. She showed him her phone, saying: is this next? Is this what youre going to go for next? She walked away before Wisniewski had a chance to respond.

Wisniewski said the phone showed Loving v. Virginia, a 1967 case that allowed interracial marriage. Wisniewski told the Statesman that he supported interracial marriage and that the color of ones skin doesnt change the dignity of a human being.

People are people, he said.

What happened to that Idaho bill? Stay updated on latest at the Capitol with this tracker

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Fundamentally bad: Critics say new Idaho bill would hamper courts

In my America: Lawmakers debate bills to ban Boise Pride flag

An unbelievable hammer: Could Idaho take money from cities that break the law?
The horror inside 1122 King Road has never faded from public memory. On November 13, 2022, four University of Idaho students were slaughtered in an attack investigators say unfolded in just 15 minutes.

Now, months after Bryan Kohberger began serving life behind bars, newly released autopsy findings are shedding disturbing new light on what truly happened and why.

According to one forensic psychologist, the wounds themselves may expose Kohberger's chilling, deeply personal motive.

Bryan Kohberger's 15-Minute Rampage Detailed In Autopsy Findings

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Bryan Kohberger stabbed Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin more than 150 times combined, according to newly unsealed autopsy records.

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The attack began after he entered the off-campus home through a rear sliding door and went straight upstairs. Mogen and Goncalves, both 21, were asleep in the same bed.

Each died from multiple sharp-force injuries. Goncalves suffered at least 38 stab wounds, including devastating injuries to her head, neck, and chest, as well as blunt-force trauma and signs of asphyxiation.

Mogen sustained 28 stab wounds, including fatal injuries to vital organs and blood vessels. Forensic psychologist Dr. Gary Brucato believes the pattern matters.

"This was a targeted psychosexual fantasy probably aimed at one individual in the house," he told the Daily Mail.

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In his view, the violence was not random but part of a deeply distorted plan.

Kohberger's Intended Target May Have Been Madison Mogen

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Investigators have long suspected that Bryan Kohberger did not plan to kill four people that night.

Evidence suggests he went directly to the third-floor bedroom, fueling speculation that either Mogen or Goncalves was his intended target.

While some might assume the victim with the most wounds was the focus, Brucato sees it differently. "There is a school of thought that would say the person with more wounds might be the object of passion and therefore the target," he explained. "So some people would think Kaylee was the target."

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However, Brucato believes otherwise. He said, "But my belief is he went in and made a beeline for Maddie [Mogen], who was his target, and found Kaylee unexpectedly there."

He argues the comparatively lower number of wounds on Mogen suggests she was attacked first in a more controlled manner, while Goncalves endured greater fury after disrupting the plan.

"That's why you see so much rage towards Kaylee. I think Maddie was the primary target, and Kaylee was not supposed to be there," he said.

Bryan Kohberger's Fury Escalated When The Fantasy Fell Apart

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

The violence intensified downstairs. Twenty-year-old Kernodle was awake, scrolling TikTok and having just received a DoorDash order.

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Blood on the soles of her feet indicates she stepped in her own blood while fighting back.

Kernodle suffered 67 stab wounds, the highest number of any victim. Chapin sustained 17 wounds, the fewest overall.

Brucato believes Kernodle's resistance shattered Kohberger's control, noting that she made a mockery of his fantasy.

"He went in there thinking he was going to destroy and dominate a woman, and a woman saw him and fought with him. So he was furious with her," the psychologist added.

Brucato further explained that becoming disorganized because of a situation out of one's control could result in "a frenzied thrashing out at a person who is fighting."

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According to him, Kohberger overestimated himself and underestimated women.

Kohberger's Obsession Revealed Through Digital Evidence

Latah County Jail/MEGA

Court records show Bryan Kohberger's cell phone pinged near the home at least 23 times before the murders, mostly at night. Investigators believe he was surveilling the house and may have even entered it previously.

Digital forensics later uncovered disturbing online searches. Experts found queries related to "sleeping," "passed out," "voyeur," "forced," "raped," and "drugged." He also showed interest in serial killers and home invasions.

Brucato described his mindset in unsettling terms. "He was probably obsessively watching his victim from afar and thought he knew everything about the movement of this foreign body - almost scientifically - but could never touch it. He could never have a conversation with her," he said.

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Brucato revealed that something was odd about how Kohberger related to human beings.

According to him, the killer understood them in a mechanical, detached way, thinking of people almost like insects in a jar.

Bryan Kohberger's Crimes Point To A Disturbing Pattern

Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA

Unsealed documents also raise questions about whether any victims were repositioned or whether the killer attempted to clean up before fleeing.

While some details remain disputed, Brucato noted that posing a body or taking a trophy can be done "for arousal or so that you can remember it a certain way."

To him, the motive is unmistakable. "When the motive is fantasy, you have to keep doing it to get the fantasy perfect. He was motivated like a serial killer," Brucato said.

He added, "I doubt that he had ever killed before, but let's just say, if he had not been captured, I have no doubt that after a period of time, he would have had more victims - and I think he would have gotten better."
A draft bill to reinstate an Idaho Medicaid program that some lawmakers say the Legislature accidentally cut is stalling.

As part of the Idaho Legislatures sweeping Medicaid cost-cutting bill passed into law last year, the state in January ended a program that was meant to help patients avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

Sen. Brandon Shippy, R-New Plymouth, asks a question during a Senate Health and Welfare Committee hearing on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

Sen. Brandon Shippy, a Republican from New Plymouth, told the Idaho Capital Sun that he isnt sure if his bill to temporarily reinstate the Healthy Connections program has a chance during a tight budget year. He says some members of the Legislatures budget committee, called the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, have told him theres no way to fund the program right now.

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I dont know that theres going to be the heart there to do it, Shippy said in an interview Friday. I think it would be the wise and prudent thing for us to fund and to reinstate this year, and it may be even a case for tapping into rainy day funds.

Reinstating the program would save Idaho money, says East Idaho Republican who worked on bill

Reinstating the program would likely save the state much more than itd cost to bring Healthy Connections back, said Brian Parsons, who is working with Shippy on the bill. Parsons is vice chair of the Bannock County Republican Party, and his wife is a pediatrician in Pocatello.

Parsons estimated the program would cost the state about $6.3 million each year, out of a total program budget of $24 million that is largely federally funded, but would save the state between $150 and $400 million each year.

This is the cost containment tool the state of Idaho gave to primary care to keep Medicaid  the budget from blowing up, he told the Idaho Capital Sun in an interview.

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Pediatricians say they were hit hard by the cut, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. In response to a survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics Idaho chapter last year, many pediatric clinics said they might have to limit how many Medicaid patients they treat, and some may stop taking Medicaid altogether.

The Idaho Capital Sun obtained a draft of the bill through a public records request. In an August email to Department of Health and Welfare officials, bill drafter Kyle Slominski with the Legislative Services Office forwarded a draft of a bill to reinstate the program by Parsons.

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Why was the program cut?

The cut was meant to be a handoff on care coordination.

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Under the program, called Healthy Connections, Idaho Medicaid paid some doctors offices to be available around the clock to consult about health issues. Last years law called for Idaho to shift to private companies managing Medicaid benefits.

Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, conducts committee business during the Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun)

But last summer, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare officials told lawmakers that itll take until 2029 for the state to fully shift to private Medicaid management, called managed care. Some lawmakers didnt think itd take that long, said Sen. Julie VanOrden, a Pingree Republican.

VanOrden, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, said before Shippys bill would be introduced, she needs assurance from the Legislatures budget committee on how to fund the program. Right now, she said she doesnt see a path forward for the bill.

With budget cuts right now, I dont see one, she told the Sun on Friday.

Shippys bill would only reinstate the program from this January until 2029, or the big managed care contract launches.

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When U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah began calling for the sale of public lands in the Western states last year, it raised a firestorm amongst Westerners across the political spectrum. And, rightly so. Westerners dont particularly love the federal agencies that manage those lands, but they like even less the idea of turning them over to private interests that will fence them off and exclude hunters, fishermen and others from accessing what Westerners regard as their sacred heritage.

Some in Idahos congressional delegation briefly flirted with Lees idea, but backed off quickly when they saw the rising outrage from Idahoans. Even Idahos attorney general, who had earlier supported a federal lawsuit to force the turnover of federal lands to the states, went silent on the issue.

The public land issue has resurfaced in a somewhat different format during the current Idaho legislative session. Several legislators want to set constitutional requirements for how any future federal land grants to Idaho should be managed. While it may not seem to be an unreasonable question to address, it is pointless. Practically every senator from a public land state has been frightened away from the idea of privatizing or transferring public lands to the states. But even if a transfer should happen, history tells us that the feds will direct the state how to utilize and manage any land transferred.

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Four proposed constitutional amendments confuse future land transfers of land to the state with lands that the state received upon gaining statehood in 1890. The section of the Idaho Constitution, Article 9, section 8, that is the subject of the proposals is an important part of Idahos school law. That section deals with lands granted by the federal government to Idaho in 1890. Those grants were made for the sole purpose of financing Idahos public school system.

Section 8, as originally written, required the state to obtain the maximum possible amount from sale or rental of the school lands. The federal government approved of the language and granted Idaho 5.55% of the lands within the boundaries of the state. Those lands were to be held in what is often called a sacred trust for the sole benefit of the public schools. The Idaho Admission Bill, which is still the law of the United States, provided that those lands would be reserved for school purposes only.

As time went by, the maximum possible amount requirement was thought to be too restrictive, requiring short-term liquidation of lands and depletion of the land base. In 1982, Idaho voters approved a constitutional amendment to change the management requirement to the maximum long-term financial return (MLFR) from the school lands. The change has allowed our state to retain productive land and manage it for consistent, long-term, high-value returns. There is no compelling need to change that management directive.

The amendments proposed in the House, House Joint Resolution 8 and House Joint Resolution 10, would make a dramatic management change. They would replace the MLFR requirement with a priority of use scheme, giving first priority to revenue-generating activity and secondary priority to a variety of public uses. The undisputed fact is that over 96% of school lands are already open and accessible for the full range of public uses.

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As far as revenue generation goes, the MLFR requirement brought in $58,435,191 for our public schools last year, 92.4% of which was produced by 749,017 acres of timberland with 4.5% coming from 1,357,461 acres of rangeland. Those funds go into the public school endowment fund for the benefit of public schools. Changes proposed in HJR 8 and HJR 10 would more than likely reduce those returns because the Legislature would be able to grant sweetheart deals to certain land users. In the past that has been attempted for the benefit of cabin site lessees and livestock grazers, but the courts have batted those attempts down because they violate the MLFR requirement.

There have been claims that the MLFR requirement has resulted in the rapid liquidation of school lands, but that is not true. Since 2015, the school land base has increased by about 53,000 acres. Timberland has increased by 65,191 acres since it is the primary revenue generator. Holdings of residential and commercial lands have decreased since user and legislative pressure has helped keep market rentals unattainable.

We have all served on the State Land Board, which manages the school trust lands. The greatest controversies have arisen when rentals on leased parcels near rapidly appreciating private properties are exceedingly low. For instance, weve had shoreline leaseholds with rentals that are nowhere near market value. A private landlord would not rent land for a small fraction of the going rate and neither should a governmental entity with trust responsibilities.

The present system has worked well to provide substantial funding for public schools, while also providing virtually unrestricted public access and usage of school lands. The system is not broken and does not need fixing. Further, the proposed fix is contrary to the wisdom of our constitutional founders and violative of the terms of the Idaho Admission Bill. Anyone wishing to read more about Idahos school trust lands can find a great resource online: Idahos Endowment Lands: A Matter of Sacred Trust.

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North Dakota lawmakers funded a law school clinic to help bring foreign workers to North Dakota, but the program has had to pivot amid federal restrictions on work visas.

The new service, housed at the University of North Dakota, was created partly to address the states chronic labor shortage. North Dakota as of December had roughly 47 available workers for every 100 open jobs, according to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce  the second-lowest rate of any state.

Many North Dakota businesses are interested in filling open positions by hiring foreign workers on visas, but applying for them can be cumbersome. Hiring a private lawyer can be expensive, and there are only a few full-time immigration attorneys in the state.

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Lawmakers thought the clinic could help a lot of workers through that process, said Rep. Mark Sanford, who sponsored the 2025 legislation that created the program.

It just seems logical to assist somebody who would want to come here, the Grand Forks Republican said.

But since it opened in the fall, the University of North Dakotas Immigration Law Clinic has received very few inquiries about employment visas, said Director Erick Resek. He said this is likely due to recent changes to federal immigration policy, including the new $100,000 filing fee for H-1B visas for skilled workers.

The program has instead focused on providing other legal services that help immigrants already in North Dakota enter the workforce, Resek said.

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Cristina Menendez, a third-year law student in the clinic, said her clients include two Venezuelan nationals seeking asylum and an immigrant seeking protection under the federal Violence Against Women Act.

Menendez, whose family came to the U.S. from Cuba, has firsthand experience with the U.S. immigration system. She said one of the most rewarding aspects of working at the clinic has been helping break down communication barriers for Spanish-speaking clients.

Its very hard to find someone up here that can speak fluent Spanish and understand it, Menendez said.

She said she hopes to one day open her own immigration law practice in North Dakota.

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Changes to the U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration have presented unique challenges to the clinic, said RJ Tare, another third-year law student in the program.

Its been an adventure of unpredictability, he said. Every day feels like, quite frankly, a new hurdle.

He said several clients have been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including asylum seekers.

Theyre trying to get a work permit, theyre trying to build a life here, Tare, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines, said. Its really disheartening.

The clinic has provided roughly 200 consultations and taken 20 clients, by Reseks estimate. He said the service has had to turn down most clients because there was no way to put them on a path toward employment, so they didnt fall under the purview of the program set in state law.

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Every case Ive taken on at the clinic, Ive only taken it on if there was a possibility of getting someone employment authorization, he said.

Resek said he and his students focus their resources on people who are truly indigent, and they dont take on clients who have committed serious crimes.

The Legislature has only approved two years worth of funding for the clinic. Lawmakers during the 2027 session will have to decide whether to continue the program.

The clinic received $400,000 for the 2025-2027 budget cycle.

Sanford said given the unexpected circumstances facing the program, next years Legislature may consider changing the scope of its work.

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That is a fairly normal part of the process of legislation, that many times you have to come back and make an adjustment, Sanford said.

Impacts to work visas

The federal government in September made H-1B visas  which are meant for skilled workers like nurses  much more difficult to obtain by raising the application fee to $100,000. Previously, each application cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

No employer is gonna pay $100,000 per worker, Resek said.

Resek also noted the federal government has paused immigration visas for 75 countries. Of those, 19 are subject to complete visa bans.

Its unclear from available federal data how these policies are impacting the use of work visas in North Dakota. The most recent statistics published by the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services are from Dec. 31.

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As of Dec. 31, the federal government had approved 47 H-1B visas for North Dakota employers during the 2026 federal fiscal year, which started Oct. 1. The biggest visa sponsors were North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota. Last year, K-12 schools were also another leading employer of H-1B workers in the state.

The federal government approved 358 H-1B visas for North Dakota employers during the previous fiscal year, according to the agencys website.

Phil Davis, workforce services director for Job Service North Dakota, said he hasnt seen any decreased demand for H-2A visas, which are for seasonal agricultural workers.

Every year, we have seen a 15% to 20% increase in the usage of this program across the state, he said.

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According to U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services data, there were 109 new H-2A visas approved last year between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 for North Dakota employers. Between Oct. 1, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2025, the federal government approved 1,517 new H-2A visas for North Dakota employers.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com.

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The Yilan crater (center) is a 1.15-mile-wide meteor crater recently discovered in China's Lesser Xing'an mountain range. It could be as young as 46,000 years, likely making it the youngest major impact structure on Earth. | Credit: NASA/Landsat 8

QUICK FACTS

Where is it? Yilan crater, Heilongjiang province, China [46.38232967, 129.31209278]

What's in the photo? The incomplete remains of the world's youngest impact structure

Which satellite took the photo? Landsat 8

When was it taken? Oct. 8, 2021

This striking satellite photo shows a recently uncovered meteor crater in China that is likely the youngest impact structure on Earth and the largest in its wider age bracket . The horseshoe-shaped depression is also only the second impact crater ever discovered in the country.

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The Yilan crater is an incomplete, nearly circular impact crater located in the Lesser Xing'an (also spelled Khingan) mountain range of China's Heilongjiang province, around 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) northwest of the town of Yilan. It is approximately 1.15 miles (1.85 km) across at its widest point, and its ringed walls reach up to 500 feet (150 meters) above the crater floor.

Chinese researchers discovered that the incomplete ring was an impact crater in mid-2021 , around three months before this photo was taken. Until then, it had largely gone unnoticed because it is surrounded by thick forests. Although locals knew about the structure, they called it Quanshan, meaning "circular mountain ridge," which suggests they had no idea of its extraterrestrial origins.

However, when the research team dug up to 1,440 feet (440 m) beneath the crater's floor, they found "shocked quartz, melted granite, glass containing holes formed by gas bubbles, and tear-drop-shaped glass fragments"  all clear signs that a sizable space rock had slammed down there, according to NASA's Earth Observatory .

Carbon dating revealed that the crater formed sometime between 46,000 and 53,000 years ago, meaning it could be the youngest of the roughly 200 major impact craters on Earth .

The newly discovered crater is around 12.5 miles northwest of the town of Yilan in Heilongjiang province. | Credit: Getty Images

Until this discovery, the most widely accepted "youngest major crater" on Earth was Barringer Crater (also known as Meteor Crater) in Arizona, which dates back 50,000 years, according to the Lunar and Planetary Institute . Given the uncertainty around the Yilan crater's age, researchers cannot be sure that it is younger than Barringer Crater, although it is thought likely.

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The Yilan crater is also the largest of any impact crater under 100,000 years old, so it beats another record previously held by Barringer Crater, which is around 0.75 mile (1.2 km) across.

As you can see in the satellite photo, the southern third of the crater's rim is missing. Researchers are unsure exactly when or how this section of the crater's rim disappeared. However, sediment found on the crater's floor hints that there was formerly a lake within the crater, which strongly suggests that the structure was once fully intact, according to the Earth Observatory.

Chinese craters

The Yilan crater is the first impact crater to be discovered in China since the 1.1-mile-wide (1.8 km) Xiuyan crater in Liaoning province, which dates back to between 330,000 and 1.1 million years ago, was confirmed in 2009.

Given how large China is  around the same size as the U.S. by land area  it has long been a mystery as to why more impact craters haven't been found there. However, others have been uncovered following the discovery of the Yilan crater.

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In September 2023, scientists discovered a third Chinese crater , around the same size as the Yilan crater. Carved into the summit of a mountain near the North Korean border, the crater dates back at least 150 million years.

Then, in October 2025, scientists confirmed a fourth impact structure, dubbed the Jinlin crater, on a mountain near Zhaoqing in China's Guangdong province. This crater is only around 3,000 feet (900 m) wide and may date to as recently as the current epoch, known as the Holocene, which began 11,700 years ago, according to Sci News , although its age is unconfirmed.

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A ban on intoxicating and synthetic hemp-derived products died Monday after Indiana House lawmakers failed to call it down ahead of a second reading deadline.

Similarly, a bill that would have reduced early voting did not move forward.

Senate Bill 250 would have mirrored a recent federal law that was designed to close a so-called loophole allowing potent delta-8, THCA and other cannabinoid products to proliferate.

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Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, was openly critical of his colleagues across the hall for killing his bill.

All he would say: Another example of why we should be a unicameral Legislature.

The hemp measure previously passed the Senate in a 35-13 vote.

Rep. Garrett Bascom, the bills sponsor in the House, said although he wouldnt speak for other members, he felt there werent enough votes to pass it through his chamber this year. He didnt offer any specific sticking points, but hoped to try again.

The language could be amended into another bill in conference committee.

The proposal also would have laid out a regulatory scheme for any low-potency, field-grown products  although industry representatives testified no customers would want them.

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Indiana lawmakers nixed  at least for now  a push to cut the states 28-day early voting period nearly in half.

The Senate on Monday did not take up House Bill 1359, which was amended last week by a Senate committee to include the voting period change without any testimony coming from the public or local election officials.

Sen. Mike Gaskill, R-Pendleton, added the provision to cutting the time period for early in-person voting from 28 days to 16 days ahead of Election Day.

He argued last week that the shorter time would cut election administration expenses while still allowing plenty of time for early voting.

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A similar proposal also cleared the Senate Elections Committee last year but was not called for a full Senate vote because it did not have enough support to pass.

Even if the Senate had endorsed the change, Republican House Speaker Todd Huston had stated his opposition by saying last week he was very comfortable with our election laws as they are.

Also, House Bill 1417  once pitched as a sweeping tort reform effort  stalled in the Senate Monday.

The original proposal included new limits on certain lawsuits and changes to settlement rules that could have increased financial risks for plaintiffs, but senators rolled the measure back in committee to narrower language on public nuisance lawsuits brought by government entities and a summer task force to study broader civil litigation issues.

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A delivery truck of the US courier and logistics company Federal Express (FedEx) drives through New York. Gero Breloer/dpa

Logistics firm FedEx has sued the US government seeking a refund of tariffs it paid under an emergency powers law that the Supreme Court of the United States recently ruled was unlawfully used to impose duties.

In a complaint filed with the US Court of International Trade in New York on Monday, FedEx demanded a "full refund" of all tariffs collected under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The lawsuit targets US Customs and Border Protection, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

US President Donald Trump had invoked the IEEPA to impose tariffs on dozens of trading partners without congressional approval since the start of his second term. The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the law does not authorize a president to unilaterally levy tariffs.

The justices did not decide whether the government must reimburse importers, leaving the issue to lower courts.

Several US media outlets described the FedEx filing as the first major corporate lawsuit by a US company following the ruling. The logistics group argued it suffered harm by paying duties that have now been deemed unlawful.

After the court's decision, observers anticipated a wave of refund claims. According to estimates by the University of Pennsylvania, potential repayments could total about $175 billion, roughly 2.5% of the federal budget.
<br>Yasin El Abiead (left), Elia Mascolo (center), and Gabriela Lobinska (right) are fellows in the U.S.Austrian APART-USA Fellowship program. Photographed at the The Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna. Credit - Koekkoek for TIME

It all started promisingly enough. French biologist Gabriela Lobinska had enjoyed her Ph.D. training, researching how organisms change over time. Arriving at Harvard Medical School in September 2024, she hoped for more of the same. She planned to look at how, over the course of a lifetime, healthy cells change into diseased ones.

Donald Trump won the presidential election shortly after her arrival, and before long, things went downhill. In the spring, the grant paying her salaryalong with thousands of otherswas cut. In April, the White House proposed cutting by 40% the budget of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the largest public funder of biomedical research in the country. Then the government withdrew Harvards ability to provide visas for international researchers like Lobinska. While a court allowed Harvard to sponsor visas for the time being, Lobinska was questioning why she was in the U.S. There are places where I could go to do science, she recalls thinking, without all this.

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Soon she had a job offer from AITHYRA, a new institute for biomedicine and AI in Vienna. And when she heard of a new Austrian fellowship called APART-USAspecifically for people leaving American institutions, with a generous four years of research fundingshe applied, and got it.

Now, she lives in the city where, before Viennas scientific community was devastated by World Wars I and II, blood types were discovered, cosmic rays were first identified, and psychoanalysis was born. All around her are architectural remnants of those heady days, like the 1910 Art Nouveau observatory on the edge of the Danube Canalreminders that a places status as a scientific powerhouse is only as secure as the geopolitics that surrounds it.

Read More: Why Michael J. Fox Sees Parkinsons as a Gift That Keeps on Taking

Lobinska is just the kind of scientist that Heinz Fassmann, president of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, hoped to lure to Austria with the APART-USA fellowship. He saw the instability in the U.S., while regrettable for science, as an opportunity for Austria to reclaim some of this scientific glory. If the U.S. keeps cutting budgets, he says, we will keep scooping up the good people. By September 2025, 25 candidates had been accepted, including Lobinska.

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The APART-USA fellows werent the only ones looking beyond U.S. borders. Nature, a leading science journal, reported in April 2025 that through the job board it maintains, U.S. scientists submitted 32% more applications for jobs abroad between January and March 2025 than during the same period in 2024. U.S. page views of job postings abroad also spiked: In March alone, as the administration intensified its cuts to science, views rose by 68% compared with the same month last year, Nature wrote.

It goes on. In May 2025, the E.U. granted 500 million euros in funding for the Choose Europe initiative, intended to help draw international researchers. In April, the president of Germanys Max Planck Society announced the Max Planck Transatlantic Program, stating it will include roles for researchers who are looking to leave the U.S. The French government also revealed 100 million euros in funding to attract international scientists.

The United States profited from the migration flow of highly qualified persons, decades after the Second World War, Fassmann says. And now, its maybe the first time that we can move around this migration directionthat Europe can profit from the talents that are educated in the United States.



The U.S. wasnt always a magnet for scientists. Hardly anyone in the United States devotes himself to the essentially theoretical and abstract portion of human knowledge, wrote Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America in 1840. In the late 19th century, Germany was the global leader in scientific research. It would be quite some time before the image of Americans as unimaginative backwoodsmen began to shift, and in the early 20th century, apart from agricultural research, American science was often supported by philanthropy and individual states, rather than by the federal government.

Heinz Famann, President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, spearheaded in 2025 the fellowship program, APART-USA, to attract top researchers from the U.S. to Austria. Koekkoek for TIME

After the Nazis took power in Germany in 1933, however, European researchersincluding Albert Einstein, most famouslyheaded in greater numbers to the U.S. In 1939, just before war was declared, Einstein wrote to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning that Germany had the brain-power and resources to create atomic weapons. FDR responded with the Manhattan Project, which employed many fleeing physicists and eventually developed the atomic bomb. Congress had new respect for the possibilities of research after that, and the flow of scientists into the U.S. accelerated.

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By the mid-20th century, the U.S. had turned into a haven for international talent. Before the war, American science had been notably less hierarchical than in many European institutions. Instead of having to spend years as an assistant to a senior professor, as in Germany, a young professor in America was largely a free agent, explains Daniel Kevles, a retired science historian at Yale University: There was a great deal of freedom to do what you wanted. And after the war, European science lay in shambles; there was no comparison between what awaited European scientists in the U.S. and what they could do at home.

The U.S. also had an unusually large system of nationally funded labs, notable for their dedication to basic research. The peculiar openness of American societyscientists could bring their families and become citizensadded to the appeal, says Catherine Westfall, a science historian now retired from Michigan State University.

Read More: The New Way to Predict Your Risk of a Heart Attack

This was part of a particular mindset in the government, explains sociologist of science Olof Hallonsten of Swedens Lund University. You maintain a big brain trust in the universities, in these big research centers, and you let people do more or less what they want, he says, because when the time comes that this whole brain trust needs to be mobilized...we can then pool all these resources into specific problem solving.

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To be sure, American science has had its ups and downs. Senator Joseph McCarthy targeted scientists in his 1950s red-baiting campaign, including prominent figures like physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. The center of gravity for nuclear physics moved back to Europe after American funding for a new collider collapsed in 1993. And it has never been unusual for researchers trained in the U.S.American or otherwiseto move abroad, taking a job wherever their particular flavor of science is in demand. But in recent years, U.S. public and private sources were the largest funders of all research and development on the planet, and the country was a net importer of scientists. For many scientists, the U.S. had become a hub, where many were educated and hoped to stay.

Now, that status may be shifting. Italian physicist Andrea Urru moved to the U.S. in 2023 to work on magnetism at Rutgers University. He was considering the possibility of securing a faculty position in the U.S., at the same time that he looked at jobs closer to home. Developing an academic career in this country would be absolutely great, he says. However, after the National Science Foundation, a major funder of basic science, came under threat from government cuts last year, that option became even fainter, and I decided to direct my efforts towards getting funds in Europe. Urru will soon move to the University of Cagliari in Sardinia.

American geneticist Audrey Lin studies evolution using ancient DNA, with a particular focus on how dogs were domesticated. In the spring of 2025, when she was applying, the job situation in the U.S. was very unstable, with a lot of faculty job searches being canceled or postponed, she says. But science doesnt stop. Ive spent almost a decade of my life training and working on my research, and this is what Ive chosen to dedicate my life to. And I have to go where I can do this. She too is now an APART-USA fellow, and arrived in Austria in February.

Europe likely can't compete with what the U.S. traditionally spends on science. As a whole, the continent funds about 20% of the worlds research and development, compared with the U.S.s roughly 29%, according to numbers compiled by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Whats more, large investments in basic science are usually the purview of a rapidly growing economy, Hallonsten says, which Europes is not. The reason that China has been investing so much in science and technology in the past 20 to 30 years, of course, is that they have the money. They need to invest in something, he says. The same thing was true for the United States after World War II. China now funds around 28% of the worlds R&D, but Hallonsten and other experts arent convinced the country will build a similar research environment to that of the U.S. Many researchers moving to China from abroad these days are U.S.-educated Chinese scientists, says Deborah Seligsohn, a professor of political science at Villanova Universitypeople returning home, rather than immigrants.

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But Europe can try to provide some of what has historically been appealing about American science. At the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, in the Vienna Woods, new buildings have been springing up like mushrooms of steel and glass, labs where that culture of freedom is being carefully cultivated.

Read More: 8 Phrases That Will Instantly Get Your Doctors Attention

Italian biologist Elia Mascolo, who uses information theory to study how genes work, was attracted by the cluster of researchers already at ISTA. Working with specific people was also why he had spent four years in the U.S., and why he might have stayed longer if the right job had come along. But when the APART-USA fellowship was announced, he signed on. Its so niche, my research, he says, sitting in a glass-walled pavilion on the campus, which is studded with quirky public art and bridges between buildings. Its a common refrain among scientists: they have to go where the funding and support for their specific work is.

What does the U.S. stand to lose, if it is no longer a hub for science? I think what were going to see now is a dispersal of scientific talent, and I think thats costly, not just to the United States, but to the world, says Seligsohn. If you think about a long-term history of global development, theres usually been a scientific hub when there are a lot of advances, whether that hub was Paris or Berlin or the United States. As well, work from economists who study technological innovation has found that it increasingly depends on basic science. Since 1975, the percentage of new U.S. patents drawing on federally funded science has roughly tripled, to nearly a third of all patents filed.

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What the U.S. gives up, others stand to take. Fassmann says that Austria is not rescuing these scientistsits making a calculated attempt to redirect the flow of scientific migration.

Since Trump took office in January 2025, nearly 8,000 research grants have been canceled or frozen, and around 25,000 federal scientists and employees of research agencies have lost their jobs, Nature has reported. The effects are still rippling through American institutions, and the long-term consequences of this upheaval remain to be seen.

However unstable the landscape is for scientists in the U.S., theres no guarantee of solid ground abroad, either. The world is a tumultuous place. Westfall, the American science historian, attended a recent physics meeting at CERN, one of the worlds largest institutions for scientific research. She sensed that European scientists also did not feel particularly at ease. Everybody is feeling the insecurity about Russia and Ukraine, she says, and there are fears that government spending in Europe might increasingly turn toward defense at the expense of funding for science.

The picture in the U.S. continues to be uncertain and hard to read. There have been some changes since Lobinskas stressful spring: Harvard enrolled a record number of international students in 2025, and Congress has pushed back against the budget proposed by the Administration, refusing many funding cuts to science. In the meantime, scientists continue to have to decide where they are going to take their work, each one making the call on where they think theyll best be able to thrive.

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For chemist Yasin El Abiead, an APART-USA fellow, leaving the U.S. led to a homecoming. He grew up not far from Vienna and was educated there; he spent several years in the U.S. mainly because he, like Mascolo, wanted to work with a particular researcher. [The U.S.] is where the money is, and thats what brings more people there, he says on a cold morning in January in his new lab. Thats how it rolls. And if that ever turns around...I dont know. He sighs.

Finally he puts words to whats on his mind. All the greatest researchers used to be in Germany, he says, and in other parts of Europe. You can still see many of these old buildings in Vienna...Austria was huge in science. At the University of Vienna, in the chemistry department, there still stands a lecture hall that looks just as it did when Einstein was photographed attending a lecture there, not all that long before Nazis took over the country.

The U.S. is where people go to do science, for the moment. But things change, El Abiead says. Lets see what happens.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Dr. Lynette Nusbacher told The Jerusalem Post that the US prepared for targeted air strikes if Tehran failed to negotiate in good faith, as Iran sought an interim deal to shield its missile program.

The Islamic regime has been pushing for an interim deal, seeking to drag out talks with the US to achieve a deal that would allow it to keep its ballistic missile program, legitimize its nuclear program, and get some degree of relief from US sanctions, according to former British Army intelligence officer Lynette Nusbacher.

One of the architects behind two of the UKs National Security Strategies  as part of the UKs National Security Secretariat  Nusbacher spoke to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

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The whole point of the American concentration of combat power against Iran is to force the [regime] to negotiate a deal The regime isnt going to fall in armed conflict with the US, because the US isnt going to commit a joint force to fight in Iran. Nobody is going to, she explained. The US arent bluffing: Theyd really attack if they felt the Iranians are dragging their feet.

Nusbacher predicted that, if theUnited States didnt believe Tehran was engaging in the talks in good faith, an air attack using B-2 and B-1 aircraft, along with carrier-based aircraft, would be the likely course of action.

She explained that the USs steps would have to be carefully measured, and that Washington would have to balance the size of the attack to ensure that Tehran didnt step away from negotiations altogether, or that the Trump administration was domestically accused of starting another endless war in the Middle East.

The limited airstrike would likely target Iranian nuclear program sites, regime targets, such as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps buildings and barracks, and the homes or workplaces of senior regime officials.

Since Trump was himself targeted by Iran in an assassination attempt, Nusbacher noted that he would likely see senior officials in the regime as fair game. She stressed that such an attack would also not threaten overturning the current authorities, as air attacks are not an effective tool for regime change.

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Nusbacher spoke with the Post after the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) published its analysis that Iran was dragging out talks to give itself time to prepare for the potential conflict.

Iran would really prefer to carry on rebuilding post-last summers unpleasantness [the 12 Day War in June]. They would like to get rid of sanctions, yes, and restore their currency and get clean water and subsidized petrol flowing; but theyre in no hurry to make a deal with anybody about anything, Nusbacher stressed.

Iran, US to discuss interim deal in Geneva

A senior US official told Axios on Sunday that the US and Iran may discuss an interim deal during the third round of negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, a claim that aligns with statements made by an Iranian official to Reuters.

The senior Iranian official told the news agency that Tehran would consider sending its highly enriched uranium abroad  and diluting the rest  in exchange for the US recognizing Tehrans right to peaceful nuclear enrichment under a deal that would also include lifting economic sanctions, and for the right of US companies to participate as contractors in Irans oil and gas industries.

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Within the economic package under negotiation, the United States has also been offered opportunities for serious investment and tangible economic interests in Irans oil industry, the senior Iranian official said.

There are mixed reports on whether the Trump administration would agree to a deal allowing some level of uranium enrichment, especially given that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff confirmed to Fox News earlier this week that US President Donald Trumps redlines meant enrichment was a red line for the US.

Despite the firm stance expressed by Witkoff on Fox News, Axios reported on Sunday that Witkoff and senior advisor Jared Kushner told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during the second round of talks that the US would be willing to consider token enrichment if Iran could prove that its proposal would block Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

The New York Times also reported that the US was considering a deal that would allow Iran to have a very limited nuclear enrichment program.

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The Americans are seeking to negotiate a nuclear agreement. They will let the Iranians claim the right to enrich uranium. They will bargain the Iranians down to enriching none; possessing some at a diluted level of enrichment; and accepting some level of monitoring, Nusbacher predicted.

The Iranians are willing to draw negotiations out as long as possible, agree to as little as possible  with the weakest monitoring mechanisms possible  and comply with their agreement as little as possible.

Annika Ganzeveld, the Middle East portfolio manager for the Critical Threats Project  of the American Enterprise Institute  told the Post that Iran would presumably support an interim deal focused only on the nuclear issue so long as the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium.

She added that an interim deal focused only on the nuclear issue would serve Irans interests by not forcing Iran to make concessions on its ballistic missile program and support for its proxies and partners up front.

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Ganzeveld further explained: Iranian officials have floated the idea that they would be willing to discuss non-nuclear issues if a nuclear deal is reached. These statements may be intended to drag out the current talks by leaving the door open for discussions on non-nuclear issues, although Iran remains very unlikely to make concessions regarding its ballistic missile program or support for the Axis of Resistance.

Witkoff, who is currently leading nuclear negotiations, said on Saturday that Trump was curious as to why Iran has not yet capitulated and agreed to curb its nuclear program.

I dont want to use the word frustrated because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but hes curious as to why they havent  I dont want to use the word capitulated  but why they havent capitulated, Witkoff said during an interview with Fox News.

Why, under this pressure, with the amount of seapower and naval power over there, why havent they come to us and said, We profess we dont want a weapon, so heres what were prepared to do? And yet its sort of hard to get them to that place.

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Aragchi reacted in a post on X/Twitter, writing, Curious to know why we do not capitulate? Because we are Iranian.

Nusbacher said she believed that the military buildup in the region, along with the war rhetoric were just part of an extraordinarily large game of chicken, but again asserted that the US would take action if it felt Tehran wasnt negotiating in good faith.

Nusbacher added that Trumps main goal is to see a stronger deal than the 2015 nuclear agreement under the Obama administration, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which saw Tehran agree to reduce its enriched uranium stockpile by 98%, limit enrichment levels to 3.67%, and cut its installed centrifuges by two-thirds.

The ISW assessed that the members of the regime may view capitulating to US demands in negotiations as more harmful than a military conflict, so the issue of Tehrans ballistic missiles has become non-negotiable for the Islamic Republic.

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Any Iranian concessions on its missile program would be viewed internally as the equivalent of losing a war, ISW claimed, adding that comments by former IRGC commander Mohammad Ali Jafari in October 2025 suggested that Iran deliberately prioritized developing its missile and drone programs over its air and ground forces to counter the superior capabilities of the US and Israel.

Nusbacher said that the US had expressed a willingness to drop the missile issue in exchange for the regime withdrawing support for its proxies in the region.

Even if Tehran fails to wait it out until an advantageous agreement is presented, Nusbacher assessed the regime was more than willing to accept individual martyrdom in preserving Twelver Shia theocracy, confident in the belief that there will always be a religious leader capable of exercising vilayat e-faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist).

Vilayat-e Faqih, part of the foundational structure of the regime, is a Shia political doctrine holding that a qualified Islamic faqih (jurist) must hold supreme political and religious authority in the absence of the 12th imam.

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Nusbacher explained that the Iranian military doctrine could not be separated from its theological stance, which invades almost every aspect of Tehrans leadership style.

The Iranian regime has sustained a cult of martyrdom since the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, in which their cities were blasted by Iraqi missiles and their children were marched to their deaths against Iraqi machine guns, she recalled.

The Iranians dont view the American concentration of combat power as an existential threat to the regime, because [they believe] God will sustain the regime, but they [also] dont want IRGC targets to be blasted, their nuclear facilities to be pulverized again, or their port facilities to be destroyed.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Representatives from various levels of the logistics and delivery industry claim that Israel has a severe shortage of truck drivers, while the Transportation and Labor Ministries claim otherwise.

The Knesset Special Committee on Foreign Workers met on Monday to discuss the allocation of foreign workers as truck drivers, amid an ongoing dispute between government ministries and economic bodies over whether Israel is facing a shortage in the sector.

Representatives of the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry, the Employment Service, the Manufacturers Association, Israel Ports, and the Truckers Council told the committee that there is a severe shortage of thousands of drivers. Representatives from the Transportation and Labor Ministries insisted that no such shortage exists.

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Committee chair MK Ety Hava Atia (Likud) said that a dispute between the Health Ministry and the Transportation Ministry is preventing some 23,000 locals from obtaining heavy vehicle drivers licenses due to prolonged waits for examinations at the Medical Institute for Road Safety, harming the economy in the process. She said new applicants have been struggling ever since the Transportation Ministry ended its contract with medical management company Femi Premium. Since then, the transfer of responsibility has been delayed due to disagreements over staffing positions and budget allocations.

Foreign workers and the Tel Aviv metro

During the committee hearing, it was also stated that the Truckers Council is seeking approval to bring in 3,000 foreign workers. Lawmakers referred to a previous discussion on the Tel Aviv metro project, where it was estimated that approximately 2,500 trucks per day would be needed to deliver supplies. Concerns were raised that it may not be possible to recruit the required number of drivers.

Yaniv Peretz of the Employment Service confirmed that demand for truck drivers stands at about 2,500 per year, while the unemployment rate is 2.9%. He suggested requiring the employment of Israelis alongside foreign workers. MK Ayman Odeh (Hadash) agreed, saying that a balance must be struck between foreign and Israeli workers.

Foreign workers from China in preparations for the upcoming Chinese New Year, in the south Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Sha'anan, February 14, 2026 (credit: YAEL ABAS GUISKY/FLASH90)

Meir David of the Labor Ministry warned: The moment foreign drivers enter, Israeli drivers will leave the sector and the shortage will grow. I am not aware of a driver shortage, adding that more than 20,000 drivers are currently available."

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Yossi Nizri, head of the Licensing Division at the Transportation Ministry, said an agreed-upon draft has been formulated with the Health Ministry and is now awaiting the signatures of the ministries directors-general. In the short term, he said, a Health Ministry franchisee will review applications that have not yet been examined. In the long term, health institutes will be established to certify drivers without the need for a tender. The framework, he added, will be brought to the government for approval.

Solving the health assessment issue

Lior Avinoam, adviser to the Health Ministry director-general, said: Within a month we will finalize the agreement, and only afterward will the decision be submitted for government approval, adding that the short-term framework remains under discussion. He rejected the option of routing truckers' health checks through the mainstream Israeli healthcare system.

Gyl Lydjy of the Manufacturers Association said: The [mainstream] healthcare providers would provide an efficient, professional, and quick solution. We are facing a driver shortage, and the right hand is not speaking to the left hand, and the head is not connected. Those who submitted applications have already found other jobs; they did not wait for the Medical Institute. There will be no metro because there are no concrete truck drivers. The metro idea is drifting away from us.

Asaf Barzilai of the Accountant Generals Office said the long-term solution requires regulatory amendments and that a draft is currently under discussion with the Justice Ministry. Regarding this, MK Atia said, I am not optimistic. You have plenty of time; the transport companies do not.

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Gabi Ben Harosh, chairman of the Truckers Council, said: A framework that relies on the Health Ministry takes us backward. We are about to have holidays, then we will go to elections, and then it will be postponed again for years. 20% of drivers are dangerous; I would give them up. I employ them out of necessity. We are involved in 30% of the fatal accidents [in Israel]. If this continues, we will all retire before the institutes start operating [properly].

Tzachi Kochner of the Shapir construction company said, I have two street-sweeping vehicles; one is standing idle because I do not have a driver." Tzachi Nahum of Israel Ports added that the shortage is causing congestion at the ports.
On a humid afternoon in August 1982, the Rev. Jesse Jackson arrived at the Krome Detention Center in west Miami-Dade County intent on praying with 200 Haitian refugees who had launched a hunger strike to protest their prolonged detention.

He never made it past the guard gate.

Not one to be easily dissuaded, Jackson spotted a nearby restaurant, walked in and asked to use the phone.

The vice president had given him his private number and told him to call him anytime he needed him, Abel Jean-Simon Zephir, who was one of four people with Jackson that day and served as his translator, recalled. He said, Ive never asked George Bush for anything.

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Until then. Jackson placed a collect call to the White House, and after a secretary answered, she handed the phone to George H.W. Bush, vice president to Ronald Reagan. Jackson explained he had traveled to Miami to come raise the spirits of the Haitian detainees following the suicide of a Haitian in a detention facility in Puerto Rico.

Ten minutes after he hung up, Jackson was back at Krome. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service officers were waiting for him. This time, they let him in.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson during a speech to Haitians on Northwest 54th street in Little Haiti. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald)

The incident was emblematic for Jackson, the charismatic and relentless advocate who would become one of the most prominent voices in the U.S. in the post-Martin Luther King civil rights era. As he addressed racial injustices and pressed for voting rights for Black people on a national level, he also challenged U.S. immigration policy toward Haitians, equating their prolonged detention and unequal treatment to a moral issue.

After a long illness, Jackson died at his home on Feb. 17 at the age of 84.

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As his family and Jacksons Rainbow PUSH Coalition prepare memorial services in Chicago this week, Miamis Haitian community is also remembering the leader who loudly advocated on their behalf. He saw their plight as not just worthy of a civil rights fight, but one that also demanded the attention of the nations highest office and his sustained activism.

Its a pillar weve lost, said Zephir, 69, who was among the first wave of Haitians to arrive in South Florida by boat more than 50 years ago. The guy always worked for us. Its going to be hard to find another.

Little Haiti visit

Jacksons Aug. 12, 1982, visit began in Little Haiti, where he went to see the Rev. Gerard Jean-Juste, the fiery Catholic priest and co-founder of the Haitian Refugee Center. He learned that Jean-Juste, who had the reputation of an agitator, had been barred from Krome and could not accompany him.

When Zephir later told the priest that Jackson had reached out directly to the vice president of the United States, Jean-Juste laughed in disbelief.

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And George Bush accepted the call? he asked.

Yes, Zephir said.

Jackson had found the refugees to be in massive depression, because of the slow processing of their release and the suicide.

It costs $22,000 a year to keep each Haitian locked up in here. Why dont we put them out in the market and let them be productive? he said after leaving Krome.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ray Fauntroy of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Rev. Jean Juste outside the Krome detention center in 1982. (Murry Sill/Miami Herald)

The visit would not be Jacksons last to South Florida or to Krome. Over the years, he returned repeatedly, on each visit denouncing what he called an immigration system driven by a racist policy thats undemocratic. Haitians, fleeing a repressive U.S.-supported Duvalier family dictatorship, were branded economic migrants and detained, while Cubans fleeing Fidel Castros communist regime were quickly granted political asylum.

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When he launched his historic 1984 presidential runs in 1988, the poor treatment of Haitians figured prominently in his campaigns, though he came under heavy criticism in 84 for not including Haiti in a tour of the region, which included visits to Cuba, El Salvador and Nicaragua. As a champion of oppressed people, Jesse Jacksons Achilles heel is Haiti, a Miami News editorial of the day read, challenging his assertion of avoiding Haiti because of safety concerns.

In this file photo, Jesse Jackson gestures to a crowd of Haitians as he leaves Little Haiti on 54th street where he had just delivered a speech on current affairs in Haiti. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald)

In 1992, when former California Gov. Jerry Brown launched his second White House bid, Jackson accompanied him on a campaign stop to Miamis Little Haiti. While happy to hear Brown pledge to give Haitians political asylum if he were to win the presidency, the crowd was equally elated to see Jackson. Crowding Northwest 54th Street, they chanted, Jesse! Jesse!

Back then, Jackson was at the forefront of the push to restore democracy to Haiti after a military coup in 1991 had deposed the countrys first democratically elected president in modern times and sent him into exile. He accused the administration of President Bush, who years earlier had facilitated his entry into Krome, of having a socially unjust and racist policy toward Haiti.

If we can restore a royal government in Kuwait, Jackson said, referring to the U.S. effort that repelled the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, we can restore a democratically elected government. Oil is not more precious than democracy.

From Krome to Guantanamo

When thousands of Haitians, trying to escape the military junta and killings, took to the high seas only to end up in makeshift camps at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jackson went there too. He protested their harsh treatment and went on a hunger strike with detainees to demand a change in U.S. policy.

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He asked them to repeat after me, I am somebody, I am somebody, said Tony Jeanthenor, a local activist with Veye Yo, the grassroots Haitian rights group founded by Jean-Juste. I am a human being, just like everybody else, so dont mistreat me.

In 1994 when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide made his triumphant return to Haiti aboard a U.S. government jet accompanied by thousands of American troops and a high-level delegation, Jackson was at his side.

He invested a lot of his time to show support for Haitian refugees, Jeanthenor said. He got frustrated seeing how they were treating other refugees. Cubans were given a red carpet treatment. Haitians were being thrown in Krome, and they didnt know when they were going to get released.

Beyond protests, prayer vigil and his own hunger strike, Jackson leaned on Haitians to become naturalized U.S. citizens so they could vote.

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He wanted Haitians to become U.S. citizens, to be part of the political system, Jeanthenor said, crediting Jackson with helping to lay the groundwork for Haitian Americans representation in politics. The milestones included a number of firsts, including Haitian Americans elected to the Florida Legislature and the first Haitian-American mayor of a large U.S. city, North Miamis Josaphat Joe Celestin, in 2001.

All are part of Jesses investments in the Haitian community, Jeanthenor said.

Haitians current plight

Jackson remain engaged on Haiti issues over the years. After the countrys devastating 2010 earthquake killed more than 300,000 people, he again joined prayer vigils and demanded U.S. support.

Today, as hundreds of thousands of Haitians face the potential once more of mass detention and deportations with the loss of Temporary Protected Status, the civil rights leader absence is being felt.

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Im pretty much sure with the TPS problem we have now, if Jesse was in good health, he would have been in Miami with us, Zephir said. He demonstrated that in the past, without hesitation.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition has announced that Jackson will lie in state at its Chicago headquarters on Feb. 25 and 26. A public memorial, The Peoples Celebration is planned March 6, followed by a service on March 7.

In Miami, longtime activists are planning their own tribute at a North Miami community center named for Jean-Juste who died in 2009. They worry that a younger generation of Haitian-American leaders dont fully grasp the historic battles that were waged  the marches to the Miami immigration headquarters building, the lawsuits in the courts and the prayer vigils outside Kromes gates.

I dont think this generation know what Father Jean Juste, Jesse and others did to put this community together, Jeanthenor said. They sit on a citadel, and they need to cultivate it.

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Zephir agrees. As he reflected on Jacksons death and the community once more being at an immigration reckoning, he broke into tears. Then he recalled standing beside Jackson outside the gates of Krome, where the minister invoked both sermon and his trademark call for social justice.

He would say, over and over, Let my people go. Let my people go.
Update: The panel discussion has now finished, but you can watch the replay above.

Indiana lawmakers are in the Statehouse for the last week of the 2026 legislative session, and IndyStar's politics team is going live at 9:30 a.m. to talk about it.

It's been a whirlwind session, and we're not just saying that: With the mid-decade redistricting debate taking up two weeks in December, lawmakers sped up the calendar to be able to shave off a couple of weeks at the tail end. The anticipated final day is Feb. 27, whereas they usually meet well into March.

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Immigration, public safety and even some culture-war issues like abortion and gender identity have taken center stage, as have issues affecting government pocketbooks like Medicaid and data centers. The shorter session did not seem to hamper the enthusiasm with which lawmakers filed bills, but it certainly provided a reality check when only so few could proceed to the finish line.

More: It's the final week of the legislative session. Track the latest updates on bills

There are still some big issues to be worked out this final week: What compromise will the House and Senate land on with restricting social media use among minors? Will previously stricken language on data-center tax incentives or gender identity laws come back through another bill? Will they keep a provision shortening Indiana's early voting period?

Join us at this web page and on IndyStar's YouTube and Facebook pages for our live show at 9:30 a.m., where we'll discuss these questions and more. IndyStar's politics team editor Kaitlin Lange will talk with Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer and breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador.

(From left) IndyStar reporters Hayleigh Colombo, Marissa Meador, Kayla Dwyer and editor Kaitlin Lange pictured Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis.

Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X@kayla_dwyer17.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Watch IndyStar politics team break down the final week of session
An Ozaukee County Circuit Court judge denied a request from business groups, including the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, to halt a resident-proposed ordinance up for referendum in the City of Port Washington that would give voters a say in approving large tax incentives for developers, including those for data centers.

On Feb. 23, Judge Adam Gerol rejected the business groups' motion for preliminary injunction, saying it was not appropriate for the courts to end an election or rule on the constitutionality of a hypothetical ordinance that hasn't become law. However, he said the court may take up the business groups' challenges to the ordinance's constitutionality if and when it's passed by a majority of Port Washington voters on April 7.

"The ability to submit referendum and petition government is protected speech," Gerol said at the Feb. 23 hearing.

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"People have a right to vote, and elected officials have the right to hear from them, regardless of whether or not a measure is passed or not, and in many ways, regardless of whether the matter is ultimately legal or illegal and whether or not it's actually sound and can be enforced down the road."

Ozaukee County Circuit Court Judge Adam Gerol explains his decision to deny the business groups' request to halt a referendum on giving voters a say in approving large tax incentives for developers.

MMAC and several other Wisconsin business and trade groups sued the City of Port Washington in late January, arguing the proposed ordinance up for referendum was too vague, conflicted with state law and would set a "dangerous precedent" that could chill development, according to their Jan. 29 complaint against the city and its clerk.

The city's response, filed on Feb. 3, says officials "largely agree" with the business groups but have no choice but to advance the referendum, citing Wisconsin's laws that allow residents to propose legislation through petition.

More: Watch a replay of Journal Sentinel Town Hall meeting on Wisconsin data centers

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Specifically, the proposed ordinance up for referendum would ask whether the city should hold future ballot referendums on tax incremental financing districts over $10 million. It was proposed by a local advocacy group, Great Lakes Neighbors United, which formed in 2025 to organize local opposition to the $15 billion AI data center campus in Port Washington, including $458 million in tax incremental financing approved for the project. The group also filed a lawsuit against the city challenging that TID in early January.

It is still not known exactly what will appear on Port Washington residents' ballots on April 7. At the previous hearing on Feb. 13, City Attorney Matthew Nugent told Gerol that city officials were still drafting the language that would appear on ballots  to explain the meaning of a yes or no vote and avoid printing the entire roughly 500-word ordinance.

Gerol had directed Nugent to file a draft of that language before the next hearing, but that was never filed with the court by Feb. 23.

"I can't be asked to rule on what hasn't been given," Gerol reiterated.

Von Briesen and Roper attorney Mark Schmidt (left), representing the City of Port Washington, holds the door for attorney Andy Skwierawski (right), representing Great Lakes Neighbors United, and city attorney Matthew Nugent (middle).

Also at the Feb. 13 hearing, Gerol grilled the attorneys on why Great Lakes Neighbors United wasn't named as a party to represent their interests in the case.

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Since then, the group filed to intervene in the case and join as a party, which Gerol approved at the Feb. 23 hearing, calling the group's initial exclusion "a significant procedural weakness in this case."

"In my opinion, they're indispensable to a fair resolution of this controversy because, up to this point, there was nobody here to speak on behalf of the public," Gerol said.

As Gerol explained his denial of the motion for preliminary injunction, he cited previous Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings in similar cases where direct legislation was challenged by city leaders.

Neither the city's common council nor its clerk has the authority to stall, reject or determine the unconstitutionality of direct legislation lawfully proposed by residents, which is the case here, Gerol said.

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Gerol did not buy the business groups' arguments or the city's arguments that even the existence of the ballot question would slow development. At the Feb. 13 hearing, neither could identify a specific project that would be affected by a public vote on the proposed ordinance, and it would not affect any existing TIF districts.

Granting a temporary injunction is meant to prevent "irreparable harm," he noted. But the premise of whether not the proposed ordinance becomes law is currently hypothetical, since it hasn't been passed by voters, he said.

"Is this concept even amenable to judicial scrutiny at this stage?" he asked rhetorically. "It is not."

Gerol also said he couldn't fully buy into the business groups' argument that the state statutes outlining how TIDs are approved by municipal bodies necessarily prevent the public from also having a say on the matter.

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He also said the proposed ordinance wasn't vague enough to be entirely uninterpretable.

Gerol also reiterated, as he did on Feb. 13, that he believes the attorney general should be notified about the case to weigh in, since it involves challenges to the ordinance's constitutionality.

The parties will reconvene in court for a scheduling conference on April 16 after the spring election.

(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)

Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Judge denies MMAC's request to halt TID referendum in Port Washington
RATON  An 8th Judicial District Court jury has found that Angel Fire Mayor Barry "B.J." Lindsey "knowingly violated" the New Mexico Procurement Code after hiring a marketing agency for the village outside of a competitive bidding process and under a contract that included an illegal prepayment clause.

The New Mexico Ethics Commission sued the mayor in 2024 after investigating a series of complaints that alleged Lindsey and his staff failed to issue a request for proposals seeking competitive bids for the contract, which Lindsey awarded to Carristo Creative Consulting LLC of Albuquerque that year for over $1 million.

Following a jury trial this month before Judge Steven Romero in Colfax County, the jury found on Feb. 17 that Lindsey attempted to circumvent the fair bidding process under an exemption in the Procurement Code that allows a public body to allocate funding for "purchases of advertising in all media."

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After the civil suit was filed in 2024, the village canceled the contract and issued an RFP for advertising services for the community, which is home to less than 2,000 full-time residents in the Moreno Valley, roughly 24 miles east of Taos.

I ran for mayor to serve my community, not to spend two years defending myself in court, Lindsey said in a statement. Small-town leaders deserve guidance and communication before theyre hit with a lawsuit.

Lindsey and his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in August of that year, arguing that he and his staff should be granted the opportunity to redress the matter under the Campaign Reporting Act, but were denied.

New Mexico is full of small towns led by everyday citizens, Lindsey added. When state agencies move straight to lawsuits instead of working with local governments, it sends a message that discourages people from stepping up to serve.

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The commission reached a separate settlement with Carristo for repayment of the amounts it unlawfully received under the contract, according to a press release from the ethics commission.

A political newcomer who took office in January 2024, Lindsey cast the tie-breaking vote to award the contract to Carristo, which was named as a party to the civil lawsuit along with several village staff, including Julie Kulhan, chief procurement officer.

The lawsuit also asserted that the mayor and his wife maintained personal relationships with the creative agency, which could not immediately be reached for comment Monday regarding the outcome of the lawsuit.

In New Mexico, government entities cannot bypass normal competitive procurement requirements and award a no-bid $1 million contract to a public officials friend simply because a contract is related to advertising in some general sense, Amelia Bierle, deputy director of the New Mexico Ethics Commission, said in a press release after the lawsuit was filed in 2024.

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The verdict follows a court order granting partial summary judgment in favor of the ethics commission in June 2024, when the court ruled that the procurement code was germane to the contract awarded to Carristo and that it did not fall under any allowable exemptions under state law.

The Procurement Code exists to ensure fairness, transparency, and public trust in government contracting, Bierle said in a statement. (The) verdict reaffirms that public officials are accountable when they knowingly disregard those requirements.

John Miller is the Albuquerque Journals northern New Mexico correspondent. He can be reached at jmiller@abqjournal.com.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Ceasar Lorenzo Wilson, the man accused of fatally stabbing University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) professor Haleh Abghari in 2024, entered his second week of a jury trial in El Paso County Court on Monday, Feb. 23, according to court documents.

54-year-old Wilson was arrested on March 27, 2025, in connection with the death of Abghari eight months earlier. He faces felony charges of Second-Degree Murder, Violent Crime  Used Weapon, Violent Crime  Cause Death, First-Degree Burglary  Armed with Explosives/Weapon, Robbery/Aggravated  Would/Strike with Weapon, Second-Degree Motor Vehicle Theft, ID Theft  Uses Info to Obtain, Theft  Less than $300, and Habitual Crime. Wilson pleaded not guilty to the charges.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UCCS music professor identified as victim of fatal stabbing

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On the morning of Aug. 12, 2024, Abghari, a music professor at UCCS, was found dead of at least one stab wound in her home in Stetson Hills, near Tutt Boulevard and North Carefree Circle. She had been a part of the music program for nearly 10 years, teaching voice, music ensembles, ethnomusicology, and collaborations with theater.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story was originally published on Healthcare Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Healthcare Dive newsletter.

Thirty-one thousand Kaiser Permanente nurses and other healthcare professionals in California and Hawaii ended a major strike Tuesday after about a month on the picket lines.

In a statement Monday, the workers union, the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, said significant movement at the bargaining table over the past two days prompted leaders to end the strike.

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Returning members to their patients and their livelihoods is the clearest path to securing a final agreement and building on the progress achieved during the strike, the UNAC/UHCP said.

The union had reached agreements on issues that were key to members, including staffing, workload and safety, Charmaine Morales, president of UNAC/UHCP, told Healthcare Dive Tuesday.

Kaiser said in a statement that UNAC/UHCP leadership had accepted the health systems offer of across-the-board wage increases of 21.5%, which it initially proposed in early October.

Our bargaining with UNAC/UHCP and each of the Alliance of Health Care Unions continues at local tables, Kaiser said. We are continuing to make progress and remain optimistic about reaching contract agreements soon.

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UNAC/UHCP wanted to pin down the 21.5% wage increase, so Kaiser wouldnt back away from the proposal, Morales said.

Based on the behaviors we had seen with the employer, with them being regressive or reneging on things that they had agreed to, we wanted to lock in what the employers last proposal was, she said.

Workers in Southern California will return to their posts over three days, depending on role, according to a plan released by Kaiser. Employees in Hawaii should go back to their normal schedules tomorrow through the rest of the week. Many roles at locations in Northern California will return at their next scheduled shift, but certified registered nurse anesthetists will work with managers to determine their next shift.

The work stoppage was the largest open-ended strike of nurses and other healthcare professionals in U.S. history, according to the UNAC/UHCP. Another strike at Kaiser Permanente in 2023 included 75,000 workers, but lasted three days.

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The latest strike, which affected more than two dozen hospitals and clinics, began in late January after months of contract negotiations between the union and Kaiser. Workers called for increased staffing and wages, which they argued havent kept pace with rising costs of food, housing and healthcare.

The union also accused the health system of unfair labor practices for allegedly walking away from the negotiating table in December and attempting to bypass the national bargaining system.

Kaiser argues the strike was unnecessary, as the union was pushing for unrealistic and unsustainable wage hikes of up to 63%. The health system also pointed toward the coalition approach to bargaining, where local unions band together to negotiate national contracts, as a challenge.

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Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, one of the Democratic candidates eyeing the Golden State governorship, held up a message that read "F--- TRUMP" during the California Democratic Party's 2026 state convention on Saturday.

"Yeah, that's right, f--- Trump," she declared.

"Together, we're gonna kick Trump's a-- in November. I'll stand up to Trump and his cronies just like I did in Congress, with or without my whiteboard," she said.

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Illinois Lieutenant Governor Seeking Us Senate Seat Releases Video Of People Saying F--- Trump

Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter addresses the crowd at the General Session during the California Democratic Party State Convention at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (Getty Images)

"But this election for governor is about more than defeating Trump. We know what Trump is willing to do. Hes willing to kill people in the streets, to rip away healthcare, and to ruthlessly attack our democracy. But this governor's race asks us, what are we willing to do, what is California willing to do for our democracy?" she said.

In a statement to Fox News Digital on Monday, Republican National Committee spokesman Nick Poche said, "The good news for Katie Porter is that she can pick up her medication for far less thanks to TrumpRx and all the fantastic work the President is doing to lower drug prices. The bad news is her all stunts no substance campaign just came in a distant fifth, and no amount abusing her staff will change that she won't be governor."

Read On The Fox News App

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Unearthed Fec Records Expose Katie Porter's Hypocrisy After She Fumes At New Billionaire Joining Race

California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter delivers remarks during the California Democratic Party convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has endorsed Porter for governor.

"Senator Elizabeth Warren knows what it means to fight for working families. Together, weve held the powerful accountable, put people before billionaires, and worked hard to lower costs for Americans. Grateful to my friend @ewarren for her endorsement in this race," Porter wrote in a post on X.

Liberal Media Darling In The Hot Seat After Explosive Interview Goes Viral

Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks with Representative Katie Porter before Israeli President Isaac Herzog addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 19, 2023.

"From the moment @katieporterca set foot in my consumer law class, I knew that she would be a warrior for working families. Katie will champion the kind of bold, progressive vision that California workers and families deserve, and I'm proud to endorse her for California Governor," Warren said in a post on X.





Original article source: Katie Porter holds F--- TRUMP sign at California Democratic convention
[Getty Images]

The global transportation and postal company FedEx has filed a lawsuit for a "full refund" of Donald Trump's emergency tariffs.

The US president introduced higher tariffs on imports from most countries last April under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) - but the US Supreme Court ruled last week that the law did not allow him to impose the levies.

The decision has paved the way for companies to seek a refund on the additional import duties paid since they were introduced last year.

"Plaintiffs seek for themselves a full refund from Defendants of all IEEPA duties Plaintiffs have paid to the United States," FedEx said in its lawsuit.

The company did not say in its suit what value a refund it was seeking. It named US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency's commissioner Rodney Scott and the US as defendants.

It said in its filing with the US Court of International Trade that it had been responsible for paying the tariffs and was seeking redress for that.

FedEx said in a statement on Monday that it had "taken necessary action to protect the company's rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds" from CBP following the Supreme Court's ruling.

The BBC has approached the CBP for comment.

On Monday, 22 US Senators, all Democrats, introduced legislation that requires the Trump administration to fully refund all revenue, with interest, collected from tariffs within 180 days.

The legislation requires CBP, which would oversee the reimbursements, to prioritise small businesses.

It's estimated the Trump administration has brought in at least an additional $130bn (97bn) from tariffs imposed on most goods imported into the US through the IEEPA.

While the court's ruling determined that Trump's IEEPA tariffs were not legal, it did not offer guidance on returning the money to those who had paid the taxes.

Speaking after the decision was released, both Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the issue of refunds could drag through the courts for years.

In recent weeks, prior to the decision release on Friday, hundreds of firms, including cosmetics company Revlon, aluminium giant Alcoa and food importers like tuna brand Bumble Bee, filed lawsuits contesting the tariffs, in a bid to get in line for a refund.

Costco was also among the companies that pre-emptively sued the Trump administration last year, writing in its lawsuit: "The text of IEEPA does not use the word 'tariff' or any term of equivalent meaning."

On Friday, Trump signed a proclamation using an alternative law, Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which places a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries. He said on Saturday that he would be increasing these new tariffs to 15%.
Vladimir Putin has been accused of trying to distract attention from his heinous atrocities after Russia claimed the UK and France are plotting to supply Ukraine with a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb.

On the fourth anniversary of the Russian presidents full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Putin for blocking the path to peace and vowed to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.

He said it was a falsehood to suggest Russia is winning the conflict, which is costing Putins forces tens of thousands of lives every month.

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Meanwhile Downing Street said on Tuesday there is "no truth" to Russian claims that Britain is planning to supply Ukraine with a dirty bomb.

The Ministry of Foreign Affair of Russia made the bizarre claim that British and French elites are actively exploring ways to supply Kyiv with a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called dirty bomb on Tuesday.

Allegations that Ukraine was preparing to use an explosive device laced with radioactive material were also made by the Kremlin to the UN Security Council in 2022, when they accused Ukraine of preparing to detonate a bomb in order to accuse Moscow of using weapons of mass destruction.

Asked about the latest claims, the Prime Minister's official spokesman described them as "a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract" from his latest actions in Ukraine.

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"There is no truth to this," the spokesman said.

He added: "You will have seen the Prime Minister's words this morning, paying tribute to the incredible resilience of the Ukrainians, and you will have seen the package of action on military, humanitarian, reconstruction fronts announced today, which is a sign of where our support is for Ukraine. We will continue with our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace."

Sir Keir said Putin will not win his brutal war in Ukraine, as fresh sanctions on Russia were revealed.

Ahead of a coalition of the willing meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, the Prime Minister added that Britain would be stepping up military and humanitarian help for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

Britain has also chosen the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion to slap fresh sanctions on Russia, with the aim of squeezing its oil and gas industry to limit funds for the war.

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The package, which is the largest imposed since the early months of the war in 2022, includes pipeline company PJSC Transneft, which the Foreign Office said was responsible for transporting more than 80% of Russian oil exports, along with 175 companies and 48 tankers involved in "shadow fleet" operations to move Russian oil.

Sir Keir said: "On this grim anniversary, our message to the Ukrainian people is simple: Britain is with you, stronger than ever. That is why we are announcing new support today and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"For all the noise in world affairs today, this war remains the most critical issue of our age. It asks the question of whether Ukrainian and European freedom will endure.

"Our answer, together, is unequivocal: Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war. Ukraine's courage continues to hold the line for our shared values, in the face of Putin's aggression.

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"We will stand by their side, until a just and lasting peace - and beyond. Slava Ukraini."

Britains Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, also stressed on Tuesday that a Russian victory in Ukraine was far from inevitable.

Praising the courage of the Ukrainian people, he said: Through all the suffering imposed by Putin on innocent civilians in pursuit of his illegal war, the Ukrainian people have come together to defend their home.

They have proved that Russian victory is far from inevitable.

Russian has suffered over 1.2 million casualties since February 24, 2022, Sir Richard said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Tom Nicholson/PA Wire)

The Russian Black Sea fleet had been neutered by a country without a navy, he added, and despite overwhelming odds Ukrainian airspace was still being contested.

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Russias war on Ukraine has gone on longer than its involvement in World War II but the frontline has hardly moved since 2022, Sir Richard emphasised.

It comes as Western Officials said they believe Putin is no longer able to recruit Russian troops quickly enough to replace those dying on the battlefield in Ukraine.

However, armed forces minister Al Carns insisted that the depletion of Russia's number of fighting men did not mean the UK could relax its commitment to raise defence spending.

Between 30,000 and 35,000 Russian soldiers are recruited each month, according to western officials.

But the number of those killed over the past three months is believed to have been higher than those who joined up.

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This means that for the first time in the four years of war, for a sustained period, Moscow's battlefield numbers are falling.

Mr Carns described this as a "casualty uptick which is disproportionate in scale".

Western officials believe this will have a significant impact on the Kremlin's ability to "generate offensive power" for a spring or summer offensive, meaning that any Russian forward march would be sluggish.

It also raises the prospect of "coercive" mobilisation within Russia, such as conscription, rather than relying on the promise of large financial rewards to recruit soldiers.

Drone attacks continue to be the driving force behind the casualty rate on the battlefield, and officials believe that ground-based drones - so-called unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) - will become ever more present over the coming year.

Vladimir Putin (PA Archive)

However, Mr Carns said individual soldiers remain "essential" for capturing and holding ground once drone attacks are over.

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As the full-scale war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the Government has announced a new package of support aimed at bolstering Kyiv's war effort.

This includes a 20 million package to help repair and protect the nation's power grid - often a target of Russian strikes - as well as 5.7 million assistance for Ukrainians whose towns and villages are on the front line of the war.

Ukrainian military medics are also being mentored by British surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists in battlefield surgery.

Sir Keir will convene a virtual meeting of the coalition of the willing to discuss recent peace talks and further support for Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict.

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Russia's bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the country's energy grid.

The country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has told the BBC he believes Mr Putin started a third world war with the invasion of Ukraine.

"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him... Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves," he told the broadcaster.
A Kentucky man who was covered in fur has been arrested after he was found having sex with a dead deer, according to authorities.

Allen Osborne, a 32-year-old from Owensboro, was charged with sexual crimes against animals by Central City police on Saturday following the disturbing discovery, according to reports.

A driver had spotted Osborne appearing to have sex with the deer on the side of the road in Muhlenberg County and reported it to police, according to news outlet WEHT, which cited the Central City Police Department.

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Allen was found by police with his pants down and blood on his boxers, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported, citing court documents.

Allen Osborne, a 32-year-old Kentucky man who was covered in fur, has been arrested after he was found having sex with a dead deer, according to authorities (Muhlenberg County Detention Center)

The documents alleged Osborne also had deer fur on his hoodie.

Osborne was booked into the Muhlenberg County Detention Center and was being held on a $5,000 bond as of Monday afternoon.

Central City police told The Independent Osborne pleaded not guilty in court Monday morning.

Sexual crimes against animals is a Class D felony, which carries a one to five-year prison sentence if convicted, according to reports.

Information about Osbornes legal representation was not immediately clear.

Osbornes next court date is March 2.
The Kaleykino oil pumping station in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, a key hub for the operation of the Druzhba export oil pipeline, was attacked on the night of 22-23 February.

Source: Telegram monitoring channels; Astra, a Russian media outlet

Details: Videos circulating online show a large-scale fire and tall flames at the site of the station.

Update: Regional authorities confirmed in the morning that an industrial facility had been attacked.

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Russian authorities claimed in an official statement that the "small-scale fire" had been caused by falling debris from a drone.

"No casualties have been reported. Emergency services are dealing with the aftermath. The situation is under control," the regional administration said.

For reference: The Kaleykino station is the most powerful facility of its kind in the region and one of the key logistics hubs of Russia's energy system. It is where oil from different regions, including Western Siberia and the Volga region, is blended before being sent for export. The station maintains the pressure and continuous flow of crude into the Druzhba pipeline and also supplies refineries in Tatarstan.

Damage to this facility will directly affect Russia's war economy. Oil and gas revenues account for roughly a third of the Russian federal budget, which funds the war against Ukraine, and Kaleykino is a starting point in the chain that delivers resources to European markets.

Background:

In recent days, Hungary and Slovakia have publicly pressured Kyiv after Ukraine tightened sanctions against the Russian company Lukoil, blocking the transit of its oil through Ukrainian territory.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto have threatened legal action against Ukraine and blocked a 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.

In addition, Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to halt electricity supplies.

Both countries are demanding the resumption of Russian oil transit specifically via the Druzhba pipeline.

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Voters in pockets of Pennsylvania and Maine will head to the polls on Tuesday to weigh in on a handful of state House special elections that could offer clues on how Democrats will fare in the 2026 midterms.

Allegheny and Lehigh counties in Pennsylvania will hold two special elections, while voters in a Maine district that covers part of Lewiston also will cast their ballots.

Democrats hold narrow majorities in both state Houses, meaning Republican wins could diminish Democratic control in a key election year  or even divide Pennsylvanias lower chamber.

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Here are the key things to watch for in Tuesdays Pennsylvania and Maine special elections:

Democrats look to keep slim majorities in Pennsylvania, Maine

Although Democrats are favored to win in all three of Tuesdays elections, any upsets could upend Democratic control of Pennsylvania and Maines lower chambers.

In Pennsylvanias 22nd District, Democrat Ana Tiburcio, a member of the Allentown School Districts board of directors, is running against Republican Robert Smith, a former board member. The Lehigh County-area seat was vacated by former state Rep. Josh Siegel (D) after he was elected as county executive.

Over in Allegheny Countys District 42, meanwhile, Republican Joseph Leckenby, who recently graduated from Duquesne Universitys law school, is facing off with Democrat and Dormont Borough Council member Jennifer Mazzocco. The duo are seeking to replace former state Rep. Dan Miller (D), who now serves on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris won Lehigh County by only 3 points in 2024, and Allegheny County is more solidly Democratic.

Keystone State Democrats currently hold a 100-98 edge in the House, with five seats vacant. While both districts are seen as blue-leaning, if Democrats were to lose both seats, it would put the chamber at a 100-100 tie until the next special election on March 17.

A draw would make it harder for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), who is pursuing a reelection bid, to carry out his legislative priorities, particularly because Republicans hold a narrow edge in the state Senate.

In Maine, Republican Janet Beaudoin, a Lewiston School Committee member, is running against Democrat and Lewiston City Councilor Scott Harriman for the Lewiston-based state House seat. The two are vying to succeed former state Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D), who vacated the District 94 seat to serve as Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtrys (D) chief of staff.

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Harris won Lewiston by 8 points in 2024, and Democrats hold a 74-72 edge in the Maine state House, though Maine Public notes there are a few independent or unenrolled lawmakers who typically side with Democrats. A Republican win in Lewiston would ultimately diminish Democrats edge in the lower chamber, but not entirely upset it.

High-profile political leaders weigh in

Tuesdays races have garnered attention from prominent state and national figures.

In Maine, former Gov. Paul LePage (R), whos running for Congress; Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R); and several other candidates and former elected officials have campaigned for Beaudoin, according to Maine Wire. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who is facing her own tough reelection bid, has also endorsed Beaudoin.

Janet Beaudoin has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service through her work on the Lewiston School Committee, Collins said in a statement shared by Beaudoins campaign. Her small business experience and practical problem solving approach will be an asset to House District 94. I encourage voters to support Janet Beaudoin in the February 24th special election.

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Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stumped for Harriman earlier this month.

We can no longer abide  as people who care about this country  ignoring races like this, Martin said in Lewiston, as reported by Maine Public.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has endorsed all three candidates, while former Attorney General Eric Holder Jr., who is chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, has backed both Pennsylvania Democratic candidates.

ICE criticism, Democratic enthusiasm come into focus

While theres only so much observers will be able to glean from Tuesdays special elections, the races can offer some hints ahead of Novembers midterms over what issues will be most salient with voters.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and affordability have surfaced as common issues in the Pennsylvania races, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

My children and grandchildren, I dont want anyone picked up mistakenly for being an undocumented or illegal alien, Smith said at a recent candidate forum, according to Lehigh Daily.

So I will not let any rights of people be affected in our district, he added.

Mazzocco told the Post-Gazette that constituents have brought up concerns about ICE and that Pennsylvanians dont want to see their neighbors taken off the streets.

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In Maine, immigration and housing affordability have been at the forefront of debate. Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched an immigration crackdown across the state, drawing pushback from Maine Democrats.

Harriman told the Maine Morning Star earlier this month its key that immigrant and refugee and asylum seeking neighbors are protected, because they really are a vital part of our community, including the economy.

He also mentioned different ways of addressing housing costs, suggesting ideas like rent increase caps when property is sold.

Beaudoins campaign website states that she wants to Empower Our Local Law Enforcement to get ALL criminals, regardless of immigration status, off of our streets. Shes also in favor of deregulating housing to make it more affordable.

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Tuesdays election also ultimately will offer some clues on whether Democrats can maintain their overperformance streak after a string of wins in 2025. An overenthusiastic base on Tuesday would point to Democrats sustaining momentum heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Pennsylvania and Maine are both consequential states this cycle. Maine is holding highly contested races for Senate and governor in addition to a contest to replace centrist Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine).

Pennsylvania will hold key House races that will determine control of the lower chambers majority in November in addition to Shapiros gubernatorial reelection bid.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 spoke in January 2026 with 150 high school students about career options. After explaining my own career as a professor of education, health, and behavior, I asked the students a simple question: Would you want to be a teacher?

"Why in the world would I want to be a teacher?" one female student said.

"My aunt is a teacher and she works all the time  no thanks," a male student added.

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Several students said it felt like teachers were doing everything: from teaching lessons and helping students through personal struggles to managing class disruptions and constantly adjusting to whatever else the day brought. Students also mentioned hearing teachers talk openly about low pay or feeling a lack of respect from students and others.

These students' observations align with national trends. While nearly 20 percent of college freshmen said in 1970 that they were interested in a teaching career, less than five percent said the same in 2020, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Many teachers report low levels of job satisfaction, and 52 percent polled by Pew in 2024 said they would not advise young adults to become teachers.

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Teacher pay penalty

Education researchers and labor analysts have documented that teachers earn less than other people who also have college degrees.

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This difference in pay is sometimes called the teacher pay penalty. This gap has widened over the past few decades.

In 2024 the teacher pay penalty reached its highest recorded level, with teachers earning roughly 73 cents for every dollar earned by other college graduates.

Average annual public teacher salaries recently have ranged from about $53,507 in Mississippi and $53,098 in Florida to more than $95,160 in California and $95,615 in New York.

Nationwide, teachers on average earn about $72,030 per year.

National analyses show that teaching has steadily lost ground in wage competitiveness compared with other college-educated professionals over the past few decades.

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Even as some states have enacted modest teacher salary increases year over year, these wide disparities persist.

Expanding expectations, rising strain

Teaching once centered primarily on academic instruction. Particularly through much of the 20th century, teachers roles were largely defined by planning lessons, instructing on different subjects, and assessing student learning.

In addition to teaching core subjects, many teachers are now often expected to help support students social and emotional development, address complex behavioral challenges, respond to crises that spill into classrooms, such as students physically fighting, and manage substantial paperwork and administrative tasks.

The Covid-19 pandemic intensified many of these responsibilities, as teachers navigated remote instruction and students heightened mental health needs.

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At the same time, concerns about school safety, including the reality of school shootings and other kinds of violence, have added another layer to teachers emotional strain and required vigilance.

Teachers are far more likely than other college-educated professionals to report frequent job-related stress and burnout.

Job available

Approximately 50 percent of all public school leaders reported in October 2024 that they feel their school is understaffed. And 20 percent of public school leaders reported teacher vacancies during that same time period.

In January 2022, shortly after the pandemic, more than 20 percent of public schools reported at least five percent of their teaching positions were vacant that month. Approximately 51 percent of schools reported that resignations were the cause of these vacancies.

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A 2025 national teacher shortage overview estimates that roughly 1 in 8 teaching positions nationwide are either unfilled or staffed by someone not fully certified for the assignment, meaning a teacher working outside their licensed subject area or grade level, for example.

When positions are filled this way, the classroom will still have a teacher present, but not necessarily one formally prepared to teach a specific subject or group of students. This can result in greater reliance on substitutes or increased class sizes for remaining staff.

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When teaching became womens work

History helps explain why teaching looks  and pays  the way it does today.

In the early 1800s, teaching was a predominantly male profession.

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But as the U.S. industrialized in the late 1800s and early 1900s, higher-paying jobs in business and manufacturing drew many men away from classrooms.

For many women at the time, teaching offered one of the few respectable professional careers available. It provided steady income and a measure of independence when many other professions were closed to them.

Labor force participation for women expanded significantly during the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, as legal and social barriers began to fall. Yet the pay and public standing of teaching does not seem to have risen at the same pace.

By the early 1900s, women made up about 70 percent of teachers. In 2024, 77 percent of teachers were women.

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Nationwide, the gender wage gap has narrowed in the past few decades. Still, women in the U.S. earn an average 85 percent of what men make.

Who will teach the next generation?

Each year, more than 80,000 new teachers step into classrooms. But the overall pipeline has narrowed since the early 2010s, with enrollment at teacher preparation programs declining sharply and only partially rebounding in recent years.

Todays students are coming of age in a landscape where teaching competes with many other college-degree professions that may offer higher pay, more predictable hours, or clearer career advancement.

College students are often weighing financial security, mental health, and long-term sustainability as they imagine their future.

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Research consistently shows that compensation, working conditions, and professional support play a central role in job retention. When those elements erode, so too does workforce stability.

Stability is the key as students are evaluating teaching  not as a calling, but as a potential career within a competitive labor market.

Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Kids Dont Want To Be Teachers  Heres Whats Driving the Shortage appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong Un, has emerged as one of the most powerful figures in North Korea, playing a leading role in the nation's diplomatic efforts and nuclear posturing.

Long seen as one of her brother's most trusted lieutenants, Kim Yo Jong has now been elevated to a key position in the nation's ruling party.

State media said Tuesday she has been promoted to department director within the central committee of the Workers' Party -- a sign of her clout within Pyongyang.

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Little is known about Kim Yo Jong -- believed to be in her late 30s -- given her prominent role in North Korea's dealings with the outside world.

Born in the late 1980s, according to the South Korean government, she is one of three children born to Kim's father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il, and his third known partner, former dancer Ko Yong Hui.

She was educated in Switzerland alongside Kim Jong Un, and rose rapidly up the ranks once he inherited power after their father's death in 2011.

North Korea frequently uses her name to issue statements outlining foreign policy or criticising Seoul and Washington.

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She has effectively become Pyongyang's official mouthpiece for diplomacy with two nations typically viewed as "enemies".

"Kim Yo Jong is one of the very few people Kim Jong Un can trust and rely on," said Ahn Chan-il, a researcher originally from North Korea.

"She also served as a working-level official for Kim's summits with Trump in Singapore and Hanoi. She is experienced and seasoned," he told AFP.

Kim Yo Jong burst onto the international scene in 2018, when she visited South Korea for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

- Family ties -

Every detail of her Olympic visit was closely scrutinised, from the clothes she wore to the bag she was carrying and even her handwriting.

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The titular leader of North Korea's Olympic delegation -- also the country's ceremonial head of state at the time -- offered Yo Jong the seat of honour when they arrived in Seoul for brief talks with South Korean officials.

It was seen by many as a sign of her status.

Yo Jong's latest advancement within the party "amounts to promotion to ministerial rank," said Lim Eul-chul from the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University.

"It's a step that is a clear show of (Kim Jong Un's) support and empowerment for her."

The Workers' Party congress offers a rare glimpse into the political workings of reclusive North Korea, and is widely seen as a forum for Kim to flex his grip on power.

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There is keen interest in whether the congress might also promote another woman close to leader Kim Jong Un -- his teenage daughter Ju Ae.

North Korea's internal politics are notoriously ruthless.

Kim Jong Un executed his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, in 2013 after he was accused of plotting to overthrow his nephew.

The future of Kim Yo Jong and her career "may likely depend on the kind of relationship she builds over the next five years with Kim Ju Ae," analyst Ahn said.

cdl/sft/lb
An Idaho man died in the Colorado River on Thursday after he was swept off his raft in an especially powerful rapid during a multi-day private river expedition.

Parents of 30-year-old Aaron Benjamin confirmed his death to 12News Saturday morning.

Benjamin was an experienced river runner and was rowing an 18-foot raft at Hance Rapids. Witnesses say his raft was caught in a hole when he fell into the 40-degree water and did not immediately surface.

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Another member of Benjamins crew provided details of the accident in a Facebook post forwarded by Grand Canyon historian Tom Martin.

Martin said he had "the good fortune to meet Aaron in [the] Grand Canyon last year."

"A kind gentle giant of a man" is another way Martin described him.

12News reached out to the National Park Service for comment on this incident. This is what they said:

"National Park Service responded to an incident reported at Hance Rapid in Grand Canyon National Park on Feb. 20 at approximately 1120. Emergency responders were dispatched, and this incident remains under investigation. No additional information is available at this time."

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This story has been updated to clarify that Benjamin had been residing in Idaho at the time of the incident.

12News will continue to follow this story if more information becomes available.

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The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events  including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.

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Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."

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Editor's note: Klaas Knot and Olaf Sleijpen visited Ukraine as part of a Dutch delegation invited by the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pishnyy.

The gloom and doom on Europe's future is overblown, says the frontrunner to succeed Christine Lagarde as head of the European Central Bank  but still, says Klaas Knot, the continent has unfinished business if it wants to reach its potential.

Speaking in Kyiv at the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) in a double interview with the current governor of De Nederlandsche Bank, Olaf Sleijpen, the former Dutch central bank chief Knot told the Kyiv Independent that a lot has already changed for the better as the bloc does some soul searching amid shifting geopolitical realities.

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"Is the glass half empty or half full? For me, the glass is absolutely half full," Knot said.

Widely seen as a leading contender to follow Lagarde as the Eurozone's top technocrat, Knot extolled the virtues of further unification at the European level  including politically contentious ideas like closer European integration when it comes to defense.

"I believe that a significant part of our defense efforts can be much better and more efficiently organized at the European level," said Knot, who also highlighted the benefits of doing more as a single European unit to tackle the energy and climate transitions.

Europe's policy priorities have been shaped in recent years by two landmark reports from former Italian Prime Ministers Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, which urge the EU to dismantle the cumbersome internal barriers between member states, and to champion large-scale cross-border projects as a way to boost productivity and strengthen competitiveness.

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But on defense, the continent's track record is uneven. Despite a wave of ambitious initiatives, procurement looks set to remain fragmented, and strong dependencies on U.S. capabilities remain.

One particularly damning example is the joint French-Italian air defense system known as SAMP/T  of which not a single unit has been produced since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 due to coordination issues on production.

Twenty-four hours after Knot and Sleijpen left Ukraine, Russia pummeled the country with 50 missiles  with Kyiv mostly relying on scarce U.S. technology to intercept them, for lack of suitable European substitutes.

The current president of De Nederlandsche Bank, Olaf Sleijpen (L), and Klaas Knot, the former president (R), in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Danylo Antoniuk/ The Kyiv Independent)

Knot conceded that the ambition to do everything with all 27 countries was not always feasible, but said that the current political preference for "coalitions of the willing" captures some of the benefits.

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European countries have banded together in smaller groups to try to inject new momentum into key priority areas like defense, as an advancing Russia and retreating America expose the sluggish pace at which the Brussels bureaucracy can respond.

"We have a complicated way of making decisions, but that is by virtue of the fact that we are 27 countries who have deliberately decided to share sovereignty," said Knot, who pointed to key assets the continent holds  among them Europe's rule of law and an independent central bank that underpin the euro's credibility and appeal.

"Usually, it takes us a little bit longer to arrive at the best solutions for Europe. But under the pressure of geopolitical threats, which have changed our view of the world and the role that Europe has to play, a lot has changed for the good," Knot said.

Knot praised the EU for reaching an agreement on funding Ukraine, referring to the 90 billion euros ($106 billion) loan agreed at a crunch December summit. The last-minute arrangement came after months of deliberation over a so-called "reparations loan," which would have lent Kyiv up to 210 billion euros ($248 billion) backed by frozen Russian assets.

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Both Sleijpen and Knot agreed that the reparations loan on the table in December "could have worked," contrasting with the more cautious tone struck by Lagarde in the lead-up to the summit.

When asked about whether outright confiscation could be an option down the line, Knot refused to speculate on what the future holds  but didn't exclude the possibility outright.

"It depends on Russia's preparedness to make reparations payments after an eventual peace settlement," he said, emphasizing that what really counted was that Europe "got its act together" and found the funds to fill the gaping hole in Ukraine's finances.

The 90 billion euros will cover two-thirds of Ukraine's defense and financing needs through 2027. Funded by joint debt  one of the most politically sensitive issues in the EU  and with an unprecedented sum of EU money earmarked for military spending, the bold arrangement is seen by many as a positive signal from Brussels.

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The stepped-up defense spending underscores just how much the world has changed over the last few years. That change was echoed by Knot, who says that he currently sees geopolitical risks as a greater threat than climate risks, even as he extensively outlined the huge and rising impacts of climate change that are causing financial damage globally.

Those risks loom large in the mind of current governor Sleijpen, who talked at length about the Dutch central bank's preparations for potential shocks like blackouts or even full-scale conflict  and the sometimes surprising lessons that he has learned from Ukraine's central bank.

"Setting up a childcare facility is not something that immediately comes to mind when preparing contingency plans for times of crisis," Sleijpen said, sharing one example of how Ukraine's central bank continues to guarantee operations during wartime.

During periods of substantial electricity and heating outages, the bank employs an on-site childcare worker, should employees need assistance.

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Almost half of Ukraine's central bank staff have close relatives who are wounded or have died as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to Sleijpen, who said that it was a sobering reminder of people's priorities when a crisis hits.

The current governor of De Nederlandische Bank, Olaf Sleijpen, poses for a portrait before an interview in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Danylo Antoniuk/ The Kyiv Independent)

"It's not only about doing your job, but it's about taking care of your family."

As Kyiv hits the grim anniversary of four years of full-scale invasion, and Russia's hybrid warfare across the continent intensifies, Sleijpen says that the bank has significantly stepped up preparations for future crises. At the same time, he emphasized that the current moment, while fraught with risk, also presents opportunities.

Amid speculation of Ukraine's fast-tracked entry into the European Union, the governor said that new members could serve as a trigger to modernize the bloc's budget  especially since several future members, including Ukraine, have large agricultural sectors. Roughly one-quarter of the EU's central budget is spent on subsidies to farmers, which many see as long overdue for reform.

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As Ukraine enters its fifth year of full-scale war, and with the responsibility to keep supporting Kyiv squarely in Europe's lap, bigger and simpler is the remedy the pair of Dutch central bankers prescribe for the continent to rise to the many challenges it faces, all while respecting the diverging political preferences inherent to the 27-member club.

Completing the single market is particularly critical. Both articulated the panacea-like effects of tearing down obstacles for companies and people operating in the bloc, which would pave the way for more to happen at scale.

"By removing internal barriers to the single market, you get additional growth which creates the fiscal space needed to finance the defense, energy, and climate transitions that we are going through," Sleijpen said.

Asked whether he would like to watch over those changes as the head of Europe's most important bank, amid reports of Lagarde's early exit, Knot declined to comment on "a vacancy that isn't there."

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But looking ahead to the next term  whoever will be at its helm  Knot said that the bank's commitment to price stability and financial stability should never be in question.

"I'm fully confident that that will remain the case over the next eight years."

Read also: Exclusive: Mounting concern in Brussels over Ukraines reform backslide

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Volodymyr Zelensky declared on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine that World War Three had already begun.

His statement reflected the increasingly global nature of Russias war, which has seen troops from countries across the world brought in to either bolster Vladimir Putins aggression or support Ukraines resistance.

Since February 2022, around 55,000 Ukrainians have been killed in bitter fighting on the frontlines, according to Ukrainian estimates. Russia has suffered an estimated 1.2 million casualties, including at least 325,000 deaths, according to recent analysis.

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Some 20,000 men from overseas are now estimated to have joined Russias invasion. Many have been falsely sold the promise of lucrative employment away from the frontlines. Ukraine has offered professional soldiers fixed contracts paying rates higher than what they could earn at home.

Moscow has used foreign troops to alleviate the strain on its forces and, crucially, delay another round of politically contentious mobilisation  a move likely to spark public anger.

Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the conflict, The Independent looks at some of the countries dragged into Russias war in Ukraine.

North Korea

North Korea assumed a major role in the conflict in support of Russia in late 2024, helping to set back a bold Ukrainian counteroffensive into Russian-held territory.

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The first reports of North Koreans training in Russia came in the weeks after emboldened Ukrainian forces launched a summer offensive into Russias Kursk region. Pyongyang would commit some 17,000 troops to Russia in total, according to recent British estimates.

A North Korean Soldier fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to a video shared by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine (Office of the President of Ukraine)

Most of the soldiers came from North Koreas elite Storm Corps, which are trained for infiltration and sabotage operations. They remained in Kursk to help Russia recover control of its own region before mostly withdrawing.

The UK Ministry of Defence assessed in June that Pyongyang had likely sustained more than 6,000 casualties fighting Ukraine  a little over a third of its forces.

Emil Kastehelmi, military analyst and cofounder of the Finland-based open-source intelligence collective Black Bird Group, told The Independent that after fighting in Kursk, theyve taken a less active role against Ukrainians.

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He said that while multiple brigades were used in Kursk, no such force has since been transferred to Donetsk, the region of eastern Ukraine sought by Putin.

North Korea has been fighting its own propaganda war at home, glorifying the troops sent to Kursk with a new memorial complex and a housing district set aside for the families of slain soldiers. Analysis say such treatment is aimed at curbing public discontent.

Kenya

Harrowing footage showing the abuse of African soldiers by Russian troops sparked outrage late last year.

Francis Ndungu Ndarua, 35, from Kenya, was filmed in viral footage with a land mine strapped to his chest as a Russian speaker hurled racial slurs at him and said he would be used as a can opener to assault Ukrainian positions.

Relatives of Kenyans believed to be fighting for Russia in Ukraine (Reuters)

Anne Ndarua, his mother, told CNN that Francis had gone to Russia to become an electrical engineer. She was surprised to learn he was being forced into military training, and says he was sent to the front after just three weeks.

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Families have petitioned for the Kenyan government to act in recent weeks as soldiers began to return home, recounting how they were lured in by lucrative job offers only to be sent to Ukraine.

A Kenyan intelligence report found this month that around 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to fight in Ukraine so far. Nearly 90 were on the frontlines this month, while one has died and several have come home injured or traumatised, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said in its report. The government has recently tried to ban the conscription of Kenyan soldiers.

They sometimes may not fully understand what is the battlefield they are entering, Mr Kastehelmi said, adding: Russians probably can pay better and they may have also more effective recruiting networks.

Colombia

Both Russia and Ukraine have recruited soldiers from Latin America to fill in their ranks.

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Colombian veterans are considered among the most valuable foreign fighters, arriving hardened from a decades-long civil war, and familiar with Western equipment.

In December, a Russian-backed court in Donetsk sentenced Colombian national Oscar Mauricio Blanco Lopez to 19 years in jail for fighting for Ukraine (Russian Prosecutor General's office)

Mario Uruena-Sanchez, a security expert at Rosario University in Bogota, told The Economist that casualty rates remain high as Colombians arrive to meet a very different conflict from the one at home.

In Colombia, you can patrol for six months and there isnt as much risk involved, a Colombian Army veteran now fighting in Ukraine told El Tiempo. Here, with every entry (into combat) you know you might not come back or you might come back wounded.

Figures vary, and recruitment is often informal, but it is estimated that between 3,000 and 7,000 Colombians have fought in Ukraine, on both sides, since 2022.

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In 2024, Colombian fighters were offered between $3,000 (2,219) to $4,000 (2,967) per month to join existing Ukrainian units on six-month contracts, according to CEPA.

India

More than 200 Indians have been recruited into the Russian armed forces since the invasion, Indias foreign ministry reported in December, amid rising concern about citizens being lured into the military.

At least 26 people were said to have been killed and seven were still missing at the time of the report.

Caesar, a 50-year-old Russian who joined the Freedom of Russia Legion to fight for Ukraine, stands in front of a destroyed monastery in Dolyna, Ukraine, in December 2022 (AFP/Getty)

Dozens of families gathered in New Delhi in November to call on authorities to bring their relatives home, as they too heard that they had been duped into travelling to Russia for paid work only to be forced into military roles.

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Among Indias casualties are Ajay Godara, 22, and Rakesh Kumar Maurya, 30, who had travelled to Russia separately on student visas, before taking up non-combat roles as cleaners and helpers, according to their families. Their bodies were returned to their families last year.

British defence minister John Healey said this month that Russias military is increasingly reliant on foreign fighters as losses mount faster than Moscow can replenish its frontlines.

These troops are often recruited under false pretences and press-ganged under pressure without necessarily realising that theyre destined for the Russian meat machine on the front line of Ukraine, he said.
The Brief

A group of Michigan lawmakers are pushing to ban all products containing Mitragyna speciose, otherwise known as kratom.

It comes months after its sponsor introduced a bill to regulate kratom and ban a potent derivative of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine. This new bill would ban kratom in all forms.

Kratom can be purchased over-the-counter, and is often found at smoke shops and gas stations.

LANSING, Mich. (FOX 2) - A bill recently introduced in Michigan would ban both the production and sale of kratom, a herbal extract available at gas stations, smoke shops, and more.

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Last year, Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) introduced a bill to regulate the substance and ban a potent derivative of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH). That bill was last referred for a second record in the House in November 2025.

The new bill, also sponsored by Cavitt, would take it a step further by fully banning kratom, not just the derivative.

House Bill 5537 would prohibit any "product containing any part of the plant Mitragyna speciose, whether growing or not; the leaves of that plant; any extract or resin from any part of that plant; and every compound, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of that plant or its leaves, seeds, or extracts." This includes synthetic variants of kratom.

The bill also sets penalties for violators, if it were to become law. This includes jail time and fines, with heftier punishments for those caught selling the substance to minors.

Local perspective

Kratom can lead to liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In rare cases, it has also been associated with death, the FDA said.

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FOX 2 previously reported on the death of a Metro Detroit man, who died after taking 7-hydroxymitragynine, a derivative of kratom that is even more potent than kratom. It can be found in many forms, including tablets, gummiest, and drink mixes.

Big picture view

In addition to the local lawmakers hoping to crack down on kratom, federal officials have been working to restrict 7-hydroxymitragynine, also known as 7-OH and 7-Hydroxy.

In 2025, the FDA sent warning letters to several companies accused of illegally distributing products containing 7-OH. The administration also sent a letter to health care providers warning them about the dangers of 7-OH.

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Last July, the FDA recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) move to classify 7-OH as a controlled substance.

"Vape stores are popping up in every neighborhood in America, and many are selling addictive products like concentrated 7-OH. After the last wave of the opioid epidemic, we cannot get caught flat-footed again," said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. "7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine. We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic."

The other side

According to Mayo Clinic, people who use kratom have reported that it acts as a stimulant, reduces pain, and leads to a calm feeling.

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Despite these potential benefits, the Drug Enforcement Administration has named kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern, and health officials have warned about possible side effects of using kratom or its derivatives.

What's next

The bill has been referred to the House Committee On Regulatory Reform. A date for the committee to hear it has not been set.

The Source

A copy of the bill was used. Information from the Mayo Clinic, DEA, and previous reporting was also referenced.
FedEx sued the US government for reimbursement of cash it spent on President Donald Trumps tariffs.

The shipping giants lawsuit is the first filed by a major US company since the Supreme Court ruled Friday that the tariffs were illegal. The tariffs brought in an estimated $130 billion in revenue since they were imposed, and should other companies join FedEx  and win  it could be extremely costly for the administration; the decision followed a lawsuit by the retailer Costco and others claiming the levies were unlawful.

Theyre not the only ones to spot an opportunity: 22 Senate Democrats called for the overturned import duties to be reimbursed to the public, with interest, in what Bloomberg called a populist election-year campaign.

 Tom Chivers
MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western countries' decision to intervene in the conflict in Ukraine meant it had become a much wider confrontation with nations that Russia believed want to crush it.

Speaking exactly four years after tens of thousands of Russian troops entered Ukraine on President Vladimir Putin's orders, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the fighting continued, but that Moscow remained open to achieving its aims through political and diplomatic means.

"Following the direct intervention in this conflict by Western European countries and the United States, the special military operation de facto turned into a much larger confrontation between Russia and Western countries, which had and continue to harbour the goal of destroying our country," said Peskov.

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Asked whether Moscow believed the conflict could be resolved through talks, Peskov said: "We are continuing our efforts to achieve peace, our position is very clear and consistent. Now everything depends on the actions of the Kyiv regime."

Peskov said he could not say when and where the next round of negotiations with Ukraine would take place as they had yet to be finalised.

"We truly hope that this work will continue," he said.

(Reporting by Gleb StolyarovWriting by Felix LightEditing by Andrew Osborn)
 State lawmakers considering bill that would allow victims to sue gun dealers and manufacturers.  Radio IQ/WVTF

 Virginia ABC rejects proposal to extend states happy hour law.  WRIC

 Most artificial intelligence legislation in Virginia was tabled until 2027.  VPM News

 Magnitude 2.2 earthquake shakes VirginiaNorth Carolina border.  WFMY

 Dog obesity on the rise in Virginia.  WDBJ 7

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Indiana legislators are looking to give themselves more say over big-ticket highway projects at a time when a proposal in Gov. Mike Brauns hometown is facing significant local opposition.

A provision added last week to the bill focused on attracting the new Chicago Bears stadium to northwest Indiana would require the state highway department to present any project costing at least $250 million to the State Budget Committee for review.

House Roads and Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, said the step wasnt directed at the Mid-States Corridor plans but at giving the Legislature added oversight of highway spending as the state must balance new projects with work needed to maintain and improve current roads.

Mid-States project in the works

The Mid-States Corridor is among the largest projects now in the planning stages by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Rep. Jim Pressel leads a committee meeting in March 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

A proposed 54-mile route for the highway would connect Interstates 64 and 69, according to the transportation departments project website. It would roughly follow the current U.S. 231 much of the way, with bypasses around Brauns hometown of Jasper and nearby Huntingburg and Loogootee.

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Pressel said the latest cost estimates put the total project at more than $3 billion. That includes about $1.2 billion in Dubois County, which includes Jasper.

Well have to see how many dollars we have available to do that, because we certainly dont want to do a huge project like that and then our safety improvement projects and our preservation projects get put on hold, Pressel told the Capital Chronicle. So its a fine needle weve got to thread, but well see what happens with the feds and what kind of dollars were going to receive.

Legislators seek review role

House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jeff Thompson, the chambers top budget writer, said the proposed requirement in Senate Bill 27 had nothing to do with the Mid-States Corridor plans.

With that kind of money, we should have review, Thompson said in an interview. It will be approved in almost all cases.

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Thompson is a member of the State Budget Committee, which includes four legislators  the Republican and Democratic fiscal leaders from both the House and the Senate  and Brauns state budget director. The committee meets periodically throughout the year to review state construction spending and other budgetary matters.

State highway officials are still working on environmental review for the Mid-States project but had said in early January that construction was expected to start next year.

That brought skepticism from Pressel during a legislative hearing with INDOT.

We canceled over 300 projects in the last year and a half, but were going to spend a billion dollars on a brand-new roadway, Pressel said.  Im not  Im not getting it.  Im really looking for some guidance on how were doing this, but yet were killing other projects.

Project timeline unsettled

Soon after that meeting, the expected Jan. 29 release of the projects request for proposals from contractors was called off without a new date being set.

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Highway department spokeswoman Cassandra Bajek said Monday that internal reviews for a new RFP timeline have not yet been completed.

As for the oversight provision being considered by lawmakers, she said INDOT continues to monitor legislative and procedural changes, including the requirements outlined in Senate Bill 27, and will ensure compliance with any budget committee oversight provisions as they are implemented.

Brauns office did not immediately comment Monday to the Capital Chronicle about the proposed highway project language.

Many local residents and officials have opposed the Mid-States Corridor plan as too expensive and unnecessary. A poll released in December by project opponents found that 81% of Dubois County residents were against it.

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Pressel said Monday that with uncertainty over federal highway funding to the states, the Legislature should monitor which state projects get priority.

Since we cant pick projects  I think thats fair that a project that size goes before the Budget Committee, just so we have an idea whats going on, he said. Where are our dollars getting spent, what projects and how much bang for our buck are we getting.

Niki Kelly contributed to this report.

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As the Northeast U.S. begins to dig out from a powerful blizzard, more than two dozen flights in and out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers were canceled on Tuesday, Feb. 24, according to FlightAware.

The blizzard caused over 2,000 U.S. flights to be canceled Tuesday, with the bulk of disruptions in and around New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

Across Florida airports, 114 flights were delayed and around 385 canceled, with most at Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Tampa.

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On Monday, Feb. 23, the winter storm caused at least 90 cancellations and 15 delays at RSW.

Airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines, are waiving change fees and fare differences for those who planned to travel to the hardest-hit areas and now need to change plans.

Here's what to know:

How many airline delays, cancellations reported into and out of US Tuesday, Feb. 24?

According to FlightAware.com, which provides real-time flight information, as of 7:30 a.m., the following delays and cancellations of flights have been reported within, into or out of the United States today, Feb. 24:

Tuesday, February. 24 Delays: 721 Cancellations: 2,026

Wednesday, Feb. 25 Delays: 0 Cancellations: 59



Canceled, delayed flights at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida today

Flight cancellations and delays at RSW as of 10 a.m., Feb. 23, according to FlightAware:

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Delays: 14

Cancellations: 25

How many delays, cancellations reported at Florida airports?

Here's the breakdown by airport as of around 7:30 a.m. Feb. 24. Click the airport names for detailed flight info and updated numbers throughout the day.

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 3

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 2

Delays: 13

Cancellations: 91

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 4

Cancellations: 21

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 9

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 27

Cancellations: 52

Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) cancellations, delays

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 2

Delays: 28

Cancellations: 78

Delays: 3

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 11

Cancellations: 51

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 3

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 2

Cancellations: 14

Delays: 1

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 0

Cancellations: 0

Delays: 7

Cancellations: 36

How do I check if my flight is canceled?

Don't wait until you're already at the airport to check your flight. Monitor your flight early and often, starting now, as cancellations will increase as the weather conditions worsen.

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Download your airlines mobile app and turn on push and text notifications for alerts about your flight. Some apps have a Wheres My Plane? feature that lets you see whether the aircraft scheduled to operate your flight has arrived, is delayed en route, or hasnt departed yet from its previous airport. That can be an early signal of trouble.

What should you do if your flight is delayed or canceled? Latest on rebooking, refunds

If your flight is canceled, use the airline's mobile app to rebook as soon as possible, according to Scott Keyes, founder of Going. If you need to talk to someone, Keyes suggests calling one of the carriers international lines.

"The best thing travelers can do is to be as proactive as possible switching to a new flight, Keyes told USA TODAY. When a flight gets canceled, all of a sudden hundreds of passengers need new itineraries. There may only be a handful of seats left on the best flights, and it's a first-come, first-(served) endeavor.

If your flight is canceled for any reason, youre entitled to a full refund if you choose not to fly on alternative itineraries offered by your airline. The same goes for significant delays or changes.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: RSW airport flight cancellations today after Northeast blizzard
Mexico has deployed thousands of soldiers to bolster security, the country's security minister has said, after a wave of violence erupted following the death of a powerful drug lord.

Defence Secretary Ricardo Trevilla said an extra 2,500 soldiers had been sent to western Mexico on Monday, with the government saying about 9,500 troops have been deployed overall since Sunday.

At least 20 states have seen unrest since Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes - better known as "El Mencho" - died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces in Jalisco state.

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The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is one of Mexico's most feared criminal organisations and its leader was the country's most wanted man.

At least 25 members of Mexico's National Guard have died in Jalisco state since the violence erupted, the country's security minister said.

El Mencho was captured after forces tracked down a romantic partner he was meeting, according to Trevilla.

The drug lord was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguards and the military commandos deployed to capture him, and he died while the military was transporting him from the town of Tapalpa to the capital, Mexico City.

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At least six of El Mencho's security guards were also killed in the operation, while three members of the Mexican military were injured, the defence ministry said.

Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said a prison guard, a member of the state prosecutor's office, and 30 members of El Mencho's criminal organisation had been killed in the unrest since his death, according to news agency AFP.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has praised the army's operation that led to El Mencho's death and said her priority is to guarantee peace and security across the country.

"There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of co-ordination," Sheinbaum said.

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As news of El Mencho's death spread, members of his cartel launched attacks in many towns and cities where the CJGN is active.

Smoke billows from burning buses in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state, on Sunday [Reuters]

In some towns, they blocked roads by throwing spikes and nails onto the tarmac - in others, they commandeered buses and other vehicles then torched them in the middle of the road.

Sheinbaum said that the road blocks had been cleared by Monday morning.

However, dozens of banks and local businesses have been damaged after they were set alight by cartel members.

Videos shared on social media and authenticated by BBC Verify show tourists watching from a pool as a military helicopter flies low over their hotel and smoke rising from buildings in Jalisco state's city of Puerto Vallarta.

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In many towns, streets were deserted on Sunday as local authorities told residents to seek shelter in their homes.

BBC Verify has also authenticated videos of clashes between cartel members and Mexico's National Guard in the town of San Isidro, just north of Jalisco state's capital city Guadalajara, on Sunday.

One video shows an armed person firing towards several cars, while other images show at least four bodies slumped by a car.

CCTV from a nearby restaurant shows a vehicle ramming a National Guard truck while cartel members shoot at it about 11:00 local time (05:00 GMT).

The National Guard has not released any details about the incident.

[Reuters]

The US State Department had offered a $15m (11.1m) reward for information leading to El Mencho's capture.

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The Mexican Ministry of Defence said the raid aimed at capturing El Mencho had been carried out by the Mexican army, supported by the country's National Guard and the Air Force.

It added that "complementary information" provided by the US had helped seize the drug lord, but Mexico confirmed on Monday that no US forces were involved in his killing, according to AFP.
The White Houses top spokesperson went into full damage-control mode on Tuesdaysnapping at reporters as questions mounted over a glaring contradiction in the Trump administrations messaging on Iran.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, faced a pointed question outside the White House over dueling narratives about the true impact of the administrations much-hyped military operation targeting Irans nuclear facilities last June.

And instead of clearing things up, she dug inblasting what she called sensationalist reporting, while doubling down on President Donald Trumps version of events.

Karoline Leavitt speaks to press outside of the White House about Iran. / YouTube/ Fox

The tension stems from Trumps repeated victory laps over Operation Midnight Hammer, a covert U.S. strike on three Iranian nuclear sites that he has claimed obliterated the countrys nuclear program. The president has touted the operation as a decisive blow, framing it as both a military and strategic triumph.

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But that narrative hit a snag over the weekend.

In a Fox News interview on Saturday, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, 68, appeared to undercut the presidents claims, suggesting Iran was still probably a week away from obtaining industrial-grade bomb-making materialraising eyebrows about whether the operation was as crippling as advertised.

Pressed on the apparent contradiction, Leavitt sidestepped Witkoffs remarks entirely.

Karoline Leavitt backed President Donald Trump's claims on Iran's nuclear capabilities. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Instead, she stuck firmly to Trumps script, insisting the mission was overwhelmingly successful and reiterating that it had, in fact, obliterated Irans nuclear facilities. She added that the assessment had been verified not only by the president but also by the International Atomic Energy Commission.

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Rather than directly reconcile the conflicting accounts, Leavitt turned her fire on the pressaccusing reporters of fueling confusion through what she called inaccurate coverage.

Ive seen a lot of sensationalist reporting over the past day that is just completely untrue, she said, visibly frustrated.

She went on to slam anonymous sourcing, warning that anyone pretending to know what President Trump is thinking or a decision he will make has no idea what theyre talking about!

Leavitt also emphasized that Trump remains the ultimate authority on any potential escalation with Iran, asserting that he alone will decide the next move as tensions simmer.

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The president himself struck a similar tone just a day earlier.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly bragged about the successful operation against Iran's nuclear facilities. / Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

In a fiery Truth Social post on Monday, Trump lashed out at what he labeled the Fake News Media, rejecting reports that Gen. Daniel Cainethe military leader behind Operation Midnight Hammerhad expressed reservations about the U.S going to war with Iran.

Trump dismissed those claims as 100 percent incorrect, insisting they were being spread purposefully by the media. He further stressed that any military decision would ultimately be his call, adding that if ordered, Caine would fall in line and be the one leading the pack in the operation.

Even as the administration continues to trumpet the operations success, Leavitt left room for Witkoffs version of events. Without directly referencing the special envoys statements, Leavitt conceded that while the strike dealt a major blow, it does not necessarily mean Iran is permanently out of the nuclear game.

Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff gave conflicting statements to the Trump administration on Iran's nuclear facilities. / Win McNamee / Getty Images

That does not mean Iran may never try again to establish a nuclear program, she said, signaling that the threat remains alive despite the administrations victory claims.

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Meanwhile, the broader geopolitical picture is only adding to the uncertainty about a potential war with Iran.

The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region, making it the largest buildup of forces near Iran since the Iraq War in 2003fueling speculation that the situation could spiral into a wider conflict.

At the same time, the administration is publicly keeping the door open to diplomacy.

Leavitt stressed that Trumps first option is always diplomacy, but paired that with a firm warning: the president is prepared to deploy the lethal force of the United States military if necessary.

The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
Lebanon's foreign minister said Tuesday his country fears its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

With tensions high, Lebanon's army accused the Israeli military of firing near a position it was setting up in the country's south, saying it had instructed troops to return fire.

"There are signs that the Israelis could strike very hard in the event of an escalation, potentially including strategic infrastructure such as the airport," foreign minister Youssef Raggi told reporters in Geneva.

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His comments came against the backdrop of a massive US military buildup in the Middle East that suggests Washington is prepared to wage a sustained campaign against Iran.

On Monday, Iran vowed to retaliate "ferociously" against any attack from the United States, and repeated its warning of a regional conflagration in response to President Donald Trump's latest threat of strikes.

"We are currently conducting diplomatic efforts to request that, even in the event of retaliation, Lebanese civilian infrastructure not be targeted," Raggi said.

The Lebanese minister stressed that his country's leadership had been very clear: "This war does not concern us."

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A Lebanese official who requested anonymity said "what the Lebanese fear is a chain reaction: an American strike against Iran, a Hezbollah retaliatory strike against Israel, followed by a massive Israeli response."

In a post on X, Raggi said he hoped "Hezbollah refrains from entering any new adventure and spares Lebanon further destruction".

"We have received warnings indicating that any intervention on its part could prompt Israel to strike infrastructure, and we are working through all means to prevent that," he added.

- Israeli strikes -

Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon despite a November 2024 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah, usually saying it was targeting the group.

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Last Friday, Israel carried out deadly strikes on what it called Hezbollah positions in eastern Lebanon and targets linked to the Palestinian group Hamas in the south.

Hezbollah said Saturday that eight of its fighters had been killed, and vowed "resistance".

Its leader Naim Qassem stated last month that any attack on Tehran would also be an attack on Hezbollah.

On Monday, Washington ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its embassy in Lebanon's capital Beirut, as anticipation rose of a possible conflict with Iran.

On Tuesday, Lebanon's army said it was "establishing a new observation post on the southern border" when "the area surrounding the post was subjected to gunfire from the Israeli side".

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"The army command issued orders to reinforce the post, remain there, and return fire."

Israel's military said it had spotted Lebanese soldiers establishing the post adjacent to Israeli troops "without prior coordination," and requested they stop.

"After the request went unanswered, the troops conducted warning fire in order to halt the work," the military said in a statement.

- Cairo meeting -

Also on Tuesday, a preparatory meeting was held in Cairo ahead of a conference in Paris next month to back Lebanon's army, which is facing heavy pressure from Washington and Israel to disarm Hezbollah.

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At the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for the international community to better support Lebanon's armed forces.

The meeting aimed "to enable the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state," Abdelatty added.

Last year, Lebanon's government committed to disarming Hezbollah, which was badly weakened in a recent war with Israel, and tasked the army with drawing up a plan to do so.

The army, which has limited capabilities, declared in January the completion of the first phase of its plan near the border with Israel.

It said last week it would need at least four months to complete the second phase.

Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of trying to rearm, has criticised the army's progress as insufficient.

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After the big dump comes the big dig.

"It finally melted and then we get this," said Islip resident Joseph Laura, taking in the mountains of snow piled around his home.

The Blizzard of 2026 dropped the most snow in the Tri-State area on Long Island, with Central Islip in Suffolk County recording a record-breaking 31 inches.

"I did about five inches Sunday night to stay ahead of it. The other day I did about a foot and a half. I've just been breaking it up... you know, I pace myself," Laura said.

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Town of Islip Deputy Supervisor Thomas Owens said crews are still working around the clock.

"We're actually still fighting this storm. We're not done. We're still continuing to do stuff because of the enormity of the height of the storm and the weight of the storm, especially now that it tries to melt," Owens said.

But Laura says the hardest part isn't the shoveling. What's been the most challenging part of this storm?

"Staying home with the kids... just playing board games, trying to keep them occupied, but it's tough," he said.

That's where Kyle comes in.

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Kyle Ehlich, a school custodian, was out clearing access points at the Ruth C. Kinney School, getting the campus ready for students and crossing guards after the second full snow day in a row.

"We've been out here for the past two days. A few guys slept overnight... and we're still - it's a lot, a lot," Ehlich said.

After this historic storm, officials say cleanup will take time.

"On Long Island, in 15 minutes it could be sunny, and then it could be snowing 15 minutes later," Owens said. "So it's not a matter of if it happens, but of when it happens. And we're always prepared for that."

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More than 300 pieces of equipment were deployed across area roads, covering roughly 1,200 miles. And for many parents, the most important stretch to clear is the one leading back to school.

"Get them out of the house at least because they're going crazy," Laura said. "Because once they have the iPads... they get lost in it."

Another option, of course, would be to help dad dig.

The novelty of snow days is already wearing off after day two in Suffolk County - and parents everywhere are cheering on the crews trying to get things back to normal.

For those returning to work as well, the Long Island Rail Road says regular service will be restored at midnight, which should make for a mostly normal morning commute.

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Crews have been working to clean up and get things back on track.

Workers have been de-icing trains and clearing fallen trees from the tracks after Monday's blizzard.

There was no LIRR service on Monday.

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We're following developments from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota.

Bring Me The News plans to provide daily updates until Operation Metro Surge is completed, with on-the-ground confirmation.

5:15 p.m.  Woman dragged from car by ICE talks ahead of SOTU

Aliya Rahman is attending President Trump's State of the Union address as a guest of Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has invited three other Minnesota residents impacted by Operation Metro Surge.

Aliya Rahman, woman who was dragged out of car by ICE in Minneapolis: "I've spent the last month learning the names of the tendons in my shoulder, because both of my shoulders are torn -- cartilage and tendons. But what I haven't learned is the names of the people who did this to pic.twitter.com/NytlVTkCzN  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 24, 2026

4:55 p.m.  Richfield restaurant launches fundraiser for deported co-owner

American Pie Pizza has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with operating costs and legal fees for co-owner Diego Alvarado, who was detained by ICE agents in late 2025 while delivering a pizza.

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The restaurant and his nephew, Minneapolis City Council member Jason Chavez, say that Alvarado had a valid work visa. He was held for four weeks before being deported to Mexico, according to a KARE 11 report from earlier this month.

The restaurant's fundraiser is aimed at covering expenses such as rent, necessities, and rides for its team. Some funds will also be used to pay Alvarado's legal fees, "as we work to support his journey back" to Minnesota, according to the fundraiser's page.

4 p.m.  Possible ICE presence at county courthouse

One of the reports uploaded to ICEOut.org is an as-of-yet unverified report of ICE agents at the Scott County Courthouse in Shakopee earlier today, with a picture shared showing suspected ICE agents waiting for a hearing to end.

ICEOut.org (ICEOut.org)

12:30 p.m. - ICE whistleblower speaks to MPR News

Ryan Schwank, a former ICE official who resigned this month and came forward as a whistleblower, spoke to MPR News' Nina Moini during the station's midday show Tuesday.

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Schwank served as an advisor at the South Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas and also represented ICE as an attorney in immigration proceedings before beginning work as a trainer last year.

Schwank said his concerns arose during his first day training new recruits, when he was shown a memo instructing ICE agents to enter homes without a judicial warrant.

Speaking to MPR News, Schwank alleged a supervisor had made it clear he could lose his job if he opposed the memo or failed to teach it.

He's also raising concerns about a lack of training and standards for ICE recruits.

The full interview on Minnesota Now can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

10 a.m.  Early sightings favor east metro

The early reports uploaded to ICEOut.org appear to be centering on the eastern Twin Cities metro, with sightings reported in St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Little Canada, and Falcon Heights.

ICEOut.org (ICEOut.org)

9:20 a.m.  Clergy suing Trump admin over Whipple access

Among the stories that emerged late Monday was news that a group of Minnesota clergy is suing the Trump administration, accusing it of violating the religious freedom of faith leaders by preventing them from entering the Whipple Federal Building to "provide pastoral care" to detainees.

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It comes at a time the Trump administration is prosecuting several people who protested at a St. Paul church where an ICE director is a pastor, with the administration charging defendants including Don Lemon and Nekima Levy Armstrong with r conspiring to interfere with religious worship.

Read more here from the Minnesota Reformer.

8 a.m.  Another federal judge finds Trump administration in contempt over immigration case

For the second time in a week, a federal judge has issued a civil contempt finding against the Trump administration over its handling of an immigration case in Minnesota.

U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, who was a Trump appointee, ordered the government to pay $568.29 to Fernando Gutierrez Torres, the cost of his flight back from Texas after he was transferred there in violation of a "do not transfer" and a habeas release order.

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Last week, U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino issued a contempt ruling and gave a government attorney a $500 a day fine until he complied with a court order to return ID documents belonging to Rigoberto Soto Jimenez

Chad Davis, Flickr (Chad Davis, Flickr)

This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Southern New England, including Massachusetts, got hit by a powerful noreaster that brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions, leaving many communities in the dark.

By Monday morning, blizzard criteria were met in many communities, including Boston. Rhode Islands TF Green Airport broke a snowfall record set in the Blizzard of 1978.

More than three feet of snow buried some local communities.

Strong wind gusts, coupled with the heavy, wet snow, caused widespread power outages, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark. Roads across the region were also impassable, especially across the South Coast and Cape Cod.

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Schools across the state were forced to call off classes for Tuesday. Some have cancelled for Wednesday as well.

Follow below for live updates as this storm develops:

Tuesday, 7:32 p.m.

All Commuter Rail Lines to Operate on a Normal Weekday Schedule Tomorrow, Wednesday February 25 Except for the Fall River/New Bedford Line

Tuesday, 6:42 p.m.

Eversource estimates storm restoration will be substantially complete by end of day Friday.

Tuesday, 5:20 p.m.

Massachusetts State Police releases crash statistics after yesterdays blizzard. Over 700 vehicles were disabled, while a death was also reported.

The town of Orleans on Cape Cod has announced that every gas station in town has run out of fuel.

Tuesday, 3:51 p.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that truck travel restrictions have been lifted across all state roadways.

Tuesday, 3:10 p.m.

State police say a man was struck and killed while clearing snow from his car on the Massachusetts Turnpike during Mondays blizzard.

Man cleaning snow from his car and killed by tractor-trailer in Hopkinton https://t.co/p8spST5eHa  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

Tuesday, 2:45 p.m.

National Grid is providing an update on the push to restore power after the blizzard.

Tuesday, 2:10 p.m.

The National Weather Service has updated its snowfall reports from Mondays blizzard, revealing the highest totals statewide.

New Mass. blizzard reports: Town-by-town list of the highest snow totals https://t.co/tiutVYzY4Y  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

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Tuesday, 1:55 p.m.

Gov. Healey is giving an update on snow cleanup in Massachusetts. Watch live:

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.

Authorities in Rhode Island have announced the blizzard-related death of a 21-year-old college student.

BREAKING NEWS: New England college student dies from carbon monoxide poisoning in tragic accident during blizzard https://t.co/grwFwd1fWc  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

Tuesday, 1:15 p.m.

National Grid announces that its emergency management and damage assessment teams are actively engaged in the statewide response to address outages caused by the historic blizzard that impacted Massachusetts on Monday.

Over 561 field crews are responding to power outages caused by heavy snow and high winds that downed limbs, trees, and poles.

Since Monday morning, more than 94,000 National Grid customers experienced outages during the blizzard, with electricity restored to over 71,000 as of 7:00 a.m. today.

Tuesday, 1 p.m.

Gov. Maura Healey announces that shes heading to Cape Cod to assess storm recovery efforts.

Tuesday, 12:40 p.m.

Some Massachusetts schools have announced closures for Wednesday as blizzard cleanup continues. See our updated list.

Some schools in Massachusetts will be closed again on Wednesday after a historic blizzard battered communities across the region. https://t.co/1qarHeYaND pic.twitter.com/ga7F91rJwP  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

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Tuesday, 12:30 p.m.

A tale of two days on Cape Cod. Whiteout conditions on Monday, partly cloudy skies on Tuesday.

You would never know we just had a record breaking blizzard pic.twitter.com/w8yi1Cb9od  James Cullity (@JCullityNews) February 24, 2026

Tuesday, 12:15 p.m.

Gov. Maura Healey announces Vermont. Gov. Phil Scott is sending equipment to Massachusetts to help dig out from the blizzard.

Tuesday, 12 p.m.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announces that the travel ban for Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes counties has been lifted.

Residents are still advised to use caution and stay home if possible to allow crews to continue their cleanup efforts. Those who need to travel should prepare for icy, snow-covered, and slushy roadways.

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The state of emergency remains in effect for all counties except for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin.

Several communities, including New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, and others, still have local travel restrictions and parking bans in place.

Tuesday, 11 a.m.

Eversource officials are providing an update on the effort to restore power across southeastern Massachusetts. Watch live:

Tuesday, 10 a.m.

The historic blizzard of 2026 forced The Boston Globe to suspend its print edition for the first time in the newspapers 153-year history.

2026 Blizzard halts print edition of The Boston Globe for first time in 153 years https://t.co/mKktWYRMmv  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

The Town of Dartmouth authorizes the opening of a warming shelter for community members impacted by power outages that are expected to last several days.

Tuesday, 9 a.m.

Travel remains treacherous in snowfall jackpot communities after more than 30 inches of snow left some major roads and highways impassable.

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A non-essential travel ban remained in effect for Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes counties.

Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.

Large parts of the South Shore and Cape Cod are waking up in the dark and cold. Eversource power crews are gearing up for a multi-day restoration effort.

Tuesday, 8 a.m.

Boston 25 Meteorologist Shiri Spear is forecasting a quiet day for ongoing snow cleanup.

Tuesday, 7:45 a.m.

Weve updated our snow totals list from yesterdays monster blizzard. Three feet of snow buried some communities.

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Tuesday, 5 a.m.

The MBTA announces that the Commuter Rail will be operating on a storm schedule today due to the snowstorm.

  The Commuter Rail will be operating on a storm schedule, today due to the snowstorm.



 Trains will be reduced due to the weather. Please take a look at the schedules on https://t.co/AW0Ike8PZD.  MBTA Commuter Rail (@MBTA_CR) February 24, 2026

Tuesday, 4:30 a.m.

The Massachusetts National Guard is activated and is providing up to 350 service members to support interagency partners responding to this winter storm.

Tuesday, 12 a.m.

Eversource is bringing in crews from outside of Massachusetts as part of a multi-day power restoration effort."

Eversource bringing in crews from outside Mass. as part of multi-day restoration effort https://t.co/hfODWB0e6e  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 24, 2026

Monday, 9:20 p.m.

Eastham Police Chief Adam Bohannon announces that 100% of the town is without power, as a result of heavy tree and electrical grid damage sustained from the storm.

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Bohannon went on to add that due to the dangerous road conditions and the harsh weather, Eversource will not be able to work on restoration.

If you are in need of emergency sheltering, we have opened the Eastham Public Library as a secondary shelter. Nauset Regional High School is experiencing some heating issues and has reached its capacity for the night. If you cannot provide your own transportation to the library, please contact the Eastham Police Department at 508-255-0551. The shelter should be a last resort. Please consider staying with a neighbor or friend that might have a generator.

Monday, 7:45 p.m.

The blizzard warning has been dropped for all of Massachusetts by the National Weather Service.

Monday, 6:45 p.m.

MassDOT has lifted travel restrictions on trucks for points north of I-90 from the New York border to I-495 in Hopkinton, and points west of, and including I-495 from the New Hampshire border to Hopkinton.

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The travel ban in Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, and Barnstable counties remains in effect.

Monday, 6:05 p.m.

Hours after signing an executive order placing an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties, Governor Healey lifted the state of emergency for western Massachusetts: Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Healey added that she activated another 150 members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with the response and urged Bay State workplaces to allow their employees to work remotely Tuesday.

While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across Southeastern Massachusetts, said Governor Healey. We need everyone to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow our crews to do their work  especially in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties and on the Vineyard. We will also have additional members of the National Guard assisting municipalities with snow and debris removal, transportation, non-fire related emergency responses, rescues and any other needs. It will take some time for crews to address snow removal and power outages, so we urge everyone to remain cautious and patient while we work to get things back to normal.

Monday, 5:55 p.m.

Power crews from Wisconsin have been spotted in Plymouth, where thousands of residents are in the dark.

Seeing power crews with Wisconsin plates arriving in #Plymouth



Other regions are coming to MA to help restore power from this #Blizzard @boston25  Michael Raimondi (@mraimonditv) February 23, 2026

Monday, 5:50 p.m.

Weve updated our town-by-town snow totals list. Some communities are eclipsing 30 inches!

UPDATED town-by-town noreaster totals: How much snow has fallen in Mass. so far? https://t.co/rFycM46iXx pic.twitter.com/URrUBn9509  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 5:45 p.m.

A hospital in Providence helped welcome newborn twins into the world during the historic blizzard.

Liliana and Amelia were born this morning, during the height of the storm, at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence.



Credit Care New Englandhttps://t.co/fbJ85O5G8H pic.twitter.com/auQxHBIyE4  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 5:30 p.m.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is announcing that snow removal equipment is being redeployed to the South Coast to support municipalities as they respond to heavy snowfall and dangerous road conditions.

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Motorists across the state should expect a reduced level of service, including lane closures, on highways for a prolonged period of time as crews work to clear the roadways.

Monday, 5:15 p.m.

Mayor Michelle Wu announces that Boston Public Schools will be closed again on Tuesday. The citys snow emergency and parking ban will also remain in effect until at least 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Due to the ongoing snow emergency and continued snow removal in the City of Boston, all Boston Public Schools will remain closed through Tuesday, February 24, and school is cancelled for the day. pic.twitter.com/FqnmM8NSSH  City of Boston (@CityOfBoston) February 23, 2026

Monday, 4:40 p.m.

Many Massachusetts schools will be closed again on Tuesday. See an updated list.

ANOTHER SNOW DAY: Many Massachusetts schools will be closed again on Tuesday as today's nor'easter continues to dump heavy snow across the region. https://t.co/Kc7MIJjGB0 pic.twitter.com/7ns0kwggQv  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 4:15 p.m.

A plow truck crash has ripped down utility poles in Wellesley, prompting a large emergency response.

Monday, 4:10 p.m.

Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico says the blizzard is making its final pivot, ensuring several hours of additional snowfall before it clears out of New England.

Our blizzard is making its final pivot, which ensures several hours of additional snowfall across eastern MA.



Highest amounts from here on out remain over SEMA and also spread over Cape Ann. pic.twitter.com/Ehy8hwz0xK  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 23, 2026

Monday, 3:50 p.m.

The National Guard is helping several disabled vehicles stranded at I-495 and Route 24, Massachusetts State Police announced.

National Guard helping several disabled vehicles stranded at I-495 and Route 24 in Mass., state police say https://t.co/AUkctuxYlb  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 3:30 p.m.

Governor Maura Healey has signed an executive order placing an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in Bristol, Plymouth, and Barnstable counties, where residents were facing widespread power outages, and vehicles were abandoned on highways.

BREAKING: Governor Healey has signed an executive order placing an immediate ban on non-essential motor vehicle travel in three Massachusetts counties, warning the public, "THIS IS AS BAD AS I'VE SEEN IT."https://t.co/FgUr53rGIz pic.twitter.com/zXYmrIgHEt  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 3 p.m.

Gov. Maura Healey and state officials are providing an update on the powerful noreaster.

Monday, 2:45 p.m.

Snowfall this season in Boston has reached 57.7 inches.

OFFICIAL: It's a "snowy" winter in Boston, MA! 



14.4" & counting has been measured at Logan AP (1:00pm), which brings the season total to 57.7"!



This will be the snowiest winter since the record-holding 2014-15 at day's end.  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 23, 2026

Monday, 1:50 p.m.

Market Basket closes most of its stores early due to the noreaster.

The grocery chain took to social media and said, Due to the severe weather today, and for the safety of our associates and customers, the majority of Market Basket stores will be closing at noon.https://t.co/hJYqmRWPCT pic.twitter.com/4FRLfD5vt6  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 1:45 p.m.

TF Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, has received 32.8 inches of snow, breaking a record set in 1978.

 Blizzard of '78 DETHRONED in Providence, RI



Official number is 32" and counting. Averaged 2.33"/hr over 13 hours today!!! Blizzard of '78 dropped 28.6" on the city.



Widespread 2-3+ FEET will be on the ground across much of RI and SEMA. Just INSANE stuff!  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 23, 2026

Monday, 1:20 p.m.

The Duxbury Police Department urges residents to stay off the roads, noting officers have been rescuing drivers stuck in deep snow.

Current road conditions across Duxbury are extremely hazardous  many roads are completely impassable due to heavy accumulation, drifting snow, whiteout visibility, and high winds," the department wrote in a Facebook post.

Monday, 1:15 p.m.

Crews in Plymouth are responding to downed power lines as whipping winds continue howl across southeastern Massachusetts.

Monday, 1:15 p.m.

Brrr! Cape Cod looks a tad chilly today.

Its a little chilly down the Cape pic.twitter.com/YKdwqxczSD  James Cullity (@JCullityNews) February 23, 2026

Monday, 1:10 p.m.

The town of Winthrop is dealing with multiple water main breaks as the storm bears down.

Monday, 1:00 p.m.

Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico calls Mondays noreaster, Undeniably historic.

I wasnt so keen on calling this storm historic, but for some areas, the numbers coming in now may be undeniably historic. What a beast!   Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 23, 2026

Monday, 12:30 p.m.

The heavy snow and strong winds are taking a toll on Wellesley, where a massive tree crashed down on a home in the area of Great Plain Avenue at Fieldstone Way.

Monday, 12 p.m.

Wow! Its a wild scene in this Plymouth neighborhood, where two plows are stuck in the snow, while snowboarders prepare for some fun.

Monday, 11:45 a.m.

Travel conditions are near impossible on Cape Cod. Bourne police are warning the public of falling trees and power lines amid whiteout conditions fueled by hurricane-force winds.

Monday, 11:40 a.m.

Perfect snowball weather? Boston 25 News Anchor Gene Lavanchy weighs in.

Perfect snowball snow? Boston 25 News Anchor Gene Lavanchy has the answer. https://t.co/Xt7Bo9dmik pic.twitter.com/Crz4tRQp6P  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 23, 2026

Monday, 11:30 a.m.

Power outages in Massachusetts are nearing 300,000. Many of them are centered across southeastern communities, including Cape Cod.

Monday, 10:54 a.m.

Two feet of snow is already on the ground in some communities. See a list of town-by-town snow reports here.

Monday, 10:15 a.m.

Dont go outside if you dont have to!

Monday, 9:50 a.m.

A blizzard has officially been declared in Bedford, Block Island, Boston, Beverly, Chatham, Falmouth/Otis, Hyannis, Worcester, Providence, Pawtucket, Newport, Westerly, Provincetown, and Plymouth, according to the National Weather Service.

Officially a blizzard for parts of our area

[Visibility <1/4 mile, gusts 35 mph +, heavy falling or blowing snow, 3 hours or more] pic.twitter.com/qE2C2OmCg3  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 23, 2026

Monday, 9:30 a.m.

Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has suspended all airport operations due to the storm.

 Due to the severity of winter weather conditions, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport has temporarily suspended all airport operations.



Passengers are advised to contact their airline directly for the most up-to-date information regarding flight cancellations, pic.twitter.com/6PTEA63lvD  Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (@IFlyRhodeIsland) February 23, 2026

Monday, 9:15 a.m.

Foxboro is nearing two feet of snow! See a list of town-by-town snow reports here.

Snowfall reports so far... pic.twitter.com/wCrPQhB0Ie  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 23, 2026

Monday, 9 a.m.

The blizzard is expected to continue for many more hours.

Monday, 8:30 a.m.

Police in New Hampshire have announced highway speed restrictions due to the storm.

Speeds have been lowered to 45 mph on the F.E. Everett Turnpike (Nashua-Concord), Route 101 (Epping to Hampton), the Spauldng Turnpike (Portsmouth to Milton) and the I-95.



If you have to drive in the winter weather, please drive carefully. pic.twitter.com/BxKkR3aakv  New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) February 23, 2026

Monday, 8:10 a.m.

The wind is howling in Plymouth.

Monday, 7:45 a.m.

Both Boston and Cape Cod are seeing whiteout conditions.

Monday, 7 a.m.

Power outages in Massachusetts have jumped to more than 113,000.

Just crossed over 100k without power here in MA. Stay safe everyone and turn to us for the latest. We are here all day with YOU. @boston25 #Storm #BOSsnow #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/EnRVLzEDEV  Scott Tetreault (@BostonNewsMan) February 23, 2026

Monday, 6:20 a.m.

Boston is getting battered by snow and fierce winds.

Snow and strong winds in Boston right now. Stay safe, everyone  @boston25 pic.twitter.com/4piMDyRLy5  Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) February 23, 2026

Monday, 6:10 a.m.

A 70 mph wind gust was reported on Nantucket.

Monday, 5:30 a.m.

Power outages continue to rise. As of 5:30 a.m., there were 40,835 customers in Massachusetts without power.

Monday, 5:10 a.m.:

Shiri Spear shares an updated hour-by-hour snowfall and wind gust forecast.

Take a look at the hour-by-hour snowfall and wind gust forecast here. STAY HOME! Whiteout, blizzard conditions are expected with power outages. pic.twitter.com/hh98g8vnSD  Shiri Spear (@ShiriSpear) February 23, 2026

Sunday, 8:05 p.m.

DoorDash has announced that it will be temporarily suspending its operations due to the upcoming storm from 9 p.m. tonight until at least 12 p.m. Monday, February 23.

DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley released the following statement.

A historic blizzard is bearing down on the Northeast. Were suspending operations across impacted areas to keep our community safe. This is a serious storm  well resume when it passes.

Sunday, 7:52 p.m.

The snow and wind have reached Rhode Island.

Snow is already falling in Rhode Island. Blizzard of 2026 is here.



You can also hear the wind starting to pick up in the video. The first light post is LITERALLY moving. @boston25 @ShiriSpear @VickiGrafWX @tuckerweather @KevinBoston25 pic.twitter.com/YMFhFBu2TA  bella pelletiere (@Bellapell__) February 23, 2026

Sunday, 7:50 p.m.

Dana-Farber announces that all in-person visits will be closed for tomorrow.

Sunday, 6:26 p.m.

The Town of Plymouth has announced that, beginning tonight at 10 p.m. in partnership with the American Red Cross, it will be opening an emergency shelter at Plymouth North High School.

Whether residents are experiencing a loss of heat or power, unsafe living conditions, or other storm-related challenges, the shelter is available to provide a safe and supportive environment, the town wrote in a press release. All disaster assistance is provided free of charge.

Important notes to add for all visitors

No identification is required. Individuals are only asked to provide their name and where they were living prior to the disaster.

The shelter is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Pets are welcome, and service animals are always permitted.

Shelter workers are available to assist guests whose pets or service animals may need food or supplies.

Sunday, 6:24 p.m.

Many local businesses are announcing closures for Monday, including the beloved Kanes Donuts.

Due to the blizzard, we'll be closed on Monday, February 23rd at all locations. Stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/EUL1GMXWbs  Kanes Donuts (@KanesDonuts) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 4:50 p.m.

A live look at the conditions in Atlantic City. Boston should look like this around midnight.

A live look at Boston at around midnight tonight. You know without it being daytime, at least https://t.co/MnaAf4t5uy  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 2:16 p.m.

The MBTA has announced that ahead of tomorrows winter storm, there will be multiple service changes to accommodate passengers as they implement its winter-weather mitigation measures.

To see which line will be impacted, go to their website or follow their social media.

Be prepared for another round of snow:

Follow us & @MBTA_CR_Alerts

Subscribe to T-Alerts: https://t.co/aiCsoYfwey

Download MBTA Go app for live vehicle tracking

Check winter travel guide: https://t.co/VHCW6B5D7t

Allow extra time

Use caution accessing stops & vehicles pic.twitter.com/HTrCZ6c7IZ  MBTA (@MBTA) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

Mass. Gov. Maura Healey has declared a state of emergency. Healey also activated the national guard, while urging remote work for Monday.

This is one to take seriously, Healey warned.

BREAKING: Massachusetts Gov. Healey just issued a state of emergency ahead of the powerful nor'easter, warning the public, "This is one to take seriously." https://t.co/S2E64Gwbba pic.twitter.com/kL2aHrQ76I  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 1:15 p.m.

Mass. Gov. Maura Healey is providing an update on the states storm preparations.

Sunday, 12:45 p.m.

MassDOT announces that truck travel restrictions will be implemented on interstate highways beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will remain in place until further notice.

The announcement stated, During this time, truck traffic on interstate highways will be restricted from traveling on roadways, including box trucks, tractor-trailer, tandem, and special permit trucks. Truck deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies will not be subject to restrictions.

Travel Advisory: Due to the storm, truck travel restrictions will be implemented on interstate highways beginning at 5:00 p.m. today, February 22, until further notice. Restrictions include box trucks, tractor trailer, tandem, and special permit trucks. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/CdszkBh4QH  Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 12:30 p.m.

Boston 25 Meterologist Tucker Antico says the storm is about to undergo rapid strengthening.

Our storm, currently around 1005mb, is about to undergo rapid strengthening.



Its incredible how different radar and impacts will look just several hours from now. Blizzard conditions will occur for nearly 24 hours along the East Coast as it progresses. pic.twitter.com/YpcMgImebK  Tucker Antico (@tuckerweather) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 12 p.m.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announces that schools, city offices, and buildings will be closed on Monday.

The city of Boston has canceled schools and will close city offices and buildings tomorrow as a powerful noreaster moves toward New England.https://t.co/l226J4nxC8 pic.twitter.com/U08Z1bUh2v  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 12 p.m.

National Grid announces that crews are prepared to respond to power outages during the storm.

A blizzard is expected to impact Massachusetts Sunday night through Monday, bringing heavy snow, strong wind gusts, and dangerous travel conditions. Some areas could see up to two feet of snow, with sustained winds expected to continue through Monday and poor visibility on the pic.twitter.com/hwCsHTP86u  National Grid US (@nationalgridus) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 11:30 a.m.

School closures across the state are starting add up.

SNOW DAY! Schools across Massachusetts have announced closures for Monday due to a noreaster that could dump up to two feet of snow. https://t.co/psXTk3PDVs pic.twitter.com/aZw3Z7pQxf  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 11:20 a.m.

The blizzard warning has been extended to cover central Massachusetts and some parts of western Massachusetts.

Blizzard Warning extended to include central and parts of western MA pic.twitter.com/7kcDwkAPs5  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

Now is the time to make preparations because driving during the storm will be nearly impossible.

Sunday, 10 a.m.

Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf is timing out the arrival of the storm, noting snow will start falling between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with conditions going downhill fast overnight.

Sunday, 9:15 a.m.

Hundreds of flight cancellations have been reported at Bostons International Logan Airport.

Over 300 flights canceled at Logan Airport ahead of storm https://t.co/qTR4YRbx37  Boston 25 News (@boston25) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 8 a.m.

Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf reminds coastal residents that flooding will also be a concern during the storm.

We will be dealing with coastal concerns from this storm. Minor coastal flooding, rough seas, and erosion will be issues Monday. Also be aware of ice left behind from our deep freeze is still floating in harbors and could be driven ashore with strong winds and tides. pic.twitter.com/IWAbREJX2w  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 22, 2026

Sunday, 7:45 a.m.

No changes to the snow map. One to 2 feet of snow is expected across many areas.

No changes to the snow map from last night. Be prepared for 1-2 feet of snow from this storm. It will be a heavy, wet snow as well -- making it tough to shovel and adding to power outage concerns (also because of stronger wind!) pic.twitter.com/TNSBk4dYDN  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) February 22, 2026

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By Michael S. Derby

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Tuesday he doesnt expect the adoption of artificial intelligence technology to totally upend the job market in the U.S.

Im not a doom and gloomer about AIs economic impact, Waller said in a virtual appearance at a Federal Reserve Bank of Boston conference. I don't think you're ever going to take the humans out of the picture and AI is going to do everything and we're going to be left working the drive-through window at McDonald's, he said.

For the U.S. economy and those who are part of it, AI is a tool we can use. We'll use it. We'll control it, we'll manage the risk. That's what we always do, Waller said.

The implications of AI for workers may be unsettling, Waller said, while adding at the end of the day, people will figure out how to take this tool and harness it to make our lives better, more productive and more efficient, we'll have more time to do other things.

Wallers upbeat view on AI squares up against widespread fears that the technology will make a huge array of what were once well-paid jobs obsolete. Some of those anxieties are being fueled by those in the industry themselves, as massive investment is being poured into the sector amid a very uncertain future.

AI-related job anxieties have been further fueled by a softening in the job market, although analysts continue to debate how much if any of that weakening is related to AI adoption.

Waller also said in his appearance that the Fed is carefully moving to adopt artificial intelligence technology in a system-wide approach.

We cannot approach AI casually, and as a central bank, we hold ourselves to a high standard when using it, Waller said.

That means clear guardrails on how and where its used, strong information-security controls, rigorous model validation, human accountability for decisions, and ongoing evaluation as the technology evolves, with innovation and risk management standing together as complementary priorities, he said.

Waller did not comment on the economic and monetary policy outlook in his remarks.

He also said that despite the Fed being a highly decentralized organization, it is taking a more unified approach to implementing AI technology.

Were moving as one system, with shared direction and alignment, Waller said. And in terms of deciding where to deploy the technology, we start with the problem to be solved and the business need, then apply the right capability from the suite of available AI technology.
A new report suggests Florida could lose billions of dollars in economic activity over the next decade if a plan to loosen school vaccine requirements makes it across the finish line this legislative session.

The proposal comes as Northeast Florida is seeing a spike in measles cases.

There have been eight cases this year in the region this year compared to just one in all of 2025.

The bill allows parents to exempt their children from vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella, polio, whooping cough, and diphtheria by signing off on a conscientious objection form.

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Currently, exemptions are only offered for religious reasons.

Most of the backlash to the bill has revolved around public health concerns, but the new report details potential economic consequences as well.

The analysis conducted by the Regional Economic Consulting Group found the bill could cause the state to see a $9 billion reduction in GDP and 64,000 fewer jobs over the next ten years.

Jacksonville alone could see a $700 million reduction in economic activity.

Matthew Moore with RECG worked on the analysis, which was commissioned by Florida Families for Vaccines.

He explained that preventable deaths are the main driver of those economic losses.

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About 90-plus percent of the impact comes from the premature mortality. And so, its a very small rate, but its a very large number, said Moore.

Other contributing factors include reduced tourism and reduced productivity resulting from parents taking care of their sick children.

And the recovery periods for some of these illnesses are quite prolonged, said Moore. So, its not just a matter of a day or two, and youre back. Its a week, or its two weeks, or its four weeks.

Moore noted the report is not intended to take sides in the vaccine debate.

Instead, the goal is to equip lawmakers with as much data as possible to help them make the most informed policy decision.

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And if this number is too large and it creates a situation where you have to go a different direction, and you come up with a different concept, thats a net benefit to everyone involved, said Moore.

The bill is scheduled for its second of three committee hearings in the Senate on Tuesday.

A companion bill in the House has still not been scheduled for its first hearing.

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The director of the Louvre in Paris has resigned, months after the high-profile theft of France's crown jewels from one of the world's most visited museums.

Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation to President Emmanel Macron, who praised her decision at a time when, his office said, the museum needed "calm and a strong new impetus to successfully carry out major projects involving security, and modernisation".

A new director was appointed on Wednesday - Christophe Leribault, who is currently the director of Palace of Versailles.

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In October, thieves used a stolen vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to gain access to the museum from a balcony close to the River Seine.

The four main suspects have been arrested, but eight prized pieces of jewellery, worth an estimated 88m (76m; $104m) have not been recovered. They include a diamond and an emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife.

"Leribault's priority will be to strengthen the safety and security of the building, the collections, and people, to restore a climate of trust, and to carry forward, together with all the teams, the necessary transformations for the museum," France's culture ministry said in a statement about his appointment.

Earlier this month, the Louvre released the first image of a 19th-Century diamond-studded crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, which was dropped as the thieves fled and was damaged.

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The museum, which is home to priceless works of art including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, said it was "nearly intact" and could be fully restored.

Empress Eugenie's crown was damaged after being dropped by the fleeing thieves [Louvre Museum]

Days after the raid, des Cars admitted that CCTV around the Louvre's perimeter was weak and "ageing" - with the only camera monitoring the exterior wall of the Louvre where the thieves broke in pointing away from the balcony that led to Gallery of Apollo housing the jewels.

Despite the museum's huge volume of visitors - more than 8.7 million a year - investment in security has been slow and she highlighted the budget challenges big institutions face.

Des Cars, who became director of the Louvre in 2021, said she wanted to double the number of CCTV cameras.

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A parliamentary inquiry into the failures is under way.

Its findings are due out in May, but a preliminary report released last week spoke of "systemic failures" which enabled the break-in.

Since then, the museum has also been beset by a suspected ticket fraud scheme, as well as suffering a water leak.
Four years ago today the lives of Ukrainians changed overnight when Russia launched an all-out invasion on Ukraine.

The conflict has caused the displacement of six million people.

Of those, 264,000 are now living in the UK and more than 2,000 of those have made Northern Ireland their home.

At Slemish College in Ballymena, 11 Ukrainian students who fled the war are now part and parcel of the school community.

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Roman moved here 18 months ago with his mother after the bombing in Odessa got too close to their home.

He enjoys his life in Ballymena but misses home terribly.

He said the realisation he could not go home "destroys you from the inside".

"Because you're realising that you will not see your family or friends for quite a long time," he said.

"You will not spend time with them, and you will not see how they are growing. You can't take part in this growth."

Tetiana is originally from a city in southeast Ukraine [BBC]

Tetiana also moved here with her mum, after leaving their Zaporizhzhia home in August 2022.

She lives outside Ballymena in the countryside, a far cry from the city life she knew at home.

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"I'm from a huge city and just everybody knows everyone here," she said.

"I like the feeling of privacy there so nobody knows you. I really miss my family as well."

Yelyzaveta, who is in lower sixth, moved to Northern Ireland from Kyiv.

She left with her mother and father and younger brother in May of 2022.

She said in the beginning she stayed in touch with her school friends but as time went on the gulf between their lives grew bigger.

Their lives have grown apart.

Tetiana, Roman and Yelyzaveta's influence on the school is now much more than their presence in the classroom.

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Since joining the school, Slemish College has become part of a British Council programme which has linked their school with a school in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

Slemish College year 10 pupils now hold joint online sessions with pupils at Pokotylivka Lyceum No. 2 where they discuss books, take part in creative projects and learn about the country some of their fellow pupils have been forced to leave behind.

The Kharkiv students practice their English and the Ballymena pupils learn about life in Ukraine.

The programme has given Harry a new interest in the news.

He said before linking up with the school in Kharkiv he did not pay much attention to what was happening in the world.

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Now he said he listened more and it had changed his perspective.

Ruby said she felt "quite privileged" knowing that she did not have to worry about having a safe place to live.

She said she valued that outlook and was learning from it.

Tetiana, Roman and Yelyzaveta would like to return to Ukraine one day, but for now they are happy they have found a place where they feel safe and a little bit at home.

How did the invasion of Ukraine begin?

Four years ago Europe was plunged into the worst armed conflict since World War Two, when Russia launched an all-out invasion on Ukraine .

In the early hours of 24 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "military operation" in Donbas, in a TV address, and demanded the Ukrainian military lay down its arms.

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Russian forces then launched a major land, air and sea assault on Ukraine, first striking Ukraine's military infrastructure and border guard units.

Explosions were heard in multiple cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, as residents flocked to underground shelters.

On 25 February, Russian tanks were filmed entering the capital city Kyiv for the first time, as the city was hit by overnight blasts that injured several civilians.

By this point, tens of thousands of Ukrainians had already crossed into five countries bordering western Ukraine, attempting to flee the invasion. This figure had risen to more than half a million by 28 February.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday downplayed Monday's snow-throwing attack on New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers, calling the Washington Square Park incident a "snowball fight," despite multiple hospitalizations for facial lacerations.

Several NYPD officers were struck in the head with snowballs while responding to a call about a large, disorderly group at the park, according to a spokesperson for the NYPD.

Following the assault, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch released a statement saying the behavior was "disgraceful" and "criminal," noting detectives are investigating.

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However, when asked about the incident at a news conference on Tuesday, Mamdani told reporters he saw videos of the incident and "it looked like kids at a snowball fight."

The mayor added he does not believe any of the suspects should face charges for assault on a police officer.

Zohran Mamdani Declares Nyc Emergency, Bans All Travel During Blizzard Threatening City

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No arrests have been made in connection with the snowball attacks, according to officials.

The Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) told Fox News Digital that while "some people" may attempt to dismiss the incident as "college hijinks or harmless kids throwing snowballs," the deliberate targeting of uniformed police officers while they perform their lawful duties constitutes assault.

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"We cannot condemn strongly enough the recent disgraceful and dangerous attacks on NYPD Police Officers while responding to a 911 call in Washington Square Park," SBA president Vincent Vallelong wrote in a statement. "The behavior of the people throwing the snowballs, many of whom are believed to be NYU students, was reckless and unlawful, and put the lives and safety of others at risk."



Vallelong added those who tossed snow and ice at officers "cross[ed] a clear line."

"[Officers] are tasked with maintaining public safety in crowded public spaces, often while facing hostility simply for wearing the uniform," he wrote. "When individuals choose to turn a park into a launching ground for attacks on police, they cross a clear line. Today it is snowballs. Tomorrow it could be rocks, bottles, or worse.



"No worker in this city should be subjected to having objects thrown at them while they do their job  least of all the men and women who run toward danger to protect others. This conduct emboldens further disorder and undermines respect for the rule of law."

Vallelong specifically addressed officials' response, questioning why the mayor, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and NYU did not condemn the attack.



"We call on city leadership, prosecutors, and the courts to treat these incidents with the seriousness they deserve," he wrote. " The members of the NYPD will continue to serve and protect every New Yorker  even those who show them disrespect. But they deserve the full support of city officials and the public when they are so brazenly attacked."

Michael Rapaport Blasts Nyc As Dirty Snow Covered Dump As Celebs Call Out Mayor Mamdani Over Slow Cleanup

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The Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York called the incident "unacceptable and outrageous."

"This is the environment that NYC police officers are up against," the association wrote in a statement. "Our police officers are being treated for their injuries, but the case CANNOT end there. The individuals involved must be identified, arrested and charged with assault on a police officer. And all of our city leaders must speak up to condemn this despicable attack."

Another labor union, the Detectives' Endowment Association, also denounced the group who threw snowballs at officers.

"What we saw in Washington Square Park today was not harmless fun  it was a deliberate, outrageous, and dangerous attack on uniformed police officers," the group's President Scott Munro wrote in an X post. "The Detectives Endowment Association is calling on Mayor Mamdani and District Attorney Bragg to ensure every individual responsible for this illegal behavior is prosecuted. No free pass. No get out of jail free card."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a news conference Tuesday regarding an incident involving NYPD officers being attacked with snowballs in Washington Square Park in Lower Manhattan on Monday. (Fox News)

"Make no mistake: detectives will do what they always do," he added. "They will identify those involved and they will apprehend them. Our men and women in blue deserve to be safe. They deserve to be protected. And they deserve to be respected. They earn it every single day."

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While Mamdani failed to comment on the backlash to the attack being "an overreaction," during the news conference Tuesday, he released a statement on social media calling for New Yorkers to treat officers with "respect."

"Ive seen the videos of kids throwing snowballs at NYPD officers in Washington Square Park. Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyones catching a snowball, its me," Mamdani wrote.

Leaders including Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo pressured the mayor to denounce the assault.

"This is disgraceful," Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., wrote on X. "@NYCMayor and every elected official in our city should denounce this juvenile attack on our #NYPD. Back the blue and hold those who disrespect them accountable."

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Former Nypd Chief Calls Police Cuts 'Recipe For Disaster' As Mamdani Threatens Tax Hikes

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who also ran for New York City mayor last year, added that Mamdani, "who has a history of calling the police racist, evil, wicked and corrupt" had "set the tone."

"Words have consequences," Cuomo wrote on social media. "We are seeing that in the growing disrespect for law enforcement  just as weve seen it in the rise in antisemitism. Real leaders understand that. This mayor does not. @NYCMayor must denounce this at once."

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani's office for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

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Former NYPD Chief of Department John Chell criticized the snowball incident as a "f---ing disgrace," adding that the officers "were outnumbered  yet stood tall the best they could."

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He also said he expects a "strong condemnation" from the mayor.

"Tomorrow morning at about 0800 hours the @NYPDnews better be in full force in Washington Square Park and other parks in full force," he said in another post. "Let me be clear  if one snowball hits a cop, there should be very forceful arrests - make it legally painful."





Original article source: Mamdani minimizes snowball attack on NYPD, opposes charges despite hospitalizations
A man is in custody after Phoenix police say he ran onto the tarmac at Sky Harbor Airport.

It's unconfirmed how the man got onto the runway, but passengers told 12News the man was seen running near their taxing aircraft before dropping to his knees.

"There's a guy on the ground right by that American bird there," a pilot said on the air traffic control recording.

The man wearing a white shirt, black shorts, and a red hat captured the attention of several pilots who alerted air traffic control.

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"He's running towards our aircraft right now," one pilot said. "He's on his knees begging us to do something."

According to air traffic control, the man didn't touch the plane but got within 20 feet of the taxing aircraft.

The incident lasted about 10-15 minutes.

A Phoenix Police spokesperson told 12News the man was later identified as being in crisis and was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

An airport spokesperson couldn't share any details about the incident, but shared this statement with 12News:

"The safety and security of airport customers and employees is always our top priority. While specific airport security procedures are not released, we work closely with our law enforcement partners and other pertinent stakeholders to employ multiple layers of security throughout our airport system."

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It's unclear if the man could face any charges related to this incident.

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Grab your jacket this morning before you head to the bus stop or work.

It's cold out there and wind chills are making it feel even colder.

Even South Florida isn't immune.

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Freeze warnings, frost advisories and cold weather advisories are in place across most of the state Tuesday morning, Feb. 24.

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See latest weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service.

 Bundle up, Florida! See how cold it got this morning

Map: See current freeze, frost, cold weather warnings in Florida

Freeze warnings: Freeze warnings were issued for 40 counties:

Frost advisories: Multiple frost advisories were in place early Tuesday for 39 counties:

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Cold weather advisories: Cold weather advisories were in place for 63 of Florida's 67 counties, extending as far south as Miami-Dade County:

How cold was it in Florida Tuesday morning, Feb. 24?

It was cold in Florida Tuesday morning, with wind chills making it feel even colder.

Temperatures ranged from 34 in Jacksonville with a wind chill of 25 to 43 in Miami, with a wind chill of 40.

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Those planning an early trip to beat the lines at Orlando's theme parks Tuesday morning were greeted with temps of 38, with a wind chill of 29 at 6:30 a.m.

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.

Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida freeze warning map shows counties frost, cold-weather alerts
While most people think of aircraft like the fast-moving MQ-1 Predator when they hear the words "military drone," that's not the only option. These days, drones can fly, as well as swim or travel overland; throughout the 21st century, they've proven their worth in the battlespace. The United States employed them throughout the War on Terror, and both sides of the Russo-Ukraine War have followed suit, though innovations in all areas of drone technology have increased the lethality of these devices in surprising ways.

Marine drones in particular are becoming more important throughout the world, and Ukraine has already demonstrated their value in taking out large, strategic, and tactical targets. In February 2026, Lockheed Martin revealed its latest marine drone, Lamprey, a multi-mission autonomous undersea vehicle (MMAUV) capable of all manner of missions, but it's not the only drone of its kind. The Cardona Marine Group, Inc. (CMG), a defense tech startup, has been developing a similar technology for the past 15 years, and it's now in the functioning prototype sea trial stage.

The Sea-Predator-7 (SP-7) is an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) that features a unique design. At a glance, it looks a bit like an Orca, but with the potential to be far deadlier; its payload capacity allows for the use of a variety of lethal armaments delivered stealthily to target enemy ships. Additional components and sensors allow for remote and potentially autonomous operation in the future, while the SP-7's components can be quickly fabricated for rapid production should the Department of War select them in a future defense acquisition contract.

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Read more: 5 Weapons That Could Actually Sink A US Aircraft Carrier

The specifications and capabilities of the Sea-Predator-7

Sea-Predator-7 marine drone on the water's surface - The Cardona Marine Group, Inc.

The Sea-Predator 7 is designed with custom Kevlar, carbon fiber, ceramics, and ballistic fiberglass in its composition. It features a proprietary ballistic riblet coating and structure designed to mimic a shark's skin, combining with its design to enhance stealth and speed while also reducing power consumption during movement. These drones can be deployed in several ways, including dropping them from Navy MH-60R Romeo helicopters or Navy MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, miles from a target ship, either independently or within drone swarms.

The SP-7 can carry more than 800 lbs. of explosives for one-way attack capabilities alongside two specialized torpedoes. Additional armament options for the SP-7 include two CMG Mk 6 stealth riblet coated drone torpedoes, four CMG Mk 4 high-explosive torpedoes, a Mk 19 automatic 40 mm grenade launcher, twin M240B 7.62 mm machine guns, or six 40 mm smoke grenade launchers. It can be outfitted with four mini aerial drones used for reconnaissance. Additionally, the SP-7 itself can function as a remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) ship mine, slamming into a target's hull and detonating.

The USV measures 13 feet long with a 5-foot beam, and is 3 feet high. Its weight is 700 lbs. before payloads are added. It moves through the water via a custom electric CMG flume drive for surface and sub-surface operations with electric bow planes and pulse thrusters for maneuvering. When you put it all together, the potential uses for SP-7s are widespread with the potential for changing marine offensive warfare.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown filed a federal lawsuit Monday to block the Trump administrations unlawful decision to convert a Washington County warehouse into a massive immigration detention center to hold 1,500 people.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for Maryland, charges that Immigration and Customs Enforcement bought the warehouse and has proceeded on the project without required environmental reviews, without public notice and without any discussions with state or local officials.

Brown said in a video message that the administration spent $100 million of taxpayer money on the warehouse last month without telling anyone. No public notice. No consultation with the state. They just did it.

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He later accused ICE of wanting to operate like Amazon Prime, but with human beings. Speed and efficiency at all costs, even if it means treating people like packages, and even if it means breaking the law. Brown said the administration plans to buy up other property across the country for detention centers that can hold tens of thousands of immigrants.

The Maryland property  near Williamsport, a town of just 2,000 residents  lies within a half mile of Sample Run, which feeds into Conocoheague Creek and then the Potomac River. This purchase was done without an environmental review, Brown said.

Federal law gives Marylanders the right to know when and how detention facilities are built in their communities, he said. That right was denied.

The suit names the Department of Homeland Security, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE and its director, Todd Lyons, as defendants. It claims that both agencies violated the National Environmental Policy and Administrative Procedure acts, which require an evaluation of environmental impacts and consultation with state officials, among other requirements. It said federal officials did not provide a satisfactory explanation for their action nor any explanation  let alone a reasoned explanation  for their rejection, or even their consideration, of reasonable alternatives.

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A DHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement Monday that Browns suit is less about the legal process and more about the politics of President Donald Trumps aggressive immigration enforcement policies.

Lets be honest about this. This isnt about the environment. Its about trying to stop President Trump from making America safe again, the spokesperson said.

These will not be warehouses  they will be very well-structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards, the statement said. Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe.

The DHS position was echoed by Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, who said Monday that the Trump administration is trying correct the open border policies of the Biden administration, which he blamed for 2023 rape and murder of Rachel Morin near her Bel Air home by an undocumented Salvadoran immigrant.

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It just seems like theres more effort in lawsuits to stop us from doing what is a true public safety issue, Gahler said. Theres too many of those stories where people have lost their lives at the hands of people who come not to make a better life for themselves, but to prey on American citizens.

House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) said in a statement Monday that state Democrats are engaging in virtue signaling when it comes to ICE.

Democrats complain about detainee conditions in Baltimore for locally based individuals being held by federal authorities. They complain when locally based detainees are sent to far flung facilities in other states to go through the deportation process, he said. We wish the Attorney Generals office was focused on these public safety issues rather than the constant effort to show activists how committed they are to fighting the federal government at every turn.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

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The suit comes just over two weeks after Howard County officials, joined by various federal, state and local officials, signed emergency legislation to block the conversion of a building in an Elkridge office park into a privately run detention center for immigrants.

Unlike the private project in Howard County, the Williamsport project is being run by ICE, and Washington County Commissioners had earlier said they were powerless to stop the federal project. But several days after Howard County voted to block the Elkridge facility, the five members of the Washington County Commissioners, all Republicans, approved a resolution in which the board expresses its full support for DHS and ICE, the Washington County Sheriffs Office and local municipal law enforcement agencies in their efforts to maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law.

State lawmakers, meanwhile, continue to press ahead with bills aimed at reining in the Trump administrations aggressive deportation agenda.

Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed emergency legislation last week to ban so-called 287(g) agreements between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement. The nine counties that have such agreements  Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Garrett, St. Marys, Washington and Wicomico  have 90 days to end them, but sheriffs in those counties are considering suing to overturn the law.

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Several other bills aimed at ICE and immigration are scheduled for hearings this week. Those include a Tuesday hearing on House Bill 155, which would prohibit police, including ICE officers, from wearing a mask while on duty. A companion bill has already passed the Senate.

Senate Bill 791 and House Bill 1575, would make it harder for jail officials to ask about a detainees citizenship status and would prohibit them from turning over an individual based on an administrative warrant from ICE or DHS. Judicial warrants would be an exception.

Two other measures, Senate Bill 504 and House Bill 711  scheduled for hearings on Thursday and Tuesday, respectively  would close loopholes in the states Public Information Act to prohibit a business from selling personal data of an individual for the purpose of immigration enforcement.
In this Media Miss Minute, bipartisan lawmakers are moving to ensure President Donald Trump cannot launch military action against Iran without congressional approval. Plus, dozens of Palestinian journalists say they were abused while detained in Israeli prisons.

Media Miss by the left: Khanna, Massie seek vote on Iran war powers vote

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie are joining forces on legislation that would require congressional authorization before any U.S. military strike on Iran.

The U.S. has increased its air and naval presence in the region as Iran expands uranium enrichment, commercial oil tankers face attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran intensifies its crackdown on domestic protests. Khanna and Massie argue that Congress - not the president alone - must decide whether the country enters a new conflict.

Media landscape

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Media Miss by the right: CPJ report details Palestinian journalist abuse allegations in Israeli prisons

A new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists documents allegations from Palestinian journalists. They say they were "systematically abused, beaten and starved in Israel prisons."

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The report includes claims of beatings, starvation, medical neglect and sexual violence, including rape. CPJ is calling for an investigation and accountability if the allegations are substantiated.

Media landscape

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Visit SAN's Media Miss archive to get more of the stories you're not seeing from the partisan media.

Straight Arrow News identifies Media Misses based on coverage data available at the time of publication. Some outlets may choose to cover a story after our analysis is published. Our methodology prioritizes timely, prominent coverage across a range of sources, but we continually review and refine our approach to ensure balance and accuracy.

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The post Massie, Khanna push war powers vote; Palestinian journalists allege abuse in Israeli custody appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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Residents packed a Charlotte City Council meeting Monday night to voice opposition to North Carolina Department of Transportation plans for elevated toll lanes on Interstate 77.

The large turnout required the use of an overflow room as community members expressed concerns about the projects impact on local neighborhoods.

The proposed project would add elevated toll lanes along the southern portion of I-77.

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While the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance expressed support for the states plan, several council members indicated they are seeking to slow or pause the process following the public feedback.

Parent company that runs variable tolls on I-77N on shortlist for south lanes

Community member Shauna Bell spoke during the public comment period, highlighting concerns regarding project costs, equity, and environmental impacts.

Bell noted the history of highway expansions through Black neighborhoods.

The elevated toll lane project will cause significant harm to our communities for no added benefit at all, Bell said.

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Representatives for the business community advocated for the project to proceed.

Ann Brooks, representing the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, argued that concerns could be addressed without halting the work.

Addressing these concerns does not require stopping or pausing the project, Brooks said.

Several council members indicated they support delaying the project to allow for more review. Councilman JD Mazuera Arias said the message from the public was simple and that the city needs to slow this down.

Councilman Malcolm Graham proposed that the city use its position to negotiate with state officials.

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We use our political influence with our friends to say we need 60 days as a community to figure it out alongside NCDOT, Graham said.

Councilman Ed Driggs, who serves on the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, cautioned colleagues about the financial implications of opposing the states plan. He noted that the project is tied to a specific funding structure.

The 600 million dollars is gone, and a hundred million for local road projects associated with that is also gone, Driggs said.

Mayor Vi Lyles addressed the councils limited authority in the matter, noting that the I-77 expansion is a state-managed initiative.

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She told the crowd that the city is focused on relaying public feedback to the NCDOT. The city cannot unilaterally delay or stop this project, Lyles said.

The Charlotte City Council will determine its official position on the toll lane project during a retreat that begins next Monday, March 2.

VIDEO: City leaders demand halt to I-77 toll lanes project amid $1.1 billion cost hike
Management said growth came from both acquisition and organic sources. Bourne noted that about two-thirds of FTGs 2025 revenue growth was driven by the acquisition of FLYHT, with the remainder from organic growth.

Chief Financial Officer Drew Knight added that gross margin improved to CAD 60.6 million, or 31.7% of sales, compared with 27.3% in 2024, attributing the margin gains to scale benefits on fixed costs, operational improvements, the addition of the new Aero Calgary business, and favorable foreign exchange. Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 17.1% of sales in 2025 from 15.9% in 2024.

Revenue rose to CAD 191 million, an 18% increase from 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was CAD 32.7 million, up 27% from CAD 25.8 million, and adjusted net earnings were CAD 13.5 million, up 31% from the prior year. Operating cash flow less lease payments was CAD 13.7 million, and net debt was CAD 8.3 million (0.3x trailing twelve-month EBITDA), including CAD 11.2 million of government loans.

President and CEO Brad Bourne said fiscal 2025 was another successful year for FTG, citing record revenue, EBITDA, and earnings. The company reported bookings of CAD 209.9 million, up 14% from 2024, and ended the year with backlog of CAD 148.5 million, up 21% year over year.

Firan Technology Group (TSE:FTG) used its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings call to highlight a record year across several key financial metrics and to outline priorities tied to defense growth, commercial aerospace ramp-ups, and integration work related to the FLYHT acquisition.

Outlook and risks: Management expects roughly 80% of backlog to convert in 2026 with accelerating defense wins (including large classified programs), while tariffs will raise input costs "in the millions" and a new Hyderabad facility is planned with benefits likely from 2027.

FLYHT acquisition & integration: About two-thirds of 2025 revenue growth was driven by FLYHT; FTG has secured STCs for AFIRS Edge+, begun inhouse production and deliveries, and is shifting manufacturing (Tianjin, Chatsworth) to capture margin.

Story Continues

Aerospace segment: Sales increased 43% year over year, with about 90% of the increase attributed to the FLYHT acquisition. Sales were up in Toronto and Tianjin, while activity in Chatsworth declined due to timing of orders. Management cited a significant ramp in C919 shipments and increased assemblies for Boeing and Airbus aircraft in Q4.

Circuits segment: Sales increased 6% year over year, described as entirely organic. Growth was strongest in the joint venture in China, followed by the Haverhill and Chatsworth sites. Minnetonka demand was described as strong, but the ramp was constrained by hiring and training new production staff.

FTG also highlighted improved customer concentration: the top five customers accounted for 51.7% of total revenue in 2025 versus 58.4% in 2024. Airlines became two of the top 20 customers due to the FLYHT acquisition. FTG also noted that six of its top 10 customers are shared between the Circuits and Aerospace businesses, which management views as an opportunity to deepen relationships by selling both cockpit products and circuit boards.

Geographic mix shifts and tariff considerations

 Opendoor Pops After Earnings, But the Big Question Hasnt Changed

Management emphasized a reduction in exposure to U.S.-based customers. Bourne said 69.9% of 2025 sales were to U.S.-based customers, down from 78.3% in 2024, while sales grew outside the U.S. in several regions. He said U.S. sales grew 5% year over year, while sales increased 46% in Asia, 140% in Europe, and 35% in Canada, aided by efforts such as C919 content in China and FLYHTs global sales.

Tariffs were a recurring topic. Bourne said tariffs are now impacting input costs in the circuits business because many raw materials originate outside North America, with the largest impact at U.S. sites and some impact in Toronto when materials ship through the U.S. He estimated the overall cost impact in the millions of dollars in 2026 and said FTG has begun working with customers to pass through increased costs.

FLYHT integration and product milestones

FTG described progress in turning the FLYHT acquisition into value. Bourne said the company obtained supplemental type certificates (STCs) for the AFIRS Edge+ program for Boeing 737 in Canada, the U.S., and China, and for Airbus A320 in Canada, Europe, and China. He said the transition of AFIRS Edge to in-house production is underway and that FTG delivered its first units to an airline in Asia.

Management also provided updates on FTG Aerospace Calgary (formerly FLYHT). Bourne said the business was renamed effective Dec. 1, 2025, following a legal amalgamation into FTG. He said the amalgamation was done to possibly enable use of FLYHT tax losses beyond Calgary, while noting there is no certainty this will be possible. Later, management said the company intends to seek a pre-ruling from the Canada Revenue Agency to support the use of those losses, and that the process could extend into early 2027.

On product demand, Bourne said licensing revenue for the SATCOM radio product returned in Q4 and should be consistent going forward, with the licensed product ending up on Airbus aircraft. He also said FTG is quoting multiple opportunities for the Edge+ WQAR product across jurisdictions and is starting to manufacture that product in Tianjin to capture margin. For the WVSS-II weather product, he said sales are expected to ramp in 2026 with contracts in place with NOAA in the U.S. and the U.K. Met Office, and that FTG is looking to manufacture both SATCOM radio and WVSS-II in Chatsworth in 2026.

Outlook: defense wins, backlog conversion, and India expansion

FTG entered fiscal 2026 with record backlog of CAD 148.5 million, and Knight said approximately 80% is expected to convert to revenue in 2026. Management said new business activity in aerospace and defense is strong and accelerating, with both segments winning their share of RFPs, including a couple of substantial classified defense programs. Bourne said FTG Circuits qualified for two significant classified defense programs, with deliveries expected to start in 2026 and ramp through 2027, and he described demand on those programs as huge, in the tens of millions of dollars, while noting that actual allocation and FTGs ability to support the ramp are not yet clear.

In Q&A, Bourne said he could not provide an exact backlog split between defense and commercial, but indicated FTG has historically been about 40% defense and 60% commercial. He also said FTG is looking for ways to increase activity with Airbus and continues to explore establishing a footprint in Europe, citing Airbus exposure, rising NATO defense spending, and reduced tariff risk as factors.

FTG also discussed the planned opening of an aerospace facility in Hyderabad, India, in 2026. Bourne said the facility is under construction and now expected to be completed in Q2 2026, with a forecast total investment of about CAD 2 million. He described 2026 revenue impact as negligible, as efforts will focus on staffing, training, and certifications, with potential benefits expected to begin in 2027.

On the commercial side, Bourne discussed the COMAC C919 program, saying COMACs lower-than-expected deliveries had not impacted FTGs demand and that the existing contract should complete later in 2026. He said he expects a follow-on purchase order against the existing contract to carry production into subsequent years, and noted a spares contract signed a few months ago that will be delivered in 2026. He also said COMAC is pursuing design changes as part of efforts to achieve European certification through EASA, which could expand demand beyond China and the Far East.

Management also addressed operational issues in Q4, including a production challenge at the Circuits Toronto facility that shut down part of production for nearly two weeks due to water contamination, impacting revenue and profitability during the quarter. Bourne said the issue was resolved by November and was behind us by year-end.

Finally, Bourne noted FTGs Toronto union contract is up for renewal mid-2026, with negotiations not yet started, and characterized it as a potential risk, while pointing to a history of successful renewals without disruption aside from one instance a few years ago.

About Firan Technology Group (TSE:FTG)

Firan Technology Group Corp is a supplier of aerospace and defense electronic products and subsystems. It has two operating segments namely FTG Circuits and FTG Aerospace. FTG Circuits manufactures printed circuit boards within the global marketplace. FTG Aerospace designs and manufactures illuminated cockpit panels, keyboards, bezels, subassemblies, and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers of avionics products and for airframe manufacturers. The company operates in Canada, the United States, Asia, and Europe and generates substantial sales from the United States.

The article "Firan Technology Group Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Five men have been convicted in connection with an attack that led to a serious house fire in which a woman and a girl were badly burned.

Five others had previously admitted offences relating to the incidents in Stoke-on-Trent in 2021.

Following an 11-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Det Con Howard Davies of Staffordshire Police said: "This was a horrific ordeal for a mother to be set on fire in her own home in front of her daughter by a number of men seeking revenge."

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The men have all been remanded in custody to await sentence at a date to be fixed.

The police force said on the afternoon of 16 December 2021, Naveed Hussain, 32, Bilal Ahmed, 26, Kashif Ahmed, 25 and Ali Abbas, 22, all from Stoke-on-Trent, had a fight on Kildare Street, Longton.

It said Kashif Ahmed received a stab wound to his shoulder and went to hospital for treatment.

Just before 23:00 that evening, a number of men went to a house on Beverley Drive, in the Bentilee area of Stoke-on-Trent, demanding to speak to Hussain.

Staffordshire Police said the men smashed the downstairs windows and poured petrol in the hallway near to the front door and outside near to the living room window.

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The force said a 31-year-old woman was hit the head and set on fire, causing 65% burns.

At the time she was not expected to survive and was in a coma for two months.

She did survive, but has life-changing injuries that will require continual medical treatment.

A 13-year-old girl received 15% burns to her right arm and right leg.

They escaped by smashing an upstairs window and jumping out, leaving the woman with a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a lacerated liver, meaning she had to learn to walk again.

Following the trial, the following five men were convicted:

Shakil Uddin, 23, of Oldham - convicted of attempted murder and arson with intent

Lukman Khan, 24, of Stoke-on-Trent - convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent

Riyadh Iqbal, 23, of Stoke-on-Trent - convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent

Muhammad Sufyaan-Shah, 25, of HMP Hindley, Wigan - convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent

Tayyeb Majeed, 23, of Stoke-on-Trent - convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent

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Before the trial, the following five men pleaded guilty to offences:

Ali Abbas, 22, of Stoke-on-Trent - admitted to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life and violent disorder

Haris Mahmood, 21, of Stoke-on-Trent - admitted to two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life

Naveed Hussain, 32, of Stoke-on-Trent - admitted violent disorder and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place

Kashif Ahmed, 25, of Stoke-on-Trent - admitted violent disorder

Bilal Ahmed, 26, of Stoke-on-Trent - admitted violent disorder

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is to begin his inaugural visit to China on Wednesday, where he is expected to try to balance defending German business interests while pressuring Beijing over its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

The two-day visit will see the German leader meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang before holding one-on-one talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening, with concerns over fair competition top on the agenda.

German businesses have called on Merz to raise issues such as overcapacity and export controls on critical raw materials in China, which overtook the US as Germany's main trading partner in 2025.

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German carmakers in particular have long complained of fierce Chinese competition boosted by domestic subsidies and unequal market access.

Export restrictions introduced last year on rare earths - critical raw materials used in products such as mobile phones and electric motors - have added to the woes and fuelled tensions between Berlin and Beijing.

Merz, who will be accompanied by a delegation of top business representatives and also visit the southern city of Hangzhou, has given indications in recent weeks that he does not plan to curry favour with the world's second-largest economy.

But he also underscored the importance of maintaining a stable relationship with Beijing ahead of his departure on Tuesday evening.

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"It would be a mistake to seek to decouple from China," Merz said on Tuesday before departing for the two-day trip from Berlin.

By severing ties with China "we would be shooting ourselves in the foot. We would be ruining our own economic opportunities," while failing to make the world "a safer place," the German leader said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is to begin his inaugural visit to China on Wednesday, where he is expected to try to balance defending German business interests while pressuring Beijing over its support for Russia's war in Ukraine.

The two-day visit will see the German leader meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang before holding one-on-one talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday evening, with concerns over fair competition top on the agenda.

German businesses have called on Merz to raise issues such as overcapacity and export controls on critical raw materials in China, which overtook the US as Germany's main trading partner in 2025.

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German carmakers in particular have long complained of fierce Chinese competition boosted by domestic subsidies and unequal market access.

Export restrictions introduced last year on rare earths - critical raw materials used in products such as mobile phones and electric motors - have added to the woes and fuelled tensions between Berlin and Beijing.

Merz, who will be accompanied by a delegation of top business representatives and also visit the southern city of Hangzhou, has given indications in recent weeks that he does not plan to curry favour with the world's second-largest economy.

But he also underscored the importance of maintaining a stable relationship with Beijing ahead of his departure on Tuesday evening.

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"It would be a mistake to seek to decouple from China," Merz said on Tuesday before departing for the two-day trip from Berlin.

By severing ties with China "we would be shooting ourselves in the foot. We would be ruining our own economic opportunities," while failing to make the world "a safer place," the German leader said.

Merz's first visit to a major Asian power as chancellor was a trip to India in January, in a sign that Germany is looking to diversify its alliances amid a rapidly changing political landscape.

At the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, Merz proclaimed the end of the old rules-based international order and also pointed the finger at Beijing, saying it "systematically exploits the dependencies of others" while trying to reshape the international system to suit its own purposes.

Merz to move Xi on Ukraine?

Germany has long criticized Beijing for maintaining an outwardly neutral stance on Russia's war in Ukraine, with Merz hoping to convince Xi to back negotiations to an end to the conflict.

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"If Xi Jinping were to tell Putin tomorrow to stop, then he would have to stop the day after tomorrow," the German leader said on Monday at an editorial conference hosted by dpa, noting that China continues to support Russia by purchasing oil and gas and supplying technology for the war.

Beijing is considered Russia's most important backer since most Western nations cut ties with Moscow following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday stressed that the war in Ukraine should not strain relations between Europe and China and that Beijing supports diplomatic efforts to find a political solution.

Merz said he was hoping for "open discussions" with Xi.

"I simply want to try to understand the president. Conversely, I want to try to explain our position, my personal position in Germany and in Europe, how I view certain global developments, and what we might be able to do together."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, ahead of his inaugural visit to China, underscored the importance of maintaining a stable partnership with Beijing despite major differences including over trade and Ukraine.

"It would be a mistake to seek to decouple from China," Merz said on Tuesday before departing for the two-day trip from Berlin.

By severing ties with China "we would be shooting ourselves in the foot. We would be ruining our own economic opportunities," while failing to make the world "a safer place," the German leader said.

A fair playing field needed

Merz, who is expected to address long-standing concerns by German businesses over unfair market conditions and export restrictions on rare earths, said "both sides must reduce risks that arise from ever closer connectivity and one-sided dependencies."

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He underlined the importance of "fair and transparent" competition to unlock the full potential of the German-Chinese trade partnership.

Merz, who is scheduled to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang following his arrival on Wednesday followed by dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping, also plans to raise Russia's war in Ukraine.

Beijing is considered Russia's most important backer since most Western nations cut ties with Moscow following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Merz called on China to join efforts to end the war, acknowledging the world's second-largest economy's key role in what he has repeatedly described as a changed world order "dominated by great power politics."

"Today, major global political issues can no longer overcome without involving Beijing," he said.
MEXICO CITY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday she is considering legal action following a comment by tech billionaire Elon Musk, the world's richest man, that alleged she was connected to drug cartels.

Musk's post on X followed the capture and killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) leader Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," by Mexican security forces.

In the post, Musk responded to a 2025 video of Sheinbaum discussing cartel violence and alleged that she was "saying what her cartel bosses tell her to say." He did not provide further evidence.

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"We are considering whether to take legal action," Sheinbaum said during her daily morning press conference, adding that government lawyers are reviewing the matter.

STRONG FREE SPEECH PROTECTIONS

Sheinbaum could face difficulty suing Musk for defamation in the U.S. because of strong legal protections for free speech. To prevail in a defamation case against Musk in the U.S., Sheinbaum would need to prove Musk knowingly said something false about her or recklessly disregarded the truth when he said it.

Tesla, Musk's auto company, did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Sheinbaum's remarks.

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In the 2025 video, Sheinbaum said a return to a "war on drugs" was not feasible.

"Returning to the war on drugs is not an option ... it is outside the framework of the law," she said.

The military offensive on cartels led by former President Felipe Calderon in 2006 led to bloody turf battles as gangs splintered, triggering a spiral of violence that many analysts see as a contributing cause to still-high homicide rates.

Sheinbaum said she expected security to continue to normalize in Mexico after cartel members coordinated a series of roadblocks and arson attacks after the government's Sunday operation against Oseguera.

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Asked if the operation marked a return to a more violent security stance, Sheinbaum said this would never be the case.

"The detention of a suspected criminal with an arrest warrant can generate this type of circumstance, but we are looking for peace, not war," she said.

Ruling MORENA Party president Luisa Alcalde also reacted to the post on social media, saying Musk should use his platform and X social media network to fight drug consumption, addiction, disinformation and stop the promotion of narco culture.

"Wealth does not give moral authority," she said. "The lives that are lost in this fight, often fueled by consumption in other countries, are worth infinitely more than any fortune amassed in Silicon Valley."

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Over 130,000 people are missing in Mexico, where much of the country's violence is linked to drug cartels that sell products to and obtain firearms from the United States.

(Reporting by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, additional reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Natalia Siniawski, Rod Nickel)
Mexico remains on high alert following a violent weekend that saw clashes erupt across the country from Puerto Vallarta to Tijuana. Mexican special forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," one of the country's most powerful cartel leaders, triggering the unrest.

Security analysts view the operation as a resurgence of the so-called "kingpin strategy"an approach aimed at dismantling the Jalisco New Generation Cartel by eliminating its top leader. This marks a departure from President Claudia Scheinbaum's campaign stance against such tactics.

The immediate consequences of removing a major trafficker are significant. The operation disrupts organizational structure and raises critical questions about succession. National security expert Ron Bee said the immediate impact is clear.

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"The bottom line is -- this guy is no longer in charge of one of the major drug cartels that kill Americans by delivering drugs to the United States," Bee told CBS 8.

El Mencho controlled the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, widely recognized as one of the world's largest fentanyl traffickers. The removal of such a leader creates uncertainty within the organization.

"It disrupts the organization, because what happens then is, Who is going to be in charge? Who gets to take over the territory?" Bee said.

The long-term impact on U.S. drug supplies remains uncertain.

"It's too early to tell... because there are so many cartels and there is so much money involved in cross-border drug trafficking," he added.

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The cartel's underlying infrastructure persists despite the loss of its leader. Vicente Calderon, founder and editor-in-chief of Tijuana Press.com, who has covered the U.S.-Mexico border for more than three decades, cautioned against overestimating the operation's effectiveness.

"I think for a while we are going to see more calm, but these guys are still working. You can cut the head off, but the organization is still there," Calderon told CBS 8.

The operation responded to intense pressure from the Trump administration to demonstrate tangible results against fentanyl trafficking. The move also carried political significance for Mexico's military.

"I think this was the effort to show that the Mexican military can take care of itself even if there was some intelligence help from the United States," said Bee.

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The White House confirmed that the U.S. provided intelligence support to Mexico's military operation and praised Mexico for apprehending one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

Internal cartel conflicts may trigger future violence, though such clashes typically occur between rival factions rather than affecting civilians.

"It also depends on what sort of struggles there are within the New Generation cartel for leadership, and that can lead to violence, but it's usually between cartel members and not against the public," Bee said.

Addressing the root causes of trafficking requires a multifaceted approach. Calderon emphasized that effective enforcement must first tackle corruption embedded throughout Mexico's government at all levels. A comprehensive strategy must extend beyond enforcement.

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"...And also to decrease the amount of the market of the consumption of drugs on the US side, and reduce the availability of guns that are more prevalent in the US and end up in the hands of these traffickers, these criminals," Calderon said.

The challenge demands collaboration between both nations.

"This is a joint problem, and it needs a joint solution between the US and Mexico," Calderon said.

The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings affecting much of Mexico. The U.S. Government is urging tourists to reconsider travel to Baja California, including Tijuana and Ensenada, and to Jalisco State, including Puerto Vallarta. Travelers should monitor official advisories regularly, as conditions change frequently.
Michigans top young livestock exhibitors earned a combined $62,000 in scholarships through the 2025 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund, according to a community announcement. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development selected 39 students from across the state for awards ranging from $250 to $4,500.

Since the program launched in 2000, the fund has distributed more than $916,000 to youth who show animals at Michigans premier livestock events, according to the announcement.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded $62,000 to 39 students through the 2025 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund.

Scholarship funding encourages continued growth and opportunities for younger generations, MDARD Director Tim Boring said. Supporting the future of our industry is another tangible way we work toward that goal.

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Recipients represent every region of Michigan, including Mid-Michigan, the Thumb, Southwest and West Michigan, Southeast Michigan and Northern Michigan. Award levels varied by region, with top scholarships of $4,500 going to students in Ingham County.

The fund is supported by proceeds from the annual Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration auction and charitable contributions. A volunteer board of 11 agricultural leaders oversees the program.

In addition to the scholarships, about $14,000 from the Sale-Abration event was deposited into Michigan Education Savings Plans for youth who competed in judging and showmanship events at the Michigan Livestock Expo.

More information about the scholarship program is available on the MYLSF webpage at michigan.gov/mdard/animals/exhibitions/mylsf.

Winners include:

Southeast Michigan

$2,000 scholarship  Joscelyn Layman of Hillsdale County

$1,500 scholarship  Jack Thielen of Hillsdale County

$1,250 scholarship  Sydney Fowler of Hillsdale County

$1,000 scholarship  Clara Heath of Hillsdale County

$1,000 state-wide scholarship  Zoe Stanger of Monroe County

Southwest Michigan

$3,500 scholarship  Aden Hathaway of Branch County

$3,000 scholarship  Drew George of Berrien County

$2,000 scholarship  Alexa Grahm of Calhoun County, Ava Hathaway of Branch County, Talan Hiemstra of Cass County & Kaden Petroshus of Van Buren County

$1,250 scholarship  Carlie Doehring of St. Joseph County

$500 scholarship  Emma Geukes of Barry County, Brianna Stockwell of Cass County

Thumb Region

$1,500 scholarship Madyson Garza of Sanilac County, Emma Noll of Sanilac County

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This story was co-authored by Dave DeMille, ddemille@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.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Michigan livestock students earn $62K in scholarships
Milwaukee Ald. Alex Brower was aware of fears in his community about immigration enforcement. Like many Wisconsinites, Brower had watched as Operation: Metro Surge in Minnesota led to thousands of arrests, community resistance, and the killings of Renee Good, and Alex Pretti by federal agents and the nonfatal shooting of Julio Sosa Colis. Hundreds of residents packed a town hall Brower held in early February. People are ready to be engaged, Brower told the Wisconsin Examiner. People are just sick of whats going on.

Alex Brower, a recently elected alderman in Milwaukee, speaks during a protest outside of the Federal Courthouse in Milwaukee. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

On Wednesday, elected officials will host a bilingual ICE awareness community discussion on Milwaukees South Side. Earlier this month, Brower and other Milwaukee alders announced a package of local ordinances that aim to prepare Milwaukee for a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

The package would require all ICE agents to be unmasked when interacting with the public in Milwaukee, and prohibit agents from staging raids on county property such as libraries and parks. Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa said that the local push is an effort to deescalate fear, tensions and confusion, WUWM reported. Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic said at the alders Feb. 11 news conference, I stand here today to talk about something we can say yes toYou heard a lot of what were willing to say no to. Were going to set the standards high in the city of Milwaukee, the largest city in the state of Wisconsin, that is built on our diversity. It is our strength.

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Common Council President Ald. Jose Perez joined Zamarripa, Brower, Dimitrijevic, and community members in announcing the package. The proposals will need to be approved by the council, and then head to Mayor Cavalier Johnsons desk. The Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America have also been circulating a letter writing campaign to compel the common council to sign the ICE Out package. Over 1,800 letters have been sent so far, with the groups goal being a total of 3,200 letters.

JoCasta Zamarripa

People in Milwaukee want to see their local government try to do something to protect against abuses by the federal government, even city ordinances could be struck down in court, Brower said. When he asked residents who attended his town hall if they would want local officials to at least try to do something, he told the Examiner, the crowd unanimously yelled yes!

So many people are ready, themselves individually, to take action, he said, either by supporting a mutual aid effort, getting trained to be an ICE verifier, or participating in any sort of picketing or protesting that happens at the site of an ICE abduction. So thats No. 1  I heard that almost universally. And then the second thing that I heard was that people want the City of Milwaukee to do everything it can to fight ICE.

A question for local law enforcement

As a matter of policy, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) does not engage in immigration enforcement. MPDs policy states that proactive immigration enforcement by local police can be detrimental to our mission and policing philosophy when doing so deters some individuals from participating in their civic obligation to assist the police.

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The Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office  which oversees the county jail  does not hold people in custody for ICE. Prior to the arrest and conviction of former Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, local judges had been debating the creation of a draft policy after several immigration arrests by plain-clothes federal agents at the county courthouse.

Protesters gather outside the Federal Building in Milwaukee to denounce the arrest of Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

Limiting cooperation with ICE is a philosophy shared by some police departments across the country, but not all. Under the second administration of President Donald Trump, more sheriffs and police departments have joined the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to conduct immigration enforcement. The counties of Waukesha and Washington, which border Milwaukee County to the west and north, both have 287(g) agreements.

For counties that do not want to collaborate with ICE, its not clear what can be done to avoid the warrantless searches, mass arrests, and use of force Chicago and Minneapolis have experienced. When asked how police would respond to a Minneapolis or Chicago-style immigration surge, the Milwaukee Police Department said it would rely on its existing policies. Beyond that, however, the department said we do not have an operation like Chicago therefore cannot provide information about a policy of something that we do not have in our city.

Brower said that answers provided by MPD officials who attended his town hall did not satisfy community members. I chimed in as well, sharing with the police department, and with those present, that I believe that MPD should commit to the very least investigating, if not arresting, individuals who break the law, even if theyre federal agents.

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Back in 2020, when masked and militarized federal agents cracked down on Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland and other cities, then-Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm responded to videos showing people being beaten, sprayed, gassed and arrested by agents who also loaded detainees into unmarked vehicles, saying, Kidnapping, false imprisonment, unlawful assault, those are crimes.

Those are crimes no matter who commits them, Chisholm said in 2020, whether youre a federal agent or a citizen. You cant do that, not in the United States, and it wont be tolerated here.

Would a shooting investigation be independent in Wisconsin?

After federal agents killed Good and Pretti within three weeks of each other, local and state officials in Minnesota called for independent investigations. Yet the federal government refused, and even blocked Minnesota state law enforcement investigators from accessing the scenes of the two killings. That lack of cooperation from the federal government continues today, as the FBI refuses to provide access to evidence from the Pretti shooting to Minnesotas state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

In a statement reported by the Minnesota Reformer, the state agencys superintendent Drew Evans said that while this lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence. Recently, ICE was also admitted that two of its agents are currently being investigated after giving false statements under oath about the non-fatal shooting of Sosa-Celis. Sosa-Celis originally faced felony charges for assaulting an officer, but those charges have now been dropped.

A masked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent knocks on a car window in Minnesota on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

Wisconsin state law prevents police from leading investigations into fatal shootings of civilians by members of their own agencies. Passed a decade after the Kenosha Police Department quickly cleared a killing by one of its officers, the Michael Bell law has required that such investigations be led by an agency uninvolved in the death. Local prosecutors then decide whether officers will be charged or cleared.

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Which agency leads the investigation depends on where you are. While the state Department of Justice (DOJ) leads many officer-involved shooting investigations across Wisconsin, sometimes local police departments and sheriffs need to step in. Since 2015, a component of the Wisconsin DOJ known as the Division of Criminal Investigation has investigated 136 killings of civilians by police from Racine to Blue Mounds, New Berlin to Pine River.

In Milwaukee, however, those sorts of investigations are led by a group of nearly two dozen law enforcement agencies from Milwaukee County, Waukesha and Brookfield, known as the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team (MAIT). The team, which has existed for over a decade, rotates responsibility for investigating officer-involved deaths between its various member agencies. MAITs practices, however, have been criticized for being too lenient to officers who kill civilians.

The Examiner asked both MAIT and the Wisconsin DOJ how an investigation into a shooting by a federal agent would be handled, especially considering that DHS had prevented local agencies from accessing evidence. A DOJ spokesperson said in an emailed statement that investigations of officer-involved critical incidents should be conducted fully, transparently, and impartially by an independent agency. The statement added that the state DOJs Department of Criminal Investigation regularly serves in this independent investigatory role and is prepared to investigate if necessary.

People react to tear gas and flash grenades deployed by federal agents near the scene in Minneapolis where federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

But MAIT will only investigate incidents involving its own members, the teams appointed commander, Wauwatosa Police Department Lt. Joseph Roy, wrote in an emailed statement to the Examiner. MAIT is not a department, entity, or unit, Roy said. Instead, he described MAIT as a cooperative effort which has not partnered with any federal agency to date. Per our bylaws, MAIT is restricted to investigating officer-involved shootings from agencies in the cooperative. While we share a close partnership with our local federal entities, MAIT would not investigate those incidents. That responsibility would lie with the jurisdiction in which the shooting occurred, in coordination with the involved agency.

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If federal immigration agents killed someone within the jurisdiction of a MAIT member agency, such as Milwaukee or Wauwatosa, then that local agency would need to rely on its own resources to investigate, and coordinate with the federal agency responsible for the shooting.

Although shootings by federal agents are rare in Milwaukee, theyre not unheard of. In 2017, task force officers from the city police departments of West Allis and Milwaukee were working alongside Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents to track down 32-year-old Jermaine Claybrooks as part of a drug investigation. WISN reported that Claybrooks sped away in his vehicle upon realizing that unmarked vehicles were attempting to block him in, crashing into a nearby tree. Officers said that Claybrooks appeared to be armed as they broke out his windows, and fired when they said he pointed a gun.

Although local media and prosecutors focused on the DEAs involvement, a DHS agents firearm was also inspected by investigators. More recently, DEA agents have supported arrest teams for immigration operations, including the team former Judge Dugan confronted outside her courtroom last year.

The Claybrooks investigation was handled by an early version of MAIT called the Milwaukee County Suburban Investigations Team, with the Wauwatosa Police Department serving as the lead agency. Later that year, prosecutors decided against charging the officers who shot Claybrooks. Although this earlier iteration of MAIT did investigate a shooting involving federal agents, the team in its current form would not step in.

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Brower said that at the very least, hed expect MPD to at least attempt to conduct a serious investigation. During his town hall, Brower said that law enforcement officials expressed doubts that prosecutors would be able to secure a conviction against federal agents who kill local residents during immigration operations. OK, that doesnt mean that they shouldnt try, he said.

A community preparing itself

On Wednesday, local elected officials will host a bilingual ICE awareness community discussion at the Sister Joel Read Conference Center on the campus of Alverno College. Dubbed the Safety in Numbers: Protecting Our Historically Immigrant South Side meeting, the discussion will provide residents another opportunity to share their concerns about immigration enforcement, and prepare for a surge in Milwaukee.

As an immigrant-rich community, the South Side deserves clear, accurate information and reassurance that our local institutions are focused on safety, dignity, and the rule of law, said Ald. Peter Burgelis. This meeting is about empowering residents with knowledge, connecting them to trusted resources, and making sure people know they are not alone.

Protesters march outside of a new ICE facility being constructed in Milwaukee. (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner)

County Supervisor Sky Capriolo said in a statement that community safety starts with transparency and trust. Capriolo said that by bringing people together and sharing accurate information, we can reduce fear, combat misinformation, and strengthen our neighborhoods. MPD Chief Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee County Sheriff Danita Ball, and representatives from Voces de la Frontera and the Milwaukee Turners will also attend the Wednesday community meeting.

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Tamping down on misinformation has been a growing concern in Milwaukee, with unverified rumors of ICE agents roaming the city having floated around since January. The city and county governments in Milwaukee have also created Know Your Rights resource webpages.

Our South Side is strong because of its diversity and deep sense of community, Zamparripa said in a statement ahead of the Wednesday meeting. This conversation is about standing together, ensuring residents know their rights, and reinforcing that Milwaukee is a city that values all of its people.

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Prime Minister Mr. Modi is visiting after almost nine years, Singh said, referring to Modis landmark 2017 trip to Israel. This visit is going to be a very historic visit.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit is expected to launch a new phase in India-Israel relations, with a broader agenda centered on advanced technology, trade, and strategic cooperation, according to Ambassador J.P. Singh in an interview with The Jerusalem Post ahead of Modis arrival in Israel.

Singh said on Tuesday that the visit comes after a long gap at the highest level and carries unusual symbolic and practical weight.

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Prime Minister Mr. Modi is visiting after almost nine years, Singh said, referring to the Indian leaders landmark 2017 trip to Israel. This visit is going to be a very historic visit.

He said that once Modi touch[es] Israeli soil, a new phase in our relationship will start and a new chapter in our relationship will start.

Singh framed the visit as both a political and strategic reset between two leaders who have remained in contact over the years. Modi last visited Israel in July 2017, when ties were elevated to a strategic partnership, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a return visit to India in January 2018, according to the Israeli embassy in New Delhis official bilateral timeline.

Netanyahu announced Sunday that Modi would visit Israel on Wednesday, saying the Indian prime minister is expected to address the Knesset, visit Yad Vashem, and take part in events centered on innovation and hi-tech cooperation. The Post reported that Netanyahu also highlighted future cooperation in artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

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Singh reinforced that agenda in the interview, saying the visit will include a detailed meeting with Netanyahu, a visit to Yad Vashem, and a meeting with President Isaac Herzog. He also stressed the significance of Modis planned Knesset address, which he described as a first for an Indian prime minister.

Singh said, One of the most important elements will be [that] he will be the first prime minister from India to address the Knesset, adding that the speech would be widely watched in both Israel and India.

Broaden as well as deepen

Asked what he meant by a new phase, Singh said the next step in India-Israel relations is both expansion and consolidation.

We will broaden as well as deepen our relationship, he said. By broaden, Singh said he meant moving beyond a limited number of sectors to build a more comprehensive framework that includes financial cooperation, trade, and cross-border payments. He specifically pointed to the possibility of future work on financial systems, including money transfer mechanisms and cross-border payment infrastructure.

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By deepen, he implied more integrated collaboration between the two countries innovation ecosystems, including start-ups, technology partnerships, and greater scope for technology transfer and combined strengths.

The sky is the limit, he said. Singh declined to provide specifics on agreements expected to be signed during the visit, saying details had not yet been formally announced. He did say, however, that the agreements would span most different aspects of the relationship.

He listed science and technology, cultural ties, agriculture, research and development, centers of excellence, and defense cooperation among the areas likely to be covered.

Technology at the center

A major theme of the visit, Singh shared, will be the overlap between Indias scale and Israels innovation ecosystem.

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The focus areas, he said, include science and technology, critical and emerging technologies, AI, cybersecurity, and quantum-related cooperation.

Somewhere, we need to combine the strength of both the countries, Singh said.

That emphasis matches the messaging from both governments and recent public reporting. Netanyahu said this week that the two countries would promote cooperation in hi-tech, AI, and quantum computing, while Singh told Indian public media that the two ecosystems complement each other.

The economic logic behind that push has grown stronger in recent years. Reuters reported in July that Israel and India were finalizing an investment protection agreement and cited Israeli officials saying New Delhi had become one of Jerusalems most important trade partners, especially in Asia. Reuters also reported that bilateral trade in 2024 totaled nearly $4 billion.

Personal rapport, strategic significance

Singh also highlighted the personal relationship between Modi and Netanyahu as an asset in advancing policy.

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He described the rapport between the two leaders as very warm, very friendly, very brotherly and said that dynamic could help accelerate broader cooperation.

At the same time, he indicated that the leaders discussions would go beyond bilateral issues. Asked whether regional instability would come up, Singh said the talks would cover bilateral, plus regional and global issues, and described the expected conversation as very free-flowing.

For Singh, the central message of the visit is that India-Israel ties are entering a more ambitious stage after years of steady growth.

This visit will give us a road map and a vision for our future relationship, he said.

If the agreements announced after the leaders meetings match the scope Singh outlined, the visit will be remembered not only for its symbolism but also for setting the terms of the next India-Israel chapter.
Modis visit is an act of cultivation. If Modis 2017 visit was a breakthrough in the relationship, his 2026 return signifies the consolidation of those ties.

Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit  his second trip to the country. But this one is about far more than ceremony, contracts, or even bilateral warmth. It comes at a moment of geopolitical inversion.

On the tarmac at Ben-Gurion Airport on a sweltering July day in 2017, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted Modi with the words, Prime Minister, weve been waiting for you for a long time.

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And, indeed, Israel had. It took nearly 70 years for an Indian prime minister to visit the Jewish state  a state India voted against at the United Nations in 1947 and with which it established diplomatic relations only in 1992.

Israel had to wait only nine years for a return visit.

In the intervening years, what was once a cautious, low-profile relationship has matured into one of Israels most consequential strategic partnerships. Modi now arrives not merely as a visitor but as the leader of the worlds most populous country and one of the fastest-rising global powers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian PM Narendra Modi at a joint press conference in New Delhi, India, January 15, 2018; illustrative. (credit: Avi Ohayon/GPO)

Modi is arriving at a moment loaded with symbolism

Modis visit comes amid intensifying efforts in parts of the international community to isolate Israel over the Israel-Hamas War. There are diplomatic pressures, legal challenges, calls for sanctions, and boycotts. Yet here is the prime minister of India  a nation of 1.4 billion people, a civilizational power, and a major global player  not distancing himself, not downgrading ties, but deepening them.

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For Netanyahu, that image alone carries weight. It is a rebuttal to the isolation narrative.

But there is also a striking reversal of fortunes embedded in this visit.

In 2017, when Modi first came, Israels diplomatic position was on the rise. Netanyahu was aggressively expanding Israels global reach  into Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Gulf, and Eastern Europe  selling Israeli strengths in intelligence, cybersecurity, agriculture, and water technology. Israels international standing was improving.

Today, Indias global trajectory is the one on the ascent. New Delhi is positioning itself as a bridge between East and West, a manufacturing powerhouse, a technological hub, and a counterweight to China. Israel, meanwhile, is navigating one of the most diplomatically challenging periods in its history.

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In other words, Modis return visit comes amid a reversal of momentum.

Netanyahu hopes to leverage Israels close relationship with India as part of a broader diplomatic architecture  what he described at Sundays cabinet meeting as a hexagon of alliances: India, select Arab states, Greece, Cyprus, African partners, and additional Asian players.

The intention, Netanyahu said, is to create an axis of countries that see reality, the challenges, and the goals through the same lens, facing the radical axes  both the radical Shiite axis, which we have struck hard, and the emerging radical Sunni axis.

India is central to that vision.

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When Modi came to power in 2014, he instituted what became known as a policy of de-hyphenation  separating Indias relationship with Israel from its relationship with the Palestinians. No longer would ties with Jerusalem be automatically balanced or constrained by Ramallah.

That shift was revolutionary.

For decades, under Congress Party governments, Indias approach to Israel was cautious, often filtered through domestic political considerations  India houses the worlds third-largest Muslim population  and historic sympathies for the Palestinian cause. The Congress Party criticized Modis upcoming visit, saying that his government has abandoned the Palestinians.

Under Congress Party governments, relations existed but largely below the radar. Modi changed that. He brought the relationship into full public view  and then expanded the ties dramatically.

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Trade has broadened beyond diamonds and agriculture into advanced technologies, cyber, renewable energy, and water management. Negotiations on a free trade agreement have advanced. Labor mobility agreements have brought thousands of Indian workers to Israel, with the Indian embassy putting the number of Indian citizens currently in Israel at some 42,000, excluding the more than 100,000 Jews of Indian origin.

But the core of the relationship is defense. And here, the numbers tell the story.

India has become Israels single largest defense customer

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks international arms sales, between 2020 and 2024, one-third of Israels arms sales went to India. Jerusalems defense sales to New Delhi over the last decade have totaled just over $20 billion, and according to Forbes India, since the beginning of the year, the two countries have closed deals worth an eye-popping $8.6b.

Israeli systems in Indian service include air-defense platforms such as the Barak missile system, drones, radar systems, anti-tank missiles, and advanced surveillance technologies.

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The defense relationship, however, has evolved. Indias Make in India doctrine requires substantial local production and technology transfer. Israeli defense firms now operate joint ventures and production lines in India.

While Israels relationship with a number of traditional allies was strained by the war in Gaza, the relationship with India withstood the crisis.

Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn the October 7 attacks. But beyond rhetoric, cooperation reportedly continued in practical ways.

According to foreign reports, when some Western countries slowed down and even embargoed weapons supplies to Israel during the war, New Delhi continued to supply military equipment.

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Remotely piloted aircraft produced in India were reportedly used to collect intelligence in Gaza, and joint production lines continued operating. India did not just issue statements of solidarity; it stepped up in practical ways.

Also, as some European governments distanced themselves from Israel and diplomatic pressure mounted, New Delhi maintained steady engagement.

That reliability, however, does not mean alignment on every regional issue.

For instance, India maintains longstanding ties with Iran  energy links and infrastructure projects, such as the development of Tehrans Chabahar Port, which gives New Delhi access to Central Asia  as well as a long tradition of keeping its options open. India avoids rigid military blocs and resists being drawn into overtly anti-Iran alignments.

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Modi will not present partnership with Israel  or participation in Netanyahus vision of a hexagon axis  as part of a formal coalition aimed at Tehran.

However, if India is careful not to be seen as aligning against Iran, it has fewer reservations about counterbalancing Turkeys growing regional footprint  particularly Ankaras deepening embrace of Pakistan.

In recent years, Turkey has expanded defense and diplomatic coordination with Islamabad and taken positions on Kashmir that New Delhi views as hostile. At the same time, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is implacably hostile to Israel. This creates a convergence of Indian and Israeli interests.

An expanded framework linking Israel, India, Greece, Cyprus, and select Arab states, such as the UAE  countries that also have strained relations with Ankara  offers India a strategic counterweight to Turkeys ties with Pakistan.

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Ultimately, there are two key messages in Modis visit.

First, efforts to isolate Israel are neither universal nor fully effective. Major powers continue to operate according to their own interests, and strong ties with Israel are very much in Indias interests.

Second, Jerusalem continues to try to strengthen ties elsewhere, especially amid political and demographic changes in the US and Europe. As Netanyahu said at Sundays cabinet meeting, the close relationship with the US does not mean we are not seeking additional alliances; on the contrary, we cultivate them constantly.

Modis visit is one such act of cultivation. If Modis 2017 visit was a breakthrough in the relationship, his 2026 return signifies the consolidation of those ties.

For Netanyahu, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that, even amid diplomatic setbacks and challenges, Israel retains powerful partners and that, as alliances shift, Jerusalem can shift with them. The hexagon vision is one such example.

As Netanyahu said Sunday, much water has flowed in the Mediterranean, the Ganges, and the Jordan since Modis first visit nine years ago. At a time when some speak of Israels isolation, the image of Indias prime minister landing in Ben-Gurion highlights a partnership that has become a steady pillar of Israels foreign policy. The goal now is not merely to deepen the relationship but to make it indispensable to both sides.
Ted Sarandos, Netflixs co-chief executive, says Gulf states will probably have editorial influence - Kevin Dietsch/Getty

The boss of Netflix has hit out at a rival Middle East-backed takeover bid for Warner Bros, claiming that foreign state ownership of media companies is a bad idea.

Ted Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix, has criticised the involvement of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in Paramounts $108bn (80bn) offer for Warner Bros, highlighting restrictions on free speech in the Gulf states.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: I think its a bad idea typically to have several sovereign wealth funds in that Paramount deal. Again, a part of the world that is not very big on the First Amendment.

Paramount, which is controlled by billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is vying to take control over both the Warner Bros studio and its cable channels, including the news network CNN.

It has insisted that the sovereign wealth funds will forgo any governance rights, including board seats.

But Mr Sarandos dismissed claims that the Middle Eastern states would have no influence over editorial output.

He said: It seems very odd to me with the level of investment that were talking about that theyd have no influence or editorial control over media in another country.

Gulf ownership of media assets has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years after Abu Dhabi-backed fund RedBird IMI mounted an unsuccessful takeover bid for The Telegraph.

The swoop was blocked by new laws banning foreign state ownership of British newspapers, which were introduced following a cross-party outcry over press freedom.

Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar are contributing $24bn to Paramounts bid  twice the amount committed by the Ellison family.

RedBird Capital, the US private equity fund that was the minority partner in the failed Telegraph takeover, is also funding the bid.

Netflix had previously struck an $83bn takeover deal with Warner Bros, which is behind major film franchises including the Harry Potter series, in December.

But it now faces the prospect of a bitter bidding war with Paramount, which has been seeking to derail the transaction with its own bid.

Warner Bros has repeatedly rebuffed Paramounts approaches, but has given the company a week to table its best and final offer amid speculation that it could raise its bid from $30 to $31 per share. That deadline expires on Monday.

Paramount has offered to pay $31 per share in its bid to purchase Warner Bros - Michael Yanow/NurPhoto

Mr Sarandos argued that the Netflix deal represented growth, whereas the Paramount swoop was an example of classic horizontal media mergers that are always bad for consumers, always bad for creators.

He pointed to Paramounts plans to cut $6bn in costs following the merger, arguing that further cost-cutting would follow to pay down debt.
NEED TO KNOW

Elaine Ellery died from cancer related to asbestos she was exposed to as a child, a court was told on Feb. 16

Ellery was 67 when she died at a hospice in England in August 2025

Throughout her childhood, she would hug her father in his work clothes and visited the factory where he worked

A woman in England died from an aggressive form of cancer decades after she was exposed to asbestos.

Elaine Ellery died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge hospice on Aug. 6, 2025, at the age of 67, local media outlet the Eastern Daily Press reported. The mother of two, who lived in the county of Norfolk in East England, had no known contact with asbestos in her adult life.

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However, a hearing at Norfolk Coroners Court on Feb. 16 concluded that she died of industrial disease of mesothelioma caused by the dangerous fibers she was exposed to throughout her childhood, the court confirmed to PEOPLE.

According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma "is a cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that covers many internal organs."

"It most often happens in the tissue around the lungs," per the medical center. "Mesothelioma also can happen in the tissues in the belly, around the heart and around the testicles."

Norfolk Coroners Court Google Maps

When I attended junior school [elementary school] in those days, we came home at lunchtime, said Ellery in a statement given before her death, per the Eastern Daily Press. My father also came home from work at lunchtime and we all had a meal together.

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Ellerys father worked at a factory from 1949 until he was made redundant in 1974, according to the outlet. He would still be wearing his work clothes when he returned to their Bedfordshire home during the day.

I did not pay much attention to his overalls, but I remember that he just wore his own clothes to work, which were suitable for laboring duties, said Ellery, per the outlet. I was very close to my dad and as soon as he came home, I would go up to him and hug him."

I was still very young and it was exciting when my father came home, she added.

The clothing may have had asbestos fibers on it, which Ellery was then exposed to when she hugged him and when she helped her mother wash his clothes, per the court hearing.

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From the age of 8, she also began visiting the factory for its annual Christmas party.

I was always excited to go there because there was a substance which looked like snow on the ground, she said, per the Eastern Daily Press. It was not snow but had a similar appearance and in hindsight, I believe it must have been asbestos on the ground from the factorys operations.

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Elaine Ellery and husband Jonathan Ellery Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Her fathers death in 1983 was ruled an industrial disease resulting from asbestos exposure, following his cancer diagnosis a year before. He was 59, the Daily Mail reported.

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Blue and brown asbestos were banned in the U.K. in 1985, while white asbestos remained in use until 1999. The dangerous material may still be present in any house or building built before 2000, according to the U.K. government website, GOV.UK.

Ellery was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2024 despite her work history showing no occupational exposure to asbestos. The mother of two retired as a personal assistant in April 2019.

She died from exposure to asbestos as a child, said area coroner Johanna Thompson at the hearing, per the Eastern Daily Press.

Speaking to Ellerys family, Thompson added, I would like to offer my most sincere condolences. I am so sorry for your loss.

Read the original article on People
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  More than 200 workers at a Kansas-based manufacturing company have lost their jobs after the sale of the company fell through on Monday.

Hopkins Manufacturing, a global automotive parts company, filed two WARN notices with the state of Kansas, leading to the immediate closure of two of its facilities in Emporia and Edgerton, Kansas.

See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri

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As a result of the closure, hundreds of employees have lost their jobs, including 130 at the Emporia facility and 81 at the Edgerton facility.

The notice claims the company has faced numerous financial troubles over the past several months and has gone to great lengths to avoid closing these facilities.

It specifically states Hopkins Manufacturing has been negotiating with various buyers so it can sell the company and continue its business operations with its current employees, business assets and inventory.

The company claims that one bidder had come forward in recent weeks with a viable bid and, as agreements were being made, they unexpectedly withdrew.

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Hopkins Manufacturing said it has since been trying to find a new bidder, but was unsuccessful, leading the company to close.

The notice states that the company would have made the announcement sooner, but given the urgency and seriousness with which the company and the potential purchaser approached the sale process and the fact that the parties had been actively negotiating a purchase agreement, the sudden withdrawal of the bid was unexpected and not reasonably foreseeable.

News of the closure comes less than a month after Hopkins Manufacturings parent company, First Brands Group, LLC, made headlines in connection with a federal indictment for a multi-billion-dollar fraud scheme.

According to the United States Attorneys Office, former CEO and First Brands founder Patrick James, 61, and former Senior Executive Edward James, 60, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, multiple counts of wire fraud and bank fraud, in addition to several other charges.

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The indictment states the brothers were arrested in Ohio on Thursday, Jan. 29, after investigators said they defrauded lenders out of billions of dollars over eight years before bankrupting the automotive company in September 2025.

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Patrick faces nine criminal counts, and Edwards faces eight. Both men pleaded not guilty to all charges in early February.

According to Reuters, First Brands Chapter 11 filing disrupted the supply chain of automakers including Ford and General Motors, and alarmed Wall Street, in part because major financial services companies including BlackRock, Jefferies, and Switzerlands UBS helped fund its growth.

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The scheme, which lasted from 2018 to 2025, reportedly resulted in a more than $10 billion in losses for various lenders and creditors around the world. In contrast, the indictment claims Patrick and Edward pocketed tens of millions of dollars for themselves.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. said, These executives allegedly inflated invoices, double- and triple- pledged collateral, and falsified financial statements to unlawfully trick lenders into giving them billions of dollars.

He added, Not only did their alleged deceit exploit the integrity of our financing system, they also betrayed the trust of the companies funding First Brands by mispresenting their businesss financial position. The FBI will never cease its pursuit of fraudsters seeking to manipulate financial institutions for greedy gains.

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In addition to the arrests of the James brothers, another First Brands executive, Former Vice President of Finance Peter Andrew Brumbergs, was arrested and charged for his role in the scheme. He pleaded guilty to all charges and is currently cooperating with federal officials.

Hopkins Manufacturing states that 118 employees were terminated on Monday at the Empoia facility and that the remaining 12 employees will stay on until April 30 to assist with matters related to the closure.

Additionally, 72 employees were terminated at the Edgerton facility on Monday. Nine others will also retain their positions until April 30 to help with the closure.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
(The Center Square)  A judge Tuesday rejected defense lawyers motion to disqualify the Utah County Attorneys Office as the prosecution team in the case of Tyler James Robinson, charged with the murder of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

The attorneys did not show that a significant risk to Robinsons constitutional right to due process was posed by prosecutor Chad Grunanders adult daughter being at the Utah Valley University rally where Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10, Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruled at the Fourth Judicial District Court in Provo, Utah. Kirk was a Scottsdale, Ariz. resident who cofounded Phoenix-based Turning Point USA and was speaking at the rally where he was killed.

Defendant has not shown prosecution by the Utah County Attorneys Office is tainted, Graf said during the virtual hearing.

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The court is unpersuaded that Mr. Grunanders relationship creates bias, Graf said, ruling from his courtroom.

Attorneys representing prosecution, defense and media participated in the hearing from their offices. Robinson participated by audio only from the Utah County Jail and spoke only one time, to confirm to Graf that he could hear everyone.

Graf said Grunanders daughters presence did not influence Utah County Attorney Jeff Grays decision to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of aggravated murder. The judge also noted the ultimate decision to file charges against Robinson was made by Gray, not Grunander, who is the chief deputy in Gray's office.

Graf added the Utah County Attorneys Office has not called the daughter as a witness for the prosecution.

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The judge also cited various unrelated cases to show where there was prosecutorial bias and said those conditions did not exist in the Robinson case.

After announcing his ruling, Graf spent the rest of the hearing consulting with attorneys about court dates for the next hearings. The judge ultimately set a three-hour hearing for March 13 and an all-day hearing for April 17. Both hearings are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Mountain Standard Time.

Robinson, 22, is charged with seven counts, six of which are felonies. They include aggravated murder and multiple counts of witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
A New Jersey couple has admitted to running unlicensed money transmitting businesses that funneled $62 million to Colombia, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced.

Nicholas Ortega Munoz, 23, a Colombian national formerly of Hackensack, and Isabella Valderrama Ospina, 23, of Hackensack, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court on Thursday.

Ortega Munoz admitted to conspiring to operate and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.

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Valderrama Ospina pleaded guilty to operating and abetting the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business.

Officials said Ortega Munoz, Valderrama Ospina and others secretly moved money from the United States to Colombia using two sham companies called BLK Graphics Group and Technology SD that were created to serve as cash pipelines. Neither company was registered as a money transmitting business.

According to authorities, the companies used bank accounts at multiple financial institutions to funnel money from pornographic websites and other entities.

One website allowed consumers to send tokens to pay adult performers for online performances. The tokens were withdrawn and deposited into the fake companies bank accounts before being quickly transferred to shell companies in Colombia, officials said.

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Between April 2021 and June 2025, the two companies moved over $62 million to accounts in Colombia, according to officials.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison. The fine could be up to $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greatest.

Ortega Munoz is scheduled for sentencing on June 23, and Valderrama Ospina on June 25.

Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello thanked Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, special agents of the FBIs Newark Field Office and investigators from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Attorneys representing Ortega Munoz and Valderrama Ospina did not immediately return requests for comment.

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New Jersey is creating a realtime dashboard to track permits as part of a broader effort by Gov. Mikie Sherrill to cut red tape and improve government efficiency.

The push by the new governor is part of a larger movement among Democrats nationwide to focus on affordability and streamlined services ahead of the midterm elections.

The dashboard being developed with the New Jersey Innovation Authority will allow applicants to track the progress of their applications for government permits and help state agencies identify bottlenecks. A pilot version is expected to launch with a limited set of projects before expanding to more departments.

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Sherrill promoted the initiative last week during a visit to Advanced Solar Products in Flemington, where she met with company owner Lyle Rawlings to discuss the hurdles businesses face when navigating state approvals. The governor was joined by New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President Tom Bracken and New Jersey Business & Industry Association lobbyist Chris Emigholz.

Rather than being a source of red tape and bureaucratic roadblocks, state government should work for our business community, helping to build up entrepreneurs by expanding opportunity and lowering costs, Sherrill said.

The dashboard is one plank in a wider reform effort. Sherrill has ordered all state agencies to compile a full inventory of their permits and approvals by April 20 in order to pinpoint outdated or duplicative requirements.

Both the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association have pushed hard for Trenton to modernize its permitting systems.

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Bracken said Sherrills visit marked a refreshing shift in how the administration is engaging with the business sector.

The outreach demonstrated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell  marks a welcome change from past years, Bracken said.

To keep the effort moving, Sherrill announced that her administration will embark on a 21county tour to meet with business leaders and gather feedback.

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Efforts to get NASAs historic moon mission off the ground have stalled once again, as engineers navigate a new issue with the rocket set to propel four astronauts on an unprecedented path.

The agency announced Saturday that it had detected a problem with flow of helium, a gas thats used to pressurize fuel tanks and clean out propellant lines, in the upper part of the Space Launch System, or SLS, moon rocket. Now, the space agency must roll the rocket back off the launchpad and into the nearby Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB, for servicing as soon as Wednesday  a move that effectively takes the possibility of a March launch date off the table.

The decision represented an abrupt reversal from Friday, when agency officials  on the heels of a fueling test called a wet dress rehearsal  expressed confidence in the potential for a March 6 liftoff. NASA leaders characterized the test, which concluded Thursday, as a success, saying launch controllers had appeared to solve a series of hydrogen fuel leaks that cropped up during an earlier rehearsal in early February.

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The helium problem came as a surprise, arising after NASA had wrapped up the latest wet dress Thursday. And launch controllers still arent certain what caused the hangup, though NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said that in any case the issue must be addressed off the launchpad.

NASA is now targeting no earlier than April to launch the mission, called Artemis II.

The quick work to begin preparations for rolling the rocket and spacecraft back to the VAB potentially preserves the April launch window, pending the outcome of data findings, repair efforts, and how the schedule comes to fruition in the coming days and weeks, the space agency said in a Monday blog post.

NASA previously identified April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 30 as potential launch days, though during a news conference last Friday agency officials revealed they were assessing potential dates in May and June as well.

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When the mission does take off, its slated to carry NASAs Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day slingshot trip around the moon, marking the first time humans have traveled to deep space since the Apollo program ended in 1972.

One problem subsides  another emerges

There are numerous open questions about the feasibility of an April launch date for the mission.

Are there other issues hiding in the data that engineers havent yet uncovered? How long will it take to find and address the helium problem? And will rolling the rocket back and forth aggravate NASAs notorious hydrogen issues?

NASA officials seemed on Friday to think that they had a handle on the SLS rockets hydrogen leaks, a notorious problem that has plagued the Artemis program since pre-launch testing for an uncrewed 2022 test flight called Artemis I. Because hydrogen is the lightest element in the universe, it tends to leak out of anything intended to contain it. And after hydrogen seepage plagued the first wet dress rehearsal for Artemis II in early February, the space agency worked to replace two seals around the rockets propellant lines in an attempt to better confine the fuel.

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Those efforts had appeared to pay off when NASA moved into the second wet dress rehearsal on Thursday.

Still, NASA said that although it had fixed the hydrogen issue, officials werent sure why there was some unexpected moisture near the seals that technicians replaced.

Where it came from, Im not entirely sure, said Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson during the Friday news conference. And she said the hydrogen leaks more broadly were still a bit of a puzzle.

We didnt have one thing that we could point to where we said this was absolutely it, Blackwell-Thompson said of the issue. We had a number of contributing things, but certainly changing out the seals addressed the problem, because we had absolutely an incredible performance.

NASAs Artemis II Space Launch System, or SLS, rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher, is seen inside the Vehicle Assembly building on January 16 at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. - Joel Kowsky/NASA

Then, the helium problem took mission teams right back to the drawing board. Helium gas wasnt flowing into the upper rocket. And no one was sure why.

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Helium serves an important role. Its ideal for cleaning fuel lines and pressurizing tanks because it stays gaseous even at the super-cold temperatures of the rockets propellants  liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen  and helium is inert, meaning it wont cause any volatile chemical reactions.

But the helium issue forced engineers to use a backup method to keep the rocket in a safe configuration because it helps flush out explosive cryogenic fuels. As of Monday, NASA had not yet revealed why the gas had suddenly stopped flowing.

A rocky road to launch

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a post on social media that potential causes of the helium problem included a faulty filter located between ground equipment and the rocket, a misbehaving valve on the rocket, or an issue related to a quick disconnect umbilical, which is a line that is designed to rapidly detach from the rocket during takeoff. The latter two scenarios might be most likely, however, as such issues have come up before. A valve, Isaacman noted, led to helium issues in the lead up to the Artemis I uncrewed test flight in 2022.

Regardless of the potential fault, accessing and remediating any of these issues can only be performed in the VAB, Isaacman said.

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However, rolling the rocket off the launchpad and back to the VAB also raises a new slate of questions about how the hardware will fare during the 8-mile round trip, which takes hours to complete each way.

Launch officials previously said that the process of moving the rocket into position may be causing some of the hydrogen leaks. The slow yet grueling rollout procedure involves inching the 3.5 million-pound rocket and spacecraft on a crawler or mobile platform and can put stress and strains on the massive vehicle.

That rollout environment is very complicated, said Amit Kshatriya, NASAs associate administrator, during a February 3 news conference.

Even after the helium issue is solved, NASA might need to put the SLS rocket through another wet dress rehearsal.

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In a Monday email, a NASA spokesperson said launch controllers will review what additional tests may be needed after the rocket returns to its launchpad.

Whether during the next wet dress rehearsal or on launch day, mission controllers must once again keep hydrogen leaks under control  if the recently replaced seals begin to show their signature fickleness after the journey back out to the launchpad.

If additional issues arise during any of these steps, it could take the potential April launch windows off the table as well. And a monthslong delay wouldnt be unheard of. Notably, in the lead-up to the 2022 Artemis I mission, the SLS rocket was taken off the launchpad three times and ultimately launched about eight months after its initial rollout.

NASAs Artemis program is sending humans into deep space for the first time in more than five decades. Sign up for Countdown newsletter and get updates from CNN Science on out-of-this-world expeditions as they unfold.

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Foreign ministers of 19 countries, including Turkiye, Qatar, France and Brazil, have signed a joint statement condemning Israels moves to unlawfully extend and consolidate its control over Palestinian land.

The statement issued late Monday by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Israels plans to begin land registration in the occupied West Bank, which will sanction the seizure of land from Palestinians who cannot prove ownership, as de facto annexation.

Changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli state land, accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration, said the joint statement, also signed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as the heads of the Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.





Israels plans, signed on February 15, will see registration introduced across Area C, which makes up about 60 percent of the West Banks territory, according to the illegal settlement monitoring organisation, Peace Now.

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The joint statement warned Israels moves could permanently alter the legal and administrative status of territory that is largely under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule, but which would constitute part of a future Palestinian state.

Such actions are a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and the implementation of the two-State Solution, the statement said, rejecting measures altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.

INTERACTIVE - Displacemnt across the occupied West Bank -west bank - February 17, 2026 copy-1771321245

Signatories also called on Israel to end settler violence against Palestinians, pledging to take concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter the expansion of illegal settlements in Palestinian territory and policies and threats of forcible displacement and annexation.

The foreign ministers stressed that Israeli settlements constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including previous United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

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The landmark ICJ ruling stated that Israels abuse of its status as the occupying power rendered its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory unlawful.

According to the ICJ, approximately 465,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank, spread across some 300 settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law.

INTERACTIVE - Settler attacks across theoccupied West Bank (2024-2025)-west bank - October 14, 2025-1771321248

Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that Israels land registration plan could lead to the dispossession of Palestinians of their property and risks expanding Israeli control over land in the area.

Signatories of the statement urged Israel to immediately release withheld tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with the 1994 Paris Protocol.

They also stressed the importance of preserving the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.




February 28 marks 25 years since the Nisqually earthquake shook Western Washington.

At 10:54 a.m. the 6.8 magnitude quake rattled the earth so hard that buildings crumbled and the ground split open.

It only lasted about 45 seconds, but it felt like an eternity for everyone who rushed to take cover.

The earthquakes epicenter was 32 miles below Anderson Island, which helped buffer some of its force, but it could still be felt as far away as Vancouver, Montana, and Portland.

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It caused upwards of $4 billion in damage, and about 400 people were hurt. One person died from a heart attack.

A former KIRO 7 reporter and photojournalist were in the mayors conference room on the 12th floor in the old Seattle City Hall when their story for the day instantly changed.

Their quick action brought some of the first live pictures of the quake to viewers in Seattle, and eventually, around the world.

Just one mile north, parts of the ceiling at the Westin Hotel crashed down on dozens of people packed in a ballroom for a technology conference. It interrupted Microsofts co-founder, Bill Gates, in the middle of demonstrating the new Windows XP program.

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In Pioneer Square, buildings crumbled and sent bricks and debris onto parked cars.

Parts of the iconic Starbucks Center in SoDo crashed to the ground.

The South Sound took the brunt of the damage.

In Olympia, the state Capitol building cracked, and chandeliers swayed as the ground rumbled.

Across the street from the Capitol, the state supreme courts chief justice was meeting with Mongolian dignitaries. He quickly ushered them to a doorway for safety.

Just five miles east in Lacey, food flew off the shelves at a Megafoods Grocery Store as workers calmly and quickly ushered customers out of the building.

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In Maple Valley, neighbors dealt with a much different disaster caused by the quake.

Seconds after the earthquake, a landslide barreled down toward the community. It took out homes and even trapped some neighbors inside.

Debris from that landslide filled a channel of the Cedar River, causing flooding upstream.

Airports and bridges across Washington had to close for inspection and repairs.

Since the quake, seismic retrofitting work has been done on Washington bridges. Major buildings, schools and hospitals have also made upgrades to better protect infrastructure.

In May of 2021, Washington Emergency Management launched an alert system to warn people on their phones, similar to a weather alert or Amber Alert.

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The ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System is available for mobile phones in Washington and may provide vital seconds of warning needed to alert people that an earthquake is about to happen.

The system uses a network of sensors that detect the start of an earthquake and calculates the magnitude, location and expected amount of shaking from earthquakes on the West Coast.

It sends the information in real time to distributors that send out alerts to cell phones and the internet.

Washington state has the second-highest earthquake risk in the United States. It also has one of the highest tsunami risks.

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The system is designed to give residents time to take cover in the event of an earthquake but it cannot predict when an earthquake will strike.

State officials say its important that people enable emergency alerts on their phones so they can receive the alerts.

Details on how to do that can be found here.
In February 2026, authorities in North Carolina made a surprising announcement that took social media by storm: a missing mother  who had last been seen by her husband and children in late 2001  was located alive and well. Police are not saying just where they found Michele Hundley Smith, honoring the woman's wishes.

The discovery of the missing mom has created more questions than it has provided answers, given Smith's seeming reluctance to come forward to discuss the decision she made more than 24 years ago. So far, one of the only relatives to comment on the clearing of Michele's missing person's case is her daughter, Amanda Smith.

Here's what you need to know about this fascinating and mysterious case.

When Did Michele Hundley Smith Disappear?

Authorities have said Michele Hundley Smith was last seen on December 9, 2001, as she left her home in Eden, North Carolina, to do some Christmas shopping a few miles away in Virginia. But Michele, then 38, never returned, leaving behind her husband and their three kids.

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Michele's loved ones filed a formal missing persons report for the missing mom, and an extensive investigation was immediately launched, police said in a statement released over the weekend.

North Carolina Mother Found Alive 24 Years After Vanishing Shortly Before Christmas of 2001

In a Facebook post written by Amanda on February 22, 2026, she wrote about how her father has faced small-town scrutiny over the years, with people even insinuating he had killed her.

"Where we live [is] a small town, there were many [people] acting as if they just knew he was involved," Amanda wrote. "Well, he wasn't! Of course, I never thought he was. Even when I would ponder it for a second, [because] I pondered so many different scenarios. I always knew that there was no way that he could do something like that for many reasons and the biggest being [because] my father could never continue to lie to us for decades."

When Was Michele Hundley Smith Found?

Michele was found safe and sound on February 20, 2026, after the Rockingham County Sheriffs Offices Criminal Investigations Division received new information regarding Michele Hundley Smith and her disappearance.

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A statement from police said that "detectives immediately followed up on the lead and began further investigative efforts." In time, two detectives approached the missing mom and confirmed it was her.

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North Carolina Mom Michele Hundley Smith Will Not Face Any Criminal Charges, Police Decide

Michele asked police to keep her location a secret  even from her confused kids.

"I am ecstatic, I am pissed, I am heartbroken, I am all over the map," Amanda wrote about how she's feeling now to know her mom is alive. "Will I have a relationship once more with my mom? Honestly, I can't answer that [because] I don't even know. My initial reaction would be yes absolutely but then I think of all the hurt. But even then, my mom is only human just as we all are."

Why Did Michele Hundley Smith Leave?

If Michele explained her reasons for leaving back in 2001 to the two detectives who found her, it appears that, too, will be a closely guarded secret. The police statement makes no mention of what prompted her to leave, leading to loads of speculation  and criticism  on social media.

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People who've learned of Michele's story have blasted her for leaving her children  and letting them think the worst for years. Other folks have urged people to withhold judgement, noting she obviously had her reasons.

Child of Missing North Carolina Woman Breaks Silence After Mom is Found 24 Years Later

"I want it [make] clear that while their marriage had issues (just as many marriages go through) that my mom did not leave simply [because] of a bad marriage," Amanda insisted in her post. "Everyone is entitled their opinions but please remember that my father has been proven innocent. My dad is a great man."

"Both my dad and my mom deserve to have their choices and their feelings respected as well," she added.

What Has Her Family Said?

Amanda isnt the only member of the family to break their silence.

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Michele's cousin, Barbara Byrd, told WFMY that her "biggest question is ... what happened all those years ago in December? What made you leave? What happened? I understand and respect that she doesnt want any of us to contact her. Im not angry."

Byrd said she was relieved to learn Michele is alive.

The biggest answer I had today was she was alive. Nothing else matters right at this moment, she said.

Bodycam Footage Shows Florida Woman Debra Newtons Arrest 40 Years After She Abducted Her Daughter

"Please remember that each one of us have made mistakes in life, each one of us has hurt other souls [whether] intentional or not," Amanda wrote in her post. "Please remember that each one of us has done things that we are not proud of. Life is too short to throw so much hate towards another [because] what is that hate going to accomplish?"

Amanda said the rest of her family including Michele's two other children  are entitled to their feelings. "They can choose to forgive and forget, they can choose to forgive and not forget, they can choose to forget but not forgive or they can choose to neither forget nor forgive," she wrote. "It is their choice and I would appreciate it if everyone out there will respect their decision no matter whether they agree or disagree.
New York Citys mayor, Zohran Mamdani, called for respect of local police officers in the wake of Mondays blizzard after a viral video showed some getting pelted by snowballs in Washington Square Park while responding to a large snowball fight.

In the video, a crowd of people boo and jeer at two officers, and some throw snowballs in their faces. At one point, the officers push at least two people to the ground in response to the snowballs.

Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving, Mamdani said in a post on X. Treat them with respect.

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Evidently alluding to his having jokingly told schoolchildren that they could toss snowballs at him for ordering them back to class on Tuesday, Mamdani added: If anyones catching a snowball, its me.

No arrests were immediately made in connection with the case. But Jessica Tisch, New York Citys police commissioner, said in a statement on social media that detectives were investigating the matter.

Related: No business like snow business: blizzard shuts down the north-east US  in pictures

She also said that the behavior depicted in the video is disgraceful, and it is criminal.

New York Citys Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing local officers, also rebuked the snowball throwers, calling their conduct unacceptable and outrageous. The union also called for those responsible to be arrested and charged with assault of a police officer.

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In a statement on Tuesday, police said: Multiple uniformed officers were struck in the head at close range with snowballs causing injuries to the head, neck, and face area. Paramedics subsequently brought the officers to Northwell Greenwich Village hospital to receive medical treatment for their injuries, the police statement said.

As happens often after most snowstorms, New York City dwellers gathered in public parks for a snowball fight as Mondays blizzard conditions eased up. Officers responded to a 911 call about a disorderly crowd at Washington Square Park just after 4pm on Monday, police officials said.

Mamdani and Tischs comments about the pelted officers came as cities all across the north-east US were digging out from the snow associated with Mondays blizzard. The storm halted travel across the region and caused hundreds of thousands of power outages.

Meteorologists said that the storm was the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2ft (61cm) of snow in parts of the region. More than 3ft (91cm) fell in Rhode Island  surpassing snow totals from the north-easts historic blizzard of 1978.

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The storm was set to move away from the east coast on Tuesday, heading up to the Canadian Maritime provinces, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).



In Massachusetts, there were still more than 250,000 power outages as of 10am ET on Tuesday. The states governor, Maura Healey, had lifted a blizzard-related state of emergency for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, though it remained in effect for all other state counties.

Related: Millions under road travel bans as blizzard conditions slam US north-east

She also signed a directive allowing non-emergency state employees to work from home on Tuesday and encouraged employers to let their workers do the same, in an effort to keep the roads open for clearing crews and power restoration workers.

While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across south-eastern Massachusetts, Healey said in a press release.

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In an unprecedented move, the Boston Globe announced on Monday that it would not have a print version of the newspaper out for delivery on Tuesday. The publication wrote that the heavy snow conditions prevented the papers printing staff from safely getting to Taunton, now the home of the Globe printing press.

Travel bans in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware had been lifted by Tuesday.



In New York City, students were back in the classroom on Tuesday after a rare snow day on Monday. During a news conference before Tuesdays return to classes, Mamdani pre-emptively acknowledged students disappointment, telling them: You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.

It wasnt just students who were disappointed, however. The president of the United Federation of Teachers, Michael Mulgrew, said the union would ensure that teachers who could not make the commute to school did not face any disciplinary action. No one should jeopardize their safety trying to report to work, he said in a social media post.

As parents and caregivers trudged through snowbanks and refrozen ice to bring their children to school, some expressed frustration with the mayors decision.

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Were walking on thin ice here, Danielle Obloj, the parent of a Brooklyn fifth-grader, told the Associated Press. One more day wouldve been fine.

They should never have let these kids come back to school.

Across the north-east, transit was slowly coming back to life. The Long Island Rail Road was operating on a limited schedule on Tuesday, in part thanks to its deployment of a 53ft, 80-ton spreader-ditcher machine used for heavy-duty snow removal. The powerful machine  nicknamed Darth Vader  is capable of clearing snow drifts up to 15ft deep.
Bayer AG (OTC:BAYRY) on Tuesday proposed a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve thousands of U.S. lawsuits claiming that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. The product was originally made by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018 for more than $60 billion.

Litigation uncertainty has plagued the company for years, and this settlement gives the company a road to closure, said Bayer CEO Bill Anderson. If approved by the court, the settlement would reduce potential exposure stemming from a future Supreme Court ruling, offering greater certainty to both Bayer and the patients pursuing damages.

Monsanto will fund the settlement through capped annual payments over up to 21 years, totaling as much as $7.25 billion, and has separately agreed to settle additional Roundup (glyphosate) cases under confidential terms.

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The proposed settlement was filed in Missouris St. Louis Circuit Court, where Bayers North American crop science division is based, and many of the lawsuits were initiated.

The lawsuits claimed that the company did not adequately warn users about the potential non-Hodgkin lymphoma risks associated with Roundups key ingredient, glyphosate.

This settlement proposal comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear arguments on Bayers assertion that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys approval of Roundup without a cancer warning should nullify state court claims. The proposed settlement will not impact this case.

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.

Trump Administration Backs Bayer on Roundup Cases

This proposed settlement follows other legal wins for Monsanto. In May 2024, Bayers Monsanto unit secured a significant victory when a Washington state appeals court overturned a $185 million verdict against the company over chemical contamination at a Seattle-area school. The original lawsuit, brought by three teachers who claimed they suffered brain damage from exposure to now-banned chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dates back to 2021 when Monsanto spinoff Pharmacia was found liable.

In December, Bayer secured backing from the Trump administration to curb U.S. lawsuits over its Roundup weedkiller, as U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer urged the Supreme Court to limit state-law claims, arguing they are preempted by federal pesticide regulations. CEO Anderson welcomed the move, calling it a key step toward regulatory clarity for farmers and warning that misapplication of federal law could threaten access to agricultural innovation and broader U.S. investment.
State prosecutors have filed a rare, amended third-degree murder charge against an out-of-state convicted felon in the North Fort Myers shooting death of his mother.

Court records show Joseph Delnegro, 49, initially faced charges of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and grand theft of a firearm. His second-degree murder charge has amended to third-degree murder with a firearm.

Second-degree murder involves a reckless disregard for life, while third-degree murder is described as an unintentional killing during the commission of a felony. Reports indicate Delnegro, a convicted felon, had a firearm that did not belong to him.

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In Florida, third-degree murder is different from manslaughter, although both are second-degree felonies. Manslaughter is a killing that results from culpable negligence.

The records indicate state prosecutors formally filed charges in the case Feb. 19.

Court documents identified the victim as Delnegro's mother, but her full name remains redacted.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, deputies on Jan. 21 responded to a shooting at a home on Delft Avenue in North Fort Myers.

The sheriff's office said the investigation revealed Delnegro is a convicted felon from Colorado and does not have his rights restored to legally possess a firearm. The gun authorities said he used was stolen.

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A heavily redacted report says a 911 caller reported his wife was shot while his son played with a firearm.

In the background of the 911 call, authorities said, a man screamed, "Mom!" followed by, "she's not breathing." The woman died at the home.

Joseph Delnegro, 49, who authorities say is an out-of-state convicted felon, faces second-degree murder charges in a deadly Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, shooting.

Authorities spoke with Delnegro while he held a child in the driveway. Delnegro told them he shot his mother accidentally and he was "not supposed to have a gun."

The report says sheriff's deputies later found a handgun in Delnegro's bedroom in a drawer.

About a month before the shooting, Delnegro told authorities, he found a handgun inside the restroom of a Pine Island bar "but was unsure of the name of the bar."

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The report says Delnegro took the weapon without attempting to find the owner or provide it to bar staff.

On Jan. 21, after he finished eating dinner, Delnegro told sheriff's deputies, he went to his bedroom to put laundry away. During that time, he said, he took the handgun out of the drawer and placed it on the dresser.

What did North Fort Myers felon say happened next?

After Delnegro put his clothes in the dresser, the report says, "he went to put the firearm back in when it went off."

Delnegro told sheriff's officials he then heard his mother scream and ran to find her suffering from a gunshot wound.

His next court hearing is an April 27 case management conference.

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Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.

Please support Southwest Florida community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: North Fort Myers man charged with murder in mother's death
By Joyce Lee

SEOUL, Feb 24 (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to solidify and develop the quality of the country's economy over the next five years, state media KCNA said on Tuesday, during a speech at a party congress where his high-profile sister was promoted.

North Korea on Monday held the fifth day of the Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, which sets out major policy goals for the nuclear-armed Asian nation for the next five years.

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Members of the congress started to map out plans and goals by sectors, including military, foreign policy, industry and agriculture, KCNA said.

Calling the next five years a "full-scale progress phase" in his speech on Monday, Kim called for revolutionising thought, technology and culture so new projects will be well-managed over time, KCNA said.

Kim also warned that "dereliction of duty, irresponsibility and other ingrained maladies of seeking only immediate gains" will be rooted out, it said.

So far, North Korea has not released any specific messages on its foreign policy, such as those concerning its sworn enemies the U.S. and South Korea, opting to focus on internal economic progress.

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While Kim has shunned efforts by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to improve ties and not accepted overtures by U.S. President Donald Trump to resume talks, he has appeared to focus on ties with traditional allies including Russia and China.

The North Korean leader travelled by armoured train to Beijing last September to attend a massive military parade where he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi sent a message to Kim this week to congratulate him on his reelection to general secretary of the ruling party, KCNA confirmed.

POWERFUL SISTER

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Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Kim Jong Un, was given a promotion. According to KCNA, she was named a party department director. Previously, she was vice-director.

She was also reinstated as an "alternate" member of the Politburo of the ruling party's Central Committee, following her demotion in 2021.

Analysts said Kim Yo Jong, who has regularly lashed out at South Korea in fiery statements conveyed by state media, may further drive outward-facing policy in her new position.

So far, there has been no new indication that Kim's teenage daughter, known as Ju Ae, has been involved in the Congress.

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There has been growing speculation among analysts and by South Korea's spy agency that she is being groomed to succeed her father as leader in what would be a fourth generation of Kim family leaders since North Korea was founded by Kim Il Sung in 1948.

It is unclear how long the current Congress proceedings will last. The previous two iterations ran for four and eight days, respectively.

Satellite images earlier this month showed an apparent practice for a military parade to accompany the Congress, media reported.

Analysts said North Korea could unveil nuclear and conventional weapons during the parade to show off the military capabilities it has built during the past five-year period.

(Reporting by Joyce LeeEditing by Bill Berkrot, Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast.)
Safety while traveling is a nonnegotiable. In the wake of a military operation in Mexico that resulted in travelers and locals sheltering in place, those with plans to head south may be wondering whether now's the right time.

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, who led Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion and was known as El Mencho, was killed during the Mexican military operation. His death, announced on Feb. 22, prompted unrest in Puerto Vallarta and chaos at its airport, as well as Guadalajaras airport.

The way that I have studied this organization, its like a franchise model  a crime group with a franchise model that has different leaderships depending on the territories that they control, Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, told USA TODAY. So its not clear that just taking out a head of an organization of this type is going to cause, for a very long period of time, events that are very violent in different parts of the country. We really dont know.

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'We were dodging burning buses.' Tourists still stuck in Puerto Vallarta.

Most airports in Mexico are now operating normally, the State Department said Monday evening, Feb. 23, as it narrowed its shelter-in-place advisory for U.S. citizens. During an early news conference that morning, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said the situation has "calmed down."

However, security experts arent convinced its the right time for travelers to gamble.

You have a leadership that leaves a vacuum of power  and allegedly the reasoning behind the kingpin strategy is that you take out a head of an organization, or one of the leadership, and then there is a fight for control of this leadership and the organization weakens itself. And because they are in continuous confrontation with other groups  that kind of generates violence, added Correa-Cabrera, who also codirects the Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center at George Mason University.

After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Smoke billows from burning vehicles amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. A man extinguishes a burning truck set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican Army personnel stand guard as passengers leave Guadalajara International Airport in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican National Guard special forces patrol around the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) headquarters in Mexico City on Feb. 22, 2026. This aerial view shows burned cars and trucks, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. A man riding a bicycle takes a photo of a burned truck, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblocks following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime, following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. The burned wreckage of a truck, used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Tyre puncture spikes lie on a street after being used by members of organized crime. following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Soldiers check motorcycle drivers after organized crime burned vehicles to block roads following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Photos show Mexico unrest after cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed 1 of 19 After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?

Its been a wild 24 hours since this all kicked off, Mike Ballard, director of intelligence at security firm Global Guardian, told USA TODAY. For the most part, the actual resort areas and hotels have been relatively spared from the impact. If you look at Cancun, the roadblocks ... theyre kind of outside the city limits to try and just make it difficult for police to operate there and as a distraction.

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But luckily, we havent seen any impact on any of these resorts or hotels that are operating there, he said. And as far as folks traveling to Mexico City, obviously, its a significant destination for business people. Right now, we dont think theres any significant risk of impact there. Its not typically a city that gets caught up in this kind of stuff when it happens.

Still, Ballard said travelers with imminent plans may want to pause.

People who maybe had a vacation booked to Puerto Vallarta or Cancun or somewhere else in the next 48 hours, well say you might want to reconsider that because we dont know exactly how this is going to continue to play out. It could get worse, it could get better.

Correa-Cabrera echoed that uncertainty, saying there was a lot of fake news and misinformation on social media  people were very confused about what was happening [Feb. 22] and what would happen in the next few days. She added that the public should remember what happened during previous cartel leadership shake-ups.

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Correa-Cabrera said that after the arrest of the longtime leader of the Sinaloa Cartel in 2024, "there was a relative peace in the first few days, first few weeks, and then violence started to become very important. At this point, we dont know  so we have to wait and see.

Jason Hanson, a former CIA officer and author of Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life, put it more bluntly: Do not go to Mexico.

I do a lot of security consulting, a lot of travel, and Ive told people this for the last decade: do not go to Mexico, he said. It is way too volatile, way too dangerous.  Your life is too precious. Your securitys too precious. Theres a million other beautiful places in this world.

However, it's more of a gray area for intelligence adviser and former CIA officer Doug Patteson. So much of Mexico is still a Level 2, right? Which means just ... use caution when traveling to those locations," he said, referring to the State Department's travel advisory for Mexico overall.

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"For anybody who canceled the trip, I wouldn't judge them for canceling it. For somebody who went, I wouldn't judge them for going. Each person has to go through their own decision calculus to figure out how much risk they're willing to take on in this time of increased potential risk," he added. "The answer is almost always going to be it depends. What you want it to do is be an active thought process. It's not rooted in fear, but in logic and decision making.

Are tourists being targeted?

Experts say the violence tied to leadership struggles is typically not aimed at visitors  but that doesnt mean travelers are immune.

They are not targeted.  This can be about the loss of leadership within a group that causes important members to try to achieve power, or other groups that want to take control over plazas that were controlled by this cartel  So yes, its more a collateral victim thing here, Correa-Cabrera said. You can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and thats not something thats good  particularly now.

Firefighters work at the site where buses were set on fire by members of organized crime following a military operation in which Mexican officials said cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," was killed, at a tourist area, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

Ballard said that before this weeks events, Puerto Vallarta was often considered somewhat insulated because of its tourism-driven economy.

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Because its so tourist-heavy, the organized crimes tend to leave it alone; they dont want to poke the bear, he said. But folks are going to have to reconsider the totality of the security landscape in those places.

Hanson recommended that those already in Mexico stay in place until its necessary to move, pointing to movement as the most dangerous part of the process of leaving the state.

Youre in point A  youre sheltering in place in your five-star luxury hotel, all is well.  Ten miles down the road, you may run into the cartel, and then youre in deep trouble. So, its not worth putting yourself in danger to go to the airport when youre already in a safe location where you have shelter and food.

A turning point for travel to Mexico?

The latest unrest can be potentially significant in how travelers think about Mexico going forward.

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I think youre going to see potentially a place like Puerto Vallarta become a less popular destination, Ballard said. Weve seen the same thing with Acapulco over the last 15-plus years, where it used to be a classic vacation destination. Its been among the highest murder rate cities in Mexico. And its a place we tell people not to go, right?

He compared the situation with a low-probability but high-impact risk.

Its similar thinking about going to an island for vacation, and theres an active volcano. The risk is, the odds are very, very small that something happens while youre there, but if they do, it could turn catastrophic, he said. And I think we're likely to see similar retaliatory violence come out of those operations in the future. So, I don't think this is a one-and-done situation. We could see this with some frequency in the future.

What should travelers do?

Hanson, Ballard and Patteson recommended additional precautions for anyone heading to Mexico in the near term.

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A good friend of mine  also former CIA  he says, You know what spying is? Spying is common sense on steroids, Hanson said. And same thing when youre traveling: Have common sense on steroids. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Ballard also stressed planning ahead for worst-case scenarios.

This really reinforces the need for folks to do their research, their due diligence to have a plan in case something like this does happen. Establish something like a rally point if family members get separated or knowing your nearest hospital or police station or fire department.

Aside from making double copies of all important travel documents, keeping an eye on your surroundings and up from your phone, Hanson warned against overly friendly strangers offering information to get some in return. We call it give to get. Somebody offers a little detail so youll offer yours, or they make an assumption so you correct them  like where youre staying.  Dont give away your hotel information or specifics. People can seem friendly, but they may be trying to elicit details.

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Patteson recommended registering for the State Department's free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which can keep travelers up to date on important changes abroad. "The other thing it does is it tells the State how many Americans are in a given area, so that if there's the need for an evacuation like there was in Libya during the Arab Spring, it makes it that much easier to connect Americans in trouble," he said, adding that it's important for travelers to triangulate information from the government, trusted social media, and local media.

He also recommended the app Vigilant and resources from the James W. Foley Foundation, which offers a free downloadable traveler safety guide covering emergency numbers, embassy addresses, allergy lists, and more.

For now, experts say that patience and vigilance are key. The situation may stabilize, or it may not.

Contributing: Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY

(This story has been updated with additional information and video.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Puerto Vallarta the new Acapulco? Security experts warn caution.
An Iowa nursing home worker who was criminally charged with stealing residents painkillers has agreed to surrender her license.

According to the Iowa Board of Nursing, Tanya Lynn Jordan worked at the Crestview Specialty Care nursing home in West Branch from February 2024 through April 2024. During that time, the board has alleged, Jordan signed out patients opioid painkillers, including hydrocodone pills, and took them for herself instead of administering them to patients as she indicated in the patients medical records.

After being criminally charged with felony prohibited acts involving controlled substances and tampering with records, Jordan entered a guilty plea to the misdemeanor records charge and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and two years of probation.

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Separately, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing concluded Jordan had committed dependent adult abuse while employed at Crestview Specialty Care, according to the board. The available state records give no indication as to whether the abuse finding is tied to the allegation of narcotics theft or to a separate matter.

In September 2025, the Board of Nursing, citing the criminal case, charged Jordan with misappropriating patient medications, committing an act that might adversely affect a patients welfare, falsifying patient records, and being convicted of an offense that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the nursing profession. At the same time, the board issued an emergency order suspending Jordans license to prevent or avoid immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare.

In agreeing to settle the disciplinary matter with Jordans voluntary surrender of her license, the board recently agreed that Jordan will be eligible to apply for reinstatement of her nursing license in one year.

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Jordan declined to comment on the matter when contacted Monday by the Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Other Iowa nurses recently sanctioned include:

 Mary Ann Smith of Bayard, a licensed practical nurse. According to the board, she was working at the Accura Healthcare nursing home in Carroll in May 2025 when the home ran out of fentanyl patches  a narcotic painkiller delivered through time-release patches applied to patients skin.

State records indicate one of the male residents in Smiths care was receiving hospice care at Accura and was to receive 12 micrograms of fentanyl per hour, with a new patch to be applied every three days. After the facilitys supply of fentanyl patches was depleted, Smith, without contacting the residents physician, allegedly wrote an unauthorized order to suspend the medication for seven days.

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The Board of Nursing recently issued Smith a warning, placed her license on probation for one year, and imposed a requirement that she complete 30 hours of educational training on medication management and 30 hours of educational training on her scope of practice as a licensed practical nurse.

 Kalla Marie Wilson of Graettinger, who has practiced largely in Estherville, agreed recently to surrender her license as a registered nurse. According to the board, Wilson was intoxicated when she appeared for work at an unspecified medical facility in September 2024. The board alleges Wilson indicated she had been drinking the night before, celebrating a special occasion. She later signed an agreement to participate in the Iowa Professional Health Program, which assists health professionals who may have substance abuse issues that can impact their ability to practice safely.

According to the board, Wilson then failed to complete mandatory toxicology testing, reported that she had been drinking alcohol, and asked to voluntarily surrender her registered nurse and licensed practical nurses license. State records indicate that in 2024, Wilson was a clinical nursing instructor at Iowa Lakes Community College.

 Nicole Ann McCarty of Inwood, agreed to voluntarily surrender her license. Board records show that in 2010, McCarty was fined $100 for practicing nursing with an inactive license. In 2022, she was accused of pleading guilty to drunken driving and assaulting an emergency medical technician in Lincoln County, South Dakota. She also was alleged to have illegally obtained marijuana for personal use.

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The board charged McCarty with excessive use of alcohol and excessive use of drugs and placed her license on probation, which she completed in April 2023. In December 2024, McCarty agreed to enter the Iowa Professional Health Program for professionals with substance abuse issues. McCarty then failed to enroll in the program and agreed to surrender her license to practice nursing in Iowa.

 Katrina Reyes of Burlington, who was issued a warning after the board alleged that while working at a kidney clinic, Reyes appeared drowsy and the staff expressed concern that she showed signs of impairment, which Reyes denied. According to the board, Reyes later tested positive for what the board describes only as a substance for which she was not prescribed.

The board charged Reyes with practicing nursing while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs and with engaging in behavior that was contradictory to professional decorum. As a part of a settlement agreement with the board, Reyes has agreed to enroll in the Iowa Professional Health Program for professionals with substance abuse issues.

 Jessica Lynn Emerson of Albia, whose license was recently suspended by the board. According to the board, Emerson was working as a nurse at Wesley Acres Cottages at Hearthstone, a senior living community in Pella, when she stole narcotic pain medications for herself. Police records indicate Emerson was accused of taking dozens of narcotic Oxycodone pills belonging to residents and swapping them for Zofran pills she had stolen from a different resident.

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Emerson was criminally charged with three counts of felony prohibited acts, one count of prohibited acts involving prescription drugs, and one count of wanton neglect. On Feb. 19, 2026, Emerson pleaded guilty to two felony counts of prohibited acts and the remaining charges were dismissed. She has yet to be sentenced in the case.

The Board of Nursing charged Emerson with misappropriating patient medications and committing an act that might adversely affect a patients welfare. As a part of a recent settlement agreement, Emersons license was suspended and will be eligible for reinstatement once she completes a substance abuse evaluation, completes any treatment that is recommended, and demonstrates a year of sobriety. After her license is reinstated, it will be placed on probation for two years.

 Faith Anderson of Boone, whose license was placed on probation for two years. The board alleges that in June 2025, when Anderson was working as a licensed practical nurse at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, she began signing documents using the title of registered nurse, although she does not have an RNs license. The board charged Anderson with misrepresenting her credentials or licensure status.

As part of her settlement agreement with the board, Anderson agreed to two years probation and also agreed to complete 60 hours of educational training in patient confidentiality and ethics. In 2013, Anderson agreed to complete 45 hours of educational training on critical thinking and ethical decision making  although the available board records give no indication as to what charges gave rise to that action.

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 Spencer Duane Elmer of Waukee, who was issued a warning by the board. The board alleges that in April 2025, Elmer accessed, and then exported, patient information from his employers medical records. Elmer then resigned and used his personal email account to send a mass message to many of his former patients, informing them of his resignation and his plans going forward, the board alleges.

Elmer carbon copied all of the patients on each email, resulting in the disclosure of each patients name and email address to all of the other patients  a violation of the federal Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. The Board of Nursing has not publicly identified Elmers former employer, but as part of his settlement agreement with the board, Elmer has accepted a warning and agreed to complete 30 hours of educational training on patient confidentiality and 30 hours of educational training on ethics.

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A report published Monday, Feb. 23, by an appointee of Gov. Tim Walz to oversee program integrity found that state agencies have been repeatedly warned about vulnerabilities in state-run social services going back to at least the 1970s.

Tim OMalley, who was designated the states Director of Program Integrity in December, said in a press briefing that the state has long-standing vulnerabilities that people have used to defraud state programs.

More: Sauk Rapids' SNX Technologies creates tools for woodworking industry

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The 57-page report, titled Roadmap to Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention, includes a long list of recommendations, including for a skilled independent monitor who has subject matter expertise and the requisite gravitas to drive home accountability.

OMalley, a veteran of the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, didnt explicitly answer a question about whether the monitor should be appointed by the governor, though he said that being appointed by Walz hasnt influenced his own work. A legislative effort to establish an independent Office of Inspector General got broad bipartisan support in the Minnesota Senate in the 2025 legislative session, stalled in the House but has now been revived this year.

The report comes days after the start of the 2026 legislative session, with fraud a central issue, though a closely divided Legislature and election year politics will make passing major legislation a challenge. OMalley included recommendations for legislation in his report, including requiring fraud-prevention funding for every bill.

Another state-commissioned report published Feb. 6 in a separate anti-fraud effort included a list of policy recommendations that were completely redacted in public files; lawmakers Monday said in committee hearings that they still havent received the unredacted policy recommendations.

'Half-century in the making'

The new program integrity role is just one effort by the Walz administration to get a handle on fraud, waste and abuse in Minnesotas social services, which has turned into a yearslong political scandal that began with revelations that hundreds of millions of dollars were stolen from a pandemic-era food aid program.

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OMalley said that his review found that the root of the states vulnerabilities to fraud goes back much farther.

Problems that are a half-century in the making will not be solved easily, OMalley said.

The report includes a slew of warnings from audits and reports over the past 50 years. The earliest is a warning to the Department of Human Services from Feb. 17, 1977: Regardless of a rules precision or stringency, the level of care available in facilities will not consistently meet requirements unless an active enforcement program exists.

OMalley said that plans were repeatedly put in place to strengthen the states protections against fraud and inefficiency, but they werent executed well. Services called out in warnings over the past several decades have drawn new scrutiny today for their vulnerability to fraud: group homes, child care assistance, personal care assistance and medical transportation.

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Despite reviewing the states repeated failures to adequately address vulnerabilities, OMalley said he has no doubt that this can be fixed given enough effort.

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Compassion over compliance

OMalley also credited the states vulnerability to fraud on the culture of state agencies overseeing social services, which he said focused more on compassion than compliance.

The written report said that former Department of Human Services leaders have said that the agency should be guided by 70% compassion and 30% compliance. OMalley called that mentality misplaced though understandable, since people working in social services want to care for the vulnerable.

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The report also includes references to supervisors retaliating against state workers for raising concerns around fraud, among a list of violations by state employees, in line with whistleblower reports frequently referenced by Republican legislators in hearings.

Criticism from the Trump administration

The Walz administration has faced enormous criticism for yearslong complacency despite numerous red flags. OMalleys report indicates that the conditions for the current fraud scandal were laid out over time, with preventative measures incrementally  not done literally for half a century, he said.

OMalley, a former superintendent of the BCA under Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, said that Walz has not interfered with his work. He told reporters when the report is finished, hes happy to continue advising state officials, though he wouldnt want to be the appointed independent monitor: I have other things Id like to do with my time.

The Trump administration has repeatedly singled out Minnesota for fraud in its social services and sent 3,000 federal immigration agents to the state in an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge, citing fraud as a rationale. OMalley described fraud in Minnesota as being well-documented and extensive, though he added that he doesnt know whether the states fraud is disproportionate compared to other states and said that fraud is a national problem.

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Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota was warned about fraud for decades, official reports
An Ohio man was killed when a vehicle struck him while walking in a neighborhood near Port Orange, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The accident occurred at 6:54 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, at Big Tree Road and La Costa Village Boulevard, investigating troopers said.

The 74-year-old man from Reynoldsburg, Ohio, died at the scene, according to FHP.

Investigating troopers said the pedestrian was walking south and entered Big Tree Road into the path of a 2011 Toyota Corolla traveling east on Big Tree Road.

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The driver, a 20-year-old Daytona Beach man, tried to swerve to avoid the pedestrian but hit him, troopers said.

The driver, who was not injured, remained at the scene of the crash.

The accident remains under investigation, troopers said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Man struck and killed on Big Tree Road near Port Orange
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the Commissions One Europe, One Market strategy at the EU leaders' summit on 12 February. Moving from an incomplete single market to one market for one Europe within two years, the Commission plans to bridge the competitiveness gap with the US and China.

The International Monetary Fund predicts that the EU will account for only 12.91% of the global GDP in 2030, compared to 20.36% of China and 13.86% of the US. One Europe, One Market is set to change this and become Europes ticket back to global competitiveness.

We have the second-largest economy in the world, but we are driving it with the handbrake, von der Leyen told heads of states and governments, stressing that interstate barriers in our Union are three times higher than interstate barriers in the US.

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The Commission will focus on five key pillars to propel Europe back to the forefront of global competition: regulatory simplification, unified market, trade, digital, and energy.

In her announcement, von der Leyen called for a deep house cleaning on the acquis" as the first main step as less directives and more regulations would keep the fragmented EU from having 27 different regulatory realities.

According to Fredrik Ericsson, Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy in Brussels, looking at capital markets [we need to] find a way for more European savings to be invested in European markets. If they come up with something on services, that would be fantastic, because the single market for services exists in name only, Ericsson added.

Why now?

European leaders are becoming increasingly concerned that companies still face a market of 27 instead of a unified one, which stunts growth and favours competing economies.

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In his 2024 report, Enrico Letta argued that Europe needs deeper integration, calling for a shift from 27 to 1. He identified regulatory complexities and a patchwork of national regulations as critical barriers, and warned that the current legislative implementation setup is too slow and complex.

Fragmentation increases business costs and lowers consumer welfare. The International Monetary Fund estimates that non-tariff barriers between member states reach around 44% for goods and 110% for services. 150 billion is lost annually in capital markets due to different national regulations and tax systems, and roughly 228 billion is forgone in goods and 279 billion in services each year.

European industrial electricity prices are 2 to 3 times higher than in the U.S and China. As diagnosed by Letta and Mario Draghis reports, this makes energy-intensive industries (steel, chemicals, glass) financially unsustainable.

Leaders have also warned that the bloc has become a "regulatory maze" that stifles innovation. EU companies dedicate 1.5 times more senior staff to compliance than U.S firms. This red tape discourages investment, an issue even more pressing in fast-moving sectors like AI and biotech.

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The final issue on the Commissions radar is Europes excessive reliance on external suppliers for critical materials and technology. So, leaders are urgently pressing for strategic autonomy, for Europe to act independently in key areas like defence, energy, technology, etc.

To tackle these challenges, the Commission committed to developing a detailed, time-bound roadmap and action plan. The initiative builds on earlier competitiveness work from 20242025.

The roadmap is scheduled to be formally presented at the March 2026 European Council, where leaders aim to endorse concrete actions and deadlines. A key early milestone is the target to deliver the first phase of the Savings and Investment Union by June 2026, followed by expected legislative proposals in the second half of 2026 and a broader implementation window running through 20262027, with a longer-term horizon extending toward 2028.

Simplifying the administrative burden

The EU is currently a barren, inhospitable ecosystem for startups and companies. To clear a path through the vines, the Commission is putting forward a series of omnibus packages: legislative proposals that bundle together different laws.

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They are designed to cut administrative burdens across multiple EU laws at once through scope reductions, data consolidation, and value-chain protections for SMEs. Theyll also raise reporting thresholds, consolidate data entry points, and limit the data large companies can request from SME partners. The expectation is a reduction of red tape costs by roughly 15 billion per year for businesses.

According to von der Leyen, ten such packages are already in motion, with three completed and seven still moving through the legislative process. In February EU leaders urged the European Parliament and the Council to speed up negotiations so these measures can be adopted quickly.

Beyond these targeted revisions, the Commission also plans a broader house cleaning of the EU acquis Communautaire - a review of existing legislation to identify outdated, overlapping, or excessively complex rules.

A key focus is tackling gold-plating, where member states add extra national requirements to EU laws (creating 27 different regulatory realities). To limit this, leaders foresee a shift toward more regulations rather than directives, since regulations apply uniformly across all member states.

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The Commission will also introduce sunset clauses so that certain laws automatically expire unless renewed.

One market

The strategys second pillar answers a key question: how is the EU planning to build one market for EU companies?

The first step is creating the 28th regime, also called EU Inc. Its a single, optional, EU-wide corporate framework to allow companies to set up and operate across the bloc under one unified rulebook.

Under the proposal outlined by von der Leyen at the 2026 World Economic Forum, firms would be able to register a company digitally within about 48 hours and run it under the same legal conditions in all member states. The Commission aims to table this proposal ahead of the March 2026 European Council, with leaders pushing for rapid progress during the 20262027 window.

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Beyond that, leaders want to advance the Savings and Investment Union, a major strategic framework launched in March 2025. The goal is to create integrated capital markets and improve access to financing for European companies. It hopes to mobilise the estimated 10 trillion in European household savings currently sitting in low-yield bank deposits, and channel them into productive investments. The first phase, focused on market integration, supervision, and securitisation, is targeted for completion by June 2026.

At the same time, Brussels is revising its merger guidelines to make it easier for large European firms (particularly in sectors like telecoms) to scale and form European champions. It also plans to introduce an Industrial Accelerator Act to accelerate investment in strategic sectors. Its expected to include targeted European preference measures, designed based on economic analysis.

Towards energy independence

The Ukrainian war was a wake-up call to Europe's energy import dependence. Over the past years, the Commission has put forward a set of measures, the most recent being REPowerEU, aimed at moving from excessive extra-EU energy reliance towards energy sovereignty.

In pursuit of an energy union, the Commissions One Europe, One Market focuses on two main aspects: the planning and implementation of the EUs energy infrastructure, and the design of the EU energy market.

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The Grid Package is Europes new approach to energy infrastructure which is set to modernise and expand the blocs energy grid by removing cross-border barriers. By increasing interconnectivity across member states, the Commission wants to lower energy prices, increase supply security and achieve independence.

As part of the package, eight energy highways will address Europe's major cross-border electricity bottlenecks for a more efficient energy flow between member states, stronger renewables integration, and lower energy prices.

The second focus is on the market design. The Commission will evaluate if and how it can change the current merit order pricing system. This system sets electricity prices based on the marginal cost of power plants.

Under the EUs current merit order, gas is the most expensive resource at 100 Megawatt-hour, compared to 34 for renewables, which sets the market price. Increased investment in renewables is necessary to reduce energy costs for businesses and households.

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Although no inter-institutional agreement has been reached, President von der Leyen promised to table options for a possible potential market design changes at the next EU Council.

Boosting the digital sector

As for the tech sector, the idea is to make it the backbone of market integration, using digital policy to help companies operate seamlessly across borders. The Digital Networks Act is central and aims to speed up telecom investment and allow greater consolidation so European operators can reach the scale needed to compete globally. Timelines for its adoption are expected to be included in the March 2026 roadmap.

Leaders also agreed to push forward a European Business Wallet, a single digital identity system that would allow companies to interact with authorities across all member states through one channel.

The Commission is also preparing a broader tech sovereignty package that includes a planned Chips Act 2.0 and a Cloud and AI Development Act.

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Another priority is expanding computing infrastructure. Existing AI factories will be upgraded into large-scale AI ecosystems, often called AI gigafactories with initial steps expected by mid-2026. These initiatives are designed to improve access to high-performance computing for companies and researchers, helping European firms develop and deploy advanced technologies more rapidly.

A new trade policy purpose

The EUs trade model is strongly economic-driven. Since 2004, the EU has expanded its global trade network to include over 40 free trade agreements (FTAs) and around 80 partners. In 2023, its average trade openness reached 141% of GDP.

In the past two years, extra-EU trade in goods and services amounted to around 20-25% of EU GDP. Total EU-US trade exceeded 1.68 trillion while trade with China surpassed 845 billion.

But trade is not just about economic growth. Its also security and resilience. The pandemic and the energy crises following the Ukrainian war showed that over-reliance on external trade makes one vulnerable to disruptions and geopolitical tensions.

To remain open to international trade and reduce its economic exposure, the Commission aims to rethink Europes trade naiveness by shifting the narrative from pure liberalisation to strategic independence. According to EU Council President Antonio Costa, an ambitious and pragmatic trade policy [...] is in our collective interest.

Europe plans to expand market access for its businesses by fast-tracking the ratification and implementation of completed FTAs and accelerating work on future ones. By de-risking and diversifying supply chains and export markets, the Commission wants to reduce dependence on single suppliers, especially in the raw materials, energy and strategic technologies sectors.

This will strengthen the single market. "Restrictions [...] within the single market have increased a lot because of a variety of developments, but one of them is a much stronger regulation coming from member states, said Ericsson. By simplifying internal rules, the Commission will address market distortions, facilitate intraEU trade, and remove defensive trade measures that fragment the single market or disproportionately favour industry giants.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman defended how much energy artificial intelligence needs in an interview on Friday, comparing AI to humans.

Altman, who was attending the India AI Impact summit this weekend, agreed that AI's energy consumption is a legitimate concern and said, "We need to move towards nuclear or wind and solar energy very quickly."

However, when asked about previous AI comments by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who noted that the human brain is more energy-efficient at thinking than today's AI models, Altman seemed to push back.

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"People talk about how much energy it takes to train an AI model  But it also takes a lot of energy to train a human," Altman said. "It takes like 20 years of life, and all the food you eat before that time, before you get smart."

AI data centers  buildings that host rows upon rows of servers that run AI  typically use large amounts of water to prevent the hardware from overheating because of how much energy it requires to operate. An $800 million Meta AI data center planned for Cheyenne, Wyoming, is expected to "use more electricity than every home in Wyoming combined," the Associated Press reported.

Altman also called accusations that ChatGPT uses gallons of water "completely untrue, totally insane" and had "no connection to reality."

Large AI data centers reportedly require up to five million gallons of water per day, equivalent to a city of 50,000 people, according to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. But it was Altman's comments comparing humans to AI that went viral after the interview, sparking other tech leaders to comment. Sridhar Vembu, the co-founder and chief scientist of software company Zoho Corporation, criticized Altman's stance on X.

I do not want to see a world where we equate a piece of technology to a human being.



I work hard as a technologist to see a world where we don't allow technology to dominate our lives, instead it should quietly recede into the background. https://t.co/PrbjbgCYde  Sridhar Vembu (@svembu) February 22, 2026

"I do not want to see a world where we equate a piece of technology to a human being," Vembu wrote. "I work hard as a technologist to see a world where we don't allow technology to dominate our lives, instead it should quietly recede into the background."

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AI skepticism and concern have been growing both online and offline, and community residents and environmental activists have increasingly pushed back against data center development across the U.S. Many community residents and environmental activists have pushed back against their development and installations.

Last Wednesday, a video went viral after Climate Revolution Action Network, an unfunded, Gen Z-led 501(c)(4) with a focus on climate and environmental justice policy, successfully shut down New Brunswick, N.J.'s plans to build a small data center.

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In President Trumps second term, his coercive diplomacy sends different signals to the Iranian regime and Tehrans dictator. The combination of negotiations (as an exit ramp), military pressure (as the cost of refusal), and ambiguity (uncertainty in outcomes) constitutes Trumps policy  one not inherently irrational within the realm of realism.

Trump is determined not to let Iran become a nuclear power. For this simple reason, he has become a target of vehement hostility in the Iranian propaganda machine.

And although deal or war is a classical compliance tactic, its main flaw is that the regimes commitment to survival may be more intense than Trumps commitment to its destruction. Trump has spoken out against forever wars in the Middle East. So the question is, is Iran a main concern to him? Is he ready to finish the job, now that the drumbeat of regime change in Iran has risen? Is Trump genuinely interested in destroying the Islamic Shiite caliphate in Tehran?

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As a matter of logic, there is no certainty that a second U.S. strike  after the one launched last June  would result in regime change.

Khamenei became supreme leader in 1989, after serving eight years as Irans president. From the start, he embraced terrorism and developed terrorist proxies  a transnational terrorist network across the region.

His fingerprints are on many attacks and terrorist operations worldwide. The U.S. intelligence community possesses long-recorded evidence  for instance, the issuance of a fatwa against Trump himself, calling for his assassination. Global media covered Khameneis intentions and security service reports bluntly.

It would be a fantasy to believe Khameneis survival would contribute to stability and peace in the region. He is the sole decision-maker in Irans caliphate system, wielding authoritarian power. He believes Trump has no coherent plan for Iran and that Trump is merely bluffing for show. It is certain Khamenei does not want Trump around. He seeks to outwait him and is counting on the end of Trumps presidency.

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The Iranian Shiite caliphate is a malicious actor on the world stage, and Trump grasps the reality of the belligerent Iranian regimes malign activities. Tehran therefore tries not to misread Trumps signals, so as to avoid escalation. The junta-mullah regime in Iran has interpreted Trumps policy as a structural contradiction within negotiations.

Obama attempted, through his administrations nuclear deal, to control Irans ambitions. But this failed. More accurately, the flawed foundation of that deal provided a free path toward nuclear weapons, entirely advantageous to the regime in Tehran. The Shiite regime deceived Obama, never remained in compliance with the deal and consistently cheated.

As Trump has put it in other contexts, You cant play that game with me. During his first term, Trump did not fully grasp Khameneis true objective to build the first Shiite nuclear bomb. Thats why Trumps enthusiasm for a deal led nowhere. Khamenei had no intention of rewarding Trump with hugs and kisses. He is no dove, nor does he bear an olive branch. He rejected navigating the labyrinth of negotiations, leading once again to failure and stalemate.

At this stage, Khamenei was reluctant to provoke Trump directly, but this too was likely a miscalculation. Predictably, he scorned Trump and rejected his proposals. Guided by Shiite ideological rigidity and deep dishonesty, he will never relinquish nuclear weapons, terrorist proxies, or missile programs. Khameneis mindset frames his terrorist plans in theological terms, rebranding violence as religious victory or war against infidels. This is why the U.S. now finds itself drawn into a strategic cul-de-sac.

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Khamenei harbors delusions about attacking U.S. aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, eliminating Trump via sleeper cells inside U.S. territory, humiliating Trump by announcing Irans first nuclear bomb and activating terrorist proxies against U.S. forces.

Meanwhile, Trump has said of regime change in Iran, It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen. But is he serious? Trump has doubted whether Khamenei could be toppled quickly. But Israel and the U.S. missed opportunities in June 2025 and January 2026, when internal tensions in Iran were escalating and Khamenei stood on the brink of collapse.

If diplomacy fails, eliminating a leader actively pursuing terrorism becomes a legitimate option, just as Obama took out Osama bin Laden in May 2011. A decapitation strike could be the final nail in the regimes coffin, potentially neutralizing Irans multi-pronged threat.

The post-Khamenei era remains uncertain no matter what. From a realist perspective, Trump cannot tolerate nuclear weapons in the hands of such a bizarre regime. Khamenei, who never believed in peace and has no interest in a Nobel Prize, is responsible for the deaths of countless Americans and Israelis worldwide.

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Iranian students have resumed anti-government protests as the U.S. ramps up its military presence in the Persian Gulf. Despite regime propaganda, Khamenei is in trouble. The regime is struggling to maintain control.

Trumps decision-making reflects a rational strategy for U.S. policy and global credibility. The failure of negotiations now appears inevitable, and Trumps growing frustration is evident.

Logically, the scale and intensity of the Iranian regimes threat have become unacceptable. Addressing this ticking bomb requires a comprehensive strategy. Otherwise, Iran  as a rogue state and the worlds hub of transnational Islamic terrorism  will continue advancing toward nuclear weapons while the U.S. merely watches the grass grow.

Erfan Fard is the author of Tehrans Dictator: Khameneis Reign of Terror in Iran (1989-2025).





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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has reaffirmed his opposition to EU financial aid for Ukraine, saying Budapest will maintain its block until Russian oil resumes flowing to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline via Ukraine.

In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, which Orban also published on social media, he wrote: "Facts are facts: There are no technical obstacles to restarting the transfer via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary. It only requires a political decision by Ukraine."

Oil deliveries from Russia to Hungary through the pipeline have been halted since late January. Ukrainian officials say the disruption was caused by damage from Russian attacks.

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The Hungarian government, however, argues that the pipeline remains intact and accuses Kiev of blocking the flow for political reasons.

Orban described the situation as absurd.

"You also certainly see the absurdity of the situation: We [the EU] take a decision financially favourable to Ukraine that I personally disapprove, then Ukraine creates an energy emergency situation in Hungary, and you ask me to pretend that nothing happened. This is not possible," he wrote to Costa.

"I am not in a position to support any decision whatsoever favourable to Ukraine until they return to normality."

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Orban has long maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has sought to block EU sanctions against Moscow and financial assistance for Kiev.

This week, Hungary and Slovakia refused to approve the EU's 20th sanctions package for Russia and a 90 billion ($105 billion) financial assistance plan for Ukraine.
The company anticipates lower production in the first half of 2026 at Cote Gold due to planned maintenance, impacting overall output.

Mining and processing unit costs at Cote Gold were above desired levels, partly due to the use of a temporary crusher, which increased costs.

All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold were $1,750 for Q4 and $1,900 for the year, within the guidance range but still relatively high.

The company faced upward cost pressures due to record gold prices, leading to higher royalties that accounted for approximately 24% of cash costs in Q4 2025.

Iamgold Corp ( NYSE:IAG ) reported a strong safety record with a total recordable injury rate of 0.60, down from the previous year, and is focused on reducing high potential incidents.

The company achieved significant milestones, including record quarterly production across all sites and the first full year of production at Cote Gold.

Iamgold Corp ( NYSE:IAG ) reported record revenues of nearly $3 billion in 2025, with a gross margin of over 40% and operating cash flow exceeding $1 billion.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: With the increase in M&I resources at Essakane and the potential extension of the mine life, how should we view Essakane within IAMGOLD's broader portfolio, especially with the license potentially expiring in 2029? A: Renaud Adams, President and CEO, explained that Essakane is a strategic asset with ongoing resource expansion. The company is confident in extending the mine life by another five years, targeting 2032-2033. Bruno Lemelin, COO, added that additional resources have been found north of Phase 7, and the company plans to engage with the government for license extension.

Q: Could you provide more details on the expected unit cost improvements at Cote Gold, particularly in mining costs? A: Bruno Lemelin, COO, stated that mining costs are expected to be around $370-$380 per tonne by the end of 2026. The company is implementing new equipment and infrastructure adjustments, which will take time to reflect in costs. Renaud Adams added that while improvements are expected in 2026, further optimization may extend into 2028.

Q: Can you elaborate on the staged capital approach for Cote Gold's expansion? A: Renaud Adams explained that the staged capital approach allows for gradual expansion, focusing on tailings and pit opening without needing all infrastructure on day one. The expansion is expected to be funded through the asset's free cash flow, with major capital investments planned for 2029-2030.

Q: Regarding Essakane, is it fair to assume a minimum of $390 million in share buybacks for 2026, considering the cash repatriation and dividend declarations? A: Maarten Theunissen, CFO, confirmed that the shareholder account balance should be repaid by mid-2026, allowing for continued monthly cash flow repatriation. The free cash flow attributable to IAMGOLD should support the share buyback program throughout the year.

Q: What can we expect from the upcoming reserves and resources update for Cote and Gosselin in Q2? A: Renaud Adams stated that the update aims to achieve 20 million ounces of M&I resources, with significant reserve increases expected. The update will incorporate additional drilling and block model merges, providing a strong basis for future mine planning.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
It's 04:00 on a snow-covered hill in Swedish Lapland, 120 miles (200km) north of the Arctic Circle.

A countdown echoes from a Tannoy: "Three, two, one."

A rocket blasts off from a launcher, shooting into the sky and illuminating the darkened valley below.

Moments later, a second rocket motor kicks in with a deafening roar.

We are visiting the Esrange Space Centre near the city of Kiruna, run by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC Space), where more than 600 rockets have launched since the 1960s, mostly sub-orbital rockets used for scientific research, or to test-run space flights.

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Built by scientists from the German Aerospace Centre Mapheus, the rocket I saw blast off, flew for 14 minutes, leaving the atmosphere and reaching an altitude of almost 260km.

"It was a good flight, we're really relieved," beamed campaign manager Thomas Voigtmann.

This rocket was on a quest for several minutes of valuable micro-gravity or weightlessness, carrying experiments that will help researchers study biological cells, materials and other processes.

However, Esrange has also emerged as a player in a Europe-wide race to deliver orbital rocket launches.

"Within a couple of years, we will have the first satellite launch from here," says SSC business development director Mattias Abrahamsson.

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The new launchpad was inaugurated in early 2023, but has faced delays.

Two clients are preparing rockets to carry satellites into orbit from northern Sweden: South Korea's Perigee; and American company, Firefly, which achieved a lunar landing last year.

"We are now building out more infrastructure that is specific to Firefly's Alpha rocket," explains Katarina Lahti from SSC's orbital launch and rocket test division. That includes different fuelling, security and safety systems, she adds.

The signing of a technology safeguard agreement between the US and Sweden, allowing American companies to send advanced space technology to the Scandinavian country, is another major milestone, Lahti says.

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Meanwhile, Esrange is hosting ground tests for Themis, Europe's first reusable rocket, as well as engine testing for German start-up Isar Aerospace.

Esrange is building infrastructure to host Firefly's orbital rocket [Firefly Aerospace/Trevor Mahlmann]

Fuelled by a growing demand for internet connections, communications and mapping, the volume of satellites above Earth has skyrocketed, and is projected to reach half a million by the end of the 2030s, according to a recent report in Nature.

"There's around 10,000 satellites orbiting right now. The plan is to go to about 40-50,000 satellites in just some years," explains Abrahamsson, as he stands overlooking several large antennae.

That's drawing commercial companies into a segment once dominated by government agencies.

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It's also spurred several spaceport projects across Europe - from the Azores in Portugal, to Norway's far north.

"This is a big market and there's room for all of us," says Lahti, who hopes SSC's 60-year rocket legacy will help it win orbital business, as well as its favourable northern location for delivering satellites into polar orbit, and stable weather conditions.

Elsewhere, the Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (ASC) operates on the Portuguese island of Santa Maria, while start-up EuroSpaceport hopes to launch orbital flight from a ship anchored in the North Sea, 50km off the Danish coast.

On Scotland's Shetland Islands, SaxaVord is the UK's first licensed vertical spaceport, and is working with a number of companies, including Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and HyImpulse.

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However, the sky-high ambitions of some competitors have already been brought back down to Earth.

Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit was shuttered following a failed 2023 mission from Cornwall in southern England, and Scottish rocket manufacturer Orbex, which planned to launch its low-cost rocket from SaxaVord, said last week it was appointing administrators.

"Spaceports will be like seaports, and you will need multiple for the amount of traffic, but also for resilience," says Hermann Ludwig Moeller, director of the European Space Policy Institute.

"You will have winners and losers," he reckons. "It's not so much the rocket [technology]. It is really the market."

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"There are two or three [spaceports] that you could imagine will succeed," he tells the BBC, adding he expects to see a successful European continental orbital launch "this year".

Norway's Andya Spaceport, is now the European frontrunner [ISAR]

On a remote island 300 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, Norway's Andya Spaceport, is now the frontrunner.

Isar Aerospace launched its 28-metre Spectrum rocket from there last year, but achieved just 30 seconds of flight before spectacularly crashing into the Norwegian Sea.

Now the Munich-based company is targeting another attempt this March which, if successful, will be a giant leap for Europe's commercial space ambitions.

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"Our goal with this mission is to demonstrate real progress," says CEO and co-founder Daniel Metzler. "To achieve that, we will once again push our systems to their limits."

The world's changing geopolitical and security situation has made European leaders rethink their approach to space, with added urgency, and look to establish more autonomy.

SSC's Abrahamsson says it's strategically important to have orbital launch capabilities on Europe's shores, "We need to have the capacity in Europe to do it on our own."

It also "enables rapid deployment or replacement of critical systems if you have a crisis or a threat", Lahti suggests. "This also strengthens European defence capabilities."

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Amid sanctions and the invasion of Ukraine, European missions haven't used Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a decade.

ESA's Ariane 6 rocket takes off from the Kourou base in French Guiana [ESA/M. Pedoussaut]

The European Space Agency's (ESA) facilities at Kourou in French Guiana, can handle about a dozen orbital launches a year, and ESA also relies on the US, which has several key launch sites, from NASA's Cape Canaveral to SpaceX's Starbase.

Kourou's position close to the equator on the South American continent has some launch advantages, but European-built rockets must be shipped thousands of kilometres then reassembled, adding to logistical challenges.

Ariane 6 - Europe's most powerful rocket yet - launched from there earlier this month, carrying satellites destined for Amazon's Leo constellation, a rival to Elon Musk's StarLink.

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"There's a lot going on in space for internet connectivity," says Moeller, speaking to the BBC from French Guiana, where he'd just witnessed Ariane 6 lift off. "It is part of what I call the 'internet age' of space."

"It will be a competition between Amazon Leo and Starlink. You will also see Chinese developments, and maybe European developments eventually," he adds.

Of the 319 successful orbital launches in 2025, there were just seven from Europe (Kourou), compared to 189 from the US and 90 from China.

Europe has the "know-how" and "engineering skill", Moeller says. But while investment in the space sector has stepped up significantly, that's a fraction of what the US spends and it's still playing catch up.

Back at Esrange, Matias Abrahamsson says he isn't worried about the competition between other new European spaceports: "Every site is needed because there's that many satellites that need to be launched, and that many rockets that are being developed."

Technology of Business
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Its almost a rite of passage for Pacific Northwesterners  the first drive in our infamous weather.

Its her first time driving in the rain, Gilbert said. Hes about to teach his daughter how to drive in the rain.

I am just a little bit worried [about] that, you know, thank goodness. Its not, like, coming down like, like it was earlier in the day, he said.

Proposed MultCo budget cuts threaten jail capacity

Rockfall on I-5 SB causes delays in Portland. February 23, 2026 (ODOT).

Rockfall on I-5 SB causes delays in Portland. February 23, 2026 (ODOT).

Its quite the day to do it, as across the state, dozens of people are impacted by the atmospheric river pelting down on many regions.

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In South Portland, traffic was nearly at a standstill for some time after a rockfall hit Interstate 5. Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson David House said at least two cars were impacted.

We usually have rockfall under control there with netting on the slope, but there was a little bit more volume than usual, House said.

2 hurt after crash involving school bus and SUV

Marion County was hit with a landslide on North Fork Road after an atmospheric river impacted Oregon. February 23, 2026 (courtesy Marion County Sheirffs Office).

Marion County was hit with a landslide on North Folk Road after an atmospheric river impacted Oregon. February 23, 2026 (courtesy Marion County Sheirffs Office).

Further south in Marion County, the sheriffs office handled a landslide on North Fork Road.

And even as far south as Eugene, major flooding is impacting busy areas like Amazon Creek. The city is asking walkers and bikers to avoid the waters.

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House says this is a pretty typical winter routine for them, and the weather isnt nearly as bad as what the region witnessed in December.

Protest frogs head to D.C. ahead of Trumps speech

Eugenes Amazon Creek saw flooding after an atmospheric river. February 23, 2026 (courtesy City of Eugene Transportation).

Eugenes Amazon Creek saw flooding after an atmospheric river. February 23, 2026 (courtesy City of Eugene Transportation).

Over the weekend, we did see a lot of people, spitting out and getting stuck, especially in the Government Camp area on 26, because our crews noticed that some people were not chaining up or bringing traction tires and using them, House said.

Also on Monday, the Oregon Senate passed a bill that would put the gas tax on the May Primary ballot  which could hold the key to help fund ODOTs $240 million budget gap. Lawmakers say the funds are needed to keep road crews working. The bill now heads to the Oregon House.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Republicans began boycotting the House floor Monday afternoon, shortly after the Oregon Senate sent their chamber a controversial bill that would reschedule a referendum on transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.

Today, House Republicans have determined it is best for us to walk out of the building until the majority party will begin to work with us on this gas tax referral, Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, said in a Monday video posted to social media, standing under an umbrella at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next to the building.

Another Republican who opposes the tax increases, Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, confirmed his caucus would not be returning to the chamber ahead of an afternoon session where lawmakers were poised to vote on legislation seeking to bolster the rollout of the voter-approved 2022 gun control law, Measure 114, which has since been tied up in court challenges.

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The quorum-denying announcement coincided with a scathing press release issued by House Republicans, who said they were pausing deliberations on the House floor after House Democrats moved to appoint a replacement for Rep. Jason Kropf, a Democrat from Bend and former chair of the House Committee on Conduct who has spearheaded gun control legislation.

The House gaveled back into session at 4:54 p.m. and promptly adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Only one Republican, Rep. Kevin Mannix of Salem, was there, leaving House Democrats unable to pass their gun legislation, accept the transportation vote-shifting bill from the Senate and consider other measures involving wildlife funding protection and law enforcement visibility.

We all showed up to vote on these critical bills Im disappointed that our Republican colleagues decided to leave this building instead, House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, told her colleagues. Because of that, we didnt vote on a single bill, and we have wasted the publics time and money.

Rep. Thuy Tran, D- Portland, had accused Kropf of fomenting a hostile environment during committee deliberations over the bill last week, and he was no longer listed alongside Rep. Dacia Grayber, D-Portland, as a chief sponsor of the legislation as of Monday afternoon. Kropf is a vocal gun control advocate who kicked into action legislating on the issue after a 2022 mass shooting in Bend.

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Tran did not submit a formal complaint to the Legislative Equity Office over Kropfs behavior, however. A professional arms instructor and gun rights advocate Derek LeBlanc submitted the complaint. LeBlanc told the Salem Statesman Journal that the equity office informed him last week that an independent investigator found it did not warrant investigation and the complaint was dismissed.

House Democrats emerged from a caucus meeting on Monday two hours after the chamber was set to convene, with House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, D-Tigard, announcing that Kropf had resigned from the House Conduct Committee and appointing Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland as a replacement. House Republicans were caught off-guard by the move and demanded a full investigation into Kropfs conduct after Fahey ruled that the motion to replace Kropf was not up for debate.

House Minority Leader Rep. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, accused Democrats of attempting to sweep the dispute under the rug instead of supporting Tran. She called for the Legislative Equity Office to conduct a full investigation into this matter that is both inclusive and transparent.

The allegation that a lawmaker created a hostile working environment by intimidating another lawmaker into changing their vote is a serious allegation that creates distrust in the democratic process, Elmer said in a statement. It must be properly addressed and thoroughly investigated through a transparent process that respects the victim and remedies the wrong committed against them.

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Laura Daniel, a retired teacher from Keizer who came to show support for the bill with Moms Demand Action, a nonprofit nationwide gun control group, sat waiting in the gallery above the House floor Monday afternoon.

Youre expecting to be able to hear testimony and see a vote on a bill and then to just have it not happen, its frustrating, Daniel said.

Mistrust in feds prompts tense dispute

The debate over House Bill 4145, the gun control legislation set for a vote on Monday, hit a new inflection point given Oregon Democrats heightened mistrust in sharing data with the Trump administration during its aggressive deportation campaign. In committee last week, two Oregon Democrats tensely debated the new legislations impact on information-sharing with the FBI at a time when lawmakers are proceeding with a package of immigrant rights legislation.

After Tran, a gun owner and lieutenant colonel in the Oregon National Guard, raised concerns about how the federal government would handle diverse gun owners information and voted against an amendment to the bill, Kropf immediately sighed and called the meeting to a pause, averting a potential tie. The lawmakers returned to the hearing after speaking outside the committee room, and Tran, who went on to change her position to a yes on the bill.

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She said she had been informed of federal regulations, which ensure the FBI destroys information from background checks within 24 hours. The rule applies to cases in which an applicant is successfully cleared with no disqualifying information.

But the pairs exchange outside the committee room prompted a gun rights advocate who observed the interaction to file a legislative conduct complaint alleging Kropf, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, verbally abused and intimidated Tran. Tran later told reporters that Kropf created a hostile environment, alleging that his management of events did create confusion, suspicion and distrust in the Democratic process.

Kropf has maintained that he respects Tran and that its common for tensions to be running high, particularly for issues such as gun safety. Its not uncommon for lawmakers embroiled in legislative conduct complaints in Salem to attempt to step down from their positions on the conduct committee.

In a statement, the Bend Democrat didnt directly comment on the status of the original complaint against him. Kropf confirmed his resignation from the conduct committee and said he has offered to cooperate with the Legislative Equity Office, adding that he would be willing to do so in the future should the need arise.

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While I believe deeply in the purpose and work of the committee, it has become obvious in recent days that my presence on that body was serving as a distraction to the important business of the House of Representatives, Kropf said. I thank my colleagues for the opportunity to lead in this area and have utmost confidence that the current committee will continue its work with competence and integrity.

Its not the first time Republicans have seized on an instance of alleged misconduct by Democrats to further their legislative goals. Last year, after Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, raised his voice at Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, during a joint transportation committee hearing, several Republicans boycotted the House floor. Though they were unable to deny a quorum, the dispute prompted Boshart Davis to file a legislative misconduct complaint, and Gorsek resigned from his chairmanship.

Mannix, the lone Republican on the floor Monday evening, said he owed it to his constituents to show up.

I have routinely shown up as a representative since I first served in 1989 to 2001, and having come back in 2023, I continue to feel like my constituents expect me to be here, he said.

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Senior reporter Alex Baumhardt contributed reporting

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U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley slammed President Donald Trump on tariffs this weekend, saying Trump has no intention of following the Constitution regarding that aspect of trade policy.

He has no intention of following the spirit or the letter of the Constitution, Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, said Sunday during an interview with MS Nows Al Sharpton. The Constitution gives taxation authority, which includes tariffs, to Congress, and all tariffs in the past have been through congressional authorizations.

Merkleys comments came on the heels of Fridays U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down Trumps global tariffs that he imposed under an expansion of 1977 legislation allowing the president to regulate imports in emergency situations.

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The Supreme Court has said, No, the Constitution is clear. The power belongs to Congress, Merkley told Sharpton.

Trump shrugged off the ruling, however, and one day later imposed 15% tariffs by leaning on a trade act from 1974. The new measure can last for only 150 days, after which Congress would need to approve any extension.

I dont think this approval is going to happen, Merkley told Sharpton. And what I think were going to see is, at the end of those 150 days, Trump will say, Well, theres nothing in the law that says I cant renew another 150 days, or if by then the courts have said, No, no, no, its a one-time deal, because there was some question about that, hell invoke some other emergency power.

The uncertainty over tariffs likely will continue. Trade lawyer Ryan Majerus, partner at King & Spalding and a former U.S. trade official, told the Associated Press: Its only gotten more complicated for everybody.

Read the original article on oregonlive.com. Add oregonlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dave Sundberg, who previously helmed the FBIs Washington Field Office before he was ultimately pushed out after President Trump returned to office, announced on Monday that hes running to succeed Rep. Steny Hoyer (D) in Marylands 5th Congressional District.

Im running for Congress because I believe in the rule of law, not the rule of one man, Sundberg said in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Ive spent my career defending our Constitution from threats abroad and at home. Now, Im ready to take that same fight to Congress to protect our democracy from those who think they are above the law, he added.

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Sundberg most recently served as the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Washington Field Office, which aided former special counsel Jack Smiths investigations probes into the 2020 election and the classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. The office also helmed the agencys probe into the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Sundberg joins a crowded field of Democrats running to replace Hoyer. Candidates jockeying for the House seat include include former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who defended the Capitol during the 2021 attack, and Maryland Del. Adrian Boafo, whos endorsed by Hoyer, among others.

The 2026 cycle has attracted a handful of new Democratic candidates who have been defined in large part by their defiance to Trump, including retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a star witness in Trumps first impeachment, running for Florida Senate; former GOP Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan running as a Democrat for Georgia governor and former conservative lawyer George Conway, who is vying for a House seat in New York City.

The states 5th Congressional District is reliably blue, meaning that whoever wins the Democratic primary in June is seen as the heavy favorite to win in November.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 post This Pale Mountain Scorpion Stayed Hidden for Years and Its Venom Is Especially Dangerous appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

A team of Iraqi and American scientists recently discovered a new species of Hemiscorpius scorpion in the mountains of northern Iraq.

This is the second cytotoxic scorpion species known in the country.

Stings from cytotoxic scorpions can cause skin necrosis and even death if left untreated.

The new discovery will help doctors better respond to scorpion stings.

Scientists recently made an intriguing discovery in the Halgurd-Sakran Mountains of northern Iraq. A new species within the Hemiscorpius genus has been found. Aside from being a stunning scientific find, the discovery of the new Hemiscorpius kurdistanus has significant health and safety implications for the region.

Why Is the New Warrior Scorpion Dangerous?

The genus Hemiscorpius is native to the arid and semi-arid climates of the Middle East and parts of Asia. The highest concentration of Hemiscorpius scorpions is found in southern and southwestern Iran and Iraq. Until this new species was discovered, Hemiscorpius lepturus, also called the Gadim scorpion, was the only member of the Hemiscorpius genus believed to exist in Iraq. Other Hemiscorpius species are found in neighboring Iran.

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This new species stands out because it adds another type of cytotoxic scorpion to the region. The vast majority of scorpions found around the world are neurotoxic. Their venom targets the nervous system and leads to symptoms like pain, muscle twitching, and even heart palpitations. The stings are also quite painful.

The new scorpion species was discovered in the rugged mountains of Iraqs Erbil Governorate. Marla_Sela/Shutterstock.com (Marla_Sela/Shutterstock.com)

However, the scorpions found in Iraq and Iran have venom that is quite different. Their venom is cytotoxic, which attacks the bodys cells and breaks down membranes and tissue. This can cause swelling, blistering, and necrosis of local tissue. The stings from these cytotoxic scorpions are also relatively painless. Sometimes, a victim doesnt even realize theyve been stung at all.

Delays after being stung can cause much more significant complications, since the cytotoxin has plenty of time to get to work undetected. It can be days after a sting before any symptoms are noticed. Delaying treatment for a sting from a cytotoxic scorpion can cause severe skin necrosis, kidney damage, and even death.

Hemiscorpius scorpions like to hide under rocks and stones in the desert-like landscape. They are usually encountered when rocks are disturbed. However, they are also sometimes found in homes near the desert landscape, often in bathrooms where sources of water are available.

Who Discovered the New Warrior Scorpion?

A team of scientists made up of Iraqi and American researchers made the discovery while conducting extensive fieldwork in the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq in 2024. Their focus was the rugged, arid regions of the Erbil Governorate, in the region bordering Iran.

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The team conducted their research at night, armed with specially-equipped ultraviolet (UV) light flashlights. All scorpions fluoresce under UV light. When the light hits a scorpion, the animal glows a bright green color. This allowed scientists to quickly find and collect the scorpions without accidentally disturbing them among the rocks and being stung.

Once collected, the team returned with their specimens to their labs at Salahaddin University (SU) in Erbil, Iraq, and the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City. The researchers used detailed physical measurements and comparative analysis to prove that the new scorpion was, in fact, a completely different and undiscovered species.

Whats the Difference Between the Two Types of Hemiscorpius in Iraq?

The study announcing the findings was released in February 2026. It identified four key differences between the two Hemiscorpius species now known to exist in Iraq.

The top images show Hemiscorpius kurdistanus Hemiscorpius kurdistanus , and the bottom images show Hemiscorpius lepturus Hemiscorpius lepturus . MDPI, Basel, Switzerland  Original / License (MDPI, Basel, Switzerland)

Coloration and Body Size  The new species has a pale yellow to straw-colored body. It is also missing the dark patches usually found on Hemiscorpius lepturus.

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Stinger (Telson)  The stinger of the new species is round, whereas the stinger of the lepturus is oval.

Tail (Metasoma)  The new species has a shorter and stockier tail compared to the long, thin tail of the lepturus.

Pincers (Chelae)  The kurdistanus pincers are wide and rounded, while those of lepturus are narrow and elongated.

How Did This Scorpion Stay Hidden So Long?

The area where the new scorpion was discovered was the Halgurd-Sakran Mountains within the Bradost Region of northern Iraq. It boasts some of the highest elevations and most unspoiled wild areas in Kurdistan. This is an area also known to the scientific community as having one of the highest counts of endemic speciesthose found nowhere else in the world.

The new species was discovered in northeastern Iraq. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland  Original / License (MDPI, Basel, Switzerland)

The remote and isolated nature of the mountains, combined with their extremely rugged terrain form a natural barrier, making species migration difficult.

Health and Safety Implications of the New Scorpion Species

For local doctors, this discovery is welcome news. Given the potentially lethal effects of the Hemiscorpius sting, having a second species to study doubles the available research and testing opportunities. Medical researchers have more data to develop better and more effective strategies to treat stings from these scorpions.

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The discovery also has a public awareness component. The area is remote, with many people living in far-flung locations across the scorpions habitat. A lack of knowledge about the severity of scorpion stings is one cause of potentially devastating outcomes for victims. The discovery of a second species highlights the need for government support of public outreach efforts to protect local residents.

The post This Pale Mountain Scorpion Stayed Hidden for Years and Its Venom Is Especially Dangerous appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Feb. 23North Idaho residents should "avoid all kratom products," the Panhandle Health District warned Monday, citing several local deaths from the unregulated drug sold over the counter at mini marts.

"Kratom, and in particular 7-OH, appears to be a growing problem in Northern Idaho and the rest of the nation," Panhandle Health District medical director Gregory Pennock said in a statement. "Deaths associated with kratom use have occurred in Northern Idaho per my communications with the Kootenai County Coroner."

The Kootenai County coroner's office did not respond to a request for comment Monday. The health district did not point to specific deaths.

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Derived from a tropical tree in Southeast Asia, kratom sold in America is dried and crushed into a powder and can be taken as a tea or pill. Though kratom is not an opioid, it affects opioid receptors in the brain and can create a similar euphoric effect. Some synthetic kratom products like 7-hydroxymitragynine (also known as 7-OH) concentrate the psychoactive element of the plant.

Kratom and its derivatives are not currently regulated by the federal government or state governments in Washington and Idaho. Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown proposed a citywide kratom ban last year, which was later delayed as the state considers regulation of the drug.

The Panhandle Health District warning specifically cited the dangers of 7-OH but also said the leaf alone carries much the same risk.

"Kratom leaves may be processed and concentrated through extraction and distillation methods and sold in the form of liquids, powders or pills over the counter at gas stations and convenience stores. These concentrated preparations may contain unsafe levels of the active alkaloids and may cause seizures, addiction, liver and kidney toxicity. Signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting, agitation and restlessness," the health district warning reads.

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The health district recommends residents to avoid kratom and "especially" avoid 7-OH. Kratom users should report any adverse reactions to the public health agency and seek medical advice for side effects, addiction or withdrawal symptoms, Panhandle writes.

Inland Botanicals owner Gina Rogers called the warning "very unfortunate."

"This statement lumps in kratom and synthetic products together in a way that isn't fair," she said.

Inland Botanicals sells ground kratom and kava products in Hayden. The supplement store does not carry 7-OH or other synthetic kratom products.

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"The risks between kratom and 7-OH are vastly different, and agencies should be clear about that," she said.

Rogers said she supports state regulations on kratom and an outright ban on 7-OH. Kratom itself should remain legal, she said.

"If natural leaf kratom is banned, it would have negative health impacts in our community. And it would be sad to see responsible kratom users made into criminal."

Former kratom addict and Coeur d'Alene resident Emily Beutler said the public health warning is "much needed" in the Idaho Panhandle.

"There are so many people in our area struggling with kratom addiction. People who have never had addiction issues previously are being blindsided by how addictive it is and the debilitating withdrawals when they try to stop," she said.

Addiction and withdrawal are not only an issue with 7-OH but the kratom leaf itself, according to Beutler. Since recovering from kratom addiction, Beutler has created a supplement to help others experiencing kratom withdrawal.
An Alaska Airlines flight had to return to the airport on Sunday afternoon after a passenger's power bank device overheated and caught fire, the airline and federal authorities said.

The flight, operated by Horizon, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas to Seattle, Washington.

The flight crew used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The fire was reported and the flight returned to Wichita. The crew placed the device in a thermal containment bag while preparing for landing, Alaska Airlines said.

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Once the Embraer 175 jet returned to the gate, the passenger who had been using the device received medical attention, the FAA and Alaska Airlines said. An update on her condition was not available.

Alaska Airlines said passengers arrived in Seattle on a later flight and that the airline "appreciated their patience."

The FAA said it is investigating the incident. The agency requires airlines to report incidents involving dangerous goods, a label that includes batteries, battery-powered devices and aerosols.

Lithium batteries, which can be found in battery packs, phones, laptops and other electronics can pose a particular danger, the FAA said. Passengers can only bring lithium batteries up to a certain wattage on planes, and cannot check them into the cargo hold, according to FAA and airline regulations.

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Between 2006 and 2023, there were 472 incidents on planes that involved lithium batteries, according to the FAA. Nearly 200 of those incidents involved batteries or battery packs. Most portable chargers and battery packs use lithium batteries, but the FAA and Alaska Airlines did not specify if the device in this incident included them.

Lithium battery fires are difficult to put out and can release toxic fumes, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

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Warning: This story discusses suicide and self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised.

A Pennsylvania man is being accused by federal prosecutors of traveling to California to have sex with a 13-year-old girl in a plot that would have culminated in both their suicides if not for law enforcement intervention.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice held a press conference and released a complaint surrounding the allegations against Matthew Edward Pysher on Monday morning. The complaint, filed Sunday in Los Angeles, charges Pysher, 18, with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

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According to the complaint, Pysher groomed and encouraged a girl, listed as Minor Victim One, to send him sexually explicit material and images of self-harm over a Discord server. Discord is an instant messaging and voice communication platform.

The complaint stated that the victim met Pysher in a server related to individuals suffering from mental illness.

Among other things, Pysher specifically encouraged Minor Victim One, via chat messages, to engage in acts of self-harm, including by establishing a Discord server where [the victim] could be filmed using blades to cut herself, the complaint states, adding that the victim only recently turned 13 years old.

The abuse culminated in Pysher traveling from eastern Pennsylvania, specifically the borough of Bangor, to Los Angeles to meet the young girl for sexual activity, the complaint explained. Pysher and an unnamed co-conspirator arrived in L.A. on Feb. 20; they picked up the victim from a location near her home and drove her to a Rodeway Inn motel in Castaic.

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The exact location of where the girl was picked up was not disclosed.

The Rodeway Inn motel as seen in a Google Street View photo.

According to the complaint, law enforcement was able to obtain emergency disclosures and located both Pysher and Minor Victim One at the motel.

Also inside the room [were] condoms, a knife, lubricant, razor blades, bloody tissues and an American Airlines boarding pass for Flight AA827 from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in Pyshers name, the complaint states. A faraday bag, which blocks electronic signals, was also found near Pyshers cell phone.

In the wake of the young girl being found in Castaic, she told law enforcement that Pysher came to California specifically to see her and engage in sexual acts. Also, in a chilling revelation, the girl said they had planned on committing suicide together but were unable to because law enforcement found them.

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Minor Victim One also told law enforcement that she and Pysher had engaged in sexual conduct and that Pysher had used a knife to repeatedly cut her, the complaint alleges.

Matthew Edward Pysher as seen in a photo presented at a press conference on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (KTLA)

Minor Victim One may not be Pyshers only victim; officials say that Pysher is associated with nihilistic violent extremist ideology and that his digital devices likely contain evidence related to offenses, including information about additional minor victims.

Further information released in the complaint provided more background on the case, including Pyshers online alias, Piano.Man, and the revelation that the victims grandfather found a suicide note and discovered she had run away on the same day Pysher came to California.

In a press release that was also issued Monday, the Department of Justice explained the teenage suspect is part of a nihilistic violent extremist (NVE) group called 764, whose members, according to federal officials, are known to engage in criminal conduct within the United States and abroad in furtherance of political, social or religious goals that derive primarily from a hatred of society at large and a desire to bring about its collapse by sowing indiscriminate chaos, destruction and social instability.

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Serial child molester could be released from Southern California prison

NVEs often target vulnerable individuals, including minors, and frequently use social media platforms to share child sexual abuse material or gore material or to groom victims toward committing acts of violence, the DOJ said in the press release. NVEs and their members frequently extort or blackmail victims into complying with NVE demands, which vary but may include self-mutilation, online and in-person sexual acts, harm to animals, sexual exploitation of siblings and others, acts of violence and threats of violence, suicide and murder.

Federal officials, at a press conference in Los Angeles on Monday, referred to the case as chilling, showing messages between Pysher and the young girl, including one where he appears to justify his bloodlust.

[Its] hard to explain lol. I like the colors first of all lol. I just think red is a very pretty color and I like how blood looks on skin, one message dated Jan. 24 reads. I think blades are hot, and I like the idea of someone doing something like that for me.

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A big part is that last one, he added. The fact that its for me makes me love it.

Messages between a Pennsylvania man accused of traveling to meet a California teen for sex and a young female victim presented at a press conference on Feb. 23, 2026. (KTLA) Messages between a Pennsylvania man accused of traveling to meet a California teen for sex and a young female victim presented at a press conference on Feb. 23, 2026. (KTLA) Messages between a Pennsylvania man accused of traveling to meet a California teen for sex and a young female victim presented at a press conference on Feb. 23, 2026. (KTLA)

Other messages shown at Mondays press conference included ones where Pysher said to the victim you can go as deep or shallow as you want <3, referring to the girl cutting herself.

I love scratches, cuts and pretty much anything else lol, another message from Jan. 24, sent minutes after the aforementioned messages, reads. Some are better at different times too. Im not picky.

Frighteningly enough, the young victim responded with I just want to be the best for you haha.

Break-ins at West Hollywood ice cream parlor, L.A. nail salon likely related: LAPD

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Officials, at Mondays press conference, said this disturbing case is a reminder to parents to monitor their childrens online activity.

If your children have access to use the internet, sadistic predators may have access to your kids, said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli. Law enforcement will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to harm children. We advise parents to keep their kids offline.

The subject arrested this weekend is one of a growing number of alleged nihilistic violent extremists who prey on children and talk them into compromising sex acts and self-mutilation, added Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBIs Los Angeles Field Office. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that violent online exploitation that targets our children through manipulation, coercion and fear has absolutely no place in our communities, whether on our streets or behind a computer screen.

Pysher, set to make his first court appearance in downtown L.A. on Monday afternoon, faces up to 30 years in federal prison if convicted as charged.

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The Brief

The "Pentagon Pizza Index" tracks spikes in activity at pizza restaurants near the Pentagon, based on a long-running theory that increased orders signal officials working late ahead of major geopolitical events.

The index has resurfaced again as tensions between the United States and Iran have recently escalated, following earlier spikes in pizza traffic during Israels June attack on Iran.

Defense officials have downplayed the theory, noting the Pentagon has numerous in-house dining options and disputing claims that pizza orders reliably predict conflict.

Pizza has become the fast food for parties and events, while also remaining a reliable option for late nights at work or for people in fast-paced industries with little time for breaks.

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The people working at the Pentagon are no exception.

People have theorized that pizza joints near the Pentagon get significantly busier before geopolitical conflicts, with instances of that supposedly being predictors that something significant is about to unfold on the world stage.

In June, when Israel attacked Iran, Google Maps activity from four pizza joints near the Pentagon surged, indicating military personnel were monitoring the unfolding event.

The Pentagon Pizza Index has resurfaced once more as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to tighten.

FILE - A man grabs a slice of pizza. (Getty Images)

What is The Pentagon Pizza Index?

The Pentagon Pizza Report and the Pentagon Pizza Index tracks the real-time foot traffic at pizza spots near the Pentagon, hinting at officials working late at the government building, which may suggest potential conflict.

The backstory

These recent trackers piggyback off decades of observations made between the uptick in pizza orders at the Pentagon and incoming major conflicts.

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For example, in 1991, an owner of 43 Dominos pizza restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area told the Los Angeles Times that while news media are in bed, pizza deliveries are out and about into the early hours of the morning.

That same owner also noted that on the evening of Aug. 1, 1990, the CIA ordered a record-breaking number of pizzas, just hours before Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and started the Gulf War.

The other side

When asked about the pizza index theory on Sunday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joked that the monitoring apps could be tracking his own pizza orders "just to throw everybody off," according to The Hill.

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"Ive thought of just ordering lots of pizza on random nights just to throw everybody off," he said on Fox News. "Some Friday night when you see a bunch of Domino's orders, it might just be me on an app, throwing the whole system off so we keep everybody off balance. We look at every indicator."

When reached for comment on the Pentagon Pizza Reports June 12 post and the pizza theory, the Department of Defense (DOD) told FOX Business it had "nothing to offer" on the matter.

Newsweek reported in June a spokesperson for the Pentagon told it that the Pentagon Pizza Reports posts did "not align with the events."

The Pentagon is also apparently not lacking in pizza offerings inside its building, with the spokesperson telling the outlet there "are many pizza options available inside the Pentagon, also sushi, sandwiches, donuts, coffee, etc.," according to Newsweek .

US and Iran

Big picture view

The United States has ordered nonessential diplomats and their family members at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut to leave Lebanon, the State Department said Monday.

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The department said in an updated travel alert for U.S. citizens in Lebanon that it "ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel due to the security situation in Beirut."

Tensions have escalated between the U.S. and Iran as President Donald Trump has built up the largest military presence in the Middle East in decades and repeatedly threatened action if Tehran does not negotiate a deal to constrain its nuclear program.

What they're saying

Asked Friday whether the U.S. could take limited military action as the countries negotiate, Trump said, "I guess I can say I am considering that." He also told reporters later that Iran "better negotiate a fair deal."

The Source

Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and The Hill. Previous reporting by FOX News, FOX Business and the Los Angeles Times also contributed. This story was reported from San Jose.
India Wants To Sell Stake in Public Entities to Raise $20 Billion - Moby

THE GIST

The Modi-led Indian government wants to sell stakes in public assets to raise about $19.7 billion over the next four years.

Why?

Because it wants to raise money without debt. The IPOs will be for companies in core service sectors including railways, power, petroleum & natural gas, aviation, and coal. All industries central to Indias infrastructure and development agenda.

WHAT HAPPENED

New Delhi wants to pawn off public assets to private investors to raise cash in the order of $20 billion dollars by the end of the 2029/30 financial year. These IPOs are part of a much larger asset-monetization strategy focused on unlocking value from government-owned assets, with a target of about $183.7 billion monetized over the next four years.

This initiative is a part of the governments broader asset monetization strategy, building on a previous phase (FY 202225) that raised about $58.3 trillion, just short of its initial $66 billion goal.

New Delhi is targeting the countrys core industries, which are also the biggest public sector employers, including railways, power, petroleum & natural gas, aviation, and coal. Seven railway companies could collectively raise around $9.2 billion, with a significant portion expected as early as FY 2026/27. Subsidiaries of state power firms are projected to contribute roughly $3.4 billion. Subsidiaries of Coal India and the renewable assets of NLC India could raise about $5.3 billion. The Airports Authority of India plans to list stakes in one of its subsidiaries, plus four joint-venture airports.

WHY IT MATTERS

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Why is the Indian government doing this?

Because it wants to raise money without borrowing it. The only way to do that in a tight financial environment is to go public on the stock market.

By transforming idle or under-utilized public assets into active streams of capital for development and fiscal needs, New Delhi hopes to generate funds without raising taxes or significantly increasing public debt, while getting applauded for spurring private investment in infrastructure.

The timing makes some sense: Indias primary markets have seen strong activity from private sector IPOs and overall vibrant listings, suggesting investor appetite is rising and creating a helpful backdrop for government offerings. Listing subsidiaries of state-owned enterprises reflects a broader policy drive toward reforming legacy public sector institutions nudging them toward governance standards and efficiency benchmarks demanded by public markets.
Pennsylvania saw modest net population growth from July 2024 to July 2025, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau, but where are new residents coming from?

The Census Bureau estimated Pennsylvania had 13,059,432 residents as of July 1, 2025, up by 13,584 residents compared to the previous year. While some states lost residents during the pandemic, the Keystone States population is up from its 2020 figure of 13,002,753.

A handful of states are leading in moves to Pennsylvania, including some in the Northeast, as well as some in the South.

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While the commonwealth is gaining residents overall, Centre Countys population declined by about 3,000 residents from 2020 to 2024, the Centre Daily Times found in a recent analysis. The population of those younger than 30 years old saw a particularly sharp decline in the county.

From 2023 to 2024, Philadelphia County led the commonwealth for population growth, with 10,567 net residents gained, while Montgomery, Chester, York and Lehigh counties rounded out the top five.

Conversely, Fayette, Cambria, Greene, Westmoreland and Erie County lost the greatest number of residents over the one-year period.

Heres what to know about migration to and from Pennsylvania in 2024, the most recent year for which Census data is available.

Where are new Pennsylvania residents coming from?

Heres a roundup of the top 10 states with movers to Pennsylvania in 2024, according to the Census Bureau:

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1. New Jersey: 38,467 movers to Pennsylvania

2. New York: 29,274

3. Florida: 25,048

4. Maryland: 18,254

5. Ohio: 12,344

6. California: 10,777

7. Virginia: 8,597

8. North Carolina: 7,838

9. Texas: 7,249

10. Delaware: 6,665

Some of the same states that saw the greatest number of residents move to Pennsylvania also made the list for top states Pennsylvania residents are moving to. Florida was the No. 1 destination, with 33,530 movers, with New Jersey, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Maryland, Ohio, California and South Carolina rounding out the top 10.

The Census Bureau reported Pennsylvania was the fifth-most populous state in 2025, behind California, Texas, Florida and New York.

Note: An AI tool assisted with organizing the data for this story. A Centre Daily Times journalist reviewed the data and wrote the story. It was also edited by a CDT editor. You can read more about our AI policy here.
An ambulance got stuck in the snow in Cohasset while carrying a person who was injured in a snowblower accident during a blizzard on Monday, according to police.

Cohasset police officers and paramedics had to carry the patient to an ambulance that was waiting down the street amid the piling snow, the police department wrote in a Facebook post. Afterward, the ambulance became disabled in the snow and had to be shoveled out.

It is unclear what condition the person is in as of Monday evening.

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Earlier on Monday, an ambulance got stuck in the snow in Attleboro after dropping off a patient at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.

As of 7:45 p.m., approximately 1,060 customers in Cohasset were without power, Cohasset police wrote on Facebook. Additionally, numerous roads were still blocked by fallen trees and wires.

Our Department of Public Works crews have been working continuously since the storm began to keep roads open, police wrote. However, due to the duration and severity of this event, crews will need to take mandatory rest periods in the coming hours to ensure safe and effective operations.

Cohasset police have extended the towns on-street parking ban until 6 p.m. Tuesday to allow for continued snow removal operations, the department said. The public works department will continue to prioritize clearing main roads, then secondary roads and private ways. Sidewalks will be cleared last, police said.

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All Cohasset town offices will be closed on Tuesday, but a warming center will open at 7 a.m. at 91 Sohier St., police said.

Gov. Maura Healey instituted a ban on nonessential travel in Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes and Barnstable counties on Monday. The restriction will be lifted when Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver determines conditions are safe.

Drivers who violate the travel ban could be subject to a $500 fine, Massachusetts State Police said. The travel ban is meant to make snow removal operations easier and enhance safety for drivers, snow plows and first-responders.

The governor also activated an additional 150 National Guard members in Massachusetts to assist with clean-up efforts Monday evening after previously readying 200 members to aid emergency responders the day prior.

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As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Massachusetts State Police had responded to nearly 410 calls for disabled vehicles, the department said. They responded to a total of 45 crashes, but only one crash involved any injuries, and none were fatal.

The blizzard is set to wind down throughout the evening on Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

More weather

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A Philadelphia man is charged with murdering his wife inside a car on Saturday night.

Police say 59-year-old Jose Luna shot and killed his wife, 48-year-old Alisett Schubert, on the 200 block of Huntingdon Pike in Rockledge, Montgomery County.

According to court documents, Luna told investigators that he and his wife had been at a party earlier in the day and that he became angry because she "disrespected him in front of others."

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Police arrived around 10 p.m. to find Schubert on the ground outside her silver Nissan Murano, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

A SEPTA bus driver told police he was driving on Huntingdon Pike when he approached a vehicle stopped in the roadway. He said he heard two or three "pops" and then saw a man exit the front passenger seat, open the driver's side door and a woman fall out of the vehicle.

Police found Luna about a mile away from the scene.

Investigators say that as officers approached Luna, he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, but the weapon had apparently run out of ammunition. He was then taken into custody.

Luna is charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime.
The suspect arrested on Monday is a partner in the company that supplies the oxygen tanks to the Ashdod refinery.

Israel Police arrested a man accused of manslaughter via negligence on Monday, in connection with thetwo women killed on February 11 at a chemical refinery in Ashdod.

The incident was initially classified as a workplace accident. The two victims were employees at the refinery, and their deaths are linked to contact with oxygen cannisters in their place of work. The refinery, employing some 400 workers, is responsible for around 40% of Israels fuel and cooking gas.

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The suspect arrested on Monday is a partner in the company that supplies the oxygen tanks to the Ashdod refinery.

Although the exact cause of the women's deaths is still unknown, early reports suggested that a malfunction in their oxygen suits may have been to blame. Another theory was linked to a flaw in the oxygen cannisters themselves - rather than their contents - even though they had already been used successfully in the past.

According to the latest report, the tanks are suspected to have contained nitrogen.

The site of a hazardous materials accident at the Ashdod refinery, southern Israel. February 02, 2026. (credit: Liron Moldovan/Flash90)

Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and will require in-depth research and questioning of several witnesses and experts.

Nitzan Goinchman and Irena Radchuk

The two women killed were identified as Nitzan Goinchman, 39, and Irena Radchuk, 52, according to Walla.

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They were found unconscious in the refinery lab on February 11 and pronounced dead at the scene after medics were unable to resuscitate them.

Goinchman was a chemical engineer who is survived by her three young children. Radchuk was a laboratory technician who is survived by her spouse and daughter.

When we arrived at the scene, we were directed to two women who were lying without a pulse and not breathing, Magen David Adom MDA-United Hatzalah South volunteers Simcha Hassid and Moshe Dweck said.

Together with additional Magen David Adom teams, we carried out prolonged resuscitation efforts, including chest compressions, administering medication, and ventilation. Sadly, despite our many efforts, an MDA paramedic was forced to pronounce them dead.
A police officer has died in an explosion in Moscow, Russian authorities said on Tuesday.

Two other traffic police officers were injured in the blast, which targeted a police car in northern Moscow, according to the Interior Ministry and the Investigative Committee.

The officers were sitting in their patrol car at Savyolovo station when the attacker approached and blew himself up.

Authorities did not provide any information about possible motives. An investigation has been opened into an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer.

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A similar incident occurred in Moscow in December.

Two police officers and one man died in an explosion in the south of the Russian capital. The background to the incident was also unclear.

According to investigators, the officers were going to check on a man who was standing near a police car. As they moved towards the man, the explosion occurred. The police officers and a person standing next to them were killed, the authorities said.
President Isaac Herzog joined Arab leaders at an Iftar dinner to demand a national emergency against rising violence, calling the record wave of killings a "stain" in Israel's history.

Violence and an unprecedented number of killings of Arab citizens by other Arabs were the key focus on Monday evening at the annual Iftar dinner hosted by President Isaac Herzog to break the Ramadan fast.

Herzog spoke of his deep concern over the situation, as did Ihab Abu Ghosh, director of the Sharia Courts, as well as Rahma Mahamid, a University of Haifa researcher who primarily collects data on violence in ageing Arab families, with particular emphasis on violence against women.

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Abu Ghosh, referring in his address to the rising number of fatalities in the Arab sector since the beginning of the year, called for a national emergency to combat the scourge of killing, which he said instills fear and deprives ordinary, law-abiding Israeli Arabs of a sense of security.

Speaking of the sanctity of human life, Abu Ghosh compared the Koran and the Talmud. Quoting the Koran, he said, He who takes a single life is as one who killed all, and he who saves a single life is as one who saved all. The Talmudic quote is One who saves a single life is as one who saved a whole world (Jerusalem Talmud, Mishna Sanhedrin 4:5).

Abu Ghosh regretted that there are those in the Arab sector who ignore the teaching about the sanctity of life, saying that to those who kill, life is no longer sacred. So many died through acts of terror, he said, noting that not only men have been the victims, but also women and children.

Implying that the victims were mostly men, he noted: There are too many widows and orphans. We have to declare a national state of emergency to save lives.

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Mahamid, raised by a widowed mother, did not have an easy time as a child, but her mother taught her that women must be strong and educated because education leads to knowledge, and knowledge leads to understanding, with the implication being that well-educated women can do much to stave off violence.

Education as a pillar in Arab Israeli society

The importance of education was another topic raised by speakers, including four Arab high school students who spoke of peace, coexistence, and their desire to attend university to be better educated and to acquire the qualifications needed to pursue a good profession within Israeli society.

Herzog, who was the final speaker, recalled his meeting a few days earlier with representatives of Arab families who had suffered bereavement due to acts of terror and murder. He had been shocked by their stories. This is a stain on the State of Israel. We are in a state of emergency, he said.

Herzog called on decision-makers belonging to and outside the Arab sector to provide the police with as much help as possible and to raise their voices against this terrible phenomenon. Forget your egos and open your hearts, he said.

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Addressing regional peace and cooperation, Herzog urged the expansion of the Abraham Accords, which he said was in the interests of all people in the region.

He was pleased that guests at the dinner, in addition to prominent figures in Arab society, included the Abraham Accords ambassadors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, as well as the ambassadors to Israel of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania, along with diplomatic representatives from Chad and Nigeria, and the United Nations special envoy to the Middle East.
Achraf Hakimi sent to trial for rape

PSG - Morocco: accused of rape, Achraf Hakimi to stand trial (official)

Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, a key player for Paris Saint-Germain, will soon have to answer before the French courts to rape allegations dating back to February 2023. The decision to send the Moroccan international to the criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine comes after several months of judicial investigation. However, the exact date of the trial has not yet been announced.

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The case originated from a complaint filed by a young woman who claims she was assaulted at the players home in Boulogne-Billancourt following a meeting arranged via social media. Since the opening of the proceedings, Hakimi has strongly denied the allegations and insists that the accusations do not reflect reality.

On his X account, the Parisian right-back reaffirmed his stance and his trust in the justice system.
Known as a sunny tourist paradise, parts of the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta seem more like the set of a war film in the aftermath of violent chaos spurred by the capture and death of Mexico's most-wanted drug lord.

Dozens of incinerated vehicles lined the streets and some vandalized stores were empty Tuesday, with stunned residents and tourists still in disbelief.

"It feels like we're in a war-zone," Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer who lives in the city, told AFP as he went through the parking lot of a grocery store replete with burnt out cars.

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It all started when Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, the top leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was killed in a Mexican military raid on Sunday.

His death led to an outbreak of violence across the western state of Jalisco, where massacres and clandestine graves are so common they hardly raise an eyebrow.

Puerto Vallarta, however, had remained almost immune to the state's daily violence, becoming a popular spot for American and Canadian tourists, and expats, escaping brutal winters back home.

Until last Sunday, when black towers of smoke blotted out the sun.

"We had no idea what was going on, and then we saw the bus was burned and the car was burned, and then we saw black smoke all around the city from the window," Farah Saunders, a 53-year-old Canadian retiree, said.

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Member of Oseguera's cartel blocked off roads, burned vehicles, attacked gas stations, businesses, and banks and confronted authorities in 20 of the country's 32 states.

Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguia reported on Monday that over 200 vehicles were burned and 40 businesses were vandalized. Beyond that, 23 inmates escaped from the local jail with support from criminals who busted open the door amid riots.

The sky blacked by the smoke from flaming vehicles was visible from Saunders's suite in a luxury hotel along Puerto Vallarta's main strip.

The remains of a bus reduced to scrap metal lay abandoned in the street, while AFP saw dozens of stores and shopping centers along the same corridor that remained closed and deserted.

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"We were quite scared, we've never gone through something like this in Canada," said Saunders, who came here with her husband from Alberta, excited by the good reputation Vallarta has among their fellow citizens.

"Some 20,000 of us live here," she added.

She and her husband, who should have returned to their country on Monday, remain stranded by the cancellation of flights by US and Canadian airlines following the operation against "El Mencho."

- Costco attack -

Twelve kilometers from the hotel zone, crossing empty streets with minimal traffic, residents in the well-off neighborhood of Fluvial Vallarta wandered through the parking lot of a Costco wholesaler.

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The cartel gunmen had no mercy for Costco on Sunday, where they burned over 40 vehicles.

Silent, Javier Perez walked through the expanse of destroyed vehicles accompanied by his family.

"Unfortunately, this happened to our city, which is a beautiful place," he told AFP.

A resident of Puerto Vallarta for 16 years, Perez questioned whether the government could have alerted the population so they could take cover before the ensuing violence.

- 'Bad Image' -

Other residents lost more than just their cars, as their businesses were incinerated down to the cement, including a motorcycle store in the southern La Vena neighborhood.

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Said Diaz, 20, inspected the store where barely ten days earlier he fulfilled his dream of buying a motorcycle.

"When I came, I was so impressed with all the bikes here, and now there is nothing... Every time I came home from work I took some time to look at them," said the young man, who works at a beachside condominium complex frequented by foreigners.

"This has left Vallarta with a really bad image. I work in a condo and now a lot of people are leaving," Diaz added, expressing worries over the potential impacts to his employment.

jla/ai/lp/mar/jpo/des
A puncture was discovered in an American Airlines plane in Colombia, according to the carrier.

The airline's team found a puncture to the exterior of one of its aircraft in Medellin after a routine inspection, the airline told USA TODAY.

The aircraft was immediately removed from service for further inspection and repair, American said in an emailed statement. We will work closely with all relevant authorities to investigate this incident.

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There were no related flight issues or injuries reported. The airline did not specify when the puncture was discovered or what caused it. The Federal Aviation Administration did not have any information to share about the incident.

Aviation authorities in Colombia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Puncture' found in American Airlines plane in Medellin, Colombia
MOSCOW, Feb 24 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday ordered the FSB security service to step up protection of Russia's energy and transport infrastructure in response to Ukrainian attacks that he said were conducted with the help of Western intelligence.

Putin, speaking on the fourth anniversary of the war, said Russia's enemies would regret it if they pushed Moscow too far.

"They did not manage to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield, so the enemy is relying on individual and mass terror: this includes shelling cities, sabotaging infrastructure, and assassination attempts on government and military officials," he told an audience of FSB officials.

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"There is an absolute need to defeat Russia. They are looking for any way, anything at all. They will push themselves to some extreme point, and then they will regret it," he said.

Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian oil depots, refineries and ports in the course of the war, and Moscow blames it for a series of assassinations of senior military figures.

Putin, in televised remarks, suggested that Russian energy pipelines under the Black Sea could be targeted.

He issued an order to "strengthen the anti-terrorist protection of energy and transport infrastructure and public gathering places, provide maximum coverage for critical facilities, and, if necessary, equip them with additional security measures."

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Mark Trevelan Editing by Andrew Osborn)
(Corrects second bullet point and paragraph 5 to show no current projects seek US federal stakes)

By Sudip Kar-Gupta and Anne Kauranen

BRUSSELS, HELSINKI, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Finnish-headquartered IQM Quantum Computers is aiming to list its shares on the U.S. stock market via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company Real Asset Acquisition Corp, the companies said on Monday.

The transaction will give the European company an initial equity valuation of around $1.8 billion, IQM said.

Quantum computers, which are much faster than conventional computers, are seen as crucial for cybersecurity, attracting funding from such tech giants as Microsoft, Alphabet, IBM and Cisco as well as interest from several governments.

In October, quantum computing stocks on Wall Street jumped following a Wall Street Journal report that the U.S. administration was considering taking stakes in such companies in exchange for federal funding.

Asked if they were seeking U.S. government funding, IQM CEO Jan Goetz said: "We are not at the moment in any such projects in the US where we would give away ownership."

The company's existing investors include Finnish and German government investment funds as well as the European Commission's European Innovation Council.

Instead, the deal, which he expects to close around June, would attract additional capital, greater visibility, and potentially help generate more business, he told Reuters.

Dual use in security and defence, including code breaking, is what drives governments' high interest in quantum computing, Goetz said.

"If you have a large enough quantum computer, you can break current encryption in some years," he said.

Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) - which made a comeback last year after a prolonged lull - operate as shell companies that raise money in an initial public offering, to later merge with privately held firms and take them public.

Real Asset Acquisition will control roughly 10% of the company, which intends to keep its headquarters in Finland, Goetz said.

The company, which describes itself as a "global commercial leader", also plans to list in Helsinki to become the first listed European quantum computing company.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta in Brussels and Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Tomasz Janowski)
A Republican from the South Bay who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars running unsuccessfully against Rep. Maxine Waters four times while promoting QAnon conspiracy theories was sentenced to four years in federal prison for misusing campaign funds, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

Omar Navarro, 37, pleaded guilty in June to a single count of wire fraud for defrauding his own election campaign. The perennial candidate had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years from prominent right-wing figures while promoting QAnon conspiracy theories but never cracked 25% of the vote.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who ordered Navarro immediately remanded into federal custody. A restitution hearing will be scheduled at a later date to determine how much money Navarro must pay to compensate victims.

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Narvarro ran to represent Los Angeles County residents in California's 43rd Congressional District in the 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 election cycles.

From July 2017 to February 2021, he funneled tens of thousands of dollars in donations to his campaign committee back to himself through his mother, Dora Asghari, and friend Zacharias Diamantides-Abel, prosecutors said. In total, his scheme diverted around $266,00 in campaign funds, more than $100,000 of which went directly into his pocket, prosecutors said.

"Defendant could have used that money to buy radio advertisements, purchase billboard space, or send a mailer to aid him in the election," prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memorandum. "He chose instead to steal his donors dollars and fund his lavish lifestyle, including using it to pay for Las Vegas trips, fancy dinners, and even criminal defense attorneys for his criminal stalking charge after he had the audacity to use his campaign money to pay a private investigator to stalk her."

Prosecutors said he set up a sham charity called the United Latino Foundation to embezzle additional funds for his personal use. He also wrote thousands of dollars' worth of checks to Brava Consulting, a company owned by his mother. This money was allegedly payment for campaign work, but the bulk of it was simply funneled back to him, prosecutors said.

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Initially, Navarro denied the allegations publicly, writing on X last year that the claims were "baseless," and suggested Waters herself was behind the investigation. He pleaded guilty months later.

Prosecutors argued that a significant sentence was necessary given the "prolonged and pervasive" nature of his fraud and to discourage others from engaging in similar behavior "that undermines the very fabric of the campaign finance system, a system designed to promote trust in government."

The other two people connected to the case were also criminally charged.

Navarro's mother pleaded guilty in June 2025 to one count of making false statements after lying to the FBI when questioned about receiving funds from her son's campaign. She will face up to five years in federal prison at her April 13 sentencing hearing.

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Diamantides-Abel pleaded guilty in May 2025 to one count of conspiracy and awaits sentencing.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
On the Tuesday, February 24, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: Last week, the Supreme Court delivered a major ruling on presidential power  striking down a centerpiece of President Donald Trumps economic agenda. What happens next? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to break it all down.

Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here

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Dana Taylor:

Last week, the Supreme Court delivered a major ruling on presidential power, striking down a centerpiece of President Donald Trump's economic agenda. How will this ruling impact American consumers and the economy? And how will it shape Trump's trade policy going forward? Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Tuesday, February 24th, 2026. Here to help me break down the issues from a legal, political, and economic perspective, I'm now joined by USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen. Bart, thanks so much for joining me.

Bart Jansen:

Thanks for having me.

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Dana Taylor:

Let's start with the basics, Bart. What exactly did the Supreme Court say?

Bart Jansen:

By a six, three majority, the justices basically said that Trump doesn't have the authority to impose emergency tariffs under a 1977 law that aimed to allow some trade restrictions, but tariffs are considered a tax, and Congress in the Constitution was given the power to tax. So the lack of explicit authority in the statute to impose tariffs meant the Supreme Court blocked Trump under this statute.

Dana Taylor:

Trump wasn't particularly happy about the ruling. What did he say?

Bart Jansen:

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He's called it dumb, ridiculous. He said he was ashamed of the justices who voted against him. He said it was an embarrassment to their families. He's very upset about this decision because it was a centerpiece of his economic policy and also a key factor in his foreign policy because he's used tariffs as a cudgel to force manufacturers to relocate jobs back in the United States on foreign countries to allow more trade into those countries and also treat us more fairly in trade practices and also to raise hundreds of billions of dollars for the US government. So this was a big blow for his administration, but as he says, he contends he has other avenues to impose different kinds of tariffs to make up the shortfall.

Dana Taylor:

And the President turned around and gave a press conference a few hours later saying he had another way to enact his trade policy. Let's give a listen.

Donald Trump:

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Effective immediately, all national security tariffs under Section 232 and existing section 301 tariffs, they're existing, they're there, remain in place, fully in place and in full force and effect. I will sign an order to impose a 10% global tariff under Section 122, over and above our normal tariffs already being charged.

Dana Taylor:

Burt, is this new tactic likely to withstand judicial scrutiny?

Bart Jansen:

Well, it's not even so much a new tactic because he has already used some of these paths in the past. There are basically several statutes that allow Trump to impose tariffs, allow any president to impose tariffs. They go by a variety of different numbers based on their sections in federal law, 122, 232, 301. You don't need to get bogged down in the numbers, but for a second I will. 232 was a section of code that allows for tariffs under reasons of national security. That's the way that he imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum and car parts already. And those tariffs continue despite the Supreme Court striking down his use of emergency tariffs. So it's a different section of federal law. Those tariffs continue on aluminum and steel. That kind of tariff though has to be imposed after a Commerce Department investigation, and that's what he's been arguing is that the emergency tariffs allowed him to impose tariffs on a whim.

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He could set any number he wanted and he could start it on any day he wanted. So he liked that flexibility and it gave him just a lot more agility to deal with foreign countries or foreign manufacturers to both use it as a foreign policy tool, but also to raise money for the United States. The tariffs that he imposed on Friday and then raised again on Saturday fall under a different statute, a section 1 22 for those who want to play trivia that deal with trade imbalances or currency depreciation. The key to this one is he could impose the tariffs almost immediately. He imposed initially at 10% and then on Saturday raised at to 15%. That's the cap under this kind of tariff.

The problem with this one is that it only lasts for 150 days unless Congress votes. To extend it's possible that Congress could vote to extend tariffs, but many Republicans are leery of tariffs because of their link to taxation and raising costs on consumers. So it's not an automatic that Congress would extend tariffs. So that one was a quick way for him to restore at least part of the tariff value that he lost when the Supreme Court struck down emergency tariffs.

Another section, just to let your listeners know, is 301 for unjustified or discriminatory trade practices. But here again, you need an investigation by the U.S trade representative, so that slows things down a little bit and would take longer. That's again why Trump liked the emergency tariffs, because he could impose them at will and set any number he wanted.

Dana Taylor:

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And does this ruling potentially signal that the high court is not going to side with Trump or the Trump administration on other cases this year, ceding to what some have called presidential overreach? What other cases involving Trump's use of power are we waiting to hear about?

Bart Jansen:

Well, the tariffs case was arguably the biggest case that he faced this term, and so it is a big disappointment for him. Another major case looming with arguments on April 1st, deals with birthright citizenship, whether a person is basically automatically a U.S citizen when they are born in the United States. This is a constitutional amendment. It has long been US policy, but Trump contends that it applied only to the children of former slaves. It was the 14th amendment was adopted after the Civil War. Trump wants to limit it so that it doesn't apply to people who are in the United States temporarily, such as under visas or who have arrived without legal authorization, undocumented immigrants. That'll be the next big case on the horizon. Arguments April 1st with the decision before the end of June.

Dana Taylor:

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How have the impacted countries responded to his new tariff announcement?

Bart Jansen:

Well, mostly with caution because we need to puzzle out how much he would do in different ways. But the European Union has already said that it is reviewing its trade deal negotiated with Trump under the threat of the emergency tariffs and says that it's not going to vote immediately. They want to see more about how threatened tariffs will continue to shake out. Canada considered the Supreme Court decision a vindication of its argument that it shouldn't be held to those emergency tariffs. They've been in trade negotiations ever since Trump imposed them. Those talks will continue, and again, they are waiting to see what other tariffs he might impose.

Dana Taylor:

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Interestingly, a new report came out the day before SCOTUS's decision about trade imbalances in the wake of Trump's tariffs. What did that report say, Bart?

Bart Jansen:

Well, it said the trade imbalance actually grew during 2025. One of Trump's arguments in imposing these higher than ever before tariffs were to draw more manufacturing back into the United States and basically have more produced here, more American jobs, in addition to raising money for the country so that we aren't sending so much money overseas. We're spending it here at home on local products, but the amount of goods that we were buying from overseas was $1.24 trillion more than the products that we sent to other countries during 2025 according to the new report from the Commerce Department. So that is interesting that despite all of the higher tariffs that Trump imposed last year, that the trade deficit widened about 2% because we continue to buy more products from overseas than we send to those foreign countries.

Dana Taylor:

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Tariffs have been tied to higher prices on everyday goods like furniture, dishes, household items, and are estimated to have collected up to $200 billion so far. How has Trump proposed to distribute that money and what do Democrats say?

Bart Jansen:

The notion of refunds is going to be a very complicated issue. During the oral arguments that the Supreme Court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett said it looked like it would be a complete mess, and she voted in favor of overturning these tariffs. We have to see what kind of technical process they will adopt. Government officials led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent assured federal courts as these cases were being litigated, that they would provide refunds without the courts needing to wipe out the tariffs entirely as these cases made their way through the court. So the government continued to collect tariffs under the assurance from top government officials that they would distribute refunds if the court ruled against them. Of course, now there is that ruling, but Bessent said that if it got to the point of refunds that they would do it, but that it would be complicated and it could take months or even a year to get all the money back to the importers.

These would be refunds to the companies that brought the materials into the United States and then presumably passed along those costs to their customers here in the United States. So all this debate about refunds, just to be clear, applies to the importers, not to the US consumers who bought something like the items that you mentioned earlier and paid a slightly higher price because of the tariffs.

The Penn Wharton business model has estimated that Americans paid an average of $1,700 a piece in tariffs last year. So it's a significant amount of money at stake. Another estimate has been that it's something like $175 billion that could be refunded, again, to the importers, not to the customers who bought the products, but Democrats have reacted first by saying that they're glad that Trump's policy was struck down. Dick Durbin, senate Democrat from Illinois said that it had been chaotic and essentially was a corrupt process. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sent Trump an invoice for $8.6 billion saying that he wanted to refund for the roughly 5 million people who paid the higher tariffs in his state.

Dana Taylor:

And finally, what are the likely near term impacts for businesses and consumers?

Bart Jansen:

At the start, businesses will be seeking refunds, as we've talked about. And we have to see whether they will get refunds immediately from the federal government, or Trump suggested during his press conference that litigation that thousands of companies have filed to try to secure refunds already might take two to five years. So for right now, businesses has to just try to claw back the money that they have already paid that the Supreme Court has now ruled was unauthorized. Going forward, there are these new tariff regimes that Trump is going to pursue, and the question will be, will they challenge those tariffs as well? These are fairly long held tariff statutes, and so the legal fight against them could be a little more complicated. Trump has insisted that they've long been upheld, and so there's no way to challenge them. So he's confident that he'll be able to use them.

But for example, the 122 statute that we now have imposed on Saturday, 15% for countries around the world, businesses could potentially challenge that saying that he didn't fit the rules for imposing it, or potentially he could try to extend it beyond the 150 days, just saying, well, each day brings a new and different trade deficit justifying the reason for these temporary tariffs, and try to extend beyond the 150 days, even if Congress doesn't vote to extend it as Congress is authorized to do so.

I think a short answer would be that you should expect more litigation over these tariffs as businesses continue to resist paying these higher costs, and Trump continues to try to impose them. For consumers, I don't think you should expect lower prices at the grocery store or the mall or wherever you're shopping immediately because companies are taking a cautionary approach to not knowing how tariffs might be imposed in the future. Yes, the emergency tariffs have been struck down, but Trump is starting to impose new tariffs. How those match up against the previous amounts is still a little uncertain, and he could continue to raise tariffs under the other statutes that he has available. So I wouldn't go looking for any immediate bargains through tariff reductions.

Dana Taylor:

Bart Jansen is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. Thank you so much for coming on The Excerpt, Bart.

Bart Jansen:

Thanks for having me.

Dana Taylor:

Thanks for our senior producer Kaely Monahan for her production assistant. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us note what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. I'll be back tomorrow morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SCOTUS tariff ruling is a deep setback for Trumps economic agenda | The Excerpt
Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov is under investigation in Russia for supporting terrorist activities, the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on Tuesday.

The report is said to have been based on information from the FSB domestic intelligence service.

The newspaper said the Telegram messaging service was allegedly used in numerous criminal offences, mentioning the terrorist attack that killed more than 140 people at the Crocus City Hall concert hall in Moscow almost two years ago.

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The move is a further escalation from Russian authorities targeting the messaging service, which was classified as a security risk last weekend.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeated the accusation that Telegram is refusing to cooperate, leaving authorities obliged to take action.

Durov left Russia several years ago.

Phone calls via Telegram have long been blocked in the country, and most recently, the messenger service has been throttled.

Other services such as WhatsApp and Signal are blocked.

Moscow has massively tightened internet censorship since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
Are aliens real? The question has animated conspiracy theorists for decades and enthralled at least one former president of the United States. In a recent interview, Barack Obama became the first American president to affirm a belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life, but insisted that it was not being stored inside the top-secret Area 51 military base in Nevada.

For Bill Diamond, the president and chief executive of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (Seti) in California, Obamas beliefs are hardly radical. Seti is the worlds leading research organisation dedicated to the scientific search for life beyond our planet  and Diamond insists that aliens are out there.

Oh yes, says the 69-year-old scientist. I do believe aliens are real. Definitely It is one of the questions we ask if you want to get a job at Seti. If you dont believe in aliens, theres probably no point having a job with us. Diamonds job involves overseeing teams of scientists working on various projects and sifting through torrents of data from radio telescopes, searching for patterns that nature alone cannot explain.

Bill Diamond, current president of Seti in California, spends his days contemplating vast distances and civilisations he may never see - Stuart Bebb/Seti

Diamond is careful, though, to draw distinctions in what he means by aliens. He is not talking about flying saucers and abductions. Life is probably very common in the universe, he says. Its when you start talking about complex organisms, intelligence and then, ultimately, technology that it becomes a different matter.

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The conditions that would allow for [aliens] to exist, which are mostly time and evolution, are probably not going to be as common as the conditions that allow just basic cellular life to emerge. But statistically speaking, there will be many examples of intelligent and ultimately technological life on other worlds.

So if they do exist, what will they look like? Public imagination of aliens in film and fiction are of little men flying through our skies in spaceships and etching elaborate patterns into wheat fields. Diamond smiles at the cliche. Reality, he believes, is both less theatrical and far harder to picture.

Its very hard for us to imagine what aliens would be like, he says, but points to the biodiversity of our own planet which may offer clues. Aliens may even be similar to creatures like jellyfish, he suggests. We have jellyfish that, from my point of view, are pretty extraordinary looking, a bit like aliens  and various sea creatures and birds and reptiles and mammals and so forth. On Earth alone, evolution has produced creatures that seem almost otherworldly. Octopuses with nervous systems that extend into their arms, whales capable of complex communication. If such diversity exists under one sky, perhaps its not so difficult to imagine stranger things still under another.

The same physical laws apply everywhere, Diamond notes. Gravity, chemistry and energy behave the same way across the known universe. This does not mean that aliens would look human but it does mean that they would be shaped by similar constraints. They will obviously be shaped by their environment. A bigger planet than Earth is going to have a stronger gravitational field thats going to require an organism that is capable of withstanding that gravitational pull so likely to be a more robust physical species. A planet slightly smaller would have a lower gravitational field that might allow for more spindly, less structurally solid beings.

In a recent interview, former US president Barack Obama affirmed his belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life - YouTube

So if aliens do exist, how would they get in touch? Diamond is clear about what he does not expect. I think crop circles are rather unlikely, he says. If youre an advanced civilisation, and you are able to be here in some capacity, having a presence or impact on our planet and you wanted to get our attention or have the technology to visit Earth in some direct or impactful way, you have technology far beyond our ability to imagine.

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Such a civilisation would not stumble upon us. It would already know we were here. It would have studied our atmosphere, our radio signals. It would understand our level of technology and, almost certainly, our languages, Diamond says.

Instead, he believes that contact is far more likely to come as a signal. First contact is most certainly going to be an observation of a phenomena that nature doesnt produce, that we can say thats technology, he says. Certainly, if an advanced civilisation wanted to get in touch or contact us, radio transmission would be one of the most efficient and effective ways.

However, he jokes that even if aliens could contact us, they might not want to. There is a joke amongst some researchers, he says. When alien spacecraft fly by the Earth, they lock the doors.

At Seti, Diamond describes three ways that scientists search for life. The first is in situ exploration, sending instruments directly to a place of interest. Nasas Perseverance rover is currently exploring Mars to determine whether life exists or once existed there. That approach, for now, is limited to our own solar system. The second is remote observation. The James Webb Space Telescope can examine the atmospheres of distant planets up to around 1,000 light years away. The third is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence itself, though Diamond prefers a more precise description. What Seti is really seeking, he says, is extraterrestrial technology, something that acts as a proxy for life and intelligence.

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So, when might all of this happen? A Seti discovery could happen tomorrow, it might not happen for a thousand years, we dont know, Diamond says. But one of the things we also say in this business is that the probability for finding life beyond Earth if you dont look for it is zero.

The challenge, he explains, is scale. If a signal was sent from Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our solar system, it would only take four years to get here. Yet if an alien civilisation 1,000 light years away sent a message today, it would not reach us for 10 centuries. If we replied, our response would take just as long. Therefore, any exchange would unfold across generations rather than lifetimes.

The probability for finding life beyond Earth if you dont look for it is zero, says Diamond - Diana Robinson

That does not dampen his optimism. Humanity has been technologically capable for barely a century. In that time, we have gone from inventing radio to building space telescopes that can study worlds hundreds of light years away. Given enough time, our reach will expand.

A confirmed detection would be historic. Diamond and his colleagues are already thinking about what it would mean. What will that discovery do to humanity as we know it? Change it for the better, Diamond hopes.

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Whatever the nature of the discovery, almost certainly it will have an impact on us, he says. How will it impact religious beliefs and how will it impact governments and international diplomacy?

For a man who spends his days contemplating vast distances and civilisations he may never see, the conclusion is strikingly human. I hope we will be excited by the news and not threatened by it. Maybe people would finally realise we are all on this one planet as one little island and in this together so it might be smart for us to co-operate instead of fighting with each other.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN)  News 2 is learning more about a potential United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Lebanon.

Local officials, including the Wilson County mayor, have now confirmed its proposed location: just off Highway 109 on Cedar Creek Lane, roughly two miles from East Nashville Beer Works.

The property features two massive warehouse-like buildings, totaling nearly 2-million total square feet.

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Its just something that this county absolutely doesnt want or need, and its just gonna create a lot of hardship on the people that live here, said county commissioner Tommy Jones, whose district would house the center.

ICE mega center under consideration for Lebanon, county mayor says

Jones said he felt dread when he first heard reports of the center, as many officials have admitted they were unaware of ICEs plans until local media broke the news.

Based on how many detainees Hutto said could be held there  14,000 to 16,000  the center would be among the largest in the world, on par in population with the entire Los Angeles County jail system, and bigger in population than New Yorks Rikers Island.

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Lebanons population would also see a drastic increase of roughly 30%.

Its gonna change our community; itll change our utilities, Jones said. I personally know for a fact that the utility district that provides water for this building that theyre working at (couldnt) supply enough. So, if it came here and they took the water, the residents would suffer.

Across Wilson County, leaders largely agree that Lebanon could not handle such a massive operation.

On Monday, Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan shared that his office was also against it.

The vast majority have let us know, its not welcome here. Personally, I dont want it, Jones said. My constituents dont want it; theyve let me know that. I just dont know how we can say it any plainer than that.

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Ultimately, Jones wanted to remind the public that Wilson County officials, or Lebanon officials, have no authority over what the Department of Homeland Security decides to do.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Nonetheless, Jones said hed like to see the county, city and even state come together to create a resolution, stating they dont want an ICE detention center in Lebanon.

News 2 was unable to connect with the development group tied to the property, who are based in Houston, Texas.

News 2 spoke with the company leasing out the property. They said theyve had zero contact with DHS so far.

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Meanwhile, a spokesperson with ICE told News 2 they have no new detention centers to announce in Tennessee at this time.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASA has announced a Wednesday rollback for its SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft.

Their return to the Vehicle Assembly Building will be for repairs deemed necessary after last Thursdays wet dress rehearsal for the upcoming Artemis II mission.

NASA had hoped to launch the mission with four astronauts on a trip around the Moon as soon as next month.

Agency officials said the wet dress uncovered an issue with the flow of helium gas in the rockets upper stage.

The NASA Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with the Orion spacecraft is seen at Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Recent high winds and other weather conditions have created a challenge for teams working to complete pre-rollback preparations on the launch pad.

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We see now the wind and even this cold weather that were facing the next few days will offer some challenges, and so safety of course is the highest priority, and so this work is best done back in the Vehicle Assembly Building, Florida Techs Dr. Don Platt told Channel 9.

The 4-mile journey back to the VAB is expected to take up to 12 hours.

NASA has not yet said what time the Feb. 25 rollback will start.

Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for the latest on this story.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will brief top congressional leaders on rising tensions in Iran on Tuesday ahead of President Donald Trumps annual State of the Union address.

Ratcliffe and Rubio, who also serves as Trumps national security advisor, will brief the so-called Gang of Eight congressional leadership as well as top lawmakers on the Intelligence committees from the White House Tuesday at 3 p.m.

The closed-door session comes as the administration weighs next steps in the escalating standoff with the Islamic Republic. Talks with Iran, where the U.S. is pushing for full denuclearization and a limit on its ballistic missile program, are scheduled to resume on Thursday. White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff led talks last week with Iran that did not result in a tangible deal.

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The White House has made clear that diplomacy is Trumps first priority, but the Middle East has seen the largest U.S. military buildup in decades. One carrier strike group under the USS Abraham Lincoln is already in the region and another with the USS Gerald R. Ford is heading that way.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will brief top congressional leaders on Iran on Tuesday ahead of President Donald Trumps annual speech to Congress. (Getty Images)

Top Iran Security Official Seen In Oman Days After Indirect Nuclear Talks With Us

Meanwhile, Iran is digging in. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X Tuesday, "Our fundamental convictions are crystal clear: Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon; neither will we Iranians ever forgo our right to harness the dividends of peaceful nuclear technology for our people."

Read On The Fox News App

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In a message directed at the American side, he added, "A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority."

The U.S. has insisted Iran cannot have any nuclear enrichment capacity, even for energy purposes.

Rubio, who also serves as Trumps national security advisor, and Ratcliffe, above, will brief the so-called "Gang of Eight" from the White House Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Trump Says Iran Already Has Us Terms As Military Strike Clock Ticks

Araghchi said last week that the two sides had come to a "general agreement on a number of guiding principles" and agreed to begin drafting text for a possible agreement, with plans to exchange drafts and schedule a third round of talks.

Meanwhile, reports have swirled that Trump is considering a "limited" strike on Iran aimed at pressuring its leaders into acquiescing to a deal.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Mike Johnson will get briefed by the Cabinet members, along with the minority leaders and leaders on the Intelligence Committees.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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Rubios classified briefing comes at a pivotal moment, just hours before Trump steps to the podium for his State of the Union address. The timing suggests the administration wants congressional leaders fully briefed on Irans nuclear posture, U.S. intelligence assessments and potential next steps before the president publicly lays out his strategy to the nation.

By meeting with the Gang of Eight ahead of the speech, the White House is also locking in oversight consultation before Trump speaks. That gives top lawmakers the same classified context the president is working from and makes it harder for critics to argue they were blindsided if Trump signals tougher action, new diplomatic parameters or a shift in posture toward Tehran during his address.





Original article source: Rubio, Ratcliffe to deliver classified Iran briefing to Gang of Eight ahead of Trump's State of the Union
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW, Feb 24 - Russia stepped up its bid to subjugate the Telegram messaging app on Tuesday, announcing in a state-run newspaper that it was investigating billionaire founder Pavel Durov as part of a criminal case involving accusations of terrorism.

Russia is trying to block Telegram, which has more than 1 billion active users and is used very widely in both Russia and Ukraine - and steer tens of millions of Russians towards a state-backed alternative known as MAX.

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Telegram did not respond to a request for comment and Durov could not be reached, although the app has repeatedly denied Russia's allegations that it is a haven for criminal activity and compromised by both Western and Ukrainian intelligence.

Russia's official state newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, published a 1,500-word article on Tuesday which it said was "based on materials from Russia's Federal Security Service" that accused the app of being "a tool for hybrid threats".

"The actions of the head of Telegram, P. Durov, are being investigated as part of a criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 (assistance to terrorist activities) of the Criminal Code of Russia," it said.

The newspaper said Telegram had become a tool of the NATO military alliance and Ukraine, and was used widely by radicals and terrorists and posed a "threat to our society."

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the authorities had noted a large amount of material on Telegram that could "potentially pose a threat" to Russia.

"A large number of violations and the unwillingness of Telegram's administration to cooperate with our authorities have been recorded," Peskov told reporters. "Our relevant authorities are taking the measures they deem appropriate."

Four years into the deadliest war in Europe since World War Two, Russia is expanding its already significant repressive powers and crafting a more sophisticated digital surveillance state along the lines of China.

RUSSIAN CLAMPDOWN

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Russian officials say the clampdown on virtual private networks (VPNs) and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram is essential for security as Moscow faces deadly attacks deep inside Russia from Ukraine and alleged attempts at sabotage by Western intelligence agencies.

Western intelligence agencies, in turn, say they are facing the biggest Russian threat since the Cold War, and say they are trying to recruit agents in Russia, but deny trying to destroy Russia.

Moscow has been tightening control over Telegram for months, first slowing down voice and video calls and then briefly blocking the app for some users earlier this month, though it was still working for Reuters reporters in Moscow on Tuesday.

Since its creation in 2013, Telegram has become one of the most important sources of news inside Russia, including for soldiers on both sides of the 1,200 km (750 mile) front line in eastern Ukraine.

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TELEGRAM IS WIDELY USED

The app is used by the Kremlin, pro-Russian war bloggers and pro-Putin propagandists as well as antiPutin opposition groups abroad, the growing nationalist opposition and Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Durov, a 41-year-old billionaire born in President Vladimir Putin's hometown of Leningrad, said Russia's efforts would fail.

"Russia is restricting access to Telegram to force its citizens onto a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship," Durov said on February 11.

"This authoritarian move won't change our course. Telegram stands for freedom and privacy, no matter the pressure," he said, adding that Moscow's attempt to strangle Telegram would ultimately fail.

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Durov, who now resides in the United Arab Emirates, left Russia in 2014 after he refused to comply with demands to shut down opposition communities on his VK social media platform.

He has railed against restrictions both in Europe and in Russia. After he was arrested at Le Bourget airport in Paris in 2024, he has repeatedly accused French intelligence of trying to get him to censor some content on the app. He was permitted to leave France in 2025 while investigations continue.

Durov, who describes his political views as "libertarian", has also accused French President Emmanuel Macron of trying to turn the EU into a "digital gulag".

Russia's FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said on Saturday that Ukraine's armed forces and intelligence services were harvesting data from the app, including from the use of the app by Russian soldiers.

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Kate Mayberry and Ros Russell)
As well as being a key component of Russias attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. Meanwhile, one lesser-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a cramped fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.

The footage in question originates with the state-owned Russia Television and Radio channel and shows a Russian Aerospace Forces Mi-28NM  the latest domestic version of the gunship  undergoing pre-flight checks at a forward airstrip somewhere in the Ukrainian conflict zone. The video reportedly dates from this month.

At the start of the video, a technician is seen handling hoses that run into the helicopters port-side rear fuselage via an open door. Typically, such hoses are attached to dehumidifier units, which then blow warm, dry air through the aircraft to keep everything dry. This is especially important for sensitive avionics in cold weather, as on this snowy airfield. Once the helicopter is fully powered up, it should keep itself warm enough for moisture not to be a problem.

Perhaps the best available view of the Mi-28 rear-fuselage compartment, with the access door open. via X

Whats most interesting, however, is that the open door provides a rare look into this rear-fuselage compartment, which has the capacity to carry two or three people, or an equivalent load of cargo. Of course, this is in addition to the Mi-28s two crew seated in tandem in the cockpit  the weapon system operator/navigator forward and the pilot to the rear.

A look at the door armor on a Mi-28 attack helicopter.https://t.co/PTEzmFYUeY pic.twitter.com/wy6am7wkh2  Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 27, 2019

The fuselage compartment, unique among in-service attack helicopters, was part of the Mi-28s design when it was first schemed back in the second half of the 1970s. The Soviet Union had ordered Mil to design a new-generation combat helicopter, equivalent to the U.S. AH-64 Apache, but this feature was all its own.

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The Mi-28s configuration was broadly similar to the AH-64, but marked a significant move away from the philosophy enshrined in the previous Mi-24 Hind. As we have discussed in the past, the Mi-24 had been built around a passenger/cargo cabin  with space for a squad of infantry  although, as it was developed, it expanded its anti-armor capabilities, too.

A walkaround video of a privately owned Mi-24 in the United States. The passenger/cargo cabin is seen in detail from around the 11:30 mark:

In contrast, the Mi-28 was a tank-killer first and foremost, with no cabin, and better overall performance. However, there was internal space for a much smaller compartment and one that would be very useful for retrieving downed pilots from the battle area, especially for grabbing a pilot who went down within the same flight. Bearing in mind the expected aircraft losses on Europes Central Front  especially among low-flying helicopters  this made a lot of sense.

Other tasks could have included moving mechanics and tools to conduct limited repairs of other helicopters in an emergency. Potentially, it could even have been used for inserting and picking up infiltrators or saboteurs.

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Having the option of using the Mi-28 as a kind of ad-hoc, or non-traditional combat search and rescue (CSAR) asset would also mean that the aircraft could operate on its own and on the fly if other air or ground assets were not available. Traditionally, CSAR helicopters have to operate with an armed escort. Its unknown whether the passenger cabin has been used at all in the war in Ukraine, but the limited space, presence of avionics equipment, and complete lack of windows mean its only really suited to emergencies. For more typical CSAR missions in the Ukrainian theater, Mi-8 Hips and Mi-24s are typically used, with an escort of Mi-28 or Ka-52 Hokum attack helicopters.

A close-up view of the Mi-28 rear-fuselage compartment reveals how cramped it is, including the presence of avionics equipment. via X

As for other attack helicopter types attempting personnel recovery, the best-known incident is likely that involving two British Army Apache gunships in Afghanistan in January 2007. During that dramatic mission, four Royal Marines strapped themselves to the outside of two Apaches for an attempted combat rescue. Ultimately, they were only able to recover the body of their fallen comrade, Lance Cpl. Ford, who had already been killed.

The Italian Army, too, has explored the concept of using its A129 Mangusta attack helicopters for personnel rescue, strapping a pair of soldiers to the main landing gear struts. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command operates MH-6M Little Birds with side-mounted planks to externally airlift special operators. A more elaborate modular system, used to transport small numbers of personnel, was schemed for the Bell 360 Invictus armed scout helicopter, as you can read about here.

A diagram depicting four individuals sitting on a modular seating system fitted in the weapons bay of a 360 Invictus helicopter. USPTO

Its also worth pointing out another planned survival feature of the Mi-28, namely its crew-escape system. Unlike the Ka-52, the Mi-28 doesnt have ejection seats. Instead, the Zvezda/Tomilino Pamir-K crew seats have belts that tighten automatically when high-g loads are encountered. As originally envisaged, the crew escape system would work as follows: During any kind of catastrophic failure at altitude, the cockpit doors would be blown off, the stub wings would be jettisoned together with their loads, and an inflatable door-sill sleeve would be filled with air. This was to protect the crew from the protruding main landing gear and cannon and help them clear the helicopter, after which they would return to the ground by parachute. In theory, at least.

Ka-52 alligator and its unique K-37-800M ejection seats. Before the rocket in the ejection seat deploys, the rotor blades are blown away by explosive charges in the rotor disc and the canopy is jettisoned. pic.twitter.com/BzPP9SNXMZ   . (@VladZinen) December 11, 2020

In practice, it seems the crew escape system never reached operational status on the Mi-28, likely due to the very limited window in which it would be of practical use.

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According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, Russia has lost 19 Mi-28s since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago. This figure could be higher because Oryx only tabulates losses it can confirm visually. Russia began the conflict with a force of around 110 Mi-28s of all versions.

 Video of the destruction of the Mi-28 of the  Russian Air Force using an  FPV drone. The first recorded case pic.twitter.com/LWosDeX2Ah   MilitaryNewsUA  (@front_ukrainian) August 7, 2024

The Mi-28 has had a notably protracted history since it was first flown in prototype form in 1982. The original Havoc was abandoned by the early 1990s, and Mil pressed ahead with the radar-equipped, night-capable Mi-28N version. Deliveries of production Mi-28N helicopters to Russia began in 2008, and export versions have since been sold to Algeria, Iraq, Uganda, and, apparently, now also Iran.

Newly delivered Russian Mi-28NE attack helicopter was spotted over Tehran, Iran. pic.twitter.com/Mq5x9q4NHh  Clash Report (@clashreport) February 3, 2026

For Russia, the basic version remains the Mi-28N, which also undertook combat operations in Syria starting in 2016.

Less common is the Mi-28UB (only 24 of which were produced), which received a mast-mounted radar, lacking on the Mi-28N, and dual controls. As for the latest Mi-28NM version  as seen in the video above  this also has the mast-mounted radar and other changes, including new missiles. As well as having been ordered in quantity for Russia, there are also plans to bring older Mi-28N aircraft up to Mi-28NM standard.

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Video of the radar-equipped Mi-28UB during a live-fire exercise in the Krasnodar region, March 2020:

For all the changes that the Mi-28 has undergone since it first appeared, its highly compact passenger compartment remains one of its most unusual features.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
Warning: This story contains details of extreme violence and reference to suicide.

Four Russian soldiers have exposed the horror and brutality of conditions on their side of the front lines in Ukraine, with two men telling the BBC they saw soldiers being executed on the spot for refusing orders.

One man told a documentary team he saw a soldier executed on the order of his commander, who was made a "Hero of Russia" in 2024.

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"I see it - just two metres, three metres... click, clack, bang," he said.

Another soldier, from a different unit, says he saw his commander shoot four men himself.

"I knew them," he says of the soldiers executed. "I remember one of them screaming 'Don't shoot, I'll do anything!'"

One of them also says he saw 20 bodies of fellow soldiers lying in a pit after being "zeroed" by comrades. The term "zero" is Russian military slang for executing your own.

In the documentary, The Zero Line: Inside Russia's War, men give detailed accounts about how they were tortured for refusing to take part in assaults they describe as verging on suicide missions. Russian troops call these attacks "meat storms" as waves of men are sent across the front line relentlessly to try and wear down Ukrainian forces.

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For the first time, the BBC believes, Russian soldiers from the front line say on the record how they witnessed commanders ordering executions of their own men.

One of the men, whose job was to identify and count dead soldiers, provided detailed lists showing that he is the sole survivor from a group of 79 men he was mobilised with. Because he refused to go to the front line, he says he was tortured and urinated on. Others in his unit who refused would be electrocuted, starved and then forced into meat storms unarmed, he says.

The four men, who are on the run, told of the horrors they witnessed at an undisclosed location outside Russia.

Almost all public opposition to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine has been stamped out in Russia. Official casualty numbers are not released by Moscow, but the UK's Ministry of Defence says more than 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured since the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.

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The Russian government says its armed forces "operate with utmost restraint, as far as possible under the conditions of a high-intensity conflict, treating their personnel with maximum care".

"Information regarding alleged violations and crimes is duly investigated," it added.

"We are unable to independently verify the accuracy or authenticity of the information you have provided," it said.

Ilya, who spoke to the BBC from an undisclosed location, says he watched as four comrades were shot at point blank by a commander [Ben Steele/BBC]

The detailed first-hand testimony from all four men also verifies reports of a breakdown of law and order on the Russian front line.

Ilya, the soldier who identified and counted the dead, is one of the men who says he saw comrades being killed by commanders.

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Before the war, the 35-year-old taught children with special needs and autism in Kungur, in the Ural Mountains. Then in May 2024, police turned up at his parents' house and told him he was being called up.

He was mobilised alongside 78 other men, he says, at a recruitment centre in the city of Perm.

"Nearly everyone was drunk," he says. "Forwards into battle! We'll get Zelensky and raise our flag!" he recalls them shouting.

"I was watching them and thinking 'How did I end up here?' I was so scared."

Upon arriving in Ukraine, Ilya says most of the men were sent straight to the front line. He says he did not want to shoot or kill anyone, and ended up at a command post.

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Conditions were brutal, and he says he witnessed four people being shot at point-blank range by a commander - one in Panteleimonivka, and three in Novoazovsk, both in Russian-occupied Donetsk in eastern Ukraine - because they had fled the front line and refused to return.

"The saddest thing is that I knew them. I remember one of them screaming 'Don't shoot, I'll do anything!' but he [the commander] zeroed them anyway," Ilya says.

Zeroing is usually carried out as punishment for refusing orders, and acts as a means of intimidation for others who may be thinking of doing the same, the men told us.

"Your fate depended on your commander. The commander is on the radio: 'Zero this one, zero that one,'" Ilya says.

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Executions of soldiers who refused orders were not confined to Ilya's unit.

Dima says he saw a fellow soldier executed on the direct order of his commander [Ben Steele/BBC]

"Of course they kill their own men, it's a normal thing," says Dima.

Before the war, the 34-year-old lived with his wife and daughter and worked in Moscow as a dishwasher repairman.

In October 2022, he says he was walking between jobs when a group of police called him over.

"They just see my passport, do something on their laptop and tell me 'if you don't go to army you are go to jail,'" he recalls in English.

Dima says he didn't want to kill anyone so, despite having no medical experience, he joined a paramedic unit. Later, he was moved to a brigade where he had to evacuate wounded soldiers from the front line.

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It was here, in the 25th Brigade, that Dima says he saw his fellow soldiers executed on the order of his commander.

"I see it - just two metres, three metres. Just murders, just click, clack, bang. It's not a drama, it's not a movie, it's real life," he says.

Dima's commander, Alexei Ksenofontov, was awarded the Gold Star, the highest state medal, and made a "Hero of Russia" in 2024.

But Ksenofontov has been denounced by families of men who died in his unit. In a joint letter in January 2025, they appealed to Putin directly to look into allegations of brutality in his unit.

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"They defended our Motherland with honor and pride!!! But in reality, they found themselves in the gang of these commanders, who received awards for tens of thousands of dead and missing!" the letter reads.

"And they continue to exterminate our men! Feeling their impunity!"

Dima calls Ksenofontov a "butcher".

"He give too many orders for killing soldiers, too much blood on his hands, too much."

Dima also describes how he saw bodies of 20 men, who had arrived at his base the previous night, lying in a ditch having been shot.

He says he spoke to several of the men, all ex-convicts, before witnessing them being taken away the following morning.

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As a medic, the dead were routinely reported to Dima, and he says he was informed that these men had been shot dead by a commander and their bank cards taken.

"Twenty lads were brought to us. They just took their bank cards and killed them," he recalls. "It's not a problem to write off someone. You just make up a report."

Dima says he was told the bank cards had been taken by commanders.

The BBC documentary also hears from another former soldier - a senior staff officer, who says he served in the Russian military for 17 years. The former officer, whom we are not naming, says he spoke to a man who had helped kill a group of high-ranking officers.

The man said he had been part of a "liquidation squad sent to finish any survivors", the former officer recalls.

"I've never seen anything like this during all my years of service."

A senior staff officer says he spoke to a man who had helped kill a group of high-ranking officers [Ben Steele/BBC]

All four men told us in graphic detail about the dreaded meat storm missions - part of the Russian military's wider "meat grinder" tactic on the Ukrainian battlefields.

The storms are so deadly, they are likened to suicide missions.

"I saw them [commanders] send wave after wave, throwing men like meat at the Ukrainians, so they run out of ammo and drones and another wave can reach their objective," says another former soldier, Denis.

Every day in 2025, an estimated 900-1,500 Russians were killed or wounded in Ukraine, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Dima explains how the storms work in practice.

"You send three guys, then another three. It didn't work out, send 10. It didn't work out with 10, send 50," he says.

"Eventually you will break through. That's the logic of the military.

"We had 200 dead in three days. On our regiment's first meat storm they broke us, our regiment was destroyed in just three days," he says.

Dima then shows a video, uploaded to social media in October 2023, of mothers and wives of men killed in his unit speaking out against the huge losses.

One woman can be heard saying: "Our men were ordered to advance armed with only machine guns and shovels." Another says: "There are terrible losses. Our men are being slaughtered."

Those who are not killed for refusing a storm often face dire and dehumanising consequences, Ilya says.

He shows a video on Telegram of men from his unit in Panteleimonivka in Donetsk.

"Let's feed the animals," a man says, before pulling up a lid to show three men crouching in a pit.

"Oh, are you hungry? You want to be fed?" the man filming asks, before one of the men raises his head and nods, holding out his hands while some dry grains are poured into the pit.

"Look how it's eating," the man filming says, as the man in the pit eats the grain.

Some men would be "starved for days" and electrocuted, says Ilya, before being sent into meat storms unarmed.

He personally was tortured, he says, after refusing to take part in one storm.

"They tied me to a tree, hit me with a baton a couple of times and put a gun to my head.

"I don't know how to put it, they went to the toilet on me. The commander told everyone 'We've got a new toilet'. I was tied up for half a day."

After being untied, Ilya attempted to take his own life.

Denis says he was beaten and had teeth knocked out after he refused to search for a missing drone [Ben Steele/BBC]

Denis, who says he once secretly brought food and water to soldiers in a pit, shows the documentary team a video of an accused deserter being urinated on, which the BBC has not been able to independently verify.

"It's a humiliation of a person's honour and dignity. In the Russian army this has become the norm," he says.

"It's illegal but no-one is punished for it. On the contrary, guys are even encouraged to do it."

Denis, 27, also shows a photo that he says was taken shortly after two of his front teeth were knocked out by one of his superiors, because he had told them he didn't want to search for a missing drone.

"It's terrible, I just had to carry on."

Dima was eventually promoted, despite having said he did not want to become an officer. He shows a photo of the ceremony where he was commissioned.

After his promotion, he would not send his men on a meat storm, he says.

"I refused to do it. I wouldn't have to go forward myself, but I couldn't just give them the order."

It led to his arrest by military police and him being taken to Zaitsevo, a makeshift prison, Dima says.

"[There] they are torturing me with electric shock," he recalls, adding that the power of the first shock made him defecate himself.

He was tortured every day for 72 days, he says.

"Just torture only, every day with stone face. No emotions, it's crazy," he says, referring to his torturers.

Ilya says he attempted to take his own life, after being tortured and urinated on [Ben Steele/BBC]

All of the men we spoke to are now outside of Russia, but have mental scars from the front lines in Ukraine.

"I have dreams. I see [a] forest full of dead bodies, just smashed people with faces, dirty white mouths full of blood. The smell it doesn't smell, it tastes," Dima says.

"I'm a criminal, and nobody cares - my crime is just I don't want to kill," he says.

"In Russian army, too many guys who don't need this war, who hate commanders, who hate Putin, who hate our system, and they need to break us."

Ilya says he loves his country, "but not what Putin has done to it".

"They can break anyone there, it doesn't matter if you're strong or not.

"They almost broke me, but not completely."
LONDON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Ivory Coast will have accumulated about 200,000 metric tons of unsold cocoa by end-March when its main crop concludes unless the government cuts state-regulated farmer prices in order to unlock sales from farmers to traders, industry experts and global trading executives said.

Ivory Coast and neighbouring Ghana, which together produce some 50% of the world's cocoa, are facing a growing crisis as unsold cocoa stocks from the main crop have piled up both inland and at the ports over the past months.

The unsold cocoa has accumulated because the country set farmer prices for the main crop last October some way above current world prices, meaning traders face steep losses on purchases.

The stocks are weighing on world prices, which have plunged 50% this year alone, hitting a near three-year low earlier.

SOME MID-CROP SALES AGREED

Many international traders stopped buying Ivorian beans for the main crop a few months ago, although local trade and government sources said the country did manage last week to sell 200,000 tons of its upcoming April to September mid-crop to international traders.

The mid-crop tends to be processed locally and is generally cheaper as it is considered to be of lower quality.

In a bid to get cash to farmers who had not been paid for their main crop beans, Ivory Coast in late January pledged to buy 100,000 tons of unsold cocoa at a cost of about $500 million.

But the volume of main crop it will need to buy is likely to be much larger, according to global cocoa trade executives and experts.

Ivorian traders - who buy cocoa from farmers and sell it to international traders - have defaulted on at least 100,000 tons of cocoa purchases from the main crop, two executives at global agricultural commodity trading houses said.

They asked not to be named because they are not authorised to speak to media.

Farmers will harvest another 100,000 tons of main crop beans by the end of March that have not yet been sold to global traders and will not be sold if Ivory Coast doesn't drop its prices, the two executives said.

IVORY COAST SAYS ESTIMATE OF UNSOLD STOCKS 'ERRONEOUS'

Abidjan-based cocoa regulator, the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), responsible for overseeing the cocoa sector and setting farmer prices, told Reuters the market estimate for unsold stocks is "erroneous", without giving further details.

Ivory Coast's agriculture minister said on Monday the country will make an announcement on farmer prices for the upcoming mid-crop by end-February, more than a month earlier than usual.
North Carolina taxpayers paid for more than $500 million in vouchers this school year. State lawmakers made the voucher program universal in 2023, allowing even wealthy families to qualify for awards of up $7,900 per year.

States are scrambling to meet rising demand for newly expanded school choice initiatives, pouring more money into the programs as waiting lists  and budget concerns  grow.

A further boost is expected next year, when the federal government rolls out a new policy allowing taxpayers to claim a tax credit for up to $1,700 in donations to nonprofits that award private school scholarships to K-12 students.

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Supporters tout such programs as a lifeline for parents desperate to get their kids out of failing public schools, while opponents have long warned that they drain resources from public education as students move from public schools to private ones.

For years, voucher and scholarship programs providing taxpayer dollars for private school tuition were limited to low-income or special needs students. In 2022, however, Arizona became the first state to allow all students to use public money for private school tuition. By next school year, at least 17 states are expected to have universal programs  making roughly half of U.S. students eligible to receive money, according to FutureEd, a think tank at Georgetown University.

As both universal and limited programs spread across the country, many families are eager to participate.

In Alabama, more than 36,000 students last spring applied for 14,000 spots in the states new program, prompting Republican Gov. Kay Ivey to propose increasing its funding from $180 million to $250 million for the 2027-28 school year, when income limits will be eliminated.

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In Oklahoma, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has proposed removing the budget cap on a scholarship program that turned away 5,600 students a couple of years ago because it ran out of money. And in Tennessee, Republican Gov. Bill Lee has proposed doubling the funding for a scholarship program that has a waitlist of about 34,000 students.

Last year, we gave families school choice with the Education Freedom Scholarship program, because parents know best, Lee said in his State of the State address last month. Growing the program would open the doors of opportunity for thousands more children statewide.

South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster and Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe also are seeking more money for school choice programs.

So far what weve really seen is legislatures looking to expand the programs, said Andrew Handel, director of education and workforce development at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a membership group for conservative state lawmakers that has pushed for choice programs nationwide.

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The ESA [education savings account] is the gold standard. Its the one that gives parents the most flexibility, he said, referring to programs that allow parents to use the money for other education-related expenses in addition to tuition. The best states are where the funding for those school choice programs is tied directly to their state education formula. That ensures that no matter how many families apply, youre always going to have the money there.

But in Arizona, the first state with a universal program, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has become an outspoken critic.

Hobbs last month criticized the program, approved under her Republican predecessor, as an entitlement program that continues to operate unchecked, squandering taxpayer dollars with no accountability. She has proposed scaling back the program to its original scope, when it was limited to children with disabilities and military families.

The program serves more than 100,000 students  about 1 in 10 K-12 students  and cost the state about $872 million in fiscal 2025, according to the Grand Canyon Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. In addition to offering vouchers to pay private school tuition, it allows money to be spent on certain school supplies.

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A recent audit by the Arizona Department of Education found that about 20% of Empowerment Scholarship Account dollars were used for unauthorized purchases, including iPhones, lingerie, jewelry and other luxury items, according to documents obtained earlier this month by the television station 12News in Arizona.

At least 45% of the kids receiving aid in Arizona were never enrolled in public schools, 12News recently reported. In some states, the percentage is even higher: In the 2023-24 school year, about two-thirds of the students participating in scholarship programs in Arkansas and Iowa were already attending private schools.

Those numbers have handed ammunition to critics who argue that universal programs are creating two parallel education systems, both funded by taxpayers.

Every state thats passed a voucher system has had to slow down its per-pupil funding for public schools, said Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University. Whether they take it directly out of school aid or fund it from another pot, its all the same budget.

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States cant afford to run two systems.

The waiting lists prove that many families would like to send their children to private schools, but its difficult to determine whether they get a better education there: Unlike public schools, private schools can turn away students, and in many states private school students dont take the same standardized tests, so comparing academic performance is difficult.

Patrick Wolf, a professor at the University of Arkansas who studies school choice programs, noted that in his state, students with disabilities made up 48% of first-year participants. The percentage declined to 36% the second year, but that was still nearly three times the rate of disability in the general population.

Wolf argued that choice programs can help public schools by providing competition, forcing them to adapt.

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The traditional public schools can lose students who didnt really want to be there, and that can be a pressure release valve, he said. What weve seen when private school choice programs launch is that public school test scores often go up slightly.

The competitive effects are either neutral or positive, he said. They communicate more effectively with parents. They offer new programs targeted to the kinds of students theyre afraid might leave.

Going big in Texas

Earlier this month, Texas launched what is likely to be the nations largest school choice program.

The new pre-K to 12th grade scholarship program is open to any U.S. citizen or immigrant in the country legally (public schools are open to everybody), but funding will be capped at $1 billion for the 2026-2027 school year. If state lawmakers choose to spend more in future years, the cost could rise to nearly $5 billion by 2030, according to a legislative fiscal note. The states current biennial budget is close to $340 billion.

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Most participating students who want to attend a private school will be eligible for about $10,470 per year, while students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000. Families who want to homeschool their child can get $2,000.

This year, Texas will give priority to students with disabilities, families with lower incomes, and children enrolled in public and charter schools. Starting next year, the guidelines will be adjusted to favor the siblings of current students and new applicants.

Strongly backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, the program drew more than 42,000 applications when it opened on Feb. 4, according to state officials. As of Feb. 18, the state had received a total of 111,000 applications. Texans can apply through March 17.

Travis Pillow, a senior official overseeing implementation, said the state partnered with Odyssey, a vendor that has administered similar programs in other states, to automate eligibility verification using state IDs and federal tax returns, since Texas does not have a state income tax.

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Officials say more than three-quarters of applicants were verified the same day they applied, a benchmark they argue is critical to maintaining momentum and public confidence.

Pillow said Texas lawmakers are required to consider waitlist numbers in future appropriations decisions, and early demand could shape whether the program expands beyond its initial $1 billion allocation.

Federal tax credit

Meanwhile, a provision of the broad tax and spending measure President Donald Trump signed in July could create a significant new source of funding for families who want to send their kids to private school  but only in states that choose to participate.

The measure creates a new federal tax credit for people who contribute to nonprofits that award private school scholarships to K-12 students. Taxpayers in any state can get the tax credits, but only by donating to organizations in participating states.

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Last month, federal officials announced that 23 states had opted in to the program; all of them, except for Virginia, are led by Republicans. However, the federal list did not include Colorado, where Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said in December that his state also would participate. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein also has said he will opt in. The Democratic governors of New Mexico, Oregon and Wisconsin have said their states will not participate.

In Pennsylvania, where one of the nations largest state-level tax credit scholarship programs already operates, scholarship granting organizations say that the state needs to opt in to the federal program to meet the growing demand. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has been a supporter of vouchers generally, but he has not said whether Pennsylvania will opt into the program.

Keisha Jordan, president and CEO of the Childrens Scholarship Fund Philadelphia, said that more than 200,000 Pennsylvania children live in neighborhoods where the local public schools are low performing.

Despite serving thousands of students, she said, every year scholarship organizations like Childrens Scholarship Fund Philadelphia still have to turn students down because we dont have enough funding to meet the demand.

Jordan argues the new federal tax credit could help close that gap. The demand is here, she said. Pennsylvania taxpayers will participate, but their money could go to another state. Why not keep it here?

Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org. This story was originally produced by Stateline

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: School choice programs grow in popularity  and cost
Mexico remains on high alert after a wave of reprisal attacks triggered by the killing of its most wanted drug cartel leader, even as President Claudia Sheinbaum claimed the country is at peace and life is returning to normal.

Some 10,000 soldiers have been deployed across 20 of Mexicos 32 states to maintain order following the killing of Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera in a military operation about 130km (80 miles) from Guadalajara city on Sunday.

Guadalajara is the capital of western Mexicos Jalisco state  the stronghold of Osegueras Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG)  where at least 2,000 soldiers have been sent.

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Schools in Guadalajara and several other Mexican cities were closed on Monday. However, public transport partially resumed, though buses carried few passengers, as people witnessed a slow return to normalcy.

Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch said on Monday that at least 74 people were killed, including 25 National Guard officers, in the operation that killed the cartel boss and the subsequent violence over the killing of the 59-year-old drug kingpin, one of the most wanted men in Mexico and the United States.

Burned-out vehicles are seen on the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico [Arturo Montero/EPA]

El Mencho was considered the last of the drug lords who acted in the brutal mould of the now-imprisoned Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and Ismael El Mayo Zambada, of the rival Sinaloa Cartel. He was a founding member of CJNG, which was formed in 2009 and has grown into one of Mexicos most violent crime organisations.

Following his killing, suspected CJNG members set fire to cars in several states and blocked numerous roads. They also attacked banks, petrol stations and shops.

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Al Jazeeras John Holman, reporting from Mexico City, said there was an eerie quiet in the country following El Menchos killing.

Many businesses are closed, and the trucks that the CJNG cartel dragged across roads to stop Mexican security forces and create chaos have been moved out of the way, Holman said.





Meanwhile, President Sheinbaum said on Monday that peace had returned to the country. Mexico is calm. We woke up without any roadblocks, and all activity has been restored, she said.

The White House confirmed that the US provided intelligence support to the operation to capture the cartel leader and applauded Mexicos army for taking down a man who was one of the most wanted criminals in both countries.

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Sheinbaum stressed that only Mexican forces were involved in the operation.

There was no participation in the operation by US forces. What we have is a lot of exchange of information provided by the US government, but the entire operation, from its planning stage, is the responsibility of [Mexicos] federal forces, the president said.

Experts now warn that the absence of a direct succession within CJNG could lead to a power vacuum and violent fights to fill it.


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Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

A study of ancient human DNA from a wetland region in Belgium, western Germany, and the Netherlands yielded surprising information about early British history.

Hunter-gatherer genes were prevalent in the wetlands for much longer than in most European regions.

When farmers finally gained a genetic foothold there, it created a unique mixthat soon expanded into Britain.

This story is a collaboration with Biography.com.



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Genetic evidence shows that while most of Neolithic Europe transitioned from hunting-gathering to farming during the Bronze Age, one region held out longer than the others. The people in that region also left behind a unique genetic signature in their DNA. Now researchers have used that signature to identify them as the same people who wiped out and replaced the population of Neolithic Britain about 4,500 years ago.

In a wide-reaching study published in the journal Nature, a team of researchers spanning the globe investigated DNA from the remains of 112 individuals who lived between 8500 and 1700 B.C.E. in an area that now includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and part of western Germany. The evidence tells a surprising story of hunter-gatherer dominance, and answers a longstanding question about a violent rupture in the DNA found in Britain's late-Neolithic archaeological record.

As the authors explain, ancient European populations migrated and mixed together such a way that virtually all modern-day Europeans have evidence of three ancestral components in their genes: hunter-gatherers, Neolithic peoples (who migrated from the Near East and were the first farmers in Europe), and a pastoral population that originated in what is now Russia.

Over the course of 2,500 years, farming newcomers gradually mixed with long-established hunter-gatherers throughout Europe, resulting in a 70 percent to 100 percent ancestry turnover. But in the wetland, riverine, and coastal areas of the Netherlands, Belgium, and western Germany, hunter-gatherer ancestry continued to predominate 3,000 years longer than in most other European regions. As the researchers put it, this resulted in distinct communities where transfer of ideas was accompanied by little gene flow.

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In other words, even though farming populations reached northwestern Europe around 4500 B.C.E., that didnt result in a major shift in the genetic composition of the region. Instead, it involved the uneven acquisition of farming-related practices by local hunter-gatherer communities, with only minimal genetic input from the farmers.

We expected a clear change between the older hunter-gatherer populations and the newer agriculturalists, but apparently in the lowlands and along the rivers of the Netherlands and Belgium, the change was less immediate, John Stewart, a paleoecology professor at Bournemouth University, said in a statement. Its like a Waterworld where time stood still.

Data shows the farmer influx was mostly from women marrying into the local hunter-gatherer communities, bringing with them their know-how and their genes, but keeping the male hunter-gatherer gene dominant.

Ancient DNA studies often bring to light unexpected pages of our past, said Maria Pala, a member of the Archaeogenetics Research Group in the University Huddersfields School of Applied Sciences. We might anticipate finding the unexpected when analyzing samples from unexplored or peripheral regions of the globe. But here we are looking at the heartland of Europe, making these results even more striking. Its a testament to the power of ancient DNA studies that findings like these can still surprise us.

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Still, the wetland hunter-gatherers were not entirely immune to cultural and genetic shifts. Eventually, the hunter-gatherers started adopting many cultural practices associated with farming, including making pottery. That helped form the Corded Ware culture, a mixture of farming cultures collectively named for the type of pottery they produced. Corded Ware culture did not, however, seem to strongly infiltrate the wetlands.

Instead, it was the arrival around 2500 B.C.E. of the Bell Beaker culturewhich emerged in western Europe in the early Bronze Age and whose name refers to its distinctively bell-shaped potterythat really introduced farmer ancestry from the steppes into the wetland. The researchers found that the unique Bell Beaker mixture that resulted then spread from the wetlands into Britain around 2400 B.C.E. DNA evidence reveals that soon after the blend of Bell Beaker and hunter-gatherer genes was established in northwestern Europe, it spread into Britain and quickly became predominant there.

Thus this curiously recent mixture DNA, specific to the wetlands, overtook Britain and wiped out the Neolithic people therethat is, the original architects of Stonehenge. The Bell Beaker culture had a disruptive impact across a much wider part of northwestern Europe, especially in Great Britian, the authors wrote, where they were the main source of a 90-100 percent replacement of local Neolithic ancestry.

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Questions about what the federal government may know about extraterrestrial life in the cosmos  or possibly even here on Earth  have inspired imaginations, conspiracy theories, sci-fi literature and blockbuster films. Answers to some of those questions could finally become public after President Trump's call last week for the release of files related to UFOs or any "alien and extraterrestrial life."

Mr. Trump posted on social media that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other agency heads should "begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters."

His announcement came after former President Obama told a podcaster who asked about aliens, "They're real, but I haven't seen them." He later clarified that he never saw evidence during his time in the White House and just meant that "statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there's life out there." Mr. Trump told reporters he isn't sure if aliens exist but suggested his predecessor may have been referring to "classified information."

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With the release, the American public could learn what, if anything, the government has documented about the unexplained sightings, such as one seen in a video made public last year by a member of Congress showing a U.S. missile striking an unidentified glowing orb in the sky and appearing to bounce off it.

There were more than 750 new UAP sightings between May 2023 and June 2024, according to a government report. While these instances may currently be unexplained, experts said one benefit of releasing the files may be that scientists, analyzing the data, can help provide factual explanations.

Sean Kirkpatrick, former top government UFO investigator

Sean Kirkpatrick, the first director of the U.S. Department of Defense's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which investigates unidentified flying objects, says people expecting to see evidence of alien life here on Earth may be disappointed.

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"There are going to be unsatisfied people," he told CBS News.

"You're going to have a bunch of people who are going to continue to cry conspiracy, they're going to say there's a cover-up," Kirkpatrick said. He views Mr. Trump's order as a "distraction for the administration."

Kirkpatrick, a physicist who led AARO from July 2022 to Dec. 1, 2023, was tasked with investigating unidentified flying objects and other unidentified aerial or anomalous phenomena.

What he found ranged from "hazing" in the Air Force to what he called "deceptions" designed to hide secret defense programs. Kirkpatrick said his office "had to stand up anything they could declassify," but proof of extraterrestrial life wasn't there.

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"Nothing would have made me happier in that job but to have discovered alien technology and rolled it out," said Kirkpatrick. "I don't expect to see anything new."

Kirkpatrick believes there's likely life out in the universe somewhere, but "the probability that extraterrestrial intelligent life is here is little to none."

Federica Bianco, NASA study team

Federica Bianco, an associate professor at the University of Delaware's astronomy and physics department, echoed Kirkpatrick's perspective.

"The probability that we are the only life form or even the only technical society in the universe is negligibly small," Bianco said.

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Bianco was part of NASA's independent team studying unidentified anomalous phenomena.

"As a scientist and a member of the NASA UAP panel, I haven't seen anything that indicates that we have observed phenomena that violate the laws of physics and require an alien society visiting us to be explained," Bianco said.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist

Neil deGrasse Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space, knows what he'll look for in the files:

"An actual alien. If one is presented, then no documents are necessary at all," Tyson told CBS News.

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Tyson said the files may help illuminate "that most people who look at the sky (day or night) are unfamiliar with optical, climactic, and astronomical phenomena. When that's the case, a person is prone to report mysterious and unidentified objects."

"The urge to have immediate answers drives many people to explain what they see as visiting space aliens from across the galaxy," Tyson said. "I call this, 'aliens of our ignorance.'"

He noted that in the age of the internet and social media, it would be hard now to hide a visit from otherworldly creatures.

"Billions of photos and a million hours of video are uploaded daily to the internet, and none of them contain images of actual aliens," Tyson said. "The implicit assumption is that the government (somehow) has access to visiting aliens that no one else in the world with a smart phone has. And that the government has successfully kept it a secret among hundreds and possibly thousands of people. All the while, forgetting Benjamin Franklin's edict, 'Three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead.'"

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Tyson wrote about what it would take for aliens to reach Earth in his upcoming book, "Take Me To Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter."

"In science, skepticism is foundational to our profession, so we uphold standards of evidence that some interpret as disinterest or even denial. Don't take it personally, it's how any and all objective truths have ever been established in this world," Tyson writes in the prologue to the book, which is scheduled for publication in May.

Shelley Wright, observational and experimental astrophysicist

Dr. Shelley Wright, an observational and experimental astrophysicist at the University of California San Diego, said scientific inquiry into unidentified anomalous phenomena and other life forms often creates a "giggle factor" among people.

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Wright, who also served on NASA's independent study team, said she believes there needs to be more scientific inquiry around this topic and the public has a deep curiosity to know more. She said often people ask her, "Are we alone out here?"

As a scientist, Wright said she is always looking for "life in the universe" and is humbled by how big the universe and our galaxy is. She noted, "The possibility of other alien life existing is likely, but it doesn't mean it's near us."

Regardless, she said she's "excited" for the document release but doesn't expect to find much after her experience on the independent study team, which only viewed unclassified documents.

Wright said she expects most of the documents to be heavily redacted due to the sensitivity of the surveillance equipment used by the military responsible for sighting many of the UAPs. She said that releasing information could encroach on national security.

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However, she added that the administration could declassify security and surveillance documents from decades ago, allowing scientists to study the material with new technologies that weren't available when the data was originally collected. This decision, she said, could protect national security and allow scientists to understand more about what was captured by surveillance.

Janna Levin, professor of physics and astronomy

The universe is vast and contains countless other planets, but in our solar system, scientists have long determined Earth is the only planet teeming with life.

CBS News contributor Dr. Janna Levin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, said that even as we learn more about the universe, "life still seems rare." That's why astronomers are "very excited" about the prospect that the released documents may hold clues.

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She said astronomers aren't really looking for the little green men of 20th-century sci-fi, but instead are excited about potential evidence of microbes. These are the tiny particles astronomers are looking for because microbes were responsible for starting life on Earth. "Let's just get life started," she said.

Levin said it's possible microbes from other planets might have been carried here via a natural object that plunged to Earth.

She said she'd like to keep "an open mind" about what might be in the documents.

"If there is anything in them, it would be really thrilling," Levin said. But she cautioned: "If there are claims of actual technologies from other civilizations  I don't think anyone is actually expecting that, scientifically. I think if you're expecting that, you're going to be disappointed."

Avi Loeb, theoretical physicist

Harvard theoretical physicist Avi Loeb, a prominent researcher of anomalous phenomena, said the key is to study the documents from the vantage of known physics.

Loeb told CBS News that he spoke with members of Congress last week and told them he hopes they'll look to scientists like himself when they examine the files. He said that in most instances of unidentified phenomena, "something mundane might explain the data."

He pointed to footage aired before Congress last summer that purported to show a missile being fired at what a congressman referred to as an "orb" off the coast of Yemen in 2024.

Loeb said when he examined the footage, he concluded there was a simple explanation.

"I said, 'No, it's not anomalous, it was just a drone," Loeb recalled.

When Loeb gets the chance to examine the files, he'll be searching for the unexplainable.

"There might well be a few incidents out of hundreds that would really be anomalous, and that's what I'm looking for," he said.

Loeb said there's a "fundamental question" to examining each incident with seeming anomalous data: "Are the objects we see as anomalous operating under the fundamental abilities of humans?"

If not, he's intrigued. An object that appears to defy physics could be extraterrestrial, he said.

Loeb leads the Galileo Project, which searches for artifacts from extraterrestrial civilizations near Earth. He has written about why much of the currently classified material may be of no interest to him: Some information may have been kept from the public to avoid exposing sophisticated military sensors and systems to adversarial nations, or because officials believe certain unidentified objects were manufactured by those adversaries.

"I am not interested in technologies manufactured by humans on Earth. The history of terrestrial technology does not interest me," Loeb wrote. "I am far more curious about whether a more advanced civilization exists in interstellar space."

Watch: Trump's full 2026 State of the Union address

Marco Rubio addresses Cuba's statement that it killed 4 on Florida-registered boat

Rep. Al Green removed from chamber during State of the Union
THE SUPREME COURT RULED on Friday that President Donald Trumps worldwide tariffs are illegal. Tariffs are taxes imposed on, and collected from, the American people, and the Constitution gives the taxing power to Congress, not the president. Congress can delegate that power to the president, and it has done so in a host of laws. But, as Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the six-justice majority, explained, those laws come with constraints; they dont give the president the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.

Whats more, the emergency law on which the president relied does not expressly say the president has any powermuch less unlimited powerto impose tariffs. And recognizing such a power would not just pose a threat to American businesses, consumers, and the stability of markets. As my organization, Protect Democracy, explained in an amicus brief filed with the court of appeals, the sweeping and unprecedented executive orders at issue in the case raise virtually all of the red flags that jurists and scholars have identified in warning about how emergency powers may be abused to undermine democracy and the rule of law.

The Courts decision did not break new ground. Last year, lower federal courts issued three rulings on the legality of the Trump tariffs, and all three rejected the presidents claim that he has unlimited power to impose emergency tariffs.

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The main question now is not whether the Courts legal conclusion is correct. Its whether the Trump administration will respect the Courts role in our constitutional republic and its authority as the head of a coequal branch of government.

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President Trumps statements following Fridays ruling do not clear that low bar. His first big Truth Social post about the decision attacked the character and competence of all six of the justices who ruled against himincluding two he appointed himself. He derides them as FOOLS and LAPDOGS for the RINOS and Radical Left Democrats, brands them as very unpatriotic and disloyal to the Constitution, and faults them for not having the Courage to do what is right for our Country. If all that were not bad enough, Trump accuses the justiceswithout offering a shred of evidenceof being swayed by Foreign Interests.

That kind of rhetoric is not just crass; it does real harm and is also profoundly dangerous. As cross-partisan experts and lower court judges have been warning for some time, the administrations relentless vilification of individual judges and justices fuels extremism and conspiratorial theorizing, and it can lead to threats of violenceor worse. And, just like the abuse hurled at the judges who rejected Trump and his allies sixty-plus court challenges to the 2020 election in the months leading up to the January 6th insurrection, it lays the groundwork for continued defiance of court orders or ignoring the legal rulings on which they are based. Its not hard to see why: If the justices are subhuman lapdogs who are corruptly serving foreign interests (as Trump put it) and engaged in lawlessness . . . plain and simple (as Vice President JD Vance put it), why should executive branch officers follow their rulings?

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We should not rest easy just because we have not yet seen a January 6th-style mob attack the Supreme Courtor because the administration has not yet taken steps to directly violate the Courts tariff ruling. (The day after the decision, the president announced that tariffs would be going up, but would be based on purported authorities not at issue in the case decided last week.) Instead, nowbefore the attacks on the Court or defiance of its rulings get any worseis the time to send a message to the president and his allies that attacks on our independent judiciary will not be countenanced.

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SO WHAT TO DO? Theres no quick fix, but three immediate steps come to mind.

First, all nine justices should decline to attend the State of the Union address tonight. No law requires their attendance. Nor does any norm; its common for justices to skip the event, and some do so as a matter of course. In recent years, at least some justices would ordinarily be present. But the president has already shattered the norms of interbranch comity; and the most important norms would be subverted, not fortified, by pretending that his attack on the Court is acceptable and resorting to business as usual. Not attending, on the other hand, would quietly evince the Courts institutional self-respect and dignity; and it would avoid the intolerable spectacle of the justices being subjected to abuse or used as props during a tirade directed against their colleagues.

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Second, Congress should show that it will not stand by as the president attacks a coequal branch of governmentparticularly when that branch is vindicating a core congressional power. Both the House and the Senate should adopt resolutions condemning attacks on judges and expressing continuing support for our independent judiciary. This recommendation is less likely to become reality, as the presidents own party controls each chamber. Yet its not impossible to imagine a bipartisan majority of Republicans and Democrats coming together to signal that they do not want to see Trumps attacks escalate or spill over into more troubling forms of defiance.

Finallyalthough this, too, may be difficult to envision actually happeningat least one high-ranking officer in the executive branch should resign to protest President Trumps assault on the Supreme Court. Some such resignation would help shine a light on the grave and growing risk to our independent judiciary, and would help to fortify the resolve of lower-level officers and career employees.

Those initial, largely symbolic, measures will not be enough to set things right. But they would be a step in the right direction and could help alert our fellow Americans to the reality of the threat we now face. All of us must do our part to reaffirm our collective commitment to the rule of law. A great democracy hangs in the balance, and the time to act is now.

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Amit Agarwal, a special counsel for Protect Democracy, was a law clerk to Justice Samuel Alito and then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh and served as solicitor general of Florida (201621).
CHICAGO  Many of the most in-your-face signs of Operation Midway Blitz have evaporated from public life in Chicago.

Theres no more tear gas or pepper balls in the streets. The Broadview processing center that saw so much chaos still draws protests and demonstrations, but last week, a religious group reported that just four people were being held there. U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the height of the operation, hasnt been seen in Chicago in months.

Yet immigration enforcement continues in and around the city. And the battles that started on residential streets during the fall are still wearing on in courtrooms and detention centers from Wisconsin to Indiana to Texas.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said last week it had arrested a total of 5,000 people from the area since the start of the so-called blitz. Those who have chosen to fight their cases face a rapidly shifting legal and administrative landscape that experts say is narrowing paths to legal status and continuing their lives in the U.S.

A slew of decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals, an administrative body that reviews the choices of immigration judges around the country, stand to have serious consequences for immigrants who are seeking to remain in the U.S. Those decisions are already shaping outcomes for those arrested during the fall, and will likely limit options even further for people who are arrested in the coming months.

Samuel Cole, the chief immigration litigation counsel with ACLU of Illinois and a former Chicago immigration judge, said those decisions are a direct result of Trump-era efforts to reshape the immigration board and the court system it supervises into an enforcement tool.

These rulings are designed to deport people, detain people and make the lives of non-citizens as uncomfortable as possible, he said. It makes it much more difficult for anyone who is seeking to stay in the U.S. to win their case.

An enforcement decrease

If Midway Blitz hiked Shelby Vcelkas stress level to a 10, these days its about half that.

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Vcelka, an immigration defense attorney, noticed her firm started to get more calls about detainees in the earliest months of the second Trump administration, but that it only amounted to one new client in detention each month. Then came Midway Blitz, which she described as an onslaught.

It went from one detainee a month to multiple detainees a day, she said. Our phones would blow up, we would get calls all the time.

By the height of Midway Blitz, Vcelka estimated she had about 30 clients in detention. But by mid-February, she said that number had dwindled to about 10. Other attorneys said theyd seen a similar lull.

Data from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights shows that calls reporting enforcement activity and arrests have dropped from a peak of around 14,000 in October 2025. Last month, the organization got about 5,000 such calls, a spokesperson said, reflecting continued arrests even without concentrated neighborhood sweeps.

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For Vcelka, whose clients were some of the most visible faces of Chicagos blitz, the last few months have been a rush of hearings and deadlines as she and her colleagues work to resolve cases that started in the fall and new cases have continued to pile up.

Its a lot of picking up (pieces), Vcelka said. Just because theyre not here in the streets does not mean the work is over.

Far from being over, the work to secure someones legal status or even get them released from detention while they await trial is now taking place in a rapidly evolving legal landscape rife with confusion and unpredictability.

Nicole Hallett, who runs the Immigrants Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago, said unpredictability is the most serious problem facing legal aid offices right now. Halletts still hearing from people every day who have been arrested or whose family members are detained, she said.

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But the normal way that things are supposed to happen, (where) you file your applications and then you wait for your court date and most people arent detained is no longer guaranteed, she said.

Even if I had capacity at this moment, taking on new cases is a huge risk because any of my other cases could blow up at any moment, Hallett said.

Much of that risk is due to a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals known as the Matter of Jonathan Javier Yajure Hurtado. That ruling, which was issued just days before Midway Blitz began in Chicago, found that an immigrant without legal status is not eligible for bond and instead must be detained.

That leaves a petition for a writ of habeas corpus  in other words, a challenge to detention filed in federal court  as the only option for an attorney looking to get a client out of detention.

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Hallett said the Hurtado decision worked in concert with Midway Blitz in a way that was really, really harmful to people.

At the very moment when ICE (and CBP were) arresting more people, they also limited the options for people to get released, she said. And the result of that is that lots of people ended up taking deportation orders rather than fighting their case, because the conditions were deplorable and they had no money to file a habeas petition.

Adding to the volatility is the fact that there is serious disagreement about the validity of the Hurtado decision. After a California district court judge declared it wrong late last year, Chief Immigration Judge Teresa L. Riley instructed all other immigration judges to continue following the decision, which the Texas-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, upheld earlier this month. But on Thursday, a California district judge vacated the Hurtado decision.

It is not yet clear how DHS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review will respond to the opinion. For now, Cole said, whether someone is given the opportunity to bond out of detention will likely come down to whether that persons case plays out in a jurisdiction that is amenable to the Trump administrations priorities.

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Its going to matter where you are, Cole said. If youre in an immigration court in the 5th Circuit, I guarantee you theyre going to follow it.

Hallett noted that as the disagreement continues, the decision has already impacted many immigrants and will continue to shape outcomes for people who find themselves arrested in the coming months.

The courts work really slowly, and ICE works very quickly, she said. So even if a court strikes this down, theres going to be thousands of people who lose their right to apply for asylum.

Legal obstacles

Should a person reach the trial stage with their immigration case, theyre increasingly likely to encounter a move known as pretermission, where the government moves to dismiss a case without a hearing.

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That could mean DHS lawyers argue for dismissing an asylum case because an application is missing something as small as an N/A in a form, Hallett said.

Or, following an Oct. 31 decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, DHS attorneys may cite an asylum cooperative agreement, where an asylum-seeker is transferred to a third county to have his or her case heard there. Mario Godoy, an Oak Brook-based immigration attorney, said hes seeing that move on the vast majority of asylum cases that reach a final trial.

Pretermission often prompts an immigration lawyer to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals, but people who are seeking to appeal their cases are soon nearly certain to find that route a dead end.

A new set of regulations for the board set to go into effect early next month rules that cases will be automatically dismissed with only a few exceptions. The new rules also cut way down on the time allowed for an appeal, citing the current backlog of more than 200,000 pending cases, and make it dramatically more expensive to do so.

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Immigrants used to have a month to get an appeal to the board; now, most will only have 10 days. On top of that, last years One Big Beautiful Bill hiked the cost of filing an appeal to $900 from the previous $110. The cost has now climbed even further, to $1,030, although people can ask for their fees to be waived.

Godoy, the Oak Brook immigration lawyer, said his clients who had pending appeals to the board had more of a chance to sort out a different solution to their legal status or even get their affairs in order to leave the country on their own terms. In some cases, he said, the appeals did correct something that had gone wrong in the previous legal process.

But under the new rules, the board is nearly certain to dismiss every appeal it receives. That will force applicants into federal court if they want to get a review of the immigration judges decision, which costs hundreds of dollars more. If they cant make that happen, he said, then the removal order will become final.  And thats when an ICE agent can come get you.

Continuing enforcement

Early Friday morning in Elgin, three trucks with flashing lights pulled up to a home near Melrose and Lawrence avenues.

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Video footage shared with the Tribune shows the three trucks converge on a dark street. Men exit the car and can be heard screaming, Show me your hands! Hands!

Local rapid response volunteers, who track immigration enforcement and help families who have had loved ones arrested, said theyd confirmed the trucks and men were immigration agents but had no news of a detention. Instances like this are less common than they had been in the fall in the northwest suburb, a major locus of enforcement activity (and activism against it) since the beginning of Midway Blitz.

Vcelka, the immigration attorney, said the arrests seem to be less crazy than they were in the months when Bovino and Border Patrol were roaming the area. But they are still happening.

Elsewhere in Chicago, other volunteers and attorneys have reported people getting arrested at appointments related to their immigration status. Some enforcement has made news, like a crash and arrest in west suburban Bolingbrook. But much of it has gone under the radar, and sometimes people are reported as having been arrested some time after the fact.

Things are happening quietly because theyre being taken when no one is looking, one Elgin-area volunteer said. A lot of these folks dont have a lot of family or extended family and so we, the neighbors, are the only ones coming looking for them.

Gabe Gonzalez, a volunteer with the North Side group Protect Rogers Park, said he hears evidence of arrests every couple of days.

The volume has tapered off considerably but it has not stopped, he said. Currently we have not seen the neighborhood sweeps that we saw previously.

Theyve used the relative quiet to keep recruiting possible neighborhood and school patrollers, and to add onto existing volunteers knowledge base using lessons from Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. In the wake of the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents, theyve placed a particular emphasis on de-escalation and prevention techniques while interacting with federal personnel.

The group has scaled back its patrols but still has volunteers stationed on high-traffic corners around schools for drop-off and dismissals, and has continued to track news of arrests around the city and suburbs. Gonzalez and others said they fully expect agents to return in force to the Chicago area, despite the fact that Bovino has been sent back to his normal duties and the drawdown in Minneapolis.

People know this isnt over, Gonzalez said.

Hallett, of the Immigrants Rights Clinic, said the winter has felt more like a reprieve than anything else. Her phone isnt overloaded anymore, but the steady drip of new policies have her wary of what the spring could bring.

It does not feel like a return to normal at all, she said. I do not feel any sense of relief whatsoever.

____
During the late 1960s, a top-secret Soviet program to sneak nuclear weapons around U.S. early warning radars was mistaken for a rash of UFO sightings by Moscows citizens. The weapon, known as FOBS, created a mysterious pattern in the night sky that many mistook for signs of alien visitation.

In the spring of 1967, people living in the western Soviet Union noticed something odd in the sky at dusk: a mysterious crescent-shaped sliver of light, about the size of the moon from most directions but larger from others. The crescent appeared six times in 1967, always at the same time of day, before it finally disappeared.

According to veteran space expert James Oberg at Air & Space Magazine, the Soviet press speculated they were UFOs, and UFO enthusiast groups sprang up across the country to record the sightings.

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Suddenly, after the sixth incident, Soviet press coverage of the incidents abruptly stopped. Someone in Moscow with the right clearance realized that the crescents in the sky at sundown were actual evidence of a top-secret weapons testone that violated existing treaties on the deployment of nuclear weapons into space.

Wikipedia

The UFO sightings were actually test launches of the R-36 Orb, a secret nuclear space missile. Developed from the SS-9 Scarp intercontinental ballistic missile, the R-36 Orb was designed to rocket into low-Earth orbit and de-orbit over the United States. Launched in a southern direction, the weapon could pass over the South Pole and then come at the United States from the direction of Mexico, bypassing the network of early warning radars facing north.

The trip would be longer, but would catch the Americans by surprise, allowing the Soviets the chance to detonate a 2-3 megaton thermonuclear weapon wherever they might choose.

The R-36 was a so-called first strike weapon. The only logical reason to have such a weapon was to use it first in a nuclear war, as a surprise weapon meant to destroy American leadership and nuclear command and control systems. The problem? The R-36 was not accurate.

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On average, half of R-36s launched in a war would land within three miles of their target. Thats not a deal breaker with a 5-megaton warhead, but it does rule out destroying enemy missile silos. Still, the R-36 would retain use when it came to wiping out the White House, Pentagon, U.S. nuclear bombers sitting on the tarmac, and other vital U.S. installations in a surprise attack.

Wikipedia

The Soviet military conducted six tests of the R-36, each at the exact time of day when the missiles were illuminated but the recording cameras were in shadow. The illuminated crescent was caused by the weapons braking maneuver, in which the de-orbit engine fired up and spewed exhaust as the weapon turned 180 degrees. This created a clearly visible letter C in the early evening sky. This slowed the R-36 down so that it entered low earth orbit, and would be fired back up again later to begin the de-orbiting process.

Although the Soviets initially explained away the tests as launches of scientific research satellites, American intelligence eventually figured out what they were up to and called the USSR out on it. Within eight months of the first test, according to Oberg, the U.S. claimed the R-36 was a first-strike weapon that used an orbit/de-orbit scheme.

This would run afoul of the Outer Space Treaty , which was nearing completion and which would ban the placement of nuclear weapons in orbit. It would also run counter to U.N. Resolution 1884 , passed in 1963, which called on the U.S. and U.S.S.R. not to place nuclear weapons in space.

Wikipedia

The Soviet Union never came clean about the R-36. Eighteen of the weapons were based in silos near Tyuratam, and later banned by the SALT II arms control treaty. The weapons had long since been obsolete, foiled by the deployment of new, southward-facing American early warning radars and Soviet ballistic missile submarines that could launch an attack from that direction much more quickly. The UFOs, it turned out, were not so unidentified after all.

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The SAVE Act passed the House vote and it is now waiting on the Senate vote to pass the controversial bill aimed at keeping noncitizens from registering to vote with far-reaching impacts for voters with new voting requirements ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections. Here's what to know about the SAVE America Act and the odds it will pass.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate would take up the SAVE Act for a vote when lawmakers returned to Washington this week, amid President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Tuesday.

While officials report the SAVE Act has 50 votes in the Republican-controlled Senate, Thune warned they are "not even close" to the votes needed to break a filibuster by Democrats that vehemently oppose the legislation.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., vowed Feb. 15 on CNN, that Senate Democrats will block the GOP-backed effort, claiming it is designed to disenfranchise Americans who don't readily have access to a birth certificate or passport.

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If and when passed, the SAVE Act would head to President Donald Trump's desk. Once signed, it would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require proof of citizenship  via in-person documentation  as an effort to make certain that all voters are United Sates citizens.

However, Democrats have argued, the changes proposed in the SAVE Act could have dramatic effects on the vote-by-mail system and groups that already have limited voting access.

Has the SAVE Act passed? When does the Senate vote on the SAVE Act?

The SAVE Act passed the House on Feb. 11, 2026 by a vote of 218-213 and is now in the Senate awaiting a vote. Voting is expected to take place next week, according to Thune. If and when it passes the Senate, it will go to the president for a final signature.

Will the SAVE America Act pass the Senate? Odds, predictions

The odds of the SAVE America Act passing the Senate and signed into law in 2026 are 12% according to the Polymarket betting odds, and the Kalshi market odds show 13.9% confidence that it will become law.

What is the SAVE Act? SAVE America Act explained

The SAVE Act, also called the SAVE America Act, would require states to obtain documentary proof-of-citizenship "in person," such as an American passport of birth certificate from anyone registering to vote for the first time in a federal election, or re-registering after they move or change their name. It was amended from an earlier version to include Trump's demands to require voters to show photo identification in order to cast a ballot in person or send a copy when requesting and submitting their ballot for voting absentee.

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The typical driver's license or government-issued photo ID cards that don't show birthplace or citizenship on them would need to be presented along with a birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or adoption decree. Other acceptable forms of Real ID include a valid United States passport, valid military ID, and forms of Tribal identification.

The SAVE Act would require that anyone registering to vote or changing their registration appear in person at an election office with original or certified documents proving not only identity, but citizenship status. For most Americans, this would mean showing a passport or birth certificate.

The bill would also require removal of undocumented immigrants from existing voter rolls and allow elections officials that don't follow the proof of citizenship requirement to be sued.

It is already illegal for non-U.S. citizens to vote and there are requirements in place, such as providing a Social Security number to register, matching voter rolls to federal data and, in some states, requiring voter identification at the polls.

How the SAVE Act impacts new voters and voting requirements

Many Americans, especially people of color, low-income individuals and married and divorced women, do not have the required documentation and would face significant challenges in getting it, according to the Brennan Center For Justice.

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Real IDs in most states do not indicate citizenship status and therefore another form of approved documentation would be needed, such as a birth certificate. However, for married women that may have taken their spouses' last names and whose birth certificates no longer matches their legal names, this could become an additional barrier.

The SAVE Act would not allow proof of name change or a marriage certificate as acceptable proof of identity, impacting anyone with birth certificates that don't match their current legal names.

Nearly 80% of women in opposite-sex marriages take their spouse's surname, according to a 2023 study by Pew Research. Most married men  92%  keep their last names.

The name change barrier is not solely a married women issue as million of men and unmarried women have had name changes for many other reasons, such as adoptive parent names, step parent names or any other host of reasons why someone would change their last name.

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The in-person requirement for proof of citizenship would also eliminate many popular registration methods such as registration by mail, voter registration drives, online voter registration, and automatic voter registration.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Has the Senate voted on the SAVE Act? What voting requirements, rights
Senegal's prime minister Tuesday unveiled legislation that would double the maximum penalty for same-sex relations, making them punishable by up to 10 years in prison, in a crackdown condemned by human rights groups.

Ministers passed the bill to the National Assembly after approving it last week, following multiple arrests of people accused of same-sex relations, which are already a crime under Senegalese law.

"Anyone committing an act against nature will be punished by five to 10 years' imprisonment," compared with one to five years under the current law, premier Ousmane Sonko told parliament on Tuesday.

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Police this month said they arrested 12 men, including two local celebrities and a well-known journalist, under anti-LGBTQ laws. Media have reported 30 people arrested since.

Sonko said the bill modified the penal code to stipulate that "any sexual act or act of a sexual nature between two people of the same sex constitutes an act against nature."

The law would also penalise anyone who accuses another of same-sex offences "without proof".

Social media have been flooded in recent weeks with homophobic messages and calls to out individuals accused of same-sex activity.

The bill also provides for three to seven years in prison for "anyone who engages in advocacy" for same-sex relations, Sonko added.

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- Human rights concerns -

In recent years, LGBTQ issues have stirred controversy in Senegal, where pro-LGBTQ advocacy is frequently denounced as a tool used by Westerners to impose foreign values.

Religious associations have staged demonstrations in recent years to demand tougher penalties.

Before becoming prime minister in 2024, Sonko had promised to make same-sex relations a crime, but was accused by activists and the opposition of failing to follow through on the promise.

Global campaign group Human Rights Watch warned in a statement last week that the arrests under "have intensified concerns over the country's criminalisation of same-sex relations and the safety of people living with HIV and/or AIDS".

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"The Senegalese government should act on its obligations to respect and protect... people's rights" under international charters "by releasing those arrested and repealing discriminatory and homophobic laws," it said.

Senegalese media have run stories in recent days on same-sex relations, often conflating them with a separate child sex abuse affair.

In that case, investigators dismantled a gang accused of sexual violence against minors, arresting 14 people.

The bill presented in parliament relates to both same-sex relations and child sex abuse.

"If the act is committed with a minor, the maximum sentence will be imposed," Sonko told lawmakers.

The date for a vote in parliament has yet to be announced.

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FREETOWN, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone on Tuesday accused Guinea of capturing several members of its security forces, in the latest flare-up of a long-running row over border territory.

Guinea later said that several dozen Sierra Leonean armed soldiers had entered its territory without authorization on Sunday, prompting armed forces to apprehend 16 of them and seize equipment.

The territorial dispute between the two West African countries dates back to Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war when Guinea deployed troops to help fight rebels.

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In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday, Sierra Leone's information ministry said army and police personnel were constructing a border post and another facility in the frontier town of Kaliyereh on Monday when members of Guinea's armed forces arrived in the town.

The statement said that "several members of the joint security team, including an officer" were apprehended by Guinean forces who also seized arms and ammunition.

"Government is actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels to confirm their location and secure their safe and unconditional release," the statement said.

A team has been sent to the area to investigate the incident, it added.

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Guinea's ministry of defence said in a statement late Tuesday that the detained soldiers and seized items had been handed over to the judicial police so that an investigation could be carried out.

(Reporting by Umaru Fofana and Guinea newsroom; Writing by Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet, Alexandra Hudson)
General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is among the 9 Best Video Surveillance and Private Security Stocks to Buy.

Jefferies Calls General Dynamics Corporation's (GD) 2026 Outlook Conservative

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) is one of the best video surveillance stocks.

TheFly reported on February 1 that Jefferies increased its price target for GD to $385 from $360 and maintained a Hold rating. After the current earnings announcement, the firm revised its expectations downward and characterized the company's 2026 outlook as conservative.

Another noteworthy development was the announcement on January 30 that General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) had been given a $255.13 million contract for the Strategic Weapon System Fire Control Subsystem for fiscal 20262027. With an extra $485.31 million in options, the contract is set up as a hybrid cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only award.

The contract also supports a Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom. The work encompasses development, production, sustainment, modernization, repair, installation, training, and technical engineering support for the U.S. SSBN and SSGN fleets, as well as the UKs SSBN fleet.

The contract is scheduled for completion by June 1, 2033, and was awarded as a sole-source acquisition under 10 U.S. Code 3204 and was previously listed on the System for Award Management portal. Strategic Systems Programs serves as the contracting authority.

General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE:GD) provides advanced security, surveillance, and defense solutions, including cybersecurity, monitoring systems, and secure communications. It serves government and commercial clients, enhancing safety and protecting critical infrastructure worldwide.

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READ NEXT: 12 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and Dividend Champions, Contenders and Challengers list: 15 Highest Yielding Stocks.

Disclosure: None.
Thousands of people took to the streets of the Bratislava on Tuesday to show their support for Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russian's war against it, even though their government has halted supplies to war-torn Ukraine.

The pro-Ukrainian demonstrators also rallied against Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, a left-wing nationalist who had announced a halt to emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine because, he said, Kiev was blocking Russian oil deliveries to Slovakia.

Demonstrators called on Fico to resign.

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The rally was held to mark the fourth anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The demonstrators waved Ukrainian, Slovakian and European flags and chanted "Glory to Ukraine!"

As the solidarity march passed the Russian embassy, shouts could be heard calling for the Russian ambassador to leave Slovakia.

Banners described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal.

Last week, the Slovak government declared an "oil emergency" because no Russian petroleum had arrived via Ukraine for a month. The Ukrainian government has said the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil from Russia to Slovakia via Ukraine, has been disrupted by Russian bombing.

But Fico has accused the Ukrainian leadership of deliberately preventing the resumption of supplies. On Monday, he announced that Slovakia would suspend emergency electricity supplies to its neighbour, which had previously threatened as a "countermeasure."

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Still, as of Tuesday, the electricity supplies had not yet been suspended, according to information provided by the Slovak network operator Seps to the TASR news agency.

Slovakia and Hungary hold similar positions in the current energy dispute. However, while Slovak politicians once again affirmed their fundamental support for Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union, Hungary rejects that.
A small plane had to make an emergency landing Feb. 24 in the McKee Padilla Road area of College Grove in Williamson County.

No injuries were reported as a result of the emergency landing, officials said, but they did release a statement around noon Feb. 24 warning residents of the area about an "increased presence of emergency personnel over the next several hours."

Before the landing in Williamson County, the plane had taken off from nearby Murfreesboro at about 11:15 a.m., according to the Williamson County Sheriff's Office (WCSO).

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The plane was found by WCSO Air-One Pilot Lieutenant Justin Long, who confirmed there was one person on board.

The pilot was able to land the plane safely.

Williamson County Sheriffs Office deputies remained on the scene as of 12:30 p.m. assisting and making sure the area remains secure, authorities said, noting that people should avoid the area if possible.

No additional details, including the cause of the emergency landing, were immediately available.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Small plane makes emergency landing in Williamson County. What to know
A Saudi royal family source told N12 that the solution for Iran is no longer a limited military strike but a fundamental regime change, starting with the ousting of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

The solution for Iran is no longer a limited military move, but a large, fundamental change, including the ousting of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a Saudi royal family source told N12 News on Sunday.

Khamenei and the regime "must be eliminated one by one," and "the only solution is to change the regime in Iran in one way or another," the source said.

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"If the regime in Iran is overthrown, a strong government must rise that knows how to concentrate power in a strong and secure way, and not repeat the model of a weak technocratic government such as exists in Iraq," the source added.

"After the [anti-regime Iranian] protesters lost faith in [US President Donald] Trump, the solution is to eliminate the top leadership one by one, starting with Khamenei, so that there will be no leaders left, and then hold elections," they continued.

Crown Prince Reza "Pahlavi is apparently not acceptable to the majority of the public inside Iran," the source said.

Anti-regime protesters hold banners in support of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, denouncing the Islamic Regime as murderers, during a protest on the sidelines of US-Iran nuclear talks, Geneva, Switzerland, February 17, 2026; illustrative. (credit: Sedat Suna/Getty Images)

There is a feeling of missed opportunity on the streets of Iran, which has stemmed from not only the intense repression by the Islamic Regime, but also the lack of external support, according to the source.

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"Trump missed the opportunity to eliminate the heads of the regime's security apparatus who suppressed the past protests, and by doing so, he lost the trust of the protesters," the source said.

Saudi royal source discusses US, Israel's strategic mistake

This was "the strategic mistake of the US and Israel - the lack of understanding of the social dimension inside Iran and the failure to build an alternative to the regime," the source added.

"If Trump wants to fulfil his promise to protect the protesters - how will he do that if he doesn't eliminate those who killed them? A surgical action is required to hit essential infrastructure, alongside the security commanders who acted against protesters," the source stated.

"The protests currently happening in Iran are economic in motivation and limited in nature. If pressure increases, they will grow, but will also be suppressed. They are not as large as the media presents," the source believes.

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"We see the regime as a regional threat. If Iran does not produce nuclear weapons within five years, it will do so afterwards," they continued.

Iran builds 'target bank' of US, allies, facilities, infrastructure in region - report

N12 noted that an ultra-conservative Iranian news outlet, Vatan-e-Emrooz (Homeland Today), presented a list of US targets and Iran's plan for escalation, including a "target bank" that includes US bases, economic infrastructure, and other Middle East countries, including Jordan.

An Iranian response will be "rapid and coordinated," according to the local outlet cited by N12. It would be executed in multiple arenas simultaneously, aiming to create a situation where the confrontation will rapidly expand. This expansion will include Iran's proxy axis involvement, damage to shipping routes, and threats to oil and energy facilities, according to the report.
Not that long ago, Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of the last shah of Iran, was considered a political amateur in world capitals.

Sure, he was handsome and erudite. Now and then, he would rear his head to call on U.S. and other leaders to dislodge the Islamist clerics who led the overthrow of his father in 1979. But while Iranians around the world knew Pahlavis name, he was one of multiple opposition figures, couldnt claim to lead a serious movement and was lucky to get meetings with lawmakers.

That has all changed now, in part because his team has grown far more combative.

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In recent years, Pahlavi aides and supporters have been using slash-and-burn tactics online and in real life to dominate the Iranian opposition and broader discourse inside and outside the country  a blueprint Im told was partly inspired by President Donald Trump. The moves have unnerved even people accustomed to long-running infighting in Irans diaspora.

As his supporters have pursued these aggressive tactics, Pahlavis profile has reached new heights, a trend especially obvious since Israels war with Iran last June and amid recent protests in Iran. And with Trump threatening military strikes against Tehran, Pahlavi  who has spent most of his life in the U.S.  may soon get a shot at returning to his homeland and shaping its future. The possibility is so appealing to anguished Iranians, including in the diaspora, that some activists who dont like his teams tactics tell me theyll still support Pahlavi if it helps end the Islamist regime.

One person familiar with Pahlavis inner circle told me their goal is to create exactly that dichotomy in peoples minds: Pahlavi or the regime.

The Pahlavi teams strident approach today means the smallest criticism of Pahlavi is enough to get his backers to lash out. Iranian activists, including some who admire the 65-year-old Pahlavi on a personal level, have been threatened by his followers, often in misogynist and vulgar ways.

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One person told me a Pahlavi supporter recently screamed in his face and left him feeling physically unsafe. Another said his family was doxxed by suspected Pahlavists. A former U.S. official, meanwhile, said of Pahlavis aides: They scare me. I granted them and others anonymity for their safety.

Pahlavi aides and backers have tried to sideline his potential opposition rivals, often by questioning their anti-regime bona fides. Their meddling was a major reason a coalition of Iranian opposition figures fell apart after just a few months in 2023, according to three people familiar with the situation.

Many of Pahlavis backers, who often call him Prince, Crown Prince, or, in the case of friends, just RP, cast him as the only legitimate voice of Iranians.

This is addressed to those who chose to become part of the censorship and distortion machine against the voice of the nation: Your names have been recorded, wrote Amir Etemadi, one of Pahlavis top aides, in January.

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Pahlavi himself usually avoids the harsh rhetoric, saying he condemns political violence and intimidation. He also speaks loftily of a future democratic Iran where he may play a vague role. He has, however, started putting himself forward as the sole leader of the opposition. He also has become more partisan in the U.S. sense. He criticizes Democrats while praising Trump and the GOP. He has further linked himselfwith the Israeli government and spoken at conservative gatherings.

Pahlavi and his movement have become more organized and more able to draw crowds, as well as celebrity backers. He is eclipsing others in the Iranian opposition, including people imprisoned for defying the regime and the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, a decades-old movement the U.S. previously listed as a terror group.

Pahlavis statements are believed to have helped fuel the recent protests in Iran, during which many demonstrators appear to have chanted his name. (Some Pahlavi critics blame him in part for the regime crackdown that killed many thousands of those protesters.) Polls in recent years suggest that Pahlavi has significant support in Iran, although its tough to poll there. In mid-February, Pahlavi drew an eye-popping crowd of 250,000 in Munich, Germany, as well as large gatherings in other cities around the world, to rally for regime change in Tehran.

Iran International, a major TV channel outside the country, has become very friendly toward Pahlavi, and there are reports of an Israeli-linked online campaign to promote Pahlavi. Hes finally getting meetings with some key global figures. That includes Trump envoy Steve Witkoff (who didnt respond to my request for comment).

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Pahlavi aides  including two of the most strident online, Saeed Ghasseminejad and Etemadi  did not reply to my requests for comment about their harsh approach and if it was part of a broader strategy. Pahlavi also did not reply to multiple requests for comment about the tone of his aides and supporters and his plans for Iran.

But through talks with people familiar with Pahlavis team and by reading some of Pahlavi aides past commentary, Ive grown convinced that their approach is not an accident.

A second person who knows Pahlavis top aides told me that they have purposely adopted a strident stance because they believe its strategically smart: By insisting that Pahlavi be the focus of the opposition, his authority is undiluted by coalition politics, the message he sends to the regime can be more disciplined and regime opponents can have one person to rally around. A third person who knows Pahlavis group said they saw Trumps hard-charging approach, especially his use of social and other media, as a template, even though Pahlavi was less accustomed to the spotlight than Trump.

The first person familiar with Pahlavis inner circle said his aides were pushing his supporters to remove references to Irans Woman, Life, Freedom movement from their social media handles because they believe it is associated with a leftist, feminist agenda that could detract from nationalist slogans they believe are more unifying and more favorable to Pahlavi in this moment. (I couldnt verify whether anyone had actually removed such a reference from their account.)

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Several analysts argued Pahlavis growing popularity may have more to do with how desperate Iranians have become to topple the regime. Iranians are sick of the regimes oppression, its economic errors and Irans global isolation. Pahlavi is a household name they can cling to in a dark time. The TV and online influence campaigns backing him certainly havent hurt.

The Trump administration should take notice, some analysts said. Washington cannot afford to keep making the perfect the enemy of the good on Iran policy, said Behnam Ben Taleblu of the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

How charged are these times? Some of my fellow Iranians have urged me not to write this column, despite agreeing the Pahlavi movements tone is often harsh and suspecting he doesnt have much of a ground game inside Iran. (From what U.S. officials tell me, those are fair suspicions.) Why, these Iranians ask, write anything that might damage Pahlavis reputation when Iranians have so few options at this critical moment?

Pahlavi has argued the regime may be using online manipulation to fuel the attacks people blame on his backers. They always try to play the divide and rule game, he said at this years Munich Security Conference.

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Its likely the regime has infiltrated the pro-Pahlavi ranks. But a good deal of the harsh language comes from known individuals  not fake bots  as well as some of Pahlavis advisers. He has not been able to rein in the movements malicious actors, nor has he sidelined his aides. (His wife, too, has faced criticism for some of her rhetoric. She did not reply to a request for comment.)

The way he runs his organization says something about the way he might run a country, said Suzanne Maloney, an Iran specialist with the center-left Brookings Institution in Washington.

Pahlavi has said tens of thousands of would-be defectors in Irans military and government have contacted him  a claim hard to verify.

His movements pugilism may make some would-be defectors think twice about joining him, undermining his ability to consolidate support. Thats especially the case when some Pahlavi backers assert that no one in the current Islamist regime will be spared or chant against so-called leftists and reformists.

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The last person who led an overthrow of the Iranian government was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the cleric who ousted Pahlavis father. Khomeini was willing to ally with many groups  secularists, communists and more  to oppose the shah. It was only after the monarch fell that Khomeini vanquished coalition partners and ushered in Islamist rule. He also broke his promise to retire to a life of studying Islam instead of taking over as Irans leader.

Pahlavi hasnt been in Iran in nearly 50 years; he was in the U.S. when his father fled. Over the decades he has lived mainly in America and styled himself in different ways, including as a devotee of nonviolent civil disobedience. Its possible, some Iran analysts mused, that Pahlavi wont fire his current aides over their rough tactics because they have helped raise his profile in ways his past advisers didnt.

Pahlavi allies have crafted a hefty plan for a post-Islamist Iran, called the Iran Prosperity Project. It envisions an emergency phase in the wake of the regimes fall during which Pahlavi and his aides say keeping the country stable will be crucial. But that emergency phase plan also gives the leader of the transition  presumably Pahlavi  significant power that makes some activists nervous.

While Pahlavi has long called for a secular democracy in Iran, he has also said Iranians should decide what type of government they want. The Prosperity Project envisions Iranians eventually having a choice between a democratic monarchy and a democratic republic.

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Whether Pahlavi returns to Iran could be up to Trump.

The U.S. president has built up the U.S. military presence in the Middle East and threatened Irans leadership. (In January, he promised Iranian protesters that help is on its way, but the U.S. didnt stop the slaughter.)

Trump could still choose to strike a deal with the existing regime. Or he could force a change to its top ranks but leave most of it in place, as he did in Venezuela.

Trump has suggested Pahlavi has little backing inside Iran, while also saying he seems very nice.

Pahlavi isnt giving up on Trump. Should Trump fulfill his pledge to help Iranians, Pahlavi said in Munich, history will record him as among the worlds greatest heroes.
Delivering a healthy baby usually involves a supportive community encouraging the mother-to-be and her family as they bring a new life into the world.

Sophia Doyles birth in 2022 felt a little different, her mom said.

Early in her pregnancy, a sonogram revealed a significant heart defect, Kim Doyle told The Baltimore Sun. Then a blood test suggested the possibility of a rare genetic anomaly, trisomy 18, giving Sophia a 5% chance of surviving birth.

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A genetic counselor then called with a question that Kim said felt more like a suggestion, Do you want to terminate the pregnancy?

We have always been pro-life, said her husband, Sean Doyle. So, it wasnt a difficult decision to carry through with the pregnancy.

Carrying it through brought a whole series of challenges.

As the Doyles navigated Kims pregnancy and Sophias health issues, the Ellicott City couple said they routinely ran into barriers thrown up by the very hospitals, health professionals and insurance companies they had counted on for help.

Are we going to make it to term? Is she going to be breathing when she comes out? And then Hopkins telling us, We could treat her, if only she didnt have trisomy 18. That was, I think, the heartbreaking part of it, Kim said. You wake up in the middle of the night crying.

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There was definitely a lot of prayer in the beginning. Just, you know, let her live, God, please let this happen, she said. Sean would put headphones on my belly, and wed listen to Mozart.

Now, at 3 1/2 years old, Sophia is strong enough to go without her ventilator for up to an hour while her parents introduce her to visitors.

Then its time for a bath, a replacement breathing tube, and a clean dress before she gets back to watching the television show Cocomelon on her tablet. Most of these tasks require assistance from her in-home nurse, Abby Peters. Twisting Sophias hair into two little buns, Kim gets interrupted to clear mucus from her breathing tube. Soon, however, Sophia is happily bopping along to The Itsy Bitsy Spider, her heart rate and blood oxygen back to normal  for her.

Sophia cannot speak, but listens and responds to her family with smiles, and grimaces when shes uncomfortable. She can grip things with her hands, and Kim says she sometimes pulls out her breathing tube and shows it to her parents. She needs support to sit up, but can roll over and do stomach crunches.

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Children with trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, rarely survive birth, and a few more survive to their first birthday, according to the National Institutes of Healths Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Trisomy 18, named for the extra copy of her 18th chromosome that, until recently, was considered incompatible with life, affects fewer than 1 in 4,000 children. Infants who survive birth may weigh less and have deformed heads, jaws, hands and feet. They may suffer heart and organ defects and severe cognitive issues. Fewer than 10% live to see their first birthday, but for those who make it that far, the odds improve to 80% in favor of surviving to age 5.

Sophia spent her first nine months under neonatal intensive care in Baltimore and Wilmington, Delaware. She had multiple heart surgeries and an operation to install a tracheostomy, or breathing tube, in her throat. She now needs regular nebulizer treatments, a breathing tube, a feeding tube and three medications, said her pediatrician, Dr. Oliver Galita with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Sophia, from the time of her birth, has been fighting to survive. Weve spent the last three years getting her to a place where shes stable and doing well, but she needs constant care, Galita said. This is going to be her existence. Were hoping for no deterioration.

Raising and caring for Sophia has tested Kim and Sean, they said, but they never doubted their faith or convictions about keeping Sophia alive.

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We have been blessed to have her as happy as she is and have her thrive as she has, and its a bit of a miracle, Sean said. Im just happy to have more time to enjoy her smile.

Its not the life you or I have, but she loves 95% of most every day, and she shows it with her smile, he said

Pressure and challenges

Sophia came into the world on May 20, 2022, and Kim said her health care providers routinely pressured them to end life-sustaining care, at times going so far as to refuse to perform medical procedures.

Sophia needed surgery to relieve her heart and lungs from the struggle of existing outside the uterus, but Johns Hopkins Medicine would not approve the operation because of her condition, Kim said.

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The doctors were concerned about the increased mortality of kids going through heart surgery while on a ventilator, Sean said. But if they did nothing, he added, she would almost certainly have died.

Hopkins declined to comment.

The doctors planned to remove Sophias breathing tube 10 days after her birth and let Sophia die, he said, because there was nothing more they could do for Sophia.

But we decided we were not going to [remove the tube]. We were going to find a hospital that would support her, Sean said. They seemed almost disappointed in our decision, but once we made the decision, the nursing staff was very supportive.

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It would take two months to find another hospital willing to perform surgery on an infant with trisomy 18, but eventually, Nemours Childrens Hospital in Delaware took Sophias case on.

After several successful heart operations, bringing Sophia home presented a whole new set of challenges.

Working as a nurse, Kim was trained to operate ventilators, oxygen, heart monitors and nebulizers, and ready to manage the myriad of other prescriptions, equipment and supplies their daughter needs to get through every day.

Sean, who works for the National Security Administration, said he had a lot to learn at first.

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I had to be trained to a certain degree of competence, he said. The first time I tried to do a [breathing tube] change, I almost killed her. Her oxygen starts dropping, and her skin starts going blue, and the nursing team rushes in.

Their health insurance covers an in-home nurse to assist with medical equipment or when Sophia pulls out her breathing tube. They have to get the service authorized every three months, which, at times, has presented another fight.

Ultimately, Kim and Sean credit their faith for guiding them through the challenges of raising Sophia.

I think that God puts people in certain places for a reason, Kim said. I always joke that, Would I be a nurse again? Probably not. But I think it was Gods way of preparing me for a daughter with these complex medical issues. So I dont think any of us would change anything.

Have a news tip? Contact Karl Hille at 443-900-7891 or khille@baltsun.com.
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 24 (Reuters) - South Africa's government said on Tuesday that 11 of a group of 17 men who were lured into fighting for Russia in Ukraine were set to return home soon, after an initial four landed back in the country last week.

A further two remained in Russia, with one in a hospital in Moscow, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said in a statement.

Ramaphosa raised the fate of the 17 men, who sent distress calls to the South African government in November after getting trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region, in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin this month.

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Reports of African men being lured into Russia with promises of jobs and ending up on Ukraine's front line have become more frequent in recent months, creating tensions between Moscow and some of the countries involved.

A Kenyan intelligence report presented to lawmakers last week estimated that more than 1,000 Kenyans had been recruited to fight on Russia's side in the war in Ukraine. Kenya's foreign minister has said he plans to visit Russia to address the issue.

South Africa has sought to maintain a non-aligned stance on the conflict in Ukraine, while preserving strong ties with Moscow as a fellow BRICS member alongside Brazil, India and China.

Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in foreign armies unless authorised to do so.

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Much of the Donbas is controlled by Russian forces and fighting has been heavy there since Russia invaded Ukraine four years ago.

(Reporting by Anathi Madubela and Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Alexander Winning and Alex Richardson)
A 41-year-old South Whitehall Township man is accused of possessing over 3,000 images and videos of child sex abuse material that police say they found in his township home during a raid.

Jared David Hudak is facing over 50 felony counts. Charges include 25 counts of felony possessing child sexual abuse material; 13 counts of felony dissemination photo/film of child sex acts; and 13 counts of felony criminal use of a communication facility.

Hudak was arraigned Friday before District Judge Derek A. Kirsopp, who set bail at $10,000. In lieu of bail, Hudak initially was taken to the Lehigh County Jail. Court records on Tuesday showed he has since posted bail.

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Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Commanding Officer Seth J. Kelly announced Hudaks arrest Monday afternoon. Court records did not immediately show any attorney information for Hudak.

State police on various dates between Oct. 30, 2025 and Dec. 9, 2025 were conducting undercover investigations involving online sharing of child sexual abuse material.

Investigators in at least 13 incidents were able to download contraband digital files from an internet protocol address eventually traced to Hudaks South Whitehall home, the DAs Office said.

Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Computer Crime Unit, South Whitehall police and Homeland Security Investigations raided Hudaks home with a search warrant on Dec. 9, 2025.

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Officers seized 11 electronic storage devices belonging to Hudak, as well as more than 3,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse materials on Hudaks devices, authorities said.

The images and videos depicted children ranging from infants to 12 years old being abused by adults, the DAs Office said.

Hudak is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Feb. 26 before Kirsopp. A judge will then determine if theres enough evidence to send the case toward trial at the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas.

If convicted on all charges, Hudak faces a possible sentence of 235  to 471 years in state prison.

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The case was investigated by Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Anthony Reppert. It will be prosecuted by Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara A. Moyer.

Read the original article on lehighvalleylive.com. Add lehighvalleylive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Spring Lake's interim town manager, Dennis English Jr., has signed his contract after a contentious decision by the town council to fire former manager Jon Rorie in a three-to-two vote that occurred without the mayor's knowledge.

The council voted to set English Jr's annual salary at $149,000, nearly $9,000 more than his predecessor. He will be paid $72 an hour compared to Rorie's $67.31 an hour.

The town will dip into its savings/general fund to offset the cost.

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While some commissioners pointed out English's lack of local experience, he argued during Monday's meeting that his lobbying expertise in Washington might bring fresh opportunities to the community.

One by one, Spring Lake residents took the podium to voice concerns over the firing of Rorie. Derrick Montgomery, a resident who moved to town three years ago to start a church, described the town's economic state as troubling. "Termination is the problem is how we go about doing this process. And so we've cost the town more money, and we put the town in a stagnant state," Montgomery said.

Former Commissioner and resident Marvin Lackman, who hired Rorie, said, "He's (English) got the credentials, but not the experience as the town manager. And that alarms me."

Lackman added, "He (Rorie) was a qualified town manager. He had the pedigree in order to bring us from what we were to what we became. And so it is sad to see just a 64 days into their term to fire him."

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The town currently faces $75 million in infrastructure needs. Commissioners who voted for Rorie's dismissal said their decision was driven by a fundamental difference between the direction being proposed and the board's vision to best serve the citizens of Spring Lake.

The council approved paying Rorie six months of severance plus vacation, totaling $84,000. The funds will come from a surplus in the police department's gas fund.

"When you're dealing with a deficit, every cent counts," Montgomery said. Lackman added, "That could be used for new equipment for our police officers. Instead, we're paying a man that is no longer employed by the town to not work for us. That's stupid."

English declined a request for an interview. During the meeting, he said he plans to meet with stakeholders to help the community.

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The legal defense team for a Stark County man accused of Rwandan genocide in 1994 says they were detained, interrogated and threatened with jail by authorities in the African nation during a recent trip there.

The development prompted a federal judge to postpone Eric Nshimiye's trial, which was to begin in Boston next month.

"This unfortunate experience highlights what we have been arguing from the very beginning of this case," Maksim Nemtsev, one of Nshimiye's two attorneys, said in an emailed statement. "Getting justice for the wrongfully accused out of Rwanda is far from a certainty and marred with roadblocks put up by a foreign nation more interested in pursuing its own narrative than actual truth."

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The now 54-year-old Nshimiye, a father of four, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. engineer and member of St. Paul Catholic Parish in North Canton, was arrested at his Lake Township home in early 2024.

He's accused of lying about his past so he could emigrate from Rwanda to the U.S., and remain here the past three decades. The lies, it's alleged, culminated during the federal trial of Nshimiye's college roommate in 2019, when Nshimiye voluntarily testified on behalf of Jean Leonard Teganya.

The criminal charges against Nshimiye  perjury and obstruction of justice  are similar to those Teganya faced then.

Alleged crimes of Nshimiye in Rwanda in 1994

Prosecutors say Nshimiye has a dark, secret past.

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They say he fled Rwanda after he killed innocent people, during a 100-day rampage of murder, rape and torture, which pitted ethnic majority Hutus, such as Nshimiye, against Tutsis. An estimated 800,000 people were killed during the 1994 genocidal civil war.

After Nshimiye's arrest, nearly two years ago, his family and friends said he was targeted for prosecution because he supported Teganya. And for his unfavorable views on the Rwandan government, which came into power after the genocide, and retains it to this day.

In charging documents and subsequent court filings, Nshimiye is accused of killing a 14-year-old Tutsi boy (after he and others killed the boy's mother), helping round up dozens of Tutsis to be killed and burned, striking a woman with a nail-studded club and hacking her to death, and bragging of killing a Tutsi tailor.

All of it, they say, while Nshimiye was a medical school student in Butare in 1994. Nshimiye's attorneys and family, though, say he wasn't in Butare at that time; that he was in a different city.

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Kurt Kerns, Nshimiye's other attorney, said allegations against his client are false.

"Wanted war criminals dont just appear out of thin air 25 years after the fact," he explained in an emailed statement. "Its important to understand Eric was never wanted by any authorities until after he agreed to testify as a witness for a man charged with crimes out of Rwanda.

"That decision took extreme bravery because acting as a defense witness in any case that comes out of Rwanda carries with it the very real risk one will face pushback, obstruction and even new false accusations. Eric is living proof of that sad reality."

Detained, questioned and defense materials seized

Nemtsev and Kerns had previously asked for postponement of the trial because of challenges they faced in locating and securing foreign witnesses and documents. However, it still was to begin with jury selection on March 16 before U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston.

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That changed after a Feb. 18 case filing, in which Kerns and Nemtsev told the court what happened to them in Rwanda:

Their defense investigator, Dick Prudence Munyeshuli, received a phone call from a province governor, who requested a meeting. When the investigator walked out of his hotel, he was taken into custody.

An hour later, Rwandan officials located Nemtsev and asked that he go with them "to discuss his visa." His cell phone was confiscated, and he was not permitted to contact the U.S. Embassy.

For seven hours, Nemtsev was interrogated about where he and Munyeshuli had been, who they'd talked to, what they'd learned and who they planned to talk to next. They advised him to cease and said he'd need a special research permit.

After they released him, Nemtsev began a two-hour drive from Ruhengeri to Kigali. During the trip, he received a phone call in which he was told to pull over, so Rwandan Police could seize Munyeshulis files and computer, which were in the vehicle.

Chantal Nshimiye, far left, discusses the arrest of her husband Eric in April 2024 while their children look on.

"Nemtsev waited approximately 30 minutes in the dark, on the side of the road for law enforcement to arrive," the case filing stated. "Although Attorney Nemtsev was not detained a second time beyond the vehicle stop, Rwandan Police officers seized Mr. Munyeshulis laptop computer, containing defense work product."

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Prosecutors from U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley's office, who had previously opposed efforts to delay the trial, withdrew their objection. On Feb. 19, Saylor granted the postponement.

One of the six original charges against Nshimiye was recently withdrawn. He's currently charged with four counts of perjury and a single count of obstruction of justice.

A case filing suggests the trial may be re-scheduled for the fall.

Reach Tim at 330-580-8333 or tim.botos@cantonrep.com.On X: @tbotosREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Eric Nshimiye's attorneys are granted trial delay by federal judge
Vladimir Putin is standing in the way of a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said, as he promised to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The prime minister hit out at the Russian president on the fourth anniversary of the war, which was triggered by Russias invasion of Ukraine and has claimed the lives of 15,000 civilians, including 739 children.

Earlier, in a defiant message to his people, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin had not broken the Ukrainian people.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Putin (PA) (PA Wire)

The Ukrainian leader used a televised address on Tuesday to say that Putin has not achieved his goals, and that his country has preserved its independence and will do everything to achieve peace and to ensure justice.

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The UK defence secretary John Healey also hit out at Putin, saying the war had been "four years of failure for him.

The prime minister used an address to his cabinet on Tuesday morning to praise the "incredible resilience" of Ukraine and warned the conflict was not a remote one happening a long way away from the United Kingdom.

"It's about our values of freedom, democracy and the right of a country to decide for itself what it does, which is democracy and sovereignty," he said.

The impact of the war was being felt in households across the UK because of the spike in energy prices since the invasion, he added.

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"They are still 40 per cent higher than they were before," he said. So, every family is feeling it. And how and when this conflict ends is going to affect everybody in the United Kingdom for a very long time, which is why it is so important we make sure that it's a just and lasting peace."

But, he insisted, "it is Putin who is standing in the way" of that outcome.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska during a ceremony to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine (Getty)

Asked for his reflections on the fourth anniversary of the war, Mr Healey said: "This is a war he thought he would win in a week; he has lost more than a million men during that time, and Russia has been fighting in Ukraine for longer than the Soviet Union was fighting Germany during the Second World War.

"Today, four years on, Ukrainians are fighting with just the same courage, just the same defiance, and our job, our duty, as allies of Ukraine is to stand by them, support them in their fight for today, but also work to secure the peace for tomorrow. That is my mission.

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Asked if he agreed with Ukraine's Mr Zelensky's claim that the "beginning of the end" of the war is afoot, Mr Healey said: "I want to make 2026, like President Zelensky does, the year that this war ends, that we can bring peace. The UK is ready to play a part in securing that peace for the long term."

To mark the anniversary, the government has also put together a 5m package to support justice and accountability work in Ukraine, The Independent understands.

Russias bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the countrys energy grid.

Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, have said that the next round of talks aimed at ending the war could come as early as the end of this week.
Keurig Dr Pepper has secured additional financing for its 15.7bn ($18.36bn) acquisition of Dutch coffee group JDE Peets and subsequent split of the combined business into two.

The US soft drinks company has taken the convertible preferred equity investment earmarked for the future company so far dubbed Beverage Co. from $3bn to $4.5bn.

As a result, Keurig Dr Pepper said it no longer plans to pursue a partial IPO of Beverage Co., which will focus on the amalgamated company's non-coffee drinks.

Keurig Dr Pepper intends to separate into two entities, with the other provisionally called Global Coffee Co., as soon as practicable after closing the deal. It aims to finalise the transaction by early April and plans to complete the split by year-end.

The upsized convertible preferred equity round is co-led by Apollo and KKR, with additional participation from backerts including accounts advised by T Rowe Price Investment Management.

Some other high-quality, long-term oriented investors are also taking part, Keurig Dr Pepper added.

The instruments terms are substantially consistent from the original terms announced in October, including an initial conversion price of $37.25 per share and a 4.75% preferred dividend rate, the 7Up maker added.

Post-separation, the preferred instrument will remain with Beverage Co.

Announcing the deal in August, the company said Beverage Co., based in Frisco, Texas, will operate as a scaled challenger in North Americas $300bn refreshment beverage market, with $11bn in annual sales.

With approximately $16bn in combined annual net sales, Global Coffee Co. is poised to become the worlds largest pure-play coffee company, it added the time.

Global Coffee Co.s global headquarters will be in Burlington, Massachusetts, with international headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Keurig Dr Pepper CFO Anthony DiSilvestro said yesterday (23 February) the updated plan adds $1.5bn of cost-efficient equity capital and brings in a high-quality mix of shareholders". He added the funds should support rapid deleveraging and help position both Beverage Co. and Global Coffee Co. as successful, investment-grade companies.

Under the revised funding mix, Keurig Dr Pepper expects to finance the acquisition through roughly $9bn of long-term debt, $8.5bn of equity capital and the assumption of about $5bn of existing JDE Peets bonds.

The company has projected a combined net leverage of approximately 4.5x at close and reiterated expectations the deal will be about 10% earnings-per-share accretive in the first full year.
State lawmakers are eying solutions to address Nevadas high auto insurance rates, which are among the 10 most expensive in the country.

Insurance rates rose 13% in the state in 2025 and are expected to keep rising this year, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

The drastic increase has been felt nationwide but has been amplified locally, particularly in Southern Nevada, said Ned Gaines, insurance commissioner for the state.

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Contributing factors range from higher car accidents from riskier driving behavior in Southern Nevada to ongoing economic volatility including supply chain disruptions that began during Covid and continue amid geopolitical instability, he said.

The latter has made auto parts and car repairs even more expensive, in turn driving up premiums.

Gaines, along with a representative from the National Council of Insurance Legislators, addressed lawmakers at an Interim Committee on Commerce and Labor meeting last week.

The rising costs are making many drivers fear nothing can be done to drive down costs, said Democratic State Sen. Edgar Flores

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I feel that the sentiment from constituents and from different folk has been that  insurance rates are going up no matter what. he said. Its happening across the board in our nation.

Lawmakers said theyve heard from constituents who can no longer afford high costs of auto insurance either becoming under insured or lacking insurance altogether.

As if to underscore what Flores says hes hearing from constituents, no specific policy solution was discussed at length during the hearing, but lawmakers are hoping to continue analyzing potential policy initiatives between now and early next year when lawmakers next convene in a regulator legislative session.

In the meantime, Gaines said people could explore making changes to their individual policies in an effort to low costs.

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Democratic Assemblymember Elaine Marzola, who chairs the interim committee, questioned why insurance companies need to raise rates so much while their profits are soaring.

Im a little confused as to why prices are going up, she said. Nevadans are struggling while folks are making billions of dollars.

Multiple states have looked at options to bring down auto insurance rates, including changing laws around insurance claims, improving road designs to mitigate accidents, reducing the number of uninsured motorists, and addressing increased rates of theft and DUIs, said Christa Rapoport, the general counsel for the National Council of Insurance.

Other options could be strengthening enforcement of the mandatory insurance laws or implementing laws around rate transparency and competition, she said.

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The Nevada Division Insurance could perhaps streamline the rate filing process and make it easier for new solvent carriers to enter the marketplace and compete, Rapoport said. More insurance competition often keeps prices in check.

Many states have taken a piecemeal approach in attempting to lower insurance costs and success just depends on the state, she said.

Florida, for example, passed tort reforms laws limiting the amount of damages a driver can seek and lessening the statute for seeking damages in car accidents.

While a similar approach worked in New Jersey to lower insurance costs. Florida still considered to have one of the highest car insurance premiums, Rapoport said.

I guess tort reform doesnt necessarily work, Marzola said.
President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term this week. This will mark the first time in six years the president has delivered the address.

Trump did address lawmakers in March 2025, but the speech was not a formal State of the Union address.

This is typical of presidents, as they tend to give a joint address early in the first year, before moving to the formal State of the Union in later years.

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The president was invited back in January by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to deliver the address. The Republican representative said that, under Trump's leadership, the nation "stands stronger, freer, and more prosperous."

Since his return to office, @POTUS has not stopped working for the American people and delivering on his promises, Johnson wrote. The best is yet to come.

Here's what you need to know to watch the address.

Watch Trump's State of the Union 2026 live

When is the State of the Union address? How to watch live

Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address on Feb. 24 starting at 8 p.m. CT. Coverage of the event is expected to run from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT.

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USA TODAY will live-stream coverage, both on its YouTube Channel and website.

Apart from USA TODAYs live stream, the State of the Union will be broadcast on all major television networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, NPR and PBS.

What is the State of the Union?

According to Congress website, the State of the Union is when the president outlines how the country is doing and what Congress should focus on next.

The address is required by the U.S. Constitution, which directs the president to keep lawmakers informed about the state of the nation and propose legislative priorities.

Traditionally, the speech is delivered sometime between early January and early February.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: When is the State of the Union 2026? Time, date, how to watch, stream.
President Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.

It will the presidents first State of the Union address of his second term amid a backdrop of midterm elections and questions about the economy, immigration and foreign policy.

Channel 2s Richard Elliot is in Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union address. Watch continuing coverage on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.

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Heres what you need to know about the speech and how to watch.

WHEN IS TRUMP SPEAKING?

Trump will speak before Congress at the Capitol on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

The presidents last joint address to Congress back in March was the longest in history. Trump warned that his speech tonight will be long because there is much to talk about.

WHO IS GIVING THE DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE?

The Democratic Party selected Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to deliver the Democratic Response to President Trumps State of the Union Address.

We are at a defining moment in our nations history. Virginians and Americans across the country are contending with rising costs, chaos in their communities, and a real fear of what each day might bring. Next week, I look forward to laying out what these Americans expect and deserve  leaders who are working hard to deliver for them," Spanberger said.

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California Sen. Alex Padilla will deliver the Spanish-language response.

HOW TO WATCH ON CHANNEL 2

WSB-TV will air the State of the Union live on air, mobile apps and streaming on your Smart TV. Here are the ways that you can watch across the WSB-TV platforms.

Channel 2

Check your TV guide for WSB-TV. ABC News live coverage begins at 8 p.m. followed by WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.

Smart TV apps

The WSB Now stream is available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV and Google TV. On the home screen, find the magnifying glass and search for WSB. Click on the WSB app icon and install to watch.

You can also watch WSB-TV on NextGen TV. You need a NextGen TV tuner and antenna. This feature is available on newer TV models of LG, Sony, Hisense and Samsung. Search/scan for WSB. Click OK on your TV remote to interact with the app.

WSBTV.com and Breaking News app

You can watch State of the Union coverage via WSB Now Stream on our website here.

The streams are also available through the WSB-TV mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

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Beirut faced a test as the army set a 4-month window to disarm Hezbollah north of the Litani, despite skepticism over the groups 25,000 rockets.

Lebanon is facing a crucial test. As US-Iran tensions grow, the government knows that Hezbollah could drag Beirut into yet another destructive war. The government is concerned. Reports indicate that Israel has made it clear that Hezbollahs intervention will not be tolerated, and repercussions could be severe.

Al-Ain media in the UAE noted that there are many moving parts to the equation in Lebanon. These include sectarian complexities, Hezbollahs regional calculations, and the risk of a wider confrontation erupting between Iran and Israel are all factors that could reshuffle the cards.

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The report says that in recent weeks, Lebanon has witnessed unprecedented diplomatic and political activity that has placed the issue of disarming Hezbollah at the top of the priorities. Lebanons prime minister was recently in southern Lebanon. This was supposed to show that the government is serious about dealing with Hezbollah.

However, the evidence is lacking that Beirut has done much to actually disarm Hezbollah. Lebanons army chief was also recently in the US for meetings with US Central Command and officials. The army has received praise from Central Command. Beirut is hinting it wants to move to the next phase of disarming Hezbollah by dealing with Hezbollahs facilities north of the Litani River. Its not clear if it has actually dealt with them south of the river.

What is Al-Ain saying that may reflect some of the discussion in the Arab world? While Western pressure is mounting to end any military presence outside the framework of the state, official visits and parliamentary moves are continuing, indicating a clear international will to support the Lebanese army in restoring its exclusive role in defending national sovereignty, the report says. Hezbollah is bleeding, the report says.

A person holds a flag with an image of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as people wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV, during his first apostolic journey, in Beirut, Lebanon, November 30, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/YARA NARDI)

The report mentions the Lebanese army chief's visit to the US and the French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot's visit to Lebanon. In a move reflecting a clear governmental will, the Lebanese army presented in mid-February a comprehensive five-stage plan to disarm Hezbollah, requesting a four-month extension, which could be extended to eight months, to complete the second stage, which includes the area between the Litani and Awali rivers. How much of the plan has actually been accomplished?

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Al-Ain claims, as noted above, that the army had announced in January the completion of the first phase and the achievement of operational control south of the Litani River, despite continued Israeli skepticism. Hezbollah continues to reject the governments actions. It appears to think it can raise a new generation of operatives. Reports also indicate that Irans IRGC has a lot of say in what Hezbollah might do next. Since the ceasefire in November 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah has not struck Israel. It is not clear how much of a rocket arsenal it still has.

Hezbollah's unprecedented period of weakness

The report at Al-Ain says, Despite the escalating rhetoric, Hezbollah is experiencing an unprecedented period of weakness. The Israeli campaign in the fall of 2014 inflicted heavy losses on its military infrastructure, and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria severed its main supply lines. Meanwhile, the ongoing Israeli raids have prevented the party from reorganizing, with more than 400 members killed since the ceasefire.

The report claims that Hezbollah retains approximately 25,000 missiles north of the Litani River, the transfer of most of its capabilities to remote areas reflects a defensive orientation rather than a readiness for a large-scale offensive adventure.

Will the Lebanese army actually confront Hezbollah? The report claims that it has the disarmament issue intersects with escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, while Israeli media outlets have reported a state of alert on the northern border. This illustrates the continued dilemma in Lebanon.

The fact is that Lebanon is not willing to step up and do the heavy lifting that is necessary. It continues to hope that if it just waits long enough, everyone will forget its commitment to disarm Hezbollah. It also thinks it can say it disarmed the group and has others accept the statement at its word. Where is the evidence of disarmament? If Hezbollah still has a major arsenal north of the Litani, then this will need to be dismantled.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its back to school Tuesday for New York City public school kids despite the historic snow storm.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the citys public schools would be open in-person Tuesday after Monday saw a return to years past with a traditional snow day.

I hope our students enjoy their snow day today and stay warm and safe throughout, but I do have some tough news to share, Mamdani said. School will be in-person tomorrow. You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.

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Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said the decision came after discussions with school teams around the five boroughs who had been working to clear the snowfall.

He applauded those school workers who had been vital in making schools ready for their reopening Tuesday.

I hope everyone had a good, extended holiday break, and look forward to resuming my school visits and hearing about everyones snow day tomorrow, he said.

Mamdani said most of the city saw well over a foot of snow with Staten Islands East Shore bearing the brunt of the storm with about 2 feet of snow.

The Advance/SILive.com measured 20 inches of snow in Dongan Hills at 12:15 p.m. Visibility on roads is down to two or three blocks due to winds.

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High local totals made the Mamdani administration send 65 further pieces of Department of Sanitation equipment to the boroughs and upped local NYPD towing work to help get stuck vehicles off the road.

The city ended its travel ban at 12 p.m. Monday, but a travel advisory remains in effect as the tail end of the storm makes its way through the five boroughs.

The storm brought the citys first blizzard conditions in years causing power outages around the five boroughs, including for close to as many as 2,000 Staten Island customers.

Borough President Vito Fossella, State Sen. Andrew Lanza, State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Assemblymember Michael Reilly, Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo, and the Islands delegation to the City Council  Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, Councilmember David Carr, and Councilmember Frank Morano  all blasted Mamdani for announcing public schools reopening, particularly on hard-hit Staten Island.

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All criticized the citys overall local response to the storm saying many borough roads remain innavigable making families unready to return to school Tuesday.

Simply put, the City dropped the ball getting ready for this storm. And now, Staten Island is completely inundated. Numerous roads are impassable, and people have to walk in the middle of the street because the sidewalks are completely blocked by at least two feet of snow, Fossella said Keep schools closed, keep families and kids safely at home and give the hardworking men and women at Sanitation the time and resources they need to get us back to normal.

Unfortunately, Mayor Mamdani has decided to open public schools tomorrow, this is in spite of the magnitude of a blizzard which dumped two feet of snow on Staten island and his epic failure to make roads on Staten Island safe, Lanza wrote on Facebook. This decision shows that Mayor Mamdani is either unable or unwilling to consider the danger and inconvenience this will pose to children, parents and teachers. Simply put, this decision will put students, parents and teachers in harms way tomorrow.

The decision to open schools tomorrow was hasty and ill-considered. Not every part of this City was equally impacted by this storm as we saw with over two feet of snow covering Staten Island by mid-morning, which was more than half a foot more than other areas, the Council delegation wrote in their statement. Staten Island and other parts of our sister boroughs are nowhere close to seeing blacktop on their roads and given the forecast for the rest of the day, it is unlikely that students, faculty, and staff will be able to get to school and that parents will be able to commute to work. This decision has to be revisited with either another closure or a remote option.

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I urge city leadership to prioritize the safety of New Yorkers and keep school buildings closed tomorrow, Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the North Shore and South Brooklyn, wrote on Facebook.

Given the ongoing blizzard conditions and hazardous travel across New York City, I respectfully urge you to reconsider the decision to reopen schools for in-person instruction tomorrow, Reilly wrote in a letter to the mayor he shared on Facebook.

The City failed to properly prepare and respond to the stormand now it is compounding that failure by forcing schools to reopen before Staten Island is fully safe and accessible. Families across Staten Island are still navigating hazardous conditions. Many neighborhood streets remain uncleared, transportation routes are unreliable and parents are being forced to make last-minute decisions about how to safely get their children to school, Tannousis said. Reopening schools under these circumstances shows a clear disconnect from the realities on the ground. The safety of our students, teachers and school staff must come firstand right now, the city has not demonstrated that conditions are safe. Staten Island deserves better. I strongly urge the administration to reconsider this reckless decision and ensure that schools reopen only when our streets are fully cleared and our communities are truly prepared.

No one should be expected to risk their safety rushing to a school, particularly when it appears that the city has again fallen short in its response, Pirozzolo said.

More from city hall

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Four years of Russia's war against Ukraine have not only killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people but also caused severe environmental and climate damage, according to new research.

Since February 2022, an estimated 311 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent have been emitted as a result of the conflict, calculations by the Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War (IGGAW) showed on Tuesday.

That is roughly half the annual greenhouse gas emissions produced by Europe's largest economy, Germany.

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More than a third, or 37%, of the emissions stem directly from military activity, including the vast amounts of kerosene, oil and diesel burned by fighter jets, naval vessels and tanks, the study found.

Wildfires triggered by the war account for nearly a quarter of total emissions. Many forest and brush fires have broken out along or near front lines and in border regions.

Ukraine is seeking compensation from Russia for climate-related damage caused by the war, with the aim of financing an environmentally sustainable reconstruction.

At the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil in November, Kiev put its claim at $57 billion. The claims are to be filed with the Council of Europes Register of Damage for Ukraine.
An attorney for a group of Blackfeet Nation tribal members who sued the Trump administration over tariffs levied against Canada last year said a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning the tariffs helps their own case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Attorney Monica Tranel, representing state Sen. Susan Webber, Jonathan St. Goddard, Rhonda Mountain Chief and David Mountain Chief, said Fridays decision by the high court helps our argument because it was a very clear delineation of the separation of powers.

The executive branch does not have constitutional power to impose tariffs on tribal commerce, Tranel told the Daily Montanan in a phone call.

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The plaintiffs originally filed the lawsuit in April in federal court against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the United States of America, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, arguing that the tariffs levied by the administration against Canada violate Indigenous treaty rights and exceed presidential authority.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled on a different case, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, which overturned tariffs levied by the Trump administration against many of the worlds countries last year under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act.

Chief Justice John Roberts authored the 6-3 decision that said Congress alone holds the power to tax, and the Trump administration was not justified in invoking emergency powers.

The legal challenges against the tariffs came from several small businesses and a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general, cases that the high court consolidated. The argument challenged the administrations reliance on the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, or IEEPA, to levy tariffs and regulate imports into the U.S.

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Roberts wrote in the opinion that Trumps use of emergency tariffs powers upset the balance of powers in the government, and replaced the longstanding executive-legislative collaboration over trade policy with unchecked Presidential policymaking.

Tranel said that the suit Webber filed has many similarities but a key difference  the focus on Tribal law  and they are seeking a constitutional determination of the separation of powers between the executive branch and the Indian Commerce Clause, which gives the power to regulate commerce among Indian Tribes to Congress.

In a court filing dated Feb. 22, Tranel argued that while the Supreme Court established that the Trump administration has no authority to unilaterally impose tariffs, the question over regulating tribal commerce was still unresolved.

This court can  and should  apply the Supreme Courts separation-of-powers paradigm to recognize that the Executive similarly lacks any constitutional authority to regulate tribal commerce, Tranel wrote.

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The case includes a jurisdictional question. Webber initially filed the case in U.S. District Court in Montana, but it was transferred to the Court of International Trade, which has jurisdiction over foreign commerce.

But the plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit instead, arguing that the Court of International Trade doesnt have jurisdiction over the Indian Commerce Clause and treaty law, and it should remain within the Montana District Court.

The Indian Commerce Clause vests exclusive power in Congress to regulate commerce with Indian Tribes, and federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges by tribal members asserting those rights, Tranel wrote. The Supreme Courts decision  affirms the logical paradigm that federal courts must decide constitutional questions of tribal commerce.

However, another status report filed by the federal government in the case on Feb. 20, argued that the case does belong in the Court of International Trade, due to a footnote in the Supreme Court decision that states U.S. district courts lacked the jurisdiction for the case.

The federal government seeks to dismiss the appeal to the Ninth Circuit on the basis of that footnote, and affirm the district courts transfer order to the Court of International Trade.
On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments on behalf of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Enbridge Energy on whether the states case to shut down the Line 5 pipeline should be heard in state or federal court.

At issue? Whether there are exceptions to the 30-day time limit to have a matter removed from state court to be heard in federal court.

Nessel first filed suit against the Canadian Pipeline company in 2019, though the case has yet to be resolved as years of legal maneuvering have moved the matter from state court to federal court and back.

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In 2024, Nessel successfully argued that Enbridge had exceeded its 30-day time limit to have the case removed to federal court, with the company filing its request after more than a year of litigation. However, Enbridge maintains that U.S. district courts can excuse the time limit, leaving the Court to determine whether they hold this authority.

Following arguments from Enbridge attorney John Bursch, Justice Clarence Thomas questioned why this case wasnt removed to federal court like a similar suit filed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who voluntarily dismissed the case.

Bursch explained that while the cases were similar, the Canadian government invoked a 1977 treaty concerning international pipelines in Whitmers case while a federal judge was weighing whether the matter should be heard in state or federal court.

While it wasnt clear whether Nessels initial case was within federal jurisdiction at the outset, the governors decision to terminate Enbridges right to operate Line 5 on the bottomlands of the Great Lakes and Canadas treaty invocation changed the lay of the land.

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After Whitmers case was dismissed and Nessel announced she would move forward with her case at the state level, Bursch said the company filed its notice to remove the case to federal court within 15 days.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked what rights Enbridge is losing by having the matter heard in state court as opposed to federal court.



You have a right to have recovery for a loss or a potential loss, and the forum where that right is adjudicated is not lost, Sotomayor said. You have a forum, you have the state court. None of your remedies, like in some of our other cases, would be lost forever. None of your claims or defenses would be lost forever.

In response Bursch pointed to two other Supreme Court cases where parties had lost the right to a particular legal mechanism to enforce their argument arguing that they were losing their right to have the case removed under similar conditions.

Later in the hearing Justice Neil Gorsuch asked Bursch why Enbridge wanted to have the matter heard in federal court.

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There are four reasons, Bursch explained. First, he argued there is value in having a case heard in a forum that respects federal authority. Second, Bursch said federal courts are uniquely qualified to decide matters of federal common law and foreign affairs.

Enbridge would also like to have the option for the Supreme Court to be able to weigh in if an order to shut down the pipeline is upheld, and it has a separate case against the governor in federal court, Bursch explained.

Gorsuch probed further, asking whether Enbridge felt it could receive a fair trial in state court.

While Bursch said state courts likely hadnt dealt much with federal common law in the jurisdiction of foreign affairs, Gorsuch said the issue doesnt often come up in federal district court either.

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Gorsuch posed a similar question to Michigan Solicitor General Ann Sherman, asking if theres a reason why the plaintiff would prefer to have the matter resolved in state court.

Sherman noted that the case was brought by a state official, addressing concerns of state law as to whether or not Enbridge had violated the states public trust doctrine, which determines that the state has a duty to manage natural resources for the benefit of the public.

This map shows the proposed tunnel and the existing dual pipelines crossing the Straits of Mackinac. | Screenshot from the MPSC Line 5 Issue Brief

Congress has given legal parties a choice of forum, with Nessel, the plaintiff given the first choice of forum, Sherman said. Congress has also given the defense an opportunity to select a federal forum, Sherman said, arguing that if Enbridge thought the matter should have been heard in federal court, it should have responded in a timely manner.

She also argued that Congress had not given federal courts exclusive authority over matters of foreign affairs, and that even if the scope of the case goes beyond state law and into treaty matters, the state court can be trusted to handle it with the Supreme Court as a backdrop.

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Justice Sotomayor noted that a federal court had recently ruled in Enbridges favor, determining that federal law bars the state from ending Enbridges Line 5 easement. If the Supreme Court affirms the Sixth Circuit Courts decision, leaving Nessels case in state court, there would be lawsuits relating to Line 5 in both state and federal court, she noted.

If you were to win here, are you willing to commit that you will ask the state court to continue its stay pending resolution of the federal action? Sotomayor asked.

While it was not something shed discussed with Nessel, Sherman said it was certainly a strategic decision they could discuss.

Line 5 is a 645-mile long pipeline stretching from Superior, Wis. to Sarnia, Ontario, transporting up to 23 million gallons of crude oil and natural gas liquids every day. A four mile segment of dual pipelines runs through the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet.

Nichole Keway Biber, the Mid-Michigan campaign organizer for Clean Water Action and a Tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, calls out concerns in Enbridges Line 5 tunnel project plan. Aug. 26, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

Michigans 12 federally-recognized Tribal Nations and a number of environmental advocacy groups have called for the more than 70 year old pipeline to be decommissioned, raising concerns of an oil spill that deepened when Line 5 was struck by an anchor in 2018 and 2020.

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In a statement Friday morning, Enbridge spokesperson Michael Barnes said the company was encouraged that the Supreme Court had agreed to review the case. He argued that the federal government holds the sole authority to regulate the pipeline, and that the case holds significant concerns for both energy security and foreign affairs.

Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for the anti-Line 5 Oil and Water Dont Mix Coalition said he was encouraged by Tuesdays hearing.

I think that the justices really ran both lawyers through their paces on this, but just like what we saw in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Enbridge had no answer as to why they blew past a clear legal deadline by 29 months, McBrearty said.

While the justices addressed an array of issues related to the case, Whitney Gravelle, president of the Bay Mills Indian Community, said that ultimately, the case centers on one procedural issue.



If you stay hyper focused on the procedural issue at hand, Enbridge messed up, Gravelle said. They waited two years to file for removal. That is an erroneous and technically unallowable amount of time for something like that to occur.

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The Bay Mills Indian Community, alongside the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Hannahville Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, filed an amicus brief in support of keeping the case in state court.

While questions around whether the state court should hear matters tied to international treaties were raised in court, Gravelle pointed to People v. LeBlanc as an example of a case originating in Michigan, noting that the case ultimately reaffirmed the Bay Mills Indian Communitys rights under the 1836 Treaty of Washington.

I think its unfair to say that only federal courts can interpret federal questions, Gravelle said, noting that states also have treaty obligations and have historically been a part of that discussion.

In addition to Nessels case, the Whitmer administration has also asked the high court to determine whether the state is immune from the suit Enbridge filed against Whitmer and the director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for revoking its easement to operate Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
Kentucky electric utilities made more than 268,000 utility disconnections over a recent 12-month period as federal funding to prevent disconnections fell far short of Kentuckians financial need, according to a recent analysis of state and federal data.

The February report examined disconnection data reported by 23 electric utilities to state utility regulator Kentucky Public Service Commission across three fiscal years, along with analyzing each utilitys rules and fees on when and how utility disconnections and reconnections can happen.

The report found an 87% increase in disconnections across all utilities in fiscal year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025) compared with the previous fiscal year. The large increase was driven primarily by a spike in disconnections by utility Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, or LG&E and KU. The investor-owned companies serve the most electric customers in the state with approximately 1.3 million customers for their gas and electric service.

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It was just kind of shocking to see how much of an increase there was, and in particular that LG&E, KU was driving a lot of that, said Rebecca Shelton, the director of policy at the Letcher County-based Appalachian Citizens Law Center and one of the reports authors. Once youre disconnected, thats where the hardship starts.

The report, co-published by the Energy Equity Project created at the University of Michigan and the utility watchdog nonprofit Energy Policy Institute, also analyzes rising residential electricity costs in the state  increasing by 128% between 2001 and 2024  and the financial burden low-income Kentuckians face to pay electricity costs.

The report found Kentucky census tracts in both urban and rural areas where people face the highest energy burden or the amount of income going toward energy costs.

When it comes to utility affordability, one of the most urban areas of the state and one of the most rural areas of the state have a lot in common: Eastern Kentucky and Louisville metro, Shelton said.

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Drew Gardner, an LG&E and KU spokesperson, in an emailed statement responding to questions including why LG&E and KUs disconnections increased, said the number of disconnections varies each year for several reasons, including our weather-related suspensions.

Our current year-round policy factors in Kentuckys variable weather, which can bring stretches of unseasonably warm or cold days throughout the year where we suspend service disconnections, Gardner said. Additionally, long-term moratoriums make it possible for customers to build up significant debt that may be more difficult to resolve. Large, accumulated balances can create greater financial hardship for customers and may reduce the amount of assistance available from limited community resources.

Gardner said in his statement that the utility encourages customers facing difficulty paying their bill to contact the utility as soon as possible to set up potential payment plans or connect people with community resources to help pay for bills.

What the report data shows

The reports authors found that utilities serving a high percentage of customers with higher energy burdens did not necessarily disconnect customers at a higher rate.

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Big Sandy RECC, an electricity cooperative serving parts of Eastern Kentucky counties where people face higher energy burdens, had seven months during the roughly three year period where the cooperative did not disconnect any customers. That included during winter months going into 2025. Jeff Prater, the president and CEO of the cooperative, did not respond to Lantern emails requesting an interview about the cooperatives disconnection policies.

On the other hand, report authors found Louisville Gas and Electric, which serves customers in Louisville and surrounding counties, had a surprisingly high disconnection rate even though their customers have, on average, the lowest energy burden of all utilities studied.

Between fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 to June 2025) compared to fiscal year 2024 (July 2023 to June 2024), report authors found Louisville Gas and Electrics utility disconnections increased by 285%.

This enormous increase in disconnections is also somewhat surprising because there was not a rate increase during this time period and an increase in disconnections occurred across all months, the report authors wrote.

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The report also found that a longstanding federal program that serves as a safety net for low-income people to help pay for heating and cooling costs doesnt come nearly close to the amount of outstanding debt that Kentuckians who are disconnected have. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, provides low-income recipients with a one-time credit toward electricity bills during the summer or winter, including in emergency situations such as when someone is facing a utility disconnection.

From July 2024 to June 2025, the amount of LIHEAP benefits provided to customers associated with the 23 utilities analyzed in the report was $33,253,076. The total amount of utility bill debt customers who had their electricity service disconnected over that same time frame was $68,560,819. Combining those two totals, the report authors wrote the amount of funding needed to prevent utility disconnections over that timeframe is over $100 million.

Shelton said while she considers LIHEAP to be really important, she believes the scale of the need has just outpaced that program.

The authors cited Louisville Gas and Electric customers receiving less LIHEAP funding in fiscal year 2025 as a potential reason for the increase in disconnections at the utility, along with the utility installing smart meters that allow it to remotely disconnect and reconnect customers.

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Im not saying that that is why there are more disconnections, but it is certainly easier to disconnect and reconnect people when you dont have to drive out to their house, Shelton said about the smart meters. There havent been any studies on that, but I think its definitely something to explore.

Gardner, the LG&E and KU spokesperson, in his statement said LG&E and KUs smart meters can reduce the duration customers are without service with there being no need to send an employee to reconnect a customer. Gardner said the utility eliminated its fee to reconnect customers when they are reconnected remotely.

This technology ultimately helps us restore service more quickly and reduce costs for customers, Gardner said about the meters.

The report authors wrote that almost all of the studied utilities charge fees to disconnect and reconnect customers that can be a burden on customers who are already struggling to pay bills; those fees range from $30 to hundreds of dollars.

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Shelton told the Lantern the fee charged by South Kentucky RECC, an electricity cooperative serving Pulaski and nearby counties, to reconnect a customer outside of business hours was an outlier.

South Kentucky RECC charges $387 for an after-hours reconnection, while reconnecting during business hours is $47.76. The Lantern did not receive a response to emails sent to an inbox associated with South Kentucky RECC requesting an interview about their reconnection fees.

The report also analyzed the minimum amount of debt customers had before they were disconnected by utilities. The majority of utilities had made disconnections when a customer owed less than $100.

One of the utilities, electric cooperative Nolin RECC, had made more than one disconnection when a customer had owed less than $25. A spokesperson for Nolin RECC did not respond to emails requesting an interview about the data.

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Shelton said it was shocking to see how little debt someone can have for a disconnection to happen.

To put someone through that level of hardship for that small of a debt seems unreasonable to me, Shelton said.

Joe Arnold, a spokesperson for the organization Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, which represents electric cooperatives across the state, in a statement said the nonprofit electric cooperatives are led by local cooperative members who always come first, not activist groups or outside agendas.

There are no out-of-town shareholders or profit motives, Arnold said about the cooperatives. For any co-op members having trouble paying their bill, co-ops work directly with them to help them avoid falling into arrears and to address payment challenges before balances become unmanageable which can lead to permanent disconnection. No one wants that.

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Arnold said cooperatives have policies in place to address extreme weather, medical needs, and hardship situations and also encourage members to reach out to discuss payment plans.

He said cooperative members are urged to contact their local co-op to discuss payment arrangements, levelized billing and other tools to avoid disruption in service.

What the report recommends

The report authors argue there are a number of ways to help prevent utility disconnections in Kentucky.

Those policy recommendations include:

Establishing a state fund of $75 million annually for utility bill assistance to prevent disconnections.

Set a minimum floor of $100 of debt before allowing a disconnection.

Prohibit disconnections during extreme high and low temperatures, along with prohibiting disconnections over weekends.

Ensure state utility regulator Kentucky Public Service Commission has the authority to address high energy burdens through equitable rates, implementing utility bill debt management programs and other measures.

Expand weatherization programs targeting households with high energy burdens.

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Shelton spoke earlier this month at a press conference that advocated for the passage of a bipartisan House bill that would create extreme temperature standards in state law for when disconnections would be prohibited.

She said Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshears proposal to create a $75 million fund to aid with utility bill assistance is certainly helpful. Shelton also pointed to a joint resolution primarily sponsored by Sen. Scott Madon, R-Pineville, that would direct the Public Service Commission to investigate ways to improve utility affordability for low-income and fixed-income individuals.

I think this is such a huge problem, and I think people are really eager for some solutions, Shelton said. But there is a lot to consider in terms of understanding what can we get thats actually going to be effective.

She said, in reference to Madons joint resolution, that having the commission study this issue is a good first step.
Seemingly nobody in the federal government actually received instructions to send a hospital boat to Greenland.

The Pentagon has heard no official word about sending any such sort of humanitarian aid to the Arctic island, The Wall Street Journal reported late Monday.

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the White House would be sending a great hospital boat to Greenland, though exactly who would be responsible for the projectand why Greenland, which has nationalized health care, would need itwas not clear.

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Trump included an AI-generated image of the USNS Mercy, despite the fact that the ship is based on the West Coast. The hospital ship situated on the East Coast is the USNS Comfort. Both are currently in the shop, with the USNS Mercy in the middle of a yearlong maintenance period and the USNS Comfort undergoing repairs that are expected to be completed in April.

Regardless, the Pentagon had not received instructions to send either Navy ship, reported the Journal.

In the days since Trumps notice, not one agency or office potentially responsible for the unwanted project has recognized that the boat is a real thing thats actually happening.

Pinning responsibility has been more like a game of hot potato: On Monday, the Pentagon referred questions to U.S. Northern Command, which redirected questions to the U.S. Navy, which in turn sent questions to the White House, CNN reported. The White House has so far failed to elaborate, with spokespeople pointing back to Trumps social media post.

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Greenland has expressed zero interest in Washingtons unsolicited aid package. The island currently has six hospitals that serve its 56,000 residents. Remote parts of the Danish-controlled territory have struggled with accessing specialized medical equipmentthough that would hardly be addressed by a centralized boat at the coast.

Furthermore, the issue was tackled earlier this month, when the islands capital city, Nuuk, settled on a new arrangement with Copenhagen that would allow Greenlanders to access specialized health care in Denmark.

That will be no thanks from us, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the Greenlandic prime minister, wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday. President Trumps idea to send a US hospital ship here to Greenland has been duly noted. But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens.

Trumps offer appears to be just another component to his relentless quest to annex the mineral-rich territory. Trump has claimed that America needs Greenland for defense. But what exactly the White House stands to gain from controlling Greenland isnt clear, especially in light of the fact that myriad existing treaties already give the U.S. unfettered access to Greenland as a military base. Danish and Greenlandic officials have repeatedly insisted that Greenland is not for sale.
Electronic Industrial Solutions Group (EISG): Revenue of $476 million, up 15%, with growth across general electronics, semiconductors, and automotive/energy. EISG gross margin was 62.4% and operating margin was 27.2%.

Communication Solutions Group (CSG): Revenue of $1.124 billion, up 27% reported and up 16% core. CSG gross margin was 68.5% and operating margin was 27.5%. Within CSG, commercial communications revenue was $758 million, up 33%, while aerospace, defense, and government (ADG) revenue was $366 million, up 18%.

Net income was $376 million and earnings per share were $2.17, both up 19%. Dougherty also highlighted 41% core operating leverage and said core operating margin was 28.9%, up 170 basis points year over year.

Orders were $1.645 billion, up 30% reported and up 22% on a core basis. Gross margin was 66.7%, up 90 basis points, which Dougherty attributed to favorable product mix and higher gross margin revenue from recent acquisitions. Operating margin was 27.4%, up 20 basis points, with operating expenses of $628 million as the company continued investing in next-generation R&D.

Executive Vice President and CFO Neil Dougherty said Keysight delivered record results in the quarter. Total revenue was $1.6 billion, up 23% year over year on a reported basis. Acquisitions contributed eight percentage points and currency added one point; on a core basis, revenue grew 14%.

Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS) reported fiscal first-quarter 2026 results that management said exceeded the high end of its guidance range, driven by broad-based demand across segments and regions. On the companys earnings call, executives pointed to multiple secular tailwindsincluding AI-driven infrastructure buildouts, next-generation connectivity, rising semiconductor complexity, and defense modernizationas factors supporting accelerated growth.

Up Over 20% in 2025, These 3 Stocks Are Boosting Buyback Capacity

For Q2 Keysight guided revenue of $1.69$1.71 billion and expects fullyear growth just above 20%, while ending the quarter with about $2.2 billion cash, $407 million free cash flow, and a $1.5 billion sharerepurchase authorization.

Management said AI-driven infrastructure and nextgeneration connectivity are key secular tailwinds: AIrelated orders grew significantly above the company average, Keysight has doubled the number of AI customers, and wireline orders surpassed wireless for the first time.

Keysight beat guidance in fiscal Q1 with revenue of $1.6 billion (up 23% reported, 14% core), orders of $1.645 billion (up 30% reported), gross margin of 66.7% and EPS of $2.17 , lifting core operating margin to 28.9%.

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Software and services represented about 40% of quarterly revenue, and annual recurring revenue was 29% of total mix. Dougherty added that software specifically was above 25%, around 26% to 27%.

AI and wireline momentum, plus wireless and 6G activity

 Opendoor Pops After Earnings, But the Big Question Hasnt Changed

CEO Satish Dhanasekaran said CSG saw robust order growth, with orders outpacing CSG revenue growth of 27% in the quarter, driven by both commercial communications and ADG markets. He noted wireline delivered record orders and surpassing wireless for the first time, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of wireline growth.

Dhanasekaran outlined four demand drivers he expects to shape wireline activity:

Rapid scaling of AI infrastructure, increasing the need for end-to-end validation across the stack.

Higher speeds and a shift to Ethernet-based AI networking (including 800G and 1.6T optics and development toward 3.2T).

Increasing importance of optical interconnects, alongside emerging architectures such as co-packaged optics, optical circuit switching, and silicon photonics.

Greater focus on system-level validation and benchmarking, including workload emulation.

In Q&A, Dhanasekaran said the company previously sized its AI exposure at about 10% of total revenue run rate, and that AI-related orders in the quarter grew significantly above the companys average order growth of 30%. He also said Keysight has doubled the number of customers contributing to that demand and emphasized that its top two customers remain non-AI customers, which he said reflects broader demand.

On wireless, management described healthy growth driven by non-terrestrial networks (NTN), 6G research, AI at-the-edge applications, and stability in 5G. Dhanasekaran said Keysight achieved a live NR NTN connection with Samsung in a 3GPP-defined satellite band. He also said early 6G R&D engagements expanded as the industry prepares for large-scale technology demos at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, with commercialization viewed by 2030. The company also cited multiple wins for its newly launched RaceSIM AI RAN offering.

Aerospace and defense: record orders and expanding scope

Dhanasekaran said ADG posted record first-quarter orders and growth across all regions, driven by deterrence and defense modernization priorities. He cited orders tied to program expansions, production automation, and new deployments across spectrum operations, space/satellite, and radar.

Management highlighted several examples, including wins in North America for high-performance threat emulators, selection of digital transceiver module payload testing by a Canadian prime contractor, and broader activity in Europe supported by rising defense budgets. Dhanasekaran said the newly acquired PNT portfolio had a solid quarter as defense organizations test anti-jam and anti-spoof avionics in contested environments.

EISG: record revenue, semiconductor and automotive/energy updates

Dhanasekaran said EISG revenue was a record and orders grew for the third consecutive quarter, with double-digit growth in general electronics, semiconductors, and automotive/energy.

He attributed general electronics strength to AI-related innovation and infrastructure investments and said rising PCB complexity is driving higher test intensity. He also noted digital health grew again, with wins spanning medical device manufacturing, R&D, and biomedical research. In education and advanced research, he said lower U.S. funding was offset by strength in Asia, supported by sovereign programs investing in semiconductor research and workforce development.

In semiconductors, Dhanasekaran said investment accelerated, citing high-bandwidth memory and broader AI-driven capacity expansion driving demand for wafer-level test and characterization. He said silicon photonics programs and production timelines across major foundry customers are picking up speed and intensity, and that customers technology roadmaps and capacity plans improved sequentially.

In automotive and energy, he described a stable environment with a mixed end market, citing healthy annual renewals in the ESI simulation portfolio and wins with EV and robotaxi customers in software-defined vehicle-related manufacturing. He also said Keysight introduced two new megawatt charging solutions aimed at helping customers meet global and local standards.

Guidance, cash flow, buybacks, and acquisition integration

For fiscal second-quarter 2026, Keysight guided for revenue of $1.69 billion to $1.71 billion and earnings per share of $2.27 to $2.33. Dougherty said the guidance does not contemplate any impact from a recently announced Supreme Court decision regarding tariffs, which the company is still assessing.

Dougherty said integrations are on track and reiterated expectations for $375 million in acquisition-related revenue for fiscal 2026. He also reaffirmed a synergy target of more than $100 million in run-rate cost synergies and operational efficiencies, with realization heavily weighted to late 2026 due to ERP migration timing. In Q&A, he added the acquisitions were operating at lower margins initially and are currently dilutive, but are expected to become accretive once synergies are realized.

For the full year, Dougherty said Keysights base case increased, and the company now expects total annual revenue and earnings growth just above 20% on an all-in basis. He said Keysight typically has strong visibility one quarter out, decent visibility two quarters out, and less clarity beyond that, while noting potential upside if momentum continues.

Keysight ended the quarter with about $2.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Operating cash flow was $441 million and free cash flow was $407 million. The company repurchased about 420,000 shares for $87 million at an average price of about $207 per share, and Dougherty said the board has authorized $1.5 billion for share repurchases.

About Keysight Technologies (NYSE:KEYS)

Keysight Technologies is a global provider of electronic design, test, measurement and optimization solutions for communications, electronics and related industries. The company was formed as a corporate spin-off from Agilent Technologies in 2014; its origins trace back to the electronic measurement business that was part of HewlettPackard before Agilent. Keysight develops hardware and software used throughout the product development lifecycle, from design and simulation to prototype validation and manufacturing test.

Keysight's product portfolio includes electronic test and measurement instruments such as oscilloscopes, network and spectrum analyzers, signal generators, vector network analyzers and modular PXI-based systems, together with software platforms for simulation, automated test and data analysis.

The article "Keysight Technologies Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
TAIPEI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan's parliament will discuss late next week the government's stalled bill on a $40 billion special defence budget, which has been held up by opposition party objections attracting the concern of U.S. lawmakers.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te last year proposed the extra defence spending to counter China, which has ramped up military pressure to force the island to accept its claim of sovereignty.

But the opposition, which has a majority in parliament, refused to review the proposal and instead advanced its own, less expensive proposals, which only fund the purchase of some of the U.S. weapons Lai wants.

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Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of 37 U.S. lawmakers wrote to senior Taiwanese politicians expressing concern about parliament stalling the proposed defence spending.

Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, the main opposition Kuomintang and its much smaller ally the Taiwan People's Party have now agreed to schedule discussion on the government's proposal on March 6, according to pictures of the agreement posted by lawmakers to social media.

Taiwan's parliament speaker and his deputy, in a statement responding to the U.S. lawmakers' letter, pledged last week that the defence spending plan would be prioritised for review.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

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The Trump administration has pressed its allies to increase defence spending, something Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and his government have enthusiastically embraced.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China, but been rebuffed, and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
The Washington State Senate passed a bill last Monday that would establish a 9.9% tax on individuals earning more than $1 million a year.

The legislation, frequently called the Millionaires Tax, passed with a 27 to 22 vote but still faces several hurdles before it can become law.

The proposal aims to generate revenue by taxing the states wealthiest to provide relief for small businesses and other Washingtonians.

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Gov. Bob Ferguson said that while progress has been made over the last two weeks, he is seeking further changes regarding how the revenue will be distributed back to the public.

Under the proposed plan, the 9.9% tax would apply only to income exceeding $1 million. For example, a household with $1.2 million in income would be taxed on the $200,000 that sits above the threshold. But this calculation includes combined household income and certain small-business earnings.

A residents home value and retirement savings would not be counted toward the $1 million threshold.

Gov. Ferguson defended the proposal, stating it targets a very small portion of the states population.

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If youre a small business under my proposal, youll be receiving a massive tax break, Ferguson said. If youre an individual making over a million dollars, youll be paying that. There are one-half of one percent of Washingtonians that will pay it.

Some business owners in the state expressed support for the measure, arguing that tax reform is necessary for community growth.

Jed Fowler, a business owner who supports the tax, described the move as an investment.

Fixing our upside-down tax code does drive that shared prosperity because investing in our community is fundamentally pro-business, Fowler said at a recent hearing.

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However, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that the vast majority of its members are against the legislation.

Patrick Connor, the NFIB Washington state director, said the organization surveyed its members to gauge their stance.

We sent out a ballot to try and gauge their interest in supporting or opposing it, Connor said. And right now, its running 98% opposed, less than 2% in favor.

The NFIB expressed concern that the tax would impact small businesses that operate as pass-through entities, such as LLCs or S-corporations.

Lois Cook, who owns a four-person company called Americas Phone Guys in Vancouver, Wash., said her business structure would subject her to the tax.

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Were an LLC that files as an S-Corp, Cook said. So, all the businesss earnings get passed through to our income tax.

Because the earnings are treated as personal income, Cooks business would fall under the Millionaires Tax bracket. She says she and her husband would consider moving to Oregon to avoid the higher tax, since Oregons tax is one-third of the proposed Washington millionaires tax.

Our primary concern is that a small-business owner could be taxed on their business earnings, not their personal income, making it difficult to keep those small businesses here in Washington state, Connor said.

The NFIB also noted that the tax relief provided in the bill would primarily benefit smaller startups that gross $250,000 or less per year.

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Gov. Ferguson said he wants to see more changes to the bill before it reaches his desk for a signature.

He specifically requested that approximately $1.9 billion of the generated revenue be redirected back to Washingtonians.

The community can weigh in on the proposed Millionaires Tax in Washington during a public hearing that begins on Tuesday, February 24, at 8 a.m.

If youd like to testify during the hearing or submit a written testimony, click here.

If youd like to watch the hearing live, click here.
Meredith Seaver/College Station Eagle via AP

A proposal to rename a portion of a highway in Texas after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was dropped Monday after more than 100 local residents showed up to their county commission meeting.

Kirk, 31, founded TPUSA in 2012 and expanded it over the years since to a multimillion-dollar organization that had chapters at colleges across the country and held multiple conferences each year for young conservative activists. He was speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on September 10 when he was fatally shot.

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Tyler Robinson, 22, was arrested for Kirks murder and is facing seven charges, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

In the aftermath of Kirks death, numerous plans were proposed across the country to honor his life, including statues, memorials, and renaming roads. Although Kirk has been lionized on the right since his death, he had many critics as well, and these proposals have sometimes met with loud opposition, especially where Kirk did not have a clear connection to the local area or the politics are less MAGA.

The renaming plan that was under consideration at the Bastrop County Commission on Monday was to designate a portion of FM 969 (a farm-to-market road about 30 minutes east of downtown Austin that is maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation) the Charlie Kirk Corridor, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Bastrop County Commissioner David Glass put the proposal on the meeting agenda, along with some background information that said the county recognizes the importance of honoring distinguished individuals whose commitment to civic values, public engagement, and leadership has made a lasting contribution to political life in the State of Texas and the United States, and Kirks activism emphasized civic participation, free speech, and political engagement among youth, building a national network of student activists and influencing political discourse on college campuses and beyond.

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News of the potential renaming quickly spread in the local community, and according to the latest report by the Statesman, the commission meeting was packed with [m]ore than 100 people.

More than 100 people packed a Bastrop County commissioners meeting on Monday to voice their objections or support for a proposed resolution to rename FM 969 the "Charlie Kirk Corridor." No action was taken because Commissioner David Glass, who had proposed the resolution, asked pic.twitter.com/5hu9Wb3K2G  Austin Statesman (@statesman) February 23, 2026

Glass asked to table the resolution at the outset, and therefore no action was taken. He told the Statesman that he had received many emails over the weekend about the resolution, without providing details.

Im going to take a breath and have some more conversations with my constituents, said Glass, but said an later email to a Statesman reporter that he was not planning on resubmitting the renaming resolution.

Not all of us are going to agree, but we can agree to disagree, said Glass. I absolutely dont agree with everything Charlie Kirk said.

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Local residents had brought signs that simply said NO in capital letters, to show their opposition, and despite the matter being tabled, several still spoke up during the public comment portion of the meeting. Those who opposed the renaming received claps and cheers from the audience, according to the Statesman.

Many of those who spoke in opposition focused on Kirks comments on race and lack of local connection to the area:

Sumai Lokumbe, who spoke against the resolution, said comparing King and the work he did for civil rights to Kirk was a disgrace. We need to start promoting equality, we need to start loving each other, she said. If FM 969 needs to be renamed, Lokumbe said, it should be named after someone who did something for the Bastrop community. Dock Jackson, the Democratic candidate for county judge, said that after enslaved Blacks were freed in 1865, they established a freedom colony in the area of FM 969. With this history and the fact that Charlie Kirk to my knowledge has no relatives or connection to Bastrop County, I do not feel the court should pass a resolution endorsing this street name change, he said. Charlie Kirk was one of the most polarizing figures in politics, said [Ruth Todd]. Naming a road in his honor does not unite the community, she said. It sends a message to a significant portion of our community that their comfort in their home county does not matter.



The post Texas County Drops Proposal to Rename Highway for Charlie Kirk After More Than 100 People Show Up to Commission Meeting first appeared on Mediaite.
A newly revealed 2024 text exchange appears to show that Rep. Tony Gonzales encouraged one of his aides to send him an explicit photo  leading the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, to push back. Just over a year later, the staffer died after setting herself on fire.

The texts have drawn additional scrutiny to the Texas Republican, who is now facing bipartisan criticism over his alleged affair with Santos-Aviles. An attorney for the staffer's husband alleged to CBS News last week that Gonzales coerced Santos-Aviles into a sexual relationship. Gonzales has denied the affair in the past, and has claimed he is being extorted.

CBS News has obtained a set of texts that were extracted from Santos-Aviles' phone that show a conversation between Gonzales and the late staffer.

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In the exchange, which took place after midnight in early May 2024, Gonzales asked for a "sexy pic." After a back-and-forth, Santos-Aviles said she didn't like taking photos of herself. He responded in a pair of texts: "I'm just such a visual person" and "Sorry."

The congressman then asked Santos-Aviles what her "favorite position" is. She asked him to answer first, and he did.

The aide then texted: "This is going too far boss. So how long have you thought I was this hot?"

After another back-and-forth, Santos-Aviles said again: "This is too far, Tony."

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Santos-Aviles later said to Gonzales: "Please tell me you didn't just hire me because I was hot."

"No way," Gonzales writes.

Several weeks after that exchange, Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, learned about their alleged relationship, he previously told the San Antonio Express-News.

Then, the following month, Aviles appeared to send a text from Santos-Aviles' phone to Gonzales and several other staffers in his office. In that message, he wrote that he'd discovered "she's been having an affair on me with your boss Tony Gonzales for some time now."

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Aviles' lawyer, Bobby Barrera, told CBS News last week that Santos-Aviles' mental health declined sharply following the end of her alleged relationship with Gonzales  something he blamed on the congressman's conduct.

Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after she was found critically burned near her home in Uvalde, Texas, according to the local police department. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled the death a suicide, according to CBS affiliate KENS.

The circumstances leading up to her suicide are not clear.

In an interview with CBS News on Monday, Aviles said he wants to rebut Gonzales' denials of the affair and to demonstrate that "this is not something that's been fabricated."

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"You ended a family because of your predatorial instincts," said Aviles, who has an 8-year-old son with Santos-Aviles.

The new details about Gonzales' alleged relationship are coming to light as the congressman fights for reelection. His district along the U.S.-Mexico border is considered a safe GOP seat, but Gonzales is facing a primary challenge next week from gun rights activist Brandon Herrera, who lost to Gonzales by fewer than 400 votes in 2024. President Trump has endorsed Gonzales. Herrera called for Gonzales to step down last week.

A handful of congressional Republicans criticized Gonzales after the 2024 text exchange emerged on Monday.

Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado urged Gonzales to resign and suggested that House Republicans' campaign arm should start financially supporting Herrera. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina also said Monday that Gonzales should resign, calling the allegations "deeply disturbing" and an "abuse of power." And former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia called the story "shocking and disgusting."

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Herrera also drew endorsements Monday from Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and the Freedom Caucus Fund, a political action committee aligned with members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus. Neither endorsement mentioned Gonzales.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday that the allegations against Gonzales are "very serious," but he said "you have to allow investigations to play out."

Asked about the allegations Tuesday, Gonzales said he will not resign, telling reporters: "There will be an opportunity for all the details and the facts to come out. What you've seen are not all the facts."

Gonzales denied having an affair in November, saying in a panel event at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin that the "rumors are completely untruthful."

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The congressman also accused Barrera of trying to blackmail him last week. He shared on X a screenshot of a letter from Barrera in which the lawyer appears to propose a $300,000 legal settlement with a non-disclosure agreement.

"Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death," Gonzales wrote.

Barrera denied that allegation, claiming to CBS News last week that it was actually a standard confidential settlement letter sent to the congressman's attorney.

Aviles told CBS News, "This is not a ploy for money."

CBS News has reached out to Gonzales' office for comment.

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Juliegrace Brufke and Anne Bryson contributed to this report.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You can also chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline here. For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.10 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@nami.org.

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Authorities in Thailand have launched an investigation into a virus outbreak that killed 72 tigers at a popular tourist park that allows visitors to interact with big cats.

The fatalities occurred over less than a fortnight across the parks two facilities in the northern province of Chiang Mai, which house over 240 tigers. The majority of the deaths were recorded at Tiger Kingdom Mae Taeng and Tiger Kingdom Mae Rim, two privately operated animal parks.

Authorities confirmed on Monday that the remains of 72 tigers that died at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai have been buried to prevent any risk of them entering the illegal wildlife trade.

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The director of the Protected Area Regional Office 16, Kritsayam Kongsatree, explained that the tiger carcasses were first intended to be cremated, but due to the limited number of cremation facilities, the method was later switched to burial, according to The Bangkok Post.

He added that neither skins nor teeth were removed for sale, and each burial site was marked with the tigers identification number for future reference.

Preliminary tests identified the presence of canine distemper virus in the tigers, a highly contagious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, the BBC reported.

Authorities have not yet confirmed how the outbreak started.

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Although typically found in dogs, the virus can be deadly for big cats. Some samples also indicated bacterial infections linked to respiratory illness.

Between 8 and 19 February, 51 tigers died at Mae Taeng and 21 at Mae Rim.

Early reports had suggested possible infection from feline parvovirus or contaminated raw chicken, a food source that had previously contributed to a fatal bird flu outbreak at a tiger facility in 2004.

Despite the severity of the outbreak among the tigers, none of the veterinarians or staff working at the park has contracted the virus, authorities said.

File Photo: Tigers roam through an enclosure at Tiger Kingdom in Mae Rim, Thailand (Getty)

However, health authorities have placed personnel under a 21-day observation period as a precaution.

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The park has been temporarily closed for disinfection for two weeks, with officials conducting extensive sanitation measures.

Treating sick tigers is very different from treating dogs and cats. Dogs and cats live closely with us, so when they show symptoms, we can respond and provide treatment right away. Tigers, however, arent living closely with humans. By the time we notice that something is wrong, the illness may already be advanced, Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director-general of Thailands department of livestock development, earlier told local media.

The department of livestock development also said earlier that inbreeding among captive tigers may have weakened the animals immune systems, which could have increased their susceptibility to infection and accelerated the spread of disease.

Animal welfare organisations have criticised the conditions at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, highlighting the vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious diseases.

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Groups such as Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and Peta Asia argued that interactions with tourists exacerbate risks.

Tragedies like this would be far less likely to happen if visitors stayed away from these attractions, Peta Asia told AFP.
Thousands of people in Berlin marched on Tuesday evening toward the historic Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with Ukraine on the fourth anniversary of Russia's war against it.

"We Europeans must understand that peace does not fall from the sky, that peace must be fought for, said Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev.

He stood on a stage directly in front of the Brandenburg Gate, illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian national flag, closely surrounded by more than two dozen ambassadors from European countries.

Gratitude for German support

Makeiev expressly thanked Germany for its backing, saying that it had become Ukraine's most important supporter.

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"Last year, we received German investment in the Ukrainian arms industry for the first time," he said.

"And we are building drones that can reach targets deep inside Russian territory, thanks in part to German support."

The demand for more weapons was heard repeatedly during the rally  both on stage and from the crowd in front of it.

Around 5,000 people took part in the rally, according to the Berlin police, while organizers estimated a significantly higher figure.

Many waved blue and yellow flags or draped them around their shoulders.
"Something in the milk aint clean."

Thats what the old folks used to say when something wasnt on the up and up. The confusing, shifting explanations surrounding the Department of Homeland Securitys plans for a massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Lebanon fit that description  especially when paired with the agencys recent real estate activity in Nashville.

Wilson County Commission members listen to residents voice their concerns about an ICE detention facility during a Wilson County Commissions meeting at the Wilson County Courthouse Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Government confusion, public outcry

On Feb. 13, a local outlet reported that ICE purchased property for a detention center. Days later, after public outcry, the agency reversed itself:

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ICE has NOT purchased a facility in Lebanon, Tennessee. That statement was sent without proper approval.

But has the matter really been rectified? The only constant here has been inconsistency. And the federal agency has done more shifting than a utility infielder.

More: Lebanon mayor confirms ICE interest in local property, south of I-40

How does a federal agency publicly confirm a multimillion-dollar acquisition  and then retract it within 24 hours?

How does an agency of this magnitude conduct due diligence on property in Middle Tennessee without local and state officials knowing?

This isnt about immigration policy. Its about transparency. Its about whether communities deserve clarity before decisions of this scale are made in their backyard.

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And right now, something still isnt clean.

This is a failure of transparency.

U.S. President George W. Bush listens to remarks after he announced that former New York City police commissioner Bernard Kerik, who helped the city respond to the September 11, 2001, attacks and trained Iraqi police, will become the new homeland security secretary, December 3, 2004.

How ICE evolved and expanded its mission

When President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002 into law following the Sept. 11 attacks, ICE was created and began operating the following year. Its mission was to combat terrorism by targeting individuals, goods and resources that support terrorist and criminal activities.

Over time, that mission evolved. In recent years, enforcement tactics have included large-scale deportation and workplace raids.

Today, ICEs stated mission is to target what it deems criminal illegal aliens, but recent data tells another story. The libertarian Cato Institute found that between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15, 2025, nearly three in four people booked into ICE custody had no criminal convictions. Only 5 percent had violent convictions. A CBS review of 400,000 immigrants arrested by ICE found that less than 14 percent had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses.

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More: As Nashville father's ICE arrest draws GoFundMe support, DHS issues statement

The high profile shooting death of U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good at the hands of ICE agents undercuts the agencys mission of pursuing undocumented individuals whove committed crimes."

Regardless of where you stand politically, this context matters. When an agency with expanding powers like ICE operates through shifting, unclear communication with little oversight, how can it expect to gain public trust?

And how can stakeholders in Middle Tennessee, from residents to lawmakers and local law enforcement, support an increased ICE presence when they are cut out of the communication entirely or informed after the fact?

Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, presents a bill in the House Health Subcommittee in the Cordell Hull State Legislative Office Building on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Finding out after the fact: How local leaders were misled

Last week, Rep. Bob Freeman told the Tennessean that when his real estate firm leased Metro Center office space to the U.S. General Services Administration, it had no idea it was for ICE.

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Freeman said the agency actively concealed that the office space was for ICE legal services.

We would never knowingly lease our space to ICE. I had no idea that the tenant was working with ICE or any of its apparatus," Freeman said, vowing to direct his legal team to "investigate all available legal remedies under the lease."

If a state lawmaker and business owner can feel misled, what does that say to everyday residents like us.

There are still no straight answers as to whether ICE has indeed purchased that property in Lebanon.

All we have is the vague bureaucratese of due diligence.

Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell shared on Facebook that DHS senior counsel expressed interest in a property along the Highway 109 South corridor and that the federal agency are in a due diligence phase of a feasibility study.

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Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto received the same word, posting on Facebook that DHS officials shared plans for a mega center in Lebanon, housing between 14,000 and 16,000 detainees from across Tennessee and surrounding states. The proposed site, wrote Hutto, is within a short distance of four schools, two churches and a daycare.

Like many of you, we were disappointed to learn about this project only after a local reporter brought it to light a week ago, Hutto also shared in his Facebook post.

Jason Harper shares his concerns about an ICE detention facility as a Wilson County Sheriff Deputy stands next to him during a Wilson County Commissions meeting at the Wilson County Courthouse Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Lebanon, Tenn.

A community kept out of the loop

This Middle Tennessee episode reinforces the perception that ICE operates with little oversight.

When residents recently packed out a Wilson County Commission meeting last week to decry ICEs initial facility announcement, one attendee stated the obvious.

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The leaders in this room were not meaningfully consulted before this announcement.

Wilson County Commission meeting attendees protest against an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility as they listen to speakers at the Wilson County Courthouse Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Transparency isn't optional

This isnt a communication faux-pas.

It was a federal agency confirming a major project, retracting it and then acknowledging that it was doing its due diligence all while local leaders were left in the dark.

Projects of this scope that could potentially house thousands of detainees near schools, churches and daycare centers demand the highest levels of transparency and scrutiny.

Just like in any relationship, when you're clear with your intentions and messaging, you engender trust.

Until Middle Tennessee gets straight answers, something in the milk still aint clean.

Tacuma Roeback, The Tennessean's Director of Engagement and Opinion.

Tennessee Community Engagement and Opinion Editor Tacuma R. Roeback is an editorial leader committed to the practice of opinion journalism that is rigorous, compelling and empathetic, telling it like it is. Reach out to him at troeback@gannett.com or follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @tacumaroe and BlueSky at troe-writes.bsky.social or on LinkedIn.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: ICE facility confusion in Lebanon, TN raises transparency concerns
I served this country for 23 years in uniform. I followed orders, moved my family across the country, and sacrificed things most people will never know about  trusting that when my service was done, the promises made to me would be kept. One of those promises was access to reliable, affordable health care.

That promise is now quietly at risk in the Tennessee legislature.

Senate Bill 2040 / House Bill 1959, currently sitting in committee, would bar pharmacy benefit managers from owning pharmacies in our state. On the surface, it may sound like a reasonable check on a complex system. But for military retirees  particularly those of us living in rural Tennessee  the real-world consequences could be severe. These bills could disrupt TRICAREs integrated pharmacy network, including the mail-order prescription services that thousands of veterans and their families count on every single month. For some of us, that mail-order prescription isnt a convenience. Its the only option.This bill will also close pharmacies that many military families and veterans depend on for convenience and access to medication.

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Opinion: Tennessees SB 2040 threatens community pharmacies

I am not asking lawmakers to abandon reform. The prescription drug system has real problems that deserve serious attention. But good intentions are not enough when veterans health care hangs in the balance. This legislation needs a full, transparent floor debate  not a quiet committee vote  so that the impacts on our military community are fully understood before anything changes.

I urge every Tennessee veteran, military family member, and supporter of those who served to contact your state senator and representative today. Ask them to pump the brakes on SB 2040/HB 1959 until its effects on veterans and military families are thoroughly examined.

Justin Bergman, Knoxville, 37932

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Letter: SB 2040/HB 1959 pharmacy bill a threat to Tennessee veterans
Britains former ambassador to the U.S. has been arrested in connection with emails he sent to his best pal Jeffrey Epstein.

Peter Mandelson, 72, was arrested Monday by detectives investigating allegations of misconduct in public office, reports The Guardian. Cameras captured him being driven away from his home in an unmarked car shortly after being escorted from his home by officers.

Mandelson is accused of leaking a memo from the upper echelons of the British government to the disgraced financier and convicted sexual predator about a change in economic policy that would not be implemented until months later.

Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Mandelson. Mandelson, 72, said Epstein was his best pal. / Department of Justice

British police confirmed an arrest had been made but did not identify Mandelson by name.

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Officers have arrested a 72-year-old man on suspicion of misconduct in public office, they said in a statement. He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, February 23, and has been taken to a London police station for interview.

There's even more to strip Peter Mandelson of: his title of

Mandelson was fired from his role as envoy to Washington by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in September, and he resigned from the countrys left-wing Labour Party on February 1 after the latest Epstein dump revealed, among other things, an embarrassing image of him in his tighty-whities.

Mandelson was photographed smiling in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump, whose name is also littered throughout the Epstein files, as recently as May 2025.

Peter Mandelson was in the Oval Office in May during a trade announcement by President Donald Trump. The two men smiled together and shook hands in front of press photographers. / JIM WATSON / JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

I have been further linked this weekend to the understandable furor surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, and I feel regretful and sorry about this, said Mandelson, who once called Epstein his best pal, in an apology this month.

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Mandelsons embarrassing photo is not what has him in hot water on the home front. Rather, it stems in part from a confidential June 2009 memo that Mandelson forwarded to Epstein. That memo, written by a special adviser to then-British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, outlined ideas to shore up government finances and attract more private-sector investment. It was labeled Business Issues.

Epsteins cache of emails released by the DOJonly after months of pressure from the public and Democratic lawmakersshows that Mandelson forwarded him the memo the same day and wrote, Interesting note thats gone to the PM.

What salable assets? Epstein responded.

Mandelson, who reportedly received a trio of $25,000 payments from Epstein in the early 2000s, answered, Land, property I guess. The Labour government officially implemented the once-secret plan four months later.

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Emails show that Mandelson also told Epstein in 2009, when he was the U.K. business secretary, that he was trying hard to amend a tax on bank bonuses. He suggested that JPMorgans top banker, Jamie Dimon, should mildly threaten the U.K.s Chancellor of the Exchequer, which is equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, over the tax.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) chats with Britain's then-ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson. / Carl Court / Carl Court/Getty Images

A year later, Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of a 500 billion ($590 billion) bailout to save the Euro that was not announced publicly until the following morning.

Sources tell me 500 b euro bailout, almost complete, Mandelson wrote, according to a document shared on X by Steven Swinford, the political editor of The Times of London.

Representatives for Mandelson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Top European Union officials arrived in Kiev on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and to reaffirm the bloc's continued support for the war-ravaged country.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa said the visit demonstrated Europe's steadfast backing.

Von der Leyen, in a post on X upon arrival, wrote that Europe "stands unwaveringly with Ukraine, financially, militarily, and through this harsh winter."

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Costa paid tribute to "the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people," who he said had resisted Russias large-scale invasion over four "terrible years," pushed Russian forces back to the east of the country and continued to defend the front line "with great courage."

He also praised Ukraine's progress toward European Union membership.

"It is very impressive how a country at war is achieving to deliver on the reforms that are necessary to move forward on the accession process," Costa said.

However, their visit was overshadowed by the refusal of Hungary and Slovakia to sign off on a 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

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Hungary on Monday also vetoed an EU plan to provide key financial assistance for Ukraine. The measures would have amounted to a total of 90 billion ($105 billion), including 60 billion earmarked specifically for Ukraines defence against Russia.

Hungary and Slovakia have justified their stance by citing a halt in Russian oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline running through Ukraine.

They accuse Kiev of deliberately blocking use of the pipeline for political reasons. Ukrainian officials, however, say the disruption in oil supplies since late January is the result of Russian bombardment.

Instead, only a 100 million emergency package for Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which EU officials say can be approved without Hungary's backing, is now expected to be announced by von der Leyen and Costa on Tuesday.

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Costa directly criticized Hungary over its obstruction of financial aid, calling it "completely unacceptable" for a member state not to respect agreements already reached within the European Council, the body representing EU heads of state and government.

During their visit, von der Leyen and Costa are scheduled to attend a memorial ceremony, assess damage caused by Russian airstrikes and hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Europe marks anniversary

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are organizing a video conference of the Coalition of the Willing - a group of over 30 countries that have pledged strong support for Ukraine - to mark the anniversary.

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Senior EU officials gathered in Kiev also want to take part in the conference.

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will commemorate the war and the many thousands of dead and injured at a prayer service for peace at the French Cathedral in Berlin.

A solidarity rally for Ukraine is also planned for the evening at the Brandenburg Gate in the capital. Similar events are also taking place in other German cities, including Bremen, Stuttgart, Munich and Cologne.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for European unity, saying only collective strength could bring the war to an end.

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"For four years, every day and every night has been a nightmare for the people of Ukraine. And not only for them, but for all of us. Because war has returned to Europe," Merz wrote on X on Tuesday.

"Only with shared strength will we end it. The fate of Ukraine is our fate," he added.
Lefroy Exploration has started initial production at the Lucky Strike Gold Mine near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

The company has shipped its first three gold dore bars to the Perth Mint Refinery, where they will undergo final refining.

These bars have a combined weight of 27.2kg, equating to an estimated total of 584oz of gold.

The current toll milling campaign for the Lucky Strike Gold Mine is in progress at the FMR Greenfields plant in Coolgardie and is expected to conclude by the end of February.

Additional ore reserves are stationed at both the Lucky Strike and mill run of mine pads ready for processing.

Lefroy is working with its profit share partner, BML Ventures, to negotiate further toll milling capacity for the project.

The company expects to release more details on these negotiations soon.

The Lucky Strike Gold Deposit has a mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 1.27 million tonnes (mt) at 1.95 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, translating to around 79,600oz.

This includes an indicated resource of 700,000t at 1.93g/t, amounting to 43,400oz, and an inferred resource of 570,000t at 1.97g/t, totalling 36,200oz.

Lefroy CEO Graeme Gribbin said: Production of our first gold dore bars from the Lucky Strike Gold Project is a culmination of ten years' hard work by past and present Lefroy employees and management, from early exploration efforts, formulation of the first mineral resource estimate, through to more recent collaborations with BML ventures to facilitate funding and commencement of first production.

Together with past and present shareholders and investors of Lefroy, whose funding and support have made this possible, I am pleased that the company is now on the brink of delivering significant value to current shareholders, not just from Lucky Strike but through realising value from our one-million-ounce gold resource base across the broader Lefroy Project.

In November 2025, Lefroy secured all final mining and environmental approvals for its Lucky Strike gold project.

"Lefroy begins gold production at Lucky Strike mine" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Three firemen pulled a man's body from the mud amidst the rubble of houses swept away in a landslide in southeastern Brazil, where 30 people died and 39 were still missing on Tuesday after torrential rains.

A river burst its banks and streets became raging currents of brown water in the state of Minas Gerais after the overnight downpour in a region that has seen record rain this month.

State firefighters said 30 people had died in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba. More than 200 people have been rescued.

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Firefighters and sniffer dogs worked to find the 39 people still missing in the debris.

In a hillside neighborhood of Juiz de Fora, 12 houses were swept away in a "massive landslide," Major Demetrius Goulart of the fire brigade told AFP.

"Many people were inside their homes at night when it was raining," he said.

Wilton Aparecido de Souza sobbed as he spoke of his 20-year-old son trapped in the debris.

"He was a good boy, he had just finished his military service and he wanted to buy a motorcycle," the 42-year-old told AFP.

"At least find his body, so I can give him a proper burial."

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- Teddy bears in the rubble -

Silence hung heavy among dozens of onlookers in the rare moments that the excavators' engines stopped, broken only by the barking of a panicked dog.

"Almost everyone buried in this mud is family; there's my sister, my nephew," said Cleiton Ronan, a 32-year-old warehouse worker.

Earlier, the fire brigade's Goulart said a boy aged around 10 had been pulled alive from the rubble after a two-hour rescue effort, and many expressed hope that their loved ones would still be found alive.

But, "the longer it goes on, the slimmer the chances of finding survivors become," Paulo Roberto Bermudes Rezende, a state civil defense coordinator, told AFP.

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Volunteers with shovels came to help the firefighters.

"When I dug up children's belongings -- balloons, teddy bears -- it broke my heart. I'm a father too... I'm trying to help however I can," said Atila Mauro, a 33-year-old bricklayer.

- Record rainfall -

The state fire brigade said the rainfall had led to flooding and landslides, while images shared on social media showed buildings collapsing.

Juiz de Fora's Mayor Margarida Salomao declared a state of emergency.

"Our focus is to guarantee humanitarian assistance, the restoration of basic services, aid to displaced people, and support for reconstruction," President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote on X.

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Salomao said her municipality of a little over half a million people was experiencing its wettest February on record, with 584 millimeters (23 inches) of accumulated rainfall.

An estimated 3,000 people had to leave their homes, the mayor's office reported.

Some neighborhoods are isolated, with at least 20 landslides, Salomao said, calling the situation "extreme."

State authorities suspended classes in all municipal schools.

Brazil has suffered various tragedies in recent years due to extreme weather events ranging from floods to drought and intense heat waves.

In 2024, more than 200 people died and two million were impacted by unprecedented flooding in southern Brazil, one of the worst natural disasters in its history.

Two years earlier, a deluge in the city of Petropolis outside Rio de Janeiro left 241 people dead.

Experts have linked most of these events to the effects of climate change.

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BLUEFIELD, Va.  Two unsolicited proposals have already been received, and now officials in Bluefield, Va. are seeking additional offers for the sale of the towns water system.

The town confirmed earlier this month that Virginia American Water and Aqua had both submitted unsolicited proposals to purchase the municipal water system.

In addition to the two offers that were received, the town is opening a 45-day window that will allow other interested companies to submit offers as well, according to Bluefield, Va. Town Manager Andrew Hanson.

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Hanson said an advertisement seeking additional offers over the next 45 days has appeared in the Daily Telegraph.

A public informational meeting also was held last week at the town hall chambers to discuss the possible sale of the towns water system. Hanson said a number of town residents attended that public forum.

I played out the case for why we entered into the process to begin evaluating (the unsolicited offers) and why we should or should not sell the water utility, Hanson said of the public meeting. And in the newspaper you will see the solicitation for additional (offers). It would be open for 45 days.

Hanson said the town is working to educate residents on the problems it faces in terms of infrastructure needs and what will happen if a private entity takes over the municipal water system.

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A similar process is underway with the Bluefield Sanitary Board, which West Virginia American Water Company is working to obtain. That sale involves customers on both the Virginia and West Virginia side of the border and is still pending with state regulators in both West Virginia and Virginia.

Hanson said a possible sale of the towns water system also would require final approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

It wont happen overnight, Hanson said. It will mirror the sale of the Sanitary Board.

During the Feb. 10 meeting of the Bluefield, Va. Town Council, Mayor Donnie Linkous discussed with Hanson and the other council members the creation of an evaluation team consisting of the mayor, one council member, a town building official, an engineer, the towns IDA and a water plant operator that will meet and ultimately make recommendations back to the full town council.

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This is the starting point for a long, drawn-out process, Linkous said.

Hanson said it was important to have a public engagement strategy to ensure that town residents arent surprised by the action and have every opportunity to express their opinion.

Hanson said the unsolicited proposals was the result of the town entering into the Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act.

To enter into the Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act, the town had to express a need and the need the town has expressed over the years have been aging infrastructure, and a need to replace pipes in the ground as well as updating other critical infrastructure, Hanson said. The town didnt solicit these proposals. The need was known throughout the community as the town completed its phase one and phase two of its water capital improvement plan. So based upon the towns need we received these two unsolicited proposals.

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If the towns water system is ultimately sold to a private entity, Hanson said some town employees would be offered positions with the private entity if the sale occurred. Those who would be impacted would primarily be water plant operators.

Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  Three Altoona residents were found with guns and drugs during a state parole home inspection, according to Altoona police.

Photo: Altoona Police Department

Damien Pierce, 52, Natalie Pierce, 41, and Elijah Washington, 42, are all facing charges after a parole inspection was halted Feb. 20, due to the finding of firearms in the residence.

Damien, who is on active parole supervision, was at home with Natalie and Washington when parole agents entered to search. Two firearms were found, prompting agents to contact others from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office as well as the Altoona Police Department.

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Once on scene, the residence was secured and a search warrant was issued. Officers added that it was discovered Damien Pierce and Washington were both felons not to possess firearms.

Officers and agents located a Smith and Wesson .357 revolver, which was reported lost, along with a Sig Sauer 10 mm model 1911 and a DPMS AR .223 rifle. Officers noted that roughly 35 grams of marijuana were also found along with packaging materials and a functioning digital scale.

Photo: Altoona Police Department

While Natalie Pierce will be charged with multiple misdemeanors, Damien and Washington were both charged with felony firearm charges and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $250,000 each.

The Altoona Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole, Pennsylvania State Police, Tyrone Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office conducted the investigation.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.




President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at 9 p.m. Tuesday. Not all of Connecticut's delegation to Washington will be in attendance.

Here are their plans:

Sen. Blumenthal

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal will be at the State of the Union, according to his office, and he's bringing along Nicole Russo, CEO of Seymour, Conn.-based company Microboard, to highlight how tariffs have impacted businesses in Connecticut.

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"Trump's tariffs were a disaster for business owners like Nicole, who faced strong headwinds and deep uncertainty over the last year. My colleagues need to hear her company's story - one of American innovation and ingenuity," Blumenthal said in a news release.

Rep. Courtney

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, will be in attendance at the State of the Union, and will bring Mystic resident Lee Burdette Williams, who said her healthcare costs have increased 300%.

"About 5 million Americans are estimated to be giving up their insurance," Williams said during a press event Tuesday morning. "We're deeply concerned about the implications for these families who are making the choice not to be insured, and maybe it's not even a choice for them. Maybe they are barely scraping by and just trying to put food on the table for their children, pay tuition bills or manage a business, but the cost of not being insured is really incalculable. People get sick, people will die because they don't have insurance."

Courtney said in a Tuesday press conference he does not have high expectations for the president's speech.

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"I was in the room a year ago when he addressed a joint session. It was this almost incoherent set of remarks that just sort of drifted from one topic to another, riddled with misinformation," Courtney said. "That's what I'm expecting this evening. They're already telling people that it's going to be a long night."

Not in attendance

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy will be at an alternative event, called the "People's State of the Union," being held on the National Mall and run by advocacy organization MoveOn.org. He will be joined by Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, and Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District.

Larson is reportedly bringing Marlon Ricardo Camejo, a Bristol resident and Cuban native who, according to Larson, had a citizenship appointment canceled when U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Noem in December issued a ban pausing all immigration applications for residents from 19 countries, including Cuba.

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District "does not plan on attending the State of the Union," according to her press office.

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Press contacts for U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, did not immediately reply to requests for comment on this story and it was unclear what her plans were.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This article originally published at Trump 2026 State of the Union: Which Connecticut members of Congress are not attending.
The federal government has abandoned plans to build an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in New Hampshire, GOP Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced in a social media post Tuesday.

The announcement is a major victory for Ayotte, who pleaded her case in conversations with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last week.

I thank her for hearing the concerns of the Town of Merrimack and for the continued cooperation between DHS and New Hampshire law enforcement to secure our northern border, keep dangerous criminals off our streets, and ensure our communities are safe, Ayotte wrote on X.

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The move comes with President Donald Trump increasingly under fire for his heavy-handed approach to immigration  and as some Republicans urge the White House to change tactics amid public backlash.

Several Republicans, though broadly supportive of the presidents deportation push, have spoken out against efforts to open immigration detention centers in their home states. In early February, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) wrote a letter to Noem, urging ICE to stop the development of a processing facility in the town of Byhalia, Mississippi.

Such a development, he wrote, forecloses economic growth opportunities and replaces them with a use that does not generate comparable economic returns or community benefits.

The White House had previously rebuffed the concerns of Republicans who did not want ICE facilities in their states or districts.

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In a press briefing last week, press secretary Karoline Leavitt, a native of New Hampshire, called construction of the planned facility an unfortunate consequence of the previous administrations border invasion.

Obviously there are a lot more illegal alien criminals left in our homeland, she told reporters. That includes in New England. There are many within our communities in New Hampshire, in Maine and definitely in Massachusetts and in the Boston suburbs, that need to be arrested, detained and deported back to their home countries.

ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reasons behind its pullback. In a press release distributed by Ayottes office, Noem praised the state as a strong partner.

I appreciated my discussions with Governor Ayotte last week, Noem said. From banning sanctuary cities to strengthening law enforcement cooperation, New Hampshire has been a strong partner in securing our country, and we look forward to continuing our work together.
AP Photo/Eric Gay

A federal judge has found President Donald Trumps administration in civil contempt for transferring a detainee to El Paso, Texas in direct violation of his order and dumping him without any of his belongings  even going so far as to order the government to reimburse the man for his plane ticket home.

The tactics used during the Trump administrations immigration crackdown have been loudly criticized and sparked nationwide protests and multiple court challenges, especially after two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minneapolis: Renee Good on Jan. 7 by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 by Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez.

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Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin announced last week she was resigning, and numerous congressional Democrats have called for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to step down or be impeached. Recent polling shows public opinion souring on the Trump administrations immigration policies, even among Republicans.

Mondays ruling was the latest in a long list of defeats and setbacks for the Trump administration, as judges are growing increasingly weary of the governments excuses for missed deadlines and violated orders.

JUST IN: Judge Tostrud has found the Trump admin in civil contempt for transfering an ICE detainee to Texas in violation of his order  and then releasing him without his belongings in El Paso. He has ordered the admin to refund the $568 it cost for the man to get a plane pic.twitter.com/QN8eBZx8kL  Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) February 23, 2026

Judge Eric Tostrud with the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota is a Trump appointee who clerked for Judge George MacKinnon of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a staunch conservative who was described as so far right he makes [Barry] Goldwater look like George McGovern. Tostrud was recommended for the federal bench by a Republican congressman and spoke at a Federalist Society event as recently as 2021.

In a matter-of-fact eight-page opinion Monday, Tostrud described how Fernando T., a Mexican citizen, had filed a habeas corpus petition on Jan. 19 seeking either his release or a bond hearing, along with a motion for a temporary restraining order on Jan. 20 to prevent him from being transferred out of the district while his petition was being heard.

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Tostrud entered an order late morning on Jan. 20 prohibiting the government from taking Fernando out of Minnesota and setting forth an expedited briefing schedule.

Two days later, the Trump administration filed a response admitting they had already moved Fernando to Texas. The judge ordered a status report identifying Fernandos present location and the schedule for his return to the District of Minnesota, and the feds replied in a letter to the court that ICE confirmed Fernando is presently at El Paso, Texas and is scheduled to be back in Minnesota tomorrow, 24 January 2026.

The judge granted Fernandos petition and ordered him to be released from custody as soon as practicable, but not later than 48 hours after entry of this Order.

Instead, on Jan. 25, Fernando was released in El Paso, Texas, without his belongings, wrote Tostrud. Respondents have not explained why they withheld Fernandos belongings when they released him.

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Fernandos lawyer paid for a $568.29 plane ticket for him to return to Minnesota.

The Trump administration admitted in its response that releasing Fernando in Texas was not in compliance with the

expectations and Order of this Court, with the government attorney adding that he was deeply remorseful and offers his sincere apologies for the situation.

Intriguingly, Tostrud essentially invites the Trump administration to tattle on each other (Noem as DHS Secretary, Todd Lyons as Acting Director of ICE, and several other federal immigration officials and local law enforcement are named as defendants) in a footnote contained in the order, writing

We do not know which of the Respondents was directly responsible for the January 20, 2026 Orders violation. If Respondents wish to obtain an amended order that identifies which specific person or entity is directly responsible, Respondents should file a motion identifying the responsible Respondent and requesting this Orders amendment.

The judge found the defendants in civil contempt and ordered the government to reimburse Fernando the cost of the $568.29 plane ticket by April 1. The Trump administration has until Feb. 28 to request an evidentiary hearing on this matter; if they chose not to, the order will be effective March 1.

The post Trump-Appointed Judge Finds DHS in Contempt for Transferring Detainee and Dumping Him in Texas Without His Belongings first appeared on Mediaite.
Donald Trump has dropped to an all-time low in his presidential job approval rating ahead of his State of the Union 2026 address tonight, but how does the swing state of Pennsylvania feel about the president compared to the rest of the country after voting him in twice? Here's what to know.

The president is set to address Congress Tuesday, Feb. 24 at the U.S. Capitol amid mounting calls for another impeachment, fears over the uncertainty of the Republican Party's congressional fate in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, and a declining favorability among Americans in the polls.

While a third impeachment would likely face significant political barriers in the current Republican-controlled House and Senate, the 2026 Midterm Elections could change that  and the course of passing Trump's agenda.

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Pennsylvania has long been considered a battleground state, althought the state voted Democratic in the six elections prior to Trump's 2016 election; he won the state in 2016 and again in 2024. But Pennsylvanians may be souring on the president according to their latest presidential approval ratings.

USA TODAY reported on a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released Feb. 22, two days before the highly anticipated address to Congress, that found that six in ten Americans disapprove of the way Trump is handling his role. Of the 60%, 47% indicated a strong disapproval. Only 39% said they approved of the president's performance.

Trump's presidential approval rating declined from an initial high of 50.5% and 44.3% disapproval rating when he took office a year ago, to the current all-time lows in this his second term, showing 42.7% job approval and 55.8% disapproval, according to RealClearPolling. It has dropped below his first term average approval numbers of 42.8% and lower than former President Joe Biden's overall approval rating of 43.2%.

Here's what to know about Trump's approval numbers in Pennsylvania now and how to watch the State of the Union address on Tuesday.

When time is 2026 State of the Union address tonight?

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday evening, Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. ET and it is expected to run approximately two hours, until 11 p.m.

How to watch the State of the Union 2026 address, where to stream

The State of the Union address will be broadcast on all major television networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, NPR and PBS.

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USA TODAY will live stream coverage, both on its YouTube Channel and website.

What is Trump's approval rating in Pennsylvania?

According to the most recent survey by the Morning Consult, Trump's net approval rating is above water in 22 states, but no longer in Pennsylvania.

The Keystone State's 47% favorability of the president versus 51% that disapprove of Trump's job performance in the Morning Consult polls is still holding significantly higher than poll numbers in the country overall, which according to today's RealClearPolling show 42.7 approval and 55.8 disapproval.

Pennsylvania sits in the center of the country's map of approval ratings by state, 25 other states have higher approval ratings while 25 others (includes DC) have lower approval ratings. Their voters started souring on Trump during the summer of 2025 and have continued in a slow, but steady decline according to the polls.

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Registered voters in states that heavily favored Trump by 50% approval or higher in the polls, included Wyoming with the highest at 64%, Idaho, West Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Dakota, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Missouri and South Carolina.

Approval ratings at or below 40% in the state polls, included Vermont with the lowest at 31%, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, District of Columbia, California, Oregon, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington, and New York.

Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Trump approval rating today in PA ahead of State of the Union tonight
A US attack on Iran could force airlines in the Gulf to abandon flights to the US, the boss of Etihad has warned.

Antonoaldo Neves, the airlines chief executive, said Etihads flights to the US follow the shortest possible route  which takes them north, directly over Iran.

Diversions might not be viable because they could consume so much fuel that even Etihads longest-range planes would be unable to reach the US without stopping.

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Mr Neves said: The key flights that would get elongated are the US flights. Its more critical for the US than for Europe and south-east Asia, because we would normally go over Iran.

Adding two to three hours to Europe is OK but if you add two to three hours to the US you need to do a fuel stop. You dont have more range in the plane.

Mr Neves said how much Etihad would be affected would depend on how prolonged any attack launched by Donald Trump on Tehran was, and how much of the surrounding airspace was shut to flights.

The US president is thought to be weighing options ranging from a limited strike on nuclear and missile facilities to a far broader campaign that could seek to destabilise or even topple Irans leadership.

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The closure of the most popular route for carriers flying in and out of the Middle East and beyond over Iraq would cause the greatest upheaval, Mr Neves said.

The involvement of Israel in a potential conflict alongside the US would also potentially close off a swathe of airspace stretching from Cairo to central Asia  with routings further complicated by the long-term closure of the skies over Russia to many airlines.

Mr Neves said Etihad had been working on alternative routes, having had to cope with short-term closures after Israels attack on Iran last June.

He said: We have many contingency plans, but everything depends on the timing and the airspace affected.

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What we had six months ago we managed very well, but we were also lucky because it depends when it happens where your planes are, and we had some time.

Etihad addressed the potential disruption to its routes after revealing that profits rose 37pc to hit $1.7bn in 2025. This came after revenues increased 21pc to $8.4bn.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
President Donald Trump on Monday bashed multiple media reports that suggested his top military adviser, Gen. Dan Caine, had issued warnings about the serious risks of a military operation against Iran.

Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect. General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.

Politics: Democrats Have Settled On How To Rebuke Trump At This Years SOTU

Multiple outlets, including Axios,The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, published stories on Monday that said the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman had reportedly identified the challenges of any potential operation, such as how a lack of munitions and support from allies could mean greater danger for U.S. troops. Parts of these reports also undercut Trumps characterization of Caines position.

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Axios, for instance, cited two sources who noted that Caine had raised the possibility of the U.S. being drawn into a prolonged conflict in Iran. The Washington Post similarly cited a source who said Caine had raised concerns about the scale of any Iran campaign, its inherent complexity and the possibility of U.S. casualties.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Multiple media reports suggest that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine has cited serious risks related to U.S. military action against Iran. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

The news outlets did not state that Caine was against going to war with Iran as Trump claimed.

In his role as military adviser to the President, Secretary of War, and National Security Council, the Chairman provides a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make Americas security decisions. The Chairman provides these options confidentially, Joint Staff spokesperson Joe Holstead told Axios.

Politics: Democrats Are Bringing Epstein Survivors And ICE Victims To Trump's State Of The Union. Guess Who Republicans Are Bringing?

General Caine is a highly respected professional whose job requires providing unbiased information to the Commander in Chief, which he does perfectly, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly also told The Journal. President Trump listens to feedback from all members of his national security team, and he is always the final decision maker.

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According to The Journal, Trump has yet to decide if the U.S. should launch a military campaign against Iran, though Axios pointed to sources who said he is leaning toward a strike. In recent weeks, theres been a massive buildup of U.S. military assets near Iran as Trump has sought to pressure the country into concessions.

Negotiators, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are set to meet with Iranian representatives on Thursday. Theyve reportedly urged Trump to pursue diplomacy before taking additional military action.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
The Trump administrations repeal of a foundational climate determination could clear a path for new litigation and policies targeting big oil, legal experts say.

Earlier this month, Donald Trumps Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule revoking the endangerment finding, a 2009 determination that established that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. The move eliminated federal limits on climate-warming emissions from motor vehicles, and is expected to extend to all other pollution sources.

Critics say the change was designed to reward oil companies, which poured record sums into Trumps campaign. Ironically, it could also weaken a shield the fossil fuel industry has used against attempts to make it pay climate damages around the US.

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The future of that legal shield will soon face a major test as the supreme court considers a fossil fuel industry petition to quash a climate lawsuit filed by a Colorado city.

Related: Enforcement of laws against polluters nearly non-existent in US, analysis finds

In recent years, dozens of US states and local governments have brought climate-focused lawsuits against big oil. Since 2024, Vermont and New York have also passed climate superfund policies that compel oil majors to help cover the costs of climate disasters.

Fossil fuel companies and their allies have claimed that these laws and lawsuits should be thrown out because they are pre-empted by the federal Clean Air Act. The endangerment finding rollback could topple that reasoning, said Pat Parenteau, environmental law expert at Vermont Law School.

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I dont see how oil companies can, with a straight face, any longer make that argument, he said.

In 2011, the supreme court dismissed a climate lawsuit by Connecticut against a power company, saying emissions should be regulated by the EPA under the Clean Air Act, not the courts. Since then, nearly a dozen climate lawsuits against big oil have been dismissed on similar grounds. Many of those dismissals have been appealed.

Now, if the federal government no longer regulates greenhouse gases, no federal law should be read to preclude other efforts to control them, said Parenteau.

Public nuisance claims  alleging companies harmed communities health and safety and should fund abatement  may be especially benefited by the endangerment findings rescission, said Michael Gerrard, the founder of Sabin Center for Climate Change Law.

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But oil companies have argued that suits framed around deceptive messaging or marketing  rather than emissions  are still fundamentally about pollution and should be pre-empted by the Clean Air Act, said Parenteau.

All climate accountability cases could be affected, he said.

Trumps justice department also sued New York and Vermont over their climate superfund policies, partially on the grounds that the Clean Air Act already controls greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA rollback could undercut those claims, said Sarah Light, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

The argument would be that there is a comprehensive, federal statutory scheme that applies to the same subject matter as the climate superfund laws, and therefore the Clean Air Act pre-empts the laws, she said. But now the administration is taking the position that the Clean Air Act no longer applies to greenhouse gas emissions, so arguably, there is no comprehensive federal statutory scheme at all for greenhouse gas emissions.

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The supreme court on Monday moved to weigh in on the pre-emption question, when it agreed to consider a petition from two oil companies to end a climate lawsuit filed by Boulder, Colorado. Federal law prevents the seeking of climate damages in state court, the companies claim.

If the justices side with the oil companies, they could void the Boulder case  and potentially other climate accountability lawsuits and the superfund laws. But doing so could put them in a complicated position if they later weigh in on the endangerment finding.

Trepidation from corporate interests

The threats to this legal shield may be one reason that a lot of companies and industry  are really concerned about the endangerment finding repeal, Andres Restrepo, a senior attorney at the Sierra Club, said on a press call on Wednesday.

[There is] really a good evidence of the fact that industry is nervous about about EPA moving forward with us, he said.

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Related: Trumps EPA repeals landmark climate finding in gift to billionaire polluters

The utility trade group Edison Electric Institute warned last fall that a repeal could trigger increased litigation, while the American Petroleum Institute (API) last month supported a repeal for vehicles but notably not for stationary sources such as power plants.

This contradicts earlier API messaging. In the 1990s, the trade group coordinated a multi-industry campaign opposing federal greenhouse gas regulation, and later tried to block the endangerment finding before it was finalized, notes the fossil fuel watchdog Fieldnotes.

In its revocation of the endangerment finding, the EPA focused only on repealing pollution controls on vehicles, not stationary sources of pollution including power plants. Experts say the rule undercuts the legal foundation for all greenhouse gas standards and that the agency will probably spell out the implications for other sectors soon.

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For now, the ambiguity is by design, said Delta Merner, lead scientist at the science hub for climate litigation at the science advocacy group Union of Concerned Scientists.

It gives the fossil fuel industry more time to prepare legal arguments because it creates an uncertainty on where regulation is now, she said.

The EPA argues that the Clean Air Act continues to pre-empt state greenhouse gas laws and regulations.

The Clean Air Act pre-empts states and political subdivisions from adopting or attempting to enforce emission standards for new motor vehicles and engines, full stop, whether EPA has issued standards for particular emissions or not, an agency spokesperson said in a statement. EPAs repeal does not impact federal pre-emption for motor vehicle and engine emission standards under federal law.

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It was a sign of the agency trying to have their cake and eat it too, said Restrepo.

Ultimately, the legal system will decide whether the Clean Air Act still pre-empts climate superfund laws and accountability litigation.

There is no deference owed to the EPA determination about pre-emption, said Light. Thats up to the courts.

The supreme court could potentially affirm the endangerment finding repeal while maintaining that federal greenhouse gas regulations bar states from emissions control.

It could say, we agree with [Lee] Zeldin that at this point in time, there isnt sufficient evidence to justify regulation of greenhouse gases but were not saying that at some point in the future the Clean Air Act might apply, said Parenteau. It is an intellectually dishonest argument, but they could twist themselves into a pretzel to make it.

Other efforts in the works

In the past year, fossil fuel companies and their allies have pushed for broad protection from climate accountability efforts.

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Related: Shameful: Trumps EPA accused of prioritizing big business over public health

This month, a US representative from Wyoming said she was working to craft legislation aimed at tackling big oil lawsuits and climate superfund bills. In January, two red states also introduced bills to shield fossil fuel companies from climate litigation. And last year, Republican state attorneys general urged the justice department to provide a liability shield for oil companies, while ConocoPhillips and API pressed Congress on draft legislation to limit climate liability.

Looming threats to the pre-emption shield could be driving the push for broader immunity, said Merner, who said oil companies may be seeking a liability waiver akin to the 2005 protections for the firearms industry that have largely protected it from accountability for gun violence.

Now that there is increased potential for liability, both through litigation and legislation for the industry, we should expect to see a ramp up in [industry attempts] to win that broader shield, she said.

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But communities will no question continue pursuing climate accountability in new and creative ways, said Merner.

When national protections fail, state governments and courts become really essential venues for addressing harm and ensuring accountability in these spaces, she said. The federal government stepping back from regulating climate pollution doesnt make the problem disappear.
Recent policy changes and economic shifts have slashed 12 years off the projected life span of the trust fund that pays for Medicare Part A, according to a newly updated report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund is now slated to be entirely exhausted by 2040, even though the balance generally increases through 2031, as spending will begin to outstrip income in the following year.

This rapid deterioration of Medicares financial solvency represents a stark drop from the CBOs previous estimate, which was published just last year, in March 2025. The dramatically shortened timeline means future retirees could face significant cuts to vital health care services far sooner than previously anticipated. As required by the Deficit Control Act, CBO Director Phillip Swagel noted the projections reflect the assumption benefits would be paid as scheduled even after the HI trust fund was exhausted.

The primary culprit for this accelerated depletion is a sharp reduction in the funds projected income, heavily driven by legislation passed over the last year. Specifically, the 2025 reconciliation act (Public Law 119-21, more commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) significantly reduced the revenues the trust fund normally receives from taxing Social Security benefits. This legislation lowered tax rates and established a temporary deduction for taxpayers age 65 or older. Consequently, this major policy shift enacted during the Trump administration has directly contributed to starving the Medicare safety net of critical future funding.

What is the HI trust fund?

The HI trust fund is the financial backbone for Medicare Part A, which covers essential services including inpatient hospital care, stays in skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and hospice care. Over the next 30 years, the fund is expected to rely on the Medicare payroll tax for about three-quarters of its annual income, with another roughly one-eighth derived from income taxes on Social Security benefits.

However, the recent tax cuts are not the only factor draining the fund. The CBO also cited decreased projections for payroll tax revenues, warning it had to adjust their models to account for lower expected worker earnings. Furthermore, because the trust fund will have smaller balances going forward, it will generate less interest income, creating a compounding negative effect on its overall finances.

On the other side of the ledger, Medicare spending is rising faster than anticipated. The CBO noted per-enrollee spending in Medicare Part As fee-for-service program in 2025, along with 2026 bids by Medicare Advantage plan providers, both came in higher than expected.
After ordering the largest American military buildup in the Middle East since the onset of the Iraq War, President Donald Trump now has a decision to make on Iran.

The options before him now appear relatively well established, confirmed in vague terms by the president himself during informal question-and-answer sessions over the last several weeks and described in more detail by people familiar with the matter. They range widely, with some carrying significant risks, and hes hearing sometimes conflicting advice from allies, advisers and foreign counterparts.

Trump could hold off ordering any military action at all, hoping the presence of two aircraft carriers, dozens of warships and hundreds of warplanes off Irans coasts might convince its leaders to make a deal.

He could order a limited strike on military targets to drive home his demands that Iran abandon any ability to build nuclear weapons.

He could approve an attack intended to topple Irans leaders, even if what replaces them remains unknown  the more maximalist approach.

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Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so, Trump declared on Truth Social on Monday. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we dont make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people.

Less clear is what, precisely, Trump is looking to accomplish. Its also a bit of a mystery why he is considering action right now or what legal authorities he might rely upon to launch the second attack on Iran in the span of eight months.

Hes made little attempt to build a public case for or against a potential war. Behind the scenes, Trump is hearing differing opinions on whether to order new strikes or  given the serious risk of becoming mired in a prolonged conflict  allow diplomatic efforts to continue.

Here are the paths Trump is considering, and how the administration is thinking about each one.

Option 1: Let diplomacy play out

Top White House officials continue to say Trumps preference is to secure a deal with Iran that avoids any type of military confrontation.

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His envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner have been conducting indirect talks with Iranian officials over the last several weeks and will return to Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday for another round. Both men have encouraged the president to allow time to see whether a deal is possible, though Witkoff said Saturday that Trump is curious as to why Iran hasnt capitulated in negotiations.

In this handout provided by the White House, special envoy Steve Witkoff sits in the Situation Room as officials monitor the mission that struck Iranian nuclear facilities on June 21, 2025. - Daniel Torok/The White House/Handout/Getty Images

Each side has drawn red lines  and some directly conflict. Trump says Iran should not be allowed to enrich any uranium. Iran says that is its right, and insists its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.

The Iranians are still working on a proposal that might bridge that gap and expect to share it with mediators from Oman before Thursdays high-stakes talks, according to a source familiar with the matter.

This Thursday will decide everything, a war or a deal, said a regional source familiar with the talks.

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Trump launched surprise strikes on Irans nuclear program last year ahead of another scheduled round of US-Iran talks, but this time regional sources expect the presidents team will go to the table in Geneva before taking any military action, based on discussions with US officials.

Still, days before the talks, it did not appear the Iranian proposal would include a commitment to zero uranium enrichment, sources said. The demand has long been a nonstarter for 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, who will approve or veto any deal.

Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, made clear on Sunday that zero enrichment was not on the table.

We have developed this technology by ourselves, by our scientists, and its very dear to us, because we have paid a lot  we have paid a huge expense for that, Araghchi said on CBS. That is now a matter of dignity and pride for Iranians, and we are not going to give it up.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks in Geneva, Switzerland, during a second round of US-Iranian talks on February 17, 2026. - Cyril Zingaro/AFP/POOL/Getty Images

Furthermore, based on discussions with Iran in recent days, it does not appear the regime is prepared to make any offers to the US that are substantially different from what was discussed between the two sides last year leading up to the US strikes, a source said.

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Still, both the US and Iran seem to be trying to be more creative in negotiations, a second regional source familiar with the matter said, but questions remain about whether a deal can be reached. One idea thats been floated is allowing Iran to enrich very small amounts of fuel, with guarantees they be used only for medical purposes. That was also an idea discussed during unsuccessful diplomatic talks last year.

I think the Americans are waiting for the right answers from the Iranians. I dont know if the Iranians can come up with the right answers that Americans are expecting, the second regional source said.

Option 2: A limited strike to force deal-making

Trump may order a targeted attack on select military sites inside Iran to pressure the countrys leaders into agreeing to an acceptable deal  demonstrating US threats of action are real.

The targets could include ballistic missile sites, facilities connected to Irans nuclear program or buildings used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

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Trump on Friday confirmed a limited strike was something he was weighing. I guess I can say I am considering, he said at the White House.

Whether such an action would convince Tehran to make a deal  or harden its resolve to resist US diplomacy  is a matter of dispute. Many regional officials said they did not believe Iran would quickly return to the negotiating table if the US carried out a strike, no matter the scale.

Any strike inside Iran also risks retaliation toward US assets in the Middle East, something officials have repeatedly warned Trump about during briefings over the last weeks. Iran has warned that American military bases could become targets if it is struck. The country did retaliate after Junes strikes on its nuclear facilities, though no American troops were killed.

US military personnel in the region are prepared to execute a range of operations should Trump give the order. The US military has the assets in place to carry out any of the potential strike options and has been making logistical preparations in the event Trump gives a final order, according to a source familiar with the planning.

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That includes mapping out the specific weapons that would be used on various target sets and running through the timing of potential aircraft sorties based on the plans that have been drawn up, the source said.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea on February 15, 2026. - US Navy/Handout/Reuters

Option 3: A larger strike going after the regime

If diplomacy fails, Trump could launch a far larger operation meant to topple the Iranian regime. There is already plenty of firepower positioned around Iran to carry out even the most extreme options available to the president, according to a source familiar with the matter.

That could include a series of simultaneous strikes against various targets, or multiple waves of strikes, the source said. Those targets could include a mix of Iranian leaders or components tied to the regime, or military personnel and installations, including air defenses, missile production sites and nuclear facilities.

The IRGC, whose mission is to preserve Islamic rule in Iran, will almost certainly be targeted in any military operation, the source said. More complicated would be the question of how to target government or self-appointed religious leaders.

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and other military leaders have raised concerns about the scale, complexity and potential for US casualties that could result from a major, extended military operation against Iran, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

He and others inside the Pentagon have also warned about the potential strain such an operation would put on service members and assets deployed in the region, as well as how a protracted military campaign could further impact US weapons stockpiles, particularly as it relates to arms used in support of Israel and Ukraine, the sources said.

It was not immediately clear to what extent Caine has raised these concerns to Trump directly, but the president said in a Monday Truth Social post that Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.

Still, any strikes intended to seriously threaten the regimes future hinges, in large part, on understanding what comes next. The Trump administration does not appear to have a clear picture of who would replace the leadership if the US successfully carries out regime change, and its visibility inside the countrys opposition groups appears limited.

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Nor has Trump received any firm guarantee that even a massive US military operation inside Iran would result in the regimes ouster. That lack of certainty has informed intensive sessions inside the White House Situation Room in recent days, as Trump debates his options.

Many on Trumps team are hopeful  if not entirely optimistic  that diplomacy will prevail, even if the outlines of an acceptable deal are still unclear. Still others in Trumps ear have insisted Iran is badly weakened, and the time for action is now.

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President Donald Trump is set to address the nation tonight in the first State of the Union of his second term, speaking before a joint session of Congress.

Though he did address lawmakers in March last year, that speech wasnt technically a State of the Union.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) invited Trump to deliver this years address in January. In a letter later shared on X, Johnson praised Trumps leadership, saying the country "stands stronger, freer, and more prosperous."

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"Since his return to office, @POTUS has not stopped working for the American people and delivering on his promises," Johnson wrote. "The best is yet to come."

Heres what Illinois viewers should know about Trumps upcoming State of the Union, including when it's happening and how to watch.

What is the State of the Union?

According to Congress website, the State of the Union is when the president outlines how the country is doing and what Congress should focus on next.

The address is required by the U.S. Constitution, which directs the president to keep lawmakers informed about the state of the nation and propose legislative priorities.

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Traditionally, the speech is delivered sometime between early January and early February.

When is the State of the Union 2026? What time does it start?

This year's State of the Union is set to kick off at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Coverage of the event is expected to run from 8-10 p.m. CT.

How to watch Trump's State of the Union address

USA TODAY will live stream coverage, both on its YouTube Channel and website.

Apart from USA TODAYs live stream, the State of the Union will be broadcast on all major television networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, NPR and PBS.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: When is the State of the Union address? What time, where to stream
When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, most international MBA hopefuls said the election wouldnt change their plans.

Within months, that changed dramatically.

By December 2025, 40% of non-U.S. graduate management candidates said they were less likely to study in the United States under a Trump presidency, according to a report from the Graduate Management Admission Council titled The Great Re-Routing Of Global Business Talent, issued February 24, based on data released in December 2025.

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The numbers show sentiment translating into enrollment losses: In August 2025, total new international enrollments across U.S. higher education fell 19% year over year. Among students from India  the single largest pipeline into many MBA programs  the drop was 45%. Declines were also recorded from China, South Korea, Iran, Syria, and Nigeria.

Source: GMAC

THE U.S. SLIDE

GMACs data show that U.S. study preference among non-U.S. candidates fell from 57% in January 2025 to 42% by December  a 15-percentage-point drop in a single year. The decline coincided with a temporary suspension of visa interviews in summer 2025, slower processing times, rising formal denials, and broader immigration-curbing proposals. Uncertainty surrounding the H-1B visa adds another layer of hesitation for career-focused candidates.

Business schools are feeling the impact directly. Two-thirds of programs in the Americas reported declines in international enrollment for fall 2025. Among those schools, 26% reported declines of 15% or more.

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The yield damage is especially pronounced from India. Nearly 90% of schools in the Americas said the largest drop-off between admitted students and actual matriculation came from Indian candidates. Almost 50% cited similar drop-offs from China and Nigeria  suggesting that visa friction is converting admits into no-shows.

Source: GMAC

THE GLOBAL SHIFT

In fall 2025, 54% of business schools in Asia and the Pacific Islands reported increases in international enrollment compared with fall 2024; by contrast, two-thirds of programs in the Americas reported international enrollment declines, and 26% said those declines were 15% or greater.

Europe, excluding the United Kingdom, also posted gains in international applications in 2025, even as Canada, the UK, and the United States recorded net declines. In Canada, the introduction of an international student enrollment cap in January 2024 was followed by sharp drops in study permit applications and approvals across all education levels, with new enrollments falling well below the cap itself. The federal government set the 2024 cap at roughly 360,000 new study permits  about 35% fewer than in 2023  and has since moved to extend and tighten those limits through 2027, reducing both the number of applications processed and the approvals granted.

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In January 2025, 57% of non-U.S. graduate management candidates said they preferred the U.S. as a study destination; by December, that figure had fallen to 42%. Over the same period, more candidates reported considering programs in Western Europe and parts of Asia. The overall demand for graduate management education remains steady, but the distribution of that demand is changing.

See the GMAC report here.

DONT MISS GMAC POSTS MASSIVE $6.8 MILLION LOSS ON TEST TAKING and THE $100K VISA FEE THAT COULD REDEFINE U.S. BUSINESS EDUCATION

The post Trump Effect: 40% Of International Candidates Now Less Likely To Study In U.S. appeared first on Poets&Quants.
The race for the Republican nomination for Florida governor is still coming down to one big thing: An endorsement from President Donald Trump. And Byron Donalds has it.

The Trump factor is perhaps the biggest finding from the latest poll, released Feb. 24 from the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida, of likely Republican primary voters.

Of the GOP voters polled, 28% said they'd vote for Donalds, the congressman from Naples, followed by 24% for Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, whose candidacy had been rumored for months. Though insiders now suspect she won't run, she hasn't definitively ruled herself in or out.

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But when told of Trump's approval, support for Donalds shot up to 47%  an increase of 19 percentage points  while Casey DeSantis slumped to 12%.

Given Trumps notoriety and high popularity among Republicans, an endorsement from him is likely to decide the race, especially when Donalds has the campaign funds to heavily advertise this advantage to voters, Dr. Sean Freeder, PORL director and professor of political science, said in a statement.

Here are three takeaways from the poll's findings:

Trumps endorsement dramatically reshapes the race

Without being told of Trump's endorsement, Donalds has a 4-percentage-point lead over Casey DeSantis, his nearest competitor, the poll shows. Its summary says that's "just inside the margin of error," plus-or-minus roughly 4.4 percentage points.

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"In a distant third place comes (hedge fund manager) James Fishback with 4%, followed by 3% for (Lt. Gov.) Jay Collins, less than 1% for (former Florida House Speaker) Paul Renner," it says.

There's another point not to be underweighed, however: More than a third (36%) said they haven't made up their mind yet. Still, after learning of the endorsement, undecided voters drop to 28%.

When all candidates are from the same party, voters lose their most important decision-making cue, andendorsements usually fill that vacuum, Freeder said.

The race is soft and volatile without Casey DeSantis

Pollsters told Casey DeSantis voters she hasn't "publicly expressed her intent to run for governor," and then were asked, if she's not on the ballot, who else would they vote for.

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Donalds "picked up just three percentage points, going from 28% to 31%, while other candidates gained one to two points," the summary says. More significantly, "a strong majority (64%) of would-be Casey DeSantis voters said they do not know who theyd vote for if she were not in the running."

Overall, undecided voters shoot from 36% to 51% after DeSantis' name is taken away from the choices, suggesting much of DeSantis backing does not readily shift to other candidates, and that the GOP base hasn't yet united behind a clear alternative candidate.

Casey DeSantiss entrance into the race is still possible, though she hasnt been engaged in the fundraising wed expect from someone interested in running, Freeder said in the statement. Still, given her level of name recognition and the impact that has on voters, shell remain a factor at least until the June 15 filing deadline.

Casey DeSantis sits in the audience during the unveiling of the Holocaust Memorial in Tallahassee on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Gov. DeSantis' endorsement is rated higher despite Trump impact

Likely GOP voters also were asked, between Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump, whose endorsement for governor would count more for them.

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"Despite the 19-point boost for Donalds with a Trump endorsement attached," 42% said a DeSantis thumbs-up for someone for governor would matter more to them, compared to 32% who put their faith in a Trump endorsement, the summary says. Another 18% said they didn't know.

That DeSantiss endorsement edges out Trumps in terms of importance may be less about voters preference for DeSantiss opinion and more about their curiosity about it, given Trumps opinion is already public knowledge, Freeder said.

He added: This would explain Donalds clean advantage over Casey DeSantis once the Trump endorsement is known, as her husbands endorsement is surely assumed, should she run.

About the poll

This UNF PORL Florida Statewide Poll consists of a random sample of 657 likely Republican Primary voters and was conducted Feb. 1620. A voter is considered likely if they voted in at least one of the 2020, 2022, or 2024 Republican primaries. (Respondents who said they would probably not or definitely not vote in the 2026 Republican primary election were screened out.)

Phone numbers were sourced from the January 2026 update of the Florida voter file. Respondents were contacted live by phone 59 p.m. Monday through Friday and 15 p.m. Saturday.

To ensure a representative sample, the 10 Florida designated media market areas (DMAs) were divided by geography and how urbanized they were. Miami-Dade County was separate "due to its unique population;" surveys were conducted in English and Spanish.

For more information, go to unf.edu/coas/porl.

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Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network's Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jrosica@tallahassee.com. Follow him on X: @JimRosicaFL.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trump endorsement shifting Florida governor race, poll suggests
American F-22 fighter jets landed at an Israeli Air Force base on Tuesday evening amid rising tensions between the US and Iran.

US President Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the limits of US military leverage against Iran, according to CBS News, citing sources familiar with the matter.

This comes after aides told Trump that, unlike the recent operation removing leader Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, an operation in Iran would require more than one strike, according to the Monday CBS report. This could open the US up to a long-term military campaign in the Middle East, the report explained.

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American F-22 fighter jets landed at an Israeli Air Force base on Tuesday evening amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, according to Walla's Amir Bohbot.

Pentagon officials earlier in the week raised concerns about such a campaign, warning that it could cost the lives of US troops and those of the nation's allies, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In particular, the WSJand Axios reported that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine opposed the war with Iran, a claim the president subsequently denied in a Truth Social post.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir meets with US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine at the IDF's Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv, November 1, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The WSJ noted that several Pentagon officials issued similar warnings to Caine, although the general was the chief among them.

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According to Trump, General Caine "would [not like] to see war in Iran, but if a decision is made on going against Iran at a military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won."

Trump still undecided between Iran attack scale, or potential deal, sources tell 'Post'

Trump has not yet decided whether he wants a deal with Iran, or to launch a weeks-long war to topple the regime, or to launch a narrow attack to try to pressure Tehran into a deal more to his liking, sources indicated to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

With massive amounts of fake news and speculation flooding the media, the Post understands that top American and Israeli officials are sometimes as ultimately as unsure about what Trump might do next as the general public.

One of the latest trends, which sources say has been discussed and is now being widely leaked to the media, is the possibility of Trump searching for a middle-ground decision, such as a narrow and short attack on the Islamic Republic.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
During the run-up to the Iraq War, one of the tropes that was passed around by the George W. Bushs band of neoconservatives, who were at the height of their hubristic, premature victory celebration, was Everybody wants to go to Bagdad, real men want to go to Tehran. Twenty-three years later, at a time when he is reeling from collapsing poll numbers and a major economic and foreign policy setback from the Supreme Court, Donald Trump has taken the nation to the edge of war with Iran.

The U.S. has assembled a massive military force in the region. Two aircraft carriers are leading an armada of a dozen warships and what experts say is 40-50% of the countrys total global air power to threaten the Islamic Republic into  what we arent quite sure. The president, along with his Middle East envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, hasnt exactly been forthcoming with a casus belli. In fact, no one knows precisely why the administration is threatening military action or what it wants Iran to do to stop it.

Some days, they say its about destroying Irans nuclear capability, which conflicts a bit with Trumps declaration that he had obliterated it when U.S. and Israeli airstrikes hit nuclear facilities last summer. Last week he told reporters aboard Air Force One that he would send B-2 bombers to Iran to knock out their nuclear potential if they refused to agree to a nuclear deal. A few days later at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace, the president praised Americas magnificent B-2 bombers, saying they went into Iran and it totally decimated the nuclear potential. When it decimated that, all of a sudden, we had peace in the Middle East.

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Only a few weeks ago, he was issuing bellicose threats to the regime that if they harmed any of the demonstrators who were taking to the streets in anti-government protests that he was willing to take military action. (So far, at least 7,000 have been verified dead by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, with other reports claiming upwards of 30,000 deaths.) Trump wrote on Truth Social that the government would pay a big price for the killings and urged people to keep protesting. He indicated that the U.S. was preparing to intervene on their behalf, bleating, I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA [Make Iran Great Again]!!!

The presidents envoys are no more forthcoming with a rationale for the threatened military strikes. Needless to say, its difficult for them to make the demands for a halt to nuclear capability since the U.S. supposedly obliterated it. Nonetheless, Witkoff gamely claimed over the weekend that Iran could produce nuclear weapons in less than a week. Trumps empathy and support for the countrys protesters, while commendable, is likewise hard to defend when the administrations agents are shooting down its own citizens in the streets, so he appears to have gone quiet about that in recent days.

The president has not explicitly put regime change on the table as a desired outcome. But he has dropped cryptic hints, including a Truth Social post in the aftermath of the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 that referred to knowing the whereabouts of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, and claimed he would not let Israelterminate his life. After the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, such threats likely have more salience now.

War has a funny way of creeping up, and since weve had two long wars in the region in the past 20 years  and one short one in the previous decade  its quite easy to imagine how this could all hurtle out of control.

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The bottom line is that nobody knows exactly why Trump has decided to threaten Iran now or what he hopes to achieve. When he took office in 2017, he inherited a formidable nuclear agreement with the country, which included an intrusive weapons inspection program, and he ripped it up solely because it was negotiated by Barack Obamas administration. (Undoing everything his predecessors did was the only foreign policy he knew how to pursue, and he hasnt learned much since then.) Whatever deal he might come up with will undoubtedly be much weaker.

The irony is that we find ourselves at this moment when Trump ran in 2016 as the anti-Iraq war crusader who blamed all the stupid leaders before him for getting the U.S. into the forever wars. His peacenik bonafides never seemed very believable considering his violent, hostile temperament, but they did become part of his brand. The neocons who promised that we would be greeted as liberators in Iraq were demeaned as hopeless romantics by the new America First faction, yet today we have Trump telling Iranian protesters that help is on the way  heartlessly raising expectations that America will intervene on their behalf in their internal battle for freedom.

Back in 2003, when those arrogant neocons were saying real men want to go to Tehran, the U.S. was in the throes of the reaction against 9/11. The devastation and fear that attack had caused throughout American society and around the world was extreme. People who had been angling to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein  followed by the Iranian regime, which was famously part of Bushs axis of evil  saw an opening to remake the Middle East, and they used that emotional moment to push through their agenda. But at least they made an attempt, however fatuous, to persuade the American people and the countrys international allies that there was a reason for doing so.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Trump and his accomplices arent trying to persuade anyone. They dont believe they need to.

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Bush pushed hard for congressional support, which he got, and while he couldnt get the United Nations to back his plan, he did manage to convince some European allies, mostly notably the United Kingdom, to join what he called the coalition of the willing, so he did go to war with a semblance of authorization and the support of the majority of the American people. But the administration had lied about Iraqs nuclear weapons capability and its alleged ties to al Qaeda, and in the end that helped doom the war to failure.

Once again, were faced with a similar set of circumstances. As he has in the past, Trump may lose his nerve and back down by accepting some face-saving deal because he is pretty much out on a limb, serving only the interests of the Israeli government and a few Iran hawks in the GOP who are whispering furiously in his ear. Apparently, he didnt think it would come to this.

The president apparently gambled that bringing in a massive military force would force the Iranians hands. As Witkoff told Fox News on Saturday:

I dont want to use the word frustrated because [Trump] understands hes got plenty of alternatives, but hes curious as to why they havent I dont want to use the word capitulated, but why they havent capitulated. Why, under this sort of pressure, with the amount of sea power and naval power that we have over there, why havent they come to us and said, We profess that we dont want a weapon, so heres what were prepared to do? And yet its hard to sort of get them to that place.

Trump doesnt understand that some people dont readily respond to violent threats and blackmail, which is, unfortunately, the only kind of negotiation he knows how to do. We may be about to learn, in living color, what a mistake it is to put someone like that in a position of power. At this point, all we can hope is that his inherent cowardice will win out over his monstrous ego one more time. The stakes couldnt be higher.

The post Trumps Iran threats echo Bushs macho Iraq playbook appeared first on Salon.com.
President Donald Trump wants to put Katie Lane, a Virginia attorney, on the United States District Court for the District of Montana.

Lets skip the polite fiction. She is not qualified.

This isnt about ideology. I practiced before conservative judges for decades. I respected them because they were prepared, disciplined, and deeply experienced. They understood judging because they first mastered trying cases.

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That is the point. The U.S. District Court is not a debating club or a policy shop. It is the primary federal trial court  where witnesses testify, juries are instructed, and evidence is ruled on in real time. It is the front line of federal justice.

Trying cases in federal court is a unique skill set.

You do not learn it in law school. You do not learn it drafting appellate briefs. You do not learn it polishing talking points for a political committee. You learn it as second or third chair behind a seasoned trial lawyer. You learn it by making mistakes under pressure. You learn it by trying cases yourself. You learn it by standing up when the judge says, Call your next witness. You learn it by making objections, laying foundations, reading juries, and living with verdicts.

Only after years of that work do you begin to understand what it means to preside over a trial.

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Katie Lane graduated from law school in 2017.

Do the math.

She has been a lawyer for less than nine years. Nearly 31 months of that time  roughly two and a half years  were spent clerking for two federal judges. Clerking is honorable and valuable. But it is not practicing law. Watching surgery is not the same as holding the scalpel.

Subtract the clerkships and time between jobs (there were six jobs in less than nine years) and she has practiced for little more than six years.

Six.

That is not a resume; it is a warm-up.

Where is the record of significant federal trial work? Where are the jury trials? Where are the complex cases tried to judgment?

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If they exist, her sponsors are oddly quiet about them.

In their announcement, supporters praised her service as Deputy Solicitor General and her work in courts across America. Notice what is missing  trials, federal jury verdicts, lengthy evidentiary hearings. If she had substantial trial experience, we would be hearing about it.

Instead silence.

The American Bar Association has long recommended at least 12 years of legal experience for federal judicial nominees. Thats a minimum. Lane does not meet that benchmark. Many nominees have had 16, 20, even 30 years in the trenches. Yet Montana is being asked to accept one of the least experienced  ever.

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Why?

Montana is not short on conservative lawyers with serious trial credentials. We have men and women who have spent decades in federal courtrooms, who have tried complex civil and criminal cases, and who have earned respect across the political spectrum.

Instead, this nomination appears to value political alignment over professional depth. That reflects a troubling lack of respect for the judicial branch. A United States District Judge is not an entry-level job. It demands serious experience.

For nearly two years, Lane worked in the office of our ethically challenged attorney general, Austin Knudsen  her political sponsor in state government. That context matters. The Montana Supreme Court unanimously found that Knudsen committed ethical violations and publicly admonished him.

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Unanimous. Ethical violations.

That is not a trivial matter. When the head of the Montana Department of Justice, her boss, has been formally sanctioned by the states highest court, it raises legitimate concerns about judgment and respect for legal institutions.

Knudsens team faced sharp criticism in litigation over transgender drivers license policies. A judge held the state in contempt of court for flagrant disregard of court orders. The states actions showed contempt for this judicial body and the judicial system as a whole. Lane represented the state.

Is that the courtroom judgment and institutional respect we want elevated to a lifetime federal appointment?

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A lifetime seat on the United States District Court is not an internship. It is not training on the job.

Placing a lawyer with barely six years of actual practice on the federal trial bench is not bold. It is reckless. Federal judges serve for life. Their rulings shape businesses, families, constitutional rights, and personal liberty.

Litigants are not practice material.

The people who walk into federal court deserve a judge who has already stood in the well, managed a trials from start to finish, and carried the weight of verdicts  not someone with training wheels.

This is not about whether Katie Lane is intelligent. She may be. It is not about whether she is conservative. Many excellent federal judges are conservative.

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It is not about the nomination. That is politics.

It is about qualifications. That is substance.

The courtroom is not a classroom, and the bench is not an internship.

Montana deserves a judge seasoned by real trial work  not one still learning the craft.
The Pentagon has not received any orders to send a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, despite Donald Trump bizarrely claiming one is on its way.

The 79-year-old president drew ridicule after posting on Truth Social on Saturday that the U.S. is going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.

Adding to the confusion, the post came shortly after the Danish military announced that a U.S. sailor was receiving urgent medical treatment in a Greenland hospital after being evacuated from a nuclear-powered submarine that had been forced to surface off the coast of the island.

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort is currently not being deployed anywhere because it is under repair. / CHANDAN KHANNA / Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

As noted by The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Navy has two hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and the USNS Mercy. Both are currently in a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, and have not received any deployment orders. In fact, the Comfort is undergoing repairs that are not expected to be completed until April, and the Mercy is also out of service for months, as it is in the middle of a one-year maintenance period that began last July.

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Even if the Pentagon had received orders to send one of the floating medical treatment vessels to Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a request from Danish officials would need to be submitted first before any ship could dock on the island, a U.S. official told the Journal.

Such a request is highly unlikely to be approved. In a scathing social media post, Greenlands prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, resoundingly rejected the idea of Trump sending a hospital ship to its shores, noting the territory would not need any help from the U.S. to treat its sick.

Its a no thank you from here, Nielsen wrote. We have a public health care system where treatment is free for citizens. That is a deliberate choiceand a fundamental part of our society. That is not how it works in the USA, where it costs money to see a doctor.

An exasperated Nielsen added that Greenland is always open to discussions but urged Trump to talk to us instead of just making more or less random statements on social media.

Greenland's PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen openly mocked Donald Trump's suggestion of sending a U.S. hospital boat to the island. / Christian Klindt Slbeck/Getty Images

Trump has repeatedly threatened to damage the relationship between NATO ally Denmark and the U.S. by continuing to state his desire to take over Greenland.

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Trump claims that the U.S. must control the mineral-rich island in the Arctic region for national security reasons.

Last month, the thin-skinned president also warned Norways prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, that he no longer has the obligation to think purely of Peace because he was not awarded last years Nobel Peace Prize. Asked by NBC News whether using military force to seize the island was an option, Trump replied: No comment.

Trump later said that a framework of a future deal had been agreed with regard to Greenland to ensure greater U.S. influence on the island, although specific details of the deal were scant.

The Daily Beast has contacted the Pentagon, the Navy, and the White House for comment.
President Donald Trump has turned his attention to the drying Great Salt Lake, declaring his commitment to MAKE THE LAKE GREAT AGAIN! over the weekend and pledging to work with Utahs governor to get the job done.

This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake  and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late.

We promised to work closely together, Gov. Spencer Cox told reporters at the state Capitol Monday after meeting with Trump last week.

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I told him that its going to take funding to help us save the Great Salt Lake, Cox said. He didnt flinch at that at all. He said that he could be supportive of helping us secure the funding that we need.

Cox, a Republican, said he and the president talked about the potential for $1 billion in federal funding for the lake. The governor said he and other state officials will spend the next few months hammering out a proposal to submit to the federal government. Cox, who returned over the weekend from a series of meetings with the White House and fellow governors in Washington, D.C., didnt share details on what the plan might include.

The lake began 2026 at its third-lowest level on record due to decades of drought, climate change and redirection of water for use by farmers, cities and industry. Its exposed lakebed contains arsenic, mercury and lead, raising public health concerns about dust blowing into neighboring communities.

In a post Saturday on his Truth Social social media platform, Trump said that it is very important to save the Great Salt Lake.

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This is an Environmental hazard that must be worked on, IMMEDIATELY  It is of tremendous interest to me, the post said. The people of Utah are spectacular, and they deserve to be helped. I am dealing with your very caring Governor, Spencer Cox, and we are going to make it all happen! MAKE THE LAKE GREAT AGAIN!

Cox has said he didnt vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020, but endorsed him after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania 2024, calling his survival a miracle.

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks with reporters following a news conference at the Utah Capitol on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026 (Annie Knox, Utah News Dispatch).

In September, after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University, Cox told NPR Trump called him after and praised him for urging unity. Cox said of Trump: he hasnt modeled that, and he sees the world a little differently than I do, but at least I can have a conversation with him.

Cox noted Utah Sen. Mike Lee chimed in on social media to support and amplify Trumps comments over the weekend.

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Cox said its not just the environmental left whos interested in saving the lake, its the MAGA right as well.

Top Republicans in the Utah Legislature celebrated the new attention in separate news conferences.

I think its a game changer, Senate President Stuart Adams said of Trumps support, telling reporters it will take at least $1 billion to restore the lake.

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Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said environmental effects from the lakes decline could stretch far beyond Utahs borders and demand a federal solution.

If we think that were going to be able to save the Great Salt Lake without our federal partners, Schultz said, its just not going to happen.

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The governor also announced Monday that Utah and Idaho have reaffirmed their longstanding agreement to share water from the Bear River, which empties into the Great Salt Lake. The deal comes after a top Idaho lawmaker, sparring with Utah leaders over a gas tax proposal, suggested last month that Idaho could exert pressure by withholding water to the lake.

We worked with Idaho and said, Hey guys, listen, were in this together. We are partners, Joel Ferry, executive director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, told reporters. Lets work together on this instead of, you know, tit for tat, and going after each other.

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Irans supreme leader is facing one of the most consequential decisions of his more than 30 years in power this week: strike a deal with President Trump to severely limit the countrys nuclear program or risk an all-out war with the United States and Israel.

Isolated and informed by decades of experience in waiting out successive American presidents, diplomats say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, risks making a fatal miscalculation in expecting Trump to abide Tehrans foot-dragging.

As I told them, experience could be used to wait, could be useful, and at the same time very toxic, a senior regional source told reporters about their advice to the Iranian regime.

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The Trump team does not resemble previous American administrations. Negotiators are not veteran diplomats or intelligence officials. Trumps top envoys, real estate developer Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, are businessmen who often look for transactions with major financial gains.

But the regional official said Khameneis poor experiences with previous administrations, including Trumps first term, have hardened him against compromise.

In his mind he has learned his own lessons.

Witkoff, in an interview on Fox News this weekend, said Trump was curious as to why the Iranians havent capitulated to U.S. demands.

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Negotiators are expected to meet Thursday in Geneva in what the U.S. side is characterizing as a last chance to show a major breakthrough on a deal or risk Trump following through on his promises to strike the country.

The senior regional source has warned U.S. officials that Iran is likely to walk away from negotiations if it comes under attack.

And Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine has reportedly warned the president that a military campaign against Iran could carry significant risks, entangling the U.S. in a prolonged conflict.

Khameneis public statements signal hes not willing to back down on redlines. This includes U.S. demands of Iran to give up uranium enrichment  the building blocks of a nuclear bomb  limiting the countrys missile stockpiles or pulling back its support for terrorist proxies.

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Enrichment is our right, Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday on CBSs Face the Nation this weekend. He further underscored that Tehran is not addressing its ballistic missile stockpiles or funding foreign groups in this round of talks.

Right now, we are negotiating only nuclear and there is no other subject, he said.

While joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran in June did not obliterate the countrys nuclear program, they did appear to succeed in halting its enrichment program. This has removed a key piece of leverage Iran used in previous negotiations, said Naysan Rafati, senior analyst focused on Iran with the International Crisis Group.

If there is to be some kind of diplomatic path, it would likely try to capitalize on the fact that, for the first time in more than two decades of nuclear diplomacy, what the U.S. is actually trying to do is keep things where they are, he said.

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Another major issue is Irans stockpile of about 400 kilograms of 60 percent enriched uranium. Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in October that Iran could produce 10 nuclear bombs with that amount.

Witkoff said Saturday that Iran is probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material.

An unnamed senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would consider sending half of its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the rest and joining a regional enrichment consortium.

The consortium idea seeks to thread the needle between giving Iran recognition of uranium enrichment as a right while executing it in a multilateral format  with international inspections and further oversight of regional countries.

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Another potential off-ramp is permitting Iran to enrich uranium solely for medical research and treatments, The New York Times reported.

Negotiations and deals around the nuclear program are consistent with the regimes past actions, having signed onto the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2015 that Trump exited three years later.

But U.S. demands to constrain Irans ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups  key priorities of Israel  are viewed as nonstarters by Tehran.

Ballistic missiles are pretty much their only remaining form of deterrence, Rafati said.

The capacities that the Iranians have are degraded, but they are not entirely removed, he continued.

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Given its arsenal of short-, medium- and long-range missiles, Iran has repeatedly threatened to strike U.S. positions and allies across the Middle East should Trump attack, in what its neighbors fear could start a regional war.

Hanging over the talks is Trumps massive military buildup in the region, considered the largest collection of American airpower since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. If the U.S. goes forward with the military options, strikes will likely be coordinated with Israel and could target Khamenei for assassination, Axios reported.

Iran is viewed as being in one of its weakest positions in decades. Israel decimated its air defenses during the 12-day war in June and decimated the leadership of its main proxy force Hezbollah in Lebanon. Decades of sanctions, corruption and mismanagement have led to an economic crisis that sparked major domestic protests last month.

But despite this, Khamenei may view capitulation to the U.S. as a greater risk.

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There are limits to what hes willing to put on the table, and theres, I think, concern that giving into maximalist demands only invites further demands and concessions, said Rafati.

There are hard-liners surrounding Khamenei who argue Irans limited response to Trumps 2020 assassination of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani  and the limited strike on a U.S. base in Qatar in response to the 12-day war  emboldened the U.S. and Israel, Rafati explained.

What these hard-liners are probably arguing in Tehran is that you have to show the Americans that there would be a cost, and if you do that, youll deter them, he said. Now, whether that logic actually would hold up on first contact is a very tricky proposition, because the U.S. could choose to escalate and has the capacity.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Khamenei has put a succession plan into place in the event of his assassination to ensure the survival of the Islamic Republic.

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Last week, he posted a series of statements on the social platform X rejecting American demands and warning that, The strongest military force in the world may at times be struck so hard that it cannot get up again.

The US President has said that for 47 years, the United States hasnt been able to eliminate the Islamic Republic. That is a good confession. I say, You, too, will not be able to do this, Khamenei posted.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Canadian food and pharmacy retailer Loblaw Companies plans to invest C$2.4bn ($1.75bn) across Canada in 2026.

The capex will be used to expand and refurbish store network, increase supply chain capacity and support job creation nationwide.

The programme includes 70 new outlets covering Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, as well as No Frills and Maxi discount stores.

It also includes upgrades at 191 existing locations.

In addition, it covers ongoing construction of an automated distribution centre of about 1.2 million square feet in Caledon, Ontario.

The projects are expected to create roughly 9,700 roles spanning retail and construction.

Regionally, the investment will add four stores and more than 600 jobs in Eastern Canada, plus 15 stores and over 1,985 jobs in Quebec.

It will also add 27 stores and 3,775 jobs in Ontario, including roles tied to two new automated distribution centres in southern Ontario.

In Western Canada, it will add 24 stores and more than 3,400 jobs.

Loblaw Companies Limited president and CEO Per Bank said: Our success depends heavily on the strength of the communities we serve.

We see this as a significant investment in our network and capabilities as one of Canadas largest retailers, but it is also an investment in the people we serve and their ability to access great value and quality healthcare.

The company said the expansion aims to improve access to value retail and healthcare services for Canadians facing affordability and healthcare access pressures.

The 2026 spending marks the second phase of Loblaws plan to invest C$10bn in Canadian communities by 2030.

In February last year, Loblaw outlined intentions to commit more than C$10bn to upgrading its store estate and modernising supply chain operations by the end of the decade.

The investment programme is projected to generate 8,000 jobs nationwide and builds on more than C$8bn already invested since 2020.

For 2025, Loblaw intends to allocate C$2.2bn to initiatives aimed at improving the affordability and accessibility of food and healthcare services across Canada.

"Loblaw to invest C$2.4bn in Canada retail expansion in 2026" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Senior Trump administration officials have called around to several Arab countries in recent days to mollify their concerns after Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee claimed Israel has a right to control much of the Middle East.

In the discussions, officials including Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and others, have explained to concerned countries that Huckabees assertion in a podcast interview with Tucker Carlson reflects his personal views and is not a shift in administration policy, according to three people familiar with outreach, who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic discussions.

The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

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Huckabees interview has sparked outrage among Arab and Muslim countries, and his comments were a significant departure from the Trump administrations stance on Israeli sovereignty. President Donald Trump has promised Arab and Muslim leaders he would not let Israel annex the West Bank.

The flap comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as the Trump administration is trying to enlist Arab and Muslim nations to help with its ambitious plans to secure and rebuild Gaza.

Trump will also need support from Arab countries that host U.S. military facilities like Qatar and Jordan should he make good on his threats to attack Iran.

In the interview, which was released Friday, Carlson asked Huckabee whether Israel had the right to an area that constituted essentially the entire Middle East"  in Carlsons interpretation of the Bible, from the Nile to the Euphrates. Huckabee said it would be fine if it took it all but said Israel was not seeking to do so. He said Israel is asking to take the land that they now occupy and protect its people, in reference to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a later part of the exchange, Huckabee said his comment was somewhat of a hyperbolic statement.

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More than a dozen governments such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates condemned the comments in a joint statement Saturday, calling Huckabees assertions dangerous and inflammatory" as well as directly contradictory to Trumps plans for the Gaza Strip.

The remarks threaten to derail one of the Trump administrations key goals: integrating Israel into the Middle East, said one of the people familiar with the conversations, a senior diplomat from a Gulf country.

The sovereignty of Arab states is not something to be made light of, specifically when we are in the midst of attempting to create a unified Middle East that includes Israel, the diplomat said.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said over the weekend Huckabees comments were taken out of context.

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Huckabee has posted several times on X to criticize Carlson since the interview was released. He has faulted news outlets for covering his remarks about possible Israeli control of the Middle East without providing the full context.

Huckabee, an evangelical Christian who has long supported the West Bank settlement movement, has long been seen as a more extreme voice on Israel in the administration.

He doesnt represent our views and doesnt represent the best version of the pro-Israel position, said another one of the people, a State Department official, granted anonymity to speak candidly about ideological splits in government.

In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel captured the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt under the peace treaty that followed the 1973 war, and Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. After an October ceasefire with Hamas that ended two years of combat, Israeli troops now hold much of eastern Gaza.

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More than 500,000 Israelis live in more than 100 Israeli settlements built across the occupied West Bank, in addition to more than 200,000 settlers in East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel in 1967. A majority of United Nations members considers all the settlements to be illegal. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza for a future state.

Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
One of President Donald Trumps top generals has warned the commander-in-chief not to launch air strikes against Iran, according to reports.

The president has repeatedly threatened military action against Ayatollah Khamenei's regime over concerns about the countrys nuclear enrichment capabilities.

However, General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has reportedly said that the massive amount of resources needed to go to war with Iran could leave the U.S. Military greatly depleted.

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Sources told Axios that Caine, who was a proponent of the United States capture of the now deposed Venezuelan Dictator Nicholas Maduro, believes that the stakes are too high when it comes to the Middle East nation.

One source described him as a reluctant warrior, stating that Caine was not advocating for strikes on Iran but would support any decisions that Trump makes.

General Dan Caine has reportedly warned Donald Trump to not launch air strikes against the Iranian regime (AP)

Trump, though, told followers on Truth Social that Caine believes a war with Iran could be easily won.

General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won, he wrote.

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In his post, the president also described an article by The Washington Post as 100% incorrect.

The newspaper had reported that Caine expressed concerns about the United States munitions stockpile being depleted by the countrys support for Israel and Ukraines defense.

Caine also expressed concern in separate meetings about the scale of a potential war with Iran, with the general warning that the campaign could be made more difficult by a lack of allied support, The Post reported.

Caine is the only military leader advising Trump on the attack, according to Axios, although a Joint Staff spokesperson refused to give the publication any details about the exact details of the pairs discussions.

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In his role as military advisor to the President, Secretary of War, and National Security Council, the Chairman provides a range of military options, as well as secondary considerations and associated impacts and risks, to the civilian leaders who make America's security decisions, Joint Staff spokesperson Joe Holstead told Axios. The Chairman provides these options confidentially.

Trump has warned Ayatollah Khamenei to abandon any potential plans to enrich nuclear material (Office of Iran's Supreme Leader)

Officials told The Wall Street Journal that the president has yet to make up his mind on sending U.S. troops to topple Khamenei's regime. However, those same officials said that Caines advice is highly likely to influence his decision-making.

Amid rising tensions with Iran, the U.S. has established the largest amount of airpower in the Middle East since the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. An aircraft-carrier strike group has arrived in the region, with a second carrier stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.

A former defense official told The Washington Post that knocking out Irans missile program would require strikes against hundreds of targets across the country.

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Many launch sites are mobile and use transportation networks to move around Iran, which is three times the size of Iraq.

Unseating Ayatollah Khamenei would expand the range of targets to thousands of sites, locking the United States into a campaign that could possibly last for months, according to the official.

Trump and Irans government have been mired in a bitter deadlock over nuclear deal talks, with Steve Witkoff telling reporters that the United States hoped to ensure that the Middle Eastern country abandons any potential plan to enrich nuclear material.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News that his country was not prepared to make such a deal.

Tensions in Iran have continued to build, with protests erupting at several universities (WANA)

Now, both countries are barrelling towards last-ditch efforts to come to an agreement ahead of a meeting between the nations in Geneva on Thursday.

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Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, will represent the U.S. in the discussions.

Irans government is also in a precarious position, following waves of protests across the country in December and January.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says that at least 7,000 people were killed in the subsequent crackdown against the protests.

A fresh wave of anti-government protests broke out on Saturday, with students holding demonstrations at a slew of Iranian universities.

The BBC has verified that at least eight universities in Tehran hosted protests over the weekend, with further demonstrations taking place in Mashhad and Isfahan.

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Some students were seen burning the flag of the Islamic Republic, while others brandished the nations former flag, which was used before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Chants of Death to the Ayatollah were also heard.
Donald Trumps top general has privately warned against a US attack on Iran, arguing that it would carry acute military and strategic risks and could spiral into a prolonged conflict.

Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is said to have cautioned against an offensive in high-level White House meetings with the US president.

He was described by sources as a reluctant warrior on Iran despite being all-in on planning for the previous military action on Venezuela.

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Gen Caines warnings were briefed to multiple US media outlets, triggering an angry response from Mr Trump. The president said on social media that the reports were 100% incorrect, although he admitted: General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.

He added: Everything that has been written about a potential war with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a deal than not but, if we dont make a deal, it will be a very bad day for that country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them.

Gen Dan Caines views are highly regarded by the Trump administration - Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Mr Trumps envoys  Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, his peace envoy  are set to meet Iranian negotiators in Geneva this week in what US officials have cast as a last attempt to secure a deal to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

The two men have been urging the president to hold off on launching an attack in the hopes that diplomacy will prevail.

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The president is already thought to be weighing options ranging from a limited strike on nuclear and missile facilities to a far broader campaign that could seek to destabilise or even topple Irans leadership.

Fears are growing, however, that military action could expose US forces to retaliation and put a strain on already depleted missile stockpiles.

US media reported that there were divisions inside the presidents brain trust  Mr Trumps inner circle of senior officials to shape military and diplomatic options  over the prospect of war and how far to go in confronting Tehran.

Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, had been sitting on the fence in recent meetings, neither pushing aggressively for military action nor resisting it, Axios reported, while JD Vance, the vice-president, had raised concerns about the risks of strikes on Iran.

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The Iran hawks encouraging Mr Trump to strike include Lindsay Graham, a Republican senator and ally of the president, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister

Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, said the president listens to a host of opinions on any given issue and decides based on what is best for US national security.

Gen Caine, who oversees military planning, has emphasised the complexity of striking hundreds of dispersed and, in some cases, mobile targets across a country more than three times the size of Iraq.

He has also raised the prospect of significant US casualties and warned that an initial, limited strike could trigger an unpredictable cycle of retaliation.

1402 US Navys deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups

Gen Caines views are highly regarded by the administration because of the successful execution of two other major operations under him: the Midnight Hammer attack on Irans nuclear sites last summer and the January raid to capture Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas ousted president.

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Mr Vance, an isolationist on foreign policy, has voiced concerns in internal discussions about the danger of entanglement in another Middle Eastern war, Axios reported.

While not outright opposing military action, Mr Vance is said to favour exhausting diplomatic channels before any strike is launched.

Concerns about missile stockpiles stem from the reduced supply of advanced missile defence systems, including Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) interceptors and Patriot batteries, drawn down by ongoing commitments to protecting Israel and to bolstering Ukraine against Russian attacks.

US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford docked at Souda Bay in Crete, Feb 24 - Costas METAXAKIS / AFP via Getty Images

Ship-launched Standard Missiles, used by the US Navy to protect carrier groups and regional bases, have also been expended at a high rate in the Red Sea, where American forces have intercepted drones and missiles fired by Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.

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Defence analysts warn that production timelines for such complex systems can stretch to two years or more, limiting the Pentagons ability to replenish stocks quickly if a sustained campaign were required.

Despite this, Mr Trump is said to be leaning towards conducting an initial strike in the coming days, designed to signal to Tehrans leaders that it must relinquish the ability to make a nuclear weapon, according to the New York Times.

Targets under consideration include facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, elements of Irans nuclear infrastructure and components of its ballistic missile programme.

On Tuesday, the Israeli media reported that security officials now believe Mr Trump will opt for a limited set of strikes on Iran, rather than regime change.

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Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, quoted a senior source saying: Currently, an American attack on Iran appears to be certain. The question is whether it will happen around the State of the Union speech, towards the end of the week or at the beginning of next week.

The question is whether Trump will order a limited operation so as to send a signal to Tehran or whether he will skip that stage and go for toppling regime.

The [Israeli] assessment is that he will go for a limited operation. Israel remains on heightened alert.

Israels political leadership is in favour of a large-scale attack that seeks regime change, a view endorsed by much of the professional security establishment, which believes that, despite the uncertainty in toppling the Ayatollahs, a future Iranian regime could not be any more hostile to the Jewish state than the current one.

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Several senior IDF officers have visited Washington in recent weeks to share intelligence on Iranian targets, it has been reported.

There are also reports that Israels ministry of health is preparing for war by planning to discharge large numbers of patients to their homes.

Many of the countrys larger hospitals moved most of their treatment underground during the 12-day war in June last year.

Soroka hospital in the southern city of Beersheba was hit by a ballistic missile, causing many minor injuries but no deaths.

On Tuesday, a helicopter belonging to Irans air force crashed into a fruit market in the central province of Isfahan, killing four people, state media reported.

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The pilot, co-pilot and two fruit vendors on the ground were killed, the IRNA news agency said, attributing the crash to a technical malfunction.

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Addressing the possibility of an independent Israeli strike, MK Vaturi said there was currently no justification for such a move.

Recent developments have made clear that a US strike on Iran is a only matter of time, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee member and Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Nissim Vaturi (Likud) said in an interview on 104.5 FM on Sunday.

Vaturi said that he believed that, despite Americas recent diplomatic talks with Iran, US President Donald Trump would strike Iran.

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Is Trump frustrated? Iran is about to fall apart, Trump isnt frustrated for no reason, he said."There will be American action in the end, I dont believe Trump will humiliate himself like that.

"As long as the Iranians dont fold, there will be a massive American strike on Iran. It cant end any other way, he added.

Regarding the Israeli public's feelings over the Iranian threat, Vaturi said he could not understand why Israelis remain scared.

I dont understand the hysteria in recent weeks over waiting for an American strike on Iran; it will be fine with Gods help. The people of Israel have been under pressure for a long period. Weve been through difficult things, quite a few missiles have been fired at Israel, and well get through this, too. I dont think theres anything here that can break us, Vaturi said.

US President Donald Trump makes a fist at the end of an event during a visit to Coosa Steel Corporation, in Rome, Georgia, U.S., February 19, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

He then said that there is no justification for an independent Israeli strike on Iran.

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Not now, the Americans are currently in the area, theres no reason to act and get between their legs," he said. "The American action will be more significant. We need to focus on defense right now, but if we need to, well strike.

The MK stressed that Irans threat to Israel is not limited to its nuclear program, as it also includes missiles. He noted that "anyone who knows Trump knows that in the end its in his hands and his head."

Vaturi highlighted thatPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be the first to know when Washington decides to attack Tehran, asserting that the US wouldn't easily divert from plans to strike.

Israel acts against Hezbollah's efforts to rebuild itself in Lebanon

Turning to the northern front, Vaturi said Israel continues to act against Hezbollahs efforts to rebuild its capabilities in Lebanon. He explained that the terror group is trying to recover its forces, adding that Israel "sees this and strikes when needed, as we saw recently. I think this time, Hezbollah will indeed get involved in a confrontation with Iran. Our mission is to stop them, and the IDF is ready for that, he said.

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On the domestic political front, Vaturi addressed reports about the possibility of canceling the Likud primaries and expressed opposition to the move.

Many people could be harmed by this. People ran, paid, and brought voters to the polls. You cant cancel the primaries and set up a selection committee. You can do many things, but canceling primaries isnt one of them, he said.

The MK also raised the draft law issue and expressed support for advancing the legislation, and argued that it would lead to increased enlistment from the haredi sector.

In my opinion, the draft law will raise the number of enlistees, and it will lead to the enlistment of haredim. I dont see another way to do this. If we start fighting now and dont pass this law, that wont solve the problem. The law also includes sanctions and very high quotas: 8,160 in the first year and 6,000 in the second year. I think these are numbers we would have already reached if we hadnt been arguing over the past two years and had started enlisting haredim immediately.
Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Insults of U.S. Supreme Court justices by President Donald Trump are "wholly inappropriate" and undermine the rule of law in the United States, the American Bar Association said Monday, as it continues to call on the president to refrain from targeting the U.S. justice system for issuing rulings he disagrees with.

"The recent remarks by the president of the United States, leveling personal criticisms against members of the U.S. Supreme Court, are not acceptable and cross a dangerous line that threatens the safety of the judiciary and our judicial process," ABA President Michelle Behnke said in a statement.

"Such statements risk undermining the rule of law and the public's faith in an impartial judiciary, foundational pillars of our democracy that have guided our nation since its founding."

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While judicial opinions are subject to critique, personal attacks are "wholly inappropriate," Behnke said, stating that such incendiary rhetoric has helped to contribute to the increase of threats and attacks targeting judges.

"It must stop," Behnke said.

The courts and the judiciary system have been a target of Trump and his allies, who have made disparaging comments against judges who rule against him.

Since the Supreme Court on Friday ruled 6-3 that Trump exceeded his authority in imposing sweeping global tariffs, the president has been disparaging the high court. In a social media post on Monday, Trump said the justices should be "ashamed of themselves" and that their decision was a "ridiculous, dumb and very internationally divisive ruling."

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During a press conference held following the ruling, Trump railed against the six justices who ruled against him while praising the three who didn't.

"They're against anything that makes America strong, healthy and great again. They also are a, frankly, disgrace to our nation, those justices," Trump said, referring to the three Democrat president-appointed justices, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Concerning John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch and Coney Barrett -- the three Republican president-appointed justices who voted against Trump's tariffs -- the president called them "fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the left Democrats" and who are "very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution."

"They don't want to do the right thing. They're afraid of it," he said, alleging that they were "swayed by foreign interests."

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Behnke said these specific comments "threaten to erode public confidence in the judiciary."

"The American Bar Association calls upon all leaders, including the president of the United States, to exercise restraint in public discourse concerning the judiciary," Behnke said.

"We urge fellow bar associations to defend the critical work of our courts and all Americans to uphold the principles of respect, civility and the rule of law that sustain our democratic institutions."

Amid the Trump administration's second term, the ABA has repeatedly warned Trump and other high-ranking officials and members of his party to refrain from targeting members of the judiciary, including judges, lawyers and the court itself.
The Pentagon is shifting more than 150 military aircraft into positions ready for a potential strike on Iran, according to publicly available data reviewed by the Washington Post. Despite the posturing of readiness, America's top general has reservations about how much ammo the country has in the tank after aiding allies in other conflicts.

The buildup began after a second round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks ended without a breakthrough on Feb. 17.

The U.S. now has one of its largest regional force buildups in roughly two decades, comparable to levels seen before the 2003 Iraq war. It has surpassed the buildup seen before U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program last June. Experts who reviewed the deployment told The Post the assets suggest a multiday air campaign rather than a ground invasion.

Why the US buildup near Iran matters

The buildup follows President Donald Trump's threat to attack Iran unless a deal is reached to restrict Iran's nuclear program. While Trump has not publicly defined the goals of any potential attack, Iranian officials have said an agreement remains possible but would take time.

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Analysts interviewed by The Post said the assembled assets, including stealth aircraft, refueling tankers and early-warning planes, would give Trump options ranging from limited strikes to a broader, sustained campaign.

Dana Stroul, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, told The Post the force posture could support whatever course Trump chooses, while Center for Strategic and International Studies adviser Mark Cancian said a weeks-long campaign would require additional assets.

What Trump's top advisers and generals are saying

Inside the administration, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has warned that depleted U.S. munitions stocks and limited allied support could increase the risks of any Iran operation, according to Axios and people familiar with internal discussions quoted by The Post. Those sources said Caine has told Trump and senior aides that U.S. stockpiles have been significantly reduced by recent operations defending Israel and supporting Ukraine.

A senior Persian Gulf official told The Post that Arab countries have informed Washington they would not allow their bases to be used for a strike against Iran, complicating planning for any large campaign. In Pentagon meetings this month, The Post reported Caine also raised concerns about the scale and complexity of a potential operation and the possibility of U.S. casualties.

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One former defense official told The Post that an effort to degrade Iran's missile program could require strikes on hundreds of targets. If the objective were to overthrow Iran's supreme leader, the official said, the target set could expand to thousands of sites, and a campaign could extend for weeks or months.

Caine's office said in a statement that, as the president's top military adviser, he provides civilian leaders with a range of options, along with associated impacts and risks, and does so confidentially. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told both outlets that Trump listens to "a host of opinions" and called Caine a "talented and highly valued" member of his national security team.

Trump has publicly rejected reporting that portrays Caine as opposed to war with Iran. In a social media post, Trump called it "100% incorrect" to claim the general is against going to war and wrote that Caine believes a conflict would be "something easily won." Trump also highlighted Caine's role in Operation Midnight Hammer and said Iran's nuclear development had been "blown to smithereens" by U.S. bombers. People familiar with Caine's thinking told The Post that Trump's optimistic description does not reflect the general's private warnings.

Inside Trump's Iran debate and allied pressure

Axios reports Caine has been the only uniformed officer briefing Trump on Iran in recent weeks, with the head of U.S. Central Command absent from the high-level meetings the president has convened. Axios also reported Vice President JD Vance has raised concerns during internal deliberations about the risks, complexity and potential for entanglement, though he has not explicitly opposed a strike.

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Axios describes Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "sitting on the fence" on military action, while Sen. Lindsey Graham has urged Trump to move forward with a strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed for a more aggressive approach and, according to a U.S. source cited by Axios, left a recent meeting asking whether Trump was still "with us."

At the same time, Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have pressed for more time for diplomacy. They plan to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Thursday and have argued that Trump's leverage grows as the military buildup continues.

Trump's strike options

In his social media post, Trump said he would "rather have a Deal than not" but warned that if no agreement is reached, "it will be a very bad day" for Iran.

U.S. officials are weighing options that range from a more limited strike intended to pressure Tehran into a nuclear deal to a broader campaign that could include missile or leadership targets. Some officials warned that even a narrower operation could trigger a cycle of retaliation and broader regional violence.

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The post Trump's top general warns of munitions shortages as Iran strike risks grow appeared first on Straight Arrow News.

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The United States immigration enforcement practices are under renewed scrutiny after the Trump administration deported a 21-year-old gay asylum seeker from Morocco to a country where homosexuality is criminalized. The case illustrates what advocates describe as an evolving and dangerous approach to LGBTQ+ asylum claims by the Trump administration.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

The Associated Press reports that the woman, identified as Farah, fled Morocco after suffering family violence tied to her sexual orientation. Morocco criminalizes same-sex relations. After arriving at the U.S. border seeking protection, she was detained for nearly a year and ultimately denied asylum. In August 2025, an immigration judge issued a protection order preventing her deportation to Morocco. Despite that order, federal authorities placed her on a flight to Cameroon, a country where same-sex intimacy is also illegal. Farah told the AP that she is now back in Morocco, living in hiding, fearful for her safety.

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Related: LGBTQ+ non-U.S. citizens at risk under Trumps immigration crackdown: study



Related: Trump admin is trying to deport LGBTQ+ asylum-seekers to countries where they'd be killed, lawyers say

Farah is among dozens of migrants confirmed by lawyers to have been deported under so-called third-country removal policies, in which the United States sends people to nations with which they have no meaningful ties. Lawyers told the AP that at least seven African countries, including Cameroon, South Sudan, and Rwanda, have accepted deportees under these arrangements.

Bilateral transfer agreements reviewed by The Advocate enable U.S. officials to seek dismissal of asylum claims in U.S. courts by arguing that another country is willing to assume responsibility for the persons protection review, even absent enforceable standards for evaluating LGBTQ-related claims.

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Critics argue the policy exploits legal loopholes and undermines protections that U.S. law and international agreements are supposed to guarantee.

Related: Trump administration is potentially sending two gay men to their death by preparing to deport them to Iran

Related: Gay man says ICE is keeping his husband jailed even though theyve agreed to leave the U.S.

In January, The Advocate documented how attorneys say new transfer agreements and court tactics could allow the U.S. to sidestep asylum rulings by proposing alternative destinations such as Uganda or Iran, where same-sex relationships and gender nonconformity are criminalized and can be punished by imprisonment, torture, or execution.

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The Advocate also reported on cases involving gay Iranian men whose asylum claims were denied and who faced imminent deportation back to Iran, where homosexuality is punishable by death. Their attorney described them as having textbook asylum cases because they fled grave danger based on their sexual orientation.

Related: LGBTQ+ immigrants face 'most immediate risk' of ICE raids in Los Angeles

Related: Gay asylum-seeker's lawyer worries for the makeup artist's safety in Salvadoran hellhole prison

Human rights groups, immigration lawyers, and LGBTQ+ advocates say these developments reflect systemic problems in the U.S. asylum system, including a lack of guaranteed legal representation, procedural barriers, and policies that prioritize enforcement over protection. They argue that existing immigration law and international refugee protections were designed to shield people fleeing persecution, particularly when based on sexual orientation or gender identity, from being returned to harm.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: U.S. deports gay asylum seeker to country where homosexuality is illegal

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The U.S. struck another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean, killing three people, the military announced Monday afternoon.

More than 40 such strikes have been carried out in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since September, killing at least 137 people, according to statements from the Defense Department tracked by NBC News.

The targeted boat on Monday was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations, U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X, adding that no U.S. forces were harmed. It did not provide evidence that the boat or people on board were involved in drug trafficking.

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U.S. Southern Command said that Gen. Francis L. Donovan directed the strike. Donovan, a Marine Corps general and head of U.S. Southern Command, visited Caracas, Venezuela, last week, where he met U.S. service members and interagency partners, U.S. Southern Command said at the time.

Venezuelan state television, VTV, said that Donovan had met with acting President Delcy Rodriguez and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

The U.S. Justice Department has indicted both Padrino and Cabello in the past on drug trafficking charges. The Venezuelan armed forces rejected the accusations against Padrino, Cabello, and other military and political leaders who had indictments against them unsealed in 2020.

Donovan's visit was the first by a military delegation since the U.S. captured then-President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3, and it adds to a list of high-ranking U.S. officials who have visited the country since the operation as the Trump administration seeks to exert control over the countrys new government, led by Rodriguez.

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Rodriguez has maintained that Maduro is still the legitimate leader of Venezuela.

Mondays strike comes three days after a strike in the eastern Pacific also killed three people. The strikes have been criticized by members of Congress, primarily Democrats, as well as some advocacy groups over the legal justification for the attacks. President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that the strikes are preventing illicit drugs from entering the U.S.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
(The Center Square) - Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court appeared skeptical of Cuban claims to land during two oral arguments on Monday where U.S. companies were seeking to recover decades-old losses under a law targeting Cuba's communist government.

The court heard arguments in Havana Docks v. Royal Caribbean Cruises and Exxon Mobil v. Corporacion Cimex. Both cases challenged laws that allowed U.S. citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone who trafficked in property that was confiscated by the Cuban government on or after Jan. 1, 1959.

In 2016, several cruise lines began using a set of docks that the Havana Docks company had interest in, although the Cuban government took over operations of the docks in 1960. The cruise lines argued that, even without the government takeover, Havana Docks lost its interest in the property in 2004.

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However, lawyers for Havana Docks argued that the corporation operated plenary authority over the docks and should have been consulted when cruise lines began using their property. Justices on the court appeared skeptical of this claim and questioned to what extent Havana Docks had interest in surrounding properties.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett posed a hypothetical to Havana Docks lawyers over whether cruise ship companies could be liable for a grocery store only loosely connected to the docks in question. She said allowing a suit like this to go forward could result in enormous monetary damages for cruise ship companies.

[It is] unbelievable to me that if you had these disparate interests all over the island that someone who uses the docks is going to be liable [for] the value of the grocery store, Barrett said. There's no way for the defendant to get out from under the huge liability.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor also appeared to be skeptical of Havana Docks claims and highlighted her fear that this litigation would provide an infinite amount of damages for companies that used the Cuban docks.

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Youre seeking now not one compensation with interest; youre seeking infinite compensation forever, Sotomayor said. There's a due process problem from you thinking youre entitled to infinite compensation.

Paul Clement, a lawyer for Royal Caribbean Cruises, said the property interest of the docks in Havana ended after 2004, regardless of the Cuban governments takeover. He argued that Cubas takeover of the docks resulted in no compensation for the U.S. companies interested in conducting business.

What makes what Cuba did unlawful is that they took U.S. national property without compensation, Clement said.

In Exxon Mobil v. Corporacion Cimex, the case is surrounding oil assets previously owned by Exxon that were seized by the Cuban government in 1960. Similarly, the Cuban government never paid Exxon for its seizure of assets.

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The argument hinged on whether Exxon had to satisfy its claim under the Foreign Sovereignty Immunities Act  a law to determine if a foreign state or its agencies can be sued in the United States.

Generally, foreign states are immune to prosecution under the FSIA. However, there are several exceptions to the FSIA, including if a case involves a violation of international law or it is an action based on commercial activity.

The justices appeared skeptical of Exxons claims that the statute explicitly provides for a lawsuit against Cuba. Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Brett Kavanaugh highlighted their fear that allowing this lawsuit to go forward would give Exxon the ability to punish the Cuban government.

Curtis Gannon, Deputy Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice, argued these kind of enforcement actions would incentivize a transition to democracy in Cuba.

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Jules Lobel, a lawyer representing Corporacion Cimex, argued that Congress considered adding an additional exception to the FSIA but did not, leaving Cuba immune to an enforcement action in this case.

Morgan Ratner, a lawyer for Exxon Mobil, argued that if Cuba was immune from litigation, it would advantage a foreign government over state and local governments when pursuing lawsuits against the United States.

Foreign governments shouldnt be better off than states and Indian tribes, Ratner said.

Justices pointed to a provision that allowed the president to decide whether lawsuits against Cuba were in the United States' best interest. Justice Neil Gorsuch said the president should have deference over these lawsuit decisions.

Justices on the court will deliberate further after oral arguments and are expected to issue a decision in these cases by July.
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europes largest conflict since the Second World War grinds on  reshaping the continents security order while exacting a staggering human toll. Wtih the war entering its fifth year on Tuesday, there is little indication that a decisive end is near, despite renewed diplomatic efforts.

Talks brokered by the United States, part of the Trump administrations year-long push for peace, have brought delegations from Moscow and Kyiv to the table. Yet fundamental disagreements  over the fate of Russian-occupied territories and Ukraines long-term security guarantees  continue to block meaningful progress.

On the battlefield and far beyond it, the cost of the war remains immense.

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Kyiv faces worst winter of war as Russia pounds Ukraine's power system

Casualties mount as transparency falters

Estimates suggest the scale of military losses is vast, though precise figures remain elusive. A recent report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies puts Russian casualties  killed, wounded or missing  at around 1.2 million between February 2022 and December 2025. Of these, as many as 325,000 troops are believed to have been killed, marking the highest death toll for any major power in a conflict since the Second World War.

Moscow has not provided regular updates. Its last official figure, released in January 2023, acknowledged just over 6,000 military deaths.

Ukraine has also suffered heavily. The same report estimates between 500,000 and 600,000 Ukrainian casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this month that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, adding that many more remain missing.

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With neither side publishing timely or comprehensive data, and independent verification largely impossible, the true scale of losses is likely to remain uncertain for years.

Civilians, meanwhile, continue to bear the brunt of the war. The United Nations has recorded more than 40,600 civilian injuries and confirmed thousands of deaths since the invasion  though it stresses the real figures are almost certainly higher. At least 763 children are known to have been killed.

Last year alone was the deadliest for civilians since 2022, with 2,514 killed and 12,142 injured in 2025  a 31 percent increase compared with 2024. Persistent Russian aerial strikes have left millions facing repeated power outages and water shortages, underscoring the wars enduring impact on daily life.

Zelensky French TV interview: 'If Ukraine doesn't stop Putin, he will invade Europe'

A war of attrition with global consequences

Despite the enormous human and material costs, territorial changes have been relatively limited. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia has gained just 0.79 percent of Ukraines land over the past year  a reflection of the grinding, attritional nature of the conflict.

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Before the full-scale invasion, Moscow already controlled nearly 7 percent of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

International support for Ukraine has shifted over time. Military aid from foreign partners fell by 20 percent last year compared with the annual average between 2022 and 2024, according to Germanys Kiel Institute. A key factor was the United States halting shipments of American-funded weapons following Donald Trumps return to office.

European countries have stepped in, boosting their military assistance by 67 percent over the same period. Humanitarian and financial aid, however, declined by 5 percent.

The war has also triggered one of the largest displacement crises in recent history. Around 5.3 million Ukrainians have sought refuge across Europe, while a further 3.7 million remain internally displaced. Before the invasion, Ukraines population exceeded 40 million.

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Healthcare infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted. The World Health Organization reports thousands of attacks affecting medical services since February 2022, including 2,347 strikes on healthcare facilities as well as damage to ambulances and medical supply storage.

Taken together, the figures show that the conflict is still grinding on, with far-reaching consequences beyond the battlefront.

(With newswires)
US pizza chain Marcos Pizza has launched its first New Jersey outlet in Somerset, marking the brands entry into the Central Jersey market.

The restaurant is located at 1135 Easton Avenue.

The Somerset location is operated by franchisee Teepu Khan, a restaurant industry veteran with long-standing experience running large-scale outlets for national brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Dunkin'.

Khan said: I've always loved the pizza category, but I saw how the industry was changing. When I discovered Marco's, I knew it was different.

The quality, operational standards, and passion behind the brand reminded me why I fell in love with this business in the first place.

Now, I want to create strong local teams and lasting community connections. Marco's gives me the opportunity to do that with a product and a culture I believe in.

Khan currently operates four Marcos Pizza locations  three in Houston and the new Somerset restaurant  and plans to expand his footprint further.

According to the company, he intends to develop at least seven additional outlets across New Jersey and the five boroughs of New York City.

The Somerset stores menu includes pizzas alongside items such as Marcos Pizzoli, CheezyBread, bone-in and boneless chicken wings in Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan and BBQ flavours, as well as salads and desserts.

Customers can order via carryout and delivery, with app-based and online ordering also available.

In September last year, Marcos Pizza finalised a franchise agreement for three new units in Germantown, Maryland and surrounding areas.

"Marcos Pizza enters New Jersey market with first outlet in Somerset" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




Ukraine has proposed several "doable solutions" to resolve its oil transit dispute with Hungary over the Druzhba pipeline, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, Politico reported on Feb. 24.

The dispute has intensified tensions between Kyiv, Budapest, and Bratislava, as disruptions to Russian oil flows trigger political and economic pressure across the region.

The conflict centers on the Druzhba pipeline, a major route supplying Russian crude through Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline has been offline since late January following a Russian strike.

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Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of withholding transit for political reasons, claims Kyiv rejects. Both countries escalated the standoff on Feb. 18 by halting diesel exports to Ukraine.

The dispute has since spilled into broader EU decision-making. Budapest blocked new EU sanctions against Russia and a planned 90 billion euro ($107 billion) EU loan for Kyiv.

Sybiha said Kyiv remains open to cooperation and has proposed options to resolve the situation.

Ukraine was "ready to act constructively," Sybiha said.

The minister also questioned Budapest's motives, suggesting the issue is being used in domestic political competition ahead of elections.

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"We demand Budapest stop dragging Ukraine into Hungary's domestic politics," he added.

At a recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting, EU ministers failed to persuade the two countries to withdraw threats against Ukraine over delays in restoring transit.

Speaking on Feb. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban raise the issue of an energy truce with Russian President Vladimir Putin to prevent further attacks on critical infrastructure, including oil pipelines.

"Russia has destroyed this oil pipeline several times already  and not only this one. So Orban should talk to Putin, perhaps about an energy ceasefire or something similar," Zelensky said.

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The Druzhba network, one of the world's largest oil pipeline systems, remains a key source of supply for Hungary and Slovakia  widely regarded as having the EU's most pro-Russian governments  and the only member states still importing Russian crude through the route.

European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Feb. 20 that the bloc would welcome the pipeline's resumption, while stressing that the final decision rests with Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine refutes Slovakias claim it cut emergency electricity supplies

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine has now been raging for four years  and despite repeated attempts at peace talks brokered by the US, there appears to be no end in sight.

As the war marks the grim anniversary milestone on Tuesday, the bloody war of attrition continues, having claimed the lives of more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians.

In the last year, Moscow has ramped up its use of drones by 200 per cent, regularly launching hundreds of strikes from unmanned aircraft.

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Vladimir Putins forces have also increasingly targeted Ukraines energy infrastructure, leaving millions without power or heat as they face their coldest winter in years, with temperatures as low as -26C.

(The Independent)

On the political stage, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has been forced to fight a battle on two fronts  trying to keep a volatile US president onside while also pushing back against Moscows uncompromising territorial demands during fruitless peace talks.

Funding the war has also become a growing problem for Mr Zelensky, with the US cutting its aid by 99 per cent since Mr Trump returned to office in 2025.

The Independent looks at the cost of Putins war four years on.

Ukraines civilian death toll mounts

The past year has seen Russian forces increasingly target civilians, with more killed and injured than in any year other than 2022.

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In 2025, there were 14,656 civilian casualties  including injuries and deaths  marking a 31 per cent increase on the year before.

Since the war began, 15,172 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 739 children, according to the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Russian military casualties last month hit the 1.2 million benchmark, a death toll not suffered by any major power since the Second World War, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Russian forces ramped up their attacks on Ukrainian civilians in 2025 (Reuters)

Putin ramps up drone and missile attacks

Moscow dramatically increased its drone production in 2025, allowing it to launch hundreds each night at targets across Ukraine to frightening effect.

The rapid expansion of drone warfare and increasingly autonomous systems has made it easier to carry out attacks with devastating consequences for civilians, Uliana Poltavets, Ukraine programme coordinator for rights group Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), told The Independent.

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More than half of the 58,495 air and drone strikes carried out by Russian and Ukrainian forces since 2022 have been carried out in the past year, data from monitoring group Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) shows.

Attacks on Ukraines civilian infrastructure also hit new heights in 2025. There were 662 attacks on healthcare facilities, the PHR says, a 48 per cent increase on 2024.

Elisabeth Haslund, spokesperson for the UNs refugee agency (UNHCR), told The Independent that such attacks will make any attempt to rebuild in Ukraine significantly more difficult.

Recovery will not happen overnight. Even with a ceasefire in place and a stop to the attacks and hostilities, humanitarian needs will persist for some time.

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Among the most devastating of Russias infrastructure attacks were those targeting Ukraines energy facilities.

Russia launched assaults on Ukraines energy infrastructure 1,077 times between February 2024 and February 2025, a 224 per cent increase on the previous year.

The past eight months make up the top eight in terms of Russian energy attacks, as Ukrainians suffered through the bitter winter.

Emil Kastehelmi, military analyst at the Black Bird Group, told The Independent that Moscow has several possible aims.

Try to lower the fighting morale of the Ukrainian civilians, try to hinder the functionality of the Ukrainian society as a whole, or weaken the military production capabilities as much as possible, he said.

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[Russia is] forcing Ukraine to [take] difficult decisions regarding prioritisation. Should they defend energy infrastructure, airfields, military bases, industrial areas, or what?

Costly battles on the front line

Russian gains on Ukraines eastern front have remained marginal.

Since 2022, Putins forces have only expanded the territory they controls in Ukraine by around four per cent, bringing their control to around 20 per cent of the country.

But it has come at a heavy cost in infantry, with the CSIS warning that combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties could reach 2 million by this spring  the majority of which are Russian.

Mr Zelensky says that 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers have now been killed since the full-scale invasion began, up from 46,000 last year.

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Russian casualties are believed to be far higher: the BBC has identified the names of 186,102 dead Russian soldiers, but military experts say this may only represent 45 to 65 per cent of the total.

On the ravaged eastern front line, the fiercest fighting has been around Pokrovsk, the strategic city in Donetsk, which was once a transport hub connecting the Ukrainian front line.

Although Russian forces seized much of the city in November, battles are ongoing in the areas around it.

The Independent has spent time with Ukrainian soldiers on the front line with advances, at best, incremental as the war grinds on.

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The Institute for the Study of War, which tracks frontline movements, echoed this by describing Russian advances as continuing at a footpace in eastern Ukraine and concluding they do not portend the collapse of the Ukrainian lines.

Ukrainian troops carried out successful counterattacks in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia in February, Mr Kastehelmi said  but the counteroffensives have remained local, and Ukrainian gains have not altered the situation significantly.

Ukraine has continued to control the Black Sea.

A new world order under Trump

While the war of attrition raged on the front line, the political landscape changed dramatically in 2025.

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The US, once Ukraines most generous ally, left Kyiv in the lurch when it withdrew almost all of its financial, humanitarian and military support, as the Trump administration looked to pressure the two countries into agreeing on a peace deal.

After the Biden administration allocated a record 46.39bn (40.4bn) in 2024, support dropped by 99 per cent to 480m (420m) in 2025.

Europe was forced to dramatically step up its support for Ukraine, boosting its support from 43.54bn (38bn) in 2024 to 72.8bn (63.6bn) in 2025, a 67 per cent increase.

Another 90bn (78.6bn) support loan was agreed by European Union countries in December, a vital cash injection providing a lifeline for Ukraines flailing wartime economy.

But with peace talks not appearing to produce significant progress towards a peace deal, it remains to be seen how long Europes financial support will last.
It has been four years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At the start of the war, some of the earliest help to Ukraine came from Britain, teaching its military fighting techniques on weapons systems.

Four years on, in an undisclosed location in central England, we watched as two of Ukraine's top helicopter pilots received training from the RAF on how to train the next generation of pilots on the front line.

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We witnessed the teacher-pupil dynamic change, though, as it came to light that the RAF is learning just as much from the Ukrainian pilots as it is teaching them.

The last time the RAF was involved in front-line combat was in Afghanistan and Iraq, but the war in Ukraine is noticeably different.

Ukranian pilots Credit: ITV News

Drone warfare has changed how wars are fought - and the two Ukrainian pilots we were introduced to, "Victor" and "Bravo", have been on the front line in that battle, piloting helicopters as they attempt to shoot down Russian Shahed drones.

That is something which the RAF has never done in active combat.

"I've shot down more than 100 drones", Victor told ITV News.

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"It's a good point of our presence here because we can give our experience to the RAF and to UK pilots. It's like an exchange of experience."

Squadron Leader Tom Brown said: "They're coming from frontline operations where the way of warfare has completely changed.

"So while we can teach them, they bring a lot to the party as well, in the fact that they can teach us their tactics or give us their experiences."

ITV News got exclusive access to helicopter training with the RAF and Ukrainian servicemen. Credit: ITV News

In the RAF's state-of-the-art helicopter simulator, Victor describes flying helicopters on the front line in Ukraine.

"There are many threats, there's fighters with weapons waiting for helicopters and they're hunting for us."

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The initiative is the first time the UK has offered helicopter instructor training to Ukraine, building on the successful fixed-wing instructor programme delivered to Ukrainian aircrew as part of Operation Interstorm.

The helicopter instructor course equips experienced Ukrainian pilots with the skills to train the next generation of rotary-wing military aviators, multiplying Ukraine's ability to develop its flying training capacity.

Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning.

It's hoped the RAF will receive more Ukrainian pilots in the future to continue its support to Ukraine.

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The Commandant, Group Captain Mike Brown, sees the programme as mutually beneficial: "The last time I deployed on operations, it was to Afghanistan or to Iraq, and that is a very different scenario.

"Times have changed, the operation environment has changed, the world's changed. They've lived operations in the contemporary environment that most of us haven't."

With each passing anniversary and each new initiative like this one, NATO and Ukraine are building a partnership in which pilots like these defend Europe every bit as much as we help defend Ukraine.

From Westminster to Washington DC - our political experts are across all the latest key talking points. Listen to the latest episode below...
DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Being gay in Morocco is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison. But it was the violence from her family that forced Farah, a 21-year-old gay woman, to flee the country.

After a long journey to the United States and a third-country deportation by the Trump administration, however, Farah said she is now back in Morocco and in hiding.

It is hard to live and work with the fear of being tracked once again by my family, she told The Associated Press, in a rare testimony from a person deported via a third country despite having protection orders from a U.S. immigration judge. But there is nothing I can do. I have to work.

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She asked to be identified by her first name only for fear of persecution. The AP saw her protection order and lawyers verified parts of her account.

Farah said that before she fled, she was beaten by her family and the family of her partner when they found out about their relationship. She was kicked out of the family home and fled with her partner to another city. She said her family found her and tried to kill her.

Through a friend, she and her partner heard about the opportunity to get visas for Brazil and fly there with the aim of reaching the United States, where they had friends. From Brazil, she trekked through six countries for weeks to reach the U.S. border, where they asked for asylum.

You get put in situations that are truly horrible," she recalled. "When we arrived (at the U.S. border), it felt like it was worth the trouble and that we got to our goal."

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They arrived in early 2025. But instead of finding the freedom to be herself, Farah said she was detained for almost a year, first in Arizona, then in Louisiana.

It was very cold, she said of detention. And we only had very thin blankets. Medical care was inadequate, she said.

She was denied asylum, but in August she received a protection order from an U.S. immigration judge, who ruled she cannot be deported to Morocco because that would endanger her life. Her partner, denied asylum and a protection order, was deported.

Farah said she was three days from a hearing on her release when she was handcuffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and put on a plane to an African country she had never visited, and one where homosexuality is illegal: Cameroon. She was put in a detention facility.

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They asked me if I wanted to stay in Cameroon, and I told them that I cant stay in Cameroon and risk my life in a place where I would still be endangered, she said. She was flown to Morocco.

Most deportees had protection orders

She is one of dozens of people confirmed to be deported from the U.S. by the Trump administration to third countries despite having legal protection from U.S. immigration judges. The real number is unknown.

The administration has used third-country deportations to pressure migrants who are in the U.S. illegally to leave on their own, saying they could end up in any number of third countries."

The detention facility in Cameroon's capital of Yaounde, where Farah was held, currently has 15 deportees from various African countries who arrived on two flights, and none is Cameroonian, according to lawyer Joseph Awah Fru, who represents them.

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Eight of the deportees on the first flight in January, including Farah, had received a judge's protection orders, said Alma David, an immigration lawyer with the U.S.-based Novo Legal Group who has helped deportees and verified Farahs case. The AP spoke to a woman from Ghana and a woman from Congo, who both said they had protection orders, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.

Another flight on Monday brought eight more people. Three freelance journalists reporting on the deportations to Cameroon for the AP were briefly detained there.

Deporting people to a third country where they could be sent home was effectively a legal loophole, said David.

By deporting them to Cameroon, and giving them no opportunity to contest being sent to a country whose government hoped to quietly send them back to the very countries where they face grave danger, the U.S. not only violated their due process rights but our own immigration laws, our obligations under international treaties and even DHS own procedures," David said.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier confirmed there were deportations to Cameroon in January.

We are applying the law as written. If a judge finds an illegal alien has no right to be in this country, we are going to remove them. Period, it said, and asserted that the third-country agreements ensure due process under the U.S. Constitution.

Asked about the deportations to Cameroon, the U.S. State Department on Friday told the AP it had no comment on the details of our diplomatic communications with other governments." It did not reply to further questions.

Cameroons Foreign Ministry didnt respond to a request for comment.

Impossible choices

Farah was one of two women from the first group of deportees to return to Morocco.

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They were given two impossible choices, David said, and asserted that claiming asylum was not clearly presented as one of them. This was before the lawyer had access to them."

She said International Organization for Migration staff in the facility did not give them any indication that there was a viable option other than going back to their home countries.

Fru said he has not been granted access to the deportees. He said the assistant to the country director for the IOM, a U.N.-affiliated organization, told him he must apply to speak to them. Fru plans to do that Monday.

The IOM told the AP it was aware of the removal of migrants from the United States of America to some African countries and added that it works with people facing difficult decisions about whether to return to their country of origin." It said its role is providing accurate information about options and ensuring that "anyone who chooses to return does so voluntarily.

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The IOM said the facility in Yaounde was managed by the authorities in Cameroon. It did not respond to further questions.

African nations are paid millions

Cameroon is one of at least seven African nations to receive deported third-country nationals in a deal with the U.S. Others include South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea.

Some have received millions of dollars in return, according to documents released by the State Department. Details of other agreements, including the one with Cameroon, have not been released.

The Trump administration has spent at least $40 million to deport about 300 migrants to countries other than their own, according to a report released last week by the Democratic staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

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According to internal administration documents reviewed by the AP, 47 third-country agreements are in various stages of negotiation.

In Morocco, Farah said it was hard to hear U.S. officials refer to people like her as a threat.

The USA is built on immigration and by immigrant labor, so were clearly not all threats, she said. What was done to me was unfair. A normal deportation would have been fair, but to go through so much and lose so much, only to be deported in such a way, is cruel.

___

This story has been corrected to state that the two women who spoke to the AP had been on the first flight in January, not on last weeks flight. It also corrects that eight of the initial deportees had protection orders while the ninth was stateless.
WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has scrapped plans for an immigration detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, the state's Republican governor said on Tuesday, as localities grapple with a surge in planned detention centers nationwide.

"The Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack," the New England state's governor, Kelly Ayotte, wrote on X following a meeting with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Washington last week.

Ayotte said she expressed the concerns of the town roughly 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) northeast of Boston, and that New Hampshire law enforcement would continue to cooperate with DHS to secure the state's northern border with Canada.

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Noem, in a statement from DHS, confirmed the meeting and said it would continue to work with New Hampshire, calling it "a strong partner."

The withdrawal comes as Republican President Donald Trump enacts his sweeping immigration campaign pledges. The deportation drive's aggressive tactics have been met with growing U.S. voter disapproval ahead of the November midterm election that will decide control of Congress.

ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents have surged into major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, sweeping through neighborhoods and clashing with residents. Federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, and another citizen was shot and killed last year in Texas.

Trump's administration is also moving to increase detention centers to house immigrants as it ramps up its raids, spending more than $38 billion this year for facilities that have drawn criticism from Democrats as well as concerns from Ayotte and other Republicans.

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Democrats, civil rights groups, clergy and other critics have cited human rights, legal and health concerns, including dismal conditions, poor treatment and diseases such as measles at various detention facilities, which are run by companies including GEO Group and CoreCivic.

At least eight people have died in ICE detention centers since the start of 2026, following at least 31 deaths last year.

On Tuesday, Democratic-led Maryland sued the Trump administration to halt a detention facility in its western Washington County.

DHS officials have rejected any claims that the buildings are akin to "warehouses."

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Senate Democrats have blocked funding for DHS as they seek to rein in ICE. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that Trump would use his State of the Union speech later that night to call for funding to be approved.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington; additional reporting by Ted Hesson and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
The US government has imposed visa restrictions on three Chilean officials as a diplomatic reprimand for the country's trade ties to China, as well as a proposed undersea cable linking the two countries. The US warned these actions undermined regional security.

The State Department said the individuals and their immediate families will not be eligible to enter the US, and authorities have revoked any visas previously held by them. While the US did not disclose the identities of the three officials, Chile's Transport and Telecommunications Minister, Juan Carlos Munoz, confirmed he is one of the targeted officials.

Chile's Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren has said that the US concerns are over a proposal by two Chinese companies to build an undersea cable linking Chile and Hong Kong. Van Klaveren said the proposal was still in an early stage, and nothing had been confirmed.

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"The US government believes that cable could in some way pose a threat to its security," Chile's Foreign Minister said.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions were imposed on Chilean officials "who knowingly directed, authorised, funded, provided significant support to, and/or carried out activities that compromised critical telecommunications infrastructure and undermined regional security in our hemisphere." Adding the US will continue "to promote accountability for Chilean nationals who internationally work to destabilise our hemisphere."

The action was taken as Chile prepares for a transition of power, with President-elect Jose Antonio Kast set to assume office on 11 March, succeeding Gabriel Boric.

US officials expressed an intent to work with the incoming administration on shared security objectives.

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Chile is currently the only South American nation with a US visa waiver programme, allowing its citizens to travel to the US without a visa under normal circumstances.

Chiles Foreign Affairs Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the visa restrictions.

The State Department stated it would continue using all available resources to protect regional safety and stability.

"US imposes visa restrictions on Chile officials over regional security concerns" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.




American spy agencies provided key intelligence that helped Mexican special forces locate and kill one of the countrys most notorious drug traffickers on Sunday, according to a one senior U.S. intelligence official and another person briefed on the matter.

Mexican officials said Monday that they were able to pin down the location of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, by following a confidant of one of Cervantes romantic partners. Mexican authorities had acknowledged support from U.S. intelligence on Sunday, but said it was only complementary in the takedown of the narcotrafficker known as El Mencho.

Neither person who spoke to POLITICO would describe the nature of the material shared with Mexico. But the senior official said that multiple U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies assisted in the hunt for Oseguera via a Pentagon-led task force, while the person familiar called out the contribution of the CIA in particular.

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CIA was instrumental in removing El Mencho, said the person, who like the senior official, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

The White House, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Mexican Embassy did not respond to a request for comment on the U.S. intelligence support for the operation. The Defense Department and the CIA declined to comment.

U.S. involvement in the targeting of what is perhaps Mexicos most powerful drug kingpin is the latest sign of how President Donald Trump has put counter-narcotics at the center of his administrations foreign and national security policy.

The operation to take out Oseguera also comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that the U.S. will take direct military action in her country if her government does not do more to dismantle the cartels.

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The raid this weekend appears to be a sign Sheinbaum is responding to the pressure.

After founding the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in 2009, Oseguera turned it into the leading Mexican trafficker of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, according to the State Department. The U.S. government put a $15 million dollar bounty on him in 2024, after it called his cartel one of the most violent in Mexico.

It bore out that reputation after Osegueras killing.

His death set off a wave of reprisal killings and other violent acts across Mexico on Monday, shuttering businesses, schools and airports across the country. On social media, Sheinbaum urged Mexicans to remain informed and stay calm.

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The task force the senior official said provided intelligence support to the Mexicans was set up by the Pentagon just last month. Known as Joint Interagency Task Force Counter Cartel and operating under the militarys U.S. Northern Command, it includes representatives from U.S. law enforcement, intelligence community and Defense Department, according to the press release marking its founding.

The person briefed on the operation cast the CIAs successful intelligence support as part of a broader shift at the agency under Director John Ratcliffe.

Director Ratcliffes been focused on countering cartels since day one, and this is part of that broader strategy, the person said.
The US government has ordered all non-essential staff to leave its embassy in the Lebanese capital of Beirut after a security review, a senior State Department official has told the BBC.

The decision comes as there are heightened tensions in the region, with US President Donald Trump threatening military action against Iran if it does not reach a deal over its nuclear programme.

Iran has previously vowed to retaliate if attacked by the US, with American bases and facilities in the Middle East thought to be possible targets.

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Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has delayed a planned trip to Israel without announcing a reason.

A senior State Department official said: "We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel.

"The embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens."

About 50 members of US embassy staff have been ordered to leave, with 32 staff members and their families flying out of Beirut airport on Monday, an airport official told news agency Reuters.

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A precise reason has not been given for the partial evacuation, but it comes after Trump said "bad things" would happen if Iran did not reach an agreement over its nuclear programme.

The rhetoric has sparked fears of possible retaliation from Tehran, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posting messages to social media threatening US forces.

Washington holds the Lebanon-based group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, responsible for the deadly bombings of a US Marine barracks and the embassy in Beirut in 1983.

Trump said on Thursday that the world would find out "over the next, probably, 10 days" whether a deal would be reached or whether the US would attack Iran.

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The US and its European allies suspect that Iran is moving towards the development of a nuclear weapon, something Iran has always denied.

US and Iranian officials said progress had been made after talks between the two sides in Switzerland last week.

Despite this, the US has continued to bolster its huge military deployment near Iran, which includes an array of destroyers, combat ships and fighter jets.

The world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford, also appears to be heading towards the region.

BBC Verify has previously identified the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in satellite images taken off the coast of Oman, about 700km (430 miles) from Iran.

The US Navy released this image of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea earlier in February [Reuters]

US special envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday that Trump was "curious" about why Iran had not yet "capitulated" in the face of the military buildup.

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The president has previously said he was considering a limited strike on Iran in order to pressure its leaders to agree to a deal.

His apparent 10-day deadline would expire at the end of this week, but it is unclear exactly what would happen after that - or if he could choose to launch an attack sooner.

One day before the US and Israel's military strikes on Iran last year, the White House said Trump would decide whether to attack "within the next two weeks".

Tehran responded to those strikes by launching missiles at a US military base in Qatar last June.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that he believed there was still a chance the dispute could be resolved diplomatically "based on a win-win game". He told CBS News that negotiators were working on the elements of a deal.

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Within Iran, anti-government protests were staged at several universities over the weekend - the first rallies on such a scale since January's deadly crackdown by the authorities, which saw thousands killed.

Trump has previously expressed support for protesters, and earlier in February he said regime change in Iran would be "the best thing that could happen".

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Rubio's planned trip to Israel appears to have been delayed, with the schedule "subject to change", according to a State Department official.

Last week, officials said he would fly to Israel on Saturday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli media now reports the trip has been postponed until next Monday, but the State Department has not confirmed this.

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The official said Rubio was "still planning to travel to Israel" but did not say when.

Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was facing "complex and challenging days" amid the US-Iran standoff. "We are keeping our eyes open and are prepared for any scenario," he told the Israeli parliament.

He added that if Iran decided to attack Israel, it would respond "with a force they cannot even imagine".
The US issued a Friday ultimatum to Baghdad: form a government without Iranian influence or face sanctions. Washington specifically targeted the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for Prime Minister.

The United States has set a Friday deadline for Iraq to form a government free of Iranian influence or face potential sanctions, Saudi television channel Al-Hadath reported.

At issue is the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki by Shiite parties to take the office again. Al-Maliki is believed to have close ties with Iran. On January 27, just days after al-Maliki's nomination, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he opposed al-Maliki's bid to become Iraqs next prime minister.

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According to the Saudi report, US officials have warned Iraqi leaders that failure to meet the deadline at the end of the week could trigger punitive measures. Iraqi sources said an official message was delivered to Baghdad, cautioning that sanctions could be imposed on individuals and institutions if the nomination of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki proceeds.

US envoy Tom Barrack, who assumed responsibility for the Iraq portfolio following Mark Savayas departure in January, addressed the issue publicly after meeting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Writing on X, Barrack said: Fruitful meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussing continued Iraqi goals and objectives to build a sovereign, stable, and prosperous future that aligns with a desire and plan for peace and prosperity in the region. The necessity of effective leadership that aligns itself with the policies and practices of further stabilization for Iraq and the Iraqi people is key to our mutual goals.

Iraqi FM insists in mantaining communication and coordination with US

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the Coordination Framework, the Shiite political bloc backing Maliki, remains committed to his nomination. Speaking at a meeting in Baghdad with US envoy Tom Barrack, Hussein emphasized the importance of maintaining communication and coordination in the next phase until the formation of Iraqs government is finalized, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried by the state news agency INA.

Within the Coordination Framework, internal disagreements persist over whether to continue pushing Malikis candidacy, according to Middle East Broadcasting Networks. While al-Maliki retains significant political influence from his two previous terms as prime minister, some alliance members are concerned that insisting on his return could strain relations with Washington at a time when Iraq needs sustained international backing to confront economic and security pressures.

Al-Maliki has rejected claims that external pressure should determine the outcome. He has said any decision to withdraw must come from within the Coordination Framework itself, arguing that the premiership is a political right governed by parliamentary balances rather than foreign demands.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on countries that "play games" with recent trade deals, after the Supreme Court blocked many of the sweeping global levies.

His warning came as countries around the world said they were evaluating what tariffs and trade deals would stand following last week's decision, which struck down the bulk of tariffs Trump imposed last year.

The European Union said on Monday that it would suspend its ratification of a deal struck over the summer.

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India also said it would defer previously scheduled talks to finalise a recent agreement.

Trump warned countries against using the ruling to back away from trade commitments made in response to last year's tariffs.

"Any Country that wants to 'play games' with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have 'Ripped Off' the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to," he wrote on Truth Social. "Buyer beware."

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The back-and-forth is an indication of the chaos kicked off after the US Supreme Court on Friday struck down tariffs unveiled by Trump last spring under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

The court said that law did not authorise the president to impose the tariffs, which are a tax on imports paid by businesses bringing goods into the country.

Trump responded by announcing a new 10% global tariff using a different law, which he quickly raised to 15%. That measure, from which some products are exempt, came into force on Tuesday.

But many countries said they remained uncertain of the status of deals negotiated in the wake of Trump's initial tariff measures, when many countries sought lower levies on their goods in exchange for promises of investments or other concessions meant to make it easier for US firms to do business abroad.

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The UK said on Monday that it was pressing US officials for answers about whether its deal - which had set tariffs at 10%, below the 15% rate Trump announced on Saturday - would hold.

"I recognise the uncertainty the latest announcement from the US has created," UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said in a statement, adding that "all options" were on the table as the UK seeks to protect businesses and the public.

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, said the committee had suspended its approval of the deal the US and EU and approved in July while it sought clarity.

"The situation is now more uncertain than ever," he said.

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The White House has insisted that its approach to trade will not change as a result of the ruling, as it turns to other laws to impose the duties.

Trump deployed Section 122, a never-used law that allows the president to impose tariffs for 150 days without congressional approval, on Friday.

He also ordered officials to start investigations under Section 301, a separate trade law that allows the president to impose tariffs in response to specific "unfair" trade practices.

The new tariffs are expected to stand alongside separate, previously announced tariffs Trump has imposed on specific items, such as steel, aluminium and cars, which were unaffected by the court's ruling.

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"We found ways to really reconstruct what we're doing," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told on ABC News on Sunday.

"The legal tool to implement it - that might change, but the policy hasn't changed."

In a separate interview with CBS News on Sunday, Greer said the White House would "stand by" the trade deals it had struck. "We expect our partners to stand by them," Greer added.

Shares in the US fell on Monday, with the S&P 500 dropping about 1% - weighed down in part by the trade uncertainty, which many analysts and businesses expect to continue.

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The new 15% tariffs are due to expire after the 150-day period unless Congress votes to extend them.

Senate Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer warned on Monday that Democrats would block any attempt to extend the duties. Trump's tariffs are also unpopular with some Republicans.

"Democrats will not go along with furthering Trump's economic carnage," Schumer said in a statement.

Trump argued in a social media post on Monday that he did not need Congress's approval for tariffs.
Meta (META) and AMD (AMD) are entering into a multiyear agreement that will see Meta purchase upward of 6 gigawatts' worth of AI chips as part of its massive AI build-out.

As part of the deal, announced Tuesday, AMD will issue Meta 160 million shares of common stock that will vest in a series of tranches if AMD hits certain milestones, the first of which will hit when AMD ships its first 1 gigawatt of chips.

AMD shares jumped as much as 10% in premarket trading before paring those gains in the regular session.

We expect this partnership to drive substantial multi-year revenue growth and be accretive to our non-GAAP earnings per share, marking another significant step forward in delivering on our ambitious long-term financial model, AMD CFO Jean Hu said in a statement.

The performance-based structure also tightly aligns AMD and Meta around execution and long-term value creation.

The first GPUs, AMDs MI450 line, will be deployed in the companys Helios rack-scale data center systems, complete with EPYC CPUs, in the second half of the year.

Meta says it will also purchase a large additional CPUs, including AMDs Venice chip and its next-generation Verano processor. CPUs are becoming an increasingly important component for AI data centers as companies look toward running agentic AI services and focus on inference, or running models.

Last week, Meta announced a separate multiyear agreement with AMD rival Nvidia (NVDA) that will see the chipmaker provide Meta with millions of its Blackwell and Rubin GPUs.

Nvidia also said Meta will host the first large-scale deployment of its Grace CPU servers. Nvidia usually pairs its Grace CPU with two of its Blackwell or Blackwell Ultra processors to form its GB200 and GB300 superchips that slot into its rack-scale platforms.

Metas agreement with AMD comes as the company is set to spend upwards of $135 billion in capital expenditures throughout 2026 as part of its AI expansion plans. That will pay for everything from data center construction and chips to training models.

Meta isnt the only company spending big on AI this year. Meta, Amazon (AMZN), Google (GOOG, GOOGL), and Microsoft (MSFT) plan to collectively spend some $650 billion on AI.

Thats given some inventors pause as they digest whether the investments will bear fruit. Meta has fared the best of the group of big spenders, with shares down just 2.5% since it reported earnings on Jan. 28 and announced its investing plans.

Google stock has dropped 8.7% since its own news, while Amazon has fallen 11.9%. Microsoft, however, has been hammered the most since revealing its spending strategy, declining 15.5%.
The State Department on Monday ordered all non-essential government employees and their families to leave Lebanon as part of an updated Level 4 Do not travel advisory. Lebanon has been under a Level 4 advisory since June 2025, but the State Department updated the warning Monday as part of ongoing tensions in the region.

A Level 4 advisory is the highest on the State Departments four-tier scale.

"On February 23 the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel due to the security situation in Beirut," reads a portion of the advisory.

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The State Department went on to say that terrorist groups are continuing to plot attacks, and also raised concerns over possible crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict. The agency said it is particularly concerned about areas of Lebanon that border Syria and Israel.

The agency says anyone in Southern Lebanon or near the border with Syria should leave those areas immediately. The warning also advised leaving any refugee camps for the time being.

Reuters reports that 50 members of U.S. embassy staff were directed to leave. Of those, 32 and their families flew out of Lebanon on Monday. However, officials did not publicly specify what immediate threat prompted the evacuation order.

Americans who decide to visit or stay in Lebanon are advised to:

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Visit the State Department website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.

Appoint one family member to serve as the point of contact with kidnappers/hostage-takers, media, U.S. and host country government agencies, and members of Congress if you are kidnapped, or taken hostage.

Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.

Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.

Avoid demonstrations and crowds.

Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.

Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

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State lawmakers are looking to increase protections for Utahs iconic red rock formations  which bring millions of tourists each year  with a proposal to prosecute and fine vandals who deface geological formations receiving unanimous approval from a House committee on Monday.

The bill would impose a criminal penalty for damaging natural rock features on Utahs public lands with graffiti or other vandalism, including fines and community service. HB536, sponsored by Rep. Stuart Barlow, R-Fruit Heights, would also protect archeological features  historical sites like Indigenous petroglyphs, carvings, or historic rock shelters.

Theyre priceless because you cant replace them  you can do surface sanding or scraping, but its never the same after you damage it, Barlow told Utah News Dispatch. People come here from hundreds of miles away with the express interest of finding some of these archeological gems, its an economic driver for us.

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Under the bill, someone charged with damaging, defacing or destroying a natural or archaeological feature would face a class B misdemeanor on a first offense and a class A misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. The proposal also carries mandatory community service benefitting public lands.

The red hills of Southern Utah drew 15.8 million visitors in 2024, contributing $3.1 billion to the states economy and supporting more than 21,000 jobs, according to a National Park Service report. Barlow told the House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee that vandalism is a common occurrence in Southern Utah, and he thinks conservation should be culturally celebrated among Utahns.

Bryce Canyon National Park pictured on July 9, 2025. (Will Ruzanski/Utah News Dispatch)

Almost every month theres a report of a big mural or something thats been destroyed, and the extent in which people will go to destroy these artifacts is incredible, he said. Our culture has to grab hold of and value them  and nowhere stronger is that important for our Southern Utah red canyons areas.

Conservation efforts to protect Utahs rock formations have increased in recent years, says Wyatt Bubak  deputy chief of the Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement division.

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Over the past handful of years, theres been a couple initiatives put together to help protect these antiquities and other historical items across the state, Buback told the committee. This is just another step that takes it one additional step to help preserve some of these cultural sites.

The bill would also help private and non-state landowners who experience rock formation vandalism, directing money from vandalism fines to assist with restoration costs.

Currently, if vandalism of this sort occurs on private property within the state  theres no funding source that allows them to restore that without them doing it with their own funds, Bubak said. This would help ensure  those various landowners, whether its a state park, a different government agency, a private landowner, can work with the historical preservation office to get funds to restore those antiquities.

Barlow said Utahs rocks are historic, citing the sanctity of nature and importance of conservation.

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People need to respect those artifacts, and many of those places are sacred to the Indigenous population, something thats critical for us to respect, Barlow said. We in Utah have chosen to place a high value on these pieces, weve got to protect them.

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Elon Musk has never been one to hold back on social media, and his latest outburst has the internet buzzing. The Tesla CEO took to X, the platform he owns, to blast The New York Times over a decade-old opinion piece that recently popped back into the spotlight.

The article in question suggested viewing pedophilia through a mental health lens rather than purely as criminal behavior. Musk's sharp words have reignited debates about media responsibility and child safety, drawing in politicians, influencers, and everyday users. Let's break down what happened, why it matters, and the wave of reactions it sparked.

The Resurfaced Op-Ed That Ignited the Fire

Back in October 2014, The New York Times published an op-ed by Margo Kaplan, a law professor at Rutgers University. Titled "Pedophilia: A Disorder, Not a Crime," the piece argued that attractions to children should be treated as a psychiatric issue.

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Kaplan pointed out that the DSM-5, the manual used by mental health professionals, classifies pedophilia as a paraphilic disorder when it causes distress or leads to harmful actions. She stressed that while any abuse of children remains illegal, recognizing the attraction as a disorder could help people get therapy before they act on impulses.

Screenshot from Elon Musk's post/X

This wasn't a news story from the paper's reporters; it was an opinion column meant to spark discussion. Kaplan used examples from other mental health conditions, like substance abuse disorders, where treatment focuses on prevention rather than punishment for thoughts alone. At the time, it drew some criticism, but it faded from headlines.

Fast forward to early 2025, and the piece resurfaced amid broader talks about child exploitation cases, including references to high-profile figures like Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Senator Mike Lee from Utah shared a screenshot of the headline on X, calling the idea "delusional" and insisting, "No, it's a crime." His post quickly gained traction, setting the stage for Musk's involvement.

Elon Musk's Fiery Take on the Matter

Musk didn't hesitate to jump in. Replying to Lee's post, he labeled The New York Times "utterly disgusting" for running the op-ed. In another related comment, he went further, calling the outlet "evil propaganda."

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This fits Musk's pattern of clashing with mainstream media; he has accused them of bias and sensationalism on multiple occasions. For instance, he has previously criticized The Times for their coverage of Tesla and his personal life, once even tweeting that he might create a site to rate journalists' credibility.

What made this slam stand out was the timing. Musk has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for child protection online. He has pushed for stricter content moderation on X to combat child exploitation material, and he often shares posts highlighting threats to kids. Users on the platform amplified his words, with his response racking up millions of views in hours.

One X user echoed Musk by saying the framing was "dangerous" and eroded trust in legacy media. Musk's history adds layers here; he once faced a defamation lawsuit after calling a British cave explorer "pedo guy" during the 2018 Thai cave rescue drama. A jury cleared him in 2019, ruling the term was an insult, not a factual claim.

Breaking Down the Op-Ed's Core Argument

Kaplan's piece wasn't defending child abuse; it made clear that actions like molestation are crimes deserving punishment. Instead, she highlighted how stigma prevents people with these attractions from seeking help.

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She cited studies showing that many pedophiles never offend, but fear of legal repercussions keeps them silent. For example, she referenced Germany's Dunkelfeld project, which offers confidential therapy to non-offenders and has reportedly reduced risks.

Critics, however, argue this approach blurs lines. They say labeling it a disorder risks normalizing something society views as morally wrong. Senator Lee's post captured this sentiment, rejecting any nuance and focusing on protection.

The op-ed also discussed legal barriers, like mandatory reporting laws that might deter therapy seekers. Kaplan suggested reforms to balance help with safety, such as better access to treatment without automatic criminalization for attractions alone. Despite these points, the headline's stark phrasing has fueled misinterpretations, leading some to claim The Times was soft on pedophilia.

The Wave of Public Reactions and Backlash

The online response split sharply, with many echoing Musk's disgust. One X user wrote, "Elon calling out NYTs disgusting 2014 piece loud & clear  pedophilia is a CRIME, not a disorder to normalize. No debate. No excuses. Protect kids first, always."

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Not all agreed, though; some defended the op-ed's intent to promote treatment and reduce harm. A commenter noted, "If The New York Times thought they were publishing nuance, they ended up serving nonsense. Elon calling them 'utterly disgusting' is blunt but when the subject is pedophilia, theres no room for clever spin."

Screenshot from Elon Musk's post/X

Screenshot from Elon Musk's post/X

Others brought up unrelated scandals, like Epstein files, to question media priorities. The debate spilled into broader talks on U.K. policies releasing offenders for space, with Musk previously saying, "I dont think anyone should go to the UK when theyre releasing convicted pedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts."

This episode highlights ongoing tensions between free speech, mental health advocacy, and zero-tolerance for child harm. Musk's platform amplified the debate, showing how old content can fuel new fires in today's fast-paced online world. As discussions continue, one thing is clear: topics like this touch deep nerves, prompting calls for accountability from all sides.
The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) allege that authorities enforce mandatory crop quotas, use threats, and impose penalties, including land seizure, on those failing to meet targets.

Released on 17 February 2026, the report, Farmers Have No Freedom: Abuse and Exploitation of Cotton and Wheat Farmers in Uzbekistan, describes circumstances in which farmers must sell crops at centralised prices set by the state.

Fieldwork involved interviews with 75 farmers and experts across five Uzbek regions between October 2023 and December 2025, alongside reviews of court documents, legislation, media articles, social media posts, and official statements.

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As per the report, local officials have allegedly used violence against farmers during quota enforcement meetings. Some described being slapped or beaten or having objects thrown at them.

Farmers also stated that officials called them donkeys, scumbags, or pigs if they failed to deliver their quotas.

Uzbek Forum for Human Rights director Umida Niyazova said: The Uzbekistan government needs to end the coercive and exploitative conditions in which hard-working farmers are expected to produce cotton and wheat.

Authorities should commit to agricultural reforms that offer real protections for these farmers and heed the advice of farmers themselves as to what changes are actually needed.

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It is claimed that private cotton-textile and wheat production companies frequently delay payments or do not pay the full amount owed. In certain cases, this has led to tax fines or bankruptcy for some farmers. Although courts have sometimes ruled in favour of the farmers, authorities have not consistently enforced orders requiring companies to pay.

Farmers said land lease agreements offered no defence against arbitrary seizure by local authorities if quotas were unmet. Lawsuits challenging land loss rarely succeed. On the few occasions where courts rule for the farmer, local authorities often fail to implement the decision.

The judge does what the governor says, stated a dispossessed farmer, adding that The court cannot help in the matter of land.

Some police actions have allegedly included detaining farmers who missed quotas for several days without charge and targeting local bloggers reporting on these issues, with the courts issuing short-term custodial sentences following arrests.

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The government has acknowledged ending forced labour of cotton pickers in recent years and pointed to ongoing reforms under strategies like the 2020-2030 Agriculture Development Strategy, citing new laws meant to safeguard rights in agriculture. It largely rejected the findings presented by Human Rights Watch and Uzbek Forum.

Despite legislative changes, both groups argue that the system still prevents independent operation by farmers, making them subordinate to state interests.

One cotton farmer from Khorezm said: It is as if we have become hired workers for someone, not landowners.

Calls for change

Uzbekistan ratified key international agreements guaranteeing labour rights in 1995 and joined International Labour Convention 87 in December 2016.

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Human Rights Watch and Uzbek Forum call on Uzbek authorities to ensure compliance with these commitments, remedy abusive conditions, including abolishing quotas, and consult directly with farmers regarding future reforms.

The groups urged international partners to press Uzbekistan for an end to coercive practices within agriculture. The European Union has been asked specifically to insist upon human rights compliance as a condition of new bilateral agreements signed in 2025.

Human Rights Watch Central Asia adviser Mihra Rittmann said: Its appalling that Uzbekistans cotton and wheat farmers work in such exploitative and coercive production conditions.

Uzbekistans partners, international financial institutions, and potential investors in Uzbekistans agricultural sector should use their leverage to ensure that the Uzbek government implements reform that genuinely protects farmers and their rights.

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In March last year, Cotton Campaign, a coalition of human rights organisations, independent trade unions, brand associations, investors and academics, urged the Uzbekistan government to strengthen reforms to tackle structural problems that are perpetuating risks of forced labour in the country's cotton production.

"Uzbekistan cotton sector faces fresh abuse allegations" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




Americans traveling to and from Mexico are facing travel disruptions and uncertainty after the Mexican army announced Sunday it had killed a top leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho."

Several other highranking cartel members were also killed, according to officials.

The operation, captured in video obtained by ABC News, triggered waves of cartel retaliation across the country.

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Tourist destinations saw vehicles and buildings set on fire, and travelers at the Guadalajara airport were recorded scrambling for safety.

At Fresno Yosemite International Airport on Monday night, passengers arriving from Guadalajara described the ripple effects of the unrest.

"We were told that if we got on the flight from Guadalajara, from Cancun, Guadalajara, that it would be four days, be Thursday before we could get a flight back out," said passenger Scot Rodner.

Rodner said he and his family returned home from Cancun a day later than planned after their original flight through Guadalajara was canceled.

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While they made it back to Fresno, their checked luggage did not.

"I just want my wife's medication, my medication, the things that we need to live our life off," Rodner said. "Even if we don't get it back, tell us we're not getting back. Tell us so we can figure out what the heck's going on."

As inbound passengers recounted their delays, outbound travelers prepared to head directly into the region experiencing unrest.

Among them was a family traveling to the Jalisco capital.

"I'm worried about what happened in Guadalajara," said Alfredo, who had just said goodbye to his son, daughterinlaw and two grandsons. "I have family there, and I hope everything is okay now."

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Alfredo said his relatives planned to stay in Jalisco for 10 days.

"The flights are starting to take off again, but yesterday (Sunday), there was a shootout. I hope everything is better now," he said.

Only one flight was delayed Monday, and no cancellations were reported.

Still, U.S. officials continue to urge Americans in the Mexican state of Jalisco to shelter in place as conditions stabilize.
"Changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli state land, accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further Israeli administration," said the statement.

The foreign ministers of Brazil, France, Spain, Turkey, and various other states condemned Israeli decisions that they said introduce sweeping extensions to unlawful Israeli control over the West Bank.

"Changes are wide-ranging, reclassifying Palestinian land as so-called Israeli state land, accelerating illegal settlement activity, and further entrenching Israeli administration," said the joint statement, issued late on Monday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

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Other countries that signed the statement included Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, as well as the heads of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Israel's cabinet on February 15 approved further measures to tighten Israel's control over the West Bank and make it easier for settlers to buy land, a move Palestinians called a "de facto annexation."

The West Bank is among the territories that Palestinians seek for an independent future state. Much of it is under Israeli military control, with limited Palestinian self-rule in some areas run by the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

An Israeli flag flutters, as part of the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim is visible in the background, in the West Bank, August 14, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)

Joint statement says decisions to annex WB violate international law

The joint statement said the settlements and decisions designed to further them are "a flagrant violation of international law" and a step towards "unacceptable de facto annexation."

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It said they also undermine the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the region and threaten any meaningful prospect of regional integration.

The West Bank annexation theme has been widely discussed worldwide, sparking diverse opinions on how Israel should address the matter.

Last week, the UN convened for a discussion to deal with the Israeli government's decisions to promote the further entrenchment of control in the West Bank.

The session was initiated by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. The foreign ministers of Britain, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain are expected to participate.

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Israel was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who is expected to meet with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Walz prior to the session.

"Gaza must not get stuck in a no-man's-land between peace and war," Cooper stated, in reference to repeated ceasefire violations and Israeli strikes.

She also described the uptick in settler violence against West Bank Palestinians as "deeply, deeply wrong," as well as calling it counterproductive to the potential for future peace.
The Vermont State Historic Preservation Office recently recognized two organizations for their efforts in preserving the states cultural heritage.

The Townshend Historical Society and Townshend Selectboard were honored for their restoration of the West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge. Curtains Without Borders, a group dedicated to preserving historic painted theater scenery, also received an award, according to a community announcement from the state office.

We are exceptionally proud to celebrate the Town of Townshend and Curtains Without Borders for their dedication to preserving our cultural heritage, said Laura Trieschmann, the state historic preservation officer. Their impactful work, preserving historic landmarks, educating the public and sparking passion for our history through preservation, warrants recognition and provides a model for inspiration.

The West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge in 2016.

The Townshend Historical Society and Selectboard completed a five-month restoration of the 114-year-old West Townshend Stone Arch Bridge, according to the announcement. The bridge had suffered structural damage from heavy traffic and erosion.

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Brian Post of Standing Stone led a team of 20 professional masons in rebuilding the 37-foot dry stone span, originally crafted in 1910 by self-taught mason James Otis Follett. The restoration process was documented via an on-site webcam to showcase the specialized masonry techniques.

The $800,000 project was funded by local voters, individual donors and grants from the National Park Service's Save Americas Treasures program, the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Trust of Vermont.

Curtains Without Borders has been documenting and preserving historic painted stage scenery since 1996. Under the leadership of director Chris Hadsel and conservator MJ Davis, the project has identified 190 pieces of painted theater scenery created between 1890 and 1940. By 2018, the team had cleaned and stabilized every curtain in Vermont, most of which are now displayed in their original community venues.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.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.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont honors Townshend historic stone bridge restoration with award
VERMONT (ABC22/FOX44)  For experienced workers in the trades looking for opportunity  or anyone wanting to get into a new career  the Vermont Department of Labor is hosting a job fair in eight locations across the state on Wednesday.

There are thousands of open jobs in the trades that offer great pay with great companies and the chance to learn a skill that can last a lifetime, writes Governor Phil Scott.

USPS to consolidate mail delivery and collection

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The event is happening from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. in the following locations:

Barre: McFarland State Office Building, 5 Perry St.

Bennington: Bennington Job Center, 200 Veterans Memorial Dr.

Brattleboro: Brattleboro Job Center, 28 Vernon St.

Newport: Hebard State Office Building, 100 Main St.

Rutland: Rutland Job Center, 88 Merchants Row

St. Albans: St. Albans Job Center, 27 Federal St.

St. Johnsbury: St. Johnsbury Job Center, 1197 Main St.

Winooski: Vermont Construction Academy, 276 East Allen St.

Sign-up for the event at any of the locations is available at the link here.

The department also announced on Friday the launch of a website to help find construction and related jobs: https://tradesjobs.vermont.gov/.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 15,600 people are employed in construction across Vermont as of last December.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Locals and tourists in the Puerto Vallarta area are still on alert despite other areas of Mexico returning to normal following a wave of retaliatory violence after government forces killed a powerful cartel leader over the weekend.

Authorities announced Sunday, Feb. 22, that the Mexican military killed Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as "El Mencho."

The death triggered "27 cowardly attacks against authorities in Jalisco," Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch told reporters on Monday. He said that 30 cartel operatives were killed, as well as one bystander and at least 70 people were arrested in seven states.

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Heres what to know.

After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Smoke billows from burning vehicles amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. A man extinguishes a burning truck set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican Army personnel stand guard as passengers leave Guadalajara International Airport in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican National Guard special forces patrol around the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) headquarters in Mexico City on Feb. 22, 2026. This aerial view shows burned cars and trucks, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. A man riding a bicycle takes a photo of a burned truck, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblocks following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime, following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. The burned wreckage of a truck, used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Tyre puncture spikes lie on a street after being used by members of organized crime. following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Soldiers check motorcycle drivers after organized crime burned vehicles to block roads following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Photos show Mexico unrest after cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed 1 of 19 After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

Where are there shelter-in-place advisories?

The U.S. State Department on Monday, Feb. 23, urged U.S. citizens to shelter in places if they were in Jalisco State, where Puerto Vallarta, a popular beach town, is located, and Nayarit, which is near Puerto Vallarta.

Multiple airlines are now operating from Guadalajara and from Puerto Vallarta as of Monday, Feb. 23, according to the State Department. Several airlines, including Air Canada, United Airlines and Aeromexico, had canceled flights to the area due to the violence.

The State Department on Feb. 23 said it fielded hundreds of calls" from travelers in Mexico with "most pertaining to flight cancellations." The call center is operating 24/7, the State Department said.

People line up to find out about their flight status due to cancellations a day after a series of blockades and attacks by organized crime following a military operation in which cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera, "El Mencho," was killed, at Guadalajara International Airport, in Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico, February 23, 2026.

How was El Mencho caught?

Mexican Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla Trejo told reporters that a close associate of El Mencho, who was known to the Mexican military, on Feb. 20 delivered one of the kingpin Oseguera Cervantes's romantic partners to a property in the pine-studded vacation spot of Tapalpa in Jalisco state. Authorities tracked their movements.

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The paramour met with her secretive boyfriend, stayed overnight and left the property on Feb. 21. Oseguera Cervantes stayed behind with his personal security detail.

Ground troops moved in Feb. 22, under the cover of darkness. The intention, Trevilla Trejo said, was to "detain" El Mencho. From intelligence, the defense minister said the military knew the kingpin's security detail was heavily armed  outfitted with long arms and rocket launchers  and troops planned for a siege.

Oseguera Cervantes and at least two bodyguards fled toward cabins in the pine woods outside of Tapalpa, Trevilla Trejo said. Special forces found him hidden in the brush and four men were fatally wounded in the firefight: El Mencho, two bodyguards and a Mexican military officer.

Who was 'El Mencho'?

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, commonly known as "El Mencho," rose through the ranks and launched a deadly coup to become the leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).

Who is "El Mencho" and how he rose from cartel assassin to leading the Jalisco New Generation Cartel with global reach and violent influence.

The criminal enterprise rapidly grew into a continent-spanning empire that rivaled its former allies in the Sinaloa Cartel, run by kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving life in prison.

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He was born Ruben Oseguera Cervantes on July 17, 1966, in the small farming city of Aguililla in the western state of Michoacan, according to The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. He later adopted the name Nemesio, some say to honor his godfather. It was shortened to "El Mencho" and has no other known meaning.

Contributing: Lauren Villagran, Francesca Chambers, Greta Cross and N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY; Beth Warren, USA TODAY Network

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Violence erupted in Mexico after cartel leader killed. What to know.
RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY)  A Virginia mom is advocating for proposed state legislation that would strengthen drivers license requirements for people between the ages of 18 and 21.

Its a personal mission for Tammy Guido McGee.

Her 16-year-old son Conner was killed in a crash in Yorktown in 2019. The driver was an underage and unlicensed teenager.

Thats why were here today, is to make sure that this doesnt happen to another family, McGee said.

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Shes advocated and pushed for several laws relating to teen driving safety in his honor throughout the years. Now, shes hoping House Bill 1224 will be next on that list.

It would require those getting their license for the first time between the ages of 18 and 21 to have 90 days of supervised practice and the completion of a state approved drivers education course.

She said theres currently a loophole that if you wait until youre 18, you only have to do one of those two things to get a license in Virginia.

She explained that the highest crash rates belong to 18 and 19-year-olds, so this aims to fix that.

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I think whats important about this bill is recognizing that first time, drivers need time and guidance no matter their age, and thats the key here is no matter your age, you need time education to be able to get behind the wheel of a lethal weapon and drive next to me in the Commonwealth of Virginia, McGee said.

The state of Ohio recently passed similar legislation.

10 On Your Side asked local college aged kids what they think about the possibility of more requirements to get a license.

Ultimately, when you see just the amount of accidents and lives that are lost by just reckless driving, it starts to become something that you dont want to take a risk on, and that you would also encourage other people to take more driving courses for, said 19-year-old Kaymah Johnson.

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Another student also said they support the idea.

Last year, I was actually hit, said 20-year-old Lucy Rohrer. I was in a really bad car accident, and the guy was 21 and he was reckless driving. So, I think its definitely important. Especially around this area, drivers are really bad, and most of the time theyre pretty young, so I think it is important to put stricter laws on getting your license.

McGee also hopes the bill will address unlicensed driving among teenagers.

The reality is, driving is the number one killer of our teenagers, and thats not what we want here in the Commonwealth, McGee said. And so, if you have to take a course now, then thats the right course of action, because we want you to be educated. Were not trying to make it difficult. Were not putting additional barriers out there for no reason. These barriers are there because the statistics support them, and thats exactly what this is, is making sure that before you get behind the wheel of a lethal weapon, that you are properly educated here in the Commonwealth.

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The bill has passed the House and is expected to be heard soon by the Senate Transportation Committee. McGee said she will be ready to testify on its behalf.

Were very excited to have a great relationship with Delegate Delaney here in the Commonwealth, who really saw the commonsense need for this piece of legislation. And as being chair of the Transportation Committee, I think she understood, you know, the real importance of this piece of legislation, and then we did reach out to Sen. Danny Diggs to get him to support it on the Senate side, which he did as well, McGee said.

If passed, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Millennial Potash expands Banio Potash Project in Gabon with grant of exploration permit Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Millennial Potash Corp (TSX-V:MLP, OTCQB:MLPNF, FRA:XOD) announced that it has been granted the Haute Banio exploration permit in southern Gabon, expanding the land position for its Banio Potash Project by about 20%.

The Haute Banio permit covers approximately 261.39 square kilometres and is contiguous with the companys core Mayumba exploration permit. It fills the area between Mayumba and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and extends southward to the border with the Republic of Congo. A portion of the permit includes marine coastline areas.

Farhad Abasov, Millennials chair, said the new permit strengthens the companys development plans for Banio.

We are excited to have acquired an additional exploration permit for our Banio Potash Project with strong potential to expand our current resource base, having increased our exploration permit area to almost 1,500 square kilometers, Abasov said.

The new permit area has a strategic importance to the Company's development plans as the Company now has all of the western coastline areas.

The exploration permit is valid for an initial three-year term and may be renewed for two additional three-year periods. Millennial has committed to a comprehensive exploration program including geological and geophysical studies, reinterpretation of seismic data, drilling, a resource estimate and an Environmental and Social Management Plan.

Abasov said the permit grant also reflects government backing for the project. The issuance of an additional permit demonstrates continuing solid support from the Gabonese government for Millennial Potash and an acknowledgement of the tremendous progress made on the project to date, he said.

The company plans drilling west of holes BA-001 and BA-003 in the second half of 2026 to test what it believes may be the western extension of the Mayumba mineral resource area. Results from Haute Banio are expected to be combined with data from the Mayumba permit to support an updated mineral resource estimate for the Banio Potash Project.

In addition to potential resource expansion, the Haute Banio permit includes infrastructure corridors considered important for future development, including a coastal road running roughly 40 kilometres north to the town of Mayumba and access to the ocean.

The new Haute Banio exploration permit gives us complete access to the ocean for any development needs that may arise from our ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study and to an old access road that runs from the project area to the local airport and the town of Mayumba, Abasov added.
The post The Wallace Line: How Climate Change Shaped Evolution, and What It Means Today appeared first on A-Z Animals.

Quick Take

The Wallace Line marks a sharp biological divide between Asian and Australasian species, despite islands being just miles apart.

Alfred Russel Wallace identified the boundary in 1859 after observing dramatic species differences across a narrow strait in Indonesia.

Deep ocean trenches and shifting tectonic plates helped create the divide around 35 million years ago.

Studying how past climate change shaped species migration helps scientists predict which animals may adapt, or struggle, as global warming continues.

Understanding history helps us make sense of the present and even make predictions for the future. Its not just historians who study history, but scientists as well. As climate change shifts the environment, animals must adapt to survive. By learning how they adapted in the past, scientists can make predictions for the survival of current species. This aids conservationists in determining where its most effective to focus their efforts. One significant example of how different species were affected by climate change in the past is found along the Wallace Line.

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The Wallace Line is an imaginary divide separating plant life and animal species between Australasia and Asia. It runs between the islands of Bali and Lombok in the south and between Borneo and Sulawesi in the north. While an island on one side of the divide may be home to monkeys and tigers, on an island across the line, you might spot cockatoos and marsupials. New research points to climate change millions of years ago as an explanation for why the species differ so greatly east versus west of the line.

British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace drew the Wallace Line in 1859. Gunnar Ries, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons  Original / License (Gunnar Ries, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons)

History of the Wallace Line

British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace noticed an interesting phenomenon while exploring the Indonesian Islands in 1856. As he crossed the Lombok Strait (a deep ocean trench separating the islands of Bali and Lombok), he realized the ecosystem changed abruptly. While Bali had woodpeckers and weaver birds, Lombok was home to cockatoos.

It was a surprise to find a complete divide in animal and plant species, with only a 15-mile narrow strait separating them. By 1859, Wallaces observations led him to propose the concept of the Wallace Linean invisible boundary separating the biogeographical regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. This discovery challenged the prevailing belief that plant and animal species are randomly distributed around the planet, showing instead that their distribution is closely linked to Earths geological history.

The Species That Live on Each Side of the Wallace Line

The Wallace Line marks a clear division between the animal species of Asia and those of Australasia. Rather than a gradual transition, there is a sharp separation. Here are some examples of animals found on each side.

The helmeted hornbill lives on the Asian side of the Wallace Line. Craig Ansibin/Shutterstock.com (Craig Ansibin/Shutterstock.com)

West of the Wallace Line (Asia)

The countries and islands west of the line include the western islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Animals: tigers, monkeys, orangutans, and rhinos.

Birds: woodpeckers, thrushes, and sunbirds.

East of the Wallace Line (Australasia)

Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the eastern islands of Indonesia.

Animals: marsupials, monotremes, and Komodo dragons.

Birds: cockatoos, honeyeaters, and lories.

Why Does the Wallace Line Exist? A New Theory

A 2023 study introduced a new theory to better explain the strange phenomenon of the Wallace Line. Around 35 million years ago, the continent of Australia began drifting north, away from Antarctica. Eventually, Australia crashed into the Eurasian plate. This action created the volcanic islands of the Malay archipelago. Deep ocean trenches prevented land animals from crossing the Wallace Line.

Animals that evolved in Australia were not adapted to the lush, tropical islands west of the Wallace Line. Anton Balazh/Shutterstock.com (Anton Balazh/Shutterstock.com)

Beyond the geographical changes, the convergence of plates triggered global climate change. Study lead author Alex Skeels explained in a statement:

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When Australia drifted away from Antarctica, it opened up this area of deep ocean surrounding Antarctica, which is now where the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is. This dramatically changed Earths climate as a whole; it made the climate much cooler.

Despite this global cooling, the climate on the Indonesian islands, which organisms used as a gateway to hop to Australia, remained relatively warm, wet, and tropical. So the Asian fauna were already well-adapted and comfortable with these conditions, which helped them settle in Australia.

This was not the case for the Australian species. They had evolved in a cooler and increasingly drier climate over time and were therefore less successful in gaining a foothold on the tropical islands compared to the creatures migrating from Asia.

How Does Learning About the Wallace Line Impact Us Today?

Australias animal species evolved to thrive in dry and cooler climates. If they attempted to move west into the more humid and warm islands of Asia, the climate would prevent their success. In contrast, animals that evolved in Asia were well-adapted to the tropical islands and could more easily expand their range.

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By studying how climate change affected species in the past, scientists hope to get a better understanding of the issues facing the planet today. Skeels explained, Our findings could also inform predictions for animal migration in the future and help us predict which species may be better versed at adapting to new environments, as changes to Earths climate continue to impact global biodiversity patterns.

The post The Wallace Line: How Climate Change Shaped Evolution, and What It Means Today appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Alaska Airlines canceled 16 flights to and from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Monday as cartel violence across the region has left Washington tourists sheltering in place.

The airline also ordered two flights to turn around mid-air following reports of new threats near the PVR airport. The unrest began on Sunday when a Mexican cartel wreaked havoc across the region after their leader was killed in a Mexican military operation.

Jolene Jang, a tourist from Seattle, is currently sheltering in place at a resort with her boyfriend.

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Jang described witnessing the aftermath of the violence from her location, noting that things appeared calmer on Monday compared to the weekend.

And just seeing plumes of black and white and gray smoke depending on the types of materials, Jang said. And we also saw the military helicopters go across over to one of the plumes of smoke.

The violence has left physical destruction near tourist areas, including destroyed vehicles.

Ive never been so close to a burnt-up car, and it is still a little bit smokey and barbecue and melted glass and melted metal, Jang said.

Travelers have expressed frustration regarding the lack of official updates provided to citizens abroad.

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Jang said much of the information they have received has come from informal conversations with other tourists and locals.

We only know that by talking to other people, Jang said. So I feel like that is a big mishap, said Christina Sabourin, a tourist from Lacey.

Sabourin said her immediate area felt safe on Monday despite a lingering haze. She has also been monitoring the airport for signs of departing aircraft.

Very safe, no chaos today. It is a little hazy still, Sabourin said. Ive not seen a whole lot of flights leaving.

Alaska Airlines hopes to resume flights from Puerto Vallarta back to Seattle and other West Coast hubs as early as Tuesday.

Sabourin said she and her group are hoping to still leave by Wednesday.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his first formal State of the Union address of his second term on Feb. 24, at 9 p.m.

The event will take place in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., before a joint session of Congress.

Trump is expected to deliver a high-stakes speech focused on his "America First" agenda, highlighting actions taken in his first year back in office.

President Donald Trump is pictured answering questions from reporters at the White House.

The speech is taking place amid significant political tension, with some Democrats planning to boycott the address.

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Twelve lawmakers have already said they plan to skip the State of the Union and instead hold a rally at the National Mall, which they've dubbed the "People's State of the Union," USA TODAY reported.

The list of Democrats includes five senators and seven members of the House of Representatives.

Which lawmakers will be skipping the address?

Sen. Chris Murphy, the potential 2028 presidential contender, said in a statement that Trump has repeatedly made a "mockery" of such speeches, "taking a moment that is meant to bring the country together and turning it into a campaign rally to spew hatred and division."

"These arent normal times, and showing up for this speech puts a veneer of legitimacy on the corruption and lawlessness that have defined his second term," Murphy said.

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Among the boycotters are Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, whose state has been plagued by immigration raids and the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, as well as Rep. Veronica Escobar, whose El Paso district was recently subjected to a sudden airspace freeze, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The other senators not attending the speech are Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.

The other members of the House not attending are Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, Becca Balint of Vermont, Greg Casar of Texas, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Delia Ramirez of Illinois and Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey.

Who is giving the Democratic response to Trump's State of the Union?

Democrats will respond to President Donald Trumps State of the Union address on Feb. 24 with a rebuttal delivered by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, which traditionally follows the presidents speech.

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Spanberger, the first woman elected governor of Virginia, won her November 2025 election by more than 15 points. Democratic leaders say she was chosen to outline the partys priorities and contrast them with Trumps agenda.

In a joint statement, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both from New York, said Spanberger understands that Americans want lower costs, safer communities, and a stronger democracy  not chaos and corruption.

What is the State of the Union Address?

The State of the Union address is a speech given by the president that outlines the "current condition" of the country and what lawmakers should prioritize in the upcoming legislative year, according to Congress .

Typically, it occurs between early January and early February.

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Here's what to know about the upcoming State of the Union speech, including how to watch it in South Carolina.

Republicans face an uphill battle as Trump's approval slips

Republicans are up against President Trump's sagging approval ratings and poor economic attitudes ahead of the midterm elections, according to USA TODAY.

Typically, the midterms offer voters an opportunity to weigh in on how the president is doing.

A president's party usually loses ground if the president is unpopular.

Then-Florida State House Rep. Randy Fine looks on while President Donald Trump speaks to his supporters during the Florida Freedom Summit held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, U.S., November 4, 2023.

However, as political polarization has increased, it has become harder to find contested districts up for grabs.

Many know states as red or blue , but Democrats have recently overperformed in red-leaning states like Texas, Louisiana, and Florida in special and local elections.

South Carolina remains pro-Trump

Trump has a net positive approval rating in 22 states, according to a Morning Consult study that gathers polls over three months to analyze state-level data among registered voters.

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In South Carolina, Trump's approval rating stood at 55% in 2025, according to the World Population Review.

Trumps approval ratings

Here is a closer look at Trump's approval rating in states where Democrats have recently overperformed in the recent elections.

Donald Trump (2017) Approval rating: 43%* Major successes: Neil Gorsuch confirmed for Supreme Court; some Obama-era regulations repealed Major setbacks: Proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act withdrawn from House; immigration orders blocked by federal courts; national security adviser Michael Flynn forced to resign. Of note: FBI confirmed investigation into whether Trump associates colluded with Russian meddling in election, but ultimately found Trump associates didn't collude with Russia.

Texas - 49% approved, 47% disapprove

Louisiana - 54% approve, 42% disapprove (9th best).

Florida - 49% approve, 47% disapprove

Tennessee - 56% approve, 41% disapprove (5th best).

USA Today reported that Trump received his highest approval rating in Wyoming, where 64% of voters approve, and his lowest in Vermont, where 66% disapprove.

What is Donald Trump's national approval rating?

Averages calculated by the New York Times and RealClearPolitics aggregators show Trump's approval rating has been net negative since the spring of his first year back in office, according to USA Today.

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From April to November, it remained relatively stable, then dropped suddenly, rebounded slightly in December, and dropped again in the new year.

RealClearPolitics graphics show 43% approve of Trump's job performance and 55.2% disapprove as of Feb. 22. The lowest term approval rating was 42% on Feb. 17, and it was also his worst net approval rating at -13.5 percentage points.

The New York Times aggregator shows 40% approve of Trump's job performance as of Feb. 23. It is the lowest approval rating for Trump per the Times, which he first reached on Feb 12. His disapproval is also at 56%, the highest this term, a level he first reached on Nov. 19.

How can I watch the State of the Union address in South Carolina?

Major U.S. news networks will show the State of the Union live, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and Fox News. C-SPAN will provide live, uninterrupted coverage on its channel, C-SPAN.org, and the C-SPAN Now app.

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If you don't have cable, you can watch Trump for free. USA TODAY will live-stream coverage, both on its YouTube Channel and website.

South Carolina ETV (SCETV) and South Carolina Public Radio will broadcast and stream the speech live.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Fernando Cervantes Jr. with USA Today contributed to this article.

Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: President Donald Trump's State of the Union  when, how to watch in SC
Political tension is intensifying in Jacksonville as Mayor Donna Deegan and former Mayor Lenny Curry publicly clash over controversy surrounding the city-owned utility, JEA.

The dispute follows a turbulent week that included explosive allegations, a controversial text message from City Council leadership, and renewed scrutiny over lobbying contracts tied to Curry and his former chief of staff.

Deegan alleges Vile Smear Campaign

Speaking Friday, Deegan suggested Curry and his former chief of staff, Jordan Elsbury, were orchestrating what she described as a vile smear campaign against JEA CEO Vickie Cavey.

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The mayor said Cavey had been targeted with accusations of racism and fostering a toxic workplace culture - allegations raised by City Council President Kevin Carrico after JEA declined to renew a 5-year $750,000 local and federal lobbying contract with Ballard Partners.

Ballard Partners counts Curry as a partner and Elsbury as a managing partner.

Curry denies involvement

Curry firmly rejected the mayors claims, telling Action News Jax Ben Becker he and Elsbury had nothing to do with any effort to undermine Cavey and took a shot at the mayor.

Ive watched this weird behavior [Deegan] for three years and it continues to be weird and strange, Curry said.

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He also stated he has never met Cavey.

I dont know who Vickie Cavey is, never met her. If she walked into this room now, I wouldnt recognize her, he said.

Curry pointed to a moment during Deegans news conference when Cavey appeared hesitant after being asked whether she had felt pressured not to terminate Ballards contract.

When Deegan encouraged Cavey to elaborate, the CEO responded, I wouldnt call it a pressure campaign.

I could never imagine calling someone to a live press conference and saying something that happened and that person looking over at me and saying, Mayor, that didnt happen, Curry said.

Lobbying registration revives privatization debate

The latest controversy comes months after Curry registered to lobby on behalf of JEA, reigniting criticism over his past role in the failed attempt to privatize the utility.

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During his tenure as mayor, Curry appointed Aaron Zahn to the JEA board and supported Zahns rapid ascent to CEO. Zahn was later convicted in 2024 of conspiracy and wire fraud related to the failed privatization effort. Curry was never charged with a crime.

I dont refute that I was always transparent about my interest in the value of that private asset, Curry said.

Owed a big favor to a friend

The flare-up began last week after Becker obtained a text message sent by Carrico stating he wanted to replace a sitting JEA board member because he owed a big favor to a friend.

Carrico was seeking to appoint his boss, Paul Martinez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, to the JEA board. Martinez eventually dropped out.

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Curry said he is not involved in the board maneuvering.

Look, man, Im busy. JEAs not on my radar except when my giant utility bill comes in every month, Curry said.

Whats next

JEAs board is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, where Caveys future as CEO is expected to be a central topic. Several City Council members plan to attend.

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I was extremely fortunate to be in the very first class of West Virginia Promise Scholars in 2002. At the time, the scholarship paid for students full tuition at in-state public colleges and universities.

Because of the Promise Scholarship, I never had any student loans, and Im so thankful for that. My friends who graduated the year before me werent so lucky.

The West Virginia Legislature passed the bill creating the Promise Scholarship in 1999, and it was signed into law by former Gov. Cecil H. Underwood. In 2001, the scholarship was funded with money from the West Virginia lottery, video lottery and taxes on amusement devices.

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The Legislature created the scholarship because so few West Virginians were attending college at the time. According to the bill, only 14% of people over the age of 25 had a bachelors degree or higher. The point of the bill was in its name  an acronym for Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-state Student Excellence. Lawmakers knew that increasing a persons level of education increases their income and enhances their quality of life.

More West Virginians have a college degree now  on average 24.4% of our neighbors had at least a bachelors degree in 2024. But thats still not close to the national average of 34.9%, and that might be because the Promise Scholarship has fallen on hard times. About one-third of high school students dont know anything about it, according to the 2024-2025 High School Student Opinion Survey from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Anyone who received the scholarship before Jan. 1, 2010, like I did, had their full tuition covered for in-state colleges and universities. Starting in 2010, recipients were given up to $4,750 annually to cover tuition and mandatory fees, which was still pretty good considering that in 2010 in-state tuition for Marshall University was $5,285 and West Virginia Universitys was $5,406.

But as tuition has gone up  WVUs current in-state tuition is $10,752 per year and Marshalls is $9,388  the Promise Scholarship has not kept up. It now awards just $5,500 per school year.

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Lawmakers introduced a bill during the 2022 legislative session that would create the Promise Plus program  a second scholarship that would pay the remainder of a students tuition if they met higher requirements set by the Higher Education Policy Commission. The bill died in the Senate Finance Committee.

The bill was introduced again in 2023 and 2024, but died both times. The bill was not introduced in 2025 or so far in the current session.

Meanwhile, the Hope Scholarship, which pays for private school tuition and home schooling supplies for K-12 students, has been getting more and more state money with fewer and fewer restrictions. In the 2022-2023 school year, students received $4,600. For the current school year they get $5,267.38. Next school year, it goes up again  to $5,435.62  and will be open to all students in West Virginia. The total cost for next year is estimated at $230 million  an increase of about $127 million from the current fiscal year.

In contrast, the Promise Scholarship was appropriated $47.5 million for fiscal year 2026, according to a financial aid director at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission  not quite $1 million more than what it cost for the 2024-2025 school year.

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I will note that a Republican-backed bill in the House Finance Committee is attempting to rein in the Hope costs. It would limit the voucher amount to a fixed $5,250, and the money could only be used at in-state schools. For the first school year of the program, more than $300,000 was spent at out-of-state schools.

Lawmakers have said that both the Promise and Hope scholarships are meant to help those who otherwise wouldnt be able to afford other options  like attending college or a private school. If the money that goes to the Hope Scholarship was spent to improve our public schools, students wouldnt need to attend private schools.

And lets not forget that about 32% of Promise scholars come from families with an adjusted gross income of less than $60,000, while 90% of Hope Scholarship vouchers have gone to students who would have done alternative education without Hope.

Private and religious school tuition is higher than college tuition. A friend of mine was excited when their last child was graduating high school because he said WVUs tuition was cheaper than Charleston Catholic High Schools tuition  $ 11,782 at Catholic vs. $10,752 at WVU.

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Lawmakers are moving in the right direction to make sure the Hope Scholarship isnt abused.

But its hard to understand how they can build up Hope and then renege on the Promise of a higher education.

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Many American tourists visiting Mexico are stuck in the country after the killing of a drug cartel leader over the weekend.

Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was killed in Tapalpa, Jalisco, Mexico on Sunday, Feb. 22, as part of a Mexican military operation. Oseguera was seriously injured in the shootout and died during air transfer to Mexico City. Six other cartel members were killed and two were arrested, Mexico's Ministry of National Defense announced. Three military members were also injured during the operation.

The operation set off a wave of civil unrest, with vehicles being torched and gunmen, believed to be supported of Oseguera, blocking highways in a more than a dozen states.

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As updates continue to unfold, here's what we know about what happened over the weekend and the current state of travel in Mexico.

After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Smoke billows from burning vehicles amid a wave of violence, with torched vehicles and gunmen blocking highways in more than half a dozen states, following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. A man extinguishes a burning truck set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican Army personnel stand guard as passengers leave Guadalajara International Airport in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco State, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Mexican National Guard special forces patrol around the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) headquarters in Mexico City on Feb. 22, 2026. This aerial view shows burned cars and trucks, allegedly set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. A man riding a bicycle takes a photo of a burned truck, allegedly set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Acatlan de Juarez, Jalisco state, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, stands in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A burned vehicle used as barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblocks following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Police officers and civilians walk near the burned wreckage of a vehicle used as a barricade by members of organized crime, following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. The burned wreckage of a truck, used as a barricade by members of organized crime following a series of detentions by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Tyre puncture spikes lie on a street after being used by members of organized crime. following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Firefighters work to extinguish flames from a vehicle used by organized crime members as roadblock following a series of detentions by federal forces, in Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Soldiers check motorcycle drivers after organized crime burned vehicles to block roads following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. A bus used as a roadblock by organized crime burns following a federal operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026. Photos show Mexico unrest after cartel leader 'El Mencho' killed 1 of 19 After Mexican officials announced a powerful Mexican cartel leader was killed during a military operation on Sunday, several regions of the country are grappling with ongoing security risks and unrest.

Police officers secure the area where vehicles were set on fire by organized crime members to block a road following a military operation in which a government source said Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as "El Mencho," was killed, in Zapopan, Mexico, Feb. 22, 2026.

Live updates: Tourists, locals take cover amid Mexico cartel chaos

Who was El Mencho?

Oseguera, nicknamed El Mencho, was the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, an international criminal enterprise. Also referred to by its Spanish initials, CJNG, the cartel dominates much of Guadalajara and controls the outskirts of Jalisco, as well as other states such as Colima and Michoacan. The organization has rivaled the Sinaloa Cartel, run by kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving life in prison.

Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," appears in a wanted poster on the State Department website with a $15 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.

What travel advisories are in place for tourists in Mexico?

On Feb. 22, the U.S. State Department issued a shelter-in-place advisory for Americans in Mexico, urging them to seek shelter and minimize unnecessary travel, avoid areas with a large law enforcement presence, monitor local news for updates and follow the directions of local authorities.

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As of Feb. 23, the advisory covers the states of Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara), Baja California (Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada), Nayarit (Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta), and parts of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz and Zacatecas states.

The State Department announced on Feb. 23 that the situation has returned to normal in the states of Quintana Roo (Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum), Sinaloa (Mazatlan) and Tamaulipas, which had previously been under the shelter-in-place advisory.

Americans seeking help from a U.S. embassy or consulate can call 1-888-407-4747 in the US and Canada or +1 202-501-4444 from abroad.

Are airports closed in Mexico?

Airports are open in Mexico, though travel has been impacted, specifically at the airports in Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta, according to the State Department. On Feb. 22, Air Canada temporarily suspended operations in Puerto Vallarta, Reuters reported. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines also reported diverted or canceled flights over the weekend. On Monday, Feb. 23, Delta Air Lines said it flights may be impacted.

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On the morning of Monday, Feb. 23, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said flights will resume between Monday and Tuesday.

(This story has been updated to add new information.)

Contributing: Reuters, Alyssa Goldberg, Will Carless, Francesca Chambers, Kathryn Palmer, James Powel, Beth Warren, USA TODAY

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's happening in Mexico? What to know after cartel leader killed
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made her statements during the buildup to Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

US President Donald Trump's first option with Tehran is always diplomacy but he is willing to use lethal force if necessary, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday as his top diplomat prepares to brief top congressional leaders on Iran later in the day.

"President Trump's first option is always diplomacy. But as he has shown ... he is willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary," Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House. "The president is always the final decision maker around here."

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to brief top congressional leaders known as the Gang of Eight at the White House later on Tuesday, according to the US State Department. Rubio is expected to brief the lawmakers on Iran, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The United States has deployed a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic. Trump, on February 19, said he was giving Tehran about 10 to 15 days to make a deal.

Trump could address his threatened strikes against Iran over its nuclear program in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night.

Security fencing surrounds the US Capitol ahead of the State of the Union address, in Washington, February 22, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden)

State of the Union could be Trump's best chance to sell voters on Iran plans

Tuesday's State of the Union address provides Trump with a nationally televised opportunity to persuade skeptical American voters to rally behind his threatened strikes against Iran over its nuclear program.

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Advisers have urged Trump to focus on the economy, immigration, and other domestic policy issues when he takes the US House of Representatives podium for the speech at 9 p.m. That has not been his focus to date.

Instead, the run-up to the event has been overshadowed by a huge buildup of US military forces in the Middle East and preparations for a conflict with Iran that could last for weeks if Tehran does not reach a deal to solve a longstanding dispute over its nuclear program.

On Monday, Trump dismissed talk that some members of his administration have doubts about going to war with Iran.

"I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don't make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people," Trump said in a social media post.

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Trump rose to the top of US politics with the passionate support of a political base that embraces his "America First" policies and his vow to end an era of "forever wars" like the long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Trump's fellow Republicans also took control of both the House of Representatives and Senate as his "Make America Great Again" message resonated with many Americans, but opinion polls show the party will struggle to keep control of Congress.

Iran conflict risks go beyond political sphere

The risks from an Iran conflict are not merely political.

Trump and his aides have touted his successful capture last month of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, but Iran, a nation of 93 million people with a large supply of missiles, is a more formidable foe.

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Trump asserted in July that US strikes on Iran the previous month had been so successful that they "obliterated" the country's nuclear facilities, saying, "It would take years to bring them back into service."

However, as US ships and other military equipment amassed near Iran, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, who leads nuclear negotiations on the US side, said on Sunday on Fox News that Iran was "probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material."

Trump's audience on Tuesday includes Democrats in Congress who criticized him for scrapping a 2015 agreement that limited Iran's nuclear program in return for sanctions relief only to later threaten military action while seeking a new pact.

Trump is bumbling his way toward war with Iran in a feeble attempt to accomplish what had already been done by a diplomatic deal that was effectively curbing Irans nuclear program, until Trump tore it up, over the objections of his then-Secretaries of Defense and State, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said in a statement.
In 2026, the Catholic or Western Easter will be celebrated on April 5. The Orthodox Easter, however, falls a week later on April 12.

This is because Catholics primarily use the Gregorian calendar, while most Orthodox churches still use the Julian calendar for Easter calculations.

Some years, the dates coincide - like in 2025 when the churches celebrated Jesus resurrection on the same day, April 20.

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The rare alignment of the churches sparked hopes for a permanently unified date, even drawing support, at the time, from the late Pope Francis.

However, the churches have been divided on the way to determine the date of Easter for more than 400 years.

And beneath the surface of hopes for a shared celebration lay lingering tensions and mistrust between the two major Christian communions.

Calendars and calculations differ

The movable date for Easter follows a seemingly straightforward rule: the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But the two churches started using different calendars after Pope Gregory XIIIs adaptation in 1582, when the Western church adopted the Gregorian calendar while the Eastern Orthodox Church kept the older Julian one.

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Moreover, each church uses its own ecclesiastical calculations for lunar cycles and the equinox, which dont neatly match scientific projections.

The result is that Easter dates can be as much as five weeks apart. They can coincide in back-to-back years, or a decade can pass without it happening.

Pope Francis wish

In early 2025, Pope Francis referred to the years Easter celebration while invoking the 1,700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, when Christian leaders gathered to settle foundational disputes about the faith.

"Once again, I renew my appeal: Let this coincidence serve as a sign  a call to all Christians to take a decisive step toward unity around a common date for Easter, Francis said while leading prayers at the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome.

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

Francis invitation wasnt new.

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Returning from a trip to Turkey in 2014, he told reporters on the plane that a unified date would be logical.

It is a bit ridiculous, he said, then staged a pretend conversation: Tell me, your Christ, when is he resurrected? Next week? Mine was resurrected last week.

He found an ally in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a fellow octogenarian and spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians.

Before his death Francis said the two speak to one another like brothers and Bartholomew called Francis our elder brother.

He also described the Easter initiative as a real step toward repairing old conflicts.

Only winners, no losers?

The idea of a common Easter has been discussed since the 1960s, with interest often peaking when celebrations coincide. The key obstacle has always been the implication that one side would need to concede.

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Protestants, who follow the same calendar as Catholics, have also been in on the discussions.

The Geneva-based World Council of Churches  a fellowship of Orthodox and Protestant bodies  has proposed a compromise. It suggests using modern astronomy, basing the calculation on Jerusalem time and following the same basic rule set centuries ago.

It has never been more important than now, because we live in a polarised world and people all over the world yearn for more unity, Lutheran Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, a senior WCC official, said from his home outside Berlin. All other questions  on calendar, on time, on the moon and the stars and everything  its not primary; its secondary."

Strings attached

While the late popes wishes may carry powerful influence through the Vaticans highly centralised authority, Bartholomews role is largely symbolic over the self-governed national and local churches.

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And discussions between Russia, the Orthodox worlds most populous country, and churches of other Orthodox-majority countries remain stalled due to the war and church divisions in Ukraine.

Further complicating prospects for consensus is a history characterised by centuries of mistrust, largely driven by wariness in the East about the Vaticans supremacy.

The Epitaph Procession at the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite in Athens on Good Friday (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Last year, at a Holy Week service in Athens, Father Anastasios welcomed parishioners into the Church of Saint Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, a restored stone chapel near the Acropolis.

He said he supports forging bonds with Christianity's other branches  but with caution.

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We can try to build bridges, but we cannot distort our faith or the traditions of our ancestors, or the dogmas Christ himself handed down," he said.

"There are deeply rooted differences. From my view and that of many people here, the unity sought in the past by the Roman Catholic Church often wasnt sincere; it came with strings attached, was more about dominance than genuine reconciliation.

Great harmony

As dialogue between the churches slowly unfolds, common Easter celebrations are already a practical reality in a few places. The Orthodox Church in Finland switched dates in the 1920s to align celebrations with the Lutheran majority. And Catholics in Greece  while making no official change to their calendar  have celebrated with the rest of the country since 1970.

Joseph Roussos, a member of a Catholic community on the Greek island of Syros, took his first trip to the Vatican last month.

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At age 67, he remembers when Easters in Greece were separate: when schools and shopkeepers on the island closed for different holidays, and the church bells tolled mournfully during two distinct Holy Weeks.

It wasnt a good situation. But when we did celebrate Easter together, there was great harmony, he said.

We live very well (today), and its truly beautiful. I hope it stays that way.
Sir Keir Starmer has so far refused to allow US aircraft to deploy to the British-owned base in the Chagos Islands, Diego Garcia, before a potential attack on Iran.

The Prime Minister spoke with Donald Trump last week, apparently conveying the message that the UK could not join any assault without a deeper understanding of its goals and the legal justification.

The US presidents extraordinary military build-up in the Middle East, which comprises the largest amount of airpower since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has therefore yet to reach the Chagos islands.

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According to the Times, the UK has not granted permission for US aircraft to bomb Iran from either Diego Garcia or RAF Fairford, both of which would provide important  though not essential  basing from which to increase the sortie rate.

1906 How far Chagos military base is from Iran

In response, Boris Johnson accused Sir Keir of siding with the mullahs and allowing Iran to build a nuclear bomb.

The former Conservative prime minister wrote in the Daily Mail that he believed the main reason for this was that he is intellectually dominated by his frenziedly woke and anti-colonial Attorney General Richard Hermer, who has told him that the UK cannot be party to an attack on Iran unless that country poses an imminent threat.

In 2003, the UK joined the US in the war against Saddam Hussein based on false intelligence claiming the Iraqi dictator possessed weapons of mass destruction that met that standard.

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That alliance was, in part, the result of US president George Bushs careful courtship of Sir Tony Blair.

In the run-up to the first strikes on Baghdad, Mr Bush travelled the US to make the case that Iraq could strike the country on any given day with chemical or biological weapons. He gained the support of Congress, while Sir Tony secured parliamentary approval despite more than one million people joining an anti-war march.

A British soldier in Baghdad in 2003 - MOD/Getty Images

The UN Security Council issued an ultimatum to Iraq but did not explicitly endorse the use of military force, with the US proceeding nevertheless alongside a so-called coalition of the willing.

Sir Tony had persuaded his American counterpart to seek UN approval, but agreed to go ahead without a second resolution backing the invasion.

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By contrast, Mr Trump has neither sought the approval of Congress, explained his reasoning in public speeches or, according to the New York Times, briefed many of Americas closest allies in Nato.

Leaks to the press suggest the US president is engaged in one of the more forceful displays of gunboat diplomacy in modern history, pressuring Iran to agree to a nuclear deal with the threat of overwhelming force.

But analysts warn that failure to achieve the presidents goals  if Tehran refuses to submit to his terms  could easily lead to a lengthy war with no clear strategic goal.

We can all argue about whether [Blair and Bush] got it right or wrong, but they had a grown-up conversation. They had a relationship. They talked it through, said Greg Bagwell, a former RAF commander. Whereas were just now being told to accept it no matter what.

Tony Blair and George Bush had discussions before the US attacked Iraq in 2003

The legal basis for this hasnt been discussed with anyone, he added. When America struck Iran last time in Operation Midnight Hammer, they argued it was article 51 [of the UN Charter], which allows for pre-emptive strikes in the face of an imminent, immediate threat, against a nearly-armed nuclear power.

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The US may not even bother to lay out its legal case ahead of this round of strikes, Mr Bagwell said, adding to the anxiety of allies who will be considered party to the conflict if they allow the US to strike Iran from their territory.

States that join illegal military action face international legal claims, Chilcot-style domestic inquiries and potential diplomatic blowback, including over the use of foreign bases.

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrives at Souda Bay in Crete on Monday - Stelios Misinas

Mr Trump may yet try to persuade Sir Keir to open up RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia, which would cut in half the journey B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers must take to strike Iran directly from the US mainland, as in Midnight Hammer. Permission can be granted quickly.

But Americas increasing antagonism to Europe and unpredictable, aggressive foreign policy may make a UK government already inclined to be legalistic and cautious even more so, said Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, a Londonbased think tank.

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Iran 2026 isnt Iraq 2003 or Libya 2011, the former long-time civil servant in the Ministry of Defence wrote on X. But it has echoes of both, and there are huge uncertainties that are presumably not being addressed. If the Government is going to support military action it has a responsibility to test and reduce those uncertainties, not just roll over.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN)  Local officials in Wilson County have confirmed where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is looking to establish an immigration detention facility in Tennessee.

The site, located on Cedar Creek Lane, is an industrial park about 2 miles away from Wilson Central High School, according to Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto. With a potential holding capacity of 14,000 to 16,000 detainees, it would be the largest immigration detention facility of its kind, Hutto said.

According to a site for the property, the facility contains one 863,573-square-foot building and a second, larger building (1,151,585 square feet), as well as immediate access to I-840. It is also 4 minutes away from I-40, per the website.

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ICE mega center under consideration for Lebanon, county mayor says

Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell previously told News 2 in a statement ICE was interested in a Highway 109 property, though the agency was in the due diligence phase of a feasibility study and had not contacted anyone with the City of Lebanon Utilities or Engineering Departments.

The news comes after ICE officials initially confirmed to News 2 the agency had already purchased a space in Lebanon for a potential detention facility, surprising local, state, and federal lawmakers for Tennessee.

Through a spokesperson, ICE previously told News 2 it had purchased a space in Lebanon, touting a potential $829.5 million benefit to GDP, more than 7,000 jobs, and more than $167.8 million in tax revenue.

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Surprise ICE facility: Lebanon joins cities across the U.S. left in the dark about agency plans

Tennessee State Sen. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) posted a video to social media saying he could find no credible confirmation that ICE was planning a facility in Wilson County, suggesting the agency meant Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and casting doubt on the reports, which surfaced over a holiday weekend.

However, the next day ICE reversed course, walking back the confirmation and saying it was sent out without proper approval.

In a statement to News 2 Monday, Feb. 23, an ICE spokesperson told News 2 they had no announcements at this time.

We have no new detention centers in Tennessee to announce at this time. These will be very well structured detention facilities meeting our regular detention standards. Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe. It should not come as news that ICE will be making arrests in states across the U.S. and is actively working to expand detention space. Secretary [Kristi] Noem has stated that she is willing to work with officials on both sides of the aisle to expand detention space to help ICE law enforcement carry out the largest deportation effort in American history. ICE is targeting criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, criminals, gang members and more. 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities. ICE Spokesperson

ICE confirms interested in Lebanon facility, sparking opposition from local leaders

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A spokesperson for Wilson County Schools told News 2 they have no comment. News 2 has reached out to the property owner for comment.

Both the Lebanon and Wilson County mayors previously told News 2 Lebanon was not the proper place for that kind of facility. State lawmakers for the area also resisted the plans, with House Majority Whip Clark Boyd (R-Lebanon) saying while he agreed and supported ICEs mission, Lebanon is not the right place for this type of facility.

Boyd said he was working with Hutto, Bell and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn to ensure this facility is not placed in our community.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH), headquartered in Long Beach, California, runs managed care plans for low-income families and individuals via Medicaid and Medicare programs. It delivers community-focused health services across various U.S. states. The company has a market capitalization of $7.78 billion.

Rising costs in the Medicaid and Medicare segments, alongside the Trump administrations changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), have led Molinas stock to decline. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has dropped 48.2%, while it is down 13% year-to-date (YTD). The stock had reached a 52-week low of $121.06 on Feb. 11 but is up 24.7% from that level, having somewhat recovered, gaining 19.2% over the past five days.

More News from Barchart

On the other hand, the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 13% over the past 52 weeks and marginally YTD, indicating that the stock has underperformed the broader market. Next, we compare the stock with its own sector. The State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV) has increased 6.5% over the past 52 weeks and 1.3% YTD. Therefore, the stock has underperformed its sector over these periods.

www.barchart.com

On Feb. 5, Molina Healthcare reported mixed fourth-quarter results for fiscal 2025. The companys total revenue increased 8.3% year-over-year (YOY) to $11.38 billion (topping analysts expectations), driven by premium revenue rising 7.3% annually to $10.72 billion.

On the other hand, Molina reported an adjusted loss per share of $2.75 (missing the analysts consensus estimate), a huge decline from the $5.05 EPS it reported a year earlier. Actually, the companys bottom line was pressured by approximately $2.00 of unfavorable retroactive revenue items.

For the current year, the company expects premium revenue of about $42 billion (down 2% from 2025) and adjusted EPS of at least $5.00 on a diluted basis. Wall Street analysts expect MOHs EPS to decrease 54.3% YOY to $5.04 on a diluted basis for fiscal 2026, followed by a 146% improvement to $12.40 in fiscal 2027. The company has missed consensus estimates in three of the four trailing quarters.

Among the 18 Wall Street analysts covering Molina Healthcares stock, the consensus is a Hold. Thats based on two Strong Buy ratings, 13 Holds, one Moderate Sell, and two Strong Sells. The ratings configuration has become less bullish than a month ago, with two Strong Buy ratings, down from three.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he considers it short-sighted for the US to believe that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would end the war if Ukraine agreed to hand over parts of Donbas that are not occupied by Russia.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with the Financial Times

Quote: "Honestly, I do not believe that this is all that Russia demands. Our withdrawal from Donbas, and then the war will end. Russia is Russia, and you know, you cannot trust them."

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Details: Zelenskyy criticised the idea of a temporary ceasefire. He stressed that any halt in hostilities without reliable Western security guarantees would be used by Russia to rebuild its forces for a new offensive.

He rejected Putin's claims that Ukraine needs a pause to regroup, calling this "demagoguery and lies".

"We don't need a pause. We need the end of the war," the president emphasised.

Zelenskyy also said that pressure from US President Donald Trump on Ukraine regarding territorial concessions is currently much stronger than the pressure on Russia.

The president urged the US to hit the Kremlin's "wallet" rather than force Ukraine into capitulation.

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"What costs the Russians dearly is stopping their shadow fleet, stopping their companies, their ability to trade, to export energy resources from Russia, stopping sanctions evasion," Zelenskyy said.

Meanwhile, he stressed that he primarily relies on the Ukrainian Armed Forces and domestic weapons production.

Background:

Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said that Russia's imperial ambitions do not stop at Ukraine but extend to the whole of Europe.

Putin stated that Russia will continue to significantly expand its military capabilities and urged the population to move towards full militarisation.

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CHEYENNE  Despite one lawmakers suggestion that Medicaid patient ambulance services be paid for with one-cent sales tax funding, a House committee voted Monday to increase the Medicaid rate for EMS services in Wyoming.

The House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee voted 5-3 in favor of Senate File 4, Medicaid rate increase-EMS services, which increases ground ambulance reimbursement from 66% to 100% of the Medicare rate for Wyoming residents who are already on Medicaid.

Rep. Pam Thayer

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Rep. Pam Thayer (R-HD15)

Rep. Pam Thayer, R-Rawlins, said she supported SF 4, as EMS services are so crucial to rural Wyomingites. Thayer, who represents House Districts 47 and 15 in Carbon County, said her area is one of the largest, and most rural, districts in the state.

Were almost 8,000 miles, Thayer said. I can tell you that we have (EMS) volunteers that are going from Rawlins  over to Saratoga, so they just have to even get to that ambulance bay 40 miles away, and continued funding is necessary to ensure an ambulance arrives when someone needs one.

I am absolutely in favor of this, and it is really important for our county, Thayer said.

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Rep. Joel Guggenmos, R-Riverton (2025)

Rep. Joel Guggenmos, R-Riverton

Rep. Joel Guggenmos, R-Riverton, said that the funding in SF 4 is not nearly enough to cover the issue, and said the bill does not think outside the box.

Its putting this on the state to try to solve it with money, he said. I like the idea of  with the diversity of our communities, size and distance  I would like to see it be more locally addressed through something like a 1% optional sales tax.

If there is a real need, people will vote for it, and if there is not, if things are working well, it wont be voted for, he said.

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SF 4 includes an appropriation of $1.3 million from the states general fund, as well as an additional $1.3 million in federal funding, according to House Labor Committee Chair Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody.

Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody (2025)

Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody

Franz Fuchs, Wyoming Department of Health deputy director, explained that ground EMS includes ambulances that respond to 911 calls, as well as those that transport people between hospitals. In Wyoming, there are 44 EMS providers that service approximately 77,000 calls per year, but geographically, those calls are quite varied. Medicaid funding is allocated on a fee for service basis, Fuchs said.

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For every transport, and every time they take a call and take a Medicaid patient to the hospital, they will get paid a certain amount of money.

This bill raises that price that were paying for that trip, Fuchs said. It is essentially allocated for the number of trips throughout the state.

A major cost is readiness, Fuchs said, to keep EMS services available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. In very small communities, that cost is subsidized by volunteers; however, Fuchs said the cost does not go down from about $500,000 per year, no matter the community, because equipment must be ready and staff must be on call  regardless of whether theyre paid or volunteer.

Theres a service out in the eastern part of Laramie County, Albin Rescue, he said. They responded to 18 calls in one year. You have a very high fixed cost of readiness, but you only respond to 18 calls.

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Jesse Springer, Medicaid director for WDH, said the reimbursement rate for EMS services has not increased in about 10 years.

The committee also passed Senate File 6, Eligibility for Medicaid-criteria, out of committee Monday morning. Rodriguez-Williams said the measure codifies rules, including proof of citizenship and Wyoming residency requirements, for Medicaid patients.

Springer told the committee that SF 6 was heavily amended in the Senate to add specifically noted groups covered under Medicaid, like tuberculosis patients, as well as treatment for breast and cervical cancer. Medicaid services covered, if SF 6 passes, will be authorized by the Legislature.

If the Legislature would like to add a population or procedure, they can now go into this new section of statute, and specifically add that obligation, Springer said.

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Although there was no additional public comment Monday, Healthy Wyoming, a coalition of organizations, providers and community members with a mission to ensure citizens can access affordable, highquality health care, has expressed concern over SF 6. Healthy Wyoming says the measure would make it harder for Wyoming families to get health coverage, as well as hamstring future lawmakers to respond to health and economic developments.

Senate File 6 is a noflexibility bill, said Marguerite Herman, chair of Healthy Wyoming, in a press release last week. This bill proposes to hardcode todays restrictive Medicaid rules into law and says that even if circumstances change, Wyoming cant expand eligibility without jumping through extra political hoops. Thats bad news for working families, rural hospitals, and the longterm health of our state.
Aden, Yemen  Lying on the outskirts of Yemens interim capital, Aden, al-Basateen district starts where the paved roads end, stretching into narrow, sandy alleyways. It reveals a decades-old refugee story in which Arabic blends with Somali and the faces harbour memories of a different place, across the sea.

Residents know the area by several names, including Yemens Mogadishu and the Somalis neighbourhood  a reference to the demographic shift it has seen since the 1990s, when civil war in Somalia pushed thousands of families across the Gulf of Aden in search of safety.

Today, local sources estimate the districts population at more than 40,000, with people of Somali origin making up the majority. They live in harsh conditions where economic vulnerability overlaps with an unresolved legal status.

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Some arrived as children holding the hands of relatives, while others were born in Aden and have known no other home. But they all share one thing in common: the refugee label stamped on their official documents.

Harsh living conditions

As dawn breaks, dozens of men gather at the entrances of the areas main streets, waiting to be picked up to do a days work in construction or manual labour. Many depend on this fragile pattern of employment to put food on the table.

Residents say the lack of regular work has become the defining feature of life in al-Basateen, as extreme poverty spreads and humanitarian aid declines.

Ashour Hassan, a resident in his mid-30s, waiting at a main road junction for someone to hire him to wash a car, told Al Jazeera that he earns between 3,000 and 4,000 Yemeni rials a day (less than $3). That amount is not enough to cover the needs of his family, which lives in a single room in a neighbourhood lacking basic services, surrounded by dirt roads and piles of rubbish.

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In a voice mixed with fatigue and despair, Ashour summed up life in al-Basateen: We live day to day. If we find work, we eat. If we dont, we wait without food until tomorrow.

Families in al-Basateen typically rely on both men and women to be breadwinners.

Some women work cleaning homes, while others run small businesses, such as selling bread and traditional foods that blend Yemeni and Somali flavours, and which become especially popular during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Many children also find themselves pushed into work despite their age. One of the main jobs for children involves sifting through waste for materials they can sell, such as plastic or scrap metal, to help support their families.

Roads in al-Basateen are typically unpaved, with residents often sheltering in haphazard structures [Brent Stirton/Getty Images]

Little sense of belonging

Poverty is clearly visible in al-Basateens architecture and appearance, with tightly packed homes, some made of metal sheets and consisting of only one or two rooms, separated by dirt roads covered in rubbish.

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But that is not the only burden weighing on al-Basateens Somali residents. A deeper feeling of what many here call suspended belonging hangs over them, with the first generation of refugees still carrying memories of a distant homeland and speaking its language, while the second and third generations know only Aden and speak Arabic in the local dialect, with Somalia only known through family stories.

Fatima Jame embodies this paradox. A mother of four, she was born in Aden to Somali parents. She told Al Jazeera: We know no country other than Yemen. We studied here and got married here, but we do not have Yemeni identity, and in front of the law, we are still refugees.

Fatima lives with her family in a modest two-room home. Her husband works as a porter in one of the citys markets, while she helps support the family by preparing and selling traditional foods. Even so, she says their combined income barely covers rent and food because of the high cost of living and few job opportunities.

A bleak reality

Conditions in Yemen were never the best for migrants and refugees, but they have significantly worsened since a civil war began in 2014 between the Iranian-backed Houthis and the central government in Sanaa, in Yemens north.

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The violence from that war, along with declining aid and shrinking job opportunities have increased pressure on both host communities and refugees.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that funding for support programmes in Yemen in 2025 met only 25 percent of the countrys actual needs, directly affecting the lives of thousands of families. Residents of al-Basateen say the aid they used to receive has sharply declined, and in many cases has stopped altogether.

Youssef Mohammed, 53, says he was one of the first Somali arrivals to the district in the 1990s, and now supports a family of seven.

[We] have not received any support from organisations for years, Youssef said, adding that some families chose to return to Somalia rather than stay and die of hunger here.

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He believes the crisis affects everyone in Yemen, but [that] the refugee remains the weakest link.

Despite the bleak picture, a few have managed to improve their material conditions through education or by opening small businesses that have helped stimulate the local economy. But they remain an exception, and the flow of refugees continues.

Yemen is the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula, but is also the regions only signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and therefore allows foreign arrivals to apply for asylum or refugee status. According to the United Nations refugee agency, Yemen hosted more than 61,000 asylum seekers and refugees as of July 2025, the vast majority from Somalia and Ethiopia.

Arrivals in recent years have typically travelled to Yemen via boats, with many planning to use Yemen as a transit point before moving on to richer countries like Saudi Arabia.

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Hussein Adel is one of those recent arrivals. He is 30, but leans on a crutch on a street corner in al-Basateen.

Hussein arrived in Aden only a few months ago, having made the dangerous journey on a small boat carrying African migrants.

He told Al Jazeera that he fled death and hunger, only to find himself facing a harsher reality. Hussein shelters on the rooftop of a relatives home and spends his days searching the city for occasional work. His leg injury, he said, was caused by Omani border guards who shot him while he was crossing into Yemen.

As evening falls, the noise in al-Basateens alleyways quiets down. Men lean against the walls of worn-out homes, and children chase a ball through narrow passages barely wide enough for their dreams.

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On the surface, life looks normal  like any working-class neighbourhood in a city exhausted by crises. But here, in Yemens Mogadishu, there is an extra trauma  the sense of a lack of belonging, the memory of refugees fleeing danger and poverty at home, and a lack of stability that will not go away.




The NYPD has released images of four people they are looking to question after several NYPD officers were hit with snowballs and injured on Monday.

They released photos of two people on Tuesday afternoon, and then released images of another pair of individuals hours later.

The NYPD has released images of four people they are looking to question after several NYPD officers were hit with snowballs and injured on Monday.

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New York City Mayor Mamdani on Tuesday said that he does not believe anyone should be charged in the incident.

"From the videos that I've seen, it looks like a snowball fight," he said.

The Police Benevolent Association blasted the mayor's response as a failure of leadership.

"This was not just a 'snowball fight.' This was an assault - by adults throwing chunks of ice and rocks - that landed two police officers in the hospital with head and face injuries," PBA President Patrick Hendry said.

Officers responded to Washington Square Park in Manhattan at 4 p.m. on Monday to a report of multiple individuals on a roof inside the park.

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When they arrived on the scene, police say the crowd began throwing snowballs at them.

Two officers would end up in the emergency room after being struck in the face and head. No one was arrested. The leaders of the city's police unions are outraged and demanding a criminal investigation.

"This was disgraceful. It wasn't a joke. It wasn't a game. It was a vicious attack. An assault on two New York City police forces that landed them in the hospital," Hendry said.

After viewing the video of the melee, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch agreed. Posting on social media, "The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal. Our detectives are investigating this matter."

The NYPD is aware of certain videos taken earlier today in Washington Square Park showing individuals attacking cops.



I want to be very clear: The behavior depicted is disgraceful, and it is criminal.



Our detectives are investigating this matter.  Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) February 24, 2026

But this afternoon, Mayor Mamdani downplayed the episode after being asked multiple times.

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"I can just tell you from the video I saw, it looked like kids at a snowball fight," Mamdani said.

Rahul Nag was there. He told us that it started off as harmless fun but escalated when several young people began tossing snow from the roof of the park's restrooms. The officers were confronted after they arrived to investigate.

"It wasn't supposed to be violent. It was - it started out as a very fun thing to do. And then, you know, it just escalated, and there weren't any older kids or older people out here. It was just young kids having fun. And then it kind of became a back-and-forth thing between NYPD and those young kids, you know what I mean?" Nag said.

Mamdani said the officers and all city workers must be treated with respect.

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"They have been keeping New Yorkers safe. And they have also been at the heart of our efforts of digging New Yorkers' cars out of these kinds of conditions and ensuring that our ambulances, our MTA buses, can keep functioning. Across this city, they and our entire city workforce deserve to be treated with respect," he said.

NYC Mayor Mamdani held a news conference on Tuesday afternoon

Mamdani added, "The only person in our city's workforce who deserves to be hit with a snowball is me."

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A Milwaukee alder who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin secretary of state is calling on state officials to investigate the shipping supplies company Uline Inc.s past use of workers from Mexico after a recent newspaper report about the practice.

JoCasta Zamarripa. (Campaign photo)

Milwaukee alder JoCasta Zamarripa posted a statement on Facebook on Friday, Feb. 13, after The Guardian published an interview with a former Uline worker from Mexico. The worker said he was brought to the U.S. under a training visa but assigned to do routine work, with no training component.

Immigration lawyers told The Guardian that if the now-canceled program arranged for Mexican workers to enter the U.S. with a training visa but instead deployed them to do regular work at the company, that would violate the law governing the training visa program.

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Wisconsin needs to demand transparency, Zamarripa told the Wisconsin Examiner in an interview. We need to call for an investigation and hold people accountable.

Zamarripa, a former Wisconsin state representative from Milwaukee, now represents a South Side district in the Milwaukee city council. Shes one of three Democrats who have declared their intention to seek the partys nomination in the August primary to run for secretary of state in November.

The Guardian story, along with previous reports from the newspaper published in December 2024 and in February 2025, alleged that Uline brought workers from Mexico under tourist visas or special training visas and put them to work in plants in Wisconsin, Florida and Pennsylvania.

Under Ulines shuttle program, which ran for several years, the workers brought from Mexico were doing normal jobs in the companys factories and were not part of a genuine training program, according to the Guardian.

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In its most recent story, the Guardian reported that the newspapers sources said the shuttle program was discontinued in 2024, shortly after the first story was published.

Uline, based in Pleasant Prairie in Kenosha County, is a multi-billion-dollar manufacturer and seller of cardboard boxes and other shipping and office supplies. The closely held company had estimated revenues of more than $8 billion, BizTimesMKE reported in 2024, and has more than 9,000 employees with operations in Canada and Mexico as well as across the United States. Uline has not commented about any of the Guardians reporting on the shuttle program.

Bankrolling GOP politicians

The Wisconsin Examiner contacted Uline Monday asking for the companys response to the newspapers articles and was directed to a voice mail line described as a direct message channel for the companys co-founder and co-owner, Richard Uihlein. The other co-founder and co-owner is his wife, Liz Uihlein, the company president.

The Examiner left a voicemail message as well as email and telephone contact information. As of press time, the company has not replied.

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In an interview, Zamarripa said she would call on state officials to investigate the companys practices and potential legal violations.

Both the Uihleins have been among the top donors supporting Republican candidates closely aligned with President Donald Trump. Vice President J.D. Vance spoke at a rally at a Uline plant in Pennsylvania in December, promoting the Trump administrations economic record.

In the 2024 presidential race, Richard Uihleins Restoration Pact, a Super Pac, funded a television advertisement that attacked Trumps opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, for allowing an immigrant invasion at the US-Mexico border, the Guardian reported in its story that December about the shuttle program.

A 2022 report by ProPublica and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found that in the 2021-22 cycle the Uihleins were the top donors nationally to Republican causes in federal elections at $60 million, and spent at least $121 million on state and federal politics combined in that period.

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The couple also bankrolled political candidates who were among prominent deniers of the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, which Joe Biden won but Trump has repeatedly and falsely insisted was stolen, ProPublica reported.

Zamarripa contrasted those and other reports with the findings that the Guardian reported.

The billionaire Uihlein family  among the biggest Republican mega-donors in the nation  have helped bankroll the very politicians, including Donald Trump, behind todays out-of-control immigration crackdowns, Zamarripa wrote in the statement published on the Facebook page for her campaign organization.

Now we learn that workers in Pleasant Prairie say Mexican employees were pushed into dangerous, exhausting conditions and punished for speaking up  all while fueling Ulines enormous wealth, Zamarripa wrote.

Former worker goes on record

The Guardians 2024 and 2025 stories quoted anonymous sources with direct knowledge of and  familiar with the shuttle program as well as some unnamed Mexican workers brought to the U.S. for the program. The reports also included information from documents that the newspaper obtained.

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The February 2026 story marked the newspapers first interview with a named former worker for the company. The Guardian reported that the worker, Christian Valenzuela, 42, shared travel itineraries from Uline documenting that he had worked at plants in Pennsylvania, Florida and Wisconsin.

The Guardian reported that Valenzuela provided a letter directed to Customs and Border Protection and signed by a Uline official. The April 13, 2023, letter sought a B1 training visa for Valenzuela. The letter also outlined a daily training schedule for him and said he would be tested on the training, according to the Guardian  but no test was ever given.

Valenzuela told the Guardian that he and other Mexican workers were paid a bonus along with gas money and accommodations while they were in the U.S. working for the company. But the wages for the visiting workers were set at the usual Mexican wage, which the newspaper reported was a fraction of what their American counterparts earned.

He told the Guardian he was dropped from the program while he was in Mexico seeking treatment for an on-the-job injury at Uline during his U.S. sojourn.

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The newspapers previous reports quoted immigration lawyers who said that the use of training visas when the visa holders were doing regular line work rather than engaging in an actual training program appears to have violated federal immigration law.

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New Zealand has signalled it would back any move by the United Kingdom to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the throne, following similar indications from Australia.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Wellington would support such a step if proposed by the government in London, according to Radio New Zealand.

Andrew, the younger brother of Britain's King Charles III, is under investigation in the United Kingdom in connection with the scandal surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was briefly detained last week.

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The former prince is accused of misconduct while in public office, allegedly passing information to Epstein during his previous role as a trade envoy.

Luxon told reporters his government had been in contact with the British Cabinet Office in recent days. "No one is above the law," he said, adding New Zealand had communicated its position before Australia's stance became public.

Earlier, the Australian government said in a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that it would support a possible exclusion of Andrew.

Australia and New Zealand are among 15 Commonwealth realms whose approval would be required for changes to the succession law. First in line to the throne is Prince William, followed by his son Prince George. Andrew is currently eighth in line.
Former Prince Andrew, now Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, is currently eighth in line to the British throne after Princes William and Harry and their children, but there is mounting pressure for the UK government to formally remove him from the line of succession. To do so, however, they would need support of all countries outside of the UK where the King is also head of state, called Commonwealth Realms.

Australia was the first country to support Andrews removal, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese writing to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday that his government would agree to any proposal to remove the former prince. Today, New Zealand followed suit, with a spokesperson for New Zealands prime minister, Christopher Luxon, saying: If the UK government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.

Later, Luxon himself told the media, The bottom line is no one is above the law and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide to remove him from the line of succession, that is something we would support. Other Commonwealth Realms that would need to approve the legislation include Canada, Jamaica, and Papua New Guinea, among others.

MEGA - Getty Images

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and released from police custody around 11 hours later. (He denies all allegations.) Following his arrest, King Charles wrote, in part, What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

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The King added, Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has "not achieved his goals," four years on from the invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday.

"Today marks exactly four years since Putin started his three-day push to take Kiev," Zelensky said in a video posted on X. "And that says a great deal about our resistance, about how Ukraine has fought all this time."

"Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: we have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood; Putin has not achieved his goals," the Ukrainian leader added.

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"He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war," Zelensky continued. "We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to secure peace and justice."

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The two sides have held peace talks in recent weeks with US mediation, but there has been little sign of an imminent breakthrough.

Referring to the negotiations, Zelensky emphasized: "Without question, we all want this war to end, but no one will allow Ukraine to cease to exist."

Everything will be done to ensure that the years of war were not in vain, he said. "All the struggle, the courage, the dignity, everything that Ukraine has gone through must not be devalued."

Top EU officials were in Kiev on Tuesday to mark the anniversary, while several events were to be held across Germany.
Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) is included among the 13 Best Strong Buy Dividend Stocks to Invest in.

Morgan Stanley Raises Spire Global (SPIR) Target as Utility Outlook Evolves

On February 20, Morgan Stanley raised its price recommendation on Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) to $100 from $93. It reiterated an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm said the change came as it updated its targets across Regulated and Diversified Utilities and IPP stocks in North America. The analyst noted that utilities underperformed the S&P this month, which influenced the broader review. Looking ahead to Q4 earnings, the firm expects a more balanced discussion around data center pipelines. This comes as affordability concerns and political factors have started to shape the outlook. These issues are becoming part of the conversation, especially as utilities weigh long-term infrastructure investments.

Earlier in January, Spire announced that AiDASH selected the company to provide advanced weather intelligence and data. AiDASH is known for its vegetation, storm, and ignition risk intelligence, along with its SatelliteFirst grid monitoring solutions. The collaboration strengthens AiDASHs platform by adding more precise weather insight.AiDASH has integrated Spires high-resolution weather forecasts into its AI-driven vegetation and outage prediction tools. These forecasts are powered by Spires fully deployed satellite constellation and are now used in utility control centers across North America. This gives operators clearer visibility into weather-related risks as conditions change.

The combined system brings together Spires forecasting capabilities and AiDASHs vegetation risk models. This allows utilities to better anticipate outages, reduce wildfire risks, and respond more effectively when disruptions occur. Access to real-time data helps utilities make faster and more informed operational decisions.

Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE:SPIR) provides space-based data, analytics, and satellite services. Its datasets help organizations monitor conditions on Earth and support decision-making across industries.

While we acknowledge the potential of SPIR as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best Low Volatility Dividend Stocks to Invest In

Disclosure: None.
Ronald Brownstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He is a CNN analyst and the author or editor of seven books.
Kristen Monroe is the chancellors distinguished professor and director of the Ethics Center at the University of California at Irvine. She is the author of the upcoming book Morality in Politics: How Donald Trumps Assault on Americas Moral Foundations Will Be his Downfall.
A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Gregor Stuart Hunter

Is this the Art of the Deal? U.S. President Donald Trump has warned trade partners not to "play games" by backing out of recently agreed trade deals after the Supreme Court struck down his emergency tariffs.

But some foreign governments just want to know if the terms they originally negotiated are still good.

Trump is expected to "come out swinging" during his annual State of the Union address later on Tuesday after the tariff setback, and may take aim at some of the Supreme Court Justices seated in the chamber.

But governments in Asia have questions. Japan wants to know whether the nation's treatment under a new U.S. tariff regime will be as favourable as an agreement reached between the two sides last year. And Taiwan's government is seeking assurances from the U.S. that the beneficial terms it has already agreed do not change.

Not to be outdone by the trade drama in Washington, China on Tuesday prohibited the export of dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities that it says have military links, aimed at curbing Japan's "remilitarisation".

Markets in Japan and China largely shrugged off the dispute, gaining a boost from lower U.S. tariffs as they reopened after local holidays and caught up on the trade news from Friday. The Nikkei 225 and CSI 300 both tacked on more than 1%.

Elsewhere in Asia, markets stabilised after the selloff on Wall Street on Monday that some analysts attributed to a "doomsday" analysis from Citrini Research released earlier this week which presented a vision of the havoc that AI could wreak on the global economy in the years to come. U.S. S&P 500 e-mini futures recovered, rising 0.3%.

Meanwhile, manufacturers in the AI supply chain propelled benchmarks in Taiwan and South Korea to fresh highs, sending MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan to a new record.

In early European trade, pan-region futures were last up 0.3%, German DAX futures gained 0.2% and FTSE futures were down 0.1%.

Key developments that could influence markets on Tuesday

Company earnings:

Home Depot, Workday, Telefonica, Endesa

Economic events:

France: Business confidence for February

Debt auctions:

UK 7-year government debt

(Reporting by Gregor Stuart Hunter; Editing by Sonali Paul)
Mulilo has achieved financial closure for the 219MW-direct current (MWdc) Orkney solar PV facility in North West Province, South Africa, approximately 11km south-west of Orkney town.

This follows the establishment of a power purchase agreement (PPA), with Etana Energy as the exclusive off-taker.

The project, which has an export capacity of 150MW-alternating current (MWac), signifies a crucial step in Mulilo's strategy to deliver 1GW of new generation capacity annually, enhancing its role in South Africa's energy transition.

This marks the second collaboration between Etana Energy and Mulilo to reach financial closure within a year.

It brings Etanas total to more than 500MW of renewable energy projects closed in the past year. This includes the previously announced 105MW Du Plessis Dam Solar PV2 project, as well as the 100MW Zen and 94MW Bergrivier wind farms.

Etana Energy chief commercial and legal officer Jay Govender said: This project marks another significant step in Etana Energys growth, with the Orkney solar plant being more than double the size of our first solar project under construction with Mulilo.

The speed at which this project has reached financial close demonstrates the strength of our partnership with Mulilo, the bankability of our respective structures and the accelerating demand from customers for reliable, large-scale renewable electricity delivered through Etanas platform.

Upon commencing operations, the Orkney facility is projected to generate around 478 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity each year.

This energy output will be distributed to Etanas clients across South Africa, potentially reducing annual carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions by more than 500,000t and supplying power to approximately 210,000 households.

The Orkney facility will connect to the Jersey Distribution Substation through a newly constructed 24km overhead transmission line for seamless integration into the regional grid.

Additionally, it is equipped to incorporate battery energy storage systems in the future, improving grid flexibility and energy dispatch capabilities.

Mulilo CEO Jan Fourie said: The financial close of the Orkney solar PV project makes an important milestone in advancing Mulilos commitment to strengthening South Africas energy security.

This achievement reflects the strength of our partnerships, the capabilities of our team and the growing role of private-sector generation in solving South Africas energy challenges.

We are honoured to work with Etana Energy and our partners to deliver clean, reliable power and lasting economic value to the North West Province and beyond.
Guangdong manufacturing-service integration powers stronger growth

On February 24th, the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, Guangdong will once again convene its "First Conference of Spring"the Guangdong Provincial High-quality Development Conference. This year's conference will focus on the coordinated development of manufacturing and service sectors, sending a strong signal that deeper integration between the two sectors will be leveraged to drive industrial transformation. Outside the conference venue,production across Guangdong is already operating at full capacity: factories are humming with machinery, R&D centers are working around the clock, and freight vehicles shuttle back and forth.

2026-02-23 21:38:50
For two years, the Nvidia (NVDA) story has been simple: a handful of massive U.S. cloud providers racing to buy as many of its chips as possible. That story isn't over. But it's no longer the whole story.

Nvidia's latest moves in India are pointing to what the next phase of AI demand actually looks like. And it's bigger, messier, and more politically driven than Wall Street may be pricing in.

By embedding itself in India's national AI agenda, Nvidia is betting on a world where governments and entire industries build their own AI infrastructure from the ground up, rather than simply renting capacity from Amazon, Google, or Microsoft.

India's $1 billion AI mission has Nvidia at its center

India's government has committed more than $1 billion to its IndiaAI Mission, a sweeping initiative covering compute infrastructure, sovereign AI models, research funding, and startup support.

The core goal: have most of India's AI workloads running on Indian-controlled models and domestic data centers, not foreign clouds. To pull that off, India needs large-scale GPU compute, local datasets, and the talent to deploy AI in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and public services.

Nvidia is now at the heart of that plan. The company is supplying GPU systems for high-performance data centers that Indian partners will operate. According to Nvidia, it is collaborating with cloud providers Yotta, L&T, and E2E Networks to build out India's AI compute capacity, with tens of thousands of Nvidia GPUs underpinning those efforts.

Key partnerships driving India's AI buildout:

Yotta Data Services : Committing $2 billion to deploy over 20,000 Nvidia Blackwell Ultra GPUs at its Greater Noida campus, which will host one of Asia's largest Nvidia DGX Cloud clusters.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) : Partnering with Nvidia to build gigawatt-scale sovereign AI factory infrastructure, with data centers planned in Chennai and Mumbai.

E2E Networks: Supplying additional AI compute capacity as part of the national cloud buildout under the IndiaAI Compute pillar.

In practice, the hardware backbone of India's sovereign AI ambitions will be Nvidia-based, even as the models and applications themselves are built and controlled domestically.

Nvidia is also shaping India's AI models, not just its hardware

Nvidia isn't just selling chips here. The company is working with Indian agencies and research institutions on sovereign language models and domain-specific AI systems tuned for India's languages, regulations, and policy priorities.

Nvidia is helping sovereign governments like India create in-house AI solutions.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Nvidia's Nemotron model suite includes India-specific datasets, among them Nemotron-Personas-India, which contains 21 million fully synthetic Indic personas built from publicly available census data to support population-scale AI development.
Immersive 'Year of Culture' drives Guangdong's tourism growth

According to the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, on the 8th day of the 2026 Chinese New Year holiday, scenic spots with a rating of 4A and above across Guangdong received 3.256 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 5.2%, with all kinds of cultural and tourism scenes remaining popular. Throughout this holiday, Guangdong has centered its tourism initiatives on intangible cultural heritage, empowered by advanced technology to create an immersive "Year of Culture," while simultaneously stimulating consumption potential and unleashing new momentum from the integration of culture and tourism.

2026-02-23 21:38:50
As the job market has tightened, many Gen Z college graduates have struggled to find stable footingraising new questions about whether a degree is still worth the time and debt burden.

But for many MBA students, the return on investment still looks hard to beat.

Recent data from Harvard Business School found MBA alumni are raking in median salaries of about $260,000 three years after graduating. At the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, alumni are earning $248,000, while MIT (Sloan) graduates are bringing in $246,000, according to the Financial Times.

This eye-watering payand strong return on investmentat elite MBA programs is no surprise, Jamie Beaton, founder and CEO of Crimson Education, a college admissions consulting firm, told Fortune.

The degree often serves as a gateway to some of the highest-paying fields in business, including management consulting, investment banking, and private equity. Top firms, from McKinsey and Bain to JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, regularly recruit from a small group of elite schools, creating a reliable pipeline into fruitful careers, Beaton said.

The enduring benefit of business school from a top school is as long as you select the right industries, the economic return is lucrative, he said.

HBS, Wharton, and MIT regularly top lists of the best business schools in the country.

High stakes are rewarded with high salaries

Despite the high post-grad salaries, an MBAs value remains hotly debated.

Late last year, billionaire Joe Liemandt was asked on the BigDeal podcast if young people should pursue an MBA. His answer was simple: No.

Thats an easy one for me, said the Trilogy Software and ESW Capital founder. Theres nothing on the business knowledge that youre going to come out of there that is a fraction of what you would get from building your own thing for that two years.

Other top leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel, have similarly expressed their disdain for hiring someone just because they have an MBA.

Still, student interest hadnt faded. Applications to MBA programs grew by 13% in 2024 and another 2% in 2025, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

While long-term earnings are strong, short-term job outcomes also remain solideven as concerns about the entry-level job market persist. Among HBSs class of 2025, 90% received at least one job offer within three months of graduationand 84% accepted, both figures an improvement from the previous two years.

Outcomes across the other so-called Magnificent 7 business schoolsChicago (Booth), Columbia Business School, MIT (Sloan), Northwestern (Kellogg), Stanford (GSB), UPenn (Wharton)show similar strength. Recent graduates reported median base salaries ranging from about $175,000 to $185,000 within three months of receiving their diploma.
In a bid to regain operational stability, Novo Nordisks Board of Directors has nominated two new members to join the committee, which has been undergoing a revamp in recent months.

Jan van de Winkel and Ramona Sequeira would both serve a one-year term if elected by shareholders in an Annual General Meeting, which will be held on 26 March.

Having worked in the pharma industry for more than a quarter of a century, van de Winkel has held C-suite roles across pharma and biotech  serving as the VP and scientific director of Medarex Europe prior to co-founding therapeutic antibody-focused biotech, Genmab. Since then, he has occupied varying high-level positions at the company, including his current role as CEO, which he entered in 2010.

Meanwhile, Sequeira has spent more than three decades in pharma leadership roles across companies like Eli Lilly and Takeda Pharmaceutical. Between 2022 and Summer 2025, Sequeira was the president of Takedas global portfolio division, and she currently serves as a board member for both Organon and Edwards Lifesciences.

Novo Nordisks board is also calling for the re-election of Lars Rebien Srensen and Cees de Jong as chair and vice chair, respectively, as well as Britt Meelby Jensen, Kasim Kutay and Stephan Engels as members.

Alongside the boards recommendations, Novo Nordisks majority shareholder, The Novo Nordisk Foundation, has put forward Helena Saxon as its recommendation. Saxon previously held a board position for 14 years at Swedish biopharma company, Sobi, before her resignation in October 2025. She currently sits on the board of the global retail brand, H&M.

Novo Nordisk board sees another shakeup

Novo Nordisks decision to hold a board re-election follows a period of significant change for the committee, which saw a mass exodus in October 2025 when seven members stood down. This was largely due to a disagreement between the board and its majority shareholder, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, on the councils future composition.

If nominated, van de Winkel, Sequeira and Saxon would join a board of largely new appointees, who are looking to turn the companys fortunes round as it grapples with competition from Eli Lilly in the cardiometabolic market. Currently, Novo Nordisk forecasts a sales dip of up to 13% in 2026 due to Most Favored Nation (MFN)-driven pricing headwinds in the US.

While the company has a head start in the oral glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) market through its first-to-market approval of oral Wegovy (semaglutide), Lillys orforglipron is slated to enter the market in April this year, with a patient-based forecast from GlobalData estimating that the drug will bring in $14.3bn in 2031.
Nvidias stock has become a market object. Its big enough to tug the major indexes, with a 7.8% weight in the S&P 500. When it moves, it drags money and sentiment with it, which helps explain why people talk about its quarterly reports as if theyre a major weather event.

The company can clear consensus and still disappoint a crowd that paid for a bigger and louder fireworks show. Meet the expectations treadmill: A good quarter gets a shrug. A great quarter gets a shrug. Now, the markets daring Nvidia to deliver a monster quarter  and wondering whether even thats enough if the forward story doesnt feel like acceleration.

Options traders are leaning into a big reaction anyway. Investopedias options read pegs the implied move around 6% by the end of the week, even though the median day-after move across the past 10 earnings reports is 3.2%, according to MarketWatch . And the setup is extra touchy because whisper numbers could be even higher, while short bets have been growing. So the reaction will hinge on whether the forward story feels like acceleration rather than continuation  and whether that acceleration looks durable in an AI trade that is getting more anxious, more crowded, and more expensive quarter by quarter.

Thats all huge. Obviously. But Nvidia is heading into earnings week in a very modern bind: the quarter can be massive, the numbers can be pristine, and the stock can still respond with the emotional range of a spreadsheet.

Nvidia matters so much that the market has turned it into a referendum. The quarter is expected to be enormous: Zacks Consensus Estimates have Nvidias fiscal Q4 2026 sales reaching $65.56 billion (up 66.7% year over year) and EPS at $1.52 (up 70.8%). Nvidias own official outlook is : revenue $65 billion 2%; gross margin 74.8% GAAP/75% non-GAAP 50 bps, opex $6.7 billion GAAP/$5 billion non-GAAP. And if you want to see where the quarter lives inside that $65-ish billion, the Street has been modeling a Data Center number around $58.7 billion, with roughly $9 billion in networking and about $51.1 billion in compute, plus gaming around $4.3 billion and automotive around $663 million.

Nvidia reports Wednesday after the close into a market that has already assumed brilliance, already priced in fireworks, and already moved on to the next question : Can the company narrate acceleration, not just scale, in guidance, margins, and the cadence of the next quarter?

Wall Street used to ask companies for a good quarter and a nice sentence about momentum. Then, it started treating good quarters as background noise. Then, it demanded great quarters, decided those were predictable, and moved the bar again  faster than most companies can move product. Now, it wants more.

Story Continues

Analysts may be looking for $65-ish billion now, but the fixation has shifted to what Nvidia says about April; UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri said in a recent note that investor expectations for Nvidias April quarter likely demand revenue somewhere in the $74 billion-$75 billion range. And the April obsession is a Blackwell obsession. CEO Jensen Huang handed the market a tagline last quarter: Blackwell sales are off the charts, and cloud GPUs are sold out.

The EPS dispersion tells you how nervous the market is about Nvidias forward curve. For the coming fiscal year, analysts average $7.76 in earnings per share, but the range runs from $6.28 to $9.68  a spread that shows the market admitting its arguing with itself about whether this is a long runway or a late-cycle sprint.

Marta Norton, a strategist at Empower, told Reuters that the expectation for outsized results for Nvidia has been a persistent theme over the past few years, and so its hard for Nvidia to surprise when everyone expects it to surprise. The baseline has moved so far upstream that a beat can feel like confirmation, not upside.

The stock has been trading like expectations have outrun imaginations; its spinning in circles. The consensus bull case has been so widely adopted that it has stopped being a catalyst, which leaves the stock drifting until management delivers new information that changes the slope  the next-quarter guide, the cadence of the ramp, the margin outlook.

And as skepticism about AI mounts, Wall Street is increasingly worried Nvidias report could weigh on the shares regardless of what the results say. When the market is skeptical about the AI trade, the reaction becomes all out of sorts. It doesnt take a disaster to sell off; it can take a guide that looks merely excellent, a margin comment that sounds careful, or a ramp update that feels like a constraint story rather than a demand story. The upside requires a lot to go right  all at once: pipeline confidence, margins that dont blink, and a forward guide that reads like acceleration rather than continuation.

The market isnt asking Nvidia to be good. Its asking Nvidia to be inevitable.

The markets AI checkpoint

The AI trade used to be about belief. Now, its increasingly about invoices  and whether anyone is getting paid enough, fast enough, to justify the bill.

Bridgewaters Greg Jensen has described the AI boom as having entered a more dangerous phase that is marked by exponentially rising investments in physical infrastructure and growing reliance on outside capital. Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft will invest about $650 billion in AI infrastructure in 2026, up from $410 billion in 2025, which is the capex curve investors have been both cheering  and increasingly side-eyeing.

Compute demand continues to significantly outpace supply, driving hyperscalers to invest even more rapidly to try to someday get ahead of the demand, Jensen added, powering both the bull case and the anxiety. If Nvidias guide comes in clean and strong, it supports the idea that demand is still outrunning supply and the buildout still has urgency. If Nvidia sounds anything less than sure-footed, the market starts whispering about a slower gear.

The market is now debating the slope  how much bigger the next quarter gets, how clean the ramp looks, how defensible margins are, how long hyperscalers keep spending at this pace, and how much of that spend eventually gets negotiated away via custom silicon. Until one of those questions gets answered with enough force to reset the forward curve, the stock can grind sideways even while the fundamentals look spectacular.

Alpine Macros Nick Giorgi told Reuters that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has to come out and show his confidence in his own customers. Thats a remarkable ask for a chip company. Its also a logical one. Hyperscaler shares have been pressured by worries about returns on capital spending. Nvidias commentary gets treated as a proxy read on whether those customers are still spending aggressively  and whether they sound convinced (enough) that the spend is worth it.

The retail-facing version of this argument is even more direct. Zacks stock strategist Andrew Rocco said in an email Monday that regardless of whether an investor has a position in the stock, Nvidias earnings will likely be the most important and watched report this earnings season. He added that Nvidia, with its $4.6 trillion market cap, remains the undisputed king of the AI revolution. While the companys sheer scale may give some investors pause, he wrote, the underlying fundamentals  characterized by a reasonable 46 P/E ratio and a consistent history of crushing estimates  suggest that the growth story is far from over.

The post-earnings call will offer, Rocco said, clues into the health of AI spending in general and valuable clues about the health of Nvidia-adjacent partners. Zacks what to watch section is basically the expectations treadmill in list form: the demand is already understood, so investors want forward reassurance that hyperscaler spending will continue  plus a narrative about what comes next.

Even the more mainstream how much will the stock move coverage has started baking bubble language into the setup. The stock is down about 8% since a late-October peak, amid concerns about an AI bubble  will it burst? wont it burst?  and a loop-de-loop economy with other Big Tech players. This market is: jumpy, over-positioned, and looking for an excuse to hit the sell button on something that just sounds solid.

The choke point is getting crowded

Demand can be strong and still feel fragile when three forces hit at once: supply, customer leverage, and the trade broadening beyond the headline winner.

Nvidia is tethered to components that dont have its logo on the box, including high-bandwidth memory. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won has pledged to boost production of AI-specific HBM chips, alongside a significant increase in SK Hynixs capital spending. When HBM supply loosens, the forward guide gets easier. When it doesnt, the guide starts feeling like a logistics forecast.

Customer leverage is the other pressure point, and its getting harder to ignore. Nvidias multiyear deal to sell Meta millions of AI chips is a demand receipt  and a reminder that hyperscalers are building their own Plan B. The deal includes Blackwell now and Rubin later, plus standalone installations of Nvidias Grace and Vera CPUs. But Meta is also developing its own AI chips and is in discussions with Google about using TPUs for AI work. So Nvidias pitch is to make the escape hatch less attractive by owning more of the stack.

Meta has already had a chance to get on Vera and run some of those workloads, said Ian Buck, who runs Nvidias hyperscale and high-performance computing unit, and the results look very promising.

But concentration turns that into a market risk, not just a competitive subplot. Meta is widely believed to be among four customers that made up 61% of Nvidias revenue in its most recent fiscal quarter. When the spend cycle broadens, that concentration looks like a temporary phase on the way to a wider base. When it concentrates, it starts looking like leverage  a few procurement calendars, a few internal chip teams, and a lot of negotiating power.

And theres been a good deal of investor discomfort with opaque, circular deals between model builders and infrastructure providers, as well as a rising reliance on outside capital. In a market thats already jumpy about ROI, tight loops can read as strength or as strain, depending on the week.

Meanwhile, the AI trade itself has started to widen. D.A. Davidsons Gil Luria wrote in a Monday note that Nvidias may not represent as much of a bellwether for the market as investor attention shifts toward other AI leaders and adjacent beneficiaries  Alphabet, Broadcom, and memory and optical chipmakers  while competition from custom chips such as Googles TPUs grows more salient. He also ties part of Nvidias discount to a specific fear: that 2026 could mark the peak of investments into AI.

But peak doesnt have to mean demand falls off a cliff. It can mean slower, and slower is enough to change how the market prices Nvidias next guide.

And then, of course, theres still China  the overhang that doesnt care how clean the demand curve looks. Beijing has moved to pause H200 orders, and Chinese customs authorities have reportedly instructed agents to block Nvidias H200 chips from entering the country, despite U.S. approval (under certain conditions), which is a reminder that demand doesnt help if the shipment cant land. China remains a live variable and any commentary about what can ship, what cant, and where demand is being rerouted will land hard.

Put together, Wednesdays earnings become less about whether the company prints another blockbuster quarter (it likely will) and more about whether it can tell a forward story that clears all the hurdles at once: a guide that reads like acceleration, a ramp narrative that sounds repeatable, margins that look defensible, and demand that feels durable even as the biggest buyers keep building alternatives. And if Wednesdays post-earnings call doesnt settle any arguments, the next reset is already on the calendar: Nvidias mid-March GTC conference in San Jose, California, where the company can refresh the roadmap  and the market can decide, again, what (they think) everything means.

A clean upward guide in the range that investors have started treating as the new baseline for April strengthens Nvidias yes, demand still outruns supply story. Anything that sounds just excellent gives the market room to do what it has learned to do with that excellence: nod, shrug, and start debating where the AI trades next winner sits in the stack.
Van Niekerk said the company recorded an after-tax impairment reversal of $133 million at Haile during Q4, reflecting higher long-term gold price assumptions and improved performance. He also said the company ended the period in its strongest net cash position to date, with zero debt and cash of $477 million, up 42% from the prior quarter. The cash increase came despite more than $100 million returned to shareholders in Q4 through dividends and buybacks, he said.

CFO Marius van Niekerk said the fourth quarter represented the strongest production quarter of the year, with increased production from all four operating sites. He attributed the quarters financial strength to operating performance and a record average realized gold price of just over $4,200 per ounce.

President and CEO Gerard Bond said the company safely delivered 2025 guidance for production, all-in sustaining costs (AISC), and capital, while benefiting from a strong gold price environment. Bond said OceanaGold set annual records for EBITDA, EBITDA margins, net profit, earnings per share, operating cash flow, and free cash flow. He noted these results were achieved at an average realized gold price of around $3,500 an ounce, which he said was below current spot levels at the time of the call.

OceanaGold (TSE:OGC) executives highlighted a record-setting 2025 and laid out a 2026 plan that pairs higher production and lower costs with a sharp increase in growth spending and shareholder returns, according to the companys fourth-quarter earnings call held Feb. 19, 2026.

The board materially boosted capital returns  tripling the quarterly dividend and doubling the buyback program to support up to $432 million of shareholder returns (a 112% increase), and the company expects a New York Stock Exchange listing in April.

2026 guidance targets higher production and lower costs  using midpoint guidance the company expects about +12% gold production and -7% AISC year-over-year, funded by a stepped-up growth and exploration program of $340 million (2.5x 2025), led by a 35% output rise and ~25% unit-cost decline at Haile.

OceanaGold delivered a record 2025 with expanded margins and cash generation  including adjusted EBITDA up 49%, record free cash flow of $259 million, and a strongest-ever balance sheet with zero debt and $477 million in cash .

Story Continues

Among the quarters highlights, van Niekerk reported:

Adjusted EBITDA up 49% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 57%.

Adjusted net profit and earnings per share roughly doubling from the prior year (after noting the impact of share-based compensation).

Operating cash flow per share of $1.21.

Record free cash flow of $259 million, which he said exceeded the companys total free cash flow generated in all of 2024.

Van Niekerk also flagged higher share-based compensation expense in Q4 amid a rising share price, saying adjusted EPS included roughly a $0.26 per share impact from share-based compensation. He added that 2025 cash costs and EBITDA included accounting allocations related to capitalized sustaining waste stripping at Haile and Macraes, translating to about a $70 per ounce increase in cash costs for the year, without affecting AISC or free cash flow.

2026 outlook: higher production, lower AISC, higher investment

 Opendoor Pops After Earnings, But the Big Question Hasnt Changed

Bond said 2026 guidance implies higher production and lower AISC, alongside increased spending on value-accretive capital projects. Using the midpoint of guidance, he said the company expects to produce 12% more gold than in 2025 at a 7% lower AISC.

Bond said the growth in 2026 production is driven primarily by Haile, where guidance reflects a 35% increase in output. He attributed that to 2025 open-pit waste stripping that will provide access to higher-grade ore in 2026, and said Hailes unit costs are expected to decline 25% year-over-year.

At other operations, management said Macraes and Didipio are expected to deliver roughly similar gold production to 2025, while Waihi is expected to sustain improved mine performance after a turnaround effort in 2025. Didipio AISC is expected to improve slightly, Bond said, largely due to higher copper by-product credits.

Bond said total growth and exploration capital is planned to rise to $340 million in 2026, about 2.5 times 2025 levels, reflecting accelerated development of the permitted Waihi North project, commencement of Palomino Underground development at Haile, and a meaningful step-up in exploration.

Operations update: Haile, Macraes, Waihi, Didipio

COO Bhuvanesh Malhotra said all four sites increased production in Q4 and each met its production guidance for the year, emphasizing that results were delivered safely.

Haile: Malhotra said Haile produced 56,000 ounces in Q4, its planned highest quarter of 2025. He cited reaching ore in the Ledbetter open pit, strong performance at Horseshoe Undergroundwhere he said decline advance is a full year ahead of mine sequenceand crusher upgrades that removed bottlenecks and increased mill throughput. He said an updated technical report is scheduled for release at the end of March and will outline mining the next phase of Ledbetter from underground, which he said improves margins and overall net present value. Malhotra said the mine plan is expected to produce above 200,000 ounces per year from 2026 through 2031.

In response to a Scotiabank question on permits and timing for moving Ledbetter from open pit to underground, Malhotra said the change would require a minor permit modification. He said front-end engineering is commencing now and estimated development would take about two years, starting sometime next year, with first development ore toward the back end of 2029 and sustainable ore production from 2030 onward.

Macraes: Malhotra said Macraes produced 56,000 ounces in Q4, aided by access to higher-grade open-pit ore following waste stripping at Innes Mills earlier in 2025. He said Q4 AISC was under $1,300 per ounce, down materially from Q3. An updated technical report, also expected at the end of March, is slated to show a five-year mine life extension to 2032 using a $2,200 gold price assumption. In Q&A, management discussed additional mine life opportunities beyond 2032, including potential extensions at Innes Mills and evaluation along Macraes northern corridor beyond Coronation North.

Waihi: Malhotra said Waihi exceeded production guidance and met AISC guidance for 2025. Q4 was the strongest quarter of the year at just under 22,000 ounces, which he attributed to progress from an underground improvement plan initiated in 2024. He added that final permits for Waihi North were received in Q4, and the company expects to start the underground decline toward Wharekirauponga by mid-2026.

Didipio: Malhotra said Didipio met production guidance and in Q4 produced approximately 24,000 ounces of gold and 3,200 tons of copper. He said investments in mine resilience, including underground pumping infrastructure, helped keep operations running through extreme weather events. He noted full-year AISC came in around the top end of the guided range. An updated technical report is expected in the first half of the year to detail remaining work to reach sustained mining rates and to provide an updated life-of-mine plan.

Exploration ramp-up and increased shareholder returns

Chief Exploration Officer Keenan Jennings, delivering his first quarterly market update, said OceanaGold has its highest ever exploration budget in 2026, with increased spending at all four sites and a renewed greenfields focus. He outlined three strategy pillars: converting resources to reserves, brownfields exploration near existing assets, and strengthening greenfields exploration.

Jennings said the company signed earn-in agreements in 2025 with Headwater Gold in Nevada and Carolina Rush in South Carolina. He also described plans to follow up targets fully controlled in New Zealand and the Philippines, and to continue looking for opportunities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

At Wharekirauponga, Jennings said the company will double the number of rigs operating following New Zealand government approval. He said the first half of 2026 will focus on resource-to-reserve conversion, with a plan for more than 30 drill holes targeting 300,000 ounces of reserves. In the second half, he said the team will follow up what appears to be a new higher-grade zone to the south with eight drill holes targeting growth of 150,000 ounces of inferred resources. He said initial results are expected mid-year, with a technical report update later in 2027.

On capital returns, Bond said the board approved a tripling of the quarterly dividend and a doubling of the share buyback for 2026, resulting in up to $432 million of total shareholder returnsan increase of 112% year-over-year. In discussing buyback sizing, Bond said an illustrative slide assumes a $4,700 gold price and implies about a 40% payout ratio using guidance midpoints and a reasonable gold price assumption, adding that the company could consider increasing the buyback if operating performance and gold prices allow, similar to 2025.

Bond also said OceanaGold expects to complete its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in April. On M&A, he said the companys strategy has not changed and that inorganic opportunities remain an option, though not a priority focus.

About OceanaGold (TSE:OGC)

OceanaGold is a growing intermediate gold and copper producer committed to safely and responsibly maximizing the generation of Free Cash Flow from our operations and delivering strong returns for our shareholders. We have a portfolio of four operating mines: the Haile Gold Mine in the United States of America; Didipio Mine in the Philippines; and the Macraes and Waihi operations in New Zealand.

The article "OceanaGold Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
This story was originally published on CFO.com. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO.com newsletter.

The Trial Balance is CFO.coms weekly preview of stories, stats and events to help you prepare.

Part 1  OpenAI finds Frontier Alliances in revenue push

OpenAI announced on Monday that it has entered into multi-year partnerships with Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Capgemini and McKinsey & Company, formalizing a consulting ecosystem around its new enterprise platform as competition in the artificial intelligence market intensifies.

The agreements, which the ChatGPT maker is calling Frontier Alliances, are tied to the companys recently launched Frontier Platform, an intelligence layer linking internal data and systems. Consulting partners will help enterprise customers define AI strategies, build governance frameworks and integrate AI agents into day-to-day operations. The company did not disclose financial terms, according to CNBC.

The alliances arrive as OpenAI deepens its enterprise strategy while facing growing attention on how its long-term spending plans align with future revenue expectations. CFO Sarah Friar said earlier this year that corporate customers account for roughly 40% of the companys revenue today and could approach half of its business by year's end. The enterprise focus aligns with ambitious long-term projections. OpenAI generated $13.1 billion in revenue last year and is targeting more than $280 billion annually by 2030, according to people familiar with internal forecasts shared with CNBC.

OpenAI executives said the consulting firms will build dedicated practice groups certified on its technology and work alongside forward deployed engineers embedded within customer organizations. The partnerships also give OpenAI access to long-standing enterprise relationships that consulting firms maintain across industries.

At the same time, after a significant blunder by Friar, OpenAI and its leadership are refining how it communicates its infrastructure plans to investors. The company is now targeting roughly $600 billion in total compute spending by the end of the decade, offering a more defined timeline after earlier infrastructure ambitions stretched into the trillion-dollar range.

Investor scrutiny around those plans has grown alongside the companys rapid valuation rise. During an interview with Altimeter Capital CEO Brad Gerstner in late-November 2025, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed questions about whether projected infrastructure spending of $1.4 trillion is outpacing the companys 2025 revenue figures. Altman responded to Gerstner by saying first of all, were doing well more revenue than [$13.1 billion], and second of all, Brad, if you want to sell your shares, I will find you a buyer. Just enough.
Young Chinese master art of "split-shift" Spring Festival

Xinhua) 10:20, February 24, 2026

SHENYANG, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- On the eve of the Spring Festival, Gu Yu from Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, was multitasking. Along with helping his family paste couplets and make dumplings, he was also busy checking travel guides on various online platforms.

During this year's nine-day Spring Festival holiday that began on Feb. 15, Gu planned to first enjoy a reunion dinner with his family at home, and then to travel with them to south China's Guangdong Province on the second day of the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 17 this year.

"The long holiday makes it a perfect time to take my parents out to experience the festive atmosphere of other cities," Gu said.

The extended break, dubbed the "longest Spring Festival holiday ever," offered Chinese people more choices in terms of how they celebrate. Like Gu, many young people have adopted a "split-shift" Spring Festival, reshaping tradition while also keeping it alive.

Data from online travel service provider Fliggy shows a significant surge in travel service bookings during this year's Spring Festival holiday.

Post-80s and post-90s generations were the main drivers of travel during this holiday, accounting for 64 percent of all travelers, according to a report by the China Association of Travel Services. More people chose to travel with family, with trips of three generations together emerging as a popular option, making up 34 percent of total travelers.

To cope with the surging travel demand, transport authorities across China rolled out multiple measures to ensure smooth travel during the Spring Festival holiday travel rush.

Railway operators dynamically analyzed big data from China's railway ticketing platform 12306 to add trains on popular routes and sections. Multiple airlines replaced narrow-body aircraft with wide-body ones on busy routes to maximize capacity. On the tropical island province of Hainan, for instance, wide-body aircraft capacity during the 2026 holiday surged 15 percent year on year.

Beyond better transport, diverse cultural tourism activities and traditional new year experiences across the country have also drawn people out to soak up the holiday spirit in new ways.

Shenyang launched nearly 40 ice-and-snow activities, along with events such as lantern fairs and night tours at museums. Guangdong's capital Guangzhou, meanwhile, hosted multiple intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, featuring carefully selected displays of southern school jade carving, fish-shaped lanterns and shadow puppetry.

Attracted by such diverse offerings, Jin Xiaodong from Changzhi, north China's Shanxi Province, took his parents on a trip to Guizhou Province in the southwest on the third day of the Spring Festival for an immersive experience of local rich ethnic culture.

"In the past, the Spring Festival was just a blur of social visits. We were always on the go and never really rested. Now, traveling with my family feels more relaxing and brings out the true flavor of the new year," Jin said.

His experience reflects a broader shift, one that Wang Xiaoyu, a professor at Beijing Sport University, said gives the festival "richer meaning."

"It's no longer just about going home, but also about going out to explore the world and embrace life," Wang noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
Panama on Monday took over operations of container terminals at the Panama Canal, ending more than three decades of management by China.

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings Limited in a release said that it had been informed that Panamanian authorities made direct

physical entry into the terminals at Balboa and Cristobal operated by subsidiary Panama Ports Company, S.A.

The state took over administrative and operational control of PPCs terminals at the ports, barring representatives of PPC from the property.

The takeover follows a ruling on Jan. 29 by Panamas Supreme Court that Hutchisons concession was unconstitutional. Maersks APM Terminals unit (MAERSK-B.CO) had been put in temporary charge of operations at the Pacific terminal of Balboa while the countrys port authority prepared to bid a long-term contract. Mediterranean Shipping Co.s terminal unit is also part of new management, according to published reports, managing Cristobals Atlantic facility.

President Donald Trump early in his presidency made taking back control of the Panama Canal a priority, saying Chinas presence there threatened U.S. security.

Hutchison (0001.HK) in 2025 reached agreement to sell dozens of global port facilities to Mediterranean Shipping Co. and U.S.-based investor BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), for $23 billion. The deal, which included the Panama terminals, was blocked by China, which demanded a controlling stake for state carrier Cosco.

The takeover of the two terminals reflects the culmination of a campaign by the Panama State against PPC and the concession contract over the past year, Hutchison said in the release. The state wrested formal control with the publication of the ruling Monday.

Government representatives arrived without invitation to the ports and informed representatives of PPC that the concession no longer exists and that PPC must cease operations, and instructed that PPC

employees would be transferred out of PPC, must not communicate with PPC, and must comply with government instructions, under threat of criminal prosecution, Hutchison said.

The State now has control of the terminals.

While the company said it had ceased all operations at Balboa and Cristobal, it considers the entire process unlawful, and that the states actions raise serious risks to the operations, health and safety at the Balboa and Cristobal terminals, on which PPC was not consulted.

The company said it is considering its legal options.

This article was updated Feb. 24 to add information about Mediterranean Shipping Co.

Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
The Global X - Silver Miners ETF (NYSEMKT:SIL) and the iShares Gold Trust (NYSEMKT:IAU) are popular ways to access precious metals, but they take very different approaches: SIL invests in silver mining companies, while IAU holds physical gold. The two ETFs differ most in their underlying assets, risk profiles, and cost  factors we break down next to help investors make informed decisions.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric SIL IAU Issuer Global X IShares Expense ratio 0.65% 0.25% 1-yr total return (as of 2026-02-23) 216.7% 76.64% Beta 0.96 0.73 AUM $6.7 billion $81.2 billion

Beta measures price volatility relative to the S&P 500; beta is calculated from five-year weekly returns. The 1-yr return represents total return over the trailing 12 months.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric SIL IAU Max drawdown (5 y) -24.59% -42.18% Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $2,432 $2,834

What's inside

IAU is structured to closely mirror the price of physical gold, making it a direct play on gold bullion rather than gold mining companies. The fund held 16.07 ounces in trust as of Feb. 20. and has been operating for 21 years. With over $80 billion in assets under management, IAU is one of the most liquid ways to gain exposure to gold, though it does not pay dividends.

In contrast, SIL holds a basket of silver mining stocks. Its largest positions are Wheaton Precious Metals(NYSE:WPM), Pan American Silver (NYSE:PAAS), and Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE), which together make up over 40% of the fund. This gives SIL indirect exposure to silver prices, but performance can also be affected by company-specific events and equity market swings. SIL holds 39 stocks and does not employ any leverage or hedging strategies.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

There are two major differences between the Global X - Silver Miners ETF and the iShares Gold Trust. SIL focuses on silver and is an equity ETF, as it holds stocks of silver mining companies. IAU focuses on gold and is a commodity ETF, holding physical bullion in a vault rather than investing in gold mining stocks.

IAU is a pure play on gold itself and one of the most direct ways to invest in gold without the hassle and risk of owning and storing physical bullion. Because physical gold ETFs like IAU closely track the price of gold, they typically rise and fall by roughly the same percentage as gold, though there are differences due to expense ratios and tracking errors.

SIL Total Return Price Chart

SIL Total Return Price data by YCharts

SILs performance, on the other hand, depends on the performance of individual stocks in its portfolio. For instance, if the largest holding rallies on company-specific developments, SIL is likely to rise as well. SIL holds stocks of global silver miners, therefore providing investors with a broad-based and diversified exposure to silver stocks.
Fintech platform Pine Labs has signed multi-year contracts with three state-owned downstream oil companies in India to modernise digital payments infrastructure across their retail networks.

The agreements cover Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

Under the agreements, Pine Labs will deploy, manage and maintain digital payment acceptance infrastructure at petrol pumps and merchant outlets nationwide. The contracts cover nearly 130,000 digital payments acceptance devices that will be deployed and supported across India.

The company said the engagements are focused on operating payment rails to enable payments at the point of sale.

As part of the IOCL engagement, Pine Labs will also manage the oil companys loyalty rewards platform, XTRAPOWER. The programme uses API integrations and supports fuel management, fleet analytics, trip management, secure Chip and PIN digital payment transactions including card, mobile, and RFID payments.

Pine Labs CEO B Amrish Rau said: By combining our tech prowess with the massive retail footprints of top OMCs in India, we are enabling a tech-first and robust payments infra and a world-class prepaid loyalty rewards ecosystem.

Software-first approach of Pine Labs will ensure faster product feature rollouts, minimal on-site intervention, and a unified payments and rewards/loyalty platform for accelerated digitisation of fuel retail commerce in India.

Pine Labs provides digital payments and issuing solutions. The company operates in India and international markets including Malaysia, UAE, Singapore, Australia, USA and Africa.

In November 2025, Pine Labs obtained regulatory licences from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a payment aggregator across offline, online and cross-border payments.

"Pine Labs wins digital payments contracts with Indian oil companies" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




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PPL Corp.s electric utilities continue to sign agreements with potential data centers and other large load customers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, company officials said during an earnings conference call on Friday.

At the same time, a PPL-Blackstone Infrastructure joint venture is in talks with hyperscalers to supply their data centers with generation, including options that could be built within several years, according to Vincent Sorgi, PPL president and CEO.

By the numbers: PPL Corp. Q4

$23B

Capital expenditure plan for 2026-2029, up 15% from last plan, mainly from $2 billion in increased transmission spending.

25.2 GW

Potential data centers in Pennsylvania with signed agreements, up 23% from last quarter.

$233M

Annual electric and gas revenue increase approved last week by the Kentucky Public Service Commission.

$1.2B

2025 income, up 33% from the previous year, partly driven by one-time charges in 2024 related to PPLs purchase of Rhode Island Energy and an IT transformation program.

PPL Electric Utility in Pennsylvania is continuing to see rapid growth in data center interconnection requests, according to Sorgi.

The company expects at least 10 GW to be under electric supply agreements by the end of the first quarter, Sorgi told equity analysts on the conference call.

That said, we believe all of the 25.2 gigawatts of projects have a high probability of completion, he said.

In Kentucky, PPLs Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities subsidiaries have an 8 GW data center pipeline, with about half of it considered highly active, according to Sorgi. They also have about 1.1 GW of advanced manufacturing and other non-data center interconnection requests, up about 150 MW from the third quarter, he said.

Data center customers face increasing pressure to secure new, dedicated power supplies, and PPLs joint venture with Blackstone aims to fill that need, according to Sorgi.

The JV has executed contracts for several land parcels where power plants could be built and is securing natural gas capacity, Sorgi said. It is also offering alternative generation solutions that come online more quickly than the roughly five years needed to build a combined cycle power plant, he said.

These are technologies that we could get online more in kind of the '28, '29 time frame versus, call it  '31, '32, like what we're seeing with the larger CCGTs, he said.
The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.



Top 5 Upgrades:



Raymond James double upgraded Genuine Parts (GPC) to Strong Buy from Market Perform with a $145 price target. The firm now sees a "constructively asymmetric" setup for the shares based on "conservative sum-of-the-parts math."

Seaport Research upgraded Fox Corp. (FOXA) to Buy from Neutral with a $64 price target. The firm views the recent pullback in the shares as overdone.

JPMorgan upgraded Domino's Pizza (DPZ) to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $450, down from $460. The firm says the company's "steady share-taking" business model screens attractive to buy the shares at the $400 level.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Booking Holdings (BKNG) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $5,500, down from $6,150. Even as agentic tools evolve, the firm sees Booking staying "a key driver of travel," contending that the company will still "own the customer," capture "robust" traveler data and use those to drive high margin direct business.

Loop Capital upgraded Qualcomm (QCOM) to Buy from Hold with an $185 price target. Year-to-date share price underperformance has been "fueled by a perfect storm of circumstances," but memory chips won't remain in short supply forever and the smartphone market should recover and normalize from the initial shock, the firm tells investors. Wells Fargo also upgraded Qualcomm but to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $150, up from $135.

Top 5 Downgrades:



BTIG downgraded Hims & Hers (HIMS) to Neutral from Buy with no price target following the company's "disappointing" Q4 results. The firm, which also notes "weak" Q1 guidance, slowing revenue growth, and increased legal and regulatory risk, says its "primary concern" is that even though Hims & Hers stated that there will be about a $65M revenue headwind in Q1 due to 503A "shipping cadences," this may at least in part be due to increased regulatory scrutiny, possible changes in marketing and advertising, or greater demand for branded GLP-1s from consumers.

BNP Paribas downgraded Comcast (CMCSA) to Underperform from Neutral with a price target of $27, down from $28. Comcast looks "most exposed" to incremental fiber headwinds, says the firm.

BNP Paribas downgraded Cable One (CABO) to Underperform from Neutral with a price target of $80, down from $125 ahead of the earnings report on February 26. The firm is "incrementally more bearish" on cable.

Barclays double downgraded Gossamer Bio (GOSS) to Underweight from Overweight with a price target of 30c, down from $9. The company's Phase 3 pulmonary arterial hypertension highlights the challenges of drug development, the firm tells investors in a research note. Leerink and Wedbush also downgraded Gossamer Bio but to Neutral-equivalent ratings following "disappointing" Phase 3 PROSERA results.
The Government of Queensland has allocated A$15m ($10.62m) to help Austral Resources refurbish the Rocklands sulphide processing facility near Cloncurry, Australia.

This funding, provided through the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), aims to restore production capabilities over the next two years, with operations expected to resume by 2027.

The Rocklands Copper Mine, which was placed into care and maintenance in 2024, will undergo refurbishment to facilitate the restart of copper sulphide production.

The project is expected to generate approximately 250 jobs, contributing to the economic growth of the North West Minerals Province.

Once operational, the refurbished facility is set to produce up to 26,300t of copper annually, including processing additional feedstock from other producers in the region.

This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to reinvigorate Queenslands resources sector, which faced a period of decline under previous administrations.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said that the government's business-friendly approach aims to bring stability and renewed investment, enhancing the prosperity of the state's mining industry.

Janetzki further added: This investment is about laying the groundwork for long-term copper production that this community can rely on and to ensure Rocklands is fit for the future energy demands Queensland faces.

We are delivering new investment to strengthen our regional communities and create local jobs. 

The Rocklands facility, featuring a three million tonne per annum sulphide plant, will play a central role in the states copper supply chain once fully operational.

Austral Resources chairman David Newling said: This cornerstone commitment from QIC provides the confidence needed to progress the refurbishment of Rocklands and position Austral as a major regional copper producer.

Rocklands can play a significant role in supplying the copper needed for Queenslands energy future.

"Queensland invests in Australs Rocklands copper facility refurbishment" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Schroders CEO Richard Oldfield has said the group plans to keep its wealth management operation, Cazenove Capital, following its 9.9bn ($13.5bn) agreed sale to US asset manager Nuveen.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Oldfield said there was absolutely no reason to think Cazenove would be sold.

His comments follow questions about the future of the brand after it was not mentioned by name when the FTSE 100 company announced the takeover earlier this month.

The wealth channel for us is really important, Oldfield said, adding: We want to grow it.

He also said commitments made by the buyer covered the whole company.

The commitments that Nuveen has made are about our entire business . . . when they talked about keeping people, keeping the business, keeping the brand, that applies to the whole business.

Private Banker International contacted Schroders for comment but was referred to the announcement released on 12 February.

Nuveen chief executive William Huffman, in remarks published with that statement, said: This transaction is about unlocking new growth opportunities for wealth and institutional investors around the world by giving our leading, differentiated public-to-private platform a broader global presence.

Schroders board has accepted a 612p-per-share offer from Nuveen, which is part of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.

The proposed transaction has the support of the Schroder family, which holds 42% of the London-listed firm.

Oldfield said the transaction was a good deal for the UK and that the combined organisation would continue to use London as its non-US headquarters.

Schroders operates across asset management, private markets and wealth management.

It acquired Cazenove in 2013 for 424m.

Oldfield said the wealth business was growing really strongly and highlighted its client base includes a large number of charities.

Schroders Wealth Management, the label used for its international operations, runs offices in Singapore, Switzerland and the US.

He said Nuveen also has a very big wealth business in the US, working with thousands of investment advisers.

Once combined, the two groups are expected to oversee close to $2.5tn in assets under management, split between institutional and wealth clients.

In the announcement released when the deal was unveiled, the companies said there was no intention to make any material reductions in the employee base of Schroders for two years after completion.

Oldfield indicated any restructuring decisions would take time.

Its going to take a year to go through and do all the analysis . . . to come up with the right decisions about any changes that we want to make.
Key Takeaways

SEC staff will not object to a 2% haircut on proprietary payment stablecoin positions for broker-dealer net capital.

The haircut is taken on the greater of the long or short position (not netted).

The guidance is staff-level and applies only to payment stablecoins as defined in the FAQ.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)s Division of Trading and Markets has issued a narrow but consequential clarification for broker-dealers that hold stablecoins on their own books.

In a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) entry, SEC staff said it will not object if a broker-dealer treats a proprietary position in a qualifying payment stablecoin as having a ready market under Rule 15c3-1 and applies a 2% haircut when calculating net capital.

What Changed

The relevant language is unusually direct.

Staff will not object if the firm takes a haircut of 2% of the market value of the greater of the long or short proprietary position in payment stablecoin.

That greater of long or short construct matters because it prevents firms from shrinking capital charges simply by offsetting exposures on paper.

Rule 15c3-1

Rule 15c3-1 is the broker-dealer net capital rule.

It is one of the core constraints that determines what regulated intermediaries can hold, and at what scale.

Regulators apply haircuts to positions to account for potential losses or liquidity stress.

In practice, firms avoid holding assets deemed effectively unusable for capital purposes or maintain only minimal operational amounts.

Commissioner Hester Peirce underscored that point in a statement accompanying the FAQ.

She noted that some broker-dealers had been thinking about a 100% haircut out of an abundance of caution.

She described this potential outcome as unnecessarily punitive and emphasized that the staffs proposed approach provides a more practical baseline for stablecoins used as transaction rails.

Scope: This Is Not All Stablecoins

The FAQ isnt a blanket green light for every dollar-pegged token.

It applies only to payment stablecoins as the SEC staff defines them. This means the issuer, backing, redemption terms, and ongoing disclosures must meet specific conditions.

The upshot: this sketches a lane for compliance-forward stablecoins, not broad capital relief for the entire category.

A Wider Pattern In The Same FAQ Section

The payment stablecoin haircut update landed alongside other broker-dealer net capital clarifications.

In the same section, SEC staff also addressed how broker-dealers supporting spot crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) share issuance and withdrawal process should treat proprietary Bitcoin or Ether positions for net capital purposes.
Software stocks have faced notable market headwinds amid growing investor fears regarding artificial intelligence disruption.

The broader equity pullback is also raising concerns for Bitcoin (BTC), which has closely tracked software stocks.

Why Are Software Stocks Down?

According to the Global Markets Investor, the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) has fallen 15% in February alone, putting it on pace for its worst monthly performance since 2008. The ETF is now testing its April 2025 lows and sits roughly 35% below its peak.

Software stocks are having their WORST month since the Great Financial Crisis, the post read.

Artificial intelligence sits at the center of the recent drawdown, with investors selling shares of companies perceived as vulnerable to disruption by advancing AI tools. Two major developments in recent days have accelerated the downturn.

On February 20, Anthropic introduced Claude Code Security, a new capability embedded within Claude Code. The tool scans codebases for security vulnerabilities and recommends targeted patches for human review, aiming to detect and fix issues that traditional security tools may overlook.

The announcement triggered an immediate reaction across cybersecurity stocks. According to The Kobeissi Letter, CrowdStrike erased $20 billion in market value within two trading sessions. Furthermore, IBM shares fell more than 10%.

The software selloff continues, w/cybersecurity stocks particularly hard hit following the release of Anthropics Claude Code Security due to fears that this code-focused tool will change the industry. This indicates that there is nowhere to hide when it comes to software stocks. Even the Goldman Sachs basket of supposedly AI-immune software stocks has come under heavy pressure recently, said Holger Zschaepitz, Senior Editor at the Economic and Financial desk of the German daily Die Welt and its Sunday edition Welt am Sonntag.

Pressure intensified again on Monday after Citrini Research published a report. The report presents a hypothetical scenario set in June 2028 in which AI automation drives higher corporate profits.
Solana Company (HSDT) rolled out a strategic roadmap to invest in a new low-latency cluster in Asia Pacific to drive staking and validation with the focus on supporting Solanas ecosystem building and diversifying revenue streams for Solana Company. The significant new infrastructure investment, which will start with connecting Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, is designed to help address the significant gap in Solanas network in the region despite the fact that the majority of the global population and crypto users, and substantial wealth are located there. The region also has significant share of global financial transactions especially in cross-border payments and trading. Solana Company plans to begin building out the network infrastructure immediately, expanding to optimizing performance and adopting new technologies by the second half of 2026, and anticipates launching liquidity related new products and services within the next 12 to 18 months. Specifically, Solana Company will focus on addressing the needs of market makers, high-frequency traders as well as other Solana partners. The strategic roadmap will begin by activating a series of smaller nodes to ensure security and efficiency and then scale from there. The plan includes implementing state-of-the-art hardware and potentially capturing more value within the staking business.

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Kurdish Representative in Washington Threatens Assyrian Activist

Dasko Shirwani (left), the Washinton DC representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government, posted this photo of Robert DeKelaita (right) on his Facebook page. (AINA) -- A recent threatening and defamatory social media post made by the Washinton DC representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Mr Dasko Shirwani, against a prominent Assyrian community leader, Mr. Robert Dekelaita, has once again focused the spotlight on ongoing mistreatment of Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs) by the KRG in general and the KDP in particular both in northern Iraq as well as in diaspora.

In his post, Mr. Shirwani included a photo of Mr. Dekelaita encircled in a red circle with a red slash through Mr. Dekelaita. In addition, , Mr. Shirwani calls Mr. Dekelaita a "liar." Apparently, in this instance, Mr. Shirwani's ire was raised by an anonymous editorial written in the online platform Nineveh News on 2/15/26 which for an unknown reason Mr. Shirwani attributed to Mr. Dekelaita.

The editorial itself is interesting in that it is a fairly mild criticism of the KRG's decades long mistreatment of Assyrian Christians and a call, in general, for greater pluralism and rights for the betterment of all the communities in northern Iraq. The editorial highlights failures of the KRG to commit to supporting implementation of Article 125 of the Iraqi constitution for administrative rights in the Nineveh Plain and elsewhere as well as long standing Assyrian grievances regarding land expropriation, security concerns, linguistic and cultural discrimination, and economic marginalization. Normal and mainstream fare for the Assyrian community. The recent impetus for the grievances and the editorial followed the visit by the KRG leader Mr. Rebar Ahmed to Detroit and Washington DC during which recycled and regurgitated rhetoric regarding the treatment of Assyrian Christians was still not accompanied by any meaningful or concrete plan to implement reforms.

Mr. Dasko is the Director of Outreach and Community Affairs at the KRG Representative office in Washington DC. These recent threats are commonplace and consistent with how the KRG treats journalists and critics in Iraq, but are a very dangerous escalation in terms of now targeting American citizens in the US. Still more, such threats are not to be taken lightly as evidenced by numerous US and international agencies documenting many KDP attacks against critics and journalists often at the hands of the state internal security services, the Asayish.

According to the US State Department Country Reports from 2024, "In the Iraqi Kurdish Region, the Kurdistan Regional Government, including its affiliated Asayish internal security service...allegedly committed abuses for which accountability was inconsistent" including detaining and attacking journalists such as Aveen Atta 8/19/24, Shakar Satta 5/9/24 as well as Islam Kashani whose detention was noted in the 2023 report.

Freedom House also lists various cases, concluding that " whistleblowers, investigators, journalists ... face arrests, defamation charges, violence, intimidation, and slander" and that the Asayish are "... ready to repress dissidents..." in a general " climate of fear."

Amnesty International in its 2009 report stated " Journalists who have written articles critical of corruption within the KDP and PUK have been harassed... some women were reported to have been burned to disguise .. killing,,"

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) likewise noted arrests of journalists Ahmed Shamki 6/26/24 and Sirwan Hassan in August 2024. Waria Abdulkhlaleq was stabbed 21 times and pistol whipped in November 2024. Journalist Wedat Hussein Ali was kidnapped 8/13/16 was tortured and later died as a result. The GCHR concluded " like many assassinations of journalists and other activists, the perpetrators have yet to be apprehended and brought to justice."

Whereas the KRG's attacks against critics and journalists in Iraq is standard operating procedure, Mr. Shirwani's latest threat against and slander of Mr. Dekelaita, an Assyrian American citizen, is unprecedented. Mr. Shirwani is registered in the US in accordance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) through the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and his presence in the US is subject to DOJ approval.

For Assyrians in Diaspora, Mr Shirwani's threats and insults are not only egregious but also defamatory. Since the KRG established itself, the Assyrian population in Iraq has decreased by 80-90%. On March 17, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry declared that ISIS had committed genocide against Assyrians, Yezidis, and other minorities. Many Assyrian Christians believe the KRG was complicit in allowing ISIS to enter Assyrian villages after forcibly disarming the population days before the attacks (AINA 2014-08-14). And, yet, in all this time, the Iraqi government and the KRG have failed to implement any programs or legislation such as Article 125 that is already part of the Iraqi Constitution to help Assyrian Christians resettle and rebuild.

The letter sent on July 14, 2014 by the Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, working in unison, to disarm the Assyrian population.

Mr. DeKelaita merely pointed out that land expropriation and threats and attacks continue, security remains nonexistent, schools are neglected, and discrimination in education, government, and business still runs rampant as official policy. In response, Mr Shirwani the official representative of the KRG government in the US responded with threats and slander against an Assyrian American leader looking for progress and solutions for his persecuted community .

Following an internationally recognized genocide, there is a legal and moral obligation to assist victim communities to recover and reestablish themselves. Instead, the KRG has increased its attacks. As one activist asked " so, where is the lie in the editorial and where is Mr Shirwani's evidence to counter the obvious facts on the ground?" Ultimately, even a respectful and genuine call for dignity and justice for Assyrians appears to be an affront to those in the KRG who share Mr Shirwani's racist and resentful ideology.
Soybeans are down 2 to 6 cents so far on Monday morning. Futures were down 3 to 4 cents in the front months, as March was up 4  cents last week. Open interest was down 36,192 contracts in March on Friday, with the rest up 18,174 contracts. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 7 1/2 cents at $10.76 1/2. Soymeal futures were up $5 to $5.30 in the front months, with March up 60 cents last week. Soy Oil futures were down 70 to 75 points with March up 184 points last week. We are closing in on the final week for the crop insurance spring base price discovery, with the average November soybean close during February at $11.03 so far. Thiat is up 49 cents from last year.

On Friday, the US Supreme Court ruled the President cannot use the IEEPA for tariff purposes. The market took to risk off mode following the new, as this likely give some leverage to China. President Trump later responded by indicating he will issue a 10% blanket tariff under sections 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which would expire after 150 days, before raising that to 15% over the weekend.

More News from Barchart

Soybean sales picked up for old crop in the week ending on February 12, with bookings at 798,216 MT. That was well above the week prior and 66.2% above the same week last year. The largest buyer was China at 415,500 MT, with 226,900 MT sold to Egypt and 87,100 MT to Japan. New crop sales totaled 66,000 MT.

Meal sales were tallied at 480,937 MT, exceeding trade estimates of 220,000-450,000 MT. Sales for bean oil were at 11,134 MT, near the top end of expectations of net reductions of 10,000 to sales of 16,000 MT.

CFTC data showed a total of 40,463 contracts added to the managed money net long position in the week of 2/17. That took the net position to 163,611 contracts.

AgRural estimates the Brazilian soybean crop at 30% harvested, still lagging the 39% paced from the same period last year.

Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.37 1/2, down 3 1/2 cents, currently down 5 1/4 cents

Nearby Cash was $10.72, down 3 1/2 cents,

May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.53 1/4, down 2 3/4 cents, currently down 5 1/4 cents

Jul 26 Soybeans closed at $11.66, down 2 cents, currently down 5 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
South African retailer SPAR Group has appointed its chief financial officer (CFO), Reeza Isaacs, as chief executive officer (CEO), effective 1 March.

The appointment followed the resignation of Angelo Swartz after about 16 months in the role.

Swartz assumed the CEO role in October 2023 and led efforts to streamline operations, reduce debt and reinforce the balance sheet.

These priorities followed a problematic SAP implementation and broader financial strain facing the group.

During his tenure, the Durban-based grocery retailer withdrew from loss-making operations in Poland and Switzerland, reducing net debt and strengthening cash generation.

He will remain available for three months to ensure an orderly handover.

Isaacs joined Spar a year ago as CFO after a career that included senior roles at Woolworths Holdings.

Swartz has spent 19 years with Spar, including his time as group CEO from October 2023.

SPAR chairman Mike Bosman said: On behalf of the Board, I thank Angelo for his leadership and long-standing service at SPAR. He has been an integral part of SPAR for 19 years and has led the Group with commitment and integrity during a period of significant complexity and change.

"The Board is deeply appreciative of his leadership and the achievements under his tenure. We respect his decision and thank him for the constructive and principled manner in which this transition has been undertaken.

Megan Pydigadu has been appointed Group CFO effective 1 March 2026 following Reeza Isaacs move to Group CEO.

Her appointment supports continuity and financial oversight, while SPAR reviews COO portfolios, which remain under divisional leadership during the transition.

As part of the companys restructuring of its European footprint, SPAR agreed to sell its underperforming Polish division in 2024 to local retailer Specjal for R185m ($10m).

The disposal was intended to provide clarity to investors and remove a loss-making business from the groups accounts.

Spars Polish operations comprised 200 stores, three distribution centres and one production site.

"SPAR names Reeza Isaacs CEO as Angelo Swartz steps down" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




Engine by Starling, the Software-as-a-Service arm of Starling Group, has entered into an agreement with SBS Bank, a mutual bank based in New Zealand.

This marks Engines fourth international contract.

SBS Bank, which has transitioned from its beginnings as a building society, is set to update its core banking infrastructure using Engines cloud-based platform.

The move will introduce digital onboarding, fraud protection tools, and standard banking features such as card controls and spending analysis via a mobile application.

SBS Bank Group CEO Mark McLean said: Engine was developed by the UKs leading digital bank, Starling, and will bring worldclass capability to our members, and New Zealand.

By partnering with Engine, well combine the best of what SBS Bank offers today with globally acclaimed banking expertise, to create a more modern and secure experience for our members and enable our people to continue to deliver the outstanding service they provide today.

Engines software aims to streamline account management and support services for SBS Bank.

Deloitte has been appointed to assist in implementing the new system.

The collaboration adds to Engines portfolio, which includes supporting banks such as Starling in the UK, Salt Bank in Romania, and AMP in Australia.

The companys first North American deal was signed last year with Tangerine Bank in Canada.

Recently, Financial Times reported that Starling is making its Engine platform available to American banks.

Engine by Starling CEO Sam Everington added: Welcoming SBS Bank as our first mutual client is a powerful proof point for Engines adaptability across customer bases and product profiles. We have a tried and tested blueprint for ambitious customer-centric banks looking to deliver brilliant digital experiences.

Engine is a proven platform that works for large scale bank transformations, financial institutions unlocking new segments, new digital-first banks and community focused mutuals. This milestone demonstrates that our technology can flex, scale and evolve to meet the needs of many different banking models.

"Starlings Engine expands into New Zealand with SBS Bank tie-up " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




In envelopes, Emerson said fourth-quarter revenue was steady year-over-year but up sequentially, while envelope volume rose 5.3%. He attributed the growth primarily to business development in the U.S. market, along with contributions from Enveloppe Laurentide (acquired in July) and Elite Envelope (acquired in December). Emerson said the company has been increasing its penetration in the U.S. envelope market through share-of-wallet gains and new customer wins, which helped offset the impact of Canada Post disruptions and continued declines from the large U.S. customer. He noted that the decline from that customer was less pronounced in the fourth quarter than earlier in the year, as the company get[s] closer to lapping the headwind.

President and CEO Stewart Emerson said 2025 was marked by ups and downs, including more than 12 months of labor unrest, negative press and multiple delivery disruptions at Canada Post, as well as a significant volume reduction from a single large U.S. direct mail customer. Despite those headwinds, Emerson said the company increased envelope volume in a declining market and grew packaging revenue by more than 8% for the year, including 18% growth in the fourth quarter.

Supremex (TSE:SXP) reported fourth-quarter results that showed year-over-year revenue growth and a sharp sequential improvement in profitability, while management highlighted progress in U.S. envelope share gains, continued packaging momentum, and a dramatically strengthened balance sheet following a sale-leaseback and debt repayment.

Management is focused on quickpayback, closein M&A (e.g., Elite Envelope, TransGraphique) and network optimization, including the planned shutdown of Indianapolis with an expected onetime provision of CAD 12 million and anticipated synergies through 2026.

Operationally, packaging revenue rose 18.3% in Q4 and envelope unit volume increased 5.3% on U.S. share gains and recent tuck-ins, but average selling prices fell 4.8% and adjusted EBITDA declined yearoveryear to CAD 9.1 million (though it improved sequentially from Q3).

Supremex dramatically strengthened its balance sheet after a July sale-leaseback and using proceeds plus free cash flow to repay CAD 39 million of debt, leaving net debt at CAD 1.0 million (net debt/adjusted EBITDA 0.03x) and a trailing 12month free cash flow yield of about 22% excluding the sale-leaseback.

Story Continues

Emerson also discussed mix pressure: replacement business carried lower selling prices and lower costs than the higher value-added volume it replaced, which contributed to lower revenue despite higher unit volumes. He added that serving a broader base of customers requires more operating and SG&A effort than dealing with a single large customer, even as the additional volume helped maintain asset utilization.

 Gold and Silver Pulled BackHeres Why the Bull Case Is Intact

In packaging, Emerson said performance was driven by strong folding carton demand in health and beauty and over-the-counter pharmaceutical segments, new business wins from current and reactivated customers, and revenue from the Trans-Graphique acquisition (completed in July) to expand the companys presence in food-grade packaging. He also cited continued growth in e-commerce solutions and specialty packaging. These gains were partially offset by weaker commercial printing activity, which management said relies on Canada Post for delivery of coupons and direct mail components. Emerson said the company expects some commercial print volume to return now that delivery uncertainty has diminished following the signing of new collective agreements in late January.

Acquisitions and footprint actions

Emerson characterized Elite Envelope as a perfect tuck-in acquisition, describing it as a business with approximately $5 million in annual volume that has served the New England market for more than two decades. He said Elites facility in Randolph, Massachusetts is less than an hour from Supremexs larger facility in Douglas, Massachusetts, and that production and certain staff were transferred to Douglas immediately after Christmas. Supremex is operating under a three-month transition services agreement, is selling excess equipment, and plans to exit the Randolph facility at the end of February. Emerson said the acquisition is expected to have a rapid payback of less than a year and should improve utilization at the Douglas plant.

 Opendoor Pops After Earnings, But the Big Question Hasnt Changed

The company also announced a decision to shutter its envelope manufacturing capabilities in Indianapolis as part of a rationalization and network optimization initiative. Emerson said the facility became less strategic after the companys 2022 acquisition of two plants in the Chicagoland area, and noted Indianapolis produced less than 8% of Supremexs total units sold in 2025. He said the company is confident it can retain the sales by shifting production to other facilities.

During the Q&A session, management said it expects to take a non-recurring provision related to the Indianapolis closure in the first quarter, somewhere between a million to two million dollars, and added that anticipated synergies should be fairly substantial as 2026 progresses.

Fourth-quarter financial results

CFO Normand Macaulay reported fourth-quarter revenue of CAD 72.9 million, up 5.6% from CAD 69.1 million a year earlier.

Envelope revenue: CAD 48.9 million versus CAD 48.8 million last year (and CAD 45.1 million in Q3). Macaulay said the year-over-year change reflected a 5.3% volume increase and contributions from Enveloppe Laurentide (full-quarter) and Elite (three weeks), as well as U.S. customer wins that offset lower volume from a large U.S. customer and Canada Post disruptions. Average selling prices fell 4.8%.

Packaging and specialty products revenue: CAD 24.0 million, up 18.3% from CAD 20.3 million (and CAD 20.6 million in Q3). Macaulay attributed the increase to higher folding carton revenue from gains with large multinational consumer packaged goods customers, expansion in e-commerce packaging, new business wins from existing customers, and the Trans-Graphique contribution.

Adjusted EBITDA totaled CAD 9.1 million, or 12.5% of sales, compared with CAD 12.9 million, or 18.7% of sales, in the prior-year quarter. However, adjusted EBITDA improved sequentially from CAD 6.2 million, or 9.4% of sales, in Q3.

Envelope adjusted EBITDA: CAD 7.8 million (15.9% margin) versus CAD 9.2 million (18.8%) last year; up from CAD 5.3 million (11.8%) in Q3. Management cited lower selling prices as a key year-over-year factor.

Packaging and specialty adjusted EBITDA: CAD 3.2 million (13.2%) versus CAD 2.4 million (11.6%) last year; up from CAD 2.2 million (10.5%) in Q3, primarily due to higher folding carton volume.

Macaulay said corporate and unallocated costs were CAD 1.9 million, compared with a CAD 1.4 million recovery in the prior-year quarter, largely due to a foreign exchange loss of CAD 1.3 million on intercompany balances versus a CAD 0.8 million gain a year earlier. He emphasized this was a non-cash item and said the company is evaluating ways to reduce the volatility from intercompany FX movements in reported results.

Net earnings were CAD 1.3 million, or CAD 0.05 per share, versus CAD 5.8 million, or CAD 0.23 per share, a year ago. Adjusted net earnings were CAD 1.5 million, or CAD 0.06 per share, compared with CAD 5.2 million, or CAD 0.20 per share, in the prior-year quarter.

Cash flow, balance sheet, and shareholder returns

Operating cash flow was CAD 14.1 million, up from CAD 9.2 million last year, which Macaulay said reflected improved working capital efficiency partly offset by lower profitability. Free cash flow was CAD 13.4 million in the quarter, up from CAD 8.7 million a year ago. For the full year, free cash flow totaled CAD 73.2 million. Excluding a CAD 53 million inflow from a sale-leaseback completed in July, Macaulay said the companys trailing 12-month free cash flow yield was approximately 22% based on the recent share price.

Net debt stood at CAD 1.0 million at year-end, down from CAD 8.9 million three months earlier and CAD 41.2 million a year earlier, reflecting CAD 39 million of long-term debt repaid using sale-leaseback proceeds and free cash flow generation. The net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio was 0.03x, compared with 0.26x in the prior quarter and 1.02x a year earlier.

On capital returns, management said the company repurchased more than 171,000 shares for CAD 0.6 million since starting its normal course issuer bid in August, and an additional 45,000 shares for CAD 0.2 million after year-end. The board declared a quarterly dividend of CAD 0.05 per share, payable April 2, 2026, to shareholders of record March 19, 2026.

Outlook and early 2026 commentary

Emerson said the company is encouraged by improvements late in 2025, pointing to the end of Canada Post disruptions and the expected lapping of the large U.S. customer headwind. In response to an analyst question, he said the first quarter was off to a good start and looks solid, citing strong U.S. penetration in envelopes and continued strength in packaging, particularly folding carton and e-commerce.

On M&A, Emerson said the strategy remains focused on tuck-in acquisitions that are quickly accretive and close to existing operations, while also exploring more substantive opportunities, which he indicated would be on the packaging side, preferably in Canada. He described the companys pipeline as fairly robust.

About Supremex (TSE:SXP)

Supremex Inc is engaged in manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of custom envelopes and packaging products. The company operates in two business segments that are Manufacturing and Sale of Envelopes, and the manufacturing and sale of paper-based packaging solutions and specialty products. The majority of the revenue is generated from the Envelope segment. Its product portfolio consists of translucent envelopes, custom envelopes, stock envelopes, poly mailers, enviro-Logix flat mailers, board mailers, custom labels, affixing, repositionable notes and others.

The article "Supremex Q4 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
Despite growth, the Spanish market's service revenue and EBITDA growth have been relatively stagnant at around 1% over the past few quarters.

The company reached a formal agreement with labor unions in Spain to improve productivity, which is expected to deliver approximately EUR0.6 billion in run rate savings by 2028.

Telefonica SA ( TELFY ) delivered on its financial commitments for 2025, with significant progress in setting up the business for a stronger future.

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide insights on the expected acceleration in Spanish EBITDA growth for 2026, considering the restructuring efficiencies? A: Emilio Gayo Rodriguez, Chief Operating Officer, explained that the acceleration in financial metrics, including EBITDA, is expected in 2026. However, the restructuring savings are part of this equation. The savings will not fully translate to EBITDA due to declining wholesale revenues and other costs, such as personal costs not covered by the restructuring agreement. The company is also focusing on savings through procurement and purchase processes.

Q: What is the outlook for free cash flow generation in 2026, and are there any below-the-line movements to be aware of? A: Juan Azcue Vich, Chief Strategy & Development Officer, stated that the free cash flow guidance for 2026 has been upgraded to approximately EUR3 billion. This is supported by positive operational performance and efficient cost management. The company expects employee commitments to peak at around EUR1.2 billion in 2026, with UK dividends guided at around GBP200 million.

Q: How do you expect the German free cash flow margin to evolve, and what are the key factors for growth? A: Emilio Gayo Rodriguez noted that the expectation is to return to growth in 2027, with improvements throughout the year as the company leaves behind certain revenue impacts. The focus will be on improving operational cash flow margins, which are expected to grow faster than revenue and EBITDA.

Q: Can you elaborate on the main barriers to consolidation in your core markets, and is there enough regulatory clarity for potential deals? A: Marc Thomas Murtra Millar, CEO, highlighted that the main barrier has been the European Commission's mergers and acquisitions guidelines. While there are positive messages regarding consolidation, specifics are still pending. The company will approach potential deals on a case-by-case basis.

Q: What is the impact of the Netomnia transaction on Virgin Media O2's valuation, and could you consider selling Telefonica Deutschland? A: Juan Azcue Vich explained that the Netomnia transaction is not included in the impairment test for Virgin Media O2, but it is expected to enhance financial and operational performance. Marc Thomas Murtra Millar stated that Telefonica is committed to the German market and takes media comments as such, indicating no current plans to sell Telefonica Deutschland.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
President Trump on Tuesday night offered a strong defense of tariffs during his State of the Union address and proclaimed that no changes are in the offing as "the deals are all done."

The highly anticipated moment saw the president condemn "the Supreme Court's unfortunate involvement" even as the four justices in attendance sat motionless a few feet away, just days after their ruling struck down the centerpiece of Trump's tariff agenda.

Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Elena Kagan, and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who all ruled with the majority in declaring the president's blanket tariffs illegal, were in attendance Tuesday night. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, also in attendance, dissented and wrote that he would have upheld the tariffs.

In the speech, Trump said congressional action will not be necessary to keep his tariffs in force and even claimed that the duties would eventually "substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love."

President Donald Trump greets Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts ahead of his State of the Union at the US Capitol on February 24. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)  Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Trump again overstated the effects of tariffs. Tariffs have actually been bringing in only a small fraction of income tax revenue so far  about $30 billion a month in recent months. Yet it was another forceful defense of Trump's central economic policy, even as public support of tariffs has been ebbing  accelerated by the Supreme Court's decision striking down his sweeping emergency duties.

Among lawmakers, there have been bipartisan votes in both chambers to rebuke the tariffs, as well as a new Democratic pledge to block an extension of the new 10% global tariffs when they come up for congressional review in 150 days.

Polls show Americans opposed to Trump's tariffs by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. This week, a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of tariffs, while only 34% approve.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

Tough economic sell

Tariffs were just one of many themes in evidence Tuesday night, with the president trying to sell his economic record amid new levels of uncertainty.

Trump claimed prices are falling and promised new efforts to address Americans' affordability worries, even as he claimed, "We are winning so much, we don't know what to do."

An average of recent polls on the economy from RealClearPolitics finds just 40.8% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the economy, while 55.6% disapprove. The president's numbers on inflation are even worse.
By Allison Lampert, David Shepardson and Gabriel Araujo

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer, U.S. airlines and the broader commercial aerospace sector are poised to benefit from the Trump administration imposing a revised tariff regime on Tuesday.

But aviation attorneys and industry executives urged caution, warning that shifting White House policy is still creating uncertainty.

Commercial aircraft, engines and aerospace parts are set to be exempt from the temporary 10% global import duty being introduced under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, according to an annex to U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order authorizing the tariff. The levy, which he later said would rise to 15%, was announced to replace tariffs struck down on Friday by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The global aerospace exemption is broader than already generous tariff carve-outs for the biggest industry exporters to the U.S. under earlier trade deals, including the European Union, Britain, Japan, Canada and Mexico.

Last July, Trump slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but he spared aircraft from the steepest penalties. Still, U.S. importers of Embraer business and regional jets had faced a 10% tariff.

The exemption for aircraft under Trumps latest tariffs gives Embraer a boost, easing a disadvantage it faced against private jets from Canadas Bombardier and Frances Dassault, which had been entering the U.S. duty-free.

Its actually very encouraging and quite good news for our industry, Katie DeLuca, a Florida-based private aviation attorney with Harper Meyer, told a Monday webinar organized by the National Business Aviation Association.

The timing comes as the Brazilian planemaker is set to announce a new variant of its Praetor business jets on Tuesday, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Embraer, which declined to comment, had previously called the 10% tariff manageable but harmful.

Alaska Airlines said last July that it took delivery of two E175 regional jets after a short delay. The carrier said on Monday that its next E175 delivery was scheduled for this summer "so we have time to understand where the tariff landscape settles."

SkyWest Airlines and American Airlines, which have both ordered Embraer's E175 regional jets, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

TARIFF CONCERN STILL LOOMS

Dave Hernandez, a U.S. business aviation specialist and attorney with Vedder, called the new tariffs a particular win for Embraer, but cautioned the Trump administration was conducting separate investigations into Brazil's trade practices and commercial aerospace. Aviation also continues to face higher costs due to U.S. tariffs on materials used to make aircraft parts.
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Two Federal Reserve officials on Tuesday said they do not expect artificial intelligence technology to drive a massive upheaval in the economy.

I am, I would say a cautious optimist in this space, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins said at a conference held by her bank. She said workers so far appear to be enhanced by AI rather than displaced, in a view echoed by Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin, who spoke on the same panel.

(Reporting by Michael S. Derby, Editing by Franklin Paul)
This story was originally published on Supply Chain Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Supply Chain Dive newsletter.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters' push to halt UPS' next round of driver buyouts was denied in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, paving the way for the carrier to offer $150,000 separation payments to thousands of employees.

The Teamsters "failed to show that it will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction (i.e., that any arbitration would be rendered meaningless in the absence of the requested injunctive relief)," Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper said in an order filed Friday. She added that cases warranting the issuance of a labor injunction are rare.

Casper's ruling comes less than a month after UPS publicly revealed plans to deploy a voluntary buyout program for full-time U.S. drivers. UPS is pushing to reduce its employee ranks as it adjusts to fewer packages from Amazon and starts to hand off more Ground Saver shipments to the U.S. Postal Service for delivery.

We are pleased with the courts ruling and intend to move forward with our Driver Choice Program, as originally planned, UPS said in an emailed statement to Supply Chain Dive.

The Teamsters, which represent 80% of UPS' roughly 370,000 U.S. employees, filed a lawsuit earlier this month seeking a temporary restraining order on the buyout rollout. The union argued that the program would violate the Teamsters' labor contract with UPS.

About 105,000 UPS drivers would be eligible for the $150,000 lump sum payment packages, which would be in addition to any retirement benefits earned. UPS had planned for the buyout enrollment window to run from Feb. 13 to March 12, with separations starting around April 26, per Casper's order.

It's unclear to what extent the timing of the buyout program could shift due to the court case. UPS said it would share further details about the offer to its drivers over the coming days.

UPS deployed a similar separation program in 2025. About 3,000 of the nearly 115,000 drivers eligible accepted last year's buyout offer, per Casper's order. Counsel for the Teamsters said during a hearing in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts case that the new buyout program could lead to a larger number of employees leaving and noted that UPS has not established "aggregate or location-specific caps on program participation," according to Casper.

"Setting aside the speculative nature of this argument, it does not impact an arbitrators authority to remedy the harms alleged, even as the Court recognizes that it could make any remedy more difficult to implement," Casper said.
This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Veris Residential joined the parade of small multifamily REITs that have recently sold out, according to a Monday release announcing that the Northeast-focused firm agreed to be acquired by an investor consortium led by Affinius Capital in partnership with Vista Hill Partners in a $3.4 billion all-cash transaction.

Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders will receive $19.00 per share of Veris common stock in cash, representing a 23.2% premium to the unaffected closing share price on Feb. 4, per the release. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to shareholder approval at Veris and other customary closing conditions.

The sale comes after Erez Asset Management sent a letter in December to Veris Residential, saying that the REITs properties traded at a more than 30% discount to net asset value, according to a Feb. 3 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Erez said Veris shareholders could realize approximately $22 to $25 per share in a sale. The current sale price falls below that threshold, potentially opening the door for another bidder.

Dive Insight :

Veris sale to the consortium, which was unanimously approved by its board of directors, followed a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives conducted by the company and assisted by financial advisors J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley & Co., according to the release. The company and its advisors engaged with a broad group of potential counterparties, including financial sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and multifamily investment platforms.

The buyers will finance the transaction with a combination of equity investments and debt, including a $2.08 billion committed senior secured bridge loan facility. Veris expects to distribute its regular quarterly cash dividend on its common stock for the first quarter of 2026, but has agreed to suspend any dividends thereafter.

Following the transaction's closing, Veris' common stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The firm also canceled its earnings call scheduled for this Wednesday.

In an effort to transform the firm once known as Mack-Cali Realty Corp. over the past five years, Veris leadership sold office assets and turned the company into a pure-play multifamily REIT with core, class A properties in the Northeast.

Today's announcement marks the culmination of our strategic transformation into a top-performing pure-play multifamily REIT with Core, Class A properties concentrated in premier U.S. residential markets and our stated objective of realizing intrinsic value on behalf of our shareholders, Veris CEO Mahbod Nia said in the release.
Valued at a market cap of $32 billion, Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) provides analytics software solutions. The Bozeman, Montana-based company is best known for creating the widely used FICO Score, a standard measure of consumer credit risk used by lenders globally.

This tech company has considerably trailed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of FICO have declined 21.3% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained 13%. Moreover, on a YTD basis, the stock is down 20.9%, compared to SPXs marginal rise.

More News from Barchart

Zooming in further, FICO has slightly outpaced the State Street SPDR S&P Software & Services ETF (XSW), which decreased 21.5% over the past 52 weeks. However, FICO has underperformed XSWs 20.2% YTD drop.

www.barchart.com

On Jan. 28, FICO delivered stronger-than-expected Q1 results, yet its shares plunged 1.6% in the following trading session. Due to higher on-premises and SaaS software revenue and a rise in Scores revenue, the companys total revenue increased 16.4% year-over-year to $512 million, surpassing consensus estimates by 2.8%. Moreover, its adjusted EPS of $7.33 grew 26.6% from the year-ago quarter, topping analyst expectations of $6.95.

For the current fiscal year, ending in September, analysts expect FICOs EPS to grow 44.8% year over year to $36.30. The companys earnings surprise history is mixed. It topped the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion.

Among the 19 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy, which is based on 10 Strong Buy, three "Moderate Buy, five "Hold, and one "Strong Sell rating.

www.barchart.com

The configuration is more bullish than a month ago, with nine analysts suggesting a Strong Buy rating.

On Feb. 17, Bank of America Corporation (BAC) reinstated coverage of FICO with a Buy rating and $1,900 price target, indicating a 48.1% potential upside from the current levels.

The mean price target of $2,012.62 suggests a 56.9% potential upside from the current levels, while its Street-high price target of $2,500 suggests a 94.9% potential upside from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Neharika Jain did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
Valued at a market cap of $36.2 billion, Workday, Inc. (WDAY) is a Pleasanton, California-based company that provides enterprise cloud applications. It offers a suite of financial management applications, human capital management applications, and spend management solutions that help organizations to streamline supplier selection and contract management.

This tech company has notably lagged the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of WDAY have declined 47.3% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has gained around 13%. Moreover, on a YTD basis, the stock is down 35.8%, while SPX has risen marginally.

More News from Barchart

Narrowing the focus, WDAY has also underperformed the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV), which declined 22.3% over the past 52 weeks and 23.6% on a YTD basis.

www.barchart.com

On Feb. 9, WDAY announced that its co-founder and current Executive Chair, Aneel Bhusri, will return as Chief Executive Officer as the company moves into its next phase, with a strong focus on leadership in the fast-evolving AI landscape. Meanwhile, Carl Eschenbach will step down from his roles as CEO and board member after guiding Workday through a period marked by global expansion, broader industry reach, and improved operational discipline. He will remain involved as a strategic advisor to the CEO, supporting Bhusri and the company during the transition. Despite the leadership update, the companys shares declined 5.1%, pressured by broader headwinds in the technology sector.

For the current fiscal year, ending in January, analysts expect WDAYs EPS to grow 142.6% year over year to $4.10. The companys earnings surprise history is mixed. It topped the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion.

Among the 42 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy, which is based on 26 Strong Buy, three "Moderate Buy, and 13 "Hold ratings.

www.barchart.com

The configuration is less bullish than two months ago, with 27 analysts suggesting a Strong Buy rating.

On Feb. 20, The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) maintained a Buy" rating on WDAY but lowered its price target to $200, indicating a 45.1% potential upside from the current levels.
(Corrects conditions under which Netflix can match bid in second paragraph)

Feb 24 (Reuters) - Warner Bros Discovery opened the door on Tuesday to Paramount Skydance after the company led by David Ellison raised its offer to $31 per share.

Netflix, which agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery's studio and streaming service HBO, has four days to match the new terms if Warner Bros determines the new Paramount bid is superior.

Paramount made its bid after a week of talks between the companies to address the Warner board's concerns with previous bids, which they've rejected in favor of Netflix's $27.75 per share, or $82.7 billion, deal for its studio and streaming assets.

Warner's board said it has not determined whether the revised Paramount proposal is superior to the merger with Netflix, but that directors will engage further.

Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston, Aditya Soni and Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur, Nick Zieminski and Lisa Shumaker)
Ozempic drugmaker Novo Nordisk was once Europes most valuable company - George Frey/Reuters

Almost 150bn has been wiped off Ozempic drugmaker Novo Nordisk after a trial of its new weight-loss drug fell short of expectations.

Shares in the Danish pharmaceutical giant plunged by 15pc on Monday, wiping around 169bn (147bn) off its market value in just 90 minutes.

Trading was briefly halted in Copenhagen as a result of the sharp sell-off, which drove shares to their lowest level since 2021.

It came after Novo revealed that its new obesity treatment had proven less effective than drugs made by US rival Eli Lilly.

The Danish companys new drug CagriSema, which is delivered via a weekly injection, achieved weight loss of 23pc after 84 weeks, it said on Monday. This compares to 25.5pc for tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Eli Lillys weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound.

CagriSema  a combination of the hormone cagrilintide and semaglutide, the compound in its existing drugs Ozempic and Wegovy  had been proposed as a follow-up to todays weight-loss drugs.

However, the disappointing trial is the latest setback for Novo, which is facing fierce competition from Eli Lilly.

The company said the new drug appeared to be safe and caused only mild gastrointestinal side effects.

Novo was once Europes most valuable company and was briefly worth more than the entire Danish economy, but its share price has fallen back as copycat drugs grow in popularity in the US.

It is also contending with demands from Donald Trump, the US president, that pharmaceutical companies slash the cost of medication for Americans.

Novo said last year it would cut 9,000 jobs, or around 11pc of its total workforce, as part of an effort to cut 8bn Danish kroner (930m) in costs. It has warned that profits and sales could drop by as much as 13pc this year as a result of tough competition and falling US prices.

The companys changing fortunes have had a knock-on effect on the wider Danish economy, which has become increasingly reliant on the drugmaker.

Funds have invested billions of dollars in Novo, meaning its declining value has wiped out large chunks of Danish savers pensions.

The OMX Copenhagen 25 index fell as much as 3.6pc on Monday while the krone also weakened, suggesting investors were pulling funds from Denmark.

Per Hansen at Nordnet said: Novo Nordisks downturn is creating negative spillover effects for other Danish stocks. It is likely foreign investors who are collectively pulling out of Danish companies.

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Wheat is trading with 2 to 6 cent losses on Monday morning The wheat complex was in rally mode to round out the week. Chicago SRW futures posted 13 to 14 cent gains at the close, with March up 24  cents on the week. KC HRW futures were 6 to 9 cents higher on Friday, as March rallied 29  cents last week. MPLS spring wheat was 4 to 5  cents in the green at the close, with the March rally at 15  cents for the week.

Export sales data from Friday morning showed 287,974 MT of wheat sold in the week of 2/12. That was down 40.99% from last week and a 45.94% drop from the same week last year. The top buyer was Mexico at 59,000 MT, with 55,000 MT sold to the Philippines, and 46,200 MT to the Dominican Republic.

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Commitment of Traders data indicated spec funds slashing 17,618 contracts from their net short position in Chicago wheat in the week of 2/17, taking the total position to 68,037 contracts. In KC wheat, they trimmed 8,887 contracts from their net short to 10,609 contracts.

A majority of the US HRW area is expected to be drier in the next week, with a longer term 90 day CPC outlook from NOAA released on Thursday showing warmer temps in the southern and dryness through May.

French soft wheat ratings are pegged at 88% good/excellent according to FranceAgriMer, down 3 points from last week.

Mar 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.73 1/2, up 14 cents, currently down 2 1/4 cents

May 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.80 1/4, up 13 1/2 cents, currently down 3 3/4 cents

Mar 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.72 1/4, up 6 3/4 cents, currently down 6 1/4 cents

May 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.85 1/4, up 8 1/2 cents, currently down 6 1/4 cents

Mar 26 MIAX Wheat closed at $5.87 1/4, up 4 3/4 cents, currently down 1 3/4 cents

May 26 MIAX Wheat closed at $6.00, up 5 1/2 cents, currently down 2 cents

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
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Credit: Microsoft

For Seamus Blackley, who oversaw the creation of the Xbox console and brand in the late '90s and early '00s, the Xbox leadership shakeup has put the writing on the wall. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is all-in on generative AI, and in Blackley's estimation, that's why he's put an AI executive in charge of the gaming business.

Microsoft has made "an unprecedented monetary and strategic bet," Blackley told GamesBeat. "This is a company that's trying to recontextualize the way we think about technology in its entirety. They've decided that the lever point that's going to do that is generative AI models. They're looking to fit everything into a generative AI model."

There's an analogy Blackley kept coming back to over the course of the interview: "It's like the thing people say about having a hammer and everything is a nail. That's incredibly true of Microsoft right now. Everything is a gen AI problem. Games, of course, are a gen AI problem. This is why I say this makes perfect sense. If you're Satya, you have a hammer called gen AI and every single problem is a nail."

That's why Nadella has chosen to Asha Sharma, who previously headed Microsoft's CoreAI product, in charge of Xbox instead of "a games person," Blackley said. "In the world of Satya, everything is a gen AI problem, so you put a gen AI person in charge of games with a training model, with boot camps for her to train her like you train an AI model, to bring gen AI into a position to revolutionize games."

Sharma has no background in games, but she's not alone in that regard. Sega, Xbox, and EA veteran Peter Moore came into games from Reebok. EA boss Andrew Wilson came out of the web design and venture capital world of the dot-com boom. Even beloved former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime was a marketing executive for Procter & Gamble and Pizza Hut before he started kicking ass and taking names.

"The problem that we're discussing here, really, and the thing that's important to address, is that they were coming into games because they wanted to be in games," Blackley said. "Asha is coming into games because her boss believes that games are going to be driven by AI. It's a very different approach."

Blackley said that, at the time of the original Xbox's development, "We killed ourselves to maintain a very pure gaming message. 'This is purely for gamers. This is what it's about. We will not allow Microsoft to transform this into a Microsoft agenda device.' That was important because people didn't believe that Microsoft could make something cool. They didn't believe that Microsoft could make something fun. They just didn't believe it."
Feb 24 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google doubled down on efforts to secure power supply for its data centers across the country by entering into separate agreements with U.S. utilities, AES Corp and Xcel Energy, on Tuesday.

Big Tech firms have been scouring for new, reliable and cleaner energy sources to power their rapidly expanding data centers, which have been driven by increasing use of artificial-intelligence applications.

To meet the surging demand, utilities have been investing heavily to upgrade the country's grid, though this has raised concerns about increasing customer bills.

Xcel entered into an agreement to power Google's new data center in Pine Island, Minnesota, while bringing 1,900 megawatts of new clean energy to the grid.

The utility said the project would not raise costs for existing customers, as Google will pay all costs for its new service.

The project would add 1,400 MW of new wind energy capacity, 200 MW of solar power and 300 MW of long-duration energy storage. Google will also invest $50 million in Xcel's efforts to build a battery storage network across Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Arlington, Virginia-based AES said it had signed a 20-year agreement with Google to power a new data center in Wilbarger County, Texas.

AES signed deals for energy generation that will be co-located with the new data center and enable Google to expand its operations to meet demand for its core services.

The utility will build the necessary shared electricity infrastructure for the co-located facility.

Google had previously signed a deal with NextEra Energy to build new energy supplies for its operations across the U.S.

NextEra and Google currently have 3.5 GW of electricity generation - enough to power about 2.5 million homes - in operation or contracted.

Other major U.S. utilities including Southern Co and AEP also count Google as their customer.

Meta, Microsoft and Amazon's Amazon Web Services have also signed several power supply deals with U.S. utilities.

(Reporting by Katha Kalia in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Vallari Srivastava; Editing by Vijay Kishore and Leroy Leo)
Key Takeaways

XRP network activity surges but concentration concerns remain.

A new Arizona bill has added institutional recognition.

XRPs price is tracking broader crypto declines.

XRP is approaching a key milestone, even as its price continues to slide.

Network data shows daily transactions climbing sharply, while Arizona lawmakers move forward with legislation that would allow the state to hold the token in a digital asset reserve.

The developments have fueled speculation among traders over whether a price breakout could follow if momentum in network activity and policy recognition continues.

XRP Ledger Activity Climbs Toward Record Levels

Daily successful transactions on the XRP Ledger have risen roughly 40% in recent weeks, nearing 2.5 million per day, according to network data.

The increase suggests growing on-chain usage, which market participants often view as a sign of expanding real-world utility.

On the XRP Ledger, users process cross-border payments, execute token transfers and power decentralized finance (DeFi) applications.

However, some skeptical traders have claimed that a large portion of transactions is coming from a select few wallets.

A screenshot shared by one trader highlighted repeated payment transactions originating from the same address, each for very small XRP amounts and executed in rapid succession.

Certain accounts repeated transactions. | Source: X (@ScamDetective5)

The pattern may point to automated activity rather than conventional retail usage.

If a significant share of daily transactions is indeed concentrated among a handful of wallets, it may complicate the interpretation of the headline growth figure.

Transaction count alone does not necessarily equate to broader user adoption.

Arizona Advances Digital Asset Reserve Proposal

Separately, Arizona lawmakers have proposed a bill that would establish a Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund, a structure that explicitly includes XRP among eligible holdings.

The proposal cleared a state legislative committee by a 42 vote and now moves forward in the legislative process.

Under the draft framework, the fund could consist of digital assets forfeited or surrendered to the state, as well as funds allocated by lawmakers.

The Treasurer would be authorized to manage and invest reserve assets within a fiscal year, and the legislation allows for the lending of digital assets held in the reserve to generate returns, provided such activities do not increase financial risk to the state.

Lawmakers have indicated the reserve would operate separately from Arizonas General Fund, isolating it from core state budgeting and expenditure.
Quick Read

Direxion Daily FTSE China Bear 3X Shares (YANG) lost 44.26% over the past year. iShares China Large-Cap ETF (FXI) gained 12.91%.

YANGs 3x leveraged structure resets daily. Sideways or volatile markets accelerate compounding decay that erodes value.

A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here.

Direxion Daily FTSE China Bear 3X Shares (NYSEARCA:YANG) seeks to deliver three times the inverse daily performance of the FTSE China 50 Index, which tracks the 50 largest Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This ETF exists for investors who want to profit when China's largest equities decline or to hedge long exposure to Chinese markets. Over the past year, YANG has lost 44.26% as Chinese large-caps climbed  a direct consequence of the fund's inverse design. The benchmark iShares China Large-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:FXI) gained 12.91% over the same period, illustrating how a sustained rally in Chinese equities creates a structural headwind for YANG holders. Year-to-date through February 19, 2026, YANG is down 4.46%, reflecting continued pressure from the same trend.

The Most Important Macro Factor: U.S.-China Trade Policy and Tariff Escalation

The macro factor most likely to drive YANG's performance over the next 12 months is the trajectory of U.S.-China trade relations, particularly tariff announcements and retaliatory measures. In October 2025, headlines around China's rare earth export restrictions and Trump tariff threats triggered a downturn that sent the VIX above 30 and the S&P 500 down 2.7%. When geopolitical tensions flare, Chinese equities typically sell off, directly benefiting inverse products like YANG.

Investors should monitor the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's tariff announcements and China's Ministry of Commerce statements on retaliatory duties. The USD/CNY exchange rate also serves as a real-time stress indicator. A sharp yuan depreciation would signal capital flight and weakness in Chinese assets, likely pushing YANG higher. Conversely, any trade compromise or tariff rollback would pressure YANG as Chinese equities rally.

The Most Important Micro Factor: Daily Compounding Decay in Leveraged Structure

YANG's 3x leveraged inverse structure resets daily, meaning returns compound based on daily moves rather than tracking long-term index performance. In choppy, range-bound markets, this daily reset creates decay that erodes value even when the underlying index trends sideways. With a VIX near 19.62 as of mid-February 2026, current volatility sits at a level that can meaningfully accelerate this decay. Daily compounding decay remains a structural characteristic during periods of sideways or volatile price action in the underlying index.
Gold ( GC=F ) futures opened at $5,201.90 per ounce on Friday, up 0.1% from Thursdays closing price of $5,194.20. The gold price has remained above $5,100 per ounce since Monday, Feb. 23.

The potential for U.S. military action against Iran has fueled safe-haven demand for gold this week. On Thursday, the two countries completed a third round of negotiations about Irans uranium-enrichment activities. No agreement has been reached. Omans foreign minister, who is mediating the talks, said progress had been made. The two sides are slated to continue the negotiations within a week.

Continued negotiations could delay or prevent a U.S. strike. President Trump has already sent military assets to the Middle East. A targeted Iran strike could escalate into a larger regional war, which would likely be a tailwind for gold demand and pricing.

Current price of gold

The opening price of April gold futures on Friday was 0.1% higher than Thursdays close. Heres a look at how the gold price has changed versus last week, month, and year:

One week ago: +3.2%

One month ago: +2.4%

One year ago: +78.2%

On Jan. 29, golds one-year gain was 95.6%.

24/7 gold price tracking: Don't forget you can monitor the current price of gold on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Want to learn more about the current top-performing companies in the gold industry? Explore a list of the top-performing companies in the gold industry using the Yahoo Finance Screener. You can create your own screeners with over 150 different screening criteria.

How much gold should you own?

A gold investment can add stability and inflation protection to your portfolio. But it can also dilute your gains when stock prices are rising quickly. Finding the right balance between golds diversification benefits and profiting from growth potential in other assets can be challenging.

Even the experts are divided on how to achieve the correct balance. Below, five experts explain their recommended gold allocations, which range from 0% to 20%.

Learn more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps

No gold: Trade-off is too high

Robert R. Johnson, professor at Creighton Universitys Heider College of Business, does not advocate gold investing. In his words, while having a small position in precious metals may dampen portfolio volatility in the short-run, the tradeoff between slightly dampened volatility and the lost long-term return is certainly not a prudent one, particularly for Gen Z/millennials with long investing time horizons.

2% to 5% allocation, depending on the situation

Brett Elliott, director of content and SEO at American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX), recommends setting an allocation that aligns with your investing goals.

Growth-oriented investors may be comfortable with an allocation of 10% or 15%, according to Elliott. But income investors will prefer a smaller position, because gold provides no yield. A 2% to 5% gold allocation can provide some resiliency without an excessive drag on income potential.

Learn more: Who decides what gold is worth? How gold prices are determined .

5% to 8% gold allocation

Blake McLaughlin, executive vice president at Axcap Ventures, said historical data support a gold allocation of 5% to 8%. Gold may not offer the outsized return potential of private investments, but the metal holds a set of attributes that are increasingly hard to ignore, according to McLaughlin. Those attributes include the metals resilience amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest.

5% to 15% gold allocation

Thomas Winmill, portfolio manager at Midas Funds, believes most investors will benefit from a long-term gold allocation of 5% to 15%. Winmill specifically advocates investing in gold mining companies through a mutual fund.

Your risk tolerance and current mix of financial versus hard assets can guide you to an appropriate allocation, according to Winmill.

Risk tolerance: Keep your allocation percentage low if you tend to panic in volatile cycles. Financial vs. hard assets: Financial assets are stocks and bonds. Hard assets include tangible items like real estate, gold, collectibles, classic cars, and equipment. If you have no home equity and your wealth is primarily in financial assets, you can set your gold allocation higher. Or, if your home is paid for and more valuable than your stock portfolio, gold investing may not be necessary.

Learn more: Thinking of buying gold? Here's what investors should watch for.

20% gold allocation

Vince Stanzione, CEO and founder at First Information, recommends a 20% gold allocation, specifically in physical gold or a gold ETF. Stanzione argues for a higher exposure to gold as a wealth protection strategy. As he says, gold keeps with inflation and gold retains its purchasing power, while paper currencies are devaluing around the world.

Learn more: Gold IRA: Benefits, risks, and how it differs from a traditional IRA

Price-of-gold chart

Whether youre tracking the price of gold since last month or last year, the price-of-gold chart below shows the precious metals steady upward climb in value.

Learn more: Gold alternatives? How to invest in silver, platinum, and palladium.
Matchakase (Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



A new year means new places to eat and Guams food scene is already off to a strong start. From coffee and matcha concepts to comfort food favorites and chamorro village finds, here are the newest cafes and restaurants worth checking out this January 2026.

Kasama Food & Bar

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



The new Kasama Food & Bar brings a fresh all-day dining concept to Barrigada, serving (Friday and Saturday) breakfast, lunch, dinner, and night time drinks under one roof. The menu leans comfort-forward with a modern twist, while the bar adds a social vibe with cocktails and evening hangouts. Its an easy choice whether youre meeting friends for brunch or winding down after work.

Daughters Slice Shop

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



Daughters Slice Shop keeps things simple... good pizza, by the slice. Located in Tumon, this casual spot is ideal for quick lunches, shared bites, or satisfying late-day cravings. Expect classic flavors, generous slices, and a laid-back atmosphere that doesnt overthink it.

Location: 1160 Pale San Vitores Rd, Tumon

Hours of Operation:

Sunday to Thursday 11:00am to 9:00ish

Friday and Saturday 11:00am to 11:00ish

Phone Number: 671-838-3877

Website

Matchakase

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



Matchakase is carving out a niche as Guams dedicated matcha cafe. Centered around high-quality Japanese matcha and tea culture, this new spot blends wellness, minimalism, and creativity into every cup. Expect thoughtfully crafted matcha drinks and seasonal offerings, truly perfect for those looking for something beyond the usual coffee run.

Location: 409 Fahrenholt Ave, Tamuning (Oka)

Hours of Operation:

Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday- 10:00am to 4:00pm

Tuesday- Closed

Wednesday Saturday- 10:00am to 7:00pm

Website: www.matchakase.com

Instagram: @matchakase

La Maes Bakeshop

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



Now open inside Pay-Less at Micronesia Mall, La Maes Bakeshop adds a sweet stop for shoppers. From baked treats to dessert cravings on the go, this new bakery is perfect for picking up something indulgent while running errands.

Tony Romas

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



A classic favorite returns to Guam. Tony Romas has reopened inside the Royal Orchid Hotel, bringing back its well-known ribs, steaks, and hearty American comfort food. The new location offers a refreshed dining experience while keeping the flavors longtime fans love plus a free shuttle service for added convenience in Tumon.

Location: Lower Lobby, Royal Orchid Hotel, Tumon

Hours of Operation:

Sunday Thursday: 11:00am to 9:00pm

Friday Saturday: 11:00am to 10:00pm

Instagram: @tonyromasguam

Everyday Grind

(Photo courtesy of Everyday Grind)



They are taking over the former cafe space at GPO, this familiar name has found a new home where shoppers and coffee lovers can enjoy handcrafted espresso drinks, teas, and specialty beverages. Whether youre fueling up before errands or settling in for a casual coffee break, Everyday Grind offers a welcoming, no-frills cafe experience with quality drinks at the center.

Kimbap Studio Guam

(Photo courtesy of Kimbap Studio Guam)



Kimbap Studio brings Korean comfort food to the GPO food court with neatly rolled kimbap and flavorful grab-and-go options. Its a convenient stop for shoppers looking for something filling, fresh, and fast without sacrificing flavor.

Location: GPO Food Court

Hours of Operation: Daily - 10:00am to 9:00pm

Phone Number: 671-864-1234

Instagram: @kimbapstudioguam

Pono Hawaiian Grill

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



Pono Hawaiian Grill Guam delivers island-style plate lunches inspired by Hawaiian flavors right in the heart of Hagatna. What started as a food truck on Guam is now also its own brick and mortar restaurant! With a focus on hearty portions and familiar comfort dishes, its a solid lunch stop for those craving local-style meals with aloha spirit.

Southern Rootz

(Photo courtesy of The Guam Guide)



Southern Rootz brings comforting soul food flavors to the heart of Chamorro Village. Rooted in Southern tradition, this local spot serves hearty, home-style dishes that feel familiar and filling. Customer favorites include Jambalaya, Smothered Pork Chops, Fried Chicken, Jerk Chicken, creamy Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, and Honey Butter Cornbread. Whether youre stopping by the market or planning for a gathering, Southern Rootz also offers party trays making it a go-to for both casual meals and special events.

The Guam Guide (Illustration by The Guam Guide)



theguamguide.com
The all-flash hardware and software provider Pure Storage has announced a new name, reflecting it has gone way beyond "merely" storage. Now known as Everpure, the title more accurately reflects the company's committment to accelerating artificial intelligence and making the right data available at the right time for the right people.

Pure Storage began life in 2009, originally under the secret name Os76 before emerging with the title we all know, during 2011. Not only did Pure Storage provide hardware - excellent all-flash storage arrays - but recognised the importance of good software from the start. The Pure OS operating system has helped ensure Pure administrators are continually receiving new features and functionality. The company also made two major acquisitions, StorReduce in 2018 for data deduplication, and Portworx in 2020, a cloud-native storage and data management platform based on Kubernetes.

Meanwhile, after releasing its first Pure Storage hardware in 2011, the company announced its Evergreen subscription services in 2015, followed by its Fusion storage optimisation tech in 2021.

What's resulted is still a great set of storage hardware, make no mistake there, but also a serious platform that strives to work on behalf of the administrator and end user. It intelligently balances storage to suit your usage and policies. It maintains comprehensive metadata that helps significantly boost searching, AI model training, and many other things.

In fact, the Pure platform has evolved to such a point the company said the name Pure Storage no longer adequately describes what they bring to the market.

Pure Storage APJ GM Nathan Hall - or, rather, Everpure APJ GM Nathan Hall explained to iTWire the background story.

"AI changes everything," he said. And AI depends on data and storage. While AI changes how customers think about data and data strategy, Hall said, all the old problems are still there. Data is siloed away, architectures are fragmented, processes are manual, and on and on. It's a familiar story in tech and one we all know too well. And it brings risk, cost, and complexity.

AI's insatiable hunger for data doesn't simply end with the data itself. Data needs context, it needs lineage, it needs governance - there is a whole lifecycle that AI is exacerbating. As AI enters its next phase of agentic AI, this will only continue and what's more, data isn't just for humans but now increasingly for AI agents too. All of this relies on rapid access to data, fast insight into data quality and history, and ultimately the results must be trustworthy and the contents must be available all the time.

Pure Storage, Hall said, grounds itself on five core principles:

evergreen architecture, never gets old, is non-disruptive

Purity software runs across all products

Purity maintains a fast key-value metadata engine to record data about the data it stores

Purity uses DirectFlash tech

and, the platform maintains an intelligent global data control plane

The end result, he explained, is a single operating system that never hits end-of-life. What's more, while the hardware was the star of the show for the 2010's, it's now the Pure operating system taking centre stage because of the ever increasing value it brings in accelerating AI projects, and with that, accelerating a company's time to realise value out of such projects. Much of this hinges on the metadata engine, but also definitely on the other core engine features the platform brings.

Data isn't simply ready for AI applications just by existing; in fact, data by itself is meaningless. "It needs ontologies, semantics, meaning," Hall said. "What you see is organisations trying to get this for training or inference with large, long, ETL chains that are labour and capital intensive."

This could mean data may no longer be relevant if it is time-sensitive. However, "data management is natural Pure stuff," Hall said. The Fusion data cloud today is already organising, tracking, protecting, and optimising datasets through their lifecycle.

"Why wait to transfer data later, in a manual process, if you can add context and meaning as soon as it is written?", he asked, emphasising the Pure storage management approach where data is directly able to be used by AI and analytics immediately without any lead time for a transformation pipeline.

The Pure platform has long transcended "simply" being a storage array. It offers public cloud, on-premises, and edge options, supporting all workflows and workloads, and innovating well beyond what the brandname suggested.

Hence, Hall announced, Pure Storage is now known as Everpure. The name reflects that the company's offerings and innovation have gone from storage to data management and that its ever-evolving systems keep data available, intelligent, and secure, with a pure focus on customer success. You might say, well, the company's product portfolio is ever pure.

So here we are: from today, Pure Storage is Everpure. The new name, Hall explained, blends the existing equity of Pure Storage and Evergreen, it speaks to continual evolution, and it is a natural-sounding name.

What stays the same is the strategy, missions and values, innovation, leadership, customer support, and unwavering standards.

"It's a new company name," Hall said. "better representing what we are capable of today."

Meanwhile, Everpure also announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 1touch, an innovator in today's data intelligence and orchestration that provides a comprehensive, unified view of an enterprise's information.

Everpure reflects the company we have become as we help enterprises unleash the full power of their data. It captures the power of our Enterprise Data Cloud architecture and adaptability of Evergreen, reinforcing what has always set us apart as we redefine important markets, said Everpure CEO Charles Giancarlo.

With 1touch, we are taking the next step in helping organisations not only gain control of their most valuable assetdatabut also understand, enhance, and contextualise that data for actionable intelligence.
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PAULDING COUNTY, Ga.  The most combative, hard-line conservative vying to replace former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) hoped he had earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump through his years of effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

But when Colton Moore texted the president seeking his support earlier this month, Trump declined. The president wrote back that Moore was too unpredictable, according to people familiar with the exchange. Trump stressed that he needed to avoid another dissenting Republican voice in Congress.

Instead, Trump threw his support behind Clay Fuller, a district attorney and White House fellow in his first administration who is well-liked by local officials and national GOP leadership. The president doubled down on his endorsement Thursday when he traveled to the northwestern Georgia district, a reliably deep-red slice of an increasingly purple state.

Fuller has pitched himself as the "100 percent Trump guy" willing to go to the mat to enact the president's policies. Moore has said he will bring the same confrontational style to Capitol Hill that first drew his neighbors to the president - even if it means breaking with Trump at times.

The president is accustomed to defining the race. But many of the voters in Georgia's 14th District do not like being told what to do.

The stakes of this race extend well beyond the region. Trump's choice of Fuller and wariness regarding Moore reflect the importance of this phase of his presidency, in which a razor-thin margin in the House means that any GOP defiance can tank the president's legislative agenda. The race is also coming on the heels of Trump's public split with the seat's former occupant, who is known in this district only as "Marjorie" - a once-powerful Trump ally whose rebuke of the president revealed burgeoning fractures in the Make America Great Again coalition.

"I think he's going to be just a total winner, and it's what we want, Clay Fuller," Trump said, inviting Fuller to the stage to speak to the crowd.

Outside the steel distributor Thursday, candidates looked to capture the support of the president's die-hard fans. Jim Tully, chair of the district's GOP committee, parked his massive campaign bus next to a bus adorned with Trump's face. Beside it, Fuller had yard signs that said, "TRUMP ENDORSED!"

"I don't vote for somebody because of who endorses them," said Edward "JD" Kitchens, 72, a veteran and retired elevator technician, speaking from his doorstep Wednesday after a door-knocking visit from Moore.

Instead, Kitchens said, he has done his own research, and Fuller and Moore both stand out in the crowded primary field. He said it was hard to explain why, other than that he had heard of them both and liked that they seemed as though they would have his back.

"You just have to vote your conscience and hope and pray," Kitchens said.

The special election is scheduled for March 10, and there are 22 candidates on the ballot, including more than a dozen Republicans still in the race. Early voting started Monday. If no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote, the race will go to a runoff between the top two vote-getters - a situation that could lead to a surprise Democratic upset if the GOP fails to unify and turn out.

"This is the absolute best chance a Democrat will ever have in this district to win," said Ricky Hess, chairman of the Paulding County Republican Party. "There are so many Republicans out there and so much splitting."

State and local officials and campaign advisers say the race is narrowing, with Fuller and Moore emerging from the pack.

Moore, a former state senator, made a name for himself clashing with leadership in the Georgia Capitol until he was suspended from the party caucus and barred from the building. In his introductions to voters this week at luncheons and on their doorsteps, he repeatedly highlighted that he was arrested for showing up at the Capitol in an effort to pressure leadership over what he considered a lack of accountability in the investigation into Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis.

"I led the fight against Fani T. Willis," he told Jimmy Young, 69, a retired printer, on Wednesday afternoon as he knocked on doors in Powder Springs, a quiet suburban area. "I just want to make sure our God-given rights are fiercely defended."

Young nodded. "The law's no good if no one get arrested."

At campaign events and while door-knocking, Fuller said voters in the district have asked first about his call with Trump after his endorsement, eager to hear what the president said. The moment was surreal for Fuller, who said Trump's 2017 inaugural address - with its stark descriptions of drug addiction and overdoses in communities abandoned by political leadership - inspired him to work for the president.

Fuller tells Georgians that he will help the president bring manufacturing back to their community.

"I want to make sure that a fifth-rate student at one of our public schools in Georgia 14 can get one of those good manufacturing jobs and raise the family on one paycheck where their ancestors are buried," he said.

In this district, political choices are often about gut feelings, about secure and fair elections, about how much people can afford, and how to best keep the government small and far away, according to nearly two dozen residents and political operatives who spoke with The Washington Post. These are the people who suffered some of the steepest job losses in the nation when the housing market collapsed in 2008, and over the past decade, their distrust of the government has only grown.

"If Republicans really cared, if Democrats really cared, do you think the national debt would be what it is?" Reagan Box, a longtime horseback rider and trainer now running for Congress, said while addressing the Paulding County Republican Women's group at a luncheon Wednesday.

For many residents, that distrust is not abstract. The district is home to a city known as the carpet capital of the world. For years, a lack of state and federal regulations allowed carpet companies and their suppliers to use PFAS, cancer-causing chemicals that polluted the river system that provides drinking water for thousands of people.

Fuller, who survived cancer, said at the Wednesday luncheon, "God gave me more time to come back to north Georgia and fight for this community."

Last week, a candidate forum showed the many candidates largely in alignment with Trump. But there were also reminders of tensions between Trump and his base that Greene - still largely well-liked in her former district - magnified as she clashed with the president and then abruptly left Congress.

Asked if he supported the "full and transparent release" of the government's files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Moore said he initially trusted Trump had "some reason" to withhold them but changed his mind after a congressional hearing featuring U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

"My blood pressure hasn't been that high in a very long time," Moore said, declaring that the federal government had "failed us" and saying the files should lead to arrests.

Asked where they might break with their party, some candidates brought up health care, echoing Greene's frustration when Republicans declined to extend pandemic-era Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Fuller, meanwhile, emphasized his stamp of approval from the president at the forum, telling the audience that "if you want to hundred-percent support President Trump, I'm asking for your vote."

Jill Musgrove, a 59-year-old business owner, missed last week's forum hosted by the League of Women Voters in Dalton, the district's largest city and the center of the carpet industry. But she came to the Wednesday luncheon armed with a yellow notebook, prepared to understand the options before her.

She liked Trump, and she knew whom he wanted her to vote for.

But while she trusted him, she didn't want to make a decision based on his desires.

"He has advisers now, who give him information on who to endorse," she said. "I take everything with a grain of salt."

Musgrove listened to the 11 candidates who joined her over lasagna. One by one, they made their case to the room. She wrote notes after each address.

(COMMENT, BELOW)






 An unnamed mother in Cheshire, England, was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for "extreme neglect" after her 3-year-old daughter of hers was found to have been living in a drawer under a bed, the BBC reported.

The mother hid the child from her siblings and even from a boyfriend, who discovered her in 2023 after hearing her cry when the mom was away.

The court said she was severely malnourished, looking more like a 7-month-old baby, and had a cleft palate, matted hair and other deformities.

The mother told police she had not realized she was pregnant and was "really scared" when she gave birth, calling the child "not part of the family."

Judge Steven Everett said he could not "remember a case as bad as this in my 46 years." [BBC, 11/26/2024]

 Three generations of a family in Palm Coast, Florida, celebrated Black Friday by shoplifting $400 worth of cosmetics and alcohol from a Target store, the Miami Herald reported.

A 76-year-old woman, her 54-year-old daughter and a juvenile granddaughter were arrested after a Target loss specialist saw the juvenile putting items in her backpack, police said.

The two adults were charged with theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor; the girl was turned over to her father. [Miami Herald, 12/4/2024]
When I told ProPublica that it was too expensive to protect us, I was naming what every number in this piece confirms. The system made a calculation about what our lives were worth, and it got the math catastrophically wrong.

I have been a nurse for almost 20 years, working in emergency departments, intensive care units, and eventually the back of a helicopter as a flight nurse. I have watched the best clinicians I know walk away from medicine, not because they stopped caring, but because the system stopped investing in the conditions that allow caring to be sustainable. And when I finally sat down with the economic data, what I found was not just troubling; it was enraging. The money was always there. It was just being spent on the wrong things.

The shadow ledger

Every health care organization maintains two sets of books. The official ledger tracks revenue, expenses, and margin. But there is a second ledger, a shadow ledger, that tracks the cost of organizational dysfunction. It is enormous, and almost no one is looking at it.

The 2025 NSI Report puts the average cost to replace one bedside nurse at $61,110. Some estimates reach $88,000 when you include productivity losses and agency staffing. The average hospital loses $3.9 million to $5.7 million annually from nursing turnover alone. Each single percentage point change in turnover costs or saves $289,000 per year.

But the turnover number conceals a crueler economic reality. The nurse who costs $61,110 to replace is not a generic labor unit. She is a seven-year veteran carrying thousands of pattern-outcome associations that no orientation program can transfer. Her clinical gestalt, her capacity to park the crash cart outside a room before the monitor alarms; these are invisible assets the replacement cost captures and the balance sheet cannot. The system is not losing nurses at random. It is selectively losing the ones whose expertise makes them unable to tolerate what less experienced nurses have not yet learned to perceive.

Below turnover lies everything else. The American Hospital Association estimates workplace violence costs $18.27 billion annually, with $14.65 billion spent on remediation and only $3.62 billion on prevention, a four-to-one ratio of reactive to preventive spending. Pharmacy staff spend 24 hours per week per facility managing drug shortages, doubled from pre-pandemic levels, with 43 percent of facilities reporting medication errors as a direct result. Charge nurses spend 45 minutes per shift on redundant documentation. Denied claims consume administrative bandwidth that could be directed toward care coordination. Communication failures produce duplicate testing, missed handoffs, and adverse events that generate their own cascading costs.

A 2024 meta-analysis of 85 studies and 288,581 nurses confirmed a strong association between burnout and lower patient safety grades. Under Hospital Value-Based Purchasing, up to 2 percent of Medicare reimbursement is withheld based on HCAHPS scores. Burnout does not just cost you nurses. It costs you revenue. Add it up across a system and you are looking at a staggering hemorrhage disguised as operational normalcy.

COVID-19 provided the controlled experiment for what happens when organizations refuse to invest. The $5.4 billion in Ebola preparedness funding expired in May 2020, the same month the virus surged. The Strategic National Stockpile held less than 1 percent of the respirators a pandemic would require. The savings from cutting preparedness transferred costs directly to hospitals scrambling for PPE at 1,000 percent markups, to health care workers fashioning masks from office supplies, and to the families of the estimated 3,600 U.S. health care workers who died in the first year. The shadow ledger does not forgive debt. It collects with interest.

$935 billion in waste

Donald Berwick and the IHI estimated that 25 to 30 percent of U.S. health care spending, approximately $760 billion to $935 billion annually, constitutes waste. This is not waste in the abstract. It is waste with categories and price tags: $158 billion to $226 billion in overtreatment, $102 billion to $154 billion in failures of care delivery, and $265 billion in administrative complexity. The United States employs roughly one administrator for every physician; other developed nations manage with a ratio closer to one to four.

We spend $4.5 trillion a year, 17.6 percent of GDP, and rank dead last among 10 high-income countries in health care outcomes. The 2023 Missing Americans study quantified the human translation: 705,331 excess U.S. deaths compared to peer nations in a single year. Nearly half were in people under 65. These are not statistics about a system that needs tweaking. These are statistics about a system that is converting money into death at an industrial scale.

The war chest principle

Here is the part that should keep every CFO awake at night: The funding for transformation already exists in every hospitals operating budget. It is currently being spent on failure.

Denver Health implemented Lean principles and saved $158 million over a decade through the elimination of wasted steps, redundant processes, and inefficient workflows, with no staff reductions and no service cuts. Virginia Mason Medical Center applied the Toyota Production System and achieved dramatic reductions in inventory costs and defect rates while improving both patient outcomes and staff satisfaction. Medicare ACOs have generated $6.6 billion in total savings, with shared savings growing 40 percent year over year, by investing in care coordination, prevention, and relationship continuity.

The IHI Leadership Alliance coined the term exnovation, systematically removing non-value-added practices, and proposed eliminating 50 percent of non-value-added waste. Peter Drucker prescribed the same medicine decades earlier. He stated that the first step in a growth policy is not to decide where and how to grow; it is to decide what to abandon.

Every drug shortage workaround eliminated is clinical attention returned to patients. Every denied claim that does not need to be filed is administrative capacity redirected toward care coordination. Every broken process fixed is organizational capacity freed for the relational work that actually produces healing.

The prevention paradox in one line item

No single entry in the shadow ledger illustrates the inversion more completely than nurse education. Linda Aikens research, involving 232,342 surgical patients across 168 hospitals and replicated in nine European countries with 422,730 patients, demonstrates that a 10 percent increase in BSN-educated nurses decreases patient mortality by 4 to 11 percent. The Vizient and AACN Nurse Residency Program documents first-year retention rates exceeding 86 to 95 percent with a return on investment of 326.5 percent. Every dollar invested in nurse education returns three.

And yet, consider this: 71.5 percent of hospitals classify paid training time as non-productive. The median hospital budgets 16 hours of education per nurse per year, or two days for all professional development including regulatory compliance. Over 76 percent of education departments are classified as pure cost centers, making them structurally first on the chopping block in every budget cycle. The national median staffing ratio is 70 nurses per one education FTE. Nurse educators earn a persistent 20 to 30 percent less than equivalent clinical roles.

The person most directly responsible for preventing the errors, turnover, and competency failures that cost hospitals millions is the first person defunded when those millions are needed.

The economic trap

Organizations stuck in survival mode pay the shadow ledger costs repeatedly with each turnover cycle, each communication failure, and each surge. They cannot invest in prevention because all resources are consumed by remediation. Every potential investment dollar is absorbed by the ongoing hemorrhage. A hospital managing 323 drug shortages, fighting 15 percent claim denial rates, running on 1 percent operating margins, and drowning in failure demand has no remaining capacity for the transformation that would stop the bleeding.

This is why the economic case is not about discretionary spending. It is about the only path to financial sustainability. The choice is not between investing in your workforce and saving money. The choice is between investing now and paying the shadow ledger forever. And right now, most hospitals are choosing the shadow ledger by default. This is not because anyone decided it was the better option, but because no one has made the invisible costs visible.

The question is not whether you can afford it

Research by Gabrielle Adams found that people systematically overlook subtractive solutions. In experiments, 59 percent of participants added complexity rather than removing it, even when removal was free and more efficient. Health care organizations do the same thing. We add resilience programs instead of removing the conditions that deplete resilience. We add wellness apps instead of subtracting the workload that destroys wellness. We add another initiative instead of stopping the three that are not working.

The war chest is not hidden. It is in plain sight, disguised as the way we have always done things. Every hospital that has done this math has found the same answer: The resources for transformation were never missing. They were misallocated. The question is not whether you can afford to invest in the conditions that retain your workforce, reduce errors, and improve outcomes. The question is how much longer you can afford not to.

The money is already being spent. You are just spending it on failure.

Kristen Cline is a professional development practitioner for the Emergency Service Line at Stanford Tri-Valley Medical Center and holds an academic affiliation with Stanford University.

With over 15 years of experience in emergency departments, intensive care units, and critical care transport, she brings clinical depth and a commitment to education and advocacy.

Kristen is board-certified in multiple specialties and speaks nationally for organizations such as Paragon Education and Solheim Enterprises, focusing on certification review and emergency nursing practice.

She has authored and co-authored several publications and textbooks, including contributions to the Emergency Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd edition.

Her peer-reviewed work includes articles in Annals of Emergency Medicine, on Optimizing Pediatric Patient Safety in the Emergency Care Setting, and in Pediatrics, on Access to Optimal Emergency Care for Children.

Recognized among ENA Connections 20 under 40, she advocates for nurse wellness and trauma-informed care through speaking engagements, her Medium blog, and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
If you asked ten physicians to explain how they maintain board certification, youd get at least ten different answers, maybe more. Some take quarterly quizzes. Some submit CME attestations every five years. Some do both. Others, grandfathered in before time-limited certification existed, do nothing at all. Yet every one of them carries the same professional label: board-certified physician.

That simple title, once synonymous with competence, now hides a dizzying patchwork of systems, fees, and timelines that defy logic. Each board claims to ensure excellence, but their methods, and the burden they impose, vary so dramatically that board certification has lost any consistent meaning.

The result is a landscape thats neither fair nor evidence-based.

A fractured framework

Lets imagine several physicians navigating this uneven terrain, examples that mirror what many of us face.

Dr. Patel, an internist, recertifies through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) every five years, earning 100 MOC points and answering continuous Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) questions.

Dr. Alvarez, a surgeon, fulfills his boards Continuous Certification by answering 40 online questions per year and logging 150 Category 1 CME hours over five years.

Dr. Carter, a pediatrician, participates in the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) MOCA-Peds program, quarterly questions drawn from an annually updated syllabus.

Dr. Singh, a psychiatrist, still faces a ten-year exam under the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

And then theres Dr. Reynolds, who certified before 1990 and never has to do any of it.

All of these doctors are board-certified. All are in good standing. Yet the requirements to maintain that status range from near-zero to hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars in costs.

If maintenance of certification truly reflects ongoing competence, how can such wide variation exist?

The uneven rules of engagement

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) oversees 24 member boards. It sets broad Standards for Continuing Certification but gives each board autonomy to design its own maintenance system. That autonomy has produced a bizarre range of formats: high-stakes exams, longitudinal assessments, CME-based attestations, and blended models.

Some boards, like the ABIM, have introduced reforms to appear more physician-friendly, removing the two-year MOC point checkpoint in 2024, for example. Others remain rigid, requiring periodic high-stakes testing. The argument for variation is that different specialties evolve at different speeds and therefore need different systems. But in practice, the differences reflect tradition and internal politics more than scientific reasoning.

There is still no central body evaluating whether any particular boards approach improves patient outcomes.

State CME: another maze entirely

On top of these board disparities sits another layer of inconsistency: state medical licensure requirements.

Every state mandates continuing medical education (CME) for license renewal. Those requirements range from 20 to 100 hours per cycle and often include mandatory topics like controlled-substance prescribing, ethics, implicit bias, or human trafficking. The intent is noble; the execution, chaotic.

None of these state requirements align with board certification. CME earned for licensure may not count toward MOC points unless the activity has been separately accredited through the boards specific process. For a physician licensed in several states, say, a hospitalist or gastroenterologist doing locums work in four or five regions, this lack of standardization becomes a logistical nightmare. Courses accepted in one state may not satisfy anothers rules. Add in multiple specialty boards with their own unique maintenance pathways, and the result is a web of overlapping obligations with almost no demonstrated value.

The cost of redundancy

For many mid-career physicians, compliance has become its own unpaid job.

Dr. Harris, who holds licenses in six states, tracks six sets of CME mandates, two board maintenance cycles, and a hospital credentialing checklist. She estimates she spends nearly 200 hours a year managing compliance, roughly equal to five weeks of lost clinical time.

She doesnt resent lifelong learning. What she resents is inefficiency. The systems redundancy wastes hours that could be spent actually reading new research or improving quality in her practice. In a profession already strained by burnout, that burden feels less like regulation and more like attrition.

Wheres the evidence that it works?

Despite decades of rhetoric about protecting patients, theres still no robust evidence that maintenance of certification or state-specific CME mandates improve outcomes.

Studies claiming benefit usually rely on indirect metrics, better adherence to screening guidelines, for example, but not on hard outcomes like mortality or complication rates. Even then, the differences are often small and confounded by other factors, such as institutional support and patient mix. No major study has shown that physicians who complete MOC or specific CME requirements achieve better real-world outcomes than those who dont.

In other words, medicines most widespread professional policy, one that consumes millions of hours and billions of dollars, remains unproven.

Fragmented oversight, fragmented accountability

What makes this particularly frustrating is that the data to test MOCs effectiveness already exist.

Health systems collect outcome data. Boards have participation data. Payers track performance metrics. Yet none of these entities collaborate to evaluate whether certification maintenance correlates with better care.

Without that integration, the boards operate in an evidence vacuum. They continue to assert benefit without measuring it, a paradox in a profession that demands data before endorsing even a single medication. If a drug company tried to sell a therapy without outcome data, it would be condemned. When certifying boards do it, its called professional regulation.

The impact on mobility and workforce

The inconsistencies between boards and states dont just frustrate physicians; they also impede workforce flexibility. In an era when health care systems rely on locums, telemedicine, and cross-state staffing, the patchwork of requirements makes mobility harder. A physician fully credentialed in one state may face weeks of paperwork and retraining simply to practice in another.

For hospitals struggling to staff rural areas or subspecialty coverage, these barriers translate into delayed care and higher costs. If the intent of certification and CME regulation is to protect patients, the result may be doing the opposite, by constraining the workforce and discouraging experienced clinicians from keeping multiple licenses active.

A rational model for the future

If medicine were designing professional maintenance from scratch today, it would look nothing like what we have. The foundation would be national, digital, and evidence-driven. Heres what that system might include:

A single, integrated platform: One secure digital credentialing system that tracks board status, CME completion, and state licensure in real time. Physicians, hospitals, and payers could all access the same verified data.

One secure digital credentialing system that tracks board status, CME completion, and state licensure in real time. Physicians, hospitals, and payers could all access the same verified data. Unified CME recognition: Any accredited CME relevant to a physicians practice should count toward both state licensure and board maintenance. One activity, one credit.

Any accredited CME relevant to a physicians practice should count toward both state licensure and board maintenance. One activity, one credit. Evidence-based maintenance: Before imposing new requirements, boards should produce data showing that those activities improve patient outcomes. Without evidence, the rule sunsets automatically.

Before imposing new requirements, boards should produce data showing that those activities improve patient outcomes. Without evidence, the rule sunsets automatically. Modular flexibility: Allow physicians to tailor maintenance to their practice: proceduralists focus on complication metrics; hospitalists on patient safety or transitions of care; outpatient physicians on chronic-disease control.

Allow physicians to tailor maintenance to their practice: proceduralists focus on complication metrics; hospitalists on patient safety or transitions of care; outpatient physicians on chronic-disease control. Equity across generations: Either eliminate grandfathering or clearly differentiate lifetime certificates from time-limited ones so the public knows what each means.

Either eliminate grandfathering or clearly differentiate lifetime certificates from time-limited ones so the public knows what each means. Transparency and accountability: Boards must publish their budgets, revenue allocations, and the evidence base for each requirement. Trust cannot grow in secrecy.

Medicine can do better

Physicians are not opposed to accountability. Most of us welcome opportunities to learn, grow, and demonstrate competence. What we oppose is bureaucracy masquerading as evidence-based policy.

The patchwork of maintenance programs, state mandates, and institutional checklists has evolved without coordination, oversight, or proof of benefit. Its time for the profession to rebuild from first principles: that continuing education should improve patient outcomes, not just pad compliance reports.

Until certification and licensure systems align with real-world practice and measurable results, board certified will remain a credential of diminishing meaning, a label defined not by what it proves, but by how many hoops one had to jump through to keep it.

And for the physicians juggling six licenses, two boards, and another reminder email from an online testing portal, the question will linger long after the next renewal cycle ends:

If none of this demonstrably improves patient care, what exactly are we certifying?

Brian Hudes is a gastroenterologist.
TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday expressed his country's willingness to expand and deepen relations with African states, especially Burkina Faso.

Pezeshkian made the remarks at a meeting with Burkina Faso's Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs Celestin Simpore in the Iranian capital Tehran, according to a statement from the president's office.

He said Iran attaches strategic priority to African states in its foreign policy, noting that Tehran pursues the expansion of all-out cooperation with African countries within the framework of its balanced diplomacy and based on common interests, and is ready to improve bilateral ties.

Pezeshkian also offered to share Iranian expertise in different sectors, including science, industry, and defense, with Burkina Faso.

Simpore, for his part, praised Iran's progress, especially in the defense and technological sectors, over the past four decades, describing them as symbols of "national power, strategic self-reliance, and smart management" achieved despite international restrictions.

He noted that Burkina Faso has faced over a decade of terrorism and security instability, adding, "We maintain that the main sources of instability and insecurity in our region are not different from those seeking to force the Iranian nation to surrender."

The minister criticized what he called "hegemonic circles" for seeking to prolong countries' dependence and undermine national sovereignty, underlining his country's interest in promoting relations with Iran in diverse areas. 
Gaming concessionaires Galaxy, Melco, and SJM received official authorization yesterday to continue operating currency exchange services within their casino premises, according to executive orders published in the Official Gazette (BO).

The orders, signed by Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, permit the three operators to run foreign exchange counters at multiple properties. They take effect today, Feb. 24.

Galaxy Casino, S.A. may operate counters at StarWorld Casino, Galaxy Macau Casino, and Casino Broadway.

Melco Resorts (Macau), S.A. was granted permission to operate at Altira Casino, City of Dreams Casino, Studio City Casino, Mocha Golden Dragon, Mocha Hotel Sintra, and Mocha Inner Harbour.

SJM Resorts, S.A. can run services at Casino Lisboa, Grand Lisboa Casino, Grand Lisboa Palace Casino, Oceanus Casino, and LArc Macau Casino.

The orders stipulate that operators must conduct exchanges at their own risk, assuming full financial responsibility. NS

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The Macao Chamber of Commerce (ACM) calls for deeper Zhuhai-Macau cross-border cooperation to ease the elderly care shortage and boost the low birth rate, issues affecting Macaus sustainable social development and economic diversification.

Chan Yat Peng, a member of the Strategy Research Committee of the ACM, says the accelerating aging of the population, coexisting with the trend of fewer children, has become a significant issue affecting Macau.

Currently, residents aged 60 and above account for over 15% of Macaus population, and the shortage of places in elderly care homes continues to widen.

To combat this, the government is deepening its policies concerning the elderly and young children, aiming to improve the livelihood security framework across the entire life cycle.

In this context, deepening cross-border elderly care cooperation with Zhuhai not only responds to the needs of Macaus elderly but can also combine the elderly and young children sectors to jumpstart the silver economy, according to Chan.

This would unlock the dividends from MacauHengqin integration and stimulate momentum for Macaus appropriate economic diversification, Chan said in the statement, as cited on the associations website.

Zhuhai-Macau cross-border cooperation possesses unique advantages of resource complementarity + policy overlay + industrial linkage, laying a solid foundation for related development, he added.

Macaus aging population is characterized by rapid increase, high density, and diverse needs, with limited space for elderly care services and high-end supply.

However, Chan said it has mature service standards, professional talent, and abundant financial resources, adding that Zhuhai has already established a comprehensive three-tiered elderly service network, with scaled-up capacity for providing inclusive childcare.

Furthermore, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, as a pilot area for standardized elderly care services, has served over 17,000 Macau elderly people cumulatively by 2025.

Currently, a favorable pattern has formed between the two cities, featuring complementary supply and demand in elderly care, linkage of care and upbringing resources, and an overlay of Macau-Hengqin policies and markets.

There is an urgent need to overcome setbacks such as policy coordination and mutual recognition of standards to advance elderly and young children policies from merely ensuring livelihoods to empowering the economy, said Chan.

He argued that Zhuhai and Macau could establish a special task force to promote cross-border policy, extending Macaus elderly welfare benefits to designated institutions in Zhuhai. This would involve establishing a mechanism for cross-border fund transfers, expanding the scope of Zhuhai medical institutions covered by Macaus health insurance, and exploring a cross-border medical reserve fund system to enable real-time settlement of emergency hospitalization expenses.

Chan also recommended three specific areas for improvement. The first is to leverage resource integration to create an elderly care + childcare industrial integration model.

Relying on core areas near Macau such as Hengqin and Xiangzhou, the cities could plan and construct a MacauHengqin Dual-Age Group Industrial Integration Park, develop high-end elderly care supporting facilities, and introduce professional operating entities. The medicalnursingconvalescence + childcare services model should be promoted to form a ZhuhaiMacau cross-border medicalnursing consortium and integrate high-quality health and medical resources from both places.

The second is to learn from the pilot experience in Hengqin to standardize service guidelines in areas such as cross-border elderly care nursing and infant and toddler care, ensuring service homogeneity and high quality.

Also, a mechanism should be established for the joint training of multi-skilled talent and mutual recognition of qualifications, incorporating relevant professions into the Macau youth employment and entrepreneurship support system and using multiple policies to attract Macau youth to engage in dual-age group industries, helping address the talent gap and broaden employment channels.

Lastly, the local elderly care service institutions should be guided to participate in the investment and operation of Zhuhai projects, exporting management expertise and brand resources. Ricaela Diputado

Govt hopes for higher birth rate in Year of the Horse

Tai Wa Hou, director of the Conde S. Januario Hospital, said the birth rate is difficult to predict but hopes young couples in Macau will have more children, given that this Year of the Horse is considered auspicious.

After recording the lowest number of newborns in five decades in 2025, the Health Bureau (SSM) hopes local young couples will have more children in this Lunar Year of the Horse and that births in Macau will rise again to more than 3,000, according to a TDM report.

The SSM is concerned about the continuous decline in the birth rate and hopes the number of newborns will increase again and exceed the 3,000 mark. The issue was raised after Macau recorded only 2,871 babies born last year, the lowest number since 1978.

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A Hong Kong court yesterday dismissed all appeals in the citys biggest case brought under a Beijing-imposed national security law, upholding the convictions and sentences of pro-democracy activists.

Those who appealed were among 47 activists charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion for their involvement in an unofficial primary election. The mass prosecution involving some of the best-known activists crushed much of the citys once-thriving pro-democracy movement that reached a height with massive anti-government protests in 2019.

Forty-five of the defendants were sentenced to between four years and 10 years in 2024. Their punishments drawing criticism from foreign governments and rights groups.

Eleven activists who appealed their convictions lost their bids. They included former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan and Helena Wong.

All appeals over sentences, brought by 10 of them and another activist, were also dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Lawrence Lau, a pro-democracy former district councilor, was one of two activists acquitted in the case. Judges upheld his acquittal following an appeal from the prosecution.

A primary led to convictions

Riding on the 2019 protests, the pro-democracy camp had been looking to make gains in the 2020 legislative election. The unofficial primary was meant to shortlist pro-democracy candidates for the official election.

During the trial, prosecutors said the activists aimed to paralyze Hong Kongs government and force the citys leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budgets indiscriminately.

Judges at the appellate court ruled that the plan was unlawful under the meaning of the security law, saying it was conceived and advocated by legal scholar Benny Tai  whom the lower court described as the mastermind  as a constitutional mass destruction weapon for the purpose of toppling the citys constitutional order.

Critics said the convictions illustrated how authorities crushed dissent following the 2019 protests. The Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the national security law is necessary for the citys stability.

Leungs wife, Chan Po-ying, also an activist but unrelated to the case, said the ruling was not based on facts, arguing the defendants acts were in line with the citys mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

It already presumed these people had intended to subvert the states power, she said.

The Australian government expressed concern that its citizen, Gordon Ng, lost the appeal of his conviction, according to a statement on the website of its Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Fernando Cheung said the court missed a critical opportunity to correct this mass injustice.

Hong Kongs government said the court decision showed that anyone endangering national security would be punished in accordance with the law. The Department of Justice will decide whether to appeal the verdict for Lau, it said.

Some finished serving their terms

The case involved democracy advocates across the spectrum, including Tai, who got a 10-year prison term, and former student leader Joshua Wong, whose sentence was four years and eight months.

Nearly 20 activists in the case have been released from prison over the past year. Among them were former district councilors Jimmy Sham and Lester Shum. Sham and Lee Yue-shun, another acquitted activist, chatted with Lau before yesterdays hearing.

As those who were still in prison left the courtroom, some waved at their families and supporters.

Some residents had waited outside the court building since Saturday to secure a seat in the courtroom. Retiree Margaret Chan arrived yesterday morning, hoping to show her support to those she considered to be innocent.

Seeing some activists released from prison relieved her. They have survived it, she said. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP

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The Holy House of Mercy donated 300,000 euros, and Caritas Macau launched a fundraising campaign to aid areas in Portugal that have suffered from Storm Leonor, which has so far resulted in 18 deaths and thousands of people losing their homes.

This initiative aims to fully support the Misericordias, the civil parish in Lisbon, and related service facilities in various regions of Portugal severely affected by the storm and flooding, highlighting the solidarity and bond between the Misericordias of Macau and Portugal, which has lasted for over four and a half centuries.

The Uniao das Misericordias Portuguesas (UMP) said it had received the donation of 300,000 euros from the Holy House of Mercy in Macau to support the significant damage caused by Storm Leonor.

Earlier this month, Caritas Macau also launched a three-month fundraising campaign for those affected by the storms in the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar.

In the end, the money raised will be sent to Caritas Spain and Caritas Portugal, with which Caritas Macau has long maintained a partnership.

Residents of Macau include Portuguese citizens. Our colleagues are Portuguese, our neighbors are Portuguese, our partners are Portuguese. Perhaps our teachers are Portuguese, said Paul Pun, secretary-general of Caritas Macau.

He added, When we see and realize that there is suffering there [in Portugal], we can help.

According to the 2021 census, more than 2,200 people born in Portugal reside in Macau. The Consulate-General of Portugal recently told Lusa that an estimated 155,000 residents of Macau and Hong Kong hold Portuguese passports. Ricaela Diputado

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Sands China executives marked the second day of the Lunar New Year by hosting traditional Chinese New Year ceremonies across its five properties last week, welcoming the Year of the Horse with cultural performances and rituals.

The celebrations were held at Sands Macao, The Plaza Macao, The Venetian Macao, The Londoner Macao, and The Parisian Macao, featuring worship rituals, eye-dotting ceremonies, and traditional lion and dragon dance performances.

Six lions and one dragon participated in the shows, aiming to attract good fortune to the properties and the city.

The ceremonies also included the presence of the God of Fortune, drawing local residents and tourists who joined the festive atmosphere. According to Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., the company hopes the new year brings prosperity, success, and continued development for Macau.

Sands China said it will continue its New Year celebrations with team members this week through internal events featuring games, lucky draws, roast pig-carving ceremonies, and a staff parade.

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A psychic dubbed the prophet of doom has issued a chilling new warning - claiming a major catastrophe is looming around the time of the next US election.

US President Donald Trump

Craig Hamilton-Parker, who has been labelled the New Nostradamus, says his latest visions point to war, political chaos and even a near-miss meteor event in the coming years.

The YouTuber, who has amassed more than 230,000 subscribers, insists he foresaw both Covid-19 and the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, he claims darker days are ahead.

Drawing on ancient Indian palm-leaf astrology known as Nadi readings, Craig says his forecasts are guided by spiritual texts believed to reveal insights into the past, present and future.

And, according to him, what lies ahead is anything but comforting.

Speculation has swirled for months over whether Donald Trump could attempt to extend his time in the White House.

The US Constitution states that no individual may serve more than two terms as president.

But Craig believes extraordinary circumstances could change that.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he claimed a major calamity tied to a new war will erupt around the 2028 election  potentially triggering chaos so severe that the presidency is temporarily prolonged.

He suggested the conflict could centre on Taiwan, adding that in a time of terrible chaos, an election delay might be justified.

While he stopped short of naming the next commander-in-chief, he ruled out one high-profile contender - current US Vice President JD Vance.

According to Craig, although Trumps political ideology and inner circle will remain influential, Vance himself will not become president.

Instead, he predicts a future leader defined less by power and fame, and more by good character and spirituality.

Perhaps most dramatically, Craig warned of a meteor that could pass between Earth and the Moon around the time of the next US election.

He referenced a past Nadi prophecy allegedly opened in Germany, which predicted a space object coming perilously close to the planet.

If such an event occurred, he claimed, it could spark fires, earthquakes and even tsunamis  particularly if debris struck Earth.

Its pretty damn close, he said of the supposed trajectory.

Craig also forecast a bombshell UFO revelation.

He believes physical evidence of an extraterrestrial object - located somewhere in Europe - could soon be made public.

But he cautioned that such a disclosure may act as a smokescreen for other major information being released at the same time, potentially diverting global attention.

The suggestion echoes previous comments by Donald Trump about future UFO disclosures, though no official announcements have been confirmed.
* Lucky Streak

 Citigroup forecasts MOP20 billion February GGR, driven by Chinese New Year wagering surge

* Tourism | CNY visitors surpass 1.5 million

* Economy | Association forecasts stable year as 2026 gets off to a strong start

* Live poker landscape recently took another hit with Wynn Macaus quiet closure of Texas Holdem room

* Chamber calls for cooperation with Zhuhai to address aging, birthrate challenges

* A Hong Kong court dismissed all appeals in the citys biggest case brought under the national security law

DOWNLOAD PDF

Tuesday, February 24, 2026  edition no. 4897

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Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro scored in extra time to help Chelsea survive a major scare from Wrexham and claim a 4-2 victory in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
There is not a single Latin American country whose land is not soaked with blood spilt by American imperialism. This has been the case for over a hundred years. But now that America has entered an era of decay, it has set its sights squarely on its backyard. The strangulation of the Cuban Revolution, weaponised tariffs, threats against presidents, and the kidnapping of Maduro are only the beginning of US imperialisms attempt to retrench itself in the hemisphere and push China out of the continent.

The US ruling class National Security Strategy is clear. They believe the continent is theirs, and they will take it by any means necessary. This is a grave threat to Latin American workers, whose ruling classes would rather sell the country off to the Yankees than fight for its national independence. The only way to defend ourselves against imperialism is through a revolutionary struggle which unites the working class across the Americas. This is why the Mexican section of the Revolutionary Communist International held an anti-imperialist assembly in Mexico City on 24 January, 2026.

This assembly had 250 participants in person and online from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela. Comrades gave contributions on the fight against imperialism in their respective countries and the necessity of revolutionary methods to fight the escalating threats made by the US. Delegates discussed and unanimously approved the Manifesto against imperialist aggression in Latin America. We publish it below in full. We encourage anyone who agrees with these ideas to fight alongside us and join the Revolutionary Communist International.

[Originally published in Spanish at marxismo.mx]

For the organisation of the working class and youth against capital and imperialism!

The brutal bombing of Venezuela by US imperialism on 3 January brings to light the new reality we face in Latin America, including in Mexico. A new policy for the continent and the world is being announced by the thundering of US missiles.

The bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president, the anti-migrant policy of the US, the abandonment of NATO by US imperialism, and the breaking of the established rules on which the world order was based, are the signs of a new global age, as Alan Woods recently wrote: the age of unbridled imperialism, in which might is right, and the entire world will be divided into spheres of influence between the great powers.

Trump's arrival in his second term and the relative decline of US imperialism

A year has passed since Trump began his second term as head of the US government, a period that has shaken the world from top to bottom. This peculiar character is not the cause of global chaos, but rather the ultimate result of this period of capitalist bankruptcy, crisis, war, and revolution. More specifically, it is the result of the relative decline of US imperialism and the rise of other global powers, such as Russia and China.

Recognising the decline of US imperialism and China's growing influence in the world, Trump's strategy was to end conflicts that were not in the direct national security interest of US imperialism and the ruling class in his country. Trump turned his back on the European bourgeoisie in the war in Ukraine and focused all his attention on reinforcing his dominance in what he considers his backyard.

This has caused a global earthquake, with European, and particularly German imperialism, being left exposed. Europe was dragged into the war in Ukraine by Biden, and now, with defeat looming, they are helpless in the face of Russian military might.

The old allies have been kicked in the teeth, and with that, the western bloc that dominated the world in recent decades is breaking apart. To reaffirm this new reality, we see Trumps proposals towards Greenland, a colony of the Danish crown and a member of NATO.

From the outset, Trump said that his interest was focused on Latin America, Greenland, and Canada. He has already shown what he is capable of in Venezuela and has made it clear that one of his next objectives is to acquire Greenland because he considers it essential for his national security. This will destroy NATO, but he does not care much about this; his interests are beyond what Europeans may think or do.

For Trump, all this is strategic because it is the way to make US imperialism strong again, which is why he does not care about destroying international law. He has said it in no uncertain terms: I don't need international law. For him, only his own morality tells him what to do and what not to do.

As dialecticians, we know that morality and thoughts are a reflection of one's material condition, therefore his morality is that of an imperialist in need of more resources and power.

Trump's policy on Latin America

On 5 December, the Trump administration published its National Security Strategy, which reveals its true colours, as it makes clear the government's intentions towards the world. This document confirms the policy that was already being implemented and puts it in writing so that there is no doubt about its intentions.

In relation to the American continent, the document sets out three general axes: the fight against drug trafficking, against migration, and against the advance of China. The fight against the advance of China is the essence of the matter; the other two are excuses to close the door to Chinese imperialism in the region.

Under the pretext of the fight against drug trafficking, it has forced Mexico to negotiate (read: the US has imposed) a change in the fight against drug trafficking, and an anti-China economic policy. The US has also put a knife to Mexicos throat, which can be used at any time, by designating the cartels as terrorist organisations.

The criminal policy against Venezuela began with the invention of a supposed Cartel de los Soles, and the accusation that President Nicolas Maduro was leading this organisation. It is important to note the US Department of Justice has already said that the aforementioned cartel does not exist, debunking all the Trump administration's lies.

Trump has accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of having a cocaine factory and recommended that he watch his back / Image: public domain

Trump has accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of having a cocaine factory and recommended that he watch his back. This accusation is a direct threat against Colombia and the working class of the continent. In another of his statements, the US president said that plans for a ground attack on Mexican cartels are moving forward. More recently, he has said that Cuba will no longer receive oil from Venezuela, tightening the economic siege against the island.

Trump's policy toward the continent is very clear. He is using his economic, political, and military power to expand and consolidate the interests of US companies in the region, so that they can control the markets of different countries and access strategic resources, minerals, and infrastructure.

What is described in the Security Strategy has been put into practice since the beginning of the Trump administration. This policy began with statements and diplomatic pressure, but has now taken the form of threats and brutal attacks.

The first country to suffer this pressure was Panama, due to its relationship and contracts with China regarding the Panama Canal. The imperialist threat succeeded in halting the Chinese companies contracts, and there was even talk of them selling their businesses to US companies, although this has not been resolved. Another of Trumps achievements was the admission that the US military could enter the Central American country. The Panama Canal is a trade route that the US considers strategic for its national security, as are the maritime routes in the Arctic.

At the same time that the imperialist war machine began to move into the Caribbean, the US interfered to determine the outcome of three elections on the continent. In Argentina, it used blackmail to pressure the electorate to vote for Milei's candidate. In Bolivia, taking advantage of the divisions among the reformists, it promoted Rodrigo Paz, who is an ally of imperialism. In Chile, it intervened to ensure that the right-wing Kast was the winner in the election. In Honduras, it openly supported the candidate of the right-wing National Party, Nasry Asfura, and to leave no doubt about its support, it released former president Juan Orlando Hernandez, already convicted in the US for drug trafficking crimes.

The latest and most brutal act of intervention on the continent was the bombing and kidnapping of the Venezuelan president on 3 January.

Imperialist intervention in Venezuela

The US imperialist bombing of Venezuela marks a turning point on the international stage, making it clear that Trump does not care about the fiction of international law  force is what decides. It is a return to the era of crude and harsh imperialism. Since there is no army as powerful as the US military to stop it, this means that the US can do whatever it wants.

On the night of 3 January, this harsh reality took everyone by surprise. The attack on Venezuela was preceded by six months of military harassment and aggression, including attacks on speedboats, more than 100 extrajudicial executions, and the theft of oil tankers. Add to that the capture and kidnapping of Maduro on the night of 3 January, which involved the murder of nearly 100 civilians and military personnel.

The Revolutionary Communist International, including our sections in the US and Venezuela, condemned the imperialist aggression against a sovereign state from the first day of the escalation in late August. In imperialism's struggle to dominate and conquer markets, spheres of influence, and fields of investment, we revolutionary communists unconditionally side with the country under attack.

The objectives of the attack were: control of Venezuelas oil and mineral resources, the expulsion of US rivals from their position of influence in the country (China and Russia), and to send a clear message about US military power as a warning to others.

In any case, we must keep a sense of proportion. The US had to use all its military might, its most advanced weapons, 20 percent of its war fleet, and 150 aircraft for a military operation limited to a single specific objective, which does not even involve stationing invading troops on a permanent basis.

The response of the Venezuelan masses has not been as it was in 2002 when the oligarchy and the imperialists staged a coup against Hugo Chavez. At that time, the masses took to the streets from far and wide to surround the Miraflores Palace. The demonstrations we have seen recently have lacked the fire that only a revolution can inspire.

The government of Nicolas Maduro carried out a counterrevolution in Venezuela after Chavez's death. All the most important aspects of the Bolivarian Revolution were destroyed by the Maduro bureaucracy.

Workers control has been crushed, companies that were nationalised have been privatised, and peasants have been expelled from lands that were expropriated under Chavez. At the same time, collective bargaining and workers rights have been destroyed, militant trade unionists have been imprisoned, left-wing parties (including the Communist Party) have been removed from the electoral register. Next to nothing remains of the Bolivarian Revolution.

The fact that this Thermidorian counterrevolution has been cynically carried out by Maduros bureaucracy under the banner of socialism, Bolivarianism, and Chavismo has led to the widespread discrediting of these ideas. It has led to a process of deep political demoralisation among the masses of workers and poor in Venezuela, and has caused confusion throughout the continent.

The situation in Venezuela can now only be defined as one of semi-colonial domination by the US. The government of Delcy Rodriguez is formally the continuation of Maduros government, but in practice the US dictates its policy in all fundamental aspects, and to do so it has taken control over the flow of oil and the resources generated by its sale.

Classical imperialism

The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 represented the ambition of a young and dynamic capitalist country to control the continent and expel its former European colonial masters. With the Roosevelt Corollary in the early 20th century, US imperialism, which was approaching maturity, assumed the right to police the entire hemisphere. Today, the Trump Corollary or Donroe Doctrine represents the desperate attempt of a senile and crisis-ridden imperialism to face the challenges of a world in which it is no longer the sole dominant power.

The objective of this Corollary is to reestablish the authority of US imperialism in the Western Hemisphere based on US national security. To achieve this, it seeks to eliminate non-hemispheric competitors (i.e., China) either by force or by controlling strategic assets in those countries to make them dependent on imperialism. It seeks to promote regional leaders and presidents who are allies and aligned with its programmatic interests, intervening in different ways in each country.

It speaks of the need to deploy its military apparatus with the excuse of closing migration routes and curbing drug trafficking in the region. The US has also threatened to use lethal force against organised crime groups, particularly drug traffickers who have already been classified as terrorists. We have already seen all of this in action in Venezuela.

This new national security doctrine turns the entire continent into a battlefield in which the US seeks to reestablish its dominance and expel China. The working class and peasant masses are paying the price for this dispute.

Mexico in the crosshairs

At a press conference the day after the bombing of Venezuela, Donald Trump threatened two countries in the region. Regarding Colombia, he said: Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he's not going to be doing it very long, let me tell you. At the press conference, someone asked if that implied an operation, and Trump replied, It sounds good to me.

Since Trumps arrival, imperialist pressure has increased sharply / Image: public domain

Of Cuba, he said it looks like it's ready to fall. I don't know if they're going to hold out And you have a lot of great Cuban Americans that are going to be very happy about this, referring to the fact that the island is only sustained by Venezuelan oil, which will no longer be coming.

Days later, he also threatened Greenland and Mexico. Regarding the latter, he said the following in an interview: We are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels. The cartels are running Mexico.

Mexico has always been a strategic priority for US imperialism. The two countries share a 3,152 kilometre border through which millions of legal and illegal immigrants pass each year. Mexico is the US main trading partner, with trade between the two countries amounting to around $632 billion in 2024. In addition, 40 million Mexicans live in the United States.

These aspects are of utmost importance because, although Mexico is a country totally dependent on the United States, 15.9 percent of total US trade is with its southern neighbor. In a way, an important part of the US economy also depends on companies located in Mexico, mainly automobile and assembly companies.

Since Trumps arrival, imperialist pressure has increased sharply. Using migration and drug trafficking as an excuse, imperialism has forced a change in Mexicos policy towards drug trafficking, made the Mexican government impose tariffs on Asian goods  mainly from China  and made it adapt to the immigration requirements demanded by the United States.

The demands have been met to the letter, with the Mexican government even turning a blind eye to the imperialist pressures, in order to curry favour with Trump. Mexico has extradited more than 50 leaders of organised crime groups, including drug traffickers who ran major organisations such as Los Caballeros Templarios.

While Claudia Sheinbaum's government has given in, it has presented its actions as a successful negotiation, in which Mexico has managed to curb Trumps attacks. In other words, the government's rhetoric is that it negotiates as an equal, but in practice it ends up giving in to everything the US asks for.

Claudia thought that this action could prevent tariffs from being imposed on Mexican exports. She managed to ensure that, for the time being, all goods covered by the USMCA trade agreement are exempt from tariffs, but this could end at any moment. She was unable to avoid the 10 percent tariff on other goods exported outside the trade agreement or those imposed on the automotive, silver, and aluminium industries.

The government has gone from disbelief to resignation. First, they denied that tariffs could be imposed, but now, in one of her morning press conferences, Claudia has said that by declaring drug cartels to be terrorist organisations, the Americans have a legal framework for intervention.

Seeing Trump's actions in Venezuela, the threats to Mexico no longer sound ridiculous. A possible imperialist aggression would have very important repercussions in Mexico; the government would be sitting on a powder keg that could explode. If Claudia accepts the aggression without resistance and her denunciation remains mere rhetoric, the reformist Movement for the 4th Transformation would lose significant credibility, and the support the president now has would quickly fall.

On the other hand, if she called for resistance in the streets, she would risk the movement overtaking her, and losing control of the masses by calling on them to take control of the situation. The big problem for reformist governments, which are threatened by imperialism, is that they do not envision a society outside of capitalism. If you accept capitalism, you have to accept the rules that dominate it, and as we have already mentioned, the new rules are dictated by force and subjugation.

Intervention in a country like Colombia or Mexico would be very different from what has been done in Venezuela. In both countries, reformism is robust and has mass support. The response from the masses would be swift, and it would not be easy to return to normalcy if their leaders were arrested.

If what imperialism wants is for Mexico to give up more than it already has, the best course of action is to wait for the negotiation of the USMCA trade agreement, which is up for review this year. Imperialism will surely force Mexico to give in to all its demands. If imperialism decides to attack, not only would the country rise up, but a portion of the Mexican-Americans living in the US would surely be on guard, and riots would break out in more than one city.

In the mind of a judicious person, sitting down to negotiate with Mexico  with all the aforementioned precedents  would be the best way to maintain the dominance that the US already exercises. The problem is that Trump is not very judicious, to say the least, and anything can be expected of him.

If what he is looking for is to maintain his economic subjugation, the government has opened the door for him, but if his objectives are more political, for example, to oust the government, things are going to get complicated.

Much can happen throughout the year. We are only at the beginning of January and the political situation is heating up. We will have a long year ahead of us, with developments that we have not seen in recent times. We must have a clear perspective in order to prepare ourselves for the fights ahead.

The position of the communists

It would be irresponsible not to draw conclusions from what we are witnessing. It is right for the Mexican government to repudiate armed intervention, but it is not enough. In its seven years in power, the government did nothing to break its dependence on the US; on the contrary, it deepened it, closing off any other possibility of independent development.

If there is one country that suffers directly from the pressures of US imperialism, it is Mexico. The president believes that through good negotiations with Trump, she can save herself from the new relationship, but this is a mistake.

The Mexican government has used these pressures to consolidate its popular support with nationalist rhetoric, while confirming its alliance with the national bourgeoisie to strengthen the economy. She thinks that the national bourgeoisie will support her, but they have no allies, they look out for their own interests, and if they see the ship sinking, they will jump like rats in search of a new foothold.

Our position is very clear: we oppose imperialist intervention in Venezuela and throughout Latin America. We oppose the threats and pressure that imperialism exerts against Mexico.

Our position is very clear: we oppose imperialist intervention in Venezuela and throughout Latin America / Image: fair use

If imperialism launches a military attack against Mexico, we will fight in a united front with all the forces that oppose intervention, including Claudia's government. But unity must strengthen our fight, not whitewash imperialism or numb the consciousness of our class.

In response to the call for national unity made by the Morena leadership, we call for international unity of the exploited in the struggle. If a section of the bourgeoisie wants to join the struggle, it must be behind the programme of the working class.

The unions and social organisations have already begun to mobilise. The day of struggle on Saturday, 10 January, in Mexico City is a good example of how the unions can take the lead in this struggle.

The working class can shut down US factories in the event of an attack. The working class, together with students and peasants, can paralyse the country with a day of strikes, dealing a heavy blow to international capital and thereby pushing for an end to hostilities.

The working class and its allies, with independent leadership, are the only ones who can push the government into an open struggle against imperialism. They must demand the arming of the people, and the formation of anti-imperialist committees that fight with weapons in hand to defend national sovereignty and against the domination of big capital.

Communists will be at the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle against any attempt at military intervention against the country, defending the democratic right to national sovereignty.

At the same time, we demand that the government take measures to prepare us for a major attack by imperialism. We fight for the implementation of the following measures, which we consider necessary and which we will defend from the grassroots of the unions, educational institutions, and neighbourhoods:

Speak clearly about the dangers of imperialist intervention, call for the mass mobilisation of workers and youth.

Form a plan to mobilise and arm workers in defence of national sovereignty against any imperialist attack.

Form workers committees in all companies to be ready to act in case of imperialist aggression.

Integrate a national strike council that can mobilise and paralyse all US and national capital companies to stop production in the event of aggression.

Form a national anti-imperialist committee that can take action in the event of any aggression, with representatives from the workers, students, peasants, and indigenous peoples.

Nationalise all US capital companies in the event of aggression.

Only a people that is organised and willing to fight to the end can stop any attack. Imperialism does not need provocations or excuses to intervene. Weakness invites aggression, and our approach is, as Lenin argued: if you want peace, prepare for war.
Bolivia has announced the suspension of its recognition of the pseudo-SADR and affirmed its resolve to contribute constructively to international efforts aimed at achieving a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution to the Sahara issue.

The announcement came in a statement issued Monday, following phone talks between Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The Plurinational State of Bolivia, acting in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025) and reaffirming its support for the political process under the UNs auspices, has undertaken a sovereign reconsideration of its foreign policy. Following this review, Bolivia has decided to suspend its diplomatic ties with the entity named the Sahrawi Arab democratic republic (SADR) and to end all official contact with it, pointing out that it is not recognized as a member State of the United Nations Organization, the statement reads.

This decision is part of Bolivias will to contribute constructively to international efforts aimed at achieving a realistic, pragmatic and lasting political solution, grounded in compromise, in line with the United Nations parameters, the statement adds.

Bolivias decision to suspend recognition of the SADR opens a new chapter in relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Latin American country.

According to the statement, the two countries have also agreed to restore diplomatic relations and start the required procedures to establish resident diplomatic missions in La Paz and Rabat.
Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso will head a high-level South African delegation to Cartagena, Colombia, for the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20), taking place from 24 to 28 February 2026.

The ICARRD+20 summit marks two decades since the inaugural conference held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and comes amid renewed global attention on agrarian reform, food sovereignty and democratic governance of natural resources.

The gathering will bring together governments, social movements and international organisations to address challenges such as land and water grabbing, climate vulnerability and the need for redistributive land reform.

During the conference, Nyhontso is expected to hold a series of high-level bilateral engagements, including consultations with the Food and Agriculture Organization on the launch of the Global Land Observatory and enhanced cooperation on rural development initiatives.

He will also meet leaders from Brazil and other countries confronting similar land governance and agrarian justice concerns.

The Minister is further scheduled to participate in ministerial sessions examining the role of agrarian reform in promoting peace, democracy and equitable development.

The South African delegation includes members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development, alongside senior departmental officials.

Key sessions at the summit include the Inaugural Plenary titled Earth: past, present and future: the struggle of the peoples for Agrarian Reform, thematic discussions on the geopolitics of land, oil and mineral resources, and the 10 years for Agrarian Reform plenary aimed at securing global commitments for structural transformation.

The department described the conference as a strategic platform to advance Africas land governance priorities and dignified rural livelihoods within the global agenda.
The African Union and the Somalia on Monday, February 23, strongly condemned a deadly assault in Nigerias northwestern Zamfara state that left at least 50 civilians dead and several women and children abducted.

In a statement, AU Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expressed full solidarity with the Nigerian federal Government and its citizens, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

The continental body unequivocally rejected terrorism and violent extremism targeting civilians, particularly women and children, describing such acts as grave violations of human rights and serious threats to peace, security and stability.

Youssouf called for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all abducted women and children and urged strengthened, coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further atrocities. He reaffirmed the AUs unwavering support for Nigerias ongoing efforts to confront insecurity and restore durable peace.

In a separate statement, Somalias Foreign Ministry conveyed its solidarity with Nigeria and extended condolences to the victims families. Mogadishu also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abductees and pledged support for efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, stressing that Africa must remain united in the fight against terrorism and in the protection of civilians.

The attack, reportedly carried out by armed groups locally described as bandits, began on Thursday night and continued into Friday morning. Gunmen riding motorcycles set fire to buildings and opened fire on residents of the village of Tungan Dutse as they attempted to flee.

Nigeria continues to grapple with entrenched insecurity, particularly in the northwest where Zamfara state is located. The region has endured persistent banditry, kidnappings and killings, displacing thousands and leaving communities exposed to recurring violence.

The Nigerian authorities have deployed troops and intensified collaboration with international partners, including the United States, to enhance technical capacity and intelligence-sharing. Despite these measures, the government remains challenged by overlapping threats from armed criminal networks and insurgent groups operating across multiple fronts.
Chad has closed its border with Sudan until further notice, the countrys Information Ministry announced on Monday, February 23, citing repeated cross-border incursions linked to the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the ministry confirmed that all trade and travel across the frontier have been suspended. However, humanitarian movements may be permitted subject to prior government approval.

The Government said the decision is aimed at preventing the Sudan conflict from spilling into Chadian territory, while protecting citizens, refugees and safeguarding national stability and territorial integrity. It added that Chad reserves the right under international law to respond to any aggression or border violations.

The closure follows renewed fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in North Darfur, a state bordering Chad.

Over the week-end, clashes in the border town of El Tina were reportedly triggered by an RSF attack, resulting in casualties among Chadian soldiers. Although Chad has been accused of serving as a transit corridor for supplies, including weapons and drones, to the RSF, the government has denied any involvement.

Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by sustained violence between the army and the RSF. The RSF controls most of the five Darfur states, with the exception of parts of North Darfur, while the army retains authority over most other regions, including the capital, Khartoum.

According to United Nations reports, the war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced approximately 13 million people, deepening what is now regarded as one of the worlds gravest humanitarian crises and fuelling famine conditions across parts of the country.
Metropolitan Police is using artificial intelligence supplied by controversial US tech giant Palantir Technologies to monitor the behaviour of its own officers and staff.

Police using AI to monitor staff behaviour

Scotland Yard has confirmed it is running a time-limited pilot that analyses internal data including sickness records, absences and overtime patterns in a bid to identify potential misconduct or cultural failings, according to The Guardian newspaper.

The move marks the first time the Met has publicly acknowledged using Palantirs technology in this way, after previously declining to confirm or deny its involvement.

With around 46,000 officers and staff, the Met is the UKs largest police force - and has faced intense scrutiny in recent years following a string of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens.

The force said there is evidence suggesting a correlation between high sickness levels, increased absences or unusually large amounts of overtime and failings in standards, culture and behaviour.

By pulling together data from multiple internal databases, Palantirs AI system flags patterns. However, the Met insists human officers ultimately review the findings and make any decisions regarding standards or performance.

The approach has sparked alarm from the Police Federation of England and Wales, which branded the system automated suspicion.

A spokesperson warned that algorithmic profiling risks misinterpreting heavy workloads or stress-related sickness as wrongdoing, arguing that policing already operates under some of the most intense scrutiny of any profession.

Palantirs growing footprint in Britain has also drawn political attention. The company, co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, has secured major public sector contracts, including a 330m NHS data deal and a 240m agreement with the Ministry of Defence.

Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley questioned the wider implications, asking: Who is watching Palantir?

Meanwhile, Labour has pledged more than 115m to expand responsible AI use across all 43 police forces in England and Wales, signalling that algorithm-driven policing may soon become far more widespread.
METRO MULUND

The Mulund police have pinpointed the role of each accused in the Metro parapet slab collapse that killed one person and injured three on February 14. However, cops say they need to cross-check the statements with MMRDA and project contractor Milan Buildtech, and neither is cooperating.While the four accused passed the buck during interrogation, Milan Buildtech MD Alpesh Patel did not share documents sought by the cops to corroborate statements made by the accused. Instead, he approached the court for anticipatory bail.The matter had come to the light on February 14 when the MMRDAs Metro 4s parapet slab had collapsed and this had led to the death of one and had left three injured, following which the Mulund police had made 5 arrests and two accused remain at large.The role of the Arrested accused : One main accused Ramashish is at large, several teams have been made to apprehend him, other accused Sai Suresh has now applied for an anticipatory bail and the hearing is likely to take place this week. A senior official told Mumbai Mirror.According to the police during the interrogation they have pinpointed the roles of the each arrested accused had revealed that their roles and to verify their statements the documents had been asked from Alpesh Patel, the managing director and Ganesh Gholap, the technical director of Milan Buildtech private limited but both the individuals did not corporate and approached the court,  Whether they were a part of the investigation but they did not even give the document and approached the court for the ABA. The police said.The police said that all the accused have been granted judicial custody and during the interrogation the accused have told their roles and designation in the private firm.  It is clear that it is due to the negligence of the accused that the incident took place. We have asked the MMRDA for some documents and they are not cooperating. The police said.The arrested accused Harish Chauhan is the project director of Milan Buildtech Pvt Ltd and his work was to ensure that the project is completed in the prescribed time,  During the interrogation he said that his job was to coordinate with the relevant authorities and complete the project in the prescribed time. The police said.Kuldeep Jaywant Sankpal is also the project director of Milan buildtech,  He said that he had nothing to do with the mishap as he was responsible for completing work as per the instructions of Chahuan and co-ordinate with the section in-charges and supervisors. the police said.Saurabh Satyaprakash Singh, Project Engineer of Milan Builtech Private limited and was responsible for executing work through junior engineers and supervisors as per instructions,  Singh was supposed to coordinate with the junior supervisor and complete the work in stipulated time. The police said.Prashant Bhoir, supervisor, was responsible for ensuring work execution by workers as instructed by the Section In-Charge (Project Engineer),  He was supposed to coordinate with the laborers and corporate with Singh and Chahuan to complete the project.The accused Avdhoot Inamdar was the project manager of the DB Hill- LBG company and was responsible for supervising the work which took place between the K-9 to K-5 sections of the Mulund metro project,  He was responsible for the area in which the parapet had fallen, Sai Suresh worked under him. The police said.The absconding accused :Sai Suresh, the consultant of the DB Hill- LBG has approached the court for an anticipatory bail,  He used to co-ordinate with Inamdar and was working as a consultant in the company, he has approached the court for ABA. The police said.Ramashish Yadav is the welder of Milan Roadtech and is absconding in this matter,  It is suspected that the welder had welded the precast of the parapet and that might have led to the incident. We have raised a manhunt to apprehend the accused. The police added.The police had asked for some documents to verify the roles of the accused but MMRDA and and the officials of Milan Buildtech had not cooperated,  The MMRDA was supposed to send us some documents today and we await for their documents and Alpesh Patel, Ganesh Gholap were asked for the document but they did not corporate. The police added.
A startling 62% of Indian employees experience burnout, with social sector workers in Maharashtra particularly vulnerable due to compassion fatigue and a lack of technical training, according to a report titled Burnout and Compassion Fatigue among Social Sector Employees in Maharashtra, India, published in International Journal of Law Management & Humanities, this year. The study highlights an institutional gap where graduates are emotionally prepared but lack the digital and administrative skills needed for modern NGO work, leading to high stress and exhaustion among younger staff.



The Self-Work Festival offers a vital sanctuary for all such individuals. From February 26 to 28, the Mumbai-based non-profit Touching Lives will host a three-day online gathering, specifically to nourish, restore, and awaken well-being in the social sector. In a sector where people spend their lives pouring into others, this is the rare moment the cup finally gets to refill itself.



Three days and



three anchors



The event features three distinct themes: grounding, healing, and integration. Each day includes four live sessions scheduled between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. Participants can access 12 live workshops and 20 pre-recorded sessions led by over 30 international experts.



Ankit Kanani, CEO of



Touching Lives, traces the festivals design to more than a decade of sustained inner work within the organisation. Self-Work Festival nurtures three essential experiences, he says. First, a sense of safety emerges as we heal our stories and become safe spaces for ourselves and others. Secondly, from safety grows a sense of belonging, where trust deepens as we become its source. And finally, from belonging arises a sense of purpose that is honest, inclusive, expansive, and evolutionary. Our work comes from a healed heart,



a conscious mind, and a



present body.



That framework reflects the wider philosophy of Touching Lives, which centres Self Work, Seva and Sadhana as daily disciplines rather than abstract ideals. The festival translates that ethos into practical sessions that address exhaustion, emotional overload and the quiet erosion of meaning that often accompanies service work.



Counter burnout and compassion fatigue



Among the Mumbai-based facilitators is psychotherapist Sameer P, who will lead Yoga Nidra: Relaxing Deeply and Intentionally, and Power of Self-Reflection. I will be offering two sessions. The first one is an experiential process where participants are led through a gentle process of tuning into their bodies - a somatic practice rooted in yoga philosophy. We often equate pleasure with rest, but they will walk away with a taste of what actual rest feels like. It can be practiced on-the-go and anywhere, something ideal for all social sector professionals. The other is more enquiry-based to highlight how self-work helps not just professionally but also across all areas of lifeemotions, relationships, creativity, or sense of purpose.



He connects that practice directly to sustainability in the field. Self-Work as a practice, when woven into the fabric of professional life, does mitigate chances of burnout or compassion fatigue. It allows you to take notice, recoup, and then come back with renewed spirit. It also allows you to step up fully for life outside work, because you are not running on low constantly.



A shift of perspective



For Drashti Shah, a mental health professional from Kandivali, the appeal lay in the clarity of the focus. The first thing that drew me to it was the tagline  wellbeing for the social sector. Always having worked in the social sector, I understand the realities of the work we do and the unseen emotional and psychological labour we carry. I instantly felt interested.



She speaks candidly about the strain. I most certainly have experienced burnout and emotional fatigue, it is something you sign up for when you work in the social sector. You face some hard-hitting realities of the world and try to do something about it while understanding that change is slow. I am hoping this festival will equip me with more tools to understand myself as well as to manage myself emotionally.



For professionals trained to hold space for others, stepping back can feel counterintuitive. The festival treats that step not as retreat but as infrastructure, the unseen support that makes long-term service possible.



To register, please visit: www.selfworkfestival.org




Over 1,000 Japanese protest government's plan to deploy long-range missiles in Kumamoto

Xinhua) 10:23, February 24, 2026

TOKYO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 Japanese people gathered on Monday in front of the Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Kengun base in Kumamoto Prefecture, protesting the government's plan to deploy long-range missiles at the facility.

Demonstrators held placards reading "No missiles" and "Don't turn Kumamoto into a battlefield." They chanted slogans such as "Military force cannot bring peace," calling on the government to scrap the deployment plan and provide a full explanation to local residents.

Masahiko Yamashita, a representative of the protest organizers, said the planned missile deployment is unacceptable under Article 9 of Japan's pacifist Constitution.

According to earlier reports by Japanese media outlets, the Defense Ministry plans to deploy an upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile system at the Camp Kengun facility by the end of March. The plan has long drawn criticism within Japan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
A profoundly humane and revelatory work that gives voice to women whose truths have too often been silenced Sarah Tucker

Secret Women (River Light Press, 22nd January 2026) delves into the hidden lives of a diverse group of women and asks why so many hide part of themselves, often inhabiting a secret life for decades.

Secret Women by Vanessa Holburn

Secrets and mysteries can be carried for a lifetime; author Vanessa Holburn meticulously and compassionately looks at why this might be in a myriad of intimate and revealing conversations with an extraordinary collection of women.

Some of the women featured are speaking for the first time, many having to remain anonymous for their own safety and that of others, some choosing anonymity to avoid societal judgement. All want to share their secrets to help other women who might be experiencing a similar situation.

The featured Secret Women include:

 Afghan rebels Roya and Safia, who defy the oppressive regime that intensifies its war on women daily

 Private investigators Jen and Sarah, risking personal safety to work undercover

 Two female Freemasons talking about why they joined the organisation and how they benefit from it

 An adult content provider on how she keeps her different lives separate and safe

 Women shamed about being overweight, now dealing with the stigma around weight-loss injections

 Two modern-day witches working with ancient arts and practises

Women also share their experience of secret partnerships and assignations, from affairs to keeping sexual desires hidden to a throuple relationship that goes wrong. Spanning ages 19 to 90 and the worldly spectrum of life, Secret Women explores how and why women keep secrets and how these voices can give hope and understanding.

We all keep secrets at some point in our lives, and were all interested in the secrets that other people are keeping too. But secrets can be dangerous, to ourselves and to others. They can protect but they can harm. In this book, women who are very different in age, race, culture, lifestyle and geographical location share their secrets with us. They cover both things that they choose to do in private, and things that have happened to them, with and without their consent. They are secrets that they keep so that they can live, work, learn and grow. Some of the stories shared are sad, some are sexy. Many are inspirational, a few dispiriting. They have been hidden to protect their owner and others.For some, this is the first time they have spoken to anyone about what they have chosen to keep close and confidential. For other women, while they are now openly campaigning and talking about their experiences and beliefs, they kept their secrets hidden in the past, often for decades. Some of those I spoke to may have a public face but need to do some of their work undercover and keep it private.

Here, they all share their secrets for the good of others because someone out there might be experiencing something similar. And whatever the secret, there is common ground. In sharing what they keep, or have kept, a secret, they can help us to understand why. Vanessa Holburn

Chapters:

SECTION 1: ACTIVISM AND CAMPAIGNS

The Afghan RebelsVoices for the Animals

Child Sexual Abuse and Domestic Abuse

CampaignersThe Sexual Assault Survivor

SECTION 2: WORK AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT

Wartime Bomber Operator

Private Investigators and Mystery Shopping

The Magic Circle and Freemasonry

Adult Content and the Professional Mistress

SECTION 3: PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Lesbian Lives

Secret Love Affairs

Kink and Fetish Relationships

Hypersexuality as a Result of Incest

SECTION 4: BEING YOURSELF

Witchcraft and the Occult

Neo-Shamanism

ADHD and Mental HealthWeight-Loss Jabs

ABOUT VANESSA HOLBURN

Vanessa Holburn author and journalist

Vanessa Holburn is an author and journalist with 30 years of industry experience across consumer and trade press, digital media and communication agencies. She is the author of six non-fiction books including Surviving the Holocaust and Stalin and How to Be an Activist. Her work has appeared across all major UK magazines and newspapers, and she has appeared on radio and television, and spoken on podcasts and at literary festivals, libraries, universities and museums.

Vanessa can be followed: Instagram: @vanessaholburnwriter X: @VanessaSH LinkedIn: vanessaholburnwriter Facebook: VanessaHolburnAuthorJournalist

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SECRET WOMEN:

A stunning book that doesnt just reveal hidden stories  it spotlights the culture that forces women to hide them in the first place.  Issy Vine, Speak Up Now UK

Vanessa Holburns Secret Women is a profoundly humane and revelatory work that gives voice to women whose truths have too often been silenced. With journalistic precision and deep empathy, Holburn unearths the hidden lives of women across continents and generations, showing how secrecy can be both shield and shackle.

What makes this book unique is its balance of courage and compassion; each story illuminates not only survival but solidarity. In a moment when womens autonomy and safety remain globally contested, this book could save lives and sanity alike. Every educator, policymaker, therapist, and ally should read it, then listen harder.  Sarah Tucker, best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster

Secrets can be terrifying, protective, comforting and often deeply complex. For many women, theyre also shaped by shame, trauma, and the fear of being truly seen and what the repercussions might be. Secret Women creates a safe space for these hidden truths to come into the light. As a clinical psychologist, I know how liberating it can be when silence is transformed. This book offers that liberation with tenderness and courage. Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist

A fascinating journey captivating womens psyche through bold, compelling and deeply relatable case studies, why we keep secrets, what kinds we keep, and which ones keep us. Impeccably written, deeply investigative and profoundly honest. Vanessa Holburn holds up a mirror in which every woman will see herself, in one secret or two.  Rose Sgueglia, Author, Journalist and Researcher

Im so glad someone has written this book! Its both tantalising and important. If youve ever wondered about the secrets uncovered by activists, spies, private detectives, magicians and even female freemasons (yes, they do exist) read Vanessa Holburns fascinating new book  a book which also gives a voice to those whove previously been silenced. Secret Women opens up an intriguing world of female empowerment. Lucinda Hawksley, author

by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk


Sonora, CA  The Sonora Elementary School District has received a third resignation following two board members resigning last week. The newest member to resign is Board Member Cody Ritts.

Due to a majority of the board seats being vacant, a Special Board Meeting will be held today, February 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools (TCSOS) office at 175 Fairview Lane.

Board Clerk Steve Roos and Board President Reed Schoedl resigned last week as detailed here. Their two board seats were up for election in November 2026, but Ritts was serving his third, unopposed, 4-year term on the board, and the seat is not up for election until November 2028.

As outlined in California Education Code  5094, and Board Bylaw 9121, if a majority of offices on any school district governing board are vacant, then the president of the county board of education has jurisdiction to appoint members of the county board of education to the district governing board until new members of the governing board are elected or appointed. As noted with the other resignations, Steven Treat, the TCSOS Board President, is providing governance support during the transitional period.

On February 20, 2026 a board meeting was held that appointed Twila Tosh as Interim Superintendent. Principal Lora Hunter served as Superintendent Designee since February 1st due to Superintendent Cheryl Griffiths being on administrative leave and later her contract was ended by the Sonora Elementary Board, following her arrest in January. We reported earlier that Griffiths and former Vice Principal Kristaine Quinn were charged with a misdemeanor related to failing to report an assault of a student by a speech therapist.

Ritts along with Reed Schoedl, and Steve Roos approved a contract extension with Superintendent Cheryl Griffiths as we reported in October 2024. It initially prompted a recall attempt of Cody Ritts, however, proponents did not gather enough signatures to move the matter forward.

Sonora Elementary School District has posted notice here of the open vacancies for the Board Member positions. Community members who live in the district and are interested in serving are encouraged to apply. Appointments will be discussed at the Wednesday, March 11, 2026 board meeting.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  A Utah judge on Tuesday declined to disqualify the local county attorneys office from prosecuting the accused shooter in Charlie Kirks killing after the defense argued there was a conflict of interest because a prosecutors daughter was present when Kirk was shot.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Robinsons attorneys urged the judge to remove the Utah County Attorneys Office because they allowed a deputy county attorney to work on the case despite knowing that his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

The defense also argued in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they said was evidence of strong emotional reactions that merited disqualifying the entire team.

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is not a significant risk that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunanders loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinsons rights.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A co-founder of Turning Point USA, Kirk helped mobilize young people to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunanders daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she told the court earlier this month.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleagues daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf found that the daughters presence did not factor into Grays decision.

The director of a state council that trains prosecutors said Grafs ruling was appropriate given the circumstances.

Chad Grunanders daughter is not going to be a witness. She didnt actually see Mr. Kirk killed. She was facing away, Utah Prosecution Council Director Robert Church said.

The judge has been weighing other issues of fairness for Robinson, should he go to trial.

Full video recordings of Kirks shooting have not been shown in court after defense attorneys objected out of concern that the footage would undermine Robinsons right to a fair trial.

Defense attorneys also seek to keep TV cameras and photographers out of the courtroom, arguing that highly biased news outlets risk tainting the case. Prosecutors, attorneys for news organizations and Kirks widow have urged Graf to keep the proceedings open.

The defense request to exclude cameras was classified by the court as private and has not been released.

On Monday, Graf granted a request from a coalition of news organizations including The Associated Press to allow attorneys for the media to view defense requests to classify documents in the case. Graf said without access to those motions, media attorneys could not meaningfully argue against closing parts of the case from public view.

___

Associated Press writers Mead Gruver in Fort Collins, Colorado; and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed.

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM

Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP)  U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas resisted growing calls Tuesday from fellow congressional Republicans to resign over a report of an alleged affair with a former staffer who later died after she set herself on fire.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joined Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Nancy Mace of South Carolina in demanding that Gonzales step down immediately. Gonzales is in a tough race in Texas Republican primary on March 3, facing a challenger he narrowly defeated in a 2024 GOP runoff.

He told reporters he will not resign. A resignation would leave Republicans with a 217-214 majority until March, when the first of three special elections to fill vacancies is set in Georgia.

There will be opportunities for all of the details and facts to come out, he said. What youve seen is not all the facts.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would talk to Gonzales on Tuesday.

Johnson said Monday that the accusations against Gonzales must be taken seriously, but he added, in every case like this, you have to allow the investigation to play out and all the facts to come out.

If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress, Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Mace announced that she has introduced a resolution to force the House Ethics Commission to publicly release its reports and records of allegations of sexual harassment against members of Congress.

Gonzales said in a social media post last week that he was being blackmailed and then suggested in another post Sunday that he is the target of coordinated political attacks.

His main primary opponent is Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and gun rights influencer who calls himself the AK Guy on YouTube, where his channel has nearly 4.2 million subscribers. Gonzales defeated Herrera by fewer than 400 votes in their 2024 runoff.

President Donald Trump had endorsed Gonzales for reelection in December.

The San Antonio Express-News reported last week that it had obtained text messages in which the former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to a colleague that she had an affair with the lawmaker.

The Associated Press has not independently obtained copies of the messages. An attorney for Adrian Aviles, Santos-Aviles husband, has said the husband found out about the affair before his wifes death.

Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, 35, died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire in the backyard of her Uvalde home. The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office later ruled her death as a suicide by self-immolation.

Where are the other men in the GOP? Massie asked Tuesday in a post on X in calling for Gonzales to resign, adding that Trump should revoke his endorsement.

Gonzales, whose district stretches from San Antonio to El Paso and runs along the U.S.-Mexico border, has six children with his wife.

His allegation of blackmail is based on an email from the attorney for the staffers husband, Robert Barrera, discussing a possible lawsuit against the lawmaker and a potential settlement with a nondisclosure agreement. The email says that the maximum recoverable amount is $300,000.

Barrera has said he was not trying to blackmail Gonzales and called the accusation an attempt by the congressman to look like a political victim.

___

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas. Also contributing was Associated Press journalist Kevin Freking in Washington.

By JOHN HANNA and JUAN LOZANO

Associated Press
TORONTO (AP)  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is traveling to India, Australia and Japan this week and next in his latest effort to diversify trade away from the United States, his office announced Monday.

Carney will first visit Mumbai on Thursday for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders.

During a stop in Canberra, Carney will address both houses of Australias Parliament, making him the first Canadian prime minister to do so in 20 years.

He also will meet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss defense and AI advancements.

Carney will then head to Tokyo to meet with Japans Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to discuss clean energy, critical minerals and food security.

In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control. We are diversifying our trade and attracting massive new investment, Carney said in a statement.

Carney has set a goal for Canada to double its non-U.S. exports in the next decade, saying American tariffs are causing a chill in investment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening Canadas economy and sovereignty with tariffs, most offensively by claiming Canada could be the 51st state.

Trump recently threatened to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada over that countrys proposed China trade deal, intensifying a feud with the longtime U.S. ally and Carney.

In Davos at the World Economic Forum last month, Carney condemned economic coercion by great powers on smaller countries. The prime minister received widespread praise and attention for his remarks, upstaging Trump at the gathering.

Canada and India moved last year to advance a trade deal after two years of strained relations. In 2024, India was Canadas seventh-largest trading partner.

Relations between Canada and India have been strained since Canadian police accused New Delhi of playing a role in the June 2023 assassination of a Canadian Sikh activist near Vancouver.

Canada is not the only country that has accused Indian officials of plotting an assassination on foreign soil.

In 2023, U.S. prosecutors said an Indian government official directed a failed plot to assassinate another Sikh separatist leader in New York. A man from India admitted earlier this month that he conspired to hire a hitman to assassinate the Sikh separatist leader.

By ROB GILLIES

Associated Press
More than 600 Kenyans stranded in Cambodia have turned to the courts, demanding that the government intervene and bring them home before a February 28, 2026, deadline.

Ten petitioners filed an urgent application on behalf of the group, warning that these citizens face immediate arrest, jail time, and further abuse if the state does not step in now.

The petitioners explain that dishonest recruitment agents tricked the Kenyans into leaving the country by promising real jobs in places like Thailand. Instead, once they arrived, traffickers allegedly moved the victims into Cambodia against their will and sold them to human trafficking rings.

Court filings describe how captors confined the group in heavily guarded compounds behind high walls and barbed wire, with armed guards and foreign nationals controlling every move. The petitioners further claim that their captors seized their phones and personal documents, including passports, effectively cutting them off from any way to seek help.

The petition also alleges that the trapped Kenyans endured forced labor under brutal conditions, often working 16-hour days to meet impossible performance targets. A supporting affidavit details systematic abuse within the compound, including harassment, electrocution, and direct threats of violence.

While Cambodian police eventually raided the facility, reportedly forcing the traffickers to flee, the stranded Kenyans now remain behind with no clear path to safety or a way back home.

The petitioners report that the stranded Kenyans are currently taking refuge at a local facility without food, money, or stable housing, pushing them to the brink of despair.

In response to this worsening crisis, the group has launched a major lawsuit against several high-ranking state offices. Through their legal team, they are suing the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Inspector General of Police, the Ministry of Labor, the Directorate of Immigration Services, and the Attorney General. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights is also involved in the case as an interested party.

Represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, the petitioners are asking for urgent court orders to force the government into immediate diplomatic action. They want the state to verify where the Kenyans are, confirm their identities, and guarantee their safe return. Furthermore, they have requested that the court order the government to file a progress report within 24 hours, detailing exactly what is being done to bring these citizens home safely.

In their application, the petitioners argue that the ordeal violates fundamental constitutional rights, including the right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. They contend that the Kenyan government bears a legal obligation to uphold these protections for its citizens, even when they are abroad.
Esther Passaris has officially announced her bid for the Makadara Member of Parliament seat in the 2027 General Election.

During a Monday morning interview on Radio47, Passaris indicated that she is transitioning from county-wide representation to constituency-level politics. She said she chose Makadara after evaluating her prospects and holding discussions with her party colleagues.

I have decided to vie for the Makadara seat because I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to development in that constituency, she said.

Passaris revealed that she originally considered running in either Westlands or Makadara. She ultimately chose the latter after the current MP, George Aladwa, indicated he plans to run for Nairobi governor.

Both Westlands and Makadara presented opportunities. Aladwa had initially planned to go to Vihiga but later reconsidered. When I sought clarification, he told me he would instead be running for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat, Passaris explained.

This latest announcement follows her November 22, 2025, statement, where she confirmed she would step down as Nairobi Woman Representative, a seat specifically reserved for women under affirmative action.

At that time, Passaris shut down online rumors regarding her future and debunked fake posters that claimed she had already picked a successor.

By 2027, God willing, I will have completed two full terms as Nairobi Woman Rep. This is an affirmative action seat, and I believe it is time for another woman to lead, she said.
Kisii elders crowned former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi as a community elder and appointed him their official spokesman during a traditional ceremony at Ekerenyo Grounds in Nyamira County on Monday, February 23, 2026.

United Opposition leaders watched as the elders formally blessed Matiangi and presented him with traditional instruments. These symbols represent his new authority to speak for the Abagusii community in national politics.

The elders began the event by draping Matiangi in a ceremonial cloth to signal his new high rank within the Kisii community.

The elders explained that although tradition usually requires animal skin, they intentionally selected special attire to honor him.

They then placed headgear on Matiangi, representing the power and responsibility reserved for leaders of his rank. The ceremony proceeded as the elders presented a symbolic stick, choosing it specifically over the spear typically used in such blessings. They clarified that the stick signifies authority and peaceful leadership, showing that Matiangi intends to pursue unity rather than conflict.

The elders also handed him a fly whisk and instructed him to use it when greeting the public during major ceremonies, a gesture that holds deep cultural meaning within Abagusii tradition.

To conclude the symbolic presentations, the elders invited a religious leader to pray over and bless the instruments, anchoring the entire ceremony in both cultural heritage and spiritual faith.

The elders formally closed the ceremony by handing Matiangi over to the United Opposition leaders, signaling he can now travel across the country to hunt for votes. The opposition leaders, now calling their movement the United Alternative Government, shook his hand while he held the traditional symbols of authority.

After the blessings, Matiangi thanked the elders for the honor and promised to handle the responsibility with care. He pledged to secure victory and vowed that, if he wins the presidency, he would keep seeking advice from the same council that blessed him.

Kwa council of elders nitakuwa nashauriana na nyinyi, sitakuwa naenda kando na muongozo yenu, he said.

The United Oppositions three-day tour through the Kisii region kicked off at Ekerenyo Grounds, marking the first stop in a broader strategy to sweep the Abagusii region. This tour signals a significant political shift in an area that has long served as a stronghold for the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, with current momentum appearing to favor Fred Matiangi ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Matiangis central role in the coalitions presidential ambitions gained further weight just days ago when the Jubilee Party formally cleared him to be its flagbearer. He now serves as the vital bridge between Jubilee and the rebranded United Alternative Government.
Kenya is moving closer to overhauling its traffic management system, with Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo revealing that the government is actively modeling a new policing framework on some of the worlds most advanced urban traffic systems.

Following consultations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Omollo confirmed that the partnership is designed to modernize how Kenya handles road safety across its rapidly expanding cities and increasingly congested roads.

We are currently studying models such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Police to design a system that can handle our growing urban population and heavy traffic flows, he said.

The initiative falls under the Project for Strengthening the Safe-System Approach to Road Traffic Accidents in Kenya, a three-year program running from 2025 to 2028. Launched last May, the joint venture between the National Police Service (NPS) and JICA targets Kenyas road safety response at its roots, including improving accident reaction times, refining traffic management, and ultimately driving down the countrys road fatality rate.

The project takes a coordinated approach, addressing driver behavior, vehicle safety, and road design simultaneously rather than treating each as an isolated problem.

The Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Transport, and JICA have aligned under the KenyaJapan Safe System Approach to Road Traffic Accidents Project to deliver specialized traffic safety training to Kenyan police officers.

JICA Kenya Chief Representative Shinkawa Makoto briefed Omollo on the programs progress, which the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) are currently implementing on the ground.

One of the projects most significant deliverables is a digital accident reporting system. By digitizing how authorities collect and analyze crash data, the system aims to sharpen response times and anchor future policy decisions in real-time evidence rather than delayed reporting.

At the heart of the project sits the globally recognized Safe-System Approach, a framework built on the understanding that human error is unavoidable. Rather than placing all responsibility on road users, the approach designs transport networks so that mistakes do not translate into deaths or life-changing injuries. Safer roads, safer vehicles, appropriate speed limits, and better-informed road users all work together to absorb the impact of accidents before they turn fatal.

The rollout also leans heavily on big data and digital intelligence to strengthen road safety management, giving traffic officers sharper tools to enforce regulations consistently and respond to incidents with greater speed and precision.

The broader initiative operates under a technical cooperation agreement between Japan and Kenya, giving Nairobi direct access to Tokyos deep institutional knowledge in traffic safety, expertise built over decades of managing one of the worlds most complex urban road networks.

Omollo shared the latest developments shortly after a week-long Safe-System Approach training program concluded on January 27 in Tokyo. JICA organized the session, bringing together senior police officials and key stakeholders who shape Kenyas road safety policies and strategic planning decisions.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of delivering conflicting messages to the public and engaging in double-talk.

Speaking during a Monday morning interview on Kameme TV on February 23, 2026, Kiunjuri described Gachagua as a leader whose current rhetoric often contradicts his previous stance. He highlighted what he called blatant inconsistencies, particularly after Gachagua exited government.

When Rigathi Gachagua was in government, he told Kenyans that the country was broke, but now, because he is not in government, he is telling Kenyans that the government is not working but stealing public money, Kiunjuri said.

Kiunjuri also questioned whether Gachaguas claims of strong grassroots support reflect his actual political commitment. He suggested that the former deputy presidents actions are driven more by electoral ambition than a genuine desire to serve the public.

The MP further challenged Gachaguas claim to be the sole voice for the Mt. Kenya region, arguing that it disregards other leaders and parties within the United Opposition. According to Kiunjuri, no single individual can legitimately claim to represent the entire region without first securing broad consensus.

Rigathi claims that he is a listener to the ground. Why does he not hear the ground selectively? Kiunjuri added.

In Kiunjuris view, effective leadership requires inclusivity, transparency, and a consistent strategy, rather than messaging that shifts with political winds or personal interests. While he acknowledged Gachaguas ability to energize his supporters, Kiunjuri warned that continued mixed messaging could erode public trust.

A staunch supporter of the Kenya Kwanza administration, Kiunjuri has emerged as one of Gachaguas most vocal critics in recent months.
Individuals named Dympna are often perceived as compassionate, resilient, and spiritually inclined, reflecting the saint's legacy of healing and strength. They typically demonstrate deep empathy for others, particularly those suffering from mental or emotional distress, and often pursue careers in caregiving, counseling, or healing professions. Their quiet determination and moral fortitude enable them to overcome significant challenges while maintaining their core values. Dympnas tend to be intuitive and perceptive, with a natural ability to understand complex emotional landscapes.



While they may appear gentle and reserved, they possess remarkable inner strength and conviction when defending principles or protecting vulnerable individuals. This combination of sensitivity and resilience makes them both comforting presences and formidable advocates for justice. Their connection to the name's meaning of 'fawn' often manifests in a graceful, observant naturethey move through life with careful consideration and natural elegance. However, like the deer that must survive in challenging environments, Dympnas develop surprising toughness and adaptability. They typically form deep, meaningful relationships rather than numerous superficial ones, and their loyalty to loved ones is unwavering. The spiritual dimension of their namesake often gives them a reflective, philosophical approach to life's challenges.
Chris Hemsworth regretted moving back to his native Australia after a spate of deadly shark attacks near his home.

Chris Hemsworth was worried about shark attacks after two surfers died near his home within two weeks

The Thor star, 42, grew up Down Under but lived in the US for many years before moving back to Australia in 2015 with his wife Elsa Pataky and their children, but Chris has now admitted he thought he'd made a huge mistake after two surfers were killed by sharks just minutes away from his home in Byron Bay.

During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, he explained: "When I first moved to Byron Bay, there was a string of shark attacks - two deaths, then one guy survived - in the space of two weeks. One out the front of my house and one 10 minutes south of me and [one] five minutes north. I was like: 'Where have I moved to? What have I done? This is crazy.'

"And so for the next ... [I was only going out surfing] when there were other people in the water. Your chances are a little better. There was a period when there would just be choppers [helicopters] going up and down the coastline shark spotting and then they have a siren on because for whatever reason there was this feeding frenzy.

[They put the siren on] or they tell the police and the police would come down with a big speaker and tell you to get out of the water. And you'd all sit there and be like: 'Argh I'm not getting out of the water' and then each guys starts paddling in like: 'Fine, fine we'll go in.'

"Bull sharks and great whites are the most predominant."

However, Chris refuses to let the risk of shark attacks put him off the sport he loves. He added: "I surf every day ... I heard that more people die in America by shaking a vending machine to get chocolate out and it collapsing on them. I don't know if it's true. "

The actor went on to reveal there are "heaps of snakes" around his house and his three children aren't bothered by them, but his Hollywood pal Matt Damon got a nasty surprise during his first visit Down Under.

Chris said: "[There are] heaps of snakes ... We see a lot of snakes around our house and a lot of pythons, but the pythons are very territorial so they keep the bad ones away ... We don't mind having the pythons around. My kids will go and grab them by the tail sometimes ...

"Matt Damon, he was asking me all these questions before they came to Australia. I was like: 'Ah you're fine'. The first day, he drives down the street, gets out of a car and steps straight on a snake. I've been there 42 years and never stepped on a snake. Day one. He's a dummy. "
After signing 3,720 books in a matter of weeks, Tayari Jones has a few tips for other authors.

You really just have to follow the same rules as in the rest of your life, says Jones, Charles Howard Candler Professor of English and Creative Writing. Dont do everything in a day. Take breaks.

She recruited friends to pull away single sheets from stacks of stand-alone title pages as she signed them. Later, these were bound into copies of Kin, her fifth book, just published by Penguin Random House.

The novel is having a pretty big rollout, she says, referring to the books three-month, 24-city tour. And that can be very isolating. So, youve got to figure out ways to bring friends in so that its their moment, too.

Friendship takes center stage in Kin, which is set in rural Louisiana and Atlanta during the mid-20th century. The books chapters alternate points of view between Annie and Niecy, two motherless friends whose lifelong bond is tested by the years, geography and class shifts.

Kin is an Oprahs Book Club pick. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly pronounced it a tour de force," while Kirkus called the book beautifully written and powerfully compelling.

Jones previous novel, An American Marriage, a New York Times bestseller, was awarded the Womens Prize for Fiction. Jones is also the author of Leaving Atlanta, The Untelling and Silver Sparrow.

Appreciation for each reader

Another bit of book-signing advice from Jones: Keep it legible.

She says novelist Ann Patchett once told her: When you sign a book, someone has paid for a signed book. They need to be able to read that signature.

Early in her career, Jones remembers a promotional bookstore visit where no one showed up. While she signed books for the store to sell later, she says, an African American woman came in with her little boy. The mother apologized for being late; shed driven from the next town because she wanted her child to see a book signing.

And so, I said, Well, tomorrow, Im actually going to be in your town, and I will reserve a seat right up front for you and your son. Thats the person for whom you want a lovely, legible signature, says Jones.

She cherishes her readers because they fueled what she calls the slow-burn growth of her career over 25 years.

My little prayer [at book events] used to be, Oh, please let me get into the double digits, she recalls. I will never value readers less because there arent more of them.

Jones experienced something very different at the book launch for Kin, which sold out Atlantas 800-plus seat Rialto Theater.

Still, she says, If you have a book event where three people come, you need to look at each of those three people like, Hello, friend. Because each one got up, got dressed, put on some clothes and got in the car. Thats a gift.

A strange journey

Writing Kin was wildly different from composing her previous novels. It was a very strange journey, says Jones. And I kind of dont want it to happen like this again!

She was contracted to write a different book  a contemporary novel about gentrification set in modern-day Atlanta. But as she sat down at her desk, day after day, something felt off.

I was getting words down, she recalls, but it felt almost like I was in an arranged marriage. It made perfect sense for me and this book to be together, but we just didnt vibe.

Jones was struggling to write this story during 2020 and 2021, when people were out there protesting the deaths of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks, she says. And Im up in my comfortable, cozy office, doing what?

Finally, she went back to the practices that brought her joy as a child: She sharpened a pencil using a manual, turn-crank sharpener. Then she set its point to some lined paper. It was just for the pleasure of writing, she says, to see what was on my mind.

The characters who arose lived in the 1940s and 50s in the Jim Crow South. At first, she assumed these must be the parents of the characters in her novel. But as time passed and the pages accumulated, she says she realized, Perhaps this is not backstory. Perhaps this is the story.

It felt like magic. And I dont like magic, says Jones.

While Im not a writer who has to be in complete control or know where a storys going, I have always rolled my eyes at people who claim, Oh, the story just came to me. And now, here I am, among them! she says, laughing.

As each draft of Kin brought new details to light, her characters came to feel like people she knows. One of those people was a freewheeling young man named Clyde.

When he has a little money in his pocket, Clyde buys pre-made, store-bought cigarettes and lets them burn down in an ashtray so people know he has money, says Jones. And that also just shows you how little they have, that this is such an extravagance. When those details come, they tickle me.

Jones wrote the book while recovering from an episode of Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder whose symptoms include fatigue, hand tremors and vision problems.

I had to write the book with an eye patch on, she says. So here I am, looking like a pirate. And the characters really kept me company. Dear Clyde  I owe him one!

The book also took on themes she wasnt expecting to explore. Its two protagonists are raised by an aunt and a grandmother, neither of whom warm to the role of caregiver.

I hadnt thought about the trickle-down effects of whether or not people can control their own fertility, says Jones. It affects the whole culture as well as the lives of children reared by mothers who are not in the mood to do so. A childs need is for full motherhood, and it wasnt available to Annie or Niecy.

Treating writing with respect

It wasnt until college that Jones learned putting words on paper could be more than a hobby.

When girls like to read and write, she says, people dont necessarily believe theyre intellectual. They believe they are nice. People are like, Oh, great. Keep that reading and writing going. But no one says, You may become an important voice.

Meeting Pearl Cleage changed that for her. The writer and playwright taught Jones at Spelman College. One day, Cleage asked her student what she was thinking.

Jones recalls starting to speak. And she says, No, dont tell me. Write it down. And with that, she became my first audience. She took me seriously and taught me to take myself seriously.

She treats her own students with the same respect.

Here at Emory, we have an undergraduate creative writing program, Jones says, and you know, I was an undergraduate when Pearl shone her light on me, so I take undergraduate education very seriously. I love teaching the writers who are on the verge of finding their voices.

I say to the students, Our goal is that every person who brings their work to class leaves eager to write another draft, she says. I dont want to gatekeep. I want writing to seem like a normal thing that lots of people can do. The more stories, the better.
China slams 'takeover' of Panama ports

The Hong Kong government describes the takeover of ports by Panama as "a brutal act". File photo: Reuters
Dame Helen Mirren found her red carpet confidence in a stripper shop.

Dame Helen Mirren found her red carpet confidence in a stripper shop

Revealing that towering platform heels were her secret weapon during her early years in Hollywood, the actress, 80, spoke about her long-standing love of pole-dancing heels in an interview with British Vogue from the front row of Erdems autumn 2026 show during London Fashion Week.

Reflecting on attending awards ceremonies in Los Angeles in her earlier career, she said: In my early days in LA, you know, the awards things, and there would be all these actresses like Nicole Kidman and these beautiful, tall, thin, gorgeous actresses, and Id be this dumpy little five-foot-four thing amongst them.

At the time, she said, high platforms were not readily available in mainstream fashion.

Helen added: Platform heels were not in fashion. So the only place I could find a platform heel was in the stripper shops on Hollywood Boulevard.

She also said: It was $39.99, my first pair of stripper heels, and they worked like magic. Suddenly I was up there eye to eye with (5ft 11in) Nicole Kidman.

Helen has previously spoken about her preference for high platforms.

In 2010, she told Woman and Home magazine: Four-inch platforms give you great height and make your legs look unbelievably long.

I used only to be able to get them in stripper shops, but now you can buy them everywhere  although, unfortunately, that means everyone else has discovered the trick too.

Her fondness for dramatic footwear was referenced again in 2024 when Mattel created a Barbie doll in her likeness.

The doll was modelled on her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, featuring a periwinkle Del Core gown, matching blue hair and platform shoes.

Speaking to British Vogue at the time, Helen said: Bless the Mattel team, because they got my f***-me pump shoes right. She added: Enormous platform Pleasers have always been my secret weapon on red carpets  they give you six inches of height on your legs, and because theyre made for strippers, theyre quite stable, too.

At the Erdem show, Helen sat alongside Glenn Close, Keira Knightley, Lily James and Rashida Jones, viewing the designers 20th anniversary collection.

For the occasion, she wore a navy knit cardigan with a crocheted shawl, a white botanical-printed skirt and Mary Jane flats.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal held a virtual meeting with Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu to advance discussions on the proposed India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to strengthen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. The meet comes ahead of Canadian PM Mark Carney's India visit later this week. Sharing details of the interaction in a social media post on Monday, Minister Piyush Goyal said he had a virtual interaction with Maninder Sidhu on advancing discussions related to the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). He said "Had a virtual interaction with @MSidhuLiberal, Minister of International Trade, Canada, on advancing discussions related to the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). We also deliberated on strengthening business ties on both sides through regular delegation-level engagements over the coming months to build sustained momentum in our economic partnership". The Canadian minister also expressed optimism following the meeting. In a social media post, Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said he spoke with his Indian counterpart, Minister Piyush Goyal, to continue building momentum in the trading relationship and advancing discussions towards a CEPA trade agreement. He said, "I spoke with my Indian counterpart, Minister Piyush Goyal, to continue building momentum in our trading relationship and advancing discussions towards a CEPA trade agreement. With more than USD 30 billion in annual bilateral trade between Canada and India, there is strong potential to unlock new opportunities for Canadian exporters, strengthen commercial ties, and drive growth for businesses and workers in both countries". Trade negotiations between India and Canada, which began in 2010, have stalled multiple times due to various issues. However, efforts to revive the agreement gained momentum in November when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to formally relaunch talks on the CEPA. The proposed agreement is expected to cover a wide range of sectors, including trade in goods and services, investments, agriculture, and digital commerce. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. Further strengthening bilateral engagement, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said last month that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India in the first week of March. The Canadian Prime Minister's visit is expected to see the signing of key agreements in areas such as uranium, energy, minerals, and Artificial Intelligence. Trade and economic cooperation are also expected to be a major focus during the visit. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], February 24: The landscape of orthopedic trauma surgery in Eastern India has undergone a radical transformation over the last decade. Historically, complex fractures of the pelvic ring and acetabulum (the socket of the hip joint) were often managed conservatively with prolonged bed rest, frequently leading to lifelong disability, chronic pain, and malunion. Today, the region is a burgeoning hub for advanced pelvic-acetabular reconstruction, thanks to specialized surgical techniques and dedicated practitioners. Pelvic and acetabular surgeries are widely considered the "Mount Everest" of orthopedic trauma. The anatomy is deep, surrounded by major blood vessels and nerves, requiring a high degree of precision. 1. From Conservative to Operative In the past, the lack of specialized infrastructure in states like Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar meant patients were often referred to major metros in the North or South. The progress in Eastern India is marked by: - Advanced Imaging: The shift from 2D X-rays to 3D CT reconstructions allows surgeons to map fracture lines with millimeter precision. - Specialized Approaches: The adoption of the Stoppa approach and other minimally invasive techniques has reduced blood loss and recovery time. - Dedicated Trauma Units: The establishment of Level-1 trauma centers equipped with radiolucent tables and high-end C-arm intensifiers. The Role of Dr. Dibya Singha Das A pivotal figure in this regional advancement is Dr. Dibya Singha Das. His contribution has been instrumental in bridging the gap between global surgical standards and local accessibility in Eastern India. Clinical Excellence Dr. Das has been at the forefront of managing "high-velocity" trauma--cases typically resulting from industrial accidents or highway collisions. His work focuses on: - Anatomical Reduction: Achieving a perfect "fit" for the hip ball and socket to prevent early-onset arthritis. - Complex Reconstructions: Handling neglected fractures or failed previous surgeries that require expert revision. Academic and Skill Transfer Beyond the operating theater, Dr. Das has played a crucial role in demystifying pelvic surgery for the next generation of surgeons. Through workshops and live surgical demonstrations, he has helped build a community of orthopedic surgeons in the East who are no longer intimidated by the complex anatomy of the pelvis. Current Challenges and the Road Ahead While the progress is undeniable, the region still faces specific hurdles: - The Golden Hour: Getting patients to specialized centers within the critical window remains a logistical challenge. - Affordability: The cost of specialized implants and prolonged ICU stays can be prohibitive. - Rehabilitation: Post-operative care requires specialized physiotherapy, which is still catching up to the pace of surgical advancements. For more information- https://drdibya.com/ (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], February 24: Stallion India Fluorochemicals Limited (SIFL), a leading integrated refrigerants and industrial gases company, announced that it has received approval from RIICO for allotment of land for its proposed Hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) manufacturing facility at the RIICO Industrial Area, Ukhalliya, District Bhilwara, Rajasthan. The allotment supports the company's ongoing Rajasthan expansion strategy aimed at building an integrated fluorochemicals manufacturing ecosystem. The newly allotted Plot No. SP2-9 measuring approximately 53,369 sq. mtrs, located adjacent to the Company's existing Plot SP3-10 (~40,524 sq. mtrs) and Plot SP3-11 (~28,650 sq. mtrs), increases Stallion's total contiguous land holding at the site to ~122,543 sq. mtrs, enabling development of a fully integrated manufacturing layout. The contiguous location will allow shared infrastructure, utilities, security, administration, and factory management, supporting operational synergies, improved efficiencies, and cost optimization as capacity scales. HFOs represent the next generation of low global-warming-potential refrigerant technologies, strengthening the Company's future-ready product portfolio and long-term competitiveness. The Rajasthan expansion is being executed in a calibrated, phased manner, with the R-32 project targeted for commissioning by October 2026, followed by the proposed HFO facility, for which Stallion has outlined an investment of approximately 200 crore with work planned to commence in 2027. The Rajasthan project will also be eligible for incentives under RIPS-2024, including SGST-linked incentives, capital and performance-linked support, interest subvention, and employment-linked benefits, which cumulatively may extend up to 100% of eligible fixed capital investment, subject to approvals and eligibility conditions. Management Commentary: Mr. Shazad Rustomji, Managing Director & CEO, Stallion India Fluorochemicals Limited, said: "The approval for land allotment marks another important milestone in executing our Rajasthan expansion strategy. The consolidated land parcel enables us to design a fully integrated manufacturing setup with shared infrastructure and operational efficiencies as we scale our fluorochemicals platform. HFOs represent the next phase of environmentally advanced refrigerant technologies and will significantly strengthen our portfolio and long-term competitiveness. Backed by our phased expansion plans and policy support under RIPS-2024, we remain confident of achieving our targeted 30-35% revenue CAGR over the next three years, while building a strong domestic manufacturing base aligned with India's self-reliance vision in specialty chemicals and fluorochemicals." Outlook: The land allotment strengthens Stallion's Rajasthan manufacturing cluster strategy and supports its transition toward advanced refrigerants and specialty gases. Along with the upcoming R-32 facility and broader fluorochemicals initiatives, the project enhances Stallion's ability to build an integrated, scalable, and future-ready domestic manufacturing platform while improving long-term operating leverage and competitiveness. (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], February 24: In a major step toward bringing transparency and scientific rigor to residential real estate, InspectHomeNow.in today announced the launch of its consumer-focused home inspection services across Delhi NCR. Originally operating as a B2B technical testing and quality assurance platform under the NABL-accredited ADS Labtech, the company is now entering the B2C segment and is strategically led by IIT and IIM alumni to empower individual homebuyers, homeowners, and investors with professional, lab-grade inspection services. Backed by ADS Labtech's ISO/IEC 17025:2017 NABL accreditation (Certificate No. TC-14937), InspectHomeNow.in brings institutional-level testing credibility--previously reserved for infrastructure giants and government projects--directly to everyday property buyers. From Infrastructure Projects to Individual Homes ADS Labtech has served leading public and private sector clients including infrastructure corporations, government bodies, and construction majors. Now, through InspectHomeNow.in, that same testing precision is being extended to individuals purchasing apartments, villas, and commercial spaces in Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and across Delhi NCR. "Homebuyers often invest their lifetime savings without truly knowing the structural health of the property," said Shakti Kumar Singh, Founder & Director."With our background in engineering, testing, and management--and experience serving India's largest infrastructure clients--we are bringing scientific, unbiased, and data-backed inspection services directly to families and investors." What Makes InspectHomeNow.in Different? Unlike traditional visual walkthrough inspections, InspectHomeNow.in deploys advanced diagnostic tools and standardized protocols aligned with the National Building Code (NBC) and Indian Standards (IS). Key Services Include: - Structural Strength & Load-Bearing Assessment - Evaluation of beams, columns, slabs, and foundations using professional NDT methods such as Rebound Hammer and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV). - Dampness & Seepage Detection - Early detection of moisture intrusion--critical in Delhi NCR's monsoon-prone climate. - Precise Area & Measurement Verification - Laser-based measurements to verify discrepancies between promised and actual carpet areas. - Multi-Stage Inspections for Under-Construction Properties - Foundation-to-finishing phase audits to prevent long-term structural and workmanship defects. - Quality Control Checks - Material and workmanship validation based on lab-backed methodologies. Why This Matters for Delhi NCR Delhi NCR has witnessed rapid real estate growth, but buyers often face issues such as structural cracks within months of possession, water seepage and dampness, area misrepresentation, poor finishing quality, and non-compliance with construction standards. InspectHomeNow.in aims to bridge this trust deficit by offering transparent, unbiased digital reports that help buyers negotiate better, avoid costly repairs, and ensure long-term property safety. Technology + Trust + Transparency The platform integrates laser measurement devices, ultrasonic testing tools, AI-supported reporting systems, and NABL-backed testing credibility. Consumers receive detailed digital reports with photographic evidence, compliance references, and expert recommendations. A Strategic Shift: From B2B to Consumer Empowerment Having built its foundation as a technical testing and infrastructure-focused organization, InspectHomeNow.in's entry into the B2C space marks a strategic evolution. The platform is strategically led by IIT-IIM alumni who bring deep engineering, infrastructure testing, and management expertise to the consumer real estate ecosystem. "We've spent years testing materials, foundations, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Now, we want to protect individual families with the same rigor we applied to bridges and mega developments," added Singh. Easy Booking, Professional Execution Residents and investors can schedule inspections through a user-friendly booking system at www.inspecthomenow.in. Services are available for new home buyers, resale property purchasers, investors, developers seeking third-party validation, and commercial property owners. About InspectHomeNow.in InspectHomeNow.in is a tech-driven home inspection platform strategically led by IIT and IIM alumni as a consumer initiative of ADS Labtech, a NABL-accredited testing laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017, Certificate No. TC-14937). The company combines engineering precision, advanced diagnostics, and scientific testing standards to deliver reliable, unbiased property inspections for safe and informed real estate decisions. Media Contact:Shakti Kumar SinghCEO, InspectHomeNow.in Mobile No. 91- 99100 12378 | +91-7905378731Email: Support@inspecthomenow.in | shakti@adslabtech.org Website: www.inspecthomenow.in | www.adslabtech.org Address: 39/2/10-A, Site-IV, Sahibabad Industrial Area, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India (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.)
PRNewswire Singapore, February 24: Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, today announces the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB). This collaboration reflects a broader shift toward discovery-led destination development, bringing together Klook's data and digital infrastructure with OCTB's on-the-ground expertise to shape how travelers experience Osaka beyond its city center. Under the MoU, Klook and OCTB will collaborate on joint content development and online promotions, mutual data sharing and analysis to better understand inbound travel behavior, sustainable tourism initiatives aimed at managing visitor flows, and deployment of digital solutions to enhance traveler convenience and support local tourism stakeholders. "Osaka tourism is currently at a structural turning point. Beyond simply increasing visitor numbers, it is essential to create experiential value across the entire prefecture and to pursue continuous improvement based on data. This partnership aims to refine the unique strengths of each municipality into market-ready products and to create an environment in which travelers can more easily discover new and exciting experiences. By combining Klook's market data and expertise with OCTB's research capabilities and regional knowledge, we will work together to build effective strategies that achieve both broader economic impact and sustainable growth," says Hiroshi Mizohata, Chairman of the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau. From Gateway City to Regional Ecosystem Insights from Klook's Travel Pulse 2026, an annual study surveying 11,000 travelers across 20 markets, signal strong global momentum behind Osaka. Among travelers who have selected Japan as their must-visit destination in 2026, 48.6% plan to include Osaka in their itinerary. Intent is stronger among Millennials (53.4%), outpacing Gen Z travelers (43.5%). Given Millennials' higher spending power, this signals positive momentum for tourism spending in Osaka. Osaka is evolving not only as a destination in its own right, but increasingly as a key gateway connecting travelers to surrounding regions. Klook's owned platform data over the past 12 months reinforces this shift, with mobility-related bookings -- from JR Kansai passes and Shinkansen tickets to car rentals -- as one of the top categories in Japan. This suggests that inbound travelers are exploring the destination more extensively. Together, these signals point to a broader evolution in travel behavior: major cities are becoming launchpads for multi-destination journeys, underscoring the growing importance of regional connectivity and curated experiences across prefectural areas. Advancing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth Beyond marketing collaboration, the MoU reflects a broader shift toward digital-first destination management. Initiatives under the partnership will explore new technologies, including digital content solutions and audio guide capabilities, to enhance the visitor journey while supporting local businesses as they adapt to evolving travel behaviors. "At Klook, we see platforms as infrastructure for discovery. Insights from Travel Pulse show that travelers are moving beyond single-city itineraries, and partnerships like this allow us to translate those signals into real-world experiences," says Wataru Masuda, General Manager, Klook Japan. "Working closely with OCTB enables us to connect data, technology, and storytelling to help travelers explore Osaka more thoroughly, while supporting small and medium-sized merchants beyond Osaka City in reaching global travelers through Klook's platform." "By amplifying discovery of experiences across the wider prefecture, we aim to encourage more balanced visitor flows that benefit local communities," he says. As destinations increasingly look toward distributed growth, collaborations between technology platforms and tourism organizations are becoming essential in shaping travel flows -- using data and discovery to distribute demand more sustainably across regions. About Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau (OCTB) is a regional Destination Management Organization (DMO) supported by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Sakai City, and the Kansai business community. Certified by the Japan Tourism Agency in 2016, OCTB leads tourism promotion across Osaka under an "All Osaka" framework. OCTB is responsible for developing and implementing tourism strategies grounded in strategic marketing and data-driven insights. By identifying, enhancing, and promoting tourism assets throughout the prefecture, OCTB works closely with municipalities, tourism operators, transportation providers, and industry partners to build a sustainable, high-value tourism model. In addition, OCTB strengthens Osaka's international competitiveness through MICE promotion and the development of tourism-related information infrastructure. About Klook Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler. Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy -- empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations. (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.)
PNN New Delhi [India], February 24: In the competitive world of Indian digital services, one name has become synonymous with small business growth: MBG CARD. Recent industry reports and a massive wave of positive MBG Card reviews confirm that the company has officially become India's most loved provider for WhatsApp Marketing and Google My Business (GMB) Management. With a client base that has recently surged past 20,000+ happy customers, MBG CARD's rapid expansion is a direct result of its ability to deliver high-end automation that even a non-technical shop owner can use effectively. By bridging the gap between complex tech and the local entrepreneur, MBG CARD is not just a software provider; it is an engine for economic growth. The Secret Behind the Growth: Service and Proof The digital landscape is crowded, but MBG CARD stands out because its growth is backed by "Proof of Results." By focusing on Google My Business Management, the company helps local businesses appear at the very top of search results. This visibility, combined with their advanced WhatsApp Marketing tools, creates a complete sales funnel for entrepreneurs. "Our growth isn't just about software; it's about the success of the 20,000+ entrepreneurs who use our platform," says a spokesperson for MBG CARD. "When you look at the MBG Card reviews online, you see stories of doubled sales and transformed lives. That is our real marketing." Revolutionizing Customer Engagement MBG CARD has simplified the complex world of automation. Their platform allows businesses to: - Automate Google Reviews: Boost local rankings by automatically asking happy customers for feedback. - WhatsApp Sales Funnels: Send automated catalogs and handle inquiries 24/7 without manual intervention. - Digital Brand Identity: Create a professional digital presence that builds instant trust. Verified Testimonials: Real People, Real Results The most powerful evidence of MBG CARD's impact is the voices of the business owners themselves. In a recent documentary-style testimonial release, several entrepreneurs shared how the platform changed their businesses: - Rahul Tiwari: 'I am using MBG's automation services, and their services have significantly boosted my marketing growth.' - Uttam: 'I've been using MBG's automation service, and it has brought substantial growth to my business.' - Sunita (Cooking Class Owner): 'I run a cooking class and taking MBG's service has been incredibly helpful for managing and growing my business.' - Mohammad Hamza (Service Center Owner): 'After the pandemic, my business was almost finished. But once I found MBG and tried it, I saw benefits immediately. I started getting back-to-back customers and my sales pipeline finally looks healthy again.' - Yash: 'I've been associated with MBG for the past two years, and they have been a huge help in my business journey.' - Vikram: 'I've been working with MBG for a year now. Their Google SEO services and WhatsApp automation have been vital in my business growth.' - Ravi: 'I've been using MBG's Google Business SEO service for a few months and I am so happy to say it has brought immense profit. Even my review ratings have improved significantly.' - Aadesh: 'I want to thank the entire MBG team from the bottom of my heart for the support they've provided.' Success Stories: From Mumbai to Bhopal Janta Bazaar - Mumbai (Clothing Store): Located in one of the busiest fashion hubs in the world, Janta Bazaar used MBG CARD to automate their customer engagement. "We were struggling to keep up with the 'Mumbai pace' until we integrated MBG CARD. Our WhatsApp marketing became automated overnight. Now, our customers get instant replies and catalogs. If you check our reviews, the turnaround time is what people praise the most." Ali Ahmed - Bhopal (Taxi Service): In the taxi business, trust and visibility are everything. Using MBG CARD for Google My Business management helped me climb to the top of local searches in Bhopal. I now get more calls from Google than anywhere else. The software pays for itself every single day. The Future of Automation in India As MBG CARD continues its trajectory toward becoming a household name in Indian tech, its commitment to excellent service and user-friendly technology remains the driving force. With 20,000+ success stories and a platform that evolves every day, the company is proving that when you prioritize customer success, growth follows naturally. For any business owner looking to scale, the message is clear: MBG CARD is the partner you've been looking for. (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.)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 24: Utssav CZ Gold Jewels Limited (Utssav, The Company), (NSE Code: UTSSAV) one of the leading manufacturers of 18K, 20K, and 22K CZ gold, plain gold, gold & diamond jewellery has received approval from its Board of Directors for incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates, with full ownership and control. The initial capital will be infused through cash consideration to expand its core jewellery business internationally. The proposed incorporation of the subsidiary in Dubai will providethe Company with a strategic presence in a globally recognized gold and diamond trading hub. This move will enable the Company to directly showcase its jewellery collections to international customers and strengthens its participation in overseas markets through a structured on-ground presence. This strategic expansion is expected to support geographic revenue diversification, strengthen global brand positioning, and enhance access to international trade networks. The subsidiary will facilitate stronger distribution linkages, improved export coordination, and sustained international market penetration, thereby contributing to scalable growth and long-term value creation for the Company. Commenting on the development, Mr. Pankajkumar Jagawat, Managing Director of UtssavCZ Gold Jewels Limited said, "We are pleased to announce that the Company has received approval from its Board of Directors for the incorporation of our wholly-owned subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant step in our global expansion journey. The proposed establishment of our presence in Dubai, a key international gold and diamond trading hub, aligns with our long-term vision of strengthening our international footprint and expanding our access to global markets. We believe this initiative will provide a strong platform to showcase our premium jewellery collections to a wider international audience, enhance brand visibility, and deepen engagement with overseas customers. We remain committed to building a robust global distribution network and leveraging international trade opportunities to drive sustainable growth and create long-term value for our stakeholders." Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. (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 Calangute (Goa) [India], February 24: A historic and spiritually profound Grand Samudra Maha Aarti was concluded in a grand and devotional atmosphere at Calangute Beach under the Goa Spiritual Festival 2026, marking a significant milestone in envisioning Goa's beaches not merely as global tourist attractions but as centers of spiritual energy and cultural awakening. Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said that he was present at the sacred event not as a minister but as a devotee deeply connected with spirituality. He emphasized that it is essential to introduce future generations to spirituality and cultural values and said that if even one young person connects with spirituality because of his presence, he would consider his participation successful. Appealing to citizens from India and abroad, he stated that Goa is adorned with diverse cultures and is also a deeply spiritual land, urging visitors to experience this spiritual dimension and visit Goa's ancient temples whenever they travel to the state. The Grand Sea Aarti was organized with the vision of presenting Goa's coastline to the world as a sacred space of devotion, yoga, and inner awakening alongside its natural beauty. The ceremony witnessed an overwhelming response from devotees and spiritual seekers, reinforcing the message that Goa is not only a destination for leisure but also a land rooted in Sanatan culture and spiritual heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Ravindrapuri Swamiji, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, described Goa as the sacred land of Lord Parashurama and stated that the state is witnessing a renewed spiritual resurgence. He noted that the leadership of Goa is making sincere efforts for the upliftment of Sanatan Dharma and said that the entire region is being imbued with spiritual consciousness. Praising Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya Swamiji, he remarked that words fall short to adequately express his contribution and leadership in guiding Parashuram Bhoomi on a sacred path. The program commenced with a Mahapujan at Shri Shantadurga Temple, following which a grand procession was taken out amidst resonating dhol-tasha beats, chants of victory, and divine Harinaam in the holy presence of saints and mahants. The main ceremony included the ceremonial honoring of spiritual leaders, the performance of the Grand Samudra Maha Aarti, the felicitation of Union Minister Chirag Paswan, blessings by revered saints, and the conferment of the revered title "Goa Swami" upon Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya Swamiji by saints and mahants in a solemn and majestic ceremony. Thousands of devotees witnessed the historic occasion. *The distinguished dais was graced by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Shri Gyananand Tirth Ji, Peethadhishwar of Bhanpura, Madhya Pradesh; Mahant Ravindrapuri Swamiji; Jagadguru Satpanthacharya Shri Gyaneshwardevacharyaji Maharaj of Ahmedabad; Mahamandaleshwar Swami Dharmadev Maharaj Ji of Haryana; Mahamandaleshwar Shri Janardan Hari Swamiji of Maharashtra; Sanatan Dharmabhushan Dr. Rajrajeshwar Guruji, Head of the International Siddhashram Shakti Center, London (UK); Mahamandaleshwar Swami Ashutoshanand Ji of Kailas Math, Kashi; Anantbodh Chaitanya Swamiji of Europe; and several other eminent saints and spiritual leaders from across India and abroad. The event also saw the presence of Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Joshua D'Souza, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar, Satguru Foundation President Adv. Brahmidevi ji, and other distinguished dignitaries from various fields. The proceedings were gracefully compered by Vedamurti Dnyaneshwar ji, and the spiritually charged event concluded with the recitation of the Shanti Path. In a special message, Padma Shri Sadguru Brahmeshanand Acharya Swamiji* said that Union Minister Chirag Paswan is an inspiration for today's youth and urged young people of Goa to follow leaders who combine modern vision with cultural roots. He stated that Chirag Paswan is working toward taking India to greater heights and that the Goa Spiritual Festival is being accomplished by divine will, serving as a global invitation to come to Goa to learn yoga, culture, and spiritual values. He further appealed to saints and mahants to present the true spiritual and cultural identity of Goa wherever they travel, reflecting the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava that defines the state. (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.)
Halle Berry refuses to fake it in the bedroom.

Halle Berry has one rule in the bedroom

The 59-year-old star has candidly revealed she doesn't "do that anymore" after a long time putting a partner's needs before her own.

Appearing on the Sex With Emily podcast, Halle said: "We had to get there so that he felt good about bringing us to orgasm.

"We had to say that we did it so that he would feel good about himself. Because what is that doing? That's putting his needs before our own.

"I'm like, 'No, I come first like you come first to you.'

"We both deserve to have this be a mutually enjoyable experience, so we both can roll over and go to sleep because we feel good  not one snoring and the other one looking at the ceiling, going, 'What the hell?' "

The Oscar winning actress - who was previously married to David Justice, Eric Benet and Olivier Martinez - has heaped praise her fiance Van Hunt in the past, as well as the connection they shar.

Back in 2024, she told MArie Claire: "It was the first time I was madly in love before I had sex.

"That has never happened to me, ever. Talk about one of those life-changing, beautiful experiences. It was magical, just magical."

Halle and Van have been together for five years, and an insider recently revealed the star had never planned to get married again.

The source added to PEOPLE magazine: "After Van proposed, Halle needed a few months to get comfortable with the idea of getting married again."

Halle is now feeling "excited to be engaged".

The insider shared: "She loves him so much, though, and he makes her incredibly happy. She feels very fortunate. She's excited to be engaged."

The loved-up couple are now planning to have "a small, meaningful wedding with their closest friends and family", but they have not yet set a date for their nuptials.

Meanwhile, Halle previously revealed how James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan helped restore her "faith in men" when they worked together on 2002's Die Another Day.

She told Wired: "He will always be my Bond, always. Im a Pierce Brosnan fan. He restored my faith in men on that movie. There couldnt be a human who is more of a gentleman than Pierce Brosnan.
PNN Pune (Maharashtra) [India], February 24: WAAYU, India's pioneering 0% commission food delivery and restaurant technology platform, will host an exclusive NRAI Pune Chapter leadership evening on 24 February 2026 at Veranda, Effingut, Koregaon Park, Pune. The curated, invite-only gathering is expected to bring together 180 to 200 of Pune's leading restaurant owners and F&B decision-makers, including operators of multi-chain brands, high-revenue outlets, and premium dining concepts. The event, themed "Zero Commission Food Tech Platform," will feature a WAAYU presentation, a high-impact panel discussion, and curated networking cocktails and dinner--creating one of Pune's most focused restaurant leadership forums. Reimagining Restaurant Growth Without Margin Loss A unified ecosystem with 0% commission is the answer to growth strategy for restaurant operators who want to scale successfully while improving their margins and controlling their operations. This session will explain how this ecosystem can improve order processing, streamline ordering, enhance customer retention, and help restaurants improve their day-to-day operations without losing profits, using Waayu and its products/stack - a completely integrated technology platform. WAAYU has a very simple value proposition that is easy for restaurant operators to understand; "Grow your business with 0% commissions!" The purpose of this session is to provide restaurateurs with an understanding of the WAAYU integrated technology stack. The stack will include: WAAYU POS - not just a payment system but rather an intelligence-driven system that combines unified operations with actionable insights EzeeMenu - contactless ordered through QR codes, eliminating many costs while providing a superior experience for guests Restaurant Mandi - a supplier marketplace with 0% commissions for 80+ different categories of products and services (e.g., ingredients, cooking equipment, etc.) WhatsApp Order - with this new feature, customers can now order food via chat on whatsapp. WAAYU Food Delivery App - India's first 0% commission Food Delivery app, available for IOS and Android users Food Safety Manager - A compliance layer aligned with FSSAI regulations that includes performing daily checks, audits and reports. These solutions can reduce dependence on platforms for restaurant operators and help them to create greater efficiency and maintain control over their brands. Subscription Model with Built-In Brand Growth Beyond technology, WAAYU's 6 and 12-month subscription plans bundle core products with structured brand-building support. Both plans include the Waayu stack (with 6 products) along with unlimited digital marketing support, offering festive creatives, on-demand posts and reels (as per design timelines), captions and hashtag support, posting calendars, Google Business profile optimization, in-store marketing creatives, menu makeovers with upsell labels, WhatsApp broadcast templates, and a monthly growth tip. The 6-month plan includes a static one-page website, while the 12-month plan offers a dynamic, editable multi-page website--empowering restaurants to build direct brand demand rather than rely solely on marketplaces. Panel Discussion: Founders & NRAI Voice The evening will feature a panel discussion with WAAYU's Co-founders and moderation by an NRAI restaurateur. Key discussion themes include: - What "0% Food Tech Platform" means in practical, operational terms- How a unified tech stack strengthens ordering, operations, customer data, and repeat business- Building brand demand through digital marketing and owned channels- Direct Q&A with founders and ecosystem leadersSpeaking ahead of the event, Anirudha Kotgire, MD & Co-founder of WAAYU, said: "Restaurants deserve growth without sacrificing their margins or their customer relationships. The idea behind WAAYU is not just to remove commission -- it is to rebuild the economics of food tech so that restaurants retain control of their data, visibility, and profitability. This session is about showing, in real operational terms, how a unified ecosystem can replace fragmented tools and aggregator dependency." Mandar Lande, CEO & Co-founder of WAAYU, added: "We see restaurants juggling multiple dashboards, suppliers, compliance checklists, and marketing agencies. The real opportunity lies in integration. When POS, ordering, supplier access, compliance, and digital marketing are connected within one ecosystem, decision-making becomes sharper and margins become stronger. That is the conversation we want to lead in Pune." A High-Signal Leadership Forum This event will focus on owner-to-owner conversations and is designed to foster relationships between peers through curated networking opportunities. In combination with thought leadership, open and honest conversations, and structured growth solutions, WAAYU intends to make this event a vehicle for increased sustainable, margin-positive growth within the restaurant industry. As the restaurant industry continues to rapidly evolve, the change represented by this NRAI Pune Chapter event is significant: the restaurant industry is shifting from commission-based dependency to ecosystem-based empowerment. (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.)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], February 24: Gujarat-born filmmaker Nakli Yash Mehta has announced a series of professional milestones, including international film festival recognition and his appointment as Creative Head at Cinemaan Production, marking a significant development in his growing career across film and advertising.

A graduate of Whistling Woods International, Mehta has built a diverse body of work spanning short films, documentaries, digital content, and advertising campaigns. His early projects gained visibility on the global festival circuit, positioning him among emerging Indian filmmakers exploring cross-border storytelling platforms.

His short drama Faisle (2019) was selected at the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions in Los Angeles and the Lift-Off Sessions in London. Another short film, OUIJA (2019), was officially selected at the WOW Film Festival in Tunisia (2020). Additionally, Decisions (2019) was showcased at the First-Time Filmmaker Sessions hosted at Pinewood Studios, England.

Other notable works include Marham (2021), a 23-minute short drama; Eye on the Train (2020), a documentary short exploring women's experiences in rail travel; and the thriller Saarukh (2019). His portfolio also extends to digital content and music videos, reflecting a multi-format storytelling approach.

Beyond independent cinema, Mehta has contributed to advertising campaigns for major brands including Dettol Black, Mia by Tanishq, Reliance Digital, AstroTalk, Carsales, Vivo, and Flipkart Lifestyle. His work in advertising has focused on delivering concise, emotionally resonant narratives aligned with brand strategy and audience engagement.

In a new professional development, Mehta will join Cinemaan Production as Creative Head. In this role, he is expected to oversee narrative development and conceptual execution for upcoming projects. He will collaborate with Thrrayog and Divya Jain on forthcoming productions currently under development.

Speaking about the appointment, sources close to the development indicate that the move aligns with Cinemaan Production's expansion into structured, digitally adaptable storytelling formats.

Originally from Gujarat and currently based in Mumbai, Mehta has also expressed continued interest in contributing to Gujarati regional cinema alongside mainstream and digital projects.

With a combination of festival recognition, commercial campaign experience, and now creative leadership responsibilities, Nakli Yash Mehta's professional trajectory reflects the evolving landscape of India's film and advertising industries.

For professional inquiries and collaborations:Phone: 8460592889IMDb: https://www.imdb.me/nakliyashmehtaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nakliyashmehtaLinktree: https://linktr.ee/nakliyashmehta

(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.)
Assuring business leaders of a good environment, Adityanath said, "I can assure you that every investment coming into Uttar Pradesh is secured. We not only gave a safe environment, but also showed how to connect scale with skill and speed."

He added that the state has established a new identity focused on transformation and growth.

Highlighting India's broader economic progress, the Chief Minister said the country has advanced significantly over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and is on track to become the world's third-largest economy.

Adityanath noted that Uttar Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore to Rs 36 lakh crore in the past nine years, contributing 9.5 per cent to India's GDP.

He described the state as a "dream destination" for investment and a top achiever in Ease of Doing Business and deregulation rankings.

Emphasizing infrastructure readiness, he cited the availability of a large land bank, skilled manpower, and connectivity through projects such as the dedicated freight corridor.

CM Yogi Adityanath said, "We have infrastructure and land bank in Uttar Pradesh. Investing in UP is easy because of the availability of trained and skilled manpower, a large land bank, a dedicated freight corridor..."

Inviting global investors to partner in the state's growth story, Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh offers safety, stability, and speed across sectors, positioning itself as a key engine of India's economic growth. (ANI)
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, on Tuesday, met a delegation from Israel who are in India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and said these mark an important step towards enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. He said in a post on X that FTA negotiations aim at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides. "Met a delegation from Israel today, visiting India for the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement negotiations (23rd-26th February 2026). The FTA negotiations mark an important step towards enhancing India-Israel bilateral trade & economic cooperation, aimed at creating greater opportunities for businesses and people on both sides," he said. The first round of negotiations for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) commenced in New Delhi on Monday and is scheduled to take place until February 26. During this round, technical experts from both sides will engage in sessions covering various aspects of FTA such as trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, customs procedure and trade facilitation, intellectual property rights, among others, Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a release. During the opening session, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal underscored that the FTA negotiations had begun at an opportune moment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on 25-26th February, 2026. Agrawal underscored the significant opportunities available to both sides in sectors such as innovation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing, agriculture, and services. He emphasised that the FTA will enable both countries to harness and fully leverage these opportunities. Chief Negotiator of India, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, reiterated the significance of this engagement for the two countries and encouraged both sides to work on a balanced agreement to build a forward-looking framework for an evolving partnership, the release said. Chief Negotiator of Israel for the FTA, Yifat Alon Perel, Senior Director Trade Policy & Agreements and Deputy Trade Commissioner, Foreign Trade Administration, Ministry of Economy and Industry, Israel, expressed that the two countries shared a close relationship, and that the FTA has the potential to strengthen supply chains, enhance cooperation and open new markets for both countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26. This will be his second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. During the visit, PM Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges. Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday said that Israel is excited to welcome PM Modi this week, noting that the two nations will move forward decisively during his visit. He said that both India and Israel were moving towards a Free Trade Agreement, and it could get finalised this year. During Piyush Goyal's visit in November 2025, the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the launch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and Israel were signed. During the visit of Finance Minister of Israel Bezalel Smotrich to India in September 2025, a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) was signed to expand economic cooperation, protect investors and boost cross-border investments, laying the foundation for deeper ties and potential FTA discussions. Total merchandise trade between the two countries stood at USD 3.62 billion in FY 2024-2025. India and Israel share complementarities across several sectors, and the FTA will be a catalyst to further enhance the bilateral trade by providing certainty and predictability to businesses, including MSMEs. (ANI)
Nick Reiner entered a plea of not guilty on Monday, February 23, in the murder case of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, who were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. According to Variety, Reiner appeared at the Los Angeles Superior Court dressed in a brown jumpsuit, with a shaven head, and spoke only to agree to a future court date of April 29. He faces two counts of murder with an enhancement that could result in either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if convicted. The 32-year-old is being represented by Kimberly Greene, a deputy public defender who took over the case after Reiner's initial attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew last month. There was no mention of Reiner's mental state during the brief court appearance, as per Variety. District Attorney Nathan Hochman, speaking outside the courthouse, said his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty. Hochman, who recently ended a moratorium on pursuing executions, noted that veteran prosecutors with experience in capital cases would assist in making that determination. He also indicated that a preliminary hearing could be delayed due to the extensive volume of evidence involved, as per Variety. Judge Sam Ohta has been assigned to preside over the case. Reiner is currently held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles. He was arrested around 9:15 pm on December 14, just hours after his sister discovered the bodies of their parents- American filmmaker Robert Reiner and Michele Reiner. Hochman described Rob Reiner as "one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation" and called the deaths of both parents "shocking and tragic," emphasising the commitment to pursue justice for the victims, as per Variety. Nick Reiner has publicly shared his history of drug addiction. In interviews, he disclosed attending 18 rehabilitation programs between the ages of 15 and 19. In a discussion on Anna David's recovery podcast, he recounted an incident in which he threw a rock through a window to demonstrate his need for medication, saying, "I was insane... I might as well demonstrate what crazy is," as quoted by Variety. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the prominence of the victims and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming months, with April 29 set as the next scheduled date. (ANI)
Actor Matthew Lillard opened up about the emotional toll of Quentin Tarantino's viral criticism, describing it as feeling "like I had died" and likening it to being "punched in the mouth," ccording to The Hollywood Reporter. The 'Scream 7' actor said the director's comments ultimately helped him realize how much support he has from fans and colleagues across the industry. Tarantino had listed Lillard among actors he claimed not to care for during a December episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, alongside Paul Dano and Owen Wilson. Lillard told People that experiencing the backlash felt surreal, "It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets. I mean, it was really being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things people say after you die." "Everyone, from the people at the mall this weekend with my kids to George Clooney and James Gunn and Mike Flanagan, I mean, people have sort of been really generous with telling me how much they loved me and liked my work," Lillard continued, as per the outlet. He noted that the response from friends and industry peers was overwhelmingly positive. James Gunn called Lillard "one of my favorite guys (and actors)," while George Clooney said he would be honored to work with any of the actors Tarantino criticized. Director Mike Flanagan, who has cast Lillard in multiple films, called him "the goddamn greatest." Lillard added that Tarantino's comments especially hurt because he would "love" to be in one of his films. "I think he's a lovely filmmaker, and to just sort of get punched in the mouth just was kind of a bummer," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Lillard initially responded to the comments at GalaxyCon Columbus, saying, "Eh, whatever. Who gives a shit. The point is that it hurts your feelings. It fucking sucks. And you wouldn't say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldn't say that to somebody who's a top-line actor in Hollywood." (ANI)
The makers of ''The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond'' have dismissed reports claiming the film''s teaser was pulled following court intervention. Sunshine Pictures issued a statement that said, "...would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material." The statement further read, "Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms. We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion." Earlier on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court ordered the makers of The Kerala Story 2 to arrange a screening of the Hindi film for the court in Kochi before its release on Friday. The Kerala Story 2, the sequel of the National Award-winning The Kerala Story, which released in 2023, follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions. The sequel has sparked strong reactions since its trailer launch. Opposition leaders, celebrities and several social media users have criticised it as "propaganda", while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents. In an interview with ANI, director Kamakhya Narayan Singh asserted that if he had shown anything wrong or misleading in the film, he would "leave filmmaking." (ANI)
Speaking at the inauguration of a Pond Revival and Beautification Project at Pratapgarh Rishi Colony under the Agartala Municipal Corporation, the Chief Minister said there is "no discussion except development" in the present administration.

He added that while the government remains committed to progress, the opposition fails to acknowledge it. "They are wearing black glasses and cannot see development," he remarked, sharply criticising opposition leaders.

Dr. Saha said the project's foundation stone was laid in March 2024 and completed on time. He also highlighted the state's achievement under the Amrit Sarovar initiative, noting that 682 water reservoirs have already been constructed to help maintain groundwater levels.

The initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationwide vision to build water conservation structures across districts.

Referring to recent developments, Dr. Saha said Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently visited Agartala to attend a national language promotion event, where delegates from across India praised Tripura's progress.

He emphasised that the Prime Minister's Act East Policy has accelerated growth across the North-Eastern region, including Tripura.

The Chief Minister stated that in the past year alone, he has inaugurated or laid foundation stones for projects worth over 1,300 crore.

He also highlighted women's empowerment initiatives, noting that the state aims to create 1.18 lakh "Lakhpati Didis," of which 1.08 lakh have already been achieved.

Dr Saha further said that urban development remains a priority, mentioning ongoing work on Agartala's Eastern Ring Road and plans for the Western Ring Road to ease traffic congestion.

Reaffirming the government's vision, the Chief Minister said development must reach the last person in society and stressed the importance of education for socio-economic progress.

The event was attended by Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumdar, Deputy Mayor Manika Das Dutta, senior officials, public representatives, and residents. (ANI)
The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) on Monday called for a human chain against alleged violence caused by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). This comes after an alleged clash that erupted at JNU between ABVP and Left-affiliated student groups resulted in several students being injured and has led to conflicting accounts from both sides. The JNUSU said that "ABVP had unleashed violence on the peacefully protesting students, with bricks and rods" during the Equality March. The Union alleged that the attackers were against the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, adding that the "goons" were "given full freedom" to attack the students by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Santishree D Pandit. "The attackers were against the UGC regulations, which was one of the demands of the march and with the VC also being against it, it was natural that ABVP was given full freedom to attack the students," JNUSU said. On the other hand, ABVP State Joint Secretary Vikas Patel spoke to ANI about the alleged clash, claiming that the left-wing pre-planned the attack in the guise of a student march. "There was a JNU march that night. The march was against the vice chancellor, and they had planned to surround him, but they diverted the entire march towards the School of Languages, where their protest had been going on for the past seven days... From there, they planned to deal with the students who were not attending their protest. So, they closed their classes and library and locked the reading room so they could force them to attend their march," he alleged. "After the protest, these people, who are their cadres, assaulted some of the students there. On behalf of those students, we went there to talk to them... They became violent and started attacking us... It happened so suddenly that we did not even realise it... I called the police, and after the police arrived, with the help of the guards, we managed to rescue the workers", he added. Meanwhile, a student, Manish Chaudhary, who claimed to have been involved in the clash, alleged that the left made a call regarding a protest march from Sabarmati to the VC house, but things turned chaotic at the end. "People who came from outside or the comrades of JNU, goons come from the academic space or the school area and try to close or lock the schools," he claimed. He added that after complaints, the Student Union arrived at the scene, but they started beating the union workers. Regarding allegations that ABVP initiated the clash, he claimed that the Left faction not only mapped out the march route in a poster but also intentionally diverted into the school grounds, suggesting a premeditated plan. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Prof Dr Manik Saha on Monday said that a massive reign of loot is taking place in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) under the current administration. He said that the present Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state genuinely aims to work for the welfare of tribal people. Dr Saha also emphasised that for real development in the district council, the BJP must win all 28 seats in the upcoming election. Dr. Saha said this while addressing a public meeting organised by the BJP at Manubankul in the South district. "For so long, who really cared for the tribals? When Atal Bihari Vajpayee first became Prime Minister, there was no separate department for tribal affairs at the centre. It was during his tenure that the first dedicated department for tribal welfare was established. Later, when Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, efforts for tribal development became more vigorous. Today, our country is recognised not only through words but also through deeds," he said. Dr. Saha added that recently, he had appointed a tribal personality as the Chairman of the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC). "Out of the three members, one tribal woman has been appointed as a member. We truly want to work for the welfare of tribal people," he stated. He further criticised opposition slogans, saying, "The slogan thansa is just meant to deceive people. In reality, there is no real work. Misunderstandings are being created to serve personal interests. The only reign in the ADC is one of loot--deciding who will take how much. I have all the audit reports. We know exactly what is happening there. If you truly want ADC's development, ensure that the BJP wins all 28 seats in the coming election. This is possible if you have faith and trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Dr. Saha also accused the CPIM of disrespecting the Maharajas of Tripura in the past. "They kept the Maharajas confined to their homes. Today, because we embraced democracy, the Maharajas have come forward, and now others speak in grand words. But where were they before? We named Agartala Airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur and have taken several initiatives in the name of the Maharajas," he said. BJP Pradesh General Secretary Bipin Debbarma, District President Dipayan Chowdhury, South District President Deepak Dutta, MLA Mailafru Mog, and others attended the meeting. (ANI)
Zachery Ty Bryan has been sentenced to 16 months in prison over a DUI arrest.

Zachery Ty Bryan has been sentenced following his 2024 DUI arrest

The 44-year-old actor - who famously played Brad Taylor in Tim Allen's sitcom Home Improvement between 1991 and 1999 - had pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in connection to an arrest in 2024.

As reported by TMZ, court documents show Bryan was sentenced at a rearraignment after making a pact with the prosecution.

He admitted to having a BAC of 0.15 percent, which is almost twice the legal limit of 0.08.

Bryan also has two previous DUI convictions, which made his case more difficult.

The judge refused to give the actor probation, and instead sentenced him to 16 months in county jail, of which he has been credited with 57 days served.

After completing the sentence, the actor will then have to address warrants related to the offense from out of the county.

In July 2023, the actor was charged with fourth-degree felony assault and third-degree robbery and harassment  and ordered to spend seven days in jail.

And in October 2020, Zachery was involved in a domestic violence dispute and arrested on charges of alleged fourth-degree assault and strangulation, leading to him pleading guilty to misdemeanour menacing and misdemeanour assault.

His sentencing included 36 months of bench probation and participation in the Bridges2Safety program.

In November 2025, Bryan noted how "fame as a child actor left scars" which he has struggled to deal with.

He told TMZ that while "being thrust into the spotlight at nine years old brought pressures I wasn't equipped to handle", he knows "that's no justification for my choices as an adult".

He added: "The truth is, I've struggled with the lasting effects of early fame, addiction, and poor decision-making, which have hurt people I care about and led to repeated legal issues, including DUIs and past domestic incidents."

In 2022, his former castmate Tim Allen described the child star as "a great kind who has grown into a complex man".

He told The Hollywood Reporter: "All you can do is step aside and let somebody go through their process.

"At a certain point, he deviated from the guy I know to somebody who is reacting to situations that I had nothing to do with and can't control."
Coming out of the age of darkness, Gogunda, a village located nearly 650 meters on top of a steep hill in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh and under the dominance of Naxals for several decades, is witnessing a wind of transformation as electricity reached the village for the first time after independence. Ensuring electricity to Gogunda is not just a facility, but the beginning of a social transformation. Bijapur Collector Amit Kumar noted that since the Forward Operating Base was established, basic infrastructure has been steadily developing in the area. For instance, a road has been constructed in the village. Additionally, the electricity line has also been extended in the former Naxal stronghold. He further added that construction has begun on various facilities within the good governance complexes, including primary schools, Anganwadis, PDS shops, and community halls. These structures, along with other similar facilities, will be completed within two months. "Since the FOB (Forward Operating Base) was established in Gogunda, a road has been constructed, providing access to Gogunda, which was previously inaccessible. Along with this, the electricity line has also been extended. Construction of various facilities within the good governance complexes, such as primary schools, Anganwadis, PDS shops, community halls, and similar structures, has begun and will be completed within two months. The villagers had demanded this because they had to travel to larger cities for shopping, so there was a demand for a small market. That work has also begun there. Along with this, health camps have been held regularly there. All the basic health problems there have been resolved..." Kumar told ANI. Reacting to Gogunda receiving electricity, Additional Superintendent of Police Rohit Shah stated that the area will now benefit significantly from both an administrative and developmental standpoint. "It was a stronghold of Naxalites, where they would take shelter. When a camp was established there, the road was built, and after the construction of the permanent base, electricity was also brought... now Gogunda will benefit more administratively and developmentally, as a permanent camp has been established there..." Shah told ANI. While government officials focus on the overall development of the region, local villagers remarked that they are witnessing the establishment of a basic necessity like electricity in their area for the first time since independence. "There was no electricity here. After the (CRPF) camp was set up here, we got water, electricity and roads. We used to live in darkness..." said a villager. "Earlier, there was neither electricity nor a road here. Ever since the (CRPF) camp was built here, roads and electricity have come here," said another villager. Meanwhile, according to police and district administration officials, the situation began to change decisively following the deployment of the CRPF's 74th Battalion. The presence of security forces first established an atmosphere of trust, which paved the way for development. Subsequently, road construction began across the difficult hilly terrain, marking the first time a road had ever reached Gogunda. The district police provided consistent security, which boosted local confidence and allowed the administrative machinery to access the village for the first time. Following the setup of the security camp, the district administration moved swiftly to implement ground-level development schemes. These initiatives include the construction of school buildings, the establishment of an Anganwadi centre, the setting up of ration shops, and efforts to provide drinking water, basic infrastructure, and a consistent power supply. Officials added that through regular monitoring and coordination, remote villages like Gogunda have been successfully integrated into the mainstream. Officers further elaborated that villagers, who had spent their lives relying on kerosene lamps and torches, had finally seen electric light in their homes. This transformation is expected to make studying easier for children, simplify domestic chores for women, and open new opportunities for the local youth. Village elders expressed that they never imagined witnessing such a day in their lifetime. The residents of Gogunda expressed deep gratitude for the joint efforts of the district administration, the police, and the CRPF 74th Battalion. They believe this change represents more than just a new facility; it is a new identity defined by dignity, safety, and progress. (ANI)
In a fresh twist in the alleged gang-rape case linked to a Jakkur villa party, one of the accused has filed a prior complaint alleging an extortion attempt. According to police, the accused in his FIR dated 21 February claimed that the survivor, along with a person who introduced himself as Imran from a regional news channel, demanded money and threatened to air defamatory content if the payment was not made. Police sources said this complaint was lodged a day before the survivor approached authorities with allegations of sexual assault against Dixon Sando and Nikhil. Investigators are now probing both the sexual assault allegations and the counter-claim of extortion to establish the sequence of events. Further investigation is underway. In a separate incident, in October 2026, a seventh-semester student at BMS College of Engineering in South Bengaluru's Basavanagudi area was allegedly raped by her junior inside a men's washroom on the campus, police had said. According to police, the Hanumanthanagar police arrested Jeevan Gowda, 21, a fifth-semester student, on Wednesday in connection with the alleged assault. He was kept in judicial custody. The incident reportedly took place on October 10, but the First Information Report (FIR) was filed on October 15 under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The survivor had delayed filing the complaint as she was distressed and afraid, but later informed her parents, who approached the police and lodged a complaint, officials had said. According to the FIR, the survivor had reached college at 8.55 am and told Jeevan she would meet him in the afternoon to collect some items. The accused allegedly asked to speak with her and repeatedly called her during the lunch break. When the victim went downstairs to meet him, he allegedly asked her to go to the seventh floor. Officials said that on the seventh floor, the accused assaulted her. She managed to enter the lift and go down to the sixth floor, where he allegedly pinned her inside a men's washroom and raped her. During the assault, he reportedly locked the room and took her phone into his pocket when she received a call from her friend. The incident is believed to have occurred between 1:30 pm and 1:50 pm. (ANI)
Amid the alleged child sexual abuse case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, a Shahjahanpur-based resident has claimed that attempts were made to pressure his family into filing a complaint against Jyotirmath Shankaracharya. Ramakant Dixit, a resident of Shahjahanpur, alleged that three persons approached him and made him speak to Ashutosh Pandey over the phone. "Three people came to me and made me talk to Ashutosh Pandey on my phone. They told us that Swamiji needs to be 'fixed' a bit. They talked about making allegations against Shankaracharyaji. I told them how you can say such things about my daughters... I have met Shankaracharyaji. I have not made any allegations against Shankaracharyaji." Dixit said. Swami Avimukteshwaranand denied the allegations, claiming they are fabricated to harm him and Sanatan Dharma. "Today, a family came to me from Shahjahanpur who told me that a person named Ashutosh Maharaj had told them to file a complaint against Avimukteshwaranand in the name of their minor daughters. When they refused, they were threatened. In this way, attempts are being made to turn people against us by luring or intimidating them," he said. The complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, alleged that minors were coerced into acts under the guise of 'guru seva' at Vidyamath in Varanasi. The court has recorded statements from two minor victims, and the investigation is ongoing. This comes after a POCSO court in Prayagraj has ordered the registration of an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, and his disciple Mukundanand Giri, alleging sexual exploitation of minors at his ashram. The court has directed the police to conduct a fair and independent investigation, protecting the victims' identity and dignity. Meanwhile, advocate Shrinath Tripathi, representing the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya, said there was no mention of evidence in the FIR and the court order, adding that the police will collect evidence before considering an arrest. "There was no mention of evidence in the FIR and the court order. The police will collect evidence first and only then think about an arrest. Today, they have recorded the statements of the children in Lucknow. We are prepared for legal proceedings in the lower court, High Court, and Supreme Court," Tripathi said.He added that the decision to arrest rests with the police. "Whether to arrest or not depends on their discretion. If they do arrest, it will be very dangerous for them, like playing with fire," he said. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
A tragic air ambulance crash occurred in Jharkhand's Chatra district, killing all seven people on board, including two crew members. Speaking to ANI, SP Sumit Kumar Agarwal confirmed the number of deaths. "We got information around 10 that an accident has happened... Getting here was difficult considering the terrain... The Delhi team will come here for investigation and try to recover the black box... Total number of deaths is seven," he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G said the crash was likely caused by a thunderstorm. "It crashed due to a thunderstorm... Unfortunately, the team of doctors found them dead. The total number of people is seven. Two were crew members, and the remaining five were a patient and the patient's family members," she said. The Deputy Commissioner added that, prima facie, the accident appears to have been caused by bad weather, but the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation by the aviation authorities. The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block, around 7:30 pm. The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi. According to officials, a team from Delhi will arrive at the crash site later in the day to conduct a probe and retrieve the aircraft's black box. Further investigation is underway. Notably, on Monday, a medical evacuation flight turned into a tragedy when a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registration VT-AJV, crashed in the dense forests of Jharkhand.According to DGCA sources, on 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on the sector Ranchi-Delhi crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven people on board, including two crew members. The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata aircraft requested deviation due to weather. At 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata. The last known position of the aircraft was approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi. According to Ranchi Airport sources, a medical flight took off. Its contact was established with the next station, then the control was handed over to the next station. After this contact was lost. The plane did not contact the Ranchi Airport. The State has been informed about this. All necessary SOPs are being followed. The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. A charter plane disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Ranchi Airportm as per DGCA sources. In a press note, the DGCA said, "After establishing contact with Kolkata, the aircraft requested deviation due to weather. At 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi. The District Administration search and rescue team is at the location, and the AAIB team is being dispatched for investigation. Further information will be shared." The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe, and a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is being dispatched to the site. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will give a focused push to issues of "demographic changes, infiltration and illegal religious constructions" during his three-day visit to Bihar from February 25 to 27, top sources said. In what is being described as a first-of-its-kind high-level review in Bihar, the Home Minister will give direct oversight to a comprehensive meeting with District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from seven Seemanchal districts Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Supaul. These districts, located along or near the India-Nepal and India-Bangladesh borders, have long been considered sensitive from the standpoint of cross-border movement and internal security dynamics. Sources, privy to the development, told ANI that the meeting will review "ground-level inputs on demographic changes, instances of illegal infiltration, and the status of religious structures allegedly constructed without due authorisation." The deliberations are expected to include presentations from district administrations and police authorities, along with intelligence assessments. The Home Minister is likely to emphasise coordinated action between civil administration and law enforcement agencies to address any security vulnerabilities. As per sources, Shah will give clear directions on strengthening coordination between district administrations and law enforcement agencies to address infiltration and unauthorised religious constructions. It is learnt to be the first time that the Union Home Minister will directly chair such a comprehensive review meeting in Bihar focusing specifically on demographic and infiltration-related concerns at the district level. The initiative signals the Centre's heightened attention to the Seemanchal region, which has featured prominently in political and security discussions in recent years due to its proximity to international borders and its complex socio-economic profile. The Seemanchal region, owing to its proximity to international borders, has remained under administrative watch for security and socio-political reasons. In addition to Seemanchal district review, Shah will chair multiple meetings concerning the broader security scenario and internal security framework in Bihar. These meetings are expected to cover issues such as border management, intelligence coordination, policing strategies, and preparedness against organised crime and extremist elements. During the visit, the Home Minister will also give time to reviewing Bihar's overall internal security preparedness. Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs will accompany him, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, who will give inputs based on intelligence assessments and field reports. Their presence underscores the importance being attached to the review process and the likelihood of follow-up measures based on the findings of the meetings. Shah is also scheduled to hold a dedicated meeting with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the central armed police force responsible for guarding the India-Nepal border. The discussion is expected to centre on border security challenges, including surveillance, intelligence-sharing, and measures to curb illegal cross-border activities. Given Bihar's long and porous border with Nepal, strengthening coordination between state police and central forces remains a key priority. The Seemanchal region has historically faced developmental challenges, including high population density, migration pressures, and limited infrastructure. Over the years, concerns have periodically been raised regarding demographic shifts and alleged cross-border infiltration, prompting both political debate and administrative scrutiny. The upcoming meetings are expected to assess these issues through a governance and security lens, with an emphasis on data-driven evaluation and lawful enforcement. Officials said the outcome of the deliberations may lead to strengthened monitoring mechanisms, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and targeted administrative measures in sensitive districts. The visit is likely to conclude with a review of action points and timelines for implementation. Shah's three-day tour thus marks a significant intervention by the Union government in Bihar's internal security landscape, particularly in the strategically important Seemanchal belt. (ANI)
The ongoing investigation into the Indian Youth Congress protest at the Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, authorities said on Tuesday. The Inter-State Crime Branch will now conduct further investigations into the matter, including the circumstances surrounding the protest and the arrests made in connection with it. The move comes after Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested earlier today under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the protest at Bharat Mandapam. Meanwhile, a Delhi Court reserved its order on the police plea seeking seven days' custody of the Youth Congress President in connection with the AI Summit protest case. Delhi Police told the court that Chib "hatched the conspiracy" and provided logistics to protestors, adding that extended custody is required to confront him with other accused and investigate the alleged larger conspiracy. Police described the case as one of unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy, stating that Chib directed the other accused, while several accused are currently in Jammu, Amethi and Himachal Pradesh. Chib's counsel argued that custody should not be granted mechanically, pointing out that he has cooperated, joined the investigation twice, and denied knowledge of where the T-shirts used in the protest were printed. The defence added that further questioning has not yielded details and that police could obtain information without taking Chib into custody. Delhi Police maintained that the case goes beyond T-shirts, highlighting bulk printing and coordination as part of a conspiracy. The court is expected to pronounce its order at 12:30 pm. According to police, Chib has been booked under multiple sections of the BNS including 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty, 132 for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, 195(1) for assaulting or obstructing a public servant during riot suppression, 221 for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions, 223(A) for disobedience to orders of a public servant, 190 for offences by members of an unlawful assembly, 197 for imputations prejudicial to national integration, and 3(5) for common intention. He was also booked under Section 196 for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, or language, which is a non-bailable offence. Following his arrest, he was brought to Patiala House Court by the police. (ANI)
The Delhi Court on Tuesday reserved its order on the police plea seeking seven days' custody of Uday Bhanu Chib, president of the Indian Youth Congress, in connection with the AI Summit protest case. Delhi Police told the court that Chib "hatched the conspiracy" and provided logistics to protestors, adding that extended custody is required to confront him with other accused and investigate the alleged larger conspiracy. Police described the case as one of unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy, stating that Chib directed other accused, while several accused are currently in Jammu, Amethi and Himachal Pradesh. Chib's counsel argued that custody should not be granted mechanically, pointing out that he has cooperated, joined the investigation twice, and denied knowledge of where the T-shirts used in the protest were printed. The defence added that further questioning has not yielded details and that police could obtain information without taking Chib in custody. Delhi Police maintained that the case goes beyond T-shirts, highlighting bulk printing and coordination as part of a conspiracy. The court is expected to pronounce its order at 12:30 pm. According to police, Chib has been booked under multiple sections of the BNS including 61(2) for criminal conspiracy, 121(1) for voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt to deter a public servant from duty, 132 for assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, 195(1) for assaulting or obstructing a public servant during riot suppression, 221 for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions, 223(A) for disobedience to orders of a public servant, 190 for offences by members of an unlawful assembly, 197 for imputations prejudicial to national integration, and 3(5) for common intention. Following his arrest, he was brought to Patiala House Court by the police. Chib was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the protest at the Al Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Earlier on Friday, a group of Indian Youth Congress members staged a protest at the Bharat Mandapam by removing their shirts that had slogans which read "Compromised PM". The Indian Youth Congress raised its voice at the summit and protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has "compromised the nation's identity", as per a party release. (ANI)
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday strongly condemned the racial abuse of three women from the state residing in South Delhi's Malviya Nagar. Taking cognisance of the matter, the Chief Minister confirmed that he has personally spoken with the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure the immediate arrest of the accused individuals who are currently on the run. In a post on X, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, wrote, "strongly condemning the shameful incident of racial abuse faced by our three young sisters from Arunachal Pradesh residing in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi. Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in our society. Immediately after learning about the matter yesterday, I spoke with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, and sought swift and strict action. The CP is personally in touch with me. The accused are currently absconding, and I have been assured that they will be apprehended at the earliest and dealt with as per the law. We stand firmly with our three sisters, and their safety, dignity, and justice remain our highest priority." Meanwhile, a case was registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station in South Delhi against two residents for allegedly racially abusing and criminally intimidating three women tenants from the North-Eastern region, police said. According to officials, the FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) about intentional insult, criminal intimidation, promoting enmity, and acts done with common intention. The FIR at PS Malviya Nagar has been registered under BNS Section 79 (Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), Section 351(2) (Punishment for criminal intimidation), Section 196 (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, etc) and Section 3(5) (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.) The accused have been identified as Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain, residents of Malviya Nagar. The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 20, 2026, at approximately 3:30 PM. Three women, residing as tenants in an apartment complex in Malviya Nagar, were overseeing electrical installation work in their flat. As an electrician began drilling, dust from the construction allegedly filtered down into the premises of the neighbours living below. This minor environmental grievance quickly turned into a volatile confrontation when the residents of the lower flat--identified as Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain--went upstairs to confront the tenants. The complainants alleged mental harassment and humiliation, though no physical injuries were reported. The police will take further legal action as per the law. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday strongly condemned the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, while talking to the media, said, "I condemn such an arrest. The youth today are desperate for jobs, and the environment in the country has deteriorated so much that people are very angry with PM Modi. I wanted PM Modi to do something good for the country, but he has destroyed the country. He has bowed down to President Trump." The Congress President further said, "He accepted all his conditions with folded hands, which has embarrassed the entire country. These people are targeting the Congress party and working to instil fear in it. Congress is not afraid, and Congress is not cowardly." "PM Modi himself is a coward. He fears coming to Parliament and defending himself and his policies. That's why they're trying to intimidate us. They're trying to intimidate our youth leaders," Mallikarjun Kharge added. Earlier, Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) following the arrest of its National President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, calling the Youth Congress members "fearless" and praising their peaceful protest. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Peaceful protest is our historical legacy. It is in our blood and is the democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of my Babbar Sher comrades in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the interest of the country against the 'COMPROMISED PM'." He criticised the recently concluded framework of the India-US interim trade agreement, saying it compromises the interests of farmers, the textile industry, and the country's data security.The senior Congress leader further slammed the centre following the arrest of Chib and other Youth Congress workers, calling the move a "proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice". "The Trade Deal with America has compromised the interests of the country. This agreement will harm our farmers and textile industry and hand over our data to America. The arrest of Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib and other IYC comrades for bringing this truth before the country is proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice," his post added. The Congress leader further reiterated the party's support for the Youth Congress members, stating, "The Congress Party and I stand firmly with our Babbar Sher comrades. Holding a mirror to the truth to power is not a crime, it is patriotism. Do not fear -- truth and the Constitution are with us." Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested in connection with a Youth Congress protest at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Delhi Police said. His arrest comes days after the Indian Youth Congress on Friday raised its voice at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, and protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has "compromised the nation's identity", a party release said. (ANI)
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Tuesday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying his statements accusing the government of "selling out the country" and "wiping out farmers" were unbecoming and tarnished India's reputation. Shekhawat questioned whether Gandhi's repeated remarks, despite reality checks, could be excused, highlighting concerns about the opposition leader's approach to political discourse. In his X post, quoting the Rahul Gandhi post on US-India trade deal, Shekhawat said, "Sold the country off," "Wiped out the farmers," "Ruined the textile industry"--this is Rahul Gandhi's language. The entire country knows that his mental capacity is not suited for positive politics. Despite this, is it forgivable for him to say anything, and to say it in a way that tarnishes the country's reputation?" He further said, "Should we forgive him, assuming he's immature, lives in delusion because he's failed the reality check multiple times? There's a limit to forgiveness too. No one takes Congress's prince seriously, not even Congress members themselves, but there is a definite need to consider his mental health. Speaking whatever comes to mind like this won't ruin the country, but it will certainly lead to ridicule that India's opposition leader is 'disturbed'." The remarks came after Gandhi posted a video on the social media platform X, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP over the framework of the India-US trade deal. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre has "sold out the country." In a video message on Monday, in response to the BJP calling the Indian Youth Congress' protest at the Al Impact Summit "shameful," Rahul Gandhi termed the framework of the trade deal "shameful." He said, "Modi ji, do you talk about shame? Let me tell you what shame is. Your name, your minister's, and your friend's name appearing together in the Epstein files, being linked to such a vile criminal--this is shameful. The trade deal you've made with America, in which you've sold out the country--this is shameful. You've handed over our country's data. You've wiped out the farmers. You've ruined the textile industry--this is shameful." Backing the party leaders for protesting against the Centre, he said that the party will not "retreat even an inch." "The entire country knows that the ongoing case against Adani in America has kept you up at night--because it's a case against the BJP and your financial architecture. For 14 months, no action has been taken on it--this is shameful. Modi ji, you do whatever you deem appropriate for your friends Anil Ambani, Adani, and yourself. The lion-hearted warriors of the Congress Party and I will continue to defend the country--we won't retreat even an inch," the Congress MP added. (ANI)
Police found "no evidence" the suspect visited Nancy Guthrie's home before the day of her disappearance.

Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy is still missing

The 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie went missing near her home in Tucson, Arizona on February 1, and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has dismissed reports that a masked man seen on doorbell camera footage was spotted at the house at an earlier date.

Nanos told PEOPLE magazine: "There is no evidence to support that and there is no evidence to support it was all on the same day.

It is speculative at best and remains part of an ongoing investigation.

However, Nanos conceded that the masked suspect may have returned on a different day, as he's seen without a backpack or gun in one of the clips and photos shared by the FBI on February 10.

He added: It could be accurate. We just dont have evidence to support when each image was taken

"There is no date or timestamp and we are still investigating it.

In a separate statement, police reiterated that "conclusions will be guided by verifiable evidence" rather than speculation.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department commented: "We are aware that doorbell images released earlier in the investigation depict a suspect in different stages of attire, including with and without a backpack.

"There is no date or time stamp associated with these images. Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative.

"This remains an active and ongoing criminal investigation.

"As with any investigation, conclusions will be guided by verifiable evidence and established facts. Speculation, without factual support, does not advance the investigative process."

Last week, Nanos revealed the sheriff's department and FBI are still combing over footage taken by a doorbell camera which shows an unidentified masked man on Nancy's doorstep.

Speaking to NBC, he explained: "That backpack, we could positively now identify as a backpack that is sold at one place only. Thats Walmart.

"So were working with our Walmart managers all across the state to try to find out how many sales were there of that backpack in the last 20, 30 days, the last 60 days.

"And can we do something with that? Can we break it - maybe well find a credit card or a bank card. Maybe well find a video of the guy walking in."

He added of the man's weapon: "We know he had a gun. We know he had a holster that had some pretty unique characteristics.

"We cant quite identify it yet, but thats being worked on. So naturally, we go to our gun shops everywhere and say: Have you seen this guy? Can you help us identify this weapon? Can you help us identify this holster?'"

In a subsequent interview with NBC, Nanos insisted authorities are not going to give up the search, he added: "As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, its not cold. Were not going to give up. Were going to find Nancy, and were going to find out who did this."
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday strongly condemned the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. In a post on X, Ramesh called it a brazenly illegal act and accused the government of a politics of harassment to divert attention from farmers' discontent and controversial disclosures. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2026184993979109744?s=20 "The INC condemns in the strongest possible terms the brazenly illegal arrest of the IYC President and Youth Congress workers for what was clearly a peaceful and legitimate protest. The PM is clearly rattled by the disclosures in the Epstein files. He is also facing the mounting anger of farmers due to his betrayal of their interests and his surrender to President Trump on the trade deal. This is nothing but the politics of harassment," he said. The Congress leader further emphasised that the INC will not be deterred and will continue to expose the Centre for the "blatant lie" it propagates. "The PM is desperate to divert attention away from the uncomfortable truths about him and his regime that the people of our country have recognised. Those who are afraid initimidate. The INC will not be deterred. It will continue exposing this government for the blatant lies it propagates. The INC will unflinchingly fight this Murder Of Democracy in India," Jairam Ramesh said. Earlier today, Chib was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into the protest. A Delhi Court on Tuesday granted four days' police custody of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President. According to officials, Chib is accused of being the main conspirator and mastermind behind the incident of unlawful assembly on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the venue and was reportedly involved in raising anti-national slogans and attempting to incite a riot-like situation. The ongoing investigation into the Indian Youth Congress protest during the summit has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch. Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi expressed solidarity with the IYC, calling its members "fearless" and praising their peaceful protest. In a post on X, Gandhi said, "Peaceful protest is our historical legacy. It is in our blood and is the democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of my Babbar Sher comrades in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the interest of the country against the 'COMPROMISED PM'." (ANI)
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his upcoming visit to Israel, stating that the Prime Minister's visit contradicts the Union Government's position on Palestine, calling it "cynical and hypocritical". In a post on X, Ramesh stated that Israel's actions in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip have drawn worldwide condemnation and that the attacks on civilians in Gaza continue. He also referred to reported tensions in the region, including developments involving Iran. "Israel's dispossession and displacement of thousands of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has intensified and drawn worldwide condemnation. Israel's attacks on civilians in Gaza continue mercilessly. Israel and the US are planning air assaults on Iran," his post read. "Yet the Prime Minister is going to Israel tomorrow (where there is a Modani connection as well) to embrace his good friend Mr. Netanyahu - who faces very serious corruption charges," Ramesh added, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Congress leader further noted that the sections of the Israeli opposition have expressed protest against Netanyahu by boycotting PM Modi's address at the Knesset. Ramesh further said that India had been among the earliest countries to recognise the State of Palestine and accused the present government of abandoning that legacy. "The Opposition in Israel is threatening to boycott Mr. Modi's address to the Israeli Parliament to protest how Mr. Netanyahu is destroying the independence of the judiciary in Israel. The Modi Govt makes cynical and hypocritical statements on its commitment to the cause of the Palestinians. The reality is the Modi Govt has abandoned them, forgetting that India was amongst the earliest countries to recognise the state of Palestine way back on Nov 18, 1988," Ramesh added in his post. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel for the first time since 2017 on Wednesday. The Prime Minister will be visiting the country for two days, during which he is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Knesset and will participate in an innovation event in Jerusalem and will also visit Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday held discussions with Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng, and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise, Kong Wy Mun. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Invest UP and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to establish a strategic partnership. https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/2026204083535933784 Uttar Pradesh CM on X posted, "Held a substantive discussion with Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Singapore, and Mr. Kong Wy Mun, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise. Witnessed the signing of an MoU between @_InvestUP and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to establish a strategic partnership focused on institutional capacity building, policy framework development and structured knowledge exchange to support sustainable economic growth, digital transformation and infrastructure development in Uttar Pradesh." The Chief Minister also held a meeting with Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS. In his presence, SATS Ltd signed an MoU for the development of a world-class cargo complex at Noida International Airport, Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar as well as other airports across North India. https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/2026211400104956019 "Held an engaging discussion with Mr Kerry Mok, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS, in Singapore today. In his presence, SATS Ltd signed an MoU for the development of a world class cargo complex at Noida International Airport, Jewar, along with the establishment of a Taj SATS air catering kitchen that will serve Jewar as well as other airports across North India. This partnership will boost trade, strengthen supply chains and generate significant employment opportunities, further reinforcing Uttar Pradesh's position as a leading aviation and logistics hub," CM posted on X. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on an official visit to Singapore from February 22 to 24 to deepen economic cooperation, institutional partnerships and sector-specific collaboration between Uttar Pradesh and Singapore. (ANI)
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has approached the Allahabad High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with a sexual harassment and POCSO case registered against him. The petition, filed through a legal team comprising advocates Rajarshi Gupta, Sudhanshu Kumar, and Shri Prakash, comes days after a special court in Prayagraj ordered the registration of an FIR following allegations of sexual exploitation of minors. This petition may be heard soon. Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Tulsi Peethadhishwar Swami Rambhadracharya, filed an application in the district court under Section 173 (4). ADJ Rape and POCSO Special Court Vinod Kumar Chaurasia ordered the Jhunsi police to register a case and investigate. In compliance with this court order, the police have registered a case. Jhunsi police station has registered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwarananda, his disciple Mukundanand Giri, and two or three unidentified persons. This FIR is filed under Section 351(3) of the BNS Act, Section 51 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. An FIR has been registered under sections 6, 3, 4(2), 16, and 17. The police have registered a case and have begun investigating the matter. Meanwhile, on Monday, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, termed the POCSO Act case against him a "tactic" by the government to divert attention from the demand of ban on cow slaughter. Speaking to ANI, Swami Avimukteshwaranand accused the government of "attacking" the Shankracharyas. He further said that the other accused in the alleged POCSO case were not linked to his Gurukul. The religious leader said, "We meet the public from time to time. This government wants that we should be both the religious leaders and the government. There are four Shankaracharyas in the country who have always protected Sanatan Dharma. Now they have started attacking them. Truth never ends; it always remains. The voice has been raised for the ban on cow slaughter, and we will continue to raise this voice even louder. These people want to divert the attention of the public to something else." Earlier on the same day, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrived at the residence of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati to arrest him in an alleged sexual assault case. Speaking to media persons, the Swami said that he will not oppose the police in any way and will cooperate with them. On the other hand, last week on Saturday, a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, ordered the registration of an FIR against Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. The order followed allegations of sexual exploitation of minors levelled against the religious leader. Following the court's order, a case will now be registered at the Jhunsi police station. The complaint was filed under Section 173(4) by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who sought the registration of an FIR and strict action in the matter. On February 13, the statements of two minor complainants were recorded in court via videography, and the court took formal cognisance of the police report. After recording these statements and considering the report, the court had reserved its judgment. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Tuesday slammed the Central government over the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) Uday Bhanu Chib, alleging that the government was attempting to silence voices raised for the public and farmers. Speaking to reporters here, Venugopal said, "Those who are agitating for the people, those who are raising the voice of the common people, those who are raising the voice of the farmers. The government is not hearing them. The Prime Minister is not ready to hear them. The Prime Minister is not ready to hear the voice of the leader of the opposition in the parliament. The most unfortunate thing is happening in the national capital. We will fight it out completely, we will be fighting out for the common cause for this country." The remarks come after the Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted four-day custody of the Indian Youth Congress President, Uday Bhanu Chib, to the Delhi Police in connection with the AI Summit Protest case. The police said that Chib was the mastermind of the protest carried out by the four co-accused, who are also in police custody. This case involves national security, sovereignty and the integrity of the country. The police had earlier sought seven days' custody of the IYC President. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) granted the four-day custody after hearing the submissions of Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) and counsel for the accused Chib. "In view of the above discussion, the application of the IO is partly allowed. The accused Uday Bhanu Chib is remanded to police custody for a period of four (4) days commencing from today till 28.02.2026 (inclusive). On expiry of the said period, the IO shall produce the accused before the concerned court or the concerned Duty Magistrate, along with a detailed remand report," JMFC Ravi ordered. The court said that in the facts of the present case, considering the nature of offences alleged and the request for police custody, it would be appropriate to expressly record the right of the accused to meet his counsel during interrogation without hampering the legitimate needs of investigation. While seeking the remand, Delhi police said that Chib was the person who hatched the alleged 'conspiracy.' APP Atul Shrivastav submitted that Chib provided the logistics to protestors and that he was to be interrogated to identify other accused at Jammu, Amethi and other places. Senior advocate Sanjoy Ghosh and advocates Subhash Gulati and Rupesh Singh Bhadauria appeared for the IYC President. While opposing the remand prayer, Ghosh said that he was not on the run and was still in Delhi. Ghosh added that the police, who are recovering the T-Shirts, have made the entire system a laughing stock. Meanwhile, Venugopal also hit out at the upcoming film "The Kerala Story 2", accusing its makers of attempting to create division. He said, "The Kerala story is the harmony of people in this state. Whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Sikh. Your agenda is to create hatred. Your agenda is to create division among the people of this state, which is never going to happen at all. You can make thousands of films because the censor board is with you now. You can make Kerala ugly in the films. But the mind of the Kerala people you cannot touch at all." (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, trained guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India-United States trade deal framework, calling him "compromised" and alleging pressure that the former is "under pressure". Addressing Congress' Kisan Mahachaupal in Bhopal, Gandhi challenged PM Modi to cancel the deal after the US Supreme Court ruled against Trump tariffs. Repeating the "sold India" allegations against the Prime Minister, he accused the Centre of providing the data of Indians to the US. Rahul Gandhi said, "The trade agreement with the United States was stalled for four months because it involved agriculture and agricultural products. The Indian government did not want American companies to sell their products here. India's farmers, farm workers, and even the government didn't want this. In my address, I was not just talking about (former Army Chief) Naravane ji. After I finished my address, without consulting his own cabinet ministers, PM Modi called Trump. He lied, pretended that Congress' woman MPs were about to attack, but instead called directly and said he was ready to do the deal. You can see in his eyes that PM Narendra Modi is compromised." "Other countries decided to abandon the deal after the US Supreme Court decision, but PM Modi stayed silent. I challenge Modi ji from this platform that when the US Supreme Court has given its verdict on the deal, then cancel the deal with America. He cannot cancel the deal due to pressure from Trump. India has the largest population and the largest amount of data. But PM Modi gave all our data to the US. If there were no pressure on PM Narendra Modi, he would not have done this. He sold India to save his image and political future," he added. Congress' criticism of the trade deal framework comes as India agreed to eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products, including dried distillers' grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits, and additional products. While, as per the deal, the United States was to levy a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 per cent, after the US court verdict, Trump announced a global tariff rate of 15 per cent. Gandhi had also recalled his address in the Parliament during the Budget Session, alleging that the Centre is not letting him speak in the Lok Sabha. Reinvoking ex-Army Chief General MM Naravane's unpublished memoir, the Congress MP said that PM Modi "disappeared" when the army required him to make a decision amid the standoff against China in 2020. Rahul Gandhi said, "After the President's address in Parliament, the first speaker in the Lok Sabha is always the Leader of Opposition (LoP). But, for the first time in the history of India, the Leader of the Opposition was not allowed to speak in the Lok Sabha. I was interrupted as soon as I began my address." "Naravane ji wrote in his book that Chinese tanks were advancing towards the Indian border. When Naravane ji called Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the phone and asked for orders, he received no response. Naravane ji also called NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, but got no reply. After two hours, Naravane ji called Rajnath Singh again, requested orders once more, because the decision to fire against the Chinese army was to be taken by the Prime Minister. An Army Chief cannot make a decision on war, as it is a political decision," he added. Citing General Naravane, he accused the Centre of leaving the army "alone." "Rajnath Singh spoke to PM Modi. The Prime Minister did not speak to the Army Chief and hid in his room. The PM told Rajnath Singh: Tell Naravane ji- 'Do whatever you deem appropriate'. Naravane ji wrote in his book that on that day, the Government of India and the Prime Minister left him and the army alone. When it was time for the Army Chief to receive orders and stop China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi disappeared," the Congress leader said. Rahul Gandhi had cited a magazine article based on General Naravane's unpublished memoir, which led to a heated political row in the country. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had denied permission to quote from unpublished literature in the House. (ANI)
Prominent personalities including former high court judges, retired bureaucrats, former ambassadors and retired senior armed forces officers have strongly condemned the "shirtless" protest by Indian Youth Congress workers in Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit, terming it "grotesque betrayal of national dignity", "scripted tantrum" and "pathetic display of brainless politics". A joint statement, signed by 277 signatories including 26 former judges, 102 retired bureaucrats including former ambassadors and 149 former senior armed forces and police officers, said they, as concerned citizens of India, "are shocked beyond belief." "The recent unpardonable spectacle at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a 'shirtless' protest within the corridors of Bharat Mandapam, is a grotesque betrayal of national dignity," the statement said. "At a time when the world's most influential tech leaders, global CEOs, and international delegates gathered to witness India's ascent as a primary architect of the future, this scripted tantrum served only to defame the country on the global stage," it added. The signatories said that by choosing a high-level diplomatic and technological forum to execute a crude, exhibitionist stunt, the protestors proved "that their brand of politics prioritises personal optics over the prestige of the Republic". "It is even more disgusting because this was not a spontaneous expression of dissent, but it was a premeditated act of sabotage. Entering a secure, international venue under the guise of legitimate participants using QR codes, only to strip and engage in vulgar sloganeering, is a breach of both security and basic decorum," the statement said. "Such behaviour is not 'activism'--it is an 'anti-national disruption' designed to signal instability to global investors and partners," it added. The signatories said that for any political entity to use an international summit as a backdrop for a "topless" ruckus is to tell the world that India is a land of chaos rather than a sophisticated global power. "It mocks the hard work of our scientists, the aspirations of our engineers, and the hospitality of 1.4 billion citizens who take pride in hosting the world," it said. The signatories said that democratic protest is a sacred right, but "it is not a license for anarchy or the public humiliation of the nation". True political opposition challenges policy through intellectual rigour and parliamentary debate, the signatories said, adding that it does not resort to stripping in front of foreign dignitaries to garner social media traction. "This stunt has provided our adversaries with the very footage they need to undermine India's success story. The 'shirtless' stunt was a pathetic display of 'brainless' politics that insults the intelligence of the Indian youth it claims to represent." The signatories strongly condemned "this attempt to hijack a national milestone for partisan theatre of absurdity." "Politics must stop at the patriotic edge, and international forums must remain off-limits for the undignified internal squabbles of any political party. Such actions did not hurt a government; they hurt a nation. We call for a collective rejection of any political culture that finds pride in the public defamation of the Motherland," the statement said. Meanwhile, a Delhi Court today granted four days' police custody of IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest case. According to officials, Chib is accused of being the main conspirator and mastermind behind the incident of unlawful assembly on February 20, 2026, at the venue and was reportedly involved in raising anti-national slogans and attempting to incite a riot-like situation. Chib was arrested under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including section 196 for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, or language, which is a non-bailable offence. The Global AI Impact Summit 2026, held in New Delhi, was the first to be hosted in the Global South, and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academics and civil society representatives to deliberate on responsible AI governance and inclusive technological advancement. The Summit witnessed unprecedented international participation, reaffirming India's growing leadership in shaping the global Artificial Intelligence discourse. (ANI)
A British Airways flight en route from London to Hyderabad was diverted to Nagpur airport early this morning due to unfavourable weather conditions in Hyderabad. As per the source, the aircraft landed safely at around 5:35 am at Nagpur airport. According to airport authorities, the diversion was necessitated by bad weather at the destination. All passengers were safely deboarded, while the aircraft was parked at the Nagpur Airport owing to certain technical issues, said a source. Further details awaited. Meanwhile, following the tragic crash of a Redbird Airways air ambulance aircraft near Jharkhand's Simaria on Monday, Ramesh Kumar, Second in Command of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), said all seven people on board, including two crew members, were killed. Rescue teams faced severe challenges navigating the dense jungle and carrying the bodies over a two-kilometre stretch to the main road. Speaking to ANI, Ramesh Kumar said, "We received information that a plane had crashed. This area is quite inland. There's no road at all for two kilometres. When we arrived here at night, we saw that no one was found alive. The bodies were retrieved...It was very difficult to retrieve the bodies. We had to carry them from here for two kilometres on one side. We only had one stretcher. We had brought a stretcher from the SSB with us at night, and with that, we carried out the rescue and retrieved the bodies. It was a two-kilometre stretch up to the main road." "We retrieved all seven bodies. The plane crashed in the middle of the jungle...It's difficult for a person to walk alone here, and this is part of a deep interior forest with a lot of bushes. Moving and rescuing people at night was certainly challenging," Kumar said. Meanwhile, the Council of Indian Aviation expressed deep concern and extended condolences over the incident. In a press statement, the President of the Council of Indian Aviation, Dr Nitin Jadhav, on Monday, said, "The Council of Indian Aviation expresses its deepest concern and heartfelt condolences following the tragic crash of a Redbird Airways air ambulance aircraft near Simaria, in the state of, on 23 February 2026." The statement further noted that the aircraft was operating a critical medical evacuation mission at the time of the accident. "The aircraft, operated by, was on a critical medical evacuation mission from to, carrying a patient, medical personnel, attendants, and flight crew. Such missions represent the highest level of humanitarian aviation service, where every second is vital in saving lives," it said. The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block, around 7:30 pm. The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi. According to officials, a team from Delhi will arrive at the crash site later in the day to conduct a probe and retrieve the aircraft's black box. (ANI)
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday condemned the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers, terming it "non-violent" and criticised the central government's handling of protests. The members of the Indian Youth Congress on February 20 staged a 'shirtless' protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the India Al Impact India Summit 2026 in the national capital by removing their shirts with slogans that read, "Compromised Prime Minister". In a post on X, Kharge said, "The arrest of our IYC workers is deeply condemnable. A non-violent protest does not justify gruelling interrogation, arrests or intimidation. This heavy-handed response only exposes this fascist government's cowardice. PM has dragged India's reputation through the mud." He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of undermining India's reputation globally, listing instances that question the country's strategic autonomy. Kharge further wrote, "Repeated public pressure from the US on trade and energy decisions. Open statements from US officials saying what India should or should not buy. Foreign leaders publicly commenting on ceasefire decisions with Pakistan. PM and his ministers' names featured in the shameful Epstein list. "India's strategic autonomy and reputation are questioned, debated and doubted on the world stage. It is natural for the youth and citizens of our country to question this," Kharge added. Referring to the protests led by the IYC, he said, "While #IYC may have led the protest, the anger reflects a wider national sentiment. The youth cannot be silenced. The truth cannot be silenced. PM is weak. PM has surrendered. PM is compromised. I Stand With Youth Congress." Meanwhile, Delhi Police Crime Branch confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib, in connection with the 'shirtless' protest during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in natinal capital. Speaking at a press briefing, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, Delhi Police Special CP Crime Branch, said that they have found concrete evidence that the incident was done "under a deep conspiracy." He said, "On the basis of the investigation so far, we have found concrete evidence that this was done under a deep conspiracy. Further investigation into this case has been transferred to the Interstate Cell of Crime Branch. Detailed investigation is being done." (ANI)
Congress workers on Tuesday held protests in several states against the arrest of Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib, who was sent into a four-day police custody in connection with the AI Impact Summit protest. National Student Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of Congress, protested in the national capital against the arrests of the IYC workers. Newly appointed NSUI President Vinod Jhakar said, "Uday Bhanu Chib has been arrested, and this is undemocratic. IYC workers protested peacefully; they did not resort to violence, nor were they carrying any weapons. On the other hand, a university claimed a robot was built by them, while it was known through a Chinese social media handle that it was actually bought from China. We are peacefully protesting at the IYC office against the arbitrary arrests of our leaders. We will protest across the nation till they are released." In Rajasthan's Jaipur, the Youth Congress workers, led by its State President and Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, began a foot march from the Congress office to the BJP state headquarters. Youth Congress workers also held a demonstration in Kolkata. Earlier today, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, backed the Indian Youth Congress for protesting at the AI Impact Summit, calling them "Babbar-sher (lion-hearted)." As IYC chief Uday Bhanu Chib was sent to a sent into a four-day police custody after seven party workers were arrested in connection with the "shirtless" protest, Gandhi asked Youth Congress workers not to fear. Addressing Congress' Kisan Mahachaupal in Bhopal, the Congress MP said, "Youth Congress members are 'babbar-sher'. You will not fear anyone. You have patriotic blood in you. You brought the Green Revolution, made industries, brought the IT revolution, and PM Narendra Modi ended all of this." This came after the Patiala House Court on Tuesday granted four-day custody of the Indian Youth Congress President, Uday Bhanu Chib, to the Delhi Police in connection with the AI Summit Protest case. The police said that Chib was the mastermind of the protest carried out by the four co-accused, who are also in police custody. This case involves national security, sovereignty and the integrity of the country. The police had earlier sought seven days' custody of the IYC President. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) granted the four-day custody after hearing the submissions of Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) and counsel for the accused Chib. The members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the Al Impact India Summit in the national capital on Friday by removing their shirts with slogans that read, "Compromised PM". The party workers removed their shirts as a mark of dissent against the India-US trade deal, after which seven Youth Congress leaders were arrested in connection with the case. (ANI)
Rob Reiner and his wife Micheles autopsies are still incomplete.

Rob Reiner and his wife Micheles autopsies are still incomplete

The iconic Hollywood director, 78, and his photographer wife, 70, were found stabbed to death at their mansion in Brentwood, California, on 14 December, but it has emerged at their sons latest court appearance after he was charged with their murders the results of the examination of their bodies is yet to be finalised.

The Reiners son Nick Reiner, 32, pleaded not guilty to murder in connection with the December 2025 killings of his parents when he appeared in court on Monday (23.02.26.)

People reported: At the arraignment, prosecutors say they're still awaiting completed autopsies of the slain couple.

Nick appeared at a downtown Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, shackled and wearing a brown jumpsuit, with a shaven head and sunken eyes.

He stood before the court charged with two counts of first-degree murder after his father Rob and mother Michele were found massacred.

Nick waived his right to a speedy trial and smiled briefly when his lawyer approached him but largely didnt speak outside of entering his plea.

The screenwriter was accused of fatally stabbing his parents, with prosecutors alleging the killings followed an argument the night before at a party.

Nick was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

He has been held without bail in solitary confinement at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

His next court appearance is scheduled for 29 April 2026.

Nick is represented by public defender Kimberly Greene, after his former lawyer, the famed criminal defence attorney Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case before a January hearing, saying at the time his team had no choice but to withdraw and ask to be relieved.

The LA County Medical Examiners Office confirmed Rob and Michele died from multiple sharp force injuries and ruled that their deaths were homicide.

Nick was arrested and charged shortly after their bodies were discovered.

At his first court appearance that month he wore a suicide prevention smock, though he was seen without it during a subsequent hearing.

Nick has struggled with drug addiction for years and has been in and out of rehabilitation.

Robs close friend, the cinematographer Barry Markowitz, told Page Six everything was business as usual between the Reiners when he stayed with them weeks before the killings.

Barry said: (Nick) helped out, he took out the garbage, he watched TV, he washed dishes. Hed bring me something to drink. He was just normal in that sense. He also said Nick seemed to be on the upswing and looked great.

Nicks siblings, Romy Reiner, 28, and Jake Reiner, 34, have remained out of the public eye as they mourn their parents.
Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the party's 'Kisan Maha Chaupal' rally on Tuesday in Bhopal, accusing him of compromising the country's dignity and failing farmers and youth. Addressing party workers and farmers, Kharge claimed that India's self-respect was compromised. "On the day you mortgaged our self-respect to Trump, our dignity was lost that very day," he said, adding that those accusing the Youth Congress of insulting the nation were themselves responsible for undermining it. "We are the ones who save the country. We are the ones who give our lives, and we are never those who take lives. We don't have any Godse; we have Gandhi. And today, to fight the youth's battle, we have Rahul Gandhi," Kharge said, while backing the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) for its protest at the AI Impact Summit. Kharge congratulated the IYC's leaders and workers for standing firm. His remarks came after IYC chief Uday Bhanu Chib was sent to four-day police custody in connection with the "shirtless" protest, along with the arrest of seven party workers. "The youth of this country have no jobs; they are on the streets. There's no food; they are on an empty stomach. Today, farmers' cotton, soybean, oil, and pulses are being hit hard," Kharge said, urging party workers not to compromise on these issues. He further alleged that the Prime Minister attempts to intimidate people through repeated speeches while remaining silent on key issues. Referring to the India-US interim trade agreement, Kharge said, "These people, Modi ji, always pat their own backs. I am a very great patriot. If you were a patriot, you wouldn't have bowed down while talking to Trump. You wouldn't have rubbed your nose before him." He also criticised the Prime Minister for remaining silent over repeated claims made by US President Trump regarding mediation between India and Pakistan. "And until today, Modi remained silent... Trump himself said, 'I stopped the Operation Sindoor. Who said this? Trump said it," Kharge alleged. (ANI)
While congratulating Kerala for its new name 'Keralam', West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday reminded the Central government that the state of West Bengal also has its own proposal for changing its name to 'Bangla'. According to an X post by TMC, the West Bengal CM said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "Bangla birodhi" (Opponents of Bangla), claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have no respect for the state's heritage and language. TMC wrote, "Mamata Banerjee warmly congratulated the people of Kerala on the Union Cabinet's approval to rename their state 'Keralam'. At the same time, she reminded the Centre that a similar proposal to rename West Bengal as 'Bangla' has been lying buried for years." Mamata Banerjee said that West Bengal's "legitimate demand" should not be denied just because the state "refused to bow before the BJP". "Every election season, PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah descend on Bengal, shedding crocodile tears and pretending to love our soil, our culture, our people. Spare us the drama. These Bangla-Birodhis have no respect for our heritage, no regard for our language, no honour for our icons, and zero concern for our dignity. We rejoice when any state asserts its identity, but Bengal will not accept this vindictive discrimination. Bengal's legitimate demand cannot be denied purely because we refuse to bow before the BJP high command," TMC wrote on X. The TMC government had passed a resolution to rename the state to Bangla, and has kept the demand before the Centre on several occasions. Mamata renewed call for renaming the state, which comes ahead of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, to be held later this year. The TMC will look to record a thumping victory yet again, while the BJP is also eyeing the power. Earlier today, the Union Cabinet gave its approval to the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam. Briefing reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill will be sent to the state assembly for its approval. The decision comes ahead of the assembly polls in the state, slated for the first half of this year. (ANI)
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan reviewed the progress of PM- Rashtiya Krishi Vikas Yojna (PM-RKVY) while meeting with 11 agriculture ministers on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters after the meeting here, Minister Chouhan said, "I have reviewed the progress of PM - Rashtiya Krishi Vikas Yojna (PM-RKVY) along with 11 states including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Kerala, MP, and Haryana. As the year-end is approaching, the amount allotted to the two schemes should be utilised well for the farmers, which I approved... the money needs to be put to work appropriately and faster, the states have given their words to follow along." He added that the states discussed their respective crops, stating, "The states talked about their respective Rabi crops and their purchase convenience... and were allowed the purchase in minimum support price within an allocated time so that the farmers do not sustain any loss." The cafeteria scheme PM-RKVY was approved by the Union cabinet in 2024 to promote sustainable agriculture and address food security and agricultural self-sufficiency. Both the schemes were implemented with a total proposed expenditure of Rs 1,01,321.61 crore.The state governments are given flexibility to re-allocate funds from one component to another based on their state-specific requirements. Multiple initatives, Soil Health Management, Rainfed Area Development, Agro Forestry, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, Agricultural Mechanization including Crop Residue Management, Per Drop More Crop, Crop Diversification Programme, RKVY DPR component, Accelerator Fund for Agri Startups are all part of the PM-RKVY. Meanwhile, on Monday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday performed the 'griha pravesh' ceremony of newly constructed houses for one lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) in Guwahati. Addressing the media, the Assam Chief Minister termed the occasion a major milestone and said the state government is closely following up on the Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit. "This is a great milestone we have achieved because all the MoUs we signed during 2.0 Advantage Assam, we are following that very closely. A lot of promises were made during that time have already started being translated into reality. One of the examples is today's inauguration," Sarma said. He added that he had also inaugurated the Tech & Digital Factory of HDFC Bank, which was announced during Advantage Assam 2.0. "A short while ago, I inaugurated the Tech & Digital Factory of HDFC Bank, a promise made during Advantage Assam 2.0. Within just one year, it has been translated into reality," he said. Sarma further stated that discussions are underway regarding major investment proposals in the technology sector. "We are working on some mega investment proposals in the tech sector. They are waiting for the Assam elections because they are waiting for political stability. But more or less, we have closed our discussion, and some big things are about to come to Assam again," he said. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Assam will continue to attract significant investments in the coming months. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) issue. Referring to the RDG controversy, the Chief Minister said the previous government led by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had received the highest Revenue Deficit Grant. Despite this, he alleged, the state's debt burden was not reduced. Instead, loans amounting to 47,000 crore were taken, and liabilities worth thousands of crores were left behind. Sukhu clarified that RDG has neither been accepted nor rejected. "The Finance Commission has only noted it in its report. The Centre can provide RDG depending on the prevailing circumstances," he said. The Chief Minister said he had held detailed discussions on the matter with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to Delhi. He added that comparing Himachal Pradesh with Kerala on the RDG issue was inappropriate, as RDG is granted under constitutional provisions to compensate for revenue deficits and does not adversely affect Kerala. Appealing to the Bharatiya Janata Party for cooperation on the issue, CM Sukhu said the opposition party in the state did not appear willing to extend support. Commenting on the possibility of a protest at Jantar Mantar, he described it as part of a political strategy and said a decision would be taken after due deliberation. On the reported late-night action by Delhi Police at Himachal Sadan, Sukhu termed the move unconstitutional. He said that due information should have been given to the Delhi Resident Commissioner before any action was taken. According to the Chief Minister, Youth Congress workers had booked rooms at Himachal Sadan in the usual manner and made the required payments. "There was nothing unusual about the bookings," he said. He also expressed support for the Youth Congress protest during the AI Impact Summit and termed the arrest of Youth Congress president Uday Bhan as unjustified. "He could have been released after being counselled. His arrest was not appropriate," Sukhu said.The Chief Minister also asserted that it is the Congress high command which would decide the party's candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. On the Rajya Sabha elections, he said, "The AICC president and Rahul Gandhi will decide the candidate, and we will ensure the candidate's victory." (ANI)
Expelled All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala on Tuesday announced that she would launch a new Dravidian party, as she launched the party flag on the occasion of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's 78th birth anniversary. Addressing a public meeting in Ramanathapuram to commemorate Jayalalithaa, Sasikala launched a scathing attack on her former colleague and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), accusing him of betrayal and claiming the party had declined under his leadership. Sasikala, who was once the AIADMK's Acting General Secretary and a close aide to former Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, was expelled from the party after she was convicted in the disproportionate assets case. "If I continue to remain silent as I have for the past nine years, it would amount to a betrayal of the people of Tamil Nadu. Therefore, for the sake of the people of Tamil Nadu and our party cadres, we are going to launch a new party. For the people of Tamil Nadu and for our cadres, we are going to usher in a new era. We are starting a new party, a new Dravidian party that will follow the path of Perarignar Anna, Puratchi Thalaivar MGR, and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. It will function as a party for the poor and common people and will uproot enemies and traitors," she said. AIADMK expelled leader and Jayalalitha's close aide introduced her party flag with Black white and Red colours with images of Anna, MGR and Jayalalitha. "For now, I am only introducing the party flag. I have not yet announced the party's name. I will announce it soon. There will be no change in this decision," she added. Without directly naming Palaniswami at several points, Sasikala said, "We hastily chose him as Chief Minister. I do not even wish to mention his name. If he had been a good person, I would have said his name. When he became Chief Minister, I did not fully know what kind of person he was." Claiming she played a decisive role in elevating him, she said, "I made him sit in the Chief Minister's chair and left. But what kind of person would he be if he passed a resolution to remove me?" Sasikala alleged that while she was in prison, her parole period was curtailed at the direction of the then Chief Minister. "When I was in prison, the prison authorities granted me 15 days of parole. However, the Chennai Commissioner contacted the prison SP and informed them that the Chief Minister had ordered that I should not be given more than five days of parole. So they told us they could not do anything. Even when my husband passed away, though 15 days were initially granted, they later informed us that only 10 days would be allowed. The very person whom I made Chief Minister stabbed me in the back," she said. She further alleged that after her release from prison, there were plans to arrest her at the Tamil Nadu border in Hosur. "He was of the mindset that no senior leaders should remain in the party and that everyone should be removed. Because of this attitude, the party has been steadily declining," she said. Sasikala claimed that under the current leadership, the AIADMK had suffered repeated electoral defeats. "So far, the AIADMK has faced defeat ten times and has not won even a single election. The functioning of the opposition has been extremely poor," she said. Referring to the disproportionate assets case in which she was convicted and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, the AIADMK expelled leader said, "Then the judgment came quickly. It pronounced a four-year prison sentence. I was not afraid of that. My entire focus was on ensuring that the government would not fall." "As I was compelled to leave for the Bengaluru prison the very next day, I urgently convened all the Members of the Legislative Assembly and took a decisive call on who should assume the position of Chief Minister," she said, again declining to name Palaniswami. Drawing parallels with AIADMK founder M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), Sasikala recounted how he was expelled from the DMK after helping M. Karunanidhi become Chief Minister. "The very people whom we made sit in positions of power have stabbed us in the back and from the front -- as if piercing us with spears from every side," she said. Recalling the events following Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, Sasikala said, "After Jayalalithaa passed away, that very night all our ministers came. They came and told me, 'Chinnamma, you must become the Chief Minister.' All the MLAs said the same. All this happened inside that private hospital." "I said: 'My sister is in this condition now. At this moment, I cannot go and assume the post of Chief Minister. I have duties to perform for her at home according to our customs and traditions.' I said no. Let Panneerselvam continue as Chief Minister as before," she said. With the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly set to go to the polls in the first half of 2026, Sasikala's announcement signals a fresh political move aimed at reclaiming space in the Dravidian political landscape. The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the incumbent MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Actor-turned-politician Vijay's entry with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to turn the Tamil Nadu polls into a three-way contest. (ANI)
The All India Representative Assembly of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will be held this year at Gram Vikas and Seva Sadhna Kendra, Patti Kalyana, in Samalkha, Haryana, from March 13 to 15. According to a statement, the meeting, convened by the Sangh's highest decision-making body, will take place on Yugabda 5127, Vikram Samvat 2082, Chaitra Krishna Dashami and Ekadashi. As per the release, this year's Assembly holds special significance as it coincides with the centenary year of the RSS. The meeting will deliberate on experiences and reports from various programmes and campaigns organised to mark the 100-year milestone. These include Vijayadashami celebrations, household outreach initiatives, Hindu conferences, youth gatherings, major citizen meetings and social harmony events conducted across the country. https://x.com/RSSorg/status/2026230819732562071 The Representative Assembly will also review the Sangh's activities during 2025-26 and present notable work undertaken in different provinces. Discussions are expected to centre on the current national landscape, with resolutions likely to be passed on key issues. The press release further stated that special focus will be given to social transformation initiatives driven by Sangh branches, particularly the 'Panch Parivartan' (five-point transformation) campaign. Plans for Sangh Shiksha Varg and other training programmes, including Karyakarta Vikas Varg, will be discussed, and the organisational roadmap for the coming year will be finalised. RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, co-Sarkaryavahs, executive committee members and other senior office-bearers will attend the meeting. A total of 1,489 workers, including elected representatives and key state and regional office-bearers, are expected to participate. National presidents, general secretaries and organisation ministers from 32 Sangh-inspired organisations will also be present, the release added. Meanwhile, RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Saturday stressed that India is witnessing a "golden opportunity" to regain global respect decades after Independence, asserting that no power in the world can destroy the country as long as society remains united in the "Hindu spirit." Highlighting the sacrifices of ancestors in protecting the Hindu religion, culture and society, he said India is rapidly advancing in technology, science and economic growth despite challenges from other nations. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey launched a scathing attack on Rahul Gandhi this Tuesday, alleging that the Congress party has become "compromised" under his leadership. Dubey further claimed that the Leader of the Opposition's current political trajectory is aimed at destroying the country. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dubey, reacting to Congress leaders' statements regarding India-US trade agreement, said, "They (Congress) themselves are compromised... What is the source of income for the Gandhi family? These people travel daily... who pays for their travel expenses? If Sam Pitroda pays, then the foundation pays. If the foundation pays, then you are compromised" "Sometimes there is a question about the Election Commission, the Army, democracy, Lok Sabha, and Agniveers. Have you ever seen any discussion about the Army in this country? But they discuss it every day... Before we came to power in 2014, the CAG reported that the Indian Army lacked ammunition for even four days. Did we raise this issue in Parliament? We used to discuss these issues with the prime minister when we met him personally. They want to destroy the country. The Congress Party is fighting its last battle," Dubey added. On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's allegations regarding the Epstein Files, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey sayid "The Department of Justice has released the complete details of who was involved in it, and there was not a single name of an Indian person in it. The BJP MP further asserted that the Leader of the Opposition is making such provocative statements out of a "fear of being expelled from Parliament." "Rahul Gandhi is frustrated due to the substantive motion that we have given. He is worried that he might be expelled from Parliament..that is why he is giving such kind of statements nowadays," said Dubey. The Godda MP further alleged that for twenty-five years, until 1977, the post of Leader of the Opposition did not even exist. He pointed out that it was only when the BJP (Janata alliance) came to power that the decision was made to formally establish the position of Leader of the Opposition. "... For twenty-five years, until 1977, there was no post of Leader of the Opposition. When the BJP came to power, we decided that there should be a Leader of the Opposition... There is no history of Congress. Rahul Gandhi has no information. Ask him whether there was a Leader of the Opposition from 1952 to 1977? The Leader of the Opposition was given by the BJP," said Dubey. Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the PM is "compromised." The Congress MP further claimed that the Prime Minister was "trapped" and subsequently forced to sign the US-India trade deal. Gandhi said, "Millions of Epstein files are held up in the US; there are videos and messages which have not been released. Hardeep Puri's name was released to threaten him. PM Modi must clear his relationship Anil Ambani?... Adani is not a small company; it is the BJP's financial structure. Adani faces criminal charges in the US. He cannot go to the US or Europe. The target of the case in the US is Modi, not Adani... These were the two reasons why Modi withdrew from Parliament. He left and called Trump, saying, 'Sir, I'm ready to do whatever you say', and he sold the country... Narendra Modi is compromised; he was trapped and forced to sign the US-India trade deal." (ANI)
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and expelled AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam on Tuesday announced that he is prepared to quit politics if the allegations against him are proven. Responding to a reporter's question on his stand on enduring betrayals, Panneerselvam said he has continued to function with resilience despite facing several political setbacks. Speaking to reporters in Theni, OPS said, "I have never committed even the slightest betrayal or wrongdoing from the beginning of my political career till now. If the allegations levelled against me are proven, I am ready to quit politics and take up a life of renunciation." Slamming the AIADMK General Secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami, he reiterated that he has approached the court opposing amendments made to the party's bylaws, stating that the rules framed by party founder MG Ramachandran should be restored in their original form. "I have served the party as a grassroots worker, MLA, and Minister. No one can point out even the slightest wrongdoing in my service to the movement," OPS added. Panneerselvam further claimed that during Palaniswami's tenure, even the "Two Leaves" symbol did not achieve victory, and emphasised that the party's structure should function as envisioned by MGR. Panneerselvam paid floral tribute to the late former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa at his residence in Bodinayakanur at Theni district on her 78th birth anniversary. O Panneerselvam was expelled from the party after a leadership tussle with Edappadi K Palaniswami back in 2022. In the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, a speculation of Panneerselvam joining the DMK camp made rounds in the political circles. Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran called it his "personal choice." Nagendran said, "It is entirely O Panneerselvam's personal choice as to whom he wants to form an alliance with. I cannot give an answer for that. I do not know why O Panneerselvam met MK Stalin. Whether he met him as a courtesy call or to discuss allying, I am not aware. If a proper explanation comes regarding that meeting, then we can speak about." The 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will go to the polls in the first half of 2026, where the MK Stalin-led alliance will look to project the 'Dravidian Model 2.0' for the win against the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Actor-turned-politician Vijay's entry with his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is expected to turn the Tamil Nadu polls into a three-way contest. In the 2021 polls, the DMK won 133 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. Congress won 18, PMK won five, VCK won four, and others won eight seats. The Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by DMK, which consisted of Congress, won 159 seats collectively. While the NDA won 75 seats, the AIADMK emerged as the largest party in the alliance with 66 seats. (ANI)
Grief gripped families of the victims of the tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district, which occured on Monday evening, as the father of Doctor Vikash Kumar Gupta, one of the deceased in the crash, recalled his last conversation with his son hours before the fatal incident. The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registered VT-AJV, was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat under Simaria block at around 7:30 pm on Monday, killing all seven people onboard, including two crew members. Gupta's father said he learned of his son's death soon after the crash. Hailing from a poor family, he had sold his land to fund his son's education. When ministers offered assistance beyond the ex-gratia, he requested a job for his daughter-in-law. "As soon as the plane crashed, the name of my son emerged. I hail from a poor family and sold my land so that my son could study. The ministers who came there asked if I needed any assistance apart from the ex-gratia. I asked for a job for my daughter-in-law. I had the last conversation at 4.30 PM yesterday," Gupta's father told ANI. In Amritsar, Punjab, Lovepreet Singh, a friend of the deceased Captain Swaraj Singh, said they learned about the crash late at night. "We came to know about the crash at 11 PM. He was amicable with everyone. He got married just two years ago and has a three-month-old kid," Singh told ANI. Meanwhile, the investigation into the crash was underway. A team from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reached the site on Tuesday to examine the wreckage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) collected key documents and evidence and said it would continue the probe. Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shubham Khandelwal said locals had reported seeing the aircraft lose balance moments before the crash. He said locals saw the aircraft losing balance and that it crashed 2-3 seconds later, adding that the bodies had been handed over and postmortems had been conducted. Eyewitness Pawan Yadav told officials that the aircraft had appeared unstable before a loud explosion was heard amid light rain and poor weather conditions. The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and had lost radar and communication contact near 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi before crashing. As authorities continued their investigation, families of the victims mourned the sudden loss of their loved ones. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Tuesday defended the Prime Minister's leadership at the recently concluded AI Impact summit, saying it was "more successful than France" and attracted global tech giants like Google and industry leaders like Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei. Speaking to ANI, Dubey condemned the Congress party's disruption of the event, saying, "What did you do? Create an uproar?" BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT also released a statement regarding the summit and the protest which took place at Bharat Mandapam. Dubey chairs the Standing Commitee on Communications and IT. "When our meeting started today, a senior member of the BJP said that first, there should be a discussion on this... The resolution, which was passed, praised the PM and the 200 billion investment that Google has committed... We condemned the people who created the uproar at the summit," he said. Condemning the Congress over its 'shirtless' protest during the recently concluded India AI Impact Summit 2026, Dubey said the success of a summit led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed it outperformed France in participation and outcomes. "The summit was led by the Prime Minister, and it was more successful than France. From Sundar Pichai to Sam Altman, everyone came. But what did you do? So when our meeting started today, a senior member of the BJP said that first, there should be a discussion on this. The resolution, which was passed, praised the PM and the 200 billion investment that Google has committed. We condemned the people who created the uproar at the summit. This is not the first time this has happened," Dubey added. Referring to the 2010 Commonwealth Games, he said, "In the Commonwealth Games, the BJP was protesting against the corruption. But we all went to participate in the Commonwealth Games. When it was over, after that we protested. BJP knows how to keep the country's issues in the country, how to deal with foreigners, and how to deal with people of the world. Jawaharlal Nehru handed over our own territory to China." Earlier today, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT condemned the "shirtless" protest at Bharat Mandapam. "The India AI Impact Summit - 4th in the series - organised under the able leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Honourable Prime Minister in New Delhi from 16-20 February, 2026, was a grand success. The summit delivered a diplomatic declaration that 91 countries and leading companies committed to inclusive Al development. The companies announced over $200 billion in AI investment in India. Google, besides committing to a big Data Centre in India, pledged to lay a direct sea cable link between India and the USA," the statement read. "The Committee would like to place on record its appreciation for successfully organising the India Al Impact Summit by the Ministry of Electronics & IT under the able leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. The Committee also condemn the unfortunate incident that happened on 20-2-2026 at the venue of the India Al Summit," the statement added. On February 20, the members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a 'shirtless' protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the Al Impact India Summit in the national capital by removing their shirts with slogans that read, "Compromised Prime Minister". (ANI)
Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape and sexual assault.

Russell Brand has appeared in court

The 50-year-old comedian/actor appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London on Tuesday (24.02.26) and spoke to confirm his name and enter a not guilty plea to the two charges stemming from alleged offences said to have taken place in the UK capital in 2009. The charges relate to two women.

Brand was previously charged with two counts of rape, one of indecent assault and two of sexual assault  relating to four different women in alleged incidents said to have taken place between 1999 and 2005 - and he pleaded not guilty to those charges in May.

A trial for the original charges has been set for June and a hearing will now decide whether the subsequent two charges will be joined on.

Brand was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court at a later date.

Before the hearing, Brand spoke to reporters outside the court. When asked how he was feeling, Brand told Sky News: "Blessed".

Brand - who is a father to three children with his wife Laura Gallacher - previously spoke out to deny the allegations against him when he was first charged by the Metropolitan Police last year.

In a video statement which was posted on social media, Brand said: "I've always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had my wife and family ... I was a fool, man.

"I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile. But what I never was, was a rapist.

"I've never engaged in nonconsensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes."

Brand added: "Of course, I'm now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court. And I'm incredibly grateful for that."

A number of sexual abuse allegations against the Get Him to the Greek actor were first reported in 2023 as part of an investigation by Channel 4's Dispatches and The Sunday Times newspaper. The comedian has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing.
The Union Cabinet has approved infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 13 lakh crore since June 2024, covering railways, highways, metro connectivity, airports, ports and ropeways. According to official data, 49 railway projects Rs 1,80,164 crore have been cleared during this period. In the road sector, 27 highway projects worth Rs 2,39,748 crore have been approved. Urban transport has also received a boost, with 10 metro projects sanctioned at a cost of Rs 1,31,237 crore. The BJP-led Narendra Modi government took office in 2024 in its third successive term. In aviation and maritime infrastructure, the Cabinet has approved five new airports with a total investment of Rs 9,006 crore. Additionally, one major port project, along with shipping reforms involving Rs 1,45,945 crore, has been cleared. Two new ropeway projects worth Rs 6,811 crore have also been sanctioned to improve connectivity in difficult terrains. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday has approved a series of decisions to boost infrastructure. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the media about the cabinet decisions. Among the key approvals, the Cabinet cleared the doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail line at an estimated cost of Rs 5,236 crore. It also sanctioned the 3rd and 4th rail line project between Punarkh and Kiul, involving an investment of Rs 2,668 crore. In another rail-related decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of the 3rd and 4th line between Gamharia and Chandil, with a project cost of Rs 1,168 crore. Boosting aviation infrastructure, the Cabinet gave its nod for a new integrated airport terminal at Srinagar, entailing an expenditure of Rs 1,667 crore, the minister told. The Cabinet also approved the extension of Phase 2B of the Ahmedabad Metro project, with an allocation of Rs 1,067 crore aimed at strengthening urban connectivity. The Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute, involving a financial implication of Rs 430 crore. Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this was the first meeting of the Union Cabinet held at the new Prime Minister's Office, 'Seva Teerth'. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh police have arrested one accused in connection with the harassment of a woman doctor near All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Hospital in Gorakhpur on the night of February 22. According to the complaint, three youths allegedly made lewd remarks at the woman while she was leaving Orion Mall and later molested her near the hospital gate. When she protested, the accused allegedly abused her and threatened to kill her. Based on the complaint, an FIR was registered under IPC sections 74, 296(a), 351(3), and 352. As per police, Suraj Gupta and Amrit Vishwakarma were arrested on February 23, while another accused Aditya Rao, remained absconding. The accused son of Satyendra Rao, resident of Rampur Khas, Deoria District was arrested today. Further legal proceedings are underway. Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma condemned the alleged molestation of a female doctor from Nagaland posted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Gorakhpur, saying racial discrimination and sexual harassment of women from the North East should not just be sensationalised and forgotten repeatedly. He called the incident "deeply shameful" and urged authorities to take stringent action against the perpetrators. In his X post, Sangma said, "Racial discrimination and sexual harassment of women from the North East should not just be a headline, sensationalised, forgotten and revived every time a fresh incident appears. The racial and sexual abuse of a resident Doctor of AIIMS Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh from Nagaland is deeply shameful." "Outraging a woman's modesty is not what a civilised nation should tolerate. They are your sisters and daughters, too. Urge the authorities to take stringent actions against the perpetrators," he added. The incident occurred on Sunday, February 22, at around 8 pm under the jurisdiction of the AIIMS Police Station area in Gorakhpur. According to police, the doctor was allegedly chased for nearly one and a half kilometres and molested while she was returning from Orion Mall in Mohaddipur. Two accused have been arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of a female doctor from Nagaland posted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, police said. The complainant, a resident of Nagaland and associated with the Naga doctors' body NAFORD, lodged a complaint with the police. The organisation of doctors from Nagaland also wrote to the Chief Minister through a post on X, demanding strict action against the accused. SP City Abhinav Tyagi said, "On the night of 22nd February, the AIIMS police station in Gorakhpur district received information that a female doctor working at AIIMS was harassed by some young men on motorcycles. A case was registered under the relevant sections in this matter. Two accused in this incident have been taken into custody, and the motorcycle used in the incident has also been seized. Further legal action has been initiated". (ANI)
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) North Raja Banthia on Wednesday confirmed that Lawrence Bishnoi's advocate Deepak Khatri was in the car when shots were fired at the car in Delhi's Kashmiri Gate area. "This incident happened around 10:10 pm. These people were in the Kashmiri Gate area and were planning to go back home. Their car was fired at. These people believe that three people probably fired at them... Further investigation is ongoing... As soon as firing started, these people ran towards the bus stand to save themselves... An advocate, Deepak Khatri, was in the car... Yes (He is Lawrence Bishnoi's advocate) ... He is stable," DCP North Raja Banthia said. Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) Madhur Verma stated that one of the three armed assailants opened fire. Sandeep, one of the four companions present in the car, was shot on the shoulder, but is in a stable condition now. CP Verma also noted that he had received threats from terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. Detailed statements are being taken from all those present in the car. "Deepak Khatri is an advocate. He was accompanied by four companions. They were travelling to ISBT in their car in the Kashmiri Gate area at around 10:30 am. According to preliminary information, three unidentified assailants on a scooter, one of whom was armed, opened fire. One of the companions of Khatri, Sandeep, was shot in the shoulder. He is safe... We are taking detailed statements of Deepak Khatri and his companions. They have reported something like this (that Deepak Khatri received threats from Shahzad Bhatti) ... We are investigating all angles..." he said. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
A person, who was present in the car at the time of the firing incident in Delhi's Kashmiri Gate, detailed the incident, saying the firing took place as soon as the car was started, injuring Sandeep, one of the individuals present in the car. "We had just come out of a temple around 10.15 pm. It was my car. I was driving. We had just entered my car and had started it when three shots were fired at us. When the rear windscreen cracked, that is when we realised that we were being fired at. One of my friends, Sandeep, who was sitting in the middle of the back, was shot in the back. That's when we sped away.... The PCR arrived on time and took our friend to the hospital..." he said. Another person in the car raised concerns, saying there is "something fishy," even though there had been no threats. "This incident happened around 10 pm. I was sitting in the front... We were told that around two or three people fired at us... One of the people with us, Sandeep, got shot... We had not received any threat, but we know that something is fishy. Let's see if anyone takes responsibility for this..." he said. Earlier, the Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) Madhur Verma stated that Deepak Khatri, advocate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had claimed to have received threats from terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. Detailed statements are being taken from all those present in the car. "Deepak Khatri is an advocate. He was accompanied by four companions. They were travelling to ISBT in their car in the Kashmiri Gate area at around 10:30 am. According to preliminary information, three unidentified assailants on a scooter, one of whom was armed, opened fire. One of the companions of Khatri, Sandeep, was shot in the shoulder. He is safe... We are taking detailed statements of Deepak Khatri and his companions. They have reported something like this (that Deepak Khatri received threats from Shahzad Bhatti) ... We are investigating all angles..." he said. Meanwhile, a firing incident on a car was reported at Delhi's Kashmiri Gate area, the Delhi police said on Tuesday. Further details are awaited. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump refuted media reports claiming that General Daniel Caine has cautioned Washington against the war with Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the stories are "100 per cent incorrect" as they do not attribute "his vast wealth of knowledge." He added that Caine, like him, "would not like to see War" but is confident that it can be "easily won". "Numerous stories from the Fake News Media have been circulating stating that General Daniel Caine, sometimes referred to as Razin, is against us going to War with Iran. The story does not attribute this vast wealth of knowledge to anyone, and is 100% incorrect. General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won," Trump said. "He has not spoken of not doing Iran, or even the fake limited strikes that I have been reading about, he only knows one thing, how to WIN and, if he is told to do so, he will be leading the pack. Everything that has been written about a potential War with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so," he added. Trump again warned Iran to come to terms with the US on the nuclear deal, and if they failed to do so, then "it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people." "I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a Deal than not but, if we don't make a Deal, it will be a very bad day for that Country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them," he said. This comes after media reports emerged that Daniel Caine cautioned President Donald Trump and senior American officials that a military campaign against Iran could carry serious risks, including the possibility of becoming entangled in a prolonged conflict. Meanwhile, the United States continues to strengthen its military presence in the region, sparking concerns about a potential broader conflict with Iran. The New York Times reported that hundreds of servicemen have been transferred from the Al Udeid base in Qatar, according to information provided by Pentagon officials. Similar logistical shifts have been identified across a network of American facilities in Bahrain, the headquarters of the Navy's 5th Fleet, as well as in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Government officials are reportedly apprehensive that the 30,000 to 40,000 US troops currently deployed within the region could serve as the primary target of the Islamic Republic in the event of an all-out war. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said that he is likely to meet with a US delegation in Geneva on Thursday for the next round of talks over the country's nuclear program. The two sides have already held two rounds of negotiations so far this month aimed at reaching a deal. (ANI)
The United States military has carried out another strike in the Caribbean Sea targeting alleged drug smugglers, killing three people, the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) said. The Southern Command released footage of the operation, showing a small boat exploding and bursting into flames after being struck. The Command said intelligence confirmed that the vessel was travelling along known narcotics trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in drug-smuggling operations. "On Feb. 23, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed," they said in a post on X. The latest operation brings the total death toll from US boat strikes, which began in September last year, to around 150. The campaign initially focused on the Caribbean as the United States built up military assets in the region amid tensions with Venezuela, and has since expanded to include strikes in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Al Jazeera reported. Human rights advocates have criticised the campaign, alleging that the targeting of suspected drug smugglers amounts to extrajudicial killings and risks violating international and domestic laws. United Nations experts warned last year that the attacks "appear to be unlawful killings carried out by order of a Government, without judicial or legal process allowing due process of law." They also said that unprovoked attacks and killings in international waters could violate international maritime laws. The US administration has maintained that the targeted vessels were carrying drugs, though it has provided limited public evidence beyond strike footage. US President Donald Trump and other officials have argued that each bombing saves thousands of lives from overdose deaths, although it remains unclear whether the campaign has significantly disrupted the regional drug trade. The latest strike comes as Mexican authorities intensify efforts against drug cartels following the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho". Trump has portrayed the operations as part of a broader war on drugs across the Western Hemisphere. "Mexico must step up their effort on Cartels and Drugs!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday," Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal virtually interacted with Canada Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu and held a discussion related to India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They also discussed strengthening business ties on both sides through regular delegation-level engagements. "Had a virtual interaction with Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, Canada, on advancing discussions related to the India-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). We also deliberated on strengthening business ties on both sides through regular delegation-level engagements over the coming months to build sustained momentum in our economic partnership," he said in a post on X. This comes ahead of the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India on February, where he will meet PM Modi and focus on elevating and expanding the Canada-India relationship, with ambitious new partnerships in trade, energy, technology and artificial intelligence (AI), talent and culture, and defence. CEPA negotiations between the two countries, which began in 2010, have stalled multiple times. However, in November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Carney agreed to formally relaunch talks on the CEPA, which is expected to cover trade in goods and services, investments, agriculture, and digital commerce. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, PM Modi and Carney "agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030," a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs read. Additionaly Piyush Goyal also held a meeting with UK-India Business Council Chairman Richard Heald and CEO of Scotland Salmon Tavish Scott. They discussed new avenues that will unfold after the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement comes into effect. In a post on X, Piyush Goyal said, "Held a productive meeting with Richard Heald, Chair of UKIBC along with Tavish Scott, CEO of Scotland Salmon. We deliberated on the new avenues that will unfold with the operationalisation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and explored enhanced collaboration in the marine industry and seafood exports." "Confident that our expanding engagement will further deepen bilateral trade and investment ties between India and the United Kingdom," he added. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which called as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is a landmark deal that aims to boost bilateral trade between the two nations by 25.5 billion annually. Signed in July 2025 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK, this agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic partnership between the world's fifth- and sixth-largest economies. The deal includes substantial tariff reductions on goods such as textiles, whisky, and cars, making Indian exports more competitive in the UK market and vice versa. Indian businesses will gain greater access to the UK market, with the UK offering 99.1 per cent of tariff lines with 100 per cent trade value, mostly at zero duty immediately upon the agreement's enforcement. United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, during his visit to the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, said that the FTA would serve as a "fantastic foundation" for expanding technology cooperation and unlock 25 billion in investments. "I was very pleased to sign the tech security initiative when I was foreign secretary back in 2025 here in India, and we built on that arrangement. The free trade agreement is a fantastic foundation. 25 billion pounds worth of investment between our two countries over the next period is something that we can build on," Lammy told ANI on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit 2026 here. (ANI)
With US President Donald Trump continuing to upset the global apple cart and clumsily stepping on the toes of erstwhile allies, China is reaping benefits and hefting its own influence. As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January: "It seems that every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry - that the rules-based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must." The Canadian leader continued, "For decades, countries like Canada prospered under what we called the rules-based international order. We joined its institutions, we praised its principles, and we benefited from its predictability. And because of that, we could pursue values-based foreign policies under its protection." However, he acknowledged this order was built on false premises, that the strongest would always flaunt the rules. He described the world as being "in the midst of a rupture, not a transition". He added, "Allies [of hegemons] will diversify to hedge against uncertainty. They'll buy insurance, increase options in order to rebuild sovereignty, sovereignty that was once grounded in rules but will increasingly be anchored in the ability to withstand pressure." He said Canada was recalibrating its relationships. However, its diversification includes a new strategic relationship inked with China in mid-January. Whilst Carney painted it as an act of pragmatism, it shows the headway China is achieving in offering itself as a viable alternative to the USA. Indeed, as the world reels from Trump's erratic behaviour, China is presenting its credentials as a reliable and consistent global partner. Of course, such a narrative creates sharp dissonance when its real behaviour is analysed. Take China's continual coercion of Taiwan, its Orwellian treatment of its own citizens, its weaponisation of trade, massive military modernisation, its illegal maritime claims, a tightly controlled media and internet, and its trampling of human rights, for example. China might pretend to be a responsible partner, but it is simply trying to make the rest of the world in its own dystopian image. As an example, the China Coast Guard (CCG) revealed it conducted 550,000 vessel sorties and 6,000 aircraft sorties to "carry out missions protecting China's maritime rights" in the past five years. In other words, this supposed law enforcement and maritime safety agency is concentrating its efforts on illegal maritime territorial claims in places like the South China Sea and East China Sea. Indeed, this figure included 134 patrols around the Diaoyu Islands, otherwise known as Japan's Senkaku Islands, last year alone. Zhang Jianming, the CCG's chief, said the coast guard, "in accordance with relevant laws, regulations and rules, prevented and handled infringements and provocations by relevant countries, effectively deterred Taiwan independence separatist activities, and resolutely safeguarded China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests". However, Zhang failed to reference a coast guard corvette that collided with a Chinese destroyer whilst harassing a Philippine vessel last August. These bullying actions are typical of China's navy and coast guard against anyone smaller than itself. Of course, the greatest target of Chinese venom and coercion is Taiwan, whose greatest crime is avoiding being governed by an autocratic and vindictive regime. Yet Taiwan must be concerned as Trump prepares to visit Beijing from 31 March to 2 April, for he will doubtlessly be wooed by Chairman Xi Jinping's grandiose exhibitions of pomp and ceremony. Already, there is concern about the language Trump is using about Taiwan. Just as Trump often repeats Vladimir Putin's talking points almost verbatim, so Trump is not being sufficiently careful in the language he uses with China. Ryan Hass, Director of the Brookings Institution's John L. Thornton China Centre, explained, "America's narrative on Taiwan is drifting in a dangerous direction." Whilst the substance of US-Taiwan ties is strong - such as a major new trade deal, large-scale Taiwanese investment in US technology ecosystems, Taipei's integration in Pax Silica and major arms sales - Hass said "the risk is around the drift in US narrative on Taiwan". Hass's comments were occasioned by Trump telling reporters aboard Air Force One on 16 February that he was negotiating Taiwanese arms sales with Beijing. Trump said, "I'm talking to him [Xi] about it. We had a good conversation, and we'll make a determination pretty soon." The USA is planning US$20 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, with a US$11.1 billion package already announced last December. Beijing has tried to corral the USA into consulting with itself over such arms sales. All American presidents until now have firmly refused to go there, but Trump's ill-advised comments about consulting Xi are putting that long-held stance in question. Hass lamented, "Regardless of what Trump decides, Trump has gifted Xi a win by setting a new precedent." After Trump and Xi talked on 4 February, a Chinese readout quoted Xi as saying, "The US must handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan withprudence." Ro Khanna, a US representative from California, described Trump's comments on future arms sales to Taiwan as "alarming" and a "blatant violation of US policy and the Six Assurances". The second of those Six Assurances states that the USA will not consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan. US Senator Andy Kim concurred, saying, "This isn't just an admission, it's a disturbing abandonment of our Taiwan policy, which has been key to stability for decades." Kim further warned that American once-non-negotiable commitments to Taiwan are now "in doubt". "Even if he decides to move forward with these sales, we're in dangerous territory now," Kim warned. Hass pointed out: "A narrative is emerging in Washington: 'Taiwan is a single point of failure.' 'Better to reduce dependence fast.' This view of Taiwan as a liability rather than as a partner/enabler risks pushing strategy and policy in directions that could undermine deterrence and stability." It is likely that Trump will not announce any further arms sales to Taiwan until after he returns from Beijing. Taiwan is fearful that it will become a bargaining chip in trade negotiations between Trump and Xi. China's negotiating hand was also strengthened after the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump's trade tariffs are illegal and unauthorised. Tariffs are the big stick Trump wields to get others to bend to his wishes, but if it turns out they are illegal, he will lose that power. It puts China in a stronger position vis-a-vis the USA in their upcoming meetings. Khanna also lamented Trump, "It shows he is more eager to make bad deals with America's strategic competitors than to strengthen ties with longstanding friends like Taiwan." Another cause of concern is new information coming to light from the US government about China's vigorous activity in the realm of nuclear weapons. The New START treaty between Russia and the USA expired on 5 February, and China has vociferously refused American calls for it to be included in a new trilateral arms control treaty. China has painted itself as a reluctant, peace-loving nuclear state that abides by a "no first use" policy of nuclear weapons. However, it is conducting the world's fastest nuclear arsenal build-up. According to the Pentagon, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force had a nuclear-warhead stockpile "in the low 600s" as of late 2024, and it predicted China would reach more than 1,000 warheads by 2030. The problem is that China refuses to acknowledge its massive investment in nuclear weapons - including three giant fields of missiles siloes deep in its interior, and a range of new ballistic missile types for ground, air and submarine launch. Worse than that, it appears China may have conducted a low-yield nuclear test on 22 June 2020. This accusation was levelled by Thomas DiNanno, US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on 6 February. He alleged, "Today, I can reveal that the US government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons. The PLA sought to conceal testing by obfuscating the nuclear explosions, because it recognised these tests violate test ban commitments." He continued, "China has used decoupling - a method to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring - to hide its activities from the world. China conducted one such yield-producing nuclear test on June 22nd of 2020." The purported test occurred despite Beijing claiming a moratorium on such activities and being a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Evidence of the test finally came from US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw at an event at the Hudson Institute think-tank on 17 February. He said a remote seismic station in Kazakhstan measured a 2.75-magnitude "explosion" 720km away at Lop Nor, China's nuclear test site, on 22 June 2020. He said the data was incompatible with anything other than a nuclear test, i.e., it could not be attributed to mining or an earthquake. China is believed to have performed a dramatic expansion of the Lop Nur nuclear test site between 2020 and 2024. Plus, DiNanno said, "China's entire nuclear arsenal has no limits, no transparency, no declarations and no controls." In response, China accused the USA of viciously lying. "This is political manipulation aimed at pursuing nuclear hegemony and evading its own nuclear disarmament responsibilities," a spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Washington said. "China firmly opposes such narratives. US allegations about China conducting a nuclear test are entirely unfounded." Nonetheless, if US claims prove accurate, it could indicate Beijing is developing a new generation of nuclear weapons. US intelligence sources suggest this includes new weapons capable of delivering multiple, miniaturised nuclear warheads from a single missile. China has never developed or fielded low-yield, tactical nuclear devices before, but its testing and development could include low-yield nuclear warheads in the tens of kilotons range for the likes of hypersonic missiles. Indeed, sources in the US intelligence community are accusing China of trying to develop the world's most advanced nuclear arsenal so it can become a peer of Russia and the USA. Washington DC was already aware of such a proclivity, for its 2022 National Defense Strategy asserted that China's improved nuclear arsenal could provide "new options before and during a crisis or conflict to leverage nuclear weapons for coercive purposes, including military provocations against US allies and partners in the region". New nuclear weapons carried by hypersonic missiles, with a Chinese threat to detonate near a carrier strike group, for instance, could dissuade the US military from intervening in any PLA invasion of Taiwan. Raji Rajagopalan, a resident senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, remarked, "China's nuclear expansion and modernisation could lead to an accelerated and unbridled nuclear arms race, particularly since Chinese President Xi Jinping refuses to participate in meaningful dialogue and abide by agreements on such issues. This would have implications that go beyond the US-China competition: it would affect global stability; undermine international non-proliferation norms and efforts; and harm the prospects of future arms control agreements." Returning to Carney's Davos speech, he concluded: "We know the old order is not coming back. We shouldn't mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy, but we believe that from the fracture we can build something bigger, better, stronger, more just. This is the task of the middle powers, the countries that have the most to lose from a world of fortresses and the most to gain from genuine cooperation." Many countries will agree with such a sentiment, but they will also throw in their lot with "fortress" China. Trump's behaviour - such as his threat to invade Greenland - is a boon for Xi. It could be said that Beijing is simply following Napoleon's maxim of "never interrupt your adversary when he's making a mistake". Ironically, with its boilerplate statements about upholding peace, stability and international law, China sounds almost convincing. (ANI)
India and Canada are looking to deepen cooperation in the transportation sector and boost connectivity to facilitate smoother movement of people and goods, the High Commission of India in Ottawa said on Tuesday, regarding the meeting of High Commissioner Dinesh K Patnaik with the Canadian Transport Minister Steve Mackinnon. In a post on X, the High Commision of India in Ottawa, 'India in Canada', said that Patnaik met with Mackinnon to discuss strengthening bilateral engagement in the sector. "High Commissioner @DineshKPatnaik met with @stevemackinnon, Canadian Minister of Transport and discussed opportunities for strengthening India-Canada cooperation in transportation sector. Also explored avenues to further enhance connectivity to facilitate the mobility of people and ensure the seamless movement of import and export goods between India and Canada," the High Commission said in its X post. https://x.com/HCI_Ottawa/status/2026050421530431751 According to the statement, the discussions focused on expanding collaboration in transportation infrastructure and improving connectivity frameworks to support growing trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The engagement comes amid broader efforts by New Delhi and Ottawa to stabilise ties and explore practical areas of cooperation, including trade, logistics and supply chain resilience. Earlier on Tuesday, the High Commissioner said that the relationship between Canada and India has transformed in recent months and added that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India will "put a stamp" on all bilateral steps taken to "solidify" the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship, which was strained under the leadership of former Canada PM Justin Trudeau. Noting the efforts from both sides to "reset" the relationship, Dinesh Patnaik shared that Carney's visit on February 26 will ensure increased bilateral cooperation among all sectors. Speaking with ANI, Dinesh Patnaik said, "The Canadian relations have transformed over the last few months, especially after Prime Minister Modi visited Canada to attend the G7 Summit. Since the last four to five months, we've been working very hard to ensure that the relationship is reset to what it was before... This visit will put a stamp on all the activities that have happened to solidify the relationship and to take it to the next level," he said. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India from February 26 to March 7, 2026, as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour aimed at strengthening trade, energy, and strategic partnerships. During his visit, Carney will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss expanding cooperation in areas like trade, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, talent mobility, culture, and defence. He said that we can expect agreements on various sectors such as cultural, defence, aerospace, space, energy, critical minerals, innovations, education and AI, adding, "This is a multi-dimensional relationship, and you will see all dimensions during the visit." Noting that New Delhi and Ottawa are "complementary economies," Dinesh Patnaik said that cooperation between both countries will help India to diversify its supply chain. "Canada and India have complementary economies. Canada has a large number of resources, including energy, agriculture, fertiliser, and critical minerals, which are part of the supply chain we are thinking of setting up. A deal with Canada would help us very much in diversifying our supply chain away from the traditional sources," he said. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday said it detected the presence of five Chinese vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time). According to the X post, the Taiwanese MND also detected two PRC balloons during the timeframe. "5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe," the MND stated in a post on X. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2026099761473048815 The MND further said, "#ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier, on Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said it detected the presence of five Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time). According to a post on X, the Taiwanese MND detected no Chinese military aircraft during the timeframe, as there was an absence of PLA aircraft operating around the territory. "5 PLAN vessel operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe," the MND stated in a post on X. Moreover, on Sunday, the Taiwanese MND detected the presence of two sorties of Chinese military aircraft and six Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time). One out of the two sorties of PLA aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The China Coast Guard (CCG), on the other hand, revealed it conducted 550,000 vessel sorties and 6,000 aircraft sorties to "carry out missions protecting China's maritime rights" in the past five years. This figure included 134 patrols around the Diaoyu Islands, otherwise known as Japan's Senkaku Islands, last year alone. (ANI)
Player-friendly should never mean easy to lose money. In online gambling, the best laws are the ones that combine legal access with hard protections for users: licensed operators, safe-gambling tools, usable complaint channels, and clear rules on funds and promotions. As there isnt a harmonized gambling code in Europe, quality depends on each national framework.

Online rules

How this ranking defines player-friendly in 2026

For this list, player-friendly means five things:

A clear licensing perimeter

Built-in control tools

Strong national self-exclusion

Practical dispute escalation

Transparency on money protection and risky bonus design.

All the countries mentioned in this article stand out because these protections are visible, enforceable, and designed for real-world player behavior. No system is perfect, but the best regimes make risky behavior harder, legal recourse faster, and operator obligations specific enough to audit and enforce.

Denmark

Denmark remains one of Europes cleanest systems for online players. The Danish Gambling Authority requires operators to hold a local license for online betting and/or online casino, and players can easily verify who is licensed. You can use a webpage like noxwin.com and official registers to check it quickly. That clear perimeter and the transparency reduce confusion around offshore brands and makes enforcement more credible.

Its biggest strength is ROFUS, Denmarks nationwide self-exclusion register. Players can exclude themselves for as long as they want, or even permanently. ROFUS covers licensed online gambling and all Danish land-based casinos; for registrations made from 1 October 2023 onward, it also covers in-person betting at physical retailers. While registered, players are covered by a mandatory no-marketing arrangement from licensed operators. This single switch is one of the most practical player-protection tools currently operating in Europe.

Sweden

Again, the Scandinavian countries have one of the most advanced systems in Europe. Swedens model is protective and intervention-focused. Spelinspektionen makes responsible gambling a central duty and requires licensees to fight against excessive gambling. The rule set includes self-limitation options, minimum age protection, a ban on gambling credit, and strict bonus limits, typically only allowing a first participation bonus with an operator.

Spelpaus, Swedens national suspension register, is another reason why Sweden is near the top. Self-exclusion, as in Denmarks case, applies across all licensed operators and cannot be cancelled early. That no-early-cancellation rule is crucial in practice because it blocks impulsive reversals and gives cooling-off periods real legal force.

United Kingdom

The UK has their own system going on, and its considered one of the best as well. Online slot stake caps were fully implemented in 2025: 5 per spin for adults aged 25+ and 2 for ages 1824. On high-intensity products, those caps are a meaningful reduction in potential short-session losses.

The UK also requires complaint pathways that escalate unresolved disputes to independent ADR providers, with an eight-week window before ADR referral. On funds, operators must disclose whether customer money is not protected, medium protection, or high protection, helping players compare insolvency risk before depositing. This system is reinforced by GAMSTOP, which blocks registered users from participating in licenced online operators for periods from 6 months to 5 years, including a five-year auto-renew option. This year, UK rules also tightened incentives by banning mixed-product promotional mechanics.

Netherlands

The Dutch framework has moved toward a strong affordability-centered model. National rules require licensing and supervision by the Kansspelautoriteit, and CRUKS can exclude registered players from Dutch-licensed providers for at least six months.

The last regulation change in the Netherlands was back on 1 October 2024, when the country introduced stronger spending controls for online gambling. New players face default monthly deposit limits (350 for adults, 150 for young adults up to age 24). Operators must contact players when they request higher limits, and further checks apply once monthly deposits exceed 700 (half for young adults). If contact cannot be established at those thresholds, access will be restricted.

Malta

Malta remains one of Europes most influential iGaming jurisdictions, and for players its advantage is procedural clarity. Under MGA requirements, remote operators must offer self-exclusion (definite or indefinite), plus mandatory control tools.

Maltas framework also addresses segregation and separate identifiability of player funds under its player-protection rules. On disputes, players are expected to complain first to the operator, then escalate to the MGA Player Support Unit or another ADR entity if the matter remains unresolved. This clear two-step path, combined with long-established licensing infrastructure, keeps Malta among the most player-friendly legal environments in Europe in 2026.

What players should do before opening an account

Even in top jurisdictions, legal protection only works if players activate it. Verify the operators license in your country. Set limits before your first deposit. Confirm self-exclusion durations and whether cancellation is possible. Check complaint and ADR routes before you need them. Read how customer funds are handled if the operator becomes insolvent. In 2026, the best laws are strong, but one minute of setup is still your first line of defense.
Nepal's Election Commission is facing mounting criticism for failing to take action against alleged violations of the election code of conduct, despite receiving hundreds of complaints and issuing dozens of clarification notices, according to the Kathmandu Post. The constitutional poll body enforced the code of conduct on January 19 for the March 5 elections, following consultations with political parties and public feedback. However, 35 days into its implementation, no penalties have been imposed. As reported by the Kathmandu Post, the commission has issued 79 letters seeking written clarification from individuals and institutions accused of breaching election norms. Nine of them were asked to clarify twice after being accused of repeated violations. Yet, no punitive action has followed. A senior office at the commission was quoted as saying, "Our job is to seek clarifications and present them before the commissioners to penalise them when their clarifications are not convincing. We are not sure why they are hesitant to take action as per the code of conduct and other laws, as per the Kathmandu Post. Among the cases cited, Ashika Tamang, a candidate of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party from Dhading-1, was first asked to clarify after allegedly campaigning inside a school. Ten days later, she was again accused of using school children during campaigning. Her responses were deemed unsatisfactory, and she has been asked to furnish another clarification. Similarly, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, a candidate of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) from Jajarkot, allegedly distributed money during campaigning. He, too, was asked to submit a second clarification after his initial response was found unclear. The code of conduct allows the commission to impose fines of up to Nepali Rs 100,000, cancel candidacies, or bar violators from contesting elections for up to six years. Other laws, including the Children's Act, prohibit the use of minors in election campaigns, categorising it as an offence against children. The Kathmandu Post further reported that violations extend beyond campaign conduct. More than half of the 68 parties contesting the polls, including the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist), failed to publish their manifestos by the February 15 deadline set by the commission. Despite earlier warnings of action, no clarifications were sought from the defaulters. In addition, most first-past-the-post candidates did not comply with the directive to open dedicated bank accounts for campaign-related financial transactions by February 15. Of the 3,406 candidates, only 671 had opened new accounts by the deadline. The commission had mandated that all transactions above Nepali Rs 25,000 be conducted through official bank accounts, yet no enforcement action has been reported, the Kathmandu Post reported. Sagun Shumsher J.B. Rana, a member of the commission who heads the central code of conduct monitoring committee, defended the body's approach. "We are still studying the clarifications and gathering evidence for further actions," he told the Kathmandu Post. "However, we also need to recognise the fact that the incidents of code of conduct violations have decreased compared to the previous polls." Election observers, however, disagreed. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, chair of the National Election Observation Committee, was quoted as saying, "It is wrong to say the number of incidents has decreased. Earlier, they were dominant in physical, and now they have shifted to social media, which is even more dangerous. Taking action after all the harms are done makes no sense. The commission has to take punitive actions in some emblematic cases before elections." Shree Krishna Subedi, chair of the Election Observation Committee, Nepal (NEOC), warned of possible legal action if the inaction continues. "We will wait for a couple of days. If the commission continues to be absent from its duty for action, we will seek the Supreme Court's intervention," he said. With only 10 days remaining until the March 5 polls, concerns are growing over the commission's ability to enforce election discipline and ensure a level playing field, the Kathmandu Post reported. (ANI)
Defence and security cooperation will be a key focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel on Wednesday, India's Ambassador to Israel JP Singh said, underlining the strategic depth of bilateral ties. In an interview with Doordarshan India, Singh described the February 25 to 26 visit as "a very historic visit", recalling that Modi's first trip to Israel in 2017 "laid down the foundation of our relationship." "This is a very historic visit. The first time he came to Israel was in 2017, and that time he laid down the foundation of our relationship. And now we have reached the stage where we need to take it forward and start a new phase of our strategic relationship," Singh said. Our defence ties, the Ambassador said, "In this visit, you know, we have a strategic partnership." He added, "Defence and security are like a cornerstone of this partnership." Referring to recent developments, Singh noted, "In defence last year, we signed a memorandum of understanding in defence cooperation. And there is already cooperation going on." He highlighted the role of India's flagship 'Make in India' programme in boosting joint production." Under the Make in India program, many Israeli companies are participating, and the countries can benefit from this cooperation," he said. Singh also pointed to the complementary strengths of both nations. "The best thing about India and Israel is that we don't compete with each other, we complement each other. And we complement in our core strengths," he said, citing Israel's expertise in science, innovation and critical technologies, and India's large pool of skilled manpower and scalable ecosystem. Earlier on Monday, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated that defence and artificial intelligence (AI) will be the primary focus between India and Israel during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Israel starting February 25. Azar, in a conversation with ANI, noted that PM Modi shares a special relationship with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. "Well, we are thrilled to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi after nine years in Israel. He is very loved in Israel. He has a very special relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu and we've been working in the last year, aligning up ministers coming to India to develop new areas of cooperation, sign new agreements, and we have gathered, we accumulated a number of agreements that we're going to sign during this visit," he said. Azar said that Israel and India will co-produce and also co-develop new means that are needed to face the challenges of terrorism."First and foremost, in the security field, we want to expand and enhance security, defence industrial cooperation, especially introducing new technologies and more sensitive technologies into the mix to not only sell, but also co-produce and also co-develop new means that are needed to face the challenges that we have in counterterrorism and other fields," he said. Azar further said that India and Israel are going to sign an FTA in the coming months. "In addition, we want to sign an FTA. And the blessing of the leaders is going to be important in that context because we want to finish the negotiation in the coming months. That is going to be very important in enhancing the trade between the two countries," he said.When asked about the mission Sudarshan Chakra, a system which is somewhat like the Iron Dome system, which you have in Israel, Azar said that missile defence and the usage of AI in missiles are something the leaders will touch upon. "Well, we usually do not elaborate on the specifics of the Industrial Defence Corporation. But I can tell you that, indeed, missile defence is one field that we're going to deal with. The combination of AI with drones is another field that we're going to deal with in the future. There are many things that are going to happen as a result of the signing of this agreement. And this is going to really become a special strategic relation in which we're going to do things that are important for both countries and are more sensitive than the things we've been doing before," he said. Azar said that both nations have had fruitful meetings on cooperation in the AI field. "We had very fruitful meetings with the head of our AI directorate at the prime minister's office. He met with leading figures at MIT, the special envoy to AI. He met with people at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also with major Indian companies that are dealing in the AI field. What we have the sense following this meeting is that we can do a lot together because again, India has scale. for example, building huge solar fields and renewable energy sources. We can have fast solutions in AI that will reduce the cost of AI by making energy more efficient, data centres more efficient," he said. PM Modi is scheduled to begin his two-day visit to Israel on February 25, nine years after his first trip to the country. His 2017 trip was the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. (ANI)
Trade and connectivity are set to take centre stage as India and Israel explore ways to elevate their economic partnership, with fresh momentum around the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during PM Modi' visit to Israel which gets underway on Wednesday. Israel is considered a pivotal link in the ambitious corridor, which aims to connect India to Europe through the Middle East via integrated shipping and rail networks. The discussions come amid a broader push to strengthen bilateral trade and move closer to finalising a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. In an interview to Doordshan India, Indian Ambassador to Israel J P Singh highlighted the expectation of the upcoming engagement in the domain of trade and connectivity. Responding to a question on expectations surrounding IMEC and broader economic cooperation, Singh said, "I think this is one area where there will be discussion during this visit, how to improve trade and commerce. And when we say trade and commerce, last year our commerce and industry minister, Piyush Goyal, also visited Israel. During that visit, he came along with a very big delegation, around 70-member business delegation, CEO and, you know, business forum meetings took place." India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, led a large business delegation to Israel last year, signalling strong intent from New Delhi to accelerate commercial engagement. According to Singh, the visit marked a key milestone in formalizing the trade agenda between the two nations. "During that visit, both the countries signed the terms of reference for free trade agreement. And you will be happy to know that as we speak today, the delegation from both the sides are meeting in Delhi to take forward negotiations on free trade agreement," Singh said. Officials confirmed that negotiators are currently in New Delhi working to advance the FTA framework. The agreement, once concluded, is expected to lower trade barriers, enhance market access, and promote investment flows across sectors including technology, agriculture, defense, and services. The anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to provide political direction to the negotiations. Singh expressed optimism about tangible outcomes from the high-level engagement. "And I think during this visit, both the Prime Ministers are going to set a roadmap, a target, how to sign free trade agreement at the earliest possible," he added. Beyond the FTA, the IMEC initiative is seen as a transformative connectivity project that could reshape regional supply chains. With Israel positioned as a strategic transit and logistics hub, progress on the corridor could significantly enhance trade efficiency between India and European markets. As discussions unfold, both governments appear keen to convert diplomatic goodwill into measurable economic gains, reinforcing a partnership that has steadily expanded in scope and ambition over the past decade. (ANI)
A fresh shooting incident has been reported in Calgary, with alleged members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility through a social media post. The claim was reportedly made by Tyson Bishnoi and Arzu Bishnoi. In the post, the individuals stated, "The Lawrence gang takes responsibility for the firing at a shop named 'Malwa Tires' (8616, 44 Street SE, Calgary)." Authorities have identified the location as Malwa Tires, a commercial establishment in the south-eastern part of the city. The message also referred to a viral video allegedly showing a shooting involving Harpreet Brar. The footage has been widely circulated on social media, drawing significant public attention. Security agencies have begun examining both the social media post and the video to verify their authenticity and determine the credibility of the claims. Officials are assessing whether those named in the post are directly connected to the incident. The development has once again raised concerns over gang-linked violence in Canada. Authorities have not yet confirmed any arrests in connection with the latest shooting and said investigations are ongoing. Earlier in the day, Indian High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik said that India and Canada have understood that both sides need to engage in sustained dialogue and enhance security cooperation to address concerns related to violent extremism and transnational crimes, emphasising that both countries recognise the need to work together to ensure the safety of their citizens. Speaking to ANI ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India and other Indo-Pacific allies, Patnaik said that the recent discussions between the two countries' National Security Advisors, during NSA Ajit Doval's visit to Ottawa, marked a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral security ties. "This was discussed recently when NSA Ajit Doval visited Canada, and he had very extensive discussions with his counterpart, NSA Nathalie Drouin, as well as the Minister for Public Safety. And I think what they have put together is a wonderful action plan to take forward the security cooperation between both sides to address all issues--whether it's fentanyl smuggling, whether it is transnational organised crime, violent extremism, illegal immigration fraud, cybercrime, or cybersecurity," the Indian High Commissioner said. (ANI)
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has raised serious concerns over reports of civilian casualties resulting from overnight airstrikes conducted by Pakistani military forces inside Afghan territory. In a press statement issued on Monday, the mission confirmed it has received "credible reports of civilian casualties as a result of overnight airstrikes carried out by Pakistan inside Afghanistan late on 21 February and into the early hours of 22 February." According to the mission, the strikes targeted multiple locations across the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Providing specific details on the Nangarhar incident, UNAMA stated, "On 21 February, at approximately 23:45 to 00:15 on 22 February, Pakistani military forces conducted airstrikes in Behsud and Khogyani districts in Nangarhar province." The statement further noted that "preliminary civilian casualty figures indicate at least 13 civilians were killed and seven others injured, including women and children." The military action also extended to Paktika province, where educational and religious structures were reportedly affected. "Pakistani military forces also conducted airstrikes in Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika province. In the first reported incident, on 21 February, at approximately 23:15, in Barmal district, Marghai area, an airstrike impacted a madrassa, and partially damaged a nearby mosque," the statement read. In the second reported incident, "at approximately 23:30 in Urgun district, Dahna area, an airstrike impacted and partially destroyed a vacant private residential house. No civilian casualties have been reported so far." Reacting to these developments, Amnesty International South Asia expressed deep concern, calling for a "thorough, independent, and impartial investigation" into the alleged harm. In a post on X, the organisation noted that "this is not the first time civilians have borne the brunt of the use of force," citing previous UNAMA data which attributed 70 civilian deaths to Pakistani forces between October and December 2025 during intensified border clashes. On the other hand, reports from Geo News, citing Islamabad's security sources, indicated that more than 80 people were killed across seven locations in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. These sources identified targets including "New Centre No. 1 and New Centre No. 2 in Nangarhar, Khwariji Maulvi Abbas Centre in Khost, Khwariji Islam Centre and Khwariji Ibrahim Centre in Nangarhar, and Khwariji Mullah Rahbar and Khwariji Mukhlis Yar in Paktika." Pakistan's State Minister for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, stated that nearly 70 militants had been "neutralised" in what the government described as "precise and accurate" retaliatory strikes against camps belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh-Khorasan. Islamabad maintained the operation was a response to recent suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu orchestrated by handlers based in Afghanistan. Chaudhry alleged that Afghanistan has become a source of cross-border militancy and claimed the Afghan Taliban had failed to honour the 2020 Doha Agreement pledge to prevent Afghan soil from being used for terrorism. He highlighted that Pakistan is taking necessary measures to safeguard its citizens, including thousands of domestic intelligence-based operations. Amidst this escalation, the UN mission urged an immediate end to hostilities to protect civilians. "UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life and injury," the mission stated. The mission reminded all parties of their obligations under international law to comply with the principles of "distinction, proportionality and precaution to prevent civilian casualties." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The visit comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges. According to the MEA, the leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and present an opportunity to review common challenges, as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies. Reflecting the significance of the diplomatic engagement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday termed the upcoming visit "historic", stating that the partnership continues to scale new heights. In a post on X, Netanyahu described Prime Minister Modi as a "dear friend" and highlighted the growing strategic alignment between the two countries. "This morning, at the opening of our Cabinet meeting, I spoke about the historic visit of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Israel this coming Wednesday," he said. Calling the relationship a "powerful alliance between two global leaders", Netanyahu noted that Israel and India are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. "Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress," he added, specifically referring to cooperation in emerging technologies and broader geopolitical coordination. Providing further details on the itinerary, Netanyahu confirmed that the Prime Minister will arrive on Wednesday and deliver a speech at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament). The visit will also include an innovation event in Jerusalem and a joint visit to Yad Vashem. Highlighting their personal bond, Netanyahu recalled, "We are personal friends; we speak frequently on the phone and visit one another. We waded together in the waters of the Mediterranean, and much water has flowed since then." The Israeli Prime Minister emphasised that the fabric of the relationship will be tightened further through decisions related to economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation. Regarding the diplomatic aspect, Netanyahu detailed a vision to create a "hexagon" of alliances, including India, Arab nations, African nations, and Mediterranean nations, to counter radical axes. He further specified that the visit will promote cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum computing to ensure both nations remain among the world's leaders in these fields. (ANI)
Former Tibetan political detainees, along with the Lhasa Boys' Association Switzerland, presented a Long Life Prayer ceremony to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, according to a report by Phayul. The ceremony, held on Monday, included a deeply emotional appeal on behalf of Tibetans living inside Tibet, read by former political prisoner Ngawang Sangdrol, who was arrested at the age of 13 and spent eleven years in prison. The message conveyed the collective longing of Tibetans for the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet and expressed sorrow over their current situation under Chinese governance, Phayul reported. In the letter, the signatories voiced steadfast faith and deep respect for the Tibetan spiritual leader, referring to him as the "Protector of the Snow Land, Tenzin Gyatso." They earnestly requested his early return, stating that, in his absence, the Snow Land has been reduced to "only a name, an empty remainder." The message combined devotion and grief, reflecting both the resilience of Tibetan faith and the hardships faced under Chinese rule. "Though our hearts rejoice in being included among the celebrations of the Protector, our minds are sorrowful, remaining helpless under the enemy's domination," the letter stated. It added that the continued life of His Holiness remains a beacon of hope for the Tibetan people. The letter also outlined what it described as the present conditions within Tibet, alleging systematic attempts to weaken Tibetan identity, language, and religious freedom. It claimed that teachers of the Tibetan language are now required to secure Chinese-language certification at different levels to continue teaching, a move viewed as diminishing the status of Tibetans in their own land. Educators committed to safeguarding the Tibetan language reportedly face risks to their employment if they do not comply, as cited in the Phayul report. According to the letter, students advancing through various stages of education are being encouraged, both directly and indirectly, to refrain from studying Tibetan. They are reportedly told that learning the language offers little benefit for their future and may even obstruct academic progress. In certain instances, students expressing an interest in Tibetan studies are allegedly ridiculed by teachers. Concerns were also raised regarding the tourism industry in Tibet. The letter alleged that Tibetans are confined to minor roles, while Chinese nationals hold key positions. Tour guides, irrespective of their ethnicity, must be fluent in Chinese and adhere to officially sanctioned narratives of Tibetan history. The letter cited claims that visitors are informed that monuments such as the Potala Palace were constructed "for China," and that Tibet's historical accomplishments originated from China, assertions the authors described as distorted and misleading, according to Phayul. The communication further highlighted restrictions on religious activities. It stated that government employees, private-sector workers, and even non-governmental staff are barred from visiting religious sites. During sacred periods like Saga Dawa, Tibetans undertaking pilgrimages reportedly encounter increased monitoring, repeated checks of residence permits, and inspections of personal belongings, including mobile phones. The letter also alleged that individuals seeking government jobs are required to denounce the 14th Dalai Lama as a condition of employment. Parents are reportedly compelled to sign statements criticising their spiritual leader, while children are systematically encouraged to distance themselves from devotion to His Holiness. The signatories described this as among the most distressing realities confronting Tibetans today. The former political prisoners depicted a society subjected to widespread surveillance and repression. They alleged that Tibetans face curbs not only on religious practice but also on freedom of speech, internet access, and even thought. Even simple acts, such as performing traditional pilgrimages, can reportedly lead to sudden questioning and inspections, as highlighted in the Phayul report. (ANI)
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has disclosed the names and backgrounds of seven of its members whom it claims were killed in incidents connected to its recently declared military campaign, "Operation Herof (Phase 2)," according to a report by The Balochistan Post (TBP). In separate statements issued by the organisation and its media outlet, Hakkal, the BLA stated that the deceased included operatives from its Majeed Brigade and other units active in Turbat, Noshki, and Gwadar. Among them was Majid Baloch, also known as Commando Badal, son of Amjad Baloch and a resident of Sand Bazaar, Hoshap. The BLA said he joined the organisation in December 2023 and became a member of the Majeed Brigade in 2024. According to the group, he was killed on January 29 in Turbat during an exchange of fire with Pakistani forces while en route to take part in Operation Herof, TBP reported. Another individual identified by the BLA was Salim Baloch, also known as Molum, son of Abdul Sattar and a resident of Absar, Turbat. The group stated that he had completed a master's degree in history from the University of the Punjab and joined the organisation's "mountain front" in September 2023 after previously facing detention. The BLA claimed he was killed in Turbat on January 29 in a clash with security forces as preparations for Operation Herof were ongoing. The organisation also named two brothers from Noshki, Allah Noor Jamaldini, also known as Rokin, and Asif Jamaldini, also known as Zubair, sons of Pir Bakhsh Jamaldini and residents of Qaziabad. According to the BLA, Allah Noor became involved in the Baloch nationalist movement in March 2023 and later joined the BLA in July 2024, subsequently becoming part of the Majeed Brigade in August 2024. Asif Jamaldini reportedly joined the movement in October 2024, entered the BLA in 2025, and later became affiliated with its Fateh Squad. The group stated that both brothers were killed during Operation Herof in Noshki. As per the BLA's account cited by TBP, Allah Noor Jamaldini participated in an attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Noshki, while Asif Jamaldini was assigned to a team responsible for breaching defensive positions. The BLA described the deceased as members of its armed wing who lost their lives during the operation and subsequent confrontations. Operation Herof was earlier announced by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as a coordinated offensive targeting Pakistani security facilities across several locations in Balochistan, including Noshki, Turbat, and Gwadar. Pakistani authorities have not issued comprehensive official casualty figures related to the incidents, the TBP report noted. (ANI)
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday held high-level discussions with global corporate leaders, including IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna and Jefferies' Christopher Wood, focusing on India's growing role in the global technology and investment landscape. Following his meeting with the IBM chief, Goyal highlighted the technology major's deepening commitment to the Indian market and its emphasis on emerging technologies. "Held a constructive meeting with Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM. We discussed the company's expanding footprint in India, with a strong focus on advancing AI skilling initiatives to equip our talent with future-ready capabilities. Encouraging to see global technology leaders contributing meaningfully to India's innovation and sustainability goals," the Union Minister posted on X. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/2026307171152244971?s=20 In a separate engagement, the Minister met Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies, to exchange views on market dynamics and India's economic trajectory. "Delighted to meet Mr. Christopher Wood, Global Head of Equity Strategy at Jefferies. Held wide-ranging discussions on AI, evolving capital flows, and key developments shaping global markets. Also exchanged views on how these emerging trends align with India's growth story, reinforcing its position as an attractive investment destination with significant opportunities across sectors," Goyal stated. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/2026309112733241769?s=20 The focus on private sector collaboration follows meetings held on Monday with ministers from Tajikistan and Cambodia, aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment ties across sectors. Goyal said on X, "Held a productive meeting with Mr. Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies, Tajikistan. We discussed expanding overall bilateral trade and strengthening investment ties, with a focus on key sectors including textiles, IT, pharmaceuticals, food processing, critical minerals, and tourism. Committed to unlocking new opportunities for businesses and deepening economic cooperation between our two countries." In another post, he noted, "Had a productive discussion with @C_Nimul, Minister of Commerce of Cambodia. We explored avenues to further strengthen the growing trade and investment partnership between both sides. With increasing collaboration across sectors, we also explored the potential to diversify cooperation to unlock greater opportunities for our people and businesses." This follows Goyal's remarks on Saturday regarding India-Brazil ties. Referring to a 25 per cent rise in bilateral trade over the past year to USD 15 billion, he described the level as suboptimal and called for greater ambition. Highlighting the partnership, the Minister said, "India and Brazil are natural partners. Our relationship is built on the foundation of democracy, diversity, and shared aspirations for development. We have a strong, multi-faceted strategic partnership driven by people-to-people ties and expanding cooperation across sectors. Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America and the Caribbean region." He added that the two nations are expanding cooperation in health and pharma; energy, including renewables; critical minerals; defence; and aviation, alongside growth in science and technology, digital public infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. Goyal also emphasised collaboration under BRICS, IBSA, the G20, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), expressing confidence in the future of bilateral ties. (ANI)
The previous edition of the exercise was held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA in November 2024.

The Indian Army contingent, represented by Special Forces units, comprises 45 personnel, while the United States will be represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The aim of Exercise Vajra Prahar is to promote military cooperation between India and the United States through enhanced interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise is designed to strengthen combined capabilities for conducting joint Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain.

The training will focus on a high degree of physical conditioning, joint mission planning and the execution of joint tactical drills. Participating troops will share best practices and operational experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and special operations tactics, techniques and procedures.

The exercise is expected to further deepen interoperability, mutual trust and professional camaraderie between the Special Forces of both nations, reinforcing the growing defence partnership between India and the United States. (ANI)
GPs will be offered a 3,000 bonus to prescribe the weight loss drug Mounjaro to the maximum number of eligible patients under new government plans.

Government introduces GP bonuses to boost NHS weight loss treatment

The incentive, due to be added to the GP contract from April, will be accompanied by additional payments worth around 1,000 a year for referring patients to weight loss programmes.

Ministers said the changes are intended to improve access for patients who could benefit, though experts have warned the impact will be limited while NHS eligibility remains narrow.

The payments will apply only to Mounjaro, which became available on the NHS in 2025 but has not yet been prescribed as widely as expected. Another drug, Wegovy, is available through specialist NHS weight loss services rather than via GPs. More than one million people are estimated to be using weight loss injections, with around nine in 10 paying for them privately.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the government wanted to address growing inequalities in access. He told the BBC: Weight loss drugs can be a real game changer for those who need them. I'm determined that access should be based on need, not ability to pay.

Wes warned of risks outside the health service, adding: Outside the NHS, we've seen those who can spare the cash buying privately, and the proliferation of rogue prescribers peddling dangerous unlicensed drugs that are putting patients at risk.

Streeting said investing in general practice was central to widening access to the drugs.

He said: Investing in general practice will help bring this modern medicine to the many, not just the few, and help shift the focus of the NHS from treatment to prevention.

This is the first time weight loss drugs have been included in the GP contract. Prescribing is currently limited to people with a BMI over 40 and related health conditions, though eligibility will widen next year to those with a BMI over 35, with lower thresholds for some ethnic groups.

By 2028, around 220,000 patients are expected to receive Mounjaro through the NHS, although rollout has been described as patchy.

Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, explained the incentives did not mean wider access.

She said: This doesn't mean weight loss drugs will suddenly be available to everyone who wants them. NHS access will remain very limited and focused on those with the greatest clinical need, and these treatments are most effective when combined with sustained support.

Dr Katie Bramall, of the British Medical Association, said expectations should be tempered.

She said: While the headlines promise much, in reality there will be no change to NHS England's eligibility criteria for patients to access injectable weight loss medication on the NHS.

Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, of the Royal College of General Practitioners, stressed prescribing decisions would remain clinical.

She said: GPs do not withhold treatment or prescribe based on financial incentives. Decisions are guided by clinical judgement and what is safest and most appropriate for individual patients.
Ahead of PM Modi's upcoming visit, the leader of the Opposition in Israel, Yair Lapid, on Tuesday (local time), emphasised that the India-Israel relationship goes beyond strategy, describing it as a deep bond of friendship between the two nations. He also called PM Modi a "true friend" of Israel. https://x.com/yairlapid/status/2026359033498608091?s=20 In a post on X, Lapid wrote, "All of Israel is excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi tomorrow. He is a true friend of Israel. The relationship between Israel and India is not merely a strategic one, but a bond of deep friendship between nations." Israel's Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared that the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) is illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag in honour of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit. https://x.com/AmirOhana/status/2026356735783399761?s=20 "In tribute to Prime Minister @narendramodi, the Knesset is illuminated tonight in the colours of the Indian flag," Ohana wrote in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a State visit to Israel on February 25-26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Tuesday. The visit comes at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and marks the Prime Minister's second visit to Israel, following his 2017 trip when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit the country. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders will review the significant progress made in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges. According to the MEA, the leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Prime Minister will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and present an opportunity to review common challenges, as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies. (ANI)
The 10th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism (CT) was held on Tuesday in New Delhi. As per the release, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Vinod Bahade, and Head of Bureau, Strategic Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Nadav Eschar, led their respective delegations. The meeting underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, reflecting the spirit and breadth of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. Both sides unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism and reaffirmed the principle of zero tolerance towards terrorism. They strongly condemned the brutal terror attacks in both countries, including the heinous October 7, 2023, terror attack in Israel, the dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on April 22, 2025 and other terror acts that have emphasised the urgent need to hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable. Both sides emphasised that confronting terrorism requires concerted action in a sustained and comprehensive manner. Against this backdrop, the two sides renewed their commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation in the field of countering terrorism, including in the UN, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other multilateral platforms. The two sides reiterated their commitment to cooperate in combating terrorism and terrorist organisations, as well as their proxies, supporters, sponsors, financiers and backers. The two sides exchanged views on threats emanating from terrorism and discussed threats posed by terrorist groups globally and in their respective regions. They reviewed a wide range of traditional and emerging threats and challenges, such as terrorist recruitment, abuse of technology for terrorist purposes, and financing of terrorism. They expressed concern over the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and AI for terrorist purposes. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation against challenges, including through training, cybersecurity, exchange of best practices, and information sharing through continued bilateral and multilateral efforts. They also discussed further strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation, including through information sharing and cooperation on mutual legal assistance requests. (ANI)
Future-oriented Chinese New Year in France blends tradition, technology

Xinhua) 10:25, February 24, 2026

PARIS, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese New Year unfolds thousands of miles from home, its age-old rhythms are finding fresh expression in France. From robot sharing the spotlight on the Champs-Elysees to French youth taking center stage at the China Cultural Center in Paris, the festival has evolved into a vibrant cross-cultural event.

On Feb. 1, under a fine Parisian drizzle, tens of thousands lined the Champs-Elysees for the Chinese New Year celebrations. As drums rolled and cymbals clashed, a humanoid robot led a parade of around 800 performers, marching with mechanical precision, turning, pausing, and waving to spectators.

Developed by a Chinese company and supplied by French technology firm INNOV8 Group, the robot moved in sync with the music, drawing cheers and a sea of raised smartphones along the boulevard.

INNOV8 Group CEO Stephane Bohbot said the robot's participation carried strong symbolic meaning, demonstrating how new technologies could be integrated into traditional celebrations and improve people's lives.

On Feb. 14, at a Chinese New Year event at the China Cultural Center in Paris, artificial intelligence displays and projection mapping made their debut. A robotic dog dressed in a red lion dance costume quickly became a crowd favorite, leaping, bowing and even rolling on command.

From the daytime fair to evening festivities, the blend of modern innovation and tradition offered visitors a distinctive experience of China. Myriam, a visitor, described the spectacle as "incredible" and "impressive." "It felt as if we were no longer in Paris, but fully in China," she said.

If technology lent the festival a forward-looking touch, the younger generation brought renewed warmth.

In mid-February, multiple arrondissement town halls across Paris hosted Chinese New Year celebrations. At the 20th arrondissement town hall on Feb. 14, young members of the French choir Le Choeur des Polysons performed Chinese classics such as Jasmine Flower and The Moon Represents My Heart, before closing with Auld Lang Syne.

The choir has visited China several times. Lena, 13, said she had made friends there and remained in contact with them. Noting that the Chinese New Year is a time to send good wishes and share happiness, she wished her Chinese friends "a very good year."

The same day, in the 13th arrondissement, a Hanfu-themed gala featured a reenactment of a Ming Dynasty-style wedding performed by a Franco-Chinese couple. The event reflected growing interest among French youth in exploring Chinese culture in their own way.

Over the years, Chinese New Year celebrations in France have gradually expanded beyond Chinatown into mainstream public and cultural institutions.

On Feb. 6, La Poste Group issued two stamps marking the Year of the Horse, the 22nd consecutive year since 2005 that France's postal service has released zodiac-themed stamps for the occasion.

The equestrian culture also resonated with the Year of the Horse at the Chateau de Chantilly, where a Chinese-French New Year gala combined traditional French horsemanship with Chinese martial arts and Yingge dance.

Xavier Darcos, chancellor of the Institut de France, which owns the Chateau de Chantilly, said hosting the Chinese New Year celebration felt natural. China is "a considerable country with immense culture," and France has every interest in deepening emotional, intellectual, and cultural ties, he said.

As more French participants join parades, perform on concert stages and support celebrations through major institutions, the Chinese New Year in France is no longer simply a transplanted tradition. It has become a shared celebration, where ancient customs meet futuristic imagination, and cross-cultural bonds continue to grow year after year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
Matthew Lillard appreciates the support he's received in the wake of Quentin Tarantino's recent criticism.

Matthew Lillard has welcomed the support

The 56-year-old actor was recently lambasted by Tarantino, 62 - but Matthew has been heartened by the subsequent outpouring of support for him.

The movie star told People: "It felt like I had died and was in heaven watching everyone send out their RIP tweets.

"I mean, it was really being a part of your own wake, sort of sitting there living through all the nice things people say after you die.

"So it was really, really lovely. It was something that happened that was who cares, really? But I spoke out. I mean, I got caught on a hot mic talking about it, and then it sort of went viral from there."

Matthew has actually received support from some of the biggest names in the movie business.

He said: "Everyone, from the people at the mall this weekend with my kids to George Clooney and James Gunn and Mike Flanagan ... I mean, people have sort of been really generous with telling me how much they loved me and liked my work."

Matthew previously addressed Tarantino's comments at GalaxyCon in Columbus, Ohio, in late 2025.

The actor said at the time: "Yeah, whatever. Who gives a s***.

"Listen, the point is that it hurts your feelings. It f****** sucks. And you wouldn't say that to Tom Cruise. You wouldnt say that to somebody whos a top-line actor in Hollywood."

Tarantino slammed Matthew during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast in 2025, when he was also critical of Paul Dano and Owen Wilson.

The legendary filmmaker made the remarks while discussing Danos performance in There Will Be Blood, the 2007 period drama.

Tarantino shared his list of the best movies of the 21st century, and ranked There Will Be Blood at number five, observing that it "would stand a better chance to be in number one or number two if it didnt have a big giant flaw in it".

He added: "And the flaw is Paul Dano. Obviously, its supposed to be a two-hander, and its also so drastically obvious that its not a two-hander  He is weak sauce, man. Hes a weak sister."

Tarantino subsequently aimed some criticism at Owen Wilson and Matthew.

The acclaimed director said: "Im not saying hes giving a terrible performance. Im saying hes giving a non-entity [performance]. I dont care for him. I dont care for Owen Wilson, I dont care for Matthew Lillard."
Moroccos multi-mission frigate Mohammed VI has joined French and European naval units in ORION 26, a major high-intensity combat preparation exercise led by France, the French embassy in Rabat said.

The Moroccan FREMM warship spent around two weeks integrated into the escort of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, operating first in the Mediterranean and later in the Atlantic, the embassy said in a statement.

The drills tested the participating navies ability to operate in harsh weather and under demanding combat scenarios.

The deployment marked the ships participation in the second phase of ORION 26, a large-scale, multi-domain exercise designed to train French forces and their partners for high-intensity conflict and emerging security threats.

Frances embassy said the involvement of the Mohammed VI Frigate at the same operational level as European partners reflected the high degree of mutual confidence between the two navies and underscored the strength of Franco-Moroccan military cooperation.

ORION 26, conducted with several allies and partners, aims to evaluate Frances capacity to conduct complex joint and coalition operations across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains.
Morocco has been identified among countries where installed steel production capacity exceeds domestic demand, according to the latest monitoring bulletin from the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity. The classification comes as the worldwide gap between production capacity and actual consumption reached 179.6 million tons in the third quarter of 2025  a 1.4 percent increase year-on-year driven not by new factory construction but by weakening global demand.

The imbalance is reshaping trade dynamics. Steel exports rose to represent 27.8 percent of total global production during the period, as producers increasingly turned to foreign markets to compensate for sluggish domestic consumption. International flat steel export prices fell 6.7 percent on average in 2025, with a stark price gap persisting between forum members and structurally overcapacity economies  export prices within the forum remain roughly 1.7 times higher than Chinese prices.

Africa is feeling the competitive pressure directly. Imports from overcapacity economies accounted for 20.5 percent of regional steel demand in the third quarter of 2025, intensifying challenges for local manufacturers. For Morocco specifically, China ranks as a major supplier alongside Turkey and several European countries, with competitive pressure most acute in flat products and certain semi-finished goods used in downstream transformation.

Morocco has responded with trade defense measures. Anti-dumping investigations launched in October 2024 target certain steel imports including Chinese products, part of a global wave that saw 64 new trade defense cases filed worldwide during the first nine months of 2025. However, the forum notes that volumes covered by such measures remain modest relative to total global trade.

The situation poses a fundamental strategic question for Moroccos steel sector: whether domestic demand growth can eventually absorb existing capacity, or whether producers must pursue stronger export positioning and deeper regional integration to restore competitive balance.
Moroccos fertility rate fell to 1.97 children per woman in 2024, dropping below the replacement threshold of 2.1 and pushing the country deeper into a demographic transition that is reshaping its economic, social and territorial landscape.

The trend, confirmed by the 2024 General Census and highlighted by population experts, shows that Morocco is moving into an era where ageing, not population growth, will define national policy choices.

The High Commission for Planning (HCP) describes a fundamental reversal of the age pyramid. It found fewer children and a growing number of older adults. Census findings show a sharp reduction in the share of under-15s, while seniors over 60 continue to rise rapidly, confirming Morocco as an ageing society.

This stems from decades of falling fertility, from 7.2 children per woman in the 1960s to below two today, combined with rising life expectancy, now at 76.4 years.

One immediate consequence of low fertility is a decline in school-age pupils, which experts argue could allow a long-awaited pivot from quantity to quality. With fewer children entering the system, resources could be redirected toward teacher training, foundational learning, and digital infrastructure.

The census already shows a shrinking share of minors and forecasts a continued reduction through 2040, a trend consistent with Moroccos movement into late-stage demographic transition.

Morocco is currently benefiting from a favorable worker-to-dependent ratio, as the working-age population continues to expand, from 22.1 million in 2024 to a projected 24.8 million by 2040.

This means Morocco must accelerate reforms on female labor participation, youth employment and the informal sector. UNFPA research shows that economic insecurity, housing constraints and childcare shortages remain major barriers to both fertility choices and labor force engagement.

The demographic pivot is most visible in ageing. The number of Moroccans over 60 is projected to grow from 5.1 million in 2024 to nearly 7.9 million by 2040, raising the old-age dependency ratio and putting pressure on pensions and healthcare. Chronic illness, disability prevalence, and rural ageing further amplify the cost of care and the need for specialized services, especially geriatric and long-term care.
A landmark global report by Forvis Mazars has placed Morocco alongside South Africa and Kenya as one of only three African countries explicitly cited as private equity investment destinations by institutional investors  a first for the Kingdom that validates its positioning strategy while raising the bar for what comes next.

The 80-page study, based on a survey of 806 industry professionals worldwide, delivers a clear message: the era of generating returns through simple financial leverage is over. Value creation now depends on operational excellence, long-term commitment, and sector specialization. The report notes that 69 percent of surveyed funds are extending the lifespan of their investment vehicles, up sharply from 54 percent the previous year, signaling that patient capital over eight to ten-year cycles is becoming the norm.

For Moroccos private equity ecosystem  operating within an economy dominated by family businesses and SMEs  the implications are significant. Local funds must demonstrate capacity beyond capital deployment, delivering professionalization of management teams, industrialization of processes, and internationalization of market reach. The report also warns against excessive financialization, with one Brazilian investor cautioning that stripping away real assets destroyed downside protection  a lesson particularly relevant in a Moroccan market where the strongest deals have traditionally been anchored in tangible industrial or infrastructure assets.

The continental dimension presents Moroccos greatest opportunity. Casablanca Finance City, already hosting over 200 international financial firms, must evolve from promoting hub stability to demonstrating the ability to originate industrial deals across West and Central Africa. Meanwhile, a historic sectoral shift sees technology, media, and telecoms overtake finance as the most attractive investment sector globally for the first time, aligning with Moroccos Digital 2030 plan.

The reports ultimate message for Moroccan stakeholders is unambiguous: differentiation through thematic specialization  whether in green hydrogen, sustainable mobility, or healthcare consolidation  will determine which funds attract global institutional capital and which are left behind.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) is stepping deeper into the global weight loss race, striking a deal with Hangzhou Sciwind Bioscience for exclusive commercialization rights to ecnoglutide in mainland China, in an agreement valued at up to $495 million. The therapy has already been approved in China for diabetes and is currently under regulatory review for obesity, positioning Pfizer to potentially enter one of the world's fastest-growing metabolic markets. According to company statements, obesity affects 14.1% of Chinese adults and has been prioritized under the government's Healthy China campaign, framing the opportunity as both commercial and policy-aligned.

The transaction comes as Pfizer works to reestablish growth drivers following waning demand for its Covid-19 vaccine and mounting competitive pressures on several top medicines. The company has been actively expanding its obesity ambitions, including a $10 billion acquisition of Metsera Inc. after a bidding contest with Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO), as well as licensing an experimental drug last year from a unit of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group. Alexandre de Germay, Pfizer's chief international commercial officer, acknowledged ahead of the announcement that the company had lost our focus during the pandemic period, underscoring why rebuilding in high-demand therapeutic areas such as obesity could be central to its forward strategy. China represented 4% of Pfizer's total revenue as of 2024, and the local business has undergone multiple restructurings in recent years.

Ecnoglutide operates in the GLP-1 class, similar to Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, by mimicking a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite, though Sciwind has indicated its molecular structure may offer potential advantages over other GLP-1 receptor agonists. In a late-stage study, the drug produced weight loss results on par with Eli Lilly's (NYSE:LLY) Zepbound. Under the agreement, Sciwind will continue handling development, registration, manufacturing and supply, while Pfizer takes responsibility for commercialization across mainland China. The competitive landscape includes global pharmaceutical leaders as well as domestic players such as Innovent Biologics, suggesting Pfizer's latest move could represent a calculated effort to secure relevance in a segment that is reshaping large-cap pharma growth expectations.
For decades, nuclear energy has been regarded as the black sheep of the energy universe, thanks to drawbacks such as high costs, risk of thermal runaway leading to catastrophic accidents as well as the hazardous by-products of nuclear plants. Nuclear waste is notorious for the fact that it can remain dangerously radioactive for many thousands of years. Currently, there are thousands of metric tons of used solid fuel from nuclear power plants worldwide and millions of liters of radioactive liquid waste from weapons production sitting in temporary storage containers.

Thankfully, the world has just come closer to finding a permanent solution to its nuclear menace: scientists in the U.S. Department of Energys Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) are currently developing an Accelerator-Driven Systems (ADS) designed to transmute long-lived nuclear waste into shorter-lived isotopes, potentially cutting the required storage time for nuclear waste by 99.7%.

The Jefferson Lab particle accelerator employs high-energy proton beams to strike a heavy metal target (like liquid mercury), triggering spallation to create neutrons. These neutrons then bombard the nuclear waste (minor actinides and long-lived fission products), "burning" them up and converting them into more stable or shorter-lived elements. The fission reactions triggered by this process generate heat, which can be converted into carbon-free electricity. This process can reduce the required isolation time for nuclear waste from approximately 100,000 years to just 300 years.

Related: The End of Baseload Power as We Know It

The Jefferson Lab project is funded the $8.17 million NEWTON (Nuclear Energy Waste Transmutation Optimized Now) program aimed at developing highly efficient, superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities, specifically designing niobium-tin cavities for these high-power proton linear accelerators. Traditional particle accelerators rely on expensive cryogenic cooling systems to reach superconducting temperatures.

Jefferson Lab is advancing a cost-effective particle accelerator technology by coating pure niobium cavities with a thin layer of tin, forming a Niobium-Tin high-performance intermetallic compound superconductor that can be used to generate powerful magnetic fields. This innovation allows cavities to achieve superconducting states at a higher temperature of 18 Kelvin.

That said, the Jefferson Lab project is still in the research and optimization phase. Back in 2024, Finland unveiled Onkalo, the world's first permanent deep-geological repository for high-level nuclear waste. Located on Olkiluoto Island and situated over 400 meters deep in stable bedrock, Onkalo uses multi-barrier KBS-3 systems that isolates spent fuel for 100,000 years. The KBS-3 method involves placing spent fuel into copper canisters, which are then placed in tunnels, surrounded by bentonite clay, and sealed in bedrock to prevent radiation leaks. The project, operated by Posiva, has been in development for over 25 years. Onkalo is considered a major breakthrough in nuclear energy sustainability.

But Finland is not alone. Last October, Sweden commenced construction of a deep-earth nuclear waste repository similar to Finland's' Onkalo. About a dozen European countries are also planning deep geological repositories for their nuclear waste. Here in the U.S., government officials have proposed storing the countrys nuclear waste in a repository beneath Yucca Mountain in Nevada about 300 m below ground level and 300 m above the water table. However, this idea has gone in and out of favor with changes in the presidency. For now, nuclear waste simply accumulates mainly where its generated--at the power plants and processing facilities, with some having been sitting in interim storage since the 1940s. In Hanford alone, more than 200 million liters of radioactive liquid waste--a mix of liquid, sediment, and sludge--has been sitting in tanks waiting to be processed. Obviously, storing this kind of high-level liquid waste indefinitely is hardly sustainable.

The challenge of safely handling nuclear waste is likely to remain at the forefront of the global energy sector even as nuclear energy enjoys a renaissance. Global nuclear capacity is projected to more than double to over 1,000 GW(e) by 2050, driven by decarbonization goals, surging electricity demand primarily from AI data centers and the pursuit of energy security. Half of all global capacity expansion to 2050 is expected to come from China, with its nuclear fleet on track to overtake the U.S. as the worlds largest by 2030. China is building over 30 new reactors, representing nearly one-third of the worlds ongoing nuclear plant construction. China is investing heavily in both large-scale Gen III/IV reactors and small modular reactors (SMRS), aiming for rapid modernization. But China is not alone: roughly 50 countries including Egypt, Bangladesh and Turkey are now exploring or planning nuclear programs, which could add ~160 GWe by 2050.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The European Union has failed to agree on more sanctions on Russia, which were planned to be in place by the fourth anniversary of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The bloc's foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels on February 23, failed to clinch a deal following opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.

"I really regret that we didnt achieve agreement today, considering that tomorrow is the sad anniversary of the start of the war, because we need to send a strong signal to Ukraine that we keep on supporting Ukraine -- and also put strong pressure on Russia, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

She also said that work on the sanctions package, the EU's 20th since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, would continue.

The Hungarian and Slovak vetoes are not related to any of the proposed restrictive measures but are linked to a halt in Russian oil deliveries from the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline that goes to the two Central European states via Ukraine.

What Was Blocked?

The sanctions would include a maritime services ban related to Russian petroleum products that would prohibit EU-based companies from providing services to any vessel transporting these products from Russian ports.

There were also measures against Moscow's so-called shadow fleet used for circumventing sanctions and against third countries helping Moscow do so.

In addition to there being no agreement on the sanctions package, there was also no breakthrough in overcoming an additional Hungarian veto in approving a 90-billion-euro EU loan to Ukraine for 2026-2027 that was tentatively agreed by the bloc's leaders in December.

A readout from the ministerial meeting that RFE/RL received said there was "broad frustration among the 25 other EU member states." Several ministers openly questioned Hungary's motive, it added, suggesting the entire move was about April's parliamentary election in the country rather than oil.

Several recent polls indicate that the ruling Fidesz party is poised to lose the vote.

Druzhba 'Blackmail'

The halt in oil flow through the Druzhba pipeline occurred on January 27, when Kyiv said a Russian drone strike hit pipeline equipment in western Ukraine. Both Slovakia and Hungary have, however, accused Ukraine of not wanting to repair the damage.

The two landlocked countries still depend on Russian oil and have secured exemptions from EU sanctions that otherwise ban imports from the country.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto tweeted that "there is no technical or operational reason preventing the restart of oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline. It's therefore obvious that Ukraine's decision is purely political, an attempt to pressure Hungary in coordination with Brussels and the Hungarian opposition. We will not give in to blackmail."

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also threatened over the weekend to cut off emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine unless Druzhba became operational on February 23.

Slovakia has contributed to nearly a fifth of Ukraine's electricity imports in January as Russia has pounded the war-torn's country's energy infrastructure throughout a bitter winter.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded in a tweet, saying, "Statements from Budapest and Bratislava are provocative, irresponsible, and threaten the energy security of the entire region."

Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a European Commission spokeswoman, said during a media briefing in Brussels that "Russia destroyed the Druzhba pipeline. Our priority is the energy security of our member states. Ukraine has committed to repairing the pipeline and the decision on the timeline is for them to make."

She also confirmed that an oil coordination group bringing together energy experts from the bloc would meet on February 25 "to take stock of the situation."

Alternative Routes For Oil

Ahead of the Brussels talks, news emerged overnight that a Ukrainian drone hit an oil pumping station near the village of Kaleikino in Tatarstan, Russia, which is a major hub for the Druzhba system where oil from Siberia, Tatarstan, and Bashkortostan is mixed.

But Hungary and Slovakia have alternatives to Druzhba.

Hungarian energy giant MOL announced last week it would release about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil from its strategic reserves to make up for any shortfalls in supply. The Hungarian Hydrocarbon Stockpiling Association noted that, in any case, Hungary had as of the end of January, enough crude oil and petroleum product reserves to cover 96 days.

To secure more oil, Budapest recently requested that Croatia supply it via the Adria pipeline with JANAF, the Croatian pipeline operator.

Ihor Chalenko, head of the Center for Analysis and Strategies think tank in Kyiv, told Current Time that the issue was political rather than technical.

"What is happening now is merely an attempt to use the circumstances to effectively block direct aid to Ukraine in the amount of 90 billion euros ($105 billion) and to block increased pressure on the Russian aggressor. This has nothing to do with the economic situation in Hungary and Slovakia," he said.

Hungary Blocks 90-Billion-Euro Loan

The foreign ministers' meeting was also rocked by a letter from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to European Council President Antonio Costa dated February 23.

In the letter, seen by RFE/RL, Orban outlines why he is now blocking an emergency loan to Ukraine even though Hungary, alongside Slovakia and the Czech Republic, got an exemption from contributing to it at an EU summit in December.

"Recent developments have forced me to reconsider my position. Since mid-February, Ukraine refuses to restore the transfer of crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary due to political considerations and in violation of its international obligations. This is an unprovoked act of hostility that undermines the energy security of Hungary," the letter reads.

Despite the opt-out, unanimity among all EU member states is needed to amend a regulation that would allow Brussels to use the bloc's common budget to lend 90 billion euros to Kyiv.

The European Parliament has already voted in favor of the loan, and the assumption until recently in the bloc was that member states would give the necessary green light imminently to make sure that the money goes to Kyiv before it faces a budgetary shortfall in April.

By RFE/RL

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Tonight, when President Donald Trump steps into the House chamber to deliver his State of the Union address, it will undoubtedly be overshadowed by the prospect of coming conflict with Iran.

Tehran will be up late (or early), carefully scrutinizing every word of the US leader, anticipating the what's next at a moment of massive Pentagon build-up in the region, including no less than two carrier groups. Iranian leadership, looking toward the big Trump speech tonight, has just offered that it's ready to do anything necessary to reach a deal to stave off an attack.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi has declared Tuesday that his country is "ready to take any necessary step to reach a deal with the US" but coupled with a warning that "a strike on Iran is a real gamble." This momentary or rhetorical 'concession' sent oil prices sliding...

Crude Oil Futures Price (WTI)

The big question tonight is whether President Trump will signal if he's still betting on diplomacy in the days ahead, or if he'll prepare the American public for full military action if talks fail.

The prospect of a new conflict in the Middle East remains deeply unpopular among Americans - even among many Republicans - recent poll after poll have demonstrated.

Again, the buildup toward a potential military confrontation with Iran has overshadowed the run-up to the address and all other issues - whether immigration, the economy, or even the Supreme Court's tariff halt decision.

With some 400 million barrels currently stuck on sanctioned tankers, it remains that a breakthrough Trump-Iran deal would suddenly release these supplies on the global market and prices would plunge.

3 days later, Goldman went and charted it https://t.co/9O6rSXcOhz pic.twitter.com/0PLe4CJkDA  zerohedge (@zerohedge) February 23, 2026

As for Iran's 'readiness' to do 'anything' - it's really still anything but clear whether the Islamic Republic would actually enter into dialogue on conventional missile limits. This remains unlikely, as reducing this capability would in effect neuter Iran's ability to defend itself or fight a war.

Will Trump tip his hand? "Bloombergs Courtney Subramanian framed Iran as one of the major flashpoints Trump may address as he tries to reset the national mood after a Supreme Court ruling struck down his global tariff regime," writes one regional source seen as close to the Israeli establishment. Citing Bloomberg, the same source says the SOTU speech "could provide a moment for Trump to explain why military action might be necessary, even as negotiations led by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continue in Geneva."

By Zerohedge.com

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As the West is looking at ways to shake off Chinas dominance in rare earths supply, it is also moving toward breaking the Chinese stronghold on the pricing of these minerals critical for the defense and auto industries and national security.

The United States is developing and pitching to allies a price floor mechanism to protect the rare earths markets and mineral supply from Chinese manipulation and government policies aimed solely at strengthening Chinas dominant grip on the global market.

The move from the U.S. to have a Western benchmark for prices comes as the price of domestic Chinese praseodymium?neodymium (PrNd) oxide has soared to as much as $125 per kilogram, the highest level since July 2022.

Thats above the $110 per kg price threshold, below which the U.S. federal government has pledged to subsidize output from MP Materials under the deal signed with the rare earths company last year.

The 40% rally in the Chinese PrNd prices is pushing prices for these materials outside China, too, because producers and deals  even the MP Materials-DoD deal -- are using the Chinese market prices.

As such, Western consumers remain price?takers in rare earths markets where liquidity, transparency and alternative supply remain limited, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence said in an analysis last week. Related: Ukraine Strikes Russia's Druzhba Pipeline Network

This exposes manufacturers, particularly in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems and high?efficiency motors, to sudden input cost volatility originating from policy shifts within China.

Currently, the MP Materials-U.S. government deal uses the NdPr price as published by the Asian Metal Market in China.

However, the agreement stipulates that if an internationally recognized alternative price index is developed that expresses the mid -market price per ton of NdPr oxide (Pr 6O11 25%, Nd2O3 75%) outside China, then the U.S. may elect to substitute such Ex-China Index for the Asian Metal Market price.

Moving away from Chinese pricing would be a crucial step toward reducing the Wests dependence on Chinas government policies of pricing and supply that take into account Beijings national security interests.

Chinas legal framework governing mineral price reporting gives Beijing the ability to raise and lower prices to favor its economic and national security interests, the U.S. Congress Select Committee on China said in November in a bipartisan investigation examining how Beijing manipulates the critical minerals markets to further its global authoritarian ambitions.

This legal framework effectively makes it illegal to publish prices that deviate from the PRC governments wishes, the investigation has found.

According to the report, The PRC government, under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has engaged in a coordinated, decades-long scheme to control different critical minerals and bend the global market to their will. The PRC's domination of critical minerals stems from its view of minerals in geostrategic terms, not as typical market commodities.

The U.S. has been working on a West-led price floor for rare earths, while exchanges and price-reporting agencies outside China have been considering launching futures contracts and rare earths price assessments, respectively.

The U.S. has developed a price floor system for critical minerals, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, Jacob Helberg, said last week.

We have had multiple agencies take a close look at this. Theyve developed a very, very sophisticated price floor system that we are having conversations with our allies and partners about, Helberg told Bloomberg.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence last summer launched four ex-China rare earth price assessment grades, in response to the growing maturity and liquidity being observed in the ex-China rare earths market.

Price opacity and dependency on China-dominated supply chains have created uncertainty for manufacturers, innovators, and governments, Daisy Jennings-Gray, head of prices at Benchmark, said in July 2025.

Earlier this month, sources familiar with the plans told Reuters that CME Group is close to launching the worlds first futures contract in rare earths, while the other major derivatives exchange in the West, the Intercontinental Exchange, is also considering such a move, although it may not be in as advanced a stage as CMEs plan.

At any rate, the need for the rare earths market to shake off Chinas opaque pricing and supply controls has pushed the West to work on its own rare earths pricing discovery.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Love Island star Lauren Wood has brushed off comments from her ex Harrison Solomon, by declaring she has a "happy soul".

Love Island's Lauren Wood brushes off ex Harrison Solomon's All Stars finale comments

The 26-year-old star came under fire from Harrison during the Love Island: All Stars live finale on Monday night (23.02.26), but she ignored the comments as she took to social media to congratulate "well deserved" series winners Ciaran Davies and Samie Elishi.

Lauren also wrote: "you glow differently when your soul is happy".

Her comments come after Harrison - who was dumped from the Island, alongside new partner Belle Hassan, two days before this year's final - claimed some of her recent quotes from a podcast were "untrue".

In Monday's finale, Harrison told host Maya Jama: "Its a shame because we broke up very amicably.

"I feel a lot of things she said in the podcast were untrue.

"I feel I need to air it in private, have a conversation with her and go from there.

"Its a shame she did that and tried to twist things."

It comes after Lauren recently called her and Harrison's break-up her "worst nightmare".

Speaking to Joe Baggs on the Not My Bagg podcast, Lauren said: "It wasnt a case of us not liking each other. We needed to do things on our own to get back together. So we were working towards a future together. It did end on the best terms possible.

"Weve had multiple conversations. Every time itd come up on TikTok Id ask him. Hed be like, Loz, I promise you Im not going on there. I wouldnt do that to you. We both agreed it wouldnt be the right thing to do, it would break either of our hearts if one of us went on there.

"When we split up that was my worst nightmare and I feel like Im living my nightmare.

"Ive dreaded it for so long even though I didnt think he was going to do it. It has been a thought in my mind for a long time and now I feel like oh my God, its reality, hes going in there. And that is the hurtful part."

Lauren also revealed on social media this week that she and her Love Island co-star Meg Moore are "safe" amid being in lockdown in a Mexican hotel.

She wrote on her Instagram Stories: "Thank you for all the messages regarding our safety here.

"We have no power currently and have been on lockdown since last night but we are as safe as can be"

It comes after violence erupted across Mexico following the killing of notorious drug lord El Mencho - the country's most wanted man - and 10 of his acquaintances in a military operation on Sunday (22.02.26).

Mexico has now deployed 9,500 soldiers to boost security across the country following the wave of violence.
The presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan attended the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace in Washington, DC on 19 February 2026. The Board has been promoted as the tool to rebuild the Gaza Strip, so why were two Central Asian republics in attendance?

In an era when global institutions are strained, and geopolitical competition is intensifying, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have emerged as unlikely but valuable contributors to the US President Donald Trumps signature project now that the Abraham Accords have been sidelined by Israels attack on the Gaza Strip. Their participation reflects not only regional aspirations but also a quiet diplomatic maturity that often goes unnoticed in Washington, which, since the 9/11 attacks, appears to have forgotten how to listen. If the project is to amount to more than branding, it will be due in no small part to the disciplined, pragmatic engagement of Central Asiaespecially Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistans contribution stands out because of the transformation the country has undergone since its independence in 1991. Its leadership has pursued a foreign policy rooted in de-escalation, regional cooperation, and sovereign independenceprinciples that align directly with any peace-focused initiative seeking real results rather than symbolic gestures. For years, Central Asia was framed as a zone of rivalry among great powers. Today, Uzbekistan has rebranded it as a zone of dialogue, proving that geography need not be destiny.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Tashkents persistent push for intra-regional cooperation. The country has been instrumental in reducing historical tensions within Central Asia, promoting new economic links, and mediating disputes that previously had no neutral sponsor. For Trumps Board, which positions itself as a venue for unconventional diplomacy and as an alternative to the United Nations, Uzbekistan offers not only rhetorical support but a tested model of conflict de-risking. Its experience facilitating cross-border water agreements, green energy cooperation, and transport connectivity, and resolving border disputes, provides a governance template that can be applied to troubled regions far beyond Central Asia.

Related: Saudi Arabias New U.S. LNG Deal Marks a Stunning Geopolitical Reversal

Uzbekistan also brings something Washington often undervalues and currently lacks: credibility among non-aligned states. In a world where U.S. initiatives often face well-earned skepticism, Uzbekistan can act as a balancing voicesupportive of stability but independent enough to be trusted by governments unwilling to be seen as extensions of American policy. This allows the Board to widen its diplomatic reach without triggering the backlash that often accompanies overt Western mediation. In short, Uzbekistan helps make the Boards outreach more usable.

Moreover, Tashkents domestic reforms strengthen its standing as a partner in peace-related initiatives. Economic liberalization, anti-corruption initiatives, and cautious political opening have given the country a reformist image, and with that comes a measure of soft power. By participating in the Board, Uzbekistan signals that peace is inseparable from development and that states seeking stability must also deliver opportunity to their citizens. Its a message that resonates far more strongly when spoken by a country that began its reforms from a tough baseline and continues to manage them without external templates.

Kazakhstans role is also significant and complementary. Where Uzbekistan brings regional mediation experience and reform credibility, Kazakhstan contributes institutional know-how rooted in decades of multivector diplomacy. Astana has long positioned itself as a venue for dialogue, hosting Syria peace talks, nuclear non-proliferation discussions, and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) initiatives. Its diplomatic corps is seasoned and technically adept, and comfortable navigating between rival powers. For Trumps Board, this means access to a well-developed infrastructure of negotiators, analysts, and conflict-resolution specialists.

Kazakhstan also offers a macroeconomic perspective. As a major energy exporter and key actor in Eurasian logistics, it brings to the Board an understanding of how disputes over transit, pipelines, and trade corridors can escalate or be managed. A peace initiative ignoring the economic dimension is rarely successful; Kazakhstan ensures that the Board keeps the interplay between security and commerce front and center.

Yet, despite Kazakhstans importance, the driving energy may ultimately come from Tashkent. Uzbekistan sits at the geographic and psychological heart of Central Asia. Its population, cultural weight, and renewed outward posture allow it to mobilize regional cooperation in ways that no external actor can. When Uzbekistan leans into diplomacy, its neighbors tend to followan effect the Board can leverage to build multiparty coalitions for conflict reduction. And, the day before the Board convened, Trump and Uzbekistans president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, signed an agreement to give the US greater access to Uzbekistans critical minerals.

Central Asias growing strategic relevance also amplifies the value of both countries. As global trade routes shift, energy markets evolve, and competition between major powers intensifies, stable intermediaries become indispensable. A peace forum that includes Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan gains access to a corridor connecting South Asia, China, Russia, and the Middle East. Their insights into cross-border infrastructure, sanctions navigation, and regional security architectures are not theoreticalthey are lived experience.

Critics may argue that Trumps Board of Peace is more showpiece than institution, but that critique loses force when substantial contributors bring their own agendas of stability, development, and connectivity. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan do not join such initiatives casually and will not sacrifice their credibility if the Board becomes an adjunct of the US State Department. Their participation is itself a signal that a platform has the potential to be more than a political ornament.

Ultimately, the success of the Board depends on whether it can integrate practical regional experience rather than relying solely on Washingtons worldview. (And Trumps personal challenge will be to consider the Central Asian leaders views if they conflict with advice from his unofficial envoys or family members.) Here, Uzbekistans role is indispensable. A peace initiative that ignores frontline experience tends toward abstraction; one that incorporates Uzbekistans grounded, regionally tested diplomacy gains operational depth. As global politics enters a more fragmented and multipolar stage, such depth is not optionalit is essential.

By elevating Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan within the Board of Peace, Trumps initiative does more than expand its membership. It taps into a reservoir of pragmatic diplomacy that has already been proven in one of the worlds most complex neighborhoods. If peace is to be more than a slogan, Central Asialed by Uzbekistans increasingly confident voicemay be the partner the Board most needs.

By James Durso for Oilprice.com

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To balance supply needs with climate goals, any eligibility for Barents development should be tied to measurable standards for methane and CO? intensity, electrification, and strong environmental safeguards.

A rethink of the European Unions (EU) Arctic policy could keep Norways Barents Sea gas in play in the 2030s, offering Europe a nearby, low-emission supply option as its reliance on the global liquefied natural gas market grows, according to new Rystad Energy research and analysis. The European Commission is reviewing its 2021 Arctic policy and has opened a public consultation through 16 March 2026. With Barents projects typically needing five to 10 years to move from discovery to steady output, the signal the EU sends now will determine whether additional volumes from already-open Norwegian acreage are ready for the mid-2030s, or whether Europe will lean even more heavily on global LNG in the next decade.

Rystad Energys analysis suggests that the EU could boost production in the Barents Sea by drawing a clearer boundary, both geographically and operationally, without necessarily weakening its climate stance. By defining the Arctic scope more narrowly and tying any eligibility to explicit emissions and environmental requirements, the EU could avoid treating Norways already-open Barents acreage the same as frontier areas. The approach would still be contested among environmental groups, and it wouldnt change the underlying trade-offs around Arctic drilling, but it could influence how buyers and policymakers weigh supply options during the 2030s. In Rystad Energys base case scenario for the EU27 plus the UK, Norway supplies about 20-30% of gas demand through 2050, with LNG rising from 30% to 50% during the same period, increasing Europes exposure to global markets.

The resource base is substantial, but converting it into deliverable supply is less than straightforward. The parts of the Barents Sea already open to exploration, according to Norwegian Offshore Directorate estimates, hold around 3.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) of natural gas, or about 22 trillion cubic feet. Rystad Energy estimates producing fields and projects expected to be sanctioned by 2030 will contribute combined output of roughly 2.25 billion boe through 2050. Additional output beyond that would likely depend on new discoveries, coordinated development across multiple fields and, crucially, export capacity.

Infrastructure is a significant swing factor and could limit long-term scalability. A 2023 study by Gassco and the Norwegian Offshore Directorate found that new Barents export capacity can be socio-economically profitable if sufficient volumes are proven. Today, the regions main outlet is Hammerfest LNG, an export terminal in the far north, but it remains largely tied to the Snhvit field, which limits flexibility to absorb any new volumes. A pipeline connection south into the Norwegian Sea network is one potential route, but it would require enough scale and synchronized timelines across projects to be financeable.

Lead times in the Barents Sea are long, so clear policies matter. If the EU sets clear definitions and requires data-backed verification, it can keep near-term supply options open without blurring its climate standards.

Tore Guldbrandsy, Partner and Oil & Gas Analyst at Rystad Energy

Emissions are one of the key points policymakers are considering during this review period, and this will directly impact how buyers view and compare future Barents gas supply to other sources. Norways upstream production is among the lowest-emitting globally, and gas delivered by pipeline from Norway generally ranks as a lower-emissions option for Europe. At Snhvit, carbon dioxide (CO?) removed from the produced gas is already reinjected offshore, and planned electrification of the SnhvitHammerfest LNG facilities is expected to cut the projects carbon footprint further. Environmental critics note that lower emissions intensity doesnt change the fact that burning gas adds CO? to the atmosphere, but methane leakage and carbon intensity are increasingly used in policy and procurement to distinguish between remaining sources of supply during the transition.

Opening the door completely is not a realistic option for the EU, but a well-structured framework with tight definitions and standards could keep sensitive northern Barents areas off-limits, while explicitly distinguishing already-open Norwegian zones from frontier areas. Any eligibility could be linked to measurable thresholds for methane and CO? intensity, deadlines for ending routine flaring, electrification and CO? management where feasible, and independent verification with transparent reporting.

Other environmental safeguards beyond emissions are also crucial: protection for sensitive ecosystems, seasonal operating limits, and structured consultation with Sami, coastal communities and fisheries. Demand risk is also a factor for the bloc to consider. If EU gas consumption falls faster than expected, more frequent policy reviews could limit the risk of stranded resources, for example, by tightening eligibility or reassessing whether additional infrastructure still makes sense.

Europe is going to be comparing marginal gas supplies more than adding large new ones. Using lifecycle emissions and methane performance as decision criteria wont settle the broader climate debate, but it does steer remaining demand toward the lower-impact end of the barrel. A clearly defined and structured Arctic policy can help move the EU in that direction.

Emil Varre Sandy, Vice President for Oil & Gas Research at Rystad Energy

By Rystad Energy

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Last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright called on the International Energy Agency to stop fixating on climate change and instead return to its original focus on energy security. The call came in the context of plans by the U.S. federal government to significantly increase the amount of oil and gas the country exportsplans for energy dominance. Europe is the top destination for these plans, and it may have to ditch its net-zero plans as well if it wants energy security.

Weve gotten off track on energy ... it has gotten so ridiculously out of whack that it has driven deindustrialisation and made our countries geopolitically weaker, Secretary Wright said during the IEAs ministerial meeting last week. He also said that the IEAs scenarios for the energy system of the future were unrealisticsomething the U.S. has said before, prompting the IEA to bring back its Current Policies Scenario. The organization had previously abandoned that scenariowhich reflects physical realityin favor of the Net-Zero Scenario and the Stated Policies Scenario, all of which predict a significant and steep decline in the demand for hydrocarbons.

This decline, however, has yet to materialize, including in top net-zero investing nations such as China, the UK, Germany, and other European countries that have prioritized emission reduction over economic growth. The European Unions imports of liquefied natural gas specifically, are running at a record, and this record is about to be broken this year yet again. With the EUs gas in stock at just 30%, demand for replenishment would be greater than in the last four yearsand most of that gas will come from the United States. But there is a problem.

Related: The End of Baseload Power as We Know It

In line with its focus on emission reduction, the European Union two years ago adopted a methane regulation aimed at reducing not only the EUs own emissions of the greenhouse gas but also forcing countries outside the EU that do business with the bloc to cut their emissions as well. The regulation, starting this year, extends to all energy suppliers to the EUand these suppliers are the opposite of happy about it.

The United States emerged as the biggest supplier of liquefied gas to the EU after 2022. Indeed, to secure the energy dominance from his agenda, President Trump negotiated a trade deal with the EUs Ursula von der Leyen that involved a commitment to buy $750 billion worth of U.S. energy commodities over three years. But that cannot happen with the methane directive, which imposes expensive methane emission tracking, monitoring, verifying, and reporting obligations on energy exporters to the EU.

Qatar, which is the second-largest LNG supplier to the EU, complained about the direction several times, ultimately spelling it out: if the EU is so concerned about methane emissions, they should look for some other source of LNG because Qatar would stop selling to the bloc. The U.S. also warned the regulation was unwelcome, with Secretary Wright saying it was impossible to implement and describing it as a critical non-tariff trade barrier that imposes an undue burden on U.S. exporters and our trade relationship. The U.S. demanded an exemption from the regulation until 2035, but the EUs energy commissioner took a tough stance, saying the regulation will remain in place for allat least for the time being. Because energy security does matter more than net-zero plans.

The European Unions appetite for liquefied natural gas soared sharply after the decimation of the Russian pipeline supply. Despite all the net-zero plans of all the European governments, industries, and households still needed reliable energyeven as it became increasingly expensive, causing that deindustrialization that Secretary Wright has noted repeatedly as an unwelcome outcome of energy transition efforts. The cost of energy is already causing certain stirrings in political circles in Europe, with signals emerging that decision-makers may yield to pressure to bring costs down by lightening the emission regulation loadand helping the United States advance its energy dominance agenda.

In addition to the methane directive, the EU central government would have to scrap two other directives as well if it wants to continue buying U.S. liquefied gas and crude oil. The corporate sustainability due diligence directive, or CCDDD, and the corporate sustainability reporting directive, or CSRD, both put a myriad of reporting requirements on companies from outside the EU, spanning issues from human rights abuse to, once again, emissions. The financial burden that these additional requirements would place on companies would not be met with any enthusiasm.

Ultimately, it would be a choice between net zero and economic survival for the EU. The two have proven time and again to be not simply incompatible but at odds with each other, as noted by various U.S. officials and evidenced by growth trends in the U.S. and top European economies such as Germany and the UK. Americas top gas client would have to decide whether it wants to have functioning economies or net zero emissions, and America itself seems eager to force it to make the right decision.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Energy market experts have started assessing the possibility of oil spiking to $90$100 per barrel, with one expert noting that war appears close and the diplomatic talks are bound to fail.

The US benchmark (WTI Crude) and international benchmark (Brent Crude) saw prices slightly soften on Tuesday after Iran signaled a small chance of a diplomatic solution.

Oil prices are hovering near a seven-month high due to speculation about potential US military action against Iran and ahead of a round of diplomatic talks with minimal chances of success.

Oil prices were close to a seven-month high early on Tuesday amid speculation about potential U.S. strikes on Iran as a last-ditch round of talks approaches with what analysts see minimal chances of success.

After rising in Asian trade, the two major crude oil benchmarks were near parity on the morning ET on Tuesday, but still hovering near seven-month highs as traders assess the chances of a new U.S. military campaign in Iran.

The U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, was up 0.26% to trade at $66.48 per barrel as of 7:46 a.m. ET.

The international benchmark, Brent Crude, was slightly up by 0.10% at $71.56 per barrel.

Prices have somewhat softened since Mondays settlement after Iran signaled there still could be a chance of a diplomatic solution in the tense talks.

Moreover, the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to strike down President Donald Trumps retaliatory tariffs on the world inserted renewed concerns about global trade and economies in the markets. Traders and speculators fled to safe-haven assets such as gold, again, leaving riskier asset classes like crude oil.

The tariffs and President Trumps insistence that the world pay for ripping off the United States with a new set of blanket 15% tariffs will likely be on the backburner for the rest of the week as the U.S. and Iran are set for a crucial round of indirect talks in Geneva on Thursday.

Analysts started assessing the chances of $100 per barrel oil ahead of the talks.

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Oil price spikes to $90-$100 per barrel are within reach as the United States and Iran appear close to war, Fereidun Fesharaki, Chairman Emeritus at energy market consultancy FGE NexantECA, told Bloomberg Television on Monday.

If the Iranians accept what the US says, there is no legitimacy left to the regime anymore; they have to say no, the expert added, noting that the talks later this week are bound to fail.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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In other bilateral developments, China remains the largest creditor to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while simultaneously engaging in new energy projects, logistics, and agricultural trade with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

This massive, unregistered trade is believed by observers to be linked to sanctions-busting, with Chinese goods passing through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan en route to Russia.

The primary discrepancy lies in trade data between China and its Central Asian neighbors, specifically Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with tens of billions in unregistered trade spiking since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.

A review of data compiled by Chinese, Kazakh and Kyrgyz government agencies reveal large discrepancies in trade volume, raising questions about widespread smuggling and sanctions-busting. Trade in general has experienced explosive growth since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the data shows. In 2025, China reported supplying $48.7 billion worth of goods and services to Kazakhstan and $27.2 billion to Kyrgyzstan, whereas Kazakhstan only reported receiving $34.1 billion from the PRC and Kyrgyzstan $5 billion. The gaps indicate that tens of billions of dollars worth of goods are crossing the Chinese border without being registered in Kyrgyz and Kazakh official statistics. A major jump in unregistered trade followed the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. From 2018-2021, the annual difference between Chinese and Kyrgyz trade data averaged about $4 billion, but in 2022 the difference soared to $11.4 billion. The following year the gap widened to $14.4 billion, jumped to $17.1 billion in 2024, then reached $22.2 billion last year. Following a similar pattern, the discrepancy between Chinese and Kazakh statistics hovered around $7 billion from 2018-2022, even showing a slight downward trend. But the gap opened to $11 billion in 2023, $13.7 billion the following year, and $14.6 billion last year. Observers believe that much of the increase in unregistered trade is linked to sanctions-busting, with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan acting as pass-throughs for Chinese goods destined for Russia and used to keep the Kremlins war effort in Ukraine going. Kyrgyzstans role has drawn particular attention from the United States and European Union. The EU is presently considering imposing secondary sanctions on Bishkek, the US has already designated some Kyrgyz entities and banks. Kyrgyz officials deny any systematic effort to circumvent Western sanctions.

Central Asia

China remains Kyrgyzstans and Tajikistans largest creditor, but their respective debts to Beijing are decreasing. The Export-Import Bank of China held 28 percent of Kyrgyzstans foreign sovereign debt, or $1.5 billion, at the end of 2025, down from $1.65 billion a year earlier, according to the Kyrgyz Finance Ministry. Tajikistan owed the same Chinese bank about $750 million as of February 2026, a decrease of about $70 million compared to the same time in 2025. Even so, China continues to account for about 24 percent of Tajikistans foreign sovereign debt, Finance Minister Faiziddin Qahhorzoda told reporters.

Kazakhstan

The United States has accused China of conducting an illicit nuclear test, based on data registered in Kazakhstan in June 2020. A remote seismic station in Kazakhstan measured an explosion of magnitude 2.75 located 450 miles (720 km) away at the Lop Nor test grounds in western China. US officials maintain the data is consistent with a nuclear test, but international monitors have not confirmed the US assertions.

Kazakhstan plans to import around 50,000 tons of potatoes from China, shifting away from imports from Pakistan and Egypt, Bestnewz.kz cited Deputy Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov as saying. Previously, imports came from Pakistan and Egypt, but due to the geopolitical situation, potato deliveries are now planned from China, Sultanov told the outlet. He indicated the Chinese imports are expected to help offset a seasonal shortfall during winter and early spring, when Kazakhstan traditionally experiences a shortage of vegetables, including potatoes.

Kazakhstans Senate has ratified a deal with China covering the construction of two wind-power plants and one solar-power plant with a collective annual generating capacity of 5.7 billion kWh. The plants are expected to cost over $2 billion to build, and be operational in 2027-2029, Kapital.kz reports.

The launch of a major cotton-growing project by Chinese company Xinjiang Lihua helped Kazakhstan register its largest cotton harvest in over two decades. The collected crop totaled 465,900 tons in 2025, representing a 55 percent increase over the previous years total, reports Data Hub.

Kazakh meat industry entities are looking to expand into the Chinese premium beef market by joining forces and launching a new program to ensure Kazakh products meets Chinese and international health & safety standards, according to Kapital.kz.

Cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia are extending to comedy. A Kazakh standup comedian, Nurlan Saburov, is scheduled to perform in Shanghai and Guangzhou. His tour follows similar cultural initiatives that, as Chinese and Kazakh authorities hope, will help solidify bilateral ties.

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have signed an agreement aimed at developing a sustainable financing market for small and medium-sized businesses in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev also sought AIIB assistance for the Kambarata-1 hydroelectric power plant and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, but the bank has so far declined to commit funds for those projects.

Tajikistan

Tajikistans Prosecutor General, Khabibullo Vohidzoda, described the attacks on Chinese citizens at the Afghan-Tajik border region last November as the work of criminal gangs seeking to undermine Tajik relations with the Chinese government, according to Asia Plus. Five Chinese nationals were killed in the attacks, prompting China to suspend infrastructure development projects in the vicinity of the Tajik-Afghan border. Earlier reports attributed the attacks to Islamic militants operating in northern Afghanistan outside of Taliban government control.

Turkmenistan

Natural gas production in Turkmenistan decreased by 1.4 percent to 76.5 billion cubic meters in 2025 compared to the previous year, writes to Itek.ru citing data published in the official government newspaper Neutral Turkmenistan. While Turkmenistan has massive natural gas reserves, and officials in Ashgabat regularly voice an intention to expand production and exports, including to China, the 2025 production decline indicates that the country is lacking in technology, expertise and policymaking capacity to realize its energy potential.

Uzbekistan

A joint Uzbek-Chinese venture, UTK International Logistics Co., dispatched its first eight-container train from China to Tajikistan via a new multimodal route. The cargo will traverse Kyrgyz and Uzbek territory before its expected arrival in Tajikistan in early March, reports UzDaily.

By Eurasianet.org

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Italys Eni is poised to reach next month a final investment decision to develop two offshore gas fields in Indonesia, the head of the Southeast Asian countrys upstream regulator said on Tuesday.

Eni is set to approve in March the development of the Geng North and Gendalo-Gendang gas projects in the Kutei basin, Djoko Siswanto, the head of the Indonesian regulator SKK Migas, said, as carried by Reuters.

Eni will manage the projects via its new joint venture with Malaysias Petronas for joint asset management in Indonesia and Malaysia, according to the official.

In the summer of 2024, Eni announced that the Indonesian authorities approved the Plan of Development (POD) of the Geng North (North Ganal PSC) and Gehem (Rapak PSC) fields. The integrated development of the two fields will create a new production hub, called Northern Hub, in the Kutei Basin. The Indonesian authorities have also approved the plan for Gendalo Gandang fields (Ganal PSC). Additionally, Eni was awarded by the Indonesian authorities a 20-year extension of the licenses named Ganal and Rapak.

As part of the plan, Eni aims to establish a significant gas and condensate production of approximately 2 bcf/d of gas and 80,000 bopd of condensates in the East Kalimantan region, both for domestic and international market. The gas supply system will use synergies with existing facilities in the area, such as the Bontang LNG Plant and the Jangkrik Floating Production Unit (FPU).

At the end of last year, Eni and Petronas announced plans for $15 billion in investment in developing the proved reserves in Indonesia and Malaysia over the next five years.

As part of the plans, Eni and Petronas are looking to start up as many as eight new upstream projects in Indonesia and Malaysia over the next three years, Enis chief executive Claudio Descalzi said in November.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Indian refiners' crude processing (throughput) fell by 0.2% month-on-month in January 2026, reaching 5.63 million barrels per day (bpd) or 23.81 million metric tons, marking a slight decrease after December throughput clocked in at 5.64 million bpd. India's fuel consumption in January came in at 21.05 million metric tons, down from 21.71 million in December but was nearly 3% up compared to January 2025.

India relies on imports for over 80% of its crude supply, primarily sourcing from Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States. India's energy strategy focuses on balancing discounted Russian oil with supplies from the Middle East and the US, while also expanding its list of import partners to ensure energy security. India is actively diversifying its crude sourcing away from Russia, significantly increasing imports from Nigeria and Angola amid intensified U.S. political pressure and tariff threats.

The Trump administration has also authorized India to resume direct purchases of Venezuelan oil, primarily as part of a strategy to reduce India's reliance on Russian crude. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a general license to Reliance Industries Ltd, India's largest private refiner, allowing it to purchase, export and refine Venezuelan-origin oil directly, in the aftermath of the U.S. military capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, after which Washington took control of Venezuela's oil sales. For Indian refiners, Venezuelan heavy crude is attractive because it is sold at a discount and is compatible with complex refining facilities such as Reliance's Jamnagar complex.

India is projected to be the largest driver of global oil demand growth over the long-term. The countrys oil demand is expected to rise from roughly 5.6 million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2024 to over 6.6 mb/d by 2030 and potentially 13.7 mb/d by 2050, with India capturing nearly half of all additional global barrels produced.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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India is growing more dependent on imports of crude oil, with the total share of imports in its oil consumption reaching 88.6% over the first ten months of its current fiscal year, which ends on March 31.

The data, from the countrys Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell, a division of the oil ministry, reflects challenges in boosting domestic oil production despite significant government support in that direction.

India last month launched a licensing round for 50 oil and gas blocks in a bid to draw more foreign investment into its energy industry as demand continues to grow steadily. It is also building out wind and solar capacity to keep up with demand growth.

In January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Indias energy sector offers $500 billion in investment opportunities, including in exploration, refining, and LNG. Our energy sector is at the heart of our aspirations. It offers investment opportunities worth $500 billion. Therefore, my appeal is: Make in India, innovate in India, Scale with India, Invest in India, Modi said in an address at the India Energy Week 2026.

By the end of this decade, India aims to raise investments in the oil and gas sector to $100 billion and targets to expand the scope of exploration to one million square kilometers. The Prime Minister noted that more than 170 blocks have already been awarded, and the Andaman and Nicobar basin is emerging as the next hydrocarbon hotspot.

In 2024, India surpassed China as the worlds largest oil demand driver, amid growing demand for fuel transportation in India and slowing gasoline and diesel demand in China due to the advance of electric vehicles and LNG-fueled trucks in the worlds top crude oil importer.

As demand has grown, so have imports, breaking records last fiscal year and on track to break them again this fiscal year. In January, preliminary data suggested that imports were about to hit an all-time high, reaching 5.2 million barrels daily as local refiners sought to diversify away from Russian crude.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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State-held Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is considering following in the footsteps of its Saudi and Abu Dhabi peers by tapping major international infrastructure investors to buy a stake in its crude oil pipeline network in a deal that could be valued at about $7 billion, sources with knowledge of the plan told Reuters.

The Kuwaiti national oil company has held initial talks with several major investors about the potential transaction. The worlds biggest asset manager BlackRock, as well as Brookfield Asset Management, EIG Partners, and KKR have shown interest in the assets which Kuwait plans to lease and re-lease to raise funds. Macquarie Infrastructure Partners, I Squared Capital, and Chinese state investment firms China Silk Road Fund and China Merchants Capital have also expressed interest in a deal, according to Reuters sources.

The potential agreement could be structured with about $1.5 billion in equity and the remainder financed through debt with a pool of banks, the sources added.

Kuwait could launch a formal process to seek a stake sale in the crude pipeline network as soon as the end of this week, Reuters notes.

If Kuwait manages to structure a deal, it would join other major crude oil producers in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in selling under concession a minority stake in its pipelines.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signed similar deals with international investors, including BlackRock and KKR.

Saudi Arabias oil giant Aramco last year signed an $11 billion lease and leaseback deal involving its Jafurah gas processing facilities with a consortium of international investors, led by funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock.

KKR has bought a minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets LLC, the gas pipeline network of Abu Dhabis national oil company, in a move signaling growing investor confidence in infrastructure opportunities in the oil and gas-rich Middle East.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The surge in Russian crude sales in China and the simultaneous drop in Indian demand for Russias oil have prompted Moscow to turn to using a larger fleet of supertankersvessels capable of carrying 2 million barrels of crude.

In recent weeks, several smaller tankers that left Russias Western ports transferred their cargoes to supertankers, the so-called very large crude carriers (VLCCs), in the Red Sea and then traveled to China instead of India, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing ship-tracking data from Vortexa and Kpler.

The Red Sea hasnt been known as a major ship-to-ship (STS) transfer site but necessity has apparently prompted Russia to use the area, in view of increased scrutiny offshore Malta and Greece in the Mediterranean, and the growing presence of U.S. military in the Middle East.

The supertankers can also hold more barrels, if Russias crude needs to stay in floating storage for a period of time waiting for buyers to emerge, Bloomberg notes.

The shift toward bigger vessels highlights the growing importance of China as Russias key crude export market and the diminishing role India could play in buying Russian oil going forward.

A jump in Chinas crude oil imports from Russia is more than compensating the withdrawal of the Indian refiners from spot Russian purchases, tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg showed last week.

Up to February 18, deliveries of Russia-origin cargoes at Chinese ports averaged 2.09 million barrels per day (bpd) for the month, up from an average of 1.72 million bpd in the full month of January and 1.39 million for December, the data showed.

Earlier this month, data from Vortexa and Kpler showed that Chinas oil imports from Russia are on track for all-time high of more than 2 million bpd this month as India is withdrawing from Russian spot purchases and supply is now heavily discounted for Chinese independent refiners.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Nigeria will launch exports of a new crude grade in March as OPECs biggest African oil producer looks to boost output and exports and seek a higher baseline in the OPEC+ agreements.

The national oil company of Nigeria will start shipping the Cawthorne grade, a type of sweet crude similar to the countrys flagship Bonny Light crude, a spokesperson for NNPC told Reuters on Tuesday.

The first loading of the new crude variety is set to take place in the third week of March, a source with knowledge of the plans told the publication.

Cawthorne will be exported from the floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) of the same name and could raise Nigerian crude and condensate supply to 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) for the remainder of 2026, up from about 1.65 million bpd now, according to a Kpler note cited by Reuters.

In each of the past two years, Nigeria launched a new crude grade on the global marketObodo in 2025 and Utapate in 2024.

Nigeria has failed to pump to its OPEC+ quota in recent years and missed its own oil production targets last year, but it plans an output boost through 2030.

The African country booked average daily crude oil production of around 1.5 million barrels for 2025, which was 500,000 bpd lower than the governments target for the sector.

Going forward, Nigerias NNPC plans to Intensify collaboration with our partners through year-end and into 2026 to ensure improved production performance, maximise infrastructure uptime, and maintain high facility maintenance standards across all our assets.

NNPC is set to increase oil production to 2 million bpd over the next two years, its executive vice president for upstream, Udy Ntia, said in November 2025.

By 2030, NNPC will be pumping 3 million barrels daily, according to the official.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Supertanker rates to ship crude on the key Middle East-to-China route have surged to a six-year high as Persian Gulf supply to India soars and traders rush shipments to precede a potential U.S. military campaign in Iran, industry data and sources tell Reuters.

The daily rate for hiring a very large crude carrier (VLCC) capable of shipping 2 million barrels of crude jumped to as much as $170,000 on Tuesday, tripling since the beginning of 2026.

A number of factors have contributed to the surge, most notably the increased demand from India for Middle Eastern crude as New Delhi seeks to replace a large part of the Russian barrels it had bought over the past three years.

Moreover, tanker owners and charterers have hastened in recent days to ship crude out of the Middle Eastern region amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

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The U.S. and Iran are preparing for last-ditch indirect talks on Thursday in Geneva, according to the Omani mediators.

Analysts arent ruling out a failure in the talks and some kind of a U.S. military campaign as early as this weekend.

The heightened geopolitical tensions could also boost the war premiums that shippers and insurers will ask, according to analysts.

The rally in the VLCC freight rates began at the end of 2025 on the back of growing oil supply, longer voyages, and disruptions due to sanctions and altered shipping lanes.

Following a brief respite in January, the tanker rates have rebounded this month to the highest since 2020 as the market became aware of a major vessel buying spree from South Koreas Sinokor shipping group, which is now estimated to control about a fourth of all available non-sanctioned tankers.

Military action in the Middle East will likely take VLCC rates to levels not seen since 2019, Anoop Singh, global head of shipping research at Oil Brokerage Ltd, told Bloomberg at the end of last week.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Russia is exporting crude oil at rates higher than before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the barrage of Western sanctions that followed it, many targeting specifically the oil industry.

Four years after those events, Russia is exporting oil at 6% higher levels than before that, Finland-based think tank Centre for Research on Clean Air said in a report, as cited by AFP.

We've seen a significant drop in Russian fossil fuel export earnings as a result of new measures and greater enforcement, one of the authors of the report, analyst Isaac Levi, told the publication. However, he added, there are still significant loopholes and areas that have been unaddressed by sanctioning countries.

We propose a ban of imports from any refinery or storage terminal that has received a shipment of Russian oil in the previous six months, Levi said. Imposing such a ban, though, is much easier said than done because of its potential impact on international prices and the economies of oil-importing countries, including most of Europe, India, and Chinathe latter two being Russias biggest oil customers.

Despite an overall increase in Russian oil flows abroad, the Centre for Research on Clean Air also reported that in the 12 months to February 24, these flows had dipped by 6%, with oil export revenues also down, by a more sizable 18%. The total annual export volume stood at 215 million tons, while revenues came in at 85.5 billion euros, equal to some $100.73 billion.

Pere CREA, as much as 93% of Russias oil exports went to China, India, and Turkey. India has now started to dial down its imports of crude from Russia under pressure from the United States, which slapped a 25% tariff on Indian imports as punishment for its continued buying of Russian oil. As a result, China has now been buying even more oil from Russia, not least because of the deep discounts that the Indian squeeze has prompted.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The UK on Tuesday slapped sanctions on Russias oil pipeline giant Transneft and targeted Russias dark web of illicit oil traders and shadow fleet operators, to attempt to further stifle Russian oil revenues on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

The UK government announced today almost 300 new sanctions on Russia, including on PJSC Transneft, which transports more than 80% of Russian oil exports, further hampering the Kremlins desperate scramble to find buyers for its sanctioned oil.

In addition, Britain targeted Russias dark web of illicit oil traders, sanctioning as many as 175 companies in the 2Rivers oil network, one of the largest shadow fleet operators globally and a major trader of Russian crude oil.

Deterring, disrupting and degrading the Russian shadow fleet remains a priority for this government, and this latest swathe of sanctions includes 48 oil tankers transporting oil as part of the Kremlins desperate attempt to soften the blow of crushing sanctions, the UK said.

To the Kremlin and those seeking to profit from this illicit trade, the message is clear  Russian oil is off the market.

Apart from more banks and providers of critical services and technology, the UK designated 6 targets in Russias LNG industry, including ships, traders, and Russias Portovaya and Vysotsk terminals, responsible for exporting Russian LNG.

While the UK announced these sanctions, the EU failed to agree on a 20th package of sanctions to coincide with the anniversary of the invasion, as Hungary blocked the package in what it said was a response to the halt of Russian oil flows via the Druzhba pipeline.

At the end of January, the pipeline that carries Russian crude to refineries in Hungary and Slovakia was damaged in what Ukraine said was a Russian drone attack.

Supplies of Russian oil to the last two remaining EU member states dependent on Russian crude flows via Druzhba have been halted since January 27.

Both Hungary and Slovakia, which have kept ties with Russia since the war began, have accused Ukraine of stalling the repairs needed to resume flows via the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons. They have threatened to cut electricity and gas supplies to Ukraine.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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House Republicans pause floor session following no accountability, no investigation into hostile working environment allegation against Rep. Kropf

By Oregon House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer,

SALEM, Ore.  Today, House Republicans paused deliberations on the House floor, claiming Democrat leaders did not fully investigate a Rule 27 complaint against Representative Jason Kropf (R-Bend) following his behavior during a vote on House Bill 4145, a firearm bill in which he is a chief sponsor.

In the House Judiciary Committee last Monday, Representative Thuy Tran (D-Portland) initially voted no after expressing concern that the bill was contradictory, and could be harmful to lawful gun owners. Kropf then asked the committee to stand at ease, and Tran followed him into the hallway. When they returned about 10 minutes later, Tran voted in favor of the bill, breaking a potential tie with a 5-4 vote, and allowing it to advance to the House floor.

After a conduct complaint was filed, alleging Rep. Kropf appeared to verbally abuse and intimidate another lawmaker into changing her vote, Tran acknowledged it, saying Kropf created a hostile working environment.

Today, after Democrats delayed the House floor session for more than two hours, Representative Ben Bowman (D-Tigard) made a motion to accept Rep. Kropfs resignation from the House Committee on Conduct and replace him with Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-North and Northeast Portland) without further explanation. The motion was then ruled undebatable.

The allegation that a lawmaker created a hostile working environment by intimidating another lawmaker into changing their vote is a serious allegation that creates distrust in the democratic process, said Leader Elmer. It must be properly addressed and thoroughly investigated through a transparent process that respects the victim and remedies the wrong committed against them. Instead, Democrats attempted to sweep this under the rug and move on, instead of supporting Rep. Tran during this process. I am requesting that the Legislative Equity Office conduct a full investigation into this matter that is both inclusive and transparent.
James Unick was found guilty in the 1982 killing of Sarah Geer after crime scene DNA matched samples from a cigarette butt.

A 44-year-old cold case is finally solved after forensics confirmed Unick's DNA was on Geer's clothing the night she was murdered, on 23 May 1982.

Geer was 13 the night she died. Singled out from four primary suspects, Unick was identified after his discarded cigarette provided a DNA match.

A Sonoma County jury found Unick guilty of killing Geer, thanks to the breakthrough evidence. Geer's death was initially ruled a homicide in 1982, but no suspects were identified. Unick was convicted on 13 February, which would have coincided with Geer's 57th birthday.

Breakthrough in 44-Year Cold Case

'This guilty verdict is a testament to everyone who never gave up searching for Sarah's killer,' Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said in a statement. 'This is the coldest case ever presented to a Sonoma County jury. While 44 years is too long to wait, justice has finally been served, both to Sarah's loved ones as well as her community.'

It's now confirmed that it was Unick who approached Geer after she left her friend's house in Cloverdale, on the night she was murdered. At some point, Unick dragged Geer from an alley to a secluded area, where she was brutally raped and strangled to death. A Cloverdale fireman discovered Geer's body the following morning.

The cold case first made headway in 2003, after forensics used sperm taken from Geer's underwear to develop a DNA profile. The latter did not match any profiles in the database at that time. In 2021, the FBI revisited the case and narrowed down potential matches to one of four brothers, which included Unick.

Key Evidence Leads to Guilty Verdict

FBI agents surveilling Unick collected his discarded cigarette, which proved to be damning evidence. According to CNN, DNA from Unick's cigarette butt matched the 2003 DNA profile, which was also identified in multiple articles of clothing Geer wore when she died. Cloverdale police arrested Unick in July 2024.

'Today represents a bittersweet victory for justice,' Cloverdale Chief of Police Chris Parker stated after Unick's arrest. 'While nothing can undo the pain inflicted upon the Geer family and our community, we can finally offer some solace in knowing that the perpetrator will be held accountable.'

Unick initially denied knowing Geer, but he changed his testimony during the trial. He said Geer 'propositioned him for sex while he had been playing a video game' and that they had already engaged in consensual sex in a previous encounter.

Jurors heard testimonies from Geer's friends, who recounted how she spent time the last weekend she was seen alive. The jury rejected Unick's account and convicted him of murder after two hours of deliberations.

Justice Found in Cutting-Edge Forensics

Geer's case was solved via genetic genealogy, which combines DNA analysis and family tree research. Drawing from a database of millions of people who contributed genetic profiles, investigators use these to reconstruct a family tree of probable matches.

Genetic genealogy hit a milestone in the 2018 arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo, who police believe is the Golden State Killer. The latter is linked to more than a dozen homicides and 50 assault cases across California. The case marked the first time genetic genealogy was used as evidence in a trial.

Prosecutors want Unick to face life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is scheduled for sentencing on 23 April.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Nava Thakuria

Heartbreaking news surfaced from Dhaka as the warm city lost one of the active residents with the demise of journalist, author and a progressive Bangladeshi national Saleem Samad. The gentleman with enough issues to talk to anyone anywhere and anytime passed away on 22 February 2026. He died undergoing cancer treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital at the age of 74. The smiley Dhakayan, full of life and energy, breathed his last at 11:30 am on Sunday. Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship (1990) for his work on environment and developmental activities, Samad used to contribute articles for TIME magazine, India Today, Outlook, Al Jazeera, International Affairs Review, News Times, Shuddhashar, Bangladesh Observer, Dhaka Tribune, Daily Star, Dhaka Courier, etc.

Born on 13 November 1952 in Dhaka, Samad completed his graduation from Jagannath College in 1976 and went to the USA for a master's course in Colorado State University. He did journalism all along his life besides playing a visible role in training a large number of novice journalists from small towns and rural areas of Bangladesh. He also conducted a series of workshops on environment and development journalism for south Asian journalists in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. He was buried at the family graveyard in Mirpur locality in the presence of family members and admirers.

Samad as a young reporter earned instant popularity with a media report on Shanti Bahini from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in south Bangladesh. As a journalist and media columnist, Samad continued his courageous endeavours pursuing investigative works and defending media rights. In 2002, Samad was arrested on charges of sedition as he freelanced for an international media outlet and put him in jail for over 50 days. He was subjected to physical torture during the days in custody. Two years later, Samad was forced to leave Bangladesh. He returned to his home country from six-year exile in Canada in 2010.

A permanent member of Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity, Samad was also associated with a number of acclaimed global organizations namely USAID, UNICEF, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Academy for Educational Development, Forum of Environmental Journalists Bangladesh, Environment & Social Development Organisation, Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism & Communication, etc.

During my first visit to Dhaka in 2001, I had the opportunity to meet a number of working journalists, who remained friends forever. Some of the great souls including Mahbubul Alam, then editor of The Independent and his colleagues Mrinal Roy (business correspondent) and Syed Lutful Haque (staff cartoonist) as well as FEJB president Quamrul Islam Chowdhury had already left this world. So whenever I visit the crowded city next time, I will miss all of them.

Saleem-bhai was not feeling well for some days. While responding to my telephone call just a few days back, I guessed his voice was weak, but he revealed nothing. I should admit, he anticipated months back that Tarique Rahman (still in exile as working president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party ) would come to power in Bangladesh whenever the election took place. Contrary to the unfounded assertions that Professor Muhammad Yunus would linger as the caretaker government chief for many years, he asserted that the lone Bangladeshi Nobel laureate would take a proper decision on appropriate time.

In my last visit to Bangladesh, I went to the apartment of Samad. Jasmine Bhabi, while offering a hot cup of tea, commented- just have it and ignore the taste, as it's difficult to satisfy a brother-in-law from the land of tea (Assam). However it was really tasty and I admired her preparation (mixing tea bags with milk and sugar). May Almighty offer enough strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss!

Good bye Saleem-bhai, for being an unconditional well-wisher, friend and approver beyond our national and religious affiliations!
Kathmandu, Nepal, February 24, 2026: In a significant move for Nepals industrial and business sectorswhich have long felt the squeeze of tight policies and cash-flow pressuresthe Central Bank has opened a window of relief. Through the mid-term review of the current fiscal year's monetary policy, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has signaled a shift toward flexibility, offering the private sector new policy concessions and practical opportunities.

Relief as the 10% Barrier is Lifted

Previously, businesses utilizing working capital loans were bound by a mandatory rule: at least once a year, they had to bring their outstanding loan balance down to below 10% of their total limit for a continuous seven-day period. This requirement proved incredibly burdensome for entrepreneurs, especially during market slowdowns when depositing a large lump sum of cash was nearly impossible.

The Central Bank has now proposed increasing this limit from 10% to 30%. This means businesses will face significantly less immediate liquidity pressure, allowing them to reinvest that capital into purchasing inventory or boosting production rather than simply parking it in the bank.

Empowering Banks: Financial Health to Dictate Loan Terms

In another major reform, the NRB has handed the responsibility of determining the duration of 'Permanent Working Capital' loans to individual banks. Instead of a "one-size-fits-all" regulation, banks can now analyze the specific nature of a business and its unique cash-flow cycle to tailor loan schedules accordingly. This move shifts away from rigid oversight toward a system where financial support is based on the actual needs of a business.

Dreaming of a Digital Future: New Hope for AI and IT

The Central Bank is looking beyond traditional banking toward the technology of tomorrow. By introducing policies to facilitate foreign investment in data centers, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the NRB is backing the governments goal to transform Nepal into a regional Information Technology hub. This shift holds the potential to create high-tech job opportunities for the youth right here at home.

Challenges Remain: Are Banks Ready to Manage the Risk?

While the policy relaxation is a cause for optimism, it brings its own set of challenges. Raising the limit to 30% could lead to lapses in credit discipline if not managed carefully. Moving forward, banks will need to look beyond mere paperwork and perform deeper, more rigorous analyses of a borrowers actual business health and integrity.

The Bottom Line: From Control to Facilitation

This mid-term review sends a clear message: "We are listening." By acknowledging the persistent grievances of the private sector and the current economic slowdown, the Central Bank has stepped back from its strictly regulatory role to embrace the role of a facilitator.

If banks channel this flexibility into the right investments and businesses seize this opportunity wisely, we may finally see the return of much-needed vibrancy to a sluggish market.
The European Commission demanded on Sunday that the United States stick to the terms of an EU-U.S. trade deal reached last year, after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's global tariffs and he responded with new levies across the board.

The Commission, which negotiates trade policy on behalf of the 27 EU member states, said Washington must provide "full clarity" ?on the steps it intends to take following the court ruling.

After the court struck down Trump's global tariffs on Friday, the U.S. president announced temporary, across-the-board tariffs of 10%, which he then hiked to 15% a day later.

"The current situation is not conducive to delivering 'fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial' transatlantic trade and investment, as agreed to by both sides" in the joint ?statement setting out the terms of last year's trade agreement, the Commission said. "A deal is a deal."

The comments were far more strongly worded than the Commission's initial ?response on Friday, which had said only that it was studying the outcome of the Supreme Court decision and keeping in contact with the U.S. administration.

Last year's trade deal set a 15% U.S. tariff rate for most ?EU goods, ?apart from those covered by other sectoral tariffs such ?as on steel. It also allowed zero tariffs on some products such as aircraft and spare parts. The EU agreed to remove import duties on many U.S. goods and withdrew a threat to retaliate with higher levies.

It is not clear whether Trump's new 15% tariffs supersede the EU-U.S. deal. If they do, the EU's zero tariff exemptions could disappear. The new tariffs could also be placed on top of pre-existing 'most-favoured-nation' U.S. duties, which is not the case under the EU-U.S. deal.

Furthermore, the comparative advantage the EU had ?with a 15% tariff would appear to have disappeared as ?even countries without a deal face that ?rate.

Trade policy monitor Global Trade Alert estimates that the EU as a whole will be 0.8 percentage points worse off, with Italy ?facing an extra 1.7 ?percentage points of U.S. tariffs.

"In particular, EU products must continue to benefit from the most competitive treatment, with no increases in tariffs beyond the clear and all-inclusive ceiling previously agreed," the EU ?executive said, adding that unpredictable tariffs were disruptive and undermined confidence across global markets.

It said that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic ?had discussed the issue with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard ?Lutnick on Saturday.
NEW YORK (AP)  A massive snowstorm pummeled the northeastern United States from Maryland to Maine on Monday, forcing millions of people to stay home amid strong wind and blizzard warnings, transportation shutdowns, and school and business closures.

Meteorologists said the storm is the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow in parts of the metropolitan Northeast, shattering accumulation records in places, immobilizing transit and even leading the United Nations to postpone a Security Council meeting. Officials declared emergencies, schools closed, including in New York City, which had its first old-school snow day in six years, and people grappled with power failures.

Even as the snow moved northward and tapered off in other areas, the National Weather Service said it is tracking another storm that could bring more snow to the region later this week.

The weather service referred to Mondays storm as a classic bomb cyclone/noreaster off the Northeast coast. A bomb cyclone happens when a storms pressure falls by a certain amount within a 24-hour period, occurring mainly in the fall and winter when frigid Arctic air can reach the south and clash with warmer temperatures.

The storm hit the Goldilocks situation of just the right temperature for wet, heavy snow: Any warmer and its precipitation wouldnt have fallen as snow, any colder and there wouldnt have been as much moisture in the air to feed that snowfall, said Owen Shieh, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Services Weather Prediction Center in Maryland.
Cubans found with over $75,000 during Cancun bust involved in black market currency exchange

Cancun, Q.R.  Four men taken into custody for drug offences are now being investigated for black market currency exchange. The three Cubans and one Mexican were arrested from a Cancun roadside checkpoint Monday.

Police were set up on Luis Donaldo Colosio Avenue where their vehicle was stopped. Authorities seized their minivan after an inspection revealed narcotics and over $75,000 USD in cash.

Since their Monday arrests, police say all four are involved in black market currency exchange. They are also involved in transporting goods to Cuba on a weekly basis and recruiting others to expand their business.

The State Attorney General (FGE) said Tuesday that at a preventive security checkpoint set up on Luis Donaldo Colosio Avenue in Cancun, agents from the State Attorney Generals Office, in coordination with the National Defense Secretariat and the Municipal Police, arrested three Cuban men and one Mexican man.

They were arrested for their alleged involvement in acts possibly constituting crimes in the form of drug dealing.

Cubans Yordany N, Seidel Rezk N, Oslei N and Mexican Rafael N, were arrested from the roadside checkpoint Monday.

Their Chrysler vehicle, green, dry herb with the characteristics of marijuana and cash in the amount of $75,489 USD and 3,000 Mexican pesos, was seized at the time of their arrests.

Initial investigations indicate that these individuals are involved in the illegal buying and selling of foreign currency, as well as various goods that they transport to Cuba on a weekly basis, generating profits without verifying the origin or source of the money, the FGE reported.

This month alone they have carried out this activity at least six times, entering Mexico to exchange dollars and/or euros.

Police found over $75,000 USD in cash in their minivan during the roadside inspection in Cancun February 23, 2026.

As a result of these activities, the individuals in question have established various businesses in Cuba such as an auto parts store, a pastry shop and a grocery store, and have gradually recruited more Cubans to obtain greater profits, they said.

They have all been handed over to the Public Prosecutors Office for a continued investigation.
Police fired upon during arrests: Youths detained with bottles of gasoline investigated for involvement in Tulum fires

Tulum, Q.R.  Four youths picked up on drug offences are being investigated for their involvement in Sundays fires. State authorities said plastic bottles filled with gasoline were found in their possession at the time of their arrests.

All four were taken into custody separately Monday. During one of the arrests, police officers were fired at. Officers shot back, injuring the man in the leg. He was transferred to Tulum hospital where he remains under police guard.

The State Attorney General (FGE) reported on the separate arrests of four male individuals for their probable involvement in acts possibly constituting the crime of drug dealing.

Two of the youths were arrested in the October 2nd neighborhood by agents of the Investigation Police. Carlos N and Henry Geovany N were arrested after they were seen exchanging alleged narcotics.

After identifying themselves, the officers were attacked with a firearm by Carlos N a situation that was repelled by authorities in accordance with established protocols, by subduing the individuals.

During the search, they seized a green, dried substance resembling marijuana, a semi-automatic handgun, and bottles containing a yellow liquid similar to gasoline, the FGE reported in a statement.

In this incident, Carlos N suffered an injury to his left leg and was taken to a hospital, where his condition is reported as stable, they added. Carlos N and Henry Geovany N were taken into custody in coordination with elements of the National Defense Secretariat and the Tulum Municipal Police.

Plastic drink bottles filled with gasoline were seized along with a handgun during the arrests of Carlos N and Henry Geovany N.

In another incident, investigators, in coordination with the Mexican Army and municipal police arrested Jose Angel N and Arturo Emiliano N in the vicinity of 12th Street South in the La Veleta neighborhood.

They seized two backpacks containing doses of substances similar to marijuana and crack cocaine as well as bottles containing a liquid similar to gasoline.

Plastic drink bottles and drugs were found during the arrests of Jose Angel N and Arturo Emiliano N.

Police said that the detainees may be related to the criminal acts that occurred on February 22 of this year, when commercial establishments and vehicles were set on fire.

An OXXO convenience store in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum was one of the vandalized businesses. The store was set on fire after vandals threw gasoline at the front before running off.

According to police, Jose Angel N and Arturo Emiliano N were arrested in the vicinity of 12th Street South in the La Veleta neighborhood Monday.

Tulum firemen, seen here Sunday, extinguished the OXXO fire that was reported set by gasoline. February 22, 2026.

On Sunday, at least three vehicles and two businesses in Tulum were vandalized during the nation-wide gang violence in retaliation in the death of a CJNG criminal gang leader.
AJ Styles is going into the WWE Hall of Fame

The announcement was made during the February 23 edition of Monday Night Raw, which held a tribute for Styles after he retired at the Royal Rumble.

AJ Styles' Hall of Fame Announcement

The announcement was made by The Undertaker, who appeared after Styles' speech to the crowd in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia is Styles' home state.

Styles had just left his jacket and gloves in the ring as a symbolism of retirement when the Dead Man made the surprise appearance.

"So, what?" The Undertaker asked Styles. "You're just going to leave your stuff here, then leave?"

Styles looked visibly shocked as The Undertaker went on to reveal that he is going into this year's Hall of Fame. Styles' wife and three of his four children looked on from ringside as the announcement was made.

You can watch the full announcement below.

The NEWEST inductee into the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame! @AJStylesOrg pic.twitter.com/MAXc5hHODu  WWE (@WWE) February 24, 2026

WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

AJ Styles joins Stephanie McMahon in this year's WWE Hall of Fame. It can be recalled that it was also The Undertaker who informed McMahon of her induction.

The Undertaker will also be the one who will induct McMahon into the Hall of Fame, according to ESPN.

The induction ceremony is set to take place this April and is expected to happen prior to the two-day WrestleMania 42 event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As of writing, the exact venue has not been confirmed. It has also not been confirmed who will induct Styles into the Hall of Fame.

Originally published on sportsworldnews.com
China News Service: We noted that the Chinese New Year is bringing joy to people around the world as millions embrace the traditional festival with various celebrations. During the holiday, foreign tourists to China have doubled and inbound flight bookings have more than quintupled year-on-year. Any comment on that?



Mao Ning: The Year of the Horse opens with a nine-day holiday. Across China, people are in a joyous and festive mood. Many foreign friends have come to China for an immersive Spring Festival experience, going to temple fairs, making dumplings and writing Spring Festival couplets. Digital innovation adds a whole new touch to traditional festivities. The festival showcases to the world the Chinese lifestyle and the harmony, togetherness and diversity embodied in Chinese culture.

More than a tradition in China, the Spring Festival has become a cultural feast shared by the world. The joyful start of the Year of the Horse augurs well for China and promises enormous vitality for the world.

China-Arab TV: Its revealed that the U.S. is considering a limited strike against Iran before nuclear negotiations, and Iran has vowed to retaliate ferociously. What is Chinas comment on this?



Mao Ning: China is closely watching the developments. We hope various parties will exercise restraint and resolve differences through dialogue. Escalation of tensions in the Middle East does not serve any partys interest.

CCTV: The Foreign Ministry announced yesterday German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs visit to China. Could you share with us the program of the visit? How does China view its relations with Germany? What does China expect to achieve through the visit?



Mao Ning: This is German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs first visit to China since he took office. During the visit, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang will meet and have talks with him respectively for exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

China and Germany are all-round strategic partners for win-win cooperation. The two countries have close high-level exchanges and deepening practical cooperation. The mutually beneficial cooperation has delivered tangibly for the two peoples.

China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world. The sound development of China-Germany relations is in the interest of the two countries and is what the world expects to see. Through the visit, China stands ready to work with Germany to enhance understanding and mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, achieve greater progress in bilateral relations, and contribute more to world peace and prosperity.

AFP: Panamas authorities have taken control of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison, which along with the Hong Kong government has protested the seizure. Does the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have any comment to add on this?



Mao Ning: Chinas position on relevant Panamanian ports is clear. I believe you have noticed that the company concerned has issued a statement, saying that it will reserve all rights including to proceed legally. China will firmly protect the companys legitimate and lawful rights and interests.

JoongAng Ilbo: It was reported that Chinese military aircraft took off and engaged in a stand-off with U.S. military aircraft stationed in the ROK as the U.S. jets were having a drill over the Yellow Sea. China has had contacts with the ROK and the U.S. regarding this matter. What is Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: Regarding the U.S. aircrafts activities in relevant air space of the Yellow Sea, the Chinese military tracked and monitored the activities and stayed on alert throughout the process and effectively responded to and handled the situation in accordance with laws and regulations.

NHK: Chinas Ministry of Commerce announced today that 20 Japanese entities are put on an export control list and 20 others on a watch list. Whats Chinas comment on these measures? Why does China take these measures now?



Mao Ning: For anything specific, Id refer you to competent authorities. To safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as nuclear nonproliferation, China took these measures in accordance with laws and regulations. The purpose is to stop Japans attempts to remilitarize itself and possess nuclear weapons. What China does is completely legitimate, justified and lawful.

Antara: Indonesia and the U.S. agree on a reciprocal trade last week and one of the article agreement mentioned that Indonesia shall adopt or maintain a measure with equivalent restrictive effect as the measure adopted by the United States such as a customs duty, quota, prohibition, fee, charge, or other import restriction. Does the Ministry have any comment on this?



Mao Ning: China always advocates that economic and trade cooperation between countries should be mutually beneficial and relevant cooperation should not target any third party or harm the interests of any third party.

Reuters: According to a senior Trump administration official, DeepSeeks latest AI model is said to have been trained on Nvidias most advanced AI chip called the Blackwell. This could represent a violation of U.S. export controls. The U.S. believes that DeepSeek will remove the technical indicators that might reveal its use of American AI chips. Is this accurate? Are there methods for any Chinese firms to use these Blackwell chips that do not violate the export controls?



Mao Ning: Im not familiar with what you mentioned. China has more than once made clear its principled position on U.S. chip export to China.

Ukrinform News Agency: Today marks the fourth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and four years of Ukrainians defending their families and their state. Would the Foreign Ministry like to make a statement or comment on Russias ongoing conflict with Ukraine?



Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We support all efforts for peace. Recently, the door to dialogue on the Ukraine crisis is finally open, and theres ongoing momentum of dialogue. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the Ukraine crisis. Its hoped that parties can seize the opportunity and reach a comprehensive, durable and binding peace agreement. China stands ready to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role for the political settlement of the crisis.

Bloomberg: Can you confirm that President Trump will be visiting China from March 31 to April 2?



Mao Ning: Heads-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable role in providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations. China and the U.S. are in communication regarding President Trumps visit to China. As for the specifics you mentioned, I have no information to share at the moment.

EFE: Chinas Embassy in Mexico has issued a security alert following the recent violence in several Mexican states. Does the Foreign Ministry have any further comment on the situation, and are there any reports of Chinese nationals being affected?



Mao Ning: China is following whats happening in Mexico. So far, no injuries of Chinese nationals were reported. Its hoped that Mexico can take effective measures to keep Chinese nationals and institutions there safe.

Reuters: The Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its fifth year today. While European governments and the U.S. have repeatedly urged China to stop its support for Russia and push for an end to the conflict, China has maintained that it is not a party to the conflict. Some analysts say that given the minimal economic impact the conflict has had on China, having Europe focused on the conflict rather than on Asia has then benefited China or basically worked in Chinas favor. Has China indirectly benefited from the conflict?



Mao Ning: Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is object and just, which is for all to see. We have worked actively to promote talks for peace and end of the fighting. China has never fueled the flame or sought profit from the crisis, and does not accept any blame-shifting.

AFP: The U.S. AI company Anthropic has accused three Chinese AI firms, DeepSeek, Moonshot AI and MiniMax of illegally extracting capabilities from its Claude chatbot, which it called a national security risk. Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wish to comment on this?



Mao Ning: Im not familiar with that.

Bloomberg: Right now in Geneva, the U.S. and Russian officials are having the arms control talks. It is said that China will have talks with the U.S. on Tuesday. Can you confirm that and tell us any details of what you hope to accomplish?



Mao Ning: While the Conference on Disarmament High Level Segment takes place in Geneva, the Chinese delegation stands ready to maintain communication with delegations from all participating countries and exchange views on issues including the work of the Conference on Disarmament and the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Sitting on an enormous nuclear arsenal, the U.S. should fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament. This is the international consensus. We hope the U.S. will resume dialogue with Russia on strategic stability to discuss the arrangements beyond New STARTs expiration, which is what the world would hope to see.
On February 23, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to Kim Jong Un, extending warm congratulations on his election as General Secretary of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK) during the Ninth Congress of the WPK.

In his congratulatory message, Xi Jinping stated that since the Eighth Congress of the WPK, the WPK Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un has united and led the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in their dedicated endeavors, continuously achieving new triumphs in the cause of socialist construction of DPRK. The re-election of Comrade Kim Jong Un as General Secretary of the WPK manifests the profound trust and wholehearted support accorded to him from the WPK, government, and the DPRK people. The Ninth Congress of the WPK was held at a pivotal juncture when the WPK and the DPRK are poised to carry forward the past and usher in the future, and its successful convening assumes great significance. It is hoped that under the strong leadership of the WPK Central Committee headed by Kim Jong Un, the WPK and the people of the DPRK will, taking the momentum of this congress, propel their socialist cause to unprecedented heights.

China and the DPRK are socialist friendly neighbors committed to mutual assistance and mutual support. To safeguard, solidify, and develop China-DPRK relations has always been the steadfast strategic policy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government. In recent years, my multiple meetings with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK, have effectively steered the positive development of bilateral relations. Confronted with the accelerated global changes unseen in a century and an international landscape fraught with turmoil and uncertainty, I stand ready to collaborate closely with Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the WPK. Together, we shall direct our respective departments and localities to faithfully implement the vital consensus we have forged, weaving a vibrant new chapter of China-DPRK friendship. This endeavor will not only advance the socialist construction endeavors of both nations but also deepen the bonds of friendship and enhance the well-being of our peoples, thereby contributing significantly to the peace, stability, development, and prosperity of the region and the world at large.
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Like every history-obsessed young woman raised by a lightly distant but charming father, I grew up with a fixation on the Kennedy family. I read books about Jackie, visited museums to learn about JFK, and browsed enough Reddit threads to build a lexicon of conspiracy theories about this oft-cursed family. And young though I was when John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy were New Yorks hottest couple, I understood the appeal. Rich? Hot? White?? Yelling at each other in public all the time? Obviously!

Were always thinking about the Kennedys, but JFK Jr. and Bessette Kennedy are our renewed subjects of attention thanks to Hulus Love Story, the Ryan Murphyled series about their relationship. As expected, a new flush of Kennedy obsession is flooding the internet. But while the Kennedys are well-trod territory, Bessette Kennedy is a somewhat newer object of idolization.

She worked for Calvin Klein up until she married into the Kennedy family, and her style was always very CK: She wore simple clothes in clean lines, neutral colors, very little makeup, a cascade of air-dried blond hair, and famously, almost no jewelry. These days, you can browse through TikTok or Instagram or anywhere else young people gather and see that Bessette Kennedyinspired style has taken hold. If you want to dress like she did back then, you can find an endless array of contemporary options evoking her timeless style, details about the specific way she wore her black Birkin, how she hated anything with labels. It was, of course, all very 90s-Manhattan-socialite, a woman running uptown in dark sunglasses and a chocolate-brown coat.

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And if you think youre going to trick me into thinking that we should all be dressing like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in 2026, I am going to scream.

Listen, I get it: No one could pair jeans with a clean white T-shirt like Carolyn. She was indeed hot and tall and thin and blond enough that a simple floral dress would suddenly be perceived as upscale and elegantly curated. But I just survived Clean Girl Aesthetic and milkmaid tradwife dresses, and Im currently slogging through the second time low-rise jeans have become trendy. Increasingly, fashion is veering back toward beige, just after all the fun we had looking insane for the Barbie movie. And now you want me to, what? Wear a cardigan???

Bessette Kennedys style is remarkable only because of her proximity to wealth and how demonstrably, almost annoyingly hot she was. She was tall and slender, with an incredible head of hair that apparently just dried like that, and one of those faces that makes you gulp like a cartoon wolf. Have you seen her cheekbones? Yeah, I bet she didnt need to wear anything slathered in a Prada logo.

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Its explicitly because she was so rich and so connected that this subtle type of dress felt remarkable. Bessette Kennedy was in an echelon of society and wealth where she had access to any fashion brand, any jewel, any piece of couture. For her to put on a pair of jeans and flip-flops in Tribeca was its own form of glamour: She was declining something most of us never get access to. TikTokkers and stylists alike are rediscovering it, as if she invented not wearing socks with loafers, or as if her class didnt dictate wearing those loafers to begin with.

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But please do not insult my little rat brain by telling me that Bessette Kennedy was some kind of style icon just because she dressed like a mannequin at Ralph Lauren in 1993. Just looking at how she was dressedlike depressed Miss Honeymakes me want to leave my house wearing every necklace and bracelet I own. But wasnt she brave for wearing black to a cocktail party at night? Theres a return of beige in fashion latelyno one learned anything from millennial grey interior design, I seeone that prizes how your thin and often white body can wear such designs. Its a kind of style that you cant really buy your way into; its bigger than working with a personal shopper.

The Kennedys are a forever obsession for Americans. Often, the way they dressed was among the least interesting things about them. Jackie was always heralded as a style icon, but what was most compelling about her was always what we couldnt see. Bessette Kennedy, too, was more complicated than the dress she offered to the public.

Oh, but boots? With a sweater dress? Or a blazer? With jeans? Groundbreaking.
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Arizona State Sen. Kevin Payne has a very bad idea. Earlier this month, Payne introduced a proposal in the Arizona Senate to ask voters to amend the state constitution in order to allow the use of the firing squad as a method of execution.

Payne, an ardent death penalty supporter, has been frustrated by Arizonas inability to pick up the pace of executions. The state resumed executing people in 2022 after an eight-year pause caused by difficulties in obtaining drugs needed for lethal injection.

Between then and now, it has put five people to death. It has only one execution on the docket for 2026.

There are 109 people on Arizonas death row. Payne thinks that asking the voters to add the firing squad to the states execution menu will allow the state to turn more of its death sentences into executions.

But there are certain questions that even in a democracy should not be decided by majority rule. Democracy demands allegiance to ideals of human dignity and political equality, the protection of which is its animating purpose. A democratic state must never treat any citizen as entirely worthless.

Any decision that violates those principles is incompatible with democracy. That is why Arizona, and every other death penalty state, should never ask voters to decide what method it can use to take someones life.

Before discussing the Payne proposal further, let me describe Arizonas long and unique history of putting methods of execution to a popular vote.

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Adding the firing squad in Arizona requires a constitutional amendment because the states constitution explicitly describes the sole methods of execution allowable for the state. It currently states: The judgment of death shall be inflicted by administering an intravenous injection of a substance or substances in a lethal quantity sufficient to cause death except that defendants sentenced to death for offenses committed prior to the effective date of the amendment to this section shall have the choice of either lethal injection or lethal gas.

Arizona is unusual in having its methods of execution specified in its constitution. Generally, state constitutions only contain language about whether the death penalty is allowed or about what the limits are on all punishments.

For example, the Florida Constitution states: Any method of execution shall be allowed, unless prohibited by the United States Constitution. Methods of execution may be designated by the legislature, and a change in any method of execution may be applied retroactively.

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Arizona is unusual in another way. It is the only state ever to put the question of how people should be executed to a vote of its people.

It did so twice. In 1933, the Legislature voted to put the following proposal on the ballot, to amend the state constitution: Providing for the infliction of the judgment of death by administering lethal gas; 14,999 Arizona voters voted yes; 11,585 voted no.

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The gas chamber had been introduced in the United States by the state of Nevada in 1921. At the time, proponents said it was a humane alternative to hanging, which was then the execution method of choice there and in Arizona.

The proposal to amend its constitution was spurred by the botched hanging of Eva Dugan in 1930. Dugan had been convicted of murdering a wealthy rancher for whom she had worked.

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In preparation for her execution, the so-called drop distance was miscalculated. The result was that instead of cleanly breaking her neck when she was hanged, she was decapitated.

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Dugans execution made national news and provoked public outrage in Arizona. Specifying the gas chamber in the constitution was thought to be a way of making it hard for the state to resume hanging in response to a horrific crime.

Almost 60 years later, voters in the Grand Canyon State were again asked to decide what method of execution could be used there. This time, the ballot question was whether to amend the constitution to require that defendants sentenced to death be executed by lethal injection and allow  those sentenced to death prior to this amendment to choose between lethal gas or lethal injection.

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The amendment passed easily, with almost 77 percent of voters supporting it.

Here again, a botched execution played a key role in bringing about this change. This time, it was the supposedly humane gas chamber that produced a gruesome spectacle during the execution of a serial killer named Donald Harding.

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In my book on botched executions, I described what happened this way: As a cloud of cyanide gas engulfed him, Harding struggled against the straps, turned red and began convulsing. He gasped, stuttered, and continued to strain against the straps for more than 10 minutes.

Political leaders who witnessed Harding die condemned his execution, including Grant Woods, the states attorney general. Woods denounced the gas chamber just as others in Arizona had once denounced hanging, saying that it was barbaric and out of step with modern standards of justice.

Under Paynes new proposal, in November, Arizona voters will again be asked to register their views about methods of execution. While the state has had its share of botched lethal injections, the senator has embraced the bring back the firing squad fervor that we have seen in other death penalty states like Idaho and South Carolina.

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The question that would be on the ballot would be whether people facing execution should have a choice of three execution methods: firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas, with lethal injection being the default method if an inmate prefers not to make that choice. Voters would also be asked to make the firing squad the sole method used to kill people convicted of murdering a law enforcement officer.

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In addition, Paynes constitutional amendment requires any execution by firing squad to be carried out by a minimum of three volunteer shooters with the use of at least one blank round.

Putting aside the cruelty of the firing squad, asking voters to decide what methods of execution should be used is a grimmer, more horrific version of asking them what the consistency of concrete to be used in a bridge should be. Choosing an execution method should be an expert judgment, made by the peoples representatives after extensive investigation and consultation.

And all such methods need to be scrutinized to see whether they can pass muster under the Arizona Constitutions prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

Almost 100 years ago, Arizona made a mistake when it specified methods of execution in its constitution. And now, to change or add methods, it has to go through the amendment process, which requires voter approval.

But instead of asking voters to add the firing squad to the methods already in the state, the Arizona Legislature should ask them to abolish the death penalty entirelyor at least to remove any mention of execution methods from the constitution itself.
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In the lead-up to his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump has been hitting more roadblocks than hes used to.

Last week the usually pliant Supreme Court ruled that his emergency tariffs are illegal. Around the same time, we have since learned, his top general warned him that attacking Iran would be fraught with huge risks. Meanwhile, polls show his ratings have tanked to an all-time low, with 60 percent of the country dissatisfied with his performance, leaving some Republican lawmakers skittish about locking their own fates so firmly to his.

The military warningfirst reported in the Washington Post, then confirmed in the New York Timesmust be particularly rankling. According to the reports, in a recent White House meeting with many top officials present, Gen. Dan Cainewhom Trump selected, and has since highly lauded, as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staffsaid that a shortage of munitions and the absence of any allies would make a prolonged war with Iran very difficult. (In previous conflicts with Iran, some Gulf allies in the region have actively assisted; this time, they say they wont even allow U.S. or Israeli planes or missiles to fly over their territory.)

It is unusual for Trumps advisers to dampen his fantasies of easy wins, and it is less common still for high-level discussions of military plans to be leaked. The fact that Caine confronted Trump on this plan, and that someone spilled this to the public, suggests a growing concern among some inside players that the presidents increasingly casual adventurism could engulf the armed forces, the region, and the nation in danger.

Trump disputed the Posts account on social media, saying Caine has not spoken of not doing Iran, but this is what reporters used to call a nondenial denial. The news reports didnt claim that the general had opposed an attack, but rather that he laid out the challenges of proceeding with one. Trump also said Caine told him a military action would be easily won a highly dubious claim. First, Caine is known to be cautious in his appraisals. Second, almost no military leader would deem a war of this sort easily wonespecially given memories of the catastrophic quagmire in Iraq, a country one-third the size of Iran with a less entrenched regime.

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In his social media message, Trump noted Caines successful attack last June on Irans three main enriched-uranium sites. However, Operation Midnight Hammer, as the attack was known, was a speedy one-off venture where three B-2 bombers dropped bunker-busting bombs, watched them hit their targets, and sped back home, the end. Trump may also be emboldened by the lightning-fast attack on Venezuela to nab the countrys dictator, Nicolas Maduro.

A larger attack on Iranwhether to wipe out more of its nuclear infrastructure, destroy its ballistic-missile fleet, or overthrow the regimewould be a much more elaborate, time-consuming business. Trump has mobilized two aircraft carriers, 16 additional warships, dozens of fighter aircraft, and an array of air-defense weapons to shoot down missiles that Iran might fire in retaliation. Even so, Caine has told him the amassed firepower may not be enough to complete the task, whatever the task might be.

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Trump must be confounded by the resistance and the warnings, which are new things in his otherwise rollicking second term as president. So many people and institutions have caved in to his pressure tactics: Members of Congress have surrendered their constitutional powers; media executives have punished or canceled critical commentators; universities have shut down departments and altered admissions policies; foreign leaders, fearful of losing still-essential U.S. security guarantees, have kissed his ring and praised his sagacity.

Related From Slate Wait, Is Trump About to Go to War With Iran? Read More

Perhaps Trump figured it would be equally easy to bring the mullahs of Tehran to their knees. Steve Witkoff, Trumps former fellow real-estate tycoon, now his chief emissary to crises around the world, suggested as much in an interview on Fox News over the weekend. Witkoff said Trump was curious as to why Iran hadnt capitulated to the looming threat of an American attack. Why, Witkoff wondered, under this pressure, with the amount of sea power and naval power over there, why havent they come to us and said, We profess we dont want a weapon, so heres what were prepared to do? And yet, its sort of hard to get them to that place.

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Of all the remarks that Witkoff has uttered over the past year signifying his unsuitability for the job hes been inexplicably handed, this one might take the proverbial cake. Why havent the Iranians surrendered before a shot is fired? Maybe because: A) Trump has offered them no serious way out of the crisis (the negotiation positions that Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have put on the table would be unacceptable to any head of state), B) hes left American military personnel and allies in the region vulnerable to a retaliatory attack, and C) hes explicitly threatened to bring down Irans regime, so retaliation would likely be extreme, as there would be no reward for restraint.

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Sometimes Trumps top aides give him good advice, but he doesnt take it. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told him that Russian President Vladimir Putins war aims are to wipe out Ukraine as a sovereign nation. Trump should have inferred from this that peace negotiations with Putin are a waste of time, but talks persist and Trump sides with Putin more often than not.

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Now the chairman of the JCS has given him military advice on Iran that should prompt Trump to rethink his whole approach, but he seems unmoved here as well, still seeking an easy solution to a crisis that he is far from the first president to face.

International politics is hard. Coercive diplomacy is harder still, especially if you havent thought through your diplomatic goals, havent tried to scope out the interests or incentives of the leaders youre trying to coerce, and have now been told by your top military adviser that your tools of coercion might not be up to the task.

Trump still has a moment to shift courseon all the points of resistance that hes met this past week: on tariffs, his wider policy agenda, and the perilous calculations of war and peace. But his playbook has no chapters on admitting mistakes or rethinking options. The consequences, for all of us, may soon be all too apparent.
Apple is set to start producing its Mac mini desktop computers in the United States later this year as part of its global production strategy.

With the Cupertino tech giant eyeing to expand domestic manufacturing, the move means reducing dependence on overseas facilities and strengthening its supply chain amid geopolitical and economic pressures.

Mac Mini Manufacturing Moves to Houston

Apple Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan confirmed the news during a video interview with The Wall Street Journal while touring a Foxconn facility in Houston, Texas.

"We're very excited to tell you that later this year, we will be beginning Mac mini manufacturing right here in this space."

Apple currently produces thousands of units weekly and plans to scale domestic production to meet growing global demand.

According to Reuters, Khan added that Apple "feels more confident" about Mac Mini's long-term demand. The said product is more popular than the Mac Pro, as he described.

From Vietnam and China to the US Soil

Previously, Mac mini production was concentrated in Vietnam and China. This transition mirrors Apple's earlier decision to manufacture the 2013 Mac Pro domestically, signaling the company's willingness to produce premium hardware on American soil.

This was even more evident when the CEO Tim Cook visited Hanoi in 2024 and announced the increased Vietnam spending of Apple for its suppliers in the region.

Local production also allows Apple to maintain tighter control over quality and logistics.

Strengthening U.S. Semiconductor Supply

Apple's strategy includes closer collaboration with domestic semiconductor suppliers. Exclusive footage from GlobalWafers and TSMC facilities in Arizona highlights efforts to secure high-quality chips locally.

With that, the company aims to safeguard efficiency and stability for its Mac mini production line by relying on US-based semiconductor partners. It's a huge move to bolster domestic presence and, at the same time, easily adjust to the imposed tariffs from the Trump administration.

Originally published on Tech Times
I Did It Myway got the jump on stablemate Gem Quality to top a 1-2 finish for trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. in the $49,315 Open Pace at Miami Valley Raceway on Sunday, Feb. 22.

Leaving from post two, I Did It Myway and Jeremy Smith tucked in fifth as the favourite Better Is Nice (Tyler Smith) launched to the front in a :27 opening panel. As they moved towards the half in :56, Rose Run Zane (Austin Hanners) pulled first-over bringing along I Did It Myway into a second-over trip. As they passed the three-quarters in 1:24.1, I Did It Myway went three-wide and circled the leaders to open up an easy three-length lead by the head of the stretch. From there, I Did It Myway cruised home to a two-length victory while stablemate Gem Quality closed for second. Alta Revelry N (Trevor Smith) finished third.

I Did It Myway earned his second win of the year in six starts and his 39th career tally, pushing his career earnings to $1,642,067.

The seven-year-old son of Captaintreacherous out of Flyme To The Moon is owned by Delaware's David Hamm Evm Racing and Glenn Phillips.

Trainer Adam Short made a few trips to the winner's circle, picking up three wins in the claiming ranks with Burnham Boy N, Alwaysonetwomany A and General Idea.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)
As harness racing's current champions are celebrated during awards season, the future stars of the sport are just getting started in stables across North America.

The barns are bustling as spring draws near and excitement starts to mount for the debut of racing's future stars. While many of those two-year-olds will come from proven pedigree lines, the first crops of new stallions will be added to the mix.

Of the stallions with first major North American crops of two-year-olds hitting the racetrack in 2026, whose offspring are you most looking forward to see racing this year?

Alrajah One IT

American Courage

Back Of The Neck

Ecurie D DK

Fine Diamond

Gulf Shores

King Of The North

Monte Miki

Pebble Beach

Rebuff

Temporal Hanover

Have your say in Standardbred Canada's latest web poll, by clicking here.

(Standardbred Canada)
Woodbine Mohawk Park would like to inform trainers that the entry box for the Saturday, Feb. 28 card will remain open until Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 10:30 a.m.

To view the Saturday condition sheet, click here.

Mohawk has also provided an update on training scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25, which will be pushed back to 9 a.m. to allow for snow removal. The track will be available from 9 a.m. to noon.

(With files from Woodbine)
Actress Kim Ji Soo, who previously struggled with alcohol, recently posted updates about her life. She said that she has been traveling between Prague and Korea while working on new personal projects.

Kim Ji Soo wrote on Instagram on February 22, 2026 (KST), "I've been living between Prague and Korea," adding, "In Prague, I'm not just spending time anymoreI'm actually preparing for something productive." The post had pictures of the actress smiling in the winter while wearing a fur hat and scarf.

Kim wrote, "These days are very busy, and sometimes I feel overloaded and tired, but solving things one by one is part of the fun. I like the version of myself who works hard. I think laughter might be the most powerful cure-all."

The actress's international update brought back memories of her once-famous career in Korea, where she starred in many K-Dramas. However, Kim's career suffered significantly due to his frequent alcohol-related troubles, according to Koreaboo.

READ MORE: Kim Ji Soo Uses Heartbreaking Romantic History To Create Her Character

Sports Seoul says that Kim Ji Soo's first big problem happened on July 30, 2000, when she crashed her car at Hakdong Intersection in Gangnam while very drunk, with a blood alcohol level of 0.175%. She didn't have a license to drive, so she had to pay 3.42 million KRW (approximately $2,360 to $2,370 USD). After the event, she quit being the DJ for KBS2 Radio's To You Who Forgot the Night and was replaced in other projects.

On October 5, 2010, she got drunk and hit a taxi in Cheongdam-dong, then ran away. This was her second alcohol-related incident. The police confirmed that she had confessed, and she was fined 10 million KRW (approximately $6,910 to $6,930 USD). She was being considered for a part in a KBS 2TV drama at the time, but she was ultimately not cast.

In 2018, Kim Ji Soo got more bad press for showing up to a press interview for the movie Perfect Strangers late and clearly drunk. When asked if she had been drinking, she said, "Yes, does that bother you? You can ask your questions; I can answer them." Her agency, Namoo Actors, stopped the interview and later said that the stress of filming may have played a role in what happened.

Even though things have gone wrong, Kim Ji Soo seems determined to focus on new projects abroad. Fans will have to wait and see if she can rebuild her career after years of public scrutiny.

READ MORE: Cho Yeo Jeong and Kim Ji Soo Meet in The Prestigious International School 'High Class'
The threat activity cluster known as UnsolicitedBooker has been observed targeting telecommunications companies in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, marking a shift from prior attacks aimed at Saudi Arabian entities.

The attacks involve the deployment of two distinct backdoors codenamed LuciDoor and MarsSnake, according to a report published by Positive Technologies last week.

"The group used several unique and rare instruments of Chinese origin," researchers Alexander Badaev and Maxim Shamanov said.

UnsolicitedBooker was first documented by ESET in May 2025, attributing the China-aligned threat actor to a cyber attack targeting an unnamed international organization in Saudi Arabia with a backdoor dubbed MarsSnake. The group is assessed to be active since at least March 2023 and has a history of targeting organizations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Further analysis of the threat actor has uncovered tactical overlaps with two other clusters, including Space Pirates and an as-yet-unattributed campaign targeting Saudi Arabia with another backdoor referred to as Zardoor.

The latest set of attacks documented by the Russian cybersecurity vendor was found to target Kyrgyz organizations in late September 2025 with phishing emails containing a Microsoft Office document, which, when opened, instructs recipients to "Enable Content" so as to run a malicious macro.

While the document displays a telecom provider's tariff plan to the victim, the macro stealthily drops a C++ malware loader called LuciLoad that, in turn, delivers LuciDoor. Another attack observed in late November 2025 adopted the same modus operandi, only this time it used a different loader codenamed MarsSnakeLoader to deploy MarsSnake.

As recently as January 2026, UnsolicitedBooker is said to have leveraged phishing emails as a vector to target companies in Tajikistan. While the overall attack chain remains the same, the messages embedded links to the decoy documents as opposed to directly attaching them.

Written in C++, LuciDoor establishes communication with a command-and-control (C2) server, collects basic system information, and exfiltrates the data to the server in encrypted format. It then parses the responses sent by the server to run commands using cmd.exe, write files to the system, and upload files.

Macros in the document

MarsSnake, similarly, allows attackers to harvest system metadata, execute arbitrary commands, and read or write any file on disk.

Positive Technologies said it also found signs that MarsSnake was put to use in attacks targeting China. The starting point is a Windows shortcut that masquerades as a Microsoft Word document (*.doc.lnk) that triggers the execution of a batch script to launch a Visual Basic Script, which then launches MarsSnake without the loader component.

The decoy file is believed to be based on an LNK file associated with a publicly available pentesting tool called FTPlnk_phishing, owing to the identical LNK file creation time and Machine ID indicators. It's worth noting that a similar LNK file was put to use by the Mustang Panda group in attacks targeting Thailand in 2022.

"In their attacks, the group used rare tools of Chinese origin," Positive Technologies said. "Interestingly, at the very beginning, the group used a backdoor we dubbed LuciDoor, but later switched to the MarsSnake backdoor. However, in 2026, the group made a U-turn and resumed using LuciDoor."

"Furthermore, in at least one case, we observed the attackers using a hacked router as a C2 server, and their infrastructure mimicked that of Russia in some attacks."

When reached for comment, ESET told The Hacker News that it has not observed any new campaigns conducted by the threat actor since May 2025. But the Slovakian security company assessed with high confidence that UnsolicitedBooker is a Chinaaligned cyber espionage group based on the tactics used, victimology patterns, and relevant nonpublic data.

One such indicator is the use of known backdoors like Chinoxy, Deed RAT (a successor to ShadowPad, which itself is an evolution of PlugX), Poison Ivy, and BeRAT, all of which are shared among multiple China-aligned groups.

"Over the past several years, we have observed the group targeting entities in multiple countries, including Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, India, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan." Matthieu Faou, senior malware researcher at ESET, said. "Their typical victims include government ministries, telecommunications providers, and legal professionals."

PseudoSticky and Cloud Atlas Target Russia

The disclosure comes as a previously unknown threat actor is deliberately mimicking the tactics of a pro-Ukrainian hacking group called Sticky Werewolf (aka Angry Likho, MimiStick, and PhaseShifters) to attack Russian organizations in the retail, construction, and research sectors with malware like RemcosRAT and DarkTrack RAT for comprehensive data theft and remote control.

The new group, referred to as PseudoSticky, has been active since November 2025. Victims are typically infected by phishing emails containing malicious attachments that lead to the deployment of the trojans. There are indications that the threat actor has relied on large language models (LLMs) to develop attack chains that drop DarkTrack RAT via PureCrypter.

"A closer analysis reveals differences in the infrastructure, malware implementation, and individual tactical elements, leading us to suspect that there is likely no direct connection between the groups, but rather deliberate mimicry," Russian security vendor F6 said.

Russian entities have also been targeted by another hacking group called Cloud Atlas, using phishing emails bearing malicious Word documents to distribute custom malware known as VBShower and VBCloud.

"When opened, the malicious document loads a remote template from C2 specified in one of the document's streams," cybersecurity company Solar said. "This template exploits the CVE-2018-0802 vulnerability. This is followed by downloading a malicious file with alternate streams, i.e., VBShower."
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For decades, the Iranian regime has openly proclaimed slogans that leave no room for ambiguity: Death to Israel and Death to America. These were not mere words. While these slogans echoed in Tehrans main square, the regime enriched uranium, developed ballistic missiles, and buried military facilities underground. Its rhetoric was accompanied by a strategy.

They think she has it, my mother said, looking at me warily, her voice filled with dread. She has the Big One.

You mean, they think she has cancer? The Big C? I replied, thinking quickly and trying to figure out what the Big One was. The person to which she was referring was a mid-seventies retired nurse who was active and fearsome in her post-retirement days.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA)  Libya's internationally-recognised Government of National Unity (GNU) on Thursday categorically rejected the eastern-based House of Representatives' unilateral actions affecting the country's financial and monetary policy
Airdate: The Matter of Facts

Hamish Macdonald tackles a wave of misinformation and the rise of AI.

New three-part documentary series The Matter of Facts, presented by journalist Hamish Macdonald, will premiere on ABC in March.

It explores the question, how do we function as a society if we cant agree on facts?

In an era defined by trolls, Chatbots, misinformation and disinformation, truth and lies can be indistinguishable. The Matter of Facts, produced by Northern Pictures in association with Media Ocean, takes audiences to the frontline of the global information wars, where information is manipulated to influence what we believe, how we behave and who we vote for.

Hamish Macdonald meets leading experts from Australia and around the world to explore how disinformation travels so effectively through our digital ecosystem  from affecting small communities like Jindabyne to having international impact in Paris, Poland or the Philippines. He investigates the rise of AI, the technological revolution that is redefining our world, and what it will take to ensure the survival of facts.

The Matter of Facts explores what happens if we lose our faith in facts, and what we can do about it.

Production credit: Commissioned by the ABC. A Northern Pictures production in association with Media Ocean. Presented and produced by Hamish Macdonald. Directed, written and produced by Tosca Looby. Executive Producer: Karina Holden. ABC Commissioning Editor: Julie Hanna. ABC Head, Documentaries and Specialist: Susie Jones. Distribution by ABC Commercial.

Tuesday 24 March at 8:30pm on ABC.
Australian Story episode no longer meets our editorial standards

"We have since confirmed Mr Williams was convicted of serious historical offences, which he failed to disclose," says ABC.

ABC has now issued further information following a last minute dump of an Australian Story episode.

Nabbed which was to profile pensioner Ian Williams fight against NAB did not screen on Monday for editorial decisions.

An ABC spokesperson has now advised, The ABC received new information about Mr Ian Williams on Monday afternoon prior to Australian Story airing that was unrelated to his case against National Australia Bank.

We have since confirmed Mr Williams was convicted of serious historical offences, which he failed to disclose to the ABC.

Content featuring Mr Williams on the ABC no longer meets our editorial standards and is being removed. The Australian Story will not go to air.
Australian Survivor premiere drops for 10

MAFS doubles Australian Idol and quadruples Australian Survivor, which is down on its 2025 premiere.

Australian Survivor has taken a hit from the tribe in its first outing with new host David Genat.

Last night the refreshed reality show drew 464,000 viewers in National TV Audience, down on its February 2025 number of 527,000 with former host Jonathan LaPaglia.

There would be other factors at play including the power of Married at First Sight at 1.87m (from the same production company ESA) -but Survivor was also against MAFS last February.

7:30 was high at 918,000 then Australian Idol (762,000) and an unscheduled episode of Australian Story (641,000) which was changed by ABC for editorial reasons.

Later Media Watch was 596,000 then Four Corners (585,000), a Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony repeat (359,000) 911 (322,000) and Matlock (139,000).

Nine News won with 1.4m as did A Current Affair (1.2m) and Tipping Point (784,000).

Seven News drew 1.37m for Seven then Home & Away (929,000) and The Chase (621,000).

ABC News scored 998,000 then Planet America (546,000 and Hard Quiz (343,000).

Millionaire Hot Seat drew 330,000 for 10 then 10 News (273,000), Deal or No Deal (196,000) and 10 News+ (156,000).

On SBS it was SBS World News (192,000 / 146,000), Inside the Tower of London (100,000), 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (94,000), and Never Mind the Buzzcocks (62,000).

Sunrise: 412,000

Today: 330,000

News Breakfast: 215,000

National Total TV: Monday 23 February 2026
Little Lunch revived for next chapter, New Class

Recess is back in for pint-sized mockumentary with teacher Mrs Gonsha to face a new flock of primary-aged kids.

The ABC, BBC and the Australian Childrens Television Foundation have announced Little Lunch: New Class, a brand-new chapter of hit childrens series from Gristmill (Upper Middle Bogan, The InBestigators, Summer Love, Dear Life).

A decade after the mockumentary first screened, Little Lunch: New Class will introduce six new students  Adelaide, Ivy, Mason, Steve, Bonnie and Arthur  as they navigate friendship, misunderstandings and the big emotions of small people.

Heidi Arena (Audreys Kitchen, The Librarians) returns as the ever-patient Mrs Gonsha. The years may have passed, but as this new class quickly discovers, the emotional hurdles of the playground remain timeless.

Little Lunch: New Class will again explore the themes that matter most to kids  belonging, fairness, loyalty and resilience  with sharp humour, warmth and heart. The first season, comprising 2612 min episodes was also an international success via Netflix.

Creators Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope said, Its been eleven years since we first brought Danny Katz and Mitch Vanes Little Lunch universe to the screen, which is an actual lifetime (if youre a character in the show). We cant wait to bring this new series to the world.

ABC Head of Children & Family, Melinda Wearne said, Little Lunch captured the Australian childhood experience with honesty, heart, and humour, and is so loved by Australian audiences. Were thrilled to have a wonderful new series for children and their families to meet the new class and share in their stories.

Sarah Muller, Senior Head of Commissioning 7+, BBC Childrens and Education said, Little Lunch is a series that continues to resonate so strongly with young audiences. Reviving this iconic show allows us not only to celebrate what made the original so special, but also to introduce todays kids to the full breadth of content across BBC Childrens & Education and stories that inspire, support and reflect their worlds in entertaining and meaningful ways.

Bernadette OMahony, ACTF Head of Content said, Being back in the Little Lunch universe with Gristmill over the past couple of years has been a delight. Children and parents alike will love Mrs Gonshas new class of Grade 5s, who are just as loveable, quirky and real. This series continues the Little Lunch tradition of warm, relatable, hilarious stories, and we cant wait for children all over the world to fall in love with this new class of characters.

VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, The enduring popularity of Little Lunch proves just how brilliantly Victorian screen talent can create stories that entertain and inspire young audiences. Were thrilled to support Gristmill and a fresh generation of emerging local talent to make a new season of Little Lunch in Victoria, creating jobs for Victorian screen workers and injecting over $14 million into the local economy. We cant wait to be part of Little Lunch: New Class.

Little Lunch: New Class will air on the ABC in 2027.

Production credit: Little Lunch: New Class is a Gristmill Production for the ABC and the BBC. Major production investment from the ACTF and the ABC, in association with VicScreen. International sales by the ACTF.
Fiji is facing one of the world's fastest-growing HIV epidemics, with babies and children increasingly infected through preventable mother-to-child transmission and health experts warning of grave consequences for an entire generation.

Surge of New Infections

Health authorities say new HIV diagnoses in Fiji exploded from 415 in 2023 to 1,583 in 2024, the highest annual figure ever recorded in the country and a jump of 281 percent. In the first six months of 2025 alone, 1,226 additional cases were reported, putting the nation under 1 million people on track for another record year.

UNAIDS estimates that the total number of people living with HIV in Fiji has risen from about 2,000 in 2020 to around 6,100 in 2024, a tenfold increase in new infections over the past decade, according to English News.

Babies and Children Are Increasingly Affected

The most alarming trend is among babies and young children, who are being infected largely during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.

In 2024, Fiji recorded 41 HIV cases in children, nearly four times the 11 cases reported the previous year. Thirty-two of those 2024 child infections were linked directly to mother-to-child transmission, despite the fact that such infections are considered almost entirely preventable with proper testing and treatment.

Doctors report that about one baby is now diagnosed with HIV every week, and intensive care units are seeing more infants needing life support as a result of HIV-related illness. Clinicians also say at least one child under five is dying from HIV every month, a pattern they describe as both tragic and avoidable.

Why Infections Are Rising so Fast

Experts link the rapid spread of HIV in Fiji to a mix of social and health system problems. The country has become a hub for drug trafficking, and the local use of methamphetamine and other injectable drugs has increased, leading to unsafe injecting practices and a lack of access to clean needles.

At the same time, low health literacy, stigma around HIV, and limited testing and treatment options mean many people do not know their status or seek help late. In 2024, only about 36 percent of people living with HIV in Fiji were aware of their infection, and just 24 percent were receiving treatment, far below global targets, The Guardian reported.

Efforts to Protect the Next Generation

The Fijian government and international agencies are trying to respond before the epidemic further harms children and young people.

Health officials are working on a national "triple elimination" plan to stop mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, aligning with a new regional roadmap launched by WHO, UNICEF, and UNAIDS.

The plan seeks to expand prevention and testing services beyond major hospitals, integrate them into routine maternal and child health care, and reduce stigma so that pregnant women and families feel safe coming forward.

But with infections climbing and more babies being diagnosed each week, doctors warn that without faster action, Fiji's HIV crisis could shape the health and future of an entire generation, as per FBC News.
Why does BritBox still delay so many titles to Australia?

Flagship Britbox drama Death in Paradise is delayed by nearly two months to Australia, after a price hike of 40% last year.

Season 15 of Death in Paradise featuring Don Gilet as DI Mervin Wilson will have its Australian premiere on BritBox on March 24.

Thats nearly two months after it debuted on BBC, a big difference to the 11 day delay for S14 last year. For a flagship title by a streamer which lifted subscriptions by 40% last year this is disappointing.

But its not uncommon.

Also coming in March is Out There with Martin Clunes, which premiered in the UK in January 2025. Februarys Shetland S10 debuted in the UK in November; I Am Ruth with Kate Winslet is from 2022; and crime thriller The Pact by Wentworth writer Pete McTighe premiered in 2021.

So what exactly, is being fast-tracked by BritBox to Australian subscribers?

A BritBox spokesperson told TV Tonight, After more than five years in the Australian market and a growing subscriber base, BritBox has a deep understanding of what our audiences like to watch and when.

Where possible and title dependent, BritBox has fast tracked a number of titles to ensure that viewers can watch soon after the UK broadcast. This includes Call the Midwife (available in Australia within 48 hours after the UK broadcast), Line of Duty, as well as live events such as the BAFTA Awards*, Chelsea Flower Show, and the Kings Coronation.

Not every title can be fast tracked for a number of reasons including licensing and strategy. We aim to provide these as quickly as makes sense for our service based on the title, subscriber appetite and other factors, including business priorities.

It isnt clear if the business priorities include holding back titles to make sure each month has a new premium drama.

According to Telsyte, BritBox has an estimated 500,000 subcribers in Australia.

BritBox maintains it knows its own audience very well and they are satisfied with the programming.

Our subscriber viewing habits and feedback solidifies that our customers are overwhelmingly happy with how BritBox releases content in Australia including our titles, timeliness and quality of our service. That satisfaction gives us confidence that our approach is working, even as we continue to look for opportunities to bring content to Australian screens faster.

* this weeks BAFTA Awards screened on HBO Max in Australia.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been branded "rude and arrogant" by a minister, as the government agreed to release documents about the former prince's time as a UK trade envoy.

The former prince faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.

Speaking to MPs in the Commons on Tuesday, 24 February, trade minister Sir Chris Bryant confirmed Labour would agree to a move by the Liberal Democrats to compel ministers to release files relating to Andrews appointment for the role, including any vetting and any correspondence from Lord Peter Mandelson.

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However, in a savage statement to MPs, Bryant described Andrew as "a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle", and "a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest".

Bryant was one of multiple MPs to speak out about their concerns over Andrew's role as a trade envoy.

Ahead of the debate, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: "The public want some answers to this scandal.

"There's a general principle behind this debate... whoever you are, whatever your title, whoever your friends are, you should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny, and I think transparency and openness is the way forward if we're going to restore trust."

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Bryant also said he wanted to manage peoples expectations about how quickly the papers on Andrew can be released, due to the age and quantity of the material, and the live police investigation.

Andrew was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show the former duke sharing reports of official overseas visits with the disgraced financier.

Andrew, who has consistently denied all claims made against him in relation to Epstein, was held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation.

The arrest has sparked calls for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession.

We have paused our live coverage of this developing story. For the latest updates go to the Yahoo homepage.
Lawyers for Peter Mandelson have claimed his arrest for misconduct in public office was "prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad".

Mishcon de Reya said in a statement that Mandelson, who was released on bail after being held by police for allegedly passing on market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as a minister, was arrested "despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis".

"Peter Mandelson's overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name," it added.

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The former US ambassador was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on Monday and spent nine hours in custody before being released and returning home at 2am.

The development comes at a difficult time for Sir Keir Starmer, who has faced criticism for appointing Mandelson as US ambassador despite his ties with Epstein being well-documented.

Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September 2025 after emails revealed the depth of their association.

Further emails from 2009, released in February, appear to show Mandelson passing on an assessment by then prime minister Gordon Browns adviser of potential policy measures. He also appeared to discuss a tax on bankers bonuses and confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro, the day before it was announced in 2010.

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The emails appeared to be sent to Epstein after he became a convicted sex offender.

Mandelson has also said he has no recollection of receiving payments totalling $75,000 (around 55,000) from Epstein between 2003 and 2004, as bank details in the documents indicated. He has previously apologised for a "lapse in judgement" after Epstein funded an osteopathy course for Mandelson's husband in 2009, at the time the government was dealing with the global financial crisis.

The government has said it plans to release documents relating to Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador in early March.

Mandelson has previously said that none of the recently released Epstein files indicate wrongdoing or misdemeanour" on his part and that Epstein did not influence his actions in office.

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Mandelson's arrest comes just days after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was detained and then released under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to his association with Epstein.

Yahoo has paused live updates of this story. For the latest news, please go to the Yahoo homepage.
Under the revised plan, stages of information collection, data consolidation and preparation of the preliminary report will all be accelerated, Thang stressed.



However, he noted that the adjustment of the plan must be implemented in a concerted and resolute manner, ensuring that faster progress goes hand in hand with the quality and credibility of the data.



Originally slated for completion by late 2026 or early 2027, the census timeline has been reviewed and recalibrated to meet the requirement for earlier data release. The Central Steering Committee has reassigned responsibilities to ministries, sectors and local steering committees, urging close coordination nationwide to ensure results are finalised and announced no later than June 30.



The National Statistics Office was tasked with revising both the overall and detailed implementation plans, finalising survey materials and software, and providing timely guidance to ministries and localities. It will continue to monitor progress, assess data quality, and promptly report challenges to the minister and the Central Steering Committee. Inspection and supervision of field data collection will be strengthened to safeguard both schedule and accuracy.

Lang Son collects information for 2026 Economic Census (Photo: VNA)

Notably, the 2026 Economic Census introduces several new features. It expands coverage to include cooperative groups and household businesses operating online - two categories not previously surveyed. Survey content has also been updated to better capture digital transformation, the application of scientific and technological advances, and innovation in production and business activities.



Information technology will be applied throughout all stages of the census, from preparation and collection to processing and validation. Artificial intelligence will assist in industry classification, while digital mapping tools will track real-time progress. Data connectivity between the census and administrative databases, such as business registration, taxation and customs, will also be enhanced.



The census will comprehensively collect information on enterprises, household businesses, religious establishments, non-public service units, associations and licensed foreign non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam.



The results will serve as a foundation for building a national socio-economic database aligned with new provincial and commune-level administrative boundaries, supporting governance, management and oversight in the countrys new development phase.



As of February 9, data collection for the first phase, which covers household production and business establishments, religious and belief establishments, and cooperative groups had reached 57.6% nationwide, with several provinces recording high completion rates. However, authorities acknowledged uneven progress across localities and challenges in encouraging some business owners to fully disclose financial information.



The on-site data collection period for the first phase will be shortened to 20 days, concluding on March 10. Meanwhile, in the second phase which covers enterprises, non-public service units, associations, and licensed foreign non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, the data collection period will be reduced by four months compared to the original plan, commencing on March 1 and concluding on April 30.



Despite the accelerated schedule, Thang reiterated that the census must uphold strict standards of accuracy, while streamlining unnecessary indicators to avoid wastefulness and ensure practical value./. VNA
Turning down a full scholarship in South Korea, Tra Giang chose to remain in Vietnam and become a future faculty member at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. A year later, she went on to secure a fully funded PhD scholarship in Australia.

Nguyen Thi Tra Giang is a future faculty member of Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Photo: NVCC

Nguyen Thi Tra Giang, 27, is currently a future faculty member at the School of Mechanical Engineering under Hanoi University of Science and Technology. She submitted her application and was officially admitted in early 2024.

Giang is an alumna of the Mechatronics program at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. She was directly admitted to the university after winning second prize in the national excellent student competition in Physics while studying at Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted in Nghe An.

Explaining her choice of Mechatronics, Giang said the field closely aligns with the strong Physics foundation she built throughout her secondary education.

I wanted to continue in a discipline where I could effectively apply the knowledge I had accumulated over many years. In addition, this is a broad, interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical and electronics engineering, programming and robotics. The environment requires me to think holistically and solve problems from multiple perspectives rather than focusing narrowly on a single specialty, Giang shared.

When she first entered university, Giang had never imagined herself pursuing a teaching career. After graduation, she worked as an engineer at a company. However, the repetitive nature of the job and the limited room for creativity gradually made her realize it was not the right path.

I think I am better suited to research, where I can delve into new problems and where creativity is more strongly demanded, she said.

Giang later applied for and secured a fully funded PhD scholarship at Griffith University in Australia. Photo: NVCC

In early 2024, Giang applied for and won a full scholarship for both masters and doctoral studies at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. Around the same time, her former academic supervisor at Hanoi University of Science and Technology introduced her to an opportunity to pursue a masters degree at the university and join its future faculty development program.

At that time, I was quite torn because the desire to study abroad had been nurtured for a long time, Giang recalled.

After careful consideration and consultation with her mentors, she realized there would be many opportunities if she became a lecturer at Hanoi University of Science and Technology. Beyond learning from leading professors in her field, she could also apply for scholarships at highly ranked universities worldwide with recommendation and academic guidance from her teachers.

She therefore decided to forgo the opportunity to study in South Korea and remain in Vietnam, applying for the universitys future faculty recruitment program in February 2024.

After being selected, Giang took on responsibilities such as assisting in several classes, observing lectures and participating in scientific research.

As I stepped into the profession, I grew even more appreciative of it and increasingly aspired to become a good lecturer, she said.

During this period, she continued seeking scholarship opportunities and building international academic connections. With support from her mentors, in July 2025 she was awarded a fully funded PhD scholarship at Griffith University in Australia.

Currently, Giang focuses on research in microelectromechanical sensor design. She aims to complete publications in reputable scientific journals to graduate on schedule and return to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to work.

As a Gen Z lecturer, Giang believes she has an advantage in connecting with students thanks to her understanding of their psychology and learning attitudes. Young lecturers like her, she added, are also more receptive to new methods and technologies that can be integrated into learning and teaching.

Nevertheless, she acknowledges the need for more time to accumulate experience in the classroom and to learn how to balance approachability with discipline and academic standards.

I hope not only to teach knowledge but also to help students develop a research mindset, learn how to study independently, ask questions and work responsibly, Giang said.

As she is still in the early stage of her doctoral program, Giang prioritizes strengthening her professional foundation to directly serve her research direction, while gradually building high-quality scientific publications. She also hopes to gain further experience in an international research environment, cultivate discipline, improve work organization and enhance academic collaboration skills.

Her long-term goal, after completing her PhD, is to return to Hanoi University of Science and Technology to continue teaching and conducting research, contribute to student training and help build a professional, modern research environment.

Thuy Nga
Returning to work after the Lunar New Year holiday 2026, businesses are entering the decisive phase of finalizing targets and accelerating production and business plans.

For CMC, 2026 revolves around two strategic axes: accelerating AI transformation, or AI-X, to create a new growth engine, and Go Global to expand markets and elevate competitive standards. The roadmap centers on three spearheads - AI, Security, and Cloud - with digital and compute infrastructure viewed as the foundation for AI to operate at scale, safely and effectively.

In fiscal year 2025, ending March 31, 2026, CMC reported that revenue in the early quarters tracked its plan while profit exceeded it. Full-year revenue is projected to increase 20 percent and EBITDA 22 percent compared to fiscal year 2024. These results provide momentum for the AI-X acceleration phase and reinforce resources for international expansion.

CMC Hyperscale Data Center in Ho Chi Minh City, scheduled to break ground in 2026, together with the CCS Hoa Lac Creative Space complex and the CMC University Tay Mo project, represents CMCs standout digital and AI infrastructure highlights.

AI infrastructure: From a convergence platform in Hanoi to a hyperscale heart in HCM City

Within its AI-X strategy, CMC places data and compute infrastructure at the core. Two data center projects are considered the backbone of its AI, cloud and cybersecurity deployment capacity, serving both domestic and international demand.

In Hanoi, the CMC Creative Space complex, or CCS Hanoi, is positioned as a convergence space for R&D, data, talent and ecosystem partners. It enables product teams, laboratories, testing and solution development to connect end to end, shortening the lifecycle from idea to deployment.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the CMC Hyperscale Data Center is scheduled to break ground in 2026, targeting international operating standards and a green direction under the Green DC model. With hyperscale capacity, the project is expected to underpin large-scale cloud and AI services for workloads requiring high compute power, large storage and stable connectivity.

At the same time, hyperscale infrastructure is seen as an important step for Vietnam to participate more deeply in the global digital value chain, as data and compute capacity increasingly become strategic resources of the economy.

With operations commencing in August 2025, CMC OpenAI is expected to create a breakthrough for CMC in its new development phase.

AI-X: From an open ecosystem to practical deployment layers

In August 2025, CMC OpenAI, or C-OpenAI, was officially launched, affirming an AI pathway under the spirit of Make in Vietnam  Made by CMC. The ambition extends beyond core technology to synchronized product and solution development, bringing AI into concrete challenges faced by government agencies, enterprises and citizens.

In December 2025, CMC OpenAI announced the 32-billion-parameter CMC-AI-Legal model and introduced VLegal-Bench, a benchmark for Vietnamese legal applications. This standards-and-yardsticks approach signals an ambition to standardize industry-specific AI capabilities, enabling the ecosystem to compare, improve and scale real-world applications.

CMC University: Expanding training capacity for the AI era

In 2025, CMC University continued to position itself as an innovative digital university, focusing on strategic technology disciplines with a digital-first orientation and strong industry linkage.

The university enrolled nearly 1,600 freshmen against a planned quota of 1,300, reflecting growing attractiveness and momentum after three years of operation. Notably, from October 2025, CMC University began generating positive EBITDA and exceeded its six-month plan, underscoring operating effectiveness and model sustainability.

In the same year, the university held the graduation and degree awarding ceremony for its first cohort, marking the coming of age of a pioneering generation ready to enter the AI era.

Key milestones in 2025 included the launch of the eduBot AI training assistant in February and the eduX AI teaching assistant in September. In December, the university completed institutional accreditation and received a certificate of quality assurance. It also successfully hosted the ICAI international conference under the theme AI  Impact and Potential.

In early 2026, CMC signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with NTT Data to provide high-quality IT talent for the Japanese market.

Go Global: Enhancing competitiveness through standardization and planting the flag

Along its Go Global axis, CMC is pursuing expansion tied to substantive growth. In 2025, the group recorded approximately 30 percent growth in international markets and a 34 percent increase in profit. CMC is present in 30 countries and maintains representative offices in more than 10.

Notably, CMC established CMC Global Malaysia and CMC North America in the US. At the same time, the group is completing procedures to open offices in strategic states including Illinois, California, Texas and Florida, while preparing to expand further into additional key markets in 2026.

CMCs planting the flag approach goes beyond opening locations. It involves bringing core AI, cloud and security capabilities into each market and building standardized deployment and operating capability stacks, thereby creating trust and enabling deeper participation in the global digital supply chain.

In parallel, CMC is advancing partnerships to expand opportunities for delivering IT services and high-quality talent to target markets, including Japan and other high-standard markets. In early 2026, CMC signed a memorandum of understanding toward strategic cooperation with NTT Data to provide high-quality IT talent for the Japanese market.

Fiscal year 2026: Accelerating AI transformation

According to Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh, the positive results of fiscal year 2025 form an important foundation, but only the starting point of a larger journey.

Over the next five years, he said, CMC must make strong breakthroughs to reach billion-dollar scale and build global influence, affirming its position as a Vietnamese technology group capable of transformation.

We cannot stop at merely going abroad. CMCs goal is to become a truly global company, where our thinking, culture and governance capabilities all meet international standards, strong enough to compete and create influence in the global market, he said.

With around 6,000 employees, CMCs leadership believes the group is capable of participating in and solving national-scale challenges. Looking toward its 50-year milestone in 2043, CMC aims to become a global technology group with strong reach and meaningful contributions to the country.

PV
State-owned enterprises hold a pivotal role in strategic sectors. To achieve double-digit GDP growth, they must truly become engines that lead and generate spillover effects across the economy.

Declining efficiency

The Phuong Nam Pulp Mill project in Thanh Hoa Commune, Tay Ninh Province, formerly Long An, is among the most prolonged and difficult loss-making cases in the industry and trade sector. Photo: Nguyen Hue

During the 2010-2015 period, state sector investment capital grew at an average rate of around 6.34 percent per year. However, in the 2020-2024 period, that figure fell sharply to approximately 2.6 percent per year.

The share of state sector investment in the overall economy also dropped significantly, from 44 percent in 2010 to just 27.6 percent in 2024. Notably, the share of investment by state-owned enterprises in total public investment declined from 43.56 percent in 2010 to 34.43 percent in 2023.

From this data, Dr. Huynh Thanh Dien of Nguyen Tat Thanh University observed that in recent years, investment growth in the state sector has been markedly slower than in the non-state sector.

Beyond shrinking scale, the efficiency of capital use in SOEs has become a matter of concern. According to Dien, SOEs are typically large enterprises, yet their ICOR - a measure reflecting capital use efficiency - is higher than that of the private and FDI sectors.

Specifically, in 2023, the ICOR of the state sector stood at 6.19, compared to 4.9 in the private sector and 4.67 in the FDI sector. This indicates that to generate one unit of growth, the state sector must deploy more capital, implying lower investment efficiency.

Although SOEs are identified as playing a leading role in the economy, in reality their investment levels and operational efficiency are trending downward. In principle, SOEs operate in key sectors with stable demand and relatively secure profitability, yet their investment efficiency is significantly lower than that of the private and FDI sectors, he said.

The core reason behind this paradox lies in governance mechanisms and the investment institutional framework applied to SOEs.

Under current orientation, SOEs must focus on key sectors, essential public services, and national defense and security tasks. At the same time, they are required to divest from many other fields in line with policy mandates. This has narrowed their operational space, leaving insufficient legal grounds to enter new high-efficiency sectors and limiting their ability to seize market-driven opportunities.

In addition, the authority of the state owners representative agencies over SOEs remains overlapping and deeply interventionist. Although the law allows owner representatives to directly decide on investments below 50 percent of equity capital, many internal regulations still require enterprises to seek opinions and submit reports before making decisions. Lengthy appraisal and approval processes, coupled with complex procedures, slow investment progress, increase costs, reduce capital efficiency, and may even cause firms to miss market opportunities.

Another important factor concerns personnel and incentive mechanisms. The selection of owner representatives and management teams in SOEs has not fully adhered to market principles and still carries strong administrative characteristics.

In many cases, officials are transferred from administrative roles to enterprise management positions without fully meeting business governance requirements. Salary and bonus mechanisms are tightly constrained and less attractive than in the private sector, making it difficult for SOEs to attract and retain high-quality talent.

Furthermore, Dien noted that the legal framework for handling investment and business risks in SOEs remains unclear. Business inherently involves risk, yet if every instance of capital loss is automatically assigned personal liability, it fosters a fear of mistakes and responsibility, stifling innovation and the willingness to act.

In practice, many SOEs have suffered prolonged losses, insolvency, and mounting interest expenses over years, yet there is still no clear legal corridor for comprehensive restructuring or bankruptcy under market mechanisms.

Operating under modern market logic

Oil and gas exploitation at the Bach Ho field. Photo: Petrovietnam
Chinese New Year events bring festive touch of red to Frankfurt

Xinhua) 10:34, February 24, 2026

FRANKFURT, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- A series of cultural events characterized by Chinese singing, dancing and arts brought a festive touch of red to Frankfurt, as residents marked the Chinese Spring Festival following the city's carnival celebrations.

Red lanterns decorated the main stage set up in central Frankfurt on Sunday, drawing crowds of local spectators. Artists from southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region presented traditional songs and dances, captivating a fascinated audience.

The performances included dance styles unique to northern Xizang, which are part of China's intangible cultural heritage, according to the head of the dance team from Nagqu City in Xizang.

"The performance is really wonderful. It is the first time in my life that I have watched such graceful Xizang dances in Frankfurt," Feldmann, a 67-year-old Frankfurt resident, told Xinhua.

The one-hour-long Xizang-style performance marked the finale of the second Chinese New Year Temple Fair in Frankfurt, which opened on Friday.

A Dingbu dragon dance, a form of national intangible cultural heritage from the Chinese province Zhejiang, made its debut at the temple fair's opening ceremony on Friday. More than 10 performers mimicked the leaps and flips while doing the Dragon dance.

Beyond the artistic performances, booths featuring Chinese delicacies, Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), sugar painting and traditional Chinese festival supplies attracted many German visitors.

Julia, a freshman studying sinology at Goethe University Frankfurt, said it was her first time attending a Chinese New Year-related event. The vibrant expressions and visual elements of Chinese culture inspired her to "learn more about the Chinese culture," she said.

Stella Schulz-Nurtsch, a member of the City Council in Frankfurt, also attended the temple fair with a bright red scarf. "Red is a symbol of Chinese culture," she said, adding that the festive enthusiasm could disperse the winter's coldness.

The temple fairs and related activities were part of a broader program of festivities in Frankfurt celebrating the Chinese New Year.

The city government, together with the General Consulate of China in Frankfurt, has hosted the Chinese New Year receptions for years. Nargess Eskandari-Gruenberg, deputy mayor of Frankfurt, said this joint celebration has become a tradition.

It reflects stable and friendly cooperation between the two sides, Eskandari-Gruenberg said, adding that Frankfurt will continue to support deepening cooperation with China and promoting people-to-people exchanges.

The Spring Festival is the most important and oldest in the Chinese cultural circle, said Christoph Degen, state secretary of science and research, art and culture of the German state of Hesse, where Frankfurt is located.

The Chinese community is an important part of the diverse society in Hessen, said Degen, adding that Hessen looks forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Du Mingming)
Today's announcement follows $5 million awarded on MLK Day, bringing the Action Fund's total investment via its Preserving Black Churches program to $13.5 million in 2026.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (Action Fund) awarded $8.5 million in grants to 33 historically Black churches through its fourth annual Preserving Black Churches (PBC) program grant round. This new investment follows $5 million in grants awarded on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to five churches, underscoring the Action Fund's sustained commitment to protecting sacred places that anchor Black faith, culture, democracy, and community life.

The PBC program is a $60 million initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., offering congregations and organizations stewarding historically Black churches the funding and technical expertise needed to safeguard their historic assets and legacies. To date, the PBC program has awarded nearly $34 million and supported 170 churches from Alaska to Puerto Rico.

Together, the MLK Day awards and this latest round of PBC grants represent a total investment of $13.5 million to date in 2026 for the preservation, stewardship, and long-term sustainability of historically Black churchesone of the most significant commitments in the program's history. The $1 million MLK Day partnership awards focus on long-term sustainability and stewardship management, supporting churches as enduring institutions and cultural venues. The PBC grants announced on February 24 range from $50,000 - $500,000 and are designed to address immediate needs across capital projects, endowments and financial sustainability, organizational capacity, programming and interpretation, and preservation project planning.

"America's 250th anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable legacy of our nation's historically Black churches." said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund and strategic advisor to the CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "They are essential civic institutions that have anchored democracy, community leadership, and collective care for generations. By investing in their preservation today, we are safeguarding not just historic buildings and architecture, but a living legacy of resilience and social progress for the future."

For generations, historically Black churches have served as more than buildings. They are central to African American communities where faith, culture, and activism converge. These sacred spaces have nurtured leadership, fueled movements for justice, and provided stability and hope through some of the nation's most pivotal chapters.

2026 Preserving Black Churches Grantees

With continued funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Action Fund is proud to expand its efforts to preserve and sustain historically Black churches through the Preserving Black Churches program's grantmaking.

The full list of PBC 2026 grantees is available on the announcement page. Press photos are available for download via WeTransfer.

About The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund is a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since its founding in 2017, the Action Fund has raised $200 million and supported over 400 preservation projects, making it the largest national resource dedicated to the preservation of sites tied to Black history in the United States. With support from the Ford Foundation, Mellon Foundation, Freedom Together Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and others, the Action Fund is safeguarding historic places tied to Black resilience, activism, and achievement. Learn more at savingplaces.org/actionfund.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation protects historic landscapes and buildings representing our country's diverse cultural experience by taking direct action and inspiring broad public support. Chartered by Congress in 1949 as a privately funded organization and committed to honoring the histories of all Americans, the National Trust collaborates with partners and allies to save places, educate the public, and use preservation to address urgent challenges and serve communities today.

Learn more at https://savingplaces.org.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE National Trust for Historic Preservation
National transport infrastructure makes great strides

In recent years, Vietnams national transport infrastructure system has seen robust and more synchronised development, with many key projects completed ahead of schedule. By the end of 2025, the country had put into operation 3,345 km of main expressway routes and 458 km of interchanges and access roads, along with 1,701 km of coastal roads and 1,584 km of national highways.

Van Ninh  Cam Lo Expressway is one of the sub-projects of the NorthSouth Expressway (Eastern section) project (Photo: VNA)

Panoramic view of Cai Mep  Thi Vai port complex in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

In addition, airports, major seaports and railway infrastructure have been prioritised for upgrades and expansion. Key projects include the completion of Terminal T2 at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the ongoing development of Long Thanh, Gia Binh and Phu Quoc airports. National railway projects are also being advanced, including the NorthSouth High-Speed Railway, the Lao CaiHanoiHai Phong, HanoiLang Son and Hai PhongHa LongMong Cai routes. Urban railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are likewise being implemented.

Urban infrastructure, housing and technical infrastructure have developed at a faster pace, better meeting the demands of residents and businesses. Urban spaces have been expanded, giving rise to new urbanised areas and emerging growth poles. Many urban areas, economic zones, industrial parks and tourism-service complexes have been developed in a synchronised manner. Power supply, water supply and drainage systems, wastewater and solid waste treatment facilities, public lighting systems and green parks have been upgraded.

Social housing and workers housing programmes, along with urban renovation and redevelopment, have been accelerated, gradually improving living conditions for the people. Nationwide, more than 687,000 social housing units have been implemented, and 334,200 temporary and dilapidated houses have been eliminated. These are special national projects that embody the Partys determination and the peoples aspirations

The energy sector has grown strongly, placing Vietnam at the forefront of Southeast Asia in terms of power system scale. National energy security has been ensured, largely meeting the demands of socio-economic development and peoples daily lives. By the end of 2025, the total installed capacity of the national power system, excluding imported electricity, reached approximately 87,600 MW, up nearly 6,400 MW compared to 2024. Of the total, renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and biomass, accounted for around 24,453 MW, representing 27.9% of the total capacity.

National digital infrastructure records breakthroughs

In terms of telecommunications, Vietnams internet speed rankings have surged into the leading group in the region and the global top 1015 by international assessments. 4G coverage exceeds 99.8%, 5G covers more than 91% of the population, and 100% of communes and wards are connected by fibre-optic broadband. Fibre coverage to households has reached 87.6%, while smartphone penetration is estimated at over 85%.

Innovation capacity and the startup ecosystem have also strengthened, contributing to improving national competitiveness. Vietnam ranked 44th out of 139 economies with an overall score of 37.1 in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII) released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The country was also recognised as one of the nine middle-income economies that have recorded the fastest improvement in rankings over the past decade.

By 2025, nearly 78% of applications for fully

online public services were submitted end-to-end via digital platforms, while

close to 84% of public services generated online applications.

These figures indicate that Vietnam has moved beyond basic digitalisation to a model of data-driven operations with digital infrastructure serving as a foundation for enhancing governance effectiveness and reducing costs for citizens and businesses.

Strong breakthroughs in synchronised, modern infrastructure

During the last five years, a wide range of large-scale, modern and well-coordinated projects in transport, energy, logistics, urban development, healthcare, education and digital infrastructure have been completed or are underway. These projects have generated strong spillover effects, increased land values, enhanced competitiveness and attracted investment, gradually positioning Vietnam as a key connectivity hub in the region and the world.

Presenting the 13th Party Central Committees report on documents to be submitted to the 14th National Party Congress at its opening session on January 20, Party General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed the three strategic breakthroughs that are decisive to achieving the countrys development goals in the coming period. Among them, the breakthrough in developing synchronised and modern infrastructure was placed on par with institutional reform and the development of high-quality human resources.

Notably, in addition to transport, energy and urban infrastructure, the report places strong emphasis on digital and data infrastructure  the foundation of the digital economy and modern governance  prioritising strategic transport infrastructure, energy infrastructure, urban infrastructure, telecommunications infrastructure, especially digital and data infrastructure.

The Party chief stressed that infrastructure development must also go hand in hand with climate change adaptation and stronger regional linkages. He underlined the need to expand development space in line with the national master plan, ensuring regional and local connectivity, as well as regional and global integration. He stated that connectivity is key to reducing logistics costs, improving investment efficiency, expanding markets, creating jobs and spreading development opportunities nationwide.

The report clearly outlines three strategic breakthroughs that must be pursued with greater determination, faster pace and full commitment, underscoring their close links: institutions pave the way; human resources determine speed and quality; and infrastructure creates space and momentum for growth.

If implemented in a coordinated manner, we will generate new momentum and a stronger position for development; if carried out half-heartedly, we will forfeit opportunities, the Party leader said

The country stands at a historic juncture as it prepares to enter a new era of its rise. Institutions are increasingly becoming the breakthrough of breakthroughs, while the young workforce is eager to contribute, and the national digital infrastructure is making rapid strides. All are poised to converge under the bold decisions set out in the documents submitted to the 14th National Party Congress, generating combined momentum to drive the nation toward prosperity and happiness./. VNA
In the spring 2026, Ho Chi Minh City is undergoing a powerful transformation, stepping into a breakthrough phase that is redefining its identity as a newly expanded mega-city and reaffirming its role as the nations economic locomotive through unprecedented infrastructure strides.

From vast construction sites to a defining leap forward

Long Thanh International Airport is expected to begin commercial operations in 2026. Photo: Nguyen Hue

In the first days of the new year, construction sites across Ho Chi Minh City - from the urban core to major gateways - are filled with energy and urgency.

The outline of a dynamic metropolis is taking shape through an expanding network of ring roads, expressways, underground metro lines and large-scale canal rehabilitation projects.

As Long Thanh International Airport prepares to enter commercial service, Ho Chi Minh City has reinforced its position as the countrys largest economic center while maintaining its role as a crucial hub for international trade, logistics and the broader urban-port chain across the Southeast region.

This transformation goes beyond reinforced concrete. It symbolizes a renewed planning mindset: infrastructure moves one step ahead to guide development space for a multi-centered and sustainable mega-city.

Looking back at 2025, the citys construction sector was widely recognized for breakthroughs in implementing key resolutions of the Party Central Committee and municipal authorities.

Metro Line 2 construction site in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuan Hung

Serving as a core agency, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction advised and organized the execution of a series of strategic projects, laying an essential foundation for the 2026-2030 development period. In road transport and technical infrastructure alone, the city prepared and submitted investment proposals for 20 strategic projects to competent authorities for approval.

This determination has yielded tangible outcomes. The urban railway network has made notable progress, with Metro Line 2, connecting Ben Thanh and Tham Luong, officially breaking ground in early 2026. Prior to that, the Ben Thanh - Can Gio railway line was launched at the end of 2025, opening a new southern growth axis.

A two-tier mega-city mindset

Thousands of canal-side houses will be relocated. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Tran Quang Lam, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, noted that 2026 carries historic significance as the first year implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and the Resolution of the first Ho Chi Minh City Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term.

It also marks the second year the city operates under a two-tier local government model following administrative consolidation, forming a newly expanded Ho Chi Minh City with broader development space.

Under the citys socio-economic development plan this year, the construction sector has been assigned key targets closely tied to public welfare.

Specifically, the city aims to increase the proportion of land allocated to transport infrastructure to 16 percent of total urban construction land; ensure wastewater collection and treatment meets regulatory standards; complete the relocation of nearly 2,000 houses along canals; and develop 28,500 social housing units to create more civilized living spaces for residents.

Beyond housing targets, Ho Chi Minh City is placing strong emphasis on softening urban space through inland waterway infrastructure. The renovation of Bach Dang Wharf, upgrades to inland water terminals and riverbank erosion control projects not only enhance urban safety but also harness the distinctive advantages of the citys riverine landscape.

The integration of modern technical infrastructure with natural scenery is expected to transform Ho Chi Minh City into a more livable metropolis, where every project ultimately serves the community.

Unblocking trillion-dong corridors, reconnecting regional lifelines

The An Phu interchange is expected to be completed in 2026. Photo: Tuan Hung

According to leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, the centerpiece of the 2026 infrastructure campaign is synchronized regional connectivity in line with the 2021-2030 City Master Plan, with a vision to 2050.

The city targets the groundbreaking of around 15 major strategic projects, including Ring Road 4 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai Expressway. Landmark works such as the Can Gio - Ba Ria Vung Tau sea-crossing bridge and Thu Thiem 4 Bridge are also on the agenda.

In parallel, 12 large-scale projects are slated for completion and operation, including Ring Road 3, key interchanges at An Phu and My Thuy, and the environmental improvement project along the Tham Luong - Ben Cat - Nuoc Len canal.

Notably, breakthroughs in the urban railway network and aviation infrastructure are raising expectations for a modern public transport system. The stable operation of Metro Line 1, linking Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien, alongside the strong launch of Metro Line 2, demonstrates the citys determination to prioritize high-capacity transport and resolve long-standing bottlenecks.

Plans to extend these metro lines are expected to serve as a catalyst reshaping the southern economic landscape. Metro Line 1 has received in-principle approval for extension to the administrative center of Dong Nai and connection to Long Thanh Airport, forming a backbone corridor that shortens distances between the urban core and surrounding industrial satellites.

Meanwhile, Metro Line 2 will extend toward Thu Thiem and integrate with the Long Thanh - Thu Thiem railway, creating a seamless multimodal transport network.

The completion of these projects will ease inner-city traffic pressure and ensure comprehensive connectivity across road, rail, waterway and air transport.

Metro Line 1 will be extended to Long Thanh Airport. Photo: Nguyen Hue

Beyond land transport, the strategy to expand development space toward the sea through the Can Gio International Transshipment Port, combined with upgrades to the seaport system and linkages with the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster, is shaping a multi-layered transport structure.

The bridges rising and expressways stretching across the landscape today are not merely engines of economic growth. They are enduring foundations that enable Ho Chi Minh City to affirm its leadership role and confidently embrace its trajectory as one of Southeast Asias most modern and sustainable mega-cities.

Tuan Kiet
The carrier said it will operate two flights per week on Thursdays and Sundays, using the Comac C909 aircraft configured with 90 economy-class seats. The flight time is estimated at about one hour and 20 minutes.



Under the schedule, Flight QV317 will depart from Vientiane at 11:20 and arrive in Da Nang at 12:40 the same day. The return flight, QV318, will leave Da Nang at 13:50 and land in Vientiane at 15:10 the same day.



Tickets will be available at Lao Airlines ticket offices in Laos, through authorised agents, as well as on the carriers website and mobile application. The proposed round-trip fare listed on the website is 290 USD for bookings made in April.



Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lao Airlines operated the Vientiane  Da Nang route using ATR-72 aircraft with 70 seats, transiting in Pakse city in southern Laos. In 2023, it attempted to relaunch a direct Vientiane  Da Nang service using Airbus A320 aircraft, but later suspended operations as market demand had yet to fully recover after the pandemic.



According to Lao Airlines, the route resumption this time is expected to be more favourable as the airline has introduced the C909 aircraft with 90 seats, which is considered better suited to market demand compared to the previously operated ATR-72 (70 seats) and A320 (148 seats).



The announcement comes amid rising international arrivals to Da Nang, which is projected to welcome around 19 million visitors in 2026. Currently, many travellers from the Republic of Korea and China view Da Nang as a hub while demand for short-haul flights to popular Lao destinations such as Luang Prabang and Vientiane has increased markedly. Lao Airlines expects these international tourists to help fill seats on its C909 aircraft./. VNA
The year 2025 closed with a milestone: 3,000km of expressways completed nationwide. At the same time, major aviation, railway and seaport projects have been given clear roadmaps, laying the foundation for the next phase of accelerated growth.

On the eve of a new term marked by strategic projects, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh spoke with VietNamNet about the foundations, expectations and long-term vision for Vietnams key national transport infrastructure system.

A foundation built on 3,000km of expressways

Minister Tran Hong Minh. Photo: Ministry of Construction.

2025 marked a significant achievement for the construction and infrastructure sector with the completion of 3,000km of expressways. How does this result form the basis for the next stage?

The 13th National Party Congress set a target of approximately 5,000km of expressways nationwide by 2030. To realize this goal, the National Assembly and the Government established a specific roadmap, requiring about 3,000km to be completed by 2025.

This was an extremely challenging task. Entering the 2021-2025 term, after more than 15 years of implementation, the country had only about 1,163km of expressways. That meant nearly 2,000km had to be completed within five years, averaging around 400km per year - five times the pace of the previous period.

Under the decisive direction of the Party, the State and the Government, the target was achieved. This result creates a solid foundation in three key aspects.

First, the capacity of infrastructure construction enterprises has improved significantly. Many domestic contractors have mastered new technologies, invested in modern equipment, and built an increasingly professional workforce of engineers and workers.

Second, the implementation capacity of state management agencies has been strengthened, particularly in land clearance, relocation of technical infrastructure and securing material supply. Coordination between central and local authorities has become closer and more effective.

Third, practical implementation has served as a real test for institutional reform. Bottlenecks in planning, investment, construction and bidding have been addressed, helping to form a more synchronized and transparent legal framework for rapid and sustainable development.

Major aviation projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, Gia Binh International Airport and Phu Quoc International Airport are entering crucial stages. What roles will they play in 2026?

In the context of rapidly growing travel and logistics demand, especially as Vietnam prepares to host APEC 2027, these projects carry special significance.

For Long Thanh airport, the consistent objective is to put it into operation in 2026, creating a breakthrough in infrastructure capacity and easing pressure on Tan Son Nhat. For Gia Binh airport, the focus is on completing essential components to serve high-level reception and diplomatic activities during APEC. Phu Quoc airport aims to be completed in 2027, laying the groundwork for the island to develop into an international tourism and service hub.

In the longer term, under the master plan for airport development for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, Vietnam is expected to have 31 airports by 2030 and 34 by 2050. The goal is for 100% of the population in lowland areas and 95% in mountainous areas to access an airport within a 100km radius.

Notably, the system will form two international transit aviation hubs: one in the Capital region, centered on Noi Bai and Gia Binh, and one in the Ho Chi Minh City region, centered on Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, enhancing regional connectivity and optimizing investment efficiency.

Long Thanh International Airport is targeted for operation in 2026, creating a breakthrough in capacity and easing pressure on Tan Son Nhat. Photo: Hoang Anh.

How will major railway projects such as the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong line play a role in 2026?

The year 2026 will be pivotal in the investment preparation phase for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway. The Ministry will complete the feasibility study report, which will determine alignment, scale, technical standards, total investment and socio-economic efficiency.

In parallel, technical designs for certain priority components will be implemented, along with capital mobilization and other conditions necessary for construction.

Regarding the North - South high-speed railway, what are the Ministrys goals and expectations for 2026 and the coming term?

The North - South high-speed railway is a strategic national project and among the largest-scale railway initiatives in the world. The Ministry has selected a leading consulting consortium from Spain, the country ranked second globally in high-speed rail development.

In 2026, the goal is to complete the selection of consultants to prepare the feasibility study. This will serve as the basis for determining the optimal alignment, station locations linked to urban development and administrative boundary adjustments, selecting appropriate technology, and building a feasible and sustainable investment roadmap.

Alongside road, aviation and rail infrastructure, seaports play a vital role in national logistics. Which major port projects will be prioritized in the coming period, and what are the Ministrys objectives to enhance Vietnams port competitiveness?

Vietnam has formed two international gateway ports capable of receiving the worlds largest container vessels: Lach Huyen and Cai Mep - Thi Vai.

In the next phase, the Ministry will focus on completing these two port complexes, while prioritizing strategic projects such as Can Gio International Transshipment Port, Lien Chieu, Hon Khoai, Nam Do Son, Van Phong and Tran De. Step by step, this will create a large-scale seaport network capable of deeper integration into global logistics chains.

The focus will be on strengthening connectivity between seaports and railways and inland waterways, reforming administrative procedures, improving operational productivity and reducing logistics costs for the economy.

Minister, what role will infrastructure, particularly transport, play in achieving growth of over 10% per year in the new term?

International experience shows that a country aiming for rapid and sustainable development must rely on a synchronized and modern infrastructure system, in which transport plays an especially critical role. With a target of over 10% annual growth, infrastructure is not only a necessary condition but a decisive foundation for long-term competitiveness.

The Ministry of Construction is continuing to promote decentralization and delegation to local authorities, enhancing their initiative and mobilizing social resources for development.

Vu Diep
As the political and administrative centre of the nation and the growth engine of the Red River Delta, Hanoi is actively translating the resolution into concrete, locally tailored action plans, particularly in fiscal decentralisation, public investment, and infrastructure development through public  private partnerships (PPPs).



From policy direction to practical necessity



Implementing Resolution 79 is both a major political task and an intrinsic necessity as the capital faces mounting pressures from urbanisation, infrastructure demand, digital transformation, social welfare provision, and the need to improve residents quality of life.



Resolution 79 sets the target that by 2030 the state-run economic sector will strengthen its leading role in key areas, helping ensure macroeconomic stability and create a foundation for sustainable development. A central pillar is renewing state economic governance through robust decentralisation and delegation of authority to localities, alongside enhanced accountability, transparency, and efficient use of public resources.



For Hanoi, this provides greater autonomy in public investment decisions, budget allocation, and the selection of priority projects, reducing reliance on the former ask-and-give mechanism. At the same time, the resolution promotes stronger mobilisation of social resources, enabling closer cooperation between state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the private sector in infrastructure development and public service delivery.



According to the Hanoi People's Committee, the city promptly instructed departments to develop resolution implementation plans linked with the 20262030 socio-economic development programme, focusing on three priorities: budget decentralisation and stronger accountability in public investment; restructuring local SOEs; and expanding PPPs in infrastructure development and urban services.



Resolution 79 also stresses restructuring and improving the efficiency of SOEs in essential sectors. In Hanoi, local SOEs are being streamlined towards greater transparency and competitiveness. SOEs under the municipal administration's management in water supply and drainage, urban environment, lighting, and public transport will continue to play a core role, but under modern governance models with financial disclosure, transparent bidding, and stricter supervision.



Cooperation between SOEs and private enterprises is being promoted, particularly for large-scale, capital-intensive and technology-driven projects.



New momentum for capital infrastructure



A notable feature of Resolution 79 is the principle of local decision-making, local implementation, local accountability in public investment. With the countrys largest local budget and high infrastructure demand, Hanoi stands to benefit significantly.



The municipal Department of Finance said during 20262030, the city plans to allocate hundreds of trillions of VND for medium-term public investment, prioritising urban transport, environmental improvement, digital transformation, and high-quality education and health care. Stronger decentralisation is expected to shorten approval timelines and improve flexibility while tighter fiscal discipline, digital monitoring, and enhanced inspection aim to prevent wastefulness and inefficiency.



At the grassroots level, wards and communes are also being granted greater authority over the development of community infrastructure and social facilities, enabling faster responses to residents needs and stronger local accountability.



Given that Hanois infrastructure investment needs run into quadrillions of VND, PPPs are seen as a key solution. The city is gradually forming a PPP project pipeline in transport, environment, water supply and drainage, digital transformation, and smart urban services. Resolution 79 provides a solid political cornerstone for expanding private-sector participation while balancing the interests of the State, businesses, and the public.



PPP projects are being advanced in river-crossing bridges, new urban connectors, wastewater and waste treatment, underground parking, data centres, and digital infrastructure.



In digital transformation, PPPs are viewed as inevitable, bringing not only capital but also private-sector expertise, technology, and modern management models to improve public service quality. Hanoi is therefore partnering with major technology firms to develop shared data platforms, smart operation centres, end-to-end online public services, and citizen-oriented digital applications.



Despite initial progress, challenges remain. Experts note that successful implementation requires end-to-end transparency, stronger capacity among civil servants, and a well-designed mechanism for sharing risks with private investors.



The city is refining its 20262030 PPP project list in line with the capitals master plan, prioritising projects with strong spillover effects and aligning project preparation, bidding, and contract management with international practices, said Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Finance Le Trung Hieu.



Through the comprehensive rollout of Resolution 79, Hanoi is moving towards a development model in which the state sector plays a guiding role while private participation is strongly encouraged, especially in infrastructure and urban services.



By 2030, the city aims to build modern and well-connected infrastructure; a green, smart, and liveable environment; fully digitalised public services; and data-driven urban governance. Sound budget decentralisation, effective public investment management, and transparent PPPs are expected to form three key pillars in achieving these goals./. VNA
The holiday from February 1422 saw tourism activities flourish not only in major cities but also across many localities nationwide. Average room occupancy at accommodation facilities reached up to 60%, with several destinations posting notably high rates, including Phu Quoc at around 95%, Sa Pa at 9095%, and Da Lat and Phan Thiet at 8090%.

International arrivals increased sharply in key destinations such as Da Nang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with foreign visitor numbers in some places approaching domestic levels. This reflects the growing appeal and stronger global positioning of Vietnams tourism brand.

In the domestic market, bookings for local tours rose by 1520% compared with the same period last year and accounted for a larger share than outbound travel. Travel trends showed a shift toward personalised experiences, cultural exploration, and longer stays rather than short trips covering multiple destinations.

Major tourism centres reported strong results. Ho Chi Minh City welcomed an estimated 4.32 million visitors, up 35%, with tourism revenue reaching about 12.15 trillion VND (nearly 490 million USD), a rise of 42.9%. Popular products included river tours, double-decker city sightseeing, and traditional Tet cultural experiences.

Ninh Binh received more than 2.37 million visitors, surging 81.38%, with tourism revenue estimated at 2.451 trillion VND, up 52.3%.

Hanoi welcomed around 1.34 million visitors, up 36.3%, generating 4.87 trillion VND in tourism revenue, an increase of 40.2%. Occupancy rates at four- and five-star hotels exceeded 72%, supported by events such as the Happy Tet 2026 programme, Old Quarter flower markets and traditional cultural activities.

Da Nang, one of the most attractive destinations in the central region, served about 1.1 million visitors, up 27%, with tourism revenue estimated at 3.96 trillion VND. Other provinces such as Khanh Hoa, An Giang, Lam Dong and Quang Ninh also attracted large numbers of tourists thanks to diverse cultural and festive programmes.

VNAT attributed the positive performance to favourable visa policies, effective promotion efforts, and continuous product innovation by localities and businesses.

The strong results were also supported by early and comprehensive preparations. Since late 2025, VNAT has issued directives to ensure safety, service quality, price transparency, food safety, and traffic and fire prevention during the peak season. Local authorities established hotlines, arranged round-the-clock duty teams and strengthened inspections to promptly handle emerging issues.

Tourism enterprises actively launched promotional programmes and new products, including traditional Tet experience tours, heritage journeys, double-decker city tours and river cruises. Many high-end accommodation facilities organised New Year celebrations and hands-on cultural activities to enhance visitor experiences.

Meanwhile, airlines added hundreds of thousands of seats and increased flight frequencies on both domestic and international routes. Major airports such as Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai and Da Nang handled record passenger volumes, while cruise tourism welcomed more than 10,000 international visitors during the holiday.

According to VNAT, the longer Tet break created favourable conditions for travel planning and helped kick-start a dynamic year for the tourism industry. Growth was recorded across both domestic and international markets and between major hubs and emerging destinations. In many localities, tourism revenue rose faster than visitor numbers, indicating higher spending and improved service quality.

Changing travel behaviour is also evident, with more visitors booking services online, opting for longer stays, and seeking personalised experiences linked to local culture and heritage  trends that point to more sustainable market development./.VNA
More than a year after entering commercial service, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line has become a decisive boost, driving comprehensive changes in both the transport landscape and the urban development mindset of Ho Chi Minh City.

A boost from 20 million passenger trips

Metro Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien has served more than 20 million passengers after one year of commercial operation. Photo: Tuan Hung

In the first days of 2026, stations along Metro Line 1, Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, are filled with orderly streams of passengers tapping their cards before boarding. What was once seen as a dream on paper now speaks through numbers: more than 20 million passenger trips in 2025, reaching 121.6 percent of the annual target.

Le Thu Ha, 24, an office worker in Sai Gon ward, said the metro has completely changed her notion of going to work.

Before, every morning from Thu Duc into the city center was a battle with dust, heat and traffic congestion at the eastern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City. Now I have 20 peaceful minutes to read on an air-conditioned train, and I arrive at the office neat and composed. The metro truly feels like a lifeline for office workers, Ha said.

Elsewhere, Tran Van Nam, 65, a retiree, shared that taking the metro brings him both joy and connection.

We often arrange to ride the train together and explore the city. The trains run smoothly, the stations are clean and modern. More importantly, it feels safe. My children are more at ease knowing I no longer have to ride a motorbike myself, he said.

Passengers crowd Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro trains in the first days of 2026. Photo: Tuan Hung

Beyond improving residents daily lives, the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line has generated strong momentum for businesses, particularly in tourism. Bui Thi To Trinh, Deputy General Director of Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism, said the parks revenue rose by 32 percent in 2025, while visitor numbers increased by 41 percent compared to the previous year.

About 60 percent of visitors from Ho Chi Minh City to Suoi Tien now choose the metro as their main mode of transport. Visitors from other provinces often arrive at Ben Thanh first, then continue here by metro, Trinh noted.

A backbone strategy and a 2045 vision

The ripple effects of Metro Line 1 have laid the groundwork for a broader transformation. On January 15, Metro Line 2, Ben Thanh - Tham Luong, officially broke ground, marking the start of simultaneous deployment of the citys urban railway network.

Bui Xuan Cuong affirmed that as a special urban center and the countrys economic engine, Ho Chi Minh City faces mounting pressure from population growth and rising travel demand. Developing high-capacity public transport is therefore an urgent necessity.

He emphasized that the priority is to build a modern, synchronized urban railway network serving as the backbone of public passenger transport, strengthening intra-urban and regional connectivity, and moving toward a multi-centered urban structure under the TOD orientation. The goal is to help build Ho Chi Minh City into a civilized, modern, green and livable metropolis, worthy of its position as a major economic hub nationally and regionally.

City leaders outlined a clear roadmap: by 2030, urban railway transport is expected to meet 20 to 30 percent of travel demand; by 2035, 35 to 50 percent; and by 2045, 50 to 60 percent.

Accelerating the nine-line railway roadmap

The metro is not only a means of transport but also the backbone guiding bus systems, TOD development and compact urban models in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nguyen Hue

To realize these goals, Phan Cong Bang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board, said the city is actively preparing investment for additional lines under the approved master plan, gradually forming a multi-directional network connecting the city center with gateways, new urban areas, industrial parks, high-tech zones and major transport hubs.

When metro lines no longer operate in isolation but connect into a unified network, operational efficiency will multiply. The metro will not simply be a means of transport, but the backbone guiding bus systems, TOD development and compact urban models, Bang stressed.

The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has assigned the Urban Railway Management Board to prepare and act as investor for nine urban railway projects. Seven lines were approved under Decision 1195/QD-UBND dated March 28, 2025, and two under Decision 675/QD-UBND dated August 15, 2025, connecting inner-city areas, gateways and inter-regional corridors such as the former Binh Duong direction to Ho Chi Minh City.

In parallel with public investment, several investors have proposed participating in urban railway projects under the PPP model, focusing on lines such as Metro Line 2, Line 3, Line 4, Line 5 and the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway.

According to the plan, feasibility studies and FEED designs will be completed in 2026 - 2027. Compensation, support and resettlement work is expected to conclude in 2027 - 2028, with construction scheduled from 2027 to 2035.

More than a year of operating Metro Line 1 is not a long period, but it is enough to affirm the citys chosen direction. From the everyday rhythm of residents to the strategic vision of policymakers, the railway dream is steadily becoming reality, forming a solid backbone that will carry this southern megacity toward a modern, civilized and sustainable future.

Tuan Kiet
Several key destinations recorded a sharp rise in international arrivals. Da Nang received an estimated 510,000 foreign visitors, up 32% year-on-year; Hue welcomed approximately 238,200, a surge of 207%; Hanoi saw 217,000 international arrivals, an increase of 55%; and Ho Chi Minh City attracted around 170,000, up 51.7%. Khanh Hoa and An Giang also reported growth of between 23% and 28% in overseas visitor numbers.



In the domestic market, bookings for tours within the country rose by roughly 15-20% compared with the same period last year, accounting for a greater share than outbound travel. Preliminary figures indicate that the average occupancy rate at accommodation establishments reached between 55% and 60%. Several destinations achieved notably high levels, including To Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang province) at an estimated 100% occupancy; Phu Quoc (An Giang) at around 95%; Sa Pa (Lao Cai) at 90-95%; and Da Lat and Phan Thiet (Lam Dong) at 80-90%. In many localities, international arrivals were comparable to, or close to matching, domestic visitor numbers.



The upturn has been attributed to favourable visa policies, effective promotional campaigns and renewed efforts by businesses and local authorities to diversify tourism products. Officials say the results further affirm the standing of Vietnams destinations in the international market.



According to VNAT, the overall picture of tourism during the break shows broad-based recovery and growth.



Notably, growth was evenly distributed between domestic and international markets, as well as between major hubs and emerging destinations. Total tourism revenues in several provinces rose by more than 30%. The market also recorded clear shifts in consumer behaviour, with more travellers booking services via online platforms and favouring personalised experiences linked to culture, history and local identity, often opting for longer stays.



No serious incidents involving tourists were reported nationwide during the nine-day period.

Foreign visitors check in at a Vietnamese Tet-themed space in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Local authorities reported that Ho Chi Minh City welcomed approximately 4.32 million visitors over the holiday, up 35% annually, generating tourism revenue of 12.15 trillion VND (467.85 million USD), a 42.9% increase. Its average room occupancy stood at 75%. Hanoi, meanwhile. received an estimated 1.34 million visitors, up 36.3%, with total revenue reaching 4.87 trillion VND, up 40.2%; and occupancy rates at four- and five-star hotels exceeded 72%.



Da Nang welcomed around 1.1 million visitors, an annual rise of 27%, with revenues of 3.96 trillion VND. An Giang recorded 1.7 million visitors, generating 2.622 trillion VND, an increase of nearly 40%. Lam Dong received approximately 910,000 visitors, with room occupancy rates of 75-80%.



These outcomes highlight the robust rebound of key tourism centres and underscore their leading role in driving growth and generating positive momentum across the sector during Tet.



Encouraging signs at the outset of the Year of Horse are expected to provide fresh impetus for the industry as it strives towards its 2026 targets of 25 million foreign and 150 million domestic arrivals./.VNA
The conference and exhibition will take place from February 23 to 27 in Hong Kong (China), expected to see about 2,500 delegates from more than 65 countries and territories.



First held in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, 30 years ago, the APAIE Conference and Exhibition is one of the four largest global events on international education, alongside the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo (the US), the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference (Europe) and the Australian International Education Conference (AIEC).



The Vietnamese delegation, led by the Ministry of Education and Training, will officially inaugurate the Vietnam Education Exhibition at APAIE 2026 on February 23.



Vietnams organisation of a national education exhibition at APAIE marks an important step in the international integration of the countrys education sector, particularly higher education.



Vietnams key message at the event is to present a dynamic higher education system that prioritises training quality, research development and deeper international integration.



Vietnamese higher education institutions participating in APAIE 2026 aim to expand international student recruitment and attract leading experts, lecturers, administrators and scientists to work in Vietnam; promote the quality of undergraduate and postgraduate education; strengthen academic exchange and cooperation in faculty and student mobility; enhance the global recognition and reputation of Vietnams higher education brand; explore research collaboration and international publication opportunities; and attract international partners and resources for investment and development in education in Vietnam.



The Vietnam Education Exhibition at APAIE 2026 will feature 17 representative higher education institutions and education organisations, thus showing the diversity and strengths of Vietnams education system.



Major and key universities participating include Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, known for its multidisciplinary training, fundamental research and technology transfer, and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), recognised for strengths in economics, finance and sustainable development.



Institutions in the engineering and technology group include Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology under Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH).



International and joint-model universities include RMIT Vietnam, VinUniversity (VinUni), Fulbright University Vietnam, Vietnam Japan University under Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnamese-German University, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH).



Other participating institutions include the Academy of Finance, Phenikaa University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and Van Lang University.



During the event, the Vietnamese delegation will take part in conference sessions, present policies on attracting investment in education and hold bilateral meetings with international partners.



Vietnam has a population of more than 100 million people, with more than 25 million potential learners. Its young demographic structure and rapidly expanding middle class are driving growing demand for high-quality education, particularly at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Vietnam is not only a country with a large number of students studying in developed countries, but is also gradually emerging a destination for international students because of its competitive tuition costs and education quality regnised in global university rankings such as QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) and THE (Times Higher Education)./.VNA
New shifts in Vietnams Internet landscape

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology and recent international rankings, Vietnam's fixed broadband speeds placed the country in the global top tier as of October 2025, ranking 10th worldwide, while mobile broadband ranked 15th. Following commercialisation, 5G networks now cover 59% of the population, providing a critical foundation for the development of digital economy, digital government, and digital society.



Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long said Vietnams Internet is shifting along five key trends closely tied to development realities. The first shift concerns governance. The sector is moving from a space largely driven by self-regulation among stakeholders toward one governed by clearer institutional framework, laws, and standards, matching its growing societal role.



The second concerns information's role. Vietnams Internet is evolving beyond mere content delivery into a powerful force that molds behaviour and directly influences social decisions. Algorithms and AI-driven platforms increasingly guide consumer patterns, public opinion, and personal choices. In response, the recent promulgation of an Artificial Intelligence Law demonstrates Vietnams balanced approach that fosters innovation and enforces risk-based controls rooted in ethics, transparency, and human-centric principles.



Next is the data shift. The Internet is moving from fragmented data use toward treating data as a strategic asset demanding responsible stewardship. Digital platforms must balance exploitation for value creation with safeguards for citizens rights and national interests, consistent with modern governance norms.

Another pivotal change repositions Vietnams Internet from basic connectivity infrastructure to comprehensive digital infrastructure powering the digital economy. It must extend beyond transmission pipes to encompass connectivity, computing power, data, platforms, and security, becoming central to productivity gains, competitiveness, and economic self-reliance.



Finally, development goals are pivoting from sheer expansion toward sustainable, inclusive advancement, with a focus on narrowing digital divides across regions and demographics. Governance is shifting from reactive incident management to proactive, risk-oriented prevention with a long-term horizon.



Developing safe, humane, and trustworthy Internet



Nguyen Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Vietnam Internet Network Information Centre (VNNIC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, noted that Vietnams Internet now faces multiple complex risk groups, including physical infrastructure incidents such as cable disruptions or data centre outages, cyberattacks and routing attacks, resource abuse and surging online fraud.



Sharing a similar view, Vu Hoang Lien, Chairman of the Vietnam Internet Association, stressed that the darker side of technological advances, such as AI and big data, is increasingly being exploited for warfare, psychological manipulation, and illicit profit with growing sophistication. Many victims of online fraud are among Vietnams nearly 80 million Internet users.

Operating a robot to boost factory capacity (Photo: VNA)

Vietnams forward-looking Internet strategy centres on cultivating a safe, humane, and trustworthy digital environment that supports socio-economic progress, built on trust, fueled by innovation, and underpinned by robust institutional framework. This aligns with the guiding principles of Resolution 57, now concretised through digital transformation and AI legislation, with ongoing enforcement.



To build a safe and sustainable Internet space, Lien underscored digital culture as a core factor. Beyond technical proficiency, it includes awareness, attitudes, and responsible conduct in the online realm. Empowered users who combine access with understanding can safeguard their rights, contribute constructively, and create shared societal value.



From the corporate viewpoint, Nguyen Huu Cuong, Product Manager for Personal Information Security at VNPT Cyber Immunity, said amid increasingly sophisticated online scams and AI-driven attacks, individual users are becoming the most vulnerable group in cyberspace. Risks are amplified for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, those with limited digital access, and general users.



In response, the VNNIC has adopted technical measures to protect the Internet at its roots. These include Internet resource management, enhanced routing and domain name security, and the deployment of authentication and resource-protection technologies to minimise risks. Broader "Internet cleanup" efforts feature domain protection mechanisms, AI and machine learning for abuse detection and early warnings, and a community reporting system for swift violation identification and response, thus shielding users and enterprises.



Since 2020, Vietnam has achieved a 97% protection rate for its Internet address space. Additionally, 14,000 domain names have been secured to ensure digital identity safety./.VNA
MIAMI, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hollywood celebrates creativity at the Oscars, new research from Florida International University's College of Business suggests that how creative work is made may matter just as much as the final product  especially when artificial intelligence is involved.

Generative AI is now commonly used in creative fields like marketing and music, but a recent study in Academy of Management Discoveries reveals that creators who disclose using AI face negative judgments, regardless of their existing reputation.

The research, conducted by Joel Carnevale, assistant professor of management at FIU Business, in collaboration with researchers at Syracuse University, sought to answer whether a stellar reputation shields creators from criticism when they use AI.

The answer: it does not.

In one experiment, participants evaluated a video game soundtrack. Everyone heard the same composition, but the description of the composer varied.

Some were told the piece was created by Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning composer behind "Inception", "Dune" and "The Dark Knight" trilogy. Others were told the same music came from a first-year college student with no professional standing. In half the scenarios, participants also were told the composition was created "in collaboration with AI."

Although Zimmer's name was used in the study to represent a famous, recognizable composer, Zimmer has previously said that he, personally, would not use AI to compose music.

"Regardless of whether the composer was Hans Zimmer or a student just starting out, disclosing AI use led to more negative evaluations," Carnevale said.

Reputational prestige and creative competence declined substantially when AI use was disclosed. Even a household name in film music was not insulated from skepticism once AI entered the picture.

Reputation still mattered  just not enough to prevent damage.

When the composer was described as Hans Zimmer, participants were more likely to credit the human creator and assume AI played a smaller role. When described as an unknown student, they assumed heavier AI reliance.

"That was the one limited benefit of reputation," Carnevale said. "People were more willing to believe that a highly respected creator was still driving the creative process."

The effect extended beyond the arts. In another experiment, participants evaluated a highly regarded advertising employee known for strong ideas and awards. Again, AI use reduced reputational standing.

"When people believe AI was used in the creative work, even if they are not told how much it was used, they start questioning whether the creativity is genuine," Carnevale said. "Authenticity turned out to be the key mechanism."

Disclosing that AI was used for administrative tasks softened the backlash slightly but did not eliminate it. Participants were also less likely to seek collaboration with an AI-reliant colleague.

The researchers stress that their findings are not an argument against AI, noting prior studies show it can enhance creative output. Instead, the work highlights a gap between technological capability and social perception.

"Right now, AI carries a reputational tax," Carnevale said. "Creators have to manage not just the work itself, but also perceptions surrounding how the work came to be."

For now, even the most celebrated creatives are not immune.

"If someone like Hans Zimmer doesn't get a free pass," Carnevale said, "that tells us just how powerful these perceptions still are and how carefully creators need to think about their image when collaborating with AI."

Media Contact:

Michelle Lopez

305-348-7422

[email protected]

SOURCE Florida International University
The facility, located in Tan Hung Industrial Park, represents the first phase of the companys investment and forms part of its broader expansion in Southeast Asia. YADEA says the plant is intended to strengthen its manufacturing capacity in Vietnam and support growing demand for electric two-wheelers.

Designed as a smart manufacturing facility, the plant is expected to play a larger role in the companys regional supply chain. It is projected to create thousands of jobs for local workers and add momentum to Vietnams electric motorbike industry, which has seen steady growth in recent years amid the shift toward greener transport options.

The company has indicated that it plans to continue investing in production technology and workforce development in Vietnam as it expands its footprint in the market.

At the same event, YADEA will introduce the YADEA Osta, positioned as its flagship electric scooter and produced on the new Bac Ninh production line. The model features a Neo-Retro design combining classic and contemporary elements, and is tailored to urban commuting conditions. It offers an extended travel range and upgraded battery performance, along with integrated safety and smart features commonly seen in higher-end scooter segments./.VNA
SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Datalink Networks, a national managed service provider delivering secure, scalable IT solutions for midmarket and enterprise organizations, announced today that it has been named by CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, to the Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category for 2026.

CRN's annual MSP 500 list is a comprehensive guide to the leading MSPs in North America. These companies deliver essential managed services that enhance business efficiency, simplify IT, and optimize return on technology investments for their customers.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections: the Pioneer 250, which recognizes MSPs focused on the small- and midsize-business market; the Elite 150, recognizing MSPs with a blend of on- and off-premises services for mostly midmarket and enterprise customers; and the Security MSP 100, spotlighting MSPs with cloud-based security services expertise.

The MSP 500 list showcases and celebrates MSPs that are driving growth and innovation. These companies empower businesses with complex technologies so they can achieve their business goals without stretching financial resources.

Datalink Networks earned placement in the Elite 150 category in recognition of its mature and scalable managed services practice, its ability to support complex hybrid IT environments, and its continued focus on delivering measurable business outcomes across cloud, cybersecurity, and infrastructure services for midmarket and enterprise customers nationwide.

"The companies on our 2026 MSP 500 list are redefining what exceptional managed services look likehelping organizations of every size stay agile, maximize their IT investments and scale with confidence," said Jennifer Follett, VP of U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN, The Channel Company. "These are the innovators who stay ahead of customer needs and deliver transformative services that free businesses to focus on what they do best and accelerate their success."

"Being named to CRN's MSP 500 Elite 150 is a meaningful milestone for Datalink Networks and a direct reflection of the expertise, dedication, and collaboration of our entire team," said Don Wisdom, President of Datalink Networks. "This recognition validates our continued investment in scalable managed services, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions that help our customers operate with confidence in increasingly complex IT environments."

The 2026 MSP 500 list will be featured online at crn.com/msp500 beginning Feb. 11.

About Datalink Networks

Datalink Networks is a national IT solutions provider specializing in cybersecurity, cloud, Microsoft technologies, managed services, and strategic consulting. With 35+ years of experience, the company helps midmarket organizations strengthen security posture, modernize infrastructure, and achieve measurable business outcomes.

With SoCal headquarters in Santa Clarita, California and Southern headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, Datalink Networks serves clients nationwide.

Dedicated to providing customers with excellent customer service, expertise, and leadership, Datalink Networks is your one-stop shop for all things IT.

Follow Datalink Networks: LinkedIn and X

For more information, visit www.datalinknetworks.net

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: LinkedIn and X .

 2026 The Channel Company, Inc. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE Datalink Networks
DENVER, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA) today announced that its chief financial officer, Joel Ackerman, and its group vice president of investor relations, Nic Eliason, will participate in a fireside chat with investors at TD Cowen's 46th Annual Health Care Conference on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:50 am EST.

To view the live webcast, visit the TD Cowen page here and create a free registration.

About DaVita Inc.

DaVita (NYSE: DVA) is a health care provider focused on transforming care delivery to improve quality of life for patients globally. As a comprehensive kidney care provider, DaVita has been a leader in clinical quality and innovation for more than 25 years. DaVita cares for patients at every stage and setting along their kidney health journey from slowing the progression of kidney disease to helping support transplantation. This includes ensuring they are supported at home, in dialysis centers, in the hospital and in skilled nursing facilities. As of December 31, 2025, DaVita served approximately 295,000 patients at 3,242 outpatient dialysis centers, of which 2,657 centers were located in the United States and 585 centers were located in 14 other countries worldwide. DaVita has reduced hospitalizations, improved mortality, helped improve health access and worked collaboratively to propel the kidney care community to adopt a higher quality standard of care for all patients, everywhere. To learn more, visit DaVita.com/About.

Contact Information

[email protected]

SOURCE DaVita
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Four years ago today, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Since then, around 8,000 people displaced by the war have been welcomed to Wales through the UK Governments Ukraine Family Scheme, the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, and the Welsh Governments own Super Sponsor route, which brought almost 3,400 people to safety.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt MS marked the anniversary on Tuesday with a statement thanking those who helped.

She said: I want to express my sincere thanks to the thousands of hosts, volunteers and local communities whose generosity has made safety, stability and belonging possible.

Ms Hutt said Ukrainians are now working across Welsh public services, schools and businesses, adding: Wales is stronger as a result of many who now call our country home.

Welsh businesses have also played a role, with Ms Hutt saying companies across Wales continue to provide capability and supply-chain support that strengthens Ukraines ability to withstand the ongoing aggression it faces.

Last year the Welsh Government spent 53,000 on a dedicated Ukraine Immigration Advice Service, giving legal support to Ukrainian families as their existing visas come to an end.

The UK Government has extended the application window for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme from 28 days to 90 days.

Ms Hutt said: Wales stands resolute with the Ukrainian people and all those uprooted by this war. We will continue to do so for as long as it takes.





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The Llangollen and Corwen Railway is throwing open its doors and inviting the community to discover the secrets behind one of Wales most popular heritage attractions.

On Saturday 14 March 2026, from 10am, the railway will host a Volunteer Open Day at Llangollen Railway Station, offering a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes and see what it really takes to run a fully operational heritage railway.

From safety critical operational roles and signal box duties to front of house customer service, retail, engineering and even the pathway towards becoming a steam locomotive driver, visitors will see how departments work to deliver safe, professional, and memorable operating days.

The railway is home to the largest volunteer base of any similar organisation in Denbighshire, with a dedicated team running into the hundreds. Yet organisers say there is always room for more people to get involved  because at Llangollen and Corwen Railway, no two days are ever the same.

Full details and tickets for the Branch Line Gala can be found here: https://llan.hops.org.uk/tickets/branch-line-gala

Robin Crowley, Volunteer Coordinator at Llangollen Railway, said, Through the Shared Prosperity Fund and Denbighshire County Council, the Llangollen and Corwen Railway is truly thriving. We already have the largest volunteer base of any comparable organisation in Denbighshire, but our ambitions continue to grow as we head into our 51st year of operation.

Interest in the railway is going through the roof following our recent rise in profile, and it is our volunteers who make that possible. No two days are ever the same here. One day you could be working on the footplate, the next in the signal box, in the workshop, or welcoming passengers from around the world.

This Open Day is a chance to find out more about what we do, how we operate, and the incredible contribution our volunteers make. If you are considering becoming a volunteer or even just curious, we would love you to come along.





The event forms part of the railways continued growth, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Denbighshire County Council, which has helped strengthen the volunteer programme and widen access to new opportunities.

Open Day sessions will run throughout the day, with opportunities to speak directly to current volunteers and departmental representatives.

To find out more and confirm attendance, please email volunteering@llangollen-railway.co.uk.





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TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dutch Bros Coffee, Dutch Bros Foundation and customers came together to donate more than $1.1M on Dutch Bros' annual Dutch Luv Day of Giving. On Friday, February 13, the Dutch Bros Foundation donated $1 for every drink sold at Dutch Bros shops to local food organizations throughout the communities that Dutch Bros serves.

Dutch Bros, Dutch Bros Foundation and Customers Share the Dutch Luv by Donating More than $1.1M to Local Food Nonprofits.

"This year's Dutch Luv Day of Giving results are a collective effort and dedication from our customers, teams and communities, " said Tana Davila, chief marketing officer at Dutch Bros. "Making a massive difference one cup at a time is ingrained into who we are and what we do at Dutch Bros. We're grateful to partner with local nonprofits each year to host this giveback and support those organizations working to address food insecurity in our communities."

Each year, nonprofit partners are selected by local operators to help make a difference in their local communities. This year's beneficiaries include Central California Food Bank, San Antonio Food Bank, Utah Food Bank, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and more.

About Dutch Bros Coffee

Dutch Bros Coffee is a fun-loving, mind-blowing drive-thru coffee company dedicated to making a massive difference one cup at a time. Dutch Bros was founded in Grants Pass, Oregon in 1992 and is now sharing its vibrant culture and fully customizable drinks at 1,136 locations and counting across 25 states. Dutch Bros serves a wide variety of unique, handcrafted beverages such as its exclusive Dutch Bros Rebel energy drink, specialty coffee, nitrogen-infused cold brew, teas, lemonades, sodas and more.

Dutch Bros is wholeheartedly focused on radiating kindness and sharing the Dutch Luv. In addition to its mission of speed, quality and service, the Dutch Bros Foundation is passionate about giving back to the communities it serves. Through local giving and annual nation-wide initiatives, the Dutch Bros Foundation makes impactful contributions to causes across the country.

To learn more about Dutch Bros, visit www.dutchbros.com , follow Dutch Bros Coffee on Instagram , Facebook & TikTok , and download the Dutch Bros app to order ahead, earn points and score rewards!

SOURCE Dutch Bros Coffee
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has warned that lives are being put at risk by long waits at Wales emergency departments.

The comments come after new performance figures revealed that nearly half of all A&E patients waited longer than four hours while one in six faced waits of 12 hours of longer to be seen, treated and discharged.

According to the RCEM, figures show than 11,367 people waited for 12 hours or longer, nearly four times (a 278% increase) the figure for the same month 10 years ago (3,006 people). Yet attendances have increased by just 11% in the same period.

The percentage of patients waiting for four hours of more is 49.3%, which is an increase from last Januarys figure of 44.0%

The RCEM said the figures highlight the urgent need to prevent the increase in patient stress and delay in care.

Dr Rob Perry, RCEM Vice President for Wales, said: Januarys data shows the harsh reality of the situation in our EDs, and the impact it is having on patients, despite the best efforts of staff, who continue to go above and beyond  not just in January but all year round.

Our members will always do their best to provide all patients with the care they need, but the systemic problems that are resulting in lengthy waiting times and corridor care only make this difficult task more challenging.

Long waits for patients increase frustrations all round, but more seriously, put lives at risk.





To resolve the crisis in EDs, the Welsh government needs to make a public commitment to end overcrowding and improve the flow of patients across hospital pathways.

It must also ensure enough consultant staffing, and improving IT systems to reduce the administrative burden on staff and reduce clinical errors.

Only by tackling these issues, will we ensure that EDs can continue to provide the safe levels of care they want to and that their patients deserve.

The worsening of emergency department waits comes despite separate figures showing wider NHS waiting lists have fallen to their lowest level in almost three years.





Provisional data for January indicate a decrease in total pathways waiting and a decrease in pathways waiting more than two years.

There were just under 741,000 open referral-to-treatment (RTT) patient pathways in December 2025, a decrease of around 16,900 since November.

Welsh Government data shows that 115,700 pathways have been waiting longer than one year for treatment, while 5,200 have waited longer than two years.

The number of pathways waiting less than 26 weeks decreased to 59.4% in December, while the number of pathways waiting longer than 36 weeks decreased to just under 220,000.

Across Wales, just over 32,700 people are waiting longer than a year for their first outpatient appointment, the lowest figure since September 2020.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said treatment waiting time figures showed sustained improvement.

She said: Seven months of the waiting list falling. The longest waits down by more than 90% from their peak. Tens of thousands more outpatient appointments delivered. This is real progress thats making a massive difference to peoples lives.

I made a commitment to the people of Wales to cut the waiting list and the longest waits. Thats exactly what is happening.

These arent just numbers  they are real people having treatment in Welsh hospitals and clinics from hard working and dedicated NHS staff. What they do matters enormously.

Its important this momentum is kept up. We will continue to work hard every day alongside the NHS so everyone who needs it receives timely treatment.

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Members of the Senedd return to the Siambr debating chamber in Cardiff Bay today after a year-long redevelopment project.

The expansion prepares the chamber for 96 Members, up from 60, ahead of the election on 7 May 2026.

For the past year, Members met in a temporary debating chamber in the Ty Hywel building behind the Senedd.

The Siambr has been reconfigured using removable back-wall sections that were built into the original design when the building opened on 1 March 2006.

Thirty-six additional desks have been installed, internal steps removed to improve accessibility, and broadcasting and ICT systems upgraded.

Llywydd Elin Jones MS said: This return to the Siambr marks an important milestone for our Senedd.

Our debating chamber has been transformed to meet the needs of a larger parliament and a new era of Welsh democracy as we look ahead to the election on 7 May.

Members returned to the Siambr for Plenary at 1.30pm on Tuesday, with First Ministers Questions the first item on the agenda.





The redevelopment used Welsh oak from original Members desks, refurbished existing oak doors, and sourced slate from the same Welsh quarry used in the 2006 construction.

Welsh-based contractors carried out the majority of the work.

The expansion was overseen by RSHP, the architects behind the original building.

Senior Design Director Ivan Harbour said: Twenty-five years ago, we set out to create an emblematic home for Welsh democracy, with the Siambr at its heart, designed to encourage the public to witness and engage with political life.





Today, this sensitive expansion, planned for all those years ago, allows the Siambr to accommodate more Members of the Senedd while preserving its openness, transparency, and the original spirit of participation.

The May 2026 election will be the most significant change to Welsh devolution since the Senedd was established.

Voters will choose under a new proportional list system, with six Members representing each of 16 new constituencies.

Voters will be asked to choose one party or independent candidate, with six seats allocated proportionally from that vote.

The Senedd building holds BREEAM Excellent status.

It has received the RIBA National Award, the Civic Trust Award, and the Chicago Athenaeum International Award, and was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize.

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With the 2026 tax filing season underway, the Washoe County Sheriffs Office is encouraging people to remain vigilant against tax-related scams that continue to impact communities nationwide.

Each year, scammers become more sophisticated in their efforts to steal personal and financial information. Fraudsters often use phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media to impersonate the Internal Revenue Service, tax preparers, or financial institutions. In some cases, they use spoofed phone numbers or official-looking websites to make their messages appear legitimate.

While anyone can be targeted, scammers frequently focus on people they believe may be less familiar with IRS procedures or more likely to respond quickly to urgent demands.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, common scams this year include phishing emails and smishing text messages designed to trick taxpayers into clicking malicious links, false promises of large refunds or tax credits, and threats claiming a warrant, lawsuit, or account suspension is imminent unless immediate payment is made. Scammers may also try to convince people to share login credentials for their IRS online account.

The Sheriffs Office reminds people that the IRS does not initiate contact through email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. The agency does not demand immediate payment using gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency, and does not threaten arrest or law enforcement action over the phone. Official IRS contact typically begins with a letter sent through the U.S. Mail.

The Sheriff's Office recommends filing tax returns as early as possible to help reduce the risk of identity theft-related fraud. People should verify information directly through the official IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams and avoid clicking unsolicited links or sharing personal information with unknown sources.

Anyone who believes a tax scam has targeted them is encouraged to report it to the IRS and contact local law enforcement. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office says sharing information about scams with family, friends, and colleagues can help prevent others from becoming victims this tax season.
10:15 P.M. UPDATE:

After an hours-long closure due to high winds causing crashes, I-580 through Washoe Valley has reopened with restrictions.

The Nevada Department of Transportation is reporting that vehicles over nine feet are currently prohibited due to high winds.

This restriction runs from Mt. Rose Highway to Eastlake Boulevard.

The same restriction is in place on U.S. 395 Alternate through Washoe Valley.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE (12:45 P.M.)

I-580 is currently closed in both directions from Mt. Rose Highway to Eastlake Boulevard in southern Washoe Valley due to high winds and weather-related crashes.

The closure is expected to last for several hours, possibly even until tomorrow morning.

NHP tells us that there are at least four crashes at this time. One person was transported to the hospital; it is unknown from which crash site.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Office says it's helping NHP with the crashes, including one that overturned between Bowers Mansion Road and Bellevue Road.

NDOT says passenger cars are allowed to travel and can detour via old/Alternate U.S. 395 through Pleasant Valley and the Bowers Mansion area.

NHP says that drivers should obey all traffic laws, slow down, follow all NDOT highway signs for danger, plan for strong winds, use alternate routes, and expect delays as this portion of I-580 is particularly "unsafe" due to the wind.

High-profile vehicles of nine feet or taller can not travel through the area, and are advised to make alternate plans/detour.

(The Washoe County Sheriffs Office contributed to this story.)
A lawsuit by the state of Nevada against social media platform Snapchat's parent company will move forward after the Nevada Supreme Court denied a writ petition appeal.

The Nevada Attorney General's Office says the petition argued that Snapchat should be immune from litigation because it did not specifically direct its business toward Nevada consumers.

Attorney General Aaron Ford says the lawsuit aims to hold the company accountable for alleged harms to children in Nevada.

"Today's decision sends a clear message: tech companies cannot evade accountability when Nevada's children are harmed," said Ford on social media.
FAIR showed groups protecting illegal conduct have unclean hands

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit rejected an effort by activist groups to stop the Internal Revenue Service from sharing information about illegal aliens with another federal agency, the Department of Homeland Security. The groups fear that the data-sharing program instituted by the Trump Administration will result in more deportations of the illegal aliens the groups serve. The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) had filed a brief in the DC Circuit urging the court to deny the injunction the groups seek.

FAIR pointed out in its brief that the illegal alien service groups cannot be heard to demand an injunction protecting the continued violation of federal immigration law. Under the doctrine of "unclean hands," a plaintiff whose own conduct is unlawful or in bad faith cannot demand an injunction by a court, even if the conduct they seek to enjoin is itself unlawfulas is hardly the case here.

Today, the court held that the data-sharing program complies with applicable statutes, and therefore is, indeed, lawful.

"There is nothing wrong with one federal agency sharing information with another, to further the purposes of Congress in the immigration laws," said Christopher J. Hajec, deputy general counsel of FAIR. "And even if there were, a court should not use an injunction to protect bad conduct by plaintiffs. We are pleased the court refused to join in helping illegal aliens evade the law, saw that there is no basis for an injunction here, and ruled in favor of the administration."

The case is Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent, No. 25-5181 (DC Circuit).

To schedule an interview with one of FAIR's spokespersons, contact Hayley Hill at [email protected].

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)
Catalina Resources Divests Nelson Bay River Project and Secures Additional Capital



Catalina Divests NBR and Strengthens Balance Sheet

Perth, Feb 24, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Catalina Resources Limited ( ASX:CTN ) advised of a series of portfolio and capital structure developments associated with transactions involving Newcam Metals Pty Ltd ("Newcam").



HIGHLIGHTS



- Binding divestment of the Nelson Bay River Project (Tasmania), simplifying Catalina's asset base and removing associated rehabilitation and closure obligations



- Release of approximately A$827,200 in Rehabilitation Security Deposit expected upon completion, converting restricted funds into available working capital



- Placement to Newcam Metals Pty Ltd of 3,623,188 shares at A$0.115 per share (67% premium to last closing price), raising approximately A$416,666, together with attaching options (subject to shareholder approval):



o 3,623,188 options exercisable at A$0.23

o 3,623,188 options exercisable at A$0.345



- Strengthened balance sheet and liquidity profile, enhancing funding flexibility for ongoing exploration and evaluation activities



- Subject to completion the Company's indicative cash position will be approximately A$4.32 million



Executive Director, Ross Cotton, commented:



"The divestment of Nelson Bay River represents a deliberate step in Catalina's ongoing portfolio optimisation strategy. The transaction simplifies the Company's asset base, removes associated rehabilitation and closure obligations, and converts previously restricted security deposits into available working capital.



Completing the placement at A$0.115 per share, a 67% premium to the last closing price, is a highly constructive outcome for Catalina. The transaction not only strengthens the Company's working capital position but also demonstrates Newcam's conviction in Catalina's portfolio and growth initiatives through increased equity participation at premium pricing.



Together, these initiatives strengthen the Company's balance sheet and enhance financial flexibility.



Catalina remains focused on disciplined capital management and advancing those opportunities considered to offer favourable risk-adjusted outcomes for shareholders."



DIVESTMENT OF NELSON BAY RIVER PROJECT



Catalina has entered into a binding agreement with Newcam for the divestment of the NBR asset, being the Nelson Bay River iron ore project located in Tasmania. Under the terms of the agreement, completion of the transaction will result in the release of A$827,200 currently held as a Rehabilitation Security Deposit back to Catalina, together with nominal cash consideration.



The Nelson Bay River Project has historically formed part of Catalina's broader asset portfolio and has been maintained in compliance with applicable regulatory and rehabilitation obligations. Following an internal portfolio review, the Company determined that the asset has not been subject to active exploration planning within the Company's current work programs and was considered peripheral to near-term capital allocation. The divestment reflects Catalina's continued focus on assets considered to provide stronger exploration and development leverage within its core project portfolio.



Importantly, upon completion Catalina will have no further rehabilitation, environmental, closure, monitoring, or contingent liabilities associated with the Nelson Bay River Project. The transaction simplifies the Company's obligation profile while converting previously restricted security funds into available working capital.



Completion is subject to customary conditions precedent, including regulatory and administrative approvals.



CAPITAL RAISING - PLACEMENT TO NEWCAM AND ATTACHING OPTIONS



Newcam has elected to participate in a cash placement to subscribe for 3,623,188 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of $0.115 per share utilising the Company's remaining Listing Rule 7.1 capacity, resulting in an aggregate capital raising of approximately $416,666.



The placement reflects Newcam's decision to increase its direct equity exposure to Catalina at the stated price. The placement price of A$0.115 per share represents a premium of approximately 67% to the Company's last closing price of A$0.069 on 16 February 2026 and provides additional funding support to the Company.



Proceeds from the placement will strengthen Catalina's working capital position and enhance financial flexibility as the Company advances priority exploration programs, technical evaluation activities, and broader portfolio initiatives. Catalina continues to prioritise disciplined capital management while maintaining the capacity to progress its key projects.



In addition, the placement will include two series of attaching options issued on a one-for-one basis with the placement shares, comprising:



- 3,623,188 options exercisable at A$0.23 per option with an expiry 3 years from the date of issue; and



- 3,623,188 options exercisable at A$0.345 per option with an expiry 3 years from the date of issue.



The attaching options will be issued subject to shareholder approval and on terms to be detailed in the relevant Notice of Meeting.





About Catalina Resources Ltd





Catalina Resources Ltd (ASX:CTN) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and advancing gold and multi-commodity projects in tier-one jurisdictions. Backed by a technically experienced team with deep industry knowledge, Catalina is committed to creating value through focused exploration across highly prospective and underexplored regions in Western Australia.

The company's core assets are located in the Central Yilgarn and Laverton regions, two of the most historically productive and geologically endowed gold provinces in the country. Both projects have demonstrated the potential to host significant mineralisation, with early-stage drilling already delivering promising results.

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AceShowbiz - Massive Attack have unveiled their highly anticipated European tour for summer 2026, announcing five carefully selected dates across major venues in the region.

The Bristol trip-hop pioneers shared the exciting news on Tuesday, February 24, using social media to reveal their upcoming European performances. The tour announcement marks a significant moment for fans who have been eagerly awaiting new live dates from the influential group.

The European trek will commence on May 27 with an opening performance at Helsinki's Veikkaus Arena, followed by a show at the distinctive Dalhalla venue in Rattvik on May 30. The tour continues into June with three additional performances across prominent European cities.

June dates include stops at Copenhagen's Royal Arena on June 1, Berlin's Zitadelle on June 7, and Brussels' Forest National on June 8. These venues represent some of Europe's most respected concert halls, promising intimate yet powerful performances from the legendary act.

Ticket availability begins Wednesday, February 25, with pre-sales launching at 9am GMT. Fans can access tickets through the official channels, while Massive Attack's WhatsApp channel offers additional updates and information about the upcoming shows.

Beyond touring news, Massive Attack continues making headlines with various projects. Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten will be covering some of the group's tracks for the upcoming Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man film soundtrack, bringing their music to new audiences through cinema.

The band has also revealed plans to release a "cache" of music "created in the recent past" this year, though notably not through Spotify. This decision stems from their ongoing dispute with the streaming platform following reports about CEO Daniel Ek's 600million investment in Helsing, a Munich-based company developing military drones and artificial intelligence.

Massive Attack hasn't released new material since their 2020 EP 'Eutopia', with their last full-length album being 2010's 'Heligoland'. However, Robert Del Naja confirmed in a 2024 NME interview that they have "some new music which we've been sitting on for four years", with plans to release some content in 2026.

The group remains politically active, recently joining over 400 artists in supporting the No Music For Genocide campaign alongside Fontaines D.C. and Amyl & The Sniffers. They've also collaborated with Primal Scream in criticizing government actions regarding Palestine Action demonstrations in London.
Derren Nathan, head of equity research, Hargreaves Lansdown: The FTSE 100 is little moved this morning after a flat performance yesterday, but beneath the apparently calm surface, things are choppier than they seem. Commodity stocks have been riding on the coattails of stronger oil and metal prices. Thats offset continued falls in software and data-focussed companies such as Sage, RELX, Experian and the London Stock Exchange Group as herd mentality stokes anxiety around the threats from Artificial Intelligence. Warren Buffetts mantra of being greedy in times of fear could serve investors well here, as long as theyre prepared to hold for the long-term. Speciality chemical company Croda Internationals 2025 results contained few bangs or flashes but painted a resilient picture as management continue to execute its transformation plan. Revenue grew by 6.6% to 1.7bn before exchange rate moves, and underlying pre-tax profit was up 8.4% to 276mn, slightly ahead of forecasts. Tariff uncertainty made for a tough trading environment for Croda, which was one of Hargreaves Lansdowns shares to watch in 2025. But broad-based sales growth and efficiency gains have helped support an 11% rise in the share price since the company was highlighted to HL investors. With a similar trading performance expected this year, there could be more to come, particularly if the market gains confidence in the companys plans to expand underlying operating margins to over 20% over the next three years. Despite an unprecedented 65% rise over the last year, gold continues to attract safe-haven monies as investors try to assess what the new normal for global trade looks like following last weeks Supreme Court ruling against Donald Trumps Liberation Day Tariffs and his subsequent threat of a 15% baseline tariff. However, it now looks like the new levy will come in at a more benign 10%, and gold prices have pulled back around 1% after four straight days of gains. Copper prices have been moving on up, benefitting from hopes that the court order will result in lower import levies on Chinese goods, thereby providing a boost to manufacturing activity. That was also reflected in Chinese equities after markets reopened following the pause to welcome the lunar Year of the Fire Horse. The major exception was Hong Kongs tech-dominated Hang Seng, which lost over 2% as the AI fear trade spread eastwards. US stock futures are pointing to a mild recovery at the open after the major indices all lost over 1% yesterday. The latest domino to fall in response to potential disruption from Artificial Intelligence is IT consulting. Anthropic continues to be the chief antagonist, this time unveiling a tool that promises to plug the knowledge shortage for the legacy programming language COBOL, which still underpins IT infrastructure across sectors as diverse as financial services, airlines and the public sector. Its still too early to say just how much the likes of Claude Code will displace established providers of coding services, but right now, just the mere mention of a new tool is enough to wipe billions of dollars off the value of Accenture (-6%) and IBM Shares (-13%). Industrial stocks and US financials also had a tough start to the week with tariff uncertainty hanging thick in the air as Americas trading partners weigh up their responses to Washingtons blanket levies and Donald Trumps sabre-rattling. Brent Crude prices have risen to nearly $72 per barrel as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran send mixed signals about the likelihood of military escalation. The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month has left traders increasingly sensitive to developments in the region. Reported Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure have added to the tension. Add in expectations of an oil surplus this year and the ever-shifting trade landscape, and further volatility looks to be the only certainty.
Bombay High Court Quashes EDs PMLA Case Against Lawyer Kishor Devani in Anil Deshmukh Probe 2

The Bombay High Court has quashed the Enforcement Directorates (ED) money laundering case against lawyer Kishor Devani, a close associate of former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, granting him major relief in the high-profile investigation.

In its order, a single-judge bench of Justice Ashwin Bhobe set aside the criminal proceedings initiated by the ED as well as the process issued against Devani under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Devani had been accused of assisting Deshmukh and his family in laundering alleged illegal collections amounting to nearly Rs 100 crore per month from Mumbai bar owners.

The ED had alleged that Devani had been a director of M/s Premier Port Links Private Limited since 2009 and that Deshmukhs wife and son were joint shareholders in the company. According to the agency, the firm received a loan of Rs 100 crore, including Rs 2.20 crore allegedly routed from M/s Flourish Properties Private Limited, an entity linked to the Deshmukh family. The funds were allegedly used to purchase land in Dhutum village as part of a layered money laundering transaction.

However, Devani contended that Premier Port Links was jointly owned, with a 50 per cent stake held by him and the remaining by the Deshmukh family. He argued that the Dhutum village properties were acquired between 2005 and 2007well before the alleged proceeds of crime, which the ED itself placed between December 2020 and February 2021.

After examining the charge sheets and material on record, Justice Bhobe observed that even if the EDs allegations were accepted at face value, the purported proceeds of crime arose much later than the property transactions in question. The court found no material to establish a link between the properties purchased in 20052007 and the alleged criminal proceeds.

The High Court further held that the ED had failed to demonstrate that Devani knowingly dealt with proceeds of crime, a necessary requirement under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA. The court also criticised a September 16, 2021 order of a special PMLA court in Mumbai, stating that it lacked proper application of mind and did not satisfy the threshold for initiating proceedings.

Concluding that no prima facie case was made out, the High Court quashed the ED complaint and the process order against Devani, effectively ending the proceedings against him in the case.
President Droupadi Murmu Begins Four-Day Multi-State Tour Across Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Rajasthan 2

President Droupadi Murmu will embark on a four-day visit to Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Rajasthan beginning today, with a series of high-profile public engagements and ceremonial events lined up across the three states.

On the first day of her visit, the President will inaugurate the nationwide campaign Saving Lives and Building a Healthier Bharat, organised by PD Hinduja Hospital at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.

On Tuesday, she will attend the National Arogya Fair 2026, organised by the Union Ministry of AYUSH in Shegaon, Buldhana district. She will also grace the state-level launch of the programme titled Golden Era of Maharashtra through Unity and Trust, organised by the Brahma Kumaris in Nagpur on Wednesday.

On Thursday, President Murmu will participate in the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Sri Jagannath Temple in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The event is being organised by the Shri Jagannath Spiritual and Cultural Charitable Centre Trust. During her visit to Jamshedpur, she will also tour Manipal TATA Medical College and interact with students.

Concluding her tour on Friday, the President will witness Ex Vayushakti at Pokharan in Rajasthan, a major demonstration of the Indian Air Forces operational capabilities.

The visit underscores the Presidents engagement with health, cultural, spiritual and defence initiatives across different regions of the country.
Rohit Pawar Slams Maharashtra Govt Over CBI Probe in Ajit Pawar Crash, Raises Fresh Questions 2

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Monday criticised the Maharashtra governments decision to seek a CBI probe into the plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, alleging that handing the case to the central agency would only delay the investigation.

His remarks came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state had requested Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a CBI inquiry into the January 28 crash in Baramati that claimed five lives.

Speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan, Rohit Pawar said a report seeking a CBI investigation had already been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Union ministry concerned and the chief minister. He argued that the CBI was burdened with nearly 7,000 pending cases, including around 2,500 pending for more than a decade, and claimed that the Maharashtra CID was capable of conducting a timely probe.

We will not tolerate wastage of time in the name of investigation. Only 30 per cent of the information regarding the crash has been made public. Seventy per cent of the material is still with me, he said.

Rohit Pawar also questioned reports that the black box of the ill-fated Learjet 45 aircraft had been burnt, claiming photographs of the device had reached him. If any irregularity comes to light, this government will have to pay a heavy price, he warned.

He reiterated his demand that Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu step aside until the investigation is completed.

Recalling Ajit Pawars legislative contributions, Rohit Pawar said this was the first session without his uncle, who had presented the state budget 11 times and could have gone on to set new records. He would always say that no matter what happens, one must fight  and that is why we are fighting, he added.

On the absence of NCP (SP) leaders at the Maha Vikas Aghadi meeting ahead of the budget session, Rohit Pawar said senior leaders were held up elsewhere. He also said Sharad Pawars vast experience could continue to guide the party, especially with Rajya Sabha elections approaching.

NCP (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad, meanwhile, said delays in the probe had fuelled public suspicion. He termed the claim that the black box was burnt as the biggest doubt, adding that such an occurrence was unprecedented. Awhad also alleged that the aircraft had exceeded its permitted flying hours and lacked proper clearance.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi, he asserted, remained united.
Ive been raging all week on my Substack about our miserable elite, mainly echoing Jeffrey A. Tuckers History on Fast Forward, which takes a whack at our century-old progressive elite, and Alicia Nieves on Why the Democratic Party Cant Moderate. Shes telling us how all the elected Democrat politicians are scared stiff of The Groups, a highly organized ecosystem of national advocacy groups, politicized unions, and ideological nonprofits.

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But the idea that struck me in Tuckers piece was his notion of elites. He argued that the main effect of progressivism has been to replace the natural elite with an artificial elite. In the old days, you had private pockets of authority that made possible the funding of philanthropy, religion, arts, and libraries. Now, its all gubmint programs.

Then I read Helen Andrews on America Needs a Better Meritocracy, all about the mess in higher education. It seems weve moved from discriminating against Jews to discriminating against blacks to discriminating against whites and now discriminating in favor of Asians.

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After reading Jeffrey Tucker, my take on Helens universities was, Yeah, thats what you get with an artificial elite. Kinda like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Not that our current elite is heading for an iceberg. Oh no.

Still, if you read about Gavin Newsom, you start to wonder. He seems to have spent a lot of his life partying at all the right restaurants -- way before the party at the French Laundry -- and bonking with the babes. Experts agree that this is not what you think. Gavin just felt that the best way he could serve his country was to become a credentialed bonk-ologist. As part of his studies, Gavin hung out with Gordon Getty, the fourth child of J. Paul Getty, the oil baron. Did you know that Gavin Newsom's father, William Newsom, one of Gordon's friends since high school, managed the [Getty] family trust for years?

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And then theres Susan Rice in the news this week for threatening corporate America with consequences for cooperating with President Trump. Did you know that Susan Rice is the daughter of an education policy analyst and an economics professor and governor of the Federal Reserve System?

You know, I think Jeffrey Tucker is wrong. Its not an artificial elite thats the problem; its the inherited elite that is wrecking America and taking us to the cleaners. Its the folks who got into the elite because Daddy and Mommy were in the elite.

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Artificial elite, inherited elite, fake elite: you make the call. And everyone wants to be a member of the nomenklatura rather than a mere apparatchik.

Somehow, this inheritance culture seems familiar. I worry that our liberal elite has culturally appropriated the collective warmth of the inherited dictatorship culture of the Kim family in North Korea. If its good enough for real commies, then it must be okay for woke commies.

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But look at the folks that Susan Rice is threatening.

Take Mark Zuckerberg. Sure, hes the son of a dentist in upstate New York, and, I guess, got into Harvard because he was a programming prodigy. He dropped out of Harvard after a year and moved to Palo Alto to crank up Facebook. And then he met Peter Thiel.

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Peter Thiel is a German immigrant and another prodigy. Excelling in math and charging other students to take their SATs, Thiel got red-pilled when he had to take a woke course at Stanford. After a spell as a lawyer and derivatives trader, he got money from friends and family to become a venture capitalist and helped create PayPal. And then Facebook.

What can one say about the U.S.s leading African American, Elon Musk? I just read the other day that Elon applied for an immigrant visa to Canada at the age of eighteen. I could say that if Elon didnt exist, we would have to invent him. The only problem is that it would have taken another Elon to invent our Elon.

And dont get me started on Donald Trump, who inherited Dads outer-borough apartment business and decided to make it downtown. I think theres a song about that. Ask Frank Sinatra.

If I had my druthers, Id want America to celebrate its natural elite. But I realize, on our 250th anniversary, that the original elite of our land was a mixture. It included landed slaveowners like Washington and Jefferson, solid characters like John Adams, jumped-up nobodies like Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, and rapscallions like Sam Adams.

The hard part is going to be deciding what to do about The Groups, the crazies that think they can save the world with politics. Maybe Elon Musk is giving us a hint, now that he has switched from Occupy Mars to building a moon base. Perhaps he has been watching reruns of The Honeymooners. Well know if he decides to build a Moon Base Alice. Know what I mean?

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also, get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- An upcoming segment of the Public Television program "Empowered with Meg Ryan" will feature Full Bloom Financial, offering viewers an educational look at financial planning designed for Christian women. The segment, which will be filmed at the Empowered Studio in Boca Raton, Florida on February 26th, 2026, is designed to inform a broad audience about the unique financial considerations and opportunities present for women of faith who are also business owners. It will be an educational journey into how a personalized financial strategy can serve as a foundation for a confident and purpose-driven life.

Full Bloom Financial

This feature will illuminate the reality that many women are underrepresented and underserved by the traditional financial industry, often receiving generic advice that does not account for their specific life stages, values, or goals. The program will explore how financial services can be approached in a way that is values-based and relational, moving away from a transactional mindset. The segment will emphasize how comprehensive planning empowers women to turn challenges such as longer life expectancies, income gaps, and time away from the workforce into opportunities for confidence and long-term stability. It will also highlight the unique needs of women business owners, who must balance personal financial goals with business planning, increasing business value, and ensuring their hard-earned success translates into lasting financial independence. The discussion will also explain how Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) can provide a way for individuals to align their portfolio with their faith, offering a path to stewardship that feels both financially sound and spiritually aligned. Viewers will learn about the significance of working with a fiduciary advisor and how a flat-fee model not only increases transparency and access to quality guidance but also keeps costs predictableensuring fees don't rise when a woman inherits money, sells a business, or sees her portfolio grow. This gives women greater control over their financial journey while removing the pressure to meet investment minimums often seen in the industry.

"Jesus has already given us abundance. But abundant living requires intentional stewardship, it doesn't happen by accident. With clarity, planning, and faithful steps forward, women can confidently prepare for retirement, manage today's finances, grow a business, and steward God's provision. Through faith-based, flat-fee fiduciary financial planning, you don't have to do it alonelet's cultivate a financial life that reflects your faith and your future." Michelle Brow, ChFC, CEPA, Financial Life Cultivator and Founder of Full Bloom Financial.

The segment is designed to help viewers understand how financial confidence can be cultivated through clear, jargon-free education. It will reveal how a specialized approach to financial management can assist women who feel overwhelmed or uncertain about their financial future. The program will also touch on the statistics that show women's high likelihood of becoming the sole manager of their finances, underscoring the necessity of feeling secure in those choices. This educational journey will reveal how purposeful and faith-aligned planning can offer not only financial stability but also peace of mind. The program will explore how comprehensive planning, which includes both personal and business finances, can help a woman build a strong financial foundation for herself and her family, while also honoring her values and goals. The segment will also touch upon the importance of asking the right questions of a financial professional to ensure they are a good fit, promoting better communication between parties.

About "Empowered with Meg Ryan": "Empowered with Meg Ryan" is a Public Television program that offers viewers valuable insights and educational content, inspiring them to take informed action in their lives and communities. The program highlights organizations that are making a positive impact and providing pathways to greater well-being. Learn more at: www.empoweredprogram.com

About Full Bloom Financial: Full Bloom Financial is a values-driven, flat fee-only RIA specializing in wealth management and financial planning tailored for Christian women, Christian women business owners, and their loved ones. The firm provides comprehensive, transparent, and faith-aligned guidance to help clients steward their resources with confidence and peace of mind. Learn more at: www.fullbloomfinancial.com

SOURCE Empowered with Meg Ryan
The burgeoning Epstein scandal has taken down one of the major foreign adversaries of both AT and international freedom of expression in general.

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Until just two weeks ago, Morgan McSweeney was a political strategist for the British Labour Party, as well as PM Keir Starmers chief of staff. As such, he was one of the most powerful and influential figures on the British Left. On February 8, he was forced to resign due to his connections to Peter Mandelson, Britains former ambassador to the U.S. Mandelson was arrested in London yesterday on suspicion of misconduct in public office following the exposure of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Morgan McSweeney, originally Irish, became involved with the Labour Party in the late 1990s. For many years, he worked as an organizer and campaigner for the party, steadily working his way up until he reached the top of the heap in the 2020s. McSweeney was widely credited with turning the party around after the Jeremy Corbyn anti-Semitism debacle, along with positioning Starmer as the new party leader. In 2024, he ranked as the most influential English leftist in a New Statesman poll. In July of that year, he was appointed Starmers Head of Political Strategy and in October became chief of staff.

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While all this was going on, McSweeney was also acting in a self-appointed role as Lord Chief Censor for the UK and the World at Large. This was accomplished by means of an outfit called Labour Together, an NGO founded to spearhead party reform, among other agendas. If McSweeney didnt actually found Labour Together, he certainly played a key role, being listed as both company secretary and managing director in various sources.

Labour Together, in turn, sponsored two other outfits, Stop Funding Fake News (SFFN) and Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH). Although another party, Imran Ahmed, claimed credit for founding these organizations, emails published by Matt Taibbi, among others, make it clear that McSweeney was instrumental in setting up both. The mission of both SFFN and CCDH was, quite simply, censorship.

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Their structure and tactics were heavily influenced by an American organization, the secretive Sleeping Giants, a group of anonymous infotech figures founded to attack new media outlets. SFFN, the earlier outfit, was presented as a grassroots effort by anonymous Britons established to fight online right-wing hate. This, of course, meant anybody opposed to the British leftist establishment, no matter what their reasons or ideology.

The funding was reportedly derived from Labour Together without anybody being quite aware that it was happening. The first targets were to be supporters of Brexit, Nigel Farage, and Reform UK. On this side of the pond, the major target was Breitbart, though a number of other outlets also lined up -- prominent among them none other than American Thinker.

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SFFNs primary tactic was to target advertisers, posing as concerned citizens who contacted companies to claim that they were advertising on alt-right and neo-Nazi sites. The goal was to strip the sites of revenue, and in this, they had some success.

It happened that Labour Together was accused of accepting illegal contributions, some 739,000, that were used in illegitimate electoral activity not reported to the UK Electoral Commission. In September 2021, Labour Together was sanctioned and fined 14,250.

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As we know, this did nothing to slow down Morgan McSweeney. Eventually, SFFN was folded into or taken over by Imran Ahmeds Center for Countering Digital Hate  the details are unclear. The de facto censorship continued.

Enter Peter Mandelson. In September of last year, he was dismissed as U.S. ambassador after his connections with Epstein were revealed. Mandelson, who had referred to Epstein as his best pal, had continued the relationship even after Epsteins first conviction in 2008, staying at the traffickers NYC townhouse and taking numerous trips on his private jet.

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McSweeney was friendly with Mandelson and had arranged for him to become Washington ambassador even though he was aware of the Epstein connection. He was also reported to have interfered in Mandelsons security vetting before the appointment was made.

When the Epstein accusations first arose, McSweeney defended Mandelson long after it was prudent, and even tried to persuade colleagues to back him up.

When McSweeney began taking fire, Keir Starmer at first defended him as a crucial member of his staff, even though a number of Labour politicians were calling for his head, characterizing the Mandelson/Epstein crisis as only the latest in a long series of missteps involving what they called factionalism and cliquishness on McSweeneys part.

In a typical political move, Starmer in the first week of February doubled down in his defense: Morgan McSweeney is an essential part of my team. He helped me change the Labour party and win an election. Of course I have confidence in him. Whatever is slung across this Dispatch Box, I do not think it is right for the Cabinet Secretary to be denigrated in that way, or to suggest that he would be involved in a cover-up. Only days later, McSweeney at last resigned.

Thus to all enemies of the Thinker. This is quite a blow for the Labour Party, for Keir Starmer, and of course for McSweeney himself. But these types have a knack for landing on their feet, and theres no such thing as shame on the Left. Its likely that Starmer will soon follow him, a great relief for the people of the UK. As for Epstein, hes the gift that keeps on giving. Will the Left ever wise up to that?

Image: UK Parliament
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From Wikimedia Commons: Natives on the Ouse River, Van Diemen's Land (John Glover, 1838)

For generations, Australia has been imaginedboth by its citizens and by outside observersas a prosperous, easygoing, and fundamentally stable liberal democracy. It was a country of abundance, defined by its beaches and suburbs, its ethos of fairness, and its reputation for relaxed conviviality. Beneath this image lay a deeper sociological reality: until the mid-twentieth century, Australia was one of the most ethnically homogeneous societies in the Western world.

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The White Australia policy, whatever its moral failings, ensured a high degree of cultural continuity rooted in British institutions, language, and assumptions about civic life. By the 1960s, that homogeneity was already softening. However, the decisive break came in the 1970s, when new immigration rules formally dismantled ethnic preference and inaugurated an era of large-scale, non-European migration. What followed was one of the most ambitious social transformations in Australias history.

Until recently, this transformation was narrated as an unequivocal success. Multiculturalism, officially embraced in the 1970s, was presented as a confident expansion of the national story rather than its repudiation. Australia would remain a liberal democracy anchored in the Anglosphere, militarily allied with the United States, and economically intertwined with Asia, but its population would become far more diverse. The implicit expectation was that newcomers would integrate into a stable civic framework whose moral architecture was never itself in question. Tolerantly, migrants from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East were allowed to retain their ancestral identities. Australia, in turn, would retain its ownat least for the time being.

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Yet recent events have unsettled the optimistic narrative. Public celebrations in Australian cities (e.g., outside the Sydney Opera House) following the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, protests accompanying the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, chants invoking intifada in street demonstrations, and the broader resurgence of anti-Semitic rhetoric have jarred against the long-standing image of Australian moderation. Combined with episodes of religious violence such as the Bondi massacre, these developments have prompted a disturbing question: has the social contract forged in the late twentieth century begun to fray? And if so, is the division now visible partly the long-term consequence of the profound demographic and cultural shift initiated half a century ago?

The temptation to interpret antisemitic incidents as isolated aberrations should not be dismissed lightly. Liberal societies are, by definition, pluralistic and conflictual. Protestshowever objectionable their stylemay be constitutionally protected expressions of dissent. Symbolism matters, however. The spectacle of crowds celebrating sadistic orgies, the normalization of rhetoric historically associated with genocide, and the implacable targeting of Jewish communities suggest not only policy disagreement but also the erosion of shared moral foundations. When segments of a diverse society cease to regard the bestial murder of civilians as an unequivocal evil, something deeper than partisan division is at stake.

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This is where the legacy of post-1970s immigration policy becomes relevant. The end of ethnic homogeneity was not in itself a guarantee of discord. What emerged from the experiment would depend on the cultures involved and demographics. Obviously, diversity without a clear, confident core culture begets fragmentation. In earlier decades, the overwhelming dominance of British-derived institutions and sensibilities provided an unspoken framework into which newcomers assimilated. As that position receded, the Australian civic center became harder to define. Multiculturalism gradually evolved from integration into a shared culture towards the celebration of parallel identities. The result has been the emergence of communities whose primary emotional reference points lie outside the nations historical narrative.

The importation of distant conflicts into domestic political life illustrates this shift. When geopolitical struggles in the Middle East are reenacted on Australian streets with uncompromising fervor, it raises questions about the depth of civic integration. The emergence of ideologically assertive, inherently hostile, and parasitic communities, reframing immigrants as invaders, highlights a structural vulnerability: a society that rapidly diversifies must work deliberately to cultivate common allegiance. Without that effort, solidarity may give way to segmentation.

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The misjudgments of symbolic figures intensify this anxiety. When individuals celebrated as national exemplarssuch as recipients of Australian of the Year honors (e.g., Grace Tame)take strident positions that polarize rather than unify, the moral authority of national institutions may appear compromised. Trust in elites, already weakened by cultural fragmentation, erodes further when segments of the population perceive indulgence towards radical rhetoric. The sense of a drifting establishment compounds the feeling that the old certainties have dissolved.

To speak of civilizational decline is, of course, to invoke a fraught concept. Civilizations do not collapse overnight; they weaken through incremental delegitimization of norms. The British example looms large because Australia inherited so much from Britains legal and political traditions. While the latter now grapples with demographic transformation, contested historical memory, and periodic unrest, critics warn of parallel communities coexisting without genuine integration. Australians fear analogous patterns at home: multiculturalism without assimilation yielding enclaves animated by incompatible political theologies.

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At the heart of present concerns lies the reappearance of anti-Semitism in public discourse. In liberal democracies, antisemitism has long functioned as a barometer of civic health. Its resurgence often signals broader conspiratorial thinking and a readiness to scapegoat minorities during periods of uncertainty. Jewish Australianslong woven into the nations professional, cultural, and political fabricnow report heightened insecurity. Geographic distance no longer insulates Australia from ideological currents elsewhere. In a globally networked age, grievances travel instantly, and local cohesion is tested by remote events.

The digital ecosystem magnifies these strains. Social media platforms amplify outrage, circulate graphic imagery, and foster transnational solidarities untethered from local civic norms. Young Australians inhabit online spaces where identity is curated and conflict dramatized. The politics of religious dogmatism thrives in such environments. In this atmosphere, incendiary slogans may be uttered less as literal programs than as performative badges of belonging. Yet language shapes perception. Repeated exposure to violent rhetoric can desensitize communities and erode inhibitions that once restrained public discourse. That is a crucial lesson from Germany in the 1930s.

Voices within Australias recent political history have articulated a vision of stability grounded in continuity rather than rupture. Thus, former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson speaks of the importance of civilizational inheritanceof the Judeo-Christian moral framework, parliamentary tradition, and habits of restraint that shaped Australias public life. His own career symbolizes a strain of conservatism concerned less with partisanship than with stewardship.

Andersons emphasis on personal responsibility, social cohesion, and respect for inherited institutions resonates with those who fear that rapid change has outpaced integration. To many Australians, he embodies a belief that openness to newcomers must be balanced by confidence in the cultural foundations that make integration possible. That ethoscalm, principled, and attentive to long-term stabilitycaptures something widely associated with Australia at its best.

Still, civilizational decline, where it occurs, rarely begins with dramatic rupture. Instead, it manifests as the normalization of cultural intolerance, intercommunal suspicion, and supremacist hooliganism bordering on paramilitarism. If activism against Israeli policies morphs into intimidation of Australian Jews, and if any anti-Israel criticism is censored, the middle ground narrows. Likewise, if concerns about immigration and cohesion are stigmatized rather than debated, resentment festers underground. A healthy democracy requires not enforced unanimity but a shared commitment to peaceful disagreement.

Australias future may hinge on whether it can rearticulate a confident civic nationalismone that neither retreats into nativism nor dissolves into relativism. The break with ethnic homogeneity in the 1970s marked a historical turning point. Any demographic shift may fatally challenge harmony in the absence of a cultivated common identity, clear expectations of integration, and an unapologetic defense of liberal democratic norms. If unreflectively celebrated, diversity risks deteriorating into division.

Thus, the question What happened to Australia? may be less about sudden transformation than about accumulated strains reaching visibility. The image of a carefree, unified society was always partly mythic. Yet myths can contain truth: for much of the twentieth century, a high degree of cultural continuity underwrote social trust. As that continuity has weakened, the task of sustaining trust has grown more complex. Whether Australia confronts this challenge with candor and resolveor allows polarization to deepenwill determine whether present anxieties crystallize into enduring fragmentation.

Civilizations never decline because they are challenged; they decline when they lose confidence in the principles that once bound them together.
Politics occasionally produces moments that clarify everything with brutal efficiency. This is one of them. Sir Keir Starmers premiership, already frayed by drift and dwindling credibility, has collided with an event that does not merely wound, corroding the prime ministers authority to the core. The arrest of Lord Peter Mandelson, once elevated by Starmer to represent Britain in Washington despite both loud and lingering concerns, does not read as a standalone scandal. The facts are an indictment of the prime ministers instincts, the company he keeps, and the seriousness he claims to embody.

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The facts are stark. Mandelson, a veteran of Labour governments past and a figure whose proximity to Jeffrey Epstein had long shadowed his reputation, was appointed ambassador to the United States in 2024. Questions were raised at the time about security vetting and the wisdom of sending a man burdened with such associations to Britains most sensitive diplomatic post. Downing Street brushed them aside and overruled MI5s advice. Ministers insisted the checks had been thorough. The appointment went ahead. Now Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his contacts with Epstein. The legal process will run its course. Politics, however, does not wait for verdicts.

Starmers defenders argue that no prime minister can foresee every development in a complex investigation. That is formally correct and politically irrelevant. The problem is not clairvoyance. At issue here is Starmers judgment. Mandelson was not an obscure technocrat sprung from nowhere. He was a controversial, high-profile political operative with a long public record and well-documented ties that raised eyebrows across parties. Appointing him was not an administrative necessity but a choice. And it was a choice that seemed to privilege loyalty, factional reconciliation, and personal trust over caution.

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Starmer built his government on a promise of competence and sobriety after years of Conservative turbulence. He offered managerial rectitude as a moral contrast. That promise has been weakened by a series of missteps: policy hesitations, serial U-turns, communication failures, an air of improvisation where strategic clarity was expected. The Mandelson affair strikes at the core of his brand. When a leader who claims to restore standards appears to have discounted obvious reputational risks, the gap between rhetoric and reality widens into something more dangerous than embarrassment. The prime minister is left facing the charge of hypocrisy.

The security dimension makes the matter graver still. An ambassador to Washington operates at the nerve centre of the transatlantic relationship. Intelligence cooperation, defence coordination, economic diplomacy are not ceremonial tasks. If concerns were flagged during vetting and overridden, the question becomes who decided, on what basis, and why. If concerns were not adequately surfaced, that suggests a breakdown in the machinery of government. Neither explanation flatters the prime minister. One implies recklessness; the other implies incompetence. He cannot plausibly claim that both the political judgment and the institutional process were sound.

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There is also the international angle. Allies watch closely how governments handle scandal, especially when it touches intelligence or high office. Britains credibility rests as much on perceived stability as on military weight. An ambassador arrested under a cloud linked to a globally notorious figure does not project stability. Washington is pragmatic; it will continue to work with whichever government is in place. Yet trust is granular. It depends on confidence in decision-making at the top. That confidence has been dented.

Within Labour, the implications are combustible. Starmers leadership was secured by an appeal to electability and discipline. He marginalised opponents, centralised authority, and promised to replace factional indulgence with professional caution. Mandelsons appointment now looks like the old politics in new packaging: a powerful insider restored to favour despite liabilities that any opposition researcher could have listed in an afternoon. Backbench unease, already present over policy compromises, will intensify. MPs in marginal seats do not relish defending a prime minister who appears to have misjudged something so visible.

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Opposition parties will not need to exaggerate. The narrative writes itself: a leader who claimed to clean up politics has been undone by his own circle. Parliamentary committees will demand papers. Journalists will pursue the vetting trail. Each disclosure will extend the story by another news cycle. Even if no further wrongdoing is established, the drip of scrutiny will sustain the impression of a government on the back foot.

Survival in office depends less on the absence of error than on the preservation of authority. Authority rests on trust in a leaders instincts. Starmer asked the country to trust his judgment. He vouched for Mandelsons suitability. That vouching now looks reckless. A prime minister can withstand a policy defeat, even a scandal at arms length. It is harder to withstand the suspicion that ones core claim to prudence was misplaced.

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Politics is not a court of law; it is a court of confidence. Once that confidence fractures, technical defences carry little weight. Starmer may endure in office for a time. Endurance, however, is not survival in the meaningful sense. A leader who cannot command belief in his own caution cannot long command the country. The rest is chronology.

In politics, appointments are arguments. This one has become a verdict.

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Bepi Pezzulli is a Solicitor in England & Wales and an Avvocato in Italy. A foreign-policy scholar, he is a member of Advance UKs College as well as a councillor of the Great British PAC. He tweets at @bepipezzulli.

Image: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
As Iran enters a sensitive phase of indirect negotiations with the United States, a new wave of student protests has erupted across the countrydevelopments that could carry significant implications not only for the regimes internal stability but also for regional security and the future trajectory of power in Tehran. The timing is striking: while diplomatic channels remain active abroad, unrest is intensifying at home, placing additional pressure on the ruling establishment.

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Over the past several days, Iranian universities have once again emerged as the driving force of nationwide dissent. What began as campus-based gatherings quickly expanded into coordinated demonstrations across Tehran and major provincial cities, underscoring a reality that senior officials have now reluctantly acknowledged: students are a central pillar of the current uprising.

On February 18, 2026, Ehsan Azimi Rad, spokesperson for parliaments education committee, admitted that approximately 17 percent of participants in the recent protests were teenagers, most of them students. In some provinces, he said, demonstrators under the age of twenty accounted for up to 45 percent of the crowds. He further conceded that in certain schools, entire classes had taken part in protestsdescribing the situation as undesirable.

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These remarks directly contradict the regimes earlier narrative, repeatedly promoted by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which blamed unrest on foreign interference. Instead, the new admissions reveal deep-rooted domestic discontentone that extends into classrooms and lecture halls at a moment when the regime is seeking international legitimacy through negotiations.

The protests have spanned nearly all major universities in Tehran, including the University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, and Iran University of Science and Technology. The wave has also reached provincial centers such as Isfahan University of Technology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, universities in Tabriz, and branches of Islamic Azad University.

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Mashhad, Iran: Iranian security forces stormed Azad University, seized the campus entrance, and detained multiple students aiming to suppress protests. pic.twitter.com/0s8YTqyiYt  WioTalk (@uknlp1) February 24, 2026 Day 4 of Student Demonstrations in Iran



On the fourth consecutive day of protests, students at Shahid Beheshti University in central Tehran gathered on campus to voice their opposition. During the rally, participants chanted slogans criticizing the ruling establishment and pic.twitter.com/2enBK7hbkG  Rojhelat Info (@RojhelatInfo_En) February 24, 2026  BREAKING: Massive student protests erupt at Irans Isfahan University of Technology, with crowds rallying against the regime and chanting anti-government slogans. Campus unrest continues to grow. #IranMasscare #IranRevolution2026 pic.twitter.com/oVIBABmht3 Advertisement February 24, 2026

International media have taken note. Fox News described recent clashes in Tehran universities as among the most visible displays of unrest since the January crackdown.

What distinguishes this phase of protest is its defiant tone and generational character. Students have explicitly linked their demonstrations to those killed during the January uprising, framing their activism as a continuation of a broader national struggle. The presence of organized groups, coordinated chants, and bold slogans signals a movement that is no longer spontaneous but increasingly structured.

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Chants such as Death to Khamenei and Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Leader reflect a clear rejection of authoritarianism in all its forms. Many students have emphasized that their struggle is not about choosing between past and present rulers, but about confronting dictatorship itself. Slogans like No to monarchy, no to supreme leadershipyes to democracy and equality illustrate a political consciousness shaped by historical memory as well as contemporary repression.

The willingness of students to protest despite threats of expulsion, arrest, imprisonment, or loss of future employment opportunities marks a decisive break with the regimes long-standing strategy of intimidation. The factory of fear, built over four decades, appears increasingly ineffective among this new generation.

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Authorities initially attempted to signal that unrest had subsided by reopening universities. Instead, campuses reignited almost immediately. Security forces and plainclothes Basij members reportedly entered universities to disperse gatherings. Officials threatened to shift classes online, expel students, or impose campus bans.

At the same time, Azimi Rad claimed that all detained students had been released and that no student remained in custodywhile also insisting that those who committed crimes must be held accountable. This contradiction exposes the tension between projecting control and justifying repression.

Officials have also framed schools and universities as security concerns. Calls to strengthen ideological programs under the regimes Fundamental Transformation Document reveal an effort to tighten control over educational spaces. The fact that authorities now openly describe entire classes joining protests underscores how deeply unrest has penetrated the social fabric.

The convergence of internal unrest and external negotiations creates a volatile equation. A regime facing sustained student-led protests negotiates from a position of internal fragility. Escalation at home could influence its posture abroadwhether by hardening its stance to project strength or by increasing incentives to secure diplomatic relief.

At the same time, the persistence of organized, youth-driven dissent suggests that political stability in Iran remains uncertain. If universities continue to function as hubs of mobilization, the ripple effects could extend beyond campus walls, shaping broader societal dynamics and potentially altering the balance between reformist containment and systemic change.

For now, Irans universities stand at the center of a pivotal moment. During talks with Washington, a new generation has stepped forward, signaling that the question confronting the country is not merely diplomaticbut fundamentally political.

Hassan Mahmoudi is an Iran & Middle East political and Economic researcher.

Header image: X screen grab.
Ready for a wild political ride? Welcome to Peru.

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According to the Peruvian state news agency Andina:

Economist Hernando de Soto will serve as President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) under President Jose Maria Balcazar's government, the Presidency of the Republic announced. Advertisement The swearing-in of De Soto's Cabinet will take place this Tuesday, February 24. "His incorporation strengthens the institutional course of the transitional government and supports, among other priorities, the guarantee of clean and transparent elections," the Presidential Office said in a statement on Sunday evening. Likewise, it specified that President Balcazar held a working meeting to define the first actions within the constitutional framework and the powers granted by the Congress of the Republic to his transitional administration.

Here's where it gets bizarre: De Soto, who coincidentally shares a name with the famous Spanish explorer, is a well-known libertarian thinker along the lines of Javier Milei of Argentina. He's surely the most distinguished economist in all Latin America, whose primary contribution to economic thinking is the mighty thesis that it's property rights -- and the invisible architecture of rule of law -- that makes capital possible, and explains why some countries are rich and some countries are poor. Title deed. Balcazar, who appointed him, is a self-declared Marxist.

It sounds like it might just get a little wild over there. Yet sometimes these alliances happen in places such as Peru. They often elect what seem to be flaming leftists in that country -- who turn out to be not horrible, and sometimes, not bad at all. The great Mario Vargas Llosa, another Peruvian libertarian thinker, shocked many by endorsing Hugo Chavez buddy Ollanta Humala several years ago, based on his opposition to the Fujimori clan, which was a mixed bag in terms of security and freedoms. Humala won, and Vargas Llosa was proven right -- Humala was not a terrible president by any stretch at all.

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I also think of the curious program of the late communist leader Chris Hani of South Africa, whose plan was to build every South African shantytown dweller his own small home as a starter unit, equipped with full property rights, including the right to improve and sell the property. I can recognize the full De Soto thinking within that plan, too.

That was about as far from communism as anyone can get -- and as close to The Mystery of Capital, the title of De Soto's most seminal book, as anyone can get.

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Encouraging news from Latin America. The distinguished economist Hernando De Soto has been named Prime Minister of Peru.



De Soto's book The Mystery of Capital is one of the best popular books ever written on development economics and the importance of property rights. pic.twitter.com/pjJlUGGAOK  Jeremy Carl (@realJeremyCarl) February 23, 2026

Yet De Soto is an unconventional thinker, among other things, advocating for small, strong, government, instead of big, weak, sloppy, bloated, oppressive, government, which is a bit different from being opposed to government at all. He's got a Bukele streak, and in this regard, despite being 84 now, is well in tune with the winds of change blowing across Latin America.

Steven Sailer, on his Substack, interviewed de Soto, writing:

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De Sotos central point is that the Third World poor tend to possess de facto control over surprisingly large amounts of assets, such as houses, land, and small businesses. Yet, they find it difficult to use their possessions as collateral to borrow money to invest in starting small businesses. Why? The poor generally lack the airtight legal titles to their holdings that would give lenders the confidence that they could foreclose on the property if they werent paid back. In most of the countries that de Soto has studied, registering a property or business can take over a year of full-time work, unless one can afford a well-connected law firm. Advertisement An intense yet genial gentleman with Old World manners, de Soto held court the day after being one of the keynote panelists at the Milken Institute conference. If you ask Peruvians whether the fact that they own a $20,000 or $30,000 house can help them toward liquidity, theyll tell you it doesnt, because they cant leverage it, de Soto said. And leverage -- obtaining mortgages, issuing shares, issuing bonds -- is essentially a legal tool, but if you dont have a legal home or business, you cant do it. De Soto, head of Limas Institute for Liberty & Democracy, estimates that only about one of every eight countries in the world has the kind of secure and straightforward system of defining legal rights to property that Americans take for granted. De Sotos perspective doesnt fit into standard American ideological categories. He has devoted the past two decades to helping the poor, but he does it by advocating the libertarian-sounding vehicles of property rights and entrepreneurialism. Yet, while American free-marketeers tend to assume that property rights are natural and thus threatened only by government intervention, de Soto emphasizes that only government bureaucracies can create and maintain efficient and reliable mechanisms for defining ownership.

Now, it's important to note that in Peru, elections are just a couple months away. The appointment of de Soto is likely a last-ditch effort by the president to help save the economy and allow his party another stretch in the presidential chair.

For those hoping for major de Soto-grade change, it might not be enough time for him to make much of a difference.

Nevertheless, in a powerful public position, he might be able to change some things, perhaps establish just the incontrovertible rule of title deed decisively to Peru's many shantytown dwellers around the capital and other cities, most of whom are innocent war refugees from a brutal communist guerrilla insurgency dating from the 1990s.

If he can do just that, Peru will be transformed.

Fingers crossed he can make some decisive changes that will put Peru squarely with the growing economies of Central and South America -- Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica -- which have managed to shake off the long-shelf-life curse of socialism in the region. If Peru succeeds, it will be a beacon, and Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, and Mexico may be next.

Image: X screenshot
The Census is more than an administrative headcount  it is the key input for congressional apportionment and, by extension, the Electoral College. Census-derived figures also drive the allocation of vast federal resources. In fiscal year 2021 alone, Decennial Census Programs data were used  fully or in part  to distribute more than $2.8 trillion across hundreds of federal assistance listings.

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Under current practice, Census totals include everyone in the resident population, including those unlawfully present in the country. The Trump administration and allied state officials want that changed  by collecting more accurate citizenship-related information, by altering how the apportionment base is calculated, or both.

The Trump administration has signaled that action may be coming to exclude illegal aliens from the 2030 census count, according to Benjamin Weingarten at The Federalist. Weingarten reports that the Census Bureau issued a regulatory notice on Feb. 3, 2026

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indicating its plan to administer a survey that includes the query Is this person a citizen of the United States? as part of a major operational test in support of the next decennial census in 2030. The inclusion of that question in the 2026 field test, the first of two before the 2030 census, suggests the administration may intend to reinstate a question asked of respondents without issue for well over a century prior to 1960, and that some 3.5 million people continue to respond to annually via the Census Bureaus American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS, which also asks about place of birth and year of entry, is the survey the bureau plans to administer for its 2026 test, according to the regulatory notice.

Two parallel lawsuits tee up the question of counting illegal aliens for apportionment, but in different ways. One has been sitting in a federal court in Louisiana under a stay; the other was filed in Missouri just weeks ago and demands a more aggressive remedy. Both argue that the federal governments usual residence approach  counting people where they live and sleep most of the time  has quietly shifted seats and leverage toward states with larger noncitizen populations.

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Louisiana, Kansas, Ohio, and West Virginia filed suit in the Western District of Louisiana on January 17, 2025, challenging the Census Bureaus residence criteria (often described as the Residence Rule or Residence Criteria and Residence Situations). The core allegation is that by including illegal aliens and nonimmigrant aliens in the population totals used for apportionment, the Residence Rule unlawfully inflates representation for some states and dilutes it for others.

This lawsuit also highlights one of the key barriers to reform. As currently designed, the Census does not ask about lawful presence, citizenship status, or lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Therefore, the apportionment base is effectively locked into total residents by default. Plaintiffs seek to declare the Residence Rule unlawful as applied to apportionment and to force the Census Bureau to include status questions in the 2030 Census and beyond.

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On March 6, 2025, the court stayed the case until further order, striking pending intervention motions and requiring periodic status reports. However, by Dec. 17, 2025, the parties told the court they no longer agreed on whether to keep the stay, with the plaintiff States arguing that the court had had ample time to settle its position. The government argued that 2030 preparations were under way and that lifting the stay was premature.

In a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, the State of Missouri, joined by four Missouri citizens, filed a suit against the Department of Commerce on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Eastern District of Missouri. This lawsuit challenges the inclusion of illegal aliens and temporary visa holders in the apportionment base. It frames the dispute as a sovereignty issue meaning  namely, whether the consent of the governed can be diluted when representation is driven by populations that (the plaintiffs argue) are not part of the governing or political compact.

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The Missouri lawsuit asks for three things:

To declare that including unlawful and temporary populations in the 2020 census tabulation and 2021 apportionment base violated the Constitution and federal statutes. To redo the 2020 tabulation and 2021 apportionment, excluding those categories through the best available methods, even re-conducting the 2020 census enumeration if necessary. To block inclusion of those categories in the 2030 Census tabulation and the 2031 apportionment.

It attacks what it calls the Residence Criteria for the 2030 Census on Administrative Procedure Act grounds, arguing that the government has not justified including illegal aliens and temporary visa holders.

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The Missouri case faces headwinds, some of which are textual, some historical, and others precedential. In terms of textual headwinds, Missouris theory runs headlong into the Fourteenth Amendments apportionment clause, which requires allocating representatives by counting the whole number of persons in each State, not including the now-obsolete Indians not taxed carve-out. The federal apportionment statute uses essentially the same whole number of persons language.

In terms of historical challenges, a 2024 CRS analysis states that apportionment has historically been based on total resident population (citizens and noncitizens). The U.S. has never excluded noncitizens from apportionment, and the Supreme Court has never squarely decided whether excluding noncitizens would be constitutional.

In the category of precedent or ripeness, the Supreme Court did not reach the merits of Trumps 2020 memorandum seeking to exclude illegal aliens from apportionment. The Court dismissed the case as unripe because implementation was contingent and uncertain. Missouri attempts to avoid the ripeness challenge by grounding standing in a completed, concrete outcome. The State argues that the injury is no longer speculative because Missouri was denied what it contends would have been an additional House seat and an additional Electoral College vote if unlawful and temporary populations had been excluded from the 2021 apportionment base, as articulated by Missouris attorney general, Catherine L. Hanaway, when she announced the filing in her Jan. 30, 2026 press release:

Federal representation is being stolen from states who uphold immigration law, including Missouri, and transferred to sanctuary states who artificially inflate their population by harboring illegal aliens. Attorney General Hanaway will not allow open-border states like California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland to steal an estimated 11 congressional seats, 11 electoral votes, and billions of dollars in funding.

These cases are not only about immigration. They are about incentives and political weight. When apportionment counts everyone in usual residence, the states that attract large illegal alien populations can gain political influence regardless of how aggressively they enforce immigration law. This creates a structural reward for non-enforcement or high intake, and states with smaller noncitizen populations may get less representation per citizen and less funding. As things stand, todays apportionment rules effectively reward a dysfunctional immigration system.

Image via Pixabay.
As expected, everyone has a theory about the events on Sunday in Mexico. In the short run, there are concerns about tourists in Mexico:

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The U.S. State Department issued a security warning on Feb. 22 advising Americans in Mexico to shelter in place until further notice, after the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed by the Mexican army. Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice, the state department said in its security alert. Advertisement

By the way, if you have relatives in Mexico, please follow the news from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Be careful with videos on the internet. Stick to the updates from the aforementioned embassy.

My guess is that tourists will start leaving soon and no one will be hurt. A bigger impact is what happens to people planning to go there for spring vacation, the annual landing of thousands of young visitors who fill the resorts. How many will cancel their plans? Again, I feel confident to say that the cartels will not target tourists, because they understand that would be the end for their leadership. Ive also heard over the years that cartel leaders have major investments in these resorts, from clubs to restaurants. So they need tourists as much as the rest of Mexico does.

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Looking ahead, what happens to President Sheinbaum? She did not make a formal statement about the events. Instead, she said that her defense team would address the issue. Can you imagine cities in the U.S. burning and the president saying that a cabinet member would address the issue later? It makes no sense.

So where is Claudia? Well, thats what some are asking. Was she aware of this operation, or did she get the memo that El Mencho was injured and died on the way to Mexico City? No one knows, but her silence is creating a lot of confusion south of the border.

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We will see how all of this develops over the week. As I said, the tourists will be okay, and eventually returned. What happens to President Sheinbaum is the questionis she on the way out too?

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

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Image: Public domain.
Photo: B toy Anucha/Shutterstock.com

The Kettle War of 1784 was a quintessential David versus Goliath story. A formidable naval fleet of the Holy Roman Empire faces a lone battleship, underpowered and hopelessly outnumbered, yet comes back defeated. In the short battle, lasting less than a day, only a single shot was fired, and the only casualty was a soup kettle.

The circumstances that led to this bizarre conflict began more than two hundred years ago, at a time when the Low Countriescorresponding roughly to the present-day Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourgwere under Spanish rule, overseen by the House of Habsburgs, who also controlled the Holy Roman Empire. In 1568, a group of seven Dutch states occupying the northern part of the region rose up in revolt against their Spanish rulers. After eighty years of conflict, the Habsburgs relented and the Dutch gained independence to form the Dutch Republic, which eventually became modern Netherlands. The southern provinces, which would later become Belgium and Luxembourg, stayed under Spain.

More than a century passed since the Dutch gained their independence, but relation between the Dutch Republic and Spain still remained tensed. The cause of enmity between the two was the Scheldt river that the Dutch had under lockdown since 1585. The river rises in northern France, flows through the southern provinces then briefly enters the Dutch Republic before emptying into the North Sea. Before the Dutch took control of the river mouth, the southern provinces had two flourishing ports on the Scheldt, namely Ghent and Antwerp. With the closing of the Scheldt for shipping, the trade shifted from these ports to Amsterdam and Middelburg and seriously crippled the commerce of the southern provinces.

The Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II was not pleased that his empire was losing money, and he demanded that the barriers be removed and again the Dutch refused. In 1784, Joseph II sent three ships from Antwerp into the Scheldt in order to force the river to open. In response, the Dutch sent a single ship, the Dolfijn, to intercept the Imperial ships. They met on October 9, 1784, near the town of Saeftinghe in southwest Netherlands. Records are scarce on what exactly happened that day, but the popular narrative is that the Dolfijn took one well-aimed shot at the enemys flagship Le Louis and completely destroyed a kettle on the ships deck. The captain of Le Louis surrendered without a fight.

Emperor Joseph II was understandably furious. He declared war on the Dutch and sent an army to occupy the old Fort Lillo, north of Antwerp. The emperors forces broke several dikes, inundating a large area and drowning many people.

Eventually both parties agreed to end conflict and came to the negotiating table. The Dutch retained control of the Scheldt, but had to pay several million Dutch florins to the Habsburgs as compensation. The Scheldt river didnt stay closed for long. As the Dutch lost authority over their territories to the French, the river was reopened for commerce in 1792.
Few writers have multiplied themselves as radically, or as deliberately, as Fernando Pessoa. The Portuguese poet did not merely use pen names. He invented entire authors, complete with biographies, temperaments, philosophies, and distinctive literary styles. He called them heteronyms, and through them he built one of the strangest and most intricate bodies of work in modern literature.

Pessoa was born in Lisbon in 1888. When he was five, his father died of tuberculosis and his mother married a military officer stationed in Durban and they both moved to South Africa. Pessoa spent his childhood in Durban, where his stepfather served as Portuguese consul. Educated in English, he grew up reading Shakespeare and Milton as naturally as Camoes. He returned to Lisbon as a young man and remained there for most of his life, working as a commercial translator and correspondence clerk. Outwardly, his existence was modest and uneventful. He never married, lived frugally, and published little in book form during his lifetime.

But inwardly, Pessoa was extraordinarily prolific. At his death in 1935, he left behind a trunk containing more than 25,000 pages of manuscripts  poems, essays, philosophical reflections  many signed not with his own name, but with the names of entirely invented authors.

He called them heteronyms.

Pessoa insisted that heteronyms were not pseudonyms. A pseudonym hides the real author. A heteronym is a different author altogether, a different personality.

Each heteronym had an elaborate biography, temperament, philosophies, literary style, and worldview. They disagreed with one another in essays and letters. They critiqued each others poems. They formed, in effect, a private literary republic inside one man.



Fernando Pessoa's chest, with more than 25,000 pages, and part of his personal library. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Pessoa created his earliest heteronym at the age of six. It was a fictitious knight named Chevalier de Pas, with whom he exchanged letters. Other childhood heteronyms included the poet Dr. Pancracio and short story writer David Merrick, followed by Charles Robert Anon, a young Englishman who became Pessoa's alter ego. When Pessoa was a student at the University of Lisbon, Anon was replaced by Alexander Search. Pessoa wrote many English poems, specifically sonnets, and short stories under the Search heteronym. After the 5 October 1910 revolution and its subsequently patriotic atmosphere, Pessoa created another alter ego, Alvaro de Campos, supposedly a Portuguese naval and mechanical engineer, who was born in Tavira, hometown of Pessoa's ancestors, and graduated in Glasgow. Pessoa eventually invented more than seventy heteronyms. Among these figures, three emerged as central.

Alberto Caeiro was a major character in Pessoa's fictional universe. This heteronym was presented as a largely uneducated shepherd living in the countryside, who wrote in plain, direct language, celebrating the immediacy of nature. In Pessoas literary universe, Caeiro was the master whom the others admired and looked up to.

Alvaro de Campos was an engineer educated in Scotland, with a reputation for a powerful and angry style of writing. Camposs work unfolds in three stylistic phases. The decadent phase, marked by Opiario, expresses weariness and longing for sensation. The futurist phase celebrates machines, electricity, and urban dynamism. The final pessimistic phase retreats inward, revealing emptiness and nostalgia.



Imagined astrology chart of Ricardo Reis, created by Fernando Pessoa. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Ricardo Reis is portrayed as a melancholic physician, monarchist, and classical poet influenced by Horace. There was also Bernardo Soares, whom Pessoa called a semi-heteronym because he resembled the author more closely

About these heteronyms, Pessoa wrote:

How do I write in the name of these three? Caeiro, through sheer and unexpected inspiration, without knowing or even suspecting that I'm going to write in his name. Ricardo Reis, after an abstract meditation, which suddenly takes concrete shape in an ode. Campos, when I feel a sudden impulse to write and don't know what. (My semi-heteronym Bernardo Soares, who in many ways resembles Alvaro de Campos, always appears when I'm sleepy or drowsy, so that my qualities of inhibition and rational thought are suspended; his prose is an endless reverie. He's a semi-heteronym because his personality, although not my own, doesn't differ from my own but is a mere mutilation of it. He's me without my rationalism and emotions. His prose is the same as mine, except for certain formal restraint that reason imposes on my own writing, and his Portuguese is exactly the same  whereas Caeiro writes bad Portuguese, Campos writes it reasonably well but with mistakes such as "me myself" instead of "I myself", etc.., and Reis writes better than I, but with a purism I find excessive...)

Now the question that obviously comes to mind is: why did Pessoa create heteronyms?

Partly, it was an artistic experiment in voice and perspective. But it was also philosophical. Pessoa felt identity was not singular but fragmented. By inventing others, he escaped the confines of a single consciousness.

My God, my God, who am I attending to? How many am I? Who is me? What is this interval between me and me?, Pessoa wrote in The Book of Disquiet, the fragmentary autobiographical prose attributed to his semi-heteronym Bernardo Soares. In this work Pessoa writes repeatedly about fragmentation of self, alienation from ones own identity, and the sense that the self is not singular.

Another passage that vividly expresses the idea of many inner selves performing within a single consciousness that appear in The Book of Disquiet:

To create, I destroyed myself; I made myself external to such a degree within myself that within myself I do not exist except in an external fashion. I am the living setting in which several actors make entrances, putting on several different plays.

The Book of Disquiet is full of such reflections.

Pessoa published little during his lifetime, but he is now regarded as one of the major figures of literary modernism. His heteronyms remain one of the most radical explorations of authorship in world literature. Fernando Pessoa did not merely write under other names. He became other writers. And in doing so, he transformed the idea of what a writer could be.

References:

# Fernando Pessoa. Wikipedia

# Thinking Is a Sickness of the Eyes. Poetry Foundation

# Fernando Pessoa - The Book of Disquiet. Libquotes

# Fernando Pessoa. Zenevenes
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) announces that it has obtained a receipt for as final short form base shelf prospectus (the "Final Shelf Prospectus") filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and its corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 (the "Registration Statement") has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, but has not yet become effective. The filing replaces the previous base shelf prospectus of the Company dated January 23, 2024.

The filing of the Final Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement is consistent with the Company's past practice to provide First Mining with greater financial flexibility. The Company has not entered into any agreements or arrangements to authorize or offer any Securities (as defined below) at this time.

The Final Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement will allow First Mining to undertake offerings of common shares, preferred shares, warrants, subscription receipts and units (collectively, the "Securities"), or any combination thereof, up to an aggregate total of C$500 million from time to time during the 25-month period that the Final Shelf Prospectus remains effective. The Securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and, subject to applicable regulations, may include "at-the-market" transactions, public offerings or strategic investments. The specific terms of any offering of Securities, if any, including the use of proceeds from such offering, will be set forth in a shelf prospectus supplement pertaining to such offering to be filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities. The securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective.

Copies of the Final Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement can be found, respectively, under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, or may be obtained by request to Richard Huang, Vice President, Corporate Development & Corporate Secretary, Suite 2070  1188 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4A2, Canada, or to [email protected].

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a gold developer advancing two of the largest gold projects in Canada, the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with a final Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Assessment for the project submitted in November 2024, and the Duparquet Gold Project in Quebec, a PEA-stage development project located on the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone in the prolific Abitibi region. First Mining also owns the Cameron Gold Project in Ontario and a 30% project interest in the Pickle Crow Gold Project.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founder and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", "targeted", "advancing", "proving" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the filing and effectiveness of any potential prospectus supplement; (ii) the Company undertaking any offering of Securities under the Final Shelf Prospectus and corresponding Registration Statement, including the amount and terms of any Securities to be offered; (iii) the Company's plans with respect to advancing its portfolio of gold projects; (iv) feasibility and permitting activities related to the Springpole Gold Project; and (v) realizing the value of the Company's gold projects for the Company's shareholders. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation:; the potential offering of any Securities by the Company; uncertainty with respect to the completion of any future offering; the ability to obtain applicable regulatory approval for any contemplated offerings; the ability of the Company to negotiate and complete future funding transactions; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC and on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law.

SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.
Anthony Albanese

Australias prime minister was evacuated from his official residence in Canberra on Tuesday evening following a safety threat.

Anthony Albanese was moved from The Lodge to an alternative secure location as a precaution after police were called to the property at about 6pm local time.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed officers responded to what it described as an alleged security incident within the Australian Capital Territory.

A thorough search of a protection establishment was undertaken and nothing suspicious was located, the force said in a statement.

There is no current threat to the community or public safety.

Mr Albanese has told sources that he is safe, according to Sky News Australia.

While it is not yet known what the specific threat was, David Craig, a former AFP Det Supt, told Sky News that evacuating the prime minister was a significant move.

This isnt some online threat... There must be some corroboration to it for (police) to act this way, Mr Craig said on Tuesday.

It comes days after a 20-year-old man was charged after allegedly throwing a rock and a fake explosive device through the window of the well-known Hyatt Hotel in Canberra.

Last week, an armed man was also shot dead after entering the secure perimeter of Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The US president was in Washington, DC.

More follows.
A baby has been born after its mother received a womb transplant from a deceased donor at a London hospital.

Hugo Powell was delivered via Caesarean section at Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, in December, weighing 6lb 13ox (3.1kg).

He has become the first child to be born from a womb transplant involving a deceased donor in the UK, with only two previous cases ever reported in Europe.

Hugos mother, Grace Bell, an IT programme manager, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH), a rare condition leading to an underdeveloped or missing womb.

She was first diagnosed when she was 16. Now, in her 30s, her and her husband Steve Powell initially decided to proceed with surrogacy before learning of the womb transplant programme.

She told the Press Association: It's simply a miracle. I never, ever thought that this would be possible.

Im the happiest Ive ever been in my life.

Ms Bell added: "I remember waking up in the morning and seeing his little face, with his little dummy in, and it felt like I needed to wake up from a dream.

Mr Powell said:From where we started - first meeting - to where we are today, with Hugo, is nothing short of a miracle after everything we've been through.

Grace Bell and Steven Powell with their baby son Hugo Powell (Womb Transplant UK/PA Wire)

Ms Bell said she thinks of her donor family every day, adding that their kindness and selflessness to a complete stranger is the reason she was able to fulfil [her] lifelong dream as a mum.

"This isn't a life-saving donation but it is a life-giving one, she said.

Five of the womb donors other organs were also transplanted to save the lives of four others.

The family of the donor said: "Losing our daughter has shattered our world in ways we can barely put into words.

"The grief is overwhelming and the ache of her absence is something we will carry forever.

"Yet even in this unimaginable pain, we've found a small measure of solace in knowing that her final act, her choice, was one of pure generosity.

"Through organ donation, she has given other families the precious gift of time, hope, healing and now life.

The baby, Hugo Richard Norman Powell, shares his middle name with the clinical lead of Womb Transplant UK and consultant gynaecological surgeon Professor Richard Smith.

The birth of Hugo Powell, the first child in the UK to be born to a mother using a womb from a dead donor (Womb Transplant UK/PA Wire)

Professor Smith told PA: "It's been an unbelievable journey. Our whole team has been hanging together now for years and years to make this happen.

"As the baby was handed over, the parents said they were actually going to call the baby Hugo Richard. I've delivered over 1,000 babies in my life. Never has a baby been named after me.

"That did make me cry, straight up. It's been quite emotional, very emotional."

More than two thirds of womb transplants generally involve living donors, while a third come from deceased donors. It is estimated that around 25 to 30 babies have been born worldwide from deceased womb donation.

Isabel Quiroga, consultant surgeon and clinical lead for organ retrieval at the Oxford Transplant Centre, part of Oxford University Hospitals, carried out the seven-hour womb transplant on Ms Bell in 2024.

Several months later, Ms Bell underwent fertility treatment at The Lister Fertility Clinic in London.

Miss Quiroga said: "It has been a long journey, and certainly we are delighted, especially for our patient, who's been in our programme for a good number of years.

"Her dream has been to be a mother, so we are totally elated."

Hugo Powell (Womb Transplant UK/PA Wire)

Miss Quiroga said the donor family's decision to donate their daughter's organs "saved multiple lives".

She added: "In deciding to also then donate her womb, they have also helped to create a new life. This is extraordinary and we now have a healthy baby boy."

Ms Bell and Mr Powell may decide to have a second baby, after which surgeons will remove the transplanted womb.

If the womb was left in situ, Ms Bell would be required to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of her life. These drugs can carry risks when taken long-term.

The charity Womb Transplant UK has now paid and performed five womb transplants so far - two using a living donor and three with a deceased donor.

Two babies have been born, with three still undergoing IVF treatment. Hugo is one of those babies. The other baby was born to another mother living with MRKH, Grace Davidson.

She received a womb from her older sister in a living donation.

Transplants from deceased donors only happen when the families of those who have died are asked specifically if they wish to donate the womb.
Back in November, the Memphis Zoo welcomed its newest family member, a male giraffe they named Rahisi, born to father Nikla and mother Maliki. While he's spent time getting to know the rest of the herd, he's just now getting around to meeting the neighbors who live next door, the ostriches.

The Zoo shared this funny video, taken by Keeper Emily, on their social media channels, and it's cracking everybody up. It features an intense stare-down between the baby and one judgy-looking ostrich. Make sure your sound is on, because the accompanying music makes the whole scene even funnier!

The Zoo said in the video's caption, "Rahisi has met the neighbors," and it feels like there should be a big, bold checkmark next to it!

Related: Baby Giraffe at the Sydney Zoo Has Decided His Keeper Is His New Bestie

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Hilarious Reactions to the Baby Giraffe and Ostrich's Epic Staring Contest

Viewers left hundreds of comments after watching the staring contest, and some of them made us LOL. Like @Dragon Chiss, who got 25,000 likes when they said what Rahisi and the ostrich were probably thinking, "'Where are your feathers?' 'Where are your other legs?'" @mjgapasin added, "'Bird that can't fly, huh?' 'A mammal that cannot swim, heh?'"

@Mad Hammer got more than 10,000 comments when they said what the ostrich was thinking, "Been a long time since someone looked me in my eyes..." @Jazz pointed out something that we hadn't even noticed, "Absolutely realizing I did not know ostrich and baby giraffe were the same size ...terrifying." @Kmae added, "They both look so shocked another being is at their eye level LOl!"

Commenter @djpurestax hit the nail on the head when they said, "It's giving Step Brothers," with a screenshot from the movie of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's epic stare down when they first meet.

@Wrinkles the Clown joked, "Wellobviously this town isnt big enough for the both of us," and @Harley corrected, "*Tall enough".

@Mickey20 cracked us up with, "I wanna know, how long did they stare at each other?" The Zoo didn't mention how long the stare-down went on, but even if it was just a few seconds, it made millions of people's days!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A senior BBC executive has issued an apology to staff following the broadcast of a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards, acknowledging the distressing nature of the incident. The slur, shouted during an appearance by actors Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, was not edited out of the televised ceremony.

In a memo circulated to staff on Tuesday, Kate Phillips, the corporations chief content officer, stated that the slur was aired in error and affirmed, we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast. She expressed deep regret, saying: Im so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast. We understand how distressing this was.

Ms Phillips confirmed that while another racial slur had been successfully removed by the edit team, this particular instance was a mistake. We take full responsibility for what happened, she added, noting that the broadcast was subsequently removed from BBC iPlayer.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Londons Royal Festival Hall when Tourettes campaigner John Davidson was heard shouting as the Hollywood stars presented the award for special visual effects. Film studio Warner Bros is understood to have immediately raised concerns and requested the slurs removal from the BBC broadcast.

Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo heard racial slur while presenting an award at Baftas (BBC)

Mr Davidson later stated on Monday night that he was deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning. He was attending the Baftas to represent his film, I Swear, which chronicles his life with Tourette syndrome.

The BBC's handling of the incident has drawn sharp criticism. Labour MP Dawn Butler accused the broadcaster of an obvious bias and a failure of duty of care, describing the broadcast as painful and unforgivable. She has written to outgoing director-general Tim Davie seeking an explanation.

Further fallout saw filmmaker Jonte Richardson announce his resignation as a Bafta judge. In a statement on LinkedIn, Mr Richardson said he felt compelled to withdraw from the Bafta emerging talent judging panel, adding: The organisations handling of the unfortunate Tourettes N-word incident last night at the awards was utterly unforgivable. He urged Bafta leadership to comprehend the damage they and the BBC have caused.

John Davidson, the Tourettes campaigner who shouted the slur during the ceremony (PA)

Bafta itself issued an apology on Monday night, taking full responsibility for placing its guests in a difficult situation. The academy apologised unreservedly to Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo, and "to all those impacted," thanking the actors for their "incredible dignity and professionalism."

A BBC spokesperson also apologised for not editing the remark out prior to broadcast, explaining that the strong and offensive language arose from involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, and as explained during the ceremony it was not intentional. The spokesperson confirmed the content would be removed from iPlayer.
Boarding now: Air Algerie aircraft on the apron (Tony Wheeler)

Online travel agents have their uses. I mostly use them to get cheaper long-haul air fares than the airlines sell themselves for an identical journey. This is an odd facet of the aviation industry: passengers save by cutting in the middleman.

Carriers willingly participate  and pass on a modest commission to the OTA  because it allows them to compete for the hyper-price-sensitive end of the market, while keeping fares higher for those who choose to book direct.

Another circumstance when I use online travel agents: to put together a connecting itinerary that airlines wont sell. For example, I needed the last Virgin Atlantic flight out of London Heathrow to New York and the first Delta departure the next morning from JFK airport to Kansas City  where I was meeting Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler for a journey through Missouri.

Virgin Atlantic would not offer this option direct at a reasonable fare, but Trip.com came up with a good combo.

A third reason to be cheerful that online travel agents exist: they can help when an airlines systems decline to sell a particular flight. Weirdly, Jetstar of Australia could not sell me a Singapore-Melbourne ticket while I was in the UK, but MyTrip.com could. (The flight was inconveniently cancelled at the departure gate, which proved expensive, but at least the refund came through after a couple of weeks).

As it happens, Tony Wheeler had a similar experience when attempting to buy an Air Algerie ticket from Algiers to London Stansted late last year. He was transferring from a domestic flight with a tight connection at the Algerian capitals airport.

To maximise the chance of making the transfer, Tony chose to book in business class  which cost a whacking 420 more than economy. Try as he might, the guidebook guru could not persuade Air Algerie to sell him a ticket. But Booking.com was prepared to do so.

In the event, the transfer was smooth and he comfortably made the flight. But the journey itself wasnt as comfortable as it might have been  because the Algerian national carrier had substituted an all-economy plane. Tony was actually glad about the change, because it meant he would be refunded the extra cost of business class.

He approached Air Algerie. After six emails, he finally extracted a response from the carriers digital support operation: Our service only handles refund requests for tickets purchased on our website.

The tickets you have sent us were not issued via our platform. Therefore, we invite you to address your claim directly to the agency that issued your tickets.

In other words: nothing to do with us, try the other lot.

Booking.com, which had taken his money in the first place, acknowledged your seats were downgraded from business to economy. But then it mirrored the airlines response, claiming: We are unable to take any action on the booking as the control over the booking is with the airline. Therefore, we kindly ask that you contact the airline directly for assistance.

The online travel agent added: Please note that this email case has now been closed and that you cannot reply to this email.

Conducting a blame game at the passengers expense strikes me (and probably you) as out of order. So where had the money ended up? I contacted Booking.com, which is the richest travel company in the world, and asked whether it or Air Algerie had Tonys cash?

He was swiftly reimbursed for the downgrade.

Booking.com told me: Were sorry to hear about this customers experience. According to standard procedure, because the airline moved the customer from business class to economy, any refund or compensation for the downgrade would normally need to come directly from them.

However, so this customer doesnt have to wait any longer for the airline to respond, we will refund them the downgrade amount as travel credit as an exceptional gesture of goodwill.

It appears Air Algerie is squarely responsible for refunding. I have made multiple attempts to contact the carrier without success. The national airline of Africas largest country has some excellent news to announce: from this summer, it will fly from Manchester as well as the existing UK airports of Heathrow and Stansted. But the Air Algerie media operation appears to be all transmit  no receive.

Let me take you back to my opening point about the oddness of dual-pricing exactly the same commodity: a seat is often cheaper through online travel agents  who take a cut  than direct from the airline.

If you wonder why passengers would elect not to save, I can offer a couple of possible explanations:

Habit and/or ignorance of the savings to be made.

Wanting to avail of the cancel for a full refund within 24 hours promise made by both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to people booking direct online.

But theres another feasible reason: previous bad experience when using online travel agents.

Read more: Should I book a flight through an online travel agent?
Bob Baffert was the surprise name among the entries for the 2026 Betfred Derby, with the American Hall of Fame handler giving three-time winner Greenwich Village the option of testing his mettle at Epsom Downs in June.

The son of Quality Road was in the winners enclosure as recently as Sunday when winning the Pasedena Stakes at Santa Anita and would be the first US-trained runner in the Premier Classic since Michael Dickinson saddled Wolf Prince to finish eighth in 1993.

Of an Epsom tilt, Tom Ryan, of Greenwich Villages joint-owners SF Racing said: We are incredibly grateful to The Jockey Club for extending an invitation to the Betfred Derby for Greenwich Village. It was a wonderful and unexpected surprise for all of us, and something we dont take lightly. Its a very intriguing opportunity, and well be giving it serious thought as we map out his path from the winter into the spring.

Weve loved seeing how hes progressed, stretching out from six and a half furlongs to a mile on the turf, and he keeps finding and finishing through adversity, which is what you want to see from a developing three-year-old.

Hes a big, powerful colt  and hes bred to keep moving forward as distances increase. The Derby distance is the great unknown.

We will be guided by Bob Baffert when it comes to making a decision. When we originally purchased him, we had the Kentucky Derby in mind. It would be quite a pivot if he ended up in Epsom Downs.

There could be further international representation with Japanese-trained colts Akkan (Takeshi Okumura) and Choreo Sequence (Yuta Sato) amongst the 88 entries, while all of the major names in the early ante-post betting feature with Aidan OBrien dominating the top of the market.

After landing a record-extending 11th Derby with Lambourn last year, the master of Ballydoyle looks to hold leading claims of a fourth-straight success in the mile-and-a-half Classic, with his Pierre Bonnard currently the 6-1 favourite with the race sponsors.
Moving on: Bodo/Glimt (REUTERS)

Inter Milan exited the Champions League with a whimper on Tuesday as they were beaten 2-1 (5-2 agg) by Bodo/Glimt at the San Siro.

Last years runners-up are yet to fully recover from the humbling final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain which left them facing a comprehensive squad rebuild.

They were perhaps unlucky not to secure an automatic round of 16 berth, missing out by just one point in the league phase, but were unable to rescue their campaign in the play-off stage.

After a dismal first leg saw them beaten 3-1 in Norway, Inter had a point to prove on return to Italy, but were slow off the mark again on home soil.

The first-half passed largely without incident, but the tourists put Inter to the sword shortly after the break, with Jens Petter Hauge opening the scoring on 58 minutes to put the result further out of reach.

Jens Hauge was on target as Bodo/Glimt dispatched Inter Milan (AFP via Getty Images)

Hakon Evjen doubled the advantage a quarter of an hour later, putting Bodo four clear on aggregate, meaning Alessandro Bastonis late effort was mere consolation.

It is back to the drawing board for Inter, then, who can now focus on defending their ten-point lead atop the Serie A table.

Back on Tyneside, Eddie Howe guided Newcastle into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time as they sealed their passage from the play-offs with an entertaining 3-2 home victory over Qarabag.

The tie was effectively over before a ball was kicked at St James' Park after last week's 6-1 first leg win in Baku, and it certainly was within six minutes of kick-off thanks to quickfire goals from Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.

Job done: Newcastle have qualified for the Champions League round of 16 for the first time (REUTERS)

Camilo Duran and Elvin Jafarguliyev scored either side of Sven Botman's second-half header to make things interesting, but ultimately the Magpies progressed 9-3 on aggregate.

In the process, they ensured that the Premier League will have six representatives in the next round, with Howe's men joining Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham on the big stage.

Elsewhere, Olympiacos were knocked out by Bayer Leverkusen after a goalless draw in Athens, while Alexander Sorloths hat-trick helped Atletico Madrid ease past Club Brugge in the early kick-off.

Additional reporting: Press Association.
Dual nationals who do not present a British passport or certificate of entitlement may be refused boarding under the new rules. Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/Alamy (Photograph: Amer Ghazzal/Alamy)

British citizens with a second nationality risk being blocked from entering the UK from Wednesday, the Home Office has confirmed.

The government has decided to ignore pleas from families, the3million campaign group, the Liberal Democrats and the former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis for a grace period to allow British dual nationals to adapt to the new rules they face.

Those who do not present a British passport or a certificate proving their right to enter the UK may be refused boarding on a flight, ferry or train under the latest rules.

Related: Dual national rules are another own goal for Labour

A Home Office spokesperson said: The UK is moving to a modernised digital immigration system to enhance our border security. From 25 February, international carriers will check all passengers for valid permission or status to travel to the UK  just as they currently do for visa nationals.

The correct permission for British citizens is a British passport or a foreign passport endorsed with a certificate of entitlement. At their own discretion, carriers may accept some expired British passports as alternative documentation.

The new rules are part of a wider streamlining and digitisation of border controls.

From Wednesday non-visa nationals who try to enter the UK without a 16 electronic travel authorisation (ETA) can be refused board by airlines. Dual nationals cannot get an ETA under the rules.

The migration minister, Mike Tapp, said: Id urge anyone wanting to travel to the UK to ensure they are travel ready and have the right permission, to make their journey much smoother.

ETAs are also mandatory for anyone making connecting flights in the UK, the Home Office said.

Davis and the Lib Dems had called for a grace period allowing British dual nationals to obtain passports or the certificate of entitlement to prove their are British, but that has been ignored.

Hundreds of dual nationals contacted the Guardian in the last week to describe the stress the new rule was causing. One man cancelled a flight to his fathers memorial service, a family is missing a grandparents 80th birthday party and another has cancelled a trip to Spain for a wedding.

All said they knew nothing of the rule until they read about it in the media in the last 10 days.

Davis acted after one of his constituents living in the Netherlands said she was no longer able to visit her dying mother in a care home in Yorkshire because her passport was stuck with the authorities awaiting renewal.

Another British couple on honeymoon in New Zealand said they were scrambling to end their dream holiday and cancel accommodation at great expense to get home before the new rule kicked in. The husband is a dual national but does not have his British passport with him.

Others who have contacted the Guardian include EU citizens who have recently naturalised in the UK but who are not permitted to apply for a British passport until their citizenship ceremony. For those who have immediate travel plans it may mean they do not get their British passport in time.

The rules were published on the governments gov.uk website in November, but those impacted say they were not communicated in any effective way to dual nationals.

Many said they had not heard of the rule until the Guardian reported it on 13 February.

The alternative to a British passport is to pay 589 for a certificate of entitlement linked to their second passport.

But dual nationals have said a certificate takes up to eight weeks to obtain and was punitively expensive compared with the 16 cost of an electronic travel authorisation available to tourists.

The Home Office said it recognised the rules were a significant change, so it had provided additional temporary guidance to carriers on possible alternative documentation, including expired passports issued in 1989 or later and alongside a valid non-visa national third country passport where biographic details match.

It said it was an operational decision whether carriers accept alternative proof, and if so, what alternative proof they will accept.

The new rules are part of a wider streamlining and digitisation of border controls.

 This article was amended on 25 February 2026 to clarify that naturalised British citizens were dual nationals between naturalising and their citizenship ceremony. They are not British nationals until after the ceremony.
Successful qualification of Opteon fluid in 2CRSi server sparks broader collaboration to drive innovation in new and existing technologies across respective portfolios

WILMINGTON, Del. and STRASBOURG, France, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company, and 2CRSi (ISIN code: FR0013341781), a pioneer in high-performance, eco-responsible server technology, today announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA)1 following the successful qualification of Chemours' Opteon two-phase immersion cooling fluid in current-generation 2CRSi servers. This milestone sets the stage for accelerating the development and deployment of advanced two-phase cooling technologiesincluding direct-to-chip and immersion systemsfor high-density IT infrastructure, supporting AI and next-generation chips.

Building on this qualification success, the partnership will combine Chemours' advanced thermal management expertise and 2CRSi's server design leadership to deliver substantial end-user and environmental benefits, meeting near- and long-term data center and IT cooling demands.

"At Chemours, we firmly believe two-phase liquid cooling is the key to unlocking the next generation of high-performance computing, and we're thrilled to partner with 2CRSi to meet the unprecedented demands of AI and advanced IT workloadswhile dramatically reducing energy and water consumption," said Nathan Blom, Vice President of Liquid Cooling at Chemours. "This partnership will not only deliver innovative cooling solutions; it will empower customers to future-proof their infrastructure and accelerate the transition to more efficient, resilient digital ecosystems."

Chemours' Opteon two-phase liquid cooling solutions can deliver up to a 90% reduction in data center cooling energy compared to traditional air cooling, a power usage effectiveness (PUE) approaching 1, dramatic reductions in water consumption, and a circular solution through fluid recovery and reuse. Additionally, accelerated life cycle testing confirms compatibility with industry-standard IT components.

These environmental and operational advantages align with 2CRSi's commitment to decarbonizing digital infrastructure. Leveraging Chemours' next-generation fluids, 2CRSi has successfully commercialized ultra-high-density serverssuch as the Atlas 1.8GG 2PIC modelhousing 8 NVIDIA H200 GPUs in a 1U format, a technical achievement enabled by two-phase cooling.

"2CRSi has always been a pioneer in server cooling. As the industry embraces liquid cooling, we are proud to collaborate with Chemours to deliver some of the most efficient and innovative solutions available today," said Alain Wilmouth, CEO at 2CRSi. "This partnership reflects a shared vision to address the surging energy demands of AI and GPU-accelerated computing. Together, Chemours and 2CRSi are paving the way for compact, energy-efficient edge data centers capable of powering low-latency applications such as autonomous vehicles, 5G/6G networks, and intelligent embedded systems."

The companies will focus on pushing technological boundaries to deliver efficient, high-density servers for AI and HPC, targeting advanced formats like 15 kW, 1U servers powered by Nvidia GPUs.

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in providing industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and advanced electronics, general industrial, and oil and gas. Through our three businesses  Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Titanium Technologies, and Advanced Performance Materials  we deliver application expertise and chemistry-based innovations that solve customers' biggest challenges. Our flagship products are sold under prominent brands such as Opteon, Freon, Ti-Pure, Nafion, Teflon, Viton, and Krytox. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC, Chemours has approximately 5,700 employees and 28 manufacturing sites and serves approximately 2,400 customers in approximately 110 countries. For more information, visit chemours.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About 2CRSi

Founded in 2005 in Strasbourg (France), 2CRSi designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance computer servers and innovative solutions for Artificial Intelligence, high-performance computing, and data storage. Committed to a responsible and sustainable approach, the group operates across multiple continents and delivers energy-efficient technological solutions to sectors including tech, industry, gaming, scientific research, and datacenters.

2CRSi has been listed since June 2018 on the Euronext Paris regulated market (ISIN code: FR0013341781) and transferred to Euronext Growth in November 2022.

For more information: www.2crsi.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, new product development, expected contributions to advancing the data center energy efficiency, addressing new innovative markets, such as AI, improving sustainability, circularity, decreasing environmental footprint, plans to continue investment in research and development, advancements in liquid cooling technology, partnerships in the liquid cooling and data center industry, and development agreements with partners all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours' control. Matters outside our control, including general economic conditions, geopolitical conditions and global health events, and changes in environmental regulations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that affect demand for or adoption of our products, have affected or may affect our business and operations and may or may continue to hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains such as through strikes, labor disruptions or other events, adversely affect our business partners, significantly reduce the demand for our products or increase raw material, energy or other input costs, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

Chemours Contacts

INVESTORS

Brandon Ontjes

Vice President, Head of Strategy & Investor Relations

+1.302.773.3300

[email protected]

NEWS MEDIA

Cassie Olszewski

Media Relations & Reputation Leader

+1.302.219.7140

[email protected]

2CRSi Contacts

2CRSi Jean-Philippe LLOBERA Director France [email protected] 03 68 41 10 70 Seitosei.Actifin Foucauld Charavay Financial communication [email protected] 06 37 83 33 19 Seitosei.Actifin Press Relations [email protected] 06 85 36 85 11

1 This agreement formalizes an in-depth technological collaboration between the two companies, following several years of successful testing conducted on 2CRSi's Atlantis and Octopus servers with the Opteon 2P50 fluid developed by Chemours.

SOURCE The Chemours Company
How Commonwealth nations hold the key to removing Andrew from the line of succession

The UK government has said it will consider removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession to the British throne after the police investigation into the former prince has concluded.

It is a move that will require the backing of the 14 other commonwealth countries where King Charles III is the head of state.

So far, it has got the approval of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who offered his support in a letter to Keir Starmer on Monday.

New Zealand leader Christopher Luxon followed suit hours later to say he would back any plans to exclude the former prince from the line to the British throne.

But Sir Keir Starmers government will still need the support of 12 other realms if he wants to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from eighth in line for succession.

It came after the former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was trade envoy.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who has denied any wrongdoing, was later released under investigation.

Following his arrest, Darren Jones, Sir Keir's chief secretary, told lawmakers on Monday: The government is clear that we are not ruling out action in respect of the line of succession at this stage, and we will consider whether any further steps are required in due course.

The government will consider a move following the police investigation into Mr Mountbatten-Windsor (PA Wire)

What approval does the UK government need?

Any changes proposed by the government would require an act of Parliament, and the support of the Commonwealth countries where the monarch is the head of state.

The 15 realms are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom.

Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said the government is "working at pace" to bring forward legislation on succession.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is eighth in line for the throne (Getty Images)

What is the process?

Robert Hazell, a professor of British politics at University College London, said the move would require some countries to make formal constitutional amendments, whereas others would make the changes through legislation.

The process would likely be lengthy and time-consuming for all countries involved. Mr Hazell said the other governments may be hesitant to support the move, given that the former prince is eighth in line and unlikely to ever be made King.

No governments within the realm have publicly expressed disapproval towards the move.

The last time this happened was for the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, which made the law of royal succession gender neutral, Mr Hazell said. It took two years of protracted negotiations for all the different countries to amend their own laws or constitutions.

When was someone last removed from the line of succession?

The last time someone was removed from the line of succession was after King Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson in 1936.

Anthony Albanese said he would agree to any proposal (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

What have the Commonwealth countries said so far?

In a letter to the British prime minister, Mr Albanese said: In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.

I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.

These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.

New Zealands prime minister joined Mr Albanese hours later to say he would support the UK governments decision.

Mr Luxon said: If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.

The Canadian government is yet to offer its support on the move (PA Wire)

However, the deputy prime minister of New Zealand did not agree with the statements, telling local media it was not a priority for the country.

David Seymour said: I think we've got 99 problems most New Zealanders are facing right now.

"This guy's eighth in the line of succession, and these guys all seem to live to about 100.

So, of all of the things that you could ask me about or we could be worried about right now, that's probably a wee way down the list."

When asked about Australia's support, he said: Good on them, theyve obviously solved a few more problems.

The Independent contacted government officials from the other 12 countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, but has not received a response on whether they would be supporting the move.
Some children are rambunctious, to say the least. And some go beyond simply being rambunctious and unleash youthful chaos that makes them a wild child.

Maisy, the cow, is such a wild child. As this chaotic video shows, she is more than capable of unleashing utter chaos when she nearly destroys her fence by pushing a massive hay bale into it.

It was a normal evening on this farm. The cows were grazing, the sun was setting, and Maisys human mama was supervising the unloading of some new hay bales. And thats when Maisy, the wild child, started to unleash utter chaos.

Before she knew what was happening, Maisys human mother was screaming her head off as her very naughty bovine child was rolling a massive hay bale towards the enclosure fence with a full head of steam. Did Maisy seem to mind her human mama's cries to stop? Not at all, LOL.

Related: Fluffy Cows Mud Bath Shenanigans Show Why Shes the Ultimate Grass Puppy

She just kept on doing her thing, and her human mamas cries to stop made about as much difference to her as the wind blowing against her face. And just when it seemed like Maisy was settling down, she would randomly charge towards her human mama, just to keep her on her toes!

As we said, Maisy, the cow, is a wild child, LOL. Unsurprisingly, the Internet was all over Maisys rambunctious, wild child antics. Instagram user im_not_kelsy wrote, I thought for sure that fence was going down, LOL!

While Instagram user mccombs.kathy commented, OH GOODNESS! Maisy has lost her mind this morning, LOL! And Instagram user its_just_aki chalked Maisys outrageous behavior up to the fact that she is just a typical grass puppy when they wrote, Thats not a cow, thats a large playful puppy!

Maisy Will Even Challenge the Machinery

As this other video shows, Maisy doesnt just cause mischief by pushing hay bales around; she also gets into it with the machinery, such as the skid steer in this footage.

To all the other cows, that skid steer is just moving a pile of dirt, but as far as Maisy is concerned, its trying to pick a fight with her. With such a spicy personality, its not hard to get Maisy going, and once she does, look out! As her human mama remarked in the first video, shes crazy!

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Doomsday AI report goes viral after warning the importance of human intelligence will unwind

A new article offering an apocalyptic vision of humanity's future with artificial intelligence has gone viral and caused stock prices to tumble in major tech and financial firms.

The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis, published Sunday by Citrini Research, strikes a doomsday tone about the looming threat of AI to white-collar work, and what could potentially lead to a global intelligence crisis.

For the entirety of modern economic history, human intelligence has been the scarce input, wrote Citrini Research in the report. We are now experiencing the unwind of that premium.

It continued: Machine intelligence is now a competent and rapidly improving substitute for human intelligence across a growing range of tasks. The financial system, optimized over decades for a world of scarce human minds, is repricing. That repricing is painful, disorderly, and far from complete.

Citrini Research was founded by James van Geelen, who co-authored the post with Alap Shah, known for running AI-focused investment fund, Lotus Technology Management. The small research firm, which started in 2023, is one of the top finance blogs on Substack, according to The Wall Street Journal.

A research firm has issued a warning about the unwind of human intelligence at the hands of artificial intelligence, causing stocks to tumble this week (Getty/iStock)

The authors noted the article was not a prediction, but a hypothetical situation as if it were June 2028, and posed the question of whether our AI bullishness continues to be rightand what if thats actually bearish?

Despite the cautionary note, the article spread like wildfire Monday. Shares in software firms that utilize AI - Datadog, CrowdStrike and Zscaler - each dropped more than 9 percent.

IBM, which has an integrated AI development studio Watsonx, also saw its stock drop 13 percent, in its worst one-day performance since 2000.

American Express, KKR and Blackstone, all mentioned in the Citrini post, also fell, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Share in DoorDash fell 6.6 percent Monday after the article called the delivery app a poster child for how new AI technology would disrupt businesses that profit from so-called interpersonal friction.

Citrini suggested that in the future, AI agents would help drivers and customers navigate food deliveries at a much lower cost.

DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang responded to the report by saying that that he believes agentic commerce will be transformative to the industry - referencing shopping powered by AI agents acting on customers behalf.

DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang said his company is working to evolve in ways to work for both AI agents and its customers (Getty)

But with it, his company will need to evolve in ways to work for both AI agents and customers. The ground is shifting underneath our feet, and the industry is going to need to adapt to it, he wrote on X.

AI has been driving global financial markets for the past couple of years, though experts have questioned whether its a stock market bubble due to overconfidence from investors. Bubbles are dangerous as prices become disconnected from the value of the companies, meaning they can suddenly collapse without warning.

The AI boom can be felt throughout industries, though some young people worry AI will take away entry level jobs. A 2025 report from think tank the Brookings Institution suggests AI adoption has led to employment and firm growth, but not widespread job loss.

The fears of AI disruption are happening sooner than most folks anticipated, Jordan Rizzuto, chief investment officer for investment strategy research firm GammaRoad Capital Partners, told the Journal. Such is the nature of an accelerating technology.

Global stocks were also lower on Monday due to fresh uncertainty over U.S. trade policy. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said he would increase his global tariff rate to 15 percent, after the Supreme Court ruled his sweeping global tariffs were unlawfully imposed.
Neil Basu, the former head of counter-terrorism, said the UK police needed the original, unredacted Epstein files to properly investigate allegations. Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA (Photograph: Cristobal Herrera/EPA)

Survivors of Jeffrey Epsteins abuse believe British police are failing them, a former top prosecutor has said.

Nazir Afzal, who prosecuted grooming gangs in northern England, said there has been quick action when state interests are involved while allegations of harm to women have been ignored.

Both the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly handing Epstein sensitive information gathered as part of their official roles.

Both deny any wrongdoing.

Afzal, former chief crown prosecutor for north west England, said meanwhile claims of serious harm to women have seen little action.

Six forces are examining flights coming into the UK allegedly at the behest of Epstein carrying trafficked women. Two other forces are examining claims of sexual assault.

No allegations linked to harm against women have been judged by any force to merit a full criminal investigation.

Afzal told the Guardian: When the state is the victim, the state moves at pace. When women are alleged victims the state barely moves at all.

The view of the victims is that their suffering is not being treated by British police with the same urgency as the alleged offences against the interests of the state.

Afzal said one woman had contacted him and alleges Epstein sent her to the UK, where she was attacked. He said: They feel they have been ignored for years.

The hard stuff, that is the allegations of sexual assault and trafficking, nobody seems to be dealing effectively with that, he added.

Britains former head of counter-terrorism, Neil Basu, told the Guardian: It is still too little, too late for the survivors.

Police will need to be quick, professional and diligent to give any sense of justice to the survivors.

It is pretty disgraceful that the UK and US authorities have for many years not taken a rigorous look at all of this.

There is no doubt that Virginia Giuffre was trafficked, coerced and groomed by very powerful people.

British police say they need the original unredacted documents held about Epstein by the US Department of Justice.

Afzal said a single force or investigation team such as the National Crime Agency should take over. The NCA can be the custodian of the operation, but the local forces do the work, he said. The US Department of Justice needs a single figure they can talk to.

Police chiefs have set up a coordinating committee that has met twice, and is hosted by the National Police Chiefs Council. They are also recruiting a high-grade detective to help with the coordination, with chiefs expecting a tsunami of allegations about Epsteins links to Britain as more documents are examined with reportedly 2m more held in the US to be published.

Afzal added: They need a single national investigator, or team of investigators to see if the sexual offences and trafficking can be proven.

The sexual assault and trafficking allegations are the hardest matters to investigate, but has caused the most profound damage.

Confidence will ebb if there are seen to be mistakes in handling the Epstein allegations.

Basu said UK police needed the original, unredacted documents, and that prosecutions could not be based on print outs from the internet of redacted documents published so far from the US.

He said usually the DoJ will help, but it could take time.

Basu, who was an assistant commissioner in the Met, added:Historical allegations are incredibly difficult to prove.

Penny East, the chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: The criminality exposed by the Epstein files goes far beyond misconduct. Accountability is not losing a title, a gold-plated pension or a fancy job - true accountability for the abused women and girls must be a robust response from our criminal justice system.

Natalie Fleet, the Labour MP for Bolsover and a victim of grooming, said: This is my fear; that victims voices and cases get lost in noise and drama. We are only here because brave women spoke out and we cant ever forget that. We can see that police are rightly taking action at the highest levels; victims need to feel theyre being listened to and supported as well.

The six forces considering claims about the Epstein flights into airports in their area are Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, West Midlands, the Met and Police Scotland. Surrey and Thames Valley police forces are considering claims of sexual wrongdoing by the former prince. The allegations that have moved to full criminal investigation are those of misconduct in public office into Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson. Both were arrested and released while investigations continued.

Police investigating Mountbatten-Windsor said on Tuesday evening that searches at a property in Berkshire related to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office had concluded.

A National Police Chiefs Council spokesperson said: No single crime takes priority over another. All investigations are driven by evidence, and while agencies are actively coordinating, these processes take time to ensure they are thorough and robust.
People walk past the site of a Russian drone strike near a supermarket and a fast-food outlet in central Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, on Monday. Photograph: Tommaso Fumagalli/EPA (Photograph: Tommaso Fumagalli/EPA)

European leaders have accused Hungary of sabotaging support for Ukraine on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion, after a defiant Budapest blocked fresh economic measures against Moscow.

Germany, France and other EU states failed to persuade Viktor Orbans government on Monday to approve the latest EU sanctions package and a loan meant to help Kyiv meet its military and financial needs. Polands prime minister, Donald Tusk, described Hungarys actions as political sabotage.

The row threatens to overshadow a carefully choreographed display of solidarity between Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his key European partners. Senior politicians are expected to visit Kyiv on Tuesday, including the British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.

For all the noise in world affairs today, this war remains the most critical issue of our age, the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, said. It asks the question of whether Ukrainian and European freedom will endure. Our answer, together, is unequivocal. Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war.

The UK would stand by Ukraines side until a just and lasting peace  and beyond, Starmer added.

The anniversary follows a brutal and freezing winter in which Russia has systematically dismantled Ukraines energy infrastructure with drone and ballistic missile attacks, leaving millions without power. Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv have been badly affected.

Related: This girl was braver than I was: Julia Kochetovas astonishing photographs of war in Ukraine

Despite worsening conditions for civilians, the mood in the capital is surprisingly upbeat. In interviews this week Zelenskyy insisted Ukraine was definitely not losing. Since late January his armed forces have recaptured 400 sq km in the south of the country.

A further round of peace talks are expected to take place in Geneva later this week, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Zelenskyys office, indicated. Budanov admitted it was no secret the negotiations with Russia, brokered by the US, arent going smoothly. We are clearly moving forward, he said.

So far, the Kremlin has refused to modify its original maximalist demands. It wants Ukraine to hand over the entire Donbas region, including areas Russia does not control. Zelenskyy has ruled this out, despite coming under pressure from Donald Trumps envoys to agree.

Speaking to the BBC, Zelenskyy said giving up Donetsk oblast would mean abandoning hundreds of thousands of our people who live there. He suggested Putin had already started world war three, adding: The question is how much territory he [Putin] will be able to seize and how to stop him.

European countries have stepped up assistance to Ukraine after the White House last year ended all direct military aid. But their efforts have been sabotaged by Hungary and Slovakia, close US allies and the most Moscow-friendly members of the EU. Both depend heavily on Russian oil imports.

Budapest says it will block further sanctions against Russia until Ukraine resumes the delivery of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. On Monday, Slovakias prime minister Robert Fico said he was cutting emergency assistance to Ukraine because of the halt in oil deliveries.

Ukraine says the Kremlin is responsible for the interruption. It claims Russian bombs knocked out the pipeline last month. On Monday, Ukrainian long-range drones damaged an oil pumping station in Russias Tatarstan region, which is part of the Druzhba network.

Arriving for a meeting in Brussels, Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, complained that Ukraine was behaving in a very hostile manner towards his country. Please ask Ukrainians why they have stopped the oil deliveries to Hungary, he said, accusing the European Commission of siding with Kyiv.

Polands foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, hit out at Hungarys decision to block a 90bn (79bn) loan to Ukraine. It was shocking, he suggested, given the fact that Budapest was itself invaded in the 20th century by Soviet troops. He said Orbans anti-Ukrainian rhetoric was aimed at a domestic audience, before elections in March.

Sikorski added: I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine. Instead the ruling party has managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression, and  now is trying to exploit that in the general election.

Other senior European figures paid tribute to Ukraines resilience. Speaking at a pro-Kyiv event in Berlin, Germanys chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said Tuesdays anniversary marked four monstrous years of war. I appeal again to our European partners  do not let up in your support, in our common support, for Ukraine, he said.

Merz added: We are standing at a crossroads that could decide on the wellbeing of our whole continent. No one can say today whether the weapons will fall silent in Ukraine in six weeks, in six months or even later. But we are working for them to fall silent as quickly as possible.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, described his countrys commitment to Ukraine as unwavering during a meeting with Finlands leader, Alexander Stubb, another significant Ukraine booster. Putin is not winning the war but is not ready to make peace either, Stubb said in Paris.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraines ambassador to the UK and the man considered to be the best-placed challenger to Zelenskyy in a future presidential election, sought to downplay any immediate interest in the countrys top job  though he did not rule out running after the end of the war.

Following a speech in London, Zaluzhnyi said suggestions that he wanted to pursue the presidency amounted to pub talk  and said he did not have the slightest chance to think about what happens after the war. Only after the end of martial law in Ukraine could there be discussion about my personal future, he said.

In a report on Monday, the World Bank estimated Ukraine needs $588bn (435bn) to rebuild from the destruction caused by Russias all-out 2022 attack. The figure is 12% higher than last year. The frontline Donetsk and Kharkiv regions would require the most investment, while Kyiv would need $15bn to recover, it said.
Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to release files on Lord Mandelsons appointment as Britains ambassador to the US as soon as next week, says a Cabinet minister.

The Government is seeking to publish the documents as soon as possible as it seeks to contain the damage being caused by the Mandelson scandal.

Asked whether the files would be published in early March, possibly next week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News: So that is our intention.

But of course, we just need to be guided by the police in some of this.

She added: So, we want to be transparent, we do want to push ahead with publishing documents, but we just need to make sure that nothing thats published could compromise or call into question an ongoing police investigation.

Lord Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein (.)

Lord Mandelson was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday morning after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The peer, who was Labour Business Secretary from 2009 to 2010, has been accused of passing on information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Sir Keir has faced considerable criticism over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the top diplomatic position despite his links to Epstein, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for him to resign.

The Prime Minister had admitted to knowing about Lord Mandelsons ongoing friendship with Epstein, but said the peer lied repeatedly about the extent of the relationship when questioned on it.

Former British ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to Washington in September 2025 (PA Wire)

Under pressure from Labour MPs and opposition parties, the Prime Minister agreed to release all the documents relating to the appointment.

Their publication will be overseen by Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) to ensure the Governments aim is met that no material which could damage Britains national security or diplomatic relations is put out.

But the ISC has made clear it will not restrict documents, even if they are deeply embarrassing to Sir Keir and the Government, from being published.

So the files are expected to reveal damning details over Lord Mandelsons appointment and how warnings about the peer, who was twice previously sacked from the Cabinet, were ignored.

However, the Cabinet Offices due diligence report on Lord Mandelson may not be released until after the police probe has concluded.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats were using a parliamentary debate on Tuesday to compel ministers to similarly release documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy.

The former prince served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, and also faces accusations of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while in the role.

He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

New Zealand has become the second Commonwealth realm to announce it would support the UK Government if it proposes to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.

It followed a similar step by Australia on Monday.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Aylsham Police Station. (REUTERS)

The agreement of all 15 Commonwealth realms, including the UK, is required to remove Andrew from the line of succession.

He is currently eighth in line to the throne.
The husband of former TV presenter Fiona Phillips has called the lack of Government funding into Alzheimers treatments ageism.

Former GMTV presenter Phillips announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with early onset dementia, after initially thinking she was having menopause symptoms when she first started experiencing brain fog and anxiety, and has gone on to write a book on the subject.

Speaking on ITVs Good Morning Britain, her husband Martin Frizell said of low funding for the disease: Its ageism, youve had your innings, now go away and be quiet and lets spend money on something else.

Martin Frizell criticised Health Secretary Wes Streetings decision to remove NHS dementia targets (Martin Rickett/PA) (Martin Rickett)

The former TV producer went on to reiterate that Alzheimers disease was not just an old persons disease, saying that thousands of people were diagnosed before the age of 65, and criticised Health Secretary Wes Streeting for removing the NHS target for dementia diagnosis rates.

The 67-year-old added: Why are we not putting more money into Britains biggest killer?

It kills more women than breast cancer; during Covid, through all the years of Covid, more people died from dementia than still died from Covid, and yet remember how the world came together to find something to stop Covid.

But it just seems to be that Alzheimers is the poor relation to all the other big diseases certainly like cancer, the moneys just not there.

Frizell went on to say that Phillips, whose parents both died with Alzheimers, is very much still with us.

He said: She still looks the same, she was the worlds most stubborn woman, she still is the worlds most stubborn woman, which is difficult when youre trying to give her some medicine.

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid later read out a statement from the Department of Health and Social Care which said it was working hard to find ways to slow down the progress of dementia, which it said included record funding.

Frizell replied: Well, I dont think its record funding at all, David Camerons government in 2015 had a 10-year plan at that time, which was, if you read it, it was like crikey, we should be doing this.

It was incredibly advanced for its time, Britain used to lead the world in Alzheimers research and dementia research, and now were not in terms of diagnosis, were bottom of the league in Europe for actually diagnosing this thing now.

Fiona Phillips in 2015 (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Alzheimers is described as the most common cause of dementia, which is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain function, according to the NHS website.

It is a progressive condition that can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities, with symptoms developing gradually over many years and which often become more severe.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers disease but there are medicines available that can temporarily improve some symptoms.

Phillips is best known for presenting GMTV from 1993 to 2008, before going on to head up a number of documentaries and episodes of Panorama, and was also one of the Mirrors longest-serving columnists.

She quit TV in 2018 after she started to suffer from anxiety.

Phillips cared for her parents after both of them were also diagnosed with the condition and has made two documentaries about the disease, one in 2009 called Mum, Dad, Alzheimers And Me, about her familys history of dementia, and My Family And Alzheimers in 2010.

She has also served as an ambassador for the Alzheimers Society.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Fiona and her husband Martin helped share stories of people facing incredible challenges with their work in front of and behind the camera  now they are sharing their own story to continue helping others and we thank them.

Alzheimers disease is a cruel illness which requires better understanding and faster diagnosis.

We are working hard to help scientists and the NHS find new ways of slowing down its progress, including through record funding.
Donald Trump speaking at the White House on Monday. Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA (Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA)

Good morning.

Donald Trumps decision on whether to order airstrikes against Iran will depend partly on the judgment of Trumps special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about whether Tehran is stalling over a deal to relinquish its nuclear capacity, according to people familiar with the matter.

The president has not made a final decision on any strikes. The administration is preparing for Iran to send its latest proposal this week, before what officials have described as a last-ditch round of negotiations, led by Witkoff and Kushner, scheduled for Thursday in Geneva.

What will happen if theres no deal? Trump has told advisers he is considering limited strikes to put pressure on Iran and, failing that, a far larger attack to force regime change.

What has Iran said about how it might respond? Iran has vowed to retaliate as hard as possible against any US attack, and its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said last week that he had the ability to sink a US warship.

Donald Trumps new 10% global tariff comes into effect

Donald Trumps new tariffs have come into force globally at 10%, though he had threatened a higher rate of 15% over the weekend.

After the president suffered a defeat at the hands of the supreme court on Friday, which declared his sweeping liberation day tariffs imposed last year illegal, he angrily reacted by announcing a 10% global tariff. It is being imposed on imports for 150 days.

After the supreme court decision, three Senate Democrats are demanding that the government starts refunding roughly $175bn in tariff revenues. FedEx is seeking a refund from the tariffs deemed illegal, and it sued the US government on Monday.

What about the 15% tariff? The uplift to 15% announced by Trump on social media on Saturday has not yet been implemented  but could come at any time.

Want the latest business news? Follow along on our live blog.

Mexican drug cartel boss El Mencho tracked through romantic partner

Mexican authorities located and killed El Mencho, one of the worlds most wanted drug traffickers, by following a romantic partner to his safe house, the countrys defense secretary has revealed.

Speaking at a press conference, officials shared details about the raid on Sunday, which triggered a wave of retaliatory violence by cartel gunmen, practically shutting down entire swathes of western Mexico.

The 59-year-old cartel leader, whose real name was Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, was fatally injured as the Mexican military attempted to capture him in the operation, which was supported by intelligence from Washington.

Why was Washington involved? The US has been pressing Mexico to crack down on groups trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

In other news 

Donald Trump will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second presidency on Tuesday to a deeply polarized country where most voters disapprove of his handling of immigration, the economy and foreign policy.

European leaders have accused Hungary of undermining support for Ukraine, after Budapest blocked fresh sanctions against Moscow on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A man detonated an explosive device beside a police car in central Moscow early on Tuesday, killing one officer and wounding two others, the Russian interior ministry said.

The actor Robert Carradine, who was known for his roles in Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, has died aged 71, his family said in a statement.

Stat of the day: 55% of US adults feel that Trump is changing the country for the worse

Most American adults think Donald Trump is changing the United States for the worse during his second presidency, according to an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released the day before his State of the Union speech. More than half  55%  of US adults feel the country is moving in the wrong direction, a 13-point increase from around the same time of his first presidency.

Culture pick: John Oliver on Elon Musks X  Now worse than useless

On the latest episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver straight away jumped into the Epstein files after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The former Prince Andrew was arrested on allegations that that he had shared confidential material with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy. Oliver also tore into Elon Musk and X, lambasting the platform as a sewer of misinformation which, he said, the Trump administration was worryingly dependent on.

Dont miss this: The babies and children swept up in Fijis HIV nightmare

Fiji is home to the worlds fastest-growing HIV epidemic: new cases more than tripled between 2023 and 2024. Amid a decline in global aid, more than 1,200 people were diagnosed in the first six months of 2025 alone. Michelle Duff reports from Suva on the factors driving the epidemic, which include escalating local methamphetamine use and a lack of access to clean needles  and how families and young people are being affected.

Climate check: Tinderbox UK may be one shock away from food riots, experts say

Chronic issues have left the UKs food system in a tinderbox state, with any further shock risking social unrest and even food riots, dozens of top food experts have warned. The system has already been left vulnerable by the climate crisis, low incomes, poor farming policy and fragile supply chains. A major extreme weather event, a cyber-attack or a fresh international conflict are among the scenarios that experts warn could spark chaos.

Last Thing: BTS comeback show sells out immediately as 260,000 fans set to descend on Seoul

Tickets for BTSs comeback concert in central Seoul sold out almost immediately on Monday night, with authorities expecting an estimated 260,000 fans to descend for the K-pop groups first concert in nearly four years. Fans even flocked to internet cafes to use the venues faster connections to gain an edge over the competition.

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Roberta Metsola has come to London to underline the case for closer EU-UK links - Daina Le Lardic

This year marks 10 years since Great Britain voted to leave the European Union. A decade in which the relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom has been redefined. A period that has given us the time and space to recognise that the future must rest on stronger links that respect the choice of the UK, while fitting the realities of today.

In a world that often feels on fire, a stronger and more pragmatic relationship is in everyones interest.

I am in London today on behalf of the European Parliament to make that case.

Across Europe, many of us grew up with Britain woven into everyday life. We read Shakespeare and Dickens in school. We quoted Monty Python. We followed British politics, admired the dry humour, and valued the instinct for pragmatism. Britain projected steadiness, institutions that endured, and a belief that common sense should prevail.

That is the spirit the UK and the EU need now.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many thought Kyiv would fall in a matter of days and that Europe would descend into division. Neither happened. Four years on, Ukraine is still standing because Europe and the UK acted as one, imposing tough sanctions, cutting economic ties, and stepping up military and financial support.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, joined officials from European Union countries in Kyiv on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Last years EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership formalised what events had already shown: our security is indivisible. Cyber threats do not stop at Dover. Satellites do not recognise customs checks. Aggression in Europe concerns all of us.

But this partnership is not only about security. It is also about jobs, growth and opportunity. About the links our young people share, and the trading relationship of our industries.

Through Horizon Europe, British scientists, engineers and start-ups are working with partners across the continent on medical breakthroughs, satellite systems and cutting-edge technologies. In the race to lead in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, pairing talent with serious investment puts us in a much stronger position.

A few months ago, the UK and the EU agreed that Britain would rejoin Erasmus+ from 2027. That is good news. This is an investment in our future. And that is why we should go even further.

On energy, closer cooperation means more investment and steadier supplies when markets wobble. Cutting friction in food trade means fewer lorries stuck at the border and lower costs for producers. Linking carbon markets gives firms clearer rules before they commit to a new factory or upgrade a plant. These decisions show up in pay packets and prices.

In May last year, Sir Keir Starmer hosted EU chiefs including Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, and Antonio Costa, the European Council president, for a summit to forge a closer relationship five years after Brexit - Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images

At the same time, the European Union is changing. We are cutting red tape, scrapping rules that weigh on small firms and making the single market work better for those who create jobs. Growth depends on enterprise and innovation, not on excessive paperwork. That is a view Britain has long held.

Margaret Thatcher believed sovereign nations should work together when it suited their interests. Cooperation, in that sense, was not weakness but leverage.

Nearly 10 years on from the referendum, our focus should be on what works. The EU remains the UKs largest trading partner. The UK remains one of Europes leading security powers. Geography has not changed, even if politics has.

The world we face is more competitive and less predictable. In such a world, neighbours who share values and interests do better when they act together.

This is not about reopening old debates. It is about dealing with the world as we find it. Grasping at the art of the possible.

For now, the task is clear: Strengthen what works. Invest in security, in growth, in our young people. Build a partnership built for the world as it is, not as it was.

Roberta Metsola is a Maltese politician who has served as president of the European Parliament since 2022
More ships are coming to Norwegian Cruise Line and its sister brands (Norwegian Cruise Line)

Four new cruise ships are being constructed for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands, which will boost the choice for passengers across its luxury and family-focused brands.

Italian shipyard Fincantieri is building a new ship each for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas to be delivered between 2036 and 2037.

Each vessel will be a sister ship for soon-to-be launched ships from each cruise line, ranging from small to the largest ever for the cruise line.

The new ship for culinary-focused Oceania Cruises will feature a gross tonnage of 86,000 tons and capacity for approximately 1,390 passengers.

It will be a sister ship to Oceania Sonata, which is due to debut in August 2027 with a Mediterranean season that starts with a two-week cruise from Rome including stops in Catania, Italy, Valletta, Malta, Katakolon, Greece, Bar, Montenegro and the Croatian port of Zadar.

Another will be a sister ship to luxury brand Seven Seas Prestige, which will make its maiden sailing in December 2026 with a voyage from Barcelona to Miami.

The new ship will have a gross tonnage of 77,000 tons and around 822 cabins. It will be the fourth in the Prestige class

Norwegian Cruise Line has already revealed plans to build five new megaships as part of its largest ever class of vessels from 2030.

A fifth will now be delivered under the latest agreement with a gross tonnage of approximately 227,000 tons and capacity for more than 5,000 guests.

This is on top of the current Prima Plus class ships in development, with Norwegian Luna launching this year and Norwegian Aura in 2027.

There are now 17 new cruise ships on order across the three cruise lines.

These include eight for Norwegian Cruise Line, five for Oceania Cruises and four for Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

John W. Chidsey, chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said: "Together with Fincantieri, a trusted partner for decades, we continue to advance a disciplined approach to fleet growth that builds on the strength of our brands, defines the future of cruising and elevates the guest experience for years to come.

Read more: Cruise packing tips - the items you do and dont need in your suitcase
Strong Bulls. Strong Herd. Built to Thrive.

RUPERT, Idaho, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Karl Studer's 3 String Cattle Co. announces its Annual Purebred Bull Sale, set for Thursday, February 26, 2026. Approximately 85 purebred bulls will go to sale, each bred for structural soundness, climate resilience, and long-term herd performance. The event is held annually on the fourth Thursday of February and has become a trusted gathering for commercial and purebred producers across the region.

Bred to Perform. Built to Last.

The bulls offered at this year's sale reflect a multi-generational breeding philosophy rooted in practical ranching. Karl Studer and his team at 3 String Cattle Co. select for bulls that hold up under real-world conditions, whether navigating harsh winters or intense summer heat, without sacrificing fertility, longevity, or structural integrity.

"We breed bulls that are designed to withstand all climates," said Karl Studer, founder of 3 String Cattle Co. "Every animal in this sale has been developed with one goal in mind: to make your herd stronger, season after season."

Buyers can expect bulls with sound feet and legs, strong frames, and proven genetics that translate directly to herd profitability. The sale catalog features detailed performance data to help producers make informed decisions aligned with their operational goals.

Heritage, People, Genetics

Guided by the tagline "Heritage. People. Genetics." 3 String Cattle Co. operates from the belief that the land, the families who work it, and the animals raised on it are all connected. Based in Rupert, Idaho, the operation has grown into one of the region's respected purebred cattle programs, drawing producers from across the West who prioritize performance genetics and real-world durability over pedigree alone.

Karl Studer, who grew up in southern Idaho and has spent decades working the land alongside his family, brings the same no-nonsense, results-driven mindset to cattle breeding that has defined his approach to everything he builds. The ranch is a working operation, not a showpiece, and the bulls offered reflect that.

Sale Details

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Inventory: Approximately 85 purebred bulls

Location: 770 N. 150 W., Shoshone, ID 83352

Website: https://3stringcattle.co/purebred-division/

Attend, Request a Catalog, or Learn More

Serious cattlemen are encouraged to attend in person or connect ahead of the sale to request a catalog and review available genetics. 3 String Cattle Co. welcomes commercial and purebred producers looking to invest in bulls that deliver results from day one.

Visit 3stringcattle.co/purebred-division for full sale information, catalog access, and contact details.

About 3 String Cattle Co.

3 String Cattle Co. is a working purebred cattle operation based in Rupert, Idaho, founded by Karl Studer. Operating on the principles of heritage, people, and genetics, the ranch breeds cattle designed for durability, performance, and adaptability across diverse climates and ranching environments. The Annual Bull Sale, held every fourth Thursday of February, is the ranch's signature event, bringing together producers from across the region in search of bulls that make a lasting difference in their herds.

Media Contact:

Jesse Jensen

[email protected]

https://3stringcattle.co

SOURCE 3 String Cattle Co.
Thousands of frozen, ready-to-eat meatballs have been recalled due to a possible contamination with foreign material.

According to a Monday announcement from the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service, Rosina Food Products, Inc., based in West Seneca, New York, has recalled approximately 9,462 pounds of frozen meatball products because they may be contaminated with metal.

The issue was discovered after the FSIS received a customer complaint about finding metal fragments in the product, according to the announcement.

The USDA has classified the recall as Class I  its highest risk level  meaning there is a reasonable probability that consuming the products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The recalled products are 32-ounce bags of fully cooked frozen Bremer Family Size Italian Style Meatballs. Each package contains roughly 64 meatballs and carries a Best By date of October 30, 2026.

Meatballs being recalled after a customer reported finding metal in product (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Bremer Italian Style Meatballs were sold at Aldi stores nationwide (United States Department of Agriculture)

All affected products were produced on July 30, 2025, with timestamps between 17:08 and 18:20. They also bear the establishment number EST. 4286B inside the USDA mark of inspection.

The meatballs have a 15-month shelf life and were shipped to Aldi stores nationwide.

Possible metal contamination could cause severe illnesses or choking hazards. Although there havent been any reports of injuries due to the frozen meatballs, the FSIS is urging consumers to either throw the products away immediately or return them to the place of purchase.

The news comes as multiple recalls due to contamination with foreign material are affecting consumers across the country.

Last week, Food Lion warned customers of its store in Midlothian, Virginia, that small pieces of a black rubber plastic gasket fell into four varieties of meat sold at the store  73% Lean Fresh Ground Beef, 80% Lean Fresh Ground Chuck, 85% Lean Fresh Ground Round, and 93% Lean Fresh Ground Beef. The plastic became dislodged and damaged during the grinding process when it was produced February 6.

And earlier this month, thousands of jars of peanut butter and peanut butter and jelly combination snacks made by Ventura Foods LLC were recalled after pieces of blue plastic were found in the food during the production process. More than 20,000 affected products were sold in 40 states. The recall was later upgraded to a Class II by the FDA due to the increased risk of health consequences.

In addition, millions of pounds of frozen chicken fried rice products sold at Trader Joes across the U.S. and Canada were also recently recalled due to potential glass contamination. The problem was discovered after four customers complained about finding glass pieces in their food, but no injuries were reported.
Some things, like boarding passes, bags, and even broken hearts get left behind at airports every day. On February 2, however, Las Vegas airport workers were stunned when a dog was abandoned at a JetBlue ticket counter.

Around 11:30am, staff and police officers at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, freed the Goldendoodle dog, who was left tied to a carry-on baggage sizer. The woman who left him attempted to board her flight after finding out her dog, whom she was trying to pass off as a service dog, could not come with her. She was quickly located and arrested on charges of animal abandonment.

It's unbelievable to think that anyone could leave behind their loyal four-legged friend. Even though this woman thought the dog would eventually be returned to her because of his microchip, her willingness to walk away and attempt to board her flight on her own proves officers did the right thing by finding the rescued dog a foster home.

"She didnt deserve him!" commented @misscollins23. "I pray he finds a loving home." With a friendly demeanor and such a sweet face, this sweet Doodle could charm anyone and everyone he meets.

Related: Sweet Dog Abandoned in Florida Melts Her Rescuers Hearts With the Most Grateful Hug

To kick off his brand-new lease on life, rescuers named the pup JetBlue and dropped him off at The Animal Foundation shelter to begin a 10-day stray hold. Once those 10 days had passed, Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas brought him into their care.

"He licked our faces, wagged his tail and jumped up on us," Danielle Roth, the rescue's founder, told USA Today. "There was no stress, like he knew he was safe. Like he knew he was never going to be stressed again."

JetBlue Flies to His Forever Home

Coincidentally, one of the very officers who responded to the pup's call had been approved to adopt through Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas for months before JetBlue entered heir care. Officer Skeeter Black's family had been wanting to adopt a Goldendoodle, and the stars aligned perfectly for them to add JetBlue to their family.

Out of thoudsands of adoption applications, it only made sense for Officer Black and his family to become the rescue pup's forever family. This is the perfect happy ending for such a sweet and friendly dog!



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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Feb 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Zack Polanski hit back angrily at Sir Keir Starmer in a Gorton and Denton by-election row after the PM launched a scathing attack on the Green Partys legalise drugs policy .

The Green Party leader and Prime Minister clashed as their parties were battling over who is best placed to defeat Nigel Farages Reform UK in the crunch by-election.

As campaigning entered its final 48 hours, Mr Polanski, on another visit to the constituency, was forced to defend his party's policy after Sir Keir said as a father of a teenager, the Greens' plan to legalise drugs was "disgusting".

Labour also claimed the policy would turn parks and playgrounds into "crack dens".

But Mr Polanski responded: "What Keir Starmer and this Labour Government have said on drugs policy is vile.

He argued that the "war on drugs" had failed and his party was talking about taking a "public health" approach to a serious issue, accusing Labour of "cheap political attacks for short term gains".

The row was set to be at the forefront of by-election exchanges as Cllr Alex Armitage, one of the authors of the Green Partys drugs policy, was heading from Shetland to the Manchester constituency, to make the case for it.

Im a paediatrician and I wrote the @GreenDrugPolicy because our drugs laws put children at risk of harm.



Legalisation & regulation of drugs will keep us safer and reduce organised crime.



Drug barons arent afraid of the police or Labours tough talk - they fear the Greens. pic.twitter.com/EUgBAJmDDB  Cllr Alex Armitage (@alexjarmitage) February 23, 2026

With just days to go before polling day on Thursday, Left-leaning voters were still said to be split over which party to support to prevent Reforms Matt Goodwin winning the seat.

Sir Keir visited the by-election on Monday to rally his activists and argue that it was a straight fight between Labours candidate Angeliki Stogia and Reform.

This by-election is about basic values - values of unity over division and bringing people together over tearing them apart, he said.

But Mr Polanski rejected the Prime Ministers claims about the state of the race which is believed to be on a knife edge.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks alongside Labour candidate Angeliki Stogia (Getty Images)

This Thursday, when we wake up on Friday morning, I think we can transform the face of British politics, he told Times Radio.

Labour will no longer be able to say that you need to vote for the Labour Party to stop another party.

The Green Party have already demonstrated that we are the option to stop Reform.

He denied it would be a failure if Green contender Hannah Spencer did not win but admitted it would be incredibly disappointing.

Reforms hopes of clinching the seat appeared to be falling after Mr Farage chose to head to the Chagos Islands over the weekend and then to Dover on Monday for a law, order and borders event rather than to the by-election.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski with his partys candidate Hannah Spencer (PA Wire)

Luke Tryl, UK director of More in Common, stressed it was a high stakes, possibly seismic by-election as it would show whether Reform, with around 30 per cent of the vote, could win lots of seats as it seeks a Commons majority, if the Green surge is real or whether Labours woes may ease.

Voters on the Left are desperate to do whatever they can to stop Reform and are trying to work out whether Labour or the Greens are the best vehicle to do that, he explained.

At the moment it still seems quite split.

Some voters think Labour are the best option because Labour have an established track record, they have got more infrastructure on the ground.

For others, it is that the Greens seem to be the party with momentum, that they are more insurgent.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with Matt Goodwin, the partys candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election (PA Wire)

Reforms best chance of winning, he added, was if the Left-leaning vote splits, allowing it to come through the middle.

Mr Tryl highlighted as a warning to Sir Keirs party that Muslim former Labour voters, who had taken part in MiC focus groups, were switching to the Greens over the Gaza war and what they saw as racism becoming legitimised in the UK in recent years.

However, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the response on the doorstep in the by-election felt positive for Labour.

As with every election, its who turns out that will determine the outcome, she added in a sign how close the contest appears to be.
Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has said revisiting the character of Sherlock Holmes for his upcoming TV series was completely fresh for him, and called making the show a particularly fun ride.

The 57-year-old is the director and executive producer behind upcoming Prime Video series Young Sherlock, based on the novels by Andrew Lane, which follows the origin story of the fictional detective.

Ritchie, who has previously directed two Sherlock Holmes film adaptations starring Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr, has praised Sherlock Holmes as a very unique character who provides an infinite pool of creativity for storytelling.

Guy Ritchie and Jacqui Ainsley attended the premiere (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Speaking to the Press Association ahead of the world premiere of the action-packed sleuth series, the star said: Sherlock Holmes occupies a very unique space, both physical and intellectual, which allows me to delve into an infinite pool of creative juice.

For me, there are very few characters in the history of literature that occupy that space.

This is an origin story, so its completely it was fresh for me.

He added: (Sherlock Holmes) is an endless resource, a creative bounty that you could draw from just simply from the DNA of Conan Doyles original premise.

Author Conan Doyle created the eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes in the late 19th century, and his best-selling book series has since been adapted into many different forms, including the popular BBC TV series titled Sherlock.

Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars in the upcoming series as Sherlock Holmes (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Ritchie first visited the character with his film adaptation of the novel, his 2009 film, titled Sherlock Holmes, and its 2011 sequel titled A Game Of Shadows.

Young Sherlock, based on Lanes best-selling book series of the same name, will follow the crime-solving sleuth, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, at 19 years old and solving his first case during his days at Oxford University.

When asked what his favourite part about the upcoming series was, Ritchie said: If there is going to be a favourite part what it is, is the making of it.

I enjoy making most of these things  but this was a particularly fun ride.

He added: I try and make these things to keep myself entertained.

And I have quite an immature mind.

Ritchie wore a simple black turtleneck under a burgundy velvet suit to the event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London.

(left to right) Matthew Parkhill, Max Irons, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Zine Tseng, Donal Finn, Joseph Fiennes and Guy Ritchie at the Young Sherlock world premiere (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

He also spoke about how the series will aim to bring the popular character of Sherlock Holmes to a range of different audiences.

Ritchie said: Im trying to cross two worlds of (the series) being relevant to the contemporary setting, because this is an original story and simultaneously has classical things.

Its like trying to balance between having a fruitcake that has nutrition and has enough icing on it as well.

Young Sherlock will be available to watch on Prime Video from March 4.
Industry star Marisa Abela has revealed that her characters story is loosely inspired by convicted child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

In the BBC financial drama, Abela stars as Yasmin Kara-Hanani  the heiress to a publishing empire founded by her wealthy father Charles Hanani (played by Adam Levy). In series three, Charles body is found in the Mediterranean Sea after he seemingly fell from his yacht, named after his daughter.

Now, Bafta winner Abela has confirmed that Yasmins story was partly based on that of Maxwell, whose father Robert Maxwell died in 1991 after falling from his luxury yacht, the Lady Ghislaine.

In Industrys latest series, Yasmin  whose husband Henry (Kit Harington) is CEO of fintech startup Tender  discovers that co-founder Whitney (Max Minghella) hired executive assistant Hayley (Kiernan Shipka) from an escort agency, using her to sleep with and blackmail powerful people.

When asked by Vulture whether she saw the comparison between Whitney and Yasmin with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, Abela said: The fact that Yasmins father was a publishing tycoon and died on a boast called the Lady Yasmin, all of these things are [part of it].

She added that Yasmin is a young woman who has never been able to get a foothold on the feeling of safety or power but now has intense proximity to power.

Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for child trafficking offences in relation to her involvement with Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice)

As for whether Abela read up on Maxwell ahead of the new series, she said that she wanted to keep Yasmin and the Epstein accomplice separate. It felt loosely inspired by something that is so prevalent in the media, she added.

Things were unfolding with the files even as we were filming, but especially now, the whole topic is horrifying and disgusting and very real [so] that Im very glad I didnt draw too close a parallel.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 for child sex trafficking offences related to her involvement with Epstein.

Epstein, who died in prison by suicide aged 66 three years earlier, was accused of running a vast network of underage girls for sex before his death.

Over three million files released by the US Department of Justice this month (February) revealed the extent of his vast network of high profile figures  with Epstein being invited by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to Buckingham Palace and sending thousands to Lord Peter Mandelson for his husbands osteopathy course.

Mandelson admitted to a lapse in judgment over receiving the funding. He said: In retrospect, it was clearly a lapse in our collective judgment for Reinaldo to accept this offer. At the time it was not a consequential decision.
Scammers have been joining school WhatsApp chats. (Matt Cardy via Getty Images)

Parents have been warned of the risks of criminals joining school WhatsApp groups - or even creating their own in an attempt to scam families.

The scammers offer non-existent tickets to concerts and other social events to obtain money or personal details from parents.

Yahoo News understands that one school in Hemel Hempstead warned parents that scammers had created WhatsApp groups for different classes using the school logo.

Beth, a parent at the school, told Yahoo News: "The school warned us about fake WhatsApp groups posing as the school and targeting local parents, which was alarming.

It's quite common within school community groups for tickets to local sporting events or other attractions and concerts to get shared, so it's very clever and pretty scary that there doesn't seem to be any avenue that hackers won't try to exploit."

The email to parents from the school, which Yahoo News is not naming, said that the groups were being presented as official or parent-led class groups, but warned they were fraudulent.

"Within these groups individuals are offering tickets for sale for upcoming concerts and high-profile events. Please be aware that this is a scam. These tickets do not exist, and the groups have been created with the sole purpose of obtaining money or personal details from parents," the email said.

Other parent groups have warned of being targeted by scammers.

On one WhatsApp group based in Beckenham, parent Cathryn warned: Two groups Im on (one of which was a class group) have had a scammer trying to sell Oasis tickets this morning and then deleted the messages when called out on it.

We all need to be cautious about who may be lurking who isnt a genuine parent of someone in our class groups. Look out for anyone suddenly joining the group when you arent aware of any new starters in the class.

Parents have been warned that scammers are targeting school and class WhatsApp groups. (Tomas Rodriguez via Getty Images)

How do these scams work?

Scammers are believed to look for links to WhatsApp groups posted on Facebook.

Such open links mean that they do not need to impersonate or clone a number, and can simply join a group directly posing as a parent.

It is also believed that scammers create their own groups with official logos and try to lure parents in.

In one scam in Haringey, the scammer pretended to have coveted Oasis tickets.

On Facebook, a parent said they nearly fell for the scam, but realised when the scammer could not confirm the name of their child, and would not accept payment via PayPal, only via bank transfer.

Scammers are targeting schools across the country. (Facebook)

Emily Rosenorn-Lanng, a psychologist focused on cybersecurity and CEO of Cyber Innovations Ltd, told Yahoo News: "WhatsApp groups are attractive to scammers because they combine trust, speed and informality.

"Messages appear inside conversations that already feel familiar and community-based, which lowers peoples guard. When something looks like its coming from a school group and is surrounded by genuine parent messages, it feels embedded in normal activity.

"Messaging platforms also create immediacy. People respond quickly, often without pausing to verify."

How should you protect yourself?

Rosenorn-Lanng says that parents should be extremely wary of any tickets offered within school WhatsApp groups.

She said: "Scams like this follow a predictable psychological pattern. In the Human Layer Kill Chain, attackers first establish trust, then trigger urgency or excitement. Using a school logo creates credibility. Offering high-demand concert tickets creates emotional pressure to act quickly.

"These scams are designed to hijack decision-making before rational thinking has time to catch up.

"The simplest defence is to interrupt that chain. Pause. Verify through official school channels, not WhatsApp links. Never transfer money or share personal information in informal group chats. Teaching parents and children to recognise emotional triggers is just as important as installing security software.

Fake tickets offered online are often photos stolen from elsewhere, so doing a reverse Google Image search can often reveal the scam.

Online safety group Get Safe Online offers a suite of tools to detect ticket scams - including the messages typically sent by scammers.
Iran has sentenced dozens of people to death over their alleged involvement in last months nationwide protests, according to Amnesty International.

The human rights group told The Independent that at least 30 people are currently facing the death penalty in Iran, including at least nine people hurriedly sentenced this month, within weeks of their arrests.

At least 22 others, including two 17-year-olds, were assessed to be at risk of the death penalty and are still awaiting legal proceedings that Amnesty said violated the right to a fair trial.

Nassim Papayianni, senior campaigner on Iran at Amnesty International, said the true number of people at risk could be much higher as the regime has been threatening families against speaking out.

Authorities have also denied the accused access to independent lawyers since the crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in January.

Amnesty believes that the regime, under pressure from internal dissent, is weaponising the death penalty in an effort to instil fear in the population and crush the entire spirit of people demanding fundamental change, Ms Papayianni said on Tuesday.

Theyre trying to send a clear message that this is what you might face if you also decide to protest. And by fast-tracking these trials and expediting the whole process, theyre not even attempting to pretend anymore that they have fair judicial proceedings. Even that veneer is now gone.

Saleh Mohammadi, 18, was sentenced to death less than three weeks after his arrest (Handout)

Among those sentenced to death in recent weeks was 18-year-old Saleh Mohammadi, who was arrested in January in connection with the death of a security agent in Qom, Amnesty found.

A verdict seen by the rights group showed that he retracted his confessions in court, saying they were extracted under torture. The court dismissed his pleas without investigation, they said. An anonymous source told Amnesty that he had sustained hand fractures as a result of beatings.

Amnesty also identified 55-year-old Mohammad Abbasi as being at risk in their report published on Friday. A source close to his family told Reuters on Tuesday that an Iranian revolutionary court has since issued a death sentence.

Mr Abbasi was accused of killing a security officer, which his family denied, the source said, adding that he and his daughter  given 25 years for her role in the protests  do not have access to the lawyer they wanted. Amnesty corroborated the sentence.

Protesters on the streets of Tehran last month (UGC/AP)

Mr Abbasi is accused of enmity against God, believed to be the first such sentence linked to the demonstrations last month. The source told Reuters that Irans judiciary still has not announced his sentence.

Ms Papayianni said that while the regime is seeking to deter future protests, it will be wary of pressure from the international community if it publicises its use of the death penalty. She said a similar pattern emerged after the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising from late 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

At that time, they were announcing details of court cases in state media, announcing names, and what happened. Very quickly afterwards, there was a very large global campaign taking place, calling on the authorities to halt the executions and stop the use of the death penalty on protesters. There was pressure on them to stop. And they ultimately felt that.

Mohammed Amin Biglari was sentenced to death for enmity against god (Handout)

What we believe theyre doing now is theyre going back to the same playbook ... theyre still trying to weaponise the death penalty, but they are now trying not to let information come out about the cases, she explained, stressing the need for coordinated international diplomatic pressure on the regime.

On 9 February, Amnesty said Mohammed Amin Biglari, 19, and six others were sentenced to death for enmity against god for allegedly setting a Basij base on fire. The rights group said Mr Biglari was forcibly disappeared for weeks before being transferred to prison, where he was allegedly denied a chosen lawyer and instead appointed one by the state.

The Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights reported on Monday that no confirmed information has been published on the other verdicts.

People block an intersection during a protest in Tehran in January (AP)

The reports come just weeks after Iran released condemned protester Erfan Soltani on bail, as US president Donald Trump threatened very strong action if the regime started executing protesters.

Rights groups, including both Amnesty and Hengaw, say thousands of people were killed in a crackdown on the protests, which began over economic grievances and spread across the country to become Irans largest since the 1979 Revolution.

Iranian lawyers told Independent Persian earlier this month that Iran appeared to be planning to execute thousands of people, dependent on the outcome of diplomacy with the US.

The Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group assessed in December that executions nationwide had doubled from 2024, up to at least 975 confirmed last year. Amnesty is yet to publish its 2025 figures, but acknowledged a rapid increase in the use of the death penalty since 2022.

Mohammad Abbasi was accused of killing a security officer, an allegation his family deny (Handout)

Protests over economic grievances in December grew into nationwide demonstrations in January 2026 before the regime imposed an internet blackout and cracked down on dissent.

Mr Trump threatened Iran with force and said he would come to the aid of the public if the regime killed peaceful protesters in January. Tensions cooled as delegations met to discuss a potential nuclear deal in February.

Without a breakthrough, Mr Trump moved US military assets to the region and threatened military action as students at several universities across Iran staged another round of protests last week.
Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Steve Helber/AP (Photograph: Steve Helber/AP)

A federal judge appointed by Donald Trump permanently barred the justice department on Monday from releasing the former special counsel Jack Smiths report on the presidents mishandling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club after his first term.

The ruling by US district judge Aileen Cannon marked the latest effort to stop the report from being sent to Congress or otherwise becoming publicly available.

In scathing language, Cannon condemned Smith for what she called a brazen stratagem of compiling a report even after she had dismissed the case on grounds that he was unlawfully appointed, a decision that flew in the face of historical precedent.

To say this chronology represents, at a minimum, a concerning breach of spirit of the dismissal order is an understatement, if not an outright violation of it, she wrote in her 15-page decision.

Cannon also ruled that releasing the report into the classified documents case, known as volume II after the first volume addressed Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election, would release secret grand jury material that could cause irreparable harm to the president.

In doing so, she endorsed the view proffered by Trumps personal lawyers  one of whom, Todd Blanche, now serves as the US deputy attorney general  that the report should never see the light of day because the prosecutor who wrote it should never have been appointed.

Cannon conceded that previous special counsels had written reports on their work that had been later publicly released by the justice department, as Robert Mueller did with his report on the 2016 Trump campaigns ties to Russia and efforts to obstruct that inquiry.

But she blocked Smith from doing the same, claiming the circumstances of the case  in which Trump was charged but never brought to trial  meant it was not fair for Trump to have details of the case made public.

Volume II of Smiths report is understood to contain details about Trumps efforts to retain highly classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club, as well as his subsequent efforts to obstruct the governments attempts to retrieve them.

Smith charged two co-defendants in addition to Trump  his valet Walt Nauta and a Mar-a-Lago employee, Carlos de Oliveira  for moving boxes of classified documents around the club after Trump received a grand jury subpoena demanding their return.

After Cannon dismissed the classified documents case in 2024, Smith challenged the decision to the US appeals court for the 11th circuit. But following Trumps re-election, Smith elected to drop the appeal and resigned.

Smith also dropped his election interference prosecution, overseen by a different federal judge in Washington who did not consider him unlawfully appointed, after the 2024 election. The report on that case was made public in January 2025.

Last month, Smith testified to Congress to defend his decision to seek criminal charges against Trump in the election interference case. Barred by the protective order imposed by Cannon, he was unable to discuss the classified documents case during his testimony.
Vladimir Putin has been accused of trying to distract attention from his heinous atrocities after Russia claimed the UK and France are plotting to supply Ukraine with a nuclear weapon or dirty bomb.

On the fourth anniversary of the Russian presidents full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Putin for blocking the path to peace and vowed to stand with Kyiv for as long as it takes.

He said it was a falsehood to suggest Russia is winning the conflict, which is costing Putins forces tens of thousands of lives every month.

Meanwhile Downing Street said on Tuesday there is "no truth" to Russian claims that Britain is planning to supply Ukraine with a dirty bomb.

The Ministry of Foreign Affair of Russia made the bizarre claim that British and French elites are actively exploring ways to supply Kyiv with a nuclear bomb, or at least a so-called dirty bomb on Tuesday.

Allegations that Ukraine was preparing to use an explosive device laced with radioactive material were also made by the Kremlin to the UN Security Council in 2022, when they accused Ukraine of preparing to detonate a bomb in order to accuse Moscow of using weapons of mass destruction.

Asked about the latest claims, the Prime Minister's official spokesman described them as "a clear attempt by Vladimir Putin to distract" from his latest actions in Ukraine.

"There is no truth to this," the spokesman said.

He added: "You will have seen the Prime Minister's words this morning, paying tribute to the incredible resilience of the Ukrainians, and you will have seen the package of action on military, humanitarian, reconstruction fronts announced today, which is a sign of where our support is for Ukraine. We will continue with our efforts to secure a just and lasting peace."

Sir Keir said Putin will not win his brutal war in Ukraine, as fresh sanctions on Russia were revealed.

Ahead of a coalition of the willing meeting alongside French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, the Prime Minister added that Britain would be stepping up military and humanitarian help for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)

Britain has also chosen the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion to slap fresh sanctions on Russia, with the aim of squeezing its oil and gas industry to limit funds for the war.

The package, which is the largest imposed since the early months of the war in 2022, includes pipeline company PJSC Transneft, which the Foreign Office said was responsible for transporting more than 80% of Russian oil exports, along with 175 companies and 48 tankers involved in "shadow fleet" operations to move Russian oil.

Sir Keir said: "On this grim anniversary, our message to the Ukrainian people is simple: Britain is with you, stronger than ever. That is why we are announcing new support today and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"For all the noise in world affairs today, this war remains the most critical issue of our age. It asks the question of whether Ukrainian and European freedom will endure.

"Our answer, together, is unequivocal: Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war. Ukraine's courage continues to hold the line for our shared values, in the face of Putin's aggression.

"We will stand by their side, until a just and lasting peace - and beyond. Slava Ukraini."

Britains Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, also stressed on Tuesday that a Russian victory in Ukraine was far from inevitable.

Praising the courage of the Ukrainian people, he said: Through all the suffering imposed by Putin on innocent civilians in pursuit of his illegal war, the Ukrainian people have come together to defend their home.

They have proved that Russian victory is far from inevitable.

Russian has suffered over 1.2 million casualties since February 24, 2022, Sir Richard said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris (Tom Nicholson/PA Wire)

The Russian Black Sea fleet had been neutered by a country without a navy, he added, and despite overwhelming odds Ukrainian airspace was still being contested.

Russias war on Ukraine has gone on longer than its involvement in World War II but the frontline has hardly moved since 2022, Sir Richard emphasised.

It comes as Western Officials said they believe Putin is no longer able to recruit Russian troops quickly enough to replace those dying on the battlefield in Ukraine.

However, armed forces minister Al Carns insisted that the depletion of Russia's number of fighting men did not mean the UK could relax its commitment to raise defence spending.

Between 30,000 and 35,000 Russian soldiers are recruited each month, according to western officials.

But the number of those killed over the past three months is believed to have been higher than those who joined up.

This means that for the first time in the four years of war, for a sustained period, Moscow's battlefield numbers are falling.

Mr Carns described this as a "casualty uptick which is disproportionate in scale".

Western officials believe this will have a significant impact on the Kremlin's ability to "generate offensive power" for a spring or summer offensive, meaning that any Russian forward march would be sluggish.

It also raises the prospect of "coercive" mobilisation within Russia, such as conscription, rather than relying on the promise of large financial rewards to recruit soldiers.

Drone attacks continue to be the driving force behind the casualty rate on the battlefield, and officials believe that ground-based drones - so-called unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) - will become ever more present over the coming year.

Vladimir Putin (PA Archive)

However, Mr Carns said individual soldiers remain "essential" for capturing and holding ground once drone attacks are over.

As the full-scale war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, the Government has announced a new package of support aimed at bolstering Kyiv's war effort.

This includes a 20 million package to help repair and protect the nation's power grid - often a target of Russian strikes - as well as 5.7 million assistance for Ukrainians whose towns and villages are on the front line of the war.

Ukrainian military medics are also being mentored by British surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists in battlefield surgery.

Sir Keir will convene a virtual meeting of the coalition of the willing to discuss recent peace talks and further support for Kyiv amid the ongoing conflict.

Russia's bombardment of Ukraine continued over the weekend, with a barrage of missiles and drones killing one person in Kyiv and striking the country's energy grid.

The country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has told the BBC he believes Mr Putin started a third world war with the invasion of Ukraine.

"I believe that Putin has already started it. The question is how much territory he will be able to seize and how to stop him... Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves," he told the broadcaster.
David Lammy hopes his speech will head off criticism of his plan to scrap jury trials - Paul Grover/The Telegraph

David Lammy is to pay for judges to hear a record number of cases in an effort to cut court backlogs.

The Justice Secretary plans to spend millions of pounds to enable Crown Court judges to sit for an unlimited number of days over the next three years.

He will announce the funding on Tuesday in the hope that it heads off criticism of his plans to curb jury trials.

Mr Lammy will argue that, even with taxpayers highest ever investment in courts, halving the number of jury trials is needed to reduce the record backlog of 80,000 cases and tackle court delays of up to five years.

In a speech to lawyers and criminal justice professionals, Mr Lammy is expected to chakllenge rebel Labour MPs by pressing ahead with his plans to replace half of jury trials with judge-only courts or magistrates.

The courts bill enacting the jury reforms is due to be published on Wednesday without any changes to the policy since it was announced in December.

Mr Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, will say: This Government inherited a justice system on the brink of collapse, with victims facing unacceptable delays, and we took immediate action to increase sitting days to deliver fairer and faster justice for victims.

But victims still face intolerable delays. That is why I have agreed with the judiciary to fund unlimited sitting days in the Crown Court next year, so they can sit at their maximum and so we can turn the tide on the backlog as quickly as possible.

Investment alone will not be enough to deliver timely justice, which is why it has to be combined with our pragmatic reforms and modernisation.

Ministers have been increasing the number of court sitting days that they will fund, but there is still a cap on them. This year, it was limited to 111,250 days, a 10 per cent increase from 101,000 in 2022-23.

With the cap lifted, some experts estimate that at full capacity, the figure could reach 130,000, which would cost close to 100m to pay for the additional judges, court staff and lawyers fees. It is estimated about 10m is needed for every extra 2,000 sitting days.

Baroness Carr, the Lady Chief Justice, suggested last year that judges could potentially sit for 113,000 days. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) believes the figure will come in at around 120,000 given the number of judges and staff available, costing an extra 50m.

Riel Karmy-Jones KC and Andrew Thomas KC, chairman and vice-chairman of the CBA, welcomed the announcement as a brave and significant first step.

Complainants, witnesses, defendants and all who work in the criminal justice system will be hugely relieved, as removing the cap on sitting days is the most important measure which the Government can take to bring down the backlog, and reduce the delays, they said.

However, they warned that the CBAs support for efficiency improvements went hand in hand with its support to retain the existing rights to trial by jury. Any changes to the system of trial by jury will be a matter for Parliament in due course, they said.

The Government is facing a rebellion from up to 60 Labour MPs who have signed a letter demanding a rethink of the reforms. One of the leading critics, Karl Turner, the Kingston-upon-Hull East MP, has threatened to stand down and trigger a by-election as a means of staying the Governments hand.

The controversial proposals will replace jury trials with judge-only courts or magistrates hearings for any defendant likely to be sentenced to less than three years in jail.

A report by Sir Brian Leveson, a judge, recommended to the Government hybrid intermediate courts of a judge and two lay magistrates, but the Government is resisting calls to revert to this compromise.

Mr Lammy will also announce that magistrates courts will be funded to their highest operational capacity and a further 287m will be invested in the fabric of the court estate, delivering repairs and digital upgrades to court buildings up and down the country.

For the first time, the Government and the judiciary have agreed firm funding commitments for the next three years simultaneously. While the Government funds the fabric of the courts and staffing, judges salaries are paid from a separate consolidated fund, paid for by the taxpayer, to maintain their independence.
Guided-missile corvette Hanzhong in maritime training

China Military Online) 11:13, February 24, 2026

The guided-missile corvette Hanzhong (Hull 648) attached to a frigate flotilla under the PLA Southern Theater Command maneuvers toward the target sea area during a maritime training exercise in mid-January, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang bin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors (KoCAA) today announced Mr. Deepak Devaraj as its new President and Chief Investment Officer, effective immediately.

In this role, Mr. Devaraj and his team will oversee the management of the KoCAA General Account investment portfolio and mutual fund strategies. In addition, he will lead the KoCAA internal Investment Department, including fixed income and equity strategies, and will also provide oversight of KoCAA's externally managed investment programs.

Mr. Deepak Devaraj

"The Knights of Columbus is pleased to welcome Mr. Deepak Devaraj as our new KoCAA President and Chief Investment Officer," said Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly. "Since the Knights of Columbus was founded more than 140 years ago by Blessed Michael McGivney, our mission has included the protection of Catholic families and their financial security. KoCAA is dedicated to investing according to Catholic principles and plays a vital role in supporting the Knights' charitable work."

Prior to joining the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Devaraj enjoyed a distinguished 25-year career in the investment industry, most recently as Global Head of Electronic Trading at Oppenheimer & Co. He has held senior leadership roles in trading, portfolio construction and electronic market innovation, and has built technology-driven platforms used by institutional investors to improve transparency, pricing and execution.

A member of the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Devaraj combines professional expertise with a strong commitment to serving the Catholic Church. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University and holds FINRA Series 7, Series 63, and Series 3 licenses.

Mr. Nicholas Gentile, who previously served as Interim President and Chief Investment Officer, KoCAA, will assume the role of Senior Vice President and Co-Head of Fixed Income, effective immediately.

As a pioneer in Catholic investing with over $30 billion in assets under management, KoCAA offers one of the largest suites of Catholic investment solutions with nine mutual funds and over 80 model portfolios to help clients meet their financial needs and goals.

"More than ever, Catholic investors want to entrust their assets with a firm who shares their cultural and moral values. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors is widely recognized for offering its clients one of the broadest portfolios of Catholic-compliant investment products in the industry," said Mr. Devaraj. "KoCAA's track record of results for families, parishes and institutions shows that investing with your faith doesn't mean sacrificing performance."

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors recently celebrated ten years of offering individual and institutional investors a "Catholic Difference" approach to investing that aligns with their beliefs, guidelines established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Catholic teaching. In 2015, KoCAA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Knights of Columbus, launched a suite of faith-based investment solutions  a natural extension of the Knights' overarching financial services program  to meet the growing need for faith-based investment strategies for Catholic institutions such as dioceses, church organizations, endowments, foundations, universities and hospitals. In 2021, KoCAA launched the individual advisor representative program and today, there are nearly 200 financial advisors helping to bring Catholic investment solutions to individual investors.

For more information about Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, and to view the 2024 KoCAA Impact Report, please visit kofcassetadvisors.org.

About Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors ("KoCAA") is an SEC registered investment adviser that maintains a principal place of business in the State of Connecticut. For information about KoCAA's business operations, please consult the Firm's Form ADV disclosure documents, the most recent versions of which are available on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. KoCAA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Knights of Columbus, one of the world's largest Catholic Lay Organizations. Investing involves risk and you may gain or lose money on your investments. KoCAA's status as a Registered Investment Adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For additional information visit KoCAA.org or write to [email protected]. This information is intended for current or prospective investors in the U.S. only.

About the Knights of Columbus

In 1882, Blessed Michael McGivney, a young parish priest in New Haven, Connecticut, founded the Knights of Columbus to serve the needs of a largely immigrant Catholic community. What began as a small fraternal benefit society has since grown into the world's premier lay Catholic men's organization, with more than 2.2 million members in over 16,800 local councils. As members of one of the world's leading charitable organizations, Knights donated more than 48 million service hours and over $197 million for worthy causes in their communities in 2024. The Knights of Columbus also offers a range of life insurance products to members and their families. Knights of Columbus Insurance has more than $124 billion* of life insurance in force. In addition, the organization offers investment services in accord with Catholic social teaching through its wholly owned subsidiary, Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, which holds more than $30 billion** in assets under management. Guided by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, the Knights of Columbus is committed to strengthening Catholic families and parishes, by enabling men to grow in their faith and put that faith into action through service to all in need. To learn more or to join the Knights of Columbus, please visit kofc.org/join.

*As of January 1, 2026

**As of January 1, 2026

SOURCE Knights of Columbus
Phil Shiner was exposed as a legal fraudster who fabricated evidence to secure legal rulings on behalf of his clients - Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images

Labour has admitted to misleading Parliament after claiming Sir Keir Starmer did not work with Phil Shiner, the disgraced lawyer.

Louise Sandher-Jones, the veterans minister, apologised to MPs on Tuesday for her previous claim that the Prime Minister had never worked with Shiner on cases involving veterans of the Iraq war.

Shiner was accused of pursuing British soldiers with vexatious litigation and later exposed as a fraudster.

On Feb 2, Ms Sandher-Jones was asked to respond to a series of Telegraph stories about Sir Keirs role in pushing for investigations into Iraq veterans using the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

One of the cases, in which Sir Keir and Shiner represented a man suing the Ministry of Defence, led to a European court judgment that critics say has hampered British forces with lawfare ever since.

In another case, Sir Keir intervened to support one of Shiners clients, resulting in a judgment that paved the way for vexatious claims against dozens of veterans that did not secure a single conviction.

Ms Sandher-Jones was challenged on the cases in defence oral questions earlier this month by Mark Francois, who asked her how Sir Keirs work was compatible with his job of making decisions about putting soldiers in harms way.

But she replied that Mr Francois was not a details man, adding: I gently remind him that the Prime Minister did not work with that individual or with any organisation, and his role was limited to working with the Law Society on points of law.

She was forced to return to Parliament and apologise on Tuesday, after The Telegraphs reporting exposed Sir Keir had indeed worked with Shiner.

Credit: Parliament TV

The Minister said: I would like to correct the record in relation to something I said during the last defence orals.

On February 2, 2026 I said the Prime Minister did not work with any of Phil Shiners organisations and his role was limited to working with the Law Society on points of law.

However, since then, it has been brought to my attention that the Prime Minister was instructed to represent an individual by the law firm for which Mr Shiner was the principal solicitor.

So I would like to take this earliest opportunity to apologise to this House and correct the record.

Her apology follows attempts by Downing Street to distance Sir Keir from his formal legal work, which included several cases that Shiner also worked on.

The al-Jedda case, which the pair worked on together, established a legal precedent that British troops can be prosecuted under European human rights law if they are operating in occupied territory anywhere in the world.

Shiner was later exposed as a legal fraudster who fabricated evidence to secure legal rulings on behalf of his clients.

His work with Sir Keir has led to veterans being pursued by the MoD for years to satisfy a demand for investigations by the European Court of Human Rights. Some veterans have been reinvestigated several times before courts found they had no case to answer.

Earlier this month The Telegraph unearthed court documents showing that in 2005 Sir Keir had called for a mandatory duty to investigate allegations about British troops.

No 10 had previously dismissed claims that Sir Keir had been advocating for claimants bringing cases against British troops and described Telegraph stories about the Prime Ministers previous legal activism as desperate and deliberate misrepresentation.

Sir Keir has refused calls by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, to apologise for his work on the cases, although he said he had not continued his association with Shiner after his conviction for fraud.

James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, said: It is shocking that the veterans minister has been forced to admit she misled Parliament about Starmers involvement with the disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner.

As such, she has confirmed definitively that this Prime Minister, responsible for our national security, worked with a man who vexatiously pursued innocent British soldiers.

It is not enough for the veterans minister to correct the record on such a sensitive matter.

The PM should come to the House and apologise to every single soldier wrongly accused by Shiner.

Shiners activities caused unbelievable distress to British soldiers who joined up to serve their country. Our armed forces deserve far better.

As the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill is being forced through Parliament by Starmer, there are urgent questions that need answering about his past relationship with Shiner.

In particular, did Number 10 authorise the original statement by the veterans minister at defence questions, in which she stated on Shiner that the Prime Minister did not work with that individual?
Liverpool are through to the Champions League last 16 (AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool will play Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 as Arne Slots side aim to end an up-and-down season with continental glory.

The Reds ultimately won six and lost two of their eight games in the league phase to claim third spot in the table, although endured a couple of rough spots during that spell  most notably when suffering a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to PSV in November.

But they are safely into the knockouts and in a season where a proper Premier League title challenge has failed to materialise, Europe offers an opportunity to still pick up some silverware after last winning the Champions League in 2019.

Liverpool lost to Galatasaray in the league phase, going down 1-0 in Istanbul following Victor Osimhens first-half penalty. The result was the second defeat of a four-game losing slump in late September and early October. Galatasaray knocked out Juventus 7-5 on aggregate, having won 5-2 at home in the first leg.

The first leg will take place in Turkey on Tuesday 10 March, before the tie concludes at Anfield eight days later on Wednesday 18 March.

Liverpools Champions League draw

Should they progress past Galatasaray, Liverpool will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea in the quarter-finals. As Liverpool are third seeds, they are guaranteed to be at home in the second leg until the semi-finals.

What about the semi-finals?

If Liverpool reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2022, they know they would play one of four teams:

They are Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta and Bayern Munich.

Liverpool be at home in the second leg, unless they play second seeds Bayern.

Full Champions League bracket

Top half

Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Atalanta vs Bayern Munich

Bottom half

Newcastle vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

What are the match dates?

The last-16 ties will take place in mid-March. Here are the remaining round dates:

Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026

Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026

Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026

Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)

What are Liverpools Champions League odds?

Betting sites see Liverpool as one of the more favoured teams to lift the Champions League, though five teams still above them in the current winner odds.

Winner  8/1

To reach the final  9/2

Odds provided by BetVictor
Laurence des Cars faced a grilling from members of the National Assemblys cultural affairs committee after the brazen heist - Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images

The director of the Louvre has resigned after being blamed for a jewel heist at the Paris museum.

Laurence des Cars handed in her resignation to Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday after four months of mounting pressure over the 76m raid.

Ms des Cars has been blamed for security failings that allowed thieves to break in and steal Frances crown jewels in October last year.

She offered to resign from her position immediately after the break-in, but this was refused by Mr Macron.

Laurence des Cars with Anna Wintour, the former Vogue editor-in-chief, at a Louvre dinner in March last year, months before the heist - Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

She claims she was told to stay in her post to steer the ship through the storm of a public inquiry, which this week criticised her for systematic failures.

Mr Macrons office accepted her resignation on Tuesday, saying in a statement that her departure was an act of responsibility and the museum now needed calm and a strong new impetus.

Ms Des Cars, hired as the Louvres first female director in September 2021, told Le Figaro after her resignation: I take my share of responsibility, of course. But the guilty parties, the masterminds, theyre still out there.

Credit: Social Media

On the morning of Oct 19, four thieves wielding power tools broke into the museum, and made off with eight items of jewellery worth 76m before escaping on scooters.

They entered the Galerie dApollon via a balcony and cut through the window before threatening the guards, who evacuated the premises.

Eight pieces were taken, including a tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugenie, the wife of Napoleon III, an emerald necklace and pair of emerald earrings belonging to Empress Marie Louise, a tiara, necklace and single earring from a sapphire set, and a brooch.

A crown of emeralds and diamonds belonging to Empress Eugenie was found damaged on the escape route, apparently having been dropped as the thieves made their getaway.

Five suspects have been charged over the heist, but the jewels have still not been recovered.

Ms Des Cars told Le Figaro the theft cruelly highlighted what I have been warning about since my arrival, adding: The buildings dilapidated state, the obsolescence of the technical installations, and the massive congestion problems, to name just a few.

The damage to the reputation of the worlds most-visited museum was worsened by a series of staff strikes over low pay and poor maintenance, forcing its closure in December and January.

It was further embarrassed after French police dismantled a large-scale ticket fraud network, and arrested two museum employees last week.

And on Sunday, anti-billionaire activists managed to hang a photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaving a police station following his arrest last week on the museums wall.

Credit: Reuters

Ms Des Cars pointed out that museum staff were aware of its inadequate infrastructure and security long before Octobers theft.

She said: Ironically, the public contracts for security were about to be awarded at the very moment the jewels were stolen. Indeed, if we were able to implement dozens of emergency measures in just a few weeks, it was precisely because this master plan was ready.

I am handing over the reins to my successor, who will be appointed. They will benefit from a clear framework and secure budgets.

The furniture elevator used by the thieves was left propped against the balcony used to gain access while the gang made their getaway - Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images

Critics, including the state auditors office, have questioned the museums low spending on security and infrastructure maintenance while it made lavish purchases of new artwork, only a quarter of which is on display to the public.

The heist exposed how only one camera was mounted on the wall where the thieves entered, pointing away from the balcony. Ms Des Cars insisted she had wanted to double the number of security cameras in the museum.

The inquirys complete findings are due in May.
Tarryn Baird, who died aged 34, was allegedly monitored by her husband and isolated from her family (Handout)

A man controlled his wife through physical and sexual violence, leading to her taking her own life because she could not escape him, a court has heard.

Christopher Trybus, of Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of Tarryn Baird, who died in November 2017 at the age of 34.

The 43-year-old also faces charges at Winchester Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape.

The coercive control charge alleges that Trybus controlled Baird through using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family.

Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Trybus carried out extensive and escalating controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence of two rapes and other sexual assaults.

He continued: It took place over a sustained period of time behind closed doors and all of it during the course of a marriage.

It led ultimately in November 2017 to a woman in just her thirties and whose name is Tarryn Baird taking her own life.

She was the defendants wife and the prosecution say that the defendant is legally responsible for her death.

Mr Little explained that Trybus controlled many aspects of their relationship even from abroad using the threat and fear of physical and sexual violence, leading to a deterioration in her already weakened mental state and a cause of her deciding that she should take her own life.

He added: She did so in their own home.

She had not managed to escape from him, despite seriously considering doing so on a number of occasions.

The prosecution say that Baird was even controlled while her husband was abroad, using the threat of sexual violence (Getty)

However, we say that constricted by his control she could never go through with leaving him, no doubt fearing the consequences if she would try to do so, and instead she stopped his control over her in the only way she felt she could by taking her own life.

Mr Little said that Baird, who worked at an opticians, left a note which said: To my family, I am so sorry but I just couldnt take it any more.

Mr Little said the couple, both from South Africa, moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009.

The prosecutor said that at first Baird reported suffering injuries from being clumsy such as during exercise or falling down the stairs.

He said that Baird had been diagnosed as possibly having PTSD, having witnessed and suffered from armed car-jacking incidents in South Africa.

He added that Baird told her GP in May 2016 that she occasionally felt life was not worth living and by August that year was struggling with her mental health.

Mr Little said that as the tsunami of incidents built up, Baird made repeated contacts with an employee of Swindon Womens Aid (SWA) and her GP.

But when offered spaces in a refuge, she turned them down, only later going on to repeatedly seek a place and not be able to find one.

Mr Little said that Baird went on to reveal to her GP that Trybus had raped her on 19 October 2016 following an argument over the defendant paying for her cousins school fees.

Mr Little said: He grabbed her wrists and had sex with her against her will and also hit her around the face with what she believed was a phone.

He said that Baird also told the SWA worker that he had strangled her causing her to pass out and she blamed herself because she had told the defendant she wanted to leave him.

Mr Little said: That is gas-lighting in any ordinary sense of the word.

Trybus, who travelled abroad regularly for his work as a software consultant and developer, is alleged to have raped Baird a second time in November 2016.

The prosecutor added: Other things that Tarryn Baird said about the nature of the relationship were that the defendant had told her parents she was addicted to drugs and alcohol, and that this would prevent them believing her if she told them about the domestic abuse.

He described this as classic domestic abuse perpetrator behaviour.

Trybus denies the charges and the trial continues.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org

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.
Manchester City will play Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 as Pep Guardiola targets another European title.

Guardiolas side remain in the hunt for four trophies this season having narrowed the gap to Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, and may fancy their chances of a deep run in Europe.

Despite a couple of set-backs, City successfully navigated into the top eight in the league phase and avoided the knockout play-offs.

And City will now play Real Madrid for the fifth season in a row in the Champions League. The 15-time champions knocked City out in the play-off rounds last season, while Citys last victory against them came as they won the Champions League in their 2022-23 campaign.

The two legs of the tie will take place on Wednesday 11 March, in the Spanish capital, and at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 17 March.

Man Citys Champions League draw

Should they progress past Real Madrid, City will face either Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. As City are the eighth seeds, they are only guaranteed to be at home in the second leg of their last-16 tie, and would not be if they are the lower seed in the quarter-finals.

What about the semi-finals?

If City reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2023, the last time they won the competition, they know they would play one of four teams:

They are PSG, Chelsea, Galatasaray and Liverpool.

Full Champions League bracket

Man City manager Pep Guardiola (PA Wire)

Top half

Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Real Madrid vs Manchester City

Atalanta vs Bayern Munich

Bottom half

Newcastle vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham

Bodo Glimt vs Sporting CP

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

What are the match dates?

The last-16 ties will take place in mid-March. Here are the remaining round dates:

Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026

Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026

Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026

Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)
Masked suspect in abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than date of disappearance: reports

The masked suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than the date of her disappearance, according to multiple reports.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona, in the early morning hours of February 1. Police believe the elderly woman was taken as she slept.

Authorities released photos of the suspect, who is yet to be publicly identified, earlier this month. The suspect was wearing a ski mask, gloves and, in most of the photos, a backpack.

The photos were taken from a doorbell camera at Nancys front door the morning of her disappearance, according to the FBI.

The masked suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than the date of her disappearance, according to multiple reports (FBI)

But ABC News reported Monday, citing sources familiar with the investigation, one of the images, which showed the suspect without a backpack, was taken on another day before the alleged abduction.

A CNN source later confirmed the suspected kidnapper was at her front door on a night other than the day Nancy disappeared.

Its unclear which day the suspect may have come to the home before Nancy vanished.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Monday night, We are aware that doorbell images released earlier in the investigation depict a suspect in different stages of attire, including with and without a backpack.

There is no date or time stamp associated with these images. Therefore, any suggestion that the photographs were taken on different days is purely speculative.

The Independent has reached out to the FBI for comment.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her Arizona home more than three weeks ago (NBC/Today)

Authorities are still working to get evidence analyzed from Nancys home and at places where police conducted search warrants.

The Pima County Sheriffs Department said in a statement shared with The Independent Saturday, As with any biological evidence, there can be challenges separating DNA.

In a snag to the case last week, the department said DNA from a pair of gloves found two miles away from Nancys home did not trigger a match in the FBIs national database and did not match DNA found at the property.

A local couple told local outlet KVOA they found a black glove that appeared to have blood on it, less than a mile from Nancys affluent neighborhood, on February 11.

Detectives and agents have collected multiple gloves from the area, and analysis is part of the investigation, the sheriffs department said in their Saturday statement.

Photos of Nancy's suspected kidnapper, both with and without a backpack, were shared by the FBI (FBI)

Its been more than three weeks since Nancy vanished. Authorities and the Guthrie family are desperate to find her.

The reward for valuable information in connection with Nancys disappearance has grown to more than $200,000 between the FBI and local officials.

Savannah and her family have even gone so far as to offer to pay for her safe return following reports of ransom notes that are yet to be verified by police.

Savannah has not posted on Instagram, where she usually shares updates about the case, in more than a week.

ABC News sources said one of the images of the suspected kidnapper, which showed him without a backpack, was taken on another day before the suspected abduction (AP)

In her latest post shared on February 15, the TV journalist spoke directly to her mothers suspected kidnapper: I wanted to say to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that its never too late.

It is never too late to do the right thing, she said.

Some volunteers have taken it upon themselves to search for Nancy in the desert near her home.

Per the Sheriff, they were asked to please give investigators the space they need to do their work, the department said in Saturdays statement. We appreciate their concern, and we all want to find Nancy, but this work is best left to professionals.
Showing my Djungelskog to colleagues is extremely cute, and yet I am struck by intense sadness when I watch footage of Punch the monkey. Photograph: Bec Lorrimer/The Guardian (Photograph: Bec Lorrimer/The Guardian)

Standing in line at Ikeas click and collect service to pick up a large plush orangutan, a wave of fatigue washes over me.

Not only because I have been in transit for almost 24 hours after a series of flight delays, and this is my last stop before collapsing in a heap on my living room floor, but also for the reason I, and so many others, have made this journey.

Its to secure the toy that people on the internet believe has brought comfort to an abandoned monkey named Punch at a Japanese zoo, who has gone viral for reasons largely unclear to me.

Related: The tragedy of Punch the monkey: why do mother animals abandon their offspring?

It feels a little like Moo Deng 2.0, but sadder, because this baby monkey has not been embraced by his peers.

If not for the plush Ikea toy he had been given by zookeepers, which he grips on to like a life raft, he would be alone and unloved, his days spent avoiding being dragged and chased by older Japanese macaques inside his enclosure.

There are different stuffed Ikea toys all named Djungelskog. I am here to see if the plush orangutan Punch is so attached to will bring me the safety and security that it seems to have brought him.

The soft toy has gone viral in a similar way to its owner. According to eBay Australia, listings of Djungelskog increased by 650% between January and February of this year, and it has been selling at prices between $33 and a whopping $175.

A spokesperson for Ikea Australia said there had been a more than 200% increase in sales of Djungelskog in the past week, with more than 990 bought across Australian stores and online.

As global attention continues to build around Punchs remarkable story, our iconic orangutan soft toy is now experiencing unprecedented demand, they said. Fans should get in fast as it is selling quickly.

So unprecedented is the demand that when I arrive at the front desk after rushing from Sydney airport to collect my order, I find Djungelskog has already sold out.

I am told it will be back in stock tomorrow. I leave Ikea disappointed, empty-handed and extremely tired.

The next morning, I come back early, and a kind Ikea employee brings a Djungelskog to my car.

Everyone has bought one, she tells me excitedly. We sold out yesterday and had to call all these stores  I was like, what is up with all these monkeys? and then I saw the videos [of Punch] and Im like, I need one.

Laughing as if I am not extremely aware of these facts, I clutch my Djungelskog and buckle them into my car. Already, I feel a sense of profound peace wash over me. Perhaps it is something to do with their hauntingly large, vacant eyes.

After dropping my car off at home, I wrap Djungelskog around my arms and together we commute to work. I am quietly muttering to the orangutan to help them get a sense of their surroundings.

This is where I work! I tell them. Were hopping into the lift!

The orangutan is extremely soft and is about the size of a real baby. I find myself not wanting to let go. My colleagues gush and ask me what Im going to call them. Its like meeting a celebrity! one says.

For the rest of the morning, Djungelskog sits beside my computer, staring at nothing.

It is all extremely cute, and yet I am struck by intense sadness when I watch footage of real-life Punch and his own Djungelskog.

It makes me think of a podcast about Keiko, the orca that starred in Free Willy, whose life was akin to a Shakespearean tragedy.

Keiko was raised at a sea park in Mexico in a pen way too small for him. After shooting to fame, a massive campaign was undertaken to free him back into the wild to be with his own kind.

But for his whole life, people had been his companions. Efforts to integrate him into whale pods largely failed, and he died of acute pneumonia in the ocean at just 27, remaining dependent on human care until his death.

I dont know why this monkey was abandoned by his mother, or what conditions are like where he is displayed at Ichikawa City Zoo (though reviews point to small enclosures, and Japanese animal welfare laws are often critiqued as being inefficient).

But there is a definite tinge of anthropomorphism to our obsession with Punch on social media that reminds me of the tragedy of Keiko.

Seeing the monkey playing with a cute toy, we see something human and childlike that makes us think of ourselves. But this is a wild animal, and its Djungelskog is not real.

When I get home this evening, I will embrace my dog, whose excitement to see me when I got home from Ikea was genuine  something Djungelskog, as soft and cute as it is, could never grant me.
Jeffrey Epstein may have played a role in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becoming a UK trade envoy, a shadow minister has suggested, as the government agreed to release the bombshell documents related to his appointment.

On an unprecedented day in parliament that saw MPs from all sides line up to admonish the former prince, Conservative minister Alex Burghart said it was possible to identify the hand of Epstein in Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment to the role back in 2001.

MPs unanimously supported a motion calling for the release of files relating to the appointment, waving it through without a vote after the government backed the Liberal Democrat-led calls to publish the papers, including any vetting and any correspondence from Peter Mandelson.

However, MPs were told that ministers are unable to publish material that police need for their inquiries until officers are satisfied.

The Lib Dems used a humble address, the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files relating to Lord Mandelsons appointment as ambassador to the US, to pressure the government.

It came as party leader Sir Ed Davey described the latest revelations about the former prince and Lord Mandelson as the first truly global scandal that reaches right to the top of the British establishment.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor faces accusations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011. He was taken into custody last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

This came only days before Lord Mandelson was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following similar allegations of having passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary.

The former Labour minister was released on bail in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mandelson, then an EU commissioner, is pictured with Andrew, then trade envoy, in 2007 (AP)

Opening the debate, Sir Ed said: Can there be many people more symbolic of the rot that eats away at the British establishment than the former Duke of York and special trade envoy, and the former business secretary, first secretary of state and ambassador to the United States?

Their association with Epstein and their actions on his behalf, while trusted with the privilege of public office, are a stain on our country. We must begin to clean away that stain with the disinfectant of transparency.

Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant described Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.

Responding at the despatch box to the Lib Dem motion, Sir Chris said: Let me be clear from the outset, we support this motion today.

Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others, the abuse that was enabled, aided and abetted by a very extensive group of arrogant, entitled, and often very wealthy individuals, in this country and elsewhere.

Its not just the people who participated in the abuse. Its the many, many more who turned a blind eye out of greed, familiarity or deference.

Sir Chris later added: As the police have rightly said, it is absolutely crucial that the integrity of their investigation is protected, and now these proceedings are underway, it would be wrong of me to say anything that might prejudice them, nor will the government be able to put into the public domain anything that is required by the police for them to conduct their inquiries, unless and until the police are satisfied.

The minister, who described the former prince as a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle, also said he wants to manage peoples expectations about how quickly the papers relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor can be released, due to the age and quantity of the material, and the live police investigation.

He said: Its worth bearing in mind that the documents that might be envisaged in this are mostly 25 years old. Some of them are a bit earlier. They may be substantial in number, and many of them will be in hard copy.

Chris Bryant has hit out at the rot that eats away at the British establishment (PA Archive)

Meanwhile, Conservative shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart suggested that Epstein may have influenced Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as a trade envoy in 2001.

He told MPs: If one looks back to 2001, it is possible to identify the hand of Epstein in Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment. It is reported that Peter Mandelson first met Epstein in the summer of 2001.

Mountbatten-Windsor had first met Epstein, I believe, in 1999. And shortly after Mandelsons first meeting in October 2001, [Mountbatten-Windsor] is appointed as trade envoy.

Dr Burghart said his party welcomed the motion, but criticised the government for not disclosing the information without the need for a humble address.

What would have been better is if the government had been proactive on this, and had not had to be brought to the House by opposition parties in order to release this information, he said.

It comes as the business and trade committee weighs up launching a parliamentary probe into the role of UK trade envoys, following Mr Mountbatten-Windsors arrest.

It is understood that any inquiry would look at potential governance issues within the wider system, and lessons to be learnt, avoiding specific commentary on Mr Mountbatten-Windsor until there is no risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings.

Despite being stripped of his title last year, the former Duke of York is still eighth in line to the throne, and an act of parliament would be required to remove him from the line of succession.

The government has not ruled out introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the Kings disgraced brother.
Newcastle look all but certain to progress to the round of 16 (Getty Images)

Newcastle are in a seemingly unassailable position after the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off tie with Qarabag.

Eddie Howes side won 6-1 in Baku last week to all but book their place in the round of 16 of the competition with an outstanding away performance.

Howe can probably, then, afford to rest a few first-choice starters for the visit of the Azerbaijani club as he looks ahead to a likely clash with Barcelona or Chelsea in the next round.

Having become the first team from their country to reach the knockout phase of the competition, Qarabag will hope to provide a better account of themselves in the second leg even as their exit looms.

Heres everything you need to know.

When is Newcastle vs Qarabag?

Newcastle vs Qarabag is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 24 February at St James Park.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off tie live on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage from 6.30pm GMT.

Team news

Defender Sven Botman and forward Yoane Wissa could return to the Newcastle squad after recovering from a back injury and dead leg respectively. Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, who scored four in the first leg, did not train with the rest of the squad on match eve and may be rested, while Malick Thiaw is suspended.

Bahlul Mustafazada looks set to miss out for Qarabag after suffering the defender suffered an injury last week.

Predicted line-ups

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale; Trippier, Botman, Burn, A. Murphy; Willock, Ramsey, Joelinton; J. Murphy, Osula, Barnes.

Qarabag XI: Kochalski; Silva, Bolt, Huseynov, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Montiel, Duran, Zubir.
An organized snowball fight takes place in Washington Square Park on Tuesday in New York City. Photograph: Ryan Murphy/Getty Images (Photograph: Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)

New York Citys mayor, Zohran Mamdani, called for respect of local police officers in the wake of Mondays blizzard after a viral video showed some getting pelted by snowballs in Washington Square Park while responding to a large snowball fight.

In the video, a crowd of people boo and jeer at two officers, and some throw snowballs in their faces. At one point, the officers push at least two people to the ground in response to the snowballs.

Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving, Mamdani said in a post on X. Treat them with respect.

Evidently alluding to his having jokingly told schoolchildren that they could toss snowballs at him for ordering them back to class on Tuesday, Mamdani added: If anyones catching a snowball, its me.

No arrests were immediately made in connection with the case. But Jessica Tisch, New York Citys police commissioner, said in a statement on social media that detectives were investigating the matter.

Related: No business like snow business: blizzard shuts down the north-east US  in pictures

She also said that the behavior depicted in the video is disgraceful, and it is criminal.

New York Citys Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the union representing local officers, also rebuked the snowball throwers, calling their conduct unacceptable and outrageous. The union also called for those responsible to be arrested and charged with assault of a police officer.

In a statement on Tuesday, police said: Multiple uniformed officers were struck in the head at close range with snowballs causing injuries to the head, neck, and face area. Paramedics subsequently brought the officers to Northwell Greenwich Village hospital to receive medical treatment for their injuries, the police statement said.

As happens often after most snowstorms, New York City dwellers gathered in public parks for a snowball fight as Mondays blizzard conditions eased up. Officers responded to a 911 call about a disorderly crowd at Washington Square Park just after 4pm on Monday, police officials said.

Mamdani and Tischs comments about the pelted officers came as cities all across the north-east US were digging out from the snow associated with Mondays blizzard. The storm halted travel across the region and caused hundreds of thousands of power outages.

Meteorologists said that the storm was the strongest in a decade, dumping more than 2ft (61cm) of snow in parts of the region. More than 3ft (91cm) fell in Rhode Island  surpassing snow totals from the north-easts historic blizzard of 1978.

The storm was set to move away from the east coast on Tuesday, heading up to the Canadian Maritime provinces, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).



In Massachusetts, there were still more than 250,000 power outages as of 10am ET on Tuesday. The states governor, Maura Healey, had lifted a blizzard-related state of emergency for Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, though it remained in effect for all other state counties.

Related: Millions under road travel bans as blizzard conditions slam US north-east

She also signed a directive allowing non-emergency state employees to work from home on Tuesday and encouraged employers to let their workers do the same, in an effort to keep the roads open for clearing crews and power restoration workers.

While the worst of the storm is behind us and much of the state is turning to shoveling out, conditions remain severe and dangerous across south-eastern Massachusetts, Healey said in a press release.

In an unprecedented move, the Boston Globe announced on Monday that it would not have a print version of the newspaper out for delivery on Tuesday. The publication wrote that the heavy snow conditions prevented the papers printing staff from safely getting to Taunton, now the home of the Globe printing press.

Travel bans in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware had been lifted by Tuesday.



In New York City, students were back in the classroom on Tuesday after a rare snow day on Monday. During a news conference before Tuesdays return to classes, Mamdani pre-emptively acknowledged students disappointment, telling them: You can still pelt me with snowballs when you see me.

It wasnt just students who were disappointed, however. The president of the United Federation of Teachers, Michael Mulgrew, said the union would ensure that teachers who could not make the commute to school did not face any disciplinary action. No one should jeopardize their safety trying to report to work, he said in a social media post.

As parents and caregivers trudged through snowbanks and refrozen ice to bring their children to school, some expressed frustration with the mayors decision.

Were walking on thin ice here, Danielle Obloj, the parent of a Brooklyn fifth-grader, told the Associated Press. One more day wouldve been fine.

They should never have let these kids come back to school.

Across the north-east, transit was slowly coming back to life. The Long Island Rail Road was operating on a limited schedule on Tuesday, in part thanks to its deployment of a 53ft, 80-ton spreader-ditcher machine used for heavy-duty snow removal. The powerful machine  nicknamed Darth Vader  is capable of clearing snow drifts up to 15ft deep.
Assemble the Fleet Event Highlights Student Learning at Kosciuszko Middle School

HAMTRAMCK, Mich., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Students, educators, and community leaders gathered at Kosciuszko Middle School today for the Assemble the Fleet Launch Event, celebrating hands-on, career-connected learning through Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning. This event spotlighted students engaging with Learning Blade's mission-based platform and exploring real-world STEM and workforce pathways tied to Michigan's economy. "Assemble the Fleet: Supply Chain in Motion," is Learning Blade's newest mission and was developed with the support of the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program. Focusing on logistics, the supply chain, engineering, and advanced manufacturing, "Assemble the Fleet" joins Learning Blade's dynamic catalog of STEM career exploration resources.

L-R: John Mullin, Kristen Rolek, Carrie Curtis, Chris Reilly, Beth Deuermeyer, Jon Page, Josh Sneideman. Not pictured: Mohamed Algehaim, Trevor Klinski, Marlyn Zerbock

During the event, attendees visited the classroom of Learning Blade National Educator of the Year Kelly Conwell, where students demonstrated Learning Blade in action and showcased how classroom instruction connects to high-demand careers. Following the demonstration, a panel allowed students to ask questions of industry experts, deepening their understanding of Michigan's role in maritime manufacturing. Principal Kristen Hurt welcomed guests and highlighted the school's commitment to innovative, future-ready learning experiences that empower students to take ownership of their education.

Learning Blade is fully funded across the state of Michigan, courtesy of the MIB Program, ensuring students in grades 59 have access to more than 500 interactive lessons focused on STEM, computer science, and career exploration. Missions such as Assemble the Fleet immerse students in the real-world challenges and careers behind advanced manufacturing and maritime industries, building awareness of the skills needed to support national security and economic growth.

"Investing in early, hands-on learning experiences is essential to building the future maritime and manufacturing workforce," said Dr. Carrie Curtis of the MIB Program. "Through programs like Learning Blade, students across Michigan are gaining meaningful exposure to the skills, technologies, and career pathways that support our nation's industrial strength, economic resilience, and national security."

The Assemble the Fleet Launch Event offered guests a front-row seat to student-led learning, innovation, and collaboration, highlighting the impact of sustained investment in career-connected education across Michigan.

About the Maritime Industrial Base Program

The U.S. Navy's Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program is focused on revitalizing American shipbuilding and repair capabilities. This includes strengthening the industrial base that builds and maintains naval vessels such as surface ships, aircraft carriers, and submarines. The program addresses critical needs in workforce development, supply chain resilience, and modernization of facilities and infrastructure.

About Learning Blade, Powered by eDynamic Learning

Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning, provides online tools that introduce students in grades 59 to STEM, computer science, and career opportunities through interactive missions and modules. Aligned with academic standards and designed to spark early-career interest, Learning Blade's resources help students envision themselves in high-demand, high-wage careers. Teachers and schools can learn more at www.learningblade.com

Media contact:

Jordan Campbell

VP of Marketing

eDynamic Learning

[email protected]

SOURCE eDynamic Learning
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un's sister has been elevated in the ranks at a rare ruling party congress, further cementing the family's grip on power.

Kim Yo Jong, who was previously a vice department director of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers Party of Korea, was promoted to the director of one of the departments, the official Korean Central News Agency reported on Tuesday.

Ms Kim is expected to be assigned to lead the propaganda department with a focus on overseeing inter-Korean relations or external strategies, according to reports. The 38-year-old has been the most influential woman in the party and one of her brothers closest lieutenants.

She has often issued strong statements to criticise South Korea and the US on behalf of the North Korean government.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reporting on the review of the work of the eighth-term Party Central Committee during the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang (KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Image)

Her elevation comes as thousands of party elites assembled in Pyongyang for the once-in-five years rubber-stamp party congress. The ruling partys congress is a tool for North Korea to issue propaganda messages to the world and to decide on the next political, economic, and military priorities.

Ms Kim was promoted a day after her brother vowed to strengthen and advance North Koreas economy over the next five years, state media reported.

Calling the next five years a full-scale progress phase in a speech on Monday, the North Korean leader urged a revolution in thought, technology and culture to ensure new projects are effectively managed over time.

Mr Kim, 42, was re-elected as general secretary in a ceremonial but significant step to consolidate his power and set long-term policies and goals for the country. He has held the top post at the party throughout his rule since 2011 and has now ruled longer than many global leaders.

North Koreas war deterrence with the nuclear forces as its pivot has been radically improved under Mr Kim, KCNA said. It also credited Mr Kim for creating a military capable of handling "any threat of aggression" and "any form of war," and hailed his leadership for "reliably guaranteeing" the country's future and "boosting the pride and self-esteem" of North Koreans.

Following the announcement, rows of officials in dark suits erupted in applause in the red-walled assembly hall adorned with gold insignia.

People watch a television screen showing a news broadcast with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) and his daughter presumed to be named Ju Ae (R) attending a military parade held in Pyongyang (AFP/Getty)

It comes as Mr Kim, under his leadership, has undertaken an aggressive expansion of North Koreas nuclear prowess and has built closer ties with Russia by taking part in its war against Ukraine, further deepening the standoffs with the US and South Korea.

Analysts say Mr Kim will use it to unveil new military goals, including strengthening conventional forces and integrating them with nuclear capabilities. He is also expected to double down on a push for economic self-reliance through mass mobilisation, building on tentative post-pandemic gains driven by revived trade with China and reported arms exports to Russia.

In a sign that the Kim dynastys grip on the Hermit Kingdom is set to endure, the leaders daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is believed to have entered an early phase of grooming to take over her father, according to an assessment this month by the National Intelligence Service. North Korea has been ruled by the Kim family since its founding in the 1940s.

In recent months, Kim Ju Ae has repeatedly appeared alongside her father at high-profile events, including missile test launches and key military ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Chinese president Xi Jinping sent a message congratulating Mr Kim on his re-election as general secretary of the ruling party, KCNA confirmed.
The prices of popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy are to fall dramatically from next year, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk said Tuesday.

The list price of Wegovy will be cut in half on January 1, 2027, plummeting from around $1,350 to $675 a month. The cost of Ozempic will fall to $675 - around a third less than its current $1,027 monthly cost. Novo Nordisks diabetes pill Rybelsus, which sells for nearly $1,000 right now, will cost $675.

The price drop will be in effect for any patients, whether or not they have insurance.

The reductions are aimed at enhancing affordability and access for all Americans dealing with the complexities of the evolving U.S. healthcare system, Novo Nordisk said.

Some 12 percent of Americans are taking weight loss drugs. according to a 2025 poll from non-profit KFF Health.

Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk said it would significantly lower prices for its most popular weight loss drugs amid a push from the Trump administration (AFP/Getty)

Patients on the drugs have been calling for lower prices, Novo Nordisk U.S. operations executive vice president Jamey Millar said in a statement. "Our actions today answer that call and remove cost barriers so the value of Wegovy and Ozempic can be realized by more patients, he added.

The companys announcement comes after the Trump administration partnered with Novo Nordisk last year along with its main competitor in the weight loss drug space, Eli Lilly & Company, Pfizer and dozens of other drugmakers to launch TrumpRx.gov. There are 43 drugs available on the site, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Eli Lillys Zepbound.

During a November Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar said that the partnership would help provide access for millions of patients to the drugs.

We believe that access to life-changing medicine should not be a privilege, he said. It is a societal promise.

The Trump administration claimed that TrumpRX.gov, which went live this month, would lower out-of-pocket costs for people paying for weight loss medications, and other kinds of drugs, without insurance.

Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last November. Doustdar said that partnering with the administration would help expand access to his companys weight loss drugs (Getty Images)

However, the effectiveness of TrumpRx.gov has been criticized by health experts, who say the site does not actually offer discounts for people who have insurance and may be able to pay even lower out-of-pocket prices.

Social media users have also pointed out that TrumpRX operates similarly to existing drug discount sites, such as GoodRx, which provides the list prices for more than 30 TrumpRX medications.

Since GLP-1 weight loss drugs hit the market in 2021, the obesity rate of U.S. adults dropped to 37 percent from a record 39.9 percent, according to a Gallup survey last year.

Novo Nordisk said that lowering the price of Wegovy and Ozempic would help to further address the obestiy crisis.

"Lowering the list price of Wegovy and Ozempic is the best approach to address the unprecedented opportunity to help more than 100 million people living with obesity and over 35 million people with type 2 diabetes in the United States, he said.
The Duke of Sussex arriving for a hearing in the case - Isabel Infantes/Reuters

A convicted phone hacker working for Prince Harry and other celebrities tried to blackmail a Mail on Sunday executive, a court has heard.

The Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John and Baroness Lawrence are among seven high-profile figures suing Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, over allegations of unlawful information-gathering.

Chris Anderson, the former associate editor at the Mail on Sunday, told the High Court on Tuesday that he had received a disturbing phone call from Graham Johnson in 2016 about a cache of emails that would be very embarrassing for him.

Johnson, who is a member of the claimants legal research team, is said to have claimed that if Mr Anderson co-operated with his enquiries, the emails  said to contain material obtained from phone hacking  would be kept private.

I was left with the clear impression that Mr Johnson had been trying to blackmail me, Mr Anderson said.

Graham Johnson has spent years targeting the Mail newspapers, the court has heard - Tayfun Salci

Johnson, who was convicted of phone hacking in 2014, has spent years targeting the Mail. He boasted of running a team of 10 whistleblowers and researchers funded by Max Mosley, the former Formula 1 chief and son of fascist Oswald Mosley, and of planning a co-ordinated media attack on the newspaper group.

Central to the ongoing High Court claim is a series of emails Johnson obtained from convicted phone hacker Glenn Mulcaire, which had been sent between Mr Anderson and the late Greg Miskiw, another convicted phone hacker, who worked at the now-defunct News of the World.

Miskiw was pitching two potential stories, neither of which was published, about two of the claimants, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes.

David Sherborne, their barrister, has alleged that the emails contain clear quotations that can only be from voicemail interception.

Emails obtained by Johnson relating to stories pitched about Sadie Frost, above, and Sir Simon Hughes, below, had quotes that could only have come from voicemail interception, the claimants team has claimed - Yui Mok/PA Wire

Corey Rudy/Reuters

Mr Anderson told Mr Sherborne that the notion he had known the material had come from phone hacking was cooked up by your people.

He said he had never commissioned Miskiw and had never commissioned anyone to commit phone hacking.

Mr Anderson sent a memo to Liz Hartley, Associateds legal director, in December 2018 after Johnson contacted the publisher to reveal plans to publish a story about the emails on the Byline Investigates website.

In the memo, he described how he had felt he was being blackmailed during a call from Johnson in June 2016.

Mr Johnson is said to have warned that Mr Andersons alleged unlawful activity would form the basis of a legal case against the Mail.

He (Johnson) said he was authorised to tell me that if I co-operated with his enquiries into the Mail group, then the emails would be kept private, Mr Anderson wrote.

He wanted to expose phone hacking within the Daily Mail. I suggested he was threatening me.

When Johnson gave evidence in the case last month, Antony White KC, for Associated, put it to him: This was a threat tantamount to blackmail, wasnt it Mr Johnson?

Johnson replied: No its not blackmail. Blackmail is a serious criminal offence.

He suggested that Mr Andersons written account of the call was a monkeyed up memo designed to serve his own agenda.

Graham Johnson paid thousands of pounds to Glenn Mulcaire and Greg Miskiw, below, in 2015 and 2016, the court has been told - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Johnson paid Mulcaire and Miskiw 22,000 and 12,000 respectively between 2015 and 2016 for their co-operation.

The court has also been shown an email in which Johnson said he was trying to persuade Mulcaire, who had consistently denied hacking phones for the Mail, to raise his game.

Associated is a subsidiary of Daily Mail and General Trust, Lord Rothermeres holding company, which has agreed to acquire The Telegraph for 500m. The proposed takeover will be subject to a four-month investigation by regulators on public interest and competition grounds.

The trial continues.
Shocking details of violent assaults on frontline staff, including those trying to tackle Londons fare evasion epidemic, have been uncovered by a City Hall inquiry.

Transport for London enforcement officers told how they were punched to the ground or received death threats as they tried to help colleagues being threatened by fare dodgers.

A bus driver had his hair pulled out and eyesight damaged by an irate passenger who smashed the security door of the drivers cab after the bus had to be diverted.

Many of the witnesses said they had been let down by British Transport Police, who took between 30 minutes and two hours to arrive at an incident, and by their own bosses at Transport for London.

The horrific details of the scale of the violence faced by the capitals transport workers emerged on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session by the London Assemblys transport committee.

Figures obtained by the committee revealed that the number of assaults on TfL staff or contractors has doubled in the last year to about 200 a week.

Between October and December last year, 897 incidents of work-related violence and aggression were reported on the London Underground, up from 637 in the same period a year earlier, while those on the bus network increased from 434 to 1,324, and incidents on other transport modes increased from 280 to 395.

Added together, it took the total number of incidents from 1,351 to 2,616. But the witnesses said many incidents went unreported, as many staff believed that nothing would be done.

Bus driver Selington Rock Santan Fernandes shows the London Assembly how his hair was pulled out by an irate passenger (London Assembly)

Selington Rock Santan Fernandes, a bus driver who works for TfL bus operator Transport UK, said he was attacked on October 27 last year in Southall after his bus was forced to take a diversion.

Despite announcing this to passengers, he was then attacked by a man who broke through the cab door  which drivers had reported to the bus firm as being insecure  and had chunks of his hair pulled out and was beaten about the head.

He pulled my hair and started hammering me, he said, demonstrating to the committee where the hair was still missing from the top of his head.

He was taken to hospital and later underwent MRI scans. He has suffered depression and has been put on sick pay.

Paul Feakes, a revenue control inspector, who has worked for London Underground for 11 years, told assembly members that he was assaulted at an unnamed station last year during a crackdown on fare dodgers.

I was punched twice by a member of the public that I had had no contact with previously, he said. I was punched so hard that I suffered concussion.

Im 6ft 3in but went down like the proverbial and got dragged across the ticket hall floor. Luckily, members of the public were there to assist.

Unfortunately, colleagues find it very difficult to assist. Often their actions are questioned by our line managers, so they often hesitate before physically assisting colleagues in any assaults.

A member of the public dialled 999. The Met police turned up. But the British Transport Police took an extra 30 minutes to turn up after the Met police had arrested the guy.

The attacker was found guilty at court. But there was no communication between the BTP and TfL managers to keep Mr Feakes informed of the progress or outcome of the case. Line managers literally do nothing, he said.

He said TfL managers were more likely to question the actions of staff who were assaulted than those of the perpetrator.

If I make a report and say I have been hit, my manager is likely to say: What did you do to make him hit you?

London Underground revenue control officer Luke Banks: has witnessed horrific assaults on colleagues and received death threats himself (London Assembly)

Luke Banks, a revenue control officer on London Underground, was assaulted at Kings Cross station last summer.

He said it was insane that he knew it wouldnt be the last time he would be seriously attacked on duty.

He recalled: A [Tube station worker] was being challenged by a customer. I went over to check on that colleague, who was being backed into a corner.

The customer then turned on me and my colleagues and shoved two of us in the chest and started screaming death threats towards myself.

Despite the incident being recorded on body-worn video, this did not deter the attacker from continuing to make threats.

The TfL enforcement staff requested back-up from the British Transport Police but none came for two hours.

That was quite concerning for us. With a major station like Kings Cross, youd expect them to be able to come out quite quickly, or from Euston. There is a BTP station there. Or The Met.

But we had nothing. I was relying on colleagues to keep me safe and keep this person away from me until I could get to a place of safety, Mr Banks said.

Despite a rail warrant having previously been issued for the attacker, BTP were unable to trace him.

These are the sort of BTP issues that we are dealing with, Mr Banks said. BTP are not very effective at the moment.

He said there had been some horrific assaults in the 18 months he has worked as a revenue control officer, including broken noses and broken arms.

Its very difficult out there are the minute, he said. Its a very challenging environment to try and enforce revenue. In this current climate we are facing some real problems.

Deban Aderemi, a TfL bus enforcement officer, said: There is almost always verbal and almost always hate crime verbal. Its not just get out of my face.

Its swear words and sometimes thats physical, sometimes its spitting, sometimes its a push.

Kola Olalekan, London region secretary of the GMB unions professional drivers branch, said taxi and minicab drivers suffered physical abuse, verbal abuse, intimidation, harassment and hatred.

Hina Bokhari, a Lib-Dem member of the transport committee, told the attacked workers: That was incredibly difficult to hear... the acceptance that this happens, and the normalisation of it, is the most disappointing thing from all the stories.

Siwan Hayward, TfLs director for security, policing and enforcement, said: Our staff work hard to serve the millions of customers who use the transport network every day and have the right to go about their work without fear or intimidation. We do not tolerate any violence, aggression or threatening behaviour towards them.

We encourage everyone to report every incident of aggression or abuse - physical and verbal - so that preventative measures can be strengthened, and the strongest penalties brought against offenders.

A specialist team within TfL works with the police to support investigation and brining offenders to justice. This team also supports staff and their managers at work. We are committed to doing all we can to protect our colleagues and to eradicate work-related violence and aggression.
Reform councillor liked Facebook post calling on Labour MP to be shot

Reform has refused to expel a senior councillor who approved of a call to kill a Labour MP.

Cllr Simon Evans, who Reform have made cabinet member for children and families on Lancashire Council, liked a post on Facebook saying Labour MP Natalie Fleet should be shot.

The post liked by Cllr Evans referred to the grooming gang inquiry and said of Ms Fleet, the Labour MP for Bolsover: You dozy cowyou should be shot.

Cllr Evans has apologised and said he did not realise the full content of the post, adding: I would never intentionally call for or wish violence upon anyone.

Alex Davies-Jones MP, Labours minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls, said: This grotesque and misogynistic call to violence has absolutely no room in society.

Councillor Simon Evans has liked a Facebook post calling for a Labour MP to be shot (Reform UK)

Yet Nigel Farage continues to insult the public by tolerating these extremist views in Reform. Its completely unacceptable.

Farage should grow a backbone and immediately suspend his councillor for this vile and dangerous threat.

Ms Fleet responded: Posts like this are so common I dont bat an eyelid. But they remind me why my husband & kids *begged* me not to stand.

I felt huge responsibility; last lab gov helped me, I wanted to help others. Butwe should be able to fight for our areas w/o death threats as standard.

It came on the same day Mr Farage claimed at a press conference in Dover that he had personally done more to tackle the far right than any other politician.

In a statement, Reform said: We investigated the post and consider it to be an honest mistake. We accept Cllr Evans' apology and version of events.

Cllr Evans said that grooming gangs was an issue he had been campaigning on for many years.

He added: Unfortunately, what I did not notice was the accompanying text of the Facebook post that was created by an unknown user. As soon as this was pointed out I immediately deleted the post. I would never intentionally call for, or wish, violence upon anyone, regardless of their political beliefs. This sort of rhetoric has absolutely no place in our politics.

I would like to sincerely apologise to Ms Fleet and anyone else for the offence caused.

Reform also resisted deselecting their candidate for Mayor of Hampshire, Chris Parry, a former rear admiral, who suggested that deputy prime minister David Lammy should go home to live in Jamaica where his loyalties lie.

In an additional tweet, Mr Parry also described the dead rightwing former Tory politician Enoch Powell as unfulfilled.

In a separate tweet Mr Parry also attacked Sir Lenny Henry in a similar way when the comedian and actor supported calls for the UK to pay 19 trillion in slavery reparations.

Mr Parry posted: Where does his primary loyalty lie?

Another tweet in March saw Mr Parry describe Birmingham as a failed colony.
Reform UK has suspended a prominent figure in their Gorton and Denton by-election campaign after he was condemned for reportedly using racist and misogynistic language in social media posts.

Adam Mitula, said to be a prominent figure in Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwins campaign, reportedly claimed in social media posts that the Holocaust death toll had been exaggerated and that he would never touch a Jewish woman.

He also reportedly claimed that 60 per cent to 70 per cent of transgender people are paedophiles in posts on his now-deleted X account.

Mr Mitula confirmed he had been suspended by the party pending investigation, but claimed the social media remarks which led to it were taken out of context.

He said: Im confirming my suspension as a Reform member pending investigation. The comments in question were taken out of context, and actually defended the Jewish community.

My solicitor is contacting anyone spreading false info that damages my reputation.

Reform UK said it does not comment on its internal disciplinary processes.

Matt Goodwin is running as Reform UKs candidate in this weeks crunch election, as the party hopes to win the Labour seat (PA Wire)

After Mr Mitulas comments were first reported, Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell wrote to Matt Goodwin calling for him to distance himself from the campaigner.

She said that although Mr Goodwin may not have been aware of the comments when they offered to help your campaign, but you are aware of it now.

You can ensure that they are not part of your campaign in the future, make clear that you disagree with their vile views, and state clearly that racism and conspiracy like this is not welcome in Reform and not compatible with campaigning for you, she wrote

If you do not now distance yourself from the views of these supporters and take action to remove them from your campaign, people will conclude that you and Reform UK are happy to be associated with them.

Mr Goodwin is running as Reform UKs candidate in this weeks crunch election, as the party hopes to win the Labour seat.

The ex-academic  who has been backed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson  has called the by-election a referendum on Keir Starmer, and pledged to demand Britain fixes its borders, and clamps down on crime if elected.

He has hit the headlines after The Independent revealed he had called for women and young girls to be given a biological reality check as he warned of an impending fertility crisis.

This publication also revealed that he had previously suggested people who dont have children should be taxed extra as punishment and warned that many women in Britain are having children much too late in life.
After President Donald Trump suddenly tore down the East Wing of the White House, Republican Representative Mike Turner appeared to be among the few allied lawmakers to privately express concerns about the legality of the demolition.

Days after the demolition began in October, Turner sent a letter to the White House expressing substantial concerns, according to the letter, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by Public Citizen and provided to the Washington Post.

The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nations history, Turner, the co-chair of the congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, wrote to White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf.

Trump tapped Scharf to lead the National Capital Planning Commission, the group tasked with approving construction projects in the nations capital.

Turner reportedly asked about the oversight and transparency that went into the demolition and whether the White House took steps to preserve artifacts.

Turner reportedly privately expressed concerns about Trump's demolition of the East Wing several months ago (Getty Images)

The Independent has asked Turners office for comment.

Scharf responded to Turner more than seven weeks after his initial letter, claiming the administration did not need approval from the commission to begin demolition because the National Capital Planning Commission reviews vertical construction.

The administration has used the same argument to justify the East Wing demolition.

The new report about Turners letter reveals that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were concerned about Trumps sudden demolition of the East Wing to make room for his new $400 million White House ballroom.

Democrats vocally decried the administration at the time of the demolition, using social media and direct correspondence to express concern about the legality of the construction project.

In a similar but separate October letter, a group of Democrats urged the White House to stop the demolition of the East Wing, claiming it violated the White House Preservation Act.

The administration removed the East Wing of the White House in October, despite initially claiming the new ballroom would not interfere with the original structure (Getty Images)

But fewer Republicans have been outspoken about the new construction project.

Since reclaiming the White House last year, Trump has imposed his personal style on the White House: adding gold embellishments to the Oval Office, an opinionated presidential Wall of Fame, a Mar-a-Lago-style patio and taller flagpoles to the White House lawn.

The new White House ballroom is expected to be a massive addition to the Peoples House, capable of holding up to 1,000 guests for state dinners and other large events. Trump has said the space is necessary for hosting large events.

But the project has been heavily scrutinized for its quick implementation and high costs  jumping from an initial $200 million estimate to $400 million. The administration has been tight-lipped about the list of individual and commercial donors who are helping the president pay for the new space.

Public Citizen has sued the administration for not complying with FOIA requests that aim to improve transparency about the ballroom project.
A record number of London councils will need emergency bailouts totalling over 530 million in order to balance their budgets this year and avoid falling into bankruptcy.

Ministers revealed nine town halls in the capital, up from seven in 2025, will be granted millions of pounds of extra support to provide services, despite increasing council tax bills.

Barnet will need 79.6m of "exceptional financial support" this financial year, Redbridge 70m, Havering 77m and Waltham Forest 19m.

Croydon, which has effectively declared bankruptcy three times since 2020, will need another 119m of extra support this year after receiving 110.3m last year.

Haringey will get up to 84m after a 54m bailout last year, Hillingdon 62m after 88m extra support in 2025-26 and Lambeth 20m after 46m last year.

The Government has also agreed to provide the City of London with 2.65m to manage financial pressures in its Housing Revenue Account

In total 37 local authorities in England have had exceptional financial support agreed in principle for the 2026/27 financial year.

It comes as Londoners will see an average of almost 100 added to their council tax bills from April as boroughs struggle with the rising cost of providing services.

It means residents living in benchmark Band D homes in Hackney, Hillingdon and Lambeth will be paying more than 2,000-a-year for the first time.

Almost all London local authorities will be increasing payments by 5% for most residents, while London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said he will be adding an extra 20.13 to his share of the bill to help pay for the Met Police and Fire Brigade.

However, Wandsworth and Westminster, the boroughs with the lowest council tax in the country, have confirmed only the 2% social care precept will be added to payments this year.

Seven London boroughs applied for emergency cash from the Government in 2025.

Recent analysis by London Councils found boroughs face an impossible challenge to plug a collective 1 billion funding shortfall in 2025/26, which is expected to rise to 4.7 billion by 2029.

Spiralling rents and the increasing cost of providing temporary accommodation for homeless families and social care is pushing many boroughs to the brink of bankruptcy, the umbrella group argued

This year, across the country dozens of struggling councils were granted multimillion-pound flexibilities to improve frontline services, with a focus on supporting deprived areas.

Following final approval, the local authorities will be granted capitalisation support ahead of the next financial year.

This allows town halls to use their capital funding, including receipts from sales and borrowing, to cover day-to-day costs.

Shropshire council is set to be provided with the highest level of support totalling 121m this year, followed by Croydon with 119m.

Next was Warrington, which will receive support worth 92m and then Haringey, set to be granted flexibilities totalling 84m.

The Government said the need for councils to seek support "reflects the worst of an outdated funding system", adding that a "record-breaking" 78 billion multi-year funding settlement has "marked a turning point in the way local government is funded".

A Government review of funding allocations has led to a new approach which includes the latest indices of multiple deprivation which are said to recognise local need and the "true costs" of providing services in deprived areas.

Local government minister Alison McGovern said: "People in deprived areas have been let down for too long, with councils in the poorest areas left on their knees and services cut back as a result.

"The support we're announcing is critical for the councils, and we are doing everything we can to ensure councils can balance the books including by making 78 billion available through the first multi-year settlement in a decade."

In a written statement, Ms McGovern said "14 years of austerity and decades of centralisation" had left councils across the country "on their knees".

She added the most deprived areas will receive 45% more funding per head than the least deprived as a result of the reforms, with nine in 10 councils set to receive funding that broadly meets assessed needs by 2028-29.
Chris Bryant told the Commons Andrew was a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle. Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA (Photograph: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

MPs are usually wary of openly criticising British royals in the Commons. Tuesday was a notable exception. Aside from the fact that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested over allegations of misconduct in public office as a trade envoy, the speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, let it be known that there was no prohibition on criticising royals in the chamber.

And so a number of MPs did:

Chris Bryant, Labour MP and trade minister

Colleagues and many civil servants have told me their own stories of their interactions with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, and they all betray the same pattern: a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle; a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.

Of course, we knew much of what is now in the public domain a very long time ago. It is all very well for some of us to say: If only we had known then what we know now, but I am afraid that doesnt wash with me. We did actually have plenty of warning.

Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central

I first raised my concern because my constituency carries the name of York and the Duke of Yorks ambassadorial associations with our city were causing much concern in my community 

No longer can these powerful men swan around the world having these conversations, gaining more power and exploiting whoever crosses their path without being held accountable.

Monica Harding, Liberal Democrat MP

In the early noughties, I was working overseas with the British Council. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor visited us as part of his role as a UK trade envoy. Before his arrival, senior staff in both the embassy and the British Council were rolling their eyes  his reputation preceded him.

I was told that it was a containment exercise, that overseas missions feared putting him out there in case he said something inappropriate, that he was arrogant and that he was not on top of his brief. Rather than looking forward to his visits as an opportunity to promote Britain, it was instead thought that he would do damage.

Anna Sabine, Liberal Democrat MP

Although this debate concerns Mountbatten-Windsor, it is not about one man; it is really about the structural sexism embedded in our institutions. Violence against women and girls does not persist in this country for a lack of speeches in this chamber, but because, structurally, it is still not treated as foundational to our policymaking 

This is not a party political issue, nor is it about individual commitment; it is about whether the system itself is designed to prioritise womens safety. Too often, it is not.

Sian Berry, Green MP

The royal family is sheltered from scrutiny in too many ways, and it is now very clear what a risk that poses. We have heard many examples of MPs facing restrictions on what we can ask about royal activity, but it is reasonable and right that we should scrutinise fully any work that they do on the countrys behalf, and consider how those restrictions might be removed.
Russell Brand has appeared in court to deny two further sexual offences, including rape.

The comedian, aged 50, arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London wearing an animal-print shirt, unbuttoned to his lower chest, a black jacket, a light-coloured fedora hat monogrammed with the initials RB, and sunglasses.

He stared intently at journalists as he walked into the courtroom, where he entered the dock carrying a copy of the Bible whose pages were marked with Post-it notes.

He took off his hat and jacket before standing to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The fresh charges, which relate to incidents that allegedly took place in 2009 and involve two women, were announced in December.

Releasing Brand on bail, judge Mr Justice Bennathan said: Mr Brand, I am sure you have heard everything we have been talking about. I will renew your bail.

Under his bail conditions, the star is required to notify the police of any change of address within 48 hours.

The judge said there would be a further case-management hearing in March.

Brand has previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

Russell Brand appeared via video link at a previous hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court in January (Elizabeth Cook/PA)

Brand, who lives in Florida but also has an address in Oxfordshire, is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room while she attended a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, and of grabbing a TV workers breasts and orally raping her after dragging her into a mens toilet, the court heard in May.

He is also alleged to have grabbed a radio station workers face, pushing her against a wall and kissing her before groping her breasts and buttocks.

The actor is also accused of indecently assaulting another woman after grabbing her forearm and attempting to drag her into a mens toilet.

A trial is scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court later this year in relation to the five original charges.

Brand first appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in January over the fresh charges.

The former Big Brothers Big Mouth presenter attended that hearing via video link from Florida, wearing a blue denim shirt unbuttoned to his lower chest. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
Information concerning registration for the LRA 2026 conference, which will include a keynote address by Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, is expected to be released shortly on the Literacy Research Association website. Individuals who intend to submit a response to the LRA 2026 Call for Proposals are requested to complete this action by March 1, 2026. The submission portal for proposals is located on the LRA 2026 All Academic website.

The speakers' series and associated sessions will explore the conference theme, "Manifesting Quantum Imaginaries: Re-searching Literacies as a Transcontextual Enterprise," inviting a metaphorical reimagination of literacies through a quantum lens and emphasizing literacy as a dynamic, transcontextual practice.

Keynote Details

Speaker: Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, Ph.D., Professor of English Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

Title: Archaeologies of Self and Re-Searching Literacies as Healing Praxis

Abstract: This keynote emphasizes literacy, research, and teaching as healing practices rooted in self-knowledge and relationships. Building on the Archaeology of Self, it calls for a recursive, relational approach to learning that challenges linear, uni-directional models and foregrounds racial literacy and healing as core to the future of education.

When: December 4, 2026

Where: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, HI

Access: Public keynote; available via registration for the conference

Connect: LinkedIn (@yolandasealeyruiz-714a24126/) | Instagram (@yolie_sealeyruiz)

Lead Organizer Quote

"Literacies are not static add-ons to education; they are living, moving practices that unfold across time, space, and communities," said Patriann Smith, LRA 2026 Conference Chair. "Our keynote speaker's scholarship invites us to reframe literacy as a healing, collective practice, and to imagine classrooms and communities where literacies travel across borders and contexts all-at-once."

Key Highlights and Takeaways

A keynote that links quantum imaginaries with practical, equitable literacy practices in diverse classrooms and communities where artificial intelligence requires a reimagination of what it means to teach and to research literacies.

An introduction to the Archaeology of Self framework and its implications for culturally responsive pedagogy and Racial Literacy Development inspired by the forthcoming book " Archaeology of Self by Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz " and by the TEDx Talk " Truth, Love and Racial Literacy ."

A preview of conference sessions on transcontextual literacies, spaces of learning, and the role of AI, quantum computing, and metaverse-era tools in literacy education.

Opportunities for educators to engage in professional development, classroom pilots, and community-based literacy initiatives.

Why This Matters

The keynote situates literacy as a living practice that travels through time, space, and identity, aligning with global pushes for equity, justice, and culturally sustaining pedagogy in a rapidly changing technological era. It marks a critical moment in the ongoing effort to reimagine literacies in motion, ensuring diverse learners have access to the skills and resources needed to thrive.

**Conference Agenda Highlights**

Presidential Address

Oscar S. Causey Address

Distinguished Scholar Lifetime Achievement Address

Presidential Special Sessions featuring Native Hawaiian Practitioners & Scholars

Scholars of color Transitioning into Academic Research institutions (STAR) Reception

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Luncheon

Ethnicity, Race, & Multilingualism (ERM) Reception

Reading Hall of Fame Mentoring Session

Honorable Mention of a K-12 Teacher

Integrative Research Review Panel

Newcomers Welcome Reception

Award Presentations

Study Groups

Trivia Night

Vital Issues

Town Hall

Media Contact:

Patriann Smith

[email protected]

https://literacyresearchassociation.org

The Literacy Research Association is a non-profit professional organization, comprised of individuals who share an interest in advancing literacy theory, research, and practice. For over seven decades, LRA has served as a foundational source of information for literacy researchers and practitioners. As the publisher of the Journal of Literacy Research and of the Literacy Research: Theory, Method, and Practice, and as a primary outlet for the dissemination of research reports and policy briefs surrounding literacy, LRA continues to function as a premiere outlet for the publication of literacy research in the United States and beyond.

SOURCE Literacy Research Association
Comedian and actor Russell Brand has pleaded not guilty to two further sexual offences, including rape.

Brand previously denied two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault in relation to alleged offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.

On Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court, the 50-year-old pleaded not guilty to one further count of rape and one of sexual assault, which are both alleged to have taken place in 2009.

Wearing an animal-print shirt with a number of buttons undone and holding a white hat, Brand spoke to confirm his name and his not guilty pleas from the dock.

The two latest charges relate to two further women and are alleged to have taken place in London.

A court previously heard Brand is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room while she attended a Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, and grabbing a TV worker's breasts and orally raping her after dragging her into a male toilet.

He is also alleged to have grabbed a radio station worker's face, pushing her against a wall and kissing her before groping her breasts and buttocks.

The other charge of the original five alleges the actor indecently assaulted another woman after grabbing her forearm and attempting to drag her into a male toilet.

Brand, who carried a copy of the Bible into the court building before his hearing, is due to face trial in June.
Sarah Ferguson, Andrews ex-wife, wrote to the disgraced billionaire while he was in jail (PA Archive)

Sarah Ferguson sought out advice from Jeffrey Epstein about how to promote her charity working with vulnerable children while he was in jail for child prostitution offences.

The former Duchess of York described the disgraced paedophile as a genius in an email revealed by the Epstein files, reported by the Daily Mail.

This came in response to Epstein suggesting she make an army-inspired movie trailer showing women breastfeeding, instead of engaged in warfare.

The message was sent on July 5, 2009, which was 17 days before he was released from jail for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

The former Duchess of York wrote to Epstein to seek advice on promoting a childrens charity (Scott Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Epstein was on a work-release programme at the time, which allowed him to access his emails at his office in Palm Beach, the Mail reported.

The former duchess had previously met with Amr Al-Dabbagh, a Saudi businessman to discuss ways in which she could support his charity for vulnerable children and orphans at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

She shared the news of the meeting with Epstein, who shared his thoughts on how best to support the vulnerable children with her.

Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in relation to his relationship with Epstein (REUTERS)

In the email, he wrote: Imagine a movie trailer modeled after 'Be All You Can Be.' Join the army -but with photos of mothers, not soldiers.

Breastfeeding instead of shooting; reading to a child instead of teaching them to handle a rifle.

Showering the sex offender with praise, the impressed Duchess replied: Has anyone told you, you are a genius.

Since the Epstein files were released, Sarah has reportedly spent more than a month in a Swiss wellness retreat, according to The Mail.

A representative for the former Duchess has been contacted for comment.
Polluted vegetation is cleared from the water after a refinery pipeline burst last October. The wetlands, near the Colombian oil town of Barrancabermeja, are home to several endangered species, including manatees  an animal once regarded as a guardian spirit of the lagoons  and jaguars Photograph: Harriet Barber (Photograph: Harriet Barber)

Standing on her wooden canoe, a machete in her hand, Yuly Velasquez hacks away at reeds matted with blackened sludge. Close by, a burst oil pipe has released a slick of crude into the San Silvestre wetlands in Barrancabermeja, Colombias oil city, choking the water and its wildlife.

The destruction is immense, says Velasquez, president of Fedepesan, a sustainable fishing organisation. For the fish, the animals and flora, it means immediate death.

With its swamps, lagoons and forests, Barrancabermeja sits in a biodiversity hotspot  the home of endangered river turtles and manatees, and the wetlands act as a corridor for roaming jaguars.

Yet it is also Colombias biggest oil town. Gas flares shoot into the sky from a labyrinth of tanks, pipes and chimneys, producing up to 250,000 barrels of crude oil a day and serving 80% of the national demand for fuel.

For decades, this refinery, which is operated by the majority state-owned company Ecopetrol, has also been accused of releasing oil and toxic waste into nearby rivers and wetlands, and of causing leaks that pollute the regions fishing grounds.

Yet again, hundreds of fish, snakes, birds, turtles and caimans have died overnight. If we cant fish, we cant eat Luis Carlos Lambrano

Environmental authorities and residents say the impact has been catastrophic: fish populations have crashed, water quality has deteriorated and numbers of manatees  once regarded as a guardian spirit of the wetlands  are now thought to be on the brink of collapse.

A report published last year by the Environmental Investigation Agency, a campaign group, and Earthworks, a US organisation that focuses on the harmful effects of the mineral and energy industries, identified more than 800 records of major environmental damage caused by Ecopetrol, with most occurring from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s.

The report, based on a trove of leaked files known as the Iguana Papers, also described a web of deceit and cover-ups allegedly used to conceal the incidents, noting that a fifth were not reported to Colombian authorities.

A BBC investigation last year also found Ecopetrol has spilt oil hundreds of times since then.

Ecopetrol rejected claims that it has polluted local water sources, insisting it fully complies with Colombian law. But by the end of last year, huge swaths of the territory were still contaminated by a pipeline fracture, with an oily sheen coating the water and the air pungent with petrol.

Its become normal to find dead animals, dead caimans, dead fish  [fish] taste like oil Ronaldo Martinez

Ecopetrol says its subsidiary is working to contain and remediate Octobers leak, maintains that its operations comply with environmental regulations and have not harmed water quality, and highlights investments to cut discharges and protect wildlife.

The company also rejected the allegations contained in the Iguana Papers, insisting that incidents were duly reported, the data was misinterpreted and most historical contamination sites had already been restored.

Yet for riverside communities, which depend almost entirely on fishing for their livelihoods, the impact is clear. Yet again, hundreds of fish, snakes, birds, turtles and caimans have died overnight, says Luis Carlos Lambrano, 56, who has been fishing in these waters for 37 years.

If we cant fish, we cant eat, he says. I feel utter sadness.

Ronaldo Martinez, 68, who farms water buffalo, says the contamination has become impossible to ignore.

The buffalo drink the water, get poisoned and die, he says. Weve had about 30 buffalo die on us this way in the last five years.

Martinez says that coming across a dead animal was unusual in the past. It happened sometimes, but it wasnt very common, he says. But lately, its become normal to find dead animals, dead caimans, dead fish. He adds that when the fish are cut open during oil spills and suspected dumps, they taste like oil.

He says the responsibility lies with Ecopetrol. [It] is our largest company, he says. They should have a way of managing their pools. Their oxidation ponds should be working.

Compounding the crisis is the expansion of illegal armed groups that seek to rule the waterways. So-called gasoline gangs have moved into the area, which is considered a strategic corridor for moving illegal goods, hacking into the oil pipelines that crisscross through the waterways to steal and sell the fuel illicitly.

Every single day they steal the gasoline, says Velasquez, who, along with her colleagues, monitors biodiversity in the area. They collect it in these massive plastic bags  when they break, which has happened at least twice, it spills into all of the water.

The presence of armed groups has also made fishing perilous. Local activists say they have faced countless threats, intimidation campaigns and assassination attempts. Drones are used by armed groups to monitor and shadow fishing boats until they retreat.

You dont mess with the armed groups. If you dont listen, they kill you Yuly Velasquez

Velasquez is one of the campaigners at risk. She says she has suffered repeated attacks on her home, three assassination attempts  one in which her bodyguard was shot  and many threats to her family for speaking up against the contamination and the armed groups.

The threats are taken very seriously as Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries worldwide for land and environmental defenders, according to Global Witness, accounting for a third of all documented lethal attacks.

It has been devastating, Velasquez says. After another fishing leader, Luis Arango, was assassinated in 2012, she says it took a long time for people to raise their voices again.

Lambrano describes an incident in February when he was intercepted by gang members and chased off the water. They fired shots in the air, then followed me, shining their torch on me, until I left, he says.

Eni Salazar, who has fished these waters since she was seven, also has countless stories of being threatened for merely fishing. Armed men have twice intercepted her in the wetlands.

In one case, they seized her boat engine and threatened to kill her. In another, they opened fire during the fishing communitys s environmental monitoring activities, with bullets hitting an engine.

They said to me: We know who you are, we know your face, so if we ever see you here again, well kill you, the 66-year-old says.

Amnesty International has reported a permanent atmosphere of harassment for fishing families in Barrancabermeja, recording extortion attempts, direct threats and people repeatedly forced to leave the area.

Fishing families have felt the pressure from the armed groups for a long time, but in the last few years their presence has expanded, says Alejandro Jimenez Ospina, a researcher on the Americas for Amnesty International.

Oil smugglers, armed groups  everyone wants the water, he says. Whoever controls the water controls Barrancabermeja.

Related: They survived conquistadors and settlers. Now the Arhuaco are facing an even greater threat

Such intimidation forcibly displaced 26 fishing families in February 2025. You dont mess with the armed groups. If you dont listen, they will kill you, says Velasquez. She estimates that about 100 of her colleagues have stopped fishing.

But for Velasquez, waiting for action is no longer an option. Every day we see places where wildlife used to live disappear, she says. We cant wait for someone else to come and take care of it for us.

What the community wants is simple, Velasquez says. We want to be left alone to live in peace, she says, and to truly be able to enjoy our marsh, our river, day and night, without limits or restrictions telling us what time we can enter or what time we can leave, or where we can and cant be.
Several thousand people march for democracy and to demand ICE leave in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 16 February. Photograph: Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (Photograph: Jerome Gilles/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

From thousands of miles away in San Antonio, Ashley Fairbanks watched the news pour out of her home town of Minneapolis federal immigration authorities flooding the streets and regular people stepping up to defend and care for their communities. She knew she had to do something. So the 39-year-old writer, artist and digital strategist started a Google Doc.

Soon, the list of resources for residents grew so long it became unwieldy, and Fairbanks, who builds websites for a living, launched Stand With Minnesota.

Immediately, she said, People were really eager to help.

Since its launch, the site has received over 2.4 million hits and helped raise almost $20m for affected Minnesotans, she said.

The site has also been used to coordinate flights  through donated frequent flyer miles  for people returning to Minneapolis after being released from detention in Texas. (Fairbanks lives about 40 minutes from Dilley detention center, where five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was transported with his father from Minneapolis.)

Now, as national attention has shifted away from Minneapolis, Stand With Minnesota is focused on covering families rent. Donations are being matched by a Minnesota grant-making foundation so residents who have been sheltering in place and have been unable to work during the ICE siege can afford to stay in their homes. The site also hosts a giving directory with more opportunities for mutual aid  helping residents with laundry needs, grocery drop-offs and even tow services for those whose cars were abandoned after ICE interactions.

Its been incredible to get to see all of the generosity and how people are eager to give, especially with the mutual aid efforts, Fairbanks, who wants to help people in other cities set up their own online mutual aid hubs. The most helpful part of all of this, to me, is actually seeing people just be like, Oh, I dont have to just give to a non-profit. I can give to my neighbor.

Fairbanks spoke to the Guardian about Minneapoliss history of community-building, launching an online support network and how others can do it, too.

How did Stand With Minnesota come to be, and what have you heard about its impact?

People are kind of shocked when they find out that its not an organization  its just me.

It all came about organically because I have a decent size following on Bluesky. Without that, none of this would be possible. My Bluesky alone probably paid 25 peoples rent this month, if not more.

For weeks, I had not had a lot of answers for people. I had answers for people who wanted to help, but people who needed help  there wasnt anything that was set up fast enough to meet all their needs.

[As one example,] a lady emailed me and was like: I have 500,000 SkyMiles. Can you fly anyone home from Texas? It was such a simple thing, where I could connect a person who needs to fly directly with a donor, and within a few minutes, they could have a flight home.

It hasnt just been flights from detention; we reunited some families, too. I cant think of a more rewarding thing you could do. One girl [who reached out], her mom was abducted by ICE, and she had siblings who were under 18. [Her mom] didnt have the resources to fly home immediately. We were able to connect her with a donor who literally got her on a flight the next day.

Whats happening in Minneapolis that you think people are missing, with media coverage shifting away?

The need I keep talking about over and over again is rent. Right now, there are zero shelter beds available for families that might become homeless in Minnesota. And also, if you have a mixed-status family [meaning some members are undocumented and some are US citizens], you arent eligible for a lot of programs.

Everything else, we can rebuild. Theres other assistance. But with rent, no ones coming to save them. The state doesnt have the money to pay off everyones rent. Its an estimated [over] $20m need. Its really terrifying to think about what will happen when a lot of families who are still sheltering in place are forced to pay their rent next month.

Do you think Minneapoliss mutual aid infrastructure is unique?

There have been incredible things done in Los Angeles and Chicago. Chicago has actually been really open in sharing all the lessons they learned with organizers in Minneapolis, which made everything a lot easier for us. But Minneapolis does have an incredible history of organizing going back to the truck strikes of 1934 and co-op movements [of the 20th century].

I grew up on the West Bank of Minneapolis, which is now where much of the Somali community is, but used to be a super hippie community, and so the places around me were mostly anarchist-owned co-ops. Its not the neighborhood that most American children grow up in. We have a different idea of whats possible, because we have a city that kind of works a little differently and has a history of collectivism and taking care of each other.

I think also because of what happened in 2020 [with George Floyds police murder setting off protests around the world], and even before that, with Jamar Clark and Philando Castile [who were shot and killed by police in 2015 and 2016], were reflexive organizers. Its easy for us to get together and figure out how were going to approach something.

But this has been totally different. Back then, people were putting a lawn sign in their yard that said Black Lives Matter. Now people are driving an immigrant person to work every day.

Do you think this work is replicable?

Were building a helper reflex where, instead of encountering a problem and saying that we cant do anything, were just trying to do it. Anyone could start with something like this, by collecting together where they see people asking for help in their community. Linktree is a really nice, accessible way for someone to create a basic version of this.

A thing that Ive offered to people in other states and cities is, if you want me to duplicate the website, you can just strip my data out of it and put yours into it and change the name on the page.

Every time I get an email from someone saying, I want to do this, Im like, hell yeah, lets talk about it. Im working on this website 20 hours a day, and I still try to make time for people to actually get some help from me.

Are people reaching out to do so?

Not as many as I wish! I think a lot of people still feel like this isnt coming for their city, like theres not a reason to organize. Something I try to talk about a lot on Bluesky is that you want to do this before your city has the emergency.

Start talking to your neighbors, start figuring out where the mutual aid funds are in your community. People already need help, so you dont have to wait for ICE to come. You can just do the thing.

What would you say to folks outside of Minneapolis?

Inter-connected, inter-dependent communities are resilient communities. Crisis will come to you. It might be ICE; it might be some other form of fascism. It might be climate disaster. Minneapolis was lucky, because we already had the idea of an infrastructure, we had people who knew how to build groups on Signal and who knew how to do certain things that could give us a little bit of a leg up.

Everyones community needs to know how to do those things and be able to move at that pace when it happens. And the very first step in that is the smallest stuff: meeting your neighbors, having their phone numbers, maybe you have a Signal thread.

Our system tells us the only answer to so many things is the police, or that the only answer is giving to an [established] charity. But really, the answer is actually just helping each other, knowing each other, depending on each other.
A contracted employee at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood has been fired after she was recorded threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement on a group of Latino concertgoers, the venues operator confirmed Tuesday to The Independent.

Footage from the Friday exchange shows a disagreement broke out between a group of attendees and a female staff member. It is unclear from the footage how the argument started.

In the clip, the woman, wearing a blue coat with a face mask pulled down around her chin, argues with a concertgoer as a second employee, dressed in black and described by witnesses as a supervisor, steps in to intervene and explain the situation. During that exchange, the female worker begins recording the interaction on her own phone and says, Dont put words in my mouth, dont put words in my mouth.

At one point, the supervisor asks the employee to step away from the area. She appears to respond, Yeah, before I call ICE, and then walks away.

Those who saw what happened, including the person filming, followed her as she moved on to direct another group out of the venue.

SoFi Stadium fired a third-party employee after she was recorded threatening to call ICE on Latino concertgoers at a Los Bukis concert (Getty Images)

A voice can be heard in the recording telling others, She said shes gonna call ICE.

The recording witness then informs the supervisor of the employees comment. He replies, I cant control that. Ill talk to her about that.

A spokesperson for Hollywood Park, which operates SoFi Stadium, told The Independent that a third-party contractor employed the woman and is no longer working at the complex.

We do not tolerate this type of behavior, the spokesperson said.

The confrontation erupted after Los Bukis second-to-last show of their historic reunion tour (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted representatives for Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium for comment.

No details have been released about whether law enforcement was involved or if any criminal complaints were filed.

Los Bukis closed their reunion tour Friday and Saturday with two final shows at SoFi, capping a historic run that began in 2021 and spanned nearly 40 stadiums worldwide. The band first reunited at the venue after a 25-year hiatus, becoming the first Latin artists to perform there. Their setlist featured hits like Tu Carcel, Quiereme and Yo Te Necesito.

Formed in 1973 in Michoacan, Mexico, Los Bukis became a defining force in Latin music through the 1970s and 1980s, disbanded in 1996, and reunited in 2021 with original members and longtime collaborators. Last year, the group earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which members dedicated to U.S. immigrants, and was celebrated with a mural near SoFi Stadium.
Standard Chartered has revealed surging profits and its boss landing a nearly 13 million pay packet, as it took advantage of global trade uncertainty and a growing pool of affluent customers.

It reported a pre-tax profit of seven billion dollars (5.2 billion) for 2025, up from six billion dollars (4.5 billion) the previous year.

This was helped by income from its wealth division soaring by 24% year on year and its global banking arm being up by 15%.

Standard Chartereds chief executive Bill Winters said that shifts in trade and investment driven by geopolitical changes have worked in our favour during the year.

This was largely because of its presence in Asia, Africa and the Middle East meaning it could help customers navigate change in relation to trade, investment and wealth.

Trade tensions around the world escalated in 2025, with Donald Trumps tariff policy increasing the average tax rate on imports to the worlds largest economy.

The bank said tariffs were a focal point during the year and that uncertainties remain, especially for countries more reliant on exporting such as in South East Asia.

It also pointed to rising demand for its wealth products, with the number of affluent customers growing in its biggest markets and becoming increasingly international.

Some 275,000 new affluent customers joined the bank last year and it gained 52 billion dollars (38.6 billion) of net new money from the cohort.

On the back of the increased profits, Standard Chartered revealed that total pay for top boss Mr Winters rose to 12.7 million last year after he landed 10.5 million in bonuses and share awards.

The bank said it was an excellent year for the chief executive who showed a relentless focus in achieving the banks key targets for 2025.

But the firm said Mr Winters long-term bonus shares for 2025 were awarded in 2023 and will be subject to tests against performance targets in March 2026, adding that last year also saw changes to the remuneration policy that lowered fixed pay and increased the potential for bonuses.

Staff across the bank also shared a 1.86 billion US dollars (1.38 billion) bonus pool for 2025, up 10% on the previous year, according to its annual report.

Mr Winters is also in line for a 7.4 million long-term incentive award next month, worth 490% of his salary, as well as a 2% increase to his fixed pay.

Mr Winters said: 2025 was another year of strong momentum.

We are seeing robust growth in our larger markets and structural shifts in global trade and investment play to our distinctive strengths serving our clients cross-border and affluent banking needs.

The bank also announced a new 1.5 billion dollar (1.1 billion) share buyback programme.
Roberta Metsola insists the EU is changing - Daina le Lardic

Britain and the EU must go even further than the Brexit reset to build closer relations, the president of the European Parliament has said.

Writing for The Telegraph, Roberta Metsola called for British common sense as she urged deeper economic, energy and defence ties.

Evoking the spirit of Margaret Thatcher, Ms Metsola argued for a stronger and more pragmatic relationship ahead of a visit to London.

Margaret Thatcher believed sovereign nations should work together when it suited their interests. Co-operation, in that sense, was not weakness but leverage, she wrote before talks with Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister used a speech at the Munich Security Conference in January to call for closer alignment with the EUs single market and deeper security co-operation with the bloc.

Sir Keir Starmer in Munich on Feb 14 where he call for closer alignment with the EUs single market - Stefan Rousseau/PA

Sir Keirs reset with the EU, launched in May 2025, included a defence pact and a fishing agreement granting the bloc access to British waters for 12 years.

However, negotiations over British membership of an EU loans-for-weapons scheme collapsed in 2025 amid disagreements over the multibillion-euro fee, and there remain disagreements over tuition fees, a cap on numbers in a new youth mobility scheme and alignment on plant and animal health rules.

A final deal is hoped for by the summer when a major UK-EU summit is planned in Brussels.

The European Parliament president stopped short of calling on the UK to rejoin the EU but hopes the summer summit will break fresh ground for more co-operation in areas of mutual benefit.

We are cutting red tape

Ms Metsola insisted the EU was changing in her plea for a closer partnership in a possible rebuke to Brexiteer claims the blocs economic growth is stagnant

We are cutting red tape, scrapping rules that weigh on small firms and making the single market work better for those who create jobs, she said

She added: Growth depends on enterprise and innovation, not on excessive paperwork. That is a view Britain has long held.

She said aligning with the EUs carbon market, a key part of the blocs net zero strategy, would help lower the cost of living.

Ms Metsolas intervention risks angering Brexiteers. They fear the Prime Minister is plotting to reverse Brexit, despite his reset red lines of no return to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement

The EU is desperate to get the UK back in. Ms Metsola has let the cat out of the bag in this opinion piece, said former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan-Smith

Starmer is trying to slide the UK back into the EU, agreement by agreement, its a conspiracy, he added, Starmer has always been a believer in the EU But he wants to re-enter without a referendum. The EU wants to help him do it.

Ms Metsola wrote that it was time to move beyond Brexit after a decade  that has given us the time and space to recognise that the future must rest on stronger links.

Nearly 10 years on from the referendum, our focus should be on what works. The EU remains the UKs largest trading partner. The UK remains one of Europes leading security powers. Geography has not changed, even if politics has, she said.

The world we face is more competitive and less predictable. In such a world, neighbours who share values and interests do better when they act together. This is not about reopening old debates. It is about dealing with the world as we find it.

The EU chief hailed the deal for the UK to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme and urged London and Brussels to get a controversial deal on youth mobility done.

This is an investment in our future. And that is why we should go even further, the centre-Right politician from Malta said.

In a world that often feels on fire, a stronger and more pragmatic relationship is in everyones interest.

Ukraine is still standing because Europe and the UK acted as one in supporting Kyiv, she said, working together on military and financial support and sanctions on Moscow. British and European joint security against Russian aggression was indivisible, she added.

Jobs and opportunity

Cyber threats do not stop at Dover. Satellites do not recognise customs checks. Aggression in Europe concerns all of us. But this partnership is not only about security.

It is also about jobs, growth and opportunity. About the links our young people share and the trading relationship of our industries.

Ms Metsola was guest of honour at Speakers House on Tuesday night before meeting Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons, at Speakers House and MPs on Wednesday.

She will meet the Prime Minister and David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, before attending Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons at noon, a first for a president of the European Parliament, and giving a keynote speech at Chatham House.

Labour will ramp up its efforts to build closer ties with Europe this week after Donald Trump unleashed fresh tariff chaos.

Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, will meet senior EU officials to make the case for Britain and Europe to stand united days after the US president unveiled sweeping new levies on global trading partners.

The European Commission is the EU institution in charge of post-Brexit negotiations, under instructions from the blocs prime ministers and presidents, who sit in the European Council.

The European Parliament and its 720 MEPs are co-legislators on EU law, which they can vote on and amend, and ratified the Brexit trade deal.

Ms Metsola, 47, has been European Parliament president since 2022.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to to publish all the files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors 2001 appointment as trade envoy.

Downing Street insisted that publishing certain documents could jeopardise the police investigation into the disgraced former prince.

While the Government has agreed to publish much of the documentation, certain files are being withheld for fear they could prejudice potential criminal proceedings.

Westminster is braced for the release next week of the first tranche of documents relating to Sir Keirs appointment of Lord Mandelson to the role of British ambassador to the US and the peers time in Washington.

The Government has promised that the independent intelligence and security committee (ISC) will decide what needs to be redacted before files are released.

However, the Telegraph has learnt that ministers will have the ultimate say over what the public sees if there is a disagreement with the ISC over what information should be blacked out.

Documents could show the extent of the role played by Lord Mandelson in appointing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as EU trade envoy - Yves Logghe/AP

A former senior civil servant familiar with the committees work said the release plan was not, in any meaningful sense, an independent process.

The revelation will prompt fresh criticism from MPs that Labour is trying to limit the damage by the release of thousands of documents detailing the inner workings of government dating back 25 years.

The former Duke of York was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released after questioning.

On Tuesday, Thames Valley Police said it had ended searches at his former home at Royal Lodge. Officers completed searches at Wood Farm, his current home in Norfolk, on the day of his arrest.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.

On Monday, Lord Mandelson was arrested on suspicion of committing the same offence, and was released in the early hours of Tuesday.

On the same day the Liberal Democrats led a humble address motion in the Commons demanding all documents relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsors appointment as trade envoy be released.

The motion was supported by the Conservatives and Reform UK, and was not contested by the Government.

However Sir Chris Bryant, the trade minister, said while the Government would publish much of the documentation, some would be held back at it could interfere with the integrity of the police investigation.

Police are assessing claims that emerged in the Jeffrey Epstein files that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor sent sensitive government emails to the paedophile while he was trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

Sir Chris said said: Now these proceedings are under way, it would be wrong of me to say anything that might prejudice them. Nor will the Government be able to put into the public domain anything that is required by the police for them to conduct their enquiries unless and until the police are satisfied.

Sir Chris added that collating all documents relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor would take time because they dated back to a role he held 25 years ago and many might only exist in hard copy.

But the trade minister condemned Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as someone on a constant self-aggrandising, self-enriching hustle. He described the former royal as a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, promised to fight any needless delay in the release of key files.

Opening the debate, Sir Ed said the appalling crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates have rightly stunned the whole world. He said MPs sought transparency, truth and accountability for the victims.

Sir Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, broke with a long-standing parliamentary convention not to criticise the Royal family

He also welcomed Speaker Lindsay Hoyles decision to allow MPs to criticise the former royal. By convention, MPs do not criticise members of the Royal family. Sir Ed said this had prevented proper scrutiny of Mr Mountbatten-Windsors role.

He said: For too long, Members of Parliament were barred from even raising criticisms of him, let alone properly scrutinising his role as trade envoy, because of the outdated tradition that any mentions of any member of the Royal family, in this House must, in the words of the previous speaker, be very rare, very sparing and very respectful.

It also emerged on Tuesday that other files concerning the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador may only be released after Sir Keir leaves office.

Downing Street confirmed that some documents will be released in March, after Thursdays crucial by-election in Gorton and Denton, but some emails could be held back until any police investigation or possible criminal trial concludes. That could stretch beyond 2029, when the next election takes place.

Lord Beamish, the ISC chairman, previously said there would be maximum transparency in the committees release of the Lord Mandelson files.

But The Telegraph understands that if the committee disagrees with a redaction proposed by the Cabinet Office and the dispute cannot be resolved, the ISC can only refer the Government to another parliamentary committee in an attempt to force the information to be released.

The committee, which was established to scrutinise the intelligence services, has previously complained about its lack of independence from the Government because it relies on legal and secretarial assistance from civil servants.

Its members wrote to ministers in 2025 to complain about the control exerted over the committees staff and resourcing by the Cabinet Office, which it said should self-evidently, should not be the case.

It warned: An oversight body should not sit within, and be beholden to, an organisation which it oversees.

The former senior civil servant familiar who said the redaction plan was not, in any meaningful sense, an independent process told The Telegraph: The Government will decide what is redacted and the ISC, which has complained for years about the interference of the Cabinet Office in its work, will be in practice reliant on seconded civil servants who ultimately answer to the Cabinet Secretary.

If large sections are redacted or tightly controlled, critics will argue that the system has protected itself. Without visible transparency, this risks being seen as a highly managed exercise in institutional and political self preservation.

Alex Burghart, shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: The intelligence and security committee has been entrusted by Parliament to prevent a government cover-up.

Clearly the committee must be independently resourced and given its own lawyers. But the Government keeps refusing to do this. It looks very much like they have something to hide.

The Telegraph previously revealed how Lord Mandelson helped Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to secure the job of trade envoy against the wishes of the King.

Sir Ed had backed Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy while he was a business minister in 2011, saying at the time he was doing an excellent job and was a real asset in supporting British businesses.

On Tuesday he renounced his support, telling MPs he was horrified by his past praise. He said: I cant imagine what it must have been like for the survivors and their families to hear Andrew praised like that. So I apologise to them, and I am determined to change things.
US TV news anchor Savannah Guthrie has announced a $1million reward for information that leads to the recovery of her missing mother Nancy.

NBC Today show co-host Guthrie said on Instagram on Tuesday that "someone knows how to find our mom and bring her home"

Fighting back tears, she said in an Instagram video that her family are "aching" for her mother, who is suspected to have been abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona.

The 84-year-old went missing more than three weeks ago after she failed to appear at church on 1 February.

She was last seen at her home on the evening of 31 January.

The TV presenter said in the video: "Please keep praying without ceasing. We still believe. We still believe in a miracle.

"We still believe that she can come home, hope against hope, as my sister says. We are blowing on the embers of hope.

"We also know that she may be lost. She may already be gone."

Savannah Guthrie with her her mother Nancy (savannahguthrie via Instagram)

She continued: "Please, if you hear this message, if you've been waiting and you haven't been sure, let this be your sign to please come forward.

"Tell what you know, and help us bring our beloved mom home, so that we can either celebrate a glorious, miraculous homecoming or celebrate the beautiful, brave and courageous and noble life that she has lived."

The Instagram post says that the family offers its reward on terms consistent with FBI criteria for payment of its reward in this case.

The FBI is separately offering a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to Ms Guthrie or to an arrest.

Guthrie said her family would also donate $500,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The Pima County Sheriff's Office has said they believe Nancy was "taken from the home against her will, possibly in the middle of the night and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction".

The family has made several public pleas for her safe return, and asked for proof that she is alive. But so far, the disappearance remains unsolved.

Authorities released images of the prime suspect - a man captured on Nancys Nest doorbell camera on the night before she was reported missing.

The suspect captured in Nancy Guthries Nest doorbell camera (Pima County Sheriff's Department)

No DNA matches were found on a glove similar to the suspects found discarded in a nearby field.

Investigators have ruled out all members of the Guthrie family as possible suspects, with Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos previously saying that to "suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel".
Texas county shelves plan to rename road after Charlie Kirk after more than 100 residents express outrage

County officials in Texas are backtracking on a proposal to rename a road to honor conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed last year during a college event in Utah.

Bastrop County officials were going to designate a portion of FM 969 the "Charlie Kirk Corridor," but a fiery response from locals forced them to back down, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

While such a renaming might have been welcome in some parts of the state, the section of road officials wanted to rename is only 30 minutes from Austin, one of the Lone Star State's largest Democratic enclaves.

Bastrop County Commissioner David Glass claimed that Kirks activism emphasized civic participation, free speech, and political engagement among youth, building a national network of student activists and influencing political discourse on college campuses and beyond.

But Kirk also remains a controversial figure, known just as much in liberal circles for his inflammatory comments as he is for his organizing among conservatives.

A plan to rename a section of road near Austin, Texas by the Bastrop Couty Commissioners office to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk was rescinded after it was met by fierce local opposition (Getty Images)

Kirk's reputation among non-conservatives inspired more than 100 locals to protest the proposed road renaming during a county commissioners meeting on Monday.

The pushback wasn't all in public, either. Glass told the Austin American-Statesman that his email inbox was inundated with angry messages opposing the plan.

He told the paper he was going to have more conversations with constituents before proceeding and later announced he was scrapping the plan entirely.

Not all of us are going to agree, but we can agree to disagree, Glass said. I absolutely dont agree with everything Charlie Kirk said."

During the meeting, some of the angry constituents simply held small signs bearing the word "NO," while others gave impassioned arguments against the road renaming, some of which were met with applause, according to the paper.

Dock Jackson, a Democratic candidate for county judge, told the paper he opposed the renaming because Kirk has no connection to the area.

Charlie Kirk, to my knowledge, has no relatives or connection to Bastrop County. I do not feel the court should pass a resolution endorsing this street name change," he told the paper.

Kirk was born and raised outside of Chicago and later lived in Florida and Arizona but did not have any residences in or around Austin.

Ruth Todd, a Democrat running for the county's Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, argued that Kirk was a divider of people, not a unifier, and thus would be inappropriate as the namesake for a public road.

Charlie Kirk was one of the most polarizing figures in politics, Todd said. Naming a road in his honor does not unite the community... it sends a message to a significant portion of our community that their comfort in their home county does not matter.

Even though Kirk won't have a road named after him near Austin, he'll still get his own memorial highway elsewhere in Texas.

On Saturday, Hood County commissioners announced they were designating a two-mile section of Williamson Road near Granbury as the "Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway." Signage will mark the roadway, though it will retain its Williamson Road designation for mapping and addresses.

The Hood County commissioners issued a statement proclaiming Kirk a "steadfast voice for moral clarity and truth in public discourse," according to KERA News.

A similar renaming has also been approved in Arizona.

That state's Republican-controlled Senate approved SB 1010 on Wednesday, designating the Phoenix-area Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Loop 202. Signs will be installed to reflect the change.

Designating Loop 202 ensures his contribution to civic engagement and public participation wont be forgotten. Let this name stand as a daily reminder of the importance of promoting American ideals, state Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican from Gilbert who sponsored the bill, said in an email to AZ Family.
Transaction strengthens global platform and accelerates regional delivery across rapidly expanding Asia Pacific markets

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MIRATECH, a global authority in emissions and acoustic control solutions for stationary engines, announces the successful completion of its previously announced acquisition of Exhaust Control Industries (ECI). With the transaction now closed, MIRATECH establishes a fully integrated operating presence in the Asia Pacific region, strengthening its ability to serve customers locally while applying global engineering, manufacturing, and application standards.

This acquisition moves beyond geographic expansion. It creates a scaled, on-the-ground platform designed to meet rising demand for compliant, reliable power solutions across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and adjacent markets where infrastructure growth, data centers, and energy transition pressures are accelerating.

"Closing this acquisition is about execution," said David Zenthoefer, CEO of MIRATECH. "ECI brings proven regional expertise, strong customer relationships, and deep technical capability. When combined with MIRATECH's global engineering, supply chain, and project delivery model, we are better positioned to help customers solve complex emissions and noise challenges, faster and closer to where they operate."

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Melbourne, ECI has built a strong reputation for designing and manufacturing high-performance exhaust systems, catalytic converters, silencers, and turnkey solutions across power generation, industrial, marine, and critical infrastructure markets. As part of MIRATECH, ECI will continue operating under its existing leadership team, maintaining local relationships and responsiveness while gaining access to expanded resources, technologies, and global best practices.

Key benefits of the completed acquisition include:

Local execution with global backing

Customers in Asia Pacific now have direct access to localized engineering, manufacturing, and service support, reinforced by MIRATECH's global production scale.





Customers in Asia Pacific now have direct access to localized engineering, manufacturing, and service support, reinforced by MIRATECH's global production scale. Expanded solution capability

The combined portfolio strengthens MIRATECH's ability to deliver integrated emissions and acoustics solutions across tightening regulatory environments and increasingly complex project requirements.





The combined portfolio strengthens MIRATECH's ability to deliver integrated emissions and acoustics solutions across tightening regulatory environments and increasingly complex project requirements. Faster delivery and increased resilience

Regional manufacturing and supply chain integration improve lead times, flexibility, and reliability for customers operating in mission-critical applications.





Regional manufacturing and supply chain integration improve lead times, flexibility, and reliability for customers operating in mission-critical applications. A platform for sustained growth

The acquisition creates a foundation to support long-term, dynamic growth in our core Asia Pacific markets while maintaining consistent quality, safety, and performance standards worldwide.

"We're proud to officially be part of MIRATECH," said Dean Marchiandi, Managing Director of ECI. "Our customers value practical engineering, quality execution, and trust. With MIRATECH's scale and global expertise behind us, we can bring more capability to the region without losing the local focus that has defined ECI for decades."

With the acquisition of ECI now officially complete, MIRATECH continues to advance its strategy of pairing regional expertise with global scale. The result is a stronger, more agile organization built to support customers wherever power is generated and compliance matters.

About MIRATECH

Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, MIRATECH delivers emissions and acoustic control solutions for stationary natural gas and diesel engines used in power generation, oil and gas, data centers, and industrial markets. With operations across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, MIRATECH combines engineering expertise, innovative technology, and global reach to help customers meet the world's toughest air quality regulations.

About Exhaust Control Industries (ECI)

Founded in 1982, Exhaust Control Industries is an Australian-based manufacturer and engineering firm specializing in industrial exhaust systems, emissions control, and noise reduction solutions. ECI serves customers across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia in power generation, data centers, marine, healthcare, commercial construction, and industrial markets.

For media inquiries:

Jared Stone

Global Director of Marketing, MIRATECH

[email protected]

SOURCE MIRATECH
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the girls camp should have paused 2026 operations, but is accepting applications and may seek license renewal when its current license expires March 6 (Getty Images)

A Texas official has urged the Department of State Health Services to pause Camp Mystics license renewal until a full investigation into last years deadly flash flood that claimed the lives of 25 campers is carried out.

In a letter to DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the private, non-denominational Christian girls camp should have voluntarily suspended its 2026 summer operations. However, the camp appears to be accepting applications for the upcoming season and may seek Shufords approval to renew its license, which is set to expire March 6.

Until these deaths are investigated and any necessary corrective actions are taken to ensure this never happens again, a camp license should not be issued to Camp Mystic, Patrick wrote. It would be naive to allow Camp Mystic to return to normal operations before all of the facts are known.

Patricks letter states that 25 girls aged 8 to 10, two teenage counselors and the camps director, Dick Eastland, died in the July flood, which was triggered by a slow-moving thunderstorm over Texas Flash Flood Alley. The devastating flooding claimed more than 100 lives in the region.

He also criticized the camps website for failing to acknowledge the deaths or the ongoing search for one camper, while still listing Eastland as in charge.

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the girls camp should have paused 2026 operations, but is accepting applications and may seek license renewal when its current license expires March 6 (Getty Images)

Patricks letter states that Camp Mystic's website does not address the July 2025 flash floods that killed over two dozen people, nearly all of whom were children (AFP via Getty Images)

Patrick said the Texas Legislature will hold a joint spring hearing on the floods, with the General Investigating Committees in Texas House and Senate meeting to determine if corrective actions are needed. He asked DSHS to delay Camp Mystics license renewal until the investigation and any necessary safety fixes are complete.

"As Lieutenant Governor, public safety is a top priority, and I cannot stay silent on this issue," Patrick said. "DSHS shares the obligation to protect families and campers."

Camp Mystic, however, maintains that its Cypress Lake location, separate from the floodaffected Guadalupe site, meets current state safety standards and should not be denied a license.

There is, consequently, no regulatory basis to deny Camp Mystic Cypress Lake its license Its a separate property that is not adjacent to the Guadalupe River and sustained no significant damage from the historic flood on July 4, camp officials told The Independent in a statement.

The Guadalupe location isnt reopening this summer, but it is located less than two miles from the Cypress Lake location, officials said.

Attorneys Christina Yarnell and Bradley Beckworth, who represent Will and CiCi Steward in their lawsuit against the camps owners after their 8-year-old daughter died in the flooding, say both camp locations are essentially the same.

The only difference is that one is completely ruined by the water damage. And one was on a little bit higher ground, Yarnell said, according to KXAN.

Camp Mystic officials also told The Independent that they reiterate their October 2025 invitation to Patrick and other Texas leaders to visit the campsite, but Patrick has not responded.

We would like to invite you and the members of the Committees to visit Camp Mystic at your convenience, camp officials said last year. Our family will always be available as a resource we believe having each member of the Committee physically tour the Camp location is the best and only way to learn what exactly happened.

The Texas Legislature will hold a joint spring hearing to assess whether flood-related corrective actions at Camp Mystic are needed to continue operations (AFP via Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the DSHS and the Campaign for Camp Safety

Patricks appeal comes on the same day that the families of nine victims filed a federal lawsuit against DSHS, alleging the agency wrongfully issued a license to the camp shortly before the disaster, even though it lacked a required evacuation plan. The suit names six DSHS officials, including Shuford, as defendants.

Mikal Watts, a lawyer for Camp Mystic, told the New York Times that the suit against the agency was without merit and timed to apply pressure before licenses are set to be handed out.

In November, families of six children and two counselors killed in the flood sued the camps owners and others for alleged negligence, claiming staff prioritized saving equipment rather than the girls.
A British tourist left stranded in a Mexican village as violence swept across the country has described a frightening journey past blocked roads and burnt out cars in a bid to find his way to safety.

Andy Martin, 33, from London was staying in a cabin in El Estuche, just outside of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco when Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho was killed in a security operation to arrest him.

The death of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel sparked a wave of retaliatory violence across the nation, with roads in 20 Mexican states blocked by burning cars, sending plumes of smoke into the air.

Residents in Guadalajara, Mexicos second-largest city and Jaliscos capital, were forced to shelter indoors, while schools in several states cancelled classes on Monday.

Mr Martin had been staying with his friend from Guadalajara and had been taking a break in the cabin for the weekend, which was around two hours drive away. They had enjoyed a relaxing evening with a barbecue, but then on Sunday morning all they could hear was army helicopters.

Unable to travel safely, he decided to stay an extra night.

Andy Martin, 33, (left) from London was staying in a cabin in El Estuche, just outside of Tapalpa in the western state of Jalisco with his friend Miguel Rivas del Toro (right) (Andy Martin)

Mr Martin navigated blocked roads and burnt out cars to find his way back to Guadalajara (Andy Martin)

It was super quiet in the whole area around Tapalpa, and we just spent the day in this beautiful cabin, there wasn't really much else you could do, he told the Independent. When it got dark, it suddenly got a bit scary because we were in the middle of nowhere. Apart from the helicopters it was strangely calm.

The wave of violent attacks were launched by the CJNG on Sunday. The operation to capture El Mencho and the violence which followed killed more than 70 people, the BBC reported.

Puerto Vallarta, a beach resort on Mexico's Pacific coast, was one town to be anichit by the blockades. During the unrest 23 prisoners escaped after armed men rammed one of the prison gates with a car.

After staying an extra night in the cabin, Mr Martin journeyed into nearby Los Espinos to find out where it would be safe to travel to. Roads were closed and shops were already running low on food with no eggs or cheese.

We didnt know what roads were blocked or set on fire, he explained and described a controlled panic and anxiety among other people staying in the cabins who had all been caught off guard by the unrest.

The roads became jammed with traffic as they tried to leave the area and passers by warned of closed roads ahead, fallen trees, burnt out buses. (Andy Martin)

He grouped together with others staying in the area and left Los Espinos at 1.30pm for Guadalajara as a mini convoy leaving his belongings behind and only carrying a bag containing his passport and a phone charger.

I said to my friend what is the worst case scenario, they take the car and we have to find another way. So we just packed a little rucksack each with a passport and a phone charger. If the worst happens we just need to get out of the car and you grab that, Mr Martin said.

I didnt hear a single car pass the cabin but then from midday everybody was leaving, he added.

The roads became jammed with traffic and passers by warned them of closed roads ahead, fallen trees, burnt out buses.

Coming into Guadalajara there were still bits of the road on fire. There was the army in lots of places still just clearing up, he recalled.

He added that his friend felt so much better when they headed out of Los Espinos and got to that first blockade that had been cleared and saw the army.
Trump says Greenland needs hospital ship to take care of the sick. Heres the truth

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would deploy a hospital ship to Greenland, alleging many people there are sick and not receiving care, even though both of the U.S. Navys hospital ships are undergoing maintenance at a shipyard in Alabama.

The announcement prompted a defense of Greenlands health care system from its prime minister in the latest point of friction with Trump, who has frequently talked about seizing Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Here is a closer look at the facts:

Trump claims there is widespread illness

Referring to his special envoy to the Arctic territory, Trump said, Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.

THE FACTS:

There have been no reports of major illnesses in Greenland lately, and it was not clear which sickness Trump was referring to.

All of Greenland, which has a population of about 57,000 people, is served by the Queen Ingrid Hospital in the capital Nuuk, according to the Danish Medical Journal.

The territory also has several regional health centers.

Most health care services in Greenland are free for citizens and permanent residents. This includes treatment by general practitioners, medical specialists and hospitals, health centers, prescription medicine, public dental care and home nursing care, according to the website of the Nordic Council of Ministers, which is the official body for intergovernmental cooperation in the Nordic Region.

The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort docks in Colon, Panama (AP)

In response to Trumps post, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stressed the regions free health care system and pointed out the differences in a jibe at the U.S. system.

We have a public health care system where treatment is free for citizens. That is a deliberate choice  and a fundamental part of our society, Nielsen said. That is not how it works in the USA, where it costs money to see a doctor.

Despite a free health service, there are major public health challenges on the vast island, according to the Center for Public Health in Greenland.

Many of those challenges are related to undergoing profound changes from a hunting society to a modern industrial and knowledge society within a short period of time. Increasingly, people suffer from illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, during a protest against Trump's policy in January (AP)

Anna Wangenheim, Greenland's minister for health and persons with disabilities, recently posted an urgent request on her Facebook page saying the national health service currently needs dentists for 3 different towns: Aasiaat, Paamiut, and Nanortalik.

Despite difficult access to medical services in remote areas and a shortage of staff, notable improvements have been achieved in Greenland, which only assumed political responsibility for its own healthcare system in 1992, said Lene Seibk, a professor at the Institute of Health and Nature at the University of Greenland.

In 2020, life expectancy in Greenland was approximately 71 years for men and 77 years for women, representing an increase of approximately six years for men and five to six years for women since the 1990s and exceeding the global average, Seibk added.

Trump claims US hospital ship already headed to Greenland

Its on the way!!! Trump wrote in his Truth Social post, saying one of the hospital ships was already headed to Greenland.

THE FACTS:

The USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort are at a shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, according to social media posts from the shipyard showing the pair of white hospital ships alongside each other in late January. Publicly available ship tracking data show both ships are still in the shipyard.

The Comfort arrived at the shipyard in the southern state on Jan. 23 and is expected to remain there through April, according to the government contract for the work.

The USNS Mercy enters the Port of Los Angeles in 2020 (AP)

Repairs to the Mercy, which arrived there in August, have run past their expected completion date. Government contract records show the ship is slated for more repairs in March in a shipyard in the northwest state of Oregon.

Should either ship be rushed out, it would need additional time before being ready to deploy. The standard crew of a U.S. hospital ship does not include the full complement of medical staff needed to man the vast medical facilities, which include 12 operating rooms and 1,000 hospital beds. Normally, the ships would draw doctors, nurses, corpsmen and supplies from hospitals surrounding their home ports of either Norfolk, Virginia, or San Diego before setting sail.

Trump's envoy claims there is a service shortage

Landry, the Louisiana governor serving as Trump's special envoy, echoed the presidents claim Sunday on X that many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted.

Landry added that small settlements are without permanent doctors, diagnostic tools, or specialist care  forcing residents to travel great distances for vital treatments that should be available at home.

THE FACTS:

While medical service is sometimes not physically available in all settlements of the vast territory, telemedicine plays an important role for people living remotely.

Patients in areas without the necessary health care can also be transported to the national hospital or regional facilities. In complex cases, patients can be flown to Denmark for medical treatment with the government paying for transportation and treatment.

Rural Americans, in comparison, have long faced challenges in accessing critical health care, in part due to financial inequities and long travel times. The barriers have worsened in the past decade as more maternity wards close, pharmacies struggle to stay in business and rural hospitals and clinics brace for federal Medicaid cuts.

Since 2010, 152 rural hospitals, many in the southern U.S., have cut inpatient services or closed entirely, according to data from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The expansion of telehealth can ease some inequities, experts say, but it is not a universal solution while many rural areas face provider shortages and unreliable broadband.

Landrys state is no exception. Most of Louisiana's parishes are fully or partially rural and 73 percent of residents live in areas without enough primary care providers, 86% without enough dental providers and 93 percent without sufficient mental health providers, according to the states health department.
Donald Trump said he was imposing a 15% tariff rate after the US supreme court ruled his previous round of levies were illegal. Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images (Photograph: China News Service/Getty Images)

America is WINNING again, Donald Trump declared last week, unveiling the first batch of Japanese-backed projects under a mooted $550bn investment surge into the US as part of his trade pact with Tokyo.

After the US president tore up the global economic order in 2025, Japan was one among the countries scrambling to strike a deal. They pledged to dramatically increase investment in the US in exchange for lower US tariffs on Japanese exports.

But two days after Trumps declared victory, his bid to reshape international trade suffered a damaging defeat at the US supreme court.

Related: Trump illegally used executive power to impose global tariffs, supreme court rules

Ruling that much of Trumps tariff regime was illegal, the court infuriated the president  and introduced fresh layers of confusion and uncertainty into an already confused and uncertain world. Global markets came under pressure on Monday as investors struggled to make sense of the decision.

The upshot, at least for now, is almost every nation  including those that bent over backwards to strike a deal with Trump  will face a 15% tariff on most of its exports to the US from Tuesday.

For months, officials from London, Brussels, Seoul, Jakarta and beyond worked rapidly to hammer out deals for their respective economies, reluctantly offering concessions to secure a preferential place. Now many find themselves in worse positions than if they had not struck deals at all.

China, India and Brazil have been handed significant tariff cuts without making a single compromise. At the same time countries like the UK may now face higher tariffs, despite making concessions.

Under the pre-ruling regime, the spread was wide: countries like China and India faced [US] tariffs far above the global average, while Canada, Mexico, and most European exporters sat well below it, Johannes Fritz, the chief executive at the St Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade, wrote in a blog post. The new 15% rate compresses this spread significantly, he added.

The European Union has paused ratification of its deal with the US, demanding full clarity on a US trade platform which is now as clear as mud.

To be very frank, its a real mess, Itsunori Onodera, a senior figure in the Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichis Liberal Democratic Party, told Fuji Television on Sunday.

Countries that secured deals with Trump are no longer certain what they mean today, let alone tomorrow. And countries in talks to cut deals of their own are left wondering just what, exactly, they are negotiating over.

Earlier this month Trump claimed that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil, in exchange for US tariffs on its exports falling from 50% to 18%. Indian officials also committed to purchasing $500bn in US goods over five years.

A delegation of Indian officials had been due to fly to Washington for trade talks this week. Their visit has now been delayed.

Arvind Subramanian, a former chief economic adviser to Indias government, said: I think these negotiations are going to be on hold for a while, until the US itself figures out what it can, and cannot, do. The administrations hand has been weakened, certainly. Some countries will want to try and get something out of that weakness.

But Subramanian, now at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington DC, said the US president still has so many levers  to inflict pain. The fact one lever has been taken away doesnt mean he cant, or wont, use other levers.

Trump, ever keen to position himself as an economic strongman, is desperate to preserve his leverage  urging bewildered trading partners to maintain their side of deals, and threatening to impose new tariffs in a much more powerful and obnoxious way on those who fail to comply.

Related: Trump threatens obnoxious tariffs as UK and EU seek clarity on trade deals

The policy hasnt changed, Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative, stressed during an appearance on ABCs This Week. But many other things have.

The Trump administration is leaning for now on a legal provision that only allows it to impose tariffs of up to 15%, and only until July. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974  a provision never before used in this way  imposes a 150-day limit on its imposition. After that, the White House has outlined one element of what it is planning: using Section 301 of the same law to launch investigations over more tariffs.

The president is pushing aides to find other legal mechanisms to enforce his tariffs amid growing questions around just how successful they really are.

While his administration claims tariffs enable the US to tax the world, analysis by the New York Federal Reserve found that 90% of the economic burden has fallen on US companies and consumers. And official statistics last week revealed the US goods trade deficit  the gap between what it imports and exports  widened to its highest level on record in December.

All the while, some of Trumps prime targets appear to be navigating the volatility and volume emanating from Washington with some success. Their exports seem stable in some cases, and robust in others.

Overall Chinese exports rose 6.1% last year, at least according to official state data published last month, as a 19.5% drop in exports to the US was more than offset by strong growth elsewhere. Indian exports to the world rose 2.2% on the year between April and January, according to official data released last Monday, as its exports to the US rose 5.85%.

And Japanese exports increased 16.8% in January, according to official data published last Thursday, as a jump in exports to China  despite a diplomatic rift  countered a 5% drop in US exports.

The US is WINNING thanks to tariffs, its president insists. As a growing number of Americans pay the price for Trumps trade agenda, many of the countries in his sights say theyre doing pretty well too.
Donald Trump is considering a possible executive order that would require banks to make sure customers are U.S. citizens to create or keep their accounts, according to a new report.

The proposed action, reported byThe Wall Street Journal, would see banks collect information on individuals citizenship through requests for a new category of documents in order to open the accounts.

The Independent has contacted the White House for confirmation or further information about reports of the executive order, which has reportedly raised eyebrows among some banks in recent days.

Any reporting about potential policymaking that has not been officially announced by the White House is baseless speculation, a White House spokesperson told The Journal.

Imposing such customer verification steps on banks would be a new angle on the Trump administrations heavy-handed crackdown on immigration enforcement, aimed at rooting out people who are currently living in the U.S. illegally.

Donald Trump is considering a possible executive order that would require banks to make sure customers are U.S. citizens to create or keep their accounts, according to a new report (AP)

To open a bank account in the U.S., individuals must provide documentation including passports and social security numbers to guard against financial crime. However banks are currently not required to collect information on citizenship status or share it with the government.

As such, there is currently no restriction on non-citizens over opening U.S. bank accounts.

The administration is also weighing up having the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which covers national anti-money-laundering and counterterrorism financing laws, collect information on citizens, The Journal reports. Those laws require banks to flag large cash transactions or transactions that appear suspicious to FinCEN.

The administration recently used those laws to target a welfare fraud scheme in Minnesota involving dozens of Minnesotans of Somali descent, the Journal reports. That incident led to the moving of hundreds of national guard soldiers to Minneapolis  and ultimately resulted in the death of two protesters in January.

Imposing such customer verification steps on banks would be a new angle on the Trump administrations heavy-handed crackdown on immigration enforcement, aimed at rooting out people who are currently living in the U.S. illegally (AFP/Getty)

That same month, FinCEN issued an order to make banks and money transmitters in two Minnesota counties log information about overseas transactions for more than $3,000. The threshold is currently $10,000, which is already considered too low by some banks
Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was described by sources as a reluctant warrior on Iran - Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

Donald Trumps top general has privately warned against a US attack on Iran, arguing that it would carry acute military and strategic risks and could spiral into a prolonged conflict.

Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is said to have cautioned against an offensive in high-level White House meetings with the US president.

He was described by sources as a reluctant warrior on Iran despite being all-in on planning for the previous military action on Venezuela.

Gen Caines warnings were briefed to multiple US media outlets, triggering an angry response from Mr Trump. The president said on social media that the reports were 100% incorrect, although he admitted: General Caine, like all of us, would like not to see War but, if a decision is made on going against Iran at a Military level, it is his opinion that it will be something easily won.

He added: Everything that has been written about a potential war with Iran has been written incorrectly, and purposefully so. I am the one that makes the decision, I would rather have a deal than not but, if we dont make a deal, it will be a very bad day for that country and, very sadly, its people, because they are great and wonderful, and something like this should never have happened to them.

Gen Dan Caines views are highly regarded by the Trump administration - Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Mr Trumps envoys  Jared Kushner, Mr Trumps son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff, his peace envoy  are set to meet Iranian negotiators in Geneva this week in what US officials have cast as a last attempt to secure a deal to curb Tehrans nuclear ambitions.

The two men have been urging the president to hold off on launching an attack in the hopes that diplomacy will prevail.

The president is already thought to be weighing options ranging from a limited strike on nuclear and missile facilities to a far broader campaign that could seek to destabilise or even topple Irans leadership.

Fears are growing, however, that military action could expose US forces to retaliation and put a strain on already depleted missile stockpiles.

US media reported that there were divisions inside the presidents brain trust  Mr Trumps inner circle of senior officials to shape military and diplomatic options  over the prospect of war and how far to go in confronting Tehran.

Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, had been sitting on the fence in recent meetings, neither pushing aggressively for military action nor resisting it, Axios reported, while JD Vance, the vice-president, had raised concerns about the risks of strikes on Iran.

The Iran hawks encouraging Mr Trump to strike include Lindsay Graham, a Republican senator and ally of the president, and Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister

Anna Kelly, the White House deputy press secretary, said the president listens to a host of opinions on any given issue and decides based on what is best for US national security.

Gen Caine, who oversees military planning, has emphasised the complexity of striking hundreds of dispersed and, in some cases, mobile targets across a country more than three times the size of Iraq.

He has also raised the prospect of significant US casualties and warned that an initial, limited strike could trigger an unpredictable cycle of retaliation.

1402 US Navys deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups

Gen Caines views are highly regarded by the administration because of the successful execution of two other major operations under him: the Midnight Hammer attack on Irans nuclear sites last summer and the January raid to capture Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelas ousted president.

Mr Vance, an isolationist on foreign policy, has voiced concerns in internal discussions about the danger of entanglement in another Middle Eastern war, Axios reported.

While not outright opposing military action, Mr Vance is said to favour exhausting diplomatic channels before any strike is launched.

Concerns about missile stockpiles stem from the reduced supply of advanced missile defence systems, including Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) interceptors and Patriot batteries, drawn down by ongoing commitments to protecting Israel and to bolstering Ukraine against Russian attacks.

US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford docked at Souda Bay in Crete, Feb 24 - Costas METAXAKIS / AFP via Getty Images

Ship-launched Standard Missiles, used by the US Navy to protect carrier groups and regional bases, have also been expended at a high rate in the Red Sea, where American forces have intercepted drones and missiles fired by Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.

Defence analysts warn that production timelines for such complex systems can stretch to two years or more, limiting the Pentagons ability to replenish stocks quickly if a sustained campaign were required.

Despite this, Mr Trump is said to be leaning towards conducting an initial strike in the coming days, designed to signal to Tehrans leaders that it must relinquish the ability to make a nuclear weapon, according to the New York Times.

Targets under consideration include facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, elements of Irans nuclear infrastructure and components of its ballistic missile programme.

On Tuesday, the Israeli media reported that security officials now believe Mr Trump will opt for a limited set of strikes on Iran, rather than regime change.

Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, quoted a senior source saying: Currently, an American attack on Iran appears to be certain. The question is whether it will happen around the State of the Union speech, towards the end of the week or at the beginning of next week.

The question is whether Trump will order a limited operation so as to send a signal to Tehran or whether he will skip that stage and go for toppling regime.

The [Israeli] assessment is that he will go for a limited operation. Israel remains on heightened alert.

Israels political leadership is in favour of a large-scale attack that seeks regime change, a view endorsed by much of the professional security establishment, which believes that, despite the uncertainty in toppling the Ayatollahs, a future Iranian regime could not be any more hostile to the Jewish state than the current one.

Several senior IDF officers have visited Washington in recent weeks to share intelligence on Iranian targets, it has been reported.

There are also reports that Israels ministry of health is preparing for war by planning to discharge large numbers of patients to their homes.

Many of the countrys larger hospitals moved most of their treatment underground during the 12-day war in June last year.

Soroka hospital in the southern city of Beersheba was hit by a ballistic missile, causing many minor injuries but no deaths.

On Tuesday, a helicopter belonging to Irans air force crashed into a fruit market in the central province of Isfahan, killing four people, state media reported.

The pilot, co-pilot and two fruit vendors on the ground were killed, the IRNA news agency said, attributing the crash to a technical malfunction.
Today marks the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine - Genya SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

For obvious reasons, you cannot enter Ukraine by air. Instead, you must drive or take the sleeper train from a small town called Przmysl in Poland across the border to Kyiv. The journey takes about 15 hours.

Ahead of todays fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putins invasion, we opted for the sleeper train. The Polish station is a sombre place that smells strongly of fumes, as if the engines were still powered by coal. The odour even gets into the cabins, which are cramped and stuffy and rattle alarmingly over the rails.

By chance, on the bunk above was another Englishman called Jacob, who was 23. He had a cheery disposition and a shock of curly hair, and as night fell over the snow outside the smeared window, he told us that he was travelling to Lviv to attend a funeral of a schoolfriend. The whole thing was tragic, courageous and pitifully naive.

The friend, a Mancunian whose call sign was Fireman, was in his 20s and had no military background, Jacob explained. He had volunteered to fight and after brief training was sent to the front. Death had come for him within his first 10 days of combat. The funeral was to be conducted without a body, as it had been too dangerous to evacuate it from no-mans-land.

Welcome to Ukraine, where the justness of the cause is so compelling that it has become a honeypot for adventurers, idealists and misfits, all of them crazily brave. Even after four grinding years, 55,000 soldiers and well over 15,000 civilians killed, Kyiv is fighting on. The volunteers fight with them.

A sea of flags and pictures of fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv

In Maidan Square in the capital, there is a sea of flags and pictures of fallen soldiers. Among them are many foreigners. There is a section for Britons: I counted 13 photographs marked by a Union flag, and one name inscribed on a flag, though the true numbers are much higher. Most were in their 30s but one of them, a blonde, sad-faced boy called James Walton, was recorded as aged 18.

It is difficult to describe the horrors they must have faced before they lost their lives. I was travelling with Andrew Fox, a former parachute regiment officer who completed three harrowing tours of Afghanistan. Ukraine made Afghanistan look like policing, he said. This was old-fashioned trench warfare in the debilitating cold against a bestial enemy backed by artillery, air support and drones.

A Union flag among the tributes to the fallen in Maidan Square

Andrew and I co-present a podcast called The Brink, and we recorded an episode from Kyiv. One of our guests was Colonel Ruslan Myroshnychenko, the founder of the Second International Legion in which men from 30 countries have fought.

In his time, the moon-faced and hearty commander, whose call sign is Santa, led hundreds of Britons, Americans, Europeans, Brazilians, Israelis, Georgians, Poles and anti-Putin Russians into the most savage battles in the world.

In 2023, his legion of internationals held a kilometre-long line in the Serebryansky Forest under ferocious assault from the Russians. They defended it for a year, losing many men but inflicting far greater casualties on the enemy.

Why do so many foreigners fight so bravely for Ukraine when even some of those born in the country flee the draft, I asked him? We are all bloody idealists, he said. But arent some of the volunteers just dreamers who dont understand the gravity of the war?

Colonel Myroshnychenko described how he would turn such people away, not wishing to be complicit in suicide. Many of them, however, were so determined to see action that they simply went from unit to unit until they found a commanding officer whose desire for manpower outweighed his concern for their wellbeing.

Jake Wallis Simons and Andrew Fox in the studio in Kyiv, being presented with honorary shoulder insignia patches of the 2nd International Legion by Colonel Ruslan Myroshnychenko

Such are the passions aroused by this war. And understandably: this is not just a struggle for Ukraine, but for the West itself. Aside from Beijing, which is not yet engaged in open warfare against us, the Kremlin has become a focal point for every authoritarian and sadist who would have us subjugated or dead.

The deformed child of 20th-century communism loves Putin. Neo-Nazis love Putin. The Chinese love Putin. The Venezuelan regime, or whats left of it, loves Putin.

The North Koreans fight in his orc army. Even sponsors of jihadists are his bedfellows; on our first night in Ukraine, of the 297 drones and loitering munitions that were launched into the country, about 200 were Shahed drones made by Iran.

In his book The Fourth Political Theory, the nationalist Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, nicknamed Putins Rasputin, lavished praise upon the conservative revolutionist Osama Bin Laden. The terror mastermind offered hope that those values that were gathered into a heap and taken to the junkyard can still arise, Dugin enthused.

Clearly, the overlap between Moscow and jihadism runs more than skin deep. Just as the Western far-Right conjures Putin as an anti-woke strongman rather than the murderous tyrant he is, Dugin absurdly projects onto jihadism a kind of orthodox cultural conservatism.

But what these repulsive groups really have in common is that they all loathe the free West. In recent years, three peoples have found themselves facing this omni-enemy on the civilisational frontlines: the Iranians, the Israelis and the Ukrainians. They know they stand together and they know they stand for us.

Naive or not, the many hundreds of courageous international volunteers know this truth in their guts. Many have died for it. As the fourth anniversary of the invasion dawns, the rest of the West must heed their example and take it to heart. We must wake up and defend the barricade before it is too late.

The Ukraine episode of The Brink podcast, presented by Jake Wallis Simons and Andrew Fox, will be released on Thursday
Four years ago today, Russian troops rolled into Ukraine, launching an invasion that Vladimir Putin thought would be an easy victory.

Ukrainian troops quickly mobilised at the time, vowing to fight back against invading Russia and defend not just their own country, but the broader frontiers and values of Europe.

Fast forward to today, and the brutal war wages on despite the international communitys efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed and devastation.

Earlier this month, peace talks in Geneva abruptly ended without much sign of progress, casting further uncertainty on the prospects for peace in the region.

The price has been high: some two million people are thought to have died since 2022, and countless lives and livelihoods have been shattered.

From a geopolitical standpoint, the fighting has also raised tensions across Europe and the U.S. and tested NATO alliances at a crucial moment for regional defence.

(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

As the world observes the grim milestone of four years of war in Ukraine, we take a look at the figures.

1. Almost 2 million military casualties

Neither Russia nor Ukraine release their military fatality figures, but four years of brutal and grinding war have resulted in a devastating loss of life on all sides.

According to The Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Russia may have suffered some of the heaviest losses since World War II, with around 1.2 million casualties since 2022.

Ukraines military fatalities are thought to be considerably lower, with an estimated 600,000 deaths.

The think tank states: At current rates, combined Russian and Ukrainian casualties could reach 2 million by the spring of 2026.

(REUTERS)

2. At least 6.9 million Ukrainian refugees

Since 2022, a number of countries have shown support for Ukrainians fleeing the war, helping to provide safe passage to other countries.

According to European Union figures, EU countries have provided temporary protection to around 6.9 million people fleeing Ukraine so far.

Some of the highest numbers of Ukrainian refugees are now found in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.

According to the House of Commons, 230,000 Ukrainians had arrived in the UK as of September 2025 under two new asylum routes.

(Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)

3. 3,000 children killed or injured

The human cost of Russias invasion has been devastating for Ukraine.

According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 766 children have been killed in Ukraine since 2022, out of a total of 15,172 civilian fatalities since the war broke out.

One of the most recent incidents saw a Russian overnight strike kill two twin two-year-old boys and their one-year-old sister in Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region. Days earlier, a 10-year-old and an 11-year-old also died in deadly strikes.

Alongside the bombing of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, trains and buses, the UN report says civilians across the country suffered the dire consequences of sustained and systematic attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure.

Russia has been accused of kidnapping Ukrainian children (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)

4. $524 billion to reconstruct Ukraine

In 2025, the United Nations estimated that around $524 billion would be needed over the next decade to reconstruct Ukraine.

Throughout the last four years, pretty much all parts of Ukraine have been impacted by the war in some way, including civilian infrastructure.

Its understood that around 13 per cent of all housing in the country has been damaged or destroyed, alongside 70 per cent of the countrys energy infrastructure.

Whats more, according to the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), the total cost of Russian aggression could be in the realm of $2.4 trillion; however, this likely understates the full scale of economic harm.

It will likely be difficult to gauge the full financial cost of this war, but the impacts will be felt for decades to come.

(AFP via Getty Images)

5. At least 41 countries involved

According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, at least 41 countries have contributed to Ukraines war efforts.

This has mainly been in monetary terms, but has also included providing weapons and equipment, as well as humanitarian aid.

In financial terms, Ukraine received approximately 309 billion euros in aid through August 2025.

The UK, in particular, has helped to deliver hundreds of missiles to Ukraine as well as tanks and long-range precision strike missiles.

According to the UK Parliament, the UK has also trained Ukrainian fast jet pilots,but will not provide combat fighter aircraft.

Its understood that most countries involved are part NATO; there are also a number of non-NATO members who have also contributed to Ukraines war efforts, including Australia and the Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile, a number of countries have also supported Russia, including North Korea and Belarus.

6. At least 139,000km of contaminated land

According to the Landmine and Cluster Munitions Monitor, roughly a quarter of Ukraines territory could be contaminated with unexploded bombs and landmines.

Like many places experiencing war, the risk of being killed by such deadly weapons continues long after fighting ends due to unexploded ordnance.

Although cluster munitions are internationally banned, many organisations say that Russia has used the indisciminate explosives during its campaign in Ukraine.

Landmines are equally as dangerous, often going undetected for years to come after fighting has ended, and jeopardising local communities and access to land.

Alarmingly, neighbouring countries have also recently pulled out of the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines over concerns regarding Russian aggression.

Its estimated that Ukraine may be the most heavily contaminated country on earth.
Utah officials are grappling with how to handle increasing reports of unlicensed staff at nursing homes and long-term care facilities are beginning consensual sexual relationships with residents (PA Wire)

Utah officials are increasingly grappling with how to handle seemingly consensual sexual relationships between elderly adults in long-term care facilities and the unlicensed caregivers who often work in those homes.

In one instance, an 18-year-old high school student working at a nursing home reportedly began having sex with multiple residents and encouraged his friends to apply for jobs at the facilities, according to Fox 13.

The broadcaster noted two other incidents, one involving a nursing assistant who started a sexual relationship with a resident who was more than 50 years older than she was. In another, police found a physical therapy aide attempting to have sex with an 80-year-old woman who had been reported missing.

When police interviewed the assistant and asked him if he genuinely had romantic feelings for the woman, he reportedly said "No. But she wanted me to, and I was willing," according to Kaye Lynn Wootton, director of the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division within the Utah Attorney Generals Office.

She recounted the above incidents to state lawmakers last year while discussing the increasingly common problem.

Utah officials are grappling with how to handle increasing reports of unlicensed staff at nursing homes and long-term care facilities are beginning consensual sexual relationships with residents (PA Wire)

Wootton warned that these relationships, while not necessarily illegal, can create power imbalances between the residents and the people responsible for their care and well-being.

Imagine when that relationship, if there was a real relationship, goes south, she told the lawmakers. Those same people have to bathe them and dress them. And its just inappropriate and puts these people in a very bad position.

Non-consensual contact between staff and patients in long-term care facilities is illegal, and there are also professional conduct rules prohibiting licensed caregivers  such as doctors or nurses  from engaging in even consensual sexual relationships with patients.

Those same prohibitions do not extend to unlicensed staff, such as CNAs, housekeepers, or food service employees.

Utah state Sen. Jennifer Plumb  an emergency room doctor when she's not in the halls of power  sponsored a bill last year to make such relationships illegal. She told Fox 13 that while working on the legislation, she was told stories about individuals who had jumped from one facility to another facility to another facility to another facility" and becoming entangled in relationships in each.

I think this is happening frequently enough we probably need to look at what sort of standard we can set up and what sort of protections we can put in place," she said.

She said she would prefer to address the issue by introducing licensing but said there was "no way as a state that we could do that."

That means there has to be a criminal penalty piece associated with it, she argued. Otherwise, we are not going to be able to track these and we are also not going to be able to disincentivize it.

The Independent has requested comment from Plumb.

Nate Crippes, an attorney with the Disability Law Center, has argued against criminalizing the relationships because such a law would only punish one side of the consensual relationships.

"My colleague uses a wheelchair," Crippes told FOX 13. And if each of us were to engage in sexual conduct with a nurse who was providing us care or something like that, it would be a crime for that nurse if she or he did that with him but not with me. And that really seemed discriminatory to us.

He argued that if the unlicensed staff members who are engaging in these relationships are also regularly being fired from their jobs for doing so, then that suggests the accountability systems in place are working.

If theres a subset of the health care industry  you know, the CNAs or the techs or whatever they are  that are unregulated such that they can go around and engage in activity they shouldnt, get fired, and then just go get another job, I dont think the answer is to criminalize that, he said.
Late afternoon light shines on El Capitan's Horsetail Fall during the annual winter firefall event in Yosemite national park in California on 21 February 2026. Photograph: Tracy Barbutes/Reuters (Photograph: Tracy Barbutes/Reuters)

Heavy snow did not deter visitors from flocking to Yosemite in recent days, in hopes of seeing the parks spectacular natural light show.

Firefall occurs each year in February during sunset when the light hits Horsetail Fall in such a way that, for a brief period, the waterfall appears illuminated by lava. In recent years, the phenomenon has drawn large crowds  and lots of photographers.

This years firefall comes as winter storms covered the park, along with the Sierra Nevada, with snow. The cloudy conditions made firefall, which can only occur with a clear sky, less frequent.

The snow forced officials to briefly shutter the pedestrian route to the viewing area and the park even closed entirely last week amid treacherous weather that rendered roads inaccessible, toppled trees and fueled avalanche conditions.

Since reopening over the weekend, the park has seen a major influx of visitors, causing extended wait times, ABC 30 reported.

The park has said that while firefall viewing will operate normally, visitors should be prepared for freezing temperatures, limited parking and as much as 4ft of snow in viewing areas.
TOKYO and NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MSIG USA and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI Japan), collectively referred to in this release as MSIG, today announced their participation in a new insurance-backed credit facility with the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, designed to expand access to finance in emerging markets.

Under the facility, MSIG supports IFC's efforts to increase lending to banks and financial institutions in emerging markets, enabling greater access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises and other growth-oriented sectors.

This credit insurance policy forms part of IFC's Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP), a platform designed to mobilize private-sector capacity in support of development finance. By transferring a portion of credit risk to the insurance market, the structure enhances IFC's capital efficiency and enables additional lending in markets where access to long-term financing remains constrained.

"At MSIG USA, our Political Risk and Trade Credit expertise is grounded in MS&AD's broader mission to contribute to a more vibrant society," said Daniel Riordan, Head of Political Risk and Trade Credit at MSIG USA. "With A+ Class XV financial strength and experience working seamlessly across regions, we are proud to enable financial resilience and economic development in emerging markets with partners like IFC."

"We are honored to participate in this program through a collaboration with MSIG USA and excited to contribute to the sustainable development of the global environment and society," said Junichiro Mizukami, Managing Executive Officer at MSI Japan.

This $6 billion credit insurance policy is one of the largest credit insurance programs arranged by a multilateral development institution to date and represents IFC's latest execution under the MCPP framework. It will support up to $10 billion in new IFC lending to commercial banks and other institutions. It also marks MSIG's first participation in an IFC MCPP Credit insurance facility, building on MSIG's long-standing global engagement in structured risk transfer solutions. MSIG's global underwriting platform and experience supporting complex, cross-border credit exposures enable close alignment with IFC's due diligence and risk management frameworks.

"This credit insurance facility shows how private insurers can unlock larger investments and enable more lending to small and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets," said Kevin Njiraini, Director of Syndicated Loans and Mobilization at IFC. "We thank MSIG for their partnership in delivering this facility, which mobilizes insurers' underwriting capacity to drive growth and create jobs."

Through this partnership, MSIG supports IFC's mission to promote private-sector development, job creation, and economic resilience across emerging and developing economies.

About MSIG USA

MSIG USA is the marketing term used to refer to MSIG Holdings (U.S.A.), Inc. ("MSIGH"), its insurance subsidiaries, and their managers. MSIGH's insurers are Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company of America, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance USA Inc., and MSIG Specialty Insurance USA Inc. The insurers are managed by Mitsui Sumitomo Marine Management (U.S.A.), Inc. and MSIG Insurance Services, Inc. MSIGH is a subsidiary of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., one of the world's top P&C carriers with a 350-year heritage, A+, Class 15 ratings, and a global reach that spans 40+ countries and regions. MSIG USA brings the financial strength, underwriting expertise, exceptional claims management, global footprint, and innovation necessary to offer commercial insurance solutions that address unique risks businesses face in today's market. Its nationwide network of over 600 professionals enables it to provide responsive and personalized service for its clients. The US-based insurance subsidiaries are admitted in all P&C lines in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Not all insurers do business in all jurisdictions. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued. To learn more, visit www.msigusa.com.

About MSI Japan

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited (MSI Japan) operates under the auspices of MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. Established on October 21, 1918, MSI Japan has a rich history that extends back over 350 years through the legacies of the Mitsui and Sumitomo groups. It is dedicated to providing comprehensive insurance and financial services worldwide, currently operating in 41 countries and regions. MSI Japan 's services span various domains, including domestic non-life insurance, international business, financial services, and digital risk-related services, thereby ensuring that we address the complex risks that businesses face in today's evolving landscape. Financially, MSI Japan asserts a robust standing, with a financial strength rating of A+ from Standard & Poor's and an A1 rating from Moody's. This stability allows us to meet the diverse insurance needs of our clients effectively. To learn more, visit www.ms-ins.com

SOURCE MSIG USA
Students are seeking value for money as they select their preferred university (Alamy/PA) (Alamy/PA)

Students are increasingly prioritising value for money when selecting universities, leading to a significant shift in demand towards institutions with higher entry requirements, according to accommodation provider Unite Group.

The trend also sees a growing number of undergraduates opting to live at home to cut costs.

The company noted that the UKs most prestigious universities are experiencing high demand, while those with lower entry requirements are seeing a decline in acceptances.

A record number of UK 18-year-olds started university in a recent academic year, with a 2 per cent growth in new undergraduates overall.

However, this growth was particularly pronounced at so-called high-tariff universities  those demanding higher qualifications from applicants  where acceptances surged by 7 per cent.

Consumer champion Martin Lewis recently branded the student loan system as a nightmare (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Archive)

In contrast, low-tariff universities saw a 2 per cent reduction in acceptances, Unite reported.

This reflects a broader change in student attitudes towards higher education, the firm, which houses approximately 68,000 students, explained.

"Students are increasingly selective when choosing where to study, with a growing focus on graduate outcomes and earnings potential as they seek to ensure they achieve value for money from their time at university," Unite stated.

The company highlighted data showing that the average Russell Group student benefits from a lifetime earnings premium of around 350,000 over a non-graduate, a premium that diminishes significantly for lower-ranked courses.

Furthermore, a rising proportion of students attending lower-tariff universities are choosing to live at home rather than in student accommodation to reduce their overall university expenses.

This figure stands at around half for these institutions, compared to just 15 per cent at stronger universities.

The financial burden of higher education has been a contentious issue, with consumer champion Martin Lewis recently branding the student loan system a "nightmare" and a "mess".

His criticism has focused on the controversial Plan 2 loans, where the salary threshold for repayments is set to be frozen for three years following the autumn budget, potentially increasing payments for some graduates.

In response to these market dynamics, Unite Group is taking steps to align more closely with the UKs strongest universities, including divesting some of its properties.

The company reported an occupancy rate of 95.2 per cent for its accommodation during the current academic year, a slight decrease from 97.5 per cent the previous year.

Chief executive Joe Lister commented: "Growing domestic demand for higher education, improving international mobility and constrained housing supply underpin the long-term prospects for the sector.

Students continue to place high value on the residential university experience, supporting sustained demand for the highquality accommodation and living experience that we provide."

Shares in Unite were down by about 8 per cent on Tuesday morning.
Most of the UKs biggest businesses have hit targets for gender representation in their boardroom, but fall short when it comes to women leaders who face greater scrutiny and unconscious bias, according to Government-backed report.

Data from the FTSE Women Leaders Review shows that women held 43% of board positions on FTSE 350 companies in 2025.

It marks a significant leap towards gender balance in the boardrooms of the UKs biggest listed companies, from the 9.5% recorded when the review began 15 years ago.

Nevertheless, the proportion is more or less the same than it was in 2024.

Vivienne Artz, chief executive of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, said the pace of change is naturally beginning to level as parity approaches, adding: Boards are still making progress, which is great, but theres not as much progress to make.

The review, which is supported by the Government, tracks the progress of the FTSE 350 and 50 of the UKs largest private companies towards voluntary gender representation targets.

The latest report revealed that the proportion of women in leadership positions on the FTSE 350 has edged up to 36%, from 35% the previous year, as of the end of October 2025.

Within that, the proportion of women in chief executive roles was 8%, up from 7%.

There were nine women chief executives at FTSE 100 companies.

There has been a recent flurry of female bosses quitting from top listed companies and being replaced by men, such as Dame Emma Walmsley from drug firm GSK, Liv Garfield from water supplier Severn Trent, and Diageos Debra Crew.

On the other hand, energy giant BP appointed its first ever female chief executive, who is due to step into the role in April.

Ms Artz said firms were making slow progress when it comes to gender balance for the CEO, chair and finance director roles.

Its because they are incredibly demanding and difficult roles to fill, she told the Press Association.

I think that too often we rely on the safe option which is, were going to have have someone whos done it before.

And if youre always going back to fishing in the same pond then youre not finding new talent youre not looking at skills and expertise, as opposed to a CV that you feel comfortable with and youre seen before, she said.

Furthermore, Ms Artz said women can face barriers to leadership positions due to prevailing attitudes which have not been easy to dismantle.

I think we can say that female CEOs get a lot more scrutiny and they get judged on different things that male CEOs do, she said.

She said that talking points such as whether the person is married or has children can be distracting, and in many ways it diminishes the credibility of the leader.

We do know that there is absolutely still unconscious bias and that theres attitudes that need to change, she said.

Ms Artz also argued that the cost of childcare means that families are led to making decisions that can derail or sideline a womans career.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there should be no ceiling on a womans ambition (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok)

Responding to the report, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the data shows how far weve come, adding: But there is still a long way to go as women remain underrepresented in key executive roles.

As Chancellor, Im clear there should be no ceiling on a womans ambition.

When they can participate fully at every level, organisations make better decisions, innovate more and perform more strongly, boosting our whole economy.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: Its essential that our top talent can reach the highest levels of leadership, which is why Im so pleased the UK continues to lead the charge for gender equality in boardrooms.

However, be in no doubt that despite this progress, there is still much more work to do.

Looking at individual companies, drinks giant Diageo and supermarket and services chain The Co-operative Group have the highest representation of women in their boardrooms, at 77.8% and 72.7% respectively.

Marks & Spencer, HSBC, and water firms Severn Trent and Pennon Group are among those to record representation greater than 60%.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to Donald Trump to visit Kyiv, in a video address on the fourth anniversary of Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion, and said Ukraine would not betray its people in any negotiations with Russia.

Zelenskyy said Putin had not achieved his original war goals or broken the Ukrainian people. He has not won this war, he said. We have preserved Ukraine, and we will do everything to achieve peace. And to ensure justice.

European leaders echoed the Ukrainian presidents comments, with Germanys chancellor, Friedrich Merz, declaring: Moscow is not as strong as it would like the world to think. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said he was very sceptical that the war would finish soon because there was no willingness from Russia to stop.

On Tuesday, Zelenskyy welcomed a group of European leaders to Kyiv including the British foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Also attending were prime ministers from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Estonia and Latvia, as well as Finlands president, Alexander Stubb.

Keir Starmer and Macron chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing, joining by video. Zelenskyy said his country had survived a terrible winter and was grateful to its allies for a delivery this week of an air defence package.

In comments to state media, Putin claimed Ukraine had sabotaged the peace process with the help of western intelligence agencies. He said Kyiv and its allies were so determined to defeat Russia they were pushing themselves to the edge, something he said they would regret.

Zelenskyys 18-minute video address included footage released for the first time from the underground bunker in Kyivs Bankova Street where Zelenskyy and his advisers worked and slept during the first hours after Putins 2022 attack.

Zelenskyy recalled receiving a phone call from Joe Biden, who offered to help him leave the country urgently. Here I replied that I need ammunition, not a ride, Zelenskyy said, recalling one of the best-known moments of his presidency.

The video showed Zelenskyy leaving roses at a memorial in Maidan Square in Kyiv to the thousands of Ukrainian servicemen and women who have died over the past four years. There were shots of world leaders touring Kyiv, including Starmer and Boris Johnson.

Zelenskyy said: I really want to come here with the president of the United States one day. I know for certain: only by coming to Ukraine, and seeing with ones own eyes our life and our struggle, feeling our people and the enormity of this pain  only then can one understand what this war is really about.

A trip to Ukraine might make it clear to Trump who the aggressor is here and who must be pressured, Zelenskyy suggested. He continued: This is not a street fight  it is an attack by a sick state on a sovereign one. [Putin] is the cause of its beginning and the obstacle to its end. And it is Russia that must be put in its place. So that there can be real peace.

Trump has not taken up an invitation from Zelenskyy to visit Ukraine. During their notorious Oval Office meeting last year, JD Vance, the US vice-president, accused the Ukrainian government of taking visiting dignitaries on propaganda tours  a charge Kyiv denies.

In peace talks with Russia brokered by the US, Trump has sided repeatedly with Putin. Zelenskyy has rejected Kremlin demands, seemingly endorsed by US envoys, that Ukraine hand over territory in the eastern Donbas region that Russian troops have been unable to seize.

We want peace. Strong, dignified, lasting peace, Zelenskyy said. He added that he had told Ukraines negotiators meeting in Geneva this week: Do not nullify all these years, do not devalue all the struggle, courage, dignity, everything that Ukraine has gone through. We cannot, we must not, give it away, forget it, betray it.

The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would press ahead with its war aims in Ukraine. He said the events of the past four years were extremely significant in Russias life, adding: The goals havent been fully achieved yet, which is why the military operation continues.

Ukrainians who have lost loved ones laid flowers at the memorial in central Kyiv. Svitlana Sverydko said her husband, Yurii, defended the capital at the start of the invasion and was killed in May 2023 while fighting in the Kharkiv region. I feel hatred towards Russia and Russians. We will never forgive them, she said.

Elmira Kuzikova, 17, described how she had fled to Kyiv from the eastern city of Pokrovsk, now occupied by Russia. I feel empty inside. The war destroyed my life, my future, and everything that I love. I dont have a home. I have nothing for now, she said.

Speaking at a meeting with Nordic leaders in the presidential palace, Zelenskyy said he was confident Ukraine would receive a 90bn loan this spring. On Monday Hungary said it would veto financial assistance to Kyiv unless deliveries of Russian oil, which are sent through Ukraine, were resumed.

Why can small countries such as Hungary block everything, Zelenskyy asked. He said von der Leyen reassured him the EU would find instruments to make sure the package was paid, despite Budapests objections.

A delegation of British MPs, as well as Johnson, were also in Kyiv. Johnson said he supported Ukraines membership of the EU and Nato, adding that Brexit had caused a pretty big vacancy. The UK should deploy troops inside Ukraine before a peace deal in order to show Putin he had lost geo-strategically, Johnson added.

The only American listed among the official guests was Lt Gen Curtis Buzzard, a US officer who represents Nato in Ukraine. The European leaders visited an energy infrastructure facility damaged during Russias recent drone and missile attacks that have left millions of Ukrainians without power during one of the coldest winters for years.

In his anniversary address, Zelenskyy decried Putins aerial onslaught against civilians. He said pointedly that since Putin was not capable of defeating Ukraine on the battlefield, he was instead fighting against apartment buildings and power plants.

He added: And now Ukrainians are enduring the hardest winter in history. And terror almost every night. I do not know who else could withstand this without collapsing or wavering.

There was a swipe at the spineless International Olympic Committee, which banned the Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych from the Winter Games for refusing to race without his helmet of remembrance featuring portraits of athletes killed by Russia.

Zelenskyy also celebrated his nations international achievements, from gaining EU candidate status to winning the Eurovision song contest, as well as an Oscar and a Bafta. From all such steps, achievements and small victories, the great Ukraine is formed. Great, because it has you. People who inspire the planet, he said.

Asked by a journalist how he was bearing up personally, after four years of gruelling war, Zelenskyy said there were pluses and minuses.

I dont have time for friends or friendship, he admitted.
Dirty Business explores the extent of the sewage crisis in England and Wales. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

Channel 4's new docudrama, Dirty Business, explores the sewage crisis in Britain, aiming to drive real change in the country.

Starring Jason Watkins and David Thewlis, the three-part series explores the real-life investigation of sewage sleuths Peter Hammond and Ashley Smith, as well as the death of eight-year-old girl Heather Preen in 1999. Told through drama and real accounts, the series hopes to inspire the public to demand answers from water companies.

If you're interested in the real story, here is what you need to know.

What happened to Heather Preen?

Dirty Business examines the 1999 death of Heather Preen, who died after contracting E.coli O157 on holiday. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

In 1999, eight-year-old Heather Preen, her mother Julie Maughan, father Mark Preen, and sister Suzanne went on holiday to Dawlish Warren, Devon. During the trip, the family visited the beach where Heather contracted E.coli O157; she died two weeks later.

In an interview with the Guardian, Maughan shared: "Ive always said it was like a bomb had gone off under our family. This little girl, just playing, doing her nutty stuff on an English beach. And that was the price."

The family, Maughan explained, went on a walk together one evening when they unknowingly came across a combined sewage outlet. Mark tried to help Heather jump over the water, but the little girl's foot went into the water. After her father noticed toilet paper in the water, they went to the sea to wash her off.

Julie Maughan, portrayed by Posy Sterling in the series, has tried to get answers for her 8-year-old daughter's death. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

Soon after, Heather experienced explosive diarrhoea and bleeding. At first, a doctor prescribed the girl anti-sickness tablets, but when the bleeding didn't stop, she was hospitalised, where she was diagnosed with having the most aggressive strain of E.coli O157. There are several causes of the bacterial infection, including undercooked food and sewage.

The infection led Heather to develop a rare disease known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which caused brain damage and kidney failure and ultimately led to her death. An inquest was held in February 2000, but so far no one has taken responsibility.

Maughan and Preen's marriage suffered after Heather's death, and the pair split. Preen died by suicide in 2016. Maughan added that she was left distraught by the lack of answers for her daughter's death, wondering: Why werent people looking into this? It felt as if Heather didnt matter. Over time, it felt as if shed been forgotten.

An inquest was held into Heather Preen's death but no one was found responsible for it. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

Maughan's quest for justice has been supported by the campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, and ahead of the release of Dirty Business, Giles Bristow, Surfers Against Sewage Chief Executive, said: "Dirty Business tells the truth the water industry has spent thirty years trying to bury. A girl is dead. Thousands are still getting sick. And what does this Government offer? More of the same.

"Its hollow reform plan, laughably called 'once-in-a-generation,' tinkers with regulation while protecting the ruthless pursuit of profit. That is an insult to everyone who has suffered, and every bill-payer forced to foot the bill for this scandal.

Watch a trailer for Dirty Business

"For three decades, millions of hours of sewage have been dumped into the nation's waters while millions in payouts have been siphoned off. But this isn't about data and statistics. It's about Heather. Its about Reuben. A mother in surgery after a swim. A surfer gambling with his health. A child rushed to hospital after a day at the beach. Real people, still suffering, while shareholders get richer. You cannot put a price on clean water. But this Government has. And we are all paying it.

"The human and environmental cost of the water industrys corporate greed has just been exposed for all the nation to see. The system is rigged for profit from the top to the bottom. Prime minister, profiting from pollution is wrong. It has always been wrong. Scrap this dirty business now."

Peter Hammond and Ashley Smith's investigations into Britain's sewage system

Ashley Smith and Professor Peter Hammond have been investigating the sewage crisis since 2017. (Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images)

In the 1980s, under Margaret Thatcher, the water industry in England and Wales was privatised, leading to a complete transformation of the sewage system. Where before there was a military operation in place to regulate the sewage system and how it was treated, priorities changed, and so there was an increase in raw, untreated sewage being dumped into rivers and waterways.

This was further compounded by David Cameron's cuts to regulations during his tenure in Number 10. And the increase in sewage damage to our waterways caught the attention of retired detective superintendent Ashley Smith and academic Peter Hammond.

The pair launched the Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP) collective in 2017 to investigate. In Channel 4's new drama, Watkins plays Smith and Thewlis portrays Hammond.

Dirty Business follows the creation of campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (WASP), who have been gathering evidence into the dumping of raw sewage across the UK. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

The duo began by sending freedom of information requests to water companies to find out how often untreated sewage was dumped into the WIndrush river over the last three years. The FOI request revealed it had happened 240 times, and the campaigners expanded their investigation to other locations across the UK.

During the investigation, Hammond found that almost 1,000 cases of raw sewage were vented and went unreported over the previous 11 years. Some of these spills lasted for weeks. These findings were published in a report in the NPJ Clean Water journal in March 2021.

The groundbreaking investigative work of WASP continued and was included in the 2022 Environmental Audit Committee Report, where it was found to be superior to research conducted by regulators. That year the environmental non-profit Wild Justice used it in a court case against regulator Ofwat. The group sought answers on the regulator's alleged failure to prevent water companies from discharging raw sewage into rivers.

Dirty Business stars David Thewlis and Jason Watkins as Ashley Smith and Peter Hammond. (Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

Hammond, Smith, and WASP's investigation is ongoing, but their findings have helped bring about some change: the government launched the 2021 Environment Act, which requires water companies and the Environment Agency to publish annual and near-real-time data on sewage spills.

Thames Water has pledged to reduce annual sewage spills from overflows by 50% by 2030 and by 80% in sensitive catchments. Southern Water has said it intends to reduce storm overflows by 80% by 2030. Anglian Water and Severn Trent aim to ensure their operations are not the reason rivers fail to meet water quality standards by 2030.

WASP has a live sewage map that shows the public where and when raw sewage is being spilt across England.

Dirty Business premieres on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday, 23 February.

This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dirty-business-true-story-heather-preen-channel-4-155221020.html
Greatest movie villains of all time

One of the greatest performances of the past year has been Sean Penns mesmerising turn in Paul Thomas Andersons awards-laden One Battle After Another. His comic-tragic Colonel Lockjaw is a typical baddie with a Shakespearean obsession  in this case, the beautiful Perfidia Beverly Hills, a black woman whose very being complicates Lockjaws entrenched racism. Penn rightly won the Bafta for Best Supporting Actor on Sunday night, and could well do the same at the Oscars in March.

So with this in mind, its time to revisit the great villains of cinema history, from Norman Bates to Hans Gruber.

I havent included horror-style monsters in my list of all-time greatest antagonists  youll find those on our list of the best-ever horror films  or morally compromised character studies, such as There Will Be Bloods Daniel Plainview and The Godfathers Don and Michael Corleone.

The greatest villains have only a smidgen of psychological complexity. They might make us think  but, frankly, they should be enjoyed in a state of childish terror.

25. Davy Jones (Bill Nighy)

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest (2006) and At Worlds End (2007)

Extraordinary, photorealistic CGI: Bill Nighy as squid-cum-pirate Davy Jones - Alamy

Hes a big squid squashed into a pirate costume and given an inexplicable Scottish accent, improvised by a nervous Bill Nighy after being instructed by director Gore Vebinski to sound wet. So why is he so scary?

Its partly his extraordinary design, animated in such photorealistic CGI detail that some reviewers thought it was all elaborate makeup. And its partly Nighys uninhibited performance, enough to silence Johnny Depps garrulous Jack Sparrow, while hinting at the man behind the tentacles.

24. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins)

Psycho (1960)

We all go a little mad sometimes: Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates in Psycho - MPTVA

In many ways, Hitchcocks most famous villain is pretty silly, from his penchant for taxidermy to the pseudo-intellectual guff about the origins of his cross-dressing.

But hes great at his most savage: hacking away at Janet Leigh in the shower, still cinemas most infamous crime, or charging towards a private investigator from the top of the stairs.

Although never acknowledged by Hitchcock, he was surely inspired by Ed Gein, the infamous serial killer whose life was recently turned by Netflix into a depraved crime drama.

23. Max Cady (Robert de Niro)

Cape Fear (1991)

Cape Fears Max Cady inspired a thousand imitators - Getty Images

In Martin Scorseses remake of the classic film noir, Robert de Niros Max Cady, a newly released rapist who pursues the lawyer that put him in jail, is leaner and crueller than the character originally played by Robert Mitchum.

You might not know his name, but youll recognise his image. We first meet him as a lone figure in a jail cell, obsessively exercising to make his tattooed body impervious to pain. This inspired a thousand imitators, many of them curiously child-friendly, from The Simpsons Sideshow Bob to Feathers McGraw in Wallace and Gromit.

But De Niros Cady is still terrifying  and easily his most underrated character.

22. Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant),

Paddington 2 (2017)

Outrageous disguises and dastardly one-liners: Hugh Grant as Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2 - Jaap Buitendijk

The gloriously insufferable Buchanan is a washed-up West End actor who steals a valuable book in pursuit of a hidden fortune, and then frames poor, innocent Paddington for the crime.

This is Grants opportunity to cycle through outrageous disguises and dastardly one-liners with late-career glee. He eventually leads his fellow prison inmates in an exuberant post-credits musical number  choreographed in real-life by fellow ham villain Craig Revel Horwood. How many other characters on this list could pull that off?

21. Scar (Jeremy Irons)

The Lion King (1994)

Im surrounded by idiots: Scar from 1994s The Lion King - AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo

A half-century of Disney villainy, starting with the Evil Queen in 1937s Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, crescendos in Scar, the Machiavellian uncle of heir apparent little Simba.

Ironss virtuoso performance makes all previous Disney baddies seem restrained. Listen to how he suddenly drops his bored aristocratic drawl and snarls his lines when animated by the prospect of power. And tremble when he dangles his sovereign elder brother above a stampede of buffalo, before letting him drop with a final purr: Long liiiive the king!

20. Francis Dolarhyde (Tom Noonan)

Manhunter (1986)

Tom Noonan as Dolarhyde, The Tooth Fairy, in Manhunter - Alamy

The serial-killing Dolarhyde  nicknamed The Tooth Fairy after biting his victims  wants to manifest the violent power of the Great Dragon, a fearsome beast described in the Book of Revelation. Unfortunately hes a friendless loser, with male pattern baldness and a pair of stretched tights on his head.

That dissonance makes him the best villain in any adaptation of the Silence of the Lambs books, better even than Hannibal Lecter, who is recruited by the FBI to help capture him.

19. Iman (Missagh Zareh)

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2025)

Missagh Zareh and Soheila Golestani in The Seed of the Sacred Fig

This Iranian political thriller was filmed in secret under the noses of the Ayatollahs, and stars Missagh Zareh as a conscientious lawyer who is called to serve Irans revolutionary court.

His superiors are facing a nation erupting into protest and dont want a thoughtful legal expert  they need someone prepared to rush through death sentences. Gradually, Iman drops his moral scruples and becomes the states newest instrument of terror.

But what will this family man do when his daughters also begin to rebel?

18. Mark Lewis (Carl Boehm)

Peeping Tom (1960)

Carl Boehm as the murderous camera assistant in psychological horror-thriller Peeping Tom - LANDMARK MEDIA / Alamy Stock Photo

Lewis is a quivering, murderous camera assistant who spends his evenings shooting pornography in Soho attics, and his nights filming himself committing terrible crimes. By making us watch the footage Lewis has taken, Peeping Tom makes us feel implicated in his deadly voyeurism. Audiences couldnt cope and public outrage led to the film being pulled from cinemas almost immediately.

Another layer of meta-perversity: the young Lewis, who is shown being terrified by his father in sadistic experiments, was played by director Michael Powells real-life son.

17. Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn)

One Battle After Another (2025)

Teyana Taylor as Perfidia Beverly Hills and Sean penn as Lockjaw in One Battle After Another - Warner Bros

Decades after a sexual encounter with the black revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills, the jealous Colonel Stephen J. Lockjaw leads half the US army in pursuit of her husband and daughter in Paul Thomas Andersons recent film. Lockjaw is a militant bigot, desperate to join a cabal of Wasp-y white supremacists. But he still pines unrequitedly for Perfidias affections.

His appearance  the ridiculous hair, the nipple-hugging t-shirt, the way he walks with a permanently clenched rectum  is indelible. Yet its the friction between his outward racism and sublimated fetishes that makes him the most talked-about villain in years.

16. Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci)

Goodfellas (1990)

Joe Pesci as the volatile mobster Tommy DeVito in Goodfellas - TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

Pint-sized and trigger-happy gangster Tommy spends most of Goodfellas between two basic modes: on the verge of exploding, and in total meltdown. So when Ray Liottas young upstart tells him hes a funny guy after being regaled with a bawdy anecdote, we expect the worst.

Im funny, how? Funny like Im a clown? Im here to amuse you? Then he bursts out laughing. Hes only joking. But were petrified.

15. The Child Catcher (Robert Helpmann)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Come along, kiddie-winkies!: Robert Helpmanns Child Catcher has been scaring children for generations - Alamy

How many generations of children have been traumatised watching this paedophile-adjacent weirdo at work, riding around fictional Vulgaria, luring outlawed kids from their hideouts and into his cage with promises of complimentary sweet treats?

The indescribably creepy Child Catcher seems imported from some medieval folk tale. But he was invented for the film, possibly by Roald Dahl, its co-writer, though there was much subsequent debate about who got credit for him.

14. Harry Lime (Orson Welles)

The Third Man (1949)

Orson Welles as drug baron Harry Lime in The Third Man - Moviepix

Lime, a drug baron in post-war Vienna, is an elusive, magnetic monster. Hes hardly in the film but Welles makes every scene count. He first appears as a shadow in a doorway, his smirking face illuminated for a brief moment, before vanishing into the dark.

Later, he delivers an infamous peroration on a ferris wheel, dismissing the overblown merits of pacifism. In Switzerland they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.

13. Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem)

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Scary villain, scary haircut: Javier Bardem in the Coen brothers No Country for Old Men

How do you make a villain with that haircut scary? Answer: cast Javier Bardem.

He owns the silly appearance of this taciturn assassin, who pursues Josh Brolin through this Cormac McCarthy adaptation, and adds gravitas to his philosophical pretensions. Chigurh believes he is an avenging angel, put on earth to cross victims off a pre-ordained cosmic hit list. No wonder he doesnt care about his dodgy trim.

12. Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher)

One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (1975)

Louise Fletchers exceptional performance as Nurse Ratched - Moviepix

Ratched is the head nurse entrusted with the rehabilitation of Jack Nicholsons charismatic outsider. But rehab under her watch involves relentless belittlement and electroconvulsive therapy.

Fletchers exceptional performance nonetheless shows us in glimpses an exhausted professional, pushed to extremes by a crumbling institution. She rightly won an Oscar for it, but should have become a bigger star.

11. Harry Powell (Robert Mitchum)

The Night of the Hunter (1955)

One of cinemas most haunting presences: Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter - Moviepix

This charming ex-convict disguises himself as a theatrical preacher  on his knuckles are written L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E  so he can marry a pious widow and steal her inheritance. But he must still dispense with her suspicious children. He pursues them downriver, into the bowls of swampy oblivion, with unhurried, unstoppable persistence.

Powell, silhouetted on horseback, trotting along the horizon and crooning his favourite hymn, is one of cinemas most haunting presences.

10. Gollum (Andy Serkis)

The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003)

Elijah Wood, Alan Serkis and Sean Astin in The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Gollums madness is like a breeze of fresh air in the dignified atmosphere of Peter Jacksons epic trilogy. Some critics thought that Andy Serkiss feral performance  he based Gollums gurgle on a cat coughing up furballs  diminished the characters humanity.

But thats the point. Serkis has never been better than when his characters personality splits in two, and the dominant Gollum bullies the submissive Smeagol, his former, uncorrupted self.

9. Amon Goth (Ralph Fiennes)

Schindlers List (1993)

Ralph Fiennes Amon Goth: A consequence of excessive vanity, rather than devout Nazi idealism - Alamy

It was a move of counter-intuitive genius from director Steven Spielberg to make the evil of prison camp commander Amon Goth a consequence of excessive vanity, rather than devout Nazi idealism. Its his untrammelled ego that allows him to shoot prisoners from his balcony for fun, and to save one attractive Jewish woman in a moment of libidinous hypocrisy.

Fiennes was so convincing in the role that when a Holocaust survivor who had known the real Goth saw him on set, she started trembling uncontrollably.

8. HAL-9000 (voiced by Douglas Rain)

2001: A Space Odyssey

HAL-9000, the computer program who turns from friendly chess-playing companion to unflinching executioner - Moviepix

Our contemporary fear of AI has its cultural roots in Stanley Kubricks existential epic, in the form of this blankly psychopathic spaceship computer program who turns from friendly chess-playing companion to unflinching executioner.

It took Rain, an obscure Canadian stage actor, just 10 hours to tape HALs lines. But it was one of the greatest voice performances ever recorded, making banal utterances  Im sorry, Dave, Im afraid I cant do that  unforgettable. HALs climactic demise, when he feels the cold sensation of his artificial mind slipping away, is still surprisingly moving.

7. Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski)

Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972)

The wild-eyed Spanish conquistador Lope de Aguirre, played by Klaus Kinski - Alamy

Wild-eyed Aguirre is an underling among conquistadors searching for El Dorado, whose sense of transcendent destiny leads him to stage a coup. He terrifies his comrades into submission  having a dissenters neck sliced so forcefully that his disembodied head is still talking as it rolls off  then leads his rebel mission into disaster.

We leave him delivering deranged monologues on a sinking raft, with only a group of sympathetic monkeys for company.

6. Combo (Stephen Graham)

This is England (2006)

Stephen Graham as bellicose amateur fascist Combo in 2006s This is England - Alamy

In the skinhead fever of 1983, bellicose amateur fascist Combo returns from prison to commandeer a gang of impressionable working-class youths  including our hero, the prepubescent Shaun  and bring them into the National Front. He offers them the comfort of belonging to his tribe, and theyre overawed by the machismo of his casual violence.

But through Grahams heartbreaking performance we understand that Combo has been permanently damaged by his terrible childhood, and can only lead his new proteges to tragedy.

5. The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Margaret Hamiltons Wicked Witch of the West was so terrifying that studio executives had to cut her scariest moments - LMK Media

Possibly the scariest woman in cinema. Definitely the greenest. Her toxic emerald skin  so memorable even in the oversaturated landscape of Oz  is a purely cinematic invention, never mentioned in L. Frank Baums novel but an irresistible use of Technicolor.

It suits the intensity of Margaret Hamiltons performance. Her scariest moments were censored by studio executives, who worried theyd traumatise young children. The final film discarded a scene in which she ran her fingers creepily through Judy Garlands hair; while the message she writes in smoke above Oz  Surrender Dorothy  originally ended OR DIE.

Hamiltons own moment of trauma occurred on set, however, when she suffered second-degree burns filming the Witchs fiery demise.

4. Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman)

Die Hard (1988)

Villainy mixed with pure class: Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber in Die Hard - Alamy

Im going to count to three. There will not be a four. Say that aloud in your own voice. Then imagine Rickman saying it  and try to think of another actor who could wring more malice from that handful of words.

Astonishingly, this was stage star Rickmans first film. As the composed and mordantly amusing Gruber, whose gang of cultivated terrorists storm a skyscraper on Christmas Eve, he gave action-movie villainy a shot of pure class  and was the perfect antidote to Bruce Williss wise-cracking John McClane.

3. Hans Beckert (Peter Lorre)

M (1931)

Stumpy, sweaty child-killer Hans Beckert - Ronald Grant Archive

This stumpy, sweaty child-killer is the very embodiment of monstrosity, preying on our primal concerns for the safety of the young. The whole of Berlin mobilises to catch him  even the citys gangsters. They are only dabblers in evil: Beckert is the real deal.

When he is finally caught and brought to justice, he makes a pathetic but transfixing plea for forgiveness that chills us: I cant help myself! I havent any control over this evil thing thats inside of me! The fire, the voices, the torment!

2. The Joker (Heath Ledger)

The Dark Knight (2008)

Heath Ledger as the Joker: The ultimate act of posthumous reinvention - Reuters

With The Dark Knight, Ledger, who died from an accidental drug overdose before the film was released, performed the ultimate act of posthumous reinvention. He banished all memory of his past life as a romantic lead and ensured we forever associate him with his demented, unforgettable Joker, who crash-landed in the slightly aloof and stagey world of Christopher Nolans Gotham as if from outer space.

When you rewatch Ledgers performance, the little details stand out: how he keeps licking his serrated mouth as if its unhealed scars still hurt; the way he slicks his hair back in the presence of attractive women; the split-second of fear in his eyes when he realises hes trapped with a furious Batman.

1. Darth Vader (David Prowse, James Earl Jones and Sebastian Shaw)

The original Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983)

Darth Vader: A Frankenstein of incongruities - Moviepix

He has the body of a tank, the bulbous silhouette of a Cluedo piece and the respiratory problems of a heavy smoker. Hes a Frankenstein of incongruities: 20 ideas packed into one character. But Darth Vaders contradictions are what make him so unique.

His large bulk belies the elegance of his movements, as he suffocates subordinates by clutching at the air, and wins duels with a few nonchalant swipes of his lightsaber. And his magnificent voice elevates his pulpy dialogue  I find your lack of faith disturbing  with the basso profundo seriousness of the Old Testament God.

His large bulk belies the elegance of his movements

But the strength of his armour-plated body is undercut by his heavy breathing, and its implication of vulnerability. And the final surprise comes with his unmasking  when the galaxys most notorious tyrant is revealed to be a fragile old man.

Completely original and still unique, Darth Vader wasnt adapted from any previous novel or comic book. He was made especially for the movies  and hes the best villain theyve ever had.
Romeo Beckham walking the catwalk for Burberry. Photograph: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock (Photograph: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock)

In a winter of record-breaking rain, Burberry  purveyor of the stalwart British coat  is back in the zeitgeist. A season of downpours has provided an apt backdrop for a return to form, as the brand re-entered the FTSE 100 last autumn after an ignominious year out of the charts.

The classic check scarf was ranked the fourth hottest fashion item in the last quarter of 2025 on the search, sales and social media metrics of the Lyst index, with overall demand for the brand up 239% year on year.

Designer Daniel Lee, speaking backstage after the show for London fashion week, said his studio in Burberry HQ has this massive skylight, so Ive been watching the rain pour down, and thinking about how London always has this incredible buzz. Even when its dark and wet people are still out every night.

The Burberry show is itself a classic London night out. Under the vaulted iron ribs of the old Billingsgate fish market, Daisy Edgar-Jones chatted to Olivia Dean as they waited for Kate Moss, who was 45 minutes late. Eberechi Eze sat in the front row and Romeo Beckham walked the catwalk.

Last season Burberry was about muddy festival fields, before that it was country house weekends, but this night was all urban energy. Not just trenchcoats, but faux-fur bomber jackets and padded leather jackets, worn with stompy leather boots that could run for a night bus. The rest of us might be sick of rain, but Burberry leant into it, pockmarking the catwalk with slick puddles  made of non-slip resin, since the models walked in 6in heels.

Burberry has doubled down on outerwear, accessorised by scarves, hats and umbrellas, as its bread and butter. The show opened with an ivory take on the trench-ballgown hybrid worn by Teyana Taylor at Sundays Baftas.

After an unsuccessful flirtation with high-concept fashion and even higher prices, Burberry under its American chief executive, Joshua Schulman, is now betting on an aspirational customer who is prepared to invest in a coat, and who will shell out for the cachet of a heritage name, but has been priced out of the Paris and Milan super brands.

The turnaround has, however, come at a high cost for the Burberry workforce. A cut of 1,700 jobs globally, announced last May, meant 150 roles were axed at the Castleford factory in Yorkshire, with the closure of the night shift.

The list of names who have previously strutted the Burberry catwalk or sat in the front row reads like a line-up of Desert Island Discs episodes: from Richard E Grant to Joanna Lumley, Ian Wright and Naomi Campbell. This Christmas, the tree in the lobby of Claridges hotel was designed by Lee and dressed in vintage Burberry bows. A knight in full shining armour has made an appearance at a show, while black cabs and full English breakfasts make cameo appearances in ads.

Burberrys latest adverts feature original British supermodel Twiggy and Maya Wigram, who is the model daughter of designer and uber-tastemaker Phoebe Philo. Twiggy in a 1960s-style snake-print car coat is a referential nod to British fashion history. Wigram in a laser-cut trenchcoat is an if-you-know-you-know reminder about the pedigree of Lee, who worked alongside her mum for much of the 2010s when Philo helmed the Celine brand in Paris.
Left: Jessie Buckley at a West End press night in 2009; centre: winning her Best Actress Bafta this year; right: at a Burbery show at London Fashion Week in 2023

On Sunday evening, Jessie Buckley added another gong to her ever-growing collection, as she picked up the Best Actress award at the Baftas for her performance in Hamnet. Wearing a blue velvet gown by Chanel, and changing into another Chanel little black dress for the after-party, she also continued her streak of impeccable red carpet fashion moments, which has seen her consistently topping best-dressed lists.

Almost 20 years into her career, Buckley is on not only a career high, but a fashion one  and if she wins an Oscar next month, shell have even more designers vying to dress her (and likely to award her with lucrative advertising deals).

Buckley wore a blue velvet gown by Chanel for the Baftas at the Royal Festival Hall... - WireImage

... and changed into a sleek boat-neck mini dress for the after-party - DICA, CHBA

This fashion success has all been somewhat against the odds. Buckley has come a long way from the perm-haired teen who first got a taste of the spotlight back in 2008, when aged 17 she was the runner-up on Andrew Lloyd Webbers reality TV competition, Id Do Anything. As a bright-eyed young starlet, Buckley mostly wore high street mini dresses (Sandro and Zadig & Voltaire were favourite brands) with the occasional trouser suit for the opening nights of the plays she starred in.

It wasnt until 2016 that she started to appear more regularly on the red carpet. In the next few years, she would become known for having quite an eccentric, eye-catching sense of style, especially when paired with her flame-red hair. Her go-to designers included Burberry, Alice Temperley, Huishan Zhang, Vivienne Westwood and Schiaparelli, the latter of which she wore to her first Met Gala in 2022.

Buckley wore a Schiaparelli three-piece suit to the Met Gala in 2022 - Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

I styled Jessie Buckley for a British Vogue shoot in 2020, says stylist Julia Brenard. Her personal style was already strong then. Cool girl who played with androgyny and interesting silhouettes. If wearing a feminine look, like a Simone Rocha dress, then that would need to be paired with an edgy, chunky shoe.

Over the years she has pulled off so many looks that others couldnt  and its refreshing seeing an actress experimenting with fashion. She has got the Hollywood glow-up now, but shes still staying true to herself and always framed with a great hair cut and colour. I think Jonathan Anderson  who dressed her in his new Dior for the Golden Globes  is her kindred spirit.

Around 2022, Buckley started to work with the stylist Rose Ford, who leaned into her punkish aesthetic. Gone was the flame-red hair and in was a Sally Bowles-inspired black crop, coinciding with her sell-out performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She stopped wearing so many colourful florals and prints, and instead focused on all-black, gothic-tinged looks, turning to the likes of Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Jonathan Anderson and Simone Rocha. Alongside make-up artist Florrie White, the team curated a new high-fashion look for Buckley which made her a red carpet star in the vein of Helena Bonham Carter.

Jessie is so talented and beautiful inside and out, says Rocha. I was first introduced to her when I saw her in Beast, then I asked would she walk in my show and to my surprise she said yes. She is really a magnet, you are just drawn to her and the way she dresses feels authentic to herself.

Now, in this latest phase of her life (Buckley is a mother-of-one), and clearly taking her shot at Oscar glory seriously, the Irish actress has secured the help of Hollywoods It girl-maker, stylist Danielle Goldberg. Just look at her client list for proof  it reads like a whos who of cool girls: Ayo Edebiri, Saoirse Ronan, Greta Lee and Zoe Kravitz. At the same time, shes also recruited Nina Park, again, the make-up artist to Hollywoods chicest names (Kravitz, Emma Stone and Mia Goth) to do her beauty look, with her signature halo lip going viral earlier this year.

As she approaches the biggest night of her career to date (shes nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars on March 15) the tempo is on the up yet again. The looks that Buckley wore for the first Hamnet premieres and awards season luncheons (styled by Goldberg) were largely by Chanel and in a monochrome palette, and set the pace for a sharp ascent in Hollywood.

She wore a custom black and white Valentino look for the LA premier for Hamnet in November last year - Savion Washington

She became a Dior darling in January, forming a close friendship with Anderson, who is newly appointed at the helm of Dior. At the Critics Choice Awards Buckley wore tailored black trousers with an ivory silk halterneck top that featured a statement bow. At the Golden Globes, Anderson dressed Buckley in a pale blue strapless gown with delicate floral embroidery. Buckleys close association with Dior certainly earns her extra cool-girl points, with the brand riding a wave of enthusiasm with the arrival of Anderson.

Buckleys Dior ensemble for the Critics Choice Awards consisted of a draped scarf top and tailored trousers. Her look was paired with earrings and a ring from Boucheron - Savion Washington

Ditto, Buckley sings praises for Chanels new designer Matthieu Blazy, describing him to Vogue as a vibrant artist, as she stepped out in his creations for the Baftas.

If she does win the biggie in March, there will perhaps be a more formal tussle between the major fashion houses to secure Buckley as an exclusive ambassador. But Buckley  who confessed in the same Vogue interview that Spanx are her awards season essential  may refreshingly be too normal for all that.

Much like getting into character via costume, she understands that dressing up for the red carpet and attending all the right events could lead to awards season recognition. But its certainly a huge contrast to her down-to-earth reputation, not to mention the fact that she lives far from the Hollywood bubble in rural Norfolk, with a husband whose identity she keeps fiercely private.

She shared recently that shed lived mostly in moth-eaten trousers since the birth of her daughter. Perhaps that is her most relatable fashion moment to date.
I define yoga as a tool to come in touch with yourself, says Rodrigo Souza, an adaptive and accessible yoga teacher. Illustration: Carmen Casado/The Guardian (Illustration: Carmen Casado/The Guardian)

Countless articles and studies tout the benefits of yoga. It can improve balance, strength, flexibility, digestion and sleep. It can also reduce stress and support mental wellbeing. And yet many people feel like yoga isnt for them because their bodies dont look or move a certain way.

That is how I felt before I started practicing yoga, says Jessamyn Stanley, who has written two books about yoga and co-founded the yoga app The Underbelly. I always thought yoga was just for thin, white women, she says.

Social media posts about yoga often show thin, white influencers in expensive matching workout sets performing acrobatic poses. But experts say this narrow, image-based idea of yoga can obscure the practices deep, philosophical underpinnings.

Related: The best movement is the next movement: how to really look after your lower back

I define yoga as a tool to come in touch with yourself, says Rodrigo Souza, an adaptive and accessible yoga teacher with paraplegia who specializes in teaching individuals with disabilities.

Below, what you need to know about how to start yoga.

What is yoga?

Yoga originated in northern India more than 5,000 years ago. The root of the word is the Sanskrit term yuj, which means to yoke or to unify  the idea being that yoga was a way of unifying the body and mind, as well as unifying the individuals soul with the universal soul.

By contrast, the modern wellness industry often treats yoga predominantly as a type of exercise  a way to tone your abs and butt. Some scholars argue that the yoga we see now only originated about a century ago, during the British colonization of India, when westerners stripped the tradition of its spiritual and mental aspects and presented it as a purely physical practice.

Some of the most popular styles of yoga practiced today include: vinyasa yoga, which tends to be more fast-paced and fluid; hatha yoga, with longer-held poses; ashtanga yoga, which flows through a specific sequence of postures; and yin yoga, which is slower and more restorative.

Yoga can be a way of strengthening ones body, but it also offers much more, says Kassandra Reinhardt, owner of Yoga with Kassandra.

I like to think of yoga as a practice of transformation that can include yoga poses, meditation, breathwork, chanting, philosophy and more, she says.

Souza argues that anything that regulates your nervous system, calms you down, and brings you back to your body can be considered yoga.

Say that you are driving your car and you get very anxious and stressed in traffic, he says. If you roll your window down and gaze at the sky, and clear that stress and clutter, thats yoga. If you start deeply inhaling and exhaling to regulate your system, thats also yoga.

Who can practice yoga?

Anyone can do yoga, experts say. But each person will have to explore what feels good to them, what excites them, and which teachers and classes are best for them.

Yoga is truly accessible to everyone, says Souza. Whats not accessible to everyone is the movement. Not everybody has the same type of body, the same type of ability.

If your first yoga experiences arent pleasant  maybe you attempt a style that doesnt feel right for you, or attend a class with a minimal instruction  dont give up right away. Try another class or a different experience, because not all yoga classes are created equal, says Stanley. Theres something for everybody, and what didnt work for you will work for someone else and vice versa.

More from How to start:

Look for spaces and teachers that adapt poses that work for your body, and not the other way around, says Reinhardt.

Your struggles may not be purely physical. Souza notes that for many people who have experienced severe physical or emotional trauma, connecting to their bodies doesnt always feel safe.

Some people cannot be in their bodies because its not a comfortable place to be. It reminds you of what you can no longer do, he says.

Trauma-informed teachers can assist these students. We guide people gently back to their bodies, but they have the autonomy and agency to come out of the pose anytime, says Souza. You know what is good for you. As a yoga teacher, my work is to give you a safe space and the right tools according to what you need in that particular moment.

How does one start practicing yoga?

I would start by not spending any money, says Stanley. You dont know if you like it yet.

Equipment: Despite what influencers and sponsored social media posts may suggest, theres not much you need to start practicing yoga. Wear clothes that feel comfortable and will allow movement. If you dont have a yoga mat, substitute a towel or blanket  you just need a surface that will provide some softness and grip.

Instruction: YouTube is full of free yoga videos. So before you drop $35 on a boutique class, try a few free videos at home and see what kinds of practices you find fun and enjoyable.

Reinhardt suggests starting with short videos  10 to 20 minutes. I have a less is more philosophy when it comes to this practice, especially when first starting out, says Reinhardt, arguing that a few minutes of yoga every day is more beneficial than one long practice once a week.

How should yoga feel?

Physically, different styles of yoga will feel different. Yin yoga is gentle and relaxing, for instance, while vinyasa flows may be more energizing and elevate the heart rate more.

Related: How to start  anything: expert tips for trying something new

Beginners can expect a range of physical sensations. But experts say part of growing in yoga is learning to identify what is a healthy challenge and what is pushing your body too far.

There is a difference between discomfort and pain. At no point should a yoga pose feel painful or prevent you from being able to take full, deep breaths, says Reinhardt. While some soreness or muscle fatigue can be expected in more strenuous classes, Reinhardt says that overall, yoga should leave people feeling expansive and comfortable in their bodies.

Mentally, if yoga doesnt leave you feeling calm and serene, you havent done anything wrong. Indeed, crying on your mat is not unheard of.

Things will come up when you switch down the volume of distractions, says Souza. These could be painful memories or emotions. The key is not to push these away, but to be able to sit with these difficult feelings and treat yourself with compassion. When you enter that space, you can become a better person, Souza says.
The former Prince Andrew is facing removal from the royal line of succession - but what could that mean for his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie? (JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)

After the loss of his titles and his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor now faces calls to remove him from the royal line of succession.

The former prince is currently eighth in line to the throne, but under growing pressureas claims about his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his time as UK trade envoy continue to mount.

The government has said it is 'not ruling anything out'. However, while it is likely any steps would take place following the conclusion of police investigations, on Monday, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said he would back any proposal to ensure Mountbatten-Windsor can never inherit the throne.

The developments also place a spotlight on the future status of his daughters - Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice - and his grandchildren, who occupy the six spaces in the line of succession below him.

Here's what we know - and how any decision could impact Andrew's descendants.

How could Andrew be removed from the line of succession?

Despite calls for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession - and indications this option is being explored - doing so could prove a complex process as the British monarch is head of state in several other countries.

Its complicated, Kate Dewsnip, graduate teaching fellow and constitutional law specialist at Liverpool University and the Constitution Society, told Yahoo News.

There has to be an act of parliament in the UK, but that wont be passed in a huge rush because the government says it has to let the police investigation run its course.

It wont be like something like the Coronavirus Act and it wont be particularly large because the issue is fairly self-contained.

The UK will also need the approval of other states that have the King as their head of state and that can happen in different ways.

The last time changes were made to the line of succession was in 2013, when rules were amended to end the male primogeniture which gave precedence to sons over daughters.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, both maintained relationships with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. (ZUMA Press, ZUMA Press, Inc.)

But this took years of delicate negotiations according to Professor Robert Hazell, Professor of Government and the Constitution at University College London.

In the past, both the palace and the British government have taken the view that everyone has to move in line, so we all have the same rules of succession, he said. That is because if that didnt happen, at some point in the future there could be a different monarch in Australia than the person who is monarch in the UK.

As well as the UK, King Charles is the head of state for 14 other countries, many of whom will not welcome being required to spend political time and capital on this, Professor Hazell added.

Then there is the issue of what other changes MPs may try to force through while voting on the necessary law change.

These things rarely go according to plan, Professor Hazell added. I would bet amendments would be prepared if we were changing the lines of succession - why not tidy things up with Prince Harry? Hes left the country, so why is he still in the line of succession? I dont think its passage would be simple.

What could happen to Beatrice and Eugenie?

Andrew's immediate family has also been caught in the fallout following the release of the Epstein files.

Unlike their father, Beatrice and Eugenie have so far retained their own titles and honours - although Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, lost the use of her Duchess of York title when her ex-husband gave up the dukedom.

Ferguson has also been dogged by embarrassing revelations in the Epstein files - in one email exchange she appears to say to Epstein: I am at your service. Just marry me.

The files also suggest she took her daughters, then aged 20 and 19, to meet the paedophile financier just days after he was released from prison for soliciting a child for prostitution.

The former Prince Andrew was officially stripped of his titles and honours last year. (Maureen McLean)

Were Andrew removed from the line of succession, it would not necessarily affect the position of the two sisters - apart from moving them and their children a step closer to the throne - unless this was also included in the legislation.

For example, when the Queens uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated after less than a year on the throne, the Act of Parliament that ended his reign specified his descendants would also be barred from ever inheriting the crown.

[Beatrice and Eugenie are] where they always were, said Prof Hazell. I dont think it affects them, depending on how the legislation is formed.

But the specific wording of any act passed by parliament could still have consequences.

The 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which ended male primogeniture and gave preference to sons over daughters, only applied to royals born after 2011. This meant Princess Anne remains behind both her younger brothers in the pecking order.
General Sir Roly Walker claims Russia is preparing for a wider war with Nato - Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Britain is on a collision course with Russia, the head of the Army has warned.

General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff, claimed Moscow was building bigger and more lethal armed forces to prepare for a wider war with Nato.

On the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Sir Roly said the West was absolutely in the crosshairs of Vladimir Putin.

The Army chief said he could see no evidence Moscow was seeking to end its bloody onslaught - despite having lost 1.25 million soldiers.

We, and the West generally, are in the crosshairs of Russia. Its us on their terms or no deal. This is not going away, however the war in Ukraine ends, Sir Roly, a former SAS officer, said.

Sir Roly warned Putin is on a war footing - Russian Presidential Press Service/EPA/Shutterstock

Writing in the Daily Mail, he continued: I believe we are on a collision course with a Russia that is on a war footing, that is replenishing its lost equipment and that is rearming fast.

Neither the terrible price his troops have paid with their own blood on the battlefields nor the extraordinary resolve and fighting power of the Ukrainians to keep going has made Putin think twice about the cost versus the gain.

The Army chiefs comments were echoed by Al Carns, the Armed Forces minister, who likened the crisis to 1937 or 1938  shortly before Adolf Hitler began the Second World War.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, has accused Moscow of starting World War Three.

Sir Roly insisted Britain must remain steadfast in its support of Kyiv.

He said it was imperative Britain continues to rearm and strengthen its defence industry.

In a staunch warning to Moscow, the decorated officer vowed to take on and defeat Russia should it attempt to invade Nato territory.

Russia started this war by invading Ukraine. It seems to me only they can decide to stop it, he said.

We need to continue helping Ukraine. We can also signal to Putin that if he thinks it will be any easier to steal Nato territory then he is even more stupid than we thought.

We will never give up what matters to us.

Russian soldiers attacking Ukrainian positions in Ukraine - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP

People mark the fourth anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine in Irpin, Kyiv - Alina Smutko/Reuters

Russia is now understood to be losing more men on the front lines in Ukraine than it can recruit each month.

Western officials said Putins forces have suffered almost 40,000 casualties a month since November, while recruiting up to 35,000 troops to sustain the invasion.

Mr Carns added Moscow was suffering unimaginable operational costs, including the destruction of 10,000 armoured vehicles and 4,000 tanks.

He said Putins effort to train fresh recruits was becoming more and more difficult with financial incentives by the Kremlin failing to entice new soldiers to join the front lines.

People are realising that its a one-way ticket, he said.

Mr Carns, a former Royal Marine with five tours of Afghanistan under his belt, continued: I never thought I would see North Korean troops fighting on the border of Europe in my lifetime  which should serve as a warning signal to us all.

Sir Keir Starmer said Britain would continue to support Ukraine, insisting: Russia is not winning this war.
BOSTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightstar, a leading American community solar developer, today issued a critical advisory to agricultural landowners regarding immediate changes to federal renewable energy policy. The recently enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act (OBBBA), coupled with new directives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), signals a significant change for renewable energy projects on agricultural land. Lightstar is urging farmers to take immediate action ahead of their March 31, 2026, "Safe Harbor" deadline to preserve their eligibility for vital financial incentives.

A crowd of state officials, community leaders, farmers, and clean energy experts gathered at the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York, to witness a pivotal moment for both agriculture and renewable energy. On September 16, 2025, Lightstar hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Plains Road project, marking the successful launch of New Yorks first permitted agrivoltaics (AgPV) installation and heralding a new era of sustainable land use. Speed Speed

These regulatory shifts fundamentally alter the landscape for family farms looking to diversify revenue streams. The new law and USDA actions specifically target funding mechanisms for renewable energy on prime farmland, effectively removing key business and industry loan guarantees. Consequently, the 30% investment tax credita cornerstone for the financial viability of many agricultural solar projectsis now time-sensitive. The March 31, 2026, deadline represents a hard cutoff for start of construction tests needed for these credits. Landowners who fail to secure their project status by this date risk forfeiting substantial passive income opportunities that act as a hedge against market volatility and poor harvests.

Lightstar stands uniquely positioned to guide landowners through this complex transition. As an American company committed to the long-term prosperity of rural communities, Lightstar specializes in agrivoltaics (AgPV)dual-use solar systems that allow farming and energy generation to coexist on the same land. This approach ensures that agricultural land remains productive while providing farmers with a reliable, long-term source of revenue. Take a look at the success of our Plains Road AgPV project here: @LightstarYouTube

Unlike developers focused solely on short-term gains, Lightstar prioritizes partnerships that protect land legacy and generational wealth through technical expertise and a commitment to developing high-quality, sustainable assets.

Landowners interested in securing their financial future must act immediately to navigate the permitting and development process before the federal window closes. Lightstar remains dedicated to providing transparent, expert consultation to help American farmers bypass these impending restrictions and secure the economic stability they deserve.

About Lightstar

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Lexi Jones has shared on Instagram about hearing of her rock star fathers death while at a treatment centre in Utah

David Bowies daughter has claimed her father sent her to an abusive American wilderness therapy programme aimed at reforming teenagers.

In a candid account shared on social media, Alexandria Jones, known as Lexi, said she was not with the rock star when he died because he had sent her to a treatment centre.

Ms Jones, 25, a musician, said in a video shared on Instagram that she was sent to the programme when she was 14, after turning to drink and drugs after her father was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2014.

Bowie died on Jan 10 2016, two days after his 69th birthday.

Wilderness therapy, also known as outdoor behavioural healthcare, is a controversial style of mental health treatment developed in the US for adolescents, including those with drink or drug addictions. It combines intensive outdoor activities with counselling.

The centres have attracted strong criticism and claims of mistreatment by thousands of people sent to them as teenagers. Paris Hilton, 45, a socialite and entrepreneur, has alleged she was abused at one.

Lexi Jones is the only child of Iman, a supermodel, and David Bowie, who died when she was in a treatment centre - AP

Ms Jones, who is the only child of Bowie and Iman, a supermodel, said her father apologised to her in a letter he read to her before two men over 6ft tall took her to the therapy programme.

She said: My dad read a letter he had written. I dont really remember what it said, but I do remember the last line and it said, Im sorry we have to do this. Then two men came through the door, and they were both well over six feet tall. They told me I could do this the easy way or the hard way. I chose the hard way. I resisted. I screamed. I held on to the table leg.

They grabbed me, they put their hands on me, they pulled me away from everything I knew and I was screaming bloody murder. I was screaming for someone to help me, but no one did. I felt stripped of any right to stay in my own life. They got me back into a black SUV and shoved me inside.

By the time the door shut, my parents were already gone. I was alone. I was in a car with two strange men that wouldnt tell me where we were going and I just sat there completely horrified and silent.

I saw the post ... David Bowie passed away

She said she spent 91 days at a wilderness therapy programme, living outdoors with no privacy and access to a shower only once a week. After three months, she said she was sent to a residential treatment centre in Utah for just over a year. She was there when she found out her father had died.

She said: I had the luxury of speaking to him two days before, on his birthday. I told him I loved him, and he said it back, and we both knew. Then I saw the post, the one that said something like, David Bowie passed away, surrounded by his whole family. It made me physically ill because, yeah, the whole family was there. Except for me.

Ms Jones claimed she was strip-searched at the camp to make sure I wasnt hiding anything in or on my body. She told how those at the camp were forced to dig holes in the ground to be used as bathrooms and had to count out loud as they used it so that staff would keep track of us.

Paris Hilton, an entrepreneur, has spoken of being sent to a tough love programme for teenagers - Jason Howard / Bauer-Griffin

She said: We made fires by stripping birch bark and striking flint and steel. We cooked our meals over those fires and learned how to tie knots to set up tarps and we would sleep under those tarps on a yoga mat and a sleeping bag.

In August, Ms Jones revealed on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with autism, saying that it finally made sense of so much I have carried quietly my whole life.

Ms Hilton tearfully recounted in 2020 how, as a teenager, she was woken by strangers in her bedroom at night and forced across the country to attend a tough love residential programme.

She has campaigned against the facilities after alleging she was abused at one in Utah in the 90s, and testified before Congress in 2024, saying she was force-fed medications and sexually abused.
Alan Harris, 72, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault and five sexual assaults - Solent News & Photo Agency

A criminal defence solicitor sexually assaulted men during legal consultations.

Alan Harris, 72, from Plymouth in Devon, was convicted of 10 offences against seven victims  six men and one woman  over a 27-year period between 1988 and 2015.

He was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault and five sexual assaults following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The majority of his offending took place during private legal consultations at Plymouth magistrates court and Charles Cross police station in Devon.

Judge Angela Morris, the Recorder of Winchester, heard victim statements and representations from prosecution and defence barristers on Tuesday. She will sentence Harris on Wednesday morning.

Your reputation lies in tatters

One victim spoke directly to Harris and recounted the impact of the abuse on his life at a time when he had trusted the solicitor.

I will never understand or be able to accept your behaviour, he told Harris. Your actions will forever haunt me and will remain with me to the grave.

I was young, I was scared and vulnerable. I was locked in a cell with no escape. Your reputation lies in tatters, and any good work you did is now tarnished.

I really hope that you, at some stage, will reflect on your sickening behaviour on those that trusted and needed you and how it has affected those that were abused.

A second victim told the court how the actions of Harris were a contributing factor to his heroin addiction.

I was happy when I heard the verdict that I had been believed after all this time, he said.

A third victim, who read his victim personal statement to the court, described the lasting impact of Harriss abuse. He told him: There is no peace for me. There never will be. You will always be in my head. You will always be in my nightmares.

You abused your position

Anne Whyte KC, prosecuting, read statements on behalf of other victims in the case. One said Harris was the only person who could have helped him, but you abused your position. You are vile.

Another victim described being touched by Harris without their consent and saying no but he took no notice.

He touched me because he felt he had the right and the power to do so, they said. I was frozen to the ground in shock and used my voice to say no, but he took no notice.

Whatever sentence Alan Harris receives, it will never be enough for how he has made me feel. I hope it is nothing less than hell, because he deserves no more than that.

Christine Agnew KC, representing Harris, said her client did not agree with the jurys guilty verdicts, but accepted them.

Describing the father-of-twos career, she told the court that he had a very loyal following and said: He helped out hundreds if not thousands of clients over the years. He had many clients who returned to him because of the service provided.

His fall from grace is a mighty one. He did enjoy extremely good standing in his local community. He will find it particularly difficult to serve a custodial sentence.

Ms Agnew added that Harris had retired from practising as a solicitor in 2016.
Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala was jailed for four years and eight months (Serious Fraud Office)

A former techno DJ has been jailed after selling almost 7m worth of counterfeit aircraft engine parts from his home in a scheme which led to planes being grounded around the world.

Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, 38, admitted to forging more than 60,000 authenticity certificates for engine components on his home computer between 2019 and 2023, costing airlines millions.

His company, AOG Technics, supplied these fraudulent parts, which were then fitted into the CFM56, the worlds most widely used passenger aircraft engine, powering Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes, Southwark Crown Court heard.

In August 2023, planes worldwide were grounded after UK, US, and EU aviation agencies issued safety alerts regarding AOGs components.

Zamora Yrala was jailed for four years and eight months.

Sentencing Zamora Yrala, Mr Justice Simon Picken stated he used several elements of subterfuge to defraud his customers.

Your offending was more or less a complete undermining of the regulatory framework designed to safeguard the millions of people who fly every day, every year, said Judge Picken.

Zamora Yrala was operating from his garage in Virginia Water, Surrey, buying engine blades, bolts and washers before selling them on to major companies such as Ethiopian Airlines and Aero Norway with fraudulent authorised release certificates (ARCs).

Faras Baloch, prosecuting, said: Over a period of around four-and-a-half years, Zamora defrauded customers and potential customers of AOG Technics Ltd by falsifying documentation regarding the origin, provenance, condition, and status of aircraft engine parts the company had supplied or attempted to supply.

Many of these parts were used in or intended for use in the CFM56, the leading engine in commercial aircraft, which powers Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes.

The fraudulent parts were fitted into the CFM56, the worlds most widely used passenger aircraft engine (POOL/AFP/Getty)

Ethiopian Airlines and American Airlines were two of the largest companies that either bought parts from or ended up with parts sold by AOG.

Mr Baloch said: In total, AOG sold 5,627 individual parts with false documentation to Ethiopian Airlines for approximately 1.1m, including seals, bushings, vanes, bolts and washers.

The worlds largest airline, American Airlines, did not buy directly from AOG, but still found that 28 of its engines were affected by its unapproved parts, which caused it losses of more than 21m.

The total known financial losses incurred by airlines came to 39.3m, the court heard.

AOGs number of employees is unclear as only Zamora Yrala, his then wife, her brother and the familys nanny were ever on the payroll, the court heard.

Customers did receive emails and documents from other AOG employees such as Michael Smith and Johnny Rico.

Judge Picken said: It seems to be the case that they were not real people but were made up to give the impression that AOG was more substantive than it really was.

Zamora Yrala forged ARCs, which are required by aviation authorities to prove the quality and age of a product.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) found that he had used a French company, Safran Aerosystems, on thousands of authenticity certificates, even though it never sold parts to him.

Some 90 per cent of AOGs revenue during the indictment period between 2019 and 2023 relied on those forged documents, the court heard.

Mr Baloch said: Zamora identified and exploited the trust that purchasers of aircraft parts placed in the certificates and other documents they received.

He created false ARCs issued in accordance with EU, US, UK, Singaporean and Chinese regulations, which were almost indistinguishable from genuine certificates.

Zamora Yrala was found to have supplied 7m worth of counterfeit aircraft engine parts from his home garage (SFO/PA)

The offending was discovered when a bolt, supplied by AOG to the Portuguese Airline TAP, would not fit on an engine, the SFO has said.

This led to an examination of the forged documents, and the eventual grounding of planes after safety notices were issued on 4 August 2023, the court heard.

On 6 December 2023, Zamora Yralas home was searched, and he provided a statement reading: AOG Technics Ltd sometimes (but not always) sold aircraft parts as parts manufactured by Original Equipment Manufacturers when that was not the case, and admitted responsibility for the falsified certificates.

If the faulty part had not been flagged, it is unclear when Zamora Yralas offending would have been stopped.

Small broker companies dealing in aviation parts are relatively common, as the demand for specific parts at specific times can turn a significant profit.

A Portuguese investigation into others involved in the offending is ongoing and three people are in custody.

Director of operations at SFO, Emma Luxton, said: Zamoras operation risked public safety on a global scale in a way that defies belief.

Im proud that we have used our specialist skills and expertise to bring him to justice and this criminal operation to the ground as swiftly as possible.

Zamora Yrala had worked in the aviation industry from 2011 and set up AOG in 2015 as the sole director, having reportedly previously been a techno DJ.

Nicola Howard KC, defending, admitted he cut corners while running AOG but did not fully understand the possible consequences of his actions.

Zamora Yrala was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment for defrauding AOGs customers and potential customers.

He was also disqualified from acting as a company director for eight years, and will face proceeds of crime proceedings later this year.
GPs will be told to prioritise A&E frequent flyers in an effort to keep the most vulnerable out of hospital.

A new contract for family doctors will require them to proactively seek out patients who regularly attend emergency departments or are in and out of hospital.

GPs will also be contractually obliged to see almost all urgent cases on the same day  a demand that puts the Government on a collision course with the British Medical Association.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said the changes would reduce pressure on hospitals, which have been blighted by corridor care in recent years.

Mr Streeting said the reforms would stop patients being pushed from pillar to post and instead provide continuity of care.

Writing for The Telegraph, he said: For vulnerable people with long-term conditions, including the frequent flyers who might otherwise ricochet between A&E, home, GP surgery and back to A&E again, this continuity of care is critical.

Seeing the same trusted and familiar doctor who knows their health history not only helps minimise delays, disruption and readmissions, it is also a huge comfort to the patient themselves.

For too long, the NHS has been weighed down by avoidable hospital admissions, crowded A&E departments and patients passed from pillar to post.

We cannot solve those pressures simply by pouring more money into hospitals. We have to fix the front door to the NHS.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, says the reforms will provide patients with continuity of care - Martin Rickett/PA

Under the new 485m contract, GPs will be told to use risk stratification tools to identify the patients who need the most help, using data on hospital attendance and admissions.

Those found to be in and out of hospital, or frequent attenders in A&E, will be targeted proactively by GP practices.

NHS figures have previously revealed more than 360,000 patients attend A&E more than five times a year.

It also turns guidance that family doctors see 90 per cent of urgent cases on the same day into a legal obligation.

In recent years, an expansion in staffing at GP practices means the majority of consultations are not with a family doctor.

In addition, 300m of existing funding will be diverted to GP practices so they can hire more doctors or expand the hours worked by existing medics.

Practices will be offered bonuses worth up to 3,000 a year to boost the rollout of weight-loss jabs, with separate financial incentives for progress in increasing uptake of childhood vaccinations.

New GP contract from April 1

The funding and measures are part of the new GP contract for 2026 to 2027, which will come into force from April 1.

Katie Bramall, the chairwoman of the BMAs GP committee, said the new contract will likely be presented as a major win for patient access and some elements may be welcomed.

However, she added: GPs will be left reeling over the unrealistic expectation of providing unlimited same-day urgent care and profoundly concerned regarding unnecessary barriers for patients to access specialist care, all while trying to keep their practices viable and prevent closures.

Research published on Tuesday on more than 750,000 patients from 6,400 practices found rising numbers of patients who were uncertain what type of health professional they had seen.

This was stated by one in 20 patients, with confidence and trust among such cases falling by up to 80 per cent.

The study by researchers from the Nuffield Trust was published in the British Journal of General Practice.

Perceived difficulties to access care

Separate polling shows almost half of all adults in the UK avoided or delayed contacting their GP about a health concern in 2025.

Experts said the findings should ring alarm bells for policymakers who have pledged to move care out of hospitals.

Most of those who avoided making contact with their GP did so because they thought it would be difficult to access care. In total, 30 per cent did not expect to be offered a suitable appointment, 17 per cent thought it would be too difficult to contact the practice and 14 per cent worried their request would not be taken seriously.

More than one quarter of people decided to manage the issue themselves or wait for it to go away.

Accessing a GP is the publics main priority for the NHS, along with improved A&E waiting times, the poll suggests.

Meanwhile, two in five adults believe that the general standard of care provided by the NHS worsened in the past year, according to polling of 2,200 adults conducted in December by the Health Foundation and Ipsos.

Tim Gardner, assistant director of policy at the Health Foundation, said: Our findings signal that too often people are going without the care they need, which risks storing up health problems further down the line and placing more strain on an already stretched service.

Chris McCann, the acting chief executive at Healthwatch England, said: People consistently tell us that GP services are becoming harder to use and that simply getting through the door for care can be a challenge.

For example, we often hear from individuals who wait in long telephone queues for an appointment, only to be told that all slots have been taken for the day and that they must try again tomorrow.

Plans to recruit more doctors should make it easier for patients to get appointments and ensure urgent cases are handled more quickly.

We have to fix front door to NHS

By Wes Streeting

Often, when I speak to patients about the NHS, they dont talk about anonymous targets, structures or processes.

They talk about people. They celebrate the doctors who noticed something others missed. They praise the GPs who called back after hours. They recall relief at the sight of familiar faces who understood not just their symptoms but their story.

For millions of people, that is exactly what they want from their GP surgery.

Thats why our new GP contract for 2026-27 is about more than funding. Not a faceless system. Not an endless phone queue at 8am. Not a carousel of changing clinicians forcing patients to repeat their medical history each time.

Thats why were bringing back the family doctor as a central part of community based health services.

For vulnerable people with long-term conditions, including the frequent flyers who might otherwise ricochet between A&E, home, the GP surgery and back to A&E again, this continuity of care is critical.

Seeing the same trusted and familiar doctor who knows their health history not only helps minimise delays, disruption and readmissions, it is also a huge comfort to the patient themselves.

Boosting capacity and timely access to services is key.

That is the spirit behind our GP contract for 2026-27, which lies at the heart of our 10-year health plan to shift the NHS from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention.

For too long, the NHS has been weighed down by avoidable hospital admissions, crowded A&E departments and patients passed from pillar to post.

In December 2025, the waiting list still stood at 7.29 million. In January, 13.1 per cent of patients waited more than 12 hours in A&E. Ambulance response times remain under pressure.

Wes Streeting: For too long, the NHS has been weighed down by avoidable hospital admissions and crowded A&E departments - PA Wire

We cannot solve those pressures simply by pouring more money into hospitals. We have to fix the front door to the NHS.

That means rebuilding general practice as a neighbourhood health service that keeps people well, spots illness early and supports the vulnerable before they spiral into crisis.

Our new contract is backed by 485m of new investment, bringing total GP funding to 13.8bn.

Crucially, it ring fences nearly 300m to help practices recruit and retain around 1,600 additional full-time-equivalent GPs next year. Since coming into office, we have already increased GP numbers by 2,000.

More doctors in the community means earlier diagnosis, better management of chronic conditions and more personalised support for those who need it most.

For the first time, the contract will require practices to provide a same-day appointment for all patients with urgent needs.

Mr Streeting says his department has a 10-year health plan to shift the NHS from hospital to community and from sickness to prevention - Kin Cheung/AP

At the same time, we are modernising access.

Im determined to make the 8am scramble for appointments a thing of the past. In the past year, weve made it mandatory for GP practices to offer online requests for appointments, with 7.4 million submitted in December alone, freeing up phone lines for those who prefer to contact their GP in that way.

Making healthcare more proactive

But access alone is not enough. This is about making healthcare more proactive, less reactive.

This contract strengthens prevention, incentivising practices to drive up childhood immunisation rates, particularly in areas where uptake has fallen dangerously low.

We are mandating data sharing with the lung cancer screening programme so that thousands more current and former smokers receive life-saving invitations, with an additional 50,000 cancers expected to be detected by 2035.

Lets be clear: the future of the NHS will not be built in hospital corridors.

It will be built in communities, GP surgeries and neighbourhood teams who know their patients and act before illness escalates.

Patient satisfaction with access to their GP is rising, from 60 per cent in July 2024 to more than 75 per cent at the end of last year.

Our ambition is for an NHS that works the same way: personal, local, reliable.

That is how we shift care out of hospitals and back into neighbourhoods. That is how we prioritise the most vulnerable. And that is how we build an NHS fit for the future.

Wes Streeting is the Health Secretary
Bone cement is used in most of the 250,000 hip and knee operations carried out each year - Sergii Kolesnikov/iStockphoto

The NHS is scrambling to buy enough bone cement to prevent thousands of hip and knee operations from being cancelled.

Hospital trusts with just days of existing supply left are already having to postpone procedures after being told to prioritise emergency cases.

A global shortage of bone cement, which is used in most of the 250,000 hip and knee operations carried out each year, was first revealed by the Telegraph last week.

It came after Heraeus Medical, one of the worlds major suppliers, suffered a critical machine failure at its main production site in Germany.

Cemented implants provide stability more quickly, allowing people to bear weight, walk and get back to normal life faster than alternatives. They are often also infused with antibiotics to cut the risk of an infection that can go deep into the joint.

The health service is understood to have agreed an emergency deal with Zimmer Biomet, an American medical device company, to supply bone cement for the next eight weeks in an attempt to avert a crisis.

Health officials have been holding emergency meetings to establish how much bone cement the NHS has left, with stocks expected to run out in days.

The crisis means thousands of patients waiting for false knees or hips now face further waits on the NHS in a blow to the Governments pledge to bring down the 7.29 million waiting list.

The NHS is looking to fly in a replacement product, Zimmer Biomets Hi-Fatigue G bone cement, urgently. It has a list price of around 200 under normal circumstances, but may come at a premium because of the emergency.

The NHS has been forced into buying 35,000 units to cover operations for the coming weeks, it is understood.

Leaders are hoping to receive and distribute it this week but surgeons will also require extra training sessions on how to use the replacement product. One source suggested surgeons could refuse to use any product they are not accustomed to using.

The cement, which hardens when injected into the implant site to lock it in place, is also less commonly used in shoulder, elbow, and ankle operations because those bones often heal better without it.

Bone cement is used in 82 per cent of knee replacements and almost 60 per cent of hip replacements, which equates to about 15,000 every month, analysis of official figures shows.

Prosthetic implants that do not use cement rely on the patients bone to grow into the implant to create a more natural fit, but this takes longer and is typically preferred in younger, healthier patients.

There are also hybrid variations that use cement in some parts and not others, but still require its supply.

Heraeus Medical, a technology firm that manufactures healthcare products, told its customers last week that the failure had occurred while trying to upgrade its systems and would last for at least two months.

This is currently preventing us from releasing the pouch bone cements that were manufactured on this machine, its co-presidents wrote.

We plan to re-start production as quickly as possible, but with the production cycle time to get products to the market, this will result in a supply shortage of pouch cements for at least the next two months.

The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) said it and the NHS had identified two viable alternatives, but that the Zimmer Biomet product was more readily available.

This is an ambient-controlled product which is currently used across Europe and has been since 2008, it wrote in an update. Large volumes of this product will only be available in the UK market, via NHS Supply Chain, from late February.

Once secured, this stock will be brought into NHS Supply Chain networks and will be demand managed using standard principles.

The NHS trauma and orthopaedics backlog, which includes joint ops and replacements, is the largest of any NHS speciality, standing at 844,356 at the end of December.

Almost half have been waiting for longer than 18 weeks, and 22,000 have been waiting for longer than a year.

Figures released by the UKs National Joint Registry (NJR) in 2020 revealed that in operations where bone cement was used, Heraeus Medical was the supplier for about 80 per cent of knee procedures, 70 per cent of hip procedures and two-thirds of ankle and elbow.

Recent figures from the BODS and BOA suggest that this has increased since, and now provides about 80 per cent of supply across all orthopaedic operations, with the manufacturer the NHS preferred choice.

In 2025, 337,948 joint operations were carried out across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to statistics from the NJR. Of these, 148,712  about 44 per cent  were carried out by independent providers in the private sector.

Health services are still contending with record backlogs after delays caused by the pandemic, with just 104,138 operations completed in 2020.
The Napoleonic symbol on a commode in a Lovejoy episode helped an antiques dealer identify stolen artefacts

Featuring the adventures of a lovable rogue with an eye for priceless antiques, Lovejoy is regarded as one of the more memorable TV series of the 1980s.

And that certainly proved true for one real-life antiques dealer when his recollection of an old episode helped him crack a decade-old burglary at the crypt of Napoleon III.

For 12 years, the burglary at Saint Michaels Abbey in Farnborough had remained unsolved, with historically important and priceless 19th-century prayer frames stolen and feared lost forever.

But when Paul Gostelow, a Derbyshire antiques dealer, was approached after the Army found two altar plaques in a field, the distinctive N and ball and crown on the corners seemed familiar.

Mr Gostelow recalled seeing the motif in one of the scenes from Lovejoy, in which the part-time detective, played by Ian McShane, drives around Britain in a Volvo estate, scouring salerooms, auction halls and stately homes looking for a find.

Pc Mark Webb and Paul Gostelow, an antiques dealer, with the plaques. Mr Gostelow identified them as having been stolen from the crypt of Napoleon III - Hampshire Constabulary

While Benedictine monks had assumed they would never see the plaques again, the Army eventually found them in the village of Pirbright, across the county border in Surrey.

Unaware of their significance, the Army sent the frames for Mr Gostelow to assess them. He realised they were the plaques that had vanished more than a decade ago.

It is not clear from exactly which episode of Lovejoy Mr Gostelow recognised the motif.

Brother Richard Woulfe (left) and Dom Aelred Hawker hold the two altar plaques that have been returned to St Michaels Abbey in Farnborough - Chris Gorman/For The Daily Telegraph

However, in the 1993 episode The Napoleonic Commode, Lovejoy sold a 19th-century commode as the former property of Napoleon Bonaparte. He had paid a local potter to produce a replacement for its missing ceramic element. The commode featured an N motif on the inside of the lid, which was similar to that seen on the missing plaques.

Unlike his on-screen equivalent, who may have kept the discovery for himself or sought to sell it on, Mr Gostelow alerted police, who were delighted to receive the chance call about the missing artefacts.

Once Pc Mark Webb, the forces heritage-crime specialist, confirmed the plaques were from the crypt of Napoleon III  Napoleon Bonapartes nephew  they were returned to the abbey.

The Hampshire force described the plaques as unique, historically important and priceless.

The plaques were found in a field in Surrey - Hampshire Constabulary

We had almost forgotten about them, Brother Aelred Cuthbert, of Saint Michaels Abbey, told The Telegraph. It was so long ago that we thought wed never see them again and some rich person who could commission a theft had them up on their wall.

Brother Aelred described the recovered Napoleonic artefacts as being in poor condition when they were returned last week, noting that considerable work is needed to conserve and restore what has returned to us.

However, the monk said the monastery was delighted to hear of their recovery: We were all very excited because visitors would often ask, did you ever hear what happened to the altar cards?, so it was always a bit of a gut-punch.

While Mr Gostelows memory of Lovejoy may appear encyclopaedic, Brother Aelred said that the strict way of life at the Abbey meant the show was new to the monks.

We dont have a television, so Lovejoy was never part of our life and it was news to me when the plaques were found in this way but its wonderful, he said. The monastery will now return to using them in Mass.

The plaques in place at St Michaels Abbey before they were stolen in 2014

Napoleon III, the former emperor of France, went into exile in England in 1871 after losing the Franco-Prussian War. He died in 1873 following surgery for bladder stones.

In 1880, his widow, Empress Eugenie, bought a house in Farnborough. She built Saint Michaels Abbey, with its mausoleum housing the remains of her husband and her son, Louis-Napoleon, who died in the Zulu War in 1879.

When his body was retrieved from the battlefield, a number of handwritten prayers were found in his wallet, which Eugenie had engraved and mounted to form the prayer frames that were stolen in the burglary.

The text of the prayers is filled with the princes aspirations, speaking of duty, honour and the history of his family.

Eugenies crown was stolen as part of the multi-million-pound heist at the Louvre in Paris last October.

The Prince and his wife led tragic lives, and now even in death theyre not having much luck, Brother Aelred said. Now at, least, the return of these artefacts to the abbey will allow them to be put to good use again.

While two of the plaques have been recovered, the thieves remain at large and the hunt is on for the third prayer frame.

Police say they have a number of lines of enquiry. However, should they fail to make a breakthrough, producers of Lovejoy may be awaiting their call.
The Scottish Highlands have enough woodland and prey to sustain up to 250 lynx if they are reintroduced - Andreas Arnold/dpa/AFP via Getty

A lynx rewilding consultation does not allow people to show their opposition to the proposal, farmers have claimed.

The Lynx to Scotland Partnership has held dozens of meetings in the Highlands, highlighting its campaign to reintroduce the animals.

But the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) and National Sheep Association (NSA) have warned that the materials used in the roadshow could skew public opinion.

They pointed out that forms given to the public attending the events had no option to oppose lynx being reintroduced.

Questions about the impact on farming, land management and rare species such as capercaillie were also not adequately explained, they alleged.

Died out during Middle Ages

Lynx are about the size of a labrador and are thought to have died out in Scotland during the Middle Ages because of hunting and habitat loss.

Their prey ranges from deer and sheep to birds, rodents, rabbits and mountain hares.

Since 2020, the Lynx to Scotland Partnership has been assessing whether and how they could be brought back.

The group  involving the charities Trees for Life, Scotland: The Big Picture and The Lifescape Project  has argued the Highlands had enough woodland and prey to sustain up to 250 of the cats.

Any reintroduction would begin with a small number, it said, with up to 20 being released gradually over several years.

John Swinney, Scotlands First Minister, last year ruled out the reintroduction of lynx and other carnivores.

But the partnership plans to increase public support for the move by contacting 89,000 households in the area and holding 42 public information sessions.

Cannot gauge public opinion

Iain Hepburn, of the SGA, said: Lynx to Scotland are perfectly within their right to promote their cause and lots of our respective members have engaged respectfully in the sessions.

However, not being able to say no is a glaring omission and the last thing we want to see in future is statistics saying x amount of people attending engagement sessions were in favour of lynx reintroduction, when that can only ever be incomplete.

He added: You cannot gauge public opinion when slanting things in only one particular direction and that is why this needs to be pointed out, publicly, now.

Faye Bryce, the NSA Scotland policy officer, said: This consultation appeared heavily weighted towards the reintroduction of lynx without always addressing significant questions around livestock welfare and farmer welfare with stress and worry about their stock being potentially attacked by lynx.

Steve Micklewright, the chief executive of Trees for Life, confirmed that the campaigns consultation did not include a yes or no question on whether lynx should be reintroduced.

He said: We already know the majority of Scots support the return of lynx  the questionnaire isnt about that.

Its about encouraging people to share their views about different aspects of lynx reintroduction, so we can better understand questions, concerns and local issues.

He added that the consultation had reached large numbers of people, with clear, accessible information and the next stage was to hold in-depth discussions with groups such as farmers and gamekeepers.

Threat to rural business

Sir Edward Mountain, a Tory MSP, said: We accused the Victorians of using the Highlands as their playground. Eco warrior groups such as Trees for Life are proving worse.

Introducing lynx to the Highlands is a threat to rural business and will do little to control deer, but lynx will kill our endangered wildcats and capercaillie.

In January 2025, four lynx were illegally released in the Cairngorms National Park.

One of the lynx died after being recaptured, but the other three were rehomed at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie.

The Lynx to Scotland Partnership condemned the way the cats were released, describing it as illegal and irresponsible.
Lord Mandelson was arrested after police were warned that he was about to flee the country.

Metropolitan Police officers detained the former Labour Cabinet minister on Monday afternoon after receiving a tip that he was about to move to the British Virgin Islands.

Lord Mandelson was forced to surrender his passport as part of his bail conditions, following seven hours of police questioning.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, lawyers for Lord Mandelson described allegations that he was planning to flee the country as baseless.

Lord Mandelson leaves a police station in London after being bailed in the early hours of Tuesday

Police launched an investigation into the disgraced peer three weeks ago after it emerged that he appeared to have leaked sensitive government documents to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Browns Cabinet.

The arrest was another blow for Sir Keir Starmer, whose judgment has been questioned over the decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as Britains ambassador to the US.

On Tuesday, officials confirmed they would release documents related to Lord Mandelsons work in government and appointment as ambassador early next month.

However, The Telegraph can reveal that ministers will have the final say over which files will be released, despite promises that the public would be given maximum transparency.

Clear operational reasons for arrest

Lord Mandelsons homes in London and Wiltshire were raided by officers from the Mets central specialist crime team earlier this month, with documents and computer equipment seized.

The Telegraph understands the force had been planning to interview the former minister by appointment rather than arrest him, but that decision changed suddenly on Monday when detectives became concerned that he could be a flight risk.

A Scotland Yard source said the arrest followed new intelligence and was made for clear operational reasons.

A spokesman for Lord Mandelson said there was no truth in the suggestion he was planning to leave the UK.

In a statement, the spokesman said: Peter Mandelson was arrested despite an agreement with the police that he would attend an interview next month on a voluntary basis.

The arrest was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad. There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion. We have asked the MPS for the evidence relied upon to justify the arrest.

Peter Mandelsons overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.

Peer discussed global property portfolio

It is unclear why Lord Mandelson would flee to the British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory and a signatory to the Extradition Act 2003.

A tranche of Epsteins emails, released by the US department of justice last month, show the Labour peer was in discussions with the shamed financier about buying a portfolio of properties around the world, including in Moscow and Rio de Janeiro.

Lord Mandelson was business secretary under Mr Brown between October 2008 and May 2010. He retained a close friendship with Epstein, even after the financier had been convicted for soliciting a teenage girl for sex.

The emails showed that their friendship spanned much of Lord Mandelsons time in public life and allegedly included conversations about confidential government decisions.

Lord Mandelson, in a white dressing gown, is pictured laughing with Jeffrey Epstein in a page from the financiers 50th birthday book

The damaging disclosures forced him to renounce his peerage and led to the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keirs chief of staff, who pushed for Lord Mandelsons appointment as ambassador.

Among the documents he allegedly shared with Epstein were plans for a multibillion-pound EU bailout during the financial crash and details of a planned government sale of land and property.

Documents released last month also suggest Lord Mandelson and his husband, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, received cash payments from Epstein worth more than 60,000. He has said he has no memory or record of the payments.

Separate documents, relating to Lord Mandelsons work in government and appointment as US ambassador, are set to be released by the Government early next month.

They are expected to include exchanges with ministers and senior officials that the Government may wish to redact to avoid embarrassment.

Whitewash fears over Mandelson files

Whitehall sources confirmed that the intelligence and security committee (ISC), an independent group of MPs and peers overseeing the redaction of the files, would not be allowed to overrule the Government.

The Telegraph understands that if the committee disagrees with a redaction proposed by the Cabinet Office and the dispute cannot be resolved, it can only refer the Government to another parliamentary committee in an attempt to force the information to be released.

The ISC, established to scrutinise the intelligence services, has previously complained about its lack of independence from the Government because it relies on legal and secretarial assistance from civil servants.

Its members wrote to ministers last year to complain about the control exerted over the committees staff and resourcing by the Cabinet Office, which self-evidently, should not be the case. It said: An oversight body should not sit within, and be beholden to, an organisation which it oversees.

A former senior civil servant familiar with the committees work said the redaction of the Mandelson files was not, in any meaningful sense, an independent process.

They told The Telegraph: The Government will decide what is redacted, and the ISC, which has complained for years about the interference of the Cabinet Office in its work, will be in practice reliant on seconded civil servants who ultimately answer to the Cabinet Secretary.

If large sections are redacted or tightly controlled, critics will argue that the system has protected itself. Without visible transparency, this risks being seen as a highly managed exercise in institutional and political self-preservation.

On Tuesday, MPs waved through a Liberal Democrat motion demanding the release of files about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors appointment and work as a trade envoy.

But Downing Street said it would not publish every file relating to the former prince because certain documents could jeopardise the police investigation into his alleged misconduct.

The documents could show the extent of Lord Mandelsons role in the appointment, as well as details of the due diligence process.

A spokesperson for the Lord Speaker said: Any suggestion at all that the Lord Speaker received information about Lord Mandelsons movements or communicated any such information to the Metropolitan Police Service is entirely false and without foundation.
Ekaterina Frolova, 46, was sentenced in January in connection with the theft of 200 worth of shellfish at Elystan Street restaurant in Chelsea

A woman nicknamed the langoustine lifter after stealing 200 worth of shellfish from outside a London restaurant has been pictured.

Ekaterina Frolova, 46, was sentenced last month in connection with a theft at Elystan Street restaurant in Chelsea.

Frolova, of Lucan Place, Kensington, also admitted taking items from a nearby florist, among other offences.

A manhunt was launched last November after CCTV footage emerged of a langoustine delivery being taken from outside the Michelin-starred Elystan Street.

More footage was released in the following days, showing a woman taking items from Petals at Bibendum, just a short walk from the restaurant.

Police said this week that Frolova was arrested in December over the incidents.

She pleaded guilty to theft and burglary charges relating to both the restaurant and the florist in December last year. She also admitted stealing hundreds of pounds worth of vitamins and a pair of nail clippers from nearby Zen Pharmacy.

Credit: Elystan Street/Instagram

Frolova was remanded in custody and appeared Westminster magistrates court on Jan 5, where she was fined 350.

Her crimes started in west London, when Elystan Street, Phil Howards Michelin-star restaurant, discovered that a delivery had vanished from the porch. Inside the box were hundreds of pounds worth of langoustines.

CCTV footage showed a woman, dressed in jeans and white slippers, taking the box and hurrying away, head down, shoulders hunched.

Caught stealing our precious langoustines this morning  you low-life scumbag, Mr Howard wrote as he posted the video online. Hope you rot in hell with your other hard-working mates.

Mr Howard, who trained under the Roux brothers and Marco Pierre White, earned two Michelin stars at Mayfairs The Square before opening Elystan Street in 2016.

The thief then moved on to flowers, stealing orchids from Chelsea florist Petals at Bibendum.

Credit: Max Cansdale, Petals at Bibendum

Speaking previously, Max Cansdale, who has co-owned Petals at Bibendum for five years, said the impact of theft was hitting his business hard.

He said: All that can be done for small businesses that face this shoplifting epidemic is to put preventative measures in place.

All of our products are now secured with fishing wire... Weve got a security guard, and at night my team spend a lot more time packing away the whole shop completely away from the gate. Even if you had a two-metre broom pushed through the gate, you wouldnt hook anything.

Its a lot more work for the team, we have team members that come in half an hour earlier to open up, they work later so that they can pack away.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: Ekaterina Frolova... of Lucan Place appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday 15 December 2025, where she pleaded guilty to theft and burglary.

She was remanded in custody and sentenced at the same court on Monday 5 January, where she was given a total fine of 350.
Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed two teenage students and a caretaker in June 2023 - Nottinghamshire Police

Police have been accused of attempting to cover up their failure to arrest the Nottingham knifeman before he killed two students and a caretaker.

Valdo Calocane fatally stabbed Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, before seriously injuring three others by running them over in June 2023.

Sophie Cartwright KC, representing survivors at a public inquiry, said a family liaison officer told one survivor that Calocane was not known to Nottinghamshire Police before the attacks.

She said Asst Chief Constable Rob Griffin approved a timeline to journalists that omitted the killers previous attacks on neighbours.

In May 2020, Calocane forced entry to a womans flat, frightening her so badly that she jumped out of a window and damaged her spine.

The public inquiry  which is examining the events, acts and omissions that allowed Calocane to be free to kill  was told that body-worn camera footage of the attacker involved in a previous violent assault was not properly investigated, while call records were now lost or unavailable.

The Nottingham knife attack victims were Ian Coates, 65, and Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar, both 19 - Nottinghamshire Police

On Tuesday, the inquiry was told that police had 11 dealings with Calocane before the killings.

Tim Moloney KC, on behalf of the relatives of Mr Webber, Ms OMalley-Kumar and Mr Coates, described the shortcomings in dealing with Calocane before, during and after the attacks.

In an opening statement, Mr Moloney said recordings of calls from the force control room to the officers room were seemingly lost or unavailable.

He said it was astonishing that none of the outgoing calls were recorded, adding: The inquiry may consider whether this lack of consistent contemporary record is reflective of the care with which Nottinghamshire Police approached the events of June 2023.

Ms Cartwright said that the withholding of relevant information appears to be an issue considered at the highest level of Nottingham police.

It was heard that an administrative error had been blamed for the deletion of a video and witness accounts of Calocane attacking co-workers at a factory in Leicestershire five weeks before the fatal attacks.

Valdo Calocanes arrest after he fatally stabbed three people and seriously injured three others by running them over in June 2023 - Nottinghamshire Police

John Beggs KC, representing Nottinghamshire Police, admitted there had been communication failures but said it was simply not correct to suggest a cover-up.

Mr Webbers mother, Emma, said the impact of her oldest sons killing had been limitless  it is infinite in its grief, in its sadness, in its pointlessness, in its cruelty.

She added: There have been many, many occasions where I havent wanted to be here any more, thats how bad it is.

I want people to remember Barney for being a really genuine, authentic, good person who was taken, but he made an impact in the time he was here and on the people he was with.

Sinead OMalley, Graces mother, said no amount of time could heal the killing of her daughter.

People say time heals. But it doesnt heal when youve lost a child. In fact, I would say it gets worse, because you feel the separation between yourself and your child growing as the years go by.

Police have admitted that failing to take toxicology samples from the Nottingham killer immediately after his attack was an oversight.

On Tuesday, the inquiry heard that the forces senior investigating officer (SIO) recognised that he should have taken a sample of Calocanes hair for testing.

Mr Beggs said: The failure of the SIO to require [Calocane] to give head hair samples is an oversight that he has admitted in his statement. But this is not an error  we say with respect  an error that made any material difference to the appropriateness of the manslaughter pleas.

The victims families had raised concerns that Calocane was not tested for drugs in the aftermath of the attack.

They argued that the outcome of any toxicology report might have affected whether the partial defence of diminished responsibility would have been available to the killer. The CPS had accepted this defence because of Calocanes paranoid schizophrenia.

The victims families have raised concerns that Calocane was not tested for drugs in the aftermath of the attack - Yui Mok/PA Wire

The families also accused the NHS of committing a string of failures by not properly treating Calocanes known risk.

The inquiry heard that Calocane displayed behaviours inconsistent with being affected by drink or drugs on the day of the attack.

Jacqueline Carey KC, representing the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said the diminished responsibility defence would still have been available to him even with a positive toxicology test.

Even if he had consumed alcohol and/or drugs just before or on the night of June 13, case law makes clear that it does not follow that this would have deprived him of the defence of diminished responsibility, she said.

The inquiry previously heard Calocane was not sectioned following a previous violent attack because he was black.

The hearing was told that he attempted to break into a neighbours flat during a psychotic episode in May 2020, but was not committed to a psychiatric hospital after professionals took into account an over-representation of young black males in detention.

Rachel Langdale KC, counsel to the inquiry, said one doctor had been leaning towards sectioning Calocane because it was his first presentation of psychosis.

But the team of professionals considered the research evidence that shows over-representation of young black males in detention, Ms Langdale said, adding that it was decided that he could be admitted later if his treatment failed.

Calocane would go on to be sectioned four times.

A previous independent report into his care found that failings included not forcing him to have long-lasting antipsychotic medication because he did not like needles, and NHS staff having felt a pressure to avoid restrictive practice because of his ethnicity.

The inquiry continues.
Study of 5 million students finds wide differences in recovery patterns, with just one in seven schools recovered in both subjects

BOSTON, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- NWEA , a K-12 assessment and research organization, today released a new research report examining academic recovery patterns post-COVID. The new study, titled " From Loss to Recovery: Diverging Paths and Uneven Gains Across Schools ," used NWEA MAP Growth (a widely used assessment in U.S. schools) test scores from more than five million students across 9,326 U.S. public schools to identify where and how recovery is occurring.

Three key findings emerged:

About 1 in 3 schools have recovered in either math or reading; only 1 in 7 schools have recovered in both subjects.

While recovery was more common among schools with smaller initial declines, some schools rebounded after deep losses.

Schools serving higher-poverty and historically marginalized students are less likely to be recovered, but they have made the largest gains since the pandemic.

"Recovered" in the study was defined as schools whose average achievement in fall 2024 matched or exceeded their fall 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.

"Our findings show there was not a single path to recovery," said Dr. Emily Morton, Lead Research Scientist at NWEA. "While some schools recovered by avoiding initial declines, others rebounded with remarkable growth. These 'Rebounder' schools offer critical lessons about the practices and investments that can help students regain lost ground and continue moving forward."

Based on these findings, the new research report provides several recommendations for local education leaders and state policymakers in planning the next phases of post-pandemic support. These include:

Tracking recovery trajectories at the state level by making recovery measures accessible and paired with information on schools' recovery paths.

at the state level by making recovery measures accessible and paired with information on schools' recovery paths. Aligning supports with schools' recovery trajectories so they continue to be targeted and aligned to the differing needs of schools, rather than uniformly applied across schools.

so they continue to be targeted and aligned to the differing needs of schools, rather than uniformly applied across schools. Preparing for future crises , especially for schools that experienced larger pandemic-era declines. Now, before another crisis, policies that reduce instructional disruptions and protocols that support instructional continuity must be adopted.

, especially for schools that experienced larger pandemic-era declines. Now, before another crisis, policies that reduce instructional disruptions and protocols that support instructional continuity must be adopted. Prioritizing schools with the largest remaining gap so recent gains are sustained and progress toward recovery continues.

so recent gains are sustained and progress toward recovery continues. Using realistic timelines and benchmarks for recovery that reflect schools' initial pandemic-era declines and account for recent growth, while using tools such as NWEA's MAP Growth Goal Explorer to monitor progress and set achievable goals.

Read the full report: https://www.nwea.org/research/publication/from-loss-to-recovery-diverging-paths-and-uneven-gains-across-schools/

About NWEA

NWEA (a division of HMH ) is a mission-driven organization that supports students and educators in more than 146 countries through research, assessment solutions, and professional learning that support our diverse educational communities. Visit NWEA.org to learn more about how we're partnering with educators to help all kids learn.

Contact: Simona Beattie, Communications Director, [email protected] or 971.361.9526

SOURCE NWEA
Russian spies have turned properties across Western Europe into a network of 'Trojan horses'

Russian spies have turned properties across Western Europe into a network of Trojan horses designed to unleash a co-ordinated sabotage campaign, intelligence officials have warned.

Exploiting weak legal frameworks, clandestine Russian units are suspected of purchasing sensitive real estate close to military and civilian sites in at least a dozen European nations.

Intent on escalating its hybrid war on the West, Russian spy agencies have allegedly acquired summer houses, holiday cabins, warehouses, abandoned schools, city flats and even entire islands with the intention of using them as launchpads for co-ordinated surveillance, sabotage and covert attacks.

Serving and former officers at three European intelligence agencies have told The Telegraph they fear Russia may already have explosives, drones, weapons and undercover operatives at some of the sites, ready to be activated in a crisis.

Acts of sabotage linked to Moscow  ranging from arson attacks in London and Warsaw to parcel bombs, assassination plots and attempted train derailments  have surged since Russias invasion of Ukraine four years ago. Some in the Western intelligence community fear these incidents may be little more than test runs.

Rather than launching a conventional military assault, intelligence officials say the Kremlin may seek to test Nato resolve in the grey zone, staging deniable attacks on a grander scale to paralyse transport, communications and energy networks, while complicating any invocation of the alliances Article 5 collective defence clause.

A sabotage campaign is less likely to produce consensus around Article 5 than a conventional Russian military operation, an intelligence officer said. Deniability  plausible or otherwise  makes attribution harder and, without certainty, it becomes much trickier to rally support.

Britain vulnerable to attack

Blaise Metreweli, the new head of MI6, used her first speech in charge to warn Britain was now operating in a space between peace and war. Russia is testing us in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war, Ms Metreweli said in December.

Volodymyr Zelensky warned at the weekend that Vladimir Putin has already started a Third World War against the West. Russia wants to impose on the world a different way of life and change the lives people have chosen for themselves, he said.

Moscow is suspected of using spy ships and shadow-fleet vessels to position sensors and remotely detonated explosives near undersea cables in British waters and elsewhere. By acquiring property close to military bases or vital civilian infrastructure, officials believe Russia may be pursuing a similar strategy on land.

Critical national infrastructure is acutely vulnerable to malicious state activity, one intelligence official said. Allowing Russian nationals to invest largely unimpeded in strategic real estate is a significant threat vector that urgently needs addressing.

Britain is seen as vulnerable to such an attack. While suspicious property acquisitions close to the MI6 headquarters in Vauxhall, central London, and the United States embassy at Nine Elms have been investigated, security experts and some politicians fear Russia may have acquired  or will seek to acquire  remote properties overlooking the Trident submarine base at Faslane in west Scotland or subsea cable landing points in Shetland. There are also fears that Russians could have bought houses around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Finland alarmed by military island

European states are now being told to follow the example of Finland, which in July imposed a near-blanket ban on Russians and Belarusians buying real estate, triggering a chain reaction in Baltic states that have adopted similar legislation.

Few other European countries have gone as far, however, and there are concerns that Britain remains vulnerable because of ownership loopholes, even after tightening disclosure rules.

Finlands caution is rooted in experience. It is widely regarded by intelligence officials as the epicentre of a clandestine Russian strategy to acquire strategically located property  a model that Moscow is now believed to be replicating across Europe.

No case has alarmed Finnish authorities more than Airiston Helmi, a company that quietly acquired 17 properties around the Archipelago Sea, many of them close to key maritime routes and telecommunications infrastructure near the port of Turku, home to Finlands maritime industry and naval command.

The most striking of these was the island of Sakkiluoto. On the morning of Sept 22, 2018, residents across the channel watched in disbelief as helicopters and speedboats dropped off hundreds of camouflaged commandos on to the island.

What investigators found was extraordinary. The property had nine piers, a helipad, security cameras and motion detectors, camouflage netting and buildings resembling barracks, each fitted with satellite dishes and advanced communications equipment.

Finnish authorities found the island housed this helipad, as well as security cameras, motion detectors and buildings resembling barracks

One of nine piers on Sakkiluoto, a Finnish island that was suspected to be the site of Russian espionage activity - Ksenia Ivanova/New York Times

Finland chose not to antagonise Moscow directly, charging the companys Russian owner Pavel Melnikov with fraud. He was handed a suspended sentence last year. The Russian government dismissed suspicions of espionage, with Dmitry Medvedev, the former president, claiming that only a sick mind could draw such conclusions. Finnish politicians were less convinced, noting that Airiston Helmi had also purchased surplus landing craft from the countrys navy.

A passport photograph of Pavel Melnikov, the Russian owner of the company that purchased Sakkiluoto. He was given a suspended sentence for fraud - Finnish Patent and Registration Office

Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, officials say Russia has largely abandoned such grandiose projects, instead focusing on replicating Airiston Helmi in miniature but at scale, turning hundreds, perhaps thousands, of otherwise unremarkable buildings across Europe into listening posts, safe houses and potential weapons depots.

Some are openly owned by the Russian state, albeit designated for ostensibly benign purposes. Western governments have begun shutting several down. Poland closed Russias consulate in Gdansk last November, while Britain stripped a Russian-owned estate in East Sussex of its diplomatic status the previous year after neighbours reported surveillance drones being deployed from the property.

Latvia has closed Soviet-era resorts along its Baltic coast amid fears they could be used as a staging ground for covert operations.

Harder to track are the far greater numbers of properties owned by Russian individuals and companies. In Norway, cabins linked to Kremlin-connected figures sit close to sensitive Arctic military sites. This includes homes in Malselv Fjellandsby, overlooking Bardufoss air base in Troms, one of the countrys most important military bases and equipped with mountain hangars to protect the F-35s stationed there.

The Russian Orthodox Church  long regarded by Western intelligence agencies as closely aligned with the Kremlin  has acquired property near naval bases and radar installations in Norway and Sweden, prompting security concerns.

In Norway, overlooking the Haakonsvern naval base in Bergen, lies the Sreide prayer house, which a Russian Orthodox congregation bought in 2017. Officials warned at the time of Russians being able to disrupt signals and control drones from there as well as hosting Russians who would want to map the area.

In the Swedish city of Vasteras, a church, patrolled by attack dogs and surrounded by fencing and cameras, was built close to a strategically important airport in 2023 and later assessed by Swedish intelligence as a potential platform for espionage. The priest overseeing the church received a medal from the SVR, Russias main civilian foreign intelligence service, officials said.

For over a decade, Russian entities have systematically purchased properties in Finland, Sweden and Norway in close proximity to military bases, ports and strategic supply lines, said Charlie Edwards, a senior fellow for strategy and national security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

The Russian Orthodox Church built this church in the Swedish city of Vasteras, close to a strategically important airport. Its priest received a medal from Russias foreign intelligence service

What once looked like suspicious commercial activity has evolved into a recognised vector for hybrid warfare, surveillance and potential sabotage.

Beyond the Nordic region, European intelligence agencies have flagged Russian-linked acquisitions near naval bases and strategic waterways in Sicily, Crete and mainland Greece, as well as close to sensitive sites in London, Paris and Geneva.

Taking over city flats to undermine enemy states is a Cold War tactic, noted Charly Salonius-Pasternak, the head of the Nordic West Office, a Helsinki-based geopolitical advisory. The Soviet Union famously owned a number of apartments in Helsinki for anything from spying and honey traps to stashing weapons to enable a faster takeover of the city, he said.

Switzerland is emerging as a particular concern. Intelligence officials say Russian operatives used properties near a federal chemical protection institute that investigated the Salisbury poisonings to intercept Wi-Fi networks and track weapons experts. There has also been a reported surge in Russian purchases in villages near the Large Hadron Collider, near Geneva, raising fears of potential sabotage to power lines and data cables.

Chinas long-term covert operations

Security agencies say there is growing evidence that China is pursuing a similar  though more limited  strategy.

Russia has been doing this for a while, but its not only Russia, said Minna Alander of the Stockholm Centre for Eastern Europe Studies, citing the Chinese purchase of a hotel near sensitive military infrastructure, including an air base in Switzerland set to host F-35 fighter jets. Under pressure from the US, the Swiss military acquired the property in 2024.

We now have a better awareness that there is a pattern, but I think in Europe we are at a pretty early stage of understanding this strategy and what to do about it, Ms Alander added.

Chinas objectives, officials say, are more focused on long-term surveillance. By positioning itself near fibre-optic routes, data centres and communications nodes, Beijing aims to harvest encrypted data now on the assumption that some of it may become readable in the future as computing technology advances.

Russias ambitions are more immediate and more dangerous. Intelligence officials warn it is not only preparing to spy, but to strike, potentially launching coordinated drone or sabotage attacks from pre-positioned properties in a future crisis.

It would not be too hard, noted Mr Salonius-Pasternak, to send Russian operatives masquerading as a stag party to a property purporting to be a resort  such as Airiston Helmis Sakkiluoto lair  that has been stashed with weapons.

If you spoke like this 15 years ago, people would say you have been watching too many Tom Cruise movies, Mr Salonius-Pasternak said. That has changed. As we saw in Ukraine, there tend to be many operations before the big war starts.

Despite the scale of the threat, analysts fear European states are not responding fast enough. While Latvia, Lithuania and Norway have tightened controls and Estonia plans to introduce restrictions this summer, a proposed EU-wide ban on property sales to Russian buyers collapsed last year amid resistance from states concerned about the economic fallout.

Cyprus, in particular, reportedly raised objections, despite a spate of Moscow-linked real estate acquisitions close to British bases on the island.

The result, experts warn, is a patchwork of laws riddled with blind spots, compounded by a reluctance among intelligence agencies to share sensitive data across borders.

As long as counter-intelligence remains national, it will fail to address a threat that crosses every national boundary in Europe, one security official said.
Ruth Langsford has opened up about the challenges of her divorce from Eamonn Holmes in an emotional interview on This Morning.

The presenter fronted the ITV morning show alongside Holmes from 2006 to 2021, with the pair announcing their split in 2024 after 27 years together.

She returned to This Morning on Monday and opened up about how the separation from her former husband, 66, playing out in the public eye has affected her.

Host Ben Shepard asked about her heartbreak following their split, which she discusses in depth in her new memoir, Feeling Fabulous.

Looking around, Langsford, 65, said: Here I am, in the studio where Eamonn and I worked together for many, many years and were very happy.

She shared the struggles of divorcing in the public eye (ITV)

Not everything lasts forever.

The Loose Women star added: The hardest thing is having everything play out in the public domain, and that just goes with the territory. It goes with the job, I accept that.

I dont discuss our divorce. What I discuss is picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and starting again.

Langsford and Holmes were together for 27 years, married for 14, and share a 23-year-old son, Jack.

Holmes soon moved out of the 2.5 million family home in Weybridge after their split and began dating relationship therapist Katie Alexander, who is 22 years his junior.

Langsford said this was when she realised she needed therapy to navigate the split.

Girlfriends are there for you come what may, but I needed a trained counsellor, someone who didnt know me, to help me see the way through all the darkness, she told the Daily Mail.

Eamonn Holmes has moved on with girlfriend Katie Alexander (Instagram)

She said she spent the first three Zoom counselling sessions bawling and recalled the therapist telling her: Ruth, this is grief. This is trauma and you are in shock. Let it all out.

Langsford said she felt more able to cope with the split and move on after several months and now only has a therapy session when she feels like she needs it.

The broadcaster also admitted the split came as a huge shock.

I just didnt think Id find myself here, and I wasnt strong at the start. I was broken. Broken heart. Broken dreams. We all have an image of how we think our life and future is going to be, she said.

This wasnt mine. I was devastated. We had gone from being a couple, traversing the usual ups and downs of a marriage, to an abrupt end. It was a huge shock.

Holmes offered a Christmas message of goodwill to Langsford in December.

I wish Ruth all the best, she deserves it, the GB News presenter said at the Tric Awards, which he attended with girlfriend Katie Alexander.

Holmes added: Im going to be with Katie this Christmas. Ive never not been in the UK for Christmas, but maybe one year Ill go away abroad.
James Jordan Parke was a familiar face on daytime TV, where he would discuss his cosmetic surgery procedures

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the death of a man known as the Lip King.

It is understood the alleged victim is Jordan James Parke, who had appeared on television shows, including ITVs This Morning, to discuss cosmetic surgery he had undergone.

The Metropolitan Police said it had been called to reports of an unconscious man on Lincoln Plaza, in Canary Wharf, east London, on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and his death is currently being treated as unexplained.

The force said it was reviewing information that suggests the victim may have been undergoing a cosmetic procedure prior to his death.

On Friday, a 43-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released on bail pending further investigation, police added.

Death currently being treated as unexplained

A Met spokesman said: Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to reports of an unconscious man on Lincoln Plaza, Canary Wharf.

Officers attended alongside paramedics, and a 34-year-old man was sadly declared dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

After police conducted urgent inquiries, a 43-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on Friday, Feb 20, on suspicion of manslaughter. They have since been bailed pending further investigation.

His death is currently being treated as unexplained, and an investigation to establish the full circumstances is ongoing.

However, officers are reviewing information that suggests the victim may have been undergoing a cosmetic procedure prior to his death. This is an initial line of inquiry at this stage.

Officers are currently awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination that will be held in due course.
Chocolate is being locked into anti-theft boxes as confectionery crime grows

First razors had to be taken to the till, then shampoo had to be unlocked by a shop worker.

Now, Dairy Milk and Lindt chocolate bars are being secured behind screens and locked into anti-theft boxes.

Supermarkets, including Sainsburys and Tesco, are facing a growing tide of chocolate thefts, which retailers and police say is a result of organised gangs and a growing resale market, especially with Easter approaching.

They used to take the washing powders, then we introduced the screen, so they went for the dishwasher tablets, said one manager at a Sainsburys branch in central London, who wished to remain anonymous.

Now, with the chocolate, theyll probably just move on to something else.

Her fatigue was echoed by a manager at a Tesco store nearby, who said chocolate had become the next easiest thing to steal.

She added: If a customer cant get a particular item because there are these protections, theyll find something else.

Emily Driver checks out anti-theft devices in Sainsurys - Jeff Gilbert

Supermarkets and retailers have been forced to counter increasingly brazen thieves, with the Sainsburys manager describing shoplifters with big bags who sweep everything from the shelf.

The Heart of England Co-op Group told The Telegraph that chocolate was its most stolen product in 2024.

In 2025, it became second only to alcohol, costing the group 250,000 over the past year.

In Sainsburys stores, chocolate is now placed behind sliding screens or locked in boxes, with the London store manager explaining that some of the more expensive chocolates, such as Lindt Excellence, are limited to only three on display at a time.

In Tesco, the same Lindt chocolate bars, which retail for just 3.85, are displayed in security-protected boxes.

Overall, shoplifting is costing the retail industry an estimated 400m a year, with more than five million incidents annually.

The British Retail Consortium has warned that the nature of high value is shifting, as everyday commodities such as chocolate, coffee, fish and olive oil increasingly become priority targets for thieves.

Lucy Whing, crime policy adviser for the BRC, said: On one level, there is the fact that these items are smaller and therefore easier to conceal. But theyve also become new avenues for organised gangs to sell on market stalls or in unscrupulous pubs or restaurants.

Chocolate lock-boxes, security tags and sliding screens are the more visible measures being put in place in stores across the country in retailers efforts to ramp up their prevention of crime.

Behind the scenes, extensive training of staff, including resources on how to handle situations including theft and harassment, are rolled out to train workers for an environment increasingly riddled with risk.

Shoplifting incidents including violence and abuse also remain rife.

Despite falling by a fifth from the previous year to 1,600 incidents per day in 2025, Ms Whing noted that the figure remains concerningly high as it is still far higher than the pre-pandemic rate of 455 per day.

Chocolate is now considered a high-value target for shoplifters - Jeff Gilbert

For independent shopkeepers, such as Abhishek Chemban, 26, who is often single-handedly running a corner store in the heart of a bustling Piccadilly Circus, the threat from shoplifting carries all the same pressures with little of the protections on offer at larger retailers.

We experience two or three shoplifting incidents every weekend, with people stealing up to 15, Mr Chemban said, adding that his shop wouldnt be able to afford to put in place the protections that they have. The best we can do is have another member of staff working.

While organised gang members account for a significant proportion of theft crimes, shop workers said that they regularly experienced people who appeared inconspicuous walking out with unpaid-for products.

Mr Chemban recounted a recent occasion when a woman entered the shop with her baby and began pulling items off the shelves, claiming they belonged to her baby when he confronted her.

The BRC hopes that new government legislation to remove the 200 threshold for low level theft will send a strong message to offenders, with Ms Whing adding that it would: indicate that no matter what kind, theft will not be tolerated.

Ms Whing said that the new security systems that separate customers from their shopping are likely to become the new norm as retailers ramp up their efforts to reduce losses.

Hopefully, if we carry on in that direction then there can be a transition back. But its hard to know at the moment when the numbers are still so high.
A Catholic believer attends mass in Athens, Greece (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

In 2026, the Catholic or Western Easter will be celebrated on April 5. The Orthodox Easter, however, falls a week later on April 12.

This is because Catholics primarily use the Gregorian calendar, while most Orthodox churches still use the Julian calendar for Easter calculations.

Some years, the dates coincide - like in 2025 when the churches celebrated Jesus resurrection on the same day, April 20.

The rare alignment of the churches sparked hopes for a permanently unified date, even drawing support, at the time, from the late Pope Francis.

However, the churches have been divided on the way to determine the date of Easter for more than 400 years.

And beneath the surface of hopes for a shared celebration lay lingering tensions and mistrust between the two major Christian communions.

Calendars and calculations differ

The movable date for Easter follows a seemingly straightforward rule: the Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. But the two churches started using different calendars after Pope Gregory XIIIs adaptation in 1582, when the Western church adopted the Gregorian calendar while the Eastern Orthodox Church kept the older Julian one.

Moreover, each church uses its own ecclesiastical calculations for lunar cycles and the equinox, which dont neatly match scientific projections.

The result is that Easter dates can be as much as five weeks apart. They can coincide in back-to-back years, or a decade can pass without it happening.

Pope Francis wish

In early 2025, Pope Francis referred to the years Easter celebration while invoking the 1,700th anniversary of the historic Council of Nicaea, when Christian leaders gathered to settle foundational disputes about the faith.

"Once again, I renew my appeal: Let this coincidence serve as a sign  a call to all Christians to take a decisive step toward unity around a common date for Easter, Francis said while leading prayers at the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome.

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

Francis invitation wasnt new.

Returning from a trip to Turkey in 2014, he told reporters on the plane that a unified date would be logical.

It is a bit ridiculous, he said, then staged a pretend conversation: Tell me, your Christ, when is he resurrected? Next week? Mine was resurrected last week.

He found an ally in Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a fellow octogenarian and spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians.

Before his death Francis said the two speak to one another like brothers and Bartholomew called Francis our elder brother.

He also described the Easter initiative as a real step toward repairing old conflicts.

Only winners, no losers?

The idea of a common Easter has been discussed since the 1960s, with interest often peaking when celebrations coincide. The key obstacle has always been the implication that one side would need to concede.

Protestants, who follow the same calendar as Catholics, have also been in on the discussions.

The Geneva-based World Council of Churches  a fellowship of Orthodox and Protestant bodies  has proposed a compromise. It suggests using modern astronomy, basing the calculation on Jerusalem time and following the same basic rule set centuries ago.

It has never been more important than now, because we live in a polarised world and people all over the world yearn for more unity, Lutheran Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, a senior WCC official, said from his home outside Berlin. All other questions  on calendar, on time, on the moon and the stars and everything  its not primary; its secondary."

Strings attached

While the late popes wishes may carry powerful influence through the Vaticans highly centralised authority, Bartholomews role is largely symbolic over the self-governed national and local churches.

And discussions between Russia, the Orthodox worlds most populous country, and churches of other Orthodox-majority countries remain stalled due to the war and church divisions in Ukraine.

Further complicating prospects for consensus is a history characterised by centuries of mistrust, largely driven by wariness in the East about the Vaticans supremacy.

The Epitaph Procession at the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Dionysius the Areopagite in Athens on Good Friday (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Last year, at a Holy Week service in Athens, Father Anastasios welcomed parishioners into the Church of Saint Dimitrios Loumbardiaris, a restored stone chapel near the Acropolis.

He said he supports forging bonds with Christianity's other branches  but with caution.

We can try to build bridges, but we cannot distort our faith or the traditions of our ancestors, or the dogmas Christ himself handed down," he said.

"There are deeply rooted differences. From my view and that of many people here, the unity sought in the past by the Roman Catholic Church often wasnt sincere; it came with strings attached, was more about dominance than genuine reconciliation.

Great harmony

As dialogue between the churches slowly unfolds, common Easter celebrations are already a practical reality in a few places. The Orthodox Church in Finland switched dates in the 1920s to align celebrations with the Lutheran majority. And Catholics in Greece  while making no official change to their calendar  have celebrated with the rest of the country since 1970.

Joseph Roussos, a member of a Catholic community on the Greek island of Syros, took his first trip to the Vatican last month.

At age 67, he remembers when Easters in Greece were separate: when schools and shopkeepers on the island closed for different holidays, and the church bells tolled mournfully during two distinct Holy Weeks.

It wasnt a good situation. But when we did celebrate Easter together, there was great harmony, he said.

We live very well (today), and its truly beautiful. I hope it stays that way.
Sir Keir Starmer painted the by-election as a race between his partys candidate, Angeliki Stogia, and Reform UK during a visit to the constituency - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Labour is clearly feeling bullish about its prospects in the Gorton and Denton by-election on Thursday.

On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer visited the seat to warn that only a vote for Labour would stop Reform UK.

The visit was notable because he did not hit the campaign trail during last years Runcorn and Helsby by-election, which Reforms Sarah Pochin won by just six votes.

On one level, there should be nothing remarkable about Labour holding this fiercely contested Manchester seat.

Almost all of the constituencys residents will have been represented by a Labour MP throughout their lives. Andrew Gwynne, the constituencys former MP, was elected on a 50.8 per cent vote share with a commanding 13,413 majority in 2024.

But the Governments unpopularity looks set to expose the deep socio-economic rifts within the constituency, squeezing the Labour vote from Left and Right in a microcosm of the country as a whole.

Labour majority in Gorton and Denton (VISUAL EXPLAINER ONLY)

The Governments national woes and the Prime Ministers plunging popularity ratings are clouding the campaign for Angeliki Stogia, the Labour candidate.

On the day of Sir Keirs trip to Manchester, the days headlines were dominated by the the arrest of Lord Mandelson, his former US ambassador, on suspicion of committing misconduct in public office.

Polling suggests the seat is most likely to break for the Greens Hannah Spencer or Matthew Goodwin, the Reform candidate, in Thursdays by-election  and these maps and charts provide the key to why.

The 2023 review of parliamentary constituencies bears a fair share of responsibility for the current political disruption.

Before the 2024 general election, two historical constituencies split the current Gorton and Denton district down the middle: Manchester Gorton, which consistently returned Labour MPs all the way back to the 1930s, and Denton and Reddish, created in 1983 and only ever represented by two Labour Andrews (Bennett and the departing Gwynne).

The boundary commission  whose priority is to adjust for population change, regardless of social makeup  shattered this harmony.

In 2026, the electorate is uncommonly at odds: according to Electoral Calculuss latest seat-level voting intention poll, only 44 of the UKs 650 constituencies have both Reform and the Greens polling above 20 per cent. Gorton and Denton is one of the 44.

The constituencys internal demographics reveal a place of extremes.

Gorton and Denton's widely varying demographics (VISUAL EXPLAINER ONLY)

In one corner of Levenshulme, roughly a third of residents were born in the UK at the time of the latest census. Over in the leafier southern suburbs of Denton, this share reaches 97 per cent.

Similarly, only one in 15 identified as white when asked for their ethnicity in Longsight, rising beyond 95 per cent in parts of Denton.

The pattern quickly becomes familiar, and the map lays it bare  Gorton and Denton is a constituency of two halves.

The former is generally cosmopolitan and diverse  a group that would historically have leaned Labour. No 10s hardening rhetoric on immigration and its stance on the Israel and Gaza war, however, have pushed many towards the Greens. Just under 40 per cent of Gorton is Muslim.

The white working class, meanwhile, predominates in Denton, making it fertile ground for Reform as it hoovers up those feeling abandoned politically and economically by the party in power.

The dividing line between the two sides of the constituency also matches the contrast between the two boroughs of Greater Manchester across which Gorton and Denton lies  two councils that could hardly be more different.

The city of Manchester, including Gorton, has changed more than almost anywhere else in the UK over the past decade.

Net international migration to the northern powerhouse totalled over 100,000 between 2014 and 2024, swelling its population by a fifth. Tameside, home to Denton, saw just 8,500 new arrivals on balance.

Manchesters economic boom owes a lot to this influx. The number of available jobs in the city has risen by nearly 30 per cent since 2015. By comparison, Tamesides 6 per cent is the lowest growth rate of all 10 of the combined authoritys boroughs.

But these local authority-level abstractions mask Gortons own hardships. In spite of the much-touted Manchester success story, almost half of Gortons working-age residents had never worked when asked by the censuss field officers last time around. This proportion is halved in Denton.

Gorton and Denton constituents on Universal Credit

Gorton also clocked roughly three times as many people claiming Universal Credit in January (18,000), relative to Denton (6,000), the latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show.

In fact, Englands hallmark deprivation survey suggests that Gortons setbacks, more broadly, tend to be greater.

One central neighbourhood was found to be the 66th most deprived out of nearly 34,000 in the country, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Just two miles away, Granada Park in Denton ranks amongst the least deprived.

The Governments push for welfare reform, although ultimately aborted because of a rebellion by Labours MPs, will be yet another drag on the partys vote.

No voters political views are entirely shaped by their characteristics or circumstances, and anything could happen on election day.

But the diversity of the electorate looks set to make Gorton and Denton a case study for how Labour may fare nationally in 2029 and beyond, and how the party is haemorrhaging votes to both the Left and Right.

During his visit, Sir Keir was keen to insist the Manchester contest was a two-horse race between his party and Reform and warned that the constituency would descend into hostility if Reform won.

Sir Keir, pictured alongside Antonia Romeo, his new Cabinet Secretary, warned that Gorton and Denton would descend into hostility if Reform won - Kin Cheung/AP Photo

But, alongside decrying the toxic division of Reform, Sir Keir also singled out the Green Party leader Zack Polanskis support for the legalisation of all drugs as a disgusting policy. This is a party now battling on two fronts.

The result of Thursdays by-election is likely to be close. Even more likely is that almost half the constituency will wake up on Friday diametrically opposed to their elected representative in Parliament.
A suspect allegedly opened fire on Monday on a deputy sheriff during a traffic stop in Missouri, killing him before escaping and leading law enforcement on a nine-hour manhunt that ended with him dying in a gunfight with officers, authorities said.

The suspect, Richard Bird, 45, was tracked to a wooded area, where he allegedly opened fire on officers again, killing a second deputy who was trying to help rescue two officers who had been wounded by the suspect's gunfire, Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Cole identified the two fallen Christian County Sheriff's deputies as Gabriel Ramirez, 30, and Deputy Michael Hislope, 40.

Christian County Sheriff's Office - PHOTO: Christian County, Missouri, Deputy Michael Hislope was one of two deputies killed in a gunfight with an armed suspect, February 23, 2026.

Cole said both deputies had served in the U.S. Army before joining the sheriff's office. Hislope had been a member of the sheriff's office since October 2019, while Ramirez joined the agency in March 2025, Cole said.

Christian County Sheriff's Office - PHOTO: Christian County, Missouri, Deputy Gabriel Rameriz was one of two deputies killed in a gunfight with an armed suspect, February 23, 2026.

"These men answered the call to serve, putting the safety of others before their own, including serving our nation in the U.S. Army. Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christian County will never be forgotten," Cole said in a statement earlier Tuesday.

The violence unfolded just before 4 p.m. on Monday, when a 911 caller reported seeing a deputy down on a roadway near Highlandville in Christian County, Cole said.

"At 4:05 p.m., responding deputies arrived and found Deputy Gabriel Ramirez fatally shot, lying in the roadway," Cole said.

Cole said Ramirez was allegedly shot by Bird during a traffic stop. He said it remains unclear why the traffic stop was initiated.

Within minutes, a possible suspect vehicle was identified, Cole said. He said multiple deputies responded to an address near Galina in neighboring Stone County that was linked to the vehicle.

He said Bird was identified through criminal records and a booking photo taken of him from a previous arrest in Stone County on Feb. 16 was released to law enforcement officers searching for him.

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KSPR - PHOTO: Law enforcement vehicles are scene on Missouri State Highway 160 on Monday, Feb. 23, 3026.

Cole said Bird's vehicle was located abandoned near a highway in Reed Springs, Stone County. After searching the area for roughly nine hours, officers received a report that the suspect was spotted in a nearby wooded area.

Around 11:30 p.m., a Missouri Highway Patrol helicopter located a heat source in the woods, which was then identified as the suspect, Cole said.

As officers from multiple agencies converged on the wooded area, they allegedly started taking gunfire from the suspect, Cole said.

He said Webster County Sheriff's Deputy Austin McCall and Christian County Sheriff's Deputy Josh Wahl both sustained gunshot wounds, but other officers could not immediately reach the deputies due to the suspect shooting at them.

Cole said Hislope was eventually among the officers who attempted to rescue the wounded deputies.

"During that time, Christian County Deputy Michael Hislope suffered a fatal gunshot wound while he was attempting to reach and rescue the downed deputies," Cole said.

After being rescued, Wahl and McCall were taken to a hospital, initially with life-threatening injuries, Cole said. The sheriff said the deputies remained hospitalized on Tuesday, both in stable condition.

Cole said law enforcement officers used an armored vehicle to approach the suspect, who allegedly kept firing at them.

"At that time, multiple law enforcement officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect and ultimately eliminated the threat," Cole said.

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
Were you born in February? Whether you most look forward to the Super Bowl, Valentines Day, or getting through the coldest days of the year by cozying up with your significant other or someone special, a bucket full of popcorn, and your favorite blanket, February is a month that invites you to connect with others  even if its in a super low-key, restful, dreamy way. And thats reflective of the imaginative, social, spiritually-aware vibe of this month brought to you by the astrological energies that are in play.

Whether youre February-born yourself or you care about someone who is, read on to better understand how being born during the second month of the year influences a persons perspective, strengths, and even challenges, according to astrological influences.

The Astrology of Being Born in February

People born in February fall under one of two zodiac signs: innovative Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) or spiritual Pisces (February 19 - March 20). Aquarians, represented by the Water Bearer, are characterized by their social, humanitarian, forward-thinking point of view and desire to innovate, think unconventionally, and strike out on their own. As a fixed air sign, they are laser-focused on what they believe and what they want to achieve. On the other hand, Pisceans, represented by the Fish, are artists and empaths whose spiritually astute and deeply feeling nature makes them natural-born healers. As the mutablewater sign, theyre adaptable but might also struggle with passivity.

That said, people born in February typically possess the gift of progressive vision, creativity, and a desire to bolster others well-being  whether were talking about their community or closest loved ones. Being born during some of the chilliest days of the whole year, when the suns light is only beginning to last a little bit longer into the day, February-born individuals cant help but be dreamers, understanding that darkness might exist in the present but are capable of envisioning bright progress on the horizon.

4 Core Personality Traits of Those Born in February

1. Humanitarian

Theres a reason the Age of Aquarius is synonymous with the idea of a humanistic, fair, and just utopia: The group-oriented fixed air sign is known for prizing community, society, and humanity over self. And similarly, Pisces, the mutable water sign, is born with a burning desire to heal the world. That said, February-born people are wired to think about how they can give back, be of service, and bolster other peoples well-being. They wouldnt think twice about donating their time, energy, or money to a cause close to their heart. They're proud to move through life with an eye toward doing whats best for the world as a whole, whether thats composting, getting involved in local activism, or helping care for others at home or in their line of work.

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2. Creative

February-born people are innately artistic, inventive, and clever, thanks to both Aquarius modern ruler, electrifying Uranus, and Pisces modern ruler, idealistic Neptune. Whether theyve always tapped into their artistic impulses and are gifted in a particular creative outlet (like dance, drawing, or graphic design), theyve actually explored inventing something new, or they come up with out-of-the-box ideas that shock and thrill their nearest and dearest. Whether they tend to come at creative undertakings from a more rational or dreamy, rose-colored glasses place, their mind simply works in an extraordinarily brilliant way.

3. Social

Despite falling in the thick of a season with at-times challenging weather, February cant help but be a super-social month, and, in turn, those born during this month tend to be truly people-oriented. Associated with the Eleventh House of Groups, Aquarian energy is extremely geared toward teamwork and platonic bonds. Given its association with the Twelfth House of Spirituality, huge-hearted Pisces wants to bond with loved ones, friends, and even strangers in a deeply compassionate, intuitive way. This all adds up to February-born people being truly invested in connecting with others as a priority in life.

4. Philosophical

People born in February tend to think about life in an especially expansive way, eager to learn, grow, and experience life fully. Someone with more fixed Aquarius in their birth chart will go about this in a more rational, pragmatic, resolute way than those with more mutable Pisces, as the sign of the Fish tends to go with the flow, follow their hearts, and bring a spiritual, dreamy vibe to their pursuit of knowledge. But in general, February-born people are wired to explore, daydream, let their imagination run wild, and immerse themselves in meaningful conversations about the big questions of life.

UP NEXT:

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Astrology section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Anderson Cooper - 60 Minutes YouTube

Anderson Cooper debunked President Donald Trumps claims of a genocide of white South African farmers on Sundays (February 22) edition of 60 Minutes.

The report, which The Daily Beast says was previously delayed by new CBS News boss Bari Weiss and subjected to an abnormal editing process, aired on Sundays show and saw Cooper traveling to South Africa to investigate Trumps claims.

In the segment, Cooper played a clip of the president speaking to reporters in May 2025, in which he said, Its a genocide thats taking place that you people dont want to write about. Its a terrible thing thats taking place and farmers are being killed. They happen to be white.

Trump repeated these claims a week later when South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House. The president showed Ramaphosa video proof of what he said were Burial sites. Over 1,000 of white farmers. The video featured a row lined with several white crosses.

Cooper spoke with the man who erected those crosses, Darrel Brown, who said, It definitely wasnt a burial site. I mean those crosses were there for less than 48 hours. It was purely an avenue of crosses we planted there in honor of commercial farmers in South Africa that had lost their lives.

Brown, who keeps the crosses in a shed, said he put the crosses back up in 2024 for the funeral of his best friend, Tollie Nel, who was murdered on his farm.

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Cooper also spoke with Tollies widow, Rene Nel, and asked her whether she would consider what is happening on South African farms to be a genocide.

Not what I know as a genocide, she said. Not what Ive heard of what a genocide is. I see our attack as an opportunistic attack. They knew there was money. They knew there were firearms.

Johann Kotze, the head of South Africas largest agricultural organization, also denied Trumps claims. Its actually not about white genocide, he stated. Its about criminality in South Africa. Its crime. The fact that it happened on a farm doesnt make me special as a farmer. Its horrendous. Any murder is horrendous.

The report comes just days after Cooper announced he will be leaving 60 Minutes at the end of the current broadcast season. He will continue to host Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN.

60 Minutes, Sundays, 7/6 c, CBS

Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider.
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park Highway in the North Dakota Badlands. Glam Granola Travel Photography/Getty Images

Key Points

A new study found that the stretch between Belfield, North Dakota, and Mitchell, South Dakota, is the longest U.S. route without rest stops.

The drive takes about seven hours at average speeds, with no public restroom facilities along the way, according to MoneySuperMarket.

Researchers also highlighted toilet anxiety, which affects about one in three drivers and can make long road trips especially stressful.

If youre a fan of road trips, you probably understand the significance of the all-important rest stop and what it feels like to drive a stretch of road without a single one in sight. Thankfully, a new study claims to have identified the longest road trip in the U.S. without rest stops, so that you can be prepared.

For its report, personal finance website MoneySuperMarket examined maps and geospatial data to unearth the absolute worst trek for bathroom breaks. Last December, the company surveyed 1,000 U.K. drivers and gathered data from OpenStreetMap API (a mapping website) about public toilet locations. An example of a public restroom would be at a fuel stop, service area, rest station, fast-food restaurant, or attraction.

After combing through all the data, it found that the 450-mile stretch between Belfield, North Dakota, and Mitchell, South Dakota, is the longest route in the U.S. without potty breaks. Traveling on this route, which runs along the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, at an average driving speed of 62 miles per hour, would take seven hours. (It should be noted that should you really need a break, there are small towns to detour through.)

Route-planning apps and most modern cars now offer advanced navigation and connected services, making it easier to ... pre-plan rest stops. This can help drivers feel more in control and focused, so they can make their journey with less stress, Alicia Hempsted, a car-insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said in a statement shared with Travel +Leisure.

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The study also touched on a condition that many drivers suffer from: toilet anxiety, a medical condition that can make long road trips unbearable. It affects about one in three (31 percent) people. Symptoms include not just worrying about where the next restroom is, but also extreme concern about the cleanliness of public toilets.

For many people, restroom anxiety is a very real barrier to going on a long car journey, said Hempsted. Anxiety experts warn that affected drivers can experience adrenaline surges and heightened stress when toilet facilities are few and far between, which can affect concentration.

Urinating along the roadside is illegal in all 50 states and often treated as disorderly conduct or a public nuisance, which carries a fine of anywhere between $50 and $500. Some states might even classify the act as indecent exposure.

Coming in second place in the survey was a 363-mile journey between Fall River, South Dakota, and Cairo, Nebraska. A road trip in Kansas (between Scott City and Belleville) nabbed the third-place spot. It should come as no surprise that all but one of the top-10 routes without rest stops were entirely in the U.S. West, covering the following states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The fourth-longest drive in the U.S. is in Georgia, between Lavonia and Douglas. That trip takes a little under five hours, with an average speed of 52 miles per hour. Coming at No. 10 is a 204-mile route from Jackpot, Nevada, to Ely, Nevada.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The collaboration deploys visitor management and credential verification for third-party providers across New Perspective's portfolio of communities to support its mission to protect residents' independence, experience, and meaningful connections.

ATLANTA and MINNETONKA, Minn., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Accushield , the leading visitor management and third-party provider credential verification solution for senior living, announced today that New Perspective Senior Living has selected the Accushield platform to support safe, seamless community access across its entire portfolio. By digitizing the front-door experience, New Perspective is strengthening resident safety while reinforcing the welcoming, people-first culture that has defined the organization since its founding.

Rooted in the mission of "residents first in everything we do," New Perspective was built on the belief that residents deserve to remain strong, independent, and socially engagedwithout compromising dignity or security. Accushield directly supports that philosophy by replacing the paper sign-in processes with a modern, intuitive system that ensures every visitor is known, protected, and connected.

"By adopting Accushield across our portfolio, New Perspective is elevating the visitor experience while strengthening on-site safety for our residents," said Chris Hyatt, Co-CEO of New Perspective Senior Living. "Accushield's ability to integrate seamlessly with other technologies we use will allow us to create a more connected, secure, and socially engaging environment for residents, families, and trusted visitors alike."

As senior living communities navigate growing expectations around risk management, operational efficiency, and resident well-being, New Perspective sought a solution that aligned with its core values. Accushield enables teams to monitor the visitors and third-party caregiverswhile still encouraging independence, privacy, choice, and meaningful daily interaction.

Key Areas of Impact

Through the implementation of Accushield, New Perspective Senior Living will advance three core priorities:

Elevating Awareness and Community Security: New Perspective Senior Living is enhancing how communities welcome and manage all visitors  including families, friends, volunteers, and third-party caregivers. Through streamlined visitor workflows and added caregiver screening using Verify, communities take a proactive approach to identifying everyone entering and exiting the community, strengthening safety, operational clarity, and peace of mind for residents and their families.





New Perspective Senior Living is enhancing how communities welcome and manage all visitors  including families, friends, volunteers, and third-party caregivers. Through streamlined visitor workflows and added caregiver screening using Verify, communities take a proactive approach to identifying everyone entering and exiting the community, strengthening safety, operational clarity, and peace of mind for residents and their families. Delivering Exceptional Family Experiences and Reputation Growth: By capturing real-time visitor feedback and maintaining a continuous pulse on guest experiences, community teams can listen, respond, and improve in the moment. This insight ensures that a community's reputation and online presence accurately reflect the quality of care, service, and hospitality delivered.





By capturing real-time visitor feedback and maintaining a continuous pulse on guest experiences, community teams can listen, respond, and improve in the moment. This insight ensures that a community's reputation and online presence accurately reflect the quality of care, service, and hospitality delivered. Fostering Connection and Resident Well-Being Through Project Love Meter: Through Project Love Meter, communities use a powerful combination of data and human connection to measure engagement, identify residents who may be at risk of isolation, and intentionally increase meaningful interactions. By translating engagement insights into action, Project Love Meter helps strengthen relationships among residents, families, volunteers, and care partners  reinforcing New Perspective's goal of creating vibrant, connected communities where residents truly live life with purpose.

"New Perspective was built on a deeply personal understanding of what it means to care for someone you love, and that shows in how they operate every day," said Charles Mann, Founder of Accushield. "Accushield supports that philosophy by helping communities protect residents while preserving independence, dignity, and meaningful connection. This partnership reflects a shared belief that the safest environments are also the most human ones."

Learn More

To explore the technologies powering this partnership and learn more about Accushield's solutions, please visit:

Visitor Management: Accushield Platform

Credential Verification: Accushield Verify

Social Connectedness: Project Love Meter

About New Perspective

Founded in 1998, New Perspective is a family-owned senior living company that develops, owns, and operates 49 communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. With a strong track record of growth and operational excellence, the company offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, all designed to help older adults Live Life on Purpose. Its mission is deeply rooted in the Novaczyk family's experience caring for Founder Todd Novaczyk's mother-in-law, Betty, as she faced Alzheimer's diseasean experience that continues to shape the company's commitment to dignity, compassion, and family values.

About Accushield: Accushield is a leading provider of technology solutions that foster safe and connected senior living communities. With its innovative visitor management and credential verification platform, Accushield empowers communities to efficiently manage visitors, contractors, and caregivers while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Media Contact:

John Leavitt

Director of Marketing, Accushield

[email protected]

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Ranking right up there with coffee, recent data suggests that the cost of your steak is climbing faster than nearly any other item in your shopping cart. After rising 2.2% from November to December 2025, steak prices officially jumped 17.8% year over year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI).

If youre a red meat-lover on a budget, you might think this means you should switch to other proteins. But five professional butchers we spoke to say you need not abstain. You just need to shop wisely.

High-quality doesnt have to mean high in cost, confirms trainer butcher and chief protein officer for ButcherBox Michael Billings. Thats because many times, youre paying a tax for a specific steak cuts reputation or popularity, when other similar options taste just as amazingand are sold for far less coin.

Ahead, experts reveal how to spot the steals among the steeply-priced options in the meat case. Then stick around, as the butchers share the top three steak cuts they buy when theyre trying to keep their accountants as happy as their taste buds.

Our Panel of Steak-Savvy Butchers

Qualities of the Best Value Steak Cuts

Credit: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

If youre aiming to recreate a steakhouse-like experience at home, Chef John's Best Steak Recipes might come in handy. As will this reminder from Billings: Its really tough to compete with that quality if youre starting with a sub-par product.

To ensure you invest in the best steak for your dollar, the butchers recommend looking for the following features.

The meat is choice. When shopping, trust your eyes, not the label. Obviously if you want a grass-fed steak, look for one labeled as such. But I don't worry about things like prime grading, says 5th Quarter Butcher + Provisions owner Josh Turka. According to Nick Lenters, owner, operator, and butcher at Old Station Craft Meats, the best bang for your buck is always choice grade beef. Heres a little industry secret: When you purchase choice beef, you may actually be buying prime grade beef. (This is true at Lenters shop. Packers often have more prime beef than they have demand for, so they sell the prime beef as choice. The choice beef I purchase for Old Station is labeled choice or higher, Lenters says.

The beef is cut to orderor has been sliced recently. Turka prefers to buy his beef from a store with a butcher counter that offers steaks cut to order. Many national grocery chains, including Whole Foods Market, Publix, and Hy-Vee, will gladly do so. Fresh is best, according to Turka, because prepackaged steaks have been cut and shipped that way, and can spend weeks or longer in a plastic package. A steak cut at the counter will always be fresher, and can be cut to the exact size you're looking for. As a result, you're paying for what you want and staying on budget.

It has marbling. Saul Ramos, culinary director and butcher at Forte Hospitality, recommends looking for marbling, which is a sign of a juicy and flavorful steak. Lenters gets even more specific, cueing us to seek out steaks with intramuscular fat in the form of small flecks rather than large chunks or veins. The small flecks will render during cooking, adding tenderness and flavor to the meat. The larger chunks or veins will not, Lenters admits.

The cut isnt too thin. When possible, avoid thin-cut steaks, Lenters advises. A lot of grocery stores and some subscription-based steak companies will cut steaks thin to meet a certain weight and price point. While this doesnt mean the product is inferior, youre not setting yourself up for steak dinner success. For most home cooks, thick-cut steak is easier to cook to the perfect doneness (unless you like well-done, then it really doesnt matter  yuck).

Bonus: It's sourced from a farmer or a butchers cut. This one might be a stretch for individuals who live in certain parts of the country, but if possible, your best bet will be purchasing beef from a local butcher or farmer who has access to whole animals, Turka and Lenters agree. Supermarket beef prices have been skyrocketing lately, partially because cattle prices at national cattle auctions have also been skyrocketing. This is where most large-scale producers get their beef. In order to continue to turn a profit, those producers pass the price increase along to the consumer.



Many local farmers and butchers do things the old-fashioned way, Turka says, raising their cows on their own farms. An unintended result of that small scale: The farmersand the butchers they sourceare insulated from national market fluctuations, meaning a more consistent price for you, Turka says. Whether its at a local or national supermarkets butcher counter, Lenters suggests asking about the butchers cuts and how to cook them. These are the less common, butcher-beloved steak cuts are usually a value buy, he confirms.

Steaks to Avoid if Youre Seeking a Deal

Credit: boblin/Getty Images

Before we divulge the affordable cuts butchers are crushing on, we couldnt resist asking the pros which cuts they think are overrated for the price. Keep in mind that these cuts arent bad, per se, but due to the popularity of their name, theyre often sold at a higher price per pound than their equality-amazing peers.

Beef tenderloin

Skirt steak

Ribeye

T-bone

New York strip

Hanger steak

While these are undoubtedly delicious, if youre looking to stretch your budget, save these for a special occasion, Billings confirms.

The Best Budget-Friendly Cut of Steak, According to Butchers

Some cuts are naturally tender and flavorful but arent as hype-up on menus, Ramos tells us. This keeps the price low, but doesnt detract from the quality. There are a lot of lesser-known cuts that are just as good as the ones mentioned above, Turka chimes in. The ultimate steals in the steak department include:

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Denver

For those you love: Ribeye

If you ask Rob Levitt, head butcher and chef at The Publican and Publican Quality Meats, the best budget-friendly steaks are Denver cut, which are very beefy and well marbled. These steaks often resemble luxurious Wagyu beef, Levitt says, but they are very budget-friendly and easy to cook. Grilled, seared in cast-iron, or broiled, consider serving these steaks topped with compound butter to double down on the decadence.

You might also see Denver cut steaks labeled as chuck flap or zabuton. According to Turka, they come from just above the short ribs, which means Denver steaks are crazy marbled, and have a supercharged beefy flavor.

Try: Steak with Mushroom Risotto

Flat Iron

For those you love: Tenderloin

For those who prefer leaner steaks, Lenters, Levitt, and Turka point us to the flat iron. This meat found near the inside the shoulder blade is rich in beef flavor, and stays tender even when cooked well done, Levitt says.



Turka and Lenters tell us that flat iron is actually the second-most tender cut available, falling right after tenderloin. If you opt for this value buy, cook with care, Lenters says: Try to be more careful with these steaks, because theyre easy to overcook due to the leanness, shape, and size. Try flat irons grilled or pan-seared for a steak entree or to feature in tacos or atop steak salads.



Try: Foolproof Flat Iron Steaks

Bavette

For those you love: Skirt steak

One of Turkas personal favorite steak cuts is the bavette, sirloin flap, or flap steak. From the same muscle family as the skirt and hanger steak, this Levitt-approved alternative is even thicker and has better marbling than either of those more-popular cuts.



It's the closest thing to hanger steak and totally undervalued, Turka says, and really shines as the star of steak frites, in fajitas, as part of stir-fries, or in sandwiches.



Try: Gordon Ramsay's 10-Minute Steak Sandwich

Read the original article on Allrecipes
People sitting along the Douro River enjoying live music and scenic views of Porto.

Credit: Alessandra Amodio/Travel + Leisure

Key Points

A new study named Porto, Portugal, as the best destination in the world for post-breakup travel.

The rankings evaluated cities based on safety, affordability, nightlife, spas, museums, and access to nature.

Osaka, Japan, and Lisbon, Portugal, followed closely behind, praised for their comfort food, vibrant nightlife, and solo-friendly experiences.

It's February, which means love is in the air. But for people going through a heartbreak, that energy can feel downright rude. However, those not feeling the lovey-dovey vibe of the month don't need to wallow in self-pity. All they need to do is get up, dust themselves off, and head to one particular city in Europe that is allegedly the perfect spot to go post-breakup.

In January, software company Nomad eSim released its list of the best post-breakup destinations around the world. For its report, it first created a seed list of spots, then analyzed and ranked those destinations based on six factors: safety, affordability, number of spas, number of nightlife attractions, number of museums, and number of nature attractions. After doing all that research, it named Porto, Portugal, the No. 1 place to go after dumping that loser for good.

"Topping our list with an impressive overall score of 70.6 percent, Porto combines exceptional safety with stunning riverside views along the Douro River," the study's findings explained. "With top marks for nightlife (86/100), museums (88/100), and nature access (85/100), Porto offers the perfect combo: cultural enrichment by day, wine tasting sessions in the evening, and exciting nights out to let loose and have fun."

And, to top it all off, the study found that Porto is home to an "abundance of wellness" spots, which "means you can pamper yourself all day."

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Coming in second is Osaka, Japan, which nabbed an impressive 69 percent score. "Known as Japan's kitchen, this city takes 'comfort food' to an entirely new level," the findings revealed as to why it's such a great spot for the newly single. "The exceptional nightlife scene (87/100) and generous spa offerings (84/100) create the perfect environment for heartbreak recovery. Plus, with a solid affordability score of 60/100, your healing journey won't break the bank."

And rounding out the top three is one more Portuguese spot, Lisbon, which nearly took over Osaka with a score of 68.7 percent.



"Lisbon  offers a strong mix of affordability, culture, and solo-friendly activities. The city scores highly for spas (86/100), museums (86/100), and nightlife (85/100), giving you plenty to do without needing a packed schedule," the findings stated. "Lisbon is easy to explore alone, whether youre riding Tram 28, walking through historic neighborhoods, or sitting at a viewpoint overlooking the city. Its a good choice if you want structure during the day and relaxed social options at night."

Of course, all of these destinations also have a very strong presence on dating apps, and offer plenty of chances to meet someone new in real lifeonly this time, maybe you'll end up with a happier ending. See the full rankings at NomadeSim's website.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Californians have been trapped in Mexico as cartel violence engulfed a popular tourist city and spilled toward the US border.

Americans in Puerto Vallarta were urged to stay indoors as narco gangs went on a bloody rampage after Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio El Mencho Oseguera Cervantes was killed in a military raid Sunday.

Carnage spread up the west coast of the country through Sunday, with reports of attacks getting closer to the States in Baja California while gunfire erupted at Guadalajara International Airport.

Smoke plumes rising from Puerto Vallarta after cartel violence. STR/EPA/Shutterstock

Cars and businesses were also set on fire farther across the country in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cancun on the east side.

Among those trapped in Puerto Vallarta was Katy Holloman, who had been on the way to the airport when she was suddenly told to stay at the hotel.

The makeup artist from El Dorado Hills, Calif., said, We were told to shelter in place right now, we need to stay in the hotel, it was safer here, but it is not safe to travel to the airport.

The road is closed due to the cartel. Theres no flights going out of the airport to the States. Weve rescheduled them for tomorrow afternoon, really hoping we make it home.

Just going to pray we make it home tomorrow. This is unprecedented here, the hotel staff have been saying this has never happened before.

She added: So were just going to try to make the most of it. I guess its time to unpack our suitcases and get swimsuits on again.

Katy Holloman in Mexico amid cartel violence.

Facebook/Katy Holloman

REUTERS

Passengers waiting in line at Guadalajara International Airport. AFP via Getty Images

A bus is set on fire by organized crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target. AFP via Getty Images

Daniel Smith, from near Palm Springs, Calif., shared terrifying footage of the chaos. He appeared to be running down a staircase as alarms went off and a Mexican woman ordered him outside.

He said in a video clip: Were evacuating the building, propane tanks have exploded. Hoping the building doesnt catch on fire.

His brother Richard posted more footage from Daniel showing a bus in flames and other blazing vehicles blocking the streets of Puerto Vallarta.

Richard Alan Smith in Mexico amid cartel violence. Facebook/Richard Alan Smith

A charred vehicle and scattered stuffed animals lie outside a damaged supermarket in Guadalajara. AP

He said: Please keep good thoughts for my brother Daniel. Puerto Vallarta is under siege. He is stuck downtown and all roads in and out are closed off. He cant get home.

Luckily there are some friends downtown where he can hang out. Although its been evacuated once already. The drug cartel is pissed off.

James Stephens from San Diego was also stuck. He posted horrifying footage of a Costco store ablaze and revealed that the entire city had been shut down.

He said: Stuck in Puerto Vallarta as the cartel is attempting to take over the city. Entire city shut down. Cant get out. Crazy right? Were safe.

James Stephens posted horrifying footage of a Costco store ablaze and revealed the entire city had been shut down. Facebook/James Stephens

A Mexican army convoy passes vehicles allegedly set on fire by members of organized crime. AFP via Getty Images

Puerto Vallarta is one of the major tourist destinations for Californians, with over 3 million international travelers flying into the city each year  a large amount from the Golden State.

The US State Department on Sunday urged Americans to shelter in place in the city, and reports from across the west of the country said more violence was flaring up in other Mexican states.

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Local media suggested Baja California, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Guerrero, Nayarit and Colima were also experiencing dangerous cartel-related activity.

Mexican national guard members stand guard near a burned bus following an operation in Jalisco. AFP via Getty Images

Tourists watch plumes of smoke billowing into the sky. REUTERS

As panic spread throughout the region, reports surfaced of gunfire at Guadalajara International Airport  with one video posted online showing what appear to be passengers running for shelter.

Mexican forces took out drug kingpin Oseguera Cervantes, 53, on Sunday morning in the town of Tapalpa in Jalisco.

It quickly sparked a violent uprising by cartel gangs, with the brunt of their anger taken out on the paradise beach enclave of Puerto Vallarta.

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Oseguera Cervantes was living illegally in California during the 1990s and spent three years in a US prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin. He was later deported to Mexico.

The Golden State is the main route for drugs such as fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine to flow into the country from the cartel.

A firefighter checks a burned truck set on fire by organized crime groups AFP via Getty Images

Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro said: Federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa a few hours ago, which has led to clashes in the area.

Also as a result of said operation in various points of that region and in other parts of Jalisco, individuals have burned and blocked vehicles with the aim of hindering the actions of authorities.

Navarro added that much of Jalisco was in a code red. We reiterate the recommendation to avoid leaving your homes, Navarro said. The clashes are occurring in several federal entities.

Mexican officials said cartel thugs began setting blazes throughout Jalisco to block federal forces during the raid, the Spanish-language news outlet El Universal reported.

A statement said: It is important to clarify that no incidents have been reported inside the facilities, and there is no risk to passengers, staff or visitors.

Panicked air travelers ran for their lives at one of Mexicos busiest airports.

The information and material circulating on social media do not correspond with any danger at the terminals, rather to the panic among passengers.

The mayhem also saw merchants shut down their shops in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacan and Guanajuato, as black smoke rose from burning barricades throughout the region.

Jalisco government officials said schools would be closed on Monday and that all large community events would be shelved until the violence subsides.

Tourists wait at the port of Acapulco, Mexico, after boat services were canceled due to violence. AFP via Getty Images

Passengers stranded at Guadalajara International Airport following flight suspensions. AFP via Getty Images

Authorities have called in backup from federal forces to combat the violence, according to the reports.

Oseguera Cervantes, a sixth-grade dropout and a former cop, became one of Mexicos most feared cartel bosses following the arrest and conviction of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman by US authorities.

President Trump last year declared the cartel an international terrorist organization and pressured Mexico to crack down, while the US had a $15 million bounty on Oseguera Cervantes.

He has been indicted several times in Washington, DC, since 2017, most recently in April 2022, when he was charged with conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances for illegal importation into the US.
David Begnaud, the former lead national correspondent for CBS Morning Cameron Theyard

NEED TO KNOW

CBS Mornings correspondent David Begnaud launched a new media company focused on positive human interest stories

He says the move came after he was burned out from covering mass shootings and natural disasters for 20 years

The new company features a podcast, a newsletter and social components that also deliver calls to action, so the audience can help make a difference

CBS Mornings national correspondent David Begnaud has launched a new media company called Do Good Crew, which focuses on positive human interest stories. The impetus? Experiencing burnout from his 20 years of covering tragedies.



"I've covered more massacres and mass shootings and knocked on more doors of mothers who had their children killed at school than I can remember," Begnaud, 42, explains to PEOPLE of the new venture, which launched on Monday, Feb. 23.

"I've covered earthquakes and tornadoes and hurricanes, volcanoes. When I went to cover [Hurricane Maria] in Puerto Rico in 2017, it both catapulted my career and it also just sort of made it certain that it was time for something else," he continues.

He says it became painful to report on tragedies but not be able to change things: "My soul felt depleted. I felt like I had nothing to give."

The new company, he says, was inspired by all the people he met in the field who were doing positive things amidst "the mayhem."

"Do Good Crew is a media company built around storytelling and celebrating people who are doing good and thereby activating other people to do good," he says. "At the heart of it is our 'The Person who Believed in Me With David Begnaud' podcast, because when you celebrate the person who believed in you, it's an act of gratitude, which is itself an act of doing good."

David Begnaud and Oprah on 'The Person Who Believed in Me' Podcast The Person Who Believed in Me with David Begnaud

His first guest on the show is Oprah Winfrey, who will be followed by people including Barry Diller, Charlie Puth, and tech and film industry CEOs. The Do Good Crew also has a newsletter and social components, with plans for live events in the coming year.

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"When you sign up for the newsletter and start reading stories of these extraordinary people, we include calls to action, so not only do we tell you about people who are doing good, but readers can do something about it, too."

Begnaud isn't totally stepping away from his CBS duties. "I'm still doing my Beg-Knows America segment each Monday for CBS Mornings," he says.

"But in a way, Do Good is a return to where it all began. Yes. I became the lead national correspondent for CBS, which was bigger than I had dreamed for myself. But I always loved finding gems in the middle of the stories. I thought, could I use the same algorithm that amplifies the hate and all the bad news to amplify the good?"

In the 50th installment of aBeg-Knows America,a CBS News contributor David Begnaud revisits his first report on 11-year-old Quentin Hines Jr. in Charlotte, North Carolina, CBS News

He recalls a story he did on a 19-year-old who helped rescue a couple after their car spun out and began smoking on an interstate in Texas.

"I told him, 'You have the heart of a first responder,'" Begaud says. When the teen said he'd always wanted to do something like that but couldn't afford it, Begnaud made some calls. Eventually, the head of one of the privately owned ambulance companies in America offered the line cook a full ride to become an EMT.

"Celebrating people who are doing good? There's no better way to spend your day," Begnaud says.

He adds, "The truth is, I'm also doing it because my soul needs it. It's soul-replenishing. So I'm trying to do that for other people too, to activate the good in people through storytelling. I've never felt more fulfilled spending more time working towards making something a success."

Read the original article on People
Against a supermarket shelf, we can see a plastic lockbox with a family size bar of Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo inside. It is a theft prevention measure. The shelves behind show plastic screens on the shelf edge to stop the theft of chocolate in this store.

Chocolate bars are being locked in plastic boxes in some UK shops as retailers and police forces warn thieves are stealing them to order.

Sainsbury's said it had begun using "boxes on products which are regularly targeted", with 2.60 bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk locked up in one London branch.

Chocolate was more recently being "sold on by criminals and is now being targeted more frequently by prolific offenders," according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

Some individual police forces told us they had seen a specific trend of chocolate being targeted. The National Police Chiefs' Council said it was working to tackle this type of crime.

In recent months some police forces have posted videos of chocolate being stolen to highlight the issue.

West Midlands Police shared CCTV footage of a man grabbing trays of chocolate from a shop in Stourbridge, while Wiltshire Police shared a video of a man dragging a whole shelving stand of chocolate out of a shop door.

And earlier last year a man was arrested by Cambridgeshire Police with a coat full of Cadbury's Creme eggs.

Cambridgeshire Police told the BBC: "Chocolate is one of a number of high-value items thieves often target, along with products such as alcohol, meat and coffee.

"Retail theft has a real and lasting impact  not just on businesses, but on the staff who have to deal with related abuse and intimidation."

Meanwhile, the British Retail Consortium's annual crime report found there were 5.5 million detected incidents of shop theft last year, and 1,600 daily incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers. Although this was down by a fifth on the previous year, it was still the second highest on record.

'Swiping the whole shelf'

Supermarkets have also been stepping up security on chocolate bars, with Tesco and Co-Op as well as Sainsbury's using the transparent boxes which customers have to ask staff to open.

The Heart of England Co-Op group, which runs 38 stores in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, told the BBC chocolate theft cost it 250,000 last year. It was the group's most stolen product in 2024 and topped only by alcohol in 2025, it said.

Chief executive Steve Browne told the BBC chocolate theft was a "massive issue".

"In a particular shop, one individual could cost us thousands of pounds in a week," he said. "They were coming in... then literally swiping the whole shelf."

He said a shelf of chocolate could be worth 500 and the group had spent 3m on security and other measures to prevent thefts.

Sunita Aggarwal has reduced the amount of chocolate on display in her Sheffield store because of increasing theft

Sunita Aggarwal runs two convenience stores in Leicester and Sheffield.

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"People are just coming in, and nicking boxes and boxes of chocolate," she said.

"We know illicit trade is definitely on the up. As retailers, we know it goes on in front of us."

Aggarwal says she has installed more than 30 CCTV cameras and uses AI technology to detect thieves, with pictures of known shoplifters at the till.

Her team now only half-fill the shelves to limit losses and have stopped promoting chocolate on easy access end-of-aisle positions.

Fiona Avenal Malone runs a shop in Tenby, Wales and says she is losing 200-300 a week on chocolate thefts.

"We noticed that we've put out a whole line of chocolate bars, and then all of a sudden there's only one left," she said.

"Then you go and check the CCTV, and then you see it happening, on the screen, which is really frustrating."

'Chocolate is primetime'

Paul Cheema, owner of Malcom's convenience stores in Coventry, said: "Chocolate is the new buzzword for organised crime.

"It was razors, cheese, coffee. Today, these people that are taking stock from convenience stores, from supermarkets, it's taken to order. So chocolate is primetime now."

Cheema said stock was sold on "whether it goes back into another convenience store, a cafe, a bar, restaurant. It's prolific at the moment," adding that shoplifters easily take "200, maybe 250 of chocolate in the back of a rucksack".

In order to tackle chocolate theft, the ACS says shopkeepers need more help from police and stronger sentences for criminals.

Chief executive James Lowman said: "Confectionery, like other products commonly stolen from local shops, is being re-sold through illicit markets that help fund wider criminal activity.

"Alongside better police support and effective sentences for repeat offenders, we need action to shut down the networks re-selling stolen goods."

A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesperson said its Retail Crime Strategy "brings together policing, retailers, the security industry and academia to collectively tackle this crime type".

They said this included training and support for retailers, advising on best use of security and investment in technology and quicker and easier reporting systems.

They added it was seeing "much progress in police forces developing their response to retail crime". They said Opal, policing's central intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, collates intelligence from retailers and police forces to map out potential organised crime activity across the country.

The team works with police forces to develop investigations and bring offenders to justice, they said.
Hundreds of Christian leaders and scholars nationwide are denouncing President Donald Trumps administration and urging more active resistance among the faithful to the injustices and anti-democratic danger sweeping across the nation.

We are facing a cruel and oppressive government, their collective statement begins. In moments like this, silence is not neutrality  it is an active choice to permit harm.

Titled A Call to Christians in a Crisis of Faith and Democracy, the letter says the nation is facing a profound moral, spiritual, and democratic emergency. Its release coincides with the start of the Christian season of Lent, a period of repentance, self-reflection and resistance to temptation.

We thought it was important to tie into a season where many Christians go deeper into their faith, said Adam Russell Taylor, president of Sojourners, a Christian social justice organization. Part of what were critiquing is the way in which many White evangelical Christians succumb to an unconditional support of the administration, despite the fact that its actions are completely antithetical to the teachings of Jesus.

Leaders of all faiths have increasingly spoken out and participated in protests against the policies of the Trump administration, particularly aimed at what many see as overly aggressive efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. Pastors have been arrested and struck with pepper balls during demonstrations.

The statement says Christians have a moral obligation to speak out against citizens and immigrants being demonized, disappeared, and even killed; the erosion of hard-won rights and freedoms; and a calculated effort to reverse Americas growing racial and ethnic diversity  all of which are pushing us toward authoritarian and imperial rule.

This moment is a defining test of Christian discipleship and civic responsibility, said the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder and director of the Georgetown Center for Faith and Justice in Washington, DC. Democratic freedoms are being taken away and the gospel is being distorted. The vulnerable people Jesus told us to stand with and defend are being targeted and assaulted.

Wallis and Taylor organized the collective effort along with Barbara Williams-Skinner, president of Baltimores Skinner Institute, a faith leadership development organization.

A U.S. immigration agent holds on to the backpack of Liam Ramos, 5, as he is being detained on Jan 20, 2026, in Minneapolis.

About 400 people initially signed the statement, representing a range of Christian denominations, leaders of Black, Asian and Latino churches and associations and Christian universities and institutions. Hundreds more have added their names since the letters Feb. 18 release, organizers say.

The Executive Office of the President of the United States, which includes the White House office, did not respond to a request for comment about the statement.

The Christian leaders and scholars say, aside from the risks to democracy, they are troubled by a Christian faith corrupted by the heretical ideology of White Christian nationalism.

People look at it as just a democratic crisis, but its not, said the Rev. Cynthia Hale, pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, who was among those who signed the letter. Its a crisis of faith.

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Christian nationalism, the idea that Christian people and biblical law should govern American life, has seeped into the highest levels of American government, with conservative evangelicals becoming a major political force with strong support of Trump. Evangelical pastor Doug Wilson, who has said women should neither vote nor hold religious or political leadership positions, was recently invited by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to conduct a service at the Pentagon.

Their religious leaders have been so unconditionally supportive that its almost branded this administration as being religious in the minds of many Americans, which is a distortion, said Bishop Raymond Rivera of the Council of Holistic Christian Churches and Ministries, who also signed the letter. Theyve confused proximity to political power with proximity to the power of God. Theyre not the same.

Pastor Douglas Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, speaks at the National Conservative Conference in Washington D.C., on July 9, 2024.

Taylor called such conflation a form of idolatry and said the Trump administration in turn has misused Christian language to support its activities, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment ads that quote scripture in their appeals  one ad, for instance, includes a verse saying Blessed are the peacemakers.

That feels particularly offensive and egregious in light of the tactics weve seen them employ in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere," he said. "Its corrupting the Christian faith to advance its own political agenda.

People 'are afraid'

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, a professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University, a Christian institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said she initially wondered before signing whether the moment required something more than signing yet another statement.

I realized this statement isnt primarily for people who have been on the front lines of these issues but for pastors and ordinary Christians who may be just waking up to whats happening and whats at stake, Du Mez said. I think its important to offer a statement that clarifies the political and theological stakes and that people can put their name behind This is a way for ordinary Christians to step up.

The letter concludes by tying a set of core theological convictions to actions the signers pledge to take to practice their faith and protect democracy, including defending voting rights, pursuing peace and standing with unjustly targeted immigrants.

Faith leader Michael Woolf, minister at Lake Street Church of Evanston, is detained by Illinois State Police during a protest against immigration actions, outside the Broadview ICE facility in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2025.

Dottie Escobedo-Frank, bishop of the United Methodist Churchs California-Pacific Conference in Pasadena, said she signed the letter to encourage her Southern California community and all Christians to live out their callings to serve the downtrodden, demonstrate compassion and challenge political leaders to act on their behalf.

However, with church ministries offering food distribution, childcare, or elderly assistance having faced disruption from ICE agents or anti-immigrant demonstrators, were seeing people in our communities who are afraid to live out their faith because of the actions of our government, she said.

Taylor understands many may be justifiably fearful of living out their creed, but said its critical for people to engage at a time when the pages of the authoritarian playbook are very much in effect, he said.

He said one way to overcome such fears, aside from leaning into the resilience of faith itself, is to connect with other Christians. The letter effort includes a website where supporters can find ways to get involved.

One of the most consistent refrains in scripture is do not be afraid, Taylor said. Authoritarian governments thrive on people feeling isolated and overwhelmed, so were trying to create a network of solidarity and courage. We have the power to prevent things from getting worse.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian leaders say silence no longer option amid 'crisis of faith'
Various open cans of different fish. - Ilia Nesolenyi/Getty Images

If you're a fan of Louisiana cooking, you're aware of the importance of seafood. Whether you enjoy the different culinary styles of Creole versus Cajun cuisine, you likely delight in a wonderfully prepared dish that features fresh, locally sourced fare. So, where does canned seafood fit in? If you're from Louisiana and the dish involves one particular kind of seafood from a can, you might not approve.

Canned crawfish, also called crayfish and crawdad (or even mudbugs) in Louisiana, is controversial at best, especially for use in local kitchens. The idea takes some time to get used to. Though the product itself might not be all bad, as suggested, some posters on Reddit have made disapproving, though somewhat playful comments, ranging from distaste to questioning the idea. One simply stated, "Thanks, I hate it. Sincerely, New Orleans," with another commenter adding, "This is how you get banned from the city forever." There were also some suggestions on crawfish etiquette, including thoughts on the best way to eat crawfish and in China, there are specific techniques used for navigating the shell. As for using canned crawfish in Louisiana cuisine, however, there are numerous reasons it might be problematic.

Read more: Store-Bought Canned Crab Meat Ranked Worst To Best

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Why canned crawfish might not resonate in Louisiana cooking

Crawfish etouffee - Lisa Top/Shutterstock

There are distinct culinary qualities in Louisiana and seafood is used in recipes across the state, often found in Cajun-style seafood boils where ingredients typically come from local sources. The way to guarantee a winning seafood boil is to use the best foods  the fresher, the better. In this case, canned crawfish won't help you prepare the best seafood boil, as the preferred ingredients in a southern seafood and crawfish boil include using live crawfish. Regional pride surrounds the crustacean; seafood boils in Louisiana are a tradition and there is even a crawfish festival to honor it.

Crawfish is caught in large quantities in Louisiana from November to mid-June, and restaurants benefit from the catch. Most of the crawfish harvested in Louisiana is red swamp crawfish and white river crawfish, and in Cajun (as well as Creole) cooking, the freshest, live crawfish is the pinnacle. New Orleans is a culinary hub that predominantly cooks in the Creole style and being known for quality food means using top-notch ingredients. Creole seasonings are often different than in Cajun cooking, include spices and ingredients inspired from the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa, and are often seen in gumbos, etouffee, and bisques. Though Creole-style cooking is rooted in French techniques, brought from the kitchens of wealthy settlers in the southern U.S., local fare is often the go-to choice. Fresh crawfish is on the menu at numerous New Orleans' eateries, and the canned crawfish variety simply wouldn't be appreciated.

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Read the original article on Chowhound.
Texas Roadhouse already has a menu that feels bigger than most steakhousessteaks, ribs, rolls, loaded sides, and enough comfort food to keep you coming back. But regulars and employees know there's another layer to the experience. We're talking off-menu upgrades and unofficial orders that don't appear in print but can often be made if you ask nicely.

These insider customizations are made from ingredients already in the kitchen. Some come from employees, others from longtime fans who've figured out clever ways to upgrade standard dishes. Here are the staff-favorite hacks worth knowing about before your next visit.

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10 Staff-Only Menu Options at Texas Roadhouse

1. Pulled Pork Cactus Bloom

The Cactus Blossom is already one of the chain's most popular starters, but some staff recommend adding pulled pork to turn it into something more substantial. The smoky pork adds a barbecue-style richness that makes the fried onion more filling than an appetizer.

Some diners keep the barbecue sauce, while others ask for it on the side so the onion stays crisp longer. Either way, it's a heavier, more filling version of a classic order, perfect if you're sharing or skipping a big entree.

2. Parmesan Garlic Rolls

The rolls are already a big reason people come to Texas Roadhouse, but some employees suggest swapping the usual cinnamon butter for garlic butter and adding Parmesan on top. The change takes the flavor from sweet to savory and makes the rolls taste more like garlic bread.

They pair especially well with steak or ribs, since the savory flavor balances out heavier entrees. It's a small change, but fans say it completely elevates the flavor profile.

3. Small Protein Salad

Texas Roadhouse salads are hugegreat for leftovers, not always ideal if you want something lighter. Employees recommend ordering a side salad and pairing it with a protein from the kids' menu, like steak bites or grilled chicken.

You still get the protein, but in a portion that's easier to finish. It can also be cheaper than ordering a full entree salad, which makes it popular with both staff and budget-minded regulars.

Related: Jack in the Box Is Bringing Back One of Its Most Requested Burgers Ever for Its 75th Anniversary

4. Smothered Cactus Blossom

Another popular upgrade is ordering the Cactus Blossom "smothered," which usually means melted Jack cheese layered over the crispy onion petals. The cheese softens the crunch slightly and makes the whole thing feel richer and more indulgent.

Some diners go further with jalapenos, green chiles or bacon. The melted cheese turns the crispy onion into something closer to loaded fries. It's messy, rich, and definitely meant for sharing.

5. Steak Sliders Using the Rolls

Texas Roadhouse's soft rolls don't just have to stay in the bread basket. A common hack is pairing them with steak bites from the kids' menu to make mini sliders at the table.

The buttery steak and fluffy bread work surprisingly well together, especially if you add onions or mushrooms. It's simple but feels custom, and it's a fun option if you want to share or build your own bite-sized steak sandwich.

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6. Southwest Smothered Hot Dog

The kids' hot dog can be upgraded with Jack cheese, green chiles and sauteed onions for what some employees call a Southwest smother. It takes a basic hot dog and gives it more flavor and texture without getting too complicated.

Because it's smaller than most entrees, it's a good option if you're not looking for a huge meal but still want something warm and filling. Some diners add chili for an extra layer if they want to go fully into comfort-food territory.

7. Texas-Style Poutine

Some diners order cheese fries topped with brown gravy (the same gravy used for mashed potatoes) to create a Texas spin on poutine.

The result isn't traditional Canadian poutine, but it hits the same comfort-food note: fries, cheese, and gravy all piled together. It's one of those off-menu combinations that feels obvious once you hear about it.

Related: Trader Joe's Soup Dumplings Are Going Viral AgainThis Time in a New Way

8. Ice Cream (Without the Big Dessert)

Ice cream usually shows up only as part of larger desserts like brownies or apple pie, but employees say you can often order a simple bowl by itself.

For people who want something sweet without committing to a massive dessert, this is an easy workaround. Some diners even ask for extra toppings, such as caramel or chocolate sauce.

9. Chili Grilled Cheese

The grilled cheese isn't printed on Texas Roadhouse menus, but employees say it's available through the kids' ordering system, and it becomes something much more interesting once you know the right add-on. Just add a scoop of Texas Red Chili to make it a bit heartier.

The result is a messy, comfort-food mashup that feels somewhere between a grilled cheese and a sloppy joe. Some diners go a step further and add sauteed mushrooms or onions for extra flavor.

10. Sweet-Loaded Applesauce

Applesauce isn't usually the most exciting side on the table, but Texas Roadhouse employees say there's a way to turn it into something worth ordering. Ask for it "sweet loaded," and the kitchen can top it with toasted marshmallows and caramel sauce, the same toppings used on the baked sweet potato.

It's simple but surprisingly good. The warm caramel melts into the applesauce, and the marshmallows add just enough sweetness to make it feel like a small dessert instead of a side. If you want something sweet but don't feel like committing to cheesecake or a brownie, this is an easy off-menu option to try.

A Quick Note Before You Order

Because these items aren't official menu listings, availability can vary by location and by how busy the kitchen is. The best approach is to be polite, ask if it's possible and be flexible if your server says no. Most of these hacks rely on ingredients already in the kitchen, which is why they work in the first place.

Related: Why Kudos Bars Disappeared and How to Make Them at Home

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
(Photo Credit: @chirin.s/Instagram)

Every parent knows that keeping a toddler entertained can feel like a full-time job. Luckily, some families have four-legged helpers who take playtime very seriously. Dogs often match a childs excitement in ways adults simply cant. One video now making the rounds shows a Doberman stepping into that role perfectly, earning giggles from a delighted toddler.

Doberman and toddler play in adorable video

Sometimes the purest bonds are between a child and a dog, and a video shared by user @chirin.s shows exactly why. The short clip features a Doberman gently playing with a toddler on a living room rug, creating a scene that feels both playful and surprisingly tender. While the dog appears energetic, his movements remain careful and controlled, clearly adjusting to the childs size and reactions.

Throughout the interaction, the toddler bursts into laughter as the dog nudges and playfully roughhouses nearby. Rather than overwhelming the child, the Doberman seems aware of his strength, keeping the play soft and measured. The wholesome giggles quickly become the highlight of the video, drawing viewers attention to the trust between the two.

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Meanwhile, text displayed onscreen reads, Dobermans are not family dogs, referencing a common stereotype surrounding the breed. Known for their guarding instincts and protective nature, Dobermans are often misunderstood as being too intense for households with young children.

However, the video challenges that perception, showing a calm, affectionate side that many owners say is typical when the dogs are properly raised and socialized. The caption accompanying the video reinforces this message, stating, They can be giant babies if you raise them right.

Originally bred in Germany as protection dogs, Dobermans are highly intelligent, alert, and deeply bonded to their owners. Their reputation largely comes from their role as guard dogs, but experts note that temperament depends heavily on training, socialization, and environment. When raised in loving homes with clear boundaries and consistent interaction, Dobermans often develop strong emotional attachments to family members, including children. Not to mention, their intelligence also makes them responsive to cues, allowing them to adjust their behavior during play.

The post Doberman Makes Toddler Giggle in Adorable Video appeared first on DogTime.
Credit: Firehouse Subs/Getty/Allrecipes

The thing about flavor trends is that once one fast food chain gets hold of them, it's only a matter of time until you can find the same thing at almost every drive-thru, fast-casual restaurant, and sit-down joint across the country. For the past few years, restaurantsfrom Subway to Red Robin and McDonald'shave been adding the "swicy" hot honey to menus. And last year, nearly every fast food chain has introduced a Snack Wrap to compete with Mickey D's.

Now, it seems the latest batch of trendy menu items is trickling inand it comes in the form of a delicious three-ingredient pairing: chicken, bacon, and ranch.

The comforting combo of hearty chicken, savory bacon, and zesty ranch is a long-time favorite, but only recently have chains begun playing around with the flavorslike with Dominos' Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, Chili's Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos, and Arby's Chicken Bacon Ranch Loaded Fries.

Now, just a few days after Taco Bell added its Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas and Chicken Bacon Ranch-Topped Nacho Fries to menus, Firehouse Subs is releasing its take on the fan-loved flavor combination.

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Firehouse Subs Launches New Chicken 'N' Cheddar Rancher

Credit: Allrecipes / Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs' new Chicken 'N' Cheddar Rancher sub brings about a new era for the hot sub chain, with the launch of the restaurant's new grilled chicken. The juicy, tender premium grilled chicken breast is topped with crispy, smoky bacon, melted Cheddar cheese, and a new herb-forward buttermilk ranch that was developed exclusively for Firehouse Subs (and is different from the peppercorn ranch on the existing Turkey Bacon Ranch sub, in case you were wondering).

The Chicken 'N' Cheddar Rancher, which boasts 49 grams of protein in a medium sub, comes topped with tomatoes, shredded lettuce, onions, and mayo, but can be customized to your liking by adding or removing toppings and condiments.

Firehouse Subs' new Chicken 'N' Cheddar Rancher will join the menu permanently, making it the chain's first new permanent menu item in three years. It is currently available to order exclusively in the Firehouse Subs' app for Firehouse Rewards members. Then, on March 2, it will join the official menu, and be available nationwide in-restaurant, in-app, and for delivery.

With Firehouse Subs finally joining Subway, Jimmy John's, and Jersey Mike's on the chicken, bacon, ranch sandwich train, now the question remains: which chain has the best version?

Read the original article on Allrecipes
Development of VirtIO-compliant in-vehicle software platform completed

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; President: Masashi Nagayasu) has been actively promoting the global adoption and industry-wide standardization of VirtIOan open-source device virtualization technology advanced by industry groups such as AGL*1, Android, OASIS*2, and SOAFEE*3for automotive applications. Today, our efforts have gained industry-wide endorsement from Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Corporation, as well as related companies in the IT and other sectors. In addition, we have completed the development of a VirtIO-compliant in-vehicle software platform for CDC (Cockpit Domain Controller). Moving forward, we will continue to develop and promote VirtIO-compliant automotive software to contribute to innovation in vehicle development.

Virtualization technology

The automotive industry is entering the era of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), where much of product value and innovation is realized through software. The ability to accelerate software evolution has become a key factor in competitiveness. It is essential to standardize software across different vehicle models and generations and ensure its continuous development. To achieve this, an open-source device virtualization technology that enables common software to run seamlessly on different hardware platforms is required.

VirtIO is a key technology for enabling device virtualization. By adopting VirtIO, companies can create virtual hardware environments on computing platforms such as cloud servers. This approach allows software development and evolution to begin long before physical vehicle hardware becomes available, significantly accelerating development speed and time to market.

Since 2018, we have taken the lead globally in developing VirtIO for automotive applications and promoting its industry-wide standardization, engaging the automotive industry, related IT sectors, and the semiconductor industry. Establishing VirtIO as an industry standard will enable the creation of an open and transparent ecosystem in which manufacturers can freely choose the optimal hardware technologies. Our efforts to standardize VirtIO, as well as our broader standardization initiatives, have gained global endorsement from major automakers and related companies. We have completed the development of a VirtIO-compliant in-vehicle software platform and will continue to advance it, driving automotive innovation well suited to the SDV era.

Masashige Mizuyama, Representative Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

"To drive innovation in automotive development in the SDV era, it is essential for companies to adopt VirtIO and develop their in-vehicle software assets in compliance with VirtIO. In addition to software platforms, we have developed vSkipGena VirtIO-compliant virtual hardware solutionwhich is used in our own SDV development and is also available to external partners. We encourage automakers, as well as companies involved in the development of in-vehicle software and components, to endorse this initiative and ensure that their products comply with VirtIO standards, thereby contributing to the global growth of the ecosystem."

In the SDV era, we aim to accelerate the evolution of softwarewhose technological asset value continues to growwhile expanding the scope of VirtIO's application and further developing the ecosystem. By leveraging open-source technologies to drive standardization and broader adoption, we view this as a highly meaningful initiative that signals the future direction of technological innovation not only in the automotive industry, but across the broader manufacturing sector, where software-defined paradigms are rapidly gaining momentum.

Endorsement Comments from Companies Supporting VirtIO Standardization Efforts:

<Comments from Automakers>

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

"Honda envisions that the realization of SDV will fundamentally transform and enhance vehicle value. Achieving this vision requires scaling our development capabilities, integrating complex systems, and accelerating development cyclesobjectives that present significant technical challenges. Specifically, it is critical to treat software as a continuous asset, necessitating a hardware-agnostic architecture that remains resilient to underlying hardware evolution. We recognize VirtIO as a key technology for hardware virtualization, offering the potential to overcome these challenges and accelerate SDV development. Furthermore, we believe that the adoption of VirtIO will go beyond Honda's own advancements to fortify the entire industry's technological foundation, driving sustainable value creation across the mobility ecosystem."  Mahito Shikama, Vice President, Head of SDV Business Development Unit, Automobile Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Mazda Motor Corporation

"Mazda has set forth its 2030 VISION: "To be a car-loving company that creates moving experiences through the joy of driving." In pursuit of this vision, Mazda is advancing a transformation of development technologies and processes to address increasing complexity through the evolution of model-based development and the use of AI. To realize enhanced human-centered experiential value by leveraging the evolution of software, a common foundation is indispensableone that enables flexible selection of optimal hardware configurations while supporting the continuous development of software responsible for vehicle functions and services. Mazda views VirtIO as a common interface that helps maintain architectural consistency in line with the evolution of future system configurations. Recognizing its potential early on, Mazda has been actively evaluating and promoting the adoption of VirtIO as an effective technology to underpin this common foundation. Mazda expects VirtIO to further mature as a technology that contributes to value creation and remains committed to contributing to its continued advancement."  Michihiro Imada, Executive Officer, Mazda Motor Corporation

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

"Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is accelerating initiatives to continuously enhance vehicle value through the operation of connected platforms and over-the-air (OTA) updates, with the aim of delivering sustained customer value. In software development, the standardization of device virtualization using VirtIO enables a hardware independent development environment, ensures a high degree of correlation and reproducibility between cloud-based environments and actual vehicle hardware, and promotes the development of multi-vender environments and expanded ecosystem interoperability through industry wide adoption of VirtIO. We endorse this initiative and are committed to further advancing and expanding mobility experiences in the SDV era."  Tohru Ishiguro, Vice President, Division General Manager Vehicle Engineering Development Division2, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

"Nissan views the standardization of VirtIO as one of the key foundations for realizing the innovative mobility experiences required in the SDV era. By resolving performance and real-time challenges in ECU virtualization through VirtIO, and implementing a standardized virtualization interface on actual ECUs, we enable high-precision verification of behavior closely resembling real-vehicle onboard systems using common binarieseven in cloud-native off-board development and verification environments. We believe this advancement in development and verification processes will accelerate the evolution of customer value, and we will support the adoption and development of VirtIO standardization."  Tetsuo Sasaki, Fellow, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

<Comments from Related Companies>

Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.

"Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.'s VirtIO (Open Source Software) based SDV development environment, vSkipGen, has been put into practical use on AWS Graviton provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). And it has been proven that Vehicle OSes and Apps developed in this AWS cloud environment run with environmental parity on physical ECUs. Using VirtIO, automotive software development can be started before preparing physical ECUs, and complete functional verification in AWS cloud. Promoting VirtIO as an industry standard will contribute to improving the value and quality of automotive software from plan, development through OTA updates, while combining it with agentic AI on the AWS cloud will create new value, such as further improving development efficiency and providing a rich driver experiences by dialog with multiple agents. AWS will lead this innovation in automotive industries."  Yasuhiro Kose, Executive Officer, Head of Technical Division, Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.

AMD

"The shift to Software-Defined Vehicles demands open standards that decouple software innovation from hardware lifecycles. Panasonic Automotive Systems' commitment to VirtIO standardization is a meaningful step toward building a transparent, scalable ecosystem for the industry. At AMD, we believe open virtualization frameworks, combined with high-performance heterogeneous compute, are foundational to accelerating time-to-market while preserving long-term flexibility for automakers worldwide."  Simon George, Director, Embedded Systems (Automotive and Robotics) & Software Ecosystem, AMD

Arm

"The next wave of physical AI innovation will be defined by AI and software running reliably under real-world constraints, creating a need for open, standards-based platforms that enable reliability, scalability, and long-term innovation. VirtIO is an important building block in advancing AI-defined vehicles, and through ecosystem collaboration we are helping to advance SOAFEE-aligned approaches that scale trusted, efficient automotive software platforms worldwide."  Suraj Gajendra, Vice President of Products and Solutions, Physical AI Business Unit, Arm





Automotive Grade Linux

"Panasonic Automotive Systems (PAS) has been a cornerstone of the Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) community since our inception. As a valued AGL board member and leader of the SDV Expert Group, PAS is playing a critical role in defining the future of the software-defined vehicle. Their significant technical contributions, most notably their extensive work on VirtIO, have become an integral part of the AGL SoDeV platform, providing the essential device and hardware abstraction required for modern, scalable architectures. We deeply value their continued collaboration and leadership as we work together to accelerate automotive innovation."  Dan Cauchy, Executive Director, Automotive Grade Linux

Eclipse Foundation

"Open source plays a critical role in software-defined vehicles by enabling shared building blocks and common interfaces that decouple software from hardware and improve portability across platforms. Within the Eclipse SDV ecosystem, initiatives such as Eclipse S-CORE bring stakeholders together to develop reusable, interoperable components in the open. Industry efforts advancing open interfaces and virtualization technologies are complementary to this work, and we welcome broad, constructive engagement across OEMs, suppliers, silicon providers, and the global open-source community."  Ansgar Lindwedel, Director, SDV Ecosystem Development, Eclipse Foundation

Google

"VirtIO is a pivotal foundational technology for achieving virtualization and hardware independence in automotive software development. At Google, we have officially adopted VirtIO as the standard I/O interface for many years, both in Android Automotive OS and our cloud-native development environments. It supports extensions for a wide range of devices and ensures stable operation and high versatility across multiple hypervisors and hardware configurations. We appreciate Panasonic Automotive's continuous contributions to VirtIO standardization and Android development. Google remains committed to working with our partners to strengthen VirtIO and expand the open ecosystem, striving to realize a sustainable platform fit for the SDV era."  Patrick Brady, VP, Engineering, Android Automotive, Google

MediaTek Inc.

"VirtIO plays a strategic role in enabling software-defined vehicles by addressing the growing complexity of next-generation automotive architectures. To reduce extensive software rework in migration challenges and keep scalability, MediaTek will work closely with partners and customers to integrate VirtIO into our Dimensity Auto platforms, accelerating time-to-market and enabling the ongoing transition toward software-defined vehicles."  Dr. Mike Chang, Corporate Vice President, General Manager of Automotive Platform Business, MediaTek Inc.

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

"Virtualization is a foundational pillar of the software defined vehicle, playing an increasingly important role in decoupling the inherent complexity of the automotive domain, where diverse platforms and fragmented architectures demand scalable solutions. By enabling portability across devices and cloud environments, it accelerates development, testing, and rapid prototyping. Qualcomm Technologies remains committed to advancing VirtIO as it evolves to meet growing automotive requirements."  Laxmi Rayapudi, VP & GM, Software, Auto & IE-IOT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Renesas Electronics Corporation

"As a leading provider of automotive semiconductor solutions, Renesas is strengthening hardware virtualization in our SoCs and actively driving software-based virtualization technologies. As part of these efforts, we are expanding VirtIO capabilities in our SoC software. We fully support Panasonic Automotive's initiative to promote the standardization of VirtIO across the industry."  Aish Dubey, Vice President, High Performance Computing SoC Business Division, Renesas Electronics Corporation

Telechips Inc.

"In the rapidly changing automotive market, the scale of software development is becoming even more of a burden. VirtIO represents an important step toward improving software consistency between virtual and real environments, enabling more accurate and efficient development. We believe that VirtIO will become more important technology in the SDV era and Telechips is committed to supporting VirtIO. It's pleased to collaborate with Panasonic Automotive Systems in advancing an open and scalable automotive software ecosystem."  Moonsoo Kim, Head of System Semiconductor Center, R&D division, Telechips Inc.

Xen Project

"The Xen Project believes that VirtIO is a key enabling technology for Software Defined Vehicles. As SDV development accelerates, automotive platforms must manage increasing complexity while preserving performance, portability, and long-term software value. The Xen community has been working for several years to advance VirtIO for automotive use cases, delivering not only efficient and standardized VirtIO support, but also strengthening its safety and security properties. This work pushes the boundaries of where VirtIO can be applied, from freedom-from-interference, safety-certified systems to heterogeneous computing platforms operating across PCIe. The Xen Project welcomes Panasonic Automotive Systems' initiative and values the opportunity to collaborate in accelerating VirtIO adoption, standardization, and industry-wide impact."  Cody Zuschlag, Community Manager, Xen Project

Notes:

*1:Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) is a Linux Foundation Collaborative Project that unites automakers, suppliers, and technology companies to create a single, shared software stack for infotainment, instrument clusters, telematics, and other in-vehicle systems.

*2:Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to developing standards for information technology.

*3:Scalable Open Architecture For Embedded Edge (SOAFEE) is an initiative that brings together the automotive industry and software industry to make AI-enabled Software Defined Vehicles a reality.

Google and Android are trademarks of Google LLC.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Japan, Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd., (PAS) is a global company with subsidiaries in eight other countries and, as a Tier 1 company, it provides advanced proprietary technologies such as infotainment systems to automakers in Japan and overseas, helping to create comfortable, safe, and secure automobiles. PAS is committed to meeting the expectations of its customers around the world with technologies that stand by people in pursuit of its corporate vision of becoming the "Joy in Motion" design company.

We are changing our company name and brand to Mobitera Inc., effective April 1, 2027.

To learn more about our company, please visit https://automotive.panasonic.com/en

SOURCE Panasonic Corporation of North America
Recent tests have detected toxic forever chemicals in public drinking water systems serving at least 151 million people, roughly half of all Americans who rely on these utilities to deliver clean water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new records Feb. 12 of water samples collected over the past three years. Many of these detections were for PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the EPA doesnt currently limit, or the measurements didnt exceed limits the agency approved in 2024 for two types of PFAS.

However, more than 1,050 water systems reported average PFAS levels above the EPAs new limits. Collectively, these systems provide drinking water for at least 52 million people, or more than 1 of every 7 Americans.

Where water systems reported PFAS contamination

Click on a system in the map below to review its PFAS measurements. You may also enter an address in the search box to locate the nearest water systems. Don't see a map? Click here.

Since World War II, manufacturers have developed thousands of variants of PFAS to repel liquids and resist heat, which also makes the chemicals difficult to destroy. Whether people are exposed through products like stain-resistant fabrics or nonstick food wrappers or through contaminated air or water, researchers say the chemicals can accumulate in human bodies over time, increasing the risk of certain cancers.

There is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, EPA officials said when the agency set a non-enforceable health-based goal of zero in drinking water for two of the most-studied of these chemicals  PFOS and PFOA.

The EPAs regulatory standard, though, was capped at a yearly average of 4 parts per trillion. Municipalities now have until 2031 to meet these limits  either by finding new sources of clean drinking water or installing advanced filtration systems  or they could face financial penalties and other types of EPA enforcement.

What's new in these updated records?

To get a better sense of the scope of PFAS contamination, the EPA mandated most drinking water systems to check for about 30 types of forever chemicals in their drinking water from 2023 through 2025.

Over 9,000 utilities have submitted all their required sample data, but more than 1,000 systems have only submitted partial sets of results, including cities like Bradenton, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and Buffalo, New York. When the EPA releases its final update of these records by fall 2026, the count of utilities in violation of the new PFAS limits will likely tick up even more.

Since the EPA last updated these records in November 2025, more than 100 additional water systems are now reporting yearly averages of PFOA or PFOS over the limit of 4 ppt. The largest among them are the municipal water systems for Columbia, South Carolina, and Huntington Beach, California, which reported average PFOS levels of 7.6 ppt and 5.5 ppt, respectively.

Although Columbias test results were just added to the EPA data set, the PFAS contamination is not a surprise to city officials. Columbia Water sued dozens of PFAS manufacturers in an ongoing federal lawsuit filed in mid-2024, alleging the companies are knowingly and improperly disposing of PFAS through wastewater treatment plants upstream of the citys intake pipes.

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These forever chemicals' will continue to pollute Columbias water supply for generations to come and will be present in Columbias drinking water in excess of the applicable federal standards until they are removed through very sophisticated filtration methods, the city wrote in court documents. Through no fault of its own, Columbia must upgrade its water and wastewater treatment facilities to adequately address defendants PFAS.

Clint Shealy, assistant city manager for Columbia, declined to comment because of the ongoing lawsuit. Huntington Beach did not reply to a request for comment.

These two cities are in good company since USA TODAYs analysis shows PFAS contamination is more widespread among large systems serving 100,000 customers or more. In fact, the EPA records show nearly a quarter of these very large utilities reported exceeding a PFAS limit.

Sources of contamination are generally more prevalent in urban areas, with many of the public utilities listing airports, military bases and factories as suspected sources of PFAS in their water. USA TODAYs analysis shows the portion of drinking water systems exceeding the EPA limits falls as they get smaller and more rural.

Although fewer small systems are affected, USA TODAYs analysis shows many of the highest concentrations of PFAS have nevertheless been reported in small communities. For example, the new records show the quaint college town of Oxford, Mississippi, reported an average PFOS level of 53 ppt, more than 13 times over the limit. The water system for Morgantown, Pennsylvania, a gateway to Amish country, reported its measurements of PFOA also averaged about 13 times over the limit.

In late-2025, Oxford purchased property to dig a new well and accepted a $3.5 million bid for construction of a water treatment plant, according to minutes from the citys board of aldermen. City documents show they plan to pay for the project, at least partially, with federal stimulus funding sent out during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morgantowns utility sent notices to its customers in December 2025 stating that it shut down the contaminated well until corrections can be made, which it anticipates within the next year.

What can I do if my city found PFAS?

The EPA has put together a website here with resources for people concerned about PFAS contamination in their drinking water.

The agency recommends first contacting your local water provider to ask about test results and learn what theyre doing to meet the EPA standards.

Construction projects for advanced filtration systems and wells can take years to finish, so buying a filtration pitcher or installing a home filter can provide peace of mind in the meantime. The EPA recommends systems that use charcoal, reverse osmosis or ion exchange resins. Check the EPA website for full details on filtration products that are certified to remove PFAS.

For the 10% of Americans who rely on private wells for drinking water, the EPA suggests contacting your state environmental or health agency for a list of state-certified laboratories that can test for PFAS contamination.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are PFAS forever chemicals in your drinking water? See the latest data
A demonstration in memory of the far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon, France on Sunday. - Felice Rosa/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images

The US ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been blocked from directly accessing French government ministers after he failed to appear to a summons by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

Kushner had been summoned over comments made about the death of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque earlier this month, but did not appear on Monday, a statement from Frances foreign affairs ministry, the Quai dOrsay, said.

Faced with this apparent misunderstanding of the basic expectations of an ambassadors mission, the Minister has requested that he no longer have direct access to members of the French government, the statement said.

Kushner will still be permitted to carry out his duties and have diplomatic exchanges with officials.

The spat deepened further on Tuesday when Barrot said the US ambassadors failure to appear on Monday will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.

The French foreign minister insisted that while Kushners actions will not affect the relationship between the United States and France in any way, they demand an explanation.

The tragedy of Quentin Deranques death has deeply affected the nation and bereaved a French family. What we have said is that we reject any political exploitation of this tragedy, Barrot told French public broadcaster FranceInfo.

A source close to the French foreign minister confirmed to CNN that the US ambassador to France spoke to Barrot on Tuesday following his summons no-show. The minister reiterated the reasons for the summons, telling Kushner that France cannot accept any form of interference or manipulation of its national public debate by the authorities of a third country, according to the source.

The US ambassador expressed his desire not to interfere in French public debate, and reaffirmed the friendship between France and the United States, the source said, adding that Kushner and Barrot agreed to meet in the coming days.

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Paris described the call as frank and amicable, with Kushner and Barrot reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, along with all other Ministers and French officials.

Kushner has met regularly with the French foreign minister during his tenure as ambassador, the spokesperson added, noting the two countries are celebrating 250 years of diplomatic relations.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, pictured on February 6, 2026 at the residence of the French ambassador in Beirut, said the US ambassador to France owed an explanation after comments made about the death of a far-right activist this month. - Anwar Amro/AFP/Getty Images

Quentin Deranque, 23, died two days after suffering severe head injuries in a brawl in the city of Lyon on February 12, drawing comment from the Trump administration which described the death as the result of left-wing violence.

On Friday, the US embassy in France shared an X post from the US State Departments Counterterrorism Bureau which said reports that Deranque was killed by left-wing militants, should concern us all.

Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranques death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety, the X post said.

The fatal brawl was caught on video, which showed several masked people kicking and punching a man on the ground, causing widespread shock and anger in France.

Authorities have charged two people with murder in connection with Deranques death, and altogether 11 have been arrested.

The French foreign minister previously said he would summon Kushner after he labeled his comments about the incident as interference, in an interview with radio station France Inter.

The incident has also sparked a diplomatic spat between France and Italy, after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Deranques death was caused by groups linked to left-wing extremism and condemned a climate of ideological hatred sweeping several nations.

This is not the first time that Kushner, father of President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, has failed to appear after being summoned amid criticism from the French authorities.

In August 2025, the Foreign Ministry summoned Kushner after he accused the French government of a lack of sufficient action in confronting antisemitism.

A French diplomatic source told CNN at the time that the US charge daffaires was summoned to the ministrys headquarters in Paris in Kushners absence, as he was not in Paris.

CNNs Lisa Courbebaisse and Pierre Bairin contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
CNN

Thousands in the Northeast remained without power amid freezing temperatures Tuesday as people from that region and the mid-Atlantic dug out from extreme snowfall  including more than 2 feet in several states  from the previous two days and faced continuing travel disruptions including hundreds of canceled flights.

Temperatures in much of the Northeast are not expected to climb above freezing Tuesday, so snow melting may be limited.

The storm , which began Sunday night, hit bomb cyclone status in the early hours of Monday as it strengthened extremely quickly, ramping winds to hurricane-force gusts, intensifying snow bands and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands. Local officials echoed state of emergency declarations and issued travel bans while the tens of millions of people under blizzard warnings hunkered down.

Of the more than 225,000 customers still without power in the region Tuesday night, more than 190,000 were in Massachusetts, the vast majority of whom were customers of the Eversource utility company in southeastern Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, according to PowerOutage.us.

It will take days to turn on the lights for every Massachusetts customer, an Eversource official said.

It is a multiday restoration, Doug Foley, Eversources president of electric operations in Massachusetts, said at a news conference Tuesday. The last couple customers, unfortunately, will be a couple days out.

Luis Javier Rodriguez clears snow from a sidewalk on Tuesday in Weekhawken, New Jersey. - Seth Wenig/AP

Those who do dig out of the snow may have trouble going anywhere despite easing travel bans, with public transit delays, icy road conditions and flight cancellations across the region.

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As of 8 p.m. ET, just over 2,200 US flights had been canceled Tuesday, according to FlightAware. The vast majority of those flights had been scheduled to arrive at or depart from the four major northeastern airports  Newark; Boston; and LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy in New York  which were still recovering Tuesday from the storm.

Among those hoping to fly out Tuesday was Alyssa Myers, whose flight from Philadelphia to Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon was canceled. She rebooked and canceled several times.

If you dont have to go, cancel the trip, get the refund, wait for warmer weather, Myers told CNNs Danny Freeman at Philadelphia International Airport.

The historic storm yielded numerous impacts as schools across the region closed, both the US House and Senate postponed this weeks first vote series, major train routes were adjusted, public transit was paused and even the popular food delivery service DoorDash suspended its operations in the countrys biggest city.

Though the storm dwindled by Monday evening, a forecast for more looms. Heres what you need to know:

Stunning snow totals: From the Mid-Atlantic to New England, 1 to 3 feet of snow buried communities during the historic blizzard. As of 7 p.m. ET Monday, Providence, Rhode Island, saw the most snowfall with 37.9 inches. The highest totals in other states include Whitman, Massachusetts, with 33.7 inches; Central Islip, New York, with 31 inches; North Stonington, Connecticut, with 30.8 inches; and Lyndhurst, New Jersey, with 30.7 inches. Follow more snow totals across the Northeast here.

Records broken across the region: The bomb cyclone delivered historic impacts to cities across the Northeast, becoming the biggest snowstorm on record for Providence. When just over 27 inches had fallen on Newark around 1 p.m., the snowstorm officially ranked as the citys second-heaviest based on records dating back to 1931. The storm also marked the Big Apples snowiest winter since the 2020-2021 season. In Philadelphia, snowfall totals marked the most from a single storm since January 2016.

Space savers -- objects like buckets and chairs -- rested in some curbside parking spaces in south Boston on Tuesday, placed by people who intended to return their vehicles to spaces they dug out. - CNN

Potential for more snow: Another chance for snow will materialize for the Northeast not long after this brutal storm. Fortunately, it looks to be quick-hitting without massive snow potential. The new storm will bring some snow to the Great Lakes on Tuesday and reach the Northeast overnight into Wednesday. Most places in the region will see less than two inches, though higher elevations in Pennsylvania, New York and New England might get a few more.

A woman walks past through the snow in Central Park on February 23, 2026 in New York City. - Ryan Murphy/Getty Images

Dizzying flight cancellations: The monstrous bomb cyclone also wreaked havoc on air travel, with more than 10,000 US flights canceled from Sunday to Tuesday. That includes more than 2,200 cancellations for Tuesday, with the majority concentrated at Boston Logan International Airport, with high levels of disruption also spread across the New York Cityarea airports, according to FlightAware.

Widespread power outages persist: Power outages soared through Monday, caused by extreme winds and heavy snow, with more close to 400,000 customers without power by 6:30 a.m. ET that day, and 650,000 five hours later. Outages across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions appeared to stabilize by 1 p.m. Monday. But some power restoration efforts were delayed because of the very weather that caused them. By Tuesday night, more than 225,000 customers were still impacted.

Snow covers the ground as a power pole is suspended after lines were pulled down by a fallen tree during a winter storm in Edgartown, Massachusetts, on Monday. - Robert MacMillan/Reuters

CNNs August Phillips, Aaron Cooper, Holly Yan, Alaa Elassar, Zoe Sottile, Hanna Park and meteorologists Mary Gilbert, Briana Waxman and Chris Dolce contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
FILE PHOTO: Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, at the time its U.N. ambassador, speaks to the media outside Security Council chambers at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., June 24, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

DUBAI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that a deal with the U.S. was "within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority", days ahead of an expected fresh round of talks between the two sides in Geneva.

The talks are set to take place on Thursday in Geneva, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner slated to meet with an Iranian delegation for the negotiations.

The two countries resumed negotiations earlier this month as the U.S. builds up its military capability in the Middle East. Iran has threatened to strike U.S. bases in the region if it is attacked.

"We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests," Araqchi said in a post on X.

The Iranian top diplomat said his country would resume the talks with "a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal in the shortest possible time".

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said Iran was ready to take all necessary steps to reach a deal with the United States.

"We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We will do whatever it takes to make this happen. We will enter the negotiating room in Geneva with complete honesty and good faith," Takht-Ravanchi said in comments carried by state media.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's first option was always diplomacy but that he was willing to use lethal force if necessary.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that Tehran would seriously consider a combination of sending half of its most highly enriched uranium abroad, diluting the rest and taking part in creating a regional enrichment consortium - an idea periodically raised during years of Iran-linked diplomacy.

Iran would do this in return for U.S. recognition of Iran's right to "peaceful nuclear enrichment" under a deal that would also include lifting economic sanctions, the official said.

"If there is an attack or aggression against Iran, we will respond according to our defence plans... A U.S. attack on Iran is a real gamble," Takht-Ravanchi added.

Indirect talks between the two sides last year brought no agreement, primarily due to friction over a U.S. demand that Iran forgo uranium enrichment on its soil, which Washington views as a pathway to a nuclear bomb.

Iran has always denied seeking such weapons.

The U.S. joined Israel in hitting Iranian nuclear sites last June, effectively curtailing Iran's uranium enrichment, with Trump saying its key nuclear sites were "obliterated". But Iran is still believed to possess stockpiles enriched previously, which Washington wants it to relinquish.

(Reporting by Elwely Elwelly; additional reporting by Jaidaa Taha and Muhammad Al Gebaly from Cairo; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Gareth Jones)
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon said Monday that the financial world looks a lot like the heyday in the years ahead of the global financial crisis.

Unfortunately, we did see this in '05, '06, '07, almost the same thing," Dimon said at the firm's annual investor day in New York on Monday. "The rising tide lifting all boats, everyone was making a lot of money, people leveraging to the hilt. The sky was the limit.

My own view is people are getting a little comfortable that this is real  these high asset prices and high volumes and that we won't have any kind of problem whatsoever. So we're quite cautious about that, Dimon added.

Dimons comments come amid a turbulent market period, as investors have dumped stocks across a range of industries over fears that artificial intelligence will disrupt their core businesses. In the financial industry, these challenges have been most acutely felt in private credit markets.

All of our main competitors are back, said Dimon, who on Monday wore a cast on one hand after recently having surgery to treat arthritis. It's good for the world, et cetera. I don't know how long it's going to be great for everybody. I see a couple of people doing some dumb things, he added.

Read more: How to protect your money during turmoil, stock market volatility

JPMorgan Chase chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on Jan. 21, 2026. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images) (FABRICE COFFRINI via Getty Images)

For years, Dimon has consistently warned about high asset prices, though his worries dont always come to fruition. Last fall, his credit market views caused a stir when he likened a string of bad loans at his and other banks to cockroaches.

"I shouldn't say this, but when you see one cockroach, there's probably more," Dimon said on the firm's earnings call in October. "Everyone should be forewarned on this one."

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Last year, Wall Street banks had one of their best years ever. So did their bosses, including Dimon.

Dealmaking rebounded, and the Trump administration pushed to loosen financial services regulation.

JPMorgan stock fell late last year when it raised its 2026 expense expectations by $9 billion; the company said Monday it plans to allocate $19.8 billion of its yearly spending to technology. It also shared projections on Monday for net interest income to rise to $104.5 billion this year, $1.5 billion more than it projected last month.

As for how long Dimon plans to remain as boss of the nation's largest bank, his answers remained largely consistent with previous comments, saying Monday that he would stay as CEO for "a few years," without sharing further details.

Asked about JPMorgans own competitive positioning in an environment of rapid AI advancements, Dimon and his top lieutenants rattled off the reasons why the nations biggest bank is more likely to be a winner than a victim.

In my view, we will be a winner, Dimon said, adding that the company doesnt have to place No. 1 in all areas of financial markets it plays in. We've always had the strategy to use technology to do a better job for our customers. And we're quite good at it.

David Hollerith covers the financial sector, ranging from the country's biggest banks to regional lenders, private equity firms, and the cryptocurrency space.

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
Jennifer Garner at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes held at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California Getty Images

The Gist

Jennifer Garner swapped out her girl-next door style in favor of screen siren glamour for a new photoshoot.

The 13 Going on 30 actress turned heads in a plunging black leather dress that dipped all the way down to her stomach.

Garner also modeled an iteration of '80s power dressing as well as a tutu-inspired white dress with a sheer skirt.

Jennifer Garner might be known for her timeless leading lady style both on and off the red carpet, but she went full femme fatale in a vampy style transformation over the weekend. In a photoshoot for Flaunt Magazine shared on Instagram on Saturday, the 13 Going on 30 alum turned heads in a plunging black leather bustier dress that dipped all the way down to her ribs.

Garner traded out girl-next-door fashion for a screen siren makeover, making a bold statement in the floor-length all-leather LBD. The Last Thing He Told Me actress is no stranger to the classic allure of a little black dress, most recently modeling a one-shoulder sheath dress featuring an unusual cape design and thigh-high slit for a February 16 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbertbut Garners latest iteration super-sized the sartorial drama.

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Jennifer Garner arrives to "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" in Midtown on February 16, 2026 Getty Images

In the black-and-white video, the Elektra star could be seen posing in the bodycon style, which was completely constructed from black leather and dipped to the middle of her stomach with a structured bustier-style bodice. Garners skirt added some extra volume and texture with some ruching in front, which created a ruffle effect through the floor-length hemline. She contrasted the high-octane glamour of her LBD with a pair of simple flat sandals, and styled her hair in a sleek straight style for the photoshoot.

Jennifer Garner arrives at the Apple TV's "The Last Thing He Told Me" Season Two Tastemaker Event at The West Hollywood EDITION on February 12, 2026 in West Hollywood, California Getty Images

Jennifer Garner attends a photocall for the launch of "The Last Thing He Told Me" Season 2 at Claridge's Hotel on February 20, 2026 in London, England Getty Images

Garners Flaunt feature showcased her sartorial breadth, as Garner also modeled 80s power dressing in a chocolate brown leather skirt set featuring exaggerated padded sleeves and an office-ready pencil skirt. Moments later, the starwho shares kids Violet, Seraphina, and Sam with ex-husband Ben Afflecksashayed on screen in a ballerina-coded look. The white sleeveless tutu-inspired dress featured a divisive drop-waist design and a gauzy sheer skirt that was tied in knots at the bottom and featured a hip-high slit. A pair of knotted leather sandals peeped out as she twirled in the whimsical number.

Read the original article on InStyle
Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that he doesn't believe "it's time" to call for Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales' resignation amid an alleged affair scandal -- as fellow House Republicans have pushed back, calling for Gonzales to resign or drop out of his bid for reelection.

"I think we have to wait for more of the facts to come out, and I don't think it's time to call for resignation," Johnson told reporters.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images - PHOTO: House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks in the Rayburn Reception Room after formally unveiling the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery at the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2026.

Gonzales has denied allegations he engaged in an extramarital affair with a congressional aide who died by suicide last fall -- calling on the Uvalde police department to release its report on her death despite objections from her family.

Regina Santos-Aviles, 35, died on Sept. 14, 2025, after she doused herself with an accelerant and set herself ablaze at her home in Uvalde, Texas, Bexar County officials determined.

Texas Republican faces allegations of affair with staffer who died by suicide

Santos-Aviles served as regional district director for Gonzales, who lost an endorsement last week from the San Antonio Express-News following its reporting of an alleged affair between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles.

Last week, Gonzales posted on X suggesting an attorney representing the Santos-Aviles family was seeking an out-of-court financial settlement, which Gonzales described as "blackmail.

"I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED. Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death. The public should IMMEDIATELY have full access to the Uvalde Police report. I will keep fighting for #TX23," Gonzales said in the post.

Santos-Aviles' widower, Adrian Aviles, previously denied Gonzales' charge of blackmail while expressing his intent to block details of the incident from becoming unsealed.

Since the allegations of the affair, several Republican lawmakers have called on Gonzales to resign.

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Samuel Corum/Getty Images - PHOTO: Rep. Tony Gonzales speaks during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Feb. 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

On Monday, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert wrote in a post on X that Gonzales should resign.

Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, in a post on X , reacted to the allegations against Gonzales, saying "this is really disgusting to see."

"I am so sick of people not calling this crap out. Again, like Ive said before, this is not the only case of this crap up here. @RepTonyGonzales, shame on you, Luna wrote Monday.

Fellow Texas House Republican Rep. Brandon Gill also called on Gonzales to drop out of his race for reelection.

America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race, Rep. Gill said in a post on X.

Even if Gonzales, who was first elected to Congress in 2020, did drop out of the GOP primary race, he still has until January 2027 to finish out his current term in office.

If Gonzales were to resign from Congress, it would shrink Republicans' razor-thin majority, where Republicans currently hold 218 seats while the Democrats have 214.

ABC News has reached out to Gonzales' office for comment.

On Monday, Johnson would not jump to conclusions on Gonzales and said, "you have to allow investigations to play out and all the facts to come out."

"If the accusation of something is going to be the litmus test for someone being able to continue to serve in the House, you'll have a lot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress," Johnson said. "So, I think you got to allow this to play out. I think it is very serious. The allegations are clearly very serious."
The author on her wedding day with her mother Courtesy of Ann Batchelder

Your granddaughter needs to go to a hospital in Nashville for her depression, I told my 95-year-old mother. Shell be away a few months.

My mother sat in her easy chair in stony silence. After my father died at age 83, Mom moved to a retirement facility near us in Asheville, North Carolina. My glance around her tiny assisted-living home room landed on the bookshelf where shed arranged photos of her seven grandchildren, including my daughter  all of them smiling for the camera. Her perfect family.

Also Read: When My Husband Died Suddenly, One Of His Family Members Said 5 Words That Taunted Me For Years

You mean she wont be home for Christmas? she asked.

Im afraid not. But the doctors think this is best.

Youre making a mistake, she told me.

I couldnt bring myself to explain. Mom never asked for details, and I was relieved not to talk with her about it again. I knew she wouldnt understand that my lovely 19-year-old daughter  the grandchild she adored and got such a kick out of  had been addicted to heroin in college and was now struggling to recover her life in rehab.

I desperately wanted to turn to my mother for support but didnt trust that I would get it. Mom was raised to believe a womans role was to be the glue for her family. Keep your figure to keep your husband, shed tell me. And always stay in control of your children. She was already upset that I had a job while raising my children, rather than following her lead as a stay-at-home mother. It seemed I was always doing something wrong in her eyes, so I assumed she would blame me for my daughters misery. To skirt around her criticism, my visits with Mom became shorter and more task-oriented.

The author with her daughter at her daughter's birthday party in 1998 Courtesy of Ann Batchelder

Women have long been pressured to create good families by being perfect mothers. Theyre often shamed for doing too much or too little for their kids. To avoid this judgment, I drove my two children to every practice, performance, game and match, took time off work to volunteer in their classes, helped with homework and made sure our family sat down to home-cooked meals five nights a week. And then, when they got older, I tried to appropriately let go, as was recommended in my parenting self-help books.

Still, all my efforts to excel as a mother didnt prevent my daughter from becoming deeply depressed. When she tried to ease her pain with alcohol in high school and drugs in college, I felt like Id failed her. I needed help but was ashamed to admit it. It was 2014. The opioid crisis was on the rise in our country, but heroin use was not acknowledged yet as something that happened on college campuses or to good families.

Also Read: My Mom Tortured Me  And Made My Brothers Her Enforcers. Years Later, I Finally Discovered Why.

After my daughter had been in rehab for a month, Mom had what the doctors called a mini stroke. There would probably be more, they told me. I prepared myself for the fact that my vibrant, complicated mother might soon die. To my surprise, her deteriorating health made her softer  and me more forgiving.

I began checking in on her several times a week. When Id get up to leave, we often hugged a long time, rubbing each others backs while whispering I love you. We never talked about what was really going on with my daughter, but I could tell my mother sensed there was more to the story than Id provided.

My daughter was making progress with recovery, and I was hopeful shed soon be coming home. Then I got a call from the rehab facility in Nashville.

Hello. This is the nurse. Everythings fine, she said. The staff are trained to begin conversations this way. But if everything is fine, I wondered, why would a nurse be calling?

The author's mother in 2014 Courtesy of Ann Batchelder

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Your daughters had an accident. Her blue jeans caught fire and she has a third-degree burn on her calf, but shes OK. Shes been to the hospital and is resting here in the clinic now.

I stared at the phone, wondering how quickly I could jump in the car and drive five hours to Nashville.

Also Read: Better Late Than Never: On Friendship, Authoritarianism, And Finally Drawing A Line

The nurse handed the phone to my daughter.

Hi, Mom. Im fine but really tired, so dont come now. But I may need a skin graft.

After we talked for a while, I hung up the phone and went to visit my mother. Mom was weak and often tired, taking more naps than usual. And she had been having more mini strokes.

I have some bad news, I said to my mother the next time I saw her. Your granddaughter burned her leg in an accident and now needs an operation. She will be in the hospital in Nashville for several days. Ill be driving there tomorrow, but I dont want to leave you now.

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Also Read: I Canceled Thanksgiving After My Husband And In-Laws Voted For Trump. I Didnt Expect What Happened Next.

Of course, you must be with her, she said.

Promise you wont go anywhere until I get back? I joked. We both understood her time on Earth was limited. She smiled and nodded.

Now listen, she said, and looked me square in the face. I was waiting to hear her disapproval or advice or concern about my daughter. Instead, she said six words that changed my life: Youre going to get through this.

It was the first time my mother had ever expressed her belief in me without adding some little quip or comment about ways I could still improve. She had always given me love, but not unconditional trust.

"My mother and I loved playing music and singing together," the author writes. Courtesy of Ann Batchelder

As I left her room and walked down the stairs to the parking lot, I felt lighter than I had in years. My constant guilt and worrying about her, about my daughter, about myself seemed to evaporate in that moment. Despite the uncertainty that surrounded me, I suddenly felt confident and calm, rather than anxious or inept. I hadnt realized how much Id longed to hear those words from my mother all my life.

At the Vanderbilt burn unit, I stayed with my daughter for five days. In a way, it was a precious time for us. I spent hours listening to her talk about her friends at rehab, her hopes for the future, the things she was learning about recovery. I painted her toenails bright green, and we ate sandwiches I bought from a nearby deli to avoid the hospital food. I also openly shared myself with her in a way Id never done before. I told her I was sorry for not understanding the pain shed been in when she was younger and how I was sad that my mother was nearing the end of her life. At one point, I even let my daughter hug me while I cried.

Also Read: I Slowly And Quietly Destroyed My Marriage. Id Do Anything To Get It Back.

The day before I was to leave the hospital and return home, a nurse brought in pain pills and waited by the bed with a cup of water. I watched my daughter pretend to swallow the pills and then hide them next to her hip, away from the nurse.

Oh, look! You must have dropped this, I said, and handed her the pills.

Thanks, Mom. Youre right.

She was quick. She swallowed the pills and smiled. The nurse looked confused but finally left the room.

What was that about? I asked.

I thought if I saved up three doses then I could get high.

Seriously? I said.

Im sorry, Mom.

My daughter sighed and looked out the window.

The author and her daughter on vacation in California in 2016 Courtesy of Ann Batchelder

We sat together on her bed in silence. I couldnt believe the excruciating leg pain she was willing to endure just to get high. I knew then I couldnt help her recover, and I couldnt insist that she get better just so I could relax. It would be a long, tough journey for her. I tried to think about what she needed to hear from me, what in the world I could possibly say. I tried to imagine what I would want to hear.

When I finally stood up to leave, I didnt offer my usual pep talk or tell her she had to work harder to stay clean and sober. I stopped trying to be a perfect mother. I stopped trying to control things. I didnt give her any advice at all. Instead, I held her hand and said six words: Youre going to get through this.

While I was in Nashville, my mother suffered a major stroke. Once home, I immediately went to the retirement home to see her. She was lying in bed, paralyzed on one side and only able to utter a word or two. I held her hand and said, I love you. She nodded her head. Four days later, she died.

At first, when my mother said, Youre going to get through this, I thought she was just talking about my challenges raising a troubled teen. After she died, I realized she also meant I was going to get through losing a mother and all the other struggles that come with being human.

Ive since tried to give my children the gift of trust  the belief I have in their ability to handle whatever comes up in their lives. Sometimes, I relapse into old patterns of fear. But thanks to my mother, I now have a mantra to practice: Youre going to get through this.

This piece previously appear on HuffPost and is being shared again as part of HuffPost Personals Best Of series.

Ann Batchelder is the author of Craving Spring: A Mothers Quest, a Daughters Depression, and the Greek Myth that Brought Them Together. She was editor of Fiberarts Magazine, guest curator for major contemporary exhibitions at the Asheville Art Museum, and Director of Special Events for the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Ann lives with her husband in Asheville, North Carolina. Her writing has been featured in several publications and podcasts. For more, visit www.annbatchelder.com.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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Princess Kate and Prince William showed subtle signs of tension and stress, days after the arrest of Prince Williams uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

It was business as usual when the royal couple arrived on the 2026 BAFTAs red carpet on Sunday, February 22, at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Fans were surprised to see them in the spotlight amid what is seen as a turbulent time for the British royal family, with one commenting: Kate is trying too hard to look unbothered.

Princess Kate and Prince William showed subtle signs of stress at the 2026 BAFTAs, a body language expert claimed

Image credits: Neil Mockford/Getty Images

The royal show had to go on, even though it came just days after a senior member of the British royal family was arrested for the first time in nearly 400 years.

Princess Kate and Prince William walked the 2026 BAFTAs red carpet together, right on the heels of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors arrest in Sandringham on his 66th birthday.

Image credits: Royal Family Channel

The red carpet was shut down to welcome the royal pair, who attended the annual awards show together for the first time since 2023.

The couple didnt make an appearance last year, and the year before that, Prince William attended the annual awards show alone.

Princess Kate was dressed in a Gucci gown while her husband wore a Giorgio Armani burgundy velvet jacket

The couple looked sharp on the red carpet at this years BAFTAs, with Princess Kate dressed in a blush-colored Gucci gown and her husband wearing a Giorgio Armani burgundy velvet jacket, paired with black pants.

William and Kate delivered their usual, impeccable red carpet A-list glamour here, body language expert Judi James told HELLO!, but there are a handful of tells that might reflect the undeniable tensions of the past week.

Image credits: Scott Garfitt/BAFTA/Getty Images

The body language expert broke down the couples subtle physical cues during the glitzy event.

[The royals] walk side by side with their arms hanging loose at their sides, with a closeness of the dangling inner hands suggesting a desire to clasp hands here or perhaps to perform the kind of signature truncated touches, pats and strokes they often give each other to support each other at events like this, she said.

While their hands might not have met much on the 2026 BAFTAs red carpet, Judi believed Prince William had his own ritual to soothe himself.

The expert believed Prince William had his own ritual to soothe himself

Image credits: Samir Hussein/WireImage

Instead of touching, though, we can see the fingers of Williams right hand slightly curled so that his index finger touches his thumb, hinting at a self-soothe ritual, she told the outlet.

Judi noted other moments of apparent tension in Prince Williams demeanor, such as instances where his lips were pulled inward, or his brows were pulled into a small frown, suggesting some anxiety.

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On the other hand, Princess Kate managed to keep impeccable smiles on her face as usual but had a very slightly edge-to-edge placing of the teeth, which again could signal inner tension, the body language expert told the outlet.

Prince William made a rare confession about the headspace he was in

Image credits: Tristan Fewings/BAFTA/Getty Images

While interacting with people on the red carpet, Prince William reportedly made a statement that also alluded to his current mental state.

The couple was asked whether they had seen the movie Hamnet, which ultimately won the BAFTA for Best British Film during Sundays award show.

The movie tells the tragic story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, coping with the loss of their 11-year-old son.

Image credits: MEGA/Getty Images

The heir to the British throne admitted he hadnt watched the film because of the headspace he was in.

I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it, he said.

His wife, on the other hand, said she watched the movie and admitted she cried floods of tears.

I thought it was a bad idea, actually, she joked about watching the film ahead of the awards ceremony. Ended up with very puffy eyes.

It was so beautifully shot. The music as well. The score is fantastic, she added.

They should all be hiding in shame, one netizen commented online

Image credits: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Netizens had plenty to say about the Prince and Princess of Wales showing up to the BAFTA Film Awards.

Just shut the whole charade down, one said, while another wrote, Abolish the monarchy.

They need to look professional. They have nothing else going on, said another.

Princess Kate and Prince Williams red carpet appearance came days after Andrew was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office in light of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

He was kept in custody for about 11 hours and then released.

A spokesperson shared a statement on behalf of the Prince and Princess of Wales, saying: I can confirm the prince and princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims.

I guess he feels his turn of being king is in jeopardy, one netizen commented online
Kate Middleton on January 27, 2026. Getty Images

The Gist

Kate Middleton attended the 2026 BAFTAs with Prince William on Sunday, February 22.

She ditched her usual loose waves for tight-set ringlets that recalled the 1980s.

The Princess of Wales also rocked a Gucci gown that she debuted nearly a decade ago.

Kate Middleton debuted a dramatic hair transformation at the annual BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday. The Princess of Wales, who was accompanied by her husband Prince William, embraced retro ringlets a la Sarah Jessica Parker or Julia Roberts.

Walking the red carpet in London, Middleton rewore an elegant off-the-shoulder Gucci number that was slightly off the shoulder and featured alternating shades of mauve and a velvet belt. She decked herself in diamond jewelry, adding on a stunning bracelet and chandelier earrings passed down to her from Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively.

Kate Middleton and Prince William on February 22, 2026. Getty

Middleton's brunette tresses were done in tight-set curls, evoking crimped styles that were popular in the 1980s. The Princess of Wales typically tends to prefer a loose wave.

Middleton initially wore the same Gucci gown back in 2019, when she attended the 100 Women in Finance gala.

Kate Middleton on February 22, 2026. Getty

A new book about the Prince and Princess of Wales sheds light on their relationship. Royals expert Russell Myers penned William and Catherine, The Monarchys New Era: The Inside Story, out March 10.

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According to Myers, Middleton once "privately expressed" her "reservations" about inheriting Princess Diana's title.

Princess Diana on a royal tour of Argentina in November 1995. Getty Images

"Courtiers said that while Catherine had a full appreciation ofthe history associated with the role, she was determined to findher own path," he wrote. "But Catherine had also privately expressed to William and to Charles her reservations about taking over the title, conscious of the British publics exceptional feeling for, and connection to, Princess Diana even 25 years after her death."

A former senior aide to Prince William and Middleton added: "This tells you how considered she is."

"She is benevolent with her intentions, but also wishes to carve out her own role for both herself and her family, which in many ways looks very different to how generations of royals have acted in the past," they continued.



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ANNISTON, Ala., Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Home Services, a leading consolidator of home service brands across the Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic United States, announced the acquisition of Dunn's HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical. Dunn's is headquartered in Anniston, AL with significant operations in Pelham, AL and is one of the highest rated multi-trade service companies in the greater Birmingham area. This acquisition strengthens Southern's presence in Alabama and adds another high-growth metro area to its densifying Southeast footprint.

L to R: Donny Dunn - Dunn's owner, Maegan Dunn - Dunn's COO, Bryan Benak - Southern Home Services CEO, Drew Poskon - Southern Home Services COO.

"Dunn's is an exceptional company with a reputation for high quality service, deep community roots, and a team-first culture," said Jarrod Brinker, Chief Strategy Officer for Southern Home Services. "Alabama continues to be a priority growth market for us, and partnering with a respected local brand like Dunn's allows us to expand thoughtfully while staying true to what matters most: delivering reliable, high-quality service to our customers."

Founded on a commitment to honesty, integrity, and customer satisfaction, Dunn's has built a strong reputation delivering "Dependable service DUNN right" to homeowners and businesses across central and eastern Alabama for over a decade.

"We have been intentional in building a strong process-driven organization with an exceptional team," added Maegan Dunn COO of Dunn's HVAC Plumbing, & Electrical. "Southern Home Services recognizes that foundation and brings the resources and strategic support to accelerate growth while preserving the culture and standards that have defined Dunn's."

"Joining forces with Southern Home Services marks an exciting new chapter for Dunn's," said Donny Dunn owner of Dunn's HVAC Plumbing, & Electrical. "We are proud of the relationships we've built in this community and confident that Southern's resources and commitment to excellence will elevate the level of service our customers and team members have come to expect."

Dunn's customers will continue to receive the same high-quality service from the same trusted technicians, now supported by Southern Home Services broader network and resources.

About Southern Home Services

Southern Home Services is a consolidator and operator of premier home services business centers focused on residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. With a commitment to being the company customers recommend and employees are proud of, Southern partners with established service brands to accelerate growth, elevate customer experience, and deliver dependable home solutions.

Clew Partners served as buy-side advisor to Southern for this transaction.

MEDIA CONTACT

Desirae Mills, Director of Communications

[email protected]

407.790.5548

SOURCE Southern Home Services
Owensboro Fire Department Owensboro Fire Department/TikTok

NEED TO KNOW

The Owensboro Fire Department launched a TikTok to share fire-safety tips with humor

Officials said the goal is to reach younger audiences and boost awareness beyond Kentucky

The departments videos are gaining traction, with thousands of views and growing followers

A Kentucky fire department is taking an unexpected approach to public safety: comedy.

The Owensboro Fire Department has begun sharing humorous TikTok videos that weave fire-prevention advice into playful skits  an effort officials say helps important messages land with audiences who might otherwise scroll past.

The idea, according to FireRescue1, came from city communications staff who saw short-form video as a way to expand the departments reach beyond its existing social media channels. Within days of launching the account, the department had already drawn more than 1,000 followers and thousands of views.

Our growth is huge on there, digital marketing coordinator Maddie Haynes said, as per FireRescue1, of the early response.

The clips are intentionally lighthearted, often featuring firefighters acting out exaggerated scenarios tied to real safety reminders  from seasonal hazards to household fire risks. Officials say humor can make practical information more approachable in an online space crowded with serious messaging.

On the internet, everyone is yelling, city communications manager Shaelie Velez told the outlet. Humor, she said, gives viewers a reason to pause and pay attention.

Department leaders stress that while the videos are playful, the mission is not. Fire Chief James Howard said appearing on new platforms helps ensure critical prevention advice reaches more people across age groups.

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We want to make sure we are capturing as much of the demographic as we can, Howard told FireRescue1.

For firefighters themselves, the project has also offered a chance to show a different side of the job  one that rarely appears during emergency calls.

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We are normal people, like everyone else, Battalion Chief Brian Roberts told the outlet, adding that staff who were initially hesitant quickly embraced the creative effort.

Ultimately, officials hope the videos reach extends far beyond Owensboro. Even if viewers live in another state, they say, the safety reminders still matter.

We are not picky about where people learn fire-prevention habits, Roberts said, as long as the message gets out.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Owensboro Fire Department for comment.

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McDonald's Big Arch Burger McDonald's

NEED TO KNOW

McDonald's Big Arch Burger is coming to the U.S. for a limited time

The fast food chain called the burger its "biggest"

The burger was previously tested in Canada and European countries

The Big Arch Burger has landed.

McDonalds revealed that its most McDonalds, McDonalds burger is coming to the U.S. on Tuesday, March 3, per a press release.

The limited-time burger features two quarter-pound beef patties, three slices of white cheddar cheese, crispy onions, slivered raw onions, lettuce, pickles and Big Arch Sauce. The namesake condiment is described as having a perfect balance of mustard, pickle and sweet tomato flavors, per the release. The components are all sandwiched between a toasted sesame and poppy seed-coated bun.

The burger is the chain's "biggest" burger, according to the McDonald's website.

The burger was previously tested in various European countries and Canada. It is a permanent menu item in the U.K. and Ireland.

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Burger King has its own new burger launching on Feb. 24.

BKs Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper, which first debuted in November 2024, is back in U.S. locations. The limited-time burger tops a quarter-pound beef patty with maple bourbon barbecue sauce, crispy onions, jalapenos, maple bacon season, bacon and American cheese.

The Maple Bourbon BBQ Whopper (and the Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper that Burger King launched last month) were created from the popular Whopper by You launch Burger King kicked off last year, where fans can submit their burger ideas.

The Whopper by You platform is still up and running online. To submit a burger, fans are first asked to choose a beef or Impossible patty. Then creators are meant to add three to six different toppings (all of which have to already be available on Burger Kings menu) before submitting their innovation.

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Krystal Farmer; Michiganhouse where her young children were found alone Genesee County Prosecutors Office; Flint Township Police Department

NEED TO KNOW

Officers in Flint, Mich., found two children alone inside a squalid home, police allege

Water was running and the walls were allegedly covered with feces, police said

The children's mother, Krystal Farmer, is facing multiple charges of child abuse and child abandonment

A Michigan woman is facing criminal charges after police found her two young children with special needs living alone in squalor  naked, covered in feces and eating raw, spoiled meat.

Police in Flint who were responding to a neighbors call for a welfare check found one of the children in the bathroom trying to eat spoiled, raw meat, and another curled up behind a bed, according to a statement from the Flint Township Police Department.

Hey buddy, one of the officers said softly to the boy he found huddling next to the bed, according to bodycam footage the Flint Township Police Department posted on Facebook.

We got two kids, one completely naked and the other ones covered in (redacted)," the officer wearing the body cam said to another officer in another part of the house, according to the video. "Would you mind getting a couple safety blankets so we can get them wrapped up in the cars?

One of the children could be heard crying in the background as the officers walked through the home.

Trash covered the floors so thickly they couldnt take a normal step, the department said in the Facebook post.

Feces were smeared along the walls at a childs height," the post continued.

A sink faucet was turned on in the bathroom, with water spilling onto the floor.

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It was a house that had been reduced to survival conditions, and two vulnerable children were left inside it alone.

The children had been left for days without supervision, the post alleges.

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Police said the situation came to light after a neighbor "cared enough to dial 911."

"If you ever question whether making that call matters, remember this: because one neighbor acted, two children were rescued from conditions no human being should endure," Flint police said in the post.

On Friday, Feb. 20, the childrens mother, Krystal Farmer, was charged with two counts of child abandonment, two counts of second-degree child abuse, two counts of second-degree child abuse in the presence of another child and one count of lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation, according to online court records.

It is unclear whether Farmer has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.

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The ubiquity of plastic makes studying the presence of microplastics in human tissue challenging  was the plastic actually found in the body, or was it introduced through plastic used in the research? (Stelios Misinas / Reuters file) (Stelios Misinas)

In a new study, researchers found microplastics deep inside prostate cancer tumors, raising more questions about the role the ubiquitous pollutants play in public health.

The findings  which come from a small study of 10 men  were presented Monday at the American Society of Clinical Oncologys Genitourinary Cancers Symposium and have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

In the study, researchers analyzed tissue samples taken from 10 men with prostate cancer, with an average age of 65, whose prostate had been removed as part of their treatment for the disease. They also analyzed noncancerous tissue taken from the opposite side of the organ.

Microplastics were present in 90% of the tumors and 70% of the noncancerous samples. The cancerous tissue contained 2.5 times the amount of plastic on average than the noncancerous tissue with approximately 40 micrograms of plastic per gram of tissue.

Dr. Stacy Loeb, the lead study author and a urologist at NYU Langone Health, said the higher concentrations in the tumor tissue was very surprising and concerning.

It raised questions over whether it could have an association with the development of prostate cancer, she said. So this is definitely something were going to continue to study further with more cases.

Dr. Michael Eisenberg, a urology professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, who wasnt involved in the study, said that the new research does not establish cause and effect.

However, we are finding many signals about the astonishing prevalences of micro/nanoplastics and the concerning associations with health problems, he wrote in an email. We need more data to understand the implications of these findings.

The study is not the first to find microplastics in prostate cancer tumors. A 2024 study published in The Lancet from researchers in China also found higher levels of plastics in tumors compared to nearby tissue. Loeb said the new study used more precise techniques to measure the different plastics found in the samples. The researchers also took extensive steps to avoid contamination that couldve skewed the results.

The ubiquity of plastic makes studying the presence of microplastics in human tissue challenging  was the plastic actually found in the body, or was it introduced through plastic used in the research? Previous studies that have identified microplastics in postmortem brain tissue and carotid artery plaques have been criticized for their methodology, including suggestions that the measurements may have been influenced by lab contamination.

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With this mind, Loeb said, extra stringent precautions were taken in her study, which took a year of planning. When conducting the surgical prostate removal, she said, plastic was eliminated from the operating room as much as possible and the team deliberately accounted for contamination in their analysis.

I would say, if anything, this might have been overly conservative, because the samples we took were from deep in the middle of the prostate, so its unclear how much anything could have actually touched these samples, Loeb said. The tumor and the benign tissue samples were from the same patient and underwent exactly the same handling, so the fact that were seeing a high concentration of plastics in the tumor cant really easily be explained by a contamination.

Dr. Andrea Viale, an associate professor in the department of genomic medicine, at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said that while the results dont establish a causal relationship between microplastics and prostate cancer, they show that this needs to be taken seriously as a possible theory for the rising rates of advanced disease.

Around 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. Over the past decade, cases of late-stage disease have increased annually by 2.6% in men under 55, 6% in men ages 5569, and 6.2% in men 70 and older.

The fact that it is being detected in tumors, means that from a public health perspective, this issue deserves really serious attention, said Viale, who was not involved with the study. We should really begin implementing strategies to limit the exposure, because we do not know what its actually doing, but it is something that should not be there.

According to Eisenberg, microplastics could be driving higher levels of oxidative damage to cells in the prostate, as well as impacting immune function. Loeb said they might also be increasing inflammation in the tissue, as well as helping transport potentially carcinogenic chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols into the prostate. Greater exposure to these chemicals, which are commonly found in plastic packaging, has previously been associated with prostate cancer.

At the same time, pinning down whether plastic particles are playing a role in the development or progression of the disease will be far from straightforward.

The challenging problem is that when you talk about plastic, you have dozens of polymers, shapes, sizes, geometries, and plastic contains tens of different chemicals, additives, stabilizers, plasticizers, dyes and contaminants as well, so its really difficult to understand the causative role, Viale said. It could be playing a physical role in the tissue, or it could be related to the chemical composition of the plastic itself.

Loeb and her colleagues have already secured a grant from the Defense Department, now rebranded the Department of War, for a larger study, analyzing the amount of plastic in tissue samples from 30 prostate cancer patients, as well as assessing whether there is a link between the quantity of plastic and the amount of inflammation in the tissue.

In future research, Loeb said she would also like to compare the prevalence of plastic in high-grade or aggressive prostate tumors, versus low-grade tumors. Shes also calling for similar studies from other research groups in more patient populations to try and confirm this apparent link.

The bottom line is that this study is just preliminary data, so were nowhere near the point of saying that this causes prostate cancer, she said. But I think more needs to be done to determine whether that is a possibility.
Kouri Richins during a status hearing Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Park City, Utah Rick Bowmer/AP Photo

NEED TO KNOW

Kouri Richins is on trial for the March 2022 murder of her husband Eric Richins

The mother of three is accused of killing her husband to gain access to his estate, which was allegedly around $4 million

Following Erics death, Kouri released a childrens book for kids dealing with grief, telling the story of a little boy who lost his father

A mother allegedly killed her husband for financial gain, then wrote a childrens book about his death, according to prosecutors.

On Monday, Feb. 23, 35-year-old Kouri Richins appeared in court for the first day of the murder trial of her late husband, Eric Richins, whom she married in June 2013. The two shared three children. The author is accused of giving him a lethal dose of fentanyl in early March 2022 at their home near Park City, Utah.

After his death, she self-published Are You With Me?  a childrens book that tells the story of a boy dealing with grief over the loss of his father.

Kouri and Eric Richins

The evidence will prove that Kouri Richins murdered Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life, Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told jurors, per KTSM. More than anything, she wanted his money to perpetuate her facade of privilege, affluence and success.

Kouri allegedly put five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in her husbands drink.

She is also accused of serving Eric a fentanyl-laced sandwich that caused him to break out in hives and black out, the news station reported, citing court documents.

Bloodworth alleged that Kouri devised the plan because she owed approximately $4.5 million in debt and believed that she would stand to gain more than $4 million from his estate if he died. The prosecutor also alleged that she was seeing another man outside of her marriage.

However, defense attorney Kathryn Nester argued that Eric had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers and possibly overdosed.

Nester also played the 9-1-1 audio of Kouri speaking with a dispatcher on the night that her husband died.

Eric and Kouri Richins

Those were the sounds of a wife becoming a widow, Nester said of her clients cries.

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PEOPLE reached out to Nester for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

In the years leading up to Erics death, Kouri also allegedly took out life insurance policies on him that he was unaware of.

PEOPLE spoke exclusively with friends of Richins in August 2023, and they explained why they still supported the author.

Kouri Richins children's book about mourning Amazon

"Theres a lot that will come out at trial, a friend close to the case told PEOPLE at the time. Im certain that once it does, the jury will make the right decision.

When the couple wed, his mother arranged a prenuptial agreement barring Kouri from claiming Erics 50 percent stake in his stone masonry business except in the event of his death, according to a civil suit over Erics estate filed by Kouri in the Summit County District Court in June 2023.

Some close to the couple also claimed Eric had begun drinking and taking illegal drugs during their marriage.

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The family needs an answer  someone to blame, Kouris best friend, Ali, told PEOPLE in 2023. I believe Eric must have died from an accidental overdose.

Kouri is charged with over 30 counts, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud, CBS News reported. She could get up to 25 years to life in prison solely with the murder charge.

Her trial is expected to run until March 26, according to CBS News.

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An Ohio police deputy chief has been relieved of duty due to an internal affairs investigation into unspecified allegations of misconduct.

Columbus Division of Police Deputy Chief Elrico Alli is the subject of an internal affairs investigation into a possible violation of division policy, Columbus police Sgt. Joe Albert said Feb. 23.

"Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide further details at this time," Albert said.

March 3, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Deputy Chief Elrico Alli of the Columbus Division of Police heads up the Patrol North Subdivision.Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch

Columbus Division of Police personnel who are relieved of duty must turn in their gun, badge and other equipment, and are given a desk assignment at police headquarters, the division said previously.

Alli was one of four deputy chiefs hired in 2023 to replace deputy chiefs who accepted $500,000 buyouts. to leave their roles as part of Chief Elaine Bryant's plan to overhaul the division's leadership.

Alli joined the department in 2004. He previously worked for the Youngstown Police Department from 1997-2002, according to records on the Ohio Attorney General's Office website.

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The Dispatch has requested copies of Alli's personnel file and disciplinary records from Columbus Division of Police.

Brian Steel, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, said in a news release Feb. 23 that the internal investigation is "administrative in nature" and does not involve any criminal wrongdoing involving Alli.

"At this time, we encourage the public and media to allow the internal review process to proceed without speculation or premature conclusions," Steel stated.

The police union has assigned a lodge attorney to represent Alli in the investigation, Steel said.

Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio police Deputy Chief Elrico Alli relieved of duty
Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock

It turns out that theres quite a bit of nostalgia for me hiding in the snack cakes aisle at the grocery store. Twinkies bring back memories of lunchtime in elementary school, and Ring Dings make me think of my grandmother, who always had a box.

Also in that aisle are honey buns, which remind me of my familys summer camping vacations. We'd eat them for breakfast every morning on our trips. So, when I took a bite of this Honey Bun Cake, with its glazed top, and soft, cinnamony cake, the flavor took me right back to those happy times.

Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock

The Honey Bun: Where It All Began

Before honey buns were sold plastic-wrapped and packaged in stores, they were a popular bakery item from the Griffin Pie Company in Greensboro, North Carolina. The shop first introduced them in 1954; soft, swirled rolls made with honey and cinnamon, fried, and covered with a sweet, sticky glaze.

Griffin Pie Company was eventually sold to Flower Foods in London, Kentucky. They still make honey buns today under several of their brands, including TastyKake, Wonder, and Mrs. Freshley. (The company even hosts an annual Honey Bun Festival for the town!)

Of course, theyre not the only ones making honey buns. The pastries that appeared annually during our camping trips were Little Debbie brand; other snack cake companies have versions, too. What began as a favorite Southern bakery treat quickly became a beloved snack cake across the country.

Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock

How to Make a Honey Bun Cake

That tantalizing combination of soft pastry, cinnamon, and glaze is too good to restrict to just a snack cake, which is why I love Betty Crockers recipe for Honey Bun Cake. And because its made using the brand's boxed Super Moist Yellow Cake Mix, its a very simple dessert to put together.

The cake mix is combined with eggs and oilbut more than is called for in the regular yellow cake recipeplus sour cream. This combo makes an exceptionally moist and tender cake.

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Half of the cake batter is spread in a greased 13x9-inch pan, followed by a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Even though a traditional honey bun pastry has no nuts, the pecans pair really nicely with the other flavors in this cake, and add a nice crunch. The filling is covered with the rest of the batter, then it's baked.

Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock

The finishing touch is a simple glaze made with powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Once the cake is baked and is still warm, holes are poked all over (try a fork or skewer), and the glaze is poured over the cake while it's warm. It soaks into the crumb and cools into a glossy, milky icing on the top.

It occurred to me that this honey bun cake recipe contains no honey. You can easily remedy this by stirring a couple of teaspoons of honey into the glaze mixture before spreading it over the cake.

What I Thought of the Honey Bun Cake

Ill just get to the point here: This cake is really delicious. Its so moist and flavorful, and truly does taste just like a honey bun, thanks to the cinnamon filling and smooth glaze. The slices are attractive too, with their ribbon of brown sugar and pecans in the middle, plus a shiny top.

I wondered if the pecans would detract at all from that classic honey bun flavor, but theyre actually a welcome addition. They complement the filling without overwhelming it.

Im excited to make this sheet cake the next time our (now grown) kids are over, and watching their eyes light up when that nostalgic honey bun flavor hits their taste buds.

Get Recipe with Title: Better Crocker's Honey Bun Cake

Simply Recipes / Nancy Mock

Read the original article on Simply Recipes
Crowded plaza in Venice, Italy - Marc Bruxelle/Getty Images

If you've ever been to Europe in the summer and had the thought that crowd sizes have gotten out of hand, you're not alone. Overtourism has long been a problem in Europe's most popular cities. So much so that every year, Fodor's puts out a list of destinations you should not visit. While some cities are just unbearable to navigate during peak travel seasons, Venice is quite literally sinking under the weight of tourism. As Rick Steves himself has said about that magical city, "the water seems to be winning."

Whether you've been hoping to get to Greece, Italy, or another hotspot this year, Rick Steves' protege has some ideas for less-crowded alternatives to Europe's most popular destinations. As a part of Rick Steves' 2026 Travel Festival, Cameron Hewitt gave a talk on the State of European Travel in which he shared his suggestions. Below we've laid out the less-visited destinations that Hewitt loves. On top of Rick Steves' best tips for planning a European vacation itinerary, we've also included tips from Hewitt for making visiting big cities in Europe more enjoyable.

Read more: Rick Steves' Most And Least Favorite Places In Europe

Alternative to Santorini, Greece

Shot of Santorini, Greece facing the ocean from above - Neirfy/Shutterstock

The first location that Cameron Hewitt recommends circumventing is Santorini, Greece. One of the most popular islands in the country for tourists, Santorini is often described as being overrun with visitors. As Hewitt harps on a few times during his talk, the problem isn't necessarily that there are too many tourists visiting Europe, but that they're all choosing to visit one destination simultaneously. When planning your next summer vacation to Greece, instead of Santorini, Hewitt recommends heading to nearby Naxos.

If you're hoping to visit an island in the Cyclades, Naxos is larger than Santorini and doesn't get all of the foot traffic from cruise ships that other islands do, making it far less crowded. Naxos also has the most greenery of any of these islands, making it suitable for activities like hiking as well as sightseeing or lying on the beach. Another option about 45 minutes away from Santorini by boat is Folegandros, which Hewitt describes as perfect if you want to "melt into a Greek Island escape." Both of these options are beautiful alternatives to Santorini, or good breaks from the crowds should you decide to visit Santorini anyway.

Alternative to Venice, Italy

The Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy - Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Venice, Italy, is a timeless destination. It will unfortunately also probably be in crisis for the foreseeable future as sea levels rise. The Soviet poet Joseph Brodsky, who visited the city every winter for almost 20 years, wrote, "Venice is eternity itself." Venice is a city that most travelers dream of visiting in their lifetime. It's also famously overcrowded. The small archipelago, which is made up of narrow streets and bridges, has been described as overwhelming to visit during peak travel times in the warmer months. Cameron Hewitt has two alternatives that are conveniently located nearby.

About 15-20 minutes away from Venice by train is Padua, which is described by Hewitt as a historic Italian city that houses a university where Galileo, Copernicus, and Dante all studied, and a fantastic market. Rick Steves, in his assessment of Padua, also said, "Its museums and churches hold their own in Italy's artistic big league, its hotels are reasonably priced, and the city doesn't feel too touristy." The town of Treviso is also nearby, and Hewitt describes parts of it as being "like a mini Venice." He notes that not only are these two destinations far less crowded than Venice, but they're also less expensive because they're catering to fewer tourists.

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Alternative to Prague, Czech Republic

Christmas tree in Old Town Prague - Matyas Rehak/Shutterstock

Next up, Prague is a popular destination in Europe that tourists flock to in the summer and around Christmas time, when the city's Christmas markets and decorations go up. While the city is historic and absolutely beautiful, American tourists often don't venture into other parts of Czechia. Cameron Hewitt shared that when he visits Prague, he also loves venturing into the Czech countryside, where towns and cities don't see nearly as many, if any, American tourists.

One of his top recommendations for visitors looking to avoid crowds is the town of Mikulov, which is located in one of the country's most prolific wine regions. This town can be found just a few hours south of Prague, right near the Austrian border. If you're traveling from Vienna to Prague, this would be an easy spot to hit on your way. Nearby, you can take part in wine tastings or visit Lednice Castle (which is home to the Czech national wine cellar), as well as other historic sites.

Alternative to Budapest, Hungary

View of the Budapest skyline along the Danube river at night - Schroptschop/Getty Images

Budapest, Hungary has the same over-tourism problem as the other spots we've mentioned. Cameron Hewitt says in his presentation on the current state of European travel that "whenever I talk to somebody who goes to the most crowded places in Europe at the most crowded times of the year, and then comes home and complains about the crowds, I just shake my head and I think of Pecs."

Pecs, Hungary, is a smaller town than Budapest, is less touristy, and, according to Rick Steves' protege, has all the things one is looking for in a visit to Hungary. Great food, beautiful architecture on par with Budapest, and, like Mikulov, it's conveniently located near a wine region. The destination is less crowded and less expensive than Budapest, and Hewitt has found that in all of his visits, he rarely runs into another American tourist. If you still want to visit a larger city like Budapest, timing will affect your experience. Look into the best times to visit Budapest's famous baths before planning a trip.

Consider visiting popular cities in the off-season

Woman enjoying a coffee in Rome - RossHelen/Shutterstock

As Cameron Hewitt says, there are two ways to go about avoiding crowds at Europe's most popular destinations: You can change where you visit, or you can visit during the off-season. While the options we've presented above are great ways to circumvent crowds and to see beautiful destinations in these countries that you may not have heard of before, most travelers will want to visit cities like Prague and Venice in their lifetimes. Visiting popular destinations in the off-season can be a truly fantastic way to experience a city.

For example, Cameron Hewitt discusses how one of his most memorable family trips to the region of Tuscany occurred in the late fall, well past when most tourists choose to do so. While visiting in the off-season may limit what's open and how much daylight and warm weather you have to work with, you're likely to have a much more peaceful and authentic experience. The same is true of any major tourist destination. If you're able to visit during a quieter time of the year, you'll not only have a better experience, but you will help combat over-tourism in destinations where locals are fed up.

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US actor Robert Carradine attends the LA premiere of "Sentimental Value" at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) theatre in Los Angeles on November 5, 2025. - Michael Tran/AFP/Getty Images

Robert Carradine, known for his roles in The Long Riders, Revenge of the Nerds and the television series Lizzie McGuire, has died at 71, his management company told CNN.

It is with profound sadness that we must share that our beloved father, grandfather, uncle, and brother Robert Carradine has passed away, his family said in a statement to Deadline.

In a world that can feel so dark, Bobby was always a beacon on light to everyone around him. We are bereft at the loss of this beautiful soul and want to acknowledge Bobbys valiant struggle against his nearly two-decade battle with Bipolar Disorder, the family statement said.

We hope his journey can shine a light and encourage addressing the stigma that attaches to mental illness, it added.

Born March 24, 1954, Robert Carradine was the youngest son of late American actor John Carradine, and the brother of actors David Carradine and Keith Carradine, as well as Christopher Carradine, a former vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

Keith Carradine told Deadline the family wanted to share about his brothers struggle with bipolar disorder, saying We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it.

It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul, he said. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.

Carradine made his film debut in the 1972 film The Cowboys, which starred John Wayne and Roscoe Lee Browne, before forging a decades-long career in Hollywood across studio films, independent cinema and television.

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He garnered huge popularity with his role as Lewis Skolnick, the idealistic leader of a fraternity of social misfits, in the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds, a studio comedy which spawned multiple sequels.

Robert Carradine, second from right, with the cast of the Disney Channel series Lizzie McGuire, on which he played the title characters father, Sam McGuire. - Alamy

Two decades later, he found a new generation of fans, starring as Sam McGuire in the popular Disney television series, Lizzie McGuire.

Hilary Duff, who co-starred in the series, paid tribute to Carradine in a post on Instagram Tuesday morning, writing, This one hurts. Its really hard to face this reality about an old friend.

Im deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering. My heart aches for him, his family, and everyone who loved him, she wrote.

Another Lizzie McGuire co-star, Jake Thomas, called him one of the coolest guys you could ever meet. Funny, pragmatic, sometimes cranky, always a little eccentric.

Carradines daughter, Ever Carradine, shared a post on Instagram after her fathers passing: My sweet, funny dad, whos only 20 years older than I am, who never missed an opportunity to drive me to the airport or tell me how much he loved my homemade salad dressing, is gone.

Whenever anyone asks me how I turned out so normal, I always tell them its because of my dad. I knew my dad loved me, I knew it deep in my bones, and I always knew he had my back, she wrote, before adding: Rest easy, dad. I love you the most.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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(Left) Sarah Ferguson in Cannes, France on July 22, 2024; (Right) Jeffrey Epstein in New York City on May 18, 2005 Marc Piasecki/WireImage; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Sarah Ferguson is believed to have asked Jeffrey Epstein's advice about how to promote a children's charity when he was in jail for solicitation of prostitution with a minor

The email was revealed in the latest dump of Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30

Ferguson's ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested last week as authorities investigate a claim that he shared confidential information with the late Epstein while serving as a trade envoy for the U.K.

Emails suggest that Sarah Ferguson asked Jeffrey Epstein for advice about how to promote a children's charity when he was in prison for solicitation of prostitution, including with a minor.

According to an email released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 30 relating to the ongoing Epstein investigation, Ferguson and the financier emailed one another about the matter when he was serving his jail sentence in 2009.

Though the sender's email address was redacted in the DOJ file, the Daily Mail reported that Ferguson was the sender. The email that kicked off the chain addressed the recipient as "Your Royal Highness" and referenced a meeting at Royal Lodge, the Windsor home where Ferguson and her ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, lived.

On July 4, 2009, Amr A. Al-Dabbagh of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority sent an email to a redacted recipient, thanking the person for a meeting at Royal Lodge and discussing the work of the Stars Foundation.

(Left) Sarah Ferguson in Forte dei Marmi, Italy on July 28, 2025; (Right) Jeffrey Epstein. Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty

"Your Royal Highness," the message began. "I was very honored to have met you at the Royal Lodge, and I must thank you again for the two lovely books you signed for my daughters. They were so excited they carried them off to read over the summer holidays and I haven't seen any sign of either the books or the girls since."

Ferguson is an author who has published over 50 books, including several children's books, and Al-Dabbagh then turned to the work of the Stars Foundation he founded.

"As I mentioned, I founded the Stars Foundation and we look after disadvantaged children in areas of health, education and protection in the U5MR countries and one of our channels is Mums for Mums, which offers training opportunities for destitute mothers (inc. income generation activities, business skills & revolving loan fund), childcare, reproductive health training, family nutrition advice (using cactus), support for Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs)," he wrote.

"I thought I'd let you know cause it's dealing with mothers in a certain segment that Mother Unite may not cover," he continued, sharing a link to the website for the organization, which ceased operations in 2020.

On July 5, 2009, the redacted recipient forwarded the email, and a sender identified as Jeffrey Epstein wrote back about 25 minutes later. At this point, Epstein was in jail in Palm Beach, Florida, after pleading guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18, PBS reported. He was released on probation on July 22, 2009, after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence.

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In the email exchange, Epstein said to envision a "movie trailer" modeled after "Be All You Can Be," seemingly referencing the U.S. Army recruiting slogan.

"Join the army with photos of mothers , not soldiers, breast feeding not shooting, reading to a child, not teaching them to shoot a rifle," he said.

Replying, the email user believed to be Ferguson said, "Has anyone told you, you are a genius."

The latest tranche of Epstein files  over three million pages  published by the DOJ seemed to reveal an extensive friendship between Ferguson, 66, and Epstein, who died in prison in New York City in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

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Emails suggested that Andrew's ex-wife emailed Epstein about bringing her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to meet him for lunch soon after his release from prison in 2009 and showed that she told him to "Just marry me" in an effusive email in 2010, among other correspondence.

Andrew's ties to Epstein set his step back from public life in motion in November 2019. King Charles' brother has continuously denied any wrongdoing regarding their relationship and was arrested on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

(Left) Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Sept. 16, 2025; (Right) Men step out of an unmrked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk. Chris Jackson/Getty; Peter Nicholls/Getty

Police are investigating a claim that the former Duke of York shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as a trade envoy for the U.K. in the 2000s. Andrew, who is now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after the King stripped his princely title in October 2025, was released after spending about 11 hours in custody last Thursday, his 66th birthday, and now faces an uncertain future.

Amid the hot spotlight on her ex-husband, the Daily Mail reported on Feb. 21 that Ferguson left Britain and checked into Paracelsus Recovery, a Swiss rehabilitation clinic. PEOPLE has not independently confirmed the report.



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